header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 18
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Friday, Feb 13, 2015

darrylmanzer0215Friday the 13th. I’m not superstitious, but each and every one of you non-single guys out there had better prepare for tomorrow, Valentine’s Day. If you don’t prepare or haven’t prepared, just know you’re in a heap of trouble.

By non-single, I mean any guy who has a girlfriend, wife, close female friend or lady friend who might want to be your Valentine. For the rest of us, a few flowers could put us in the “non-single” category. Be careful. Be very, very careful.

I don’t know if it is even allowed in the politically correct atmosphere of the elementary schools of today, but back in the day, all of us kids would rush out to the store and get our Valentine’s cards to give to all of our classmates. At Castaic Elementary School, we took some masking tape and attached a small paper bag to our desk where classmates could deposit their “Valentines” to each other.

In third grade at that school, my teacher was Mrs. Krenke. She made sure every student had an equal number of cards. She did this while we were out on the playground. I didn’t learn this fact for many years. I suspect she had to add some cards, lots of cards, to my little paper bag.

We didn’t get to look at the cards until we took them home. My first heartbreak was the year I didn’t get a card from a classmate named Linda. I nearly cried until I realized she hadn’t been in class that day. Sure enough, the next school day, she handed out a Valentine’s Day card to each of us.

I still can’t believe we didn’t look at those cards until we got all the way home. The wrath of Mrs. Krenke could be felt maybe 20 miles from school. We dared not look at the cards.

vday2014So did you at least get her a card? Did you at least support the florist of your choice and get her some flowers? Did you fall into that trap? I hope so. I hope you fell and hit hard enough that you’ll remember she is that most special and loving lady in your life. If you didn’t do any of that, I hope you like the couch or the car parked out in the garage. I hope the warm weather continues while you’re stuck there.

I don’t know how many times I was at sea when Valentine’s Day came around and I hadn’t planned ahead. Of course, it isn’t easy to get a card when you spend December and January in a submarine at sea. I don’t know how many times she wanted to have that special dinner, some flowers and a card and I wasn’t home to get them. There were 36 years of not always being able to celebrate such days.

I can’t get her flowers or dinner or a card now. I know she’ll be watching me admonish all of those non-single men out there to make sure they do just that. You see, this is the first Valentine’s Day since she died, so I believe she is watching over us all. Like Mrs. Krenke, she can make sure each of you follows directions. Her watchful eyes cover a whole lot more than a 20-mile radius.

Nobody knows when you’ll give that last Valentine’s Day card or flowers to the woman you love. Don’t mess this up, guys.

Now, Simon and Shannon Mee, I’m sure, will have some fine meals ready for all of those loving couples who visit their establishments. Folks up in Acton might want to partake of the great food at Vincent Hill Station.

You know her favorite place. Take her there.

You might also have to sit through a “chick flick.” Do it. You don’t have a choice. This is a celebration of love. Show her your love.

If you do all of this, you will prove the age-old truth. I’m passing that truth on today. Here it is:

“A man will do anything if a woman convinces him it is foreplay.”

Women learned this long before us men. We have no defense from it. It is just how we roll.

Now smell the pretty flowers and turn on the Hallmark Channel. Your reward isn’t far away. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow … but soon. Just as soon as she decides.

We truly single guys can spend the day watching any old movie we like. Might I recommend “Sands of Iwo Jima” with John Wayne or a similar man-flick. When dinner comes, we can enjoy a good, old-fashioned fast-food meal from just about anyplace.

Then we’ll do what we always do. We’ll go looking for that someone special so we can celebrate the next Valentine’s Day all proper-like.

Hope to see you then.

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley, where he serves as executive director of the SCV Historical Society. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com. His older commentaries are archived at DManzer.com; his newer commentaries can be accessed [here]. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Emily Ball says:

    Beautiful, Darryl.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Friday, Sep 13, 2024
As a father of three, I understand firsthand the importance of guiding our children through open communication and keeping them engaged in extracurricular activities and sports to foster their growth.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
You may have noticed that things look a little different around our city. Maybe you noticed the motion sensor lights at our parks, or the solar panels being installed in city parking lots.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
California State  Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is urging residents to prepare an emergency evacuation plan as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and several other wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to High Desert and foothill communities.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
As we approach the November 2024 elections, the importance of informed voting cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the ballot box will shape the future of our city, state and nation. Yet, in an era where soundbites often substitute for substantive discussion, how can voters truly grasp the complexities of the issues at hand?
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.
Thursday, Sep 5, 2024
After being part of the Parks and Recreation Commission in the early 90s and spending nearly 30 years on the City Council, my life has been dedicated to creating a community where residents and businesses feel welcomed and safe here in Santa Clarita.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
Take a Virtual Tour of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center welcomes back Jim Curry for an evening concert celebrating the music of John Denver on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Bella Vida.
Oct. 5: SCV Senior Center Welcomes Jim Curry ‘Take Me Home’
As part of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency's ongoing commitment to ensuring local groundwater quality and reliability, the SCV Water recently began construction on a new treatment facility to remove perchlorate and volatile organic compounds at Well 205 in Valencia.
SCV Water Begins New Water Treatment Project in Valencia
Get ready to set sail at the Pirates SENSES Block Party, presented by the city of Santa Clarita, Thursday, Sept 19 from 7-10 p.m. on main street in Old Town Newhall.
Sept. 19: SENSES Pirate Block Party
No. 21 College of the Canyons football team knocked off No. 5 Fullerton College 29-13 on Saturday night behind a stifling defensive effort and five field goals from Luis Rodriguez.
No. 21 Canyons Knocks Off No. 5 Fullerton 29-13
Six of the seven Foothill League Varsity football teams begin league play Friday night, Sept. 20.
Foothill League Football Begins for SCV Teams
The California Institute of the Arts will present the "NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball", Friday, Oct. 4, 7-11 p.m. at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
Oct. 4: NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball at Cal Arts
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two human cases of a rare parasitic infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm.
Public Health Investigating Disease Spread from Animals to Humans
1879 - First official Newhall School building erected near Walnut & Ninth streets [story]
First Newhall School
The city of Santa Clarita is hosting Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 26 and is looking for enthusiastic residents to volunteer for various projects that benefit local nonprofits, as well as the city.
Oct. 26: Volunteers Needed for Make a Difference Day
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and PathPoint announced the graduation of Aiden Land and Andrew Mendence from the Project SEARCH internship program.
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, PathPoint Celebrate Grad Interns
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced upcoming community information meetings about Learning Post Academy Independent Study School, Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19.
Sept. 18-19: Learning Post Academy Online Information Meetings
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m. in open session to interview and appoint a new trustee for Area 5.
Sept. 18: COC Board to Interview, Appoint Area 5 Trustee
The city of Santa Clarita wants to remind residents that volunteer registration is open for the 29th Annual River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo scheduled for next Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the William S. Hart Pony Baseball and Softball Complex, 23780 Auto Center Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Sept. 20: Last Chance to Register for the River Rally
The California Highway Patrol is dedicating Sept. 15-21 to promoting child passenger safety across California, focusing on the protection of the state’s youngest road users.
CHP Emphasizes Child Safety for National Child Passenger Safety Week
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, Sept. 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 17: SUSD Regular Board Meeting
West Ranch High School’s Studio A Jazz Band will be the opening act for the Huntertones, a Brooklyn-based sextet, who are coming to the Santa Clarita Valley for a one-night performance.
Sept 30: West Ranch Jazz Band to Open for Huntertones
An exclusive Ransomeware webinar "Ransomeware, Don't Be the Next Victim!" will be hosted Wednesday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m.- noon by Shield IT Networks, in partnership with Lucas Insurance Services. It will be free for VIA members.
Sept. 25: Free Ransomeware Webinar for VIA Members
As part of the Third Annual Business for Artists Conference on Saturday, Oct. 19, Judith Modrak will lead the Imaginary Fossils Sculpture Making Workshop.
Oct.19: Business for Artists Fossils Sculpture Making Workshop
The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office has released the list of six productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, Sept. 16 to Friday, Sept. 20.
Six Productions Filming in Santa Clarita
1872 - Mitchell adobe home in Soledad Canyon area first used as schoolhouse; genesis of 1879 Sulphur Springs School District [story]
Mitchell adobe
1970 - SCV voters recall two Hart School Board members who didn't let Canyon students protest the Vietnam War [story]
voting
SCVNews.com