September means the kids are back in school, football is on television, and fall will finally arrive – although it is likely we will still have summer temperatures on the first official day of autumn). September is also Hunger Action Month, a month established to raise awareness about hunger in...

This is it – the final piece of the “ABCs of the SCV Series” – Z. Z is for Zero. No, not “zero ideas left,” but rather things to do in the Santa Clarita Valley that cost nothing. Zero! Some have been mentioned previously in the series, but now they’ll be in once place along with...

Wow – I can’t believe the ABCs of the SCV are this close to being  wrapped up. For Y, I knew I definitely wanted to do “yoga,” as it something I find helpful for strength training, relaxation and centering myself – as well as stretching out my achy back every now and then. I also enjoy...

I can’t believe the ABCs of the Santa Clarita Valley are almost at an end – just Y and Z remain. Any guesses on what they’ll be? You’ll have to wait until next Saturday to see. I’m pausing this week to share a special challenge with you. With August drawing to a close and September just...

I knew “X” would be a challenge, but then learned of an upcoming effort at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital and settled on X for X-ray, eXam rooms and eXtra love. On Sept. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Henry Mayo is hosting a Donate-A-Bear event and encouraging individuals and families to donate teddy...

I decided two weeks ago that “W” had to be for “We” in my ongoing “ABCs of the SCV” series, and I shared local community efforts to provide back-to-school supplies to children who need them. I am staying with the theme of “we” this week as I recently learned of a Santa Clarita Valley...

Initially for the letter W, I was going to share “water play places” in the Santa Clarita Valley, as summer wraps up with school just around the corner. I decided instead to go with “W is for We,” since I always try to find and share efforts in the Santa Clarita Valley that demonstrate “we”...

We are nearing the end of the ABCs of the SCV: Animals, Bicycles, Central Park, Drums,  Education, Family Dinner, Golf, Hiking, Imagination, Jammin’, Kids in the Kitchen, Libraries, Movies, Newhall, Out of Town, Pizza, Quakes, Reading, Summer Meals, Taste, Unsung Heroes and now we arrive at Val Verde...

For two nights in a row, my 3.5-year-old has woken up at 1:30 a.m. and come into our bed to sleep. This also wakes his brother, who is not quite 2, which means I have the pleasure of spending an hour or more, typically until 3 a.m., getting him back to sleep and then trying to get some sleep myself in...

Last week I shared my struggles with the letter “U” as part of the ABCs of the SCV. After some meandering and uncertainty (another “u”) over what to do, I settled on “Unsung Heroes” and asked who your unsung heroes were. Many of you liked the piece, as evidenced by Facebook responses, but...