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December 22
1905 - County buys property to build Newhall Jail (now next to city's Old Town Newhall Library) [story]
Old Newhall Jail


michelebuttelmanHappy New Year! I realize I’m a little late offering up that traditional New Year’s greeting. I spent an extended time over the holidays up in Washington State visiting friends and family. I was able to enjoy a quick visit with an old high school friend, Kathy Pecka, an amazing breast cancer survivor and member of the GoPink!DC dragon boat team in Washington D.C. She is a true inspiration.

The temperatures were very chilly most of the time we were in Washington, both in Eastern and Western Washington. Ahhh, I had almost forgotten the trick of using a credit card to scrape ice off the windshield. I do mean ice, not frost. I am happy to be back in much warmer climes.

 

What’s up for the New Year?

What’s shaking Santa Clarita Valley? If you have news of events and activities happening around the SCV please email me at Michele@hometownstation.com.

 

Zonta seeks nominations

zontalogoNomination forms have gone out to more than 40 community organizations asking non-profit groups to nominate outstanding volunteers to be honored at the annual Women in Service brunch hosted by Zonta Club of the Santa Clarita Valley. Completed nominations are due by Feb. 24, and the winner of the Carmen Sarro Community Service Award will be presented at the annual Zonta Women in Service Celebration on March 8 at Robinson Ranch.

The “Carmen Sarro Award for Improving the Status of Women Through Community Service” honors longtime Zonta member Carmen Sarro, who died in 2003.

This is the 30th anniversary of Zonta’s community service award.

Nomination forms are available to community organizations online at www.scvzonta.org, or by calling the Zonta message line at (661) 252-9351. Completed nominations must be returned by Feb. 24 and guest reservations also must be made by that date in order by qualify for the $40 per person early bird rate for those who wish to attend to support a nominee. After that date, tickets will be $45 each.

 

Celebrity Waiter Dinner

waiter-mdMy favorite event of the year, the Celebrity Waiter Dinner, will be held Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Hyatt Regency Valencia. The theme for this year’s event is Journey Through Television, and celebrities from television, film and music will be mingling with guests.

This should be a great theme, offering guests the opportunity to dress up as their favorite television character. What makes the Celebrity Waiter Dinner so much fun is it really is “Halloween” for grownups. It’s a chance to channel your inner child and at the same time have an evening out benefiting a great cause, the SCV Senior Center.

Table hosts will use their creativity to come up with lavish decorations and zany costumes, and guests are encouraged to come in costume also. Live music for dancing, on-stage entertainment, and a live auction will round out the evening.

Table sponsorships range from $1,500 to $5,000 and include seating for 10, recognition during the event, and various other perks based on sponsorship level. Individual tickets are $100 each. Table reservations or additional information are available on the event website at www.scv-senorcenter.org, by mail at SCV Senior Center, 22900 Market St., Santa Clarita, 91321, or by calling Pamela at (661) 259-9444 x-141.

 

Go Seahawks

I’ll be on pins and needles during the S.F.-Seattle championship game today. I know it’s only football, but I’ve waited all season for this game. Good luck to Denver-New England fans, too. May the best teams win on both sides. (But I’m really hoping it will be the Seahawks!)

 

Santa Clarita Valley, Hollywood’s back lot

film-santa-clarita-hollywood-northOne of the fun moments I experienced during the holidays was taking in the film, “Saving Mr. Banks.” As I watched the movie I noted that the Disney Ranch in Placerita Canyon doubled as a town in Australia. Many productions continue to call the SCV home, including “NCIS,” “Switched at Birth,” “Chasing Life,” ”Operation Repo,” “Franklin and Bash,” “Justified,” “Saint George” and “Wipeout.”

Other shows such as “CSI,” “Criminal Minds,” “Modern Family,“ “The Mentalist,” and “Sons of Anarchy” along with feature films such as “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Iron Man 3,” “Horrible Bosses 2” and “2 Guns” have filmed scenes in the SCV.

It’s great fun to live in “Hollywood’s Back lot.”

 

What we’ve lost…

Levine as Tevye in 1995 | Photo courtesy of George Cummings

Levine as Tevye in 1995 | Photo courtesy of George Cummings

It was a difficult holiday season for many families that I know in the SCV and Washington State. Too many wonderful people have left us too young recently, including the amazing Michael Levine. His legacy of entertainment at the Canyon Theatre Guild was legendary. I will miss the fun comments he would leave for me on Facebook.

 

Moving on… Jim Ventress, Cheryl Laymon

JimVentress_TamiEdwardsAnother kind of loss will be felt by the SCV with the retirement announcement of Jim Ventress, chief professional officers of the Boys & Girls Club of SCV and the resignation of Cheryl Laymon, executive director of the Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc. Frankly, I am speechless. Both individuals have given so much to make the SCV a better place to live. I can’t imagine how they can possibly be replaced.

 

Michele E. Buttelman is the editor of EverythingSCV.com, an online publication debuting Feb. 1. Follow me on Facebook and on Twitter at SCV Scene and online at KHTS, www.hometownstation.com.

 

 

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LINKS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Thursday, Dec 19, 2024
The MAIN and Outpost Media has announced the premiere of The Wolves, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, thru Sunday, Jan. 26, at the MAIN located at 24266 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission is banning hidden fees charged for event tickets and hotel stays, the agency announced Tuesday, citing a recent rise in customer complaints of bait-and-switch pricing.
Monday, Dec 16, 2024
The MAIN will host comics David Studebaker and Carlos Oscar for a live comedy performance Thursday, Dec. 19, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at 24266 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Friday, Dec 13, 2024
California State Park’s Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park will feature artist Cecelia Begay (Diné Navajo) on Dec. 28 and Dec. 29.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2024
JR’s Comedy Club will present a trio of comedians, Don McMillan, Fritz Coleman and Randy Lubas, on Saturday, Dec. 21 on the Main Stage of the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center on the campus of College of the Canyons.
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1905 - County buys property to build Newhall Jail (now next to city's Old Town Newhall Library) [story]
Old Newhall Jail
1910 - Newhall (Auto) Tunnel opens, bypassing Beale's Cut [story]
Newhall Tunnel
The city of Santa Clarita is seeking enthusiastic individuals with a passion for swimming, exceptional customer service and community engagement to join the lifeguard team.
Santa Clarita Seeks Applicants for Summer Lifeguard Jobs
California State Parks is calling all outdoor enthusiasts to step into the new year with a breath of fresh air. On Wednesday, Jan. 1, State Parks will host its highly anticipated First Day Hikes, offering over 90 guided hikes at more than 70 of California’s most iconic and breathtaking parks.
Jan. 1: California State Parks First Day Hikes
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a residential No Burn Day Alert on Saturday, Dec. 21, for all those living in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley.
Dec. 21: Residential No Burn Day in Santa Clarita Valley
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is urging residents to avoid consuming or feeding to their pets raw milk due to the ongoing spread of H5 bird flu in dairy cows.
Public Health Warns Against Consuming Raw Milk
The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is hosting a call for vendors for its return April 12 and 13, 2025.
Feb. 3: Deadline for Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Vendors Applications
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is reminding residents to remain vigilant as the holidays approach and to use the preventive tools available to protect the county’s most vulnerable populations from COVID-19.
Protect the Most Vulnerable from COVID-19 this Holiday Season
The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley will host a free Lifeforward workshop "All About Communication" on Saturday, Jan. 18, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway. Valencia, CA 91355.
Jan. 18: Zonta Lifeforward Workshop ‘All About Communication’
Start the new year off with a InfluenceHER Building Transformative Mutual Mentorship meeting Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Kindred Spirits, 24510 Town Center Drive Valencia, CA 91355.
Jan. 14: InfluenceHER Building Transformative Mutual Mentorship
The Sundance Institute has unveiled the eagerly anticipated program for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the country’s premier stage for independent cinema.
CalArtians Among Sundance 2025 Lineup
Every year at my Foster Youth Holiday Party, it seems like the presents and kids’ smiles get bigger and bigger!
Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up With Kathryn
Annett Davis, the head coach of both the women's volleyball team and the beach volleyball team at The Masters University, has decided to step down as the head coach of the women's indoor volleyball team.
TMU Coach Davis to Focus on Beach Volleyball, Hafner Hired as Indoor Coach
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced Naomi Kim, a senior at West Ranch High School, has earned the Congressional Award’s highest award: The Gold Medal.
West Ranch High’s Naomi Kim Earns Congressional Award Gold Medal
As families prepare to celebrate the holidays, the California Highway Patrol reminds everyone to prioritize safety on the road. To keep travelers safe throughout the busy holiday season, the CHP is initiating the first of two statewide Maximum Enforcement Periods this month to reduce traffic incidents by targeting unsafe driving behaviors and assisting motorists.
Dec. 24-25: CHP Maximum Enforcement, Home for the Holidays, Safety is Best Gift
The city of Santa Clarita has announced that renovations are coming to the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia Branch. The Valencia Branch will be temporarily closed from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, for a flooring renovation project.
Dec. 21-Jan. 1: Valencia Branch of Santa Clarita Public Library Closed for Renovation
Matias Castro a graduate of Golden Valley High School, three-time participant in the William S. Hart Union High School District Honor Band and current first-year student at University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music has been named a 2025 YoungArts winner with distinction in Jazz Alto Saxophone, the highest honor of the organization.
Matias Castro, Golden Valley High Grad, Named  2025 YoungArts Winner
There was no gold, frankincense or the anointing oil myrrh, but the hot sausage, pancakes and special gifts offered at the recent “Breakfast with Santa” held in Valencia were treats for dozens of children and their parents. It was a reminder of the meaning of this special holiday season.
Realtors Host Annual Holiday ‘Breakfast with Santa’ in Valencia
1892 - Benjamin Harrison establishes 555,520-acre San Gabriel Timberland Reserve (Angeles National Forest). First forest reserve in California, second in U.S. [story]
map
Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education, a nonprofit organization that provides career-skills training and employment services to adults with disabilities, presented certificates of recognition to Remo Inc. and Migrate Sound for the commitment to creating career opportunities for neurodiverse talent.
Yes I Can Honors Remo Inc., Migrate Sound
The MAIN and Outpost Media has announced the premiere of The Wolves, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, thru Sunday, Jan. 26, at the MAIN located at 24266 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
The MAIN, Outpost Media Presents The Wolves
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons, swore in recently elected board members, named its new officers, received recognitions for service and set its 2025 meeting schedule at the board’s business and organizational meeting held on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
COC Board of Trustees Swears in New Members
Reflecting on this past year, there are so many things to be thankful for. Whether it is our health, happiness or the ability to live in a community as special as ours, I believe many of our residents would agree that Santa Clarita is a place where wonderful memories have been made and a unique place to call home.
Laurene Weste | What Are You Thankful For This Holiday Season?
SCVNews.com