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March 23
1886 - Film director Robert N. Bradbury born in Washington state; launched John Wayne's career in Placerita Canyon [watch]
Blue Steel


Fred Gruchalla, a veteran of the Vietnam War, received the 2020-2021 Veteran of the Year Award from the Van Nuys/Reseda Elks Lodge 2790 on Jan. 10.

He was presented with the award by Van Nuys/Reseda Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Meredith Thomas.

The award acknowledges Gruchalla’s tireless work with the Eternal Valley Memorial Park’s annual Memorial Day event, honoring veterans who have given their lives in service to the country.

A familiar face throughout the Santa Clarita Valley for his volunteer work, Gruchalla has volunteered for numerous nonprofits including the SCV Child & Family Center. He also has announced at the SCV Fourth of July Parade and emceed the main stage the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.

Gruchalla served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969. He served one year in Vietnam, from July 1967 to July 1968.

An advocate for United States military veterans, Gruchalla’s service in the SCV has included the SCV Veterans Memorial Committee and assistance to the the Veterans Historical Plaza Committee.

He has also served on the board of directors for the Pacoima Veterans Day Memorial event and volunteered at the Sepulveda VA Medical Center.

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SCV NONPROFIT LINKS

NONPROFIT HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 20, 2025
The Santa Clarita Artists Association Gallery will showcase the group art show, Western Close Up, beginning, Friday April 4-19 with an opening reception on Saturday, April 5, 5-8 p.m.
Thursday, Mar 20, 2025
Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley has announced its annual auction, The Big Easy is set to take place on Saturday, May 31.
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025
Rocky, the youngest Javan gibbon at the Gibbon Conservation Center in Saugus, will turn 2 years old on July 2. He was rejected at birth by his mother and has been raised by the experts and volunteers at the Gibbon Center.
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025
The Ridge Route Preservation Organization, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to the history, preservation and reopening of the Old Ridge Route will host a Clean Up the Ridge Route volunteer event on Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m.-noon.
Friday, Mar 14, 2025
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1886 - Film director Robert N. Bradbury born in Washington state; launched John Wayne's career in Placerita Canyon [watch]
Blue Steel
Jack Lilley, renowned Hollywood stuntman and long-time Santa Clarita Valley resident, died Wednesday, March 19, he was 91. Lilley was enshrined on the Newhall Walk of Western Stars in 2008.
Jack Lilley, Hollywood Stuntman, Dies at 91
1875 - Construction begins on San Fernando Railroad Tunnel [story]
San Fernando Railroad Tunnel
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for the April Business After Hours Mixer on Wednesday, April 16 at Sand Canyon Country Club.
April 16: SCV Chamber After Hours Mixer at Sand Canyon Country Club
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a special joint meeting with the Associated Student Government on Wednesday, March 26, beginning at 2 p.m.
March 26: COC Board Holds Joint Meeting with ASG
On Saturday, April 5, the College of the Canyons Department for Early Childhood Education will host ‘Play Day’ as part of the nationally celebrated Week of the Young Child, which is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
April 5: College of the Canyons to Host Free Children’s Play Day
Get ready to step back in time and immerse yourself in the spirit of the Old West at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall.
Saddle Up for a Wild West Experience at The MAIN
The 2024 Volunteer Impact Report has been released by the city of Santa Clarita reflecting the impact that volunteers have on life in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Santa Clarita 2024 Volunteer Impact Annual Report
As part of the city of Santa Clarita Playground Replacement program, Begonias Lane Park playground was identified for replacement in fiscal year 2024-25.
City Asks Residents for Input on Begonias Lane Park Playground
“The Descent,” the second full-length feature film produced by The Master’s University, is now available for streaming on Tubi.
TMU Releases Student Feature Film ‘The Descent’
The Master's University men's volleyball team made a statement Thursday night, March 20 in The MacArthur Center with a 25-18, 25-11, 29-27 win over No. 15 Hope International
Mustangs Buck Royals in Straight Sets
The Santa Clarita City Council will hold its regular, open-session, meeting on Tuesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
March 25: City Council to Discuss Vista Canyon Water Testing
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Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Operation Safe Streets Bureau, Palmdale Station began investigating an Antelope Valley criminal street gang engaged in violent criminal activities throughout the Antelope Valley.
LASD Operation Safe Streets Arrest 13 During A.V. Sweep
College of the Canyons will host a Resume Refresh in preparation for the SCV Job Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 at the COC Employment Center Building at the Valencia Campus.
April 16: Free Resume Refresh COC Employment Center
The Black Business Council will host a "Linking Leaders" event to introduce the newly appointed Council Chair, Tamara Pickering, 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 at Venue Valencia, 28678 The Old Road, Valencia, CA 91355.
April 2: Black Business Council ‘Linking Leaders’ Event
Venue Valencia in partnership with Harley Davidson of Santa Clarita, True Barre and D'Wilifri DanceArt Entertainment will present a "Easter Eggstravaganza" event, noon-6 p.m. Friday, April 11 at 28678 The Old Road, Valencia, CA 91355.
April 11: ‘Easter Eggstravaganza’ Event at Venue Valencia
The 1983 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, "CATS," opens Saturday, March 22, and will run through Saturday, April 26, at the Canyon Theatre Guild in Old Town Newhall.
March 22- April 26: The Canyon Theater Guild Presents ‘CATS’
Anne and William Hawley, of Garden Grove, allege in a 2024 lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court that the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain caused the death of their son Christopher Hawley.
Parents Sue Six Flags Magic Mountain After Son’s Death
The Santa Clarita Artists Association Gallery will showcase the group art show, Western Close Up, beginning, Friday April 4-19 with an opening reception on Saturday, April 5, 5-8 p.m.
April 4-19: SCAA Presents ‘Western Close Up’ Art Show, Reception
A series of late-winter storms brought much-needed rain to the region last week, raising the total volume of stormwater captured by Los Angeles County to 11.9 billion gallons just weeks before the end of storm season on April 15.
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The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released preliminary raw Unsheltered Count data for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. Based on these early numbers, the Homeless Services Authority expects unsheltered homelessness within the Los Angeles Continuum of Care to decrease by 5-10%.
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Mojean Aria, an emerging Australian actor, talked all things film with College of the Canyons students enrolled in the Media Entertainment Arts program during an open master class on Tuesday, March 18.
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The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board unanimously approved the appointment of Gretchen Bergstrom as the new Director of Fiscal Services.
Hart District Names New Director of Fiscal Services
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