SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Monthly Message from City Manager – March 2023 | One Story One City

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

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

December 25

1852 - Acton gold mine owner & California Gov. Henry Tifft Gage born in New York [story]

Monthly Message from City Manager – March 2023 | One Story One City

By Ken Striplin | Thursday, Mar 2, 2023

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

One Story One City

I always enjoy visiting our Santa Clarita Public Library Branches and seeing the wide-range of community members taking advantage of the resources, materials, books and services provided. Whether it is a senior citizen looking to learn more about technology, a college graduate utilizing the job search resources, a high school student getting help with homework or a mother and toddler enjoying story time – there is something for everyone.

This month, the whole community is invited to be part of the One Story One City reading program. Each March, one book is selected to be discussed and celebrated with free events and programs. This year’s book is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This New York Times bestseller will take you on a voyage into the Pacific Northwest, exploring the themes of loneliness, connection and human interaction with humor and wholesomeness scattered throughout.

The story explores a widow’s unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. The novel will be available for residents to check-out in-person or via e-book at each of our library branches. Once you have finished the book, get ready to dive into the many activities which are part of the One Story One City program, including discussions, crafts, screen-printing and a virtual author talk. In addition, the First Floor Gallery at City Hall will be themed as part of the program and will transform into an underwater exhibit titled, Ocean Creatures.

There will also be a screening of the underwater documentary My Octopus Teacher, at The MAIN Theater in Old Town Newhall on March 10 at 8 p.m. This Academy Award winning documentary tells the story of an unusual friendship between a filmmaker and octopus.

If you would like learn more about the One Story One City program, please visit SantaClaritaLibrary.com/OneStoryOneCity.

City Manager Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.com.

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.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Click here to cancel reply.

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.

Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up With Kathryn

Friday, Dec 19, 2025

There's no better way to celebrate the season than with toys, treats, and rollercoasters. My annual Foster Youth Holiday Party is one of the most special traditions we do each year

Select Keeping Up with Kathryn Barger | Home For the Holidays

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025

I'm overjoyed to share that as of this week, several Altadena residents have moved back into their newly-rebuilt homes in time for the holidays.

Brittany Barlrog | Wrapping up 2025 for JCI

Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025

As we wrap up this incredible year with JCI Santa Clarita, my heart is truly overflowing with gratitude. This chapter has shown up in such wonderful ways, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve created together.

Ken Striplin | Happy Birthday, Santa Clarita

Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025

It’s hard to believe that our city will turn 38-years-old as of Monday, Dec. 15.

Bill Miranda | Honored to Serve

Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025

As we wrap up another year, I find myself reflecting on how extraordinary and eventful 2025 has been for our city.

Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up with Kathryn

Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025

Today, my team and I set out to four different sites across the Fifth District for our 8th Annual Day of Giving.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com


SCV Sheriff’s Station Issues Traffic Alert on Soledad Canyon Road The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station has issued the following traffic alerts: Due to heavy rains, the westbound right lane is closed on Soledad Canyon Road between Camp Plenty Road and Langside Avenue.	Fostering Youth Independence Hosts Holiday PJ Party Fostering Youth Independence’s recent Charlie Brown Holiday party was attended by dozens of local foster youth and their volunteer Allies.	NWS Issues Flood Watch for SCV Through Friday The National Weather Service as issued the following alerts for the Santa Clarita Valley. Flood Watch until Dec. 26, 4 p.m. PST, High Wind Warning until Dec. 25, 3 p.m. PST.	Today in SCV History (Dec. 25) 1852 - Acton gold mine owner & California Gov. Henry Tifft Gage born in New York [story]	Barger Urges Residents to Stay Alert, Follow Evacuation Orders Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is urging residents to remain vigilant as a powerful storm system moves through Los Angeles County, bringing periods of heavy rain and rapidly changing conditions.	CHP Makes Multiple Arrests Made in Statewide Organized Retail Theft Investigation Thirteen suspects were arrested, and more than $800,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered following a coordinated, multi-agency operation targeting an organized retail theft network operating across Northern California.
Pilot Program to Crack Down on Extreme Speeding The California State Transportation Agency today announced a new joint effort by two of its departments, the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol, to curb excessive speeding and prevent deadly crashes.	Dec. 27: Holiday Spice Salsa Edition at Canyon Country Community Center The city of Santa Clarita invites the community to heat up the holiday season at the Holiday Spice Salsa Edition on Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Canyon Country Community Center, located at 18410 Sierra Highway Santa Clarita, CA 91351.	Today in SCV History (Dec. 24) 1965 - Signal newspaper owner Scott Newhall shows up for a duel (of words) with rival Canyon Country newspaper publisher Art Evans, who no-shows and folds his paper soon after [story]	DACC Urges Pet Owners to Prioritize Safety Ahead of Storm As winter storms enter Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control urges pet owners to take necessary precautions in light of the significant storms expected to last for five days.	Season’s Best Offensive Performance Leads TMU Over Bethesda Brayden Miner scored 31 points and Rylan Starr had 24 as The Master's University men's basketball team crushed Bethesda University 145-59 The MacArthur Center.	Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley Spreads Holiday Cheer From surprise Santa arrivals to stacks of gifts waiting for young hands, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley delivered holiday cheer on a large scale this season, reaching hundreds of children and teens throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, including Clubhouses in Canyon Country, Newhall, Val Verde and Castaic.
Princess Cruises Christens Star Princess Tournament of Roses Float Princess Cruises, headquartered in Santa Clarita, embraced a cherished maritime tradition in a uniquely festive way, celebrating a symbolic christening of its Rose Parade float with a ceremonial break of a bottle of Pantalones Organic Tequila.	CalArtian-Directed ‘Elio’ Nominated for 2026 Golden Globe The Golden Globes have ushered in awards season with the announcement of the 2026 nominees across 28 categories. Among this year’s contenders is Pixar’s "Elio," which earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Animated.	NWS Issues Flood, High Wind Warnings for SCV, Southland The National Weather Service has issued a "Hazardous Weather" warning for the Santa Clarita Valley and Southern California.	LASD Asks for Help Locating Missing Santa Clarita Man Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public’s help locating at-Risk missing person Drew Barrick Russell.	Today in SCV History (Dec. 23) 1997 - Five bodies found during grading of Northlake development in Castaic; determined to be Jenkins graveyard [story]	Jan. 2: Explore Global Cuisine with ‘Spice Travels ‘ at Newhall Library Old Town Newhall Public Library will host "Spice Travels," Friday, Jan. 2, 9:15-9:30 a.m. at 24500 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Mandatory Changes Are Coming to Employment Posters	Dec. 24-25: CHP Launches Holiday Enforcement Period The California Highway Patrol encourages the public to “brake” the habit of speeding this holiday season. The CHP will launch a Holiday Enforcement Period starting at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25.	Dec. 27: Volunteers Needed for SCV Trail Users Workday Volunteers are needed to help clear brush and restore the tread from the existing lower Gates and Twister trails 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 27.	Jan. 16: InfluenceHER- Redefining Happiness, A Candid Conversation for the Modern Woman Join InfluenceHER's "Redefining Happiness, a Candid Conversation for the Modern Woman," 4-6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16 at the Venue Valencia.	Santa Clarita Public Library Holiday Hours The Santa Clarita Public Library system has announced that all library branches will close at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, and remain closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas.	SCV Water Announces 2026/27 ACWA Edward G. ‘Jerry’ Gladbach Scholarship Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in water resource-related fields are invited to apply for the 2026/27 ACWA Edward G. “Jerry” Gladbach Scholarship, offered by the Association of California Water Agencies in partnership with SCV Water. Applications are now being accepted through March 1, 2026.