SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: My Favorite Things

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

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

November 24

2003 - Ruth Newhall, longtime co-owner/editor of The Signal, dies in Berkeley [story]

My Favorite Things

The Good Long Road | Commentary by Jennifer Fischer

Jennifer Fischer | Saturday, Sep 6, 2014

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

Keeping it simple this week with a gratitude list. My 37th birthday is coming up, so I decided to focus on all things positive and make a list of 37 things I’m grateful for in or near the Santa Clarita Valley. Enjoy, and then share your favorite things, too.

1. So many wonderful parks for my kids to play at, specifically:

2. Hasley Park in Castaic

3. Valencia Heritage Park

4. West Creek Park

5. The new Castaic Aquatic Center

6. Great hiking spots and nature experiences, specifically:

7. Towsley Canyon

8. Placerita Canyon (and Nature Center)

9. Vasquez Rocks

10. Hart Park

11. Quality schools

12. Wonderful city events and an awesome Arts & Events staff

13. The SCV Food Pantry and Help the Children – two agencies that help feed the hungry in the Santa Clarita Valley

14. Castaic Lake

15. Wonderful libraries, especially the SCV Bookmobile and the Newhall Public Library

17. It’s A Grind in Castaic – my favorite coffee shop

18. Undergrounds Coffee – our runner-up favorite coffee shop – and the duck pond near it

19. The friendly employees at my local Ralphs in Castaic

22. The Egg Plantation

23. La Cocina

24. Grand Panda

25. That I was able to run the SCV Film Festival for seven years and received so much community support for the event.

26. The SCV Film Office, which was wonderful to work with when I ran the film festival and has been wonderful to work with as an independent filmmaker.

27. Leon Worden – I have never met someone more committed to his community in my life. I’m grateful for all he does for the Santa Clarita Valley.

28. My awesome neighbors in Val Verde.

29. The koi fish pond and Menchie’s at the mall – a simple outing my boys always enjoy.

30. Proximity to my favorite beaches – Mother’s Beach in Ventura and Carpinteria State Beach.

31. Proximity to the trains in Filmore, which my boys absolutely love.

32. Local organic honey just up the road in Piru.

33. Bike trails

34. Lombardi Ranch

35. Abundant Harvest Organics

36. Proximity to the Lancaster Jethawks

37. Our Friends.

Your turn. Spread some simple happiness by sharing what you are grateful for and thanking the people in your life that make your life better.

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.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.

Mayor Cameron Smyth | Experience Holiday Cheer on the Tracks

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s one of the most magical times of the year.

Barger on Protections for Youth in Juvenile Halls

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024

Supervisor Kathryn Barger commented on Attorney General Rob Bonta’s announcement that he is pursuing additional monitoring and strengthened protections for youth in Los Angeles County’s juvenile halls.

Marcia Mayeda | Winter, Holiday Safety Tips for Pets

Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024

I think we’re all glad that the extreme heat of the past few months here in southern California has passed, and we are now enjoying some beautiful fall days.

Kathryn Barger | Oath of Office

Monday, Nov 11, 2024

This week, I took my Oath of Office for my third and final term as Fifth District Supervisor.

Mike West | CIF-SS Message from the Commissioner

Monday, Nov 11, 2024

As we conclude the 2024 Fall season, I would like to thank all the athletic directors, school administrators, athletic trainers and anyone else responsible for helping implement and navigate our new Health and Safety Bylaws.

Jason Gibbs | Get Your Passport at the Santa Clarita Public Library

Thursday, Nov 7, 2024

Did you know that our local Santa Clarita Public Library offers passport acceptance services? Whether you’re planning a vacation, studying abroad or reconnecting with family, the Santa Clarita Public Library is here to support your journey.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com


Election ’24 Recap: Less Than 20,000 Votes Remain to be Tallied in County The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk has reported that there are less than 20,000 ballots remaining to be counted in the Los Angeles County area.	Today in SCV History (Nov. 24) 2003 - Ruth Newhall, longtime co-owner/editor of The Signal, dies in Berkeley [story]	Today in SCV History (Nov. 23) 1931 - Fall Roundup held at Hoot Gibson's Saugus Rodeo [story]	Jan. 31: SCV Chamber Awards + Installation Early Bird Tickets The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Awards + Installation event on Friday, Jan. 31 at the Hyatt Regency.	Dec. 12: Cocktails & Conversation with Cameron Smyth The Valley Industry Assoction will host a Cocktails & Conversation event with Cameron Smyth on Thursday, Dec. 12, 5:30=7:30 p.m. at Margarita’s Mexican Grill, 23320 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355.	Hart Board Selects Current Interim Superintendent to Fill Vacancy Following an extensive search, the Governing Board of the William S. Hart Union High School District has unanimously selected current Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael Vierra as the new Hart District Superintendent, filling the vacancy created when Mike Kuhlman resigned effective June 30.
Nov. 29: ‘Christmas Carol, The True Meaning of Christmas’ "Christmas Carol: The True Meaning of Christmas" will be performed on stage at the Canyon Theatre Guild on weekends beginning Friday, Nov. 29 thru Monday, Dec. 23 at 24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.	CARB Incentive Plan Focuses on Fleets for Small Businesses The California Air Resources Board has approved a $34.94 million incentives funding plan that will continue support ongoing efforts to increase access to medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks, buses and equipment, with a focus on small businesses.	Recycle Broken Holiday Lights at SAFE Collection Centers Preparing to decorate for the holidays? If you come across broken string lights that are no longer usable, instead of tossing in the trash you can now drop them off for recycling at one of the SAFE collection centers	Dec. 8: ‘Charles Phoenix Holidayland’ at Newhall Family Theatre The nonprofit Raising the Curtain Foundation will host a fundraising event, "Holidayland" with mid-century pop culture expert Charles Phoenix, on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.	Nov. 26: City Council Meets to Discuss Contracts, Open Space Naming The Santa Clarita City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26, beginning with a special closed meeting at 5 p.m., followed immediately with open session at 6 p.m.	Nov. 23: ACS Relay for Life SCV Holiday Boutique The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley will present its holiday boutique fundraiser, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church, 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program Launch California State Parks Office of Historic Preservation has announced it will begin accepting applications for the State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program at 8 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2025.	Today in SCV History (Nov. 22) 1843 - Rancho Castec (Lebec-Tejon area) granted to French immigrant Jose Covarrubias [story]	Central Park Exercise Staircase Closure Extended Thru Nov. 28 Due to construction and weather delays, the closure of the exercise staircase at Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, will be extended through Nov. 28.	Dec. 14-15: Santa Clarita Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Santa Clarita Ballet's 30th anniversary production of "The Nutcracker" will perform, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.	COC Winter 2025 Registration Underway Registration is underway for the College of the Canyons winter 2025 session, which boasts more than 300 class sections.	TMU Men’s Basketball Knocks Off No. 2, Starr Sees 300th Win Christmas came early for The Master's University Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Starr.
Dec. 13-15: ‘Holiday Hijinx’ Presented by Theatre in a Week, Off Book Theatre Theatre in a Week and Off Book Theatre is back with its holiday one act comedy "Holiday Hijinx" Friday, Dec. 13- Sunday, Dec. 15 at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall.	Dec. 8: Santa Clarita Master Chorale Presents Silver Bell Jubilee The Santa Clarita Master Chorale presents its Silver Bell Jubilee concert Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.	Mayor Cameron Smyth \| Experience Holiday Cheer on the Tracks The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s one of the most magical times of the year.	Dec. 7: The 29th Annual Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade Celebrate this special time of year with the 29th annual Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade and holiday event Saturday, Dec. 7 at Castaic Lake, Lower Lagoon.	Today in SCV History (Nov. 21) 1967 - Local voters approve formation of community college and elect COC's first five-member board - Dr. William G. Bonelli Jr., Bruce Fortine, Sheila Dyer, Peter Huntsinger, Edward Muhl [story]	Hope for the Holidays with Boys & Girls Club of SCV You can make a difference in a child or teen’s life this holiday season through the Boys and Girls Club of the Santa Clarita Valley. You can volunteer at a club holiday event, host a toy drive, sponsor a club family or make a donation.