header image

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

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 5
1970, minutes before midnight - Newhall Incident: 4 officers murdered in worst-ever CHP slaying [story]
Newhall Incident


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Sunday, Aug 17, 2014

darrylmanzer_blacktieWhat a week in my old home valley of the Santa Clara River.

Monday started with a couple of hundred folks showing up at the Acton Library to listen to and comment about the proposed California High Speed Rail system. Boy is that ever turning out the folks who are saying, “Keep out of Acton and Agua Dulce.” Do you think the Formerly Great State of California can get the message? Those state employees say a lot, but I’m not sure they have any ears.

Without a Santa Clarita City Council meeting on Tuesdays, there is little to be noted. The big event in Newhall might be the completion of work on Newhall Avenue that has been stopping traffic for months. To make up for the lack of a delay there, the folks have moved the delay to Lyons Avenue. Again.

Would that the red-light cameras could catch one of our City Council members turning after the light turns red. I thought I saw TimBen’s car making a late turn, but alas it wasn’t. Drats. Foiled again. Of course, the revenue enhancement from the cameras might be paying for the new paving jobs.

I attended the big dump meeting at Castaic Junction. What a great building the Castaic Union School District has for the district offices. I’d like to think my mother can see it from her vantage point in the heavens. They’ve come a long, long way since the one old school that was once the whole of the Castaic District. We can’t forget the steak we had at lunch. All the beef served came from the herd the district raised behind the school. It was a herd of some good-looking Hereford cattle.

Anyway, the dump meeting was really useless, since the Land Use Committee of the Castaic Area Town Council decided to pass the whole problem on to the whole Town Council. I still don’t know how they can vote in good conscience on the dump expansion, since most of the operating funds of the Castaic Area Town Council come from donations by the Chiquita Canyon Landfill – The Dump. I have the feeling that in the end, it will be called the Michael D. Antonovich and NASA Santa Susana Field Lab Memorial Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

Friday was a day of fun in Pico Canyon and Mentryville. One thing I discovered is that the signage for the buildings and such is a little wrong. Once again, I want folks to know the Felton School, the barn and the chicken house (if it was a chicken house) were all painted buff gray. So the sign at the barn that says, “The Red Barn,” is just plain wrong.

I did figure out why the back of the barn was open for so many years. It was a loading dock for wagon loads of stuff that was being shipped to the Pico oil field. I was behind the barn on Friday when I remembered the old guy who told me about that. He was the same guy who got 50 cents a week to water all of the eucalyptus trees in the canyon when they were but saplings.

Wasn’t yesterday a wonderful day? We had a cloudless sky and temperatures that were a mite warm but stayed out of the triple digits. The evening brought a cooling breeze and once again a near-perfect Southern California evening. In all my years in the hot and humid environs of the East Coast, I never forgot this weather and those fantastic summer nights.

I’ve been asked to prepare a presentation on restoring Mentryville in the manner I wrote about yesterday. I’m kind of excited. I used to tell the folks who worked for me that I hated long PowerPoint presentations. “If you can state the proposal in maybe five paragraphs…” Well, this is going to take a whole bunch of PowerPoint presentation pages. I can use some of that excellent Navy training.

Back in about 1974, I was sent to San Diego to attend instructor school. I learned how to develop a lesson plan, and I hand-drew charts and graphs for the mock class I had to teach. I spent a couple of days putting that lesson together. So far, I’ve got the main plan and some pictures for the Mentryville presentation. About two hours of my time has been taken so far.

As I was working on it, I remember the huge sign above the chalkboard in the classroom of that Navy school. One word: ENTHUSIASM.

I am enthused about the Mentryville project. I am not feeling the same about Cemex, or high-speed rail, or the expansion of The Dump.

Maybe that is because Mentryville will add something to our valley. The other three seem to tell us we want folks to pass through at high speed so they can’t see the dust or smell the chemical waste.

That is what I want the SCV to be noted for – Not. A place to pass through quickly before your eyes are filled with tears. Many of us are already crying. I hope someday the tears will be from the joy of watching Cemex leave, The Dump close down, and Jerry’s Train get sidetracked into oblivion.

Have a fantastic Sunday, my friends. Tomorrow we start a whole new week. Are you ready for a Monday?

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

 

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.

1 Comment

  1. I love reading your articles. It is somewhat surprising how much has “not” changed since my departure from Newhall in 1998 as I went looking for fame and fortune back east. Yes, the humidity is terribly bad at times–but humidity means clear, cool and refreshing rain, much of it I wish could be pushed your way as it seems to rain daily “back east”.

    Be assured, every problem the Golden State has we on the other side of the country face. Dumps,high speed trains that nobody wants, illegal immigration, we have it all. Only difference is we have rain. To much rain. But that is tolerable except for all the crap that runs into our collapsing sewer system. Now the EPA is trying to force us to reconstruct, which will increase water and sewage cost beyond what many could ever pay.

    Please, we will not mention Polar Vortexes.

    We have old abandoned arsenal plants that sprawl for miles and miles of which nobody truly knows what is beyond the barb wire fences but soon will likely be a new missile defense base. Good, bad, or unknown?

    I am eternally grateful we don’t have a Governor Brown though we have many that would kiss the pinkie finger ring of such a man.

    It was a wonderful thrill to find the SCV News site. There was a day that I contributed my political satire to the local newspaper plus other media outlets. Now there is a peephole to watch the ol’ hometown.

Leave a Comment


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.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Thursday, Apr 3, 2025
Arbor Day is more than just a celebration, it’s a commitment to our future. Every year, communities across the world come together to plant trees, promote environmental stewardship and enhance the landscapes that make our cities and towns more beautiful and livable.
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025
One of the things that makes the city of Santa Clarita such a great place to live, work and play, is the wide range of amenities we offer our community.
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025
Howdy, Santa Clarita! It’s time to dust off those boots and round up the family because the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is riding back into William S. Hart Park April 12-13, for two full days of western fun you won’t want to miss!
Monday, Mar 31, 2025
From our fun and friendly staff that run our Recreation and Community Services programs, to our Building and Safety team that make sure all developments are up to code, to our Communications team who bring all the trending, informational videos to social media, our staff is hard at work ensuring that the city of Santa Clarita continues to be a great place to live, work and play.
Thursday, Mar 27, 2025
Our family has called Santa Clarita home since 1972 and I take great pride in our city’s beautiful paseos, scenic trails and vibrant neighborhoods.
Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger strongly supports Public Works’ recent request to FEMA for the inclusion of debris removal from commercial, residential, and non-residential properties impacted by the Eaton, Hurst, Palisades, and Sunset Fires. Barger issued the following statement today:

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1970, minutes before midnight - Newhall Incident: 4 officers murdered in worst-ever CHP slaying [story]
Newhall Incident
The Santa Clarita Valley Family History & Genealogy Fair, an annual free genealogy fair hosted by the Valencia FamilySearch Center, will be held on Saturday, April 26, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
April 26: SCV Family History, Genealogy Fair
The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector reminds Santa Clarita Valley residents that the second installment of the 2024-25 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes delinquent if not paid by Thursday, April 10.
April 10: Second Half of L.A. County Property Taxes Due
The 52nd Annual Frontier Toyota Henry Mayo Golf Classic will host a $20 per ball Helicopter Golf Ball Drop at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Valencia Country Club.
May 10: Frontier Toyota Henry Mayo Golf Classic Golf Ball Drop
California State Park enthusiasts from across the state have nominated their favorite state parks, and now it’s time to decide. State Parks has gathered the top nominations, and now it is time for you to determine the Best of California’s State Parks.
April 11: Deadline to Vote in Best of California State Parks Poll Nears
Residents wanting to wear their Santa Clarita pride can now shop online at the city of Santa Clarita City Store. The store offers a variety of city-branded merchandise options, including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, totes and more.
Santa Clarita Opens Online Merchandise Store
Explore the world by traveling to the Canyon Country Community Center for the Celebrate event series. Experience different customs and cultures, no plane ticket needed.
Travel the World in 2025 with the Celebrate Passport
After three successful years guiding the Teton Ranch Conservancy, Executive Director Jaron Cramer will be stepping down from his position effective Friday, April 18.
Tejon Ranch Conservancy Leadership Transition Announced
The Santa Clarita City Council will meet in open session on Tuesday, April 8 at City Hall to consider sending a letter, signed by all city council members, to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors regarding Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy vacancies and encouraging the board to make investments in enhancing LASD retention and strengthening recruitment efforts.
April 8: City Council to Discuss Letter on LASD Vacancies to County Supes
1893 - Large earthquake centered in Pico Canyon; locals believed oil drilling caused it [story]
map
California State University, Northridge’s Department of Theatre will host Native Voices, the only professional theatre company in the United States devoted to bringing Indigenous playwrights, 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, to perform “To Indigeneity and Beyond!”
April 7: Native Voices to Perform at CSUN
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced that Anthony Eslao, a senior at Golden Valley High School, has been awarded the distinguished California Scholarship Federation Seymour Award. Additionally, Matthew Thomas De Guzman, also from Golden Valley, has been recognized as a Seymour Award finalist.
Golden Valley Student Wins CSF Seymour Award
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo’s bill, D-Chatsworth, the Expediting State Housing Permits Act (AB 301) was passed as part of a major package of housing legislation aimed at tackling the state’s housing crisis.
Schiavo Joins Forces with Rivas to Expedite Housing Development
The Department of Water Resources conducted the all-important April snow survey on Wednesday, April 2, the fourth measurement of the season at Phillips Station.
DWR April Snow Survey Shows California at 110% of Average
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites you to an elegant evening of wine, dinner and song atthe annual Cabaret & Cabernet benefit “The Beat Goes On,” on Saturday, April 26, 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.
April  26: ‘The Beat Goes On’ Master Chorale Cabaret & Cabernet Benefit
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 for a "Alice's Looking Glass" crafting session.
April 8: ‘Alice’s Looking Glass’ Craft Session at Valencia Library
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at Monarch Beauty Academy, Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m.
April 24: Monarch Beauty Academy Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
For the third year in a row, The Master's University's basketball player Kaleb Lowery has been named an NAIA All-American, this time on the First Team.
Lowery Named First Team All-American
Lief Labs, a premier formulation and product development innovator and manufacturer of dietary supplements, has announced the launch of its 2025 Brand Boost Guide which offers tips, guidance and resources to support dietary supplement brands in identifying potential sales growth and risk management strategies.
Lief Labs Launches 2025 Brand Boost Guide
The Master's University men's volleyball team completed the sweep of its old rival with a 25-11, 25-21, 25-19 controlling of the Arizona Christian Firestorm Saturday afternoon, March 29 in Glendale, Arizona.
Mustangs Complete Sweep on Arizona Trip
Arbor Day is more than just a celebration, it’s a commitment to our future. Every year, communities across the world come together to plant trees, promote environmental stewardship and enhance the landscapes that make our cities and towns more beautiful and livable.
Jason Gibbs | Celebrate Arbor Day in Santa Clarita
April 30 will be the final day for submitting comments regarding the updating of Los Angeles County Floodplain Management.
April 30: Deadline for Comments on Floodplain Management
Among several important issues presented at its Tuesday, April 8 regular board meeting, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will hear recommendations on establishing a unified permitting authority for the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center relating to properties impacted by the Eaton Fire.
April 8: Supes to Consider Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center
1917 - Castaic post office established inside Sam Parson's general store [story]
General Store
SCVNews.com