Tom Johnson, Local WWII Vet, Dies at 94 (Video Interview)

Thomas M. Johnson died Wednesday, June 26 at his cottage in Santa Clarita, California at age 94.

Thomas is survived by his son, Duane Johnson, his daughter Marilyn Johnson-Hackett, and his brothers Wesley Johnson and David Johnson. He has one grandchild, Jeannine Johnson, the daughter of his deceased son Ronald Johnson.

Thomas was born in Willis, Kan. on Jan. 25, 1918, lived on a farm and graduated high school in the small town. He received his master’s degree in sports education from the University of Iowa. He was widowed at the time of his death, having been married to Margaret Johnson for more than 50 years.

He was a WWII dive bomber pilot, leading his squadron in the Pacific. He flew more than 30 missions, among them Bougainville and Luzon. A musical tribute to his time in the Philippines, “Wartime Romance,” will be playing in Branson, Mo. in Fall 2013.

Upon leaving the military T. Mark, as his colleagues called him, began his career as a high school coach in small Kansas towns. He then coached college athletics in Wichita, Kan.

He moved to California where he became the athletic director of Riverside City College and eventually retired.

After retirement he accepted the post of commissioner of athletics for the Orange Empire and Mission conference.  He retired in June 2012 at age 93. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of fame by the Riverside Board of Supervisors, notably increasing women’s athletic programs and was also inducted  into the Sports Hall of Fame in Sacramento, Calif. for his contributions to California Community College Athletics.

Tom will be forever remembered and treasured for his down to earth advice, integrity, love for his colleagues and athletes, sense of humor, bright disposition and love of life.

Preparations are being made by Preston and Simons Mortuary in Riverside, California. Funeral and services will be July 8 at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518 (951) 653-8417.

Tom Johnson, Local WWII Vet, Dies at 94 (Video Interview)

Fatality on 14 Freeway; Backed Up for Miles

A person has died as a result of injuries sustained in a collision on the northbound 14 Freeway in the Agua Dulce area.

The trouble began Saturday at about 11:25 a.m. when a big-rig struck a man who was outside of his vehicle, on the side of the freeway just north of Agua Dulce Canyon Road. One or more witnesses reported to the California Highway Patrol that the man was working on his vehicle when the semi-truck hit him.

The man was lying in the roadway and the big-rig took off. It is not yet clear whether the driver knew he struck the victim; CHP officers went off after the truck.

The three right lanes of the freeway were closed (leaving one open), and  a Sigalert was issued.

Then, a bit more than an hour later, around 12:45 p.m., an SUV was approaching the stopped traffic when it rear-ended another vehicle and rolled over. The result was a new 4-car collision south of Agua Dulce Canyon Road.

It is not yet known which collision resulted in the fatality – the first one where the man was struck, or the subsequent multi-car pileup.

A Sigalert was issued for all lanes, and traffic was backed up for at least five or six miles, according to reports from motorists to SCVNews.com.

Numerous additional minor collisions have occurred in the area of the backup, and the CHP is reporting that drivers are turning around and traveling the wrong way to exit the freeway.

 

 

Fatality on 14 Freeway; Backed Up for Miles

Today in SCV History (June 29)

1978 – Colossus coaster opens at Magic Mountain [story]

Today in SCV History (June 29)

Van Hook Celebrates 25 Years at Helm of COC

Dianne G. Van Hook, president and CEO of College of the Canyons began work on July 1, 1988, at 37 years old. This year she will celebrate her 25th anniversary at the helm of a college that has grown significantly under her leadership.

When Van Hook arrived, COC had only eight major buildings on one campus, a budget of $8 million and 4,000 students. Since then, their highest enrollment has reached 27,000 students.

The school has since grown to include the Canyon Country campus, University Center, Performing Arts Center, and several new labs and classroom buildings.

Van Hook began her higher education at Long Beach City College before transferring to California State University, Long Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1972. While attending classes, she worked as a Head Start preschool teacher, and upon graduation became a junior high school teacher. She later went on to earn both her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of La Verne.

While working as a counselor at Santa Ana College, she launched the New Horizons program, which helps re-entry students succeed in college. The program was ultimately implemented at 60 community colleges throughout the state. From there she went to Feather River College to serve as dean of instruction/student service in 1984. Two years later she became dean of the Lake Tahoe Community College District, before returning to Southern California to take the top post at College of the Canyons.

Michele Jenkins, a member or the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, said she expected Van Hook to make a significant impact on the college.

“At the time, I couldn’t help but smile to myself, thinking about how much of a difference she was going to make at the college because she’s just so dynamic,” Jenkins said. “Days later, after she had been formally introduced, I asked one of our instructors what he thought about our new president, to which he replied, ‘Administrators come and go, and it won’t really make a difference who the administrator is.’ I simply smiled again and thought to myself that he has no idea what this woman’s leadership will bring to College of the Canyons. Today, 25 years later, I’m still smiling.”

State Assemblyman Scott Wilk, who served on the Board of Trustees prior to being elected to state office in 2012, said Van Hook’s dynamic leadership has created countless opportunities and transformed the college into a place where “miracles happen every day.”

“I had the honor and pleasure to serve on the board for six years and witness firsthand the college’s profound impact on people’s lives,” Wilk said. “College of the Canyons is intensely focused on student access, achievement and success. That focus comes straight from Dr. Van Hook, whose vision and passion for educational excellence are boundless. The Santa Clarita Valley is truly fortunate to have had her at the college’s helm for the past 25 years.”

To have a president for 25 years is atypical among community colleges. Brice Harris, chancellor of the California community college system, said Van Hook’s focused, dedicated service to a single college district over the course of 25 years has allowed College of the Canyons to thrive and the Santa Clarita Valley to reap the rewards.

“Such longevity is a rarity and speaks to the skilled leadership she provides to the college community day in and day out,” Harris said. “This type of stability fosters institutional focus and commitment on a remarkable scale.”

Van Hook is committed to continuing the vision of COC and inspiring her students and staff.

“People who believe in themselves and the power of teamwork inspire vision, energy, commitment and courageous leadership at every level,” she said. “Those qualities propel College of the Canyons to new possibilities and exciting outcomes. The result? Expansion of instructional programs, securing significant increases in funding, launching a robust building program, and increasing our full-time staff by more than 300 percent. These qualities have helped us develop partnerships and collaborative initiatives, take calculated risks, be entrepreneurial and, most importantly, believe that we could create our own future. And, together, we have done just that.”

Van Hook Celebrates 25 Years at Helm of COC

SCV Deputies Net 5 in 24-Hour Sweep

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s Crime Prevention Unit netted five arrests as part of a 24-hour operation this week to kick off summer.

Sheriff’s Station deputies conduct regular patrol and parole checks throughout the year, but more people frequent the city’s parks and paseos during the summer months, said Deputy Josh Dubin, zone leader for the Newhall zone. [Deputy Josh Dubin and Sgt. Darren Harris of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station]

Deputies focus an increased presence in those areas in June, July and August, he said.

To that end, deputies also have a year-round tool provided by the city of Santa Clarita that helps patrol this harder-to-reach, urban terrain, such as the city’s bike paths.

The T3 patroller reaches speeds of 20 miles per hour, is pretty versatile and doesn’t really announce its presence to criminals, despite the fact that they’re fitted with police lights and a siren.

“We’re able to go in and out of the paseos and bike paths and into residential neighborhoods much more efficiently,” Dubin said. “And, because it’s an electric, clean-energy vehicle that’s silent, people don’t always see or hear us patrolling.”

Part of Wednesday’s around-the-clock operation by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s CPU led to the arrest of two men on AB 109 charges, and three more individuals were booked on felony drug possession charges.

The first two caught during the 24-hour operation, Robert Calderescu, 33, of Canyon Country, and Travis Andrews, 33, of Canyon Country, were arrested for separate violations of the Postrelease Community Supervision Act, or AB 109.

Also known as Realignment, the law places nonviolent repeat offenders in county jails for lesser terms, and those who are found in violation are often issued what’s known as “flash incarcerations,” or seven- to 10-day sentences, for their offenses.

“One had an incorrect address, and was hiding when deputies were looking for him at his address,” Dubin said. “Another had a very small amount of narcotics, which were considered a violation of his parole.”

Two Saugus men who lived at the same address were also arrested during the operation on charges that methamphetamine was found at their home, Dubin said.

Randall Smith, 55, and Patrick McMillan, 33, were booked on possession of a controlled substance.

Another Saugus woman, 37-year-old Lisa Lepore was also booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance because she allegedly had methamphetamine, according to Sheriff’s Department records.

And the final part of the operation didn’t involve an arrest, but it did include the use of deputies’ T3s, which Dubin referred as a silent, but effective weapon to fight crime courtesy of the city.

A man was driving his truck illegally through the Granary Square parking lot, driving over parking medians, with a suspended license, and didn’t notice as deputies approached.

“We’re going to continue these types of operations, and they’re especially effective in the summertime,” Dubin said.

“The city’s dozens of parks and miles of paseos are much easier to navigate on the T3s,” he added, “and they’re also great for patrolling in residential neighborhoods as a theft-deterrent.”

SCV Deputies Net 5 in 24-Hour Sweep

SCV NewsBreak for Friday, June 28, 2013

In this episode:

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook walked onto the College of the Canyons campus as the new president.

The City of Santa Clarita will install a new steel bridge to replace an older structure across Goldcrest Drive in the Valencia Summit neighborhood starting on Monday.

Also:

The weekly crime reports are in.

Temperatures are expected to reach the 100-teens this weekend with the peak of this heat wave reaching us on Sunday.

Finally:

Authorities are reminding boaters to have a sober driver this weekend.

Construction on the State Expressway improvement project is expected to create about 1,600 temporary jobs.

SCV NewsBreak is a co-presentation of KHTS AM-1220 and SCVTV. It can be viewed on both organizations’ websites – HomeTownStation.com, SCVTV.com and SCVNews.com.

Television viewers can catch it on SCVTV at the top of every hour from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., repeating the following morning at 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. SCVTV runs on Time Warner Cable Channel 20 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, and streaming on SCVTV.com.

SCV NewsBreak for Friday, June 28, 2013

California's Injustice System | Commentary by Betty Arenson

The underlying story is sad.  In fact, that’s an understatement. It’s a story of gut-wrenching violence and horror. The headline is a bit captivating – “Man Gets Death for Slaying” – but it is the tearful words of the victim’s son that make your heart crack.

Remember the name of Penny Keptra, who but for her own terrorism experience would be 58 years old today, enjoying her three children.

Penny was walking to the store Dec. 29, 1998, when three men across the street, described as “stupid drunk,” yelled, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”  Penny responded in like kind, probably feeling no fear at that specific moment.

The news article does not detail when the physical encounter actually occurred, but it ended with Penny’s murder and robbery of her $6 in food stamps.

A reader with any sense of decency cannot help but put him- or herself in Penny’s shoes for her fright and pain in her last, God-only-knows-how-many minutes or perhaps hours.  Her body wasn’t found for at least two days, and that was by Caltrans workers, in weeds near a freeway.

It is important to know a bit about the event again to punctuate our liberal and crazy criminal justice system – more accurately, our injustice system.

Penny was raped, sexually assaulted, badly beaten and tortured. She was stripped of her clothes, then body-stomped and thrown over an embankment. The medical examiner described her face as “totally unrecognizable” with an identified “114 distinct injuries” that included part of an ear missing, bite marks, and in addition to be raped the old-fashioned way, she was sexually assaulted with a wooden stick.

I’m trying to think of a stronger word than “violence,” but not one comes to mind. I would offer the same wonder for the word “fear” in what Penny must have felt, let alone the pain.  She may well have lived through all of the mayhem until the final stomping snuffed her out.

Now, the article I refer to is only about one of the murderers – is there a stronger word for “murderer,” as in this case? – and that is one Kevin Darnell Pearson, now 36 years old, which made him a mere 21 when this happened.

As usual, the unyielding, slow-grinding, liberal justice system has taken 15 years. Pearson’s first death sentence was overturned by the spectacular California Supreme Court because there was a finding that one juror was ambivalent about the death penalty, so a retrial took place on the penalty phase. No doubt, the defense attorney whined about some allegation so he or she could be a hero and save this animal while the rest of us got to pay for his antics.

Pearson was the last of the three to be sentenced to death.  Corene Locke-Noble, a 29-year veteran prosecutor of the D.A.’s office, said it was the worst case of her career.

The next sadness is thinking while reading the words of the son, Teddy Kerpta, now about 29, when he said, “Your death will be quick and painless, unlike what you did to my mother. … I can’t wait to have the satisfaction of sitting there and watching you die.”

While Teddy got the satisfaction of hearing the sentence and getting to speak his piece, reality is, he is likely to be over 60 years old before this crazy state called California puts those beasts to death. More likely, the convicts will die of old age on lenient death row.

Heck, many are still arguing over whether lethal injection is a painful cocktail.  We surely wouldn’t want a guy like Pearson to die with a little discomfort.

It isn’t about execution pain at all. It’s about bleeding-heart liberals. I’ve had to put down three beloved, innocent dogs, and they peacefully went to sleep in my arms. Yet we are to save ruthless, mindful, thinking beings like these three creeps.

Last but not least, Pearson “allegedly” (I detest that word) remarked the day after the murder, “We killed a white woman.” There is no mention of a hate crime added to the mix.  Was that just politics, or were there just so many other gruesome charges that hate didn’t count?

I surely don’t recall any of the civil-rights people marching in the street and destroying property over that one.  But I digress.

I’ve added Teddy and his siblings to my prayer list that he gets his wish, sooner than later, to witness the exorcism of evil from his life. In fact, Teddy is due three audiences.

May God bless you, Teddy, and literally, Godspeed.

 

Betty Arenson has lived in the SCV since 1968 and describes herself as a conservative who’s concerned about progressives’ politics and their impacts on the country, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She says she is unashamed to own a gun or a Bible, couldn’t care less about the color of the president’s skin, and demands that he uphold his oath to protect and follow the Constitution of the United States in its entirety. Her commentary publishes Fridays.

California's Injustice System | Commentary by Betty Arenson

SCV Senior Center Hosts 'Prom'

The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center hosted a “Senior Prom” concert featuring a live band and dancing to prom romantic ballads Wednesday.

The Senior Center provided a chance for seniors to have another chance to live that momentous high school experience through a live concert band playing romantic tunes spanning many decades.

The Silvertone Singers, under the direction of John Swinford, did renditions of hits that ranged from Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” to the 1970s Carole King hit of “Killing Me Softly.”

Many seniors at the event delightfully danced to the live music and were wearing their best formal wear to celebrate the event.

In accordance with prom tradition, SCV senior center chose their own prom king and queen.  John Swinford, SCV senior center music director, won the title of “Prom King” and Rita Hendrixson won the title of “Prom Queen. ”

“I was surprised that they picked me. It was just a complete honor,” said Rita Hendrixson, SCV Senior Center’s Prom Queen.

For more information on the SCV Senior Center, visit http://www.scv-seniorcenter.org.

- Luzzei Tsuji

 

SCV Senior Center Hosts 'Prom'

Wilk Taps CLWA's Kelly to Rep 38th District Vets at Event

R.J. Kelly

Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, has selected Vietnam veteran R.J. Kelly to represent the 38th Assembly District during the 2013 Veterans Recognition Ceremony in Sacramento.

“It gives me great pleasure to honor R.J. for his dedication and service to our country,’” said Wilk, “Our service men and women are the absolute backbone of our country and I’m proud R.J. Kelly is a member of our community.”

Kelly graduated from El Monte High School in 1966 and joined the Marines later that year.

In 1967 Kelly was stationed in Vietnam for his first tour of duty where he went on to earn a Purple Heart, an honor only bestowed in the name of the President of the United States.

“I did a couple of tours in Vietnam, I got injured in Vietnam, and I came home and recovered,” Kelly said.

Kelly has been active in several veterans organizations since retiring from the Marine Corps., one is the Veterans Advocacy Network, which he is president and founder of.

“Through our advocacy network we’re advocating for health benefits, and rights to things that veterans don’t know they can get free service on,” Kelly said.

Assemblyman Scott Wilk

Kelly is also the founder of the Canyon Country Chapter of Disabled American Veterans.

“What I’ve learned through my injuries and disabilities is the need veterans with disabilities have and how they can obtain benefits from them,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s other involvements include organizations such as: Veterans of Foreign Wars; Committee for Employers of Disabled Individuals; Castaic Lake Water Agency Board of Directors; and the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity.

“I want to make sure that our vets that are in service now and come home from the warzone are knowledgeable about what’s available to them,” Kelly said.

The award by the assembly was a combination of dedication for service but also for volunteering within the assembly district for Veterans, according to Kelly.

“I was very pleased and very surprised, we have a lot of great veterans in community, and I think one reason I was chosen is that I did diversify my efforts to help,” Kelly said.

- David Mariuz

Wilk Taps CLWA's Kelly to Rep 38th District Vets at Event

City Transit Plan Available for Public Review

The City of Santa Clarita Transit Division staff have recently updated the Transportation Development Plan, addressing long-range transit needs in the Santa Clarita Valley. The new plan outlines transit services for a 10-year period, from 2013 to 2023.

The public is invited to review the draft of the plan until July 22.

Transit Division staff evaluate service needs on a regional basis and revise the Transportation Development Plan every five to seven years. Their reach extends to Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus and Valencia, in addition to communities in the unincorporated areas, including Sunset Pointe, Southern Oaks, Stevenson Ranch, Westridge, Newhall Ranch, Val Verde, Castaic and Tesoro Del Valle.

The Transit Division’s goals for the Santa Clarita Valley over the next 10 years include increasing connectivity between communities, maintaining a diversified and sustainable system and promoting alternative methods of transportation.

“The plan is essentially a road map for the development of the transit system here in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Transit Manager Adrian Aguilar.

In order to determine the changing needs of the valley, the division conducted wide-scale community outreach, including customer surveys. Staff began working on the draft more than a year ago, and now they want to give citizens another opportunity to comment and give their input.

Aguilar said that the new draft reevaluates the transit system now that the economy is looking up again.

“A lot of things we planned to do four, five, six years ago were placed on hold,” he said.

Some recognized needs include increased service along Copperhill Drive and in the Fair Oaks community in Canyon Country. Commuters want to see later service to and from North Hollywood, including weekend transportation to events like the Hollywood Bowl.

The plan also assesses tax revenue and finances, enabling the division to plan activities and present it needs to funding jurisdictions.

The public is invited to review the draft Transportation Development Plan and submit comments via mail, fax or email. The plan is available online, at all the Santa Clarita Public Libraries and at the City Hall Permit Center.

Mail comments to City of Santa Clarita, Attn: TDP. Send a fax to 661-295-6393. Or, email the Transit Division at czamora@santa-clarita.com.

Read the previous Transportation Development Plan [here].

City Transit Plan Available for Public Review

Deputies Talk Teen Issues at Action Forum

Photo: Gabby Seratti/KHTS

Action Family Foundation officials hosted Wednesday Keep Me Informed, a panel and discussion on issues facing Santa Clarita Valley teens.

“There was a group of about a hundred people, mostly parents but some younger people, who were very interested in the discussion,” said Bob Wachsmuth, an investigator for the  J-Team. “Everyone was very interested.”

The Sheriff’s Juvenile Intervention Team, also known as the  J-Team, works to understand teenage trends, hangouts and other social activities.

“The Keep Me Informed panel was the second in an ongoing series Action has created to allow parents, teens, educators, and couselors to have a better understanding of what our teens are exposed to on a daily basis in Santa Clarita,” said Cary Quashen, founder of Action Family Foundation.

Parents and their teens learned about hangouts, drugs, trends, curfew, juvenile records and underage drinking and driving from the Sheriff’s J-Team.

Here are some tips and information from the Sheriff’s Department for teens and their families:

Anyone under the age of 21 with any alcohol percentage while driving will get their license suspended.

Juvenile records are not necessarily sealed.

Curfew of anyone under the age of 18 is 10 p.m. through 6 a.m and if caught, is a $400 fine.

Don’t eat something if you do not know what it is or where it came from.

Don’t set your drink down at a party.

“It’s a part of the J-Team’s duty to get information to the residents of Santa Clarita, particularly the parents to help them deal with their children’s exposure to drugs including marijuana,” Wachsmuth said.

Call Crime Stoppers if you see anything that should be reported.  You can call anonymously.

“It’s our goal to never lose another teen to drugs or alcohol. Enough is enough,” Quashen said.

- Jessica Boyer

 

About ACTION

The ACTION Parent & Teen Support Program is a gathering of concerned parents who meet to offer each other support and practical solutions to problems. A parent who has been trained as an ACTION group facilitator, who has experienced just how tough it is to raise a teenager in this day and age, leads each group. And best of all ACTION attendance is free of charge.

Deputies Talk Teen Issues at Action Forum

June 27th

With Tami and her family on a well-deserved vacation, we were thrilled to have Stacie House fill in as a guest host.

As marketing director of Westfield Valencia Town Center Mall, Stacie talked about happenings at the mall, its future plans as well as what customers want (you may be surprised at the answer).

Joe Messina brought us more human idiocy, Fred Arnold spoke passionately about the upcoming Patriots Luncheon to salute veterans, and Mike Bjorkman revealed the opportunities in real estate despite the mortgage rate increase.

June 27th

Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain reaches new heights yet again with the opening of the brand new roller coaster, Full Throttle.

Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Today in SCV History (June 27)

1997 - General release of Disney’s “Hercules,” directed by CalArts grad John Musker [timeline]

Today in SCV History (June 27)

Community Help Sought to Stop Cemex Gravel Mine

[SAFE] - Safe Action for the Environment Inc. has endorsed Sen. Barbara Boxer’s new legislative attempt to save the Santa Clarita Valley from a 56 million ton sand and gravel mine proposed to be developed in Soledad Canyon.

“SAFE is proud to support the Soledad Canyon Settlement Act, and we hope the community will join us in advocating for its passage,” said SAFE President Andrew Fried. “We’re grateful to Sen. Boxer for her continued efforts to reach a legislative solution to this long-running issue, and we’re also very pleased to see her California colleague in the Senate, Dianne Feinstein, has signed on as a cosponsor. This demonstrates the importance of this issue to the entire northern Los Angeles County region.”

Fried said SAFE is asking community members to express their support of S. 771 by sending letters to Sen. Boxer, D-Calif., Sen. Feinstein, D-Calif., Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, and the Co-Chairs of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. SAFE’s website, www.safe4environment.org, is providing information on the bill and how to submit letters to the legislators either online or by mail.

Andy Fried, president of SAFE Action for the Environment

In a letter to Boxer expressing SAFE’s support for the bill, Fried said the nonprofit organization views S. 771 as a balanced solution that addresses not only the concerns and interests of communities that would be affected by the mine, but also the interests of CEMEX.

“We believe the Soledad Canyon Settlement Act reflects a fair-minded approach to a complex situation that has evolved over the past two decades,” Fried wrote. “By directing the Bureau of Land Management to cancel CEMEX USA’s sand and gravel mining contracts in Soledad Canyon and withdrawing the site from future mining, S. 771 addresses the concerns of area residents who have long been concerned that the mine would adversely impact air quality, human health and animal husbandry, traffic and overall quality of life.”

The bill calls for the BLM to sell surplus lands near Victorville, and utilize the proceeds to compensate CEMEX for the canceled contracts. The bill also creates a structure for CEMEX and the City of Santa Clarita to negotiate additional compensation for CEMEX if it is determined that the surplus land sale doesn’t sufficiently reimburse the mining company for the cancellation of its Soledad Canyon mining contracts.

“It’s unclear at this point whether that would even become an issue, and if it does, how much that amount would be,” Fried said. “In any case, the City of Santa Clarita would have the right to approve or reject any proposed agreement with CEMEX under the terms of S. 771.”

SAFE Board Member Pauline Harte said time is of the essence, because CEMEX last year ended the five-year “truce” that had been established with the City of Santa Clarita to allow time for the parties to seek a mutually agreeable solution.

“This really is the end of the line,” Harte said. “We need S. 771 to pass if we’re going to protect the community from the traffic and air quality impacts of this massive mine. It’s as crucial as it’s ever been for people to voice their support of this bill, so the decision makers in Washington will understand how important this issue is to our communities.”

S. 771 is Boxer’s followup to her 2012 bill, S. 759, which contained similar core provisions but was not acted upon by the Senate.

“We’re optimistic that S. 771 will gain favorable consideration this year,” Fried said. “Without it, we’re looking at 1,100 daily truck trips and dubious air quality for the Santa Clarita Valley, for decades to come.”

To find more information regarding SAFE and S. 771, visit www.Safe4Environment.org.

Community Help Sought to Stop Cemex Gravel Mine

Feinstein Reintroduces Bill to Repeal DOMA

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

[Sen. Feinstein] - Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, reintroduced the Respect for Marriage Act on Wednesday, a bill to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Feinstein said: “I was one of 14 senators to oppose DOMA in 1996. Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court clearly establishes that one class of legally married individuals cannot be denied rights under federal law accorded to all other legally married couples. Our legislation is necessary because inequities in the administration of more than 1,100 federal laws affected by DOMA—including social security and veterans benefits—will still need to be fixed. It is time Congress strike this discriminatory law once and for all.”

Nadler said: “Today’s Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Windsor affirms what we stand for as Americans—the guarantee that every person and every family is given equal respect under the law. It means that married same-sex couples can participate fully in federal programs that provide much-needed security for American families. Far beyond this, today’s ruling also means that these couples—their loving commitments and lawful marriages—will finally receive their government’s equal respect and support.”

“We should rejoice and celebrate today’s ruling, but our work is not yet done. The Court has ruled that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional, but Congress still must repeal the law in its entirety. That is why we are reintroducing the Respect for Marriage Act, which repeals DOMA in its entirety and sends DOMA into the history books where it belongs. This bill ensures repeal of section 2 of DOMA, which was not at issue in the Windsor case and purports to excuse the states from even considering whether to honor the marriage of a gay and lesbian couple performed by a sister state. The bill also provides a uniform rule for recognizing couples under federal law, ensuring that all lawfully married couples will be recognized under federal law, no matter where they live,” Nadler added. “We salute today’s ruling. It is a tremendously important victory, but it is also a call to all of us to finish the job by passing the Respect for Marriage Act.”

The bill has 161 original cosponsors in the House and 41 original cosponsors, including Feinstein, in the Senate. They are Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Robert Casey (D-Penn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), William “Mo” Cowan (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Feinstein Reintroduces Bill to Repeal DOMA

Plan Your 4th of July in Santa Clarita

The City of Santa Clarita is expected to host a variety of activities to honor the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2013, according to Santa Clarita city officials. It will feature fireworks, independence day races, and the annual Santa Clarita Fourth of July parade.

The festivities will culminate with the Independence Day 5K race, hosted by the Santa Clarita Runner’s Club. There will be a versatile range of races for runners of all levels at Newhall Park. The times for the races will commence at 7:00 a.m. for the 10K; 7:45 a.m. for the Kid K; and 8:00 a.m. for the 5K race/walk. Every participant will be rewarded with a Jamba Juice drink at the end of the race. To sign up for this event, register at scrunners.org. Newhall Park is situated at 24933 Newhall Avenue.

The annual Santa Clarita Fourth of July parade, a Santa Clarita beloved tradition that dates back to 1932, will commence at 9 a.m.  in Old Town Newhall to celebrate America’s independence. It will feature lavish floats, music, military presentations and much more. The parade route will be through Main Street, Lyons Avenue and Orchard Village Road before finishing at 16^th Street.

The annual Fourth of July fireworks show, one of the City’s most popular events, will take place at Westfield Valencia Town Center at 9:15 p.m.. KHTS AM 1220 will feature a live soundtrack accompanying the grand fireworks show so tune in to 1220 AM during the fireworks show. It will be a event with a high volume of people in attendance featuring an incandescent, blazing display of colors and lights so it is recommended that guests arrive early.

Due to the high number of vehicles trying to exit the area and the traffic restrictions, extensive delays should be expected. Motorist heading to the east side of the City should use the exits onto Citrus Street, while motorists heading to the west side of the City should use the signalized exits onto Valencia Boulevard or Magic Mountain Parkway.

For more information about this year’s festivities, please visit Arts.Santa-Clarita.com/ or contact the City of Santa Clarita’s Arts and Events Office at (661) 286-4018.

 

- Luzzei Tsuji

 

Plan Your 4th of July in Santa Clarita

McKeon Panel's Subcommittee Hears Testimony on Benghazi

GEN Carter Ham (ret.)

[HASC] - The Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations received testimony in a classified briefing from three key figures involved in the response to the attack on Americans in Benghazi. General Carter Ham (ret), former Commander, AFRICOM; Lieutenant Colonel S.E. Gibson, former commander of the site security team at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli; and Rear Admiral Brian Losey, former commander, Special Operations Command Africa, all offered accounts of U.S. force posture and planning ahead of the attack, and actions taken during and after the attack. While the subcommittee will continue to carry out appropriate oversight, today’s witnesses did clarify several matters with respect to the events of September 11 and 12, 2012.

Pre-9/11 Force Posture and Planning: On September 10, 2012 the White House issued a readout of a presidential briefing on 9/11 planning. The readout said the briefing was the culmination of “numerous meetings to review security measures in place” chaired by John Brennan. The readout also reported that the briefing included “steps taken to protect U.S. persons and facilities abroad, as well as force protection.”

When questioned about this process today, General Ham, the combatant commander responsible for one of the most volatile threat environments in the world, stated that neither he or anyone working for him was consulted as part of the Brennan 9/11 planning process.

Response to the Benghazi Attack: In his testimony, LTC Gibson clarified his responsibilities and actions during the attack. Contrary to news reports, Gibson was not ordered to “stand down” by higher command authorities in response to his understandable desire to lead a group of three other Special Forces soldiers to Benghazi. Rather, he was ordered to remain in Tripoli to defend Americans there in anticipation of possible additional attacks, and to assist the survivors as they returned from Benghazi. Gibson acknowledged that had he deployed to Benghazi he would have left Americans in Tripoli undefended. He also stated that in hindsight, he would not have been able to get to Benghazi in time to make a difference, and as it turned out his medic was needed to provide urgent assistance to survivors once they arrived in Tripoli.”

McKeon Panel's Subcommittee Hears Testimony on Benghazi

Valencia Qdoba Mexican Grill Closing

This just in from Qdoba Mexican Grill, a restaurant chain that also announced closures in north Florda on Wednesday:

“We’re sorry to announce that many of our Qdoba Southern California locations will close on Friday, June 28, at 3 p.m. This includes the following locations: Westlake Village, Valencia, Moreno Valley, Redlands, Alhambra, Ontario, Thousand Oaks, West Covina, Simi Valley and Temecula. It has been great serving you, and we thank you for your patronage at these restaurants.

“We’re still serving your Qdoba favorites at our other Southern California locations including Hope St. downtown, Hawthorne, Upland, Duarte and Culver City.

“If you have any questions, please contact Social@Qdoba.com. We look forward to seeing you at one of these nearby locations soon.”

The Valencia restaurant is located at 28295 Newhall Ranch Road.

 

Valencia Qdoba Mexican Grill Closing

Deputies Respond to Possible Stabbing, Canyon Country

Santa Clarita Sheriff’s deputies responded to a possible stabbing in the 18000 block of Sundowner Way in Canyon Country at 12:47 p.m. on Wednesday.

The call turned into a officer involved fight and several individual have been detained by deputies, according to Sgt. Richard Nagler.

Check back for more info.

 

Deputies Respond to Possible Stabbing, Canyon Country

Woman Ejected in I-5 Crash, Castaic Area

A collision on southbound 1-5 near Parker Road blocked traffic after a female was ejected from her vehicle Wednesday, according to Sgt. Nicholas, an official at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

The collision occurred at 11:45 a.m., and one vehicle was overturned.

All lanes were closed for an airlift.

Several Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station units were present on the scene along with CHP and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Woman Ejected in I-5 Crash, Castaic Area

Council, Minus Boydston, Votes to Raise Own Pay

The Santa Clarita City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to raise its salary by $103.73 per month, from $1,728.84 to $1,832.57 by July 1, 2014.

The raise would come to average of three percent per year, resulting in a total six percent salary raise, but still in compliance with the state Government Code, which allows only a five percent increase per year.

Councilmember TimBen Boydston voted against the action, citing tough economic times.

“I believe it is the wrong time for elected officials… to be giving themselves a pay raise while we’re still in the middle of a recession,” he said.

Mayor Bob Kellar and Council members Laurene Weste, Marsha McLean and Frank Ferry voted in favor of the raise.

Kellar said that while the city is still recovering from the recession, the economy does seem to be turning around. The council has forgone pay raises in the past because of the difficult economy.

“I have voted ‘no’ on this in times past,” he said.

But he also said that Tuesday’s increase was in keeping with the three percent raise granted to city employees this year.

“I don’t think we have ever exceeded what we have given our employees,” Kellar said.

Boydston was not opposed to the idea of a salary for councilmembers, but felt a raise we inappropriate when “people are still losing their houses” and “living paycheck to  paycheck.”

“I also believe that as elected officials, we should take the opportunity to say no to taxes whenever we can,” he said.

Kellar noted that a salary in general and the raise in particular reflects the large amount of time and energy councilmembers spend serving the community, even though their position is technically not full-time.

“This job can take 40-50 hours a week very easily,” he said. “We go seven days a week. I don’t think there’s a councilmember who doesn’t have activities on a daily basis involving this community… It’s an honor to serve…, but I would like to at least keep my head above water, and I think I speak for the other councilmembers when I say that.”

 

AGENDA ITEM:

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION

City Council introduce and pass to second reading an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2.04.048 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING CITY COUNCIL SALARY.”

 

BACKGROUND

Members of the Santa Clarita City Council are paid monthly by the City, under specific provisions of state law, for the substantial amount of time and effort they contribute leading our local government. In addition to participating in regular meetings of the City Council, Members of the City Council represent the City on regional and statewide boards, commissions and organizations; participate in a wide range of community events occurring during the week days, evenings, and weekends; and meet with residents and constituents on a variety of issues important to the City. Furthermore, due to a series of annexations, the size of the City has grown thereby increasing the number of constituents the Council serves.

Government Code 36516 sets forth basic provisions that allow regular adjustments to the City Council salary. Government Code Section 36516.5 requires that City Council salary adjustments be adopted by the present City Council to be effective for future City Councils and provides for Councilmember pay to be increased up to 5% for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment to salary.

In compliance with the Government Code, Councilmember salary has historically been reviewed and adjusted every two years. The last salary adjustment occurred on July 1, 2012, and was a total of 10% for the previous four-year period covering July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2012. That increase averaged 2.5% per year or half as much as what is allowed by state law.

Council salary was most recently reviewed at the regular City Council meeting of June 11, 2013, and Council proposed a total pay increase of six percent (not compounded) for the period July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2014, to be effective on July 1, 2014. This increase would average 3% for each of the two years and is again less than the 5% allowed by Government Code Section 36516.

The proposed monthly adjustment is as follows:

Current salary Proposed salary

$1,728.84 $1,832.57

 

ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS

Other action as determined by the City Council.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

The proposed salary increase of $103.73 per month per Councilmember represents a total annual cost to the City of $6,223.80 for all five Councilmembers.

Council, Minus Boydston, Votes to Raise Own Pay

June 26-July 11: Powerhouse Fire Victims Can Apply for Loans

California residents and business owners affected by the Powerhouse Fire that occurred in Los Angeles County May 30 to June 11, 2013 are being provided low-interest federal disaster loans by the  U.S. Small Business Administration.  Under its’ own authority , SBA acted to declare a disater in response to a request recieved from Governor Edmund G. Brown’s representative, Mark Ghilarducci, Secreatary of the California Emergency Management Agency on June 20.  The declaration makes SBA assistance avaiable in Los Angeles County , Kern, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura.

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing California with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for residents and businesses affected by the disaster,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.  “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” said SBA’s Los Angeles District Director Victor Parker.  “Beginning Wednesday, June 26 at 8 am SBA representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their application,” Parker continued.  The center will be open on the days and times indicated.  No appointment is necessary.

Los Angeles County

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union Elementary School District

16633 Elizabeth Lake Road

Lake Hughes, CA 93532

Opens Wednesday, June 26 at 8 am

Hours:  8 am – 4:30 pm

Monday thru Friday

Closed for Independence Day Holiday, Thursday July 4

The center will close on Thursday, July 11 at 4:30 pm

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 1.875 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.875 percent for private, nonprofit organizations, and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.govor visiting SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is August 26, 2013.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 25, 2014.

What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?

Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged  real estate or personal property owned by the victim.  Renters are eligible for their personal property losses, including automobiles.

Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace  disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment.  Businesses of any size are eligible.  Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their  ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster.  These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.  EIDL assistance is available only entities and their owners who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources, as determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

What are the Credit Requirements?

Credit History – Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA.

Repayment – Applicants must show the ability to repay all loans.

Collateral – Collateral is required for physical loss loans over $14,000 and all EIDL loans over $5,000.  SBA takes real estate as collateral when it is available.  SBA will not decline a loan for lack of collateral, but requires you to pledge what is available.

What are the Interest Rates?

By law,  the interest rates depend on whether each applicant has Credit Available Elsewhere.  An applicant does not have Credit Available Elsewhere when SBA determines the applicant does not have sufficient funds or other resources, or the ability to borrow from non-government sources, to provide for its own disaster recovery.  An applicant, which SBA determines to have the ability to provide for his or her own recovery is deemed to have Credit Available Elsewhere.  Interest rates are fixed for the term of the loan.  The interest rates applicable for this disaster are:

No Credit Available Credit Available Elsewhere

Home Loans 1.875% 3.750%

Business Loans 4.000% 6.000%

Non-Profit Organization Loans 2.875% 2.875%

Economic Injury Loans

  Businesses and Small Agricultural Cooperatives 4.000% N/A

  Non-Profit Organizations 2.875% N/A

What are Loan Terms?

The law authorizes loan terms up to a maximum of 30 years.  However, the law restricts businesses with credit available elsewhere to a maximum 7-year term.  SBA sets the installment payment amount and corresponding maturity based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

What are the Loan Amount Limits?

Home Loans – SBA regulations limit home loans to $200,000 for the repair or replacement of real estate and $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.  Subject to these maximums, loan amounts cannot exceed the verified uninsured disaster loss.

Business Loans – The law limits business loans to $2,000,000 for the repair or replacement of real estate, inventories, machinery, equipment and all other physical losses.  Subject to this maximum, loan amounts cannot exceed the verified uninsured disaster loss.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – The law limits EIDL(s) to $2,000,000 for alleviating economic injury caused by the disaster.  The actual amount of each loan is limited to the economic injury determined by SBA, less business interruption insurance and other recoveries up to the administrative lending limit.  SBA also considers potential contributions that are available from the business and/or its owner(s) or affiliates.

Business Loan Ceiling – The $2,000,000 statutory limit for business loans applies to the combination of  physical, economic injury, mitigation and refinancing,  and applies to all disaster loans to a business and its affiliates for each disaster.  If a business is a major source of employment, SBA has the authority to waive the $2,000,000 statutory limit.

What Restrictions are there on Loan Eligibility?

Uninsured Losses – Only uninsured or otherwise uncompensated disaster losses are eligible.  Any insurance proceeds which are required to be applied against outstanding mortgages are not available to fund disaster repairs and do not reduce loan eligibility.  However, any insurance proceeds voluntarily applied to any outstanding mortgages do reduce loan eligibility.

Ineligible Property – Secondary homes, personal pleasure boats, airplanes, recreational vehicles and similar property are not eligible, unless used for business purposes.  Property such as antiques and collections are eligible only to the extent of their functional value.  Amounts for landscaping, swimming pools, etc., are limited.

Noncompliance – Applicants who have not complied with the terms of previous SBA loans are not eligible.

This includes borrowers who did not maintain flood and/or hazard insurance on previous SBA or Federally insured loans.

Is There Help with Funding Mitigation Improvements?

If your loan application is approved, you may be eligible for additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage.  Examples of improvements include retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps, etc.  Mitigation loan money would be in addition to the amount of the approved loan, but may not exceed 20 percent of total amount of disaster damage to  real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA to a maximum of $200,000 for home loans.  It is not necessary for the description of improvements and cost estimates to be submitted with the application.  SBA approval of the mitigating measures will be required before any loan increase.

Is There Help Available for Refinancing?

SBA can refinance all or part of prior mortgages that are evidenced by a recorded lien, when the applicant (1) does not have credit available elsewhere, (2) has suffered substantial uncompensated disaster damage (40 percent or more of the value of the property), and (3) intends to repair the damage.

Homes – Homeowners may be eligible for the refinancing of existing liens or mortgages on homes, in some cases up to the amount of the loan for real estate repair or replacement.

Businesses – Business owners may be eligible for the refinancing of existing mortgages or liens on real estate, machinery and equipment, in some cases up to the amount of the loan for the repair or replacement of real estate, machinery, and equipment.

What if I Decide to Relocate?

You may use your SBA disaster loan to relocate.  The amount of the relocation loan depends on whether you relocate voluntarily or involuntarily.  If you are interested in relocation, an SBA representative can provide you with more details on your specific situation.

Are There Insurance Requirements for Loans?

To protect each borrower and the Agency, SBA may require you to obtain and maintain appropriate insurance.  By law, borrowers whose damaged or collateral property is located in a special flood hazard area must purchase and maintain flood insurance for the full insurable value of the property for the life of the loan.

For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at  www.sba.gov.  Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.   Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

June 26-July 11: Powerhouse Fire Victims Can Apply for Loans

Call to Artists: For Piece at Magic Mtn/5 Freeway

CALL SUMMARY

The City of Santa Clarita is seeking an artist (or team of artists) to provide for the design and construction of a community entry art piece along Magic Mountain Parkway and the exit from the 5 Freeway (North). The artwork will be situated prominently on a large wall at intersection of Magic Mountain Parkway and the off ramp from Interstate 5.

The new art work will welcome visitors and help define the image of the City by creating a landmark entrance. Motorists exiting the 5 Freeway at the Magic Mountain Parkway northbound and those traveling eastbound on Magic Mountain Parkway will be greeted by this art piece.

Interested artists are asked to apply through Café (the on-line Call for Artist service) at the following website: www.callforentry.org

 

PROJECT GOALS

The following project goals will help guide the selection of the commissioned artwork:

1. Artwork is of an original, site-specific design(s).


2. Artwork is fabricated in a durable, low maintenance material that will withstand the heat and other elements of Santa Clarita.


3. Artwork is complementary to the overall context of the park and surrounding area.


4. The piece must not cause driver distractions or confusion.


5. Artwork must be installed no later than October 31, 2013.

 

DESCRIPTION

The cement wall in which the art will be placed is 34 feet wide and 36 feet tall. The usable space for the art piece is 34 feet wide and 15 feet tall.

 

The artwork can be created using a variety of methods and materials including: sandblasting, etching, tile work, stone, metalwork, grating, paint, etc. There is vegetation (Districtis Buccinatoria / Blood-Red Trumpet Vine) on the wall and will be very close to the art work.

 

 

PROJECT THEMES & BACKGROUND

There are three distinct themes that provide community identity for the City of Santa Clarita. Residence value Recreation, Outdoor Resources, and the History found in the valley.

 

RECREATION:

Recreation is of prime importance to the City. There are currently a total of twenty-six parks scattered in various neighborhoods throughout the city. Many have lighted tennis and basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields. There are over 3,000 acres (12 km2) of open space and 32 miles (51 km) of off-street trails within its boundaries.

 

In addition to the Parks, the City has also built the Santa Clarita Sports Complex (skate park, activities center, gymnasium, and aquatics center), 60 miles of off-street trails, and others to assist with an active and healthy lifestyle.

 

HISTORY:

Santa Clarita has a rich history. The area has been home to Ancient Civilizations, Spanish Land Grants, vaqueros herding cattle, California’s first Gold Rush, and an oil boom. Many Hollywood Westerns were shot in the valley, and film continues to be an important part of the city.

 

ENJOYMENT OF NATURE & OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION:

Since the City’s incorporation in 1987, the City has made a significant effort to preserve the greenbelt and undeveloped land within and outside the City. Preserving open space in and around the City has always been an important priority for the community and City Council. In July 2007, City of Santa Clarita property owners voted in favor of creating the Open Space Preservation District (OSPD). The District is designed to expand the City’s existing Open Space, Park and Parkland Program in order to preserve natural land from development, create more parks for community usage, and protect rare biological and geological regions.

 

BUDGET:

A budget of $15,000 must cover all associated costs of the project, including but not limited to, design, fabrication, materials, labor, transportation, insurance, consulting fees (such as structural engineering or testing), installation, permit fees, per diem, and taxes for both pieces. It is the responsibility of the artist to purchase all the art materials necessary to complete the project.

 

ELIGIBILITY

The project is open to all artists, age 18 and over, regardless of race, color, religion, natural origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability. Employees of the City of Santa Clarita and immediate families of each are not eligible to apply for this project. Immediate family includes the spouse, great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the employee and his/her spouse. This also includes individuals for whom the employee is current legal guardian.

 

 

 

TIME LINE

 

July 12, 2013 Deadline to submit materials to Café (the on-line Call for Artist service) at www.callforentry.org

July 15 – 22, 2013 Artist Selection Committee rates applicants.

July 24, 2013 Artist Selection Committee meets to finalize recommendation for three finalist artists for the proposal phase. Each finalist artist will receive a stipend of $500 for this phase of the project.

August 29, 2013 Finalist artists present their concept proposals to the Artist Selection Committee. In order to receive the stipend/honorarium, the finalists will be required to present and submit a detailed conceptual design proposal that includes the following:

• To-scale renderings of the proposed artistic enhancement, location, and orientation


• A written description and/or sample of the materials to be used and written substantiation of their appropriateness


• A timeline for the design, fabrication, and installation


• A written budget for all project costs (not to exceed)


• A brief written narrative describing the concept, theme, and intent of the proposal

September 12, 2013 Arts Commission approves recommendation of the Artist Selection Committee for selected artist.

September 13, 2013 Artist Agreement sent to the winning artist(or artist team).

September 20, 2013 Agreement returned to Arts and Events Office.

October, 2013 Completed artwork installed at Magic Mountain Parkway site.

 

The City of Santa Clarita reserves the right to change the project timeline.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Artists interested in being considered should submit the following through Café (www.callforentry.org) by July 12, 2013:

 

1. Letter of Interest.

2. Current Resume.

3. Three examples of the artist’s work.

 

For additional information or questions please contact:

 

Jeff Barber

Arts & Events Supervisor

Community Services Division

City of Santa Clarita, CA

(661) 250-3779

jbarber@santa-clarita.com

 

Call to Artists: For Piece at Magic Mtn/5 Freeway

Aug. 11: Golf, Wine, Beer Tasting for SCV Education Foundation

Help fund local classrooms by participating in this event hosted by the Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation.

Aug. 11: Golf, Wine, Beer Tasting for SCV Education Foundation

Antonovich Pet of the Week (6-25-2013): Slater

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich presented Slater, a 3-month old domestic mix, as his pet of the week.

Slater is one of many pets available for adoption at a county animal shelter near you.

For information about adopting a pet, call the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at 562-728-4644 or the Castaic Animal Shelter at 661-257-3191.

Antonovich Pet of the Week (6-25-2013): Slater

Choi, of Valencia, Wins Int'l Student Essay Contest

“Enlightenment and Progress through Exchange” by Charmaine Agawin of Santa Clarita’s sister city, Sariaya.

(Read Choi’s essay below)

 

Two community members representing the Santa Clarita Sister Cities program are among a few distinguished young artists and authors to be recognized at this year’s Sister Cities International annual conference in San Antonio, Tex., July 12 through 14.

“The City is thrilled to have two youth participants from our Sister Cities program recognized for their contributions to strengthening cultural understanding through writing and art,” said Mayor Bob Kellar.

Youth, ages 13-to-18, were asked to create an original work of art, essay or poem to capture the theme – the power of exchange.

Ashley Choi, a Valencia High School student, was awarded the $1,000 grand prize forher essay, “The Powerful Exchange of Love.”

“This is the first time a local student has won the grand prize for a submission featured as part of this international program,” Kellar said.

Capturing the true essence of this year’s Sister Cities theme, the essay was chosen based on Ashley’s real-life experiences, generosity, and selflessness in helping others within remote communities.

Charmaine Agawin, from Santa Clarita’s sister city Sariaya, Philippines, was also chosen as one of five international finalists for her artwork, “Enlightenment and Progress through Exchange.”

”We’re excited to show the world how Santa Clarita is creating and strengthening partnerships in our city as well as other international communities,” Kellar said.

Both the essay and artwork will be showcased at the Sister Cities International annual conference, with the art piece touring select United States cities in the coming year.

The Santa Clarita Valley International Program, through its Sister Cities Program and in partnership with the City of Santa Clarita, offers local students the unique opportunity to submit entries for the annual Young Authors and Artists Showcase in the spring of each year.

These art and literary competitions give students the opportunity to express their ideas of global citizenship, cross-cultural communication, and global issues through different art forms.

Sister Cities International is a non-profit organization that fosters partnership among communities around the globe to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, one individual at a time.

Santa Clarita currently has a Sister Cities relationship with Tena, Ecuador in South America and Sariaya, Quezon in the Philippines.

- David Mariuz

 

 

The Powerful Exchange of Love

Seung Won Choi

Santa Clarita Sister Cities

Santa Clarita, CA

 

 

When the word of exchange comes to mind, many people think of two groups of people who exchange goods for the benefit of each other. In history, we have seen two different groups exchange each other. But as time passed, communities have come together filled with compassion to help others. I believe that this type of exchange is especially powerful to not only one side of the exchange, but to both. Through these exchanges, we fill up each other’s weaknesses and needs. Today, society helps one other through our strengths to give to others. Through this powerful exchange, talents and gifts can be given to other areas of the world. To me, when I hear the “power of exchange,” I think of my trip to Mexico in the summer.

 

During the summer, I was blessed to be able to have the opportunity to go to Mexico to build a house for the less fortunate in Mexico. These people lived with conditions that were different from what I was used to. I spent four days building a house with a group of people for this family without a home. Building this home, I felt like I was exchanging love and effort into this house that would become an important part of the family’s lives. I felt that I was able to give this new family a house built with love, while I was able to receive the family’s heart of thankfulness. Instead of feeling like I only gave something to this family, I felt like I received something much more important. I was able to realize how blessed I am to live in such a sheltered society not having to have any problems financially or any first-world problems that strike many families today. While building this house, I was able to communicate with the family even though we were from two different places without a common language. Through common interests and ideas, I was not only able to build a house, but a relationship out of love. Through this experience, the long-term effect it had on me was that I was able to learn more about the world that we live in, instead of only being limited to the society that I live in. I was able to make new friends through this memorable exchange and remember how important it is to help others.

 

My experience in Mexico had a profound effect on not only on the community, but to me especially. I believe that the exchange between these two different groups is significant and can help the world to become closer together as one united society. This experience left me striving to have a compassionate heart that seeks other opportunities to help other unfortunate people in the world. Ultimately, this type of exchange can help the community to change for the better, hand-in-hand.

 

 

Choi, of Valencia, Wins Int'l Student Essay Contest

'9 to 5: The Musical' Coming to the REP

Pushed to the boiling point by their boss, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. They conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do — even in a man’s world.

With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, 9 to 5: The Musical is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. Outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic, 9 to 5: The Musical is about teaming up and taking care of business.

Based on the hit movie starring Dolly Parton, 9 to 5: The Musical is Sponsored by Wildflour Gourmet Baking Company and Friedman, Thompson & Co. and made possible by a grant from the Diane Marcus Gershowitz Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation.

9 to 5: The Musical will run July 12 through August 17. THERE IS NO SHOW SATURDAY AUGUST 13.  Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $25 for Adults and $20 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. For tickets, purchase online at www.repeastplayhouse.org or call 661-288-0000.

 

About the REP

Located at 24266 Main Street in the heart of Old Town Newhall, The REP is Santa Clarita’s Premiere Theatre Experience and is home to The Hydeaway Lounge featuring full-service cocktails.  The warm, inviting atmosphere is the perfect place to have a cocktail and mingle with other patrons.   The REP’s year-long season features six Main Stage productions.

'9 to 5: The Musical' Coming to the REP

Calling All Artists: Got Something Funny to Exhibit?

This just in from Jeff Barber, Arts & Events supervisor at the City of Santa Clarita:

“I will be presenting a show beginning on December 1, 2013 that will feature humor in art.

“‘Sure to Bring a Smile: Humor in Art’ will be exhibited in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall.  I am hoping to find art that is humorous, funny, fanciful, etc.  I want even the toughest guy to smile at something when he sees this show.

“I am interested in sculpture, paintings, animation, drawings, graphic design art, etc.

“Please send me an email (jbarber@santa-clarita.com) with three pieces for consideration by noon on July 15, 2013.”

Calling All Artists: Got Something Funny to Exhibit?

SCVers Valaika, Zeile in Lineup as UCLA Goes for Title

Pat Valaika

Omaha, Neb. - UCLA moved to within one win of the National title on Monday night, capturing game one of the College World Series Championship Series with a 3-1 victory over Mississippi State. The Bruins won their 10th consecutive game and ninth consecutive postseason game. Junior pitcher Adam Plutko won his 10th game of the season, going six innings and allowing just one run and four hits to improve his career postseason record to 7-0. Sophomore closer David Berg set a new NCAA single-season record with his 24th save of the year.

For the second game in a row, UCLA took the early lead after scraping across a run in the top of the first. With one out, sophomore Kevin Kramer struck out swinging, but reached first when the ball got away from Mississippi State catcher Nick Ammirati. Sophomore Eric Filia doubled in the next at-bat to move Kramer over to third, bringing up junior Pat Valaika. On the first pitch, Valaika laced a single to center, scoring Kramer and giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins got two runners on in both the second and third innings, but were unable to get any across. UCLA would finally get some runs across in the top of the fourth to increase its lead to three, beginning when junior Brenton Allen singled with one out. The next batter was Brian Carroll, who attempted to bunt his way on base, reaching when Ammirati’s throw went wide of first to put runners on first and third with one out. Two batters later, Carroll stole second to put men in scoring position for Filia with two outs. Filia would come through, smacking a single to right to bring home Allen and Carroll to make it 3-0 Bruins.

Plutko made that lead hold up in the early going, setting down the first 10 Mississippi State hitters he faced. In the bottom of the fourth, he ran into some trouble, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Then with a 2-2 count, he hit Wes Rea to load the bases and bring the go-ahead run to the plate in C.T. Bradford. After an eight-pitch at-bat, Bradford drew a walk to score Alex Detz, cutting UCLA’s lead to two. The Bulldogs would get no more though, as Plutko got Trey Porter to fly out to right to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Ammirati led off the inning by crushing a ball to right off of Plutko that looked to be extra bases. However, Filia tracked it down and made a terrific leaping grab to rob Ammirati. An error by Plutko and a balk allowed Demarcus Henderson to reach second with two outs in the inning, but Plutko got Detz to line out to Cody Regis at second to once again keep the Bruins ahead.

After a scoreless sixth, Plutko came back out for the seventh and gave up a leadoff single to Trey Porter. Head coach John Savage then went to the bullpen and brought in freshman James Kaprielian. Kaprielian walked Ammirati to put runners on first and second and nobody out, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate again in Henderson. On an 0-2 pitch, Henderson grounded into a 4-6-3 double play that was started by a terrific glove flip to second from Regis, getting two crucial outs in the inning. Kaprielian then battled back from a 3-0 count on Adam Frazier to get him to ground out to Regis at second, ending the threat.

Zack Weiss came in relief in the eighth and got the leadoff batter out before hitting Hunter Renfroe with a pitch, which prompted Savage to summon Berg. The National Stopper of the Year did his job and got Brett Pirtle to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

In the ninth inning, Berg gave up a pair of one-out singles but got Ammirati to fly out to left-center and then induced a comebacker to pinch-hitter Jacob Robson for the final out and for his NCAA record 24th save.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Savage said. “We hung in there. We put up some zeros, some difficult zeros. We dodged some bullets, no doubt about it. But you also have to give credit to our defense. I think our defense was outstanding and turned a couple of double plays. I thought (Shane) Zeile was good behind the plate. It was kind of a Bruin game – a tight game, and at the end of the night we were fortunate to come out of it with the win.”

UCLA (48-17) and Mississippi State (51-19) will play game two of the championship series on Tuesday, June 25 at 5 p.m./7 p.m. CT with UCLA looking to wrap up its first-ever NCAA baseball championship and the 109th NCAA title in UCLA’s history.

Game Notes: David Berg set a new NCAA record with his 24th save of the season, breaking the record set previously by Jack Krawczyk of USC in 1998 and Tyler Roger of Austin Peay in 2013…Berg made his 50th appearance of the season, becoming the first pitcher in NCAA history to record 50 or more appearances in multiple seasons…UCLA has allowed one run or less in five straight postseason games and just seven runs in its last seven games…Brian Carroll stole his 31st and 32nd base tonight, the most in a single-season by a UCLA player since Dave Roberts stole a school-record 45 in 1994…UCLA pitchers have allowed just one run in each of the team’s four CWS games…head coach John Savage is now 8-5 all-time in the College World Series…the Bruins improved to 18-2 when scoring in the first inning and 40-0 when leading after seven innings…Eric Filia is now hitting .424 in the postseason with six RBI and a .459 on-base percentage…Adam Plutko improved to 7-0 with 0.94 ERA in eight postseason starts… Plutko’s 0.94 ERA also ranks as the lowest in UCLA postseason history (min. 12 innings pitched)…UCLA’s pitching staff has posted a 1.32 ERA in this year’s postseason…the Bruins’ staff has also held hitters to a .181 batting average in the CWS.

SCVers Valaika, Zeile in Lineup as UCLA Goes for Title

COC Small Business Development Center Training Sched. (6-24-2013)

Grow Your Business with Email and Social Media & Networking Lunch

This interactive workshop will share key concepts of email and social media marketing. Accompanied by a short workbook, you will be guided through a process of creating a digital marketing strategy that is unique to your business or organization. In the workshop we’ll discuss and brainstorm about:

• Engagement Marketing


• Marketing Objectives


• Marketing Goals


• Marketing Campaign


• Channels that Matter


• Measurable Results

By documenting your understanding of these topics, in a way that creates a plan, you will leave with a greater understanding of how to optimize you email and social media marketing from a standpoint of where to find and how to cultivate the best relationships. A networking lunch and Business Matchmaking will follow the seminar from 11:45 am – 1 pm.

 

Register online at: http://tinyurl.com/Grow-Your-Business-AV-062613

Date:  Wednesday, June 26

Time:  10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Location:  Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, Manzanita Ballroom

  38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale 93550

QuickBooks Boot Camp In this day long workshop, participants will learn how to set up their company file from scratch; how to create a quality chart of accounts; how to create new vendors, customer, items and accounts. You will also learn how to pay bills, invoice customers, receive payments, make deposits and reconcile bank accounts. An introduction to the report center will be covered, including how to create a Profit & Loss Statement and a Balance Sheet. Ideal for business owners, office managers, and bookkeepers who are brand new to QuickBooks, as well as, existing users who would like some formal education in one of these QuickBooks features. Training isheld in a computer lab with limited seating. Please note that there will be a one-hour lunch break, lunch not provided.   Date:  Friday, June 28 Time:  10:00 am – 4:30 pm Cost: $99 + $2 parking fee (kiosk located in lot 14) Location:  University Center at College of the Canyons, Room 309   26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita 91355

Access to Capital – Finding Funding for Your Business If you want/need a loan to start or build your business, or if you need some financial help to survive this recession, this workshop is for you. Learn the 5 C’s of credit so you will know what lenders are looking for when considering lending you money. You will receive information about available small business loan programs designed to assist businesses during a recession. Lastly, you will learn about the importance of having a well thought out business plan when asking for credit loan consideration from a bank or other lenders.   Register online at: http://tinyurl.com/Access-To-Capital-062813   Date:  Friday, June 28 Time:  10:00 am – 12:00 pm Cost: FREE Location:  University of Antelope Valley  44055 North Sierra Highway, Lancaster 93534

2013 Export Workshop Series Comes to the SFV! The SBDC, the Port of Los Angeles, and its’ industry partners are bringing the 2013 Export Workshop Series to the San Fernando Valley.  This highly touted eight part series, beginning May 1 and running through August 7, includes: International Business Culture - May 1 Is Exporting for Me? - May 15 Export Sales Techniques - May 29 Internet Export Marketing - June 5 Legal Do’s & Don’ts for Exporters – June 19 Export Trade Finance & Insurance – Getting Paid – July 10 Freight & Logistics – Delivering Export Goods – July 24 Finding & Entering New Export Markets/International Matchmaking – August 7 For more information about a particular session or to register for a specific training, click on the name of the class above.  To register for the entire series click here:  http://tinyurl.com/ExportUSFValley2013    Date:  As shown above Time:  9 am - 12 pm Cost:  FREE Location: ITT Technical Institute 12669 Encinitas Ave., Sylmar  91342  – 5 Freeway at Roxford exit

QuickBooks Boot Camp In this day long workshop, participants will learn how to set up their company file from scratch; how to create a quality chart of accounts; how to create new vendors, customer, items and accounts. You will also learn how to pay bills, invoice customers, receive payments, make deposits and reconcile bank accounts. An introduction to the report center will be covered, including how to create a Profit & Loss Statement and a Balance Sheet. Ideal for business owners, office managers, and bookkeepers who are brand new to QuickBooks, as well as, existing users who would like some formal education in one of these QuickBooks features. Training isheld in a computer lab with limited seating. Please note that there will be a one-hour lunch break, lunch not provided.   Register online at: http://tinyurl.com/QuickBooks-Boot-Camp-071213   Date:  Friday, July 12 Time:  10:00 am – 4:30 pm Cost: FREE Location:  University of Antelope Valley, Sierra Hwy Room 106   44055 North Sierra Highway, Lancaster 93534

How to Successfully Start Your New Business This hands-on workshop will help you get started quickly as you learn the steps necessary to successfully launch your new business. Learn to prepare a written plan you can use to build and grow a profitable business. Learn the best way to structure your business as you identify and focus on the key marketing, sales and financial issues of your business and how to bring it all together. This powerful event has helped many entrepreneurs achieve success.   Date: Tuesday, July 16 Time:  9:00 am – 11:00 pm Cost: $30 + $2 parking fee (kiosk located in lot 14) Location:  University Center at College of the Canyons, Room 222   26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita  91355

Monster Marketing Mistakes

Yes, it is almost certainly true – you are making mistakes when marketing your business products and services.  Come prepared to listen, learn and discuss what you can and should do to fix those mistakes.  Bring your business cards, flyers and a link to your website to have them challenged by your peers and a 35 year expert marketing executive who has already helped more than 400 clients just like you!  This event can make a powerful and profitable difference for your business, whether you are an experienced pro or just getting started.

 

Register online at: http://tinyurl.com/Monster-Mkt-Mistakes-071813

 

Date: Thursday, July 18

Time:  9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Cost: FREE

Location:  Build WorkSource Center

  9207 Eton Ave., Chatsworth 91311

COC Small Business Development Center Training Sched. (6-24-2013)