Brown Commits to Expanding Trade with China's Guangdong Province

On day six of California’s trade and investment mission to China, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. committed to building stronger ties with China’s most populous and economically productive province, Guangdong.

In Guangdong’s capital city on Monday, Governor Brown spoke at a forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce – South China, met with Guangdong’s Governor and Party Secretary and announced two agreements between California and Guangdong to further strengthen cooperation on trade, investment and climate change.

“I want to create more partnerships among business, in agriculture and technology, in hotels and tourism. Any way that the people of Guangdong can collaborate with Californians, I’m going to encourage that,” said Governor Brown. “I want to see Guangdong and California work on our joint problems, and our joint problems are cleaner energy and greater social harmony among our people.”

Today’s meetings and agreements build on the partnership established when Governor Brown met with Hu Chunhua, who was then Party Secretary of Inner Mongolia and is now Guangdong Party Secretary. The meeting came in February 2012 during the then-Vice President of China’s visit to Los Angeles.

Guangdong is China’s most populous province – with more than 100 million people – and the largest by GDP – at nearly $1 trillion. It is also the home province of many of California’s Chinese immigrants.

The agreement, signed by Governor Brown and Guangdong Governor Zhu Xiaodan, is the first between California and Guangdong province, and formalizes cooperation on trade and investment, science and technology, environmental conservation, education, tourism and culture.

California Environmental Protection (CalEPA) Secretary Matthew Rodriquez also joined his counterpart, Guangdong Development and Reform Commission Director-General Li Chunhong, on Monday to sign an agreement to advance collaboration on climate change, namely low carbon development between the two regions.

Guangdong is one of six provinces and municipalities that will participate in the China-California Joint Working Group established last week with the Ministry of Commerce to bolster trade and investment ties between California and China.

On Sunday, the Governor visited California’s Chinese sister-state, Jiangsu, and signed an agreement to partner on climate change, technology, education and tourism with the province’s top government official.

Last week, Governor Brown traveled to Shanghai, Governor Brown opened the California-China Office of Trade and Investment, spoke at Visit California’s news conference and met with Shanghai’s top government official, Party Secretary Han Zheng.

This followed a number of events in Beijing earlier this week, including remarks at Tsinghua University, meetings with China’s Premier, Minister of Commerce, Minister of Environmental Protection, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, a forum with the American Chamber of Commerce – Beijing and a reception at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing with the U.S. Ambassador to China.

Tomorrow, the last day of the Governor’s trade and investment mission, the Governor will travel to Shenzhen for a meeting with senior government officials and a tour of BYD’s Worldwide Headquarters.

The Governor’s trade and investment mission follows more than a year of significant diplomatic and business exchanges between the State of California and China. In February 2012, Governor Brown welcomed His Excellency Xi Jinping, then-Vice President, and now President of China, to California. During the visit, Governor Brown announced his intention to visit China, open a trade and investment office and form a China-California Joint Task Force to drive more collaboration, investment and trade between California and China. Later in 2012, the Brown administration convened the inaugural Joint Economic Committee between California and China’s Jiangsu Province, hosted a Chinese delegation led by the Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Commerce and met with a Chinese delegation led by Deputy Governor Xia Geng of China’s Shandong Province.

Joining the Governor on the trade and investment mission is a delegation organized by the Bay Area Council that includes approximately 90 business, economic development, investment and policy leaders from throughout California. Senior administration officials are also accompanying the delegation.

The agreements, in full, are copied below:

Memorandum of Understanding on the Friendly Exchanges and Cooperation Between the State of California of the United States of America and Guangdong Province of the People’s Republic of China

The State of California of the United States of America and Guangdong Province of the People’s Republic of China,

Considering the importance of enhancing the state-province friendship and mutual understanding,

Believing that a mutually beneficial partnership should be promoted to work effectively and continually,

Pursuant to The Three Joint Communiqués and other agreements between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China,

Have agreed to engage in the exchanges and cooperation spanning the following areas:

• Two-way trade and investment

• Science and technology

• Environment conservation

• Education

• Culture

• Tourism

The State Government of California and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province have designated the following organizations as the primary liaison offices for both sides respectively.

California: The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

Guangdong: The Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province

The liaison offices will meet to discuss the progress of ongoing programs when necessary.

This MOU shall come into force on the day of signing by the official representatives of both governments.

Signed in Guangzhou on the fifteenth day of April 2013, this MOU is written in English and Chinese languages, both in duplicate and deemed equally authentic.

Government of Guangdong Province

Governor, Zhu Xiaodan

April 15, 2013

Government of the State of California

Governor, Edmund G. Brown Jr.

April 15, 2013

Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Low Carbon Development Between the Government of Guangdong Province of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the State of California of the United States of America

To enhance cooperation in the area of low carbon development and based on the Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Climate Change, Energy and Environment between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the United States of America signed in July 2009, the Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the State of California (hereafter referred to as “the Participants”) have reached the following understandings:

1. Purpose

This purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to support efforts between the Parties to help each achieve its low carbon development goals. This MOU establishes a fundamental framework for the Participants to carry out pragmatic exchange and cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual benefits and is not intended to give rise to legal binding rights or obligations.

2. Areas of Cooperation

Areas of cooperation between the Participants include, but are not limited to:

1. Formulating low carbon economic development plans;

2. Increasing energy conservation and energy efficiency;

3. Expanding clean, renewable energy;

4. Enabling low carbon, sustainable transportation;

5. Constructing low carbon, green buildings;

6. Promoting low carbon, sustainable agriculture, forestry, and waste handling;

7. Advancing research and development of promising new low carbon technologies;

8. Developing market-based mechanisms, such as carbon trading system;

9. Financing strategies for low carbon development efforts;

10. Trade and investment in low carbon technologies.

 

3. Forms of Cooperation

The Participants can use the following forms of cooperation:

1. Exchange of relevant experience and lessons learned;

2. Exchange and visits between the Participants’ relevant personnel;

3. Joint research and technology development;

4. Co-organization of relevant seminars, workshops, exhibitions and trainings;

5. Shared investments in low carbon development opportunities;

6. Other forms of collaboration as agreed upon by the Participants.

 

4. Cooperation Mechanism

1. The Participants have decided to establish a Working Group for Enhancing Cooperation on Low Carbon Development between Guangdong and California in order to strengthen liaison and communication and negotiate specifics of cooperation on a regular basis. The Working Group from Guangdong is composed of the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Guangdong Provincial Economic and Information Commission, Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Department, Guangdong Provincial Finance Department, Guangdong Provincial Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department, Guangdong Provincial Transportation Department and Guangdong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. The Working Group from California is composed of the California Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission.

2. The Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the State of California respectively designate the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission and the California Environmental Protection Agency as the Executive Agencies responsible for coordinating the implementation of relevant cooperation activities between Guangdong and California.

3. During the period of validity of this MOU, the Executive Agencies shall report on the progress of cooperation to the Governor of Guangdong Province and the Governor of the State of California once a year and improve the cooperation plans based on their suggestions.

4. As appropriate, the Parties will utilize third party organizations that are agreed upon by both parties to assist with the implementation of this MOU. These third party organizations, under the direction of the Parties, will help to coordinate information exchange, activities, travel delegations and collaboration between the Participants. These organizations will also explore funding sources to enable travel and other forms of collaboration between the Participants.

5. All activities carried out based on the MOU must abide by the Participants’ respective laws, rules and regulations and should be decided by funds, people and other resources available. Data and other information related to China and Guangdong Province’s greenhouse gas emissions cannot be shared.

 

5. Supplementary provisions

1. The Participants have decided that any disagreement arising from the implementation of this MOU be settled over amicable discussion.

2. This MOU is valid for two years upon the date of signature. The MOU may be extended and modified with the mutual consent of the Participants.

3. This MOU may be terminated by either party with a written statement to the other. After the termination of the MOU, the Participants must take necessary measures to conclude the ongoing activities in a swift and appropriate manner.

4. Based on amicable negotiation by the Participants, cooperation items for the near term will be listed in attachments and specific cooperation is not limited to the listed items.

5. This MOU is signed in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, on April 15, 2013. This MOU shall be provided in two copies in both English and Chinese. Each party holds one copy and the two copies are equally authentic.

 

Authorized Representative from the Government of Guangdong Province

Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission

Director-General, Li Chunhong

April 15, 2013

 

Authorized Representative from the Government of the State of California

California Environmental Protection Agency

Secretary, Matthew Rodriquez

April 15, 2013

 

Brown Commits to Expanding Trade with China's Guangdong Province

Wednesday Chamber Mixer Schedule (4-15-2013)

Raffle Prize Donations are ALWAYS Welcome and Needed!  

 

April 17, 2013

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May 8, 2013

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Wednesday Men’s & Women’s Groups!  

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May 1, 2013

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April 17, 2013

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Wednesday Chamber Mixer Schedule (4-15-2013)

LACo Sheriff On Heightened Alert After Boston Explosions

“While the cause of the explosions this morning at the Boston Marathon are still under investigation, our vigilance has been raised,” said Sheriff Lee Baca. “The heightened alert of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department includes increased patrols to create a more visible presence where people congregate, such as government buildings, shopping centers, athletic events, and public transit.  Partnering with local police and public safety agencies and other countywide efforts have been enhanced, including opening the Sheriff’s Department Operations Center to maximize communication.”

“As always, we encourage the public: ‘If You See Something, Say Something.’ The greatest deterrent to crime is often a phone call to law enforcement by a person who sees something that just doesn’t look right,” said Sheriff Baca. “Our thoughts and prayers go to the many victims, families, friends, and first responders affected by this tragedy.”

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s Station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637,) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

LACo Sheriff On Heightened Alert After Boston Explosions

Pro Beach Players Join Local Volleyball Club

Jenny Johnson-Jordan and Patty Dodd are no strangers to beach volleyball. Both are alumni of the UCLA indoor women’s volleyball team who went on to enjoy careers in the AVP as well as internationally. They have recently joined the Los Angeles Volleyball Academy (LAVA) as coaches for its new Beach Program which launched this month.

“I love coaching volleyball,” says Patty Dodd. One player described her first practice as “winning the lottery” for having such high quality coaches to mentor her. Patty and Jenny are assisted by Chelsea Hayes, a current professional beach volleyball player, at practices offered at the Sorrento Beach Courts in Santa Monica.

The LAVA Beach Program is open to all female athletes ages 12-18. Training is offered three different days per week, and competition will be through various beach volleyball organizations such as CBVA, AAU, USA Volleyball, and the newly formed BVCA.

Beach (or Sand) volleyball, has just recently become a collegiate sport. Last year was its debut, and only 16 schools in the country had teams. This year over 30 colleges have sand volleyball teams, and most are giving scholarships to attract players. LAVA believes that playing beach volleyball is a great way to strengthen all volleyball skills, so starting a beach program was the next logical step to offering even more training resources for its players.

“The fact that we were able to get Patty (Dodd) and Jenny (Johnson-Jordan) coaching for us is amazing!” says Co-Director Danika Sanchez. “There is no longer any excuse for kids to NOT be playing on the beach. We have professionals who can provide training and coaching support, and a club providing the team atmosphere.”

There are already two local high school students who have received scholarships to play beach volleyball in college – the first in Santa Clarita.  Sierra Sanchez, from Valencia High School, has committed to play for Florida State University, and Delaney Knudsen, also from Valencia, has signed with Pepperdine. Sanchez and Knudsen were also part of the Valencia High School beach team, which won the Championship title in the debut year of the Intermural Beach Volleyball League last Spring.

If you’d like more information about LAVA Beach please call 661-904-7002 or e-mail Danika Sanchez at danika.sanchez@lavacademy.com.

Pro Beach Players Join Local Volleyball Club

12 from SCV Signed Up for Boston Marathon

First explosion captured on BBC video

Two explosions went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing 2 and injury 23 among the runners and spectators. The blasts were described by race organizers as two bombs. A third explosive device was discovered and set off in a controlled explosion by law enforcement officials.

Video from the finish line showed screams and an enormous cloud of white smoke, and about 20 seconds between the blasts. The Associated Press reported that bloody spectators were being carried to a medical tent that had been set up to care for tired runners.

Jackie Bruno, a reporter for New England Cable News, said on Twitter that she saw people’s legs blown off.

“Runners were coming in and saw unspeakable horror,” she said.

Boston Medical Center said that it had 19 patients so far, 6 in critical condition, 5 in serious condition and 8 in an unspecified condition.

NBC affiliate WHDH said that storefront windows nearby were blown out.

The race is a signature event in Boston. Race organizers said that almost 27,000 runners competed, representing 96 countries. Tens of thousands of spectators turn out each year to watch. A special marker at the 26th mile of the course, yards from the finish, had been set up to honor the 26 dead in the Newtown, Conn., elementary school shooting last December.

At least twelve athletes from the Santa Clarita Valley were participating in the race:

* Gerald Jones, Canyon County

* Zack Totten, Canyon Country

* Elaine Woodward, Canyon County

* Hoshang Dubash, Valencia

* Angela Reynolds, Valencia

* Steven Loy, Valencia

* Mara Stegemann, Valencia

* Dennis Lebman, Saugus

* David Weary, Acton

* Jodi Broz, Stevenson Ranch

* Wayne Lee, Stevenson Ranch

* Jana Whatley, Agua Dulce

The race began at 10 a.m., and the explosions were reported just before 3 p.m. The winners had long ago completed the race, but the explosions came as masses of other runners were approaching the finish.

Will Ritter, the spokesman for Massachusetts Senate candidate Gabriel Gomez, told NBC News that he heard what sounded like two explosions and saw smoke rising near the Boston Public Library. He said that he saw three fire engines and police running to the site.

“We heard two really large explosions in rapid succession, about a second apart from each other,” Ritter said. “Everybody kind of ducked and hit the ground.”

The AP reported that runners and race organizers were crying as they fled the scene. Runners who were still on the 26.2-mile course were being stopped and directed elsewhere, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said. The agency suggested that people trying to reach loved ones use text messaging because of crowded phone lines.

Federal authorities told NBC News that they had no immediate information. In New York, a spokesman told Reuters that police were deploying counterterrorism vehicles around landmarks, including prominent hotels.

Allison Pari of KHTS AM-1220 and Tracy Connor of NBC News contributed to this report.

12 from SCV Signed Up for Boston Marathon

Roundup: Saugus Softball Wins Pair in Santiago Tournament

The Saugus softball team won a pair of games in the Santiago Spring Fling Tournament over the weekend.

The Centurions beat Etiwanda, 4-3 in eight innings, and Colton 4-2.

Mariah Lopez went the distance in the circle, striking out 11, for Saugus against Etiwanda. She also hit a home run and was 2-for-3.

Taylor Kister homered and Ty Cueva drove in three runs against Colton.

The West Ranch softball team also won two games in the Santiago Spring Fling Tournament. The Wildcats beat Vista Murrieta, 15-4, and Bishop Amat, 8-6.

Haley Hineman went 5-for-6 and scored five runs in the two games. She also had two RBIs. Miranda Escalera hit a three-run home run against Bishop Amat.

In high school baseball, the Trinity Classical Academy beat Providence, 10-9. Dane Smith went 3-for-4 and drove in the winning run with a single in the sixth inning.

The Golden Valley baseball team won its first Foothill League game of the season, 4-2, over Valencia. The Grizzlies scored two runs in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth to win their second game of the season.

The West Ranch baseball team beat Canyon, 10-3, and scored seven runs in the seventh inning. The Wildcats are 5-2 and have a one-game lead in the Foothill League standings over Canyon, Valencia and Saugus.

The Hart baseball team beat Saugus, 3-2, scoring the winning run on a balk. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Cody Miller was awarded home plate on a balk to end the game.

In auto racing, Adrian Starrantino, an 18-year-old from Simi Valley driving for Bryan Herta Autosport in the F1600 Championship Series, won the first two rounds of the season at Virginia International Raceway over the weekend.

Valencia’s Bryan Herta owns a three-car team in the F1600 Championship Series.

In the NBA, the Lakers, playing without injured Kobe Bryant, beat the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 91-86. Dwight Howard scored 26 points and had 17 rebounds.

Bryant tore his Achilles tendon in a loss against the Golden State Warriors and had season-ending surgery. He is expected to be out six to nine months and will miss the playoffs.

In baseball, the Dodgers lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 1-0, and wasted a masterful performance by starter Josh Beckett.

He pitched eight scoreless innings before the Diamondbacks scored the winning run in the ninth inning. Beckett gave up only six hits and struck out nine.

The Dodgers are home to start a series against the San Diego Padres tonight. Chad Billingsley gets the start for the Dodgers. Eric Stults takes the mound for the Padres.

Listen to the game tonight on AM 1220, KHTS. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m.

Roundup: Saugus Softball Wins Pair in Santiago Tournament

CougarNews.com | Thieves hit SCV schools

The Santa ClaritaValley       Sheriff’s Department  is  investigating burglaries that occurred in four school’s across the Santa Clarita Valley.

Sheriffs officials said Old    Orchard Elementary, Newhall Elementary, Sierra Vista Junior High, and Hart High School were all robbed.

Detectives  are seeking public assistance to capture  two suspects, one of whom was caught on surveillance video at William S.  Hart high school.

Items stolen include, laptop computers, a television, and  other items that sheriffs officials said may cost each school $10,000.

Sierra Vista Junior High School appeared to be hit the hardest.   Thieves snatched  10 computers, a flat screen television, and other unidentified items.

The Sheriff’s department has said they have ”extra directed patrols” at and near schools, and that at least one suspect  looked to be perhaps 18-21 years old, and a possible  former student of Hart High School.

 

Thieves hit SCV schools

April 20-21: Melody Ranch Hosts Cowboy Festival Between Movie Shoots

Director-Editor Kirk Murray (red shirt) preps a scene for “Six-Gun Savior” on Main Street, Melody Ranch. The indie film is due out in 2014.

“Last year was pretty good, and this one’s been a good one so far,” said Renaud Veluzat, co-owner of the world-famous Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, a setting for Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” in 2012 and thousands of classic and obscure Western and action films and TV shows going back to Hollywood’s golden age.

A man of not too many words, Veluzat wasn’t necessarily talking about the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, which his prodigious family (many of whom are Hart High School grads, incidentally) has hosted the past 19 years at the ranch, tucked between the oaks in Newhall’s Placerita Canyon. But the positive assessment applied to the festival nonetheless.

The 20th annual festival takes over Melody Ranch the weekend of Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21, and an estimated 30,000 Western music, poetry, culture fans and food fans and vendors from many states in the West are expected each day. It gets bigger every year. You can find out all about the festival, the performers, the special events, the food, the prices and more at the official festival website.

Renaud and Paul Veluzat, hangin’ on the porch.

Veluzat was instead referring to his business the other 360-or-so days of the year, when the ranch is a working movie ranch used as a prime location for commercials, rock videos, episodic TV segments, feature films, photo shoots — you name it. Like the Cowboy Festival, all that filming activity pumps a lot of cash into the Santa Clarita Valley economy via jobs and money spent on local vendors, food, lodging, transportation and more.

In the past several years Renaud and his brother-partner Andre have built and upgraded huge soundstages at Melody Ranch, allowing interiors of any kind including non-Westerns to be built and shot on the ranch as well. A few years back, the ultra-authentic HBO Western “Deadwood” four-walled the ranch, and shot almost all the interiors and exteriors there.

Main Street looks a bit different packed with Cowboy Festival fans, as it did later in April 2010.

Renaud and Andre also own the Veluzat Motion Picture Ranch (they call it “the Big Ranch”) in Haskell Canyon, in north Saugus, outside the Santa Clarita city limits. Another Veluzat brother, Rene, owns the Blue Cloud movie ranch, also now in L.A. County territory.

According to Leon Worden, SCV historian and CEO of SCVTV and SCVNews.com (and another Hart High grad), “The Veluzats have been a fixture in the Santa Clarita Valley since the arrival of patriarch Paul T. Veluzat in 1939. Among his many real estate purchases was the Haskell Canyon property in 1943, initially as a cattle ranch, and then as a movie ranch in the mid-1960s.

Worden continued: “All three of Paul T.’s sons — Rene, Andre and Renaud — ended up in the movie rental business, which expanded when Andre and Renaud bought Melody Ranch from Gene Autry after Autry’s horse Champion died at the Placerita Canyon property in 1990. Paul T. died in 2000 at age 101.”

Between them the Veluzats have or can get just about anything a film production might need — authentic Western towns, bombed-out villages, nostalgic ’50s towns, all kinds of period military vehicles and more set accouterments.

Andre and Renaud Veluzat’s “big ranch” in Haskell Canyon

Both Saugus ranches could be annexed by the city of Santa Clarita as early as March 26, when the City Council is scheduled to weigh in on a proposed 824-scre “North Saugus” annexation, which the city’s Planning Commission OK’d in September in part as a way to further facilitate local filming.

So, lots of lucrative action on the sets, a pending annexation, the impending Cowboy Festival — seemed like a good time to visit the ranch and see what’s happening before the hordes of people take over, and update the community on what’s been happening at the ranch since last year. A pre-festival interview is something of a ritual for the Veluzats and this reporter, and it’s always fun.

At Melody Ranch’s main production building, Renaud invited me into his office. “Come on in, I’ll play you a little intro for our interview,” he said, picking up his handy acoustic guitar. He’s been playing rock, surf, country and whatever since the ’60s, so it was a short and sweet treat.

Andre Veluzat was away on business, but his son Paul, also Andre’s and Renaud’s right-hand guy around the ranch (and a fair drummer, as well), joined us and drove our golf cart a short distance, silently sneaking up behind an old Western store facade. Right on the other side was Main Street, where an independent film crew was busy shooting scenes for a supernatural-western mash-up titled “Six-Gun Savior,” with a cast including Eric Roberts as The Devil and and Martin Kove as The Mentor. The production had been shooting at Melody Ranch for several days and would be wrapping up before the Cowboy Festival.

Just as we rolled up, the director and crew took a short break. Perfect timing. Paul introduced me to the movie’s producers, who instead of throwing me off the set because I was a press guy, invited me to stay because I was a press guy. It’s 2013; these are filmmakers who get that movie-making and promotion is a whole new game. Separate story coming soon; it’s literally a whole different movie.

Meanwhile, back at Melody Ranch, Renaud and Paul filled us in on the latest Veluzat news. What follows are excerpts; you can see the entire interview here (complete with Renaud’s opening tune).

Andre and Renaud Veluzat survey Main Street at Melody Ranch days before the April 2010 Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.

“Well, we’ve had an exciting new year. Big movie with ‘Django Unchained’ with Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarantino’s new movie,” Renaud said. “It was really good. Two Oscars, right?” “Yeah, it was great for us, but it was great for Santa Clarita,” Paul said. “They were here for a long time and spent a lot of money in Santa Clarita.”

A win-win-win situation, to be sure.

“They shot the saloon scene here — you’ve got to go see the movie, and you’ll see Melody Ranch in it,” Renaud said. “It’s cool.”

From the grit of “Django Unchained” to the pip-pip Grey Poupon commercials that ran during the 2013 Oscars telecast, Paul said the studios can handle just about any kind of production, and that the nearby soundstages (looking like large adobe structures from the outside) keep the ranch hopping between Westerns.

“You could film anything in there,” he said. “We’ve had farms in there, houses in there, backyards in there, grocery stores in there, diners in there, you name it, it’s just about been inside there. Having those sound stages has really helped out a lot in business, not just for us here at the ranch, but bringing filming into Santa Clarita. And we’ve been knocking out a lot of commercials, music videos, overflow stages. Shows will come in, they’ll need extra room for their stage, they’ll come in there and set up. Or they’ll just want to base out of here with their show. So, it’s been a real blessing, having the sound stages.”

Paul noted that pop star Ke$ha shot a video at the Saugus ranch; another one shot there for heavy metal band Megadeth involved a monkey driving a car.

“That actually was a funny video, really funny,” he said of the latter. “It’s not everyday you see a monkey driving a car, especially spinning it out.” “Yes, that’s a good one,” Renaud agreed.

If the two Saugus ranches are indeed eventually annexed by the city of Santa Clarita, Renaud said, “That’s going to be a good thing. For one thing, it’s easier for all the film commissions right here. Everything’s local so we don’t have to mess with L.A. County anymore. That’s going to be a really great asset.”

Back at Melody Ranch once again, “Right now we’re doing ‘Six-Gun Savior,’” Renaud said. “And then we’ve got the Cowboy Festival coming up right behind.”

“I remember the first Cowboy Festival,” said Paul, who was just a whippersnapper. “Man, it was exciting. I encourage you all, whoever’s watching (or reading) this, to come because it’s exciting and fun. It’s different than any other festival going. It’s not a wild party. It’s a group of good folks coming out. We really like it. They’ll walk 10 feet to the trash can to throw their trash away. And over the time, (city organizers have) made a lot of stuff for the kids, family-oriented, great food — the peach cobbler is one of the highlights of the festival.”

Renaud confirmed that his longtime friend Nokie Edwards, original lead guitarist for The Ventures, will be in Santa Clarita from Arizona, as he has for the past few festivals, and the two guitarists will again be casually jammin’ on the side from time to time, with young Paul on drums. Among the official Main Stage performers, both Veluzats are looking forward to seeing headliners Riders in the Sky in a rare local appearance.

Renaud and Andre Veluzat welcome the writer to the Melody Ranch Museum in April 2010. Photo by Tom White.

Renaud and Paul also confirmed that Santa Clarita Western aficionado Tom White and Western singing star and author Julie Ream are collaborating on a new batch of memorabilia for the Melody Ranch Museum. The large building is already stuffed with a mind-boggling assembly of vehicles, props, photos, displays and other artifacts from the films and TV shows shot there. The museum will be open to all Cowboy Festival attendees.

The first phrase out of many first-time visitors’ mouths is, when they see things like the full-sized Russian tank from “Red Dawn” or the gangster cars from “Last Man Standing” is usually something like, “I didn’t know that  was shot here!”

So many actors who’d later become famous shot some of their first scenes on Main Street.

“Burt Reynolds was in ‘Gunsmoke’ way back then. John Wayne started here and did 21 movies right here at Melody Ranch when he was just a kid. Republic and then Monogram Studios were right here. All those old Westerns you see on the late-night channels, most of them were shot here.”

“‘Annie Oakley,’ ‘Rin Tin Tin,’ ‘Hopalong Cassidy,’ ‘The Cisco Kid,’ ‘The Lone Ranger,’ ‘Gunsmoke,’ ‘Have Gun — Will Travel…” Paul said, rattling off just a few (see the ranch’s website for more filmography details).

“Big list of shows,” Renaud said. And there’s a story behind every one of them.

Melody Ranch burns down in 1962. (SCVHistory.com photo)

I mentioned the “Combat!” series from the early ’60s; some of the first season’s early black and white shows were shot at Melody Ranch after part of the main town burned down in a devastating fire in 1962.

“This town unfortunately burned down from the ranch fire over here off in Placerita Canyon, out of here over at Circle J Ranch, which was a riding academy at the time,” Renaud said. “A pile of manure self-ignited and that’s what started that fire. It came through the canyon and went all the way to Pasadena. It was a major, major fire.

“And Andre and I, we were in (Hart High School) at the time,” Renaud said. “We’d come over here and there was a dairy down the street, and he’d let all the cows out, a friend of mine we went to school with. All the cows and the bales of hay were burning and everything. We had cows all over this canyon. It was a bad fire. Then Gene Autry kept the ranch and filmed six episodes of ‘Combat!’ right here on the street as the burned-out village and stuff in Europe. When we bought the ranch (in 1990), we duplicated the whole place as it was (before the fire).

“We’re still restoring, so that’s…24 years now,” he said. “But we’ve still got time to finish. (laughs) Eventually we’ll finish.”

“It’s funny, at the festival, just watching it and seeing it,” Paul said. “On Saturday it’s neat to see everybody dressed up in hats and boots and dress the part, but it’s also funny to see the same person you saw on Saturday, you see them on Sunday limping because their new boots tore up their feet, and now they have a pair of Nikes and shorts. But you know what, they’re back at it again, coming out to enjoy that music. I tell folks who never really got into country or that type of festival, ‘I don’t care where you live, how you were brought up or raised, what music you’re into. You come to the Cowboy Festival, you will have a good time.’ You can’t help it. It’s just a great experience for everybody.”

“We’ll see them there,” Renaud said.

As to what will be going on next at Melody Ranch in the 51 weeks until the 21st Cowboy Festival in 2014, stay tuned.

“A lot of times we keep it on the down-low ’till it gets released, so keep tuning in, and I guarantee, if you watch television every night, you’ll see either Melody Ranch or Veluzat Ranch, either on a commercial or in a video or on the news,” Paul said.

“How many times did you see it on the news the other night?” he asked his uncle.

“Five times,” Renaud laughed.

 

April 20-21: Melody Ranch Hosts Cowboy Festival Between Movie Shoots

Mustangs Stampede at Pomona-Pitzer Invitational

David Eller

MEN

TMC’s track and field squad toed the line in five separate events on Saturday at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational.

Representing the Mustangs in the High Jump was Jason Logan (Spartanburg, SC).  Logan won his flight by clearing 2.10 meters (6-10 ¾ Ft.), maintaining his lifetime best record along the way. Logan’s performance surpassed the NAIA’s “A” standard (2.06m (6-9)), qualifying him for the NAIA National Championships in May.

Matthew Crichton (Mission Viejo, CA) and John Gilbertson (Saugus, CA) competed in both the 1,500m and the 800m.

In the 800m, Crichton won his heat, and set a new personal record in 1 minute and 57 seconds.  Gilbertson also set a new personal record at 1:53.31, and surpassed the NAIA’s “B” standard (1:54.50) which qualified him for Nationals in the 800m event.

Gilbertson has qualified for Nationals in the 800m, 1,500m, 10,000m, and the marathon.

For the 1,500m, Crichton qualified for nationals under the NAIA’s “B” standard (3:57) in 3:55.48.  Gilbertson finished his 1,500m showing in 3:48, six seconds below the NAIA’s “A” standard (3:55.25).

David Eller (Los Angeles, CA) and Ryan Freeman (Highland, CA) competed in the 3,000m steeplechase.  Highlighting the Mustangs’ efforts was Eller, as he finished the race in 9:12.  Eller qualified for Nationals under the NAIA’s “A” standard (9:20.00), while setting a new school record.  Currently, Eller owns the second fastest 3,000m steeplechase time on the NAIA’s performance list.  Freeman finished the race 10:00, which was three seconds slower than his personal best.

John Hurd (Fairview, PA) highlighted the Mustangs in the 5,000m, finishing the event in 15:05.  While it was six seconds off of the NAIA’s “B” standard (14:59:00), Hurd’s time was a staggering 20 seconds faster than his previous best.

The Mustangs now look to compete at the prestigious Mt. Sac Invitational next weekend (April 19-20) in Walnut, California.

Gilbertson is slated to compete in the Men’s 5K, while Freeman, Crichton, and David Eller will represent The Master’s College in the Men’s 3,000 steeplechase.

 

Hannah Kellerman

WOMEN

The Lady Mustang track team was represented by five different athletes in the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational on Saturday.

Ayla Draper (Visalia, CA) competed in both the 100m Hurdles and the 400m Hurdles. Draper won her heat of the 100m Hurdles in 15.17 seconds.  In the 400m Hurdles, Draper suffered a spill towards the end of her race and finished the event in 67 seconds.

In the 1,500m, Hannah Kellerman (Sartell, MN), Karis Frankian (Saugus, CA), and Katrina Graham (Riverside, CA) all produced strong showings for The Master’s College.

Kellerman set a new school record and new personal record as she finished the event in 4 minutes and 35 seconds, 5.10 seconds under the NAIA’s “A” standard (4:40.10).  Frankian set a new personal record as she finished her race in 4:40.65, only 55 hundreths of a second away from the NAIA’s A Standard.  Graham posted a strong showing as she completed the event in 4:51.

Kellerman also made a strong appearance in the 800m as she finished the race in 2:18.

Coming off of a phenomenal showing at the Mangrum Invite last weekend was Micayla Frankian (Saugus, CA). This week, Frankian completed the 5,000m event in 18:53, 17 seconds faster than her previous personal best record.

The Lady Mustangs now look to compete at the prestigious Mt. Sac Invitational next weekend (April 19-20) in Walnut, California.

Karis Frankian is slated to compete in the Women’s 5K, while Kellerman will represent The Master’s College in the Women’s 1,500m.

Mustangs Stampede at Pomona-Pitzer Invitational

Mustangs Disappointed in Phoenix

The Master’s College baseball team traveled to the Valley of the Sun Thursday with high expectations, ones that included beating an Arizona Christian club it had swept back in February and at the same time hoping to draw ever closer to its first regular-season GSAC championship in 10 years.

When the team left the desert 48 hours later it had met neither one as the Firestorm completed a weekend sweep, beating the Mustangs 7-0 and 13-3 in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.  Not only did the Mustangs (32-14, 22-11 GSAC) suffer their first series sweep of the 2013 campaign but coupled with second-place Concordia’s twinbill split with Biola, they watched their once firm hold on first place in the conference slip to 1 1/2 games over Concordia.  In fact,  both clubs are tied in the loss column with the Mustangs having three GSAC games remaining while the Eagles have six.

In the opener, pitching dominated early as TMC’s James Scott (Canyon Country, CA) and ACU’s Mike Lachapelle tossed zeroes through the first four innings.  That all changed in the bottom of the fifth, however, as the Firestorm roughed up and then chased Scott (5-4) to the tune of five runs on five hits.

That’s all Lachapelle needed as the senior lefthander stymied the Mustangs the rest of the way, tossing a complete-game, eight-hit shutout that included 12 strikeouts.  The Mustangs had their chances in the first five frames, rapping out six hits but they stranded seven, including two each in the third and fifth innings, respectively.  Once Lachapelle got some runs to work with, though, he was nearly unhittable, surrendering just two hits over the final four frames and whiffing six Mustangs in that span.

Although they rapped out eight hits, featuring two apiece from Jon Popadics (Boise, ID), Cody Harris (Lakewood, CA), and Caleb Halverson (Temple City, CA), it was the eighth time in 2013 that the Mustangs were shut out.

That number didn’t reach nine in the nightcap because the Mustangs scored a run in the third inning, snapping a string of 12 consecutive frames without a run.  However, when they did so, it came on a doubleplay when Halverson, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, eventually came across when Steve Karkenny (Chatsworth, CA) grounded into the twin killing.  Even then, the game was virtually over because the Firestorm had put up seven runs in the second against starter Tyler Elrod (7-3), who lasted just a season-low 1 1/3 innings, and reliever Tommy Kister (Saugus,CA).

The Firestorm didn’t let up, either, as they tallied two more runs in the third and then closed out its big weekend with a four-run fifth.  So, a day after giving up a season-high 15 runs, the mound staff allowed 13 more on 12 hits in the series’ finale.  Meanwhile, the Mustangs managed just three hits.

The Mustangs scored their second run in the sixth when a Ryan Shackelford (Murrieta, CA) groundout plated Spencer Downs (Kelso, WA), who had reached on a fielder’s choice.  In their seventh and final at-bat, the Mustangs tallied their third run of the day when another groundout, this one off the bat of Popadics (Boise, ID), sent courtesy runner Nalu Polancic (Vista, CA) home.

Returning to Southern California, the Mustangs will remain on the road next weekend when they play a non-conference, three-game series at Cal State San Marcos.

Mustangs Disappointed in Phoenix

6,000-Plus Gather for Earth-Arbor Day Fest

More than 6,000 people celebrated Santa Clarita’s 24th Earth Arbor Day Saturday in Central Park by creating crafts, playing games and learning how to stay green at various informational booths.

“We have many craft activities that kids and families can do together,” said Jenni Shadle, arts and events coordinator with the city of Santa Clarita. “It was a wonderful day.”

Shadle said people typically enjoy the free trees and mulch the most and that there were over 60 vendors including eco-friendly organizations such as the Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment.

Besides eating at food trucks, climbing a rock wall and watching live bands, families were entertained by dozens of booths offering everything from ladybugs to decorated grocery bags posing as hats.

Independent artists Paula Dwyer and her partner Janis Doukakis, also a teaching artist at Cedarcreek elementary, helped people decorate grocery bags with recycled bows and ribbons to create custom hats.

Three models also displayed outfits they had made from recycled CDs, plastic silverware, recycled fabrics, among other elements.

“It’s an educational tool to teach kids and it’s really exciting, we’re very passionate about recycled art,” Dwyer said.

Another favorite among children seemed to be the free ladybugs offered to those brave enough to fish them out of a large box.

“We are giving them ladybugs to bring home to their gardens because they eat aphids, which eat nutrients from plants,” said Deborah Gunther, member of the city of Santa Clarita’s Arts and Events office.

Volunteer organizer and Human Resources supervisor Susana Coronel said 175 people volunteered to help with the event and 125 of them planted trees around Central park and in the community garden.

6,000-Plus Gather for Earth-Arbor Day Fest

CougarNews.com | Velocity Holds March Madness Night

On Saturday, March 30th, Velocity held its first annual March Madness Night, where kids were given the opportunity to compete on the court like the pro’s do.

The event displayed a 3 point shootouts, a hot shot challenge, and yes, even a dunk contest.

KABC7 Sports Anchor/Reporter, Curt Sandoval invested in Velocity less than a year ago, fulfilling one of his life’s ambitions of training younger children, and teaching them the value of hard work, and competition.

“A lot of these kid’s won’t do anything athletically beyond high school, if that… but all of them will compete in the real world for jobs and life, ” Sandoval said.

Sandoval considers himself blessed to have been around some of the best coaches known in sports, and he has utilized all of his previous knowledge to help the younger generation thrive.

As for March Madness Night, those in attendance seemed to have been caught off guard with the many creatively planned events, but needless to say, the kids enjoyed their time in the spotlight showcasing their skills in front of family and friends.

Velocity looks to make March Madness Night a yearly tradition.

Velocity Holds March Madness Night

ABCs of the SCV: M is for Movies | Commentary by Jennifer Fischer

We are now officially halfway through the ABCs of the Santa Clarita Valley this week with “M” for Movies. So far, I have focused on Animals, Bicycle Trails, Central Park, Drums, Education, Family Dinner, Golf, Hiking, Imagination, Jammin’, Kids in the Kitchen, and “L” for Libraries.

When it comes to movies, often it is easy to think that we have two options in the Santa Clarita Valley: the Regal theater in Valencia and the Regal theater in Canyon Country, which feels a lot like one option, really. However, there are actually other movie options that you may not even know about. I only learned about some of them recently.

College of the Canyons has two movie series that run all school year, and the movies are free to the public. These movie options are better for date night, rather than family affairs, unless you have older children that are really cinema buffs. However, since date nights can get costly once you have paid for the babysitter, it is cool to know that these free movie options exist.

The Cinema Department at COC runs one free series with films shown on Fridays, often once or twice a month. The next free movie night coming up is a really good one, on May 10, with the Hitchcock classic “Psycho” at 4 p.m., followed by the film “Hitchcock” – only recently released on DVD – at 6 p.m., and “Farewell, My Queen” at 8 p.m.

The next Cinema Department screening series is May 23, with the American Western classic “Shane” at 4 p.m. followed by “Rust and Bone” at 6 p.m. and “On the Road” at 8 p.m.

Additionally, the French Department screens films for free on Fridays with an emphasis, of course, on foreign films. Upcoming screenings include “Fitzcarraldo” by Werner Herzog on April 19 at 7 p.m., “Wings of Desire” (“Der Himmel uber Berlin”) on April 26 at 7 p.m., “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming!” on May 3 at 7 p.m., and “Santa Sangre” on May 17 at 7 p.m. All of the films are subtitled in English, and admission is free. The screenings take place at Hasley 101. Contact Pierre Etienne at 661-362-3069 if you have questions.

The April and May film screenings I shared wrap up the free film screenings for this school year at College of the Canyons, but they will pick up again in the fall. Gary Peterson of COC always posts and shares the film line-up on the Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival Facebook group page, so if you are having trouble finding information, join the group, and we will make sure we share all of these opportunities when they start up again in the fall.

The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society often hosts film screening events, as well, so if you are a history buff and film buff, make sure you check out their site to stay updated on events and screenings they host.

For your kids, especially teens, the Newhall Library offers free movie screenings. Upcoming films include “The Hunger Games” on Wednesday, April 17, at 3 p.m. in the Community Room; “The Avengers” on May 1 at 3 p.m.; and “The Adventures of Spider-Man” on May 15 at 3 p.m. Check the Santa Clarita Library calendar for screenings throughout the summer and other activities.

I also have to share this family movie tip, especially for families with younger children like I have. Since my boys are 3 and 20 months, spending top dollar to do a family movie outing doesn’t really make sense. We discovered that the Regency Theater in North Hollywood has movies for $1.50 all day on Sundays and Tuesdays. Heading to the theater on Sunday is a great way to try out films with the boys without spending a lot of money or feeling frustrated if we need to bow out of a movie earlier. It is an older theater, and we did have technical difficulties one time when we went, but for $1.50 it was just fine. The Regency Theater in Ventura also has discounted movies.

Finally, on May 3, there is a special film screening event and celebration of diversity happening in Santa Clarita that is also a fundraiser to support free and low-cost filmmaking classes, animation classes and other digital arts classes for youth in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The film that will be featured is “Smuggled,” a multi-award-winning film from local writer-director Ramon Hamilton, the founder of the Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival. Full disclaimer: I also produced the film and am married to Ramon, and I run Generation Arts with him (the company that the fundraiser will support so we can offer more free and low-cost programs for local youth).

In addition to the film, which has been featured by ABC, Univision and NBC Latino, the event will feature performances by the Folkorico dancers, the screening of a short film made by youth at Newhall Elementary School, and speakers who are featured in the book “Profiles in Latino Courage” by Bill Miranda. The event, called Embracing Diversity, is a family event celebrating Latino culture in the Santa Clarita Valley. Details and tickets can be purchased at embracingdiversityfundraiser.eventbrite.com.

I hope you have realized that movies in the Santa Clarita Valley go well beyond the Regal cinemas. (The Art Slam in Old Town Newhall earlier this month included a movie component, too). Keep your eyes peeled and you might discover some cool films and film opportunities – for free.

You can always find me at  The Good Long Road on Facebook. Just ask and I will share the free film opportunities that I am aware of; as an independent filmmaker, I always keep my eyes peeled for cool films in the SCV.

 

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

 

ABCs of the SCV: M is for Movies | Commentary by Jennifer Fischer

SCVTV Outstanding Student of the Week: Sarah Carey

This week’s SCVTV Outstanding Student of the Week is Sarah Carey from West Ranch High School.

Sarah has a 4.69 GPA and currently holds the spot for the 2013 class valedictorian at West Ranch.

She has passion for music coupled with an entrepreneur’s spirit and says one day she’d like to start her own record label, or manage talented artists.

“I love music and it’s definitely part of my life,” she said.

“Recently I’ve liked getting to know the smaller bands and watching them grow and get more fans and get discovered. Seeing all of their hard work and how it pays off, I kind of want to be a part of that.”

After being accepted to six universities from across the country, including a full ride to NYU, Sarah says remaining close to family is the reason she’ll stay put on the west coast to study music industry after graduation.

“I’m an only child so I kind of want to stay with my parents, so I figured I would stay closer to home. It’s either Pepperdine or UCLA.”

This hard working senior spends much of her free time studying and doing homework but still manages to make time for the things she loves.

“My social life comes from church. I’m part of the church choir, so they’ve become my close friends.”

Congratulations to Sarah Carey, the SCVTV Outstanding Student of the Week.

SCVTV Outstanding Student of the Week: Sarah Carey

SCV NewsBreak for Friday, April 12, 2013

In this episode:

It’s coming down to the wire, tax returns that must be postmarked by Monday; SCVTV is televising it’s first Foothill League High School Baseball game of the season Friday night when the Wildcats take on the Cowboys at West Ranch.

Also:

Nicole Pun took home first place in the 2013 Found Art Scholarship Program; Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI checkpoint on Friday, April 19th; local weather.

Finally:

The Hart district is looking for volunteer judges for the annual California State High School Speech and Debate Tournament next weekend.

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, April 12, 2013

Attorney Charged with Smuggling Heroin Into Castaic Jail

[District Attorney] - A Los Angeles attorney is awaiting arraignment on conspiracy and other charges involving an alleged attempt to smuggle heroin inside a greeting card to one of his clients incarcerated in a Castaic jail, the District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Stephen Beecher, 61 (4-24-51), was arrested April 9 on a felony complaint for arrest warrant charging him with two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, one felony count of bringing drugs into jail, one felony count of transportation of a controlled substance and one felony count of bringing a firearm into a jail.

Deputy District Attorney Arisa Mattson, with the Justice System Integrity Division, said Beecher, a Sherman Oaks resident, was released early this morning after posting bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 1 at the Criminal Courts Building, Department 30.

Two co-defendants are charged with Beecher in case BA409719. Jesus Antonio Duenas, 20, Beecher’s client who is in custody on an attempted murder case, pleaded not guilty today to two counts of conspiracy. Duenas’ girlfriend, Jessica Paredes, 19, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to the same two counts.

The complaint alleges Beecher told Duenas he would visit the North County Correctional Facility on Dec. 28, 2012. Duenas then made an arrangement with an unknown female co-conspirator to bring drugs for himself and for “the Southside,” a criminal enterprise that controls the drugs and other illegal activity inside jails, through Beecher.

The complaint also alleges that Paredes “ironed and flattened” packages of heroin to fit inside a greeting card envelope and then gave Beecher the greeting card containing 36.09 grams of heroin.

Beecher was arrested on Dec. 28 in the visiting area of North County Correctional Facility with two packages of heroin worth more than $30,000, the complaint alleges.

Duenas and Paredes return to court on April 24 to set a date for their preliminary hearing.

If convicted, Beecher is facing 11 years in state prison. Duenas and Paredes are facing nine years each in state prison.

Attorney Charged with Smuggling Heroin Into Castaic Jail

SCV-Resident Deputy Accused of Beating Inmate

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who lives in Valencia was charged with beating a 19-year-old inmate in the back seat of a patrol car, District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s office announced Friday.

According to a statement from Lacey’s office, Deputy Matthew John Funicello, 31, “is accused of striking an inmate several times with his fist on July 22, 2011. The inmate was being transported from the Sheriff’s Palmdale Station to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles.”

A complaint filed Thursday by Deputy District Attorney Geoffrey Rendon charges Funicello with one count of violating Penal Code section 149, assault under color of authority.

Funicello was booked at the Crescenta Valley Station late Thursday and was released on $35,000 bail, the statement said. He is scheduled to be arraigned May 20 in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

If convicted, Funicello could face up to three years in county jail, according to the D.A.’s office.

 

SCV-Resident Deputy Accused of Beating Inmate

Arizona Christian Tramples Mustangs, 15-4

Arizona Christian didn’t have a chance against A.J. Work in late February when the lefthander tossed six innings of two-hit, shutout ball in a 10-1 Mustang win.  On Friday afternoon in the desert, the Firestorm didn’t let the southpaw out of the fifth inning, scoring four runs in that frame and then tacking on eight more later on en route to a 15-4 humbling of the Mustangs.

The loss snapped the Mustangs’ five-game winning streak and coupled with Concordia’s win over Biola, reduced the club’s first-place lead in the GSAC to 2 1/2 games.  With just two weeks left in the regular season, the No. 6 Mustangs are 32-12 overall and 22-9 in conference play.

Eager to avenge a three-game sweep at the hands of the Mustangs back in February, the Firestorm struck early.  After ACU starter Tanner Tripp stranded three Mustangs on the bases in the top of the first inning, his teammates went to work in the bottom of the frame, tallying three runs on a trio of hits off Work (8-4).

The Mustangs got one of those back in the top of the second when Jon Popadics’ (Boise, ID) groundout to shortstop plated courtesy runner Nalu Polancic (Vista, CA), who was running for Chris Talley (Simi Valley, CA) after the senior catcher was plunked by a Tripp pitch.

That 3-1 lead held up until the fifth when the Mustangs parlayed three singles, a walk, and a wild pitch into a tie.  Spencer Downs (Kelso, WA) led off the inning with a base hit to right field, advanced to second base on a wild pitch, moved to third on a Sam Robison (San Juan Capistrano, CA) single, and scored on a Talley fielder’s choice.  Then, with two outs, Cody Harris (Lakewood, CA) reached on an infield single that plated Ryan Shackelford (Murrieta, CA), who walked earlier in the inning, with the tying run.

However, that knot was quickly untied as the Firestorm chased Work in the last of the fifth, eventually scoring four runs against the southpaw and reliever Daniel Sheaffer (Mt. Airy, NC), taking a lead (7-3) they would never relinquish.

Two innings later, the Firestorm used a pair of run-scoring doubles to score three more times for a 10-3 advantage.

The Mustangs scored their final run in the top of the eighth when an Anthony Leal (San Juan Capistrano, CA) groundout scored Harris who had tripled down the right field line with one out.

For good measure, the Firestorm scored five more runs in their final at-bat, finishing off a frustrating afternoon for a beleaguered Mustang staff that surrendered a season-high in runs.

Harris paced the Mustangs’ 10-hit attack with three hits while Shackelford and Popadics rapped out two apiece.

The Mustangs should forget about this one quickly, especially with a doubleheader against the Firestorm facing them Saturday.

Arizona Christian Tramples Mustangs, 15-4

Ironic Chamber Luncheon Features 'Digestive Solutions'

Lunch & Learn

 
Friday, April 19, 2013, 11:45am

Hosted By:

Foundation for Wellness Professionals

“Natural Solutions for Digestive Problems”

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce

27451 Tourney Road, Suite 160, Santa Clarita, 91355

Lunch & Learn is FREE and lunch will be provided. To attend, RSVP to Cheryl Ramirez at CRamirez@scvchamber.com  or call 661-702-6977.

Ironic Chamber Luncheon Features 'Digestive Solutions'

I-5 Lane Closure Schedule from Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation plans to close the lanes listed below as part of a $72 million project that is constructing a truck lane on southbound I-5 between Pico Canyon Road/Lyons Avenue and the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). Ramp closures will be staggered. Closures are subject to change. Detours will be signed.

For the safety of the construction crew and motorists, please be attentive to closures, slow for the cone zone, and move over one lane where possible.

Lane closure information for this and other freeway projects is available on the Caltrans website: http://www.lcswebreports.dot.ca.gov/lcswebreports.

 

Golden State Freeway (I-5) Closures

Sunday, April 14, through Saturday, April 20

Up to three lanes of northbound I-5 between the end of the existing truck lane and Lyons Ave.

TIME: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Note: At least one lane will be open at all times. The most restrictive closures (i.e., the most lanes closed) will occur between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Up to three lanes of southbound I-5 between Lyons Ave. and the end of the existing truck lane

TIME: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Southbound I-5 connector to northbound SR-14

TIME: 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Note: At least one lane will be open at all times. The most restrictive closures (i.e., the most lanes closed) will occur between midnight and 4 a.m.

 

About the Project

The project is adding a truck lane to the outside of southbound I-5 in by paving the median area and outside shoulder, and shifting the mixed-flow lanes inward. Median retaining walls and two short sections of outside retaining walls will be built to accommodate this widening.

The truck lane will extend from Pico Canyon Road/Lyons Avenue to SR-14, a distance of 3.7 miles.

This project will ease traffic delays, improve goods movement, absorb traffic growth due to population increase (both residential and commercial), and enhance safety by separating truck traffic from passenger vehicles.

Construction began in May 2012 and will be completed in 2014.

For more information, visit www.I-5info.com.

I-5 Lane Closure Schedule from Caltrans

May 3: Real Life Church Event Embraces Diversity (Video)

Families have the opportunity to attend a lively and engaging family event at the Real Life Church on May 3 at 7 p.m. “Embracing Diversity” is a film and live performance multicultural family event spotlighting diversity in the Santa Clarita Valley with an emphasis on Latino culture. The event is a presentation of Think Ten Media Group/Generation Arts, Power Woman Business Center, Our Valleys Bilingual Advertisement, AK Printing, and the SCV Latino Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds benefit Generation Arts programs, through which youth in the Santa Clarita Valley learn digital arts. Proceeds allow Generation Arts to offer more free or low cost programs to students who need them.

The event includes a screening of the multi award-winning independent film “Smuggled,” a film made by local filmmaker and SCV Film Festival Co-Founder Ramon Hamilton, who will be present for Q&A about the film, as well as a lively performance by the City of Santa Clarita Ballet Folklorico Dancers, the screening of a short film project made by local youth through Generation Arts at Newhall Elementary School, and presentations by prominent Latino/as in the community who will share their stories as featured in the book, “Profiles in Latino Courage” by Bill Miranda.

“Smuggled,” shot entirely in the Santa Clarita Valley, tells the story of a 9-year-old boy and his mother as the pair are smuggled into the U.S. in a hidden compartment beneath a tour bus. The Writer/Director of the film, Ramon Hamilton, is also the Co-Founder of Think Ten Media Group/Generation Arts as well as the Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival. He will be present for Q&A following the screening of the film, as well the two lead actors from the film. Additionally, DVD copies will be available for sale – and can be signed by the director and actors. ABC News/Univision recently stated: “Filmmaker Ramon Hamilton is on a mission to change how Americans think about immigration.”

Another highlight of the evening includes a live performance by the Ballet Folklorico Dancers. The Ballet Folklorico is a program of the City of Santa Clarita Newhall Community Center and was formed in 1994.  The award-winning group has performed at local venues, events, holiday celebrations, street fairs and the like.  Ballet Folklorico is Mexican Folk Dancing.  This cultural dance originated in Mexico and is a blend of Spanish and Mexican cultures.  Dancers perform in native Mexican costumes to music that represents the various regions of Mexico.   Ballet Folklorico classes are taught at the Newhall Community Center throughout the year.

Finally, Bill Miranda, Santa Clarita Valley Latino Chamber of Commerce CEO and author of Profiles in Latino Courage: How Everyday Latinos Achieve Success will also be at the event with individuals featured in the book speaking about their experiences and copies available for purchase and signature. The book draws from the experience Miranda had growing up as a son of immigrants with very little money and profiles 7 other everyday heroes who share their inspirational stories of hardships, challenges and, ultimately, success.

For tickets for this premiere SCV event, visit http://embracingdiversityfundraiser.eventbrite.com.

May 3: Real Life Church Event Embraces Diversity (Video)

City Holding Workshops to Review Changes to Fire Hazard Zones

The City of Santa Clarita will be holding two fire safety workshops this month for residents interested in learning about revisions to the City’s High Fire Hazard Zone. The workshops will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2013 and Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex, located at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway.

The boundaries of the City’s current “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone” are being modified under direction from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. As part of these changes, any property identified as being at high risk from potential wild fires will be included in the High Fire Hazard Zone while properties that are no longer at risk as a result of recent residential or commercial developments will no longer be in the Fire Hazard Zone.

Representatives from the Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division along with City staff will be available to discuss the impact fires have on the community and revisions to the High Fire Hazard Zone ordinance, including:  boundary changes, impacts for affected properties, and construction requirements for properties located in the High Fire Hazard Zone as outlined in the California Building Code.

For more information on the open house, please contact Bill Read, Assistant Building Official at 661-284-1403 or visit Santa-Clarita.com.

City Holding Workshops to Review Changes to Fire Hazard Zones

CalArts Grad Condola Rashad to Star on Broadway

Condola Rashad as Juliet

CalArts acting phenom Condola Rashad (Theater BFA 08) is appearing opposite some heavy hitters on Broadway. The rising star of stage and screen had first performed on Broadway in 2011, receiving a Tony Award nomination for her work in the play Stick Fly.

Rashad is starring alongside Cicely Tyson (Sounder), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire) and Vanessa Williams (Into the Woods) in a new production of Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful that opens on April 23 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York. Directed by Michael Wilson–the foremost interpreter of Foote’s work–the drama follows Carrie Watts (Tyson) as she breaks away from an overprotective son (Gooding Jr.) and overbearing daughter-in-law (Williams) to make one last trip to her home in Bountiful, Texas. Along the way, she meets a girl on a bus, played by Rashad.

Rashad has also been cast as Juliet in a major production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet later this summer. She is playing opposite Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean) in his Broadway debut as Romeo. Slated for previews in August, the production is directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux (Nine), who is retaining the language of the original work while staging the play in a contemporary setting. A racial divide will underscore the famous feud of the Montagues and Capulets.

The story of teenage love and rebellion has not been seen on Broadway in 36 years. Leveaux spoke to the Huffington Post earlier this week about his updated staging: “I’m just taking away all the wallpaper and mantelpieces, all the kind of pompous stuff we associate with grand Shakespeare productions.” He adds that he wants the production to feel like “fire on the sand.”

 

‘The Trip to Bountiful’ stars Cicely Tyson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa Williams, Condola Rashad and Tom Wopat meet the press on March 11, 2013 at Sardi’s. | Photo: Bruce Glikas, © Broadway.com

CalArts Grad Condola Rashad to Star on Broadway

Brown Opens Calif. Trade Office in China

[Shanghai, China] – Positioning California to attract a growing share of China’s massive foreign investment pool and bolstering California-China trade, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., the Bay Area Council and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) opened the California-China Office of Trade and Investment Thursday.

“California is the gateway to the Pacific and this office in China will help businesses large and small expand trade and jobs,” said Governor Brown.

The office opening comes on the third full day of Governor Brown’s trade and investment mission to China. It is the state’s first foreign trade office in a decade.

The California-China Office of Trade and Investment will serve as a hub for California companies interested in entering or expanding in China – the world’s second largest economy – and Chinese companies seeking investment opportunities in California – the world’s ninth largest economy by GDP.

The privately-funded office will be staffed and operated by the Bay Area Council, which has deep roots in China. The Council organized the trade and investment mission’s delegation of approximately 90 business, economic development, investment and policy leaders.

“The California-China Office of Trade and Investment ushers in an exciting new era of cooperation and partnership between two of the world’s largest economies,” Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council, said. “This office will provide California with a valuable and necessary portal for attracting Chinese investment and expanding trade. Some estimates suggest China’s foreign direct investment may reach $2 trillion by 2020 and this trade office says clearly that California is ready to do business, and that we want a big piece of that pie.”

The office opening was made possible in part by AB 2012, authored by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and signed last October by the Governor. This bill allowed GO-Biz to establish a public-private partnership to create state trade and investment offices. The trade office that opened Thursday is the state’s first since 2003.

“California and China have maintained a robust trade and investment relationship but the potential to expand that connectivity is limitless,” said the Governor’s Senior Jobs Advisor Mike Rossi. “This office will focus on creating business-to-business connections between California and China to ensure that the Golden State takes full advantage of every international business opportunity.”

On the heels of the $1.5 billion China-California investment partnership announced Wednesday, four more deals were announced Thursday by the California-China Office of Trade and Investment, including:

• Beijing-based pharmaceutical company JOINN Scientific is investing $50 million to establish a pharmaceutical production plant in cooperation with Staidson Pharmaceuticals, to be located at the former Bayer manufacturing facility in Richmond, California.

• Hongye International of Wuhai, China is investing $100 million of private equity investment into the Arcadia, California-based firm Singpoli Capital to develop green energy, biochemistry, media, high-technology and real estate construction projects in California.

• Sacramento-based McWong International and Emeryville-based New Logic Research Inc. have secured a $20 million contract with Inner Mongolia-based ChinaCoal Mengda New Energy Chemical Company and China National Coal Group for a zero-liquid-waste discharge project.

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography/UC San Diego (UCSD) signed an agreement with Ningbo University that includes: $50-$100 million of Chinese funding for a Scripps/UCSD research center for development of renewable marine resources and technologies at Ningbo University; the formation of $25 million marine innovation and technology fund for commercialization in China of Scripps/UCSD discoveries; and a program to send top Ningbo students for advanced academic work at Scripps/UCSD.

With Thursday’s office opening, Governor Brown is following through on the commitment he made last year to visit China and open a trade and investment office when then-Vice President, and now President of China, Xi Jinping, visited California.

“I want to thank Governor Brown for his leadership in re-establishing California’s official global trade and investment presence,” said U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in a videotaped message from Washington, D.C. “And thank you also to the Bay Area Council and the many businesses and economic development organizations that have made this important public-private partnership possible.”

This week and next, the Governor will meet with Chinese government and business leaders and highlight bilateral trade and investment opportunities at events across China, from Beijing and Shanghai to Nanjing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Brown Opens Calif. Trade Office in China

UCLA First on West Coast to Perform Trial Procedure for Opening Blocked Arteries

Doctors at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center have become the first on the West Coast to perform a new, less-invasive procedure to help clear plaque-ridden carotid arteries. The procedure, which is part of a clinical trial, took place on March 28.

Just as arteries to the heart can become clogged with plaque, causing a blockage, so can the two carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain. Every year, more than 300,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with such blockages, which, if left untreated, can reduce or even stop blood flow to the brain, causing a potentially disabling stroke.

Current treatment options include the traditional “open” surgery approach to clean out the carotid artery and a minimally invasive alternative that uses a stent to keep the artery open.

Each of these options has some limitations. Traditional surgery involves making a large incision along the neck and carries the risk of surgical complications. While less invasive, the stent procedure requires the insertion of a catheter through an artery in the groin to guide the stent into place, which can potentially dislodge plaque; loose plaque can travel through the bloodstream and cause a blockage. Some studies have indicated that the stent procedure carries a higher risk of stroke than the surgical procedure.

The new technique and device system being tested at UCLA is called transcarotid stenting with dynamic flow reversal, or the Silk Road Procedure, which allows physicians to deliver a stent directly into the carotid artery from the neck, offering a shorter, potentially safer route than the typical stent procedure.

A unique aspect of the new system is the ability to temporarily divert blood flow away from the plaque during the procedure to help ensure that a patient’s brain is fully protected from plaque debris at all times. Physicians redirect blood flow from the carotid artery where the team is working into tubing set up outside the body and then back into the body through the femoral vein, near the groin.

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is one of 25 centers around the world participating in the clinical study, called the ROADSTER trial, which is designed for high–surgical risk patients who may be older or have especially narrowed arteries.

“We’re always seeking new options for patients with the ultimate goal of treating these carotid artery blockages with the least procedural risk,” said Dr. Wesley Moore, UCLA study investigator and a professor emeritus of vascular surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “We look forward to contributing to this important research.”

The study is funded by Silk Road Medical, developers of the transcarotid stenting with dynamic flow reversal system.

For more information on the clinical trial at UCLA, call 310-206-1115.

UCLA First on West Coast to Perform Trial Procedure for Opening Blocked Arteries

Blotter: 8 Part-1 Crimes, 10 Arrests in Eastern CC

Canyon Country East, Zone 8

Public Safety and Crime Prevention Information

Snapshot 04/01/2013 – 04/07/2013

 

Last week in Canyon Country-East we had eight Part-1 crimes. Of those reported crimes, there was 1 residential burglary, 3 larcenies, and 4 vehicle burglaries.

A residential burglary occurred in the 27300 block of Palo Verde Place on April 5th, 12:00 am – April 7th 11:40 PM. The unknown suspect(s) entered the apartment through the front door. Deputies observed damage to the entry door, the door frame, and the door knob. Nothing was taken.

A grand theft occurred in the 29000 block of Wisteria Valley Rd on March 30th, 1:00 pm – April 30th, 8:00 am. An iron bench was stolen from the victim’s front porch. In another incident, a male was arrested after it was discovered he was in possession of property that did not belong to him. A petty theft occurred from the 28400 block of Alder Peak Avenue. Personal items were stolen from an unlocked vehicle.

Vehicle burglaries occurred from Jakes Way and Canyon Park (1) and Oaks Springs Canyon Road (3) between April 5th 10:00 PM – April 6th 8:00 AM. All were window smashes and personal items were stolen.

There were 10 arrests made by proactive deputies for various narcotics violations, assaults and public intoxication.

Make sure to always park in well-lit areas and be cognizant of your surroundings. If you see any suspicious activity either close to your home or while you are out shopping, call the Sheriff’s station at (661) 255-1121 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.

For up to date information follow us on twitter and like us on Facebook.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Zone 8 (Canyon Country East) please feel free to email or call me directly.

 

Deputy Rubalcava

avrubalc@lasd.org

(661) 255-1121 Ext. 4283

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Twitter @SCVSheriff http://www.twitter.com/scvsheriff

Twitter @jdLASD http://www.twitter.com/jdLASD

SCV Station Homepage – http://www.santaclarita.lasd.org

Blotter: 8 Part-1 Crimes, 10 Arrests in Eastern CC

April 19: DUI Checkpoint in Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station/Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on April 19 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.  Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. DUI Checkpoints along with regularly scheduled high visibility DUI enforcement serves as a proven deterrent with the goal of removing impaired drivers and heightened awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The crime of impaired driving is a serious one. In 2010 alone, 791 died in California DUI crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit.  The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was the 21-to-24 age group.

Over the past three years, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s has investigated 212 fatal and injury DUI collision; countywide – 730 individuals were killed in drunk-driving wrecks.

The objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs: if you drive buzzed, drunk, or impaired by drugs you will go to jail.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.

Those arrested for DUI will face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Please help Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s everyday of the week:  Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911.

April 19: DUI Checkpoint in Santa Clarita