Free Thanksgiving Dinner in Santa Clarita

I received this message from Valencia High School.  If you know anyone that needs it, please pass it along.

There will be a free Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 26, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Newhall Bicycle Company. Any and all Santa Clarita Valley families are invited! Please feel free to attend and pass the word on to anyone you know who could enjoy and partake in this free, annual event.

10:30am-2:00pm
Newhall Bicycle Company
24343 Railroad Avenue
661.284.6187

Sheraton Santa Clarita

After a unanimous vote the planning commission approved the permit to build the Sheraton on the corner of McBean and Valencia Blvd.  The hotel will be similar in size to the Hyatt and also have a restaurant as well as plenty of meeting and banquet rooms.

The Greens will be torn down and the Sheraton will rise in its place.

The hotel is scheduled to open in December of 2010 at 26501 McBean Parkway. The Galaxy Car Wash will remain, as will the Shell station and the SCV Transit Center.

Tragedy in Canyon Country

Two Canyon Country teenagers have died this week.  Nicholas Pruett died Tuesday while jogging at a park in Granada Hills and Jose Cruz  two days later was found dead at his home on Marilyn Street.  While reports are not confirmed as to why these boys passed so suddenly, this is a tragic loss and traumatic for the community.  Both boys went to Canyon High School and the students there are stunned to say the least.

On Monday some Canyon Country students will be walking from school to the First Christian Church at 3pm for a 4pm memorial service for Nicholas Pruett. No service has been announced yet for Jose Cruz.

First Christian Church is located at 27421 Homyr Place in Canyon Country.

WalMart Hoax

Thousands of Santa Clarita parents received this email from the Hart District today.

Good afternoon. This is an informational message for parents in the Hart School District: The Sheriff’s Department has asked us to inform our parents that there is an e-mail circulating around Santa Clarita that a gang initiation will occur this evening at Wal-Mart in Santa Clarita. This is the same e-mail hoax that has been sent out in several other states. The Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Department is aware of this e-mail and, for the assurance and safety of the community, they will maintain a strong presence in the area. There is no action required of local parents at this time. This is simply an informational message to make you aware of a community situation.

Apparently it is a hoax and as impacted many cities across the country.  If you do a Google search for WalMart hoax there is a whole bunch that come up in cities in Georgia, Arkansas, California, etc.

Santa Clarita teens went wild with forwarding this text message all over town and the news spread like wildfire.  Surely Walmart must have seen a decline in customer traffic.  It’s likely for the next few days people may choose to go to Target until the fear settles.

Pink Friday

California’s budget cuts have resulted in around 11k pink slips for teachers and on Friday (the 13th) they could be handing out another 11k or so more.  Teachers will be protesting and wearing pink shirts on intersections throughout California.

Want to do more than just honk at them when you drive by? Here’s what you can do do help.

• You can wear pink on Friday to show that you are supporting your local teachers.
• Organize or help organize an event.
• Call or email your legislature. 

• Call Your Assembleymember (Cameron Smyth for the SCV) and Your State Senator Using CTA‘S “CUTS HURT” Hotline 1-888-268-4334
• Call Your U. S. Senators 1-800-294-9811

• Tell them how you feel about the importance of investing in public education.

Got to their website for more information.

Avoid Lancaster Via Metrolink for a Bit Today

A pedestrian was hit by the train this morning in Lancaster.  He was airlifted to Holy Cross hospital in Mission Hills and hopefully will recover.  Apparently he was sitting on the tracks resting and didn’t notice the train coming.  The train continued to the end of the line, then noticed the injured man when it returned to the Avenue M spot and called for help.

Note to self: Do not rest on a train track. Ever.

Bridgeport Marketplace

You must check out the shops and restaurants in the Bridgeport Marketplace.  If you wanted to, you could easily spend the day there.  All they need is a place for breakfast.  So far I haven’t seen a coffee shop going in.  Although if you try on Sunday you could start by having brunch at Sabor.

(661) 259-9002

Next take a little walk across the parking lot to Chic to get your nails done. 

Then go next door to Cardio Girl to work off the brunch. (Anyone else think it’s funny that there are 2 handicap parking spots in front of Cardio Girl?)