2008 July 4th Parade

It’s almost that time again.  Before we know it we’ll be watching the fireworks in the sky.  The 4th of July is always a big to-do in the SCV.  Especially when it comes to the annual 4th of July parade in Newhall.  This year will bring the parade into it’s 77th year with an annual gathering of just around 25,000 people.

The parade starts at 9:45am at Main Street and goes through Lyons to Orchard Village.  The parade starts at 9:45, but street closures begin earlier that morning at around 8, so plan for that.

If you’d like to participate in the parade you can access the application at the parade website here.

Westfield Town Center Has Brain Fart

While frantically running around doing my Christmas shopping last weekend I ended up at my beloved Westfield Town Center to purchase some gifts cards.

I went to the stand located in the middle of the mall by Starbucks (where they have sold their gift cards for over a year) and asked to make a purchase.  I was told that they no longer sell them there and that I needed to go to the gift card sales center over by Sears.

Slightly irritated, I head back in that direction (that I had just come from) only to find that the gift cards are being sold from inside a shoe store.  Yes that’s right, from inside a shoe store.  So when the line for gift cards gets long, it forms inside a shoe store where people are trying to shop and try on shoes.

Gimme a break guys.  Why’d ya move the gift card spot there?  Could there have been a worse spot?  The location in the middle of the mall was perfect and if you wanted to avoid long lines there, hmmm maybe move the baby strollers over by JCPenney?

Thumbs down from me to whoever the genius was that thought of this.

Holiday Activities in Newhall

The City of Santa Clarita is inviting community members to get in the holiday spirit and attend three exciting festivities in Old Town Newhall on Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December1, 2007. 

The City will host the inaugural Paint the Town art project along Main Street between Lyons Avenue and 6th Street on Friday, November 30^thfrom 3:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The project will feature various schools and children creating holiday themed paintings on the windows of Old Town Newhall businesses.

On Saturday, December 1, the annual Old Town Newhall Children’s Holiday Parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. at 9th Street and continue down Main Street to Newhall Avenue and into William S. Hart Park. Festivities include holiday songs, snow, greeting cards for our U.S.troops, trophies for the best costumes, and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

Finally, the Santa Clarita Community Center will host a Mural Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, December 1, at 11:00 a.m. The colorful mural celebrates the various programs held at the Community Center, and was painted by special needs children from across the valley and created by local non-profit organization the Special Children’s Art Foundation. The Santa Clarita Community Center is located at 22421 Market Street.

Metrolink Holiday Train

A 450-ton Metrolink train decked out in full holiday spirit will be arriving at the Newhall Metrolink Station this Friday 11/23 at 7:30.

This is the 11th year in a row that the ‘Holiday Toy Express’ has collected toys for California firefighters’ "Spark of Love" toy drive.  This drive collects and distributes toys to needy children and brings a spark of holiday spirit to all families involved.

Bring your holiday spirit and a new unwrapped toy to the train station this Friday and spread some joy for the upcoming season. 

The Newhall Metrolink station is located at 24300 Railroad Avenue. For more information visit the city website.

Rent a Santa

Our local Zonta Club provides a fun and memorable service which also serves as a huge fund-raiser for them to provide help to all the local women’s organizations they support.

You can rent a Santa for an hour or two hours and leave a memory in a child’s mind that could last a lifetime.

These Santas get booked up quick, so I’m posting this one early so you don’t miss out if you want to do this.

If you are interested in renting a Santa or interested in volunteering to be a Santa contact 661-251-1352

SCV Sheriff Annual Holiday Toy Drive

The Santa Clarita Sheriff’s department hosts a toy drive every year to benefit local children in need with some holiday cheer.  This year however, they need a location.  They are looking for a local venue to accept donations and be available for set up and clean up from 12/9-12/17.  The venue must be close to a bus stop and at least 2500 sq ft.

The toy drive will be held the weekend of 12/14-12/16 from 9am-6pm daily.

If you think you can help or know someone who can, please forward the information along.

I’m guessing this will make for a great tax deduction somehow.

Please contact 661-799-5164 for more information.

Keeping Safe on the 4th

Many of us are looking forward to the July 4th festivities. Maybe you have a pool party or barbecue planned, or maybe you will be out of town. Make sure that your pets are safe during this time as it can be a very upsetting and potentially dangerous time for them.

Keep fireworks and party poppers as far from pets as possible. I have had friends who have lost dear four legged family members because they took off out of fear. The noise we so eagerly wait to hear can be frightening to our animals. Fireworks can be dangerous physically as well. Keep your animals confined and away from the noise, where they feel safe and don’t feel the need to run away. This is also a time to remind our youth that animals have feelings and feel pain too. Don’t do anything to harm them. Keep plenty of water on hand if you are out of town and make sure that they have shelter from the heat. Ask a neighbor to look in on them or hire a good pet sitter to insure that they will be healthy and eager to see you upon your return.

Amy Atkins