Cyclone and Flashback are History

Cyclone and Flashback will be taken off the map at Magic Mountain this year. Cyclone is the all wooden coaster that was built as a replica to the one at Coney Island. Flashback hasn’t been operating for a few years now because it is right next to Hurricane Harbor and apparently, the noise level interferes with the lifeguards. Losing these two rides will leave 15 roller coasters at Magic Mountain. I have to say, I don’t think losing these two is a big lose. I never really liked either of these and they always gave me quite a headache. Cyclone was such a rough ride I swear I would get whiplash. The turns on Flashback were pretty tough as well and were literally a “pain in the neck”.

SCV Quality Care

I have been going to SCV Quality Care on McBean Pkwy for years. I was on hold today and heard the greatest thing on their recording. Dr Nordella and Dr Lewis are offering a new and very innovative program as of 1/2/07. It’s called a Direct Pay Program. From what I understand, you pay a quarterly payment to SCV Quality Care and they will cover all of your primary and urgent care needs that are done at their facility.

This is a fantastic opportunity for those people that cannot afford health insurance to be able to have some type of safety net. I mean most of the time, folks need to go for something minor, but without insurance it could cost a small fortune.

I don’t know the costs of this program because I am sure it varies depending on age, etc.

For information, you can contact Doug Brooks at 661-964-8803.

SCV Quality Care is located on McBean Pkwy and Orchard Village. Their number is 661-254-0026. I highly recommend all of the physicians there. I have never had a bad experience there.

Mushroom Cloud Over Valencia

What an eerie feeling it was to see my town getting nuked on the show 24. I watch plenty of TV shows and recognize my community often. I can remember watching Valencia on TV back in the days of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers with my kids, and now, to name few, Las Vegas and Weeds where Stevenson Ranch is disguised as Agrestic. Regardless of the name, when you recognize the area and see a nuclear mushroom in the background it turns your stomach. I suppose that as fast as it happened on the show is as fast as it could really happen. I think I prefer being the home of the pot selling soccer mom, then the home that got nuked.

Vallarta Supermarket

I finally made it over to the new Vallarta Market on Lyons and Old Orchard.  I was pleasantly surprised.  It’s a very nice market with most of the same products as the other markets in the area, but they have more.  There is a large selection of Hispanic foods that are sooo good.  They have cooked food as well and you can sit down and eat in there as well.  Their meat department is very large and includes specialty items like ceviche.  The deli has a great assortment of cheeses and Hispanic “cremas”.  They also sell salsa and guacamole in bulk. 

As far as the prices compared to other markets…I found that it went back and forth.  Some things were cheaper, others weren’t.  The selection however is a bonus.  Oh yes, and you don’t need a “club card” to shop there.  That’s nice as well.  I never understood why you need a club card, I mean, if it’s on sale, just put it on sale.

Anyway, go check out Vallarta and while you’re there, try the El Salvadorian Cheesecake.  It’s not the cheesecake you once knew.

Santa Clarita Real Estate Still Stable

It was a gorgeous day in Santa Clarita today.  As I drove down my street I counted the for sale signs.  There were 5.  I wondered where all these people are going.  Are they staying in town or leaving the area?  It seems as though it is a buyers market now, however these homes on my street have been for sale for a while now and it doesn’t seem that the sellers are budging on the price.  I suppose it’s not a great time of the year to buy a house.  Most people wait until the spring or so I’ve heard.  I wonder who my new neighbors will be.  I went on to search to see how much they were selling there homes for.  To my relief, the prices look good and I’m glad none of them are budging.  I found a really nice site that was user friendly to search for homes through the mls without having to register.  It is a local realtor named Marisela Handley.  Turns out Marisela used to work at my eye doctors office so finding her site was a nice surprise.  I love that about our small town.

The Getty Center Excursion

The City of Santa Clarita is organizing a Getty Center Excursion on Saturday February 3, 2007.

If you’ve never been to the Getty Center, I highly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity and go check it out.  The view from there is to die for.  The gardens at the Getty are amazing and really compliment the architecture.  There is so much more to look at there besides or course the magnificent history that is on display.

Side note…the food in the cafeteria is excellent.  Go hungry.

Santa Clarita to Host 2007 PGA Champions Tour

Ahhhh a day on the green.  It’s weeks away, but already causing a stir.  The PGA Champions Tour is set to be held again this year at the Valencia Country Club The dates are March 12-18, 2007. 

The Valencia Country Club is an 18 hole course and plays to a par of 72.  It has been noted to be in the top 25 golf courses in California by Golf Digest.

This is really a great opportunity for our city to showcase all we have to offer in the way of tourism and golf of course.  Golfers, spectators, fans, sponsors, etc travel from all over to experience this grand event and I am very excited to see that it will be here in Santa Clarita yet one more year.  I had heard that the contract with AT & T was over, but apparently, they extended it.

Last years winner Tom Kite won $240,000 and the runner up Gil Morgan won $140,800.  That is some serious cash!