Santa Clarita Kings Day

Listen up Hockey fans!  Saturday 1/12/2008 is Santa Clarita Day at Staples Center.  The game starts at 1pm with the Kings going head to head against the Dallas Stars.

A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the SCV Disaster Coalition.  There are a few sponsor packages available or you can just buy tickets through this link. (Advance purchase only)

For more info on the event you can contact Chris Bain via email. 

Newhall Metrolink Station Selected as Metro Survey Site

Metro and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) will be conducting a survey on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at the City of Santa Clarita Newhall Metrolink Station.

The Newhall Station, which was selected because of its high transit use for the area, is one of several select Metro Rail and Metrolink stations chosen to help identify improvements for station access for bicycles and pedestrians.

The survey, in English and Spanish, is part of a comprehensive study of existing conditions and recommendations for improvements at all of the selected rail stations and is funded by a Caltrans Environmental Justice Planning Grant.

As part of the survey questions, Metro and LACBC will be handing out bicycle tire patch kits, small reflectors, and information cards to encourage safe bicycling and pedestrian traffic.

The results of these interviews will be incorporated into a final report of recommendations to be completed in the fall of 2008.  These reports can be used by cities to apply for grant funds to improve access to the stations.
 

Magic Mountain Exit Closed for 5 Weeks

The Magic Mountain exit off the 5 north will be closed for 5 weeks starting mid January.  Cars will be detoured through Wayne Mills, then Tourney Rd and back to Magic Mountain.   

In addition in January, the traffic flow on The Old Road may be diverted from the west side to the east side.  This needs to happen so they can add the ‘new road’ to The Old Road.

Please call the project hotline (661) 290-2297, for any extended major lane closures, detours, or news associated with this project.

15th Annual Cowboy Festival

If you’re a fan of the festival, it’s almost that time of the year again to saddle up! 

Tickets are now on sale for five days of cowboy culture and excitement! This year, the best performers in western entertainment will help celebrate the City of Santa Clarita’s 15th annual Cowboy Festival, April 23-27, 2008, with several events throughout the Santa Clarita Valley including: an intimate concert at William S. Hart Museum, the unveiling of a few new stars on the Walk of Western Stars, a lunch and show at an old California Rancho, and a themed dinner train. 

Some events sell out, so buy your tickets early, to avoid being left out of this Santa Clarita tradition!  A special two-day weekend pass is available and the City offers a limited number of “Friends of the Festival” packages, which includes admission to Melody Ranch for both Saturday and Sunday, preferred seating at all Melody Ranch Stage shows, all-weekend access to the Melody Ranch VIP Bunkhouse with catered food and beverages, and much more!
The main festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday when visitors are invited to Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, a real working movie ranch formerly owned by Gene Autry. 

“At Melody Ranch the lines blur between modern day and a bygone era as patrons walk through an authentic Western movie set, enjoy performances from some of the most respected Cowboy musicians including Don Edwards, Sons of the San Joaquin, and the Quebe Sisters Band, and dine on Cowboy cuisine,” commented Mayor Bob Kellar.

Other 2008 headliners include: Waddie Mitchell, Belinda Gail and Curly Musgrave, Cowbop, Gary McMahan, John Moore Band, Eli Barsi, Pat Richardson, Larry, Maurice, Sons and Brothers Band, and the Hot Club of Cowtown.

And if you have always wanted to try your hand as a cowpoke, the festival will once again feature a living history, hands-on exhibit for children and adults. 

The annual Cowboy Festival event is consistently recognized as one of the best in the world, taking visitors back in time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and cuisine of the American West.

Since 1994, the City has brought to life the music, magic, and spirit of the old west for the thousands who visit the festival each year. The festival’s western music, cowboy poetry, authentic cowboy gear and food, tours of Melody Ranch, and western art auctions are always well attended. 

Council Member Marsha McLean Appointed to County Library Commission

Last week, Santa Clarita City Council member Marsha McLean was nominated by the City Selection Committee to serve as a Municipal Representative on the Public Library Commission for the Fifth Supervisory District.

As Public Library Commissioner, Council Member McLean will be an advocate for ensuring that a fair allocation of library expenditures is allocated based on library revenues. McLean will also be an advocate for funding library capital projects and refurbishing older and inadequate library facilities.

Currently, the County Library system does not have a capital improvement program budget.  Council Member McLean will work with the Commission to identify and prioritize the improvement of library facilities.

The mission of the Public Library Commission is to advise the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian on matters of library policy, administration, operation, and service; to obtain public input and to make suggestions and recommendations on any matters which have come to the attention of the Commission regarding the County Public Library System.  

WS Hart Try-Outs 2008

Reminder that if you want to sign your son or daughter up for spring ball at WS Hart this is the last weekend to do it.  At this point, registration is complete, but occasionally they have room for last minute players depending on the division.

If you’ve never experience playing at Hart, I suggest it.  It can be so much fun and a great way to create memories and build new friendships.  Yes, it’s true that some parents get out of control and can cause drama and problems, but really, they are in the minority.

Playing at Hart costs around $300, but you get $150 back after you do your duties in the canteen or volunteer in some other way for 4 hours.

Here is the try-out schedule: (It will be crazy since last weekends try-out was rained out, so expect to wait)

1/11/08 5-9pm
1/12/08 8am-6pm (or until the last group is finished)
1/13/08 9am- (we will finish any groups that we didn’t finish on 1/12). NO new players will be assigned to groups. 

For more information you can check out their website. 

City Parks Commission Meetings to be Televised

If you are interested in following what the city park and rec commission is doing, beginning with their first meeting in 2008, the they will be televising their meetings on channel 20, airing the Monday following their Thursday meeting.

They hold their meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. in City Council chambers.

The City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission is a five-member City Commission, appointed by the Santa Clarita City Council.  Each City Councilmember appoints one Commission member who serves a term that is parallel to the Councilmember.

The Commission advises the City Council on matters relating to parks, recreation and community services in the City, including suggestions for priorities for new facilities, events and programs.