Celebrity Sightings – May 2017

 It’s so much fun when we see celebrities in “real life,” isn’t it?  When I was in my early 20s I was in the valley at Art’s Delicatessen enjoying lunch with my co-workers.  We were buying a pie to take back to the office and as I stood in line waiting, I soon realized the gentleman in front of me was none other than actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.  He was with one of his children and I didn’t want to be intrusive, but my heart raced the entire time I stood behind him and as he turned and walked away I simply nodded my head and smiled.  More courageous than me, these happy Santa Clarita residents seized the moment to capture a photo with a few celebrities.
A local celebrity herself due greatly in part to her generous heart (and soft spot for non-profits), Valencia Acura co-owner Cheri Fleming snapped a quick picture with award-winning chief meteorologist with KABC news, Dallas Raines at an Acura NSX Test Drive Event held in Santa Clarita. No stranger to donating his time and means, it was a kindred meeting of these two local celebrities.  Dallas Raines is a professional member of the AMS and has earned the Seal of Approval for TV Broadcasting, as well as numerous awards for outstanding coverage of weather events. When not on television, Dallas has been a meteorology professor at Cal State University, Northridge, staying actively involved in multiple community service and fundraising projects.
Local resident Deyka Scimenes recently spotted former American mixed martial artist Tito Ortiz at an event and was able to snap a quick picture.  Most people remember Tito Ortiz from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is a former Light Heavyweight Champion, and competed with fighters like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell during his career.  Outside of his fighting career, Ortiz is the CEO of the Punishment Athletics MMA equipment and clothing line. He also owns an MMA training gym called Punishment Training Center, which is located in his hometown of Huntington Beach, California.
Have your own celebrity sighting? Share it with us by emailing the photo, along with your name and a few words to contest@santaclaritamagazine.com.