Month In Review: A reflection on our communities past month’s achievements, community development and awesomeness! – May 2019

COC Art Gallery to Present Early Childhood Education Exhibit “Budding Artists”

The College of the Canyons Art Gallery presented “Budding Artists,” an exhibit featuring artwork created by the children enrolled in the college’s Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE). “Budding Artists” began with a special open house event during the Week of the Young Child Play Day. A silent auction fundraiser was held for the duration of the exhibit with proceeds going toward the CECE.

City Reminds Residents to Avoid Distractions When on The Road

The month of April was designated Distracted Driving Awareness month. Law enforcement agencies across the nation, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, banded together to educate citizens on traffic safety. The City of Santa Clarita joins the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in reminding residents to be a “Heads Up” pedestrian, cyclist or driver.

Westfield Valencia Reveals New Plans

If you love savings and warehouse prices you are in luck! Westfield Valencia Mall has announced its plans to open a second Costco retail location, luxury Cinema, health and fitness center, and other shopping store fronts. The new developments are to take the place of the old Sears building. Westfield wanted to meet the needs of the ever-growing Santa Clarita Valley and this proposed $100 million investment will do just that!

Hart School District Wake Up, Stand Up

For the past few years sexual assault and harassment has been ever prevalent in the media. Last month, Academy of the Canyons student-led organization put together. Wake Up, Stand Up. This event was comprised of panels, workshops and booths to bring awareness to sexual harassment at the Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.

College of the Canyons Opens New Center

College of the Canyons has expanded and rebranded its Food for Thought Pantry into the Basic Needs Center (BaNC) to serve as a one stop-shop locale to better help meet the needs of housing and food insecure students. Located in the Student Center (Room 123B), the BaNC provides currently enrolled students with free food, clothing, personal hygiene items, shower kits, on-site microwave access, and specialty items.

Earth Arbor Day Festival Returns

The City of Santa Clarita’s annual Earth Arbor Day Festival, sponsored by the SCV Family of Water Suppliers, made its much-anticipated return to Central Park. This festival focused on protecting the environment and was held in conjunction with worldwide Earth Day. Visitors experienced a fair like atmosphere with fun activities for the whole family including a petting zoo, exciting pig races, free giveaways and much more! The festival also featured the City giving away 1000 one-gallon trees and 80 yards of mulch to participants on Saturday.

New Subsidy Program Helps SCV Residents

The City of Santa Clarita renewed its partnership with Ring. The joint subsidy program provides discounts for City of Santa Clarita residents who wish to purchase select home security devices. With funds appropriated by the City of Santa Clarita, along with matching funds from Ring, the $50,000 program enables 500 verified City of Santa Clarita residents to receive a $100 subsidy code to use towards select Ring security devices.

Thank You Volunteers

There is no “I” in team, but there is a “U” in volunteer! The City of Santa Clarita is proud to recognize National Volunteer Week. In 2018 alone, a total of 5,478 volunteers gave 51,154 hours to the City, valued at an estimated $1.5 million. The City is fortunate to have so many community members who are dedicated to supporting and improving our City of Santa Clarita.

Waterlines Installed in the New Sheriff’s Station

SCV Water began a waterline construction project, to bring water service to the highly anticipated and much needed sheriff station site on Golden Valley Road. Mesa Engineering, the Agency’s contractor, installed 5,700 feet of 16-inch waterline, as well as new fire hydrants, valves and water service connections for the Sheriff’s Station. Construction on the waterline began the week of April 22 and will continue through June.

AutoNation’s “Hart Wheels” Student Car Giveaway

Every year, AutoNation gives a car away to a student in the William S. Hart Union High School District who demonstrates improved and/or excellent academic performance. This year over 6,600 sophomores, junior and seniors have qualified. In a very dramatic ceremony, ten students were randomly selected to draw tickets. As ticket numbers were read, the students were eliminated until only one remained, and that student drove off in the 2019 Mini Hardtop.

Emergency Locating System Markers Added to City Trails

Trail users in Santa Clarita are now easier to find during thanks to a new Emergency Locating System. As part of the system, a total of 658 markers have been posted every 1/8 mile on all City trails, including bike paths and hiking trails. The trail markers provide a quick and easy way to convey a location during an emergency. Each marker displays a specific number which designates its location. These numbers correspond to a GIS map that first responders can use to locate the emergency.

Celebrating California Exemplary District Award

The Hart School District is one of only 18 districts in the state named an Exemplary District by the California Department of Education (CDE), and the only district so designated in Los Angeles County. The Hart School District, which serves over 22,000 students in grades 7-12, has been recognized by the CDE for its ability to produce one of the highest graduation rates in the state and test scores 20 percentage points higher than students across Los Angeles County and the state.