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

Memorial Day Backpack Walk Honors Veterans
The Santa Clarita Valley Veteran Services Collaborative hosted a Memorial Day backpack walk this past Memorial Weekend in honor of local veterans. In attendance were Congresswoman Katie Hill and Assemblywoman Christy Smith, with various competitions and prizes included in the $30 entrance fee. The backpack walk was a fun opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors as well as honor those within our community who have served and all proceeds were directed towards the SCV Veteran Services Collaborative.

Santa Clarita Battles Homelessness
The Community Task Force on Homelessness recently conducted a meeting regarding the increased number of homeless residents in Santa Clarita, which jumped to 256 in the last year. The task force seeks to take action against the pressing issue of homelessness through prevention, working towards providing subsidized housing, and other steps that are intended to battle homelessness within our community. In collaboration with the task force, Santa Clarita’s primary homeless service, Bridge to Home, has opened its shelter’s doors year-round.

Newhall Resident Reaches‘MasterChef Junior” Finals
12-year-old Malia Brauer (pictured below far left) of Newhall recently spoke of her experience on making it to the finals on the popular cooking show MasterChef Junior. In an interview with KHTS, Malia detailed her exciting adventures on the show, encouraging other aspiring cooks to “be creative” and to continue learning and expanding on their talents. The finale of MasterChef Junior took place on June 4, and featured Malia competing amongst other contestants on the show for the title of MasterChef Junior and a grand prize of $100,000.

Los Angeles County Library Wins 2019 Library of the Year
LA County Library, which features locations in both Castaic and Stevenson Ranch, has been awarded the title of Library of the Year for 2019 by Gale/Library Journal. The awarding of this honor pays tribute to the creativity, community-involvement, and partnerships that the organization has fostered within the Santa Clarita Valley since its opening. This accolade recognizes the pivotal role that both the LA County Library and other libraries alike play in the development of a more positive, successful tomorrow.

Mayor McLean Participates in the Annual Mobility Workshop
Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean attended the Annual Mobility Workshop alongside other elected officials in order to continue the discussion surrounding the improvement of public transit. The workshop included topics such as the local Metrolink service as well as the benefits of the Santa Clarita bike trails as well as the Pace Bike Share program. The workshop highlighted the ultimate goal of improving and developing more convenient methods of commuting in and out of Santa Clarita, as well as services to surrounding regions.

World Blood Donor Day
In honor of World Blood Donor Day, Cedars-Sinai teamed up with the Office of Congresswoman Katie Hill on June 14 to host a community blood drive. The event was open to both first-timers as well as others who had previously donated blood. The blood drive also offered information regarding the services available to citizens within the 25th Congressional District. Thanks to the blood drive, countless individuals will benefit from the donation of blood from citizens right here in Santa Clarita.

Third Annual Boots & Brews Festival
Santa Clarita’s Central Park was home to the third annual Boots & Brews festival, which featured food from local vendors, a cast of amazing country singers, and, of course, ice cold beer readily available for purchase. The festival featured performances by Adam Doleac, Jake Owen, and the Canadian country duo High Valley. The event marked the start of a fantastic lineup of summer events here in Santa Clarita. The Boots & Brews festival provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate good times, good food, and great country music!

Henry Mayo Celebrates Cancer Survivors
Henry Mayo Hospital hosted its Cancer Survivor Celebration earlier this month, providing the opportunity to honor survivors and supporters alike. The celebration took place at Henry Mayo’s Outpatient Surgery Center, with CEO and president Roger E. Seaver giving a speech in recognition of those who have won the battle against cancer. The event was open to the public and paid tribute to those who have overcome cancer and survivors’ supporters were encouraged to take part in the celebration as well.

Valencia Jazz & Blues Concert Series Kicks Off
The Delgado Brothers kicked off the first show of the annual Valencia Jazz and Blues Concert Series, which takes place every Friday evening until August 2. This exciting event takes place at the Valencia Town Center and is free to attend, with the option to purchase a VIP table for those who choose to take their experience a little further. Stop by on a Friday night to enjoy the atmosphere of celebration and the great vibes brought to you by jazz and blues music.

Summer Bash Brings Fun to Santa Clarita
Games, food, and live music marked the return of the Summer Bash Party this June. Included in the event were food trucks, an inflatable slide, and a beer garden – all encompassed in one amazing summer evening in Canyon Country. The free, family-friendly event was open to the public and served as a fun opportunity to bring both residents and visitors of Santa Clarita together to celebrate the start of the summer season.

4 Local Players Selected in MLB Draft
Jack Ralson (Hart), Dylan Thomas (Valencia), Aaron Shackelford (Master’s University), and Anthony Lepre (Valencia) were selected in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, making another great year for local athletes. The four players were chosen to join the world of professional baseball amongst teams like the Seattle Mariners and the St. Louis Cardinals. A big congratulations goes out to these young sportsmen, and the City of Santa Clarita hopes to see more athletic success in the coming years!

Summer Beach Bus Service is Back
All the summer fun, without any of the hassle! The Santa Clarita Summer Beach Bus services have made their return, and offer service to Santa Monica on Saturdays and Sundays through September 1st. For $3 each way ($1.50 for seniors and persons with disabilities), the Santa Clarita transit system provides a comfortable, convenient way of traveling to the beach minus the trouble of finding parking or dealing with traffic. Be sure to take advantage of the Summer Beach Bus before the season comes to an end!