Dining, Arts & Entertainment

Father’s Day is one time to show your father that you care about him and what he does for you.  This Father’s Day let him take center stage by throwing a barbeque in his honor.  You can even let him barbeque if he wants.  Here is a great recipe that dad is sure to love.

Giant wooden doors frame the entrance and immediately take you away to another time as you enter “Little Havana.”  Rolando and Ivonne Verdecia worked especially hard when creating their home away from home back in 2004 when they opened Mojito Caribbean Cuisine.  And that’s just what it is, a home away from home.  Rolando is compelling about his passion for food and it only heightens your enthusiasm for a great meal.  That passion is equally matched by a commitment for good customer service.  One thing Rolando especially prides himself and his staff for is their exceptional customer service.  Customers are not just customers – they are friends – friends that come over for dinner three and four times a week.  Another thing the Verdecia’s take pride in is the ability to serve fine dining quality food at a price everyone can afford.

Officials at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons (PAC) have announced the three scholarship winners of the college’s Literature to Life essay contest focusing on Khalid Hosseini’s best-selling novel “The Kite Runner.”

Contest organizers called for high school students to submit an essay of 800 words or less that compared and contrasted Hosseini’s novel and the PAC’s presentation of the American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life adaptation of “The Kite Runner,” while also discussing how the live one-man performance enhanced specific elements of the novel.

Ever wonder why the month of May is set aside to celebrate Mother’s Day?  After a little research, my questions were answered.
Contrary to popular belief, Mother’s Day was not conceived in the boardroom of Hallmark.  The earliest tributes to mother’s date back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele.  Christians celebrated this festival on the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of Mary, mother of Christ.  In England this holiday was expanded to include all mothers and was called Mothering Sunday.

The Railroad Café , conveniently located directly across the street from the Newhall Metrolink Station, is the home of the absolute best coffee and espresso beverages in town!  The combination of fresh beautifully roasted Newhall Coffee and a staff of knowledgeable, passionate baristas makes for a wonderful experience. 

Did you know there is a winery in the heart of Santa Clarita that offers an opportunity to experience the pleasure of wine in a whole new way?  Vintner’s Cellar Custom Winery offers wines that have been carefully crafted and bottled in the on-site winery, just behind the warm, Tuscan styled tasting room.

Mother’s Day is May 10 and I am so lucky to have my mom.  She is 97 years old and sharp as a tack!  She was born in Sicily and came here in the late 1920’s as a teenager with her parents and brothers and sisters. 

Meeting at a reception in the Turkish Center honoring the 53rd United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (Commission) held at the UN in New York on March 2 to 13, 2009 were Santa Clarita Zontian Dianne Curtis and Soroptimist  Cheri Fleming along with other Zonta International (ZI) and Soroptimist International (SI) representatives. 

It’s no secret that Santa Clarita goes above and beyond to provide residents with quality, state-of-the-art recreational facilities and opportunities.  How many times have your visiting family and friends said, “Santa Clarita has what?  I wish our City did that!”  Whether it’s the implementation of new facilities, like the wildly popular City Skate Park or pet-friendly Central Bark, or programs like the Aquatics Center’s Dive-In Movies and extensive list of swim opportunities, Santa Clarita residents enjoy a host of activities and amenities readily available outside their front door. 

Wine, food and live music will equal a fun night at A Taste of All Corked Up Wine Festival on Saturday, May 9.  Attendees will taste some of the wine industries best like Silver Oak, Groth, Tobin James, Opollo and many more.  All wines will be poured by either the wine makers or winery and industry representatives.

Experience the tastes of Italy at Italia Panetteria & Deli.  With their freshly baked breads made on the premises daily, imported cold cuts, fresh salads and hot entrees, you won’t be disappointed.
Italia Panetteria & Deli is a family-owned authentic Italian deli and bakery.  John’s parents started their tradition 38 years ago in Granada Hills with Italia Bakery & Deli and now owners John and Victoria Magnanimo decided to bring their family tradition to Valencia.

Dr. Weber has a Bachelor of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, a Master of Music from Yale School of Music, and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.  He has written for orchestra, band, mixed ensembles, choirs, and a variety of solo instruments over the years.

Program Provides Customers Instant Access to the best savings at Westfield Valencia Town Center

In order to help shoppers during the challenging economic climate, Westfield Valencia Town Center is delighted to announce the launch of fabfinds, a money-saving program which allows customers to get the best savings deals available from retailers during each shopping trip.

The long-awaited Taste of the Town 2009 is finally here!  Child & Family Center is thrilled to offer the 21st annual festival of gourmet delights on Sunday, May 3 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the lush Mann Biomedical Park in Valencia. 

Delicious food.  Great prices.  Outstanding service.  Put it together and you’ve got The Basil Thai Fusion, one of Santa Clarita’s gems.
We started the afternoon with a delectable appetizer - beautifully plated Pot Stickers.  The steamed chicken dumplings topped with a sweet soy sauce and garlic was not only appealing to the eyes, but also satisfying to the taste buds.  The hint of spice blended well with the sweet soy sauce.  For only $6.95 this light and tasty dish came with six pot stickers, and proved to be the perfect appetizer to accompany any meal.

When working out and staying healthy becomes more of a chore than anything else, some of the simplest action taken can get you back on track and loving fitness.