Gifts from the Heart

It’s been a fantastic year in the world of Apple and in Santa Clarita there is one place to come see what all the fuss is about.  Less than one year old, Mac Talk has quickly become a second home to many of our neighbors.  However, don’t let our age deceive you.  Mac Talk has been doing business in Downtown Ventura for more than three years and, in Woodland Hills, we have lived up to our reputation for the past 15 years.  We are certified Apple specialists and are the go-to guys for your Mac needs.

From the most reliable wireless network in America to now the most reliable local retail source for Verizon Wireless, Authorized Wireless is here to serve the Santa Clarita Valley.  You may be asking yourself “What is the difference between Authorized Wireless and other Verizon Retailers?”  And the answer is service.  Customer service, personal service and the comfort of kind, knowledgeable sales associates, to help you with all of your wireless needs.  I don’t know about you, but I much prefer immediate smiling attention to “Take a number” or “Sign in.”

Are friends and family dropping in to celebrate the holidays at your house this year?  Will they all be able to fit around your current television to watch the Turkey Bowl or the Rose Parade?  Can you hear your audio system over Uncle Joe’s armchair quarterbacking or Aunt Ruth’s singing once you flip the station to “Don’t Forget the Lyrics?”  Are your guests juggling all seven of the remotes you use to control your audio/video system?
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, then it’s time to pay Wilshire Home Entertainment in Valencia a visit.

The list of weekend chores just seems to grow with every passing day.  As school starts up again and the holidays approach, I shudder to think what little personal time will be left for me.  I just decided to give myself a break and it sure was a welcome change. 

Zonta Club provides grants to mature women who are at a crossroad and need assistance to make a new life.  The Virginia Wrage Memorial Fund was established to help these women in need achieve social and economic independence following a life-altering event.

On a personal note I would like to once again say thank you to all of you that sent cards, e-mails and good wishes on my husband Mike’s recent hospitalization.  He underwent chemo for the return of cancer and had to have some additional surgery.  He is now home and I am happy to report that he is doing well and is now cancer-free.

In the coming months, Judy Larson, top scratchboard artist; William Phillips, top painter of landscapes, aviation and idyllic Americana scenes; and Robert Copple, who paints romantic and European scenes, as well as wildlife, will all be appearing at the B&R Gallery on Sierra Highway in Canyon Country.

Several members of the local Soroptimist Club attended the XVIII Annual Soroptimist International Convention in the City of Culture, Glasgow, Scotland from July 29 to August 2, 2007.

Among other well-known speakers and dignitaries, HRH The Princess Royal honored the organization by joining them during the Convention.  It was a great privilege for the 1,500 worldwide delegates of Soroptimist International who traveled far and wide to attend the event.

You’ve seen what the portrait market currently offers – stuffy, plain Jane portraiture in a hurried factory-like production environment.  “Smile,” Click-click, “Your pictures will be ready in two weeks or so.”

    The Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society will host its 14th Annual Rose Show themed “Wild West Roses” on Saturday, October 13, 2007, at the William S. Hart Park.  The show will be located in Hart Hall.  The public is invited to attend free of charge.  Everyone is welcome to exhibit their homegrown roses at the show, including novices and children. 

For many years, I have used antiques and collectibles as decorative and functional appointments in my home and office.  I enjoy my little pieces of the past, just as you may.  Yet, many things being bought and sold in the antiques world today are not quite antique.  Most are vintage goods: items our grandparents and parents had in their homes.  Some of these we can remember as a small child visiting Granny and Papa.  Their aging furnishings, dishes, knick-knacks and wall décor approach becoming antiques, one day at a time.

Beads ‘N Other Needs is celebrating its eight-year anniversary with the exciting return of their Vintage Bead Trunk Show.  After taking a couple years off for maternity leave, their favorite traveling bead merchant Dayra is back.  She is returning with a whole new array of vintage Swarovski crystal, Czech glass and funky Lucite beads, as well as pearls and gemstones.

Information on how to care for your gemstone is always timely and Jack and Ginger Freed from Jewelry World offer these tips:

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital will host its second annual SCV Healthy Baby Expo from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, September 29 in the hospital parking lot, 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia.  The Baby Expo is a health fair focusing on prenatal and post partum mothers and fathers. Expectant parents and young families will enjoy a morning of education and entertainment including complimentary health screenings for parents and grandparents.

There is truly nothing as personal as something homemade, right?  Whether it is for a gift or something for yourself, a hand knit or crocheted scarf or sweater always feels and looks comfortable and unique, as it should, after all, it is one-of-a-kind, right?  

Everybody loves to receive gifts.  Unfortunately, not all like to give them.  All too often we get caught up in the process of trying to outdo everyone else and rely on what is flashy, expensive and will reflect well on us.  At other times, we consider gift giving nothing more than an obligation and resort to falling back on gifts that may convey the notion that we were unwilling to invest a little time and thought into selecting a gift. 

This past month proved to be one of calm and quiet for our club as is the case with most Optimist clubs.  Members on vacation, too hot for projects, so it is a relief to be able to sit back and take it easy and look forward to the up and coming months and projects.

A local educator presented a character development workshop in St. Louis at the annual Character Plus conference held at the Hyatt
Regacy in Union Station.