Home & Garden

How many times have you said, “If I only had a little more time?”  The “Catch 22” is that we make to-do lists to complete our tasks so we have time to rest and do the things we love but, all too often, we run out of time before our to-do list is done.  This, in turn, creates more stress.  Real time management holds the key to solving this dilemma.

Sunny days of summer inspire dreams of enjoying one’s garden and now is the perfect time to live those dreams.  Your perfect place needs to beckon your escape at the day’s end.  It should bring romance to your garden and accommodate family and friends in cool comfort.  A beautiful patio with the right choice in quality outdoor furniture will complete your garden and be your sanctuary.

Think you’ve got an inspiring picture in your photo album or in jpg-format on your computer desktop?  Is it so amazingly cool that you’d like to see it published for all of the Santa Clarita Valley to admire and adore?  Is it award-winning?  Let the editors of The Magazine of Santa Clarita be the judge.  Each month we will accept entries.  All you need to do is send them by computer only to editorial@santaclaritamagazine.com with:

The right entry gate provides added value and style to your home, garden or driveway and enhances your property while increasing your privacy, security and curb appeal.

As boundaries between indoor and outdoor living areas continue to blur and the outdoor room concept grows, it’s no wonder the realm of fabric choices offered to consumers has become increasingly broad and sophisticated.

Abstractions:  the state in which somebody is deep in thought and not concentrating on his or her surroundings.  To get a real sense of what that sensation may feel like, Alexa Joy, a local artist and sponsor of the Santa Clarita Artist Association (SCAA) is exhibiting 20 pieces from her new collection of abstracts at the Canyon Theatre gallery. 

Is it the first time you’re remodeling your master bathroom?  Are you having concerns about selecting the right products?
Have you ever said, “I know what I want but how do I implement these ideas in my home?”

Piles of clutter in our homes and at the office are not just eyesores; they also increase stress and inhibit productivity.  It’s difficult, if not impossible to get tasks done on time, remember all the important events in life and be on time for appointments.  This, in turn, annoys our family, friends and co-workers and ultimately causes stress and strain on relationships which make it even more difficult to get organized.

Zonta awards $11,000 for continuing education scholarships to two young women and four Community Service Grants to local non-profit organizations.  The recipients all strive to improve the status of women, children and families through health, education, service and caring
The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business scholarship was awarded to Zahra S. Kassim.  

Everyone wants a good deal.  Homeowners, workers and contractors all want the maximum bang for the buck.  But shopping for the lowest price is a real tightrope to walk, especially when it comes to custom swimming pool construction.

She has seen attendees literally dancing in the aisles during a Paul Anka concert, crazy costumes worn by all ages during the Rocky Horror show, a spell-bound audience during Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway and the first-class persona of actor Hal Holbrook, all of which were staged at the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center (PAC) in Santa Clarita.  

Earth Day was the perfect time to follow the MAC’s Project motto, Help a Child and Save the Planet.  MAC’s Project held their 1st annual Earth Fair recently at the Paseo Club in Valencia.   The carnival-type event brought people together for a day of fun, food, music and games.  MAC’s Project is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of families battling childhood cancer as well as making a difference in the community by recycling.   With this being the first year for Earth Fair, they were really excited about the amount of support that they received from the community.  

The residents of the Santa Clarita Valley who recently attended the Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway concert at the College of the Canyons’ Performing Arts Center are most likely still reeling from the exquisitely performed musical strains of show tunes performed by top Broadway performers, including Rita Harvey, the star of Phantom of the Opera.

The new rebate program is finally here.  It gives residents 100 percent of the reasonable value of their automatic water softener to be used towards a new alternative water conditioning system.  It also pays for removal and disposal of the old salt or potassium-based equipment.  

Lauren Blaire never got the opportunity to attend college like her other Saugus High School peers.  She was killed by a drunk driver while waiting at a red light at the intersection of Plum and Bouquet Canyon Roads.

Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) Contractor College announced that A. Allbright Painting of Valencia has successfully earned PDCA Accreditation by completing all the necessary courses and submitting the appropriate business documents.  Contractor College would like to congratulate A. Allbright Painting on this outstanding achievement.

Almost every homeowner wants to install custom plantation shutters in their home because they understand that they not only look beautiful, but they also add permanent value to your home and even help insulate against summer heat.

On a daily basis I am asked what is the starting price of a pool.  My answer, “So how much would you like to spend?”  I am not trying to answer a question with a question, but it is the best way to find out what a person is looking for.  Pool pricing has increased over the years just as the housing market, cars, groceries and gas.  The main reason for asking how much one would like to spend is to find out what that person has in mind for the overall environment of their backyard.  Are they looking for a large body of water to swim laps, play volleyball, cool off in, fill a space in the backyard or are they looking for an entire entertainment resort a few steps from the back door?  Today’s pools and spas come in a large variety of options.