On the Town

It was a warm and welcoming holiday celebration to remember at the William S. Hart Mansion in Old Town Newhall where the Saugus High School Choir performed a medley of classic Christmas songs to a gathering of cowboy-clad guests on December 9.  The concert was held in the living room of silent screen star William Surrey Hart whose life and career as a Western film star lives on in the halls and rooms of the mansion, which was decked with boughs of holly and plenty of Western style cheer.

Are you aware that the IRS allows you to make an unlimited number of small gifts each year, free of gift tax?  You can give up to $12,000 each to any number of people in 2007 and none of the gifts will be subject to gift tax. Under current law, you can make gifts to anyone.  This means that you can give to your children, grandchildren, friends,and even total strangers.

Assemblyman-elect Cameron Smyth was lauded for his outstanding service to the community at the City Council’s November 28 meeting — marking his last official meeting as a Santa Clarita city councilman.  As a special send-off to California’s new 38th District Assemblyman, city council members took their turn at praising Smyth for his accomplishments on behalf of the community.  Dignitaries and members of the community presented proclamations of thanks to Smyth, along with the key to the City. 

The Veterans’ Historical Plaza in Newhall was alive with the sound of music and memorable speeches on December 9. Organized by the Blue Star Moms and the Prayer Angeles the event honored soldiers fighting over seas.  On hand to address guests were newly elected California State Assemblyman, Cameron Smyth and outgoing Santa Clarita Mayor, Laurene Weste. The Color Guard from American Legion 507 presented the flags and Pastor Robert Cooper offered a prayer.

The four choirs at College of the Canyons sang to a packed theater on December 9 under the direction of Julie Lawson. The groups performed a fast-paced concert featuring such a wide variety of music that everyone’s musical tastes were completely satisfied.  Their closer, Joy to the World featuring all four choirs plus two incredible soloists, was an up-tempo gospel number, complete with rhythm section, from “the preacher’s wife.”

It was the best of times and the worst of times for Ebenezer Scrooge who got a spirited dose of Christmas past, present and future during the Canyon Theatre Guild’s smash hit production of  A Christmas Carol, The Musical which opened to rave reviews over Thanksgiving Day weekend.

The Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Home Tour League kicked off the holiday season in style with a Black-Tie Preview Gala held at the Tournament Players Club, Valencia on December 1.  As part of the fun, guests took a tour of four beautifully decorated homes in the scenic Westridge community.  Homes featured on the tour included the homes of Tim and Donna Borruel; Ray and Jeri Latka, Terry and Karen Campbell, and Lance and Cherly Snoke.  Designers included Rhonda Coleman, Jeri Latka, Cari Berg and Lisa Duncan.

In celebration of the holiday season, the Santa Clarita Master Chorale presented its winter concert, “Holiday Lights” under the direction of artistic director Allan Robert Petker on December 3.  The concert, featuring music from the winter traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah and Solstice, will light up your holidays. A dazzling, magical and jubilant celebration of choral and orchestral music and dance illuminated this holiday season’s performance by the Santa Clarita Master Chorale.