Archive for June, 2009

Postcards from the Past: 4th of July Parade

June 30, 2009
SCVHistory.com has an amazing archive of historic photos and stories. All pictures included in this  post are from the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society. Check out all the 4th of July posts here. 
1928 parade car

Photo from 1928 (from SCVHistory.com) depicts 4th of July entrant "Court Officials"

The blurb for the picture above reads:

Flag draped vehicle riding down street in downtown Newhall possibly as part of a 4th of July parade around 1928. Painted on vehicle: “COURT OFFICIALS. SOLEDAD TOWNSHIP”. The Newhall Garage can be seen in the background of the photograph.

1948 Independence Day Parade, Newhall Dairy Farms entrant

1948 Independence Day Parade, Newhall Dairy Farms entrant (via SCVHistory.com)

The picture above was taken on San Fernando Road in what we now call Old Town Newhall.  The road has been renamed Main Street but, this Saturday, the Santa Clarita Valley 4th of July Parade will be begin in the same place.

 

Pictured is the entire 4th of July Parade from 1955 (via SCVHistory.com)

Pictured is the entire 4th of July Parade from 1955 (via SCVHistory.com)

According to SCVHistory there is an interesting story associated with the 1955 parade.

This is downtown Newhall’s entire 1955 Fourth of July Parade. The Newhall-Saugus Kiwanis had organized the parade until 1938, when American Legion Post 507 took it over. By 1955, however, the parade was in the hands of an association called the “Old West” which, according to historian A.B. Perkins, had “died on its feet.” As seen in this photo, fourteen people (including photographer Richard Trueblood) insisted on keeping the tradition alive. Newhall had seen a Fourth of July Parade every year since 1932, with the exception of two war years.

The photo is also captioned on the the website.

1950 1st Place Commercial: T.M. Frew Blacksmith

1950 1st Place Commercial: T.M. Frew Blacksmith Shop (via SCVHistory.com)

Tom Frew II established the family blacksmithing shop in 1900 on San Fernando Road.

Tom Frew's Blacksmith Shop won in 1953 for best themed float

Tom Frew's Blacksmith Shop won in 1953 for "Best Themed"

The story behind this entry is here.

That’s a look at 4th of July “past” on City Briefs, for a look forward to activities on 4th of July “present,” click here.

Signing Up On the City’s Online Film & Television Location Library Can Be Rewarding

June 30, 2009
Enter your home in the film location database

Many locations throughout Santa Clarita are used for location filming each year

Does your home or business have what it takes to be a star? Enter it in the Film Office’s online Location Library and find out. The City of Santa Clarita’s Film Office has an online location library that scouts from film and television use to browse potential locations for production. Production companies pay for usage of homes, businesses and neighborhoods and it can be a unique experience. 

location screenshot

The form is quick and easy to fill out.  Be sure to include (up to 5) pictures of your home or business.

Click here to find a post on recent blockbusters filmed in Santa Clarita.

City Offers Grants to Homeowners

June 30, 2009

view2

The City of Santa Clarita is offering low and moderate income residents the chance to repair their homes and properties through the Residential and Property Rehabilitation Grant Program.  The Rehabilitation Grant Programs are designed to address leaking roofs, broken electrical and plumbing, broken windows, dry rot, exterior painting, and exterior code violations, as well as keep homes safe and habitable. Grants are available for owner-occupied single family homes, mobile homes, and condos inside the City limits. 

The Grants provide up to $5,000 in needed repairs for the home and up to $1,000 in needed repairs for front yards and detached garages. For more information or to request an application call (661) 286-4141.

Cross Valley Connector Final Phase Update

June 29, 2009
Pictured is bridge facing south

Pictured is bridge facing south

The final phase of the Cross Valley Connector, the City’s 8 1/2 mile east/west road project, is progressing nicely since the last update in May. Pictured is the temporary frame of the bridge with columns in the background looking south. 

Project looking north

Project looking north

This final phase of the project includes construction of a bridge that will connect Newhall Ranch Road to Golden Valley Road over the Santa Clara River. The completion of the Cross Valley Connector provides another east/west roadway system accross Santa Clarita. Learn more about the Cross Valley Connector on the City’s website here.

THiNK Santa Clarita Valley Weekly Offer

June 29, 2009
weekly offer

Click the "THiNK" bubble for offer of the week

Each week ThinkSantaClaritaValley.com has a new special offer. With this weeks offer, if the phrase “happy hour” resonates with you, click on the logo above for an unbelievable deal.

New Harley Davidson Dealership Now Open In Santa Clarita

June 29, 2009
The new Harley Davidson dealership is located in the Centre Point Business Park

The new Harley Davidson dealership is located in the Centre Point Business Park

Santa Clarita residents just got a little closer to “hog-heaven” with the opening of a brand new Harley Davidson Motorcycle dealership  in the Centre Point Business Park. Old Road Harley just opened it’s doors a little over a week ago and has a full line of the iconic American motorcycles. 

The showroom has a wide variety of models

The showroom has a wide variety of models

According to their website they sell new and used Harleys, offer parts and apparel and have a service department.

bikes

 Old Road Harley is located at 21130 Centre Pointe Parkway , about a quarter mile from the Sports Complex.

“Ghost Com” Interactive Art Exhibit at Westfield Valencia Town Center

June 26, 2009

This Week In Santa Clarita covers an interactive public art exhibit being shown at the Westfield Valencia Town Center, Ghost Com. The exhibit is interactive media art, created by students and faculty at California Institute of the Arts and is on display Saturday and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. ending July 26, 2009. The exhibit is described as an “audio scavenger hunt.”

CERT Training Registration Now Open

June 26, 2009
CERT Training teaches invaluable skills in the inevitablilty of an emergency

CERT Training teaches invaluable skills in the inevitability of an emergency

Registration is currently open for the September CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) class, which will coincide with National Preparedness month. CERT Training fills up very quickly, the classes only accommodate about 35 people, so community members are advised to sign up early. The course is offered three times a year and you can sign up on the City’s website.

This training covers basic skills that are important to know when emergency services are not immediately available. In case of an emergency, you can make a difference by using this training to save lives and protect property right here in Santa Clarita. Registration can be done online or by filling out the form and mailing it in. 

The course begins Thursday, September 10 and runs seven consecutive Thursdays through October 22, 2009. The hours are 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Safe Route to School Project, Canyon Springs Elementary School

June 26, 2009
Safe Route to School improvements at Canyon Springs Elementary School

Safe Route to School improvements at Canyon Springs Elementary School

The City of Santa Clarita kicked off Safe Route to School improvements at Canyon Springs Elementary School on June 22. The goal of the project is enhance student safety and encourage students to bike and walk to schools. Work includes removal and replacement of sidewalks, curb and gutter, paving, striping crosswalks, installation of signs and construction of bulb-outs at selected intersections.

The work around Canyon Springs Elementary School is part of the overall Safe Route to School Infrastructure Project that includes Canyon Springs Elementary School, Emblem Elementary School and Meadows Elementary School. Work around Canyon Springs will conclude by July 14. Check out the status of all current construction projects with the City of Santa Clarita here.

4th of July Activities in Santa Clarita: At A Glance

June 26, 2009

fireworks

Activies happening on the 4th of July  in Santa Clarita include:

  • 8 a.m. Independence Day Classic, 4th of July 5k Run at Newhall Park  
  • 9 a.m. 4th of July Parade, starting on Main Street in Old Town Newhall
  • 11 – 5 p.m. Bristol  Farms and Bridgeport Market Place 4th of July Picnic & Carnival (free admission) ***New event click on flyer below
  • 9:15 p.m. (show begins) 4th of July City of Santa Clarita Fireworks Show from the Westfield Valencia Town Center (click here for video on where to watch, etc…)

BF Carnival Flyer


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