- The state of California will only deliver 5% of the water it normally allocates to Southern California next year the Signal reports. Dan Masnada, CLWA chief, says it’s the lowest number he’s ever seen, but emphasizes it’s just an estimate and that by May the picture may change. He’s banking on an El Nino cycle SIGNAL, SAC BEE
- Deported gang member caught back in SCV with a loaded .40 handgun DAILY NEWS
- 99.5% Confirmed that Sprouts Farmer’s Market, a spunky grocer based in Arizona, is moving into part of the old Mervyn’s space on Magic Mountain Blvd. You’ll recall the SCVTalkers debating which grocery store was moving there; well a helpful reader passed the tip along to me and I confirmed that a “Valencia – Coming Soon” with a Mervyn’s address is under the location section. hat tip to reader Bob Garvey SPROUTS
- Dog groomer steps forward apologizing for the mistaken identity mix up that led to the death of a SR family’s Bichon frise dog. SIGNAL Also, you can read mroe about what happened in the comments posted on the December 1 Daily Brief
- Old Town Newhall Farmer’s market is moving to Main Street between 6th and Market, the City says. All the better to enjoy the nice streetscaping there CITYBRIEFS
- The Saugus Union School District, a 10,000 student elementary district, may be forced to close one or more of its 15 schools due to declining enrollment and budget cuts. SIGNAL
- Meanwhile, the Newhall School District and Newhall Land have hammered out a deal that will provide new elementary schools for the Newhall Ranch project, once it’s built. Newhall Land will build the schools while the District seeks state funds and/or helps establish a Mello Roos district to pay for them KHTS
- KPCC radio highlights Pacific Lock, that Valencia company that has received stimulus funds and has hired 20 local workers as a result. “It put a lot of people back to work who were pretty much at the bottom and not knowing what’s gonna happen and how they’re gonna pay that next bill,” one 48 year old Santa Clarita worker told KPCC
- Buck McKeon lukewarm on Obama Afghanistan plans, says he’ll learn more when he talks to Gens. David Petraeus and McChyrstal next week YOUTUBE
- For first time in its history, the USA has no supersized infrastructure projects underway NY TIMES
- Governor Schwarzenegger has been a big disappointment Times columnist George Skelton says, but he still has a year left and could enjoy some success LA TIMES
- Canine Country dog park officially opened, city to eventually add a BMX bike park and gym to the Sports Complex in the future SIGNAL
- “No excuse” for deputy to shoot approaching pit bull in presence of its 6 year old owner, letter writer says. Has the pit been put to sleep by the way? SIGNAL
Yelp Reviews in SCV- Jeremy p.'s Review of Thai Dishes - Valencia (5/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010OK I DONT KNOW... BUT I THINK SCV PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THAI FOOD. I order from this place ( Delivery ) all the time during there lunch special times. I NEVER get a service charge. NEVER wait more than… […]
- Jeremy p.'s Review of Pho Nga Vietnamese Restaurant - Canyon Country (5/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010Love the Pho here. Best in SCV. Also great prices and parking is easy to find. Only bad thing is that i have a lowerd vehicle and have to pull out sideways to not scrape but for pho and kung-pao… […]
- Lady P.'s Review of All Star Sports Grills - Santa Clarita (5/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010All Star has quickly become my favorite place to eat! Do NOT be fooled by its sports bar ambiance, this is a high quality restaurant. With a variety classic bar foods like potato skins and wings to… […]
- C L.'s Review of Pei Wei Asian Diner - Valencia (1/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010Pei Wei earns the dubious distinction of being the worst chain restaurant in Santa Clarita. Congratulations! It takes skill to stand out among the worst of the worst. Well done. *slowly claps… […]
- Daniel K.'s Review of Jack-In-the-Box Family Restaurants - Santa Clarita (4/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010Not much to say that isn't already known. Jack-In-The-Box locations probably taste pretty much the same. But this is the one I go to frequently so I am reviewing it. What I like about Jack is that… […]
- Sheila L.'s Review of Gotta Have Chocolate Now - Canyon Country (5/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010If you are a chocolate lover, this place is for you. For my luau party I had ordered the chocolate covered frozen bananas (with and without nuts) with milk chocolate and the dark chocolate dipped… […]
- Ryan M.'s Review of Jack In the Box Family Restaurants - Valencia (4/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010How could there not be a review for this place at this location?! This is a busy Jack-in-the Box location especially if you are about to enter the I-5 South entrance. Well, after making a bad choice… […]
- Sheila L.'s Review of Babe's Dessert Bar - Newhall (5/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010LOVE IT...LOVE IT...LOVE IT! I wanted a specialty cake for a luau themed birthday. Babe's Dessert Bar exceeded my expectations. The cake was absolutely beautiful. Everyone loved it. It was a 2… […]
- Ryan M.'s Review of Wal-Mart Supercenter - Santa Clarita (1/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010What a day!!! I actually came to work early, just to work late...Well, that's more money in my pocket. I had no lunch and I had originally planned to go to Ralph's and pick up a sandwich. However, I… […]
- Matt P.'s Review of Dominique's Jewelry - Santa Clarita (5/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010Wheneve I come in the store or stop by her booth at the swap meet she always has what I need. Not only that I can always expect her kind and friendly service whenever I come in. Her store is in a… […]
- Jeremy p.'s Review of Thai Dishes - Valencia (5/5) on Yelp September 2, 2010
A couple of comments:
On the Newhall Land School deal, please notice they talk about some funding for elementary schools only. What about middle (Jr. High), and High Schools? Castaic has already been shafted for years and still has no high school despite the suitability of Romero Canyon for a high school site and now you add students from Newhall Ranch if and when it’s built to SCV high schools which are already overcrowded? Who pays for all of these other schools so that Newhall Land can sell all of these homes, you and me!
On the Deputy who shot the pitbull. Why should the dog be put down? He/she was only protecting the little girl and did not actually bite anyone. I think the deputy could have used pepper spray or other means to deflect the dog. He/she should not be put down but the owners should be fined for allowing the dog to be in the care of someone (the little girl) who could not be expected to restrain and control the dog. I have a pit bull as well as other dogs. The breed has been maligned unfairly. Most are very sweet and people friendly like mine but would definitely growl etc to protect me too.
The Signal said the owners weren’t treating the pit bull (bullet hadn’t been removed) because they couldn’t afford the vet bills.
I agree the breed has been maligned unfairly, but good luck selling that around here. People here have an irrational fear of the breed.
There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.
hogwash, the pit bull kill rate far outstrips those of other breeds. The cop deserves no scorn or second-guessing.
As for Jr and Sr High, the developer pays an impact fee for each new home to the district already. We don’t need a Newhall Ranch High for a long time now. A Castaic High School would accommodate those students for a very long time. Which is good, because otherwise, a CHS would be under-utilized since Castaic is so small.
This news isn’t really news, it’s just some odd circular motion. Newhall Land builds school with its own tools, so to speak, and the the district does it part to see that they get paid back for it. The KHTS article makes it sound like some kind of gift. It ain’t.
It’s rational insofar as the breed inflict more serious injuries and deaths than any other breed by a substantial margin. Please see prior SCVtalk threads for the data. It makes a more compelling case than a catchphrase.
If we as a species don’t have the ability, across the board, the tame and control a type of animal, then we have no business keeping them as pets.
(getting home from kogi at 2am has left me grouchy, so take this with a grain of salt)
While Pit Bulls can indeed be nice, I’ve seen plenty that are not. The problem is that when they are agressive they have more potential than many dogs to do real harm due to the nature of their breeding. The Deputy didn’t have time to analyze if the dog would bite or not. A Pit Bull protecting a child is always to be considered dangerous. He was correct to shoot it.
right, they’re dangerous. that why I got mine.
Woo Hoo! Sprouts! Take THAT Trader Joes!
Here’s a report from the National Weather Service on our upcomming weather. It looks like Dan Mansada and all of us may get our wish for the El Nino event. Hopefully it will impact the Sierra snowpack.
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=lox&wwa=special%20weather%20statement
Now if we can just get the environmentalists to stop worrying about a stupid fish perhaps we can end this ‘crisis’.
In the right hands a Pit Bull is a wonderful dog. Unfortunatly, since it has the capability to inflict a lot of damage, some people use them as a symbol of power and do not take the necessary steps to train this dog. The problem is not the dog, but the owner. Perhaps a license should be required to own this dog. All one has to do is take a tour of the local animal shelter to see that the majority of the dogs there are pit bulls who for one reason or another did not get the right family.
How much do you actually know about the ‘stupid fish’ Jim? Did you know the Delta Smelt is a key indicator of the health of the Delta’s ecosystem?
Check out this link if you actually want to learn anything: http://www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/envicon/pim/reports/Sacramento/SacramentoDelta.htm
Never been to a sprouts, but it really looks like the right balance for this town. For a cook, probably better than Trader Joe’s and I’m assuming we’ll get some non-insane prices. Might be the nail in the coffin for Bristol Farms,
I will say this – supermarkets without a natural residential customer base have a very hard time. For almost everyone traveling almost anywhere in SCV, there will be a more convenient place to stop.
CC, did you just bring science into this? This is too much. I need a break.
While I respect all of your comments I stand by my statements. Pit Bulls make fine family pets when properly socialized. The breed has been unfairly maligned because these stereotypes continue to be represented as fact. Check out the actuaL statistics on dog attacks and bites from a reputable source and you will find that pitbulls are not at the top of the list as most people believe. People tend to believe what they hear over and over again. That is one reason the breed winds up in shelters so much. Another reason is people don’t want to be bothered to properly train any dog, let alone a pit bull.Irresponsible owners, not bad dog breeds.
You can imagine a data set. How about producing one?
You present a dilemma that hasn’t been reconciled and the net result has been vicious attacks and killings.
LOL just joking. no one is taking my dogs
Berta, you are mistaken. As Mike pointed out, pit bulls account for more attacks, maimings, and killings than virtually any other breed. They also attack more adults (vs. children) than other breeds, and have much stronger jaw musculature than most breeds, making them more likely to inflict a serious bite if they do attack.
From the Journal of the American Veterinary Association:
Studies indicate that pit bull-type dogs were involved in approximately a third of human DBRF (i.e., dog bite related fatalities) reported during the 12-year period from 1981 through1992, and Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human DBRF reported during the 4 years from 1993 through 1996….[T]he data indicate that Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities.” (Sacks JJ, Sinclair L, Gilchrist J, Golab GC, Lockwood R. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. JAVMA 2000;217:836-840.
Mike – I sure hope that Sprouts will not be nail in the coffin for Bristol Farms. Bristol Farms just opened at the wrong time. If it was a year earlier, it probably would have done better than it is doing now. It is really depressing going into that place and seeing it empty. The lack of customers ends up trickling down to the lack of hot food for sale. I went there the other night and found not one hot food tray stocked, the salad portion of the salad bar depleted, and a poor selection of their hot meats. I wish they had some put some thought about its nearby competition and designed a different Bristol Farms, one that is not dependent on products that can be found way cheaper at the nearby Ralphs, Vons or Albertsons.
Joe, yeah, just prognosticating. I don’t want any specialty grocers to fail, but BF seems built for people who don’t have a care in the world about what things cost. The markup on conventional products is so outrageous, you wonder if the premium-priced items are anything special. This town has a hard time supporting your fancier grocery stores. Remember Pavilions and Fresh Fare? USDA Prime, bulk herbs, truffles (truffles?). In the SCV today, they are nearly indistinguishable from a newer Vons or Ralphs.
…and more recently, pit bulls appear to be responsible for an even greater percentage of dog-bite-related fatalities:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_killed_by_dogs_in_the_United_States
High School. Not to worry about a high school to serve Newhall Ranch. Larry Rasmussen owns property at Romero and Hasley canyon. Larry’s site and one other made the first cut for a new school to serve Castaic. Richard Patterson is pushing the other site. My money is on Larry having his site selected. If you visit the location you will think this is a crazy place for a new school to serve Castaic. Not so fast, the location is just a short drive from Newhall Ranch, even though the access is not the best. Larry’s connections, if nothing else, will lead to his success.
Hopefully our new board member, you know, the guy with the odd hair, well see through this and not be influenced by Larry, and will select a more suitable site for Castaic. Newhall Land needs to build the schools to serve Newhall Ranch, or as Mike indicates, put up the cash. Newhall is in survival mode, so don’t hold your breath regard Newhall Ranch.
A dog is shot and we ramble on and on. A person is shot and we say very little. Go figure.
I Heart, good work on the cite. I can’t imagine how people can construe these data to find the danger to humans to be indistinguishable from other breeds. Those crackpots at the CDC really have it in for pit bulls, right?
I also don’t see a counterargument as to why we need to maintain any particular breed as a pet for humans. It seems like an aesthetic choice, or at least an emotional one. Do they serve some purpose that I’m unaware of? Do they have a value that other, safer, breeds do not?
cash, good point. Curious, how would one drive from the Romero site to Nehwall Ranch? Looks a little far to me, and quite a bit further than the Hasley site. Just curious, and I don’t have a dog in this fight, but I haven’t heard much in terms of an access plan for either site. With the Hasley/Sloan site, for example, I would assume that they would need to widen Hasley and maybe even pave Sloan to Hillcrest, but I haven’t seen any specific info on either.
Cash:
I would give a very slight edge to Patterson at this point. Neither site is “ideal,” and a cost comparison is extremely difficult, so I predict it will end up being a referendum on Patterson v. Rasmussen and I think Rick has a slight edge right now.
Bristol Farms is prohibitively expensive. So much so that they are not rotating their stock, the last 3 times I’ve stopped there the items I wanted were out of code. Most recently, the can had a July buy by date and I was there right before Thanksgiving.
Pit Bulls – Responsible owners will always say the breed isn’t a problem. Unfortunately, the rest of us have to deal with the majority of owners who are not responsible and do have problem dogs.
I think the deputy did the right thing, would people have cut him or her some slack if they had allowed the dog to bite them before shooting it?
Speaking of jobs, who is and who is not invited to Obama’s job summit?
Small business owners—Not invited.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce—Not invited.
Andy Stern, President of the Service Employees International Union—Invited.
National Federation of Independent Businesses – Not invited.
United Steel Workers union president—Invited
Teacher’s union president—Invited
Anna Burger, SEIU .. invited.
Big Obama Donors. Invited.
Opponents of Obama’s stimulus spending. Not invited
Hat tip Neal Boortz
Although fatal attacks on humans appear to be a breed-specific problem (pit bull-type dogs and Rottweilers), other breeds may bite and cause fatalities at higher rates.
This part must have been accidentally omitted from the referenced report.
Please note the part that says:other breeds may bite and cause fatalities at higher rates.
And the reference is for Pit Bull Type (?) dogs and Rottweilers combined. I understand those who have made up their mind will not change but still have to try to present the facts.I also did not say the deputy should not have shot the dog, only offered an alternative. I did say the dog should not be put down. Again, stand by my statements. I’m done thanks!
You’re right Cash, a dog gets shot and we ‘ramble’ on-and-on about it…so I’ll continue:
“The problem is not the dog, but the owner.”
I don’t know cc. What you hear so often about PitBulls (from the owners) is how sweet they are and loving, only to have that same sweet dog turn on the ‘youngest’ in the family, usually a screaming, giggling or romping toddler!
If I was the officer and it was between the dog and myself (not knowing how ‘sweet’ this dog was) I would have also shot, if it charged me. Typically, the human (often the very young as I mentioned) if they survive are terribly mauled by these strong dogs. Also, after being ‘shot’ this dog may NEVER be the same again. When trauma stikes ANY dog, they don’t remain the same and there are usually large personality changes with ANY dog when they’ve been injured traumatically.
Shorter BGH: you can have your facts, I’ll stick with my assumptions.
Fair enough Mike. I really did not expect a different outcome. PS mine is a shelter rescue and she really is sweet, loves my other dogs and loves my grandkids etc but I don’t leave any small child alone with any dog of any breed, period.
difference is, if you leave an adult alone with a pit bull, and the dog has a moment, as all dogs can, it’s advantage pit bull. As such, the cop has to do what he has to do.
That’s our dog, Max, the chocolate lab in today’s Signal, playing with the boxer. Max is 8 months old, and lives to play, but I don’t take him to dog parks on a regular basis because there is always an aggressive dog ready to pick fights, like last night.
The problem with aggrssive dogs is that too many of them have idiot owners that underestimate or ignore their dog’s nasty disposition. Max is already 75 pounds (and sleeps with us) but would be no match if a pit bull attacked him, so I really wish people would keep their aggressive dogs out of the dog parks. Or at least remove them the FIRST time their dog attacks, and not just leave it to attack a second time – like last night. And don’t come back, thank you very much.
When pits attack, the injury they cause is much worse than other dog bites because of the tremendous amount of pressure they have in their mouths, and that is a fact. I agree they are super-friendly, but when they go into attack mode, injury will be substansive.
As for the irresponsible owners of the pit bull that cannot be treated for the bullet wound because the owners cannot afford it, that dog should be removed from their home immediately and treated, how inhumane is that! Absolutely disgusting. Animal abuse is a felonly in California, and leaving a bullet wound untreated is animal abuse.
Jane & Mike – the other Bristol Farms that I have been to (South Pasadena and Westlake Village) are always packed. The thing that benefits those two is that there is no direct competition. With the location in Valencia, they have to directly compete with Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods in terms of speciality stores, and Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons, all within a very short driving (or walking) distance. That hurts when competition is so close. There are other things that I have found fault with the store (such as parking), but it is competition that is driving the clientele away.
Road improvements are an issue for both sites. One more than the other. Access would have to be through Val Verde or the industrial center. It was pretty clear watching the hearing that Larry has a leg up. I don’t believe the Romero site is the best, but when politics are in play logic does not apply.
We have not seen the Hasley Canyon homeowners flexing their muscle yet. If Romero begins to firm up, and it looks like the quality of life in their area may take a hit………, there may be a attitude change.
Ramble on Ivogel, it is a free county, sort of!
Dogs are not people yet many treat them as if they were. Some even treat dogs better than they treat people. I love my dog but I do not expect everyone else to love her. She lives the life of a dog and not the life of a human. Call me old, but she is a dog.
I completely agree Cash! Dogs will be dogs and should be treated as such, however they are still a part of our families, eh?
cash, either site would have a major impact on the Hasley way of life. I’m not sure what sort of muscle they have, but it won’t be country living as they know it for much longer, either way.
which, is fine by me. the school has to go somewhere.
Pauline – The Signal’s story was all sweetness and light (as usual), what happened at the dog park?
Is this the same Dan Masnada that ridiculed my figure of 50% water delivery a couple of years ago at public meetings?
CLWA has historically used 100% in EIR responses in order to maximize new developement for the campaign donators to its board members (developers). The other 95% is the “paper water” that CLWA has said is real.
You can’t drink paper.
Though their board apparently eats lots of green paper…
I’m getting old, that was about 5 or more years ago, at the then-just-opened public meeting hall at Hart Park.
cc & mike re: Science and the Delta Smelt.
So you think ‘science’ can’t have a political element. What about Climategate and the recent findings about the Climate Research Unit? They clearly faked data to make their political point. Did the folks that researched the Delta Smelt have no political agenda?
This report blows the whole man made global warming argument out of the water:
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/12/01/lord-moncktons-summary-of-climategate-and-its-issues/
Jim,
I think we should pause and pose this to this to our resident politically conservative scientist/naturalist. May his ruling stand.
You know who you are. Please rule.
Hi Jane. There was an aggressive dog at the park, and fortunately, all dog owners were on top of it. There is a clearly posted sign on all the gates of all the dog parks, prohibiting aggressive dogs, and this one dog was clearly “unsociable” in a big way, shouldn’t have been turned loose with other dogs. The Signal reporting was fine, no injuries, the aggressive dog was taken out of the park and fun and games began again. This dog park has thick grass, since it is new. I must say, the Sports Complex is so amazing, to view it from the top of the hill, wow. Kids are so lucky to have all this.
Cash:
It’s a push, but I would give it up to Hasley Canyon. The arm twisting will go one behind the scenes and it won’t be real apparent what is happening in public.
mike:
I am sure the horse folk will mobilize but the Board will just say sorry, the overwhelming majority of the community wants a high school and it has to go somewhere. (Also, there was a rumor that activists were going to collect hundreds of petition signatures that would be trotted out in public meetings to neutralize the 20 to 50 NIMBYS that would show up to complain)
Jim–I agree that people can let political interests cloud how they present scientific findings. Still, Delta Smelt population numbers are presented without the sort of “corrections”, grafts, or other modifications that are at the root of climategate. And there are a half-dozen or so different surveys in the Bay-Delta for fishes and smelt done by Federal, State, and university researchers, so any one group trying to push their political agenda by doctoring findings would have to have all the other groups in on the plot. Furthermore, the number of court cases over Delta Smelt (and most other endangered species) by conservation groups, farmers who want water, etc. means that all findings are being closely scrutinized by both sides. So even though I know ecologists and wildlife biologists as a group value conservation, I don’t think there isn’t a smeltgate.
“I don’t think there isn’t a smeltgate.”
Let me correct my double-negative: I don’t think there is a smeltgate.
It is so ordered.
Thank you, your honor.
I understand that I have brought up two different issues where science is involved. It is not logical to say that because climategate must be true so is smeltgate. IHeart I have always respected your opinion on these issues, you have obviously done more homework than me here.
That being said I also feel that a lot of ‘environmental science’ is being driven by political interests. I believe the farmers of the central valley are more important than the fish. That doesn’t mean we should trash the environment. Conservatives like nature and clean air too.
And Mike – It’s nice you are the self designated final arbitor. I bow like Obama to the Primier of China to you. Some day maybe I will have the wisdom of Solomon you posess. Oh sorry – that was a biblical reference – hope nobody is offended.
Jim,
The wisdom isn’t mine or yours. Nor am I the arbiter. The dual honor goes to IHeart. I called upon him to apply his expertise and he came down with a “probably something”. Since I lean every so slightly left, I love a nice gray area.
I’d rather us and the farmers have the water, but it sounds like there’s quite a bit more to this. We’re all entitled to our kneejerk reactions, I have plenty. The rest of us are here to provide checks & balances. That’s love Jim, that’s love.
Cheers
Thanks Mike – I just popped a Coors Light to your cheers. The debate is good. I can’t believe I’m eating dinner this late……
This is at the long line of a now defunct post, but none the less,
CC wrote: “Check out this link if you actually want to learn anything” and then CC provided link.
CC, there was way too much speculation and beard stroking in the conclusions of that article for you to throw it up as being a reputable refutation. Before linking to articles, it may do better to be educated on the nature scientific inquiry and determine if said evidence represents as much.
Fred, I must retract my prior statements. I was unaware that there was beard-stroking going on. Clearly, these scientists are frauds. I’m going to trust that you read the 24-page report that the page summarized, right?
Yep. It is just as I wrote. Beard stroking and speculation. Too many uses of the words “possibly” and “maybe” and “probably” and the phrase, “more research is needed.”
Those things don’t warrant the action they have taken.
Why did you lie and say Pacific Lock had hired “hundreds” after recieveing stimulus money. Did you even read the story?
timmy, The arm twisting will go one behind the scenes and it won’t be real apparent what is happening in public.
You are correct. That is the way the GOBN works. It is too bad the average taxpayer does not see this.