There will be a carwash at Wiley Canyon Elementary school in Valencia(near Lyons ave and Wiley) Saturday July 10th from 8am-3pm to benefit the family of the wife and mother of three who was killed. Please come get your car washed or help out by washing cars or dropping off old rags and please pass the word!

Donations to the Garnica family can be made at Wells Fargo branches to memorial account number 8583277168.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help will hold a food sale Sunday 1-7pm at OLPH Hall.  Parishoners will cook and sell food with all proceeds going to the Garnica family.

From SCVTalk reader Kelly, via comments:

Tomorrow, Sunday, July 11th from 12 noon to 2ish there will be a Lemonade stand Fundraiser for the Garnica family on Via Amado in the Old Orchard 1 Housing tract (off Avenida Rotella and Lyons Ave.) There will be all flavors of lemonade and sherbet too. Also, slacklining and games, please stop by and Thank you!

Chloride: the other nasty powder plaguing our valley

Last night’s City Council meeting focused on the proposed sanitation rate hike that will be used to offset the cost of further reducing the chloride in our waste.

High points:

• After years of debate, in 2008, SCV residents passed Measure S, banning chlorde-based softeners on the belief that it would reduce the chloride in the Santa Clara river
• Residents pulled out expensive water softener systems, replacing them with a monthly exchange tank (which transfers the chloride issue to a servicer) or simply dealing with SCV’s notorious hard water
• Steve Maguin, General Manager and Chief Engineer, Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District, shared last night that while softener removal has helped, it isn’t enough, and the State Water Resources Control Board can slap us with a big fine.  It’s so big, he can’t even say how big it is in public else we risk our chances of challenging the whole damn thing.
• Now residents stand to risk a $100 per year rate hike to invest in a waste treatment project that would fix this mess.
• Maguin insists the project would otherwise cost more if we hadn’t pulled our softeners

What a pickle.

Maguin was articulate in laying out the issues and blunted much of the expected public outcry last night, completely flabergasting the first speaker, Al Porcellino, who ended up walking from the podium after muttering complaints about pulling his $6k water softener.  Mr. Maguin shared his experience in a former role with Antelope Valley, who encountered a similar scuffle with their SWRCB and after much ado, ended up swallowing the pill and conforming with the Water Board’s requirements.

So – do we challenge the Water Board or comply with their mandated chloride level?

Our City Councilmembers asked Mr. Maguin some pointed questions, clearly reflecting the anger shared by SCV residents that our efforts thus far have not been enough to fully comply.  In attempting to distill the appropriate direction of the rage, Laurie Ender asked Maguin who is to blame for the possible imposition of a fine.

He quickly responded “the US Congress and the California State Legislature.”

Kellar offered his analysis, saying “no wonder people are leaving this state,” adding his signature summation “Sweet Lord.”

Who is to blame?

Depends on who you ask.

• The Ventura County farmers, who voice their chloride-induced rage to the State Water Board despite bumper crops and inaction on banning softeners in Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru.
• The State Water Board, which set chloride levels at a level influenced by the dastardly VeCo farmers; some say that level is artificially low, notably Kevin Korenthal, who is running for a seat on the CLWA Board.
• The Governor, who appoints the members of the State Water Board that set the levels.
• The California Legislature, which confirms the Governor’s appointees
• The US Congress, which passed the Clean Water Act in 1972 and has since ammended it to authorize states to levy fines for non-compliance.
• Someone else – upstream on the San Joaquin River Delta, which is the alleged source of the chloride.
• The City Council, since Weste and McLean sit on the Sanitation Board, which missed the boat in estimating the impact of the changes made thus far in reducing our chloride.

How steep of a hill is this to climb?  That’s unclear.  Our Sanitation Board meets Thursday May 27th to discuss the details in a closed door session, but there is a public comment session that will commence at 6:30pm.  One thing is for sure: this town isn’t going to take this fight lying down.

* UPDATE: The Sanitation District meeting has been rescheduled for June 2 at 6:30pm.  Supe Antonovich will be there.

There’s a backdrop to the recent Signal story about Kyle Harris and her Garage Mahal conversion in Canyon Country.  From solo rescue efforts to boutique virtual rescue operations to breed-specific and traditional boarding facilities, pet rescue and adoption efforts are quietly sprinkled throughout our valley.

We got a real taste of it recently and ended up working across the rescue spectrum to find our 2 year old Boxer, Mavis.

Along the way we met Hsiawen Hull, a volunteer at the Castaic Animal Shelter, member of the Animal Rescue Volunteers organization in Simi Valley, and the SCV-based “Don’t Shop, Adopt” group.

“Every time you buy a puppy at the store, you kill a shelter dog.”

Hsiawen is passionate about animal rescue.  He explained foster parents learn the temperament, quirks and endearing aspects of each rescued animal, that many are already housebroken, and 25% or more shelter dogs are pure-bred.  All are spayed or neutered, many are healthy, up to date on shots, and in some instances already microchipped.

“Don’t Shop, Adopt” is fervently working to lobby the City Council to ban the sale of puppies and kittens for profit.  That would affect Pet Adventure of Canyon Country and Just Jaws Pets, located adjacent to the children’s play area in the Valencia Town Center. Hull described the process by which puppies end up in the mall window.  ”They generally are sold by a breeder from out of state for $100-$200, packed in a truck and shipped to the pet store, which then sells the dog for $1500-$2000.”  Hull claims some breeders are operating environments that are questionable at best and inhumane, dirty and sickly at worst.  He draws hope for the group’s efforts from a Missouri ballot initiative due before voters this November that seeks to regulate conditions in puppy mills, similar to CA Prop 2, which passed overwhelmingly in 2008 but focused on farm animal conditions.  Still, banning the sale of animals and addressing breeder conditions are two entirely different things.

Hsiawen speaks from experience when he says “every time you buy a puppy at the store, you kill a shelter dog.”  Castaic is known to euthanize, and there simply aren’t enough foster homes to handle the excess of abandoned dogs and cats.  Despite being one of the most pet friendly areas in the County, according to Hull, there are a notable number of ongoing instances of SCV families that abandon their pets due to foreclosure, lifestyle changes, or other unforeseen circumstances.

After meeting a number of dogs, our search led us to a ‘breed rescue’, Boxer Rescue LA, located in Sun Valley.  We were fortunate to be introduced to our sweet Mavis, whose primary form of communication involves her tongue and tater-tot tail.

What's not to love?

Looking at her face and watching my boys experience the joy of having a new four-legged friend in the house, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to pay $2,000 for a puppy from the mall – especially when there are hundreds of other Mavis’s waiting for a home.

Should stores be outright banned from selling puppies and kittens for profit?

Stay tuned: the emotionally charged debate is likely headed to City Hall in the coming months.

SC Transit Represented in the SFV

It’s been over a year since we moved to SCV.  I commute daily to the west SFV, which takes anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour each way.  It isn’t a bad commute, especially considering the 30 mile distance (our previous digs in the east SFV took roughly the same time and it was half the distance!).

But the commute can be a grind.  And gas prices are up an average of 80 cents a gallon since last year.

I was aware of the Santa Clarita Commuter Express before we moved to this valley as part of my due diligence in researching the area.  But there were always unknowns that prevented me from taking the leap.  How do I pay?  How do I know I’m on the right bus?  What if I miss it?  Is it comfortable?  Where do I park my car?  What if I’m stranded?  To some, the answers to these questions are obvious. But some who rely on their own four wheels have an irrational fear or hatred of keyless transportation.

A few months ago, I worked up the courage to give mass transit a try for my daily commute.  Just a one time trial to see how it went.

I found the experience relaxing, inexpensive and surprisingly convenient.

Here is a guide for the uninitiated.

1. Find out if it goes where you go.

Start at the SCTransit Commuter Express landing page.  They recently created an interactive map to assist with the process, but it’s mostly a high level overview.  To get to the specifics, you’ll need to check out the full schedule:
Santa Clarita Commuter Express Timetable

Curiously, the PDF has a link to CommuteSmart.com, which has some generic commuting info but is geared toward the Silicon Valley.  You can look at individual routes on the SCTransit site, too.

2. Show up.

The Commuter Express routes have varying pickup points through Santa Clarita but nearly all pass by the Town Center (or at least close to it).  If you’re like me and don’t live near a pickup point, you can drive to one and park nearby.  There is generally ample on-street parking in the nearby neighborhoods, though later pickups may involve a longer walk to the bus stop.  Only a few pickup points have bike racks, which is a letdown.  On the other hand, there is space for a full size bicycle in the undercarriage of the coach.  Just let the driver know and s/he will give you a hand.

3. Pay.

Two options – exact change (both dollars and coins) or the recently introduced “Transit Access Pass” or TAP card. Express fares range from $2.50 to $4.00 each way.  TAP is a cashless fare wallet that can hold both a monthly pass or deduct from a pre-loaded balance.  The latter is a welcome addition to TAP, which previously required the commitment of a monthly pass.  TAP cards are available at City Hall and the Transit Maintenance Facility (near the Wal*Mart off Copper Hill).

An average seat/row in Express. Plenty of legroom and drink holders to boot.

4. Sit.

Since you’re going to be sitting in the coach for a while, the seat is perhaps the most important aspect of the journey.  The Express seats have ample legroom, similar to “premium economy” on an international flight.  Each has an overhead reading light and individual climate control.  The seats recline (most of them, anyway – some in the front do not) by squeezing a handle on the underside of the armrest.  Most have an integrated drink holder – flip down style, with flexible arms.  There are also handicap seats with extra room, which offer priority seating to those with disabilities.  I’ve witnessed Express drivers assist individuals in wheelchairs and the elderly sit there.  I also have a tendency of sneering at snot nosed yuppies that sit in the handicap row, too.

Passenger (left) enjoying the extra space afforded by the handicap row. No, she's not handicapped. Yes, I sneered.

5. Be courteous

In consideration of fellow passengers, please follow “Commuter Etiquette,” defined by SCTransit as:

• Electronic devices such as laptops and portable DVD players are permitted on the bus.
• All electronic headphone devices should be for your ears only.
• Talk low so no one will know.
• Don’t engage in “cell yell.”

I have experienced some longtime riders making it known to all who are in earshot that they are longtime riders.

• “Sheesh. Gas prices must be going up again!”
• “HI GEORGE! GOOD TO SEE YOU! SO, YEAH – I GOT THIS NEW JACKET AND…”
• “Here he comes – the guy with all the loose change…”

It’s unfortunate, but there is definitely a clique element for some riders, that’s thankfully they are in the minority.

Days of space, almost enough to cross ones legs, pull out a laptop, and catch up on the Daily Brief.

6. Relax

• Open the newspaper.
• Read a book.
• Rest.
• Stare.
• Work.
• Listen to music.
• All of the above.

7. Arrive

There’s a “Stop Request” button overhead.  When the coach nears your stop, press it to let the driver know you’re getting off.  Thank your driver.

8. Get notified

SCTransit offers a free, handy service called “U-Text” that will text passengers if there is an unforseen change in the route.  Since signing up three months ago I have received a text message only once letting me know that one of the six returning bus routes was canceled that day.  I’m not sure how consistent this service is, and the drivers are unaware of its existence.  It’s a question mark at this point.

Downsides

Time. It will definitely add a few minutes to your commute, possibly 10-15 minutes each way.  That may be a killer for some, but there’s a huge offset of productivity on the bus – and arriving at work/home refreshed rather than bedraggled from road rage.

Freedom. Yes, you are bound to the schedule and your two legs at lunch time.  Commuter Express buses generally leave earlier in the morning than most solo drivers.  On the other hand, my spouse is quite pleased with the predictability of the schedule.  I have also found a number of folks at the office are quite happy to have me as a carpool “mule” should I so choose.

Upsides

Cost. Based solely on fuel costs, there are too many variables to project whether you’ll save money using Commuter Express. Your vehicles mileage and your commute distance are the primary drivers for comparison.  In roughing out a spreadsheet, it can vary from an incremental $1 to a savings of $2.20 each way, and various gradations in between.  Since the cost to ride is fixed, the longer you spend on the bus, the more coin you save.  This is especially true for transfers between agencies for extended commutes, which cost a mere quarter – but increase the time and complexity involved with the journey.  However, when you add the 37 cent cost-per-mile of operating a motor vehicle (the 2010 IRS figure is 50 cents per mile, less gas @ ~13 cents per mile), mass transit most definitely works out in the rider’s favor.

Arrive refreshed. One can’t put a price on this. If you factor the opportunity cost of opening a newspaper or a laptop…

Environmentally friendly. Look, these things are going to run whether you’re on them or not.  The Commuter Express fleet unfortunately runs on diesel (vs the local fleet, which has some CNG coaches) but you’re taking your car off the road, too.

Closing Thoughts

We are fortunate to live in a city that affords its citizens this type of service. I’m sure there are others that do, but it is extremely rare – especially on a coordinated scale.  The Express is now part of my weekly 2-1-2 commute goal (two bus rides, one solo drive in, two carpool days) that represents a broader effort to go green and save a few bucks.

Do you work near one of the Commuter Express drop off points?  Are you still skeptical?

Try it just once.  There are plenty of reasons why it might add to your quality of life, and perhaps a few that would benefit more than just you.  Think of it as a small but meaningful thing you can do in honor of Earth Day this month.

I’ve been beating up on the City lately so it’s time to give credit where it’s due: in two weeks they’ll host the 3rd Annual Hit the Trail Bike ride. From the City’s website:

My better half towing our dog on a return trip from Trader Joe's on the South Fork

The City of Santa Clarita’s 3rd Annual Hit the Trail event is a community bike ride and rally celebrating the healthy Santa Clarita lifestyle and the City’s thirty-plus miles of off-street bike trails. Hit the Trail will be held on Saturday March 20th at 10 a.m.

Community members are invited to join the Mayor and City Council members, along with other community leaders, to enjoy an escorted leisurely bike ride to Bridgeport Park from one of three convenient starting points around the City.

Upon arrival at Bridgeport Park riders will be greeted with a host of family friendly activities. There will be a bike decorating contest for kids sponsored by the City’s Parkmobile and attendees can challenge each other to a “Stationary Bike Race” and win fun prizes.

Even if you haven’t ridden your old Schwinn bicycle in years, you really should consider pulling it down from the rafters, inflating the tires and joining us in two weeks. This is a great way to explore the City’s trail system at a leisurely pace and in a safe environment. There were at least 100+ people participating last year and it’s a lot of fun to ride in a group like that.

The great thing about the Bridgeport location is that from all points (Newhall, Canyon Country and North Valencia), you’ll get to ride along the river bed which is lush and overgrowing with life right now (I think I heard frogs the other night, no kidding).

Here are the three routes:

• Route 1 (6.1 miles) – Valencia High School (San Francisquito Creek Trail) 27801 Dickason Drive, Valencia 91355
• Route 2 (4.3 miles) – Placerita Junior High School (South Fork Trail) 25015 Newhall Avenue, Newhall 91321
• Route 3 (7.1 miles) – Camp Plenty Trailhead at Camp Plenty Road and Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country 91351 (Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail)

Okay, so maybe that will just be me. And you can certainly ask them questions about other things before you vote.

But seriously, consider joining us!

Photo Courtesy of Nate Imhoff. Check his blog at www.blazingmonk.com for more great shots

Today I stood in the cold rain for two hours observing 75 Minutemen and Minutewomen. I learned some things. I un-learned some other things. Here’s my observations.

It seemed as if the Minutemen who stormed the SCV in January were on a roll. Bob Kellar never backed down, even when Meg Whitman disowned him and Buck McKeon said he should apologize. They had enlisted several new speakers, including high profile ones like State Senator George Runner, to aid in their cause. They were optimistic that 250+ people would show up at their rally, and they were ready to double down on just about everything they said at the last meeting.

But it didn’t turn out that way.

First of all, our local and out-of-town Minutemen weren’t alone today. They were bested in both turnout and volume by the ANSWER LA immigration activists, who showed off their protesting chops by shouting for their cause in unison and by being mobile.

They shouted the standard ANSWER agitprop “The people, united, can never be defeated!” through their bull-horn. One Angry Minuteman tried to counter that with the awkward and rhythmically-challenged, “We can cross the border illegally!” in an attempt, I guess, to ironically shame them.

Needless to say, the shout didn’t catch on among the largely 50+ year old Minuteman crowd.

The rally itself started quite late, but it didn’t take long for things to warm up. Pastor Audie Yancey, the “illegals are evil” star of the January rally, kicked things off again this time around with a milder invocation.

At least I thought it was milder.

State Senator George Runner (of all people!) didn’t think so, and you can see his animated and heated exchange with Minuteman organizer Frank Jorge in the video below.

As Pastor Yancy went on another tear against illegals and told the protesters to shut up, Runner headed for the exits with his aide in tow. I asked some local Republicans why Runner had left, and the consensus seemed to be that he 1) didn’t like the Pastor telling the protesters to shut up (thereby acknowledging their presence) or 2) the rhetoric was a bit too heated even for his taste.

Runner’s desertion of the Minuteman left Frank Jorge hopping mad:

With Runner out of the picture, I thoguht for sure that Bob Kellar and David Gauny might be having second thoughts about speaking at this rally. I watched them as Jorge made his speech, but they showed no reaction. They were ready to press on even when the high-profile Senator abandoned ship.

Things started to move briskly. Ray Herrera, a veteran, took to the stage and outlined a grand conspiracy for everyone in the crowd. I can’t say I even caught the broad outlines of this theory, but it had something to do with the enduring power of the “Anglo Protestant People,” the Puritans and Pilgrims, World War II and Saipan, tyranny, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. After invoking all that, he pointed toward the ANSWER activists and said this:

They don’t have the core values, they don’t have a progressive state. They don’t have the courage to stand up in Mexico and fight for what they want.

They want to take it from you. I’m going to say it like it is. They want to take it from the white man.

Of course, Herrera immediately recovered from “saying it like it is,” and said that what the ANSWER activists really didn’t understand was that there was no white man in America because all Americans are equal before the law and when push comes to shove, Americans of all races would fight the Japanese in the foxhole together on the beach at Saipan.

Or something.

In any case, he provided some context that made his remarks seem less like a call to arms in defense of the white man’s things, and especially, his women folk (because who wouldn’t want them some fine white women?)

Moving on, it was David Gauny’s turn to speak. Undeterred by Runner’s exit and Herrera’s grand American theory of everything, he started by poking some fun at Kellar. He then said that many had advised him that showing up at the rally would guarantee he wouldn’t be elected and then launched into campaign mode.

His speech was largely unremarkable, though he did channel Steve Lunetta and mention how bad things are in Newhall with regards to day laborers. Funny that he didn’t mention that those men stand out their because we Santa Claritans are hiring them every day.

David, you’ve lost my vote. I hope your appearance before 75 or so anti-illegal immigration activists, most of whom don’t live here, was worth it. I have my doubts.

Bob Kellar was up next and made sure to emphasize that he was speaking on his own behalf. He was proud to say that those of us who wanted him to apologize were going to have to wait a long time. The rest of his remarks were prepared and it’s safe to say he left Cranky Bob Kellar at home in Sand Canyon today. I only wish he had done the same in January. I genuinely liked this man.

Finally, it was Roger Gitlin’s turn to speak.. I’ve gone back and forth on Roger Gitlin on this blog. Sometimes he seems reasonable, even hinting that he supports humane immigration reform. At other times, he tosses his lot in with the crazies like Frank Jorge. Happily, the former showed up today, and he was engaging and lucid and reminded the Minuteman to protest the issue of illegal immigration, not the illegal immigrants themselves. Of course he then went on about illegal alien criminals, but compared to the rest of the speakers, Gitlin was almost someone I could have a conversation with. Almost.

As the rally wore on, I became less interested in recording each speaker. They largely said the same thing. I will say that the black man from South Central who got up and defended Bob Kellar and shouted the word “nigger” several times made me wince (that’s a hell of a thing to hear in downtown Valencia, Nate Imhoff told me), but other than that, I was bored. So I decided to confront Pastor Yancey because his January comments bugged me the most:

Yancey comes off less the racism-justifying preacher of yesteryear and more the confused old man who’s past his prime.

By the way, props to Tony Miano, the SCV street preacher, retired Sheriff’s Deputy and blogger who denounced Yancey and said he was at the rally because “people are here” and not because he agreed with the sentiments. You should check out his blog, where he reflects on Pastor Yancey.

Concluding Thoughts

In the end, I didn’t leave feeling triumphant or beaten down. I left feeling pity for these protesters. One of them mentioned “globalization” and touched on the way the world has changed in the last several decades. In his mind, America should be like it was in the good old days, that mythical time of economic security, harmony and good jobs. That time when a man knew his place in the world, rather than finding himself confused and lost in modern American capitalism’s relentless race to the bottom (and that was before the bailouts!) What difference does it make to the American worker, he seemed to mourn, whether the cheap labor we depend on is in China or on the streets of Newhall? Both are bad for American workers.

This, I remain convinced, is what the anti-illegal immigration movement is really about: Economic insecurity.

I did share one thing with the Minuteman. I am angry. I am very angry that Deputy David March was murdered. I am angry there are illegal immigrants driving without licenses or insurance. I’m angry that the taxpayers foot the bill for an undocumented immigrant’s  kidney dialysis at my mom’s unit while an elderly American gentleman struggles getting his insurance company to pay for his. I’m angry that Adrian Avilla, an illegal immigrant, raped several women in Canyon Country a few years ago.

I’m also angry that American companies get fat off the backs of these people and no one stops them.

I’m angry about these things but the difference between me and the Minutemen is that I think the solution is to get illegal immigration under control and provide a path to citizenship for the vast majority of illegal immigrants who come here, work hard, and just want to improve their lives. In that sense, I’m on the side of President Bush who tried to fix this problem in 2006. But his effort died at the hands of the Minutemen.

And unfortunately, they’re not giving up and they’re never going to change their tune.

SANTA CLARITA, CA – One year ago tomorrow, Democrats passed a $862 billion stimulus bill that they claimed would immediately spur job creation and economic recovery.  Since that time, the nation’s economic health has deteriorated and roughly 3.5 million jobs* have been lost.  California’s unemployment rate is sitting at a painful 12.5%.

Businesses in individual communities across America are suffering.  For instance, A-V Equipment Rentals, Inc. in Newhall has suffered greatly despite the “so-called” stimulus.  Rather than invest in job producing initiatives, Democrats chose to inject millions of dollars in new programs leaving companies such as A-V Rental to lose half of its employees since the stimulus was passed.

What McKeon won’t tell you is that while he voted “No” on the ARRA, he put his own pork in it and has been more than happy to take credit for federal funding he voted against. For example:

• He helped secure $333,000 in the ARRA “to assist Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in designing and building a helipad” LA TIMES
• The bill also included $167,000 he got for the Autry National center of the American West LA TIMES
• In January, Buck McKeon held a press conference in front of the South Valley WorkSource Center in Palmdale. He announced “that $100,000 in federal funds [have] been secured for the South Valley WorkSource Center.” That money was attached to the fall Omnibus Spending Bill, which McKeon also voted no on LINK

If he thought this bill would be such a failure, why did he load his own spending in it before voting no?

McKeon is also not likely to mention that the ARRA has directly benefited local government agencies and non profits during a terrible recession and massive state budget cuts. According to the Recovery.gov website, some $26 million has been distributed to local agencies and non profits including:

• $42,500 to the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club
• $331,362 to the Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging
• $10.09 million to the City of Santa Clarita
• $8.9 million to the William S. Hart Union School District
• $353,780 to the Santa Clarita Community College District (COC)
• $140,000 for LARC Ranch

In addition, the Recovery.gov website says $630,351 in contract money has been awarded to local private firms, many of which are located in the Valencia Industrial Center.

Moreover, the stimulus act included nearly $300 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses, something Republicans like McKeon always push as a solution to economic recession.

And it included the famous “Cash for Clunkers” program which was successful at driving auto sales locally so much so that Cheri Fleming of Valencia Acura said, “Wow, we’re busy. We might be back in business.”

Has the ARRA worked as well as the Administration said it would? Obviously not. They sold it as a cure-all and they were either far too optimistic about its effects or they had vastly underestimated how deep the recession actually was.

But it’s undeniable that it has benefited local communities and softened the effect of the economic downturn. It has likely saved jobs in public agencies and non-profits and, as Vice President Biden said today, it’s not done yet as only half of the funds have been distributed.

All I’m asking for is a little honesty and nuance from Buck McKeon. We’re all in this recession together and it’s not over by a long shot. It sucks that AV Equipment is suffering through hard times, but just blaming the Democrats won’t solve the issue and it’s dishonest to claim that the stimulus has been a total failure.

In his book Custer: Cavalier in Buckskin, former National Parks Chief Historian Robert Utley provides a vivid account of General George A. Custer’s famous “last stand” at the Battle of Little Bighorn.  Before the battle, Utley intimates, Sitting Bull called the largest-ever gathering of plains Indians to Ash Creek, Montana to discuss a strategy for handling the whites.  The native group was so large, they eventually migrated to nearby Little Bighorn River.  The bloody battle that ensued between the natives and the US Army became one of the most famous of the Indian Wars; the name “Little Bighorn” was forever etched in the history books of this great nation.

Little Bighorn became the battlefield for this infamous confrontation because it was unfortunately in walking distance of Ash Creek.

All of this leaves me to wonder… will Santa Clarita become the Little Bighorn of the illegal immigration debate?

Make no mistake: the group that will congregate in the SCV on February 27 will mostly come from outside our valley.  That nuance will unfortunately be lost on the local and national media, especially with the presence of City Council members and hopefuls who have apparently lost their sense of responsibility to the reputation of Santa Clarita. No matter where you stand on this issue – it’s hard to argue that our city is more attractive to businesses and potential families, of all colors, because of the ‘proud racist’ debacle sandwiched between two slices of familiar, stale protest bread.

Fewer illegal immigrants, more protesters

Save Our State, the group organizing the rally with the support of SCV Minuteman Roger Gitlin and Antelope Valley Minuteman Frank Jorge, has a history of invading suburbs in an attempt to capitalize on the fear and apathy that is so prevalent in towns like ours.

Despite essentially zero change in public policy since SOS’s founding in 2004, tens of thousands of illegal immigrants have already fled our state.  But the economy has tanked since then, so there are more scapegoaters who blame their financial woes on those willing to work for less than they.  In that context, it’s easy to see why a town like Riverside birthed this group, why a place like Fillmore sources the coordinators, and why areas like the Antelope Valley provide the numbers and rhetoric that give these rallies a certain, err, “flair.”

Oh… Hi…

If you want a preview of what you’re going to see in a couple of weeks, witness the malaise that took place in March 2008.  In those days, local politicians generally kept their distance from such extremism.  12 individuals from Save Our State stormed sleepy Ojai, CA with pepper spray and bullhorns, only to be outnumbered by a larger group of pro-amnesty activists, also from out of town.  I can empathize with poor Ojai, which is also guilty of being in driving distance of Fillmore and Antelope Valley, and some of the residents who resented the presence of the out-of-towners:

One spectator of the commotion … said, “They say they represent every American, but they don’t represent me.” She added that she disliked that the protesters mostly came from outside of the county and were making a “spectacle of themselves.” She added that she felt that Ojai was a place of peaceful coexistence and most of its residents would disagree with such protests.

Here’s some flavor from the Ojai event:

Same folks, same message – this time energized and legitimized with the juice from our local representatives and hopefuls.  Hell, slap a ‘tea party’ label on it to make the pill go down easier (the SOS organizers don’t like that at all).

I admit being upset at this group for storming my town is somewhat inconsistent; I harbor more resentment toward businesses that hire illegally than those who live in our sanctuary state.  It’s the businesses that ultimately validate illegal immigrants’ decision to trek to this great country.  In that vein, my anger and disappointment are primarily directed at the politicians and wannabes that exploit the fear and anger of the masses in the hope of winning a few votes and establish a platform — especially the ones from Santa Clarita, by their actions validate the broad assumption that this rally represents us.

CHARGE!

The rally also stokes extremists on the other side of the debate, who we can fully expect will congregate on the other side of Valencia Blvd.  Together, the groups will form a sort-of pincer movement on our valley, with a Custer-like David Gauny leading the charge.  And the residents of SCV will be left with the stain of this ridiculousness long after each side retreats to their respective message boards.

It’s times like these I wish we weren’t in between Fillmore and the AV.  And then Sunday comes… and I get to enjoy their bounty at the CoC Farmers Market.  I can thankfully do that every other weekend of the year.

We’re big fans of College of the Canyons here on SCVTalk and that’s why it’s worth mentioning that today begins the Spring 2010 semester.

Like every other high education system in California, College of the Canyons has had a rough go of it lately. There are widespread reports among students that many classes are impacted while others have just been canceled. The winter session was even worse, with scores of classes canceled due to a lack of funds.

Statewide, funding for California’s community colleges has been cut $520 million, or 8% in the current fiscal year, but COC somehow keeps chugging along, now enrolling over 20,000 students at two campuses.

Late last year the Dianne Van Hook University Center opened and it seems to be attracting some post-grad students, judging by its sprawling parking lot south of the main campus.

Speaking of parking, it’s really the only perpetual complaint anyone has about COC. Last week the college tweeted:

The spring semester begins MONDAY! Please arrive early. The first few weeks take extra time to find parking & get to class.

Allow me to retort in my standard, annoying bicycle-advocacy-nag sort of way. Did you know there are complete bike lanes to COC all the way from Wiley Canyon in Newhall? That’s right, you can bike up Tournament to Rockwell Canyon and enjoy a bike lane to yourself the entire way. From Valencia, you can likewise cycle up the wide paseo path on the north side of Valencia Blvd to COC.

There have even been improvements made to walking infrastructure around COC. A sidewealk now extends from the Valencia Blvd/I5 overpass all the way down to COC, meaning the kids in West Ridge can get there easily.

Yes, parking is truly terrible at COC. It’s probably the worst place to park in the SCV, considering how crowded it is and that most of the drivers are barely out of high school. But you can avoid all that nonsense, get fit, and save gas money at the same time by riding your bike there.

My bicycle advocacy quota has been filled for the month, I’ll shut up now. (But seriously it couldnt’ be simpler, I ride there all the time now, it’s wonderful)

That said, there was one recent charity wine event in town I wish I had gone to, no matter how shocked the other guests would have been at my shabby appearance.

That event was “Pour into Haiti,” a wine benefit put on by local afficionados and star wine-blogger Eve Bushman. I’ll let her take over from here:

On January 21, in between rain storms that threatened all of Santa Clarita, over 250 residents stepped out and into a cause: “Pour Into Haiti”.
The brain-child of Roman Weiser (Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association), Eve Bushman (writer and marketing) and David Schutz (owner, All Corked Up) a fundraiser was planned and executed in one week. Over $4000 was given that night to Shannon Hoffman and Brendie Bandara of Three Angels Children’s Relief in Haiti.

Besides taking over both front rooms of All Corked Up, guests were also treated to a tour for their tasting in both the temperature controlled wine locker facility and the large retail store. Music was provided by Chris Sobkowich and a limited menu was available.

Wine, original art and raffle items were donated by Steve and Amy Elzer, Chris and Jeannie Carpenter, Michael and Karen Perlis, Shaunna Hoffman, Derrick and Maureen McKaughan, the Santa Clarita Valley Vintners and Growers Association and All Corked Up.

Ladies and gentelemen, that’s just fantastic. Four thousand bucks direct Three Angels Children’s Relief. I was so happy to read that all the children at that orphanage are safe, and now, thanks to our local wine aficionados (winos?), they can begin the rebuilding process. Great work!