It’s a typical 2 minute (if that) news report from a national news agency and doesn’t get into the issues much, but CNN filmed part of it here in Santa Clarita. I think the film crew was out at Whites & Soledad at the recent Yes on 8 rally.

In the video, we’re introduced to a black Mormon man who says he’d “fight’ for equal rights for gays in all other states, just not marriage rights.

Hat tip to reader Sean for the find. Thanks!

I finally got my commuter bike back from the shop and immediately went about upgrading it with various parts, accessories, and night safety features to help me navigate and recover from Santa Clarita’s mean streets this winter.

Here it is- the Obama Bike (at least that’s its name until next Tuesday when Obama wins. After that, I’m sure I’ll rename it, Obama is sure to disappoint). This is a 2008 Swobo Dixon I bought from the fine folks at Newhall Bicycle Company (Shop local!). It’s an aluminum framed, take-no-prisoners, urban-do-or-die all purpose bike built for the mean streets of (sub)urbia.

I’ve had it since June and have put 724 miles on it so far. In early September, the pedal broke, and it was out of commission for three weeks.

I got it back last Friday and have since added a coffee thermos that attaches to the frame, 3M reflective tape to help keep me visible in the dark (roll clocks back this weekend!), some cargo panniers to store clothes, my Sony ebook reader, and personal effects, and a special trailer for my dog.

The Obama-bike comes fully loaded with two rear facing blind-you-till-you-spot-me LED lights plus a 1W head lamp that does a decent job of illuminating Santa Clarita’s darkest bike paths. When I started commuting in the dark, I’ll be wearing an high-visibility neon green rain jacket with yet more 3M reflective tape.

Since I gave up my car in July, however, I haven’t had a way to get the Obama-dog to local parks. Dragging him on a leash behind my bike is unsafe, and walking just sucks, so I invested in a $129 dog trailer.

Ta-da!

Obama-dog didn’t like this contraption at first, but I think he’s getting used to it.

Now I know what you’re thinking. “Jeff, you’re a certified nut.”  I know, I’m thinking that myself.

But I haven’t bought gas in nearly four months, I’ve lost about 12 lbs, and I feel healthier. So that’s how I justify it.

Anyway, here’s the required shot of Obama-Dog in his mobile command post. He looks happy to me.

See you at Central Bark.

Tony Strickland needs you because of the lib-ruhls in Santa Barbara. Boo-hiss!

• Landsource Roundup: A lawyer for Landsource said last week that preserving “Newhall as an ongoing operating business” is important as Barclay’s Bank seeks to liquidate Landsource’s assets. BigBuilderOnline also reports that Landsource is trying to sell other company land, presumably so it doesn’t have to sell “Newhall properties.” Assuming here, but they must be talking about the 21,000 home Newhall Ranch community west of I5. Meanwhile, Landsource and Newhall Ranch investor CalPers has lost an incredible $54 billion since July 1 according to the Times, and is unloading stocks in order “fulfill commitments to private-equity firms and real estate partners.” Recall that in January 2007, CalPers “paid $970 million for 62% stake of the [Newhall Ranch] project.” Calpers, according to WSJ, expects to lose much of that investment.
• State Judicial council approves new Santa Clarita Courthouse: A state agency called the “Judicial Council” has approved construction of a new courthouse in Santa Clarita, according to the LA Metropolitan-Enterprise, an LA Legal newspaper. The paper says Santa Clarita falls into the “immediate need” category along with five other courthouses in Los Angeles County.   The article says that the projected cost of the new Santa Clarita courthouse would be an astounding $2.6 billion, which seems way high and mistaken to me, but I’m including it here anyway. LA MetNews
• 250 Yes on 8 Supporters, including McKeon: and three No on 8 protesters were at Soledad & Bouquet yesterday, according to The Signal. Money quote from Sean McLaughlin, the guy who kept his kids home from school yesterday, on the Homosexual Activist Class® in California: “This is a very wealthy, educated and powerful group of society that has radical views.” He forgot to say they know how to dress well and organize dinner parties too. And another true believer says that 96 percent of California schools have “signed up to teach gay marriage.” Yes. Your neighbors believe this. Signal report
• Correction: Yesterday I wrote that “Lauren Broadcasting lacked “available financial resources”” to take over the operations of Channel 20. That was a complete error on my part. I should have reported “SCVTV,” not Lauren Broadcasting. I apologize for the error. Speaking of that story, Carol Rock has a good in-depth article today at KHTS on the fate of Channel 20, Santa Clarita’s only Public, Educational, Government channel. She reports that the issue, which goes before the City Council tonight, might “change the way this community gets its news -and might eliminate a developing coalition of news producers entirely.” KHTS
• Car Dealers turning off lights as sales fall: Hat tip to Dave Bossert for the find: The Wall Street Journal reports that “new vehicle sales [are] slumping to a 25-year low” and as a result, dealerships nationwide are going out of business at an accelerating pace. A trade association says some 700 new car dealerships will close this year, taking an estimated 37,2100 jobs. California will be more impacted than any other state because CA has more car dealers than any other state. WSJ
  
• McKeon scares you about Obama: The Congressman told the Victorville Daily Press that if Obama wins, Big Labor will coerce employees into joining unions (the so called card check/secret ballot issue). Also today he is one of several Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee to decry a “Democrat plan” to cut defense spending by 25%. That plan -if you can call it that- isn’t an official Obama plank, rather, it’s something Barney Frank mentioned last weekend. Here’s part of McKeon’s statement: “The move by Congressional Democrats to arbitrarily cut $150 billion from national defense spending is both dangerous and irresponsible, especially during a time of war. It sends a horrific message to our enemies.” Should be noted that McKeon’s district includes the AV, home to Lockheed projects and Ft. Irwin, a major army base. But then again, what Congressional District doesn’t have a defense project in it? That’s the genius of the beast.
  
• Holt details new water projects: Six work projects are underway on SCV water infrastruture, Jim Holt reports. Some deal with drainage and water intake design, others, including “relocate the security guard kiosk” not so much. Link
• Local painters make me smile: I enjoyed Tammy Marashlian’s report on local “plein air” artists who paint “Santa Clarita Valley’s open space.” That term is a French expression btw.
• Elite golf course in SCV charges girls teams but not boys: A coach of the Girl’s golf team at Golden Valley High says Robinson Ranch golf course -in tony Sand Canyon- wanted to charge his team $28 per player even though the same golf course doesn’t charge a dime for boy’s golf teams. Robinson Ranch says it’s all a misunderstanding. Daily News
• Depressing newspaper circulation: LA Times lost 5.2% of its subscribers in the last six months. The daily paper is now down to less than 750,000 in circulation. It just announced another round of layoffs too. It’s all bad news over at Editor & Publisher. Wonder how the Signal is doing as it lets talent go and hires new sales guys?
  
• Letters to the Editor chock full today: Superintendent Castellanos on Measure SA, Tim Myers is offensive and racist, and oh so much more in today’s LTE section.
  

The famous “Dog Whisperer,” host of the hit show of the same name on National Geographic, will be at Valencia’s Barnes & Noble on Sunday, November 10th to give a talk and host a book signing.

Millan lives in Santa Clarita now and has his “Dog Psychology” center somewhere in town. I always hear about him popping up in certain places- a farmer’s market here, a pet fair there etc.

He’ll be talking up his new book titled “A Member of the Family: Cesar Millan’s Guide to a Lifetime of fulfillment with your dog.” The talk starts at 7pm.

Any Cesar fans here?

So yesterday I had a run-in with one of the morons who is likely stealing political yard signs and were the subject of yesterday’s Signal article.

I was walking with my wife and dog on Lyons Avenue down to Old Town Newhall to pick up my commuter bike from the shop. It was a pleasant evening- temperature in the mid 70s, golden rays of sunshine making even Lyons Avenue look pretty, and a soft gentle breeze. All that and a nice stroll with my wife and dog, what more could a man want?

Well, this being just 10 days before the biggest election of my 31 years, there was a lot more in store for me.

As we approached the intersection of Lyons Avenue & Orchard Village Road (an intersection of major consequence for me, apparently), we spotted the now ubiquitous group of supporters of Propositon 8 waving their signs and giving thumbs up to honks.

There were about eight of them- one woman in her 60s or 70s, a child of about 9, several teenagers, and a few twenty-something pretty girls and handsome guys. All white. All well dressed. All respectful.

It looked like a big LDS family in other words.

My wife and I crossed Orchard and ended up on the same corner as these supporters. I couldn’t help but smirk at their signs and barely acknowledged their presence. They were just standing there quietly waving at the passing traffic.

We hit the crosswalk button to get to the other side of Lyons and paused near the curb, the supporters of Prop 8 behind us. Cars on the southbound lanes of Orchard Village had a green arrow and were starting to turn left onto Lyons.

It was a bad position to be in, there in front of a bunch of supporters of Prop 8 10 days before the election.

Out of nowhere, a flash of blue followed by a big stream of liquid crossed into my vision, then I hear a smack! followed by a loud yelp.

WiFido - the latest victim of the culture wars. Don't let the bastards get you down boyo

What the hell?

Stunned, I looked back to see my dog all wet, a 12 oz plastic bottle of water behind him. My wife’s legs were wet and my dog was twitching and licking his chops.

He’d been beaned by a water bottle thrown by a passing motorist at the Yes on 8 supporters!

After checking to see if WiFido was okay (he was fine), I reflected on the irony of the moment.

Here I was, an ardent opponent of Proposition 8, being targeted by some lizard brain who wanted to hurt the kind grandmotherly Yes-on-8 woman behind me. And instead of hitting me -a very political person who has done my share of offending- the lowlife behind the wheel of the car had managed to bean my dog, the only truly blameless actor in this miniature drama.

“I think that was meant for us,” the older woman told me. “I’m sorry that happened to you. Is your dog okay?”

I mumbled something in response and we left.

What the hell is wrong with some people? Obviously, the driver of the vehicle (or his passenger) was someone of reasonable intelligence, given the fact that the state of California entrusted them with a driver’s license. One would think they took civics class in high school and understood that in America, we lean hard on the cliche “I may not respect what you have to say, but I’ll die for your right to say it.”

The same goes for all the infantile, juvenile, losers who rip off signs from people’s yards. What, in your insect-sized brain, do you think you’re accomplishing by stealing a yard sign of all things?

You’re all a bunch of morons, and I’m ashamed I share the same area code as you. A hearty “screw you” to the guy who hurt my dog today.

And to the woman who was in favor of a proposition that -if passed- will hurt friends of mine? Thank you for your concern and kindness. I hope you won’t be targeted by anyone else, you should be allowed to say what you want in peace and without fear of reprisal.

No Daily Brief today because:

A. I’m lazy

B. I’m busy

C. I’m apathetic

D. I’m a sleepy head

E. All of the above

Take your pick!

In the meantime, check out the City Council Agenda. Looks like Channel 20 may go black.

• Acton Teen teased, picked on constantly: There are several reports today on Jeremiah Lasater, the 14 year old Vasquez High School student who shot and killed himself in a campus bathroom stall on Monday. Lassater was a special needs student who stood 6′6 and weighed 300lbs according to The Signal. The LA Times says he was a “target of frequent taunts” and that other students even threw food at him during lunch on Monday, the day he killed himself. Parents and students at the school say school administrators knew about the bullying but didn’t do anything while school officials say they had no indication of the abuse. One educator familiar with Lasseter said he used to fight back, but had recently became “quiet.”
• Two more teens arrested for Bridgeport armed robbery: Two 19 year olds, one male and one female, were arrested by SCV Sheriff’s Deputies following a mugging that happened Friday night in Bridgeport. Cops say they now have all three suspects from the robbery, in which the trio allegedly brandished two guns and a crowbar and stole wallets from four victims on Bridgeport lane in Valencia. DN, KHTS
• Santa Anas and Red Flag Conditions today & Thursday: I’m convinced that if there is a hell, certainly one of the circles has weather like Santa Clarita in October. Perhaps the damned wake up in the morning to temps in the 50s and light winds, but by 3pm it’s 90 degrees out, the winds are whipping everything into a frenzy, humidity is in the single digits, and a single spark threatens to send everything up in smoke. It also sucks to be a bicycle commuter in these conditions. Can we get some rain please? Link
• Measure S a “huge” referendum according to water org: Measure S isn’t getting much attention in the local media these days, but it’s an important item on the November ballot. The measure, if passed, would “require the removal of and provides the compensation for all residential water softeners that discharge brine” according to the impartial analysis of the measure on the ballot. The problem with these softeners is that that brine -mostly chloride/salt- ends up in the Santa Clara River and affects farmers, fish and groundwater downstream and costs quite a bit to cleanup. Mike Antonovich, Bob Kellar, Laurene Weste and Maria Gutzeit all support the measure and say the mandatory removal of water softeners would only affect 4% of SCV households. The SCV specific Measure looked like it was non-controversial -opponents didn’t even submit an argument for the ballot- but a “water quality ” trade group is urging its members to “help oppose, financially through political action committee or otherwise” Measure S with one official saying passage of the measure would mark “the first time ever that somebody will be forced to remove an appliance from their home.”
• Finally, a good parking problem: Demand for mass transit systems like Santa Clarita Transit’s commuter buses and the Metrolink train network is so high that commuters are having trouble finding parking places at Santa Clarita park ‘n rides and local train stations, according to The Signal. In response, the city will spend $60k to study “the availability of commuter parking” valley-wide. Tammy Marashlian reports.
• Real estate sales up 65% in September in LACO: The year-over-year gain was the highest increase in sales since 1988. Classic supply and demand I think. Linda Slocum has the county numbers while LA Land puts the number of houses sold -as compared to the percentage increase- in context.
• You go girl: Signal reader Martha Willman disputes a recent letter from a Doctor at Mayo that called opponents of the hospital’s expansion plan “quacks.” A sample: “The long-demonstrated need is for more hospital beds, operating rooms, a neonatal intensive care unit, cardiac cath lab and sufficient parking. It doesn’t take a “master plan” to accomplish any of these.” LTE
  

Get your own knuckles at the knuckle tattoo gun.

I can’t believe we’re only two weeks from election day. It’s almost finally over. For nearly two years, I’ve focused and thought about this day in one way or another and it’s finally approaching.

• Are you just about sick of Prop 8 on this blog? Well, just be patient. The Signal has an A-1 story today on an Anti-Prop 8 protest that happened yesterday at the corner of Valencia & McBean. This protest made up for its small size with home made signs, a bull horn, and includes some priceless quotes about Jesus from Yes protesters and this gem: “It’s not that God is hateful and wants to curse people with AIDS, it’s just that you live by the sword and you die by the sword.” oh, okay. Totally makes sense now. Anyway, the protesters, mostly college aged students, told me they would return again this week, and I’m on their call list, so when I know the next protest time and location, I’ll let you know. And just for balance sake, here’s a link to a Saturday Yes on 8 rally, which was held by some Mormons at Whites & Soledad.
• “Bank Job” type burglary foiled by smoke detector: Carol Rock at KHTS reports that some bank thieves tried to “tunnel” into a Lockheed Federal Credit Union branch in Stevenson Ranch but ended up setting off a fire alarm and left empty-handed. The incident happened early Monday morning when the thieves apparently tried to get at the LFCU branch by tunneling through a “gym equipment store.” They gave up on that, then used a torch to try to cut into an ATM safe, but that set off the alarm. The Signal doesn’t say anything about tunneling but says Deputies and Fire personnel arrived shortly after and los federales think this could be related to 20 other (presumably successful) bank jobs around Southern California. No word on whether BA Jason Statham is a suspect.
• Vasquez High student kills self in high school bathroom: The unidentified 14 year old boy was found “with a single gunshot wound to the head” around 1pm on Monday at Vasquez High School in Acton, according to the AP. The Signal quotes a Sheriff’s spokesman who says “the student walked into the bathroom alone, into a stall, and shot himself.” The AP says the boy was from Antelope Valley. Fox 11 says parents and students held a vigil for the boy last night.
• Hart District to hold Castaic High show ‘n tell tomorrow: The District will hold a meeting Wednesday night with Castaic residents to give parents “an in-depth look at the concept and design for the school now that the district” has approved a site. District officials will talk up the “location’s advantages on the basis of topography, proximity to student populations..traffic, community and county support.” The District has been on somewhat of a PR offensive lately, ahead of the Measure SA vote, and that, coupled with Betty Arenon’s LTE today, makes me wonder if they ended up hiring Scott Wilk and Tim Whyte to help win hearts ‘n minds? This inquiring mind wants to know!
• Hart Pony league mentioned in baseball licensing drama: I’m not really a sports guy, but this story interested me. The folks behind Major League Baseball are so greedy they don’t like it that Little Leaguers wear official team apparel (Red Sox, Yankees etc). The MLB charges higher rates to license official team names to Little League teams so that’s forced the Hart Pony League -with some 1,800 players- to “still wear official hats bearing team logos” but to “drop all pro names from team jerseys to avoid MLB-licensed apparel.” Conde-Nast has the rest of the story.
• Star endorses Smyth: The Ventura paper says Carole Lutness is an “excellent candidate” but that Smyth has been a true bipartisan and got nine bills signed into law even though he was a green-behind-the-ears freshman Assemblyman. They don’t mention it, but Smyth also went to Hart High, which is good. Link
• Daily News nags you to vote and offers ideas on encouraging voting: Did you know that Los Angeles County has 4.2 million registered voters? That’s a new record and means LA County has more registered voters than the population of 25 states. Anyway, the Daily News says that while that’s a great number, only 55% of them turned out on Super Tuesday. It asks you to opine on how to increase voter turnout. Obviously, I think Election Day should be a federal holiday (as should Letdown Wednesday) so that I don’t have to take those days off work to celebrate and nurse a hangover. Link
• Accreditation week at COC: I’m told that everyone at COC is on their best behavior this week as officials from the Western Association of Schools & Colleges visit the SCV to determine whether COC deserves to be accredited. It’ll pass of course, but it’s a time of high stress at the sprawling Valencia (and now Canyon Country!) campus.
• Speaking of COC, they’re hosting an interesting panel discussion tonight on “The Costs of War.” The event features six speakers, including one World War II veteran, three Vietnam Veterans, and a guy who worked in the US Air Force in -get this- Iran, before the Shah fell. Tonight at Hasley Hall room 101 in Valencia, starts at 7pm. Link
• Bossert details experience at Mayo, Part 1: The blogger from the West Side unfortunately had to spend a few days at Henry Mayo after his wife broke her leg. He says the Doctors and Nurses were all professional, but the orderlies and other staffers made rude comments about his wife’s leg. Some even took pictures and remarked that “It’s too early for Halloween.” Bossert’s wife had a compound fracture, meaning the bone of her leg had broken the skin.
• Prop 8 makes for great chants: “I’m straigt but I’ll vote no on 8!” “Gays are great, no on 8!” “Stop the hate, No on 8!” I’m sure the Yes people have their own rhythmic chants, that is when they’re not busy praying in a darkened church classroom.
• Vintage Super 8 film documents SCV: Two fascinating short videos on YouTube this morning. User “Mike Rugers” has posted two videos of Super 8 footage from Santa Clarita in 1975. In the first video, we see the 5/14 Interchange as it existed before it collapsed in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. In the second, we see farm land and crops and a crop dusting helicopter at Bouquet Canyon & Newhall Ranch Road. The description for that video says the farmland is where Best Buy is today. Mike, if you’re reading this, more footage please! Link

SCVTalker Steve Petzold says someone stole his McCain/Palin sign from the front yard of his Saugus home. He filed a report with the Sheriff’s Station, but decided in the meantime to place another sign in front of his house.

This time, however, he fortified it. Here it is below.

Take that vandals! No one should vandalize or destroy other people’s signs. This is what it’s all about- the freedom to announce to the world just how wrong you are politically.

Some pictures from my ride today.