SCV Reader March 2016

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16 • THE Reader March 2016 Thursdays@Newhall By Mayor Bob Kellar City of Santa Clarita Old Town Newhall is the place to be on Thursday nights from March through October, when Main Street is transformed into a true arts and entertainment venue with Thursdays@Newhall! We are continuing our most popular Thursday night events and offering some new and fun happenings in the coming year to bring all kinds of free entertainment to enjoy in Old Town Newhall. No need to travel “over the hill” to experience a great night life. On the first Thursday evening of the month between March and October, residents can enjoy the 10 by 10 variety night at the Repertory East Playhouse from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. where ten performers have ten minutes to share their improv, music or theatre pieces. Meanwhile on Main Street, participants of all skill levels can learn how to move to the beat at JAM Sessions, presented in partnership with the Ford Theatre Foundation. Entertainment planned for JAM Sessions in 2016 includes: Swing Dance on March 3; Celtic Dance on April 7; Mexican Folk Dance on May 5; Japanese Folk Dance on June 2; Pacific Islander Dance on July 7; African Dance & Drums on August 4; Salsa/Rueda Dance on September 1; and Zydeco Dance on October 6. On the second Thursday of the month, Note by Note will fill the Newhall Refinery with local songwriter’s music from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Meanwhile on Main Street, Revved Up is back, bringing together automotive enthusiasts for a cool car show between 8th Street and Market Street. Revved Up’s themes include: Classic VW’s on March 10; Best of Britain on April 14; Traditional Rods and Customs on May 5; Mustangs on June 9; Corvettes on July 14; Tuners on August 11; Lowriders on September 8; and offroad vehicles on October 13. And on the third Thursday evening of the month is the wildly-popular SENSES; a themed block party featuring popular performers, gourmet food trucks, and a variety of activities in a fun and festive adult setting. The 2016 themes include: Wild, Wild West on April 21; Oh Snap! It’s the 90’s on May 19; Rockabilly on June 16; Margaritaville on July 21; Olympics on August 18; Electro Glo on September 15; and Zombies Outbreak on October 20. For more information on everything Old Town Newhall, including partnership events, new programs and projects, visit us online at: oldtownnewhall.com. Real estate continued from page 13 so keep it clean. Buyers like clean houses, and discount dirty fixers, which leads us to upgrades and repairs. Each home is individual, but dated and worn out homes tend to be discounted by prospective buyers, who nearly always overestimate the cost of repairs and upgrades. As a rule of thumb, if the carpet and flooring are worn out and the paint is way overdue, have it done in neutral colors and you will generally recover the cost in your sales price. If kitchens and bathrooms are dated and appliances old, but working, and you plan on selling this season, you generally won’t recover the costs of a full renovation but will make selling the home much easier and quicker. If appliances and systems don’t work, yes, either repair or replace them since you will need to disclose non-operable items anyway. One Story One City continued from page 3 “Our California,” both by Pam Munoz and illustrator Rafael López, were chosen for their story lines on migrant workers, the Depression and California history. With sponsorship from the City of Santa Clarita and Barnes and Noble, several events are planned around this year’s One Story One City. A special reception will be held for author Marisa Silver on March 12 at the Old Town Newhall Library, hosted by the Friends of the Library. A book discussion will be held at the Senior Center on March 11 and participants are encouraged to bring items from the 1930s to share. Illustrator Lopez will be at the Valencia Library on March 19. “Our California,” featuring his illustrations, was chosen as the official Read Across America picture book in 2013. Photographer Dorothea Lange (portrayed That said, call your favorite Realtor today to get a professional evaluation of your home’s value in today’s market and get their suggestions on preparing your home for sale. LET’S MOVE IN 2016! R Ray the Realtor® Kutylo is associated with the SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties in Santa Clarita. My team and I are ready to provide you with the best in professional representation from start to finish, whether you are a home seller or a home buyer. All homeownership is personal, and we will treat you just like we would like to be treated if our roles were reversed. Call us. Ray the Realtor® and the SCV Home Team. Call or text us at 661-312-9461 or email at Ray@SCVhometeam.com. Our Mobile App is at www.mobile.SCVhometeam.com CalBRE license number 00918855 by a volunteer) will make an appearance at the Newhall Library on March 5 thanks to the American Association of University Women and their Women in History program. The Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library will also present a two-hour documentary film on the life of Lange. Cruze said she hopes to expand the committee next year and get more people and age groups involved. In the meantime, she has enjoyed the feedback from the community with this year’s selection. “Everything fell into place, and we are really happy with how all these programs came together,” she said. For more information regarding One Story One City, times and locations of events, log onto the library website at santaclaritalibrary.com. R Laemmle continued from page 5 Later, the FPPC responded that Boydston need not have stood down. ‘Lopsided’ Members of the public appeared to favor the project by wide margins, proponents said, and Boydston said his emails from the public were “lopsided” in favor as well. Going forward, Boydston said he will push for an income stream from the parking structure that will help recoup the city’s costs. He said guests of the mixed-use housing units will use the structure along with other visitors to the area. The underground parking provides less than two spaces per residential unit. “I’m going to do everything I can make sure the movie theater is a success from here on out,” Boydston said. “There are a lot of tax dollars in this.” Boydston also expressed disappointment that the length of his council presentation on “a project of this magnitude” drew complaints from Kellar. “I was opposed to the size of the subsidy to the Laemmle theater because it is a private entity,” Boydston said. “I was looking for a way to make the taxpayer whole, a way to make it a loan instead of a gift.” R Man arrested for sexual assault Richard Sanchez, 29, has been arrested for attempted sexual assault and burglary. It’s alleged Sanchez attempted to sexually assault a woman in her Newhall apartment last month. Shirley Miller, spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. said the attack was interrupted by the victim’s son. A Sheriff’s Deputy spotted Sanchez and he was taken into custody with the aid of a K-9 unit from the Department.
March 2016 THE Reader • 17 Reader Education SCV eDuCation FounDation Hartmann named new executive director By Pearl obispo Staff Writer Alocal resident who’s known for her long-time dedication to worthwhile causes, such as the Special Olympics, was recently named the new executive director of the Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation. Jackie Hartmann brings her 30 years of experience in the human resources field to the foundation, where her duties will include overseeing daily operations, core educational programs, staffing, fundraising efforts, sponsorships and volunteer recruiting, just to name a few. In addition to her experience as a career professional, Hartmann has also been involved with numerous local nonprofits, including her long-standing commitment to the Special Olympics for the past 20 years. Hartmann and her husband of 31 years, Dan Hartmann, serve the Special Olympics as coaches, event coordinators, chaperones and committee members. “Our favorite, though, is coaching,” Hartmann said. “There’s nothing better than working with our athletes and seeing them learn a new skill or improve their performance. We look forward to weekly practices.” Wendy Ellet, regional sports manager for the Special Olympics Santa Clarita and Tri- Valley Regions, said Hartmann’s hard work and dedication is unparalleled. “Jackie embraces the mission of the Special Olympics,” Ellet said. “She is passionate about advocating for individuals with intellectual disabilities, not only on behalf of the Special Olympics, but on behalf of the community, as well.” Hartmann, the mother of two adult children, will be bringing that same passion to her new role as she seeks to broaden the foundation’s reach. “I would like for the foundation to increase Privacy opt out deadline looming By Pearl obispo Staff Writer The deadline is looming for parents wanting to opt out of a recent court decision that paves the way for the release of their children’s private information to two nonprofit groups in Northern California. The decision was handed down by a federal court judge and has angered some parents. “I think it’s insane that this organization could get access to all this personal information,” said Kimmy Cavallo, a parent whose children attend Charles Helmers Elementary School. “I am perplexed and don’t want them to have my kids’ information.” Cavallo also questioned why the nonprofit groups have the right to gain access to such private information. The Morgan Hill Concerned Parents Association and the Concerned Parents Associa- Jackie hartmann was recently named the new executive director of the Santa Clarita Valley education Foundation. its name recognition and of course be able to fund additional education-based programs in conjunction with the 54 schools in this valley,” Hartmann said. “I’m not sure how aware the community is that the foundation is the driving force behind such programs as the Teacher Tribute, where we have the privilege of recognizing one teacher from each public school in Santa Clarita.” The SCV Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides support, programs and scholarships to benefit K-12 public schools in Santa Clarita. James S. Backer, president of the Education Foundation, is looking forward to working with Hartmann and continuing the organization’s mission. “Education is critical to our community’s well-being and its future,” Backer said in a press release. “And the Education Foundation is thrilled to have Jackie Hartmann to help us continue our service to the Santa Clarita Valley.” R tion, advocacy groups for kids with special needs, filed suit against the California Department of Education, claiming the department was non-compliant with special education laws. The group argued the access to the statewide database is needed to monitor compliance with federal law. The release of this data, which dates back to 2008, includes the names, addresses, social security numbers, assessment results and disciplinary records of all California public school students. The CDE tried to fight the release of student information, but to no avail. Judge Kimberly Mueller of the Eastern District of California addressed security concerns in her ruling by not allowing the distribution of the information to outside sources. She also ordered the nonprofit groups involved to “return or destroy” the See Privacy, page 29 School officials, parents, and students attend the unveiling of Arroyo Seco Junior high School's, MakerSpace. PhoTo By PeARL oBiSPo arroyo SeCo Jr high MakerSpace: ‘60s woodshop to Tech Hub By Pearl obispo Staff Writer Who would have thought a small woodshop from the 1960s could be transformed into a 21st century gathering place where students and teachers come together to solve real world challenges? That’s exactly what happened at Arroyo Seco Junior High School’s new MakerSpace, a place where, as Principal Rhondi Durand describes, students can apply STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concepts to their everyday lives. “I’ve been following the Maker movement for the past few years,” Durand said. “I wanted to convert our wood shop into a place where students could use technology, engineering skills and creativity, and make things out of paper, plastic, metal, wood.” The opportunity to transform the space presented itself when the school’s woodshop instructor retired last June. “We jumped at the opportunity to take the space and the courses taught there to a new 21st century level,” Durand said. As part of the statewide ESTEME network, which creates a K-16 STEM pipeline, Arroyo Seco now offers courses in engineering and science, in addition to the courses already in place before joining the network, such as music, art and culinary art. With the improvements to the woodshop, Durand said students are now provided with a strong foundation to further STEM learning in high school and beyond. That transformation was recently unveiled at an open house, where students showcased their designs and findings in fields including wind and flight, math through art, and energy and the environment. One such student was 8th grader Azariah Beaugard, who was a math through art presenter. “I personally love this,” Beaugard said. “The fact that we get to work with electronics in class makes it super fun.” Beaugard, a self-proclaimed “sports dude” who loves football, said a resource like MakerSpace would definitely make him a better student. “I want to get a degree in cooking and engineering,” Beaugard said. “I think having this space will make it easier for me to achieve my goals.” Seventh grader Hannah Watson agreed. “When I came to this class, I wasn’t sure how it will go because I wasn’t interested in it,” Watson said. “But after taking the class (energy and the environment) it became a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it.” Durand, who worked closely on this opportunity with Dr. Marianne Doyle, director of College Career Readiness, which provides students with work-based learning and career guidance, said plans are in the works to allow the general public to utilize the space. But improvements still need to be made and funds (through sponsorships and grants) are still being sought. “My vision would be to open it up for folks to come in and build whatever they want, use the machines and equipment,” Durand said. “But we need to make sure they are safe and supervised.” R hannah Watson, 12, demonstrates the energy efficiency of Wind Turbines at Arroyo Seco Junior high School's open house to celebrate MakerSpace. Photo by Pearl obispo
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