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Nine years of the Valley’s town square · 2006–2015
SCV Talk
October 24, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

And that’s a wrap!

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

This will be the last post from me on SCVTalk.com. Reasons are many but mostly it boils down to the fact that I just finished my master’s program and need to prepare for a comprehensive exam in December. That, plus a busy work schedule and a desire to write about things other than the SCV (perhaps fiction!) means it’s time to turn the page. I think I’ve written and thought more about the SCV than most SCVers do in an entire lifetime- I’m literally out of things to say. I’m going to take the energy I’ve poured into this site for nearly six years and put into something else.

I’ll still be blogging…sort of. My twitter feed won’t change and I’ll likely comment on local issues there if you care to read it. I also spun up a side-blog last summer and plan to write more there (though it won’t be about local news).

If you’re interested in taking over the blog, buying the domain name, or doing something else with the site, please let me know at jeff at scvtalk.com. If you’re worried that your favorite local discussion site is going away; don’t be. 1) I’m not closing the site for now, I’m just going to stop managing it day-to-day (others can, and I hope, will, continue to write), and 2) One way or another I’ll make sure at least that the SCVTalkers discussion forum lives on.

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SCVTalk's accumulated statistics from March 2006 to today

I started this site in 2006 because I wanted better media for the SCV. After five and a half years of blogging, at least 4,000 posts, 65,000 comments, and 781,000 unique visitors, I’m happy to say that I think we created better media ourselves. I’m proud of the stories we broke, the analysis we posted, the humorous posts and comments that made us laugh and the sense of community (as scrappy as it is!) we created. And I’m happy to see other local blogs & Facebook groups popping up and creating their own communities online.

But most of all, I’m proud that I got to meet so many wonderful people through this site. Thank you to all my readers over the last several years. From those lonely days in 2006 when I only had 2 or 3 hits a week to the peaks this year and last of nearly 1,000 daily visitors, I’ve always tried to write for you and less about me. Hopefully that came across.

And thank you to Mike, Tim, Linda, NickelDime for expanding the site’s readership and writing great posts. Where would this site be without all the emailers, commenters, fans and even the critics over the years? Thanks to you too.

Thanks to the writers & reporters at the Signal, KHTS, SCV News, SCVTV Daily News, LA Times, I Heart, West Ranch Beacon for providing material and decent reporting all these years. And thanks to all the public and private information officers in town and out who were willing to answer questions from a local blogger before it was the cool, hip thing to do.

Jeff

Comments (66)

  1. NateOctober 24, 2011 at 11:10 pm
    Little stunned right now.
  2. HeatherOctober 24, 2011 at 11:15 pm
    Let me do my best Captain Kirk impression when I type/fake yell, “Kaaaaaaaaahn!” i.e. my version of, “Noooooooo!” Already subscribed to the “side-blog” which will suffice. Thanks for all the good reading. You will be missed.
  3. PetzOctober 25, 2011 at 4:15 am
    There are no comprehensive exams at Prager University. http://www.prageru.com
  4. Mr PerezOctober 25, 2011 at 4:44 pm
    Nor any prerequisites or background checks to get in
  5. PatOctober 25, 2011 at 7:14 am
    Say it ain’t so, Jeff!!!! You will be missed. All of your readers I’m sure agree that we are proud of your accomplishments!
  6. CastaicClayOctober 25, 2011 at 7:17 am
    Thanks Jeff. Best of luck!
  7. GeoffOctober 25, 2011 at 7:17 am
    Nooooo! what a let down. You’ve run a great blog. Good luck in your future endeavors.
  8. IHeartSCVOctober 25, 2011 at 7:19 am
    One hopes–and by one I mean everyone–that this is a Brett Favre moment for you, Mr. J-to-the-Wilson. There are several other bloggers, sure, but you’re the only one putting out original commentary every single day. There are other people who write on SCVTalk but, let’s be frank, it’s synonymous with you; you’re the brand. There are other ways to learn the news in Santa Clarita, but who has your octopus-like grasp on news sources spanning legitimate papers to obscure blogs to celebrity gossip to mutterings from City Hall to rumors from local land magnates? When I say your role in SCV news is irreplaceable and the void you leave unfillable, I’m not being sentimental: I’m being factual. One of the early stages in mourning is denial so, for now, I am considering this a Favre-esque retirement and will not yet bid SCVTalk adieu.
  9. MikeOctober 25, 2011 at 7:59 am
    As one of the “other people”, I couldn’t agree more.
  10. IHeartSCVOctober 25, 2011 at 8:06 am
    I do mean “other people” in the nicest way possible. C’mon–”Where in the SCV?” is SCVTalk gold.
  11. MikeOctober 25, 2011 at 8:22 am
    Some much gold still unmined. Jeff would have had a dozen of those cranked out by now. #shame
  12. CCOctober 25, 2011 at 7:31 am
    Hey, good luck with that Jeff. Thanks for all the work you’ve done. I will just have to find a new place to connect with curmudgeons on a daily basis.
  13. PetzOctober 25, 2011 at 7:34 am
    Like Hometown Buffet?
  14. Mr PerezOctober 25, 2011 at 10:17 am
    Hometown Buffet, McDonalds, and Taco Bell= The Bermuda Triangle of Crappy Food that will eventually kill you.
  15. CCOctober 25, 2011 at 12:21 pm
    Thankfully, King Chef bit the big one.
  16. PetzOctober 25, 2011 at 1:33 pm
    Immigration raid got em.
  17. Mr PerezOctober 25, 2011 at 4:46 pm
    Reality is the Health Dept should have gotten them. The first week I got here the rest of the office went there for lunch but I missed. They all got food poisoning #winning
  18. ScvFanOctober 25, 2011 at 7:38 am
    Oh nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! What are the bitter “Santa Clarita Sucks at Everything” people going to go? What ARE you guys going to do with all your free time?
  19. MikeOctober 25, 2011 at 7:55 am
    What are you going to do with the taxpayers’ time?
  20. WalkerOctober 25, 2011 at 7:51 am
    You can’t! I don’t like this post at all. Refuse to believe it. P.S., what ever happened to NickleDime? I think I remember that he started posting under his real name for a while…..and then disappeared?
  21. mikeOctober 25, 2011 at 8:55 am
    The kid moved west, opened up a franchise: https://www.facebook.com/VenturaTalk
  22. WalkerOctober 25, 2011 at 9:33 am
    Awesome. I ‘liked’ his Ventura venture I knew they were moving and thought I saw reference to him in Ventura. Glad to see he’s alive and well
  23. Jim FarleyOctober 25, 2011 at 7:52 am
    I’m in a state of disbelief myself but fully understand your need to move on. My relationship with SCVTalk started with my Open Space assessment opposition and what a coincidence you posted my most recent endeavor just yesterday. You’ve provided a forum that I could not get from the traditional news outlets. Thank you for that. While your efforts have been very successful I can only imagine the amount of commitment and time required. Best of luck in your new endeavors Jeff!
  24. Sean CarterOctober 25, 2011 at 7:52 am
    “As fate would have it, Jay’s status appears To be at an all time high, Perfect time to say goodbye When i come back like Jordan,Wearing the 4-5 It aint to play games with you It’s to aim at you, Probaly maim you If i owe you i’m blowing you to smitheriens Cocksuker take one for your team And i need you to remember one thing I came i saw i conquered” -Jay-Z, Encore
  25. Need for Involved CitizenryOctober 25, 2011 at 7:57 am
    Wait – this isn’t April 1st…
  26. TimBen BoydstonOctober 25, 2011 at 8:03 am
    Jeff, Thank you for all that you have given to the SCV. I always know that I can come here to read an independent “left leaning” viewpoint, and then read the comments of fellow SCVians from all sides of the political spectrum to see how people feel. By excellent site management you kept the discourse mostly civil and many times insightful. You have created a platform that is an important part of the SCV news scene. You are one of the “go to” sites for those who are unable to get their information out in the local “mainstream” media. Many stories would never see the light of day if not for this site. You are not afraid to apologize when some incorrect or incomplete info is put on your site, and that is the mark of a good person. My hope is that someone else with a similar viewpoint, mindset, and temperament would be willing to step up to fill these big, big shoes.
  27. PetzOctober 25, 2011 at 8:07 am
    Jeff may be gone, but the loony left is still around.
  28. Mr PerezOctober 25, 2011 at 10:19 am
    You forgot Crazy Centerists
  29. PreflyteOctober 25, 2011 at 8:22 am
    What TimBen Boydston said. The “liberal media” meme is a myth. Voices like yours are few and far between, and badly needed in this current climate. Thank you for all you have done, Jeff. Wishing you the best in all you do.
  30. SCV LoverOctober 25, 2011 at 8:37 am
    Thanks Jeff for making this place a must read for me every morning. I found this place in 2008 and have never looked back.
  31. LarMccOctober 25, 2011 at 9:06 am
    Does this have anything to do with the pudding attack?
  32. Mr PerezOctober 25, 2011 at 9:19 pm
    He might not have left if the attackers used vanilla or butterscotch….
  33. FredOctober 25, 2011 at 9:06 am
    I’m really gonna miss the self-righteously indignant “Bicyclists get no respect around here” posts.
  34. MikeOctober 25, 2011 at 9:36 am
    According to some encyclopedias here and several online, I can confirm that bicyclists get no respect around here.
  35. FredOctober 26, 2011 at 7:23 am
    Wow. You’re still hanging on to that? I didn’t think it would become such a white whale for you.
  36. mikeOctober 26, 2011 at 7:34 am
    Just for laughs, really. You might want to browse the archives, though. I think your dictionary story was more recent than Jeff’s most recent two-wheeled screed.
  37. VenturanOctober 25, 2011 at 9:07 am
    SCVTalk Brief–2006:2011 During the course of Jeff Wilson’s passion project, he: Fostered an unexpected community and lasting friendships anchored in SCV Created an interest in local government that traditional media was unable to match Kindled and angered imitators, who were never able to recreate his secret formula – which consists (I think) of equal parts authenticity, relentless fact-finding, and fearless expressiveness. Plus a dollop of self-deprecating humor Will be terribly missed by hundreds of daily readers who turned to his blog for humor, enlightenment and community It’s what SCV talked about.
  38. Phil EllisOctober 25, 2011 at 9:16 am
    I was wondering why I found this morning that you were now following me on Twitter. Best of luck on your exams. I trust that you will be unable to get over your addiction to blogging about SCV and will soon be back here.
  39. MikeOctober 25, 2011 at 9:38 am
    Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.
  40. HollyTOctober 25, 2011 at 7:28 pm
    * And saved the Summit Seals (along with Tim). I’ll miss your daily updates- it saves me from having to look at 4 different websites for local news. Good luck to you and stay in touch!
  41. VenturanOctober 26, 2011 at 1:24 pm
    With SCVTalk, readers get a lot more than they give. Jeff invested countless, thankless hours. I think it’s worth a click of the “donate” link for the three years I personally received. I’m sure he’d appreciate it.
  42. ScottEOctober 25, 2011 at 9:19 am
    The question is, will it be possible to bear the loss of SCVTalk V.JW.0 and Steve Jobs in the same year? Best of luck Jeff. Hope to see you at Trivia now and then.
  43. MikeOctober 25, 2011 at 9:35 am
    who’s V.JW.0?
  44. ScottEOctober 25, 2011 at 9:48 am
    Version: Jeff Wilson.0 What? No speak MS?
  45. ToddOctober 25, 2011 at 9:32 am
    Jeff, until AOL brings Patch to SCV…. you can’t go. Not yet. Say it isn’t so… Lemme know if you need more notes on that exam. Its not nearly as hard as you think. Granted, I remember being in your shoes just 6 short months ago and thinking to myself “yeah right a-hole, you don’t know!” to everyone who told me that… but trust me… its not bad. Hope we can still grab a coffee and chat sometime. Happy trails.
  46. LindaOctober 25, 2011 at 10:20 am
    Jeff, you are a talented writer and we were fortunate to have you here for the last five years. Thank you for giving us forum refugees a place to vent and thank you for allowing me to contribute to this blog. It was a pleasure to be a small part of such a worthwhile endeavor. I wish you all the best and am keeping my fingers crossed that this is “hasta la vista,” not “adios.”
  47. Mr PerezOctober 25, 2011 at 10:22 am
    Bill Reynolds, “Good bye Liberal Commie Bike Riding Taco Luvin’ Master Blogger”
  48. PetzOctober 25, 2011 at 10:24 am
    It’s not the end of the world, without a Daily Brief we generate 100 replies.
  49. KellyOctober 25, 2011 at 10:26 am
    Big ((HUGS)) and high Five to you, thank you sincerely for creating a SCV blog community. I’m on overload w/family/work commitments too, burned out on blogging, not into Facebook, too wordy to tweet, but I sure am enjoying Chime.in. Thank you again, my best to you on this next chapter in your journey. See you round the paseos.
  50. Lori RivasOctober 25, 2011 at 10:26 am
    Congratulations on your Master’s degree, and best wishes for your future endeavors! You will be sorely missed here.
  51. Mr PerezOctober 25, 2011 at 10:33 am
    You definately will be missed Jeff. I really don’t think there is a more popular blog in the SCV, you are a legend.
  52. FJJOctober 25, 2011 at 10:38 am
    Good luck Jeff! I love this site and many of the characters that comment. Gonna miss it.
  53. AlpinerOctober 25, 2011 at 10:39 am
    Jeff, you came up with a great concept that took a lot of work. Best wishes and a big thank you for providing the SCV with site that definitely adds to the community’s conversation.
  54. mikecOctober 25, 2011 at 10:48 am
    best of luck and thanks for creating this website and all of the hours, blood, sweat and tears you put into it! Im thinking about starting a group called “Thursdays with Jeff” at Bier Academy, since that seems to be the only time I see him…let me know if you folks are interested..
  55. Mr PerezOctober 25, 2011 at 8:50 pm
    Do they serve Root Bier?
  56. KimOctober 25, 2011 at 11:19 am
    Good bye and good luck. You did great things with this blog and you will be missed. Thank you!
  57. susanOctober 25, 2011 at 11:29 am
    Just saw this. Thanks for everything you’ve done Jeff. You’re all kinds of awesome.
  58. Your Web GuruOctober 25, 2011 at 12:49 pm
    Maybe now I’ll be able to get some work done! All the best of luck in your endeavors, Jeff!
  59. KLBOctober 25, 2011 at 12:55 pm
    I’m so sad! You started SCV Talk right about the same time I moved to the SCV. I’ll never know how I stumbled upon your site when my original Google search was for sushi and a Japanese market, but I’m glad I did. Now that you’re done with school and you’re ditching SCV Talk, you’re bound to have a lot of free time on your hands. You should spend some of that free time serving on your HOA’s Board of Directors. We really need bodies.
  60. lvogelOctober 25, 2011 at 1:07 pm
    All your hard work has been appreciated, Jeff. Thank you for all these years of information, news, ideas and opinions, and allowing us to share ours. Good luck with your exams (though I know you’ll ace ‘em) and when your first novel comes out, I’d like you to autograph my copy.
  61. 4eyedsueOctober 25, 2011 at 1:09 pm
    Mr. Wilson- I learned, I laughed, I got on my soapbox, I made a few friends, a few “frenemies”, stuck my foot in my mouth… it’s been fun. Thank you. Best of luck with your new endeavors. Sincerely, Susan Wachter
  62. David GaunyOctober 25, 2011 at 4:32 pm
    Jeff, Congrats on your academic achievements and best wishes on your future endeavors! This blog filled a HUGE information gap in our city and valley and it’s hard to imagine how it will be effectively replaced. You were instrumental in getting the REAL facts out about the G&L fight, Cemex, bike lane issues, libraries, and so many other issues. Not to mention the great political backstories, insights and humor. We didn’t always agree but I respect that you remained unafraid to put info and opinions out that you felt were newsworthy, particularly on issues that no professional media outlet in town would touch. That you were equally unafraid to take responsibility when you got something wrong made your writings particularly credible. I hope this continues with the remaining troops. Thank you for the your tremendous service to this valley and best of luck on your future. I’m sure it will be a bright one! P.S. Remember when you placed the red dots next to each of the local Republican clubs indicating that each of them read your blog… you were right. I hear grumblings about it all the time – thanks for keeping ‘em honest!
  63. spineflower2October 25, 2011 at 6:32 pm
    Congrat, thanks, and know you made a difference in this valley by spreading news and commentary among those who care and pay attention. I hope someone picks up the burden and keeps it going, but that’s for another day. Today, it’s just a heartfelt “THANK YOU!!”
  64. Whiskey Tango FoxtrotOctober 25, 2011 at 9:43 pm
    All the best to you, Jeff. I enjoyed the give and take. You are a talented and classy guy.
  65. JayceOctober 26, 2011 at 12:04 pm
    Jeff! I wish you the best on the exam. I as well as many others will miss reading your posts here greatly and add my voice to the ‘hope you’ll return in time’ crowd Take care buddy.
  66. Capt. GeneOctober 26, 2011 at 8:31 pm
    Good luck.

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