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May 30, 2013· santaclarita.com · SantaClarita.com (SCVTalk 5.0) · Wayback capture

May 30, 2013 – Daily Brief

By Jeff Wilson

  • The boom is back? Home resale prices rose 10% last month in the SCV, while home sales overall increased 18% in April. But then you look deeper into the numbers: single family home median sales prices were down in April about 1.2% from March 2013, with the median sales price at $415,000. But the real movement last month was in condos: 13.7% increase in sales over March 2013, and the median price of condo sales in April was $241,000, 23% higher than one year ago. Good spin on the numbers from Bob Khalasa, who says it's no surprise people want to live in the SCV (I mean, duh, that's gotta be it right?). But commenters at the Signal and I have a different take. SIGNAL, SCVNEWS
  • It's the Chinese stupid! Maybe this is oversimplifying it, but in the last few months there have been report after report describing massive Chinese investment in southern California real estate, from both individual families and investment groups. In February, the Wall Street Journal talked to a specialist in Southern California real estate and said "investment immigrants" from China are coming to suburban areas of California with good schools, and snapping up homes and units to rent, with 95% of purchases being all-cash. And then anecdotally (I wish she had snapped a pic) my wife saw a Chinese tour bus rolling through Newhall neighborhoods a few weeks ago. WSJ, IBT 
  • New report cites Santa Clarita as 38th out of 50 in California's "Top Billion Dollar Retail Markets," meaning, I think, that within the City's boundaries, retail sales exceed $1 billion. The City is so proud of this distinction that it got a quote from Mayor Kellar who says "A strong retail environment is the foundation of a healthy economy and a resilient community." SIGNAL
  • Speaking of retail, Facebooker & local commentator Lori Rivas notices on her Hulu stream that WalMart is running ads tailored specifically to Santa Clarita, with actors who actually say the words "SCV" and shot on site at the SuperCenter way up Golden Valley way. I can't find the spot myself, but the discussion on the SCV COMMUNITY facebook page is interesting, with Maria Gutzeit -council candidate in 2014- weighing at the end saying Santa Clarita is business friendly- to huge, multinationals like WalMart. SCV COMMUNITY
  • Santa Clarita isn't just a great place to invest in real estate, or go shopping, or find a job at the Walmart, but it's also a great place to test moon satellites, according to the SCVBJ. No seriously, a company named National Technical Systems (Industrial Center area, I think) has conducted "tests" on NASA's next Moon orbiter. SFVBJ 
  • Someone screwed up: The District Attorney will not prosecute Joseph Olivera, a 49 year old man who struck and killed a 53 year old homeless man who was walking on I-5 back in March. Olivera did the right thing and called 911, but was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and booked at the SCV Sheriff's station. Now the DA says they're not going to charge Olivera "due to a lack of evidence." SIGNAL
  • Great Headline: Luke "On the" Money with a report about the new (what are we calling it today?) package of ordinances that are intended to put a little more conformity and Stepford into Santa Clarita. The nuisances ordinances are broad ranging, outlawing "garish" and "unkempt" properties, requiring homeowners to fix cracks in their driveway, and even regulating matters of "aesthetics." Boydston was the only one with the courage to vote against it, while our hypocritical Tea Party friendly Mayor, who usually blathers on about the burdens Sacramento and DC put on him personally and the City at large, voted in favor of it. SIGNAL
  • Speaking of burdensome regulations, the Ralph's market on Orchard Village & Lyons has put up a sign requiring shoppers to check all backpacks in at the front desk before shopping. FACEBOOK
  • Thieves have been targeting high end bicycles locked up on patios at the Madison Apartments in Valencia over the last two weeks. Almost half a dozen bicycles have been stolen, usually by thieves with blow-torches. A Madison resident contacted KHTS and said some people weren't even locking their bikes, they had "good faith" that their bikes were safe in the community. KHTS
  • Incredible: A 2013 Cal Arts grad has won a Student Academy Award for a 4 minute animated film that portrays a the events of 9/11 from a family's perspective. It's a haunting and emotional piece. Eusong Lee, the student who shot the award-winning film also answers a few questions about his film and techniques. SCVNEWS
  • Newhall Refinery already has six five star reviews on Yelp.com by amazed locals. And this coming from a place that pines for a Cheesecake Factory Applebees above all else! YELP
  • KHTS interviews KTLA 5 anchor and Stanch resident Chris Schauble. Schauble, an award winning journalist, has anchored TV News programs around the country before arriving in LA, and he and his wife picked the Stanch after looking for areas with good schools. KHTS
  • Who says chivalry is dead? Today the Santa Clarita transit commuter bus I occasionally ride on (it picks up me up 6:44am) broke down, stranding some 30 odd commuters along the route. Today I rode the 7:14 am bus, and as a result of the breakdown, we picked up all the riders from the earlier bus. By the end of the line, prior to getting on the 14, we ran out of seats and several SCV men (but not me, I had to type this) voluntarily gave up their seats to women and stood or sat in the aisles, London or NYC style. Way to go gents.


Comments (44)

  1. rj3141Thursday, May 30th, 2013 at 8:31 am
    I don't get it. We are the 24th largest city in CA, but the 38th best retail market. We are so proud of that why?
  2. LarMccThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 8:40 am
    One of the Walmart spots featured the "World Famous" Tapia Brothers produce in Encino, owned by the SCV Tapia family who also sells at the COC Farmers Market on Sunday. Walmart 'replaced' their produce (in Encino) with Walmart produce. They then brought in paid actors (per the disclaimer) to say they could not tell the difference. Ha! Hardly. There simply cannot be a comparison between farm fresh Tapia corn and the Walmart corn that may have traveled hundreds or thousands of miles in semi trucks and through multiple distribution centers to reach one of their filthy stores. You want cheap corn, head to Walmart. You want a real incredible ear of corn, head on up to the Tapia stand on Sunday at COC.
  3. Timothy Myers, Sr.Thursday, May 30th, 2013 at 9:14 am
    I believe the charges were dropped against Mr. Olivera because they could not pin him as the cause of death. The report includes a statement that several other cars ran over the victim after Mr. Olivera's initial contact and did NOT stop, so they may have actually caused the death. Reasonable doubt in any case.
  4. Don't AskThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 9:30 am
    Don't know if you were misspelling Chris Schauble's name wrong on purpose or mistake. It's Schauble, not Schnauble.
  5. JeffWilsonThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 9:53 am
    Not intentional. Fixed.
  6. Don't AskThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
    Thanks Jeff. Don't know why anyone would give a thumbs down for noticing an error.
  7. InkGigoloThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
    I wouldn't ask if I were you .. oh wait ..
  8. InkGigoloFriday, May 31st, 2013 at 12:39 pm
    I don't know why anyone would give a thumbs down for making a joke. *waves*
  9. MikeThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 9:35 am
    National Technical Systems is on Centre Point in CC
  10. BertaThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 11:04 am
    Correct NTS is in Canyon Country but it is Centre Pointe with and e on the end of both.
  11. ToddThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
    The City, United States Postal Service and NTS themselves would disagree with you both. 91350. Saugus. The up and coming spot in the Valley. http://www.santa-clarita.com/modules/showd Go ahead. Zoom in. I'll wait. http://www.nts.com/locations/santa_clarita
  12. BertaThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
    Todd I do not care what USPS or Google say, NTS is on the Canyon Country side of the aqueduct which is/was traditionally divider between CC and Saugus. In fact now that you mention USPS, they are the single biggest reason for incorrect area designations within the city of SANTA CLARITA since they refuse to change COMMUNITY labels to reflect CITY address instead.
  13. MikeThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
    YES
  14. MikeThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
    First off, which I can't seem to get through anyone's skulls, there is no definitive, legal boundary between Saugus and Canyon Country — or any of the four communities. There are areas that are unquestionably CC, Saugus, Newhall or Valencia, but there are plenty of fuzzy areas (which makes "Where in the SCV" so fun). It's never been based solely on zip code. The Postal Service isn't authoritative, especially when it comes to neighborhood distinctions. It (properly) suggests "Santa Clarita" for 91350, any way. As for your examples: NTS doesn't say Saugus. The city's map doesn't put it in Saugus, either. It's only a ZIP code map. It makes no link between community and ZIP code. As for the city, I have official confirmation that they do not have definitive boundaries. They prefer to call places "Santa Clarita" most of the time. But, they do say things like: "Dogs and humans alike now have their own place at the City’s Sports Complex in Canyon Country." [the sports complex is in the 91350] (http://santaclaritacitybriefs.com/2009/12/03/sports-complex-phase-4-expansion-now-open/) SPEAKING OF WHICH Google "sports complex in canyon country" then "sports complex in saugus" Final score: 3,530 to 4 (and one of those is for Saugus, MA)
  15. ToddThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 11:28 pm
    But the city's zip code map says the complex is in CC.... so of course the results will say that. Durrrrrrrrrrr.
  16. Ed GreenThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 9:39 am
    Something funny about those Yelp reviews for Newhall Refinery I think. Most of those people went to a preview event, which means they have a connection. Yelp will probably filter those out eventually. Has anyone been there yet? Is it really good? I hope so.
  17. ThatJoshPremakoThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
    Ed, I went to the Refinery on Tuesday, the first day they were open, and found it unsurprisingly fantastic. They have a very, very good beer list, a great menu (the Refiner's Fries are awesome) that will see more items added, not to mention they're brewing Intelligentsia Coffee, and an overall great look and vibe. A number of us have been waiting for this place to open for months and are beyond excited that day has come. This is exactly the type of business that was lacking from Main Street.
  18. valleynewsgalThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 12:47 pm
    I posted a Yelp review and it was on their opening night, not a preview event. I do know the owners, Simon and Shannon Mee, but it's because I choose to know and patronize the business owners in my community - not because I want to curry favor. We received no discounts during our dinner (our party included another couple who were just excited about the restaurant opening) and were treated just like anyone else who came in that night. I don't write fiction in my reviews. It's a great little place and it should do very well - a much-needed addition to the Arts District in our downtown.
  19. LarMccThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 11:55 pm
    Hit the refinery tonight. Place is legit. Totally. Yelp reviews are warranted. Look for mine soon.
  20. BertaThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 11:28 am
    Jeff I am surprised that you classify Mayor Bob Kellar’s comments as blathering while praising TBB for his. I would remind you that many of these ordinances are because of multiple complaints by affected residents; others are the result of state laws and building codes. The “city” has only FIVE Community Preservation Officers to deal with complaints and issues for a city of over 200,000 residents so I am very certain they do not have the time to check random driveway cracks and paint palettes at will and TBB’s comments were petty and ridiculous as usual. While you may not mind living next to a house painted as though it belongs in Tijuana Mexico, clothes drying on front yard bushes, and broken washing machines in the driveway some of us prefer to live in reasonably clean and attractive safe neighborhoods. When you allow properties to deteriorate and the neighborhood to go to pot (sometimes literally) the decent folks move out and you are left with mostly renters who are gangbangers, drug dealers or users, hookers, released pedophiles, and other unsavory criminals. No thank you, so I appreciate the efforts of my city LEADERS (minus TBB) to keep my neighborhood livable and my quality of life decent!
  21. Two-one and LewisThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
    I reject this talking about broken washing machines. Besides, what happened to individual liberty? The flag waving seems to end once it hits the right-winger field of view...
  22. BertaThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
    I am very patriotic and am no right winger either so tread lightly with your labels Two-one and Lewis. The desire to live in a decent, nice, neighborhood is very compatible with patriotism and individual liberty. Loss of liberty, tyranny if you will, is when the miscreants can impose their desire to break the law and ruin our neighborhoods upon those of us who are willing to be responsible considerate neighbors. In any democratic republic the needs of the many, those who want to live in aesthetically pleasing clean safe neighborhoods, outweigh the few who want to live in blighted neighborhoods.
  23. JeffWilsonThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
    "In any democratic republic the needs of the many, those who want to live in aesthetically pleasing clean safe neighborhoods, outweigh the few who want to live in blighted neighborhoods." And yet I bet you'd be against regulations curbing pollution, or taxing carbon emissions even though we all breathe the same dirty air, amiright?
  24. BertaThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 7:47 pm
    You would be wrong Jeff. I am an avid recycler, dry my clothes on a clothesline, grow and can my own fruits and vegetables, plot my vehicle trips to pollute and spend less, and protect nature and living things wherever I can. I believe we all must be judicious stewards of our environment. However, I also believe we must carefully weigh the benefits to society as a whole before imposing strict rules which kill jobs or decimate a community in order to protect some owls, wolves, etc. Nature loves balance and harmony and we humans are smart enough to find a way to live well and also protect our environment.
  25. 4eyedsueThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
    Hey Berta- hope that clothesline is well out of sight and can't be seen by passersby. It might seem unsavory. Kellar and his ilk's "you need to be like me" attitude- from "proud racist"- to MPB- to this elitist and culturally biased ordnance- does not make the SCV look like a very welcoming community- unless, of course, you are straight, white, upper-class and Christian. Enforced or not- this sends out a bad vibe. I would appreciate the efforts of my city LEADERS to keep my neighborhood welcoming and diverse.
  26. BertaThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 11:37 pm
    Suew my clothesline is out of the public view and therefore complies with local ordinance. In any event, even without a prohibiting ordinance, I would not exhibit my chones to the masses. As to diversity, you are well aware that I am an American of Hispanic ancestry and definitely not upper economic class so your comments regarding a “culturally biased ordinance” and lack of diversity do not hold water with me. Even those of us who are “diverse” appreciate clean safe neighborhoods and to imply otherwise smacks of the racism you criticize.
  27. Lori RThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 11:56 pm
    Tell me again how clean and safe relates to paint chip colors?
  28. BertaFriday, May 31st, 2013 at 12:53 am
    Lori I cannot tell you anything since coming from me you simply reject it. How about you tell me how garishly painted houses contribute to neighborhood property values, or towards maintaining a clean, safe, high quality of life community?
  29. MikeThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
    I'd like to Google Auto Awesome this: "I reject this talking about broken washing machines." This is totally in the spirit of maintaining your aspect ratio.
  30. Two-one and LewisThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 3:07 pm
    There's a little Petz in all of us. References to broken washing machines... them's fightin' words. Fonts for some, Bluetooth headsets for others. #amiright ?
  31. MikeThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
    Speaking of Petz, it was not lost on me that he had our backs. Did not hang us out to dry, so to speak.
  32. MikeThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
    ...and I just got the Simpsons reference
  33. scvmommaThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 12:41 pm
    Wow, this chat room doesnt like others opinions.Too tense for me.
  34. SantaClaritaDotComThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
    Wow, this chat room doesnt like others opinions.Too tense for me. @scvmomma: It's ALL about opinions here. All are welcome, including disagreements, but we keep it fairly civil. :)
  35. Lori RThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
    Some would differ that a strong retail economy is what makes a resilient community....some might even say that prioritizing retail is what breaks a community. Seriously...when did commerce take the place of charity and human decency? In other news, many years ago, Sandra Cisneros fought her city council to keep her brightly painted home. Some great quotes in here: http://articles.latimes.com/1997/aug/11/ne IOW, all hail the white suburban upper class aesthetic of acceptable. 1984, city council style. Big brother knows best, right? Up next, city wide dress codes.
  36. 4eyedsueFriday, May 31st, 2013 at 2:54 pm
    "Colors that I consider Mexican and beautiful, they consider Mexican and garish. This is really a story about the absence of color--about the absence of Mexican people when you talk about history in this part of the world." Great article, Lori. My house needs a paint job- badly. We have been scrimping and saving- almost there! I guess I had better read the ordinance to make sure my taste is not "garish". Is there someone I should submit my paint chips to in advance for approval? I can't afford any mistakes.
  37. ToddThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
    Jeff, for shame. I provided a link to the Walmart Commercials in question in the comments. Why you gotta hate on another Wilson like that? Anyway, here's the vids: http://www.ispot.tv/brands/Agc/walmart
  38. JeffWilsonThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 3:42 pm
    Yeah i paged through several of them, watching way more many Walmart commercials than I wanted to (anything more than 0 actually) and couldn't find the one that said the magic three letters
  39. LoriRThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 10:40 pm
    I used "SCV" as shorthand for for "Santa Clarita.". I'm lazy with the typing on FB.
  40. LoriRThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 10:42 pm
    PS Am I the only one who has issues posting comments here from my phone? The page header floats on top of my text while I type, so I cannot see typos, and the mobile site never posts, even though I am signed in.
  41. InkGigoloThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
    Boxing is stupid.
  42. SamThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
    As for the Chinese, the mayor of Lancaster has learned some words in Mandarin. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142412
  43. BrandynThursday, May 30th, 2013 at 9:32 pm
    Capitalist democracy is a myth. Capital dictates.
  44. Bill ReynoldsFriday, May 31st, 2013 at 5:53 am
    As for SCV's internal community boundaries, "What differences does it make"!

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