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July 24, 2013· santaclarita.com · SantaClarita.com (SCVTalk 5.0) · Wayback capture

July 24, 2013 – Daily Brief

By Jeff Wilson

  • Hart & other districts pile on Einstein, saying the charter school organizers may have violated state law by not notifying respective districts of their intention to open an elementary and a surprise high school in the area. At least one of the Board members from Acton/Agua Dulce, who gave Einstein their charter, seems remorseful. Money at THE SIGNAL, and Smith at KHTS who says the Hart district may take legal action against Einstein. KHTS
  • A 20 year old Hart high graduate and UC Irvine student died suddenly at Mayo hospital this week. Authorities are investigating the "circumstances around her death." SIGNAL
  • Talk show host & Hart Board member Joe Messina and attorney Kevin Shenkman had their debate/discussion yesterday about the pending lawsuits against the City, Sulphur Springs & COC Districts. I haven't had a chance to listen yet but Messina pointed out that he, as an Aye-talian, lost three times before he was elected to the Hart Board. See that's odd because I vote for people with the most vowels in their name too; I'm suspicious of ballot names with too many consonants. Link to the podcast at KHTS
  • I echo and +++ Ray Kutylo on the hilarious speculation following yesterday's Signal release that a Mexican drug cartel heroin symposium had been canceled because the DEA agent couldn't make it. 25+ comments later and you have people wondering whether it was an ACTION publicity stunt, whether Cary Quashen or the DEA were threatened by the cartel, and one guy mocking the SCV for thinking that the Mexican Mafia has set up heroin kiosks along I-5. SIGNAL
  • One threat the SCV (or at least Castaic) is being targeted by is animal control officers looking to see if Fido has his proper licensing documents in order. I see an opportunity for effeciency here: during the bi-weekly DUI/Driver Checkpoints, ask to see the pet's papers too! SIGNAL
  • Detectives still don't know if the Newhall Free Baby ad was real or a hoax, but one thing is certain: around the time the ad was posted, Kate went into labor and didn't come out for like days or something. Then, all of the sudden, the Prince and Princess appear with a new baby. Buckingham Palace certainly qualifies as a "loving home," at least in this century. Coincidence? SIGNAL
  • A Facebooker says that a major motion picture production in Old Town Newhall has hired a Chinese painter to create an amazing, almost 3D mural on the back of the old Newhall Paint store. The facebooker further says that the City "told the production company to paint over the mural when the movie completes shooting because it does not convey the old Western feel." I'll give the City the benefit of the doubt here and reach out to them for comment, but I could see a Code Enforcement dude getting a little overzealous. It's an amazing mural; if they try to paint over it, they'll have to paint over me first. FACEBOOK
  • Speaking of old town, the City held their groundbreaking for the Newhall Roundabout yesterday. Signal commenters are a brutal bunch. SIGNAL Also KHTS has a report via SCVNEWS that says about 40 people showed up for the groundbreaking. 
  • Gary Condie, the longtime powerful real estate & developer behind the SCV Facilities Foundation, has resigned from the Foundation due to his health. Of course the Foundation has essentially been ordered to liquidate its assets to the Hart District but is refusing to do so; in fact the Foundation's President says he's going to look for a replacement for Condie. SIGNAL
  • Odd report in the Santa Maria Times cites un-named and un-linked USGS survey that says southern California's valleys are sinking because we've used up too much ground water. The paper even says the SCV has sunk 12 feet because we're draining our aquifers. Of all the SCV apocalypse scenarios I've considered (and I've thought of so many), us disappearing into a chloride-soaked sinkhole never crossed my mind. SANTA MARIA TIMES
  • Joe Messina accuses Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton of politicizing everything and not being constructive, saying that during their time as civil rights activists and black leaders, nothing has changed. Really Joe? MESSINA
  • Neat: Jana Adkins says the local "arts economy", by which she means nonprofits, culture organizations and audiences, have spent about a $11.4 million in 2012, supporting more than 300 jobs and $9.6 million in household income. That's a lot of Cowboy Art. Oh wait, it's not just cowboy stuff; it's things like CalArts, the PAC and more. Good interview with some of the local stakeholders at THE SIGNAL
  • Trader Joe's, which our own Mike Devlin quipped is nothing but a "glorified snack store," voted most popular American grocer in a survey of more than 6,600 consumers. I'm snacking on some TJ's organic string cheese as I type this Mike. If it weren't for TJ's prepared meals, people like me would starve. God why do food critics bother me so much? LA TIMES


Comments (44)

  1. ToddWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 8:27 am
    Sinking land after aquifer depletion is well known. I read something about the ogallala aquifer some time back that said the same thing, and that sinking of up to 25 feet had been observed.
  2. Phil EllisWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 10:11 am
    Jeff, can you help me. I read Joe's article on your link and was unable to find anything wrong with it. With your "Really Joe" comment, I guess you did. Enlighten me, please. Thanks.
  3. KevitivityWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
    Ya, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are race baiting, panderers. Hard to take either of them seriously.
  4. MikeWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 10:29 am
    A glorified snack store beats a regular snack store, right? I've been softening my stance on TJs lately.
  5. LoriWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 10:47 am
    Animal Control conducts a door-to-door check for animal licenses in my Newhall neighborhood on a fairly regular basis. I always thought it was a terribly inefficient use of man power.
  6. BertaWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 11:23 am
    Lori, once again I disagree with you. Regular visits from Animal Control not only help to make sure that household pets are properly licensed, those fees are what fund local animal shelters etc, and have all their necessary rabies vaccinations but also serves to educate folks on good pet care so they do not leave their animals in the hot sun without shade or water and also from having more than the four permitted dogs within the city and discourages using residential city properties as unpermitted breeding kennels. I had exactly that problem with tenants next door who were breeding their shelties every few months to make extra money, placing their puppy mill kennels with 2 adults and usually 6 puppies continuously barking, yapping, defecating, etc just 5 feet from my bedroom window. Animal Control had not been in my neighborhood for years but now make regular visits and I appreciate it. As a responsible pet guardian, whatever helps to educate folks and discourage pet overpopulation, unvaccinated dogs, and inconsiderate pet guardians is just fine with me.
  7. IHeartSCVWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 11:55 am
    Right, so in that case, you could call animal control to report a nuisance...regular visits demanding to see your animals' papers seem troublingly invasive. I would shut the door in their face, with a polite smile.
  8. BertaWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
    IHeart yes you can call, but up until the city became involved Animal Control kept giving me incorrect information such as they may be hobby breeders so its ok, they can have as many dogs as they want, etc all not true, limit of FOUR SPAYED or NEUTERED dogs in my zoning area, three in county areas. They did not have permit, and even if they did, allowed ONE litter per year with hobby breeder permit. And I do not think that one visit every year or so to check licenses is “excessive”. As I said it helps keep folks honest and maintaining their pets vaccinated and licensed so I am not bitten by a rabid dog and so your lost pet is returned safely to you after he/she wanders off. And as I also mentioned licensing fees help pay for their salaries and shelter operations too. Or would you rather it just all come out of non pet owners’ pockets instead?
  9. Bill ReynoldsWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
    I agree with IHeart! Animal police... whot tha?
  10. BertaWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
    And yet you guys would be the first to complain if loose dogs were roaming your streets, pooping on your law, and menacing your safety or mauling folks like the woman in Littlerock who was ripped to pieces by a pack of roving dogs…
  11. Bill ReynoldsWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 9:45 pm
    Berta, if bad stuff like that happens then you call the appropriate authorities... meanwhile we still have the 2nd Amendment. :-)
  12. BertaThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 12:46 am
    Bill, I prefer to prevent such a tragedy than lament it later by encouraging folks to vaccinate their animals and responsibly restraining them from harming humans or other animals, and although I am a staunch defender of our Second Amendment Rights find the suggestion that I shoot a dog extreme, especially when Animal Control Officers have other less deadly methods to deal with animal control issues and not every resident has a personal protection weapon nor knows how to use one.
  13. Bill ReynoldsThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 5:00 am
    It was a joke, Berta... :-)
  14. BertaThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
    Bill, I do not joke around concerning Second Amendment issues, or the safety of humans and our canine charges.
  15. Bill ReynoldsThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
    Lighten up Berta... you're losing votes. :-)
  16. BertaThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
    I do not change my views in order to gain votes Bill, besides maybe I am gaining some from responsible pet and gun owners...
  17. evitalc31Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
    In regards to Trader Joe's, I think it is a gr.eat store for single people. As far as the family goes, it would be too expensive. Not trying to offend anyone. I think it is a great store. I used to shop at the original TJs up north. Once my culinary skills advanced, I stopped shopping there as it just didn't fit into my kitchen life style.
  18. TwoOneAndLewisFriday, July 26th, 2013 at 7:44 am
    TJ's? expensive? Have you been to Ralph's lately ? Can't think of another grocery chain that offers nearly the compelling quality:cost ratio as high as Trader's.
  19. MikeFriday, July 26th, 2013 at 8:59 am
    Agreed. I'm almost always surprised by my bill at TJ. I give them a hard time, but so long at there's a Farmers' Market in town, if I had to chose one store, it would be TJ.
  20. evitalc31Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
    Once or twice a year is nothing. I used to live in Carlsbad, NM and animal control patrolled up and down our street daily. If you were out walking your dog, you would be stopped so they could check for the pet license even if they just checked you a few days prior. If your dog was outside in your yard unleashed, animal control came by and informed you that you needed to either have your dog chained or build a dog run. Now that was tough but being that there had been numerous dog attacks on little children, the city adopted these strict ordinances about dogs.
  21. evitalc31Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 4:15 pm
    I would rather have strict laws about pets. In the long run, it helps to keep both animals and people safe.
  22. Maria GutzeitWednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 8:21 pm
    I agree w Berta on the dogs. one regulation actually enforced and helps control costs and animal overpopulation. the plus side was well documented when it was passed. and while ground does sink in overdraft, our valley is not in overdraft based on numerous technical opinions including usgs. there is a public database and specific criteria that our area does not meet. wonder where Santa Maria gets their info or if it is a typo. unless they refer to the Ventura county area downstream which is a separate aquifer system and has been over pumped. I will not go into how that is tied to chloride stuff but it is.
  23. LoriThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 12:01 am
    Wonder when CPS will begin its door-to-door check for appropriate child care. Or when the DMV will begin their door to door to renew car registration/check for car insurance. Or when the door to door property taxes will be collected. Or when the IRS will begin mano a mano income tax collection. I'm sure (hope?) that the Animal Control people have figured out the cost ratio for these door to door checks, but there is no getting around that it is a bit invasive and Big Brother-ish and patronizing.
  24. BertaThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 12:56 am
    Lori I wish CPS would do more checking on our vulnerable kids, maybe then more abused children would make it to adulthood. License and insurance information is checked each time you are stopped by law enforcement authorities, go through a DUI checkpoint, or renew you car registration so already checked at least once a year. The Tax Assessor will foreclose on your property if you fail to pay your property taxes, and the IRS will freeze and seize your assets if you owe back taxes so I still prefer a friendly home visit from Animal Control to check pet licensing to all of the above alternatives.
  25. LoriThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 11:51 am
    Everything you listed is an agency responding to a complaint, or a past due bill, or within a public space. Nothing there equates a government official knocking on every door in the neighborhood, asking questions, without provocation. I'd be surprised if it weren't borderline infringement on privacy. I mean, what can they do if you refuse to answer the door, or answer their questions? Big Brother's watching...we watch him back...we see right through his disguise...he tries to scare us...with angry words...but we all know that they're lies...whole world is waiting...just see the fear in their eyes....
  26. KLBThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
    @ Lori If you refuse to answer the door or answer their questions, they seem to go away. At least that’s my experience. When we first moved to the SCV, they actually left a notice on our front door that they wanted us to fill out and return regarding how many animals we owned. We ignored the notice. They never came back as far as we know. When we moved a few years ago, they came sniffing around our new house. Makes me wonder if a change of address or a deed recording triggers something at animal control. Anyway, apparently they were aggressive enough (short of climbing our wall to look into our back yard) in trying to see if we had any dogs that my neighbor actually called my husband at work to let him know the animal control people were snooping around our property. That was three years ago and they’ve never been back that I know of.
  27. LoriThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
    So, door to door, lacing requests, snooping around, but no follow through, no teeth....how is this an efficient use of manpower? They've been through our neighborhood - door to door, not selective homes -- at least 8 or the last 20 years.
  28. LoriThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
    *making* requests
  29. BertaThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
    Lori, I do not share your paranoia and understand that the common good is more important than my right to privacy, as when you go through a screening process to enter a courthouse, get on an airplane, etc. Less unlicensed and unvaccinated unaltered pets equal better public safety and less euthanized impounded animals too.
  30. brookThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
    agree to disagree already. Berta doesnt mind animal control checks, Lori does. Got it. (I agree with Berta)
  31. BertaThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 1:59 pm
    You are correct brook and thank you, enough is enough, I am done with this topic.
  32. LoriThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
    If you don't want to discuss, then don't comment. Easy peasy. Site is for discussion.
  33. MikeThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
    I remain undecided and slightly indifferent. But angrily so, because, you know, the Internet.
  34. evitalc31Thursday, July 25th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
    Animal Control doesn't seem to come around my area. Or is it because we live in condos?
  35. InkGigoloThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
    Why do people post their opinions on a discussion site, and then get all indignant when someone else offers a counterpoint? My goodness, get your own site if you just want to broadcast your opinions without discussion.
  36. MikeThursday, July 25th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
    lulz
  37. evitalc31Friday, July 26th, 2013 at 8:30 am
    Ralph's is expensive and so is Whole Foods (whole paycheck). Not all TJs are equal. Nothing is like the original one up in Northern California where I am from. I have definitely noticed how expensive grocery stores have gotten. I loved TJs while I was young and single and didn't have time to be cooking. Since then, I have worked as a pastry chef and a sous chef. I dropped out of the industry once I had children. Unfortunately, TJs doesn't carry the items I would need for many of the meals I cook. I find myself going to an actual butcher, local farmer's markets and various other places for these items.
  38. MikeFriday, July 26th, 2013 at 8:47 am
    I agree. It's got some neat things, but not very good for if you're cooking. However, TJ is very much a Southern California original.
  39. LoriFriday, July 26th, 2013 at 9:20 am
    Is it? I thought it originated in New England; Boston, even. By way of Germany, of course.
  40. MikeFriday, July 26th, 2013 at 9:57 am
    Pasadena. Was CA-only for a very long time, though it's been German-owned since te late 70s.
  41. TwoOneAndLewisFriday, July 26th, 2013 at 9:32 am
    I've always found TJ's raw ingredients and cooking staples to be quite good. Eggs, milk, cream, flour, sugar, olive oil and the like generally have 1-3 choices (house brand, house organic being two typicals). The only thing that I've found lacking at TJ's is meat, which hasn't been a problem for a couple years now ;)
  42. MikeFriday, July 26th, 2013 at 9:59 am
    Produce is wack.
  43. TwoOneAndLewisFriday, July 26th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
    Farmers + TJs is a magic combo. But wack is an overstatement for TJ's produce. The organics are consistent and an extremely good value, esp broccoli, spinach, bananas, squash and blueberries. Ha's just sets a damn high bar for apples, and Harry's really are incredible strawberries.
  44. evitalc31Friday, July 26th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
    I stand corrected. I was just thinking about the very first TJs up north in Berkeley which was a perfect spot. I know TJs customers are very loyal. I have no loyalties to any particular store. I must go where I find my ingredients. Sometimes I just get them through my chef friends because they get some amazing items that I want to cook with. Try to get white truffles at a a super market-ouch!

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