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Q: One of the most anticipated local events is the State of the City Luncheon, which is held each October. It's a great opportunity to hear from Santa Clarita's City Council about current and future City projects, programs and initiatives. In the time of COVID, what will the State of the City look like this year?
As we've seen with most events in 2020, the State of the City luncheon is also going virtual. Although we will miss being together in one room, this new format allows for all members of our community to take part, not just the 400 or so who can fit into the room at the Hyatt. The theme this year is "Staying Connected...Staying Resilient." If there is one thing our community has learned over the last year, it is how strong we are collectively when we support one another. You may remember, just minutes after last year's luncheon, the destructive Tick Fire erupted.

This year will follow a similar format to years past, with our councilmembers sharing updates via video presentations; however, this year, the entire event will be live on Zoom, the City's Facebook page and SCVTV channel 20. This will be a great opportunity for all residents to tune in to find out first-hand what is happening in Santa Clarita. We are also teaming up with local restaurants who will be creating special to-go lunch specials. This way, you can support our local businesses while learning about the community! Please visit our website at santa-clarita.com for more information on our State of the City community-wide Zoom. This is also a great opportunity for students who are distant learning to get educated on their local government.

Q: One positive that seems to have come out of this pandemic - many people have rediscovered the joy of cycling. Our bike lanes and paseos seem to have more people on bikes than ever! Our City also has a new amenity where people can test their skills. Tell us more about the new Bike Park.
I know I have really gotten into mountain biking over the past few months and I see how many other people share that passion at the new Bike Park! Located among the hills at the top of the Santa Clarita Sports Complex, this new area provides the perfect place to practice and develop skills. The Bike Park offers riders approximately seven acres to ride, practice jumps and develop skills for both BMX and mountain biking. The park is designed for riders of all ages and skill levels and consists of several single-track mountain bike trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. It also includes approximately 330 yards of track, which feature combination jumps, including step-ups, step-downs, rollers and tabletops. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Q: With concerns about the pandemic, Halloween festivities
will also look different this year. What does the City have planned?
We are still finalizing all the scares and don't want to give away any surprises, but the community is invited to a drive-thru haunted house, which will be set up at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex. Residents can safely stay in their vehicle as they slowly and carefully cruise through the parking lot, experiencing different spooky scenes and startling scares. Dates and times will be announced soon, so make sure to follow the City on social media to get all the details.