This Month, Why don't You...
get creative, for less. Creative U Studio is offering 15 percent off your first purchase (new customers only). Grab the coupon on page 45 and then get crafty; 260-0800 www.creativeu.net

max out your Mini. Giovanni, owner of Gio's Automotive, is a master BMW/Mini technician and advanced-diagnostic specialist (he's also certified in diesel and hybrid vehicles). We love him because he's proven to run his business with honesty and integrity. You'll love him because your Mini purrs like a kitten; 251-1551
www.giosautomotive.com

reward your school by teaching your kids how to play golf. We'll admit it. Over the course of our lives, there were times - both personally and professionally - when it really would have helped to have known how to play golf. (We know golf is fun, too... but we're more focused on how fun it would have been to land that big client!) Alas, our children don't need to meet a similar golf-free fate. Scratch Golf... Accelerated provides kids ages 5 to 17 with a state-of-the-art golf training center. Your child attends after school or on the weekend and then plays on a team in a league. And when your kid becomes a member, their school gets a $10 donation. If 10 or more from your school join, an extra $100 is added, too; 775-0578 www.scratchjrgolf.com

help them thrive in life through success in math and science. So, the studies are in - and, like most studies, they've told us what we could have guessed. Our kids need help in math and science fields; and we better do something about it now - because math and science fields will be the backbone of future economic development.

No pressure, right? Math Support Services, Inc. can help. They offer transferable credit to the William S. Hart school district for math and science classes or after-school tutoring in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus and trigonometry; 255-1730 www.mathsupportservices.com

HALLOW'S FUN
What to Wear
A Chorus Line in Valencia, member of the National Costumers Association (NCA), has an early lead from NCA affiliates across the country on what could be "hot" for this Halloween. Early indications show that the Fad-Tastic Day-Glo '80s has overtaken the Happy Hippie '60s, the Glitzy "disco" '70s and even the Rock 'n Roll '50s as the dress-up decade for 2011. Zombies, vampires, and ghouls will be back with a vengeance, thanks to the proliferation of zombie-inspired TV series and some recent hit movies. "Burlesque" will also be another big theme this year, featuring corsets and petticoats, and "cutsie" accessories to complete the look. Superheroes and villains for both males and females of all ages (including babies) are always in style. Captain America, Wonder Woman, Batman, Joker, Cat Woman, Spider-Man, Superman and Super Girl are the biggies; 253-0300 www.achorusline.net

Where to Go
Westfield Valencia Town Center's Three-day Spooktacular
Saturday > October 29 2011
Westfield will host costume contests in two age brackets (4 to 7 years and 8 to 12 years) with big prizes for top costumers, swashbucklers, superheroes and sorcerers.

Sunday > October 30 2011
Westfield hosts the Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt with participating retailers and spreads family fun across the center with spooky photo opportunities and Halloween's classic costumed characters, as well as a chance to decorate a trick-or-treat bag.

Monday > October 31 2011
A Halloween trick-or-treat extravaganza is planned! The whole center will be available for trick-or-treating (Town Center Drive will be closed for the event so that the area is safe for roaming trick-or-treaters.). Families will enjoy lots of treats (and a few tricks!), crafts, a DJ, food and fun from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. KOST 103.5 will be broadcasting live and giving out goody baskets too;
www.westfield.com

Wallers' GymJam Academy's
All Hallows' Eve Celebration
Saturday > October 29 2011
For kids ages 5 to high school, have fun with festivities like the Spooktacular Maze, a costume contest, pizza, movie and fun games like hide and seek - with flashlights! For ages 5 and up, the celebration runs from 7 p.m. to midnight. For kids over 7 years old, it runs from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.; 251-3390 www.wallersgymjamacademy.com

Pictured are Marti Heinbaugh (VP/regional manager of Mission Valley Bank), Carol Rock, Belinda Crawford (executive director of the SCV Food Pantry) and Tamara Gurney (president and CEO of Mission Valley Bank). Photo by Mitch Wu

Mission Valley Bank Celebrates 10-year Anniversary by Honoring SCV Nonprofits
On August 17, in celebration of their 10th anniversary, Mission Valley Bank chose to honor 10 local area nonprofits with donations of $1,000 to each organization. Honored were Carousel Ranch, College of the Canyons Foundation, The Boys & Girls Club, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation, Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Single Mother's Outreach, SCV Economic Development Center, Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, SCV Pregnancy Center and the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center.

The bank hosted a similar event in July at the bank's Sun Valley office where 10 local area charities (Ahead with Horses, Hope of the Valley, Providence Holy Cross, LAPD - Jeopardy Program, MEND, People In Progress, Shadow Hills Riding Club, Tierra del Sol, Boys & Girls Club of the San Fernando Valley and the Wildlife Waystation) were also honored with donations of $1,000 each.

Mission Valley Bank President and CEO Tamara Gurney stated, "When Mission Valley Bank first opened its doors in 2001 it was with the vision of creating a strong business bank that was more about the client and the community - and less about the bank. There seems no better way to celebrate our 10th anniversary than by giving a little something back to the communities that have supported our growth. These events have been a great opportunity to not only see many of our friends from the community but also have the occasion to spotlight just a few of the many important nonprofit organizations that contribute so much to so many."

Approximately 275 people attended the celebration that was held at the Bank's Valencia Branch. Among those in attendance were representatives from the offices of Supervisor Antonovich as well as Assemblyman Cameron Smyth who both presented the bank with certificates of recognition for Mission Valley's contributions to the community.

"For the past decade, Mission Valley Bank has served the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys with the best of community business banking. Earning our role as a trusted financial advisor, we have partnered with thousands of local businesses offering unique financial solutions that help our clients and our communities to thrive. As a conscientious corporate citizen, we feel strongly that it is our responsibility to support those that support our community. Mission Valley Bank takes an active role with a significant number of local area nonprofit organizations through monetary contributions as well as advisory positions and volunteerism. It is our privilege to have this opportunity to honor just a few of our areas many outstanding organizations," said Gurney.

Mission Valley Bank is a full-service, independent, commercial bank specializing in the banking needs of small to medium businesses in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. The Bank was chartered in July 2001, with a vision of local ownership and a commitment to providing financial solutions to meet the needs of its clients; Valencia branch 775-4112
Santa Clarita branch 753-5680 www.missionvalleybank.com