InsideSCV Family Book Club
Go on a Literary Scavenger Hunt of Los Angeles with "LA Scavenger"
They say nobody walks in LA, but with "LA Scavenger" in hand, you'll ditch the car and discover Los Angeles's hidden treasures that you'd otherwise zip past. This fun and interactive scavenger hunt book will help you see the city in a completely new way as you walk or roll to locate under-the-radar and iconic landmarks. Set off on an exciting journey to uncover over 300 locations in neighborhoods all over LA and neighboring cities. You'll use photos and rhyming clues to find eclectic public art, unique architecture, iconic restaurants and other often-overlooked sights.
Explore secret gardens, hidden staircases, and historic cemeteries where LA's famous and forgotten names are buried. Find a charming shop that's been making mochi for over 100 years and a Jewish deli full of rock history and pastrami. You'll also visit a storied hotel that hosted the first Academy Awards ceremony, a Victorian mansion that became a clubhouse for magicians, and an Art Deco sculpture that guards a lake. Even if you're familiar with some of the locations, the poetic clues will reveal fascinating trivia and give you a fresh perspective on the neighborhood.
Local food and travel writer Danny Jensen brings his love for Los Angeles and enthusiasm for exploring hidden histories and secret places to this unique guidebook. With this one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt, you can team up with your family for an hour or a day to create memories and learn something new, too.
insidescv.com/lascavenger
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: We love this book for families with tweens and teens, but our "test toddler" enjoyed
the adventure, too - especially when we ended up
in a bakery and park!

courtesy of Shutterstock

Have you Considered Fostering?
Virtual Orientations Available
If you or someone you know may be interested in learning more about becoming a foster or foster-adopt parent, join Children's Bureau on September 21 from 4pm to 5pm for an online virtual orientation. Children's Bureau partners with over 200 foster-adoptive families annually to help at-risk youth by giving them a home that is nearby and inclusive to their foster siblings. Call to arrange access to the online orientation or to learn more.
289-4231

US News & World Report Recognizes Six Hart District High Schools
Six comprehensive high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District (Canyon, Golden Valley, Hart, Saugus, Valencia and West Ranch) have been ranked in the top 14 percent of public high schools in the country by US News & World Report. Academy of the Canyons and Learning Post Academy also earned distinction.
The publication's Best High Schools Rankings compared the Hart District's high schools against nearly 18,000 public high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia using six factors: college readiness; math and reading proficiency; math and reading performance; underserved student performance; college curriculum breadth; and graduation rate.
The rankings of the Hart District schools are:
Canyon High School #1,960 nationally - top 11 percent
Golden Valley High School #2,474 nationally - top 14 percent
Hart High School #2,035 nationally - top 12 percent
Saugus High School #1,187 nationally - top 7 percent
Valencia High School #1,789 nationally - top 10 percent
West Ranch High School #715 nationally - top 4 percent

"We absolutely love SCSOPA! Last year, my 10 year old daughter Christina started doing some acting and Broadway at school. Right away, we saw how much she loved it and we started looking for an acting academy for her. We tried a small acting outfit out of LA but we did not feel it was all that great.
In January of 2023, we learned about SCSOPA and decided to go see what they could offer us. 'Uncle Mike' was very friendly and he said to me: 'Your daughter is very special. I can guarantee she will have an agent within six to nine months.' No kidding: Five months later, Christina has a manager and an agent!
We could not be more grateful. Her agent is already booking parts for her and she just got a Kohl's commercial, has auditioned for El Pollo Loco and more. It's absolutely incredible. Thank you Uncle Mike and Miriam for all you do for my girl - you are the best in the business!"
- Catherine Torres

courtesy of Shutterstock (left)

These non-profit organizations know how to spook up a screaming good time.

Take the Fam to Descanso Gardens "Carved"
Less than an hour away from the SCV in La Canada Flintridge, Descanso Gardens' annual "Carved" Halloween event that runs October 6 to October 29 is illuminating fun for the whole family. Your crew will wander through forests and gardens that are generously sprinkled with giant jack-o-lanterns, whimsical displays and fall foliage. The glow-in-the-dark installation is a kid (And influencer.) favorite.
descansogardens.org
See Spooky Animals at Boo at the Zoo
Santa Barbara's Boo at the Zoo event runs October 20 to October 22 and October 27 to October 29 for trick-or-treating, spooky treats and "boo-zy" bevs for the grownups. October is traditionally a beautiful month at the beach, so plan on a picnic on the sand before or after.
sbzoo.org

courtesy of Shutterstock

Visit Boney Island at the Natural History Museum
Artistic performances, live animal meet-and-greets, trick or treating, skeletons doing shadow puppetry, fossils and glowing displays are just some of the wonders your family will enjoy at the Natural History Museum this month. Wander through the gardens and encounter packs of festively fiendish animals celebrating Halloween in the Deadwood Forest, meet talking and singing plants in the Hauntington Gardens and discover prehistoric creatures in the Prime Evil Pass. Take a stroll through the Haunted Halloween Light Trail, hear a skeleton orchestra playing classical music and enjoy a haunted-mansion cauldron water show. Food trucks, photo ops and exclusive Boney Island merchandise will be available during the event.
nhm.org
Make a Splash at Aquarium of the Pacific's "Scarium of the Pacific" Weekend
On October 28 and 29, head to Long Beach for Scarium of the Pacific - a family-friendly Halloween event that includes costume and coloring contests, creatures lurking in the dark depths of the aquarium, underwater pumpkin carving and much more. The aquarium also hosts Halloween Family Night on October 20.
aquariumofpacific.org

That's Good News!
Valencia Resident Christina Knack, Production Coordinator for "The Young & the Restless," to Receive Silver Circle Honor
Knack will be inducted into the Silver Circle for her enduring contributions to daytime television by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and feted at the 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Congratulations, Christina!

"It's 'get your money's worth'
season when it comes to your dental insurance. That means it's time to book your end-of-year check ups, cleanings and care before your coverage for 2023 ends on December 31.
Not sure what's 'left' on your coverage and want to
maximize the insurance
YOU'VE ALREADY PAID FOR?
Your front-office dental team should be able to help."
Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS 268-6284