Celebrate Nature's Beauty with SCV Artist Elizabeth Kim
SCAA is hosting Elizabeth Kim's first solo art exhibit, Nature's Beauty, at The Canyon Theatre Guild running November 29 through December 23. The reception is free and will be held at The Canyon Theatre Guild, located at 24242 Main Street in Newhall, on Friday, December 13 from 4pm to 6pm. There will be light refreshments and live music by Church Everyday Senior Saxophone Ensemble. Elizabeth Kim was born in Korea, where she studied and practiced nursing. From a young age, she had a deep interest in art, often dreaming of becoming a painter during her visits to museums and art galleries. However, it wasn't until after her retirement that this lifelong dream came true. In 1975, Elizabeth moved with her family to the United States, where she continued her successful nursing career. She and her husband raised two boys and eventually settled in Santa Clarita. Upon retiring, Elizabeth embraced her creative side, taking art classes at College of the Canyons. She paints in acrylic and enjoys traveling the world capturing the beauty of nature.
santaclaritaartists.org

"Six months ago, we never could have imagined that walking into the Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts would change our life - but it did! At SCSOPA, agents and managers visit every week to meet with talent - and it only took one week for my three children to book with a great pair! In only half a year, my kids have done commercials for Target, Facebook and Lego - and more are on the schedule, including a show for Netflix. We were so impressed, my wife and I also began working with SCSOPA - and we've booked a commercial with Uber! The teachers at SCSOPA are incredible. I'm confident that the confidence and skills they teach has been integral to our early successes, which have resulted in incomes that many times exceed the cost of the school. Bonus: Tuition is now a tax deduction! The only thing we'd have done differently is join earlier. Thank you for helping my children pursue this amazing career!"
The Hoffmann Family

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Get the most Out of your Dental Benefits
You pay good money for your dental benefits - and you should get the most out of them!
"We love to help our patients plan their appointments and care with benefit optimization in mind," says Becky Short, longtime dental office manager for Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS, in Valencia. "End-of-year appointments are always in high demand, so if you have cleanings and checkups to book, don't wait!"
Short also advises to work with your provider to consider scheduling larger, multi-appointment treatments to span the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025. "If your total treatment cost will exceed this year's remaining coverage, it might be beneficial to divide your treatment into appointments in late '24 and in early '25, when most dental insurances begin with new coverage amounts." That way, your insurance is covering more of your treatment.
The takeaway: "Talk to your dentist's office manager and let them know your goals. They'll help you get the most out of your benefits and get you on the appointment calendar with regularity. Your excellent oral health is always our goal," says Short.
Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS 268-6284

Don't Miss!
Friday | November 22 to Sunday | November 24
Boys & Girls Club Hosts Festival of Trees
Celebrate the season with elaborately-decorated trees,
gingerbread houses and vignettes on display and
available for silent auction bidding.
scvbgc.org/festival-of-trees-santa-clarita

Saturday | November 23
Relay for Life Holiday Boutique
A fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, the
2024 Annual Relay for Life Holiday Boutique
features handcrafted greeting cards, handmade
blankets and quilts, succulents, jewelry, toys for
a cure, holiday decor and much more.
Experience the fun at 26640 Bouquet Canyon
Road in Santa Clarita from 10am to 3pm.
specialevents@scvrelay.org

Thursday | December 19
Virtual Online Foster Care & Adoption Orientation
Attend this one-hour virtual online orientation
and learn how to become a foster parent.
all4kids.org

courtesy of Shutterstock

This Month, Why don't You...
THE "DO GOOD" EDITION
Donate the "good stuff" to the SCV Food Pantry?
Birthday cake mixes and coordinating frosting. Boxed macaroni and cheese and shelf-stable milk. Holiday cookie mixes and sprinkles. The beans from the back of the cupboard and a can of meat or fish to make it a meal. We're trying to be more intentional about what we donate to the SCV Food Pantry, knowing that the need has grown exponentially since they opened decades ago. SCV families with young children are more food insecure than you think - 24 percent of the SCV Food Pantry's clients are children. This month, go shopping or clean out that pantry and drop it off asap, as many children who rely on free meals at school will not have easy access during the holiday break.
scvfoodpantry.org

Clean Out your Children's Toy Room Before the Holidays?
Professionals who work in the thrift space often lament that their children's sections are bursting at the seams after the holidays - but that the aisles are often quite bare right before the gift-giving season. Many parents and guardians shop nonprofit thrift stores for gifts for their children, so clean out those closets and toy spaces before your kids are inundated with new treasures under the tree and at holiday parties. You'll be saving yourself the stress of "toy overwhelm," helping a struggling family have a merrier holiday and supporting the environment by keeping our landfills toy free. Bonus points for cleaning and refreshing batteries before drop off, too.

courtesy of Shutterstock

Adopt a family for the holidays?
When we received the wish list for the families we're adopting this year, it broke our hearts. Many kids didn't ask for toys - they asked for toothbrushes, sweaters, blankets and socks. We're wrapping those up - plus toys - because children deserve to feel like children all the time, but especially the holidays. Want to join us in spreading the cheer? Reach out to Cheryl Jones of Child & Family Center asap - all gifts need to be donated before their December distribution event.
259-9439, extension 3018

That's Good News!
West Ranch Student Earns Prestigious Gold Certificate Congressional Award
Mahati Dharanipathi, a senior at West Ranch High School, has earned a prestigious Congressional Award. The Congressional Award is a national program that recognizes young people for their achievements in four areas: volunteer service, personal responsibility, physical fitness and expedition.
Mahati has earned the Congressional Award Gold Certificate. To earn the Gold Certificate, each participant must complete at least 90 hours of voluntary public service, which means sharing their time and talent for the betterment of the community, 45 hours of personal development, which can include developing social and life skills as well as interests, and 45 hours of physical fitness, spent in any way that improves their health and quality of life. Additionally, they must spend at least three days exploring a new environment or culture. Mahati has been consistently working to achieve this award for over six months, the minimum time frame to earn the Gold Certificate.
Have "good news" you'd like to share with your community? E-mail your good news to tedwards@insidescv.com.