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FAMILY - FAMILY FEATURES
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Now that the weather has finally warmed up, people are looking for a fun activity they can do without having to worry about getting sunburn. Ice skating is one of the few summer outings that meets this requirement. However, if ice skating is not your "thing," why not try bumper cars on ice? That's right, Ice Station Valencia is now home to bumper cars on ice. The next time you want to do something cool with friends or family, head over to the Ice Station for a slippery bumper car ride.
In 1945 the California State Board of Education approved petitions from five elementary school districts - Newhall, Saugus, Castaic, Mint Canyon and Sulphur Springs - to start a new high school district. Voters approved a bond that same year to build the first high school in Newhall. It was suggested to name the high school and high school district after the Santa Clara River, but when the site was completed in 1946, it was decided to name both after cowboy actor and Newhall resident William S. Hart.
Is there a touchier subject than child rearing? It seems that from the moment a woman starts showing a pre-baby bump, vultures and self-described do-gooders come out of the woodwork to tell parents how they have it all wrong. At my most recent estrogen-charged informal meeting of gal pals, one member shared that she was chastised by a male passerby for breastfeeding in a mall. Supposedly the activity was "obscene," especially because it was done within eyesight of young children.
Collecting is a fun hobby for kids of all ages. You can collect almost anything you love or feel proud of, like soccer medals, model horses, stuffed animals, jewelry, books, whatever is your passion. I love horses and have a huge collection of Breyer models. My bedroom is decorated entirely around a horse theme. I even have one wall that looks like a barn complete with wood siding, a barn door and horse mural.
You, me, the woman next door - we all have a friend that, regardless of otherwise demonstrated tendencies towards common sense, refuses to kick her worthless you-know-what spouse/boyfriend/live-in-lump to the curb. Currently, my friend in need of a serious "What the heck are you doing?" blow to the head is my sister (Sorry, Honey - I wouldn't normally rat you out, but you deserve it). Now, I'm not one to get caught up in the relationships of others (Ok, that's a lie, but I do try), but my dear sis, like other past pals in need, keeps calling me with tragic stories of love gone astray.
Looking for a good place to eat? Try Sisley Italian Kitchen, an Italian restaurant located in the Valencia Town Center. You might want to get a little dressed up, because Sisley has a fancy atmosphere. It is the best place to go for a special occasion. I am a picky eater, so if I like it, everyone will. Shortly after you are seated, you are automatically served Sisley's delicious breadsticks; they will be freshly baked, so don't get burned!
It doesn't matter why you meet people, as long as you learn something from them. When I first encountered Dolly and Monny Schwimmer, I was 17. When I met them, they had already celebrated 50 years together. But that's no great accomplishment in itself. What struck me then, and now, 10 years later, was that had I not known better, I would have guessed them newlyweds. Old newlyweds, yes, but newlyweds none the less.
I am sure many of you have seen the new movie "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe." This entertaining movie tells about four siblings evacuated out of London because of war and forced to move to a large house in the country. There, they discover a magic wardrobe leading to another world called Narnia.
Normally, you'll find me penning catty pieces about horrid social faux pas, and in a way, this article is no different. What is amiss is that instead of harping on all the things that you could potentially do wrong as a bride (including low-brow "I'm registered here" cards in your invites, for example), I'm going to point my commentary in the direction of others.
Recently, my grandpa bought a private party roller coaster tour at Magic Mountain. The auction item included unlimited time for 25 lucky people on five of the most popular roller coasters at Six Flags (X, Goliath, Colossus, Scream, and Riddler's Revenge). What fun!
"Roses are red. Violets are blue. Sugar is sweet, so are you." Is this really love? Valentine's Day is allegedly the most romantic holiday. It seems that so many people have become wrapped up in the giving and receiving of gifts rather than giving real love.
Hello. My name is Judith, and I'm a resolution maker. Like the rest of the resolution addicts out there, I love lists. In fact, the only thing I love more than lists is pointing out the flaws of others. As a holiday gift to myself, I've combined the two. Here, a divine anthology of faux pas committed by SCVians in 2005.
"He's got a mind like a sponge." You've heard people say that about young children and research has shown that this is true. Ninety percent of brain growth takes place before most children enter kindergarten. While many of us believed that sending our children to preschool was an opportunity for some "free" time, it turns out there was a lot of learning going on in these mini-classrooms and experts say a good preschool program will benefit your child academically and socially in the long run.
I am sure you have all heard of Carousel Ranch but just in case you have not, it is a non-profit organization that teaches disabled children to ride horses. Recently, the program moved from a temporary home in Sand Canyon to a spacious place on Rockinghorse Road (is that a perfect name or what?!) in Aqua Dulce.
Hopefully, by now you have had a chance to visit the Hart Mansion. If you happen to visit on either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you may have noticed a flurry of activity and events in the lower portion of the park. This is Heritage Junction, most recognized by the 1900 steamer standing prominent in front of the old Saugus train station.
I'm tired of being politically correct. When my grandkids were younger, every winter they had something called "Christmas Break." By the time they were seniors in high school, their vacation was referred to as "Winter Break." Ok, I get it - not everyone is Christian, and singing about a Jewish toy made out of clay in their annual pageant probably wasn't enough to acknowledge other backgrounds.
Do you remember the bark beetle infestations of 2003? My family has a house in Wrightwood, where a majority of the trees were killed by the beetles and later chopped down before they could become a fire hazard. Every year, we like to visit in hopes of experiencing a white Christmas, and 2003 was no exception.
"Spunky" is how you'd describe the petite brunette soon-to-be star Jaden Michaels. And unpretentious, all 5'3" of her. In fact, the home schooled teen is remarkably polite and eager to please - everything you wouldn't expect from a girl on the cusp of fulfilling a big dream.
Like the insipid tune, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" that played in the background of my youth, I more recently find my self humming to the melody of, "Where Have All Your Manners Gone, You Ignorant Fool?" and the new take on an old favorite, "Your Parents Would be Ashamed, God Bless their Souls" (remix version). Like a Country singer with a missing dog, I've found that translating my woes into music can be very therapeutic.
As a service to the public, I've created a soundtrack of sorts that can be used at any variety of festive occasions.
As a service to the public, I've created a soundtrack of sorts that can be used at any variety of festive occasions.
For me, Thanksgiving is defined by three words: family, tradition, and of course, thankfulness - thinking about the things for which I am thankful. It is about gratitude and happiness for what I have. Yet, what would this splendid holiday be without having a traditional Thanksgiving feast complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, and warm bread? Every November, we spend the whole day appreciating what we have, such as our family, our home, our pets, and even our loved possessions.
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