City of Santa Clarita - Press Releases

CITY TO HOST MONTHLY JOB FAIR AT SANTA CLARITA WORKSOURCE CENTER

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The City of Santa Clarita, along with Goodwill Industries and the Employment Development Department, will host its free monthly Job Fair on Tuesday, February 9 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon. The event, held at the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center’s current location at 20655 Soledad Canyon Road,* will feature a number of prospective employers looking to fill open positions.

At the upcoming Job Fair, applicants and local businesses will have the opportunity to interact in a centralized location and professional environment. Attendees will be asked to complete a short registration form prior to entry and are encouraged to dress professionally and bring at least 12 resume copies, as there will be no access to computers or copiers at the event.

“In light of the current economy and unemployment rate, job seekers face a highly competitive environment when searching for employment,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “The City hosts its monthly Job Fair to help give local job seekers a leg up on the competition by offering a direct connection to local employers looking to fill open positions.”

The Santa Clarita WorkSource Center is located at 20655 Soledad Canyon Road, Suite 25. Employers looking to participate in the Job Fair may contact the WorkSource Center at (661) 799-WORK.

For more information on the City’s WorkSource Center or its upcoming Job Fair, visit www.scworksource.com.

*Beginning early February, the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center will move to the University Center at the College of the Canyons.

GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS FUNDING TO 20 LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Clarita (Agency) awarded $5,000 grants to 20 Newhall Redevelopment Project Area small businesses at its January 12 Meeting. Made possible through funding from the Agency’s Small Business Grant program, the effort is part of the City’s 21 Point Business Plan for Progress.

The Newhall Redevelopment Small Business Grant program (NRSBG) is designed to provide financial assistance to local small business owners to make enhancements to their business, as well as encourage business growth and sustainability in the Newhall Redevelopment Project Area.

“The City of Santa Clarita created the 21 Point Business Plan for Progress to boost the local economy and support local businesses,” stated Mayor Weste. “The Newhall Redevelopment Small Business Grant Program is a great way to assist our local businesses and support their individual initiatives and needs.”

Funding will assist awarded businesses with financial and business management resources in an effort to create, grow, and retain small businesses within the City.

To qualify for the NRSBG, businesses needed to be within the Newhall Redevelopment Project Area, identified as a “small” business (no more than 25 full-time employees), and in good standing with the City. Grant applicants provided financial records, insurance documents, a comprehensive business plan indicating their commitment to their business, and identified how they would use the grant funding if awarded.

Applicant businesses also received assistance from the College of the Canyons’ Small Business Development Center (SBDC) during and after the application process. The City also collaborated with the SBDC to offer a series of free workshops for business owners interested in learning more about creating a customer service-friendly environment as well as marketing outlets and trends.

Upon deadline, 27 grant applications were received from local businesses, of which 20 were awarded the grant funding. Grant monies will be available to awarded businesses beginning February 2010. Agreements will be executed between the businesses and the City for the use of funds and a post-grant assessment will be completed within six-months to evaluate the benefits of the program.

For more information on the City’s Newhall Redevelopment Small Business Grant program, please contact Christa Wasson, Project Technician for the City’s Economic Development Division, at (661) 286-4065 or visit santa-clarita.com.

CITY ENCOURAGES DOG OWNERS TO LICENSE THEIR SANTA CLARITA DOGS

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Dog licensing in the City of Santa Clarita declined over the last several years, prompting the City to embark upon an education and outreach campaign this spring, aimed at ensuring local dog owners are obtaining required County pet licensing.

All dogs over the age of four months must be licensed in Los Angeles County. Dog licensing provides pet owners with assistance in finding their animal should it become lost and the County also offers free grant-funded dog micro-chipping, which helps pet owners more easily recover their lost four-legged friends.

The City of Santa Clarita contracts with the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Department for the provision of animal services, including licensing, within Santa Clarita. The small cost of animal licensing provides regular updates when rabies vaccinations are due and helps care for injured and lost animals, pet adoptions and more.

“Since the recession, the number of animals flooding local shelters has risen more than 20 percent,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “Due to increased home and job losses and downsizing, many pet owners and families are sadly forced to give up pets, which often find their way to local animal shelters.”

Local resident and celebrity Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer,” is lending his name to the cause to help the City of Santa Clarita get the word out about the importance of animal licensing. Along with his dog Junior, Cesar appears in the City’s campaign, which was shot at Central Park, home of the City’s first dog park “Central Bark.”

Beginning this spring, canvassers from the L.A. County Animal Control will perform door-to-door visits in Santa Clarita to help license pets. County canvassers will be able to provide a new license tag on the spot for newly licensed animals and license renewals will also be available.

There will be no extra canvassing charge for this door-to-door licensing service through June 2010, but unlicensed animals after that time may be charged a fee if they are not licensed. Dog owners are encouraged to obtain a pet license as soon as possible or renew their existing license so that they are in compliance.

The cost to license a spayed/neutered animal in Santa Clarita is significantly less than for unaltered dogs and cats. Also, a significant senior citizen discount (60 years of age and older) is provided for Santa Clarita residents with altered animals. Cat licensing is voluntary but recommended.

For a complete list of license fees, how to license your pet and other information, please contact the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Department at (562) 728-4706, or online at www.animalcare.lacounty.gov.

SANTA CLARITA TRANSIT LAUNCHES ‘GO GREEN ART CONTEST’

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The City of Santa Clarita invites local Middle School and High School students to participate in the Santa Clarita Transit Go Green Art Contest. Open until March 1, the contest encourages local students to illustrate through traditional art, graphic design or photography how Santa Clarita Transit helps their family and the community.

The contest will be broken down into two age groups: Middle School (7-8^th grade) and High School (9-12^th grade). Contestants may choose from three themes for the contest: Go Green and Save, illustrating how to travel green by using City buses to reduce gas costs and traffic; Go Green to Fun Places, showing how to travel green on a City bus to a fun place in the City; and Go Green and Be Safe, where contestants can illustrate a safe way to ride a City bus while travelling green.

A $50 cash prize and $25 toward Santa Clarita Transit fare will be awarded for the First Prize winners in each age group for the categories of Traditional Art, Graphic Design and Photography. A $100 cash prize and $50 toward Santa Clarita Transit fare will be awarded to the Grand Prize winners overall in each age group.

Contest winners will be notified on March 17 and all winning artwork will be displayed at the Grand Finale Art Exhibit at the City’s Earth/Arbor Festival on April 17, as well as the City’s Transit Maintenance Facility.

All entries must be a minimum of 8”x10” and a maximum of 11”x17”. One entry will be accepted per artist. City employees and family members are not eligible to enter.

Contestants must submit entries in person or via mail to the City of Santa Clarita’s Arts and Events Office, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 120, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.

For more information on the City’s Transit Go Green Art Contest, call (661) 286-4018 or visit santaclaritatransit.com.

CITY TO PRESENT COMPASSION PLAY WHEELS AS PART OF 2010 SEASON OF DIVERSITY

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The City of Santa Clarita’s Human Relations Forum and ENCOMPASS will present the Compassion Play Wheels on Tuesday, January 26 at the Rancho Pico Junior High School Auditorium. Part of the City’s A Season of Diversity program, the play will explore the freedom, mobility and dreams associated with United States citizenship.

Wheels will offer perspective on immigration, as well as the privileges and responsibilities of United States citizenship, through the eyes of a 15 ½ year old Salvadorian-American youth named Oscar. Guests will watch as Oscar experiences the Department of Motor Vehicles in pursuit of his learner’s permit and driver’s license.

“The City’s A Season of Diversity program is devoted to empowering community members to eliminate all forms of discrimination,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste. “The Wheels compassion play helps achieve this goal by offering residents a compassionate view of the immigration experience through a young person’s eyes.”

The Compassion Play event will include a professionally facilitated pre-show and post-show discussion, as well as the theatrical presentation of Wheels.

A Season of Diversity is made possible in part by the City’s Human Relations Forum, which strives to promote understanding and appreciation of human differences. The program’s Compassion Plays are designed to offer a safe and supportive way for local youth to cope with difficult issues, including identity, relationships, family, stereotypes, and more in a multicultural world.

Rancho Pico Junior High School is located at 26250 W. Valencia Boulevard. For more information on Wheels and A Season of Diversity, please contact the City’s Human Relations Forum at (661) 250-3708 or visit santa-clarita.com/humanrelationsforum.

SANTA CLARITA LAUNCHES NEW iPHONE APP FOR RESIDENTS

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Remedies for potholes, new bulbs for burned out streetlights, and graffiti removal services are now an iPhone tap away in the City of Santa Clarita with the launch of the City’s new iService mobile app.

iService allows iPhone users to simply open the app, select an issue, take a picture, and tap “submit” – the app knows the exact location and sends the issue directly to the City staff member who can fix it. There is no charge to download the app and Santa Clarita is only one of a handful of cities launching this new technology.

“With more than 50,000 applications already available and millions more downloaded every day, there is a clear demand and expectation among our residents to be able report issues to the City whenever or wherever they prefer via their iPhones,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “iService also improves the City’s ability to respond to service requests in a more timely fashion, which is very important with our tight budget.”

The GPS and camera features built into the iPhone make it simple for residents to alert the City about a variety of issues around the clock. Residents can rest assured their concern is handled by the right person without ever needing to visit an office or sit down at a computer. iService users can also receive updates on the status of their reported issue right to their iPhone.

The app’s efficiency allows the City of Santa Clarita to serve more requests with fewer people, saving the City time and money while providing 24/7 service reporting for our residents and business community. The new iService app also corresponds perfectly with the City’s existing customer management system.

The City of Santa Clarita’s iService app can be downloaded from the iPhone App Store by searching for the keyword “GORequest,” or visiting the City of Santa Clarita’s website at: www.santa-clarita.com.

Community members without iPhones can contact the City to submit service requests, as well. Residents can submit requests via e-mail to eservice@santa-clarita.com or the City’s website at santa-clarita.com/eservice from any mobile phone with e-mail and internet capabilities.

The iService app for the iPhone is the latest enhancement to the City’s, citizen relationship management solution from Government Outreach, Inc. More information about iService is available now at www.santa-clarita.com.

IT’S NOT COUNTRY- IT’S COWBOY! THE 2010 COWBOY FESTIVAL GEARS UP TO RIDE AGAIN

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The City of Santa Clarita’s 2010 Cowboy Festival is just around the corner, with a fantastic performer lineup and event schedule set to make this year’s event the best yet. A variety of tickets are currently available for the Festival, set against the picturesque backdrop of Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio.

Festival guests can head on out to the Ranch on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 to step back into a simpler time of saddles, spurs and old-time saloons. This year’s event will include new attractions and returning favorites, including dutch oven peach cobbler, trick ropers, authentic gear and a show-stopping musical talent lineup.

Grammy nominated singer-guitarist Don Edwards will return to the Festival this year, as well as Dave Stamey, the Messick Family, Nancy Lee, Sons of the San Joaquin, 11-time Festival performer Michael Tcherkassky, world-famous magician Pop (Whit) Haydn, the Lost Canyon Rangers, and Dave Bourne, who featured his infectious saloon piano skills on HBO’s Deadwood.

In addition to these returning favorites, the Cowboy Festival will play host to more cowboy musicians and poets at Melody Ranch. Cow Bop- one of the West’s most popular swinging jazz and western bands- is set to perform, as well as The Quebe Sisters, fiddler Dave Rainwater, Cowboy swing band The Saddle Cats, banjoist John Reynolds, Rusty Richards, Cowboy Celtic, The Sons and Brothers, Juni Fisher, Brenn Hill and Jon Chandler and the Wichitones.

The 2010 Cowboy Festival will also feature some of the finest in Cowboy Poetry. Cowboy poet and humorist Andy Nelson will serve as performer and emcee on Sunday, April 25, while Yvonne Hollenbeck and Pat Richardson showcase their multi-award winning poetry for audiences to enjoy.

Festival entertainment will continue beyond the stage with professional trick ropers Dave Thornbury, Jim Townsley and John Hustead, who will showcase their lasso skills along Main Street throughout the Festival weekend.

The 2010 Festival will welcome returning favorites debuted at the 2009 event, including expanded kids activities. A Youth Poetry Round-Up will entertain younger festival guests, as well as living history demonstrations, a New Buffalo Soldiers encampment, and the return of the acclaimed Buckaroo Bookshop.

Multicultural entertainment will also make its return to the Cowboy Festival. Enjoy North American Indian performances by the Eagle Sprit Dancers, accurate portrayals of Civil War era music by The Band of the California Battalion, and authentic Hispanic cultural performances Mariachi Alma de Mexico and Ballet Folklorico.

Tickets for the 2009 Cowboy Festival are currently available by phone at (661) 286-4021, fax at (661) 284-1410 or online at cowboyfestival.org. Daily General Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids age 3-11. Children under 3 years of age will receive a one-day admission to Melody Ranch free of charge. A Two-Day Weekend Pass is available at $30 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under, and the Friends of the Festival Weekend Package is available for $150 to a limited number of guests looking for an exclusive Melody Ranch Experience.

For more information on the 2010 Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, including additional attractions, parking details, maps and tickets, call (661) 286-4021 or visit www.cowboyfestival.org.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER TO HOST TRAINING SEMINARS FOR BUSINESSES

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The Small Business Development Center is kicking off the New Year with a series of seminars designed to help small business realize success in 2010. January seminar topics range from starting your business, growing your business, using social media as marketing, and a lesson on QuickBooks.

The Small Business Development Center workshops are offered twice weekly and range from $30 to $60 to attend. Workshops and trainings are provided by the Center, along with one-on-one consulting engagements, networking and other resources to the business community.

“The Small Business Development Center is a great resource for the local business community,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “Local new and existing local businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the tools and specialized trainings the Center offers.”

The Small Business Development Center is hosted by College of the Canyons and serves Northern Los Angeles County. The Center assits prospective and existing small business owners start new businesses, tackle current business challenges and develop tools to successfully manage growth.

The Small Business Development Center Offices are located at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, on the second floor of the College of the Canyons’ University Center. For more information on the Small Business Development Center and training opportunities please visit www.SBDC4biz.org or call (661) 362-5900.

ITY TO PRESENT COMPASSION PLAY WHEELS AS PART OF 2010 SEASON OF DIVERSITY

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The Compassion Play event will include a professionally facilitated pre-show and post-show discussion, as well as the theatrical presentation of Wheels.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE VISITS CITY’S URBAN FORESTRY DIVISION

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, January 13, the City of Santa Clarita provided California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) representatives with a demonstration of its tree inventory and Arbor Pro software. Cal Fire selected the City to present the demo to provide state foresters with an example of a city eligible for the state’s Urban Forestry Inventory Grant program.

The City provided examples of how it utilizes Arbor Pro software to manage the health, location and quantity of Santa Clarita’s extensive tree population. City staff also explained how local Urban Forestry efforts benefit the local community in regards to air quality, storm water and energy savings.

“The City is thrilled that the California Department of Forestry and Fire chose Santa Clarita as an example of a City eligible for its Inventory Grant program,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “Their visit is a testament to the dedication of the City’s Urban Forestry staff toward maintaining Santa Clarita’s tree-friendly status.”

The California Department of Forestry and Fire’s Inventory Grant program provides approximately $1.5 million in grant funding to cities, counties, and districts in need of implementing or adding to an Urban Forestry or street tree inventory program.

For more information on the City’s demonstration to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, please contact Robert Sartain, Arborist for the City of Santa Clarita, at (661) 294-2518 or visit santa-clarita.com.