The holiday season has finally arrived. It’s a time for joy, a time for laughter, and with the New Year approaching; it’s the perfect time for reflection.
We would like to express our thoughts and prayers to all those who were effected by Hurricane Sandy, one of the largest and violent storms to hit the east coast in years. It is during these tragedies where we see the generosity of our community members and their efforts to help the victims of the hurricane. One of the events, Pour into Sandy, organized by Eve Bushman raised nearly $7,000, which was donated to the American Red Cross. Again, our thoughts and prayers go to all those who have been effected by the devastation.
On a lighter note, we are pleased to feature our new City Manager, Ken Striplin, on the cover of this issue. Ken is no stranger to our Valley as he has been serving our city for 17 years. See our cover story on opposite page.
What a year it has been! As we reflect on all of the many wonderful events we have covered in our magazine, we are so thankful to all the organizations that allow us to be a part of the success of their fundraising efforts. Looking back at the last year, we have supported many exciting events that have taken place in our Valley. We kicked off 2012 with the City celebrating the beginning of their 25th year since its birth. Our City continues to be a sought after place to live, work and play.
From the Senior Center Foundation’s Celebrity Waiter, Child & Family’s Taste of the Town, a day on the greens to support Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation, to the Boys & Girls Club’s popular signature Auction, it is always a pleasure for us to work with these non-profits and support their cause. We take pride in promoting the Sheriff’s Foundation and their efforts to making our community safe. The Santa Clarita Valley continues to be one of the safest communities in California, and we can thank our local law enforcement as well as those who continuously show their support for the Foundation.
Throughout the year, we were pleased to be a part of the fundraising success of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation’s Evening Under the Stars Gala, Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley’s Wine Affair and Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita’s Bras for a Cause, Samuel Dixon Family Health Center’s Rubber Ducky Regatta, and our recent Dancing With Our Stars event that raised nearly $260,000 bringing our grand total of $680,000 over the past four years!
On a side note, we were absolutely thrilled when our name was announced as winners of a cruise at the Sunset in the Vineyards to benefit the Assistance League programs. It was nice be grand prize winners! Thank you to Princess Cruises for your community involvement and for donating the.
In this issue, we have highlighted many of the wonderful events that have taken place in our Valley over the last few months in our On the Town with The Magazine of Santa Clarita features.
For details about all the holiday festivities going on this month, see our Calendar listing beginning on page 46.
December is the month to give, so spoil your loved one with a unique gift! For some great ideas, see our Holiday Gift Guide beginning on page 36.
To celebrate the religious season, turn to page 31 for our Religious Season Directory that focuses on our local churches, synagogues and holiday services.
And finally, as the year comes to a close, let us take time to remember those who make the holidays meaningful for us. We would like to express lots of well wishes to one of our editors, Stephanie Jimenez, who will be leaving us for a few months to prepare for her new little arrival! We wish her luck and will be updating you on the birth of her newborn.
To our readers, we wish you all the happiness this season can bring and may it continue throughout the coming year.
Until next year,
Linda, Moe and Alex Hafizi
