A Note From The Publishers – August 2016

 This month, we cast a spotlight on Santa Clarita’s non-profits as community celebrities put on their dancing shoes and take to the stage for our 7th annual Dancing With Our Stars fundraiser on Friday, August 26 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center.  Twenty local celebrity dancers are representing 18 Santa Clarita non-profits, and this year’s show has some surprises in store!  The Santa Clarita Ballet will open the show with a specially choreographed performance called “As the Piano Rolls,” and we welcome both returning and new professional dancers to the stage.  New non-profits will benefit from the event this year, as well.
After all, that’s what this event is all about – our non-profits.  Since the inaugural event, Dancing With Our Stars has collectively raised more than $1.3 million for our local charities, and it warms our hearts to watch that number climb by thousands of dollars each and every year.  Santa Clarita is such an outstanding community, and we thank all of our partners, sponsors and participants for helping us build this into an event Santa Clarita can be proud of.  We hope to see you there, cheering on the people who make a difference in this community every day.  We sure will be!
You’ll have more than one way to support our vital non-profits this month, however.  The Jazz & Blues Concert Series closes its 2016 summer lineup with their final August 5 performance.  Each show donates funds to a different non-profit, and this is Santa Clarita’s last chance to come out and support until next year.  Don’t miss Kelly’s Lot, performing on the closed-off street area in front of Hyatt Regency Valencia.
For those who follow Santa Clarita’s hottest wine events, Vine 2 Wine is back at CalArts on August 13, promising the same delicious boutique and library wines, in addition to cold craft brews and mouthwatering bites.  A highly anticipated evening, Vine 2 Wine is a vital fundraiser for local non-profit Circle of Hope, Inc., which provides emotional and financial support to local residents who are facing the harsh reality of a cancer diagnosis.  This may be one of the most meaningful glasses of wine you drink all year.
The Charity Golf Tournament, supporting our local Special Olympics chapter, is coming up on August 15, providing a fun and healthy way to cheer on athletes with special needs.  The tournament will be hosted at the beautiful TPC Valencia and will include an after-tourney buffet, awards, raffle and silent auction.
On August 17, Comics for the Cause will serve up some laughs, while simultaneously raising funds for at-risk children in the Santa Clarita Valley who receive services from The Youth Project.  Four of television’s funniest comedians make up this year’s show, and aside from appearing on the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center stage, you will find them on late night shows such as The Tonight Show and Conan.
Wrapping up our summer events, LA SummerFEST brings a series of arts and cultural shows to Rivendale Park throughout the month of August.  There’s something for everyone!  So get your tickets, bring some lawn chairs, and enjoy the show!
In addition to information about Santa Clarita’s most important non-profit events, we also have four guides packed with information and photos that are perfect for your seasonal needs.  Our three-page Business Guide features 29 local businesses that service many different industries.  The Back to School Education Guide will help you find the tools, resources and educators that can set up your family for a successful year.  Back to school shopping and jitters don’t have to be stressful – as long as you look in the right place!  Two of our most trusted monthly guides – the Dining Guide and Meet the New Merchants – are also tucked into this issue, and we hope you take a look at some of the new faces.
After flipping through the pages of our August issue, we hope you take a moment to enjoy the August/September issue of élite Magazine.  We try to bring something new to each issue, and this is such an exciting issue – with more stories than ever, a focus on dining and, of course, our second-ever élite Bridal Magazine!  Inside, you’ll meet Santa Clarita’s homegrown hockey pro, the top chefs in town and our Ultimate Dining Winners of 2016!  Our special bridal supplement is full of tips from the experts, How-Tos and bridal inspiration – making it the perfect guide for any local bride.  As you enjoy the latest issue, don’t forget to vote for the next class of Ultimate Ladies in Business Winners!  We’re expecting this to be a tough contest!

Cheers,
Linda, Moe and Alexander