The sights and sounds of the holiday season are finally here, and there’s no better time than now to reflect on the past year and set our sights on what lies ahead.  It seems like it was just yesterday we were saying goodbye to 2010, and now, we are welcoming 2012 and our 22nd year bringing you monthly community stories, expert editorial advice, directories, profiles and more.  We live in such a wonderful city, and The Magazine of Santa Clarita continues to flourish with the help of our dedicated staff, the support of our community and our very loyal advertisers. Thank you for making our efforts worthwhile.  
We are pleased to feature the teachers of College of the Canyons Culinary Arts program on the cover of this issue.  The Magazine of Santa Clarita proudly supports the college’s Capital Campaign to create a modern, efficient and affordable education center where culinary arts can be taught.  See our cover story on facing page.
Looking back at the last year, we have highlighted many of the wonderful events that have taken place in our Valley, and supported many of the non-profit organizations who continuously volunteer their time and efforts, helping make our community a better place to live.  We kicked off our year with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriffs Foundation Be Our Star program.  Our City 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.
The Senior Center Foundation is an organization very near and dear to us, and we were pleased to show our support for their Celebrity Waiter Dinner.  What a fun event it was, for such a wonderful cause.  
Back in April, we brought back the highly anticipated Dancing With Our Stars, an event which supported many local non-profit organizations.  Raising thousands of dollars for many great causes, the planning of next year’s event is already underway.   
The Child and Family Center’s Taste of the Town has always been an exciting event to feature. Their efforts to help provide mental health and behavioral intervention services for children, teen, adults and their families, is one we are always happy to support.
Santa Claritans love to tee up for a good time.  A day on the greens to support Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation and their commitment to improving our local hospital’s emergency and trauma services is one we support, attend and enjoy featuring.
This last year we went back to the ‘80’s at The Boys & Girls Club’s popular signature Auction.  We also enjoyed a beautiful array of decorative trees at the Festival of Trees.  Both are well-attended events, and we are so pleased that our community is supportive of the Boys & Girls Club of SCV and their mission to make a difference in the lives of our youth.
Moe and I, along with the talented doctors of Vantage Oncology and Judith Harris were honored at the Legacy of Hope Gala in 2011.  We want to express our gratitude for the honor and more importantly for the American Cancer Society and their instrumental role in its fight against cancer.  
We are always pleased to support the Michael Hoefflin Foundation and their Evening Under the Stars Gala.  Not only is it a wonderful and popular event, the Foundation’s fundraising efforts helps accelerate the progress in the fight against pediatric cancer.  
Many events take place right on Town Center Drive.  Rockin’ Summer Nights is a surefire way to spend a warm summer night, and the Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley’s Wine Affair is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  An afternoon with friends, enjoying fine wines, food and great music, all to help enrich the lives of women and girls, locally and around the world – it just doesn’t get any better than that.  
This past year, we were also pleased to support organizations like the Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc. as thousands of duckies raced to the finish line for a good cause.  
New to the SCV was the exciting American Heart Association’s HeartChase.  It is always encouraging to see new events come to our Valley and we are proud to introduce them to the community and to our readers.
Just last month, we were happy to be involved with the Assistance League’s Sunset in the Vineyards, where many of the community members sampled fine wines to support Operation School Bell, the signature National Assistance League program which provides many day to day necessities for children in less fortunate.   
The Magazine of Santa Clarita also Hit the Road with the Santa Clarita Master Chorale and Cabaret & Cabernet.  Now in its 13th season, we are pleased to join the Chorale and promote fine music through a series of enriching programs.  
What a year it has been, and we want to thank all of the organizations for allowing us to be a part of the success of their fundraising efforts.  The generosity of our community members and their involvement with non-profit organizations never ceases to amaze us.  
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. So here’s a callout for all our dedicated readers….Take a moment to peruse through this issue and count how many photos were taken in our On the Town features.  Be the first to e-mail me with the correct amount of photos and you will win a $50 gift certificate to Dawn’s Dinners.  Send your response to linda@santaclaritamagazine.com.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Until next time,
Linda, Moe and Alex