Santa Clarita Living Magazine by Jean Sutton

sclivingmagazine.com

LIvIng

February 2010

ANTA

LARITA

Magazine

Camps Keeping Kids Creative

Travel Time

Carnival Cruise Spring Break at Spring Training

Alice in Bridal Land Alice Goetschel brings Basics to Brides

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What’s Inside...

LIvIng ANTA A A

LARITA L

Magazine

FEBRUARY 2010 PUBLISHED BY Valley Publications

18 Spring/Summer Camps Keeping Kids Creative

PUBLISHER Doug Sutton

34 They Break for Taxes

OPERATIONS MANAGER Jean Sutton jean@scfree.net

The City’s Enterprise Zone

GRAPHICS Jocelyn Kornfeld

40 Travel Time

EDITOR Martha Michael editor@scfree.net

Carnival Cruise

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Alicia Doyle Mimi Slawoff Linda Vanek Jimmy Urbanovich

Regular Features 48 Valencia

42 Newhall

36 Westridge / Stevenson Ranch

14 Saugus

24 Castaic

ADVERTISING SALES Kathleen Fox Michael Ludwig Debbie Watson Cheryl Anderson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cary Osborne MAILING ADDRESS: 27261 Camp Plenty Rd. Canyon Country, CA 91351 Ph: (661) 298-5330 Fax: (661) 298-5338 www.sclivingmagazine.com On the cover: Flower Girl Amelia Nesheim

You may have received this sample copy of Santa Clarita Living Magazine at your home. If you’d like to continue receiving your own copy at your home each month contact us. Email: parker@scfree.net or call 621-9279. Just include your address! Copies are available all over town, too! Look for them in grocery stores, waiting rooms, car washes and drug stores.

10 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

,,,and pick up a copy of

Letter From the Editor

With my daughter in Mexico

Time for Travel, Leisure and Love In the last 12 months I traveled outside the country twice – my husband and I went to St. Lucia in January and we took our family to the Riviera Maya (outside Cancun) in August. Except for the language, I didn’t find much difference between the eastern and the western Caribbean. But then, I’m not a travel expert. Mimi Slawoff has been a travel writer for almost two decades, and she shares her latest high seas adventure with us on page 40. Cary Osborne will convince even nonsports fans to take in spring training on page 42. In a couple of twists, our Castaic section (page 24) is about incoming travel, and the Westridge/Stevenson Ranch section (page 36) covers a growing trend known as “voluntourism.” Linda Vanek makes wedding planning sound like fun on page 48. And, speaking of fun, we have camp ideas for you, both for spring and summer breaks, on page 18. Many residents feel like mere “survivors” of 2009, especially with challenging job situations. For local business owners, the City of Santa Clarita’s “Enterprise Zone” is an attempt to ease some of the pressure, especially relevant as tax time approaches. Read about it on page 34. I would love to hear from you too! Please read and respond to my blog at www.scvmartha.wordpress.com and visit our website at www.scfree.com. On the website you can enter your event on our calendar, see previous issues of the magazines, buy or sell something on our free classifieds link or get more local scoop!

Martha Michael On www.scfree.com:

Valentine’s Day Events Police Blotter: crimes & misdemeanors in your neighborhood Marriage Myths you may still believe How’s our Real Estate? Martha Michael’s Moneysavers and talk with me at scvmartha.wordpress.com

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saugus Living by Jimmy Urbanovich Associate Editor

The 4 Best Family-Fun, Cultural Experiences in Southern California…all less than an hour away from Saugus!

14 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

Often in our secluded homes within our small town in the bedroom valley of Santa Clarita we can forget that we live in one of the most culturally diverse locations in the entire world. Taking a trip in under 60 minutes from our community of Saugus we can find ourselves in areas that are as foreign to most of us as any culture might be around the world…and remarkably interesting. The Watts Towers, Olvera Street, the Museum of Tolerance and Venice Beach all are less than an hour’s drive from Saugus (pending our beloved traffic patterns, of course!) and will provide you and your family an experience that you will never forget…not to mention an education in the cultural history of Los Angeles.

Watts Towers

Olvera Street

Designed by an uneducated, somewhat impoverished, divorced immigrant from Italy, Simon Rodia, the Watts Towers in South Central Los Angeles is a tribute to all things common…and common can produce beauty. The world renowned structure designed with discarded trash, cement and rebar remains the subject of worldwide architectural conversation; yet, one of the most amazing structures in the world goes largely unnoticed by the majority of Southern Californians.

Many people have heard of Olvera Street, and its history is relatively well known – as the oldest street in Los Angeles with a strong Hispanic heritage. Though what many do not realize is that a day at Olvera Street is a day immersed with Los Angeles history and multicultural activity.

“If a man who has not labeled himself an artist happens to produce a work of art, he is likely to cause a lot of confusion and inconvenience,” said Calvin Trillin in the New Yorker in 1965. Simon Rodia “constructed a dream-like complex of openwork towers . . . and encrusted them with a sparkling mosaic, composed mainly of what had once been refuse.” Located in Watts, the Towers are a city landmark and now a Museum of Art sits in this location as well. For a small fee, a tour guide will take you through the towers and explain all the details of this glorious tribute to vision, hard work and perseverance. Adults are $7 and children are free.

Suggestion – On a Sunday afternoon, drive the car to the Saugus Soledad Metrolink station and hop on the train to Union Station in Los Angeles. (If you have never experienced L.A. on a train you are long overdue!) Once leaving the station, immediately north is Olvera Street; immediately west are the famous court buildings just beyond the 110 Freeway; and immediately to the northeast is Chinatown…a triple whammy of culture all within walking distance. As you conclude meandering through the shops and shows of Olvera Street, head north toward Chinatown to 756 Yale Street, which is

Suggestion -- If you wait until September you can catch the 34th Annual Simon Rodia Jazz Festival and Cultural Celebration. On my last visit I was able to meet Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Watts Towers (photo at left) 1727 E 107th St Los Angeles, CA 90002 (213) 847-4646 continued next page www.sclivingmagazine.com

continued from page 15

the Southern California Camau Association, and visit their traditional Buddhist temple. It is open and free to the public (213.625.1691 for more information). Along the way, you can stop at various traditional Chinese shops and eateries. Best of all, aside from the train ride, and if one can resist the temptation to shop, it is all free! Olvera Street El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Park 845 N. Alameda Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 680-2525 or e-mail: info@olvera-street.com

Museum of Tolerance In the midst of a city filled with different cultures and traditions, there are bound to be conflicts of interests and perceptions. This is what makes the Museum of Tolerance, located in West Los Angeles, one of the most important and socially conscious venues in the country. Though

Venice Beach Finally, probably the most fun cultural experience you can have in Southern California is the boardwalk at Venice Beach. Named for the city it once tried to emulate in Italy, the worldrenowned walk is home to vendors, sideshows, freak shows, artists, musicians and the ever famous muscle beach. One of the best aspects of Venice is its international flavor, as you will find people from all over the world visiting there. Suggestion – Visit on a Sunday afternoon just in time for the drum circle taking place on the sand (just peruse the boardwalk, you will no doubt hear it and see it!). Everyone is invited to bring a musical instrument and collectively create spontaneous music. Often there are hundreds of observers and several dozen dancers (all are free to join in) sharing the spotlight.

you can expect a thorough screening before entering the facility, once inside, the museum is dedicated to raising the consciousness of our prejudices through interactive and timely exhibits. Several different exhibits occupy the museum, including the “Tolerancenter” and “Finding our Families, Finding Ourselves.” The main exhibit is dedicated to a journey through the holocaust. Once one visits the MOT it is nearly a guarantee you will change. The cost is $15 for adults and $12 for children. It is open every day (check schedule), with the exception of Sunday. Suggestion – Go with the family and be prepared for some deep and philosophical discussions on the way home.

Depending on what time of the year you go, you can be mesmerized by the beat of the drum as you watch the sun set over the Pacific. Once it is dark you get a full view of the coastline, including the ferris wheel at Santa Monica Beach. It is a surreal experience. Venice Beach is located just off the 10 Freeway at N. Venice Blvd & Pacific Ave in Venice, CA. (This intersection is one block from Venice Beach).

One need not travel the world to find rich culture and tradition – it is right in our own backyard.

www.museumoftolerance.com 9786 West Pico Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90035-4720 (310) 553-8403

sL 16 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

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Parents are plotting out the course of spring break and summer already, and topping the list of choices is camp. Families can keep it nearby or not, depending on the subject matter, but suffice it to say, there are options. Riding the high of an “Award of Excellence” for its website, the City of Santa Clarita’s Camp Clarita is a popular one for locals. Online registration begins on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00 a.m. for the four-week camps (or eight weeks for both sessions), divided by age group: -Wee Folks Camp is for 3-4 years old -Little Folks Camp is for 4-5 years old -Ranger Camp is for grades 1-3 -Explorer Camp is for grades 4-6 -Voyager Camp is for grades 6-9 Activities vary from arts and crafts in the Wee Folks Camp to the Voyagers’ visits to theme parks, bowling and swimming pools. Visit www.campclarita.com for more information. You may call (661) 284-1465 or email campclarita@santa-clarita.com also. Spending the summer with Huckleberry gives your child hands-on arts and academics with seasoned teachers. This year Huckleberry Creative Learning Center will hold 1-2 weeklong camps beginning June 21, including: -Science Camp: ages 5-8 -Science Camp: ages 9-12 -Acting Technique: ages 9-12 -Acting Technique: ages 5-8 -Cooking Camp: ages 9-12 -Thinking Games: ages 10-12

Wasewagan, an accredited member of the American Camp Association, is about 100 miles from Santa Clarita. There are four two-week camps for kids, beginning June 27, or campers may come for just one week. The kids are housed in cabins and participate in everything from canoeing to “capture the flag.” Some campers also take advantage of a two-day rafting trip and a two-day surfing trip. Visit “Crazzy Craig” at www.lazyjranchcamp.com. Vibe Performing Arts Studios is holding “Camp Broadway” over both spring break and summer. Kids will sing, dance and act in a musical review. Each session ends with a performance, making every student feel like a star. The studios have more than 25 instructors, seven studios, a dance studio and a multi-purpose theatre. Its aim is to foster confidence and stronger self-esteem in children and teens who take the classes. Camp Broadway will tackle the audition process, motivational skills and positive development of the students’ talents, at every level. One- and two-week camps are held Monday-Friday for ages 7-16 from 9am-3pm. Cost for a one-week session is $224, and for a two-week session, $349. Spring Break dates: April 5-9 Summer dates: June 21-25; June 28-July 2; July 12-23; July 26-August 4 Vibe Performing Arts Studios is located in Valencia Plaza at 24460 ¼ Lyons Avenue. Call 661-255-7464 or visit www.vibeperformingartsstudios.com.

For ongoing courses visit the website at www.huckleberrycreativelearning.org. Wasewagan Camp and Retreat Center, with “Crazzy Craig” Johnson from Lazy J Camp in Malibu, has several weeks this summer set aside for kids in Angelus Oaks, near Big Bear.

18 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

continued on page 20 February 2010

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continued from page 18

For the 17th summer, the College of the Canyons Extension will host the Institute of Reading Development to provide reading instruction for all ages. Classes will include pre-reading, reading enrichment, speed-reading, comprehension and study skills, and efficiency reading for work, school and recreation. Everyone from four years old through high school can enroll in an age-appropriate course. There are also classes for high school seniors, collegeage individuals and adults in speed reading and comprehension. Programs range in price from $199 to $299 per session with a variety of class times and dates. Visit www.canyons.edu/offices/ com_ext/reading.asp. Sunshine Day Camp begins priority enrollment for summer camp on March 3. Kids from kindergarten through ninth grade have local locations with activities all summer. For families struggling with these tough economic times, Sunshine has a special offer in place. One

20 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

camp for children from kindergarten age to sixth grade charges a lower rate, although the kids get the same tried-and-true Sunshine safety and seasoned leadership – they just stay on campus at Oak Hills in Valencia. For a completely different experience, Sunshine offers a “Travel Camp” for grades 4-9, where excursions are the main attraction. The students get to Disneyland, the beach, Universal Studios, and many other field trips throughout the summer. This camp meets at Legacy Academy in Valencia. Sunshine’s third camp is “Adventure Camp” for kids entering first through sixth grade. It is held at three sites: Fair Oaks Ranch, Pico Canyon and Valencia Valley schools. They take two field trips each week and receive special guest entertainers, water play and other activities. For Sunshine’s calendar, pricing and general information visit www.sunshinedaycamp.com/. SCL

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castaic Living By Alicia Doyle Associate Editor

Coined the premiere RV resort in L.A., Valencia Travel Village in Castaic has earned a reputation as a top choice campground that attracts vacationers for its amenities and proximity to hiking, golfing, amusement parks and more.

24 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

Valencia Travel Village Features:

estled on 64 acres just northwest of the Santa Clarita Valley on Highway 126, “the relaxed, friendly atmosphere and wonderful country setting makes us an ideal choice for your RV destination,” said Louise Campbell of Castaic, assistant manager. “We are an RV destination for people from all over the world.”

• • • • •

Folks come to Valencia Travel Village for a variety of reasons. “Many people come for vacation, or medical treatment at UCLA, and many come from out of state to work,” Campbell continued. “The park has become home away from home for many guests that come back year after year.”

• • • • •

Located at 27946 Henry Mayo Drive in Castaic, the “pet-friendly” park features 386 spaces with mature trees and grassy sites. “We are equipped to handle big rigs,” Campbell said. “We can accommodate RV clubs and have three meeting rooms for their activities.” Additionally, “we have 580 sites for storage with 24-hour security.” Noted for being clean and well-maintained, the family-oriented park offers a small playground and arcade, as well as an on-site convenience store and laundry facilities. Guests can engage in a range of games and activities, including shuffle board, basketball, tennis, horseshoes, ping pong, hiking, bicycling and dog walking. “Guests can enjoy our adult and family pools, heated kiddie pool, and adult spa,” said Campbell of the village’s facility, which includes two large heated swimming pools, jacuzzi and wading pool. Open year-round, high temperatures throughout the summertime are in the 80s, with nighttime lows in the 60s. Throughout the winter, the highs are typically in the 50s, with dark hours descending to the 30s. “We have a fire pit that is lit every night where guests can go after a swim to dry off and relax... and on major holidays we have live music at the fire pit.” Valencia Travel Village is also located near golf courses, churches and shopping, and is only three miles away from Magic Mountain.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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Many Los Angeles attractions – such as Universal Studios, museums, beaches and Disneyland – are also a short drive away. “The park is only a 45-minute drive to Los Angeles attractions, such as Warner Brothers Studios, Hollywood, and Santa Monica beaches; also, several lakes for fishing and boating are nearby,” said Campbell. continued next page www.sclivingmagazine.com

“

We are an RV destination for people from all over the world.

”

Other attractions in close proximity to the village include Castaic Lake State Park, San Francisquito Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and a lake called Dry Canyon Reservoir. For those who like to hike, Burnt Peak Trail is considered a wonderful nearby trek, and for those who enjoy golfing, the Vista Valencia Golf Course is only a short drive away.

Established more than three decades ago, Valencia Travel Village was originally a horse ranch in town. “Now, people bring their grandchildren to take pictures on the same tree limb where they had their picture taken as a child,” said Campbell. Valencia Travel Village is located at 27946 Henry Mayo Drive in Castaic, California. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. The village is open year-round with 24-hour registration and security. For more information, call 661-257-3333 or toll-free at 888-588-8678; or send an email to valenciatravelvillage@yahoo.com.

26 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

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Castaic Animal Shelter By Alicia Doyle

In today's tough economy, more people are losing their jobs and having to surrender their pets to facilities like the Castaic Animal Shelter. “We are there for the animals – simple as that,” said Rosalee Doyle, an animal control officer at the Castaic Animal Shelter. “Without us, what would people do during rattlesnake season? Or how about when that cute little puppy crosses the street at the wrong moment? We are the emergency evacuation center for all of Santa Clarita, so fire season is pretty eventful.” Established in 1972, the shelter sits on several acres and caters to cats, dogs, reptiles, hamsters, rabbits and livestock. It serves unincorporated L.A. County north to the Kern County line, east to Agua Dulce and Acton, and west to the Ventura County line. The Castaic Animal Shelter is located at 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Road in Castaic. For more information call 661-702-7098.

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Get in the Zone…the Enterprise Zone By Martha Michael

Local business owners can save on their taxes with one simple step. Get in “The Zone.” More than 150 Santa Clarita businesses currently take advantage of the City’s 3-year-old program, which represents more than $41 million in potential tax savings so far.

“The Enterprise Zone continues to be one of Santa Clarita’s most successful business retention and attraction tools, and we are thrilled that our expansion request was approved by the State,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste.

Free Enterprise Zone Informational Seminar

The City will host a free Enterprise Zone informaRecently the zone was tional seminar Wednesday, expanded to include February 24 at 9 a.m. in Santa Bridgeport Marketplace, Clarita City Hall’s first-floor Baywood at Bridgeport Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Council Chambers, located at and Granary Square. 9:00 a.m. 23920 Valencia Boulevard. The area encompasses st more than 97 percent of Santa Clarita City Hall, 1 floor Business owners and managall commercial and indusCity Council Chambers ers interested in learning more trial zone properties within about the City’s Enterprise the City of Santa Clarita. Zone Program benefits According to www.scenterprisezone.com, being a part of the Enterprise Zone are encouraged to attend the seminar. Please RSVP means the businesses in those areas can potentially to RSVP@santa-clarita.com or call the City of Santa access any of the following: hiring tax credit; sales and Clarita’s Economic Development office at: 661-255-4347. use tax credit; business expense deduction; net operating For more information, visit scenterprisezone.com. loss carryover; net interest deductions for lenders; and income tax credit for employees.

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VolunTourism: More than just a Change of Scenery

36 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

group of SCV residents are learning firsthand what it means to mix volunteer work with travel as they step outside of their comfort zone to ease the impoverished lives of some families in Nicaragua. Stevenson Ranch residents Damian Jones and Cathy Taff are among a 17-member delegation from Valencia United Methodist Church involved in “Project Chacocente,” a U.S.-based non-profit (outofthedump. org), to build a playground and to support efforts to rescue families living in a garbage dump. They’re also bringing more than 800 pounds of donated school supplies, sports equipment and toiletries for the Chacocente families. In making the trip to Nicaragua, the SCV residents are joining a growing number of travelers nationwide who are making voluntourism increasingly popular for vacationing Americans. Typically, travelers pay their own way and spend part of their vacation helping with local projects, interspersed with traditional tourist activities. They live and work with people in the countries where they are traveling. According to a poll conducted by Condé Nast Traveler and MSNBC, only 14 percent of Americans have taken a volunteer holiday, but 55 percent say they would like to. And of those who have gone on volunteer trips, 95 percent say they are likely to do it again. Jones, a Santa Clarita resident since 2002, is a newcomer to voluntourism. “There were two things that appealed to me about this trip. Exploring a new culture and meeting the people, and helping the people of Project Chacocente,” says Jones, the managing partner of Pacific Strategy Group, a national government relations and issue advocacy firm with 17 offices in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Jones runs the California office. At the time of this publication, the 17 participants were scheduled to depart and return in two groups: the first few delegates, from Jan. 15 to Feb. 5; and the main group, from Jan. 25 to Feb. 1. The cost for each person, excluding airfare, is about $449 and includes dayto-day transportation, lodging, food, excursion guides and a stipend for the host families. Cash donations from the Valencia United Methodist Church will be used to purchase materials for construction projects. Photos of teachers and students in Nicaragua courtesy of volunteers from Valencia United Methodist Church

Pat Willet, community liaison officer for the Hart District, her husband, Chuck, and Sharon Dawson (who recently retired as city clerk), will head up the project in San Juan Del Sur, where they will bring 50 pounds of school supplies to a local school and deliver pen pal letters from local students. “While there, we also intend to go ziplining, horseback riding, sail boating, and hopefully take part in a midnight sea turtle hatching,” says Willet, a veteran volunteer/ tourist. “Last time, we were given a basket full of hatchings from a disturbed nest and actually got to release them, www.sclivingmagazine.com

in addition to assisting those that were hatching naturally from the sand,” says Willet. Once the entire delegation reconnects, they will help build an expanded playground for children in Project Chacocente, situated just outside the Nicaraguan capital of Managua. In addition to the hands-on construction project, they will visit La Chureca, the city garbage dump in Managua. The dump is home to about 3,000 families, who earn money by collecting, sorting and selling recyclables. They live in shacks made from cardboard, plastic, plywood, metal and other materials dug up from the trash surrounding them. Project Chacocente’s goal is to identify prospective families in the dump and coordinate a resettlement program. The plan is to relocate these families to a rural setting where they can raise their own food, learn a trade to become self-supporting in the future, and where their children can receive an education. “I don’t think any of us are prepared for what we are going to experience. I look forward to seeing how Project Chacocente has given these people the tools they need to create a better life. I also anticipate to be reawakened to the struggles and lives that some families in Nicaragua lead,” says Jones. On a lighter note, the group will take some time to enjoy the sights. General plans include a beach

outing, an overnight visit with a Nicaraguan family in a homestay program and a trip to Granada, Nicaragua’s fourth largest city. Excursion options in Granada include kayaking in Lake Nicaragua and ziplining down the slope of Mombacho Volcano. “It’s going to be a new experience all the way around,” says Jones. He and his wife, Michelle, have four children ages six months to 10-years-old who are still too young to join in mission trips now, he says. “I look forward to the opportunity to introduce them to this sort of trip in the future. We are so blessed here in the SCV and the United States, that being reminded of these blessings from time to time is a good thing,” says Jones. WRL

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Smooth Sailing

ur family vacation last summer was among the best we’ve had. Not because it was the most exotic or action filled. But because it was relaxing, affordable and our family-of-five enjoyed every minute together. In fact, it was smooth sailing from start to finish. We spent five fabulous nights onboard the Carnival Elation ship sailing through Baja, enjoying a fun cruise with good food and a variety of activities. Every few years or so, we go on a cruise for our summer vacation. We find that as our kids grow, so do our cruise options, making this an ideal choice for family travel. Last July, we gathered our brood, then ages 14, 18 and 20, for a budget-friendly cruise with lots to offer everyone. If you’ve got teens, you know that it’s not always easy planning a trip that appeals to all on board. But we agreed early on that this would be a low-key trip. For example, we usually plan our shore excursions in advance. Not this time. We decided to wing it. Having visited

By Mimi Slawoff

many cities in Mexico over the years, we weren’t sure we would even leave the ship (we did). As a family travel writer, this was hardest on me because I usually like to prepare a sightseeing itinerary (albeit with enough flexibility for change). But, I was open to unplanned adventure. And downtime. This was key to family harmony. At the time of our trip, the 14-deck Elation had recently begun operating a series of three-, four- and five-day cruises with two itineraries departing from San Diego. The five-day cruises departing Saturdays feature two full days in Cabo San Lucas; the five-day cruises departing Mondays include both Cabo and Ensenada. In addition, Carnival’s Elation has cruises departing Thursdays that visit Cabo. These itineraries are valid through April 2010. Baja trips, starting at $184 per person, are also available from Long Beach. On our itinerary, we visited Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Shortly after boarding, we explored the ship and enjoyed beautiful views of the

Top:The Los Arcos rock formations and arch border the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez in Cabo San Lucas, situated on the southern tip of the peninsula in Baja.

40 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

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San Diego skyline as we left the port around 5 p.m. Our ocean view stateroom on the upper deck had a good central location to restaurants, pools and activities. We had arranged for an early dinner seating, 6 p.m., and were pleased to find we had a private table for five in the Inspiration dining room, one of two formal restaurants. Our head waiter, Erich, and assistant server, Putu, were wonderful and indulged our son Michael’s appetite for three nightly entrées (he’s tall and thin, I don’t know where he puts all that food). Erich and Putu quickly learned our names, as well as our food and beverage preferences. They were so friendly that by the end of the week, my husband, Bruce, sang a duet (“That’s Amore”) with Erich during an Italian-themed dinner. After dinner the first night, our 14-year-old daughter, Megan, signed up for the Circle C program, aimed at ‘tweens and teens ages 12-14. Unlike trips when she was younger, she now had the privilege to check herself in and out of the program. This was a big hit with her since it continued on page 46

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newhall Living By Cary Osborne

Field Trip Hey guys, I’ve been pestering you this winter about traveling to Arizona for Major League Baseball’s spring training. You guys are so hard to convince. I’ve heard the excuses. But we can make it happen. Just hear me out.

42 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

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easily accessible to Angelenos last year with the team’s move to Glendale (Ariz.).”

There are 15 Major League teams that do their preseason workouts and games in Arizona, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels. The great thing is, most of those teams are within an hour of each other. The Dodgers are just outside of Phoenix in Glendale and the Angels play in Tempe.

If you guys didn’t know, the Dodgers moved into their new spring training home, Camelback Ranch, in 2009. For 61 years, the Dodgers called Vero Beach, Fla. their spring training home until the move last year.

e’re baseball fans, right? I know a couple of you aren’t, but trust me, this will be fun for all of us.

I think we want to drive there, right? One of you said you can’t make the drive. So you’d have to fly. So here’s the deal. We’ll drive from Santa Clarita to Phoenix — that’s about 405 miles, or a six-to sevenhour drive. I know, six or seven hours in a car is rough. But the experience will be worth it. I sought out some opinions and asked what to expect from spring training, so I asked some representatives from the Dodgers and Angels. “For those who come during the two weeks before games start Feb. 19 through March 4, there are tons of opportunities to interact with the players, get autographs and watch big leaguers from seats that are right in front of you ... the equivalent of the Dugout Club at Dodger Stadium,” said Josh Rawitch, Dodgers vice president of communications. “The ballpark is about one quarter of the size of Dodger Stadium, so the intimate feel of the game from every seat is also unique, and there’s obviously no berm (grass) seating at Dodger Stadium, where fans can come in your bathing suit and lay out in the sun. It’s something that many fans across the country have had the opportunity to experience for decades, but that really only became

The Dodgers share Camelback Ranch with the Chicago White Sox. Camelback Ranch is 141 acres and includes a lake, 12 practice diamonds and the main stadium, which has room for 13,000 – including 3,000 in the grass area behind the outfield fence. So we can go there and sit in the stands, hang out in the Legends Deck (which is basically a party deck), or we can sit on the grass. What’s the damage? It’s $10 to $47. Since we have to pick someone up at the airport, we can go directly from Phoenix International Airport to the Angels’ home at Tempe Diablo Stadium. It’s just six miles away. Tickets are just $6 to $29. Since I know not every one of you are big baseball fans I asked a representative of the Angels about the draw for the non-aficionado. “If you’re not a huge follower of baseball, you’ll become intrigued by it,” said Tim Mead, vice president of communications for the Angels. “I think once the season starts, what everyone sees is the games. They don’t see the work involved.” continued next page

At left: Dodgers during spring training; photo by Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers Right: Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda; photo by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers Far right: Dodgers leftf fielder Manny Ramirez signing autographs; photo by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers www.sclivingmagazine.com

Spring training is the work. We’ll get to see the chemistry being built, lots of player interaction and the basics being worked on. It’s almost like we’ll see what Little Leaguers and high school players do on a daily basis, just the names involved are Manny Ramirez and Torii Hunter. Not convinced? Well, what about the weather. We can hike the scenic red rocks of Camelback Mountain. We can check out the Native American fine art at the Heard Museum. There are about 35 golf courses in the area. Almost as many day spas. It’s too bad that the Talking Stick Resort, a 15-story casino/ hotel, doesn’t open until May 1, but we have something to shoot for in 2011. The food? Well, I read about this breakfast spot in Phoenix called Matt’s Big Breakfast. Bon Appetit magazine’s Web site said when the place opens at 6:30 a.m., there might be 20 people lined up outside. And there’s this restaurant called Kai that is the world’s only Five Diamond Native American restaurant. Listen to the name of this dish: grilled tenderloin of buffalo from the Cheyenne River tribe. Sound intriguing? Obviously we don’t have to be that elaborate with dining. And we actually don’t have to plan that much.The Dodgers and Angels offer travel packages that include tours, hotel rooms and tickets to games. For the Dodgers, the packages start at $471. They include hotel, tickets to a game, rental car and a postgame reception with select players and a shirt.

Above: Entrance to Tempe’s Diablo Stadium during spring training; photo courtesy of Los Angeles Angels

Below: Angels game during spring training in Tempe’s Diablo Stadium; photo courtesy of Los Angeles Angels

The Angels offer a similar package starting at $586 with a dinner featuring a special meet and greet with a player. OK, say we do this in a weekend, we don’t do any packages and we don’t see the Angels or Dodgers. We have so many options — the White Sox, Cubs, Brewers, Rangers, all the California teams and more. We could drive there early on Friday and get a cheaper hotel room and with tickets as low as $5, it won’t cost a ton. Some teams offer all-inclusive food packages. The Arizona Diamondbacks have a $25 all-youcan-eat party deck. All players are supposed to report to spring training on Feb. 23. The first weekend of games is Friday, March 5. Basically, every game starts at 1:05 so we could stay until Sunday and hit the road to go back home around 4:30 or 5 p.m. Sure, we’ll be back late that night. But it’ll be worth it. I have never seen baseball this way — the beginnings, the interaction, the downscaled intimate version of Major League Baseball. What do you guys think?

44 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

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Cary Osborne is the assistant managing editor at The Signal.

www.sclivingmagazine.com

continued from page 40

California and international wines are featured at a wine tasting onboard the Carnival Elation.

gave her the ability to select her activities, such as video games, dances, karaoke and parties. Shore excursions included parasailing. The cruiseline’s other children’s programs are Camp Carnival for ages 2 – 11, and Club 02 for ages 15 – 17. Our first full day at sea was spent further exploring the ship’s venues and amenities. After a leisurely breakfast buffet at Tiffany’s, a large poolside eatery that also offers a full lunch buffet, we strolled the decks. Compared to newer, larger ships outfitted with onboard theme parks, the Elation is simple yet sufficient. It has three pools (one equipped with a waterslide), a 12,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, a library where you can check out books and games, a casino, and several lounges with bars. Daily and nightly shows take place in the Japanese-themed Mikado Lounge, a multilevel, 1,200-seat theater. While Megan floated in and out of the young teen club, our older kids found plenty to do – and not do. Christina was content to read a book poolside while Michael joined in frequent pick-up basketball games. With the luxury of time on our hands, Bruce and I participated in a wine tasting with the maître d’ in the dining room. It was a casual and lovely event. Bright and early the next day, the ship glided slowly into Cabo San Lucas, located at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. We stood on the outside deck for better views of Los Arcos, the famous rock formations and arch that are situated where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez merge. Once the ship dropped anchor, we boarded tenders to reach the shore. Our plan was to swim and lounge at a nearby beach, fol-

46 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

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A chance to dress up for formal night. Left - right: Bruce Mendelson, Michael, Megan, Mimi and Christina Slawoff-Mendelson

lowed by lunch (per Michael’s request) at Cabo Wabo Cantina, owned by musician Sammy Hagar. We began walking but it was very hot, and with nearby construction creating detours, we opted for a water taxi instead. Having been warned by cruise staff to be wary of these water taxi operators, we made sure to secure a private boat ride to avoid being kept waiting while the boat was overfilled with more tourists. Water taxis can topple when overloaded. We were approached by a slew of taxi operators but chose one who agreed to bring us to the beach without other passengers for $12. We were still a bit nervous but the short ride to the beach was safe and scenic. After swimming in the warm, gentle surf, we hailed a cab (about $5) from the closest luxury hotel to bring us to nearby Cabo Wabo. We lingered over a good lunch (and margaritas) before walking back to the ship. Along the way we browsed through shops for small souvenirs. The heat was stifling and by the time we reached the ship we were exhausted. But we had two days left to relax, swim and play. When the ship pulled into port in Ensenada at the end of the week, the kids chose to stay onboard. Bruce and I took a short walk about town but returned to the ship to join the kids for minigolf and ping-pong. As the ship departed for San Diego in the late afternoon, we lounged on chairs at the back of the ship, tanned, relaxed and content. Baja cruises are also available from Long Beach. If you’re looking for a longer cruise, consider the Carnival Splendor, which offers year-round, seven-day Mexican Riviera service from Long Beach. For more information, visit www.carnival.com.

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valencia Living by Linda Vanek Associate Editor

The average wedding takes over 300 hours to plan, according to a survey from the International Association of Bridal Consultants.

48 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

ost of us don’t even have an extra half hour in a day, and uncovering the kind of time to visit an average of 45 vendors to make countless decisions seems impossible. There must be a better way than the old fashioned version of a bride and her mom planning the wedding. There is. Wedding consultant Alice Goetschel of Memorable Occasions/ Weddings by Alice comes with 20 years of experience, knowledge of quality vendors and venues, a calming presence in emergencies and an absolute love of her job. “My favorite part is getting to know the family and help them celebrate life’s milestones in a meaningful and special way. I really enjoy the personal aspect,” Goetschel commented. “I become an extended member of the family. I have ideas to make milestone celebrations more memorable.” A love of weddings since she was young encouraged her to volunteer to help, and experience as a bridesmaid “over and over” gave her ample opportunity to taste a variety of weddings. She realized that families needed someone to help who wasn’t emotionally involved and who wouldn’t be taken away from enjoying the day and the guests. “I invented the idea but there wasn’t such a job yet,” she recalled. In 1990 she found a class to become a wedding consultant and hung out her shingle combining wedding planning with her 30-year career as a now retired kindergarten teacher. How does a newly engaged couple begin the daunting task of planning a special day to celebrate their love? Goetschel has developed a comprehensive questionnaire to help couples

during their first consultation define what they truly want from their wedding. “The first thing is to set the date and the number of people. Then you fill in the blanks,” she noted. “The most difficult part is getting a venue. People aren’t aware of places that exist. There are some private places for small parties,” Goetschel said. Armed with her knowledge of quality florists, caterers, photographers and bakeries, in addition to locations, Goetschel does the legwork of contacting places to check on availability. Memorable dates like 10-10-10 or 8-9-10 make it easy to remember your anniversary, but fill up quickly. After cutting the typical vendor list down by 2/3 through prescreening, Goetschel recommends several contacts for each category for the bride and groom to visit. They might take the book that she co-authored on their visits to compile information and make decisions easier. “The Simply Elegant Wedding Planner” (www.weddingplannernotebooks. com) is a notebook with questions to ask, important ideas to consider, pages for notes and slots for business cards. Envelopes for receipts and pictures are included to make information easy to organize and accessible. Each couple typically has at least one element that is significant to them. It might be an exceptional cake, special music or location. With an average wedding costing $20-30,000, planning the budget is a balancing act, according to Goetschel. She

www.sclivingmagazine.com

continued from page 49

helps couples come up with creative ways to combine their hobbies, interests or cultural heritage into the celebration. For instance, one bride arrived in a stagecoach and another couple had goldfish bowl centerpieces to show their love of fishing. Wedding trends change with time and one current innovation is to have activities for the guests while the couple is taking formal pictures. In addition to food, there might be a strolling magician, string quartet or even a photo booth. There’s often a post-reception party where the bride and groom change their clothes and continue the evening with their friends. Parents often host a brunch the day after the wedding, especially for out of town guests. If the couple hasn’t left on their honeymoon, they might come to the brunch and open gifts. Also popular are “Save the Date” magnets or cards to allow guests to make travel plans. New colors include a very dark burgundy red that’s almost black, and jewel colors like emerald green and ruby red. Chocolate brown has been a consistent favorite. Brides also might use a “toss bouquet” so that they can keep and preserve the original. There are services that will press flowers artistically in a frame or freeze dry the flowers. While there are plenty of music groups and bands available, a DJ is often more affordable and can provide a variety of lighting, act as the master of ceremonies, and even bring special bubbles that don’t leave spots when they pop on your clothes. A new moneysaving trend is to personalize the music by using what’s on an iPod. We’ve all heard horror stories of things that go wrong at weddings, but Alice, her assistant and their large container of emergency supplies are prepared for just about any problem. Anything from the usual Tylenol and needle and thread to a floral emergency kit to create missing corsages is included and brings a huge level of comfort to the bridal party and family. If you need it, it’s in there. 50 S a n t a C l a r i t a L i v i n g M a g a z i n e

February 2010

The “Santa Clarita Wedding Professionals” is a group that Goetschel waited for years to join. They allow only two members from each wedding planning category at a time and “Brides call them the ‘A-team,’” according to Goetschel. The organization provides a valuable and inexpensive service to brides in Southern California. Every quarter they have a bridal seminar to explain how to plan a wedding, avoid common mistakes and how to save money. There’s plenty of time for a question-andanswer time with the 20 professionals from the organization. The cost is $10 for a bride and guest and the next event is March 2, 2010. Doors open at 6:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency Valencia and, since seating is limited, RSVP at 661.296.6191. Their website (www.santaclaritaweddings.com) states, “Your vision is our passion.” Three hundred hours is a huge investment of time. An experienced professional like Alice Goetschel not only can save a bride time, but can help her realize the dream for the perfect start to the couple’s new life together. Celebrating their love can be meaningful and relaxing with the right way to plan. Alice Goetschel can be reached at www.weddingsbyalice.com or 661.270.9448. vL

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