The West Ranch Beacon – News & Commentary for the Santa Clarita Valley

(From Science Daily) The whimsical music of The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever was made possible using production and editing techniques that were groundbreaking for its time. Beatles’ fans probably wouldn’t have even noticed that two takes of differing pitch and speed were spliced together until Dalhousie University’s Sherlock of Rock — math professor Jason Brown — went in to investigate. (more…)

The following is political activity for Monday, February 28, 2011, going on in Washington and across the nation. It is courtesy of Scott Wilk, Community Organizer, and Anchor Consulting group. The Beacon will be posting these daily as they become available. (more…)

As many of you know, I have regularly railed against some of the top leadership at the City of Santa Clarita. I have voiced objection to the heavy-handedness of some of those running the City and pointed out the questionable dealings that seem to go on regularly behind the scenes; the good’ol boy network that benefits the few to the detriment of the majority. A wonderful case in point is the City of Santa Clarita’s takeover of the three Los Angeles County Libraries within the City’s boundaries. (more…)

(From the latimes.com) Most major roads were open Sunday after a passing cold front brought ice, freezing rain and snow to local mountains and Los Angeles foothill communities. (more…)

Planning to make a purchase through Craigslist then read this story and the safety tips for consideration. The planned purchase of an iPhone instead ended with a Lawndale man being robbed at gunpoint at a planned meeting in Temple City  A Lawndale man (victim) met with an Asian man (suspect) at a restaurant parking lot in the 9400 Block of Las Tunas in Temple City, February 19, at about 3:00PM. The men had agreed to meet after the victim answered an advertisement for an iPhone for sale for $500.00 on Craiglist. (more…)

(From the latimes.com) Mindy Benham knows how to pinch a penny. That’s why the Costa Mesa resident does a lot of her shopping on the Internet. She particularly favors Amazon.com Inc. because the giant e-retailer doesn’t collect California state sales taxes on her purchases. (more…)

(From the AP) It was the kind of dilemma that could make a new governor wring his hands. The state Senate was considering a bill to restore higher taxes on millionaires. Sign it, and Chris Christie would break his no-new-taxes campaign promise; veto it, and he’d break another promise to protect tax rebates in the state with the nation’s highest average property tax bill. (more…)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff warns members of the public are being tricked by jail inmates and others through a telephone scam. The increasing pattern was noticed by deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who have been receiving an increasing number of phone calls from people who have been scammed. (more…)

Freezin’ for a reason! Come Join YOUR Santa Clarita Valley Sheriffs at Castaic Lake and take the Polar Plunge to help the Special Olympics of Santa Clarita Valley or donate on-line. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is joining in partnership to support the Special Olympics Santa Clarita Valley at the annual Polar Plunge event. (more…)

According to a local report; “The man found dead Sunday near the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library has been identified as Larry McElvany, 57, coroners officials said Friday. A cause of death has not yet been determined.” (more…)

(From the sacbee.com) The Legislature’s lawyers have told Republicans that Democrats could put taxes on the ballot with a majority vote – but only under narrow circumstances. Read the opinion, sought by Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton: LegCounsel.pdf

Nota FerryFan wrote to us and asked that this video be reposted and said; “SCV citizens, when time permits please review this video to catch up with the latest “G & L Realty Sting” and check the latest news via www.westranchbeacon.com on Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s CEO/Board of Director controversy.  As you all may recall, G & L Realty, HMNMH mgm’t and SCV City Hall were in lockstep to force high density office construction – HMNMH expansion was approved with a 4 to 1 vote.  And now our hospital is once again embroiled in heated disagreement. Will we ever have a top notch hospital here?  View the entire video here: DeJa Vu All Over Again!   As always, Nota FerryFan’s commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.   

(From the latimes.com) The level of devastation from this week’s earthquake in New Zealand has some California scientists saying that the state’s seismic building codes should be reevaluated to address the striking structural failures seen in Christchurch. (more…)

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has announced that based on the forecast of snow and icy road conditions, it will close public access to all County roads within the Station Fire burn area at noon on Friday, February 25, 2011. (more…)

The National Weather Service reports that a very cold low pressure system will bring rain and low elevation snow to the Santa Clarita Valley area today and tomorrow. The snow level is expected above about 4000 feet. Light showers are expected during the day ahead of the front with heavier precipitation developing tonight as the front moves through the area. (more…)

A motion by Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich directs the Department of Public Works to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the proposed project to remove over 1.5 million cubic yards of sediment from the Devil’s Gate Dam and Reservoir area in Pasadena. (more…)

(From Science Daily) Disasters such as floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes often result in the spread of diseases like gastroenteritis, giardiasis and even cholera because of an immediate shortage of clean drinking water. Now, chemistry researchers at McGill University have taken a key step towards making a cheap, portable, paper-based filter coated with silver nanoparticles to be used in these emergency settings. (more…)

The following is political activity for Friday, February 25, 2011, going on in Washington and across the nation. It is courtesy of Scott Wilk, Community Organizer, and Anchor Consulting group. The Beacon will be posting these daily as they become available. (more…)

While my kitchen is going on month two of its remodel, it reminded me of the last time my kitchen was in total disarray. It started with my first holiday meal for both sides of my family and 20 pounds of potato skins that for some reason my garbage disposal couldn’t handle. Remember, it was my first big meal. (more…)

Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich described a proposal by 10 city redevelopment agencies to give the state $1.7 billion in return for a 10-year extension of redevelopment projects – loan sharking.  The extension will result in a loss of nearly $30 billion in revenue to counties and school districts throughout the state. (more…)