In honor of National Preparedness month, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) would like to remind pet owners to be prepared for the event of an emergency. Including your pets in your emergency preparedness plans is key to ensuring survival during a disaster, crisis, or emergency.  Remember, it is always best to plan ahead, before disaster strikes. (more…)

(From The Signal) As state officials decide whether to expand Santa Clarita’s enterprise zone to cover businesses in unincorporated areas of the Santa Clarita Valley, county supervisors say California’s largest business-incentive program should be made even bigger. (more…)

(From the Signal) A 43-year-old man was being held Monday on $305,000 bail after he allegedly assaulted and held his girlfriend against her will in a Stevenson Ranch hotel last week, authorities said. (more…)

(From the latimes.com) Los Angeles County officials have failed to follow state law that requires them to publicly disclose child fatalities resulting from abuse or neglect, according to an independent audit released Monday. The violations involve “potentially dozens” of child fatalities, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said. (more…)

Here is a terrific video by Nota FerryFan that showcases the good local residents speaking out against the City takeover of the County libraries. Nota FerryFan describes the video with this caption; “During the public hearing of 8.24.10, Santa Clarita’s City Council members voted 4 to 1 to take control of the county’s 3 libraries in SCV. This video contains various highlights of that public hearing.” To view the entire video click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUAacVuDz9U

(From the lacanadaonline.com) Ann Benriter stepped gingerly around bits of charred debris and twisted metal that littered the site where her house once stood in the Vogel Flats community in Big Tujunga Canyon. Off to one side were the remnants of two motorcycles, the tires and seats burned away. Her husband, John, hasn’t been able to bring himself to remove them. (more…)

The Los Angeles Philharmonic will perform a free concert at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) on Wednesday, September 29, at 7:30pm, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today. The full orchestra will be conducted by Manuel Lopez and will perform for one hour with no intermission. This event is a partnership between the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the City of Cerritos and the Office of Supervisor Knabe. (more…)

Los Angeles County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Mark Ridley-Thomas today demonstrated their commitment to protect Southern California from plastic marine debris by reaffirming their support of a ban on plastic bags in Los Angeles County if the State fails to enact Assembly Bill 1998 (Brownley) —The Single-Use Bag Reduction Act. (more…)

While the butterflies are away, the spiders come out to play on the Museum’s South Lawn! Get up close and personal with these shy and fragile creatures; marvel at their beauty and at the magnificent webs they produce. Separate admission ticketing applies; members are always free. Spider Pavilion will open be September 26 through November 7, seven days a week, 10 am?5 pm. For more information visit www.nhm.org/site/activities-programs/spider-pavilion.

LeRoy Villanueva, one of four LA Opera artists in the company’s interactive “Sing Out Loud!” program, says kids and parents who’ve experienced the show often come out saying, “This is opera?” The program, to be performed on the Ford family series at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 28, is anything but stuffy. “It’s all about having fun,” says Villanueva. (more…)

Did you expect any other outcome? Of course the City Council voted to take over the County Libraries regardless of any of the questions brought up by City residents. This was a done deal going into the council meeting because most of the City Council members do exactly what the City managers tell them to do! Let’s see if the City matches the County service and at what expense. (From KHTS) After nearly four hours of presentations and public comments, the City Council of Santa Clarita voted 4-1 on Tuesday to withdraw from the County of Los Angeles Public Library system and establish an independent municipal library, placing both library ownership and managerial decisions within the City’s control. (more…)

Los Angeles County’s innovative Smart Gardening Program is set to expand following recent approval by the Board of Supervisors for the construction of two new smart gardening learning centers in West Whittier and Sylmar. When completed later this year, the centers will provide residents with the opportunity to attend free workshops on smart gardening techniques, including composting, grass recycling, water-wise and fire-wise gardening, and low impact design. (more…)

To ensure pedestrian safety, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich made calling for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Via Princessa and Swan Lake using funds provided by Pardee Homes. (more…)

 Los Angeles County Assessor Robert Quon today released the fourth successive trillion-dollar Assessment Roll, although the $1,089,524,149,015 gross total reflects a 1.67 percent  decrease from last year – equal to an $18.5 billion reduction in the Roll. (more…)

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) would like to advise pet owners to prepare for the forecasted heat wave this week. DACC would like to remind pet owners of precautions that should be taken to keep your pets cool and comfortable in the heat. In extreme heat, it is best to leave your pets at home.  Limit your pet’s exercise to early morning or evening hours. (more…)

Local video documentarian Nota FerryFan has been busy lately! Here is another video piece this time on the proposed takeover of the local County Libraries by the City of Santa Clarita. Nota FerryFan states; “Be advised, Santa Claritans, the majority of your city Council members are aiming for another power grab by taking control of our County Libraries. Please attend your City’s public hearing Tuesday night, August 24, 2010 and voice your opinions.” Residents of the City are about to be duped again regardless of what they have to say! View the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOB9QhThpZ0

LeRoy Villanueva, one of four LA Opera artists in the company’s interactive “Sing Out Loud!” program, says kids and parents who’ve experienced the show often come out saying, “This is opera?” The program, to be performed on the Ford family series at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 28, is anything but stuffy. “It’s all about having fun,” says Villanueva. (more…)

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors announced today it has immediately closed two south jetty view piers that are unsafe for public use at this time.  Access to the south jetty and 62nd Street Bridge will remain open for pedestrians and fishing.  Alternative fishing locations are available at Burton Chace Park and the north jetty.  (more…)