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Happy Birthday to Us 🥳

Happy Birthday to Us 🥳

A year older, a year wiser. Plus: concerts, wine nights, and e-bike crackdowns.

Kate Gullett
August 12, 2025

In partnership with

Good morning, SCV. This is The SCV Insider and today is our first birthday (*cue the confetti*)

The SCV Insider turns one today. In toddler terms, that’s the age where you’ve mastered walking, started pointing at things you want, and discovered you can make people clap for you just by existing. Sounds about right 😏

On August 12, 2024, we hit send on our first newsletter to 834 locals. And today, I’m hitting send on our 144th to 6,025 of you. 🥹

In the past year, you’ve made me feel like I’m running the hottest show in town (or at least the most well-informed group chat). You’ve said things like:

“The Insider has given me new places to shop, eat, and have fun with my wife of 57 years. Love it.” (Couple goals)
“I anxiously anticipate it in my mailbox. It’s a needed addition to the SCV social landscape.” (Putting that on my LinkedIn)
“You’ve helped our foster community without even knowing it.” (I’m not crying, you’re crying)
“I enjoy each and every newsletter.” (Even the ones where I accidentally typed the wrong weekend dates)
“You’ve introduced me to restaurants and activities I never would’ve found otherwise.” (Mission accomplished)

So here’s to you—our readers, tip-senders, and accidental proofreaders. Without you, this would just be me talking to myself about the best tacos in town. Here’s to year two: let’s make it even better.

In today's SCV Insider:

Upcoming events 🥳
School is back in session 🚲️
A quick coastal escape for movie night 🎞️

Let’s get into it.

— Kate

What a Gutter Upgrade Actually Costs

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🆕 New & Upcoming Events

Tuesday, August 12

🍷 Wine Tasting at Agua Dulce Winery | Tuesday, August 12 | 11am–5:30pm | Agua Dulce Winery | Tasting fees apply | Sip award-winning wines in the heart of Sierra Pelona Valley at LA County’s premier vineyard. Bring a picnic, wander the 90-acre grounds, meet the resident farm animals, and sample medal-winning varietals. Bonus: lawn games and mountain views pair perfectly with your glass.

Wednesday, August 13

🍷 Wine Down Wednesday at The Paseo Club | Wednesday, August 13 | 4–7:30pm | The Paseo Club, Valencia | Free (open to the public) | Midweek blues? Not here. Start with happy hour at 4, sip wine specials at 6, and hit the dance floor when live music kicks in at 6:30. No guest pass needed — just bring your friends and your best “it’s only Wednesday?” energy.

Thursday, August 14

🎨🍺 Pints & Paints at Lucky Luke Brewing | Thursday, August 14 | 6–10pm | Lucky Luke Brewing, Rye Canyon | $40 + tax | Get crafty with your cold one. Color Me Mine takes over Lucky Luke every second Thursday for a paint-your-own-mug night. Your ticket covers the mug, all the supplies, and your first pint — the rest is up to your inner artist (and maybe the beer).

Friday, August 15

🚣‍♀️ Adventure Awaits at Castaic Lake | Friday, August 15 | 10am, 11:30am & 1pm | Castaic Lake Recreation Area | Free (parking $12) | Kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards — oh my! Kids ages 7–14 can learn water skills and safety while splashing around at beautiful Castaic Lake. Life jackets provided, parents stay on site, and the fun is 100% free (just pay for parking). Three sessions to choose from, but spots go fast.

👢 Boots & Beats on the Patio @ MB2 | Friday, August 15 | 8–11pm | MB2 | $15 cover | 18+ | Kick up your heels with DJ tunes, line dancing lessons from the Rhinestone Cowgirls (8:30–10pm), and plenty of patio vibes. MB2’s got the food, beer, wine, and cocktails — you bring the moves. Parking’s easy, the fun’s guaranteed.

Saturday, August 16

🧺 Saugus Band ‘Clothes for Cash’ Fundraiser | Saturday, August 16 | 8–11am | Saugus High School Parking Lot | Free to donate | Clean out your closet and support the Saugus Marching Centurions. They’re collecting gently used clothes, shoes, linens, and more to fund their instrumental music program. Drop items near the band trailers by the tennis courts — tax donation letters available.

🎤 Concerts in the Park: Always Adele | Food trucks at 5pm, music at 7pm | Central Park | Free | Hello… from Central Park. Always Adele delivers all the powerhouse ballads and soulful hits you love, live under the summer sky. Grab dinner from the food trucks, pack your picnic blanket, and get ready to sing your heart out.

Sunday, August 17

🎵 Singo at Brewery Draconum | Sunday, August 17 | 6–8pm | Brewery Draconum, Newhall | Free | It’s bingo… but make it music. Instead of numbers, you’ll mark your card with song titles as 30-second clips play — no singing required (but highly encouraged). Dance in your seat, sip your beer, and win prizes if you call SINGO first. Happens the 1st & 3rd Sundays each month.

🔄 Recurring Events

🎭️ Local Theater & Performing Arts

🎭 NEW! Theatre in a Week | The MAIN, Old Town Newhall | Runs: August 15–17 | Fri at 8pm, Sat at 2pm & 8pm, Sun at 2pm | Six brand-new one-act comedies packed with mistaken identities, family fiascos, and laugh-out-loud chaos — plus a few unexpectedly touching moments.

👠 Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella | Canyon Theatre Guild, Newhall | Runs: July 26–August 30 | Select Sat at 8pm & Sat/Sun matinees at 2pm | A magical, modern spin on the classic fairytale featuring beloved songs like “In My Own Little Corner” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” Opening night includes a complimentary wine and champagne reception.

These Are The Rolls-Royce Of Hearing Aids (And Under $100)

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Local Stories

Community

🚲 School’s back, SCV (I can hear the collective sigh of relief from parents everywhere…) which means crosswalks are busy, traffic’s spicier, and the city’s trails are about to see a whole lot more wheels. Councilmember Bill Miranda wants parents to give their kid’s ride a quick “are you actually legal?” once-over, especially if it’s an e-bike. Turns out, some of those “totally safe for teens!” models are actually undercover e-motorcycles that can hit 30 mph, have zero pedals, and are about as street-legal as a go-kart at the Indy 500. The Sheriff’s Station is cracking down, which could mean $500+ fines, license delays, or watching your kid’s new wheels get towed away like a sad parade float. Pro tip: check for pedals, a legit classification sticker, and make sure your kid knows where they can ride without ending up on the wrong side of the law. Full scoop at BikeSantaClarita.com/Ebikes — because nothing says “back to school” like avoiding your first traffic ticket. (The Signal)

Business

🥐 Santa Clarita’s collective carb dreams were crushed (again) this week after rumors swirled that Porto’s was finally bringing its potato balls and guava pastries to town. Sadly, the bakery confirmed there are still zero plans for an SCV location — meaning your closest fix is still a long, soul-searching drive down the 5. The latest false alarm? A rogue Google search result recycling an old April Fools’ prank that placed Porto’s in the former Joann’s at Centre Pointe. The truth: Burlington Coat Factory is moving in, not your favorite Cuban bakery. Which means you can buy a winter coat, but you’ll still have to head out of town for a refugiado. (The Signal)

Entertainment

🎬 Okay okay, it’s not technically in SCV, but it’s a quick coastal escape — and worth the drive. Ventura Harbor Village kicked off Seaside Movie Nights on Aug. 9, with this year’s theme, Nostalgia on the Big Screen, serving up classics from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s right by the marina. The future lineup: Jaws (Sept. 6, celebrating its 50th with preshow surprises), and Hocus Pocus (Oct. 11, with a costume contest). Movies are free, parking’s free after 8 p.m., and there’s plenty of food from Harbor Village restaurants to keep you cozy under the stars. Full details at VenturaHarborVillage.com. (The Signal)

Education

🎭 Got talent? The Music Center in L.A. is calling all Southern California high school students with performing arts dreams to apply for its 38th annual Spotlight program — a free, nationally recognized competition offering over $100,000 in scholarships each year. Students can audition in categories like acting, dance, classical or contemporary instrumental, and voice (both classical and non-classical), with feedback from industry pros, mastery classes, and chances to perform on big stages. Past SCV students have snagged Spotlight honors, so the bar is high — but so are the rewards. Apply by Monday, Oct. 13 at musiccenter.org/spotlight. (SCV News)

Mystery Link

👀 Pssst… Curiosity called. It said to click this.

Headline Hunt

New day, new word. Can you guess the 5-letter mystery word from today’s stories? Let’s see what you’ve got!

Thanks for reading today.

Thanks for reading today—and for sticking with us through our very first lap around the sun! To celebrate, here are a few of your favorite SCV spots, as shouted out by you (the readers):

World Appliance – “They always save the day.”
Capture It Now – “The best way to make memories last.”
Route 66 Bar & Grill – “Great food, great service, great people.”
Fit Fix – “A supportive environment that makes you want to work out.”
The Bar Method Santa Clarita – “Challenging but fun—you leave stronger every time.”
Results Fitness – “They make you feel like family.”
Neman Chiropractic – “I always leave feeling brand new.”

Here’s to another year of local love, caffeine, and mild chaos. 🥂

Cheers,

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