SCV Gets a $1.4M Green Boost 🌳

Today’s Forecast

71 🌡️ 51 | ⛅️ | 💨 S 8 mph

Good morning, SCV. This is The SCV Insider. Somewhere out there, a sea sponge is having a better day than you—because they have no brain, no stress, and no emails. Meanwhile, we’re all stuck remembering passwords and paying bills. Anyway…

In today's SCV Insider:

• This weekend’s events 🤩 

• Step back in time… 📻️ 

• Our staff’s weekend picks 📺️ 🍴 📖 

Let’s get into it.

— Kate

This Weekend’s Events

Friday, Feb. 28

🆕 New Events

🎩 ‘The Games We Play: A Magical Theatrical Experience’ | 6:30 PM | The MAIN, Newhall | $24 | Award-winning magician Chris Canfield brings a unique blend of magic and storytelling inspired by his family’s game store. As seen on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, this 70-minute show is for ages 16+. The 8 PM show is SOLD OUT—get tickets for 6:30 PM HERE.

🎤 Hart District’s Got Talent – Second Annual Showcase | 7–9 PM | Saugus High School | $5+ | Enjoy a variety showcase of student talent, from singing and dancing to comedy and martial arts, presented by the WiSH Education Foundation. Tickets: $5 (students), $15 (general), $25 (VIP seating). Funds raised support district educational programs.

🔄 Recurring Friday Events

🎵 Live Music at Lucky Luke Brewing | 6–9 PM | Lucky Luke Brewing | Start your weekend with great brews and even better tunes.

🤠 Boots and Barrels Country Night at Pocock Brewing | 7–10 PM | The Barrel Room SCV | Free | Kick up your boots with line dancing lessons and a live DJ every other Friday. Don't miss this high-energy country night at Pocock Brewing!

🎤 Fuel Pump Friday’s Karaoke at Route 66 | 8 PM | Route 66 Grill | Your shot at karaoke glory awaits.

Saturday, Mar. 1

🆕 New Events

🎨 ARTree's Flutterby Open Studio | 10 AM–1 PM | ARTree Community Arts Center, Newhall | Free | A family-friendly open art studio with hands-on creative projects. Held the first Saturday of every month—registration required due to limited space. Join the waitlist if full!

📚 Local Author Fair at The Open Book | 2–6 PM | The Open Book, Santa Clarita | Free | Meet and support local authors as they showcase and sell their works. Authors can reserve a table and sign up for five-minute readings.

🎗️ 2025 ACS Relay For Life Survivor & Caregiver Celebration Dinner | 5–7 PM | Canyon Country Community Center | Free | Join a heartfelt evening honoring cancer survivors and caregivers with dinner, desserts, guest speakers, music, raffles, and photo opportunities.

📖 Author Event: Zoraida Córdova – One Story One City Book Signing & Q&A | 7–8:30 PM | The Mitchell River House, Santa Clarita | Free | Join One Story One City author Zoraida Córdova for an evening of conversation, a Q&A session, and book signing. Space is limited—arrive early! Held at Vista Canyon Park.

🎶 Mission Opera's ‘Carmina Burana’ | 7:30 PM | Canyon High School Performing Arts Center | $25+ | Experience Carl Orff’s powerful masterpiece performed by a 70+ member chorus and a 50-piece orchestra. Tickets: $30–$65, student & senior tickets $25 (with ID at the box office).

🎭 Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike: A Chekhov-Inspired Comedy | 8–10 PM | The Olive Branch, Valencia Town Center | Ticketed Event | Enjoy a hilarious and touching Tony Award-winning comedy about sibling rivalries, family tensions, and personal aspirations. A perfect blend of laughter and drama in the heart of Valencia’s Town Center. Don’t miss this witty theatrical experience!

🔄 Recurring Saturday Events

🍅 Old Town Newhall Farmers Market | 8:30 AM–1 PM | Old Town Newhall | Fresh produce, artisan goods, and local vibes.

🏍️ Motorcycles & Coffee | 9-11 AM | Ken and Joe’s Powersports | Donuts, coffee, and motorcycles—what else do you need?

🎵 Live Music at Pocock Brewing Tasting Room | 7-10 PM | Pocock Brewing | Sip, relax, and enjoy live performances from local artists.

Sunday, Mar. 2

🆕 New Events

🎨 DIY Mats & Mimosa Workshop at Board & Brush | 11 AM–1 PM | Board & Brush, Santa Clarita | $45 | Get creative while sipping on two complimentary mimosas at this DIY doormat workshop. All materials provided, step-by-step guidance included. Pre-registration required. No outside alcohol allowed—beer & wine available for purchase. Register now to secure your spot!

🎶 Acoustic Jam Session at Old Town Newhall Library | 1–4 PM | Old Town Newhall Library | Free | Join local Santa Clarita musicians for a laid-back jam session—bring your acoustic instrument and play along! Quiet basses with small amps are welcome. Held monthly on the first Sunday. Open to ages 18+.

🚀 Astronaut Bootcamp Storytime at Valencia Library | 2–3 PM | Valencia Public Library | Free | Blast off into space with a lively reading of Astronaut Handbook by Megan McCarthy, performed by HOPE Theatre Arts actors. Enjoy space-themed activities, sample astronaut food, and win fun prizes! Perfect for young space explorers and their families.

🕺 Alumni Ball-Themed Square & Round Dance by Sierra Hillbillies | 2–5 PM | Valencia United Methodist Church | $12 | Join the Sierra Hillbillies Square & Round Dance Club for a fun-filled afternoon of dancing! Cindy Mower calls Rounds at 2 PM, followed by Ron Shuping calling SSD & Plus Tips. Dress for the theme or come casual! For info, call (661) 262-9525 or email [email protected].

🎭 Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike: A Valentine’s Weekend Comedy | 2–4 PM | The MAIN, Newhall | Ticketed Event | Enjoy a hilarious and heartfelt Tony Award-winning comedy by Christopher Durang this Valentine’s weekend. Follow sibling rivalries, midlife crises, and laugh-out-loud moments in this Chekhov-inspired modern classic

🔄 Recurring Saturday Events

🎭 Mardi Gras at Valencia FivePoint Farmers Market | 8:30 AM–1 PM | 27426 Navigation Ave. | Free Entry | Celebrate Mardi Gras with live music, authentic New Orleans food, free face painting, and a tarot card reader!

🐮 Farm Visits at Gilchrist Farm | 9 AM–2 PM | Gilchrist Farm | $5 | Meet animals, try axe throwing, and milk a goat.

🐷 Visits at The Gentle Barn | 10 AM–12 PM | The Gentle Barn | Spend the morning cuddling cows and pigs for a peaceful start to your day.

Local Stories

Community

🌳 Santa Clarita just got a big green boost, with $1.4 million in grants to expand parks and open spaces right here in the city. As part of a historic $17 million effort, these funds will help create 623 acres of new parkland across L.A. County, improving access to nature, enhancing climate resilience, and offering a much-needed break for residents looking for a little more green space. Santa Clarita’s share of the funds will go toward transforming local neighborhoods with more parks for everyone to enjoy. It's part of the ongoing push to make L.A. County greener, healthier, and more connected, and it’s a win for the whole community. Keep an eye out for more updates as this project grows! (SCV News)

Entertainment

📻️ Step back in time with The Nostalgic Radio Show at The MAIN on March 7th & 8th! This theatrical performance brings classic radio entertainment to life with live renditions of vintage shows like Flash Gordon and The Thin Man. Expect three hilarious stories, complete with live sound effects and witty dialogue that’ll transport you to the golden age of radio—long before Netflix and podcasts. It's the perfect way to enjoy some retro fun and laughter. Don’t miss out—get your tickets today!

Sports

🥍 The Valencia boys’ lacrosse team made history Tuesday, earning their first-ever victory over West Ranch in an 8-7 Foothill League showdown. The win kept the Vikings undefeated at 4-0 and was a huge milestone for the team, which had been knocked out by West Ranch in previous seasons. Senior Luke Huey led the charge with a hat trick, while goalkeeper Timothy Avila, a sophomore playing in his first season, made crucial saves. The game was neck-and-neck throughout, with Valencia holding on late after a late rally from the Wildcats. The win, packed with tension and excitement, was a long-awaited victory for both the players and head coach Julian Lewis, who reflected on the significance of beating their rivals. Valencia will look to keep the momentum going as they host San Marcos this Friday. (The Signal)

Business

💼 Don’t miss the 16th Annual State of the County, hosted by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, July 2, at the Hyatt Regency Valencia. Join Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger for key updates on issues impacting the Santa Clarita Valley and a look at what’s ahead for the community. This is your chance to hear directly from local leadership about what’s shaping our future. Tickets always sell out, so grab yours early: $75 for SCV Chamber members, $90 for nonmembers. Purchase tickets HERE. (SCV News)

Education

💡 CalArts is kicking off the D.R.E.A.M.S. (Digital Research Entertainment Arts Media Storytelling) Initiative, thanks to a generous gift from Tom Dolan and the Dolan Family Foundation. This forward-thinking program is designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of location-based entertainment, combining creativity with immersive experiences. Key highlights include paid internships, a student venture fund, and new micro-credential programs to equip students with industry-specific skills. The initiative, housed in CalArts’ Patty Disney Center for Life and Work, will help students collaborate with top companies and gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies. Officially launching in spring 2025, the D.R.E.A.M.S. Initiative positions CalArts as a leader in the future of arts and entertainment. (SCV News)

Our Staff’s Weekend Picks

Watch

📺 The 2025 ‘Best Picture’ Nominees

“The Oscars are this Sunday, which means it’s officially time to panic-watch all the Best Picture nominees. Luckily, most of them are streaming, so you don’t even have to leave your couch to become that person at the Oscar party with strong opinions. Whether you're here for the drama, the spectacle, or just want to sound like you know what you’re talking about, now’s the time to start your movie marathon.”

—EJ Gullett, Ad Partnerships Lead

Eat

🏆️ Oscar-Worthy Snacks

“If you’re watching the Oscars, you could just grab a bag of chips, but where’s the fun in that? This is Hollywood’s biggest night, so go big with a spread that’s as fancy as the red carpet. Think Caviar-Topped Deviled Eggs, Oysters Rockefeller, and maybe a Frozen Martini to feel extra glamorous. And don’t forget dessert—because even if your favorite movie loses, at least you’ll have Champagne Jellies to soften the blow.”

—Kate Gullett, Editor-in-Chief

Read

📖 The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

“This week I’m reading The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins for my March book club. In this book, Mel outlines her powerful two-word theory, “let them,” a phrase to remind us to stop taking responsibility for others’ actions and opinions. Check this book out for practical tips on how to let go of external factors out of your control and take ownership of your own dreams! “

—Nina Morrison, Contributing Editor

Nina’s Resources for Readers

• How to Read More 

• Get a Library Card

• Link to Libby - audiobooks and e-books - for free! 

• Link to Silent Book Club - set up a local chapter!

• Events at Santa Clarita Public Library

Jobs

Hiring? Find the best local candidates in 2025

You asked, we listened! By popular demand, The SCV Insider now is launching a Job Board—your go-to spot for connecting local talent with local businesses. Got an open position? Fill out our quick form and we’ll put your job in front of 5,200+ subscribers who live, work, and play right here in Santa Clarita.

Oh, and here’s the best part: your first listing is free. Yep, free. 😏 

Thanks for reading today.

Do whatever makes you feel like a weekend champion (even if it’s just hitting snooze one more time).

Until next week,

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