NEWS FEATURES

Things to do in

NEWS FEATURE

By Michele E. Buttelman

Signal Staff Writer

It seems like only yesterday that we rang in 2022. Now the year is quickly coming to a close. Before the mad rush of the holidays enjoy these Santa Clarita Valley and southern California activities and events in November.

Nov. 11-13

Six Flags Magic Mountain Veteran’s Weekend 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia 91355

Info bddy.me/3VsZwn5

Honor all who have served this Veteran’s Day. Six Flags Magic Mountain will honor veterans and active military during Veteran’s Weekend Nov. 11-13.

On November 11-13, Six Flags Magic Mountain will honor and celebrate all who served. Veterans, active duty and retired military personnel will be given complimentary park admission and more with valid military ID.

A valid military ID must be presented at the designated parking toll booths for complimentary parking.

Veterans, active duty and retired military personnel are eligible to receive: • Park admission and parking • Meal voucher and drink bottle • Americana lanyard and button

Family of veterans, active duty and retired military personnel are eligible to receive: • Discounted Park admission, discounted drink bottle and button.

Valid Military ID is required, and all redemptions will take place at the front gate. The park is open 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Nov. 11- 12 and 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Nov. 13. and more.

Highlights of this year’s festival include the elegant Magic of the Lights Gala on Friday, Nov. 18, the Holiday Hocus Pocus Magic show on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. and the Jingle Jam Swing on Nov. 20. Separate admission applies to these events.

Festival of Trees Nov. 12

Burbank Wine Walk and Street Fair E. Palm Avenue and N. San Fernando Boulevard, Burbank 91502

Info burbankwinterwinewalk.com.

The Most Magical day of the year in Burbank will kick off with the Holiday Street Fair from noon-8 p.m. on San Fernando Boulevard with hundreds of local vendors selling a wide variety of crafts and goods. There will be artists, non-profit organizations, crafters, live music and food/drink vendors.

You do not need a Wine Walk ticket for the Street Fair.

The Wine Walk will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and feature more than 40 General Admission tasting locations throughout downtown Burbank. Each guest will receive a tasting cup and a map of the participating tasting sites.

As you stroll down San Fernando Boulevard you will be surrounded by a winter holiday ambiance of live entertainment and beautiful holiday lighting.

Nov. 18-20

20th Annual Festival of Trees Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country 91351

Info scvbgc.org/festival-of-trees-santa-clarita; $10 adults, $5 children, $5 seniors and military.

The 20th Annual Festival of Trees, benefiting Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley will be held Nov. 18-20 at the Canyon Country Community Center.

Elaborately designed holiday trees will be on view. A crowd favorite is the Gingerbread Village, where culinary artisans showcase amazing gingerbread creations. There will be children’s crafts, Santa, live entertainment by various local dance groups

Nov. 19

Light Up Main Street Old Town Newhall

Info oldtownnewhall.com

Join the City of Santa Clarita ring in the holiday season with Light Up Main Street from 5-8 p.m.

Enjoy live music throughout the night and the tree lighting ceremony at 5:50 p.m.

Start your holiday shopping at the Maker’s Marketplace or visit many of the local shops up and down Main Street. There will be an Elves’ Arts and Crafts Workshop for the kids and a snow zone. While there are many activities, there will also be a Chill Zone where you can relax with sensory-friendly activities.

Nov. 20

The Combat Radio Christmas Carol Event The Canyon Santa Clarita, Valencia Town Center, 24201 Valencia Blvd., Suite 1351, Valencia, 91355

Info wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com

The Combat Radio Christmas Carol Event is a 1940’s style audience-interactive, radio, comedy broadcast/reading of “A Christmas Carol” in the spirit of “Prairie Home Companion,” featuring talent from some of your favorite films and TV, like “Fear The Walking Dead,” “Big Bang Theory,” “Batman,” “The Black List,” “Star Trek Lower Decks,” “Highlander,” “Arrow,” “The Mandalorian,” “Assassin’s Creed,” “Voltron,” “The Hulk” and more. 

NEWS FEATURE

Graduation 2022

CalArts campus 1970s. PHOTOS COURTESY CALARTS

Celebrating 50 Years of ‘Experimentation’ that has Impacted the World of Fine Arts, Music, Theater Dance and Animation

By Michele E. Buttelman

Signal Staff Writer

In 1961 legendary animator Walt Disney and his brother, Roy O. Disney, guided the merger of the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, founded in 1883, and the Chouinard Art Institute, founded in 1921, to become the California Institute of the Arts.

It was the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and performing arts.

“CalArts is the principal thing I hope to leave when I move on to greener pastures,” Walt Disney said. “If I can help provide a place to develop the talent of the future, I think I will have accomplished something.”

Following Disney’s death in 1966, the Disney family and other benefactors worked to execute his vision of CalArts.

Valencia Groundbreaking

The groundbreaking for the CalArts Valencia campus was held in 1969. Construction began on the centerpiece of the campus, a five-level, 500,000-square-foot “mega-building” designed by architects Ladd & Kelsey.

CalArts’ first classes were held at an interim campus in Burbank in 1970.

After several construction delays due to weather and the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake, CalArts started its fall semester in Valencia in November 1971 with 650 students.

Today the CalArts campus hosts six world-renowned schools dedicated to the arts including Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Art, Music and Theater. something every day, or watched something every day. Someone had to write it, someone had to shoot it, someone had to direct it, to edit it.”

Looking Back, Looking Forward

As it turns 50, CalArts is now old enough to look at its past while also looking to its future, said CalArts President Ravi Rajon.

Rajon replaced long-time president Steve Levine who stepped down in May 2017 after 29 years as CalArts president.

“For many years CalArts was the ‘young thing,’ it was new, it was the ‘cool thing.’ What is good about 50 years is that now we can look back and look forward,” he said.

Rajon said a hallmark of the CalArts community has always been experimentation.

“It’s what CalArts has always been about,” he said. “That is really at the heart of what we do and that hasn’t changed. So much has changed in society in the past 50 years, but experimentation has been the constant and it keeps evolving.”

Rajon said the COVID-19 pandemic was a test for the institution.

“But here we are today arguably stronger than we were before the pandemic,” he said. “I think how CalArts fits into the world is even more important than it was before.”

Rajon reflected on the 50 years of CalArts alums, which number more than 14,000 and the influence CalArts has had on the world, not only in the arts.

“Our alums have had an outsized impact. If you think of all they have made happen, in art, in fine art, in music, in theater, in dance and most obviously in animation,” he said.

People isolated during the pandemic turned to entertainment for comfort and distraction. Artists and companies with ties to CalArts created much of that entertainment.

“We have just experienced how important that work is,” Rajon said. “Most people probably read

Historical Perspective

Janet Sarbanes, a CalArts faculty member since 1999 in Critical Studies, said she was attracted to CalArts because of the multi-disciplinary culture.

“I’ve always been interested in the making, as well as the studying of art,” she said. “CalArts always had a reputation of being an innovative and creative school. That really appealed to me.”

Sarbanes is also an amateur historian of CalArts.

“CalArts brought together two utopian visions, Walt Disney’s vision and the vision of the first faculty that was mostly recruited from the New York avant-garde,” she said. “That faculty was really interested in pushing the definition of what an art school was, and of school in general.”

Sarbanes said Disney wanted to create an institute much like Caltech where scientists come together in a collaborative environment across disciplines to work on problems.

Sarbanes said what eventually evolved at CalArts was not only a culture of experimentation and collaboration, but also the CalArts philosophy to accept students as artists the moment they enter the school.

“Faculty works with students to explore what they need to develop their visions,” she said.

Sarbanes said each school at CalArts has received acclaim throughout the past 50 years.

“There’s an incredible legacy in each school and across the institute,” she said. “There’s always something very exciting going on at CalArts.”

A Miracle

David Roitstein, director Jazz Program Special-

EXPLORE THE

Ventura County Wine Trail

NEWS FEATURE

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

According to the Beverage Trade Network California is the largest wine producing region in the United States with more than 1,200 wineries and 107 different American Viticultural Areas.

California produces 90% of all wine produced in the U.S. and ranks No. 4 worldwide in terms of overall wine production.

That’s a lot of wine to taste and savor.

There are four wine producing regions in California, the North Coast, Central Coast, Central Valley and South Coast.

The North Coast is home to some of California’s most award-winning wines. But don’t overlook the Central Coast when planning your wine tasting getaways.

For a weekend close to home the Ventura Wine Trail is the perfect place to start.

Ventura Wine Trail

While not as famous as Napa, agricultural Ventura County had long been home to wine grapes and wineries. The variety of minerals in the soil and the cold air that blows in from the ocean make the region well suited for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are also stars.

Ojai

Get a taste of Ojai Valley’s offerings at Boccali Vineyards & Winery, Topa Mountain Winery and The Ojai Vineyard. Ojai is also home to the Central Coast’s first organic winery, Casa Barranca.

Topa Mountain Winery 821 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai 93023

Info www.topamountainwinery.com

Just outside downtown Ojai with scenery framed by the Topa Topa Mountain Range, you will find a perfect place to enjoy a glass of handcrafted wine. Since opening its doors in 2016, Topa Mountain Winery has become one of the more popular tasting spots in Ojai. Reservations recommended.

Boccali Vineyards & Winery 3277 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai 93023

There is always something going on at Magnavino — winery tours, winemaker dinners, special tastings, cupcake pairings, vertical tastings, holiday boutique or live music in the winery’s villa-inspired tasting room. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays.

Cantara Cellars 126 Wood Road # 104, Camarillo 93010

Info cantaracellars.com

Known for a broad selection of award-winning red and white wines, the winery offers barrel tastings of its vintages paired with cheeses and other snacks served in a low-key lounge area. Open daily.

Info www.boccalivineyards.com

This family-owned and -operated winery offers samples of estate-grown Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel … all grown, produced and bottled in the Ojai Valley. The tasting room is in the vineyard’s family-run Italian restaurant. Sit beneath the oak trees and take in the beauty of Ojai’s famous “East End.” Tastings Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.

The Ojai Vineyard Tasting Room 109 S. Montgomery St., Ojai, 93023

Info ojaivineyard.com

The wines made by The Ojai Vineyard are a culmination of four decades pursuing excellence with fruit grown in the region. From Stockholm to New York, their wines are poured in the finest restaurants. The tasting room offers more than 300 wines to enjoy. Open daily.

Casa Barranca Organic Wines 208 E Ojai Ave., Ojai 93023

Info casabarrancawines.com

Casa Barranca was the first organic winery on the Central Coast. Enjoy tastings in the winery’s Craftsman-inspired tasting room in the heart of historic downtown Ojai. Open daily.

Oxnard/Camarillo

Find Kosher wines, barrel tastings and a villa-inspired tasting room at Oxnard/Camarillo wineries.

Herzog Wine Cellars 3201 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard 93030

Info herzogwine.com

From a winemaking history that survived the courts of Kaiser Franz Joseph of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, to a Europe torn by war, to the streets of New York City and finally to the vineyards of California, the Herzog family’s amazing story is rivaled only by the quality of their award-winning Kosher wines.

Enjoy artisan wines and five-star cuisine at Herzog Wine Cellars. Open Sunday through Thursday.

Magnavino Cellars 961 N. Rice Ave., Suite 5, Oxnard 93030

Info magnavinocellars.com

Ventura

The city of Ventura is home to numerous tasting venues, many located just minutes from each other in downtown Ventura.

Four Brix Winery and Tasting Room 2290 Eastman Ave # 109, Ventura 93003

Info fourbrixwine.com

Four Brix Winery opened in 2011. This craft winery located in the heart of Ventura specializes in internationally-inspired wine blends. With a total production of around 2,500 cases, their wines are in high demand. Relax in the “The BrixHouse” tasting room that offers music most weekends and enjoy a tasting flight, as well as a charcuterie platter or a pizza. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Plan B Wine Cellars 3520 Arundell Circle #107, Ventura 93003

Info planbwinecellars.com

Plan B Wine Cellars is a high-end craft winery specializing is red varietals. Open Saturdays and Sundays.

Panaro Brothers Winery 4517 Market St., Suite 7, Ventura 93003

Info panarobros.square.site

As fifth generation Italian-American winemakers, the Panaro family and their winery enjoy making Central Coast grapes into single-varietal and blended wines. This small artisan winery in midtown Ventura features more than 20 varietals in both red and white wines. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 

NEWS FEATURE

As with many celebrations, Halloween is steeped in traditions — many of which can be traced back quite some time. Since Halloween is believed to have originated from Celtic pagan, ancient Roman and early Christian events, its traditions are varied. The following is a deep look at some old traditions associated with Halloween.

Bonfires

Historians trace many traditions of Halloween to a Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts lived 2,000 years ago in parts of what is now Northern France, Great Britain and Ireland.

During Samhain, people believed that the door between the worlds of the living and the dead was blurred. On Samhain, Celts believed the ghosts of the dead returned. Also, Druids made predictions about the future at this time of year. It was customary to build large, sacred bonfires and burn crops and other sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

While large bonfires are not typically part of Halloween celebrations today, revelers can light fire pits in their yards that are reminiscent of ancient celebrations.

It was believed the witches could go into a trancelike state, and would do so in front of their fireplaces. Superstitious people believed the witches could fly out of their chimneys on broomsticks and terrorize others with magical deeds.

Trick-or-Treating

Christianity spread throughout Celtic regions and blended with other rituals. Pope Gregory III expanded on a holiday Pope Boniface IV established to honor Christian martyrs to include all saints and martyrs.

All Saints Day on November 1 commemorates the venerable saints, and All Souls Day on November 2 celebrates loved ones who went on to eternal rest.

All-Hallows Eve (Halloween) was a time to pay homage to the dead. Poor children would go door to door in more affluent neighborhoods offering to say prayers for residents’ deceased loved ones in exchange for some food or money. This was known as “souling,” which became the basis for trick-or-treating. Later the tradition became known as “guising” in areas of Scotland, where children would go around in costumes.

Witches

Images of witches riding broomsticks are everywhere come Halloween, and witch costumes remain a standard. Almanac.com indicates that, during the Middle Ages, women who practiced divination were dubbed “witches,” from the Anglo-Saxon word “wicce,” or “wise one.” It also was believed apple peels contained the secrets to true love.

TRADITIONS

Bobbing for Apples

Bobbing for apples is not quite as popular as it once was, as more people have become concerned about spreading germs. The Roman festival Pomona honored the goddess of fruits and orchards. It occured about November 1.

Romans believed the first person to catch a bobbing apple with his or her teeth would be the first to marry.

Carving Pumpkins

Removing the insides of pumpkins and carving them into funny or fearsome faces may be messy work, but it’s tradition on Halloween.

Turnips were the material of choice in ancient Ireland, but were replaced by pumpkins when immigrants came to America. The “lanterns” were made with scary faces and lit to frighten away spirits.

Halloween is full of traditions, many of which have lengthy histories. (MC) 

New Scary Movies

Come Halloween, television networks and streaming services offer their curated takes on frightening flicks worth watching. Some are horror masterpieces and others campy classics.

Here are some recently released horror movies and others slated for release in the months to come. Scream Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette return to reprise roles they made famous 25 years ago. A new killer dons the “ghostface” mask and terrorizes a California town. Screams undoubtedly ensue. Hellbender A teen and her mother reside in the woods and pursue a passion for making music. A chance encounter with another teen has Izzy learning about a connection between her family and witchcraft, which causes a rift with her mother. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The sequel to the 1974 hit arrives streaming on Netflix. A new group of victims unknowingly disrupt Leatherface’s home and are in for a gruesome surprise. Fresh Noa finally meets what appears to be the ideal guy in Steve during a meet-cute in the supermarket. They exchange numbers and begin a relationship, planning to head away for the weekend. The rosy glow of their relationship soon extinguishes when Steve’s warped desires come to the surface. The Requin A romantic trip goes south when a couple’s villa is swept to sea during a storm. The couple is forced to do what it takes to survive. The added horror comes from sharks circling them below. (MC) 