Archive By Author - Signal Staff
Reader Meter results, July 17-24, 2009
Here are the results of The-Signal.com's latest Reader Meter poll. The-Signal.com visitors cast a total of 474 votes from late afternoon Friday, July 17 to late afternoon Friday, July 24, 2009. Question: "Should the state legalize and tax marijuana to reduce the budget deficit?" * Sure, why not? (293 votes) * No way! (156 votes) * Don't care (25 votes) Click here to vote in The-Signal.com's current Reader Meter poll, in which the ...
Lawmakers pass plan to balance state budget
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Lawmakers on Friday approved a complex package of spending cuts, local government raids and accounting maneuvers to fill California's gigantic budget deficit, providing hope that the state might begin a slow climb out of a deep financial hole. The legislative package of about 30 bills, with final passage coming in the Assembly in the afternoon after an all-night session, was similar to the deal announced earlier this week by Gov. Arnold ...
Michael John and the Bottom Line rock out at Town Center tonight
Castaic Lake Water Agency along with the Madison at Town Center and Infinity MedSpa present Michael John and the Bottom Line for the next concert in the 11th annual Lexus of Valencia Jazz and Blues Concert Series on Friday, July 24 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Jurors convict Tony Alamo on sex-abuse counts
TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) - Tony Alamo, a one-time street preacher who built a multimillion-dollar ministry and became an outfitter of the stars, was convicted Friday of taking girls as young as 9 across state lines for sex. Alamo stood silently as the verdict was read, a contrast to his occasional mutterings during testimony. His five victims sat looking forward in the gallery. One, a woman he "married" at age 8, wiped away a tear.
Local social networking experts offer seminar Saturday
Santa Clarita Valley business owners Bob Ramirez and Chris Handley have combined talents and expertise in marketing and technology to offer a series of training seminars for local business people and entrepreneurs interested in learning how to market and advertise their businesses through social media outlets Facebook and Twitter, and using blogs and video.
Del Taco fans get prime access to X2 at Magic Mountain
LAKE FOREST, Calif. -- It pays to be a Del Taco Raving Fan! All summer long at Six Flags Magic Mountain in the Santa Clarita Valley, Del Taco is giving its raving fans an exclusive thrill -- the chance to become part of the X2 Late Night Crew, where they will ride the park's most extreme and thrilling ride, X2, after hours on Friday nights throughout the summer. Launched in 2007, Six Flags Magic Mountain's ...
Concerts in the Park series goes country with Doo Wah Riders
The city of Santa Clarita's 2009 "Concerts in the Park" series continues this Saturday, July 25 with a performance by the Doo Wah Riders, who will bring their brand of energetic country music to the Central Park stage at 7 p.m.
Autism Society and AMC Entertainment host Sensory Friendly Films this summer
AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society are offering two Sensory Friendly Films in the next two weeks: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" on July 25, at 10 a.m., and "G-Force" on Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for children with autism or other special needs, AMC movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring ...
Free theater for unemployed
The Canyon Theatre Guild and the Santa Clarita Regional Theatre will offer free theater for the rest of the year to those who find themselves unemployed. Upon showing proof of unemployment you may receive free tickets to shows for yourself and your family.
Review: 'The Ugly Truth' Review
Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler are so pleasant in "The Ugly Truth" that it's a shame to spoil their party. But toil and try as they do, the comedy bogs down in relentless predictability and the puzzling overuse of naughty words. Once, the movies were forbidden to drop the f-word at all, but in this one, it's only an opening salvo in a potty-mouth bombing run. Heigl plays Abby, producer of the Sacramento early morning ...
Review: 'Orphan'
After seeing "Orphan," I now realize that the Omen was a model child. The Demon Seed was a bumper crop. Rosemary would have been happy to have this baby. Here is a shamelessly effective horror film based on the most diabolical of movie malefactors, a child. Pity. Esther is such a bright child. So well-behaved. Her paintings are so masterful. She sits down at the piano and rips off a little Tchaikovsky. So why does ...
Review: 'G-Force'
"G-Force" is a pleasant, inoffensive 3-D animated farce about a team of superspy guinea pigs who do battle with a mad billionaire who wants to conquer the Earth by programming all the home appliances made by his corporation to follow his instructions. It will possibly be enjoyed by children of all ages. The film is non-stop, wall-to-wall madcap action. It's possible to imagine Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer, and his cast and crew side by side ...
Letter to the president
My dearest president: What you wrote on (the Fourth of July) touched my heart on so many levels. I have always dreamed of a world where people will see each other as brothers and sisters, band together in equality, one that would celebrate our differences, not exploit them. One that would open their heart to all. Not just the few. I believe that with you at the helm, this dream is much closer than ever ...
Notes that jump off the page
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Santa Clarita Valley residents Susan Bibicoff and Lori Gardner are adding even more value to the family album.
Meet adoptable dogs at “G-Force” Premiere
Four "awesome adoptables" from the Brittany Foundation will prance the red carpet during the premiere of Walt Disney's "G-Force" at Edwards Theatre in Valencia's Town Center on July 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Articles By Author - Signal Staff
President of local advocacy group praises Boy Scout decision
The president of a local advocacy group said this week's decision by the Boy Scouts of America to reverse a long-standing policy barring gay children from joining is a step in the right direction, but more must be done for the scouts to be completely inclusive.
Oklahoma gets far more than its share of disasters
WASHINGTON (AP) - Many states get hit frequently with tornadoes and other natural catastrophes, but Oklahoma is Disaster Central.
Pioneer of Reality TV leaving Fox network
NEW YORK (AP) - Fox reality chief Mike Darnell says he's leaving the network after an 18-year stay.
Trucker bumps I-5 bridge, sees tragedy behind him
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The trucker was hauling a load of drilling equipment when his load bumped against the steel framework over an Interstate 5 bridge. He looked in his rearview mirror and watched in horror as the span collapsed into the water behind him. Two vehicles fell into the icy Skagit River.
Amanda Bynes accused of bong toss out window
NEW YORK (AP) - Actress Amanda Bynes appeared disheveled in a long blond wig and sweats Friday in a criminal court where she was charged with reckless endangerment after police said she heaved a marijuana bong out the window of her 36th-floor Manhattan apartment.
Closures coming to I-5 through the Santa Clarita Valley
Santa Clarita - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to close the lanes listed below as part of a $72 million project that is constructing a truck lane on southbound I-5 between Pico Canyon Road/Lyons Avenue and the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). Ramp closures will be staggered. Detours will be signed. No unusual levels of dust, noise or vibration are expected. Closures are subject to change.
Molester found slain in Corcoran prison cell
CORCORAN, Calif. (AP) - Investigators at California State Prison-Corcoran are investigating as a homicide the death of an inmate who was a convicted child molester.
LA sanitation ends plans for dump near Joshua Tree
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A regional garbage collection agency has tossed out plans to build a mega-landfill for Los Angeles' trash less than two miles from Joshua Tree National Park in the remote Southern California desert.
No bail for parents in faith-healing death
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Philadelphia man charged with murder after losing two sons to untreated pneumonia told police he believes in "divine healing," not medicine, to "break the devil's power."
Stocks barely budge; market ends week with loss
NEW YORK (AP) - Major stock indexes closed out their first weekly loss in a month in quiet trading Friday.
NBC to air Blake Shelton's benefit for Oklahomans
NBC and sister networks will air Blake Shelton's concert to help his fellow Oklahomans affected by this week's storms in their home state.
Walmart to sell frozen Fatburger patties
NEW YORK (AP) - Fatburger, a chain with a devoted following on the West Coast, said Friday it will sell its branded frozen beef patties in Walmart stores nationwide.
Mom, boyfriend held after Palmdale boy, 8, beaten
PALMDALE, Calif. (AP) - A Palmdale couple has been arrested after the woman's 8-year-old son was beaten, burned and left in critical condition.
Rare Superman comic found in house insulation
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - It's considered the Holy Grail of comic books: Action Comics No. 1 from 1938, featuring the debut of Superman. David Gonzales found one mixed in with old newspapers insulating the ceiling of a house he was renovating in a small town in Minnesota.
Arias foreman: Sentencing decision unfair to jury
PHOENIX (AP) - The jury foreman in Jodi Arias' trial says the panel just couldn't decide whether the killing of her boyfriend was enough to merit a death a sentence.
