Oscar Dominguez: The ABCs of getting a small-business loan

Obtaining a loan in this economic climate may seem difficult. However, Santa Clarita Valley business owners should keep in mind that financial institutions are in business to provide loans. While each institution may vary in its loan offerings, requirements and terms, here are several general tips that may help you prepare for the small business loan process and help boost your appeal as a viable loan candidate. The first step in the loan process is ...

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.

Fire near Frazier Park has cost $6 million to fight

FRAZIER PARK (AP) - A fire that broke last week near Frazier Park has closed a state park and already has cost more than $6 million to fight.

Small Fla. town awaits word on who won Powerball

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) - It could be an anxious wait of up to two months for people in a small Florida city to find out who won the highest Powerball jackpot in history: an estimated $590.5 million.

Midwest braces for more storms

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) - When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.

Small Fla. city wonders who won Powerball jackpot

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) - Some lucky person walked into a Publix supermarket in suburban Florida over the past few days and bought a ticket now worth an estimated $590.5 million - the highest Powerball jackpot in history.

10 Things to Know for Monday

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday:

Obama exhorts good deeds by Morehouse graduates

ATLANTA (AP) - President Barack Obama, in a soaring commencement address on work, sacrifice and opportunity, on Sunday told graduates of historically black Morehouse College to seize the power of their example as black men graduating from college and use it to improve people's lives.

Tornadoes level homes in Okla., 21 injured

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) - One of several tornadoes that touched down Sunday in Oklahoma turned homes in a trailer park near Oklahoma City into splinters and rubble and sent frightened residents along a 100-mile corridor scurrying for shelter.

Rebates benefit buyers and the local economy

Rebates are available to Santa Clarita Valley residents this spring on high-efficiency washing machines and electric-powered lawnmowers under deals offered through government agencies.

Santa Clarita City Council weighs in on state legislation

Santa Clarita City Council members have heartily endorsed the Boxer-Feinstein bill to block the proposed open-pit sand and gravel mine in Canyon Country but turned thumbs-down to a bill that would open up public spaces to use by the homeless at any time.

At least seven injured in two crashes on Highway 14

Two multi-car crashes involving five vehicles injured at least seven people and caused a backup on the northbound Highway 14.

Greening's goal in 2nd OT lifts Sens over Pens

OTTAWA (AP) - Colin Greening scored 7:39 into double overtime, and the Ottawa Senators rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins that cut their series deficit to 2-1 on Sunday night.

AP CEO calls records seizure unconstitutional

WASHINGTON (AP) - The president and chief executive officer of The Associated Press on Sunday called the government's secret seizure of two months of reporters' phone records "unconstitutional" and said the news cooperative had not ruled out legal action against the Justice Department.

Angels' Vargas goes 7 scoreless against Chisox

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Jason Vargas kept throwing strikes and catcher Chris Iannetta kept taking his walks - a winning formula for the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Braves rally with 4-run 8th to sweep Dodgers

ATLANTA (AP) - Ramiro Pena got a fierce wakeup call with the bases loaded and the scored tied in the eighth inning.

College of the Canyons football adapting to slew of changes