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Get the most Out of your Dental Benefits in 2026
You pay good money for your dental benefits - and you should get the most out of them!
"We love to help our patients plan their appointments and care with benefit optimization in mind," says Becky Short, longtime dental office manager for Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS, in Valencia.
"End-of-year appointments are always in high demand and usually book up by mid fall, which makes winter the time to schedule your first cleanings and exams for 2026," says the dental pro.
Short also advises to plan your Flexible Savings Account spends now. "Talk to your dentist's office manager and let them know your goals. They'll help you get the most out of your benefits and get you on the appointment calendar with regularity. Your excellent oral health is always our goal," says Short.
Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS 268-6284

"Our experience at SCSOPA has been nothing short of amazing. Our 5-year-old twin daughters, Scarlett and Isabelle, have loved every moment of their journey here over the past year. They've learned from incredible acting teachers - Marivel Magsaysay, Marina Anderson, Mary LeGault and Tracey Gold - as well as their modeling teacher, Tara Rice. They've walked in three fashion shows with the school - two at JCPenney and one at Macy's - booked a LA theater job and appeared in an ad for Fantikkride. Scarlett has also been featured in a Five Acres commercial with actor Matthew Lillard, a Disney Junior commercial, a Pony Cycle commercial, a student short film and a vertical short. Scarlett was most recently a part of a hunger awareness TikTok video that has over 28 million views. Since starting here, both girls now have agents and are excited to keep learning, performing and chasing their dreams. We're so grateful for SCSOPA's supportive and inspiring environment - it truly feels like family!"
Tony & Stephanie Molina

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Pet Parents Fall in Love with Santa Clarita Animal Urgent Care & Wellness Center
SCV pet parents love the convenience, affordability and warm, compassionate, expert care their animals have received at Santa Clarita Animal Urgent Care & Wellness Center.
The overwhelming number of five-star reviews tells the purr-fect story: If you want the highest level of veterinary medicine available - along with friendly, heart-centered service - this is the vet clinic to save in your phone.
Open seven nights a week from 4pm to 11pm, 365 nights a year, the state-of-the-art facility is a full-service emergency surgical center offering endoscopy, laparoscopy, orthopedic surgery and more - plus the rehab tools your treasured pet will need to make a full recovery, like water treadmills and cold lasers.
In-house imaging, dental treatments, PRP and even rattlesnake antivenom round out the expansive service list, making Santa Clarita Animal Urgent Care & Wellness Center not only your family's beloved emergency vet - but your go-to or overall pet health care, too.
"We believe in treating every patient as if they were our own pet and giving them the same loving attention and care. We are a group of highly-trained, experienced animal lovers who are devoted to giving our patients the best care possible," says the team.
As the holidays near, don't forget to spoil your baby and end the year on a healthy note. The practice is offering a 25 percent discount on all Annual Wellness Exams, including labs and x-rays, if needed, keeping your pet happy and healthy from nose to tail. And don't forget: The office offers same-day orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation for TPLOs, TTAs (ACL), fractures and more.
They're conveniently located on Soledad Canyon Road - and the practice is even open on holidays.
Santa Clarita Animal Urgent Care & Wellness scanimalurgentcare.vet

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That's Good News...
Child & Family Center Walk for Domestic Violence Awareness Raises more than $55,000
With over 300 participants, the local org raised more than $55,000 to support life-saving services for survivors and families in need. These funds will help ensure safety, healing and hope for those affected by domestic violence.

Arroyo Seco Junior High School Earns 2025 California Blue Ribbon School of Distinction
Arroyo Seco Junior High School has been officially recognized as a 2025 California Blue Ribbon School by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. This prestigious honor places Arroyo Seco among the state's highest-performing public schools for exceptional academic success. Only 31 schools across California earned the distinction.
"Arroyo Seco is truly honored to be recognized for the great things happening here," said Principal Brian Necessary. "Our school is full of innovative staff who are deeply committed to student growth. The partnership with our amazing families is essential to all of our successes. There is so much to be proud of here at Seco."

Eighteen William S. Hart Union High School Teachers of the Year Recognized by Governing Board
The district celebrated 18 exceptional educators and named the 2025/26 District Teacher of the Year: Nicholas Patey, a math teacher at Golden Valley High School. Congratulations to the winner and nominees!
Jason Wilhelm, Academy of the Canyons
Marisa Mares, Arroyo Seco Junior High School
Mariah Aguinaldo-Rios, Bowman High School
Victoria Robinson, Canyon High School
Eugene Kim, Castaic High School
Katherine Sutton, Golden Oak Adult School
Nicholas Patey, Golden Valley High School
Jamie Clack, Hart High School
Alison Bertola, La Mesa Junior High School
Kyle Shannon, Learning Post Academy
Jessica Velazquez, Placerita Junior High School
Diane Dunlap, Rancho Pico Junior High School
Angela Welch, Rio Norte Junior High School
Miranda Ponce, Saugus High School
Kristine Wardle, Sequoia
Nicole Marsh, Sierra Vista Junior High School
Joshua Benham, Valencia High School
Beth Holen, West Ranch High School

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This Month, Why don't You...
Go "Big" with a Donation of "the Good Stuff" to the SCV Food Pantry?
Let's be clear: the singular best thing you can donate to our local food bank, or any food bank, is money. The staff and volunteers know exactly what they need - and in the quantities they need them. Plus, food banks are often able to negotiate better prices than the general public can score because they're buying as a nonprofit org and in bulk. Plus, each year, the SCV Food Pantry gives away over 1,ooo holiday meals to neighbors in need. Your cash donation helps fund this mission so that all SCVians have a special holiday meal in 2025. That being said, sometimes our hearts - and our pantries - call for food donations. In that case, this month, why don't you "go big" with a generous donation?
Birthday cake mixes and coordinating frosting. Boxed macaroni and cheese and shelf-stable milk. Holiday cookie mixes and sprinkles. The beans from the back of the cupboard and a can of meat or fish to make it a meal. We're trying to be more intentional about what we donate to the SCV Food Pantry, knowing that the need has grown exponentially since they opened decades ago. SCV families with young children are more food insecure than you think - 24 percent of the SCV Food Pantry's clients are children. This month, go shopping or clean out that pantry and drop it off asap, as many children who rely on free meals at school will not have easy access during the holiday break. Here's what we're buying in bulk and dropping off, per Feeding America: peanut butter, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned stew, canned fish, canned beans, whole-grain pasta and brown rice. Also consider items that are kid friendly: dried fruit, low-sugar granola or cereal bars, low-sugar breakfast cereal, shelf-stable milk and plant milks, no-sugar-added jams and pancake mix and syrup.
scvfoodpantry.org

Shop the 2025 Annual American Cancer Society Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 22?
Every dollar does good when you shop the American Cancer Society's local holiday boutique - because all proceeds go directly towards improving the lives of individuals and families fighting cancer here in the SCV and beyond. From 10am to 3pm, shop handmade cards, tags and gift bags; handcrafted gifts; hand-sewn kitchen couture; baby items; clothing; holiday decorations; toys for a cure, jewelry, accessories; and more. Enjoy raffles and food trucks while you shop, too!
The boutique is held at 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road
in Santa Clarita. specialevents@scvrelay.org

Make an End-of-the-Year Donation to End Homelessness in Santa Clarita?
When you donate to Bridge to Home, every dollar provides hope for our most vulnerable neighbors. Bridge to Home services are designed to bridge people out of homelessness and into housing with support like case management, housing navigation, employment assistance, education and training, medical referrals, emergency shelter and meals. Your gift can literally help put a roof over the head of a Santa Clarita family that has fallen on hard times.
Donations can be tax deductible and are easy to make online. btohome.org

Help a Family in Need have a Happy Holiday Season?
Each year, we donate generously to the Child & Family Center's annual gift drive for local families in significant need. And, each year, we end up in tears as we read the wish lists: shoes, blankets, jackets, school supplies, food gift cards. The truth is, toys hardly ever make the top of the list - though we are always intentional about gifting each child on our list with at least one "fun" gift.
When you connect with Cheryl Jones at the Center, she'll make it easy - you can shop for a whole family or just one child. And, if that's not in the budget this year, you can donate $25 so that the kids and teens served by the Center also have something "fun" to open - they'll get gift cards to popular stores. Please don't wait to help out - the need is great and the gifts need to be at the Center in time for their December distribution event.
Call now to learn more and to make a meaningful, joyful difference in the lives of local children and families struggling with food insecurity, domestic violence and other issues no
child should have to endure.
259-9439, extension 3018