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Second Chances
March, 2026 - Issue #248
In an age where so many people are focused on producing video, podcasts and social media, it's brave to focus on consumption instead. Someone has to ingest all that stuff. Otherwise, how could we say who's best? This year, "Elio," directed by three CalArtians, received an Oscar nomination for best animated feature film. "KPop Demon Hunters," a favorite in many Claritan households, has beat "Elio" at some other award ceremonies, but the Oscars are a second chance to acknowledge SCV's own CalArts and its talented alumni. Come to think of it, second chances seem to be springing up everywhere.
Is it Still Saugus Cafe?
The oldest continuously-operating restaurant in Los Angeles was in Santa Clarita. Or should I say is in Santa Clarita? Saugus Cafe, established 1886, lasted through the Spanish-American War, the birth of film and television, a couple world wars, landing on the moon, the creation of the Internet and other historic milestones. However, long-time business owner Alfredo Mercado, who worked practically every job at The Original Saugus Cafe, reluctantly closed his business in January of this year. When it re-opened almost immediately under new management, it seemed like a second chance. But now there's a lawsuit filed by Mercado, who felt forced out, against the property manager and property owners.
Mercado's lawsuit presents a host of allegations against manager Larry Goodman and the landlords. These include that they tried to unfairly take ownership of restaurant equipment, that they tried to wrongfully trademark the name, that they were in breach of contract and that they did not properly compensate Mercado for what was essentially a takeover. Social media is definitely on Mercado's side, but we'll have to wait for court appearances scheduled for later this year to get all the facts. Until then, you can choose to eat at "Saugus Restaurant," or elsewhere.
Why Did the Cougar Cross the Road?
When an animal wanders onto the road, the result is all too often a five-letter word: splat. But this winter, one overgrown kitten was lucky to get a second chance at navigating our unforgiving urban landscape. The injured mountain lion cub, just several months old, was found and rescued off Hillcrest Parkway in Castaic. A picture at the scene showed the cat netted up like a Christmas tree by biologists. After being brought in for veterinary care and treated for minor injury, biologists attempted to reunite the cat with her mother and sibling. Initial efforts failed, but attempts at a family reunion were on-going and there were other options for the cat in the works, too.
A "second chance" in a broader sense has come to another big predator near Santa Clarita. Wolves, which lived in California until hunted out long ago, have been trickling back into the state. Small numbers have wandered into Kern County and the Tehachapi Mountains just last year. Whether these wolves will save up enough cash to move from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita remains to be seen, but they're clearly embracing a second chance at life in California.
Beyond the Golden State
Vallarta Supermarkets have been a presence in the Los Angeles region since 1985, when the Gonzalez family opened their first store in Van Nuys. Back then it was just a single, small carniceria. In the four decades since, the chain of supermarkets has grown to over 50 locations in California, employing thousands. When the corporate headquarters came to Santa Clarita in 2024, it was seen as a major boon for the local economy and job market.
Now, the chain is getting a second chance to make first impressions as they expand outside of California for the first time. The first such store is in Glendale, Arizona. In an interview with the LA Times, the company stated plans to continue opening multiple new stores every year and expanding to other states. One of the reasons that the Latino supermarket has done so well is its prepared foods. It makes for a solid lunch stop, and you can give your arms a break at Christmas by buying their ready-to-use masa for tamales. With their corporate address on Avenue Stanford, it's clear that what's good for them will be good for the SCV - we can all heart a win-win.
This column is intended as satire and a (sometimes successful) attempt at humor. Suggestions and catty comments intended for the author can be e-mailed to iheartscv@insidescv.com.
"Social media is definitely on Mercado's side, but we'll have to wait for COURT APPEARANCES scheduled for later this year to get all the facts."
The oldest continuously-operating restaurant in Los Angeles was in Santa Clarita. Or should I say is in Santa Clarita? Saugus Cafe, established 1886, lasted through the Spanish-American War, the birth of film and television, a couple world wars, landing on the moon, the creation of the Internet and other historic milestones. However, long-time business owner Alfredo Mercado, who worked practically every job at The Original Saugus Cafe, reluctantly closed his business in January of this year. When it re-opened almost immediately under new management, it seemed like a second chance. But now there's a lawsuit filed by Mercado, who felt forced out, against the property manager and property owners.
Mercado's lawsuit presents a host of allegations against manager Larry Goodman and the landlords. These include that they tried to unfairly take ownership of restaurant equipment, that they tried to wrongfully trademark the name, that they were in breach of contract and that they did not properly compensate Mercado for what was essentially a takeover. Social media is definitely on Mercado's side, but we'll have to wait for court appearances scheduled for later this year to get all the facts. Until then, you can choose to eat at "Saugus Restaurant," or elsewhere.
Why Did the Cougar Cross the Road?
When an animal wanders onto the road, the result is all too often a five-letter word: splat. But this winter, one overgrown kitten was lucky to get a second chance at navigating our unforgiving urban landscape. The injured mountain lion cub, just several months old, was found and rescued off Hillcrest Parkway in Castaic. A picture at the scene showed the cat netted up like a Christmas tree by biologists. After being brought in for veterinary care and treated for minor injury, biologists attempted to reunite the cat with her mother and sibling. Initial efforts failed, but attempts at a family reunion were on-going and there were other options for the cat in the works, too.
A "second chance" in a broader sense has come to another big predator near Santa Clarita. Wolves, which lived in California until hunted out long ago, have been trickling back into the state. Small numbers have wandered into Kern County and the Tehachapi Mountains just last year. Whether these wolves will save up enough cash to move from Bakersfield to Santa Clarita remains to be seen, but they're clearly embracing a second chance at life in California.
Beyond the Golden State
Vallarta Supermarkets have been a presence in the Los Angeles region since 1985, when the Gonzalez family opened their first store in Van Nuys. Back then it was just a single, small carniceria. In the four decades since, the chain of supermarkets has grown to over 50 locations in California, employing thousands. When the corporate headquarters came to Santa Clarita in 2024, it was seen as a major boon for the local economy and job market.
Now, the chain is getting a second chance to make first impressions as they expand outside of California for the first time. The first such store is in Glendale, Arizona. In an interview with the LA Times, the company stated plans to continue opening multiple new stores every year and expanding to other states. One of the reasons that the Latino supermarket has done so well is its prepared foods. It makes for a solid lunch stop, and you can give your arms a break at Christmas by buying their ready-to-use masa for tamales. With their corporate address on Avenue Stanford, it's clear that what's good for them will be good for the SCV - we can all heart a win-win.
This column is intended as satire and a (sometimes successful) attempt at humor. Suggestions and catty comments intended for the author can be e-mailed to iheartscv@insidescv.com.
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