Welcome to The Recent Past

Dear Reader,

Santa Clarita's 25th Anniversary of Cityhood is fast approaching[1].  The organizations to which we look for leadership during such occasions are making modest efforts:

• The City of Santa Clarita offers a 12-question quiz, brief history, and list of "25 REASONS TO LOVE YOUR CITY!" on a special section of its website[2].  Its annual State of the City Luncheon celebrated a quarter-century of cityhood.
• Earlier today, The Signal announced plans for a special 25th anniversary issue[3].  Publisher Randy Morton is quoted in the announcement: "This is a good branding opportunity for businesses as we congratulate the community and a job well done since 1987."  Pragmatic, if inelegant.
• The SCV Historical Society will host a combination open house/Posada/25th Anniversary celebration on December 15th[4].  

The story of Santa Clarita's past 25 years is being told, but perhaps not fully.  That is, we expect a certain amount of restraint in the tone and scope of coverage from these institutions.  City Hall will not be recounting tantrums, paper-weight throwing[5], and coups from city councils past, nor is it likely that The Signal will be focusing on scandals as heavily as successes in its excellence-focused special issue.  The SCVHS cultivates a broad perspective on local history, which may explain why it has not more fully embraced the rather myopic view of Santa Clarita, P.C.[6]   This isn't meant to sound conspiratorial--as if there's some hidden history that Santa Clarita's power-brokers are trying to keep hidden.  Rather, it's meant to justify the aims of this blog to touch on milestones from the past 25 years that go beyond road widenings, skate park openings, and mall expansions.  The City hosted "Cheers to 25 Years: The Best is Yet to Come," and The Signal promises a review of "25 Years of Excellence," but it hasn't all been perfect.  As comments on The Signal's special-issue page allude, back-in parking fiascoes have their place among our finer moments in history[3].  

The year 1987 will be posted tomorrow, the year 1988 on Thanksgiving's Eve, etc., concluding with a post for the year 2012 on December 15th, 2012.  After a wrap-up of festivities on the 16th, the blog will be complete.  Entries will be succint: a few key events from each year with a little background color.  Please consider commenting on these posts to augment the short histories provided or to point out events I've left out.  Being an optimist, I will thank you in advance for contributing your thoughts, stories, and memories from each year. 

Yours,
IHSCV  


[1]December 15, 2012, 4:30pm.  That's what the countdown clock to the right is for.
[2]25th Anniversary of Santa Clarita
[3]The Signal's special edition announcement
[4]SCV Historical Society
[5]A story kept alive largely by Tim Myers; wait for 2000 if you're unfamiliar.
[6]That's Post Cityhood.