The Buzz on the Street

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selena Thomas interviews Kari McCoy, the outgoing President of JCI Santa Clarita (Junior Chamber International). Kari shares how the organization develops young leaders aged 18 to 40 through civic engagement and impactful local initiatives, such as the Children's Museum pop-up, the Carry Hope foster care duffel bag drive, and the annual Santa's...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selena Thomas sits down with Harriet Happel, the Dean of Career Education, Integrative Learning, and Career Services at College of the Canyons. Happel details the college's 48 career education pathways and explores high-demand, high-wage workforce opportunities in advanced manufacturing, robotics, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street , host Selina Thomas sits down with family law attorney and community advocate Denise Light . Light reflects on her nearly 30-year legal career, detailing her transition from corporate litigation to family law in order to make a more personal, fulfilling impact on families during critical life transitions. She highlights her deep commitment to local...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street , host Selena Thomas interviews Bob Khalsa , a 28-year Santa Clarita resident with a background in aviation, teaching, and real estate, who is running for Santa Clarita City Council in District 5 . Khalsa discusses his commitment to preserving the city's fiscal responsibility , advocating for infrastructure that precedes growth , and prioritizing pub...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selina Thomas sits down with Danyelle “LOLA” Sanders and Dennis Sugasawara from the Veterans Collaborative to discuss their vital role as a resource and service center for Santa Clarita Valley veterans. The conversation explores how the organization helps veterans navigate the daunting process of accessing VA benefits and provides immediate eme...

In the latest episode, host Selina Thomas sits down with Sheriff Captain Brandon Barclay to discuss his journey to command at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station and his commitment to a "human element" approach to community policing . Captain Barclay shares how his background in conflict resolution and advanced education inform station strategies, from securing millions in grants for equipmen...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selina Thomas sits down with Dietra Clayton, the newly appointed Executive Director of Bridge to Home, who has stepped into a long-awaited vacancy at the helm of the organization. Dietra shares her 20-year journey in social work from the Pacific Northwest and discusses her specialized expertise in systems thinking and trauma-informed care. The...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street , host Selina Thomas sits down with Andrew DeSantis, who recently completed the SCV stair project in a single morning, and local snake wrangler Cary to discuss the intersection of outdoor fitness and wildlife awareness. Andrew shares the physical and mental endurance required to finish 100 sets of the Central Park exercise stairs , a challenge that a...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selina Thomas sits down with Kathy Norris, who recently announced her retirement after serving as the Executive Director of the Valley Industry Association (VIA) for 31 years. Kathy reflects on the evolution of the Santa Clarita business community—from the early days of dial-up internet to the creation of the massive Connecting to Success progr...

Host Selena Thomas sits down with Corey Nathan, host of the podcast Talking Politics and Religion Without Killing Each Other, to discuss navigating the upcoming election season with a focus on shared humanity. Nathan shares his "disposition of curiosity" and the power of asking questions to move past divisive political caricatures and truly listen to a person's story. The conversation highlights t...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selina Thomas sits down with Julio Del Rio and Matthew Chuck from Gold Youth Arts to explore the high-stakes world of the Gold Drum Corps. They discuss the organization's mission to bring the elite pageantry of the "Major League" of marching arts to the Santa Clarita Valley and the transformative experience for young musicians who tour national...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selena Thomas sits down with community legend Gloria Fortine, who reflects on her distinguished 26-year career as an elected school board trustee for both the William S. Hart Union High School District and College of the Canyons. Fortine details her leadership during the district’s largest facilities expansion, highlighting her role in building...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selina Thomas sits down with Rlynn Smith-Thomas, President of the NAACP Santa Clarita, to discuss the branch’s mission of community engagement, education, and empowerment. Rlynn provides an exclusive preview of the 5th annual Juneteenth celebration at Canyon Community Park and shares the history and growth of local initiatives like the MLK Unit...

In the latest episode of The Buzz on the Street, host Selina Thomas sits down with Elizabeth Tarantini, the Wellness Liaison and School Social Worker for Bowman High School. A licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience, Elizabeth discusses the critical role of school social workers in addressing student mental health and removing barriers to education. The conversation highli...

Host Selena Thomas welcomes David Heredia, the founder of Heroes of Color and United by Art, to discuss his journey from a freelance animator at Nickelodeon to a leading voice in arts education and workforce development. Heredia shares how his daughter’s need for a sense of belonging inspired his work and describes his pivot during the pandemic to focus on creating a career pipeline for students f...

Host Selena Thomas speaks with Marlee Lauffer, the President of the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation and Vice President of Marketing and Communications, following the announcement of her upcoming retirement. Lauffer discusses the hospital’s deep historical roots in the Santa Clarita Valley, the critical role of private patient rooms during the pandemic, and the center's unwavering response t...

Episode 18 of The Buzz on the Street features Christy Alben, a fellow board member of the Wish Education Foundation (WISH) and the chair of the "Wish Upon a Star" fundraiser car show. The episode serves as a comprehensive preview of the upcoming car show while highlighting the foundation's vital role in supporting local students. From succession planning for the next generation to the innovations...

Episode 17 of "The Buzz on the Street" features Jasmine Ruys, the newly appointed President of College of the Canyons (COC). The episode explores her transition into leadership, her 23-year history with the institution, and her vision for the college's role in the Santa Clarita Valley. From succession planning for the next generation to the innovations shaping our future, we are committed to explo...

Episode 16 of "The Buzz on the Street" features Nikki Buckstead, the President and CEO of the Child and Family Center, as they celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary and prepare for their signature fundraiser, Taste of the Town. Buckstead, who brought over 30 years of experience in social services when she was hired in 2022, discusses the center's deep roots in the community and its critica...

Episode 15 of "The Buzz on the Street" features a 15-year-old local mariachi who is making significant inroads in bringing cultural awareness and artistic innovation to the Santa Clarita Valley. The episode explores his efforts to establish a mariachi and folklorico program at Canyon High School and his deep-seated passion for preserving his heritage. From succession planning for the next generati...

Episode 14 of "The Buzz on the Street" features Alex Shahin, the owner of Peregrine Financial, who discusses his entrepreneurial journey, Palestinian heritage, and innovative approaches to finance and technology. From succession planning for the next generation to the innovations shaping our future, we are committed to exploring what is happening in the streets of the SCV to ensure we remain a saf...

Episode 13 of "The Buzz on the Street" features an exclusive interview with Nomad and Lola, a couple known in the community as "The Perfect Pairing". The episode explores their 20-year history together, their high-level professional careers in the entertainment industry, and their commitment to mentoring the next generation of musicians. From succession planning for the next generation to the inno...

Episode 12 of "The Buzz on the Street" features Amy Daniels, the founding executive director of the WiSH Education Foundation. The episode explores the foundation’s decade-long legacy, its critical role in supporting local students, and its upcoming transition to a new name. From succession planning for the next generation to the innovations shaping our future, we are committed to exploring what i...

Episode 11 of "The Buzz on the Street" features Gloria Locke, a multimedia journalist, artist, and historian, as the final guest in the podcast's Black History Month series. The episode focuses on her creation of a comprehensive book and art exhibit titled "Trailblazers in the African-American Community for Santa Clarita." From succession planning for the next generation to the innovations shaping...

Episode 10 of "The Buzz on the Street" features Corey Curties, a prominent community leader and motivational speaker, in a special installment honoring Black History Month. The conversation explores Curtis’s long-standing commitment to the Santa Clarita Valley, his innovative approach to business, and his passion for mentoring the next generation. From succession planning for the next generation t...