Last night, Sohrab and I visited our local city hall to attend a town meeting. Not only was this an opportunity to meet the mayor of Santa Clarita, CA, but it was also an opportunity to find city hall on a map and go there for the very first time in my four and a half years of living here.
Santa Clarita is a fast-growing city in the northernmost part of Los Angeles. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, which is just one valley south, and usually as far as people go unless they’re road-tripping to Northern California. It’s a very family-friendly community, complete with bike paths that I’ve fallen in love with. 50 square miles of “annexed unincorporated territories” that quickly became my home.
Many people aren’t necessarily aware of their local government, or the extent of its part in the community, outside of Election Day. I was one of them, but I admit I’ve taken an interest as of late, and I think it’s so important to do so. Not to mention, there was a bit of fun last night! Throughout the meeting, we experienced everything from someone dressed as a duck, promoting the Rubber Ducky Festival this upcoming Saturday (proceeds from “duck adoptions” go to those who need help with healthcare!) and many people speaking in favor of putting even more resources into the annual Old Town Newhall Chalk Festival.
Sohrab and I attended the town meeting with my German teacher and three other German 101 students, on behalf of the department at College of the Canyons. We were there to promote learning a second language, and to celebrate the fact that our city was naming October 2018 as German American Heritage Month.
It may seem random at first for October to be chosen. But it turns out that on October 6th, the US celebrates German-American Day (Deutsch-Amerikanischer Tag), and on October 3rd, German Unity Day is celebrated in Deutschland. Fun fact: German Unity Day is one of the only non-religious holidays that Germany observes with a day off.
Not to mention Oktoberfest ended in October, but hey.
When it was our turn to present at the meeting, our group gathered at the front and took turns introducing ourselves in German (yeah, your girl got a little nervous) to the mayor, the board, and the surprisingly full room. A proclamation for German-American Heritage Month was presented, lined with gold foil. It was good practice to speak a different language in front of so many people, and, overall, a wonderful experience to see how our city is supporting its people’s many interests.
I’ll definitely be keeping a sharper eye on how our local government works in our valley!
YOUR TURN: How can you be more involved in your city? Have you ever been to a town meeting?
Psst! Did you know this is my very first Blogtober? I’m posting a new piece every day this October. Check out the rest here!