OutWest in the News
Recent Articles and  Interviews

Fast draws, easy laughs, good times

Saugus man, inspired by Westerns, becomes expert showman, trains the stars in the art of gunslinging

By Natalie Everett
Signal Staff Writer
neverett@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x518 x517
June 17, 2010

Saugus resident Joey Dillon, 31, stood on Main Street on Wednesday night, dressed in black from his boots to his hat.

He held a pistol in each hand.

“I took three semesters of college, and then I told my dad I was going to drop out and play with these,” Dillon said, smiling wide and holding the guns on either side of his face, pointing skyward.

A world-champion gunslinger, Dillon showed off his high-speed skills for those at a Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer in downtown Newhall on Wednesday night.

He’s got a flair for comedy that he injects into his act.

“Don’t smile, this is serious,” he joked with a volunteer audience member as he showed him the backward spin, flipping the gun around his pointer finger.

“He’s so wonderful,” said Bobbi Bell, owner of Main Street’s OutWest boutique. “It’s great to see everybody engaged.”

He’s performed the part-spin, part-grin act around the United States, and also trains actors in the skill.

Most recently, Dillon trained actor Josh Brolin for the upcoming film “Jonah Hex.”

Dillon said his father was into Western movies and played around with guns, too.

“I used to copy what he did with a cap gun,” Dillon said. Raised in a small town east of Modesto, Dillon said his fate was sealed when he was 14 — when the movie “Tombstone” came out.

He worked hard to match the tricks of Michael Biehn, who played Johnny Ringo in the movie.

A few years later, Biehn was complimenting him. Dillon had bounced around as a performer of improvisation and stand-up comedy before turning to what he really loved: gunslinging. And he’s good at it, having won many world titles in trick gunspinning and handling.

“It’s a God-given gift that no one else does,” Dillon said.

Dillon will soon perform at The Autry Center on July 24 in celebration of the National Day of the Cowboy. For more details on Dillon, visit www.joeydillon.com

http://www.the-signal.com/section/36/article/30040/

Touching Hearts With Harmony

Cookin' Up Great Music are Women on the Move Trio Trish Lester, Joan Enguita, Linda Geleris with OutWest co-owner Bobbi Bell

By Michelle Sathe


Assistant Features Editor
msathe@the-signal.com
Photos by Dan Watson
661-259-1234 x522
Posted: May 15, 2010 8:22 p.m.
POSTED May 16, 2010 4:55 a.m.

It starts with a few guitar chords, then the percussion moves in and is iced with layer upon layer of gorgeous harmony, as Joan Enguita, Trish Lester and Linda Geleris, also known as Women on the Move Trio, launch into the folksy tune "Walk a Mile."

"We might not be the same, but we're not so different you and I, we only have this moment, to see eye to eye," Enguita sang in her clear, warm voice as Geleris strummed her mandolin and Lester kept the beat with a tambourine.

Seeing eye-to-eye is just one of the band's messages. With songs ranging from tributes to American soldiers to ending domestic violence to taking a moment to reconnect with friends, the trio is making their mark in the music world with increased exposure on the internet and concert tours that have taken them as far as Portland, Oregon.

The Women on the Move Trio will play at downtown Newhall's OutWest retail store 7 p.m. Saturday.

"Trish came here during one of our Art Walk events and handed me a CD. I listened and it was fantastic," said OutWest owner Bobbi Bell. "Then I saw them at (U.S. Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon's, R-Santa Clarita) Women's Conference and I was amazed. The audience wept and laughed. Their music really touches hearts."

Formed in 2007 after appearing on the Enguita-produced Women on the Move compilation CD "Beautiful" - which featured 15 female singer-songwriters performing their own music - the trio performs their own songs, with a few Joni Mitchell classics mixed in.

"We're all individual artists who have been playing solo shows for years, but once we got acquainted and became available to work together, we realized we really liked the sound," said Lester.

"It's so nice to have back-ups. I hate to perform alone anymore," Enguita said.

All of the Women on the Move Trio discovered a passion for song as children, but followed very different paths to reach their musical destiny.

Geleris called herself a songwriter at heart who started at 14 or 15 years old, but who didn't delve fully into her talent until after the birth of her third child, who is now 15.

"I decided then to take the gifts that were given me and move forward with music, whatever that looked like," Geleris said.

The Glendora resident started by pouring her feelings into song lyrics and arrangements, followed by networking with other musicians to learn the ins and outs of getting her work heard. During her first networking mission, she made friendships that ultimately led to her original song "Call Me Crazy" being featured in the 1997 Columbia Tri-Star film "Implicated."

Since then, Geleris, a former high school teacher, has released two CDs, including her latest "If I Only Had a Minute," as well as founded a songwriters networking website called SongNet.com.

Lester described herself as a mostly self-taught musician who started playing the piano at age 4. As a teenager she studied folk guitar from Bud Dashiell, half of the 1960s folk duo Bud & Travis, and at 22, began her performing career in front of hundreds of soldiers as part of a trio that played in Korea during her stint in the United States Army.

Once she returned to civilian life, Lester's path changed course. "My mom told me, ‘Don't be a starving artist.' So I got a series of regular jobs, got married, and had kids," Lester said. "But the music was always with me."

So much so that she gave up a three-decade career in public relations after several relatives died in the course of a year.

"I was financially and emotionally drained. I thought, ‘Who am I?' I felt like God had put me here to be a musician," Lester said.

She began collecting song lyrics, then learning the arrangements. Soon enough, Lester was writing original songs and put out her first CD "Plymouth Belvedere" in 2007. The title track was picked up for a National Public Radio "Car Talk" compilation album in 2009.

Enguita grew up as a self-described military brat who first picked up a guitar when her family was stationed in Madrid, Spain.

She settled on a 1-acre property in Lancaster in 1983 and worked as a Social Security employee until taking an early retirement in 2003, which allowed her to focus full-time on her music career.

Songs from Enguita's 2005 "Two Suitcases" CD have aired nationally and in Europe, and she won a $2,500 prize in the "Music from Home" competition by Ritter Ranch. Enguita also created her own label, Red Coyote Records, and was the producer on the "Beautiful" CD, which has been an Editor's Pick at the independent music website CDBaby.com for more than two years.

Women on the Move Trio is working on their debut CD, scheduled for release in late 2010 or early 2011. Works by each individual artist are available for purchase online through iTunes or ReverbNation.com, and their CDs are carried at retail locations like OutWest.

It may not be the traditional method for musical stardom, i.e., a manager, a label and a recording contract, but that's just fine with these artists.

"The way the business works today is absolutely in our favor. We have control of our work and can pick the cream of the crop of all our songs to showcase," Enguita said.

Meanwhile, they are cutting their chops on the road, with performances as varied as McKeon's first Women's Conference held at the College of the Canyons campus on Feb. 13.

The event had an audience in the hundreds.

They also played to a battered women's shelter in Oregon in March.

The band is committed to helping victims of domestic violence, inspired by the plight of Enguita's sister, who fled an abusive relationship with her two children. Enguita's "Heading to the Shore" was written in her honor.

"We want to bring awareness to women that they can have a better life," she said. "I'm really proud of my sister, that she improved not just her own life, but the life of her kids."

All three women play guitar in the band and take turns on percussion.

Geleris recently learned the mandolin and the dulcimer, the latter in honor of Joni Mitchell, and has been viewing the artist playing the instrument on YouTube for direction.

"I watched Mitchell's hands, how she does her tuning on each song. It's really enabled me to improve," Geleris said.

For some shows, they break out a big African drum, or djembe.

"They're always something rhythmic going on," Lester said.

"Yeah, we're really good at shaking," Geleris said with a laugh.

Women on the Move Trio, 7 p.m. Saturday, $15 suggested donation, refreshments provided, OutWest, 24265 Main St., Newhall. (661) 255-7087. For more information on the band visit www.WomenontheMoveTrio.com or become a fan on www.ReverbNation.com/WomenontheMove.


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Hometownstation.com
KHTS 1220 AM
Former Friends of John Boston
Interview with John Boston on Radio, Monday, April 19
Guests Bobbi Jean Bell and Singer/Songwriter John Bergstrom

http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20072:former-friends-of-john-boston-april-19-2010&catid=121:former-friends-of-john-boston&Itemid=211

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'Gingerbread Cowboy' Finds Fans

Janet Squires reads her children's book to eager listeners at the OutWest store in Newhall.

By Michelle Sathe

Assistant Features Editor
msathe@the-signal.com
Photos by Francisca Rivas
661-259-1234 x522
Posted: April 17, 2010 8:30 p.m.
POSTED April 18, 2010 4:55 a.m.

There's a stampede at the OutWest store in Newhall, but wild horses are nowhere to be found.

Instead, four children are excitedly slapping their hands against their folded legs as Saugus author Janet Squires reads a particularly exciting passage from her popular book "The Gingerbread Cowboy."

The Western take on the classic "Gingerbread Man" tale has sold more than 250,000 copies since it was published in 2006. Squires has read "The Gingerbread Cowboy" to thousands of children across the country, yet she's never lost her enthusiasm in bringing the characters on each page to life in front of young fans. She will read and sign the book at the Buckaroo Book Shop during the Cowboy Poetry Festival in Newhall on April 24 and 25.

"If you're gonna do it, do it right, don't just read the words," Squires said. "Literacy is very important to me. I'm a writer and a reader. How can I not do everything in my power to help children find as much fun and joy in it as I do?"

Born in Hollywood, Squires is the descendant of pioneers that traveled through Texas and New Mexico in a wagon train. Her grandmother cooked on a wood-burning stove until the day she died and Squires, who is part Cherokee Indian, can remember waking up in a cast-iron bed as her father chopped wood outside.

"There was no getting away from it. The West was bred into my bones," Squires said.

The Squires family gardened, milked goats, raised chickens and looked out for one another, as well as their neighbors.
"Family, community, was all a part of it. Today, people get caught up in their day-to-day stuff. We forget to slow down and think about what's really important," Squires said.

Squires put herself through college shoeing and grooming horses and earned a teaching degree from California State University, Northridge. She settled in Saugus with her husband Richard, a professor, more than 30 years ago.

"We liked the wide open spaces," Squires said.

She quit teaching to raise daughters Katherine and Caroline, now both teachers, and began freelance writing non-fiction articles in her spare time. Squires was initially inspired to do so after contacting a horse-related magazine editor about an article in which she had found many factual errors. Challenged by the editor to do a better job, Squires submitted a story, which was published by the magazine.

As her children grew older and spent most of the day in school, Squires went back to work as a library media specialist in the Saugus Union School District, which she continues to do part-time.

Surrounded by children's books, the seed for "The Gingerbread Cowboy" was planted in 1999.

"The Gingerbread Man is an old folk tale that's been around for 150 years and has had about 1,000 different interpretations. There's a Cajun gingerbread man, a Hawaiian gingerbread man, but there hadn't been a Western one. I knew how to fix that," Squires said.

Squires finished the 32-page book in 2001. Illustrated by Holly Berry, the book was published and released by Harper Collins in August, 2006. Targeted towards readers ages 4 to 8, "The Gingerbread Cowboy" was featured in 2006 and 2007 at the Autry National Center and also selected as the Arizona governor's "2007 First Grade Book," which placed a copy in the hands of every Arizona first grader.

As a result of the latter, Squires toured the state with then governor Janet Napolitano, now the United States secretary of Homeland Security, and watched as she read "The Gingerbread Cowboy" aloud.

"It was pretty cool. She (Napolitano) did a terrific job," Squires said. "I was thrilled."

Four years after its release, the market for "The Gingerbread Cowboy" continues to grow. According to Squires, there are plans to release an English-Spanish version for special educational programs, as well as an audio version and a line of story cards based on the book. There's even interest from Japan and India.

"What castles and knights are to Europe, Westerns are to America. It's really at the core of who we were," Squires said. "I think that's why the book has been so successful."

Today, Squires is working on an adult-level novel called "The Boomtown Singers," set in 1887 Arizona, and a children's mystery series to feature a canine Sherlock Holmes-style detective team of Otis Stoutfellow, a pug, and La Bella Stella, an Italian greyhound.

The four-legged protagonists are based on Squires' own rescued pug, Otis, and the many homeless dogs she has taken care as part of Animal Rescue Volunteers. The nonprofit organization has a network of foster families, including Squires and her daughter Caroline, that take in shelter animals, often hours before they are scheduled to be euthanized, and provide them with a temporary home until an adopter can be found.

Cecelia, Squires' current foster, is a tiny black and tan mixed-breed puppy that weighed less than 2 pounds when she was rescued the day before Christmas. Now six pounds, thanks largely to Squires' bottle feeding the pup, the rambunctious Cecelia was a hit with the audience at OutWest.

"I support Animal Rescue volunteers because these dogs are all in homes, living life the way a dog should live, with other dogs, cats, and kids, until they get their permanent home," Squires said.

Squires' benevolence extends to children and their parents. She promotes literacy by coordinating a yearly book drive for low-income families, chairing young authors conferences, and teaching writing workshops for children, as well as speaking to parents groups.

"I'm all about helping parents perfect their read aloud skills. That's what's going to help their kids become lifelong readers," Squires said. "By the fourth grade, children decide if they're going become readers by choice rather than only reading when they have to. It's not about selling books. If I can get one child's nose in a book, I'm good."

Then there are the writers of the world. Squires feels a particular affinity for them and launched a blog, janetsquires.blogspot.com, to help would-be authors through the various processes to publication, as well as providing a virtual shoulder to lean or cry on.

"Writing is a very solitary profession, just you and the computer screen or pen and paper. You create in a vacuum and write in a vacuum. Writers need a place to bounce ideas off other people and talk the story out," Squires said. "No one succeeds as a writer on their own."

For more information on Janet Squires, visit www.janetsquires.com or http://janetsquires.blogspot.com. For more information on the Cowboy Poetry Festival, visit cowboyfestival.org.



Janet Squires and her book The Gingerbread Cowboy which has sold more than 250,000 copies

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Interview with Leon Worden
SCV Newsmaker of the Week
SCV TV, Channel 20, local access
http://www.scvtv.com/html/notw268btv.html
Invterview with Mike Fleming, Director of the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival
Bobbi Jean Bell, co-owner of OutWest
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Lozano, the former morning DJ on FM Power 106, sorts through prints of his photos available for sale at OutWest in Newhall.
Photographs By Dan Watson (The Signal)

 

By Michelle Sathe
Assistant Features Editor
msathe@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x522
Posted: March 14, 2010  12:19 a.m.
POSTED  March 14, 2010 4:55 a.m.

A Haitian orphan. Spools of colorful thread. A kitschy '50s motel sign. All seemingly random subjects, but to Valencia fine arts photographer Frank Lozano, equally worthy of his attention.

"I bring to life what I desire, which is passion, color and laughter. I love shape and contrast. I walk slow, not only to smell the roses, but to see what's beyond the roses," Lozano said. "There's beauty in everything."

Lozano is the featured artist throughout March at OutWest Marketing, a gallery and retail store in Newhall. Dozens of his framed prints adorn the walls, ranging from weather vanes and dried flowers taken at the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall to colorful prints that capture Lozano's extensive travels to such exotic locales such as Haiti, Africa and Puerto Rico.

"People are attracted to his work, how his eye picks up images. What I like is that Frank finds beauty in the mundane, in what we see every day, and turns it into art," said OutWest co-owner Bobbi Jean Bell.

It's Lozano's first gallery appearance, the start of a fledgling new career. The former FM Power 106 morning disc jockey and current media director for Valencia's Grace Baptist Church has already been picked up as a featured artist at the Janice Hall Designs gallery in Palm Springs and his photos will soon grace the walls of The Horitzon Hotel, also in Palm Springs.

The momentum is somewhat shocking to Lozano, who only started posting his photos on Facebook about five months ago to online acclaim - his many friends encouraged him to try his hand at a professional showing.

"The fact that I get a chance to hold a camera and point it to a leaf outside of Subway in Stevenson Ranch, take the picture, then post it and have someone tell me, ‘That's so beautiful,' well, how amazing is that?" Lozano said.

Lozano's innate enthusiasm and curiosity led him to his original career as a disc jockey. Born in Alice, Texas, Lozano and his family moved to Southern California when he was just 0 months old and eventually settled in Hacienda Heights. As a high school student, Lozano studied architecture and planned to be a graphic artist until he began listening to the radio during his part-time job.

The thought of being a disc jockey appealed to him.

"It sounded like so much fun. I mentioned the idea to my boss and he said, ‘Frank, you're 18, if it's something you want to do, do it. Live your life without regrets,'" Lozano recalled.

He sent an audition cassette tape to KCWM in Victor, Texas, and to Lozano's surprise, he was hired. Admittedly not a country music fan, Lozano said he knew he had no business being on the station.

"I'd say on air, ‘That was the new hit from Mel Tillis,' and inevitably someone would call in and say, ‘Son, I believe that was Merle Haggard.' It all sounded the same to me," he said.

A year later, Lozano was in Fresno, where he stayed for two years, then moved to San Antonio for five years, where he was the host of several local television programs, including two dance shows. California continued to beckon, however, and Lozano found himself back in Los Angeles in 1988.

That same year, he attended the Hollywood Christmas Parade with his mother and became transfixed by the float run by Power 106 or 105.9 FM, a popular hip-hop radio station.

"I cried. My mother asked me what was wrong and I said, ‘I'll be at that station in six months," Lozano said.

It only took three months before Lozano was offered the overnight shift on Sunday mornings from 2-6 a.m. That quickly earned him a spot hosting the midnight Friday night show. In 1989, Lozano was on the Power 106 float in the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Eventually, Lozano was given the plum "Morning Drive in Los Angeles" spot, which earned him a loyal fan base and the opportunity to hobnob with some of the music industry's top stars. In addition to radio, Lozano's career evolved to include numeral television appearances on "Good Day L.A.," "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Arsenio Hall Show."

He moved to Valencia in 2002 from Toluca Lake. When his "Lozano on the Loose" reign on Power 106 ended in 2003, the same year he turned 40, Lozano dedicated himself to faith-based non-profit work for organizations such as Three Angels Children's Relief in Port Au Prince, Haiti.

"I know what it's like to hang out with Snoop Dogg and have breakfast with Mariah Carey, but it's nowhere near as cool as seeing the faces of people I've helped out. That's what I love. That's the juice," Lozano said.

After Lozano was informed that Three Angels didn't have a Web site, let alone a logo, he flew to the headquarters in Haiti and took photos and video, which led to creating the company's Web site and an informational documentary. What he saw haunts him to this day.

"I remember this kid taking a tin cup and dipping it into a pothole and drinking the water from it. And this was before the earthquake," Lozano said, shaking his head. "People are so desperate for help."

Lozano donated sales proceeds from his Haitian prints at a recent OutWest art event to Three Angels in January. Closer to home, Lozano volunteers with several local churches, using his graphic skills to design their marketing materials, and has mentored close to 15 teenagers over the last few decades, many of whom have gone on to become disc jockeys themselves.

Making connections is important to Lozano, whether it's the people he volunteers with or the natives he meets while traveling the world.

During a marketplace excursion from a cruise in the Panama Canal, Lozano noticed a woman who created patterned pots from local materials. He shot her holding one up against a dramatic red wall, her dark skin and weathered hands providing the striking contrast he covets.

They struck up a conversation, with the artist asking Lozano about the food on the cruise. When her eyes widened at the description of bountiful fruits available to passengers throughout the day, Lozano headed back to the ship, filled a backpack full of produce and gave it to the woman, who covered her mouth in astonishment at the sight of his offering.

"When I see that photo, I'm reminded of that interaction, that woman, the ship, the fruit. To someone else it's a simple picture, but to me, it's way more than that," Lozano said, tears forming in his eyes. "I've always wished that people could see what I see and now they can."

View Frank Lozano's at OutWest Marketing through March, 24265 Main St., Newhall. (661) 255-7087. For more info, visit www.franklozano.com or befriend Lozano on Facebook

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She first started as a volunteer at the then-named Gene Autry Museum after attending a Russian culture exhibit hosted at the museum. Eight years later she was thrilled to secure a full time position there. Over time, she earned multiple promotions, and was learning all the areas of running a museum and a business. And then it happened. Through restructuring and changes to the museum, her position and many others were eliminated.

Her eyes light up as she explains "If history has shown us anything, it's that you don't let your dreams die. Challenging times provide opportunity and sometimes you just need to go for it."

OutWest started out modestly as an online store in 2007. Two years later it grew and took on a physical location. Her store stands proudly on the Western Walk of Stars on Main Street in Old Town Newhall. The stars on the block are a mix of past and current western performers.

There is a strong sense of history in this part of town. A sense of a different time is a big part of Main Street. There are two live theatres across the street reminding us of a time when the only entertainment was live theatre. You can also hear the train of the Metro station, reminding us of a time when trains were a main form of transportation.

"We sit here in a very unique area-Old Town Newhall," says Bobbi, "The Valley has a long history and this is the right place to be-on the Western Walk of Stars.

Bobbi's dream is a culmination of visiting many museums as a child, and having worked 40 years in the retail industry for J.C. Penny, Gimbels, Nordstrom and other stores.

Her family moved often. While many children are nervous or frightened about relocating, Bobbi was fascinated with seeing different parts of United States. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New York.

"My family was big museum goers," says Bobbi "I remember going to museums that had people in costume that spoke in the vernacular of the time period of their costume. We visited Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts almost every weekend and I fell in love with history." Art museums, natural history museums and other historical sites, Bobbi's family felt that it was important to bring a sense of culture and the arts for the children.

The first time one enters OutWest, it is like being transported back in time. There is also a distinct feel of a museum. A unique blend of culture and shopping. Bobbi brings to life the western purveyor of goods. The customer walks in, is always offered a cup of coffee and an ear that will listen. It's also a mom and pop store. Her husband of 28 years, Jim also shares a passion for all things west.

According to Bobbi, many people who walk into the store for the first time want to share their story with her. Families that have been in Santa Clarita since the time of the Gold Rush. According to Bobbi, many shoppers have described the store as like being in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

One man, coming in for the first time expressed his happiness to see a western-themed store in the valley. He explained that he just moved from Phoenix. His name-Joey Dillon, a western performer, who taught actor Josh Brolin how to quick draw for an upcoming movie. Kids were dazzled as Joey displayed his gun slinging expertise. Bobbi went in the back and realized he was on the cover of TruWest magazine and had him sign it.

I sat down at length with Bobbi. Phone calls were coming in. Local artists and artists across the country were calling in offering to bring their goods to OutWest. Bobbi explains she is approached often by local and distant musicians, artists, poets and authors. Shoppers and artists seem drawn to this unique piece of the west.

The walls are peppered with culture and history. Vivid and spectacular pieces of Native American paintings hang proudly on the walls. Western wear from top designers in the field are sold here.

Alan Michael, a top western clothing designer sells his clothing here. That's when I noticed a picture on Bobbi's desk. I asked Bobbi about it. Her top clothing designer Alan Michael handing former president George H.W. Bush a jacket to give to Barbara. Then Bobbi showed me a one-of-a-kind piece-a white leather jacket, with stars, and fringe that had an autograph in the back. It read George Bush (Bush 41).

There is another item that pops out. From the display window-A men's motorcycle jacket, that according to Bobbi has brought many people in who are fascinated with this unique piece of work. She describes it as a piece that shows the "myth and romance of the west" and "art you can wear." A black leather jacket bearing fine hand-crafted artwork. In the back of a jacket, a bison surrounded by fine hand-crafted images.

As a shopper, there is much to choose from all inspired by the west. A large collection of Men's and women's western wear, Native American art and jewelry, western poetry cds, western music, books, children's books, plush toys, home décor, art glass, leather roses, custom picture frames, toys and games, handmade pillows and throws, Navajo folk art, and much more.

OutWest is not just a store, but strives to be a cultural community center according to Bobbi. On a monthly or bi-monthly basis, OutWest offers local live music bands, poets and artists. There is an art walk the third Thursday of every month from 5p.m. to 9p.m.

"We are trying to learn what the people of our community want-What they're looking for, what they are hungry for," says Bobbi "We want the community to share with us, what they would like to see."

OutWest is currently helping in the relief efforts for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. From January 18th through the 23rd, the store is donating 10% of all profits to the Haiti relief effort. Also, local photographer Frank Lozano-a man who has taken many pictures of Haiti, is selling his pieces starting January 21st indefinitely with the full proceeds going to the earthquake victims.

OutWest is located at: 24265 Main Street, Old Town Newhall. They are open Monday-Friday from 10a.m.-7p.m. and Saturday from 10a.m.-6p.m.  For more information, one may call: (661) 255-7087 or visit their website at: www.scvoutwest.com

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Ongoing Fundraising Efforts for Haiti's Earthquake victims and orphans are covered in this article by Michele Buttelman of The Signal newspaper:

mbuttelman@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x590
Posted: Jan. 23, 2010  7:43 p.m.
POSTED  Jan. 24, 2010 4:55 a.m.

I’ve been battling bronchitis for the better part of this past week, which means I’ve not been able to enjoy the deluge as much as I would like. I can’t wait to see how green our valley will become this spring after all this rain!

More SCV help for Haiti
Generous Santa Clarita citizens braved bad weather Thursday night and came out to Newhall’s Art Walk to view and purchase art donated by SCV artists to benefit Haiti’s Three Angels Children’s Relief. OutWest’s featured artist, fine art photographer Frank Lozano, donated all proceeds from the sale of his Haiti images to cause.  Lozano is actively engaged with this nonprofit organization and dedicated to its mission. Through the efforts of Bob Hernandez and Jeff Barber of The ARTree Community Art Center, the artists who were invited to participate in the event which raised $1,300 included Ken Lubas, Olga Kaczmar, Evie Cook, Diane Bruckner, Laura Wambsgans, Jane Mick, Laurie Morgan, Leland R. Thomas, R. Gregg Miller, Mel Carll, Laura Schuetze, Teresa Bailey, Jackie Sofen, Yolanda Menchaca, Claudette Dunn, Carrie Gordon and Bob Hernandez. Fundraising efforts continue through Thursday. Visit the Thursday Art Walk in downtown Newhall between 5 and 9 p.m. Once again, local artists will generously offer their works for sale with all proceeds going directly to Three Angels Children’s Relief. In addition, OutWest will donate 10 percent of all online and in-store sales now through Thursday. Donate $15 or more and pick up a CD from local Western singer/songwriter John Bergstrom. OutWest, at 24265 Main St., to view Lozano’s art exhibition and to donate to the relief effort. For more information and store hours call 661.255.7087 or visit www.scvoutwest.com

            

Frank Lozano Photography

           

Come meet local Fine Art Photographer, Frank Lozano. You may recognize his voice, from his years as a radio personality and emcee work at various local benefits, but you may not be aware of his passion for the Arts. Mr. Lozano's art exhibition includes images of Haiti and The West.  He is graciously donating 100% of the sales of any of his Haitian images to Three Angels Children's Relief.

OutWest is honored to showcase Frank's Fine Art Photography. He sees the world through a unique lens capturing exquisite beauty in the mundane. Opportunities have taken Frank to the far corners of the world...as well as right here at home...travel with him and see the familiar in unexpected ways.
We guarantee that you will be stunned, will chuckle and chortle, will exclaim "where's that?," and LOL. Come enjoy color, shape, texture, and our world through Frank Lozano's unique vision.

Many of our partner artisans and Western musician friends are donating items for silent auction, raffle, purchase, or as  "thank you " for your donation to Three Angels Children's Relief.

 Third Thursdays Art Walk is a free self guided art walk down Main Street in the Arts District of Old Town Newhall anchored by The Canyon Theater Guild and the Repertory East Playhouse. This once monthly Art Walk is both reactive and interactive. One can look and appreciate art, purchase art or participate in art. The Art Tree presents a fun, interactive hands-on art activity for the whole family to enjoy. This event is free for all from spectator to participant. Join us in promoting and strengthening the arts community in Santa Clarita.

Shop the Farmer's Market from 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Farmer's Market and Art Walk, Rain or Shine!
All artists are indoors - don't let the rain keep you away from a good time!

         


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