Did Y'all Change the California Weather Law?
By DARRYL MANZER.
Published in The Signal, 1-8-2006.

---

[RETURN TO DARRYL MANZER INDEX]

---

    Did the California weather laws change this year? I mean, really. What was happening when I was trying to watch the Rose Parade on Monday morning? Was that rain? Lots of rain?
    I'm sure the laws have changed now. It nearly never rains on that parade.
    Just to let you know, it was warmer and dryer here in Tidewater, Va. Yep, you must have changed the California Weather Law.
    The developers can't be happy about that. How are they going to convince folks to move to California and buy those overpriced homes they build on those tiny lots when the weather looked better in Omaha than in Pasadena last Monday?
    Of course, if you voted to change the California weather laws, only about 35 percent of the registered voters would show up at the polls.
    I think it really happened — only, the ballots were sent to Seattle. They like rain there and wanted you folks to have some of what they get.
    As I sat in my easy chair watching the parade, I half expected President Bush or Secretary of State Rice to break in to the broadcast and declare the rainstorm in Pasadena an act of terrorism. Such a statement would be believed, as we believed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
    "How dare they cause it to rain on the Rose Parade?" Ms. Rice would say. "We're prepared to invade Iran or Syria to stop such attacks in the future."
    I've got news for the administration. If Syria or Iran can control the weather in California, we'd best run up the white flag of surrender now.
    No, it was just a rain storm. It hadn't happened to the Rose Parade in more than 50 years, but it was "just a rain storm." At least it was more real than the WMDs we've yet to find in Iraq.
    Do you remember, way back when, before the 210 Freeway, driving from the SCV to the Rose Parade? Wasn't that great fun? In my teenage years, some of us from the SCV would drive down to Pasadena the night before and sleep on the sidewalk to get a good seat. (At least that is what we told parents and guardians). For a couple of years, I even worked as an usher in one of the grandstands that line Colorado Boulevard. I'm glad I was sitting home this year.
    Along with all the rain came some good news for residents of Santa Clarita. (Those of you outside Santa Clarita city limits are exempt.) The garbage rates are being reduced by $2.39 per month for a single-family home. That is a $28.68-per-year drop in rates. And if you recycle and have the "We Recycle" sticker on the bin, you could get a whole year of free trash service.
    Now, that is the type of news I like to report.
    Later this month, the new Newhall Community Center opens. Located adjacent to the Metrolink Station off Market and San Fernando Road, the new center will have a sheriff's sub-station and many other offerings. The grand opening is Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.
    Newhall has come a long way since the days when there was the pool in the summer, and only school and church activities the rest of the year.
    Just a thought: If you had to be a resident of Santa Clarita to use the facilities and parks in the city, wouldn't that make those outside the city limits want to be incorporated into Santa Clarita? The "if you don't pay for it, you can't use it" attitude. Of course, enforcement methods would be impossible to invoke, since most would be unconstitutional and the Sheriff's Department is already overloaded with more important work. Like I said, just a thought that didn't work here in Virginia — but y'all are welcome to try it.
    The new year of 2006 is already looking like it will be a great year for those of us who write. I may have to wait another 50 years to complain about it raining on the Rose Parade. I think I'll stay around just to write that column. One hundred five years isn't old, for a tree.
    Do y'all think you might change the California Weather Law back to what it used to be by next year? I certainly hope so.

    Darryl Manzer lived in the Santa Clarita Valley oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s as a teenager. He now lives in Virginia.