The Signal from Santa Clarita, California • 1

Pac-1 0 nleiDa Day Former Valencia star Manual White fipiiTTPS nrnminpntlv in It 11 Ism a ki Hffi iia Jiiijl IVIIJI II The Parents Television Council releases a study on family hour television programming. Entertainments SUNNY -5-. Sunshine High of 88. Weather Page: A7 a I UCLA football plans. SpcrtSBI LL Thursday August 2, 2001 Serving Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Valencia, Castaic and Agua Dulce Since 1919 50 Cents TmeSS Signal TODAY E3 un mm LUJU INSIDE On the Road By Leon Worden Signal City Editor When the Edwards IMAX theater opened on Town Center Drive in Valencia two years ago with its 70-foot-wide screen and 12,000 watts of sound, promoters called it an "unforgettable, in-your-face experience." Today this "unforgettable" entertainment experience is one the bankrupt theater chain might rather forget.

Officials confirmed Wednesday that Edwards Theatres Circuit Inc. is severing its relationship with IMAX, meaning Edwards will pull the plug on its six IMAX theaters in California, Texas and Idaho including the one in Valencia. Charlie Gill, manager of the Valencia Town Center, said it's his understanding that Edwards will continue to operate the IMAX location, but will show regular films there instead of the "in-your-face" IMAX-format. productions. said that they were going to do alterations on the one IMAX and make it a normal theater," he said.

The relationship between Edwards and IMAX Corp. is the latest casualty in a string of shut-downs as the bankrupt theater owners, acting as debtors in possession, struggle to get their financial house in order. They filed for Chapter 11 protection last August and have been closing underperforming movie houses primarily older ones lacking the popular stadium-style seating. See IMAX, page A5 BIG MUSIC MAN OH CAMPUS Evie Leslie and Leo Sparks enjoyed their trip to Las Vegas with the Santa Clarita Senior Center. A7 Educator By Day Transit Mixed estimates 'flawed' intertainer tut? p.

svh ByPattiShea Signal Staff Writer The Transit Mixed Concrete's water usage estimates for the Soledad Canyon Mine project are 1 nn an.iin by Night By Margie Anne Clark Signal Staff Writer Move over, Eric Clapton! College of the Canyons Board of Trustees President Ernie Tichenor and his 12-year-old son Charlie took center stage Tuesday with throughout the Santa Clarita Valley at World Music's monthly Jam Proving there's no such thing as a generation gap, the younger Tichenor commanded a standing ovation at the open microphone night with his rendition of Clapton's "Layla." "He really blew everybody away. It was just incredible," said Tichenor of his son's performance. "This is a great way to interact with BUSINESS Work Study Members of the business community looking for part-time employees can take advantage of a local resource, The Masters College, in their search for workers, school officials said. B4 Today Mixer to celebrate 10th anniversary of Santa Clarita Transit, at The Greens on McBean Parkway, 4-6 p.m. Info: 259-4314 Moonlight hike at Placerita Canyon Nature Center, 8 p.m.

Info: 259-7721 Friday 4 Blue Barrel Blues Jazz Concert at Hyatt Valencia, p.m. Info: 290-2911 Saturday "Silents Under the Stars" William Hart film with dinner and live musical accompaniment at the Hart Mansion, Newhall. Tickets: 254-4584 2nd annual SCV Senior Center Art Show Sale at Valencia Hilton Garden Inn, 11a.m.-3 p.m. Info: 259-9444 Line and couples dancing at SCV Senior Center, 22900 Market Street, 7-11 p.m. Info: 252-1655 Sunday City of Santa Clarita Concert in the Park with Mighty Mo Rodgers at Newhall Park, 6:30 p.m.

Info: 284-1460 Sue O' Carroll, a environmental analyst contracted by the city of Santa Clarita, said TMC's estimates don't include accurate analysis of water levels in the Santa Clara River. "We know there is a problem with the portrait of the hydrologi-cal analysis," O'Carroll said to the Transit Mixed Concrete Executive Advisory Committee on Wednesday afternoon. O'Carroll said environmental documents produced by TMC state that only 9 percent of the -surface flow will be used during me rnase i or me project, wnue She said the estimates aren't correct because they omitted the three driest months of the year in their calculations. "They don't explain how they did it," she said. "It took a while for us to figure (it) out." O'Carroll sent a 100-page report criticizing the data to the Bureau of Land Manacement and the Fish other musicians, wliile getting a little practice in playing in front of people." "Performing for an audience is a very important aspect in being a musician," said Tichenor, who took time out from his trustee and teaching duties to strum a few riffs with his son.

After playing bass guitar on and off for more than 30 years, Tichenor should know. Tichenor played in bands throughout his high school and college years, and recently took to strumming again when his son became interested in playing the guitar. "We share a lot of the same interests musically, and I'm just amazed at how much knowledge he has about music from the '60s and '70s," Tichenor said. "It's a great hobby and a nice opportunity for Charlie to express himself." World music store manager Brandon Amison said Tuesday's turn out was the biggest ever. "The show of support and camaraderie between the musicians really came through tonight we like to support our local musicians and make them feel like they have a place to come and play," Amison said.

See TICHENOR, page A5 Photos by BRYAN KNEIDINOThe Signal (Top) Ernie Tichenor, president of the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees, has been playing the guitar in bands since he was in high school. (Left) Tichenor's 12-year-old son Charlie plays his rendition of Eric Clapton's "Layla." and Wildlife Service earlier this week. In the report, O'Carroll projected that the project would use an "average of 45.87 percent of the surface flow in this reach of the Santa Clara River during Phase I and an average of 79.22 during Phase II." See TMC, page A3 READER METER This week's question: Are modern amusement-park rides too dangerous? YES: 287-3531 NO: 287-3532 Polling concludes at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, and results will appear Monday In The Signal. You can also voteonlineatwww.the-signal.com.

City reports increase in transit ridership Program highlights suicide prevention Tel! It to The Signal: 255-2617 Letters to the Editor: P.O. Box 801870, Santa Clarita, Ca. 91380-1870 Street Address: 24000 Creekside Road, Valencia, 91355 By Patti Shea Signal Staff Writer Public transportation ridership is up, city of Santa Clarita figures show. According to the city, there were almost 3 million rides on Santa Clarita Transit jn 2000. The city originally estimated ridership to be 2.8 million, but rather, to the city's delight 2,965,000 peo ple used the system.

City transit officials chalk the increase to better routes and efficiency in service. "Today, commuting to and from the Santa Clarita Valley has never been easier," Ron Kilcoyne, city transportation director. "Travelers can leave their cars at home and use this time to read, work or just relax in comfort." See TRANSIT, page A3 Officials release details on. teen suicide By Marcl Wormser Signal Staff Writer A 16-year-old Canyon Country resident who was found dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday afternoon has been identified as Ricardo officials said. Lopez was found dead in the alleyway behind Art's Liquor in the 18300 block of Soledad Canyon Road at about 3 p.m.,' "said officials from the Santa.

Clarita Valley Sheriff's Paramedics received a call from someone located inside the liquor store after the teen appar-' ently shot himself in-the head behind the store, said Lt. Scott See SUICIDE, page A5 The program, which was implemented in all local high schools except Bowman Continuation School, was formed to bring the issue to the forefront of the community, Tony said of his wife's program. "We're blissfully unaware, and you can't do something if you don't know there's a problem," Barbara said. She said the week the program started, five local teens sought help either for themselves or for friends who were contemplating suicide. And even more shocking, she said, was when program volunteers were made aware earlier this year of two suicidal fourth-graders at a local elementary school.

The group was also told about the suicide of a Saugus High School student in the spring. See PROGRAM, page A5 By Marcl Wormser Signal Staff Writer When suicide prevention program volunteer Tony Oliver recently asked a roomful of Sierra Vista Junior High School students how many of them had seriously contemplated or attempted suicide or knew someone who had, he was saddened but not altogether surprised when 90 percent of the students raised their hands. It is because of similar statistics reported throughout the nation that Barbara Oliver started a local chapter of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program in January. The prevention program is the first local program that has been solely devoted to the prevention of suicide, Barbara said. COC offers aid for students with children rrrffrm i Business B4 Comics B6 Entertainment A4 Lottery A2 Obituaries A3 On the Road A7 Opinion A6 Sports B1 nil Hill II By Eric Thayer Signal Staff Writer College of the Canyons' Family Studies and Early Childhood Education Center currently has openings in its subsidized 3- and 4-year-old preschool program.

The program, which works around student schedules, follows the school's academic calendar. It offers early drop-offs, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., and extended mornings, from 1 1 :45 a.m. to 1 2:45 p.m. Spots are still open in the mornings from 8:45 a.m.

to 11:45 a.m. for children of students and from 1 p.m. See COC, page A3 ill Ill liiilliiillllilliii.