Family Fare: Quentin Tarantino will not be...

Family Fare: Quentin Tarantino will not be showing his work at the Santa Clarita International Film Festival. The third SCIFF, which continues today at the Edwards Cinemas in the Valencia Town Center mall, is the brainchild of a group of Santa Claritans who wanted to showcase quality family-oriented films. “There are explosions, but no flying body parts,” said festival executive director Chris Shoemaker. Santa Clarita resident Deborah G. Hofstedt wrote, directed, produced and financed her own short film. “Francois Truffaut is an auteur,” she told columnist Scott Harris. “I’m just me.” (B1).

I Do, II: With Valentine’s Day approaching, couples marking their 25th, 50th or higher wedding anniversaries will be honored today at St. Mel’s Catholic Church in Woodland Hills at the annual archdiocesan wedding anniversary Mass. Cardinal Roger Mahony will preside at the 2:30 p.m. service.

Tough Choice: Speaking of Valentine’s Day, Frank Sheftel, owner of the Candy Factory in North Hollywood, compares the holiday’s most popular gifts. “Flowers wilt and die, but chocolate will last forever. Once you eat it, it’s on your hips.” For a primer on chocolate making, see Valley Briefing, B2.

Panhandling Curbs: As the Los Angeles City Council considers new laws to curb aggressive panhandlers, civic leaders point to educational campaigns in Studio City and Santa Monica that have reduced the headache of in-your-face street begging (B1).