Photos: Schiavo speaks at VIA event

Michael Picarella
July 25, 2025
3:41 pm

Area representatives and business leaders took part in the Valley Industry Association’s “Cocktails and Conversation” with Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, at Margarita’s Mexican Grill on Thursday evening in Valencia. Schiavo discussed challenges and legislative efforts over the last year, including the ongoing affordability crisis, healthcare cuts and the Chiquita Canyon Landfill crisis.

Photos by: Michael Picarella/The Signal

Michael Picarella

Michael Picarella is a features writer and general assignment reporter for The Signal. He joined the staff in Feb. 2022 and previously worked as a columnist, features writer and beat reporter for The Acorn newspaper group in northern Los Angeles and Ventura counties. He’s a graduate of the Academy of Art in San Francisco with a degree in screenwriting. Additionally, Picarella has written and directed two feature films, and he’s the author of two books, one being a collection of stories from his award-winning family humor column, “Family Men Don’t Wear Name Brands.” Email him at [email protected].