THE FOOTHILLS PAPER - DECEMBER 15, 2018 by David DeMulle'

FRIDAY • APRIL 27, 2018

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018

Sunland-Tujunga Chamber members Rock Swart and Honorary Mayor John Clausen “chow down” with some pretty good food provided by the master chef of the Verdugo Hills Hospital.

Sunland-Tujunga, Crescenta Valley and Montrose Chambers of Commerce

By David DeMulle’ ast Tuesday found over forty people getting together at the KeckVerdugo Hills Hospital for a Tri-Chamber mixer that included the Sunland-Tujunga, Crescenta Valley and Montrose Chambers of Commerce. This was an opportune time for club members and members

VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 7

TELLING THE TRUTH FOR OVER 13 YEARS! TELLING THE TRUTH FOR 14 YEARS

of the community to meet and network with other business owners in a Christmas themed event. One benefit of attending chamber mixers is the opportunity to network with other business owners in their local and neighboring communities. The idea of the joint mixer was by Crescenta Valley Chamber President Keith Hobbs.

VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23

Fireﬁghters from LAFD Stations 98, 77 & 24 use their truck ariel ladders to climb to the top of the “Round House” roof to vent the attic ﬁre.

“Round House”

By David DeMulle’ n early morning fire was called in at about 10:00AM at 8618 W La Tuna Canyon Rd, Shadow Hills. The house is known throughout the community as the “Round House” which was built about 70 years ago. 34 Firefighters took

30 minutes to confinine the fire to second floor of the single family home. There no reported injuries but the owner and her two dogs were displaced and the American Red Cross were on scene to help with re-location if her family were not able to respond. The cause of the fire appeared to be electrical in nature.

SANTA HAS ARRIVED

LA TUNA CANYON RD.

Last Thursday was not a good day for residents of La Tuna Canyon Rd. when the rains overflowed the check dams and flooded the main road. This house caught fire four days later.

Santa arrived at Berkshire-Hathaway landing with presents and good cheer for everyone, especially little children!

OVER 200 200 DISTRIBUTION AREA Over distributionSITES sitesIN in THE the FOOTHILLS foothills area

2 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

ANITA MAE

(CAMPBELL) SUTTON Anita Mae was the only child born to William Vinton and Edith Gertrude (Johnson) Campbell on March 23, 1923 in Urbana, Illinois. She attended schools in Urbana and graduated from Santa Monica High in California. She met the love of her life, James C. (Jim) Sutton Jr., a handsome Navy pilot, during World War II. After three dates and several months of letters exchanged, they were married in Santa Monica on February 18, 1945, a marriage that would last for 73 years. Anita passed away on November 21. She is survived by her much loved and loving husband, Jim, four children: Christine (Arnie) Preheim, Lake View Terrace; Judy (Bob) Kenagy, Washington; Jim III, Tujunga; and Joyce Wainwright, Colorado; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. For 18 years Anita was a devoted and supportive mother and wife during Jim’s US Navy career that included tours of duty in California, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Hawaii and Washington D.C. For 54 years she and Jim resided in their Tujunga home following his military retirement. Anita was the docent secretary for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association in the 1970s. She was a volunteer at Verdugo Hills Hospital for 30 years. Anita was a woman of grace, encouragement and a good listener to her many friends and family members. It seems fitting that on the day of her death she had a brief phone call with all of her grandchildren and other family members around the world. Her faith in Jesus Christ was strong and steady and she was prepared for leaving this world to be with Him. Her family mourn her departure from this life but look forward to joining her in heaven some day. A MEMORIAL SERVICE IS PLANNED FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 11 :00 A.M., LA CRESCENTA COMMUNITY LIFE CHURCH, 4441 LA CRESCENTA A VENUE.

Almost 100 people listen with rapt attention as the story of Hanukkah is explained by the Rabbis.

A NEW TRADITION IN SUNLAND-TUJUNGA The third annual Hanukkah in the Foothills was held at the Tujunga Elks Lodge last Monday. STNC member Jon Von Gunten was one of the participants attending and explained that the event was about. “Families celebrate Hanukkah each year on the 25th of Kislev in the

Hebrew calendar, which this year fell on Dec. 2. The Hanukkah in the Foothills took place on the last night of Hanukkah, Dec. 10, as a grand finale party. In addition to the games, prizes and the story of Hanukkah being told, there were traditional Hanukkah foods like doughnuts

and latkes, all fried in oil to represent the holy consecrated oil from the temple.” The event was free to attend and almost 100 people braved the cold to attend to hear a presentation by Rabbi Mark H. Sobel of Temple Beth Emet of Burbank and have fun.

William Mellenthin and the San Fernando Valley “Birdhouse” Ranch Homes

In the 1950s housing developments began peppering the land outside of Los Angeles. Affordable, family-friendly communities like the San Fernando Valley initiated an exodus to the suburbs. It was there designerbuilder William Mellenthin developed his singular brand of cozy, charming home. They became known as the Mellenthin Birdhouse ranch home—so called because they featured a cupola or dovecote built prominently into the roof. This presentation reveals many facts and details about this industrious and influential man — with rare photographs and documents that illustrate a young, burgeoning San Fernando Valley as it became “the new suburban paradise.” Our speaker for this program is Chris Lukather — a Cal Arts graduate, who follows his passion for art and design, California

subculture and obscure Los Angeles history. A fifth generation Californian, Chris has discovered a lot of local history through his own family. Chris is currently editor and publisher of The Writing Disorder, a quarterly literary journal established in 2010. He is also a

graphic designer. Chris’ book A Birdhouse in Paradise is available for purchase in our gift shop. Saturday, January 12, 2019, 1:00 PM, Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Avenue in Tujunga Parking available uphill at the Elks Lodge

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 — 3 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 – 3 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Well, boys and girls, this has live in our own little community. contention as to who will be albeen — to quote David Frost— We live in a concentration camp lowed in their parade. Last year, “The Week That Was!” Even I of our own making surrounded by they even went so far as to ban By Doc couldn’t begin to figure out what mental derelicts and druggers who entries from The Foothills Paper Wehappening made it! Once again, per in our community the justyour challenged. was in our little vortex will steal theisfillings outorof andYou theallCrow’s with Nest.luck, have taught we come to the end of a year ability toteeth see “the big give picture” who they are. without a playsheet. Our esteemed us something. And if you them aknow chance. No big deal, but when Lions and have a moment to lookmade aand have councilwoman, M-Rod, a shot atthe letting the Solving homeless problem This was not aClub goodmember year for Bren Dougthen “Boo” the moment of presentation plaques atcommunity isn’tknow rocket science. Butthem. it is POLback on whereofwethree are and las claimed she passes. had been what is And I’m glad I helped thatpain It has to you’re not a Scientologist or a the intersection Honolulu ITICS. Both involve ourthem local assaulted andbecause was notthe more importantly,of where we and happening. pass on to sexually better things. happen fifteen-cent certifi woman member with ancate. axeI’d to say La Tuna Canyon15,” Road going to be in this year’s were. “December is acommemoSocialneighborhood media has takencouncil over members This was the year of change world does parade, not stop. I am an that our view of satisfaction grind, you fail at that one too. rating thedate Tuna Detention local news service organizayou The could hear the laughter all a lot because symbolic thatCanyon shows what for goodand old our fashioned for our little vortex. observer. I smile is myopic. I just don’t see the Camp thatand wasperseverance set up to process tions. the way to Mt. Gleason. There dedication reporting. IT’S FAST! And chamber of commerce totally it covers the pain I see. Traffic satisfaction they get as being So what is left? How about the Japanese, GermanWas anditItalians of course,Ithere cannot remember in ambitions used toofbe something has accomplished. those people ever fulfibeing lled their deaths, called home fithe res, wildfires long term. Chamber of Commerce that just during theofSecond World place many self-rightheyou realknow Rotarifun? Yes course. Did I let War. it out therea that usewith it forso their being next to the4-Way bottom Test of thethatthat could have been But Peorescued the 4thweofhave Julydreamers. Fireworks There were a lot of dignitaries teous, pompous people who would ans believed in. become chaotic and stressful? own purposes, I call them the barrel. But next week that will prevented, and the blindness of ple who have come out of the there to talk about it meant sell their first-born for achange. certificate 1. IS ITsaid THE Well they event Probably, I think I’vewhat blanked KEYBOARD KOMANDOS. Their president to TRUTH? small cliques manipulating the from the Machine-driven woodwork and actually made Shadow Hills to them and their families. What of aappreciation. Not sure failed one. for nothing. Sunland-Tujunga, it out. And what scurrilous group of good. me at a local gathering, “Nowon that community, change happen. The current Fund? That same noThere one spoke of was how Amongst they have 2. ISsomeIT FAIR TOAALL is that wonderful bib-the people they are. Theythemselves, throw maybe you can write couple of years ago,Community I board of Tatulian the neighborhood fund that Sonia set up as Snowball screwed self-perpetuating Not“we since lical sayingproject “And this too shallthe out crapaand their followers circle-jerk thing nice aboutCONCERNED? the chamber?” said, are past just like Maycouncil really surprisedfund? me. her own money laundering community out of a “real” memowhere they tell themselves how president Mike Lucas drove all pass.” And it would have been say “WoW! That smells like Well yes Monique. I will. wood-Bell. The same type of reminds me of that masaying The one Itthat the Cleghorn rial infamous site. wonderful real people out of theand club. niceto if Ithis could have rememprime rib. And whatand I’vetight-knit our GOOD the corruption malfeasance. BYE! “Everybody brings pleasure! chine So what wedeadline get? How about is. Yup, the WILL GOODWILL? bered that asdid each found iscommunity that for the most part, we have Things that we3.think areIT BUILD The only difference is that they still runs? Yup, that’s the Some by coming and some by one. acame metal plaque on a light standard lowest-class Rotary Club in exisNot one single equestrian or and went. One of the those who are the most hateful important today are ephemeral stole MONEY, our elected You have to ask yourself, leaving.” “How can so fewAnd ruinit’s sotrue. much 30 feetabout above thethe sidewalk. tence. afford marching will set foot things being editor I are the ones thatThey claimcan’t to be even and pass. The good times asband group representatives stole people’s for so many?” guess if they can’t see it they their yearly dues. And when it on the parade route for fear of be(Continued on Page 8) of the most well read newspadying, have mental problems, well as the bad also pass and lives.” And they did it all for a This is Sunland-Tujunga and can’t steal it — right? comes to holding the annual 4th ing attacked with water balloons. it’s really easy when you can say: Oh, well, I guess that’s what it of July parade, they become a 4. WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL It’s The Water! all boils down to. We no longer self-righteous chamber pot of TO ALL CONCERNED? If VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 8 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

View from the Rock

ROCK

The FootHills Letters and Perspectives Saving for a down payment

Enjoy Christmas Before bIt’s Over y Ed Castellanos

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By Glenn Mollette Christmas is coming fast but try to slow down. BeWith rising rental costs fore you know it Christmas and the amount of stuwill be over. dent an our all-time Mostdebt of usatlive lives in high, it’s no surprise a hurry. We hurry to ﬁnthat many potential buyish school, hurry through ers are unable to save meals, hurry through the up forweek a down work and payment. hurry into If you’ve found yourretirement. In a twinkle self in this boat, of an eye we havedon’t hurried lose hope. through ourWith lives.the Thehelp clock cannot beand reset. The of technology a litpastforesight, is in the past tle youand canyou can’t for change save that yesterday. down payYou can relish, rejoice or regret about yesterday but you can’t change the past. Actually you might not want to or you might tweak a few days if you could but you can’t. If you could you, might have spent an extra hour at the lake or an extra day on vacation. You might have given an extra hour to passing ball with your kids

taxes, Mary had her baby Do you really want to start or staying an extra hour Jesus and it was in a place the New Year ten pounds to help mom clean up the www.superliked.com/profile/ed-castellanos heavier? Nobody needs ﬁve where the animals were kitchen. You might retract ment -- and probably your deposits, set a rekept. The crib was a cow’s different kinds of pies and some words that came out sooner than you think. minder to transfer montrough. Life for them was of your mouth in a moment cakes. The more you have Here’s how: ey every two weeks. surely ﬁlled with stress. of frustration. The scenarios to eat in your refrigerator Soon and they either wouldinvacate are numerous when we look the more you will eat. Do actions Set up automatic Try a round-off app. vest your money or Bethlehem becauseadd they your loved ones need back. deposits. What if you could a savings feared for theaccount. life of their diabetes? Don’t add to their it to Enable automatic deround off every down oncertainly spending. child. They experiproblem. Make pursome good Cut WE CAN ONLY LOOK posits into your savchase make ittoasthe area of and spendencedantiredness worries. food you and make healthy Find AHEAD. ings dollarHowever, and thentake ingThe thatold you cansays afford to story shepas possible. Takeaccount. the focusSchedule off spending nearest see theeatbaby thethat timeextra to enjoy them right afterConsider paydays, put cashwhat to you cutherds lots of money. backcame on --tomaybe Jesus. Angels appeared made and try to enjoy it drawing names if you have when you know you’ll good use? Apps like ing out or grabbing to-goin celebration his birth. with people who areMonmean- coffees. a large gathers. Acorns have thegroup cash that available. and Clarity Eachof month, talWise men from the East ingful to you. Why try to If you can’t automate ey round off your transsee Saving, page ? came bringing him gifts. A Try to focus on who and buy for everybody? Some Edgar Castellanos BRE# 01855534 what Christmas is all about. lot of attention was given to of the people you buy for L A H Othe Mlittle ES247. coseason m baby. This A humble family giving may be strapped for cash. focus on what and who are birth to a baby in BethleThey might be able to hem. Life was surely hectic important before the season buy one or two gifts with is over and take an extra and crazy for Mary and a limited budget but they moment to enjoy. Joseph. They had made the can’t buy for ten or twentrip to a tiny village to pay ty people. Even if you are blessed with cash consider others who want to give but psychologists to malnormal Contact heterosexuals heterosexual females. himisat GMollette@aol.com. are limited. Plan a way that practice by forcing them absurd. No rational per- That’s obvious. On the all can enjoy. Learn at www.glennmollette.com to treat or gender son can deny more that. This other hand, there are all Take thesexual focus off eating.

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The FooThills leTTers & PersPecTives

?Is There ANY Intelligent Life in California?

identity disorders in chil- was the commonsense kinds of sexual or gender dren as if they are not position of the American identity disorders: e.g., disorders. Truly bizarre. Psychiatric Associahomosexuality, bisexDear Editor, (It’s fairly obvious tion for years before it uality, transgenderness, In yet another insult to that female minds in became corrupted by ir- sadism, etc., etc. To bathe intelligence of peomale bodies and male rational, ever-so-trendy sically equate disorders ple, some California minds in female bodies “political correctness.”) with non-disorders is as legislators are actually seemed receptive, however, By Shahen Yapi and homosexual minds Now some legislators absurd as equating moconsidering a bill (ABthe developer’s team got We’ve received well over in heterosexual bodwant to double down on rality with immorality 2943) that would make to respond tosigns somethat of our the state’s bizarre policy or health with illness. 700 signatures, hundreds of ies are sure it illegal for a consenting point with a slew of lies FB likes and many “I’ll be something went wrong on disorders by banning Hopefully Californians adult receive therapy which the panel seemed to there”to responders but only somewhere (in nature consenting adults from will contact their legisto try 20 to resolve unwantnot question further. There about people actually and/or nurture), are sure receiving therapy for lators and ask them to was a representative from ed same-sex showed up andattractions the develsigns of Rodriguez’s mind/body ofﬁ misdrop this odd anti-choice Monica ce clearly objective disoror gender oper’s ownconfusion. dream team matches or disorders. So, ders! bill (AB-2943) like a spoke at the podium Hello! was about 10-12 people so towho put transgenders and There are only two lead balloon. for 10 seconds saying the is already it California was discouraging to say heterophobic genders: het-quite council womanhomosexuhas not tak- human to submit additional quesresidents which was forcing the least.psychiatrists Nevertheless,and we als on the same level as erosexual males and wrong. tions, concerns Wayne Lel en a stance on the subject at telling.... I hope I’m or anything

SNOWBALL PROJECT CONTINUES

all went up there with gusto and made our valid point and voiced our concerns and opposition. The panel

this point, however he did sit next to the developer’s dream team, away from the

The panel did open a 7 day response window for the public if the public chooses

else for them to take into consideration.

4 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2018 •PAPER THE FOOTHILLS PAPER 8 — FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 • THE 15, FOOTHILLS

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 — 5

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6 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 PAPER • NUMBER 8 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 8

ASK RUSTY

by AMAC Certiﬁed Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor Association of Mature American Citizens

214 1214

ET ET YY

Ask Rusty – Special Extra Earnings for Military Service

gee

rib

How can aging in place impact your family? by Ed Castellanos

Independent living is often cited as being good for one’s well-being, so it’s no surprise that aging in place has become so popular. Thankfully, many options in today’s housing market make it possible. Preparing for physical safety and financial security are the most immediate concerns that come to mind as we plan for aging in place. However, convenience and overall well-being should also be considered before deciding where to settle in. Here are three housing options to weigh as you or your loved ones plan for continued independence. 1. Renovate Your Current Home Adding front entry ramps, bath bars, sit-in tubs and other safety features may make it physically possible to stay where you are. However, renovation costs can add up quickly, especially if they’re needed all at once. Home maintenance should also be factored in. Who will manage the upkeep if the property has multiple

floors or a large yard? 2. Right-Size to a Manageable Floor Plan Some may find it easier to purchase a home with barrier-free, universal design rather than deal with the stress of home renovations. Moving closer to family and friends can also help to prevent social isolation or depression. 3. Buy a New Home With Family Members Floor plans for multigenerational homes are often designed with individual privacy in mind while allowing family to be nearby. Sharing home maintenance costs also minimizes living expenses. And this is an excellent way to help family members enter into homeownership. Aging in place requires thoughtful preparation. Get in touch today for a referral to a trusted financial adviser to begin this journey. You can also reach out if you’re interested in learning about your home’s value or finding a new property

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Dear Rusty: Both my cousin and I served in the military starting in 1964. He completed his 4 years and got out; I served for 20 years. A few years ago we were visiting and he asked me if I was getting my Special Extra Earnings - approximately $300 from Social Security? He said it’s because we served in the military when the pay was so low. When I returned home I checked with our local Social Security office and was told I was not getting the Special Extra Earnings because after I got out of the service I made too much money; I accepted their answer. Then I read a Social Security column in a local newspaper. The columnist recommended anytime Social Security turns down a claim that you file an appeal. I did have a good job after I left the Military, but it wasn’t like I was making millions. Do you think I should file a claim asking them to reconsider my request for Special Extra Earnings? Signed:

Military Service Veteran Dear Veteran: Please accept my gratitude for your many years of military service. The “special extra earnings” of which you speak are extra earnings credited to your military pay for those years you served between1957 and 2001. The credit is $300 for each quarter of active military service between the years 1957 and 1977 and, for the period 1978 – 2001, an additional $100 in earnings for every $300 in active duty pay up to a maximum of $1200 per year. It’s important to note that these are credits to your military earnings record, not an additional amount added to your Social Security benefit. Those credits should have been automatically applied to your earnings record when you applied for benefits, but whether they affected your Social Security benefit depends upon whether any of your years of military service were included in the 35 used to compute your benefit. To determine your benefit, Social Security adjusts all years of your lifetime earnings (including military earnings) for

inflation and then uses the 35 highest-earning years as the basis for your benefit. Typically, the earnings in your later years of employment are the highest of your career, which is probably why the Social Security representative said you didn’t get the credits because you “made too much money” after you got out of the service. It’s more probable that the credits were automatically applied to your military earnings and that only some of your latter years of military service were used to compute your benefit. The best way to check this is to get your Earnings Statement from Social Security and examine your lifetime earnings to see which years are highest, keeping in mind that Social Security only counts earnings up to the FICA payroll tax cap for each year. By doing this you can see which years of your military earnings were included in your benefit computation. You can get your Earnings Statement by creating an online “My Social Security” account at www.ssa.gov, or by requesting one from your

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seed. Regarding current legislation when it comes to hemp. A deal has been reached on the 2018 Farm Bill that includes the full text of the Hemp Farming Act, providing permanent legalization of hemp and popular hemp products like cannabidiol (CBD). The Farm Bill is expected to pass sometime during the week of December 10, 2018. Everything was delayed because the House canceled all votes for this week in honor of our nation’s mourning of the late President George H.W. Bush. RIP. Stay tuned…

(Continued on Page 8)

Why Hemp? By Bonnie Corwin Sometimes people ask me how they will feel if they take CBD oil. It depends on why you are taking it. You may feel an increased sense of calm. Your anxiety might diminish. Your mood will improve. You might notice your pain levels are reduced related to inflammation. You will not feel high. CBD does not compromise your mental clarity. Then what might CBD be doing to the inside of your body? It can promote bone growth. It reduces blood sugar levels. Both sides of my family had circulatory issues. This is one of the main reasons I take CBD

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Lentil Stew with Sausage SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 –—77 VOLUME 14 14 •• NUMBER NUMBER www.thefoothillspaper.com THE FOOTHILLS FOOTHILLS PAPER •• FRIDAY, FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 27, 2018 2018 VOLUME 88 •• www.thefoothillspaper.com THE PAPER APRIL —7 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Lentil Stew with Sausage Twice Baked Potatoes – Mexican Style BY CHEF RANDY

This is a hearty side dish stuffed into one tasty shell. Think of these as twice baked potatoes with a nice li little kick! They are healthy, easy to prepare, and both vegetarian and gluten free. What could be better? As with my Twice Baked Potatoes with a Twist, these may be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.

Ingredients: • 4 large russet potatoes • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin

olive oil • ¾ cup vegetarian, glutenfree refried beans (such as Old El Paso) • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds • 1 tablespoon gluten-free ketchup (such as Heinz) • ¾ cup gluten-free salsa (such as Pace Chunky

CHEF RANDY

Lentils low by Chef hef are anDy by C rranDy

in calories, high in fiber, high in protein havein Lentils and are low low inzecalLentils are calroories, trans fats. This baories, high high in in fiber, fiber, high high in protein and have zesic lentil recipe is simple in protein and have zero trans trans fats. This babaand easy fats. to prepare. Just ro This sic lentil recipe is simple sicall lentil is simple put the recipe ingredients inand easy to prepare. Just and easy to prepare. Just to a slow cooker and the put all all the ingredients ingredients input the chow down 4 hours lat-into aa slow cooker and and the cooker er.to Theslow vegetarian sau-the chow down down 44 hours hours latlatchow sage adds depth and texer. The The vegetarian vegetarian sausauer. ture foradds a hearty stew. sage depth and texsage adds depth and texIt’s especially good on ture for for aa hearty hearty stew. stew. ture aIt’s cold winter night. It’s especially especially good good on on cold winter winter night. night. aa cold

Ingredients:

Ingredients: Ingredients: For additional

Medium) • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded) Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste • 1 cup Crema Mexicana (for garnish) • 2 green onions (sliced thin for garnish)

Directions: • Position rack in center of

oven and preheat to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce potatoes in several spots with a fork. Rub oil over potatoes and place directly on rack. Bake for 45 minutes or until very tender. Transfer potatoes from oven to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. • Cut off the top quarter of the potato using a serrated knife. Using a spoon, scoop out potato, leaving

1½ cups lentils (black lentils are good but any lentils will do) 1½ cups cups lentils lentils (black 1½ (black 1lentils package Lightlentils are are good good but but life Smart Sausagany lentils lentils will will do) do) any es Italian Style (cut package LightLight- in11 package life Smartpieces) Sausagtolife ½-inch Smart Sausages Italian Style (cut (cut inin2es cups sweet Italian Style to ½-inch ½-inch pieces) to pieces) corn kernels cups sweet sweet cups 322stalks celery (thincorn kernels corn kernels ly sliced) stalks celery celery (thinstalks 333carrots (cut in-(thinly sliced) sliced) tolyone-inch pieces) 3 carrots carrots (cut (cut inin3 1 to medium on-pieces) one-inch to one-inch pieces) ion (chopped) 1 medium on1 medium on15-ounce can ion (chopped) (chopped)diced toion matoes (including liquid) 15-ounce can diced diced to15-ounce can to2matoes cloves (including garlic (minced) matoes (including liquid) liquid) 2 cloves garlic (minced)

a 1/4-inch-thick shell; transfer scooped potato to a large bowl. Set scooped out shell aside. Repeat with remaining potatoes. • Mash potatoes in bowl until smooth. Mix in beans, cumin seeds, catsup, salsa, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. • Spoon potato mixture into prepared shells. At this point, shells may be covered and refrigerated for up to one day if desired. Place shells on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through. • To serve, garnish each potato with ¼ cup crema and a sprinkle of greens onions.

1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon (vegetable base) tablespoon Bet11 tablespoon Bet4ter cups vegetable ter Than Than Bouillon Bouillonbroth (vegetable base) base) (vegetable

Instructions: cups vegetable vegetable broth broth 44 cups Plug in your slow cookInstructions: er and set the heat to high. Instructions: Plug inthe your slowand cookPlug in your slow cookRinse lentils er and and set the heat heat to high. high. er the to cull outset small stones Rinse the lentils and Rinse the Add lentils and debris. theand lencull out small stones cull out small stones tils and all other inand debris. debris. Add Add the the lenlenand gredients to the crocktils and and all all other other inintils pot. Cook to forthe 4 hours. gredients crockgredients to the crockThisCook makes all pot. fora44meal hours. pot. Cook for hours. byThis itselfmakes but isaaeven This makes mealbetter all meal all and more nutritious when by itself itself but but is is even even better better by accompanied by rice. and more nutritious when and more nutritious when accompanied by rice.

2 cloves see garlicChef (minced) accompanied by rice. recipes, Randy’s website at

valley-vegetarian.com valley-vegetarian.com For additional recipes, see Chef Randy’s website at

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 – 8 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

COMMUNITY MOVERS & SHAKERS

Arnie Abramyan Local activist, business owner & 1st. VP of the Chamber of Commerce.

Doc Executive Editor/ Publisher The Foothills Paper

Dana Stangel President of the STNC

Rock Swart Senior Volunteer Advisor, North Valley City Hall.

View from Rock (From Page 3) The satisfaction of creating things that last will pass. Happiness will pass for having accomplished our goals, for having defeated the others. It will pass this December and it will happen this Christmas, good or bad but it will happen. And no matter what we try to do, there will be someone with their minions that will try to undo it. I’m an educator and yet I still find it interesting how the most mentally challenged people among us can make things happen. So much for book learning, so much for empirical knowledge, it all boils down to “how loud are they?’ Do they really smell like prime rib? This has been a hectic year for our little community. Full of ups and downs and the many pressures where we have had and still have to make decisions for the sake of our jobs or family. My

good friend Sonia Tatulian is still running around creating good things and then………. We’re not the only community that runs and prospers using lies and deceit. But we’ve survived it for the most part. I wrote an editorial, “Bad People Doing Good.” And it is still true, in their own way, they are trying to help the community. If we can survive it, we’re all ahead of the game. We’ve all won. Today I say goodbye for the 14th consecutive year of telling the truth. The truth is we do not want to wish you a Merry Christmas, we want to remind you that this is a time to celebrate your surviving another year, in the company of your loved ones, and to always be happy. And if we have helped you understand that, we have fulfilled our goal. And no, it wasn’t the water!

FIRE INSURANCE – DECLINED By David DeMulle’

alifornians already know about the wildfire crisis that’s been afflicting this state for the last few years, highlighted by a rash of huge blazes and the evacuations of at least 250,000 persons. It’s caused by a combination of climate change, forestry practices and the seemingly endless human drive to build more and more houses in increasingly remote and fireprone areas. But many may not realize that a fire insurance crisis is also almost upon us. Sure, state legislators led by incoming state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara worked much of the year to protect victims of the huge 2017 fires that hit the Wine Country, Ventura County and parts of San Diego County. Homeowners burned out in this year’s firestorms in Shasta, Butte, Ventura, Los Angeles and rural parts of Mendocino, Lake, Orange and Riverside counties, could also benefit from what they’ve done – essentially expanding from one year to two the time when insurance companies cannot cancel fire coverage in burned-out areas or their nearby peripheries. The clock starts running on that time when the governor declares a state of emergency in a fire area. But…there’s nothing to prevent insurance companies from lowering their risks by canceling policies on homes and other buildings in fireprone areas that have not yet burned. There’s little doubt insurance companies want to minimize their risks. They were the leading lobbyists against a legislative bill letting big utility companies off the hook for damages caused by fires their equipment starts. That could have upped liabilities by hundreds of millions of dollars for insurers, who would then raise premiums everywhere, not just in

Ask Rusty (From Page 6) local Social Security office. Here is a link at which you will find information about the special earnings credit for military service: https:// www.ssa.gov/planners/ retire/military.html. As you will see, the special credits should have been automatically added to your military earnings and,

With utilities already facing liabilities in the multiple billions of dollars, it may be hard to find such a formula, especially in a state increasingly fed up with large corporations fobbing the costs of their mistakes and negligence onto their customers. Which means that what outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown said last year about wildfires and climate change – “All hell is breaking loose” – applies now to more than the actual fires. Things always get more contentious as monetary stakes rise. But the threat to fire insurance isn’t completely new. Outgoing state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones saw it coming a year ago. “The companies must renew policies for a time on homes in fire disaster areas,” he said then. “But they don’t have to renew policies in non-

disaster areas when they expire and they don’t have to renew homes in disaster areas beyond the time limits.” So crisis is here. But it won’t be like what happened after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, when property insurance companies refused to renew most policies and stopped writing new home and business property coverage anywhere in California. That impasse – it amounted to blackmail – ended in 1996 with creation of the California Earthquake Authority and elimination of an old rule forcing companies that write property insurance also to offer quake insurance. The state-run CEA now writes the vast majority of earthquake policies. That’s because there is a safety net of sorts for homeowners whose coverage is not renewed. It’s called the Fair Plan, roughly equivalent to the CEA in that it must insure anyone who applies. But Fair Plan rates are much higher than other fire policies, although by law prices cannot be excessive, whatever that means. Before last year’s blazes, the number of Fair Plan policies was rising by about 1,000 per year. The figure was up in 2017 and likely will climb substantially over the next two years. So the fire insurance crisis will be less about scarce insurance than it is about money. That won’t make it any less painful for those who are forced to foot much higher bills than ever before.

if some of your military service years were used to compute your benefit, should already be included as part of your Social Security payment. I’ve heard of only a couple instances where the special earnings credits had not been applied, and you are certainly within your rights to challenge the Social

Security Administration. To do that, I suggest you make an appointment at your local office, bring a copy of your DD-214 and ask to speak to a supervisor who can review your lifetime earnings record to ensure the special credits for your military service were applied. And, once again, thank you for your service to our country.

wildfire-prone areas. A fall-back bill that eventually passed could end up causing those very things. Insurance lobbyists also fought a bill requiring living expense insurance to include all reasonable costs of fire victims seeking to maintain their pre-conflagration living standards. These were among the biggest battles of the last legislative year, and they are not yet settled, with a special commission now attempting to hash out solutions designed to keep the utilities out of bankruptcy without dunning the average homeowner large new sums.