Merry Christmas FRIDAY • APRIL 27, 2018
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2018
TELLING THE TRUTH FOR OVER 13 YEARS! TELLING THE TRUTH FOR 14 YEARS
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 7
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 22
VERDUGO HILLS LIQUOR STORE EXPANDING! By David DeMulle’ A neighborhood favorite for over 41 years. One of the absolute best liquor stores in Tujunga and it’s family owned by the Abboud family. Bill came to this country from Syria in 1973 and bought the store in 1977. Always wanting to take care of his family, his drive always took into consideration the needs of the community. Whatever you’re looking for, you can Family members Bobby, Bill and Ronnie Abboud call and ask for what you want, they probably have that family members who work there are special tequila or a 12 year old single all very knowledgeable and nice. I malt Scotch. There is every kind of came in here looking to try a new solid liquor and wine selection under the whiskey but with nothing particularly sun, including a good selection of in mind. I left a happy customer with specialty liquors like Sake or Turkish an awesome bourbon, one of the best I Raki. have ever had. If you don’t know much about liquors, Also, their prices are right on point. this is the place to mosey around Better than any large competitor. and look at labels. If you know a lot All liquor stores are NOT created about liquor, this is a place to look equal, and Verdugo Hills Liquor Store around and wow about. It is THAT at 7121 Foothill Blvd. proves it. For fascinating. example: they stock a great line of The owner “Bill” Abboud is wonderfully nice and helpful. The (Continued on Page 8)
THERE’S A NEW CHEF IN TOWN! You may know your way around a donut shop, but how about an Armenian bakery? The Diamond Sweets Café just opened on Foothill Blvd. across from the fire station and is one of the best in the city. Many of the treats sold there come from different backgrounds, including Russian and Middle Eastern and they offer the best of the best. Don’t know what a Nazuk or a Ponchik is? Now’s your chance to take a gastronomical adventure in fine cooking. Along with coffee and pastries, they also offer traditional Armenian/Middle Eastern fare such as Kabobs, Chicken Breast and Baby Back Ribs.
Narek Takhmazyan, Merzhik Mirkhanyan, Hilda Minasyan and Foothills staffer Dyan McManus welcome you to the new Diamond Sweets Café. 7782 FOOTHILL BLVD. TUJUNGA. HOURS ARE M-S: 7:00AM - 9:PM, SUN: 7:00AM – 8:00PM.
NEW FOOTHILL CAPTAIN DAVE GRIMES EDUCATES, ENLIGHTENS AND ENTERTAINS SPECIAL MONDAY S-T NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING!
More than 30 people met Capt. III Dave Grimes, new head of Foothill Station, at Sunland Starbucks, 11:30AM, Monday, November 26. Officers Caloca, Contreras, Sgt. Ojeda, and Neighborhood Prosecutor Mark Ross described their responsibilities. Eve Sinclair, CD7 Field Deputy attended. CD7 volunteer Roger (Rock) Swart organized and opened the meeting. Capt. Grimes said he began his LAPD career patrolling Foothill Div. 23 years ago when we suffered far more crime and gang activity. He has since served many divisions and disciplines, including gangs, sexual assault, violent crimes and, most recently,
New Foothill Captain Dave Grimes Internal Affairs. His talk blended facts and humor. He pointed out Foothill is one of more than 20 LAPD (Continued on Page 8)
OVER 200 200 DISTRIBUTION AREA Over distributionSITES sitesIN in THE the FOOTHILLS foothills area
2 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“Rejoice and Be Merry”
Artists for a Better World’s first event in the Foothills was an Afternoon of Art and Inspiration, held at the home of long term active community members, Richard and Susan Stewart, here with founder, Barbara Cordova Oliver.
ARTISTS IN THE FOOTHILLS UNITE TO CREATE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE AREA Barbara Cordova Oliver, Founder of Artists for a Better World (AFABW), moved to Tujunga this past April and is actively connecting up to artists here. She established AFABW in 1997 and the group has done numerous events and projects that help to uplift and inspire people through the arts. They also lend their support to top social betterment organizations. Barbara states “There are lots of talented artists in the Foothills and I am excited to include them in our events so they can share their art with others. Through art we bring out the best in people and this helps to make a better world.”
Barbara’s first event with the group in the Foothills was an Afternoon of Art and Inspiration on Sept 15th. It was held at the home of long term active community members, Richard and Susan Stewart. Attending the event were AFABW members and local artists that Barbara recently met. In April Barbara joined forces with AFABW member Rebecca Mate, who started Art Day, a holiday for artists that per Rebecca is “like Christmas in April, but centered around giving the gift of art.” Rebecca has been doing yearly events to celebrate the holiday since 1997 and it is the group’s longest running activity. This past year the celebra-
tion moved from August to April to coincide with the birth date of Leonardo DaVinci when there is also a World Art Day celebration. Barbara assisted in the production of the annual event this past April, which was held at Rebecca’s home on Apperson where local artists joined together to share their art and even give out some of their works to attendees.
Barbara decided that in 2019 the celebration should be taken to a new level and has confirmed the McGroarty Arts Center for a World Arts Day Arts Festival which will be put on by AFABW in April 2019. McGroarty is the only center for the arts in the Foothills, and is mainly run by volunteers and a few staff who For more info visit artistsforabetterworld.org. To participate write to barbara@ artistsforabetterworld.org.
are keeping the arts alive with its various classes and events.
AFABW will also have a booth at McGroarty’s 16th annual Chili Bowl fest and Art and Craft Faire on December 1st and 2nd. There will be art vendors, live music, and chili which is served in hand made bowls crafted by McGroarty’s ceramics students.
“Rejoice and Be Merry” at the free community Christmas concert presented by the remarkable Southern California Choir, hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/La Crescenta Stake on Sunday, December 9, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at 1101 N. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91202. This concert is open to anyone wanting to celebrate the spirit of Christmas through music. The evening will also include a Handbell Choir, and sing-along caroling by the audience. The internationally renowned Southern California Choir is an 80-voice choral ensemble which has been amazing
audiences since 1953. It is a founding member of the Los Angeles Music Center, and has performed with the Boston Pops, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and many other prominent orchestral and choral organizations. The choir is directed by Jan Bills of Glendale, CA. Former directors and associate directors include Mack Wilberg, Russell Fox, and Brent Pierce. You may learn more about the choir at http://www. southerncaliforniamormonchoir.org/ Sunday, December 9, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at 1101 N. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91202.
For more information about the concert, contact Robin Johnson, (818) 458-9525.
Little Landers Annual Holiday Party Features The Randy Van Horne Singers
Little Landers announces the return of The Randy Van Horne Singers for the 9th year for the Bolton Hall Museum Holiday program on Saturday, December 8 at 1 p.m.. The program features performances by Sunland-Tujunga’s very own Franny McCartney and the Space Age Pop Music Sound of the Randy Van Horne Singers. Visitors will join in for Carol singing and the Bolton Hall Museum Holiday gift drawing. Refreshments are served after the program. Saturday, December 8, 2018 1:00 PM Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Avenue, Tujunga, CA 91042
Little Landers/ Little Gifts & Yule Log Lighting Come empty handed and leave with a gift provided by Little Landers Historical Society. This event, in its third year, is a fun historical educational gift exchange game following a simulated lighting of a Yule Log in the historic Bolton Hall Museum fireplace. Refreshments are served and the event is family friendly and lots of fun. Saturday, December 15, 2018 7:00 PM Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Commerce Avenue, Tujunga, CA 91042
Additional information is available from Little Landers Historical Society, (818) 352-3420 or www.littlelandershistoricalsociety.org or E-mail LLHS@BoltonHall.org
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 — 3 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 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 I Get Mail. in our little vortex the punches. And while I felt outthey bad. Now with the could reachand thousands was happening will steal the fillings of your the Crow’s or Nest. I receive quite a number that I could justify anything I Internet, have the people at the stroke of adeal, but whenyou without a playsheet. Our esteemed teeth if you give them aofchance. No big Lions of reader comments about made awrote orSolving published, actually problem whole world Douglooking keyboard. councilwoman, M-Rod, theI homeless Club member Bren “Boo” presentation of three atsat down isn’t science. is POLmy columns and thingsplaques that androcket analyzed what But itOur shoulder, local Chamber of las claimed thatover she your had been you’re not a Scientologist or a the intersection Honolulu ITICS. involve ourCommerce local assaulted and up was go into The Paper.ofSome are and was going on inBoth our little making liesnot and has asexually few really weather gets reminds woman member withcold. an It axe to La Tunaappreciative, Canyon Road commemoneighborhood going to be in this year’seach parade, mostly and some community. Oscar Wildecouncil said, members attacking other. Look at good people in it. Unfortume of Sherman’s march to grind, you fail at that one too. rating Tuna makes Canyon andgoing our local organizacould hear the laughter all nately, they are you not officers. are not.the It really meDetention “If you’re to tell service the our CD-7 councilwoman Rothe sea: he burned everything Camp thatforwas set up to process tions. theself-serving way to Mt. Gleason. There driguez. She really dissed our Then there are the feel good people to stop truth, you better make them in is hisleft? path.How Rodriguez out So what aboutisthe Japanese, German Italians laugh. Otherwise I cannotthey’re remember being inare used to beinsomething called community, ourthe neighborhood officers that following me on the road or in and grocery go- ever our neighborhood Chambertoofdestroy Commerce that just during thecourse, Second World a place so boy, many self-righTest thatcouncil, the realand Rotariyou.” with Boy oh the residents the footsteps of 4-Way past president stores. Of when that War.ing to kill council and only Fireworks we can stop rescued the 4th of July There were a lot of dignitaries teous, pompous people who would ans believed in. he didn’t have any idea that living around the Big-T. And Sonia Tatulian. Money misspolice officer pulled me over it. there what it meant sell in their for aing, certificate 1. attacked IS IT THE they allevent people being and TRUTH? somewhere the first-born future, there thanks to Well the Internet, of from the Machine-driven to seeto if Italk had about the latest edition This is theShadow time for Hills all of to and their ofaappreciation. Not good. sure failedofon that one. knows about Sunland-Tujunga, worse, a complete division would be Sunland-Tujunga. California it. of them The Paper, I was families. a little ap- What us to pull together and keep Community Fund? That same no one spoke wasI how Amongst they have IS ITanyone FAIR TO Our ALL prehensive. Andofwhat foundthe Now don’t members. Why2.would get methemselves, wrong; neighborhood council the council going. Now is fund Snowball self-perpetuating Notkicked sinceout past out over theproject years isscrewed that whilethe this is aagreat want to join ourCONCERNED? chamber? place to live. It circle-jerk was of city hall forthat Sonia Tatulian set up as time for everyone fund? to get her own the money laundering community of a “real” memowhere theyelectric tell themselves howthey air president all and then little missivesout of appreciation And then their dirtyMike aLucas was created before coupledrove of weeks involved in our community. If rial to thisnice infamous wonderful our on the social the real people out of the club. are really and I’m site. able laundry media. lights were commonand and tight-knit allowed back under the The direc-one that the Cleghorn maweruns? don’t,Yup, there that’s won’t be chinea still theanywhat to, didnasty we get? community Yup, we have the a lot3.easier WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL? tion of Eve Sinclair. There’s toSo respond notesHow about Life was before people spent all their is. waking Sunland-Tujunga, one.to Youthing haveleft toofask yourself, abecome metal plaque on a light standard Rotary exis- YouNot rumor that or and she’s going a real challenge. the in Internet. onlyone hadsingle equestrian hours onlowest-class the Internet. And that Club and we won’t be able to say “How 30 During feet above the sidewalk. I now gave tence. can’t even your afford setthe foot open itwill up to homeless for can so few ruin so much my 14 years as family andmarching friends to band tell group themThey an opportunity “It Was The Water!” guess they can’t see it they they never their when on doing the parade for fearshelter of be-when for temporary the so many?” editor,ifI learned to roll with thatit you were good route hadyearly before.dues. Now And you 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
L.A. DOT Visits STNC’s bSTAT Committee Nov. 27, 2018 y Ed Castellanos
By Pat Kramer
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Ten community members attended night’s Safe TrafWith last rising rental costs fic & Transportation Comand the amount of stumitteedebt (STAT) at dent at anmeeting all-time the Sunland-Tujunga branch high, it’s no surprise of themany L.A. potential Public Library that buy-at 7771 Foothill Boulevard in ers are unable to save Tujunga. Our special guest up for a down payment. was Tim Fremaux, Los AnIf you’ve found yourgeles Department of Transself in this boat, don’t portation Engineer, who lose hope. the help oversees theWith San Fernando of technology and a litValley District Operations. tle foresight, you canthere Having Mr. Fremaux save for that down paywas very helpful in defining possible solutions, specific to our neighborhood, for slowing down speeders and helping to stem unsafe lefthand turns. Mr. Fremaux stated that CD7 has received federal monies of $4 – 5 million dollars for traffic improvements. Some of the options being considered in our community include: installing four, digital speed
main street. The speed limit was raised earlier this year from 35 to 40 mph because ment -- and probably your deposits, set a reof that speed survey. After sooner than you think. minder to transfer monthis answer, one commitHere’s how: ey every two weeks. tee member revealed that actions either in- give LAPDand officers don’t LADOT Tim Fremaux Set up automatic Try a round-off app. vest yourtickets money or add traffic unless they are talks with Hrant & Doc deposits. What if you could it to a savings account. about traffic problems. assigned to the Traffic Units. Enable automatic deround off every purCut on spending. Wedown are hoping that Captain posits intoonyour you make the busy Find an will areamake of spendto hear that thesetothree, monitors lightsavpoles on chase Grimes good on ings account. Schedule nearest dollar and then ing that you can afford to intersections will receive Foothill Boulevard to slow his promise to bring more funding next cash year for downright drivers andpaydays, possibly put them after that extra to proj- cutTraffic Sunland-Tuback Units on -- to maybe eatinstalling lighted crosswalks ect design with completion to ticket unsafe drivers! when you know you’ll good use? Apps like ingjunga out or grabbing to-go at busy expected 2020 and 2021. coffees. have theintersections. cash available. Acorns andinClarity MonEach month, talWith the Verdugo Hills Golf IfAfter you explaining can’t automate eyMr. round off your see Saving, now page ? what his Fremaux notedtransthat Course development responsibilities are at LADthere are a total of 5,000 very much a concern, a Edgar Castellanos BRE# 01855534 traffic lights in Los Angeles. resident asked what LADOT OT, Mr. Fremaux answered L A H Owas M ES247. co m Each of our traffic signals questions from each of the doing to mitigate traffic are connected to software attendees. Questions raised that will likely be caused by which is optimized to make included a timeframe for the proposed development. traffic flow as efficient as installing left-hand turn Tim listened to our concerns possible. signals at Foothill and Oro about traffic increasing on Vista and Foothill and Mt. Tujunga Canyon Boulevard Tim noted that our current Gleason, and upgrading the speed for Foothill Boulevard and La Tuna Canyon when left-hand turn signal at Footthe Whitebird development psychologists to malnormal is heterosexual females. is set atheterosexuals 40 mph and that’s hill and Tujunga Canyon. As is built and said he would practice by forcing them absurd. No per-sur- That’s obvious. On the based on therational latest speed chairperson of this commitlook into it and get back to treat sexual or gender son deny that.theThis vey,can which found average other hand, there are all to tee, I was particularly happy us with more information. speed 45 mph on our identity disorders in chil- was thewas commonsense kinds of sexual or gender www.superliked.com/profile/ed-castellanos
661-510-5762
The FooThills leTTers & PersPecTives
?Is There ANY Intelligent Life in California?
dren as if they are not disorders. Truly bizarre. Dear Editor, (It’s fairly obvious In yet another insult to that female minds in the intelligence of peomale bodies and male ple, some California minds in female bodies There were approximately Last Tuesday’s legislators aremonthly actually and homosexual minds 20 people in attendance Neighborhood held considering aWatch bill (ABin heterosexual and the meeting bodended at the North Valley City 2943) that would make ies are sure signs that around 7:25 PM. Sunland Hall. The for meeting began it illegal a consenting wrong Senior Leadwent Officer Cesar just after PM.therapy The Se- something adult to 6:00 receive Contreras and Tujunga nior Lead Officers opening to try to resolve unwant- somewhere (in nature SLO Gloria Caloca statement was “We didn’t and/or nurture), areemsure ed same-sex attractions have a single homicide last ceed and gave updates signs of mind/body misor gender confusion. week!” This is in response on the crime stats for our matches or disorders. So, Hello! to questions about who were to community. put transgenders and is who already theCalifornia two women were homosexuIt all boiled down to this: If forcing psychiatrists and heterophobic shot on Jayseel the previous youon have in your als thevaluables same level as
S-T Neighborhood Watch Meeting
week. It turned out that it was a domestic dispute that went really bad.
yard or cars, hide them. The police can’t be everywhere.
position of the American identity disorders: e.g., Psychiatric Associahomosexuality, bisextion for years before it uality, transgenderness, became corrupted by ir- sadism, etc., etc. To barational, ever-so-trendy sically equate disorders “political correctness.”) with non-disorders is as Now some legislators absurd as equating mowant to double down on rality with immorality the state’s bizarre policy or health with illness. on disorders by banning Hopefully Californians consenting adults from will contact their legisreceiving therapy for lators and ask them to clearly objective disordrop this odd anti-choice ders! billstake (AB-2943) likeat a last SLO Contreras addresses holders There are only two lead balloon. weeks meeting human genders: hetLast weeks neighborhood watch meeting at erosexual males and City Hall drew a crowd Wayne the North Valley of Lel over 20 people to hear Senior Lead Officer Cesar Contreras discuss the crime rates and how people could protect their property.
V
4 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 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 1, FOOTHILLS
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 — 5
VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 8 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
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Happy Holidays
SWEET Hills www.hemphappy.solutions Verdugo CHERRIE’S DINER Store Liquor
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is rich, high-quality beef, lettuce, cheese, pickles, The Crescenta Valley a children’s petting zoo Calif. Highway Patrol, anyway you want it for DINE-IN / TAKE-OUT / CATERING FOR ANY OCCASION annual Country Fair craftsBlvd., exhibevery mouth-wateringand bite. arts and 8236 Foothill Sunland LACo Sheriffs and dis-
came in with a bang that could be heard across the valley. With over 75 community booths and rides galore, more than 1,000 people packed HindenOur Club burg Park with their dogs Sandwich dressed up for theturkey, parade, is sliced crisp bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on three slices of lightly toasted bread.
Fridays from 12:30 - 2:30 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living 4845 Dunsmore Ave. La Crescenta, Please call for information at 818-293-1009
$15.00 per class
its galore. And for those plays of old police cars. who were hungry, there There was something for were seven food trucks to everyone there. There satisfy your desires. were so many people The Montrose Search from Sunland-Tujunga & Rescue were there there that I thought there Only the Our Charbroiled with aBurger static display as finest,should freshest be an exhibit ingredients is rich, high-quality from the well as exhibits thereare just for them. used to create beef, lettuce, cheese, pickles, anyway you want it for every mouth-watering bite.
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6 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14PAPER • 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
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U.K. Pension Affects Social Security Benefits
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Prevent these 4 winter home problems now by Ed Castellanos
(BPT) - When you start feeling those first hints of winter, the instinct to get ready kicks in. You may dig out your car’s snow brush, blanket, shovel and winter survival kit and place them in the trunk of your car. The winter coats and boots come out of storage, and you may pick up some extra mittens. But what do you do to protect your house against the hazards of winter? If you don’t take time for maintenance and winterization now, you can end up paying for it later, in the form of higher energy bills, frozen pipes or fixing a broken furnace. Here are four common problems that can hit home during the winter and how you can ward them off. Sky-high energy bills: Do your electric bills rise during the wintertime? Heating your home accounts for about half of your home’s energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Combat the cold by sealing off any cracks or gaps with caulk and inspect entrances for worn or broken weatherstripping. Schedule a furnace inspection with an HVAC contractor and consider installing a smarter thermostat. Learning thermostats can remember your favorite temperatures, turning down when you leave for work, and returning to your favorite temp at the end of the day.
Water leaks: According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage accounts for half of all property damage claims. Add winter’s freezing temperatures to the mix, and you can end up with a big problem if your home has a power outage or your furnace malfunctions. For extra peace of mind, there’s now a leak and flood protection system you can purchase that shuts off your water main’s supply when it detects leaks - and sends an alert to your smart device. LeakSmart Snap installs in seconds without any tools or the need to cut into the main water supply line. Wireless sensors placed around the house can detect a leak or temperature changes and shut down the whole house water supply in seconds. It is compatible with LeakSmart Hub 3.0, which offers battery back-up and built in Wi-Fi for 24/7 whole home protection. Power outages: When a winter storm hits, the ice and wind can break power lines and interrupt the supply of electricity to our homes. It’s not uncommon for some outages to last for days, which is why it’s always smart to be prepared. Before winter hits, make certain your generator or other backup power source has ample fuel and is in (Continued on Page 7)
LAHOMES247.com 661-510-5762
Edgar Castellanos BRE# 01855534
Dear Rusty: Today I had my interview for Social Security and was told that because I receive a government retirement pension from the United Kingdom, my Social Security check will be reduced by up to 55%. My question is, how can this be so? My U. K. pension was not a voluntary contribution but a mandatory deduction withheld from my paycheck just like for my U.S. Social Security. Is there any way to get around this drawback? Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated as I am not financially well off and was depending on both checks and not still having to work after retirement. Signed: Perturbed Dear Perturbed: If you worked and earned enough separately in both countries to be independently eligible for benefits from each, your U.S. Social Security benefit will be reduced by Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). WEP was enacted by Congress in 1983 to equalize benefits between those who collect only Social Security, and dually entitled workers who collect
both Social Security and a pension from an employer which did not participate in or contribute to Social Security. The United States has Social Security “totalization agreements” with many other countries, and here is an excerpt from the Agreement between the US and the UK: “A U.K. pension may affect your U.S. benefit. If you qualify for Social Security benefits from both the United States and the United Kingdom and did not need the agreement to qualify for either benefit, the amount of your U.S. benefit may be reduced. This is a result of a provision in U.S. law that can affect the way your benefit is figured if you also receive a pension based on work that was not covered by U.S. Social Security.” The “agreement” referred to is the “totalization” agreement between the United States and United Kingdom which provides for coordination of benefits between the countries. The bilateral agreement is helpful when someone has some time working in both countries but not enough in either to qualify for full benefits. In that case the agreement allows for total-
ing credits earned in both so that a person has enough total credits to be eligible for benefits. But when someone is independently eligible for full benefits in both countries, the Windfall Elimination Provision applies and will reduce Social Security benefits by up to 50% of your U.K. pension amount, or up to the maximum reduction for the year you became eligible for U.S. benefits. I’m afraid there is no way around this, unless you have more than 20 years of U.S. employment, which contributed to the U.S. Social Security system. The WEP reduction to your U.S. Social Security is less if you have more than 20 years of SS-covered “substantial earnings” and WEP goes away if you have more than 30 years of SS-covered employment with substantial earnings. But if you have less than 30 years of SS-covered substantial earnings, WEP will reduce your U.S. Social Security benefit. For additional information, here is a link to an article I previously published on how WEP works: https:// socialsecurityreport.org/ ask-rusty-wep-windfall-elimination-provision/
Why Hemp? By Bonnie Corwin Cannabis consists of two different plants. One is marijuana – one hemp. Quite by accident I found a product called CBD oil. When I was asked if I would like to distribute, I was concerned about the legalities on a federal level and reviewed the 2014 Farm bill. By now, I knew CBD oil passed the legality test. The US Hemp Roundtable has established regulatory control measures that will be implemented beginning January, 2019. CBD oil is not marijuana, containing less than 0.03% of THC. It won’t make you
high. Many people will not try CBD oil simply because they believe they will get high. Others are turning to CBD oil because their doctor strongly suggests it. Doctors simply are less than enthusiastic about prescribing opioid pain killers, sometimes absolutely refusing to. Cannabis was America’s number one analgesic for 60 years before the rediscovery of aspirin around 1900. From 1842 to 1900 cannabis made up half of all medicine sold with virtually no fear of its high. No one over dosed. Dr. William Courtney writes: Cannabis isn’t a drug, it’s
an essential herbal dietary supplement that nutritionally enhances the body…” CBD oil studies show that it helps with anxiety, asthma, arthritis, autism, cancer, depression, diabetes, inflammation, nausea, OCD, skin conditions, stress, stroke, and other illnesses and syndromes. Be careful that you know what you’re purchasing, where it is from, how it is extracted, and purity. If you tried something and it didn’t work, check the quality. Know your oil, know the supplier and what quality control measures are implemented.
818.951.0943
We deliver every 2 weeks to the following ZIP codes: 91342, 91040, 91042
thefoothillspaper.com
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 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 Cheese, with Sausage Eggplant, Halloumi and Pesto Burger
BY CHEF RANDY
Halloumi is a slightly springy slices) cover with a clean kitchen towel, white cheese from the • 4 Ciabatta rolls (cut in half and set aside. Mediterranean isle of Cyprus. horizontally) • Grill the halloumi slices It is traditionally made from • 4 tablespoons Vegenaise (or (uncovered) on both sides till a mixture of goat and sheep mayonnaise) golden grill marks appear, milk. Its texture is similar to • 1 large tomato (cut into 4 about two minutes per side. that of whole milk mozzarella slices) Remove from grill and set • 4 teaspoons prepared pesto aside. and has a strong, salty flavor • Grill the eight halves of as a result of the brine in which it is shipped. ciabatta (cut side down) for Directions: And here’s the crazy part. It two minutes on an open grill. • Preheat grill to medium heat has a high melting point so it Remove from grill and set (about 375 degrees). grills without dripping through Place the eggplant slices in aside. the grill! When combined with a shallow dish. In a separate CHEF RANDY 1½ cups lentils (black 1 tablespoon Betmarinated eggplant and pesto, BYbowl, whisk the oil, balsamic Assembly: lentils are good but ter Than Bouillon the flavor of this burger is off vinegar, Spread Lentils areItalian low in seasonings, calany lentils will do) 1 tablespoon (vegetableVegenaise base) the charts. salt,high and inpepper together on the bottom4 cups half vegetable of each ofbroth ories, fiber, high 1 package Lightin(when proteinadding and havesalt, ze- keeplife inSmart Sausagthe four rolls. Place one each ro trans fats. This baes Italian Style (cut inInstructions: mind that the halloumi is of the eggplant and cheese on Ingredients: sic lentil recipe is simple to ½-inch pieces) Plug in your slow cooka salty cheese). Brush the top of that. Top with • 1 medium eggplant (cut into and easy to prepare. Just 2 cups sweet er and set tomato the heat to high. eggplant rounds with marinade slices. Spread 1 teaspoon of and four ½-inch thick rounds) put all the ingredients in- corn kernels Rinse the lentils to a slow cooker and the 3 stalks celery (thincull out small stones (both sides) and set aside. pesto on each of the top halves • 1 tablespoon olive oil chow down 4 hours lat- ly sliced) of each roll and and place debris.tops Add on the len• 1 tablespoon balsamic er. The vegetarian sau3 carrots (cut intils and all other in• Arrange the marinated vinegar the eggplant/cheese/tomato sage adds depth and tex- eggplant to one-inch pieces) gredients to the crockslices on the grill, and cook • ¼ teaspoon Italian ture for a hearty stew. 1 medium on-stacks. pot. Cook for 4 hours. It’s especially on 6 minutes ion (chopped) This makes a meal all (covered) forgood about on seasonings a cold winter night. 15-ounce can diced toby itself • 1 teaspoon capers each side or until the eggplant is As they might say onbut theis even better matoes (including liquid) and more nutritious when • Salt and pepper to taste tender. Remove from the2grill, Island of Cyprus, Kali órexi! Ingredients: cloves garlic (minced) accompanied by rice. • 4 ounces halloumi cheese For additional recipes, see Chef Randy’s website at (cut into four ¼-inch thick
tablespoon BetBetvalley-vegetarian.com 11 tablespoon
by C Chef hef r ranDy anDy by
Lentils are low in calories, high high in in fiber, fiber, high high ories, good working order. Keep in protein and have zein protein and have zebasic supplies at the ready, ro trans trans fats. fats. This This babaro so you can keep your family sic lentil lentil recipe recipe is is simple simple sic comfortable. Make sure you and easy easy to to prepare. prepare. Just Just and have extra blankets, stocking put all the ingredients input all the ingredients caps, batteries and fully into aa slow slow cooker and the to cooker charged power banksand for the chow downphones. hours latyour mobile It’slatalso chow down 44 hours er. The The vegetarian saugood to have a few gallons er. vegetarian sausage adds depth and textexof fresh water and some sage adds depth and cans chili tureof forready-to-eat hearty stew. stew. ture for aa hearty and stew. If you have camp It’s especially especially good gooda on on It’s stove, keep it in an easy-tocold winter winter night. night. aa cold Lentils are low in calWINTER (From Page 6)
reach place, along with a fuel supply. Ingredients: Ingredients: Ice dams: Another thing to watch in the winter Forforadditional are pools of water forming on your roof. These can be caused by ridges of snow
1½ cups cups lentils lentils (black (black 1½ lentils are are good good but but lentils any lentils lentils will will do) do) any package LightLight11 package and ice, and eventually life Smart Sausag- cause life Smart Sausagleaks to the interior of your es Italian Italian Style (cut (cut ines Style home. Ice dams can alsoinlead to ½-inch ½-inch pieces) pieces) to to the formation of large, cups sweet sweet 22 cups pointy icicles that hang from corn kernels corn kernels the gutters, which can fall 3 stalks celery (thin3 stalks and injurecelery people.(thinlyAsliced) sliced) little work upfront ly carrots (cut in-toward can go a long way 33 carrots (cut into one-inch pieces) preventing ice dams and to one-inch pieces) damage they 1 medium medium on- can cause. 1the onFirst, make sure ion (chopped) (chopped)the gutters ion and downspouts are clear 15-ounce can diced diced to15-ounce can toof leaves and other yard matoes (including liquid) matoesso(including liquid) debris, the snowmelt has a 2 cloves garlic (minced) 2 cloves place to go.garlic Next, (minced) poke your
ter Than Than Bouillon Bouillon ter (vegetable base) base) (vegetable cups vegetable vegetable broth broth 44 cups
escaping through the roof. While you’re up there, look Instructions: Instructions: for gaps and leaks. Finally, Plug in in your your slow slow cookcookthisPlug is an appropriate time to er and andinset set the heat heat torake, high. er the to high. invest a simple snow Rinse the lentils and lentils and so Rinse you canthe easily remove cull out small stones cullheavy out small wet, snow stones from your and debris. Add the lenroof theAdd damsthe canlenand before debris. tils and and all all other other ininstart forming. tils gredients to the crockNow that you know gredients to the crockthe most common pot. Cook for 44winter hours. pot. Cook for hours. hazards that can hit home, This makes makes aa meal meal all This all you can take the steps to by itself itself but but is is even even better better by protect your nutritious investment when and more andkeep more nutritious when and your family accompanied by rice. rice. accompanied comfortable andby safe.
head into the crawlspace recipes, see Chef Randy’s website at
valley-vegetarian.com of your attic and see if the insulation layer is still thick enough to keep the heat from
To learn more about protecting your home, visit LeakSmart.com.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2018 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 23 – 8 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– XXX UIFGPPUIJMMTQBQFS DPN t 70-6.& t /6.#&3 2 — '3*%": %&$&.#&3 t 5)& '005)*--4 1"1&3
Community Help by Amelia
Making Christmas Magic Happen AMELIA ANDERSON
of how we grew up. The Bible says ‘to give’, and There’s a hustle-bustle it’s still the number one around Pattee Colvin and best selling book in the her 501(c)3. Minions of world. We’re going to workers are busy “Maksurround these kids with ing It Happen� in the aid- love and gifts to protect ing and abetting of Santhem from the bullies out ta’s gift list for the under there. The loss of jobs privileged children of our and affordable housing Sunland-Tujunga comalong with poor city planmunity who could use a ning, has brought gentrihelping hand. Jackets and fication and pushed many shoes plucked from families and veterans onL.A.’s downtown shelves to the streets. Kids have by Santa’s helpers are be- stiff competition in ing wrapped to give to school. The Internet is more than 64 local school worse. Teens are being children who are in need bullied into suicide.� of the necessities of life Unfortunately, Pattee to support the walk to and the kids have been school in their quest for bullied out of a grant knowledge. themselves...blatant dis“Everythings new,� crimination against the says Pattee, Director of poor...L.A. City money, her 501(c)3, Making It entrusted through the Happen. “I want these Sunland-Tujunga Neighkids to know they count borhood Council to fund and to celebrate how spe- projects that benefit both cial they are in the eyes individuals and the comof the Lord. Many of munity itself. This project these kids are struggling was the only Christmas without the security of event submitted this year. both parents or a home; She only requested they couchsurf at rela$2,500 as part of her tives, bundle in a car or $12,500 budget to create van, sleep in a temporary a Family Holiday Celeshelter facility or huddle bration for under-priviin a tent.� leged children and to pro“We’re planning a Fam- vide equal distribution of ily Celebration ‘cause this shoes and jackets in suptown has been a big fami- port of attendance to ly since our grandfathers school and their good pioneered the settlement health. What project back in 1913. They built could better benefit the our homes and churches. future of our children and We’re going to use the the community at the activity room of the New same time. School dropHope Church on South out lowers the ability to Oro Vista, graciously do- find jobs and work; innated for our use, to procreases theft and crime, vide a hot meal sit-down early child-bearing and dinner for these children government subsidy; and and their families on De- lowers stability of family cember 22 at 6 p.m.� life and life expectancy “And we’re gonna dec- itself. orate and call it a Christmas celebration, too, ‘cause that’s the culture BY
Amelia Anderson is a Homeless Advocate elected to both the SunlandTujunga Neighborhood Council and also to Mayor Garcetti’s Homeless Committee.
LIQUOR (From Page 1)
liquors and beer at the same price you’d pay at a membership store. It’s clear that Verdugo Hills Liquor Store caters to the sophisticated drinker as well as the casual imbiber. AND, they’re going to get even better. The Land Use Committee has given
their recommendation to move their business next door and into a 5,000 sq. building that will hold an expanded grocery store, a larger full line deli shop and fresh sandwiches. This is a local success story by a family that put in the labor to make it the best in Tujunga.
GRIMES (From Page 1)
stations, yet patrols almost 10% of LA’s land area. Even so, Foothill’s crime rate is very low compared to other divisions. Rampart packs more crimes into 5 sq.mi! Further, Sunland-Tujunga has the lowest overall crime rate in Foothill. Violent crimes are very low but porch bandits and petty theft from vehicles remain high. Most crimes occur within 200 yards of Foothill Bl., so officers mostly patrol there. • Pat Kramer, STNC’s Region 1 Rep and chair of its Safe Transportation and Traffic Committee, implored Grimes for stronger traffic enforcement. STAT’s survey of residents discovered people are afraid to drive or walk near Foothill Bl. due to speeders, illegal turns, distracted drivers and traffic-light violators. Grimes said LAPD must patrol intersections based on collision rates, of which S-T has several high examples. Photos/videos of violators don’t enable LAPD to issue citations, but have caused officer visits to violators’ homes! Grimes expects Foothill’s new • Volunteer Community
Patrols (VCP) will deter many crimes. Uniformed VCP will patrol in LAPDmarked electric BMW i3’s. VCP replaces LAPD’s earlier Volunteer Surveillance Patrol. VCP began in Devonshire three years ago. Its 80 volunteers relieve uniformed officers in admin and other jobs to put fully trained officers on our streets. Crime there dropped! To volunteer, contact Sgt. Ojeda (818-756-8866) or Off. Natalie Mundo at (424) 364-6356 and 41265@lapd. online. More from the Meeting! • The man who shot two women in a domestic dispute is in custody and victims are recovering! • A new Business Watch had its first meeting of 30-35 businesses. Grimes said the group could watch business properties and advise neighbors of dangers. • CD7 has 8 illegal pot shops under surveillance and investigation. Closure requires huge admin and several agencies. Don’t patronize, as they could be robbed or legally raided at any time. • Contact Prosecutor Mark. Ross@lacity.org for problem people and locations that
previous police contact has not handled. • Ms. Sinclair said new left turn lanes at two Foothill intersections are in planning and funding stages. • LAPD doesn’t use surveillance drones, except in emergencies when ordered by the Assistant Chief. • Short-term presence of an LAPD helicopter should cause no alarm. If it’s a longer-term presence very near you—stay inside and lock doors and windows! • There’s very little crime in S-T middle and high schools. • LAPD lobbies LA City Council, Sacramento and DC for funds. But Capt. Grimes insists that large numbers of residents’ voices deliver more punch to politicos than LAPD’s. • LAPD takes no stand on gun ownership or gun laws. OUR HUGE THANKS to Starbucks for its hosting, great coffee and pastries! (See? You shoulda come!) Thanks to you all for being part of the solution, not part of the problem! Stay alert...and remember...�Hi-Li-Ki�! (Hide it. Lock it. KEEP IT!) Jon von Gunten STNC Rep to LAPD Neighborhood Watch