THE FOOTHILLS PAPER - DECEMBER 22, 2017

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FRIDAY • DECEMBER 22, 2017

TELLING THE TRUTH FOR 13 YEARS!

VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26

Firefighting Heroes Make Santa Arrives Themselves Some Heroes! At Century 21

Not all heroes wear capes. Subway manager Mike Rambo shows a fire captain how to build sandwiches. by

David DeMullé

Our friend Larry Hall snapped this picture at the Subway on Foothill Boulevard across from IHOP in Tujunga. He

was there to buy a Subway sandwich when he saw something strange behind the counter. He then realized that besides the manager, Mike Rambo, one of the other

people behind the counter was a fire captain making sandwiches.

With so many firefighters coming and going through our neighborsee Heroes, page 5

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

I N S I D E : Gibson Ranch Bounces “Making It Happen” Mayor visits Day Street for tree trimming ................

Back After Creek Fire

Happens for Hundreds

2

Homeless Coalition Meets ................

4

Traffic Tickets! ................

8

DEPARTMENTS Community Help ................... 2 Happenings in The Hills ......... 2 View from the Rock.............. 3 Social Security Matters ......... 4 Keller WIlliams Home Help.... 4 Chef Randy........................... 5 Crime Stats........................... 9 Take My Card..................... 11

The Creek Fire-damaged stalls and tack rooms of Gibson Ranch await cleanup even as infernos rage in the distance.

The Gibson Ranch in Shadow Hills suffered major damage to their horse stalls and the destruction of boarders’ tack. No horses were injured during the fire because of in-place fire and evacuation plans.

After the danger passed, Dale Gibson, owner of the ranch, after making

With more than 100 people in line, it was a fun and busy time for the volunteers serving food.

sure that everyone and

by David DeMullé over 125 neighbors and thing was safe, opened members of the homeup his ranch to other horse owners and ranch- The people responsible less community. for Making It Happen The annual dinner was es that were in danger. held their annual Christ- created years ago by Even horses from the mas Dinner at the ChaMaking it Happen foundill-fated Rancho Padilla er Pattee Colvin to prowere brought down to be pel of The Hills on Oro vide a great hot meal to sheltered and medicated. Vista last Sunday night. members of the SunlandAfter the fire had moved After a stirring sermon by the wife of the pastor, Tujunga neighborhood. out of the area and see Happen, page 9 see Gibson, page 12 dinner was served to

OVER 200 DISTRIBUTION SITES IN THE FOOTHILLS AREA

2 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26

Community Help

by Amelia Homeless Camps Contrast West Coast Wealth by

Amelia Anderson

Rising housing costs contribute to homelessness. A homeless crisis of unprecedented proportions is rocking the west coast. Victims are being left behind by the very things that mark the region’s success: soaring housing costs, rock bottom vacancy rates and a roaring economy that waits for no one. Along the coast, politicians are scrambling for solutions.

In a park in the middle of a leafy, bohemian neighborhood where homes list for close to $1 million, a tractor’s massive claw scoops up the refuse of the homeless: mattresses, tents, a wicker chair, an outdoor propane heater. Workers in masks and steel-shanked boots pluck used needles and mounds of waste from the underbrush.

Just a day before, this corner of Ravenna Park was an illegal home for the down and out, one of 400 such encampments that have popped up in Seattle’s parks, under bridges, on freeway medians and along busy sidewalks. Now, as police and social workers approach, some of the dispossessed scurry away, vanishing into a city that is struggling to cope with an enormous wave of homelessness.

“I’ve got economically zero unemployment in my city, and I’ve got thousands of homeless people that actually are working and just can’t afford housing,” said Seattle City Councilman Mike O’Brien. “There’s nowhere for these folks to move to. Every time

we open up a new place, it fills up.”

That struggle is not Seattle’s alone. The rising numbers of homeless people have pushed abject poverty into the open like never before and have overwhelmed cities and nonprofits. The surge in people living on the street has put public health at risk, led several cities to declare states of emergency and forced cities and counties to spend millions — in some cases billions — in a search for solutions.

San Diego now scrubs its sidewalks with bleach to counter a deadly hepatitis, an outbreak that has spread to other cities and forced California to declare a state of emergency last month. In Anaheim, home to Disneyland, 400 people sleep along a bike path in the shadow of Angel Stadium. Organizers in Portland lit incense at an outdoor food festival to cover up the stench of urine in a parking lot where vendors set up shop.

Homelessness is not new on the west coast.

But interviews with local officials and those who serve the homeless in California, Oregon and Washington — coupled with an Associated Press review of preliminary homeless data — confirm it’s getting worse.

People who were once able to get by, even if they suffered a setback, are now pushed to the streets because housing has become so expensive.

All it takes is a prolonged illness, a lost job, a broken limb, a family see Crisis, page 8

Amelia Anderson is a Homeless Advocate elected to both the SunlandTujunga Neighborhood Council and also to Mayor Garcetti’s Homeless Committee.

Outdoor Community Labyrinth Walk What in your life wants to manifest or appear? - Come have an “epiphany” or “a moment of revelation and insight” on the labyrinth as you meditatively move through the one path that leads you to center and then back out again to integrate your new wisdom. Labyrinth walking is a peaceful, and reflective experience.

Walk your way to mindfulness, inner peace, and wellbeing. Labyrinth walking, an ancient form of moving meditation, offers stress reduction, contemplation, and increased relaxation. Found all over the world, labyrinths provide space to decompress from the “busy-ness” of life. Come get in step with what wants to manifest for you in 2018!

St. Francis of Assisi, a local, Episcopal community church located at 280 Royal Avenue in Simi Valley, CA 93065, has a beautiful outdoor labyrinth amidst a tranquil garden setting that can be enjoyed 24 hours a day.

Our labyrinth walks are: • FREE & open to the public everyone welcome! Donations graciously accepted.

• Facilitated by Certified Veriditas-trained Labyrinth Facilitator, Chantel Zimmerman, of Art and Soul Lab www.artandsoullab.com.

The event kicks off with an introduction to labyrinths from 2-2:15 p.m. followed by a warming ceremony from 2:15 -2:30 p.m. Participants walk the labyrinth at their own pace between 2:30-3:30 p.m. Walks can take as little as 15 minutes and as long as 45 minutes.

•••

Sunland Student Named to Biola U Dean’s List Christian Leonard was named to Biola University’s Dean’s List for academic excellence.

Leonard from Sunland, CA was one of approximately 1,500 students who were named to the Dean’s List in Spring 2017. Biola students are placed on the Dean’s List to honor those with a grade point average of 3.60 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credit units and whose cumulative grade point average is at least a 3.20.

Biola University is a leading Christ-centered university in Southern California that offers a premier, nationally ranked education nd was. founded in 1908.

•••

Day Street Residents Decorate Christmas Tree

Day Street clients, neighbors and Los Angeles Family Housing members share decorating the Christmas tree.

Mayor Eric Garcetti & After living outdoors for Monica Rodriguez’s rep- months and even years, resentatives and local community-led events community members around the holidays help joined non-profit LA tenants feel more conFamily Housing (LAFH) nected to the community. to celebrate the ChristEveryone got together for mas season with a treea continental breakfast, trimming party at The festive card making, carLouis Permanent Supoling and tree decorating portive Housing (Day in The Louis Community Street) apartments in Tu- Room. Local community junga last week. leaders Mark Siegel and The Louis Apartments Cindy Cleghorn joined is a Permanent SupportL.A. Family Housing ive Housing building that President and CEO provides housing to the LAFH Stephanie Klaskymost vulnerable among Gamer in the festivities the chronically homeless. and showed their support

for this great project.

Mayor Garcetti said of the event, “L.A. Family Housing is a leader in creating safe communities where our unhoused neighbors can find the help they need to rebuild their lives,” “The Louis Apartments are a beautiful example of the opportunities that permanent supportive housing can create for our homeless brothers and sisters.”

The Louis tenants receive on-site supportive services to help with see Tree, page 9

VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

“…AND YOU ARE THERE!”

to another, just like our politics.

A couple of years ago, Proposition 47 was passed and people How many of you remember were calling in saying, “My car that old TV series that took you got broken into last night. That back in time to major incidents Prop. 47 freed all the crimiin history? It was informative nals!” We’re talking pot, not and historically correct and put meth. And guess what? In a you, the viewer in the front row couple of weeks, pot will be leseat of what happened. Our lo- gal here. Mellow people don’t cal newspaper is just like that. break into cars.

Win-Lose or Draw: what you But then again, we’re pretread here is what happened, and ty well known for our kneeit will affect your life. This has jerk reaction to things here in been the “year that was — And S-T. Sometimes good, most You Are There.” times bad. But I’ve got a feel This Christmas time has had ing that this is going to be the some really horrific and cata“Year That Was” for us. So strophic events, more so than I many people we know have can ever remember. With this lost their homes to the fires. We kind of weather for Christmas, can’t take a day trip to San Dimaybe we should be decoratego, Fillmore or Santa Barbara. ing cacti? Have you noticed We’re living in a disaster zone. that no one is talking about the But on the other hand, so madrought? But this is Californy things are going on in a posnia where one season blends in- itive vein that some are going to come to fruition. We have new developments that are going to start building in the near future. We have people getting together to help our neighbors that were burned out in the fires and to celebrate the holidays together. This is the first time that I have ever seen a communiTHE FOOTHILLS PAPER ty Hanukah event. Yes, this is a is published bi-weekly.

All content is copyrighted great way to finish off the year. and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR/PUBLISHER Dr. David DeMullé editor@thefoothillspaper.com STAFF ASSISTANT Dyan McManus WITH THANKS TO all our volunteers that make The Paper happen!

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER TheF o o t h illsPape r . C OM

P.O. Box 444 Tujunga CA 91043 818-951-0943

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THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 — 3

I’ve noticed that a lot of the hate blogs have subsided and with them, the credibility of the ones running them. But we will always have haters as well as people who actually get out and do things. Time is the great equalizer. Which brings up a point. I get about 10-20 people a week talking with me about what a great job we’re doing here at The Paper. BUT the most interesting thing of all, is that almost all of them are over 50 years old!

Now don’t get me wrong, there are youngsters out there that love our paper, the intelligent ones. Their parents taught them well. LOL Now for the news: The Little Landers Historical Society has put together so many really great shows this year that could probably take them on the road. I’ve never seen so many talented local people in one place, doing something that looked like so much fun. Our Councilwoman, Rodriguez, has been working behind the scenes to make sure that we are getting the kind of programs we need here and with the coming of the High Speed Rail and out - of control developers, yup, I think she is going to make a re-

V IEW

R OCK al name for herself here.

Behind the hills and over the bend still lurks the Whitebird Project with its 400 homes and the Snowball Project should start breaking ground by this summer. In plain sight is the new development of the Big-T. Maybe this will be your year to get involved and help save Sunland-Tujunga? If you live long enough to get from Point A to Point B on Foothill Boulevard, that is. I have to ask myself (and anyone who will listen): How come we don’t have people getting together to demand a TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM here? I’ve been going through more than 10,000-plus accident photos that I’ve taken over the past years, and it’s frightening. How many of your families have lost a loved one to a traffic death? And why aren’t you beating the drum and demanding that something be done?

They are out to get you, and when you get hit, you won’t be able to say, “It’s The Water!”

Shawarma House is now serving Burgers, Fries & Pizza!

4 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26

Social Security Matters

Ask Rusty:

by Ed Castellanos

Social Security Credit

for Military Pay AMAC-Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor by

Dear Rusty: I have tried to contact Social Security many times but been put on hold for over 40 minutes, received no call back, etc.

Also, I tried to find out online at my S.S. account, but got no answers to my questions so I’m hoping you can help.

I served in the U.S. Navy from March 5, 1951 until December 2, 1954, with an Honorable Discharge for medical reasons. Looking at my Social Security earnings statement, I never received credit for my earnings while serving in the U.S. Navy in 1952, 1953, and 1954, and for 1951 I only received earnings

www.superliked.com/profile/ed-castellanos

It can seem like having a small home is a liability.

After all, there’s a certain feeling that homebuyers are always looking for something bigger and better. But that trend has shifted over the last few years. Smaller homes are beginning to sell faster than many of their larger competitors.

credit for $120. In the Veterans Administration booklet “Federal Benefits for Veterans Dependents and Survivors” the following paragraph is on page 135: “non-contributory Social Security earnings of $160 a month may be credited to Here are three reasons Veterans who served after why.

Sept.15, 1940 and before Area Over 1957, including attendance at service academies.” Can you check and see whether I should get credit from my military earnings, and if my Social Security check should be $160 more than it is?

Signed, Navy Veteran Dear Navy Veteran: First of all, thank you see Navy, page 10

Homeless Coalition Meets to Discuss 2018 The San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valley Homeless Coalition Annual Housing Summit was hosted by LA Family Housing last week was a great success with more than 180 representatives from SPA 2 homeless services providers present to discuss the ins and outs of Permanent Supportive Housing. The day included several workshops and breakout sessions that addressed how to help program participants find and keep permanent housing.

These sessions included: • The role of the Coordinated Entry System in the permanent housing placement process, with emphasis on the role of Bridge to Home as the lead agency for the Santa Clarita Valley.

• A session for landlords on how they can use their units to end homelessness for individuals and families.

• Education on how permanent housing place-

Real Estate News

ment works and the role of service providers in the process.

• The need for effective stabilization services to help persons retain their permanent housing with education on the supports that are most needed.

• The role of outreach in the permanent housing placement process – what is needed to engage and the role of the various outreach teams in SPA 2.

• Advocacy session on how we can support the expansion of affordable permanent housing in our communities.

Square Footage.

Buyers have also become incredibly conscious about the areas in which they live. With some buyers now targeting hip new areas, they are willing to put aside some of their size concerns in order to get into the hottest neighborhoods.

These trends are especially true among younger buyers who don’t plan on having large families; they now know that they

can get a good space near everything they loved without having to travel.

Bigger Means More Costs.

Since the housing market crash in 2008, the way see Real Estate, page 11

Edgar Castellanos BRE# 01855534

LAHOMES247.com

661-510-5762

Movie Review: The Disaster Artist by

Bob Garver

NOTE: This movie is playing on less than 1,000 screens in the country, so it might not yet be in your area. But its popularity is growing, so be on the lookout for it in the coming weeks.

“The Disaster Artist” tells the story of actor and filmmaker Tommy Wiseau (James Franco), a man who overcame adversity to achieve his dream of sharing his gift with the world. That adversity included a poor grasp of the English language, an unsightly appearance, atrocious social skills, a complete lack of knowledge or talent, and an additional layer of insanity. The “gift” that he shared with the world was “The Room,” a 2003 film that During lunch, Phil Anhas gained cult status as sell with the LA County one of the worst movies Office of Homeless Initia- of all time. tive explained the Coun We first meet Tommy ty’s multiple strategies to in an acting class in San address homelessness, Francisco, along with many in partnership with Greg Sestero (Dave community organizations Franco, James’s brother). like those present at the Greg stumbles aimlessly Housing Summit. He also through a scene from commented on the “Waiting for Gadot,” and breadth of the crisis: “The the teacher rightly tells fact that we are meeting him he has no passion. see Coalition, page 9 Then Tommy takes

the stage, repeatedly screaming something that can eventually be identified as “Stella!” from “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Passion is clearly not a problem for Tommy. Coherence is, but not passion.

Greg sees a potential for greatness in Tommy, which according to the movie makes him a sort of visionary. My takeaway was that he’s simply a more subtle kind of crazy.

Greg and Tommy strike up a friendship and agree to help with each other’s careers.

They move to L.A. together, where they don’t have much luck finding roles; Greg because he’s just another pretty face and Tommy because he’s not at all a pretty face.

It dawns on Tommy that if he can’t land the right role, he should just create one. He sets out to make his own movie with Greg as his co-star.

He writes a role for himself where he gets to play an all-American everyman even though he’s from… Europe, probably (outer space also wouldn’t surprise me). The movie is “The Room” and it’s going to win the Oscar, as long as

long as a nuclear blast takes out everything except the film, The Academy, and the statue.

As far as money, Tommy uses wellstudied business savvy to navigate the perilous waters of securing financing and deftly stays within a tight budget. Just kidding, he draws from an immense personal fortune and thinks the solution to every problem is to throw money at it. He hires a cast and crew (played

by Seth Rogen, Jacki Weaver, Paul Scheer, and Ari Graynor, among others) who are competent enough to scoff at his decisions, but not competent enough to convince him to make better decisions.

We follow Tommy and see Disaster Artist, page 8

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 — 5

VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

Chik’n Tikka Masala by

Chef Randy

Tikka is the Punjabi word for an Indian dish of small pieces of meat or vegetables marinated in a spice mixture. Masala is an Urdu word for any of a number of spice mixtures ground into a paste or powder for use in Indian cooking. When you put them together you get a rich, creamy, and very flavorful curry with small pieces of meat or vegetables. My version, of course, does not have meat.

Traditional tikka masala sauce is made with heavy cream. I substitute coconut milk to keep

serve over steamed rice. this vegan. If you eat dairy products, I recommend using heavy cream. Ingredients: For a complete meal,

see Tikka, page 10

For additional recipes, see Chef Randy’s website at

valley-vegetarian.com

For the absolute BEST prime rib for Christmas, you can get it at

Harmony Farms, 2824 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta, CA

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On selected items.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! For this Christmas, the absolute best Harris Farms PRIME RIB is a welcome alternative to turkey.

BUT — we have Free-Range Turkeys too!

818-248-3068

For the absolute best steak, get Harmony Farms’

Australian “Kobe-style” Wagyu Beef!

Tujunga Subway to pick up the 200 sandwiches, there was only one emhood, they ran out of ployee on duty, so the food. It was when the captain and another fireLAFD found out that they only had rations for fighter jumped behind 100 firefighters and they the counter and started had 300 firefighters that making 200 sandwiches. they had to feed. The an- It was a win-win situaswer was simple: call in tion for everyone.

Now that’s real leaderan order for 200 meals.

But when they got to the ship!

Heroes, from pg. 1

Only Successful Businesses advertise in The Foothills Paper!

6 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26

Verdugo Hills Liquor Store 7119 Foothill Boulevard

A Photo-Potpourri of Sunland-Tujunga!

FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE AS A SMALL TOWN, WE ALL COME TOGETHER AS ONE WHEN PROBLEMS STRIKE! Here is a small glimpse of our community pulling together to help one another!

VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 — 7

NOTICE TO CONSUMERS: The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 ensures that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use cannabis for medical purposes where medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person’s health would benefit from the use of medical cannabis.

Recommendations must come from an attending physician as defined in Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code. Cannabis is a Schedule I drug according to the federal Controlled Substances Act. Activity related to cannabis use is subject to federal prosecution, regardless of the protections provided by state law.

8 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

Disaster Artist, from pg. 4 Greg through the nightmare of a shoot. We see Tommy’s approach to the film’s most infamous moments, like the sex scene, the conversation between the leading lady and her mother, Tommy’s character laughing at a mention of domestic abuse, and possibly the worst-delivered line in

Crisis, from pg. 2 crisis. What was once a blip in fortunes now seems a life sentence.

“Most homeless people I know aren’t homeless because they’re addicts,” said Tammy Stephen, 54, who lives at a Seattle homeless encampment.

“Most people are homeless because they can’t afford a place to live.”

This article came from in Seattle by the Associated Press. It appeared in the Traverse City Michigan Eagle on November 7, 2017. Its purpose was to generally inform the condition of the west coast. I was surprised they did not reference L.A., which harbors 50 percent of all homelessness in the United States.

Despite throwing $250 million in services at the problem last year, statistics went up from 48,000

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26

movie history. Greg and Tommy predictably have a falling out, and it looks like Greg won’t even go to the film’s premiere.

He should have to go, if only to take responsibility for his role in the production. Sure it was Tommy’s project, but Greg gave him encouragement, which I believe is what psychologists refer to as “enabling.”

“The Disaster Artist” does an excellent job of recreating Tommy Wiseau and “The Room,” though perhaps it’s a little too impressed with itself, judging by the self-congratulatory sideby-side comparisons we get at the film’s end.

James Franco’s voice sound like a bad Tommy Wiseau impression, which actually makes it

a great Wiseau impression. The film never goes too far beyond mere recreation, giving up much too easily on asking why Wiseau and Sestero made such weird decisions. The film ultimately serves as a counterpoint to the classic Hollywood moral of “Believe in yourself, and you can achieve anything!” Tommy Wiseau

believed in himself, and he ended making “The Room,” so maybe don’t overreach.

Grade: B “The Disaster Artist” is rated R for language throughout, and some sexuality/nudity. Its running time is 104 minutes.

to 56,000 people on the streets, a 23% increase.

But that would be a different article and is addressed in the statement “that some cities and counties are being forced to spend — even billions — in a search for solution. The benefit from L.A.’s new voter-funded Proposition HHH to build 10,000 new units along with the County Ballot H to manage them will start to roll out with the new year. Savings are already occurring from our “Housing First” policy with medical and mental services to follow, because it saves on hospital, police and fireman emergency services.

Anyway, you can’t escape homelessness. I was surprised it’s up in the cold of Seattle and even Northern Michigan where temperatures can dip to zero. Schools now

have student social workers to help with money, food vouchers and counseling and to keep tabs on attendance which is mandatory. Even in Michigan, a good sized school on the better side of town enrolls an average of 51 homeless.

Meanwhile, Pattee and the kids will continue their Family Christmas Celebration with or without funds from the STNC, where, with a little help from the Lord, Krystee Clark resigned as Scrooge President.

(Don’t mess with Pattee.)

And the Homeless Count is coming up January 23.

It’s important because this headcount is how we get our money from Washington. And we need to increase our budget from $256 million to pay for the homeless increase.

Don’t be discouraged

about the increase in stats; that’s primarily downtown L.A. We’re only up 4 percent in the San Fernando Valley because of all your work, and the fact that we have L.A. Family Housing as our lead agency for support. They are not only extremely organized and highly competent, they are innovative and probably the best 501(c)3 to lead in any of the city’s eight areas. Not only that, they came into our town five years ago to build Day Street, a $15 million managed apartment complex, they trained four homeless advocates, and they currently rent space in our city hall while rebuilding housing on Lankershim which will benefit a few of our hard-to-place homeless couples.

Don’t let the fires dampen our spirit. At

least those folks carry insurance. Folks handpicked by Peggy Ryder will not run the training because she has a grandbaby and is retired. Call us if you helped before and leave your name and number: (818) 433-2148, (818) 398-6232, or (747) 218-1070. Or stop by the STNC meeting at Tujunga City Hall at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month to sign up.

We need some folks to drive. We’ll put two or three in each car and we’ll have a police presence for safety. We’ll be assigned streets to patrol and count but not the wash or Sunland Park because an LAFH Outreach Director, probably Eric Montoya, will handle those counts during the day. We will provide drinks. Oh, and be sure to wear comfortable, warm clothing.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Get Dismissed With The Traffic Ticket Expert Let’s get right to the point here: Why do you need this book? Answer: TIME and MONEY. Read on and that statement will make total sense.

There is a better way to fight traffic tickets in California...and we know what it is! That’s what the brain trust here at Get Dismissed has been evangelizing about for the past 14 years, while helping tens of thousands of drivers successfully fight their traffic tickets.

So, what is this “better way,” and what exactly can be done when you receive a traffic ticket?

Should you just pay the ticket? Go to traffic

school? No, there are better options available.

Should you go to court and fight the ticket yourself? Hire an expensive attorney to fight the ticket for you? Those methods could waste even more time and money than your first options.

We have better ideas, and we will share them with you in this book.

Have you ever been to traffic court? Not a fun experience. Typically, it is you and about one hundred other people who are also not thrilled to be spending the day in traffic court. Once everyone is present, the bailiff stands up and announces he can “do you a favor” and grant traffic school

immediately, for those who are eligible. If you don’t accept traffic school, the bailiff will follow up by telling you not to fight your ticket because they will NOT grant you traffic school if you fight and lose. The bailiff then makes a final, simple, announcement: YOU WILL LOSE. As a result, approxiSteve Miller, president/founder of GetDismissed.com. mately 75 percent of the people in that jampacked courtroom simply ticket (whether they win fine from your ticket.

Probably a LOT more. accept traffic school and or lose), that person is Wouldn’t it be great if gratefully run for the costing the court more doors. Why do the courts time and money than the there were a system that provided drivers all the do this? Simple. It all fine they can collect for exact same rights under comes back to TIME and the traffic ticket. The the law to contest a trafMONEY. When a person whole thing becomes a stays in the courtroom matter of simple econom- fic ticket, but also didn’t waste the court’s preand takes up the court’s ics, the court’s time is time by fighting their more valuable than the see Tickets, page 11

VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 — 9

Sunland-Tujunga Crime Stats Burglary 11/25/17 10:15 PM 10700 BLOCK OF PLAINVIEW AV Theft 11/26/17 07:00 PM 10100 BLOCK OF SAMOA AV Theft 11/28/17 09:30 PM 9800 BLOCK OF TUJUNGA CANYON PLACE Theft 12/01/17 10:40 PM 10000 BLOCK OF TUJUNGA CANYON BLVD Assault 12/01/17 09:00 AM 6500 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL Assault 12/01/17 03:30 PM 7200 BLOCK OF HILLROSE ST Theft 12/01/17 12:25 PM 3000 BLOCK OF EVELYN ST

Theft 12/03/17 02:30 PM 7900 BLOCK OF WENTWORTH ST

Theft 12/08/17 06:00 PM 6700 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL

Burglary 12/05/17 12:00 PM 8700 BLOCK OF MULBERRY DR

Theft 12/10/17 09:00 PM 6600 BLOCK OF VALMONT ST

Theft 12/05/17 05:00 PM 10400 BLOCK OF SUNLAND BL

Theft 12/11/17 09:00 PM 10300 BLOCK OF ODELL AV

Burglary 12/07/17 10:00 PM 10700 BLOCK OF SHARON AV

Robbery 12/13/17 07:50 AM 9900 BLOCK OF COMMERCE AV

Theft 12/07/17 08:30 AM 10500 BLOCK OF PLAINVIEW AV

Theft 12/14/17 09:45 AM 00 BLOCK OF LA TUNA CANYON AND FOOTHILL FY

Theft 12/08/17 06:30 PM 8000 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL

try to ensure that they feel connected as part of the LA Family Housing mental and physical family.” health, employment opportunities, addictions or Los Angeles Family Housing helps families chronic illnesses. Life skills workshops include transition out of homelessness and poverty on how to do laundry, use a computer, or create through a continuum of housing enriched with a budget. Life skills supportive services. workshops include on how to do laundry, use a Since its inception in 1983, L.A. Family Houscomputer, or create a ing has become one of budget.

“Everyone has a differ- the most comprehensive homeless services agenent story. The holidays can be a challenging time cies in Los Angeles.

Through community outfor some of our tenants and a celebratory time for reach, supportive services, emergency shelter, others,” Stephanie. “We

transitional housing, affordable permanent housing, and permanent supportive housing, clients are provided with the necessary tools and resources to move towards self-sufficiency. L.A. Family Housing helps more than 7,000 people transition out of homelessness and poverty each year.

“It’s really great when people can get together and have some honest-to goodness-fun. It’s probably because they aren’t on Facebook!” said one of the celebrants.

touching every community, in every city, in the county of Los Angeles.”

In addition to serving as an educational experience for attendees, the Summit also provided an

opportunity to highlight landlords who have been strong partners in the placement of individuals, families and transitional aged youth into permanent housing.

Tree, from pg. 2

Attention All Veterans, Sons, Daughters and Wives of Veterans

Come and Enjoy your local American Legion Post Help support Veterans and Veterans’ Causes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Remember, these incidents are what were reported by the LAPD.

Coalition, from pg. 4 in Santa Clarita where homelessness has become such a significant challenge, exemplifies the reality that homelessness is

Happen, from pg. 1 Are you man enough for this “Fru-Fru” drink? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

American Legion Post 377

10039 Pinewood Ave., Tujunga

( 81 8 ) 3 5 3 - 9 8 5 6 Events open to the public

Canteen Hours - 7 days a week, 2- 10 p.m.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For Hall Rental, call Commander Dan at (818) 521-1137

People from all walks of life came to help serve the delicious hot pork loins, coleslaw, scalloped potatoes, deviled eggs and all the fixings including homemade chocolate cake and sherbet ice cream. “This is one way that we can share God’s blessings,” said one of the volunteers.

Pattee Colvin makes it happen in the kitchen too!

10 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

of earnings for 1951 was for part time employfor your service to our ment prior to you joining country. Although milithe Navy in March of tary pay is now considthat year. ered taxable Social Se The information you curity income, military quote from the VA bookearnings were not inlet is consistent with Socluded as Social Security cial Security’s publicaearnings prior to 1957. tion referenced above, This is the reason that namely, “earnings of your earnings while in $160 a month may be the Navy from 1951 to credited to Veterans who 1954 aren’t reflected in served after Sept. 15, your Social Security 1940 and before 1957...” earnings record, and thus Note that in the above may not have been inreferenced SS publicacluded in computing tion it also states that “In your Social Security all cases, the additional benefit amount. You can earnings are credited to find out more about this the earnings that we avin the Social Security erage over your working publication “Military lifetime, not directly to Service and Social Secu- your monthly benefit rity” at this online link: amount.” What that https://www.ssa.gov/ means is that in your pubs/EN-05-10017.pdf. I lifetime earnings record, suspect that your $120 Social Security will give

Navy, from pg. 4

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26

you earnings credit equal to $160/month during the years that you served and that will be included in your lifetime earnings record when they compute your Social Security benefit amount. It doesn’t mean they will add $160 to your monthly Social Security benefit amount.

For information, when Social Security computes your benefit amount, they use your 35 highest years of earnings (adjusted for inflation). So if those 35 years of higher earnings used to compute your benefit were after you left military service in 1954, your years of military service wouldn’t have been part of the benefit calculation formula.

Your unfortunate experience trying to contact

sala conut milk 2 teaspoons ground Alle- 4 cups steamed rice 1 large onion (diced) po pepper (or substitute Fresh cilantro (chopped 3 cloves garlic (minced) paprika) for garnish) 1 teaspoon extra virgin 2 teaspoons salt olive oil 1 package Quorn Vegan Directions: 1-inch piece whole ginChik’n Tenders (thawed) Set slow cooker to low. ger (peeled and grated) 28-ounce can fire roast Sauté the onions and 2 tablespoons tomato ed tomatoes (diced) garlic in the olive oil paste ½ cup water over medium-high heat 2 tablespoons garam ma- ¾ cup unsweetened countil softened – about 5

Tikka, from pg. 5

Social Security for these answers is an excellent example of why The AMAC Foundation offers this alternative source of Social Security information to America’s seniors. Once again, thank you for your service.

Essentially, a low-earning (or no-earning) spouse gets half of the higher-earning spouse’s Primary insurance Amount only if the spousal benefit starts at their full retirement age otherwise it will be less than 50%. And this is why the blanket statement “a low income spouse gets one half of the other spouse’s benefit” is a very misleading oversimplification of how spousal benefits work.

The information presented in this article is intended for general information purposes only.

The opinions and interpretations expressed are the viewpoints of the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory staff and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration, or any other state government.

Furthermore, the AMAC Foundation and its staff do not provide legal or accounting services. The Foundation welcomes questions from readers regarding Social Security issues.

To submit a request, contact the Foundation at info@amacfoundation.org.

minutes. Stir in the ginger, tomato paste, and spices (garam masala through salt) until fragrant.

Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker. Add the Quorn, diced tomatoes, water, and coconut milk. Cover the slow cooker and

cook for 4 hours. Taste and add more garam masala to taste. To serve, spoon over steamed rice and sprinkle with cilantro.

Note: This makes enough for 2 to 3 hungry adults.

It may easily be doubled to feed more.

SWEET CHERRIE’S DINER Only the finest, freshest ingredients are used to create the ultimate OMELET.

Our CLUB SANDWICH is sliced turkey, crisp bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo on three slices of lightly toasted bread.

BREAKFAST SERVED ALL DAY

Dine-in / Take-out / Catering for any occasion

THE BEST OMELETS IN TOWN! Waffles, Charbroiled burgers

Our CHARBROILED BURGER is rich, high-quality beef, lettuce, cheese, pickles, anyway you want it for every mouth-watering bite.

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Sat 7 a.m. -5 p.m. • Sun 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

(818) 353-0465 8236 Foothill Blvd., Sunland

THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 — 11

VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26 • www.thefoothillspaper.com

EMPLOYMENT OFFERED

for fighting traffic tickets. The Trial by Written Declaration process can cious time and money? be found on the back of Well, we have good every single ticket isnews for you. There is sued and gives drivers such a system, and it’s an option to contest their called a “Trial by Writtraffic ticket in writing ten Declaration.”

Trial by Written Decla- without ever having to rations have been around step foot in a courtroom. since 1978 and provides Drivers complete the documents and submit unlucky or unfortunate them to the court by mail drivers with a very instead of going into quick, very simple, and court to contest the trafvery effective solution

Tickets, from pg. 8

Real Estate, from pg. 4 that people buy homes has changed and buyers are considering factors other than square footage in order to make a smart investment. Many buyers consider lower maintenance costs an important asset in a property. This,

Tree Threat This 150-plus year-old tree outside the Tujunga Library is 3/4 dead. If not trimmed, it poses a threat to passersby. The heavy wind and rain will only increase the danger.

fic ticket in person. This “by mail” option - the Trial by Written Declaration - is the best way to contest a traffic ticket in California and eliminates the need for you to waste your time fighting your ticket in court.

The Trial by Written Declaration process is the only way for the court to save time and money and will take contesting traffic tickets out of the

in turn, allows owners of trend among younger smaller homes to be more buyers: minimalism. competitive than their There are many who now larger neighbors, especial- see having a smaller, nicly when selling to inveser home as a lifestyle tors. statement. These are the same kinds of buyers who Minimalism is In. would have paid top dol Quite a bit of what’s lar for a larger space years been discussed goes back ago, but are now followto a single, overriding ing current trends.

courts due to simple necessity. This will be done to reduce costs while still ensuring the taxpayer’s rights. There is no other way. Period.

The GetDismissed service facilitates the process for completing and filing a Trial by Written Declaration with the court. Simply take a picture of your traffic ticket and another picture of your driver license, an-

swer a few questions, download the documents and “voila,” your Trial

by Declaration is completed for you and ready for you to file with the court.Like we said earlier, this is why you need this book and why you need GetDismissed; together, they will save you TIME and MONEY. For more information, please go to: www.GetDismissed.com.

12 — FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER

www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 13 • NUMBER 26

Bonnie Corwin announces run for California State Special Election Assembly District 39 On November 29, 2017, Bonnie Corwin announced her candidacy for the Special Election Assembly in the 39th District of California.

“The Northeast San Fernando Valley needs strong leaders who come to the table with ideas,” she said. “I look forward to being an independent voice in the state assembly, and will represent our entire district on the many difficult issues that we face.”

A resident of the Northeast San Fernando Valley, Corwin said choosing this area as her home has been key to many successes in her life. She is always looking for ways to give back to the community, whether it is through volunteering or through community activism.

One of Corwin’s goals is to contribute to preserving all that is great about District 39 -- striving to make it an ever better place to live, to work, and to raise a family.

She feels that one of her greatest assets is that she has not been affiliated with interest groups that are active in politics, or as an appointed insider on any boards or commissions.

“I bring an independent voice and fresh ideas to everything I do and will bring that independence to the Assembly, recognizing teamwork is important too,” she said.

Corwin previously ran for Treasurer of the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council and this year ran for City Council District 7, Los Angeles. “Because I am a community advocate, I have had the opportunity to speak with many individuals in the 39th District”, she said.

Bonnie Corwin presently serves on the Hansen Dam Park Advisory Board in her spare time, contributing to outreach.

You may reach Bonnie at (818) 800-7997 to voice your concerns about District 39.

Paid for by Corwin for Assembly, 2018, I.D. # 1400579

just a passing thought.

He and his boarders and things had calmed down, friends put out the word that they were going to Gibson had to make the have a clean-up of the decision whether or not to try and rebuild or call ranch, and asked that anyone that could, to it quits. He was even heard to say “I’m too old come help during the to rebuild!” But that was weekend.

Gibson, from pg. 1

The Foothills Paper Staff brought down tools, gloves and electrical cords while others brought food, spare horse tack and their high spirits to tear out the burnt plywood and rubber horse mats. More

For videos and other stories, please visit:

than 100 people came on each day to help. It was just like the old time barn raising, but different. By Sunday afternoon, the ranch was pretty much cleaned up.

Volunteers are welcome to come and help put

up horse stalls and roof panels.

The Gibson Ranch is located at 9655 Wentworth St. in Sunland.

Dale Gibson (pictured below, center image), wants to say, “THANK YOU, EVERYONE!”

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