Our Valleys April 2014 edition

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In this

Issue‌

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Editorial Our Community

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My Journey to the stars Stars & Shakers

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Family Promise Help the Children

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The American Medical Association now recommends that anyone over the age of 55 should have a baseline hearing test on record. Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology has always been dedicated to being a partner in the community. Now we are on a mission to make sure that everyone who needs it gets a FREE Hearing Screening. If you are over 55 or any age and experiencing symptoms you automatically qualify. Call our appointment desk and answer a few questions to be scheduled with an Advanced Audiology hearing care professional.

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The Meaning of Easter

La Cocina

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The Meaning of Passover

The Meaning of Palm Sunday

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Your Invisible Solution Center

The Arts in My Opinion

Caught in the Lens

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Editorial

“OUR SPIRITUAL AWAKENING” This month we celebrate the Holy Days and rekindle our faith in the power of God. From Passover, to Palm Sunday and on through the week that reshaped the world … Easter Week. Our goal is to take our readers through their own spiritual awakening.

Our diverse community can only benefit from such a wonderful thing.

There are many organizations that help the poor and the needy in Santa Clarita. If you are poor or needy you can seek them out and they will do all they can to help without being judgmental in any way. If you are neither poor nor needy you can volunteer to do “God’s work” helping the poor and needy. From organizations like Help the Children, Family Promise, Single Women’s Outreach, Zonta and many others, Santa Clarita rolls up its sleeves and volunteers time and resources to help. Our Valley Santa Clarita is trying to do its part by constantly telling the stories of people and organizations that have gone above and beyond to do “God’s work.”

Pope Frances is reminding Catholics and the rest of the world that to go out … go OUT … and engage with others. Engage and communicate with and understand the plights of others. Then give of ourselves … our time, resources and love .

Pope Frances said, ““God is love”. His is not a sentimental, emotional kind of love but the love of the Father who is the origin of all life, the love of the Son who dies on the Cross and is raised, the love of the Spirit who renews human beings and the world.

Thinking that God is love does us so much good, because it teaches us to love, to give ourselves to others as Jesus gave himself to us and walks with us. Jesus walks beside us on the road through life.” (5/26/13)

CREDITS

Editor in Chief Bill Miranda

Art Design

Patsy Ayala Ricardo Paredes Estefanía Islas Blanca De La Torre

Production Julio Del Rio

Copy Editor

Virginia Miranda

Advertising Director Patsy Ayala

Account Executive Francisco Del Rio

Technology

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Julio Del Rio Ryan Kuhn

Publisher

Our Valley Group, Patsy Ayala, CEO

Contributors Scott Wilk Gloria Mercado-Fortine Steve Knight Byron Alvarado Bill Miranda Debi Acker-Zolnoski Laurie Morgan Arif Halaby Dennis Stoneman Michele Buttelman Jennifer Ramos John Evarts Michael Santomauro

OUR COMMUNITY

Gloria mercado-Fortine

Governing Board Member, William S. Hart High School District

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here is no question that the Santa Clarita Valley has outstanding schools, many of whom rank among the top in the state. People move to the Santa Clarita Valley and buy homes here because of our great schools. I am proud to be a graduate of the Hart District and feel very honored and privileged to be serving my fourth four-year elected term on the Hart District Governing Board.

The William S. Hart High School District is among the top 10 percent of highest performing high school districts in California. The District provides quality education to nearly 23,000 students who are enrolled in the district’s six comprehensive high schools, six junior high schools, a continuation school, a middle college high school on the campus of College of the Canyons, an adult school and a Regional Occupational Program. Our schools have achieved numerous honors

Keep Hollywood in Hollywood: Scott Wilk California state Assemblyman

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alifornia is home to world class universities and some of the most innovative technology companies in the world. But our most famous industry that we export throughout the globe is television and film. This multi-billion dollar industry provides tax revenue used to support vital public services for our community.

Last year television and film generated over $30 million in revenue for Santa Clarita Valley. Our valley will be benefiting from the expansion of the iconic Golden Oak Ranch which is owned by Walt Disney Studios. Golden Oak Ranch served as the backdrop for the Disney classic move “Old Yeller” to Jacob’s cabin in my all-time favorite TV show “Lost.” The recently approved expansion of sound stages and facilities is projected to bring in $533 million in annual economic activity and 2800 jobs.

While this is good news for our community, we must not forget that California has lost 36,000 entertainment industry jobs and $2.4 billion in wages over the last 17 years due to tax burdens and regulations that cause businesses to flee the state.

If we continue making it difficult for production companies to stay in California, we will keep losing filming opportunities to our competitors, such as New York and Louisiana. Last year, 21 of the 23 new primetime dramas were filmed in other states that are more film friendly and offer incentives for entertainment industry growth. A one hour network drama costs about $4 million per episode to produce so you can do the math to see how much economic activity we’ve lost.

In efforts to help keep industry jobs in California, I am a principal coauthor of AB 1839, the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act. This act extends and increases the film tax credit eligibility, offering incentives for TV and film companies to stay in our communities and promote job growth.

I’m committed to keeping Hollywood in Hollywood.

for academic achievement, performing arts programs, athletic and other exemplary programs. Many of our schools have been named California Distinguished Schools. Arroyo Seco received the designation of National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Bowman High School has been named a California Model Continuation School consistently since 2001. Hart High School was designated as an Exemplary Arts Program as part of the Distinguished School Review by the California Department of Education in 2013.

Our success is made possible because of our highly skilled and professional teachers, counselors, school administrators, support staff, parents and community support. Our #1 priority is the wellbeing and education of our students.

To find out more about the Hart District please visit us at www.hart. k12.ca.us or please feel free to email me at: gmercado@hartdistrict. org or gmercado@earthlink.net.

Steve Knight California State Senator

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or decades, the Santa Clarita Valley and High Desert have been instrumental in California’s defense and aerospace industries, and subsequently the Nation’s security. California State leaders need to protect this valuable national asset and businesses that are creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars for the state’s economy.

To that end, California’s Governor created the Governor’s Military Council to protect and expand defense and aerospace’s vital role in national security as well as California’s economy. I am honored to be a part of the inaugural council. As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Defense and Aerospace, and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, I look forward to sharing insights at future council meetings.

I am encouraged that the region is also represented on the Military Council by Tom Berard, former Executive Director of the EAFB Flight Test Center. He and I will counsel our federal delegation on ways to best represent California on the national level, reinforcing the significance of protecting the aerospace and defense industries by cultivating an environment that is business-friendly and promotes economic growth.

Near and dear to my heart are Edwards Air Force Base, NASA Armstrong (formerly Dryden), Plant 42, and major military contractors with close proximity to Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Boeing. These proven assets must be protected to ensure jobs and economic prosperity for our region and California as a whole.

Fostering job creation has always been a legislative priority of mine.

I will continue authoring and supporting legislation to bolster the aerospace and defense industries, particularly with the backing of the Governor’s Military Council, to ensure existing California installations are not threatened.

Senator Steve Knight, (R-Palmdale), represents the 21st Senate District which includes the communities throughout the Antelope, Victor, and Santa Clarita Valleys. Visit his website at: http://district21.cssrc.us/.

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My journey to the stars

By Yowatzin Virues

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few years back I convinced my parents to take me to an orientation at the Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts (SCSOPA). They were skeptical because SCSOPA seemed “way too good to be true.” After learning of SCSOPA’s mission and meeting the owner, Mr. Mike, they were so impressed that they signed me up for one year!

I fell in love with the school immediately. The teachers are beyond awesome. They are active in the performing arts industry and are reputable sources to go to with questions and concerns about agents, managers, projects, and such. Each class is uniquely planned and prepared. No time is wasted and no matter what your age group, students are exceptionally friendly, kind and down to earth. The staff is extremely supportive, patient, caring and more than willing to answer questions.

Thank you to everyone at SCSOPA for my start, giving me a chance, and believing in me!!!!

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My family and friends can attest to how much I have grown since I initiated my journey at SCSOPA. Growing up I was a rather passive and shy girl. Attending SCSOPA has helped me improve my acting skills and social skills far beyond what I EVER thought possible. I used to dread meeting new people. Now, I enjoy it. Meeting new people or speaking in front of an audience gets me excited. I see it as an opportunity to perform.

Thanks to SCSOPA I have accomplished so much. From getting represented by The Beverly Agency to doing a worldwide Nike web commercial for The Girl Effect, I have been very busy. I have been in numerous shows at The Celebrity Center in Hollywood and am on the very first SCSOPA hip-hop dance team--Dynamic Rhythm--with whom I have performed at countless venues including The Kid’s Expo, The 6th Annual Citrus Balloon Festival, The Filipino New Year’s Gala Celebration at the CBS Studios for Boy Lizaso, NES at CSUM, The Odyssey, The West Ranch Spring Dance Showcase and The Renaissance Fair.

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Movers & Shakers Agustin Prieto Castillo

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gustin Prieto Castillo was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. At age four his parents left him in the care of his grandparents who raised him. They owned a grocery store where Agustin learned the meaning of hard work. At age 16, he immigrated to the U.S. living in Alamosa, CO. There he held three jobs: dish washer, Coca Cola truck loader and apprentice baker. A few years and a wife and two kids later, Agustin moved his family to Los Angeles.

He got a job working as a baker for Donut Inn. Soon he became responsible for seven Donut Inns. A few years later he became Director of Operations for the company. “It was a great job that gave me a lot of experience in both baking and running companies. I got to travel to such places as Buenos Aires, Bangkok and Saudi Arabia. Imagine that, a kid from the hills in Chihuahua having such a job. Wow! I sometimes can’t believe it. I thank God for giving me such opportunities.”

A few years of traveling and Agustin wanted to stay home and spend time with his family. “I had saved some money so I bought one of the stores for myself. I did real well and soon I had three stores including the one here in Santa Clarita.

When Donut Inn went under, I was able to keep the store here in Santa Clarita and have been serving my baked goods all over Southern California.”

What’s his advice to young people?

“Don’t ever give up on your dreams.

Get a good mentor and listen to learn.

Go out and be part of the community.

Don’t settle for anything less than your dreams.”

Virginia Miranda

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was born in San Francisco, but raised in a very small town in Northern California, Jackson. My parents were both Mexican immigrants. My father worked as a maintenance electrician and a gold miner. My mother was a homemaker who ran a meticulous home for my older sister and me. I loved growing up in a small town. I felt secure, comfortable and happy. I enjoyed playing the usual kids games and whenever I was bored I would draw on scratch paper. I liked drawing.

At age 13 we moved to Los Angeles. OMG! A few months later I attended an Elvis Presley concert and sat almost front row center to The King!

After high school I spent 18 years working in the entertainment industry at MGM, Paramount Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox. I got to meet stars such as Steve McQueen, Roger Moore, Michael Caine and Billy Dee Williams. Not too shabby for a country girl. And best of all I met my husband there!

His work took us to Paris, France where I was thrilled to be introduced to real art. I took classes from excellent instructors. To get to one class, I had to take three trains then walk up five flights of stairs lugging my art stuff with me. Whew! Of course it was all worth it.

We returned to the U.S. to live in lovely Santa Clarita. I continued my art with master instructor, Larry Gluck. After two years he felt I could teach others. My reaction was, “Oh no, that would be too scary for me!” But Larry said, “You can do it!” So with his encouragement and that of my husband, I opened Artworks Studio here in Newhall. Twenty-seven years and a couple of thousand students later, I have had the career of my life.

Every Christmas season, tears come to my eyes as I read cards of appreciation from students and parents. “Thank you for changing my life.” “Thank you for being such a positive influence in my daughter’s life.”

“Miss Virginia you rock!”

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A MESSAGE FROM FAMILY PROMISE SCV PRESIDENT, LAURIE ENDER

Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley is dedicated to helping our local homeless children and their families and we couldn’t do that without the hundreds of volunteers who support our program.

Each of our locally-based, volunteer congregations takes turns providing meals and sometimes overnight shelter to our families—as many as four families at a time. On a typical evening you might find volunteers playing games with a family, helping kids with homework, or simply sharing an evening meal together with them. Our volunteers offer hugs and laughter and sometimes just a listening ear.

ur non-profit organization is supported by many compassionate leaders in our business community as well as service organizations like the Rotary Club, the Optimists and our local Girl Scouts. But at the heart of Family Promise is our incredible inter-faith community. Over 20 local congregations—synagogues and churches from across the valley—have come together to provide meals and friendship and temporary shelter for our homeless families. In the two years that we have been in operation, Family Promise of SCV has helped over 20 local homeless families get back on their feet again.

If you are a part of a local congregation or service organization and would like more information about how you can get involved with Family Promise, we’d love to talk to you! We would love to add your congregation to our Family and we always welcome more volunteers and congregational support.

In a real, meaningful, one-on-one way you can make an enormous difference in the heart of a child and in the life of a family.

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We do not treat homelessness as a religious issue but as a humanitarian issue. Our congregations put doctrine and theology aside to help neighbors who need it the most. It’s not a matter of where or how you worship but where your heart is. When you hear “A priest, a rabbi and a preacher walked into the room” it may sound like the beginning of a joke but at Family Promise it sounds like the beginning of something wonderful happening!

Please visit our website at www.FamilyPromiseSCV.org or contact our Executive Director, Chris Najarro, or me at (661) 251-2867.

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ox City raises awareness about the many homeless families in our own community, and raises money to support Family Promise of SCV. Participants set a goal to raise $100 in pledges and contributions and sleep overnight in a cardboard box “home” as a resident of Box City.

During the course of the event there will be bands, activities, entertainment, and free food for participants. Box City is open to people of all ages and affiliations. We encourage youth groups, service organizations, school service clubs, community groups, sports teams, Boy and Girl Scouts, etc., to use this event as a community service and learning project.

The activities and entertainment are geared toward families, and participants will sleep outdoors in a secure area. A minimum of one adult (age 21 or over) per each seven youth under the age of 18 participating in Box City is required.

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The Youth Hormone

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Heart for The Community

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his time of year, people look forward to celebrating Passover, Holy Week, and Easter as symbolic reminders of new hope in their lives. As a pastor, Roger Presgrove had a great heart, and wanted to help those who lost hope. He established and pastored Help The Children to provide for human needs to offer that hope.

HTC has served Santa Clarita Valley for twelve years, offering food, clothing, personal care items, and job information for struggling Santa Clarita families. As donations permit, we share resources with other SCV non-profit organizations.

However, the areas of need go beyond Santa Clarita Valley. Since 1998, our headquarters in Bell California have partnered with over 600 non-profits and together we distribute approximately 3 million pounds of food, and feed over 135,000 families each month.

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We have distributed Disaster Relief to 12 states in America, and 52 countries worldwide. Help the Children supports orphanages in Africa. And, we’ve built a 33,000 square foot hospital in Guatemala. HTC also sends medical and dental teams abroad, and provide free medical and dental care to those in need in Central America.

HTC strongly supports the military. We have the Military Family Assistance Paks, and the Vet-Working Community Partners committee. We are partnered with the Veterans Advocacy Network. Since we began, we have distributed over $900,000,000 worth of aid throughout the world.

Here is how we’re rated when compared to over 1.2 million other American charities: -By the Chronicles of Philanthropy, HTC is in the top 400 largest

charities.

-By Forbes.Com, HTC remains in the 200 largest charities.

-By Yahoo.Com/Financial, and Mainstreet.Com HTC is ranked as the 7th most efficient charity.

Our network of programs operates on a 1%, yes, one percent overhead. Our operations are funded only by donations and grants, not by government funding. This saves the government money, wherever the aid is distributed. This frees us to help families in need that might not qualify for government-sponsored programs. One might conclude we offer the most help for the community with minimum cost to the community.

During this season of hope, please join Roxana Presgrove and our team in our mission to assist our local, or national, or international communities to experience a better quality of life.

We can’t do it without you!

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matt. 25:40

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Making Decisions About Money Byron Alvarado

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pril is “Financial Literary Month.” My monthly columns are a good way to improve your financial literacy. I hope you enjoy and learn from each one. Your feedback is always appreciated.

There is an old adage: Failure to plan means planning to fail. That holds true when it comes to money. If we don’t have a plan for our money we probably will fail in our effective use of it. Ask yourself these questions, “Is my money reaching its maximum effectiveness?” “Is my family able to enjoy our hard earned income?” “Can they count on it being there in the long-term?”

Here are four levels of financial planning. Which one describes you?

I Know Planning is Important. I’ll Do It Every Once in Awhile.

It’s kind of like working out in the gym. If you know it’s important, but you are only going to do it “once in awhile” you aren’t going to get in good shape. This way of planning will always leave you short of results.

I Have to Plan for a House, Tuition and Retirement.

This is the first level of real planning, but it is very basic. You need a house. You’ll save for a house. You’ll buy a house.

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You’re done. It’s a good way to achieve specific goals, but it may not be the most effective use of your money.

I Know Planning is Important and I am Taking it Seriously.

You take all known factors into consideration including state of the economy, interest rates, investment trends, inflation and tax strategies, then plan for the effective use of your money.

You measure the results regularly while making necessary adjustments.

I Know Planning is Important and I Want Professional Help.

Since you probably are more involved in making money than in money planning getting professional help is very wise.

Consider help that has experience with the Lifetime Economic Acceleration Process™.

This planning process seeks to protect your wealth from erosion by taxes, inflation, market fluctuations, claims from creditors and other costs. Its main objective is to build wealth by finding long-term and broad view strategies to overcome wealth eroding factors while utilizing the efficient and effective flow of money between assets.

Ultimately, the benefits of this type of planning will maximize the use of your money during the accumulation, distribution and preservation phases of your life.

Disclaimer: This column does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice; the information provided is intended to be general in nature; and readers are strongly encouraged to consult their own professional tax, accounting and legal advisors on individual tax matters.

Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology Jennifer Ramos Marketing Director

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earing loss is the number one most denied health issue...

What? I don’t understand how or why most people wait an average of 7 years to get help, or even admit that there’s an issue. Why, you ask? There’s a stigma that goes along with hearing loss & hearing aids that deem you as old. The truth is hearing loss can come from many reasons, some of which have nothing to do with age. Age is a common factor of course, but noise pollution and hereditary issues could cause hearing loss as well.

You may secretly think you have hearing loss. That “blurry” hearing may just be wax in your ears. Our professional hearing staff can tell you in minutes.

Hearing Loss affects family and friends almost as much as the person afflicted. It’s frustrating to constantly repeat yourself or feel comfortable watching TV when your significant other has it on full blast.

What are people afraid of? This little thing that sits behind my ear? This little device connects me to life through better hearing; it connects to my iPhone too. I never have to worry about not hearing on the phone again. I am the marketing director for Advanced Audiology, and I’m also a grateful patient. Take advantage of this opportunity to make sure you and your loved ones are hearing everything as well as possible.

Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology is on a mission to make sure anyone who feels like they have symptoms or is age 55+ are able to get a FREE hearing screening. Call our friendly appointment staff at (661) 505-1135 to see if you qualify. We are located at 23822 Valencia Blvd #103 in Valencia with the purple sign across from AAA.

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The Meaning of Passover Debi Acker-Zolnoski

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assover, or Pesach, is one of the most widely observed holidays practiced by those of Jewish faith. The holiday and celebration is focused on recognizing the spiritual redemption and God’s power as shown by the Israelites’ “Exodus” from slavery in ancient Egypt. The weekly Friday night dinner of observant Jews is called the Seder, but for the holiday, it is a special meal during which the story of Passover is told. The Jews were enslaved and forced to work under cruel conditions in Egypt and the Pharaoh would not let them leave.

As a result, God sent a series of plagues and finally the Jews were allowed to flee.

This year Passover begins at sunset on April 14th and ends during the night between April 21st and April 22nd. Although the majority of the modern world uses a Gregorian calendar, created

by Pope Gregory XIII during the sixteenth century, in Judaism, each day begins at sundown, and each yearly Passover date is derived from the Hebrew calendar, beginning on the first day of the month of “Nisan,” which is the first month of the spring season.

As quoted by Jewish SCV resident Nikki Simon, “Passover for me is a time to bring family and friends together, to pause from our busy schedules and appreciate having each other in our lives, to feel the unity of our common heritage, and be humbled by the history of our ancestors.”

The “Seder Ceremony” is the formal Passover dinner, where participants simulate what is thought to have happened on that first night of the Exodus from Egypt. The Seder is much more than a history lesson; it is a yearly re-enactment of the liberation and continuity of the Jewish people. The ceremony is meant to be a fun experience, as the families in attendance

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enjoy a delightful, relaxed telling of the Passover story. Once the “Maggid” (narration) section of the Haggadah (the story of the Exodus) is completed, the Seder meal is served in conjunction with the story, and the excitement for the children begins after opening the door for Elijah. After the meal, there is a commonly recognized tradition to pour a cup of wine referred to as the "Cup of Elijah," open the front door of the home, and recite several verses from the Psalms. According to tradition, at this moment the home is graced by the presence of Elijah the Prophet. There are multiple meanings behind this deep-rooted ritual.

The Seder night is an educational experience for the entire family. It was created by brilliant rabbis who created its structure and content, filling the ceremony with an array of multisensory methods of transmitting the messages of the evening. The Seder is filled with symbolic foods, elaborate rituals, words and songs, and designed to keep even the youngest children fascinated.

Although the Passover Seder is the single most observed Jewish celebration of the year for North American Jewish families, many participants continue to follow the model they loved as children, as each person (who is old enough and able to read) takes a turn reading a paragraph orally from the Haggadah as they participate in the ritual. The traditional text of the Haggadah contains four different variations of the story, each one beginning with a question (Mah Nishtanah, the questions of the Four Children, "Tzei u-l'mad," and Rabban Gamliel's questions), a response, and praise for God. Interestingly, there are over three-thousand variations of the Haggadah (the story of the Exodus) catalogued in the great library of the Jewish Theological Seminary, and every year more versions appear.

This is the meaning of Passover.

They speak of miracles, how Jesus had cleansed lepers, made the lame to walk, healed the eyes of those born blind, and raised the dead to life. Some in the crowd validate the stories, saying, “I was there when he fed 5,000 with two fish and five small loaves of bread.”

They speak of the Nazarene’s teachings and how they are filled with hope, promise and life. By the time Jesus reached Jerusalem, Matthew 21:10 says, “The whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’”

The Meaning of Palm Sunday Pastor Dennis Stoneman Picture the scene: thousand’s of oppressed and defeated people are pressing into the city of Jerusalem, pilgrims on a holy journey to celebrate their glorious past. They gather to celebrate Passover, a spiritual event that commemorates the Israelites’ freedom from slavery in Egypt. Now, as many of these Jewish Pilgrims make their way into Jerusalem they speak of many things: the weather, their families and, most of all, the Roman oppression. The Romans had ravaged their people, their land and mocked their God. Still others speak about a carpenter’s son from Nazareth in Galilee.

Could the Nazarene be the one spoken about by the Prophet Zechariah 500 years earlier in Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey?” They are not sure. Many pray for the arrival of the prophesied Messiah. When the Nazarene arrives they tear off palm branches, wave them high, strewing them on his way.

They shout, “Throw your coats down, that Messiah, the anointed of God, might ride over them. Shout aloud Jerusalem, sing you children. We are a great people, the chosen of God. And we await this, our Messiah.”

But the shouts of adoration and expectation are short lived. The cries that welcome him on Sunday will mock him on Friday. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” will turn to “Crucify Him!” The people don’t understand His destiny, but Jesus does. On many occasions Jesus told his disciples, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the Law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life,” Luke 9:22.

A beat up, hung up, dead and buried Messiah was the last thing the people of Jerusalem wanted. A suffering Savior who brings remedy for the sin stricken people by laying down His life for them and then rising victorious over sin, death and the grave is the only Messiah that could bring them, or us, life, freedom and abundance.

Let us celebrate Palm Sunday and the entire Holy Week.

Dennis Stoneman is pastor of Valencia Hills Community Church. Valencia Hills Community Church meets Sundays 9 and 10:30 a.m. at the Valencia High School Gymnasium.

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Father Albert and the

Meaning of Easter

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ather Albert Bahhuth, Pastor of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Saugus since last July, found his calling to the priesthood at age 35.

He was born in Beirut, Lebanon to a Catholic family.

He immigrated to the United States in 1976 to study and earned a doctorate, in chemical engineering, at the University of Mississippi. “Most of that time I wasn’t practicing my faith, I wasn’t going to church regularly,” he said. After attending an Easter service in 1982, he was moved and thereafter attended church on a regular basis.

By Michele E. Buttelman

A chance meeting with two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started him thinking. “These two 18-year-olds knew more about their religion then I did about mine. So I began classes in the Catholic faith.”

He moved to Southern California in 1985. He went into business and soon owned two fast food franchises and felt life was mostly going well. Yet, something was missing in his life. “I was happy, I had a girlfriend, I had my business, I was involved in my church, but it wasn’t all coming together,” he said.

After attending a religious retreat, he decided to take a year off to become a lay missionary. He joined the Trinitarians and began working at a parish in South Central Los Angeles where he was in charge of youth programs. He realized he could do the most good by “leading people to Christ where they can find eternal life.”

“That gave meaning to my life. It was the missing piece,” he said. “I want to do something that will make a difference in someone’s life, even if it is just one person.

Nothing in this world matters more than the gift of faith that leads a person to eternal life.”

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Father Albert believes the upcoming Easter holiday is among the most significant in Western religion.

“Easter is the foundation of the religion. Unfortunately, studies show that about 70 percent of Christians don’t know that Easter is about Jesus rising from the dead. So you can see we have a lot of work to do. Easter is about renewal and rebirth. I think it is a great time for us at Saint Kateri to think about this. Every year we celebrate Easter and every year we should be reborn again. Every year, we need to renew our commitment to follow Christ and do God’s work. Are we being recreated anew? Are we letting God’s grace help us grow? That’s how we grow, make progress. Otherwise we are stuck.”

Father Albert said he hopes that during this Easter season people will “give Jesus a second chance.”

“All you have to do is say, ‘Jesus, I want to get to know you.

Show me who you are, let me know who you are,’” he said.

“Start there. Then let Jesus guide you on the path he wants you to travel.”

Saint Kateri serves more than 5,000 families and during a typical weekend serves almost 5,000 individuals. “That’s very energizing for me. That’s a great thing to see, that so many people come every Sunday. Our parish is growing. We expect to double in size by reaching out to people. Pope Francis said we need to go to the people, to go where they are, not wait for people to come to us. We need to go outside the walls of the church to bring Christ to the people.”

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 22508 Copper Hill Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, (661) 296-3180,

www.saintkateriparish.org.

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e c a l P s ’ o h c n o ! s P a : G a e h n t i h c t o r o C W La Food n a c i x Me

fancy

Place!

chairs, tables and someone to hand you a towel in the bathroom, don’t come here. But if you are in the mood for fresh delicious food made and served by genuine people, don’t miss Poncho’s

P

iru? Really? That’s right. On Main Street in the little town just outside of Santa Clarita lies a culinary gem.

Most Santa Claritans have never been to downtown (can you call it that?) Piru, nor have they visited Poncho’s Place – with the exception of cyclists and bikers.

Poncho’s Place lies at the intersection of Main St. and Center St. It is a family business started in 1997 by Josefina and Alfonso (Poncho) Barragan and now operated by their son Jose and his wife, Brenda. Josefina still works in the kitchen where she continues to make her delicious meals including menudo, which is available on Sundays. This is some of the best Mexican food in the area – and that is saying something seeing as we are surrounded by Mexican restaurants.

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The food quality is off the charts. One day Jose’s daughter told me, “My mom won’t let us open a can of refried beans if we run out. She insists it is better to be out than to serve canned food!”

Their chips are from handmade corn tortillas cut and fried to order. I recommend the carne asada plate – and ask for the hot salsa. No matter what you choose, you will taste the quality the first bite and every bite thereafter.

If you are looking for a beautiful restaurant near your house with

Price: $6-$15 per person Location: 944 Center Street, Piru, CA 93040 805.521.0694 Food quality and taste: ★★★★ Hours: Sunday: 7am–5pm Monday–Thursday: 8am–3pm Friday: 8am–5pm Saturday: 7am–5pm

Give the gift that will last a lifetime!

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The arts in my opinion

I

By Laurie Morgan

love performing. There are countless delights involved in a live production, but there is one huge frustration. You don’t get to see your own performances live because you’re in it! I do, however, get to see other actors perform in their live theater productions.

Lucky for us Santa Clarita has many places to see live performances and original artwork. At the Canyon Theatre and the REP you can even meet the actors and offer them your praise and accolades!

Last month at the REP audiences fell in love with “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”. It was an absolutely funny, musical delight. At the Canyon Theatre Guild, “The Dixie Swim Club,” made us laugh out loud. “The Hobbit” which also played at the CTG, took us to the fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved creatures.

The wonderful art show at The Gallery of SCAA, “Viva la Art”, wowed us with artwork featuring romantic and red themes, perfectly timed for Valentines’ Day. And if you have never been to Main Street in Downtown Newhall, you are missing the amazing Art Slams and Senses which the City Arts & Events Office organizes the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, respectively. On 6th Street between Main and Railroad Avenue you’ll find OutWest Western Boutique and Cultural Center, which features local artists and musicians. Last month’s “Where the Dickens R You?” exhibit was not only eyecatching, but thought-provoking.

Even though I’m a performing and visual artist, I truly enjoy visiting and watching other artists. I get inspired, Entertained, Enlightened and Enriched by all our valley has to offer. And I promise that you will too – in my opinion.

**You can catch me as “Sister Miller” in Damn Yankees at the Canyon Theatre! And see some of my artwork at The Gallery of SCAA and OutWest on 6th St. in Newhall.

Canyon Theatre Guild 24242 Main St. Newhall March 28 – April 26: Damn Yankees March 29 – April 27: Clarissa’s Closet 661.799.2702 www.canyontheatre.org Repertory East Playhouse 24266 Main St. Newhall March 7 – April 5: Biloxi Blues 661.288.0000 www.repeastplayhouse.org Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Various Performances and Events www3.canyons.edu/Offices/PIO/CanyonsPAC/ The Gallery of SCAA 24251 Town Center Drive #155 Valencia March 7 – April 27: Boots, Spurs and Brushes Open House on Friday April 11, 6-9pm www.santaclaritaartists.org

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OUR VALLEY M u l t i c u l t u r a l

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Enjoy the benefits of membership Print I Digital I Social media I Networking I Translations

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661.678.30.32

www.ourvalleygroup.com

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Retirement: The Correct Location

By Arif Halby

B

efore that glorious day of retirement arrives, you have a lot to think about. One of the more important decisions to be made is where to live. For many people that decision is easy. It is wherever the kids live or mainly, where the grandchildren live! However, for many people, their family may be spread across the country. When that is the case, your choices are wide open.

Your activities of the last 30 years are going to help shape what your daily routine will be in retirement.

What hobbies do you have? Do you prefer the mountains or the ocean? Are you a river person or a “desert rat?� Considering that, you may want to be closer to the environment of your choice.

Healthcare can also be important in determining where you live. Dealing with medical issues may require you to live closer to a hospital, or a university that has a medical center. Some universities have research medical facilities that are known for an area of expertise such as heart, kidney or orthopedic medical conditions.

With the recent increase in California taxes, many people have decided to retire outside of California to states like Nevada, Texas, and Florida. All have excellent weather and zero state income taxes. This could lead to a savings of anywhere from 5-15% per year or more.

If you consider a couple who retires today at the age of 65, there is a 75% chance that at least one of them will live another 20 years. Being financially smart is one of the best ways to make sure you enjoy your golden years. Start talking and planning with your partner now, so that your retirement destination is a dream come true.

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b er m a h C pa n i c l a s i H y Va l l e A n n u a l G a e p o l Ante m erce m o C of

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PERSIA LOUNGE is Old Town

Newhall Main Street’s newest entertainment gem. Opened on November 9th, the lounge is a great place for fine dining, quality drinking and lively dancing. Monday through Thursday there is Happy Hour from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. After you enjoy your Happy Hour, stay and enjoy an elegant dinner.

Entertainment starts Thursdays at 8:00 pm with Salsa Night with the Pros. On Fridays it’s time for Belly Dancing with the Pros starting at 7:30 pm. And on Saturdays there is always music, either live by outstanding musicians or, recorded and presented by Persia’s creative DJ’s starting at 8:00 pm.

Persia has an outstanding patio area where those who want can enjoy the Hookah Lounge.

Your outstanding hosts are Homay oun and Mandana Daryani. Persia Lounge is located at 24328 Main St., Old Town Newhall, CA 91321. For Reservations Call (661)259-4100

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Master Baker Agustin Prieto Castillo For Exquisite Designer Cakes the ONLY place to go in Santa Clarita is California Bakery & CafĂŠ

W

hen you are honoring or celebrating someone or something special, that is not the time to give a store bought cake. Instead, make the wise choice and give a thoughtful expression of your love and gratitude. Give a designer cake from Master Baker, Agustin Prieto Castillo of California Bakery & CafĂŠ.

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Total Financial Solutions, Inc. “Integrating your financial life…”™

www.tfswealth.com

661-753-9683

info@tfswealth.com

Did you know the average age of a widow is 53?

Do you know how much money you will need in retirement?

Did you know you may be able to receive your Social Security tax free?* Arif M. Halaby President/CEO

Love your retirement!

*We do not provide specific legal or tax advice, nor promote, market or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Consult a tax/legal professional for guidance with your individual situation.

Total Financial Solutions, Inc. nor Arif M. Halaby are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration.

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Total Financial Solutions, Inc. | 22700 Lyons Avenue Suite D, Newhall CA 91321 Arif M. Halaby, CA License #0B93792 | Insurance products offered through TFS Financial Insurance Services CA License #0F22477 By contacting Arif M. Halaby you may be offered information regarding the sale of insurance products.