Sunday Signal September 13, 2020

Valencia | Saugus | Newhall | Canyon Country | Stevenson Ranch | Westridge | Castaic | Val Verde

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Adventures in Antiques Page 6 Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

10

A REPORT CARD FOR NEW RELEASES

11

FROSTY TREATS FOR A HEATWAVE

14

PROTECT YOUR CAR’S FINISH

PLUS : CITY NEWS | OPINION | SCHOOL | ENTERTAINMENT | CALENDAR | HEALTH & FITNESS

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS FEATURES

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4 Commonly used terms for the fire season 5 Preparing for an emergency evacuation 6 Antiques: Take home a piece of your past

FROM THE MAYOR

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8 Can you complete the ‘35 Parks Challenge?”

HEALTH 9 9 Gluten-free is more than a trend for those with Celiac

ENTERTAINMENT 10 10 Roeper’s 2020 summer movies report card

FOOD 11 11 Dog days of summer … drinks

HOME 12 12 Seasonal DIY improvement projects

GARDENING 13 13 Yard art from the most unusual things

AUTOMOBILE 14 14 Protect your vehicle’s paint finish

SENIOR LIVING

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15 How to avoid drug interactions

KIDS & FAMILY

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16 Donna’s Day: Make a lamplight that is polka-dot bright Junior Whirl Science Fact

PUZZLES 17 OPINION 18 SPECIALIZING IN PRECISION ELECTRONIC TUNE-UPS, FUEL INJECTION, IGNITION, SMOG CHECK, GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

FOREIGN & DOMESTIC

Take part in this fun and family-friendly challenge to explore every park in Santa Clarita! The adventure runs from now to November 30, introducing a new parks passport edition every month.

Your task is simple! Travel to every park listed on your passport edition, where you’ll find a hidden letter. Write down the letter you find, then unscramble the message and submit your completed passport to reservation@santa-clarita.com to win a cool prize package!

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Publisher Sunday Signal Editor Signal Editor Advertising Sales Manager Production Manager

Richard Budman Perry Smith Tim Whyte Yolanda Hall Doña Uhrig

26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100 | Santa Clarita, CA 91350

661-259-1234

The entire content of the Sunday Signal is copyrighted 2019 by Paladin Multi-Media Group, Inc. All submitted letters and columns are strictly the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. If you would not like this delivered to your home, please call (661) 259-1000.

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: Are you ready to get out and explore while your chance to still keeping dista visit the parks nce? Now’s in the City of Sant Passport Adv enture runs for a Clarita. The Park three consecut September 1. s ive months beg Each inning on with information month we will introduce a new Parks Pass on how you can port Edition parks! Parks Pass win a prize for visiting our com port Edition 1 asks you to trave munity you will find Sam l to 11 parks. In my Clarita hidd each park, en with a spec one letter you ific letter. Writ find e down form one or mor at each of the parks, then unsc e words. Use the ramble the lette the letters you have rs to lines below to help unscram found at each ble the park location.

Submit your resp onse along with address to rese name and rvation@sant a-cla Please include an image of your rita.com. self at one of the 11 parks with your word subm (Tip: Take a pictu ission email. re by the park sign deadline for the !) The first passport edition submittal is Sept ember 30 or whil last. One prize e BOUQU supplies winner per family househo CANYON ET ld.

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4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Commonly used terms to know for fire season

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

S

An L.A. County fire dozer rumbles towards a wall of flames in Castaic during the Hasley Fire. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

anta Clarita Valley residents are also no stranger to seeing pictures of super tankers filling up at Castaic Lake, or seeing convoys of fire engines and vehicles streaking down the street.

The U.S. Forest Service has over 200 or so terms they use. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a conglomerate of multiple fire organizations, including the Forest Service, has over 2,476.

Here are a few important terms to know, courtesy of a list compiled with the help of Maria Grycan, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and fire Capt. Ronald Haralson.

The terms

The following is a list of terms that are important to know, with each term having particular significance during an active incident.

Fire line — “ The perimeter of the fire, or part of a control line that is scraped or dug down to mineral soil.”

A fire line is created through the use of manpower and ground-level engine power. Firefighters creating the line, also known as “punching line,” can use picks, chainsaws, shovels and other foliage cutting/removing tools to create the fire line.

Containment — “ Usually expressed as a percentage, it is the portion of the fire line around which we have contained the fire within.”

A containment percentage does not mean the fire is out, Grycan and Haralson emphasized, but rather, it means that the fire is contained within that area at the fire line.

“If you were to look at a current PIO map of the Lake Fire, you will see that, around the perimeter of the fire, there is BLACK line,” said Haralson. “That is the area of the fire that is now contained. The remainder of the fire is considered ‘open line,’ and where the priority is to build more containment line. As containment goes up, more black line appears on the map.”

When a brush fire goes out, there is a standard procedure that firefighters follow when declaring the response needed, according to Grycan and

Haralson. These fall along the lines of first alarm, second alarm and third alarm.

First alarm (115 responding personnel) — Seven engines, one brush patrol, three helicopters with one crew, four camp crews, one dozer team, one water tender, three superintendents, two super scoopers (during certain months), one preventative maintenance squad, two battalion chiefs and one Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter.

Second alarm (195 responding personnel) — 1 2 engines, one brush patrol, three helicopters with one crew, eight camp crews, two dozer teams, two water tenders, three superintendents, two super scoopers (during certain months), one preventative maintenance squad, one heavy equipment superintendent, one helitender, one emergency support unit, one assistant chief, four battalion chiefs and one Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter.

Third alarm (228 responding personnel) — 2 2 engines, one brush patrol, three helicopters with one crew, eight camp crews, two dozer teams, two water tenders, three superintendents, two Super Scoopers (during certain months), one preventative maintenance squad, one heavy equipment superintendent, one helitender,

one emergency support unit, one assistant chief, deputy chief, six battalion chiefs and one Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter.

Then comes the terms that are called out during the fire outside of the alarms, such as structures threatened and/or destroyed, and fuel type.

Structures threatened — Any homes, commercial, or other structures (outbuildings, sheds, detached garages, etc.) that are in or may potentially be in the path of the fire.

“The number of structures threatened does not necessarily equate to the number of structures evacuated,” said Haralston. “The total number of structures threatened is usually higher. For example, it is feasible that we can have structures threatened without ever having to initiate evacuations. During the Lake Fire, we had over 1,300 structures threatened, but our evacuation orders affected just under 300 homes.”

There are a variety of vehicles that can be used, according to Grycan and Haralson, when battling a fire.

Fire officials often transport hand crews that work close to the fire’s edge on the ground with hand tools. They coordinate attacks with the water dropping helicopters in the air and the engine crews running hose lines, Haralson said. Bulldozers also work to create “fuel breaks” or perimeter

lines around the fire or in defense of a structure, Haralson added.

When there isn’t water, or where the fire retardant known as PhosChek is considered more effective, it’s used to cover an area in “pink dust.”

PhosChek — “That is a fire retardant called PhosChek, and is considered to be an indirect attack,” said Haralson.

“That is, PhosChek is dropped ahead of a fire, not directly onto the fire. It is used as a fire break to slow/stop the spread. Direct attack from the air is the water that is dropped from helicopters, as that is dropped directly onto the fire.”

The last bit of knowledge crucial to the understanding of basic aspects to wildland fires is: “What is the worstcase scenario when firefighters arrive on the scene?”

One of the worst-case scenarios is when a fire is moving uphill, because it travels at a much faster rate uphill then it does downhill.

“So in that respect, it is worse, because it would be more difficult to contain,” said Haralson. “I seem to remember that this Lake Fire was a bit challenging in the beginning because as units arrived, the fire was coming toward them, so they had to work their way around to a safer location from which to begin working.” 

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

How to prepare for an emergency evacuation

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

G

ov. Gavin Newsom just shared we’ve had more than 1 million acres burn this year, one of the worst fire seasons in history.

And in the midst of the fires, multiple alerts about earthquakes also raised alarms recently for some section of the seismology community.

From earthquakes to floods to wildfires, the Santa Clarita Valley — and the rest of California — is no stranger to these unexpected emergency situations residents ensure time after time. An unfortunate combination of high winds, low humidity levels and dry conditions make wildfires an unpredictable disaster. Fire officials say the best way to be prepared in case you need to evacuate is to have everything ready in advance.

First responders and emergency managers have stressed that preparation is key but in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a new layer of challenges, urging experts to stress the importance

Go

For your ‘Go’ bag

H

ere are some items Roya Hickman, emergency operations analyst with the city, reminds residents to include in their

emergency bags: Water: one gallon per person, per day.

Food: non-perishable, items that can be easily prepared, such as canned meats, fruits and vegetables, protein bars and peanut butter.

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

Extra batteries and phone chargers.

Flashlight.

A seven-day supply of medication and medical items.

Extra cash.

Copies of personal documents, such as proof of address, passports, birth certificates and insurance policies.

Maps.

Emergency blanket.

Other essentials: extra set of car and house keys, whistle, rain gear, scissors, towels and extra clothes. 

of staying ready.

“Making sure that we’re taking active steps to stay safe and know what to do is of paramount importance,” said Helen Chávez, associate director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. “We’re living in a state of emergency, and it’s a reality that, unlike other times where they’re shortlived, this is a test of endurance. So, it’s important to have a plan with your family and loved ones.”

Emergency officials from the city of Santa Clarita, the county and state agree one way to start preparing is by sitting down with those in your household to set up a plan.

Create a plan

A solid plan should include every member of your household, said Chavez, who added that there are 10 essential parts to consider when creating what you and your unit will do in case of an emergency.

Start by familiarizing yourself with the threats in your area to learn steps to reduce personal risk.

In the SCV, for example, there are portions of the valley that are considered high risk for fires and floods, and others that are near or on an earthquake fault zone, according to myhazards.caloes. ca.gov, which allows users to discover hazards in an area by entering a ZIP code or address.

Next, try to identify locations to meet with your family in case you separate or aren’t together following an emergency. These places can be outside of your home or your neighborhood, for example.

Keep an out-of-state contact or of someone who lives outside of the affected area, said Monica Vargas, public information officer for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

Connecting with neighbors and setting up a plan can also help during an emergency, as communities may include individuals in need of special support, such as pregnant women, non-English speakers, post-survey patients and people with physical or emotional disabilities.

Other essential actions include knowing evacuation routes, maintaining an inventory of medications those in your household may need and identifying safe locations within your home to take cover, such as under a firm table or against interior walls.

To find out additional points to consider for your plan, visit ready.lacounty.gov.

Set up a ‘Go’ bag

Every emergency situation is different and may require different preparation but having a “Go” bag ready is important in all incidents. The American Red Cross recommends a three-day supply evacuation kit and a two-week emergency supply stay-athome kit.

Remember to add supplies based on the needs of each member in your household, such as for babies and older adults, games and activities for children,

The Tick Fire was one one of last year’s reminders of the ever-present need for residents to be ready in case an area is evacuated. Canyon Country evacuee Merlyn Reeves and her dog Dixie check an area map on display at College of the Canyons last October. PHOTO

BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

as well as medical supplies including hearing aides, syringes, glasses and contacts.

Don’t forget about your pets, as leaving them out of the plan can put your household unit and/or first responders at risk during an emergency, said Chavez. Some items to consider adding in a pet emergency kit include: • Food and water for at least one week.

• Supplies such as leashes, carriers, bowls, can openers, plastic lids and cat litter.

• Any medications and medical records.

• A firstaid kit.

• Name tags and current photos in case your pet gets lost.

For large animals, such as horses, evacuate when your area is issued an evacuation warning, have transportation ready and train animals to lead and trailer so they can become comfortable with the process, according to ready.lacounty.gov.

Evacuation centers

With an ongoing pandemic, evacuation centers and shelters have established health safety precautions, such as limiting capacity at a facility, requiring the use of face masks, physical distancing and sanitizing.

Amid recent wildfires in California, however, many affected families have found refuge in hotels and others have stayed in their cars.

“Regardless of where people evacuate, the same safety principles, like constant cleaning and wearing face masks, that we already practice day-to-day apply,” said Chavez. “They are also free and services are offered regardless of immigration or economic status.” 

6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Places where you can ‘take home a piece of your past’ Customer Edwin Watt found Rooster’s Relics online and came looking for items to decorate a ooster’s Relics is a trip back friend’s new bar. in time, just 20 minutes “This place has just what I was east of Valencia. looking for,” Watt said, as he picked Owner Rita Hood, born up a metal New Orleans Saints and raised in Saugus, is a corporate football team sign and asked Hood accountant. Hood and her partabout any Bud Light advertising she ner, Paul Monica, a teacher in Santa might have.

Clarita, opened Rooster’s Relics four “People come in and love the anyears ago. tiques on display here; sometimes, “Antiques are a great change from it’s like they can take home a piece of the corporate world I work in,” their past.”

Hood said.

Looking down from the wall in The building used to be an old the main room is a male buffalo diner located on Bouquet Canyon (bison) head mounted in the 1880s.

Road. Today, you’ll find what used His coat is a little worse for wear, but to serve as the walk-in refrigerator he seems to be smiling and right at now serving as the “book room.” home in the company of all the othThere’s also a military room, a toy er vintage collectables. room, a dish room and a man-cave Rooster’s Relics is located at 29757 room, all displaying tidbits of the Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarpast and all for sale at retro pricita. Right now, Rooster’s is open es. “We don’t go on eBay and check Thursday thru Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 prices — if we bought it cheap, we p.m. sell it cheap,” she said.

Hood comes by collecting natural- Gorman Antique Mall & ly. “Dad collected railroad memora- Antiques on the Grapevine Antiques on the Grapevine owner bilia — he must have had 30 railroad Chuck McFate greets you at the door lanterns.”

One of 12 children, Hood remem- with his homemade concoction of alcohol, aloe and cypress essential bers summer vacations with her family as stopping at every roadside oils to sanitize your hands.

Then, you’re free to roam the antique store. “It made me a lifetime “4,000 square feet of a little bit of evcollector, too,” she said. erything,” the motto at the Gorman Outside and surrounding the Antique Mall & Antiques on the building are antique relics of the past, such as vintage car parts, road Grapevine in Gorman, just 30 minsigns and a Big Boy hamburger stat- utes north of Castaic.

A little bit of everything is right, inue. Down the aisles are also modern reproductions of beer signs, garden cluding lots of movie props and cosdecorations and old fashioned gas tumes, such as the uniform Bradley pumps.

Cooper wore in “American Sniper.”

By Dan Watson Signal Staff Writer

R

Native American artist Judy Adams is one of 30 vendors, and she’s been selling for 25 years at Antiques on the Grapevine. She’s holding a turquoise-encrusted deer skull, which are among the pieces of art she created for sale at the antique mall in Gorman. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

Rooster’s Relics Owner Rita Hood, left, assists customer Edwin Watt as he searches for items to decorate a bar.

There are vintage tools, meteorites, African statues, housewares and sports memorabilia on display from 30 vendors and, should the need arise for an actual human skull, there’s one given the name “Howard,” who came to the mall from a medical school.

Native American artist Judy Adams is one of the original vendors.

“My work is my art,” Adams said.

“My feather work, turquoise and jewelry are Zuni and Navajo.” “I think I was the second vendor here 25 years ago. This is a great place.”

Customer Brian Ridley made the trek up the Grapevine from Pasadena. “We wanted to take a drive and look for a good old antique store, we weren’t disappointed here,” Ridley said.

McFate bought the antique mall nine and a half years ago. Escrow closed on his 51st birthday.

“I’ve always loved old things,” McFate said. “I saw the store as a diamond in the rough when I happened in as a customer.”

A U.S. Army veteran, McFate used his 34 years of experience as a field service tech for Hewlett Packard to make the place a destination of interesting antiques and collectables.

The Gorman Antique Mall was

open seven days a week, but store hours were change in March to Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Since the quarantine, business has been good,” McFate said. “People need to get out of their houses, whether you are heading north or south on the Grapevine, Gorman is the place to stretch your legs and get a bite.”

McFate awaits at 49744 Gorman Post Road in Gorman. He’ll be at the front door with a warm welcome and a cool “hand sanitizer cocktail” waiting at the door.

Vintage Pleasures

Point your car 30 minutes west from Valencia, through the orange groves and past the fruit stands, and you’ll find Fillmore’s antique mall, Vintage Pleasures.

Norma Amaro, who has spent all her 70 years in Fillmore, happened into an antique mall 28 years ago and said, “I want to do this.”

Her husband sold his 1960s Chevrolet El Camino and gave her $20,000 to fire up her goal to rent space in the antique mall on Central Avenue in Fillmore.

Eighteen years later, she bought the clothing store across the street, a

Top: Store owner Norma Amaro displays a vintage clothes wringer and a Hotpoint electric stove available at Vintage Pleasure in Fillmore. Right: A bison head mounted in the 1880s looks down from a wall in the great room at Rooster’s Relics.

brick building built in 1912.

She now offers space to 20 vendors who sell their antiques and collectables in her antique mall.

Metal artist Jim Bowser is one of them. Bowser repurposes old metal objects into works of art. Vintage washing machine tubs are decorated with horses, pine trees and mountain scenes to become portable fire pits.

“It’s been great for me. I’ve sold five or six fire pits, and probably 100 handsaws since I started at the store about a year ago,” he said. Old metal springs, gears, horseshoes and vintage hand saw blades serve as a canvas for his plasma cutter and become artwork to decorate rustic cabin walls and man caves.

“Norma (Amaro) told me, ‘I never ask anybody to sell in my store, but I want you,’” said Bowser.

The antiques and collectables you’d expect are on display in the 2,000-square-foot store. Amaro walks past the china cups, plates, glassware, antique and costume jewelry to point out some brightly colored, Fisher-Price toys from the 1970s. “These have become very hot lately,” Amaro said. “The chil-

dren that played with these toys are grown up now, and they want to have them again.”

Amaro regularly sells to other antique dealers that come from all over, buy items at her store and then resell them at double or triple her prices.

“That’s OK with me,” said Amaro.

“I’m glad to make the sale, and happy if they can make a profit, too.”

“I just want everybody to know we are open,” Amaro said. “People think everything is shut down, but we are still here. And Fillmore is such a nice town to visit.”

Vintage Pleasure is located on 326 Central Ave. in Fillmore. Its currently open Monday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

F R O M T H E M AY O R

Can you complete the ‘35 Parks Challenge?’

By Cameron Smyth Santa Clarita City Mayor

T

he City of Santa Clarita continues to celebrate the “CAN DOs” instead of dwelling on what we cannot do under current health guidelines and COVID-19 restrictions.

There are many CAN DOs that residents can safely enjoy — support local restaurants by dining al fresco, take home a Grab and Go Craft Kit from the Santa Clarita Public Library or enjoy some fresh air on one of our community’s trails or in one of the many picturesque City parks.

In fact, venturing to our beautiful parks can earn you a prize if you choose to take part in the City’s new 35 Parks Challenge!

The 35 Parks Challenge invites residents to travel to every park in Santa Clarita, while also tracking their vis-

its on a free downloadable challenge checklist.

During these visits, I encourage residents to not only enjoy the beauty of our parks, but to also utilize the amenities that remain open and available to the public!

Head to the hiking trail in Central Park, play pickleball in Bouquet Canyon Park, stroll along the walkways in the new Plum Canyon Park and much more. Each park has unique features and amenities that residents can continue to safely enjoy.

Learn more about the different amenities at each of Santa Clarita’s parks and facilities by visiting Santa-Clarita. com/Residents/Parks-and-CityFacilities.

Access both English and Spanish versions of the 35 Parks Challenge checklist at Santa-Clarita.com/Can Dos. Once you download your checklist, you will see a list of each of our parks, along with the address. As you visit, check off each park, then let us

know which park and which amenities are your favorites in the spaces provided on your downloaded sheet.

Completed checklists should be emailed to 35ParksChallenge@santaclarita.com to get your prize. Those who are able to complete this challenge will receive a super-cool, limited-edition 35 Parks Challenge t-shirt!

The quicker you complete the challenge, the quicker you can redeem your t-shirt before they’re gone!

Families can get involved in a parks challenge designed for kids by participating in the Parks Passport Adventure. The Parks Passport Adventure, like the 35 Parks Challenge, encourages you to explore each of the amazing parks in our community with an added word hunt for kids to enjoy.

The adventure runs from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30. Each month will feature a new Parks Passport Adventure edition and a new set of parks to explore.

Every downloadable edition sheet

will ask families to search for a letter or word hidden in each park featured.

Once all letters or words are collected, unscramble the message and submit your completed edition to reserva tion@santa-clarita.com to redeem a prize package!

Download the current Parks Passport Adventure edition today from Santa-Clarita.com/VirtualRecCenter.

This year has been challenging for so many in our community and nation, so I hope that our City’s CAN DOs will help lift spirits and encourage everyone to enjoy the safe activities, amenities, events and more that Santa Clarita has to offer.

Mayor Cameron Smyth is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at csmyth@santaclarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

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S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

H E A LT H

Gluten-free is more than a trend for those with Celiac

W

alk the aisles of a neighborhood grocery store examining nutrition labels and packaging and you’re bound to find information that was not there a decade ago.

On August 2, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a ruling that defined “gluten-free” for food labeling. Since then, items labeled gluten-free must meet a defined standard for gluten content.

Chances are people who grew up in the 1990s or earlier probably never heard of the word gluten or discussed it as part of their diets. Today it is something even young children may be aware of as more people embrace alternative eating plans to alleviate various health concerns.

Individuals avoid gluten for all sorts of reasons, including to lose weight or to reduce inflammation or to adhere to the advice of allergists and other doctors. While avoiding

gluten is a choice for many people, it’s a necessity for the estimated three million people in the United States with celiac disease.

The Celiac Disease Foundation says celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people. The ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.

It is estimated to affect one in 100 people worldwide. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, which can be found in wheat, rye and barley, the body mounts an immune system response that attacks the villi, which are small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine.

When damaged, the villi cannot properly absorb nutrients from food.

Untreated celiac disease may also lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis, according to the CDF. The intestinal damage from eating gluten often causes diarrhea, fatigue,

Rice is a staple of gluten-free diets.

It also can be the main ingredient in gluten-free flours.

weight loss, bloating and anemia, and can lead to serious complications, advises the Mayo Clinic.

Therefore, the only way to avoid damage and distress is to stop consuming gluten entirely. Following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and promote intesti-

nal healing.

Perhaps thanks to the popularity of gluten-free diets, more companies are producing gluten-free foods and stores are carrying them in greater numbers.

There may be entire aisles devoted to gluten-free products — from burger buns to waffles to pastas. In addition, there are a number of new baking flours available that provide alternatives to traditional wheatbased formulas.

People with celiac disease or gluten intolerances can use these specially designed flours to make homemade items.

Certain flours also may be billed as one-to-one alternatives, meaning they can be substituted for traditional flour in recipes without adjusting the measurements.

Celiac disease requires people to follow strict gluten-free diets to manage symptoms and prevent intestinal damage. (MC) 

1 0 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Roeper’s 2020 summer movies report card

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

“We’ve never seen anything like this in our lifetime.”

H

ow many times have you said this to a loved one or a friend or a colleague over the last six months? Ten times?

Fifty? A hundred?

We all keep saying it because it’s true. Virtually every aspect of our lives has been impacted by the pandemic, and while matters of pop culture, of course, pale in comparison to the greater concerns about hundreds of thousands of lives lost and millions who have contracted symptoms, it still holds true: When it comes to movies and sports and concerts, etc., we’ve never seen anything like this.

At the outset of this year, our entertainment expectations for the summer of 2020 included: • The Tokyo Olympics • Our favorite MLB teams contending in their respective divisions, with tens of thousands of fans in attendance for every game • Popcorn movies such as “Wonder Woman 1984,” “Candyman” and “Top Gun: Maverick” • Summer outdoor concerts • The White Sox playing the Yankees at the “Field of Dreams” What we got instead: No Olympics. A near total shutdown of theaters showing first-run movies, as release dates were pushed back, movies intended for theatrical showings went straight to video and drive-ins lured folks out of the house to see old faves such as “Jurassic Park” and “Jaws.”

One silver lining in this cloudiest of summers for those diversions we love so much: 21st-century technology.

If COVID-19 had struck in 1970 and you were holed up at home night after night from March through September and beyond, you could have listened to the radio or played a record, read a book or played a board game, or watched television on one of the three major networks. (“Honey! It’s almost time for ‘Bewitched’! And it’s not a rerun!”) Or, um, had conversations with other people in the house.

In 2020, it feels like there are as many home entertainment options as there are stars in the sky, from streaming services to apps, from on-demand movies to hundreds upon hundreds of cable channels, not to mention millions of audio- and e-books and songs and let’s not forget how much fun it’s been to Zoom with friends and family! (It HAS been fun, right? Mostly fun?)

So, there’s no shortage of material for my 2020 Summer Report Card.

What’s up? Docs It was an incredibly rich summer for documentaries. My favorites:

“Desert One” Definitive look at the failed military attempt to rescue American hostages from Iran in 1980.

“Expecting Amy” Cameras follow comedian/ actress Amy Schumer just about everywhere as she endures a difficult pregnancy.

“Mucho Mucho Amor” A lovely biography of the legendary Puerto Rican astrologer and TV personality Walter Mercado.

“Red Penguins” The wild and crazy and dangerous ride of the Russian hockey team after the fall of the Soviet Union.

“The Weight of Gold” Michael Phelps and many other elite athletes talk about the mental health issues faced by Olympians.

Honor roll “And She Could Be Next,” “Boys State,” “Class Action Park,” “Fear City: New York vs. The Mafia,” “The Go-Go’s,” “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” “A Most Beautiful Thing,” “Robin’s Wish,” “Showbiz Kids,” “Spelling the Dream,” “#Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump,” and “You Cannot Kill David Arquette.”

How does a Broadway sensation, filmed for the big screen, shown on the small screen, burst onto the Golden Globes scene?

The filmed version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s generationally impactful “Hamilton” was originally scheduled for theatrical release on Oct. 15, 2021, but was moved up for a Disney+ home premiere on July 3. Even though the Motion Picture Academy has adjusted its rules to make certain streaming projects eligible for the Oscars, “Hamilton” was deemed ineligible because it was a filmed stage production. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has yet to issue a ruling, but my guess is “Hamilton” will be allowed to compete in a number of categories and will sweep those awards.

Regardless of trophy consideration, the movie of “Hamilton” was a spectacularly impressive production, with so many cameras and extra microphones, it often felt as if we were onstage with that marvelous cast.

RR’s recommended reading

Some of these were new releases; others have been

around for a while but suddenly seemed timely.

“Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson “The Cloudbuster Nine: The Untold Story of Ted Williams and the Baseball Team That Helped Win World War II” by Anne R. Keene “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History” by John M. Barry “Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth” by Brian Stelter “Memories and Misinformation” by Jim Carrey and Dana Vachon “Modern Family: The Untold Oral History of One of Television’s Groundbreaking Sitcoms” by Marc Freeman “The Shawshank Redemption Revealed” by Mark Dawidziak “Squeeze Me” by Carl Hiassen “Surrender, White People!” by D.L. Hughley and Doug Moe “A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir” by Colin Jost Does this movie come with a playbook?

After more false starts than a rookie offensive lineman facing Aaron Donald, “Tenet” finally arrived in theaters at the end of movie summer, simultaneously dazzling and confounding some moviegoers (including this one) who loved Christopher Nolan’s signature mind-blowing, time-bending story, even if we didn’t know what in the name of Junior Mints was happening all the time.

The worst movies of the summer

“The Binge” “Fatal Affair” “A Nice Girl Like You” “My Spy” “The Tax Collector” The best movies of the summer “Da 5 Bloods” “Hamilton” (I STILL say it was a movie) “She Dies Tomorrow” “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” “The Big Ugly” “The Outpost” “The King of Staten Island” “Palm Springs” “The Personal History of David Copperfield” “The Rental” “Tom of Your Life”

Gone but never forgotten

This summer we said goodbye to Regis Philbin (88), Olivia de Havilland (104), Wilford Brimley (85), Ian Holm (88) and Carl Reiner (98); Naya Rivera (33), Nick Cordero (41), Kelly Preston (57) and Chadwick Boseman (43), among others. The first group was blessed to live long, long lives; the latter group was taken far too soon.

All will be missed.  Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun Times

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

FOOD

I

Creamy Raspberry Mocha Parfait

t’s the dog days of summer and it’s hot! Perhaps this is a good time to create some cool, decadent refreshing drinks to enjoy as the day winds down.

Here you’ll find a raspberry mocha parfait, a delicious summer cantaloupe beverage spiked with vodka and a creamy Limoncello shooter.

Now, let’s begin.

Servings: 4 2 tablespoons hot water 1 tablespoon instant coffee 1 packet chocolate pudding mix 2 cups milk 1 carton whipped topping 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons sugar 2 cups raspberries

whipped cream, for topping

chocolate powder, for dusting

A Sweet Evening-Ender

Nearly anytime can be a good time for a decadent dessert. This raspberry mocha parfait, which combines the flavors of instant coffee, chocolate and raspberries, can be a perfect nightcap to almost any meal.

In small bowl, mix hot water and instant coffee. Cool completely.

The perfect cold concoction

S

ummer is synonymous with many things. And part of that is enjoying a cold beverage on a warm summer evening.

The following recipe for Summer Cantaloupe from Andrew Schloss’ “Homemade Liqueurs and Infused Spirits” (Storey Publishing) is easily whipped up and can go a long way toward making summer evenings especially sweet.

Summer Cantaloupe Makes about 1 quart 1 fifth (3 1/4 cups) 80-100 proof vodka 4 cups cantaloupe chunks 1 cup Simple Syrup (see below)

Finely grated zest of 2 lemons 1. Muddle the vodka, cantaloupe and lemon zest with a wooden spoon in a half-gallon jar. Stir to moisten everything.

2. Seal the jar and put it in a cool, dark cabinet until the liquid smells and tastes strongly of melon, four to seven days.

3. Strain the mixture with a mesh strainer into a clean quart jar. Do not push on the solids to extract more liquid.

4. Stir in the Simple Syrup.

5. Seal and store in a cool, dark cabinet. Use within one year.

Simple Syrup Makes 3 cups 2 1/4 cups water 2 1/4 cups granulated cane sugar Mix the water and sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar is all moistened. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir to make sure the sugar is completely dissolved, then remove from the heat and let cool.

Refrigerate for up to three months.

(MC) 

In medium bowl, mix milk and chocolate pudding mix until blended and thickened. Add cooled coffee; mix well. Add whipped topping; mix well.

Chill.

In large bowl, add heavy cream, cream of tartar and vanilla extract.

Beat mixture to form peaks. Gradually add sugar. Continue beating mixture until stiffer peaks form.

In four parfait glasses, layer chocolate pudding mix, whipped cream mix and raspberries. Top raspberries with additional chocolate pudding mix, dollop of whipped cream, another raspberry and dust with chocolate powder. (MC) 

Raise a lemon-infused toast

T

art and tangy, lemon-based flavors are hard to pass up. Citrus can help cleanse the palate between courses, but it also can be a refreshing component in beverages.

Anyone who has enjoyed a tall glass of lemonade on a warm day understands how thirst-quenching it can be.

Limoncello is a lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy, particularly in the region around the Gulf of Naples. It is made from the zest of lemons, which is then steeped in alcohol, like vodka. The lemon-infused liqueur also is mixed with a sugar syrup.

While Limoncello can be sipped on ice all on its own or poured over ice cream as a delicious syrup, it is equally at home in this recipe for Creamy Limoncello Shooters from “Small Sweet Treats” (Gibbs Smith) by Marguerite Marceau Henderson.

Creamy Limoncello Shooters Serves 1 2 tablespoons chilled Limon­ cello (Italian lemon liqueur) 2 tablespoons heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon grated lime zest Place the Limoncello in a chilled shooter glass. Top with cream and the lime zest.

(MC) 

1 2 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

HOME

Seasonal do-it-yourself home improvement projects

T

he calendar pages may be turning fast, but it’s not too late to do some work around the house. Now is the time to wrap up home improvement projects before the weather turns too cold.

Consider these five easy DIY tasks that can set you up for a warm, safe and pest-free fall:

Perform routine HVAC maintenance

Heating and cooling systems need regular service to operate at peak efficiency. Some tasks are best left to the pros, but there is plenty you can do on your own to minimize expenses and ensure your unit maintains its performance level.

With the breaker and gas off, wipe the exterior of your furnace with a damp rag then remove the access door and vacuum the burners, base and blower compartment.

Remove and clean the blower with a vacuum and small brush then use

a drinking straw to blow dust off the pilot. Also inspect the flame sensor, drive belt and air filter, and clean or replace as needed.

Air seal drafty areas

The gaps around windows and door frames give unwanted air an open invitation into a home. However, you can quickly and easily block the flow of air for greater comfort and lower energy bills.

If the doors and windows are already finished, start by removing the trim. Prep the area by removing dust and debris. Using a quality sealant like Great Stuff Window & Door Insulating Foam Sealant, apply the foam to fill in about 50% of the gap around the window or door and framework, allowing room for the foam to expand.

Wipe away imperfections and let sit 10-15 minutes until it’s no longer tacky. Gently press the expanded foam into the gap using a putty knife.

Check for damage to hardscaping

Walkways, patios and decks are all susceptible to wear that can lead to tripping hazards or allow rain to seep in and create larger problems.

Take time to thoroughly assess these hardscape features and identify issues like loose stones and cracks in concrete that need repairs.

Securing materials, filling cracks and patching problem areas can help prevent further damage during the colder months while restoring aesthetic appeal.

Inspect your home’s exterior

Many elements of your home serve essential roles in protecting your safety, regulating your home’s efficiency and preventing damage. It’s important to regularly check your roof for signs it needs repaired, such as missing or cracked shingles or noticeable sagging.

Gutters can also accumulate a great deal of debris from falling leaves.

Clearing these before cooler temperatures set in can help ensure rain has a clear path away from your house, protecting the walls and foundation.

Also pay attention to other elements like paint that may require periodic updates to maintain its protective function.

Eliminate entry points for pests

When temperatures start dropping, you’re likely to see some movement with creatures who want to enjoy the comfort of your home. Make it clear they’re not welcome by sealing up places they may be creeping in.

A solution like Great Stuff Pestblock Insulating Foam Sealant lets you fill gaps and openings with a quick bead of foam. If a rodent has an established pathway, try using a combination of steel wool and the foam to deter it from gnawing through the barrier.

Find additional tips for seasonal home projects at greatstuff.dupont. com. (Family Features) 

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S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

GARDENING

Creating yard art from the most unusual things

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

Y

ou can make do-it-yourself yard art with a little of your own creativity. Yard art is anything that will decorate your landscape.

You can use it anyway you want. And if you want to do it yourself, you can make exactly what you want without impacting your landscaping budget.

Decorate your gates, fences, walls or doorways. Add a focal point or point-of-interest into your garden area. Create some whimsy with some humorous signage, or an unexpected creature peaking out of a pond behind a bush or over a wall.

Think about places in your yard that can be improved by adding something artistic. Yard art can be in the form of a large or eye-catching event, or it can be subtle like items of décor.

Examples of DYI art that create interesting focal points would be sculptures, archways or fountains.

You can build your own fountain by simply adapting a pot or a few well-placed rocks with a submersible pump that recycles water from a tub, up through piping to tumble back over the rocks or out the top of a pebble-filled pot to spill back into the tub.

Re-using ordinary household items can also become yard art. You might want to paint a dilapidated wooden ladder a playful color and train climbing vines over it, or plant an old washtub into a decorative piece of yard art.

Recycle old glass bottles as hanging sculptures or turn them upside-down to water potted plants. You can even plant small cactus plants into an old worn-out pair of boots filled with sand and soil.

Stepping stones are ideal for making do-it-yourself yard art. There are acrylic paints now fabricated to last outdoors, and you can paint plain ce-

ment squares or rounds with clever sayings, designs or your own illustrations. Consider getting the kids together with friends and have them all paint their own stepping stone creations, then lay the results into a decorative path in your landscape. You can cast your own stepping stones with cement or plaster and make them ornamental by pressing stained glass, sea shells or colored stones into the surface before the stone mixture sets.

Rescue your favorite plants or garden furniture from your male dog by making your own artistic pee posts in a pet-friendly garden. Simply take three vertical posts, which can be made of anything from wood to nat-

ural branches to metal or PVC pipes to whatever strikes your fancy. Paint them decoratively and set them up near your pet’s favorite marking area.

Flat ground can become artistic by pouring colored gravel into designs or laying out pavers, bricks or tiles into colorful patterns. Or, you can buy forms and build your own fake rocks.

There are many ways you can make do-it-yourself yard art. Before throwing out items from your home or garage think about how you could recycle them into something decorative for your garden. Use creating yard art as an excuse to get the family or friends together for a fun project.

Whether you make something practical, fun and/or beautiful, have fun building your own yard art.

Art and décor can take so many different forms. Trash can become precious when repurposed into art. Why waste it? Personalize your landscape to your own tastes. And do it yourself.

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S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

AUTOMOBILE

Protect vehicle paint finish

P

erhaps nothing ages a car or truck more than a lackluster exterior finish. Even if vehicles are only a few years old, failure to maintain the paint, tires and chrome accents can make them look worn beyond their years, potentially affecting resale value.

Seek shade

One of the easiest ways to protect a vehicle from the sun is to use sheltered parking or park in the shade whenever possible. This can help protect the paint, headlights and trim.

Drivers should store their cars in their garages overnight and during daylight hours when they are home.

Wash and dry

It’s important to routinely wash vehicles to protect their exterior finish.

Use a mild cleanser designed for automobiles and a clean rag or sponge so as not to cause scratches that can cause further damage.

Because minerals in tap water can be left behind through evaporation and may oxidize and damage the

paint, it’s best to wipe away as much residual moisture as possible with a chamois.

Paint protection

Waxing can prevent bird droppings, berries, splattered bugs and more from sticking to the paint and wearing down the finish. Waxes come in paste, liquid and spray. Each has a different reapplication schedule, so drivers should consult the product instructions.

Vehicle owners also can invest in spray films to further protect painted surfaces. Do-it-yourself products are applied like a spray and then dry to an invisible, durable film. This helps protect against insects, gravel, sand, winter salt, and even road grime. Different manufacturers offer protection films.

It is important to safeguard the exterior of a vehicle to help it look newer longer, protecting the value of the car or truck while also protecting it against the elements. (MC) 

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S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

SENIORLIVING

How to avoid drug interactions

We’re here today. to help you HEAR today.

H

undreds of millions of people across the globe rely on medications for their survival. In fact, the percentage of people using prescription medications may surprise people who work outside the health care industry.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-16, nearly 46% of the population of the United States used prescription drugs in 2015-16.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that prescription drug use is similar in Canada, where the Canadian Health Measures Survey found that roughly two-thirds of adults between the ages of 40 and 79 used at least one prescription drug in a 30-day period.

Prescription drugs may be vital to many people’s survival, but they also can prove deadly if mismanaged.

That’s especially true for people taking more than one medication.

Taking multiple medications each day may be necessary, but it’s equally necessary that people taking more than one medication every day take steps to avoid drug interactions.

• Discuss all medications with each of your doctors Primary care physicians and specialists should be kept in the loop regarding which medications their patients are taking. Patients should never assume their doctors know every medication they’re taking. When prescribed a new medication, mention to your prescribing doctor what else you are taking. Include prescription medications but also over-the-

counter, or OTC, drugs, supplements and even vitamins. Use a notes app on your smartphone to create a running list of your medications so you can easily access it during doctor’s appointments.

• Read all labels Prescription drugs and OTC medications list potential side effects in different ways. Each prescription medication comes with a lengthy list of potential side effects, while OTC labels cite potential side effects in the ÒWarningsÓ section on their labels.

Familiarize yourself with all potential side effects of a given medication prior to taking it. Err on the side of caution and wait to speak with your physician before taking an OTC medication you’re unfamiliar with.

• Order all prescriptions from the same pharmacy Ordering all prescriptions from the same pharmacy makes it easy to access all prescriptions. Pharmacists can look up all prescriptions and crosscheck interactions that may result from taking certain medications at the same time. This safety net can be useful and convenient.

• Utilize online resources The Drug Interactions checker at www.drugs.com/drug_interactions. html is a convenient way to learn about the potential interactions that can result when taking more than one medication or even mixing it with certain foods or beverages.

Drug interactions can be deadly, which only underscores the importance of being careful when taking more than one medication at a time.

(MC) 

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S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Make a lamplight that is polka-dot bright

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Editor

I

love lampshades and how they create character in a room.

Sometimes they hearken back to a more romantic time. Just walk into a specialty lampshade store and notice the beautiful silk and pleated shades in lovely curving shapes that seem to have popped right out of a Victorian parlor. And all that fringe!

But there’s something else about lampshades that I like: Their inexpensive versatility. The simplest kind, once redesigned, can light up a room in more ways than one. This is great news for budget-minded families and for kids who wants to jazz up their bedrooms this fall, or for college-bound teens who are hankering for a more sophisticated space.

Whether you pick up a new, inexpensive plain-white fabric shade at Target or touch up one you already own, you’ll quickly discover they’re a perfect canvas to showcase your child’s bright ideas and creativity. To

Extra-bright ideas

get started, make your first attempt easy. Why not start with the happiest and simplest of designs — polka dots?

If your kids want to connect more dots, let them go wild. “What else can I decorate?” they may exclaim. Well, they can paint polka dots on wastepaper baskets, planters and placemats.

Or, arrange colorful dot stickers on scrapbook covers, picture frames and school binders.

Here’s the stuff you’ll need

• Inexpensive, standard, plain lampshade without pleats • Acrylic paint from craft stores in a color that provides an accent to the room • Pencil • Newspaper • Paintbrush • Flat buttons and glue gun (optional)

Here’s the fun

1. Lightly sketch circles freehand on the lampshade with the pencil. When you are ready to paint, spread out newspaper on your work surface. Dip your brush in the paint bottle and

start filling in all those circles. Go dot to dot from top to bottom. Let dry.

2. Pull out your button jar and hunt for flat buttons in contrasting colors that are smaller than the painted dots, and glue them to the center of a few or all of the dots. Add more buttons around the top and bottom rims of the shade, if you wish. Place on your lamp base.

Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  © 2020 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

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S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

CROSSWORD TIME

1 8 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

Opinion

S E P T E M B E R 13, 2020

Unless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.

READERLETTERS

Simple Incarceration Solution In an Aug. 29 Signal article entitled, “Committee to discuss charter amendment,” it was reported that the Santa Clarita City Council Legislative Committee was planning “to meet to discuss a Los Angeles County charter amendment on the November ballot that aims to increase spending on underserved and low-income communities, while decreasing spending on law enforcement.”

If approved by Los Angeles County voters in November, one of the programs funded will be aimed at finding alternatives to incarceration.

Here is my recommendation for an alternative to incarceration: Don’t commit a crime.

It’s really that easy. There, this issue is now solved so perhaps the committee can move on to something that may actually require a bit of brainpower.

Dennis Fuerst Santa Clarita

Got a Pool? This May Work Regarding Mr. Gerald Staack’s letter Aug. 27 discussing geothermal as an inexhaustible energy supply, there is a fairly simple way for us Californians to tap into its use. For those of us who have swimming pools, we have a great heat sink at grade level. No drilling.

About 10 years ago a friend of mine encouraged me to take out my air-cooled condenser and tie my pool pump system with a water-cooled geothermal heat exchanger to my heating and air conditioning system. As a result in the summer I use 70- to 80-degree water to cool the heat exchanger for air conditioning instead of 90- to 100-degree air and also get a little heat added in the pool water (2 to 3 degrees). The system is coordinated so the necessary daily pool filter time runs when air conditioning is required for the house.

In the winter, similar use, but I don’t find it as efficient. In my case the pool system and the original condenser were close to each other, thus reducing piping and power/control wiring.

Something to think about.

William Speer Valencia Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters are not printed; Email: letters@signalscv.com.

Mail to: Letters, The Signal, 26330 Diamond Place, Ste. 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

E T H I C A L LY S P E A K I N G

Facing the Greatest Pandemic

By David Hegg

I

n his essay of 1849 originally titled “Resistance to Civil Government,” Henry David Thoreau brought the concept of civil disobedience to the marketplace of political thought. Thoreau not only believed that government was “best when it governs least,” he went further to suggest that government is “best when it governs not at all.”

For the past seven months we have been living in a laboratory experiment on the very matter of ethical governmental authority, and the corresponding ethical response of the governed. What is at issue are the competing responsibilities of the government to preserve and protect life, and the freedom of the governed to live it.

But why do we have government in the first place?

The answer is simple: Laws and their enforcement are necessary for civil society to exist. When human nature is allowed to express itself without restraint or accountability, we all know what happens. Think Portland, Seattle, Kenosha, Watts, or any home where discipline and love have been pushed aside by carelessness, selfish desire and animosity.

The Bible and history both argue successfully that government not only has a place in our world, but also has a duty to preserve life, promote the common good, and punish those who would destroy life and foment strife. Our own Declaration of Independence summed up the “unalienable rights” of all humanity as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These are what government exists to promote and protect.

But long before our nation was formed, scholars of all kinds recognized and defended other more specific duties of government. John Calvin, the great French theologian and statesman, in his “Institutes,” defended the biblical responsibility of government this way: “Yet, civil government has as its appointed end, so long as we live among men, to cherish and protect the outward worship of God, to defend sound doctrine of piety and the position of the church, to adjust our life to the society of men, to form our social behavior to civil righteousness, to reconcile us with one another, and to promote general peace and tranquility.” In so saying, Calvin recognized the two kingdoms in which we all live: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of humanity.

It is clear that our founding fathers also worked from this foundation when they included as one of the primary elements in our democracy the “freedom of worship” in the First Amendment of our Constitution.

What we are experiencing today is a radical conflict

between the government’s responsibility to protect life, and the right of the people to live apart from restrictive regulations and prohibitions. And, sadly, neither side is winning. Both public health and public morale are eroding. We live day to day wondering who is telling us the truth even as new theories grow as to why the restrictions lack strategic foundations, offer no consistent basis for their intensity, and quite frankly, seem so politically oriented that we are quickly losing respect for those in charge. This is especially true when those handing out the restrictions don’t abide by them.

So, what’s missing? When Thoreau said “government is best when it governs not at all” he was promoting the truth that self-governance is the finest form of government. When we govern ourselves, according to an ethical system that recognizes and restrains our evil proclivities, seeing the common good as greater than personal comfort or convenience, we do much of the government’s job for them. Ask any parent, any teacher, any coach, any manager, any neighbor and you will find they all adhere to this principle: Personal inner compliance is always preferable to authoritative external compulsion.

By now you’re wondering where this is going. Here it is. The pandemic that is our greatest threat is not COVID-19. It also is not the rise of radical political ideas or increased violence or the absence of trustworthy news sources or the low-grade emotional fever we all are carrying around in these days of constant change. While all of these pose significant challenges to our republic, they are themselves the fruit of a still more poisonous tree.

The greatest pandemic is our incremental slide into being a people who are so weak ethically that we cannot persevere in doing what is right when trying circumstances, discomfort, inconvenience and change bombard us.

The decision to indict government of overreach, along with the decision to engage in civil disobedience, must not be made in anger, or on the basis of discomfort, inconvenience, or selfish ideology. Civil disobedience must also be our last resort. But what is even more important is the construction of a personal ethic that discerns the truth about self, society and government, and seeks not to destroy, but to redirect the twin powers of law and freedom toward harmony for the common good, and against the forces of anarchy.

Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.

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