Sunday Signal September 20, 2020

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

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

A Welcome Return for Filming Page 5 Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

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EXPLORING THE ZODIAC MURDERS’ SCV CONNECTION

10

BENEFITS, QUESTIONS FOR PLANT-BASED DIET

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TIPS FOR BUYING TOYS FOR YOUR DOG

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

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4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS FEATURES

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5 Filming, events businesses discuss COVID-19 impacts 6 Criminologists look at ties between ‘Zodiac Killer,’ SCV 7 Market timing: coronavirus and the housing market

SENIOR LIVING

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8 A Second Wind: Write for life

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

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9 Santa Clarita library resources at your fingertips

HEALTH 10 10 Clinical trials, flax seeds and medication conflicts

parent resource symposium

ENTERTAINMENT 11

TEEN VAPING

FOOD 12

The Story of Toxic Smoke

11 Helen Reddy — ‘The Queen of Housewife Rock’ 1 2 Add seafood to your summer grilled meals A delightful, kid friendly family dessert

HOME 13 13 Tips to help you prepare for window replacement

GARDENING 14 14 Prevent mosquitoes from spoiling your backyard fun

PETS 15 15 Choosing safe, durable chew toys

KIDS & FAMILY

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1 7 Donna’s Day: Tasty, healthy Vegetable Ribbon Salad Junior Whirl Did You Know?

World Fact

PUZZLES 18 OPINION 19

Be a part of The Signal’s 2020 - 2050 Time Capsule

Send your memories of the 2020 pandemic to capsule@signalscv.com 2020 - 2050

SKYBOX TEXT 100 YEARS

Learn from a panel of experts about what you can do to keep your teen safe.

Wednesday, September 23, at 6:00 p.m.

More information at dfyinscv.com/parent-engagement

SignalSCV. com

Publisher Sunday Signal Editor Signal Editor Advertising Sales Manager Production Manager

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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.

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

Filming, events businesses discuss COVID-19 impacts

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

L

ike many other sectors, the film and entertainment industries came to a halt amid the monthslong stay-athome order. With business restricted under quarantine to only essential errands, these businesses felt the hard blows of the pandemic as they were among the last fields to resume operations.

But those businesses that specifically serve the film and entertainment industries hurt even more and only some have been able to endure the effects of the pandemic.

Take Studio Prop Rentals, a fullservice movie and television prop house in Santa Clarita, for example.

Four months ago, owner Dick Kyker described his situation as “a struggle,” especially not knowing when the film industry would be allowed to return.

“We have actually been totally shut down, and I think everyone in the movie industry that I know is in exactly the same boat,” he said in May. “My savings is probably half gone now, but I have a bunch of stops that are part of my retirement, (and) if it comes down to it, I’ll sell them.”

Fast-forward to September and Studio Props reached the light at the end of the tunnel — but it came at a huge cost, according to Kyker.

“We starved; we didn’t make a dime,” he said. “Thankfully, we got an extension on our lease, but we now have to pay $40,000 back in missed rent to the landlord. It’s been very tough and we were close to going bankrupt. The hardest thing we’ve had to do: spend all of our savings, sold all of our stocks and used pension to keep up with overhead.”

The one-stop prop shop has operated in Santa Clarita for more than 15 years after Kyker retired from 35 years as a property master in the movie business. From aisles of vintage cameras to police badges, medical equipment and boxes of rubber prop tools like hammers, the studio has worked with shows such as “Castle,” “Arrested Development” and “24.”

Before the pandemic, the business would work with 10-15 shows at a time with corporations, such as Paramount Pictures, Fox, ABC, HBO,

Property Master Dick Kyker of Studio Props in Santa Clarita checks a plastic, prop pistol as he prepares a rack of police holsters and belts for a movie shoot. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Showtime and Netflix. And after six months without any activity, Kyker began to receive calls two months after the film and television industry was allowed to resume June 12.

“We opened up again around Aug. 24. When we got that first call, it was really great,” he said. And while he won’t start seeing payments until October. “It takes 30 days to to get payments, we’re going to make it through and we feel great about that.”

Gold Room Props

Over in Valencia, Sean Ginevan with Gold Room Props expressed similar gratitude to recently opening after closing down in March.

“We just started getting busier, so we’re really excited about that. Because if this would have lasted any longer, we may have had to close,” he said. Gold Room Props, which specializes in industrial set dressing, has been in business since 2013 and has been based in the Santa Clarita Valley for three years.

“We have some that are renting right now for movies and commercials,” he said. “It’s definitely a slow start but from what I’m hearing is that it’s going to get really busy by early into the new year. With what we

have now is enough to keep us afloat.

We aren’t afraid anymore.”

Film saw another successful year in Santa Clarita despite a three-month stoppage, according to the city’s fiscal year-end figures. The city’s Film Office issued nearly 500 film permits in 2019-20, leading to 1,249 film days and $30.7 million in estimated economic impact, the numbers showed.

“The city’s film program remains an integral part of the local economy, and we look forward to safely resuming filming on our sound stages, movie ranches and on location throughout the Santa Clarita Valley,” Mayor Cameron Smyth said in a previous statement.

A call to action

Film and television have returned, but many live events have not due to the large-group gathering aspect.

Businesses serving the latter industries continue to find ways to stay afloat amid continued stoppage.

Newhall-based Illumination Dynamics, a lighting and electric rental production company for studio installations, sports broadcast, television and motion picture has stayed busy throughout the pandemic in helping the local community and

joining a national call to action in helping the struggling live events industry.

On Sept. 1, the company joined others nationwide in lighting their buildings red as part of the RedAlert Restart initiative, which urges Congress to provide economic relief to the live events industry via Senate Bill 3814, or RESTART Act. “Like most industries, our industry has been greatly affected by this tragic pandemic. This is very important to us,” Scott Sawyer, sales and marketing executive at Illumination Dynamics, said of the Sept. 1 lighting event.

“The live event industry in North America directly employs more than 12 million people and includes hundreds of thousands of businesses with a combined economic impact of over $1 trillion,” read a statement from organizers, We Make Events, Red Alert RESTART and Extend Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, of the RedAlert Restart initiative.

“This likely includes someone you know, are close to, or it may even include you,” the statement added.

“If we do not receive government assistance the live events industry will literally collapse, including all of the people involved.” 

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S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Criminologists look at ties between ‘Zodiac Killer,’ SCV

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

I

t’s one of the most notorious unsolved cases in California history: the Zodiac Killer.

“The unsolved nature of the murders and the Zodiac Killer’s elaborate methods of communicating with the public and his pursuers still captures the imaginations of screenwriters, authors, true-crime buffs, forensic scientists and, of course, law enforcement,” FBI officials said in a 2007 statement.

But what do we know about the Zodiac killer, and what, if any, connection exists between the killer, or killers (more on that later), and the Santa Clarita Valley?

Although Santa Clarita, at the time of the Zodiac — the late-60s to the early-70s — was only a quiet town just north of the burgeoning, bustling City of Angels, The Signal newspaper, like most news outlets in California at the time, covered the killings, despite the majority of the known slayings happening in Northern California.

Evidence gleaned in the years since the killings were active, though, indicate there might have been a local connection.

What do we know about the Zodiac?

The killer is believed to have murdered five known victims in a handful of northern California counties, including San Francisco. However, the Zodiac claimed, through writing letters and cyphers to the press, that the number of deaths caused by him could’ve been as high as 37.

According to well-documented case files and criminal reports on the Zodiac, he targeted young people and sometimes near bodies of water.

One of his victims, who survived to tell the tale, told police that the attacker was 26-30 years old, 195-200 pounds and was 5-feet-8-inches tall, Caucasian, with short, light brown curly hair.

Zodiac would call into a newspaper or police station to tell them exactly how he did it or what he was planning on doing. Some papers even published cyphers — or puzzles that include short passages of encrypted

text — sent to the outlet by the Zodiac. The killer said that if they did not, he would kill more people until they complied.

Multiple people have come forward through the years, either claiming to be the Zodiac or knowing who the Zodiac was. Some have postulated the Zodiac killer was, in fact, two people working together, which they justify by pointing to handwriting samples and voice analyses. Others have said a woman was one part of the Zodiac team, while others said it was multiple people who were just copycating what they saw on the news.

Castaic murder-suicide

On Feb. 16, 1974, a Canyon Country man by the name of Richard “Buddy” Dellantonia, used a .38 caliber handgun to shoot and murder his daughter-in-law Rosa Dellantonia, before turning the gun on himself.

The shooting was almost a forgotten tragedy in the history of Santa Clarita — until last month, when a criminologist from Missouri called The Signal.

The criminologist, who asked to remain anonymous for the story while the investigation remains open, said he belonged to a committee investigating cold cases, specifically the Zodiac Killer. He believes, after following a trail of reported “suicides” heading south of San Francisco — he argues the deaths could have actually been murders carried out by the Zodiac — that a possible answer is that the Zodiac Killer (or at least one part of the “Zodiac Killer”) met his end in 1974 in Canyon Country.

In an article published on Feb. 18, 1974, Signal Staff Writer Richard Varenchik details how Dellantonia shot and killed a member of his family before turning the gun on himself.

The Dellantonia couple were, according to Varenchik, known in the local community to be a family who “constantly quarreled with people in and around,” the gas station they owned in Castaic.

For instance, after discovering that rocks had been thrown through the gas station window a few months before the murder-suicide, Dellantonia told The Signal that if the vandals “don’t quit, I won’t brandish a gun,

Above: Most aren’t aware of alleged ties the Zodiac Killer had to the Santa Clarita Valley. While the killer or killers true identities remain a mystery, the murders received national attention, and even involved a former columnist published in The Signal. Right: A criminologist who’s been studying the Zodiac murders for years, believes this murder-suicide might be related to the killings. COURTESY PHOTOS

I’ll use it.”

A total of 30 SCV Sheriff ’s Station log entries had been made by residents against the Dellantonias, according to Varenchik.

In addition to relatively matching the previous descriptions given by the survivors of the Zodiac, the criminologist committee discovered, through interviews and testimonials, that Dellantonia would visit northern California often with a fishing buddy, always renting a boat when they went up there.

Dellantonia, in addition to being known for his “hot temper,” was sexually aggressive with women, and had a disturbing childhood that eventually led him to joining the military (where he was stationed in Northern California), the criminologist said. He was later discharged due to a reported head injury.

Additionally, times in which he was absent from Southern California seemed to align with the Zodiac’s killing, the criminologist said.

“I know it’s kind of a bit out there,” he said, “but it kind of connects.”

Due to a number of other factors

and aspects of the case — many of which match the profile of the Zodiac — it’s the criminologist’s belief, and it’s what he’s shared with a number of law enforcement agencies, that Dellantonia and a partner — who went on these fishing trips with Dellantonia — worked together to commit these murders while visiting Northern California.

And although there are a number of theories as to why Rosa was killed, he said he’d heard a few testimonials from people familiar with the case that postulated she was planning on going to the police with some kind of information that would not be good for Richard and/or his criminal partner.

“Rosa replied (to Dellantonia) that she was not using the phone,” reads Varenchik’s Signal story about that night. “The pistol went off and other family members fled the house as Rosa slumped to the floor … Dellantonia was found on the kitchen floor, a bullet wound in his right temple.”

This new theory — which differs from the murder-suicide explanation See ZODIAC, page 16

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

Market timing: coronavirus and the housing market

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

I

t’s no surprise, America has entered a recession as the coronavirus pandemic has continued to impact not just businesses but the individuals they employ.

Though the economy all but shut down completely, this recession doesn’t feel like previous ones, as many markets that you’d expect to crash have remained strong.

While market volatility in the midst of the pandemic is almost guaranteed, most financial analysts agree many markets may have already made it out the other end, including the housing market.

As with any big financial decision, when trying to time the market and decide if now is the right time to purchase a home, there are numerous pros and cons to consider, so here are some of those tips gathered from some of the Santa Clarita Valley’s financial analysts.

Strike while the iron’s hot and interests rates are low

“The (housing) market has continued to be strong in Santa Clarita,” said Jerrod Ferguson, vice president at Vance Wealth.

With interest rates at historic lows and financial analysts expecting them to stay that way for the months to come, all agree that the housing market will remain strong.

“Affordability has gone up, and with rates going down, people can actually afford more house,” Ferguson added. “With rates at all-time, historic lows, the million-dollar house that was never affordable, now all of a sudden is … (as) their budget’s a little bit higher because they’re able to borrow more money at cheaper rates.”

Here in the SCV, home sales have continued at a fast pace, quickly recovering since the downturn in May. According to the SRAR’s July snapshot, realtors have closed on 272 single-family homes, which was 3.4% ahead of a year ago and up 36% from June.

“Once again, just like in June, low interest rates fueled the July upsurge in activity, combined with a pandemic influenced desire to own a home,”

A home in Bridgeport is listed as being for sale. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

Louisa Henry, the chair of the SCV Division of the SRAR, said in a prepared statement. “Rates at or below 3% also helped to offset home prices, which continue to rise.”

This economic turmoil has left the national debt at nearly $26.7 trillion and climbing, according to the U.S. Treasury.

“Although mortgage rates don’t align perfectly with the rates that are set by the fed, I think we’re going to have low rates for a while,” added local financial adviser Erick Arndt.

The bubble won’t pop this time

“This recession that we’re going through now is different than the last one at the core, so to confuse the two is a mistake,” Arndt said. “The last one was a banking crisis, which meant the money wasn’t flowing … (but) the banking system is moving fine — this is a business issue, (where) businesses can’t sustain themselves. So I don’t see the impact on real estate like last time.”

Financial analyst Peggy Williams

agreed, adding, “This scenario is much different. Credit terms have tightened, meaning that those who buy homes are more likely able to afford them.”

Though millions have lost their jobs, leaving them unable to pay their mortgages, Williams and Arndt both agree that any forbearance, or pause on payments, for X number of days, won’t all be due at the end of that period of time. Instead, that sum will simply be tacked onto their existing loan term.

“It’s not hitting the housing market as hard as people may think when they see unemployment numbers simply because those most affected are renters, who don’t have those loans in place,” Williams added.

“That’s where you’ll see the most struggle with these forbearances.”

That being said, Arndt says for those who are prepared to buy, it could be the perfect chance to do so.

“There could be some really good opportunities that pop up because every time the economy shifts, there is opportunity.”

Regardless, it’s up to your personal situation

“If you can afford it and it’s more of a longer-term purchase, then the timing of it shouldn’t really matter,” Ferguson said. “I think ‘time horizon’ is a big thing.”

Someone’s time horizon is specific to their financial situation and the clarity they have on their financial future, such as the stability of their job and their partner’s.

“Obviously, you can’t plan for everything; so I think having a really good understanding of your budget and having a good safety net in case there is some income disruption is important,” Ferguson added. “You want to make sure that you can afford the house.”

For a large purchase like this, Ferguson suggests having a savings of at least six months’ worth of non-discretionary expenses, such as mortgage payments, utilities and insurance.

In any case, all three financial analysts suggest speaking to an expert about your personal situation. 

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

SENIORLIVING A SECOND WIND

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T

his week I was fumbling through a desk drawer I hadn’t opened in years, looking for I don’t remember what.

In these last months with so much time on our hands, I find myself dillydallying around the house noticing a screw that’s come loose, a house plant that needs fertilizing, or crumbs that have mischievously fallen into the silverware drawer.

As I rummaged through notecards, photos and letters, I happened upon my long-forgotten journals, a dozen of them! The earliest one was a gift from a friend dated December 25, 1978, and was inscribed with the words “I have always found how nice it is to be able to look back on my thoughts and dreams. I hope that you can utilize this in the same manner.”

That journal was filled to the last page with the reflections, observations, and lamentations of a young woman trying to find her way. The others each displayed the dates of decades gone by. In that moment I came face to face with 40 years of my personal history.

Seniors have a particularly important reason to keep journals. The last trimester of life is filled with changes to our bodies, minds, and lifestyles.

Exploring these changes helps us to manage our feelings and put life into perspective.

Chronicling our experiences helps us to acknowledge our accomplishments and work through life’s difficulties. Getting our thoughts down on paper provides clarity. When we write, we figure out what we think.

Even if the pages are disposed of, the value has already been acquired in the therapeutic and cathartic process of writing them. The benefit is the serenity that results from candidly and self-reflectively documenting life.

There is another reason to document our personal histories. Our experiences are history embodied.



Our stories provide a unique view of events that can shed light on the times in which we’ve lived. Our recollections provide nuance and personal voice to historical textbook accounts.

Sharing significant memories of life-changing events also deepens families’ personal histories. Our hardships can be reassuring to our children who may be experiencing the same kinds of struggles we did.

Reading about how we faced and overcame past challenges might help them to confront new challenges.

Granted, I don’t relish my children reading about “a lost but determined individual” (my words) lamenting heart-breaking relationships and searching for self-confidence.

I don’t want to be remembered for ranting about personal crises and inability to cope. But reading these cherished stories may be as important to family members as writing them was for me.

Healthcare professionals encourage seniors to write, reminding us that journaling enhances dexterity, fights memory loss, lessens depression and promotes better sleep. These are persuasive reasons to keep a journal.

But journaling is so much more than an exercise to ward off dementia. It is a way to reclaim balance and stability. It’s a way to become reacquainted with ourselves, to honor ourselves and the insights we have discovered living these many decades.

Journaling is a life-saving act. All that’s required is a pen and paper and an open heart.

Mary Petersen is a retired COC English instructor, 30-year SCV resident and two-time breast cancer survivor. 

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Santa Clarita library resources at your fingertips

By Ken Striplin City Manager

D

id you know that September is Library Card SignUp Month? There’s no better time than now to get a library card if you have not yet done so already.

Even though the physical doors of the Santa Clarita Public Library remain closed, a library card can virtually open up a world of endless resources available to support a variety of needs and interests during these challenging times.

Children getting back into school, teens looking for new fall activities, adults wanting to dive into a new book collection and many others can get the resources and support they need simply by having a library card.

Back to school resources offered by the Santa Clarita Public Library sup-

port individuals from pre-kindergarten through college-level courses.

Residents looking for free live tutoring, homework help and writing support can utilize HelpNow. Those looking for exam preparation via practice exams, eBooks and tutorials should try out Learning Express.

Parents can also find support through the Parent-Teacher Resource Center, which provides a collection of materials geared towards successful homeschooling. Whatever your schooling needs look like, the library team continues to make sure they are providing relevant and helpful resources for all ages!

Another excellent library resource and the best way to keep track of all upcoming fall programming at the library is through their event calendar on SantaClaritaLibrary.com/Events.

There you can find and register for events for all ages, including Random Reads Book Club, Teen HangOUT,

Zoom Craft-a-longs, Game Night and many others.

The extensive online programming offered provides a great way to connect with others in the community while staying safely apart.

Residents can use their library card to check out books and pick-up Grab-and-Go Craft and Activity Kits to use for featured online programs as well.

I am grateful for the library staff ’s creativity and innovation in bringing new and fun virtual events to our community.

A new and convenient option, available to library cardholders, is the 24/7 hold locker system. The locker systems are located at the Canyon Country and Valencia library branches and allow residents to pick up items they have placed on hold at any time.

Once your items on hold are ready, head to your designated branch and follow the system’s touch screen

prompts to retrieve your items. This is a simple, safe and convenient way to continue enjoying physical library materials during this time.

COVID-19 and health guidelines may have temporarily changed the way in which services are delivered through the Santa Clarita Public Library, but every resident should feel as if they are getting the same or an increased level of support from the library team.

Make sure you and your entire family take part in Library Card Sign-Up Month at SantaClaritaLibrary.com or by emailing libraryinfo@santa-clarita.com and enjoy the vast collection of materials, resources and programming available to you.

Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.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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1 0 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

H E A LT H

To your good health —

Clinical trials, flax seeds and medication conflicts

By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Writer

Dear Dr. Roach My wife has had dementia for over two years. There is an ad in our local paper for an Alzheimer’s disease study. It says, “This study will assess how safe and effective an investigational drug is at slowing the progression of early (prodromal) or mild Alzheimer’s disease.” Is this protocol legit? I don’t trust this type of ad not coming from a hospital. I couldn’t find any information about the sponsors of the research. ­— J.N. Answer I was able to find the trial, called the Graduate II trial, which is sponsored by the manufacturer of the drug being tested, called gantenerumab. This drug is designed to reduce the size of the amyloid protein plaques in the brain, which are suspected of being the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and to prevent new ones

from forming. It is indeed a legitimate trial. The best place to find out about these is at clinicaltrials.gov.

The trial is in phase III. The drug has passed both phase I trials, which are designed to look at safety, and phase II, which look at both safety and effectiveness. Now the investigators are studying the effectiveness of the drug in a larger population, usually for a longer period of time. Drugs that do well in phase III clinical trials may be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Alzheimer’s drug trials are difficult, because the disease often progresses slowly, and large, time-consuming trials are necessary.

In general, I encourage people to consider participating in clinical trials, as they are essential for clinical advances. For gantenerumab in particular, phase I and II trials did show that the drug is effective at reducing the amount of amyloid plaque in the brain; however, clinical trials did not

show improvement in memory and brain function. The new trial is using a higher dose and recruiting patients with earlier stage illness.

Dear Dr. Roach I have recently started transitioning to a plant-based diet for preventative health reasons.

While discussing the benefits of nuts and seeds with a dietitian, they had a disclaimer that flax seed can interfere with medications and to eat them two hours before or one hour after taking medications. I would not sit down and eat a handful of flax seeds, but now I am afraid to use them in the meals I prepare at all. Can you help me make a good decision?

— J.E. Answer For people eating reasonable amounts (like a handful or two) of flax seeds as part of a meal, it is unlikely that they would interfere with medications enough to cause any significant problem, for most medications.

There are two situations that might merit concern: In powerful anti-clotting agents, such as clopidogrel, flax seeds might prompt increased activity. Secondly, flax seeds may lower blood sugar a small amount. In combination with insulin or oral diabetes drugs, the blood sugar could possibly dip lower than expected. I doubt either of these interactions is likely to cause harm, but it is reasonable to discuss with your doctor if you are on one of the classes of medications mentioned.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu.  © 2020 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

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

Helen Reddy ­— ‘The Queen of Housewife Rock’

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘I Am Woman’



(out of four) Quiver Distribution presents a film directed by Unjoo Moon. Written by Emma Jensen. No MPAA rating. Running time: 116 minutes.

H

elen Reddy never had the hippie/poet/ singer/songwriter cool cred factor of a Joni Mitchell or a Carole King or a Carly Simon in the 1970s. When Alice Cooper affectionately dubbed Reddy “The Queen of Housewife Rock,” she wasn’t offended. She thought it was fitting.

But Helen Reddy was hardly a stereotypical throwback housewife of the “Mad Men” era. When she arrived in New York from Australia in 1966, she was a single mother with a 3-year-old daughter, very little money and years of struggle ahead of her before she would break through with a string of hit singles, including the feminist anthem “I Am Woman,” which to this day carries a powerful and timely message.

Reddy’s story is given the standard, time-honored biopic treatment in “I Am Woman,” which checks off just about every cliche imaginable and yet wins us over, in large part due to the star-power performance of Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Reddy.

Director Unjoo Moon (working from Emma Jensen’s script, which draws on Reddy’s memoirs) is faithful to Reddy’s real-life story, though “I Am Woman” rarely misses the opportunity to eschew subtlety and turn up the corny meter. When Helen and her best friend, rock journalist/gossip columnist Lillian Roxon (Danielle Macdonald), make a pact to stay friends forever, they say, “It’s you and me against the world,” which becomes the title of a Reddy single. Same goes for “That Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady,” which follows scenes of Helen’s volatile husband/manager Jeff Wald (Evan Peters) verbally abusing her and betraying her.

“I Am Woman” kicks off in New York City, where aspiring singer Helen and aspiring talent manager Jeff meet and share dreams together. They eventually take a leap of faith and move to Los Angeles, with Jeff promising Helen he’s gonna make her a star. Fast-forward a bit and we find the manic, back-slapping Jeff devoting all his time and energy to his rock band clients, while Helen is stuck at home as her career stalls out. When Helen finally gets the chance to record a demo, the intended single falls flat, but the B-side, a cover of “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” captures the attention of the record label and reaches the Billboard charts. A potential star just might have been born.

In a show-stopping scene, Reddy performs “I Am Woman” for the first time in a small club and destroys the audience. This serves as the launching point for the song to become a massive hit — and

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

more important, a theme for the women’s movement. Director Moon has the confidence in the material to go with a full-length performance number, which has the effect of making us feel we’re in that audience, experiencing something unforgettable.

(Props to Chelsea Cullen, who dubbed the vocals.)

“I Am Woman” expertly re-creates touchstone moments of Reddy’s career, from Helen on tour to hosting a TV show to winning the 1973 Grammy for her performance of “I Am Woman” and famously thanking God “because SHE makes everything possible.” The more successful Helen becomes, the more resentful Jeff becomes, and the more they’re at odds — an unhealthy situation made much worse by Jeff ’s drug abuse, which turns him paranoid and violent.

Tilda Cobham-Hervey convincingly plays Helen from a young, unknown hopeful to a chart-topping star to an artist at a certain point in her career who accepts her relevancy is behind her — until she performs “I Am Woman” at a women’s rights rally in Washington, D.C. in 1989, and sees how it resonates with a whole new generation. It’s the biopic equivalent of the “touchdown” moment in a sports movie: We fully expect it, we can feel the overt tug on our heartstrings, but we still welcome it.

‘The Broken Hearts Gallery’



TriStar Pictures presents a film written and directed by Natalie Krinsky. Rated PG-13 (for sexual content, some crude references, strong language and drug references). Running time: 108 minutes.

I

n the 2019 meta charmer “Isn’t It Romantic,” Rebel Wilson’s Natalie is a cynic who despises rom-coms. But after Natalie is knocked unconscious, she awakens in a fantasy world straight out of a romantic comedy, from meet-cu-

tes to our heroine learning what you’ve been looking for your whole life … has been right by your side all long.

Why are we discussing “Isn’t It Romantic” in a review of “The Broken Hearts Gallery?” Well, my fine friend, it’s because the characters in “Gallery” live just around the corner — or more accurately, across the Brooklyn Bridge — from the world of “Romantic.”

“Broken Hearts Gallery” doesn’t employ the conceit of a “Wizard of Oz”-like dream sequence, but it embraces many rom-com staples in equally selfaware fashion, inviting us to leave plausibility at the door and enjoy unabashedly sentimental, escapist comfort viewing from first-time writer-director Natalie Krinsky, who displays a fine ear for witty dialogue, with the characters often sounding as if they’re in a next-generation reboot of “Sex and the City.”

Geraldine Viswanathan, fresh off her scene-stealing turn as the intrepid high school newspaper reporter in “Bad Education,” gives a knockout performance as Lucy Gulliver, a 26-year-old art gallery assistant who tells her roommates, Nadine (Phillipa Soo) and Amanda (Molly Gordon), she’s found true love with Max (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who’s about a decade older and kind of her mentor and is so grown up he actually cooked her dinner with items from his refrigerator. As Lucy heads off into the day, Nadine says, “She seems so happy.”

Cut to that night, with Lucy looking dazed and devastated after she was dumped by Max and fired from her job in rapid succession. Lucy climbs into the backseat of her Lyft ride and pours her heart out to the driver, who as it turns out isn’t a Lyft driver but a guy named Nick (Dacre Montgomery from “Stranger Things”), who just happened to pull up at the moment Lucy was expecting her ride.

(What a cute way for them to meet!)

Even as “The Broken Hearts Gallery” travels down a well-worn path, it retains a certain freshness. The pop culture references are fast and funny, whether it’s Lucy telling a Harvard grad who never stops mentioning she went to Harvard, “Sorry I couldn’t go to an Ivy. I couldn’t pretend to row crew.” Or an art gallery owner played by the one and only Bernadette Peters telling Lucy, “The last time I saw you was like hearing Brad Pitt talk about architecture. It just went on and on and ON.” “The Broken Hearts Gallery” leans on so many of those Lucy Moments to carry the day, and Geraldine Viswanathan is always up to the task, whether Lucy is literally pratfalling at the worst possible moment, deflecting a situation with a well-timed quip or allowing herself to consider falling in love again, despite a room filled with painful reminders of relationships gone wrong. It’s a sparkling and winning performance from an actor who has already done fine work, but is still in the early stages of a greatly promising career.  Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun Times

1 2 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

FOOD

Add seafood to your summer grilled meals

G

rilled meals provide a summer escape for many families by offering opportunities to spend moments together while enjoying flavorful dishes. As Americans face uncertainty in many aspects of life, one place they should be able to turn to for normalcy is food.

One option that checks boxes including comfort, fun, taste and variety: seafood. As a nutritious protein available across the country, it is versatile and can be paired with a variety of cuisines and flavors.

Options range from salmon and shrimp to crab, tuna and more.

To encourage hungry Americans to enjoy the many benefits of eating seafood, the “Eat Seafood America” campaign offers these reasons to add fish, shrimp and more to your menu: • Whether you order online, head to a store or purchase fresh from a local fisherman, seafood is widely available.

• Seafood works for a variety of dishes and cooking methods, such as these recipes for Easy Shrimp Skewers, a light and hassle-free family meal, or Seared Salmon with Mediterranean Salsa, a fun spin on cowboy caviar.

• Seafood provides essential nutrients that support immune health, such as omega-3s that may even help reduce anxiety, according to research published by “The Journal of the American Medical Association.”

Find more ways to add seafood to your summer menu at eatseafoodamerica.com.

Easy Shrimp Skewers

Recipe courtesy of Annessa Chumbley, RDN, on

behalf of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 5 10 wooden skewers

water 2 medium zucchinis, cut into large chunks 2 medium bell peppers (any color), cut into large chunks 2 red onions, cut into large chunks 1 cup cherry tomatoes 10-12 ounces cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on olive oil

sea salt, to taste 1 lemon, juice only In bowl, soak skewer sticks in water at least 10 minutes to prevent burning on grill). Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Build skewers by alternating zucchinis, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and shrimp, pushing ingredients closely together on each skewer. Brush each with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, to taste.

Cook skewers about 9 minutes, rotating every 3 minutes until veggies and shrimp are seared but not overcooked. Remove and place on large platter.

Drizzle with lemon juice and serve.

Seared Salmon with Mediterranean Salsa

Recipe courtesy of Annessa Chumbley, RDN, on behalf of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4-6

2 tablespoons olive oil 4-6 salmon filets (each about 1-inch thick)

sea salt, to taste 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 can quartered or chopped artichoke hearts, drained 1 cup diced cucumber 1 cup diced cherry tomatoes 1/3 cup diced red onion 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1 handful fresh spinach, chopped

balsamic glaze In skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil.

Sear salmon filets 4 minutes. Sprinkle tops of each salmon filet with sea salt, to taste. Flip and cook 4 minutes until barely done. Remove to serving platter.

In medium bowl, make salsa by gently folding together chickpeas, artichoke hearts, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, feta and spinach. Sprinkle with sea salt, to taste. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and spoon salsa over each salmon filet.

Refrigerate leftover salsa. (Family Features) 

A delightful, kid friendly family dessert

M

ake family meals part of your home by digging into kid-friendly desserts like these Cheesecake Cupcakes with Oat and Walnut Crust, and join the Family Meals Movement, which encourages Americans to pledge to share one more family breakfast, lunch or dinner at home per week.

Find tips, recipes and ways to increase your family meal frequency at familymealsmovement.org.

Line cupcake pan with eight paper baking cups and set aside.

Cheesecake Cupcakes with Oat and Walnut Crust

Filling:

To make filling: In medium bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add egg, cornstarch, lemon zest and vanilla; continue beating until well combined.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spoon mixture evenly into muffin cups. Bake 20-22 minutes until cream cheese mixture is set. Remove from oven and cool in tins about 10 minutes.

Transfer to wire rack and cool completely. Place in refrigerator and chill completely before serving or decorating with yogurt, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mint, coconut flakes, agave, almonds and lemon zest, if desired. (Family Features) 

Recipe courtesy of Liz Weiss on behalf of the FMI Foundation

Crust:

1/2 cup old-fashioned or quick oats 1/2 cup walnut halves or pieces 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

To make crust: In bowl of food processor, pulse oats and walnuts until coarsely ground. Add olive oil, butter, sugar, cinnamon and salt; pulse until evenly moistened and combined.

Press 1 tablespoon of mixture firmly onto bottoms of cups. Bake 7 minutes until cooked.

1 pinch salt 1 package (8 ounces) light cream cheese, at room temperature 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch 1/2 lemon, zest only 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

HOME

Tips to help you prepare for window replacement

T

hough it may be hard to believe right now, colder weather is coming. This means it is time to think about staying warm. Inefficient or aging housing materials may compromise your ability to do just that.

Drafts from doors, poorly protected attics and aging windows may force heating systems to work extra hard to maintain interior temperatures.

Replacing old windows can make a home quieter by blocking out exterior noises. Consumer Reports also notes that new windows are often easier to clean and maintain.

Many homeowners are interested in replacing their windows, but may not know where to start. These guidelines can help the process along.

Get several estimates Ask for recommendations from neighbors or other people in your area on which companies they used to install their replacement windows. When you interview the prospects, ask several

choosing a different style or frame color of the window, or a different type of window to improve efficiency and function.

questions about how they go about installing the windows. Questions can include: • How long will the project take?

• Will I need to remain home?

• Do you discard of old debris?

• What is the protocol for installation during inclement weather?

Research permits Most home renovation projects need to be approved by the local municipality. Go to the permit office and find out the

requirements. Some window contractors will include securing permits in the cost of the project. After the project is completed, an inspector will come by and ensure the work was done according to code.

Change up the appearance Look at the type of hardware you have around the home and other fixtures.

Choose windows that have locks or latches that can match those features for continuity of style. Think about

Research top manufacturers It’s tempting to purchase windows based on price alone, but replacement windows are often a decision that only has to be made once or twice for the life of the home. Invest in durable windows that will have staying power.

Consumer Reports offers unbiased reviews on various brands and can help homeowners make sound decisions.

Prepare for installation Clear pathways, remove window treatments and disconnect window alarm systems. Plan for one to two days of installation, advises Andersen Windows and Doors. Keep pets and children away from work areas.

Replacement windows can be a smart investment. New windows can improve the look of a home, reduce heating costs and can keep interior spaces comfortable. (MC) 

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S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

GARDENING

Prevent mosquitoes from spoiling backyard fun

S

ummer is a beloved time of year that’s often dominated by time spent outdoors soaking up summer sun. But all that extra time outdoors can make people vulnerable to mosquitoes.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, mosquitoes are more than just hungry, unwanted backyard guests. In fact, mosquito-borne diseases, including the Zika virus, the West Nile virus and dengue, pose significant threats.

While not all mosquitoes carry disease, even those that don’t can still bite humans, leaving them to deal with discomfort and itchiness.

Taking measures to control mosquitoes outside your home can reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.

• Remove places where mosquitoes like to lay their eggs. Mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in standing water.

Once a week during summer and other times of the year when mos-

quitoes might be buzzing around, walk around your property to remove standing water.

Bird baths, flower pots, kids’ toys, pools and trash containers are some of the more common places where water can collect and present perfect places for mosquitoes to lay eggs.

Turn these over to empty any standing water you find. Remove empty flower pots and make sure water storage containers are tightly covered at all times.

• Address areas where mosquitoes like to rest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that mosquitoes like to rest in dark, humid areas. This includes car ports, garages and beneath patio furniture.

Outdoor insecticides can prevent mosquitoes from resting in such areas. When inside a home, mosquitoes may be resting under a sink, in closets, beneath the furniture or in a laundry room.

Indoor insect sprays and indoor

insect foggers work quickly and can be highly effective, but reapplication might be necessary, as they won’t prevent more mosquitoes from entering the home at a later time.

• Check your window screens. Mosquitoes might prefer the outside, but that doesn’t mean they won’t enter a home looking for meals if given the

opportunity.

Inspect window screens to look for holes that may provide mosquitoes with access to your home’s interior, replacing any damaged screens immediately. When leaving or entering a home, make a concerted effort to close doors as quickly as possible.

(MC) 

Home-made bug spray

1/2 cup of witch hazel 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar 40 drops of an essential oil (eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, tea tree or rosemary) 1 8-oumce glass spray bottle Mix all ingredients well and pour into the glass spray bottle. Spray directly on any area of your skin EXCEPT eyes and mouth.

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

PETS

Choosing safe and durable chew toys for your dog

M

ost dogs explore and learn about their world with their noses and mouths. Chewing is a normal part of canine development, and the ASPCA says that dogs will chew in many stages of life.

Young dogs chew to alleviate pain caused by the eruption of adult teeth.

Adult dogs chew to keep their jaws strong and their teeth clean.

Chewing also can alleviate boredom or tame mild anxiety or frustration.

It is a healthy response, but dogs will need to learn which items are appropriate to chew and which ones, such as furniture, are off limits. To encourage healthy chewing, pet owners should keep plenty of items that are safe to chew around the house.

Here are suggestions on picking the best and safest options, courtesy of The Humane Society, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and other pet advocacy organizations.

Consider age A young pup with baby teeth will need soft rubber toys

rope toys, while others may prefer edible toys and bones that simulate the aromas and flavors of real food.

Selecting toys that interest the pet can direct its attention away from furniture and shoes.

or plush stuffed toys for their delicate teeth. But those same toys can be a hazard when bite strength increases, as parts of the toy can be bitten off and swallowed. As puppies age, their chew toys may need to be replaced with more age-appropriate items.

Consider the size of the dog A Yorkshire terrier will not have the same bite strength and jaw size as a Labrador retriever. Look for toys that list the breed size or chewing strength.

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Know your dog’s personality Is your dog a “gulper” who bites off large chunks of toys and swallows them fast? Do they nibble? What about a dog that seems to destroy every toy in a minute? A dog that bites off hunks of toys or tears them to shreds will need something very durable.

Assess pet preferences Dogs gravitate to the same types of toys again and again. Some dogs like the feel of

Keep safety in mind Chew toys have their pros and cons. For example, a rawhide bone can provide hours of stimulating chew time, but for dogs who break off large pieces, the rawhide may become lodged in the trachea or intestines.

Bully sticks, which are made from bull pizzle, tend to be expensive and high in calories, so dogs shouldn’t eat too many in a short period of time.

Rope toys or less durable items may break apart and cause obstruction hazards.

Chew toys provide stimulation, alleviate pain and can even entertain dogs. When using chew toys with dogs, monitor the pet during play and replace the toy if it becomes dangerous. (MC) 

1 6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

ZODIAC

Continued from page 6

in the official record — holds that in either self-defense or in some form of premeditation, Richard was killed by another gunman, with a strong possibility that it was his Zodiac partner.

And Rosa was killed for wanting to go to the police.

However, despite the work being done by the Missouri criminologist committee, the FBI still considers the killer’s identity a mystery.

The Signal’s coverage of the Zodiac

The Zodiac coverage throughout The Signal’s history generally involved reprints of pieces originally published by AP News or other national news services.

That is until the July 12, 1974, issue. A piece titled “Zodiac’s’ Next Victim” followed by a paragraph reading “Zodiac’s latest seizure of fury was turned this week against Count Marco, the famed newspaper

columnist whose writings often appear in The Signal.”

The story goes that in one of his many letters to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Zodiac Killer threatened the columnist for his “arrogance towards women.”

“The mystery killer left the implication that Count Marco’s well-being would be in jeopardy if he did not retreat from his stern attitude that American women should attend to their grooming with utmost devotion and should confine most of their activities to the home and hearth,” reads the story, written by Signal Staff Correspondent Amanda Figueroa.

The case remains open in San Francisco, Napa County and Riverside. In May 2018, the Vallejo Police Department said they would try to use DNA evidence to find the killer.

However, no announcements regarding the Vallejo lab results have been announced as of the publication of this article. 

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Tasty and healthy Vegetable Ribbon Salad

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Editor

W

rap up the last of summer’s harvest with colorful ribbons of orange, green, yellow and red. Abundant zucchini, summer squash and carrots can be woven together with fettuccine pasta for a tasty supper your family will enjoy from preparation to the last bite.

Hand each of your preteen kids their own vegetable peeler, give them a few tips for honing ribbon-making skills, and they’ll keep busy and feel useful cutting vegetables while you cook up the pasta. A healthy supper will be ready in minutes.

Vegetable Ribbon Salad

8 ounces fettuccine pasta, cooked, drained and rinsed in cool water.

1 to 2 small-size green zucchini 1 yellow summer squash 2 medium-size carrots 1 scallion 1/2 fresh red pepper (optional) 1/2 cup of your favorite vinaigrette

style salad dressing or traditional Vinaigrette (see recipe below) 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Chopped parsley or basil 1. Trim off the ends of the zucchini, squash and carrots. Use a vegetable peeler to cut the vegetables lengthwise into long, thin, ribbonlike strips. When you reach the inner seeds of the zucchini and summer squash, stop and continue slicing the other side. Discard the centers. Place all the vegetable ribbons into a large bowl.

2. Trim off the green ends of the scallion. Tear them into thin long strips with your fingers. Add to the vegetables.

3. Add pasta and toss lightly with your favorite vinaigrette dressing or prepare the basic recipe below.

Cut thin slices of the red pepper and arrange on top, if you wish.

Top with grated Parmesan and parsley or basil. Serve with French bread. Serves 4 to 6.

Tip If your kids love apples, add

one to the salad for sweetness. Peel, core and cut an apple into 4 slices.

Peel strips from each slice and add to the vegetable ribbons.

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.

Basic Vinaigrette

1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 cup white wine or sherry vinegar 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil In a small bowl, let one child whisk the salt, mustard and vinegar together. While whisking, another child may slowly add the oil in a stream until the mixture is well-combined.

Makes 1 cup.

Store covered at room temperature for a week or in the refrigerator for a month.

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SOLUTIONS

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S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

CROSSWORD TIME

S E P T E M B E R 20, 2020

Opinion

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 9

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

The Problems with Mail-in Ballots I have two concerns with mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 election: 1. Possible fraud. California will send about 20 million ballots to people on current voter rolls. Last year L.A. County alone was found to have 1.5 million registered names that needed to be removed from the voter rolls.

Are they all purged now? Our secretary of state has notified other counties to clean their rolls, too. Since mail-in ballots are just sent without request (like absentee ballots require) how many might end up at an address where the registered voter has moved or died? What do you suppose happens to that ballot?

2 Delay. In 2016 and 2018 it took California 30 days to count ballots. In 2020, the number will be larger. Five other states permit ballots to arrive AFTER Election Day! Iowa by noon on Nov. 9, Ohio by Nov. 13, Nevada

by Nov. 10, North Carolina by Nov. 10, Minnesota by Nov. 10. Some of these are “battleground states” capable of swinging the election. Also remember, mail-in ballots require matching signatures to those on the voter rolls.

This is a time-consuming process and the volume in California is expected to be HUGE! 2020’s election will probably NOT declare a winner by midnight on Nov. 3 (as we have seen on other years). More probably, it will take weeks. We know that mail-in ballots are often REJECTED at a high rate (voter failed to sign the envelope, voter used different signature, etc.). There are likely to be many disputes over ballots that were rejected.

After looking at all these issues, I’m convinced COVID-19 is NOT a valid reason to eliminate in-person voting. I’m going to the polling station.

Albert Bigelow Valencia

Consider Candidates’ Actions In a recent letter to The Signal (Sept. 10), Richard Myers laments the difficulty in deciding whom to vote for.

I would suggest he disregard the rhetoric of the candidates, which I agree with him is confusing. Never mind what they say, but rather what have they done. That is the best determining factor.

Looking at the presidential candidates, it comes down to this: In 48 years in government what has Joe Biden done? Is there one thing he has accomplished for good?

On the other hand, consider all that President Donald Trump has done to improve the country in less than four years.

After all, actions do speak louder than words.

Jim Blumel Santa Clarita Submit a Letter to the Editor

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

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

Toward Ethical Disputes

By David Hegg

I

have been reflecting on an interesting question lately. Here it is. Is it ethically responsible to engage in activity you would angrily criticize in another person, simply because you believe you are right?

For example, would you champion, in someone you appreciate, a behavior you would denigrate in one you disliked? Would you applaud, for example, your friend’s rude driving if it got you someplace sooner, but would rail against such action on the part of another driver?

Regardless of your answer personally, you can’t deny we are seeing this become standard practice all around us. It is most noticeable in the political realm, where hypocritical criticism seems to fill the news reports on a daily basis. I hope you are chuckling along with me when a leader of one party bashes his opposing counterpart for behavior his own party considered beneficial only a few months ago. It would be comedy gold if it were not tragically diminishing the benefit we are supposed to derive from our elected officials.

But far more telling is the way this kind of ethical hypocrisy has leeched into the soul of everyday living among us all. All too often, we allow ourselves to be angry, mean-spirited, and downright rude, all the while giving ourselves a pass based on our conviction we have the right to be so.

I’ve taken to calling this myopic agendaitis.

Yes, I made it up, but I think it speaks to why our society is taking this dangerous turn. Simply put, we have decided our agenda, our point of view, is so right and our opponents so wrong that we are allowed to do, say, and be anything necessary to further our agenda. Our desire to win, to prevail in the marketplace of ideas, has narrowed our perspective so powerfully we no longer can understand the value of opposing arguments, nor believe they have any right to be heard.

Consequently, at the first sign of any opposing rhetoric or action, we lash out with an offensive defense. That is, we defend our position, not with arguments, sound logic and evidence, but with demeaning language, innuendo, and ad hominem sarcasm. And we never consider that, were the situation reversed, we would immediately take our opponents to task for their attitudes and actions.

If you find yourself at all pictured in the pre-

ceding two paragraphs, here is some food for thought. First of all, don’t fall into the ad hominem trap. That is, regardless of a person’s personal deficiencies, we must still interact with their arguments. You can’t dismiss someone simply because they don’t pass your character or likability tests.

Secondly, just because your opponent is committed to views diametrically opposed to yours doesn’t entitle you to write them off without listening, evaluating and fairly responding to their arguments. Personally, I have learned much from those with whom I disagree simply because their viewpoint has uncovered holes in my thinking that needed to be changed or shored up.

Lastly, all this divisiveness hasn’t helped one bit.

Never has it been more true of us that you can be right, and be so very wrong. Holding the right view never entitles us to act unethically, or engage in unrighteous, demeaning speech and behavior.

I am not suggesting we go along to get along.

Neither do I believe the way forward is to compel, through legislation or societal pressure, everyone to believe the same thing. What I do believe is we must become better at the way we fight against opposing ideas. We must regain the depth of character that refuses to descend into the pit of anger and insult to win the argument.

We aren’t the first society to face the dangers of competitive cannibalism. The Apostle Paul warned the citizens of ancient Galatia to resist the temptation to engage in verbal war against their neighbors. He put it this way. “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

Sadly, it seems too many of us are on the “bite and devour” path today. Let’s see what we can do to offer a better way – a fairer way – to fight. If we can make our disagreements more agreeable, maybe our democracy has a fighting chance to make a real difference in the lives of real people, for the right reasons.

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

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