Sunday Signal October 11, 2020 by Signal

OCTOBER 11, 2020

Crafting Hope and Inspiration With a Guitar Page 5

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TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS FEATURES

FROM THE MAYOR

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Screenings, self-care important parts of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Think Pink!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Crafting hope and inspired guitar play HGTV â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Rock the Blockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; houses become homes Lang legacy: 100 years of SCV family memories

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ENTERTAINMENT 12 12 The worst idea was to turn off their phones

HEALTH 13 13 Gluten-free foods arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a sales gimmick

HOME 14 14 Shorter, darker days ahead: make your home a haven

GARDENING 15 15 Get growing in the garden this fall season

PETS 16 16 Symptoms of illness in four common pets

AUTOMOTIVE 17 17 The benefits of a defensive-driving course

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KIDS & FAMILY

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O C TO B E R 11, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Screenings, self-care important parts of ‘Think Pink!’ By Brennon Dixson Signal Staff Writer

very year, the “Think Pink!” campaign reminds everyone of the importance of regular check-ups and screenings for help in the fight against treatable forms of cancers. The idea began about 23 years ago for the month of October, but support and awareness have turned the campaign and outreach into much more, visible every year in the Santa Clarita Valley around the fall, with events like Bras for a Cause, the Relay for Life and Ride for a Cure. In fact, Ride for a Cure raised a record amount last year — more than $14,000 — which was donated to the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, one of the communities’ most important resources in preventative care. While those events won’t be nearly the same, if at all, this year due to COVID-19, the nonprofit organizations that provide for those fighting cancers still need help in order to survive and provide. And awareness remains a critical component because the odds of someone surviving a battle increase tremendously the earlier it’s detected.

This weekend

Every year, the American Cancer Society’s largest

Resources The American Cancer Society Discovery Store 26570 Bouquet Canyon Rd Santa Clarita ((661) 296-8460

City of Hope

23823 Valencia Blvd., Suite 250 Santa Clarita (661) 799-1999

Hope’s Haven Cancer Wellness Center Facilitated by Circle of Hope 23033 Lyons Avenue, Suite 3 Newhall (661) 254-5218

Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center 23929 McBean Parkway, Suite 101 Valencia (661) 200-1099

fundraiser, Relay For Life, features the Luminaria ceremony, which honors cancer patients and survivors as well as memorializing those who have lost their lives to cancer. This year’s Luminaria ceremony will take a different format. The ACS inaugural Drive-Through Luminaria is being hosted Sunday, Oct. 11, from 5-8 p.m. at the Kia and Mazda dealerships. “From the safety of their vehicles, participants can view the decorated and lit luminaria bags lining the route and drive through as many times as they wish,” according to a release from the event’s organizers. Additional details, including a map of the drivethrough route, can be found at the “more details” page at SCVrelay.org. The dealerships are located at 24095 Creekside Road in Valencia.

Getting checkups

There are a lot of local resources available where you can get any help you might need. In addition to the latest advances in treatments, interviews with SCV health care providers repeatedly touched on a theme: A host of providers have partnered to provide a complete spectrum of care right here in our backyard. Family physician Dr. Christian Raigosa discussed the importance of screenings and regular check-ins with your physician. “As long as you’re on top of (your health) and you’re getting your screenings done,” Raigosa said, “you improve the likelihood of staying disease-free or picking up a diagnosis of cancer early so that you can get treated and increase the odds of recovering,” Lisa Ortega, Henry Mayo’s director of cancer services, concurred: “Screenings are important because the earlier we find something (like cancer), the better the outcome.” Ortega added breast and prostate cancer have a 98% 5-year survival rate if they are found early enough.

“It’s estimated by 2020, that almost 1-in-3 people will get cancer in their lifetime, but it’s become much more of a chronic disease,” Ortega said, “so it no longer means you’re going to die because we can catch it earlier, and there’s more types of targeted therapies.” The staff at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital utilize the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center for mammograms, but doctors and primary care physicians also have the ability to perform many others, according to Ortega. Even with the large availability of places to be screened for cancer in the area, it’s key for local residents to know how to check moles and understand any abnormal findings. “It’s really important to know what’s normal on your body and what’s not so when something changes, you can do something about it and get checked out,” Ortega said, before speaking to the resources that are available to patients who are diagnosed. “I think people should know there are resources out there to help them through the process,” Ortega said. “They’re not alone.”

Supports

Finding the right doctor who can provide adequate care is only part of the battle against cancer, according to local health care professionals. After a cancer diagnosis, patients and caregivers are usually left with feelings of fear, doubt and hopelessness, which is why it’s important for families to find a place where they feel they belong and can share their experiences. “Sometimes it’s just as hard on the caregivers as it is on the patients — or harder, because they have other things to take care of,” Ortegs said. “This is why we host a Caregivers Resource Fair in September along with support groups for patients and caregivers alike.” Henry Mayo isn’t the only place to receive assistance though, as Circle of Hope also has a number of resources available to local residents, including a wellness center that is open to anybody who is a cancer patient or in recovery. “At the wellness center, we offer — free of charge — wellness classes, therapies and we have all sorts of massage classes, yoga, lectures and many other types of spiritual, education or fitness classes for people in any stage of recovery,” said Tricia Rasplicka, an office administrator at Circle of Hope. Along with the wellness center, patients can also use Circle of Hope staff to find financial resources that can assist in lowering their treatment costs. “We can offer financial resources to those who qualify,” according to Rasplicka, which can be used to help with anything relating to cancer costs. “We don’t help pay any other bills,” Rasplicka said, “but we can help pay for surgery, medication and other cancer-related costs.” 

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Crafting hope and inspired guitar play in the SCV By Shae Hammond Signal Contributing Writer

n the dusty walk-in storage unit next to the otherwise quiet rural home with a swing set in the front yard off Red Rover Mine Road, Ken Pfalzgraf creates music. But for Pfalzgraf, it’s not about the performance. The process is about creation and expression. Pfalzgraf, an arborist, elected education official and a luthier, builds his guitars out of items like old cigar boxes and license plates as inspiration for his daughter Tami. And his efforts help others create a sound that’s meant a lot to his family. Tami Pfalzgraf was born with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. It’s a rare disease that affects about 1-in-10,000 to 1-in-30,000 newborns, characterized by slow growth before and after birth, leading to smaller physical build and developmental needs that can range from moderate to severe, according to the National Library of Medicine. At the age of 5, it was expected that Tami would be cognitively equivalent to a 7-month-old. “As a parent, you’re looking at the very long term, which is a very difficult thing to sort out,” he said. “The first thing you have to get out of the way is that it is nobody’s fault.”

A learning journey

Because placing Tami in school was difficult, Ken and his family looked for ways to communicate with her. American Sign Language was a struggle because her fine motor skills were poor. “Her potential would be found, ultimately, in her ability to express herself conceptually,” he explained. Cornelia de Lange syndrome occurs when changes in a fetus’ genes cause mutations. Aside from smaller facial features and delayed cognitive development, many people born with CdLS can experience hearing loss. “Any type of stimulation that’s auditory would be very helpful to their development,” said Dr. Daniela Schweitzer, who specializes in pediatric clinical genetics at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. “Most (children with CdLS) have delayed profound language … if not absent, so what this father is doing seems to be an extraordinary, very smart way of approaching a way of increasing other ways for this child to communicate.”

Instant response

Ken also noticed Tami enjoyed music, particularly slide guitar. So he watched a video of a musician called Seasick Steve playing a guitar that looked like it was made out of junk. Having an affinity for collecting things, the video inspired Ken to try making his own guitar. With a little digging around, Ken made a small cigar-box guitar and stomp box, which is a simple percussion instrument meant to create a drum-

Ken Pfalzgraf, slide and guitar in hand, strums one of his creations in the shed where he builds guitars that have a special meaning to him. PHOTO BY SHAE HAMMOND / THE SIGNAL

like rhythm with the foot, and handed the tools to Tami. She responded immediately. “She sat down in the chair and started strumming the guitar and stomping her foot in a rhythm, and I knew right there — that wasn’t 7 months old,” he said. “It gave us a great deal of hope.”

Grassroots musical intervention

The combination of Tami’s reaction to the slide guitar and her father’s love of music specific to the North Mississippi hill country blues scene inspired Ken to reach out to musicians in the genre. And it also plays a role in his design, as he makes guitars that reflect North Mississippi’s deep musical history. “The music there has gone on in families for five or six generations,” explained Pfalzgraf. “I have given a lot of instruments to different artists trying to get back to their roots. I could tell from the way their music sounded that their roots were there, but now what’s happening is that all my guitars are going to artists right there in North Mississippi.” One of the first musicians Pfalzgraf reached out to was Low Volts guitarist Tim Lowman, who hails from the region, and appreciated not only the gesture, when Pfalzgraf reached out to him, but also what Pfalzgraf was sharing with his gift of guitar and the instrument’s deeper significance. “(Music is) another language — it’s another way to express yourself without words,” Lowman said. “It’s definitely like its own way of communication. There’s release through guitar playing and making someone feel a certain way and other people can relate to your songs a certain way, too.”

While setting up for a concert in Los Angeles, Lowman was approached by Ken, who wanted to make the musician an instrument. “He pulled me aside and said ... ‘I want to make this for you. I don’t make this for anybody. I don’t get paid to make them — I think your story’s cool.’ … So, I was like, ‘Why not?’” Lowman said.

Signed editions

Pfalzgraf has now made more than two dozen guitars, and each one is signed by the inspiration for their creation, Tami Pfalzgraf. He’s now using the guitars to support other artists, recently crafting an instrument he donated to the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic, a nonprofit event that supports struggling artists. Pfalzgraf recently reached out to Kody Harrell, a blues guitarist from Northern Mississippi, regarding the gift for an auction at the event. “A lot of people build cigar box guitars, but they don’t really have a vision; they just like building them because they like to build them,” said Harrell, who plays guitar for Woodstomp. “He wants to be able to put his instruments in the hands of musicians who can actually play them because there’s meaning behind why he makes them.” Pfalzgraf enjoys not only sharing the gift of music, but also hearing the results of his handiwork and the feedback from other guitarists. “Once they know Tami’s story and it’s individualized to them, it will hold more meaning to them,” he said. “People are amused by them when they see (the guitars), they don’t really expect them to sound the way they do.” 

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HGTV ‘Rock the Block’ houses become homes By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

year after the premiere of HGTV’s new home-design show, “Rock the Block,” Gloria Tsang Winnick still can’t believe she’s living in a home fashioned by her favorite HGTV designer. Four homes in Pardee Homes’ Aliento community, located in Aliento’s Arista neighborhood in Santa Clarita, were featured on the show, where design stars Leanne Ford of “Restored by the Fords,” Jasmine Roth of “Hidden Potential,” Mina Starsiak Hawk of “Good Bones” and Alison Victoria of “Windy City Rehab” went head to head, each given an identical home to renovate. With just four weeks and a budget of $175,000, the four designers competed to add the most property value to each home. “We had a house in the West Adams area of Los Angeles, and it was a 100-year-old craftsman,” Winnick said. “We were always watching HGTV to get ideas about fixing your own house, and it’s just something that we really like to watch. … I’ve always really liked Leanne’s work, so when I realized she was doing that show, we watched it.” It took her awhile to realize where exactly the home was located, realizing later that it was in the SCV. “It kind of looked like Palm Springs

The Winnicks stand in front of their newly purchased home that was featured on HGTV’s “Rock the Block.” COURTESY PHOTO

to me because of the topography,” she added. “I’ve never been up to Santa Clarita, so I didn’t even know it really existed.” It got Winnick wondering what they were planning to do with the homes after the show was over. “I fell in love with the house that Leanne was doing just because it’s very my aesthetic and very unique and original,” she said, adding that she decided to email HGTV to in-

For the Winnick family, it’s still a thrill to live in a home interior design created by someone they really admire. The crews had four weeks and a budget of $175,000 to work on each of the four homes. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

quire, only to find out they were being put up for sale. Though the Winnicks weren’t planning on selling their home, Winnick asked her husband to go see them, just because. “We ended up coming up and, of course, I fell in love with the house entirely — still not thinking there was any way I could ever buy it,” she added. It was when she saw the neighborhood was perfect for her 3-year-old son that she was sold. “I saw the little school in the neighborhood,” she said. “Then, all of a sudden, we saw kids just riding their bikes, like I did growing up in Canada, like my husband did growing up in Michigan. We didn’t think that was a possibility for our child where we were living or in California in general. We really wanted him to have a childhood similar to the ones that my husband and I had growing up, so it kind of just got the cogs turning.” It was almost like fate, as her husband always wanted a new-build home, though she had always lived in older houses that she thought had character and history. “So this was actually a perfect compromise because it had all the style and the originality that I really love,

yet it was brand new, which was what my husband wanted,” she said. “He was tired of dealing with old-house headaches, so it was kind of perfect.” Winnick talked to her real estate agent, and three months later, their home was on the market and they were in contract to buy the Pardee home. “There were a lot of moving parts,” she added. “If we get this house, it’s meant to be our house, because so many things had to fall into place in order for us to actually be able to get it, and everything kind of just fell into place.” For Dave Little, vice president of project management for TRI Pointe Homes Southern California, a builder brand of TRI Pointe Group, which is both TRI Pointe Homes and Pardee Homes’ parent company, participating in the show gave the Arista community the refresh it needed. “Also getting to know the four designers and the way they think was very insightful in some respects,” Little added. “It was really great to dissect the product a little bit and see what they did with the houses for not only a reset, but for future designs, so I’m excited to implement some of these takeaways with our future products that we’re designing right now.” In fact, Pardee now also offers any buyer the opportunity to choose from eight “Get the Look Packages,” which include each of the four kitchen or bathroom designs created by the designers on “Rock the Block,” for their own homes. “It gave us a lot of really cool traction in the community, which was a big help for us,” Little said. “We were very, very blessed to have that community be received so well, and this only enhanced that reception for us.” The Winnicks agree, as they are now living in a home they’re excited for their son to grow up in. “I would never have imagined in a million years as I was watching the show that this would end up being my home,” she said. “It was a really once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to watch a show about your house.” 

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Lang legacy: 100 years of SCV family memories By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

ohn Lang’s family has lived in Placerita Canyon for almost 100 years, and so Lang has about a century’s worth of memories to share. In that time, the Langs opened Placerita Canyon Mobile Home Park Inc., which has become more than just a business to Lang, who still runs the park to this day.

The family history

It all began in the late 1920s, when Lang’s grandparents moved to Placerita Canyon at a time when it was nothing but a dirt road running through the hills. His grandfather Kenneth Williams was a cowboy and champion trick rider, who would compete locally at the Baker Ranch Rodeo, which would later come to be known as the Saugus Speedway. Once Williams retired from the rodeo, he began training horses on the family’s ranch. “People would stop by while he trained the horses and stay (at the ranch),” Lang said. “Then one thing led to another, and he stopped training the horses, but he had spaces for these people that were staying, so they put trailers in there, and they became a little trailer park with 10 spaces.” In the early 60s, Williams added more spaces to the lot, making it more like an actual mobile home park.

A little hard work along the way

“My grandparents raised me because my parents were in show business, and they were traveling around the world, so I’ve lived here all my life,” Lang said. Since he was 14 years old, Lang has helped to improve the park and make it what it is today. “I’ve dug ditches, I pulled wire, I grew trees, I’ve laid concrete, put up fencing, landscaping … I’ve built buildings,” he added. When Williams died in 1968, Lang helped his grandmother to continue running the park until she, too, died in 1978. It was his grandmother who taught

John Lang, center, walks through the Placerita Canyon Mobile Home Park with his daughters, Mallory Klein, left, and Lindsey Muir. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

him the value of being kind to others, as she was kind with her residents, including Lang’s future wife, Julie. Julie moved in with her family years ago, at a time when the property typically only housed adults. “My grandmother let them move in, even though we were an adult park, because Julie and her brother were preteens,” Lang said. “She told them, ‘I just don’t want to ever see them because it could cause problems.’” They kept to their word, and Lang spent almost a year completely unaware they even resided on the property.

The importance of a kind gesture

When he and Julie were married in 1982, she began helping with the park. “Before I met her, I was literally living off the quarters in the laundry room because the park wasn’t making

any money,” Lang said. “She was the manager of a bank and she was good with numbers and money, so she took over and made it livable, so we could raise our kids.” Julie took the reins for the next 30plus years until she died three years ago, helping Lang to make the park into what it is today: a home for 32 residents and their families. “I’m in a good place because of her, so I’ve got to thank her for that,” Lang added. “She straightened it out, and now we are what we are, so I’m able to help people when I can.” When the pandemic hit, Lang decided to do just that, giving each of his tenants a free month’s rent. “I gave it in two lumps because I still have bills to pay, so I couldn’t just not have money come in that month,” he said. “So I gave them May and June off, half on one month and half the next month.” Before making the decision, Lang talked to his daughter, who lives in

the park with her family. “Everybody paid in April, and it was amazing because that was in the height of nobody working,” Lang said. “I told my daughter, since everybody paid rent, I’ve got to thank them somehow, and this was my ‘thank you’ for not just taking advantage of me and not paying rent.” Though his daughter Mallory Klein said she was worried, she told him to go for it. “I thought it was nice and generous,” Klein said. “I was just hoping that people appreciated it, and fortunately for him, everybody continued to pay rent (afterward).” For Lang, it was simply an opportunity to help his residents and maybe give him a little bit of good karma. “This is a scary time,” he added. “I knew people were struggling, and I felt that if they could pay half their rent and not have to worry about paySee LANG, page 18

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O C TO B E R 11, 2020

F R O M T H E M AY O R

Join us Oct. 22 for State of the City 2020 By Cameron Smyth Santa Clarita City Mayor

t’s amazing all the things that can be completed virtually. You can safely catch up with family, attend a class, have a drink with friends and even take part in the 2020 State of the City. This year’s event will be held online, on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 11:30 a.m. I encourage all of you to mark your calendars and plan on logging on or tuning in to find out what is happening in our great City of Santa Clarita. You can view the State of the City on the City’s Facebook page @cityofsantaclarita, SCVTV or at Facebook.com/signalscv. This event will be an opportunity to hear from your City Council on what projects, programs and initia-

tives are underway — and what the future holds. You will get to hear the latest on much-anticipated projects such as the new Canyon Country Community Center and the new Sheriff ’s Station. Plus, find out about what amenities we welcomed to the City this year, such as the City’s first inclusive playground and the Trek Bike Park of Santa Clarita. The theme of this year’s State of the City is Staying Connected … Staying Resilient. The City Council will chat live with community members about what these last few months have been like, how they have stayed connected, despite the Safer at Home Orders and how they stay positive and resilient through such challenging times. We will have a special highlight video where we will honor our essential workers and give a helping hand to our neighbors in need. I want to thank our sponsor, Logix Federal

Credit Union, for supporting this effort and their steadfast commitment to our community. I encourage all of you to make sure you tune in for this year’s event. I also urge you to have your students watch. Not only will this event be an opportunity to learn about local government and civic engagement, but they also may see their teacher be recognized! We asked for residents to nominate a teacher to be honored for their dedication and innovation while doing distant learning — and we had an amazing list of teacher nominees. These hardworking educators will be recognized during the event and have truly earned the appreciation of the community! While you are watching the State of the City from the comfort of your own desktop or smart device, consider supporting our local restaurants by ordering lunch in.

Some of your favorite Santa Clarita spots have put together special State of the City packages so you can enjoy a tasty lunch, learn about your City and support our local economy — all at the same time! Check out the City’s Facebook page for more on the lunch packages. This year has been anything but ordinary, but I am proud to say that the City of Santa Clarita continues to work hard on behalf of our residents. I look forward to looking back at the past year as a community and celebrating the support and resilience we have all shown! Mark your calendars for the 2020 State of the City event on Oct. 22. 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. 

VOTING SAFELY IN 2020 MEANS A TRIP TO THE MAILBOX. VOTE EARLY TO KEEP EVERYONE HEALTHY AND ENSURE WE GET EVERY VOTE IN. It’s never been more important to stay healthy. Keep your community safe from COVID-19, and make sure you and your family know how to vote from home this election. During this pandemic, vote by mail, vote early and stay healthy.

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O C TO B E R 11, 2020

FOOD

A flavorful family meal and fruity dessert for fall

arm, delectable dishes go hand-in-hand with cool fall evenings when the crisp air sends you to the kitchen for a filling meal. Look no further than easy recipes like meatballs that pack fulfilling flavor to feed your family when the autumn temperatures dip. These Grass-fed Beef Meatballs with Garlic and Herbs can be the perfect solution anytime you’re craving a warm, comforting meal. They’re made with New Zealand grass-fed ground beef, which provides an unrivaled taste. Grass-fed year-round, the animals roam and graze freely over lush green hills and pastures, resulting in lean, flavorful meat that tastes just as nature intended. Paired with a tomato-based sauce, the meatballs are baked before being topped with Parmesan cheese and parsley then served hot for a dish that warms you from the inside-out. While preparing the meatballs, be

sure to wet your hands prior to shaping them as it helps prevent the meat from sticking to your hands. Find more comforting fall recipes at beefandlambnz.com.

Grass-fed Beef Meatballs with Garlic and Herbs Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: 4

Beef Meatballs: Oil 1 pound New Zealand grass-fed ground beef 1 cup fresh white breadcrumbs 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 egg, lightly beaten 3 tablespoons milk 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs, such as parsley, thyme and oregano salt, to taste pepper, to taste

Tomato Sauce:

Oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, sliced 1 can (14 ounces) chopped tomatoes, in juice 1 1/2-2 cups vegetable stock 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon sugar 1 bay leaf salt, to taste pepper, to taste

To Serve:

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup roughly chopped parsley leaves

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herbs and salt and pepper, to taste, then shape into eight meatballs and place in prepared baking dish. To make tomato sauce: In heavy saucepan over low heat, heat dash of oil and add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is soft, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, stock, tomato paste, sugar, bay leaf and salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer 10 minutes to allow flavors to mingle and liquid to reduce. Remove from heat, cool about 5 minutes and remove bay leaf. In food processor, process until sauce is smooth.

To make beef meatballs: Preheat oven to 425 F.

Pour sauce over meatballs and bake 25 minutes, turning meatballs after 15 minutes.

Lightly oil deep baking dish or skillet. Mix beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, mixed

Serve hot sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. (Family Features) 

ccording to the high-quality ground beef purveyor Schweid & Sons, the most common ground beef choice among burger chefs is 80% lean, 20% fat. Law prohibits the sale of any ground beef with a fat content above 30%. While some consumers may scoff at the notion of buying

beef that’s 20% fat, Schweid & Sons notes that the fat that surrounds the meat gives it a rich, juicy flavor. In fact, Schweid & Sons says that beef with lower-fat compositions, such as 85% lean and 15% fat, tends to dry out fast, which can adversely affect the flavor of the burger. (MC) 

O C TO B E R 11, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

FOOD

… and now for dessert

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Walnut Apple Pear Crisp Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes Servings: 4

Walnut Crisp Topping:

1 1/2 cups California walnuts, divided 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, chilled and sliced into pieces

Apple Pear Filling:

4 apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices 3 pears, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon lemon juice ice cream (optional) caramel sauce (optional)

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omfort food typically calls to mind soups, stews and hearty meals meant to warm you up on a chilly day. However, you can also turn to tasty treats as a way to end a cold day on a hot note. For example, warm fruits baked into a crisp dessert provide an easy, heartwarming option for putting a smile on loved ones faces when the weather turns south. This Walnut Apple Pear Crisp combines two fall favorite fruits in a sweet and simple yet flavorful nibble. Start by mixing the walnut crisp topping separate from the soul of the recipe: the apple pear filling. Then layer in a cast-iron pan and bake for an easy treat that cooks while you enjoy dinner with the family. In the end, the crunch of the crispy walnut crust provides a savory contrast to the sweetness of the fruity filling. Find more comforting dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

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Heat oven to 350 F. To make walnut crisp topping: In food processor, pulse 1 cup walnuts until finely ground. Set aside in separate bowl. In food processor, pulse remaining 1/2 cup walnuts until chopped. Set aside. In medium bowl, combine ground walnuts, flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon. Cut butter into mixture until coarse crumb forms. To make apple pear filling: In large bowl, toss apples, pears, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and lemon juice. Pour fruit mixture in bottom of 12inch cast-iron pan. Layer walnut crisp topping mixture over fruit.

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O C TO B E R 11, 2020

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

The worst idea was to turn off their phones drive a stick. On the run and doing battle with cuddly-looking beings that also have lethal, 20-foot tongues that can penetrate steel and kill you in an instant, Su and Jack bring a kind of 1930s screwball comedy energy to their frantic efforts to stay alive, and even though these two can be borderline insufferable with all their self-aware sincerity, we’ve come to know and like them, and we really hope they don’t get whacked by one of those relentless Poofs.

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Save Yourselves!’



(out of four) Bleecker Street presents a film written and directed by Alex H. Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. Rated R (for language). Running time: 93 minutes.

u and Jack are Uber millennials, and by that I mean if they Uber around their Brooklyn neighborhood, they probably struggle with giving a poor rating to the driver even if the experience is horrible, because that driver is no doubt working a couple of jobs to make ends meet, and the last thing Su and Jack would want to do is negatively impact someone from the working class. Can you imagine the guilt? You gotta love Jack (John Reynolds) and Su (Sunita Mani). They’re just the nicest, sweetest, most caring and considerate couple you’d ever want to meet, as is established in the early going of Eleanor Wilson’s and Alex Huston Fischer’s pinpoint funny social comedy “Save Yourselves!” a wry commentary about how some — note, I said SOME — millennials might be the least-prepared adults in history to cope with an alien invasion. (That’s right. More on that to come.) Su and Jack have reached the point in the relationship where they’re comfortable lazing a day away on the sofa, not bothering to put on “grownup” clothes, tethered to their phones and laptops. When they finally do go out, they reconnect with their old friend Ralph (Ben Sinclair), who runs a start-up company making 3D-printed, sustainable surfboards constructed from algae and has nearly completed, by hand, a renovation of a cabin in upstate New York. Ralph suggests Su and Jack stay at the place for a week and, drunk on booze and intoxicated by Ralph’s do-somethingREAL-with-your-life initiative, Su and Jack take Ralph up on his offer and agree to spend the entire week off the grid: no phones, no laptops, just being with each other and in the moment. Mani (“Mr. Robot,” “GLOW”) and Reynolds (“Search Party,” “Stranger

‘The Boys in the Band’ 1/2 

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

Things”) are wonderfully talented comedic performers, and they have an easy, likable chemistry as Su and Jack fumble about their apartment getting ready for the trip. What if they forget something? “It won’t be the end of the world,” says Jack as they finally head out. Well. It might be. Su and Jack settle in for a weekend of taking hikes, playing cards, getting a little high, breathing in the fresh air, stargazing and becoming one with nature while recharging their spiritual batteries. They are comically inept when it comes to canoeing or making a fire, but they’re extremely proud of themselves for making this grand gesture of unplugging from the world for one whole week. They’re also oblivious to the fact that alien predators — small, fluffy creatures that look like something out of an old “Star Trek” episode — have invaded the planet. When Su and Jack finally realize that decorative thing in the cabin Su has dubbed a “Poof ” has in fact been moving around and is trying to kill them, they have to switch to survival mode, and you can imagine how that goes. There’s a gun on the premises, but Jack reminds Su they’re not “gun people,” and just having a gun in the house makes it 11 times more likely one of them will be shot. And when they find a car in the garage, even that presents a challenge because it has a manual transmission and of course, neither of them knows how to

Netflix presents a film directed by Joe Mantello, based on the play by Mart Crowley. Rated R (for sexual content, language, some graphic nudity and drug use). Running time: 121 minutes. Premieres Sept. 30 on Netflix.

here’s a not a weapon in sight and only one punch is thrown in “The Boys in the Band,” but this is one of the most bruising movies of the year if you count all the verbal slings and arrows flung about during an intense group therapy session disguised as a birthday party in a New York City apartment in 1968 — a birthday party where everyone is gay and most are in the closet and we’re still a couple of years away from Stonewall and a half-century away from modern times and a culture that is hardly perfect but inarguably more enlightened. Mart Crowley’s “The Boys in the Band” debuted off-Broadway in 1968 and was considered groundbreaking for its frank and honest portrayal of the lives of gay men. Two years later, the great William Friedkin directed the film version, one of the first major American movies entirely about gay characters. Fast-forward a half-century later, with renowned theater director Joe Mantello (“Wicked,” “Blackbird,” “Assassins”) directing the revival, first on Broadway in 2018 and now in a crackling, electric and searing Netflix feature film reuniting that Broadway cast — all openly gay actors. Wisely, Mantello retains the 1968 setting, so “The Boys in the Band” doesn’t come across as dated, but rather a period

piece accurately reflecting the tenor of those times. And wow, what a cast. The entire ensemble is excellent, but the nomination-worthy standouts are Jim Parsons and Zachary Quinto as two friends with a complicated dynamic that has us wondering if they despise each other or are in love with one another, or it’s both and that’s what makes it disconcertingly intense and toxic and yet, somehow, almost … touching. Director Mantello and cinematographer Bill Pope deliver fluid, intimate camerawork that makes us feel as if we’re an invisible witness to the proceedings, most of which take place in the spacious but tastefully cluttered apartment of Michael (Parsons), who is accustomed to a certain lifestyle that includes jet-setting around the globe and wearing expensive sweaters — not that he can actually afford any of it. Michael is a bundle of neuroses and issues. He’s a recovering alcoholic, a Roman Catholic, a struggling writer AND he’s obsessed with his receding hairline, but he’s going to put all that aside, at least for the time being, as he prepares to host a birthday party for his friend Harold, who will be the last to arrive because Harold is always the last to arrive. “The Boys in the Band” is filled with stingingly vicious repartee as nearly every character depends on cleverness as a defense mechanism. Even when there’s almost zero dialogue, e.g., when Herb Alpert’s gorgeously sparse “This Guy’s in Love With You” plays on the stereo as a number of characters dance, literally and otherwise, it’s an emotional whirlwind to behold. But there also are some genuine and moving moments of unvarnished truth, as when Michael finally breaks down and laments, “If we could just learn to not hate ourselves quite so very much.” More than a half-century after first taking the stage, “The Boys in the Band” still leaves us with so much to think about, so much to feel, so much to consider.  Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times

O C TO B E R 11, 2020

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To your good health —

Gluten-free foods aren’t a sales gimmick By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Writer

Dear Dr. Roach I have no health issues, but I’m a cheapskate. I see products labeled as “grain-free” or as “gluten-free,” but they always cost more than the regular product. Are there any health benefits to using these, or are they marketing gimmicks? — L.C. Answer They are not marketing gimmicks at all. People with celiac disease have a sensitivity to a protein in gluten, called gliadin. Even small amounts of gluten can cause long-lasting damage to the intestines, and many people with celiac disease will be unable to properly absorb nutrients if they are regularly exposed to gluten. This can manifest with severe symptoms, such as weight loss, diarrhea and severe metabolic disturbance. Or it can trigger much milder ones, such as mild abdominal discomfort after eating, skin changes, anemia or joint pains. Because the symptoms of celiac disease are so varied, a physician must be fairly convinced it’s celiac before making the diagnosis. Biopsy is the gold standard for certainty, but blood testing — if done while consuming a diet containing gluten — is suggestive. I strongly recommend getting a diagnosis before going on a strict gluten-free diet if you sus-

pect celiac disease. For people with diagnosed celiac disease, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is essential, and the increasing availability of gluten-free foods has made the lives of people with celiac disease better. Many grains are gluten-free naturally. There are people with symptoms from gluten-containing foods but who do not have celiac disease. The term is “non-celiac gluten sensitivity.” Some people with this condition are sensitive to components of the food other than the gluten, although there are some people who are sensitive to gluten but do not have celiac disease. For people without NCGS and without celiac disease, avoiding gluten is not necessary. A diet with many different whole grains has been proven to reduce heart disease risk compared with a more meat-based diet. Dear Dr. Roach Please discuss the problem of the thirst mechanism as it relates to the elderly. I’m 70 years old and in almost perfect physical health. I bicycle every day — 75 miles each week. Even with this enormous physical exercise, I am never thirsty all day and night. Also, I do not perspire. I need to force myself to drink water. Why don’t I feel thirsty? — M.U.

Answer Thirst is a powerful motivation. In people with an intact thirst mechanism, the desire for water can be overpowering; it’s one of the body’s main ways of regulating salt and volume in the body. You are exactly right that as people age, the thirst mechanism becomes less powerful, and that tends to leave older people with a slightly higher amount of salt in the body compared with younger people. Remembering to drink water, especially on hot days, reduces the risk of dehydration. However, people who drink continually may never trigger the thirst response. There are many social cues to drink, and people who are not losing fluid through exertion and sweat may never trigger a strong thirst response. Drinking too much is as dangerous as not drinking enough: If thirst is really impaired, you need to use other mechanisms to monitor fluid status. For example, needing to urinate every several hours (at least) is one way of staying in the right zone.  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.

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O C TO B E R 11, 2020

HOME

Shorter darker days ahead: make your home a haven

s more of life is centered around home, good design can help you augment and replace natural light, while creating a beautiful, productive, safe haven during the darker, shorter days of fall and winter. “As the home continues to serve as our collective sanctuary during the COVID pandemic, it’s critical to con-

sider how lighting can keep a family thriving during this fall and winter season,” says Michael McCullough, director of PR at Progress Lighting. Fall has arrived, and with it, a new reality. The days are naturally growing shorter and darker. Daylight Saving Time expires Nov. 1, ushering in the long winter nights and colder temperatures. This means more time

spent inside working, learning and just plain living in our homes. “The stress of the COVID-19 crisis has emphasized the impact our environment plays on our wellbeing. There’s never been a more important time for interior design,” says Doris Pearlman, founder of Possibilities for Design of Denver. “Our goal is to create spaces that uplift and embrace,

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• Add lighting above work areas to create functional, operational spaces. • Complement ambient lighting with pendant lighting around kitchen islands to facilitate collaboration. • Create inspiration by clustering pendants for a fun, unique centerpiece. • Hang pendants over nightstands to turn the bedroom into a retreat. Individual switches allow for customized lighting for easy bedtime reading.

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

GARDENING

Get growing in the garden this fall season

he changing season offers a new opportunity to grow fall-friendly plants. Gardening is a great way to decorate your space with beautiful blooms, grow fresh vegetables that produce delicious cool season harvests, and is a safe, healthy activity to engage in while practicing social distancing and enjoying the outdoors. Whether you have a small patio, high-rise rooftop, quaint sunny corner of your yard or even a balcony, the experts at Ball Horticultural Company share their fall gardening insights for growing a successful and stunning garden this season.

Prepare for planting

If you have plants that have matured from the summer gardening season, it’s time to clean up to prepare for new growth. Remove surface plants and use a tiller or hand tools to remove root matter under the soil. Add compost or gardening soil to pots, window boxes and other garden

spaces, so they are ready with rich nutrients to support fall plant growth. If you’ve grown hardy perennials, just a brief tidy-up is needed. Clip away any brown foliage or spent flowers and provide a light covering of mulch at the base of the plant to ready them for frosty temperatures.

Embrace fall hues

Rich reds, vivid oranges and happy yellows are traditional autumnal hues that add energy to your gardens as temperatures turn. A classic coneflower and pollinator favorite, like the Sombrero Echinacea from Darwin Perennials, will brighten your space even as temperatures fall. Available in a variety of colors, Sombrero Baja Burgundy and Fiesta Orange are ideal for bringing vibrant fall color to sunny spaces and for attracting bees, songbirds and butterflies to your yard. Tip Leave the older blooms of Echinacea on their stems to feed wildlife. Then cut them back after

their feast to put new energy into the plant for spring.

Flowers that thrive

Another colorful and easy care option are Cool Wave Pansies, a fast-growing, long-lasting trailing pansy available in a variety of bold colors perfect for revamping your outdoor space for fall. A cool-season gardener’s dream, you can feel confident that these blooms will thrive even as fall temperatures ebb and flow. Check out Cool Wave Raspberry Swirl with cheerful magenta and white petals and a delightful yellow center. Tip Place your Cool Wave Pansies where you’ve also planted bulbs. Their hardiness will make them the first pansy to reappear next spring for two seasons of enjoyment.

Enjoy homegrown vegetables

In addition to adding style to your space with fall flowers, incorporate seasonal vegetables to enjoy fresh, healthy produce straight from your

backyard or patio. Burpee Sweet Thang Cabbage adds beauty to any garden with its attractive dark green leaves. A touch sweeter than collards or kale, this non-heading cabbage delivers a delicious bite to round out autumn dishes. A wonderful option for full-sun gardens is Bright Lights Swiss Chard, a stunning All-America Selectionswinning mix that produces delicious, mildly flavored stems in a rainbow of colors — including yellow, gold, orange, pink, violet, green, white, red and even striped! Tip Harvest the tender bronze to dark green leaves young to enjoy in salads or eat like spinach or beet greens. There are many plants that thrive in the fall weather, adding style and life to your outdoor space to enjoy for many months. For more tips and gardening ideas, visit burpeehomegardens.com and wavegardening.com. (BPT) 

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O C TO B E R 11, 2020

PETS

Symptoms of illness in four common pets

f pets could speak, caring for them would be that much easier. But pet owners must rely on physical cues to determine if their beloved pets are doing well or feeling under the weather. Various animals display different symptoms when they are not feeling well or suffering from illness. It is important for pet owners to become familiar with what is “normal” for their pets so that they can readily identify behaviors or symptoms indicative of illness. Keep in mind that symptoms that would indicate illness in one pet may not do the same with other animals. That is why it is key to establish a baseline. According to Mark Stickney, DVM, director of general surgery services at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, any change in a pet’s behavior from what is normal is reason to consult a veterinarian. This generalized symptom list may

parasites like roundworms. It is difficult to gauge if cats are ill because they can be so stoic. Blood in vomit or feces, decreased activity, straining to urinate, or urinating in inappropriate places can be signs of illness in cats.

Dogs

give pet owners pause to speak with a vet about the health of their furry friends.

Cats

Cats will spit up on occasion, particularly if they have been grooming themselves and have to pass a hairball. Cats who roam outdoors may gobble down a kill and later vomit back up indigestible parts, like feathers or fur. But frequent vomiting may be indicative of a food allergy or intolerance. Sometimes it may be the symptom of gastric irritation from

Dogs are a little better that cats at conveying illness. Generally speaking, normally upbeat and boisterous dogs who are now lethargic and uninterested in interaction are probably sick. Fetch by WebMD says disinterest in food for several days, vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in urination might indicate illness. Quite often pet owners do not discover their dogs are suffering from diabetes until they have to frequently refill water bowls and their normally trained pets start urinating inside the home.

Hamsters

According to The Spruce: Pets, common signs of illness or injury in hamsters include inactivity, hud-

dling in a corner, unkempt coat, discharge from the nose or eyes, wetness around the tail, or hair loss. Bring the hamster in for a checkup if it exhibits any of these symptoms.

Lizards

Determining if your pet lizard is sick can be challenging since lizards (and most reptiles) have such slow metabolisms that, when they get sick, they often do not show signs of illness until a disease has progressed. Different species have varying nutritional requirements and light requirements. They also have their own specific temperature and humidity needs. PetMD says lack of appetite, fewer droppings, lethargy with hiding under bedding, sunken eyes, sticky mucus in the mouth, and weight loss (particularly thinning of the tail) are signs a lizard may be sick. Getting to know pet behaviors and indications of wellness can make it easier to determine if a pet is sick and needs medical attention. (MC) 

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

AUTOMOTIVE

The benefits of a defensive driving course

Reduce automotive insurance premiums Depending on where they live, drivers’ insurance premiums can be reduced by as much as 10% for completing a defensive driving course. This can add up, particularly for those who have teenagers on the policy. It’s worth a call to the insurance agency to see which type of course they require. Reduce fines Traffic courts may reduce fines for those who are ticketed and agree to enroll in defensive driving courses. Drivers looking to reduce fines should confirm that a course is recognized in the state where they live before enrolling. Remove fines or reduce points Driving violations come with some consequences, namely tickets and sometimes points on a license. Too

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Defensive driving courses can help reduce the risk of accidents and much more.

many points can lead to a suspended license. Completing a defensive driving course may remove points or tickets from your driving record. Be sure to verify the law with a court clerk or the local motor vehicle commission. Relearn the rules of the road It may have been some time since you contemplated the rules of the road. Defensive driving courses often review information on driving laws and regulations, helping to make for more confident, law-abiding drivers. Learn preventative techniques Of course the main goal of the course is to help drivers learn the common causes of accidents and how to avoid them. Courses may teach drivers that 40% of crashes occur at intersections, and that passing another vehicle within 100 feet of a bridge, tunnel or railroad crossing dramatically increases the chances of being involved in an accident, according to DriveSafe Online. There’s always room for improvement, and defensive driving courses can help drivers get better behind the wheel. Investing in a defensive driving course can improve skills, potentially save lives and even save drivers money. (MC) 

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illions of cars travel the roadways each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that nearly 1.5 million people are killed in road crashes each year and approximately 3,700 people die each day in accidents around the world. The World Health Organization points out that motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death for children and young people in various countries. Such deaths are preventable, and defensive driving strategies can greatly reduce the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Defensive driving is driving in a way that utilizes safe driving strategies to enable motorists to address hazards in a predicatable manner, according to SafeMotorist.com. These strategies go above and beyond following basic traffic laws and procedures. Defensive driving courses can help new or seasoned drivers improve their driving skills and reduce accident risk by teaching them to anticipate certain scenarios and make well-informed decisions. Defensive driving strategies can help reduce the risk of being in an accident, and there are other benefits to these courses as well.

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N E W S F E AT U R E

LANG

wise he wouldn’t spend so much time here. I work from home right now, so I sit here and I watch him talking to tenants all day, (which) just shows he

likes what he does.” For Lang, his residents truly have become like family to him, “and they take care of me in a way, too,” he added, referring to when his wife was sick before she died. “He grew up here, so I think it’s more than a business,” Klein added. “I forget sometimes that it’s his business because to me, this is just my family thing. This is where my grandma grew up and where my dad grew up, and I lived here when I was younger, and my mom’s family also lived here. So for me, we’ve come out of this place.” It was that sentiment that he expressed to residents in his letter that he has exemplified as he continues to run the park after Julie’s death. “My wife passed away three years ago,” Lang said. “She always said when I turned 65, we were going to leave, but that didn’t happen. I tell people now, ‘Unfortunately, you’re stuck with me.’” 

diffuse light to avoid glare on my computer screen.” Technology can help spaces pull double-duty. Lifestyle blogger, Lindsey Dalton says, “We put our chandelier on a dimmer so it can be bright while my husband’s working but we can turn it down during dinner to transition the room from workday to relaxing evening.” With smart light fixtures, you can change lighting tone, brightness and

color with a device or your voice. Control products from iDevices work with the three most popular voice assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. Using the iDevices smart Dimmer Switch and Wall Switch, you can set lights on dynamic schedules and automations based on triggers like your local sunrise or presence at home. Delineating start and stop times to your day through lighting can help optimize productivity and boost your mood. Smart controls can also facilitate distance-learning. “With a voice assistant built inside the Instinct smart light switch, you have your own at-home teaching assistant, helping answer questions and assisting with exercises,” says Andrew Ragali, senior marketing manager for iDevices. “It also allows you to play music or audiobooks using voice commands to keep kids on task.” For more tips and to shop products, visit Progress Lighting. Your home environment impacts your family’s health and wellbeing. Well-lit, comfortable spaces can help your household thrive in the months ahead. (StatePoint) 

Continued from page 7

ing all of it, it would be less of a stress on them.” In a letter he sent to residents, Lang told them he felt as though they were like family and should be treated in the same way. “The days ahead are filled with uncertainty and hardships for many of us,” he wrote. “I hope this small gesture will help ease some of the hardships everyone is going through at this time. We will get through this together.” Lang used some of his savings to get through the two months, and since then, each and every resident has continued to pay their rent.

More than just a park

When the Langs moved off the property to Saugus when their daughters were young, Lang continued to come to the park on weekdays, treating it almost like a day job. “Since my mom passed away, he’s

Blake Klein, 14 months old, right, represents the fifth generation of Lang to live at the site of the Placerita Canyon Mobile Home Park. John Lang manages the property like the family business it’s always been for him, in appreciation of his tenants, he said. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

definitely spent a lot more time here,” Klein said. “Now he’s spending seven days a week at the park. … I think he really cares about his tenants, other-

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Continued from page 14

“Instead of a ‘great room,’ many families now think that having many areas designated for specific tasks is ‘great’.” Fridley’s strategies include: • Create specific learning areas for each child. • Let kids customize spaces, keeping clutter minimized to avoid distractions. • Encourage concentration with good (if possible natural) lighting. Design pros suggest homeowners incorporate light layering to maximize light throughout the day. Supplement daylight with overhead lighting from chandeliers, recessed and close-to-ceiling fixtures. Place task lighting such as pendants or desk lamps over work areas. Use accent lighting like wall sconces to add a soft glow as the day wanes. “Lighting should set the tone for productivity. For some, this might mean bright lighting and multiple sources. Others might prefer a moody vibe. Making it your own is what’s

most important … oh, and a good backdrop for Zoom calls sure won’t hurt,” says Julie Wynalda, owner of True Vine Creations in Hudsonville, Michigan. Instagram influencer Heather, of Operation Tudor Revival, who’s DIYing her home renovation says, “Office lighting can be both functional and fabulous! I went with an overhead chandelier with a drum shade for an updated look. The shade also helps

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SENIORLIVING

How to confront the potential onset of memory loss

o two individuals are the same, but many men and women encounter similar changes as they approach their golden years. As adults get closer to retirement, their eyeglass prescriptions may need to get a little stronger and their workouts may need to be a little less intense as their bodies adjust to the physical challenges of aging. Many changes associated with aging don’t affect seniors’ ability to live independently. However, one common concern for older adults is the potential decline of their cognitive health, which can compromise their ability to get through their daily lives without some form of assistance. According to the National Institute on Aging, many older adults worry about memory loss as they age. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that voicing concerns about memory loss can make those worries seem more real. That fear may compel some aging men and women to write off memory loss as a minor side effect of getting older. And in many instances, memory loss is not severe and not indicative of the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. However, the Alzheimer’s Association notes how important it is for aging men and women to seek support if they are concerned about their memory or any changes in the way they’re thinking or behaving. Doctors can be invaluable resources for aging men and women, offering tips on how to confront memory loss and recommending strategies that can improve cognitive function. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends aging adults take a threepronged approach to memory loss the moment they notice any changes in their memory or behaviors. 1. Assess the situation. Start making a list of any changes you notice each day. Changes could be related to memory, thought patterns or behaviors. Note anything that feels abnormal or is causing you concern. A good assessment also will involve careful consideration of any and all

potential factors that may be behind your concerns. Is something other than aging going on? Family stress or a recently diagnosed medical condition can lead to the same issues many people associate with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association lists 10 warning signs for Alzheimer’s at www.alz.org/10signs. Familiarize yourself with these signs to see how they line up with how you’re feeling. Take note of anyone who has shared concerns about your memory loss, thought patterns or behaviors. It’s not always easy to hear loved ones express such concerns, but they should not be ignored. 2. Have a conversation. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that many people find it helpful to discuss their concerns with a loved one rather than going it alone. Don’t delay such conversations, but try to figure out how you will approach them in advance. After discussing your concerns with a trusted loved one, ask this person to accompany you when you discuss these concerns with your doctor. Having a loved one accompany you when visiting the doctor can calm your nerves, and this person can serve as a backup who can ask the doctor any questions or share any concerns you may forget to ask or bring up. If a loved one says your concerns sound like normal aging but you still want to seek more support, don’t hesitate to contact another friend or family member. 3. Reach out for help. The Alzheimer’s Association is a reliable source of information that can be accessed online at www.alz. org and over the phone at (800) 272.3900. Individuals also can find local resources by visiting www.alz. org/CRF. Many individuals are scared to confront the potential onset of memory loss. But no one has to make such a journey alone. (MC) 

HEAR IN PINK with Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology Whether it’s breast cancer research or helping patients get to treatment, our fundraising makes a real difference in the fight against breast cancer and in our community. If you or a loved one needs help with their hearing, October is the best time visit Advanced Audiology. At the same time you’re helping yourself you’re also donating and helping your community. Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology is donating a portion of all its hearing aid proceeds to breast cancer research, and Circle of Hope. Raising awareness among patients, and local communities about breast cancer which affects 1 in 8 women in the U.S. Nola Aronson is a 20 year breast cancer survivor herself, so this cause is personal and close to her heart. Nola Aronson, M.A., CCC-A

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K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

And for a last hurrah … a Zucchini Chile-Cheese Bake By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Editor

sliced, or one large tomato, sliced 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

eaves that were green may be turning to brown, gold and red, but summer’s growing season isn’t over yet. Tall and free, sunflowers still climb upward like Jack’s beanstalk. Their bright yellow blooms sway with afternoon breezes, crossing property lines and surpassing the heights of fences. Full of life and growth, I recently observed a bright sunflower bold enough to peek into a second story window. Lower to the ground, to accommodate my 16-month-old granddaughter’s reach, a few cherry tomatoes ripen for her picking in our backyard. Lurking under a last pepper, three zucchinis are another happy discovery. Just what I need for this delicious, nutritious family-style dish. A last hurrah to the growing season, this Zucchini Chile-Cheese Bake with tomatoes and peppers is a healthy side for dinner, or a hearty main vegetarian dish paired with a salad for lunch.

To prepare oven and casserole: Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter a threequart casserole.

To prepare rice, zucchini and sour cream mixture: Cook rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, cook zucchini in water until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Drain. Or, saute in olive oil, if you prefer. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, garlic powder, salt, oregano, onions and chopped pepper.

Zucchini Chile-Cheese Bake 1 cup uncooked rice 3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced 2 cups sour cream 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon oregano

1/4 cup green onion, chopped 1/2 cup red or green peppers, loosely chopped 7-1/2 ounce can diced green chiles 12 ounces Monterey jack cheese, shredded or thinly sliced in strips Handful of cherry tomatoes (about 8),

To assemble: Spoon the cooked rice for a base layer in the casserole. Spread chiles evenly over the rice, then sprinkle half of the cheese. Place zucchini slices evenly over cheese, then add a layer of tomato slices. Crack or sprinkle pepper over tomatoes. Spoon and spread sour cream mixture over tomato layer. Sprinkle remaining grated cheese or arrange strips over all. To bake Bake for 50 minutes uncovered. Let stand a few minutes. To serve Spoon freely out of casserole or cut into portions. Makes 8 servings. 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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SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

S U N D AYS I G N A L Î&#x2021; 21

CROSSWORD TIME

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Opinion

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

Four Factors Behind Our Votes In our country, we have the great privilege of participating in the selection of leaders and the direction of our government. After observing elections over many years, I decided to summarize the main approaches to voting that I have seen. This simplification helps me both now and for the future, and perhaps it will help you as well. 1) Personal Gain: Many people vote on the basis of “how will it help me now?” The focus is on the present and immediate future benefits. The operative word is “free.” For this approach, the politician who promises the most free stuff wins. In spite of my gullibility and optimism, I have usually found that free stuff is usually worth about what I paid for it, or has a hidden cost that becomes apparent only later. There is a place where you can get free health care, free housing, free food, free clothing and free education. There is no inequality. This sounds like a political utopia, but no one would choose to live in the government-designed and -sponsored institutions called “prisons.” People there would trade it all for simple freedom. 2) Party: Many people vote purely by party affiliation. Even assuming that your candidate will follow the direction of the party, careful observers have noted that there have been significant changes in the foundations of the main parties over the past years. Where is each party headed today? 3) Personality: Many people pick the candidate the way they would pick a friend: likable, compatible, pleasant, etc. However, elections are not about picking friends (as you will likely never have any direct contact), but rather about picking a person to do an important job. For most jobs, skills are the primary concern, rather than personality. If you are selecting someone to fix your plumbing, they must be competent to complete the task. They may be very likable, but this does not help your clogged drain if they cannot fix it. In addition, people who focus on personality often have very intense feelings about their choice, and negative emotions dominate toward candidates they do not like. We know that emotions cloud judgment and reasoning, and negative emotions especially warp our thinking. Angry people distort facts and quickly jump to wrong conclusions. There is a better way… 4) Policy, Principles, and Priorities: In politics, we choose people whose core principles will guide their actions and decisions. The best guide to their political priorities is what they have done recently, if they have a political record, and if not, what they emphasize in their words. I ask myself, “What priorities and principles do I consider most important in the political arena? Will they endure?” These are the things I should emphasize when voting. Once my priorities are clear, it is easier to make the decision. If I really cannot decide on an issue or a person for an office because I lack sufficient information, there is another good option, which is simply not to vote. Leave that one blank. This is better than making a blind choice, which could be harmful. Democracy only works well when people make informed choices. If masses of people are voting in ignorance or for poor reasons, we are likely to get the leaders and policies we deserve. Happy voting! May our republic endure with “liberty and justice for all.” Mark Stewart Santa Clarita Submit a Letter to the Editor

O C TO B E R 11, 2020

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

The Privilege of Work By David Hegg

hile everyone wants to engage in an employment situation that is satisfying, noble, and even fun, the sad truth is that most end up on jobs that are just plain work. Or at least that is what we’ve been led to believe by the change in our national ethos over the past generation. The question is this: Do you view your job primarily as a means of gaining income? Or, do you see it as a privilege to serve your community? In other words, what is the foundation of your ethic of work? In the biblical book of Genesis we find that God himself was the first worker. The creation account states that he worked for six days, and then rested on the seventh. Further, God is said to be the first employer. He placed the first man – Adam – into the garden and commanded him to tend and work it. Work was God’s way of giving man something meaningful and valuable to do. It was also the very first way that man could mirror God. Work, from the beginning then, was both a noble service, and an act of worship. Historically, work has played an enormous part in our self-esteem, especially in the West. Often the first question asked upon meeting a new acquaintance is “so, what do you do?” What we do has become a huge part of who we are. Ask someone who has been unemployed for a long time, and they’ll tell you that they often start to doubt their value, and even their continuing worth to family and society. And therein lies the great problem we face today. We attach great personal merit to what we do, even as work is increasingly being seen as a necessary evil in the pursuit of money. There is an increasing sense of cognitive dissonance in this. As the nobility of work is morphing into a merely

utilitarian concept, so too is the perception we have of our worth as humans, and our value to the world around us. When the reason for work is reduced to a paycheck we soon find that the hours and energy we spend working are unfulfilling, even drudgery. But it hasn’t always been that way, and it needn’t be so today. What is needed is a recovery of a work ethic where the work itself is seen as honorable, regardless of the pay or prestige. What some refer to as the Puritan work ethic recognized every kind of work as both valuable to society, and fulfilling to the worker, if understood as a privilege granted by both society and God. And so, the cobbler, instead of thinking primarily of profit, determined to make the best shoes possible, for in this he found great satisfaction, and his customers were given great value. The same could be said for every type of work and industry. Imagine if, today, craftsmanship once again overtook profit margin as the driving force in manufacturing. And what would be the effect if hard work and dedication again became the primary characteristics of our work force? Of course, these are not entirely lacking today, which accounts for those companies and products consistently preferred by consumers. I, for one, love work because what I get to do not only brings me great personal satisfaction but also provides benefit to those in my sphere of influence. For those reasons, it isn’t really work. As someone has said, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I’d like to change that slightly. “See work as a privilege, and you’ll love working every day of your life.” Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

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