Sunday Signal October 18, 2020

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OCTOBER 18, 2020

Fall Fun for the Family Page 5 Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

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10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER

12

SCARY GOOD HALLOWEEN RECIPES

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WHY FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO GARDEN

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

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH This year has been an unusual and extraordinary time for all of us.

Screening and early detection are key to successfully treating breast cancer, so putting off annual mammograms can have negative consequences.

COVID-19 has had a significant impact in our lives, but it still doesn’t change the fact that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Identifying breast cancer early is key to a woman’s prognosis, and when found early can allow for less aggressive treatment options.

It is estimated that cancer diagnosis are down as much as 48% due to COVID-19. At Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center, we believe as many as 80 “unknown patients” may have missed early cancer detections, based on the lower number of patients we saw earlier this year, compared to previous years.

Please don’t delay your annual mammogram.

To learn more, call 661.200.1099, or visit sheilarveloz.com.

661.200.1099 | sheilarveloz.com

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE...

O C TO B E R 18, 2020

NEWS FEATURES

5

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

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5 6 7 8

Affordable, family-friendly fall events in the SCV Getting back on the set or the movie ranch A Q & A to help you understand breast cancer Eyeing investments during a global pandemic

9 Easy, convenient city services available online

HEALTH 10 10 How to treat today’s most common skin issues

ENTERTAINMENT 11 11 ‘Once Upon a River, ’ the amazing Comedy Store

FOOD 12

of the

2020 How’s e everyon? doing

COMMUNITY WATCH PARTY

STAYING CONNECTED...

STAYING RESILIENT.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 22, 2020

11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Join the party on the City’s Facebook page or watch on SCVTV

1 2 Scary good food inspired by Monsters, Inc. Chicken Stuffed Roz heads Slippery Slimy Smoothie

HOME 13 13 Fun craft projects for your fall home

GARDENING 14 14 Fall beats spring for top gardening season!

SENIOR LIVING

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15 A Second Wind: Easing into seasonal plans

PETS 16 16 Time to get curious about your cat’s health

AUTOMOTIVE 17 17 Regular maintenance keeps your car firing on all cylinders

KIDS & FAMILY

1 9 Donna’s Day: Crafting felted Autumn acorns I Spy 20 Build heart-healthy behaviors for preschoolers at home Junior Whirl

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PUZZLES 21 OPINION 22

Annette Davis

REALTORÂŽ Lic#01055118

(310) 795-6701

annettedavis@firstteam.com annettedavis.firstteam.com MOUNTAIN AND VINEYARD VIEWS surround this beautiful home located in Agua Dulce, Spanish for “Sweet Water�. This A-Frame home features a remodeled kitchen with high end finishes, stainless steel appliances, and gorgeous granite counters with large center island. Other features include updated bathrooms, warm wood and vinyl plank floors, and sand-blasted oak wood beams, to give the home a cozy cabin feel. Gaze at the majestic views from the private deck off of the second-level master bedroom.

Enjoy year-round living with central air and heating. A workshop shed is out back for storage, home projects or hobby enthusiasts.

Not included in the square footage is a detached bonus room measuring approximately 19’ x 10’ with 2 entries, upgraded electrical and equipped with cable and gas, and is perfect for guests, kids and pets. This turn-key home offers a quiet lifestyle, yet is centrally located Northeast of Santa Clarita with easy access to the 405, 5, 210 and 14 freeways. Priced to sell! Hurry this home won’t last!

Call for Open House dates, easy to show.

$550,000 34718 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce 91390 SINCE 1919

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661-259-1234 The entire content of the Sunday Signal is copyrighted 2019 by Paladin Multi-Media Group, Inc. All submitted letters and columns are strictly the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. If you would not like this delivered to your home, please call (661) 259-1000.

O C TO B E R 18, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

Affordable, family-friendly fall events in the SCV

Left: Joshua Pinson, 5, picks out the style of pumpkin he wants to create at the craft tent at Gilchrist Farm during a recent trip. Right: Riding instructor Jessica Buchanan watches Makayla McLaughlin, 5, as she rides Pete in the Pony Carousel at Gilchrist Farm. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

T

his year has meant all sorts of canceled plans and modified traditions, but residents can enjoy the perks of the fall season with a variety of family-friendly events that won’t hurt your wallet — and you won’t have to drive outside of the Santa Clarita Valley.

From picking out the perfect pumpkins to catching a ride on a farm train or checking out the latest public art pieces, families have several budget-friendly options that keep COVID-19 safety guidelines in place and allow children and parents a chance to create memories that can last a lifetime.

Visit a pumpkin patch

What better way to welcome fall festivities than by visiting local pumpkin patches, such as at Gilchrist Farm and Bennett’s Best, which are both located in Saugus.

Some features will not be offered this year, including slides and games at Bennett’s, but you can still stop by to search from a variety of traditional and specialty pumpkins and gourds.

If you’re looking for a longer outing at a pumpkin patch consider a wide range of activities Gilchrist Farm is offering this year, including wagon rides, archery, ax throwing, pumpkin slingshots and farm visits.

“Normally, we have a giant maze,

but not this year due to COVID,” said Monica Gilchrist, owner of the farm.

“But we still have a lot more for families to do and a great assortment of wonderful pumpkins.”

If you’re planning on visiting the farm over the weekend, don’t forget to preorder from one of several food truck vendors via bestfoodtrucks. com/gilchristfarms, she said, adding that farm visits are by appointments.

In offering more spacious pumpkin patches for visitors to spread and safely enjoy themselves, both locations are implementing COVID-19 safety guidelines, such as requiring staff and guests over the age of 2 to wear face masks at all times, sanitizing all shared spaces and equipment and encouraging people to frequently wash their hands and avoid visits if they feel sick.

Bennett’s Best’s Valencia location will not be open this year but its Saugus lot, located at 27000 Bouquet Canyon Rd. is open 7-days a week. For more, visit bennettsbest.net.

Gilchrist Farm is also open all week and is located at 30116 Bouquet Canyon Road. For additional information, visit gilchristfarm.com/ pumpkin-patch.

Immerse yourself in the local arts

October is National Arts and Humanities Months, meaning it’s time for the city of Santa Clarita’s annual ARTober celebration, which offers

free arts and humanities events that are free or budget-friendly.

“Although the coronavirus pandemic may have changed the way many ARTober events are presented this year, it has not stopped the city’s Arts and Events team from developing an engaging and innovative schedule of exciting festivities,” read a recent city news release. “Online, residents can watch modern plays during The MAIN’s Stage on Screen Theatre Fest, or tune into a lively panel discussion on different art, music and film topics during the Arts Virtual Symposium sessions presented by New Heights.”

Among the many events is the return of You’re The Best — albeit in a virtual mode, of course. The free, “not-your-average” talent show on Oct. 19-23 will feature seven new acts, virtual trivia and a themed show.

Participants will have a chance to vote for their favorite performance.

This month a new public art piece was unveiled. California Scape is a new permanent sculpture that is centered around a young elm tree expected to grow over time and offers space for a person to sit in and reflect or meditate while surrounded by nature.

The art piece is installed at Fair Oaks Park, located at 17468 Maple St. in Canyon Country.

To find out about other upcoming events visit santaclaritaarts.com/ artober2020. For viewing and

additional information, visit facebook. com/themainnewhall.

Head to Scarecrow Alley

Don’t have Halloween plans this year? Consider stopping by the city’s Scarecrow Alley, a free, public viewing at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex on Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event is part of the city’s contactless drive-thru Haunted Highway experience where residents and businesses partake in a community contest by creating their own scarecrows and have them featured for the viewing.

Those who would like to participate can enter the contest by Oct. 19.

To learn more and access the entry form, visit santa-clarita.com/ scarecrow.

Trek through miles of open space

The Santa Clarita Valley offers miles of trails to plan a family nature hike, such as the Whitney Canyon Park, Towsley Canyon Park and the Elsmere Canyon Trailhead.

Try visiting new trails and make the trek a fun one with a nature-themed bingo game. Find bingo sheets online or create your own by adding fall-related items like orange and yellow leaves, acorns and fuzzy critters.

For more information on the city’s trails, you can visit santa-clarita.com/ residents/hike-santa-clarita. 

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Getting back on the set or the movie ranch

By Emily Alvarenga & Perry Smith Signal Staff Writers

W

hen the coronavirus pandemic swept through California, the film industry, like many other businesses, came to a screeching halt.

Since then, productions have been given the goahead to resume — with a slew of new guidelines and protocols to follow.

Here in the Santa Clarita Valley, filming has begun to ramp up again, with a total of 120 film days per production being logged since the beginning of July, according to Matthew Curran, a project technician at the Santa Clarita Film Office.

Last year, 468 filming permits were issued for 1,249 film location days, which garnered an estimated economic impact of nearly $30.8 million, in the 2019-20 fiscal year that ended in June.

While Curran said the Film Office is beginning to see numbers slowly climbing to pre-COVID-19 rates, they do not anticipate this fiscal year to be nearly as successful as last year.

“As you know during the beginning of the (COVID-19) crisis, the film industry was hit hard and there was no activity,” Jason Crawford, economic development manager for the city of Santa Clarita, said. “However, over the past couple of months, filming is ramping up and we are seeing TV shows, movies and commercials filming throughout Santa Clarita again.”

That being said, productions filming locally are still adjusting to the reopening protocols put in place by the county Department of Public Health, along with state guidelines.

These protocols include many typically seen for other industries, such as physically distancing, requiring personal protective equipment, or PPE, screening employees for COVID-19 symptoms and frequent sanitizing of the workplace.

“The Santa Clarita Film Office is currently following all the L.A. County health guidelines for reopening, … requires all the necessary social distancing and for all cast and crew to wear proper PPE,” Curran said. “Additionally, many productions are requiring COVID testing prior to coming on set and doing regular temperature checks each day.”

Other changes include craft services and meals being required to be outdoors, while all food and drink must be single-serving only, with no communal food or drink service offered.

In addition, sets are now closed to the public, with strict COVID safety measures in place to help social distancing from the general public and among the crew itself.

Motion picture precautions

One thing is for certain, filming a major motion picture shoot, like the one that was going on at the Backwoods Inn recently, takes a lot more time and attention these days.

Camera crew members Dino Georgopoulos, center, and Conrad Castor wear face masks as they prepare the camera for a commercial shoot in Canyon Country. While there are a lot more procedures and precautions on set to keep things safe in the time of COVID-19, everyone on set was happy to see filming resume safely. PHOTO

BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

A Valencia resident directing security for the shoot had to speak on the condition of anonymity to conceal the project before its media announcement.

“We try to keep a pretty tight lid on everything,” the person said, noting that as a local resident, he was very happy to see filming come back, and everybody wants to make sure it’s done safely so it can continue.

The current SCV set he’s working on has anywhere from 120-150 people working at one time, he said, so part of keeping everything safe and sanitary, in addition to numerous sanitizing stations and procedures, is to have the division separated into four pods, A, B, C and D, with A being, as you might imagine, the actors and actress, director, makeup crew and camera personnel and others who have to be closest to those individuals; with B pod being for lighting, scene construction, etc.; and so forth.

After one group from a designated pod enters the area, there’s an intense 10 minutes or so of cleaning and disinfecting that goes on, all of which adds hours to the day and, ultimately, probably millions to the budgets of these projects, all things considered, he added.

Part of that enormous cost is associated with the

time that’s been added to the projects as a result, as the production company he’s working with for this shoot uses an 86-page guide for protocols that, he adds, are followed to the T. The crew begins to arrive in the morning for a shoot that’s going to last well into the night, he said.

“You can imagine how long it takes to test, to stand 6 feet apart, to keep that social distancing, to make sure you’ve got your PPE on, make sure you’re always washing and sterilizing your hands,” he explained, “you can imagine how long it takes just to get started in the morning.”

As someone who’s part of the A pod, he gets tested every day with results that are “fast-tracked,” which no doubt also carries a significant cost.

While there’s a recent industry standard, which was developed in part by producer Steve Soderberg of the Director’s Guild, in consultation with experts he met while working on “Contagion,” production crews also have to work with union guidelines from the various guilds on set, as well. “(Unions) have followed everything (with respect to health protocols) — we’re all a team here,” the person added. “At the end of the day, we all want to continue to work, and therefore the unions have been fantastic in working with our production.”

See FILMING, page 18

O C TO B E R 18, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

A Q & A to help you understand breast cancer

and a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to confirm that cancer is present, according to the ACS. It involves removing a sample of tissue and inspecting it under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.

By Mari Shay, RN Manager, Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center

I

n recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the manager of the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital shared answers to these important questions about what can be a very treatable disease: breast cancer.

6. How is breast cancer treated?

Breast cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy or a combination of these treatments, according to the ACS. Treatment decisions are generally made by considering the type and stage of the cancer, general health and personal preferences. Every treatment option has benefits and drawbacks.

Answers to ten questions about breast cancer.

1. How does breast cancer develop?

Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast become abnormal and start dividing rapidly. Most breast cancers start with cells in the milk ducts, the tiny tubes that run from the lobules (glands that make breast milk) to the nipple, according to the American Cancer Society, or ACS. Without effective treatment, these cancer cells continue to multiply, invading and destroying healthy breast tissue and eventually forming a tumor. Cancer cells can also break away from the tumor, travel to other organs and start new tumors.

2. Does breast cancer cause symptoms?

Early breast cancers usually don’t cause symptoms. That’s why both the American College of Radiology, or ACR, and the American Society of Breast Surgeons, ASBS, recommend regular breast cancer screening.

Women age 40 or older should have regular mammograms (specialized x-rays of the breasts).

For women who are potentially at high risk for breast cancer, both organizations recommend a formal breast cancer risk assessment, which may include annual MRIs and mammograms for those determined to be high risk for developing breast cancer.

Screening tests may detect breast cancer very early, when simple treatment is most likely to be effective.

If a breast cancer progresses enough to cause symptoms, the most common one is a new lump or mass in the breast, according to the ACS. Breast cancer can also cause swelling, skin irritation, dimpling, redness or scaling on the skin of the breast or nipple, painful nipples, nipple discharge or a lump in the underarm.

Henry Mayo radiologist Anjali Date, MD and Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center Manager Mari Shay, RN, review a mammogram image at the Breast Center. PHOTO COURTESY HENRY MAYO HOSPITAL

3. Are all breast lumps cancer?

Not all breast lumps are cancer.

Most breast lumps are fluid-filled cysts, collections of fibrous tissue or some other type of unusual growth that won’t spread beyond the breast and is not life-threatening. Still, any lump or change in a breast should always be checked by a doctor, notes the ACS. You won’t be able to tell the difference between harmless and dangerous changes on your own.

4. What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

According to the ACS, risk factors for breast cancer include: Older age. Most breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older.

Family history. Women whose mother, sister or daughter had breast cancer are at higher risk themselves.

Genetics. Women who have mutated forms of some genes have a higher risk for breast cancer.

History of breast cancer. Women who have had cancer in one breast are more likely to develop cancer in the other breast.

Race. White women are more likely than women of other races to develop breast cancer.

Past radiation treatment. Women who have had radiation therapy to the chest are at higher risk for breast cancer.

Age of first and last period. Women who started menstruating before age

12, or stopped menstruating after age 55, are at higher risk for breast cancer.

Past pregnancies. In general, women who have no biological children or did not bear children until after age 30 have a higher risk for breast cancer.

DES (diethylstilbestrol). Women who were given this drug during pregnancy have a higher risk for breast cancer.

Medicines with hormones. Birth control pills and hormone therapy after menopause have both been linked to increased breast cancer risk.

Obesity and being overweight.

Women who are overweight or obese after menopause are more likely to develop breast cancer than those who maintain a healthy weight.

An inactive lifestyle. Women who get regular exercise are less likely to develop breast cancer.

Alcohol. As little as one alcoholic drink a day can raise a woman’s breast cancer risk.

5. How is breast cancer found?

Breast cancer may be found during a screening test such as a mammogram, an MRI or a breast exam or when a woman notices a lump, tender spot or other breast change either by accident or during a breast self-exam. If your doctor thinks there’s any chance that it’s cancer, he or she will order additional tests. These may include specialized imaging tests

7. How often is treatment for breast cancer successful?

When breast cancer is found early, it can almost always be treated successfully, according to the ACS. Breast cancer that isn’t detected and treated until it has spread to distant parts of the body is more difficult to treat, and has a poorer outlook.

8. How can I protect myself from breast cancer?

You can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by not drinking alcohol, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight, according to the ACS. Also talk to your doctor about the screening schedule that’s right for you, so if cancer does develop you’re more likely to detect it very early.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, you may want to talk to your doctor about other options for breast cancer prevention. Medicines or (in rare cases) surgery may be used to reduce risk in very highrisk women, notes the ACS. 9. Should I do self-exams?

Breast exams — done either by yourself or a health professional — aren’t recommended because they don’t show a clear benefit, according to the ACS. However, you should be familiar with how your breasts look and feel. When you know what’s normal for you, changes may be more likely to stand out if they do happen.

You should report any changes to a healthcare provider immediately.

10. Where can I go to learn more?

To learn more about breast cancer, visit library.henrymayo.com 

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Eyeing investments during a global pandemic

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

I

t’s no surprise, the nation entered a recession as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact each market in one aspect or another.

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 stock market.

“This economic issue, this recession that we’re going through now is different than the last one at the core, and so to confuse the two is a mistake,” local financial adviser Erick Arndt said. “Regardless, there could be some opportunities that pop up, because every time the economy shifts, there is opportunity.”

As with any big financial decision, when trying to time the market and decide if now is the right time to make some investments, there are numerous pros and cons to consider.

Trying to predict market moves

“You can’t time the market, you really can’t,” Patti Handy, a financial adviser at Vance Wealth, said.

“Warren Buffett and some of the top financial strategists of the world can’t time the market. … There’s no crystal ball, so the reality is that we just don’t time the market — we don’t try to.”

Jerrod Ferguson, vice president at Vance Wealth, agreed, adding that he considers it the “million-dollar question.”

“When you start getting into, ‘Is (this) the top of the market?’ I have no idea,” Ferguson said, adding that he doesn’t suggest waiting for the market to crash. “That gets you in a dangerous position where you’re just sitting on the sideline.”

Instead, think about it in the long term

“If you can afford it and it’s more of a longer-term (investment), then the timing of it shouldn’t really matter,” Ferguson said. “It’s always a good time to invest if you have the time on your side.”

The amount of risk you’re taking in investing is all relative to how much time you’ve got, according to Ferguson.

“If you have time on your hands, you can take more risk,” he added. “The higher the risk, the higher the return.”

Handy agreed, adding she believes any investment in the stock market should be considered a long-term investment.

“You do not ever want to put your money in the stock market if you need the money in the next three to four years,” she added. “We can give you a pretty high probability that the market will be higher in 10 years, but when you’re talking shorter-term, there’s so much uncertainty. We see what’s

Jerrod Ferguson, vice president at Vance Wealth, discusses strategy with a client during a recent meeting.

Financial advisers tend to agree that investments should be made with long-term goals in mind, not as a reaction to what could be a temporary market situation. PHOTO CREDIT SCHLICKART PHOTOGRAPHY

happening now with this pandemic, politics, war.

These things that can happen very unexpectedly at any point in time, so we can’t predict it.”

If you’re planning on making a large purchase in the next few years, taking that money to make investments isn’t necessarily a good idea, both Ferguson and Handy agreed.

“If you’re talking about investing your home deposit that you’re maybe going to want to buy a home with in the next year or two, then I would maybe say take a step back and make sure that it’s going to be worth it,” Ferguson added, “because now all of a sudden, you’re putting money at risk when it may not be worth it.”

Be prepared to ‘ride the waves’

“The idea is that money is money that you’re not going to touch for a very long time because it’ll ride the waves,” Handy said. “You will see volatility, because there’ll be several downs in the market and several ups in the next 15 years.”

Ferguson gave the example of those who purchased a home in 2007, right before the housing market crashed during the Great Recession.

“I think real estate has always proved to be a good investment historically,” Ferguson said. “Obviously, if you bought in 2007, you probably bought it at the market peak, and it’s taken you a long time to get back to even on your investment, but it really shouldn’t matter if it’s not a short-term house flip for you.”

Handy suggests those making investments be prepared for the risk.

“If you’re doing your own investing, you’ve got to take your risk tolerance into consideration,” she said.

“If you can’t sleep at night knowing that your money

might go down, you have a low tolerance for risk.

“You don’t want to have your head in the sand, you actually want to know what’s going on, but you don’t want to panic,” Handy added. “There’s so much behavioral emotion behind money that people make the worst mistakes when they’re in a place of fear.”

But really, it’s up to you and your own financial goals

“I think time horizon is a big thing and clarity about the future,” Ferguson said.

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.

Handy agreed, adding that it all comes down to your own timeline.

“It’s a very personal thing based on your time horizon and what you have going on in your life,” she said. “If you’re going to buy a house or get married or if you are looking to retire or whatever the case is, you definitely have to have that long-term vision when you’re looking at the stock market.”

Arndt, Ferguson and Handy all agree: Now is the time when coming up with a financial plan is key.

And all four financial analysts suggest speaking to an expert when making a plan.

“Be careful who you’re talking to,” Handy added. “A lot of people will reach out to family or friends and get their opinion on things, but the only person you really should be talking to about investment choices and what to do with your hardearned money would be a professional.” 

O C TO B E R 18, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Easy, convenient city services available online

By Ken Striplin City Manager

I

n today’s society, organizations earn the trust of the public by providing high-quality service when it’s needed most. Whether it’s a plumber who fixes a burst pipe in your home or a friendly veterinarian who provides emergency care for your pet, having quick and convenient access to essential services is vital.

This is why the City of Santa Clarita strives to make more services available to residents online. By accessing a variety of online resources, residents know they are able to conduct business with the City, learn more about programs, request assistance from certain departments and more, without having to make a trip to City Hall during business hours.

Last year, the City expanded its

capabilities to offer registration and information for programs and contract classes that appear in the quarterly Seasons magazine. The current edition of Seasons is available electronically so that families throughout the Santa Clarita Valley can discover new recreational and enrichment opportunities that are offered.

You can read through the digital version and sign up for available programs by visiting santa-clarita.com/ Seasons.

As construction work continues in Santa Clarita, the City understands the need of homeowners, businesses and contractors to be able to apply for permits and submit plans for approval.

While some activity will still require an in-person visit to City Hall, the online ePermit Center has a wealth of information and guides to help you navigate your next project.

By going to santa-clarita.com and clicking on the “Permits” tile on the homepage, you will be taken to the ePermit Center. Current services that are being offered online include requests for building inspections, records requests, fee payments, plan reviews and permit applications.

The Resident Service Center (santaclarita.com/RSC) is also available by visiting the City’s website or through the City’s free mobile app. RSC is an important hub for Santa Clarita residents to get the assistance they need quickly.

From notifying staff about a fallen tree branch blocking a sidewalk, to reporting graffiti for cleanup, to inquiring about trash and recycling services, residents can get fast assistance from the team best equipped to help.

I encourage you to use the geotagging feature in the mobile app, which enables you to take a photo and pinpoint a location for follow

up. This is particularly useful for graffiti reports and problems with street lamps, as staff can be directly dispatched to the location.

City staff also continue to monitor news and updates from local, County and State agencies related to the coronavirus pandemic and assemble this information in one location for residents to find.

Resources and updates for both residents and business owners related to the pandemic can be found by visiting SantaClaritaEmergency.com.

Thank you for continuing to use these services, and please reach out with suggestions on online City services you’d like to see.

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. 

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.

Make your plan to vote today : plan.lavote.net

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

H E A LT H

How to treat today’s most common skin issues

S

preventive product in your skincare routine. A broad spectrum SPF formula is always a must: rain or shine, indoors, outdoors, and yes — all over the face, includes under the mask.”

pending a lot more time at home indoors these days or adjusting to going back outside? New habits and big lifestyle changes can have an effect on one’s skin.

Here are some of the more common skin care issues associated with life today and their solutions, some of which can be easily found at the drugstore:

Dry skin Our new reality of wearing masks can have a drying effect on our skin. But you can easily enhance your skin’s own moisture-retention with a serum-containing dermatologist-recommended hyaluronic acid.

“Using gentle and lightweight skincare … will properly hydrate your skin without clogging the pores, even under a mask. Hyaluronic acid products, such as serums, that are correctly formulated will also help plump the skin and reduce wrinkles,” says Dr. Rocio Rivera, vice president of scientific communications, L’Oréal Paris.

PHOTO CREDIT © G-STOCKSTUDIO / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS

For long lasting hydration, apply two to three drops of L’Oréal Paris 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum to the face and neck every morning and evening — its lightweight and fast-absorbing texture works well under a mask.

Not prioritizing me-time If you have a lot going on these days, you

may forget to take some time for self-care. Beyond your skin care routine — which you should continue to maintain — you can also promote a healthy-looking glow by prioritizing sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated and getting regular exercise.

“Sun protection equals skin health and it is the most important age

Light exposure Spending large portions of the day indoors unfortunately doesn’t eliminate risks associated with light exposure. With more screen time comes increased exposure to blue light. What’s more, you are still susceptible to incidental sun exposure coming in through windows of your home and car.

Refresh and protect your skin with a moisturizer that also has broad spectrum SPF, such as L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple PowerSPF 30, which can be smoothed over the face and neck every morning. Formulated with pro-retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, it will make your skin feel smooth, soft and refreshed after use.

More skin and beauty tips can be found by visiting lorealparis.com/ skinhub. (SPT) 

O C TO B E R 18, 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

‘Once Upon a River’ and reliving the Comedy Store talent

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Once Upon a River’

1/2 (out of four) 

Film Movement presents a film written and directed by Haroula Rose, based on the novel by Bonnie Jo Campbell. No MPAA rating. Running time: 92 minutes.

“M

om always said she never belonged here with me and Daddy. … She had to go find herself, she said. And she couldn’t do that here.” — 15-year-old Margo Crane, in 1977 small-town rural Michigan, in “Once Upon a River” Beautiful. Shocking. Moving. Haunting. Lovely.

Lasting.

First-time feature writer-director (and Chicago-area product) Haroula Rose’s “Once Upon a River” is all that and more. It’s a stark, authentic slice of a certain kind of rough-hewn life — the calloused-hands world we see in gritty films such as “Frozen River” and “Winter’s Bone,” “Leave No Trace” and “American Woman.” There’s no trace of Hollywood glamour or gloss to the story, no hint of actor-y flourishes in the deeply resonant performances. Just a lean, finely crafted, memorably real story announcing the presence of a major new filmmaking talent — and a young actor with the promise of limitless potential.

Kenadi DelaCerna gives a heartbreakingly effective performance as Margo Crane, a teenager living with her Native American father, Bernard (Tatanka Means), a good man who is doing his best to raise Margo after her mother abruptly abandoned the family a year prior, when Margo was just 14. Living next door are the Murrays, who control the town and appear to be an all-American family, but there’s a dark and ugly side to this bunch. The patriarch, Cal (Coburn Goss, effectively slimy), who is Bernard’s half-brother, has taken a strong (perhaps unhealthy) interest in Margo, much to the disgust of his racist, bullying, jerk sons Junior (Arie Thompson) and Billy (Sam Straley).

On successive nights, events transpire that leave Margo a rape victim, Cal shot and wounded, Bernard dead. Before the sheriffs can question Margo, she hops into a small boat given to her by her grandfather and sets off down the river, a crumpled letter in her pocket containing the last known address of her mother.

“Once Upon a River” becomes a road movie on the water. Margo’s father taught her well; she is an accomplished hunter and outdoorswoman, and she knows how to navigate the river and the surrounding woods. She enlists the help of a couple of backwoods poachers named Paul (Evan Linder) and Brian (Dominic Bogart), who have bought deer meat from Margo in the past. (These two guys look like villains, but this movie is too smart to take the

PHOTO COURTESY SHOWTIME

easy dramatic path.) There’s a romantic interlude involving a Native American named Will (Ajuawak Kapashesit), and an unlikely friendship forged with a trailer-dwelling, crusty old coot known as Smoke (John Ashton, a reliable character actor since “Beverly Hills Cop”), who has emphysema and is leaning on death’s door but refuses to give up his cigarettes.

With Margo providing the occasional voice-over narration, “Once Upon a River” is bathed in warm and gorgeous autumnal tones, belying the predicament of a 15-year-old girl with a shotgun and a fishing kit, living on the run. (And that’s not the sum of Margo’s dilemma. There’s more coming.)

Margo finally finds her mother (Lindsay Pulsipher), who is taken by surprise and says it’s really good to see Margo, as if they’re Facebook friends and not mother and daughter. The house is so white: white curtains, white walls, white lamps, white rugs, white sofa, white picture frames, big white Cadillac in the driveway, white mom who is more worried about her fiance finding out she has a teenage daughter than making amends. Like many an interlude in “Once Upon a River,” even when poetic license is exercised and there’s a kind of enhanced realism at play, it’s done in nuanced, subtle and believable ways.

“Once Upon a River” is a living prose poem filled with beautifully framed images and featuring some of the strongest writing and acting you’ll find in any movie this year. It’s not to be missed.

‘The Comedy Store’



1/2 A five-part docuseries premiering Oct. 4 on Showtime.

“I

drove by it in ‘94 when I was on vacation, and I remember thinking, ‘Someday I’m going to play there.’” — Bill Burr, “The Comedy Store” Before you can become a big-time stand-up co-

median, you have to stop at the Store. Like, a couple hundred times.

We speak of The Comedy Store, the iconic club on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, where for nearly 50 years the likes of David Letterman, Jay Leno, Dave Chappelle, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Leslie Jones, Chris Rock, Sam Kinison, Whitney Cummings, Marc Maron and Sarah Silverman have walked in, usually as unknowns, and eventually commanded the stage as superstars.

First you might have to work the door taking tickets, then you’d sign up for open mic and hope to get a five-minute slot, then you might actually get paid — and maybe, just maybe, one day you’d reach the point where your photo would find a spot on the black-painted walls.

Director-comedian Mike Binder has put together THE definitive oral and visual history of the club in “The Comedy Store,” a five-part docuseries on Showtime. Binder fits solidly into the category of stand-ups who did well at The Comedy Store, but never quite reached the top. But he’s a talented director, a good listener and a well-versed student of comedy, and he clearly has the respect of his peers, as he scored interviews with nearly every major living comic who has toiled at The Comedy Store at some point over the last 47 years.

In the opening episode, we see grainy old footage of the late and legendary Mitzi Shore, who received the club as a divorce settlement from her husband, Sammy Shore, in the early 1970s and for decades ruled from the Iron Throne of comedy, handing out coveted time slots, telling the less talented to go home and promoting the best comics to headline status. We’re also treated to a treasure trove of old photos and footage of Letterman, Leno, Chappelle, Williams, et al., when they were impossibly young and still honing their trade.

In addition to the comics who emerged from The Comedy Store and enjoyed decades of success, “The Comedy Store” reminds us of the blazing stars who burned out, including Sam Kinison and Freddie Prinze, who had rock star success at the club, which catapulted him to appearances on Johnny Carson’s career-making “Tonight Show” and a hit sitcom, but became consumed with addiction and paranoia, and took his own life at just 22.

Far less tragic but still compelling are the interviews with comics such as Jeff Altman, who was as funny as Letterman or Tim Allen or any of them back in the day, but made a couple of wrong moves (anyone remember the disastrous “Pink Lady and Jeff ” on NBC in 1980?) and never quite broke through to the next level. The best comedians are wonderful storytellers, and “The Comedy Store” honors that with a bounty of comics telling one great story after another.  Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

FOOD

I

ntroducing kids to unfamiliar flavors doesn’t have to be a frightful experience. Getting creative and taking cues from some beloved characters may be all it takes for families to explore produce in a new way and discover how delicious, satisfying and enjoyable fresh fruits and vegetables can be.

A passion for produce may begin with America’s favorites, like bananas, apples, citrus, celery, carrots and broccoli, but that’s just the beginning.

Whether it’s their angry names and tough exteriors, or simply a fear of the unknown about taste and pre­paration, dozens more diverse and exotic fruits and vegetables like dragon fruit, horned melon and Brussels sprouts are often the sources of produce paranoia.

An initiative from Dole, in collaboration with Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc., is helping to take the scare out of specialty fruits and vegetables and widen America’s produce horizons. That’s because, like a good book or the characters in a beloved film, you can’t judge a fruit or vegetable by its appearance; nature’s true beauty often lies within.

The campaign offers character-inspired recipes, serving suggestions, digital and social activations, family-friendly activities, fun trivia and influencer partnerships that celebrate the not-so-scary world of the planet’s more unusual fresh bounty.

One easy way to introduce new flavors is by trying a variation of a familiar fruit or veggie. For example, there are more than 500 edible banana varieties in the world.

Increase your family’s produce intake with a Slippery Slimy Smoothie and Chicken Stuffed Roz Heads, which call for green grapes, celery, avocados, strawberries and blueberries.

Find more recipes and other not-so-scary fun at dole.com/Disney, and follow #Dole and #DoleRecipes. (Family Features) 

Chicken Stuffed Roz Heads Prep time: 15 minutes Servings: 3 1 cup cubed, cooked chicken breast 1/2 cup DOLE® Green Grapes, halved 1/4 cup chopped Dole Celery 1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 1/2 Dole® Avocados, halved, pitted and peeled 6 whole-wheat pretzel twists 18 whole-wheat pretzel sticks 1 Dole® Strawberry, sliced 3 dried, sweetened blueberries In bowl, stir together chicken, grapes, celery, yogurt, salt and pepper.

Scoop three equal portions onto serving plate.

Shape each into oval.

Top each with upside down avocado half.

Decorate each avocado half to resemble Roz’s face.

Using sharp paring knife, trim each pretzel twist

to create horn-rimmed glasses lens by cutting off double loop section of each pretzel twist and discarding or enjoying as snack, keeping single loop portion, which will become one lens. Two lenses are needed per Roz Head.

Place two pretzel lenses on each avocado to form glasses. Add pretzel stick to each side of avocado to form arms of glasses. Push four pretzel sticks into top of each avocado to form hair. Add strawberry slice, trimmed to look like lips for her mouth, and place blueberry on lower left side of face to form the mole. 

Slippery Slimy Smoothie Prep time:10 minutes Servings: 2 (8 ounces each) 1/2 cup DOLE® Spinach 1 Dole® Banana, peeled and frozen 1/2 cup Dole® Green Grapes, frozen 1/3 cup cucumber, diced 1/2 cup Dole® Pineapple 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 5 ice cubes In blender, blend spinach, banana, grapes, cucumber, pineapple, almond milk, Greek yogurt and ice cubes until smooth.

Pour smoothie into two glasses and serve. 

O C TO B E R 18, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

HOME

Fun, do-it-yourself craft projects for your fall home

G

Get cocoa cozy Nothing is better on a crisp fall day than a cup of hot cider or cocoa. Make sure everyone in the family has their own customizable mug by using chalkboard paint. Use a quality painter’s tape, such as Duck Clean Release painter’s tape, to create a crisp border. Then paint on a writable area. Remove the tape and bake the mug for a custom creation that can be personalized with names or festive phrases.

ive your home a warm and cozy vibe this fall with a few DIY projects that are sure to add seasonal cheer to any space. Whether you’re looking for a rainy day activity to keep kids busy or searching for affordable décor options, these fall craft ideas are a great place to start — all you need is your creativity and a few supplies.

Celebrate fall foliage Add fall flavor to a tabletop or mantel by filling mason jars with wheat and dried baby’s breath flowers. Give the mason jar an elevated look by wrapping it with jute ribbon and lace. Or, you can simply roll coordinating scrapbooking paper into decorative cuffs that slip inside.

Have a pumpkin party Carving pumpkins can be messy and dangerous for little ones. This year skip the mess and decorate pumpkins using duct tape. Duck Tape provides a fun and creative way to craft stylish and spooky pumpkin designs.

Available in a variety of colors, designs and licenses, there’s a tape for everyone in the family. Kids can simply cover a pumpkin with the tape of their choice or cut out a scary stencil to provide the illusion of a carved pumpkin.

Duck Brand even offers Glow in the Dark Duck Tape so creations can be enjoyed at night. Pro tip: use

craft pumpkins that won’t go bad or attract unwanted guests. You can even enjoy them year after year.

Give thanks Banners are an easy way to make your own décor without spending a lot of money.

DIY banners look great on a front porch to welcome guests or they can be used on a mantel. Easily create a banner with paper and duct tape. Write your own message or cut out shapes like leaves and pumpkins and attach them to twine or string.

Craft a welcoming wreath Wreaths are the ultimate seasonal décor item — they are perfect on the front door to welcome guests into your home or can be used to line interior windows for a festive feel. However, store-bought versions can be expensive. Test your crafting skills with a duct tape leaf masterpiece. All you have to do is create a variety of leaves in fall hues out of colored Duck Tape: make two of each leaf, then add wire to the sticky side of one of the leaves so it can easily be shaped, place the two leaves together and repeat the steps until you have your desired amount of leaves.

There’s no time like the present to get crafty, so grab a cup of cider and schedule a fun family “crafternoon.”

For more fall craft projects and DIY inspiration, visit duckbrand.com. (SPT) 

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

GARDENING

Fall beats spring for top gardening season!

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

A

utumn has arrived. That means outdoor gardening conditions will become more comfortable as the weather offers us cooler nights and more relief from heat.

Autumn has always been the planting season for native flowers, trees and woody shrubs. But with summer’s burning, triple-digit heat shortening what used to be the ideal planting season of spring, fall is now becoming the best season for gardening projects.

Cooler temperatures allow plants to establish root systems over the winter months and whatever rain we have will be oxygenated and will help new plantings thrive better than artificial irrigation.

So … the autumn planting spree begins now! And here are just a

handful of suggestions to help this best season for gardening get off to a good start.

Seed wildflowers

If you have hillsides that need a quick fix or some filling-in while drought-tolerant perennials establish themselves, consider seeding with easy-to-grow wildflowers.

Try California Poppies, yellow and white “Tidy Tips,” the brilliant blue Phacelia, Godetia in crisp pinks and whites, or “Baby Blue Eyes.”

If we get rain, these seeds will cover your open areas with cheerful flowers come early spring and they’ll help stave off erosion on hillsides while slower-growing perennials become established.

Sprinkle seeds just before rain is predicted and hope raindrops plant them before the hungry wildlife gobbles them up. Seeding is inexpensive, easy and can fill empty spaces with a riot of color from winter’s end until the heat of summer comes.

Showy flowers

Gardens can benefit from planting bulbs, rhizomes and corms. They are simple to plant and ready to go.

In the right conditions, they’ll multiply underground to give you bigger flower clumps each year.

Always plant bulbs in groups so they will form a natural-looking cluster. When clusters become too big, divide them up into other areas or give away extras to friends and neighbors.

Edible bulbs like onions and garlic should be dug when the foliage starts to die back, and the bulbs should be allowed to dry off for a few days before storing in a cool, dry area.

Now is also a good time to plant garlic and onion starter bulbs called “sets.” Search out flowering bulbs like Chasmanthe, Dichelostemma and Brodiaea that grow well in Santa Clarita with little added water. These are less toothsome to the gophers than other bulbs and corms. Gladioli, Watsonias and Freesias produce great

flowers for cutting, but require more water. Lilies do best with a little shade.

Go native, drought-tolerant

Now is the best time to fill your landscape with drought-tolerant plants and California natives — from now through April.

There are some splendidly showy flowers in the Buckwheat, Acacia and Salvia families that survive with very little extra water once they have lived through a well-watered summer or two. Hopseed Bush (Dodonaea) is a large shrub or small tree with good drought tolerance and comes with green or deep red-purple foliage.

Coreopsis daisies display bright yellow flowers. The Desert Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) has fluffy pink blooms. And Dymondia will turn a full sun area into a solid mat of green, punctuated with occasional yellow daisy flowers while growing less than an inch high.

All these garden plants have minimal water needs. 

O C TO B E R 18, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

SENIORLIVING A SECOND WIND

Easing into seasonal plans

By Mary Petersen Signal Staff Writer

M

y two-year-old grandson and his dad planted a garden this summer. His dad built wooden boxes to house the herbs and veggies on their balcony.

My little guy’s eyes light up every time he sees a bell pepper or a zucchini bud emerge. He wants to pick the green strawberries, but his mother instructs him that they’re still growing like he is.

When they planted potatoes (he calls them spuds) and blanketed the segments with a thick layer of soil, he said, “The spuds are sleeping.”

The thought occurred to me that his observation is a great metaphor for how we’re all feeling right now.

Can we just go to sleep and wake up as vibrant green seedlings enthusiastically bursting into life, ready to grow vigorously and confidently into our destiny?

As we leave a scorching summer behind, we are weather-worn, our leaves wilted or crisped to brown.

When we ventured into the sun it was masked with smoke and ash so we retreated inside. Many of us are ready for the transition that fall brings but still face autumn with uncertainty and fatigue.

Fall provides the opportunity, if not to sleep metaphorically, to slow down. As perennial plants take advantage of a much-needed period of rest, we also need rest from the fatigue we have been experiencing.

In fall, the cooler, milder weather encourages rejuvenating stillness and introspection. The slower pace of nature with shorter days and earlier dusk provides more time for quiet solitude.

Paradoxically, fall is the start of the harried holiday season, a time of hectic activity at a frenzied pace.

Once upon a time, this meant planning dinner menus, buying gifts and throwing parties.

For some it meant Christmas caroling, photo ops with Santa, and walk-

ing through decorated malls. This year it’s hard to predict what we will be doing.

Holiday arrangements that we once eased into routinely are now layered with anxiety, and plans require intentional scrutiny. Preparations will no doubt include modifying traditions to stay safe while celebrating family.

Each holiday presents us with problems to solve, considerations to deliberate, and loved one’s needs to bear in mind.

Although it might seem appealing to close our eyes, drift through fall and winter, and wake up in spring, we don’t want to slumber through these unprecedented times. The adaptations we make now are the stories we tell in years to come.

We are faced with the challenge to be flexible and adapt to change with ease, to maintain emotional equilibrium at a time when we sometimes feel frantic, unfocused and vulnerable.

But monitoring our health and the health of others doesn’t mean foregoing important holiday traditions.

It just means creatively rethinking them.

This season I hope to balance the need for rest with the need to honor traditional celebrations, albeit the 2020 version. We can slow down, enjoy the fall and winter holidays with gratitude, and (fingers crossed) return to life in spring refreshed and invigorated.

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

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

PETS

Time to get curious about your cat’s health

A

dopting and fostering pets continues to trend as people across the nation add furry friends to their families. However, building a bond is just the first step to pet ownership; curiosity and care for your pet’s health lasts its entire life.

Strong bonds with pets are among the more positive outcomes of being in quarantine. Nearly 40% of people agree they couldn’t have made it through quarantine without their pets, according to a survey by Royal Canin. However, of the more than 90 million cats in U.S. households, more than half do not receive a yearly veterinary exam, according to the American Pet Products Association.

Cats are typically stoic, so if they are giving obvious indications of not feeling well, they need to be examined promptly. However, it’s not always obvious that something is affecting your cat’s health, and in the context of a pandemic, it may not be clear how to address concerns.

In honor of its annual #Cat2Vet campaign, which encourages owners to schedule regular veterinary checkups, the experts at Royal Canin offer these tips for becoming curious about your cat’s health.

Potential health signals

If your cat is otherwise acting normal, there may

be a few hints that he or she isn’t actually feeling well. Watch for weight loss, changes in appetite or water intake, coughing or sneezing, acting lethargic, vomiting, changes in stool quality and more or less urine in the litter box.

If there’s anything unusual going on with your cat, ask your vet if you have concerns. The staff at your clinic can help you determine if a visit is necessary.

Accessing veterinary care

Many clinics offer curbside services where pet owners stay outside instead of entering the clinic.

You can tell your veterinarian about your concerns over the phone while he or she examines your cat.

Another option is mobile veterinary services, which are available in many areas. Mobile services can be used for routine visits, sick visits, hospice visits or other specialized care. Emergency clinics and specialty hospitals are also open if needed as veterinarian clinics are considered essential businesses.

Some veterinarians are also offering telehealth services for pet owners. In addition, Royal Canin offers cat owners free access to Ask.Vet’s chat service. The service provides access to licensed veterinarians from the safety of your home 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Simply sign up at Ask. Vet or text “chatnow” to 67076 to be connected

with a veterinarian who can answer health-related questions.

Preparing for a visit

Especially for cats who are not accustomed to regular vet visits, a trip when they’re already feeling unwell can be stressful. Consider these tips to help ease the experience: • Rather than keeping the cat carrier hidden away, make it accessible for your cat to get familiar and comfortable with the way it looks and smells.

• Make daily time for activities like brushing and nail trims that help desensitize your cat to being touched.

• Use pheromone wipes and sprays to help relax your cat and reduce stress before the trip.

• Play calming music at an appropriate volume to help calm cats at home and in the car on the way to the vet.

Join the conversation about feline health and share why you take your cat to the vet annually by using #Cat2Vet on social media, and visit RoyalCanin.com/cathealth to learn more and enter to win a prize pack to prep your cat’s next vet visit. (Family Features) 

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

AUTOMOTIVE

Regular maintenance keeps your car firing on all cylinders

C

ar maintenance is often a scheduled chore when you’re regularly driving.

However, if you’re driving less due to the current environment, maintenance can easily become a lesser priority or even completely forgotten.

Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index found that as daily driving decreased as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, nearly one-third (30%) of Americans have done less car cleaning and maintenance too.

But car maintenance is always important, especially as drivers around the country gradually resume their travels and hit the road. Hankook Tire found that 60% of Americans expect to take more car trips moving forward. With that in mind, the following are five reasons it’s important to keep up with regular car maintenance: Safety First and foremost: regular car maintenance helps increase safety

when driving. This is especially important if your car has been parked for a while. Be sure to check your fluids (oil, washer, coolant, etc.) and inspect the tires to make sure that they haven’t lost their pressure.

After all, the Gauge revealed 70% of Americans have not been regularly checking tire pressure during the pandemic. Low tire pressure can lead to several issues such as poor performance, premature wear and higher rolling resistance, which can impact fuel efficiency.

Save time and money Consistent car maintenance also helps extend the overall life of not only your tires, but the systems that drive them, including the engine, suspension, brakes and transmission. Investing in regular tire upkeep such as rotations and alignment when necessary, helps deter more costly repairs down the road — making both your car, and your money, go further.

First place performance Just like a

primary maintenance measure (40%) Americans took at the height of quarantine, the idea of clean cars goes beyond just dust on the dashboard and sanitized seatbelts. It keeps the environment clean, too. Little maintenance checks add up to a big environmental impact. For example, regular oil changes contribute to a cleaner engine and lower vehicle emissions, while properly inflated tires can contribute to better fuel efficiency. regular gym routine helps keep your muscle groups firing on all cylinders, regular trips to the mechanic can provide the same benefit to your car. Whether it’s a crushing leg day (suspension) or a cardio workout (engine), routine inspection of your shoes (tires) will help you maximize your workout traction so you’re ready for the next round and running at peak performance.

Cleanliness While cleaning the vehicle’s interior and exterior was the

Vehicle value When the time comes to upgrade your vehicle, one of the first points of inspection is on the inside. A vehicle’s internal condition is one of the key factors in determining its worth, so it’s best to keep everything well-oiled and running smoothly, even if you don’t have any immediate plans to trade it in.

If any issues do arise, Hankook recommends getting your vehicle checked out by a certified mechanic before getting back behind the wheel.

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

FILMING

Continued from page 6

Movie ranches

At Melody Ranch, a family-run movie ranch and the infamous home to more than 1,900 Western films, filming has yet to get back to normal levels, which Daniel Veluzat, owner of the ranch, said definitely has to do with the daunting number of protocols now in place.

“We were doing ‘Penny Dreadful’ prior to COVID, and for us, luckily it just kind of worked out to where it went down on hiatus, and then COVID came, so we really didn’t lose anything; but now it’s a different story,” Veluzat added. “I took advantage of the time (off) and built a lot of new sets to prepare for when things do start to get back to normal, but we just have really no idea when all that’s going to be.”

Since then, nothing has been filmed at the ranch, though filming for smaller productions at the near-

Crew members wearing masks and face shields work on the set of a production filming at Top Out rock climbing gym in Canyon Country. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

smaller things, such as television and music videos, are ramping up, out on our backlot,” Veluzat said.

As a studio, the ranch is able to leave COVID-19 protocols up to each production.

“There’s certain guidelines the film industry has to follow, and those guidelines are directed more towards productions than they are the studio,” Veluzat added. “As far as for the studio, there’s not really a lot we can do, other than making sure the best we can that the production companies are putting in place the requirements.”

However, Veluzat said most productions have had COVID-19 teams on site, with nurses there to test the cast and crew and administer temThis November, we could all lose our Constitutional right to bail! perature checks throughout the day.

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stayed overnight on location in their secure facilities, and some chose, when they’re in Santa Clarita, to lease a home, stay in one spot and not travel,” he added. “So there’s a big push to do things in California, near their homes.”

Though Veluzat hopes that productions continue to come back as quickly as possible in the hopes of helping the thousands of industry workers out of a job, he knows they should take the cautious approach.

“I don’t want everyone to come back to work in a rush, and then we get stopped again because I feel like a second stop could really, really damage the industry,” he said. “I just wish all of our movie studios and ranches in Santa Clarita the best of luck with everything, and I hope that when the work comes back, that we’re all busy.

I’m sure we’ll get the Santa Clarita film industry booming again.”

On location in the SCV

For L.A. Film Locations, COVID-19 has made the location scout’s role in the industry that much more essential, according to owner Monica Harrison.

“Studios and production companies are doing less cold scouting and relying on location services, such as L.A. Film Locations, more and more,” Harrison said. “It has had a positive effect on our business now that we are all finally back at work. … There is no way to make up for the loss of business for so many months, but we are very grateful to be so busy since August 2020.”

As far as the protocols go, COVID-19 has done for film locations what it has done for other aspects of the industry: require more time — more time to sanitize, more time to clean, before, during and after a shoot.

Fortunately for a film-location company, which primarily scouts locations for shoots, much of their work is done from an office, so most team members can work remotely when needed.

“Fortunately, (our office is) set up in a way that is very conducive to social distancing, so for us, it has not been difficult,” Harrison added. “We also send scouts on their own to many locations where in the past we would accompany them. The less we have face to face contact, the better.” 

O C TO B E R 18, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 9

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Crafting felted Autumn acorns from acorn caps

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

F

elting “acorns” using fluffy natural wool is a relaxing and enjoyable fall activity for all ages. It’s especially suited for young children who like to get their hands in soapy water to shape and change the structure of the soft wool into dense felted wool balls.

The material used for making the soft balls is called wool roving, available at some craft stores, yarn shops or online (resources below). It is wool that has been cleaned, combed and sometimes dyed. You’ll discover that the lovely colors are so inspiring, it’s hard to choose favorites.

Use real caps from fallen acorns you’ve foraged from your yard or on nature walks for these stunning, artful creations. You’ll be gluing the felted acorn balls to the caps. For a variation, drill two tiny holes through

Find the items.

the acorn cap and thread a string for a felted acorn necklace, make an ornament to hang on a tree branch, or hang several in a windowsill. So many possibilities!

Here’s the stuff you need for a 1-inch felted acorn: ;; a piece of 2-inch-by-6-inch slightly stretched out wool roving ;; small bowl of hot water with a drop or two of liquid soap

2. Wet the ball with the soapy water.

Toss it back and forth from hand to hand over the bowl while occasionally dipping it in the soapy water. (The soap changes the pH of the wool, and helps the fibers to open. The hotter the water, the faster it felts.) Be gentle, and continue rolling it around in your hand. You might want to elongate the ball shape to match the original acorn size as you move it around.

;; hot glue gun or glue suitable for fabrics

3. Rinse the ball in cold clear water.

Gently squeeze out water. Let dry overnight.

;; a large acorn cap

4. Glue acorn cap to the felted ball.

Here’s the fun, using a hands-on “wet felting” technique:

Note If you wish to paint the acorn cap, do so before attaching to the felt ball.

Online resources: livingfelt.com and joann.com.

1. Roll up the first inch or so of the wool, then twist slightly and continue rolling it into a tight ball. Smooth the loose end over the ball. It will be about the size of a large cotton ball, but will become half the size as fibers eventually mesh.

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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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

K I D S & FA M I LY

Build heart-healthy behaviors for preschoolers at home

A

pressing concern like a global pandemic can quickly overshadow other important health challenges facing families. One is the issue of childhood obesity, a problem the slower pace of life brought on by COVID-19 could exacerbate.

Numerous cardiovascular and mental health risks are associated with childhood obesity, and many experts expect to see increases in both mental health challenges and obesity as a result of COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity impacts 40% of children between the ages of 2-5, increasing their risk for type 2 diabetes, asthma and depression.

Data from a study published in the “Early Childhood Education Journal” from the American Heart Association shows children diagnosed as overweight between 7-13 years old may develop heart disease as early as age 25. However, preventative steps taken in early childhood can help reduce this risk.

Keeping young children healthy

Nutrition

while at home during the pandemic requires extra attention to their nutrition, physical activity and screen time. Programs like the American Heart Association’s Healthy Way to Grow, a national, science-based, early childhood technical assistance program, provide educational resources to help communities, educators and caregivers improve practices and policies for obesity prevention.

These tips from the program can help early childhood professionals and caregivers promote best practices into the daily lives of children.

Less than 1% of children have ideal diets, and under 10% have reasonably healthy diets, according to the American Heart Association. On any given day, 27% of 2- and 3-year-olds don’t eat a vegetable; among those who do, fried potatoes, which are high in fat and lower in nutrients, are most common. In fact, data shows kids eat less nutritious foods up to age 19.

Children should consume a variety of foods daily, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairies, lean vegetable or animal protein and fish. At the same time, kids should minimize trans fats, processed meats, refined carbohydrates and sweetened beverages.

Consistently timed meals and pairing new foods with choices they already enjoy are two ways to help form healthier habits. Be aware that healthy choices should apply throughout the day, not only for meals but also snacks and beverages. Eating together as a family provides an opportunity to model healthy eating and encourage children to try new foods. Also make water available and accessible to chil-

dren throughout the day.

For infants, feeding provides nutrition for their physical and mental growth. Healthy babies usually double their birth weight between 4-5 months of age. Infants and children with congenital heart disease and congestive heart failure or cyanosis (blueness) tend to gain weight slower.

An 8-ounce-1-pound gain in a month may be an acceptable weight gain for a baby with a heart defect.

Physical activity

Only about 20% of kids perform enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations. Whether you’re working with children in a childcare setting or at home, look for ways to incorporate lesson plans that offer learning experiences about healthy eating and physical activity, and ensure the daily schedule includes ample active playtime.

The Healthy Way to Grow program recommends all children, including infants, have at least two outdoor active playtimes daily, weather and air quality permitting. Toddlers should engage in 60-90 minutes while 120 minutes of daily active play is recommended for preschoolers. Half the time should be structured and led by a teacher or caregiver while the remaining playtime should be unstructured and up to the child.

Learn more about protecting the health and wellness of children in your home and community at healthywaytogrow.org. (Family Features) 

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O C TO B E R 18, 2020

SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 21

CROSSWORD TIME

2 2 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

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

Grateful for Bella Vida The summer went by without “Concerts in the Park.” schooling has been remote. Movie theaters are empty, and the Santa Clarita Bella Vida Senior Center is closed. Or is it?

On a September Friday night in the Bella Vida parking lot, as the sun was descending with a soft breeze blowing the American flag, “Tess and Friends” elevated the spirits of a test group of seniors to have a concert created by the Senior Center staff.

The pandemic forced many older adults into isolation, and across the country we have had to adapt to this new situation.

With Bella Vida located on land with a large parking lot, why not take advantage?

The week before, with seniors remaining in their cars, they played BINGO. For safety reasons, no bathrooms were available (especially important to seniors), but this is now remedied.

Each week there is a challenge, but creative ingenuity solves the problems.

“Tess and Friends” were broadcast over FM car radios, reminiscent of 78 LPs of yesteryear. The sound system was being perfected and worked on for the next week's event, Drive-In movie featuring “Grease.”

Plus, the crowd was into it, honking horns for applause, and acknowledging each other with waves through car windows.

Singing along and clapping could be heard, and there was a belief in their rendition of the Beetles “I Saw Her Standing There,” Tess sang: “Well, she was just seventy / You know what I mean "And the way she looked / Was way beyond compare” As the sun set and “Tess and Friends” wound up their onehour gig, cars were carefully guided out of the parking lot, with some occupants still clapping hands, snapping fingers, and lipping favorite songs.

Thank you to the SCV Bella Vida Senior Center for continued creativity and inspiration, uplifting our community even when they are “closed.”

Dr. Gene Dorio Santa Clarita

What About Defensible Space?

Firefighters did a great job of protecting the Mt. Wilson observatory and all the communication towers up there. After seeing aerial shots of the installations I have a few questions. Why are there large trees adjacent to all the structures and towers? Why hasn't the forest been cleared to some reasonable distance below the ridgeline? What about defensible space? Am I missing something? Given the historical and practical value of all that's up there, the seemingly lax preparation for fire survival is stunning.

Wayne Zenger Stevenson Ranch Submit a Letter to the Editor

O C TO B E R 18, 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

On the Erosion of Ethics

By David Hegg Editor's note: The following column was first published Oct. 6, 2019:

I

n the 1988 movie “You’ve Got Mail,” Meg Ryan’s character laments over her inability to respond to a mean-spirited conversationalist with equally mean words. At an important point in the movie, however, she finds this ability and unleashes on another person some well-deserved animosity. She describes the experience to an online friend like this: “And an amazing thing happened. I was able, for the first time in my life to say the exact thing I wanted to say at the exact moment I wanted to say it. And, of course, afterwards, I felt terrible, just as you said I would. I was cruel, and I’m never cruel. And even though I can hardly believe what I said mattered to this man — to him, I am just a bug to be crushed — but what if it did?

No matter what he’s done to me, there is no excuse for my behavior.”

Apparently our society has moved miles past such sentiment. Today it is all the rage to be cruel, hurling personal insults and characterizing opponents in the worst possible way. As never before, civil discourse has eroded into a slough of hateful name-calling and unvarnished disrespect. Worse, those involved seem unashamed to be participants in such a malice-filled, derogatory activity.

We see this every day as our nation’s leaders harangue about the political topic du jour. More and more we watch any hope of collaborative solutions sink beneath the vitriolic verbal skirmishes that roll like a polluted tide over the very people tasked with finding a way out of our pressing problems.

I also see it in the current theological battles that are raging between those who publicly declare they represent the Prince of peace.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am all for truth. Truth must be unflinchingly presented, promoted and courageously defended against all attempts to degrade or upend it.

But for centuries civilized discourse has been the high road, even among those who disagreed violently, and even harbored personal

animosity toward their opponents. The fact is, throughout history the best have known that conversational heat is the enemy of intellectual light.

As a pastor I have had my share of criticism. When you stand and represent God, and call on people to obey his Word, conflict is inevitable and criticism becomes almost an everyday event. I don’t find this wearying when it comes wrapped in an attitude of partnership, helping us all be better at loving Christ. But when it comes riding in on hateful, angry and cruel words, it hurts way more than it helps. In fact, it doesn’t help at all.

In the study of logic we learn early on the fallacy known as ad hominem. Literally, “against the man,” this fallacy simply means that demeaning the messenger actually does nothing to falsify the message. Those who can’t argue the issue often resort to attacking those who hold it, as though a person with flaws could not, at the same time, speak the truth.

Frankly, I am sick of it. I am sick of hearing our politicians spew disrespectful garbage about their opponents, on both sides of the aisle. I am sick of hearing pastors and theologians demean the very truth they hold by promoting it with hateful invective aimed at their opponents’ character. And personally, I am weary of being the pin cushion for every disgruntled person who disagrees with my opinions, decisions, or beliefs.

How about we all just take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee together as intelligent, civilized people, and actually listen to one another before lobbing atomic word bombs at each other’s soul.

After all, aren’t we supposed to love our neighbors and our enemies? Seems to me that includes everyone, and – by the way – like it or not, we’re in this together.

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

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