Sunday Signal February 13, 2022

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FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

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LA’S TACO TOUR

7

CLUEDUPP: A FUN WHO DONE IT

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SIX WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

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

It’s Your Duty to

Bag Dog Doody Prevent River Poo-lution and Clean Up Pet Waste

• Pick-up after your pet and seal the bag.

• Dispose of pet waste in the regular trash container, and not the green waste bin, recycle bin or the storm drain.

• Do not wash pet waste down with a hose and into the storm drain.

WASTE

Visit GreenSantaClarita.com/PetWaste for water pollution prevention tips.

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES 4 Super Bowl Recipes 6 Southern California Taco Tour 7 Can You Solve the Crime?

13 American Heart Month at Henry Mayo FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8 Get Outside and Explore with Agents of Discover HEALTH 9 Better Understand Your Health Care Options ENTERTAINMENT 10 ‘Murderville’ — Celebrity Guest Stars Solve Crimes Celebrity Extra FOOD 11 Get Healthy with Watermelon Watermelon with Pistachio Salad Watermelon Chia Seed Muffins HOME 14 Making ‘Hybrid’ Homes Energy-Efficient 16 Tricks to Keep Your Valentines Day Flowers Fresh Valentine’s Day Recycling Tips SENIOR LIVING 15 Six Ways to Improve Your Health KIDS & FAMILY 17 Donna’s Day: Cheese Fondue Junior Whirl Animal Fact PUZZLES OPINION David Hegg

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F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

N E W S F E AT U R E

WHAT’S YOUR GAME PLAN? Super Bowl Recipes to Help Make the Game Great

By Bridget Lowell Signal Contributing Writer

T

6. One Pan Salsa

he Super Bowl is here, and if you’re anything like us, you haven’t done much of anything to prepare a menu. But food is every bit as important to the Super Bowl experience as the commercials and the halftime show, so we’ve got you covered with some simple, straightforward dishes that will please your guests

Skillet Cornbread Taco Pizza

Tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic, broiled then blended together. That’s it. The salsa has such an incredible depth of flavor that you’d never guess how spartan it truly is.

S’mores Dip Serves a crowd of 8-10 people … if they’re willing to share.

Ingredients 1 10 oz. bag regular marshmallows 1 12 oz. package milk chocolate chips 1 box honey graham crackers 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Spread the entire bag of milk chocolate chips around evenly in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate or cast-iron skillet.

3. Cut approximately 20-22 marshmallows in half widthwise and place them, cut side down, on top of the chocolate chips until the chips are fully covered. (I started with a circle of marshmallows around the outside edge, then worked inward.)

4. Bake the dip at 450 degrees for 6-8 minutes.

Keep a close eye on the dip and remove it from the oven when the tops of the marshmallows are golden brown.

5. Serve at once with quartered graham crackers for dipping.

6. Add salt, pepper, and more cilantro/lime juice to taste, if needed. Blend and cool to room temperature. Serve with your favorite chips.

Ingredients 1 pound plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise 2 jalapeño peppers (or just one, if you like a less kicky salsa), stems removed and cut in half lengthwise 3 cloves of garlic, peeled ½ small white onion

Juice of a half a lime, freshly squeezed

Handful cilantro, coarsely chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste 1. Turn on your oven’s broiler and move one rack all the way to the top.

2. Line a baking pan with foil and spread the tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, garlic and onion out over the pan. Salt the vegetables.

3. Cook the vegetables under the broiler for approximately 5 minutes, until the jalapeños and garlic begin to brown. Remove the jalapeños and garlic and place them in a blender or food processor. If you like your salsa mild, remove the seeds from the jalapeños now.

4. Return the tomatoes and onion to the oven and broil for another 5 minutes, until the tomatoes are browned and the onions are charred on top.

Add the tomatoes and onion to the blender or food processor, making sure to add any tomato juices that have collected in the pan.

5. Add a few tablespoons of water, a large pinch of cilantro and lime juice to the vegetables, then pulse salsa to your desired consistency.

Basically, what it sounds like: A pizza made of taco stuff atop cornbread baked in a cast-iron skillet.

This one’s open to lots of interpretation based on what you feel belongs in tacos. We used ground beef seasoned with chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cumin, cayenne, black pepper and a little salt, and we topped the “pizza” with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapenos.

Serves 6-8.

Ingredients

1 package cornbread mix (enough for an 8"- or 9"-square baking pan)

Everything else the mix calls for 1 tablespoon butter 3/4 lb. your favorite taco meat

Your favorite taco-meat seasonings

Salsa

Shredded cheddar cheese

Sour cream

Your favorite taco toppings 1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. Cook and season taco meat 3. Warm a cast-iron skillet on a stove over medium-low heat.

4. Prepare cornbread mix per manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Melt butter in skillet 6. Pour cornbread mix into skillet and spread into

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

a thin, even layer.

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the center of the cornbread is firm.

8. Using oven mitts, remove skillet from oven.

9. Carefully spread an even layer of sour cream over the cornbread.

10. Spread meat on top of the sour cream, and salsa on top of the meat.

11. Cover the whole thing with cheese and return skillet to oven.

12. When the cheese melts, remove skillet from oven.

13. Add any fresh toppings you favor, slice and serve.

Football Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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We heartily recommend frying the wings: It’s the Super Bowl, not the Still Pretty Tasty But Definitely Not As Good Bowl. Baked or broiled wings will still be pretty tasty with the same sauce, but definitely not as good.

Pre-made wing sauces are available everywhere.

3. Wear rubber gloves to handle the jalapeno, especially — trust me — if you wear contact lenses and will need to remove them later. Otherwise you’re in for a world of pain.

Serves 4-6. If you have more people coming, do math.

4. Dice jalapeno and add to desired spice level.

Depending on preference, you may only want 1/2 the pepper and no seeds. Some may want the whole thing, and all the seeds. Go slow.

Ingredients

5. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

12 whole chicken wings, cleaned and cut into flats and drums 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce

Celery salt (optional)

Oil for frying

Blue cheese or ranch dressing

6. Serve with tortilla chips. Baby carrots work, too, if you’re feeling guilty about frying the wings.

Mashed Potato Pizza

1. In a deep-fryer, dutch oven or large pot, heat the oil to about 375 degrees or medium-high heat.

2. Fry wings in oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes depending on size.

3. While the wings are frying, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add hot sauce and stir. Add celery salt or lemon pepper to taste, if desired.

For spicier wings, up the ratio of hot sauce to butter. For milder wings, do the opposite.

For the Super Bowl, turn them into cute little footballs by using white icing as laces.

Serves 4-6 but if you want more strawberries, make more.

Ingredients 12 strawberries 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Small tube of white decorative icing

4. When the wings are done, transfer them to a plate covered with paper towels to drain off excess oil. Then toss them in the wing sauce and serve with blue cheese or ranch.

Guacamole

1. Wash strawberries and pat dry.

4. Use icing to decorate your strawberries like footballs.

5. Place in refrigerator to harden…or eat immediately.

Buffalo Wings

Ingredients 1 Premade pizza dough (from your local grocery store, or – pro tip – your favorite local pizza joint)

Generous portion mashed potatoes

Mozzarella and/or cheddar cheeses 4 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and torn into bite-size chunks 2-3 eggs

Assembly

2. Pour chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl. Place in microwave for 30 seconds. Stir.

If not melted, microwave for 30 seconds more.

Stir again.

3. Dip strawberries into melted chocolate and lay neatly on wax paper to cool.

If you want to take your pizza to the next level, a homemade pie won’t take any longer than any other traditional Super Bowl app.

Guacamole recipes can vary greatly, but one thing is practically always true: Fresh, homemade guac is better than anything you can get at the store.

Serves 4-6.

Ingredients 2 ripe avocados 1/2 lime 1/4 cup diced onion 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 jalapeno

Salt and pepper

Tortilla chips for dipping 1. Peel and pit avocados, then mash them in a medium bowl or mortar.

2. Add onion, cilantro and juice from the lime.

Well, it’s a pizza. Without getting overly scientific, you’ll want to toss the dough and then put down a bed of mozzarella (and some cheddar if you want).

Then, add the potatoes and bacon. You can either dollop and gently spread or pipe the potatoes, as shown above.

Cook the pizza halfway, until the cheese is melting but the crust isn’t quite done yet. Then, remove from the oven and crack your eggs on top of the pizza. Return to oven and cook until pizza reaches desired doneness. (The cooking of the eggs is the trickiest part. If you like them runnier, add them closer to the end of cooking time).

Note You can make mashed potatoes however you like them (this could include instant), but add more butter/sour cream than you normally would so they don’t dry out in the oven. 

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F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

N E W S F E AT U R E

Southern California Taco Tour

By Michele E. Buttelman Sunday Signal Staff Writer

N

ational Taco Day is celebrated nationally in October, but in Southern California every day is Taco Day. We are fortunate in Southern California to have an abundance of amazing taco choices. It isn’t until you move out of SoCal do you realize the how lucky we are to enjoy so many different kinds of quality tacos.

Everyone has a favorite taco and a favorite taco place. The great thing about tacos is that there is a taco for every palate.

My favorite taco is what I call the “authentic street taco.” Small corn tortilla topped with carnitas, onion and cilantro. Simple, but satisfying.

However, I’ve also had delicious tacos made with ground beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, carne asada and al pastor.

The history of tacos al pastor is fascinating. Pastor, meaning “shepherd,” was the name given to Lebanese merchants who immigrated to Mexico City in the late 1890s. They created a taco using thin strips of pork marinated with chilies, spices and pineapple and created a distinctive flavor that can be found, in some form, in nearly every taqueria.

Everyone has a favorite taco place. But isn’t it time to expand your taco experience?

The Santa Clarita Valley has some amazing tacos, but finding new taco places on a mini “road trip” might just be the cure for what ails you.

Cielito Lindo on Olvera Street

E. 23 Olvera St., Los Angeles 90012 Info cielitolindo.org For nearly 100 years, the humble taco has captured America’s hearts and many historians trace its California roots to Cielito Lindo in East Los Angeles.

This tiny stand, which opens at 10 a.m., has been serving rolled tacos smothered in avocado sauce since 1934. Not much has changed since Aurora Guerrero introduced the flavors of her native Zacatecas to Olvera Street, except her shop now has running water.

For years the family cooked at home and carried their tortillas in by trolley to Cielito Lindo each morning. It is comforting to know that nearly a century later the ownership, Guerrero’s descen-

dants, and the flavors remain the same.

When I first started work in downtown Los Angeles a co-worker introduced me to Cielito Lindo and I was hooked.

Tito’s Tacos in Culver City

11222 Washington Place, Culver City, CA Info Visit titostacos.com.

Since 1959, this Culver City institution has served the best “crunchy” hard-shelled tacos in SoCal. I am normally a soft taco fan, but I make an exception for Tito’s. These tacos are served with mounds of shredded orange cheese and served with a large cup of red salsa.

The restaurant’s proximity to LAX makes it a first stop/last stop for many die-hard fans traveling to and from Los Angeles. As Tito’s catchy jingle boasts, “The only thing better than a Tito’s taco is two.”

PHOTO COURTESY CIELITO LINDO

King Taco in Pasadena

45 N. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena 91103 Info kingtaco.com Founded in 1974, King Taco began its operation from a converted ice cream truck. On a summer night in 1974, Don Raúl and Doña Lupe stationed their taco truck next to an East L.A. bar where they became popularly known.

Today, after nearing 50 years serving Mexican fast-food favorites, King Taco has expanded to 22 locations.

This is where I found my love for the simple “street taco” wrapped in foil.

PHOTO COURTESY YUCA’S

Pepe’s in Alhambra

511 W Valley Blvd., Alhambra 91803 Info pepesmexicanfood.com.

My friend who introduced me to King Taco and to Cielito Lindo recently moved to Las Vegas. Surprisingly, finding decent tacos in “Sin City” has been harder than he thought it would be. He’s driven to Los Angeles just to get his taco fix at Pepe’s.

Pepe’s was founded in 1962 in Alhambra by three brothers, Joe, Tony and Fred. Their nephew “Pepe” was sent to fight in Vietnam and Tony, out of love for his nephew, named the restaurant after him.

I suggest the shredded beef tacos plate. It comes with rice, guacamole and beans. The tacos are huge — two tacos are all you need.

Yuca’s in Los Feliz

2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles 90027

PHOTO COURTESY KING TACO

Info yucasla.com.

Started by “Mama” Socorro and Jaime Herrera in a converted 10 x 10 outdoor shoe shine station, Yuca’s, aka the Hut, became known for its Yucatan-style cooking and received the James Beard Award in the American Classics category in 2005.

Try the Cochininta Pibil Yucatan-style pork tacos.

Information courtesy Visit California 

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

Can You Solve the Crime?

By Victor Corral Martinez Signal Staff Writer

D

ozens of amateur crime scene investigators were searching for clues to determine the death of four victims in 24 hours at the Veterans Memorial Park, all participating in a unique outdoor detective experience called “CluedUpp.” The various “detectives” were part of a “geogaming experience” made of teams with up to six participants. The teams were given three hours to solve the crime on a recent Saturday.

Friends, co-workers and family members formed teams, dressed up and even incorporated their puppies into the process of solving the crimes.

Teams were expected to combine clue-solving, code-breaking and forensic analysis to solve the murder case.

All teams purchased tickets and downloaded a mobile app to participate in the game. Awards were given for fastest team, best CSI-inspired outfit, best team picture, best team name, best young detective and best dog photo.

Michelle Reynolds saw the event shared on social media and was excited to try the game with friends. Her family and friends are fans of escape rooms and enjoy puzzles, so it was a fun opportunity to get outside.

“I saw the event listed on Facebook and I thought it would be fun to get out one day and do that. So I

The Florence family attempts to solve a clue while participating in the CluedUpp Santa Clarita murder mystery at Veterans Memorial Park in Newhall. PHOTOS BY CHRIS TORRES / THE SIGNAL.

gathered up some friends and came out,” she said.

Reynolds said she enjoyed dressing up herself and her puppy as CSI detectives for the event. She jokingly mentioned solving the crime would take her six-member-team 40 minutes, while her group laughed.

Reynolds suggests jumping into the next event because of the fun of being outside with friends

Michelle Reynolds, front right, and her group of six read the guidelines of their next activity while trying to solve the CluedUpp Santa Clarita murder mystery.

and family, solving crimes.

“It’s so inexpensive and it’s such a fun day to get out and be away from the house. Just to be around friends and try something new was fun,” Reynolds said.

Nancy Ventura was one of the newcomers to the game and was inspired to join her friend Amanda Florence, who has participated twice in previous games.

“I saw photos, and it looked like so much fun, so we decided to come up from the north-Glendale area,” Ventura said.

Prepping for the game, Ventura and Florence went to the hardware store and gathered various props for the event. Ventura, who works for a film studio, has worked on crime shows and was excited to create fun memories.

Ventura added being outdoors with friends and family is nice, especially with the COVID-19 restrictions.

“I’m new to this, and I’m really excited to participate and have fun and see what this is all about,” Ventura said.

For many teams, like Ventura and Reynolds, the experience is more important than the destination, or in this case, the crime. As a result, many don’t finish the game but enjoy the memories created with friends and family.

“We haven’t ever actually completed it,” Florence said jokingly.

For more information, visit www.cluedupp. com. 

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F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Get Outside and Explore with Agents of Discovery

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

T

wo of the main reasons why people choose to live and raise their family in Santa Clarita are the proximity to nature and ample opportunities to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. With 35 City parks and seemingly endless miles of trails in the vast open space that surrounds Santa Clarita, you are never far away from your next adventure.

Since the start of the pandemic, many recreational venues have either closed or been limited in what they can offer. This has led to more residents in Santa Clarita visiting their nearby park or exploring trails on the weekends — many for the first time. To encourage families to spend more time together outdoors, and to enhance the experience for the whole family, the City of Santa Clarita launched the Agents of Discovery program.

Agents of Discovery is a free mobile game that combines exercise and nature with education and uses augmented reality to make the world around you come alive. As you challenge yourself with various missions, you have the chance to earn a variety

of prizes while also learning more about the great outdoors. Missions in Santa Clarita rotate periodically so there is always something new for you and your family to discover.

Currently, there are two different active missions in the City. The first takes place at Quigley Canyon Open Space, which you can access from Cleardale Street in the Placerita Canyon area. The Quigley Canyon mission focuses on hiking safety and nature, providing lessons and trivia for Agents as you hike your way through the open space.

Also happening now is a mission centered on NFL trivia at Central Park, just in time for this weekend’s big game! You’ll hike portions of the Central Park trail while putting your football knowledge to the test.

The great thing about Agents of Discovery is that the fun continues no matter where you are. Santa Clarita’s missions are part of a larger SoCal Explorer program, which challenges Agents to complete a number of tasks by visiting various locations in Southern California to be entered to win even more.

The Agents of Discovery program is just one way that individuals and families can stay active and involved in Santa Clarita. If you have not joined the fun yet, I encourage you to visit santa-clarita.com/ AgentsOfDiscovery and download the app to your iOS or Android device. You can also connect with the City’s Youth Sports division on Facebook (Santa Clarita Youth Sports) or visit our staff located at Central Park near the softball fields to learn more about these missions and ones planned for the future.

See you out on the trails!

Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

H E A LT H

How to Better Understand Your Health Care Options

H

ealth care can be a difficult world to navigate.

Health insurance plans often change just as individuals grow accustomed to them, prompting many people to wonder if there’s anything they can do to gain a stronger grasp of the health care industry.

The American Institute of Preventive Medicine reports that Americans spend more time researching which cars and appliances to buy than they do health plans.

Much of that is undoubtedly due to the belief that employers do much of the legwork in picking health care plans, leaving individuals with less responsibility and facing a relatively simple decision of picking the best employer-sponsored plan offered to them.

But there’s more than that to being a wise health care consumer, and individuals can embrace these strategies so they have a better understanding

of their plans and coverage.

individuals and their families avoid financial difficulties in the case of emergencies or significant medical events should be a bigger priority than the cost of the plan.

Attend Information Sessions

Health insurance providers and employers typically schedule enrollment meetings whenever a plan is up for renewal and/or being changed.

Such meetings can easily get lost in the hectic fray of modern business environments, but professionals should find the time to attend them.

Enrollment meetings explain benefits in detail and provide a great opportunity to speak directly with an insurance provider without having to go through the often time-consuming customer service hotline.

Do Your Homework

Prior to an enrollment meeting, ask for information about the plans an employer is offering, then go through those plans and jot down any questions you may have and ask them during the meeting.

Understanding benefits is an essential trait of a wise health care consumer, so don’t hesitate to ask ques-

Preventative Care

tions about what is and isn’t covered under each plan you’re considering.

Avoid Overemphasizing Cost

Cost is a big consideration for health care consumers. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average annual cost of health insurance in the United States is just under $7,500 for an individual and more than $21,000 for a family. Though it may be tempting to choose the least expensive plan you’re offered, avoid overemphasizing cost, especially at the expense of coverage.

Adequate coverage that will help

Learn about the benefits associated with preventive care. Many health insurance plans offer rebates to consumers who have memberships at fitness facilities and use those memberships a certain number of times in a set period of time. These benefits aren’t just ways to save money. They’re also powerful motivators to engage in preventive health care, which is one of the best ways for health care consumers to save money over the long haul.

The steps to becoming a better health care consumer are simple and can ensure individuals get the most out of their medical benefits.

(MC) 

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F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

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

Celebrity Guest Stars Ad Lib in Quest to Solve a Murder

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Murderville’



(out of four) A six-episode series available Thursdays on Netflix.

I

n the premiere episode of the Netflix procedural suspense comedy “Murderville,” Will Arnett’s Senior Detective Terry Seattle and his new partner Conan O’Brien are going “bad cop/worse cop” while interrogating David Wain’s Magic Melvin, who calls himself Magic Melvin because … wait for it … he’s a magician. (You were probably ahead of me on that.)

“A young woman was murdered against her will today!” bellows Terry as he leans in close and demands Magic Melvin explain just how a magician’s assistant was literally sawed in half onstage. At that point, Magic Melvin starts doing simple tricks, e.g., the quarter-behind-the-ear, hand-

PHOTO CREDIT NETFLIX

kerchiefs suddenly appearing and disappearing — and Terry’s reactions go from amazed to astonished to BLOWN AWAY, and Arnett’s physicality is so hilarious and so over the top that Conan breaks and can’t hold back his laughter as he says, “No one gets that excited about a card trick,” and it is pure improv gold.

This is the conceit of “Murderville,” which is based on the BBC Three series “Murder in Successville”: Arnett more or less stays in character

CELEBRITYNEWS

(“Younger”) and Malcolm Goodwin (“iZombie”).

As for Cruise, don’t worry, he’s still gainfully employed. He’s filming his eighth “Mission Impossible” film and has the sequel to “Top Gun” (“Top Gun: Maverick) “due out soon.

Q

I saw that they are turning my favorite novels (“Jack Reacher”) into a TV show.

However, wasn’t there a movie first? I never saw it because Tom Cruise seemed miscast in the role, but I’m willing to give the series a chance if the actor fits the part better. ­— E.K.

A

When Tom Cruise was cast as Jack Reacher a decade ago in the movie of the same title, fans of the novels balked. Isn’t Jack Reacher 6 feet 5, they asked? Even Lee Child, the author of the novels, expressed concern that the 5 foot 7 Cruise wasn’t what he envisioned. The movie did well enough to justify a sequel four years later, and in

as the pompous and clueless Terry, who in each episode is given a new celebrity partner playing themselves.

“But here’s the catch,” says the narrator in that opening episode. “Conan isn’t being given a script. He has no idea what’s about to happen. Together, he and Terry will have to improvise their way through the case. But it’ll be up to Conan alone to name the killer.” And away we go with this breezy and creatively goofy six-part series, with O’Brien’s guest star turn followed by talented comedy veterans Kumail Nanjiani, Ken Jeong and Annie Murphy, as well as Sharon Stone and former pro football running back Marshawn Lynch.

As you might expect, the episodes with Lynch and Stone are relatively underwhelming compared to the laugh-out-loud antics with the comedy pros. Lynch displays some decent comedic chops; he’s just not Nanjiani or Jeong when it comes to going with the flow of the concept, timing his reactions or inserting a sly one-lin-

Q Alan Ritchson stars in “Reacher.” PHOTO CREDIT DEPOSITPHOTOS

2018 a deal was signed to take the character in a new direction in the form of a series.

According to TV Guide, Reacher “is fond of staring down his adversaries and letting his imposing frame do the intimidating.”

Actor Alan Ritchson will now assume the big shoes of Reacher.

DC Universe fans might recognize him as Arthur Curry/Aquaman in the “Smallville” series and as Hank Hall/Hawk in “Titans.”

“Reacher” premiered on Amazon’s Prime Video on Feb. 4 and co-stars Willa Fitzgerald

Whatever happened to Bridget Fonda? I loved her in “Point of No Return” and “Singles” back in the 1990s, but she seems to have disappeared.

— D.J.

A

The daughter of Peter Fonda and niece of Jane Fonda, Bridget Fonda was the It Girl of the ‘90s. In addition to the movies you named, she starred in “Single White Female,” “Lake Placid” and “A Simple Plan,” among others. She had a handful of credits through the early 2000s, but that was it. She then married Oscar-winning composer Danny Elfman and has remained out of the spotlight. © 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.

er. The same goes for Stone, who is a gamer and throws herself into the premise, but often goes for jokey asides instead of more layered humor.

In addition to the guest-star gimmick, “Murderville” features a trio of supporting players from the Crime TV Series playbook: Haneefah Wood as the no-nonsense Chief Rhonda Jenkins-Seattle, who is Terry’s boss and estranged wife; Philip Smithey as Darren “Daz” Phillips, Terry’s fellow detective who is now dating Rhonda and rarely contributes anything to the investigations, and Lilan Bowden as the medical examiner Amber Kang, who cheerfully delivers the gruesome details of the latest murder case. No matter who is in the room with Arnett, they have to bring their A game, as Arnett is the master at playing these types of gravel-voiced fools. (See: “Arrested Development.”)

You can understand why it’s difficult for O’Brien to keep a straight face when Terry gives him the once-over and barks, “Good Lord … this ginger monstrosity is the biggest mistake in the history of city homicide!”

Then there’s Terry’s shrine to his former partner, Laurie, who was murdered 15 years ago. Laurie’s desk has remained completely untouched, as Terry points out items such as her uneaten, now 15-year-old breakfast burrito — and “her pet rabbit, Gulliver,” who is nothing but bones at this point. When Conan points out you’re allowed to feed a rabbit even after its owner is gone, Terry cuts him off and says that would have been disrespectful.

At the end of each episode, the chief comes in after Terry and his partner have rounded up the three prime suspects, says, “What is going on here?” and then reveals whether the celebrity has correctly identified the killer. That some guest detectives get it right while others miss the mark is further proof this is truly an improvisational exercise. Even Terry Seattle could spot that kind of evidence. 

Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

Get Healthy with

FOOD

T

he changing of the calendar to a new year is a perfect opportunity to look toward the future and create better health and wellness habits.

Setting yourself up with a strong foundation is key to long-term success. Consider these tips as you look to build healthy habits this year: Set reasonable goals It’s important to take an honest look at your lifestyle and assess any changes you can make to improve wellness. Whether your goal is to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more frequently or something else entirely, start with an attainable target - like losing 1 pound a week - and know you can always challenge yourself further once you’ve sustained the change for an extended period of time.

Eat well A well-balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains.

You can create lower-calorie versions of some of your favorite dishes by substituting low-calorie fruits and vegetables in place of higher calorie ingredients. An option like watermelon is more than a raw fruit or snack; it can be an ingredient in a wide variety of recipes, including appetizers, mocktails (or cocktails), entrees, sauces or salsa. For example, these recipes for Watermelon Chia Seed Muffins and Watermelon and Pistachio Salad can help satisfy cravings any time of day. Consisting of 92% water, watermelon is cholesterol-free, fat-free and offers an excellent source of vitamin C (25% daily value) while also containing vitamin A (8%) and vitamin B6 (6%).

Get active Proper nutrition is just one part of making healthy lifestyle choices. Adults should aim for at least 160 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you want to lose weight, increase aerobic activities like walking or running.

If your goal is adding strength, start resistance

training such as lifting weights.

Find more healthy recipes and tips to help keep you on track all year long at watermelon.org..

Watermelon and Pistachio Salad

1/4 cup pistachios 4 ounces feta 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint Place watermelon and onion in large bowl. Add balsamic vinegar and toss to combine.

Add pistachios, feta and mint, reserving small amount of mint to sprinkle on top. Toss.

Servings: 3 3 cups watermelon cubes 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Serve on large platter and sprinkle with remaining mint. (Family Features) 

Watermelon Chia Seed Muffins Yield: 12 muffins 1 can nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup sucralose 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon zest 2 cups flour 3/4 cup chia seeds 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons canola oil 1/3 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt 3/4 cup liquefied watermelon juice 1/2 cup egg substitute 1 cup dried tart cherries

1 lemon, juice only 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons sugar Heat oven to 375 F. Spray 12-piece muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In large bowl, combine sugar, sucralose and lemon zest. Use fingers to rub zest into sugar until fragrant.

Add flour, chia seeds, baking soda, baking powder and salt; thoroughly mix. Set aside.

In medium bowl, whisk oil, yogurt, watermelon juice and egg substi-

tute until thoroughly blended. Add cherries, lemon juice and vanilla.

Add liquid mixture to flour mixture. Gently toss until incorporated.

Avoid overbeating or muffins will be flat and tough. Spoon evenly into muffin pan. Top each muffin with 1/2 teaspoon sugar.

Bake 15-17 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Remove from oven, allow to sit 5 minutes then transfer muffins to cooling rack. 

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F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

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

Bringing The Latin Jazz & Funk — Poncho Sanchez

F

or more than three decades as both a leader and a sideman, conguero Poncho Sanchez has stirred up a fiery stew of straight-ahead jazz, gritty soul music, and infectious melodies and rhythms from a variety of Latin American and South American sources.

Sanchez’s influences are numerous, and his catalog is rich with his homages to several of his mentors — Santamaria, Puente and Tjader among them. But alongside those Latin pioneers, among the more prominent figures that inform his music

is the iconic saxophonist John Coltrane. On his latest album Trane’s Delight, Sanchez pays tribute to the late jazz legend with Latin-tinged reimaginings of Coltrane classics as well as new pieces composed in honor of the tenor titan.

Sanchez comments, “To me, Latin jazz is the world’s greatest music,” says Sanchez. “It has the melodic and harmonic sophistication of jazz and American standards, and the flavor and energy of Latin American music. What I’m most proud of is that this music — while it may sound exotic at times — is

from America. It was born in New York City, when Chano Pozo met Dizzy Gillespie for the first time in the mid-1940s. They created something that didn’t exist before in this country. I’m very proud to take this music all over the world all the time.

You can see Poncho Sanchez live at The Canyon Santa Clarita on March 4. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. For more information, visit www.wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com. 

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

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N E W S F E AT U R E

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Offering Classes and Seminars

By Jim Walker Sunday Signal Staff Writer Doña Uhrig Sunday Signal Editor

Signs of a Heart Attack

I

n addition to reducing your risk of heart attack, it’s always wise to know what one looks like. The Centers for Disease Control notes that the major symptoms of a heart attack are:

H

eart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. But heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions.

With that in mind, February has been established as American Heart Month, and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital is offering classes and seminars during the month to help raise awareness and educate the community about cardiovascular health.

Though some of these are new and specific to American Heart Month, but several are offered on a regular basis.

Dietitian educator Jodi Dalyai offered her thoughts on the benefits of these classes. She noted that HMNH has a cardiac rehabilitation program that includes fitness training, and that her department works closely with these rehab and fitness programs to “help patients understand their disease and reduce risk going forward through such things as stress management and healthy food choices.”

By attending a total of three HMNH classes in the month of Feb-

PHOTOS COURTESY HENRY MAYO NEWHALL HOSPITAL

ruary, you will be entered into a raffle to win a gift basket. The winner will be notified March 1.

Maintaining Heart Health During COVID-19

Feb. 22, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Zoom) henrymayo.com/classes-events/classesevents-details/?Event=26511 UCLA Health cardiologist James Lee, M.D., will discuss how managing hypertension and improving heart health can help fight disease during these unusual circumstances.

Dalyai added that many people have put off medical care and/or exercise during the pandemic. “This class helps them get back on board and take care of themselves,” she said.

Portfolio Diet: How to Lower Cholesterol

Feb. 28, 10-11 a.m. henrymayo.com/classes-events/classesevents-details/?Event=26511 Learn about the foods in the Portfolio Diet and how to incorporate them into your eating habits. Registration is required.

Dalyai said that this class is new and special this month, and designed to get your total cholesterol down by lowering your LDL cholesterol.

Heart Attack: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

First Thursday of the Month, 3-4 p.m.

henrymayo.com/classes-events/classesevents-details/?Event=8579 This class discusses heart attack risk factors, how a heart attack is diagnosed and treated and what you can do to prevent heart attacks.

“We want to be sure that people are able to get the education they need to get better, and improve their overall health,” Dalyai said.

Release and Let Go with Mindful Meditation

First Monday of the Month, 4-5 p.m. henrymayo.com/classes-events/classesevents-details/?Event=26168 Through meditation techniques, relaxation exercises and brief discussions, the class explores meditation practices that can be applied to everyday life.

It’s Your Health Podcast

For the month of February, the It’s Your Health podcast is featuring Caring for Your Heart at Every Age. Cardiologist Dr. Samuel Kojoglanian discusses the “seven S’s” for caring for your heart and the steps to prevent heart disease.

To listen, visit radiomd.com/audioplayer/henrymayo/item/34643-caringfor-your-heart-at-every-age.

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital has expanded its cardiovascular services to include a broad range of cardiac

❤ Chest pain or discomfort.

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. ❤ Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. You may also break out into a cold sweat. ❤ Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back. ❤ Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders. ❤ Shortness of breath. This often comes along with chest discomfort, but shortness of breath also can happen before chest discomfort. ❤ Other symptoms of a heart attack could include unusual or unexplained tiredness and nausea or vomiting.

Women are more likely to have these other symptoms.

If you notice the symptoms of a heart attack in yourself or someone else, call 9-1-1 immediately. care, from diagnostic, to minimally invasive interventions, to open heart surgery and cardiac rehabilitation.

The Community Education at Henry Mayo Fitness and Health is located at 24525 Town Center Drive, Valencia 91355. For more information, visit henrymayo.com/classes-events. 

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F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

HOME

Making Your New ‘Hybrid’ Home Energy-Efficient

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the face of America’s workplace. In fact, an increasing number of folks might find their “new office” feels a lot like home — because it is literally their home Our post-pandemic “return to the office” may look very different with hybrid or fully remote work models rapidly rising in popularity.

Studies support this trend with 83% of workers believing a hybrid model would be optimal going forward, according to an Accenture survey While the new dynamic promises an improved work-life balance, it will also cause energy use and utility bills to skyrocket with technologies, appliances and systems running overtime at unprecedented levels — making optimal, energy-efficient home climate control a greater challenge.

The good news is that families can prevent a utility-bill blitz by following a few simple tips. With home heat-

ing and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use, small steps can go a long way.

Ease Into Electric According to Columbia University’s Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control. Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless minisplit systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25% on your energy bill.

Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space.

Get “Smart” about Climate Control When it comes to smart home temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be

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controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create “smart” systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected device or voice-operated home automation system.

you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you and your family don’t spend a lot of time. This will multiply savings as you’re not only needing less cooling, but you also gain from a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use.

Voice Your Preference Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures.

Easily controlling the temperature more closely allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.

Try Low-tech Fixes Simple changes can have a big impact. Take advantage of the sun’s energy to heat your home by opening your south-facing curtains at sunrise to make best use of “passive solar gain.”

Force down warm air. Denser, cooler air stays closer to the ground, and warmer air rises. So, force it downwards with a low-speed fan.

Insulate and fill the gaps. Warmed air leaking out around poorly sealed window frames, power sockets, recessed light fittings, and other gaps is a big source of heat loss in homes.

Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted or ductless system. That will allow

To learn more or find a contractor near you, call (888) 888-3424 or visit www.constantcomfort.com. (NewsUSA) 

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

SENIORLIVING

Rx Goals: Six Ways to Improve Your Health

W

hile diet and exercise goals typically spring to mind when people decide to focus on their health and wellness, experts say that forming good habits relating to your pharmacy routine can go far in improving your overall health.

Susan Peppers, RPh, vice president, Express Scripts Pharmacy, suggests these goals to make the most of your pharmacy care.

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Many of us are hesitant to speak up when we have questions about prescribed medications or therapies.

Don’t be! Pharmacists have clinical expertise and can play an important role in your whole health. At Express Scripts Pharmacy, pharmacists are available 24/7 to answer questions or talk through any other health issues you may be experiencing.

Never Miss a Dose

The best way to see improvement in both chronic and short-term conditions is to take medication as prescribed — the right dose at the right time in the right way.

Try using a pill container or a dose reminder or taking your medication as part of your daily routine, such as brushing your teeth.

Talk to your pharmacist about the best time to take your medication.

Take your Medications Safely

Taking medication the wrong way or without knowledge of their effects can be dangerous. Read and understand the instructions printed on your prescription label, so you can be sure you’re taking your medicine exactly as intended.

For example, taking certain medications on an empty stomach if you’re supposed to take it with a meal can reduce their effectiveness.

You’ll also want to be sure you don’t mix your medication with certain other drugs or alcohol, or even engage in specific activities, like driving, if the label warns you against doing so.

Clean out the Medicine Cabinet

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cabinet. Go through and properly dispose of expired medications or those you’re no longer taking.

For more information on discarding expired medications, visit expressscripts.com/askyourpharmacist.

Check-in With Your Doctor

Your health can change, and your prescriptions should change along with it. Schedule time at least once annually to go over everything you’re being prescribed. It’s a good chance to talk to your doctor about what’s working, what’s not and what might need adjustments.

In turn, keeping all medications at a single pharmacy when possible allows your pharmacist to have the most accurate information to help keep you safe from drug interactions or medication issues. Be sure your physician knows which pharmacy you use.

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For more medication pharmacy care resources and information, visit www.esrx.com/AskYourPharmacist.

With a few tweaks to your pharmacy routine, you can take better care of your health and improve your overall wellness. (StatePoint) 

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F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

HOME

Tricks to Keep Your Valentine’s Day Flowers Fresh

W

ho doesn’t enjoy receiving a fresh bouquet of flowers on a special occasion?

Flowers traditionally are given for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries and other special events.

While a beautiful bouquet can make a lovely gift, fresh flowers have finite lasting power.

But don’t fret. Various strategies can help prolong the life of freshly cut flowers. Florists employ certain tricks to keep cut flowers fresh longer. Here are some strategies to consider.

likely to thrive in cooler water, according to Consumer Reports.

Chill Your Arrangement

angle. Continue this process every

cut and place the flowers in water

atres • Santa Clarita Signal three days or so. The 45-degree anquickly. This gives fresh arrangeadsource@exhibitorads.com Make Fresh Cuts in Stems gle prevents the stem from squishing ments a good chance to last awhile. p. 888.737.2812 f. 203.438.1206 5.9” Think back to the last time you during the cut and enables it to abMonitor Water Temperature purchased a fresh Christmas tree.

February 13-17, 2022 date: Sunday-Thursday, sorb more water.

The temperature of the water in What is the key to ensuring it gets the vase should coordinate with the ThemAM in Water Quickly delivery date: Tuesday, 8,You 2022 atGet 11:30:10 CASCS_LEM0213-0217.qxp enough water whileFebruary on display? guessed it: making a fresh cut in the trunk of the tree. The same concept applies to floral arrangements.

Use a sharp scissor or pruning shears to cut about one inch from the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree

Place the flowers in a vase or other vessel with water promptly after making the cuts. Some florists like to cut the stems under water to prevent air bubbles from forming in the stems.

Choose an arrangement first, then

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MALEDETTO MODIGLIANI I Mon: 7:30 PM; Tue: 1:00 PM Marking the centenary of the death of Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920), this special cinema event will delve into the story of a remarkable talent that surpassed legend and stereotypes.

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flowers on display. Do not use hot water or the stems will cook. Room temperature is best for most flowers, except for blooms from bulbs that flower during cooler months, such as tulips and daffodils. They’ll be more

The experts at FTD by Design tested various theories for keeping floral arrangements fresh, including adding aspirin to the water or using sugar or concoctions that contain vodka.

Sugar and vinegar served as a runner-up for long-lasting blooms, but the best solution for prolonging the flowers was putting the arrangement in the refrigerator each night for roughly eight hours.

Prune the Foliage

Before placing cut flowers in a vase, remove extra leaves at the base of the stems that will fall underneath the water line. This helps to limit bacteria growth in the water and cuts back on foul odors. Plus, removing foliage focuses flowers’ energy on the main blooms rather than the leaves.

These steps can add life to cut flowers, helping arrangements thrive in any home. (MC) 

Waste Management Offers Valentine’s Day Recycling Tips

L

ocal waste hauler Waste Management is offering Santa Clarita Valley residents a set of tips on how to maximize recycling for Valentine’s Day. “WM has been helping Santa Clarita recycle right for over two decades,” said Ashley Cortes, recycling manager for Waste Management of Santa Clarita. “With just a few small actions, you can have a positive environmental impact while making your Valentine’s Day extra special.”

Here are a few tips to go green this Valentine’s Day:

move any batteries and recycle those at a retailer or at a city of Santa Clarita library, community center or at City Hall. Visit GreenSantaClarita. com for location information.

Recycle Greeting Cards

Candy Boxes in the Right Cart

According to Hallmark, Americans exchange approximately 145 million Valentine’s Day cards each year. Most cards can be recycled along with other paper items in your curbside recycling cart.

Cards with foil, glitter, lights or sounds are not recyclable unless those pieces can be removed and are better kept as keepsakes or discarded in trash carts.

Before discarding, be sure to re-

Give Flowers Back to the Earth Giving flowers, a symbol of love since the 17th century, is also a great eco-friendly gift. Once their beauty has faded, remove any plastic, wires or florist foam and place them in your green waste cart where they will be processed into nutrient-rich mulch and ground cover.

Candy has been a Valentine’s Day staple since the first heart-shaped box of chocolates was introduced in 1861, but did you know that the fancy plastic wrapping can’t be recycled? And, while the empty cardboard box is recyclable, any parts with food residue or wrappers should be discarded in your trash cart. Visit wm.com/recycle right for more recycling tips and resources. (WM) 

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Cheese Fondue Scores for Super Bowl Supper green or fruit salad makes a nice accompaniment.

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

M

y best cheese fondue memory goes back to a summer in Switzerland, the country of its origin. After hours of hiking trails in the Alps with a French family, we arrived at a charming mountaintop chalet, where we dipped chunks of fresh, rustic bread into a classic cheese fondue to cap off a perfect day.

The memory of the edible trek lives on when I prepare fondue on my home turf. While authentic Swiss Emmentaler and Gruyere cheeses are available stateside, they can be quite pricey, so I’ve Americanized and simplified the traditional recipe using condensed cheddar-cheese soup as the base.

Bring out your fondue pot, stir up this easy recipe and warm up with

Mild Cheese Fondue

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed Cheddar cheese soup, such as Campbell’s 1/4 cup dry white wine or apple juice 1 cup Swiss cheese, grated 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated

Tabasco (optional)

Salt and white pepper 1 clove garlic, halved

French bread, cut into bite-size chunks, each with some crust on 1. Heat soup, wine or apple juice, and cheeses over medium heat, stirring constantly until cheeses are melted. Add a drop or two of Tabasco and season to taste with salt and pepper.

A simplified Swiss classic. PHOTO COURTESY DONNA ERICKSON

friends and family on a chilly winter evening. Or serve it as a novel supper during Super Bowl halftime. A tossed

2. Rub the insides of a fondue pot with garlic. Pour the smooth cheese mixture into fondue pot and keep warm. Serve yourself by spearing bread chunks with fon-

due forks and dipping completely into sauce. Make 4-6 servings.

Extra idea For preschoolers, dipping a long pretzel or bread stick topped with a chunk of French bread into their own bowl of the gooey cheese mixture is just as fun. Try veggies and apple slices for healthy dunkers, too.

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 Donna’s Day Facebook fan page.

Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  © 2022 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

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SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

CROSSWORD TIME

F E B R UA RY 13, 2022

Opinion

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 9

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

READERLETTERS

We Are Failing Our Future As a parent and citizen, I am concerned about our future as a state and a nation. Our future depends on our next generation, and it seems we are failing them in several ways.

One of them is declining academic standards in the new math framework being finalized by the state.

Our students are behind other nations in math, low-income and minority students even more so. Instead of providing teachers more training and tools to bring students to meet and exceed standards, the standards are being lowered. This will handicap ALL children as they try to meet the challenges of an ever-competitive global marketplace. It will take algebra out of middle school and delay advanced math topics until late in high school to the point that calculus will be nearly inaccessible. This will make students even less prepared for college and careers in STEM fields. The approach claims to help reduce disparity in math knowledge. However, it is based on flawed data from San Francisco schools and misinterpretation of successful interventions in other schools. The math framework holds back kids who may have more of an interest and ability in math. It does nothing to help those struggling to come up to standard.

As Nancy Pelosi rightfully says, “Don’t agonize, organize.”

If you are a parent, grandparent, or concerned citizen who has a stake in the future of this nation, it is time to act. Call and write to your local school board, write to your state and federal representatives to prioritize ways in which we lift everyone up, not hold everyone back. You can also get more information and sign an open letter to the California Department of Education at www.savemath.net/open-letter.

Naheed Virani Stevenson Ranch

Getting to Know Our Neighbors?

In response to a Feb. 10 letter from Glenda Johnson of Newhall, let me tell you who I am. I moved to Newhall in 1983 before cityhood. I was a business owner for over 20 years and active in the community, serving as chair of the health committee where the chamber put on a very successful health day where attendees could go to different health seminars and at lunch the speaker was Peggy Fleming. I know all the City Council members and they have done a good job, but being a member since cityhood does not mean they represent the whole city, thus my original letter to The Signal.

I have no plans on moving. I would have rather seen a letter to The Signal citing your stance rather than your reply that I could move. I have no intentions of moving. I don’t recognize your name, either.

Richard Smykle Valencia Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv.com.

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

Getting Back to Conversing

By David Hegg

A

t the risk of appearing to be culturally irrelevant, I’d like to talk about conversation. You remember? I’m referring to occasions when people are face-to-face, and they take turns exchanging information verbally.

Conversation, like so many other forms of artistic expression, is experiencing a serious mugging today, with technology all but eliminating its practice. We’ve all witnessed a restaurant booth full of people, all on their cell phones, texting. The crimes against conversation are so prevalent that Catherine Blyth could dare to title her book “The Art Of Conversation: A Guided Tour of a Neglected Pleasure.” And that’s the point. Conversation as an art is sadly neglected today, and when done well, is also a true pleasure for all involved.

One of the true casualties of our mutual COVID-19 struggle has been face-to-face conversation. Yes, we had ways of “talking” technologically, and some of us became proficient at communicating through masks and at a distance. But I think I speak for all of us that we sorely miss seeing faces, reading expressions, enjoying the twinkle in the eyes, and simply conversing without looking like bank robbers.

So, here are some reasons to join my movement to free conversation from the tyranny of both technology and Fauci, followed by some suggestions for practicing it ethically. I’ll try to keep them short so you can tweet them to friends. Ha! • Conversation is part words and part relationship. Think of it as texting someone you’re looking at, who can hear you, but without the phone part. You actually get to experience human emotions, facial expressions and eye contact.

It’s how relationships form, are nurtured and flourish. How fun!

• Conversation offers immediate gratification.

You can tell immediately if your message has been delivered, and you don’t have to wait for your phone to signal an answer.

• Conversation isn’t messed up by the auto-correct demon. Enough said.

• Conversation is much better at carrying emotion. Think of the tools at your disposal. You have tone of voice, pitch, pace, body language, facial expressions, and a whole host of other embellishments to communicate your point of view.

You’re just not limited to CAPITAL letters, emoticons, or weird internet slang w8 4 it, IMHO. • Conversation is better at real communication because it can create understanding, correct misunderstanding, and isn’t limited to 140 characters. And herein lies the problem. Conversation will take effort, and it also takes mutual respect and cooperation.

So, to that end, here are some rules for the art of conversing as human beings: 1. Speak intelligently, using real sentences, have something worthwhile to say, and know when to stop talking so others can play, too. Dialogue that becomes monologue is rude, excruciating and never worth the time.

2. Listen attentively so you can really understand what is being said, the point of view being represented, and the heart of the speaker. Don’t make the mistake of formulating your response while the other person is still talking.

3. Never, ever, ever interrupt another person.

Interruptions are just another way of saying, “I’m no longer interested in you or what you have to say.” Any way you slice it, interruptions are just an insulting way of saying your thoughts are better than theirs.

4. Compliment other people’s stories, opinions and suggestions before launching into your own.

Everyone wants to be appreciated, and letting others know we have been benefited by their thoughts always enhances relationship.

5. Lastly, learn the art of conversation. If you haven’t any idea what I’m talking about, watch a few episodes of “Downton Abbey” and you’ll see a time in history when people cared about the use of words, wit and wisdom. Ah if only …

Truthfully, I am not advocating an end to texts, tweets and emails, although I do still love reading a carefully written letter from a friend.

What I am hoping to do is remind us all of those wonderful conversations we had with friends and loved ones while we sat on the porch, walked along the shore, or drove long hours to Grandmother’s house.

So, pour yourself a good cup of coffee, take the chair next to mine, and let’s enter into a profitable discourse. Now’s not a good time? Well, just text me when you’re available.

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

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Light up the night with the 2022 AMG GLC SUV

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