Sunday Signal July 4, 2021 by Signal

JULY 4, 2021

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J U LY 4, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

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J U LY 4, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES

FOURTH OF JULY

FROM THE MAYOR

4 Creating a community with classic car clubs 8 Expert tips, tricks for saving money when you travel 6 The history of America’s Independence Day and fun facts Join the signers of America’s founding documents 7 The best for your barbecue 9 The ‘Spirit of America’ lights up the night sky

ENTERTAINMENT 10 10 ‘F9: The Fast Saga’ and ‘Who Are You, Charlie Brown?’

FOOD 11 11 Fourth of July Snow Cone Cupcakes

SENIOR LIVING

13 Navigating your health over 65

HOME 14 14 Corral some of your clutter with an organized mudroom

JOIN US FOR THE

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW

GARDENING 16 1 6 Get growing with a small-space, urban garden Did You Know?

TECHNOLOGY 17 17 What does 5G technology mean?

HEALTH 19 19 Strategies to help you protect your mental health

PETS 20 2 0 Preventing your pets from wandering, getting lost Keeping your pets safe in the garden

KIDS & FAMILY

2 1 Donna’s Day: ‘Accordion card in a box’ for birthday highlights Junior Whirl • Did you know?

PUZZLES 22 OPINION 23

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661-259-1234 The entire content of the Sunday Signal is copyrighted 2021 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.

All fireworks – even those marked “safe and sane” are illegal to possess in Santa Clarita. Fireworks are a violation of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code, Health and Safety Code and Los Angeles County Fire Code. Report illegal fireworks ANONYMOUSLY by visting santa-clarita.com/RSC Brought to you by Mayor Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste, and Councilmember Jason Gibbs, Councilwoman Marsha McLean and Councilmember Cameron Smyth

J U LY 4, 2021

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N E W S F E AT U R E

Creating a community with classic car clubs By Kev Kurdoghlian Signal Staff Writer

he Santa Clarita Valley loves its cars. Car clubs, car shows, drives and more are regular outings for many residents. Combined, the car culture here forms the basis for community and family. Alex Helyer, 45, of Lancaster, is the president of the California Inland Region Porsche Club of America, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. His region has a membership of 165 and includes the Santa Clarita Valley. “It’s pretty much like a family,” said Helyer, who’s originally from the United Kingdom. “As a new person coming into a state or country or wherever, you don’t know anybody, you have no friends. I find car clubs probably the best way to meet new people (and) make new friends.” Helyer, who owns a black 2004 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, said many members of the Porsche Club are engineers like him who work at area aerospace companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Virgin Galactic. “We all have this similar interest in engineering and we look at the Porsche mark as a great engineering feat really,” he said, noting that many of his friends enjoy tinkering with their cars. The club provides an environment that encourages working on cars along with events that bring together the entire family. Helyer described drives to places from Elizabeth Lake to Lake Arrowhead, visits to local machine shops to tech sessions, and the California Festival of Speed, which is the biggest Porsche event on the West Coast. “That’s great fun for all the family and friends and everyone’s invited to go there,” he said of the festival. Kevin Karzin drove his first Porsche — an orange Porsche 914 — when he was 19 years old, in the

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Classic Rides

Buzzy Wieman backs his 15-window 1963 Volkswagen Samba van into an empty spot amid the dozens of pre1978 classic cars on display at the Show and Shine Car Show held at Route 66 Classic Grill in Canyon Country. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Navy while he was stationed at Point Mugu. “I’ve been in love with them ever since,” said the Porsche Club member. “It took me 41 years to get my first one, which was a 2000 Boxster S, that I bought from a car collector who had it for 19 years and he had put 42 miles a year.” Karzin said he enjoys getting together with club members and having a great time on the road. “I love to carve up the mountains and the hills and the canyons that are around town you know,” he said. “It’s just a lot of fun.” Like Karzin, Dick Meier, 77, of Santa Clarita, said being part of a car club is about going out and having fun. Meier has been a member of the Santa Clarita Corvette Club for nearly eight years. “It’s a great club,” said the owner of a red 2016 Corvette Z51, noting it’s a great way of meeting different people. It’s been difficult to stay involved during the pandemic, Meier said, but he plans on participating in the club’s activities again soon. “Everyone’s doing a good job and we’re just trying to get back into it and do what we used to do,” he said of club’s 80 members. To learn more about the Porsche Club of America California Inland Region, visit cai.pca.org. More information about the Santa Clarita Corvette Club is available at scvcc.org.

Keep the engine running

Not every car collector or vintage car owner is a member of a car club. Gary Null, 84, of Santa Clarita, has owned his Porsche for 49 years. “At the time, you could get Porsches for like, I

looked at them for like $1,600, but they’d need a little work,” he said. “But this one was in perfect condition for $3,000. Now I’m looking at Hemmings (auction house) — there’s one in there for $120,000. I mean, I can’t believe it. It was a good buy.” Null has kept up his Porsche for nearly 50 years with the help of his mechanic of 25 years who recently retired. The mechanic sent him a big envelope with a quarter-century’s worth of Null’s receipts, he recalled. “I wrote him and said, ‘Someday when I get to time, I’m going to add these up, but ouch, I’m not sure I want to do that,” Null said, noting he also did some basic work on the car himself. “I put a lot of money in that car to keep it running.” Null said what matters is the time the car gets on the road, sharing that it’s a source of joy knowing that he’s saved two cars — he also owns a 1953 MG TD — from the junkyard. “To me, it’s just the joy of seeing an old car still running down the road,” he said. “I really like to see them driven. I like to see them driving down the street, but I don’t want to just go look at a bunch of cars.” Matt Daeseleer shares in the joy of keeping a car running. The vintage car restorer owns JMDL Performance in downtown Newhall, where he’s been working on American muscle cars for two years. Daeseleer, who’s been restoring cars for two decades, said that part of the fun in his work comes from bringing cars backs to life. See CARS, page 18

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J U LY 4, 2021

F O U R T H O FJ U LY

The history of America’s Independence Day

ew summertime holidays elicit as much excitement as the Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day in the United States. Each year, family, friends and revelers anticipate the arrival of the holiday so they can host barbecues, enjoy the sun, listen to their favorite summertime tunes, and commemorate the freedoms afforded by the monumental events that led to the holiday’s establishment. Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1941, but July 4th has stood as the birth of American independence for much longer. July 4th marks a pivotal moment in the American Revolution. According to PBS, the colonies were forced to pay taxes to England’s King George III despite having no representation in the British Parliament. “Taxation without representation” became a battle cry and was one of several grievances colonists had

“Taxation without representation.” with Great Britain. Conflict between the colonies had been going on for at least a year before the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in June of 1776, says Military.com. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from England. Two days later, on July 4, 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is an historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer of the declaration writing committee charged with putting the colonies’ sentiments into words. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia was one of the first people to present a

Why is Independence Day celebrated on July 4th?

he Continental Congress declared its independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. If that date raises an eyebrow, it should. Independence Day in the United States has long been celebrated on July 4th, which would seem to be two days late. But upon closer examination, it seems Americans are not really celebrating their independence two days later than they should be. According to the National Constitution Center, the Continental Congress approved a resolution declaring its independence from Great Britain on July 2. However, a document still needed to be drafted to explain the decision to the general public. Such a document was already in the works, but it took two days for the men of Congress to agree on a final version. The resulting document, known as the Declaration of Independence, was sent to John Dunlap, an Irish printer who served under George Washington during the American Revolutionary War, who

Join the signers of America’s founding documents You can add your name to either the Declaration of Indepence or the Constitution. Visit www.archives. gov/founding-docs/ join-the-signers. Sign your name and download the image.  subsequently printed roughly 200 broadsides. Still, the Declaration of Independence was not read to the public until July 8, 1776, when Colonel John Nixon did so in Philadelphia on what is now known as Independence Square. It was nearly a month later, on August 2, 1776, when most members of the Continental Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. (MC) 

This 2003 photograph of the reverse of the Declaration shows the identifying inscription written at the bottom edge so it could be read without unrolling the parchment. COURTESY THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

resolution for American independence, and his commentary was the impetus for the formal Declaration of Independence. A total of 86 changes were made to Jefferson’s original draft until the final version was adopted. The signing of the document helped to solidify independence, and eventually lead to the formation of the United States of America. A total of 56 delegates signed the document. Although John Hancock’s signature is the largest, it did not hold more weight than the other signatures. Rather, rumor has it, Hancock

signed it so large so that the “fat, old King could read it without his spectacles.” However, the National Archives says it was also customary that, since Hancock was the president of the Continental Congress, he be the first person to sign the document centered below the text. The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence on July 6, 1776. The first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square on July 8, 1776. (MC) 

How was it made? Creating the Parchment Declaration

On July 19, once all 13 colonies had signified their approval of the Declaration of Independence, Congress ordered that it be “fairly engrossed on parchment.” (To “engross” is to write in a large, clear hand. Timothy Matlack, an assistant to the Secretary of the Congress, was most likely the penman.

Signing the Declaration

On August 2, the journal of the Continental Congress records that “The declaration of independence being engrossed and compared at the table was signed.” John Hancock, president of the Congress, signed first. The delegates then signed by state from north to south. Some signed after August 2. A few refused. George Washington was away with his troops. Ultimately, 56 delegates signed the Declaration. (National Archives) 

Timothy Matlack was a Philadelphia brewer whose fiery patriotism earned him a prominent position in the Revolutionary Period. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress. As a master penman, he is believed to have hand-lettered the parchment Declaration. COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM OF BOSTON FINE ARTS COLLECTION

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F O U R T H O FJ U LY

here’s something about summertime that ushers in an easygoing spirit. The long, hot summer months are often celebrated with backyard barbecues, beach days and spending time with friends and family. It’s a time to fire up the grill, slow down and roll with the punches. So, when you’re thinking about what to feed your family off the grill, it should be a breeze, and you shouldn’t have to choose between good and good for you. Next time you turn on your grill, consider these tips for creating healthier, flavorful meals you can feel confident serving.

Keep it simple

Skip the complicated recipes that call for a wide variety of ingredients, a multitude of steps and long cook times. Instead, seek out products and dishes that are made with ingredients you recognize and have just a handful of instructions. This will ensure less time in the kitchen and more time with loved ones.

Focus on seasonal, clean ingredients

Get inspired by your local farmer’s market. One of the best parts about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables that can add flavor and nutrients to your plate. Plant-based meat, like the burgers, ground and sausages from Lightlife, are also a healthier swap for traditional animal meat products. The pea protein-based product line features only simple ingredients, like pea protein, beet powder and red bell pepper, and are non-GMO, gluten-free and soy-free, perfect for use in recipes like this Burger with Grilled Pineapple and Honey Garlic Barbecue Sauce. “I know how hard it can be to create fast and flavorful meals that the entire family will love,” said Dan Curtin, president of Greenleaf Foods. “That’s why we’re focused on making delicious food with the cleanest ingredients possible. The fact that they’re all plant-based is just a bonus.”

Don’t forget the sides

Food should be a source of confidence, with everything enjoyed in moderation. To balance your spread of burgers and hot dogs, consider serving fresh asparagus or sweet corn in place of other salty, processed options. Fruits like peaches and pineapple work well on the grill, too, but remember to group produce by similar cooking times. Aim for a quick and fun cleanup. Perhaps one of

the most overlooked secrets to a stress-free meal is to cut down on cleanup. A backyard barbecue can be one of the easiest messes to maintain as most of the prep is done outside on the grill. Try setting up a buffet line on your deck or patio where your family can build their burgers with customized top-

pings, like cheese, veggies and sauces. Then add a little bit of fun by putting on your favorite music playlist to help make a simple, everyday meal feel even more special. Visit lightlife.com to discover more plant-based recipes and solutions. (Family Features)

Burger with Grilled Pineapple and Honey Garlic Barbecue Sauce

Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 2

and set aside. Wipe down grill to cook burger patties.

2 rings freshly cored pineapple 2 Lightlife Plant-Based Burger patties, thawed salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 cup baby arugula 2 sesame seed burger buns, lightly toasted 1/4 cup crispy fried onions 2 tablespoons honey garlic barbecue sauce

Season burger patties with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill 4-5 minutes per side until burgers are evenly browned with internal temperature of 165 F.

Heat grill to medium heat. Grill pineapple slices 4-5 minutes per side until grill-marked and slightly caramelized. Cut slices in half

To assemble, layer handful of baby arugula leaves on toasted bottom buns, top each with burger and two cut slices each of grilled pineapple. Sprinkle on crispy fried onions, drizzle with honey garlic barbecue sauce and place toasted sesame seed bun on top. 

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J U LY 4, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Expert tips, tricks for saving money when you travel By Raychel Stewart Signal Staff Writer

s the state’s economy reopens and COVID-19 vaccine distribution increases, people might find themselves looking for ways to save money while planning a vacation after stay-at-home orders held back travel for more than a year. Summer months are always thought of as the perfect time to take a vacation as children are out of school and the weather is warm, whether it be to a resort or a theme park. However, it could also be the most expensive time to travel, said Ted Bradpiece, owner of Explorer Travel Services located in Canyon Country. “Saving money on a trip really depends on where you’re going,” Bradpiece said. “There’s a lot of things to take into consideration when planning a trip, such as if you want to drive or fly, how to pick the best flights and what time of year it is.” Using the help of a travel adviser can not only help you get deals, but also find out crucial information about where your headed, Bradpiece said. As COVID-19 health and safety protocols vary depending on the county or state you’re in, travel advisers can help determine if a place is still under travel restrictions and, if so, can help plan the trip accordingly. If COVID-19 restrictions are implemented after a trip is booked, travel advisers can also help take care of

the refunds or rebooking. One of the biggest ways a travel adviser can help you find a deal when planning a vacation, Bradpiece said, is by knowing when certain deals and sales are coming up and what you might want to find. “For example, we know when deals are coming up for cruises or hotel stays,” Bradpiece said. “You could be on a trip one week, but if you would’ve waited until the following week, there could’ve been a sale that would’ve saved you some money.”

Travel insurance

In addition to asking an expert, obtaining travel insurance is another thing to consider, as it can be a great way to ensure coverage is available — if a flight was to be canceled or other situations arise, said travel specialist Barbara Oliver with Romantic Journeys in Santa Clarita. “People think traveler’s insurance only pertains to if a flight gets canceled or delayed,” Oliver said. “But it can help cover so much more, like if your baggage is lost during a flight, or you get sick and have to quarantine. The insurance will help cover all those things that you’d otherwise have to pay out of pocket. It’s something you buy that you hope you never have to use.” The most significant part of traveling is how to get to your destination. For local trips that are within a 5- to 6-hour radius, it could be more efficient to drive, Bradpiece said. Depending on the gas milage of the

Customers Gary Morgan, left, Rich Kariger from Lancaster discuss the towing hook-ups on a travel tailor with Sales Manager Jordan Heck at All Valley RV Center in Acton. Depending on where you’re headed, it might be more cost-effective and efficient to drive there. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Belen Delgado checks guests in to the Hyatt Regency hotel in Valencia. As pandemic restrictions could fluctuate from location to location, it’s a good idea to check on what the conditions are where you’re headed. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

vehicle, filling up on gas could be cheaper than a one-way plane ticket.

When you’re ready for takeoff

Booking flights during the weekday as opposed to the weekend can save money on flights as Bradpiece said weekends are considered a prime traveling time. “People have a tendency to book trips where their flight leaves on a weekend and they return on a weekend,” Bradpiece said. “That causes flight prices to increase. The least expensive days to book flights are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.” Booking flights during “shoulder season,” which is the season between peak and off travel, can possibly provide vacation qualities without the vacation price, Bradpiece said. When picking days to fly, Oliver said it’s best to be flexible, as airfare prices fluctuate drastically as a result of the pandemic. “Flights are prices based on supply and demand, and the demand is really high right now,” she said. “Airport employees have to follow certain protocols and they’re not working like they were pre-COVID. They’re trying to get back on track after a sudden reopening and the high demand.” It’s important for people to weigh the pros and cons of flying in different classes, Bradpiece said basic economy could be the best for saving money, but most flights won’t allow

carry-on bags and do not have assigned seating. “You have to put a lot of thought into how you want to travel and what you’re comfortable with sacrificing,” he added. Making sure your passport it valid is also important when traveling internationally, Oliver said. Since COVID-19 shut down passport agencies, there is a backlog of applications which delay approval time for those who are planning to travel, she added. “If you’re going to travel internationally, you have to have your passport ready and valid,” Oliver said. “It also needs to be valid six months after your return date. That’s something people often overlook, and now that passport applications are delayed, it’s better to do it as soon as possible and it can be worth paying the extra fee for it to be expedited.” The last piece of advice from Bradpiece and Oliver is for travelers to bring patience with them as they travel in a post-pandemic world. “Airports are crazy right now, highways are crazy right now, everyone is trying to get back on track after a year of being locked down and a sudden reopening,” Oliver said. “Traveling isn’t going to go back to normal immediately, so it’s best to prepare for the unexpected.” For more information on Explorer Travel Services, call (818) 351-5085. For more information on Romantic Journeys, contact (661) 206-1409. 

J U LY 4, 2021

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F R O M T H E M AY O R

The ‘Spirit of America’ lights up the night sky By Bill Miranda Santa Clarita City Mayor

“And the rockets’ red glare … The bombs bursting in air … Gave proof through the night … That our flag was still there.”

lthough the tradition of setting off fireworks to celebrate Independence Day began in 1777, the immortal words of Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner” have become synonymous with Fourth of July festivities since they were first written during the War of 1812. Describing British ships bombarding American defenses at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, our national anthem is a testament to our resilience as a nation. It is no wonder why “The Star-Spangled Banner” is our national anthem, and the highlight of fireworks shows across the country as we celebrate our freedom and independence. Especially after the past 15 months, this song reminds us

that we can overcome the obstacles ahead of us with the help of our fellow Americans. I am thrilled that the annual “Spirit of America” fireworks spectacular is returning this year to light up the Santa Clarita sky on July 4. The show will launch from the Westfield Valencia Town Center at 9:15 p.m., giving residents the chance to end their Fourth of July celebration with a beautiful and awesome fireworks display. As you watch the fireworks this year, make sure your radio is tuned to KHTS. By doing this, you will hear a special introduction to the show and music synchronized to the fireworks spectacular. Citrus Street, on the east side of Westfield Valencia Town Center, will be closed starting in the early morning hours of July 4 to prepare for the fireworks show. In addition, a portion of the mall’s parking lot near Citrus Street and Magic Mountain Parkway will serve as the fireworks “fall zone” and will also be closed to the public. All other roads in the area will be open to vehicle traffic, and deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station will be monitoring and enforcing existing no-parking zones around the mall.

Please also be reminded that fireworks should be left to the professionals. Not only are fireworks of any kind illegal in Santa Clarita — even those marked “safe and sane” — they also pose a tremendous public safety risk as our region deals with hot, dry and windy conditions throughout the summer. Keep your family and neighbors safe, not to mention the first responders who may have to fight a dangerous brush fire or provide emergency assistance should an accident occur. I hope you are like me and are eagerly awaiting this year’s fireworks show. To learn more about the “Spirit of America” spectacular, please visit santa-clarita.com/Events. For more information on reporting illegal fireworks, please visit santa-clarita.com/Fireworks. Mayor Bill Miranda is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at bmiranda@ santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

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J U LY 4, 2021

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

‘F9: The Fast Saga, ’ ‘Who Are You, Charlie Brown?’ By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘F9: The Fast Saga’

(out of four)

Universal Pictures presents a film directed by Justin Lin and written by Lin and Daniel Casey. Rated PG-13

ust because a movie franchise acknowledges it has become a wildly over-the-top cartoon doesn’t mean it’s a wildly overthe-top cartoon worth your money and 143 minutes (!) of your time. “F9: The Fast Saga” isn’t the worst entry in the long-running and popular “Fast & Furious” franchise, but it just might be the silliest and the loudest and the most ridiculous -and while that might well have been the filmmakers’ intention, it’s not a compliment. A long time ago in a movie galaxy far in the distant past -- the year 2001, to be exact -- Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker starred in “The Fast and the Furious,” a slick and entertainingly cheesy and relatively gritty film about an LAPD officer named Brian O’Conner (Walker) who goes undercover and befriends a legendary street racer named Dominic Toretto (Diesel), in an effort to apprehend a ring of hijackers who were stealing truckloads of ... wait for it ... DVD players and portable TVs with VHS players and digital cameras. Flash forward some 20 years and in “F9,” not only are the main players traveling in international espionage circles as if they’re in a “Mission: Impossible” movie and routinely engaging in death-defying stunts that would leave Spider-Man battered and bruised, we actually get a sequence involving a makeshift rocket ship fashioned out of a Pontiac Fiero flying through space in a last-ditch effort to save the world, and all of a sudden the rumors about a “Fast & Furious”/”Jurassic Park” crossover film don’t seem so ridiculous. Why not? Anything approaching real-world action has been left in the dust many moons and many movies ago. With Justin Lin behind the camera for the fifth time (and the first since “Fast and Furious 6” in 2013), “F9” opens with a flashback sequence set in 1989, when a teenage Dominic Toretto (Vinnie Bennett) and his kid

PHOTO COURTESY APPLE TV+

brother Jakob (Finn Cole) are working the pit crew when their father is killed in a fiery crash. That tragic event and Dom’s subsequent two-year prison sentence for beating the driver that killed their father were referenced in the first film -- but we didn’t know about the brother until now. Flash forward to the present, and little brother Jakob is now ... John Cena! And not only that, but Jakob is still seething with resentment because Dom was daddy’s favorite, and he channeled all that get-theeto-a-therapist angst into becoming a muscled-up international villain who is working with the standard-issue Eurotrash villain Otto (Thue Ersted Rasmussen) to obtain an object called the Tesseract, I mean Project Aries, which will allow them to control all the world’s computers and all the defense systems of every nation and blah blah blah, how many times have we seen THAT tired MacGuffin of a plot device? Dom and his wife, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), and Dom’s young son are living the quiet life on a farm when their old running mates Tej (Ludacris), Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) come roaring up with news: They’ve received a cryptic message from Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell) before his plane was shot down, and it appears as if the evil genius Cipher (Charlize Theron) is back in the picture, having been kidnapped by Otto, and it gets way more complicated than that. The main deal is, Dom and Letty and eventually Dom’s sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) join the squad on a series of breakneck adventures that

take them from London to Edinburgh to Central America to Tbilisi to a whole lot of green-screen CGI as well. They outrun exploding mines, they traverse one of those wobbly movie bridges with Dom performing a slingshot move straight out of a Warner Bros. cartoon, they use giant electromagnets that are strong enough to pull trucks across lanes of traffic (but somehow don’t mess up their own vehicles), and they get involved in all sorts of hand-to-hand combat action. At one point Dom wraps heavy chains around himself and pretty much collapses a building -- a feat that would have the Hulk applauding. Oscar winners Charlize Theron (as the aforementioned Cipher) and Helen Mirren (reprising her role as Queenie Shaw) have fun in very limited screen time; one imagines each spent about two days filming their respective parts. Another character from the past returns from the dead, and there’s a cheap celebrity cameo that only serves to further take us out of the movie. When the ever-bickering comedy duo of Roman and Tej don cheap astronaut get-ups and pilot that Fiero into space, “F9” is going strictly for the laughs and telling us: Yeah, we know this is insane too, let’s just have fun with it. Like much of the film, it’s mildly entertaining, but then we get more of the tacked-on domestic drama, and the obligatory backyard barbecue where Dom reminds everyone there’s nothing more important than family. Just once at one of those get-togethers, I wish someone would raise a product-placement beer to the dozens of cops and other individuals who

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

were collateral damage when Dom and his pals embarked on all those deadly high-speed chases. One presumes they had families too.

‘Who Are You, Charlie Brown?’



A special available on Apple TV+. ou’d have to be a real blockhead to resist just about anything related to Charlie Brown and the whole “Peanuts” gang, and the new Apple TV+ special “Who Are You, Charlie Brown?” is a suitably warm and breezy love letter. Part existential exercise and part traditional documentary, the 54-minute special combines new animated scenes with a brief but solid history of Charles M. Schulz and interviews with generations of fans, from Al Roker to Drew Barrymore to Kevin Smith to teenage actors such as Miya Cech and Keith L. Williams. With Lupita Nyong’o providing sparkling narration weaving the scenes together, “Who Are You, Charlie Brown?” begins with Charlie Brown agonizing over a school assignment: He has one week to write a 500word essay defining himself. “I have no idea who I am!” laments Charlie Brown. “How am I going to come up with 500 words? Good grief, I couldn’t be stuck with a worse subject: me.” “You worry too much, Charlie See SCHULZ, page 12

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FOOD

Fourth of July Snow Cone Cupcakes By Bakerella Signal Contributing Writer

hese snow cones won’t melt. Nope. They’re not icy … but they are frosted. They’re snow cone cupcakes and they are a lot of fun to make. Decorate them in red, white, and blue so you can see how cute they are for the fourth. When I made them, I wanted more than just the tops to resemble snow cones though. I wanted the cupcake to be tri-colored too. But not the usual layered look you see from bottom to top.

No. These should be layered vertically to match the frosted tops, right?

Divide the cake batter equally and then tint a third blue and another third red. The plain batter is good to go.

Now the fun part. Spoon each color of batter into a decorating bag and tie the end with a twist tie. For this to work well, you need the colors to fill the baking cups at the same time. I taped the bags together so I could hold them as one unit. The photo on the right is no good. Taping them at the top causes the tips to separate and you’ll make a mess trying to fill the

baking cups this way. Trust me. : ) Instead tape the bottoms so the ends are closer together. Lay the bags on a flat surface and tape them so they are in a row. This will give you a lot more control when you pipe. Prepare baking cups… Take a deep breath … and cut the ends off the decorator bags at the same time. Try to hold the bags at the top so you can apply even pressure to all three and slowly fill each baking cup with batter. Move the tips of the bags back and forth as you apply pressure so they fill evenly with batter. Then bake! And voila — vertically tri-colored cupcakes. Yippee! All you have to do now is decorate. I baked these in candy cups and then frosted and decorated them in sections. Middle first — dipped in sugar crystals. Then blue with blue sugar crystals and then the red. I like sugar crystals for this project instead of sanding sugar because the size of the crystals are bigger and look a little more icy, but you can use either. And technically, if your frosting is tinted the right color, you could just sprinkle the entire tops with white crystals. Once frosted and covered in crystals, use a toothpick to manipulate the frosting and make sure the rim of the paper cup shows. This will help pull off the look.

Snow Cone Cupcakes

Red white and blue cupcakes 2 2/3 cup all purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 4 egg whites 1 cup whole milk 1 tablespoon vanilla 2/3 cup salted butter, softened Three bowls Red and blue liquid food coloring Three piping bags Twist ties Candy cup baking papers (see note below)

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. • Sift flour, sugar and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and then mix together on low. • In another bowl, stir egg whites, milk and vanilla together. • Add butter to the flour mixture and mix together. As it starts to combine, slowly pour the milk

mixture in and mix until completely combined. • Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Add about 40 drops of red food color to one bowl and stir together until completely blended. Repeat with the blue food color and a second bowl, leaving the last bowl white. • Stand decorator bags in tall glasses for support and spoon batter into bags. Tie off the ends of the bags with twist ties. (Note: Three bags will hold about half of the batter, so you’ll need to repeat for the full amount.) • Lay the bags side by side and tape around the bottoms of the three bags to make it easier to hold them together in a row. • Cut the end of the bags off and slowly pipe batter into paper candy cups using a back and forth motion. Use your fingers to apply more pressure to the center bag if necessary. • Fill cups a little more than halfway. Bake for about 16 minutes or until done. • Remove and cool. Makes about 16 cupcakes. Note You can bake these in candy cups or regular baking cups. If you use candy cups, make sure you find the ones that aren’t wax coated on the inside. Here are some I found online that are meant for baking in. Most of the ones I’ve seen in stores have the coating on the inside. And if they are hard to find, you can also just bake them in regular baking cups and place them in the candy cup before you decorate.

Frosting

1 cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla 4 cups confectioner’s sugar 4 teaspoons milk Food coloring Red, white and blue sugar crystals Small plastic spoons • Beat butter and vanilla together. • Add sugar slowly and beat until combined. • Scrape down the sides and add milk. Mix until smooth and creamy. You can also add a couple of drops cherry oil for extra snow cone flavor • Divide the frosting into three bowls and tint two of the bowls with a few drops of red and blue food

color so when you cover in sugar crystals, there isn’t any white frosting showing through. • Makes enough to frost about 8 cupcakes with high domes of frosting. Double for this cupcake recipe unless you don’t plan on frosting your cupcakes this high.

To Decorate

• Pipe white frosting down the center of the cupcake, lining up somewhat with the white cake section. Then use a knife to pull the frosting down towards the edge of the cup. Make sure to leave the white rim of the cupcake paper showing completely. You can wipe off excess frosting if necessary. • Sprinkle white sugar crystals on the frosting, letting the excess fall into a bowl underneath. You can then gently press the cupcake down into the fallen crystals to fill any uncoated areas. • For the red side, just use a knife to apply the frosting. Pull downward with the edge of the knife so the frosting meets at the base of the cup. Again, make sure to keep the rim of the cup free of frosting. • Sprinkle with red sugar crystals over a separate bowl, and press red section into the bowl of crystals to fill any gaps. Repeat with the blue frosting and blue sugar crystals. When the cupcakes are coated with sprinkles you can easily, reshape the dome if necessary by gently pressing down any areas that look uneven. Finally, sprinkle more white sugar crystals over the entire cupcake to give it an even icier look and insert a small spoon right in the top. Serve with little plastic spoons for full effect and see who you can fool! (Bakerella.com) 

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J U LY 4, 2021

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

SCHULZ

Continued from page 10

Brown,” says Linus, ever the voice of reason and calm. We toggle back and forth between the animated scenes of Charlie Brown trying to figure out who he is, with the help of Linus and Sally and Lucy et al. and a straightforward timeline of the life and times of Charles M. Schulz, who was a shy kid and drew

upon his childhood experiences to create the “Peanuts” comic strip. Schulz’s widow, Jean, shares memories of her husband, who by all accounts was just as nice and caring as you’d hope he would be, and cartoonists Lynn Johnston (“For Better or For Worse”) and Dan Perkins (“This Modern World”) as well as Ira Glass join the parade of superfans expressing their admiration for the stories of Charlie Brown and his endearing group of pals (including, of

course, Snoopy). Although the “Peanuts” children never aged and we never saw the adult figures in their lives, the strip evolved with the times. In 1968, a schoolteacher wrote to Schulz and urged him to create a Black character. Shortly thereafter Schulz introduced Franklin, the first Black child in the group. And inspired by his friendship with Billie Jean King, Schulz created Peppermint Patty, a free-spirited jock, and her sidekick Marcie.

With that running time of less than an hour, “Who Are You, Charlie Brown?” only skims the surface of the social and political impact the “Peanuts” gang had on the culture, and Charlie Brown’s animated quest to define himself is tied up pretty quickly as well. Still, this is a lovely tribute that will appeal to longtime fans and those who are just discovering the amazing “Peanuts” universe. 

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SENIORLIVING

Navigating your health over 65

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aking care of your health, especially over age 65, requires an understanding of your personal needs. Proper medical care isn’t one-size-fits-all, so finding the right services and providers may take some research and thoughtful consideration as it relates to your unique circumstances. Consider these tips from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to find the right care for you:

Stay on top of your health

An important part of managing your health is being aware of any current medical concerns or those that might affect you in the near future. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your health care needs — like preventive services that could help identify any issues early. Arming yourself with knowledge can help you be better prepared to make decisions about the type of doctors or health care providers you need and how they work with your health insurance.

Shop around

Choosing a health care provider can be time consuming and confusing. Medicare.gov makes it easy to find and compare providers like hospitals, home health agencies, doctors, nursing homes and other health care services in your area that accept Medicare. On your laptop, tablet or mobile device, enter your location to search for local health care providers and services. A clean and uniform design makes it easy to review and compare providers.

Know what to look for

It’s important to understand everything you’re considering when searching for care for yourself or a loved

one. Search filters allow you to personalize your search based on what’s most important to you, like services offered, quality ratings, inspection reports and doctor affiliations. Other features include suggested next steps and checklists to help choose the best provider for you. Knowing what providers accept Medicare can also give you peace of mind.

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Plan ahead

Don’t put off researching your health care provider options. When you’re feeling well is typically the best time to consider your health care needs. With a clear mind, you’ll be able to thoroughly explore pros and cons about providers and facilities and get the information you need to find the best fit for you, such as practice locations, specialties, contact information and more. You can also save your favorite health care providers to refer to later when you’re logged into your online Medicare account.

Make your wishes known

Whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or finding care for a loved one, it’s important to share your preferences with others who are part of your care team. This might include sharing which doctors you like, what hospital you prefer or selecting a nursing home close to family and friends. Planning for medical care can seem like a challenge. By keeping tabs on your health and using available tools to research your options and compare providers, like the resources at Medicare.gov, you can create a plan that best fits your needs. (Family Features) 

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J U LY 4, 2021

HOME

Corral some of your clutter with an organized mudroom

ften positioned near the primary point of entry, mudrooms are a popular addition to many family homes. These organizational dynamos are the perfect place to catch muddy boots, backpacks, sports equipment and dirty paws before they make it all the way into the main living areas. Luxurious mudrooms in high-end homes can sometimes boast custom cabinetry, full bathrooms, laundry facilities, showers for pets and direct pantry access. Regardless of whether your mudroom is an actual room or just a small space near the front door to hang bags and jackets, the organizational basics are the same:

Corral clutter

One of the most important items in any mudroom is storage for shoes, pet supplies, backpacks, sporting equipment and other items. If built-in storage isn’t in your budget, put up a

upon arriving home.

Mud happens

Mudrooms are meant to handle dirt so nix the carpet and lay down tile or hardwood flooring. Pick a stylish rug to catch dirt in its tracks while also adding a design element to the space.

Shoe space

Place a wooden bench or sturdy coffee table near the door so everyone has a place to sit while removing shoes. Slide a few baskets or bins underneath as an alternate location for storing backpacks and other gear when not in use.

Take command Decorative baskets, cubbie areas and hooks can help you organize your clutter into one easy-to-access location.

sturdy shelving unit with a bin or basket for each family member.

Get hooked

Securely anchor a row of strong

hooks along the wall for coats, hats, scarves or other seasonal accessories that may otherwise find themselves dropped on the floor

Create a family command center by adding a small cabinet or desk with a corkboard above. It makes for a perfect spot to stash keys, charge cell phones, open mail, sort school papers and post the family calendar. Find more organization tips and tricks at eLivingtoday.com. (Family Features) 

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J U LY 4, 2021

GARDENING

Get growing with a small-space, urban garden

rban living and lush gardens aren’t as mutually exclusive as one might assume. In fact, it’s possible to cultivate thriving gardens in even the smallest spaces. The first step toward creating a successful small garden space is planning. Sketching out your garden area with a clear understanding of the actual dimensions is important. This allows you to allocate adequate growing space for the vegetation you choose and prevent overcrowding. Part of your planning should also take climate into account. If the sun reaches your garden area, knowing what time the sun typically hits matters. Some plants are poorly equipped to handle the strength of direct afternoon rays. Other matters to consider are the soil quality and whether it is adequate to nourish vegetation. If not, you may need to excavate and refill your planting areas with nutrient-rich

gardening soil. Access to water is also a concern; if you’ll be forced to water by can, avoid choosing plants that would better benefit from a thorough hose soaking. As you begin planning the actual contents of your garden, don’t hesitate to blend edibles with beauty. Many herbs offer attractive textures and colors that can add variety to a colorful selection of flowering plants. Edible plants such as strawberries offer color from blooms (and later brightly hued fruit), as well as trailing greenery that looks pretty along the edges of potted containers. If your goal is color, give consideration to the blooming season for your selected plants. Unless you plan to enjoy your garden for just a short season, choose a variety of plants and flowers that bloom throughout your region’s entire growing season. Especially in the smallest garden spaces, it’s smart to make the most of vertical space. Use a trellis or other

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structure to encourage vining vegetation to grow upward rather than outward. Hanging baskets or buckets are ideal for inverted growth of plants such as tomatoes or peppers, and shelving or tiered plant stands are handy for creating more plant real estate in smaller garden spaces. Beautiful gardens need not be lim-

ccording to the U.S. Department of Energy, well-designed landscapes can save homeowners enough energy to make the projects pay for themselves in less than eight years. The DOE notes that homeowners’ landscaping strategies should be dictated by the climates in which they live. For example, homeowners who live in hot, arid regions should employ landscapes to shade their homes’ walls, windows and roof. The DOE also advises that shading is the most cost-effective way to reduce solar heat gain in a home, noting that well-planned landscapes can reduce previously unshaded homes’ air

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ited to those with expansive lawns in rural communities. Though smaller in scale, urban gardens can deliver equal beauty and a surprising volume of edible bounty with proper preparation and design. Find more tips at eLivingtoday.com. (Family Features) 

conditioning costs by as much as 50%. The DOE also notes that, in tree-shaded neighborhoods, summer daytime air temperature can be up to six degrees cooler than the air temperature in treeless areas. Homeowners considering adding trees to their landscapes should know that deciduous trees shed their leaves annually, which means they will block solar heat in the summer but allow sunlight into the home in winter. That’s ideal for homeowners who live in regions where temperatures climb in summertime but drop considerably in winter. Homeowners who want year-round shade might consider evergreen trees and shrubs. (MC) 

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TECHNOLOGY

What does 5G technology really mean for you?

y now, you’ve heard about 5G or might have access to it on your smartphone, but do you know what it is, how it works or what it can do for you? 5G is the next generation of wireless technology, building on its predecessors 2G, 3G and 4G, and is available on today’s smartphones to make and receive calls, run applications and send and receive data. This fifth-generation technology is a massive leap into what is possible in wireless. 5G is expected to deliver faster speeds and enhanced connectivity, giving businesses and consumers alike the potential to develop and experience new, innovative technologies. Here are five things you may not know about 5G: • Improves overall wireless coverage 5G can deliver better, more efficient coverage in both breadth and depth. Depending on where it’s deployed by wireless operators, it can reach

tries, businesses and industries can evolve to meet the needs of a connected world. Imagine farmers utilizing sensors and drones to enhance the agriculture community, or businesses using real-time language translation, or even enhanced location services to improve first responder times to save lives.

cities and towns that were previously lacking wireless access. Providers like T-Mobile are committed to providing 5G access to rural America, and already cover more than 287 million people across more than 1.6 million square miles. • Different types can support where you live Providers deploy different levels of wireless spectrum — low, mid and high — with the ability to provide coverage and capacity whether you live in the city, the suburbs or a rural community. For 5G, low-band spectrum provides far-reaching coverage outside, and reaches indoors with speeds that are slightly better than LTE; mid-band provides blanket coverage across large areas with fast speeds, making it the “goldilocks” of spectrum; and, high-band — typically available in select urban areas – provides super-fast speeds over short distances, but needs line of sight to

the device and doesn’t pass through physical obstructions. • It can create ‘smarter cities’ From monitoring pollution or traffic levels to optimizing energy use or self-driving transportation, 5G can enable applications that urban cities and small towns alike can use to live smarter. • Unlocks technology developments With 5G connectivity, and new applications to support certain indus-

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• Virtual and augmented reality 5G gives us the ability to transform where and how we experience our lives. Imagine having virtual reality access to live concerts and sports games, using holographic telepresence to be a part of your family’s birthday party in another state, or having real-time driving data like traffic or road conditions displayed on your car’s windshield as you drive. From 5G-enabled smartphones to the latest connected devices, check with your wireless provider to see how you can get the most out of 5G technology where you live. (SPT) 

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N E W S F E AT U R E

Above: Santa Clarita resident Gary Null with his 1964 Porsche, left, and his 1953 MG. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

CARS

Continued from page 5

“Something that somebody threw away, somebody that thinks that it can’t be restored, I put my soul into it. Every car I work on gets a piece of me in it,” he said. The Chevrolet El Camino owner said he works on a lot of family cars. “If it’s a customer’s car or my car, it doesn’t matter, I put everything I have into it. Every vehicle has its own character, its own reaction to what you did. It’s funny, it’s almost like a human,” Daeseleer said. “Every person that comes to my shop starts off as a customer, but ends as a friend.” Follow JMDL Performance, located at 24144 Newhall Avenue, on Instagram at @el_camino_mafia.

RPMs at Wunderground

From Porsche’s first factory entry into the Le Mans — a 1951 Porsche 356 SL Gmünd Coupe — to a 1979 Porsche 935 to a 2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the Wunderground, a museum found at the Santa Clarita Porsche dealership, has an impressive display of horsepower just down the street from City Hall. The Wunderground in Santa Clarita features “significant firsts and best from throughout the brand’s history,” including the iconic favorite of late actor Steve McQueen, as well as pieces from Galpin Motors COO Beau Boeckmann’s collection. If you’re in the mood for a bratwurst or a pretzel, the Boxenstopp Restaurant is also part of the facility, specializing in American and German cuisine. Porsche Santa Clarita is located at 23645 Creekside Road in the Valencia Auto Center.

Parts from a time past

One of the challenges automotive repair pro-

fessionals often face is the constant need to stay abreast of the changes in automotive design. As features change, so does the knowledge required to keep vehicles on the road. The following are some of the components you likely won’t find rolling off of the assembly line these days. Carburetor Classic cars have carburetors. Most car manufacturers stopped using carburetors in the 1980s because fuel injector systems proved to be more efficient and improved fuel economy. Generator Modern automobiles no longer use a generator, which is a device used to produce electricity through the rotation of fine wires in a magnetic field. Cars today use alternators. Audible turn signals Turn signals, also called

Porsche Santa Clarita General Manager Joe Allis discusses the first and last Porsche Speedster models — 1955 and 1991 — which are on display in the Wunderground.

blinkers, typically have a clicking sound to alert the driver. However, many modern cars are phasing out audible turn signals. Car keys Newer vehicles do not have stamped metal keys, which have been replaced by electronic fobs. Control knobs Radios, heating and cooling systems and other car features are increasingly being activated by buttons or digital displays. Gone are knobs and actual levers. This may be one feature that may have decreased safety and efficiency. Buttons rather than easily manipulated knobs require drivers to take their eyes off the road to find them and engage. 

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H E A LT H

Strategies to help you protect your mental health

mproving one’s overall health and maintaining that health over the long haul can have a profound impact on quality of life. For example, the Harvard Medical School notes that regular exercise can slow the natural decline in physical performance that occurs as people age. That means routine exercise can serve as something like a fountain of youth that allows people to keep their cardiovascular fitness, metabolism and muscle function on par with their younger counterparts. When attempting to improve longterm health, it’s important that people emphasize mental health as much as they do their physical health. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America notes the importance and effectiveness of preventive efforts in relation to depression and anxiety. In regard to mental health, prevention efforts can function in much the same way that exercise serves phys-

ical health. Routine exercise helps people to maintain healthy weights, reducing their risk for various conditions and diseases. Preventive efforts designed to improve mental health can significantly reduce a person’s risk for anxiety and depression. Various techniques and strategies can be utilized to promote mental health, and these three are simple and highly effective.

to the ADAA, a balanced diet that includes protein, healthy non-saturated fats, fiber, and some simple carbohydrates can reduce the likelihood that mental health issues like fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability will arise during the day.

Volunteer in your community.

Get enough sleep

According to the Primary Care Collaborative, a not-for-profit member organization dedicated to advancing an effective and efficient health system, sleep and mental health are intimately related. Sleep loss can contribute to emotional instability. The amygdala is the part of the brain responsible for humans’ emotional responses. When an individual does not get enough sleep, his or her amygdala goes into overdrive, leading to more intense emotional reactions.

The prefrontal cortex is another part of the brain that needs sufficient sleep to function properly. Without it, the prefrontal cortex, which is integral to impulse control, cannot function properly. Adults can speak with their physicians about how much sleep they should be getting each night. Those needs change as individuals age.

Eat a balanced diet

A balanced, healthy diet doesn’t just benefit the waistline. According

A 2020 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who volunteered in the past were more satisfied with their lives and rated their overall health as much better than people who didn’t volunteer. Perhaps the most noteworthy finding in the study was that people who began volunteering with lower levels of well-being tended to get the biggest boost from volunteering. Volunteering provides opportunities to socialize, which can help ward off the loneliness that can sometimes contribute to anxiety and depression. Mental health is important, and protecting it should be part of everyone’s health care regimen. (MC) 

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PETS

Preventing your pets from wandering, getting lost

andering is a common complaint among pet parents. The urge to wander is inherent to many animals. Cats, dogs and animals in the wild naturally wander to claim new territory, find greater comfort and even seek out mates. However, companion animals that wander can land themselves in hot water. Some may scuffle with feral animals, while others may be permanently lost or suffer severe injuries. In 2012, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals surveyed 1,015 households that had cared for a dog or cat within the past five years. Fifteen percent of participants had lost a dog or cat in the past five years. Pet owners can employ various strategies to keep their pets safe at home.

Fencing

Physical fences can provide barriers

that is startling but not harmful.

Spaying and neutering

Curtail wandering to find a mate by having pets spayed and neutered. This will greatly reduce the urge to roam and also may cut down on other nuisance behaviors such as urine marking or baying. Generally, vets recommend desexing animals before they are able to breed, which also reduces overpopulation.

Designate a safe room

from egress, but they aren’t foolproof. Some pets can get under or over fences, which means additional precautions may be needed. Pet owners can try burying chicken wire under the ground at the base of the fence or install a tall or smooth-faced fence that cannot be

jumped or scaled.

Wireless containment system

Wireless systems use sensors on pet collars that are triggered when pets breach the perimeter barrier set on the fences. Certain systems use an audible correction on the collar, while others may employ a static correction

Pets may attempt to escape when they hear loud noises or become confused. This may occur during a house party, when fireworks are going off or even during thunderstorms. During storms or celebrations, keep a skittish pet in a dark, quiet room with comforting bedding and toys. These strategies can reduce instances of pets wandering away from home. (MC) 

Now that the pets are home, keep them safe in the garden

ou’ve kept your pets from wandering around the neighborhood, but you’re still spending a lot of time outdoors, probably in your garden. It’s important to make sure your yard is a safe place for them to be. Consider these hazards that can negatively impact the well-being of your furry friends.

Some common plants can be dangerous for animals, causing anything from mild oral irritations and upset

stomachs to cardiovascular damage and even death. For example, these are some of the toxic plants the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has identified as harmful for either cats or dogs: Aloe can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, anorexia and depression Azalea can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, cardiovascular collapse and death Burning bush can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and weakness, as well as heart rhythm abnor-

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malities with large doses Caladium can cause burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing Daylilies can cause kidney failure in cats Hibiscus can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and anorexia Mulch and compost The decomposing elements that make compost good can be bad for pets, according to the National Garden Society. Keep compost in a secure container or fenced off area so pets can’t get to it. Cocoa mulch can be a particular problem for dogs. A byproduct of chocolate production, cocoa mulch can cause digestive problems and even seizures in dogs. Shredded pine

or cedar mulch is a safer choice. Fertilizer and insecticides The chemicals used to get rid of pests or make your lawn lush can be toxic to pets. Some of the most dangerous pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, fly bait with methomyl, systemic insecticides with disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide and most forms of rat poison, according to the ASPCA. Follow all instructions carefully, and store pesticides and fertilizers in a secure area out of the reach of animals. Fleas and ticks In addition to using appropriate flea and tick prevention methods such as collars and sprays, make sure your yard isn’t a welcoming environment for these pests. Keep the lawn trimmed and remove brush and detritus, where fleas and ticks often lurk. Fleas can cause hair loss, scabs, excessive scratching, tapeworms and anemia. Ticks can do all of that, plus bring you and your family in contact with diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. Find more tips for keeping pets safe in your yard at eLivingtoday.com. (Family Features) 

J U LY 4, 2021

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K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

‘Accordion card in a box’ for birthday highlights long (tape a couple of lengths together if your paper isn’t long enough). Fold the paper accordion-style to fit perfectly inside the box (each fold should be the dimension of the base of the box). Glue the top accordion fold to the inside of the lid, and glue the bottom fold to the inside base of the box. Let dry.

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

s there a birthday in your house? Make it special with this personalized “accordion card in a box” that spills out highlights of each year of the birthday boy or girl’s life. The fun starts with rooting around the house for a small cardboard gift box. (Or, use a clean plastic deli or margarine tub with a lid that snaps on top.) Then, choose a character or theme to decorate the outside of the box. For example, if son Nick is turning 10, you might create a “Jack and the Beanstalk”-style card in a box and call it “Nick and the Beanstalk.”

Here’s how: 1. Paint the outside of the box green. Cut out a leaf shape to cover the lid using craft foam or colored paper. Draw details with markers and glue the leaf on top of the lid. Now cre-

ate a stand-up figure with craft foam to look like the birthday child and glue it on the leaf using a glue gun. You might wish to glue a photo of the child’s face onto the head of the figure.

2. Now comes the secret and rather clever part of your beanstalk greeting — the leaves and the stem! For the stem, cut a strip of construction paper 3/4 inch wide and about 24 inches

3. Cut out a leaf shape for each year of the child’s life from construction paper. Make them a bit smaller than the inside of the box. Glue the leaf shapes in the sections between the folds. With a black marker, write one event or experience that stands out for each year of the child’s life. For example, “Had a buzz cut done by Dad,” “Refused to eat vegetables,” “Won Pinewood Derby race,” etc. Gently fold the long beanstalk neatly in the box and replace the lid. At the birthday celebration, watch the birthday kid smile when he lifts the lid to see the beanstalk grow with a delightful mix of memories. Tip The accordion card in a box is terrific birthday gift greeting and treasured keepsake for grandparents, aunt and uncles, too. Simply make the beanstalk a little or a lot longer! 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.”  © 2020 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

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J U LY 4, 2021

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J U LY 4, 2021

Opinion

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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

Vaccine Safe and Effective Today I read that Marin County in the Bay Area has a vaccination rate of 92% of residents over 12 years of age. COVID-19 is falling there. On the other hand, the state of Missouri is having a spike in cases, and especially in rural areas that are heavily Republican. With the Delta variant on the rise, this could be very dangerous. The virus does not know your political affiliation, but it is affected by vaccines. It is also true that the infection rate of younger people is on the rise. Almost three times the rate of infection is observed in the age group of 30 and under, versus those over 60 years of age. Please ensure that your young children and their friends get vaccinated. Hospital statistics on COVID-19 deaths show that from 95 to 99% of deaths are from those who are not vaccinated. There is also a big deficit in vaccination rates for minorities in the Black and Hispanic communities. We need to convince these vulnerable segments of the community that vaccines are safe and effective. Thomas Oatway Valencia

Too Much Plastic! Yesterday I went to our monthly community food swap morning and noticed that many of the people had paper bags to take produce home, which is in line with our environmental approach. I joked that the paper bags would come in a plastic bag and yes, they do! The local supermarkets have banned us from using plastic bags, which I support but they use lots of them, including selling their organic vegetables and fruit in plastic containers. Have I missed the point or is the world just getting crazier? No more plastic! Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia Submit a Letter to the Editor

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

July 4, Freedom and Freedoms By David Hegg

find it both interesting and important that July 4, our national celebration of liberty, of individual and corporate freedom, falls on a Sunday this year. Why? Because on Sunday some choose to exercise their freedom to go to the beach, sleep late, read the paper slowly over coffee and cinnamon rolls, while others choose to exercise their freedom to worship their God through prayer, praise, preaching and proximity to others who join them in that freedom. For centuries these two freedoms have co-existed peacefully, although – to be fair – some did consider the other party’s freedom to be misguided if not wrong. Beachgoers thought churchgoers were wasting a perfectly good day off, while churchgoers thought those who weren’t living out true faith were wasting their lives. But, somehow, each recognized the other’s freedom to do what they wanted on Sunday. This peaceful coexistence was foundational, not only when it came to how we lived our lives, but also dictated how we operated as a nation “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men (and in Lincoln’s understanding of language in his day ‘and women’) are created equal.” Sadly, today it is a different story. Understandably, I speak as a Christ-follower who by choice am a clergyman dedicated to the biblical worldview. Nevertheless, I prize the spirit of America that is personal freedom of thought, word and deed. And while we have laws that create boundaries between deeds that are acceptable and those that are punishable, the greatest threats to our liberty today are attempts by some to punish thoughts and words with which they disagree. For example, 25 years ago if someone told your father or grandfather that he was a woman in a man’s body, the reaction would have been incredulity on the basis of absurdity. But today, everything has changed. Not only is it demanded of us that we accept this new kind of truth but we must also applaud it. If we don’t, there are those who will demand that we be canceled even though in those 25 years the genetic laws of chromosomes have not changed one iota. It is the equivalent of beachgoers trying to shut down churches because some in the church think going to the beach on Sunday is an offense against God and should be punished. Here’s the deal: I think the best place for folks to be on Sunday is in a church where people care, and

truth matters. In fact, I think the whole of life should be surrendered to Jesus Christ and aligned with the standards given in the Bible. But I also think atheists, agnostics, secularists, beachgoers, and adherents to other religions have the right to think differently, and even voice their objections and their arguments for their way of life. Do I think my view is best and believe everyone would be better off thinking and living the way I do? Of course! And you can bet those just mentioned think I’d be better off thinking and living the way they do. This kind of peaceful co-existence facilitates mutual respect and self-restraint in order for true freedom to reign. But we’re watching this essential freedom not only be pushed to the margins of our society, but clear off the page. Those who self-qualify themselves as “hate speech” monitors are out to cancel anyone whose proclamations, articles, lectures, columns, posts, opinions, or sermons don’t align with their ideology. Understand this: When thoughts and words are treated as crimes, America’s freedoms are already being eroded if not destroyed. What’s the solution? The truth is that “thought police” gain their power not from the veracity of their pronouncements, but from the failure of truth-loving people of every worldview to rise up against the absurdity of their actions. We need to wake up to the fact that a few are intimidating the many, and our silence comes across as affirmation of their disastrous mission. I believe church is a good thing, God created male and female, and God’s rules for life in the Bible are our very best option. I also believe loving my neighbor means treating them with love, respect and self-restraint, especially where we differ. I also strongly believe that those who attempt to criminalize or even marginalize my thoughts, beliefs and speech are not walking the path of either freedom or love, and are actually seeking a culture of anarchy for their own totalitarian purposes. So, on this July 4 weekend, as you gather with friends and family, be thankful for the liberty you have to think, speak and act as you choose. And then determine to be on guard against those who, one day, will try to determine just what you can say or not say in the coming years. God bless you, and may God bless America! Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

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