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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

y a d n Su

AUGUST 19, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[4] NEWS FEATURES

[4] [6] [7] [8]

DNA searches can be full of surprises What makes Magic Mountain the No. 1 theme park? Diary of a Magic Mountain fan Employers find big challenges filling positions

[10] NEWS OF THE WEEK

Non-profit leader vies for COC seat; Suspected car thief arrested after lengthy trek; Hart takes burrito win; Officials break ground for new fire station; SC Water sues Whittaker Corp.; Rotary Club to host tequila fundraiser; 15 candidates compete for city council seat

[16] CITY MANAGER COLUMN

[17] [18] [19] [20]

New school year brings new opportunities for DFY in SCV

SPORTS Saugus High grad in the spirit with Clippers HISTORY: John Boston’s Time Ranger BUSINESS Real estate transactions OPINION Our View

David Hegg, Tim Whyte

[23] SCV CALENDAR [24] THINGS TO DO Coastal trip, San Simeon style [26] ENTERTAINMENT TV column: Best binges;

Steven Adler, former drummer of Guns N’ Roses, to play The Canyon Santa Clarita with new band; Local production of ‘“Gilligan’s Island” written by creator of TV show

[29] YOUR HOME The war against ants [30] KIDS & FAMILY

Different ideas for school lunches; Donna’s Day

[32] FOOD STUFF

Recipes: Pop-up sweet treats; Restaurant Profile: La Charrita

MAGIC MOUNTAIN

30 BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCHES

RESTAURANT PROFILE

SUNDAY SIGNAL STAFF

[34] PROFILE David Jeffery [36] SENIORS

National Senior Citizen’s Day is Aug. 21

[38] HEALTH & FITNESS

The experience of floating

[39] GARDENING Jane Gates: Best plants for the SCV [41] BRAIN GAMES Games, Crossword, Puzzles On the cover: Cousins from left, Dallin Ogden, 20, Julia Zimmerman, 21, and Zoee Ogden, 11, laugh in the kitchen as they make guacamole at the Zimmerman home in Canyon Country during a family gathering. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON

SignalSCV.com Richard Budman Jason Schaff

Publisher Sunday Signal Editor

Tim Whyte Trish Galloway Perry Smith Brad Lanfranco

Signal Editor Graphic Design & Production Deputy Managing Editor Advertising Director

26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100 | Santa Clarita, CA 91350

661-259-1234

4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

DNA searches: Swimming in your gene pool By Michele E. Buttelman

any people “know” their ethnic heritage. They’ve heard stories for years about how their grandparents or great-grandparents came from the “old” country to start their lives in the United States. Because of the popularity of easily available DNA tests from purveyors like Ancestry.com and 23andMe many people are also discovering everything they’ve always believed about their ethnic heritage is wrong. “DNA will not lie, it’s very accurate. I’ve found when people have thought they are from a certain country, or region, it’s often from stories passed down throughout the years in their families, folklore passed down through the generations,” said GlennaRae White, director of the Family History Center in Valencia. White said many of those stories could be true, but might leave out an important detail, like grandparents who were born in Germany but their ancestors a generation or two removed originally came from Norway. “They haven’t researched the genealogical records where they can find sources to learn where their family really originated,” she said. Family folklore can be entertaining but often is embellished, White said.

“People might be told, ‘You are a descendent of King Henry,’ for example, but it turns out they really are a descendent of horse thieves,” she said. There are many reasons that DNA might not line up with family folklore, said White. One reason DNA can reflect a different ancestry than expected could come from long ago conquests of countries from an occupying army that intermarried with the local populations. Some examples include the Roman occupation of Great Britain and the invading Viking and Norsemen into much of Western Europe. White said the Valencia Family History Center offers free help to all residents of the SCV who are looking to research their family tree. “This is free to the entire community. We have 22 consultants who have been trained and many have 35 to 40 years experience,” said White. “They will sit side by side with you and help you find names of relatives.”

Surprising results

Dennis Poore, of Canyon Country, said he was surprised when he received the results of the DNA test his daughter had given him for his birthday. “I’ve been told my whole life, by my father, that I was part Cherokee,

Half siblings, from left, Justina Foulke, James Zimmerman and David Brice Ogden, who discovered each other on Ancestry. com through a DNA match, pose for a photo as they unite at the Zimmerman home in Canyon Country. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON

Native American,” he said. “That was a big thing for me. When I visited a Cherokee reservation I felt like, ‘oh, I’m home.’ I went through my whole life thinking I was part Cherokee, or at least that I had some Cherokee in me.” Six weeks after he sent in his Ancestry.com com DNA test kit he received the surprising news that there was no Native American DNA in his gene pool. “It was really a shock to me when I got the results. It turns out that I’m 60 percent Irish, 20 percent English, 10 percent Italian and 10 percent Scandinavian,” he said. “I am about as Western European as you can imagine. Not even a drip of Cherokee.” Poore said he was disheartened by the results “I was hoping even to have a little African in me, something to add a little pepper to all the salt,” he said. “The real surprise was the percent of Irish. My dad told me I had some Irish and some Dutch, but I thought I was mostly English.”

Poore said the DNA test also revealed that his Irish ancestry could be traced to County Cork in Ireland. “Someone suggested somewhere in my lineage there might be an adoptee which could explain why there is so much Irish,” he said.

It’s all Greek to us

Jo Ann Vindigni, of Valencia, said she and her twin brother, Steve Panzera, have heard throughout their lives that she looks like her father and her brother looks like her mother. “My father’s Italian and my mother is a mix of Irish and German. I was the Italian twin and he was the Irish twin,” she said. Her father encouraged the siblings to take the My Heritage DNA test. “We did the same test within days of each other,” she said. Vindigni said the family was somewhat surprised by the results. “My twin is Greek, English, Scandinavian, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Balkan (which includes countries in Southeastern Europe),” she said.

Sisters from left, Julia Zimmerman, 21, Joelle, 19, and Abigail 13, play with the family dog, Stewie on the couch as they sit with cousins Etta Rose Foulke, 6, and Gavin Ogden, 16, right, at the Zimmerman home in Canyon Country.

AU G U S T 19, 2018

Vindigni said his highest percentage of DNA came from Greece. “My DNA came back that I am Italian, North and West European, Greek, Irish, Scottish and Welsh,” she said. While her brother didn’t come back with any specific Italian DNA Vindigni’s DNA “map” did. “My map is all over Italy, then North and Western European, then the top of Italy and Switzerland and finally, Greece,” she said. “My brother’s map shows Greece, then up to the United Kingdom and then Sweden, Norway and Denmark.” What was most surprising in the results was the connection to Greece. “No one had any idea about a connection to Greece,” she said. When Vindigni looked closer at her family history she said she could understand how DNA from Greece could have made its way into her gene pool. “My father’s family was completely Italian,”

Finding names

GlennaRae White, director of the Family History Center in Valencia, said DNA tests will show the countries a person hails from, but finding the real names of your ancestors can be very rewarding. “Finding names is what really tells the story,” she said. “Who are your grandparents, great grandparents great great grandparents? That’s where you find the stories to go along with the DNA tests. It is the names of those people that make it come alive and you can connect with your ancestry. Their struggles and sacrifices are what make my life so wonderful.” The Valencia Family History Center offers classes the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m. to help amateur genealogists. “In addition, we are open 50 hours a week and my consultants are there to help for free anyone who comes in,” she said. Valencia Family History Center 24443 W. McBean Parkway, Valencia. Hours: Monday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 6-9 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The all-volunteer staff of research experts assist interested patrons, who have made more than 2,200 visits to the Center each year. In addition to providing personal assistance, the center’s equipment includes computers with free access to premium websites, microfilm and microfiche readers with access to more than two million rolls of microfilm, printers, scanners, and a book library. For 24-hour recorded information or to speak with someone at the Center, call (661) 259-1347.

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

she said. “My paternal grandmother was from the northern part of Italy and my grandfather was from somewhere in central Italy to southern Italy,” she said. “So that was no surprise. We knew that.” Vindigni said her father’s family was known to have originally come from the African continent. “The Greek connection probably came from relatives moving northward from Africa through Greece, it makes sense if you follow the migration trail,” she said. Vindigni said her father was amused at how the test results came out, and the revelation of the Greek DNA. “What I found so interesting is that my twin is not Italian and I am not Scandinavian, not at all,” she said. “We thought it was hysterical.” Vindigni said the DNA results make sense when you look at the twins’ physical appearance. “It makes sense that we took on the characteristics of the people that we inherited the most DNA from since I look like my father and he looks like my mother,” she said.

[Below] Half siblings from left, David Brice Ogden, Justina Foulke and James Zimmerman, who discovered each other on Ancestry.com through a DNA match, browse through photo albums as they unite at the Zimmerman home in Canyon Country.

An adoptee

Vicci DeLill Zimmerman, of Canyon Country, was adopted as an infant. In 2016 she found a half-brother on her birth mother’s side. He had been abandoned in a train station five years after Zimmerman’s birth. DNA matches led her to a half-niece on her paternal side in December and, as a result, she discovered a younger half-brother and half-sister. In the last eight months Zimmerman has traveled to Milwaukee three times to visit her new-found relations and her half-sister has traveled to the Santa Clarita Valley to visit Zimmerman once. Zimmerman said she has found a strong connection with her new relatives. “This enormous Polish clan have welcomed me like no other,” she said. “I was never curious about any of this and yet now that I have found them, I have never wanted anything so badly.” If her story isn’t surprising enough this past Easter weekend her husband, James Zimmerman, who is not an adoptee, found a connection with a half-brother, David Brice Ogden, he didn’t know existed. The couple traveled to Utah on Father’s Day weekend to meet the surprise sibling. Ogden and his family recently traveled to the SCV to visit his new relatives.

Finding family

Zimmerman had been given up for adoption by her birth mother through the Cradle Society

[Above] Cousins Lucia Ireland, left, and David Brice Ogden hug as they meet for the first time at the Zimmerman home in Canyon Country.

in Illinois. “I’ve always known I was an adoptee,” Zimmerman said. “It was never a secret. I never was that interested in finding where I came from. I never had any abandonment issues, nothing like that at all.” It was November of 2016 when Zimmerman mentioned to her sister-in-law that she was curious about her ethnicity. “I was always interested in knowing where my red hair came from,” she said. “I assumed I was Irish.” Her sister-in-law suggested she take a DNA test. “Ancestry.com was having a sale so I decided to take the test,” she said. Her results arrived in early December. “I was surprised to learn I am almost completely Polish I thought I was more Irish. That was very exciting for me,” she said. The results also included DNA matches. See DNA, page 9

6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 19, 2018 Twisted Colossus. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON

S C V F E AT U R E

HIGH FLYER

What makes Magic Mountain the No. 1 theme park in the country?

t’s no coincidence roller coaster lover Sean Verheijen traveled thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean to live in Valencia, just down the street from Six Flags Magic Mountain. “I lived in Europe for most my life. My first visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain was in 2007 on vacation to the United States,” he said. “The place we decided to live was certainly influenced by the fact that Six Flags Magic Mountain was right down the street. Ever since, it’s been a weekly visit!” He isn’t the only one to visit that frequently, either — and perhaps not the only one with a leg tattoo of Viper, one of the park’s highly recognized, classic looping coasters. It’s evident Magic Mountain has acquired some of the most dedicated fans. Many have said it’s hard not to become a fan because it lives up to its tagline: the “Thrill Capital of the World.” With a reputation as such, the park has also earned the title of being the country’s No. 1 theme park for the second time in four years, as voted by 10Best.com, a USA TODAY travel website. Besides motivating Verheijen to live closer to the park, Magic Mountain has brought millions more people to the site throughout the decades, helping grow and establish the Santa Clarita Valley as a thriving tourist destination. With many well-known theme parks across

the country and a strong collection of parks in the Southland — like Disneyland and Universal Studios, to name a few — Magic Mountain has a lot to compete with these days. But it has remained high in the rankings thanks to its record-breaking roller coasters and competitive offers, theme park experts say. Six Flags Entertainment Corp., the largest amusement park company in the world and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, offers more than 800 attractions and 120 coasters across 18 parks in the U.S. Magic Mountain boasts 19 of those, the world’s largest lineup of coasters. USA TODAY wrote of the park, “Stars of the heart-pumping ride list include The New Revolution Galactic Attack, the first giant looping mixed reality roller coaster in the world, and Twisted Colossus, the world’s longest hybrid coaster.” Attendees can experience a series of “world’s first” rides including the first 4D coaster X2, the tallest and fastest looping coaster Full Throttle and the first looping coaster the Great American Revolution, as it was known in its early years, which opened in 1976. The latest, CraZanity, broke a record as the world’s tallest pendulum ride, reaching as high as 17 stories in the air. Besides offering its original collection of coasters, Magic Mountain is now open 365 days a year, making the Santa Clarita Valley site the only Six Flags park open daily year-round.

Experts agree

Theme park industry experts agree Magic Mountain deserves its Top 10 honors, but there’s one other feature to which they attribute its success besides its impressive share of coasters: its location. Magic Mountain spans 262 acres, surrounded by golden hills, just 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. That’s an essential factor to consider, according to Tim Baldwin, editor of RollerCoaster! Magazine.

CraZanity. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN

“I think they have to separate themselves from ‘the pack,’” he said, referring to parks south of Magic Mountain like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. “Because they are north of L.A., Magic Mountain knows they have to up their game to get people to travel the extra distance, and they have.” It may be away from the populated density of Hollywood or the Orange County where other Southern California theme parks sit, but Magic Mountain’s location in the Santa Clarita Valley offers a variety of accommodations for its travelers, including hotels and restaurants just outside the park’s perimeter. This only becomes more necessary as the park grows, said Duane Marden, who started Roller Coaster DataBase, an archive that features statistics on thousands of roller coasters from all over the world. “If you’ve never been to the park, it starts to become a multi-day park,” he said. “If you compare it to Six Flags in St. Louis, you can go and ride all the rides and move on. But at Magic Mountain, it’s going to keep you in the area for an extra day. You have to stay at a hotel and find a place to eat.” See MAGIC, page 8

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

Coaster enthusiast expresses his love for park By Jonah Dixson Special to The Signal

better in person. The atmosphere, smells and sounds were music to my ears. Smelling the oil that lubricates the coasters, s a young child, I wanted to be a civil engineer and hearing the clicking of the chains as the coaster because there was never a time I wasn’t think- trains ascended higher and higher was intoxicating. Seeing rides such as Goliath, which soars 235 feet ing about roller coasters. I mean, why think of something else when into the sky, eclipsed by even bigger rides like Superyou could think of an engineering marvel that defies man, which dominates the park’s skyline at 415 feet, the laws of gravity? Especially, engineering marvels was surely a sight to see. Height wasn’t everything, though, especially when with hill climbs, inversions, drops and opportunities to you remember that X was the ride that Magic Mountain leave your seat for some airtime. Roller coasters were — and remain to this day — was known for. X was a crazy first-of-its-kind fourth-dimensional perfect in every way, and none compared to the collection that the Santa Clarita Valley’s Six Flags Magic roller coaster, meaning it had seats that rotated as the ride traveled at 76 mph. Mountain offered. I still recall the first time my dad experienced the Growing up in Fresno, there wasn’t much to do, so I’d design and build roller coasters daily using the game drop. He didn’t get scared much, but I could tell X had Roller Coaster Tycoon. However, I always dreamed of shaken his boots a bit. Every subsequent year, I’d return, and the feelings hearing the sounds of metal and people screaming as a from the first trip never faded because the rides only real coaster car raced across a suspended rail. I became obsessed and found myself in class, recess seemed to get better. X was revamped into X2, areas were updated, and at home drawing, researching, memorizing and and, of course, bigger and badder roller coasters were reading everything I could find about roller coasters. The more extreme the coaster, the greater my love. added. I formed a love-hate I remember at one relationship with Tatsu point in my life, the city — once known as the of Fresno proposed buildtallest, longest and fasting a small theme park. est flying coaster — and I went to the site every its inverted pretzel loop month to check the progfeature. ress until it fell through After being unsuspectdue to a lack of funding. edly flipped into a face With nothing to do in down position (to simthe Central Valley during ulate flying), I ascended the hundred-and-somethe lift to see the ground thing-degree summers, 170 feet below, which my family would often was already terrifying, take trips down to Southbut not nearly as scary as ern California and each watching your brand new time we would drive past iPod fall as you crest the Six Flags Magic Mountain. 124-foot-high loop. My research led me to Accompanying the the belief that Six Flags insanity known as Tatsu boasted the biggest and were rides like Full Throtscariest rides, and it was tle, which boasted the proven with one glance at world’s tallest loop, and the park. With the towerFull Throttle. Twisted Colossus, which ing orange, red and white PHOTO BY MATHEW IMAGING is the second rendition on rides, it seemed like a a classic wooden coaster wonderland built specifiknown as Colossus, and a world-class ride. cally for thrill seekers like myself. The remodel scrapped the old, plain layout, exCiting concerns that I was too small, my dad never stopped there, so years would pass before the day fi- tended the ride’s length to 5,000 feet and added two extreme inversions that give riders ample amounts of nally arrived when I got to visit. I can remember my first magical trip like it was yes- airtime. The ride seems to try and buck you out as you terday, even though I’ve gone back at least once a sum- hit the crown of each and every one of its hills, which offer 18 seconds of airtime. mer since. Roller Coasters like these are only a few of the many My dad woke me at 6 a.m. with the rest of my family and we jumped in the car to drive without knowing reasons why Six Flags has cemented its place as the our final destination. My dad was being secretive, so I “Thrill Capital of the World,” and I didn’t even get to decided to do my second favorite activity — behind mention the classic rides like Gold Rusher and Ninja. It’s the greatest theme park on Earth, hands down, rollercoaster research — and nap. I was awakened to see Six Flags Magic Mountain for guests of all ages. With its record-breaking number of roller coasters, from Interstate 5, but this time was different. We exited on Magic Mountain Parkway, and instead of driv- each one is unique and provides a completely different ing past like we usually did, I soon saw the sign I had ride experience. Today, more than 12 years after my first visit, I still seen numerous times — the big colorful red, white and blue sign that reads, “Six Flags California Gift Shop.” make a return trip every six months to the most magThat’s when it hit me that I was finally going to be ical theme park, so I can feel the wind in my hair, the able to experience the greatest theme park for myself. butterflies in my gut and the sound, or lack thereof, of After the first loop on Revolution — the first mod- screams as I drop from ridiculous heights on the tallest, ern looping coaster — I was hooked! Everything about fastest and craziest coasters ever to be conceived on Magic Mountain I had read and researched was even this planet. 

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AU G U S T 19, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

As unemployment falls, hiring is difficult she hears from employers all the time who say they’re struggling to find individuals to fill their positions. nemployment is down “There’s a disconnect between what in Santa Clarita, a feat the employer is looking for and the that might normally be seen as a good thing. But skillset a potential employee has to offer,” she said. for some businesses, it can become a Norris herself is looking for somedouble-edged sword when it comes one to do administo recruiting. Busitrative work for the nesses take longer “THERE SEEMS association. Howevto fill positions, and TO BE A TREND er, the hiring process the process isn’t alOF YOUNGER has even taken her ways as intuitive as some time. She has they would like, local WORKERS done a dozen interbusiness leaders say. LOOKING FOR views, she said, and “Difficulty in findJOBS OUTSIDE OF looked closely at reing employees that SANTA CLARITA.” sumes. But it takes are ready to work and some work to identify have the skillset is the KATHY NORRIS, the right people. biggest issue facing PRESIDENT, VIA Matt Kincaid, a cliemployers,” said Holent services managly Schroeder, director of the Santa Clarita Valley Econom- er with Santa Clarita-based agency ic Development Corp. “And we hear Sage Staffing, said that out here, proabout it all the time.” spective employees have more choices Over at the Valley Industry Asso- when it comes to job selection. ciation, President Kathy Norris said “We are in what is known as a By Crystal Duan

‘candidate’s market,’” he said. “That means low unemployment and an increased amount of companies hiring.” Santa Clarita has consistently had an unemployment rate around the county’s rate, according to the Los Angeles County Employment Development Department. As of July, there were 4,900 people unemployed in the city of Santa Clarita out of a labor force of 98,800, putting the rate at 5 percent. About 93,900 were employed. Los Angeles County had a rate of 4.8 percent. With a candidate’s market, turnover rates will go up as employees leave their jobs for better opportunities, which appears common among young people, Norris said. “There seems to be a trend of younger workers looking for jobs outside of Santa Clarita,” she said. “We have a lot of amazingly skilled people trying to go outside the city to bigger areas.” Another circumstance of the candidate’s market is rising compensation, Kincaid said. Sage Staffing matches

candidates and companies by giving advice on salaries and work life benefits. Based on that line of work, Kincaid has observed that companies and candidates are raising their standards. “Many of our clients are adjusting their salary scales upward as minimum wage continues to rise,” he said. “And operations are affected as increased costs for employees mean increased costs for the goods and services these companies produce.” Norris said personality types may be a factor when trying to find the best candidates. VIA is a nonprofit, so its standards for hiring differ from a bigger corporation, but regardless, it takes work to identify the right candidates, she said. “I really wish I could put my finger on the reason why employers and employees struggle to match up,” she said. “I know there are plenty of skilled people out there, but I do not know why we as employers cannot find them.” 

MAGIC

Continued from page 7

From an economic standpoint, she added, the park brings a tremendous amount of tourism. Last year, there were an estimated 3.4 million visitors, bringing more people to spend dollars locally not only in hotels and eateries but also other nearby happenings like sports-related events. Those numbers are expected to rise partly because of its new year-round schedule. This feature is also one the city of Santa Clarita is excited about, said Evan Thomason, an economic development associate who oversees the tourism office for the city. “We are thrilled that it’s open more days and it’s a selling point when we do our advertising and marketing campaigns. We look to sell SCV as a destination and Magic Mountain is a huge attraction to visitors.” Magic Mountain is also the SCV’s largest employer, with about 3,200 employees, most of whom are residents. With tourism and tax revenue up, what would the SCV look like without Magic Mountain? “Hypothetically speaking, that’s hard to answer,” said Schroeder. “But it would be pretty hard to envision this area without it.”

What keeps them coming

Whether a super fan like Verheijen or not, thrill seekers return mainly for the new rides, something Magic Mountain has delivered year after year. Resident Kurt Dahlin, also known as Coaster Guy, said he had visited theme parks all over the world and Magic Mountain is one that delivers consecutively with the “wow factor.” He added, “It’s exciting to see it grow with more rides. This draws people within and around the area, especially when there’s not a lot of thrill parks in California.” While the park recently opened CraZanity in July, a teaser campaign has already launched for at least one new attraction coming in 2019. Then there are fans like Gabriel Montoya, who hosts the Theme Park Duo podcast with his wife.

CraZanity. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN

Although the corporation tends to target teens and an older crowd, he said, Six Flags can still involve the whole family as it offers attractions and entertainment for all ages.  “To me, theme parks are about making memories with my family, no matter what age,” said Montoya, who will soon be a father for the first time. “I have been looking at everything from a different perspective and thinking about theme parks. It’s about building special moments.” 

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

DNA

The McKean Team Real Estate System

Continued from page 5

“I didn’t even understand what that meant,” Zimmerman said. “I looked at it and saw I had something like 150 fourth to sixth cousins.” She showed her husband the results and told him, “Look, look, I have people.” Her husband asked if she was going to follow up and check out the possible connections. Zimmerman said she told him, “No, I’m good.” However, DNA matches are a twoway street and in January 2017 she was contacted by a man named Bill looking for his family. He had been abandoned in a train station in Geneva, Illinois. The Ancestry.com match suggested that Zimmerman and he were close relatives, possibly first cousins. As Zimmerman delved deeper into the connection it soon became apparent that Bill was more likely a half-brother, most likely on her paternal side. It was another year before she discovered her Milwaukee relatives. After some initial speculation that they were related on the mother’s side, Zimmerman soon found her Milwaukee connection was another branch of the family on the father’s side. She learned she had a younger half-sister, Mary and a younger half-brother, Bob. Further research revealed an older half-sister and half-brother from her father’s first marriage. “Now I realize that I am one of five half-siblings with the same father, six if you count Bill,” she said. “I go from having no living siblings, my adoptive brother Jeff had passed away, to suddenly being one of six.” In an emotional moment Zimmerman learned from her Milwaukee relatives that if any of her aunts had known of her existence she would never have been given up. “It meant so much for me to hear those words,” she said. “It meant that I was wanted.” On Sept. 9 Zimmerman will head back to the Chicago area (where Zimmerman, as well as her Milwaukee family are originally from) with her husband and three daughters to meet the rest of her mid-West family. Zimmerman’s birth father died in 1969. She has learned enough through her research to have a good idea who her birth mother might be, and she

knows her mother doesn’t want to be found. Zimmerman has decided not to pursue the search further despite her desire to know her medical history. “When the adoption agency unsealed their records, I learned that she was a cost analyst, which is interesting because I’m in the accounting field,” she said.

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More surprises

Zimmerman said it was long known in her husband’s family that there might be some half-siblings. However, when Ogden was found, through an Ancestry.com match, it came as a complete surprise because the birth date didn’t jibe with other known information. “What’s so great about this is that like my family there is such a strong connection between my husband’s half-brother and our family,” she said. “When we went to meet them, I was sitting on the porch with my halfsister-in-law and I asked her, ‘Is this weird, that it’s not weird?’” The sister-in-law had just texted a friend the same sentiment, “It isn’t weird.” Ogden and his family recently spent five days with the Zimmermans visiting area tourist attractions and enjoying a family party.

Advice for adoptees

Zimmerman has worked with several people in the SCV who are also adoptees. “I tell adoptees that this is really serious stuff. You have to be really sure you want to find out,” she said. “Once you open that door you can’t close it.” Zimmerman said many adoptees find they aren’t really ready to deal with the fallout from finding their birth parents. Not all stories end as happily as the Zimmermans. White, of the Valencia Family History Center, said for many adoptees finding their birth families is important. “Even when they’ve come from wonderful adoptive families there is still this missing hole in their lives and they want to know where they belong,” she said. “Like all of us, we want to know where we belong. That’s the great thing about the DNA test. It is the first step to find out where your ancestors came from and it tells such a story of who you really are.” 

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LOCALNEWS

Nonprofit leader vies for COC seat Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club board President Ann-Marie Bjorkman declares candidacy for position held by incumbent Joan MacGregor By Jim Holt

MACGREGOR

During her 25 years on the board, MacGregor said she has experienced COC’s growth first-hand. “I feel really responsible of the Canyon Country campus. I was able to secure the site and be on the board to approve funding for that and the upcoming science building,” MacGregor said. She added that funding will change the community college landscape in drastic ways, along with the introduction of new pathways programs. “Right now, my motto is, ‘Experienced educational leadership in challenging times,’ because we need experience in this difficult time,” MacGregor said, referring to the budget cuts community colleges have undergone in the wake of Gov. Jerry Brown’s most recent budget.

“I think people should vote for experience and leadership that has been proven and tested,” MacGregor added. Buildings have been built, bonds have been passed, “and all of the these things have been done under my time on the board.”

BJORKMAN

Like MacGregor, Bjorkman said funding is vital, which is why she has raised tens of thousands of dollars since 2000 when she first volunteered for the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley. If elected, Bjorkman said she will use her proven fundraising abilities and passion to bridge the gap between underprivileged kids and an affordable college education. “A long time ago, COC had an amazing partnership, where they’d come in and teach college classes and ex-

pose (the kids) to college being a safe and fun place,” Bjorkman said. She hopes by restarting the program, seventh- and eighth-graders will be introduced to different pathways and skills related to work as an electrician or welder. Bjorkman said she also plans to expand the college’s Online Educational Resources program, which provides free textbooks to offset the expense of traditional print versions. “These books should come with diamonds,”because they’re so expensive, Bjorkman said. Textbooks could be another reason for kids to not afford school, “(and) I don’t want that. I don’t want them to have an excuse to not go to school.” As a member of multiple organizations, Bjorkman said she will draw on her strong advocacy skills and work with Sacramento legislators to make a difference for her district. “I’m a doer. I work hard for what I believe in,” Bjorkman said,” and I’ve always seen it as my duty to advocate for our kids — so all Santa Clarita’s children can have access to the future they deserve.”

Hart takes bite out of SCV Burrito Bowl with win By Dan Lovi

The ninth annual SCV Burrito Bowl took place Tuesday evening outside the Valencia Westfield Town Center, with a couple of new records in the books. A crowd of over 1,000 enthused parents and students watched as Hart beat the defending champions Saugus with a record time of one minute, 26 seconds, breaking last year’s record of 1:31. Saugus clocked in at 1:29, also breaking their record from last season, but finished three seconds shy of repeating as champions. “It’s disappointing because we smashed our record from last year,” said Saugus center Nathan Tripp, who participated in his third Burrito Bowl competition. “I didn’t even see Hart eat the burrito, but I had a couple people telling me their unofficial time. We were that close and just missed it.” Tripp said his team practiced before the competition, with one of the

players’ mothers making burritos for the team after football practice last week. Saugus even planned a strategy to eat the four-foot long burrito in the most efficient way possible. “We had our best eater on the far left side so we could just eat anything that came down,” Tripp said. “We would take a bite that fills most of our mouth and just chug water and swallow, barely any chewing.” Other teams didn’t feel the need to practice, instead relying on their appetite. “I’ve been practicing since I was born. Look at me, I’ve eaten a couple of burritos in my lifetime,” said Jacob Lopez, who plays offensive and defensive line for Canyon. “It’s a mental game, it doesn’t matter about the taste, you’re breathing in beans and rice.” Lopez and his Canyon teammates finished in third place, clocking a time of 1:40. Darnell Musgrove, who starts on the offensive and defensive line for

The winners of the 2018 Burrito Bowl, the Hart Indians, pose with a check for $2,000 from the WiSH Foundation Tuesday night. CORY RUBIN/THE SIGNAL

Golden Valley, correctly predicted a Hart victory. “By the looks of it, I say Hart will be the toughest competition, because they have some pretty big dudes,” Musgrove said. “I eat a lot at home though, so I’ll be ready.” Golden Valley finished fourth with a time of 2:09. Valencia finished fifth with a time of 2:14.

The other record set Tuesday night, the slowest time ever recorded, now belongs to West Ranch with a time of 3:00. Hart took home a grand prize of $2000 to be used for their football and cheer programs. Each participating team was awarded $500 for Continued next page

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LOCALNEWS

Suspected car thief arrested after lengthy trek

24th Annual

By Austin Dave

A car-theft suspect attempted to evade law enforcement on foot in the hills of Canyon Country, but was eventually captured Thursday morning, sheriff ’s officials said. Shortly before 9:30 a.m., a sheriff ’s deputy recognized a wanted gang member driving a vehicle near Soledad Canyon Road and Crossglade Avenue, according to Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station Sgt. Joel Nebel. The deputy entered the license plate information into the database and it returned as stolen, Nebel confirmed. A subsequent traffic stop was attempted but the suspect fled on foot before the deputy could detain him. Deputies Cheryl Hartman and Luis Cabrera work to set up a containment near Delight Street and Tambora Drive in Canyon Country as units hunted for a car theft suspect. Austin Dave/The Signal Several units were requested to enforce a containment around the immediate area in hopes of cornering the wanted man. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station began fielding calls for service from residents in the same area reporting a man matching the description of the suspect running through backyards.

2018 River Cleanup and Environmental Expo

Saturday, September 22, 2018 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Wiley Canyon Road - Off the Via Princessa Bridge (East of Orchard Village Road) Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Wilson takes a car theft suspect into custody near the 28000 block of Tambora Drive in Canyon Country after a lengthy containment in the surrounding neighborhoods. (CREDIT: NEWSSOURCELA)

One of those reports led deputies to a cul-de-sac near Delight Street and Haxton Drive where the suspect shed clothes and scaled walls two minutes prior. “He made some distance and took off his shirt,” Nebel said. Deputies captured the shirtless suspect about 45 minutes later, about two miles from where the initial traffic stop was initiated. Nebel said the man was arrested for grand theft auto and transported to the SCV Sheriff ’s Station.

BURRITO

River Rally is an excellent volunteer opportunity for clubs, students, scout troops, non-profit organizations and people of all ages. Don’t forget to ride your bike to River Rally. There will be free bike valet service courtesy of the City of Santa Clarita and Performance Cyclery. Also, bring a reusable water bottle to help usreduce waste. Be sure to visit the Environmental Expo and learn about recycling, air quality, wildlife conservation, pollution prevention and more! BUSINESS PARTNERS

Continued from page 10

their football programs and $500 for their cheer programs. Another aspect of the competition was the spirit poster award, given to the cheer squad with the most creative poster. Golden Valley was announced as the winner before the eating competition, taking home a prize of $1000. Mark Walberg, of Antiques Roadshow fame, hosted the event and announced prize giveaways while teams took turns in the eating contest. Some of the giveaways included Dodgers tickets, dining gift cards and a shopping spree worth $1500.

We will provide the gloves and trash bags, you just show up to help maintain a portion of the Santa Clara River - one of the last natural rivers in Southern California!

The SCV Burrito Bowl is the unofficial kickoff of the football season, which begins this Friday. “I think it brings our community even closer together, especially for the students,” said co-chair Wanda Perry. “They’re able to kick off their new school season and they get excited to wear their new uniforms.” While most people would feel pretty full after chowing down on a four-foot burrito, linemen are notorious for having big appetites. “I feel good, it’s all settled,” Tripp said. “Actually, I’m going to go get Chick-fil-A right now.”

For more information or to register visit GreenSantaClarita.com or call the River Rally hotline at (661) 284-1415. Please remember, NO PETS ALLOWED and participants must wear CLOSED-TOED SHOES. Pre-registration is required for all volunteers.

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LOCALNEWS

Santa Clarita celebrates new home for Station 104

(Above) From left: Los Angeles County Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella, Councilman Bob Kellar, Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean, Councilman Cameron Smyth, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Mayor Laurene Weste and Councilman Bill Miranda celebrate the groundbreaking for Fire Station 104. (Below) Firefighters from Station 104 take in the ceremony at their future home on the corner of Newhall Ranch Road and Golden Valley Road. CORY RUBIN | THE SIGNAL By Tammy Murga

Construction of the new home for Fire Station 104 is officially underway as city and county officials gathered on Aug. 9 for the groundbreaking. “We have become a big city from three decades ago, and this new fire station is going to go a long way to providing the best possible service for city and county residents,” Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste said to the crowd during the ceremony.

THE SITE IS LOCATED AT 26901 GOLDEN VALLEY ROAD, NEAR NEWHALL RANCH ROAD The site is located at 26901 Golden Valley Road, near Newhall Ranch Road. Just south from there on Golden Valley Road was its original location, but is now the construction site of the new Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, which celebrated its groundbreaking late last month. Since April, services out of Fire Station 104 have temporarily relocated to Fire Station 150. With 11,000 square feet, the station will house as many as nine fire personnel, apparatus space, a training and exercise room, a kitchen and central office. Its design, which will incorporate water- and energy-smart systems is “critical in its location and size,” said Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles County director

of Public Works. “It’s a critical facility to the community and those that inhabit it have to be protected as well,” he added. “This building should be here after a major earthquake and after a major fire.” A civic art component, designed by Martinez Architects Inc., will also be incorporated. The project cost is estimated at $14 million. Weste and county Supervisor

Kathryn Barger both said they were proud of the coming of Fire Station 104. “I know the new station is a necessity of the SCV and to properly house our firefighters,” Barger said. “Fire Station 104 will be a fixture in the community and serve as a home base for our extraordinary team.” Construction commenced in late July, and the station is slated to open for service in September 2019, according to Pestrella.

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

LOCALNEWS

SCV Water sues Whittaker Corp. over cleanup Agency seeks to cover cost of removing contaminants from groundwater basin in Santa Clarita “It is Whittaker’s responsibility to reimburse the water providers and our community for the cost of replacement water, remediation and additional groundwater treatment,” he said. Eric G. Lardiere, senior vice president, secretary and general counsel for Whittaker Corp., was reportedly out of state on business Thursday and was not immediately available for comment, according to Whittaker officials.

By Marilyn Chavez-Martinez

SCV Water filed a lawsuit on Aug. 8 against the Whittaker Corp., seeking to cover the cost of removing two harmful contaminants — volatile organic compounds and perchlorate — from the Santa Clarita Valley groundwater basin. The lawsuit filed in the U.S. Central District Court of California comes just months ahead of when Whittaker contends the cleanup will be complete. “Despite the recent news accounts and public relations charm campaign to depict the Whittaker site cleanup as ‘nearly complete,’ the legacy of their historic contamination of the community’s groundwater basin remains to be fully addressed,” Matt Stone, general manager of SCV Water, said in a prepared statement. The lawsuit comes six months ahead of the expected finish date Whittaker

Contaminated land Cleanup of the Whittaker site, shown above, is expected to wrap up at the end of the year, according to the owners of the property. Cory Rubin | The Signal

had given the community for the completion of its cleanup of 996 acres of contaminated land in the heart of Santa Clarita. “The mandates issued to Whittaker in

previous settlements do not adequately address the continuing spread of perchlorate contamination, and do not require Whittaker to address VOCs at all,” Stone said in the prepared statement.

Nearly 1,000 acres of Whittaker-Bermite land became contaminated after more than a half-century of weapons and explosives testing at the site. Dynamite was manufactured there in the mid-’30s by the Los Angeles Powder Co. See WHITTAKER, page 15

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LOCALNEWS

Urban Home furniture store faces closure Action follows recent shuttering of Bonefish Grill eatery at mall

By Perry Smith

The choices are changing in Valencia for mall shoppers, store officials confirmed Tuesday. While many regulars have already noticed the closure of Bonefish Grill, a recent announcement about Urban Home’s pending closure was confirmed Tuesday by a store employee at the Oxnard-based retail furniture store. A call to the corporate office seeking comment regarding the pending closure of Urban Home was not answered Tuesday, but a worker at the location confirmed employees were told recently that the location would ultimately close. “We’re still open, but we don’t what day we’re going to be closing,” said Esmarelda Herrera, assistant manager for the Valencia location, who referred further inquiries to UrbanHome.com. The store was still selling its merchandise as of Tuesday, she said, adding no definitive closing date

had been given, but employees were notified, and it could take as long as “a couple months” to sell the store’s inventory. A statement from Bonefish’s corporate owner, Bloomin’ Brands, first reported by EatSCV.com, indicated it was an isolated closing due to the store’s financial performance. “Closing the restaurant was a difficult decision based solely on business circumstances,” according to an email from Elizabeth Watts, director of media and community relations for Bloomin’ Brands, shared with The Signal. “We’re proud to have been part of the Valencia community for the past three years.” This decision was not a reflection on the restaurant’s employees, who were all provided a severance package, according to Watts, in her statement. Bonefish Grill’s closure at the Westfield Valencia Town Center did not appear to affect the other locations, according to a Tustin franchisee reached by phone Tuesday.

Urban Home prepares to close its doors at the Westfield Valencia Town Center, advertising up to 80 percent off its inventory. Cory Rubin | The Signal

15 candidates competing for 3 City Council seats By Crystal Duan

There are 15 candidates in the running for three Santa Clarita City Council seats that will be on November’s ballot. The candidates who filed papers by the Aug. 10 city deadline were: challengers Cherry Ortega, Diane Trautman, Logan Smith, TimBen Boydston, Paul Wieczorek, Brett Haddock, Sandra Nichols, Jason Gibbs, Matthew Hargett, Sankalp Varma, Ken Dean and Sean Weber; and incumbents Councilman Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean and Mayor Laurene Weste, according to Santa Clarita City Clerk Mary Cusick. “All 15 candidates who filed by the deadline, as listed on votesantaclarita.com, have been qualified to appear on the ballot through

verification of the requisite number of (20-30) signatures on their nomination papers,” Cusick said. The election is scheduled for Nov. 6. New candidates can still enter the race on a write-in basis, Cusick said. The filing time for write-ins is Sept. 10 to Oct. 23. Although write-in candidates don’t officially appear on the ballots, they are still eligible to run if they file a statement of write-in candidacy to the city, along with the sponsor signatures stating that he/she is a write-in candidate, she said. Boydston, who filed papers on Aug. 9, is the only challenger who previously served on the council. He was appointed to the council to serve from 2006-2008 for the remainder of Councilman Cameron

THE FILING TIME FOR WRITE-INS IS SEPT. 10 TO OC T. 23.

Smyth’s second council term, when Smyth left the council to serve in the state Assembly. Boydston had promised not to seek re-election as an appointee, so he did not run in 2008, but returned in 2012 and was elected to a four-year term. Boydston said he is optimistic about his chances of election this year. “The last time I ran and was defeated, I came in third (to Smyth and Bob Kellar),” he said. “But there

were only two seats in that election. Now there are three seats open.” Trautman ran in 2000 and 2008. She was on the City Council’s Planning Commission from 2002 to 2010, and from 2012 to 2016. Ken Dean, Brett Haddock, Matthew Hargett, Sandra Nichols and Paul Wieczorek ran in the 2016 race. Weste was first elected in 1998 and McLean in 2002. Miranda was appointed in 2017 to fill the remaining term of Assemblyman Dante Acosta. The city of Santa Clarita recently consolidated its elections with Los Angeles County, and as a result, its timeline for elections is regulated by county policy and law. For more information on candidacy, interested residents can visit votesantaclarita.com.

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

LOCALNEWS

Rotary club to host annual tequila fundraiser By Brennon Dixson

The Santa Clarita Sunrise Rotary Club will host its third annual Tequila Tasting Party on Saturday, Sept. 8, and is seeking community sponsors. “Last year’s event was so successful that we anticipate a sold-out event this year,” Rotary member Liz Seipel said in a news release. “It’s being held again in Old Town Newhall at the Egg Plantation, so seating is limited to around 120.” Tickets are $50 and include a meal and tequila, though drinks other than tequila will be available for purchase. The money raised from the event will go toward the club’s various community projects, which include an annual Halloween party for the kids at the Newhall Community Center, donations to local nonprofit agencies and families for the holidays, and the construction of a peace garden at local high schools. The club is looking for sponsors

who would be recognized at the event and in the media, club members said. Updates will be posted on the club’s Facebook page, as well as in the Rotary District 5280’s weekly newsletter. Rotary International is an organization made up of service clubs all over the nation and in the world with over a million members, meaning the hundreds of Rotarians who live in L.A. County will see the newsletter, members said. Those interested in joining the Santa Clarita Sunrise Rotary Club are invited to attend a meeting 7-8:15 a.m. every Wednesday at the IHOP on Pico Canyon Road. Group members said they are a small but mighty club and need community support to help continue these projects. All sponsors will receive tickets to attend and are invited to contact Molly Hodson at 661-609-2944 with any questions.

WHITTAKER

Continued from page 13

In 1936, the Halifax Explosives Co. moved in and spent the next six years making fireworks. After that, according to research conducted by the Toxic Substances Department, E.P. Halliburton Inc. reportedly began making oil field explosives at the site. Coated magnesium flash flares and other photoflash devices used in the Vietnam War were manufactured by the Bermite Powder Co. Between 1942 and 1967, the company also made detonators, fuses and stabilized red phosphorous. The Whittaker Corp. carried on the explosive tradition, making ammunition rounds, boosters, flares, detonators, signal cartridges, glow plugs (used to heat the combustion chamber of diesel engines in cold conditions), tracer and pyrophoric pellets (fragments that spark spontaneously), igniters, ignition compositions, explosive bolts (designed to separate cleanly along a set fracture), powder charges, rocket motors, gas generators and missile parts. The Whittaker site was used for munitions manufacturing until 1987. Today, Whittaker Corp. manufactures fluid control valves and control systems; fire and overheat detection products; radio frequency and high-temperature cable and cable systems. The site itself was found to be contaminated with very high levels of ammonium perchlorate, as well as VOCs perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene. The site continues to be subject to a cleanup order under the supervision of the state Department of Toxic Substances Control. Last month, Jose Diaz, senior project manager for the Department of Toxic Substances Control, told stakeholders — including SCV Water officials — seated at a round table at City Hall that the cleanup would be completed by the year’s end.

Litigation history

Paloma Murillo preapes organic strawberry banana margaritas at the Strawberry Tequila Festival last year at Central Park. PHOTO BY SAMIE GEBERS

Wednesday’s filing of the lawsuit was not the first time water providers have had to resort to litigation to compel Whittaker to clean up the damages its operations have caused in the community’s groundwater basin.

In 2000, SCV Water’s predecessor — the Castaic Lake Water Agency — filed suit for reimbursement of response costs, replacement water purchase costs, ongoing wellhead treatment and well replacement. In 2003, Federal Court Judge Howard Matz issued an opinion finding that Whittaker and others were liable under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Recovery Act for perchlorate contamination found in SCV water supply wells. In 2007, Whittaker entered into a settlement agreement for the remediation or replacement of five production wells. Currently, SCV Water operates two well treatment facilities — covering three impacted wells — which use a special resin designed to remove perchlorate molecules from the water. Since that time, additional wells not included in the original settlement have been impacted by or threatened with perchlorate contamination, and VOCs have been detected at a number of wells, according to a news release issued by SCV Water on Thursday. Additional treatment facilities and operations will be needed to address these.

‘Responsibilities’

Informal discussions with the Whittaker Corp. have not brought resolution, so the complaint was filed, according to the SCV Water release. “We regularly collect and test water samples from every well in our system,” said Jim Leserman, senior engineer with SCV Water. “Our efforts confirm that the drinking water being served in the SCV is safe, and meets all state and federal drinking water health standards, and it’s important that Whittaker continues to fund the ongoing efforts.” Information on the status of the Whittaker Bermite contamination and cleanup can be found at the city of Santa Clarita’s informational page www.whittakerbermite.com. “Whittaker should step up and cover the cost of this remediation,” added Stone. “Unfortunately, history suggests they will continue to stall in hopes of postponing or avoiding their responsibilities.”

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ESSIONAL

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mail.com

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16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 19, 2018

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

New school year brings new opportunities for DFY in SCV Drug free youth team to help students combat negative peer pressure By Ken Striplin

rug abuse, rehabilitation and prevention continues to be an issue nationwide. The City of Santa Clarita is doing its part to keep residents on the right track by developing and implementing programs for youth that help raise awareness and empower students to make good choices. The Drug Free Youth in Santa Clarita Valley (DFY in SCV) is a free, voluntary, anti-drug program with a presence in elementary, junior high and high schools. If you have children in a Santa

Clarita public school, they will undoubtedly be familiar with DFY in SCV. At the elementary school level, City staff introduce the message of saying “no” to drugs and alcohol through age-appropriate workbooks, as well as various assemblies that teach about the dangers of drugs and strategies for making positive choices. As kids get older, they have the opportunity to join drug-free clubs and develop a positive peer network in junior high and high school, while also giving back to the community through community service projects. As we begin a new school year, I want to share with you some

updates about the DFY in SCV program, so you can not only learn more about the City’s efforts, but Ken Striplin also encourage your children to participate. Staff have assessed the initiatives. success of DFY in SCV, as well as opportunities for growth, and are Finally, we know that it takes a looking to take a few steps to make community-wide approach to make the program even more effective in a difference in our children’s lives Santa Clarita. and prepare them Since 8th grade for a successful is a pivotal age for and healthy future. DFY IN SCV IS students, between This is why DFY CO N T I N U I N G navigating their in SCV is continuclasses and preWITH ITS ing with its annuparing for high A N N UA L PA R E N T al Parent Resource school, it is imR E S O U R C E Symposium, which portant to our will take place this S Y M P O S I U M , team to focus on year on September providing support WHICH WILL and resources that 12, at 6:00 p.m., at TA K E P L AC E will reinforce a City Hall. Parents THIS YEAR ON drug-free message will hear from exS E P T E M B E R 12, and help students perts in the medidevelop ways to AT 6:00 P. M ., AT cal field, as well as combat negative CITY HALL law enforcement peer pressure. The and get more inforteam will accommation on availplish this by working with each able resources in Santa Clarita. In school to bring curriculum supaddition, we will work with Parent port into 8th grade classes, similar Teacher Associations to help coorto what is done at the high school dinate presentations, drug awarelevel, in an effort to increase participation and attendance at DFY in ness activities and more on each SCV events. school’s campus. For high school students, the The DFY in SCV program conDFY in SCV staff is extending its tinues to be an important resource reach by partnering with the “More for students during their most forThan Sad” program. “More Than mative years. If your teen is not Sad” is a campaign produced by already involved in a DFY in SCV the American Foundation for Suiclub at school, I encourage you cide Prevention and teaches teens to have a conversation with them to recognize the signs of depresabout the many benefits. To get sion in themselves and others. more information about DFY in The result will be an educational SCV, please visit DFYinSCV.com. component that connects the DFY Ken Striplin is the Santa Clarita in SCV message of drug educaCity Manager and can be reached at tion and positive life choices with kstriplin@santa-clarita.com.  suicide prevention and awareness

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AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

SPORTSCORNER

Saugus alum gets into the spirit with Clippers By Haley Sawyer

n 2008, Karissa Peterson went to her first Clippers game at STAPLES Center, where she performed before the game with the Saugus dance team. Little did she know, she’d be taking that floor countless more times within the next six years as part of Clippers Spirit. Peterson loved being a part of her high school dance team, so much so that the thought of dancing professionally was on her mind. She attended an open call audition in 2012 and made the team. She was able to fulfill her desire to dance and forged important friendships that still stand strong today. “It is really something special to be involved in something bigger than yourself, with an empowering group of individuals all working towards a common goal,” Peterson said via email. “I keep coming back to be inKarissa Peterson is a member of spired and pushed by those around Clippers Spirit. COURTESY PHOTO me. It truly is such a unique job to be a part of.” Rehearsals, appearances and games the Saugus dance team that I decided I wanted to continue to pursue danctake up most of Peterson’s agenda ing after graduating, so it really has during the week. The team rehearscome full.” es two or three times each week, Working with the team has helped then has anywhere from one to three Peterson achieve her ultimate objecgames to perform at per week. tive when it comes to Dancers will make dance: inspiring and appearances at events PETERSON motivating others to before games or on ALSO FINDS their “off” days and be their best by workspend plenty of time ing her hardest to be T I M E TO G I V E working out in their the best dancer and B AC K TO spare time. person she can be. HER ALMA Peterson also finds “The entertainM AT E R A S A time to give back to ment industry is such her alma mater as a CO AC H F O R a roller coaster, you coach for the Saugus truly just need to stay T H E S AU G U S dance team alongside committed, stay inDANCE TEAM. fellow professional spired and believe in dancer Kara Hess. yourself,” Peterson “I love that I get to said of the advice she’d give aspiring take all my knowledge gained since dancers. “It's all about always rememgraduating, dancing professionally bering why you love it and why you with the Clippers, and give back to started. I'd say continue to work hard where my passion for dance was first and never stop until you reach your ignited,” Peterson said. “It was with goals.” 

18 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 19, 2018

SCV’s live Miss Nude Universe

(And other history stuff)

ello, saddlepals. I’ve a question. How can you possibly NOT read a story with the headline, Miss SCV Nude Universe? You can’t. You’re powerless. C’mon. As is our Sunday drill, I am waiting at the entrance of your McMansion, $4,025-a-month studio or sprawling Sand Canyon ranch, with several thousand steeds, hot coffee and pastries. You stumble out. You put your foot (the left one) into the stirrup and swing your ample hips up and over. Then, we go exploring our valley’s rich and often humorous past. This week? We’ve got a cannibal to try, a worst-case-scenario cleaning accident, some dirt on my pal, baseball legend Mike Gillespie and a visit with the SCV’s first lady. C’mon. Sun’s going to burn a hole in our Stetsons if we don’t make it to the time vortex in good order.

The Time Ranger A weekly trailride through Santa Clarita Valley History

AUG. 10, 1938

WAY BACK & THEN SOME

• It was August 1834. With the signature of military governor Jose Figueroa, all of the Catholic Church’s missions were seized in an act called “secularization.” All the land and properties were briefly given back to the original owners, the Indians. Then, they were easily acquired by wealthy and powerful landowners. Our own satellite mission, San Francisco, was given up. The evicted padres responded by slaughtering between several hundred and several thousand (numbers vary) head of cattle. The new owners found the SCV littered with their carcasses when they rode in to inspect the property. A pretty tomboy of a girl posed for a photo in front of R.E. Nickel’s store in Acton in 1928. It would be one of thousands she took. Lou Henry’s dad managed a few gold mines in the region and Lou recalled playing in the shafts and slag heaps as a lass. This is not that Acton photo, obviously. But it’s one of my favorites of her. She’s seen here with her sons, Allan (left) and Herbert Jr. Lou led an amazing life, including being the closest thing the SCV has had to a first lady. She was married to President Herbert Hoover.

his girlfriend Carole Lombard were at his ranch, some 500 people (much of the valley’s population!) drove out to “drop on by.” Anywho. On this date, Andy got busted up pretty good in a local movie shoot when the stage he was driving flipped — and landed on top of him. Ouch. Andy busted a few ribs and broke a leg. Andy once gave me a cowhide chair Tom Mix gave to him. • The local fire department bought a spanking brand new fire truck that could spit water 100 feet. It was the 1928 White Motor Co. model.

by John Boston • Riley Canyon is a little-known indentation off Sand Canyon. In the early 20th century, it was designated a state historical landmark. Back in the 19th century, there was a giant stone mill that crushed quartz crystals, first broken up by laborers. The quartz, mined in nearby Placerita and other canyons, was ground up and processed for gold. I guess we were so desolate out here, state officials never made it out to place a monument. Or, maybe the bronze marker was stolen and melted for scrap. • It made for one heck of a paperweight. On Aug. 15, 1849, a gold panner found an 8-pound solid gold nugget up San Feliciano Canyon. • Before we settled on calling ourselves the Santa Clarita Valley, we went by many names. We were informally called Newhall-Saugus, the Soledad Township and probably a few things you wouldn’t repeat in front of your mother. One of our earliest names given on Aug. 15, 1855, when we were recognized as the Tejon Township. Our boundaries covered 1,000 square miles then. • Horace Truman Cain was born on Aug. 23, 1903, in the Chickasaw Nation that would later become our 46th state, Oklahoma. I wish I could tell you how he got the nickname of “Ace.” He earned it as a boy. The formidable 6-6 and 280-pound Ace became a bootlegger, soldier, movie actor and illegal nightclub owner in L.A. In 1955, he bought the The Rocky Springs Country Club up Sand Canyon Road and changed the sign to, aptly, Ace Cain’s. Rumors were that one could acquire not only a cold beer up there, but also the affections of what politically correct today calls “sexual performance engineering specialists,” or, what our moms called back then — “floozies.” Ace sold his ribald digs to VFW Post 6885. The vets were forced by the bores on the SClarita City Council to sell the place in 1993 for a paltry $295,000. Why? Too noisy. Too much fun.

AUG. 10, 1928

• My old pal Andy Jauragui died back in 1990 at the age of 87. The hall-of-fame cowboy lived a rich and full life as a rodeo star, stuntman, livestock provider for the movies and coach. Clark Gable used to take How To Be A Cowboy lessons from Andy at his Placerita ranch. Funny story. When word got out that famed movie star Gable and

• I hope we never lose that eclectic energy that defines the SCV so. Witness this sign at the entrance to Newhall: “BUN: $2? MEAT: $3? CHISEL: $5? TOTAL: $10?” • From 1910 to 1938, you entered the south end of the SCV through the Newhall Tunnel. They tore it down, replacing it with Sierra Highway. The Griffith Construction Co. would take out mountains of dirt and nearly fill up Scorpion Canyon and part of Placerita. By August 1938, the project was a third completed. • Hard to fathom how much media we consume in a day. Entertainment in the SCV consisted of one (1) double feature playing at the Newhall Elementary Auditorium — on Tuesday nights only.

Mike Gillespie is one of college baseball’s best coaches of all time. He led College of the Canyons to state titles and, later, won a national title for his alma mater, USC. The Always In Our Hearts A Cougar showed the world his infamous work ethic. In summer of 1978, Mike G challenged the valley’s youth to shoot for that invisible bull’s eye of achievement by teaching a summer class at COC. It was in Frisbee. Yup. Frisbee. Ain’t makin’ it up. The Hall of Fame coach is currently an Anteater. No. I don’t mean he eats ants, though who would we be to judge others? Mike’s the skipper of the U.C. Irvine 9, whose mascot is the Anteater. • I believe Smokey Wingfield’s place in Happy Valley would be where Oak intersects Valley today. Smoke built himself his own park, completed with an outdoor boxing ring, dance floor and picnic area. He also built an See TIME RANGER, page 40

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 19

This Week in Real Estate $$ SANTA CLARITA VALLEY CLOSED SALES 8/4/18 to 8/10/18 $$ AREA/St#

St Name

ACTON 33840 55th ST W 33516 Desert RD AGUA DULCE Agua Dulce Canyon RD 34056 18660 Cedar Crest DR CANYON COUNTRY 20001 Shadow Island DR 27303 Dewdrop AV 19102 Drycliff ST 27618 Beechwood DR Sundowner WY #849 18183 Sundowner WY #1032 18182 16703 Highfalls ST 29523 Florabunda RD 27114 Cherry Willow DR 26617 Cardinal DR CASTAIC & VAL VERDE 31944 Emerald LN 30036 Sagecrest WY 30394 Cedar Oak LN 31207 Quail Valley RD 31262 Countryside LN 30642 San Martinez RD NEWHALL 23524 Arlen DR Avenue Of The Oaks #F 19236 18836 Vista Del Canon #F 26852 E Oak Branch CR 26244 Rainbow Glen DR 24410 Valle Del Oro #102 20971 Judah LN #34 SAUGUS 28139 Bobwhite CR #88 27705 Caraway LN 21741 Whey DR 22628 Cardiff DR 28135 Seco Canyon RD #32 28640 Silverking TR NE 19524 Laroda LN 28450 Casselman LN 28443 Stansfield LN 19318 Moriah LN 21746 Candela Dr 21986 Moveo DR STEVENSON RANCH 25742 Perlman PL #E 25716 Elliot CT 26003 Singer PL 25613 Gale DR VALENCIA 27046 Riversbridge WY 23719 Cameron CT 29188 Mission Trail LN Town Center DR #3108 24595 24131 Del Monte DR #181 24213 Trevino DR 25577 Alicante DR 25908 Sandalia DR 24300 Dalgo DR 23753 Cabezo CT 23707 Via Tomas 25543 Via Pacifica 23956 Via Onda 27033 Clarence CT 24319 Astor Racing CT 27548 Cherry Creek DR 26922 MONTEREY AV 24611 Garland DR 24709 Garland DR 28477 Herrera ST 28526 Herrera ST Silversmith DR 28838 Pebble Beach DR #12 27007 26734 Via Amare 27253 Baviera WY 26161 Quartz Mesa LN

Sold Price

Br/Ba

Sqft/Source

Price/SqFt

$585,000 $625,000

3/2. 5/3.

2623/S 2913/A

$223.03 $214.56

$875,000 $692,000

5/5. 3/2.

4490/A 2408/B

$194.88 $287.38

$173,000 $452,000 $515,000 $570,000 $275,000 $285,000 $446,000 $475,000 $575,000 $643,000

3/2. 4/2. 3/2. 4/3. 2/2. 3/2. 4/3. 3/2. 3/3. 4/3.

1730/O 1144/A 1540/A 2182/A 844/A 934/A 1693/A 1040/A 1834/A 2319/A

$100.00 $395.10 $334.42 $261.23 $325.83 $305.14 $263.44 $456.73 $313.52 $277.27

$381,000 $1.1499 mil $508,000 $525,000 $675,000 $460,000

3/2. 5/6. 3/3. 2/2. 4/3. 4/3.

1536/A 3154/A 1503/A 1183/P 2650/A 1871/A

$248.05 $364.58 $337.99 $443.79 $254.72 $245.86

$645,000 $230,000 $310,000 $355,000 $400,000 $310,000 $370,000

4/2. 2/1. 2/1. 2/2. 2/2. 2/2. 2/3.

1854/A 806/A 810/A 1135/A 988/A 829/A 1243/P

$347.90 $285.36 $382.72 $312.78 $404.86 $373.94 $297.67

$445,000 $509,000 $566,000 $570,000 $419,000 $615,000 $375,000 $415,500 $579,000 $690,000 $435,000 $461,000

3/2. 3/2. 4/2. 4/3. 3/2. 5/3. 2/2. 2/2. 3/2. 5/4. 2/2. 2/3.

1337/A 1256/A 1400/A 1877/A 1040/A 2643/A 1121/ 1440/A 1658/A 3034/A 1150/E 1401/A

$332.83 $405.25 $404.29 $303.68 $402.88 $232.69 $334.52 $288.54 $349.22 $227.42 $378.26 $329.05

$430,000 $585,000 $745,000 $805,000

3/3. 3/3. 4/2. 4/3.

1232/A 1771/A 2301/A 2327/A

$349.03 $330.32 $323.77 $345.94

$549,900 $695,000 $755,000 $335,000 $382,000 $390,000 $449,000 $457,000 $515,000 $587,500 $590,000 $690,000 $770,000 $695,000 $699,000 $530,000 $670,000 $960,000 $975,000 $415,000 $415,000 $660,000 $559,000 $610,937 $675,000 $1.250 mil

3/2. 4/2,1 4/3,1 1/1. 2/2. 2/2. 3/2. 2/2. 3/2. 3/2. 4/2. 4/2. 4/3. 4/3. 4/3. 3/2. 4/3. 4/3,1 4/5. 2/2,1 2/2,1 4/3. 3/3. 3/3. 3/2,1 5/4,1

1318/A 1799/A 2997/B 788/A 1000/A 1054/A 1128/A 864/A 1196/A 1599/A 1632/A 1857/A 2935/A 2161/A 2883/A 1263/A 2308/A 3583/A 3376/A 1270/A 1440/A 2236/A 1659/P 1717/A 2215/A 3960/A

$417.22 $386.33 $251.92 $425.13 $382.00 $370.02 $398.05 $528.94 $430.60 $367.42 $361.52 $371.57 $262.35 $321.61 $242.46 $419.64 $290.29 $267.93 $288.80 $326.77 $288.19 $295.17 $336.95 $355.82 $304.74 $315.66

SCVBUSINESS

Ray the Realtor Kutylo grew up in Santa

Clarita, and is associated with the SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties in Valencia. First licensed for real estate practice in 1986, Ray has seen a lot of different housing markets and has worked with hundreds of clients and has seen and evaluated thousands of homes. Ray can be reached by cell or text at 661-312-9461. Find Ray’s Facebook pages at ‘Ray the Realtor’ and ‘SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties’. or contact him at Ray@SCVhometeam.com. CA DRE 00918855 Based on information from the Southland Regional Association of REALTORS®/ Multiple Listing Service as of August 10, 2018. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

2 0 ·· SSU UN ND D AYS AY S II G 20 GN NA ALL

Opinion

AUGGUUSSTT 19, 19, 2018 2018 AU

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

OURVIEW

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

A Cabinet Member and a Meeting Crasher

Who Are You, Really? Be Your Best, Honest Self

By The Signal Editorial Board

By David Hegg

o the secretary of agriculture was in town the other day. Sonny Perdue, a member of President Trump’s cabinet who served as the “designated survivor” during the 2018 state of the union address, visited Santa Clarita to co-host a roundtable discussion about wildfire preparation with local elected officials and invited guests. Our valley’s congressman, Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, served as Perdue’s co-host. It was a private meeting held in a reserved room in the University Center of College of the Canyons. Invited participants included three Santa Clarita City Council members as well as representatives from the L.A. and Ventura County fire departments. And, of course, the media was invited. Let’s not be naive: There’s an election in November, and this kind of thing is a great opportunity for a candidate seeking re-election to score some “earned media,” as they say in the PR business. Bring a cabinet-level official to town, and local media will accept the invitation. It’s a no-brainer. But, it was not open to the public. Philip Germain, a COC student and

activist who opposes Knight’s re-election bid, showed up at the meeting, uninvited. Could he really expect to walk into a private meeting with a cabinet member? In today’s security environment? Of course not. What was more likely was that he would either disrupt the meeting or get himself kicked out, or both. When those responsible for the guest list informed him he was not on it, and he would have to leave, he went to a campus coffee stand two floors down from the meeting. However, COC officials say his attempt to crash the meeting caught the attention of Perdue’s staff who, understandably, were concerned about security. They didn’t know this guy and he was trying to get into the secretary’s private meeting, uninvited, so they called campus security. A pair of security officers were See OUR VIEW, page 22

hy is it we are more prone to act poorly if we think we’re anonymous? Every so often, we hear news reports of hurtful things speakers have said thinking their mics are off. And if you’re like me, you’ve probably received critical letters from Mr. Anonymous. And, of course, there is the ever-popular activity of slamming someone online while hiding behind a pseudonym. Remember back in elementary school when our teachers taught us “integrity is who you are when no one is looking?” Seems to me that’s a pretty good standard that has fallen on hard times. Today, integrity is too often redefined to allow us to look good for self-promotion while hiding the ugliness of who we really are. That actually gets us into another subject. Why do we want to appear better than we are? Isn’t that just the height of hypocrisy? Doesn’t it make better sense to work hard to become what we hope others think we are?

I suppose behind all this is a growing duplicity between who we really are, and who we want people to think we are. We’ve become a society of actors playing the role we believe will move us down whatever path we think leads to success. Recently, I had the privilege of helping some customer service reps deal with an anonymous caller who was spewing out Level 5 anger. The caller, thinking she was safely ensconced in anonymity, was throwing off all restraint and throwing down a truckload of rude, discourteous remarks. She was a master at interruption, thinking she could shake the consistent courtesy of the customer service rep on the other end of the line. But there were at least two things the caller didn’t know. First, … folks get this … when you’re on the phone you’re hardly ever anonymous. Every business with a receptionist will have a phone system that displays both the incoming number, and the account linked to it. So, See HEGG, page 22

READERLETTERS

Missed Opportunity for GOP On Aug. 12, a leading Republican was interviewed by Chuck Todd and provided some interesting and thought-provoking observations on current Trump Administration policy. I am paraphrasing his words from this interview. He urged a stop to the chaos, and everyone knows it is chaotic. There is something wrong with our (moral) compass. He said we need to get more in tune with the public, and help families do better. He did not appreciate a policy where peo-

ple could lose their health care if they have a pre-existing condition. Nor did he support this business of separating children from their mothers and fathers at the border. And these tariffs are beginning to frighten a number of people in business. The Republican Party has never been for protectionism. We should not walk away from our allies who have helped us keep the peace since World War II. The government’s job is to improve the overall situation for America, and not do things that are irresponsible. The party has never supported ringing up debt and burdening our

kids in debt. He is not for a divider. The reason that you do not have something is not because somebody else took it from you. The language of division exhibited by Fox News host Laura Ingraham is divisive, and not helpful. His parents and grandparents and everyone else pulled together during the Depression; now we are pulling apart. In summary, he stated that his job is to serve the Lord, and if he is helping people, he is See LETTERS, page 21

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AU GIUGSNT A19, S U N D AYS L ·2018 21

Opinion

Contact: Tim Whyte, Signal Editor Phone: 661-287-5591 | Email: letters@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

BLACK&WHYTE

D R AW I N G CO N C LU S I O N S D R E W L I T TO N

Coming Clean About Slanting the Coverage By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

’ve been accused of instituting a partisan bias at The Signal since I returned as editor, and it’s time to come clean: I’m guilty. All summer, I‘ve been attempting to sway certain reporters to see things my way, to slant their coverage in the direction I want it to go. It’s been a subversive attempt to sway things to suit my own purposes. But they refuse. My staff members, it turns out, are much more ethical than I am. Apparently, they have scruples: Try as I might, I can’t get the sports staff to put Saugus High School at the top of their preseason football rankings. Sigh. To my fellow Centurions out there, please know I tried. Like a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan, I have been rooting for Saugus ever since I graduated in 1980-something. I was on the last good Saugus football team in the ‘80s, and unfortunately, in my senior year, I was on the first bad one. Our miserable season happened to coincide with the breakout years for both Hart and Canyon, when they each won their first-ever CIF championships. Remember, folks, there were only three high schools out here at the time. There was no place to hide. We didn’t have West Ranch or Golden Valley — no disrespect, guys — to cushion the blow. There was Canyon, under legendary coach Harry Welch, with a record-setting winning streak and multiple league and CIF titles. And Hart, playing in a different league, won league and CIF titles of their own, starting a tradition of churning out world-class quarterbacks.

And then there was us. My senior year, we had some epic battles and tried mightily, but we compiled a dismal record that I will not repeat here because there might be children reading this. There were moments, though. We had a hardfought mud bowl against Hart, back when the field at COC was still grass. At least, it was grass when the game started in a steady rain. We tore the hell out of that field and we knocked the snot out of each other. I played center, and got my uniform really dirty. I enjoyed getting under the skin of one of Hart’s loud-mouthed linebackers, who’s probably an insurance salesman now. “You’re gonna get hurt,” he warned me after I threw a solid (but maybe slightly illegal) block that kept him from making a tackle. I smirked. I never got hurt. I was in his head, and that’s what you want when you play on the O-line. Better he focus on me than the ball carrier or my quarterback. It felt like a competitive, physical game. But at the end of the night, it was Hart 20, Saugus 0. I swear we left a couple touchdowns in that mud somewhere... In the moment, I hated those guys, even the ones who were my friends. (It’s a small town.) Then there was our game against Canyon. The Cowboys under Welch were a deceiving bunch. You could go all night feeling like you were beating the stuffing out of them, and then you’d look at the scoreboard and… what the…? How’d THAT happen? It happened. I spent that whole game feeling like we were just having our WAY with Canyon. I wasn’t even going to be sore the next day. We must have won, right? Walking off the field See WHYTE, page 22

LETTERS

Continued from page 20

doing the right thing. Needless to say, this Republican was not President Trump. He is John Kasich, the governor of Ohio, and a former candidate for the Republican nomination in 2016. It is sadly a shame that there were not enough Republicans who shared his principles and voted those principles in the 2016 presidential primary. Thomas Oatway, Valencia

Thanks to Heath, and Please Avoid the Rants I want to thank Josh Heath for his informative article on taxation in Tuesday’s Signal. He is so right in pointing out that the value of education in creating a middle class that stabilizes a society and gives back far more in service and taxes over time. I earned my higher education when tuition was low enough for me to be able to work part-time and basically support myself, while paying the tuition at prominent universities (Univer-

sity of Michigan and UCLA). My hard-working mother helped a little. I enjoy reading writers of such opinion pieces. Another has been Jim De Bree. I understand that the primary motivation for the new owner is to see that the November election produces Republican wins. However, I would urge fair journalism and specifically the importance of not giving column space to writers who rant and attack the other side! The reputation of The Signal depends on good journalism, not partisan ranting, in my opinion. There are plenty of partisan newsletters and rags out there. It would be lovely to have a quality community newspaper here in Santa Clarita. Roselva Ungar, Santa Clarita Editor’s note: Mr. Budman’s primary motivation is not to generate GOP election wins. It’s to put out a great community newspaper. Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone number; Anonymous letters are not printed; Email: letters@signalscv.com; Mail to: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 26330 Diamond Place, Ste. 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

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AU G U S T 19, 2018 AU G U S T 19, 2018

Opinion

HEGG

Continued from page 20

while you think the person on the other end will never know your identity, you’re most often wrong. But why should that even matter? Why act inappropriately just because you think you can get away with it? What does that say about who you really are? And, more to the point, is that the kind of person you want to be down deep? The second thing this particular venom-spewing caller was wrong about was the repercussions of her actions. Believing she was anonymous, she never considered that her identity as the wife of one of the company’s executives would become known, or that the story of her insensitivity to one of their frontline employees would find its way to the president and the board. That’s where the story ends, but my intent is simply to get us all thinking carefully about who we really are, and who we should be. If we want our society to flourish, hypocrisy cannot be the norm. If we’re different when anonymous, when no one is looking, and when we think no

WHYTE

Continued from page 21

at the end of the game, I looked up and the scoreboard said it was a whole lot for Canyon and very little for us. Something like 52 to minus 5. That’s a typo, right? How did that happen? Were they playing Canadian rules or what? Harry’s teams could to that to you. The next morning, I had to go to work at Del Taco. You know, because minimum wage. I had a co-worker on Canyon’s team, and we hung out together sometimes. We hadn’t gone against each other the previous night because he just played special teams, but it didn’t matter. Scoreboard! When I walked in for my shift, he was folding a burrito. He glanced up and said, in that oh-so-‘80s tone: “Dude. Do we SHRED, or what?” Yep. They could shred, those Cowboys. The Cowboys don’t shred as much anymore, but now we have the Valencia Vikings, who recruit the best players

one will ever know, then we must also admit we have abandoned any ethical consistency, and therefore, have no right to call a foul on anyone else. And, lastly, no matter what you think, no one is ever anonymous. In the biblical book of 1 Samuel, the author and God are having a conversation about who he has chosen to be his king. In the money line of the story we read, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’” Next time you’re tempted to go off on someone, to let them have it either verbally or via keyboard, because you think you’re protected by the wall of anonymity, remember this. While no one else may know it’s you, God does, and he keeps an account that one day must be settled. David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church and a Santa Clarita resident.“Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.  from all over the Santa Clarita Valley to create a super-team that hasn’t lost a league game since Obama’s first term. Oh, wait. I just got word from The Mighty Signal’s Legal Department. Apparently, I can’t say they recruit players from all over the valley, because that would technically be against the rules and I can’t prove it. Sorry. My bad. Correction: They ALLEGEDLY recruit the best players from all over the Santa Clarita Valley to create a super-team. And, the Antelope Valley, too… ALLEGEDLY. Better? Anyway, Valencia and its merry band of Southern California all-stars will be at the top of everyone’s 2018 pre-season rankings, because, well, raw talent + good coaching = beating the %@$# out of everybody for a decade. Do we all just have to look forward to a few years from now, when we get to add Castaic High School to the schedule? But back to the rankings: After Valencia, where do we go? That’s where the intrepid sports staff of The Mighty Signal comes in. We have a trio of highly trained sports writ-

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 20

dispatched to the University Center, acting on a report of “protesters” trying to crash the meeting — which, let’s be honest, sounds a little exaggerated. It was one college kid with aspirations of being a player on the “progressive” political scene. The security guards approached the student at the coffee stand and asked him to leave the building. He argued that he was a student, but he didn’t have his student ID on him, so they repeated their request that he leave because he had no business in that building that day. COC officials say he told the security officers he had business elsewhere on campus, so they offered him a ride, but he declined. He didn’t need a ride. He had all he needed by that point — enough to light an anti-Knight fire on social media, painting a picture of an innocent student kicked off a public college campus at the hands of Knight’s staff, even though,

ers (actual college degrees, every one of them) who have watched all six Foothill League teams practice, interviewed coaches and players, and carefully reviewed all of the analytics available to them (last year’s stats and the Cal Preps power rankings), and they have each made their 2018 preseason predictions. The only thing they really agree on? Valencia is sitting pretty at No. 1. After that, their rankings are a bit of a jumble. Diego Marquez, who was a former student of mine at Cal State Northridge, predicts Saugus will finish fourth out of the six SCV teams in the Foothill League. That’s not really what I was looking for. I guess Diego has his diploma now so he doesn’t figure I have much leverage over him anymore. And Dan Lovi, our brand new sports reporter, has wisely ranked Saugus at No. 2. But, it’s like his third week on the job so I have to wonder: Is he just throwing darts? Then there’s Sports Editor Haley Sawyer. I thought it was odd when I reviewed the proof of our football preview section. The sports staff ’s predictions page

according to COC, that’s not where the security call originated and he wasn’t actually removed from campus — he was just told to leave that one building. He played the victim on social media, starting a thread that’s drawn more than 1,000 comments. We ran a news story about the incident. After all, if we hear of a story about a COC student kicked out of a meeting involving a member of the president’s cabinet, principles of news gathering would dictate that we should look into it. Were they justified to deny him admission to the meeting? Absolutely, yes. Does the call for security look a little bit like an over-reaction? Sure. Sometimes a feather works better than an anvil. But, here’s a suggestion: Take a trip to Washington, D.C. Pick a meeting that’s not open to the public — say, a cabinet meeting in the White House — and try to saunter in there without an invitation or proper credentials. Let us know how that goes. 

had the rankings from Diego and Dan, but Haley’s were mysteriously, conspicuously, absent. Just a blank space where her rankings were supposed to go. “Where EVER could they be?” I thought. She filed them at the last minute, almost as if she was hoping to slip them past me. And that’s when I found Haley had ranked my Centurions DEAD LAST. Sixth out of six. I accused her of doing it just to get my goat. She laughed defiantly and insisted it was her honest opinion. “Please don’t fire me,” she pleaded, grinning like the cat that ate the canary. Still. I respect the fact that Haley and the sports staff resisted my plot — well, except the new guy — and stuck to their guns. It showed moxie and ethics to withstand my attempts to sway their coverage, to impose my partisan will upon them. For now, anyway. I didn’t say I was done trying. Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays. Email: twhyte@signalscv.com. Twitter: @TimWhyte. 

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 23

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING Santa Clarita City Council Meetings second and fourth Tuesday of every month (except summer hiatus second meeting in July and the first meeting in August) 6 p.m. Council meetings are also broadcast live on SCV TV channel 20 and on the city’s website. Santa Clarita City Hall, City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita. Next meeting Aug. 28. Info: City Clerk’s office Clerk’s office: (661) 255-4391. History Saturdays and Sundays 1-4 p.m. The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society invites guests to visit Heritage Junction Historic Park inside William S. Hart Park in Newhall. Tours are held every Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. 24101 Newhall Ave, Newhall. Info: https://scvhs.org. Music

Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. Remo Community Drumming Experience is an hour of fun entry-level experiential music making with drums and percussion that is accessible to everyone. Family-friendly environment with facilitator. All ages and levels of ability are welcome and no prior musical experience is necessary. Drums and percussion instruments provided at no cost. Free. Info: santaclaritaarts.com.

= Family Friendly Event

Tuesday, Aug. 21 ~ 4 p.m. Rotary Pint Night and Car Show at Wolf Creek Brewery. Free. People’s Choice Car show with beer, food, trucks and a live band. Trophies for People’s Choice participants. Only pre-registered vehicles will enter Wolf Creek Brewery’s parking lot to be set up and staged for the show. The Car show starts at 6 p.m. and trophies along with raffles will be presented at 8 p.m. Registration deadline is Aug. 14 $20 to register. Call Glenn Terry (661) 312-7268. Wolf Creek Brewery, 25108 Rye Canyon Loop, Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 254-4401 or www.scvrotaryclub.com/calendar/ or https://wolfcreekbrewery. com. Tuesday, Aug. 21 ~ 4-5 p.m. Create your own flying machines to test out in the MākMō wind tube and learn about aerodynamics. Ages 5-12. Castaic Library, 27971 Sloan Canyon Road, Castaic, (661) 257-7410, lacountylibrary.org/libs/Castaic/.

I H C A I R0 A M E -1 7 V y a LI Frid

Nature

Friday, Aug. 24 ~ 7:30-10:30 a.m. Heart Health Fair. Free community health fair presented by Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. Receive these free screenings: Blood Pressure Monitoring, Height and Weight Analysis, Body Composition, Cholesterol Test (12-hour fasting recommended), Glucose Test (12-hour fasting recommended, Health Nutrition and Diet Tips, Stroke Education, Diabetes Education, Carotid Artery Screening. Newhall Community Center, 22421 Market St., Newhall. Info: Emily Kim (661) 200-1306.

NOW OPEN

Saturdays 11 a.m. Family Nature Walk and a Native Live Animal Presentation at 1 p.m. Free. Placerita Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. Info: www.placerita.org.

Saturday, Aug. 25 ~ 7 p.m. City of Santa Clarita’s Concerts in the Park presents the final concert of the summer 40 oz. to Freedom. This award-winning tribute to Sublime has one of the world’s largest Animals followings and brings people to their feet with Saturdays and Sundays (except powerful vocals and a So-Cal vibe. Free. rainy days and holidays) 9:30 Family-friendly atmosphere. Concert-goers are a.m.-noon. The Gibbon Conservation encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets, Center is open to the public. A tour is given at 10 and food vendors will be on site selling a variety a.m. and self-guided tours are available at all of concessions and AND snacks. Central Park, 27150 BUY ANY ENTREE times. Admission: Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus. Info: Santa-Clari$15 (adults); $12 (teens and students); $10 GET THE SECOND ta.com/Concerts. (seniors); $5 (children 6-12); $0 (Children ENTREE HALF OFF under 5). Gibbon Conservation Center, 19100 Saturday, Aug. 25 ~ 5-9 p.m. Kultura Pilipinas Esguerra Road Saugus. Info: http://www. Monday to Friday A Journey To Philippine Cultural Dances. Fil-Am gibboncenter.org 11:00am 3:00pm of SCV’sto biggest event of the year, its Annual FACE (Fil-Am Academic & Cultural EnhanceOne coupon per person. ment) Program’ s Cultural Festival. Tickets: $50 EVENTS BY DATE Copies and digital coupons VIP Seats, $25 General Admission. This event Monday, Aug. 20 ~ 6:30 p.m. Acrylic Painting not valid. DineFil-Am in only. will benefit Assoc of SCV’s Scholarship Demonstration by Nancy Eckels at meeting of Program and SCVIP’s Sister City Program for 30West Ranch HS Theater, the Santa Clarita Artists Association (SCAA). Valid This Until SariayaSeptembr City, Philippines. event is free, open to the public. Barnes & Noble, Theater 26255 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita. Info: 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia. Info: www. Email jreyes98@aol.com. Tickets: https://www. SantaClaritaArtists.org eventbrite.com/e/kultura-pilipinas-a-jour-

Santa Clarita

Lunch Deal

ney-to-philippine-cultural-dances-tickets-47622754942?aff=efbeventtix Saturday, Aug. 25 ~ 2-3 p.m. Art Projects for Teens & Adults: Summer Redo. If you missed any of our Summer Discovery projects, come make them today. For teens ages 12+ and adults. Castaic Library, 27971 Sloan Canyon Road, Castaic, (661) 257-7410, lacountylibrary.org/libs/Castaic/. Saturday, Aug. 25 ~ 8-10 p.m. Sidecar Music Series featuring Austin Jons and the Immortals an original blues-rock band. Tickets are $15 online and at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Seating is first come first serve. The MAIN, 24266 Main St., Newhall. Info: http://atthemain.org/tickets/ Sunday, Aug. 26 ~ 11:30 a.m. CBS Film Series presents Land of Milk and Funny. $5 per ticket includes lunch and popcorn. This hilarious and uplifting film views Israel through the eyes of society’s funniest observers: comedians. All profits go to the synagogue, Congregation Beth Shalom. CBS Social Hall 21430 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita. Info: Email cbsfilmseries@gmail. com or http://cbs-scv.org.

Tuesday, Aug. 28 ~ 4-5 p.m. Imagination Playground. Build animals, rocket ships, robots using Imagination Playground Blocks. Ages 5-12. Castaic Library, 27971 Sloan Canyon Road, Castaic, (661) 257-7410, lacountylibrary. org/libs/Castaic/. Thursday, Aug. 30 ~ 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Henry Mayo Blood Drive. To schedule appointment: visit redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: HenryMayo Or call 1-800-Red Cross. Refreshments and Snacks will be provided. Photo I.D. required. Henry Mayo Center, Education Rooms 5,6, 23803 McBean Parkway, Valencia. Info: redcrossblood.org Saturday, Sept. 1 ~ 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Flutterby Open Art Studio is a no-charge open art studio held on the first Saturday of each month for kids and their parents to come in and make art. All art materials are provided. Free. ARTree Community Arts Center, Studios One and Two, 22508 6th St., Newhall. Info: santaclaritaarts.com or theartree.org. 

N!IN! IN! WIW W CONGRATULATIONS to Jan L. McGuire of Saugus — the winner of $100 for correctly identifying the artwork as being from the AAA Travel advertisement on page 2 of our Aug. 5 issue.

MEDRANOSMEXICANFOOD.COM Identify this piece of artwork and the page number that it is on in one of the advertisements in this week’s issue, and you will be entered to win $100. One game and one winner each week.

Mail your entry to: The Signal – Contest 26330 Diamond Place | Santa Clarita, CA 91350 Or email to: contest@signalscv.com

THE BEST SERVICE IN TOWN Advertiser: Page # Name:

Address:

19319 SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD • This week’s entries are due Wed. Aug 29th. Phone:

Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

(66

24 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 19, 2018

THINGSTO DO

Quick coastal trip

San Simeon style

By Michelle Sathe

hen I was a kid, summer seemed to last an eternity. Now, as an adult, the days just blur together in a whirlwind like any other season. Later in the year, usually around Christmas, I lament that I didn’t manage to have any summer fun. That’s why I booked a two day stay in San Simeon for me and my dogs Melvin and Louie. I needed to see the ocean and get out of the Santa Clarita Valley heat. My friend Sylvia Carlos Rigsby also came along for the three and a half hour ride. We were thrilled to hit the road as a heat

wave swept over Los Angeles, singing along to 80s music and dancing in our seats like teenagers all the way up the coast. The dogs sat in the back, curious but unimpressed. The first thing we heard when we arrived at the San Simeon Lodge, a modest oldschool two-story motel, were waves crashing, since the beach is just across the street. After checking into Room 109 with a partial ocean view ($125 a night plus tax and a $15 per dog per night fee), we took the dogs out to explore. Or maybe I should say they took us. [Top] Relaxing on the beach at San Simeon shore. [Above] The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery on Highway 1.

Melvin and Louie were very excited to head across the lodge’s grassy patches and Highway 1, charging ahead and sniffing all the way. Thankfully, since it was a Monday, traffic on the highway and the beach was pretty mild. San Simeon is super dog friendly, allowing for leashed pooches to enjoy the beach and surrounding trails with their people. Sylvia and Melvin took a little slower route, since he is a stop and smell everything kind of dog. Louis is more of a full speed ahead guy, pulling me to the bird-filled bay and looking over the sandy, succulent-lined landscape with wideeyed glee. Our quartet walked along the shore line, Louie running from the breaking waves, Melvin allowing the frothy water to wash over his paws. There was a silver cast on the ocean, making it glimmer in the late afternoon sun. I took a deep breath and exhaled, my soul at peace. Dinner was calling, so we drove to Cambria’s beautiful Moonstone Beach, just a few miles down Highway 1. There are several beachfront restaurants to choose from, with the Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill among the best. Not only for the killer view on the festive outdoor patio, but for a delicious, seafood inspired menu. The linguine with clam sauce ($23.50) was a delight, featuring fresh, succulent clams still in their shells served in a delectable garlic, butter, and white wine broth that begs to be sopped up with warm bread. Too full for dessert, we feasted on a spectacular sunset instead. Back at the lodge, between the subtle sound of waves crashing and the comfortable beds, we were soon snoozing, the dogs softly snoring their content. Since Louie is an early bird, the dogs and I were out for our first walk by 5 a.m. Not exactly relaxing on vacation, but there was a bonus. We had the beach and surrounding areas to ourselves for a heavenly 20 minutes. Once Sylvia was up and ready, we once again headed to Cambria, though this time we stopped in the charming town, which boasts dozens of restaurants, shops, and galleries. Like San Simeon, this is pooch heaven, with dog-friendly patios and watering stations on just about every street. Cambria Café, which serves American and The San Simeon Lodge is dog friendly.

Moonstone Beach boardwalk. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SATHE

Mexican food, features an outdoor nook that was perfect for us. Melvin watched the action from his front vantage point, while Louie hung back with me. Sylvia and I enjoyed vegetarian breakfast burritos ($9.95) bursting with perfectly cooked eggs, crispy potatoes, melted cheese, luscious avocado, and chunky bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The coffee, roasted in San Luis Obispo, is also stellar, smooth yet strong. Fun stops in the area are “A Matter of Taste,” a foodie paradise with every spice, sauce, and cooking accessory imaginable and the French Bakery, where we picked pastries ($2.75 to $3.95) to nosh on later. To work off breakfast, we headed to the Moonstone Beach boardwalk for a long stroll on the miles-long boardwalk. Dogs are not allowed

AU G U S T 19, 2018

on the beach here, but there are plenty of plants, squirrels, birds, and lizards to keep them entertained. Back in the car, we rolled north on Highway 1, past San Simeon, to the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Dozens of elephant seals were sunning themselves on the beach, some napping, some flipping sand, some making deep chortling noises. Several were fighting, playing, and rolling around in the ocean. They were all sizes, from adorable youngsters to massive males who dominate the scene. When we weren’t silently awestruck, Sylvia and I giggled at their antics. Our final stop was San Simeon State Beach, where families were out in force, enjoying the perfect 80 degree weather. We set up a couple of umbrellas, some towels, and broke out our books, though it was hard to focus with all the people watching opportunities on display; children running in the surf or building sand castles, dogs running alongside their owners, surfers bobbing on their boards, waiting for a wave. After a few hours, a rather boisterous young hound dog and a yappy Yorkie broke up the serene scene. Melvin and Louie started barking and panting. Sylvia and I were hot Melvin & Louie enjoy a beautiful bay view on San Simeon Beach.

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CALL: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT: xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xx xxxxx XX XXXXX The value listed is per booking and equals the total of the $100 in activity vouchers plus the total inclusions listed. 2Rate is per person, land and round trip economy-class airfare from LAX only, based on double occupancy for check-in on November 1, 2018 & includes taxes, fees and surcharges collected by seller at time of booking. Airfare is nonrefundable. Itinerary changes/cancellations are subject to Pleasant Holidays, airline and/or other supplier-imposed fees from $25 (for Canada or contiguous U.S. travel) or from $50 (for all other travel) per person, plus applicable fare differential (certain changes involve pre-notification deadlines). See General Disclaimer for additional information regarding air. 315% spa discount applies to all treatments available on spa menu, excluding spa merchandise. Certain restrictions may apply. 4Kids stay free in same room as adults using existing Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Hawai`i bedding. Occupancy limits apply. 5Activity voucher does not apply to air/car only booking. Valid toward the purchase of a select optional activity. Not valid for hotel direct activity bookings. Minimum 5 night stay at participating AAA Vacations® properties required. Voucher is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. For all offers, unless otherwise indicated: Rates quoted are accurate at time of publication & are per person, based on double occupancy. Gratuities, transfers, excursions and, for non-air-inclusive offers, airfare, taxes, fees & surcharges, are additional. Advertised rates do not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking. Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, taxes, fees, surcharges, deposit, payment, cancellation terms/ conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise rates capacity controlled. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Rates may be subject to increase after full payment for increases in government-imposed taxes or fees and, except for air-inclusive offers, for supplier-imposed fees. Blackout dates & other restrictions may apply. As to Air-Inclusive Offers Only: Other restrictions may apply, including, but not limited to, baggage limitations & charges for first & second checked bag, standby policies & fees, non-refundable airfare/airline tickets, advance purchase requirements & supplier & airline-imposed change/cancellation fees up to & including the price of the fare plus any applicable fare differential (which may involve pre-notification deadlines). Air component of packaged offers 1 The value listed is per booking total of the $100terms in activity vouchers Supplier plus the &total inclusions per person, round&trip economy-class may be non-refundable; refundsand are equals subjectthe to supplier & airline & conditions. airline fees &listed. policies2Rate mayisvary. Contactland yourand supplier ticketing airline forairfare more from LAX only,forbased on double for check-in on November 1, 2018 includes taxes, and surcharges collected by seller at time of booking. Airfare is nonrefundable. information; baggage fees &occupancy other details, see www.ifl ybags.com. Rates&involving round fees trip air Itinerary changes/cancellations are subject to Pleasant Holidays, airline and/or other supplier-imposed fees from $25 (for Canada or contiguous U.S. travel) or from $50 (for all transportation for travel dates or from gateways other than those advertised may differ. Not responsible othererrors travel) person, plus applicable fare (certain changes cation deadlines). See General Disclaimer for additional information regarding air. 315% for or per omissions. The Automobile Clubdifferential of Southern California actsinvolve as anpre-notifi agent for Pleasant ® applies to all treatments available on spa menu, excluding spa merchandise. Certain restrictions may apply. 4Kids stay free in same room as adults using existing spa discount Holidays . CST 1016202-80. © 2018 Automobile Club of Southern California. All Rights Reserved. bedding. Occupancy limits apply. 5Activity voucher does not apply to air/car only booking. Valid toward the purchase of a select optional activity. Not valid for hotel direct activity bookings. Minimum 5 night stay at participating AAA Vacations® properties required. Voucher is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. For all offers, unless otherwise indicated: Rates quoted are accurate at time of publication & are per person, based on double occupancy. Gratuities, transfers, excursions and, for non-air-inclusive offers, airfare, taxes, fees & surcharges, are additional. Advertised rates do not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking. Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, taxes, fees, surcharges, deposit, payment, cancellation terms/ conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise rates capacity controlled. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Rates may be subject to increase after full payment for increases in government-imposed taxes or fees and, except for air-inclusive offers, for supplier-imposed fees. Blackout dates & other restrictions may apply. As to Air-Inclusive Offers Only: Other restrictions may apply, including, but not limited to, baggage limitations & charges for first & second checked bag, standby policies & fees, non-refundable airfare/airline tickets, advance purchase requirements & supplier & airline-imposed change/cancellation fees up to & including the price of the fare plus any applicable fare differential (which may involve pre-notification deadlines). Air component of packaged offers may be non-refundable; refunds are subject to supplier & airline terms & conditions. Supplier & airline fees & policies may vary. Contact your supplier & ticketing airline for more information; for baggage fees & other details, see www.iflybags.com. Rates involving round trip air transportation for travel dates or from gateways other than those advertised may differ. Not responsible for errors or omissions. The Automobile Club of Southern California acts as an agent for Pleasant Holidays®. CST 1016202-80. © 2018 Automobile Club of Southern California. All Rights Reserved. 1

CALL: 661-288-5570 VISIT: AAA Travel Santa Clarita CALL: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 23770 Valencia xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx XxBlvd. VISIT: xxxxx XX XXXXX

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AU G U S T 19, 2018

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

TV Binging Fun

Great respites from ‘dog days’ of August By Michele E. Buttelman

t might be the “dog days” of August. You’re hot. You’re tired of being hot. Most of all you are very, very tired of “adulting.” The cure for the summertime “blahs” might just be a few hours binging on some entertainment “mind candy.” Find a quiet room (or a good set of headphones) and lock yourself away for a serious binge session in front of the A/C. Put out the “don’t disturb” sign and surround yourself with your favorite finger food, snacks and beverages (adult or otherwise.) Forget about the laundry, putting gas in the car and the grocery shopping. You need some mental health “me” time. Try a few of these binge-worthy series from a variety of subscription and on-demand platforms. Pick a genre that appeals to you and enjoy!

Comedy

There are dozens of popular comedies all worthy of binging the summer away. However, here are three that offer something different. “Fawlty Towers” Available on Netflix. Two seasons, 12 episodes total. Perhaps the funniest show ever made. British farce starring John Cleese as a haughty hotel owner involved in the lunacy that comes from running a small hotel. “Trailer Park Boys” Available on Netflix. Fourteen seasons, a Christmas special, one movie and assorted other specials. Follow the booze-fueled

antics of three longtime pals living in a Nova Scotia trailer park. “Episodes” Available on Netflix and Showtime. Five seasons. When successful British showrunners move to Los Angeles to remake their beloved British comedy for an American audience they find themselves in the strange land of Hollywood. A wonderful satire of what really goes on behind the scenes in LaLa Land.

Drama

“Call the Midwife” Available on Netflix. Six seasons. A period BBC drama about a group of nurse midwives working in the East End of London during the 1950s. “Sherlock” Available on Netflix. Four seasons. This stylish BBC update on Sherlock Holmes stars Benedict Cumberbatch.

Supernatural

“The Man in the High Castle” Available on Amazon Prime. Two seasons. This drama explores what it might be like if the Allies had lost WWII and Germany ruled the United States.

Dramady

“No Tomorrow” Available on Netflix. One season, 13 episodes. What would you do if you knew the world had an expiration date? What’s on your “apocalist”? This is a cute romcom with an amazing cast. “Orange is the New Black” Six seasons. A privileged New Yorker ends up in a women’s prison in this Emmy-winning series.

“Gilmore Girls” Available on Netflix. Seven seasons. A single mom and her gifted daughter tackle life.

Reality

“House Hunters International” Available on free HGTV app. Explore exotic locales and marvel at the tiny kitchens and bathrooms in European apartments. Be amazed at affordable beachfront living in the tropics. You can also explore other “House Hunters” series including the original “House Hunters” where people demand wood floors and stainless-steel appliances as they search for their perfect home in various locations in the United States, “House Hunters Family,” “House Hunters Renovation” and “House Hunters Outside the Box.” “Survivor” Available on Hulu 34 seasons. Available on Amazon Prime Season 1. Available on CBS All Access subscription service 36 seasons. Watch host Jeff Probst snuff the hopes and dreams of contestants as they are “voted off the island.” “The Amazing Race” Available on Hulu 29 seasons. Available on Amazon Prime 25 seasons. Available on CBS All Access subscription service 30 seasons. All-time winner of the most Emmy Awards for Best Reality Competition Series. Watch as contestants race around the world to earn a $1 million prize while learning about different cultures and people.

Sci-fi

“Lost in Space” Available on Netflix. One season, 10 episodes. Danger, Will Robinson! Updated remake of popular 1960’s sci-fi series. “Battlestar Galactica” Available on Hulu. Four seasons. The last surviving humans from the 12 Colonies of Man flee across the galaxy trying to escape the pursuing Cylons who are intent at exterminating all humans. “Star Trek” Available on Netflix. Three seasons. The original crew of the Starship Enterprise travel “where

Star Trek

no man has gone before.” This show was filmed in the 1960’s before stateof-the art special effects became the norm.

Paranormal

“Stranger Things” Available on Netflix two seasons. This Emmy nominated series will make you hear things go bump in the night. “Grimm” Available on Amazon Prime six seasons. Inspired by Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt finds himself tasked with keeping a balance between humans and the mythological creatures of the world. “Supernatural” Available on Netflix 13 seasons, 297 episodes. Brothers Sam and Dean Winchester investigate the paranormal as well as pick fights with all types of other worldly beings.

Documentary

“Wild Wild Country” Available on Netflix, six episodes. The true story of what happened when the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh relocates his ashram from Indian to Oregon in 1981. Truth is stranger than fiction. “Shot in the Dark: Life and Death in L.A.” Available on Netflix. If you saw the film “Nightcrawler” you’ll be interested to see the real-life version in this documentary that follows three rival “stringer” crews around Los Angeles. Keep the kids away from this one. Lots of on-scene carnage, but a fascinating look at what goes on while most of us are asleep. “The National Parks: American’s Best Idea” Available on Amazon Prime. This is a six-part, 12-hour documentary by Ken Burns that explores some of America’s most spectacular See BINGING, page 42

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

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

Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses to Debut New Band at Canyon Santa Clarita Aug. 25 By Stephen K. Peeples

teven Adler, Guns N’ Roses’ original hard-swinging drummer, will rock the Canyon Santa Clarita stage with a new band and celebrate the 30th-plus anniversary of GN’R’s monumental “Appetite for Destruction” album on Saturday night, Aug. 25. “I’ve got a new singer, brand-new band that kicks a--, some new songs, a new backdrop – a whole new show,” Adler said last weekend, calling from a mountaintop somewhere way out west. “My singer is an amazing guy from Buenos Aires named Ari Kamin,” Adler said. “Then we have Michael ‘Mr. T’ Thomas on lead guitar, AJ on rhythm guitar, Tanya O’Callaghan on bass and Steven Adler on drums. Dude, he’s [bleeping] good. I am SO looking forward to seeing him play!” Adler said the Steven Adler Band will play “some good old-fashioned Guns N’ Roses rock ’n’ roll and a little bit of Adler,” including songs from his latest album, “Back from the Dead.” “We’re going to start with ‘Reckless Life’ and play all the way through ‘You Could Be Mine,’

‘Civil War,’” he said. “And yes, of course we’re going to throw some Adler songs in there, like ‘Habit’ and ‘Good to be Bad,’ because they kick ass. That whole record kicks ass.” Guns N’ Roses’ notoriety has been well-documented, including Adler’s 2010 autobiography, “My Appetite for Destruction.” But in a nutshell, the classic lineup of Axl Rose (singer), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Adler formed in 1985, signed with Geffen Records in 1986, and released “Appetite for Destruction” in summer 1987. Their debut album topped the U.S. charts and has sold around 30 million copies worldwide. Adler developed a serious cocaine and heroin addiction and his bandmates fired him on July 11, 1990. He sued and settled out of court in 1993, reportedly receiving a $2.2 million back payment check and 15 percent of royalties for songs he recorded. It took Adler another 24 years to get sober. “My whole life changed when I stopped drinking and drugs,” he said. “It’s been four years, seven months and six days. A complete 180.

And there’s no looking back now.” Adler’s relationship with GN’R since has been off and on, to understate the obvious, but has improved since he’s cleaned up. He joined them for GN’R’s Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2012, and in 2016 sat in with the band on a few “Not in This Lifetime” tour dates in the States and South America, which is when he connected with his new singer. “I met Ari at a private show I did when I went to Argentina to play with GN’R, and I’m bringing him up here,” Adler said. As to what is now the 31st anniversary of “Appetite for Destruction,” recently reissued, “I still practice it every day, not because I have to, because I don’t have to,” he said. “I just love those songs. And 31 years later, [the reissue] is in the Billboard Top 10. I’m couldn’t be more proud of what the five of us did.” ***** Find the Canyon Santa Clarita on the ground floor of the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Get tickets at the box office 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, by phone at 888-645-5006, or via TicketMaster.com. For more info, visit www.

Steven Adler, original drummer of Guns N’ Roses.

WheremusicmeetstheSoul.com. Stephen K. Peeples is a Grammy-nominated record producer and award-winning radio producer and journalist based in the Santa Clarita Valley. He has covered the SCV music scene for local media since 2004. Contact him via stephenkpeeples.com. 

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Local ‘Gilligan’ musical written by TV show’s creator If the sold out shows at the Canyon Theatre Guild are any indication, then it seems there were many of us who sat around our television sets every week to watch the adventures of seven castaways who took a threehour tour and landed on a island … for a couple of years. “Gilligan’s Island: The Musical” is ending up it’s summer run on August 26 at Canyon Theatre Guild in downtown Newhall. It’s a familiar cast of characters including the Professor

and Mary Ann. The show was written by the original show’s creator, Sherwood Schwartz and his son. The music was written by Hope Juber and her husband. Directed by Ingrid Boydston, the musical follows the castaways antics as they try to survive each other and there never-ending quest to be rescued. The musical stars Garrett Carpenter (Gilligan), Josh Aran (Skipper), Jill Kocalis Scott (Ginger),

Kaitlyn Ruben (Mary Ann), Greg Hayes (the Professor), George Cummings (Thurston Howell), and Anna Rast (Lovey). The Canyon Theater Guild is already preparing for the upcoming Halloween season and will be performing “Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical” beginning September 22 and running through October 27. Tickets are now on sale at canyontheatre.org or by calling 661 799-2702. – Patti Rasmussen

Local cast of “Gilligan’s Island.”

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 29

The War Against Ants

By Michele E. Buttelman

t’s summer. In the Santa Clarita Valley we have another name for summer. Ant Season. As soon as the mercury starts to climb the ants start to invade. Cat food bowls, dishes left in the sink, an open box of Girl Scout cookies… if you leave it out, they will come. Many people with small children and pets are concerned about using harsh chemicals or insecticides to rid the home of pests. Others are interested in using “natural” earth-friendly means of subduing the invaders. Ask anyone, there are dozens of “sure-fire” home remedies in the war against ants. Among the most popular: Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon along entry point to keep ants away. Essential Oils: Use essential oils such as peppermint, lemongrass, citrus oil or tea tree oil to make an ant-repellent spray. The oils will disrupt the ant’s sense of smell which they use to communication with other ants. They will wander aimlessly around and then stop visiting your “smelly” house. Fill a small spray bottle with water and add 15 to 20 drops of the essential oil. Spray on ant trails. Vinegar: Try white vinegar and water. Mix a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and zap the ants with the spray. As a deterrent spray around doorways, windowsills and other ant entry points. Use of vinegar to clean floors, windows and countertops also works as a lasting deterrent to your ant problem. Ants are less likely to travel on surfaces where vinegar has been used. Diatomaceous earth: Food-grade diatomaceous earth (not the stuff that goes in your pool

filter) is an effective insecticide that doesn’t harm humans or pets. When insects walk on the powder tiny fossil shards scratch the ants causing their bodies to dry out and they die. Sprinkle the powder along your baseboards, windowsills, and around the perimeter of your house to kill ants. It is best to use a mask when handling diatomaceous earth. The powder isn’t harmful when ingested but the tiny particles can be hard on your lungs. Diatomaceous earth needs to stay dry. It becomes ineffective when it gets wet. Dish soap and water: Mix onepart dish soap and two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray ants on sight with the mixture. You can also set out shallow dishes of soapy water which acts as an insecticide as the ants come in contact with it as they seek sources of water. Dry Bay Leaves: Place an open container of bay leaves next to the goods in your pantry to keep the ants “at bay.” Comet or Ajax Cleanser: Powdered Ajax or Comet cleanser will keep ants from entering your home if sprinkled around entry points. Baking soda: Traps made with baking soda and powdered sugar in equal parts can lure ants to their doom. The baking soda kills the ants when their body chemistry reacts with the baking soda that is ingested with the sugar. In addition, this might also help kill ants in the nest, when the queen and other ants consume it. Cornmeal: Spread cornmeal where the ants will find it and carry it back to the nest for everyone to eat. Once eaten the cornmeal will swell inside the ants and they die. Saugus residents Jordana Capra and her husband, Jimm Newman have dealt with many ant invasions in the years they have lived in the SCV. However, this year Capra described the ant problem as one of the worst years for ants she can remember. “We have lived in this house for 26 years and every summer it gets hot outside and the ants come inside. We expect it,” she said. “We use spray, the drops of goo that they take back to the nest and kill the nest. We’ve tried chalk and all the home remedies that people use and this year nothing worked. This year has been some kind of ant Armageddon.”

YOURHOME

However well-intentioned there often comes a time when natural remedies are ineffective, are overwhelmed or stop working. For Capra this year’s ant invasion needed a serious solution. Her husband dug a trough around the house using a hose on a power wash setting to create a small moat in the soil. The trough was filled with water and Spectracide Bug Stop was poured into the trough followed by more water to encourage the Bug Stop to work its way into the ground. There are times, however, when you need professional help. It is often worth the price to have a professional solve your ant problem for you. They know where to look for the ants and they have the experience to find where the ants are getting into your house. Sometimes it is best to put your own ego aside, concede that the ants have bested you and bring in the hired guns. K.C. Plum, owner of First Response Pest Control in Saugus, said ants typically start their home invasion maneuvers at the end of June or early July. “That is when the flood of ants gets really bad,” he said. “I will typically start getting 10-15 calls a day.” Plum said it is important to identify the source of the ant infestation and then use the appropriate products to eliminate the colony. “We use non-repellent pesticides to get rid of ants because most over-the-counter products are ant repellants,” he said. “It will kill on contact and drive the ants away, but unfortunately the repellents don’t work that well. It just pushes the ants into another location.” You might get rid of ants in the kitchen, but soon find they have only moved to the bathroom or the living room. In addition, most repellants only last for a day or two and then need to be reapplied, which makes it seem like a never-ending battle between you and the ants. Whatever method works best know that you are not alone in your war with ants. The ants are here, everyone to your battle stations! 

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K I D S & FA M I LY

Back-to-school lunch ideas

ack-to-school time means it’s back to being busy before, during and after school, so it’s time for parents and kids to create new routines. From early wake-up calls to shuttling kids to school and activities, ease the morning mayhem by incorporating a simple meal-planning strategy. As a parent, look for fresh, make-ahead options your kids will enjoy. Serve up lunchbox love by mixing up the classic sandwich with a spin on sushi in this Bento Box Lunch recipe. It’s a creative way to deliver nutritious, wholesome ingredients that will make the whole lunchroom drool. Plus, it’s something you can take for lunch too. No matter what meals you’re prepping, a store like ALDI can be your solution for packing tasty and better-for-you choices for lunches and on-the-go snacks. For more recipes and meal prepping ideas, visit aldi.us.

w it h ic k ne ss . Top mth h c n -i /8 sl ic e s to 1 a nd c uc u A lmonds rd , avo c ado a d e st c u li S m e v y, e ro w it h pla stu rk thern G li nder, w rap separated y c d n to a 1/4 cup Sou d in le ll ee o p b er. R n oranges, a lf. es 2 mandari ed Cranberri a nd c ut in h ri p D ra ve w ro c G ti n ther 1/4 c up Sou ns, sliced me d iu m s green onio e ch n u o a S a lad : In b ve Oil in li u 3 O Q e re k u a P i m ond s, orrlin To qu inoa , a lm teaspoon Ca e e in st b 1 ta m o to c , , a l, n s a nd ss a lt b ow taste s, g re en on io il l Iodized S y of Chef Aly ie es to em , rt rr n e u er b to p co n S p e e ra P ip c lt a nd ck Rec a nge s, ta ste w it h sa en l Ground Bla il ch to it n em K n t so a to es S T se I ; A LD olive oil 0 minutes Prep time: 1 p e pp er. 30 minutes Cook time: me d iu m minutes li, chopped li S a lad : In o 0 o c 4 c c : c e ro ro m b B ti d s l a e d e k ta n h a d s, c ra no To 1 la rge e Sliced A lm es To m mbine bro c c oli, a lmon v ro G 4 n s: er g th in a son to Ser v b ow l, c o 1/4 c up Sou n Grove Dried Cranberri d yog u rt ; se n a e c u sa y er th b err ie s, so 1/4 cup Sou a Soy Sauce si e pp er. u F n t o fa o n sp Toss tea ta ste w it h p il la No n 1 r a u V o s Y mon Apple s: rm ck a a o n F n K in ly C d re e u en k at ri a n aplyN To m 1/2 cup F ju ic e a nd c in m 7 Grain n iu 4 slices Sim o d o m S le w o h L it d rt e w st nd w rap proute apple s Greek Yog u Pepper, to ta w ic h ba gs a k d c n Sprouts Off S la sa B d in n e u c ro mon . Pla Stonemil l G Bread ever A ny! N te a M ch un tig htly. of “Su sh i 4 slices L a l a mou nts u q e e iz n a li S a lad O rg w Musta rd lad , Bro c c o a lo Turkey S el a Y o ’s d in n e u a ic Q sl te b en” , n Burm Smit h apple ice Roll s, na mon Apple s in se pa ra y n Ju n 1 t easpoo n o ra G em L r 1 o, sliced re’s Necta a nd Cin y1/2 a vocad ments . lespoon Natu namon into 3-inch-b ab in t t C u c d , n 1 er u b ro m ox c ompa rt G b u l c il u to c em i n in to S m 1 1 teaspoon tures  ks – Family Fea om 1/4-inch st ic fr st ru c m ri ushi Roll”: T d To ma ke “S roll out brea , in p g in ll ro g n uinoa, bread. Usi re Orga nic Q tu a N ly p im 1 cup S c o ok e d

ch Bento Box Lun

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“Sushi Roll”

ppl e s : Ci n n a m o n A

Q u i n o a S al a

AU G U S T 19, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

K I D S & FA M I LY

Mormor’s Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce By Donna Erickson

hat’s in your refrigerator right now? Mine is in a bit of disarray with the basics -- milk, eggs, yogurt, condiments, a few nondescript leftovers, half a watermelon and wilting arugula. Now, if you open Nancy Nyberg’s fridge door in Naperville, Illinois, you eye her delectable homemade fudge sauce in neatly stacked jars in the back corner. Any day, month or year. No wonder her four grandkids think she is the sweetest grandmother ever. Her signature “Heavenly Hot Fudge Sauce,” which she has been making for 20 years, is now affectionately renamed “Mormor’s Hot Fudge” (“mormor” is Swedish for “grandmother”).

Granddaughter Paige, 9, makes it with Nancy to sell annually at a country fair by their summer place in Bethany Beach, Michigan. “She learns how to measure, pour and stir until the sauce is ‘just right,’” says Nancy. There’s a bit of finance that goes into the mix, too. “We shop together and figure out how much each jar should sell for to cover costs, with enough left over to give to a nonprofit project. We have fun learning and cooking together. It’s really more about the relationship-building with my granddaughter than the fudge sauce,” she says. Here’s the recipe to make 1 quart of hot fudge sauce with steps to involve school-age kids.

HOT FUDGE SAUCE • • • • • •

4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate bar (in the baking section of your market) 1/2 cup unsalted butter 3 cups sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 12-fluid-ounce can evaporated milk 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Let kids break up chocolate and place in the top of a double boiler with the butter. Stir until melted together. Add salt. 2. Stir in sugar gradually, making sure it is completely blended before making another addition. Mixture will become very thick and dry. Stir in evaporated milk, a little at a time. (Shake the can well before adding.) Continue to cook about 10 minutes to blend the flavors and dissolve the sugar. 3. An adult should remove from the heat and set on a trivet. Add vanilla and stir. Serve warm over ice cream. TIP: To store in containers: Pour into a quart-size measuring cup with spout and pour into storage containers such as Mason jars. Keep refrigerated. ***

Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday. com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  ©2018 Donna Erickson

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FOODSTUFF

Pop Up Sweet Treats Try these do-it-yourself snacks

hen the weather is warm and it’s time for a sweet treat, look for seasonal goodies that complement summertime fun. For example, reach for an option like whole-grain, fluffy and crisp popcorn which can be an easy, DIY snack.

Combine sweet and salty flavors to create something delicious to devour like Down Home Apple Pie Popcorn. To better serve a crowd, try these Perfect Picnic Popcorn Squares, Popcorn S’mores or Key Lime Popcorn Clusters at your next family pool party or summertime barbecue with friends. For more creative, DIY popcorn recipe ideas, visit popcorn.org.

DOWN HOME APPLE PIE POPCORN Yield: 10 cups 3 1 2 1 1/8 1/8 8

tablespoons melted butter teaspoon vanilla extract tablespoons brown sugar teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon ground allspice teaspoon ground nutmeg cups popped popcorn

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bits start to melt. Cool before serving. Tip: Add chopped pecans for extra crunch.

KEY LIME POPCORN CLUSTERS Yield: about 32 clusters

1 cup dried apple chips, broken into large pieces 1/4 cup toffee bits

Heat oven to 300 F. Whisk melted butter with vanilla. Toss brown sugar with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Toss popcorn with butter mixture. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar mixture. Stir. Transfer to baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle apple chips and toffee bits over top. Bake 15 minutes, or until toffee

L CHÊNE e French Cuisine

8 cups popped popcorn 4 whole graham crackers, finely chopped, divided 1 jar (7 1/2 ounces) marshmallow creme 1/4 cup butter or margarine 2 tablespoons grated lime peel 1 tablespoon key lime juice

Line 9-inch square pan with foil. In large bowl, combine popcorn and all but 2 tablespoons graham cracker pieces. In large glass bowl, microwave marshmallow creme and butter on high 1 minute. Stir until butter is melted. Stir in

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AU G U S T 19, 2018

lime peel and lime juice. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn, mixing thoroughly. Using damp hand, firmly press mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle with reserved graham cracker pieces. Refrigerate 2 hours until firm. Lift foil from pan. Break popcorn mixture into clusters.

PERFECT PICNIC POPCORN SQUARES Yield: 12 squares 1 1/2 1/2 1 3/4 8

cup light corn syrup cup sugar cup brown sugar cup reduced-fat peanut butter cup raisins cups air-popped popcorn nonstick cooking spray

In large saucepan, combine corn syrup, sugar, brown sugar and peanut butter. Bring to boil over low heat, stirring constantly; boil 2-3 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat. In large bowl, combine raisins and popcorn; pour hot mixture over popcorn and toss carefully with wooden spoons until well-coated. Spray 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray; press popcorn mixture into pan and cool completely. Cut into squares and serve.

POPCORN S’MORES Yield: 20 pieces

1 1/2 1/2 1/2 10 1 2 1

cup firmly packed light brown sugar cup (1 stick) butter or margarine cup corn syrup teaspoon baking soda cups freshly popped popcorn package (10 1/2 ounces) miniature marshmallows cups mini graham cookies cup chocolate chips

In medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook over high heat 5 minutes; remove from heat and stir in baking soda. In large bowl, combine popcorn and marshmallows. Pour sugar mixture over popcorn to coat. Gently stir in graham cookies and chocolate chips. Spread mixture evenly into greased 15-by-10-inch pan. Let cool completely. Break into pieces. – Family Features 

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R E S TA U R A N T P R O F I L E

Old school Mexican, new school vegan at La Charrita By Michelle Sathe

a Charrita Restaurant is full of surprises. What appears on the outside to be a tiny joint in a modest strip mall in Newhall is actually a festive, family-run restaurant with a bright, open interior. There are colorful accents on the wall and the tables, cheerful music overhead and a Spanish speaking TV station playing in the corner. It’s a place where you quickly feel at home, where the service is friendly and the prices are fair. The menu is a mashup of traditional favorites brought over from Mexico by owners Fernando and Elena Gonzales, who have been in the restaurant business for more than a quarter century. Of course, you’ll find beloved Mexican dishes at La Charrita like menudo, pozole, tamales, enchiladas, burritos, and tostadas. On the seafood side, there are ceviche tostadas, cocktails, and soups, plus grilled shrimp and fish plates. Horchata and Jamaica The truly unexpected touch here is a focus on vegan options, courtesy of daughter and co-owner Lupe Meza, who wanted to share a love of plant-based food with her customers. What’s even more amazing is how delicious these dishes are and the incredibly beautiful presentation La Charrita’s small kitchen lovingly adds to each. Take the roasted sopes veganos de soyrizo coliflor ($8.50). Roasted cauliflower, the “It” vegetable of the moment, has the perfect amount of char. It’s tossed with spicy soybased “chorizo” and set atop a thick, crisp fried cornmeal disc layered with delectably creamy refried beans and “cheese.” A bit of cabbage is sprinkled on the cauliflower for crunch and color. It’s a feast for the eyes and the senses. Then there’s the al pastor jackfruit tacos ($2.75 a la carte or $7.95 for three). The jackfruit tastes just like well-cooked, shredded chicken, complete with a meaty essence and

Vegan tacos. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SATHE

crispy edges. The taco is drizzled with a luscious chipotle crema and showered with pico de gallo on a double layered corn tortilla. Wow. If you are a carnivore who doubts you could ever like vegan food, this taco will make you a believer. It’s as satisfying as any meat taco and the best vegan dish I’ve ever had. For a more piquant, vegetal experience, try the tacos de nopalitos ($2.75 a la carte or $7.95 for three). Cactus is sautéed with chunks of tomato and onion, then layered with cilantro, cabbage, and red pepper. It’s a unique, refreshingly light taco that really hits the spot on a hot summer day. If you ask nicely, La Charrita will make you a papas con rajas taco a la carte or as part of a taco trio (it’s not officially on the menu). The filling is mixture of rich, tender potatoes and

Cauliflower sopes

aromatic onions topped with more of that fab spicy crema. Meat lovers can’t go wrong with the Carne Charrita ($13.95), sautéed steak with bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, and bacon, with a side of See LA CHARRITA, page 42

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PROFILE

DAVID JEFFERY: Success story from ‘the business’ By Michele E. Buttelman

life had taken a different direction.” During their time in Singapore his father documented the life of world renowned Batik artist Seah Kim Joo. While the family lived in Singapore his father entertained the family on Sunday nights by showing silent films and animated short subjects. “I got hooked at that early age and was fascinated by the technology of the projector and the cameras,” he said. Jeffery’s father was transferred back to New Jersey shortly before he started kindergarten.

avid Jeffery is among the legions of Santa Clarita Valley residents employed behind the scenes in “the business.” It is likely many reading this article have enjoyed the results of his creative labors. His industry credits include 12 years as a producer for the popular Fox Television crime procedural “Bones.” He is the only producer who actively worked on all 246 episodes of the one-hour drama from 2005 until the show ended in 2017. A resident of Valencia since 2010 Jeffery moved to the SCV upon recommendation of executive and colleague Gary Hall, former SeJeffery was 13 when the family came to Southnior vice President of Post for 20th Century Fox ern California on vacation in the mid-1970’s. Television. His legendary great uncle, (on his mother’s side) “I was living in Burbank and started to look at George “Bullets” Durgom, lived in Los Angeles other places to live and it was suggested I look in and was a successful manager with clients such Valencia and I found a magnificent house,” he as Jackie Gleason, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis said. “I looked at other places but I kept coming Jr. and Hanna-Barbera. back to look at the Valencia house so I bought it.” Durgom arranged VIP studio tours at UniNot only did Jeffery find a new house in Valenversal Studios and Walt Disney Studios for the cia, in 2015, he met former CNN anchor Bella family. Shaw via Facebook. They are engaged and will Because of his father’s influence the young Jefmarry next year. fery had been making his own movies for years His prolific television castarring his friends, but when he reer includes work on “The was able to visit a real HollyExorcist,” “Queen of the “WHEN I’M wood sound stage and back lot South,” “Prison Break,” “Milhe knew what he wanted to do W O R K I N G O N A lennium” and “Walker, Texas for the rest of his life. S H O W I WATC H Ranger.” “I remember I was able to IT WITH A VERY go onto a set. I was amazed by the sound stages and I thought, CRITICAL EYE. ‘I want to do this for a living,’” Jeffery was born in SumSOMETIMES WE he said. “After we returned to mit, N.J. and has one sister, H AV E TO WATC H New Jersey I got more into the a former IBM executive. His A SHOW FRAME arts and theater and read a lot parents (his father was an of short stories and I continued Exxon Oil chemical engineer BY F R A M E .” making my own movies.” and executive working in the International Division), were living in Tokyo when his mother became pregnant. She flew back to the U.S. to give birth As a teen Jeffery submitted his films to teento Jeffery. age film festivals. Some of his films won awards, “The joke in our family was that I was ‘made such as “Still Running,” which earned him a in Japan,’” he said. scholarship to NYU Film School. Jeffery was 3 when the family moved to Jeffery was interviewed by Haig Maoogian, a Singapore. professor and mentor of many filmmakers most “My first memories are of life in Singapore,” notably film director Martin Scorsese. he said. “There weren’t 200 plus channels of tele“I was very impressed by him,” Jeffery said. vision like we have now. My father was a collec“He talked about how the school would teach tor of silent movies and an amateur film docuthe skills necessary for one to become an indie mentarian. He loved to make movies. I think he filmmaker. I love New York City so when I was might have pursued a career in the industry if his accepted I decided to attend NYU. I graduated

That ‘aha’ moment

Living abroad

NYU

David Jeffery with a poster for ‘Girl #2’ that he produced and directed. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON

with a BFA in film and TV production.”

Working as an NBC page

“When I got out of school I thought I would start my career in New York,” Jeffery said. “Unfortunately, it was a time in the business when everybody felt New York City was too expensive. I was working in industrials and commercials and I interned for “Entertainment Tonight.” Jeffery was interested in television and film work but such work was hard to come by. Instead he found a position as a page at NBC. “I’m glad I did because I made a lot of contacts and ultimately when I moved to Burbank the NBC office helped me get my first job in Los Angeles and I’m forever grateful,” he said. While working as a page in New York Jeffery worked “Saturday Night Live” and “The David Letterman Show.” “I was around ‘NBC Nightly News’ and I’ve seen ‘SNL’ countless times,” he said. “I have great memories of seeing a lot of amazing musical artists live.”

AU G U S T 19, 2018

Jeffery said he didn’t realize at the time the doors that would open because of his stint as a page. “It was a great experience. I made a lot of contacts and those contacts were very good to me and really helped me get my feet on the ground in Southern California,” he said.

Moving to L.A.

Jeffery moved to Los Angeles in 1990 with two bags and a one-way ticket. “I knew moving out here that I would need to take the first job offered me so I could get my foot in the door,” he said. Through a connection at NBC, Jeffery landed a job at a talent management company. Soon after he found work as a production assistant on a new hit series, “Family Matters.” Eventually, he wound up working as a “floater” around the 20th Century Fox lot where he learned about different departments and made many contacts that would influence his career.

Post production

In 1995, Jeffery was given the chance to be a post-production supervisor on “Walker Texas Ranger.” This started a post career, where Jeffery was able to quickly move up to associate producer, co-producer and producer. He currently works on “Queen of the South” which airs on USA Network. “Working on ‘Bones’ was a great experience,” Jeffery said. “It was a great group of people and a great training ground. I’ve been very fortunate.” Jeffery said many people don’t understand the mechanics of the entertainment business. “I tell people there are three stages to any

Jeffery with his book collection including a book on ‘Jaws,’ his favorite film.

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

production, pre-production, production and post production,” he said. “I oversee post production.” His job responsibilities include overseeing the editorial team, along with the showrunner (the person who has overall creative authority and management responsibility for a television program). “I hire all the outside vendors, like those responsible for visual effects and schedule the post production process,” Jeffery said. “I also oversee all the costs of post-production.” In addition, Jeffery is the last person to view the finished product before a show is shipped to the network. “The post production supervisor and I do quality a control pass to make sure that all the visual effects are correct, the titles are in, everything is color corrected and the audio has been laid in,” he said. “When I’m working on a show I watch it with a very critical eye. Sometimes we have to watch a show frame by frame.”

Indie films

In addition to his television work Jeffery is focusing on his indie film career. He is the producer of “Girl #2” a short horror film he also directed. The film, released in 2016, has played successfully on the film festival circuit garnering several awards including: 2016 Bram Stoker International Film Festival Best Short; FANtastic Horror Film Festival, San Diego 2017 Best Short Film Goriest Film; Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival 2016 Best in Category Best of Festival; Los Angeles Horror Competition 2017 Diamond Award Best Short; Nightmares Film Festival 2017 Best Horror Comedy Short and One-Reeler Short Film Competition 2018 Award of Excellence. Official selection of Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada. When “Girl #2” was shown at a Los Angeles film festival Jeffery was able to see his movie at the historic Mann’s Chinese Theater. “It was a thrill to see it on the big screen,” he said. Jeffery produced and co-directed the feature documentary, “Lesson Plan -The Story of the Third Wave,” (2011). The film won the 2011 CINE Competition Golden Eagle award and the 2011 SoHo International Film Festival Best

Showcase Feature Film. “I am proud of that project, it was made for no money. It was a labor of love,” he said.

Under the sea

Despite his hectic schedule Jeffery is an avid scuba diver who became certified in 2009 and enjoys diving off the coast of Southern California exploring shipwrecks and discovering the variety of sea life. “I love it. Diving is a great sport,” he said. “It relaxes me. When you get to about 100 feet below it forces you to relax and breathe calmly. It is very good therapy for someone like me who works in a stressful industry.” Because of his busy workload his diving adventures have been mostly limited to waters off of Southern California and Cabo San Lucas. His diving “wish” list includes the Great Barrier Reef, the Maldives and a chance to dive with Great White sharks. “I have such respect for those fascinating creatures and I think they have been very maligned by popular entertainment,” he said. Jeffery’s appreciation of Great White sharks mirrors his admiration for the movie “Jaws.” “I just love ‘Jaws.’ Good horror films engage the audience. When they work they put you See PROFILE, page 37

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NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY

A SECOND WIND

The pursuit of happiness

urpose has been on my mind lately. Maybe continuing to receive mailed reminders that I’ll soon be eligible for Medicare prompts me to pause and take stock. I remember decades ago sitting in the back seat of our car, a new mom with an infant by my side, questioning whatever happened to my lofty dreams of being a journalist, an actor, a dancer. There I sat, a suburban housewife dutifully wiping spit-up off my dress. I feared I had settled for mediocrity. Not that I wasn’t overjoyed to be a mom. It’s a blessing, and no one can argue that procreating isn’t a noble calling. Biologists would call it an evolutionary imperative. Still, I questioned the trajectory of my life and its purpose. That deep, cosmic question: What are we supposed to be doing here? Some argue that our purpose is to achieve happiness. Certainly Thomas Jefferson, in drafting the Declaration of Independence, thought it was important. “The pursuit of happiness” is the most famous phrase in its preamble. John Locke, from whom Jefferson borrowed the phrase, states in his essay “Concerning Human Understanding” that “The necessity of pursuing happiness [is] the foundation of liberty.” The pursuit of happiness has been woven into the fabric of our country from its earliest inception. Of course, “pursuit” is the operative word here. We’re not guaranteed happiness; we just have the freedom to give it a go.

WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

But if our purpose is to achieve happiness, how do we define it? Is it the pursuit of personal pleasure? Is it to work hard to achieve the American Dream, a lifestyle of comfort and prosperity? Happiness in America has certainly aligned itself with consumerism. Remember the bumper sticker—He who dies with the most toys wins? We buy and accumulate more stuff than any country in the world. There are more self-storage facilities in America than there are McDonald’s restaurants. Interestingly though, reports on happiness suggest that happiness does not correlate with wealth. According to this year’s World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country followed by Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. The U.S. dropped to 18th this year, down 4 spots from last year. What predicts happiness more than living with accumulated wealth is living in a country with low levels of corruption and

By Mary Petersen

violence, trust in public officials and policies, and strong family bonds. There is another idea about happiness that Jefferson was familiar with—the ancient Greek Stoic perspective. It is said that Jefferson had a copy of Stoic philosopher Seneca’s book on his nightstand when he died. The Stoic philosophy maintains that happiness derives from active devotion to the public good and from civic virtue. Most likely this idea of happiness was equally present in Jefferson’s mind as he wrote his famous phrase. As history has revealed, however, this virtuous view of happiness never became as irresistibly captivating to citizenry as pursuing personal pleasure.

DOING FOR OTHERS

Stoicism maintains that the only true good for human beings is the pursuit of virtue and that the greatest happiness is doing for others. It claims that there are actions we can take to achieve peace such as regulating how we perceive hardships, facing our obstacles and learning from them, being aware of our impulses, and realizing the short, transient nature of life. I know. It sounds like way too much work, right? No wonder this version of happiness never caught on. Can’t I just buy a boat instead? You’d have to be the Dalai Lama to live this way. Speaking of the Dalai Lama, he says that “the purpose of life is to be happy.” So there we are again, back to the pursuit of happiness (sigh). Ralph Waldo Emerson, transcendentalist extraordinaire, says that “the purpose of life is not to be happy.” There—finally, an interesting contrary position. But he’s just being witty and ironic to trick us. Emerson proclaims that the purpose of life “is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” He makes it sound so noble, so appealing. There’s the trick. I’m inspired to become useful, compassionate, and honorable, to make a difference in others’ lives, and without my knowing it, I get happy in the process. I can already feel the peaceful glow settling in. So here I sit in the back seat of our car, thirty-two years later, an infant grandson by my side, wiping spitup from my shirt, and reveling in the beauty, the joy, and the purpose of my life. Mary Petersen is a retired COC English Instructor and 30 year SCV resident. 

Designation of Aug. 21 as special day keeps issue of elder care in forefront By Martha Michael

anta Clarita may have bragging rights for building and maintaining a senior-friendly climate, but on August 21 the entire country can participate in celebrating older adults on “National Senior Citizens Day.” In 1988, President Ronald Reagan established National Senior Citizens Day to support and honor older adults and to recognize what they contribute to their fellow Americans. The former president said, “We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older – places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.” According to the Administration on Aging, hundreds of thousands of older adults are the victims of neglect, abuse or exploitation every year. Those offenses include lack of food, abandonment, and sometimes physical injury. Entire families are affected by such issues as the health care and financial stability of their elder members. “National Senior Citizens Day is a celebration to recognize contributions given by those who set the groundwork allowing our nation to be a world leader,” said Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D. “Joining ‘The Greatest Generation’ as senior citizens are ‘baby boomers,’ being the fastest and largest growing part of our population. Unfortunately, we must also recognize the dire straits some of them face in poverty and homelessness that has caught up with them as they moved into retirement and their senior years.” As a local geriatric specialist, Dr. Dorio regularly voices concern for issues that threaten the wellness of older adults. “Creative ideas must flow for affordable housing, senior-friendly compatible homes, reasonably priced medication distribution, nutritious food programs, tax breaks (especially residential), and low-cost glasses, dental work, and hearing aids,” Dr. Dorio said. “We can do this on a local level in the Santa Clarita Valley, but it will require leadership from those who care and want to make a difference.” One local church made the care of older adults a priority when Debbie Walker of Santa Clarita found her calling meeting the needs of older adults. “A few years ago, I found my heart really being drawn to this group of people,” said Walker, the pastor of senior care at The Sanctuary Church in Newhall. “I’m realizing the smallest gestures mean so much for them.” Walker believes there are several reasons the senior age group tends to be neglected, including the fact that we are living longer. “Sometimes these seniors are outliving their own children,” she said. “And sometimes they’re single, never been married and never had children, so they don’t have someone to care for them. We just forget – we’re so busy with our lives, doing what we need

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 37

SENIORLIVING to do – that there’s a population of people that need a touch.” Walker arranges a monthly vacuuming for an 88-year-old friend who can’t handle the physicality of it anymore. “He does have kids who live near him and do things for him, but they can’t do everything,” she said. “It’s a lot when you’re trying to manage your own household and your parent’s household.” To honor older friends and relatives on National Senior Citizens Day, Walker suggests giving them a sense of purpose by tapping into their greatest gift, which you get by listening. “They don’t have the physical ability to do what they’ve always done, but they do have a voice,” she said. “Metaphorically speaking, I get buckets full of valuable insight and their experiences, what they’ve done and gone through, and I can learn from that. That is the biggest thing – understanding they do have something to offer.”

Activities for local seniors Senior housing communities have

an opportunity to engage older adults in meaningful activities, uniting them around common interests. National Senior Citizens Day is on the radar at FountainGlen at Valencia, a three-story, 242-unit apartment community, where residents can look forward to special activities planned for the end of the month. They are hosting Spirit Week themes, including “Crazy Hair Day,” and culminating in a Senior Prom on August 31. “Seniors can bring family and friends, and some will bring caregivers or bring their daughters, so they aren’t attending alone,” said Ashley Mosdale, the assistant manager at FountainGlen at Valencia. There’s a long list of recreation and socializing opportunities at Belcaro Valencia, a community for homeowners age 55 and up. There are biking groups, walking groups, book clubs, exercise classes, aqua fitness, strength and stability classes, therapeutic classes, and Be Fit classes, according to Lisa Henley, who moved into Belcaro a few years ago. There is a men’s club and a women’s club, plus gender-specific poker

PROFILE

Continued from page 35

into a realistic environment that turns into a horrific environment,” he said. Jeffery said “Jaws” is a film that still “works” 43 years after it was first released. “The opening scene in ‘Jaws’ is one of the greatest hooks in American cinema,” he said. “You cannot take your eyes away from the screen. It’s an amazing piece of filmmaking.” Jeffery is an associate member of the Magic Castle and also has a love of aviation. “When I had a birthday a few years ago I treated myself to a private flying lesson and really enjoyed it,” he said. “I am fascinated with aircraft and I’ve never had a fear of flying.”

Film influences

Jeffery lists his film making influences as Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, William Wilder, David Lean, Alfred Hitchcock, James Wan, and Guillermo Del Toro. “My favorite film is ‘Jaws.’ It is the film that really made me want to

become a filmmaker. I was really impacted by the audience reaction to ‘Jaws.’ I saw how the audience went crazy and I wanted to know how that worked,” he said. Jeffery said he was also influenced by one-hour drama television shows. “They were like mini movies and I wanted to get into that world and I eventually did,” he said.

Good advice

Jeffery’s advice for those starting out in the business is to “take any job or internship where you can to get your foot in the door and find opportunities where you can network. No job is too little or beneath anyone. Humility, confidence and hard work goes a long way in this business.” “It’s truly all about relationships, which take time to develop,” he said. “A friend of mine in the New York film business, says sometimes it takes 20 years to become an overnight sensation.” 

groups. Residents can play a number of games, including Mah Jongg, canasta, bunco, bocce and pickleball. There are also individual social events from singles dinners and happy hour to line dancing, swing dancing and family bingo. Excursions are planned for Belcaro residents, as well. Sunrise at Sterling Canyon, a senior assisted living community in Valencia, doesn’t have anything planned specifically for National Senior Citizens Day, but there are ongoing efforts to encourage intergenerational activities. They host events that include such features as barbecues and bounce houses, which draw kids and families to interact with older adults. “We have activity requirements, and one is an intergenerational requirement, bonding younger people with older,” explained Tristan Garcia, activities and volunteer coordinator at Sunrise at Sterling. “Seniors can share their experiences with the younger generation, teach

Located adjacent to the retirement community Friendly Valley, The Sanctuary reaches out to seniors who live nearby. A few years ago, the church invited seniors to a luncheon and gave backpacks filled with emergency supplies to all who attended.

them about life experiences. And when it comes to certain things, like technology – seniors are almost afraid of that – younger people can share what comes easy to them.” 

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H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

FLOATING: A 75 Minute Vacation By Michelle Sathe

ometimes I feel like I can never truly get away from it all. The cell phone with its constant dings and buzzes. The laptop with a million emails awaiting my response. The dogs that anxiously await a walk, a meal, or some affection. The neighbors at my condo complex, all with busy, noisy lives of their own, just a thin wall away. While I fantasize about tropical beach vacations constantly, even those can be stressful with the planning, the expense, and the getting there. So, it was a godsend to find a true escape just a few miles from home. The Elevate Float Center in Newhall offers two floatation tanks for a 75-minute descent into an ethereal world with absolutely no distractions. Also known as sensory deprivation, there is no light, no sound, just a pitch black inner sanctum where your body is as buoyant as a sailboat on a warm, tranquil sea. First, you enter Elevation Float’s Zen-like stone lobby, with sleek touches of stainless steel, and are given a quick yet thorough orientation on what you’re about to experience. There’s a set of sturdy earplugs, a squeeze bottle of clean water, and a small yellow foam “noodle” involved. The first is mandatory, the second two items are optional in case you get saline water in your eyes and need additional neck support during the float. Listen to the guidance carefully

and you won’t need either. The whole goal is to settle into the water slowly and get into a comfortable position, then stay there. There are 10 inches of body temperature water infused with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt to keep you afloat up to the perimeter of your face. A quick shower is required before entering the large, square tank sans clothes (a bathing suit would be a distraction from your body acclimating with the water). There’s a beautiful open stone shower in the tank room, complete with a soft, rainfall nozzle and a selection of spa quality hair and skin toiletries. Stepping into the tank, my first thought was that the water was perfect (it’s heated to the same degree as human body temperature, approximately 98.6 degrees). I laid down slowly and closed the door, which has no locks and can be pushed open at any time. Some comforting, New Age music played for the first few minutes. Then…nothing. It can be a bit eerie at first being plunged into total, silent darkness. 75

touched the tank super lightly, with about the pressure of a feather, to do a little spin or turned just the tiniest bit around to feel a wonderful spinning sensation. I giggled again. The new age music came back, a cue that the float was ending. I emerged from the tank into the softly lit room completely relaxed. My mind was devoid of the usual chatter, my body light, my spirit mellow, like I just had a great massage and a long nap. That feeling stayed with me for hours, until I went to bed and had a very sound sleep. It continued well into the next morning, when things that would usually annoy or stress me out just didn’t.

minutes may seem daunting, if you have an active “monkey” brain like mine. I had to psych myself out a bit by breathing deeply and focusing on pleasant sensations rather than my random thoughts. I was told during the orientation that there comes a point where you can’t figure out where the water ends and your body Kevin Carter opened Elevate Float Center in 2015, inspired by a float begins. That happened he’d taken after an injury. about 10 minutes in, once “When I went in I could barely walk. I fell asleep in the tank and when I got my arms into a goalI came out, my knee didn’t hurt anymore. I was in a great mood and more relaxed than I had ever been in my life,” Carter said. “I felt so good after post position near my face that I wanted other people to be able to experience the same thing.” and let my legs just drift to Elevate Float Center features custom made tanks that are among the the sides a bit. largest in the industry. The tank is filled with ten inches of water and Suddenly, everything 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, which provides the buoyancy. The water is just melded into one and continuously filtered down to 1 micron, which is smaller than a skin cell. I was free of the pain that Benefits of floating include: sometime haunts my hips, • Helps lower blood pressure and heart rate of the pressure on my feet, • Helps relieve back, neck, joint, and chronic pain, as well as arthritis the twinge in my neck. I • Helps with stress, headaches (including migraines), stress, jet lag, and insomnia was completely and utterly • Helps accelerate healing and rejuvenates skin and hair weightless, what I imag• Draws out toxins and lactic acid ine an astronaut feels out in space, but without the Floating also helps with enhancing physical and cognitive performance, which is great for athletes. The Golden State Warriors used fear of an unknown unifloatation tanks weekly during their 2016 NBA championship season. verse hurtling by. It was like being enveloped by the softest, warmest, fluffiest I left something behind in that mattress imaginable. water, a certain heaviness and weary I giggled at the joy of it. At times, my mind would fixate on worldview that I tend to carry around. When either comes back, I’ll head to something going on in the outside world or I would get a little itch on my Elevate Float. Actually, I may not wait that long. face that I was tempted to scratch unAfter all, a great vacation spot becktil I remembered that salt water was not something I wanted to get close to ons from only a few miles away and costs just $65 a trip. my eyes. Elevate Float Center, 2304 Lyons So, I just started breathing in a Avenue, Suite 102B, Newhall. First rhythmic pattern and told myself time floats are $49. Float packages are these things would pass. They did. Then I was back to bliss, falling asleep also available. For more information, several times until my body would visit www.elevatefloatcenter.com or twitch, causing the water to ripple. I call (661) 678-0061. 

About Floating

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GARDENING

Some of the best plants for SCV gardens By Jane Gates

Okay. Maybe this isn’t the best title since there is quite a range of what can be defined as “best”. But I want you to have an idea of what plants are likely to look showy in your garden with minimum fuss. Even this can be a slippery slope since not only is there a difference between what grows well between Valencia, Newhall, Castaic, Saugus and Canyon Country, but there can be a difference in the response of the same plants grown in various areas of the same garden! I have worked with a lot of nationally successful garden experts who love to make sweeping statements. These often give people what they want to hear – even if it is oversimplified. After all, 'do’s and don’ts' in black and white require a lot less thought and make life easier. But just like in most aspects of life, very few things in landscaping are that simple. So I will be honest about my own experiences when I write about gardening – and I will let you know that these are just my own experiences. I have come to believe that being right or wrong misses the most important outcome, which is what works and what doesn’t. I will

variable in clay, sand and stone content and can be influenced by how it has been treated in the past. Also, the climate in our area has changed drastically over the past decade. The lack of frequent nighttime winter freezes not only allows us to grow more frost-shy plants, but has attracted many insect pests that were not common to this area previously. One more thing: plant availability has also changed. The lower rainfall has made growing on slopes and flat areas more challenging, but the number of water wise plants available to purchase has

Colorful Shrubs

Assorted colorful succulents

expanded with increased demand. So try out some of these drought tolerant plants that tend to do well throughout Santa Clarita – despite the changing environment. My guidelines for these choices are adaptability to most local soils without amendments, acceptance of our wide daily temperature range, attractive habit of growth, flowers or leaves, and good drought-tolerance once established.

Recommended Best Plants Succulents Caesalpinia gilliesii

do my best to avoid those sweeping statements – or at least attempt to qualify them.

The Challenge

That said, here are some plants I have used in clients’ landscapes during the past two decades all around the Santa Clarita area as well as those I tested in my own garden trials (with ordinary purchased plants, collector’s items, new introductions from wholesale growers, propagated plants and more). Additionally, I need to add that the soil in Santa Clarity is

are well-known in warm climates for blanketing hillsides with brilliant hues in early spring. There are also lots of choices with Aloes and Agaves, some of which, like the Century Plant (Agave americana), can grow enormous. Young succulents – even cacti (which, store water in adapted leaves or stems, making them officially ‘succulents’) – can be damaged by rabbits and gophers. Protect them with chicken wire or metal mesh above and underground when newly planted. There are succulents that do well in full shade to partial sun whereas some will even tolerate our full, hot sun.

Some succulents are more colorful than the average garden flower. The Echevaria family offers a rainbow of pink, purple and blue leaves on the “Afterglow’ variety, Aeonium comes in dark mahogany shades that contrast handsomely with other foliage, and many of the artichoke-shaped Sempervivum plants are striped, spattered or netted with colors. You can find foliage that stays red, orange, yellow, green, bluish, purple, pink, black or white – fuzzy, shiny, toothed or textured – year round. And that’s even before they bloom! Blooms can be found in almost any color, some large and exotic looking, some small but smothering the plants in huge numbers. Various plants known collectively as “Ice Plant”

For easy perennial (plants that grow year after year) showy plants, here are some good shrubs and flowers. The tough salvias offer both color and low-maintenance. Some excellent plants are the S. clevelandii – my favorite cultivar is the darker purple and slightly less rambunctious ‘Winifred Gilman’, the smaller S. Teucrium fruticans azureum chamaedryoides with its soft grey foliage and bright blue flowers, and the many pinks, reds and whites of the long-flowering S. greggii. Germander (Teucrium) plants can grow large or small, depending on variety, usually with purple, blue, pink or white flowers. The 5’ tall T. fruticans azureum boasts skyblue flowers and likes to show off in winter when little is blooming. T. chamaedrys and T. cossonii both stay under a foot tall with pink-purple flowers in spring and summer. Penstemons bloom with spikes of decorative bells in Penstemon eatonii almost any color you’d want. There are also native varieties like P. eatonii and P. centranthifolius in fiery red, or P. azureus in blue or P. palmeri and pseudospectabilis in pinks. See GARDENS, page 40

40 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 19, 2018

TIME RANGER

Continued from page 18

Olympic-sized pool for his daughter to train for the 1940 Olympics. Poor girl never went. World War II.

AUG. 10, 1948

• My dear amigo Tom Frew lived in the house that today is headquarters for Hart Park. On this date, the Board of Supervisors OK’d the purchase of the 23 acres and house. Same joke I tell for the past 40 years: Tom still hasn’t spent that $10 from the sale. • Train engineer W.L. Leeper could have picked a better place to blow a train engine. The huge freight train was stuck smack dab inside the Newhall Train Tunnel. Leeper and crew walked through the smoke-filled cavern for help. The train? Eventually, all by its lonesome, just rolled downhill, all the way back to San Fernando. • The heirs of Miguel Espinoso, jefe of the giant San Martinez Ranch, sued the new owner, oil mogul Bill Barnes, for hundreds of millions. Seems Bill didn’t tell the family back in 1915 their property was sitting on one of the biggest oil fields in California.

AUG. 10, 1958

• Dear me, hard to fathom how common

a story this was. Mrs. Violet Russell died from house cleaning on this date. She was using kerosene to scrub the floors, sinks, tile and toilet. Then, she relit the pilot light on the water heater and blew up the house with her in it.

AUG. 10, 1968

• Well. We’re famous for something. An anonymous SCV woman was named Miss Nude Universe. The woman, who also worked as a bunny at the Playboy Club, wouldn’t give her name, interestingly, because she said she didn’t want the attention. • You can count on bureaucrats and city people to not get the concept. The Saugus Rehab Center was being used as an L.A. City summer program to teach 3,000 inner-city kids the beauty of Nature and how to relate to animals. The program was quickly shut down when investigators called it “…an animal concentration camp.” Sheriff’s deputies and animal control officers discovered 14 caged creatures in shocking conditions. One starved mother rabbit was forced to eat her young. The program directors called the charges,

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“political.” • At long last. For decades, the SCV had been victim to violent flash floods and storms. Col. James Irvine Jr. of the Army Corps of Engineers to share they’d be putting in a $43 million flood control project.

AUG. 10, 1978

• Ronald Doyle Wilburn was one of the sickest villains in SCV history. He had been arrested in June for kidnapping, murdering and cannibalizing Mary Ann Linco, a young female hitchhiker. On trial in Encino for his carnage, while on the stand, he was asked what happened to parts of Linco that were missing, Wilburn calmly replied: “I believe I ate them.” • “Starsky & Hutch” was one of the top TV

shows in its day. Stars Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky) and David Soul (Hutch) were in town, shooting an episode. The disco cops blocked traffic in Downtown Newhall for several hours. Well, dear amoebas (Spanish, for friends?), looks like we made it back to the compelling beige of the SCV, safe and sound. John Boston, aka, Mr. Santa Clarita Valley, has been writing about and teaching the history of the SCV for more than 40 years. Recipient of The Will Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award and 119 major journalism honors, he is also author of the historical tome, “Images of America: The Santa Clarita Valley.” 

GARDENS

Continued from page 39

In brilliant reds are the native Zauschnarias – recently renamed Epilobiums. Don’t forget the versatile rosemaries (both tall and trailing) that now come in blues and pinks as well as lavender. Also look for the tropical-looking, tough Desert Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii) or the flamboyant red version (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) for woody, heat-loving shrubs.

Mulenbergia capillaris

Graceful Grasses

And then there are all those interesting ornamental grasses. I'm fond of the resilient Muhlenbergia family that offers varieties in all sizes, shapes and textures. There are even some local natives. One garden type, M. capillaris (Muhly grass), blooms with feathery pink inflorescences (grass flowers) in the autumn that look like pink fairy dust. Another, M. dumosa, grows like thin shoots of bamboo. You won’t find a tougher ornamental grass than M. rigens, commonly known as Deer Grass. These offer just a small selection of some favorite plants that should be quite reliable anywhere in the Santa Clarita Valley. There are many more, so you can have a water-wise, low maintenance garden with an assortment of colorful plants. Choose the right plants for the right locations, mix them with interesting non-living materials in a good design and your garden can be gorgeous without dried up dusty dead weeds, failed lawns or seas of boring gravel! Jane Gates, owner and designer at Gates & Croft Horticultural Design, is a licensed landscape contractor, garden book author, national lecturer, horticulturist, and practicing artist. She’s written regularly online for the Home Depot ‘Garden Club’ and as the eHow.com Landscaping Expert. Jane is a resident and avid gardener here in Santa Clarita. 

AU G U S T 19, 2018

Give your mind a workout with these brainy exercises!

BRAINGAMES

Relax

S U N D AYS I G N A L Î&#x2021; 41

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CROSSWORD TIME Answer to Sunday 8/12 Crossword

AU G U S T 19, 2018

LA CHARRITA

Continued from page 33

guacamole salsa and jalapenos. Red-tinged rice and ranch-style beans are a perfect foil for the hearty, tangy stew, which begs to be sopped up with the huge, hot flour tortilla generously provided. Homemade agua frescas pair fabulously with La Charrita’s food. Choose from the tartly sweet, gorgeously purple Jamaica to a vanilla and cinnamon infused almond and coconut milk vegan horchata to a vibrant cucumber and mint-infused lemonade that will make your taste buds sing. Oh, and did I mention breakfast? Yep, that’s served here too, from omelets to breakfast burritos with your choice of meat or vegan versions of both ($5.50 to $12.95). So much to try at La Charrita. I can’t wait to go back. La Charrita Restaurant, 24225 Main Street, Newhall. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 am to 8 pm. Sunday, 10:30 am to 5 pm. Closed Monday. Catering and take out available. For more information, call (661) 288-1204. 

BINGING

Continued from page 26

natural locales.

Food

“Chef’s Table” Available on Netflix. Three seasons, 22 total episodes. This documentary takes viewers to restaurants around the world to expose them to great food and to great chefs. Each episode features one chef. “Zumbo’s Just Desserts” Available on Netflix, 12 episodes. Quirky reality competition show set in Australia where 12 home cooks seek to impress Australian pastry king Adriano Zumbo. “Top Chef” Available on Hulu. Fourteen seasons. Reality cooking competition as chefs with various levels of skill compete in weekly “quick-fire” and “elimination” challenges to see who will become Top Chef.

Action

“Luther” Available on Netflix. Four seasons. This British detective series with a twist stars Idris Elba. “Arrow” Available on Netflix. Six seasons. Based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow, an affluent playboy becomes a vengeful superhero. “Daredevil” Available on Netflix. Gritty R-rated style Marvel superhero thrills with blind lawyer-by-day and crimefighter-by-night Matt Murdock giving as good as he gets to the bad guys.

Animation

These are not “kiddie” shows, these are animated shows targeted at adults. “Futurama” Available on Hulu. Ten seasons. A pizza delivery driver wakes up 1,000 years in the future. “Archer” Available on Hulu. Eight

seasons. One of the most innovative animation series ever created. R-rated. Graphic violence, sexual situations. “Bob’s Burgers” Available on Hulu. Eight seasons. Bob runs Bob’s Burgers with the help of the wife and three kids.

Sports

“All or Nothing: A Season with the Los Angeles Rams” Available on Amazon Prime. Eight episodes. The Emmy-winning series takes viewers into the locker room of the L.A. Rams from the moment the team announces it is returning to L.A. to the hiring of new head coach Sean McVay. “All or Nothing: The Dallas Cowboys” Available on Amazon Prime. Eight episodes. The 2017 season of the Dallas Cowboys. “Last Chance U” Available on Netflix. Elite athletes with difficult pasts turn to junior college football to turn their lives around.

Best of Best

“Shameless” Available on Netflix or Showtime. Eight seasons, 12 episodes a season. This dramedy based on a British series centers on Chicago siblings in a very dysfunctional family trying to survive growing up “Gallagher.” An acting tour de force by William H. Macy. “Game of Thrones” Available on HBO Go/Now. Based on the fantasy world in the novels of George R. Martin. “The West Wing” Available on Netflix. Seven seasons. Regarded as one of the best television shows ever, this political drama can make you nostalgic for “normal.” 

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