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J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES

Locally Owned and Operated

4

4 Henry Mayo celebrates 7th annual NICU reunion 11 When you take to the trails this summer

FOURTH OF JULY

5 Celebrating the Fourth in Santa Clarita 6 Michele makes … Fourth of July eats 7 4th of July Snow Cone Cupcakes

LOCAL NEWS

8 ‘Celebrate safely’ on the Fourth, officials urge 9 City OKs high-speed internet agreement 10 Two men suspected of street racing Apple Store robbed at gunpoint

THINGS TO DO

12 Destination: Out of this World!

FROM THE MAYOR

5

Glass, Door & Window replacement specialists for over 25 years 8

BUSINESS

15 Santa Clarita’s BioSolar completes first batch

SPORTS

16 Reeser gets a leg up on the competition

DINING GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT

20 Break on through to Canyon Santa Clarita 21 ‘Late Night’ and ‘The Biggest Little Farm’

CALENDAR KIDS & FAMILY

23 Several ways to create family fun for free 24 Enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day 25 Donna’s Day: Star-spangled sculptures for Fourth of July picnics How to prepare for, and tackle, unexpected college costs

TRAVEL

27 Amazing bridges across the state of California

BEAUTY

28 Cellulite treatments: What works and what doesn’t

HOME IMPROVEMENT

29 Classic errors with decking and stucco Quick, simple ways to make your front door pop

SENIOR LIVING

30 Multigenerational living can be a win-win for all

PROFILE

32 Holly Schroeder — Growing business in the SCV

GARDENING

34 The benefits of smart irrigation systems

OPINION

38 Our View • David Hegg • Tim Whyte

TIME RANGER VILLAGE IDIOT

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CUSTOM MADE

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J U N E 30, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E

Henry Mayo celebrates 7th annual NICU reunion

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

Left: Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital NICU “graduates,” 2-year-old Elly Funderberg, left, and her brother Jack, enjoy the activities available for attendees during the 2019 Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital NICU Reunion held at Richard Rioux Memorial Park in Stevenson Ranch on Saturday.

S

even years ago, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital opened the Kim and Steven Ullman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in response to the valley’s growing community, and to ensure that critical care for the tiniest of Santa Clarita Valley patients could be kept close to home.

“The NICU itself is a legacy for generations to come,” said Marlee Lauffer, president of the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation and vice president of marketing and communications at the hospital. “Today, this unit has become an essential part of our hospital’s mission of excellence in patient care and an invaluable resource for so many families. We are growing to meet the needs of this community, and we’re growing to meet your needs.”

Now, seven years later, 229 of the children who “graduated” from the NICU and their families attended the seventh annual NICU Reunion on Saturday, June 15, at Dr. Richard H. tiny when they started off, now look Rioux Memorial Park in Stevenson at them,” said Emily Kim, community Ranch.

“We started on a patio here at Hen- benefit specialist for the hospital. “We ry Mayo and have grown to about 600 invite all of our past NICU families to come here and the majority of our people (attending the event),” said NICU staff are here, as well.”

Elizabeth Tarantini, perinatal social Dr. Sukshma Sreepathi, the NICU’s worker at the hospital. “We know the medical director, said this is one of struggles that everybody deals with the biggest reunions she’s seen. when they become part of our NICU “I just can’t believe it’s been seven family, and we truly feel this is a famyears since we opened the NICU,” ily reunion.”

The reunion was not only a chance Sreepathi added. “We opened our for all doors to “WE OPENED OUR DOORS TO THE of the the tiniest patients to TINIEST BABIES OF SANTA CLARITA babies reconnect AND THEIR FAMILIES AND HAVE TAKEN of Santa Clarita with some CARE OF OVER 1,000 BABIES TO DATE. and their of the IT MAKES US VERY PROUD TO SEEM families staff that and have helped THEM ALL DOING SO WELL ... “ taken care care for — Dr. Sukshma Sreepathi, the NICU’s of over them medical director 1,000 during babies to their date. It makes us very proud to seem NICU stay, but also a chance to celebrate their success, according to Mike them all doing so well, and have their families coming here to celebrate that Crawford, a marketing specialist at with us.” the hospital.

Jara Fernandez’s son Milos Healey “It’s just a celebration of their success stories because a lot of them were spent two months in the NICU after

Below: Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital NICU Graduate Manolo Ricardo, 2, waves to the crowd as his mother speaks during the 2019 Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital NICU Reunion.

PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

he was born in 2013. When her first son was born, there was no NICU, and Fernandez said it’s lucky he didn’t need one then.

“If we wouldn’t have had a NICU when Milos was born, we would’ve been in trouble because they would’ve sent him away and we would’ve never been able to see him,” Fernandez added. “Imagine if he was far away at UCLA or wherever for those two months? We would’ve not seen our baby and he would’ve had to be at the hospital by himself, so we are very grateful that it all worked out — we’re very lucky.”

Fernandez has been bringing Milos, 5, to the reunion every year, and said she loves coming because “it’s like we didn’t leave when you see their faces again.”

“This is definitely one of the best celebrations we do every year,” Lauffer said. “This reunion today is really about a celebration of life for all of the families. It’s also a joyous thank you to all of our nurses and all of our hospital staff.”

Every kid that’s been in the NICU for the last seven years was invited to attend the event, which was set up

like a “big fair” with bounce houses, face painting, dancing and lots of play equipment for the kids, as well as food, beverages and ice cream.

During the event, families heard from some of the NICU staff as well as the Ricardo family, who had not only one, but two NICU graduates.

First came Manolo, who was born at 32 weeks with an 18-day stay in the NICU, then last year, came Paloma, who was born at 28 weeks.

“Having a premature baby or havSee NICU, page 26

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

F O U R T H O FJ U LY

Celebrating the Fourth in Santa Clarita

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

W

ith 243 years of tradition behind it, Fourth of July celebrations are one of America’s most time-honored traditions. It’s a day to celebrate our nation’s independence with a day off, a backyard barbecue in the sun and plenty of fireworks.

Independence Day is right around the corner, and it’s time to start deciding how you want to spend your Fourth of July. Every year, the City of Santa Clarita offers plenty of patriotic activities so you and your family to join in on the festivities.

37th annual Independence Day Classic 5K and 10K Run/Walk

Get a running start to your celebration bright and early with the Independence Day Classic. The event includes not only a 5K and 10K, but also a non-competitive walk and kid’s 1K. Last year’s 5K sold out, according to race director Carl Pantoja.

The 10K takes runners along the South Fork Trail, while both the kid’s K and 5K takes runners along the parade route that’s fast and flat, with

Girl Scouts wish the crowd a happy Fourth of July at the annual parade in Newhall last year. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

one of the best cheering sections in southern California, according to Pantoja.

“People are gathering for the parade, so when runners pass by a lot of

The city’s annual fireworks show is launched each year from the parking structure at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

people are cheering — it’s very nice,” Pantoja said.

All the proceeds will benefit the six cross country teams of the Santa Clarita Valley’s high schools, as well as other local charities.

“We try to encourage the sport of running, which is why we give the money to the cross country programs,” Pantoja said. “We are really proud to help grow the running community.”

The run is expected to use chip timers that monitor the starting and finishing times more accurately, and finishers are expected to receive a finisher’s medal with awards given to the overall male and female in the 5K and 10K, as well as top three finishers in each age group.

After the race, participants are welcome to stay and snag a prime spot for the parade.

The 10K race is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m., followed by the kid’s K at 7:45 a.m. and the 5K at 8 a.m. with all races starting at Newhall Memorial Park, located at 24933 Newhall Ave. For more information, visit scrunners. org.

Santa Clarita Valley Rotary Club’s Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast

Whether you’re participating in the run and need a hearty breakfast to make it through the festivities of the day or are just a pancake lover and need to get your pancake fix, right down the street from the race, the Santa Clarita Valley Rotary Club is hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast.

“It’s been going on for more than 40 years as a tradition to support the community,” said Tom Cole, club president. “It’s our way to give back to the community, and just a perfect way to start Independence Day holiday.”

The club is expected to serve its famous hot pancakes, sausages, “Cowboy Coffee” and juice, all for $5 a person.

The breakfast is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the former Roger Dunn Golf parking lot, located at 24200 Main Street. For more information, visit scvrotaryclub.com.

City of Santa Clarita Fourth of July Parade

Even though Santa Clarita may be a See INDEPENDENCE, page 24

6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

F O U R T H O FJ U LY

Michele makes … Fourth of July eats

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

C

elebrate the Fourth of July with more than hot dogs and hamburgers thrown on the backyard grill. Make it a special day with “custom” kabobs, a unique coleslaw salad and a dessert that screams “Hurray for the Red, White and Blue!”

Add in some simple grilled corn, bacon-wrapped asparagus and a few tasty beverages, and you’ve got a Fourth of July party fit for a patriot!

1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tsp. black pepper

Chicken and Duck Glaze 2/3 2/3 1/2 1 2 2

cup soy sauce cup honey cup canola oil tbsp. prepared horseradish tsp. steak seasoning garlic cloves, minced

Veggie Glaze

For your vegan and vegetarian friends. Finish this kabob with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar after you remove it from the grill.

1/4 2 1 1

cup canola oil garlic cloves, minced tbsp. dried basil tsp. salt

Veggies

Cherry tomatoes, onion slices and chunks (sweet and red), green, red and yellow peppers, pineapple chunks, green zucchini slices or chunks, cremini mushrooms, yellow squash slices

Pro tip Marinade your meat then cook on the grill, or in the oven.

Put all the meats and veggies on separate plates, have your guests assemble their “kustom kabobs.”

Glaze the kabobs and grill for a few minutes on all sides to finish. The best part of the kabobs is always the “char” from the grill. Glazes listed below should compliment the marinades used for the meat.

Lamb Marinade

1/4 cup olive oil 3 cloves garlic, pressed Juice of 1 lemon Fresh rosemary, cut fine Fresh mint, chopped

Steak Marinade 1/4 10-12 3 2 1 1/2

cup extra virgin olive oil cloves fresh garlic, minced tbsp. Worcestershire sauce tbsp. Dijon mustard tbsp. black pepper tsp. salt

Duck Marinade

2 tbsp. finely grated orange zest 3/4 cup orange juice 1/4 cup honey

Using shredder disc in food processor, or hand shredder, shred cabbage, carrot and apple. Finely cut up green onions, using all of the onion, from tip to tip. Sprinkle with pomegranate arils and nuts or sunflower seeds and serve with dressing on the side.

I have a friend who makes this salad and adds shredded pear. I’ve never been successful with the pear portion, it’s either too mushy or too “green.”

Red, White and Blue Shortcake 1 1/2 1 1/2 4 2/3 1 6 6 2 1

quarts strawberries, sliced (6 cups) cups sugar cups Bisquick cup milk tbsp. sugar tbsp. melted butter cups blueberries tub non-dairy whipped cream topping (you can also use real whipped cream you make yourself, or the spray can variety).

Mix strawberries and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Let stand 1 hour.

Heat oven to 425 F. Mix Bisquick, milk, 6 tbsp sugar and the butter until soft dough forms.

Gently smooth dough into ball on surface sprinkled lightly with Bisquick.

Knead 10 times. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 3-inch star-shaped or round cutter. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes.

Stir blueberries into strawberries. Split shortcakes in half. Fill and top with berries and whipped cream.

‘Kustom’ Kabobs

We all like different foods. Why make a “onetaste-fits-all” kabob when it is so easy to create “custom” kabobs to suit everyone’s taste?

First gather a bunch of veggies for the kabobs.

I usually “par-cook” these so they’re mostly done and just need to be reheated on the grill.

1/2 bottle coleslaw dressing 1 cup pomegranate arils

Easier shortcut Replace biscuits with slices of premade pound cake

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus 1 lb. asparagus 1 lb. package uncooked bacon, thin sliced Olive oil Balsamic glaze (optional) Salt and pepper to taste

Wash asparagus and trim ends. Place asparagus on tray and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat. Wrap 2-3 spears with one slice bacon.

Repeat with remaining asparagus and bacon.

Heat grill to medium heat then place asparagus bundles on grill and cook 3-4 minutes per side, or until bacon is crispy.

During last minute of grilling, brush asparagus bunches with balsamic glaze. Avoid adding glaze too soon or it may burn. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Simple Grilled Corn

6 ears white or yellow sweet corn Butter and salt to taste

Preheat grill to 375 F. Shuck corn and toss on the grill until corn gets a “char” and the kernels are cooked and soft.

Remove and immediately roll in butter and salt to taste.

Easy Pomegranate Coleslaw 1/2 2 1 1

head cabbage (about 4 cups) green onions large carrot (or small bag of shredded carrots) apple Sliced almonds or sunflower seeds to taste (about 1/2 cup)

purchased from the grocery bakery (or thawed Sara Lee pound cake from the freezer aisle.)

Optional: Place tiny American flags atop each dessert.

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

F O U R T H O FJ U LY

4th of July Snow Cone Cupcakes

T

hese snow cones won’t melt. Nope. They’re not icy… but they are frosted.

They’re snow cone cupcakes and they were a lot of fun to make.

Decorate them in red, white, and blue so you can see how cute they are for the Fourth.

When I made them, I wanted more than just the tops to resemble snow cones though. I wanted the cupcake to be tri-colored too. But not the usual layered look you see from bottom to top.

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

baking cups this way. Trust me. : ) Instead tape the bottoms so the ends are closer together. Lay the bags on a flat surface and tape them so they are in a row. This will give you a lot more control when you pipe.

Prepare baking cups… Take a deep breath … and cut the ends off the decorator bags at the same time. Try to hold the bags at the top so you can apply even pressure to all three and slowly fill each baking cup with batter. Move the tips of the bags back and forth as you apply pressure so they fill evenly with batter.

Then bake!

And voila — vertically tri-colored cupcakes. Yippee!

All you have to do now is decorate.

Divide the cake batter equally and then tint a third blue and another third red.

The plain batter is good to go.

Now the fun part. Spoon each color of batter into a decorating bag and tie the end with a twist tie. For this to work well, you need the colors to fill the baking cups at the same time.

I taped the bags together so I could hold them as one unit. The photo on the right is no good. Taping them at the top causes the tips to separate and you’ll make a mess trying to fill the

I baked these in candy cups and then frosted and decorated them in sections. Middle first — dipped in sugar crystals. Then blue with blue sugar crystals and then the red. I like sugar crystals for this project instead of sanding sugar because the size of the crystals are bigger and look a little more icy, but you can use either. And technically, if your frosting is tinted the right color, you could just sprinkle the entire tops with white crystals.

Once frosted and covered in crystals, use a toothpick to manipulate the frosting and make sure the rim of the paper cup shows. This will help pull off the look.

Snow Cone Cupcakes

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

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Sift flour, sugar and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and then mix together on low.

• In another bowl, stir egg whites, milk and vanilla together.

• Add butter to the flour mixture and mix together. As it starts to combine, slowly pour the milk mixture in and mix until completely combined.

• Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Add about 40 drops of red food color to one bowl and stir together until completely blended.

Repeat with the blue food color and a second bowl, leaving the last bowl white.

• Stand decorator bags in tall glasses for support and spoon batter into bags. Tie off the ends of the bags with twist ties. (Note: Three bags will hold about half of the batter, so you’ll need to repeat for the full amount.)

• Lay the bags side by side and tape around the bottoms of the three bags to make it easier to hold them together in a row.

• Cut the end of the bags off and slowly pipe batter into paper candy cups using a back and forth motion.

Use your fingers to apply more pressure to the center bag if necessary.

• Fill cups a little more than halfway. Bake for about 16 minutes or until done.

• Remove and cool. Makes about 16 cupcakes.

Note You can bake these in candy cups or regular baking cups. If you use candy cups, make sure you find the ones that aren’t wax coated on the inside. Here are some I found online that are meant for baking in. Most of the ones I’ve seen in stores have the coating on the inside. And if they are hard to find, you can also just bake them in regular baking cups and place them in the candy cup before you decorate.

Frosting 1 1 4 4

cup butter, softened teaspoon vanilla cups confectioner’s sugar teaspoons milk Food coloring Red, white and blue sugar crystals Small plastic spoons • Beat butter and vanilla together.

• Add sugar slowly and beat until combined.

• Scrape down the sides and add milk. Mix until smooth and creamy.

You can also add a couple of drops cherry oil for extra snow cone flavor • Divide the frosting into three bowls and tint two of the bowls with a few drops of red and blue food color so when you cover in sugar crystals, there isn’t any white frosting showing through.

• Makes enough to frost about 8 cupcakes with high domes of frosting. Double for this cupcake recipe unless you don’t plan on frosting your cupcakes this high.

To Decorate

• Pipe white frosting down the center of the cupcake, lining up somewhat with the white cake section.

Then use a knife to pull the frosting down towards the edge of the cup. Make sure to leave the white See CUPCAKES, page 26

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

LOCALNEWS

‘Celebrate safely’ on the Fourth, officials urge

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

W

hile there might be nothing that says Fourth of July like fireworks, government and safety officials are urging Santa Clarita Valley residents to leave the pyrotechnic displays to the experts.

“Today, we stand here together to urge you to celebrate safely,” Mayor Marsha McLean said during a news conference held Wednesday at Los Angeles County Fire Station 126 in Valencia.

She was joined by city staff and council members, L.A. County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, L.A. County Fire Chief Daily Osby, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station Capt. Robert Lewis and representatives from the Grossman Burn Center, each of whom spoke on the dangers of illegal fireworks use.

All fireworks, including those

Clothing goes up in flames after coming into contact with a sparkler. The demonstration took place during a news conference at Los Angeles County Fire Station 126 in Valencia, during which government and safety officials urged SCV residents to leave the fireworks to professionals. PHOTOS BY LORENA MEJIA / THE SIGNAL

labeled “safe and sane,” are prohibited citywide under Santa Clarita municipal code, and officials reiterated why during the public conference.

“By shooting off illegal fireworks

in our city, you are putting others in your community at risk for danger and stress,” said McLean. “Please be considerate of your neighbors. When you release a firework, the unexpected

During a news conference on the dangers of illegal fireworks, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said L.A. County firefighters responded to 52 fires related to pyrotechnics in 2018.

loud noise can create anxiety, panic and fear for a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder. The same anxiety can be felt by your pets, which can cause them to run away.”

Local animal shelters experience the busiest day of the year on July 5, as a result of runaway pets, she added.

Fireworks can also cause serious injuries and pose a serious threat around children, according to Matt Young, a doctor at West Hills Hospital Burn Center.

“The children are victims of this kind of tragedy about 35% of the time, and these are more important to children because they have smaller hands and smaller fingers,” he said.

“The same amount of explosion will cause a much deeper burn, and they can lose part of their hand or multiple fingers.”

In 2018 alone, 13,000 people from around the nation were injured by fireworks, said Osby. Within L.A. County, firefighters responded to 52 fires related to pyrotechnics last year, 29 of which were set off by illegal fireworks, 19 from undetermined materials and four from “safe and sane” fireworks. Several hundred thousand dollars in property loss occurred and 36 people were injured, he added.

A reduction in fireworks use across the SCV has been seen, said Lewis.

Last year, the SCV Sheriff ’s Station cited six individuals, each of whom faced $500 in fines. A total of 65 pounds of fireworks were collected.

He hopes a new illegal fireworks reporting system launched by the city will help law enforcement map out problem areas for the illicit activity.

“We are on a ‘zero tolerance’ (policy) when it comes to law enforcement,” said Lewis. “Anyone who is caught lighting fireworks, possession of fireworks, will be cited for that offense. And to pay $500 or $600 just to light a firecracker is really not worth it when you can spend that on your families.”

Residents are instead encouraged to observe professionally operated fireworks shows scheduled this year, including those at Westfield Valencia Town Center and Six Flags Magic Mountain, which can be viewed from various public parking lots.

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

LOCALNEWS

City OKs high-speed internet agreement

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

S

anta Clarita businesses could soon have access to a wider range of high-speed internet service providers after the City Council’s approval Tuesday to improve the city’s network.

Council members unanimously awarded a contract to Crown Castle Fiber LLC for more than $217,000 for the city to lease two dark fiber strands from its network to downtown Los Angeles.

By extending its reach into L.A., the city would have access to a myriad amount of internet service providers, which would ultimately improve services provided by a growing Santa Clarita, according to a city staff report on the matter.

“The city of Santa Clarita, much like other businesses and organizations within it, has a growing need for a faster and more cost-effective internet connection,” the report

reads. “As the city continues to move toward internet-based applications to provide improved and more efficient service options for its current, and growing, population, the need for faster and more diverse options for internet services becomes of greater significance.”

Access to higher-speed connectivity is easier from downtown L.A. as there are hundreds of internet service providers in the area, according to Benny Ives, a city technology services manager.

“This would establish a physical connection to downtown Los Angeles, where the city would have a presence in downtown that has hundreds of internet providers,” he said. “We’d be able to get internet at a fraction of the cost.”

The city’s primary internet circuit is a 100 Mbps leased fiber service, and the cost to upgrade to an internet connection of 1 Gbps or higher in Santa Clarita, “even

hike in costs is mostly attributable to required rack space, electricity and cross-connects for city-owned equipment that would be necessarily located in downtown L.A. There will only be a one-time expense of about $80,000 for the dark fiber equipment, which will be presented to the City Council for consideration at a later date, according to the agenda report.

Tuesday’s approval is “a step closer to a pilot project” for the city to reach its goal of exploring ways to ensure high-speed internet access to local business parks, which is listed in its Santa Clarita 2020 strategic plan.

And the business community is in full support, including the SCV Chamber of Commerce.

“In order to grow business and maintain our rating as a top business-friendly city, we need to assist our businesses, especially those

where it is offered, is a poor value when compared to other cities and communities located closer to major metropolitan areas, such as downtown Los Angeles,” the agenda report reads.

One of the reasons for the disparity is due to a lack of internet service providers citywide, said Ives.

“We’ve heard from many for a number of years that there’s really only two primary ISPs (internet service providers), like Spectrum and AT&T,” he said. “But many businesses are confined to only one option and some may have the option to choose but others only have that single option. For that reason, the cost and value proposition is not advantageous.”

Investment in the agreement indicates a marginal increase of $15,000 to $20,000 per year in overall ongoing expenditures for internet service to receive 10 times faster connectivity, according to a staff analysis. The

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J U N E 30, 2019

LOCALNEWS

Two men suspected of street racing

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

D

eputies continued their ongoing crackdown on street racing Monday with two arrests, with one suspect allegedly clocked doing 104 mph, according to sheriff ’s officials.

On Monday around 7:15 a.m., a deputy with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station was in a parking lot off of Commuter Way, when he saw a Chevy Camaro pass by on Soledad Canyon Road at a high rate of speed, said Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff ’s Station.

“Trailing not too far behind was a Scion XB that appeared to be trying to keep up with the Camaro,” she said.

Deputies carried out traffic stops on both cars.

PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

The drivers, aged 20 and 31, from Canyon Country and Los Angeles, respectively, were arrested on suspicion of engaging in a speed contest, a misdemeanor.

The cars were towed and im-

pounded for 30 days.

“After fines and impound fees, each driver is looking at a total cost of approximately $5,000,” Miller said, noting that a “car is a deadly weapon, if used recklessly.”

Apple Store robbed at gunpoint

INTERNET

Continued from previous page

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

T

he Apple Store in Valencia was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday morning.

At 10:48 a.m., Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station deputies received reports that the store had been held up at gunpoint by three male suspects who took multiple Apple Watches and iPhones, according to SCV Sheriff ’s Station spokeswoman Shirley Miller. “(The suspects) entered the store while customers were there and immediately began grabbing merchandise,” Miller said.

An Apple Store employee was standing near the exit, “maybe in an attempt to buy more time,” and when suspects attempted to leave, one brandished a firearm, Miller added.

The suspects, described as two black males and one Hispanic male, fled through the mall to a waiting getaway car, described as a grey Honda civic, where a fourth suspect was waiting, Miller said.

“If you choose to drive recklessly, you could be jailed, be fatally injured, or take someone’s life,” Miller wrote in a Facebook post about the arrests. “Perhaps, the life of someone you love, or your own.”

The Apple Store in Valencia was robbed at gunpoint on Wednesday morning.

An Apple Store manager confirmed that everyone is safe. PHOTO BY EMILY ALVARENGA / THE SIGNAL

An Apple Store manager confirmed that everyone is safe.

“It is unknown how much merchandise they took right now, but no employees were injured,” Miller said.

Sheriff ’s deputies at the scene took witness statements and were seeing what information can be obtained from surveillance footage, according to Miller.

in the industrial and commercial centers, to gain access to high-speed internet,” said Chamber chairwoman Nancy Starczyck in a prepared statement.

“Improving access to better and better broadband service is vital to our economic development and has long been a priority for the EDC,” said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp.. “We are pleased that the City is making it a priority to improve our infrastructure.”

“The SCV Chamber hopes this agreement between the City and Crown Castle Fiber will serve as a successful pilot program to demonstrate the ability to successfully bring high-speed internet to Santa Clarita,” said John Musella, partner with Evolve Business Strategies, which manages the Chamber.

With Tuesday’s approval, city staff will explore the possibility of bringing more internet service providers to operate from Santa Clarita, said Ives.

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

When you take to the trails this summer

N E W S F E AT U R E

By Brennon Dixson Signal Staff Writer

W

ith summer officially underway, hundreds of Santa Clarita Valley families are flocking to the lakes, parks and miles of trails that zig and zag throughout the surrounding areas.

With more than 100 miles of trails and paseos in the SCV alone, offering bikers, horse riders and runners the chance to enjoy picturesque mountain views and other natural wonders, there are countless choices for routes you and your family can enjoy.

Families looking for an adventurous hike surrounded by trees and hills may want to head out to a space like Towsley Canyon, while those who want to shop, access parks or take a light bike ride can take advantage of the nearly 20 miles of paseos that offer access to almost every area of the city.

The super bloom earlier this year painted the SCV hillsides and attracted thousands of visitors to local spots like Placerita Canyon, Weldon Canyon and Whitney Canyon Park, which still display some of the wonderful wildflowers and their impressive blossoms each spring.

Santa Clarita Community Hiking Club President Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel noted back in March that not all wildflowers will bloom at the same time.

“Just because you’ve been out once to look at the flowers doesn’t mean you’ve seen everything,” she said, mentioning that some flowers will die and others bloom throughout the summer months.

The main bloom is expected to last through midsummer, according to the hiking club president, who also said, “The real diehards can go through November.”

Local residents interested in finding more trails this summer can head to alltrails.com or hikesantaclarita.com for a complete list of paths available to horses, joggers and hikers.

Mike and Emily Verdi of Valencia walk Ribbons their Dachshund at Towsley Canyon in Newhall. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

ing mountains, Kassan said, mentioning it’s not uncommon to find the cold-blooded vertebrates sunning themselves on concrete, asphalt or rocks to warm their bodies as they digest a recent meal.

Santa Clarita has three commonly seen snakes in residents’ yards and the area’s hiking trails: the gopher snake, king snake and the feared Southern

Trail safety and etiquette

Hiking experts and city officials agreed that all trail users should be alert and aware when using the recreational paths, but there are also other safety protocols to follow in order to keep everyone safe.

On Tuesday, Dr. Evette Ramsay, a dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California, discussed the rising summer temperatures and their effect on the skin — which is why it’s important to use sunscreen when outside this summer — but heat can also affect the number of wildlife sightings.

“With the summer months rapidly approaching, the potential for snake and human interactions will more than likely increase this year,” Gary Kassan previously said, adding, “the more you know about snakes, the less you will fear them, and the better you will understand just how to protect yourself, your family and your pets from snake interactions.”

Snakes can be found anywhere in the City of Santa Clarita and throughout the surround-

A cyclist enjoys the San Francisquito Creek Trail, near Valencia Heritage Park, in Santa Clarita. The City of Santa Clarita offers more than 100 mile of paseos and trails the criss-cross the SCV.

Pacific rattlesnake, according to Kassan.

King snakes are less common, but are easy to identify because of the brown and black rings that circle around their yellowish-white bodies. King snakes are immune to rattlesnake bites and have been known to kill and eat them.

Like king snakes, gopher snakes are common in the area and often commonly mistaken for a rattlesnake by local residents.gsnakes can be very similar to rattlesnakes but he uses a general rule of thumb.

“If the head is bigger than the neck of the snake, it is most likely a rattlesnake. Nonvenomous snakes’ heads are more streamlined, similar to your fingers, while rattlesnakes’ heads are more triangular,” he said. Rattlesnakes can usually strike to a distance of about half of their body length, so if one finds themselves within striking distance, freeze, remain calm and very slowly back away.

Kassan added that snakes do not chase people, though they may become aggressive when defending themselves against what they perceive to be a threat.

“In most cases, snakes are just as afraid of you as you are of them,” Kassan said. “They want to avoid confrontation as much as you do,” so when hiking in the mountains, stay on the trails and avoid hiking through tall grass.

It may also be helpful to have a bell on your bike or dog, city officials said, because they can help mountain bikers avoid collisions, keep horses from being spooked and give snakes and other critters advance notice of your presence so they aren’t startled.

See TRAILS, page 26

12 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

THINGSTODO

The los angeles Anime Expo, known as “AX,” has grown over the years and is now one

PHOTOS BY MICHELE E. BUTTELMAN / THE SIGNAL

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

T

he summer “con” season is upon us. It’s time to gather, cosplay and enjoy the company of like-minded fans.

Many people have heard about San Diego Comic Con, the annual multigenre entertainment and comic convention, which is the largest annual comic and pop culture festival in the world. It attracts more than 130,000 attendees each year. A victim of its own success, tickets are now virtually impossible to obtain by the average person.

In addition — originally showcasing primarily comic books and science fiction/fantasy-related film, television and similar popular arts — Comic Con has since expanded to include a range of pop culture across nearly every genre, including horror, Western animation, anime, manga, toys, collectible card games, video games, web comics and fantasy novels.

Anime Expo, once a quiet little convention attracting young fans of Japanese anime, has also exploded into a “mega-convention” attracting more than 100,000 to the downtown Los Angeles Convention Center over the Fourth of July holiday.

Part of the fun of these conventions is “cosplay.” Many attendees who don

the costume of a favorite super hero, or anime character, and spend hundreds of dollars and many hours of labor crafting unique and spectacular costumes to wow fellow fans.

If you like to “people-watch” there’s nothing more fun than grabbing your camera and visiting one of these conventions. Cosplayers love to pose for photos. If you ask, cosplayers often will pose in character for your camera.

Conventions are a great place to see the “stars” of various sci-fi, anime and pop-culture genres. Autograph sessions, vendors, exhibitors, meet and greets, artists’ alley, masquerade, and special lectures and appearances add to the convention experience.

Conventions are becoming more and more “family-friendly” experiences with mom and dad in costume, and kids in tow.

For many people, annual conventions are like a “family reunion,” where they meet up with old friends who share a like-interest and a place where they can be “themselves.”

Southern California Los Angeles Anime Expo July 4-7 Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., L.A. Known as “AX,” this is a celebration of popular Japanese art and culture.

of the largest anime conventions in the world.

Favorite characters from major movies can be seen throughout the conventions.

Anime Expo features more than 800 hours of programming, panels, and workshops.

Info http://www.anime-expo.org.

San Diego Comic-Con International July 18-2 San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Drive, San Diego The Comic-Con website states, “Obtaining a Comic-Con badge can require the persistence of Superman, the patience of a Watcher, the ingenuity of Tony Stark and the readiness of Batman.” That’s pretty much all you need to know.

Info www.comic-con.org.

Long Beach Comic Con Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach A celebration of comic books and pop culture that showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. Entertaining and educational programs for all ages, guest signings, and meet and greet sessions with celebrities, as well as vendors and exhibitors.

Info longbeachcomiccon.com.

Nostalgia Con Sept. 28-29

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

THINGSTODO

Left: Family and group cosplays are quite common at the conventions, where families and friends dress up as their favorite characters or superheros. Above: Booths provide sought-after art and collectibles.

Spider-Man, The X-Men, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, GI Joe, Star Wars, The Hulk, Conan and more.

Info http://southcitycomiccon.com.

Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim Billed as the “World’s Reunion of the Icons and Pop Culture Legends of the 1980s,” this pop-Americana convention includes concerts, celebrity panels, meet and greets, music artists from the 80s through today, collectible cars, sports legends, pop culture icons, cosplay, retro merch drops, video arcade games and break dance competitions.

Info http://nostalgiacon80s.com.

WonderCon April 10-12, 2020 Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim Now owned by the same folks who put on San Diego’s Comic-Con, WonderCon is the sister show embracing all the main aspects of SDCC, including comics, movies, TV, animation, the masquerade and more.

Info www.comic-con.org/wca.

Elsewhere

If the SoCal convention “scene” is too crowded and too hard to access,

there are many conventions around the country that attract many of the same vendors and “stars” as the bigger conventions. There are also different “genres” of conventions not seen in SoCal. Dragon Con Aug. 29– Sept. 2 Atlanta, Georgia A meeting place for fantasy, from comics to cosplay to wrestling and puppetry. It hosts an annual parade with fans decked out in the most imaginative and inventive attire imaginable.

Info www.dragoncon.org.

South City Comic Con Sept. 15 San Mateo Event Center/Fair Grounds, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo This year’s featured guest will be Bob McLeod, best known for co-creating and illustrating “The New Mutants” for Marvel Comics. He has penciled or inked all the major characters for Marvel and DC, including

Mouse-Con Nov. 3 Crowne Plaza Inn, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord, CA This Disneyana fan convention held in Northern California features panels and talks by Disney artists and others, as well as vendors.

The Inaugural Mouse-Con in Bakersfield will be held Jan. 26, Kern County Fairgrounds, Building 4 (The Arts Building) 1142 P St., Bakersfield.

661-298-1800 MollyMaid.com

Info http://www.mouse-con.com.

Sakura-Con April 10-12 Washington State Convention Center, 705 Pike St., Seattle The Pacific Northwest’s biggest anime convention, Sakura-Con attracts more than 20,000 attendees.

A comfortable, fun convention with vendors, autographs, panels, Japanese cultural arts and presentations, bonsai exhibits, a large artists’ alley and numerous anime viewing rooms, as well as gaming, masquerade and contests.

Info http://sakuracon.org.

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J U N E 30, 2019

F R O M T H E M AY O R

The Fourth of July means celebrations, safety

By Mayor Marsha McLean

W

hat does the Fourth of July mean to you?

For me, it means celebrating our country, our freedom, our patriotism. This time of year is one of my favorites.

Our Santa Clarita streets are lined with the stars and stripes blowing in the breeze next to the images of our active duty Hometown Heroes.

The Fourth of July parade means coming together as a community in the morning and then spending the rest of the day with our friends and families as we wait for the sun to set and the fireworks from Westfield Valencia Town Center to light up the sky.

While I look forward to these events with much anticipation and joy — I know the days and nights be-

fore and after the Fourth of July, can be very frustrating for residents.

I regularly hear complaints from the community about the number of people setting off illegal fireworks.

I’ve experienced it myself, the loud explosions echoing across the valley in the late evenings, well past midnight, leading up to the holiday.

Fireworks of any kind are illegal and are a violation of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code, Health and Safety Code and Los Angeles County Fire Code.

Those found guilty of a violation will be cited, fined between $500 and $1,000 and have their illegal fireworks confiscated by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station.

Besides the threat of a fine — the bigger threat is to you, those near you and our hillsides which are blanketed with dry brush following the wet winter. Fireworks can cause severe burns, lost limbs and even death.

Besides causing physical harm — fireworks greatly increase the risk of both structure and wildland fires.

We’ve already had several fires over the last month and with the heat of summer just kicking in, more are sure to come.

I encourage all of you to leave the fireworks to the professionals. Even fireworks labeled “Safe and Sane” can be dangerous. In our City it is illegal to possess, sell or use any type of fireworks, this includes sparklers, snaps and smoke balls, and any item that explodes.

If you see someone setting off illegal fireworks — I encourage you to report it by calling the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station at (661) 2551121.

Please do not dial 9-1-1 to report illegal fireworks unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

The City is offering a cash reward, up to $500, for any information that

leads to a citation for illegal fireworks use.

We want everyone in our community to be able to enjoy this patriotic holiday. Illegal fireworks can be traumatizing to our veterans and pets.

Please plan on viewing the professional show from Westfield Valencia Town Center, which will be lighting up the sky starting at 9:15 p.m., on the Fourth of July.

For more information on fireworks safety, how to protect your pets or details regarding fireworks regulations, please visit santa-clarita.com/ Fireworks. I wish you, and your loved ones, a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Mayor Marsha McLean is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at mmclean@ santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in her column are those of the city and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal.

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J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

BUSINESS

Santa Clarita’s BioSolar completes first batch

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

I

n an era highly dependent on mobile devices and solar energy, long-lasting battery life is vital.

Santa Clarita-based BioSolar Inc. understands the need for high-energy and high-power batteries, and the completion of its commercial-grade prototype lithium-ion batteries could meet the growing market demand.

The company, a developer of breakthrough energy storage technology and materials headquartered in Lost Canyon Road, announced in June it was building the first batch of the commercial-grade prototype in 21700 lithium-ion cylindrical cell format, a relatively new setup for battery cells more frequently used today in power tools and electric cars.

The focus of this prototype is to verify key performance metrics related to cell-energy capacity and capacity retention over a large number of cycles, according to a BioSolar news release.

“BioSolar is currently developing a technology to increase storage capacity, lower the cost and extend the life of next generation lithium-ion batteries,” said David Lee, CEO of BioSolar. “We believe this cell design can demonstrate commercial viability and achieve increased exposure to customers who may test and ultimately incorporate BioSolar’s additive technology.”

Completion of the prototype is a step forward for the company.

Advancements in battery technology are expected to change gradually with higher capacity, which could mean a longer range for electric cars and higher power for faster charging and longer life for a decrease in the cost of owning electric cars, for example.

BioSolar recently announced its first batch of the commercial-grade prototype in 21700 lithium-ion cylindrical cell format. While silicon anodes are not without their drawbacks, silicon is one of the most promising anode materials being considered for next-generation, high-energy and high-power lithium-ion batteries. PHOTO COURTESY BIOSOLAR

“At some point in the future, these incremental improvements will eventually enable broad commercialization of batteries in a wide range of applications,” said Lee. “BioSolar wants its technology to shorten the time it takes to get there.”

It’s all in the ‘Si’

Preparation of the 21700 cylindrical battery cells are with silicon anodes, something vital to highlight, said Lee. A battery has two primary parts: an anode and a cathode. Currently, graphite is the most commonly used anode material, but silicon, or Si, has attracted “significant attention” for its natural abundance, non-toxicity and a theoretical capacity of more than 10 times that of graphite.

“Silicon (Si) is one of the most promising anode materials being considered for next-generation, high-energy and high-power lithium-ion batteries,” said Lee. “However, Si anodes are not without their drawbacks. They suffer from large capacity fading and tremendous volume changes during lithium-ion charge-discharge cycling.”

Simply put, silicon breaks down

“BIOSOLAR IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE STORAGE CAPACITY, LOWER THE COST AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF NEXT GENERATION LITHIUMION BATTERIES. WE BELIEVE THIS CELL DESIGN CAN DEMONSTRATE COMMERCIAL VIABILITY AND ACHIEVE INCREASED EXPOSURE TO CUSTOMERS WHO MAY TEST AND ULTIMATELY INCORPORATE BIOSOLAR’S ADDITIVE TECHNOLOGY.” —David Lee, CEO of BioSolar

quickly and can affect battery performance and cycle life.

“These are the primary challenges to the commercial use of Si for battery anodes, which BioSolar intends to overcome,” Lee added.

To overcome the challenges that come with silicon, BioSolar’s additive technology is built to work with

all types of silicon anodes including nanoparticles, porous structures and composites with carbon. Widening their technology helps the company’s Si anode material partner supply variety to a wider range of users, whereas most Si anode technologies are designed for specific electrode designs, Lee said.

BioSolar plans to commence the testing and analysis phase of the first batch of commercial-grade cells and follow with additional prototype batches to verify other key performance metrics.

“The eventual goal is to demonstrate commercial viability and achieve increased exposure to both end-user customers and battery manufacturers who are seeking technologies like ours with the potential to drive down cost and improve performance,” Lee said.

To learn more about BioSolar, visit biosolar.com.

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16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

SPORTS

Reeser gets a leg up on the competition

By Haley Sawyer Signal Sports Editor

J

arrett Reeser loves pressure.

In soccer, he’s known as the player who comes up with a big goal late in close games. In football, he aches for game-winning field goal situations.

So at a recent University of California, Berkeley’s specialist camp, Reeser, the specialist for Canyon’s football team, never flinched as the yardage kept increasing in the camp’s field goal competition. Even with the coaching staff ’s eyes on him.

“I’m used to the pressure, and I love the pressure,” Reeser said. “It became a part of me and that’s really where the difference is for me as a competitor.”

The field goal competition began with a single-elimination round in which competitors kicked off of sticks from each side of the hash marks. Then, with three kickers left, it switched to double-elimination and the distance increased to 45 yards.

Canyon High kicker Jerrett Ressler wears a t-shirt from Cal’s specialist camp field goal contest. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

The first two players missed their kicks. Reeser missed on his first attempt. The second attempt was much better.

“I ended up making it up through the uprights down the middle,” he said. “It was an awesome experience.”

Reeser has now attended five

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specialist camps this summer and although he’s come close multiple times, the Cal camp is the first one that he’s won. He’s been to Cal, UCLA, Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford so far.

When he’s not at events, he’s focusing on soccer or working with his coaches Chris Sailer and Cole Murphy, a Valencia grad, on his kicking.

Reeser has only been kicking for a little under a year and picked it up sheerly by chance.

His freshman year, Reeser was playing soccer in Italy. But the time away from Southern California strained his family, and he decided to move back to California and play for the San Jose Earthquakes academy team.

Shortly after moving to San Jose, Reeser’s father bought two footballs and the pair went to his high school’s football field, just for fun.

“I had no idea how to kick,” Reeser said. “All I knew was three steps back and two the left, try and kick it

through the uprights.

“I was making them from 35 and back from 40 or 45 and after from 55 yards, my dad said, ‘Wow, we can actually do something.’”

That “something” ended up being closer than Reeser or his dad could have imagined. His high school’s football coach was watching from afar and approached the then-sophomore about joining the football team.

Reeser lived in San Jose for a year, but the distance was still difficult for his family and his father’s work, so he moved back to Santa Clarita and began playing for the Real So Cal U19 team. This season, he’ll be playing for Canyon football, too.

He’s looking forward to continuing training in the offseason and balancing it with soccer, too. Right now he’s at the USSDA Boys Summer Showcase, a national event.

It’s a lot to balance, but it’s exactly the type of high-pressure summer that Reeser is built for.

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

L&L Hawaiian BBQ 18727 Via Princessa, Canyon Country (661) 251-8333

Egg Plantation 24415 Walnut Street, Newhall (661) 255-8222

Lucille’s Bar-B-Que 24201 West Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 255-1227

Eggs N Things 27560 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 702-8664

Q&Q Hawaiian BBQ 27530 Newhall Ranch Road #101, Santa Clarita (661) 383-9098

Halfway House 15564 W. Sierra Highway, Saugus (661) 251-0102

Rattler’s BBQ 26495 Golden Valley Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-4195

AMERICAN Backwoods Inn 17846 W. Sierra Highway, Canyon Country (661) 252-5522 The Backyard Grub n’ Brews 26509 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita (661) 286-1165

Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co 18810 Soledad Canyon Rd, Canyon Country (661) 252-7883 Red Robin 27063 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 260-2411

Bergie’s 16404 Delone Street, Canyon Country (661)251-3133

Route 66 Classic Grill 18730 Soledad Canyon Rd, Canyon Country (661) 298-1494

Black Angus 27007 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 288-2000

Saddle Ranch Chop House 24201 Valencia Blvd., Valencia (661) 383-0173

Black Bear Diner 23626 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 799-4820

Salt Creek Grille 24415 Town Center Drive, Valencia (661) 222-9999

The Cheesecake Factory 24250 Town Center Dr #110, Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 286-1232

Souplantation 24303 Town Center Drive, Valencia (661) 286-1260

Claim Jumper 25740 The Old Road, Valencia (661) 254-2628

Stonefire Grill 23300 Cinema Drive, Valencia (661)799-8282

Crazy Otto’s Diner 25373 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 291-1733

The Old Town Junction 24275 Main Street Newhall (661) 702-4888

The Daily Harvest Cafe & Juicery 22722 Lyons Ave #6, Newhall (661) 383-9387 Iconic Eats 23460 Cinema Dr, Valencia (661) 481-9404 Islands 24180 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 284-5903 Lazy Dog Cafe 24201 Valencia Blvd., Valencia (661) 253-9996 Mama’s Table 23340 Cinema Dr, Santa Clarita (661) 284-5988 Marston’s Restaurant 24011 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 253-9910 Nealie’s Skillet 25858 Tournament Road, Valencia (661) 678-0031 Newhall Refinery 24258 Main St, Newhall (661) 388-4477

Smokehouse on Main 24255 Main St, Old Town Newhall (661) 888-4585 Wood Ranch Bar-B-Que & Grill 25580 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 222-9494

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH Casa Canela 27647 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 523-7282 Crazy Otto’s Diner 25373 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 291-1733

The Old Town Junction 24257 Main Street, Newhall (661) 702-4888 Saugus Cafe 25861 Railroad Avenue, Saugus (661) 259-7886 Way Station Coffee Shop 24377 Main Street, Newhall (661) 255-0222

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DINING GUIDE

J U N E 30, 2019

Italia Panetteria & Deli 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 294-9069

Italia Panetteria & Deli 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 294-9069

WaBa Grill 19120 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 367-7297 31739 Castaic Road, Castaic (661) 295 9222

BJ’s Restaurant 24320 Town Center Drive, Valencia (661) 288-1299

Jimmy Dean’s 22941 Lyons Ave, Newhall (661) 255-6315

Wok’s Cookin’ Chinese Restaurant 31565 Castaic Road, Castaic (661) 257-2890

Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. 18810 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 252-7883

JJ’s Bar and Grill 25848 Tournament Road, Valencia (661) 799-7557

Numero Uno Pizza 26111 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 252-5011

Continued from previous page

BREWERIES

Pocock Brewing Company 24907 Avenue Tibbits, Valencia (661) 775-4899 Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. 27746 N. McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 263-9653

BURGERS/SANDWICHES Bricks 23820 Lyons Ave, Newhall (661) 286-1091 Brother’s Burgers 20655 Soledad Canyon (661) 299-9278 Burgerim 23740 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 670-8939 Corner Bakery 24290 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 259-2813 Cousins Burgers 19318 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 298-4200

The Habit 25948 N. McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 291-1575

Panini Palace 23120 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 678-0552 Pita Pit 28253 Newhall Ranch Road (661) 702-9977 Route 66 Classic Grill 18730 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 298-1494 Rustic Burger 24025 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 254-1300 Rustic Eatery 25343 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 254-8100 Submarina California Subs 26517 Carl Boyer Drive, Canyon Country (661) 259-4782 Tiny’s Submarine Sandwiches 27251 Camp Plenty Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-5885

CHINESE

Everest Burgers 18645 Soledad Canyon Road Santa Clarita, CA 91351 (661) 252-3412

China Express 19417 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-8783

Final Score 23754 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 254-6557

Golden Wok Restaurant 16668 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 424-0888

Firehouse Subs 23630 Valencia Blvd. Valencia (661) 255-3473 Five Guys 24201 W, Valencia Blvd #3672, Valencia (661) 255-0981

Grand Panda 23802 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 253-1898 27924 Seco Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 297-9868 Mandarin Wong Chinese Restaurant 23758 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 259-5823 Moon Wok 23460 Cinema Drive Suite H, Valencia (661) 288-1898 New Moon 28281 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 257-4321 Pei Wei Asian Diner 24250 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 600-0132

27674 Newhall Ranch Rd #55 Valencia CA 91355

661-294-9069 italiavalencia.com

Pick Up Stix 25960 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 288-2090

CUBAN Hidden Havana Cuban Cafe 23548 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 254-4460

DELICATESSEN Bob’s Country Meats 19012 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-5995 Cathy’s Delicatessen 23120 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 288-2217 Italia Panetteria & Deli 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 294-9069

Maria’s Italian-American Deli 22620 Lyons Ave, Newhall (661) 259-6261

Olive Garden 27003 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 799-8161 Piccola Trattoria 18302 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country (661) 299-6952 Presto Pasta 24375 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia (661) 284-7737 Spumoni Restaurant 24917 W. Pico Canyon Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 799-0360

JAPANESE & SUSHI

Maria’s Italian-American Deli 22620 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 259-6261

Achita Sushi 22913 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 476-5522

Mariciano’s Chicago Style Deli 18635 Soledad Canyon Road (661) 299-1100

Asako Sushi 27540 Sierra Hwy, Canyon Country (661) 251-6010

The Sandwich Shop 25530 W. Avenue Stanford, Valencia (661) 257-4811

Bonsai Garden 19358 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-9008

FRENCH Le Chene French Cuisine 12625 Sierra Highway, Agua Dulce (661) 251-4315

GREEK Gyromania 20655 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 252-4976

INDIAN An Indian Affaire 23360 W. Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 288-1200 Karma Restaurant, Bar & Lounge 23460 Cinema Drive, Valencia (661) 288-0080 Royal Tandoor 26532 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 263-7100

ITALIAN Bella Cucina Ristorante Italiano 27911 Seco Canyon Rd, Saugus (661) 263-1414 Buca di Beppo 26940 Theater Drive, Valencia (661) 253-1900

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining 27025 McBean Pkwy, Valencia (661) 254-2355 Hibiki Restaurant 27625 Shangri La Dr., Canyon Country (661) 298-0273 I Love Sushi 26526 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita 661-673-5200 Kabuki 24045 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 799-8655 Kisho Japanese Teppan Grill & Revolving Sushi Bar 23430 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 284-3856 Masa Ramen 27051 McBean Pkwy, #101, Valencia (661) 254-4229 My Hot Pot 26238 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 288-1998 Shogun Sushi Japanese Restaurant 26807 Seco Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 513-0015 Sushi 661 26850 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita (661) 252-9831 Sushi Song Japanese Restaurant 22896 Copper Hill Dr, Santa Clarita (661) 297-5659

J U N E 30, 2019

Yamato Restaurant 24947 Pico Canyon Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 799-0707

KOREAN & MONGOLIAN Charcoal Korean BBQ Restaurant 19158 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-9292 Genghis Khan 24506 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 254-0351 Gogi House 26524 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 263-0048 Kogiya 2 Korean BBQ 23410 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 678-0999 Lee’s Korean BBQ & Tofu House 23360 West Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 254-2307 Sam’s Flaming Grill 24802 Orchard Village, Santa Clarita (661) 222-9060 19433 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 298-0115 25347 Wayne Mills Pl, Valencia (661) 254-2154 23874 Copper Hill Dr, Valencia (661) 294-1100 ZingGa Grill 26910 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita (661) 250-7592

MEDITERRANEAN Cafe O 20655 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 424-0401 Flame & Skewers 25870 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 799-7538 Grill Kabob 27653 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 263-7445 Kebab House 24201 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 799-5844 Olive Terrace Cafe 28261 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 257-7860 Zankou Chicken 24463 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia (661) 705-7265

MEXICAN

Azul Tequila 25387 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 254-5500 Casa Pasilla 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 295-1989

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 19

La Cocina Bar & Grill 28022 Seco Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 297-4546 La Charrita Restaurant 24225 Main St, Newhall (661) 288-1204 Las Rocas Mexican Grill 27923 Sloan Canyon Road Castaic, CA 91384 (661) 257-6905 Medrano’s Mexican Restaurant 19319 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 367-4945 Rosarito Grill 19425 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-2732

PERSIAN Persia Lounge & Restaurant 24328 Main Street, Newhall (661) 259-4100

PIZZA Ameci Pizza & Pasta 28013 Seco Canyon, Santa Clarita (661) 296-6131

Home Made Flavor, Home Made Desserts

Weekend Breakfast Special Fri, Sat + Sun

8 oz. New York Steak and Eggs $13.99 8 oz. Rib Eye Steak and Eggs $16.99

Homemade Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Made with Mama’s Love!

Chi Chi’s Pizza 27117 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country (661) 252-4405 23043 Soledad Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 259-4040 Magic Pizza SCV 26870 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 291-1921

Homemade Cooking!

Mama Mia Pizza 25708 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 286-9183 Numero Uno Pizza 26111 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 259-3895 Pizza Di Marco 27674 Newhall Ranch Rd, Valencia 661-295-8769 Tomato Joes Pizza & Taps 19167 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita (661) 250-7550 Tomato Joes Pizza Express 27732 McBean Pkwy. Valencia (661) 263-8646 Toppers Pizza 23710 Valencia Blvd, Santa Clarita (805) 385-4444

4 Homemade Soups Served Daily Corned Beef & Cabbage, Navy Bean Clam Chowder, Taco Tortilla

nior Spec Homemade 15e% ial O FF Jelly Bar! S

Mond W/Cou ay- F pon M rida ust Beve y, 7am- be over rages 9 5 not inpm exp 5 clude 7/12 /19 d

POLISH Pierogi Spot 26511 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita (661) 254-4850

THAI

Dario’s Mexican Restaurant 24523 Newhall Avenue, Newhall (661) 255-6868

Mom Can Cook Thai Kitchen 18358 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-8103

El Trocadero Mesquite Grill & Cantina 24274 Main Street, Newhall (661) 284-6615

Original Thai BBQ Restaurant 27530 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 257-6421

Strawberry, Blueberry, Orange Marmalade, Green Tomato

661.284.5988

23340 Cinema Dr Valencia CA 91355 www.himamastable.com

online order by Postmates • DoorDash • Uber Eats

20 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

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

Break on through to Canyon Santa Clarita

By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

M

ore than five decades after one of L.A.’s most beloved bands released its debut album, you can check out a band that’s devoted itself to re-creating The Doors’ live show atmosphere from the 60s.

Before Jim Morrison’s tragic death

at the age of 27, the band created a collection of timeless classics, such as “Light My Fire,” “Hello, I Love You” and “L.A. Woman,” among numerous others, that still receive consistent play on classic rock radio stations.

Wild Child is dedicated to keeping that legacy alive for fans of the live show.

“The music is painstakingly reproduced and combined with the voice,

look and essence of Jim Morrison live on stage (performed by lead singer Dave Brock),” according to the Canyon Santa Clarita website, where tickets for the show can be purchased.

“Wild Child mirrors the depth, energy and emotion of The Doors concerts as they were live back in the late 1960s. The band also utilizes the same musical instruments live as The Doors did.”

Wild Child, which performs throughout the globe, is coming to Canyon Santa Clarita on July 12.

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. MondaySaturday, by phone at (888) 645-5006, or via TicketMaster.com. For more info, visit WheremusicmeetstheSoul. com.

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 1

‘Late Night’ and ‘The Biggest Little Farm’

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

By Dianne White Crawford Signal Contributing Writer

“Late Night”

General Release “A woman who hates women.”

That is how talk show host Katherine Newbury is described. Oh, and her show’s ratings have been declining for 10 years, she doesn’t even know most of her writers by sight (or name) and we are led to believe that her age has something to do with the new network executive wanting to replace her.

Five minutes in, my opinion was that Katherine Newbury doesn’t like people (not just women), is basically a narcissistic jerk and her age has nothing to do with her being replaced … it’s the fact that her show is lame, she’s not appealing to viewers and advertising revenues drop with poor ratings.

It’s called business — not sexism or gender discrimination. Never once did this seem like someone getting a raw deal. However, it’s only a movie, so I tried to play along.

Very talented actors fill the screen.

Two-time Oscar-winner Emma Thompson stars as Katherine Newbury, the “stuck-in-her-ways” Emmy-winning talk-show host, who is hanging on based on reputation and longevity in the business.

Her character reminds me of David Letterman toward the end of his long run … scandal and all.

Mindy Kaling co-stars as Molly Patel, a chemical plant worker who dreams of being a comedy writer, but puts no effort into actually learning the craft. Instead, luck puts her in the right place at the time — the show needs a token hire.

Enter Molly, a woman of color in a writers’ room full of white men. The interesting dynamic here is that most of the men in the room probably got their seat thanks to connections, while Molly got hers based on gender.

Talent and skill seem to play no part for any of them.

The story is basically Molly trying to find her true self by helping Katherine modernize her evil ways and save her job. There are quite a few little sub-stories — can’t really call them subplots — that mostly distract from the overall direction, but serve

“Late Night” starring Mindy Kaling (left) and Emma Thompson (right). PHOTOS COURTESY IMDB.

the purpose of allowing punchlines or supposedly insightful social commentary.

John Lithgow plays Katherine’s wise, Parkinson’s-stricken husband, and the writers’ boys club includes Hugh Dancy (“Hannibal”), Reid Scott (“Veep”), Max Casella (“Ray Donovan”), Paul Walter Hauser (“I, Tonya) and Denis O’Hare (“True Blood”).

Ike Barinholtz plays the hot, young comedian being groomed as Katherine’s replacement, and it’s Amy Ryan (“The Office”) who really registers as the network president. More of Ryan’s character and more attention to the network perspective would have improved the film.

Director Nisha Ganatra (“Transparent”) is working from the script

by Kaling, whose real-life experiences as a token hire in the industry could have been better presented. A lame stab at a romance distracts from the reactions of the threatened writers materializing in a lack of respect toward Molly, and most of the comedy felt forced and obvious, rather than real and painful (the sources of the best comedy).

It’s a shame that most any episode of “30 Rock” or “The Office” provides more insightful commentary and comedy than this film. It’s such a missed opportunity.

“The Biggest Little Farm”

Limited Release As the credits roll in this wonderful documentary, a deep sigh of delight and satisfaction tends to wash over

the viewer — a sense that the world is hopeful, that there could be harmony and abundance and that there just might be a way through the mess of the world that can so often feel despairing.

This film is a potent tool to address the ecological crisis in our time from the angle of possibility, accessible and whimsical for children and deeply moving for adults.

John and Molly got a dog — which got them evicted from their L.A. apartment — but who also launched them into the pursuit of a dream bigger than themselves: to build a farm that truly lived in harmony and equilibrium.

It becomes a place where the land is healthy, and the animals live in ways connected to their most true way of being. The humans involved are transformed, as well, through submitting to the rhythms of the land and the hard but satisfying work of nurturing earth into its health— finding their own health and life in the process.

The film, with its stunning cinematography of nature as a feast for the eyes, takes the viewer on a rollercoaster ride with the tickles in one’s stomach at the sight of newly formed buds opening or piglets being born, and then plunges into the tragedy of loss inherent in the cycle of life.

But the commitment to live in harmony, avoiding violence even at the hands of seeming predators, teaches these new farmers and the

viewers that even what seems lurking in the night might be a friend trying to make its way in a hostile world, looking for a place to call home.

In the Jewish and Christian traditions, shalom connotes a sense of utter peace, of wholeness and completeness where all are living in harmony, tranquility and mutual welfare. This is the invitation found in this film, a gaze at a vision of wholeness of which the soul deeply longs especially in a world torn by war, destruction and violence.

Instead of painting a grim picture of ecological destruction, the film rather invites hope and a way forward that lifts the heart in its beauty. Might the earth be our teacher on what it might mean to live in harmony with one another and with itself?

22 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING

= Family Friendly Event

Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: calendar.santa-clarita.com/concerts_in_the_park Sundays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop and save at the Santa Clarita Swap Meet. Hundreds of vendors selling new merchandise, collectibles, plants, home decor, clothing, tools and more. The price of admission is $2. Saugus Speedway, 22500 Soledad Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita. Info: saugusspeedway.com/content/Meet-ourSwap-Meets.aspx First Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m. The Stage Door at the Keyboard Galleria Music Center hosts a free monthly open mic for all musicians, lyricists, comics and entertainers.

KGMC always provides a great back line, though visitors are welcome to bring their own gear, including instruments. The stage is complete with amps, drums, a digital piano and a PA system. Keyboard Galleria Music Center, 21515 Soledad Canyon Road, Ste 120, Santa Clarita. Info: keyboardgalleria.com

twilight landscape to draw some easy going herbivore dinosaurs. Ages 6 and up. $30. 25850 McBean Parkway, Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: pinotspalette.com/valencia Thursday, July 4, 6:30-9:30 a.m. Enjoy the SCV Rotary Club’s annual Pancake Breakfast! The club will be serving its famous hot pancakes, sausages, Cowboy Coffee and juice, all for $4 a person. Roger Dunn Golf Shop, 24200 Main Street, Santa Clarita. Info: calendar.santa-clarita.com/event/fourth_of_july_pancake_breakfast Thursday, July 4, 7 a.m. Get your Independence Day off to a running start by taking part in the 37th annual Independence Day Classic 5K, 10K Run/Walk. The route is fast and flat and takes runners along the City of Santa Clarita’s parade route. Newhall Memorial Park, 24933 Newhall Avenue, Santa Clarita. Info: active.com/newhall-ca/ running/distance-running-races/independence-day-classic-2019 EVENTS BY DATE Thursday, July 4, 10-11 a.m. Westfield Sunday, June 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Are you Valencia and LuluLemon are hosting a morna fan of felines? Join Shelter Hope Pet Shop at ing yoga workout and rolling out all the Kitty Cafe where you can lounge around with goods including artificial turf for us to lay out cats and kittens. Enjoy coffee, tea and fresh our mats and start the day in the best way. baked goods and maybe even find love at the Come flow and fill your 4th of July morning Shelter Hope Kitty Cafe. Info: facebook.com/ with all the good vibes! No experience events/2729456680458203/ needed, all levels and ages welcome, but bring your own mats. 24201 West Sunday, June 30, 11 a.m. to 1 Valencia Blvd, Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: p.m. Enjoy a no-experiencerequired art class, all supplies in- westfield.com/valencia/events/all-events/ cluded, at Pinot’s Palette directed by trained, morning-yoga/53514 local artists, who guide guests step-by-step Thursday July 4, noon to 9 p.m. through a featured painting. Journey back to Join Westfield Valencia Town the late Jurassic period to take in the tranquil Center and participating retailers for a free family friendly Fourth of July Block Party Celebration. Enjoy delicious food, games, face painting and more from retailers like The Canyon, Hot Dog on a Stick, House of CONGRATULATIONS to Krystal Briscoe for Bounce and more.

24201 West Valencia Blvd, Locally Owned and Operated correctly identifying Pizza Dimarco on page 23.

Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: westfield.com/ Identify this advertiser and the page number in this week’s valencia/events/all-events/block-party-celeissue, and you will be entered to win a $100 gift certificate for bration/53505 a local restaurant.

Thursday, July 4, 9:15 p.m. Cap One game and one winner each week. off a day of celebration with a Mail your entry to The Signal – Contest Glass, Door & Window replacement truly specialists spectacular Fourth of July 26330 Diamond Place | Santa Clarita, CA 91350 fireworks display as Westfield Valencia Or email contest@signalscv.com Town Center! Fireworks will be shot from Advertiser: _____________________________ Page # ______ the parking structure above Buca Di Beppo Name: _____________________________________________ restaurant, so grab a grassy spot nearby and get ready to catch a show!As the fireworks Address: ___________________________________________ show is one of the city’s most popular 4th of Phone: _____________________________________________ July events, guests are encouraged to arrive early, as major intersections and streets will This week’s entries are due Wed. July 10 be impacted. 24201 West Valencia Blvd, Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

Mondays, 11-11:45 a.m. Want a more enchanting way to read with your child? Join House of Bounce for Princess Storytime! Foster a lifelong love of reading as your child joins a live character guest for stories, bubbles, dancing and crafts. Westfield Valencia Town Center Suite #2312, Valencia. Info: houseofbouncevalencia.com/events/month Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. California farmers and specialty food purveyors come together, rain or shine, to bring the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market to Santa Clarita residents.

Items on sale include organic and baked goods, flowers, herbs, different cheeses and prepared foods. The market offers patrons a chance to come face-to-face with their food source. Old Town Newhall Library, 24500 Main St., Newhall. Info: oldtownnewhall. com/old-town-newhall-farmers-market Saturdays, 5-8 p.m. A rotating group of gourmet food trucks gather together for Food Truck Saturdays to create community fun in the Santa Clarita Valley. As the types of food provided by the trucks change weekly, there are always different options to try. Tables and chairs are provided, and these events are handicap-accessible. 26573 Carl Boyer Drive, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/foodtrucksaturday/ Saturdays, 7 p.m. Get ready to rock at the City of Santa Clarita’s Concerts in the Park. Come revel in the sounds of timeless rock and roll with friends and family. Bring your beach chairs and let the music take you away. Central

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WINDOWS and

Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: calendar.santa-clarita.com/event/city_of_santa_clarita_fourth_of_july_fireworks_show Saturday, July 6, 8 a.m. to noon Join Team Runners Lane as we kick off the seventh tour of training and completing the Santa Clarita Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K which leads to the LA Marathon. We will provide you with a training program, motivation, an inspirational team and product advice all for free. Runners Lane Santa Clarita, 22959 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: runnerslane.com/marathon-training-group Saturday, July 6, 8-9:30 p.m. Come enjoy a celebrity curling match at Ice Station Valencia,. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public, but raffles, a silent auction, merchandise and more will raise funds for School of Rocks, Hollywood Curling’s youth program that brings the sport to local schools. Friendly volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and explain the intricacies of the game. 27745 Smyth Drive, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/311575539729023/ Tuesday, July 9, 10 a.m. to noon Designer and puppeteer Steve Troop will teach wonderful and creative class combines the craft of puppet making and with the skills of performing and none of the stage fright. Ages 9 to 16. Class runs Tuesdays and Thursdays until Aug. 1. $210. The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Newhall. Info: facebook.com/ events/509804466225477/ Thursday, July 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce as we salute our local veterans for their leadership in our business community and dedicated service to America at our annual Patriots Luncheon. Members: $65, non-members: $75.

Hyatt Regency Valencia, 24500 Town Center Dr, Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event. php?orgcode=SCVC&evid=47578249&fbclid=IwAR3gxz9VDe_upjale9Cxh3RAB2dnsyFAs6LSI5YZmPYKPLkNSINOdMQrxBE Friday, July 12, 8-11 p.m. Come to Hart Park for a free movie under the stars: “Aquaman.” AvenuesSLS.org will be selling snow-cones, popcorn, candy and drinks. Bring your chairs, blankets, towels, and everything you need to be comfortable.

Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave, Santa Clarita.

Info: friendsofhartpark.com

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 3

K I D S & FA M I LY

Several ways to create family fun for free

Play with rocks and sticks

By Pauline Mason Signal Staff Writer

O

ne of the most loved words in the English language is “free.” It’s a word that conjures up images of getting something for nothing, and everyone seems to like that concept.

Many people may feel that family fun has a price tag these days, but that’s not really the case.

Once families didn’t have all the electronic devices that kids carry today. Without smart phones, tablets and gaming devices, kids had to engage their creativity and look at things differently.

The fact of the matter is, family fun is something that doesn’t really require money, just the desire to make it happen.

Here are just a few suggestions.

Look at the stars

Every evening, we’re privileged to have a chance to view millions of lights filling our night sky. Trying to find the North Star and constellations like the Big and Little Dippers, as well as other star formations, is an enjoyable experience.

A short trip to the library for a book about stars can make the experience both fun and educational.

Even if you don’t have a book describing constellations, looking at the stars is a wonderful way to spend a quiet evening together.

My family and I like to wonder what is going on so far away from our planet and imagine what it might be like there.

Create your own game or make up new rules for an old family favorite just to see how silly you can get.

Make up a game

How does any game get created?

Someone has to make it up. Why not your family?

One time while I was driving, my daughter was getting bored and to occupy her I yelled, “Let’s play the fire hydrant game!” I told her we had to see who could count the most fire hydrants on the way home. She was entertained, and I realized there are a lot of fire hydrants in my neighborhood.

Make up a story

Stories are something else that only get made if someone creates them. A family I know loves doing this. Each member picks an item from around the house and then makes up a story about it.

They’ve heard stories about everything from the fly swatter from outer space to the chilling tale of the war between the spoons and the forks.

It’s a fun thing for them, and they’re always impressed with their children’s creativity.

Create a family theatre

What is more fun than making up a story? Having the chance to act it out, of course. Kids do this all the time, but really enjoy it when their parents join them.

My daughter invented “family entertainment night.” We all get together and do something entertaining for the family. A homegrown talent show.

Its a time to put on play clothes or old clothes, and just act silly. You’ll be amazed at the advanced writing skills of your children. What fun it is to take the time to play different characters.

Take turns reading each chapter of a book and act out the characters.

Play in the mud

Parents seem to have a natural instinct to try and keep their children clean. For this reason, the many benefits of dirt have been overlooked.

Take some dirt, mix it with water and let your imagination take over.

You can make mud animals, little mud houses, mud cars and much more.

Mud is all natural, certified organic and contains no warnings from the surgeon general. It also washes off easily with soap and water.

Read a book as a family

My family loves to pick out books from the library and have everyone read a chapter aloud. As we read the book, we often do the voices of the characters and act out what they’re feeling.

We enjoy discussing the book after each chapter, guessing what’s going to happen next and talking about what we like and don’t like about the story.

We’re always surprised how quickly time passes when we’re lost together in a book.

I once saw a child, who was under 10 years old, build a very elaborate miniature village using nothing but rocks and sticks. They are the ultimate, all-natural building toys.

My daughter once took sticks lying around the woods, weaved them between trees and bushes and created a small fort.

With your mind set on the idea of making something out of rocks and sticks, you’ll be surprised at what you and your family can create.

Look at old pictures

When I was growing up, my family had a huge box filled with old pictures. My parents would take out the picture-filled box, and we’d all discovered new things about the photos and our family within.

As my parents explained what was in the pictures, I learned a lot about our family history. Stories of everything from my father’s time in the Army during World War II to my grandfather’s journey to the United States from the old country. It’s a special family history lesson that is well worth the time.

Try making shadow puppets

For some, this may require a trip to the library for a book on shadow puppets. Other bold individuals may try to create such things on their own.

Its fun and easy to try and make new shapes on a wall. My family always found this to be quite a creative experience. I’m good at doing a dog, my husband is good at a duck and my daughter does a horse and rider.

She’s a little more talented at shadow puppets than either of her parents!

Finally

These suggestions are just the beginning. I’m sure many families do things together that cost nothing, and aren’t even aware of it.

The main goal is for families to interact with each other. It doesn’t cost money to have fun as a family.

But, you may create some of the most memorable experiences you and your family will cherish for years.

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J U N E 30, 2019

K I D S & FA M I LY

Enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day

A

Review safe boating practices

s fun as July 4th festivities typically are, injuries, particularly those involving fireworks, are a concern that celebrants should not take lightly.

An estimated 11,000 people visited the emergency room for fireworksrelated injuries in 2016, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. However, fireworks aren’t the only danger this time of year.

In order to remain safe, individuals can heed these tips.

If July 4th festivities find you out on the water, be sure that life jackets are worn and set boating and water safety rules for the family.

Watch the pets

The Fourth of July can be traumatic for pets not accustomed to fireworks and other loud noises or crowds.

Behavior therapy, medication and ensuring that pets do not run away from home and get lost may be necessary.

Watch food temperatures

Do not drink and drive

Alcohol consumption may accompany Independence Day festivities.

For those planning on using a car to get to and from parties, it is essential to designate a driver who will not imbibe. Otherwise, utilize any number of ridesharing services or available taxis.

hosting a pool party and cannot keep a watchful eye on guests in the pool.

Adults also should not swim intoxicated, as it can impede the ability to stay afloat and may lead to risky behaviors.

Swim smartly

Leave it to the professionals

INDEPENDENCE

at 9 a.m. on Main Street in Newhall, then work its way down Lyons Avenue and Orchard Village Road, and end on 16th Street. The parade’s website features an interactive map that not only shows the route, but also each significant stop along the way.

Always swim with a buddy, and consider hiring a lifeguard if you’ll be

Continued from page 5

big city, the Fourth of July Parade still has a small-town feel, according to Linda Storli, who’s been the parade’s chair for the past 25 years.

“We have even been described as the largest small-town parade in America,” Storli said.

This year, the parade will be honoring The Signal for its 100th birthday with the theme, “The Signal Century: Celebrating Our Press Freedom.”

More than 1,000 volunteers have been working hard to prepare for the parade, which will include members of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, political candidates and office holders, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, horses and more, Storli said.

“It’s an amazing parade that lets kids understand what the Fourth of July is all about,” Storli said. “It’s not just about fireworks and hot dogs, but patriotism. We’ve got a lot of military and Gold Star parents in the community.”

The parade is scheduled to begin

Watch a public fireworks display instead of lighting fireworks on the

For more information, visit www. scvparade.com or call Linda Storli at (661) 313-8960.

street or in the backyard.

Exercise sparkler caution

Kids running around with sparklers in hand could be a recipe for disaster, as sparklers burn extremely hot.

Make sure children do not wave them around or others can get burned.

Keep a bucket of water handy to properly extinguish the sparklers.

City of Santa Clarita Fourth of July Fireworks Show Finish off your Independence Day celebration with the city’s annual fireworks display at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

This year, Westfield will be putting on a block party before the fireworks begin, so head over straight after the parade to enjoy

Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste waves to the crowd during the Fourth of July Parade. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

Do not leave food out in the hot sun for too long; otherwise, harmful bacteria can grow and potentially cause foodborne illnesses. The USDA says to never leave food out of refrigeration for more than two hours.

If the temperature is above 90 F, food should not be left out for more than one hour. These are some of the safety strategies that can keep Independence Day celebrations both safe and enjoyable.

— Metro Connection

food, drinks, face painting and games, such as both a hot dog- and pie-eating contest, as well as a cornhole tournament, according to Audra Cheney, marketing manager for Westfield Valencia Town Center.

Later in the evening, The Spazamatics, a new wave 80s band, is also expected to perform.

Fireworks are expected to be shot from the top of a parking structure, so attendees should have plenty of room to set up their blankets and chairs to watch the show.

As the fireworks are one of the most popular events of the day, those who attend are encouraged to arrive early as heavy traffic is common.

The block party is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. with the band performing at 7 p.m., followed by the fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. at the Westfield Valencia Town Center, located at 24201 West Valencia Blvd.

For more information, visit west field.com/valencia/fourthofjuly or santa-clarita.com/Fireworks.

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 5

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Star-spangled sculptures for Fourth of July picnics

O

h-h-h say, can you see … that your middle-school-age kids actually can be pulled away from their video games and cellphones?

As you prepare for a Fourth of July celebration with family and friends, give the kids some hands-on, creative fun outdoors. Challenge them to think “patriotic” and put them in charge of sculpting and painting table decorations with a stars and stripes motif.

All you need is lots of white packing foam from a new computer, TV, toaster, etc., wooden kebab skewers, toothpicks, household glue, non-toxic red and blue tempera or acrylic paint, paintbrushes, markers and serrated bread knives.

Bring all your supplies and kids outside. They can let off some steam when they karate chop the largest foam into the building blocks of your sculptures.

Use plastic serrated bread knives to cut and shape the pieces, then attach them together with skewers and toothpicks to construct the sculpture.

Add color and details with paint and markers.

While working, the kids might want to talk about what they love most about America, how our country could improve and how they could participate in making it better.

Here are some ideas:

Symbols

For a tall, eye-catching table centerpiece, construct a “Building of Freedom.” Stack and attach foam pieces with the largest at the base and the smallest at the top. Draw windows, doors and other details you like. Top with a paper American flag to blow in the breeze. Or, sculpt other symbols of freedom such as the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty.

Carve a large piece into the shape of your state, and mark the capital with a star. And, there is always Uncle Sam!

Boats

Set long, rimmed pans or plastic and tin flower boxes filled with water down the middle of the table for a flotilla of boats. Carve the foam into floating boat shapes. Cut out red, white and blue paper

sails and attach them to the foam with toothpicks or twigs. Set them in the water to float.

For a mouthwatering gourmet fleet, put fresh strawberries and blueberries on skewers and attach to the boats.

Tip After the meal, let younger kids float their boats in a wading pool or ice tub filled with water.

Safety Note Due to small parts and pieces, this activity is appropriate for children 4 and older.

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.” ©2019 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

How to prepare for, and tackle, unexpected college costs

S

may be right for you and your family.

Those from College Ave Student Loans, for example, are available at competitive rates and feature a wide range of repayment options. Its customer-friendly experience — from application through repayment — takes some of the stress out of the equation.

mart financial decisions can help your family make good college investment decisions.

Unfortunately, unexpected costs throw many families for a loop.

To plan realistically, consider the following:

Pad your budget

Many college expenses are variable — from fun stuff, like entertainment and trips, to the serious, like books, supplies and other educational fees.

Pad your budget in case these costs are larger than anticipated.

Look beyond the letter

Those receiving financial aid from their school should look beyond their Expected Family Contribution. Fortythree percent of parents of college students report paying more than their EFC, according to a survey by College Ave Student Loans and conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights.

The bright side? Of those families that received financial aid award letters, 17 percent appealed, with 58 percent of those receiving more aid.

Stretch book budgets

The cost of textbooks and supplies often surprise families. While the

Control loan costs

exact amount is unpredictable, the College Board reports that the average student spends $1,240 each year on course materials. Purchasing used, renting or downloading textbooks electronically are all smart strategies for reducing costs.

Grow your budget

Families surveyed were nearly split on whether a child helps pay for the cost of college — 49 percent said “Yes,” 51 percent said “No.” Having a child kick in can teach responsibility and grow your overall budget, whether that contribution comes in the form of a part-time job or a work-

study program.

Another substantial way a student can help is by reducing or even eliminating housing costs and becoming a resident advisor.

Borrow strategically

If you need to borrow to pay for college, first take out federal loans in the student’s name, which carries special benefits, such as public service forgiveness and income driven repayment options not typically available on private loans. When federal loans in the student’s name don’t cover you fully, determine whether private student loans or private parent loans

You can reduce the overall cost of a loan by starting to make payments while in school, even if it’s only a small amount. To see the impact that various repayment options have on total loan costs, use the student loan calculator available at collegeavestudentloans.com.

“Whether parents are advocating for more financial aid, helping create a budget or helping pay off loans, their support serves as a cornerstone in many student’s financial plans,” says financial industry veteran Joe DePaulo, CEO and co-founder of College Ave Student Loans. “Being realistic and having a plan can help families face both the expected and unexpected costs of college.”

— Statepoint

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 6

TRAILS

vehicle unattended, do not leave any high valued items, wallets, or purses in your vehicle where they are easy to see,” the deputy said. “If you cannot take the items with you, secure them in your trunk and out of view. When you do this, be sure to check the area for anyone who may be watching where you put these items.”

It’s also wise to ensure all vehicle windows are rolled up and the doors are locked, “and finally, take your keys with you.” Duxbury said. “Hiding your car keys on top of a tire under the fender really isn’t a good idea, and the bad guys know to look there.”

Continued from page 11

“It’s a simple thing, but makes for much safer trail experience,” the city’s website states.

“When using these trails, we all need to take precautions to assure we enjoy them safely,” said Deputy Kevin Duxbury of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station. “Whenever possible, go with a friend or family member, (but) if you do choose to go alone, assure someone knows when and where you will be, as well as what trails you plan on taking.”

Duxbury also recommended a list of items one should always take even if they’re going for a short hike or ride: • sufficient cool, fresh water and snacks • a basic first aid kit and emergency blanket • a flashlight, even if you’re going during daylight hours

A hiker walks her dogs on trails near Central Park in Saugus. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

• trail maps • a fully charged cell phone and extra battery • identification and emergency contact information • emergency medical tag or brace-

let if you have any unusual medical needs • any medications you may need, even if you’ve already taken them for the day.

“Additionally, when leaving your

All Santa Clarita Valley and Los Angeles County trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Visitors are encouraged to visit trails.lacounty.gov/ or hikesantaclarita.com/ for more information.

CUPCAKES

Continued from page 7

(Left) The 229 Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital NICU “graduates” and their families pose for a photo during the 2019 Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital NICU Reunion. (Right) Henry Mayo NICU “graduate” Ella Schlegel, 2, wears a mermaid costume in keeping with the “Under the Sea” theme of the event.

NICU

Continued from page 4

ing your baby in the NICU is no walk in the park,” said mother Antoinette Ricardo. “It comes with many feelings of fear, guilt, shame, worry; feelings that it was my fault — that my body couldn’t keep my baby inside. And I was no stranger to those feelings.”

Once a woman has a premature child, their risk of having another is extremely high, so when Ricardo was pregnant with Paloma, she was given

a high risk prognosis, which came with weekly doctor’s visits, weekly progesterone shots, hormone therapies, a magnesium drip and bedrest.

“My baby girl still made her grand entrance into this world one whole month earlier than her brother, tripling his stay at 70 days,” Ricardo said. “The one thing that has made this whole experience so special is the wonderful men and women we have the privilege and honor of being with today … It’s something so incredibly special and wonderful to see our NICU babies and their families thriving.”

Every NICU graduating class was then recognized and photos of each “graduating class” were taken before families returned to the fun activities for the remainder of the event.

“Small babies and their parents are really true warriors,” Sreepathi said. “Our babies are small, but very strong. They fight battles with unknown ends and unknown outcomes.

They are strong, never lose hope and prove that life is worth fighting for. They’ve taught me to be patient, positive and never give up when a situation seems hopeless.”

rim of the cupcake paper showing completely. You can wipe off excess frosting if necessary.

• Sprinkle white sugar crystals on the frosting, letting the excess fall into a bowl underneath. You can then gently press the cupcake down into the fallen crystals to fill any uncoated areas.

• For the red side, just use a knife to apply the frosting. Pull downward with the edge of the knife so the frosting meets at the base of the cup.

Again, make sure to keep the rim of the cup free of frosting.

• Sprinkle with red sugar crystals over a separate bowl, and press red section into the bowl of crystals to fill any gaps. Repeat with the blue frosting and blue sugar crystals.

When the cupcakes are coated with sprinkles you can easily, reshape the dome if necessary by gently pressing down any areas that look uneven.

Finally, sprinkle more white sugar crystals over the entire cupcake to give it an even icier look and insert a small spoon right in the top.

Serve with little plastic spoons for full effect and see who you can fool!

— Bakerella.com

and is the world

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 7

Amazing bridges across the state of California

T R AV E L

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

C

alifornia has some of the most iconic bridges in the United States, and the world. Today we take most of them for granted as we drive over them. Everyone knows the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is an architectural wonder and one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

However, did you know that California is home to many other amazing bridges? Here’s five bridges every Californian should visit.

Left: The Sundial Bridge was designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, and is the world’s largest working sundial. Top: The Tower Bridge, painted ochre to give it the appearance of gold, is especially striking when lit up at night. PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA

Bixby Bridge, Highway 1, Big Sur

One of the most photographed bridges in the world, the Bixby Bridge can often be seen in film and on television (most recently in HBO’s “Big Little Lies”). You’ll also recognize the bridge seen in many car commercials.

Completed in 1932 at the cost of a little more than $200,000, the concrete span, one of the highest bridges of its kind in the world, soars 260 feet above the bottom of a steep canyon carved by Bixby Creek. When you see the canyon’s steep and crumbling cliffs, you can see the challenges facing the bridge builders.

To construct the bridge, a massive wooden framework had to be built with materials brought by truck on what was then a narrow, one-way road with many hairpin turns. More than 45,000 individual sacks of cement had to be hauled up the framework.

Each bag was transported by a system of platforms and slings suspended by cables 300 feet above the creek.

The span was completed five years before the opening of the road that links Carmel (about 15 miles to the north) with San Luis Obispo.

To get the best photos of the bridge take advantage of multiple viewpoints. Pull over at the numerous turnouts to get amazing views, particularly from the bridge’s south end at sunset.

Info www.seemonterey.com/regions/ big-sur/bixby-bridge

The Tower Bridge, Sacramento Built in 1934 at the cost of nearly $1 million, the Tower Bridge was the

first vertical lift bridge on the California Highway System. The bridge crosses the Sacramento River, linking West Sacramento in Yolo County to the state capitol in Sacramento County.

The bridge was designed by California state architect Alfred Eichler, and has a strong Streamline Moderne influence, which is a form of Art Deco.

The bridge originally carried railroad traffic in the center, with vehicle traffic to the sides, but this practice ended in 1963.

The bridge was originally painted silver but since 1976, has been painted an ochre to give it the appearance of gold. This was to reflect the state nickname: “California: The Golden State.” The concrete pillars on the approaches were originally painted blue, but are currently unpainted.

Its golden frame is especially striking when lit up at night.

For a closer look, stroll across Tower Bridge for views over the Sacramento River and watch the boats go by. It is interesting to note that the center part can lift vertically when tall ships traverse this section of the Sacramento River, allowing as much as 100 feet of clearance underneath.

In 1982, the Tower Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Info https://livingnewdeal.org/ projects/tower-bridge-sacramento-ca

Sundial Bridge, Redding

840 Sundial Bridge Parkway, Redding, 96001 One of only two bridges in the United States designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, the Sundial Bridge is a glass decked, cable-stayed cantilever suspension bridge that reaches 217 feet into the sky and spans 710 feet across the Sacramento River.

It is the world’s largest working sundial.

Opened on July 4, 2004, the pedestrian bridge provides an easily-accessible entry point for Redding’s extensive trail system, perfect for hiking, walking, mountain biking or cycling.

It takes about 15 minutes to walk across the bridge, stopping along the way to take in the scenery and watch the wildlife. On the other side, you can walk under the bridge to see it from another angle.

Info www.visitredding.com/sundial bridge

Foresthill Bridge, Sierra Nevada

Opened to the public on Labor Day in 1973, the 2,428-foot-long-span, with piers only 16 feet shorter than those of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, was built at a cost of $13 million. It rises 730 feet above the stream bed of the American River’s North Fork, and was the second highest bridge in the world when it opened in 1973. Today, it remains the highest bridge in California and the fourth-highest bridge in the

United States.

The bridge was built to span Auburn Lake, a proposed reservoir of the Auburn Dam. However, the dam was never built. The surrounding land is owned by the Auburn Recreation Area and is popular with lovers of the outdoors.

The bridge is pedestrian friendly, boasting wide walkways on each side that allow for great viewing of the American River.

Info www.onlyinyourstate.com/ northern-california/highestbridge-norcal

Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge, Santa Barbara County

This bridge in the Santa Ynez Mountains, on California Route 154, which links Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez, was completed and opened to traffic in 1963.

The bridge, which cost $2 million to build, has won awards for engineering, design and beauty. It is the highest arch bridge in California and among the highest bridges in the United States. At its highest point, the bridge deck is 400 feet above the canyon floor.

The bridge span is 700 feet long.

Seismic retrofitting was completed in 1998.

Turnouts at either end of the bridge are for emergency parking only.

However, views of the bridge can be obtained from other turnouts along the roadway.

Info www.discover-central-california. com/cold-spring-arch-bridge.html

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BEAUTY

Cellulite treatments: What works and what doesn’t

A

s long as women have been conscious of the presence of cellulite on their bodies, the search has been on to find effective treatments. People have gone to great lengths to eradicate cellulite. Gaining a greater understanding of what causes it and the treatments available can help women effectively address cellulite.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cellulite affects up to 85 percent of adult women compared to only 10 percent of men.

Many people think that cellulite is simply fat, but it is much more complex. Cellulite is caused by the fibrous tethers, known as septae, that run through fat and pull on the fascia that lies underneath the dermal layer of skin.

Women’s connective tissue isn’t as tightly formed as men’s, so their fat can push through more easily, creating the ridges and ‘cottage cheese’

can only temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite. Doctors use a variety of techniques to help reduce cellulite and with results that can last a year or longer, states the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

Cellulite affects most women. Treatment options can be effective, but usually need to be repeated.

effect synonymous with cellulite.

The Mayo Clinic says that no single treatment for cellulite is entirely effective. Most treatments, at best,

• Laser treatments: The ABCS says this treatment uses a tiny laser probe inserted just beneath the skin through a small incision. The laser heats tissues beneath the skin’s surface to release some septae, reduce thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer and stimulate the production of collagen. The procedure is typically performed using local anesthesia and down time is one to two days.

• Subcision: This procedure involves a dermatologist or plastic surgeon inserting a needle just under the skin to break up the tough septae, states the American Academy of Dermatology Association. The results may last two

years or longer.

• Acoustic wave therapy: This features radio frequencies that can reduce the appearance of cellulite over the course of several treatment sessions. Some radio frequency treatments are paired with infrared light or electromagnetic fields, says ASPS. These energy-based treatments are delivered through the skin and are noninvasive.

• Topical treatments: Topical therapies use rollers or vacuums to ‘knead’ the skin and subcutaneous fat, helping to break down the tethers.

Creams and lotions may only boost up collagen to mask cellulite underneath. As a result, they’re not typically effective at reducing cellulite.

Women are urged to speak to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon about their options in regard to treating cellulite.

— Metro Connection

J U N E 30, 2019

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HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Classic errors with decking and stucco

By Robert Lamoureux Signal Contributing Writer

Decks and stucco Robert, I live in Canyon Country, and I’m on the board of directors.

Several years ago, we had several decks, over a dozen, redone and in the last winter they started leaking. Of course the contractor that the previous board hired is no longer around, and I’ve read enough of your stories to know that this is common, and that we’ve got problems.

I attached pictures and you can see that there is failure, showing that the top layers are peeling off. I’m getting an array of answers as to what to do with this, and I’d like your input, please. I need guidance as to who to hire — one guy is expensive and saying that the flashing detail is in need of being replaced.

We got five bids, they’re all different and I just don’t know where to turn.

Can you help?

— Peter E. Peter, The systems are not very complicated. The photos aren’t clear enough

for me to accurately determine the system that is in place here, it could be one of several different types.

Based on what I can see, this will be a complete tear off of the decking system all the way down to the sub-floor.

You can never mate a decking system directly with stucco as they’ve done here, this is why it is lifting and coming apart. There is a missing detail that is very important, also. There is a need for a wall to deck flashing detail, this will direct any water going down the wall, away from the structure.

What was done here is that they took the decking system and rolled it up the stucco. This is a classic error that is made, and every time I see it done, there are water intrusion issues.

The seam that is created is a welcome mat for water to enter. Water will always take the path of least resistance so what should happen is that it should roll down the wall and be directed over the wall to deck flashing and weep screed, and away from the structure onto the deck where it either rolls off or there is drainage that it enters to be directed through the drain system.

You’ll spend plenty of money redoing these decks but it will be far less than the expense of remediating water damage and repairing damaged units.

I encourage you to go with the con-

Quick, simple ways to make your front door pop

V

isitors’ impressions of a home are often dictated by the home’s entryway.

Making changes to an entryway can go a long way toward improving curb appeal.

Bold front door color Color can dramatically enhance an entryway.

Painting an existing door or replacing it with a more vivid option can do the trick. The door color should complement the other shades of the home, such as those on siding and trim.

Custom walkway Guide guests right to the front door with an attractive (and safe) walkway. Stamped concrete or decorative paver blocks may fit the bill.

Contain plants Landscaping

around the entryway should be neat and well-tended. Overgrown plants or shrubbery may give off an air of neglect.

Highlight the address Make sure the home can be found easily with bold and decorative house numbers.

Use high-end materials The fairly small area of real estate by the front door enables homeowners to splurge on more opulent materials that can really add a feeling of luxury. These can include colorful tiles, ornate planters, or elaborate knobs and lighting fixtures.

Add architectural details Find out which architectural elements will meld with the style of the home and then incorporate them.

— Metro Connection

tractor that is proposing these repairs and who is both licensed and insured.

Like I said, I see this all of the time because boards are eager to get the least expensive work done but often this is the outcome and it ultimately ends up costing more to repair it.

A good way to tackle a large scale project like this is to hire a professional to write an RFP which is a request for proposal. This is a request for specific repairs, and this is sent out for bid. Once you have bids back based on the RFP, have your professional look them over to determine that the bids are submitted based on the information requested.

Once you know you are comparing apples to apples, then you can move forward and choose a contractor based on licensing, insurance and cost.

Good luck with this project, and

be sure that when you are complete, that you do your regular maintenance to the new decking system. Without regular maintenance then your warranty will be void and you could end up back in this situation, needing to redo them.

— Robert Robert Lamoureux has 38 years of experience as a general contractor, with licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to robert@imsconstruction.com.

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J U N E 30, 2019

SENIORLIVING GETTIN’ UP THERE

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We Love To Help You Hear

By Diana Sevanian Signal Staff Writer

on the young people growing up in these homes.

I have seen that some of these kids or some selearn to better understand the develniors, living oping frailty of the human body, and with family provide empathy, sympathy, and care members is for those they love,” Dorio said. not a doable situa“Such responsibilities allow kids to tion. For others, it mature and grow faster which serves has become a functional, successful, them well later in life. I have a friend and treasured norm. whose grandmother and father had Dr. Gene Dorio, a local geriatric cancer, and because of this experiphysician, acknowledges that multigenerational housing is coming back, ence, instilled within him was a richsometimes because of family ties, er emotional understanding, driving other times due to him into medicine. financial necessity.

He came back and PART 2 OF A 2-PART “In Santa Clarita, I now serves the peoCOLUMN ON have a couple who are ple of Santa Clarita living in a multigenMULTIGENERATIONAL as a physician.” erational home … the A similar outcome LIVING older adults are living is evidenced by the in a closely monibeliefs of SCV resitored arena, while they also serve dent Laura Pryts Chesler, who grew to care for the grandkids,” Dorio up in a multigeneration home and explained. “Two other patients have eventually became a caregiver for her grandkids living with them as they matriarchs. have disabilities, and the kids assist “I would do it all over again, as in the monitoring and caregiving of hard as some of it was,” Pryts Chesler their grandparents.” said. “My (maternal) Grandma came This rising trend can be a boon for to live with us when I was 10, until everyones peace of mind, with safety, she passed away at 99. I loved growsecurity, improved quality of life, and ing up with Grandma Annie in the financial savings as rewards. house. I was so lucky.”

“Older adults don’t want to go to a In time Pryts Chesler, the annual nursing home and prefer to aging in giving officer at Henry Mayo Newhall place. Sometimes, living with family Hospital, became a full-time caregivmembers works, even if it is not in er to her own mother, who suffered their original home.” from dementia and later died from Patients and family members the disease. are concerned about older adults “Although that was a very difficult falling, not taking their medicines time, there were many bright spots,” correctly, their inability to care for the daughter avowed. “I cherish the their home or pets, or their possible days we had together … she was such inability to maintain good health an incredible mother and human and nutrition. “These can be susbeing. The least I could do was honor tained and monitored better in the her and show my love and gratitude.” same home,” said Dorio, also a longNext Gettin’ Up There column is time co-host with Barbara Cochran called “Sisters in Time,” a soon-toon Hometown Station KHTS The be-available senior shared-living Senior Hour. program through which females with With multigenerational living, there is less isolation and loneliness room in their home can be matched with women who seek affordable for seniors along with increased housing. social contact, and that’s an invaluDiana Sevanian is a retired able benefit. But perhaps the best part of such living arrangements is registered nurse and longtime Signal found in the long-term effect it has features staff writer and columnist.

F

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PROFILE

Holly Schroeder — Growing business in the SCV

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

H

olly Schroeder was named president and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. in 2013. The nonprofit SCVEDC, which was established in 2010, works to attract new businesses to the SCV, as well as retain and assist existing business. It also markets the community and is a resource for economic data.

Midwest born and raised

Schroeder was raised in northeast Ohio, near Kent, the home of Kent State University.

The youngest of three daughters, her father was a college professor of psychology at Kent State University and her mother a school psychologist.

“I grew up in a great neighborhood.

As a kid I would get up in the morning and go outside and not come inside until after dark,” she said.

“We had a small horse farm when I was growing up.” And, Schroeder learned to ride and take care of the animals. “It was hard work, but super enjoyable,” she said.

Schroeder graduated high school from Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, located about 15 miles from Kent. Despite her Ohio roots, she decided to attend St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, near Min-

Holly Schroeder, Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. president and CEO. PHOTOS DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

neapolis.

“My mom grew up in Minneapolis and I had extended family in the area,” she said. “It was a great way to get out of Ohio, but stay near a strong family network. Not too close, not too far away.”

Chemistry and French

St. Olaf was known mostly for its school choir. “It has a fantastic choir, but that’s not why I went there. They also had a strong science program, and in my younger years I thought I might become a doctor,” she said.

However, Schroeder graduated with a double major of French and Chemistry.

The French major was somewhat by accident,” she said. “I had taken French through high school and when attending St. Olaf, I discovered short study-abroad programs.”

Schroeder’s parents wanted any travel to be

associated with learning a language, so she “stuck with the program long enough to get to Paris” and then only needed another course to complete the degree.

“It was a fantastic experience,” she said. “Unfortunately, I am not nearly as fluent in French now.”

Waste management

After college, Schroeder decided against medical school and went to work at Waste Management in Chicago, where she was an environmental compliance specialist at the company. “You had to be able to read lab reports from water sampling and other types of data,” she said.

During her four years working for Waste Management, she traveled throughout the United States visiting landfills, transfer stations and hauling companies.

“It was in the early 1990s when new environmental compliance regulations were being instituted for waste management companies,” Schroeder said.

That travel introduced her to the West Coast.

Schroeder loved the scenery, everything from the mountains to the ocean.

“After growing up in the flat Midwest, I was blown away by the different terrain,” she said. “I love the hills and mountains and how you can drive a short way and be in a different environment, and it’s not flat.”

Portland, Oregon to the SCV

“I met my then-husband, and we relocated to Portland, where I worked for the state of Oregon for 10 years,” she said. Schroeder held a variety of positions at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, from organizational improvement coordinator to administrator of management services to administrator of water quality protection.

She obtained a master’s degree in 2000 from the University of Oregon in applied information management.

But, after a few visits to Southern California, Schroeder decided living here might be a good idea. “It was nice and warm and sunny here when it was cold and rainy in Portland,” she said.

Schroeder started looking for a job. She became an executive with the Building Industry Association’s Los Angeles and Ventura chapter and moved to Valencia in 2005.

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3 3

Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Holly Schroeder welcomes the attendees to the recent 2019 Economic Outlook.

Building Industry Association

The BIA is the trade association for the home building industry, including builders KB Home, D.R. Horton and Lennar, as well as the trades associated with home building, such as landscapers, drywallers, roofers, window companies, real estate agents, marketing consultants and mortgage companies.

Her office was located in the SCV, but Schroeder said her “real” office was in her car.

“With the office covering all of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, I drove a lot,” she said.

Schroeder started with the BIA when the economy was still strong.

“But then the recession hit, and home building was one of the severely affected industries. It was a professional and personal challenge. I saw a lot of great people lose their jobs and their companies.”

Schroeder said going through the recession was “tough.” When she found the SCVEDC job in 2013, she was “ready for a change.”

SCVEDC

After five and a half years at the SCVEDC, Schroeder said she feels like she just came on board, “yesterday.”

Her proudest accomplishment is convincing Logix Federal Credit Union to move its headquarters from Burbank to the SCV. The company, which was located in Burbank for more than 80 years, outgrew its space and needed a new home.

“They did a lot of searching, and they thought they were going to stay in the Burbank vicinity, but we worked really hard to win them over, to see the opportunities in the SCV,” Schroeder said.

The company is now building a new headquarters off Commerce Center Drive.

“It’s spectacular,” she said. “When you drive by on Highway 126 you can’t miss it, it’s gorgeous.” Logix and nearly 500 employees should be in the new building by early 2020.

Enjoying life in the SCV

Schroeder experienced a lifechanging incident last year when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“It was a wake-up call. Fortunately, it was benign, but it needed to be removed because it was impacting my vision,” she said. “The entire surgery and recovery went exactly according to plan.”

Now Schroeder focuses on working hard, but also is enjoying and appreciating everything in her life.

In her free time, Schroder crochets and makes sweaters, scarfs and baby blankets.

In the past seven years, she has become an avid golfer. Schroeder is a member of the women’s golfing group LPGA Amateur Golf Association, Los Angeles chapter.

“I’ve made a lot of great friends and we get together and play at different courses around the region,” she said.

“It’s super fun.

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34 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

GARDENING

The benefits of smart irrigation systems

T

In

#1 Sales 2018

REALTY ONE GROUP SUCCESS

he world has a water problem. Though the planet is 70 percent water, according to the World Bank, estimates indicate that with current population growth and water-management practices, the world will face a 40 percent shortfall between forecast demand and available supply of water by 2030.

Conservation is one of the ways the world can confront its water problem head-on, potentially preventing billions of people from facing a water scarcity in the years to come. One of the ways people in the developed world can help to conserve water is by employing smart irrigation systems in their homes.

Smart irrigation systems employ a similar type of smart technology many homeowners already rely on inside their homes. By employing such technology in their lawns and gardens, homeowners can reap many of the same rewards they enjoy by using smart home systems inside their homes, all while benefitting the planet.

Some smart irrigation systems can recognize the local weather. Many smart irrigation systems connect to the internet via homeowners’ WiFi. This allows the systems to take current weather into account before watering lawns and gardens. For example, a smart irrigation system can identify if it recently rained and cancel a scheduled watering. This helps homeowners avoid watering lawns and gardens when nature has already done the watering for them.

Smart irrigation systems can save homeowners money. While smart irrigation systems can cost several thousand dollars, those costs can be recouped over time. Smart irrigations systems can detect when cooler weather has arrived, turning

down water output as a result. That conserves water and saves homeowners money. When coupled with the savings they’ll realize because their irrigation systems aren’t water during rainy periods, homeowners will soon be on track to recouping their smart irrigation investments.

Smart irrigation systems conserve water. People in the developed world are accustomed to having water at the ready. But many people across the globe enjoy no such luxury. For example, the organization Save the Water™ notes that the average American uses 2,000 gallons of water every day, while the average African family uses just five gallons of water each day. Much of that disparity can be traced to a lack of access and scarcity of supply in the undeveloped world.

By utilizing technology like smart irrigation systems, homeowners can help ensure there is sufficient water for everyone, regardless of where they live, in the coming decades.

Smart irrigation systems are sound investments that can help conserve water and benefit future generations.

— Metro Connection

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3 5

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Single story, 3+2+office 2,363 SF, well designed and well-built home sits on the NW corner knoll of the property to take advantage of the sweeping views. Horse facilities include a workshop attached to a 3 stall stable with turn-outs. 2 additional stalls, several fenced areas designed for dogs/goats/sheep, a chicken “condo”, 2 arenas, 2 covered carports and several out buildings. Landscaped with mature trees that provide beauty, shade and privacy.

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K

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36 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

SINGLE STORY POOL HOME! $525,000 Instant Access To All POOL HOMES IN SCV!

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$1,750,000 8072 Cuddy Valley Road in Frazier Park

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J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3 7

ANOTHER HOT NEW LISTING www.29401abelia.info

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Santa Clarita Valley

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38 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

Opinion

J U N E 30, 2019

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

OURVIEWS

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

Faster Connections and a Safe and Happy Fourth

The ‘Upstream’ Ethics of Intellectual Honesty

By The Signal Editorial Board

By David Hegg

I

f you’re reading this online, sometime soon you might be able to read it faster.

That is, this and anything else you access on the internet will load more quickly, photos will load more quickly, and video will stream more smoothly.

(Buffering? Forget about it.)

And it’ll be cheaper, too.

That’s thanks to a new $217,000 contract the Santa Clarita City Council awarded this week to Crown Castle Fiber LLC to bring “big-city internet” to Santa Clarita.

It’s a move that was immediately applauded by the local business community, and will assuredly be applauded by residential internet users as well.

In other words, just about everyone in Santa Clarita.

If you live and work in Santa Clarita, there’s a good chance you don’t know what you’re really missing. Internet service in the hubs of major metro areas — like Los Angeles — is often superior to what is available out here in the suburbs.

In Downtown L.A., for example, there are hundreds of internet service providers and users have easier direct access to high-speed connections.

Under the new city contract, at least two new dark fiber strands will connect Santa Clarita directly to the hubs in Downtown L.A. Benny Ives, a city technology services manager, told the council: “This would establish a physical connection to downtown Los Angeles, where the city would have a presence in downtown that has hundreds of internet providers. We’d be able to get internet at a fraction of the cost.”

He added: “We’ve heard from many for a number of years that there’s really only two primary ISPs (internet service providers), like Spectrum and AT&T. But many businesses are confined to only one option and some may have the option to choose but others only have that single option. For that reason, the cost and value proposition is not advantageous.”

Thanks to the new city contract, those options will expand, service will improve and costs will come down.

And that’s a win-win-win for the See OUR VIEW, page 40

T

his column is all about this premise: It is more ethical, and more beneficial, to seek the truth and tell the truth than to drift along with the current of a culture that is manifestly taking us down the stream of absurdity. Here’s an illustration of how we ought to be swimming upstream against that culture.

While most have never heard of him, Thomas Nagel is at the center of a controversy that threatens to pull the curtain away from the great and terrible Oz of our day. I am speaking about the almost universally accepted belief that all of life – indeed, every element of the universe and all that exists in it – can be reduced to physical particles, themselves the product of physical processes guided by the principle of natural selection. In other words, the immaterial part of us was produced by purely material processes.

Nagel, the highly respected university professor in the Department of Philosophy and the School of Law at New York University and recipient of several prestigious philosophical

awards, has dared to propose that there is much more to us than the physical, and that things like consciousness, intentionality, meaning, purpose, thought, and value cannot be accounted for through purely physical processes.

Material processes cannot bring about immaterial

products.

In his book “Mind and Cosmos,” Nagel exposes not only the ungrounded assumptions of modern “reductionist neo-Darwinian” theory but also presses still deeper to show that the scholarly scientific establishment has long considered it as settled dogma that the fields of chemistry and physics can explain the reality of all things. His whole purpose in writing is to show that this “dogma” cannot stand up to the questions being asked of it, and along the way he brings to light an even more astounding situation.

He has this to say, after describing the basis of his certainty that the “materialist neo-Darwinian conception of nature is almost certainly wrong.”

“I realize that such doubts will strike

See HEGG, page 39

READERLETTERS

Different Take on Sand Canyon Re: May 22 article, Sand Canyon Country Club: As a participant in the tour of the proposed Sand Canyon Country Club property referenced in the article, I wanted to offer a slightly different take than the headline of the article suggests.

While there were certainly opponents to the project in attendance, there were also an equal number of us who support this bold and visionary plan.

There are few Angelenos who live south of the 101 freeway who have the slightest idea that Santa Clarita exists. This is the type of venue that will cer-

tainly bring attention to our area — attention that will increase employment, bring additional revenue to our local businesses, and most certainly bring much-needed tax revenue into the city coffers.

Developers today do not act in the “Robert Moses mode” of the 1950s. Between thoughtful planning and the sapient oversight of the Santa Clarita Planning Commission, I have every confidence the completed project will lend itself perfectly to the surrounding environment. A property of this nature can be built without jeopardizing the existing aesthetic. Similar properties exist in exclusive enclaves of the west side of Los Angeles, Ojai, Orange

County and Santa Barbara. These properties elevate the stature of surrounding areas. They do not take away from it, or degrade it in any way.

This is a win-win for our city. The jobs created with the building of the hotel, combined with the long-term employment, will provide a sustained boost to our local economy.

James Trabucco, Canyon Country 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.

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 39

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 R O B E R T A R I A I L

Angry Mobs Shout Down an Editorial Art Form

By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

I

’ll never forget the day Randy Wicks died.

It was 1996. My wife and I were on a camping trip to the Santa Barbara wine country with family and friends. We returned from a day of wine tasting and shopping in Solvang — I bought a straw cowboy hat, which I still have to this day. And when we got back, there was a note on our tent — we hadn’t graduated to RV’s yet — and it said to call John Boston, my pal and columnist for The Signal.

This was before we all had smartphones surgically attached to our hands, and a Post-It note on my tent was the fastest way for the campground hosts to relay a message to me.

I called Boston, and he said, “Buddy, I’m so sorry to tell you this, but Randy Wicks died this morning.”

I was young then. Thirty-ish. It was the first time I’d ever been told directly that a close friend had died. I was flabbergasted.

Wicks was The Signal’s editorial cartoonist. He was a larger-than-life character, and a good friend, a guy who consumed information voraciously and laughed with his entire body. At 41, his death — due to a heart attack — was wholly unexpected.

When we got that news, Erin and I briefly debated what to do, and we pretty quickly decided to break camp and run back to Santa Clarita. We got back just in time for the candlelight vigil that night on the front porch of the newspaper’s offices on Creekside Road.

Wicks was a treasure in this community, and was regarded as such even by those he targeted with his editorial cartoons. His license plate said PSN PEN, and he meant it.

In the years following his death, we

started a scholarship program in his memory.

Regrettably, the newspaper’s then-owners let it lapse around seven or eight years ago, but before we were done, we raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds for local students pursuing First Amendment careers, and some of them have gone on to stellar careers in journalism.

Today, I often wonder what Wicks would be contributing to our opinion pages if he were still around. Local politics? He’d be taking great joy in the political shift that has been occurring in the formerly red, now purple Santa Clarita Valley. Randy was quite the liberal, at a time when most political voices in the SCV were decidedly not.

And oh, he’d be having a field day with President Trump…

Why do I bring this up now?

I bring it up because, even in Wicks’ heyday of the 1980s and 1990s, he was something of a luxury for a community newspaper: A full-time editorial cartoonist whose job was to illustrate the issues of the day, and to make people think, even if they disagreed with him.

Even then, community newspapers like The Signal could scarcely afford a full-time editorial cartoonist — but even after we lost Wicks, we always knew the major metro papers had such bases covered.

Until now.

Now, one of the most venerated newspapers in the world, the New York Times, has decided that editorial cartoons are no longer a necessity.

The Times announced last week that they will no longer publish editorial cartoons in their international edition, and they have jettisoned their own contract cartoonists.

See WHYTE, page 40

HEGG

Continued from page 38

many people as outrageous, but that is because almost everyone in our secular culture has been browbeaten into regarding the reductive research program as sacrosanct, on the ground that anything else would not be science.”

It is all too apparent, according to Nagel, that being politically correct by upholding evolutionary theory as unassailable truth is a prerequisite to being respected in the scientific community.

What he is really speaking to is the issue of scholarly honesty. Long ago we abandoned ourselves to science, and to the cult of intellectual progress. We believe that scientific research, which to be sure has discovered and brought to society myriad beneficial things, can be trusted to be scrupulously honest, following the evidence where it leads even if that means scrubbing away private bias. Turns out there is reason to doubt the intellectual honesty of many who are using our research dollars in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. You’ll have to read the book to get the full picture, but there are a few things we can learn from this brief introduction.

At the core of Nagel’s critique is the ethical value we call honesty. It comes in a wide array of dress including trustworthiness, impartiality, transparency, and not least of all, a radical commitment to tell the truth, the

whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Thomas Nagel is no theist, as he makes clear in the introduction to the book. Nevertheless, he shows great intellectual honesty when speaking about intelligent design and its proponents. Though, he says, they may be motivated in part by religious beliefs, “the empirical arguments they offer against the likelihood that the origin of life and its evolutionary history can be fully explained by physics and chemistry are of great interest in themselves … (T)hey do not deserve the scorn with which they are commonly met. It is manifestly unfair.”

As a theist, I am, of course, drawn to much that Nagel is presenting. However, my appreciation is based as much upon his ethics as his viewpoint. He has a higher commitment to honesty as a philosopher than he has to being accepted by the academic establishment. He isn’t afraid to swim upstream against scholarly opinion if that opinion is manifestly biased and bordering on systemic dishonesty.

He has broken with his tribe in order to pursue truth. Our nation could use more men and women like Thomas Nagel, in all walks of life and positions of power. In the long run, it will be our ethical backbone rather than our political correctness that matters.

David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church and a Santa Clarita resident.“Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.

40 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

J U N E 30, 2019

Opinion

WHYTE

D R AW I N G C O N C L U S I O N S M I LT P R I G G E E

Continued from page 39

Was this a move made out of financial necessity?

No. It was a move made out of fear.

It started with a recent editorial cartoon that somehow got past the Times’ highly paid opinion page editors. It contained anti-Semitic imagery, depicting Trump wearing a skullcap and being led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was portrayed as a guide dog wearing a leash attached to a collar bearing the Star of David.

That’s a pretty big “miss” for an editor. I feel their pain, because I am human and I, too, have made mistakes. I’ve had things get past me, despite every intention of vigilance.

But, there’s a “throwing-the-baby-out-with-thebathwater” metaphor to be had here.

One of the Times’ two fired contract cartoonists, Patrick Chappatte, wrote about it on his website: “In 20-plus years of delivering a twice-weekly cartoon for the International Herald Tribune first, and then The New York Times, and after receiving three Overseas Press Club of America awards in that category, I thought the case for political cartoons had been made (in a newspaper that was notoriously reluctant to the form in past history),” Chappatte wrote.

“But something happened. In April 2019, a Netanyahu caricature from syndication reprinted in the international editions triggered widespread outrage, a Times apology and the termination of syndicated cartoons. Last week, my employers told me they'll be ending in-house political cartoons as well by July. I’m putting down my pen, with a sigh: that’s a lot of years of work undone by a single cartoon — not even mine — that should never have run in the best newspaper of the world.”

He continued: “I’m afraid this is not just about cartoons, but about journalism and opinion in general. We are in a world where moralistic mobs gather

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 38

city, local businesses and residents, too. qqq ‘L.A. County Connect’ Brings County Government Closer to SCV Business Thanks are also in order for L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who has brought forth a significant new county initiative to bring county government closer to its business constituents in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The county is collaborating with the SCV Economic Development Corp. to allow businesses, developers and permit applicants to meet regularly with

on social media and rise like a storm, falling upon newsrooms in an overwhelming blow. This requires immediate counter-measures by publishers, leaving no room for ponderation or meaningful discussions.

Twitter is a place for furor, not debate. The most outraged voices tend to define the conversation, and the angry crowd follows in.”

Exactly. The Times has yielded to the angry mob rather than address the hiccup in editorial scrutiny that allowed an objectionable cartoon to appear on the opinion page.

Now, one year into my second tour of duty with The Signal, we no longer enjoy the unique local appeal of a Randy Wicks. But syndicated editorial cartoons are still a daily presence on our opinion pages. They convey opinions, in a visual way, that may make you laugh, cry or explode in anger. Whatever your polit-

representatives of key county departments — like Regional Planning, Public Works and the Fire Department — to help them more easily navigate the process of obtaining permits, resolving issues and getting questions answered directly from county officials, without having to trek to Downtown Los Angeles. The first meeting was held this week at the Stevenson Ranch Library.

Back in the "old days," when Santa Clarita was being formed as a city, one of the main driving points behind that effort was to bring local government closer to home. The city of Santa Clarita has done an excellent job of that, and these days, so too is the county.

Initiatives like L.A. County Connect

ical views are, a good editorial cartoon forces you to think.

It’s a unique form of art and commentary. It’s often funny, but often not, despite being identified as a “cartoon.”

For all those years when we were fortunate enough to have Wicks at The Signal, as a small-town community newspaper, a full-time cartoonist was a luxury.

It shouldn’t be a luxury for the New York Times.

It should be a staple, and it’s a sad commentary that the newspaper that gets millions of eyeballs on the internet — and still buys more barrels of ink than just about anyone — is running scared.

Wicks would’ve had something to say about that, too.

Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays. On Twitter: @TimWhyte.

are exactly what’s needed to bring the county government closer to its constituents, improving accessibility and fostering a spirit of cooperation.

Kudos to Barger and the county for making it happen. qqq Enjoy a Safe and Sane Fourth, and We’ll See You at the Parade!

Much has been written in The Signal this past week about the local emphasis on safe ways to celebrate the Fourth of July, and we hope everyone in our community heeds the advice of local leaders, law enforcement and Fire Department officials. Plus, there are so many great options to celebrate safely and hassle-free.

May we suggest you start your day with the Fourth of July Parade in Old Town Newhall. It’s a long-standing local tradition, and we are honored this year that the parade organizers are celebrating the 100th anniversary of The Signal.

And, after the parade, we hope you’ll all join us in finishing the celebration with the city’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration over the Westfield Valencia Town Center. It’s always the perfect cap on a star-spangled Independence Day celebration, which has been a hallmark of this community for the past century.

Happy Fourth, everyone!

J U N E 30, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 4 1

A Sneak Peak at July 4ths Past …

I’ve got a little early bird treat for you, saddlepals. We’re going to time travel into yesteryear and see how we celebrated this marvelous nation’s birthday here in the Santa Clarita.

We’ll also sneak up on the world’s largest grizzly bear, see The Signal’s first-ever humor column in 1919 (and no; it wasn’t written by moi) and witness crime and tragedy against two of the world’s most famous people who happened to be SCV citizens.

C’mon! We time it just right and in our Western duds, we’ll just sneak into all the parades of yesteryear …

WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• ¿Te amo Jalisco? Ever see those bumper stickers around town that declare: “I Love Jalisco?” Ignacio del Valle, son of Antonio and owner of the Rancho San Francisco (which would later be most of the SCV) was born on July 1, 1808, in Jalisco, Mexico.

• Atsa big bruin On July 7, 1871, Canyon Country pioneer John Lang shot the largest grizzly bear ever recorded. The beast weighed 2,350 pounds and had a track that measured 19 inches in diameter. It had killed, and eaten, several hundred cattle and a bunch of men over its career.

• Ain’t changed a pinch in 104 years ,has it? The town of Castaic was founded on July 1, 1915.

JUNE 30, 1919

• Early SCV socialized medicine This was long before HMOs but our local Dr. Blanchard suggested that all medical fees should be abolished and doctors should be on a fixed salary.

• Atsa lotta chicken Eggland, the huge poultry farm that used to sit in Happy Valley, was named the fourth largest egg producer in California a century back. If my pal, Clem Cox, who is in chicken heaven (or reincarnated as a 7th century Mongolian warlord) was around today, I’d bet he’d still have some of those eggs, hoping the market will go up. Miss you, Clem, darn it. Write when you have a chance.

• Pales in comparison to Tim Whyte’s offerings The Signal’s first-ever humor column appeared. It was called “On the Funny Side” and was filled with early 20th century jokes. Here’s one: “QUESTION: Kind

JUNE 30, 1939

• The sandman Bruce Howard of Castaic won the greased pole climbing contest at the big Fourth of July fest after the parade. Bruce studied the other boys slipping and sliding, then filled his pockets with sand.

Bruce used the sand to degrease the pole and came out a champ.

sir — will you please tell me in what state one can obtain a divorce quickest?” ANSWER: “The state of matrimony, of course. How dare you ask such an easy one.” For the record, it was also the last time “On the Funny Side” appeared in this paper. Some of us should be watching our Ps & Qs …

JUNE 30, 1929

• Bad things happen, 2– Actors, 0 Famed movie star and Saugus rancher Harry Carey, whose San Francisquito ranch now sits atop the Tesoro del Valle development, was out of the country. Harry was starring in “Trader Horn,” which was being filmed in Africa. An epic rainfall hit his camp, drowning several crew members.

Another local SCV cowboy superstar, Tom Mix, made the headlines. While on a train, Tommy was robbed of several thousand dollars cash. Didn’t have his six-shooters on him to protect himself. Heavens. In 2019, that means that Mix was carrying around the equivalent of $91,000 …

• Kids. Don’t drink. A Signal editorial called for education in the schools about the dangers of alcohol. “If the children know that the stuff is harmful and dangerous, they are not apt to fool with it.” Wonder about which children from which planet Signal Editor A.B. Thatcher was writing.

JULY 4, 1932

• Not the first fourth The alleged first Fourth of July parade in Newhall was held on this date. It was actually the first in a string of Independence Day parades. Actually, Newhall hosted a few small parades in the early 20th century (in which two surviving Civil War vets, one from the Union, one from the Confederates, marched together in their uniforms and carrying flags). There was also a Fourth of July parade here in 1925.

• A very bad dream Ed Gesler, as The Signal solemnly noted: “… dropped suddenly into the sleep from which there is no awakening.” Gesler had picked up a hitchhiker in Bakersfield and the man was driving while Gesler slept. According to the thumber, Gesler awoke from what seemed to be a bad dream, grabbed the wheel and the car veered off a cliff on the Ridge Route. The windshield shattered and Gesler’s jugular was severed.

• Another childhood tragedy It happens consistently over the years.

Bob Lake, 10, nearly blew off his hand reaching for an allegedly unlit firecracker. Best you folks take extra special care of yourselves and your loved ones this upcoming Fourth …

JUNE 30, 1949

• And it wasn’t even slippery! More than 20,000 folks paid to get into the Slippery Gulch (today, Melody Ranch) for the big Fourth of July post-parade party. It was very much like our modern Santa Clarita Cowboy Poetry and Music fest with Western bands, stunts, vaudeville, barbecue and such. The event was such a surprising smash, one organizer said, in Tonto like fashion: “We shot at a rabbit and bowled over a buffalo.”

• The pattern of drought It was a pleasant but very dry Fourth of July.

We were riding through our record fifth year of drought here in the SCV. We had a little over 8 inches of rain for the season.

JUNE 30, 1959

• Bigger, with more critters We were definitely more Western 60 years back on the Fourth. There were all manner of rodeos, gymkhanas and cutting horse exhibitions on Independence Day, plus, the obligatory ponies marching through the parade. We had more than 200 entries in 1959.

JUNE 30, 1969

• That’s one big crowd We had an estimated crowd of more than 50,000

TIMERANGER

to watch the parade in 1969. They watched 170 entries.

• How times change quickly And we, The Signal, were part of it. The lead story in The Mighty Signal on this date was, “Russell’s New Position on Sex.” • Happy anniversary, pals Hats off to Chuck Albrecht and Beverly Zimmerman. They announced their engagement 50 years ago this week.

Two darn good souls. Chuck made his transition a few years ago.

• Duck & cover Los Angeles County started a $90,000 PR campaign to inform folks where their closest nuclear fallout shelters are. Ours were at Wayside Honor Rancho and the Governor Gage and Red Rover mines in Acton. Hmmm. Wonder how fast you’d have to run to get from Newhall to Acton after a nuclear blast?

JUNE 30, 1979

• Lots of H20 elbow room College of the Canyons just opened their beautiful new indoor swimming pool but couldn’t get anybody to use it to save their junior college lives. Reading the admission list, only six to 29 people a day used it during the afternoon public hours. The poor thing was losing money.

• And you don’t see many Susans around today Signal Editor Scott Newhall penned his famous frontpage editorial: “The Rape of Susan B.” It was about the new Susan B. Anthony coin dollar. Wrote Scotty: “In reality this pusillanimous scrap of base metal is nothing more valuable than a cake of buffalo dung.” Mr. Newhall also called it a “whorehouse token” and “a dollar-ette.”

Well how about that for time traveling? Enjoying yesteryear’s Fourth of July a few days in advance? See you back here in seven with another exciting Time Ranger adventure. Until then ¡Feliz quatro de Julio y vayan con Dios, amigos! (Happy Fourth of July and ride with God, amigos!)

John Boston has been writing about SCV history for more than 40 years.

Read his historical tome, “Images of America: The Santa Clarita Valley” on Amazon.com. Check out his History of The Mighty Signal series on Saturdays on A1.

42 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

CROSSWORD TIME

J U N E 30, 2019

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

Traffic Disco

By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

T

here are several car commercials on TV that show people dancing in the front seat of their cars. That’s a good reason to buy a brand-new $33,000 car: so you can get a $500 sound system. Good deal, huh?

The commercials don’t say anything about the car’s reliability, safety features or gas mileage. Come to think of it, the commercials don’t say anything about the car at all. It’s as if they’re not selling you a car, but a stereo that you can drive.

Me, I find the times I need to dance in the front seat of my car are pretty rare. That time I saw the cops ticketing that guy a few minutes after he flew past me while weaving in out of traffic was a happy moment, but not enough to make me dance. Besides, the seat belt makes it difficult.

Buying a car for the sound system is like buying a house for the air conditioner. If you like music that much, you could take a taxi to a nightclub and save yourself, oh, about $32,500.

If not talking about the car is the way to sell cars, there are other ways to do it. They could show a middle-aged woman in the front seat, roasting a chicken. If that doesn’t say “Buy this car,” what does? Or they could show an elderly guy in the passenger seat swinging a golf club.

It would make just as much sense.

Some car brands don’t show dancing models in the commercial. They show their cars doing doughnuts in the middle of the desert, or driving up rocky cliffs. How often do people do that? I can’t remember the last time I went driving off-road in the middle of the desert. Oh yeah: never.

Where would I get gas out there?

Besides, driving up cliffs is something you should do in a rental car, not your own. What I need is a car that can get me to the grocery store and back, not to the Gobi Desert and back.

They also show a lot of people rock-climbing in car commercials.

It’s almost as popular as showing people dancing. I saw a 350-pound guy climb out of an SUV the other day. That’s the real customer, but you never see that guy in the car commercials. It’s always some skinny rock-climber dude wearing skintight spandex with a butt so tight you could crack walnuts on it.

Between the gym and rock-climbing, where would this guy find the time to make enough money to buy a car?

They never show you real things in car commercials. No one’s ever stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic in a car commercial. No one ever drives around and around looking for a parking space in a car commercial. No, in the commercials, drivers are all on wide-open, empty roads, doing 107 mph without a care in the world.

They never show people making obscene gestures at you in the car commercials.

Me, I’d like to hear something real, something honest, about the car itself. Want to sell me a car? Tell me there’s a gadget that will automatically turn off the left blinker after 10 minutes. Offer me a windshield made with my eyeglasses prescription.

Give me a sensor on the dashboard that tells me where the nearest open parking space is at the mall.

I’d like a thing on the keychain that when I push it, my car would send up a signal flare so I could find it in the long-term parking lot at the airport. I’d like to know that the airbags won’t kill me while saving me from an accident. I’d like to be able to set the clock without having to read the manual.

I’d like to know that backing up into a garbage can at 2 mph isn’t going to cost me $4,000 in repairs. I would like little dividers in the back seat that keep my grocery bags from falling over and spilling. Those are things I might pay $30,000 for.

I’ll buy my own radio.

Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com.

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By Crystal The dog was plucked from the wild environs See LA VAU, road to recovery.

Duan Signal Staff A6 of the Angeles National Forest by the very peoWriter On Saturday, she and her father Santa Clari in helping animals. ple held a book-signing at The Open ta’strained the state rate eclip employee of Wildlife Graham, A natio averageHeather ses an Book store on Soledad Canyon twoof 2.1 perce as well as Way Canyon Road, week indicnal study released Tujunga bedroom onnt,Little the natioStation Road at Whites Canyon Road. in Santasepis $2,56the mountains nal growth rateates Santa Clarita’s this of 1.4 percent, which way through itsge Clarita winds avera 4, and “My dad is very humble,” Kerr but has decre a one-b is $1,99 Sunland, from now at 4.1 from year to yearrent compared to arating Valley edroom 0.2 percent, down the Santa 5. This ased Clarita said Monday. “He was so excited markterrain. by 0.04 percreas month, s a $4 in- cent, according in the from last percent, a slight declinis renting platf last itself e for puppy theonlin two-rough month’s 4.9 ormspotted e by see people at the book signing. to to Salvi bedro e the $3 Apar Only revea ati, an to find site. effort oms increase tmenat List 21 of frantic weekend-long percent. led Mon This after and Apartmen “People just kept asking him housing econ from June for a one-bedroo a ies in Ame the 100 largest The July day. t List the 3-month-old dog. citrica . m fall medi ‘Can I get my picture with you?’

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Clari les She said of the book-signing: ta, metr said o area.

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25. The a one-bedroom and show ready to isAug. $2,564, 2.1 Austi night paper regarthe article in Saturdeeply In this May the state average ofkets, break Much of the SCV’s rent largest cits start Staff Writer Signal out your The a $4at ingrab marks Thislawn 2017 phot n Dave/ is $1,995.

7 p.m. Only 21 of the 100 average some tasty the fight to ding Carter Sarka day’s on Pond to a as well as the national o, Jennifer Signal (See additional chair site and a ies in America have seen rents growth can be attributed for stwo-bedrooms creasesnack listen to some photo Sarkar carri has decreased from local s and blansyndrome save him from Sanfir and a clinic erosa Street in of 1.4 percent, butband s at signa this study Castaic.A national es released vendors on-fall over the past year, though general growth in population lscv.com) s comi of yourfor a one-bedroom al trial that her son rent online ng $3 increase to last month, sales coord,” said Natasha Zamb lippo favor Carter compared SarkarSanta in the Los Angeles metro area. indicates might helpweekThe Here’s a Listto the Saug to a home familClarita’s rano, June. us park. ite genre tribute an additional 24 saw modest from y raise Apartment breakdown Carter’srate platform Conc Valencia. inator at Hyatt is renting develop to year d $978 year from percent, 1.0 growth than less fight of Rege gains “We erts month-toof ,467 Clarita’s musc again Santa ncy each band in the Park to getMonday. to contribute at Hyatt woul le st Sanf revealed See RENT, A6 decline now at 4.1 percent, a slight perfo : ilippo synd isgat such as Santa Clarita, said Chris July d like seizures and then, pains, experienc to this fight rmin rent change for month our parki The romeJuly at their midultim 4.9 percent. . median rate for a month’s by fromelastwoul ng d fund to late-teens, ately, die July 7 a nity to watc structure to the offering Sarka said Jenni in give Carter clinical trial that r, Carte a chance ing Fourth h fireworks this commucould fer Wanted, As a resul r’s mother.

“Ove at upcomof July.” life. a Bon r the Jovi tribu lineup of Children draiser in t, the family held been a gathe years the struc te band, is the past a funture has geles, the Concerts in the Park Sanfilippo who are diagnosed ring place first up in goal to dona month with unobstruc band . syndrome to have with The rock is made up of Based out of Los the an will likely the 501(c)(3) te a million dolla the (and firewted view of the festiv playing to ’n’ roll group professional musi Anities Cure Sanfi nonprofit organ rs to Zambrano orks) from Six cians. izatio lippo Foun Flags,” said. views. Wansold out venues had immense succe dation, whic n and garne ted was ss, requests h from agen finally created ring rave rewith the after nume Weather ts and prom band on other See CART ....... rous INDEX ER, A6 ....... projects. oters who worked Lottery . ....... ...... ...

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wth rate Faith above st ate avera ge Coupons Home Improvement Hya tt joins Carter’s Hotel pla Business News ns event pro to donate fight SCV’s ceeds tr It’s the Law Column Sanchild’sfilippobattlesynagadrotoinsmet to the g ibute reats Concerts set to ret in the Park ser Right Here Right Now urn to Ce ies ntral Par k Color Comics

City’s rent growth rate above state average

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tribute Hyatt joins Carter’s fight SCV’s to the greats

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Hotel plans to donate event proceeds to child’s battle against Sanfilippo syndrome

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Concerts in the Park series set to return to Central Park

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rning to Signal subscri Louis Gara ber si Signal Staff Writer of Canyon Country After hearing about Carter Sarkar,

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his fight with Sanfilippo syndrome and the recent million-dollar movement to fund his clinical trial, the Hyatt Regency Valencia has announced that it will donate every dollar from its upcoming fireworks viewing event to the young boy from Castaic.

“Our entire staff was deeply moved by the article in Saturday’s paper regarding Carter Sarkar and the fight to save him from Sanfilippo syndrome,” said Natasha Zambrano, sales coordinator at Hyatt Regency Valencia. “We at Hyatt would like to contribute to this fight by offering our parking structure to the community to watch fireworks this upcoming Fourth of July.”

Children who are diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome will likely

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Austin Dave/The Signal (See additional photos at signalscv.com)

home In this May 2017 photo, Jennifer Sarkar carries her son Carter to a to get on Ponderosa Street in Castaic. The Sarkar family raised $978,467 a clinical trial that might help Carter’s fight against Sanfilippo syndrome. develop muscle pains, experience seizures and then, ultimately, die in their mid-to late-teens, said Jennifer Sarkar, Carter’s mother.

As a result, the family held a fundraiser in the past month with the goal to donate a million dollars to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, which

would fund a clinical trial that could give Carter a chance at life.

“Over the years the structure has been a gathering place to have an unobstructed view of the festivities (and fireworks) from Six Flags,” Zambrano said.

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July 7

Wanted, a Bon Jovi tribute band, is first up in the lineup of Concerts in the Park. Based out of Los Angeles, the band is made up of professional musicians.

The rock ’n’ roll group had immense success, playing to sold out venues and garnering rave reviews. Wanted was finally created after numerous requests from agents and promoters who worked with the band on other projects.

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The crowd-pleasing Concerts in the Park series returns to Santa Clarita for a music-filled summer, starting this weekend at Central Park.

Concerts in the Park are free public events put on by the city of Santa Clarita every Saturday night from July 7 until Aug. 25. The shows start at 7 p.m.

Get ready to break out your lawn chairs and blankets, grab some tasty snacks from local vendors onsite and listen to some of your favorite genre tribute bands coming to the Saugus park.

Here’s a breakdown of each band performing at Concerts in the Park:

Good morning to Signal subscriber Louis Garasi of Canyon Country

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