AUGUST 2022 MAGAZINE SINCE 1919 CHS Track & Field HostsPageTriathlon9
AUGUST 2022 CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE · 3 in 6 WEEKS OR LESS 2 0 2 2 2 0 2 2
4 · CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 TABLE OF CONTENTS 12 CELEBRATING THE CARIBBEAN 10 rotary club’s classic car show The entire content of the Canyon Country Magazine is copyrighted 2022 by Paladin Multi-Media Group, Inc. All submitted letters and columns are strictly the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. If you would not like this delivered to your home, please call (661) 259-1000. 6 CCCC Features Many of the City’s Art Exhibits 7 Resident Reflects on Breast Cancer Battle 8 GV’s Katy Shin Wins Milken Scholar Award 9 Canyon High T&F Hosts Triathlon 10 Rotary Club’s Classic Car Show 12 Celebrating Caribbean Culture 15 Gardening in a Chaparral Biome 16 Laura Hollins Celebrates 99 Years 18 Calendar — Canyon Country Community Center Library Events Congrats to CC Students A proud publication of SignalSCV. c om SINCE 1919 AUGUST 2022 | Vol. 1 | No. 7 MAGAZINEountryanyon PUBLISHER Richard rbudman@signalscv.comBudman(661)287-5501 CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE EDITOR Doña Uhrig SALES REPRESENTATIVES Maureen Daniels Jennifer BarbaraRamosWard 25060 AVENUE STANFORD, STE 141 VALENCIA CA 91355 6 many of city’s latest art at CCCC
AUGUST 2022 CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE · 5 SAND Canyon ANIMAL HOSPITAL Some of the Services We Provide are: Rattle Snake Anti-Venom Vaccine Clinics, Wellness Exams In House Labs Surgery with Laser Therapy, PRP Injections to Speed Healing Advanced Digital Xrays, Ultrasound Dental Care, Nutritional Counseling Behavioral Management Wellness and Senior Services FREE Pet ID Cards (with your Pets Picture & Medical Information Embedded in the ID) For more Services or Request an Appointment, Visit us at sandcanyonanimalhospital.com MONDAY-FRIDAYOpen8AMto5PM We are located at 16524 Soledad Canyon Road in the VONS Shopping Center on the corner of Sand Canyon Road Call or Message us at 661-261-8888 or visit us at www.sandcanyonanimalhospital.com to see a list of Services we o er and request an Appointment Come Visit Our Honey Store This is a great time to stock up on honey … it never goes bad! 3176 Honey Lane, Fillmore, CA 93015 Open 7 days a week - Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm • Sat/Sun 9am-5pm Shop Our e-Store www.bennetthoney.comat:805-521-1375 $10 OFF $20 OFF Purchase of $50 or more Purchase of $100 or more STORE COUPON Valid in store only. Coupon not valid with wholesale pricing, sale items or any other offer or coupons. Offer does not include Manuka Honey or any of the candies. Limit one coupon per household. Must present coupon to cashier at the time of purchase. Exp 10-15-22 HONEY TASTING M-F 2PM-4PM Let Us Take Care Of Your Skin & Body Looking for that solution to target that annoying “problem area” At Glam our Up & Co we have you covered. Our Cryoskin device is a cutting edge technology that is revolutionizing the market of slimming and toning. Cryoskin works with your body’s natural systems to produce slimming and toning effects. The non-invasive sessions result in slimmer, toned bodies and the elimination of fine lines and wrinkles. 24251 Town Center Drive Suite 607 (Inside Salon Republic) SizzlingSpecial!Summer Buy A Package get a FREE Session or $100 OFF any service Expires 9-15-22 We offer a small range of different non-invasive packages to help you with your problematic areas with Cryoslim (Slimming & Toning and Facial) Book Your Consultation Now@ 661-388-1794 appts. only
6 · CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022
By Michele E. Buttelman
D otted throughout the landscape of Santa Clarita residents will stumble upon poetry etched in concrete, brightly painted murals and striking artistic sculptures. The visible handiwork of the Santa Clarita Arts Commission can be found at nearly 100 locations throughout the city.
The 30 installations of sidewalk poetry are spread throughout Santa Clarita waiting to be found like hidden gems in the dust. The Santa Clarita Sidewalk Poetry Program is a collaboration with the city’s Department of Public Works as part of a sidewalk rehabilitation program, with around 10 poems selected each year to be stamped on dam aged sidewalks that are being repaired.
Future Art
Santa Clarita are a series of wall murals painted in 2007 in Newhall on Main Street that commemorate Santa Clarita’s western heritage.
There also is the Imagination Tree mural located Jo Anne Darcy Library in Canyon Country. It depicts a tree with many sturdy branches that seem to be growing from the bookshelves. There are two children and a wide range of creatures that occupy the branches of this tree.
“We need to do more to support artists that live in our community and want to work in our com munity,” she said. “One of the important things the arts commission can do is show the arts communi ty in Santa Clarita that they are valued.”
Sculptures
Arts Master Plan
The plan mandated that public art planning and selection utilizes peer review and community input to ensure that public art pieces meet the goals of providing enjoyable and attractive public spaces that reflect the character of the community.
Shapiro said the Vista Canyon Metrolink Station will also include an art installation honoring the Chinese immigrants who worked on the railroad in the Santa Clarita Valley. The Arts Commission meets on the second Thursday of the month, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 1st floor of City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita 91355. To find all the public art locations in Santa Clarita visit santaclaritaarts.com/publicart milestone for the commission.
Sidewalk Poetry
Shapiro said it is crucial to make experiences with art and culture accessible to everyone in the community.OneofShapiro’s hopes for the future is to see the development of artist’s live-work space.
Most Recent Art Exhibits Installed at CC Community Center
The most recently installed exhibits have been at the Canyon Country Community Center, with more planned for the future. Arts Commission In 2009 the Santa Clarita City Council founded the Santa Clarita Arts Commission.
In 2016, the Santa Clarita City Council approved the Arts Master Plan, which has become the Arts Commission’s guiding document to provide arts, entertainment and cultural development through out the city. As part of the plan the following vision statement was“Theissued:City of Santa Clarita will be recognized as a ‘city of the arts,’ where the lives of residents, artists and visitors are enriched through artistic and cultural experiences.”
Iconic Gas Pump Bike Rack at the Canyon Country Community Center
Public art in Santa Clarita includes more than 25 sculptures of which three are temporary installa tions.The most recent installations are located at the new Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country, CA 91351.
The pieces include “Communitree” and “Circle Song,” a mural completely comprised of handmade glazed ceramic tiles, including tiles created by Santa Clarita residents. Also located at the community center is the “Iconic Gas Pump Bike Rack.” A functional artwork that serves as a bike rack. Incorporated into the bike rack is a service station for minor bike repairs including a pump and tools, said Shapiro.TheCalifornia Bear Project, devel oped in August 2004 by the city, has installed life-sized fiberglass representa tions of a California Grizzly Bear from 2005 to 2018 throughout Santa Clarita. Murals Among the 15 murals and paintings in
Signal Staff Writer
PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
“The Master Plan made it possible to show the city’s commitment to public art,” she said. “In addition, the Arts Master Plan is an important way to show support for artists in the community.”
Three additional sculptures are awaiting instal lation at the Canyon Country Community Center. The steel artworks, “In the Wind,” “Amongst the Wildflowers” and “Canyon Sunrise” by H&E Design will represent the Western scrub-jay, wildflowers and the canyon sunrise, which were inspired by Santa Clarita’s surroundings.
Current members of the Santa Clarita Arts Commission are Chair Susan Shapiro, Vice-Chair April Scott-Goss, Patti Rassmusen, Andrea Vibe and Dr. Michael Millar, who is a founding member.
Susan Shapiro, Arts Commission chair, said the implementation of an Arts Master Plan was a
Patti Rassmusen said she is passionate about arts education. “I’ve seen what the arts can do for those kids who don’t want to play sports, who have this side to them that we need to encourage,” she said. “Seeing what public art can do for a community is eye-opening and amazing. We are so lucky to have a city council that embraces art. I am proud of our town.”
The Circle Song was created in 2021 by artist Katy Krantz. The project includes tiles that were created at several community engagement programs by Santa Clarita residents.
AUGUST 2022 CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE · 7
See ROWDON, page 14 PHOTO
“Me and my mom got COVID at the same time, and we thought she was just going to kick it, but it was that length of time that she had to be off of her meds, and then with the COVID and her immune system so depleted,” Rowdon said. After her mother died, Rowdon decided it was time to take care of herself, going in for a mammogram she was overdue for by about a year. It was then doctors found some thing unusual on her breast. After a biopsy, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.“Iwas in such shock,” Rowdon said. “Just the idea of me telling my sisters — because my sisters and I are really close — I got diagnosed with breast cancer … it was hard.” While the cancer was localized in the duct, meaning they’d caught it very early, doctors still wanted to re move
/ THE SIGNAL
“Thousandsit. of women across the United States and worldwide are di agnosed with (ductal carcinoma in situ),” said Dr. Rena Callahan, asso ciate clinical professor of medicine, hematology/oncology, at UCLA. “And while it’s not something that is immediately life-threatening, it can’t go untreated for too long.” Ironically enough, her mother’s oncologist became her oncologist, which both Callahan and Rowdon agreed helped to make her more comfortable.“Pattywas an incredible advocate for her mom … Patty (and her) sis ters were very involved in their mom’s care and were an integral part of that, so I had seen her many times before meeting her as a patient,” Callahan said.“The fact that we already knew each other, and there was a level of trust and comfort, is one of the rea sons that I really enjoy practicing in theCallahancommunity.”helped Rowdon to rec ognize the differences in her and her mom’s cancers, rather than seeing cancer through the lens of a loved one who had cancer, realizing that every cancer is different, Callahan said. “Patty was able to realize that her Canyon Country Resident Reflects on Her Battle with Breast Cancer BY DAN WATSON
Signal Staff Writer L ongtime Canyon Coun try resident Patty Rowdon had just lost her mother to cancer a few months earlier when she received the news: She had breastRowdon’scancer.mother fought a 12-year battle with non-Hodgkin’s lympho ma, a cancer that starts in the body’s white blood cells, before contracting COVID-19 in June 2020.
8 · CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022
By Rylee Holwager Signal Staff Writer
G olden Valley High School valedictori an Katy Shin is one of 12 Los Angeles County high school students awarded the $10,000 Milken Scholars Award. Recipients of the award are chosen for their aca demic performance, community service, leadership and their ability to persevere in the face of personal challenges.“Ifeltreally grateful and I almost felt like I didn’t deserve it at first,” said Shin, “just because I know how many amazing students apply for it.” Shin discovered the scholarship after her high school counselor suggested she apply for it. Shin figured, “Why not?” and didn’t want to regret pass ing up this opportunity.
For the community, Shin founded BrighTEEN, providing free K-12 tutoring in the valley, during theGivingpandemic.back will always have a place in her heart, but her true passion lies with mental health aware ness.Shin took a psychology course at a community college, which, she says, kickstarted her passion. Being a child of divorce also left her aware of all the mental struggles that children can endure. She started and co-hosted the PsychHavev pod cast and Brainimal blog where she discussed topics such as seasonal depression, family dysfunction and animal-assisted therapy. Shin also studied the effects of failure in sports on self-esteem at Colum bia University’s Education for Persistence and In novation Center and researched parental responses to children’s negative emotions and behaviors with PioneerAccordingAcademics.totheMilken Scholar website, Katy is a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, Jack Kent Cooke Scholar, Burger King Scholar, Dr. Gail Fur man Scholar, Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) Scholar, Youth Leadership Con sortium Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction. ford college and not have to worry about my finan cial limitations,” said Shin. Shin dedicated her high school career to giving back. In addition to being the valedictorian, Shin served as a Key Club lieutenant governor, heading the division leadership team and hosting monthly events focusing on service, fundraising and spirit for 12 clubs throughout Santa Clarita and San Fer nando. She also was the co-captain and founder of Golden Valley’s Academic Decathlon team.
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After being nominated by her counselor — a nomination is mandatory to apply — she took the time out of her rigorous schedule and filled out the application. Later, she was notified she was a final ist.Then after one final interview, she was chosen to receive the “Personally,scholarship.comingfrom a lower-income back ground, that’s really important to me so I can af
Canyon High Hosts 33rd Castaic Lake Triathlon
Monies raised benefit the Canyon High School Track and Field Team
PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL
The triathlon began with its swim, which in its full form stretched from the east bank of the Casta ic Lagoon to its west. Then runners would bike on a path that mostly stayed along Ridge Route Road with some U-turns thrown in to ensure safety for the riders. Then, runners would ditch their bikes for the final run, which went along the path paral lel to the lagoon on its west side.
“We also use them for team costs,” said Jack son. “To help keep costs low to be able to do meals for kids, to be able to get shoes for kids who need shoes, to help supplement kids who need financial aid, to help support like our banquet, so it’s used for a lot of things.”
AUGUST 2022 CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE · 9
H undreds of people watched and partic ipated in the 33rd annual Castaic Lake Triathlon held August 6, hosted by the Canyon High School track and field Team.People traveled from all over to swim, run and bike to help raise funds for the team. Chris Jackson, event organizer, math teacher and track and field coach for Canyon High School, said even though they were able to hold their triathlon last year — this being the second triathlon they’ve held since the pandemic — it felt good to be back. “It’s nice. It’s nice for community members to be able to do things, it’s nice for our kids to be able to contribute to the community and do things where people can compete and can be active,” said Jack son “We like doing fundraisers that aren’t selling candy or doing car washes or things like that, but helping people and community be active and get involved.”Jackson said the money raised will go toward things like equipment, such as a pole vault, which can cost anywhere up to $12,000. The money will it and it had been, all offseason, training and I was much better than I was the previous season,” said Thorpe. “It shut down right as I had just gotten my first real [bike] too, so I was so pumped for it but it just shut down like right before … I was really starting to, you know, catch my stride.”
By Trevor Morgan Signal Staff Writer
Thorpe said it was a relief to come back to racing after the Anotherhiatus.runner and Castaic resident, Jamie Har ris, was so dedicated to the craft she decided to run the triathlon before she had to go to work for the Air National Guard. Her husband, Sam, and two children were cheering her on. Sam said this a great source of enjoyment for his wife.
The event had about 200 participants and about the same number of, if not more, spectators. The triathlon was separated into age and gender for adults, but also featured a modified kids run.
To see the results of the 2022 Castaic Lake Triath lon, visit bit.ly/3dclOrt. also go toward helping the students on the team.
The first male runner to cross the finish line, Pe ter Thorpe, said he was happy to return to running because when the pandemic hit, Thorpe had just gotten back into racing.
“She finds enjoyment, she finds excitement. On any level, it’s just something fun in there, some thing for herself that gives a goal. Something to [work] for up to this point,” said Sam. “It’s not just about this… but all the way working up to it. It’s just that goal to continue with, you know, her exer cises routinely throughout the week with [having] the purpose of trying to make it to here.”
“We were just about to go into lockdown and that weekend, I had a race and I was looking forward to
/ THE SIGNAL
PHOTOS BY CHRIS TORRES
Rick Lagrasta, one of the show’s judges, said his role at the event was a lot of fun. Lagrasta also said the Route 66 Diner and its car show help put Can yon Country on the map. “We’ve been doing this car show, this is our 23rd year at Route 66 and our car club here in Santa Clarita started the car show up 23 years ago and have had a lot of fun with it,” said Lagrasta. “It put Canyon Country on the map, and Santa Clarita, before it was called Santa Clarita and something to get the people away from the streets and onto a parking lot into a restaurant and it’s been pretty successful.”Theclassic car vibe tied in to the nostalgic de cor of the diner. However, the restaurant’s owner,
Rotary Club’s Classic Car Show Dazzles at Route 66
Route 66 Grill owner George Thomas (center) and his friends stroll through the parking lot looking at vintage cars from before the 1980s during the Route 66 Classic Grill Car Show.
The event was a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Santa Clarita, which will be giving the money raised to various community service organizations andPatrickcharities.Kenney, president of the Rotary Club, said these types of community events are great for bringing awareness and raising money to combat local issues, such as homelessness. Kenney also talked about what he liked most about these types of “It’sevents.just the community, getting to see people we know,” said Kenney. “They come back here month after month to show off their cars, donate the mon ey. There’s a list of everybody we donated money to last year. Everything we bring in, we give away.”
A mericana was on full display at the Ro tary Club’s monthly classic car show at the Route 66 Diner in Canyon Country on Saturday, and a strict rule in place would make one think they were right back in the 1950s.Out front, a sign read “PLEASE ONLY *1980* PRE CARS,” and although some modern cars were parked outside of the official show, it was classics only inside of it. Bright sky blue, vibrant orange and sleek black were just some of the many unique colors on some even more unique cars. Although most of the cars are post-war, some souped-up pre-war hot rods also dazzled the crowd.
10 · CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022
George Thomas, said he can’t take full credit for the decor.“Alot of people enjoy the decor,” said Thomas. “I can’t take credit for most of it because a good friend of [mine] was a prop man and set design er for the studios. He took me under his wing for six to eight months. He took me to antique shops down in Orange, Pomona swap meets, auto swaps. He took me to a lot of places all the time.”
By Trevor Morgan Signa Staff Writer
There were different models and makes at the show, but also some common classics. For instance, there were several 1957 Chevrolet Bel Airs and sev eral late 1960s Chevy Camaro SSs, Ford Mustangs and Plymouth GTXs. As part of the show, there was also a contest that judged cars on a number of things: best of show, nostalgia, best of decade, best of model and so on.
“I’ve had incredible staff here for many years,” said Thomas. “Casey is just walking by, she’s been here for 16 years now. Without this staff, you just have nothing and without customers you have nothing. So it takes good staff and great custom ers.”
Thomas said before the days of eBay, you would have to go to brick-and-mortar stores to look for antique signs. These days the internet provides much of the 1950s decor for Route 66. The restaurant also holds a special place in Thomas’ heart. Since opening 23 years ago, Thomas said he watched his kids go from work ing part-time jobs in the restaurant to graduating high school and eventually becoming firefighters. Thomas said he thanks his customers and staff for keeping the place afloat.
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12 · CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022
“Celebrate.”“Celebrate”
T
ers
ery
By Rylee Holwager Signal Staff Writer he Canyon Country Community Center was filled with Caribbean music, food and dancing as the city celebrated Carib bean culture with its fifth installment of is an event series occurring ev first Friday of the month. It started in April and will run until September, aiming to celebrate cultures, customs and culinary experiences from across the globe. The fifth installment of the series featured Carib bean culture. Guests were greeted by stilt walkers waving flashy colors and immediately immersed into the culture with the drum-beating sound of Jamaican music. Families ran around with decod and clues trying to find hidden treasure, met pi rates, painted seashells, dove into the Andros Bar rier Reef through a decorated tent and learn how to do “the bounce,” a popular dance in Jamacia.
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Thirteen Countries One Voice
Logan Burks (left) joins a Caribbean drum circle lead by Joseph Peck (right).
AUGUST 2022 CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE · 13
“We normally come to every event that they have,” said mother Rosa Machado about her family. “They re ally have Machadofun.”brings her family to these events in hopes of educating them about different cultures. The event sourced food trucks and vendors that sell authentic Caribbean dishes.Chef Bernard James of Taste of the Caribbean L.A. Express said that what makes Caribbean dishes so spe cial and unique are the spices used in the food. A main form of these spices is known as “jerk.” “Jerk” features seasonings such as cumin, red pepper flakes and nut meg. At James’ booth and other food trucks, jerk salmon, jerk chicken and jerk quesadillas were sold.
The sixth and final installment of “Celebrate” is scheduled Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Canyon Country Com munity Center and will celebrate the culture of Mexico.
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The city also had its public library
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For more Services or Request an Appointment, Visit us at scanimalurgentcare.vet source books by Caribbean authors and/or books that heavily featured the culture to bring for the children to“Thereread. is no better way to start to learn and explore the world than through reading,” said Liza Purdy, senior librarian for youth services, “especially stories, fiction stories that take kids actually into another per son’s life that’s in a different culture. You get to experience something of what that life is like. It gives you a sense of empathy and understand ing that you wouldn’t have had, if you hadn’t entered their stories.”
14 · CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022 story was going to end very different ly and that her positive attitude and her support system were going to be there to help her through it,” Callah anAsadded.soon as Rowdon had healed from her surgery in May, she began radiation treatment, becoming one of the new Santa Clarita UCLA Health radiation oncology treatment center’s firstThenpatients.afterthree weeks of daily ra diation treatments, Rowdon celebrat ed her end of treatment.
Those nearly five months were a whirlwind, and Rowdon said it was her spirituality that got her through, as well as her tremendous support system, which spanned from her family, including her two sisters, two brothers and husband, to her health care providers.
“I probably would have been a pile of mush if it wasn’t for him just do ing everything, not wanting me to do anything,” Rowdon said of her hus band Anthony’s support.
“I felt my mom and dad with me the whole time, every minute,” Row don added, as she held back tears. was scared, she knew she could get through it. “They all were fantastic,” Rowdon said. “I don’t think I could have gone through it without them.”
Rowdon said she feels blessed to have had the support system she had, and while she still isn’t feeling all that great yet, she said she’s looking for ward to the next chapter: life without cancer.“I’mready to get my life going again,” she said.
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Patty Rowdon and her husban, Anthony Canyon Country resident Patty Rowdon, second from right, and her siblings. PHOTOS COURTESY THE ROWDONS
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Rowdon had lost both her mother and father recently and said she was thankful to know they were together “She wanted to stay here for her three girls and grandkids, but I knew where she wanted to be … she missed him so much,” Rowdon added. “I don’t even know if my mom could have handled me telling her I had breast cancer, as sick as she was.” She was also thankful of her UCLA doctors, who walked her through ev ery step of her treatment, so while she
Irrigate Early Irrigate early in the morning — on or before sun rise is best. Check water systems during the day to make regular adjustments you might miss if you are still asleep when your irrigation goes on. If wa ter pools or runs off anywhere, cut down the appli cation time and turn it off for 15 minutes or more to soak into the soil. Then, set it to run again. Also, check drip irrigation systems for breaks and leaks. Rabbits are notorious for chomping into plastic tubing. Deadhead and Prune
All plants will bloom longer if you keep them deadheaded. This means that you want to cut off wilting flowers before they set seed. Setting seed
Deadheading is particularly effective with annuals that typically want to keep blooming in order to set as much seed as they can before they die. These are short-lived plants that will only last a single season anyway, so they will keep blooming in the attempt to set more seed if you keep spent flowers removed. New plantings If you do any new planting, water the newcom ers daily for at least a week, especially if they are in sun. And if you can shade them for the first day or two in the heat, they will appreciate it. You can plant at this time of year, but even tough natives will have to be coddled. Spend hot days designing ideas for new features in your garden. Autumn will be here sooner than you think and that will be a good time for outdoor projects.With the constant rise in the cost of — well, everything! — building materials and con struction should probably be planned for sooner than later. So if you want to add a hot tub, a fire pit, an outdoor room, a water feature or a barbecue, these will all add value to your house in the future while you get to enjoy them as long as you live in your home. For more information about gardening in the San ta Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/user/Janieg8s.
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First, we make sure that brush on the hills and in open areas, dead stuff in the gardens and gut ters are all cleared out. You don’t want any of these will drain the plant of energy.
The chaparral is actually a description of the tough, brittle, natural vegetation that grows here, adapted by hundreds of years in dry, hot summers with cooler, moister winters that, in higher eleva tions like ours, used to experience nighttime frosts. What this all means to us in Santa Clarita, is sim ply that we can expect desert-like heat and dryness that is often attributed to the Mojave or Sahara. But our soil, flora and terrain is different. So, how do we garden in the SCV chaparral sum mer?
wildfire-fuel sources to invite disaster to your home now that dry, toasty summer has arrived. Grass will need cutting and edging. Since they are high-maintenance water-guzzlers, keep lawn areas to where they will be most useful.
W
e are into summer and not seeing many days under 90 degrees, if any, for at least the next couple of months. That means that working in the garden will be best done during the coolest hours of theWeday.do not live in the desert, but we are mostly in a biome called chaparral (made famous by the “High Chaparral” TV show from 1967-71).
AUGUST 2022 CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE · 15
By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer
Clean up and Clean Out
Add a top layer of compost as mulch. It works as a barrier to keep out the heat of the beating sun while slowing evaporation and locking in precious water around plant roots. For California natives and drought-tolerant plants, mulch with small twigs and stones — the usual stuff that covers our non-cultivated land.
MILKEN SCHOLAR
Continued from page 8
“No matter how short or long a period of time that they’re going through (a mental health issue),” said Shin, “I think everyone has their own struggles and it’s always valid. It’s not a competition of struggle. If they are strug gling, I just want them to know that they’re not alone. That they’re deserving of health and love and support always. If we can listen to one another and understand one another, that’s the best thing, to heal as a community.”
By Rylee Holwager Signal Staff Writer
Laura Hollins Celebrates 99th Birthday
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L aura W. Hollins turned 99 and to cele brate, her family took her out for a special treat:Thepancakes.30-yearSanta Clarita resident was born in 1923 in Layfette, Louisiana. After her brother, who lived with her in Oxnard, died about 30 years ago, she was taken in by her niece, Stefanie Garrett.Inher youth, Hollins would celebrate her birth day swimming in her family’s pool with friends and family. They would eat her favorites, gumbo and pineapple upside down cake. Hollins worked as a cook, janitor and housewife in her lifetime. Although Hollins never had any children of her own, her family considers her as a mother to the whole family.
She earned the Key Club’s Distinguished Lieutenant Governor Award, GripTape Chal lenger Award, and Cali-Nev-Ha Key Club Silver and Bronze Service Awards. At Gold en Valley, Katy was a member of the National Honors Society, California Scholarship Feder ation, Title 1 Fund Council, Science Olympiad and Show Choir, it continued. Shin will be attending Stanford University in the fall, where she will study psychology in hopes of one day becoming a psychiatrist. After struggling with mental health herself, she only hopes that she and her community can come together to be there for one another.
16 · CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022
“She doesn’t have any kids, but she has raised a lot of kids,” said Garrett. At 99, Hollins does not leave the house much. Her normal days consist of many naps and watch ing church on TV, as well as game shows and ani malTodocumentaries.celebrateherbirthday on June 22, Garrett and her family treated her to an outing for IHOP pan cakes. Hollins may be 99 years old with dementia, but she would not stop reassuring those around her, “I feelAfterfine!”living for 99 years, Hollins says her best piece of advice is, “Just be glad to be alive and thank God for it.”
AUGUST 2022 CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE · 17
n February of 2022, a neigh bor’s Rottweiler got out of his yard and attacked a woman’s dog while on a walk. Another neighbor came to the rescue only to be chased down and bit on the arm. A few years ago, in our front yard, this same Rottweiler attacked our English Mastiff, requiring over 100 stitches. I had purchased the Byrna in 2021 but never carried it, until the above incident. I am retired law enforcement but do not want to carry a firearm. The Byrna is perfect for non-lethal per sonal, family and pet protection. After this attack I started carrying the Byrna every day. I began showing it to my neighbors and the response was overwhelmingly positive. That’s when I decided to become a dealer. We sell the Byrna SD (Self Defense) Launcher which is becoming the fast est growing self-defense device in the market.TheByrna Launcher fires a kinet ic (hard plastic) or pepper ball using CO2. The projectiles are .68 caliber and reach 300 feet per second. Since the Byrna is not considered a firearm, there are no permits, background checks or licenses required to carry. We host the Byrna Bash events a few times each month. This is a great way to learn about the Byrna and have a chance to shoot it. There is no charge to attend the Bash and we do carry a complete line of Byrna Prod ucts for purchase. Our company name is Ungunn. com and we are an authorized dealer for Byrna Technologies. Go to byrnabash.com and register today.
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September 29 9:30 a.m. Storytime (Baby/Toddler, Family, Preschool) 3:30 p.m. Teen Crafts & Stuff 4 p.m. Read to a Dog (Grades K-6
October 3 1 p.m. Little Explorers (Baby, Toddlers)
Organized Games 4:15
October 4 Library Closed
September 10 10 a.m. Sit and Stitch (Adults, Seniors) September 12 1 p.m. Little Explorers (Baby, Toddlers) 5:30 p.m. Adult Craft: Macrame
2:30 – 3:20 p.m. Kids’ Choice (Gym) 3:20 – 3:30 p.m. Opening Circle & Rules 3:35 – 4:10 p.m. – 4:35 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Snack 4:35
After-School Activities Canyon
Organized Game & Closing Circle Scheduled Activity August 22 Apple Core Craft August 23 Gabe’s Sports Class August 24 DIY Taco Craft August 25 Musical Chairs August 26 Movie Day: The Mitchells vs The Machines August 29 Cactus Shakers August 30 Jail Break August 31 Planter Craft Homework Staff/volunteers assist youth with homework in the classroom Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Arts & Crafts A special arts and crafts activity will be offered each Monday and Wednesday at 4:50 p.m.(subject to change). No fee. Fun Fridays Video Games • Board Games • Disney Plus Dodgeball • Arts & Crafts • High Energy Games September 2 Celebrate Mexico 6-9 p.m. Celebrate First Friday Canyon Country Community Center 18410 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita 91350 (661) 290-2266 | santa-clarita.com/CCCC
September 13 9:30 a.m. Storytime (Baby/Toddler, Family, Preschool) 3:30 p.m. Lego® Block Party (Family, School Age, Tween) September 14 9:30 a.m. Bilingual Storytime/Cuenta Cuentose (Children 5 and under 3:30 p.m. Teen Library Eats. learn cooking basics, tips and tricks. September 15 9:30 a.m. Storytime (Baby/Toddler, Family, Preschool) 3:30 p.m. Teen Crafts & Stuff
September 28 9:30 a.m. Bilingual Storytime/Cuenta Cuentose (Children 5 and under 1 p.m. Home at the Library: Cool Technology (School Age, Tweens) 4:30 p.m. Let’s Learn JobNow: Computers (Adults, Seniors)
October 6 9:30 a.m. Storytime (Baby/Toddler, Family, Preschool) 3:30 p.m. Teen Crafts & Stuff Natasha Azadani of Canyon Country is major ing in Business Creative Enterprises. Jack Ferry of Canyon Country is majoring in Creative Writing BFA. Emma Vignola of Canyon Country is majoring in Communication Studies. Congratulations to Emerson College Dean’s List Students Country Community Center
September 18 1 p.m. Gaming Meetup (Adults) September 19 1 p.m. Little Explorers (Baby, Toddlers) September 20 9:30 a.m. Storytime (Baby/Toddler, Family, Preschool) 3:30 p.m. Crafternoon (Family, School Age, Tween) September 21 9:30 a.m. Bilingual Storytime/Cuenta Cuentose (Children 5 and under 3 p.m. Wild Things (Family, School age, Tween) September 22 9:30 a.m. Storytime (Baby/Toddler, Family, Preschool) 3:30 p.m. Teen Crafts & Stuff
Center Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CANYON COUNTRY LIBRARY PROGRAMS
September 4 - 5 Library Closed
September 27 9:30 a.m. Storytime (Baby/Toddler, Family, Preschool) 3:30 p.m. Science Explorers (Family, School Age, Tween)
September 26 1 p.m. Little Explorers (Baby, Toddlers)
October 5 9:30 a.m. Bilingual Storytime/Cuenta Cuentose (Children 5 and under 3:30 p.m. Teen Library Eats. learn cooking basics, tips and tricks.
September 24 10 a.m. Sit and Stitch
CALENDARCanyonCountryCommunity
Scheduled Activity 5:15
18 · CANYON COUNTRY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022
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