California is still in a drought despite early 2023 downpours. Early spring is the perfect time to gear up for an outdoor sustainable landscape makeover.
Simple outdoor landscape swaps make it easy to get a beautiful, sustainable landscape in no time. Here are some tips to get you started:
Start now: Cooler temperatures and shorter days mean less water is needed as your new landscape takes root.
Replace lawns with sustainable landscapes instead of synthetic turf to reduce impacts on the environment.
The celebration of Mardi Gras has been a part of cultures for centuries. French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent a 40-day period of prayer and fasting observed by many Christians.
Mardi Gras is full of parades, parties and basically gastronomic indulgence before entering a period of abstinence and reflection.
The origin of Mardi Gras lies in ancient pagan celebrations of spring and infertility. It can be traced all the way back to medieval Europe. Although the festival season is celebrated in many cities, New Orleans, is one of the most well known.
The very first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was held in 1837. However, the first American celebration of Mardi Gras happened in 1699 near where New Orleans is now.
Mardi Gras is known for celebrating life. The most popular colors associated with Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These colors all have meaning as purple represents justice, green represents faith and gold represents power. Many people participate by wearing elaborate costumes and masks emulating these colors.
The traditional dessert associated with Mardi Gras is the King Cake. The cakes are fried, doughy, frosted and glazed in the traditional Mardi Gras colors. The dessert is braided and circular to resemble a crown. Many of these cakes have a small baby figurine inside and whoever gets the piece of
The history of Mardi Gras actually goes back centuries to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, according to History.com. When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders incorporated those popular traditions into the new faith. The Carnival season and Mardi Gras became a time for people to party and feast before the 40 days (not including Sundays) of inner reflection and repentance of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday and ends Easter Sunday.
Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in Louisiana and many Americans are most familiar with this city’s celebrations. However it is also celebrated around the world. For example, both Brazil’s Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrate the days before Lent. In Brazil, it is filled with dancing, music in the streets, colorful costumes and parades. The two largest celebrations there are held in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia. Celebrations are also held in several European countries.
What is the King Cake?
One of the iconic parts of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the sweet, buttery pastry known as King Cake. The seasonal treat typically shows up in bakeries around January 6 for Three Kings Day and sticks around until Fat Tuesday. The cakes have a tiny plastic baby baked inside and whoever gets the slice of cake with the plastic baby will host next year’s Mardi Gras party and make the King Cake for that party.
Why are masks worn during Mardi Gras?
During the early Mardi Gras celebrations, revelers wore masks and elaborate costumes to remain anonymous while mingling with different social classes and participating in activities they wouldn’t normally do, such as drinking, dancing and gambling. Today, Mardi Gras-goers around the world still enjoy the tradition of donning masks as they shed their inhibitions and take part in the spirit of the party — because nobody knows who you are when your face is covered by a masquerade mask! Plus, the decorative and colorful facial coverings add to the magical spectacle that is Mardi Gras.
cake with the baby must host next year’s party.
The parades and parties are primarily hosted by social groups that are known as Krewes; each has its own history and traditions. There are more than 60 Krewes.
The royalty Krewes are Krewe of Zulu, which is named after the fiercest of the African tribes, and Krewe of Rex, which was responsible for the idea of the day parades, the official Mardi Gras flag and colors, and for the most popular throws, the doubloon.
The all-male Rex Krewe has ruled as king of Carnival since 1872. The Super-Krewes include Endymion, Bacchus and Orpheus.
Another tradition affiliated with Mardi Gras is the throwing of the beads. People on the floats or in the parades will throw beads, doubloons and other trinkets to the crowd. Spectators yell “Hey Mister, throw me some beads!” This is a tradition that goes back to the 1800s.
Mardi Gras in the Santa Clarita Valley
Festivities to attend in Santa Clarita for Mardi Gras include the following.
13th Annual Mardi Gras Madness
5K/10K
Sunday, Feb. 26, 7:30-11:30 a.m.
The event will be held at the Westfield Valencia Town Center and is hosted by UCLA Health, Santa Clarita Track Club and Westfield Valencia. There is also a 1k race. For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/CA/Valencia/MGM5K.
Mardi Gras Trivia Night
Feb. 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Painting with a Twist is holding a Mardi Gras Trivia Night — Fleur de Magnolia, where you will paint a Fleur-de-lis with a Magnolia flower in the center. The event cost $39-$39 per person. For more information, visit www.paintingwithatwist. com/studio/santa-clarita/event/3246750.
Whether you’re a lone wolf at heart or looking to broaden your sense of independence, traveling solo can be a richly empowering and satisfying experience.
Setting out on your own has many practical advantages. You’re not worrying about accommodating another’s schedule, interest or needs, and you’re free to decide what you want to do and when. Solo travel also elicits some mental and emotional benefits, as you experience a unique sense of freedom, liberation and self-sufficiency.
If you’re considering a solo journey, consider these tips from the book “101+ Tips for Solo Women Travelers,” which is offered by Overseas Adventure Travel in free digital and print editions.
Many countries now require your passport to be valid for six months after your return to the United States. If you don’t have a passport, or need to renew one, apply for one as soon as possible. Ideally you should have your application in six months before you depart.
Often, quoted rates are “per person, based on double occupancy.” This is because travel hosts know they can make more from a couple traveling than an individual. You can avoid paying a single supplement premium by being willing to match with a roommate or traveling with a tour company or cruise line with free or low-cost single supplement fees.
As an affordable and convenient way to get cash,
you can avoid wasting time in line at a bank or currency exchange bureau by visiting an ATM. While you’ll likely incur a fee for using an ATM that’s not part of your bank, it is often less than the commission you’d pay at an exchange bureau. Plus, you can avoid additional fees by calculating how much you’ll need for the trip and making one withdrawal as opposed to multiple smaller withdrawals.
When traveling, Wi-Fi can be expensive, slow or
Many of the nation’s leading travel experts are predicting a surge in travel this summer. It’s no surprise that after months of restrictions, Americans are ready to set out on their next adventures.
If you’re planning a trip this summer, learn how to incorporate some smart spending strategies with these tips from the financial experts at Credit One Bank:
Be flexible on dates and destinations Unless your travel is tied to a specific event or occasion, try searching with flexible dates to find the best available rates. OR, if you know you want to get away but you’re not particular about where, try looking for destinations offering special promotions or deals for travel during certain time frames.
Interruption and cancellation policies Planning for the unexpected can help protect you if a trip needs to end early or be canceled altogether. Unless you have travel insurance, you’re likely to lose money on non-refundable expenses such as flights,
event tickets or tours. However, some travel companies or your credit card provider may cover reimbursement for certain prepaid expenses. Look into what options are available before you travel. Get rewarded no matter how you travel Using your credit card rewards to offset travel costs is a smart strategy, but not everyone wants or needs perks like miles or points that are exclusive to use with a single travel partner. With point-based travel reward cards, like the Credit One Bank Wander Card, the more places you visit, the more rewards you reap along the way that can be redeemed for future experiences, statement credits, gift cards and more. That means no matter what hotel chain you stay at, car rental agency you select or airline you fly with everyday adventurers have opportunities to earn up to five times the rewards points for doing things they love. (Family Features)
just not available. Before you leave, download music, e-books, podcasts, favorite tv shows or movies to enjoy while you’re en route or during down time.
Once you reach your destination, you may enjoy joining small groups for excursions or to explore local cuisine. Or you can make your entire journey a group experience. A small group adventure with Overseas Adventure Travel has many benefits, and built-in dining companions is just one of them.
When you check in, ask the receptionist to write your room number down instead of announcing it so everyone can hear. Make sure your room’s locks work on both the door into the hallway and the balcony. Never let any repair person or staff member into your room without confirming with the front desk first. Bring a rubber doorstop, which makes a hotel room door nearly impossible to open. Finally, have an exit plan: Know where the nearest exit is located and the route from your room.
For some, making friends seems to happen naturally while traveling alone by chatting with strangers at a neighboring restaurant table or striking up a conversation while waiting in line at a store. If those situations don’t occur naturally, there are useful apps that can connect you with local people as well as fellow travelers.
Find more tips to prepare for your journey at oat travel.com. (Family Features)
Southern California bare root planting season runs from January through March. If you haven’t gotten your bare root plants into the ground yet, you still have time.
The continuous cold weather alerts for the Santa Clarita Valley in the last two months have also helped to extend the bare root planting season.
It is best to plant bare root roses and trees after the last hard frost.
Bare root plants, trees, roses and berries, are plants that are sold without any soil around the roots. Bare root plants are dug up when they are dormant. Any soil is removed by washing and the plants are kept cool and damp. When you buy these plants, they are usually wrapped in plastic and may have a material like sawdust or sphagnum moss around the roots to help keep them moist.
Bare root plants experience less transplant shock than flowering roses or leafy trees. While everything has increased in price after the COVID-19 pandemic bare root plants are still significantly less expensive than flowering roses or fruit trees with leaves.
During bare root season you usually can find a greater variety of roses, berries and fruit trees available then any other time of the year.
Buy quality bare root plants. It is easy to pick up bare root plants and trees almost everywhere during bare root planting season, but often the plants you purchase from a big box store, grocery store or discount store are not successful because of lapses in care and lower quality product. Established nurseries in the Santa Clarita Valley or online nurseries offer better quality plants, often with guarantees.
Soak the roots of your bare root plant in a bucket of water for 24 hours before planting. Do not let the roots of your bare root plant dry out.
Help prevent “transplant shock” and encourage root growth by using one of many commercial products available when you plant your bare roots. There are numerous “root stimulator” products available. Ask your nursery which product they recommend.
To encourage growth of your bare root plants, clip a small amount off the roots and the tips of the canes before planting. Anywhere from a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.
Make sure you dig a big enough hole. One of the easiest mistakes that gardeners often make is not digging your planting hole deep enough, or wide enough. You want to make the soil soft and easy for
Bare root fruit trees, roses and berries are usually much cheaper to buy and plant. The plants are dormant and will usually “awaken” about six weeks after planting.
your new plant to spread its roots. Dig your hole 2 feet deep and 2 feet wide then build a cone in the bottom of the hole to spread the roots over.
In the SCV it is important to amend the soil before planting any kind of bare root plant. Use a mixture of 50% composted manure (steer manure or chicken manure) and 50% native soil, or planting mix.
Fill your hole with water before planting. This ensures your ground is draining properly, as well as giving your bare root plant additional moisture so it can start growing.
If your bare-root roses are the type that are grafted onto a root stock, when planting the soil should be level with the bud union, where the rose is grafted onto the stalk. Do not bury your plant below the bud union, otherwise you will “smother” your plant.
Do not crowd your roses. Roses really do need room to “breathe.” Plant most roses at least three to five feet apart. Climbing roses should be planted six feet apart. Miniature roses need to be planted two feet apart.
After planting water your bare root plants and cover with mulch. Mulch helps protect your plant from extreme changes in temperature, as well as to keep in moisture.
It’s important to wait for bare root plants to begin producing leaves or other growth before fertilizing. For bare root fruit trees, it is not recommended to fertilize for at least a year after planting. During
this time the trees are establishing their root systems fertilizer, especially nitrogen which stimulates stems and leaves, is not needed. Let the plant develop a strong root system before encouraging growth of the entire plant.
You can feed your new bareroot roses when they begin to leaf out which should be about four to six weeks after planting. Apply a well-balanced granular rose food according to the package directions and spread it evenly around the base of each plant. Make sure the bushes have been watered well the previous day before fertilizing.
If you haven’t pruned your roses or fruit trees now is the time. It is important to prune before the plants “come to life” in the spring.
For more information on gardening classes specific to the Santa Clarita Valley you can take advantage of free gardening and landscaping classes offered by the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency. For more information visit yourscvwater. com/gardening-classes.
SCV Water also offers a pdf download of the Top 100 SCV Plant Guide, an indispensable reference for successful gardening in the SCV. Visit yourscv water.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Top-100SCV-Plant-Guide-web.pdf
The Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society also has a wealth of information at www.santaclaritarose.org. Green Thumb Nursery in Newhall offers a helpful plant library and gardening blog for SCV gardeners. Visit www.greenthumb.com.
By Richard Remmington/Inverse Special to The Signal
We may be a mere 23 years into the century but already it has been a doozy. In 2022, we saw impressive technological feats, including a fusion energy breakthrough, the first successful all-electric passenger plane test and the release of bivalent Covid-19 booster vaccines.
As we enter into 2023, what can we expect? At Inverse, we aren’t in the business of fortune-telling, but the innovations we saw in the last 12 months can help us predict what might be in store for the next — from driver-free transportation to commercial space exploration to (finally) clean energy for all
This year will usher in more affordable EVs, allowing a bigger chunk of the population to drive sustainably. For example, GM is rolling out cheaper models that run for around $30,000, expanding the choices for drivers on a budget.
Tesla’s least expensive offering, the Model 3, starts at around $46,990 — while it’s currently the best-selling electric car in the United States, some of these new models could knock the Model 3 off its throne.
If you don’t feel like driving, it may soon get easier to hail an autonomous car. In 2023, Uber plans to launch a fully driverless service, and GM’s robo taxi division (which now operates in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin) aims to enter a “large number of markets.”
Cars aren’t the only mode of transportation to ditch drivers. Autonomous semi-trucks could surge ahead in 2023 and, soon enough, forever change the way we get our goods.
In the coming months, self-driving trucks are planned to hit Texas highways. Companies like Aurora Innovation and TuSimple will start to test their wheels without any human backup drivers — which has concerned some safety advocates, Reuters reported Driverless semis have already been tested out in Arizona and Arkansas, but Texas is particularly attractive for autonomous truck companies to set up hubs because it sits in the middle of one of the country’s busiest freight routes.
Just as in 2022, space magnates are still shooting for the Moon. But before SpaceX can take on lunar landings, it needs to send Starship on its first orbital test flight. Chris Impey, a professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, thinks that this is the year.
SpaceX “will have its first successful orbital flight of the Starship, a game-changing rocket in the effort to get astronauts to the Moon and Mars within a decade,” he reports
While it may be a few years before people step foot on the Moon again, uncrewed commercial landers could touch down within a few months.
In December, the Japanese firm ispace launched a lunar lander that’s scheduled to touch down in March. If things work out, ispace will become the first private company to land on the Moon — that
is, if it isn’t beaten by landers from the U.S.-based companies Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines, which are slated to arrive around the same time.
In another victory for private space, SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission could accomplish the first-ever commercial spacewalk. It’s scheduled to take off no earlier than March 2023 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Four passengers, including billionaire mission funder Jared Isaacman, will travel to a maximum orbit of around 745 miles above Earth — the highest of any crewed vehicle since the Apollo missions.
Polaris Dawn will also offer crucial data to scientists on the ground: For example, the astronauts will wear smart contact lenses with tiny sensors that measure eye pressure while in microgravity (past NASA missions have revealed that space travel affects people’s vision). They’ll also receive a brain scan just hours after splashing down to Earth to examine how microgravity impacts the brain.
Another potential breakthrough: The first methane-powered rocket could reach space this year if United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket aces its first orbital test (which was originally planned for 2020). Methane is more stable than the liquid hydrogen powering most rockets today. It can also be stored at more moderate temperatures than the super-cold ones required for liquid hydrogen. In fact, astronauts could even make methane fuel while on Mars for the journey back home.
Iam always amazed at how involved and engaged our residents are with our City programs and services. Whether they are playing at our parks, ice skating at The Cube or participating in one of the dozens of classes offered at our two community centers in Canyon Country and Newhall, our residents continue to take advantage of all that Santa Clarita has to offer.
As a City, we pride ourselves on the ability to connect with our residents and address the needs of community members. Making this vital connection is the job of our Community Services division. This team works with different neighborhoods, schools and local organizations to design creative, inclusive and engaging programs. This month, we are excited to introduce this division to our community through the “You’ve Got a Friend at City Hall” campaign.
Tucked away in the heart of Old Town Newhall, the Newhall Community Center is a hub for activity and enrichment for many in the neighborhood. A place where residents can come to participate in afterschool programming, play pickleball or just drop-in for a game of bingo. A unique aspect to this center is the free CHAMPS boxing program. Designed for at-risk youth ages 14-19, experienced coaches work with participants to develop character, courage and self-discipline through a judgement-free and welcoming environment.
Across town is the state-of-theart Canyon Country Community Center. This site is home to events like the Celebrate Series and Día de los Niños. A unique cultural experi-
ence, “Celebrate” brings the history and traditions of people and places from around the world to the Community Center every second Friday from April to September. The Center is also home to a top-notch teaching kitchen where participants can take part in fun and engaging cooking classes. This City facility was created to enhance the neighborhood and provide residents with free and low-cost activities. This location also collaborates with the Santa Clarita Public Library to offer the family favorite program, Read to a Dog, which provides youth a safe and welcoming environment where they can practice reading to a service dog.
The Community Services division is also home to Youth and Family Services. Focused on providing families and at-risk youth opportunities, our staff members work closely with local businesses to provide internship and job opportunities through the Youth Employment Services Program. Staff also leads the Santa Clarita Community Court and Teen Court, an award-winning program that promotes good choices and helps youth learn from their decisions.
The Community Services division works alongside our residents to foster positive relationships and provide a second home for many in the community. To learn more about any of these programs or to visit our community centers, please visit santaclarita.com/CommunityCenters. Be sure to follow the City on all of our social media platforms to get a behind-the-scenes look at the work City staff does every day, on behalf of you — our residents!
Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal.
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate action of its members.”
— Coretta Scott King
Think going keto is impossible? Think again. Delish. com has 40+ easy dinner recipes that you’ll want to make again and again. Mix up your weeknights with delicious dishes like cheesy bacon ranch chicken, bacon-wrapped cauliflower, and hearty keto chili.
Here are just two. Broccoli salad and Bacon Wrapped Meat Loaf. For more information, visit Delish.com and find keto breakfasts, keto lunch recipes, and keto desserts.
Can keto lovers love broccoli? Oh, we definitely know so. It’s a nutritional powerhouse, with 1 cup of broccoli containing as much vitamin C as an orange, not to mention broccoli is packed with fiber, potassium, even some protein. But just as important, it tastes great — as long as it’s cooked the right way. And we think this recipe is one of those right ways. Tips Don’t boil too long.
We love slow-cooked broccoli. But not all the time. This recipe’s success lies mainly in cooking the broccoli until just crisp-tender. Textural contrast here is crucial.
Shock it!
Plunge the broccoli in an ice water bath as soon as it has been boiled
for 1 minute. This technique, called “shocking” (for good reason!) immediately stops the broccoli from residual cooking once it leaves the hot water.
Salad spinner = water begone! Delish trick Use a salad spinner to expel excess water from the broccoli. Transfer the shocked broccoli to a salad spinner, and spin away. You should spin and drain at least twice. You won’t believe how much water you’ll see, water that would otherwise ruin the salad.
Customize!
We think nuts and grated cheese in some form are a great addition to this salad but you don’t have to stick to almonds and cheddar. Feel free to sub in some roughly chopped walnuts and goat cheese for something a bit fancy. Or maybe some spiced pecans and pepper jack for a bit of kick.
What About Leftovers?
If you are pretty sure you are going to have leftovers, or maybe want to make this ahead, we recommend waiting until just before you eat to dress everything. Otherwise things might get a bit soggy. Either way the salad will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Help I’m Vegan!
No problem! You can sub out the bacon for some avocado if you want some creamy, richness. Or some olives to mimic that saltiness you get from bacon. Use your favorite vegan cheese (or just skip it all together) and you’re all set.
Yields 4 serving(s)
Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Ingredients For The Salad
Kosher salt
3 heads broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 c. cheddar, shredded
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 c. toasted sliced almonds
3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 tbsp. freshly chopped chives
For The Dressing
2/3 c. mayonnaise
3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a medium pot or saucepan, bring 6 cups of salted water to a boil. While waiting for the water to boil, prepare a large bowl with ice water.
Add broccoli florets to the boiling water and cook until tender, 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately place in the prepared bowl of ice water. When cool, spin the broccoli in a salad spinner. You will need to spin it at least twice.
In a medium bowl, whisk to combine dressing ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl and pour over dressing. Toss until ingredients are combined and fully coated in dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Yields 6 serving(s)
Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. chili powder
2 lb. ground beef
1 c. shredded cheddar
1/2 c. almond flour
1/4 c. grated Parmesan
2 eggs
1 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 thin strips bacon
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Grease a medium baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and celery and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, and chili powder and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Let mixture cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, vegetable mixture, cheese, almond flour, Parmesan, eggs, soy sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Shape into a large loaf in baking dish, then lay bacon slices on top.
Cook until bacon is crispy and beef is cooked through, about 1 hour. If bacon is cooking too quickly, cover dish with foil. (Delish.com)
By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer
‘Sharper’
(out of four)
Apple Original Films and A24 present a film directed by Benjamin Caron and written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka. Rated R (for language throughout and some sexual references). Running time: 116 minutes. Opens In theaters and on Apple TV+.
If you’re a fan of con artist films such as “The Sting” and “Catch Me If You Can” and “American Hustle” and “The Grifters” and “Matchstick Men,” you’ll likely see most of the twists and reveals in the neo-thriller “Sharper” coming — but that’s OK. It’s still an enjoyable and slick little thriller with a brilliant cast of actors clearly having a good time sinking their teeth into the salacious material.
As con game movies go, “Sharper” isn’t in the same league as those afore-
mentioned films, but it has plenty of style, and it is great fun watching the story unfold from rotating points of view.
Directed with fluid grace by the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Benjamin Caron (“The Crown,” the BBC series “Wallander,” “Star Wars: Andor”) from a clever and cheeky
script by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, “Sharper” makes great use of its New York City locations as the narrative shifts in tone from a “Notting Hill”-style romance to a high-stakes psychological thriller, with a number of storylines that initially seem unrelated eventually intertwining in some devilishly dark ways. (We’re going to tread lightly here so as to not give away the multiple reveals that transpire over the course of a storyline that lasts the better part of a year.)
In the opening sequence, Justice Smith’s Tom is behind the counter of a gorgeous little time warp of a bookstore when Briana Middleton’s Sandra enters, looking for a hardcover of “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” The shy but sweet and handsome Tom and the smart and gorgeous Sandra have an almost immediate connection, and off we go on a whirlwind romance straight out of a rom-com, until it ends abruptly, and we’ll leave it at that.
Next up, a sequence with a techno score straight out of “Miami Vice,” as we meet Sebastian Stan’s Max, a slick hustler with a flashy Rolex on his wrist and an even flashier car — and a history of drug abuse and bad behavior
that has left him on the brink of being disowned by his sophisticated mother, Madeline (Julianne Moore), who has recently taken up with the obscenely wealthy and influential New York power broker Richard (John Lithgow), a hedge fund billionaire. Richard has problems with his own prodigal son, and he has little patience for Max’s antics, at one point telling him, “If you’re going to steal, steal a lot.” (Nobody in this story, save for one key character, is particularly virtuous.)
There’s an extended sequence in which Max takes a troubled, drug-addicted woman under his wing and teaches her the way of the con, and things get even more complicated as we learn more about the history of Madeline and Max. As for Tom, who was nearly broken by the end of his relationship with Sandra and has disappeared from the story: He’ll be back in a big way before everything plays out. Filmed in rich and lush colors and featuring juicy performances from the outstanding cast, “Sharper” is a bloody good time, even when we can see those surprises coming right down Fifth Avenue.
Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times
Feb. 13, 2023
M A r loW e E 1:10 4:00 7:10
the Quantum Realm
MARLOWE, a gripping noir crime thri ler set in late 1930’s Los Angeles, centers around a street-wise, down on h s luck detec tive Philip Marlowe, who is h red to find the ex-lover of a glamorous heiress, daughter of a wel -known movie star
1:20 4:20 7:20
“Mag c ” Mike Lane takes to the stage again after a lengthy hiatus, follow ng a business deal that went bust, leaving h m broke and taking bar tender gigs in Florida For what he hopes will be one last hurrah, Mike heads to London w th a wealthy social te who ures him with an offer he can’t refuse - and an agenda all her own
80 f o r B r A dy C 1:30 4:30 7:30
80 FOR BRADY is inspired by the true stor y of four best friends living life to the ful est when they take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see the r hero Tom Brady play
Based on the best-selling novel by Miriam Toews, Women Ta king follows a group of women in an isolated rel gious colony as they struggle to reconcile their faith with a series of sexual assaults committed by the colony ’s men
A M A n c A l l e d ot to C 1:00 4:00 7:00
Otto is a grumpy isolated widower with staunch pr nciples, stric t routines and a shor t fuse, who g ves ever yone in his neighborhood a hard t me as he watches over t like a hawk Will an unlikely friendship with new neighbors help h m change?
l i v i n g C 1:20 7:20
1953 Will ams, a veteran civil ser vant, is an impotent cog within the city ’s bureaucrac y as it struggles to rebuild Then a shattering medical diagnosis forces him to take stock - and to tr y and grasp fu filment before it goes beyond reach
p u s s i n B o ots: t h e l A s t W i
1. Knock at the Cabin (R) Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff
2. 80 for Brady (PG-13) Rita Moreno, Sally Field
3. Avatar: The Way of Water (PG-13) Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana
4. BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas (NR) BTS
5. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (PG) Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek
6. A Man Called Otto (PG13) Tom Hanks, John Higgins
7. M3GAN (PG-13) Allison Williams, Violet McGraw
8. Missing (PG-13) Tim Griffin, Ava Zaria Lee
9. Sustenance (NR) Giavani Cairo, Shahar Isaac
10. Pathaan (NR) Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
©2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
Mary Petersen Signal Staff Writer
Are
CALL
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are living more fully than during the rest of life.”
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Two weeks ago, I attended my first quilt convention with a friend who has been an avid quilter for 35 years. I am a novice, having made only three quilts, so I lacked the excitement and anticipation that bubbled over in her.
To my surprise, I was mesmerized by hundreds of booths packed with fabric from around the world, some featuring designers whose unique colors and patterns were breathtaking. One portion of the show displayed an exhibition of award-winning entries from various quilt competitions.
As I scrutinized these creative masterpieces, I was awe-struck with the artistry, craftmanship and skillful precision of each quilt. The creative choices that these textile artists made in their pattern and color designs were complex and intricate. The creative process of each artist both humbled and inspired me.
Although overwhelming, it was uplifting to contemplate the creative impulse that guides each of these artists. Equally life-affirming is that this creative process is available to all of us. I’m not referring to producing a masterpiece. Creativity is much more than that. It is an essential drive that determines how we approach each day.
The prominent psychologist and author of Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, claims, “Creativity is a central source of meaning in our lives … Most of the things that are interesting, important, and human are the results of creativity … [and] when we are involved in it, we feel that we
Sadly, as we grow to adulthood, we often lose connection to creativity, imagination, daydreaming, and play. This is not to say that creativity simply declines with age. It declines when we stop being curious, stop being inspired, and stop considering innovative ways to approach situations. Even if our natural-born creativity has been suppressed for decades, it is never too late to make changes. Just like brain plasticity (the brain’s ability to modify and adapt as a result of learning and experience), our level of creativity is something that we can nurture by exercising our creative muscle. Ongoing research suggests that creativity may be significant to healthy, active aging. As we plan for future years, creativity helps us pursue meaningful experiences and be flexible in generating ideas to address changing circumstances. We can tap into the creative spark no matter what we’re doing—planning a weekend getaway, writing a silly poem (or pun) for a friend’s birthday, coming up with a new recipe, or making up a bedtime story for a grandchild. We fuel our everyday creative life by pursuing hobbies and interests, reading or writing what we’re passionate about, and letting our minds wander while taking a walk.
Learning from encouraging, uplifting people, discovering interconnections between ideas, and attempting something personal and original is joyful. It motivates us to continue being creative. Professor James Kaufman, who teaches a creativity class at the University of Connecticut, says, “Try not to compare yourself to genius creators or be so focused on the outcome that the process stops being fun.”
Mary Petersen is a retired COC English instructor, a 30-year SCV resident and two-time breast cancer survivor.
“Creativity is a central source of meaning in our lives …”
— Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Continued from page 7
Bringing offshore wind to the U.S. hasn’t exactly been a breeze, but this year wind energy could finally have its moment: The energy company .
Its Vineyard Wind 1 project, which sits over 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, will offer a capacity of 800 megawatts. Plenty of other wind farms are in the works, including potential projects off the coasts of California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Connecticut, Maryland, and Virginia.
We can also expect a huge win for nuclear energy. The nuclear waste company Posiva will begin operating
the world’s first storage facility for nuclear fuel in Olkiluoto, an island off of Finland. The facility will hold up to around 7,000 tons of radioactive uranium, which will be put into copper canisters and buried over 1,300 feet underground. Fortunately for the people living above, the waste will sit guarded for millennia.
If 2022 was the year of Metaverse fails, 2023 could herald its comeback — and improvements in VR and AR tech as a whole.
“I believe we will see virtual reality technology’s continued refinement,” Christopher Ball, an assistant professor of augmented and virtual reality at the University of Illinois at Urba-
The Meta Quest 3 headset will be announced later this year, and it will likely be more affordable than the Meta Quest Pro. But the new Quest could pack some advanced features now found exclusively in the Meta Quest Pro, according to Ball.
He also predicts that virtual reality companies may focus less on gaming and ramp up promotion of other uses to consumers, like working from home, exercising and socializing. For example, the recent partnership between Meta and Microsoft will bring Office 365 apps to VR. And Meta is currently trying to buy Within, a VR company with a popular exercise app
Grand Central Collective, an amazing, creative and people-friendly church recently emerged onto the scene of the Santa Clarita landscape.
Under the leadership of Pastor Darrell Maston, Grand Central planted itself off the 14 Freeway on Newhall Ave. at Carl Ct. After 18 months of ministry in here, they’re experiencing growth and excitement on all levels and every aspect of church life.
Comprised of multiple ethnicities and cultures, the church is alive with wonderful flavors of music, preaching, outreaches and ministries, providing an “all of the above” approach to reaching the wonderful diversity that makes up the SCV.
Pastor Darrell and his wife, Terry, are seasoned ministers with a big heart for people. As Youth Pastors for 15 years prior to taking the lead role,
they’re able to bring a fresh, inviting approach to community reach and family care.
Meeting the needs of Infants through Senior Adults, there is a place for everybody around the Collective table!
They are currently launching a brand-new Childcare Facility, Grand Central DayCare. Initially, they will serve families with children aged 3-5 years, with the intention of adding infant through toddler care in the next few months.
Tuition rates are affordable and assistance through CCRC is available upon request, at (661) 625-0293 or GrandCentralCollective.com. So, whether you’re in need of childcare or just looking for a place to call home, Grand Central Collective is a church for you and our surrounding communities. “Welcome Home!”
In February of 2022, a neighbor’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 personal, family and pet protection. After that 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 becom-
ing the fastest growing self-defense device in the market. The Byrna Launcher fires a kinetic (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 Products for purchase.
Our company name is Ungunn. com and we are an authorized dealer for Byrna Technologies. Go to byrnabash.com and register today.
Continued from page 13
called Supernatural — against the wishes of the FTC.
This fall, Tim Cook announced that Apple will offer augmented reality products. In the coming year, Ball hopes that Cook will divulge more details.
“Hopefully, we will also learn more about Apple’s long-gestating mixed-reality headset. Apple has a strong record of refining consumer technologies with improved software integration,” Ball says. “Therefore, many observers are eagerly anticipating Apple’s entrance into the mixed-reality space, as they may become the trendsetters for extended reality technology and software over the next decade.
After the miraculous success of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines from BioNTech and other pharmaceutical giants, scientists have doubled down
on developing more mRNA jabs to protect against a range of potentially deadly diseases. In 2023, BioNTech plans to begin human trials for shots against tuberculosis, malaria and genital herpes, as reported by Nature.
Another buzzy technology
could make inroads this year. The Swiss-American biotechnology company CRISPR Therapeutics could make history by receiving the first-ever regulatory approval for a CRISPR gene-editing therapy in the U.S. and Europe. CRISPR Therapeutics is seeking FDA approval for a treatment for two genetic blood diseases — sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. If all goes well, it could even
hit the market in the coming months. Of course, there’s no telling how exactly 2023 will play out. But if recent years are any indication, developments that have been decades in the making could finally start to take off. After all, scientists did just manage to bombard hydrogen with lasers long enough to create some mystical fusion energy.
After the success of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines by pharmaceuticals, one of those companies BioNTech reportedly is planning to begin human trials for shots against tuberculosis, malaria and genital herpes.
Jim Lewandowski ISAWC 1413
Todd Walter ISAWC 10664A
Tom Baal ISAWC 7566
Chris Miller ISAWC 11780A
“Serving Santa Clarita Valley And Surrounding Communities With Pride Since 1974”
Bouquet Canyon Road, Valencia
No doubt, the Ventura Harbor Village’s prime attraction is the sea! It’s just a short trip to escape and unwind at the waterfront at Ventura Harbor.
Here are some top picks on spending a a fun weekend with family and friends, even if you’re not going to sit in the sand just yet.
First, a tasty pick is to cozy up with warm soups & a variety of clam chowders, hot Fish N’ Chips or delicious cuisines, as you watch the boats in the harbor. Then it’s off to sip at the Ventura Harbor Village’s new tasting room, Deep Sea Wine Tasting located on the harborside.
Next pick, make sure to treat yourself, (boardwalk style of course!) for a yummy cupcake, a popular ice cream Fishzookie, and freshly crafted French pastries. Or design your own
chocolate bar at Top This Chocolate. Be sure to explore all the artistic creations and one-of-a-kind finds at a variety of boutiques, art galleries, and stores, for fashion and so much more. Spotted gliding across the water are new pink “flamingos”, yellow duckies, white swans, and colorful dragons — to peddle together or stay warm in an electric boat to cruise with Ventura Boat Rentals.
Winter Whale Watching with Island Packers is just the ticket to view these magnificent animals as they migrate just off the coast! Bonus Tip: Make sure to visit Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center — free entry daily and just a few minute walk from Ventura Harbor Village! Live music line-up and daily schedule of activities visit VenturaHarbor Village.com.
Song Cho of Sushi 661 would like to thank Santa Clarita for voting Sushi 661 the Best Sushi Restaurant in Santa Clarita again in 2022.
Sushi 661 is Santa Clarita’s premier sushi bar and restaurant experience. It’s as fresh as it gets and as imaginative as you want. This is the place where experimentation mixes with celebration, where casual dining service and knowledge fuses with beaming personality and style. Besides having the best sakes and over 30 gourmet specialty rolls named and created by loyal -
ists, we also have Bento & Ramen to comfort your heart. Music for your mouth, sushi for your soul. They are proud to offer our Southern California Based, Award-winning, sustainable sushi cuisine since 2014.
During the pandemic Song donated Sushi boxes to many healthcare workers and also to Henry Mayo and Kaiser.
Song Cho has also employed the latest technologies to keep his customers safe during the pandemic.
2023 marks Landscape Development, Inc’s 40th year anniversary. First founded by Gary and Carrie Horton as a small family business, today, the multi-discipline firm employs a staff of 1,200 throughout California and Nevada. Working together as a unified team sharing consistently high standards, we design, build, and maintain many of the foremost landscape projects, bringing our valued customers peace of mind.
As we continue to grow into our next generation, we will always stay true to our mission: “We make our clients’ lives easier and bring them peace of mind.” Trust, dependability, quality, and beautiful aesthetics will forever remain our key values.
We thank our valued SCV clients for helping fuel our growth over these past decades, bringing LDI to our ripe age of 40! These 40 years represents tens of thousands of beautiful homes, millions of square feet of slopes and countless streetscapes and public spaces we all enjoy here in the SCV. Indeed, one can hardly turn around in the SCV without viewing the impact of work Landscape Development, Inc. and its affiliate, Enhanced Landscape Management has performed here.
Founded in 1983, this year marks a very special milestone for Landscape Development, Inc. as Founder, Gary Horton takes on the position of Executive Chairman, passing on next generation leadership to our new CEO, Mark Crutcher. Look to see Landscape Development, Inc. and Enhanced Landscape Management active in our beautiful SCV community for decades to come.
Today, Landscape Development, Inc. is a top 20 nationally ranked, industry-leading, integrated landscape services company, headquartered right here in Santa Clarita. With offices stretching from San Diego to Sacramento and to Las Vegas, our SCV headquarters leads the landscape industry, providing uniquely personal, capable solutions for leading builders and landscape maintenance customers.
Our size, strength, and diversification of services and geography all build our resiliency and momentum
moving forward. Over these 40 years we’ve built a great team, capable of spanning the generations to come.
Today and in the future, Landscape Development, Inc. and Enhanced Landscape Management can be counted on to deliver the highest quality landscape industry services to SCV’s homebuilders and contractors and to our areas finest HOAs, Property Managers, and public agencies. We’ve had an impactful presence in the SCV since our earliest years and we’re committed to Santa Clarita for the long run.
Thank you to all the SCV residents who’ve built their careers with us. Thank you to all our SCV customers who’ve helped us build our company. We’re most grateful for the 40 years the SCV has been so helpful to our people and our company.
Thank you, Santa Clarita Valley!
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Love is in the air in the City of Santa Clarita through the City Hall Ceremonies program. To many couples, the idea of a large, traditional wedding can feel extremely daunting, overwhelming and costly. A ceremony at City Hall lets you craft the marriage experience you want, without the extra cost or late-night stress that comes with a more conventional ceremony.
Did you know that the average cost of a wedding was just over $27,000 in 2022? While a wedding ceremony at City Hall costs just $73! Couples will have their choice of several beautiful locations at City Hall for their nuptials, including Council Chambers, in front of the lobby mural or outside with the fountain as a tranquil backdrop. The City will have an officiant present to oversee the ceremony and a staff photographer will be provided, although couples are encouraged to bring their own photographer to en-
sure they get the special pictures they desire.
For couples who already have a venue picked out and a ceremony planned, the City is pleased to offer confidential marriage licenses for marriages within the State of California. For those couples who can’t wait to tie the knot, the convenient onestop service can provide you with a marriage license and ceremony on the same day! Marriage ceremonies are performed, by appointment only, on Wedding Wednesdays.
Make sure to follow the City of Santa Clarita on social media to find out about enhanced wedding services like the recent The Big I Do. Taking place on Valentine’s Day, this beautiful event married six couples at the same time in a lavish ceremony and beautiful reception. Thank you to the local vendors who donated items to The Big I Do. Donated items included custom wedding bands, wedding cake, a DJ, photographers, cham-
pagne toast and so much more. If you are planning a wedding, make sure to check out the list of local vendors who helped support this special day. You can find that information at santa-clarita.com/Weddings.
The City Hall Ceremonies team is looking forward to providing you with a beautiful, stress-free alterna-
tive to a traditional wedding service. For more information on how you can say “I do” at City Hall, including marriage service pricing, scheduling dates and more, please visit santa-clarita.com/Weddings or contact the City Clerk’s Office at (661) 259CITY (2489).
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“ Mike, Cindy, Miriam, and the staff at Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts created a close knit culture and environment where growth and camaraderie among kids and parents flourish. Not only do the students learn, they make each class a fun engaging experience.
“Each week, different LA agencies come to the school where kids can audition for representation. To my surprise, my son Caleb was given the opportunity to audition for not one, but TWO agents on our very first visit. Keep in mind, he’s had zero experience. Mike’s eye for talent, encouraging words, and expertise gave my son the confidence he needed. One week later, Caleb was signed!
“SCSOPA’s class schedules offer a range of courses from modeling to voiceovers to character building and scene studies. This allowed my son
to develop the skills needed to audition for real casting calls. Once again SCSOPA did not disappoint! After attending the school for three months, Caleb landed a role on an upcoming TV series!
“The continued support from Mike and the teachers develop my son’s voice and acting technique even after class. Additional services are available to assist for auditions such as, coaching, self-tapes, and voice recording. If you’re looking to build confidence, grow your budding star, and get your feet into the entertainment industry look no further! Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts is the one stop shop you won’t regret. We are so happy to have found them!!
“Thank you SCSOPA!”
— Caleb Magpali
While many landscapes are slumbering through the winter in North America, our gardens offer plenty of outdoor activities for the Santa Clarita gardener.
Historically, February is the wettest month — this year doesn’t appear to be the norm. Nonetheless, it’s still an important month for landscaping. Preparing for the spring garden now is more important than ever. Take advantage of cooler, wetter weather to redesign and plant for a rewarding landscape in spring and one that will handle whatever our climate will be offering in the future.
Regular monthly chores should be handled before active spring growth starts — and with warmer temperatures, growth is happening earlier each year. Garden jobs still include tree planting, pruning and trimming. Sap will start flowing soon so the window for creating minimal shock, bleeding and infection with cuts and root disturbance is coming to a close.
Cutting back ornamental grasses and flowering perennials in February will keep these plants shapely and give them a good start for next year’s growth. Pruning will also create less of a water demand on root systems when active growth begins.
On rainy or chilly days there is indoor work to be done for the garden. Now is the time to sketch out ideas for design changes, to plan construction projects, to renovate and update areas and to make your landscape more sustainable. By sketching out your ideas before you start work you will maintain better control of your budget, your time schedule, the materials you will need and catch potentially expensive mistakes before they become a reality.
You can also do some hands-on gardening indoors during inclement weather. Try starting delicate flowers, hard-to-find plants and get an early jump on the most cold-sensitive edibles by growing them from seed in a window or under a grow light.
Most people delay working on their gardens until the springtime rush. But summer heat has been showing up earlier and earlier for the past half-dozen years, cutting short the chance for delicate growth to prepare for our scorching sun. With summer arriving early and lasting longer, autumn and winter are turning into our best growing seasons. Frosts are less of a threat than they were a decade ago, too, so we can now plant and seed many flowers and edibles in February.
This means you can start the traditional spring garden as early as this month. But do outdoor planting and seeding with caution. Very sensitive
plants that don’t like temperatures under 45⁰ may need some extra protection during chilly nights. Keep newspaper or cloth like burlap available to throw over less hardy plants when frost is predicted. Or wait one more month. Waiting is best for planting edibles like tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are the hardiest), peppers, corn and squash and for tender flowers.
This is the last chance to get spring-blooming bulbs and bare-root trees and shrubs into the garden since many of these are already sprouting into active growth. They will still be fine if you pop them into the ground and keep them deeply watered. They just require more care as they break dormancy.
Most of our local garden centers bring in plants that are ready to be planted. Some nurseries keep stock year round. Plants that have spent months or even years growing in the local climate will have an easier adjustment to you garden environment than those raised and shipped in from growers from further away.
Which reminds me, don’t believe everything you read. Just because a tag says a plant will like full sun does not mean you should set it out in the full sun of Santa Clarita. Most plant material is raised and imported here from artificially controlled greenhouse environments all over the country. Tags are written for the average garden nationwide. Our sun is more intense than most areas. If a tag says give it a full or half-day of sun, you might find it will burn here without more shade.
One handy tip for February is how to fill in
empty landscape areas. Vacant spaces can be quickly and easily populated by lightly raking in a fistful of wildflower seeds. They can also be sprinkled liberally between small trees, shrubs and flowering plants that have yet to grow into the space they will need when mature. If rain doesn’t come, keep seeds moist — at least on the surface. Once they sprout, they will grow and bloom quickly to fill those spaces with rampant color. Most are annuals so they are not likely to crowd out the longer-lived perennials as they grow. And who knows? You might be lucky to have some self-seed to dot the area with a new generation next year — for free.
The weather is cool and comfortable for working outdoors in the winter months. You can allow leaves to remain as mulch on the ground for a little longer if you want. They will help keep soil moist after rains, letting it penetrate deeper rather than evaporating right away. But feel free to clean up dead stems, sticks and flower heads. Neatening the landscape up now will save work later.
February is also the perfect time to start building projects. If you put in that outdoor room, replace your lawn, set up the new child or pet area or install a place for games or entertainment, you’ll be ready to enjoy your new outdoor extended living space as soon as the weather calls you out to play — with landscape features that will require no costly irrigation.
For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/user/Janieg8s.
Home improvement projects require substantial financial investment. But just because a homeowner wants to bring a fresh look indoors doesn’t mean he or she has to break the bank along the way.
Living rooms are some of the most frequently used spaces in a home, and they can use an update from time to time to stay on trend or to make the area more functional for a changing family dynamic. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for breathing new life into living room designs.
Establish the Budget Homeowners should figure out how many dollars they can designate to a living room makeover before purchasing supplies or hiring out the work. Figure out the scope of the remodel, visit stores or suppliers to price out materials, get estimates from contractors, and then plan for some unforeseen circumstances along the way to determine if this type of renovation is affordable. If not, scale things back until the project more closely aligns with your budget.
Change the Paint Color Lighter and brighter colors are on trend. A can or two of paint can do wonders for updating a space without a large financial commitment. Pair that new paint color with
new window coverings and complementary throw pillows to pull the theme together with minimal expense.
Update the Flooring Tired, outdated carpeting or other flooring can use an overhaul. While solid hardwood flooring may be preferable, there are many types of laminate flooring that mimic the looks of popular wood colors and styles for a fraction of the cost. Plus, many are sold at home improvement retailers and even at warehouse clubs or online for reasonable prices. Laminate flooring also may be a potential DIY job for a skilled homeowner, saving even more money.
Introduce a Fireplace Fireplaces were once hot commodities, but that popularity waned in the 1970s and 1980s. Homeowners with chimneys may discover a fireplace was boarded over and the bare bones still exist that can be renovated to bring back character. There also are ventless freestanding units that are quite affordable that can mimic the look of a built-in fireplace.
Reupholster Instead of Replace There’s no need to throw away quality furniture if the fabric is the only thing impeding design. New upholstery or even a slipcover can update designs.
Conquer Clutter Rather than adding something to the living room, remove clutter to give the room a more airy feel. This can instantly change the look of the room. Use cord covers to tame plugs for electronics and remove unnecessary furniture from the room.
Improve Lighting Another easy and often inexpensive fix is to change lighting fixtures, including using brighter, more energy efficient LED bulbs, and to assess lighting needs to eliminate dark corners of rooms that can make the space seem drab. Living room spaces in need of an update often can benefit from improvements that go easy on the wallet. (MC)
I don’t know what the House Ways and Means Committee was trying to accomplish by releasing former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, but it did make me wish I had Trump’s accountants working for me. Honestly, who wants to pay taxes? Nobody. How many of us would like to avoid paying taxes altogether? Everybody. And to do it legally — wow! Am I missing something here? I can see no wrongdoing by Trump. Even an IRS audit, which was not conducted on Trump while he was president, would not have revealed wrongdoing. It may, however, have revealed how “flexible” the Internal Revenue Code is — but that's another story. You can't put “features” in a law and then punish people for using those features, even for purposes other than those “originally intended.” If that was the case, the IRS would spend 95% of its time prosecuting people, including many of the people who wrote the law.
But this isn’t about the law. This is about politics and the struggle for power. Will this result in reforms and revisions to the Internal Revenue Code? Not likely. Trump isn’t the only one who benefits from its “flexibility.” I would like to see the tax returns of Nancy Pelosi and all of the Bidens. That, I think, would provide for an equally interesting expose.
Arthur Saginian Santa ClaritaI have been reading the online comments on my letter regarding the COVID-19 virus and that it is spreading again. Too many souls are neglecting to get boosted with the updated Omicron vaccine (and the flu vaccine). Those who commented negatively to my plea for responsibility have buried their heads in the dirt. Their opinions are easily refutable.
For example, one reader states that if you get COVID, you have a 99.9% chance of surviving. This is obviously false. The Centers for Disease Control reported there are 109,622,000 cases in the U.S., and 1,088,981 deaths. This looks very close to a 1% death rate, not 0.1%. He is only off by a factor of 10. Some argue COVID deaths are exaggerated: People are dying with COVID, not of COVID. Let me explain the difference. If you get COVID and are run over by a car, that is dying WITH COVID. If you get COVID and have asthma and die because you cannot breathe, that is dying OF COVID. Feel confident the CDC-reported deaths are OF COVID. Another contributor claims the “COVID theater of the last three years is a farce.” He claims lockdowns only delay the inevitable; social distancing, school lockdowns and masking are ineffective; vaccine and booster efficacy is overstated; mortality statistics are unreliable. Lockdowns were necessary when we had no vaccines and COVID was filling hospitals. Social distancing helped avoid airborne transmission of the virus. School lockdowns and masking were needed to keep teachers and staff healthy enough to work. Vaccines were never said to be 100% effective in avoiding infection or death, but clearly do work well, and are safe. If mistakes were made in the early days of COVID, it was because the virus was new and largely unknown in how it is transmitted. Now we know. Honest mistakes are not lies.
Thomas Oatway ValenciaIf you’ve been on social media in the past few years you’ve probably noticed the emergence of “virtue signaling.” The phrase gets thrown around like a hand grenade intended to blow up another person’s argument. If you’re accused of “virtue signaling” it means you’re inserting your sense of virtue into the marketplace of ideas through your opinions on certain political or cultural issues. The response that you’re “virtue signaling” is meant to say, “That’s bad of you! How dare you bring your ideas of virtue into the public forum, you arrogant braggart!”
But in my mind, one of the great dangers in our day is that virtue is being denigrated as old-fashioned, even dangerously puritanical and prejudicial. But even more problematic, our societal elites have determined it is arrogant and insensitive and highly uncivil even to suggest one’s personal sense of virtue has a place in maintaining a civil society.
And that’s the crux of the problem. Too many powerful people, in too many ways, in too many situations, make it clear they don’t want a civil society. We saw that as elected officials thought it was prudent to heckle, mock and hassle the president during his State of the Union speech. It was an embarrassing demonstration that, at the highest levels of our nation, the virtues of self-control, respect, honor and plain old common courtesy apparently no longer have a place in the minds of a few who felt no shame over their conduct. Actually, we haven’t lost virtue. We’ve simply reshaped it to align, not with historical definitions of civility, morality and greatness, but with the aberrant desires of expressive individualism, the passions of power, pleasure, greed, and most of all, the abandonment of all accountability.
Just a few nights before, the Grammys led the way in this reshaping of virtue. Many of the performances, in their determination to worship the god of degeneration, were displays of the “new virtue” that is really simply a stunning lack of virtue,
a throwing off of respect for self, the audience and their own industry. What was meant to shock us came off as boring, unimaginative and largely lacking in musical excellence.
What we saw was actually “virtue signaling” at its finest. But the “virtue” being signaled was an anti-virtue, an abandonment of the virtues of decorum, respect for the community, and again, plain old common courtesy, especially for those who hold to the Judeo-Christian foundations of western society.
In his book “The Life of Reason: Reason in Common Sense,” American philosopher George Santayana wrote, “Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.” And, his words have been confirmed time and time again. Empire after empire, nation after nation have gone from good to gone, not primarily because they lacked strength but because they gave up their virtue in order to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
So, in this column for the next several weeks I’m going to speak about the various virtues that have, historically, been linked to a nation’s health and well-being. I’ll start with the four great virtues of Greek philosophy, and move on through some of the virtues we all wish our children would develop.
And here’s what we’ll find. A virtuous life is actually a life of freedom, not bondage. It is a life of wisdom, and self-control, and most of all, honor and respect for friend, neighbor, and even enemy. Virtue is the foundation of true collaboration, teamwork and unity. It also manifests itself in a life of discipline, hard work and success. And lastly, virtue is what allows each of us to make a useful contribution to our society, and we all know how important that is. Where virtue fuels actions, and restrains sin, we’re all better off.
I hope you’ll join me every week as together we enroll in a short course on the virtue of virtue.
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
