Sunday Signal 031923

Get a Behind-The-Scenes Look at Television Shows

Aday trip to Los Angeles is not complete without a bit of Hollywood show business on your itinerary. Luckily, there are multiple opportunities to see a taping of your favorite television shows live to get a sneak peek of the TV magic you see at home. Plus, good news: tickets to the majority of shows are free.

Watch the casts of The Conners crack up the audience, be amazed by incredibly smart people on Jeopardy!, or if competition shows are more your style, try scoring tickets to The Voice or Dancing

With the Stars, which both film in the Los Angeles area. Participating on a game show (like Wheel of Fortune) is feasible but typically involves a test or video submission in advance.

Being in the audience during a taping gives you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how these shows are actually produced while providing a look at your favorite stars up close and personal — something that’s on every L.A. visitor’s bucket list. Each show has a specific ticket system that sometimes involves a wait list

Be sure to get there early if you want a good seat (or any seat at all, as studios overbook the tickets), and expect to stay at least three hours, especially for sitcoms, which can take a long time as scenes get reworked and reshot. If you’re hoping for an on-camera appearance, do your homework ahead of time.

What types of things is the show looking for? It might be a silly costume for a game show like Let’s Make a Deal, or it might be well-dressed people for a cameo appearance in a talk show.

Also, be enthusiastic: employees sometimes tap the most eager audience members to be part of the show.

Between tapings — most take place in Burbank —fill your TV-loving vacation with studio tours at Warner Brothers and Universal Studios Hollywood and visits to nearby L.A. neighborhoods that are pop culture staples in themselves

Talk Shows & Competitions

Laugh and hear remarkable stories from guests with Kelly Clarkson on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Watch political wags and celebrities go toe-to-toe on Real Time With Bill Maher. And, as mentioned, on the grounds of Universal Studios Hollywood and adjacent Universal CityWalk, attend a taping to see Extra’s Billy Bush chat with celebs like Chris Evans and Demi Lovato.

Talk shows are a great way to see A-listers in person — usually dressed in on-trend fashions and perfectly coiffed. Another perk from sitting in the audience: you might get on TV too, since many talk shows include shots of the audience, or even pull one or two folks into the show for a gag or two. Shows like The Voice and America’s Got Talent also let you see talent — some good, some

bad — as well as A-list judges and performers. Game

Shows

Match wits with the contestants on Jeopardy! Spin the wheel with Vanna and Pat on Wheel of Fortune. Bring out your pom-poms and pork pie hats for Let’s Make a Deal. These game shows and other classics are mainstays in Los Angeles; most have been running for decades.

Want to be a contestant? For some shows, that just means reserving a free ticket online and getting a callback to attend (then syncing up vacation plans), then crossing fingers that you’ll get picked from the audience.

For some shows, it’s a little tougher to make the cut. For Jeopardy, you’ve got to prove your prowess by passing a 50-question test either online or at a regional in-person screening. Wheel of Fortune asks for a video submission.

If you simply want to sit in the audience for popular game shows like Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, or Family Feud, check out on-camera-audiences.com. Just keep in mind that show tapings are often overbooked, so a ticket is not always a guaranteed seat (show up a little early to keep your odds high).

Most game shows require that audience members be at least 18, but both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! welcome audience members as young as eight.

Sitcoms

Crack up at the hilarious extended-family dynamics of The Upshaws, or watch the antics of the cast of Lopez vs Lopez as the show is being filmed. Sitting in the audience while these and other sitcoms are staged gives you an incomparable behind-the-scenes take of all that goes into producing a professional comedy show. While familiar shows are a big draw and usually a good bet for a great show, don’t hesitate to take a chance on a pilot or a new show; you might wind up seeing the birth of the next hit sitcom or TV star.

The main resources for getting tickets are On Camera Audiences and 1Iota (iota.com); their websites list TV shows offering tickets within the next 30 days at studios in the Los Angeles area. There are other sites, too, such as Shadow Casting, and OS | LA Productions If you don’t score tickets when they are first released, additional and standby tickets may be released at a later date. Keep in mind, too, that the age minimum for most sitcom tapings is 18, and that tapings often last well beyond a half hour—often four hours—but it’s fun to watch the studio at work. And pack a sweater: studios are kept a little on the chilly side.

Insider Tips

Attending a TV show taping is a blast, but there are a few tips you can follow to make sure it’s memorable—and only in a good way.

1. Be sure to get there early if you want a good seat (or any seat at all, as studios overbook the tickets).

2. Expect to stay at least three hours, especially for sitcoms, which can take a long time as scenes get reworked and reshot. Bring a snack and a book for downtime. (At longer tapings, audience members might be treated to pizza, but don’t count on it.)

3. Bring a sweater; studios are kept notoriously cool to compensate for the hot lights on stage. If you’re hoping for an on-camera appearance, do your homework ahead of time. What types of things is the show looking for? It might be a silly costume for a game show like Let’s Make a Deal, or it might be well-dressed people for a cameo appearance in a talk show.

Also, be enthusiastic: employees sometimes tap the most eager audience members to be part of the show. (Family Features) 

Selecting

Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you’re just getting started with Medicare or have changes in your life, such as a new diagnosis of a condition or disease. It can be overwhelming if you need services like nursing home care, have to find a new doctor or get home health care.

Using online tools like “Find Care Providers” on Medicare.gov can make it easier to make comparisons and help choose doctors, hospitals, nursing homes and more for you or the person you are helping provide care to. Consider these benefits of using the comparison tools to narrow your options.

A Resource for Research

The website provides a simple search and compare experience that allows you to find providers near you. Simply put in a ZIP code and the type of provider to receive a list of providers, their contact information and a map of locations. The information even includes “star ratings” and ser-

a

Health Care

Provider Resources to guide your selection.

vices provided. The tool can be used to find all sorts of providers, including doctors, hospitals, home health care agencies, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation providers, hospice and dialysis facilities.

For example, two sisters needed to find a nursing home that was right for their father. This proved to be a difficult, emotional decision. They didn’t know what nursing homes were in the area where he lives, so they entered his ZIP code and searched for nursing homes. They then received a list of each one in his area, complete with ratings as well as staffing data and inspection reports.

Using a laptop, desktop, tablet or mobile device, you can see how patients rate their care experiences at the hospitals in your area and find home health agencies that offer the services you might need, like nursing care, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Contact information for local inpatient rehabilitation facilities or long-term care hospitals is available, as well as hospice quality care rat-

Caregiver Guide

Making decisions as a caregiver can be challenging but taking advantage of available resources can help you feel more confident in your choices.

For example, Medicare.gov allows you to find information about health care providers, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, home health agencies, dialysis facilities, inpatient rehab and long-term care hospitals near you. The website also provides quality ratings, so you can see the provider or facility’s history of service, among other details that help you make the most informed decision on behalf of the person you’re helping. 

ings and specific care details, such as which dialysis facilities offer home dialysis training.

Finding Health Care Services

Many factors influence who you trust with your health care. In some cases, family, caregivers or friends may offer referrals to a doctor or medical facility based on their own experiences, and that can be a helpful guide.

Whether you have referrals or are starting from scratch, you can compare health care providers near you using the Medicare.gov tool, pinpointing which category of services you need, whether it’s doctors and clinicians, hospitals, hospice and home health agencies, dialysis facilities, inpatient rehabilitation centers or nursing homes.

In addition to searching by your location using your address or a combination of city, state or ZIP code, you can search by provider type and keyword to generate a list of providers that could fit your needs.

Finding a Doctor Who Fits

When you’re looking for a new doctor and not sure where to start, the tool makes it quick and easy to find and compare doctors in your area. You can find contact information, practice locations, specialty and hospital affiliation as well as hospital ratings.

Selecting the “compare” button allows you to compare up to three dif-

ferent health care providers at once. When you’re ready to schedule a visit with a new provider, be sure to take time during your scheduling call to verify general information, like the office location, whether the office is accepting new patients with Medicare and whether you need a referral to be treated.

Comparing Nursing Homes

Whether you’re planning ahead or need to make an unexpected decision, there’s a lot to think about when choosing the right nursing home for you or someone else. Many family members and caregivers prioritize location so they’re able to check in and visit frequently, but there are many other important factors you may want to consider, too.

The comparison tool at Medicare. gov provides filtering options that allow you to personalize your results by sifting through the criteria that matter most to you, such as inspection results, number of beds, staffing data and more.

You’ll be able to check out the nursing home’s overall “star ratings.” The information can serve as a guide of a provider’s track record to help assist you with finding a home that best suits the person’s needs.

Visit Medicare.gov/care-compare to access the tool and find health care providers and services in your area that fit your needs. Paid for by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (Family Features) 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

The Cowboy Festival is Back!

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

After three years of no cowboy peach cobbler, no cowboy trick roping, no cowboy gunslingers or cowboy crooners, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival will mosey onto Main Street in Old Town Newhall the weekend of April 22-23.

Kyle Lopez, Santa Clarita city arts and events supervisor, heads up the team bringing a refreshed look to the 2023 Cowboy Festival.

“We are really excited and looking forward to bringing the community back out to a fun event, and to showcase Santa Clarita history and culture,” she said. “We want people to just have a good time.

“We have an eclectic blend of music at the festival this year,” said Lopez. It will include Western, country, folk and bluegrass.

“Over the course of the last several Cowboy Festivals the demographics of attendees has changed. Offering additional genres of music exposes guests to different types of music. I think having a nice blend opens it up to a wider audience.”

The best part of the 2023 Cowboy Festival is that it will be free to attend, except for a few ticketed shows and tours.

The Line Up

Cowboy Festival favorites Jon Chandler and Dave Stamey will perform joined by Sourdough Slim, Carin Mari, Gary Allegretto and others. Three stages of live music will include two on Main Street and one inside The MAIN Theater. Lopez said each artist will perform once per day.

A total of 34 musical performances will be offered between the three stages.

Chandler is a three-time winner of the prestigious Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. He was also named True West Magazine’s Best Western Musician.

Stamey is a nationally acclaimed cowboy singer/ songwriter and entertainer and in 2016 was inducted into the International Western Music Hall of Fame. He has been recognized five times by True West magazine as the Best Living Solo Western Musician.

Sourdough Slim has won the Academy of Western Artists 2001 Will Rogers Award for “Yodeler of the Year” and in 2009, 2010 and 2011 earned nominations for Entertainer of the Year from the Western Music Association.

Festival Fun

The festival will also feature hatchet throwing, panning for gold, Western Swing dancing and Dutch oven peach cobbler. Lopez said other interactive activities include archery, mechanical bull riding and line dancing classes.

“We want to have a variety of activities that are fun for all ages to participate in,” said Lopez.

Festival favorite and mainstay lasso expert Dave Thornbury will return to the streets of Old Town Newhall to dazzle guests with his trick roping expertise.

Also returning to the Cowboy Festival will be living history exhibits including the blacksmiths and Buffalo Soldiers.

Buffalo soldiers were African American soldiers who mainly served on the Western frontier following the American Civil War. Visit their camp to learn about this time in American history.

Lopez said Old Town Newhall is a good location to relaunch the Cowboy Festival.

“Main Street has really blossomed over the past few years, it is great showcase for Santa Clarita and it is a great backdrop for the festival,” she said.

Food and Shopping

In addition to a variety of food vendors the festival will offer more than a dozen carefully curated vendors showcasing their western wares at The Trading Post and Mercantile Row. Stroll through a western-town environment and browse vintage boots, hats, leather goods, jewelry and western fashion.

“We will have some returning vendors from years past including fan favorites,” said Lopez. “However, some vendors we reached out to from past festivals are no longer traveling, or no longer in the business.”

SCV Rotary Peach Cobbler

The Santa Clarita Valley Rotary Club will return to serve their famous peach cobbler, made the old-fashioned way in a cast iron Dutch oven and

served hot with a mountain of whip cream.

The SCV Rotary cobbler booth at Cowboy Festival is a fundraiser for the club which was founded more than 50 years ago.

SCV Rotary supports a variety of causes including benefiting veterans, students, seniors and others in the SCV and beyond.

Still to Come

Other events being finalized include two ticketed shows, one at the Newhall Family Theater and the

PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Famous California Literary Locations

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

California may be most famous as the home of Hollywood and thousands of films and television shows, but it all starts with the written word. Here are but a few of the many literary locations to be found in California.

Theodor Seuss Geisel

National Reading Month is celebrated in March to honor Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Known as Dr. Seuss, Geisel (1904 –1991) was a longtime resident of the La Jolla community of San Diego. Millions of children learned to read thanks to Dr. Seuss and “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” Geisel Library at University of California, San Diego

9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla 92093 Info library.ucsd.edu

More than 8,500 items comprise the Dr. Seuss Collection at the Geisel Library in La Jolla. It’s the world’s largest collection of Seuss items and is filled with original manuscripts, drawings, notebooks, photos and more. The library was renamed after Seuss in 1995.

John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck (1902–1968) was born in the California farming town of Salinas. Steinbeck lived in Pacific Grove from 1930-36 and his most famous works were written and set in Monterey County, as well as Salinas and parts of the San Joaquin Valley.

He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction ins 1940 for “The Grapes of Wrath” (1939).

Other famous works include “East of Eden” (1952), “The Winter of Our Discontent” (1961), “Of Mice and Men” (1937) and “Cannery Row” (1945).

He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

One of his last published works was “Travels with Charley,” a travelogue of a road trip he took in 1960 to rediscover America.

National Steinbeck Center

1 Main St., Salinas 93901

Info www.steinbeck.org

Open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its “Steinbeckiana” includes Rocinante, the camp-

er-truck in which Steinbeck made the cross-country trip described in “Travels with Charley.”

The Steinbeck House

132 Central Ave., Salinas 93901 Info steinbeckhouse.com

This Queen Anne style Victorian was the birthplace and boyhood home of author John Steinbeck. In August of 2000, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The house is open as a restaurant Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Best Cellar Gift Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cannery Row

700 Cannery Row, Monterey 93940 Info canneryrow.com

In 1958 the street that Steinbeck described as “Cannery Row” in his novel, once named Ocean View Avenue, was renamed Cannery Row in honor of the novel. Instead of fish canneries the street has been transformed to include waterfront hotels, fine art, restaurants, boutiques, artisanal stores and boutiques.

San Francisco: A Literary Hub

Before there were “hippies” there were “beatniks.” The Beat movement, also called the Beat Generation, was a social and literary movement originating in the 1950s in bohemian artist communities including San Francisco’s North Beach. Famous Beat literary figures included Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, Neal Cassady, Gregory Corso and others.

The Beat Museum

540 Broadway, San Francisco 94133 Info www.kerouac.com

The Beat Museum is home to an extensive collection of Beat memorabilia, including original manuscripts, rare books, letters, personal effects and cultural ephemera. Open Thursday through Monday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Caffe Trieste

601 Vallejo St., San Francisco 94133

Info coffee.caffetrieste.com

San Francisco’s historic Italian neighborhood of North Beach is a literary hub. Caffe Trieste, an espresso house that first opened its doors in 1956, quickly became a meeting place for the Beat Generation’s literary heavyweights including Kerouac, Ginsberg, Watts and others.

City Lights Bookstore

261 Columbus Ave., San Francisco 94133

Info citylights.com

One of the most famous literary landmarks in the United States is City Lights Books, an independent shop and publishing company founded by Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti in 1953. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Vesuvio Café

255 Columbus Ave., San Francisco 94133

Info www.vesuvio.com

This world-renowned San Francisco saloon was first established in 1948 and remains an historical monument to the Beat Generation. It has

been serving cocktails to the literary avant-garde for more than 70 years.

Raymond Chandler

Raymond Chandler (1888-1959) was a major influence in the literary genre of hardboiled detective fiction.

At least three of Chandler’s novels have been regarded as masterpieces, including “Farewell, My Lovely” (1940), “The Lady in the Lake” (1943) and “The Long Goodbye” (1953).

Chandler became a writer at age 44 after losing his job as an oil company executive during the Great Depression.

His first novel “The Big Sleep,” published in 1939, introduced audiences to the character of Philip Marlowe, the classic “hard-boiled” private detective who worked in the seamy underworld of 1930s to 1950s Los Angeles.

Chandler’s books list more than 100 identifiable locations around Los Angeles, here are just a few.

Raymond Chandler Square

Hollywood Boulevard and Cahuenga 90028

At the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Cahuenga in Hollywood is Raymond Chandler Square. The fictional office of his fictional hero, Philip Marlowe, was in the former Security Pacific Bank building there at 6381 Hollywood Blvd., which Chandler dubbed “The Cahuenga Building.”

Musso & Frank Grill

6667 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028

Info mussoandfrank.com

This legendary classic steakhouse founded in 1919 can be found not only in Chandler’s books, but in hundreds of books set in Los Angeles and Hollywood.

In addition, Musso & Frank has been a favorite of many literary elites including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner.

Greystone Mansion

905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills 90210

Info www.greystonemansion.org

Sternwood’s palatial estate in “The Big Sleep” is a dead ringer for the real Greystone Mansion constructed by the son of oil baron Edward Doheny, in 1927. 

City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco.

PHOTO COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

New Amenities on the Horizon in Santa Clarita

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

Every five years, the City of Santa Clarita publishes a strategic plan based on public input which identifies priorities and plans for enhancing the quality of life for our community. The current five-year strategic plan, Santa Clarita 2025 — more commonly referred to as SC2025 — lays out our shared vision for our City’s future and includes a number of planned capital improvement projects that will provide greater opportunities for residents of all ages.

A number of these key projects are already underway and it is my pleasure to share updates on their progress.

The very first action item in SC2025, which you can read in full at santa-clarita.com/SC2025, is to complete construction on the Central Park Buildout Project. This project is anticipated to be complete later this year and will bring four additional full-sized sports fields to Central Park, as well as an additional restroom facility and expanded parking.

Improvements are also being made to the Central Bark dog park and lighted pathways will connect

it to the new parking area, which enhances safety for dogs and their owners. One amenity that will give you a whole new view on things is the exercise staircase. The staircase features 172 stairs that presents a challenge as you climb up to the lookout point, partway up the hill, on the southern end of the park.

The Vista Canyon Multi-Modal Transit Center is also nearing completion and will bring a fourth Metrolink station to Santa Clarita, as well as a Santa Clarita Transit bus transfer station. Construction is wrapping up on the Metrolink station, which will soon join the Antelope Valley Line and take riders as far north as Lancaster or as far south as Union Station in Los Angeles.

Once the project is complete, residents in Vista Canyon and the surrounding area will have convenient public transportation options to get anywhere they need to go in Santa Clarita and beyond. Please be on the lookout in upcoming weeks for information on a grand opening event and the start of service at the Vista Canyon Metrolink Station.

A highly anticipated project that is in the preliminary stages is a new roller-skating rink that is being planned for the George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex on Centre Pointe Parkway. The design phase is underway for this new facility, which will be located next to the Sports Complex Gymnasium and outdoor basketball courts. On the current timeline, the roller rink is anticipated to be complete and open to the public by Fall 2024.

These are just a few of the many capital improvement projects underway in Santa Clarita that will benefit our community for generations to come. I encourage you to learn more about these projects and follow their progress by connecting with the City of Santa Clarita on all of our social media pages.

Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

The City’s new exercise stairs.

Copycat Recipes That Taste Just Like The Real Thing

By Camille Lowder Delish.com

We LOVE a copycat recipe here at Delish. Not only is it fun to try and figure out just exactly what makes our favorite restaurant dishes as good as they are, there are myriad other reasons to make these imitation recipes at home: cost efficiency, being able to control ingredients, being able to try foods from places located too far away … the list goes on. Check out our list of 85 copycat recipes for ideas at www.bit.ly/420VnKm and get ready to never have to deal with the drive-thru again. Meanwhile, here are a few.

CPK BBQ Chicken Skillet Pizza

Ingredients

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” pieces

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

All purpose flour, for dough

1 lb. pizza dough, at room temperature

2 tbsp. barbecue sauce, plus more for drizzling

1/2 c. shredded cheddar

1/2 c. shredded fontina

1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

Ranch dressing, for drizzling

Freshly chopped chives, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 500°. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add chicken and cook until golden and no longer pink, 6 minutes per side. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, brush an ovenproof skillet with oil. On a floured work surface, roll out dough until circumference matches your skillet. Transfer to skillet.

Leaving a 1⁄2" border for crust, spread barbecue sauce onto dough. Top with cheddar, fontina, chicken, and red onion.

Brush crust with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until crust is crispy and cheese is melty, 23

to 25 minutes.

Drizzle with barbecue sauce and ranch and garnish with chives.

Panda Express Orange Chicken

Ingredients

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 c. plus 1 tbsp. cornstarch, divided

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" pieces Canola oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. freshly minced ginger

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flake s

2/3 c. freshly squeezed orange juice

2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce

1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp. sweet chili sauce

2 tbsp. hoisin sauce

1 tbsp. brown sugar

Juice of 1/2 lemon

2 green onions, thinly sliced Cooked white rice, for serving

Directions

Set up dredging station: In one bowl, add eggs, and in a second bowl, mix together ½ cup cornstarch and flour and season with salt and pepper. Coat chicken pieces in egg, then toss in cornstarch mixture, tapping off any excess.

In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, heat ¼" oil. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

In a saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes and cook 2 minutes. Whisk in orange juice, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice and bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together remaining tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Slowly whisk into sauce to thicken and sim-

mer until sauce is syrupy, about 5 minutes. Toss chicken with sauce and green onions. Serve over rice.

In-n-Out Animal-Style Fries

Ingredients

Neutral oil, for frying (about 6 cups)

1/2 c. mayonnaise

3 tbsp. ketchup

2 tbsp. sweet pickle relish

1 tsp. distilled white vinegar

1 tsp. yellow mustard

Kosher salt

2 tbsp. unsalted butter

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 16 oz. frozen shoestring French fries, divided 6 oz. American cheese, chopped into 1/2" pieces

1/3 c. whole milk

Directions

In a heavy, 5-quart Dutch oven or pot fitted with a deep-fry or candy thermometer, heat oil over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 375°. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, vinegar, mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to combine.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is well browned and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer onions to a small bowl; set aside.

Using a metal spider, lower half of fries into oil and cook, stirring to keep fries from sticking together, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Using spider, transfer fries to a paper towel-lined sheet tray; season with a pinch of salt. Repeat with remaining fries.

In a small heatproof bowl, microwave cheese and milk in 30-second increments, whisking in between, until cheese is melted and smooth, about 3 minutes.

Top fries with cheese mixture, then cooked onions, and finish with animal sauce. 

California Pizza Kitchen Chicken Pizza

In ‘N’ Out Animal Fries

Panda Express Orange Chicken

Finally — ‘History of the World Part 2’ has Arrived

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘History of the World, Part 2’

 (out of four)

On Hulu.

We were getting two kinds of spoof movies in the 1970s and 1980s: the feature-length film and the rapid-fire collection of sketches.

The former category included elaborately constructed, often brilliant, full-length feature films such as Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein” (both released in 1974); “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975) and “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” (1979), and the Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker classics “Airplane!” (1980) and “The Naked Gun” (1988).

ms/Zucker/John Landis effort

“The Kentucky Fried Movie” (1977) and Brooks’ “History of the World, Part I” (1981), which tackled the Stone Age, the Old Testament, the Roman Empire, etc., and ended with a fake teaser trailer for “History of the World, Part II,” which Brooks had no real intention of making.

Until now!

March 19-23, 2023

In the second division, a collection of sketches would be stitched together to movie length, e.g., the drive-in cult favorites “The Groove Tube” (1974) from Ken Shapiro, the Zucker/Abraha-

The eight-part Hulu series “History of the World, Part II” follows in the wacky footsteps of the original, tackling historical events in broadly comic, politically incorrect fashion, with jokes ranging from vaudeville-level corny to 21st-century meta (we even get some references to previous Brooks movies) — and the oldtimey routines are often funnier than the steady parade of social media gags.

Like the original, it’s a hit-and-miss affair; some bits fall flat and wear out

their welcome, but a greater percentage of the sketches provides some knowing chuckles and a few laughout-loud moments. Occasionally the parody is so spot-on, it’s more of an homage than a jab, e.g., when five characters from the “Russian Revolution” story thread belt out a song in which they express their dreams, and it sounds EXACTLY like the kind of musical number that tops off Act 1 of a Broadway musical just before Intermission. (Jack Black’s Stalin, who yearns to emerge from the shadows and be recognized one day, is priceless.)

The film continues the stor y of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!” s transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam

65 C 12:55 3:10 5:25 7:40

After a catastroph c crash on an unknown planet pilot Mills quickly discovers he’s ac tual y stranded on Ear th 65 mill on years ago

Now, Mills and Koa, must make their way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to sur vive C

A former minor-league basketball coach, after a ser es of missteps, is ordered by the cour t to manage a team of players with intellec tual disabi ities He realizes that despite his doubts, together, this team can go fur ther than they ever imagined

S C R E A M V I E 1:10 4:10 7:10

Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four sur vivors leave Woodsboro behind and star t a fresh chapter

Adonis Creed has been thriving When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian, resur faces after ser ving a long sentence in prison, Adon s must put his future on the line to battle a fighter who has nothing to lose

At the outset of the series, the 96-year-old Brooks says, “Hello! I’m American treasure Mel Brooks. To some of you, I’m a hero; to others, merely a legend.” Brooks serves as executive producer and our host and narrator, with comedic stalwarts Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes and Ike Barinholtz leading the creative team.

As for the cast: Along with the aforementioned trio, we get appearances from Kumail Nanjiani, J.B. Smoove, Quinta Brunson, Pamela Adlon, Danny DeVito, Zazie Beetz, Jay Ellis and Seth Rogen, and that’s just for starters; if I listed everybody who pops up somewhere along the way, we’d be at the end of the review.

We see some impressive production values in a perfectly crafted series of sketches about the first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm (Sykes), that’s an homage to 1970s

sitcoms such as “Good Times” and “The Jeffersons.” There’s also a spoton parody of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” titled “Curb Your Judaism,” with Kroll portraying Judas, and some familiar “Curb” regulars playing variations on their characters from the Larry David show.

Dove Cameron scores some laughs playing Anastasia as a social media influencer who cranks up a camera and delivers self-centered monologues, e.g., “Hey you guys, it’s me, your girl, Princess Anastasia. For today’s tutorial, I feel like I’ve been seeing a lot of comments that you guys are like, pretty downtrodden and like poor or whatever, so, um, I figured I would show you how to de-contour your cheeks!”

And so it goes. There’s a dead-on parody of “The Beatles: Get Back,” repositioned to take place during the time of, well, I’ll leave it at that. At one point there’s an actual reference to Hulu in a Hulu series, wink-wink, as everyone talks like they’re living in the 21st century, regardless of the time period. Why, it’s a wacky melding of the old and the new!

Typhoid Mary (Mary Holland) has a cooking show (get it, cuz Typhoid Mary was a cook?), while Galileo has a Cameo-type account called “Galilameo,” ha ha. Noah (Rogen) interprets God’s command to have two of everything on the ark to mean two of every kind of small dog. Abraham Lincoln (Timothy Simons) keeps smacking his head into chandeliers and doorways because he’s freakishly tall. Who better than Johnny Knoxville to play Rasputin, who can endure all manner of pain and come back for more?

Often we laugh; sometimes we get a little impatient waiting for the next sketch. Stay tuned for “History of the World, Part III,” which should be coming out on NuHulu+ExtraSpecial sometime around 2064. 

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

Jane Fonda and Lily Toml n star as estranged friends who reun te to seek revenge on the petulant widower (Ma colm McDowe l) of their recently deceased best friend

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

Some of the Hidden Costs of Doing it Yourself

tractor. It may be worth it to simply hire it out.

Mistakes

Many resources are available to help DIY enthusiasts work on a project, but there are still tricks and tech niques learned after years on the job.

DIYers may damage their homes by taking shortcuts or not understanding how to do a job properly. A plumbing mistake, for example, may lead to flooding that damages another room in the home. And such mistakes may not be covered by homeowners insurance policies.

Fines

The home renovation industry is booming, and that’s reflected in the cost to upgrade a home. Home Guide says remodeling a kitchen costs on average $25,000 and a bathroom renovation runs around $10,000. Though rates fluctuate depending on a host of variables, renovations can cost $15 to $60 per square foot depending on the project.

The average homeowner wants to save as much money as possible when renovating their home. Many think doing much of the work themselves is the easiest way to keep costs low. What some homeowners may not realize is that DIY can be costly and prove a big hassle in the long run. The following are some hidden costs of DIY and renovating in general.

Time

DIY projects are a major drain on free time. Homeowners taking the DIY route typically work on weekends or after work. Few people can take off and devote their undivided attention to a remodel like a contractor can. Time is a valuable resource that is not renewable.

Therefore, think of a DIY project in terms of what it would equal in lost wages. Because homeowners are not professionals, a DIY project may take double the time it would take a con-

FLEXIBLE

Cancel

Permits are required for many home improvement projects. Forgetting to obtain permits or not realizing one may be necessary could subject you to hefty fines and/or force the job to be redone so it’s up to code.

Professionals likely know the rules regarding permits and often include the cost of acquiring permits in an estimate.

Remediation

It’s only after opening up walls or removing floors that you may discover issues you did not anticipate, such as termite damage or mold. These unforseen factors can drive up the overall costs of a project.

Disposal

Removing old building materials or gutting a room is part of many renovations. Chances are this refuse simply cannot be left at the curb for trash pickup. As a DIYer, you may not factor the costs for a dumpster or the time and money required to haul de bris to a recycling or landfill center.

Tools

DIYers may have to purchase tools as they engage in new projects. These expenses can add up and negate the savings of doing some of the work yourself.

DIY projects may initially seem like a way to save money, but weekend warriors should calculate the hidden costs associated with DIY renovations before deciding to do some work on their own. (MC) 

Maximum

Access

We'll

Like many people who were sequestered during Covid, this year we decided to take a trip. Having had travel plans thwarted for years, this was the year we launched. Last week we returned from a week-long whale watching trip in Baja.

I had forgotten how much work it is to plan a trip. Scheduling the itinerary, arranging reservations, booking flights, sending emails. If exercising the brain keeps us mentally sharp, this is one way to do it. The preparations involved careful attention to details and thorough organization.

Once on our way, we had to be flexible to face unforeseen circumstances (an expired passport—not mine), solve problems, and sometimes be uncomfortable. It didn’t hurt to have the strength to haul a small suitcase around.

Despite these difficulties, there is an undeniable intrigue about traveling. Even the challenges provide opportunities to test our problem-solving abilities and feel the satisfaction of managing issues that arise.

Meeting people who lead very different lives from our own is fascinating. We met Rick, an American photographer, who owns the cabanas where we stayed in Loreto. He has spent over thirty years photographing whales, birds, sunsets and natural habitats in Baja. He delighted us with stories about his art, his life in Baja and his knowledge about animal and plant life.

In Mulege, we met Salvador, our cave painting tour guide who drove us an hour over a rough, bumpy dirt road where we then hiked half a mile to a cave painting site, one of the oldest in North America.

In Bahia de Magdalena, a small village where we stayed, the captain of our boat makes his living through seasonal whale watching tours, deep sea fishing excursions, and harvesting clams. He reads the sea with the help of the sun to determine where the whales are.

Most astounding was seeing whales up close, watching the plumes of spray and hearing their spouts blowing. The mystique of forty-foot sea mammals being so close to our boat that we could almost touch them is unforgettable.

Throughout our trip we ate simply and deliciously with grilled seafood, homemade sauces and handmade tortillas. We practiced our Spanish, and immersed ourselves the culture.

One of the people we traveled with was Marge, a 92-year-old woman who said that whale watching was on her bucket list and now she’s done it. Although we did not use a tour operator, some such as Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Lines cater specifically to older travelers. Road Scholar also offers all-inclusive trips for older adults.

The ability to travel is not a function of age but of willingness and suitability. Travel cultivates curiosity and helps us maintain the wide-eyed wonder that’s so essential as we age. It’s a chance to maintain a connection with the world and discover new perspectives.

According to Harriet Lewis, vicechair of Overseas Adventure Travel, “Every traveler is a storyteller and every journey teaches us not just about the world but about ourselves and our aspirations in life.”

When travel pulls at your heart, be open to possibilities.

Mary Petersen is a retired COC English instructor, a 30-year SCV resident and two-time breast cancer survivor. 

Spring Tips: What Works Best For Gardens, Lawns

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

As temperatures warm in Santa Clarita, the likelihood of rain dwindles away. After the recent spate of generous precipitation the sunshine is welcome, but garden plants will need irrigation just as the cost of water rises for the summer.

Lawns are the biggest water guzzling part of the landscape. So as you do spring cleaning, consider where, when and how to use your lawn to get the best possible use of your water.

Use your lawn as a functional or design element only, not as a way to fill empty space. Then, enliven your chosen lawn areas with a spring tuneup.

Spring cleaning means it’s time to reset your irrigation system so you water slowly and deeply early in the morning before the heat and dry air steals away the moisture. Make watering appropriate for spring; long enough to thoroughly sink in, but short enough that the water doesn’t wash away.

As temperatures warm and weather begins to dry, it’s time to plant warm-season vegetables into your garden. You can comfortably plant seeds of root crops like carrots, beets, radishes, parsnips and salsify.

Some edible plants can be planted from seed. Root vegetables are always better off planted from seed in soil without fresh manure. Manure can cause roots to fork. Transplanting

usually is less successful with these vegetables, so just thin seedlings of root crops, and leave the strongest one in place to grow on.

Grow vegetables in amended soil with plenty of compost. Soil in all parts of Santa Clarita tends to be low in organic matter. It doesn’t matter whether your area is primarily sandy, clay or decomposed gravel. Make provisions for regular, efficient watering. Most vegetables are not very drought tolerant so make sure they do not dry out. Artichokes are an example of one of the more drought-tolerant vegetables that will grow well here. Water vegetables efficiently by growing them in well-defined, raised gardens or by using carefully designed drip systems.

Give your vegetables at least 6 hours of sunshine and keep your growing area well weeded. Watch carefully for insects like aphids, and hose them off right away before they

become an infestation. Avoid planting cool-season vegetables, like head lettuce, cabbages, broccoli and peas. They no longer have time to reach maturity before they wilt under the coming heat.

Look at the design of your landscape. You may find that areas with little traffic will look better and require less water if you plant them with attractive, low-growing ground cover plants like Dymondia, sedum, festuca grass or other attractive low plantings. Non-living, permeable stone or cement alternatives, like pavers, stepping stones and brick, offer decorative alternatives to plain gravel. Or, convert small open spaces into seating areas, build in a small hot tub, or a fire pit, or fence them in as play areas for kids or pets.

We are at the end of the cool-season garden, so the best time to plant California natives, seed flowers, and woody trees and shrubs is coming to a close.

Lots of herbaceous flowering plants, ornamental grasses and annual flowers will enjoy being planted, divided and transplanted in April. Potted trees can also be added to your landscape now. All of these will need supplementary watering to help them grow strong before scorching summer sun arrives.

Keep all plants trimmed and cleaned, but wait for autumn for severe pruning. You can certainly plant and prune whatever you want at any other time of the year, but your chances for success with the big jobs

are considerably reduced heading into summer.

One other thing to do this April is to explore our local neighborhoods and enjoy the native flower displays happening on hillsides and ravines everywhere. Due to years of drought, this year’s rain has woken up a storehouse of native wildflowers and set them into a colorful celebration.

They serve as a reminder just how decorative our natural native plants can be. And that you can actually buy seeds for many of them to fill in areas of your yard where you don’t want to spend a lot of time, effort and money in fussing over a garden. Natives can provide amazing color, beauty and ease of care while helping out our local butterflies and bees — all with minimum work.

For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://you tube.com/user/Janieg8s. 

The hills are literally alive with flowers.

Five Smartphone Features You Can’t Live Without

Americans check their phones an average of 344 times a day — once every four minutes — according to a 2022 Review.org survey. But when was the last time you upgraded your phone? If it’s been more than two years, you may be missing out on some of the latest tech upgrades. Here are five must-have features to consider when shopping for a new smartphone:

Battery Life When it comes to battery life, you may not realize what you’ve been missing out on until you start using your new phone. A decade ago, smartphone battery capacity ranged from 1560mAh to 3200mAh, according to findings from Android Authority.

Today, that capacity typically ranges from 4000mAh to 5000mAh, with some batteries as large as 6000mAh. And, the latest development of USB-C ports has allowed for faster charging capabilities, charging a near dead phone in just 30 minutes. Look for phones with fast charging technology, from 15W to 20W, and wireless charging options.

Phone Storage Storage matters, especially if you’re a business owner, gaming enthusiast or social media influencer. Read-Only Memory (ROM), the internal main storage on your phone, allows you to store media, files and games, and ranges anywhere from 64GB to 128GB, even 256GB and higher in some of the latest models.

Random Access Memory (RAM) is used for short-term data like apps, photos and videos. The more RAM

you have, the more multitasking you can do. When purchasing a new phone, look for at least 6GB to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM.

Camera Phones have nearly replaced traditional cameras, with 90% of people using only their smartphones to take photos versus digital cameras, according to 3D Insider.

If you’re an avid photo taker, make sure your new phone features editing software, a variety of camera lenses, like ultra-wide and telephoto, and special functions like night mode to optimize lighting.

Network How you stay connected is an important decision. The latest deals can help you select a phone and wireless provider. For example, Samsung just unveiled its latest Galaxy S23 lineup, and T-Mobile is the only provider that can light up 5G standalone three-carrier aggregation,

unleashing faster speeds and better responsiveness for some of the newest 5G smartphones — 16% faster speeds on average than phones without it.

Security Gone are the days of remembering a PIN or typing in a password to safely access your phone’s data. Biometric security features like fingerprint, facial or voice recognition are crucial for keeping your private data secure.

Most new smartphones feature

in-display fingerprint screening and facial recognition, and more institutions like online banking apps are using this method now over passwords. Other important deciding factors include overall phone display, size and water resistance. Priorities may vary from person to person, but selecting what’s important for your new smartphone is something only you can determine.

Semiconductor Shortage

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, news about the automotive industry focused largely on how consumers were not buying new cars and demand was way down, largely due to people staying home.

However, over time, the big news on the automobile front was how semiconductor chip shortages were halting production lines and leading to unprecedented supply shortages — despite record demand.

Semiconductor chips are found in laptops and other electronics, including vehicles. These industries have had to cut back on the number of items they produce as a result.

In June 2022, Toyota announced

it would be cutting its production quota in July by 50,000 units. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger now expects the semiconductor industry to be impacted by shortages until 2024 due to a lack of manufacturing equipment.

Other factors affecting chip production are limited access to purified neon gas, as Ukraine supplies 25 to 35% of this gas, as well as a lack of palladium, which is largely supplied by Russia. In addition, air transport costs continue to go up. Semiconductor chips control functions of touchscreens, braking systems, backup cameras, and even airbag deployment systems. Automobiles may even have chips in engines. 

Pierogi, Sausages, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Chicken, Beef Stew, Hunter Stew and more!

Doctors: Don’t Ignore that Bump on Your Foot

Have a lump or bump on your foot? Whether it’s painful or not, it could potentially signal a serious condition. Foot and ankle surgeons warn it’s important to have it checked out, no matter its size or location on your foot.

“Whether your bump or lump is pea-sized or golf ball-sized, it should not go ignored. A proper diagnosis is key to proper treatment,” says Michael Coyer, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

According to ACFAS, here’s what to know about some of the more common types of lumps found in the foot:

Ganglionic Cysts

This soft, fluid-filled sac is a non-cancerous bump that experts believe may arise from single or repetitive trauma. A ganglionic cyst can be caused by a leaking of jelly-like fluid from the “capsule” surrounding a joint or tendon and may be located on the top of the foot, near an ankle joint or even on the side of the foot. While the lump itself is often the only symptom experienced, you may feel tingling or burning if it’s touching a nerve, or a dull ache if it’s pressing against a tendon or joint.

Often, ganglionic cysts cause irritation, making it difficult to wear shoes. Such cysts generally will not go away on their own and may return, even after being drained. Surgical removal by a foot and ankle surgeon can help prevent recurrence. However, if the cyst is not causing pain and doesn’t interfere with walking, your surgeon may simply monitor it over time.

Plantar Fibromas

Plantar fibromas are benign, fibrous, hard nodules found within the ligament of the foot and are especially common in the arch area on the bottom of the foot. These bumps tend to be less than an inch in diameter but can get larger over time. They can cause pain when shoes push against them or when you’re walking or standing barefoot.

Steroid injections, physical therapy or orthotic devices may help relieve associated discomfort but will not make the fibroma disappear. While surgical removal is an option if pain persists following nonsurgical approaches, it’s important to know that recurrence can occur post-surgery, as can complications, such as a flattening of the arch or the development of hammertoes.

Haglund’s Deformity

Haglund’s deformity, sometimes called a “pump

bump,” is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel. When it rubs against shoes — from highheeled pumps to running shoes — the soft tissue near the Achilles tendon can become irritated. This often leads to painful bursitis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac between the tendon and bone.

While certain foot structures are more prone to Haglund’s deformity, you can treat the condition and help prevent recurrence with appropriate footwear, arch supports, orthotic devices and stretching exercises. Physical therapy, icing and NSAIDs can also reduce inflammation.

Sometimes, Dr. Coyer notes, a bump is suspected of being cancerous. In this case, your foot and ankle surgeon will perform a biopsy and if it is indeed cancer, will perform surgery to remove the mass, working in tandem with an oncologist for cancer treatment.

“Remember, the sooner we’re able to properly evaluate your bump, the sooner you can have peace of mind and move forward with treatment,” says Dr. Coyer.

For more information on foot bumps or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeon’s patient education website. 

Five Common Identity Theft Scams to Know

Consumers can never let their guard down when it comes to identity theft. Personal information is much more accessible in an increasingly digital world. Consequently, instances of identity theft and consumer fraud continue to grow.

• The Identity Theft Research Center reported a record number of data compromises in the U.S. in 2021; a 68% increase over 2020.

• The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network received more than 5.7 million reports of fraud and identity theft in 2021.

• Many have been victims of COVID-19-related fraud, including scams involving fake testing, vaccines and treatments, and charities.

The FTC says identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your consent. Commonly stolen data includes addresses, credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers or medical insurance numbers.

Though thieves can gather information by intercepting it through digital channels or simply by stealing mail or going through trash, many times people inadvertently share personal information

with scammers themselves. Here’s a look at five common scams.

1. Phone scams

Phone scams may involve telemarketers trying to sell you something in exchange for personal information given over the phone, as well as people impersonating government agencies or credit card companies. “Please confirm account information” or “We’ll need your financial information to process” are some of the phrases these scams utilize. Never give out personal information over the phone unless you’ve confirmed the individual you’re speaking to is legitimate.

2. Text links

The Pew Research Center says 81% of adult mobile phone users use text messages regularly. Scammers use text messages to try to gain information. The text includes a link to a site that will request personal information. Do not respond to such texts and avoid clicking on the links.

3. Phishing emails

Phishing emails look like they are coming from legitimate sources, but they often contain malware that can infiltrate computers and other devices to steal identity data. Phishing increased during the

COVID-19 lockdowns, according to the ITRC.

4. Medicare card verification

Older individuals long have been targets of criminals. Seniors are now being called, emailed or even visited in person by scammers claiming to represent Medicare. Perpetrators of this scam offer new services or new chipped Medicare cards in exchange for verification of Medicare identification numbers. Medicare numbers should be carefully guarded, and seniors should keep in mind it’s highly unlikely Medicare representatives will contact them in this way.

5. Data breaches

It’s not just a home computer or phone breach you need to worry about. According to ARAG Legal, security experts indicate many major companies are being breached. By the time it’s discovered that data was stolen, your personal information, which usually includes credit card numbers, email addresses and home addresses, has been circulating for some time. While it’s impossible for private citizens to prevent this type of data breach, a credit monitoring service can alert consumers if their information is possibly compromised. 

COWBOY

Continued from page 6

other at the Canyon Theatre Guild. Rancho Camulos in Piru will also host its Californio Fiesta De Rancho Camulos on Friday, April 21. See www.ranchocamulos.org for updates.

Headliners are still to be announced for all three events.

Two movie tours will also be offered, as well as a limited number of VIP tickets.

Cowboy Festival volunteer opportunities will also soon be available. Visit cowboyfestival.org for updates on all events, tickets and performers.

SENSES, Walk of Western Stars

Leading up to the Cowboy Festival, a Wild Wild West SENSES Block Party will be held on Main Street on Thursday, April 20 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and feature live music, themed activities an on-street bar and more.

The Walk of Western Stars will unveil its 2023 inductees on Friday, April 21. This event will commemorate the inductees’ contributions to Western entertainment history by immortalizing their names in bronze and terrazzo tile, stamped into the streets of Old Town Newhall.

LioLi* (lee-oh-lee) stops thefts cold by targeting crimes of opportunity at the source with our patented LockItorLoseIt technology.

Lock It or Lose It with LioLi.

For a free trial, simply lock your doors and keep valuables out of plain sight. Consult your bank account or local sheriff to see if LioLi is right for you.

“LioLi saved our marriage!”

- Tom

Tourism

The Cowboy Festival is an important event to bring visitors to Santa Clarita, said Lopez.

“We want to showcase the fantastic place Santa Clarita is, as well as the history. We want people to bring their tourism dollars to Santa Clarita,” said Lopez.

Lopez said the plan is for this year’s Cowboy Festival to be a “one time event” in Old Town Newhall with future festivals to be held at a larger venue.

“The goal is to find a traditional venue for the Cowboy Festival,” she said. “From a tourism perspective we want to bring people to the event, it is a tourism draw regionally and nationally.”

To

“No, it didn’t...but the thefts sure stopped.”

- Katie

*LioLi is not for everyone. Side effects may include keeping your stuff, not being a victim of larceny-theft and increased happiness knowing you are not an easy target. LioLi is for men and women who are pregnant, who are not pregnant and those who might become pregnant. Do not try LioLi if you enjoy being a victim of theft, enjoy filling out crime reports or have an abundance of time to deal with your insurance agent.

Brought

by Mayor Jason Gibbs, Mayor Pro Tem Cameron Smyth, Councilwoman Marsha McLean, Councilmember Bill Miranda and Councilmember Laurene Weste

SOLUTIONS

READER LETTERS

Open-Border Myth

One “false fact” I frequently hear from many conservative Republicans is that liberal Democrats in general, and the Joe Biden administration in particular, are pursuing policies that create “open borders.” It’s their equivalent of “fake news.” The fact is the U.S. does not have an open-borders policy nor is it pursuing policies that permit anyone to enter the U.S. willy-nilly. In some cases conservatives simply repeat what they’ve heard without verifying it, but in some cases they are outright lying and know what they are saying is not true. They just hate liberals and any shot that can be taken is worth taking. Liberals do the same, just on different issues.

One thing is certain: The U.S. does have serious problems at the southern border and our Byzantine immigration system needs to be revamped to consider present-day realities, but that doesn’t mean the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, or even the White House or Congress wants to erase our southern border. What’s really going on is our government is reluctant to face the problem head-on due to fear of incurring the wrath of many of the voices that put them in office or can vote them out. There is no consensus on how to deal with it, so the default is to ignore it and focus on other matters. Nevertheless, the Biden administration is carrying on with apprehensions and deportations as usual. That has not changed. I wonder if anyone knows President Barack Obama, Biden’s “mentor,” deported more “immigrant wannabe’s” than any president in U.S. history.

What I see is frustration with a government afraid to tackle problems that, if dealt with appropriately, carry certain political risks and fallout, but I see no point in accusing it of things it hasn’t done. That runs the risk of reducing the accusers’ credibility and getting an otherwise valid case thrown out of court. So, as much as I don’t believe half of what comes out of the mouths of liberals, I likewise don’t believe half of what comes out of the mouths of conservatives, either. Both are guilty of politically and emotionally charged nonsense.

The real solution is for both sides to come to agreement on what the problem is and how to solve it. Until then we will have this.

Arthur Saginian Santa Clarita

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Trusting Temperance

By David Hegg

Throughout human history character not only mattered, but also it mattered so much that whole societies were determined to define, teach and applaud virtue. And this drive to instill virtue in children, and grow it throughout life, was a primary unifier of society. It set goals everyone could achieve, and made virtuous living the common theme in every area of life.

Today, the abandonment of virtue as an essential element in civil society has left us susceptible to the unrestrained passions of the human heart. And that lack of restraint has allowed individuals to satisfy their own desires without considering the consequences of their actions on their neighbors. While virtue used to unite the community around a shared belief in the necessity of building great character, the lack of virtue today brings division since many now demand the freedom to live without restraint. And their unrestrained “freedom” has meant the rest of us have to deal with the carnage they have created. This is precisely why the last of the four great virtues of antiquity is so vitally important today.

We’ve looked at Prudence, Justice and Fortitude, and now we come to Temperance.

This virtue speaks to the power of an individual to value moderation and self-control. Plato considered that temperance conditions the person to resist temptations of all kinds even as it enables him or her to establish the proper relationship between personal desires and what is the right thing to do.

Even a cursory look at the society around us will show just how deeply we have allowed what we want, and the feelings that drive those wants, to become the most powerful force in our world. Temperance demands that we exercise restraint over those passions and behaviors we absolutely know will cause harm to others and regret to us.

noble when so doing eliminates potential burdens rather than creating them for both self and society.

Space prevents me from a deep explanation of other examples but they are abundant. Why do people ingest or insert poisons into their bodies when everyone knows drugs kill? Why are both personal and national debt crippling our economy? Why are crime, pollution, alcohol abuse, child abuse and myriad other societal problems on the rise? The answer is, of course, quite complex but I would propose that in most cases, the answer includes a lack of personal self-restraint when the opportunity for short-term thrills presented itself.

Sadly, too many of our fellow citizens have confused freedom with a lack of restraint. We have become a nation of people driven by a relentless determination to have immediate gratification despite the knowledge that, at some point, the consequences will come calling. And, more to the point, we have thrown all our energy into mitigating the consequences rather than stopping the behavior that brought them on us in the first place. That’s where temperance comes in. Say no to what you can’t afford. Say no to habits that are weighing you down… literally. Say no to gossip, slander and lies. Say no to habits that hurt yourself and your family. Say no to passions that keep you from loving those you promised to love and care for. Say no to selfish priorities and behavior you know down deep are destructive and just plain wrong.

Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv.com.

For example, the statistics on both fatherless homes and abortions testify to the result when the desire for unaccountable sexuality is given free reign. No longer will our society even suggest temperance in the area of sexual desire. Instead, we come up with ways to mitigate the regret. Throw caution to the wind, forget birth control strategies, and just abort the baby or leave it for the mother to raise. And then make the Nick Canons of the world super studs rather than the super duds they really are. How in the world has society given a pass to a man who has laughingly created fatherless, single-parent homes for 12 children?

Temperance tells a different story. Temperance declares that saying no to personal desires and drives is

But also realize deciding to do the right thing will never be enough. Why? Because we’re a weak people in terms of virtue. Just like you can’t do 30 pushups without first strengthening your arms over time, you’ll never fight off the pleasures of sin for a season without first determining to strengthen your prudence, your sense of justice, your fortitude, and most of all your ability to restrain the powerful passions of your soul. That’s where temperance matters most, in your own prioritization of good over evil, right over wrong, in your soul.

So, my final word is, learn to trust temperance. Build a strong ethical system, not on feeling but fact. And strengthen it in the laboratory of life. Discover the satisfaction of saying no to indulgence and yes to virtue. And by all means, include your kids in your program. There is no greater legacy than to leave behind some strong women and men who know how to say no to temptation and yes to character. They’ll thank you for it and so will we.

Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.