We look forward to serving the City of Santa Clarita residents!
Beginning in July 2023, your current carts will automatically be removed and replaced by carts from Burrtec, your new residential service provider in the City of Santa Clarita.
Black cart will be for GARBAGE
Blue cart will be for RECYCLING
Green cart will be for ORGANICS
One of the best parts of living in the Santa Clarita Valley is that it’s almost never too early, or too late, to plant a garden.
Trees, shrubs and bareroot roses have ideal planting seasons, but if you are looking to grow veggies or flowers you can always find something that will thrive whenever you decide to plant.
The biggest obstacle to successful gardening in the SCV is the extreme summer heat and satisfying the need of thirsty veggies and flowers.
However, you can have a successful summer garden if you practice basic good gardening guidelines.
There are numerous benefits to hands-on gardening. First, gardening is great exercise. Bending, stretching and reaching are all beneficial to maintaining a healthy body.
Maintaining a beautiful or bountiful garden is rewarding and growing your own flowers, herbs, fruits or veggies means you get beautiful bouquets and fresh food for far less money.
Fresh, flavorful tomatoes is among the number one crops for home gardeners because home grown tomatoes are vastly superior in taste to store bought.
The mental health rewards of gardening are also well documented.
The first step in creating a successful garden is preparation. It all starts with the soil. The soil in the SCV is notoriously full of dense clay, a difficult growing environment for nearly anything you wish to plant.
However, if you add enough soil amendments, which can include grass clippings and leaves in the fall, you can eventually create a rich, loamy soil that will ensure gardening success.
The best amendments for dense, clay soil include lots of organic matter, compost and gypsum. Horse, chicken and steer manure provide primary nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as micronutrients for plant growth. As an added benefit it is also a source of organic matter.
Bags of amendments are easily available at all garden centers. To work the amendments into the soil you can use a shovel to turn the soil and mix in the amendments. A useful garden tool is a lightweight electric tiller.
One school of organic gardening abhors tilling, claiming that no-till gardening is healthier for the soil in the long term.
Whichever method you choose patience is the key. Good gardening soil can take several seasons to “mature.”
In the SCV water conservation in your garden is a must. Drip irrigation is usually the best option. Not only does drip irrigation keep moisture where it’s needed most, at the roots, it allows for less evaporation and wasted water usage.
With overhead watering as much as 30% of the water evaporates before it reaches the plant’s root zone. Another disadvantage is that it leaves the plant wet, and wet plants are more susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew.
There are several main types of drip irrigation systems.
• Point source emitters connect to the main hose. They are nonadjustable and distribute a set amount of water during a specific time frame; usually ½, 1 or 2 gallons per hour.
• In-line drip emitters are hoses with emitters built in their entire length. They most commonly come in ¼ inch and ½ diameters with holes placed between six and twelve inches. You can also purchase drip emitters that you insert between two lengths of hose.
• Basin bubblers are low-pressure sprinkler nozzles that hook into the main hose of your drip irrigation system. They spray in a 360-degree pattern and work well in places where you have clusters of flowers or plants.
Be sure to read the seed packages to find out how many days until harvest. There can be a significant difference in how long it takes a crop to be ready for your dinner plate.
An example is Early Girl tomatoes which usually only take 50 days from planting to harvest versus Big Boy tomatoes that can take as long as 85 days.
Another thing to consider is how labor intensive a crop is to grow. Bush beans not only produce crops faster than pole beans, you don’t have to install stakes, or poles for the beans to climb.
Bush beans produce in about 50 to 55 days; pole beans will take 55 to 65 days. Bush beans often come in all at once, so stagger your plantings.
Radishes are a hard crop to grow in summer in the SCV, they are most likely to bolt in the high
heat. Lettuce also bolts and becomes bitter when exposed to high temperatures.
Bolting is when a plant goes to seed before producing the edible fruit expected.
Other veggies subject to bolting include broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
Do plant tomatoes, green onions, bush beans, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, potatoes, peas, melons and pumpkins.
A large number of “winter” veggies can be planted successfully in the SCV. The winter planting season usually starts in late September.
Plant broccoli, cauliflower, beets, carrots, peas, lettuce, spinach, turnips, radishes, cabbage, squash, artichokes, garlic and onions.
• Join a gardening club. The Southern California Gardening Club was founded in 1927 and is the longest established, largest and most active garden club in the San Fernando Valley, visit www.socal gardenclub.org.
• Make use of local resources to learn what thrives, what dies in the SCV. Visit Green Thumb Nursery, www.greenthumb.com/santa-claritagreen-thumb-nursery or the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency www.yourscvwater.com/land scape-workshops.
• Mulch, mulch, mulch. A thick layer of mulch helps to keep the soil moist longer, which means less watering. Mulching vegetables also keeps the soil and roots cooler so plants are less likely to bolt prematurely. Flowers love mulch as well.
It was hard to imagine, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ever stepping on a cruise ship again. However, as cruise season 2023 leaves port during the high season of May through September, cruise lines report that shipboard vacations continue to be a popular choice for travelers.
The surge in web traffic for seven major cruise lines in the first two months of 2023 shows there is significant pent-up demand for cruises, reports SimilarWeb, an online market intelligence company.
The resurgent demand for cruise vacations is prompting cruise lines to launch new ships, new sailings and new experiences for consumers.
“With cruising back stronger than ever, we have many new experiences for our guests,” said Deanna Austin, Princess Cruises chief commercial officer. “Cruising offers the flexibility for every guest to have the vacation experience they desire. Plus, you only have to unpack once.”
And, she said, it offers travelers a “stress-free” experience.
“You wake up in incredible ports of call around
the world without having to figure out how to get there on your own.”
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises, which is headquartered in Santa Clarita, will offer a variety of innovative cruise experiences in 2023 and 2024.
“We have a new ship debuting in the Mediterranean in February 2024,” said Austin. “The Sun Princess is a stunning new ship platform for Princess. It will be our largest ship at 175,500 tons, carrying 4,300 guests.”
It will include new features such as “The Dome,” an entertainment venue inspired by the terraces of Santorini and a three-story Horizons dining room. Princess currently has a fleet of 15 ships sailing throughout the world.
Alaska
“As our Alaska season is just underway, we are excited to have seven ships sailing to Alaska from Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco and Anchorage,” said Austin.
Princess offers cruises from seven to 11 days on seven ships including the line’s newest ship, Discovery Princess, along with Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Majestic Princess, Grand Princess, Crown
Princess and Sapphire Princess. There are 14 cruise itineraries and 25 land-sea vacations offered.
Among experiences Princess offers Alaska bound guests are: At least one glacier-viewing experience, the “Wild for Alaska Seafood” program and cruisetours which include visits to Denali National Park.
“We have five of our own custom-built, exclusive Princess Wilderness Lodges so guests can see more of this vast state,” said Austin.
Top shore excursions include flightseeing and landing on glaciers, musher’s camp and dog-sledding experience, whale watching, discovering glaciers by helicopter, fishing with the opportunity to “Cook My Catch” and a remote wildlife and brown bear search.
Oceania Cruises offers a 12-night cruise that departs from Los Angeles and visits San Francisco, Astoria, Wash., Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan and Juneau, all in Alaska and the final stop in Vancouver, Canada.
Other cruise lines also offer Alaska cruises departing from Seattle or Vancouver.
Hawaii
For the 2023-24 season, Princess Cruises Sapphire Princess is making two South Pacific Islands
and Hawaii cruises roundtrip from Los Angeles featuring “More Ashore” late-night stays in Honolulu and Tahiti, and for the first time will visit Fiji.
“Our newest ship, the Discovery Princess, will make her first call in the Aloha State with two Hawaii cruises featuring overnight stays in Honolulu,” said Austin.
Holland America
Holland America also offers a variety of cruises to Hawaii from San Diego. The 16- or 18-day cruises include shore excursions and visit Honolulu on Oahu, Lahaina on Maui, Kona and Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii with the longer cruise including Nawiliwili on Kauai. Before returning to San Diego the cruise also makes a stop in Ensenada, Mexico.
Carnival Cruise Line offers 14-day cruises to Hawaii with itineraries that depart from Long Beach and include Maui, Kauai, Oahu, the Big Island and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico before returning to Long Beach. Shore excursions include Volcanos National Park, a waterfall tour, Waimea Canyon, Hana and Pearl Harbor,
• Royal Caribbean will offer the Ultimate World
Cruise, a 274-night, 65-country experience. Sailing dates Dec. 10, 2023 to Sept. 10, 2024.
The cruise guarantees you set foot on all seven continents and you’ll be able to see the 11 wonders of the world.
• Oceania Cruises is booking a 196-day global trip leaving from Miami on Dec. 29, 2023 and arriving in New York on July 12, 2024.
• Princess Cruises will reroute a Panama Canal cruise to give guests the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse at sea.
“The April 5, 2024, itinerary on Emerald Princess will give guests sailing the Panama Canal the rare opportunity to experience a complete solar eclipse at sea,” said Austin.
The ship departs Los Angeles for a 15-day Panama Canal cruise to Ft. Lauderdale. On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse lasting as long as 4 minutes 28 seconds will be visible across parts of North America.
“A view at sea may very well offer one of the best vantage points,” she said. “The total solar eclipse is one of the three remaining worldwide this decade, and the only one visible from North America until 2044.”
Most cruises from Los Angeles dock in the Port of Los Angeles, which is also called the Los Angeles World Cruise Center, located just south of Los Angeles in San Pedro. A few cruises depart from the Port of Long Beach.
Nearly every major cruise line has a cruise that departs from L.A. with many heading to various ports in Mexico and Alaska. Cruises to San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver are also popular.
Most cruises from Los Angeles dock in the Port of Los Angeles, which is also called the Los Angeles World Cruise Center, located just south of Los Angeles in San Pedro. A few cruises depart from the Port of Long Beach.
Nearly every major cruise line has a cruise that departs from L.A. with many heading to various ports in Mexico and Alaska. Cruises to San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver are also popular.
Carnival Cruise Line www.carnival.com
Celebrity Cruises www.celebritycruises.com
Cunard Line www.cunard.com
Disney Cruise Line disneycruise.disney.go.com
Holland America www.hollandamerica.com
Norwegian Cruise Lines www.ncl.com/vacations.
Oceania Cruises www.oceaniacruises.com
Princess Cruise www.princess.com
Royal Caribbean www.royalcaribbean.com
Viking Cruises www.vikingcruises.com
Retiring from the workforce provides opportunities you may have been unable to take advantage of during your working years, including discovering new passions and devoting more time to the people you love.
Even though your income might be lower than when you were working full-time, being free of financial burdens like credit card debt or a mortgage may provide extra disposable income that allows you to explore hobbies, develop new skills or focus on spending time living life to the fullest.
In fact, if you’re over the age of 62, own a home and have equity in it, you can extend your retirement runway by borrowing against that equity. A home equity conversion mortgage, like those available from Guaranteed Rate, a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services with more than 850 branches across the United States, can flip the roles of lender and borrower. Homeowners can remain on their property and generate income, provided they own at least 60% of their home’s equity and it is FHA eligible.
“These mortgages fit a very specialized segment of the marketplace, but for those seeking financial flexibility, they can be a game-changer,” said Jim Hettinger, executive vice president of operations, Guaranteed Rate.
“Equity build-up over time is one of the most compelling reasons to purchase a home. These loans give long-time homeowners a way to enjoy the benefits of that equity in their retirement years — all while retaining ownership and continuing to live in the house they call home.”
While this type of loan shares many similarities with home equity loans, the requirements generally allow for more flexible terms for homeowners, who remain responsible for property taxes, home insurance and home maintenance.
Over time, the loan balance increases with the understanding the mortgage will one day be paid off, usually by selling the home, providing the homeowner more flexibility and comfort during
retirement. Meanwhile, homeowners receive money from their homes in the form of a lump sum payment or line of credit without making monthly mortgage payments.
Consider these ways to take advantage of a home equity conversion mortgage and get the most out of your retirement.
With minimal limitations on vacation time in retirement, it’s possible to get out and explore both domestically and internationally. With the flexibility to take extended leave, retirees can even enjoy trips dedicated to a specific hobby or pastime, such as golfing, shopping, biking, attending sporting events, appreciating the arts and more. You could also consider purchasing a boat or motorhome to take your exploration to the next level.
With more time now available, it’s possible to expand on hobbies you enjoyed while working or pick up an entirely new pursuit altogether. The
possibilities are nearly endless, but some options to consider include gardening, dancing, reading, baking, hiking, collecting antiques, restoring furniture, golfing, bird watching, sculpting or wine or beer making, among others.
Devoting time to pick up a new skill can help keep your mind and body sharp. Whether through formal classes or watching videos online to learn, speaking a new language, playing a musical instrument or cooking a new cuisine are popular options for enhancing your skills later in life.
To find more ideas to live better in retirement, or access the free education guide, visit rate.com. (FF)
HECMs can provide peace of mind during retirement if you’re worried about making ends meet. Using the equity you’ve already put into your home opens up new sources of income while letting you stay in your own home. Consider these additional benefits:
• Offers flexibility in drawing and repaying borrowed funds
• No pressure to make a payment, even if interest rates increase
• Untouched funds in your line of credit grow tax-free over time
• Any remaining equity at maturity can be released to borrower or heirs
• The line of credit stays the same, even if the home’s market value drops
• Money spent on conventional mortgage payments can go to other needs
Check your mailboxes, because the summer edition of Seasons magazine is on the way. The City of Santa Clarita’s official Information and Recreation Class Schedule is your one-stop spot for classes, events, programs and updates.
On the cover of this edition, you will see the sparkling blue waters of the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center. The 50-meter and dive pool underwent significant renovations over the past months, and are now open and ready for swimmers, divers, water-exercisers and more. We know our eight City pools are popular places to cool off during the long hot days of summer — especially the activity pool with everyone’s favorite waterslide.
As you flip through Seasons, you will also get the latest information on the City’s most popular events. Summer means Concerts in the Park are coming back - make sure to follow the City on social media to find out about this year’s line-up. In the next few months, residents will stimulate their senses at the SENSES block parties on Main Street
in Old Town Newhall. Upcoming themes include Outdoor Adventure, Game Night and Tropical Summer, all taking place the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Other popular events include the Celebrate series at the Canyon Country Community Center, City Cinemas in the Park and, of course, the patriotic, hometown favorite, the Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks.
Make sure to take the time to peruse all the events and programs at the Santa Clarita Public Library — especially the Summer Reading Program! The theme for this year is Find Your Voice. Readers of all ages will enjoy the crafts, story times, outdoor adventures and more that are offered as part of this program. Make sure to check out Trail Tales at Duane R. Harte Park for an outdoor reading adventure. You will discover a story deconstructed at podium stations along the River V illage Park Trail.
Have you ever wanted to learn to play the ukulele? Or have a little one who would love to spend summer mornings at a Magic Rainbow Unicorn Camp? Maybe you’re looking to get in shape or relax by signing up for a boxing or meditation class. Seasons magazine has a wide range of classes and creative summer camps to keep your family busy, engaged and learning. Some of the interesting offers for summer include Sound Bath Meditation,
Chess, Jewelry Making, Water Wise Gardening, Parkour and Pickleball, among many others.
Seasons also offers a complete listing of City parks and amenities. Did you know with the annexation of Tesoro Del Valle, and the Tesoro Adobe Park, Santa Clarita now offers 37 amazing parks for residents to enjoy? Make it your goal to check all of them out this summer season. There are incredible and inclusive playgrounds, perfect picnic spots, fields, courts, barbecue areas and many other amenities for you to enjoy. You can find out more about all of these programs and opportunities in Seasons magazine at santa-clarita.com/Seasons. Enjoy your summer Santa Clarita!
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.
1/2 (out of four)
A six-episode series available now on Netflix.
“Loneliness is a battle even queens must fight for themselves.” — Lady Whistledown
The Queen Charlotte we’ve come to know in “Bridgerton” is a formidable figure who is the most powerful person in the United Kingdom and the dominant tastemaker of London society — but is also consumed with the rumors peddled by the columnist known as Lady Whistledown. The queen consort initially comes across as rather icy, but beneath the steel exterior, her heart breaks for her husband, King George III, as he spirals further into dementia.
Golda Rosheuvel delivers magnifi-
cently layered work as Queen Charlotte, and it’s wonderful to see her return in “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” but the “present-day,” i.e. Regency Era, queen is a supporting player in flash-forwards. This six-episode arc is primarily her origin story, with a brilliant star turn by India Amarteifio as the young queen.
“Queen Charlotte” tells the tale of one Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany, who is just 17 years old when she is plucked from relative obscurity and selected to be the bride of the young King George III. Filmed in the lavish and sparkling colors we’ve come to expect from the BEU (Bridgerton Extended Universe), featuring a heaving helping of sexual liaisons and delivering a poignant, star-crossed romance, “Queen Charlotte” is certain to be binge-worthy eye candy for the legions of fans of Shonda Rhimes’ smash-hit creation.
The parallels to the real-life story of Meghan Markle are clear in the premiere episode of “Queen Char-
lotte,” as some members of the palace are taken aback by the “dark” color of this outsider from another country who will be marrying into the royal family. In what is dubbed “The Great Experiment,” it has been deemed that wealthy people of color will be integrated into high society and bestowed with land and titles. Charlotte’s brother Adolphus (Tunji Kasim) brokers the deal for Charlotte to marry young King George (Corey Mylchreest, who looks as if he stepped off the cover of a romance novel), and just like that, the young and naive but also smart and headstrong Charlotte is rushed into a marriage to a man she will meet for the first time on her wedding day. Charlotte will now be forever bonded with George as they “live for the happiness and the misery of a great nation,” as it’s often phrased.
Amarteifio and Mylchreest have instant, Jane Austen-esque, period-piece rom-com chemistry from the get-go, as George goes to great lengths to avoid consummating the marriage while Charlotte gets increasingly frustrated with dining alone, or should we say without the king’s presence, because Charlotte is never really alone, what with staffers shadowing her every move and not even allowing her to pluck an orange from a tree without making a huge production out of it.
handsome and charming and born to such privilege, and yet there is nothing he can do to control his future. We know how things will turn out for George, and it’s heartbreaking to see his character already on that long and tragic journey. (In this late-18th-century setting, the methods of treating mental illness, even for someone with access to the “best” possible medical care, are ignorant at best, barbaric at worst.)
film features 17 hits from across his reper toires showing Clapton at his most exhilarating
G R E A S E 45T H A N N I V E R S A RY B Sun: 7:00 PM
The kids are cool, the cars are hot, and the tunes are a ways rockin’ and rollin’ when one of the most beloved comedies of all t me comes back to theaters to celebrate its 45th anniversar y!
B O O K C LU B: T H E N E X T C H A P T E R C 1:10 4:10 7:20
Our four best fr ends take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had When th ngs go off the rai s and secrets are revea ed, their relaxing vacat on turns into a once - n-a-l fetime cross- countr y adventure
G UA R D I A N S O F T H E G A L AX Y VO L. 3 C 12:50 4:00 7:00
Peter Quill, stil reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along w th protec ting one of their own A mission that could qu te possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them
LOV E AG A I N C 1:00 4:10 7:00
The stor y centers on a woman who, after trag cally losing her fiancé, star ts to send romantic tex ts to his old cell It turns out the number has been reassigned to a man across town suffering from a similar hear tbreak
A R E YO U T H E R E G O D? I T ’S M E, M A RG A R E T. C 1:30 4:30 7:20
A beloved and best-selling classic comes to the b g screen with Lionsgate’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It s Me, Margaret This timeless and utterly relatable stor y has transcended decades and spoken to generat on over generation of women
E V I L D E A D R I S E E 1:20 4:00 7:30
“Evil Dead Rise” tells a tw sted tale of two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut shor t by the rise of flesh-possessing demons thrusting them into a primal battle for sur viva as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable
T H E S U P E R M A R I O B RO S. M OV I E B 12:50 3:00 5:15 7:30
For the first t me, the icon c globa enter tainment brands I lum nat on and Nintendo join forces to create The Super Mario Bros Movie, a new, big-screen adventure starring one of pop culture s most prominent plumbers of the past four decades
From time to time, we flash forward several decades, with Rosheuvel’s Queen Charlotte at her wit’s end because none of her 13, that’s right, THIRTEEN, grown children has proved capable of producing a legitimate heir to the throne. The wonderful Adjoa Andoh returns as Lady Danbury in the Regency Era timeline, while Arsema Thomas is equally compelling playing the young Lady Danbury who befriends Charlotte and becomes a trusted adviser, even as she feels neglected and disrespected by her much older husband, the crude and social-climbing brute Lord Danbury (Cyril Nri).
When the young Charlotte and George finally christen the marital bed, it’s time for those trademark “Bridgerton” steamy scenes — but even this early on, we see signs of George’s mental health problems. Here is a man who is so young and
“Queen Charlotte” is filled with terrific supporting work, led by Michelle Fairley (“Game of Thrones”) as Princess Augusta, who is obsessed with her son and daughter-in-law producing an heir (“A baby seals the Great Experiment; we cannot fail!”) and Sam Clemmett as the young Brimsley, the queen’s secretary, who is involved in quite the sexually charged and complicated romance of his own, and we’ll reveal no more about that.
This being a “Bridgerton” chapter, we’re also treated to the requisite elaborate and breathtakingly beautiful dance/music numbers, e.g., an exquisitely choreographed ballroom soiree set to the sounds of “If I Ain’t Got You” by regular contributors Vitamin String Quartet. (Those big production numbers often make for some of the most emotionally resonant moments as well, with key characters exchanging intimate dialogue, or sharing knowing glances across a room.) The costumes are gorgeous, the people are pretty, their problems are sometimes petty, sometimes life-altering. Whether “Queen Charlotte” is trafficking in frothy gossip or heavy dramatics, it’s never less than enthralling.
After all, this is a love story.
Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times
Turn up the heat this summer and spice your way to delicious warm-weather recipes by using subtle ingredients that bring out bold flavors in your favorite foods. Adding a taste-enhancing option to your repertoire — Tajín Fruity Chamoy Sauce — can make your summer get-togethers the talk of the neighborhood. Cool off while enjoying mildly spicy dishes. Made with 100% natural chiles, lime juice, sea salt and a hint of apricot, Tajín Fruity Chamoy Sauce offers a unique sweet-and-spicy flavor without too much heat. Perfect for drizzling over fresh fruits and veggies like mango, pineapple, watermelon and more, it's also commonly used to bring fruity, subtle spice to a wide variety of recipes including beverages and snacks, like smoothies, mangonadas, ice pops and cold drinks.
For example, in this Savory Mango Chamoy Daiquiri, the apricots create a fruity, tangy flavor that's a nice, refreshing twist on a traditional drink.
Bringing a touch of heat to summer cookouts can be a breeze with mild hot sauces added to dishes like these Spiced Pork Ribs, which can be created start-to-finish in the oven or taken outside to sear on the grill. Just a handful of ingredients are required to season the ribs to spicy perfection before wrapping them in foil and letting your oven do the work.
The key ingredient for the right touch of subtle heat without being overwhelming is Tajín Mild Hot Sauce, a unique, flavorful addition to your cabinet that pairs well with savory snacks like tortilla chips, chicken wings, pizza and even micheladas. The lime is what makes it different from other hot sauces.
Find more recipes that crank up the heat this summer by visiting Tajín.com/us.
Total time 3 hours, 10 minutes
Servings 6
2 racks (about 4 pounds) baby back ribs
1/4 cup Tajín Clásíco Seasoning
1/4 cup Tajín Mild Hot Sauce, plus additional for serving, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar lime wedges, for serving mashed potatoes or steamed rice, for serving (optional)
Rub ribs with seasoning. Marinate at least 4 hours or overnight in refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 300 F. Combine hot sauce, oil and brown sugar; brush over both rib racks.
Line baking sheet with double layer of aluminum foil with enough overhang to wrap foil around ribs.
Lay ribs, bone side down, on foil-lined baking sheet. Wrap foil around ribs and seal. Place on baking sheet.
Fill large baking dish or roasting pan with 2 inches of boiling water. Place on lower oven rack to keep ribs moist as they bake. Place ribs on middle oven rack.
Bake 2 1/2-3 hours, or until meat is tender and just
starting to fall off bone.
Preheat broiler. Unwrap ribs and place on foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 4-6 minutes on middle oven rack, or until lightly charred and caramelized. Serve with lime wedges and additional hot sauce. Serve with mashed potatoes or steamed white rice, if desired.
Total time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Rim Glass
2 tablespoons Tajín Fruity Chamoy Hot Sauce
2 tablespoons Tajín Clásico Seasoning
Drink:
4 tablespoons Tajín Fruity Chamoy Hot Sauce, divided
1 cup frozen mango cubes, plus additional for garnish, divided
1/3 cup natural syrup
3 ice cubes
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon Tajín Clásico Seasoning, for garnish
To rim glass Rim glass in chamoy hot sauce then seasoning.
To make drink Blend 3 tablespoons chamoy hot
sauce, mango cubes, syrup, ice cubes and orange juice.
In glass, pour remaining chamoy hot sauce. To serve, garnish with additional mango cubes and sprinkle with seasoning. (Family Features)
WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR WARM, ATTENTIVE HOSPITALITY, DELICOUS FRESH COOKED FOOD AND QUAINT CAFE CHARM.
We specialize in breakfast including 101 omelets. We offer specialty espresso beverages and a full bar serving the best Bloody Marys around using our in house recipe.
24415 Walnut St Newhall, CA. 91321
661-255-8222
Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and catering. We have Breakfast burritos, avocado bacon cheese burgers, grilled chicken salads, carne asada fries, avocado and bacon sandwiches. We serve quality food and generous portions.
18645 Soledad Cyn Rd. Santa Clarita , 91351 (661) 252-3412
We are a quick casual restaurant serving an Island Fusion Flavor. We serve a variety of Rice Bowls, Salads, and Sandwiches. All our sauces and dressings are made in house. We offer in dining service, catering, to go orders, and delivery services.
19335 Plum Canyon Road Suite A Santa Clarita 91350
Delicious food served with a smile. Funburger offers American fare with an elevated twist. Large screens and sound systems ensure sports viewing is comfortable. Wine and beer lovers rejoice with rotating selections of 40 beers on draft and regional wines served by glass or flight.
23460 Cinema Dr Unit J Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (661) 753-3124
At Jersey Mike’s, we offer a sub above — one that’s measured in more than inches or seconds ‘til served. We carefully consider every aspect of what we do — every slice, every sandwich, every store — we provide our customers with sustenance and substance too.
9 Locations in SCV, visit www. JerseyMikes.com for the one nearest you.
L’Italiano Restaurant — The Truffle
Hunter — Located in the heart of Santa Clarita offers a welcoming environment and warm staff to serve you. You’ll find mouth-watering traditional Italian food prepared fresh to order, made with pride. Dine in for the full experience, ordering pickup or delivery online is available.
23460 Cinema Dr A Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 476-5618
Newhall’s first gastropub located in the heart of Old Town Newhall, has the valley’s finest selection of craft beer with twenty rotating craft beers in our custom draught system. A fine selection of wines and amazing handcrafted cocktails, and a taste for everyone from our specialty blend craft burgers to delicious chef created entrees.
24258 Main Street Newhall Ca. 91321
661-388-4477
Breakfast elevated in the Santa Clarita Valley. A welcoming atmosphere and excellent service paired with excellent food. Everything served is made inhouse and they offer a variety of unique dishes. You are likely to fall in love with their breakfasts and lunches.
23120 Lyons Ave #24 Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 288-2217
The restaurant is entirely family owned and operated and they’ve been doing it since 1993!!. The service is excellent and very friendly. The establishment carries fantastic pasta and Chicago style deep-dish pizza, not to mention the fresh made salads, sandwiches and appetizers.
26111 Bouquet Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, 91350 (661) 259-3895
One and only Polish food restaurant in Santa Clarita valley. Best comfort food in town. We specialize in serving house made pierogi, sausages, cabbage rolls, stews, schnitzels, and desserts on fire… Every meal includes Free daily soup and fresh salad. Give us a try, You won’t be disappointed!!!
26511 Golden Valley Rd
Santa Clarita , 91350 (661) 254-4850
Newhall’s first gastropub located in the heart of Historic Old Town is celebrating its ten year anniversary in May of 2023. First Opened in May of 2013 it has become one of the staples in Old Town Newhall. The Refinery offers the valley’s finest selection of craft beer. Our custom draught system allows us to offer you twenty rotating craft beers. A fine selection of wines and amazing handcrafted cocktails. The gastropub offers a taste for everyone, from our specialty blend craft burgers to delicious chef created entrees. Enjoy classic rock in our softly illuminated dining room with Edison Style light bulbs. This custom built space delivers a one of a kind look and feel for the Santa Clarita Valley. The Crew at Newhall Refinery is excited to introduce a new menu by Chef Tyler Robertson. Chef Tyler is a local and College of the Canyons graduate 2016. He has experience working in a variety of kitchens , and has worked and trained under Michelin star chefs. Ralph Gonzalez operating partner has a passion for craft beer and is a trained Cicerone level one. He is a La Cordon bleu graduate and has 10 years of experience as an executive chef. Together they bring passion to the food scene in Old Town Newhall.
Pho Sure signature dish is our Authentic Vietnamese beef noodle soups; however, we do offer an array of rice, dry noodle dishes as well as Vietnamese curry, Banh Hoi and Pho Ap Chao. We welcome you to Pho Sure because we trust that you will like what you try, Pho Sure!
23876 Copperhill Dr Valencia, Ca 91354 (661) 257-3888
Eating is Believing!
We’re an authentic Thai Restaurant with many years of experience, cooking noodles, rice, seafood, curries using the freshest ingredients. We are located next to the 99 cents store on Valencia Blvd. Come try our yellow chicken curry and shrimp PAD SEE-EW. They’re Delicious!
23328 Valencia Blvd. Valencia, ca. 91355 (661) 253-3663
Newhall Refinery also offers guest private event hosting for up to 45 persons in “The Cellar,” located adjacent to the restaurant. Perfect for hosting anniversaries, graduation parties, bridal showers, baby showers, and rehearsal dinners any other special gathering. They offer Pre-fix brunch, lunch, and dinner options with a variety of beer, wine, and liquor options to fit the needs of your event. For more information you can email events@newhallrefinery.com.
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month and there has never been a more important time to be hearing as well as you should be. During your next visit, your care team will verify you’re hearing your best.
Let our team help you get reconnected to your world and enjoy all the sounds of Spring!
More than 65 million people in the United States were enrolled in Medicare as of February 2023, with more people becoming eligible and enrolling each year. Anyone on Medicare is at risk of Medicare-related fraud, and the Medicare program continues to warn people to watch out for scammers who steal Medicare Numbers and other personal information to exploit beneficiaries’ benefits.
Broadly speaking, Medicare fraud occurs when someone makes false claims for health care services, procedures and equipment to obtain Medicare payments. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars and puts the health and welfare of beneficiaries at risk.
“Anyone on Medicare can be a target of Medicare fraud,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “But there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones by using CMS’ fraud tips to recognize and report potential scammers. Let’s all work together to make sure you’re not a victim of Medicare fraud.”
There are many types of Medicare scams, taking the form of unsolicited emails, phone calls, text messages, social media posts and phony websites. Scammers often claim to be from the Medicare office, an insurance compa-
ny or a government office. They’ll ask for your personal and financial information, such as your Medicare or Social Security Number, so that they can submit false claims for payment. Remember that Medicare will never call, text, email or contact you through social media asking for your Medicare Number.
You’ll also need to know how to protect yourself from potential fraudsters. Remember to:
• Guard your Medicare Number just like your Social Security card and credit card
• Share your Medicare Number only with trusted health care providers
• Review your Medicare statements, watch for services billed that look suspicious and ask questions if something looks wrong
Reporting Medicare fraud protects you and millions of other people with Medicare and those with disabilities. If you or someone you know have experienced Medicare fraud or suspect an offer you’ve received is a scam, report it as soon as possible.
To learn more about Medicare fraud, visit Medicare.gov/fraud. To report potential Medicare fraud, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800633-4227) or report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. (FF)
Whether you’re a new homeowner ready to tackle the landscaping for the first time or a seasoned gardener looking to do some updating, when it comes to gardening, you simply need the right tools to do the job well.
Consider these tips when purchasing essentials for your tool shed.
Shovel A shovel with a pointed blade is a good all-around choice for digging, mixing and moving soil. Conversely, a flat-bladed shovel should be used for “cutting” tasks such as straight-side trenches and edging. After narrowing down which style of shovel best meets your needs, check the metal to ensure it’s well-constructed and won’t bend or break easily.
Check fittings such as bolts and screws to ensure the blade and handle are strongly connected and can withstand reasonable pressure. Finally, spend a few minutes testing out
the tool to ensure it fits well in your hand.
Rake With numerous materials and shapes to choose from, finding the right rake can be intimidating. A basic fan-shaped rake with metal fingers is a universally accepted, long-lasting option. Select a model with plenty of give in the fingers if you’ll be raking large areas and don’t want to damage the ground below.
A rake made of firmer metal allows
you to work and smooth soil. Purchasing the broadest width you can comfortably handle allows you to cover more ground, which means less work.
Depending on the space you’ll be tending, you may also consider purchasing a garden fork, which has fewer tines than a traditional rake and is ideal for aerating, weeding and turning small sections of soil.
Hoe Whether flat or pointed, a hoe is
essential for a weed-free garden. Flat versions can also be useful for breaking up clumps and hard spots on the surface while pointed hoes make quick work of rows and mounds to protect and irrigate your plantings.
Shears A variety of shears are available to accomplish a wide range of garden tasks. Larger shears are ideal for big jobs such as shaping hedges, while smaller pruning shears are meant for snips and sprucing. Quality metal and sharp blades are important features. Be sure to choose a model with a safety latch to lock blades when not in use.
Gloves Even if you eagerly embrace the chance to get your hands dirty, no tool shed is complete without a sturdy pair of gloves. Choose a material tough enough to protect from thorns but pliable enough to allow for free movement. Proper fit is key to avoiding blisters.
Find more gardening tips and advice at eLivingtoday.com. (FF)
MAY 15-19
With remote and hybrid work schedules here to stay for many Americans, it’s important to have a space dedicated to comfort and productivity.
Whether your work area is a spacious room, small den or desk in a quiet spot in the house, these ideas can help you create a space where you enjoy working.
While some remote workers have a spare bedroom or den they can dedicate as a home office, others may need to create a multiuse area in which office space occupies another room, such as the dining room, family room or basement. If you have several options for your workspace, consider how lighting and sound may impact your ability to focus.
For example, positioning your desk near a window can help increase your mood and reduce boredom. Similarly, if possible, choose a location where noise from other family members moving around or traffic outside will be less of a distraction. Earplugs or background noise can help drown out sounds if you’re restricted to a specific location in your home.
Colors can influence productivity and mood, so it’s important to consider them when designing or updating your workspace. Avoid white, which can lead to boredom, and instead choose a color scheme that can make a positive impact. Warm colors like red or orange can increase energy; blues are relaxing and can help keep blood pressure down; and green can help reduce stress.
An on-trend option like the Granny Chic Home Office from Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., can be set up in nearly any area of the home to create a stylish workspace. Featuring Premier Series cabinets with Napa doors in an olive finish and satin nickel hardware, this desk and hutch also includes base and crown moulding to help set it apart as a space devoted to productivity.
Start by measuring your space to
see how large of a desk you can accommodate then decide between a traditional desk or trendy adjustable-height version, which can allow you to sit and stand throughout the workday and has been shown to provide health benefits in addition to increasing work performance. An ergonomic chair with a padded seat and armrests is also a must-have to provide lumbar support and increase comfort while seated.
Storage is one of the most critical aspects when designing your home office. To avoid clutter and keep documents and other items organized, consider options such as built-in cabinets and shelving, base cabinets with desk file drawers, utility cabinets and wall bookcases. You can even customize your cabinets and choose from a wide selection of styles including traditional, transitional, casual, formal, contemporary or eclectic with options from Wellborn Cabinet. Add Plants and Decor
Office plants provide numerous benefits, including improving air quality and increasing productivity. A study published in the “Journal of Environmental Horticulture” found productivity increased 12% when workers performed a task on a computer in a room with plants compared to those who performed the task in the same room without plants. Low-maintenance species such as orchids and succulents also produce a pleasant aroma and earthy atmosphere to decrease stress.
In addition, consider your space’s decorations if you will be conducting video calls. If your home office doesn’t have much natural light, place a light source behind the camera. While the background for your calls should be relatively neutral, a mural or art on the walls or shelves can complement your professionalism and add a creative touch to your space.
Find more home office inspiration at Wellborn.com. (FF)
Since 2008, the Physical Activity Guidelines have been a vital resource for health professionals and policy makers, serving as a foundation for physical activity and education programs. These guidelines, established and periodically adjusted by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, include recommendations for individuals ages three and over.
A full breakdown of the latest guidelines can be found at Health. gov, but the following are some highlights pertaining to various groups.
Preschool-aged children The ODPHP notes that children between the ages of three and five should be physically active throughout the day to enhance their growth and development. Caregivers are urged to encourage active play that includes activities of various types.
Children and adolescents Children between the ages of six and 17
should engage in 60 minutes or more per day of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic physical activity. Kids in this age group also should engage in vigorous-intensity physical activity at least three days per week. Regimens also should include muscle-strengthening activities and bone-strengthening activities at least three days per week.
Adults The ODPHP urges adults to sit less and move more. The most substantial health benefits can be gained by engaging in at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or between 75 minutes and 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week.
Any equivalent combination of the two can suffice as well. Muscle-strengthening activities also should be part of adults’ fitness regimens. These activities should help to strengthen all the major muscle groups, and adults should aspire to engage in them
Older adults Older adults who can still follow the guidelines designed for younger adults can continue to do so. But the ODPHP recommends that older adults also incorporate multicomponent physical activity in their workout regimens. This can include balance training to complement aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
Older adults also are urged to discuss with their physicians how any chronic conditions they may have can affect their ability to safely engage in physical activity.
The Physical Activity Guidelines can serve as a useful resource for people of all ages as they look to live a healthy lifestyle. (MC)
Lois Eisenberg authored a letter (May 4) decrying the alleged corruption of Clarence Thomas. Typically, she provides no proof of her assertions. In fact, none of the leftists who submit letters ever provide any proof of their outrageous claims. But they know one thing, they hate Clarence Thomas and they hate the current makeup of the Supreme Court and you will hear nothing but whining and crying about it endlessly until they get their way. It’s what they do!
Let us take a look at the dubious claims made by Ms. Eisenberg. First, she claims Judge Thomas reported income from a defunct real estate firm. She claims this is unethical, but doesn’t state why. This is where the left excels, making charges without proof when a simple search can explain the mistake. Thomas and his wife had a real estate firm called Ginger Ltd. Partnership. The partnership was dissolved and a new one called Ginger Holdings LLC was formed. Thomas and his wife made the horrific mistake of continuing to use the Ginger Ltd., instead of the new company, Ginger LLC, on their tax forms. Wow, great find, Ms. Eisenberg! You really cracked the corruption empire by Judge Thomas on this one. Here’s proof, learn from this practice, my leftist friends: bit.ly/3HPT308.
Next, Ms. Eisenberg makes a claim that Thomas traveled and it was paid for by a third party. Once again she offers few details, just an unsupported claim that somehow accepting travel must have nefarious motivations. Assume for a second, despite no proof given, that her assertion is true, that Thomas accepted travel paid for by others and it was corrupt. Did it bother Ms. Eisenberg when Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg took 157 trips, including 28 abroad?
How about when Judge Stephen Breyer took 233 trips, including 63 abroad? Here is the text of Sen. Ted Cruz asking a witness about these contradictions: bit.ly/41fXok8.
The witness and Sen. Cruz both said taking this many trips wasn’t a sign of corruption.
It’s clear Ms. Eisenberg has a problem with the practice of accepting trips. I would probably join her in opposition IF her opposition was fair. But it’s not and it never will be, otherwise she would express disgust in Justice Sonia Sotomayor not reporting six trips she took, contrary to the ethics rules of the Supreme Court.
Were she fair and honest, Ms. Eisenberg might have a problem with Sotomayor accepting over $3 million from a book deal at Random House, then failing to recuse herself from a case before the court involving Random House: bit.ly/44CMZ54.
I guess corruption is OK as long as it’s your guy, right, Ms. Eisenberg?
The political rhetoric in this country shows no signs of slowing and it appears, at least to me, that it’s getting worse. Columns like the one Ms. Eisenberg and fellow leftists submit do nothing to provide balance. There is no effort made to attempt to calm people and provide balance, only to further inflame them. In fact, Senate Majority Leader Schumer made this outrageous statement: “I want to tell you, (Neil) Gorsuch, I want to tell you, (Brett) Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”
Shortly after this comment there was an assassination attempt made on Kavanaugh and his family. These words should be universally condemned but they won't, because Schumer is your guy, right, Ms. Eisenberg?
Do not ever lecture us on heated rhetoric until you can condemn the worst of it from your side.
Brian Richards Stevenson RanchIn logic there is a fallacy known as non sequitur. This Latin phrase simply means “does not follow” and describes a situation where a supposed “effect” actually “does not follow” from its supposed cause. Here is an example – absurd to be sure – of a non sequitur: Where does wind come from? It obviously is caused by the leaves of the trees waving. When the leaves wave, the movement causes the wind to blow. We know this to be true because, when we landed men on the moon there was no wind because there were no trees!
Unfortunately, not all non sequiturs are as easy to spot. It is increasingly the case that our society is unable to distinguish improperly argued cause and effect. In fact, we’ve come to believe one tragic non sequitur to be gospel truth. Here it is: If I get hurt in some way (effect), then someone did something evil (effect), and must pay.
We have become a no-fault society. Bad things are happening, but it is always someone else’s fault. In fact, any negative thing that brings pain or inconvenience into life is almost always chalked up to someone’s error or malice.
What is even more aggravating is the fact that, if I get hurt by something or someone, it is a given in our society that those doing the hurting are evil and must be brought to account. I am thinking primarily of interaction in the area of communication. It has gotten to the place where telling the truth puts you at risk of being labeled as insensitive or worse.
But we all know that sometimes the truth hurts. Correction is often accompanied by pain. Just ask the physician who must set a broken bone. And the same can be true in relationships, be they in business or family. The Apostle Paul found out the hard way when he had to reprove the folks in Galatia. In Galatians 4:16 he asked the serious but
rhetorical question: “Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
Too often it is just that simple. Truth-telling, in an attempt to set a crooked situation straight, may cause pain and, in our society, this, apparently, justifies retaliation. The truth-teller becomes the enemy, the insensitive perpetrator. The one in need of correction becomes the innocent victim whose pain is evidence of a great crime.
But it goes even further. Being hurt apparently gives one a license to respond poorly. Most often those in pain choose not to discuss the issue, but react out of their pain and launch personal attacks. We see this in our worlds of business, politics and personal relationships.
The truth that needs to be recovered is that pain is often either self-inflicted, or connected to needed correction. The correction didn’t cause the pain; it merely uncovered the error, bringing it to the surface. When delivered in love, truth deals with a sliver that, left undiscovered, would fester and bring about greater pain in the future.
Lastly, alongside the fallacy that the presence of pain is evidence of evil action lies the equally destructive belief that all pain is, itself, evil. We are fast becoming a nation addicted to emotional pain-killers. We are anesthetizing ourselves to death and demanding a pain-free life, pain-free relationships, and pain-free conversations. But pain is often the indicator used by both body and mind to let us know something is wrong. And we had better get back to realizing that some of the time our own actions, attitudes, or ideas are to blame. It is time to reclaim the necessary truth that all too often we are the cause of our own ill effects.
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
