Sunday Signal 052123

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

In the Santa Clarita Valley, the recent temperatures in the 90s have reminded residents that summer is on the way. Summer technically starts on June 21, but Memorial Day weekend has long been considered the “official” start of summer fun.

After this year’s prolonged rainy season, the coming of summer, with BBQs, pool parties and vacations will be a season to celebrate.

This Memorial Day weekend will offer solemn ceremony and fantastic fun.

Memorial Day Ceremony

Before enjoying the perks of the Memorial Day three-day weekend it’s important to remember why Memorial Day is important.

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2023 will occur on Monday, May 29.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

In the SCV Eternal Valley Memorial Park hosts an annual special Memorial Day Ceremony honoring fallen soldiers.

Monday, May 29 10 a.m.

Eternal Valley Memorial Park

23287 North Sierra Highway, Newhall 91321

The theme of this year’s Memorial Day event will highlight those awarded the Purple Heart medal.

Keynote speaker will be Bill Hutton who was wounded three times during his tour of duty in Vietnam.

The event will begin with a flyover by the Condor Squadron made up of North American WWII AT-6 airplanes followed by a bomber from Edwards Air Force base.

Memorial Day Fun

Plan a stay-cation for this year’s Memorial Day weekend by enjoying these SoCal events.

Hurricane Harbor

Six Flags Magic Mountain

26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia 91355. Info www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharborla

Memorial Day weekend is the official summer opening for Hurricane Harbor. Splash and frolic among a variety of waterslides and other attractions including Bamboo Racer, Black Snake Summit, Bonzai Pipelines, Castaway Cove, Lightning

Salutes

Falls, Lost Temple Rapids, Python Plunge, River Cruise, Splash Island, Taboo Tower, Tiki Falls and Tornado from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 27-29.

L.A. County Fair

1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona 91768

Info www.lacountyfair.com

If you haven’t been to the L.A. County Fair this spring, time is running out. The last day of the fair is Monday, May 29. This year’s theme is “Spring into Fair: Where Fun Blooms.”

Enjoy concerts, rides, attractions, food and old-fashioned fair fun.

Visit the fair’s website for all the details on schedules, admission and hours. Tickets purchased online receive a discount.

Los Angeles Fleet Week

250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro 90731

Info lafleetweek.com

Los Angeles Fleet Week is a free annual, multiday celebration of the nation’s Sea Services held on the Los Angeles waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles. Events include:

› Active-duty ship tours.

› Military displays and equipment demonstrations.

Members of the Ronald Reagan Marine Corps League fire their rifles as part of the “Retire The Colors” ceremony during the Memorial Day Tribute 2022. PHOTO BY CHRIS TORRES / THE SIGNAL

American flags flutter around the grave of U.S. Navy veteran Earl Taylor who served in Korean and Vietnam and died in 2011. Taylor’s grave is one of the more than 5,800 marked by American flags at Eternal Valley Memorial Park & Mortuary at last year’s Memorial Day.

PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

and a welcome to Summer

welcome to pick up a flower to take home. Flight exhibitions and activities are scheduled throughout the day.

Big Bear Lake Grill & Chill BBQ Fest and Beer Festival.

The Village at Big Bear Lake 92315

INFO www.bigbear.com/events/annual/grill-chill

The festival — Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — will feature more than 40 independent craft breweries from all over California and BBQ competitors from throughout the nation competing in different categories.

Attendees can sample BBQ and craft beers while enjoying live music, shopping, kids’ activities and more.

Kick off Big Bear Lake’s summer season with the 2023 Memorial Day Fireworks show on Sunday, May 28. Big Bear Lake fireworks are launched from the lake making them visible across the valley. The show will begin around 9 p.m. or when the valley is completely dark. 

› Live entertainment.

› Aircraft flyovers.

› Galley Wars culinary cook-off competition between Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Army teams.

› Competitions including Dodgeball.

› Military band performances.

› Military displays and equipment demonstrations.

› Free active-duty ship tours will be offered 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily on Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29.

› Public tours and Expo open May 26-29 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Scottish Fest — OC Fair and Event Center 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa 92626

Info www.scottishfest.com

Put on your kilt and head to the Scottish Fest Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 at the Orange County Fair and Event Center.

Everyone is Scottish at Scottish Fest which is Southern California’s largest Scottish – Celtic –American Festival. Experience two days of world class Celtic music, piping and drumming competitions, Highland dancing contests, Scottish heavy

athletics, Scottish gifts and foods, Scottish clans and genealogy, a fantastic children’s glen and much more.

The 48th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair

1440 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 90290 Info topangadays.com

The 48th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair will be held Saturday, May 27 to Monday, May 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

The fun includes live entertainment, a variety of vendors, food, games and more. This special event is a fundraiser for the Topanga Community Center.

Getaway for Memorial Day

It’s the first big travel weekend of the summer. If you really need to get away plan your trip to celebrate one of these out-of-town events.

Annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop Palm Springs Air Museum

745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs 92262 Info palmspringsairmuseum.org

Celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 29 at the Palm Springs Air Museum with the Annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop. To honor “fallen comrades who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms,” a flyover and flower drop of more than 3,000 red and white carnations from a B-25 Mitchell bomber is scheduled at 1 p.m. Visitors are

Memorial Day weekend is the official summer opening for Hurrican Harbor. PHOTO COURTESY SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN

PHOTO COURTESY BIG BEAR LAKE GRILL & CHILL BBQ FEST

PHOTO COURTESY SCOTTISH FEST

Antiques, Vintage, Shabby Chic & More

What are you looking for?

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

Antique, vintage, retro, collectable: The meanings of these terms are debatable and overlapping and cover just about anything you’d want that is not brand new. And an “antique store” may sell items in any, or all, of these categories — including some items that are brand new. It’s really about finding what you are looking for, or even something you didn’t know you were looking for. With that in mind, we offer you three local establishments that every collector should visit.

Rooster’s Relics

At age 24, Evan Wosk is the new owner of a revamped and evolving Rooster’s Relics, out on Bouquet Canyon Road, just across from Larc Ranch. And he says, because of his age, people sometimes figure he is an employee and not the owner. However, with his experience working for the previous owner and his own passion for collecting and selling antiques, he knows what he’s doing.

Rooster’s sells antiques, vintage items, and newer yard art. Wosk said he’s gradually cleaning up and organizing what was a pretty crowded lot, and is setting up garage sale-style tables in the back, to help things move — at garage sale-style low prices.

Inside the store, rooms are organized into such categories as military, photography, record albums, bar and more. “I only have one vendor right now,” Wosk said, and that vendor’s sections feature refinished furniture and unique table tops. Wosk also has some vintage clothing, and he proudly displayed a T-shirt commemorating The Signal newspaper’s 75th anniversary (1994), which he picked up at a garage sale.

Wosk said that what really sets his business apart is his affordable and flexible pricing. “You can always make me an offer,” he added.

Rooster’s Relics is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 29757 Bouquet Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91390; (661) 877-8241, www.roostersrelics. biz.

Barn & Charm

“Charmingly”located in the yellow Victorian-style building in Old Town Newhall, Barn & Charm is a slightly different type of antique store. It features antique and vintage items combined with a lifestyle boutique, and all designed to create an eclectic look.

B & C is a collective, now owned by Tina Decker, Kathy Tanabe and Shianne Almanza, who took over the business in June of last year.

“We currently have eight vendors,” Decker said. “Everybody rents space not booths. And we have vintage or handcrafted merchandise coming in every day.” The antique and vintage items are quite varied, and the brand-new items include IOD products, Fusion mineral paints and Lollia perfumes.

Established by Carol Reesha in 2016, Barn & Charm will host a seventh anniversary celebration on May 20. Visit Barn & Charm’s Facebook page for weekly videos that feature the latest available items and other news. B & C also offers numerous workshops, which fill up very fast. So, check in regularly.

Barn & Charm is open Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 22700 Lyons Ave., Units A and B, Newhall 91321; (661) 255-5466, barnandcharm.com.

Country Antique Fair Mall

In operation since 1979, the Country Antique Fair Mall is the big boy in town for antiques. It offers 14,000 square feet of collecting wonder, separated into nearly 100 varied vendor booths.

Mac McClure has worked at the mall for more than 30 years. Last month, he, his son Jesse and their wives took full ownership. “We’re more of an antique, retro and vintage shop,” Jesse McClure said. “And we’re very much like an indoor swap meet.”

Jesse noted that most of the vendors have been with the mall for a long time, and most new dealers have been long-time customers. “It’s all about establishing great relationships. We’re in this together. Because of our dealer-first mentality, we had a 98% retention rate through the pandemic — even though we were closed.”

Jesse said that one of the largest new segments of his customers is made up of students from Cal Arts and College of the Canyons, who purchase items for their school projects. They also work closely with local productions studios, offering period pieces for rental and sale.

The Country Antique Fair Mall is closed Mondays, but open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 21546 Golden Triangle Road, Saugus 91350; (661) 2541474, countryantiquefairmall.com.

PHOTOS BY JIM WALKER/THESIGNAL

ROOSTER’S RELICS

Country Antique Fair Mall

ROOSTER’S RELICS

Is Your Home Ready for Summer … and your summer guests?

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

This summer Santa Clarita residents could find themselves, and their homes, as popular tourist destinations from friends and relatives.

Is your home ready for an onslaught of summer visitors, as well as grandkids, children home from school and others?

Guest Room

The first order of business is to get your guest room ready for visitors. If you converted your guest room to a home office or gym, now might be a great time to envision the space in a multifunctional way.

If you’ve removed the bed, can you add a futon or pull-out couch.

If you haven’t updated your guest room for a while it might be time to give your guest room an updated, modern look.

Clear out the clutter and refresh your linens, pillows and blankets. Be sure you have enough pillows; some guests prefer extra pillows. Deep clean all the nooks and crannies and shampoo the carpet.

Make sure your room is outfitted with easily accessible outlets for guests to plug in phone chargers and other electronics.

Take stock and supply your guest bathroom with all the essentials including soap, shampoo and conditioner, air freshener, new towels, hair dryer and a supply of travel size toothpaste and deodorant, just in case. Keep a few spare toothbrushes on hand as well.

A minifridge is a nice addition for your guests’ refreshments and a great space for your own soda or water when you aren’t hosting out-of-town guests.

Before your guests arrive be sure to find out their likes and dislikes of beverages and snacks, then fill a small basket with some “welcome” goodies.

Get an itinerary from your guests, when they plan to arrive and when

they will leave. Find out what tourist attractions they plan to visit.

It is helpful to create a little “visitor” binder that includes printed information on all the attractions that are now open.

While most guests will most likely have planned their visits to the “grand” vacation destinations — Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain — with the precision of a military operation, your guests may enjoy some “insider” information from a “local.”

Include information on a few “out of the way,” or little known, tourist attractions such as the Getty Villa in Malibu or the El Capitan movie theater in Hollywood. Your guests might appreciate this information on destinations they hadn’t considered.

Your binder can also include menus and hours of your favorite local restaurants.

HVAC

If you haven’t had your HVAC system tuned this year, now is the time, before the “real” summer heatwaves descend.

Professionals recommend HVAC systems be inspected, cleaned and serviced at least once a year to be sure there are no leaks and filters are appropriately clean and installed correctly.

Items that should be checked and serviced during the inspection include:

• Voltage testing and checking electrical components for failures

• Lubricating moving parts

• Checking the filter

• Inspecting the condensate drain for blockages

• Checking thermostat settings and electrical connections

• Inspecting HVAC appliances

• Testing safety controls and for problematic airflow through the home

• Inspecting the blower

• Checking the refrigerant pressure and testing the gas piping and pressure

• Inspecting the condensate drain Pool Maintenance

Before summer hits and you are lounging around the pool with cocktail in hand it is important to give your pool a “once over” to make sure it is still in tip-top shape.

• Check the equipment to make sure everything is secure and properly working.

• Look for any leaks or cracks to the foundation or liner.

• Check the decking to make sure it drains properly and there are no loose or “rough” surfaces.

General Home Maintenance

It is easy to walk around your home, coming and going on a daily basis and not see peeling paint, cracks in the stucco or weeds in the garden. While some issues are minor and require just a little elbow grease, some issues can lead to major problems if not addressed in a timely fashion.

Take a stroll around the outside of your home and note the condition of the roof, walls and eaves.

Check your property for weeds, dead plants and anything that could become a danger in a brushfire. I

have often found palm trees will suddenly sprout in my yard. One palm tree I ignored for so long became a 20-foot liability that had to be removed at considerable expense. Check your driveway for cracks or weeds growing in paved areas.

Inside Your Home:

• Vacuum your refrigerator coils and clean out dryer vents (among the top culprit in home fires).

• Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.

• Tighten door handles and cabinet latches.

• Remove showerheads and faucet heads and clean sediment. This is a must because of the notoriously hard water in most SCV homes.

• That fire extinguisher you’ve had in the garage since you moved into your home? It might be time to consider replacing it, as well as your kitchen fire extinguisher.

• Drain some water from your water heater to remove sediment buildup.

• Repair/replace damaged window screens.

Now you can grab that Bahama Mama, wine cooler or mai tai and relax poolside for the rest of the summer.

FROM THE CITY MANAGER Summer Camp at the

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

It is hard to believe that another school year is coming to an end, but with so many activities taking place throughout the City this summer, we are excited to offer our community endless opportunities for all members of your family. One of the most popular and long-standing programs is the summer camps held at the Canyon Country and Newhall Community Centers. Acting as a centralized home to many, these Community Centers are a wonderful place to keep your family active throughout the summer months.

Starting the second week of June, both Community Centers will begin their eight-week, fun-filled summer camps, perfect for families living in Santa Clarita.

Something unique to our camp program is the overall number of activities that staff is able to provide to participants. Each week, your child will have the opportunity to go on field trips, from kayaking at Castaic Lake and exploring the California Science Center, to checking out the Santa Barba-

Community Centers

ra Zoo and even watching a movie at the El Capitan Theater. Additionally, participants will stay cool during the hot summer months with water inflatables and indoor activities. We are passionate about not only keeping your children engaged this summer, but creating an environment where they can enjoy their break, while they are continuing to learn through fun activities.

For the teenagers in our community, both Centers will offer the Teen Experience, a program that runs from 12 – 6 p.m., that offers a wide variety of activities. Every Tuesday, teens will get insight into different traditional and nontraditional career paths through Tools of the Trade. Teens will get to ask presenters questions about their jobs, learn more about schooling and build valuable connections.

Participants in the teen experience will also take part in a cooking class, where they can learn to make different recipes and have a basic understanding of kitchen skills. Also included are indoor and outdoor inflatable obstacle courses, performers, field trips and more.

To allow for flexibility to our parents and caregivers, there are a variety of camp times to best fit your schedule. Whether that is in the morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or our afternoon session from 2:30

BEST IN CLASS SPECIALTY CARE

Right Here in the SCV

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and Keck Medicine of USC are partnering to bring advanced services — cancer care, breast health, colorectal surgery, and specialty urology — to our community in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Keck Medicine’s USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center brings the latest innovations in cancer detection, prevention, and treatment to help you get the care you need close to home.

- 6 p.m., we want to help make camps convenient for families this summer. There is also an option to have an early morning drop-off. Our BLAST and Kidz camps are for children ages 5-12, while the Teen Experience is for ages 13-17.

I hope our community takes advantage of the high-quality programs and activities available throughout the summer. As a family-oriented City, our mission is to provide our community with fun and budget-friendly opportunities, not just for kids and teens, but also for our adults and seniors (check out the website for more on these opportunities).

Through programs like summer camp, we can work to keep our kids and teens active, engaged and safe this summer. Registration for the Summer Camp program at our two Community Centers, begin on May 24. For any questions about these programs, please visit santaclarita.com/communitycenters and click on your preferred location for specifics.

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. 

All-American Memorial Day Barbecue RED, WHITE & ’CUE

Though summer officially starts in June, for many, Memorial Day is the annual first chance to get together with friends for a warm weather cookout. Whether you’re just celebrating the return of BBQing or remembering those who died serving in the military, take this holiday as an opportunity to get your grill on.

Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken

Get these spicy coconut chicken thighs on the grill, you won’t regret it. They’re insanely tender thanks to a tasty duo of coconut milk and tenderizing pineapple juice in the marinade.

The marinade is easy to prepare: Just chop the ginger and garlic and stir the rest together; the thighs can be marinated for as little as 20 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. Don’t discard the marinade. Boil it on the stovetop until thickened and drizzle all over the chicken before serving for maximum flavor. From there, it only takes about 10 minutes on the grill to finish off the dish.

Yields 4-6 servings

Prep Time 15 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Ingredients

1 c. canned unsweetened whole coconut milk

3/4 c. pineapple juice

1/4 c. chili-garlic sauce

1/4 c. fresh lime juice

1/4 c. packed light brown sugar

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tbsp. finely grated peeled ginger (from one 2” piece)

2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 small)

Kosher salt

Vegetable oil, for grilling

1 pineapple, sliced into rounds

1/4 c. packed fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk milk, pineapple juice, chili-garlic sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger until well combined. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 20 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Remove chicken from marinade and transfer to a baking sheet, letting excess marinade drip back into bowl; season chicken all over with 3/4 teaspoon salt. Reserve marinade.

Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; preheat 5 minutes. (Alternatively, use a grill pan.) Lightly brush grates with oil.

Meanwhile, transfer marinade to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue to boil, stirring occasionally, until marinade is thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Grill chicken and pineapple, turning once, until chicken is lightly charred in places and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of chicken registers 165° and pineapple is tender and lightly charred, 8 to 10 minutes.

Transfer pineapple and chicken to a platter, drizzle with sauce, and sprinkle with cilantro.

Cheesecake Cupcakes

Who doesn’t love an ultra-creamy slice of cheesecake? This mini version is super-easy to make (no water bath!), but just as delicious as its full-size counterpart. Feel free to swap out the fruit for whatever is in season, or leave out fruit entirely and top with whipped cream and chocolate curls instead!

Yields 16

Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 2 hrs 50 mins

Ingredients

Cooking spray

14 graham crackers, crushed

4 tbsp. melted butter

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

2 (8-oz.) blocks cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

1/2 c. sour cream

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Pinch of kosher salt

Fresh berries, for garnish

2 tbsp. orange marmalade or apricot jam

Directions

Preheat oven to 325º and line two 12-cup muffin tin with 16 paper liners. Spray liners with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and salt and stir until combined. Press graham mixture into paper liners.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add eggs, sour cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until combined. Pour filling over graham crusts.

Bake until center is slightly jiggly, 20 minutes. Let cool in muffin tin, then refrigerate at least 2 hours. To serve Top with desired fruit. Combine jam with 1 tablespoon water and microwave on medium power for 15 seconds. Brush jam mixture over fruit before serving.

ENTERTAINMENT

‘I’m not pathetic,’ I’m Still Michael J. Fox

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie’

(out of four) Apple Original Films presents a documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim. Rated R. On Apple TV+.

In an early sequence in the Apple TV+ documentary “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” the actor talks about his difficulties with maintaining his balance due to Parkinson’s disease. When Fox walks, it’s almost as if he’s trying to keep up with his body.

“The walking thing really freaks people out,” says Fox. “But I won’t hide it from you, and you can do with it what you will.”

We watch as Fox exits his Manhattan apartment under the watch of his physical therapist, who stands close by and sometimes advises Fox to “stop and reset … Take your time,

take your time.” Fox passes by a woman who greets him — and a moment later, he falls to the sidewalk. The woman walks back and says, “You got it?” and Fox replies, “I’m OK,” as his therapist helps him up.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” says the woman, to which Fox answers:

“Nice to meet you. You knocked me off my feet.”

There’s Michael J. Fox for you. Honest, forthcoming, dealing with the terrible hand he’s been dealt — and funny as bleep while doing so.

For some four decades, Fox has been a likable presence onscreen and off, and our admiration for him has only grown after he went public with his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1998 and spent the last 25 years leading the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which has raised more than $100 million for an observational study to discover the biological signs of Parkinson’s disease.

In Davis Guggenheim’s ambitious, sometimes overly stylized but un-

deniably moving documentary, we retrace Fox’s childhood in Canada as the smallest kid (by FAR) in the class, his rise to TV and movie stardom with “Family Ties” and “Back to the Future” in the 1980s, his career ups and downs, his battle with alcoholism — and his long, painful, debilitating battle with Parkinson’s. The documentary is at its best when we observe Fox in quiet, warm and funny moments with his wife and their four children, and when it’s just Fox facing the camera, talking with his typical candor and humor about his condition and refusing to be painted as some kind of martyr.

P. Keaton character is going through a similar experience. The story of Fox’s courtship with the actress Tracy Pollan, his wife of more than 30 years, is told through clips of Fox and Pollan together on “Family Ties” and the film “Bright Lights, Big City.”

hear t

FA S T X C 12:50 4:00 7:10

Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga launches the final chapters of one of cinema’s most storied and popular global franchises now in its third decade and still going strong with the same core cast and charac ters as when t began

M A S T E R G A R D E N E R E 1:20 7:00

A meticulous hor ticulturist is devoted to tend ng the grounds of a beaut ful estate owned by a wealthy dowager When he’s told to take on her troubled great-niece as an apprentice, h s life is thrown nto chaos and dark secrets from his past emerge

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 friends take their book club to Italy for the fun gir s trip they never had When th ngs go off the rails and secrets are revealed, the r relaxing vacation turns into a once - n-a-lifetime cross- countr y adventure

F O O L’S PA R A D I S E E 4:20 PM

A sat rical comedy about a down- on-his-luck pub icist who d scovers a recently released mental health patient who looks ust like a misbehav ng movie star The publicist subs him nto a film, creating a new star But fame and for tune are not all they are cracked up to be

I T A I N’ T OV E R B Sun to Wed: 1:20 4:20 7:00; Thu: 1:20 PM

Lawrence Peter “ Yogi” Berra is one of basebal ’s greatest He amassed ten World Series rings, 3 MVP awards and 18 All-Star Game appearances Yet for many h s deser ved stature was overshadowed by his simply being h mself and being recognized more for his unique personal ty, T V commercial appearances and unforgettable “ Yogi-isms ”

G UA R D I A N S O F T H E G A L AX Y VO L. 3 C 1:00 4:00 6:50

Peter Quill, st ll reeling from the oss of Gamora, must ral y his team around h m to defend the universe along with protec ting one of their own A miss on that could quite possib y lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them

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-sel ing c ass c comes to the big screen with L onsgate’s adaptat on of Judy B ume s Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret Th s time ess and utterly re atable

“If you pity me, that’s not going to get to me,” says Fox. “I’m not pathetic, I’ve got s--- going on.”

The title of “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” is particularly appropriate, as it reflects the techniques employed by director Guggenheim (“An Inconvenient Truth,” “He Named Me Malala”) throughout the film. With Fox voicing his own story, we see a combination of re-creations (involving actors playing Fox at various ages, seen only in the shadows or from behind) and more often, clips from Fox’s TV and movie career that mirror the arc of his real life.

As Fox talks about his early experiences as an actor, we get clips from “The Secret of My Success.” When he recounts his exhausting schedule shooting “Family Ties” by day and “Back to the Future” at night, the memories are augmented by scenes from “Family Ties” in which the Alex

It’s an effective device, but one that is invoked a few times too often. We get it: There’s a bounty of footage from Fox’s work that has parallels to his life experiences, and it’s nice to be reminded of Fox’s versatility as an actor. (When Guggenheim shows us a medley of TV and movie scenes in which Fox is running, we’re reminded of how Fox was such a kinetic presence, always on the move, especially in his roles in the 1980s and 1990s.)

Kudos to Guggenheim and editor Michael Harte for finding so many snippets of Fox’s TV and film work that fit his biography, but there are times when we find ourselves growing a little impatient with all the clips and re-creations, and awaiting the next poignant moment, e.g., when Fox sits with his son, Sam, on the beach and tells him he’s not TRYING to fall and hurt himself, and Sam says, “Nobody thinks your agenda isn’t to be careful, it’s that it’s ... lower on [your] list of things than it is for us. ... I’d rather you DON’T fall over.”

They share a warm laugh, and a moment later, Sam reaches out and grasps his father’s shaking arm and quietly says:

“There you go.” 

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

more about the world beyond the sea, and while v siting the sur face, falls for the dashing Prince Eric While mermaids are forbidden to interac t with humans, Ariel must follow her

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

FOGO — It’s a Thing

BY Mary Petersen Signal Staff Writer

The other day I was helping my fouryear-old grandson floss his teeth. His mother is a stickler for brushing and flossing twice a day. When I had trouble seeing into his little mouth, he generously offered, “Here are your glasses, Grams.” Then he paused, as if he had made a discovery, and said, “Grams, do you know why you can’t see inside my mouth?” With sincerity and innocence in his sweet blue eyes, he looked tenderly at me and said, “It’s because your eyes are old.” He beamed with satisfaction at identifying the problem, and I thanked him for his helpful observation.

I agree. My eyes are getting old. So are my ears, my hands and other assorted body parts. Like many of us, I grapple with inconvenient ailments. It’s all part of the merry game of aging. I look in the mirror and sigh at the woman who has transformed throughout the almost seven decades I have lived with her.

There was a time in history when people didn’t worry about aging because they never got old. The average American’s life expectancy in the 1800s was 45 or 50. Today, with advances in science and medicine, many live to be 90 or even 100. But a danger lurks in the underbelly of this progress. It has the potential to create angst in young and old alike.

Living longer means confronting the fear of old age. An article published in Psychology Today begins with the question “Do You Have FOGO?” Yes, the fear of getting old

has its own acronym.

Andy Rooney sagely observed that “Paradoxically, the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.”

According to Yale professor Becca R. Levy, Ph.D., often the fears of aging are based on cultural stereotypes or prejudices. Young people are growing up in a culture obsessed with youth and beauty. We are bombarded by messages from a society that finds aging faces and bodies distasteful. The anti-aging industry promotes images of dewy, youthful idols and makes staggering profits by convincing people that they can reverse the aging process or at least have an obligation to try.

No one wants to look old, perhaps because it reminds us of our diminishing time on this planet. But clinging to youth to avoid the scary emotions about aging prevents us from honoring the body that has served us well.

Rather than resist aging as something we must conquer, Ingrid Fetell Lee, founder of the blog The Aesthetics of Joy, suggests that while acknowledging the challenges that are inherent in the aging journey, we embrace what gets better with age and focus on these joys.

When we observe, with humor and self-acceptance, our bodies changing shape, becoming less supple, and developing wrinkles, we realize that we are not our bodies. We are what we do, what we say, how we live and what we accomplish. So I bask in gratitude for the blessings in my life and laugh with my grandson about my old eyes.

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

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!

2023

Dining & Entertainment

American Restaurant Atmosphere

Banquet Facility Bar

Barbecue

Breakfast

Brewery

Brunch

Burger Business Lunch

Catering

Chef

Chinese Restaurant

Cocktails

Deli

Desserts

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Family Entertainment

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Frozen Yogurt

Happy Hour

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Ice Cream Store

Indian Restaurant

Italian Restaurant

Live Entertainment

Lunch Spot

Mediterranean Restaurant

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New Restaurant

Pizza

Place for kids to have fun

Place to throw a party

Restaurant Service

Romantic Restaurant

Sandwiches

Seafood Restaurant

Social / Country Club

Sports Bar

Steak

Sushi

Takeout

Thai

Vietnamese Restaurant Wine Bar

For the Home

Air & Heating Service

Carpet / Flooring Store

Carpet Cleaning

Cleaning Company (Residential)

Contractor/ Remodeler

Door Company

Electrical Contractor

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Glass & Mirror

Interior/Exterior Paint

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Plumber

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Window Company

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Health & Fitness

Acupuncture

Audiologist

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Children’s Dentist

Children’s Fitness Center

Chiropractor

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Surgeon

Cross Fit Gym

Dance Studio

Dentistry

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Pet Trainer Photographer Place to volunteer

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Voter Information

Name Address City State Zip Email

One entry per household, per ballot. Must be 18 or older to vote. Voting ends 11:59 pm on June 17, 2023.

Please complete this ballot and return it to: The Signal 25060 Avenue Stanford Ste 141 Valencia, CA 91355

“Best Of” Contest Rules

1. Only official ballots will be accepted (no photocopies).

2. All ballots must have a minimum of 5 categories completed.

3. Employees and families of The Signal are ineligible to participate.

4. The Signal will not enter into a written or oral discussion regarding the contest results, and all entries become the property of The Signal.

5. The Signal reserves the right to publish the results of the reader survey, delete questions, or restructure, and to refuse questionable or duplicate entries.

Santa Clarita Menu Guide

Jersey Mike’s

L’Italiano Restaurant

Newhall Refinery

Neighbarista

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.

Egg Plantation

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

Everest Burgers

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

Fire Island Grill

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

Funburger

About Egg Plantation

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

COMING SOON

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

Pho Sure

Thai Dishes (Valencia)

Pho Sure

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

Numero Uno Pizza

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

Pierogi Spot

1st Authentic Vietnamese Restaurant in the Santa Clarita Valley The History of Pho

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that is served in a bowl with a specific cut of white rice noodles (called bánh pho’) in clear beef broth, with slim cuts of beef (steak, fatty flank, lean flank, brisket). Variations feature tendon, tripe, meatballs, chicken leg, chicken breast, or other chicken organs. “With the lot” (made with all or most of the shop’s chicken and cattle offerings, including chicken hearts and livers and beef tripe and tendons) is known as pho dac biet (“specialty pho”).

The broth is generally made by simmering beef bones, oxtails, flank steak, charred onion, and spices, taking several hours to prepare. Seasonings can include Saigon cinnamon or other kinds of cinnamon as alternatives (may use stick or powder), star anise, roasted ginger, roasted onion, black cardamom, coriander seed, fennel seed, and clove.

While a distinctly Vietnamese dish, pho has French and Chinese influences. The specific place of origin appears to be southwest of Hanoi in Nam Dinh province, then a substantial textile market, where cooks sought to please both Vietnamese and French tastes. It was originally sold by vendors from large boxes, until the first pho restaurant was opened in the 1920s in Hanoi.

The variations in meat, broth and additional garnishes such as lime, bean sprouts, ngo gai (culantro), hung que (Thai/Asian basil), and tuong (bean sauce/hoisin sauce) appear to be innovations introduced in the south. Pho did not become popular in South Vietnam until 1954.

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

Following the Vietnam War, pho was brought to many countries by Vietnamese refugees fleeing Vietnam from the 1970s onwards. It is especially popular in large cities with substantial Vietnamese populations and enclaves such as Paris in France, the West Coast of Canada, the West Coast and Texas in the United States, and the immigrant areas in the western suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne of Australia, and Hong Kong.

A bowl of Pho deliciousness will be presented to you with some kind of protein and a steaming meat-based broth. You will also be presented with basil, lime, bean sprouts, and peppers that can be added to the bowl at your discretion as the diner. Many diners enjoy adding Hoison sauce (black, soy-based sauce) and hot sauce to the broth or in a separate side dish to dip meats. There is no “right” way of enjoying Pho. Just enjoy! 

Four Simple Ways to Keep Allergy Season at Bay

With warmer outdoor temperatures, many homeowners suffer through longer allergy seasons. In fact, allergy days have increased by 20 days, according to a study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences.

Being aware of air quality indexes and limiting time outdoors can lessen exposure to airborne pollutants, but indoor air quality is also a concern. In a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, levels of indoor pollutants can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor air.

People spend nearly two-thirds of their lives at home, according to Carrier, which developed its Healthy Homes Program to help homeowners create indoor environments that optimize health and wellness. Consider these ways you can combat pollutants where it matters most: your home’s indoor air quality.

Reduce Indoor P ollutants

Your home has multiple sources of indoor air pollutants. While avoiding these pollutants altogether is often the best solution, it’s not always possible. However, there are a few ways you can reduce exposure in your home: ban indoor smoking; turn on exhaust fans when cooking; minimize or

remove “soft” pollutant gathering surfaces such as decorative pillows, stuffed animals and decorative throws; and regularly clean all heating and air conditioner filters as required or according to manufacturer specifications.

Add Air Purifiers to Your HVAC Unit

While air purifiers don’t treat allergies, they can help filter out allergens that can cause allergy symptoms. Homeowners might consider purifiers that are highly effective at capturing particulate. For example, the Carrier Infinity air purifier is a whole-home heating and cooling system. It not only captures 95% of particles in micron size range 1.0-3.0, but also inactivates 99% of select airborne germs and viruses that flow through the HVAC system and become trapped in the MERV 15 filter.

Control Humid ity

Many people know high humidity can cause discomfort in hot temperatures, but there are other potentially negative impacts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dust mites thrive in 70-80% humidity and temperatures between 75-85 F. Additionally, high humidity can provide an environment conducive to mold

growth, which is why maintaining relative indoor humidity between 40-60% is recommended to keep dust mites and mold at bay. To help control humidity, run the air conditioner when it’s hot and humid and consider using whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers that allow for specific settings for moisture control.

Consider Room Air Purifiers

Room air purifiers are portable and highly efficient solutions for smaller spaces such as nurseries, bedrooms, home gyms and added rooms. One example is the Carrier Smart Room Air Purifier with a built-in indoor air quality monitor that includes three levels of filtration, including an activated carbon filter to capture odors. The attached, color-coded air quality monitor measures and displays pollutant levels so homeowners can be informed and aware of the quality of their indoor air, giving them the ability to maintain next-level comfort while breathing cleaner air.

Creating your ideal home environment is more than just controlling the temperature. Your home’s air should be filtered and pollutants limited to minimize allergy triggers and promote good indoor air quality. (Family Features) 

Lavender and Rosemary

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

Our upper chaparral climate offers hot, dry summers, and cooler and variably moist winters. Although the soil varies in clay, stone and sand content, all our native soil is lacking in organics. Two excellent plants that actually enjoy our environment are Lavender (Lavendula) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus).

These plants are remarkably adaptable to our lean soils and thrive where the sun would burn most other plants. They will also accept a little dappled shade.

During blooming season, lavender and rosemary plants are covered with small blue, purple, pink or white flowers. Both types of plants are woody shrubs that remain evergreen

through the winter. Use them singly, as a group or to form a nice backdrop for other flowering plants.

Some lavender plants can grow into 5-foot-tall shrubs, while dwarf varieties can stay as low as 18 inches. We have been experiencing relatively warm winters, particularly at night, for the past several years. If you recently planted lavender in your garden, there is a good chance almost any variety will have fared well.

In the past, however, it has not been abnormal for temperatures to drop into the low twenties or even the high teens in colder areas.

Whether things go warmer, cooler or stay the same, probably the most resilient lavender for the Santa Clarita Valley is the Spanish lavender, Lavendula stoeches.

This is a medium-sized plant, usually staying at about 2 to 3 feet in height, so it fits easily into many landscape designs. The flowers are showy with what look like tall, colorful feathers topping the spike of blooms.

Although Spanish lavender is most commonly found with reddish purple flowers, there are now hybrids that offer purples, pinks, whites, greens and combinations of any of these colors. There are larger and smaller sized shrubs, too.

Garden rosemary can grow to 4-feet tall and spread 6-feet wide, or you can find varieties that stay low, mounding or trailing along the ground. The creepers are ideal to use as ground covers to carpet large areas or to have spill over the edges of walls or pots.

Rosemary can sprawl and become woody. It doesn’t hurt to do some regular, judicious pruning to keep the plants shapely.

There are also smaller growing varieties such as the sky-blue flowered “Ken Taylor” that stays at about 2-feet tall and need little or no pruning. Low, trailing rosemary plants can be found blooming in pale lilac, white or brilliant blues. They offer a good solution for covering hills or cascading over rocks and walls.

Both lavender and rosemary work well in the general garden or the herb garden. They can be used for scent at any time of year, and a dog or cat, who has been romping through the garden in rosemary or lavender, will come back into the house smelling absolutely wonderful!

Even decorative rosemary plants in bright leaf or flower colors, are all fine for cooking or for making herbal

teas. Creeping varieties are also edible, although each variety will have a slightly different flavor.

Rosemary and lavender offer multiple uses for crafts, cleansing, aroma therapy, medicinal oils, decor and sachets.

Plant lavender and rosemary in your garden for beauty, scent and practical use. They are easy to grow and do well in areas of the chaparral or desert where many other plants would burn and shrivel. They adapt well in our chaparral landscapes, don’t need a lot of water, demand little attention and rarely are bothered by pests. What’s not to love when it comes to adding lavender and rosemary to your garden?

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

A close up of the leaves and flowers of the Spanish Lavender, (Lavendula stoeches).

Pink and blue flowering rosemary plants.

FINANCE

Five Budget-Friendly Tips to Help Plan Vacations

For many people, traveling is about exploring new cultures, landscapes, cuisines and ideas. However, the cost of the trip is still one of the most important considerations when booking a vacation.

In fact, according to a survey conducted by Slickdeals, a one-of-akind online community of shoppers working together to shop smarter and save more, 81% of respondents listed total cost as their top consideration followed by a desire for kid-friendly experiences at the destination and discounts or deals on transportation and lodging.

Even amid reported concerns about inflation (56%), increasing flight costs (51%) and gas prices (49%), 84% of families plan to spend the same amount or more on travel this year as last. Among the respondents, 42% plan to spend between $1,5013,000 and 15% plan to spend $5,000 or more on travel.

While traveling is undoubtedly an

investment, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Consider these tips from Pete King, deal expert for Slickdeals, to save money as you begin planning

your next excursion.

Set your budget with hidden costs in mind. When setting budgets, many people stop at the basics like transportation, accommodations and entertainment. Make sure to factor in additional costs such as pet care, food, checked luggage fees and airport and hotel parking so there are no surprises at the end of the trip.

Look for deals. Being open to a variety of destinations and travel dates can help you score the best deals. If you’re tired of switching between booking sites or searching online for bargains, consider browsing the latest travel deals on the Slickdeals Travel Page where community members share some of the best travel deals on the internet, which can save you time and effort when looking for savings on your trip. You can even set deal alerts to be notified when deals pop up for your desired destination.

Bring an empty water bottle. While Transportation Security Administration regulations don’t allow you to bring most fluids through security checkpoints in airports, packing an empty water bottle in your carry-on or personal item can save you from high costs inside the terminal. Once you’re through security, simply fill your bottle at the nearest water fountain. An added bonus: You can take the full bottle on the airplane to stay hydrated during the flight without

having to rely on the small complimentary beverage on board.

Pack less than you think you’ll need. Many people overpack, and that can be a costly mistake. A single checked bag can cost as much as $50, and some airlines charge extra for a ticket that includes a carry-on. For a weekend trip, keep it simple with a carry-on or backpack, and for longer adventures, keep in mind nobody at your destination will likely know you wore the same jeans two days in a row.

Find the right rewards credit card. If you have a rewards credit card, you could get cash back when you make certain purchases. You could get a percentage back on groceries, travel, dining and more. For example, with a travel rewards credit card, you earn points or miles that can be redeemed for future travel plans. General travel cards earn points or miles on virtually every purchase, regardless of airline or hotel chain, while co-branded cards that align with a specific airline or hotel reward users with more points for loyalty spending and provide additional benefits like free checked bags or a free night’s stay on your card anniversary.

Find deals on travel and more at Slickdeals.com/travel. (Family Features) 

PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES

Ways to Take Control of Your Blood Pressure

Effectively managing your blood pressure can help reduce your chances of life-threatening medical events, even death.

Gain confidence and learn how to take control of your blood pressure with these tips and resources from the American Heart Association.

The Silent Killer

High blood pressure is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it typically has few, if any, noticeable symptoms but can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure and even death. Many people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it. Some overlooked symptoms can include dizziness, facial flushing and blood spots in the eyes.

Understand Your Readings

The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to regularly take an accurate blood pressure measurement. Understanding your results is key to controlling high blood pressure. Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg are usually considered within the normal range, yet it is important to talk to a doctor about your healthy range. Even if you fall within a healthy range, it can be beneficial to stick with heart-healthy habits like following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

Know Your Risk

While many risk factors for high blood pressure may be related to your age, gender and family history, there are also risk factors you can change to help prevent and manage it. People at added risk may be those who engage in lower levels of physical activity, eat a diet high in sodium (particularly from packaged, processed foods), may be overweight or obese, drink excessive amounts of alcohol and may have multiple chronic conditions.

Talk About It

Whether you’re making changes in your own life to combat high blood pressure or helping someone else, positive feelings and confidence are longer-term motivators to making health changes. If you’re talking with friends, loved ones or your doctor, be prepared to ask open-ended questions. Be curious and kind to yourself and others you may be helping.

Lowering Your Pressure

You can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, heart failure and even death with lifestyle changes and medication.

Watching your weight, especially if you are overweight or obese, can bring health gains; losing as little as 5-10 pounds may help lower your blood pressure. Managing your stress by relaxing for short periods during your workday, at night and on weekends is another productive practice.

If you have diabetes, it’s important to work with a doctor to manage the disease and reduce your blood glucose levels.

If you think you could have sleep apnea, getting screened for and treating the condition can also reduce your risk for developing high blood pressure.

When you have high blood pressure, medication may be an important part of your treatment. Follow the recommendations carefully, even if it means taking medication every day for the rest of your life.

When you’re discussing high blood pressure concerns with your health care provider, also be sure to talk to your doctor about over-the-counter pain relievers that may raise your blood pressure. Talking with your doctor can help you identify over-thecounter pain medications that won’t

raise your blood pressure to ensure you’re not creating a blood pressure problem while treating other concerns.

Learn more about monitoring and managing high blood pressure at heart. org/bptools. (Family Features) 

By Dana Jackson

QIs it true that Christina Applegate has quit acting due to her health? Does she have any upcoming shows she’s already filmed, or was “Dead to Me” her last?

— A.I.

AChristina Applegate was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, while co-starring in the Netflix series “Dead to Me.” It was an enormous physical challenge for her to film the final season. She credited the kind cast, crew and bosses on the set for helping her get through her scenes, allowing her to take naps when needed.

In November of last year, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and hinted that she might quit acting. Recently, this month, she made it official, say-

BOOK REVIEW

ing that she wouldn’t do anymore on-camera acting. Fortunately, she plans to support herself doing voice work, including reprising her role as Kelly Bundy in an upcoming animated series version of “Married with Children.”

Q:Is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new show the first time he’s acted in anything since he was the governor of California? Also, did he and Maria ever divorce?

BookTrib’s Bites

— Q.S.

AWorld-famous bodybuilder turned movie star turned political figure ended his two terms as California’s governor in 2011. That same year, his wife, Maria Shriver, filed for divorce after it was made public that Schwarzenegger fathered a child with the family’s longtime housekeeper. Their divorce was finalized in 2021.

After Schwarzenegger exited the governor’s post, he quietly returned to show business in the action film “The Expendables” and its sequel opposite Sylvester Stallone. In 2015, he starred in “Terminator Genisys,” and in 2019, he starred in “Terminator: Dark Fate,” which also featured Linda Hamilton’s return as Sarah Connor. In the past two years, he’s exclusively done voice work for animated shows and video games, but this May marked his return to comedy.

In the new Netflix series “FUBAR,” he plays a newly returned CIA agent whose lured in for one last job, when he learns someone close to him is also a secret agent. There’s plenty of action, but it’s also a great vehicle to showcase Schwarzenegger’s wit, which was a big hit in movies like

“Twins” and “Kindergarten Cop” in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

QWhy did CBS cancel “S.W.A.T.?”

I thought it was one of those foolproof hit shows that would be around for a long time.

— B.M.

A“S.W.A.T.” actually lasted six seasons on CBS, so it was definitely a bonafide hit, but never reached high numbers like “NCIS,” “Law & Order” and other network dramas that have spawned spin-off after spin-off.

Star Shemar Moore was outraged by the cancellation of his show, stating in a video he posted on social media that they’ve been “killing it” in its 8 p.m. Friday night slot for the past two years. He also expressed his disappointment, as they were led to believe there would be “some semblance of a season seven to at least say goodbye, if not continue,” but instead, it was announced that this season would be its last.

Moore remains hopeful that the network will have a change of heart, so if you’re a fan, keep your fingers crossed. 

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Science Fiction to Soviet Subterfuge to Time Travel

Writers of the Future Volume 39

By L. Ron Hubbard

Discover the new voices in science fiction and fantasy accompanied by three masters of the genre. These captivating stories are selected by Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Robert J. Sawyer, Kevin J. Anderson, Jody Lynn Nye, and others.

Be amazed. Be amused. Be transported further and deeper into new worlds and ideas than you’ve ever gone before.

From dark fantasy to space opera and time travel, you will love these sci-fi and fantasy stories because, as Locus magazine puts it, “Not only is the writing excellent … it is also extremely varied. Hot new talent.”

The First Counterspy

By Kay Haas and Walter W. Pickut

The pulse-quickening and trau-

matic story of spy, counterspy, and an American family unwittingly caught in its web. Until this case, the FBI had never recruited civilian counterspies to catch a Soviet agent. The first two were Larry Haas, a leading aviation engineer at Bell Aviation, and Leona Franey, head librarian at Bell’s technical library.

The FBI pitted them against a Soviet agent, Andrei Ivanovich Schevchenko, operating legally as one of the highest Soviet officials in the United States during WWII,

and illegally as the secret head of a wide-ranging spy network hidden within the American aviation industry. The book lays out this exciting story and the consequences of Schevchenko’s deadly threat of vengeance against Haas, the counterspy who betrayed him.

Moonlight Beach

ByYurie Kiri

In this award-winning book, what is shattering the idyllic, seaside community of Rancho, California? Grisly death. Bodies washing up on near-

by Moonlight Beach. It’s downright disconcerting to the privileged one percent living in one of SoCal’s ritziest enclaves. Worse, they have no idea who is behind the slaughter.

Is it sharks? Something supernatural? Greedy venture capitalists? Maneaters are known to inhabit the waters off Moonlight Beach, but shark attacks are rare. What about black magic, satanic rituals? A coven of witches lives nearby. Or could it be the venture capitalists, whose latest company harvests human organs for transplant, exploiting the vulnerable to save the wealthy elite?

The violence shows no signs of ending. Two more people are killed on a cliff overlooking the beach – and all their organs are missing. What the heck is going on?

BookBites is presented by BookTrib. com. 

Christina Applegate. Courtesy Netflix

Make Your Pet Feel Like Part of the Family

It’s said that pets can be people’s best friends, but the relationships between people and their four-legged friends often run even deeper. In fact, many consider pets to be an integral part of their families.

From eating and playing together to matching outfits and more, consider these practical ways to make dogs and cats feel like they’re important members of your household so you can become two peas in a pod.

Play Often

Playtime is an easy (and fun) way to bond with pets, whether your furry friends prefer fetch, tug-of-war or any other game that keeps you both active. On top of the emotional benefits, it can help keep them in better physical shape — you might even be able to get a little exercise, too.

Feed Human-Grade Food

Sharing a meal with people is a common way to connect, and that same connection can be made with

pets. Feeding them at the same time you sit down for a meal can create a special bond. Though it’s tempting to feed them off your plate, consider a human grade food option like Freshly Crafted from Full Moon Pet. Created for pet parents who seek homemade quality ingredients free from additives or preservatives, this fresh frozen food includes 100% human-grade ingredients like real USDA chicken breast and blueberries, meaning it looks, smells and tastes just like food you would cook in your own kitchen while providing complete nutritional benefits pets need to thrive. With flavors including Homestead Turkey, Ranch-Raised Beef and FreeRange Chicken, these curated meals promote skin and coat health, support immune health and encourage muscle growth.

Set Up a Special Space

Just like humans, pets need a little quiet time now and then. Creating an area they can retreat to with a bed,

blankets and favorite toys offers a “safe space” where they can be comfortable. Plus, it’s a perfect spot for them to nap when you’re away and the house is empty.

Schedule Regular Wellness Visits

The veterinarian’s office may not be your furry friend’s favorite hangout, but scheduling regular checkups is an important part of owning pets. A balanced, quality diet can reduce trips to the vet to just essential visits — often annually or bi-annually — and help your pets live happy and healthy lives.

Show Affection

Belly rubs, freshly brushed coats and simply spending time together are all effective ways to show pets your affection. Another way to share your love is to reward dogs with their favorite treats like Full Moon Chicken Jerky, which is a high-protein, meaty treat made with few ingredients, including USDA chicken breast, so you can feel good about providing your

pets with a treat that tastes good and is good for them.

To find more ways to bond with your pets, visit FullMoonPet.com. (Family Features) 

(661) 286-2600

Mountain View Tire 23440 Lyons Ave.

(877) 872-0132

Napa Auto Parts 20541 Soledad Canyon Rd. (661) 252-8011

Oil Stop, Inc.

23500 Valencia Blvd. (661) 288-2500

O’Reilly Auto Parts 26850 Sierra Hwy. (661) 299-9270

O’Reilly Auto Parts 23323 Lyons Ave. (661) 222-7367

Parkway Cadillac Buick GMC 24055 Creekside Rd. (661) 253-4441

Parkway Hyundai 24050 Creekside Rd. (661) 731-4524

Pep Boys

20600 Golden Triangle Rd. (661) 251-8004

R & S Automotive 24773 Valley St. (661) 254-4589

Valencia Auto Care Center 24233 Creekside Rd. (661) 255-3448

GreenSantaClarita.com

SOLUTIONS

A Trio on the Tennessee Three

We have the latest from the trinity of Lois Eisenberg, Thomas Oatway and Jonathan Kraut about the “Tennessee three.”

You would think from reading these contributors that the Tennessee Three were poor helpless victims of racism by the Tennessee House of Representatives, who expelled two of them because they were Black. They conveniently ignore the actions of these three in interfering with House proceedings, using a bullhorn and joining with an unruly crowd of protesters who were staging a riot to pressure the House into passing gun control legislation they desired, rather than the legislation a majority of the representatives favored. Contrary to Mr. Kraut’s assertion, the First Amendment does not protect “heckling,” the “hecklers’ veto,” or non-peaceful protest — it protects the right of peaceful protest.

As we have learned following Jan. 6, it is a crime to interfere with the proceeding of legislative bodies, and hundreds of protesters on that day have been charged with that crime. Those of us on the center right agree those charges were justified by the conduct of some. Our major concern is overcharging and denial of bail. However, these three are insisting that we should applaud such conduct, where rioters and the three members did exactly that. The two members who were expelled had seized the floor of the House, and, using a bullhorn, had joined with the rioters in closing down the proceedings of the House. They were expelled for engaging in this disruptive conduct. The one member who was not expelled (the motion failed by one vote) defended herself on the basis that she had not engaged in disruptive conduct, but simply stood on the floor silently protesting. Having thus avoided expulsion, she had the audacity to suggest that the expulsion of the other two, but not her, was the result of racism.

Stephen Maseda Santa Clarita

A Trio of Thanks

Neil Fitzgerald: Thank you for your perfectly expressed opinion column on May 13. I just don’t understand how anyone could read your column and not care that our government is giving our country away.

Diane Zimmerman: Thank you for reminding all Santa Claritans the changes we are having to make in our voting for City Council is all based on racial gerrymandering (letters, May 12).

Maria Gutzeit: Thank you for reminding all of us on May 13 of the importance women play in doing most of the household chores as well as working a full-time job, of moms paying bills with their name on the bill but addressed to the male of the house. Point taken. The evolving role of moms.

I want to thank all of you for your beautifully worded, easily understood articles. And more importantly, to let each of you know that there are those of us out there reading your writings.

Ronald Perry Santa Clarita

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Truth Must Lead

By David Hegg

Well, it has begun!

Once again, the race for the White House is on, and we’re about to be deluged with schlock. That is, the incessant flood of sound bites, exaggerated accomplishments, grandiose promises, and even some good ol’ fashioned lyin’ and name-callin’. And at the core of the debates, advertisements, endorsements and the overall propaganda that is the stock and trade of political operatives and consultants will be an emphasis on this thing we call leadership.

The national political game seems to cycle through the same set of plays as the two political camps go on both offense and defense in their attempt to paint their opponents as simpletons, whose ideas are absurd and whose victory would surely bring our nation to utter ruin.

But, as the political faucets continue their constant dripping – to mix my metaphors! –there will be one constant declaration: America needs strong, decisive and wise leadership now more than ever! Apparently, leadership is what we need, and just as apparently, neither side believes the other can provide it. But my concern is that we may not actually know what it is, and where it is needed most.

Here’s my 2 cents: Leadership is influence. Leadership is influence that inspires, and motivates others to do what is right, what is best, and what will actually work toward the common good. There are many other details to leadership, but without this one you don’t have it. Primarily leadership is about bringing people together, maximizing their knowledge, and mobilizing their talents and abilities in order to move some mountains and change the world.

But therein lies the problem. What do we want to change? And how do we want to change it? Right now our society is in the middle of the greatest swerve away from objective truth and reality that human history has ever known. The new “truth” that “all truth is subjective and flexible” is, in itself, self-refuting. On its own face, the previous sentence must itself be rejected since its proposition, if true, can’t be true. Argh!

Because we have front-row seats on the dissolution of truth, we must go further than

ask for leadership. We must require leaders who are not afraid to believe in, hold to, practice, and champion the most basic element in the reality of meaning, and that is the correspondence theory of truth. That is, something is true to the degree that it aligns with reality.

For example. If 2 + 3 = 5, then it is a true statement. If I tell you 2 + 3 = 9, it is false because it does not correspond to reality. This theory of what makes truth true isn’t a philosophical mind game. It is childishly simple. It is the foundation upon which the structure of natural law and good old common sense are built, and a necessity for any society to long endure.

So, while I agree that everything stands or falls on leadership, and that our society is experiencing a severe drought in great leadership, I want to suggest that the leadership we need starts with the strength of personal integrity that isn’t afraid to say the emperor has no clothes. We need men and women who are not afraid to take on the extremely angry, loud and overly confident minority that are taking truth off the table so that they can dress their absurdity in the costumes of progress. It is not progress to assassinate logic, natural law and objective truth for the purpose of personal gain or perversion.

And not only will redefining truth not stand the test of time, those who are championing the new “truth” are not mobilizing society to work together for the common good. Rather, the dismantling of objective truth is dividing our nation on levels not seen since the Civil War. Folks are actually talking about a national divorce. What?

My hope is that our nation will rise up and say truth exists, and it must prevail. Let’s first make sure our homes are laboratories of truth, and our lives are not duped by the false statements of those attempting to “de-truth” ourselves and our kids. And then, let’s find, support, and elect men and women who love the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth … so help us God!

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