Sunday Signal Nov. 27, 2022

As the drought continues, one of the most meaningful gifts we can share this season is reducing our water use at home.

IN THE KITCHEN

Wash Full Loads in Dishwasher Instead of handwashing dishes, load up your dishwasher and wash full loads to maximize water savings. Ditch prewashing your dishes and scrape your plate before placing items in the dishwasher.

Recycle Water Used for Food Prep Save water used from steaming and boiling holiday food favorites and use to water trees and gardens outdoors.

AROUND THE HOUSE Run Full Laundry Loads Save water, time and energy washing full loads of your favorite holiday sweaters and cozy blankets. Take 5-minute Showers and Turn Off Water When Brushing Teeth Being a “water scrooge” is a good move when it comes to taking 5-minute showers and switching off water when you brush your teeth. OUTDOORS

Nine Tips to Save on HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Between navigating stores, searching for items at the top of wish lists and prepar ing for inevitable delays and last-minute requests, shopping for the holidays can make the most wonderful time of the year one of the most stressful times as well.

Even though the holidays seem to creep up faster and faster every year, and inflation adds an addi tional worry, there is still hope for your budget this season. To help reduce stress and avoid overspend ing on gifts, consider these money-saving tips from Regina Conway, consumer expert for Slickdeals, a one-of-a-kind online community of shoppers working together to shop smarter and save more.

Avoid Procrastinating

Due to shifting shopping habits, there may be excess inventory in certain categories such as home goods. While it’s possible categories with extra in ventory may see deep discounts later in the holi day season, don’t expect every item you want to be available at the last minute.

Keep Possible Hidden Costs in Mind

When setting budgets, many people stop at the number they think they’ll spend on gifts alone.

Make sure to factor in additional costs such as child or pet care services, shipping fees and travel costs so there are no surprises.

Tap into Technology

Whether shopping for toys and technology or travel and home goods, starting your search by vis iting a site like Slickdeals can help you find the best deals this holiday season. Deals from top retail ers are vetted and voted on by a community of 12 million shoppers working together to save to help ensure you’re getting the best products at the best prices. You can also set Deal Alerts to be notified when a deal matching your criteria gets posted.

Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store

Where available — including at many big box retailers — shopping online then picking up your purchases in-store (or curbside for even more con venience) can help you avoid paying shipping fees and confirm your items will arrive on time. Some retailers even offer exclusive discounts for curbside or in-store pickup.

Membership Programs

If you haven’t been a member before, many re

tailers that offer memberships allow for free trials to test the perks, which often include free shipping. However, remember to cancel the trial before it au to-subscribes you for a full year. If you’ve previous ly done a trial, consider buying just a one-month membership to take advantage of the benefits during the holiday shopping season.

Abandon Your Shopping Cart

When shopping online, add items you’re interest ed in to your cart, go through the check out process to the point where the retailer has your email ad dress then simply close the browser or tab. Often, if you have not shopped from the site previously, the retailer will send you a discount code or coupon to incentivize your purchase decision.

Stock Up on Discounted Gift Cards

Taking advantage of discounted gift card sites is a simple way to save some cash on holiday purchas es. Not only can you give a gift card you bought at a discount as a gift, you can also use it to shop. Just be sure not to overbuy or you may end up wasting unused cards.

Price Match or Adjustment

If you bought something and find a lower price within a week of that purchase, ask the retailer for a price adjustment. While this typically won’t work with special promotions, many stores, both online and brick and mortar, will price match during the holiday season.

If you’re shopping in-store, take your smartphone with you and ask for the retailer to match online pricing, which can sometimes be a better deal. Ask ing for this match can save you time and money on shipping fees you might incur ordering online.

Check Return Policies

Many retailers offer extended return windows during the holiday shopping season. Make sure you look at the details of retailers’ policies to ensure you understand how much time you have to make re turns and don’t have to pay return shipping or oth er unexpected costs.

Find more tips to get the best deals on holiday gifts at Slickdeals.net. (Family Features)

Considering a Meal Delivery Service?

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

Are you tired of your fruits and vegeta bles going bad before you get around to using them? Or maybe you’re tired of facing grocery shopping and/or meal preparation at the end of an already-grueling day. Maybe you really want to eat “fresh” and low-cal/ low-carb/low-fat, but don’t have the will and skills to get off the Hamburger Helper.

There comes a point where time/effort equals money, and we don’t mind spending a little more if it makes things more convenient. Not fast food, not restaurant delivery, here we consider meal deliv ery services, where you can order delicious, healthy meals shipped regularly to your home — and where you pay for the privilege.

Now, we’re not talking about the Meals on Wheels senior assistance program. No, we’re talking about meal delivery services for those of any age who could make use of any of the meal op tions available out there, but are most interested in those that are “healthy,” and yet require minimum effort.

For the purposes of this article, we will only con sider meals that are delivered premade. You just heat them up. Kit meals, where all the good stuff is provided, but you still have to cook it, are great and fun, but also for those a little less tired than we.

If you search online for the “best” prepared meal delivery services, you will get varied results, prob ably heavily influenced by the services’ advertis ing. So, don’t take anything at complete face value. Compare the comparisons.

With that said, a very informative comparison can be found at bit.ly/3UeC0ZS. It puts Factor at the top (9.9 score) and on down to Purple Carrot (8.4 score). So, all those rated come in near the top. But their primary comparison criteria might not be yours. In general, you might consider the follow ing:

Real Cost

The estimated average per person, per meal cost of a prepared meal delivery service is around $7 (and it’s easy to go much higher). So, will a meal service actually save you money?

Depending on the type of food you purchase at the grocery store, what you spend there can vary tremendously. Therefore, real cost comparisons are hard to make. But you will definitely waste less food with a meal service than when you shop and cook (and forget to use). And you will save on fuel by making fewer trips to the grocery store. Be yond that, if you dine out regularly, replacing those meals with a service will definitely save you money.

Some meal prep companies laud their chefs who carefully prepare the meals with all the necessary garnishes.

Menu

The meal service you select will certainly depend on your diet. Do you need vegan or vegetarian options? Do you have other special diet consider ations? These things might limit both your service choices and the menu choices within a service. You might also consider the portion sizes available. They won’t be overlarge, but that’s to the point, right?

Ease of Use

The “time is money” adage only applies if your meal service does, indeed, save you time and ef fort over shopping and cooking. From signing up for a meal service, to operating its app, to selecting meals, to the ease and dependability of delivery, to billing and customer service, the devil is in the details. And, some of those details you won’t expe rience until you are already using the service. How ever, you can always cancel the service and pick up another — some dollars and frustrations later.

To that end, check out their cancellation policy before signing up. It’s best to go into a plan with an open mind and a thick skin. The most import ant things are that the meals show up on time, taste great, and aren’t too expensive.

There may be other little peccadillos. For exam ple, there may be a constant on-screen bombard ment of proposed deals, discounts and remind ers, plus come-ons to order more and more varied items. Everything is designed to keep you ordering and to increase your order. But you didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, and can deal with that.

Environmental Issues

And, finally, there are environmental consider ations with a food delivery service. In addition to imagining the fuel used by the delivery truck, you might be a bit taken aback by the amount of pack aging involved. And who knows how much food was wasted in your meal’s production?

So, compared to shop and cook, how big and/ or wasteful is the carbon foot print of your deliv ery? You will see extensive re-quoting of the fol lowing: “Results indicate that, on average, grocery meal greenhouse gas emissions are 33% higher than meal kits.” The study where this originates can be found at bit.ly/3NOPYzs. But you should know that this study compared meal kits to shop and cook, and not prepared meal delivery. The re sults with prepared meals might be similar, or they might not.

There’s a lot to consider.

Giving in Santa Clarita

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

It’s the time of year to count our blessings. For many it’s also the time of year where many people seek to give back to the community and others.

The Santa Clarita Valley has a wealth of giving opportunities available to enrich ourselves by do nating time, money or resources to others.

There are dozens of worthy nonprofits in the SCV. For a list of other nonprofits that can use your help this holiday season visit scvnonprofitleaders. com/scv-nonprofit-directory.

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation

www.henrymayo.com/support-henry-mayo

Established in 1984, the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation is a not-for-profit, philan thropic organization that strives to increase com munity awareness and raise vital funds for Hospital initiatives, such as expanding services and acquir ing new technology to bolster the level of care al ready available at the hospital.

Gift of Life Ornaments Benefit Patient Care www.henrymayo.com/support-henry-mayo/ about-the-foundation.

This holiday season, give the Gift of Life. Honor or remember a loved one through the Foundation’s Gift of Life program. Sponsorship levels range from $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 and $1,000. With a minimum donation of $25, you will receive a commemorative ornament and your gift will be recognized with an inscription on a special display in hospital’s main lobby and on the Founda tion’s website throughout the month of December.

All memorial donors are also invited to attend a “Light up a Life” Ceremony. This beautiful and moving testimony to the memorial donations made in the past year will offer participants a chance to illuminate a flameless candle when the name of their memorialized loved one is read aloud. Infor mation on this event will be sent with your com memorative ornament once your memorial gift has been made.

Your commemorative holiday ornament will be mailed to you along with a special appreciation card. All donations benefit patient care services at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer Mhf.org

The Michael Hoefflin Foundation is a non-profit organization that assists Santa Clarita Valley fami lies who have children diagnosed with cancer.

Southland Regional Association of Realtors, Inc. Sponsor a Child 2022 giving campaign will allow children the chance to give their parents a gift of a grocery gift card with a handmade card. PHOTO COURTESY NICOLE STINSON.

Holiday Season 2022 Baskets

Info Donations can be delivered to the MHF of fice, 26027 Huntington Lane Unit F, Santa Clari ta 91355. Hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Deadline for donations is Monday, Dec. 5. Call Lety Garcia (661) 250-4100 or email letyg@ mhf.org.

It’s that time of year again and the Michael Hoef flin Foundation is getting ready to celebrate. Since COVID-19 we have all had a few difficult years, es pecially our MHF families.

The MHF is hoping to bring some much-needed joy into their lives this season.

The 2022 Holiday Basket Program provides hope, help and healing to young cancer patients and their families.

This year the MHF is hoping to distribute nearly 225 baskets that include toys, treats and $25 grocery gift cards. Each family will get two grocery gift cards. Suggestions for items needed:

• Oreo cookies, 14-16 oz. package, any variety.

• Hot chocolate mix, 6 or 10 pack boxes.

• Pretzels, 12-16 oz. bag.

• Fiddle Faddle or Crunch ‘n Munch popcorn, 6 oz. box, any variety.

• Hershey’s Chocolate Nuggets, any variety.

• Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers, 6 or 7 oz. packages, any variety.

• Nestle’s Raisinets, 3.5 oz. box.

• Fruit snacks, snack size packs.

• Peanut butter or cheese snack crackers 1 ½ or 2 oz. packages.

• $25 grocery gift cards.

• New, unwrapped toys, infants to teens.

Child & Family Center

www.childfamilycenter.org

The Child & Family Center provides mental health services, comprehensive prevention, early intervention, diagnostic evaluation and behavioral therapeutic services, outpatient drug and alcohol treatment and domestic violence services for chil dren, adolescents and adults in the Santa Clarita, Antelope and San Fernando Valleys.

Adopt-a-Family

Info email cheryl.jones@childfamilycenter.org.

Many families served by the Child & Fami ly Center are experiencing unique challenges that keep them from providing for their families for the holidays. You can help alleviate some of that stress by helping fill a need.

This year, the Child & Family Center staff has provided a variety of ways you can help give back this holiday season and make a difference in the lives of our families.

Child & Family Center has more than 200 fami lies in need of holiday gifts for their children!

You can help spread holiday cheer by adopting one of these families and helping them provide gifts for each member of their household.

We have the perfect family fit for every gracious donor.

Southland Regional Association of Realtors, Inc.

www.srar.com

The SRAR Charitable Foundation is a 501C3 nonprofit and your gifts are tax deductible.

Sponsor a Child 2022

Info www.srar.com/sponsorachild2022.. Dead line for donations is Dec. 1.

A school in the Santa Clarita Valley will benefit from the Southland Regional Association of Real tors, Inc. Sponsor a Child 2022 giving campaign.

SCV Realtor Nicole Stinson said the $25 dona tion per child will be used to purchase three to four toys per child and a Christmas party at their school on Dec. 15.

“We bring Santa to the school, they get a bag of arts and crafts at their table to decorate a paper or nament for their classroom tree,” said Stinson. “In addition, they get to make a homemade card made out to their parents and we give them a gift card to the grocery store.”

Stinson said it gives the children an opportunity to give a gift to their parents for the holiday season.

“We have been doing this for years and it is amazing how much the kids appreciate this par ty and the gifts,” she said. “For some children this might be the only Christmas they have.”

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

One moment you’re basking in the sun, frolicking at pool parties and gasping at the cost of your summer air con ditioning bill, the next, WHAM!, you are surrounded by decorated Christmas trees and holiday ham at Costco.

How did that happen?

This year embrace the onrushing crush of holi day cheer and explore some of the towns in Cali fornia that spare no expense when it comes to hol iday spirit.

Solvang

Nov. 26 to Jan. 6

Info www.solvangusa.com

Solvang is a two-hour drive along Highway 126 north to U.S. 101.

Julefest is a month-long holiday celebration in the village of Solvang. This holiday celebration harkens back to a simpler time and holiday mem ories of days gone by. Visiting the quaint village of Solvang during Julefest is a walk through a vintage postcard and a Hallmark movie at the same time.

Old world towns like Solvang are often the best places to celebrate the holidays. Solvang offers au thentic Danish-style buildings and beautiful wind mills decked out for the holidays.

Thousands of lights illuminate the Dutch village and hundreds of small Christmas trees are deco rated outside of local businesses. Some of the best spots to see the lights are Copenhagen Drive, Alisal Road and Solvang Park.

Among the “must see” events in Solvang during the Christmas season:

Daily Light and Music Show

5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the hour, every hour for 10 min utes. Solvang Park, 1630 Mission Drive, Solvang.

Nisse Adventure Scavenger Hunt

The Nisse Adventure is a scavenger hunt through downtown Solvang in search of a Danish gnome named Nisse. Organizers have hidden Nisse in city landmarks and storefronts all throughout Solvang.

Pick up your clues at the Solvang Visitor Cen ter (1637-1639 Copenhagen Drive) for your Nisse adventure. Find all the dolls and return back to the Visitor Center for a prize.

Candlelight Tours

Take part in an evening candlelight walking tour

in California

led by a local guide in Danish folk dress. Every par ticipant will receive an LED candle to hold while strolling through the streets of downtown Solvang. Learn fun facts, and experience the sights, sounds, and even some tastes of Christmas in this quaint Danish Village. All tours 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 2 — 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy an evening in Solvang Park with live music and entertainment and of course, lighting the Sol vang Christmas Tree. Free to attend.

Julefest Parade Dec. 3 — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Hyggeling” A Cozy Christ mas. Enjoy floats, local performers, marching bands and even a possible Santa sighting.

Food, Santa, More Events

Make sure to attend the annual Christmas Tree Burn in January to wrap up the holiday season. Don’t miss the Solvang Bakery’s gingerbread hous es and it’s offering of holiday baked goods.

Many other events and activities including photo ops with Santa can be found during the season in Solvang.

Nevada City

Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Info www.nevadacitychamber.com

Nevada City is located 60 miles northeast of Sac ramento. It is 409 miles from Santa Clarita and a six and half hour drive along CA-99 N.

Nevada City is a magical setting of hilly streets with authentic gas lamps, wandering carolers dressed in Victorian attire and visitors sharing holi day cheer and good tidings.

The aroma of roasted chestnuts fills the air along with cries of street vendors, it truly is a Victorian Christmas.

If you have ever wanted to explore a town straight out of a Charles Dickens novel, welcome to Nevada City. Narrow streets are lit by glowing gas lamps with authentically dressed Christmas carol ers and bagpipers. Highlights include:

Artisan Vendors & Boutique Shops

Walk through the Victorian streets while brows ing the 100+ artisan vendors or pop into one of the many boutique shops.

Free Hot Roasted Chestnuts

Step back in time and experience the sweet flavor and aromas of chestnuts roasted on an open fire. Stop by the fire pit located in the Food Court to watch the whole process and try a free chestnut.

Big Bear Lake

Nov. 29-Jan. 1 Info www.bigbear.com/events/annual/christmas

Less than three hours from Santa Clarita follow I-210 E and CA-210 to CA-330 N/City Creek Road in San Bernardino. Take exit 81 from CA-210 and follow CA-330 N and CA-18 to Pine Knot Avenue in Big Bear Lake.

Ranked #9 in the Top 10 Christmassy Towns in the United States by TravelPulse.com, Big Bear Lake is home to a famous City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and welcomes 52.7 inches of snowfall each winter. It also offers its own Christ mas market for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Snow Tubing

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain and Big Bear Snow Play are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nighttime Glow Tubing will begin at both locations Nov. 29.

Visit Santa & Mrs. Claus

Say hello to Santa & Mrs. Claus every weekend in The Village at Christmas Tree Corner. Christ mas Tree Corner is located at the corner of Village Drive and Pine Knot Avenue.

Christinkindlmarkt

Dec. 17-18. Head to Christkindlmarkt and cele brate the holidays with some long-standing Ger man traditions. Located at the Big Bear Convention Center, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. Think Oktoberfest but for the holidays.

Big Bear Lake Tree Lighting

Santa’s Grand Entrance and Tree Lighting Nov. 25, 5 - 8 p.m. Village Drive and Pine Knot Avenue. New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade

7 p.m.-Midnight. Snow Summit will host the 58th annual Torchlight Parade on Dec. 31. Admis sion to the parade viewing area is free. Live DJ and music. Watch 200-plus skiers and snowboarders light up the night as they make their way down the face of the mountain in the dark with torches to create a spellbinding spectacle of light before the (snow)ball drops to ring in the New Year.

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

mation to residents and plan response and operations for potential future disasters.

— Henry Ford

On any given day, the City of Santa Clarita has more than 450 dedicated full-time staff members and an other 430 part-time staff members who provide a variety of in tegral services, ranging from pothole repairs and swimming lessons — to graffiti removal and traffic control.

Here at the City, we are commit ted to providing excellent customer service and maintaining relationships with you — our residents. When it comes to discovering and cultivating the City workforce, that job falls to the dedicated staff in Human Resources.

This team is committed to develop ing and maintaining a highly-skilled and diverse workforce, as well as preparing employees for emergency situations and managing risks to the organization.

The City’s Human Resources divi sion has consistently created a high standard for our employees over the past 35 years of Cityhood. This in cludes not only professional devel opment for our employees, but also their health and wellness, both physi cally and mentally.

When we hire staff, we invest in them by providing development ses sions, health programs and wellness activities — each actively targeting our staff’s future success and their current mindset.

This division also works closely with our local emergency and utili ty organizations like the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los An geles County Sheriff’s Department and Southern California Edison, to provide staff and residents important information regarding the safety of our community members and their property.

By coordinating with other agen cies, we work to establish priorities in emergency situations, prepare and disseminate emergent public infor

Like we do with emergency sit uations, our City is always looking into the future to plan and prepare, which also includes our workforce.

We are proud to offer an award-win ning professional development pro gram to our employees including a formal College Internship Program. This is the first and only one of its kind when comparing Santa Clarita amongst other benchmark cities.

We worked in partnership with lo cal and state-wide professional and academic associations and designed a program with a mission to provide high-caliber undergraduate and grad uate students with meaningful workbased learning opportunities that expand their understanding of public service, integrate and diversify the organization and support succession planning efforts.

We collaborate with the California Internship and Work Experience As sociation, the Santa Clarita Economic Development Corporation and local universities and community colleges to target students who are currently getting their degree and want the op portunity to learn real-world skills in their prospective fields.

I am proud to see how adaptive and successful our City continues to be in a world that constantly changes and challenges us. By having a workforce that engages with our community, you can always find someone to help you on a new project or even apply for a job — right here at the City of Santa Clarita.

If you are interested in working for the City and providing excellent customer service to our communi ty, I encourage you to browse our job openings and apply today. To view any of our current opportunities, please visit santa-clarita.com/jobs.

Be sure to follow the City on all of our social media platforms to get a behind-the-scenes look at the work City staff does every day, on behalf of you — our residents!

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

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

Quick and Easy Meals

ork, school, extracurricular activities, social events and more can make the winter months feel frantic and it can often seem like you’re run ning out of time. This seasonal time crunch makes it even more difficult to answer the age-old, mealtime question kids are always asking:

To help solve that daily meal dilemma and discover family-pleasing recipes that take 35 minutes or less, the RAGÚ Meal Wheel lets the entire family take an active role in choosing what’s on the menu. Simply ask one of your kids to click the “spin” button to find delicious, quick-and-easy recipes like

To find more quick and mouthwatering recipes to feed your family during the chilly winter months, visit RAGU.com/meal-wheel. (Family Features)

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo with Fettuccine

20 minutes 15 minutes

tablespoon butter

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips jar RAGÚ Classic Alfredo Sauce package (12 ounces) frozen broccoli florets, thawed package (12 ounces) fettuccine pasta grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)

In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Cook chick en, in batches if necessary, stirring occasionally, until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.

In same skillet, add sauce and broccoli; stir. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until broc coli is heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken and cook, stirring occa sionally, until cooked through, about 2 minutes.

In separate pan, cook fettuccine according to package instructions.

Serve chicken, broccoli and sauce over hot fettuccine and sprinkle grated Par mesan cheese on top, if desired. 

35minutes or less

Mini Turkey Sloppy Joes

Recipe courtesy of “Honey and Birch” on behalf of RAGÚ

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook time 20 minutes

Servings 4

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup diced onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground turkey

1 cup finely diced carrots

1 medium green pepper, diced

1 medium red pepper, diced

1 jar RAGÚ Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon ground mustard

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

4 mini buns

In large skillet over medium heat, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When hot, add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is translucent.

Add ground turkey. Break up meat and stir frequently until browned. Add carrots, green pepper and red pepper. Cook 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.

Add marinara sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and partially cover pan. Cook 10 minutes.

Serve on mini buns. 

Take A Little Trip To The Canyon — WAR ENTERTAINMENT

Multi-platinum selling WAR, the orig inal street band, has been sharing its timeless music and message of brotherhood and harmony for over four decades before millions across the globe. The long list of hits includes “Low Rider,” “The World Is A Ghetto,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “The Cisco Kid” and many more.

This phenomenal group has been honored twice by its hometown of Los Angeles for making posi tive contributions to the betterment of the commu

nity with its powerful music, and has been honored by President Obama as “All Day Music” was placed on his official playlist of the summer. More recent ly, LA Weekly declared WAR in the Top 1- concerts of 2018.

With 12 Billboard Top 40 hits, seven Top 10 hits, more than 50 million records sold to date, and countless samples and nods by artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Flo-Rida Tupac, SmashMouth, Janet Jackson, Dave Matthews, Korn and countless others, WAR has not only sealed their status as a

household name, but has also proven that their mu sic and message continues to be as relevant as ever today as they always have been.

You can see WAR live at The Canyon Santa Clar ita on January 20th, 2023. Tickets are available online through AXS, over the phone at (888) 6455006, and in person at the Canyon Santa Clarita box office. For more information, visit www.where musicmeetsthesoul.com.

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Tis the Season for Holiday Movies

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

The seasons, they go round and round, as Joni Mitchell tells us, but one thing has remained constant for six decades now:

There’s a good chance a Steven Spielberg film would be listed among the most anticipated movies of any given season in any given year.

If we were doing a Summer 1975 Movie Preview, “Jaws” would be atop the list.

A Spring 1982 Preview? Can’t wait to see “E.T.”!

Any list of the most anticipated Holiday Movies of 1993 would have included “Schindler’s List.”

If we’re talking about the summer of 2002, “Minority Report” would be on the list.

Fall Movies of 2012? Let’s start with “Lincoln.”

‘The Fabelmans’

Here we are on the cusp of the 2022 Holiday Movie season, and the 75-year-old Spielberg remains as prolific as ever. Just a year after Spielberg’s triumphant and spec tacular remake of “West Side Sto ry,” he’s delivering one of his most personal films yet: “The Fabelmans,” a semi-autobiographical tale loose ly based on Spielberg’s childhood. Co-written with the great Tony Kush ner (“Angels in America”), this is the story of one Sammy Fabelman, who grows up in post-World War II Arizo na and discovers the magical powers of film.

“The Fabelmans” kicks off our Hol iday Movie Preview 2022. Here’s the rest of the lineup, in chronological order.

‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’

Coming at a time when we all really need some good old-fashioned and wickedly clever entertainment, Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” was one of the most enjoyable movies of 2019 — and we’re getting two sequels, starting with “Glass Onion,” which is set on a Greek island and features the return of Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc, and a fantastic ensemble in cluding Kathryn Hahn, Edward Nor ton, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monae,

Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., Ethan Hawke and come on, how can this not be entertaining as hell?

‘Strange World’

Disney’s 61st animated film features the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabri elle Union and Lucy Liu and follows the adventures of the Clades, a leg endary family of explorers who must set aside their internal differences and band together (perfect material for Thanksgiving!) as they embark on their most ambitious and dangerous journey ever.

‘White Noise’

Director Noah Baumbach tack les Don DeLillo’s dense and complex and brilliant 1985 postmodern classic about the life and times of a college professor (Baumbach’s “Marriage Sto ry” star Adam Driver) who has been married five times to four women and has a number of children and stepchildren and lives in a town that is literally under a noxious cloud after a chemical spill from a rail car. You know, THAT old story.

Rock at the Oscars and has met with some career bumps, but he’s back as the star of the prestige project “Eman cipation,” in which he plays an enslaved man who is whipped to within an inch of his life, escapes from a Lou isiana plantation and makes his way North to join the Union Army. Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day,” “The Equal izer”) directs, so we can ex pect intense action along with the historical gravitas.

L a e m m l e T h e a t r e s • S a n t a C l a r i t a S i g n a l 3 c o l ( 4 . 7 5 ” ) x 5 . 9 ” A d i n s e r t i o n d a t e : A d c r e a t i o n / d e l i v e r y d a t e :

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ (Dec. 16)

A mere 157 years (or so it seems) after James Cameron shook up the cinematic world with one of the most visually stunning and financially lucrative cinematic adventures of all time in “Avatar” (OK, it actually came out in 2009), the sequel finally arrives, and given Camer on’s track record, it’s sure to be a dazzling, made-for-the-biggest-screen-possi ble experience. 

‘Women Talking’ (Dec. 2)

Sarah Polley directs Frances Mc Dormand, Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley and Ben Whishaw in an adaptation of Miriam Toews’ 2018 novel of the same name, which focuses on a group of eight Menno nite women who meet in secret after dozens of girls in their colony are drugged and raped by men. With the gifted and empathetic Polley direct ing and that amazing cast tackling the tough material, this one promises to be intense, and potentially unforget table.

‘Violent Night’ (Dec. 2)

Ho ho oh no! David Harbour from “Stranger Things” seems to be per fectly cast as Santa Claus -- not the Claus of “Miracle on 34th Street” or even “Bad Santa,” but a Claus who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty in the name of saving a family whose home has been invaded by a group of mercenaries. You better watch out! You better not cry! It appears THIS Nick is no saint.

‘Emancipation’ (Dec. 2)

Will Smith is still dealing with the fallout from his attack on Chris

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

When it comes to up grades and functional design, a rental prop erty is often a space that’s left on the backburner. Wheth er it’s prepping for new tenants or simply giving a space a quick face lift, these projects can sometimes be come overwhelming.

See below for easy installation ideas and simple tips to ensure you have a fully functional bathroom with a beautiful design aesthetic.

Bring Purpose to the Sink

It doesn’t matter if the goal is to up grade a bathroom or if one is start ing from scratch, assuring the sink space is multi-functional is a crucial step! Replacing a faucet could seem daunting, but the Peerless® Precept® Single-Handle Bath Faucet makes this process a breeze.

What’s great about it is it saves both time and money as it comes with a Push Pop-Up Drain Assembly in cluded! Unlike other drain assemblies that require multiple parts (and pur chases), this user-friendly accessory works seamlessly with the faucet itself and comes with all necessary parts to easily install it.

By simply pushing down on its head, a sink can quickly be filled up with water for a variety of uses. One can create an at-home ice water face dip for the ultimate self-care regimen, an emergency stain soak, or even a bath for the little ones.

Complementing Look, Unified Finish

A bathroom can easily feel clut tered when it has too many elements and colors. A simple way to forgo this

overwhelming feeling is by imple menting a uniform finish. Not only will one finish and style lend clarity to a bathroom design, but it will also help deliver that polished and flawless look.

For instance, for a bath space that has a black finish, small adds like a black-rimmed mirror, dark-stained stool, or charcoal vase will pro vide the accents to the overall color scheme. The possibilities are endless!

Add More Functionality

Rental property bathrooms often times deliver the bare minimum by only providing a basic toilet, working faucet and a showerhead. For those looking to level up their rental show er experience without breaking the bank, an easy way in is by installing a multifunctional fixture beyond just a showerhead. The Peerless® Precept® Slide Bar with Hand Shower deliv ers just that. When added onto an existing showerhead, it can operate on its own or also at the same time, creating an instant at-home spa-like experience. Not to mention its pause feature reduces water to a trickle, giv ing space for shaving and lathering — ideal for any guest shower.

When thinking through ways to transform a rental investment prop erty, being efficient, yet thoughtful is the way to go. Extensive restorations are a thing of the past when one can find easy-to-install and functional items that still deliver a beautiful de sign. From unifying the color scheme to implementing new fixtures, even the slightest updates can make the biggest difference. (BPT)

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

Living in the Santa Clari ta Valley it is easy to forget about the seasons.

Growing up in the Pacif ic Northwest I remember the thrill of seeing beautiful dark blue crocus flowers emerge in the early spring from beneath a soft, melting blan ket of snow. The bright yellow of the daffodils in my grandmother’s front yard lit up the landscape like a sunny morning after the gloom of winter. The stately purple iris would bring majesty back to the dull, lifeless gar den of winter.

However, my favorite spring bulbs were always the delicate snow drops and grape hyacinths. Pretty pink hya cinths were also among my favorites.

How to Plant Bulbs

Bulbs can be planted anytime until December in Southern California for showy spring blooms. A few tips for planting your bulbs.

• Plant taller spring-flowering bulbs (like iris and daffodils) behind the early bulbs (like crocus) for color contrast.

• Make sure the soil drains well, because bulbs will rot in soggy ground.

• Before planting, work in organ ic matter such as compost, peat, or shredded leaves to a depth of at least 10 inches.

• Plant bulbs at the correct depth, generally at a depth three times the size of the bulb.

• Some bulbs require soaking in wa ter for a few hours before you plant. Check the instructions on your bulb package or research your bulb variety before planting.

Pitfalls of Bulbs

When buying bulbs choose ones that look solid and fresh, pass on those that look dried out, are mushy or soft and any that look as if they have any fungus growing on the bulb.

Store the bulbs in a cool, well-ven tilated area until you’re ready to plant.

Mail order bulbs offer great selec tions, but check to make sure it is rep utable company with good reviews.

Know what you are planting, is it

suitable for the climate?

Rats, squirrels, gophers and voles will gobble up bulbs if they have the chance. There isn’t much to be done about it except lay down wire netting under a layer of soil over your newly planted bulbs or plant your bulbs in wire cages, which I found very time consuming.

Which Bulbs to Plant

I was often told that crocus doesn’t do well in the SCV because the win ters are usually too warm. However, living at the edge of Canyon Country and at an elevation of about 1,400 feet I found I could successful grow my be loved crocus. I had to plant new bulbs every year, with the occasional hardy survivor returning for an encore.

Best bulbs for the SCV include daf fodils, tulips, scilla, oxalis, peonies, anemone and freesia.

If you are unfamiliar with scilla, it is a family of low-growing plants that offer mostly tiny, blue, bell-shaped flowers in the spring.

Oxalis is an interesting looking plant, a sorrel, one variety offers bur gundy shamrock shaped leaves and tiny white flowers, another variety sports candy-cane colors. The ad vantage of oxalis is that it thrives in Southern California.

French peonies are among my fa vorite flowers because of the riot of color they offer when they bloom. Red, pink, white, yellow and orange on strong, tall, 12-15-inch stems. They flower in June or July, a bit later than most spring blooms.

Freesias are one of the world’s most popular cut flowers because of their long vase life and sweet scent. Each of the graceful 12-15-inch stems will bear about 10 trumpet-shaped blossoms..

Fertilizer and Water

Enrich the soil where the bulbs are planted with compost, bone meal and granite dust or wood ashes. Also add nitrogen. Nitrogen can be easily washed from the soil by winter rains and bulbs need a small but continuous supply all winter for strong growth of the foliage and the bloomstalk.

Water after you plant bulbs to close up any lingering air pockets under ground, but don’t water too much un til the plants emerge in the spring to avoid bulb rot.

MEDICAL PROFILES

Three Tips for Seeking Health Care

As intently as ever, Ameri cans may choose to weigh their options, read online reviews and shop around to ensure they are choosing the best product or service at the best price. Health care should not be any dif ferent. People want options for their health care, receiving personalized care at a reasonable price and at a location that is convenient and com fortable.

Shop Around

When people are not in an emer gency situation, it is beneficial to shop around for the best price for health care services. Americans have a right to price transparency in health care, meaning they know the cost of services before receiving them.

Hospitals operating in the United States are required to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide, so do not be afraid to ask for pricing information upfront.

According to a survey from LUG PA, the largest urology trade asso ciation in the United States, nearly one-third of older Americans worry they won’t get the care they need at a location they choose for a price they can afford.

Their concern comes as no sur prise since hospitals are usually more expensive than independent practices. Hospitals are increasingly combining into large hospital sys tems, which creates fewer choices where patients in a community can seek health care. This decrease in competition can often drive up the cost of care.

Independent Practices

An independent medical practice is owned by health care providers who enjoy a greater level of control than physicians working for large health care systems.

Physician-owned practices allow patients more choices for where they seek care, including specialty care. Independent practices are worth con

sidering when shopping for care be cause these practices typically have a lower average cost per patient.

“Independent physicians work for patients,” said Jonathan Henderson, MD, president of LUGPA.

“We often have patients we’ve known for decades, which establish es a relationship of trust. We discuss health decisions with patients based on what is in their best interests. We have no obligations to a hospital sys tem. When needed, we can freely re fer patients to other physicians who we expect to take the best care of our patients based on their individual needs.”

According to the survey, 65% of Americans trust independent physi cians and associate them with more individualized and patient-focused care compared to physicians em ployed by hospitals.

Physician-owned practices also provide a greater level of personaliza tion and responsiveness, have fewer preventable hospital admissions and have lower readmission rates than larger, hospital-owned practices.

Telehealth Options

Patients should ensure they receive the highest quality care possible and at the location of their choice. Tele health or telemedicine is typically done online through a computer or cell phone, allowing patients to re

ceive care from a health care provid er without an in-person office visit. Telehealth options can help increase

access to care by enabling patients to choose where they receive it.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many physicians began to expand ac cess to care using telehealth. Congress made this increased use of telehealth possible and now has the opportu nity to make permanent telehealth reforms, so every health care provid er in America is permitted to deliver safe, high-quality care using tele health technology.

Americans can let their elected rep resentatives know they back policies that give them the tools they need to choose the best health care for them.

To learn more about policies that in crease options and price transparency for health care, visit lugpa.org/Better CareNow.. (Family Features) 

Ginny Veloz, Au.D. has been a Doctor of Audiology for 22 years. She has been serving the Santa Clarita Valley as a hearing doctor for 17 years. After spend ing 15 years with another provider, Dr. Veloz opened the Santa Clarita Hearing Center to bring the most advanced equipment and hearing solutions to her patients.

Her specialties include: • Hearing Aid Evaluations • Hearing Aid Fitting and Adjusting – we work with several of the top hearing aids manufacturers to offer you choices for your hearing needs • Cochlear Implants • Diagnostic Testing • Ear wax removal • Tinnitus • Ear Protection • Swim Plugs/Sleep Plugs

Hearing loss is a complicated condition and treatments can vary. Sometimes a referral to an Ear, Nose, Throat physician for surgery or medication is the best solution. Sometimes hearing aids are the right choice. And sometimes all you need is a good ear cleaning.

If you are concerned about hearing loss or know someone who is, call Dr. Veloz, Santa Clarita’s hearing doctor.

Santa Clarita Hearing Center • 23861 McBean Pkwy D14 • Valencia 91355 santaclaritahearingcenter.com 661-388-4135

PHOTO CREDIT GETTY IMAGES

PROFILES

Flu Shots Save Lives and Offer Proven Protection

It’s that time of the year again when all who are eligible should get their flu shot to better protect themselves against influenza. This year’s flu season is already hitting hard across the US. In addition, children’s hospitals are feel ing the pressure from respiratory illnesses and people should continue to get their COVID-19 vaccination or booster to maintain protection against that virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans and individuals over 65 years of age experience dispro portionately higher rates of chronic health condi tions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart diseas es, which are all conditions that place both groups at higher risk for severe influenza complications. Unfortunately, many people choose not to get their annual influenza vaccine because of myths they be lieve about the disease or the vaccine.

“It has been recognized for years that in addition to African Americans, people 65 years and older are at high risk of developing serious complications from the flu compared with young, healthy adults,” said Elizabeth Hudson, DO, regional chief of In fectious Disease with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “The flu vaccine gives our most vul nerable populations a better immune response to

vaccination, and therefore, better protection. Addi tionally, we also offer a high-dose vaccine specif ically for those age 65 and older. These shots can offer greater protection to older people, who, due to immune system changes that happen with age, do not have as strong a response to regular flu vac cination as younger, healthy people.”

To provide more convenient access to the influ enza (flu) vaccine, Kaiser Permanente Panorama

City Medical Center has drive-up and walk-in flu clinics which have high dose flu shots available for members. The schedule for the area flu clin ics, including medical offices in North Hollywood, Mission Hills, Santa Clarita and Panorama City is available here.

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprof it health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanen te has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We cur rently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-ofthe-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more informa tion, go to about.kp.org.

For a healthier you

We know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge. Regal Medical Group and Lakeside Community Healthcare bring you comprehensive care close to home, to help make seeing your doctor a little easier. We have been serving the community for 30 years providing a vast network of quality doctors, specialists, hospitals, and urgent care centers throughout SoCal.

Dr. Parvinchi is in your area and accepting new patients. With resources that go beyond the doctor’s office, we help you live a well-balanced life through every stage of your healthcare journey.

PROFILES

COVID and Anxiety

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Pre vention indicates that rates of anxiety and de pression rose dramatically after the onset of COVID-19.

According to the CDC, the range of average monthly percentages of adults in the United States reporting symptoms of anxiety between Janu ary and December of 2019 was 7.4% to 8.6%.

Between April 2020, or roughly three weeks after the World Health Organization declared a global COVID-19 pandemic, and August 2021, the average submonthly per centages of U.S. residents reporting symptoms of anxiety was between 28.2% and 37.2%.

That means the rate of anxiety rose by about four times between April 2020 and August 2021. A similar spike was prevalent among U.S. adults reporting symptoms of depression during that same period. Though percentages were between 5.9 and

7.5% between January and December 2019, they rose to between 20.2 and 31.1% between April 2020 and Au gust 2021.

These figures are important to keep in mind as the world tries to move on from the pandemic. Despite indi viduals’ best efforts, rates of anxiety and depression could remain signifi cantly higher than they were in 2019, underscoring the need for accessi ble education about each disorder. (MC) 

Amir Parvinchi, M.D. Internal Medicine

Cary Quashen was addicted to alcohol and drugs. When Cary uses drugs and alcohol, he loses control of himself and be comes addicted. He knew that he needed to change his ways and stop using to be happy and to be successful in this world. Cary’s sobriety date is December 25 1980. Cary’s life went from bad to great. Cary Quashen founded Action Family Counsel ing in 1997.

From that day forward, Cary has put together 40 years of continuous sobriety. Cary began his work in the drug & alcohol treatment business when he was in his twenties, and is going stronger than ever today. Cary found his passion of helping people like him.

Action

Has Been

Treating People With Drug & Alcohol Abuse For Over 20 Years

If you are reading this now, you have come to the right place. We can help.

For anybody that understands the horror of drug addiction or the seeming darkness of mental health challenges, we encourage you to seek help. You do not have to do it alone. We, at Action Family Counseling, AKA the Action drug rehab centers, have decades of experience helping people from all walks of life who suffer from addiction or co-occurring mental health challenges. Please continue reading and make the phone call. Our Admissions Team is available to help people get into treatment fast 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

We have been providing client centered, individualized, and compassionate care and treatment for adults, adolescents, and families in Santa Clarita, Ventura, Simi Valley, and Bakersfield for over 20 years. Contracted with nearly every major insurance company and able to utilize your HMO or PPO plan, there is a solution for nearly every person or family in need of help for addiction or dual-diagnosis challenges.

We recognize that seeking help for addiction to drugs and alcohol is difficult for many reasons. We understand that many of us feel embarrassed, guilty, shameful, and scared. We want anybody who is seeking treatment for addiction and mental health to understand that these feelings are not only normal, but inextricably woven into what it means to be human. From our perspective, the only regret would be to not seek help.

The Action drug rehab center’s treatment team is made up of a multi-disciplinary and highly trained group of profession als consisting of psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, chemical dependency counselors, mental health and professional coun selors, case managers, social workers, technicians, and administrators. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive, client driven, highly individualized, effective, tested, research-based, and compassionate group of addiction treatment programs with an emphasis on the foundational skills that will assist clients on every level.

The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Word Games

Word games continue to be popular pas times and provide a great opportunity to engage in lighthearted competition among family and friends.

Wordle is perhaps the most pop ular word game to become popular in recent years. Created by software engineer and former Reddit employee Josh Wardle and launched in October 2021, Wordle was devised as a way to pass the time during the pandem ic lockdown. Today it is played by millions of people and was even pur chased by The New York Times Com pany in 2022.

For those who are looking for something even newer, Knotwords, a word game created by Zach Gage and Jack Schlesinger, is available on iOS, Android and Steam. It’s a mix between a word scramble, crossword puzzle and sudoku.

There are scores of other word games for people to try. In addition to their entertainment value, these games may provide some benefits that surprise even the most devoted wordsmiths.

Build your Vocabulary

Word games enrich vocabulary and may introduce people to new words. They also may help reinforce spelling skills.

Improve Focus

Nowadays people are pulled in many directions and are expected

to multitask more than ever. Word games in large part require focusing exclusively on the task at hand and employing strategy.

Stimulate the Brain

Word games require critical think ing skills that could stimulate the brain. Word games train the brain in a way that’s similar to how physical activity trains the body.

Improve Memory

According to WebMD, word games may help seniors avoid memory loss and possibly delay the onset of de mentia. But seniors are not the only ones to benefit. Word games may improve short-term memory and the cognitive abilities of people of all ages.

Boosts Feel-Good Substances

When a person is happy, the body releases endorphins, which are feelgood hormones and neurotransmit ters. Healthline indicates an “en dorphin rush” often occurs after engaging in a fun activity. Endor phins are released by the hypothal amus and pituitary gland. Playing word games may release endorphins, which can improve mood, boost self-esteem and reduce pain and dis comfort.

These are just a handful of the many positive ways word games can affect the mind and body. (MC) 

Thankful

When you think of autumn, you likely picture cozy fires, hot cocoa and piles of colorful leaves. While beautiful, this season can also pose certain dangers to your four-legged friends. During the fall, the days grow shorter, which means less daylight and visibility. As you get ready for fall weather and ac tivities, check out these four tips for keeping your dog safe from light-up gear to wireless fences for dogs.

1. Take walks during the daytime. During the warmer months, you may have gotten used to taking your furry friend out for walks in the early mornings or late afternoons. How ever, you’ll need to adjust your walk times so drivers can clearly see you and your dog when crossing the street. It may take time for you and your pup to adjust, but it’s the easiest way to keep both of you safe.

2. Invest in light-up and reflective gear.

If your schedule doesn’t allow you to switch up your walk times, you’ll need gear to make you visible to mo torists. For your canine companion, invest in light-up LED collars and leashes that offer solid or flashing illumination in low light. Reflective collars and vests can be used alone or in addition to light-up gear to keep your pet safe.

3. Try an anxiety vest.

Some dogs are naturally more excit able, anxious and fearful than others. To keep them calm during stressful situations like thunderstorms, fire works displays, and even vet visits and travel, consider using an anxiety vest. An anxiety vest wraps around your dog and applies pressure to its torso. This pressure therapy calms your dog the same way swaddling an infant or hugging someone who is upset does, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.

4. Use on-the-go safety devices.

If your yard isn’t fenced in, you’ll need another way to keep your dog safe, especially if they have a habit of wandering off. While you could put your dog on a long leash, it can easily get tangled and restricts your dog’s ability to explore its territory. Also, if you usually keep an eye on your dog while they’re out back, it can be more difficult to see them during the dark er months.

Consider investing in a Halo Collar,

a pet safety device with technology built right into the collar. Co-founded by dog behaviorist Cesar Millan, the collar provides the ultimate boundary training for dogs to allow them to live life safely off-leash. Equipped with smart training and activity tracking, this device gently guides your dog to stay within the invisible fencing boundaries you set within the smart phone app, so your dog is always pro tected and able to live a safe life off leash.

When using Halo Collar, you can create up to 20 wireless fences in the app, even without Wi-Fi or a cellu lar connection. If your dog should escape, the Return Whistle function will guide them back safely to your location. To learn more about how this GPS dog collar device and other accessories can keep your dog safe, visit HaloCollar.com.

Be proactive about your dog’s safety. Using these four tips, you can keep your dog safe this autumn. (BPT)

Holiday Decorating

Millions of people across the globe feel that the holiday season is a magical time of year. Though those people come from all walks of life, it’s likely that no group is as taken by the unique spirit of the holiday season as much as children. Whether they’re looking forward to Santa’s arrival or preparing for a school holiday pageant, kids have much to be excited about come December. Parents can channel that enthusiasm by in volving kids when decorating around the house this holiday season.

Make homemade ornaments The options are limitless when making holiday ornaments with children.

From simple ornaments made from pine cones picked up outside to more complex projects designed for children nearing adolescence, parents can look to the internet to find design ideas and directions for hundreds of ornaments.

Let kids lead the way when decorat ing the tree Families that celebrate Christmas can let kids lead the way

when decorating their Christmas tree. Kids are likely to spend the weeks leading up to Santa’s arrival gazing in awe at the tree, and knowing they de cided where to place the various or naments on it might make the season even more special for youngsters.

Include kids in culinary decor

Many cannot imagine a holiday sea son without gingerbread houses and cookies. These traditions provide another great opportunity to involve children in holiday decorating. Set aside some time to make homemade gingerbread houses, which can be used as decorations before they’re ul timately eaten. Cookies may not have the shelf life of a typical gingerbread house, but kids can pitch in and deco rate the cookies.

Inviting kids to pitch in when dec orating for the holidays can make the season even more special for its youngest celebrants. (MC) w

PUZZLES

SOLUTIONS

READER LETTERS

Opinions and Lessons

Opinions: “Beliefs stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge.”

Opinions… we all have them. They come in all colors, sizes and persuasions, much like the human beings who embrace them. Some of us are very passionate about our opinions, others are more apathetic.

We read strong opinions each day from the prolific Santa Clarita Valley columnists and on social media. We also hear an abundance of opinions on TV daily. Some we agree with, some we do not, and some opinions we ponder.

The question I have is, how many of us do our own research? Do we dig deep with the intent of learning and finding truth, or do we simply look for an opinion that supports what we already want to believe?

Keeping an open mind, a willingness to listen to or ac cept different ideas or opinions, is a lofty goal. It doesn’t mean we are compromising our beliefs; it just means we are respecting the rights of others to have beliefs differ ent than ours.

How many of us dread or avoid seeing family or friends whose opinions we disagree with? What if we try listening to the other person’s complete thought and not interrupt them? Would we have a better understanding of where they are coming from? Would they extend the same courtesy back? Perhaps we can agree to disagree?

Opinions can bring us together and they can tear us apart.

Politics, religion, health care, violence, gun control, gender equality, climate change… and the list goes on. As we head into the (holidays) and count our blessings, my hope is that we will consider anew being kind and compassionate to one another.

Linda Schulte Valencia

Special Thanks for a Good Deed

Sending a big shout-out and “thank You” to the very kind lady in a “Valley Girl” sweatshirt Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Chevron station on the corner of Soledad and Sand canyons! She bought me $40 worth of gasoline when my Chevron card was mysteriously declined. San ta Clarita is filled with wonderful, amazing people!

Karen Geller-Shinn Canyon Country

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

The Winner Is... Christmas!

Sadly, just as the rest of us are getting giddy about Christ mas and all the joys it brings, some will inevitably attempt to pick a fight over Christmas and its status among Americans. And the contempt they’ll sling at Christmas won’t all be undeserving. It won’t be all wrong, but it also won’t be right. More than that, it won’t really matter because arguments seated on foundations that are historically faulty can’t sway convictions grounded on personal experience.

While years of cultural progression have coat ed the celebration of Jesus’ birth with layers of selfish commercial and religious soot, who can really argue that the celebration itself has pagan origins? The date was picked, not because of any allegiance to paganism but to demonstrate the triumph of God’s Kingdom over all sin and false beliefs of this world. And an excellent argu ment can be made that the Christmas tree finds its origins in two different German religious traditions, even as there is a case to be made that St. Nicolas, the Bishop of Myra, attended the pivotal Council of Nicea in 325 AD.

But frankly, all of this is quite beside the real point. While the anti-Christmas group at tempts to pick a fight with Christmas, and with those who oppose attempts to banish it bit by bit, Christmas just doesn’t need to fight back. Christmas has already won.

The attempt to banish Christmas from the public sphere in our pluralistic society is yet an other example of the way Christianity has been opposed down through the ages. And lest you think that I’m just trotting out the victim card, don’t worry. When you follow a Savior who was unjustly tried, condemned and crucified, you come to realize that following Him will mean that opposition is the norm, and suffering is the doorway to both clarity and power in this life. But it is also a fact worth mentioning that, like the Savior, Christianity continues to find life even after societies and nations have declared it dead and buried.

Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv.com. Mail to: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 25060 Avenue Stanford, Suite 141, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.

Today in Rome you can pay your Euros and take a spectacular tour of the Colosseum. You’ll hear about the thousands of Christians forced to die in the Roman blood sports. Yet, today the Colosseum is a relic while Christianity contin ues to offer the free grace of God in Jesus Christ to millions yearly. And the stories of changed lives through Him continue to pour in from

countries where those who follow Christ do so at the risk of their lives. Thousands who share our faith but not our freedom gladly follow their Lord with joy. Why? Simply because what Jesus has brought is much more than some political ideal or economic system. He brought — and continues to bring — life the way it was always meant to be lived, both in this world, and the next.

And that is what Christmas is really about. Those who have denigrated Christmas as “tribalism” miss the point. The celebration is not actually about trees or lights or carols or fruitcake. It isn’t inseparably attached to gifts or parties or crowded malls. It isn’t even about time off or family or any of the myriad things that make this season so special and beloved around the world. Christmas is really about the love and faithfulness of God who, long ago, in the face of a sin-wrecked creation, determined that sin wouldn’t win.

Instead, He made a promise to send the Rescuer who would reclaim creation in all of its brokenness through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christmas is the celebration that this promise was fulfilled, and the authority of Heaven had once again come to rescue and repair what sin and selfishness had polluted.

And the rescue lives on, bringing restoration and purpose through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it doesn’t look to governmental permission or acceptance from the scholars of academia for its place and power.

Christmas doesn’t need to fight any wars. Nei ther do Christians need to fight for Christmas to find a place. It found its place, just outside Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. And both the King and His Kingdom continue to grow, bringing to reality the angelic proclamation of “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” And when you see it that way, Christmas has already won the war.

Lastly, if you want to share the joys and mes sage of Christmas, you’re invited to the Christ mas Concerts at Grace Baptist Church, Dec. 9-11. Go to www.gracebaptist.org/christmas for information on times and free tickets.

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

OpinionUnless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.