Sunday Signal 122522

An Entertaining Close to 2022

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

Between shopping, gift wrapping, holiday parties and other festivities there are also a few entertaining films and holiday specials you’ll want to catch before the close of 2022.

Opening in Theaters

There are films for the family and films for grownups opening in December.

Avatar: The Way of Water’

The long-awaited sequel to James Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar is finally in theaters. Set more than a decade after the first movie, the film follows the Sully family, led by Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), the trouble that follows them and their efforts to keep each other safe while battling to stay alive and enduring many tragedies. Also starring Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet and Britain Dalton. This film is the first of four planned sequels to Cameron’s groundbreaking sci-fi movie.

‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’

“The Last Wish’ is the sequel to the 2011 animated movie and a spin-off of the enduring “Shrek’ franchise. It follows the journey of Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas, as he sets out to find the mystical Last Wish to restore eight of the nine lives he has lost, while also escaping new enemies who plan on hunting him down. The voice cast includes Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillén, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman and John Mulaney.

‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’

This biographical musical movie is based on the life of the late pop icon Whitney Houston. It follows Houston’s (Naomi Ackie) journey to success after being discovered by record executive Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci), taking her from obscurity to international fame in the 1980s. Also starring Tamara Tunie as Cissy Houston, Nafessa Williams as Robyn Crawford, Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown and Bria Danielle Singleton as Bobbi Kristina Brown.

‘Babylon’

This is an epic period comedy-drama movie written and directed by Damien Chazelle. Set in 1920s Hollywood, Babylon is described as a tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess that chronicles the rise and fall of different characters during an era of decadence and depravity in Hollywood. Starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Tobey Maguire, Samara Weaving, Spike Jonze and Li Jun Li.

‘The Mean One’

Santa Clarita Valley residents Flip Kobler and his son, Finn, have written “The Mean One” a Christmas slasher comedy-horror film directed by Steven LaMorte. The film is an unauthorized horror parody of the 1957 children’s book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss, and stars David Howard Thornton, with Krystle Martin, Chase Mullins, John Bigham, Erik Baker, Flip Kobler and Amy Schumacher. Rated R, this film is definitely not family-friendly and certainly not for kids.

Currently Streaming

‘Spirited’ (Apple TV)

A hilarious musical version of Charles Dickens’s story of “A Christmas Carol” with Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer.

‘Pentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays’ (Disney+)

Superstar a cappella group Pentatonix is struggling to find inspiration for their annual holiday album. To make matters worse, their well-intentioned, but misguided manager mistakenly locks them in a magic mailroom. But with the help of some Disney magic, the group takes a whirlwind tour around the world, discovering holiday traditions and inspiration from Pentatonix fans all around the globe … from Japan to Grenada, Iceland to Ghana and Mexico.

‘Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again’ (Disney+)

In the animated “Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again” movie, Nick Daley is following in his father’s footsteps as night watchman at

the American Museum of Natural History, so he knows what happens when the sun goes down. But when the maniacal ruler Kahmunrah escapes, it is up to Nick to save the museum once and for all.

‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ (HBO Max)

The movie is a follow-up to the 1983 blockbuster “A Christmas Story.” It takes place 30 years after the events in the original. Original child star Peter Billingsley returns to his role as the now grown up Ralphie. The sequel takes place in the 1970s, with the adult Ralphie taking his family to his childhood home on Cleveland Street to deliver his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had growing up. Ralphie will reconnect with childhood friends and reconcile the passing of his Old Man.

‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’ (Netflix)

This Netflix Original Christmas release is from director Stephen Donnelly. A new animated spin on the Charles Dickens novel featuring the voices of Luke Evans, Olivia Colman and Jonathan Pryce.

Streaming

Watching “A Christmas Story” has become a holiday tradition ever since TNT began its annual marathon of the beloved movie in 1997. This year both TNT and its sister station TBS will begin the 24-hour marathon on Christmas Eve.

‘A Storm for Christmas’ (Netflix)

Per-Olav Sørensen directs this new miniseries about a group of people stranded at an airport over Christmas.

‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ (Netflix) Daniel Craig returns as Benoit Blanc in this sequel to Knives Out directed by Rian Johnson.

‘“The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade: Livestream’ Dec. 25, 7 a.m.-9 a.m. (ABCTV and Hulu)

Derek Hough and Julianne Hough host this live Christmas Day event. In addition to the parade there will be musical performances from the Black Eyed Peas, Chloe Flower, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, NeYo and Il Volo.

PHOTO CREDIT APPLE TV

PHOTO CREDIT WARNER BROS.

PHOTO CREDIT HULU

Last Minute New Year’s Entertaining

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

New Year’s 2023 will be a somewhat drawn-out affair this year with some events traditionally celebrated and held on Jan. 1 pushed to Jan 2.

If you are expecting to wake up Jan. 1 to the spectacle of Rose Parade floats traveling down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena you will be disappointed. As in previous years when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday the Tournament of Roses “never on Sunday” rule will be in effect.

In addition, none of the college bowl games will be played on Jan. 1. That day officially belongs to the NFL this year, as New Year’s falls on a Sunday.

In 2023 the 134th Rose Parade and 109th Rose Bowl Game will be held on Monday, Jan. 2.

The Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl are set for New Year’s Eve, while the Cotton Bowl and Citrus Bowl will join the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2.

With this “extra day” to celebrate the New Year you might decide to invite friends and family over to enjoy the festivities.

Here are few easy ideas for last minute New Year’s Jan. 1 or Jan. 2 entertaining. All recipes are made easily within 30 minutes.

Happy New Year 2023!

Classic Nachos

5 cups tortilla chips

1 pound ground beef

1 package taco seasoning mix

1 15 ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

2 - 3 cups shredded cheddar, Colby Jack, or Mexican cheese blend

Because everything is better with bacon you can also include six strips of bacon, crumbled into the meat mixture as an optional add-in.

Optional toppings can include thinly sliced green onion, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, seeded and sliced fresh jalapeño, diced red pepper, diced tomatoes, chunky salsa, queso, sour cream and guacamole.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

On a large sheet pan spread out enough chips to fill the pan.

In a large skillet brown the ground beef over medium heat until cooked through. Drain off fat. Add contents of taco seasoning mix and cook according to directions on the package.

Stir the beans into the beef. Mash up the beans as you mix just well enough to spread the beans throughout the mixture. Don’t overmix. Now is the time to add in the crumbled bacon if you chose this option.

Fireside Cocktail

Spoon half of the mixture over chips. Sprinkle with half the cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven. Top with remaining chips, beef mixture and cheese. Bake for 10 minutes more, or until cheese melts.

Top with green onions, jalapeños, diced avocado and tomatoes. Offer chunky salsa, sour cream and guacamole “on the side” for guests to add to their nachos.

Let everyone grab a plate and dig into the sheet pan for their own portion of nachos.

Elote Baked Corn Dip

4 ounces cream cheese softened

1/2 cup sour cream

3 cups corn kernels, roasted and charred

1/2 cup red bell pepper diced

4 1/2 ounces mild green chilies diced;1 can drained 1/2 cup bacon crumbled

1/4 cup cilantro chopped

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided Optional garnish can include roasted corn kernels, crumbled bacon, diced red peppers and chopped cilantro.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Coat an 8x8 baking pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk the cream cheese until mostly smooth. Add the sour cream and mix together until combined.

Drain corn well (either canned or frozen) and place on a large sheet pan. Roast under the broiler for 5-10 minutes to char the corn. It will take longer if the corn is too “wet.”

Add the corn, red bell pepper, chilies, bacon, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper and 1 cup of the shredded cheese to the bowl.

Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Spoon the dip into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the top.

Bake for 30 minutes or until dip is bubbly and cheese is melted.

Garnish with additional corn, peppers, bacon and cilantro if desired.

Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Little BBQ Smokies

There are two ways to make this recipe. Throw all the ingredients into a slow cooker and cook for an hour and half on high.

Or throw all three ingredients into a pot on the stove. Turn the burner to medium and cook for about 20 minutes. Stir often.

You will need:

30 oz. of Little Smokies Cocktail Sausages (you can easily double this recipe for a large crowd)

Large bottle of any storebought BBQ sauce made with brown sugar

1 cup, any brand, grape jelly

Let guests serve themselves by using toothpicks to pluck however many of these tasty treats they want.

Another option is to serve with King’s Hawaiian Bread rolls for Little BBQ Smokies sliders.

Fireside Cocktail

For the New Year, try a new cocktail. Grey Goose has whipped up the Fireside Cocktail to celebrate the season and the New Year.

4 oz. Grey Goose vodka

1 oz. organic maple syrup

1 sprig rosemary

5 oz. pink grapefruit juice

1 pinch of salt

In the bottom of a rocks glass briefly crush the rosemary leaves into the maple syrup and salt. Fill glass with ice and add the vodka. Top with fresh pink grapefruit juice and salt and stir well. Garnish with an extra sprig of rosemary. 

Holiday Traditions

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

Holiday traditions make this season special, and whether yours are small, such as an eggnog toast when the star is put on top of the tree, or larger such as hosting an annual Christmas dinner for 50 of your closest family members, these are the things we treasure. With that in mind, we asked some of our best-known SCV residents to share what their traditions might be.

Justin Diez

Captain of the SCV Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station since March of 2020, and a resident of our valley since 2004, Justin Diez said that one of his family’s (including wife Ursula and two children) most important traditions is to enjoy the Christmas lights around town.

“Every year we get in our car with hot chocolate and blankets and the children in pajamas, and we drive around to all the holiday lighting hot spots,” he said. “The kids just love that.”

Other traditions include family gatherings. “On Christmas Eve we visit with my wife’s side of the family, and on Christmas Day with my side,” he said. “We also like to go to Six Flags Holiday in the Park,” he added. “You see Santa and Mrs. Claus, and we make s’mores in the fire pit.”

Diez also enjoys the holiday traditions at the station. “People bring ornaments from home to decorate our tree, and our SCV Sheriff’s Foundation caters a massive meal of Chinese food for those who are working on Christmas Day.”

Mike Garcia

“Christmas for the Garcia’s is a magical time of year. We take time to honor the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and give thanks for the blessings we enjoy as Americans. With two young kids, the highlight for Rebecca and I is Christmas morning, as Preston and Jett open their gifts from Santa.

“Christmas Eve is spent at my mom’s house and Christmas dinner is at my in-laws — very traditional and low key, with just family. The kids and I have start- ed a new tradition at our house, where we are trying to put bigger and bigger blow-ups out front. We currently have a 25-foot inflatable Rudolph in our front yard!”

Ken Striplin

Ken Striplin, city manager of Santa Clarita, is also well known in the SCV. “Each year I love spending time with my family, my four wonderful children,” he said. “It is an opportunity to get away from the day-to-day and focus on being together and spending quality time.

Each year on Christmas Eve my kids are excited to open one present. In the morning I wake up and make a huge breakfast before they wake up. Once up, we all sit around the table, while the kids get excited to open their presents. As they sit around taking turns opening presents, it is always amazing to watch and see their faces. It is also a reminder of them growing up and how important it is to take the time and enjoy each year, as those years are finite.”

Dr. Harleen Grewal

Dr. Harleen Grewal is the owner of Skyline Smiles dentistry in Canyon Country. She and her family (which includes her husband, Yuvi, daughter Ariya, 5, and son, Abhi, 4) have lived in the SCV for five years and have truly become a part of the community, including donating to several local entities each year, “such as the schools and Soroptimist Club.” Their holiday traditions include “family gatherings from Thanksgiving to Christmas.” Decorating the Christmas Tree is a big part of that, especially enjoyed by the children. Food includes Christmas lasagna and “the kids make gingerbread houses and bake cookies for Santa,” she said. “Christmas Eve we have a big family party at the in-laws’ home.”

Santa came to Skyline Smiles this year, with the celebration including toy collection for the Boys and Girls Club, and Grewal’s children wrapped a number of those toys. This tradition will continue each Christmas season, as will giving bonuses to her employees.

Regarding gift-giving, Dr. Grewal said, “We don’t do wish lists. We teach the children that Christmas is about giving.”

Patrick Moody

As the director of marketing and public relations for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, Patrick Moody is well known to SCV residents.

“My wife Suzanne and I have three girls,” he said. “One of our girls, Ellen, has been singing in choirs for many years. One of our favorite traditions is attending her holiday performances. For four years this meant attending the winter concert at Valencia High School. Ellen is a senior at Cal State Long Beach now, so this year we’ll be driving to Long Beach for the concert. This tradition was interrupted during the pandemic, so we appreciate the concerts even more now. We won’t even mind the drive down the 405!”

Jon Hatami

L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami says “the Christmas season is really a time to pause, give back to oth- ers, and truly do nice things for your family, friends, community and even people you don’t even know. It is about extending love and friendship to one another. I am incredibly blessed to live and raise my family in Santa Clarita and to be where I am today.”

In December, Jon, his wife, Roxanne, and the children Jonathan and Lindsey decorate their house and tree. “Also, ‘Max’ the elf returns from the North Pole every year, starting Dec. 1. Every morn- ing, the kids wake up and search the home for what Max is up to next.”

On Christmas Eve, “Roxanne and the kids bake cookies. We always have to place out some cookies and milk for Santa. The kids get to open one present on Christmas Eve and they also get to place a new ornament on the tree. We attend Christmas Eve service at Lancaster Baptist. When we get home, we read the kids “The Night Before Christmas.

“We attend Hanukah dinner at our friend’s home every year in Canyon Country. We also drive the kids around Saugus so they can see the wonderful homes decorated with Christmas lights — a Santa Clarita tradition.

“My dream was to be a dad and have a family of my own. And, for that I am forever thankful. The Hatami family wishes all of you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and Happy Hanukah. May the true spirit of Christmas shine in your heart always. Merry Christmas!”

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Happy Holidays, Santa Clarita!

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

It’s the holiday season — a time of magic, wonder and opportunities to make lasting memories with the ones you love. As you gather for family meals or take a trip to see relatives that haven’t had a chance to come together for a while, I encourage you to stop and reflect on the past year and remind yourself of all of the blessings you have received.

In the City of Santa Clarita, 2022 brought exciting changes and additions that benefit all residents and enhance the quality of life we enjoy. From opening a new park and more pickleball courts to designing a new experience for children of all abilities, this year has been full of highlights.

In early March, the City officially cut the ribbon at Vista Canyon Park, located within the Vista Canyon community in Canyon Country. This park is the 36th City park that is owned and maintained by the City.

Vista Canyon Park offers a playground, a fulllength basketball court, two tennis courts and three

pickleball courts. In addition, the beautiful Mitchell River House — a tribute to the Mitchell Family Adobe — is a new venue that can be rented for weddings and other special events.

The Celebrate Series kicked off in 2022, showcasing the sights, sounds, tastes and styles of cultures from around the world. This monthly event, which ran from April through September at the Canyon Country Community Center, highlighted music, food, dance, art and more from various cultural groups that call Santa Clarita home.

Please be on the lookout for information on the 2023 Celebrate schedule, which will be released in the coming weeks.

This summer, residents from throughout the City gathered for the Fourth of July Parade, which was held for the first time since 2019. This event really embodies the Santa Clarita spirit because it brings together neighbors to celebrate our shared patriotism and support the community.

It was wonderful to see the different organizations participate in the parade and the night was capped off by an awe-inspiring fireworks display at Westfield Valencia Town Center.

In just a few short weeks, children of all ages and abilities will have a new place where they can ex-

plore and play together when the West Creek Park Inclusive Play Area opens to the public.

Located at 24247 Village Circle, this brand-new play area features an inclusive playground with elements that will help parkgoers further develop their cognitive, physical, social and sensory skills. In addition to the playground structures, this project includes an outdoor fitness area and a Bankshot Play court, which offers 13 basketball stations with various heights and angled backboards to create new challenges.

As we reflect on 2022 and what has been accomplished, we also keep an eye toward 2023 and all that is on the horizon. Please enjoy your time with loved ones at this most joyous time of year.

Happy holidays, Santa Clarita!

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

SENIOR LIVING

By Mary Petersen Signal Staff Writer

The garland is hung, the tree is up and the ornaments are waiting to be displayed. But I sit numb and distracted, thinking about my sister-inlaw who lost her adult daughter in a tragic accident last month. We all feel stunned, confused, and unable to grasp this incomprehensible loss.

Preparing for the holidays seems out of place, almost a betrayal of my love for our niece. I know she would not want me to feel this way. It’s just overwhelming to think about the sadness and grief that her mother is facing this Christmas.

The death of a child is always devastating, but losing an adult child has its own challenges.

Some people imagine that when a child dies as an adult, the loss is less difficult than if the child were young. Parents whose adult child has died sometimes find their pain slighted with comments like “Well, it’s lucky you had her as long as you did.” Perhaps well-intentioned, this sentiment is not comforting to a parent in time of loss. One mother lamented, “If she were eight, everyone would understand my grief. Why can’t they understand it now even though she was 48 years old.”

Parents know that the job of parenting has no finite end point. Being a parent is a significant component of one’s identity throughout life. There is a powerful bond that exists between parent and child even when that child is grown.

After nurturing an infant, caring for them during childhood illness, attending to their physical and emo-

tional bumps and bruises, and tolerating teenage tribulations, the dreams for the future are now shattered.

In many cases, the relationship with an adult child has evolved into one of friendship. Not only have parents lost their child — they have lost a friend and companion as well.

What’s more, these parents have lost a crucial part of their identity. Their role of parenting no longer exists. The commitment to help adult children manage schedules, grandchildren and life’s difficulties in general can no longer be realized. A parent cannot parent anymore which leaves a void in their daily routine and perhaps even diminishes their reason for living.

Some parents fear that with their child gone, their time with grandchildren will be diminished. Especially in the case of a divorce, the deceased child can no longer serve as a liaison to maintain contact with grandchildren. This creates a double loss for already grieving parents who may feel disregarded or overlooked by the grandchildren’s remaining parent and fear losing precious time with them.

All of these worries run through my mind as my sister-in-law makes her way through each treacherous day. Although her grief will never leave her, she is carrying on with strength and courage. She is committed to living life in a way that honors her daughter and her three granddaughters. It’s a daily challenge.

We will celebrate Amy and honor her vivacious spirit at our Christmas table. Maintaining family traditions while we allow ourselves the space to grieve keeps her alive in our hearts.

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

ENTERTAINMENT

‘The Recruit’ is Flashy, Funny and Action-Packed

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘The Recruit’ (out of four)

An eight-part series available on Netflix.

The first rule of “The Recruit” is everybody talks to the recruit and about the recruit, and given this is a series about a fledgling lawyer with the CIA, which is supposed to be the most super-secret organization on the planet, there’s something ludicrous and darkly comical and wildly over-the-top about that premise — and yet showrunner Alexi Hawley and rising star Noah Centineo deliver the goods in the latest binge-worthy Netflix series.

Flashy, funny and action-packed, “The Recruit” is a slick confection that pulls off the difficult feat of juggling a multi-plot, twist-filled, globetrotting storyline that careens all over

the place and yet is relatively easy and quite fun to follow.

Centineo (“Black Adam,” the Netflix rom-com “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and its sequels) has a kind of squishy handsomeness and

sounds a little like a young Mark Ruffalo in his line deliveries as Owen Hendricks, who is thrown into the deep and murky end of the espionage in his very first week as a lawyer with the CIA. While slogging through paperwork that was intended as a sort of hazing ritual by his cynical, work-avoiding colleagues Violet (Aarti Mann) and Lester (Colton Dunn), Owen discovers a legitimate blackmail threat from former CIA asset Max Meladze (Laura Haddock), a Russian double agent who is in prison in Arizona for a murder unrelated to the spy game.

This sets off a chain of events in which Owen’s no-nonsense boss, Walter (the invaluable Vondie Curtis-Hall), is constantly calling Owen into his office and telling him to clean up one mess or another, and Owen is jetting from one locale to another as a kind of modern-day Columbo who is almost always in over his head and often getting the living bleep kicked out of him because he either knows too much or doesn’t know enough.

“The Recruit” finds room to sprinkle in subplots involving a number of intriguing characters, including Owen’s two supportive roommates,

Hannah (Fivel Stewart), who is Owen’s ex-girlfriend, and his best friend, Terence (Daniel Quincy Annoh); the hardcore CIA operative Dawn (Angel Parker), who would just as soon pull out Owen’s fingernail (for real) than trust him; and Kaylah Zander’s Amelia, another CIA colleague who has a TV newsroom mockup in her spare bedroom and rehearses every night for her planned future career as a paid analyst on one of the cable news channels. And we haven’t even talked about Owen’s dealings with Russian mobsters, Washington power brokers, the mysterious Icelandic college student who cozies up to him in a bar in Geneva … This guy is having the craziest first few weeks of just about anyone in the history of espionage.

Noah Centineo is a likable and charismatic lead, part everyman and part reluctant hero. The strikingly beautiful Laura Haddock is excellent at playing a kick-ass operative who will stop at nothing to ensure her survival, and yet has a human side as well. “The Recruit” seems destined for a multiple-season run, and deservedly so.

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

Lucky Foods for a Prosperous, Healthy New Year

People all over the world wish for health, happiness and prosperity for the new year. Many believe that eating certain foods on New Years Day will bring that on. Eating grapes are a tradition in Spain. The goal is to eat 12 green grapes during the 12 seconds remaining until the new year begins. Pomegrantes are the food for those in Turkey. Noodles, fish and cornbread are other foods that are believed to help start the new year right.

In Japan, people eat soba noodles. the Toshikoshi Soba, which means “year crossing buckwheat noodle,” denotes the crossing from one year to the next. Nibbling the noodles represent traveling from one year to the next as well as letting go of the previous year’s regrets.

Here are a few “lucky” foods to bring you and your family luck and prosperity as you ring in 2023.

Roast Pork Tenderloin

By Makinze Gore

A pork tenderloin is a long thin strip of meat from the loin of the pig. It is usually on the smaller side, but an extremely tender cut of meat. It makes it easy to cook quickly without worry of needing to marinade for a long time to help tenderize it.

Look for the largest tenderloin you can find, but try to find one that isn’t already marinated. They are often sold in packages with a marinade, but we are making our own glaze here. Our rosemary glaze is so good on the pork and helps flavor the potatoes making them absolutely incredible.

Yields 6 Serving(S)

Prep Time 10 Mins

Total Time 1 hr 20 mins

Ingredients

2 lb. baby potatoes, quartered Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 (2-lb.) boneless pork tenderloin

1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1/4 c. maple syrup

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp. whole grain mustard

2 tsp. freshly chopped rosemary, plus more for garnish

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Place potatoes in a 9”-x13” baking dish and drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until

starting to turn golden, about 40 minutes.

Season tenderloin with salt and pepper all over, then place on top of potatoes.

In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup oil, maple syrup, garlic, mustard, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper then brush over tenderloin and pour any extra over the potatoes.

Roast for another 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender and tenderloin is cooked through. Internal temperature should read 145°.

Garnish with more rosemary to serve.

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Black eyed peas have a rich tradition in the South. Eaten during New Year’s for good luck and prosperity, they also make an easy and very healthy salad. You can absolutely make this salad using dry beans, but canned black eyed peas also work great.

The best part of this simple salad is that it gets better as it sits, so feel free to make this ahead. Yields 4 - 6

Prep Time 10 Mins Total Time 40 Mins

Ingredients

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 c. red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 medium red onion, finely diced

2 (15-oz.) cans of black eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1 red bell pepper, finely diced

1 medium tomato, finely diced

4 scallions, sliced

1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 c. fresh basil, chopped

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, salt, and a few grinds of fresh black pepper together. Stir in the red onion.

Add the beans, red pepper, tomato, scallions, parsley, and basil.

Stir to combine and let sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. (Delish and MC) 

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Carefree Highway — Gordon Lightfoot ENTERTAINMENT

After 50 active years of hit song making and international album sales well into the multi-millions, it’s safe to say that esteemed singer-songwriter and musician Gordon Lightfoot resides with some very exclusive company atop the list of all-time greats. His song catalog is incredibly vast and includes such immortals as “Early Morning Rain,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” “(That’s What You Get) For Lovin Me,” “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald,” “Cold

On The Shoulder”, “Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” “Ribbon Of Darkness,” “Beautiful,” “Song For A Winter’s Night”, “Shadows”, “Rainy Day People”, “Did She Mention My Name” and “Summertime Dream” to name a few.

Gordon Lightfoot has recorded 20 albums and has five Grammy nominations. His songs have been aired regularly for 50 years, earning him Radio Singles Chart Positions in North America achieved by few others. Lightfoot’s radio hits in the USA have earned Five #1s, Five Top 10s and Thir-

teen Top 40 hits. In Canada he has earned Sixteen #1s, Eighteen Top 10s and Twenty One Top 40 hits. You can see Gordon Lightfoot live at The Canyon Santa Clarita on April 17. Tickets are available online through AXS, over the phone at (888) 645-5006, and in person at the Canyon Santa Clarita box office. For more information, visit www.wheremusic meetsthesoul.com.

Seasonal Drinks k Foods to Warm The Soul

By Signal Staff

This is the time of that family and friends gather and reflect on the year. For many families coming together around the dinner table, an assortment of seasonal foods plays an important role in bringing to life timely flavors and seasonal favorites.

This includes flavors such as pumpkin, peppermint, hazelnut and cinnamon. Of course, the foods that represent fall are endless, especially in a melting pot of culture in the United States, but certain foods have become staples during the fall and winter seasons.

Fall and winter favorite foods include pumpkin and pecan pie, gingerbread, spiced lattes, peppermint candies, eggnog and other holiday favorites.

Pumpkin spice doesn’t contain any pumpkin but refers to a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice, and are traditionally used for spicing pumpkin pies.

The ancient Romans widely used peppermint for culinary and medicinal purposes, which quickly evolved into use as a candy cane as a treat given to children during Christmas.

Eggnog, first known as posset to the British aristocracy, made its way into the United States, but Americans changed the recipe to include rum, a local alternative to the sherry included in the British version.

For some local choices of these flavors, check out the following.

Kupcake Kitchen

This season, Kupcake Kitchen is offering a selection of cupcake flavors including a gingerbread spice cake topped with buttercream cream cheese and a gingerbread man cookie. There also is a moist pumpkin spice cake topped with a maple cream cheese frosting and an apple spice cake.

Kupcake Kitchen is located at 27737 Bouquet Canyon Rd Ste 120, 91350. www.kupcakekitchen.com

Honu Coffee

Honu Coffee is fully embracing the seasonal flavors with classics and new combinations to remind

you of the falling leaves and warm feelings. Their featured hot drink is a chai latte, which is a blend of exotic spices mixed with milk. Or try the Hot Dirty Chai Latte that includes expresso.

Seasonal drinks include White Christmas , Eggnog Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Hot Apple Cider, Gingerbread Latte and a Salted Caramel Mocha.

Honu Coffee now has two locations. The original is located at 22722 Lyons Ave., 91321. The newest location is located in the Real Life Church at 23841 Newhall Ranch Rd., Valencia 91354. www.honu coffee.com

XRO Fresh Churro Bar

Churros are enjoyable year-round and have become a staple in Spanish-influenced cuisine. The churro bar makes its delicious cinnamon treats fresh. You can grab a bag of 8 mini bites or one of their churros and fresh fruit. Either way, they pair well with the beverages offered including the Mexican or traditional hot chocolate. If you want something with a cold treat, try the soft serve churro.

They are located at 24450 Main St., Unit 100, 91321. www.freshxrobar.com.

The Loaf Bakery and Cafe

A Japanese-inspired bakery featuring many

freshly baked goods with sweet and savory flavors. The Loaf Bakery has many unique Japanese flavors in their pastries and drinks. Stop in and see what is currently on the menu for the bakery, which includes freshly made, handmade delights.

The Loaf also has a selection of Japanese foods that can be preordered online for specific pickup dates.

They are located at 24450 Main St., Unit 160., 91321. www.theloafusa.com.

The Welsh Baker

The bakery influenced by the pastries from Wales showcases the famous hand-griddled Welsh cake, a cross between a cookie and scone but cooked like a pancake. The bakery has fully embraced the season and offers cranberry, sweet potato, apple pie and pumpkin spice Welsh cakes.

The Welsh Baker company owners Denise and Joe Carbone say, they’ve been making their “humble little cakes entirely by hand from an old family recipe handed down in Denise’s family.”

The Welsh Baker is at 27820 Fremont Court, Unit 4, 91355. www.welshbaker.com. 

S’mores Cupcake from the Kupcake Kitchen

A churro and hot chocolate from XRO

Fresh pastries from The Loaf Bakery and Cafe

Welsh cakes from The Welsh Baker

Configure Interior Spaces with Sliding Bypass Doors

Customizing interior spaces to suit your unique needs can be easy and economical with a solution like versatile sliding bypass doors. If you want to create a multi-functional living area, save space, allow more privacy or enhance architectural appeal — or all of these at once — sliding bypass doors can help you achieve your goals. From kitchens to laundry areas, installing bypass doors provides a fast, economical way to adapt floor plans to diverse lifestyles. Kitchens with adjoining spaces are perfect spots for bypass doors. For instance, Johnson Hardware’s 111SD Sliding Bypass Door Hardware lets you reconfigure a kitchen and beverage area with a bold functional divider. Holding on-trend glass and metal doors up to 150 pounds each, the hardware lets you tuck away essentials while keeping them within sight and easy reach.

Another solution for closets in hallways and mudrooms is the 138F Sliding Bypass Door Hardware, which also provides versatility and an appealing appearance. Concealing clutter while adding clean lines, it supports most styles of doors weighing up to 200 pounds each.

Inventive down to the last detail, it has a precision-extruded, jumpproof aluminum box track featuring line-design fascia. This fascia hides scratches and fingerprints, plus, it holds paint for the look you want. Tricycle door hangers feature a quick disconnect clip system, making it a snap to mount and dismount door

panels. These hangers are also readily adjustable for height in case of settling.

In addition, Johnson’s innovative soft-close feature for smooth, quiet, fingertip-touch door operation is available for a variety of bypass hardware kits, as well as pocket door and wall mount door hardware kits. Softclose technology slows down door speed gradually, preventing slamming and finger pinching for carefree use.

Ideal for converting a closet into a neat, discrete laundry area, sliding bypass door hardware is right at home in second-floor laundry areas or residences where space is precious, such as condos and townhouses. Bypass doors save 14 square feet of floor space over swinging doors, which can be used for furniture, storage and decor.

Bypass hardware offers many fresh options for configuring interiors. Gliding on separate tracks, bypass doors overlap for wide entryways everyone can easily use and allow quick access to items. When closed, wooden doors offer extra privacy and quiet. Combined metal-and-glass doors create an open-air aesthetic.

For more design ideas to save space with creative sliding door hardware, visit johnsonhardware.com or call (574) 293-5664. (Family Features)

Common Misconceptions About Prostate Health and

Prostate health may be an intimidating subject for some men, which can lead to misconceptions about conditions and treatments. Some may even avoid visiting a doctor because of what they might learn. Breaking this stigma around prostate issues could help prevent complications from conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate.

Under a doctor’s care, BPH can be effectively treated; over 14 million men in the U.S. seek treatment every year. To help clear up some of the confusion and fear around prostate health, here is a breakdown of five common misconceptions about BPH.

BPH is linked to prostate cancer

Is BPH linked to prostate cancer? No. While both conditions affect the prostate gland, BPH is a non-cancerous condition and the symptoms can typically be addressed with medications and/or other treatment options.

Medication, Major Surgery the Treatments

Men with BPH may have options for treatment beyond medications that may offer relief without the risk of side effects that can come with medications, such as dizziness, headaches, sexual dysfunction and, in some men, an increased risk of

heart and eye issues.

Minimally Invasive Therapies

The UroLift® System is a minimally invasive procedure that has been used by 350,000 men worldwide. This procedure lifts and holds enlarged prostate tissue out of the way without cutting to stop blocking the urethra. The procedure can be performed using local anesthesia and patients typically return home the same day without a catheter. Speak with your doctor to determine if you may be a candidate.

Only Seniors Have BPH Symptoms

Are senior men the only ones who have symptoms of BPH? No. Even men in their forties may experience BPH symptoms, so don’t assume you’re too young to talk to your doctor about BPH. If you are diagnosed with BPH, your doctor can discuss treatment options that fit your needs and help you decide on the best approach.

Disrupting Life and Sleep

A common symptom of BPH is frequent urination. This has the potential to disrupt a man’s dayto-day schedule and sleep cycle, but it’s not inevitable. If you have BPH, proper treatment can help improve quality of life and reduce the need for frequent urination, which can make it easier to sleep through the night. Yet another great reason to be proactive about BPH diagnosis and treatment!

Bladder Health Isn’t Affected

BPH can affect bladder health if it’s left untreated. BPH can be progressive and lead to difficulty in urinating, bladder stones, UTIs and ongoing need for a catheter. This is another good reason to be proactive and talk to your doctor about prostate health. To learn more about BPH, including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options, visit UroLift.com. (Family Features) 

a Nurturing Plant Parent in 3 Easy Steps

Plants add color, life and vibrancy to your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces and can even improve indoor air quality. However, if you are new to plant ownership, you may be wondering how to make your foliage thrive. Here’s are three tips for healthier plants:

Make a Move

Many plants that do well outdoors in the warmer months can’t tolerate the cold. So don’t wait for subfreezing temperatures to bring planters indoors for the season. Be sure to give your newly-transported plants the right amount of light. This may require using special grow lights. Keep in mind though that different types of plants thrive better with different color spectrums and intensities, so group plants under the right lights accordingly.

If your indoor air is dry in winter, you may find that misting the leaves of your warm climate and tropical

plants will help provide needed humidity.

Prevent Pests

Unfortunately, keeping houseplants often attracts insects that can harm them and bug you. But there are steps you can take to prevent a pest problem in your home. One important thing you can do is to be sure you are not overwatering plants. Too much water in effect drowns plants. It can

water that becomes a breeding ground for

technology to attract flying bugs into a discreet glue sheet cartridge. When the cartridge is full, replace it and toss the used one without ever having to touch a dead bug. To learn more, visit zevoinsect.com.

Know Your Lifestyle and Limitations

There are many plant species that while beautiful, don’t require much care. So, if you’re new to owning plants, consider starting out with lower-maintenance options, such as succulents or snake plants.

You

also provide round-theclock protection from fruit flies, gnats and flies by plugging a Zevo Flying Insect Trap into a regular outlet near your plants and wherever flying insects enter your home or gather. Rather than chemical insecticides, the traps use multi-spectrum light

Because these plants don’t need much water, they are also great options for those who travel frequently or those who are simply forgetful. Have furry friends? Always check whether a given plant is toxic to pets before bringing one home.

Having a green thumb can seem like magic. However, with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can become a nurturing plant parent. (BPT)

Health Benefits of

If you’re worried whether you’re giving your dog the best food for their health, you’re not alone. The newest generation of pet parents consider their pet’s food choices to be just as important as their own.

Compared with previous generations, the next generation of pet parents are five times more likely to add a topper to their dog’s kibble to elevate the dog’s mealtime experience, according to a fresh pet food study conducted by Wellness Pet Company with The Valen Group. That adds up to nearly 4 out of 10 next gen pet parents (38%) who are topping their dog’s food each day.

The study also shows that millennial and Gen Z pet parents are willing to pay up to 15% more for a premium nutritional choice, driven by their desire to seek higher quality ingredients and nutrition for the health and wellness of their pet.

This growing interest in providing four-legged family members with better fresh nutrition options led Wellness Pet Food to expand their Wellness® Bowl Boosters® line with the launch of Wellness® Bowl Boosters Freshly™ in June 2022. These fresh toppers are supercharging dogs’ existing kibble with complete and balanced nutrition that dogs and pet parents love.

Dr. Danielle Bernal, global veterinarian with Wellness Pet Company, knows how high-quality fresh foods make a difference in dogs’ overall health and elevate mealtime excitement to a whole new level.

If you’re unsure how to tell if your dog’s food provides sufficient nutrition to optimize their health, Dr. Bernal offers some important things to consider.

1. How do you know your dog’s food is supporting their physical well-being? Look for signs like:

• Healthy skin and shiny coat

• All-day energy that keeps them running and playing

• Healthy digestion so you know your pet is absorbing essential nutrients

• Strong teeth and bones that help them eat well and stay active

Pet Food in

Dog’s Diet

daily activity and put less strain on major organs, and help aid overall kidney and urinary health

• With a homecooked texture and high-quality fresh ingredients, a fresh topper is the ultimate way to make mealtimes exciting and more bowl-licking delicious for your pup

3. How to incorporate fresh foods in the daily mealtime routine

Pet parents have options on how to feed their dog fresh food, whether they are choosing to top their existing kibble with fresh food or serving as a complete meal. Remember that once thawed, fresh food needs to be refrigerated and enjoyed within five days.

• Healthy immune system that keeps dogs feeling their best

2. What ingredients in fresh products like Wellness® Bowl Boosters Freshly™ benefit your dog’s health and how?

• Antioxidants like Vitamins A and E for immune system support

• Omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed or salmon oil

• Calcium and phosphorus for strong teeth and bones

• Wholesome veggies and grains for natural dietary fibers to support digestive health and provide the energy your pet needs

• Increased nutrient absorption from highly digestible proteins, fats and

carbohydrates

• Fresh food toppers provide increased total hydration to support

“With high-quality meats, healthy grains and wholesome veggies, this fresh food delivers a tasty boost that elevates every dog’s mealtime unlike any other, for a delicious meal that even the fussiest dog will love,” added Bernal. (BPT) 

CROSSWORD TIME

PUZZLES

SOLUTIONS

Make It Your Best Christmas

By Danny Tyree Columnist, Cagle Cartoons Newspaper Syndicate

When writing advertising copy, I sometimes find myself searching for a zinger of a tag line, and settling for trite admonitions such as “Make this the best hunting season ever” or “Make this the best summer vacation ever.”

I despise such capitulations to deadlines, because listeners with terminal illnesses, maxed-out credit cards or fruitless marriage counseling sessions may perceive the sentiments as glib or clueless.

Never is the situation more danger-fraught than at Christmas. An ill-timed “Have the merriest Christmas ever” can hit people the wrong way. Assuming you don’t relish being hit the wrong way, take the reindeer by the horns (er, antlers) and accept responsibility for your own Merry Christmas.

Cherished memories can be both a blessing and a curse around the holidays. Sideline your rose-colored glasses and apply some perspective to those much-ballyhooed “simpler times.” Not everything is perfect for everyone all the time. In those halcyon days of visiting your grandparents and playing with cousins, it’s likely that your “carefree” grandparents had already lost their own grandparents.

It’s likely that someone in the crowd struggled with polio or tuberculosis, or lost sleep worrying about loved ones facing enemy fire. Unless you grew up in a prolonged economic sweet spot, your stoic mom and dad probably had to make genuine sacrifices to see that you had that bike or that dolly.

On these cold, gray winter days, some people spend less time stoking the fireplace than fanning the embers of old grudges. Be the better person and try reaching out to friends and relatives who are no longer in your social circle. Practice deflecting touchy topics. Accentuate the positive. Instead of counting empty seats at the table, count the freckles on that step-grandchild you’re meeting for the first time. Count the job offers heaped upon that nephew who lives on the far side of the country. Count the extra hours of family time that modern conveniences afford you (if everyone will forego the modernly convenient smartphone for a few hours). Bad habits can steal the happiness of Christmas. Don’t wait until the ball has dropped in Times Square to unleash your resolutions – get a head start.

Even with all my coaching, this may not be your best Christmas ever. But loneliness and regret don’t have to be inevitable parts of Christmas. (Reasonable) happiness is yours for the taking. I say the following with the least glibness and cluelessness possible: Have yourself a Merry Christmas.

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

In a

Field,

Outside Bethlehem

This last September I traveled to Israel, leading a group of 50 who wanted to walk the land and learn the history of the most foughtover real estate in the world. Connecting as it does Europe and Asia with Africa, this tiny strip of land bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the west and the Jordan River on the east was the only land trade route between the continents for millennia. Battles were fought for it, kingdoms relied on it, and civilizations were built upon it, layer upon layer upon layer. But if Israel’s history was only that of a war-weary trade conduit, we would hardly take notice.

Our group didn’t travel to Israel to hear about the combat even though the last battle of the Crusades was fought there on the Horns of Hattin, an extinct volcanic mountain where Saladin defeated the Crusaders and sent them home for good.

No, we travelled to Israel because today, all over the world, both religious and non-religious people pause to celebrate a birth that occurred in the fields just outside the ancient village of Bethlehem.

That birth of a baby boy to a couple – Joseph and Mary of Nazareth – is still considered the single most important event in the history of mankind. And yet, it was without fanfare or celebration except for a few shepherds who happened to be out in those fields caring for their sheep at night.

And we should ask, “Why were they out there? Why weren’t the sheep safely in their pens?” The answer might surprise you.

In those days, the religious elite were allowed by the Romans to rule the Temple area. So, like every self-focused ruler, they lived to make money. They imposed a Temple tax that could only be paid with currency they provided. That explains the “money-changers” in the Temple court spoken of in Matthew, Mark and John. But even more lucrative was their edict that only those lambs raised within a 7-mile radius of the Temple could be used as Passover Lambs. This engendered a vast lamb-raising industry in the fields outside Bethlehem.

The shepherds were out with their sheep knowing that the special Passover lambs were being born. They had to be there as the ewes began their labor so they could gather them safely into one of the many caves in that valley where the lambs could be delivered, and wrapped in special linen cloths meant to keep them both warm and safe.

Have you ever wondered how the shepherds knew where to find Mary, Joseph and the baby named Jesus? Were they supposed to head into town and start knocking on doors? Even though they were

told the baby would be in a manger, were they supposed to run around to all the stables?

Or did they know that the cloths mentioned were special, and would only be found in one of the few birthing caves with which they were so familiar?

They knew just where to go, and go they did! Why? Simply because the Passover lambs had always been a preview of the Lamb of God who, it was promised, would one day bring forgiveness and salvation to his people, and bring an end to the continual sacrifices mandated by the Law of Moses.

You can read the story in Luke 2 for yourself, but don’t think it is just a story that allows us to sing carols, eat fudge, drink wassail, and exchange presents. No, if the baby born that night grew up to live a normal life, even an historically extraordinary life, and then died and was buried, we’d probably have one day of remembrance, and that would be it.

But Jesus son of Joseph was no ordinary baby. He was, and is as the Athanasian Creed repeatedly confesses, eternal God in the flesh, the God-Man.

And he went on to prove it, healing the sick, multiplying the molecules of the bread and fish, overruling demonic powers, and the best miracle of all, rising to live after being crucified, proclaimed without life, and buried in a garden tomb guarded by a squad of Roman soldiers.

As I led our group around Israel, we visited many of the traditional and historical sites, but for me none is as powerful, as wonderful as that birthing cave we entered as weary pilgrims one hot September afternoon. Inside it was cool, quiet and strangely inviting. We spent some time there, and as I explained the historicity of Jesus’ birth in that area, we all came to understand why Christmas garners so much attention.

If we strip away all the music, food, lights, decorations, presents, parties and family, we still have the wonder that God became man, and came to us so that, through faith, we might be his forever.

It has been my privilege and great honor to write this column for many years, and to have you, the readers, allow me a few minutes in your heads and hearts. I hope someday I can meet more of you, and share the good things of life with you. We’re in this together, and I’m very thankful for the grand folk of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Merry Christmas!

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