Sunday Signal Dec. 9, 2018 by Signal

Gift Guide Inside! DECEMBER 9, 2018

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Welcome to The Signalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Holiday Lights Tour!

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see page 10 Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

PICKING THE PERFECT TREE

SCV HOLIDAY TRADITIONS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS OF THE WEEK 5 8 9

Amgen Tour returns to SCV Law enforcement cracks down on crime Combat Radio’s annual Christmas event County wants traffic action plan

NEWS FEATURES

6 Ready! Set! Go! 10 Check out our map of The Signal’s holiday lights tour 13 Picking the perfect tree

CITY MANAGER

12 Santa Clarita, thanks for your input

REAL ESTATE

12 14

14 This week in real estate

SPORTS

15 Riding after her dream

TIME RANGER 16 CALENDAR 17 OPINION 18 18 Our View • David Hegg • Tim Whyte

HOME IMPROVEMENT

1 Your Home Improvement 2 22 The perfect Christmas tree Stringing lights safely

KIDS & FAMILY

3 Home for the holidays in the Santa Clarita Valley 2 24 Donna’s Day: Cozy up to no-sew polar fleece scarves

SCHOOL 25 25 School menu 25 Using technology to keep tabs on family

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HOLIDAY 26 6 Tips for shopping online 2 27 How to beat the holiday stress

GIFT GUIDE 28 FOOD 30

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Happy Holidays

30 Taking in Telco Brewery 31 Pairing holiday foods with movies

PETS 32 32 Tips for adopting over the holidays

THINGS TO DO

34 The SCV is Hot for Yoga

SENIORS 35 35 Gift ideas for seniors

PROFILE 36 6 Ahead of the class 3 Empowering HeArts

ENTERTAINMENT 38 38 Movie Crazy with Dianne Crawford

BRAIN GAMES Games • Crossword • Village Idiot

SUNDAY SIGNAL SignalSCV.com

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661-259-1234 On the cover: PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

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LOCALNEWS

Amgen Tour returns to SCV By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

fter skipping Santa Clarita last year, the Amgen Tour of California will return in 2019 and the city will host the start of the final stage for both the men’s and women’s races, city officials announced Wednesday morning. “We’re excited to announce that the city of Santa Clarita will be a host city for the 2019 Amgen Tour of California on Saturday, May 18. Bravo!” said Mayor Laurene Weste. The announcement came following the Amgen Tour’s release of the 13 host cities, starting with Sacramento on May 12 and ending in Pasadena on May 18. All competitors will race through the streets of Santa Clarita as they race toward the overall finish line in Pasadena. The upcoming race is set to mark Santa Clarita’s 14th time as a host, a

Santa Clarita officials announced the Amgen Tour of California will return to Santa Clarita in 2019. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

record of hosting more stages in race history than any other city. The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to complete a seven-day, seven-stage course that traverses more than 750 miles of the state’s roadways, highways and coastlines.

This year, the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race empowered with SRAM, showcasing the world’s elite women cyclists, will run concurrently May 16-18, covering upwards of 180 miles over three stages, according to a prepared statement released by the city and the Amgen Tour. Local women cyclists are already cheering, including Nina Moskol,

cyclist and chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition SCV chapter. “I’m really excited about the women’s Tour of California to finally come to Southern California,” she said. “We’ve been seeing the race in Northern California and it’s about time to bring it down south.” Weste said the event is a great benefit as it “brings regional, national and international eyes to the city of Santa Clarita.” Local businesses are also known to benefit from the tour such as local hotels and restaurants. Cindy Marnoch of Incycle Bicycles in Valencia said revenue peaks “because people get excited about cycling. We missed a year last year so we really noticed and we’re very thrilled to be included once again.” To stay engaged with the race and all the events leading up to the event, visit santaclaritatourofca.com. 

Law enforcement cracks down on crime By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

Crimemapping

Although unable to predict crime, deputies make ample use of technology to gather information, plot it on an SCV map and calculate where they should focus their attention. If the numbers show a cluster of car burglaries occuring on a particular street, for example, that’s where deputies would focus their attention Residents wanting to know where and how crime unfolds in the SCV can see what the deputies see by going to crimemapping.com, which displays current law enforcement data on a map.

“Anyone can log on to crimemapping.com and keep track of what’s being reported in their community,” said Lt. Ignacio Somoano, who runs the SCV Sheriff ’s Station’s Detective Section. Deputies use an enhanced version of the same crime-mapping technology. “Based on this, we do special operations,” Somoano said. “We brief some of our 24-hour operations and also some night-time saturation patrols.

“We use this map and other resources to put strategy together, and assess crime trends,” he said. “So what we ask the public to do is be alert, keep an eye out, be vigilant and report crimes to the sheriff ’s station.”

Car burglaries

One crime trend deputies keep responding to lately is the increase in car burglaries. See CRIME, page 8

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rime is down, according to the latest numbers crunched at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station, and while Capt. Robert Lewis is pleased with the results, he says success lies in the station’s cozier relationship with the community. With more and more SCV residents responding to the station’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign and alerting deputies to suspected crimes or crimes in progress, deputies are jumping on more opportunities to investigate and make an arrest where warranted. About 500 more arrests were made in 2018 compared to the number of arrests made last year — or, 1,800 arrests this past year compared to 1,300 arrests made last year. With the proliferation this past year of homeowners installing doorstep video surveillance technology, more video images of suspicious people are passed along to deputies. “The biggest thing to remember

is that although crime is down this year over last year, we don’t want the community to let their guard down,” Lewis said Wednesday. “We want them to continue to be vigilant,” he said. On Wednesday, Lewis sat down with The Signal to share a number of suggestions he believes would enhance the relationship between the Sheriff ’s Department and the community.

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

Are you prepared for ‘Ready!

Above: A firefighter works to hose off a hotspot at a home decimated by flames in Malibu’s Corral Canyon. Left: Firefighters work to move debris at a home decimated by flames in Malibu’s Corral Canyon. PHOTOS BY AUSTIN DAVE / THE SIGNAL

By Austin Dave Chief Multimedia Journalist

nown for its sandy shorelines and hilltop enclaves, the hillsides of Malibu are blackened. Pacific sands typically golden brown are peppered with ash. Twisted metal and debris dot the landscape, each leveled home marking the end of the Woolsey Fire’s deadly path. “We were somewhat prepared for this,” said Malibu resident Sarah Ryan, who was mistakenly told her home burned down. When Sarah and Shawn Ryan

returned to their coastal canyon home, they found it was spared by the flames, but 18 of her neighbors lost their homes in the fire, including the house next door. “This is my daughter’s baby carriage,” Ryan said as she motioned to a heap of charred cloth intertwined in shiny, liquefied metal. The family’s property wasn’t entirely unscathed – they lost the shed that contained their winter coats, halloween, memories and yearbooks. Maisy, 5, who celebrated her birthday in a hotel room during the blaze, clutched her mother’s leg as the two examined the charred contents inside

YO UR PE RSONAL W I LDF I RE A CTI ON P L AN

their family’s burned out shed. Ryan said she often feels the impacts of survivor’s remorse as she passes each of the homes destroyed in their canyon community. “So many of my friends lost their homes,” she said. “Our community will rebuild.” The burned out peaks below and above the Ryan home resemble those of the Sand Fire, which charred more than 41,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest between Sand Canyon, Sylmar and Acton and offer a narrow outlook on how communities across the state have been impacted. With 1,671,313 acres burned across California and more than 19,000 structures destroyed, 2018 marked the most destructive year in the state’s wildfire history, according to CalFire. According to firefighters working to douse smoldering flames at her neighbor’s destroyed house, Ryan’s home survived mostly due to the amount of defensible space around their home, a preventative measure local fire officials are trying to convey to Santa Clarita residents. “The Los Angeles County Fire Department, along with our partnering agencies, stand ready to quickly respond to contain wildfires, utilizing our firefighting resources from the

air and ground to help protect you and your property from wildfire,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby said in a message to local residents. “But, we can’t do this without your cooperation. Preparation and prevention go hand-in-hand,” he said. The erratic wildfire behavior locally prompted firefighters to take a proactive stance by using information to save homes. The Los Angeles County Fire Department rolled out a new video campaign to promote the modernized Ready, Set Go! Program. Available online, the video and printed wildfire action plan gives ideas on how to prepare for a fire, including how homeowners can defend their property. “The Ready! Set! Go! brochure was designed to provide you with critical information on creating defensible space around your home, retrofitting your home with fire-resistant materials, and preparing you to safely evacuate well ahead of a wildfire,” Osby said in the message. The guide is divided into three sections: safeguarding your home, creating an action plan with emergency kits and what to do during an evacuation.

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

S C V F E AT U R E

Set! Go!’?

Ready

The plan harps on creating a buffer zone around your home free of any flammable material and details how to maintain landscaping around a structure to slow the spread of a wildfire. “Creating and maintaining defensible space are essential for increasing your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer that homeowners are required to create on their property between a structure and the plants, brush, and trees or other items surrounding the structure that could catch fire,” the guide says. For Fire Station 150 Capt. Kirk Nelson, alleviating the flammable fuel surrounding a home often makes a significant difference in saving a home. “Trim shrubs and trees that are high fuel oils like eucalyptus, cyprus, pines, palm trees that cause an ember cast,” Nelson said. The captain recommended maintaining at least 20 feet of ground cover clearance around a house and encouraged establishing a 100-foot boundary by removing dead limbs from trees. “Homes that are mid-slope or above a slope, we recommend at least 200 feet of clearance because radiant heat can cause embers to enter a home,” Nelson said.

Set

This section incorporates an action plan for families by gathering essential contact information, a list of what to take in the event of an impending evacuation and what to pack in every day emergency kits. “Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs, and keep it easily accessible, so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate. Plan to be away from your home for an extended period of time,” the guide says.

Above: Fire officials hope homeowners heed the plan before the next disaster strikes.

Above: Maisy, 5, and Sarah Ryan clutch hands outside their Malibu home after returning for the first time following evacuation during the Woolsey Fire.

The plan works to mitigate hazards by defining issues including dangling power lines, ruptured gas lines and the dangers of hidden embers when repopulating an area.

To see the online plan, visit https://fire. lacounty.gov/rsg or request a printed copy of the plan by emailing the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Public Information Office at info@fire.lacounty.gov. 

The Go part of the plan offers tips on how to evacuate safely when flames are racing toward homes and details survival tips in case you become trapped when leaving your home. “In Los Angeles County, wildfires will continue to be fueled by a buildup of seasonal dry vegetation and driven by dry conditions and locally strong winds, making them extremely dangerous and challenging for firefighters to control,” “Many homeowners don’t consider how a wildfire could affect them, and very fewresidents have properly prepared for evacuation until it is too late,” he said.

The Fire Department’s plan focuses on homeowners creating defensible space around their property. COURTESY PHOTOS

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Combat Radio’s annual Christmas event gives to families in need By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

he kids in line waiting to see Santa in the square behind Salt Creek Grille and the Edwards Valencia movie theater on Saturday weren’t being too impatient. Sure, the Santa was a sight to see. He was perched upon a large sled among pile after pile of wrapped toys, packaged neatly in red and white and labeled neatly by gender and age range, waiting to be handed out to children in need this holiday season. But despite the long line that snaked all through the square, the kids weren’t counting the minutes too much. They had plenty of other entertainment in the meantime at the eighth annual Combat Radio Christmas For Social Services event. In addition to a free brunch served in the Salt Creek Grille restaurant, kids could meet all their favorite movie characters, courtesy of Combat Radio producer Ethan Dettenmaier. Parents looked on as a squad of Ghostbusters, Spiderman, Ariel, Dr. Strange, Stormtroopers and robot-controlled R2-D2’s walked around taking selfies with excited children. Behind them, Jasmine and Aladdin helmed a ring toss and snowball basket game. Kiki from “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” chased some children with a broom in her hand, while Captain Jack Sparrow stroked his mustache as families filed out of the restaurant, where they had been enjoying a gourmet

CRIME

Continued from page 5

With the proliferation this past year of doorstep video surveillance cameras installed by homeowners, an increased number of video images depicting suspected burglars are being shared with deputies. In one such video demonstrated by Lewis on Wednesday, car burglars are seen walking zombie-like down a darkened suburban street, stopping at cars, peering inside, trying the car door, then slowly walking away. The simplest way to reduce car

breakfast served from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. “My favorite character is Iron Man because his suit is really cool,” said Evan White, 6, beaming as he pointed at the Iron Man character walking around. “The food’s good, I’m happy I get to have an early present, and I got to meet Dr. Strange,” Damien King, 11, said casually as he looked at his phone while waiting to take a selfie with the Marvel superhero. King and his mother, Ruby Villegas, had heard of the event through Hope Gardens, a homeless service in Sylmar. The organization bussed its clients to the event early Saturday morning, where they joined over 500 families in need who were enjoying the special event being put on. “My kids couldn’t sleep the night before because they were so excited,” Villegas said. “It’s amazing, it’s our first time here. And it puts a smile on every kid’s face and warms our hearts.” Villegas’ daughter, Alissa Villegas, was excited because, “I get to see all the princesses!” The eight-year-old squealed as she danced and held hands with Belle and Ariel. Some famous faces also came from Universal Studios to the Combat Radio event. Maurice LaMarche, a voice actor famous for roles in “Pinky and the Brain,” “Futurama,” and the animated “Ghostbusters” franchise, said he enjoyed coming out to see the people who were delighted to hear him re-enact his characters. “I was a guest on Ethan’s podcast, and then I came out here to help hand out burglaries, Lewis said, is to keep your vehicle locked. As well, a point deputies cannot stress enough is for residents to keep nothing of value in their vehicles. To make his point, Lewis stops the video surveillance of “car checkers” to show a burglar used the flashlight app on his phone to shine inside parked vehicles.

Out-of-towners

Another crime trend identified and addressed is the increased number of out-of-towners coming into the SCV to commit crimes such as mail theft

Combat Radio held its Christmas event on Saturday, which featured Santa Claus and pop culture characters from films. PHOTOS BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

presents,” LaMarche said. “It’s definitely been an honor to see so many people and I even got to be part of a treasure hunt. I’m a first-timer, but I definitely think I could do this again.” Bruce Pastel, part of the biker gang the Mongols, also came out to hand out presents, some generously donated by the bikers themselves. “We’re all guys on motorcycles, and we’re just here to help,” he said. “Everyone portrays us as these big, bad guys, but we went out and bought our toys to come out to do events like these. We love it. This year we got 25 guys to come, and next year we’re bringing 50.” In the restaurant, Salt Creek Grille manager Jennifer Chadwick noted the event attendance had increased each

year the restaurant hosted it. She’d been there when it first began nine years ago. Each time, the restaurant staff came to volunteer their time to cook the food — which consists of eight refills of pancakes, eight refills of eggs, three refills of hashbrowns, two of sausage and five of bacon, recited Chadwick’s daughter Brooklyn. Brooklyn, age 10, had been helping since she was 5. This year, she was once again handing out hashbrowns. “I really like it because it’s so fun to be here, it’s a fun thing,” she said. “I like to see everyone smiling, and see these kids get a real Christmas. And also, afterward, the princesses are also here and I get to see them and the kids play together too!” 

and burglaries. “We have to stop people coming into the Santa Clarita Valley to victimize us,” Lewis said. “We’re becoming victims of people who are coming in and committing crimes of opportunity such as when people leave their vehicles unlocked. “Especially this time of year, we need to stay vigilant, as a community, together, in order to stop some of this crime,” he said.

or break-ins or thefts, the most effective way of battling crime is constant and frequent communication with the deputies. “Because we work closely with the community we have really lowered the crime in Santa Clarita,” Lewis said. “We can continue to lower it if we stay in partnership, and stay in the direction of (newly sworn-in) Sheriff Alex Villanueva, continuing our community-based policing model, Santa Clarita will be one of the most vibrant community policing programs.” 

Community-based policing

Whether it’s a rash of car burglaries,

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

LOCALNEWS

County wants traffic action plan By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

ounty supervisors motivated by the “nightmare” traffic jam witnessed Thanksgiving weekend through the Grapevine and along Interstate 5 have called for an emergency mobility action plan to make sure it doesn’t happen again. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation by Supervisor Kathryn Barger for agencies to devise emergency mobility action plans that would be used whenever the I-5 shuts down due to crashes, weather or construction. The affected agencies — including the Department of Public Works, Department of Regional Planning, Sheriff ’s Department and Fire Department — are to report back to the board in the interim monthly status reports. “We appreciate CHP and Caltrans for coming before this board at Supervisor Barger’s request to offer assistance and cooperation to improve the situation on the 5 in Castaic to prevent the nightmare scenario we saw over Thanksgiving weekend from recurring as the holidays approach, and thereafter,” Barger spokesman Tony Bell said Tuesday. The “nightmare scenario” that played out in Castaic and Valencia over the Thanksgiving long weekend did not go unnoticed by county officials. Larger delays along I-5 and through the SCV threw residents into a frenzy over the Thanksgiving weekend as traffic grew increasingly worse, Bell said at that time. Barger’s office received a large volume of calls, he said, from distressed residents who had experienced a very frustrating weekend. “One even said it took her over an hour and a half to go eight miles right by Hasley Canyon,” Bell said. In response to the gridlock, Bell said the county was working with California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Transportation to figure out the best way to

help alleviate holiday traffic jams. On Tuesday, county supervisors made the push to find a better way around holiday traffic jams official. In her notes to fellow supervisors explaining her recommendation, Barger called the holiday traffic jams “a critical choke point in California’s highway system.” As she pointed out in the expanded version of her recommendation, the “I-5 serves as the backbone for goods movement between Mexico and Canada and for motorists traveling northsouth within the state and beyond.” This segment of the I-5 also provides a vital link to job centers for tens of thousands of daily commuters. In normal times, she said, these factors create challenging traffic conditions for those who use the corridor. But the problem has been exacerbated due to ongoing construction activities in the area, she said. Currently, Caltrans is implementing a roadway surface rehabilitation project between Newhall and Castaic on the I-5. Barger added that “an important capacity enhancement project will begin shortly thereafter.” “This past weekend saw the highest number of holiday travelers in the metropolitan Los Angeles area in the past 15 years, which proved to be nearly impossible to navigate through the I -5 corridor in the Santa Clarita Valley,” Barger wrote, explaining her recommendation “Additionally, during the coming winter months there will likely be increased impacts due to weather-related freeway closures north of Castaic. The residents of unincorporated Castaic are heavily impacted during these situations as the only way to get in and out of Castaic is via the highly constrained Old Road. The Old Road becomes a two-lane road north of Hasley Canyon and is unable to handle increased traffic volume when issues arise on the I-5. 

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

Welcome to The Signalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holiday lights tour!

he Signal created the following map from houses and blocks that are well-known for celebrating holiday cheer with light displays that range from themed block tours that challenge residents to find the elves, or offer musical accompaniment, to the more ornate million-plus light display of the Wakefield Winter Wonderland in Saugus. If you know a spot that should be on the map, please let us know at SignalSCV.com/holidaylights.

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

1 - 19700 block, Koji Court, Canyon Country Located off Via Princessa 2 - 28000 block Urbandale Ave., Saugus Located off Bouquet Canyon Road 3 - 20900 block, Ben Court, Saugus Located off Copperhill Drive

4 - 21900 block, Wakefield Court, Saugus “Wakefield Winter Wonderland,” located off Copperhill Drive 5 - 21500 block, Bodie Place, Saugus Located off Copperhill Drive 6 - 22300 block, Homestead Place, Saugus Nicknamed “Homestead Holiday,” located off Copperhill 7 - 22500 block, Ash Court, Saugus Located off Seco Canyon Road 8 - 29200 block, Avenida Avila, Valencia Look for the big Noel! Located off Copperhill Drive, Tesoro Del Valle Drive, Bernardo Way 9 - 28100 block, Angelica Place, Valencia Located off Copperhill Drive 10 - 27700 block, Meraweather Place, Valencia Find the elves when they aren’t on the shelves; located off Decoro Drive

11 - 27700 block, Essex Place, Valencia There’s a trail of Santa’s reindeer; located off Decoro Drive 12 - 23300 block, Clifton Place, Valencia Fully decorated cul-de-sac located off of Grandview Drive 13 - 23800 block, Claymore Way, Valencia Tune in to 88.7 FM; located off Decoro Drive 14 - 27600 block, Woodfield Place, Valencia Located off Decoro Drive 15 - 27900 block, Crown Court Circle, Valencia Located off McBean Parkway 16 - 25800 block, Mendoza Drive, Valencia Located off McBean Parkway 17 - 23700 block, Adamsboro Drive, Newhall Tune in to 107.7 FM; located off Lyons Avenue 18 - 25000 block, Cotton Blossom Lane, Stevenson Ranch Located off Pico Canyon Road 19 - 26200 block, Reade Place, Stevenson Ranch Located off Poe Parkway 20 - 26600 block, Brooks Circle, Stevenson Ranch Located off Poe Parkway

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

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t the last City Council meeting in November, city staff presented the results of our 2018 Public Opinion Poll. This is a survey the city conducts every two years to learn how residents feel about the city’s job performance, customer service and to determine other quality of life issues in our community. For the 2018 poll, our surveyors used both the latest social science methods, utilizing landlines and cellphones, along with the Internet and mailed invitations for an optimum reach of our residents. Our number of completed surveys increased nearly 70 percent compared to 2016 (570). A total of 968 completed surveys, by a sample of registered voters in the city, were gathered online and by telephone. Santa Clarita residents were asked to rate the city on a number of key dimensions—including overall quality of life. I am proud to say, once again, that residents shared favorable opinions of our city. The most positive ratings showed that Santa Clarita once again was rated very well as a place to raise a family (88 percent excellent or good), as a place to live (85 percent) and the overall quality of life in the city (83 percent). This is a tremendous indication of our overall impact in the city as perceived by our residents. Satisfaction levels for city services continue to be high. The vast majority (87 percent) of Santa Clarita residents indicated they were either very, or somewhat satisfied with the city’s efforts to provide municipal services. The top reasons given for this high rating were approval of how the city operates, a nice, clean and wellmaintained city, safety and excellent park facilities. Residents were then asked about their level of satisfaction with services

provided. I am thrilled that the hard work of our City Council and city staff is paying off. At the top of the list, respondents were most satisfied with the city’s parks and recreation facilities and library services (both 94 percent very or somewhat satisfied), followed by fire protection and prevention services (93 percent), sports and recreation programs (93 percent) and special events (92 percent). On a broader scale, outside of specific city services, we asked residents what they felt was the number one most important issue facing our community today. Once again, traffic congestion topped the list (37 percent), followed by growth and development (26 percent) and public safety/crime/ drugs (17 percent). Approximately 14 percent of residents were unsure/ could not think of any important issues (13 percent) or stated that there were no issues facing the community (1 percent). These are issues that your City Council has been, and will continue to address in the new year. Overall, our city has once again received high marks from the community we serve. As a city manager — this is what I strive for day in and day out. I am proud that our city employs great staff who diligently work hard each day, often behind the scenes, to provide outstanding customer service and beautiful, well maintained parks and facilities, programs and learning opportunities, activities and events. I want to thank residents who took the time to participate in our 2018 Public Opinion Poll. If you would like to review all the data collected, please visit santa-clarita.com/city-hall/ public-opinion-polls. The views expressed in this column are those of the city and not necessarily those of The Signal. 

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

H O L I D AY

How to select the perfect tree

For ornaments to hang straight, you’ll want a tree with some space between the branches. To test a tree, take an unbreakable ornament with you and hang it on several branches to see if there is room for it to hang straight.

By Beau Harper Signal Contributing Writer

efore you venture out to buy that “perfect tree,” you’ll need to decide where it will fit in your home. Once a spot is chosen, be sure to measure both the ceiling height and the width of that space where you plan to place the tree. The next thing you will want to do is measure your tree stand to determine the maximum diameter of the trunk. Finally, take into account the height of your tree-top ornament. Use these measurements to help find the perfect tree for your home.

Before leaving home

Here are a few things to consider before leaving for the tree lot. Take

• heavy gloves to protect your hands, • a tape measure to help select the right size tree, • a blanket to protect your car from pine needles and sap,

Select a fresh tree

There is more to picking a Christmas tree then pointing to the first one you see. With a little preparation and forethought, you can find the perfect tree that you will be able to enjoy the whole season. COURTESY PHOTO

• twine or rope to tie it securely to the car unless you are sure that the tree lot provides it and • an unbreakable ornament to test how it will hang on the tree.

Choosing a tree

Trees with shorter needs, such as Fraser or Noble Fir, are often easier to decorate as they offer some space

between branches for decorations as well as some stronger stems to hold heavier ornaments. Something else to consider when choosing a tree is that it is usually most attractive when the ornaments hang straight. Many trees are groomed to be lush and full, but be aware that ornaments may hang at an angle such trees.

How can you tell? Needles should look shiny, green and fresh — not dry or brown. The needles should not fall off when you pull on a branch. Before you leave the lot, have them make a fresh cut on the tree. Once you get home, fill a bucket with lukewarm water so your tree can start drinking water. The fresh cut helps.

Transporting your tree

If possible, lay the tree inside your car or trunk for the drive home. If you have a long drive and you need to place the tree on the roof of your car, you may want to wrap it in a tarp or old blanket.

Tree stands

If you don’t already have one,

See TREE, page 40

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14 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

R E A L E S TAT E

Selling your home during the holiday

hile many home-sellers think having their home on the market during the holiday season is not a good idea, I take a contrary view on the issue. Here’s why: Chances are, the casual looky-loos aren’t going to be out seeing homes or going to open houses. Also, there is a lack of competing inventory on the market for sale, so if your home is available and the buyer is ready, willing and able, your home may well be chosen by a motivated buyer. Finally, most homes show their best during the holidays.

If you are fairly new on the market, consider having a weekend afternoon open house exclusively for the neighbors. Invite your neighbors over for an hour or two with some light snacks and drinks, and have your Realtor deliver the invitation door-to-door a week or so in advance. Introduce your Realtor to your neighbors, and make it fun. Here’s why it’s something to consider: Wordof-mouth advertising from the neighbors is great. They love the neighborhood since they live there, and they may know people who want to live there too. Don’t limit the attendees to just the neighbors you know. The neighbors you don’t know might know your home’s eventual buyer.

If you will be putting your home on the market early in the new year, there are some things you can do now to prepare your home for sale: First, take the opportunity to declutter the home. Go room by room, removing the items you won’t need between now and moving day. Pay extra attention to cabinets, closets, and pantries. Second, depersonalize your home by pre-packing family photos, personal items, collections, and keepsakes. Third, if you have deferred maintenance, now might be the time to get it done. Painting, seeding and feeding the lawn, clearing out and getting rid of this you won’t be moving with you are a good thing. Finally, go through and give your home a

deep cleaning inside and out. Carpet cleaning, windows, dust and don’t forget the exterior. The stucco and siding may have dirt and cobwebs that a good powerwash can fix. Also, if you have signs or smells of pets, why not address them now? A super clean home tells potential buyers that you’ve taken great care of the property. And you will get a much better price for your home if you begin to work on these things now.  Ray the Realtor Kutylo is the team leader of the SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties in Valencia. CA DRE 00918855 He can be contacted at (661) 312-9461 or via email at rkutylo@gmail. com. The views expressed in his column are his own and not necessarily those of The Signal.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY CLOSED SALES 11/23/18 TO 11/30/18 AREA/St#

St Name

Sold Price

Br/Ba

Sqft/Source

Price/SqFt

ACTON & AGUA DULCE 5803 32021 34417 31780

Hubbard RD 2nd ST Katrina ST Windrush RD

$430,000 $549,000 $660,000 $890,000

3/2, 3/1,1, 5/2,0,1, 6/3,0,1,

1840/S 1730/A 2823/A 4111/E

$233.70 $317.34 $233.79 $216.49

$305,000 $360,000 $469,900 $492,500 $510,000 $519,500 $525,000 $535,000 $575,000 $634,000 $660,000 $676,000 $677,000 $705,000 $780,000

3/2, 2/2, 3/2,0,1, 4/2, 4/2, 3/2, 3/1,1,1, 4/2, 3/2,0,1, 4/3,0,1, 4/3, 5/1,2,1, 4/3, 5/3, 5/3,

934/A 1100/A 1439/A 1362/A 1322/A 1392/A 1464/A 1634/A 1491/A 2309/A 2280/B 2500/A 3006/A 2935/P 2996/A

$326.55 $327.27 $326.55 $361.60 $385.78 $373.20 $358.61 $327.42 $385.65 $274.58 $289.47 $270.40 $225.22 $240.20 $260.35

$357,000 $430,000 $490,000 $520,000 $525,000 $580,000 $690,900

2/2, 3/2, 3/2, 4/2, 5/2,0,1, 4/1,2, 4/3,

1140/A 1182/A 1284/A 1672/A 1855/A 2230/A 2230/A

$313.16 $363.79 $381.62 $311.00 $283.02 $260.09 $309.82

CANYON COUNTRY 27955 27941 26777 30408 29930 26522 15403 29124 28750 26948 25191 14556 17678 18217 29655

Sarabande LN #220 Avalon DR #14 Pamela DR Abelia RD Orchid Cove DR Isabella Poppyseed LN Lotusgarden DR Winterdale DR Cherry Willow DR Golden Maple DR Grandifloras RD Wren DR Shannon Ridge Place Kings Canyon PL

CASTAIC & VAL VERDE 32018 27829 29150 27956 28138 29925 27620

Quartz LN Ferguson DR Rangewood RD Beacon ST East Branch RD Muledeer LN Bridlewood DR

NEWHALL 26739 19859 19220 24304

Oak Crossing RD #B Sandpiper PL #113 Maplebay CT Creekside DR

$267,000 $324,000 $485,000 $720,000

2/2, 3/2, 4/2, 4/3,

864/A 970/A 1488/A 3081/A

$309.03 $334.02 $325.94 $233.69

$389,000 $455,000 $455,000 $490,000 $498,000 $505,000 $565,000 $570,000

3/2,0,1, 3/2,0,1, 3/2,0,1, 4/3, 3/3, 5/2, 4/2,0,1, 5/3,

1285/A 1850/A 1850/A 1719/A 1867/A 1668/A 2071/A 2423/A

$302.72 $245.95 $245.95 $285.05 $266.74 $302.76 $272.82 $235.25

SAUGUS 26851 19323 19325 21729 28340 28147 28171 22078

Avenida Terraza Opal LN #133 Wilson LN Propello DR Sycamore DR Newbird DR Oaklar DR Windham WAY

AREA/St#

St Name

27711 28040 28008 21744 19177 23102

Caraway LN Linda LN Linda LN Agajanian LN Bension DR Shawnee CT

Sold Price

Br/Ba

$575,000 $600,000 $652,000 $710,000 $829,000 $1.575 M

4/3, 4/3, 3/3, 4/3, 5/4,0,1, 5/5,0,1,

Sqft/Source

1670/A 2515/A 3045/A 2620/A 4551/B 4729/A

Price/SqFt

$344.31 $238.57 $214.12 $270.99 $182.16 $333.05

$402,000 $415,000 $605,000 $695,000

2/3, 4/2,0,1, 3/2,0,1, 4/3,

1164/A 1286/A 1841/A 2221/A

$345.36 $322.71 $328.63 $312.92

$250,000 $315,000 $338,000 $390,000 $410,000 $485,000 $500,000 $517,000 $565,000 $565,900 $623,900 $634,920 $689,900 $695,000 $711,219 $785,000 $915,000 $1.300 M

1/1, 2/2, 1/1, 2/2, 3/2,0,1, 3/2,0,1, 4/2, 3/2, 4/3, 3/2,0,1, 3/1,2,1, 3/3, 2/2,0,1, 3/2,0,1, 4/3, 5/3, 5/4, 5/5,

760/A 1041/A 786/A 1252/A 1658/A 1660/A 1360/A 1263/A 2272/A 1938/B 1848/A 1868/A 1922/A 2586/A 2327/A 3363/A 3284/A 4260/A

$328.95 $302.59 $430.03 $311.50 $247.29 $292.17 $367.65 $409.34 $248.68 $292.00 $337.61 $339.89 $358.95 $268.75 $305.64 $233.42 $278.62 $305.16

STEVENSON RANCH 25250 25731 25356 24708

Steinbeck AVE #D Perlman PL #F (119) Fitzgerald AVE Sagecrest CIR

VALENCIA & WESTRIDGE 25825 25718 25847 23943 24430 23818 25377 22914 23357 24115 23924 23908 26003 28085 25512 28874 27230 24704

Tournament RD #I7 Hogan DR #C13 McBean PKWY #22 Arroyo Park DR #189 Nicklaus DR #L1 Brescia DR Via Palacio Calvello DR Pike LN Paseo Del Rancho Bar Harbor CT Capistrano CT Lucerne CT Liana LN Via Desca Silversmith DR Trinidad CT Tiburon ST

MLS Data Disclaimer: Based on information from the Southland Regional Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing Service for the week ending on 11/30/18. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

SPORTS

Riding after her dream By Haley Sawyer Signal Sports Editor

n Megan Huber’s sport, she only has one teammate. And that teammate is often around 6 feet tall, and weighs about 2,000 pounds. The Saugus student-athlete and her teammate hurdle obstacles and run in circles. Huber competes in equestrian and her teammate, Mac, is her horse. “I would say that it’s a great way to have peace of mind. It’s an amazing stress-reliever and you get attached to animals,” Huber said. “Like there’s no other feeling than having a giant teammate that, they’re like giant dogs.” Huber began equestrian when she was 8 years old. Her mom had wanted to take up horseback riding to fulfill a childhood dream and when she went to take a look at a barn, Huber fell in love and instantly gave up dance, gymnastics and soccer for the chance to ride a horse. “I used to think of it as a hobby until I started competing, and I’m a very competitive person, so that just drove me to become better and stronger,” Huber said. She worked with her trainers’ horses until she was 15 years old, then

Above: Saugus High School student Megan Huber has won two Division Champion awards in her equestrian career, one of which came at Verdugo Hills. She has also won several Reserve Champion awards. Right: Megan Huber began equestrian at the age of 8. She has won multiple awards with her horse, Astaire, but has been riding her mom’s horse, Mac, recently because of a leg injury Astaire suffered in February. COURTESY PHOTOS

Megan Huber, a Saugus High School student, competes in equestrian, specifically in the hunter jumper event. Huber signed her national letter of intent to compete in equestrian at University of Tennessee, Martin next year. COURTESY PHOTO

leased a horse named Astaire (after Fred Astaire, the dancer and actor) and took complete ownership of him after the lease was up. Astaire suffered a leg injury in February, however, so Huber is riding Mac, her mom’s horse, until her own is healed and ready to go. Huber is a hunter jumper, which she explains as “the kind that jumps over fences.” She and her horse are

judged on their appearance, specifically, when hurdling obstacles and then compete in a “flat” component, where Huber and her horse walk, trot and canter on a flat surface and are judged on the execution. ‘It’s like the pageant land of horses I would say,” Huber said. “We’re supposed to look as pretty as possible and flawless as possible.” She’s achieved division champion

honors at the Santa Barbara National Horse Show and at two other events at Verdugo Hills, along with a handful of other reserve champion titles. Her most recent accomplishment, however, has been an NCAA Division 1 scholarship. Huber has taken her love for the sport to the collegiate level, signing her national letter of intent with University of Tennessee, Martin, on Nov. 14. Training out of Oak Canyon Equestrian in Newhall, Huber also travels out of the area to go to summer camps run by colleges. She went to two run by Auburn University, another run by Texas A&M and finally one run by University of Tennessee, Martin. “It was very home-like,” Huber said of UTM’s camp. “They were very welcoming and all that stuff, so I decided they were my favorite and ever since then, I just emailed the coaches like any other sport with updates on what I’m doing.” Even though Huber went through a recruiting process similar to most athletes, her friends were still surprised when she showed up at Saugus’ signing day ceremony in November. She could represent Saugus in competition, but the school doesn’t typically recognize equestrian as a sport. “I had a few friends that were in there with me, but not everyone knew that equestrian was a collegiate sport,” Huber said. “So I was definitely getting a few looks because people didn’t believe me.” But with only 17 schools that offer Division 1 programs in equestrian, Huber was happy to represent her sport. “It was really cool to get acknowledged for the work that we put in,” she said. Huber plans to focus on preparation for her career as a nurse practitioner in the near future, but still wants equestrian to be a part of her life. “I’m going to go right into my major and just focus on all my schooling and work,” she said, “and if I happen to pick up horses again once I have a solid job, then that’s my dream.” 

16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

Gunfighters, Mud Floods & Yes, Chicken Guns. Wishing you a warm and festive merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy holidays and for you grumpier souls, Happy Nothingburgers. As is our custom, we’ve a most interesting trek into the yesteryears of SCV history. There’s Wyatt Earp, a first lady, swindlers, storms, a comedy legend and the usual gee-whiz vistas. What say you? C’mon out into the street. I’ve tens of thousands of steeds all patiently waiting to whisk you back to the calming trails of a Santa Clarita long gone by. Shall we mosey into the mystic together? WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• Back in the 1890s, legendary pistol fighter and lawman Wyatt Earp bumped into a young engineer named Herbert Hoover while both

Big Bill Bonelli was interviewed in Mexico by a Los Angeles Examiner reporter this week in 1958. The local millionaire rancher had been in hiding after rich and connected political enemies all the way up to the governor’s office trumped up charges against him. Bonelli was eventually cleared 20 years later and issued a public apology by the state and IRS. Bonelli headed the state Board of Equalization when he discovered that the Los Angeles Times and dozens of politicians and bureaucrats owned fake liquor licenses. Bonelli exposed them in his book, “Billion Dollar Blackjack.” The multimillionaire rancher, who owned Saugus Speedway then, also owned a ranch in Mexico that covered 1 million acres.

were prospecting for gold in Alaska. Earp would later become friends with Newhall’s William S. Hart. Hoover? He’d later marry Lou Henry, who spent part of her early years in Acton, where her father managed gold mines. Herbert Hoover and Lou would have perhaps the most interesting lives of any married couple. He’d become America’s 31st president and she would have an amazing life, becoming the first first lady to speak Chinese (and six other languages fluently!). She’d also become the first first lady to have regular national radio addresses. She was a jock, a star athlete and scholar at Stanford and was president of the Girl Scouts. DEC. 9, 1928

• The water gods just kept punishing Castaic. Earlier in the year, part of the sleepy little community was devastated by the second-worst manmade disaster in American history the St. Francis Dam Disaster. Another flood hit the town of Castaic on this date, sending a 4-foot wall of mud and water through the small business and residential area. The 1927 Ridge Route fire was partly to blame. The big blaze denuded many of the hills. An Oakland couple, staying at the Kaan Mobile Court, were nearly washed to their death. Bert Reynolds saved them. Nope. THAT Burt Reynolds, the movie star who passed recently, spelled his name with a “U” and wasn’t born yet. • December was (and is) cereal seed planting time. SCV farmers were planting their wheat, barley and oat crops. • A Stockton company, LeTourneau and Lindberg, earned the $391,000 contract to build the Weldon Canyon Road, linking the SCV to the San Fernando Valley. It took just a year to finish. • I have no idea what it costs to educate an SCV child per year. But in 1928, it costs just $50. DEC. 9, 1938

• We used to have an unofficial mayor of Newhall (we weren’t officially a city then). First nomination was gas station operator “Heavy”

Bezzo. Heavy said he was qualified because he “... wore no man’s collar.” • The SCV was an air highway for planes en route to L.A. The treacherous mountains claimed many a life in those early days. The Civil Aeronautics Authority OK’d construction for a new radio warning beacon atop Newhall Pass. DEC. 9, 1948

• The Mighty Signal was a multimedia company, even back in 1948. We used to sell “No Hunting” signs out of the front office. Today, in case you’re looking for a subscription or to place an ad, our telephone number is 259-1234. In 1948? Our telephone number was “8.” Yup. Just dial, “8…” • Just down the street from The Signal, believe it or not, Newhall Paint sold Christmas trees in 1948. • Historian and water district president A.B. Perkins ran an ad in The Mighty Signal with the giant headline: “NO DOPE.” No. A.B. wasn’t soliciting narcotics. He ran an ad deploring the amount of oil prospecting in residential Newhall. • Frank LaSalle, owner of the famed movie and cattle ranch and one of this valley’s pioneers, went on to his reward. His rancher friend, Rennes Erwin, who moved here in the 1870s, died the same week. DEC. 9, 1958

• Hart High won the gridiron game but lost the fight afterward. The unbeaten Hart High Indians whupped Dominguez High, 34-6. Castaic’s John Sheeler ran for three touches. Afterward, local would-be thugs attacked visiting fans and several mob fights broke out. One carload of local youths forced a car of Dominguez Hills fans off San Fernando Road. The Newhall boys came out of the car with tire irons and twoby-fours. The DH kids disarmed the locals and gave them a pretty good whipping. Tom Frew assures me he wasn’t born yet. • Every week, Charlie White of

Arcadia Street went down to Santa Monica to visit one of his best friends. And who was Charlie’s pal? Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame. • Lockheed announced they were buying 200 acres “northeast of Castaic Junction.” They were going to build a top-secret research and development facility, including a state-of-the-art wind tunnel capable of producing speeds of up to Mach 10. My pops worked there for decades. • Wish I could take back these 1948 house prices. Check these out: A house on 2 acres in Sand Canyon with plenty of oaks and its own well went for just $13,500. A house on 30 acres in Placerita WITH three producing oil wells sold for $52,500. Want something a bit more budget-conscious? A small two-bedroom home sold for $9,000 $1,000 down and $80 a month. DEC. 9, 1968

• The big fear around town was a report that Palmdale was going to build THE world’s largest airport, bringing in 100 million people yearly to its terminals and making the SCV even more of a traffic mess. Unless I missed it, the epic airport was never built. • Here’s some Canyon trivia. The Cowboys lost their first-ever See TIME RANGER, page 33

D E C E M B E R 9, 2, 2018 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 117 7

= Family Friendly Event

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING Santa Clarita City Council Meetings second and fourth Tuesday of every month 6 p.m. Council meetings are also broadcast live on SCV TV channel 20 and on the city’s website. Santa Clarita City Hall, City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita. Info: City Clerk’s office Clerk’s office: (661) 255-4391. First Tuesday of every month, 10:45 a.m. meet and greet; 11:15 a.m. meeting. All Republican women and men are invited to the North Los Angeles County Republican Women Federated meeting. Meetings are held at a private home and directions will be given upon registration. Cost is $25 for members; $30 for non-members for meeting and lunch. To RSVP contact Pepper Parkinson at (661) 523-7523. Info: northlacountyrwf.com First and Third Tuesdays of each month, 6:30 p.m. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) holds a free support group focused on the families that need support, education and resources at the Department of Mental Health, 23501 Cinema Dr. For more info call (818) 371-9381or visit nami.org. First and third Wednesdays of each month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. During the Western Music Association Showcase, musicians and cowboy poets perform stories and songs of the romantic Old West, contemporary music of the American West, and songs of the open range and the American cowboy. To perform your Western music or poetry with them during this event, email wmacc@ westernmusiccalifornia.org. El Trocadero Steakhouse, 24274 Main Street, Newhall Info: wmacc@westernmusiccalifornia.org. First, second and third Thursdays of each month 6-9 p.m. ARTree Figure Drawing. Visit ARTree Community Arts Center for a chance to really explore your creative potential using a live model. Just drop in and bring a pencil and paper. $10 donation. ARTree Community Arts Center, 22508 6th St., Newhall. Info: http://theartree.org. First and third Thursdays of every month, 7 p.m. The Valencia California Family History Center holds free courses to help the community discover, preserve and share family histories. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 24443 McBean Parkway, Valencia. The center is also open daily. Hours vary. Contact (661) 259-1347. Info: familysearch.org/wiki/ en/Valencia_California_Family_History_Center Second Sunday of each month, 5 p.m. The SCV Blues Society hosts a monthly

Blues Jam with a featured host band and guest artists. Some of the best musicians around often join in on the jam. This month will feature the band Wumbloozo. Tickets are $5 and guests under 21 are free. American Legion Post 507, 24527 Spruce St, Newhall. Info: http://www.scvblues.com

topical speakers and programs to help our local residents to maintain their landscapes as well as to grow healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables in this unending drought. Sierra Hills Swim and Racket Club, 28616 Kenroy Ave., Canyon Country. For more info, contact Max Morgan, Publicity Director, at maxmorgan427@ gmail.com or (661) 312-3910.

tor Gary Peterson will screen and discuss film details for “Three Identical Strangers” beginning at 6 p.m. and “Disobedience” beginning at 8 p.m. College of the Canyons, Hasley Hall, Room 101, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. For more info, contact Gary Peterson at gary.peterson@canyons.edu.

Second Monday of the month, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Build a support system with people who understand at the Alzheimer’s Support Group. Connect with others. Exchange practical information on caregiving challenges and possible solutions. Talk through issues and ways of coping. Share feelings, needs and concerns. Education Center, 24525 Town Center Drive, Valencia. Before attending this meeting: Please call Michelle Quiroga-Diaz at (310) 498-8650 to confirm meeting date and time.

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 5-7 p.m. Join us for the third annual CalArts Holiday Market for handcrafted, artist-made gifts including original prints, jewelry, ceramics, fashions, festive live music, food and drink, and more. CalArts Campus, MOD Theater Lobby & Main Reception Area 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia Info: holidaymarket2018.splashthat.com.

Second Monday of every month, 6:30 p.m. The Travel Club hosts an informal gathering of people interested in travel, no officers, no dues. Travel presentations will differ monthly. The education building at Christ Lutheran Church, 25816 Tournament Rd, Valencia. Call Carl Boyer at (661) 259-3154.

Friday, Dec. 14, 5 p.m. Westfield Valencia Town Center will show “White Christmas” as part of its “Winter Nights” screening series. 24201 West Valencia Blvd., Suite 150 Valencia. Info: www.westfield.com/valencia or call (661) 254-0213.

Second Tuesdays of the month, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Did you know that your brain is an organ too? Learn about things you can do to help your memory and brain stay strong as you age at the free Keeping Your Brain Healthy meeting. Henry Mayo Fitness and Health-Room 1 24525 Town Center Dr Valencia. To register or for more information contact Adrianna Guadarrama at (818) 8304738 or email at aguadarrama@alzgla.org.

Friday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. Host and modera-

Second Thursday of the month, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. The Toastmaster will hold their monthly introduction meetings for newcomers. College of the Canyons University Center, Room 315, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia For more info contact vpm-9641@ toastmastersclubs.org or visit http://day breaksantaclarita.com. Second Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m. The five-member Arts Commission meets in the City Council Chambers. Members of the public wishing to address the commission may do so by completing a speaker’s slip upon arrival at the meeting. There is a three minute time limit per person. Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Valencia. For more info, (661) 286-4018. Second Thursday of every month, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Gardening Club of Santa Clarita is an active club of around 70 SCV Gardening enthusiasts and working hard to grow our membership base and to provide

EVENTS BY DATE

Saturday, Dec. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop and support our local artisans and small business owners at the Plum Canyon Elementary’s 2018 Holiday Boutique. Kids can also enjoy cookies and Cocoa with Santa! Plum Canyon Elementary School 28360 North Alfred Way, Saugus Info: gigirbunnell@hotmail.com. Saturday, December 15, 10 a.m. to noon Join Westfield Valencia Town Center on Saturday, Dec. 15 for free holiday arts and crafts including cookie decorating sponsored by Lady Di’s, ornament making sponsored by Bitter Root Pottery and writing letters to Santa sponsored by House of Bounce. Find Santa’s Workshop on Level 1 near the Santa Set. 24201 West Valencia Blvd., Suite 150 Valencia. Info: westfield.com/valencia or call (661) 254-0213.

N!IN! IN! WIW W CONGRATULATIONS to Gloria Martinez of Valencia — the winner of $100 for correctly identifying the artwork as being from Heritage Sierra Medical advertisement on page 43 of our Nov. 25 issue. Identify this piece of artwork and the page number that it is on in one of the advertisements in this week’s issue, and you will be entered to win $100. One game and one winner each week.

Mail your entry to: The Signal – Contest 26330 Diamond Place | Santa Clarita, CA 91350 Or email to: contest@signalscv.com

100% HAND CAR WASH

CA &

C RA Un

Advertiser: Page # Name: Address:

28038 The Old Road. • 661-294-3036 (Rye Canyon - Near 5 South On Ramp)

Phone:

This week’s entries are due Wed. Dec. 19. Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

•H •C •C

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Opinion

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

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

E T H I C A L LY S P E A K I N G

OURVIEW

Barger Takes Steps to Stop What We Really Need, the Nightmare on I-5 Other than the 'Things' By The Signal Editorial Board

here's a certain amount of common sense that you want to point out when people are surprised by holiday traffic. Take this past Thanksgiving, for example. The traffic that weekend was awful, not just in the Santa Clarita Valley but throughout the Southland and beyond. It’s of course one of the heaviest traffic weekends of the year. People hit the road to visit aunt Betty, kids jam home from college for a quick pre-Christmas hit with the family, off-roaders load their toy haulers to go play in the desert, long-distance lovers take advantage of a couple of days off so they can reconnect... Etcetera. It adds up to a lot of people on the road. So it should have come as no surprise, then, that portions of Interstate 5 through the Santa Clarita Valley, at various times over the long Turkey Day weekend, looked more like linear parking lots than fast-moving highways carrying merry travelers. Except. Except, this traffic was different. It was just... extra. In the SCV, and particularly in and

By David Hegg

around Castaic, there were extenuating factors that took the normal holiday traffic “bad dream” and blew it up into something that would make Freddy Krueger proud: “The Nightmare on I-5.” It was a perfect traffic storm. Holiday traffic. Lower-than-expected gas prices. An economy that has people saying, “Yeah, what the heck? Let’s go out of town for the holiday.” Those factors, plus this: The I-5 — the most crucial north-south artery in all of California, the state’s lifeline for goods movement and people movement, too — is undergoing a major reconstruction project in the SCV. Caltrans is repaving the whole thing, through the entire SCV north of the Newhall Pass. Lanes have been rerouted. Capacity has been temporarily reduced. Some walled-off bypass lanes go for several miles between exits. So, it’s only logical that the whole situation sort of blew up in everyone’s See OUR VIEW, page 20

n the days following Thanksgiving I read an insightful article on the irony of Black Friday sales. The author lamented that, just one day after reminding ourselves of the many blessings we already have, we rushed out to spend millions on stuff we really don’t need. So, I got to thinking about what we really need. Here’s my list. Purpose in life: Look around and you’ll see a certain penetrating numbness in much of our society. Many go through their days without any sense of purpose. One day just follows another, disappointment lingers, dreams fade, relationships erode and melancholy takes up residence. What each of us really needs is a vibrant sense of purpose that makes living worthwhile, that answers the biggest questions of life. Having a purpose allows us to greet each day with the righteous ambition that isn’t content to “have a good day” but strives to make it one, for so many good reasons. If you read this column regularly you know that, for me, purpose and mean-

ing flow from a life-dominating conviction that I’ve been given life by the God of the Bible, and that I will be most satisfied when he is most glorified in and through me. What’s your purpose in this life? People: Someone has rightly said “the best things in life aren’t things.” Deep down we all know that loving and being loved are as vital to human flourishing as food and water. Over and over it has been proven that having honest, loving relationships with other human beings nourishes the soul like nothing else. First among these is marriage. Those who work hard to build healthy marriages, fighting together through the many disappointments, challenges and trials, find a well that continues to produce the refreshing water of happiness, comfort, and contentment. Pace: We all recognize how the pace of life can determine our well-being. Life is better when we are disciplined enough to find a rhythm, a pace, that promotes both success and sanity. There are times when we must run See HEGG, page 20

READERLETTERS

Horton Commentary Leaves Out Important Details Re: Gary Horton commentary, Dec. 5. There he goes again. Mr. Horton as usual will state a problem but leave out the most important part. Yes, we have menial and hands-on jobs going begging. Yes, our kids are in some cases being misled in how to achieve success, pushing them to meaningless college degrees when some need to go into the high-paying trades.

Yes,we need people from south of the border to do what they do best. However, Mr. Horton FAILS to state the most important fact in this situation. It is We The People and our leadership in Washington that should determine who and how many people we need from south of the border — not uncontrollable hordes of people demanding those jobs and our benefits. Immigration is important. Always has been. I’m second-generation but my grandparents came through Ellis Island in 1912 with a sponsor and a job waiting. Mr Horton, we have laws in this country.

Nowhere in your diatribe did I find a comment on following those laws until they are changed in Congress. Ron Singerman, Valencia

Do We Already Have Enough Toll Roads in California? In his Nov. 27 column about the voters’ rejection of Proposition 6, Mr. Jim de Bree justifies the rejecSee LETTERS, page 19

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

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Opinion

Contact: Tim Whyte, Signal Editor Phone: 661-287-5591 | Email: letters@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

BLACK&WHYTE

D R AW I N G C O N C LU S I O N S M AT T D AV I E S

The Santa Float and the Odds from Las Vegas By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

o I spent a good portion of Monday night driving through residential neighborhoods, blasting music at concert-level volume via a pair of massive speakers mounted in the back of a pickup truck. No one got mad at me. And, even though I was being followed by a sheriff ’s patrol vehicle all night, I didn’t get pulled over, nor was I cited for disturbing the peace. You see, they give you the benefit of the doubt when you’re leading Santa Claus into town. That was my role on Monday night as The Mighty Signal took its turn manning the Castaic Lions Club’s Santa Float (www.castaicsantafloat. com), visiting a variety of Castaic neighborhoods so the kids could hop up onto Santa’s lap and tell him their most heartfelt Christmas wishes. I’d never seen the Santa Float before, and you know, it was pretty damn cool. I had the privilege of driving the “music truck,” a beefy red pickup with off-road tires that goes in advance of the Santa Float to each of the evening’s stops, blaring Christmas music to alert residents that Santa’s arrival is imminent. Funny. There’s no such advance warning on Christmas Eve. Santa’s much more sneaky then. Probably because he has a lot more ground to cover. Signal owner Richard Budman rode shotgun with me and helped navigate. Richard was a vital participant, because he was buying the pizza for the Signal staffers and the Boy Scout volunteers who were serving as Santa’s helpers that night. It occurred to me that my 17-yearold daughter Brooke would have hated

this particular duty — she loves Christmas, but not the music. Humbug, Brooke! Anyway, for me it was a hoot to tool around the neighborhoods, blasting the music and watching families emerge to meet Santa and, in many cases, to donate to the Lions’ food and eyeglass drive for the needy. The float is a 22-foot trailer, originally modified from a boat trailer in 1989 by Jeff Preach of the Lions Club. It’s sponsored by quite a few local businesses, and the Lions have it decked out with a mini Santa’s village, complete with reindeer on the rooftops. (On one of them, a glowing red nose. It’s either Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, or Drunky, the oft-forgotten 10th reindeer who isn’t trusted to lead the sleigh on Christmas Eve...) Santa and Mrs. Claus ride in his sleigh mounted high on the back of the float. It looks a little precarious up there, but it held steady all night long. We had the aforementioned sheriff ’s escort (thanks, Deputy Reyes!) and a couple more chase vehicles with helpers performing various roles in support of the visit by Kris Kringle (traffic control, food donation collection, candy cane reloads, etc.) It’s a really cool hometown kind of thing, and it’s only in Castaic. The kids ate it up, and the parents did, too. We made a total of eight stops — and at a couple of them, mini block parties awaited. Based on the statistics from the first stop, where dozens of kids met Santa and only about four of the really little ones cried, I set the night’s over-under at 24.5 for the number of kids who would cry when they met Santa. Can’t be 24. Can’t be 25. Because then, if it was EXACTLY that number, See WHYTE, page 20

LETTERS

Continued from page 18

tion in part on the basis that if gas taxes were not increased we would have to fund road construction and maintenance through the use of toll roads, and he give as an example a drive he took from Cincinnati to San Francisco where the tolls increased the travel costs significantly. I found this somewhat strange, and so looked up the routes that one could take from Cincinnati to San Francisco. Interestingly, as all of the routes involve the use of the Interstate highway system (using I-80, best, or I-70 next best), the only toll I found on these routes was the toll on the Bay Bridge on I-80 over San Francisco Bay. Seems like we Californians already have our toll roads. Stephen Maseda, Valencia

Boston Misses Obvious Whoremonger Response to John Boston’s commentary, Nov. 30:

Thanks for the John Boston column — his most hilarious to date. John explores the humor in the word “whoremonger.” He tries it on Democrats, the Clintons and pornographers. The hilarious part is that there is a bona fide whoremonger in the White House right now. I mean, the real deal! And Boston doesn’t use any of that rich material that is right there in front of his nose in his column! It’s a Trump phenomenon that has affected the entire country including, apparently, John Boston. Even though the brush Trumpians paint with paints a better picture of themselves (like their “fake news” brush), they continue to try to paint their rivals with it while getting themselves covered in paint and looking ridiculous. Duane Mooring, Castaic Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone number; Anonymous letters are not printed; Email: letters@signalscv.com; Mail to: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 26330 Diamond Place, Ste. 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

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Opinion

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 18

faces on Thanksgiving weekend. Not only was the I-5 gridlocked, but also the traffic spilled over onto local surface streets, as holiday travelers and local residents alike sought ways to get around the bottleneck. Armed with apps like Waze and Google Maps, motorists discovered local neighborhood streets and jammed those up, too, turning a Castaic resident’s trip to the grocery store into an adventure requiring an overnight bag. Yes, people complained. The office of Kathryn Barger, supervisor for Los Angeles County’s 5th District, which includes the SCV, reported that numerous residents had called to complain about the traffic over the holiday weekend. But that’s not where it stopped. Barger, exhibiting her uncommonly pro-active nature, didn’t merely receive the complaints and chalk them up to holiday traffic and bad circumstances. Rather, your county supervisor took action — and called for real solutions to be sought to alleviate such problems in the future, recognizing that Thanksgiving 2018 may not be the last time circumstances conspire to ruin the days of travelers and residents. In fact, nary two weeks later, as Thursday’s rain and snow snarled traffic and forced road and freeway closures — including the I-5 between Castaic and Gorman — the ability of the local roads and highways to handle such surprises was tested once again. And, it’s not just a matter of convenience. When the roads are gridlocked as they were on Thanksgiving weekend, it creates very real potential hazards for things like emergency vehicle response times. With all of this in mind, Barger authored

WHYTE

Continued from page 19

you’d have a push. And no one wants that. It seemed like a pretty reasonable betting line at the time. The sports book at the Westgate Las Vegas wouldn’t have disagreed. It’s common for some of the youngest visitors to Santa to get a little spooked by the big guy in the red suit, but once you get to be 3 or 4 years old, you’re old enough to know what’s at stake, so you make sure to have a more jovial relationship with the jolly old elf.

a motion, approved Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors, directing county officials to collaborate with the California Department of Transportation, county Sheriff ’s Department and county Fire Department to devise an emergency plan to alleviate the issue. In her motion, Barger wrote that the highest priorities include identification of strategies to direct traffic and considerations of potential chokepoints related to highway construction. The planned collaboration would also include an analysis of high traffic volume and development of plans in anticipation of events like holidays, adverse weather conditions and other emergencies. Is it realistic to expect traffic will never be a problem on a major artery, particularly when it’s undergoing construction and circumstances like holidays and weather combine to exacerbate the situation? Of course not. But Barger, to her credit, is seeking real measures that can be taken to improve the ways such situations are managed, and to mitigate their impacts on residents and travelers alike. She’s not looking for lip service. She wants real answers, real steps that can be taken to diminish the chances of a recurrence of the Thanksgiving nightmare of 2018. There probably isn’t a magic wand that can be waved to prevent ALL future problems, but we’re pleased to see the SCV’s representative on the Board of Supervisors taking the matter seriously, and demanding accountability from county and state agencies that are responsible for keeping our infrastructure functional. even under trying circumstances. For that, we thank Supervisor Barger, and encourage her to continue building upon her track record of responsiveness to community concerns and issues. It's a common-sense approach. 

“Don’t piss off Santa,” they teach you in preschool, and it sticks. So, you need to gauge what percentage of the kids fall into the “really little” category and are thus more prone to declare themselves not quite ready for this whole Santa’s lap thing. Because they just don’t know yet. The vast majority of the kids were wholly happy to meet Santa — I noticed one little girl even brought a written list of her Christmas wishes and made sure to carefully review it with Santa, line by line, in case he needed any clarifications. Very efficient! I suspect that kid probably followed

HEGG

Continued from page 18

fast, intent on the goal or task at hand. These are days when all our energies must be focused and fixed on getting it done, and done right. But too many of us have become addicted to the adrenaline these situations produce. We live for the chase and have lost the ability to enjoy not chasing. What we really need is an understanding that times of rest, reflection and relationship are the winds that actually move the ship of life forward in the most meaningful ways. Real progress comes, not from the latest business success but from self-awareness, self-examination and a commitment to progress consistently as a person of character growing in knowledge, wisdom, discernment and love. Perseverance: Throughout history, humanity lived with the knowledge that disappointment, trauma and tragedy were givens, and they lived prepared to persevere through whatever darkness awaited them in the days ahead. It is only in our day that we are surprised when things don’t go as planned, when the WiFi stops, when disease hits, accidents happen and pain invades the body and soul. Consequently, we’ve lost our stability when adversity invades our lives. Increasingly we react to suffering, whatever its cause, with anger and shock before finding someone or something else to blame for our pain. We’ve lost the ability to persevere through the inevitable setbacks that litter the landscape of our broken, selfish and dangerous world. And that is a problem simply because we all know character is shaped and strengthened in the fires of failure and suffering. What we really need is to recognize our trials can – and must – be opportunities for strength of character, deep reflection, reliance on others, and a resolute commitment to persevere and come out the other side a better person. My belief is simple. Whatever you believe in terms of life’s meaning ought to make you a better person. So, as you go from store to store, from website to website searching for those gifts that will delight your friends and family, take some time as well to think about what you really need. Maybe this year the best gifts you’ll find will be those commitments you’ll make to enhance your own flourishing. David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church and a Santa Clarita resident.“Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

up with an email. Still, I knew some percentage of the tots would take one look at The Bearded One and want to leap right back into their mothers’ arms. I know I did. Wait. I didn’t mean that how it sounded. Anyway. Santa, who bore a striking resemblance to Signal Managing Editor Perry Smith, wanted in on the over-under crying kid action. He took the under. It turned out he was right — maybe because he tried to be nicer and a little less intimidating on the subsequent

stops, but also because it turned out the first stop had the biggest crowd, which skewed my odds-making efforts. Final tally: just 11 kids with the waterworks, out of hundreds who visited. It was a successful night for St. Nick. But still. I’m wondering if Santa fudged the numbers, tilting the odds toward the “under” like a dirty NBA referee. Wouldn’t THAT be a major Christmas scandal? Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays. 

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

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HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Concrete, pool pumps and fountains By Robert Lamoureux Signal Contributing Writer

Acid washing concrete Hello Robert, I am a fan of yours, and as a real estate broker, I have been able to refer many clients to you for your excellent advice regarding everything about their home improvement. We have three stamped concrete patios that are colored brown. We have had these for many years, and the color is wearing, fading, etc. I remember you saying that you knew someone who can recolor the concrete and we would appreciate a referral from you. Attached are some photos. (The first two show the hard water stains and fading. The last picture is how it should look, however that is also faded.) Thank you again for your very informative column. Warm Regards, Sharon Sharon, The problem here as I look at the pictures, is that if you color the stone then the grout lines will also be colored the same. Unless someone gets down on all fours and hand-colors each of the stones, it’s going to look like one big sheet. Unfortunately, when installers do designs like this they don’t tell you what’s going to come of this down the line. I’m happy to give you a name but I’m afraid they’re going to tell you the same thing. My advice is to acid wash the stone and grout and make the best of it. The acid will make the hard water marks go away and brighten the stone a little. Best, Robert Keeping pool pumps from freezing Robert, I am a new home-buyer here in Canyon Country, and with the new home came a pool. I’ve lived in Santa Clarita my whole life and I know it gets cold in the

Before

After

Sometimes acid-washing the stone and the grout is the best way to achieve consistency when polishing up stamped concrete patios. COURTESY PHOTOS

winter, here. I’ve never had a pool and I hear that sometimes the pool lines can crack and break when the temperatures drop to near freezing levels, though it’s not for long or often. Is there anything that I can do to protect these lines? It’s beginning to cool down at night now and I’d like to do all I can. Gilbert G. Gilbert, Great question: One of the best things that you can do is to run your pool pump at night. The constant movement of water will prevent the water in the pipes from freezing. This is the single most effective way, and if you have an Energy Star-certified pump that runs at night, you’re doing the most you can to also save on energy. Any of the pipes that are above grade (above ground), you can wrap them with insulation, this will also help. They typically don’t wrap these but if you are concerned, it certainly can’t hurt, and if in fact we get an odd freezing temperature, you’ll be that much more protected. Definitely run your equipment at night though, this will be your best shot. Sincerely, Robert Leak-free fountains Robert, I live in Canyon Country on a fairly

large piece of property which has a decent-sized water feature. We used a rubberized product, but about every five years we are having to revisit this due to failure. Is there anything else that we can use as a waterproofing product, which will last longer? We take good care of this water feature, we don’t use any sharp objects when working on it, but the product just doesn’t last. Any help you can give would be great. It’s a rectangular fountain that is about 4 feet wide, 20 feet long and 3 feet deep. On top of the rubberized system, we have granite, which we’re able to remove and replace the rubber product over the concrete base. George S. George, Yes, there are many different options out there, but my recommendation is an AVM product. Go to AVM Industries in Canoga Park, ask for their 740 system. It is imperative that you remove all of the existing product that is there now, all the way down to the bare concrete. There cannot be any residue of product, and if that means that you have to sand blast the feature to get it perfectly raw, then this is what is necessary to get the new AVM product to hold. The preparation is the most important part, but if you take the time to do so, you’ll have many years of freedom with no leaks.

They’ll provide you with the necessary information and product you’ll need if you are new to this, they are very helpful with their information. There are several steps for the process, finishing up with the troweling of the final product x2 layers, with drying in between. Once cured, then you’ll do a standing water test which means to mark a line and fill the area with water to the line, and as long as the water doesn’t reduce in amount, you’re good to finish up. At this point, you’ll add one more coat of the concrete layer (they’ll inform you of all of this), which will protect your waterproofing, and you’ll finally be able to add the granite back in and finish up your water feature. This process though time consuming and labor intensive, will give you a very long time problem free, and it’ll be well worth it. Good luck to you, Robert Robert Lamoureux has 38 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at robert@imsconstruction.com. 

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HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

ecked out in tinsel, lights, ornaments, and garland, Christmas trees are enduring symbols of the holiday season that boast a rich history. Evergreen trees have been used to celebrate winter festivals for thousands of years, and eventually became associated with Christianity. Plants and trees that remain green all year held special meaning to ancient peoples, and were purported to keep away illness and evil spirits. Germans were credited with tying evergreen trees to Christmas celebrations. In the 16th century, devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, is believed to have first added lighted candles to these trees after he was inspired by twinkling stars in the night sky. While early Americans found Christmas trees an oddity, the tradition, brought over by German settlers, eventually caught on. Today, between 25-30 million natural Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year, states the National Christmas Tree Association. Trees are

Because they are such a quintessential Christmas tree, Fraser fir, as well as their close cousin, Balsam fir, tend to be more expensive than others.

Scotch pine

There are numerous different types of trees that can be used to hang ornaments from, and each variety has its own unique features. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

grown in all 50 states and Canada. The following is a look at some popular tree varieties.

Living Christmas trees

Living Christmas tree, which refers to those with their roots still intact, are popular among eco-conscious holiday enthusiasts. That’s because living trees can be promptly planted after they’ve served their purpose indoors. Opt for a moderately sized tree, as root balls on larger trees can be heavy and difficult to move. Living trees can typically be kept indoors for around seven to 10 days

before they will need to be returned outside. Move such trees to a sheltered outdoor area for one to two weeks so they can re-acclimate. So long as the ground is not frozen, trees can then be planted when the reacclimation period ends. Better Homes and Gardens suggests selecting a mild day to plant the tree.

Fraser fir

Fraser fir trees are typically uniformly pyramid-shaped trees that have strong branches that turn slightly upward. These trees have good needle retention and a dark, blue-green hue. Many people feel these trees have a pleasant scent.

One of the advantages of Scotch pine trees is their needle retention. Experts say Scotch pine needles will not drop off even if the tree is dry. Scotch pine is an introduced species brought to North America by European settlers, and it’s known for dark green foliage and sturdy, stiff branches. The Scotch pine is one of the most popular Christmas trees today.

White spruce

As a Christmas tree, the white spruce is known for excellent foliage color, short stiff needles and good needle retention. The blue-green color is pleasant, but when needles are crushed, the tree doesn’t produce a favorable evergreen aroma. White spruce trees keeps their needles longer than other spruces. With proper care, any variety of Christmas tree can look beautiful throughout the holiday season.  —Metro Connection

Safety tips for stringing lights

ighting displays are one of the many things that help make the holiday season a special time of year in the Santa Clarita Valley. Often awe-inspiring, holiday lighting displays present a perfect opportunity for communities and individuals to showcase their festive sides. Safety should always be a priority when stringing holiday lights both inside and outside a home. The National Fire Protection Association notes that, between 2009-14, fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 210 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. Lighting displays strung on home exteriors also can pose safety risks if homeowners do not exercise caution. Fortunately, various strategies can help homeowners safely decorate their homes’ interiors and exteriors

this holiday season. • A fresh tree. The NFPA recommends celebrants who prefer natural Christmas trees choose ones with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Dry trees are more likely to catch fire than freshly cut trees. Adding water to the tree stand each day will keep trees fresher longer. When placing the tree, avoid placing it too close to heat sources, making sure it is at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights.

• Check your lights. All lights, including those going on trees inside a home and those being strung outside, should be inspected prior to being strung. Look for any worn or broken cords and replace any defective lights. • The buddy system. When string-

ing lights, always work with at least one other person. This makes it safe for homeowners who must climb ladders to string lights on especially tall trees and/or on their home exteriors. • Watch the weather. The weather during the holiday season can sometimes be unpleasant or unpredictable. Check the forecast before stringing exterior lights to ensure Mother Nature won’t pose a threat. Avoid hanging lights if the forecast predicts wet, icy or windy conditions that can make ladders unstable. • Turn off the lights. Interior and exterior holiday lights should not be left on when no one is home or everyone inside is sleeping. If left on overnight or when no one is home, lights may contribute to fires that

SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

damage homes and may even prove fatal. Holiday lighting displays help make this time of year special. Following some simple safety procedures when decorating with lights can ensure everyone enjoys a safe and happy holiday season.  —Metro Connection

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K I D S & FA M I LY

Home for the holidays in the Santa Clarita Valley By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

t goes without saying for longtime Santa Clarita Valley residents, the holiday season around town has traditionally made the month of December one of the most unique times of the year. Ushering in the holiday season with thousands of residents gathering on Main Street for a tree lighting and bookending with a wave of Santa Clarita families volunteering at Bridge to Home on Christmas day and New Years Eve, Santa Clarita has set itself apart as a Christmas-season type of town. If you’re new to Santa Clarita or have just recently decided to see what all the hubbub in your town is all about around this time of year, here is the 2018 SCV “Holiday Starters Kit.”

Winter Wonderland

Every year, the families on Wakefield Lane in Saugus offer Santa Clarita residents a free trip to their “Winter Wonderland.” Since 1993, the neighborhood of Wakefield Lane has worked as a collective in order to set up one of the longest-standing, most-visited Christmas tree light displays in all of Santa Clarita. Each Winter Wonderland house comes with a new elaborate holiday theme, from penguins to pigs to pigskins and not one house on the block fails to showcase that family’s favorite

animals, themes or teams. People looking to view a neighborhood transformed into a spectacle of Christmas lights without leaving Santa Clarita, can visit the Wakefield Lane ‘Winter Wonderland’ 2018 Christmas nightly from 5:30-10:30 p.m. until Dec. 30.

Heritage Junction Holiday ‘Mogul Train’

Tucked away in the corner of William S. Hart Park sits Heritage Junction Historical Park and it’s “Mogul Train.” Likely to catch Newhall Avenue commuters’ eyes this time of year, the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has once again continued in the tradition of transforming the train with holiday decorations. With bright strands of Christmas lights giving the appearance that the wheels are moving, giant ornaments and wreaths donning the train’s sides and Santa Claus sticking his head out the conductor’s cabin window, the Heritage Junction “Mogul Train” has become a staple tradition for Santa Clarita. And with Heritage Junction open to the public for free on the weekends this time of year, Santa Clarita families have been known to take their holiday family portraits using either the festive train or decorated museum homes at William S. Hart Park as their photo props. Heritage Junction volunteers are set

From left, Beckham Welch, 8, Tyler Balkman, 10, and Ben Kugler, 11, build a snowman at the Festividad for Christ community event held at Faith Community Church in Newhall on Saturday. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

A 25-foot Christmas tree is lit up at Newhall Library. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

to open the grounds every Saturday and Sunday (except holidays) from 1-4 p.m. and tours are available every first Sunday of the month from 1-4 p.m. Tour guides are available at the Saugus Train Station inside the park, and have said “they are ready to answer your questions” on the history of the holidays in Santa Clarita Valley.

Westfield Town Center

Whether shopping or simply perusing, the Westfield Valencia Town Center is visited by thousands of residents every holiday season since it first opened in 1992. According to the Westfield Town Center’s official website, it’s 212 stores covering over 1 million square feet offers shoppers a variety of options for gift-buying wrapped up in a single location. Shoppers can walk by glass windows filled with holiday displays, sample the various scents and tastes only available in stores during the last month of the year or even enter Santa’s Workshop and chat with Santa himself. Events such as the Dec. 14 movie night will not only give families an opportunity to watch “Elf ” on the big screen on Town Center Drive, but reservations and admission is free of charge. Or attend one of the free holiday arts and crafts events being held inside the mall on Dec. 8 and 15. From

10 a.m. to noon, Westfield officials have scheduled free cookie decorating sponsored by Lady Di’s Cookies, ornament making sponsored by Bitter Root Pottery and writing letters to Santa, sponsored by House of Bounce. Whether window or last-minute shopping, the Westfield Town Center has for decades given Santa Clarita residents a place to shop, stroll and be joyful. (For more information, visit Westfield.com/valencia/holiday)

Church communities

While a number of religious communities and denominations have services on the holidays themselves, many churches around the Santa Clarita Valley host seasonal events that are open to community throughout the month of December. For instance, Faith Community Church plans to host it’s 13th annual Festividad for Christ Community Christmas Celebration in Newhall on Dec. 15. Free for the entire community to attend, this annual event has in the past given children the opportunity to play in the “snow,” and receive presents while their families receive free clothes and a turkey to go home with for Christmas dinner. (For more information, visit faithcommunitychurch.com) Or residents can join His Way Community Church this Sunday, See HOLIDAYS, next page

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Cozy up to no-sew polar fleece scarves By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

6 Medium-Sized Scarves

e warm and feel cozy with easy, no-sew polar fleece scarves. Make one for each member of the family — including your dog! — in the same plaid or pattern, and you’ll be dressed with extra family spirit for caroling, sporting events, get-togethers and taking photos. Find washable polar fleece fabric in a variety of patterns and designs by the yard online and at fabric stores. (Stores such as Jo-Ann offer coupons regularly for significant discounts on your purchase. My scarves came to less than $2 each.) I zoomed in on the checks and plaids, and chose classic black and red buffalo check this year -- a great look for the holidays and into the coming, cold winter months. The straight lines of plaids and checks provide a visual guide when measuring and cutting, a timesaver when cutting out several scarves.

HOLIDAYS

Continued from previous page

Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for their free “Santa’s Village” holiday event. Event organizers have left the invite open to the public, offering Santa Clarita families an opportunity to fill their time with free food, pony rides, a petting zoo, crafts, games, pictures with Santa and more. (For more information, visit ehisway.org) Or rein in the holidays by mixing

Volunteers play two angels during one of the drive-thru scenes of Santa Clarita United Methodist Church’s “Living Nativity”. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO

For school-age kids and adults, an 8-inch-by-60-inch scarf is a nice size, so count on purchasing about 1 2/3 yards for six scarves, depending on the repetition of the pattern. Since the fleece doesn’t ravel, there’s no need to allow for seams. Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  drive-thru and theater at the 2018 Santa Clarita United Methodist Living Nativity event. Hoping to follow in the success and level of impact it’s had in previous years, the Living Nativity drive thru event is scheduled for Dec. 16. From 6-8 p.m., hundreds of cars will slowly drive through the live action series of sets, jumping from scene to scene, watching volunteer performers lay out the “nativity narrative.” (For more information, visit scumc.org) With Hanukkah ending Monday evening, the CBS Sisterhood at Congregation Beth Shalom of SCV has invited paid Sisterhood Members to join them in their annual Hanukkah Party. The event is free for all Sisterhood members, but if you wish to participate in the gift exchange, event organizers have asked that you bring a wrapped gift of $15 or less. Additionally, visit the event page to learn more on “What to Bring.” (For more information, visit cbs-scv.org.)

1 2/3 yards of 59-60-inch-wide polar fleece fabric 1 good sewing scissors or rotary cutter (adults only) 1 rotary cutting mat 1 clear plastic ruler such as a quilter’s ruler straight pins or fabric pencil if using scissors 1. Lay out the fabric on your worktable and rotary cutting mat, if using rotary cutter. Measure and mark the length (60 inches) and width (8 inches) points of your scarves with straight pins or fabric pencil. The scarf length should be along the selvage (not across

the width of the fabric), so that the scarves won’t stretch out of shape. For a uniform look, be mindful of repeat checks or plaids as you measure. Adjust measurements if making scarves for small children or your pet. 2. Cut off the selvages, and then cut out scarves. 3. Cut fringe 1/2 inch by 4 inches on each end for a fun, finished look. Extra idea: For a unique and useful memento, make matching scarves for guests at your next birthday or sledding party.

Rabbi Choni Marozov lights the menorah at the celebration outside Valencia Town Center. People from SCV’s three major Jewish congregations attend the event. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO.

The arts

Each year, the Canyon Theatre Guild on Main Street puts on a holiday-themed show perfect for the whole family, and this year is no exception. This year, the local players are putting on the beloved classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

For showtimes and ticket information, visit canyontheatre.org/shows. For more information about other holiday events events planned for the Santa Clarita Valley this holiday season, you can visit signalscv.com, and also santa-clarita.com/calendar. 

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 25

SCHOOLS

Families keep tabs thanks to modern technology

he world is a much different place than it was 25 years ago. Generation Xers likely remember going outside as kids to “call” for friends and then spending hours outside left to their own devices. Their parents probably had one requirement: “Be home before the streetlights come on.” Whether it was safer all around or there was a different mindset to parenting back then, modern families today operate a little differently than they did a quarter-century ago. Today, greater emphasis is placed on supervising children in their activities outside of the home. However, parents and caregivers who want to allow children some freedom in a controlled manner may turn to today’s technology to help them. Thanks to the bevy of family tracking and GPS-enabled apps available

Parents and caregivers who want to allow children some freedom in a controlled manner may turn to today’s technology to help them. COURTESY PHOTO

for smartphones, as well as standalone GPS watches and other devices, parents can keep tight tabs on their children and even their spouses and

elderly relatives. Having a visual location for preteens and teenagers spreading their independent wings can assuage parental fears that kids

CLIP N SAVE Elementary School Menus Menus courtesy of Santa Clarita Valley School Food Services, which serves these school districts: Castaic USD • Newhall USD • Saugus USD • Sulphur Springs USD

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are lost or up to no good. Simply fire up the app and it’s easy to see if a person is where he or she is supposed to be. Family locator products also may improve safety in other ways. Apps can help find children who have wandered off in a crowd or locate those who have been abducted. These apps also are a safety precaution for older members of the family. Spouses worried about each other and harrowing commuting routes or during travel far away from home can be reassured by checking an app and seeing the progress of a trip or approximate location. Elderly drivers have a lifeline home, and those with dementia or confusion can be easily tracked but still maintain their independence. Many top-notch locator apps can help anyone keep a watchful eye on family. With the Life360 app, families create a “circle” and invite others to join with a unique code. Only those in the circle have access to the location of others within the circle. The app also enables messaging within that circle. Premium features can be purchased to provide additional safety services. Sygic Family Locator is another app designed to keep families safe and in touch. The app enables parents to set unsafe zones and sends an alert if the child enters it. The cross-platform compatibility means that everyone can communicate even if they’re using different phones and operating systems. Families can weigh the pros and cons of using family trackers to decide if a more watchful eye is a good bet for them.  —Metro Connection

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26 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

The best ways to get deals online By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

he world of online shopping has become more accessible in the last few years. According to Statista, “retail e-commerce sales worldwide are forecast to nearly double between 2016 and 2020.” Because of the ease of shopping online, more holiday transactions are being completed over the internet. Statista reports online sales in the US in 2017 totaled $106.1 billion from November to December. The number predicted during the same time this year is projected to reach $123.4 billion. Brittain Ladd, an expert in business strategy, supply chain transformation and global commerce, shared about the best ways to navigate online shopping through the holidays. Here are some tips for spending money online during the holiday season:

Procrastinating help

The best deals are right before the holidays, and “The closer to Christmas, the better the deals,” Ladd said. However, customers run the risk of not getting their products delivered on time if they wait too long to purchase items online. Ladd advises “consumers would be wise to order their gifts as ear-

These purchases, however, can present opportunities for thieves. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL More and more purchases are made online each year. COURTESY PHOTO

ly as possible to ensure delivery,” despite skipping out on any possible last-minute sales.

If you want to buy heavier items as gifts, see if the website has an option to pick up the order in stores.

Don’t ship everything

The week before Christmas …

“Avoid buying heavy and bulky items online due to shipping costs,” warns Ladd. “Electronics, toys, food baskets, books, apparel, shoes and gift certificates are perfect for online retail.”

So make sure to check the estimated arrival date when buying anything online during this time. Customers face a trade off when waiting too soon to the holidays. Prices may drop, but there’s no guarantee the delivery will arrive on time. One possible way around this is to have the gift delivered directly to the recipient’s home.

A little research helps

Sometimes procrastination can lead to great deals, but make sure you leave enough time to have the package shipped. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

“Consumers have a bad habit of not researching enough websites,” Ladd explained. Statista states that 14 percent of Americans “prefer searching online and buying in store,” which can be beneficial for holiday shopping savings. It’s best to compare prices across several websites to find the best online shopping deals. Check the in-store prices as well to see if you’d be better off making the trip to the store. If shopping in person, Ladd suggests to “speak to the store manager and ask what the best deals are in the store.”

Make sure the website you are buying from is legitimate

To avoid getting scammed, Ladd says to “shop only on well-known websites.” Some of these include Amazon.com and the Walmart and Target websites. Also, make sure the web address shows https when you’re putting in your credit card information. This shows the site is secure. Use a credit card instead of a debit card since banks generally protect against credit card fraud.

Protect your deliveries

Ladd says that “porch piracy is a growing issue for consumers.” He advises consumers to “ship what they order online to their work address to avoid packages being left unattended.” Another option would be to invest in home security, such as Ring or eDOR. However, these options never guarantee packages won’t be stolen. If you want the packages delivered to your house rather than your place of work, try to schedule deliveries at times when someone will be home. If you do opt to shop in stores rather than online, do not leave purchases in your car. In 2016, California topped the list for most vehicular break ins during the holidays. 

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

H O L I D AY

10 tips to beat holiday stress could be luxuriating in a bath with music and candles, finding a quiet spot around the house to meditate for five to 20 minutes (try downloading an app or watching a YouTube video for guidance, if necessary), or going for a nice, long walk (if you have a dog, talk him or her with you).

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

f many songs, movies, and TV shows are to be believed, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. Think scenes of happy families connecting amid mounds of foods and gifts, seemingly without a care in the world. In real life, a significant part of the population finds that the holidays can be the source of stress, fatigue, and irritability. Nearly 40 percent (38%) of people said their stress level increases during the holiday. Top causes for this increase included lack of time and money, pressures of gift-giving, commercialism, and even family gatherings, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. If you find yourself among that 38 percent, here are 10 easy tips to help you embrace what’s good about the holidays while eschewing what makes it stressful.

Don’t overspend

This is one of the most common ways to start the season off on the wrong foot. A poll by the Principal Financial Group found that 53 percent of people experience financial stress due to holiday spending, even though more than half of those polled had set a budget. Take a hard look at what you can really afford to spend on your loved ones. Allocate an amount for each person on your list and stick to it, no matter how tempting it is to go overboard. Otherwise, you could be setting yourself up for potential debt well into 2019, which isn’t a festive thought.

Rethink gifts

Does anyone on your list really need another candle, picture frame, or sweater? The answer is most likely no. Instead, think outside the box and give your loved ones something they really value, like customized gift certificates for the busy people in your life. Some fun ideas:

• a night of babysitting • a dog walk or two

Exercise

The frenzy of the holidays can upend some of your structured self-care time. So as much as you can, stick with your gym or exercise routine to keep stress at bay and get those endorphins going.

Give Back Creating new and fun family traditions around what your family really enjoys is a great way to make long-lasting memories during the holidays. COURTESY PHOTO

• going out for a meal of their choice • Of course, homemade food gifts such as cookies never go out of style and can be quite cost-effective. Just make sure to note who’s on a diet that precludes sugar, gluten, or dairy products and adjust any traditional recipes to accommodate their needs.

Outsource whenever possible

Some people love wrapping gifts. Others (like me), not so much. If you fall into the latter category, consider taking your gifts to a store like Pom Paperie in Valencia, where they will wrap anything from anywhere and do it beautifully. Hosting a holiday meal? Don’t try to go all Iron Chef and do everything yourself. Instead, focus on a main dish and ask your guests to bring a side, dessert, drinks, or even napkins, paper plates, and disposable utensils. When the meal ends, ask your guests to help with clean up. Whether it’s washing dishes or taking out the trash, most people love to feel a part of and will be happy to lighten your load.

Indulge, with discretion

Temptations are everywhere at holiday parties, from open bars to rich, decadent buffets to food gifts. Unless you’re allergic to anything, or sober, feel free to indulge a bit. It’s one of the

best parts of the season. Just pace yourself, i.e. don’t overdo it to the point where you fall into a food coma and can’t function or get so drunk that you’ll make a fool of yourself. (Of course, if you’re going to be drinking anywhere outside your home, lining up a designated driver or taking a Lyft is a must.)

Just say ‘No’

So many parties, so little time. This is where you need to discriminate and determine what is necessary for you to attend professionally or what you want to attend personally. All other invitations are to be declined, with no guilt attached.

Avoid toxic people

Whether it’s that colleague who is the equivalent of nails on a chalkboard or that annoying relative you have never liked, it’s hard to avoid toxic people at holiday bashes. Make a game plan ahead of each event to deal with potential interludes, such as how to gracefully exit a conversation or creating signals to your partner that you want to move to another area of the room or leave the party altogether.

Make some ‘me’ time

With kids out of school on break and relatives visiting, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. It’s OK to take some “me” time to center yourself. This

Theoretically, the holidays are largely about giving and making the world a better place. There’s no better way to do that then volunteering to help someone less fortunate. That can be visiting a lonely senior in a nursing facility or a pet in a shelter that would love some quality time with someone who cares or helping out at a soup kitchen that serves up hot meals during this cold weather. For a group project, consider asking your family or neighborhood to donate their gently used jackets and other clothing and/or canned food or providing a meal/gifts for a low-income family. For a comprehensive list of local charities, visit santa-clarita. com/residents/community-links.

Consider new traditions

If the holidays feel like “Groundhog Day” in an unpleasant way, shake things up. Don’t host the holiday meal this year – go out for dinner instead and invite people you really enjoy spending time with. Or skip town altogether with a fun getaway to the coast or the mountains — Airbnb is a great resource to find a room, condo, or house just about everywhere in Southern California. If neither of those options are in your budget, staycation and find cost-effective ways to enjoy Santa Clarita: take a hike at Placerita Canyon or one of the many nature trails, go to a matinee, or stay home and bingewatch your favorite shows or movies. Holiday theme optional. 

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Cost of the 12 Days of Christmas up 1.2 percent The PNC Christmas Price® Index predicts True Loves will need to have more money on hand to fill the stockings on the mantle this holiday shopping season. To purchase the gifts included in the classic holiday song “The 12 Days of Christmas,” it will cost 1.2 percent more than it did in 2017, according to the 35th annual holiday economic analysis by The PNC Financial Services Group. PNC calculated the 2018 price tag for The PNC Christmas Price Index at $39,094.93, approximately $450 or 1.2 percent more than last year’s cost. For more information, including a children’s activity book, visit www.pnc. com/en/about-pnc/topics/pnc-christ mas-price-index.html.

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 29

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Telco Brewery combines passion, connectivity By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

amie Hernandez and Tony Santa Cruz spend their days like most people — working at least 40 hours a week. But they don’t go home after work. Instead, they finish up at their jobs in telecommunications and rush to their second job, which they say is more like a hobby for them. They head to their brewery where, some days, Santa Cruz brews beer for seven or eight hours, interacting with curious customers and explaining the brewing process to them. Hernandez and Santa Cruz opened Telco Brewery in September as a place where they can combine their interest and history in telecommunications with their love for brewing, good company and enjoying a satisfying beer. “We both work at a telco (telecommunications) company and are home brewers,” says Hernandez. “Why not put those two things together when we opened our brewery?” The walls of Telco Brewery are lined with pictures that show the history of telecommunications. Some show linemen working, while others show the evolution of telephone companies. Because of their commitment to both brewing and telecommunications, both Hernandez and Santa Cruz kept their day jobs. “We still work for the telephone

Telco Brewery offers a roll-up door open in its industrial building in Valencia.

company,” says Hernandez. “We thought, ‘They’re good jobs. If we can juggle both, let’s continue to do so.’” They say their microbrewery is a place for all sorts of people. Some days the place attracts a younger crowd and some days bring more families. Even dogs are welcome. “We’re dog friendly here,” Santa Cruz says. The pair explain the reason for opening up their microbrewery in the SCV was twofold: They lived here at the time and they saw a need for breweries in Santa Clarita. “At that time, there were only two

Co-owners Tony Santa Cruz, left, and Jaimie Hernandez chat with customers at the bar at Telco Brewery in Valencia. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

breweries this style here,” says Santa Cruz. “As in, facilities within the tasting room.” “It’s a smaller city and it’s easier to work with the city itself,” Hernandez agrees. Plus, they get to communicate with their customers and create relationships with them. Santa Cruz says his favorite parts of the job are being behind the bar and brewing the beer. “The nights before we brew, sometimes I can’t sleep. I get excited to play with the new equipment. I also love meeting new people behind the bar and hanging out with them and getting to know them.” And Hernandez agrees. “I think for me, it’s a combination of being behind the bar and going to tables and talking to people. It creates a relationship with our patrons.” But he isn’t just socializing. “You get a lot of good feedback from patrons on what they think of the beer,” Hernandez said. “We will constantly improve our beer, and you get that way by asking questions.” The men say starting up their brewery has given them the opportunity to form a relationship with their customers. “Most people like the fact the owners or people behind the counter come up and have a conversation with them,” says Hernandez. “We give them tours — I love giving them tours.”

Rich Clark, right, prepares to toss a corn filled bean-bag during a cornhole tournament at Telco Brewery in Valencia.

Specifically, Hernandez and Santa Cruz give customers who ask tours of where their beer is made. Those people have the opportunity to ask any questions they have about the beer, from how long it takes to make to why the men gave each beer its particular name. And each beer’s name also reflects telecommunications, from their citrus Static Haze to their Rotary Red. But their beer that has won the most awards so far, which has proven itself to be a fan favorite, is the Muck Out Stout. Hernandez and Santa Cruz have put a lot of their personalities into Telco Brewery. Santa Cruz and his wife made their bar countertop themselves, cementing it until it was just how they wanted it. They also made their own tabletops out of wood, giving every part of their brewery some part of themselves. Santa Cruz says he and Hernandez have a great relationship with the other brewers in Santa Clarita. They often work with other breweries and wineries, so he says it’s a great community for them. The owners of Telco Brewery even get home brewers to come in and give them tastes of what they have brewed themselves — a throwback to Santa Cruz’s time when he first started as a home brewer. For updates and information on Telco Brewery, follow their Instagram page and website at TelcoBrewery.com. 

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

Pair holiday movies with food, drink

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

By Amy Anderson Signal Contributing Writer

h, the holiday season. Like ornaments and fir trees, yule logs and fireplaces, here’s another classic holiday pairing: Christmas movies and food. Everyone has his or her favorite film -- some an essential part of the family tradition. So check out this list of classic Christmas movies celebrating the food and drinks they inspire:

Frosty Beverages

“National Lampoon’s: Christmas Vacation” Clark Griswold’s classic EGGNOG (“it’s good, it’s good”) is the cure for what ails you — especially if you’re having a “full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency.” So when you’re overloaded by family or got shorted on your Christmas bonus and you can’t take it anymore, pop on this film classic and have a heavily spiked glass of ‘nog. It’ll have you asking: “Can I refill your eggnog for you?” But with a smile on your face. “Love Actually” The way to properly enjoy this English masterpiece is with TEA, of course. Get your prime minister on, and serve it with biscuits (that’s cookies, for non-Anglos), but “not the boring ones, with no chocolate.” To me, that’s perfect! “Elf ” It’s true that “elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” Well, if a plate of maple syrup spaghetti doesn’t get you, here’s a fun CANDY COCKTAIL that might: Mix 1 ounce each of peppermint schnapps and marshmallow vodka with simple syrup and crushed ice in a shaker. Serve in a glass rimmed with corn syrup and crushed candy canes. Not into alcoholic beverages? A 2-liter of Coca-Cola will do just fine. “The Santa Clause” and “Polar Express” Whether it’s a warm chocolate chip cookie and Judy’s perfect hot chocolate -- it took 1,200 years to nail that recipe -- or bopping along to the “Hot Chocolate Song” aboard a train,

COURTESY PHOTOS

Just Deserts Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. PHOTO CREDIT WARNER HOME VIDEO.

there’s no more iconic winter quaff than a steamy mug of HOT CHOCOLATE. And that’s with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Main Dishes “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” There’s only one nosh that’ll make your heart grow three sizes, and that’s ROAST BEAST. I like mine with a little crusty bread and au jus, just like all the Whos down in Whoville. “Gremlins” Everyone knows not to feed a gremlin after midnight, but if you get your pals together for a retro movie night, be sure to serve roasted CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS to amp up

the shenanigans a bit. “Home Alone” It doesn’t always have to be a spread at the holidays. For nights when you’re by your lonesome and want a quick meal, do like Macaulay Culkin and say your prayers before you sit down for dinner and a movie. In other words, “Bless this highly nutritious, microwaveable MACARONI AND CHEESE dinner.” “A Christmas Story” Serve ROAST TURKEY and MASHED POTATOES if you’re able to keep the dogs out of the kitchen, but don’t despair if you can’t. You can always order in CHINESE FOOD — roast duck with fried rice preferred — for a “fa-ra-ra-ra-ra” feast.

“Die Hard” You might remember that Sergeant Powell (Reginald VelJohnson) stops at a convenience store for a heaping helping of junk food, chief among them TWINKIES. The tasty treats make another cameo when Powell describes them to John McClane as being “sugar, enriched flour, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, polysorbate 60 and Yellow Dye No. 5. Just everything a growing boy needs.” “It’s a Wonderful Life” Snuggle up with someone who you “love until the day you die,” and enjoy a heartwarming film about one man’s mark on the world. Serve up a couple CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SUNDAES -- but no coconut, unless you’re into adventure.  © 2018 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

PETS

Adopt a furry friend this holiday season By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

t’s the holiday season and, for some, a popular time to add a four-legged member to the family. Adopting a pet this time of year is a great idea for many reasons, according to volunteers at the Castaic Animal Care Center. “The season is a chance to cherish family and a time when everyone is home to help settle a new pet in,” said Larissa Barnes, who volunteers with cats at the center. And, according to Steve Garetto-Barnett, who volunteers with dogs, it’s an ideal time for the center, as well. “A lot of pets get surrendered before the holidays,” he said. “These are pets that have been in a loving home and have good manners. They just need another chance.” Adoption is also extremely cost-ef-

fective and convenient. Adoption fees at Castaic Animal Care Center range from $30 to $100, plus a $20 county licensing fee. Each pet is spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations, and has a microchip. So, whether you are considering a dog or a cat this holiday, here are the points to consider that will help you make the best match possible.

Dogs

• Evaluate your lifestyle. Are you an active home looking for an equally active dog or are you looking for someone who’ll be more of an easygoing companion to help everyone relax? • Bring the whole to the center when selecting a dog. “The more people the dog is exposed to, the better,” Garetto-Brown said. “For example, it’s important to ensure that the dog gets along with young children or that the dog isn’t too energetic for any older relatives.”

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• If you already have a dog, bring them, as well, so that volunteers or staff can introduce them. Ideally, the dogs will exhibit either playful or indifferent behavior when they meet. If there’s growling or snarling, another dog will be recommended. “It’s like a blind date — you don’t know if they’ll like each other until they meet,” he said. • Have an open mind about size, age, and breed. “Sometimes there may be a bias that a big dog is more aggressive and a small dog is more passive, but a lot of times a bigger dog is a cuddly and wants to cozy up, while smaller dogs can have a lot of energy and love to play,” Garetto-Brown said. “Seniors can be a really good option, too. They don’t typically have that excess energy that a puppy or young dog has, which is especially nice for older adopters.”

Cats

• Think about the desired energy level everyone is looking for in a cat, how much time the cat will be left alone each day, and how the cat may interact with any existing pets in the home. • Make sure everyone is committed. “Adopting a cat should never be done on a whim. It should be a decision the whole family is comfortable with,” Barnes said. “We also recommend having basic supplies such as a litter tray, litter, food and toys already purchased before searching for your perfect cat.” • Bring the whole family in to spend time with the available cats to really get to know their personalities.

Chihuahua puppy ready to adopt at the Shelter Hope Pet Shop in the Westfield Valencia Town Center Mall in Valencia . PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

• If a cat sparks your interest, ask questions. “Staff and volunteers are available to guide adopters through each cat’s individual characteristics to make the perfect match,” she said. “Sometimes cats are simply nervous in a shelter environment and will become loving and confident shortly after adoption.” • Don’t disregard the senior kitties. “What many people see as old is really just middle age for a cat, as they can live for a very long time,” Barnes said. • If you don’t find what you’re looking for at the center, ask about cats in foster care. “There is a cat for every person and a person for every cat,” she said. Castaic Animal Care Center is located at 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Road, Castaic. Open Monday to Thursday, noon to 7 p.m., Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (661) 257-3191 or visit animalcare.lacounty.gov. 

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

TIME RANGER

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 33

Holiday

Continued from page 16

DEC. 9, 1978

basketball game, 65-28 against Carpinteria.

• Perhaps this is from whence the phrase “playing chicken” originated. Engineers from PPG Industries in Valencia got an unusual demonstration. Their parent plant in Huntsville, Alabama, made high-impact windshields for aircraft. Part of the testing process was to bombard the windshield with a special gun that fired dead chickens at 500 mph. Hate to see the holster…

• Fortin Plastics in Saugus had a hand in putting a man on the moon. They were feverishly working to finish the helmets that would go on the astronauts’ heads for their trip to our lunar friend. • Saugus homeowner Paul Burris printed, in billboard-size letters, “Bah, HUMBUG!!” on the front of his garage. • Don’t play with matches and especially don’t play with matches and 20 pounds of cotton at the base of a Christmas tree. A 10-year-old boy accidentally and completely burnt his home to the ground.

• The victims of local businessman Richard Schindler kept surfacing. A retired elderly man lost his life savings and mobile home to Schindler “The Swindler” as he was nicknamed. The crook blessedly was caught, convicted and sent to prison. • We had several ice-related accidents, right on Valencia Boulevard. The median sprinklers went on, creating a nice ice rink effect on both fast lanes of the major artery.

On this date in 1978, Signal legend Scott Newhall penned one of his infamous front page editorials, this one entitled: “The Fornicating Rabble of Capitol Hill.” Quoth the Signal editor: “To the everlasting credit of the American voter, we have finally been able to fill the enormous legislative office buildings in Washington with a rabble of pimps, conjurers, stool pigeons, counterfeiters, liars and thieves, the like of which the world has never before witnessed.” Scott. You’d be speechless in 2018…

Well. I can always tell. That particular spinning vortex on the right is our next stop. We return to pleasant climes, filled with chores, errands, things to do and folks to text. Looking forward to borrowing some time for another exciting Time Ranger adventure. Take good care of yourselves over these holidays, friends. Until then vayan con Dios y Feliz Navidad! John Boston, aka, Mr. Santa Clarita Valley, has been writing about and teaching the history of the SCV for more than 40 years. Read his historical tome, “Images of America: The Santa Clarita Valley.” It’s available on Amazon.com. 

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

SCV getting Hot for Yoga in Newhall By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

t’s cold outside, but inside Hot for Yoga, students are sweating as they go through 90 minutes of poses in a 105-degree room with 40 percent humidity. About 45 minutes in, Molly Fladlien, 33, of Valencia, executes a perfect standing bow, stretching her right leg behind her while balancing perfectly on the left. It looks like an expert move, yet Fladlien has only been a student at Hot for Yoga since May 17. “The first class I thought I would get sick, so I walked out of room for a minute,” she recalled. “But I came back the next day because I wanted to keep doing it.” Fladlien, a mother of three children, once weighed 300 pounds. She had gastric sleeve surgery to reduce her weight, but her progress had plateaued until she discovered Hot for Yoga and signed up for the 60-day challenge. Taking one to two classes a day, Fladlien found her body dramatically changed during the process. “I was expecting to lose some weight and tone up a little,” she said. “But I ended up losing 50 pounds and building more muscle mass than lifting weights. I’ve never had results like I have with Bikram.” Bikram Yoga is the style practiced at Hot for Yoga. It’s designed to work all the major systems of the body from the inside out, including cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, lymphatic, central nervous, digestive, and musculoskeletal. The heat allows the body to cleanse, detoxify, and heal by stimulating the circulatory system. Hot for Yoga owner Ravinder Pilson is also an instructor, leading her class with equal parts discipline and compassion as she runs through the program with constant verbal coaching. “It’s about getting you out of your head and connecting you with your body,” Pilson said. “We call it meditation in motion.” The routine was scientifically designed and is always taught in the same order, according to Pilson. “One position builds to the next,

Top Left: Students work out in a 105-degree, 40-percent humidity room. Above: Tim Falco, of Valencia, and the group display the “standing bow” pose. Left: The evaporative cooler, which is known by the group as Shamu, helps to maintain the 105-degree, 40-percent humidity during the workout at Hot for Yoga. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

and at the end of 90 minutes, you’ve worked everything in your body,” she said. “It’s a type of yoga for all levels, but it is challenging.” Pilson, who has been teaching yoga for 10 years and the Bikram method for 6 years, recommended taking a class three times a week for two to four weeks to acclimate and fully feel the benefits. She opened Hot for Yoga in 2015, because there weren’t any other studios exclusively dedicated to the practice in the Santa Clarita Valley. Tim Falco, 31, of Newhall, used to have to drive to Pasadena or Marina Del Rey to practice Bikram Yoga, so he was thrilled to find an option closer to home. “I’m a drummer, so I’m either sitting on my drum set or at my computer all the time,” Falco said. “It’s definitely anti-2018 to bend backwards to counter all that hunching forward. You’re never going to do that on your own.” Depending on his schedule, Falco takes one to three classes a week.

“Coming here has given me a range of motion and mindfulness that is insane. I always sleep best on yoga days,” he said. For Roberta Gelmont, 67, of Agua Dulce, Hot for Yoga was a way to help with major back problems. “I come because I’m not a flexible person. I’ve had to push myself and work at it,” she said. “It helps with flexibility. I love it.” Pilson noted that Bikram Yoga has increased in popularity because of its results and holistic approach. “This is not the typical Western way of taking a pill for something that hurts. It addresses the core issue and gets to the cause of pain,” she said. That was certainly the case for Vincent Stella, 48, of Valencia. A lifelong athlete, Stella found that he was suffering from stiffness and soreness as he got older. He did some research and decided to try Hot for Yoga. “The first class was the most challenging, dealing with the heat,” Stella

said. “From the second class on, as I learned the postures, it became easier. I like that it’s guided and they take you through every move.” Now he’s sweating and stretching about 4 times a week, losing an estimated liter and a half of fluid during each class. “It’s purging out all the toxins and salts in my system,” Stella said. “And it really helps with functional movement. I can turn my neck all the way around now.” Results like that make Pilson smile. “I love seeing a positive difference in people from the first time they walked in the door,” she said. Hot for Yoga is located at 24366 Walnut Street, Newhall and offers an introductory special of $39 for one month of unlimited classes, a 5-class pass for $75, or single drop in classes for $20. Hot pilates and warm yoga classes also available. For more information, call (661) 244-2511 or visit www.hotforyogascv.com. 

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

SENIORS

Great gifts for seniors

very holiday shopper ends up with at least one loved one on their shopping list who they can’t seem to find anything for. Some people seem to have it all, while others may be less than forthcoming with regard to items they may need or want. Many seniors tend to fall into the latter category. Shopping for holiday gifts for seniors can be difficult if shoppers don’t know what seniors want. But the following are a handful of gift ideas that might make this holiday season that much more special for seniors.

Books

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

A 2015 survey from the Pew Research Center found that 69 percent of adults age 65 and over acknowledged reading at least one book in the previous 12 months. That makes books a good bet for shoppers who don’t know what to

get their 65-and-over loved ones this holiday season. But shoppers might want to opt for more traditional print books rather than e-books, as the survey found that only 15 percent of readers age 65 and over had read an e-book in the previous 12 months.

Gym membership

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, more than 80 percent of adults do not meet the guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. That can be especially troubling for seniors, who are at greater risk for osteoporosis, a medical condition in which age-related tissue loss contributes to brittle, fragile bones. Physical activity, including muscle-strengthening activities like weight training, can help combat osteoporosis. Family members stuck on what to get aging loved ones may

want to consider gifting a membership to a local gym. Many gyms offer heavily discounted memberships to seniors, and such gyms may even offer senior fitness classes at no additional cost.

Travel gifts

Many retirees love to travel, but not every senior has the means to take off for parts unknown. A 2013 survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that 25 percent of retirees admitted they wished they would have saved more for retirement travel. Holiday shoppers can light up seniors’ smiles by gifting travel gifts this holiday season. One idea is to transfer airline miles to an elderly loved one so he or she can get a free or discounted flight. If that’s not a possibility, some new luggage or a Global Hotel CardTM sponsored by Orbitz, a gift card that

can be redeemed at 70,000 hotels across the globe, is sure to please.

Family time

Shoppers who are especially stuck on what to get seniors for Christmas can just resolve to spend more time with their elderly loved ones. Many seniors genuinely have everything they need, and such men and women may only want to spend more time with their children and grandchildren. Make a New Year’s resolution to spend more time with the special seniors in your life if the perfect gift is eluding you.  —Metro Connection

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

PROFILE

13-year-old ready to take college by storm By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

ike most kids, Kylie Munson, 13, enjoys a healthy mix of extracurricular activities, spending time with friends and doing well in school. However, unlike many of her peers, she’s already doing so well in school, she can begin to think about a possible career as a geneticist, surgeon or any number of options that already make sense for the preteen who’s excelling in her Los Angeles Mission College coursework while being a member of one of the most competitive cheer teams in the country. And despite being significantly younger than her classmates, Kylie is ranked first in her major — biological sciences — at L.A. Mission, where she is enrolled in part-time. “Her professors, who’ve known her for a couple years now, didn’t even realize she was so young and did a double take when they saw her birth

date for recommendation letters,” her mother, Rachel Munson, said. Kylie goes to school part-time at the college in Sylmar, and takes online classes at Sage Oak. In both capacities, she’s excelled, Rachel Munson said. Kylie’s accelerated schooling journey came when her coursework at private school Trinity Classical Academy became too easy for her. Around fourth grade, she became homeschooled before coming back to the school system and testing into the ninth grade level. Two years later, she will graduate with a collegiate sophomore’s academic standing. She plans to graduate this spring from both her charter high school, Sage Oak, and L.A. Mission, with a high school diploma and associate’s degree, respectively. “I don’t really feel the age difference,” Kylie said of her older classmates at L.A. Mission College. “Sometimes people are like, ‘Whoa,’

but otherwise I feel we do connect. I do feel I get along with everyone.” Her next step? Shooting for the stars and enrolling in a four-year university. Kylie doesn’t know the specifics yet of what sort of medicine she wants to practice — she just knows she wants to be a doctor. “Maybe a geneticist, but I’m also interested in surgery,” she said. “There’s a lot of different possibilities.” So far, she’s looking at schools such as Harvard, University of Florida and Northwestern University. Another option is the accelerated direct medical programs, such as ones offered at Case Western University. “That way, Kylie doesn’t have to re-apply to medical school,” her mother said. “She’d technically be entering college with junior standing once she gets her associate’s.” In her spare time, Kylie also does cheer competitively. She is a flyer on the SMOED squad, a prestigious

Kylie Munson, will be graduating high school at the age of 13 this year, and with her Associates Degree from Los Angeles Mission College. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

California All Stars Cheer Squad and recently featured on AwesomenessTV. She also tutors in her spare time and volunteers with National Honor Society. 

Empowering HeARTS honoree finds faith in struggle By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

anta Clarita resident Jane Lopez said moving into the Santa Clarita Valley six years ago changed her life. “Moving here has changed a lot for myself and my family,” Lopez said. “I now can say I am a survivor, not a victim. It’s been a journey you don’t realize until you look back. I’ve grown I’ve changed, I became better than I was before.” Now she’s being honored as one of six honorees for the 2019 Single Mothers Outreach Empowering HeArts Gala. Lopez is a single mother of five children and a domestic violence survivor. “I felt like I was going into hiding,” she said about her move to SCV more than six years ago. “Sometimes, you feel alone. But now, out here, I don’t feel alone. I can turn to someone in these groups I’ve been introduced to. I’ve made some amazing friends.” Lopez believes people come into our lives for a reason. After moving here, she met another single mother,

who introduced her to the Single Mothers Outreach program. From there, it was a domino effect. She met ladies from Zonta International and the Domestic Violence Center. She also founded South Hills Santa Clarita Church. “It’s the perfect place for imperfect people,” she said. “Through all these different places, it changed me.I grew, I learned a lot of different things.” One of those things she learned is to grieve. Her oldest, her step-son was killed three years ago, she said. “We found out through social media, that’s how we found out. It was a really hard time in my life.” A life of challenges, that she continued to overcome. “We had to get through a lot more than most people have to,” she said. “People come into our paths to help us with these things. “It takes a village to help a broken person come back to life. A

strong village to help people heal.” Lopez feels as the groups she’s found and joined have helped her with her journey. and when she was nominated she was in shock. “It is a great honor, it really is. I’m still in shock,” she said. I do not like being center of attention, this is very difficult for me.” She lives her life with integrity, the theme of this years gala. Integrity to her is a person of character, she said. “They represent who they are.” At the gala on Feb. 9, artist Zony Gordon will reveal a piece of art representing and telling Lopez’s story. “I put everything in her hands and said this is who I am,” Lopez said. “I am excited to see what she’s going to do. They take from our stories, see things through my eyes and put it into her artwork” She is grateful for the strong family foundation she had to get her through her challenges.

Single Mothers Outreach Empowering HeArts Gala Honoree Domestic Violence Survivor and single mother of 5, Jane Lopez. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN/THE SIGNAL

“They are my biggest support, biggest cheerleaders,” Lopez said. “It’s the best feeling when kids say they are proud of me. I’m very blessed and grateful.” For those who may be in a situation she has gone through, she wants them to know, they are not alone, she said. “They can get the same help I got.” 

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 37

ART

Holiday shows in the SCV By Patti Rasmussen Signal Staff Writer

e are deep into the holiday season and there is much to do — shopping, wrapping, list-making, cookie-baking and trying to squeeze in a visit or two with friends and relatives. It all seems like too much to do with too little time but there are a couple of events that are worth juggling the schedule for that will remind you why this season is so special. Two not-to-be-missed holiday classics “The Nutcracker” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” are being brought to life by two talented local groups right here in town. The Santa Clarita Ballet has been performing The Nutcracker for 24 years now. Don’t be deterred by thinking, “But it’s a ballet.” You might be surprised how much you like it, and how fun it is to have a night on the town with someone special or take in a matinee with your grandkids. In case you don’t remember the story, it revolves around a little girl who is given a wooden nutcracker for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, the nutcracker comes to life and has a battle with gingerbread soldiers and a Rat King. The life-size nutcracker transforms into a handsome prince and soon everyone

COURTESY PHOTO

finds themselves in a pine forest ruled by a Sugar Plum fairy. There’s a lot of dancing by adorable tiny mice, flowers perform a waltz, children appear under their mother’s hoop skirt and dancers from around the world perform around the tree. “We have a lovely production planned,” said Corinne Glover, director of the Santa Clarita Ballet. “Our two senior dancers will be performing in the role of the Sugar Plum fairy and they are partnered with Raydel Caceres, a professional dancer who is celebrating his 10th year with us.” The Nutcracker has become a tradition for fourth-graders in the Newhall School District, who attend a special outreach performance. The Nutcracker will be performed at the College of the Canyons Per-

forming Arts Center on December 15 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and December 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are sold solely through the Santa Clarita Ballet Company box office which can be found at their website: www.santa claritaballet.net or by calling (661) 251-6844. Prices are $32 to $38. Another Christmas classic for people of all ages is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a story made popular by Frank Capra’s 1946 movie. The beloved film starred Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, an honest and hardworking man who gives up on life when he loses some money from his bank. It takes his guardian angel, Clarence, to show him that the true value of his life has nothing to do with money and everything to do with family and friends. Stars in this production include

Wade Bradford as George Bailey, Tim McGowan as Clarence, John Morris as Mr. Potter and returning to the role of Mary Hatch is Nicole Kowalski. Come watch these performers as the bring the fictional town of Bedford Falls to life. Directed by Cheri Bradford, “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be presented on the stage of the Canyon Theatre Guild until December 22. For more information go on line at www.canyontheatre.org or call the box office at (661) 799-2702. Canyon Theatre Guild is located at 24242 Main Street, in the heart of Old Town Newhall. And if you’re ready for a slightly nontraditional encore performance: You might want to attend the annual “Jam for Jesus” held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. In its 27th year, Jam for Jesus brings together about 30 professional musicians for a concert lead by Robby Robinson. Robinson has been Frankie Valli’s musical director for more than 40 years. This is a free, three-hour experience with amazing music and beautiful solos. Bethlehem Lutheran Church is located at 27265 Luther Drive, Canyon Country. For more information, visit www.bethlehemSCV.com or call (661) 252-0622. 

If you’re thinking about making an art purchase Designing a home’s interior can be fun. Whether furnishing a first apartment or a newly purchased family home, many people feel that the art they put on the walls of their homes is an expression of their individuality, and that a home isn’t truly a home until its interior reflects their personalities. Furnishing a home with art can be intimidating, especially for people doing so for the first time. But a few tricks of the trade can help men and women turn the interiors of their homes into spaces that reflect who they are. • Embrace your personal taste. Don’t hesitate to decorate your walls with art you like. When buying furniture for a home, it can make sense

to follow certain rules. For example, parents of young children might want to purchase dark-colored furnishings that can hide stains. • But no such rules should govern your choices of artwork. Art reflects the person who made it, but it also reflects the person who buys it, so buyers should embrace their personal taste when furnishing their homes with art. • Shop around. Thanks to the internet, billions of pieces of art, from tapestries to photographs to paintings, are at your fingertips. • Comparison shopping can be fun and help novices discover their personal tastes. It also can be a great

way to support artists. For example, 90 percent of all image royalties on art purchased from YourArtGallery.com goes directly to the artist, ensuring much of buyers’ money is going toward supporting the people responsible for the art they plan to hang in their homes. That can give people a greater sense of pride in their home’s decor. • Seek inspiration. If you’re unfamiliar with art, don’t hesitate to seek inspiration. Art is everywhere, from the hotels you stay in while traveling to the billboards you pass while driving to work to the local art museum near your home. If you’re uncertain of what you like, make a concerted effort to recognize the art

you see but may not stop to notice each day. As you expose yourself to more and more art, you will gain a greater knowledge of what you like and dislike. Use that knowledge to inform your decisions when buying art for your home. Switch things up. Your entire home does not need to follow a theme. If your taste in art is eclectic, embrace that and have different rooms throughout your home reflect your different tastes. This can give each room its own unique feel and make for a colorful home. The art people hang in their homes is a personal choice, and the process of finding that art can be fun and eye-opening. 

38 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Film Crazy: ‘Creed II,’ ‘Green Book’ and ‘Taking Chance’ By Dianne White Crawford Signal Contributing Writer

“Creed II” (Released)

The theater was packed, and I don’t recall having heard a louder outburst of cheering for any movie moment. Was it predictable? Yes. Did it deliver what the fans wanted? Absolutely. Despite “Creed” (2015) Director

Ryan Coogler opting to make “Black Panther” instead of this sequel to his own movie, I’ve seen proof that it’s clearly a crowd-pleaser, which is what the “Rocky” franchise has always done best. Michael B. Jordan returns as Adonis Johnson/Creed and Sylvester Stallone is back as Rocky Balboa. And although that would likely be enough, we also have Tessa Thompson,

Adonis’ girlfriend Bianca and Phylicia Rashad as Adonis’ mom, both also from “Creed.” We see an early training/boxing sequence in Russia featuring (professional boxer and chiseled human mountain) Florian Munteanu as Viktor Drago being trained by his father, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). If you are a fan of the franchise at all, you know exactly where this is headed.

Sterling 3/4

Wisely the relationship between Adonis and Bianca is a key element this time. Mr. Jordan and Ms. Thompson have tremendous chemistry, and the filmmakers deserve credit for hitting the hearing-impaired issue head-on. It’s a topic that’s rarely seen in movies, and is handled very well. For fans, it’s great to see Rocky Balboa and Ivan Drago back in the ring to-

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 39

E N T E R TA I N M E N T

gether — even if only for a moment; however, maybe not as thrilling (dramatically speaking) as when the two first reunite Godfather-style in a table at Adrian’s Café. It’s a surreal moment that both Lundgren and Stallone play perfectly — one with pent-up emotional turmoil and the other quite content with what life has delivered. Of course, Sly can play Rocky in his sleep… and he’s comfortable with the shuffles and mumbles of an elderly Rocky and it’s a pleasure to watch an old friend.

“Green Book” (Released)

“Green Book” (not the official book title) was a travel guide highlighting safe places for African Americans to stay, eat and visit from the 1930s through the mid-1960s. Yes, it was a real publication and yes, there was a real need for it during the Jim Crow era. The book makes for a nice movie title, but this dramedy from director Peter Farrelly focuses more on the

budding friendship of two men from vastly different worlds separated by a few city blocks. Farrelly is one-half of the infamous Farrelly Brothers who have directed some raunchy comedy hits as “There’s Something About Mary” (1998) and “Dumb and Dumber” (1994). This is quite the change of pace for him, as it is for co-stars Mahershala Ali (Oscar winner last year for “Moonlight”) and heavy drama actor Viggo Mortensen. We see a crisp blend of the era’s harsh racism and the inherent comedy of a buddy road trip featuring a working class NYC Italian-American and an upper crust, well-educated, world class African-American pianist. Inspired by the true story of this trip and the lifelong friendship that ensued, we get to know both men as they get to know each other. Tony Lip is a streetwise man who is comfortable with his lot in life, while Dr. Shirley plays his role in society while quietly stewing internally. He flashes his toothy grin to disarm the adoring

white audiences, but then sucks down his Cutty Sark in the evening, as he is good enough to perform for them, but not good enough to dine with them (or even use their restroom). There are times the racism gets violent and that’s where Tony Lip comes in. The film is a showcase for two terrific actors, and for those that don’t know, the real Tony Lip appeared in a few projects such as “The Sopranos” and “Donnie Brasco.” I expect to see these two actors get some love at Oscar time, and this is one of the few films that can be recommended to just about every movie lover. DVD Recommendation:

“Taking Chance” (2009)

This is a movie that says more about bravery and honor than many other war movies. And its message sounds and appears better than movies made of the Second World War, Vietnam War, or any other war. Based on a true story, this one follows

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Lt Col Mike Strobl (Kevin Bacon), a military man who volunteered to escort the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming. While on this journey he realizes his importance and how people get touched by his gesture. It’s a good portrayal about the people who stand up for something by sacrificing their lives for the country they love. Instead of showing us battle scenes, the movie opts to include a conversation between Bacon’s character and a soldier friend of Chance about how he died saving everybody else. It’s a very touching scene. After that Mike has a brief conversation with a war veteran where he thinks he should have been a better person or he could have done more if he had gone to Iraq. The old man replies that what Mike’s says is nonsense. And we must agree with that. He’s doing a noble thing, a great thing for his country even outside of enemy lines. 

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

H O L I D AY

TREE

Continued from page 13

choose a tree stand for size and stability. Look for models that hold large amounts of water so you’ll spend less time refilling. Also, pay attention to the size of the tree trunk that each stand will fit. The taller your tree, the bigger diameter of the trunk. Get a stand that is easily adjustable so the tree can be leveled.

Setting up your tree at home

Avoid placing your tree near a heat source, such as sunny windows, heating vents and fireplaces. Don’t place it in any spot that might be dangerous. Try to keep the tree out of high traffic areas where it might be bumped or overturned, or where someone might trip on light cords.

Find the right spot

Find the right spot for your tree. If the area you pick is on carpet and the carpet is thick, you may need to put down a piece of plywood so the tree

stand sits on a flat place. The wood will be covered up with your tree skirt. Set plastic or a waterproof covering on the floor where your tree will stand to protect against accidental spills or overflows when putting water in the tree stand. Some like to install the tree stand outside where needle drop won’t matter. To do this, tip the tree down on its side and tighten the clamps of the stand around the base of the trunk. Lift the tree to a standing position, being careful not to damage the feet of the tree stand. Make any needed adjustments in the vertical alignment so the tree stands straight. Finally, carry your tree inside and make any final adjusts to the vertical alignment of the tree. Immediately fill the water reservoir. Sometimes small adjustments may be needed on the top of the tree to fit your tree-top ornament. Clip away stray branches that may be in the way, but avoid chopping off the tallest vertical branch if you can. Use the clippings to decorate your

SUPER SAVER CLASSIFIEDS

mantle or make a centerpiece.

Trim it up

Don’t be afraid to trim down any imperfect branches or boughs that high nearby walls or furniture. Try to trim at an angle that is about parallel to the floor so cuts are less noticeable. Use these boughs to decorate around your house. But, keep them in water until you decide what to do with the trimmings.

Watering, caring for your tree

Water … water … water. Always keep your fresh tree in a stand that holds water and make sure you check the water level daily. For the first few days, you will need to refill the water every few hours. After about a week, the water intake will slow down and daily refills should be fine.

Water or more

Plain water is all you are likely to need to keep your tree fresh. However, if you wish, there are additives and sprays you can buy that promise to keep trees fresh longer. Ask about

Classifieds

them where you buy your tree or at a local garden center. You can also keep a Christmas tree fresh longer by applying a wilt resistant spray before bringing the tree indoors.

How to water

The best way to water is also the hardest way. Take towels, a water container and some patience. Get in close to the tree stand. If you can’t see the water level, then place one finger into the water reservoir and begin to add water slowly. A watering can with a spout is helpful. Stop adding water when you feel the level nearing the top of the stand. Wait a few moments and make sure no water leaks onto the floor.

Secure it

If you are concerned about kids or pets knocking the tree over, be sure to secure it in several places up the trunk with fishline, twine or cording attached to small hooks in the wall at various locations. Make sure that the lines are well out of the way and won’t pose a danger to children or animals. Now, decorate and enjoy! 

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D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

Give your mind a workout with these brainy exercises!

BRAINGAMES

Relax

S U N D AYS I G N A L Î&#x2021; 41

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CROSSWORD TIME

D E C E M B E R 9, 2018

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

Where there’s no smoke … By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

hat happened to all the cigarette machines that used to be in every store, bar and gas station in the country not so many years ago? In case you’re under 40, these were big, heavy machines, about half the size of a soda vending machine, loaded up with the top-selling brands of cigarettes: Marlboros, Winstons, Camels, Kools, Merits and maybe a dozen others. They were truly everywhere. At one time, they were more common than ATM machines. So, where are they now? It’s not as if you could just dump a million or two of these big hunks of metal in the local landfill. Or hey, maybe you could. As L.P. Hartley wrote, “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” It’s hard to imagine some of the things we did not so long ago that were normal at the time. When I grew up in Virginia, a pack of cigarettes was 23 cents. You’d put a quarter in the machine, pull the lever, and a pack of cigarettes would fall out with 2 cents change in the wrapper. I was 13 when I bought my first pack. I stopped smoking when they were $2.25 a pack. Last week, I saw a pack of cigarettes for sale for $11.25 at a convenience store. You’d need to take out a loan to buy a whole carton. I think the minimum wage was $1.10 an hour when cigarettes were 23 cents, and gas was also around 25 cents a gallon. Four gallons of gas for an hour’s work. 15 minutes of work for a pack of cigarettes. Is it any wonder more people smoked? And we knew it was unhealthy, even if the proof was long in coming. No one’s parents said, “Please, start smoking, it’s so good for you.” There was no pushback for smoking in public places. Then things changed. Too slowly for nonsmokers, too quickly for smokers.

Still, what happened to all those cigarette machines? I see old pinball machines in people’s houses, vintage cars on the road, and my sister-in-law has an old slot machine in her living room — which I still never win -- yet I never see cigarette machines in man caves. I don’t even see them in movies set a few decades in the past, even though they were such a common sight. I think the machines also dispensed a book of matches with each pack. How long has it been since you’ve seen a book of matches? They, too, used to be everywhere. Next to the cash register at every diner, on the nightstand in every hotel room. The funny thing is, not all of us smoked, even at the height of smoking culture. Even if you didn’t smoke, there would be an ashtray on every table. There were “smoking sections” on planes, as if the smoke wasn’t going to reach the nonsmokers. Can you imagine walking into a restaurant full of smoke today? Even people who still smoke would find it odd. I was just in Europe, where it seemed that everyone smoked. That’s not really true, but here, the smokers are in their cars, not walking from place to place like the Europeans. It’s hard to remember how normal smoking used to be. My mother used to leave cartons of cigarettes for the garbage men as a Christmas present. Back then, it was considered a nice gesture. Today, you’d wonder what was wrong with her. My friend Arne, who lives in a state with legalized marijuana, told me that he was in a shop that sold all kinds of dope-smoking paraphernalia looking to buy a new bong when an old guy came in and bought a pack of cigarettes. Arne said, “All I could think was, ‘What’s wrong with this guy, still smoking cigarettes? Doesn’t he know how bad that is for his health? That should be illegal.’” Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com.

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