Tips for Seniors to Safeguard Their Mental Health
The wide-ranging impact and reach of mental health issues garnered considerable attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the virus as well as mandates designed to reduce its spread led to increased feelings of anxiety and isolation. Since then, life has returned to normal for billions of people across the globe, but many people, including seniors, continue to experience mental health issues.
The Pan American Health Organization reports that at least one in four older adults experiences a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety or dementia. And those figures will likely only grow, as population estimates indicate seniors will make up a greater percentage of the global population in the years to come.
Seniors dealing with mental health issues may feel helpless, but there’s much they can do to safeguard their mental health.
Socialize Regularly
A 2019 study published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences found that older adults who socialized with people beyond their circle of family and close friends were more likely to have greater positive moods and fewer negative feelings. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of older adults report feeling isolated from others. According to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging that was conducted in January 2023, one in three older adults reported infrequent contact (once a week or less) with people from outside their home.
Speak With a Mental Health Professional
Among the more troubling aspects of the mental health crisis affecting seniors is that the PAHO reports two-thirds of older adults with mental health problems do not get the treatment they need. Speaking with a mental health professional can help older adults in myriad ways. Such professionals can identify the issue that is prompting seniors to seek help and offer suggestions that can improve overall health and qualify of life.
Roundstone Insurance notes that reliance on digital behavioral health tools, including telehealth, was turned to both during the pandemic and ever since, and seniors can utilize such services if they have limited mobility and/or no one to help them make it to in-person appointments.
Volunteer
Many older adults are retired, and while ample free time may have seemed like the ultimate reward after a lifetime of working, many retirees experience a void once their life no longer has the structure that work can provide.
According to the independent nonprofit HelpGuide.org, retirement depression can compel retirees to feel as though they miss the sense of identity, meaning and purpose that came with their jobs, which can make some feel depressed, aimless and isolated.
Volunteering can help fill the void created by retirement, and the positive mental health effects of volunteering are well-documented. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have shown volunteering increases positive, relaxed feelings and gives volunteers a sense of meaning and appreciation.
Exercise
A recent analysis of meta-studies found that exercise is a highly effective treatment for conditions such as anxiety and depression. Authors of the study, which was published in February 2023 in the journal BJM Sports Medicine, concluded that physical activity was 1.5 times more effective at reducing mild-to-moderate symptoms of various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and psychological stress, than medication or cognitive behavior therapy.
The study was an umbrella review and its authors concluded that physical activity should be a mainstay approach in the management of depression, anxiety and psychological distress. However, individuals who suspect they are dealing with any of these mental health issues are still urged to speak with a physician for assistance in treating their conditions.
No one is immune to mental health issues, including seniors. But older adults can take various steps to address their mental health and improve their overall health as a result.
Road Trippin’ with the Beach Boys
By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
The Beach Boys have made some of the most famous California music of all time. Among the band’s most popular hits are “California Girls,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Good Vibrations,” “Barbara Ann,” “Sloop John B,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “I Get Around,” “In My Room.” “Surfin’ Safari,” “Surf’s Up,” “Surfer Girl” and “God Only Knows.”
For more than six decades the Beach Boys have celebrated the Golden State with songs about California, most notably the image of sun-washed beaches, surfing culture and the laid-back California lifestyle.
They created what is now called “the California sound.”
Their music still attracts a crowd. The Beach Boys, led by founding band member, lead singer and acclaimed chief lyricist Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, are currently on the “Endless Summer” Gold Tour in 2024. The tour, which began in February will visit 50 cities before wrapping up in October.
Upcoming California tour stops include:
July 26 California State Fair, Sacramento
July 28 Plaza de César Chávez, San Jose
Aug. 27 Redding Civic Auditorium, Redding.
Aug. 28 Green Music Center - Joan and Sanford Weill Hall + Lawn, Rohnert Park
Aug. 29 Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles
Aug. 30 Greek Theatre, Los Angeles
Aug. 31 Pechanga Resort Casino — Pechanga Summit, Temecula
Sept. 1 The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, San Diego
For more information visit https://thebeachboys. com.
Early Years
The Beach Boys formed as a garage band in Hawthorne in 1961-62. The group’s original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. The band would also include Bruce Johnston and David Marks,
In 1963, the band enjoyed its first national hit with “Surfin’ U.S.A.”
On May 16, 1966 the band released it most famous album, and the one that has received the most critical acclaim, “Pet Sounds.”
The group’s peak years were 1962-67, then the surf music craze gave way to the “British Invasion.”
Dennis Wilson drowned in 1983 and Brian Wilson soon became estranged from the group. Following Carl Wilson’s death from lung cancer in 1998, the remaining band members granted Mike Love legal rights to tour under the Beach Boys name.
Where it All Began
Be sure you’ve loaded all your favorite Beach Boys tunes to play along your journey.
The childhood home where the Beach Boys music all began was torn down in the mid-1980s during construction of the Century Freeway. However, the site is now Registered California State Landmark No. 1041.
You can find the Beach Boys Historic Landmark at 3701 W. 119th St., Hawthorne 90250. The plaque commemorating the location was placed in May 2005.
Other historic Beach Boys locations include:
On Jan. 25, 1962 the Beach Boys played a “Surf Nite” concert at the Angeles Mesa Presbyterian Church, 3751 West 54th St., View Park-Windsor Hills 90043. The door prize raffled off at this concert was a surfboard. Admission was $1.
On March 30, 1963, the Beach Boys played at the opening of Denno’s Record Shop, 9709 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove 92841. They reportedly drove
up to the store in Corvettes wearing their signature, plaid Pendleton shirts.
They played in the parking lot and later autographed copies of their new album “Surfin’ U.S.A.” which was released on March 25, 1963.
On Friday April 5, 1963 the band played at the opening of the Second Annual Teen-Age Fair at the Pickwick Recreation Center, 921-1001 Riverside Drive, Burbank 91506. After the performance they signed autographs by the pool.
Before the appearance at the fair, the band visited Jay Sebring’s posh salon in West Hollywood to get their hair styled. They also ditched their Pendleton shirts and adopted a new look of stylish green sweaters with skinny ties and Hush Puppies loafers.
On April 6, 1963 the boys played the grand opening of the Build ‘n Save, 9920 Westminster Ave. at Brookhurst Street in Garden Grove 92841. The location now houses a 99 Cents store that recently closed and a Beauty Zone.
The band then play on Saturday April 20, 1963 at the Felton Intermediate School Dance, (now Felton Elementary School) 10417 Felton Ave., Lennox 90304. Tickets to the dance were $1. The band played from 7-9:30 p.m. The show was sponsored by the school’s P.T.A.
The day after this concert; Sunday April 21, 1963 the Beach Boys taped their first national television appearance on the long running CBS variety program, “The Red Skelton Show.” The Red Skelton Hour Studio / Stage 33, CBS Television City, 7800 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles 90036. Fame and Fortune
Next, head to Hollywood and the Capitol Records tower, the site of the historic Capitol Studios where the band recorded several of its songs, including its first hit after signing with Capitol Records, “Surfin’ Safari.” The Beach Boys signed their historic first contract with Capitol Records on May 24, 1962.
The Capitol Records Building, 1750 Vine St.,
EV-Friendly Route 66 Road Trip
By Visit California
Trace the east-to-west path of this historic highway while also enjoying a few modern twists — like exploring it in an electric vehicle.
This trip starts in Needles and ends in Santa Monica. It can take you 2-3 days to make the entire 351-mile trip.
Needles
929 Front St., Needles
First opened in 1926, the original Route 66 was created to traffic people and goods across the 2,400 miles between Chicago and Los Angeles, but it soon became an American icon. Route 66 was the “Mother Road” for folks seeking a better life in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and by the 1950s it had become an express lane for sunshine-seeking vacationers. Although the road was gradually superseded by the federal highway system, you can still trace most of Route 66’s path and see plenty of signs — literal and figurative — along the way. (Two great navigation apps to choose from: the Route 66 Ultimate Guide and Route 66 Navigation.) The Mother Road will soon celebrate its centennial too.
For travelers making that trip out West during Route 66’s heyday, the Colorado River and the desert town of Needles offered the first look at the Golden State. You can still see that Route 66 logo
emblazoned on the road right outside the Needles Regional Museum, where you can learn more about the local history related to the highway, the Mojave Indian Tribe, and the Santa Fe Railroad. Embrace the river-meets-desert scenery by paddling a canoe and seeing some of the 300 bird species at the nearby Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. On the way out of town, stop at Gus’s Fresh Jerky and load up on jerky, honey, and olives.
Fender’s River Road Resort
3396 Needles Hwy, Needles
Stay overnight at Fender’s River Road Resort, a 1960s-era motel that’s on the old Route 66 and also sits next to the Colorado River, with easy access for fishing, swimming, and wave running. Like many hotels these days, the motel also has an EV charging station — a nice reminder that it’s not hard to find EV-friendly stops on your California road trip. Check out PlugShare.com to pinpoint more stations on your path so that you can focus, as the song goes, on “getting your kicks on Route 66.”
Mojave National Preserve
1 Black Canyon Rd, Essex
Embrace desert grandeur at the 1.6 million-acre
Mojave National Preserve, which is dotted with Joshua trees and volcanic cinder cones in addition to its 45 square miles of dunes. The preserve’s Kelso Dunes is the second-largest dune system in the Golden State, with some dunes standing at more than 600 feet. Winter and spring are the best times of year to visit — both for temperature and a chance to see desert wildflowers.
Start with an easy hike: the Hole-in-the-Wall Nature Trail is a half-mile round trip and features insightful information on desert flora. Take time to explore the Kelso Depot, a 1924 Spanish Revival railroad station that is now the preserve’s main visitor center and includes exhibits about the early days of the railroad (check the website for park conditions and any possible closures).
Amboy
Mojave Trails National Monument, Amboy Dip south for more desert beauty at the Mojave Trails National Monument, which partially surrounds the Mojave National Preserve and boasts of being the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of Route 66. During World War II, more than 1 million U.S. soldiers were station here at the Desert Training Center established in 1942 by General George S. Patton.
The main attraction today, though, is Amboy Crater — the 250-foot-high volcanic cinder cone that makes for a fascinating hike during cooler months.
The tiny town of Amboy (at its height, it only had 150 people) has a striking Route 66 landmark: Roy’s Motel & Café, which opened as a gas station in 1938 and then expanded to include a motel, café and repair shop in the ’40s. Its 50-foot, space-agestyle sign was added in 1959, and is an excellent example of “Googie” mid-century modern design. Stop in for selfies, snacks, and souvenirs at the still-operating convenience store.
Barstow
681 N 1st Ave., Barstow
© CAROL M. HIGHSMITH
© CAROL M. HIGHSMITH
The San Bernardino County town of Barstow offers its own charming time machine. Start at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, housed in a 1911 hotel, which has a rich collection of road signs, photos, and mid-century memorabilia. Then head west of town to see (and hear) the folk art at Elmer Long’s Bottle Tree Ranch. The 200 metal “trees” created by a local artist, and now maintained by his family, are decorated with colorful glass bottles and seem to sing in the breeze. For evening entertainment, check out the Skyline Drive-in.
Consider taking a detour 10 miles northeast to Yermo, which offers two throwback delights. Walk around the Calico Ghost Town, an abandoned silver mine from the 1880s that is now a county park. (Fun fact: It was preserved during the 1950s by Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm.) Then, refuel with some burgers and shakes at memorabilia-filled Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner, which first opened in 1954 and has a prehistoric-themed sculpture garden out back (properly dubbed the “Diner-Saur Park”).
Recharge at the Outlets at Barstow 2796 Tanger Way, Barstow
Combine a recharging break and some retail therapy at the Outlets at Barstow. The mall offers discounts at brand-name stores including Coach, Columbia, and O’Neill, plus a California Welcome Center where you can pick up brochures and local tips for things to do.
San Bernardino
2728 Foothill Blvd., San Bernardino
This stretch of San Bernardino County is a gold mine of Route 66 charm—and a lot of fabulous comfort food. Thirty miles southwest of Barstow, pull over in Victorville to see a 1917 Model T Ford and Mother Road memorabilia at the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville, then stop for a bite at Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café, a 1947 diner still known for its burgers and “trucker’s special” sandwiches.
Or head into the city of San Bernardino for a meal at Mitla Café, a 1937 Mexican restaurant that’s considered the inspiration for the first incarna-
tion of Taco Bell, which started in town by another name. Speaking of fast-food folklore, you only have to stray a few blocks off your path in San Bernardino to visit the unofficial McDonald’s Museum, a deep dive into the history and culture of the Golden Arches, located at the site of the first McDonald’s from 1948.
For a quintessential Route 66 overnight stay, check in at the Wigwam Motel, the 1949 motel comprised of 32-foot-high, stucco-sided “teepees” and an old-school, kidney-shaped pool.
As you continue west, charge up at this EV station in Rialto, conveniently located near another California fast-food champ, In-N-Out. As you approach the Los Angeles County line, pay your respects at the 1915 Cucamonga Service Station, which is now a mini-museum about the early days of car travel.
Pasadena
411 W Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Pasadena is steeped in history, being both the birthplace of the cheeseburger and the Tournament of Roses Parade, which runs down Colorado Blvd. on New Year’s Day. The parade route is actually part of the old Route 66, too, as is the Norton Simon Museum and the Colorado Street Bridge, which made a cameo in the movie La La Land. Learn about Route 66’s role in local history at the Pasadena Museum of History, and check out some vintage neon signs and landmarks along the old Route 66, like Vroman’s Bookstore (which dates back to 1894) and the Saga Motor Hotel, a mid-century modern gem that opened in 1957. Not far off the route you can see the gardens at The Huntington, and the architectural masterpiece Gamble House.
Enjoy an old-school breakfast or burger at Russell’s — which dates back to 1930 and is just off Colorado Blvd. — or experience the Mother Road’s newest enticements by following the Pasadena Boba Trail, 30-plus bubble-tea shops that lie along the old Route 66.
West Hollywood
8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
The Mother Road passes some of Los Angeles’
most famous landmarks, such as Dodger Stadium, Griffith Park, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As it heads toward the Pacific Ocean, Route 66 goes by some familiar names — Sunset Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. — as it crosses through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
In West Hollywood, the section of Route 66 now known as the Sunset Strip is home to legendary music venues like the Roxy and Whisky a Go Go as well as still-operating vintage eateries Barney’s Beanery, Irv’s Burgers, and Mel’s Drive-In. Or enjoy a modern dinner at Laurel Hardware, a farm-to-table restaurant created out of a longtime fix-it shop. In Beverly Hills, look for Route 66 signs along North Santa Monica Blvd. and tip your hat to Will Rogers Memorial Park. The park is named after the Oklahoma humorist and California transplant who was Beverly Hills’ first honorary mayor in 1926 and became such a booster of Route 66 travel that the road was actually renamed the Will Rogers Highway in 1952.
Santa Monica
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
In the early days of Route 66, the highway ended in downtown Los Angeles, at 7th St. and Broadway. By the 1930s, the highway was extended all the way to Santa Monica and its gorgeous viewpoint: the Santa Monica Pier, home to the Ferris wheel and carnival rides at Pacific Park.
Take your triumphant selfie at the End of the Trail sign on the Pier, then start exploring this idyllic oceanfront city. Play on the wide beach or, for another kind of efficient vehicle, rent cruiser bikes to pedal the Marvin Braude Bike Trail — aka “The Strand,” which hugs the beach for 22 miles from Santa Monica south to Torrance.
You can also explore Santa Monica by foot, shopping the pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade and the open-air Santa Monica Place. When it’s time to charge up for more adventures, you have a wealth of EV charging locations, including the Santa Monica Pier’s parking lot, the Santa Monica Public Library, and even a nearby Trader Joe’s.
The Kelso Dunes is the most popular hike in the Mojave National Preserve. © NPS / B. Michel
© ADOBE STOCK
Experience Movies Under the Stars at City Cinemas
By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager
Picture this…a cozy blanket laid out on the grass, the warm evening breeze and your favorite film playing on the big screen. This can only mean one thing, the return of one of Santa Clarita’s most popular event series, City Cinemas, presented by Henry Rodriguez State Farm. City Cinemas brings free, family-friendly entertainment to our City parks. Every fourth Friday of the month, bring your blankets, lawn chairs and go-to movie snack for a night to remember with timeless classics, as well as new favorites to enjoy with your friends, family and neighbors.
This year’s selection of movies caters to all tastes and ages, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of animated adventures or long for a sense of nostalgia, City Cinemas is designed to offer a fun night out for the entire community. On July 26, be sure to wear pink for Barbie at 8:00 p.m., playing at Central Park (27150 Bouquet Park). From there, relive your childhood with Toy Story at 8:00 p.m. at Bridgeport Park (23521
Bridgeport Lane) on August 23. At The Centre (20880 Centre Pointe Parkway), go for a wild ride with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle at 7:00 p.m., on September 27. Lastly, The Super Mario Bros. Movie will finish this year’s City Cinemas event series at 7:00 p.m., at the Canyon Country Community Center (18410 Sierra Highway). Feel free to embrace the theme of each night’s flick and come dressed in an outfit inspired by each film.
The City parks and facilities used for City Cinemas make for a perfect venue for an outdoor movie screening. As the sun sets and the movie begins, the glow of the big screen creates the ultimate theatre experience. Make sure to get there early to set up your blankets and chairs for a comfortable experience. Let the kids play while you unwind and enjoy the opportunity to connect with neighbors and friends.
One hour before each movie’s start time, food trucks will arrive, offering a wide variety of sweet and savory choices, so you can have dinner beforehand or during the movie, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the evening. As we all know, no movie is complete without popcorn. Be sure to stop by the Henry Rodriguez State Farm booth for a free bucket of popcorn to enjoy with each film.
Join your family, friends and neighbors for an unforgettable lineup of movies this summer and into fall. Our City events are incredible ways to get together, and there’s no better way to do so than during City Cinemas. For more information about this fun, free event series, visit SantaClarita.gov/ CityCinemas.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@ santaclarita.gov.
Give Your Grilling Game a Flavor Boost
Make sure your grill game is on fire this summer. The right prepping, seasoning and grilling techniques can help you serve your favorite foods in the tastiest ways all summer.
Consider these helpful tips from the flavor experts at Watkins.
Seasoning with Staying Power
The first step for impressive flavor is proper preparation. For dry seasoning, blot meat or sliced vegetables (such as zucchini) with paper towels to dry. Then rub 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable oil over each piece to help your seasoning or dry rub stick. For marinades, after mixing — but before adding the meat — reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade liquid to baste meat while on the grill. If you’re dicing meat (except for shrimp), do so before adding it to the marinade so each piece can soak in as much flavor as possible.
Finally, no grilling menu would be complete without burgers. Adding a seasoning tailor-made for this all-American classic, like Watkins Organic Hamburger Seasoning, brings an unforgettable boost of flavor. You’ll want about 1 tablespoon of seasoning for each pound of ground meat - just be sure to mix in thoroughly before you make your patties to distribute the flavor evenly.
Flavor for All Your Favorites
While most people think of meats for grilling season, there are so many ways to spice up all your favorite foods and beverages. For fajitas, you can use chili lime seasoning for the meat and put it on the rim of your lemonade or margaritas, too. You can also switch it up and roast potatoes instead of fries to go with a well-seasoned burger. Try peppercorn Parmesan seasoning for a complemen-
tary flavor. If you’re looking for a finishing touch for steak, mushrooms make a perfect enhancement and you can use the same steak seasoning to prepare them.
A Showstopping Side
Grilled corn makes a fresh, juicy side for summer meals. For tender kernels and a milder char flavor, leave the husks on, soak the corn in water for 2030 minutes and grill over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes. For more char and caramelized flavor, remove the husks and grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, turning frequently.
After grilling, remove the husks (if needed) and lightly coat the corn in butter before seasoning. Corn can work with a range of flavor profiles - get creative with Watkins Organic Mesquite, Chili Lime or Peppercorn Parmesan seasoning blends to make your most memorable corn yet.
Whatever you add to your menu, enjoy finding new summer staples. For more flavors and grilling inspiration, visit watkins1868.com.
Southwest Pork Chops
2 tablespoons Watkins 1868 Organic Grilling Chili Lime Seasoning
2 teaspoons Watkins Organic Black Pepper
2 teaspoons cooking oil of choice
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Fine Himalayan Pink Salt
8 pork loin chops (about 2 1/2 pounds) hot sauce (optional)
Combine chili lime seasoning, black pepper, cooking oil and pink salt. Spread mixture evenly over pork chops. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
Heat grill to medium heat. Grill pork chops 4-5 inches from heat source, turning frequently, until no longer pink when cut near bone. Serve with hot sauce, if desired.
Peppery Beef Kebabs
1 pound sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons Watkins 1868 Organic Grilling Steak Seasoning or Watkins 1868 Organic Grilling Salt Free Steak Seasoning
1 teaspoon Watkins Organic Ground Black Pepper bell peppers, cut into chunks (optional) onions, cut into chunks (optional) mushrooms, cut into chunks (optional) cooked couscous or rice
Sprinkle sirloin with steak seasoning and black pepper. Thread beef onto skewers along with bell peppers, onions and mushrooms, as desired. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Grill, turning occasionally, until meat is cooked to desired doneness, 5-7 minutes. Serve atop cooked couscous or rice. (Family Features)
PHOTOS ©ISTOCK
ENTERTAINMENT
AI Robot and Grieving Widow Set to Solve a Murder
By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer
‘Sunny’
(out of four)
A 10-episode series on Apple TV+.
A new episode will premiere each Wednesday through Sept. 4.
Considering the sheer volume and overall quality of films and TV series available on Apple TV+, it's almost jarring to realize the subscription streaming service was launched just five years ago. In that half-decade, the Apple Originals slate has delivered an Oscar-winning best picture in "CODA" and a number of zeitgeist-imprinting, awards-gobbling TV series, led by "Ted Lasso." Perhaps influenced by the spirit of the always forward-thinking Steve Jobs, Apple TV+ seems to have a particular affinity for shows featuring techno stuff and gadgets, shows with post-apocalyptic, retro-future
and/or alt-universe sci-fi fare, e.g., "Severance," "Hello Tomorrow!," "Silo," "For All Mankind," "Constellation" and "Dark Matter."
Add to that roster "Sunny," an uneven but often bold and original se-
NEWHALL
TWISTERS C
A former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado is lured back to the open plains to test a groundbreaking new tracking system.
WIDOW CLICQUOT E 1:20 7:20
Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot flouts convention by assuming the reins of the fledgling wine business they had nurtured together.
FLY ME TO THE MOON C Sun: 10:00 1:00 4:00 7:10; MontoThu: 1:00 4:00 7:10
Brought in to fix NASA’s public image, sparks fly in all directions as marketing maven Kelly Jones wreaks havoc on launch director Cole Davis’s already difficult task.
SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT C Sun: 10:00 4:00; MontoThu: 4:00PM
Possum Trot follows Donna and Reverend Martin as they ignite a movement of compassion in their East Texas church to adopt some of the most difficult-to-place kids in the foster system.
DESPICABLE ME 4 B Sun: 10:20 12:50 3:05 5:15 7:30; MontoThu: 12:50 3:05 5:15 7:30 Gru, Lucy and their girls welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.
A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE C SuntoWed: 1:30 4:20 7:00; Thu: 1:30 4:20
Experience the day the world went quiet.
THE BIKERIDERS E Sun: 10:10AM
THE BIKERIDERS, starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy and Norman Reedus, follows the rise of a midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals.
THELMA C Sun: 10:10AM
When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her.
INSIDE OUT 2 B Sun: 10:30 1:00 4:50 7:30; MontoThu: 1:00 4:50 7:30
Return to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions!
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE E Thu: 7:00PM
Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth, Deadpool.
THE SEVEN SAMURAI 12:40 3:20 7:15
ries that gives Rashida Jones a terrific showcase for her unique talents. I'll admit to being a bit frustrated when the 10-episode run ended on a major reveal but left many of the main plot points unresolved — they're clearly planning on a Season 2 — but I'm sufficiently hooked to the point where I'd return for a sophomore chapter to see how everything plays out.
Created by Katie Robbins ("The Affair," "The Last Tycoon") and based on the 2018 novel "The Dark Manual" by the Japan-based Irish writer Colin O'Sullivan, "Sunny" opens with a shocking and brutal murder that quickly gives way to the 20th-century cool animated opening titles, set to the infectious 1970 pop song "Sukiyo Aishite" by Mari Atsumi.
Set in a Kyoto that resembles the future as it might have been envisioned in a sci-fi film from 50 years ago, "Sunny" picks up the main storyline with Jones' Suzie Sakamoto, an expat who has been living in Japan for 10 years, mourning the loss of her husband, Masa, and young son, Zen, who were aboard a commercial flight that crashed and are missing/ feared dead. The foul-mouthed, often abrasive, heavily drinking Suzie feels alone in her grief; she has never learned Japanese (she blames it on being dyslexic) and has made no close friends, and she has an icy relationship with her prickly and judgmental mother-in-law, Noriko (Judy Ongg).
Returning home one night, Suzie is greeted by the kindly Yuki Tanaka (Jun Kunimura), a roboticist who says he worked with Masa (played by Hidetoshi Nishijima in flashbacks that sometimes take on a surreal, dreamlike tone). Yuki says Masa created a custom-made domestic robot named Sunny (voiced by Joanna Sotomura), an all-white AI creation with a round face capable of emoji-like expressions, just for Suzie. Enjoy!
Suzie is confused. Her husband worked in the refrigerator division of the tech company. Yuki finds this hilarious. Apparently, Masa did NOT work in refrigerators, and in fact might have been involved in some sort of project that attracted the most unwanted attention of the Yakuza and might have resulted in the deaths of
Masa and Zen — if they are indeed dead.
At first, Suzie wants nothing to do with the cheerful and eager-to-help Sunny — she even tries to throw the bot off a bridge — but when it becomes clear Sunny's programming could help Suzie figure out just what in the world is happening, human and robot team up on a murder-mystery adventure. (As we know from decades of these movies and series, AI entities usually turn out to be either an anthropomorphic best friend or a deadly enemy; part of the fun in "Sunny" is that this particular bot could be a little bit of both.)
In addition to the scene-stealing Ongg as Noriko, who is harboring some deep and shocking secrets, the outstanding supporting cast includes the veteran TV personality and actress You as Hime, a platinum blonde and ruthless Yakuza operative who will stop at nothing in her quest for power, and the singer-songwriter annie the clumsy as a mixologist named Mixxy (good name for a mixologist!) who becomes Suzie's ally so quickly that Sunny doesn't trust Mixxy, and vice versa.
"Sunny" veers wildly in tone, from dark humor to truly heart-wrenching moments of grief to outlandish gimmicks, including an entire episode that delves into a totally different type of TV genre. Jones does heavy lifting in every episode and creates a richly layered character in Suzie, who readily admits she can be a real jerk but was clearly a loving mother and wife who isn't sure if her husband was a wonderful man who made great sacrifices for her, or a total stranger she never really knew.
As for that bot known as Sunny: what an amazing piece of acting by Sotomura, who gives not only voice but complexity, humanity and heart to this funny-looking creation who is the key to some deadly serious business.
Forever Young
BY Mary Petersen Signal Staff Writer
Since ancient times, people have been pursuing the illusive “fountain of youth,” the mythical spring which is said to restore health to anyone who drinks or bathes in the water. Today, instead of a legendary spring of water that restores youth, the quest to control longevity has emerged as a rapidly growing multi-billion-dollar industry.
follows a $2 million-a-year “don’t die” plan and depends on a team of doctors to meticulously measure his daily bodily functions. He takes 111 pills a day, sleeps with a laser face-shield for collagen growth, and says he has turned his whole body over to an anti-aging algorithm.
The anti-aging market is booming. Stastica.com reports that in 2021, the value of this market worldwide was $62.6 billion and is projected to reach $93 billion by 2027. Shifts in the healthcare industry from focusing on disease treatment to disease prevention is propelling the longevity industry’s rapid growth rate. Companies and research organizations are vigorously working toward developing innovative treatments that delay aging and extend the duration of healthy living.
Thanks to modern technology and countless advancements in science we are already living longer than ever before, but in light of the silver tsunami — the global aging population— there’s more progress (and more money) to be made. Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg, and Bill Gates among others are big investors. Peter Diamondis, who has invested one third of his $600 million in longevity and health-related start-ups, claims that longevity is the biggest business opportunity on the planet.
Currently the industry’s most innovative, high-tech therapies and treatments are accessible only to the ultra-wealthy. Diamondis, for example, spends $120,000 a year on bi-weekly plasma exchange treatments, a regimen of supplements, concierge doctors, and weekly fecal evaluations.
Multi-millionaire Brian Johnson
Since aging is not considered a disease because it occurs naturally and affects all humans, the F.D.A. does not have a regulatory process to approve a drug for it. It also means there is less regulation of various supplements and treatments that claim to combat aging. Harvard biologist and founder of 12 biotech start-ups, David Sinclair, said, “I would like the F.D.A. to declare aging a disease” in order to pave the way for greater gains on health span.
Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel laureate and author of the newly released book Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality, says, “Aging and death basically come down to an accumulation of chemical change to molecules and cells. The question is whether we can tackle aging processes, while still keeping us who we are as humans, and whether we can do that in a safe and effective way.”
Whether or not you want to live forever (or can afford to try), life-changing innovations that are currently being developed will positively impact age-related diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cardiovascular diseases. In time, longevity medicine will become more mainstream, become more affordable, and more people will have access to a range of diagnostic tests that might pick up early signs of age-related diseases.
Until then, if you have a few million lying around, invest!
Mary Petersen is a retired COC English Instructor, 35-year SCV resident, and two-time breast cancer survivor. She welcomes your comments at asecondwind.signal@gmail.com
HOME
Purchasing a Portable AC? Keep These Tips in Mind
With scorching summer temperatures here, a cautionary tale unfolds for those in search of a portable AC unit to beat the heat.
Enticing promises and clever marketing tactics make it easy to fall prey to the pitfalls that await unsuspecting buyers. Here’s how to be a savvy shopper:
Ratings
Be aware that a higher advertised BTU rating doesn’t always guarantee a cooler paradise. Crafty sellers may advertise more BTUs than the product’s actual performance, but buyers beware. The truth lies in making sure you are matching the Department of Energy’s (DOE) BTU rating to your room’s square footage according to the DOE guidelines. When shopping online or in-store, be sure to check the fine print for the certified DOE rated BTU level for correct coverage — and if you don’t see this information listed, stay away! A free online BTU calculator can help you choose wisely.
Certification
Manufacturers are quick to parade their products with proclamations of excellence. Don’t let smooth talkers lure you in with mere claims and great prices. Insist on reviewing the product’s energy guide
for the actual BTU rating. Also, make sure the portable AC you are interested in is authenticated by credible third-party organizations. This indicates it has met or exceeded performance standards.
Type
Before making a decision between window ACs or portable units, determine which type best suits your needs and the room before making a purchase. As a general rule, portable units can be easier to install and more versatile.
Noise
Whether you’re sensitive to noise or simply don’t prefer to hear the sound of a motor running, check the unit’s decibel (dB) rating. It’s one easy-to-ignore specification that can make a huge difference. The good news? Cool interiors and ultra-quiet performance can co-exist, if you shop around.
In addition to purchasing a great portable AC unit, proper maintenance can help ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. Periodically remove the filter from the unit and dust it, and clean debris from inside the unit with compressed air.
A few lifestyle changes can also contribute to a cooler, more comfortable home. These changes include avoiding the stove and oven on super-hot days, planting shade-bearing trees or bushes out-
side windows, and swapping out incandescent bulbs for energy efficient LEDs.
Navigating a sea of misleading product claims can be exhausting, particularly when it comes to buying the equipment you need to keep your home and family comfortable in extreme weather. However, when it comes to a cool home, you don’t have to sweat it. A bit of research can help you achieve optimal comfort this summer. (SPT)
Photo by Tim Hauf
Photo by Lotti Keenan
BEACH BOYS
Continued from page 5
Los Angeles 90028, was constructed in 1956. Distinguished by its cylindrical shape, the 13-story skyscraper hosted not only the Beach Boys, but numerous recording stars including Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney and Nat King Cole.
Nearby find the Beach Boys’ star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 1500 Vine St., Hollywood 90028.
The Beach Boys received their star in a ceremony held Dec. 30, 1980.
End your nostalgic trip at the landmark Roxy Theatre, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 90069,
is where Brian Wilson recorded “Live at the Roxy Theatre” in 2000. It is where Wilson decided to record his first-ever live solo album.
Exceptional Breast Cancer Care
Brought to you by Mayor Cameron Smyth, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Miranda, Councilmember Jason Gibbs, Councilwoman Marsha McLean and Councilmember Laurene Weste.
CELEBRITY NEWS
QWhatever happened to actress Shawnee Smith from the Ted Danson show “Becker?” Is she still acting?
—
M.M.
AYes, Shawnee Smith is still active in show business. She played the memorable ditzy office aide Linda on the sitcom “Becker” until 2004, but is known to horror fans for her role in the “Saw” movies. She also played Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife in the series “Anger Management.” Next up for Smith are two more projects that fall within the horror genre: “Slay” and “Psychopomp.”
QI saw a headline that Billie Eilish’s mom was once on “Friends.” Who did she play?
—
S.I.
ANine-time Grammy-Awardwinning recording artist Billie Eilish grew up homeschooled with her aspiring actor parents and her future musical collaborator brother, Finneas. Her mom, Maggie Baird, and dad, Patrick O’Connell, both struggled as actors but made their kids their top priority. Baird performed and also taught improv comedy to future stars like Melissa McCarthy. Eilish calls her dad “the best actor I’ve ever seen” and says that her mom “can do all these voices and characters.”
Despite their talent, Baird and O’Connell mostly guest-starred on various primetime series and movies. O’Connell played a reporter in Marvel’s “Iron Man” and a bartender on “The West Wing,” while Baird played a casting director to an auditioning Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) in an episode of “Friends,” titled “The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance.” She’s also appeared on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Bones,” and “Six Feet Under.”
Eilish still lived with her parents in their two-bedroom home in Los Angeles up until 2023. She actually bought a $2.3-million home when she
was 17, but didn’t officially move into it until she was 21.
The proud parents attended the Academy Awards ceremony this past year to see their kids not only perform and receive a standing ovation, but also win an Oscar for their song “What Was I Made For?” from the movie “Barbie.”
QWhen is the final season of “Stranger Things” coming out? Also, how will they explain the actors being so much older since the last time they filmed? Is it set in the future?
— L.J.
AAs far as a premiere date for the fifth and final season of the hit streaming series “Stranger Things,” it’s said to be out on Netflix sometime in 2025. The good news is that the show has been in production since January after it was delayed an extra seven months due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes.
Ross Duffer, one of the show’s creators, told TVLine that there will be a time jump in the story. In addition, the episodes will be lengthy, like “basically eight movies,” according to Maya Hawke, who plays Robin in the show. “Terminator” star Linda Hamilton has also joined the cast in an undisclosed role.
Producer Shawn Levy acknowledges the fast-growing cast, but says that along with the hair and makeup teams, “the ‘80s are also our friends in returning these young adult actors to their iconic Hawkins characters.”
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
Actress Shawnee Smith in “Saw X” (2023) COURTESY OF LIONSGATE
A Dermatologist’s Summer Guide for Whole Body Care
You probably worry a lot about caring for your body -— especially your skin — over the winter, when harsh temps and cold winds can take their toll. But did you know your self-care routine could also use an overhaul to face the challenges of the hot summer months?
“Just like you change your clothes depending on the season, your skincare routine needs to change in the summer, too,” said board certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu. “While many of us are well versed in how to care for our skin in the winter, summertime brings its own concerns.”
To help you enjoy the sunshine and warmer temps without stressing your skin, here are some of her tips for your best summer body care.
Layer on the Sunscreen
Apply sunscreen to any exposed skin before going out and about, even on cloudy days. Be sure to bring some along with you if you plan to spend your whole day outdoors and be ready to reapply after spending time in the water.
What to Do About Body Odor
One of the biggest challenges during the heat of summer is coping with increased odor, which can impact not just your armpits, but everywhere on your body. To address this concern, some women take multiple showers a day or use powder or perfumes that only mask the odor, rather than addressing it at its source.
“First and foremost, I want to say that body odor is 100% normal and definitely expected with the hotter weather,” said Dr. Liu. “If you’re looking for a solution to help you stay fresher longer, I highly recommend Secret Whole Body Deodorant, which is made with ingredients you can use for the whole body, including intimate areas, for external use only.”
Made with skin care ingredients, Secret Whole Body Deodorant is tested by gynecologists and dermatologists, and is free of aluminum, baking soda, dyes, phthalates and parabens. It comes in three unique formulations:
• Aluminum Free Whole Body Deodorant Stick is ideal for use under
breasts or where thighs rub together. Made with shea butter and coconut oil, the stick glides on smooth and clear. Available in Peach & Vanilla Blossom, Lilac & Waterlily scents and Unscented.
• Aluminum Free Whole Body Deodorant Invisible Cream is perfect for use in intimate areas, and it can easily and precisely be applied by hand. Made with skin care ingredients, the water-based cream absorbs quickly, with no pilling. Available in Peach & Vanilla Blossom scent and Unscented.
• Aluminum Free Whole Body Deodorant Spray allows for touchless application across your body and is made with 100% natural propellant so you can experience the full array of light, fresh fragrance notes. Available in Peach & Vanilla Blossom and Lilac & Waterlily scents.
• Secret Whole Body Deodorant provides 72 hours of clinically proven odor protection for your whole body, to help you feel fresher no matter what summer throws your way.
Ways to Avoid Dry Skin
While dry skin is common during winter, the summer weather can also be a culprit! Whether you’re going in and out of air-conditioned buildings and hot outdoor air, spending time in
the blazing sun or going for a swim in chlorinated pools and salty sea water, these activities can all strip the skin of
its natural oils.
“It’s really important to rinse your skin well after swimming,” said Dr. Liu. “I always recommend that my patients use a gentle cleanser to remove debris - and then immediately apply a moisturizer on damp skin to reduce dryness and irritation.”
Revamp Your Bathroom Cabinet
With the changing seasons, it’s also a great time to refresh your bathroom cabinets and drawers to declutter and remove items that are past their expiration date. “Go through your products so you can toss out anything you no longer use, or that’s old or expired,” said Dr. Liu. Check your products for texture or color changes, for example. Those are signs that it’s time to get a new one.
With these tips, you can enjoy all of the fun summer activities you love while looking, feeling - and smelling your best, all day long. (BPT)
Are you one of the 185 million Americans who garden? If not, it’s time to consider joining the crowd. Gardening can be an incredibly rewarding hobby, especially if you grow your own produce. When you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you can taste the difference between a store-bought tomato and one you pick fresh from the vine. Still not convinced? Discover four ways you can benefit from growing your own food.
Savor the Taste and the Savings
Growing your own produce guarantees you have the freshest fruits and vegetables at the best price. Inflation is top of mind for most Americans, and one especially spendy category is groceries. According to a recent U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey analysis, the average spending on groceries for a four-person household is $1,260 a month.
You can quickly curb your grocery bill by growing your own food. The National Gardening Association found that a 600-square-foot garden, which costs about $70 per year, can
yield 300 pounds of fresh produce a year, worth $600. That’s well worth the time, expense and effort you put into cultivating your garden. It’s a win for your wallet and your taste buds.
Add Variety to Your Diet
Depending on where you shop, your selection of produce can be limited. However, gardening offers the opportunity to expand your palate. With just a few packets of seeds, you can grow a rainbow of flavor in your backyard!
For example, Ferry-Morse, one of the leading and oldest gardening seed brands in the U.S., has a new Colossal Collection of seeds that will take your gardening to new heights. These six seed varieties will grow vegetables double the average size — or double the yield — for extra flavor, value and bragging rights!
The collection includes The Big Dill Cucumber, Jack’s Magic Pole Beans, Super Nacho Jalapeño Peppers, Beefed Up Beefsteak Tomato, Sasquatch Butternut Squash and Cinderella’s Ride Pumpkins. Not only do they taste good, but they also provide the most bang for your buck. One pack of The Big Dill Cucumber seeds
can grow up to $250 worth of fresh cucumbers.
It’s not too late to start your culinary adventure either! Plant vegetables like carrots, corn and eggplant - which will complement a goth garden perfectly — in early summer for fresh produce later on in the season, or experiment with edible flowers like nasturtium for a beautiful, tasty garnish.
To start your culinary adventure, visit Ferry-Morse.com/Collections/ Vegetable-Herb-Fruit-Seeds. Get a Natural Workout
Skip the gym and get your hands dirty instead! Tending to your garden is a labor of love and an engaging workout. You’ll have to dig, plant, weed, water and harvest. Before you know it, you’ll have your exercise in for the day and be one step closer to enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. Best of all, you get to do this in the fresh air under sunny skies.
Be Inspired to Try New Recipes
When you grow your own produce, especially if you’re growing items you don’t usually buy at the store, you’ll be inspired to get creative in the
kitchen. Tini Younger, a Next Level Chef season 2 contestant, was inspired by Ferry-Morse’s Colossal Collection to create a beef stir fry using Jack’s Magic Pole Beans.
Start by trimming your Jack’s Magic Pole Beans and combine with chopped broccoli, bell peppers, onions, minced ginger and garlic. In a bowl, season thinly sliced flank steak with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt and pepper. Add a splash of rice vinegar and a tablespoon of cornstarch, mixing to combine.
Add vegetable oil to a pan or wok and place over medium-to-high heat. Place your sliced steak into your pan and cook for two to three minutes on each side or until brown. Remove your steak from the pan and add your vegetable mixture, cooking for four to five minutes or until crisp. Once your vegetables are cooked, combine them with your cooked beef and keep to the side until your sauce is ready.
Make your sauce in a separate bowl, combining one-quarter cup of soy sauce, a tablespoon of hoisin sauce, half a teaspoon of sesame oil, a tablespoon of your minced garlic and ginger, one-quarter cup of beef stock, two tablespoons of dark brown sugar, and half a tablespoon of cornstarch, which will help thicken your sauce.
Simmer the sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat for one to two minutes, stirring consistently. Once your sauce has thickened, add your cooked vegetables and steak to your pan and combine. Plate your stir fry over a bowl of rice, garnish with chopped green onions, cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice, and enjoy! These are just four reasons to fall in love with homegrown produce. This season and beyond, embrace the green goodness of growing a produce aisle right in your backyard. (BPT)
How to Increase the Value of Your Car Before Selling
Thinking about selling your car on your own? Although selling a car yourself can be challenging, it’s a great way to possibly get more money from your used vehicle than a dealer’s trade-in offer might provide. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to a newer model or simply want to add cash to your savings account, your top priority should be getting the highest possible value for your car. Luckily, there are steps you can take to increase the value of your car before putting it up for sale.
Prepare Your Car
• A clean and well-maintained vehicle is more likely to attract potential buyers and command a higher sales price. Spend some time cleaning both the inside and outside of your car to freshen it up, such as cleaning the tires, giving your glass a once-over with glass cleaner, installing new floor mats and cleaning the seats.
• Small repairs can make a big difference in your car’s perceived value. A well-maintained and repaired car shows potential buyers that you have taken good care of it and that it’s in good, safe and drivable condition.
• Organized service and maintenance records demonstrate to prospective buyers that your car has been properly taken care of over time. Make sure you have all of your car’s maintenance and service records on hand to show interested parties. A CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ may also be helpful to provide additional details on your car’s history.
• A professional mechanic can identify any underlying mechanical issues with your car during a thorough inspection. Addressing these issues before selling can prevent potential buyers from negotiating a lower price due to necessary repairs. It also lets buyers know that the car has been well-maintained during your ownership and that there won’t be any surprises.
Set the Right Price
• Determine the vehicle’s market value. Consider factors like the make, model, year, mileage and overall condition of the car to find a fair price. You can also easily learn your car’s value and could get an instant cash offer from a TrueCar-Certified Dealer through the Navy Federal Credit Union Car Buying Service, operated by TrueCar.
• Market your car in the best light
possible, and that means being deliberate with your photos. Park it in an attractive setting with good lighting. Make sure the car looks clean and avoid highlighting any dents or scratches. Advertise the car
on various channels, such as social media, car sale websites or sales forums.
• Don’t rush the process! You want to take your time to find the right buyer who is willing to pay the price you’re asking for. Be open to negotiation, but don’t settle for a price that’s too low.
Adding value to your car doesn’t have to be an expensive process. With a few simple tricks like cleaning, minor repairs and thorough research, you can maximize your car’s potential profitability.
While your car is up for sale, make sure you’re considering your next auto purchase. Apply your car’s value to your new purchase budget, then turn to Navy Federal’s auto resources to explore loan options and much more.
Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA. (BPT)
SOLUTIONS
Opinion
READER LETTERS
Cease and Desist
This letter is addressed to (far-left liberal) Signal contributors. Well, by the grace of God and a serendipitous turn of the head, your fondest wish was denied. If the assassin’s bullet had been one inch to the right, you would all be smiling that secret, hateful smile, secure in the knowledge that the greatest threat to democracy, the modern-day Hitler, the election insurrectionist, the convicted felon, the cause of the downfall of western civilization, had been eliminated.
Of course, each of you will feign shock and disbelief that I could make such an outrageous accusation about people I don’t even know. I’m sure each of you will respond with the required, “I condemn violence in any form. It has no place in America.”
That will get you off the hook with your conscience and show others that you are open-minded and a true American. But I know you from the endless stream of columns and letters each of you has written for years demonizing the 45th president of the United States. I have asked you in several of my letters to the editor to cease and desist with your nauseatingly hateful rhetoric about President Donald Trump. We, The Signal readers, get it. Your hatred knows no bounds or limits. That says as much about you as it does about the man you delight in tearing apart.
I ask each of you to think twice before you begin typing your next letter or column. I think most Signal readers, like me, have had enough of your mean-spirited, non-stop, hate-filled rhetoric about the man who, most likely, will be our next president.
Larry Moore Valencia
U.S. Military Branches
People who were not in the military, and even some who were, often confuse the actual names of the individual branches, and the most frequent mistake is when everyone is referred to as “soldiers.” Soldiers are members of the U.S. Army. All the other branches with their proper names are as follows:
• U.S. Marines: Marines.
• U.S. Navy: Sailors.
• U.S. Air Force: Airmen.
• U.S. Coast Guard: Coast Guardsmen.
• U.S. Space Force: Guardians.
A Wise Decision?
Rick Barker Valencia
Joe Biden foolishly and illegally cancels the student debts of rioting college kids who themselves laud and protect killers and rapists.
Rob Kerchner Valencia
ETHICALLY SPEAKING
Making the Most of Marriage
By David Hegg
Over the years, I have watched in anguish from a front-row seat as couples, good people all, have ended their marriages in divorce. They started fine. Most brought children into this world and raised them well. They had successful careers, enjoyed life’s pleasures, were faithful church folks, and collected great friends. But in the end, what they lacked was friendship in their marriage. They built their relationships on attraction and excitement, and when life hit, little by little, they realized they hated more about each other than they liked. They had failed to move past love and find deep, soul-renewing friendship in their union.
But it certainly doesn’t come easily. By that, I don’t mean marriage is painful or an inevitably draining series of male/ female battles. I’m simply saying that achieving (not finding!) happiness is hard work. But it is satisfying, enjoyable, and productive hard work. It is labor for the purpose of great personal reward. It is diligence focused on nourishing and nurturing another person at the expense of yourself, even as you realize that sacrifice is the only option available if you’re to achieve the euphoria God intended for marriage.
This emphasis on hard work and sacrifice motivates and inspires couples to remain committed to their marriage, even in the face of challenges.
Submit a Letter to the Editor
Include name, address & phone. E-mail: letters@signalscv.com.
Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 25060 Avenue Stanford, Suite 141, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Anonymous letters are not published.
Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common occurrence in our time. The pervasive societal sentiment that sexuality is the primary texture of happy living has eclipsed the reality that shared commitment to lasting values is the only sure foundation for marriage.
There is an old saying among church leaders: “What you win them by is what you win them to.” It means the reason people come to your church is also the reason they stay. If they are attracted to hype, glitz and flattery, you’ll have to keep it up to keep them coming. On the other hand, if they come desperate and hungry to meet a holy God through the teaching of the Bible and the caring fellowship of God’s family, then that will have to be your ongoing strategy.
The same principle is true for marriage. What attracts us to someone has to be honest and lasting, or we will no longer be interested in walking the path of life with them. Those who have been married for decades understand it is no longer merely physical attraction or the excitement of having your own person that makes their relationship satisfying. They will tell you it is their shared values that have brought them past infatuation, through the valley of testing, and finally into the land of deep trust, respect, profoundly satisfying love and radical friendship. They will tell you they have indeed become one. As one seasoned husband explained, “I’m not sure where I end and she begins. We seem to think, feel, and live as one person. It’s amazing, and it’s great.”
The current decay of marriage in our society stems from two basic things. First, marriage has become a casual relationship to be tried if you want and discarded if it doesn’t work out. Its disposable nature means you don’t have to prepare for it or work hard at it. Second, those who want their marriages to work often are blind to the demands it makes on husband and wife.
Good marriages are made of good people. Our marriages erode rapidly when we stop being good, even for “good” reasons. But to be good to another person means a growing sense of humility understood not as thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself – your desires – less. It will demand hard work to mature in areas of personal weakness while learning to sacrifice for our spouse’s well-being.
But beyond everything else, a good marriage demands that a man and a woman be fundamentally committed to the bedrock core values that sustain life and give it meaning. Like everything else in life, a satisfying marriage demands a mutually held ethical foundation and a commitment to pursue the virtues that flow from it.
This commitment must be the fuel that drives them away from selfishness and into sacrificial love for one another. Only in this way will the lasting bonds of friendship be forged. Happiness is there for the finding, but only for those who are willing to give their lives to do so.
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
