The Toughest Golf Courses In America
California’s Cinnabar Hills Takes
Fifth, TPC Tampa Bay
In Florida Takes The Top Spot
By Luke Vidler
Premium golf apparel brand, Galvin Green, analyzed the number of keywords related to a difficult golf course, such as ‘advanced’ and ‘elevation change,’ in the TripAdvisor reviews written by average golfers for over 800 courses in the US. For those with at least 50 reviews, they looked at the average number of keywords indicating difficulty per review to determine which course Americans find the hardest.
At the top of the list is TPC Tampa Bay, located in Florida, with an average of 1.2 difficulty-related keywords in each review. Overall, it has a 4.5-star rating, with 105 reviews containing 126 keywords. The term ‘fast green’ appears the most, used in 22 reviews.
In second place is Bethpage Black, which has an average of 1.112 keywords per review. The New York course has 107 reviews in total, with 119 keywords included in them. The course is famous for its difficulty and has hosted several major tournaments, including the U.S. Open. The most common keyword used in its reviews is ‘tough.’
Next on the list is Wine Valley Golf Course in Washington, with 1.088 keywords used per review on average. It has 80 reviews on TripAdvisor, including 87 keywords, with the most used term be-
ing ‘challenging.’
Arizona’s Stone Ridge Golf Course ranks fourth, with an average of 1 keyword used in each review. The keyword ‘fast green’ appears six times, while ‘elevation change’ appears 11 times. Overall, it is rated 4 stars, with 74 reviews in total.
In fifth place is Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, California, which has an average of 0.984 difficulty-related keywords in each of its 61 reviews. The most common keyword among its reviews is ‘challenging,’ which appears 11 times.
With an average of 0.982 keywords per TripAdvisor review, Wentworth Golf Club in Florida ranks sixth. The course has 55 reviews, which contain 54 keywords, with an overall rating of 4 stars.
Next up is Shell Landing Golf Course in Mississippi, with an average of 0.963 keywords used in each review. The term ‘challenging’ appeared the most, included in 19 reviews. Overall, it has 52 keywords spread across 54 reviews, and a rating of 4.5 stars.
Tot Hill Farm Golf Club in North Carolina takes eighth place, with 0.956 keywords per review on average. The course has 68 TripAdvisor reviews, which include 65 difficulty-related keywords. The word ‘challenging’ appears 20 times among the reviews, with an overall rating of 4 stars.
In ninth place is PGA West Pete Dye Stadium Golf Course in California. It has an average of 0.944 keywords included in each of its 178 TripAdvisor reviews. The course is rated 4.5 stars overall, with the term ‘tough’ appearing 33 times, while the term ‘fast greens’ appears 17 times.
Tenth is The Champions Club at Summerfield, Florida, which has an average of 0.943 keywords per review. It has a total of 53 reviews, which include 50 keywords. Overall, it is rated 4 stars.
On the other hand, the golf course with the lowest number of difficulty-related keywords is Four Seasons Resort and Club at Colinas, Texas, which has an average of just 0.022 per review. Closely following are Glenview Golf Course and Orange Blossoms Hills Golf Country Club, both located in Florida, with averages of 0.025 and 0.026 keywords per review, respectively.
It is fascinating to see which courses Americans find the toughest. Whether you’re looking to test your skills or simply enjoy the thrill of conquering a tough course, these ones offer experiences that will challenge even the most seasoned golfers.
It is also great to see a mix of courses from different states, showcasing the diverse golfing challenges across the country.
TPC Tampa Bay, Florida
Cinnabar Hills, San Jose, California Bethpage Black, Long Island, New York
DREAMING OF CALIFORNIA SKIING
Northstar California Ski Resort, like many popular California ski resorts, will now require reservations for parking on weekends and peak periods. PHOTO NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA.
By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
Winter touched down in the Sierra Nevada range on Oct. 17, bringing below-freezing temperatures and a few inches of white fluff.
Despite being a La Nina winter, which usually means dryer and warmer temperatures, California
ski season has seen most resorts open in December.
The forecast for January is all over the map with experienced forecasters still taking a “wait and see attitude.”
Despite the uncertainty in the weather California ski resorts have realized “it takes more than snow” to make a great ski day, said Mike Reitzell, outgoing president of the nonprofit industry association Ski California.
“Resorts have invested in significant upgrades for the upcoming season, from increasing snowmaking capacity to installing state-of-the-art chairlifts,” he said.
New Lifts
The staff at Mammoth Mountain spent the offseason replacing Chair 1, the Broadway Express, with a high-speed six-passenger detachable chairlift. Big Bear Mountain Resort installed a new six-passenger chairlift at Bear Mountain. The Central Sierra’s Bear Valley also invested in new chairlifts.
“New chairlifts really make a difference,” Reitzell says. “Faster chairs mean less waiting, faster opening times and a more comfortable ride.”
Strap on Your Skis or Boards
Here are your ski resort options you’ll want to explore during this year’s ski season.
Mountain High Resort
24510 CA-2, Wrightwood, CA 92397 www.mthigh.com
The resort was threatened by September’s Bridge Fire, but it came through unscathed and reopened as scheduled on Nov.22 to celebrate its 100th season. Mountain High is SoCal’s “closest to the snow” ski resort.
See SKIING, page 13
Mountain High in Wrightwood is “closest to the snow” for skiers in Southern California. PHOTO MOUNTAIN HIGH.
What’s New In California Travel 2025
By Michele E. Buttelman
Part of the magic of California travel is that it seems like there is always something new to see or do. The New Year brings a host of updates to familiar locales and also new places to explore.
“The diversity and abundance of new openings across California in 2025 reinforces the state’s position as the Ultimate Playground,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, the state’s travel destination informational website.
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
https://seaworld.com/san-diego/animals/the-jellyfish-experience/
“Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience” is opening at SeaWorld San Diego in spring 2025.
The first of its kind for SeaWorld parks, it will be the newest immersive and interactive aquarium at SeaWorld San Diego.
Enter the world of the jellyfish in a more stunning, immersive way than ever before.
Guests will be greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes in three unique galleries as if diving into the heart of the ocean.
Each of the galleries will feature a jelly species to discover including Moon Jellyfish, Pacific Sea Nettles, Upside-Down Jellyfish and Comb Jellies.
Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center
3500 Numancia St. Santa Ynez, CA 93460 www.sychumashmuseum.org
The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is scheduled to open early in 2025, but an opening date has yet to be announced.
The museum and cultural center will allow the Chumash tribe to share its rich cultural heritage with the public.
Elements of Chumash culture will surround visitors as they progress through the museum, beginning at the Welcome Gallery.
The permanent exhibit gallery is where the tribe’s message will be told. Other spaces include a gathering house amphitheater and lush gardens to help visitors learn about the sustainability and balance that have played important roles in Chumash culture.
The museum grounds are designed with terra cotta tile, local stone and adobe-like concrete bricks that merge with native plants, boulders and man-made water features, creating an immersive
environment that resonates with the echoes of the tribe’s past.
The 3.5-acre cultural park and outdoor living museum includes storytelling in the amphitheater, outdoor exhibits and a living village.
The landscape offers traditional plants used for food, medicine and crafts in Chumash culture. A basketry and cordage garden showcases the plants used in ancient weaving practices.
The area is surrounded by oak trees and meadows planted with traditional use seed plants. Sycamores, walnut and California bay laurel can be
“Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience” will open in the spring of 2025 at SeaWorld in San Diego. PHOTO SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO.
The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center is scheduled to open early in 2025 and will allow the Chumash tribe to share its rich cultural heritage with the public. PHOTO SANTA YNEZ CHUMASH MUSEUM.
found in the low areas of the park.
Visit the Chumash museum’s website to sign up for email alerts to learn when the museum will open.
Counterculture Museum
1485 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117
https://counterculturemuseum.org
The Counterculture Museum, opening in spring 2025, will be located at the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets, the iconic center of the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
The museum, created by the founders of The Beat Museum, 540 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133, will include the many other transformative social movements that have shaped the recent history of the United States: The Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights, Hippies/Youth Revolution, LGBTQ+ and more.
“I feel strongly that these social movements have not only had a profound impact on society, but continue to inspire change today, and I believe this concept has immense potential, not only as a tribute to the past, but as a means to help us understand the challenges we still face. If we understand where we’ve come from, we can better decide where we need to go and how to get there,” said Executive Director Estelle Cimino, Foundation for Creative Expression.
Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary
1313 Disneyland Drive Anaheim, CA 92802
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/ events-tours/70th-anniversary/
Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary celebration will take place May 16, 2025 through summer 2026. “Celebrate Happy” will be the theme of the 70th celebration
Highlights include the return of the fan-favorite “Paint the Night” parade and “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park, plus the all-new “World of Color Happiness!” and return of “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade at Disney California Adventure Park.
Coming in May to the Main Street Opera House, currently home to a patriotic attraction centered on Abraham Lincoln, is “Walt Disney - A Magical Life.”
Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s arm devoted to themepark experiences, have crafted an audio-animatronics figure of Walt Disney that will appear in the show. Disney, creator of Micky Mouse and founder of Disneyland, died in 1966. The attraction is expected to be set in his studio office and to feature one of his favorite songs, “Feed the Birds” from the film “Mary Poppins.”
The 70th anniversary celebration will also include the new “Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!” cavalcade, the return of fan-favorite entertainment, all-new offerings that include a captivating projection show at “It’s a Small World,” and encounters with Mickey & Minnie and their pals, dressed in new outfits.
Belmont Park Turns 100 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego, CA 92109 www.belmontpark.com
The fireworks show “Wondrous Journeys” will return on select nights for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.
Historic Belmont Park in San Diego turns 100 years in 2025. San Diego’s iconic beachfront amusement park, Belmont Park, will be celebrating its 100th anniversary beginning on the Fourth of July.
The birthday festivities will take place for 100 days and celebrate the park’s rich history as one of Southern California’s most beloved and notable attractions.
The event includes limited-edition merchandise, special events including a park-wide scavenger hunt and a chance to win a lifetime pass to the park.
The park still features the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, the beloved wooden coaster built in 1925.
The new Counterculture Museum in San Francisco, scheduled to open in early 2025 is located at the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets in San Francisco, the iconic center of the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
2025 5 The 100th anniversary of the Belmont Park Big Dipper wooden roller coaster in San Diego will be celebrated beginning on July 4. This historic photo shows the coaster soon after its completion in 1925 with the crew who built the coast assembled for the picture. PHOTO BELMONT PARK.
The iconic “Partners” statue in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland was created by famed Disney sculptor Blaine Gibson and features Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. A new attraction featuring a robotic Walt Disney will be unveiled in May during the 70th anniversary celebration of Disneyland. PHOTO DISNEYLAND RESORT
FROM THE CITY MANAGER
New Year, New Community Center!
By Ken Striplin
Santa Clarita City Manager
Did you know that the City of Santa Clarita now has three community centers? Located at Valencia Summit Park in the former YMCA building, the 12,000-square-foot Valencia Community Center is officially open for residents to visit. Just last month, the Santa Clarita City Council was joined by the community to cut the ribbon and open the doors to our newest recreational hub. During the event, our partners at the Los Angeles County Fire Department and California Highway Patrol, joined City staff for a friendly belly-flop competition, jumping into the pool to see who had the best style, splash and slap. After awards were given out, the community was then invited to tour the facility.
At the heart of the Valencia Community Center, residents will find the City’s first indoor swimming pool, designed to bring year-round aquatic opportunities to our community.
Whether you’re looking for American Red Cross swimming lessons for your children, adult learn-to-swim classes or water exercise sessions, this pool is perfect for swimmers of all ages and skill levels. And don’t worry about the weather – this facility features a heated pool, making it a comfortable and inviting space no matter the season. It’s sure to become a favorite destination for families, fitness enthusiasts or anyone looking to enjoy the water.
If you’re looking to enroll your child in a quality early childhood education program, the Valencia Community Center is also home to the beloved Primetime Preschool. This family-favorite program is designed to help young children develop key skills in a nurturing and engaging environment, preparing them for a successful transition to kindergarten. For
parents and toddlers, Parent and Me classes will also be offered, providing a great opportunity to bond with your child through interactive activities that encourage learning, creativity and socialization.
In addition to its aquatics and preschool programs, the Valencia Community Center will also host a variety of engaging Contract Classes, designed to promote health, wellness and personal growth. These classes include offerings such as Tai Chi and MELT fitness sessions, which both focus on mobility, reducing pain and improving overall body function.
For families looking to keep their children active, engaged and having fun during the summer months, the Camp Clarita program will also be available at the Valencia Community Center. This exciting summer camp offers kids a variety of activities including arts and crafts, games, sports and field trips. It’s a great program where kids and teens can make friends, stay active and create lasting
summer memories.
Whether you’re practicing your swimming strokes, preparing your little one for school or exploring a new fitness class, I know that this Community Center will provide many opportunities for our residents to stay active, healthy and connected. To learn more about any of these programs, please call (661) 250-3700. The Valencia Community Center is located at Valencia Summit Park, 26147 McBean Parkway.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
Light and Easy Meals for the New Year
By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
Iknow, I know, THIS is the year that you’re going to eat healthy and get into shape! We’ve all made promises to ourselves that we probably won’t keep, but here’s a few healthy, tasty recipes that will help with your New Year’s resolution meal planning.
Chicken Breasts
It seems that every healthy eating guide recommends chicken breast. Chicken breast is high in lean protein: With 31 grams of protein per 3.5 ounces, chicken breast is an excellent source of lean protein to support muscle growth and repair.
Chicken breast is also low in fat and calories: A 3.5 ounce serving contains just 165 calories and 3.6 grams of fat, making it a healthier choice than fattier cuts of meat.
However, chicken breast is often dry and flavorless. What to do?
Braising not only results in tender chicken, it also keeps it moist and makes it flavorful, because chicken absorbs the flavors in the braising liquid. I often braise chicken breasts with nothing more exotic than water, adding enough water to just cover the breasts. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165F on a meat thermometer.
I often shred the chicken for sandwiches, or break into chunks to add to a salad
You can add your own flavor profile by braising in liquids such as wine, broth, coconut milk or beer.
Depending on how I will use the chicken a few of my favorite braising liquids include dry white wine, dry sherry, broth, water and tomato juice. For a mild flavor, add a bay leaf. To increase the flavor profile, you can add in a few sprigs of fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, oregano, rosemary, etc. You can also add chopped vegetables, onion, garlic, carrot, celery, red peppers and create a braised chicken breast stew.
One Pot Chicken Breast Stew
Chicken soup can be boring, but chicken stew is comforting and feeds the soul. Here’s my go to chicken breast stew, designed to be low calorie, yet satisfying.
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 pound)
4 medium carrots, thinly sliced (2 cups)2 stalks celery, thinly sliced (1 cup)
2 medium leeks, thinly sliced (2/3 cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 or 2 sweet potatoes cubed (1 cup)
1 cup cut green beans
2 teaspoons snipped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon Morton’s Nature Seasoning Blend
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1 tablespoon flour
Cornstarch as needed to thicken stew.
Add any other vegetables like peas, beets or onions that you fancy.
In a 4-quart Dutch oven heat oil over medium heat.
Add chicken and sear on all sides. Remove chicken to a plate, add chicken back into stew during last 20 minutes of cook time.
Add carrots, celery, leeks and garlic. Cook and stir for 5 to 8 minutes or until vegetables are starting to soften. Stir in chicken broth, sweet potato, green beans, other veggies, rosemary and seasonings.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add in seared chicken breast.
In a small bowl whisk together milk
and flour until smooth. Stir mixture into cooked stew. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cook and stir for about 20 minutes or until mixture is thickened and chicken reaches 165F.
If stew does not thicken make a cornstarch slurry by combining 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 1/2 tablespoons water, whisk until smooth. Add to stew. Stew should start to thicken within five minutes.
Sprinkle each serving with cracked black pepper.
Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute wants you to eat more wild caught Alaskan salmon, and you should. Salmon is the dieter’s superfood.
Regularly eating fatty fish reduces the inflammatory substances produced in the heart’s arteries, improving its function.
There are five species of wild Alaska salmon to choose from.
The rich flavor and firm texture of king, sockeye and coho salmon make them the preferred choice for any cooking method, from grilling and broiling to sautéing, roasting, poaching and steaming.
The leaner keta and pink salmon are good choices for sautéing or baking in flavorful sauces and as a quick and healthy protein in salads or pastas.
Cedar planks are found near meat and seafood counters in most grocery stores or can be ordered online.
Fresh Alaska salmon is in season May through September. However, fresh, previously frozen wild caught salmon is available year-round. I have found Costco carries wild caught salmon frequently.
Cedar Plank Grilled Alaska Salmon
4 Wild caught salmon fillets (4 to 6 oz. each), fresh, thawed or frozen Olive oil spray
1 tablespoon fresh (or 1 teaspoon dried) favorite herb for salmon (dill, thyme, rosemary, etc.)
Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
4 large sweet potatoes, sliced lengthwise into wedges
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
Soak cedar planks for 1 to 2 hours (or overnight) submerged in water. Remove and pat dry.
Heat grill to medium heat (400F). Spray cedar planks and salmon with olive oil spray.
Place salmon on planks; sprinkle with herbs, salt and pepper. Place sweet potatoes in a bowl; spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle with cumin, salt and pepper, to taste. Toss to coat. Place cedar planks and potato wedges onto grill. Cover and cook about 3 to 4 minutes; turn wedges over and continue cooking until potatoes are soft and cooked. Keep warm. Cook salmon 12 to 15 minutes, just until fish is opaque throughout.
Serve with a side salad or braised spinach or other greens.
Chicken stew. Photo Courtesy National Chicken Council PHOTO CREDIT
ENTERTAINMENT
Roeper’s Top 10 Films Of 2024
By Richard Roper Signal Contributing Writer
W“Civil War”
“The Bikeriders”
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
That’s an impressive and disparate roster of films ranging from blockbusters to period pieces to sharply honed indies, from biopics to musicals to sequels and prequels -- all of them well worth your time. Pretty good year. Pretty pretty pretty good.
And that’s before we even get to my Top 10!
10. “Nosferatu”
Sunday-Thursday, Januar y 5-9, 2025
hen we talk about the best years for movies, you’ll hear arguments for 1939 and 1946 and 1959, 1975 and 1994 and hey what about 2007? All GREAT years for film. It’s a fun debate without right or wrong answers, but I think it’s much trickier -- and, I would argue, nigh impossible -- to definitively call out any given year for being among the worst. I don’t think 2024 will be remembered as one of the GOAT years in movie history, but here’s just 10 of the films that fell short of making my list of the 10 best:
“Emilia Perez”
“Maria”
“A Real Pain”
“Blitz”
“We Live in Time”
“Saturday Night”
“Blink Twice”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has voiced its protest over the depiction of rats in Robert Eggers’ visually stunning, deeply disturbing and weirdly beautiful gothic retelling of the vampire classic. Yeah, well what about the humans who had to endure arguably the most chilling cinematic depiction since “Willard”?
I mean that in the most complimentary way. Everything about “Nosferatu,” from the bone-chilling visuals
22500 Lyons Ave. info Line 310.478.3836
the Finest in Film to the SC V!
A CO M P L E T E U N K N OW N E Sun: 10:00 1:00 4:00 7:00
An enigmatic 19-year- old from Minnesota arrives with his guitar and revolutionar y talent, destined to change the course of American music
BA BYG I R L E Sun: 10:20 1:30 4:20 7:30
A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.
N O S F E R AT U E Sun: 10:00 1:10 4:10 7:10
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her
M U FA S A: T H E L I O N K I N G B Sun: 10:10 1:10 4:00 7:10
Rafiki relays the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick
S O N I C T H E H E D G E H O G 3 B Sun: 10:20 AM 1:20 4:20 7:20
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a power ful new adversar y, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before
M OA N A 2 B Sun: 10:30 1:20 4:30 7:20
Moana and Maui reunite three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers
W I C K E D B Sun: 10:00 1:00 3:50 7:00
The untold stor y of the witches of Oz. Elphaba, a defiant social outcast who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true hear t
to the performances by the chameleonic Bill Skarsgard as the lovestruck and blood-struck Count Orloc and Lily-Rose Depp as the human object of his obsession to, yes, those rats, is the stuff of nightmares -- and the stuff of one of the best horror movies of the 21st century. See it: In theaters starting Tuesday.
moments, and they’re spectacularly, devastatingly, memorably great. See it: On Netflix.
8. “Sing Sing”
The always riveting Colman Domingo gives one of his career-best performances as an imprisoned man who lives to write and act in this astonishingly original work from director Greg Kwedar, written by Kwedar and Clint Bentley. Based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, “Sing Sing” joins “The Shawshank Redemption,” “The Birdman of Alcatraz,” “Cool Hand Luke” and “The Hurricane” on the short list of the best prison movies ever made. See it: In theaters (for the second time) starting Jan. 17.
Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne and Elizabeth Olsen shine in this brilliant setpiece by writer-director Azazel Jacobs about three siblings (one is a stepsister) who gather in the New York apartment where their father is in the room down the hall and is dying. Each of these three brilliant actors is given multiple showcase See Top Ten Films, page 15
7. “Challengers”
It’s a tennis-a-trois, done with dark humor and bruising style by director
9. “His Three Daughters”
PHOTOS COURTESY IMDB
Fitness Regimens For Those 50 Plus
Fitness is an important component of overall wellness. Indeed, staying active has been linked to a number of noteworthy benefits, including decreased disease risk and improved mental health.
Routine exercise helps a person burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. Tufts Medicine says weight gain is common among aging individuals, with both men and women tending to put on weight in their mid-sections. Weight gain is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Older adults may need to step up their fitness regimens to combat growing waistlines.
Staying active also can help with muscle and bone density, which can decline with age. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says exercise is important for maintaining bone strength as the body ages. Strength-training exercises put stress on bones so they can make bones stronger.
Now that it is apparent why fitness is key during senior years, itÕs time to explore some routines that may be best for people age 50 and older.
Yoga
Yoga is a low-impact practice that improves muscle strength, balance, mobility, and flexibility. All of these factors are important for seniors. For those who find that conventional forms of yoga are too taxing on joints and bones, chair yoga is a lower-impact form of the exercise.
Cycling
Riding a bike is a cardiovascular workout that offers a wide range of benefits. Most people find riding a bike is easy on the joints, and regular cycling can increase muscle strength and enhance flexibility. The pace and intensity of rides can be customized depending on ridersÕ speed and the routes they ride.
Pilates
Joseph Pilates developed an exercise routine that now bears his name in the early twentieth century. Pilates emphasizes core strength and stability, but works all the major muscle
groups in the body. Since it is another low-impact exercise, it can be suitable for people with joint issues.
Body Weight Exercises
As individuals age, they may find that working with dumbells, barbells or weight equipment at the gym is too taxing. Using body weight to build strength is a low-intensity option. Squats, wall push-ups, chair pushups, and resistance bands can be used to build strength.
Walking
Walking is an unsung hero in the fitness realm. According to Better Health Channel, just 30 minutes of walking every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones,
reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. Walking is low-impact and less taxing on joints than jogging or running.
Why It’s Harder Than Ever To Make An Appointment With Your Doctor
Americans face unprecedented wait times to see their doctors. This squeeze is particularly acute in primary care, but is also being felt in specialties like neurology, psychiatry and OB/GYN.
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), here are the top reasons why it’s harder than ever to be seen by a health care provider:
1. Not enough doctors. With the U.S. population growing and aging, the need for physicians continues to grow. Yet, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges, the physician shortage is projected to reach 86,000 by 2036.
2. A broken Medicare system. With an aging population and more Medicare patients on the horizon, the Medicare system needs significant reform. Today, Medicare pays physicians nearly 30% less than it did in 2001, when adjusted for inflation. So while the overhead costs of running a practice—equipment, office space, staff salaries—have all soared, payment for caring for Medicare patients has decreased dramatically, making running a practice extremely challenging.
“Physicians have shouldered the burden of a broken Medicare payment system for far too long.
Especially in small, independent practices, and practices in rural and underserved areas, physicians have been forced to cut costs, eliminate staff, or limit the number of Medicare patients we see,” says Bruce A. Scott, M.D., president of the AMA. “These are steps we take simply to keep the doors open and the lights on. But unfortunately, because of this dysfunction, all patients—not just Medicare patients—are put at risk when our flawed and outdated payment system forces physicians to close their practices.”
3. Administrative burdens. Increasing bureaucracy and administrative barriers, such as prior authorization, consume significant time for physicians. Doctors today, on average, spend two hours on paperwork for every one hour they spend with patients.
4. Backlog and burnout. One of the ultimate legacies of COVID-19 is a backlog of services and screenings put off during the pandemic, now offered by fewer providers. Two in three doctors admitted to experiencing burnout during the pandemic, according to a survey from the AMA, the Mayo Clinic and Stanford Medicine. That’s the highest level of burnout ever recorded by the AMA.
One in five physicians surveyed during the pandemic said they planned to leave medicine within the next two years, while one in three said they’d cut back on their hours. While there is indeed a crisis in care, the AMA says that there are solutions to address the problem. They include:
• Fixing the broken Medicare payment system. The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee has called for connecting physician payment to the Medicare Economic Index, which would ensure rising practice costs do not continue to overwhelm what Medicare pays.
• Adding voices to the chorus of patients and physicians calling for reform. Those concerned about this problem and worried about continued access to their physician, can visit FixMedicareNow.org.
SKIING
Continued from page 5
Big Bear Mountain Resort
Snow Valley 35100 CA-18, Running Springs, CA 92382
Snow Summit
880 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Bear Mountain
43101 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
www.bigbearmountainresort.com
The 2024-25 ski season at Bear Mountain in Big Bear opened Dec. 13.
Each of Big Bear’s three mountains, Snow Valley, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, have benefitted from major capital improvements in the past few years and Bear Mountain has opened its new Midway high-speed six-passenger chairlift.
Chateau Big Bear
42200 Moonridge Road, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
https://chateaubigbear.com
If you are looking for accommodations in Big Bear during ski season the iconic Chateau Big Bear is a boutique hotel located below the ski slopes of the San Bernardino National Forest. It has just reopened after a three-year renovation. The historic property has been infused with contemporary comfort. The new Australian owner kept elements of the original design, including a grand Tiffany dome, now housed in the hotel’s bistro and valued at over $400,000.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area
10001 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes CA 93546
www.mammothmountain.com
Mammoth’s new Chair 1 (Broadway Express) will offer an uphill capacity of 3,000 people per hour, a 25 percent increase over its predecessor. The resort has also committed $3.5 million to improve its snowmaking capacity. Non-skiing families can
play at the revamped Woolly’s Adventure Summit: Zoom down groomed lanes in the Tube Park, zip around on the new Mountain Coaster, or cozy up at the snack bar.
Badger Pass Ski Area
7082 Glacier Point Road, Mariposa, CA 95389
www.facebook.com/badgerpassski/
Spend the night in Yosemite Valley’s lodgings and ride the free shuttle bus to Badger Pass Ski Area. With rentals, lessons and 10 slope runs of varying difficulty, Yosemite’s ski area is a great place for beginners and it also boasts nearly 100 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Guided trips are available. Currently Badger Pass still doesn’t have enough snow for downhill or Nordic skiing and remains closed.
Bear Valley Mountain Resort
2280 CA-207, Bear Valley, CA 95223 www.bearvalley.com
Under California Mountain Resort Company’s new ownership, Bear Valley has installed a new triple chair for beginners and a new fixed-grip quad chair serving intermediate and advanced terrain. New food service options include a pizza bar in the day lodge.
Mt. Shasta Ski Park
4500 Ski Park Highway, McCloud, CA 96057 www.skipark.com
Six miles south of Mount Shasta’s 14,179-foot volcanic summit, Mt. Shasta Ski Park offers twilight skiing until 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Gray Butte lift, opened in 2022, opens up 230 acres of new terrain, including backcountry access.
Northstar California Ski Resort
5001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, CA 96161
https://www.northstarcalifornia.com
For the second consecutive year, a reservations-based paid parking program will be in place on weekends and peak periods. The Castle Peak lot
will remain free every day with no reservations required. Skiers looking to dine in Northstar Village will find signature cocktails and cozy meals at Wild Pine and Vous.
Boreal Mountain Ski Resort
19749 Boreal Ridge Road, Soda Springs, CA 95728
www.rideboreal.com
The only California resort to offer night skiing and riding seven days a week, Boreal will celebrate its 60th anniversary season this year. Play Forever Fridays will take place one day each month with $25 lift tickets for everyone.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood, CA 95646
www.kirkwood.com
Like many popular ski resorts in California Kirkwood, in the Carson Pass, will institute a new reservations-based parking program this winter with a mix of free and paid parking options on weekends and peak periods.
Tahoe
Skiing in the Tahoe area has become so popular that many Californians realize it is now more of a “special occasion” ski area. Long lift lines and routinely gridlocked traffic has made even the most dedicated skier think twice about traveling to Tahoe’s sought after slopes. Ski resorts have upgraded food offerings and invested money in additional snowmaking capacity.
However, if you must go, explore these options:
Heavenly Ski Resort, South Lake Tahoe www.skiheavenly.com
Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley www.palisadestahoe.com
Sierra-at-Tahoe, Twin Bridges/South Lake Tahoe www.sierraattahoe.com
Skiing at Big Bear Mountain Resort includes three different ski areas: Snow Valley, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. PHOTO BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORT.
Deep powder at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area located along the east side of the Sierra Nevada. PHOTO MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN.
If you love your outdoor space but aren’t crazy about weeding, watering and mulching, you’ll be glad to know there are simple ways to minimize maintenance of your yard and garden.
With a bit of planning and some up-front investment, you can cut down on the time you spend working
in your yard, so you have more time to just relax and enjoy it.
Here are tried-and-true tips for creating an outdoor space that won’t use up all your leisure time.
Reduce Your Lawn Size
To cut down on the weekly atten-
tion a typical lawn demands, consider cutting down on the square footage of grass. By adding more hardscaping — a larger patio, decking, a gazebo or other structure — you may also expand the ways you can enjoy your outdoor space beyond just watching the grass grow.
Another alternative is to consider artificial turf, especially in areas experiencing water shortages.
Plant, or Replant, Thoughtfully
What you grow in your yard makes a huge difference in terms of maintenance. To reduce your workload, try to:
• Choose perennials that are low-maintenance and don’t require replanting
• Opt for native plants suitable for your region
• Select hardy plants that thrive on benign neglect
• Plant in the best spot for optimal growth
Rethinking your choices of flowers, plants and shrubs can turn a yard that needs constant tending into one requiring minimal effort.
Use Landscaping Stone
Another option for simplifying yard work is using landscaping stone instead of standard mulch. While requiring a bit more investment up front, options like Pavestone Pea, Pond or River Pebbles are much more cost effective over time, because stones are much longer lasting, making them ideal for gardens, pathways,
ponds and many other applications around your yard.
Landscaping stone is low-maintenance, highly sustainable and an attractive alternative. Mulch may blow or wash away and quickly decays, degrades or decomposes. It’s also difficult to keep mulched garden beds free from dead leaves and debris, but with landscaping stone you can easily remove unwanted debris with a blower.
If your lawn or garden experiences drainage issues, mixing and matching landscaping stones of different sizes like Pavestone’s Pea, Pond or River Pebbles helps control water flow and facilitates runoff, while helping maintain your landscaping grading. Pavestone’s landscaping rocks are easy to spread wherever you need them, helping to control soil erosion and retain moisture.
Find Pavestone Pea, Pond and River Pebbles and Marble Chips at your favorite home improvement store, or visit Pavestone to learn more.
Automate Watering
Installing an irrigation system also saves a ton of time — and ensures your plants are getting the water they need to thrive. It is also a more efficient, effective use of water than sporadic manual watering. While there is an up-front cost, installing a good lawn irrigation system can also help improve your property’s value.
Using these tips can help save you time and effort, allowing you to make the most of your outdoor space with your friends and family. (BPT)
TOP TEN FILMS
Continued from page 10
Luca Guadagnino and writer Justin Kuritzkes. This is kind of like the “Tin Cup” of the tennis genre, only without the easy warmth and charm. Zendaya is quite wonderful as a mostly terrible person who goes from tennis ace to tennis coach after a devastating injury, and Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor are terrific as the best friends who both fall for her. The last moment of this film is bonkers -- and perfect. See it: On MGM+.
6. “A Complete Unknown”
We’re not supposed to compare performances because it’s an exercise in apples and oranges, yet we do it every year with all those awards shows, so I’ll jump in and say that with due respect to Rami Malek and his Oscar-winning turn in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Timothee Chalamet and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” blow the doors off that performance and that film. See it: In theaters now.
5. “September 5”
Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum tells the story of the ABC Sports crew’s coverage of the Munich massacre at the 1972 Olympics in docudrama style, with most of the action taking place in and around the control room as the legendary Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard) and his team wrestle with the ethics of covering an act of terrorism in real time. This is one of
4. “Babygirl”
We’ve often heard the term “elevated horror” -- but is there such a thing as “elevated erotic thriller”?
Writer-director Halina Reijn’s sexy, stylish and unnerving workplace drama certainly fits the bill, with Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson igniting the screen as a powerful, married CEO and the intern with whom she has a torrid and dangerous affair. It’s somehow classy and wonderfully trashy at the same time. See it: In theaters starting Wednesday.
Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) gives one of the most resonant and authentic performances of the year as Jax, a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation in Oklahoma who is prone to getting into trouble and is desperate to maintain custody of her 13-year-old niece, Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson), after her sister Tawi (Hauli Sioux Gray) disappears. Equal parts thriller, police procedural, cultural study and family drama, “Fancy Dance” never hits a wrong note. See it: On Apple TV+.
2. “Anora”
Writer-director-editor Sean Baker’s frantic and raw and searing crime
drama/romance/comedy reminded me of the Safdies’ “Uncut Gems” in that it’s so visceral and so intense that it’s almost uncomfortable to watch. After getting memorably charred, literally, in both “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “Scream” (2022), Mikey Madison gives a nomination-level performance as the adult dancer who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. (Mark Eydelshteyn is electric in the role.) A wholly original piece of work that is reminiscent of the best original indies of the 1970s. See it: In theaters and on demand.
1. “Small Things Like These”
Once again, we’ll compare performances. As much as I admire Cillian Murphy’s Oscar-winning turn in “Oppenheimer,” I’m an even bigger fan of Murphy’s quietly heartbreaking work in this instant masterpiece from director Tim Mielants about a simple and decent family man in the smalltown Ireland of 1985 who cannot turn his back on a scandal that’s been playing out in the local convent for as long as anyone can remember. Murphy’s Bill Furlong is the most unlikely hero you’ll ever see in one of the best movies you probably haven’t seen, but my hope and prayer is that you give it a look. “Small Things Like These” is one of the prime reasons why this was actually a damn good year for the movies. on demand.
the best movies about TV news coverage I’ve ever seen. See it: In theaters starting Jan. 10.
3. “Fancy Dance”
FINANCE
Shop Smarter in the New Year With These Tips
For many people, the start of a new year is an opportunity to revamp their routine and make game-changing resolutions. That’s why industry experts are offering smart shopping tips that will have you saving time, money and hassle in 2024.
According to Christa Anz, director of Sensormatic Solutions North America Marketing, the global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls, it all starts in January.
“Outside of the holiday season, there isn’t a better time to shop than the start of a new year,” says Anz. “Research shows gift cards continue to grow in popularity, so even after the gift-giving season is over, consumers are treating themselves and will be popping into stores reenergized.
“After the holiday rush, shoppers can rediscover the fun of browsing stores for anything they didn’t receive from their wish lists.”
As Anz also points out, shopping
at the start of the year isn’t just fun, it’s also cost-effective, as retailers are likely to plan promotions to help sell
excess inventory, making it a good time to stock up on essentials and other items.
To shop smarter in January and all year long, Sensormatic Solutions is offering these tips based on their insider retailer predictions and data.
• Make post-holiday returns strategically: Though November and December are the busiest months of the year for shopping, January has a monopoly on returns. With many shoppers still utilizing “buy online, pick up in-store” (BOPIS) options, the number of people looking to return or exchange goods may be higher than you expect.
• Enjoy peace of mind: Preferred by many for shopping during the pandemic, options like BOPIS will continue to grow in popularity as consumers enjoy its convenience and speed. Use such options to your advantage to secure deals via apps or websites and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing the items you need will be there when you arrive.
If you need to make returns or exchange items during this period, you can streamline the process by reviewing return policies before heading to the store and arriving earlier in the day to avoid long lines or delays.
• Make time: Retailers will continue to implement loss prevention and security measures to combat rising organized retail crime rates. This extends to essential items, such as toothpaste, deodorant and razors. Factor extra time into shopping trips as you may need to wait for associate assistance to retrieve these items from locked display cases.
• Interact with experiential retail: Retailers are focused on enhancing in-store experiences in 2024, and that’s great news for shoppers. You might take an in-store workshop at a tech store so you can make better use of your new device, or co-design your pair of sneakers with a brand to ensure your shoes are one-of-a-kind.
Pay attention to local events and promotions at your favorite stores as brands find innovative ways to promote new products, partnerships and savings.
Whether shopping for fun or for the essentials, understanding the latest industry trends can help you make your 2024 consumer experiences more enjoyable and less stressful.
For more shopping insights, visit sensormatic.com.(SPT)
How to Handle Furniture Spills, Stains and Dents
Furniture is what makes a house a home, however new research shows daily life leaves fixtures and fittings vulnerable to damage.
In its Furniture Damage Survey, Allstate Protection Plans found that more than 242 million Americans have damaged furniture and 37% of damaged items were less than a year old.
Here are some of the survey’s top findings, along with advice for saving time and money on repairs and replacements:
The Financial Hit An estimated $23.5 billion has been spent by 82 million Americans replacing and repairing damaged items. And, the average cost of furniture repairs runs at $287.
Almost half (49%) of damaged furniture originally cost more than $500 and nearly a quarter (21%) cost more than $1,000. The majority of people who damaged furni-
ture (51%) say they spent additional money repairing or replacing it.
Hot Seats Sofas are by far the most damaged item (34%), followed by dining room tables or chairs (11%), kitchen tables or chairs (9%), and recliners or other living room seating (8%).
Most furniture (57%) was damaged in the living room, with 15% of incidents happening in the dining room, 9% in the master bedroom and 6% in the kitchen.
No Thrills from Spills The leading cause of damage is spills, accounting for 54% of furniture damage. Other top causes are breaks (20%), dents and scratches (18%), rips or tears (17%) and burns (6%). Beverages are the dominant offenders for spills (48%) followed by ink/paint/marker (16%) and food (10%).
The Cover-Up Almost half (46%) of people who have damaged furniture reported that they tried to fix or
© Amanda Goodrick / iStock via Getty Images Plus
clean the items themselves. However, only 56% of those who took a DIY approach say their efforts were successful. Sixty-one percent of Americans have tried to hide or cover up damage.
Don’t Blame the Kids or Cat Adults in the household are the most likely to cause damage, with children only accounting for 26% of incidents. When it comes to fourlegged friends, dogs are 2.4 times more likely to have damaged furniture than cats.
Prevention and Cure To prevent damage, Americans apply pre-stain treatments (37%), put towels or sheets over furniture (36%), and place slipcovers or plastic sheeting on furniture (28%).
When the worst occurs, the majority of people say they are most likely to turn to their homeowners or renters insurance for help. Only 16% of respondents said their furniture was covered by a protection plan and fewer than half (48%) were aware such plans were available for furniture.
“People are used to investing in protection plans for their appliances
and electronics, but they don’t give as much thought to protecting their furniture,” said Jason Siciliano, vice president and global creative director at Allstate Protection Plans.
“This is surprising given the data behind how frequently people must repair furniture and how costly it is to do so. Investing in a protection plan at the point of purchase is only a fraction of the cost of a new couch.”
Furniture protection plans cover repairs or replacements without claims negatively impacting homeowners or renters insurance premiums. Beyond purchasing protection plans, Siciliano also recommends extending the life of furniture with such measures as pet-proofing and using the right cleaning solution for each type of upholstery or material. For more information on protecting prized possessions, visit: allstateprotectionplans.com.
Rips, spills and stains are part of life, but spending a fortune repairing and replacing furniture doesn’t have to be. With advance planning, those inevitable incidents and accidents won’t break the bank. (SPT)
SOLUTIONS
Opinion
Unless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.
READER LETTERS
A Tale of Two Letters: Think About It
Re: Both letters to the editor, Dec. 20, from Christopher Lucero and Ron Perry.
First C.L., obvious, your self-satisfied attitude about (R) political efforts. California has been run so badly by the (D) for so long, that “Hurrah!” for the (R) candidates trying to restore more right thinking in Sacramento and L.A. County. What would you have voters do? Throw up their hands and say, “Oh well, nothing we can do to try to have sense in the government”?
It’s long past time for more sense. And maybe Mr. Gavin Newsom will have to make a fool of himself trying to run for Washington before Californians get some sense about what has gone wrong here that needs changing.
As to Rick Barker’s letter about Mike Garcia, Mr. Garcia did such a good job of representing our district that the only thing working against him was the influx of wrong-thinking (D) voters who couldn’t see the forest for the trees in this sorrowfully (D) state, with no prospect that George Whitesides (or Pilar Schiavo for that matter) had any idea how to clean the swamp. And by the way, in our district, where women are conscientious enough to know how to protect themselves from unplanned pregnancy, not by abortion, Mr. Garcia’s stand on pro-life should not have been an issue in the outcome.
Referring to Mr. Perry’s story about Michael Vierra’s salary (as superintendent of the William S. Hart Union High School District), it is sheer governmental waste — speaking of DOGE, coming up — that money desperately needed to fund improvement in our schools should be lost to such wrong thinking at the district. And the same for such waste in all our other school districts. Like when the Saugus Union School District wanted to float more taxpayer burden on the recent ballot. They should have been scratching their No. 2 pencils harder to run the district with less waste.
Roger Ickes Canyon Country
Republicans’ Path to Success in California
Mr. Larry Moore’s Dec. 26 letter to The Signal misquoted me. I never said that Santa Clarita was purple; I said our 27th Congressional District is purple. Mr. Moore’s letter actually reinforces my point. Republicans in Santa Clarita seem to believe they have a birthright to elected office. Yet Democrat Pilar Schiavo was reelected in District 40, which includes Santa Clarita. If, as Mr. Moore claims, the “insane Democratic Party will rule California in perpetuity,” how does he explain the overwhelming passage of Proposition 36 over the opposition of Gov. Gavin Newsom, and the defeats of Propositions 32 and 33? These results surely weren’t achieved by California Republicans alone.
I am quite serious about how Republicans can win statewide office again. They need to nominate high-quality candidates from non-traditional backgrounds. Britain’s new conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch is a prime example of a politician who should be emulated by the state GOP. These candidates must offer innovative, 21st century solutions to the state’s problems.
In short, Republicans need to create a new conservative paradigm for California, that isn’t anchored in MAGA. If that is too radical for the state GOP, then the real insanity is repeating the same approach and expecting different results.
Philip Wasserman Stevenson Ranch
ETHICALLY SPEAKING
Yes, We Are Accountable
By David Hegg
Tragically, stories of senseless shootings and random acts of violence have become commonplace in our society. Barely a week goes by that our news outlets don’t describe someone entering a school or business or home and raining down death before taking their own life. And while the loss of life is shocking in itself, far more disturbing is the rapid multiplication of such incidents.
that students now treat them like peers or, worse, shout them down with unacceptable language and often refuse to follow their instructions. Employers continue to be shocked at the entitlement attitude of many employees, which usually comes packaged with the attitude that no one has the right to tell them what to do.
Submit a Letter to the Editor
Include name, address & phone. E-mail: letters@signalscv.com.
We have to stop and ask ourselves what is happening to our society. Why are people engaging in such blatant crimes against their fellow man in callous disregard for the most basic rules of normalcy? What has happened to the role of conscience that once kept us from acting in ways that were harmful to others?
Of course, every time we see another shooting or bombing, there follows a burst of opinion columns purporting to give answers. Some fly to the violent video games so many play today as anesthetizing the conscience. Others point to societal disparities in economics, education, or opportunity as though violence is to be expected from the marginalized. Still others point to a general drift away from community in our technologically driven age, slowly submerging us all in a suffocating deluge of isolation. Indeed, there is enough blame to go around, but I don’t think any of these answers the question.
From my vantage point, the answer is an increasing absence of accountability. By this, I mean that our growing sense of individuality slowly removes any reason we are responsible for or to one another. The truth is that there are fewer and fewer consequences for aberrant behavior, and accountability for them is becoming a diminished concern.
For many, being accountable to another person is demeaning, suffocating, and even dehumanizing. Increasingly, almost every authority structure in our society is being torn down. Schoolteachers will tell you
And try holding someone accountable today. It is almost impossible to dismiss an employee without documenting months of unacceptable behavior, and even then, the risk of legal action is always present. Accountability and respect for authority are about to be placed on the endangered species list.
But there is one area of accountability that, more than any other, must be brought into the discussion of these acts of senseless violence. We are all accountable to God for how we live, and when this life ends, death brings us into his court, where all the books will be opened and accounts settled. In a society where God no longer plays a dominant role, we should expect just what we are seeing. If there is no God, then there is no universal moral law. Without such law, right and wrong become human constructs devoid of a transcendent core. And, if morality is up to the individual, then some will choose violence as their way of promoting a morality that, to the rest of us, is twisted and evil. They may even take their own lives, thinking death is the end.
However, if death is just the entrance into an eternity where God will set all things to rights, then there is no escaping our ultimate accountability to him. Knowing we are accountable to God in this life and in the life to come makes circumspect living now our best option and the best way to preserve an ordered, civilized society.
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
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