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What Are You Made Of? Finding Your Family History
By Alicia Doyle Sunday Signal Staff Writer
If you have an interest in your genealogy — in other words, where you came from — the Valencia Family History Center offers information about your roots for free.
“We’re open to the public and we help people do family history research,” explained Scott Stratton, one of many volunteer consultants at the center
Walk-ins are welcome on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The center is also open on Saturdays by appointment only.
“We cover the entire Santa Clarita Valley, so anyone in valley, or anywhere else for that matter, is welcome to pop-in,” Stratton said. “We love doing family history.”
In addition to providing personal assistance, the center offers computers with free access to premium websites, microfilm and microfiche readers with access to more than two million rolls of microfilm, printers, scanners and a book library.
Many people have a true desire to connect with their ancestry, “so we
can help them make that connection,” Stratton said. “We have some excellent tools that are all free that people can use to build their family trees. We help them do research and give them ideas about ways to do that better, or connect them with people who might
Resources
British Newspaper Archive www.bl.uk/collection-guides/british-newspaper-archive#
Alexander Street Press, American Civil War alexanderstreet.com/content/american-civil-war-research-database
American Ancestors by New England Historic Genealogical Society AmericanAncestors.org
Ancestry.com
Build and research family trees.
ArkivDigital Online www.arkivdigital.net/products/ adonline
ArkivDigital is the largest private provider of Swedish Church Records and other historical records online.
Find My Past findmypast.com
A source for information on British Isles ancestors.
Fold3 by Ancestry.com fold3.com
Formerly Footnote.com, Fold3 has refocused their efforts on gathering the best online collection of military records and stories.
Newspapers.com
Search newspapers from across the country.
Oregon-California Trails Association octa-trails.org/genealogy-papertrail/ Genealogy and paper trail is a guide to overland pioneer documents.
be able to help them.”
The Valencia Family History Center is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; for members of this church learning about one’s family history is more than just a casual endeavor. Latter-day Saints believe families can be together after this life, therefore, it is essential to strengthen relationships with all family members — both those who are alive and those who have died.
“We have a fundamental belief that we should look after our ancestors and learn about them — so it stems from fundamentals within our church,” said Stratton, adding that folks do not need to be a member of the church to utilize the family history center.
“We know that many others in the community have a similar desire to want to connect. We’re open to the public, so we have lots of people coming in, and everything is free,” he re-emphasized. “We just feel passionate about our own family histories and creating family trees … and we
know that others feel the same way.” Plus, “it’s a way to reach out to the community and help.”
Stratton noted that prior the pandemic, the center hosted an in-person Family History Fair.
“We’d have maybe 300 people — but that’s all virtual now,” he said. “Last year’s virtual event reached a million people world-wide. This year’s going to be way bigger, so anyone in the world can connect.”
On March 3 through 5, there will be three full days of classes at every level of family history interest. Registration is now open at https://www. familysearch.org/rootstech/next/.
“It’s absolutely free,” Stratton said. “It will feature every nationality, every culture.”
The Valencia Family History Center is located at 24443 McBean Parkway, Santa Clarita 91355. For more information, call (661) 259-1347 or visit www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/ Valencia_California_Family_History_Center.
Consultant and Spanish speaker Oscar Degadillo reads a letter in Spanish as he searches 1880 death records from Mexico at the Valencia California Family History Center. PHOTO BY DAN WATON / THE SIGNAL
The Year Of The Snake
Lunar New Year 2025
Chinese Zodiac there are ways to increase your luck this year, especially if you were born under the sign of the snake.
To increase your luck, wear red, black and light yellow, avoid white, gold and brown. Also, wearing sapphires, the sign’s lucky gemstone, can also boost your good fortune.
How To Celebrate
To celebrate the Year of the Snake the symbolic darkness of night is banished by the light of fireworks, lanterns and candles.
Paper lanterns are hung to bring good luck to the new year.
In Asian countries festivities continue for two weeks, finishing with a special lantern festival, which signals the end of the New Year celebration period.
and zodiac-themed decorations.
The easiest way to get to the parade from the Santa Clarita Valley is to take the Antelope Valley Metrolink to Union Station and transfer to the Metro Gold Line (A Line) toward APU/Citrus College Station. Exit Chinatown Station, then take the northwest entrance to the street.
By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
The new moon on Wednesday, Jan. 29, will usher in the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year (also called Chinese New Year), the Year of the Snake. Celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 12.
Each year the Lunar New Year arrives on a different date. This 15-day celebration is based on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar which uses the moon’s phases and the Earth’s orbit around the sun to calculate the date of Lunar New Year, which means that the first day of Lunar New Year can occur anytime between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20.
This ancient calendar dates back to the 14th century BCE and shares some similarities with the Hebrew calendar, which is also lunisolar, and has influenced other East Asian calendars, including those used in Korea and Vietnam.
The Year of the Snake will run from Jan. 29 to Feb. 16, 2026.
The Year Of The Wood Snake
Each year in the 60-year Chinese zodiac cycle is associated with one of five elements, which blend with one of the 12 animal signs. These elements repeat every 12 years, while the animals repeat every 10 years. Lunar New Year 2024 was the Year of the Wood Dragon.
The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
The 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
The Year of the Wood Snake is a rare and special combination that occurs once every 60 years.
In Chinese mythology the Year of the Wood Snake is a dynamic year to learn from the past, moving forward with wisdom, awareness, transformation and compassion.
According to the traditions associated with the
It is also traditional to serve long noodles, symbolizing a long life.
Another popular food for the new year is Chinese dumplings, symbolizing good luck and wealth. It is a tradition in many families to eat the dumplings as the clock strikes midnight.
Many children receive “lucky money” in red envelopes.
People clean their homes and open their doors to let good luck enter.
Among the traditional foods served during Lunar New Year are long noodles, symbolizing a long life. PHOTO PIXABA
The 126th Annual Golden Dragon Parade Chinatown, downtown Los Angeles
The 126th Annual Golden Dragon parade will be held in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 1-4 p.m.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles will host the parade which travels through Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles. The route runs from Hill Street at Temple toward Bernard. Right on Bernard, right on Broadway back to Broadway and Temple.
This colorful tradition offers live performances, dance troupes, music groups and participation of government dignitaries, local business leaders, cultural groups and more.
At the heart of the parade are the traditional dragon and lion dancers, performing to the rhythmic beats of drums and cymbals, complemented by martial arts demonstrations and other live performances.
Enjoy an array of eye-catching floats adorned with bright red, gold and other bright colors that symbolize good fortune as well as lanterns, banners
11th Annual Port of Los Angeles Lunar New Year Festival
Saturday, Jan. 25, 3-7 p.m.
Port of Los Angeles Cabrillo Way Marina
2293 Miner St., San Pedro, 90731
Free, family friendly and open to all ages, this annual event takes place at Cabrillo Way Marina in San Pedro and offers free parking at 22nd and Miner streets.
This event features a host of cultural attractions, dance and musical performances, including a petting zoo and wishing wall, as well as food trucks offering culinary experiences traditionally enjoyed during the annual Asian holiday.
San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival 2025
Saturday, Feb.1, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
San Gabriel Mission District, 320 S. Mission Drive
This free celebration will feature lantern displays unveiled for the first time, live entertainment, street food and shopping.
Lunar New Year at California Adventure Park Jan. 17-Feb. 16
Paradise Gardens Park at Disney California Adventure Park
Ring in the Year of the Snake with culinary delights, fun festivities and Disney characters.
Visit Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse wearing inspired Korean cultural attire. Plus, meet popular characters, including Mulan, Mushu and friends dressed in vibrant outfits inspired by the Lunar New Year.
Make photo memories under a pavilion bedecked with bamboo, peach blossoms, golden flowers and banners bearing holiday wishes.
The Lunar New Year Wishing Wall invites guests to stroll beneath strings of ornamental lanterns, make a wish and dare to dream big.
Guests of all ages are welcome to add a special message of hope, health and happiness for the upcoming year.
The park will also feature a variety of culinary creations to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Officials of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles invite guests to attend the 126th Annual Golden Dragon parade in downtown Los Angeles Chinatown on Saturday, Feb. 8. PHOTO CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
“Lucky red envelopes” full of cash are part of the Lunar New Year tradition in many countries. PHOTO PIXABAY
A Reverse Mortgage May Be the Key to a Better Life
By Jose Herrera Signal Staff Writer
Life is full of experiences — work, finding love, paying taxes, staying healthy, raising a family and more. Once a person reaches a certain age, it is time to relax and enjoy life and loved ones as much as possible.
However, how does someone over the age of 60 fully experience their life once when they might be retired or perhaps don’t have the support of family to ensure their remaining years are worry-free?
Financial advisors have an option: a reverse mortgage.
What is a reverse mortgage?
The Federal Housing Administration-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, also known as a reverse mortgage, was signed into law by former President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
It’s a mortgage designed for senior homeowners, generally ages 62 and older, according to Steve Schaffer, a reverse mortgage advisor who works for American Family Funding.
“It’s a way for them to access the equity in their home, pay off any existing mortgages that they may have to eliminate monthly mortgage payments, and supplement their retirement,” Schaffer said.
In addition, when an individual takes on a reverse mortgage, they do not have to make a monthly mortgage payment — unless they want to, he added. A homeowner will still have to pay property taxes, pay homeowners insurance, and if they live in a homeowner’s association, they would have to pay HOA dues, too.
“You have to maintain the property, which is what any responsible homeowner would be doing,” Schaffer said. “The big key is you don’t have to make that monthly mortgage payment, and instead the payments accrue what would have been paid and you end up paying the full mortgage payment when it is due and payable when you leave the home, permanently.”
So, if a person lived in their home for 10 or 15 years, then decided to move or leave behind their home, the reverse mortgage becomes due and payable at that point, he clarified.
Schaffer, a senior himself, has approximately 10 years of experience advising his clients on the topic of reverse mortgages. Before then, he spent 20 years helping people through nonprofits such as United Way, the Music Center and the American Red Cross.
“There was a need for someone to work with seniors,” Schaffer said. “I’m well aware of the issues and problems that people may face during retirement.”
REVERSE MORTGAGE
Who should consider a reverse mortgage
Jerry Citarella, a financial advisor with Prosperitas Financial, helps clients through the reverse mortgage process. He has an extensive background in assisting people with their finances.
“I look at the true need for my clients, and try to find out what other options may be available, if any, to provide them with an income or a lump sum of cash,” Citarella said. “We have to look at the whole situation and have a conversation about what their priorities are.”
A lot of people are against reverse mortgages because they don’t want to take the equity out of their homes, according to Citarella.
“But in reality, if they’re going to leave the house behind to their kids, they should take a reverse mortgage because they don’t have to make payments on it,” Citarella said. “It’s just a math problem. If you need the money and you have money in your house, (a reverse mortgage) is one of the most efficient ways to get money out.”
Benefits and consequences
Schaffer and Citarella agree the benefits of a reverse mortgage can improve the quality of life for individuals.
For example, if someone decides to obtain a reverse mortgage for $300,000 and their home is worth $600,000, they don’t have to make payments each month.
Those payments are being delayed or just being added so the total interest accrues on top of it,
Schaffer explained.
“That’s the key, it’s giving you flexibility,” Schaffer said. “Most people don’t make the monthly mortgage payment so their balance grows over time. When they leave their home, they sell their home and from the sale pay off the existing balance on the reverse mortgage without any other excess funds.”
Both financial advisors said a homeowner needs at least 50% of the equity in their home before considering a reverse mortgage — anything less might risk the chance of paying off the reverse mortgage when the time comes.
“The point being is that the loan compounds over time. There has to be enough equity in the home to account for that,” Schaffer said. “In other words, you’re using the other 50% of the equity to account for the interest that has been added to it over the years. If you keep it long enough, there’ll still be enough equity in the home to pay off the reverse mortgage.”
A reverse mortgage could provide a monthly supplement apart from Social Security benefits or additional financial assets such as stock or other investments, according to Schaffer.
“I think a lot of people just have negative feelings about the (reverse mortgage),” Citarella said. “I think it does make sense for more people than the number of people that end up doing it. And after a detailed analysis, I would say to anybody, ‘Don’t be afraid of it.’ You should Look at it and see if the math makes sense. Talk about it with people that you can trust.”
Santa Clarita Valley Event Calendar 2025
By Michele E. Buttelman
Signal Staff Writer
The Santa Clarita Valley event calendar for 2025 is filling up quickly with fun, fundraisers and festivals.
January
Jan. 25: Child & Family Center Viva Las Vegas, a fundraiser held at the Sand Canyon Country Club. Glitz, glamour, gambling, magic, gourmet food and drink. $150 per person. www.childfamilycenter.org/viva-las-vegas/
February
Feb. 7: 12th Annual SCV Rotary Charity Chili Cook-Off, Bella Vida Senior Center. Fundraiser to benefit SCV nonprofits.
Taste chili from numerous chili chefs, vote for the People’s Choice Award. Tickets $40 general admission.
https://scvcharitychilicookoff.com
Feb. 22: Bridge to Home Soup for the Soul fundraiser, Hyatt Regency Valencia.
This year’s theme is Roaring into a New Era. The event celebrates the “Roaring” 1920s with flapper dresses and speakeasys. Tickets $150. https://btohome.org/2025-soup-for-the-soul-tickets
March
March 22: Circle of Hope Vine 2 Wine fundraiser, Sand Canyon Country Club.
Gourmet cuisine, music, unlimited wine and beer tasting from many of California’s finest and favorite wineries and breweries, live and silent auction. VIP $175, General Admission $150. www.circleofhopeinc.org/vine2wine/
March 28: Soroptimist International of Valencia Laughs for a Cause fundraiser, Canyon Theatre Guild.
Comedians Stephen Thomas, Kevin Jordan, Paul Ogata. Tickets $75. https://sivalencia.org/events/fundraiser-bid-lfac2025/
April
April 5: Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer, Walk for MHF fundraiser, Santa Clarita Central Park.
A celebration of the lives of children and their families who have been affected by children’s cancer. Individuals and teams will walk
to raise funds to support the Hoefflin Foundation’s efforts to bring hope, help and healing. www.MHF.org
April 12-13: Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, William S. Hart Park.
Los Angeles County’s premier free western music festival. www.cowboyfestival.org
April 26: Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center Celebrity Waiter Dinner “Broadway Lights,” Bella Vida Senior Center.
The annual signature fundraiser to benefit programs and services at the SCV Senior Center. https://myscvcoa.org/
, page 17
See CALENDAR
The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival will be held April 12-13 at William S. Hart Park in Newhall. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO
The popular annual Bike and Car Show at the Elks Lodge in Canyon Country attracted more than 1,000 people to the fundraising event in 2024.
PHOTO KATHERINE QUEZADA/THE SIGNAL
FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Celebrating Unity And Equality On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager
Each year, on the third Monday in January, the City of Santa Clarita, along with the rest of the United States, comes together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was a visionary leader whose tireless efforts to combat racial injustice and inequality left an indelible mark on the nation.
Dr. King once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches on January 20, let us remember that this is a call to action, reflection and service to Dr. King’s work.
Here in Santa Clarita, one of the most meaningful ways we honor Dr.
King is by participating in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Walk. This annual event serves as a time for the community to come together, reflect on Dr. King’s contributions and take part in a collective effort to embrace the values he championed. The annual Unity Walk will begin at 8:00 a.m., on Monday, January 20, at Central Park (27150 Bouquet Canyon Road) between fields #5 and #6, with the theme Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365. The event will begin with a brief program, led by Mayor Bill Miranda, and will feature guest speakers, musical performances and poetry readings. The morning will conclude with a walk through the park as we pay tribute to Dr. King’s legacy, while sharing the spirit of unity. New this year, participants can choose to walk either 0.6 miles or 1.1 miles. Attendees are
asked to bring donations in the form of non-perishable items and toiletries for the SCV Food Pantry, Family Promise and Bridge to Home. The Unity Walk is free and open to the public with no advance registration required, providing an opportunity for all members of our community to come together in a shared experience of reflection, inspiration and commitment to Dr. King’s principles.
Following the Unity Walk, keep Dr. King’s legacy going by participating in community service as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day National Day of Service. This nationwide initiative promotes volunteerism and collaboration, and you can make a difference by giving your time to local nonprofits, participating in neighborhood cleanups or supporting organizations that assist the homeless, veterans or single-parent households. Please visit SantaClaritaVolunteers.
com to find these opportunities and get involved in making a positive impact in our community. You can also explore other ways to make a meaningful impact through service yearround.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Unity Walk is more than just a commemorative event—it is a powerful reminder that we are all part of a larger community, and that unity and service are key to making Santa Clarita a better place to live, work and play.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
With the weather cooling, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some time in the kitchen to try out fun recipes and create special moments with family and friends. Pancakes and waffles provide deliciously easy ways to make mornings memorable at the breakfast table with those you love.
Regardless of what you have going on during the day, a warm stack of pancakes or waffles can bring everyone to the table. Putting together a delicious, crowd-pleasing stack doesn’t have to be a big to-do with recipes like Butter Pecan Waffles and Banana Walnut Pancakes. You can make breakfast the highlight of your family’s day with just a handful of ingredients in each recipe that offer a warm, comforting twist to a breakfast time favorite. These pancake and waffle creations are delicious and easy enough to become go-tos for nearly any occasion.
One of the keys to delicious pancakes and waffles is the mix you use. Consider an option like Pearl Milling Company, which has offered delicious taste and light and fluffy texture for more than 130 years. Its pancake mix varieties are easy, convenient, delicious options for memorable breakfasts. Topped with its rich and delicious syrup, its taste and quality can be passed down to future generations.
For more memory-making breakfast time ideas, visit pearlmillingcompany.com.
Butter Pecan Waffles
Yield: about 6 waffles (4 inches each)
Browned Butter:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix
3/4 cup milk, plus additional if necessary, divided
1 egg
Pearl Milling Company Syrup, for topping toasted pecans, for topping (optional)
To make browned butter: In small skillet over low heat, place butter. Increase heat to medium-low, stirring butter with heat-proof spatula. Cook and stir until butter reaches desired brown color. Remove from heat and stir in pecans.
Place pancake mix in large bowl. Add 3/4 cup milk, egg and browned butter. Stir until large clumps of batter disappear. If batter seems too thick, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time to reach desired thickness. Let batter stand 4-5 minutes before cooking.
Pour batter into lightly greased waffle iron. Bake until steam stops or as directed by waffle iron instructions. Top with syrup and toasted pecans, if desired.
Banana Walnut Pancakes
Yield: about 20 pancakes
2 cups Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake Mix
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons oil
2 bananas, mashed
Homemade Whipped Cream:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
Toppings:
1 banana, sliced, for topping
2 jars (5 ounces each) walnuts in syrup
24 ounces Pearl Milling Company Syrup
Place skillet over medium heat.
In large bowl, stir pancake mix, milk, eggs, oil and mashed bananas.
Spread 1/4 cup pancake batter on skillet. When pancake begins to bubble, use spatula to flip. Cook until golden brown on each side. Repeat with remaining batter.
To make whipped cream: In small bowl, whip heavy cream and sugar until thickened.
Top pancakes with homemade whipped cream, banana slices, walnuts and syrup. (Family Features).
Butter Pecan Waffles
Banana Walnut Pancakes
“ Nickel Boys”: Based On The True Story of the Dozier
School for Boys
By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer
“NICKEL BOYS”
1/2 (out of four)
Elwood ....... Ethan Herisse
Turner ....... Brandon Wilson
Hattie ....... Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Orion Pictures presents a film directed by RaMell Ross and written by Ross and Joslyn Barnes, based on the book by Colson Whitehead. Running time: 140 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for thematic material involving racism, some strong laguage including racial slurs, violent content and smoking). Opens Thursday in theaters.
Laundries scandal in Ireland, the late 2024/early 2025 release “Nickel Boys” is a powerful and sobering work of drama based on the true story of the Dozier School for Boys, where generations of teenage boys and young men were subjected to brutal beatings, institutional racism, sexual abuse, torture and murder over the course of more than a century.
More than 100 children died from fire, blunt-force trauma, disease and gunshot wounds. After the state of Florida shut down the school in 2011, dozens of unmarked graves were discovered on the grounds.
Sunday-Thursday, Januar y 19-23, 2025
J1 / 1 4 / 2 0 2 5
ust as 2023’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” was a great epic about a conspiracy of murders of the people of the Osage Nation, and 2024’s “Small Things Like These” was brilliant historical fiction about the exposure of the Magdalene
As was the case with “Flower Moon” and “Small Things,” this is not something you will necessarily want to watch multiple times over the years -- it is the polar opposite of what we call “comfort viewing” -- but it is a film that deserves to be seen once by the largest possible audience. This is
a story that should be remembered, and it is a movie that marks a remarkably original and at times daringly avant-garde feature debut for director and cowriter RaMell Ross.
Shot from a distinct P.O.V. and featuring a jagged-edged, docudrama style that imbues much of the material with the qualities of a dream turning into a waking nightmare, or hazy memories of things better left forgotten, “Nickel Boys” is transformative, albeit painfully visceral at times. It is not a viewing experience one shakes off easily, nor should it be.
S E P T E M B E R 5 E 1:00
T D O O R C 1:00 4:00 7:00
years of being out of touch, Ingrid and Mar tha meet again in an ex treme but strangely sweet situation
WO L F M A N E Sun & Mon: 10:20 1:30 4:30 7:30; Tue to Thu: 1:30 4:30 7:30 A family is being terrorized by a lethal predator
T H E L A S T S H OWG I R L E Sun to Wed: 12:50 3:00 5:10 7:30; Thu: 12:50 3:00 Shelley, a glamorous showgirl, must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.
A CO M P L E T E U N K N OW N E Sun & Mon: 10:00 1:10 4:00 7:00; Tue to Thu: 1:10 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
M U FA S A: T H E L I O N K I N G B Sun & Mon: 10:10 1:10 4:10 7:10; Tue to Thu: 1:10 4:10 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 & Mon: 10:20 1:20 4:20 7:20; Tue: 1:20 4:20 7:20; Wed: 1:20 4:20; Thu: 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
F LOW B Sun & Mon: 10:30 AM
Flow follows a courageous cat after his home is devastated by a great flood
B
This is the true stor y of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a man who preached love while plotting the assassination of an evil tyrant
CO N C L AV E B Sun & Mon: 10:00 AM
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events - selec ting the new Pope
E AT T H E N I G H T Wed: 7:00 PM
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2019 novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead, with Ross co-writing the adaptation with Joslyn Barnes, “Nickel Boys” opens in 1962, in the waning years (at least legally) of Jim Crow-era Tallahassee, Florida. In a grounded performance of unwavering heart that’s also a tricky acting challenge (more on that in a moment), Ethan Herisse is Elwood, a standout high school student who has a growing interest in the Civil Rights Movement and is the whole world to Hattie (the always wonderful Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), the loving and supportive grandmother who raised him. Encouraged by his teacher Mr. Hill (Jimmie Fails) to take a course at a local college, Elwood hitches a ride to the school with a man who turns out to be a car thief, and Elwood is unjustly implicated in the crime. He’s sent to Nickel Academy, which to the casual outside eye might appear to be a solid institution for learning and reform and bettering oneself, but is actually a house of horrors.
Elwood meets and befriends Turner (Brandon Wilson), and the two create a bond that will be of great value to them as they endure the prison-like conditions at Dozier, while Elwood, inspired by the teachings and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., explores a means of leaving the school via legal arguments.
Up until this point, these experiences are seen through the eyes of Elwood, whose reflection we capture in a moment here and there. When Elwood looks down to avoid eye contact with the cruel and sadistic white
supervisors, e.g., Hamish Linklater’s Spencer, who unflinchingly beat and abuse boys for the slightest perceived infraction, “we” look down as well. Once Elwood meets Turner, the viewpoint shifts back and forth between the two characters.
(This is what I meant about it being something of a challenge for Herisse to play this role. He is the center of the story, but we are seeing much of it through his eyes. The camera becomes the character for both Elwood and Turner.)
Director Ross and the cinematographer Jomo Fray infuse “Nickel Boys” with snippets of simple beauty, especially in the early scenes, when the young Elwood (played by Ethan Cole Sharp) has a child’s-eye wonder when observing the particulars of day-today life. This is in stark contrast to the sequences at Nickel Academy, where the same P.O.V. technique reflects the chaos and the terror consuming Elwood’s mind, with the violence taking place off screen.
Arguably the most powerful scene in the film occurs as a kind of epilogue, where two adult men who survived Nickel Academy run into each other at a tavern. One man has managed to forge a life, to move forward, at least on some level. The other man has not. He is still alive, but his spirit and soul were buried long ago. The number of victims extends far beyond the body count of those unmarked graves.
PHOTO COURTESY IMDB
QWho is the handsome young actor in the new Nicole Kidman movie “Babygirl”? I’ve never seen him before.
AHarris— S.W.
Dickinson is a 28-yearold British actor who made his feature film debut in the 2017 film “Beach Rats.” But 2022 was a big year for him with two more films that exposed him to a wider audience. First up was “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the mystery thriller based on the bestselling novel of the same name that starred another Brit, Daisy Edgar-Jones (“Twisters”). The movie earned mixed reviews but was deemed a box-office hit, especially when it was available through streaming. Dickinson then capped off the year by playing a male model in the
Oscar-nominated film “Triangle of Sadness,” which also starred Woody Harrelson.
Many of his fans state that his best performance is his role as the tragic wrestler David Von Erich in the 2023 film “The Iron Claw,” which also starred Zac Efron (“A Family Affair”) and Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”). All of these films eventually led him to being cast in the new movie “Babygirl,” where he plays a seductive intern opposite Kidman’s married CEO.
QIs
it true that the TV series “Grimm” is being rebooted? Will
it have the same actors as before? — M.N.
AYes, there are substantiated reports that a reboot of the supernatural-drama series “Grimm” is in the early development stages. The original show ended in 2017 after airing for six seasons on NBC, but the new incarnation will be on Peacock. It’s also not certain yet whether it will be a series or just a movie. Either way, the original showrunners David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf are said to be involved in some capacity with the potential reboot, according to TVLine, while Josh Berman (“Drop Dead Diva”) will write and produce the new “Grimm.”
NBC’s “Grimm” starred David Giuntoli (“A Million Little Things”) as Nick, a “slayer of fairy-tale monsters,” along with a large cast that included Claire Coffee (“S.W.A.T”), Russell Hornsby (“Mike”), and Bree Turner (“Law & Order SVU”). Whether they’ll appear in the reboot will depend upon their availabilities.
QIread that a man is going to replace Hoda Kotb on the “Today” show, but who will be Jenna Bush
Hager’s co-host on their show?
— K.E. ACraig Melvin is familiar to “Today” show audiences as he’s been a co-host of “Weekend Today” since 2016, so it was natural to name him as Kotb’s replacement opposite Savannah Guthrie. However, the fourth hour of “Today” is taking its time finding a host who has the right chemistry with Jenna Bush Hager. They plan to have a series of rotating guest hosts to find the right pick.
The newly rebranded “Today with Jenna & Friends” kicked off on Jan. 13 with Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”), followed by Eva Longoria (“Desperate Housewives”) and Keke Palmer (“Nope”). The three actresses (as well as the future co-hosts) will spend anywhere from one episode up to a week’s worth in the chair alongside Hager.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.
Harris Dickinson in “Where the Crawdads Sing” (2022) COURTESY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES
SENIOR LIVING
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Calorie-counting and watching one’s weight is often seen as a young person’s game. But even aging men and women should recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.
Older adults may experience weight gain or unintentional weight loss. Understanding how to address each in healthy ways is important.
Weight Loss Tips
More than two-thirds of Americans, including adults age 65 and older, are overweight and obese, according to U.S. News & World Report. A combination of factors can contribute to weight gain in older adults, including a slower metabolism and a tendency to be more sedentary with age.
Empty nesters also may be less likely to cook their own meals, relying on convenience foods — some of which may be high in fat and/or calories.
Sustained healthy weight at any age is linked to improved heart health, mental health benefits like increased self-confidence, healthy joints, and much more. These tips can help aging individuals maintain healthy weights.
¥ Incorporate strength or resistance training into your weekly routine.
Hormone production slows down as the body ages, and that may result in a loss of muscle mass. Lifting weights or engaging in resistance training with elastic bands or body weight can restore muscle tone and speed up metabolism. Adults should aim for strength training twice a week.
Monitor sugar and starch intake
Many older adults have elevated blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance. When cells become resistant to insulin, glucose doesn’t get used up and remains in the blood. Eventually this can lead to pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Many people with these conditions have a hard time losing weight. Avoiding added sugars and extra carbohydrates could help.
Practice portion control
A 60-year-old can’t eat the same way he or she did at age 30 or 40. Nutritionists say that, with every decade that passes, people generally need about 100 fewer calories a day to maintain their weights.
Cutting calories slowly and steadily helps people maintain healthy weights, especially when they couple this with exercise.
Avoiding malnutritionrelated weight loss
Malnutrition is a common component in unintentional weight loss in aging populations. Reduction in senses of small and taste, smaller appetites and lack of desire to make meals can contribute to malnutrition and weight loss. Underlying health problems also may lead to unwanted and unhealthy weight loss.
Tracking weight loss and getting sufficient nutrients is vital to aging adults’ overall health.
A 2014 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that having a body mass index at the lower end of the recommended age for adults increased risk for mortality more so than being overweight. Individuals whose BMI is less than 23 could be putting themselves in jeopardy.
Older adults need to adjust their routines as they age in order to maintain healthy weights. Such adjustments can reduce seniors’ risk for disease and improve their quality of life. Can‘t eat the same way he or she did at age 30 or 40.
Nutritionists say that, with every decade that passes, people generally need about 100 fewer calories a day to maintain their weights. Cutting calories slowly and steadily helps people maintain healthy weights, especially when they couple this with exercise. (MC)
8 Ways Live Healthier to in 2025
Take steps to limit risk for cardiovascular disease
The last decade has seen a surge in cardiovascular risk factors such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, each of which raises the risks of developing heart disease and stroke. These trends are leading researchers to conclude that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) will continue to rise.
More than 60% of U.S. adults will have some type of CVD by 2050, according to forecasted projections from the American Heart Association, which is celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service as the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all. Additionally, total costs related to CVD are expected to nearly triple in that time to more than $1.8 trillion.
The increase will be driven by an older, more diverse population, but these risk factors are rising even among children and adults.
“We recognize the landscape of cardiovascular health will change over the next three decades because of the coming tsunami of rising health care costs, an older population living longer and increasing numbers of people from under-resourced populations,” said American Heart Association volunteer Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., M.P.H.,
FAHA. “Yet these are still leading causes of death and disability in the U.S.”
While continued systematic changes are needed in science, policy and health care, the majority of CVD is preventable at an individual level. You can help turn the tide on the dire outlook of CVD while improving your own health by following and encouraging others to follow the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8.”
Eat better. Aim for an overall healthy eating pattern including whole foods, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds and cooking with olive and canola oils.
Be active. Adults should get 2 1/2 hours of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. Kids should have 60 minutes every day, including play and structured activities.
Quit tobacco. Use of inhaled nicotine delivery products, which includes traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and vaping, is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.
Get healthy sleep. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Children require 10-16 hours for ages 5 and younger, including naps; 9-12 hours for ages 6-12; and 8-10 hours for ages 13-18.
Manage weight. Achieving and maintaining a
healthy weight has many benefits. Body mass index is a useful gauge. Optimal BMI is less than 25, but less than 18.5 is considered underweight. You can calculate it online or consult a health care professional.
Control cholesterol. High levels of non-HDL, or “bad,” cholesterol can lead to heart disease. Your health care professional can consider non-HDL cholesterol as the preferred number to monitor, rather than total cholesterol, because it can be measured without fasting beforehand and is reliably calculated among all people.
Manage blood sugar. Most of the food you eat is turned into glucose (or blood sugar) your body uses as energy. Over time, high levels of blood sugar can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.
Manage blood pressure. Keeping your blood pressure within acceptable ranges can keep you healthier longer. Levels less than 120/80 mm Hg are optimal. High blood pressure is defined as 130139 mm Hg systolic pressure (the top number in a reading) or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic pressure (bottom number).
Find more ways to manage your health in the new year and beyond at heart.org
Photo courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK
GARDENING
Lessons from Your Garden for the New Year
By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer
Some of us have made new year resolutions we hope will change our lives. Some have made less formidable promises to ourselves. Others have decided to ignore the calendar as much as possible or just sit back and see what fate will bring.
I suspect my garden is in the third category and has paid as little attention to the human labeling of time as did my dogs to their dinner time after Daylight Savings Time rolled in.
For most other living creatures on this planet, time is not something to measure or categorize. But we humans tend to circumscribe our whole lives by years, months, minutes and sometimes even seconds. I guess it’s a control thing.
And maybe that’s one of the reasons I value my garden so much. It is a wise teacher. It teaches me that time will continue on no matter what I do or what beliefs I cling to — political, religious, economic or anything else. Seeds will sprout, leaf out and flower; fruit will drop seeds and die as newly formed seedlings sprout again.
I will make splendid plans and the weather or the wildlife will ignore them. And I will continue ageing no matter how well I eat and exercise until the day I stop altogether.
So I have a choice. I can choose to feel badly about my short, egocentric period on this earth, or I can celebrate what a magnificent gift it is to be here and experience being a unique part of the awesome living tapestry of life. Considering how bleak the first choice is and how much fun the latter one is, why not go for the joyful one?
After all, the truth of the matter is that I can spend every day learning new things and passing them on.
This makes me feel even more a part of the complex dance of life. I can make someone smile, rescue a worm stranded on the sidewalk, pat a pooch and give a plant a happy home.
These are lessons my garden has shown me in so many ways. I don’t have to be rich, famous or admired to do something that makes a difference. I just need to participate in experiencing and honoring the magical life on this awesome planet!
So, now that I realize I have everything I need to be happy and relevant in the coming new year, I’m gonna arm myself with shovel, fork and trowel, and I’m gonna go out there and do some good.
I can help people plan their gardens to feed their souls while doing my best to help balance our human use of soil, water and air with the harmony needed to care for the planet.
I can plant California natives where they will create homes and food for the local fauna. I can make a special area for amending soil so I can grow fresh healthy food and pretty flowers for cutting without using excessive water.
I can enjoy every day in the gentle air, the soft winter sun, the stimulating seasonal rains, and be thankful for having the daily reminder in my garden of what is truly important about being alive. And you can do the same.
Okay, now that I’m done with my proselytizing, here are some things we can all do at this time of year to feel fulfilled in the garden:
• Plan to redesign your garden for more fun and productive beauty. Draw it out rough-sketched on paper, computer or formally measured and mapped so you can catch mistakes before they become expensive.
• Soil can be prepped for the spring. Amendments can be added where more organics are needed or soil needs to be aerated.
• Winter is the perfect time to fix or change irrigation systems.
• To keep weed germination down in open areas you will not get around to planting for a while try covering the soil with black plastic. It heats up in the sun and effectively kills many weeds germinating beneath. Just pull it off when you are ready to plant.
• Plant low-water lawns, trees and shrubs during winter months.
• Most of your pruning can be done at this time of year as well.
• Keep hoeing and pulling weeds as they sprout.
• Sprinkle wildflower seeds to bring riotous color to open areas.
• Plant drought-tolerant plants and low ground-covers to save water and defend from wildfires.
There are boundless opportunities to work with your landscape in January. You can use inclement days for shopping and designing. You can also just enjoy wandering through your landscape and watch the shows nature is presenting everywhere you look. So, I wish you all a Happy New Year and lots of fun, healing and healthful gardening. It’s never too late to start learning all the lessons the garden has to teach. Just step outside, look, listen and learn!
For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/user/Janieg8s.
Visit a whole different environment watching fish in the water-world of your own pond.
Plant the corms of an oriental lily now to bugle in the springtime with color and heady perfume!
4 Things To Know About Kitchen Renovations
Kitchens are often described as the most popular room in a home, and that’s not mere conjecture. A 2022 survey from House Digest asked participants to identify the room they consider most important in their homes, and roughly 41 percent chose the kitchen.
Residents tend to congregate in kitchens in the morning and then again in the evening when meals are prepared and, in homes without formal dining rooms, eaten. With so much time spent in the kitchen, it’s no wonder that the 2022 U.S. Houzz & Home Study: Renovation Trends found kitchens to be the most popular interior room to upgrade. With so many people interested in kitchen renovations, the following are four things homeowners should know about these popular improvement projects.
1. Expect to spend some money. Most home improvement projects require a significant financial investment, but kitchen renovations are among the more expensive undertakings. The overall cost of a project will depend on a host of variables unique to each home, including homeowners’ preferences, but HomeAdvisor estimated the average kitchen remodel in 2023 cost between $14,611 and $41,432. Homeowners considering an upscale kitchen remodel may receive six figure estimates for such projects.
2. Expect a good return on investment. If sticker shock settles in when receiving an initial kitchen remodel estimate, perhaps it can help homeowners to know that such a project may provide a strong return on investment (ROI). According to Remodeling magazine’s 2024 Cost vs.
Value Report’s a minor kitchen remodel provides a 96 percent ROI. A major kitchen remodel mid-range (49 percent) and a major kitchen remodel upscale (38 percent) did not provide as notable a ROI.
3. Expect the project to take some time. Kitchens are large rooms with a lot of components, so renovating these spaces can take some time. Estimates vary depending on the size of the room, the scale of the remodel and the materials chosen, but Angi reports a kitchen remodel for most homes takes six weeks to four months. That’s a sizable window, and it reflects the likelihood that unforeseen issues like supply chain interruptions or the discovery of mold will arise at some point during the renovation. Though it’s impossible to determine precisely how long a project will take before it begins, homeowners renovating their kitchens may want to plan for the project to take two months if not longer.
4. Expect to use your kitchen during the renovation. If the timeline of a renovation is scary, homeowners should know they will likely be able to use their kitchen even after the project begins. Though the room might not remain a popular gathering space once the work starts, Angi notes kitchens are typically out of commission for around six weeks during a renovation. That still requires some pre-planning in relation to meals, but it also suggests homeowners won’t be without a kitchen for months on end.
Kitchen renovations are popular projects. Homeowners who know what to expect before such projects commence can make it through a renovation more smoothly.
Brought to you by Mayor Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste, Councilmember Patsy Ayala, Councilmember Jason Gibbs and Councilwoman Marsha McLean
6 Ways To Turn Everyday Items Into Extra Cash
Making money from everyday items in your home may be easier than you think. With a growing number of companies simplifying the process, turning unused items into cash has never been simpler
These companies are part of the circular economy, where you get to make money from your items and feel good about it at the same time. By reselling items you don’t use, you can give these items a second home or repurpose them into something that has practical applications.
For example, unused gold and precious metal jewelry can be given a second home to or repurposed for vital technology sectors like health care. This reduces the need for environmentally taxing mining operations and gives these valuable resources a second purpose.
Whether it’s clothing, jewelry or tech, consider these simple ways to make extra cash by selling items on-
line.
Sell Used Clothing
Some newer platforms offer a less hands-on approach to selling used clothing online. Unlike popular online platforms that require you to take pictures or create listings for your items, look for outlets that allow you to simply package your items and
send them out with an insured label. This makes selling clothing online a breeze and reduces the potential headaches of dealing with buyers directly and managing listings.
Sell Unworn Jewelry
For precious metals like gold jewelry or silver jewelry, selling directly to a trusted buyer can provide a fast, secure way to unlock their value. Consider AlloyMarket.com, a company featured in trusted outlets like Forbes, NBC and US News & World Report that offers a streamlined process with free, insured shipping and no hidden fees or commissions. Unlike platforms that require complex listings or charge extra fees, you keep 100% of the quoted price. On average, customers earn $1,700 or more for gold jewelry and other precious metal items, offering a straightforward, easy and rewarding way to sell unused valuables.
Sell Designer Bags
If you have any designer bags at
home, look for platforms that let you sell handbags directly to them and provide upfront estimates before you ship your items. Some platforms provide free insured shipping and marketplaces where you can buy designer handbags at discounted prices.
Sell Books You’ve Already Read
While this likely won’t make you a fortune, selling used books is a simple way to make some extra cash and help preserve the environment. College students in particular can benefit from upfront estimates and free shipping or the ability to trade in used books for ones they’ll need next semester. Plus, some platforms also offer books for purchase at heavily discounted prices.
Sell Tech After Upgrading
If you upgraded phones recently or have a used phone just collecting dust, get an upfront estimate for your phone from a trusted site. Some buyers provide free shipping and, with upfront estimates, you know exactly what you will get for your used phone before sending it in.
Sell Old Furniture
Turn your unused furniture into cash by listing items like sofas, tables or chairs on local marketplaces or apps. Clear photos and detailed descriptions can help attract buyers nearby, saving you the hassle of shipping. Selling old furniture not only earns extra money but also helps reduce waste by giving items a second life.
To learn more about how you can get a free, no-obligation estimate for gold jewelry or other precious metal items, visit AlloyMarket.com.
CALENDAR
Continued from page 7
May
May 2: Santa Clarita Valley Man and Woman of the Year Gala, Hyatt Regency Valencia.
This annual recognition event honors volunteers that serve SCV nonprofits. www.scvmanwomanoftheyear.org
May 3: American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Clarita Central Park.
A fundraiser to benefit the work of the ACS. It supports cancer research and programs to help cancer patients. https://secure.acsevents.org/site/ STR?pg=entry&fr_id=109889
May 4: Child & Family Center 36th Annual Taste of the Town fundraiser, Blomgren Ranch.
Santa Clarita’s premier outdoor food and wine festival. Tickets $150$95. www.childfamilycenter.org/events/ taste-of-the-town/
May 9: Single Mothers Outreach Cheers for 30 Years! Sand Canyon Country Club.
Single Mothers Outreach helps single parents in the SCV with counseling, training and mental health programs.
https://singlemothersoutreach.org
May 10: The 52nd Frontier Toyota/ Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital 52nd Golf Classic, Valencia Country Club. Enjoy a day of golf with various course activities, along with an assortment of food and drinks. The funds raised from the Golf Classic will benefit Trauma & Emergency Services at Henry Mayo Newhall
Volunteer Kathy Cebulak serves wine and other alcoholic beverages for attendees the Child & Family Center’s annual Taste of the Town held at Blomgren Ranch. This year’s event is scheduled for May 4. PHOTO KATHERINE QUEZADA/THE SIGNAL
Volunteers wait to grab rubber ducks after the slide down into the pool at the 2024 Dixon Duck Dash held at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center on Centre Pointe Parkway. PHOTO MAYA MORALES/THE SIGNAL
Hospital, www.henrymayo.com/support-henry-mayo/foundation-classes-and-events/golf-classic/
May 31: WiSH Education Foundation’s Third Annual WiSH Upon a Car Showcase, Sears parking lot at Valencia Town Center.
This annual car show event benefits the students of the William S. Hart High School District. Tickets: $5. Car entry fee $30. www.wisheducationfoundation.org/ wish-upon-a-car/
May 31: Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley Annual Benefit Auction fundraiser.
The Boys & Girls Club offers afterschool programs for children and teens designed to empower youth to excel in school, become good citizens and lead healthy productive lives. https://scvbgc.org
June
June 7: Eat.Drink.Local.Festival fundraiser, Santa Clarita Central Park.
Nonprofit to assist homeless and in need students of the William S. Hart District. www.eatdrinklocalscv.com or follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/eatdrinklocalscv
July
July 4: SCV Rotary Pancake Breakfast, the 93rd Annual Santa Clarita Valley 4th of July Parade in Old Town Newhall.
This “hometown” parade features floats, Scout troops and your neighbors. Don’t miss the annual SCV Rotary Pancake Breakfast fundraiser before the parade starts on Main Street in Old Town Newhall. www.scvparade.com
August
TBD: Carousel Ranch 29th Annual Heart of the West Riding Demonstration, Dinner and Auction fundraiser.
Carousel Ranch offers equestrian therapy and vocational training programs for special needs children and young adults.
www.carouselranch.org
September
Sept. 5: WiSH Education Foundation Cocktails on the Roof fundraiser at Hello Subaru of Valencia. This annual open-air party on a warm, late summer night features a wide range of food and cocktails specially created just for the event. All proceeds benefit the students of the William S. Hart School District. www.wisheducationfoundation.org/ cocktails-on-the-roof/ Sept. 13: Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer, Third Annual Cheers for Charity fundraiser. Cheers for Charity offers music, food and drinks, as well as fun for both adults and kids. www.mhf.org
TBD: Santa Clarita Elks Club Annual Car and Motorcycle Show, Santa Clarita Elks Lodge, Sierra Highway. This annual Elks Club fundraiser raises funds for SCV nonprofits in need.
https://scelks2379.org
TBD: Santa Clarita Artists Association Fall Classic fundraiser. Annual fine art competition that exhibits the work of the SCAA members. This is a professionally judged event that raises funds for SCAA student scholarships. www.santaclaritaartists.org
October
Oct. 4: The Music Moves presents “Sgt. Pepper’s Live On Stage!” fundraiser at the Golden Valley High Theater.
This SCV nonprofit works to benefit student music programs.
For sponsorship opportunities email sueruffner@yahoo.com. https://music-moves.org
TBD: Samuel Dixon Family Health Center 22nd Annual Dixon Duck Dash at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center.
The Dixon Health Center provides primary health care and non-emergency services to uninsured and under-insured residents of the SCV. https://www.sdfhc.org
November
TBD: Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley annual Festival of Trees fundraiser.
Annual event featuring lavishly decorated trees, gingerbread houses and holiday fun.
https://scvbgc.org
December
TBD: Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation Annual Holiday Home Tour fundraiser and Holiday Boutique.
Long running event to raise funds for needed programs and services in the SCV. www.henrymayo.com/support-henry-mayo/about-the-foundation/
for
FILE PHOTO
The annual auction fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley has been held
more than 50 years. SIGNAL
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
Go Ahead, Make Our Day
As the final toll of the calamitous wildfires has yet to be determined, one thing should be very clear to every politician in the state of California and Los Angeles, especially Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom. If they have one shred of common sense and dignity, they would say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” and send the 2028 Olympic Games to some other deserving city.
I’m sure these politicians will utter platitudes like, “Like the Phoenix, Los Angeles will rise from the ashes.” “We will rebuild Los Angeles better and stronger.”
“L.A. Strong!” “We will show the world what a broken city can do when it comes together.” These empty phrases will ring hollow in three and a half years just as they do today. With all of the obstacles in its way, the rebuilding of the City of Angels will take decades, not a few short years.
The focus of all politicians should be, “We will not rest until every home and business is rebuilt and every displaced person has a place to stay while this is being completed.”
Their focus should not be, “We welcome the world to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympic Games.”
Politicians, do the right thing. Go ahead, make our day.
Larry Moore Valencia
Cartoon’s Missing Ingredient
Wednesday’s political cartoon in The Signal depicted a burned-out landscape with two gasoline cans, one labeled “Bass,” and the other “Newsom.” However, it would have been helpful for the cartoonist to specify which one was responsible for the high winds, and which was responsible for the drought. More clarity would be useful to know where to place the blame.
Lowell Kebschull Santa Clarita
Who’s the Dictator?
For such a dictator, it’s odd that Donald Trump never prosecuted his political opponents. Not even “lock her up” Hillary Clinton.
And in an even odder twist, his kindly political opponents prosecuted him … repeatedly … ad nauseam … as well as over a thousand of his supporters. Hmmm ...
Rob Kerchner
Santa Clarita
ETHICALLY
SPEAKING
Do the Ethical Thing
By David Hegg
Back in 1989, an epic, Academy Award-nominated film hit the theaters with immediate impact. It waded without fear into the controversial waters of social subjects of racism, community behavior and violence. The filmmakers’ message was powerfully communicated in its simple title: “Do The Right Thing.”
For Christmas, a thoughtful friend gave a group of his lunch buddies a beautiful pocket knife. One side engraved our names, while the other displayed three capital letters: DRT, which stands for “Do the Right Thing.”
While not referring to the movie specifically, our friend was calling us to the fundamental ethical rubric behind it. In every situation, do the right thing. Do the right thing when it is difficult, inconvenient, and even costly.
That got me thinking. What determines the right thing? Asking this question puts us smack dab in the middle of the science of ethics. In calling its audience to do the right thing, the movie demanded that they – and us! – have a consistent, life-shaping ethical system. They could have titled their film “Do the Ethical Thing,” but that wouldn’t have caught on!
But the truth remains. Individual decisions that face us daily will ultimately be made based on what we believe is true and the convictions arising from those truth claims. These convictions act as guardrails guiding our decisions about right and wrong. Without a solid ethical system based on a series of absolutes in terms of truth, our choices will be swayed by subjective things like convenience, arrogance, hypocrisy, selfishness, greed, and a whole host of malleable emotional impulses.
For example, which of us hasn’t thrown something out the window while driving? Who of us hasn’t crossed the street against a red light? Who of us hasn’t picked up an item at the market only to realize we didn’t want it anymore, so we left it on a shelf far away from where it belonged? These seemingly small wrongs are simply examples of the forces allowing us to do bigger, more consequential wrong things. To do the right thing demands a comprehensive, justifiable, and unalterable ethical system.
hurtful or helpful? Will the action I am about to take make my community better or worse? Will what I am about to do be evidence of my selfishness or arrogance? Will it demonstrate genuine love or pull the curtain back to reveal some hateful toxins that I’ve collected?
Will my actions in this situation reveal my integrity or give evidence of my innate hypocrisy? Are the actions I am about to take flowing out of my sincere desire to be generous, or am I pursuing public recognition while privately remaining stingy?
OK, I better stop before overstepping my boundaries and start meddling in your psyche. But, if you’ve read this column regularly, you know that my ethical system begins and is grounded in the reality of the eternal, omnipotent, perfectly good, and all-loving transcendent God of the Bible. The ultimate moral question is the foundation of all other ethical questions: Will God agree with what I am about to think, do, or say? Or will his righteous standard indicate that I have done wrong?
That brings up an essential part of any ethical system. What does your system demand of you when you do the wrong thing? Simply put, does your ethical system have a guilt element, and if so, how can that guilt be assuaged, even forgiven?
The most significant problem with every inconsistent ethical system in which decisions are left to emotional forces is that the essential element of guilt can be rationalized away. This explains how those who do the wrong thing can insist it isn’t bad, not only allowing it but also taking pride in doing it repeatedly.
Once again, my ethical system, flowing from God’s self-revelation in the Bible, offers the whole package. Yes, doing wrong brings guilt, defined as God’s opinion of those who transgress his regulations. But the biblical worldview also provides forgiveness to those who sincerely recognize their wrongdoing, turn away from it, and pursue righteousness.
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But, since such an ethical system takes time, energy, and a fair amount of epistemological (the science of how we come to know what we know) study, let me offer a few questions that can, if asked often and answered honestly, help you and me to do the right thing most of the time.
Will what I am about to do or say prove to be
The movie “Do the Right Thing” provided much we should consider. However, perhaps its best contribution to the field of ethics is the poignant assertion that there always is such a thing as “the right thing.” Of course, figuring out what is right, why it is right, and how best to do what is right is an ongoing, daily necessity for all of us. Let’s start with an ethical directive known as the Golden Rule: Do to others what you want others to do to you! In other words, do the right thing!
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
