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By Crystal The dog was plucked from the wild environs See LA VAU road to recovery.

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“My main purpose has alThe dog, found within 24 hours of the crash, ways been to share with people, was described as dehydrated and hungry when it to forgive and also be forgiven was brought to safety. and, most of all, learn to forgive dog’s the found Station Way the at

By Brenno Rescuers yourself.” n Dixson Signal Staff owner on social media and arranged for them to Signal file photo Writer pick up the dog. afA tow truck operator watches as a Toyota Corolla reaches the surface After hea lifted about 200 feet by a crane on to Lake Hughes Road north of ter being See LA VAU, A6 his fight ring about Carter

By Danielle with San David La Vau survived the crash.

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Kor30, and the rece filippo synSarkar, Castaic zhe2011.

For Theon nyak drome Signal nt mill ment to fund his ion-dollar moveHyatt Reg clinical trial The crow , the nounced ency Valencia returns to d-pleasing Con has that anit cert will don dollar from s in the starting thisSanta Clarita for ate Park seri a viewing eve its upcoming fire every Concert weekend at Cen music-filled sum es works nt to the you mer, Castaic. ng boy from on by the s in the Park are tral Park.

List “Our enti publicClarita Santa Cla free from July city of 0.2 percent, down by 0.04 per- Salviati, an Apartment eve ritaineveSanta eclipses 7 untitwo-bedroom moved by re staff was Santa Clarita’s rate l Aug. 25. and housing economist. ry Saturdaynts put

By Crystal Duan Getpercent, according to the site. a one-bedroom ready to is The sho 2.1 Austin Dave nighcent, paper rega the article in Satudeeply In this May the state average ofkets t brea$2,564, Much of the SCV’s rent ws star largest citStaff Writer Signal k /The out , $4 a rdin grab t rday marks This 201 you $1,995.

Sign is g Carter 7 p.m. Only 21 of the 100 average ’s on Pon 7 photo, Jenn some tast r lawn cha at inal (See addi the fight to to a as well as the national site and Sark y snac irs and blan tional phot a ies in America have seen rents growth can be attributed ifer Sarkar forkstwo-bedrooms crease listen to som decreased has but from percent, syndrome,”save him from San ar and a clin derosa Street in 1.4 os of -fall over the past year, though general growth in population this at released loca study signalsc national carr l ven CastaicA. The e of yourfor a one-bedroom ies her son ds com ical trial that v.com)to last ban $3 increase online month, ing to the sales coo said Natasha Zamfilippo favorite gen dors on- an additional 24 saw modest in the Los Angeles metro area.

Car ter compared SarkarSanta Clarita’s rent indicates mig week Her Sau rdinator to ht fam bran e’s gus re help a June. ily raisyear hom tribute o, dev park.

Apartmenta List brea from Car ter’srate at Hyatt platform Valencia. e is 8,4renting ed $97 Con growth elop fighfrom Reg certs in the kdown of Clarita’s month-to- gains of less than 1.0 percent, t agayear to 67 to getMonday. to contrib “We at Hyatt wou ency seizures muscle pains, revealed See RENT, A6 Sandecline Park:Santa each band perform is at such as Santa Clarita, said Chris slight at 4.1 percent, ainst filippo synd ute to this exp now ld like and then, ing at ncelastwou our parking The rome.July median rate for a month rent change for July fight by offe their mid ultimatel erie percent.

4.9 month’s from ld stru -to fund y, die ring Sark cture to the late July 7 nity to wat ar, Carter’ -teens, said Jenn in give Carter a clinical trial that a ifer ing Fourth ch fireworks this commuWanted As a resu s mother.

“Over the chance at life. could upcomof July.” lineup of , a Bon Jovi tribute Childre draiser in lt, the family held been a gath years the structur the past a fungeles, the Concerts in the Park band, is first up Sanfilippon who are diagnos ering plac e has month with uno ban ed with goal to donate in . syndrome the (andbstructed view of e to have an a mill The rock d is made up of Based out of Los the the will like the festiviti ly Cur 501(c)(3) nonprof ion dollars to Zam fireworks) from playing to ’n’ roll group professional mus Anes it organiza e Sanfilip icians. bran Six Flag o said. po Founda tion views. Wa sold out venues had immense succ s,” tion, whi requests nted was finally and garnering rave ess, ch from age with the nts and created after num reWeather ban See prom . . . . . . . erou INDEX d on othe CARTER, . . . . . . . r projects oters who wor s A6 Lottery . . . . . . . . ked . . . . . . . . .

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A tale of two rescues

7 years later, crash survivor glad to be alive at daughter’s book-signing

Missing puppy found after having run away from scene of crash; animal was hungry, dehydrated when saved

City’s re nt gro

wth rate Faith above sta te avera ge Coupons Home Improvement Hya tt joins Carter’s Hotel pla Business News ns event proc to donate fight SCV’s ee child’s ba ds to tr ttle again It’s the Law Column Sanfilippo syndromest to the g ibute reats Concer ts set to retuin the Pa rk serie Right Here Right Now rn to Ce s nt ral Pa rk Color Comics

City’s rent growth rate above state average

9 1 9 1 d e h s i l b a Est

tribute Hyatt joins Carter’s fight SCV’s to the greats

Opinion

Hotel plans to donate event proceeds to child’s battle against Sanfilippo syndrome

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By Brennon Dixson Louis Ga Signal Staff Writer of Canyo rasi n Count ry After hearing about Carter Sarkar, his fight with Sanfilippo syndrome and the recent million-dollar movement to fund his clinical trial, the Hyatt Regency Valencia has announced that it will donate every dollar from its upcoming fireworks viewing event to the young boy from Castaic.

“Our entire staff was deeply moved by the article in Saturday’s paper regarding Carter Sarkar and the fight to save him from Sanfilippo syndrome,” said Natasha Zambrano, sales coordinator at Hyatt Regency Valencia. “We at Hyatt would like to contribute to this fight by offering our parking structure to the community to watch fireworks this upcoming Fourth of July.”

Children who are diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome will likely

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Austin Dave/The Signal (See additional photos at signalscv.com)

home In this May 2017 photo, Jennifer Sarkar carries her son Carter to a to get on Ponderosa Street in Castaic. The Sarkar family raised $978,467 a clinical trial that might help Carter’s fight against Sanfilippo syndrome. develop muscle pains, experience seizures and then, ultimately, die in their mid-to late-teens, said Jennifer Sarkar, Carter’s mother.

As a result, the family held a fundraiser in the past month with the goal to donate a million dollars to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, which

would fund a clinical trial that could give Carter a chance at life.

“Over the years the structure has been a gathering place to have an unobstructed view of the festivities (and fireworks) from Six Flags,” Zambrano said.

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July 7

Wanted, a Bon Jovi tribute band, is first up in the lineup of Concerts in the Park. Based out of Los Angeles, the band is made up of professional musicians.

The rock ’n’ roll group had immense success, playing to sold out venues and garnering rave reviews. Wanted was finally created after numerous requests from agents and promoters who worked with the band on other projects.

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The crowd-pleasing Concerts in the Park series returns to Santa Clarita for a music-filled summer, starting this weekend at Central Park.

Concerts in the Park are free public events put on by the city of Santa Clarita every Saturday night from July 7 until Aug. 25. The shows start at 7 p.m.

Get ready to break out your lawn chairs and blankets, grab some tasty snacks from local vendors onsite and listen to some of your favorite genre tribute bands coming to the Saugus park.

Here’s a breakdown of each band performing at Concerts in the Park:

Good morning to Signal subscriber Louis Garasi of Canyon Country

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES 5 6 7 14 33

Production team readies for future of ‘Weird City’ Create an award-winning watch party Putting his heart and soul on the airwaves Hospital officials excited for new resources in 2019 Sleep health tips to stay in good shape this season

9 10 11

12

A family man remembered 25 years later earthquake residents recall moments Investigators hope autopsy gives details in woman’s death Study: SCV commute among nation’s worst College of the Canyons set to open off-campus center

NEWS OF THE WEEK

SPORTS

13 Stories to watch in SCV girls hoops

CITY MANAGER

5

9

13 15

15 Deputies’ hard work pays off with lowest crime rate

REAL ESTATE

16

16 Overcoming your home-buying fears

TIME RANGER OPINION

17 18

18 Our View • Janelle Burkholder • Tim Whyte • Katie Hill

CALENDAR 21 HOME IMPROVEMENT

22

22 Refrigerants, front doors and permits, fire breaks

PROFILE 23

26377 Oak Plain Dr Santa Clarita • $475,000 2 beds 2 baths 1,452 sqft

Spacious two bedroom two bath unit with addition off the living room. This unit is ready for a new owner to come in and make it exactly what they want. Two car garage properties don’t come along every day in this guard gated retirement community. Friendly Valley offers all the usual country club amenities for those who are 55 or older including two golf courses and a large RV parking lot. There is a tram to area market places and clubs and travel groups.

Come join the fun!!

3 Local filmmaker seeks ‘second take’ at industry 2 30 A new stage for ‘Earth Girls Are Easy’

SCHOOLS 24 24 Junior entrepreneurs: money-making ideas for kids

KIDS & FAMILY

25

25 Sun catchers brighten winter days

ENTERTAINMENT 26 6 ‘Delta Lady’ Rita Coolidge coming to Canyon Santa Clarita 2 27 Your Southern California theme park review 29 Film Crazy: A pair of biopics, and ‘Ben is Back’

SENIORS 32 32 A senior in baby boomers’ America

GARDENING 34 34 Your landscape does matter, and here’s why

ART 35 5 Women artist give back to support next generation 3 Artists select leadership group for new year

PETS 36 36 A little help from our furry friends

BRAIN GAMES

37

37 Games • Crossword • Village Idiot

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

Production team readies for future of ‘Weird City’ with “Key & Peele,” while working as a producer.

Today, they’re both working on producing season one of “Heathers” TV show for Paramount Network as well as many other shows with media companies, including “Weird City.”

RASKAL offices are in Santa Clarita, where Keith has raised his two kids with his wife, Amber.

“We shoot in Santa Clarita all the time,” he said. “We do lot of half-hour comedy in and around Los Angeles.”

RASKAL media is also expanding into Toronto, Canada for the first time, he said.

By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

A

star-studded cast and a futuristic new “anthology” concept coming to YouTube has an Emmy Award-winning local producer ready to make us think and laugh all over again.

SCV resident Keith Raskin and co. are rejoining Jordan Peele, with whom he worked with in “Key & Peele,” for a new project debuting next month called “Weird City.”

Raskin, founder and executive producer of RASKAL Productions and Linda Morel, also an executive producer at RASKAL Productions, have been hard at work helping create the latest vision from the minds of Peele and Charlie Sanders.

“It really starts with ‘Key and Peele,’” Raskin said, discussing the momentum created from his role on the hit Comedy Central show that garnered awards during it’s five-season run from 2012-15. “We mainly handled all the nuts and bolts of the show.”

This new effort by Raskin and Morel brings a host of names you’ve heard of for a look at what the future might hold for the suburb of Weird, 30 years in the future.

For Raskin, this new show on the world’s most popular online streaming platform is just latest stage in an accomplished career, and one of a number of shows for RASKAL right now.

Climbing the Ladder

Raskin has worked his way up the ladder in the entertainment industry — using hard work to get from the bottom to the top.

“It’s persistence,” he said.

Raskin began as a production assistant in his early 20s.

“It’s doing everything that nobody else wants to do,” he said.

His first job,the guy did not want to hire him because he wore a tie to the interview, he said. “I ended up working for him for seven years.”

His first boss is still his friend and mentor today.

Step-by-step, he climbed the ladder, having jobs ranging from production

Latest endeavor

Linda Morel and Keith Raskin stand in front of a production trailer bearing their company logo for RASKAL Production in Altadena. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

coordinator, production manager, associate producer, line producer and founding RASKAL productions as an executive producer.

“Keith is known for producing single-camera comedies including “Teachers” on TV Land (recently picked up for season 3),” according to his company’s website.

Teamwork

Raskin and Morel have been working together for years, on more than just the original YouTube original “Weird City.”

“We’re basically left brain and right brain,” Morel said. “We can be on a couple different shows at one time and still feel there is one person run-

ning the show.”

When Raskin met Morel, he asked her in an interview about a production coordinator position, she said. “I wanted to produce and work my way up, and I got the opportunity to be really hands on.”

They continued to produce together as the faces of RASKAL productions, both working on emmy nominated and winning shows.

Raskin produced multiple seasons of the Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning comedy series, “Key & Peele,” he said. “I started on that show and then brought Linda in.”

In 2016, Morel won a Primetime Emmy for Best Variety Sketch Show

RASKAL media worked with other producing partners to produce “Weird City” as well.

“The challenge with the show is it is supposed to be (Los Angeles) 30 years in the future,” Morel said.

“There were challenges in trying to find futuristic locations.”

The cast includes Dylan O’Brien, Ed O’Neill, Levar Burton, Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera, Mark Hamill, Laverne Cox, Sara Gilbert, Steven Yeun, Awkwafina, Yvette Nicole Brown, Auli’i Cravalho and more.

“We are really fortunate,” Raskin said about the cast and crew. “We had a such an amazing team. It was so much fun to show up to set everyday and see these them pull rabbits out of their hats.”

The six-episode series is a look into the at life and people in a futuristic town called Weird, according to IMDb. “All six episodes take place in the same world,” Morel said. “You could watch them out of order and it could still make sense.”

All six will be available Feb. 13, the first two free on YouTube, and the last four on YouTube Premium.

This latest show promises a fun if not somewhat askew look at the future.

“A little bit like a black mirror comedic edge,” Raskin said.  For more information on RASKAL productions, go to raskalproductions. com. To watch the “Weird City” trailer, go to Youtube.com/watch?v=raJJbbiKtlY&feature=share&app=desktop.

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E

Create an award-winning watch party

By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

T

he flashing cameras, the red carpets and of course, all the A-List celebrities from our favorite movies, music and shows on TV at the same time can only mean one thing — awards season is upon us.

Whether you enjoy watching the Grammys to see the best musical talent, the Emmys for TV’s finest or the most storied and well-known of them all, the Oscars, most of us usually don’t get that close to a red carpet, unless that happens to be the color of that old rug in your den. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Millions have fun each year reveling in the festivities from home, in some of TV’s most highly watched broadcasts for these award shows.

An at-home viewing party is a great way to celebrate and cheer on your favorite luminaries, and here are a few ways to entertain as a host with the most this season:

Party games

Decor

One way to really get in the Hollywood spirit is give your party that award show feel, and there are even a few places where you can have your guests enter the party on a rented red carpet, which you can even compliment with lights and a photo booth.

Krystina Reyes, owner of I See Party Rentals, says people can customize their own at-home decorations.

“We have basic ‘step and repeats,’” Reyes said, referring to the backdrops that the events often use for photographers, which have the event’s logo. Customizing them is a popular option, she added. “Most of the time (people) get their own made.”

Having a personalized backdrop makes for memorable pictures, allowing your guests a bit of fun at the beginning or even throughout the night, whether you want to make it a “dress-up” event or a fun and goofy addition to a laid-back get-together.

I See Party Rentals even offers ropes to line the red carpet and “uplighting” to add to the award show illusion, even with customizable colors.

And one last upon-arrival suggestion — nothing saying over-the-top Hollywood experience like a limo to the party, which also means guests

give your event a “gala” feel. “If you need black and white chairs, we can do that,” Parr added.

“A lot of times customers have their own vision and they work off of our supplies,” explains Parr.

“They add their own decorations, but we give them something to build off of.”

Creating your own vision of a Hollywood-themed viewing party at home adds creativity that can’t be replicated.

One way to really get in the Hollywood spirit is give your party that award show feel.

don’t have to worry about a designated driver: “There are groups we work with that we often recommend,” says Stacie House of 24/7 Events.

“We can coordinate on behalf of the client. We can pick up all your guests in one of our limousines.”

It’s also an option for a watch party you start at a restaurant or bar, and finish in the comfort of your home.

Food and drinks

Once your guests have finished strolling your red carpet and posing for the “paparazzi,” serving champagne or a signature cocktail is an-

other way to get the party going and keeping up the celebratory mood.

“If you want to do drinks, we have different glassware and bars,” said Stephanie Parr, event representative at AV Party Rentals.

After cocktail hour, even if it’s just snacks or hors d’oeuvres, catering can be a fun option for special occasions that can help the host be more available during the party, and leave less of a mess afterward, too.

The experts also threw out suggestions such as personalized name plates at table settings if you want to

Party games are not only a great way to have fun and break the ice with your party’s guests, but also a great way to learn new fun facts about your favorites shows and performers.

Play red carpet bingo by creating different bingo cards and filling in each space. Examples can be outfit-related bingo spaces, like sequins, lace or a big bow on a celebrity’s dress.

And another fun game idea is to have all the nominees written out on a sheet of paper. Guests have to fill out who they think will win for each category.

The person with the most correct guesses can win a prize or just bragging rights among friends.

The Academy Awards Twitter account has already gotten in the spirit and started tweeting out fun trivia questions you can use.

“Awards season is a great time to be glamorous and glitzy and enjoy and have fun,” House said, but as with any great party, the real trick is to surround yourself with friends and family who enjoy the events as much as you.  24/7 Events is located at 26529 Ruether Ave., Santa Clarita 91350. Call 661-775-8111 for more information.

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Putting his heart and soul on the airwaves

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

H

enry Urick may have made his living in television and digital communications, but his heart has always belonged to radio.

Growing up in Middletown, Penn., Urick listened to stations like WLAC in Nashville, which played rhythm and blues at night. He was so blown away by the song “Stormy Monday Blues” by Bobby Blue Bland that he hitchhiked 20 miles to a record store to purchase it.

The record store clerk took one look at the 15-year-old Urick and shook her head. “What’s a boy like you doing, asking for a record by Bobby Blue?”

As it turns out, Urick was starting to build a collection of records that make up the incredible musical library aired daily on KHUG 97.5, which is available on radio and online.

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The station, which is commercial-free, is broadcast from Urick’s 80acre property in Castaic. Stationed on a ridgeline, 1,000 feet of transmission line connects the tower with a room converted in Urick’s home to house the rest of the equipment.

With Urick in semi-retirement from three decades in television broadcasting and syndication in Los Angeles and stations across the country, it’s a perfect time for him to focus on his original passion again.

The FCC license was a gift from his son, giving Urick the inspiration and the ability to launch KHUG in 2014.

Urick’s early catalog formed the basis for KHUG’s rotation. Over the years, Urick has added to it to form a 2,600song collection that rotates 24/7.

Genres range from blues to rock to funk to jazz to pop to country, with classic hits and deep cuts from artists like The Eagles, Steely Dan, Lynyrd Skynrd and Allman Brothers.

Urick selects each song individually. “If I like it, I play it,” he said. “It’s

Henry Urick, the owner, producer, disc jockey, chief engineer and janitor of KHUG 97.5 FM, sits next to his microphone in his upstairs bedroom in Castaic. The radio station has been airing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since June 2011. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

like building a collection of art. It’s just not on a wall, it’s rock and roll, so

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KHUG

Continued from previous page

it’s a very funky art.”

Urick should know. He formed and played organ for The Intentions, a band that released “Don’t Forget That I Love You” on the Phillips label in 1967. The song made the “Bubbling 101” and put the Intentions on tour with popular acts, such as The Impressions and the O’Jays.

“There is an intoxication that develops about being on stage. I’ll never forget the power I felt,” he said.

He even got to know Curtis Mayfield on a first-name basis.

“The fact that he remembered my name was fascinating to me,” Urick said.

When Urick chose to go to college for business, with broadcasting as an elective, he chose the University of Mississippi because it was the in the middle of the Delta.

“That’s the home of the blues,” Urick said.

To this day, the blues scale of minor keys that Urick fell in love with as a teenager influences every song he chooses.

“Every time I get to a point where I think, ‘Gee, there aren’t any more songs,’ I find another source or treasure trove of material,” he said.

“That’s one of the satisfying things about KHUG. Through the necessity of wanting to create a large library for my listeners, I’ve grown myself and learned more about music than I ever thought I would.”

KHUG started streaming online 11 months ago, and in the last 90 days, the station has been listened to by 10,000 unique listeners in 133 countries as far away as Russia, Australia, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.

“Rock and roll is about freedom and individuality, not about conformity, so let there be rock and roll in Russia,” Urick said.

That’s without any kind of marketing or promotion, which astonishes Urick.

“I have to say, I’m overwhelmed with emotion to see someone looking for this kind of music and finding it.

I get emails every day from listeners and I’m like a little boy at Christmas every time I get an email,” he said.

“I’m just so grateful.”

One of the things listeners love is

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

that KHUG is commercial free. Urick underwrites all the programming.

“I’m adamant about that.

We will never run commercials,” he said. “I know that streaming audio has very heavy competition and I just don’t think radio with commercials is a very good model anymore.”

Urick’s also passionate about promoting local bands, such as Theresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, and switching to all blues at 7 pm Urick at a mix down session with Kelly Z, a local artist and Chuck Kavooras at SlideAway each evening.

Studios.

“One person told me, ‘You certainly keep it interesting.’

That’s what I want to do. I don’t want it to become stale,” he said. “Music is something to get passionate about.

It’s a wonderful way for people to feel emotion. It’s a fantastic gift to us all.” 

Right: Urick and his dog Jackson, whose favorite place is the recording studio.

Urick is at home in front of his mixing console.

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

LOCALNEWS

A family man remembered

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

W

hen his son was born just over a month ago, Jorge Valencia promised he would work as hard as he could for the betterment of his new family, said his girlfriend, Maritza Ortega, mother of their newborn child.

And, until Monday morning, when he died as a result of injuries suffered in a single-vehicle crash, Valencia was doing just as he had promised.

He was on his way to work in the Santa Clarita Valley when the crash happened.

He always sent a text to Ortega saying he had arrived safely, but on Monday, no such text was sent.

Ortega knew something was wrong when she failed to receive her morning text.

Valencia, 22, having said goodbye to Ortega and their 1-month-old son, Jayden, drove off from the couple’s apartment in Palmdale. Shortly after 6:35 a.m. Monday, Valencia was pronounced dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Bouquet Canyon Road, about a quarter-mile south of the Texas Canyon Ranger Station.

“He wanted to change things,” Ortega said Wednesday, just two days after she lost the love of her life and lost the future the two of them planned.

“He had a lot of goals,” she said. “He

Jorge Valencia, left, and Maritza Ortega, right, kiss their son, Jayden, during Christmas. COURTESY PHOTO

did everything for me and the baby.”

Just over a year ago, Ortega was single, so was Valencia. The two did not know each other except for a remote connection on social media.

Then one day around that time, their friends tried to get each of them out of their respective homes to attend a party.

They met at the party, fell in love, moved into a small room in a house and began planning a future. The first stop in their plan was the birth of their son just over a month ago.

“His goal was to get us out of there,” she said. “After the baby was born, he said, ‘I need to step it up.’

“He was a hard worker,” she said.

After the crash, Ortega moved in with her mother.

“I couldn’t be in his (Valencia’s) room,” she said. “Every little thing

reminded me of him.”

The outpouring of support for her and the baby has been overwhelming, she said.

Valencia’s coworker Rene Mendez, who started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Valencia’s new family, said the same thing: Valencia was committed to doing the best he could for his family.

“He was very excited to receive his first paycheck,” Mendez said, noting more than $3,210 had been raised as of 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Valencia had worked in construction but just recently started commuting from Palmdale to his new job in Valencia at Novacap.

“Every morning at work, he would call his girlfriend and say, ‘I’m here.’

So when she didn’t get that message, she was worried,” Mendez said.

Investigators with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release issued Monday that speed was a factor in the case. Their investigation, however, is continuing.

Valencia “failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, which caused the silver Toyota to leave the roadway and collide with a dirt embankment,” CHP Officer B. Kovacs wrote in a news release issued Monday.

The online fundraising page started for Valencia can be accessed at https://www. gofundme.com/6r3fu-jorge-valencia. 

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Jorge Valencia holds his newborn son, Jayden, at the hospital. Valencia died in a single-vehicle crash. Maritza Ortega, Valencia’s girlfriend and mother of Jayden, described Valencia as hard working and wanting to provide for his family.

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

LOCALNEWS

25 years later earthquake residents recall moments

By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

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t 4:31 a.m. on Jan. 17, 1994, Santa Clarita resident Monique Newman jumped out of bed amidst the shaking to run to the rooms of her 8- and 10-year-old sons.

“It felt like someone picked up our house and slammed it to the ground,” Newman said.

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake rattled for miles, from the epicenter in Northridge.

“My first inclination was to run to their room,” Newman said.

She fell down as her husband, Gene, came to keep her safe.

He had been through the terror of “The Big One” before in the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake.

“He said he felt like it was World War III,” Newman said.

Furniture falling and TV’s crashing to the ground, the Newman family rushed outside.

“There was this eerie green glow,” she said. “It was the ionic lightning released from the earth during the earthquake.”

The family of four jumped in their van, moving it out of the driveway to the street for safety reasons.

“When the light came to an end, everything went black,” Newman said. “No streetlights, no electricity, just the stars lit the way.”

As the sun came up, the family continued to hear emergency vehicles speed down the freeway as they lived near the Interstate 5 and Highway 14 split.

“We were listening to the radio to get the news,” Newman said. “It was a lot of waiting and wondering and checking on neighbors.”

Some 5,752 private structures damaged and almost all were without power and water.

“The city was fabulous about getting bottled water to families,” Newman said. “We’ve been stocked up on water ever since then, just to be prepared.”

“All of our power was out,” said Laura Shanders, former Castaic resident and general manager of the Do

It Center. “It smelled like gas around our house.”

Aftershocks continued for a number of days, causing many to stay in hotels or campers.

“We spent the first night (following the earthquake) in sleeping bags in the living room to get out quickly,” Newman said.

They then moved to their tent trailer outside for about 10 nights, she said. “We weren’t afraid of anything collapsing around us.”

Collapsed walls, fences and cracked chimneys were seen around the valley.

“There was great neighborliness,” Newman said. “We shared costs with neighbors to repair neighboring walls.”

As houses were damaged, so were local businesses.

“I would have never imagine what I saw when I rolled up in that parking lot,” Shanders said.

Do It Center

Shanders pulled into the Do It Center parking lot, formerly located on Valencia Boulevard, only to see damage she would never imagine.

All the sprinkler alarms were going off, multiple windows were broken and it was pitch black, she said. “All of the paint and garden chemicals that fell were mixed together.”

The damage from the earthquake made the store uninhabitable, but that didn’t stop Shanders and her team from helping the community.

“We had so many people coming to the store,” she said. “We were the only home improvement store open.”

Shanders took a table and cash register out to the parking lot and began selling people the items they needed to repair their homes and survive for the days following the earthquake.

“Customers were asking if I could get them flashlights and batteries,” Shanders said. “That morning was absolutely horrible. People were so freaked out.”

About four employees showed up to work that day, joining Shanders in helping the community with repairs.

See QUAKE, page 12

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

LOCALNEWS

Investigators hope autopsy gives details in woman’s death

By Jim Holt and Ryan Mancini Signal Staff Writers

I

nvestigators are hoping an autopsy will reveal what killed a 22-year-old woman found unconscious in a shopping center parking lot Sunday evening.

The unresponsive woman was found at the corner of Magic Mountain Parkway and McBean Parkway.

She died a short time later at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

“We still have not contacted next of kin,” Coroner Investigator Anthony Lopez said Monday, noting an autopsy was pending.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies canvas an area of a parking lot inside the River Oaks Shopping Center following the death of a woman Sunday night. PHOTO

BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

First responders arrived at the River Oaks Shopping Center after receiving

a call at 5:21 p.m. about an unconscious woman, according to Capt.

Michael Fuentes of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

“We received a report that there was a medical emergency in the parking lot of the Valencia Target,” Lt. Andrew Dahring of the Santa Clarita Sheriff ’s Station said Sunday night.

The circumstances behind the woman’s arrival to that location remain unknown at this time.

Sheriff ’s deputies on the scene said there is no known threat to public safety in connection to their investigation. 

Study: SCV commute among nation’s worst

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

A

mericans’ daily commute has steadily increased over the years and Santa Clarita’s is no different.

According to a newly released study, the city has the sixth longest commute in the nation.

Online life insurance agency Haven Life released Tuesday a 10 best and worst commutes in the U.S. report, revealing that four Los Angeles communities dominate the “worst” list, which included Santa Clarita.

To compile the list, researchers at Haven Life evaluated data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey. The study factors in average round-trip commutes,

the ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours, the percentage of the population commuting two or more hours per day and the most common transportation methods.

Out of 10 cities on the longest commute list, with No.1 classifying as having the longest, Santa Clarita hovered toward the middle.

“Commuters, on average, spend more than an hour commuting per day,” the study reads. The average round-trip commute totals at 69.8 minutes, ahead of Naperville, Illinois, at 67 minutes in 10th place and behind New York City with nearly an 82-minute average round-trip commute in second place.

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

LOCALNEWS

College of the Canyons set to open off-campus center

By Brennon Dixson Signal Staff Writer

A

s College of the Canyons continues its effort to meet the needs of working adults in the Santa Clarita Valley, the local community college has announced the opening of another off-campus education center.

Located in the Edwards Canyon Country Stadium 10 shopping center at 18718 Soledad Canyon Road, the college’s latest continuing education center will offer tuition-free English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, as well as vocational ESL and citizenship courses.

“We expect to offer computer courses and career skills courses at this location in the future as well,” said John Makevich, dean of continuing and community education at the college.

A special grand opening event for the Soledad Center will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, according to college officials.

“Staff members will be available to share information about our programs and answer questions,” Makevich said.

“Students will also have the opportunity to register for classes on the spot.”

In August, the college opened an off-campus education center on Bouquet Canyon Road, and school leaders said COC will continue to offer continuing education courses at its Valencia and Canyon Country campuses, as well as at several satellite locations throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.  For more information about COC’s continuing education courses, visit the continuing education web page or contact the Continuing Education office at (661) 362-3304.

COMMUTE

Continued from previous page. of Santa Clarita, earned the No.1 spot in the nation as having the longest round-trip commute (85 minutes) as many make the long trek to and from Los Angeles.

A key finding highlighted in the study was that cities separated from major metropolitan areas lead the way when it came to locales with the shortest commutes. “These cities generally offer residents places to live, work and play without having to visit a neighboring hub,” the report reads.

With a place on the list, however, this key finding is not entirely the case for Santa Clarita. Jason Crawford, planning and economic development manager with the city, said that half of the estimated 90,000 working population leave the Santa Clarita Valley for work.

“This is something we recognize and want to address,” said Crawford.

“We want to improve not only having work here so that people don’t have to drive to L.A., but also focusing on having job centers throughout Santa Clarita so that people don’t have to drive from Canyon Country to Valencia, for example.”

Some developments underway, officials say, will help ease the long commute issue, including the Needham Ranch project, a 135-acre business park in Newhall for industrial, office and research space, and the mixed-use community Vista Canyon.

Within Santa Clarita, Crawford said the city is looking at improving traffic issues with improving the timing of signal lights, restriping roads to increase capacity and building new roads.  To see the complete study, visit havenlife.com/blog/longest-shortest-commutes-in-america.

QUAKE

Continued from page 10

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“We were very grateful to the people,” Shanders said.

Many did not have money with them, she said. “Every single person came back to pay, besides one person.”

From plywood and water heater straps to flashlights and batteries, everyone needed emergency supplies.

“It was one of the best ways to help the community,” Shanders said. “We stayed open. We didn’t miss one day being open.”

Engineers and sheriff ’s deputies continued to check the store, making sure the employees were safe.

“The earthquake was horrible, but the community stuck together and supported each other,” Shanders said.

As aftershocks continued, the community banded together, Newman said. “There were times you could almost hear it rumbling toward us.” 

Thursday marked 25 years since the 1994 Northridge earthquake hit.

Pictured above are some moments from that hectic time. SIGNAL FILE PHOTOS

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

Stories to watch in SCV girls hoops

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Valencia thriving

When former coach Jerry Mike left the Valencia girls basketball program, he also left some pretty big shoes to fill. Kevin Honaker, Mike’s successor, is already filling those shoes pretty well.

As of winter break, the Vikings were the only undefeated team left in the Foothill League, riding a powerful offense and efficient shooting, particularly beyond the arc, to the top of the standings.

“We know that’s going to be our game, we hope to shoot 20 to 30 3s every game because we know we’re going to make 10 and that’s part of our game,” said Honaker. “We have a lot of sets that really dictate us to get good looks on the 3s and the girls really perfect it in practice every day.”

Out! Miss Don’t

ADVENTURE

ith girls basketball starting back up after the holiday break, several Santa Clarita Valley girls basketball teams have been making headlines.

The Centurions had a milestone win on Jan. 11, winning against Canyon High for the first time since 2012 with a 32-24 victory.

“Oh my gosh. It’s, I’m at a loss for words,” said senior Alexis Jimenez after the game. “It’s so exciting. Being a senior this year, being with this program for three years, it’s been tough to... get blown out by Canyon, and so to finally be at the same level as them and be able to beat them, it feels really good.”

It’s the latest accomplishment in a lengthy list of them for Saugus, which made it to the CIF-Southern Section Division 3A semifinals last season.

The Cents have jumped up to Division 2A this season, and are holding their own with a 19-2 overall record and a 3-1 record in league.

The team returned most of last season’s roster, including point guard Monique Febles and shooter Libbie McMahan, who averaged 17.1 points per game last season.

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Saugus’ Alexis Jimenez (14) scores against Canyon at Saugus High School.

PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Canyon using youth

Last season’s Foothill League champions are a well-established program, but even the best programs have to rebuild at some point.

The Cowboys return just one player this season with varsity experience in guard Ellie Villavicencio, while the remainder of the young group is rapidly adjusting to the speed of the varsity game.

Chidinma Okafor and Lucy Collins bring size to the post as both tower at 6-foot-3. Julia Fung succeeds Talia Taufaasau as point guard and brings strong decision-making abilities to the court.

At the start of the season, coach Jessica Haayer urged her team to watch basketball on television to prepare them for the season.

“NBA, college, whatever it is, just watch it,” she said. “And don’t watch the ball, because that’s what kids watch. It’s off the ball that we preach.

But yeah, just learning the game.”

Canyon got out to a 4-6 start prior to beginning league play, showing skill that would be sharpened with experience as the team went on to begin Foothill League competition with a 3-1 record.

You can find more info on girls basketball in the SCV by visiting signalscv.com/sports. 

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E

Hospital officials excited for new resources in 2019

By Brennon Dixson Signal Staff Writer

W

hen Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital broke ground on its new patient tower in October 2016, hospital leaders envisioned a building that would meet the growing health care needs of the Santa Clarita Valley community.

Construction crews can be seen hustling up and down the six-story, 160,000-square-foot patient tower trying to avoid the steel beams, crisscrossing wires and exposed ventilation ducts that dot the premises working to make it a reality. As they bustle to finish the work that must be done before the building can open to patients, hospital officials are excited about its opening scheduled for summer 2019.

Travel up the construction elevator to the second floor and — at this time next year — you’ll be standing in the

Center for Women and Newborns, which will feature nearly 30 added beds, two dedicated cesarean section operating rooms and much more, said Jenn Castaldo, the hospital’s vice president and chief nursing officer who cited the renovation to the hospital’s maternity services as one of the more important upgrades cunderway at the Henry Mayo Newhall Patient Tower.

“Certainly, one of the most important things for the hospital and our community is our upgrade to our women’s services,” Castaldo said, because it’s vital for expecting mothers to experience childbirth in an environment that promotes healing, wellness and is really focused on family centered care, which is what the improvements will provide.

Every aspect of the new patient tower will feature accommodations that aim to increase the level of comfort experienced by a patient, expecting mother or their family,

The new Center for Women and Newborns will feature nearly 30 added beds, two dedicated cesarean section operating rooms and much more. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Castaldo said.

“Most patients when they are expecting to deliver a child really think about the comfort and amenities,” Castaldo said. “That’s what we want to provide, so it’s really more like a spa, healing, warm environment,” where laboring women can forget that they’re in a hospital setting.

Soft lighting, labor and delivery monitors that allow women to ambulate on-the-move or in the shower are some of the technological upgrades coming to the patient tower, according to hospital staff.

This means some women will now be able to grab a sandwich in the expanded cafeteria area or have the chance to monitor their baby wirelessly while they perform everyday tasks like showering, Castaldo said, adding the hospital will still be able to ensure that patients get the quality emergency services, sophisticated technology and highest levels of hospital care during a patient’s stay.

The blood bank on the first floor will be a vital service for all patients and programs housed in the tower, according to Castaldo, and the 30 new licensed medical and surgical units will feature overnight sleep accommodations so family members can stay by their loved one’s side.

The hospital will also have its very first OB-ED, which will be used to deliver a high level of emergency care should an unlikely event occur, Castaldo said. “Every minute counts when an infant is struggling,” which is why

it’s helpful to have the services in such a close and adjacent proximity.

“It’s really about bringing that birthing — and suite — experience into the acute care setting so that you have the beauty of them both,” Castaldo said. “You’ll have the highgrade technology that you’d need if there’s an emergency situation,” but you’ll also have the serenity, freedom and choice that families look for when deciding where they will host their birthing experience, she added.

The best part is patients won’t even know that most of the emergency care exists within the setting because it’s functioning in the background, Castaldo said. “And that’s the whole point, right? Women don’t want to worry about this stuff in labor and we want that to be the furthest thing from their mind, as well,” which is why the hospital is investing so much into the wellness experience.

“They may never want to leave.

It’s going to be so lovely,” Castaldo said, mentioning the lotion bar and other amenities that will be available.

“But we also really want to hear from the women of our community so we can see what other types of things patients may want. It’s all about pampering and privacy and making families are part of the experience.”

It’s the little details that count, Castaldo said. “There has been a great deal of thought and care put into that when constructing this facility.” 

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Deputies’ hard work pays off with lowest crime rate

By Ken Striplin City Manager

“C

ongratulations,” and “thank you.” That is what we want to say to the hard working men and women of our Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station. Their crime fighting efforts throughout 2018 led to the lowest crime rate on record, surpassing the numbers from 2014 (which were the previous lowest crime stats on record in Santa Clarita).

Preliminary figures show part one crimes are down 20 percent from 2017.

Part one crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, burglary and arson. This drop is due to the proactive efforts, crime suppression operations and all-around dedication of our sheriff ’s deputies led by Capt. Robert Lewis.

This significant decrease comes amidst changes in state initiatives aimed at decreasing the state prison population — such as Assembly Bill 109 and Propositions 47 and 57. These measures are creating a more difficult and dangerous environment in our state and Santa Clarita has not been immune to the negative impacts.

Apart from a spike in the crime rate in Santa Clarita that ensued after the reforms from 2014-16, one of our very own sheriff ’s deputies was rushed to the hospital after being shot in the neck by a criminal. This convict was a beneficiary of these recent initiatives and a parolee in Santa Clarita after being released early from prison. AB 109 and Propositions 47 and 57, emboldened criminals — because the fear of being arrested and serving full prison sentences has been significantly reduced.

Even with these challenges, the crime stats we have now for 2018 show: Robberies are down 26 percent; burglaries are down more than 16 percent; grand theft autos are down 30 percent; and assaults are down nearly 25 percent! These are impressive numbers that add up to a safe and thriving community.

Our deputies are impacting crime through special operations, directed

patrol tactics, targeted traffic enforcement, specialized deployments, the apprehension of suspects and public education and awareness efforts. Our local sheriff ’s deputies also focus on being nimble and constantly reassessing the approach to crime prevention to best meet the public’s needs.

A recent example of such success is the quick arrest of a bank robbery suspect who was nabbed in less than eight hours. The robbery occurred on Dec. 28, at approximately 2:55 p.m. at a Saugus bank; the suspect was arrested in Acton that night at 10:35 p.m. The speedy apprehension of this suspect was made possible through assistance received from neighboring patrol stations, specialized department resources and the great partnership with the community. This kind of quick work sends a message to criminals who will think twice before committing crimes in our city.

As we move toward this exciting project’s completion, please continue to be vigilant and help deputies reduce crime by making the choice not to be an easy target for would-be thieves.

There are several simple steps you can take to make it much harder for criminals to commit crimes. The easiest target for a criminal is something they have easy access to, as in an unlocked car door or a garage door left open. An even easier target is a valuable left in plain sight. For instance, leaving your purse, laptop or cellphone on your car seat or keeping those beautiful new golf clubs just a step inside your garage. It only takes a few seconds for someone to help themselves to your valuables and then disappear.

We also ask that if you see something unusual, say something. Don’t hesitate to call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station at (661) 255-1121 to report suspicious persons wandering around parking lots or neighborhoods (particularly after hours) and/or looking into cars as they walk by. Our city is regularly hailed as a safe place to live and raise a family — a well-deserved reputation thanks to our hard working public safety officials and an engaged community of individuals who look out for one another. 

How to sell your Santa Clarita home yourself: 10 tips real estate agents don't want you to know

By Dave McKean Broker CalDRE# 00972047 If you've tried to sell your home yourself, you know that the minute you put the "For Sale by Owner" sign up, the phone will start to ring off the hook. Unfortunately, most calls aren't from prospective buyers, but rather from every real estate agent in town who will start to hound you for your listing.

Like other "For Sale by Owners", you'll be subjected to a hundred sales pitches from agents who will tell you how great they are and how you can't possibly sell your home by yourself.

After all, without the proper information, selling a home isn't easy.

Perhaps you've had your home on the market for several months with no offers from qualified buyers. This can be a very frustrating time, and many homeowners have given up

their dreams of selling their homes themselves. But don't give up until you've read a new report entitled "Sell Your Own Home" which has been prepared especially for homesellers like you. You'll find that selling your home by yourself is entirely possible once you understand the process.

Inside this report, you'll find 10 inside tips to selling your home by yourself which will help you sell for the best price in the shortest amount of time. You'll find out what real estate agents don't want you to know.

To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-844-258 -9740 and enter 2017. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get your free special report NOW to learn how you really can sell your home yourself.

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16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

R E A L E S TAT E

Overcoming your home-buying fears

B

uying a home is usually the largest financial transaction a person ever makes.

If you want to buy, but fear gets in the way, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce and conquer your fear and be confident that you are making a sound decision to buy.

With some help from Investopedia, here are the top five reasons you may be holding off on buying a home and, more importantly, some ways to address the concerns.

No. 1 Loss in property value. In California, home prices go up in value, but they can also go down if affected by disasters such as earthquakes, fires or major economic downturns. Neighborhoods can gradually decline, newly built homes can make older neighborhoods less attractive or an unpleasant development (prison, landfill, highway, etc.) could be built nearby.

But you can take precautions, like buying in a low-crime area where the homes are well-kept, primarily owner-occupied and with high-quality schools nearby.

No. 2 Overwhelming maintenance costs. All homes have costs to maintain, and some homes become literal money pits. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when choosing a home. First among them is to buy a home that has been well-maintained.

While homes with deferred maintenance can come with a lower purchase price, the costs to upgrade or repair can be considerable. If the home is older, look for recent upgrades and replacements to major components like the roof, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning systems.

Once you have your offer accepted and early in the escrow, hire a professional and experienced home inspector. You and your Realtor should be there for the inspection.

No. 3 Buyer’s remorse. Everybody has a fear about “buying the wrong house.”

The first and foremost is to know your prior-

ities, and write them down. Consult with all of the decision-makers on and share the list with your Realtor.

Identify your price range with a trusted Lender and stay well within your budget.

Buying a home nearly always involves compromises, but keep in mind your goals, dreams and must-haves. That said, don’t be afraid to walk away from a house because there are always other homes that will come on the market.

No. 4 Unable to afford your mortgage. Many people wonder how they will afford their mortgage if they lose their job, especially if their homeownership costs exceed what they are paying for rent now.

To deal with a potential loss of income, have a significant, If not large emergency fund as a reserve, and insurance for “just in case.”

Before you start the home-buying process, set up a budget so that you know what your obligations are versus the money you take home every month.

No. 5 Tricky mortgages. If you plan on owning a particular home for a limited number of years and then selling a buying another home, perhaps other loan products, such as a lower interest 30 due on five or seven loan, is for you.

Or if an initial low interest loan that adjusts periodically will be something you need in order to qualify for a larger home now, with the expectation that your job will have significant pay increases that you can count on.  Ray “the Realtor” Kutylo is the team leader of the SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties. The Team brings experienced and professional service, commitment and value to every transaction, whether you are a home buyer or seller. Ray can be reached at (661) 312-9461 or by email at rkutylo@gmail.com. The views expressed are his own and not necessarily those of The Signal.

CA DRE 00918855

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY CLOSED SALES 1/4/19 TO 1/11/19 AREA/St#

St Name

Sold Price

SqFt/Source

CANYON COUNTRY 18165 18105 26926 26857 18223 30662 29709 30030 18524 26730 17143 25159 15712 17801 17433

Sundowner WAY #917 Sundowner WAY #984 Flo LN #420 Claudette ST #134 Soledad Canyon RD #39 Tick Canyon RD Abelia RD Grandifloras RD Olympian CT Schrey PL Princess Tree CT Golden Maple DR Leigh CT Wren DR Winter Pine WAY

$280,000 $300,000 $317,500 $322,500 $339,900 $373,000 $460,000 $540,000 $550,000 $580,000 $600,000 $649,500 $670,000 $690,000 $720,000

844/A 948/A 910/A 964/A 1098/A 760/A 1156/A 2134/ 2207/A 2390/A 1846/A 2062/B 3035/A 2871/A 2776/A

$335,000 $360,000 $1,300,000

1392/A 1392/A 4051/

Vista Del Canon #H Avenida Dorena Apple ST #D Cedar Valley WAY Copper CT

$360,000 $395,000 $400,000 $450,000 $570,000

1024/A 1278/P 1230/A 1392/A 2033/A

Santa Rosa LN Birch CT Dan CT Sunrise View PL

$350,000 $530,000 $584,000 $795,000

1121/ 1895/A 1562/A 3114/A

$379,000 $990,000 $1,010,000

1127/A 3607/A 3689/A

$319,000 $383,000 $440,000 $460,000 $465,000 $589,000 $595,000 $613,400 $625,000 $625,000 $668,000 $880,000 $880,000 $905,000 $955,000 $1,038,000

710/A 982/ 1352/A 1798/A 2137/P 1840/A 1920/A 1656/A 1495/A 1938/A 2528/A 2883/A 2680/A 3607/A 3736/A 3631/A

CASTAIC 31927 Quartz LN 27609 Onyx LN 29565 Baringer RD

NEWHALL 18728 25247 24829 18916 20404

SAUGUS 28454 27408 20707 22036

STEVENSON RANCH 25554 Hemingway AVE #G 26712 Kendall LN 26802 Alcott CT

VALENCIA & WESTRIDGE 23609 27102 27461 23729 29255 27701 24618 24218 25801 25395 27915 24479 26932 27320 29233 24458

Del Monte DR #295 Teton TRL #83 Acacia DR Stagecoach WAY Pilgrim CT Coldsprings PL Brighton DR #A Dalgo DR Espinoza DR Cariz DR Brookhaven PL Stonechat CT Peppertree DR Duxbury PL Las Palmas CT Gable Ranch LN

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

TIMERANGER

Cougs, Killers, Camels, Floods & Eyeballs

A

lways strikes me strange how even in early January, the days slowly get longer and longer. How about me and 50,000 of you hop on our fine steeds, hit the time vortex (it’s conveniently at the end of Iron Canyon this morning) and mosey through the Santa Clarita of yesteryears?

WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• A parade of camels On Jan. 24, 1858, Col. Edward Fitzgerald Beale drove 14 Egyptian camels from Downtown Los Angeles through Newhall, en route to Fort Tejon. They were part of an ill-fated program launched by Congress to supply camels as pack animals in the West.

Problem with the $30,000 program was that a camel’s foot is soft, made for desert sands — not the harsh, rocky ground of the Southwest.

Eventually, the animals were sold off to private owners or zoos. One piece of lore had a camel with a soldier on his back who was shot by an Indian and died in the saddle. The body decomposed and the skeleton of the soldier was stuck to the back of the camel, who went insane lugging the bones.

• Nice paycheck In lieu of back wages, on Jan. 22, 1839, Mexico’s California governor Juan Alvarado granted the entire Santa Clarita Valley to Antonio del Valle. Imagine.

Getting 90,000 acres in exchange for a few months’ salary. Poor Tony. He died not quite two years later after acquiring the SCV. • No more Beale’s cut Epic rains the week of Jan. 18, 1861, completely washed out the concrete support wall lining Beale’s Cut and shut down Southern California’s main north-south road for weeks.

• Ask if they’ve made a fresh pot of coffee since then On Jan. 18, 1899, brothers Martin and Richard Wood buy the restaurant that started out in the Saugus Train Depot. They changed the name of Tolfree’s Eating House to the Saugus Café. For decades, it had been opened 24 hours a day. It closed its doors for about a year and a half during World War II. Funny thing? The owners didn’t

have any keys to the place and had to make a hardware store run to buy chains and padlocks.

• Don’t mess with Rosy It started with a dog fight years earlier when Acton’s German mayor William Broome’s surly mutt attacked W.H. “Rosy” Melrose’s little fluffy white lap dog. Big mistake. Rosy tried to separate the dogs and the mayor’s animal literally sunk his teeth in Melrose’s arm and wouldn’t let go.

Melrose lifted the animal and shot him dead. Years later, Melrose did the same thing to the mayor, putting three bullets in his heart. The L.A. Coroner commented: “Good grouping…” Melrose would be acquitted in the main street shootout and later nominate his friend, Theodore Roosevelt, as the Republicans’ candidate for the presidency.

JAN. 20, 1919

• Getting ready for the Mighty Signal Things were bustling over at the old Swall Hotel where the first world corporate headquarters of The Mighty Signal were set up. The paper would put out its first issue in 18 days on Feb. 7. One of my very favorite bits of trivia is that the first typographical error in TMS would be to misspell “jackass.” They left off the “j.” Seems to have set the stage for the next century…

JAN. 20, 1929

• What did Shakespeare say about attorneys? I’m betting my pal Rick Patterson (799-3899 for all your lawyering needs) is smirking at this one.

Henry Clay Needham was the SCV’s only serious contender for president, running three times as a prohibitionist. Hank was sued for $50,000 by an alleged Los Angeles lady after HER car struck Needham’s horse after it wandered out of pasture. Bonus? At the time, HER car was driven by her attorney, the guy suing Needham.

At the time, she was distraught and asked how much Needham’s horse was worth so she could make restitution. Her attorney told her to button her lip. Next day, the vet van chaser filed suit. Here’s some cool trivia.

In 1929, the Southern California Automobile Club settled automobile lawsuits. They ended up ruling in favor of our teetotaler.

• Deer me Telephone company workers putting lines in Placerita Canyon startled a herd of deer. One doe became so frightened, it ran straight into a wire fence. It was thrown back so violently, it broke its back.

JAN. 20, 1939

• The horror. Gasoline at 8 cents a gallon The Mighty Signal printed an editorial about the state’s new 1 cent addition to the gas tax. We were against it.

• Crooks from Washington?

Naaaahhh … Patrick Calhoun was the 85-year-old grandson of famed Sen. John C. Calhoun. He was successfully sued by J.M. Lahman, James Creel and The Newhall Land & Farming Co. for $500,000. That was a ton of cash in 1939. Seems Calhoun swindled the trio in a complicated oil lease deal.

JAN. 20, 1949

• Brrrr. And then some For seven days, the mercury didn’t climb out of the low 40s — and that was during the day…

• Water, water, everywhere … and all the school boards did shrink.

Both Newhall and Hart districts voted to drill new water wells for their schools. Hart happens to sit atop a huge aquifer.

• Romeo & Juliet, Mint-Canyon style A 16-year-old girl was so distraught about her mother putting the kibosh on her dating her older boyfriend, she attempted suicide.

After taking ant poison and water, she was rushed to the hospital and saved. She promised to be a better person so she could take care of their year-and-a-half old baby. Geez and cripes…

JAN. 20, 1959

• Hart’s spotty record Hart High’s cager squad was forced to cancel two games due to an outbreak of measles.

Hmmm. Seems like the smart thing to do would be to play the games. No one would guard them…

• A fine and proper cowboy name On the Castaic Rodeo playbill was listed a bronc rider with a great Western handle: Horseless Jorgensen.

• Wonder where the tyke is to-

day Little 2-year-old Jimmy Hyde had his baby-sitter to thank for his life. She was outside, feeding the dogs, when she turned to see flames licking from the kitchen window.

Covering her head with a wet jacket, she ran in, pulled the sleeping baby from his bed and carried him to safety. Firemen said a back spark on the gas-driven refrigerator was the cause of the blaze.

JAN. 20, 1969

• Remember it as if it were just 50 years ago I think I still have damp clothes from this storm. We had 15 inches of rain for the week. That was in Downtown Newhall. Some of the outlying canyons reported 25 inches.

People were rescued by helicopter.

Roads wiped out. Bridges collapsed.

• See? We told you Remember adult warnings (heck; remember the endangered species, the adult?) about throwing things because you might put someone’s eye out? A youthful rock thrower was pelting a Southern Pacific freight train 30 years ago. He broke the caboose window, sending a chard of glass into the eye of brakeman Gilbert Gerardo.

Well. I see from that beautiful light blue spinning vortex, we’re close to home. Sure am grateful for the company these Sunday mornings. I’ll see you next week with another exciting Time Ranger history adventure. Until then — ¡sean amables unos con otros y vayan con Dios! (Be kind to one another and ride with God!)  John Boston, aka, Mr. Santa Clarita Valley, has been writing about and teaching the history of the SCV for more than 40 years. Read his historical tome, “Images of America: The Santa Clarita Valley.” It’s available on Amazon.com. Don’t forget to check out his weekly series on the history of The Mighty Signal on the front page of every Saturday’s paper…

1 8 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

Opinion

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

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

OURVIEW

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

A False Alarm and a Call for a Sad Preparedness

A Story Worth Telling, and It’s Not Mine, It’s Ours

By The Signal Editorial Board

By Janelle Burkholder Guest Columnist

I

t was a false alarm, yes, but it was also a stark reminder of the world we live in, and the importance of preparedness: When the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station received a report Wednesday that a woman was seen pulling a rifle from a bush on the campus of College of the Canyons and walking toward Valencia Boulevard, it was viewed as a potentially credible threat.

The Valencia campus was immediately locked down, in the midst of classes, a college board of trustees meeting and many other activities that happen every day on the bustling community college campus, whose enrollment tops 20,000 students.

Faculty, students and staff were instructed to shelter in place, meaning to stay put in the rooms they were in, and to close and lock all doors.

Dozens of sheriff ’s deputies converged upon the college and began the painstaking process of clearing campus buildings, one by one, room by room, to ensure there was no threat.

It’s a big campus.

When it seemed to become evident that there was no active shooter threat on campus, the process of clearing

the buildings took on the feeling of a potentially valuable training exercise.

And, for those who thought it was nothing more than a false alarm, their suspicions were confirmed: About two hours after the ordeal began, deputies were able to confirm that the woman who had been seen pulling a “rifle” from a bush was actually collecting sticks, for her child’s art project.

Thankfully, there was no real threat.

But college officials and first responders did the right thing by treating it as if it could have been real — because what if?

There were, surely, lessons to be learned and there will be debriefings to be had, for campus officials and security officers, and for the SCV Sheriff ’s Station. It’s normal after such a scenario plays out to revisit it and ask, “What went right? What went wrong? What can we do better? Do we need to change anything?”

Fair questions.

If nothing else, as one speaker pointSee OUR VIEW, page 20

S

omeday, my child is going to discover I haven’t always been his mom. And that I’m not his only mom.

And while I’ve thought through inevitable emotions and questions that will accompany his discovery of this open secret, I’m not ready nor could I ever ready myself for a moment of this significance.

However, what my limited preparation has taught me is that my son’s discovery of his story must be seen through a bigger lens than mine alone.

This is not my story. It is not my husband’s story. It is not my son’s story. It is not his biological family’s story. It is our story.

And because it’s our story, that means it needs to be dealt with collectively. If I tell it differently, then I become an unreliable narrator. But, if we’re honest, we are all unreliable narrators in some sense, especially when it comes to something so personal. We rely too much on emotion; we believe what we desire; our passion biases our reality. So, to clear up the cloudiness of

my own reality, I want the adoption story of our family to be told by as many people as possible and as many times as necessary to process its messy intricacies and give meaning to all involved.

This means being open about our adoption journey. This means having nuanced conversations in the five minutes I have to respond to the grocery store inquisitor. This means having difficult cross-generational conversations with my family, who has not experienced racial disparity, dealt with trauma in a child, or walked through attachment particulars. And these conversations need to happen with and in front of my child because it is our story, not mine.

Some of these conversations will be started with questions from my child himself. The natural curiosity of a child can produce awkward moments in any family but especially an adoptive family. Surface-level answers will produce a surface-level relationship. I must show humility and wisdom to honestly answer questions like why our hair is See BURKHOLDER, page 20

READERLETTERS

Wingnut Strategy vs. AOC There appears to be only one wingnut support strategy for this Trumped-up “wall crisis” and government shutdown: Beat up on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for being so cheeky as to boogaloo with her friends when she was a student at Boston College. How disgraceful. How dare she? What’s next? A cheap-seats chorus of “Lock her up!”?

Curt Scott, Canyon Country

Lots of Thee's and Thou's and Doth's It is now written… Yea, verily I say unto thee, though thy brothers come to

ye in great numbers pleading great poverty and persecution, ye shall erect great barriers against them for these are not favored by God. For among these great numbers may be hidden an enemy unto thee and I, your God, am favored unto thee alone. For God doth favor the wealthy and the powerful and He hath chosen as His most favored Son, Donald the Trump. Follow ye him and know ye that though he doth kill in the Fifth Avenue any of ye, it is for the glory of God and ye may be believe in only him.

Duane Mooring, Castaic Submit a Letter to the Editor

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

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 9

Opinion

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

BLACK&WHYTE

L E G I S L AT I V E V O I C E S

’It’s the Big One’ and Other Memories of ’94

Our Obligation to Those Most Hurt by Shutdown

By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

S

ometimes, in “the moment,” you say and do things that, later on, strike you as funny or even a little embarrassing.

For example, this week I was reminded of the 1994 earthquake, as we marked the 25th anniversary of the disaster. It may be officially called the Northridge earthquake, but back in ’94 we at The Mighty Signal refused to call it the Northridge earthquake — if you felt the shaking in Santa Clarita, you knew that shaker was as much ours as it was anywhere else’s.

It was in that moment of shaking that I said the thing that later struck me as funny. And embarrassing: Like everyone else, my wife and I awakened to a sharp jolt, as if a giant being were picking up our Valencia condo building and spiking it like a football.

In the midst of Mother Nature’s touchdown celebration, my wife and I grabbed each other and, as the bed bounced up and down and we rode it out, I shouted: “It’s The Big One! It’s The Big One!” Later, when I would reflect on it, I’d think that sounded ... goofy.

When the shaking stopped, our condo was a mess. Broken glass everywhere. An aquarium, toppled. All that fancy crystal we got as wedding gifts not quite two years prior? Shards.

TVs? Gonzo. And this was in the days when a TV had some real heft to it.

Bookcases toppled, including one that fell right over one of our two small dogs, who fortunately leaped out of the way in the nick of time.

Once we got our wits about us, we piled the dogs into the car and made our way across town, for two reasons, and in this order:

1. To check on family, because family comes first, including my grandmother who lived in Saugus. Phone lines were down, so we needed to check on her in person. During our trek, we gingerly drove over at least two bridges that we thought might be sketchy. One of them was later closed due to quake damage.

2. Once we knew family members were all safe and sound, there was this little business of covering the news. We made our way to The Signal’s building, which back then was on Creekside Road.

Once we arrived at 24000 Creekside, it became more evident just how serious this was — and, how our staff had already risen to the occasion in the wee hours of the morning.

It’s kind of a strange thing to look back on a disaster and feel pride. But when I think back on Jan. 17, 1994, that’s what comes to me.

We had photographers and reporters who sprang into action, even before sunrise. There were bridges down, mobile homes burning, buildings broken, human drama playing out in real time... and the staff of The Mighty Signal was capturing it all, from the moment the Earth said “GO.” It soon became clear that The Signal’s building was uninhabitable.

If memory serves, we got a yellow tag from Building and Safety.

In any case, there was no electricity.

Printing the paper there was out of the question. And remember, this was before widespread internet and WAY before social media.

We started holding news meetings in the parking lot, at appointed intervals.

Our publisher at the time, Will Fleet, started working his contacts to sort out See WHYTE, page 20

By Katie Hill Congresswoman

E

very day, my office receives hundreds of calls about the shutdown. And as each day passes, they become more and more dire.

Most people don’t care about the politics at play here — they care about paying their rent and feeding their kids. This shutdown puts those basic necessities in jeopardy for more than 800,000 federal workers and thousands of others who rely on government services to survive.

I was elected to fight for the people of our community — to challenge the way things are done in Washington and make sure our government starts working for the people. That’s hard to do when the government is shut down. In fact, it’s the opposite — it can’t work for the people if it’s not working at all.

As of today, my freshman colleagues and I have been in office for 17 days.

Over the course of those 17 days, I have heard from countless constituents on the impact of this shutdown on their lives.

These stories include Christy, a hardworking air traffic controller, veteran, and single mother of two who is now looking for a second job at night to pay her bills. She doesn’t know how much longer she can make it without a paycheck and still provide for her family’s basic needs. That’s her reality.

These stories also include Eric, a 17-year career employee at the Federal Aviation Agency. He wrote, “As an integral part of the nation's air traffic control system, my focus has always been, and will always be, on safety.”

That’s true for so many of the law enforcement officials, aviation specialists and firefighters who are affected by this shutdown. They’re focusing on

our safety and in return they are not receiving pay for their work.

Federal prison guards like John have also reached out to my office to let me know about their economic turmoil.

John is a law enforcement professional who is working to keep terrorists behind bars without pay during the day, and driving Uber after his shifts just to pay the bills.

Safe to say this isn’t how I envisioned my first few weeks in office. I am frustrated and angry. Angry that once again, Washington insiders are playing politics with people’s lives.

Angry that hundreds of thousands of hard-working Americans are paying the price for a dysfunctional government. Angry that our government should be working for the people, and instead it isn’t working at all.

If the solution isn’t going to come from the White House, it has to come from us: the House and the Senate.

After all, we are separate but co-equal branches of government who were elected to serve the people, not the president.

I call on my colleagues in the Senate, particularly the Senate Majority Leader, to join the House and do their jobs. Since I was sworn in, the House has passed more than six appropriations options that would reopen the government immediately and allow us to get to work on border security.

These bills had already passed with an overwhelming, bipartisan majority in the Senate. Seems like a simple task for the Senate to vote on those same bills again. But Mitch McConnell won’t allow a vote, all because the president told him not to. It’s a political game, and working families and our most vulnerable Americans See HILL, page 20

2 0 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

Opinion

BURKHOLDER

Continued from page 18

different or why do his siblings arrive with a social worker and not in a hospital. And if I am unsure of an answer, I need to do everything within my power to find someone who may know. That’s the collective part of an adoption story.

The varied perspectives are what make it beautiful. And strong. I cannot let my fear of wanting to be my son’s only mother or of not knowing an answer get in the way of seeing him discover his part of our story.

So how do I accomplish these things in everyday life? How do I stay honest and commit to humble conversations to better tell and understand our story?

I must be intentional in speaking boldly and encouraging questions from my child and not shying away from hard conversations about adoption and how our story has impacted our emotions and transformed our lives. I must be willing to welcome others’ perspectives on a story that feels so personal yet must be shared. This means correcting others who wrongly assume this adoptive journey is mine alone. And, most importantly, this means listening to my son and being ready for some tears the day he discovers I haven’t always been his mom.

While our story differs from the narrative of many families, the principles we are wrestling to embrace mirror

the challenges every family faces. I am more than an adoptive mom. I am a Christ-follower who is called to embrace community not only when it serves my family but even in the difficult, ugly and unhelpful moments that relationships can bring.

If foster care and adoption have taught my family anything, it’s the inescapable necessity of fellowship with others. People are messy. Life is messy.

And living with people is messier still. But living honestly, lovingly and steadfastly — with my son and in the world at large — requires linking arms with others who can accentuate our strengths and overcome our faults.

Someday my son will have to face the reality of being adopted. But my son will not face this alone. He isn’t just part of our family. He has a bigger, ever-growing family that will always root him and support us.

God made us both for Himself and for each other. He is the one who has written our story, one that is far messier than I imagined but so much fuller.

OUR VIEW

past Thursday. It also means preparing for active shooter scenarios, and taking reported threats seriously.

Regardless of one’s personal views on gun control versus gun owners’ rights, this is the world we live in. We all owe it to ourselves, our co-workers and loved ones to become just as familiar with the principles of “run-hide-fight” as we are with “drop, cover and hold on.”

It’s an unfortunate reality that at some point your life could depend on it.

Thankfully, this week at COC, it turned out to be sticks, and not a rifle.

But what if?

Continued from page 18

ed out when the COC board meeting resumed after the “all clear” was given, those participating in the meeting can learn from this experience that, when a lockdown order is given, those affected by it should follow directions promptly, without delay. Because, the speaker pointed out, there was in fact a bit of a delay — perhaps only naturally, because it’s an understandable tendency to wonder, “Is this just a drill? A false alarm?”

We are all, of course, thankful that this was just a false alarm. But it served as a reminder that “preparedness” these days means more than just preparing for disasters like the earthquake that struck our community 25 years ago this

Janelle Burkholder is a teacher, wife, mother, and adoptive parent living in Santa Clarita. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays and is regularly authored

by David Hegg, senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. 

Individuals, businesses and human resources professionals can find active shooter response tips and training resources from the Department of Homeland Security at dhs.gov. 

WHYTE

Continued from page 19

a way to produce the next day’s paper.

Meanwhile, the journalists of our newsroom did what they do: Get $&!$* Done.

Everyone pitched in. We even had a couple of advertising sales reps volunteer to help gather information.

And as the day wound to a close, our production solution emerged: We would take our notes, our film (this was before digital photography) and a copy of our masthead, and venture up the 14 freeway to the Antelope Valley Press In Palmdale.

We arrived just as they were putting their own earthquake edition to bed.

Once they were done, they would show our reporters and editors how to use their computer system — which was very different from ours — and our photographers would use their dark room to process the many compelling

HILL

Continued from page 19

are the ones losing.

Trump and McConnell are doing exactly what people hate about Washington — playing games, party politics and pointing fingers instead of just doing their jobs. So instead of going back and forth and pretending like this is a fight over a “wall” that even the president admits will never be built, let’s focus on what’s important.

First, we need to reopen this government so policy negotiations don’t mean 800,000 people don’t get a paycheck, and thousands of others left wondering if they will be able to afford food next week. As lawmakers, we are bound to disagree. That’s actually one great thing about the legislative process — it allows us to have a robust conversation on tough issues and come up with solutions that work. But we can’t — and shouldn’t — shut down our government every time we disagree. If we give in on that key point now, it sets the expectation that shutting down the government any time we disagree in the future is OK. And it’s not.

Once that happens, I stand ready and willing to address the border

images they had captured of one of the Santa Clarita Valley’s most trying and memorable days.

We prepared a special eight-page, all-earthquake edition of The Signal, and printed it at the AV Press, then loaded it into a couple of vans to bring it back to Santa Clarita for delivery.

I’ll never forget the moment when we crested the hill on the 14, arriving back in the SCV, aboard one of the vans carrying The Signal home. It was dark, and I could see a couple of small fires burning across the valley.

I looked at my watch.

4:30 a.m.

It had been 24 hours, almost to the minute, since the ordeal began. And in that moment, I was at once aware of the difficulties that lay ahead, and proud as hell of how The Mighty Signal had risen to that singular moment in our valley’s history.

Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays.  security and immigration reform we need. We have to make progress on this issue, and we’re ready to come to the table, stop worrying about bickering over semantics, and get something done. We need strong borders.

Period. Democrats and Republicans all want that. So what are we even arguing about? We're not going to build a 2,000-mile wall because that won't work and is a waste of money — and almost all of us know that and have known it all along. But we do need technology, increased personnel, DACA reform, solutions to the crisis in Central America that drives mass migration, and yes — we need physical barriers in places where they make sense.

For all of you who went without a paycheck this week, or who are lying awake at night wondering how you’re going to provide for your family, I want you to know: I see you, I stand with you, and I will continue to fight every single day until the Washington politicians start doing their jobs and make you the priority, too.

Katie Hill, D-Agua Dulce, represents the 25th Congressional District, which includes the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys. 

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 1

= Family Friendly Event

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING Mondays, 10 a.m. Join Barnes & Noble every Monday morning at 10 a.m. for a special Toddler Storytime at the Children’s Stage. Barnes & Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita. Info: stores.barnesandnoble. com/store/2642 Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Join us for a fun-packed evening of music and dance. We kick the night off with some awesome house music, then a live musical set and might even throw in a little comedy. Doors 6 p.m. Party Starts 7 p.m. Musicians and singers are invited to join the All-Star Jam portion of the evening. $10 + applicable fees, $5 at the door when you bring a charitable donation! If you purchase a ticket at a table you are required to purchase dinner. Minimum spend is $25 per person. Under 18 Must Be Accompanied by a Paying Adult. The Canyon - Santa Clarita, Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 Valencia Blvd, Suite 1351, Santa Clarita. Info: wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/events/rockn-roll-jam-nite-01-16-santa-clarita/ Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. California farmers and specialty food purveyors come together each Saturday, rain or shine, to bring you a farmers’ market with the finest in fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, including organic, baked goods, flowers, herbs, cheeses and prepared foods. The market offers patrons a chance to come face to face with their food source. Old Town Newhall, 24500 Main St., Newhall. Info: oldtownnewhall.com/old-town-newhallfarmers-market/ Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m. - noon. The Gibbon Center is open to the public and a tour is given at roughly 10 a.m., no reservations are required. $15 Adults, $12 Teens & Students, $10 Seniors, $5 Children 6-12, Children under 5 are free. 19100 Esguerra Road, Santa Clarita. Info: https://www.gibboncenter.org Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grab the young’uns and mosey on up the hill in William S. Hart Park to the glorious hilltop Mansion, where you can not only take a free guided tour, but your young ones can have some free craftin’ fun! Set up right outside the Mansion’s back door, on the covered back patio, is the new weekly “Crafterday” Saturday craft table! The young ones can try their hands at simple crafts like making their own totem poles, designing their own rope art, making their own dreamcatchers, and so much more!

FREE and all are welcome! Activities geared toward younger participants, but its fun for

all who enjoy crafts, so don’t miss it. 24151 Newhall Avenue Newhall. Info: (661) 2544584, http://hartmuseum.org Saturdays, 5-8 p.m. Every Saturday night we find a great group of gourmet Food Trucks to get together and create community fun in the Santa Clarita Valley. The food trucks rotate so that each week, there are different options of food to try. Tables & Chairs are provided and there’s wheelchair-access.

There is a grassy knoll to picnic on, fly kites or Frisbee. 26573 Carl Boyer Dr, Santa Clarita.

Info: facebook.com/foodtrucksaturday/ Sundays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop and save every Sunday at the Santa Clarita Swap Meet.

Hundreds of vendors selling new merchandise, collectibles, plants, home decor, clothing, tools and so much more! Live entertainment, food trucks and good cheer every week! $2 admission. 22500 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: saugusspeedway. com/content/Meet-our-Swap-Meets.aspx Sundays, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Come out and try one of the fastest growing sports in Santa Clarita. Dragon boating has over 2,000 years of history behind it but here in Santa Clarita it is still relatively new. We invite the community to come out to Castaic’s lower lake to give dragon boating a try. All equipment and parking will be provided free.

All ages are welcome from 9 years old and up. Castaic Lake Recreation, 32132 Castaic Lake Dr., Castaic. Info: (213) 447-5707 or teamdragoneyes.my-free.website/ Sundays, 10 a.m.-2p.m. Come hug the cows, give the pig’s tummy rubs, cuddle the turkeys, and enjoy a beautiful day at the Gentle Barn!

Donation: Adults $22, Kids $12. Tickets are nonrefundable but rain checks are available upon request. The Gentle Barn, 15825 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita. Info: www.gentlebarn.org/california/ First Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Flutterby is a no-charge open art studio held on the first Saturday of each month for kids and their parents to come in and make art! All art materials are provided, no prior registration necessary. Just drop in! 22508 6th Street, Newhall. Info: (661) 673-7500, theartree. org/events/

EVENTS BY DATE Sunday, Jan. 20, 6-10:30 p.m. Come to a free public Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party sponsored by the Local Group Astronomy Club of Santa Clarita Valley, weather permitting.

Telescopes will be set up in the basketball court area located at the south east end of the park. The lunar eclipse will be easily visible from the ground anywhere in Southern California as long as the skies are clear.

No telescope is needed for this free, fun, family event. Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: lgscv.org/ events/473 Monday, Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. Glen Knowles will demonstrate watercolor at the Jan. 21 meeting of the Santa Clarita Artists Association (SCAA). This event is free, open to the public.

Come early, standing room only expected.

Barnes & Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita. Info: santaclaritaartists.org Tuesday, Jan. 22, 4 -5:30 p.m. Join the Valencia Library for an adventure at Hawkins Middle School! Something has escaped the Upside Down and you must return it before anything bad happens! This escape room is for teens ages 13 to 18!! Compete against other teams of teens for a chance at a “Stranger Things” prize! 23743 West Valencia Blvd, Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 259-0750, san taclaritalibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar Friday, Jan, 25, and Friday, Feb. 1, 7

p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 26, Sunday, Jan. 27, and Saturday Feb. 2, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Escape Theater presents a production of “The Wizard of Oz.” This production will be enjoyed by your little Munchkin, and the entire family! Some of the memorable songs include “Over the Rainbow,”“Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,”“We’re Off to See the Wizard” and “The Jitterbug.” The production features more than 300 youth and teens from the SCV who are sure to entertain you with fabulous singing, dancing, beautiful costumes and amazing FLYING. Don’t miss “The Wizard of Oz.”Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 299-5264 or visit escapetheatre.org Friday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m. After two concerts in the Spiegeltent in 2017, join us as we celebrate the pre-release of Karli Webster’s (from Season 13 of NBC’s “The Voice”) very first EP, “Bittersweet.” Be the first to dance and sing along to Karli and her band as they play her new music, as well as performances by The Band Lexington and Dakota Spencer. $17.50; $20 at the door; $25, advanced reserved seating; $185, VIP booth. 25108 Rye Canyon Loop, Santa Clarita. Info: www.eventbrite.com

N!IN! IN! WIW W CONGRATULATIONS to Don Takeda of Canyon Country — the winner of $100 for correctly identifying the artwork DOWN as being from Denny & Co. advertisement on page 24 of0%$0INTEREST UP TO 48 MOS our Jan. 6 issue.

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22 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Refrigerants, front doors and permits, fire breaks Refrigerant Hi Robert, I live in Stevenson Ranch, in a condo that is about 15 years old.

Over the weekend, my heater went out so I called an air conditioning repair company. The guy came out and told me that I need to replace the heater in the closet and also the outside unit, (I don’t know what this is called), because of the refrigerant.

I’m a senior citizen and perplexed, don’t they use all the same stuff? Is this true?

—Claire M. Claire, He is absolutely right, the refrigerants are not compatible with the old type any longer. You will have to change the outside unit, which is called the condenser, as well as the inside one, called the air handler.

They can use the existing lines in the walls, but the equipment needs to be changed out simultaneously.

Know that the condensers are rated, these are called “SEER” ratings. The higher the SEER rating the more energy efficient the unit will be.

Depending on your budget, I recommend the highest SEER rated condenser you can afford. It will give you the best return over the years, with regard to efficiency.

You did mention that you are in a condo, however you didn’t state what floor you’re on. If you are on the

bottom floor, you are protected from some heat by the unit above. This may be the same with regard to the sides/rear, depending on the layout and where your unit is. If you are in fact quite protected, you can opt for the lower SEER rated unit, because you are likely much more protected from the elements vs. a unit that is on a top floor/end unit especially on a south side.

Take all of this information into consideration when speaking with your technician and be sure that you are working with a licensed and insured contractor. You definitely want to have all of your warranties in order and be as protected as you can be, as this is a very expensive project. Good luck to you. ­—Robert Front doors and permits Hello Robert, I read your articles in The Signal.

Love your advice and help that you provide to the public. Thank you for your knowledge.

I am planning to replace our front door and screen door. We have picked out a fiberglass entry door and vinyl screen door. I was considering calling local “handymen” from local flyers. I am wondering if it is a “permit-required” job and should I use a licensed contractor? If that is the case, then I would appreciate your recommendation of a licensed contractor.

Thank you so much and keep up the wonderful entries.

—Kip M.

Kip, Thank you for reading The Signal.

No permit is required for the new door installation. If your handyman is well-versed at hanging doors, then let him do it.

—Robert Fire breaks and neighbors Robert, I live in Canyon Country in a condo. I came home recently and noticed that a lot of the popcorn from the ceiling access panel in my closet had fallen onto the floor. I also noticed that the piece of wood was crooked. This really bothered me, so I got up there and looked, and found that I could see all the way across — through to my neighbor’s attic area.

Is this right, aren’t they supposed to have things that prevent the neighboring units from having access to one another’s areas? I’m really nervous now, wondering if my safety is at risk. What if I’m home alone, changing or even gone and get burglarized?

—Rita C. Rita, Absolutely, there should be a fire break. The fire break is rated to prevent a neighboring fire from coming into your unit, and it also stands as a privacy factor.

You will need to call your management company ASAP and let them know what has happened and that there needs to be a fire break installed immediately.

I would also call the Sherriff ’s department to report this and get it on record, for your protection. Stay

COURTESY PHOTO

By Robert Lamoureux Signal Staff Writer

In older HVAC systems, the refrigerant in the condenser, pictured here, and the indoor air handler were the same. These no longer are compatible, so both must be replaced if one goes out.

on top of your management company and be sure that they get this done right away.

You may also want to notify your insurance so that, in the event of a fire, they are aware that you are acting on this new discovery and have notified your management company.

Get everything in writing, do not skip this step because, in the event you have to exercise insurance or make a claim of any sort, you’ve shown your due diligence. Good luck to you.  Robert Lamoureux has 38 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal.

Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at robert@imsconstruction.com.

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 23

PROFILE

Local filmmaker seeks ‘second take’ at industry

By Jim Holt Signal Staff Writer

W

hen you’re filming a movie and a scene doesn’t go the way you envisioned, you call for a “do-over.”

With a second “take,” you hope your vision will materialize the next go.

That’s what director Dror Soref is doing with his filmmaking career after it was derailed three years ago with his arrest on suspicion of securities fraud — only to see the whole case against him tossed out.

The year 2019 is the beginning of Soref ’s big do over, his “take two” as it were.

In March 2017, criminal case against Soref, who was accused of bilking more than $21 million from people investing in the 2009 movie “Not Forgotten,” was dismissed.

He and Michelle Seward, of Valencia, 44, were each charged with 56 counts of securities fraud, 15 counts of sale of unregistered securities and one count of device, scheme or artifice to defraud a securities transaction, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Seward also saw the case against her dismissed in July 2017.

The pair was arrested in fall 2015 on allegations they bilked several people in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

For Soref, who directed the film “Not Forgotten” and who has paid his dues working on projects such as a Weird Al Yankovic music video in 1985, it was not the way he envisioned his career unfolding.

Do over

His current project is his second chance.

It’s a film in its infancy with the working title “The True North Diary,” exploring a classic theme of choices made and learning from mistakes.

The film, he said, has a bearing on his own life story, having emerged from the “hell” of being incarcerated at the Pitchess Detention Center which he jokingly refers to now as “the hotel.”

“When I was in the hotel as I call it — you know what I mean, right? I made a decision, quoting a line from (the movie) Patton, that I should be

Dror Soref “allowed to fulfill my destiny.”

Soref ’s destiny, he said, is “to do projects that are significant. Significant to my heart, my soul and what matters to me.”

“The True North Diary,” adapted the classic Jane Austen novel “Pride And Prejudice,” is about romance and one woman’s growth through self-realization.

It’s a family movie, Soref said, but obviously, “a very strong romance at its core.

“You take what made the original material special and you keep it,” Soref said. “But, then, you dress it and add a dimension to it. The project is a trilogy,” he said.

“What we did was take the core story and updated it to today and made it here in America where the father is American and the mother is Chinese.

The father met the mother while he was in China, serving with the Peace Corps, fell in love and came to America. They set up a family on an island on the coast of North Carolina, called LoveLand Island.

“In our story, they have four daughters unlike five in the original story,” he said.

The first of three is tentatively called, “Loveland Island”; No. 2, “Rise”; and the third, “From Now On.”

Chinese culture

There is an element in this story

non-existent in the original, which is the whole Chinese cultural element, incorporating within it, he said, a spiritual element.

Soref who is the first to admit the Chinese cultural element is “very timely” is the first to point out that he came up with the idea before the success and acclaim of “Crazy, Rich Asians.”

“In our story, of the four daughters, three are triplets,” he said. “And we plan to utilize some of the cast of ‘Crazy, Rich Asians,’” he said. “Our theme is a family movie but it is, obviously, a very strong romance at its core.”

Soref plans on using wellplaced cliffhangers at the close of each of the trilogy’s first two installments “The Chinese mother at the start of our story is missing due to an accident at sea,” he explained with an excited voice. “Her body never found, presumed dead.”

The first film of the trilogy takes place a year after the accident.

“With the mother’s disappearance we have memories of ‘family nights.’”

Then, in trying to find the mother or find information about her, the searching family members find China and deeper appreciation of

Soref directed the film “Not Forgotten” and paid his dues working on projects such as a Weird Al Yankovic music video in 1985.

Chinese culture, he said.

The mother is the figure by which each of the daughters sets their moral compass. She is, as Soref explained, the true north of the family.

“She is the spiritual leader of the family, drawing a parallel to his own family lines.

“If your mother is Jewish, you’re Jewish,” said Soref, reflecting on his Jewish upbringing. “The mother is the one that instills the culture in the next generation.

“So in this story, she is the spiritual leader,” he said.

The triplets, defined as the skeptics, develop with a spiritual maturity.

The True North Diary

The way Austin’s other classic novel, “Emma,” was adapted into the screenplay for the movie 1995 “Clueless,” is the way Soref sees this film emerging from an adaptation of “Pride And Prejudice,” which he hopes will be “very contemporary, very cool and fun.”

At the moment, he’s working on the script but envisions much more that exists solely on paper at this point.

“We are aiming at the Chinese market itself and if we can get a co-production deal with China I think it will be unbelievable,” he said. “We are open to opportunities.” 

24 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

SCHOOLS

Junior entrepreneurs: money-making ideas for kids

I

grew up in Pinion Pines, a tiny hillside community east of Frazier Park. The nearest grocery store and gas station were fifteen minutes away. Twenty minutes beyond that was the pharmacy, post office and hardware store. If we needed anything other than food, stamps or lumber, we went to Bakersfield or the San Fernando Valley.

(There wasn’t much in Santa Clarita in those days either.)

One commodity that was always lacking, at least from the standpoint of us kids, was candy. There was no convenience store on the corner, no local drug store or candy counter.

Any kid with a stash of sweets would immediately be subject to the plead-

ing and cajoling of his friends to share. Kids were willing to barter anything save their very souls for a pack of Bubble Yum or Pop Rocks.

One summer, my younger brother Bryan decided to tap into this market demand. On our next trip to the city, Mom stocked up on wholesale bulk candy. The next day Bryan made an Open/Closed sign complete with store hours and set up shop on our front porch. He had everything a kid’s heart desired!

Bubble gum, tootsie pops, chocolate bars, suckers and licorice!

Bryan’s Candy Store was a veritable sugar paradise, all for reasonable prices that the neighborhood kids could afford. And they literally lined up to make their purchases. Kids of all ages came with their nickels,

There are many different ways to earn money beyond the traditional lemonade stands.

dimes and quarters ready to spend.

It was not uncommon to find a line of customers at our front door

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

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Monday, Jan. 21 Tuesday, Jan. 22 Wednesday, Jan. 23 Thursday, Jan. 24 Friday, Jan. 25

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Martin Luther King Day Holiday No School

Martin Luther King Day Holiday No School

Cinnamon Toast Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

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Breakfast Bagel Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

Rodeo Roundup Burger & Spicy Curly Fries Cheeseburger Popcorn Chicken Smart Choice Pizza* Seasonal Salad Bar Chocolate Chip Cookie

Strawberry Splash Mini Pancakes Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Skillet Omelet & Tortilla Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

Chicken Enchilada Dippin’ Chicken & Sauce PBJ Sandwich & String Cheese Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Carnitas Fiesta Bowl* Corn dog Chicken Sandwich Spicy Chicken Sandwich Smart Choice Pizza* Manager’s Choice* Seasonal Salad Bar

COURTESY PHOTO

By Laurisa White Reyes Signal Staff Writer

before breakfast. I don’t recall how long Bryan’s Candy Store remained in business, but after repaying my mom’s original investment, my brother earned a hefty profit and I remember wishing I had thought of it first.

Most kids at some time or another want to earn money. The question is how. One of the most common ways is by earning an allowance in exchange for doing chores around the home. Other popular money-makers are newspaper routes, babysitting and lemonade stands. However, with a little creativity, the possibilities are endless.

When it comes to starting a business, there are several things for the budding entrepreneur to keep in mind.

First, consider what resources, abilities or talents does the child has to offer. Does your child have an See JUNIOR, next page

INFORMATION MEETING

Thursday Jan. 24th 8:30am

Monday Feb. 14th 6:30pm

28310 Kelly Johnson Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355 TrinityClassicalAcademy.com | (661)296-2601

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

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K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Sun catchers brighten winter days

M

ake colorful window decorations to brighten your child’s bedroom during gloomy winter days. When the glue has dried, these sun catchers will have the look of stained glass. Help your kids create a design of a character or object from their favorite books and stories.

Here’s the stuff you need: • Plastic wrap • Plastic or paper cups • All-purpose, white household glue • Food coloring • Several thick, black pipe cleaners in 12-inch lengths

JUNIOR

Continued from previous page

artistic flare? Does he like working with his hands? Does he have a hobby?

Second, determine if there is a market for his particular service or product. One year my eight-year­old daughter earned $50 by making and selling chocolate hearts for Valentine’s Day. The demand for holiday gifts may provide an opportunity for your child to market a specific product, or perhaps he may offer a service to fill a need in the community.

Third, set goals. How much money does your child hope to earn and what will they do with the money once it’s earned it? Keep a record of how much is spent so your child can repay you out of the earnings.

For the child that wants to earn a few dollars, but isn’t sure how, here are some ideas to get them started:

Pet care specialist Like animals?

Create a flyer offering dog walking services. Feed and water pets while their owners are away on vacation.

“Babysit” caged birds or reptiles. Set up a dog wash in your front yard. Be the neighborhood “pooper-scooper.”

Baker or candy maker Bake

cookies, brownies or cupcakes for a neighborhood bake sale. Take pre-or-

• Ribbon, string or cording

Here’s the fun: • Think about what kind of sun catcher you’d like to make, such as a star, heart or daisy. For your first project, make it as simple as possible. Use basic drawings from coloring books to get yours started, if you wish. As you get more proficient, make a shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day or a decorated egg for Easter.

• Bend and attach pipe cleaners together to get your desired shape, and then glue the shape completely flat onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Add details by gluing smaller lengths of pipe cleaner on the inside of the design, like a small circle for the ders for holiday treats like peanut brittle, chocolate roses or popcorn balls. Assemble jarred cookie mixes for gifts. Bake a cake for a child’s birthday party or pies other special occasions.

Party helper Learn to make balloon animals. Dress up as a clown and do simple magic tricks for small children. Offer to help decorate, set up chairs, or manage party games.

Handle the clean up after the party is over. Learn how to do face painting.

Artist or crafter Have a special talent? Design bookmarks, stationary, placemats or greeting cards and sell them in sets. Sell handcrafted jewelry or craft items on consignment. Paint designs on trinket boxes. Make candles or decorative soaps. Crochet or knit winter hats, scarves or mittens.

Embroider patterns on kitchen towels and sell them at a boutique or local craft fair.

Tutor Help younger children learn to read. Create addition/subtraction flash cards to help kids learn their math facts. Assist in making an art project or science experiment.

Take kids on a nature walk to collect flowers to press. Teach music and singing to small children.

Gardener Pull weeds in a neighbor’s yard. Mow the lawn. Help a neighbor plant flowers or shrubs.

Rake leaves. 

center of a flower. (It is very important that pipe cleaners adhere to the plastic wrap.) Your design should look similar to the outlines on a coloring-book page. Let dry. Now it’s time to add the color.

• Pour 3-4 tablespoons of glue into a paper cup. Add 5-10 drops of food coloring, and stir. Mix glue and food coloring in additional cups if you wish to have a rainbow of colors.

Pour the colored glue inside the pipe-cleaner shape. If you added details, pour different colors in the various sections. Let dry completely.

(It usually takes about a day.)

• When dry, the colored glue will appear translucent. Carefully peel off the plastic wrap from the sun catcher and discard.

Hang your beautiful design in a window using cording or ribbon.  Donna Erickson’s award-winning

series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the NEW Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.” © 2019 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

I am a

“Lifer”

SANTA CLARITA CHRISTIAN S C H O O L

Timothy Nakhla, 2018 graduate, attended SCCS K-12. He graduated with academic and athletic honors and is now attending the University of California, San Diego.

orldview f rom a Christian W t h g u a t s c i m e d a c A y r o t a r a p e r P College

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

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

‘Delta Lady’ Rita Coolidge coming to Canyon Santa Clarita

By Stephen K. Peeples Signal Staff Writer

G

rammy-winning singer-songwriter, artist and author Rita Coolidge, the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour backup singer nicknamed “Delta Lady” by bandleader and muse Leon Russell almost 50 years ago, will showcase a lifetime of classic songs plus tunes from her latest al-

bum in concert at the Canyon Santa Clarita on Sunday, Jan. 27.

As a solo artist, Coolidge scored Top 20 singles and a platinum album, and with then-husband Kris Kristofferson, more major hits including the No. 1 album “Full Moon.”

Coolidge’s distinctive voice can be heard on literally hundreds of wellknown recordings. Now, with “Safe in the Arms of Time,” her 16th solo album of new material, Coolidge reflects

her past and looks ahead.

“The idea was (to make) an album that had the same appeal of my early records — to make a roots record about my own roots,” she said.

“We’ll be doing ‘Higher and Higher,’ ‘We’re All Alone,’ ‘The Way You Do the Things You Do’ — all the hits people like,” she said. “And from the new album, we do probably five songs, including ‘Walking on Water.’

Find the Canyon Santa Clarita on

the ground floor of the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Get tickets at the box office 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, call (888) 645-5006, or via TicketMaster.com. For more info, visit WheremusicmeetstheSoul. com.  Santa Clarita journalist and Grammy nominee. Stephen K. Peeples has covered the SCV music scene since 2004. Contact him via stephenkpeeples.com.

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Your Southern California theme park review

By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

C

alifornia has the advantage of having lots of fun things to do — but if you want to go on an adventure, many iconic theme parks are actually located right in the southernmost part of the state.

If you haven’t hit one yet, here’s a brief rundown of different places you can take your family this winter, summer or any time you want to get some fun.

Legoland

If you’re planning a trip down south and Disneyland isn’t your cup of tea, 30 miles past downtown San Diego and one hour south of Anaheim, Legoland California is a great option. It is a 128-acre family theme park located in Carlsbad, modeled after the famous toys by the Lego Company, with all sorts of interesting things for youngsters to observe.

This was the first theme park to feature iconic Legos, said Legoland California spokeswoman Julie Estrada said.

There are more than 30,000 models in the park created from more than 62 million Lego bricks. There’s the Brontosaurus named Bronte, a tiny rabbit in a magician’s hat in Miniland Las Vegas. And if you’re tired of just looking at Legos, you can lounge in the Legoland Castle Hotel built just last year, go on more than 60 interactive rides.

You can venture into Explorer Island, where historic-looking ferns and bamboo (and Bronte) are scattered throughout an ancient dino-

PHOTO COURTESY SEA WORLD

sauric jungle. Or Fun Town, a kidsized town square with a clubhouse, police and fire academy and more Lego-built structures. Don't forget Pirate Shores, a place with water galore, and Castle Hill, an area that takes kids back to medieval times, all with Lego-themed playgrounds and robo-coasters.

For more info https://www.legoland. com/california/

SeaWorld

San Diego’s Mission Bay is home to animals, exciting rides and familyfriendly entertainment, from Manta roller coasters to spectating on Dolphin Day shows.

The Electric Eel has twists and turns, while soaking raft rides and gondola boat strolls add to more aquatic fun.

And coming this May: the "Tidal Twister," a dueling roller coaster (similar to West Roast Racers at Six Flags Magic Mountain) will feature high-speed turns and upside down twists. And last but not least, the Sea Dragon Drop, which is not something that can be found other water parks around the country.

SeaWorld San Diego spokesman David Koontz said there is a new coaster coming this year, currently unnamed but will be a "horizontal coaster experience" that inverts its riders right by the northwest corner of the park. Electric Eel currently is the park's highlight, but the latest coaster will be 22 feet high.

For more info https://seaworld.com/ san-diego/

PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY

can be found in the Knott's Berry Farm theme park, which is actually on the site of a former berry farm that dates back to the 1920s. The unique draws of this place is it replicates nostalgic “campground” attractions, with "Camp Snoopy" being some of its more popular rides. "Snoopy" is the mascot of Knott's Berry Farm, taking a page from the iconic "Peanuts" comic strip, and the family might find Charlie Brown, Lucy and all the other characters there.

Rides like the Grand Sierra Railroad train and the Timberline Twister, along with the steel spinning coaster called Sierra Sidewinder are all similar to the traditional roller coaster experience.

Wild Water Wilderness has the

Knott’s Berry Farm

A more unconventional theme park

PHOTO COURTESY SIX FLAGS

park's only water ride called "the Bigfoot Rapids river rafting adventure," while equine enthusiasts can also look at the Pony Express, a horsethemed family roller coaster installed in 2008. For those looking for thrills, the Timber Mountain Log Ride (not to be confused with the Timberline Twister) is a log ride with two drops, including one from 42 feet.

For more info https://www.knotts. com/

Harry Potter World at Universal Hollywood

Careful of the crowds at Universal Studios Hollywood's Harry Potter World — if you're looking to visit the See Theme Parks, next page

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THEME PARKS

Continued from previous page

popular new park inspired by J.K. Rowling's hit series, you might have to wait for a bit for attractions like the Forbidden Journey ride's castle, or the Defense Against The Dark Arts interactive classroom.

You can also check out Ollivander's Wand Shop for a lucky wizarding child to get the wand they've always admired from the movies, or tastetest the real Butterbeer, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frogs or grub at Three Broomsticks.

This is the best place for any kid who loved the franchise and the movies it .inspired, from the seven original books to the latest “Fantastic Beasts” prequels.

There is also a new coaster, rumored to open late fall of 2019, that is Universal's latest project and may possibly be "Hagrid's Hut” or a ride exploring Hogwarts, as these are all niches from the movie that online blogs have speculated about.

For more info https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/things-todo/rides-and-attractions/the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/

Disneyland

There’s actually two theme park options if you head to Disneyland — the well-known House of Mickey and California Adventure Park. You can check out rides at one — Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain and oth-

PHOTO COURTESY SIX FLAGS

ers, which are all modeled after the company most famous titles.

And the Disney California Adventure Park also has Goofy's Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Toy Story Midway Mania! and other rides for a slightly different experience.

And in summer 2019, Disneyland, already a mammoth among families entertainment, will add Galaxy’s Edge, an immersive 14-acre area themed to the Star Wars franchise.

Any young parkgoers can then pilot the Millennium Falcon, fight the First Order and the Resistance and hang out with aliens and robots inspired by the original series.

Not to mention the themed restaurants and the ability to meet Mickey, Ariel, Alice, Aladdin and many other park characters make this the top way for kids to have fun any season of the year.

For more info https://disneyland. disney.go.com/destinations/disneyland/

Six Flags

The catchy tagline, “Thrill Capital of the World,” applied to our own Six Flag Magic Mountain theme park, with Valencia roots that date back to before we had a city of Santa Clarita.

It’s reputation is renowned, as 10Best. com, a travel website published by USA TODAY, voted the theme park the country’s No. 1 best for the second time in four years.

“It was a tremendous honor from

Make the most of your next theme park visit

By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

I

f you’re heading to a theme park, there’s a few things you should know, bring and be ready for to help your family and friends make the most of the day.

Sue Carpenter, Six Flags Magic Mountain communications manager, said as long as families are strategic, they can avoid a lot of the pitfalls of typical amusement park days if they plan ahead.

First off, families ought to check park operating days and hours before they visit to make sure the park is open (as weather patterns may dictate these dates). Visiting when attendance is lighter can also help kids get onto their favorite rides sooner.

“Your best bet is weekdays during the summer and any regular operating day during the winter season,” Carpenter said.

Pets should also be left at home, as they aren’t allowed at the park (with the exception of service animals).

Sunscreen and water are highly recommended on warm days, and if families miss bringing some, they can purchase those at merchandise shops around the park.

Bringing jackets and sweatshirts for cooler mornings and evenings is also optimal for temperature changes; if kids get tired of carrying their shirts around, there are also lockers near the Six Flags Magic Mountain entrance for storage purposes.

For safety purposes, families should also arrange a meeting place and time during a trip, just in case your group gets separated.

For Six Flags Magic Mountain specifically,

our fans who continue to support our efforts of providing innovative and thrilling ride experiences each and every year,” Magic Mountain President Neal Thurman said.

“For roller coaster lovers, it doesn’t get much better than Six Flags Magic Mountain. The park boasts the world’s largest lineup of coasters — 19 of them — including some rather inventive offerings and record-breakers,” according to the national outlet’s review. “Stars of the heart-pumping ride list include The New Revolution Galactic Attack, the first giant looping mixed reality roller coaster in the world, and Twisted Colossus, the world’s longest hybrid coaster.”

The park has also debuted record-breaking 17-story-high CraZa-

they can’t call separated party members over an intercom, but messages can be left for them at the Lost Parents and Guest Relations department. The park also has a Lost Parents Center where employees take children who have been separated from their family or group.

“We suggest that you get a one-time height check wristband for your children, available at Guest Relations, all security information booths and major rides,” Carpenter said.

Cell phone numbers can also be written on the wristband in case a child becomes separated.

“People should also review the park map to familiarize themselves with its layout and plan the day,” Carpenter said.

Families should plan to start their days at attractions farthest from the main entrance and make their way back over. Another tip Carpenter has is for people to ride their favorite rides right when the park first opens or after 5 p.m. — this is when the customer hubs are the lowest.

Checking in with children’s comfort levels also matters.

“Make sure children feel comfortable with a ride before they get on board,” she said. “If they’re prone to motion sickness, they shouldn’t be on those rides that may affect that.”

The park contains all types of activities, and even in the event of rain, people can still enjoy indoor shows, games and arcades. While some rides and shows may close due to rain or wind, they are opened as soon as the weather clears.  nity. At 170 feet in the air, CraZanity reaches speeds of up to 75-miles-perhour.

But this year, new plans abound.

In 2019, the theme park will break a world record of having the most roller coasters with a new racing coaster, also the first of its kind, featuring two side-by-side tracks with four individual high-speed launches.

It is planned to be produced in partnership with West Coast Customs, an automobile repair shop headquartered in Corona that focuses on vehicle customization.

Apocalypse, a wooden coaster, and the Go Karts, are also highlights to check out.

For more info https://www.sixflags. com/magicmountain 

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Film Crazy: A pair of biopics, and ‘Ben is Back’

By Dianne White Crawford Signal Contributing Writer

A

s we head into the heart of awards season, we look at a pair of movies that overlap in their span of time, but looking at completely different aspects of history.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s story is shared in “On the Basis of Sex,” and the later years of renowned comedic duo Laurel and Hardy are explored in “Stan & Ollie.”

“Ben is Back” is a different type of movie altogether, which looks at a family’s struggle.

“On The Basis Of Sex” (Limited Release)

Earlier this year, the documentary “RBG” was a film festival and box office hit, helping turn 85 year old Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg into a celebrity and cult icon, complete with best-selling “Notorious RBG” t-shirts and her own action figure. That documentary allowed us the rare opportunity to hear directly from a currently sitting Justice, and just about every viewer came away in awe — regardless of one’s political affiliations. Now, a few months later, we get the story of her younger years in a (loving) script written by Ms. Ginsburg’s nephew Daniel Stiepleman.

The film opens with a lone woman in a dress engulfed by a sea of young men in conservative business suits

marching up the steps on day one of Harvard Law School in 1956. Inside the oak-paneled hall, the school’s dean, Erwin Griswold (Sam Waterston), discusses what it means to be a “Harvard man” and how this is only the sixth year women have been admitted. As he speaks, young Ruth (Felicity Jones) glances around the room at eight other female students.

At a later reception for the women, Griswold asks each to stand and explain why they are worthy of taking a man’s spot in the class. It’s our first (not last) example of the sexism obstacles of the time.

Director Mimi Leder delivers the story of an amazing woman in an easily accessible manner for mass audiences. It’s an approach that will hopefully allow many young people (yes, especially women) to gain a better understanding of what this woman went through and fought for during the decades before she became the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Stan & Ollie (Limited Release)

Any list of the all-time great comedy teams would surely include Laurel and Hardy at or near the top. Influenced by pioneers such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and The Marx Brothers, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (the rotund one) rose to the top of the comedy world through their films and shorts produced by Hal Roach Studios during 1926-1941.

From left, John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan team to tell the story of the later years of Laurel & Hardy story.

The film kicks off in 1937 when the duo are the height of their popularity, and a wonderful extended opening take allows us to follow them as they make their way across the studio lot and onto the set of their latest film, “Way Out West.”

The film flashes forward to 1953 when the popularity of the comedic duo has faded. They find themselves on a United Kingdom tour arranged by smarmy booking agent Bernard Delfont. The purpose of the tour is to convince a film producer to back their Robin Hood parody idea. The early gigs are very small music venues and the crowds are even smaller. But these are true pros, and soon Stan and Ollie hustle up their own growing audiences, and by the time their wives join them on the tour, they are filling the best venues.

John C Reilly plays Oliver Hardy (the American) and Steve Coogan is Stan Laurel (the Brit). Both are extraordinary in capturing the look and movements of the comic geniuses.

Mr. Reilly and Mr. Coogan are such strong actors, that it’s difficult to decide which segments are best. Is it the reenactments of some of Laurel and Hardy’s iconic skits, or is the off-stage moments when they are dealing with the human side of these entertainment giants? Reilly benefits from excellent make-up and prosthetics (that chin!) and Coogan has the hair and determination needed for his role.

Baird’s film is sweet and sad and funny. Stan and Ollie deserve this warm tribute, and it’s a reminder of all the stress and hard work that performers put in so that the show looks “easy.”

“Ben is Back” (Limited Released) Mel Wulf (Justin Theroux), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones), and Marty Ginsburg (Armie Hammer) help tell the story of one of America’s most famous judges. COURTESY PHOTOS

So many families have been thrown into turmoil due to a loved one’s drug addiction. Count writer/director Peter Hedges among those, so know

this is more than just another film for him — it’s personal. Hedges’ previous work includes the underrated “Pieces of April” (2003) and “Dan in Real Life” (2007), as well as an Oscar nomination for his “About a Boy” (2002) screenplay. This time out, he cast his own son Lucas in the title role of Ben. It was a wise choice.

When your son is checked into drug rehab, and you pull up to your house on Christmas Eve and see him pacing in the front yard, should your first reaction be total joy or immense trepidation? Are you thrilled to see him or worried for your other three children — each who are in the car with you? Such is the moment for Holly Burns (played by Julia Roberts). With excitement from her two youngest, and pleas of “no” from her teenage daughter Ivy, Holly bolts from the car and embraces Ben, her eldest and most self-destructive child.

What follows is the ultimate example of inner-conflict for both mother and son. Holly is simultaneously happy to see her son and apprehensive for his well-being and that of her family. Ben is putting up an “all is well” front, while carrying the guilt of lying through his teeth.

Every parent will understand the desperate feeling of mother Holly here or father David (Steve Carell) in “Beautiful Boy,” a similar-themed movie released earlier this year. We are also familiar with the deceptive and often dangerous actions of addicts, even those who were raised in our home. So while we are flexible in our judgement of Holly, Ms. Roberts’ performance is just too showy and over-the-top here, though she’ll likely be lauded for a dramatic role with only minimal dependence on her usual acting quirks. The first third of the movie is outstanding, however the rest comes across as an attempt to create intense drama when there’s already plenty. 

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PROFILE

A new stage for ‘Earth Girls Are Easy’

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

T

he Warner Bros. film “Earth Girls Are Easy” premiered on the silver screen May 12, 1989.

Starring Geena Davis, Julie Brown, Jeff Goldblum, Damon Wayans, Jim Carrey and Larry Linville, the comedy film earned mixed reviews.

The PG-rated “romantic musical-comedy science fiction film” has become an enduring cult favorite for millions of fans.

Comedian, writer and actress Brown starred as Candy Pink in the film and also co-wrote the movie.

Her other roles include “Attack of the 5’2” Women,” “Plump Fiction,” “Like Mike,” “Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment” and “Clueless.” Her television appearances include the shows “Laverne & Shirley,” “Murphy Brown,” “Quantum Leap,” “The Jeffersons,” “CSI,” “Six Feet Under” and

The Wizards of Waverly Place.

Brown has also written for television, including “Camp Rock” and “Melissa & Joey” among her many credits.

She is known for her quintessential “Valley Girl” character, coming by it naturally having been born in Van Nuys.

Brown is currently working with composer Dennis Poore, of Canyon Country, along with co-writer Kurt Koehler, to turn the film into a Broadway musical.

“We always wanted to do more with the music of ‘Earth Girls,’” said Poore.

“We have discussed the idea of ‘Earth Girls’ as a musical for years.”

The duo has collaborated extensively over the years, and Poore co-wrote and produced the music for Brown’s 2011 comedy/parody album “Smell the Glamour.”

From Texas to the SCV

Poore, a native of Texarkana, Texas,

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moved to Los Angeles in 1978. He started his music career playing piano bar at the Sheraton Premiere Hotel.

He also worked in music publishing before turning his attention to full time composing.

He is the published author, lyricist and composer of dozens of stage musicals, including “An American Cantata,” which had runs in New York and Los Angeles, “The Tennessee Williams Cabaret” in Los Angeles and “Wild Dust...The Musical,” which ran in New Jersey, Florida and Los Angeles, as well as European dance hits like “Desire” and “Young Men.” He was the founder of Stagecraft for Kids, an afterschool theater enrichment program that operated for a decade in elementary schools in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Poore and his family — his wife,

Wendy; son, Tim; and daughter, Megan, moved to Canyon Country in 1986. His children attended Leona Cox Elementary, Sierra Vista Junior High, Canyon High School and Academy of the Canyons.

Wendy Poore, now retired, taught at Canyon Springs and Fair Oaks Ranch Community Schools.

“When I was a kid, I always thought it would be cool to have my music in the movies,” he said. “I had seen a documentary where they showed how a movie was made and I actually visualized being on the set watching my songs being filmed.”

He met Brown in the early 1980s.

They collaborated on the hit comedy song “Cause I’m a Blonde,” which was written for a different project but also made its way into the “Earth Girls Are Easy” film.

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PROFILE

“Film critic Leonard Maltin called ‘Cause I’m a Blonde’ the Valley Girl anthem,” said Poore.

Brown and Poore wrote “Brand New Girl” especially for the film.

“When I was standing on the set of ‘Earth Girls Are Easy,’ I realized that I was living my childhood fantasy, that my music was going to be in a film,” he said.

From screen to stage

Poore said Brown has retooled the theater script to better reflect many of the original ideas she had for the movie that never made it onto film. “’Earth Girls’ is a known product,” he said. “We have to be careful and are taking our time. We have 19 songs written for the show, and now we have put it on its feet.”

A workshop production of the musical was performed at the Cavern Club Theater in Silver Lake in July.

The process has taken nearly four years, while Brown and Poore worked on other projects.

“We have an idea now of what works and what doesn’t so we can move forward and fine tune the show,” said Poore. “We are working on a bigger opening number, for example.”

Poore said he enjoyed watching the audience as they experienced the show during the July performances.

“The most rewarding part of this process is seeing the reaction of the audience,” said Poore. “When they laugh, and groove on your song, there’s no better feeling. When they sing along with the songs they know, that’s what makes it worth it.”

Brown said the show is “happy and silly” by design.

“It’s fun, not with heavy or dramatic moments, like a lot of Broadway shows,” she said.

After all the hours spent writing and conceptualizing, Brown said it’s really fun to see the show on stage.

“The point was to see what we have and it turned out better than I thought it would. We learned a lot, where we need new songs, what songs work, what doesn’t. We also saw what type of actors work well in different parts,” said Brown.

“Some roles require actors who can perform very physical comedy.

We had to see it on stage to learn these things.”

The Process

Brown and Poore have different creative processes with Brown’s starting point being the lyrics for each song that she writes herself or with the show’s co-writer Koehler.

“Earth Girls Are Easy” is designed with the idea of each song reflecting a different 80s rhythm.

“It’s very challenging,” said Poore.

“It’s not easy.”

“We’ve spent a lot of time listening to 80’s songs,” said Brown. “The music is very specific, even the instrumentation can be very specific.”

“Sometimes, Julie will come in with a melodic idea or I will,” said Poore.

“Then we just work on the song from that starting point.”

Poore and Brown have been adamant about keeping the uniqueness of “Earth Girls Are Easy.”

“We never wanted the show to sound like a Broadway show, we wanted it to sound like a 1980s show,” said Brown.

It is easy to see how “Earth Girls” appeals to current nostalgia surrounding the 1980s.

One critic recently wrote upon seeing “Earth Girls Are Easy” for a second time: “As funny and silly as

ever, it’s even more interesting to watch as a period piece, exulting in the dream of the San Fernando Valley of the 1980s.”

Logistics often play a role in how Brown and Poore continue their work on the musical. Depending on how their schedules coordinate the duo can be found working either in Poore’s home studio in Canyon Country or around the original piano, where they wrote “Cause I’m a Blonde” in Brown’s Studio City home.

They also have found it necessary to collaborate occasionally on Skype.

“It can be done, it’s not perfect, but it can work. We’ve never successfully been able to make Facetime calls work on our iPhones,” said Brown.

Perhaps the most difficult thing with their process is continuity.

“It’s hard to keep track of where we left off,” said Brown.

“Or remember what we said we wanted to work on in the next session.”

The Future

Brown and Poore said the process of bringing the show to a wider audience, including Broadway, will require finding a producer and planning another production.

Brown said the name recognition of “Earth Girls Are Easy” will be an advantage in attracting an audience.

“I’ve always known there would be audience for this show, but the path isn’t always obvious,” Brown said. “Right now, I think there is an audience of people who just want to have fun.”

Brown said finding a producer with the “right fit” is important.

“We want to find a producer who gets ‘it,’” Brown said, “and gets us.” 

Left: Julie Brown (top) and Dennis Poore discuss the script and the music for the Broadway production of “Earth Girls are Easy.” PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Poore said Brown retooled the theater script to better reflect many of the original ideas she had for the movie that never made it into the film.

32 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

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A senior in baby boomers’ America

By Mary Petersen SIgnal Staff Writer

I

t’s official. I laminated my Medicare card, renewed my AARP membership and even cashed in on a half-price Metrolink ticket.

Last month, I reached a milestone birthday and have joined the ranks of senior citizens.

About 10,000 baby boomers turn age 65 each day, according to the National Council on Aging, so I’ve taken my place in the Boomer phenomenon. I must admit that I’m more comfortable with the designation of baby boomer than that of “senior citizen.” The term “senior citizen,” by the way, was first coined during a 1938 political campaign as a euphemism for “old person.” It’s not surprising that a politician strategized that making old people feel better by not calling them old people might get him some votes.

In research studies, the words that students associated with older people were shrewd, greedy, selfish, stubborn and grumpy. Other descriptors included closed-minded, boring, forgetful, technologically challenged, and my favorite, wrinkled. Yes, wrinkled! So not only are we difficult to be around, we’re difficult to look at?

In our youth-obsessed culture, we’re held responsible for graying, wrinkling, balding or gaining weight.

Some studies report that the public tends to stereotype old people as ugly.

(Ouch…Tough crowd) It’s no surprise then that some of us duck the label of “senior citizen.” We don’t want to be branded as old, especially if age is viewed as a disability and associated with being frail, senile or obsolete. These myths depict old people as uninterested in the outside world and isolated in their homes watching TV or sleeping.

But not every segment of society views seniors with negative stereotypes. When there’s money to be

made, baby boomers are a prime target audience for marketing. It’s estimated that there are over 75 million of us in America and that we are the largest and fastest growing age group in society.

“Because of their range of interests and purchasing power, boomers are changing the way older people are represented in the media,” according to professor Suzanne Kunkel, director of the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University.

They are no longer portrayed only as caricatures or objects of amusement. “We’re not just advertising incontinence products and denture powder anymore,” Kunkel said.

“We’re now advertising cars and expensive liquor that the marketplace thinks boomers like and can afford.”

Some estimates have them controlling 70 percent of the disposable income in the U.S., so boomers are becoming big business.

Due to our sheer numbers, Baby Boomers redefined gender roles, race relations and cultural trends as we moved through the decades. We were a force to be reckoned as we passed through the education system, the labor force, and we are currently shifting society’s view of aging as we retire. Now that baby boomers are turning into senior citizens, we are re-envisioning what it means to age.

Whereas past generations wanted to transition from a life of work to a life of rest, today’s seniors look for a good balance of activity and leisure.

We utilize technology, embrace new experiences, and expect to continue contributing to society.

Age matters less than attitude. The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that seniors with a positive attitude are 44 percent more likely to recover from a bout of disability. Those who are optimistic and diligent have the capacity to meet life’s unpredictable challenges and develop the resilience to be flexible in the face of change.  Mary Petersen is a retired COC English Instructor, 30 year SCV resident, and senior citizen newbie.

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 33

N E W S F E AT U R E

Sleep health tips to stay in good shape this season

By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

S

leep is probably the most important determinant of your immune system. If you find yourself getting colds more frequently this year, it could be because you’re not getting the sleep you need, said Dr. Christian Raigosa, physician-in-charge at the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clarita medical offices.

Raigoza said that a healthy immune system requires good quality sleep.

“Often times, people make disruptions to their sleep hygiene and unknowingly make certain decisions that impact their sleep,” he said.

One essential example that may lead to heartburn, as well? Eating late at night.

“If you stay up late and you eat late, and then you lay down, all those stomach acids can move into your chest and make you feel uncomfort-

Dr. Christian Raigoza recomments that you do not eat or drink within two to three hours of bedtime. COURTESY PHOTO

able,” he said. “And lead to a worse night’s sleep.”

The ideal situation for a healthy individual is to not have anything to eat within two to three hours of their bedtime.

Raigosa also suggests avoiding alcohol before you go to bed. Heavy

nights of drinking are not advised, and if people do go out on the town, they are advised to stop drinking two to three hours before anticipating going to sleep, just like with food.

Another big way is to maintain coping strategies for stressors in life.

Raigosa advises patients take up yoga, exercise and maintain proper breathing techniques to make sure stress doesn’t affect their bodies negatively.

In many cases, stress, anxiety and depression can affect mental states, which may ultimately more greatly affect one’s nervous system and sleep patterns.

“Stress is a part of everyone’s life,” he said. “Of course, it’s unrealistic to eliminate stress, but there are strategies you can employ to manage your stress. For me, it means exercising several times a week. For somebody else, it could be yoga or Pilates or painting or knitting something.”

Also, a diet high in rich foods can affect daytime waking hours in a way

that makes one more drowsy during the day. Raigosa touts having a low carbohydrate diet with good amounts of healthy fats, like nuts, for those who want to have the best rest. If carbs are on the table, healthy individuals should shoot for fruits, oatmeal, organic brown rice, sweet potatoes and other foods high in fiber.

Another sleep concern is that often someone will have undiagnosed sleep apnea, and needs to see a physician, Raigosa said.

“If you wake up several times in the night, you may have a condition which is not allowing you to obtain restful sleep,” he said. “When that situation arises, you need to see a medical professional.”

Raigosa’s last tip is to always vaccinate for the flu and other opportunistic diseases that may be inflamed by an unhealthy immune system.

“And see your physician regularly to make sure you’re at your healthiest,” he said. 

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

GARDENING

Your landscape does matter, and here’s why

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

M

ore and more homeowners are letting their gardens die out into driedout, crispy dust bowls (which become populated with stringy weeds only after rain). Or they cover the space with gravel or cement blocks thinking it removes the problem and saves them money on their water bills.

Unfortunately, quick fixes too often lead to worse consequences. Neglected and poor landscaping is a perfect example of solutions that can do more harm than good.

First, green is good.

Plants add oxygen to the air, mediate humidity and moderate temperatures. This means when you let your lawn and garden areas die or you cover everything with stone, you are

creating what are called “heat sinks.”

Dead plants and bare soil absorb heat from our intense sun, as does cement and rock. The heat then radiates back into the air, heating up your house and the climate around your home.

Picture increasing numbers of Santa Clarita homes pouring more heat into the atmosphere in addition to the existing reflected warmth from roads and parking lots. (Santa Clarita only has a few months a year of cool weather.) You may think global warming has nothing to do with you, but your landscape may actually be making it worse. And if that isn’t important to you, consider the fact you will be seriously increasing your air conditioning costs just to keep your home livable when a garden could have done much of the job for a fraction of the cost.

Until recently, Santa Ana winds used to blow from Halloween through early December. They now visit us year-round. If you have an all-gravel, stone, dead lawn or bare

soil landscape, plan to be dusting your home year round. Oh, and that tiny grit will not only be covering all your furniture, you will be breathing it along with the rest of your family.

Also, dried lawns and dead trees are very flammable should a cinder from a wildfire blow your way. Green stuff is good for your health and safety.

Apart from how ugly and unwelcoming your home can look when the landscape is dull or neglected, you won’t be enticed to use your yard, either. You’ll be denying yourself a chance to calm your nerves and detach yourself from daily indoor stress and demanding technology. Plus, you’ll be paying taxes on land that doesn’t even pay for itself. Add the wasted tax money to the cost of trying to keep your house healthy and livable — which will easily surpass the water bill you would be paying for a garden.

Gardens to the rescue

But there’s good news. There is a wealth of “fixes” for today’s landscapes. Yes, you can still use whatever stone you want — or other non-living materials. Yes, you can have easycare, home, health and eco-friendly gardens. You can even save on water bills without increasing other utilities.

And you can have a gorgeous looking yard as a bonus.

Take another look at landscaping.

In a world that’s growing more and more angry, stressed, unpredictable and out of control, you can carve out your own haven (and save on therapy bills). You can expand your living space outdoors where you can exercise, play games, invite over friends and family to relax, meditate, grow your own food, have fun with children and pets — and do so much more (cutting down extra travel/vacation expenses).

Winter is the perfect to start making these changes.

How?

Put back the green. Then add your favorite colors!

Blend non-living materials into productive, fun and useful spaces. Fill the in-between areas with colorful, drought-tolerant flowers, shrubs and groundcover plants, including useful or decorative small patches of lawn, if you want. Add some splashes of colored

Colored grasses (Be colorfully creative!)

gravel or a boulder or two for climbing, seating or just for artistic effect.

Turn your yard into an extension of your living space and irrigate it automatically with any of the many new gadgets that will keep your water use low and focused only where it is needed. Add trees for cooling shade.

Cut a few flowers to put in a vase and save money on buying expensive bouquets. With the cost of just about everything going up, landscaping may seem like a poor choice in your spending priorities. But if living in a physically, emotionally, psychologically healthy environment is not at the top of your list, you may want to ask yourself what should be more important?

Santa Clarita is located inland in a fragile, mostly chaparral environment experiencing annual increases in temperature, winds, dry air and rainfall.

It’s happening so drastically that even the native flora (after thriving here for hundreds of years), is dying off.

We can choose to ignore what we see or we can choose to live better, even if it does require us to think a little differently and change some of our habits.

Our landscapes impact our lives.

We can do something about them. At minimum we can make our homes and the lives we live in them better.

At best, working together, we might help slow or even turn around some negative local effects of global warming. Either way, we can make a difference. Or we can turn a blind eye until things are no longer fixable. Which way do we have more to lose?

Yes, our landscapes do make a difference. Maybe even a critical, life or death difference. At the very least they’ll make a quality-of-life difference. So, why not take another look at your landscape to see how much of a difference you can make? 

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

ART

Women artist give back to support next generation

By Patti Rasmussen Signal Staff Writer

A

RTree received a generous donation of art supplies and a $500 check from Women’s Painters West (WPW), a nonprofit organization comprised of more than 250 professional women artists.

ARTree is located in downtown Newhall and offers a variety of classes for children and adults. The supplies are a welcome addition, and will help provide more classes.

Many of ARTree’s project can see seen around town including a mural at Newhall Elementary School, a mosaic on the bike path along the Santa Clarita river trail, and several community projects such as mural classes at the Newhall Community Center and Shoe Project at ArtSlam. ARTree members donate their time and experience to bring arts to life in Santa Clarita.

Women’s Painters West was founded in 1921 in Laguna Beach. As a philanthropic institution, they endow a scholarship fund for art students, as well as providing assistance to various community art programs like ARTree.

Some of the early members in the organization were among the great early California women artists, including Mabel Alvarez, Kathryn Leighton, Elsie Palmer Payne and Donna Norine Schuster. Some these works were featured in the Autry Museum of Western Heritage special exhibition “Independent Spirits —Women Painters of the American West, 1890-1945.”

Also included among members are art instructors in all levels of art education. Some exhibit individuality in galleries, museums, and universities and have been recognized and honored nationally and internationally.

Idelle Okman Tyzbir, WPW event chair and local artist, is pleased to see so much happening with arts in

Santa Clarita.

“It’s nice to see the effort being made and art more accessible to the public,” Tyzbir said. She added she’d like an art gallery in our community.

“For me personally, I found the need to go outside of our community to find a gallery where I can see my work,” she said. “It is nice to have art displayed in unique places, but as a professional arts, the opportunity to attract the community to purchase quality art is a priority and should be in a professional environment.”

Tyzbir began oil painting in junior high school. She eventually switched to acrylics, which she still includes in her mixed media metal sculptures and some individual paintings. As an adult, she began working with metal and paint with watercolor.

“This allows me to use a medium that actually moves with heat,” Tyzbir said. “Watercolor has a magic that is indescribable.” 

Artist Idelle Okman Tyzbir works on a water color in her home studio in Santa Clarita. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON/THE SIGNAL

For more information about Women’s Artist West, visit womenpainterswest. org.

ARTree is located at 22508 6th Street, Newhall. Information about classes can be found at theartree.org.

Artists select leadership group for new year

T

he Santa Clarita Artists Association, or SCAA, inducted its 2019 leadership board at its year-end holiday party in Newhall.

The SCAA is a great group to be a part of if you’re an artist in the Santa Clarita Valley, or just a big supporter of the arts.

The group holds arts events gallery exhibitions throughout the year and throughout the SCV, celebrating local artistic achievement and “We promote our mission of Making Visual Art visible through community outreach programs that are educational, child friendly and free to the general public,” said Charlotte Mullich. “We award scholarships to art students, from high school to college, in Santa Clarita. Our emphasis is to be a support group devoted to the enrichment of members’ experience through the visual arts.”

Formally installed were: Charlotte Mullich (President), David Veal (Vice President), Sandy Fisher (Treasurer) and Jeanne Iler (Recording Secretary).

Other board members are: Zony Gordon, Mardi Georgio, Chrystal

(CK) Walker, Olga Kaczmar, Cathy King, Howard Marcovitch, Cheri Marcovitch, Laurie Morgan, Scott Parker, Lisa Barr, Gary Friedman, and Ted Koscheski.

On the third Monday of each month, at 6:30 pm, SCAA hosts a general membership meeting with professional demonstrations. After the demonstration, the evening concludes with a raffle of the demonstration piece or an art piece from the artist. All meetings are free and open to the public and visitors are welcomed. Workshops from wellknown artists and marketing professionals are held 2-3 times each year.

A monthly plein aire destination is available for the outdoor painter.

SCAA Gallery is located at 22508 6th St. in Newhall (just off Main St. beside the public parking lot near the Canyon Theatre Guild). It is generally open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In addition, members display and sell art at many venues throughout the City of Santa Clarita.

SCAA [non-profit 501(c)(3)] was founded in 1989 and has a broad

range of talent from professional to novice. Members encourage, assist, develop, and exchange ideas/techniques

on artistic skills. Visit www.santaclaritaartists.org for newest information. 

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J A N UA RY 20, 2019

PETS

A little help from our furry friends

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

S

o how are those New Year’s resolutions coming along?

If the answer is, not quite as well as you hoped, adopting a four-legged buddy may just be the answer.

There are so many ways dogs and cats can help you achieve your life goals, not just in this new year, but throughout your lives together.

So, if you’re looking to do any of the following, keep in mind that there’s a shelter or rescue pet that’s eagerly waiting to join you on your quest. Best of all, by adopting, that pet will be fixed, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to roll, all for one low adoption fee… and you’ll be saving a life. That’s a total win-win.

Get fit

Personal trainers are all the rage, but not feasible for most people’s budget. You know who can help? A dog!

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After all, it’s just about impossible to say no to a wagging tail and puppy dog eyes. Before you know it, you’ll be strapping on your walking shoes and grabbing a leash.

Daily walks or jogs with your dog make it easy to get moderately intensive cardiovascular exercise (which is recommended by the American Heart Association for 30 minutes a day, five days a week). Just head out to one of the many paseos and trails around the Santa Clarita Valley.

To create a truly healthy habit, walk in the morning. The effects will sustain you throughout the day, plus studies show that people who exercise in the a.m. are more likely to stick with it for at least one year compared to those who exercise at any other times.

Be more social

For most people in our fast-paced world, it can be a challenge to find the time to make friends or get out and talk to real live people (not just

via chat or text).

A dog can change all that. Merely by walking your dog or taking an outing to a dog park (if your dog likes other canines), you’ll instantly strike up conversations with like-minded people. After all, dog owners like nothing more than talking about their pet.

If your dog isn’t fond of other canines, try taking him or her to a coffeehouse or restaurant patio where you both can relax with a good book or cup of coffee. Dogs are a natural ice-breaker and a catalyst for making potential new friends.

Ease stress

Sure, they’re adorable to look at and fun to snuggle with, but did you know that living with a pet is also healthy? Research has shown quality time with pets can lower blood pressure, bolster your immune system and lessen anxiety.

You can make the most of this natural stress relief, by taking a daily

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Check out Petfinder.com to find that perfect pal or visit an adoption center near you: Castaic Animal Care Center 31044 Charlie Canyon Road, Castaic (661) 257-3191 Open Monday to Thursday: noon to 7 p.m., Friday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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fifteen-minute break with your cat or dog to meditate. Sit with your cat or dog in a comfortable place, stroke their fur and try to let go of your stressful thoughts. Focus on being present and breathing deeply and steadily.

While it may seem silly to talk to your pets, they can be great confidants, providing only unconditional love in response. According to a study

by Purina, more than half of people talk to their pets about their problems — and one-third of women in the study said the pet was a better listener than their husband or boyfriend!

Eat better

Many of us humans struggle with snack attacks, but there’s an easy solution. Skip the fatty, sweet or salty treats and instead share some goodfor-you human foods with your dog.

Prep items such as watermelon, raw sunflower or pumpkin seeds, blackberries, cranberries, blueberries, bananas, apple slices and baby carrots in advance so the snacks are easy to access at a moment’s notice.

Just keep in mind that only 10 percent of a dog’s daily calories should come from treats. You’ll also want to check with your veterinarian to make sure these foods are appropriate for your particular dog.

Have more adventure

Are you longing to hit the open road but don’t have a human to share the adventure with? No worries. Most dogs love road trips! Hotel chains such as Motel 6 and La Quinta offer dog-friendly rooms while AirBNB, HomeAway and VRBO have rentals big enough for the whole family (including Fido) all across the country. 

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

Give your mind a workout with these brainy exercises!

BRAINGAMES

Relax

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 37

38 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

CROSSWORD TIME

J A N UA RY 20, 2019

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

Fun for the whole family

By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

T

hese flat escalators at the airport are my favorite thing to

play on.

My sister Chardonnay and me like to run in the wrong direction on them while big people try to get around us. It’s like a Disney ride, but you don’t have to wait in line.

A lot of times grown-ups don’t even know it’s a ride. Sometimes they don’t even get on the escalators and walk in the boring old aisles, even though they can see us having lots of fun on them. Other times they say things like, “This is not a playground, you could get hurt. Where are your parents?”

Clean your glasses, mister. They’re standing right over there. Dad’s on his computer. Mom’s on her phone.

Hey, you want to run up the down escalator with me? Never mind, watch this. I can hang on this black, rubbery moving thing and then let it drag me along with it down the flat escalator.

No, you can’t do it, Chardonnay. I just invented it and it’s mine. Mom. Mom! MOM! MMMOMMM! Chard won’t stop it!

I got brand-new wheelie shoes.

They’re like sneakers and roller skates all-in-one. Watch this. Watch, Mom, watch! Mom. Mom! MOM! MMMOMMM! Too late. They never seem to be watching when I do the coolest stuff, like skate in and out of that line of people over there. It’s like I’m invisible. Want to see me ram this shopping cart-thingy into a window real hard? Watch!

Wow! Did you see that! The whole window shook. Did you see that old lady jump? Did you see everybody watching me? Except Mom and Dad. They miss all the good stuff.

Mom! Watch me! MOM! MMMOMMMM! Look!

Why do we have to visit stupid old

grandma anyway? She doesn’t let me touch anything in her stupid old house, and it’s just a bunch of stupid old stuff anyway. So what if her stupid old glass vase breaks. She acts likes it’s such a big deal. And who’s Tiffany?

Just buy her another one.

C’mon, let’s play on the elevators.

I can push all the buttons at once.

Watch me hold the door open. See! It’s trying to close, but I put the shopping cart-thingy in it. Bang, bang, bang. Hey, don’t do that, mister! I was playing with it first.

Mom. Mom! MOM! MMMOMMM! This is soooo boring. Mom. Mom! MOM! Get me another soda. I put this one down on the seat and it fell over. And I had only taken one sip.

Now it’s gone. Let’s sit somewhere else. This is all messy!

I don’t WANT to play with Chardonnay! No, no, no! This is my indoor voice! MMMOMMM! I don’t have to go to the bathroom.

I’m fine. I’m telling you, it’s OK. Yes, I’m positive.

Watch this, Chardonnay. When I push this door open, all those bells start ringing. You try it. See? What’d I tell you? Have you ever heard anything that loud? Why is everybody running?

Mom. Mom! MOM! MMMOMMM! That man yanked my hand! It hurts!

I don’t care that we have to get on the plane right now. I have to go to the bathroom RIGHT NOW! Do you know what I mean?

Look at this, I can make all the sinks turn on at once. See that? Dad? Dad! DAD! DDDADDD! What do you mean they wouldn’t hold the plane for us? They just left?

Can’t we sue them, Dad? Can’t we?

Can’t we? Like we sued that stupid old bus driver for yelling at me? Did we get an upgrade to first class on the next flight? Good. Just like last time, huh, Dad? And they’re giving us a free hotel room?

Are they, Dad? Dad! DAD! DDDADDD! Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com. 

The Gnomes are coming April 13th!

Castaic Lake Dam Run and Gnome Festival

Brought to you by Castaic Town Council and The Signal

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- SPECIAL ORDERS ARE DISCOUNTED! - DESIGNER SERVICE AVAILABLE!

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#1 in Quality & Value

Douglas FURNITURE Since 1975

JANUARY Santa Clarita’s Oldest Retail Store!

SALES EVENT All Furniture Marked Down

Plus: TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 20% OFF ANY SINGLE ITEM

FREE DELIVERY - FINANCING AVAILABLE 23661 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA

661.255.8366

Open 7 Days a Week!

www.dougfurn.com

HUGE SAVINGS! Come in early for the best selection!