GARDENING
There is Plenty of Garden Work to do this Winter
By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer
Now, here’s a gardening break from all the holiday activity!
Unlike much of the country where folks are shuttered indoors with frosty weather, we Santa Claritans can enjoy some of the best working weather for gardening.
We may not be building snowmen, but we can bask in sunny, crisp days outdoors and finally take those first steps to make our landscapes better than ever for the new year.
Now’s the time to order, tools, flower, vegetable and hard-to-find seeds, started plants and trees. Also look for items — or just ideas — for décor, outdoor furniture and practical structures like storage or potting sheds, trellises or shade covers.
Pruning
and Shopping Time
It’s time to cut back woody plants and trees. Sap is slowing, and plants will bleed less from any major pruning that is necessary. It’s also the time to start planting large shrubs and trees.
Now that the Christmas trees have vanished from garden centers, look for the best selections (and the best
prices) for fruit trees and decorative shrubs. They’ll likely be displayed for sale in January.
This will be the beginning bareroot season: a short period in winter when stores carry these woody plants un-potted. You won’t get better deals or wider choices any other time of year. What’s more, buying plants when they are dormant and their roots encased in bags, makes carting them from store to planting area
delightfully easy on the back.
While you are picking through the bare-root plants, don’t forget to look for onion and garlic sets, strawberry, rhubarb and asparagus roots all becoming available. There should also be a nice selection of spring-blooming flower bulbs available. Bulbs only bloom for a short time, but they make up for it with dazzling flower displays. And they will keep the garden colorful while the sleepier garden members are still waking up.
Big and Little Jobs
Keep blown leaves scooped out of ponds and water features. We are not done with windy weather. If you haven’t done it yet, consider turning off your pump for the winter and save on electricity. Do not feed fish. They don’t digest food well in winter. Instead, they’ll be hanging out at the bottom in a semi-dormant state waiting for their liquid homes to warm up in the spring.
Weather is now cool and comfortable for doing big jobs in the
garden. The winter months are handy for building and remodeling your garden — whether it is just one area or the whole landscape. One caution: Avoid working soil right after rain as it will compress valuable air out of the wet soil. And who needs all that mud stuck to your shoes and tracked everywhere, anyway?
Gardens will appreciate a little extra help when frosty nights are in store. Add compost and other top-dressings as mulch to retain soil moisture and keep roots warm. Drape material like burlap or shade cloth over any tender plants if a freeze is predicted.
Set up rain barrels or other water collection tubs to reuse rainwater in the garden during dry periods. I just added two rain barrels to my landscape. The water will be used to top up my pond in dry periods. It will not only save me on water consumption, but it will circumvent the potentially deadly chloramine in our city water that can injure or kill fish. To make my barrels blend with the landscape, I’ve planted pots of dangling strawberry plants on the top. The barrels now create their own ornamental (and tasty, nutritious) container garden. Continue to cut back on lawn watering. You can even let your lawn go dormant for the winter to save on maintenance and water use. Or, as I always recommend, replace some of your lawn with something more useful, like decorative, drought-resistant gardens, tasty fresh edibles, or a colorfully graveled, low-maintenance seating or play area.
Planning Saves Time, Money
Now is the perfect time to sketch out plans for re-designing your garden so you can get the most beautiful landscape possible to fit with your lifestyle and budget. Call in professional help if you want it done for you or just want some feedback on your own designs. I can’t emphasize enough how important planning is. It gives you an overall layout so you can work on your garden over time and it can save you from making very costly mistakes.
For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://you tube.com/user/Janieg8s.
Bare-root season is upon us. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL
Early winter is Santa Clarita’s best time to clean, plan and start work on a new and improved landscape. PHOTO BY JANE GATES / THE SIGNAL
WHAT’S YOUR GAME PLAN?
Super Bowl Recipes to Help Make the Game Great
By Bridget Lowell Signal Contributing Writer
The Super Bowl is here, and if you’re anything like us, you haven’t done much of anything to prepare a menu. But food is every bit as important to the Super Bowl experience as the commercials and the halftime show, so we’ve got you covered with some simple, straightforward dishes that will please your guests
S’mores Dip
Serves a crowd of 8-10 people … if they’re willing to share.
Ingredients
1 10 oz. bag regular marshmallows
1 12 oz. package milk chocolate chips
1 box honey graham crackers
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Spread the entire bag of milk chocolate chips around evenly in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate or cast-iron skillet.
3. Cut approximately 20-22 marshmallows in half widthwise and place them, cut side down, on top of the chocolate chips until the chips are fully covered. (I started with a circle of marshmallows around the outside edge, then worked inward.)
4. Bake the dip at 450 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Keep a close eye on the dip and remove it from the oven when the tops of the marshmallows are golden brown.
5. Serve at once with quartered graham crackers for dipping.
Tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic, broiled then blended together. That’s it. The salsa has such an incredible depth of flavor that you’d never guess how spartan it truly is.
Ingredients
1 pound plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
2 jalapeño peppers (or just one, if you like a less kicky salsa), stems removed and cut in half lengthwise
3 cloves of garlic, peeled
½ small white onion
Juice of a half a lime, freshly squeezed Handful cilantro, coarsely chopped Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Turn on your oven’s broiler and move one rack all the way to the top.
2. Line a baking pan with foil and spread the tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, garlic and onion out over the pan. Salt the vegetables.
3. Cook the vegetables under the broiler for approximately 5 minutes, until the jalapeños and garlic begin to brown. Remove the jalapeños and garlic and place them in a blender or food processor. If you like your salsa mild, remove the seeds from the jalapeños now.
4. Return the tomatoes and onion to the oven and broil for another 5 minutes, until the tomatoes are browned and the onions are charred on top. Add the tomatoes and onion to the blender or food processor, making sure to add any tomato juices that have collected in the pan.
5. Add a few tablespoons of water, a large pinch of cilantro and lime juice to the vegetables, then pulse salsa to your desired consistency.
6. Add salt, pepper, and more cilantro/lime juice to taste, if needed. Blend and cool to room temperature. Serve with your favorite chips.
Basically, what it sounds like: A pizza made of taco stuff atop cornbread baked in a cast-iron skillet.
This one’s open to lots of interpretation based on what you feel belongs in tacos. We used ground beef seasoned with chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cumin, cayenne, black pepper and a little salt, and we topped the “pizza” with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapenos.
Serves 6-8.
Ingredients
1 package cornbread mix (enough for an 8"- or 9"-square baking pan)
Everything else the mix calls for 1 tablespoon butter
3/4 lb. your favorite taco meat
Your favorite taco-meat seasonings
Salsa
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Your favorite taco toppings
1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cook and season taco meat
3. Warm a cast-iron skillet on a stove over medium-low heat.
4. Prepare cornbread mix per manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Melt butter in skillet
6. Pour cornbread mix into skillet and spread into
Skillet Cornbread Taco Pizza
6. One Pan Salsa
Travel Unplugged… Truly Get Away From It All
By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
The year is not even a month old, yet it feels like a decade. If you are mentally and physically exhausted with 2025 instead of “running away from home,” try one of the most popular new vacation fads… “unplugged travel.” Many people are now looking for a vacation that will allow them a chance to “get away from it all” … the news, the bills, the stress and the obligations.
Here are some options to “disappear” and fully experience your vacation. Turn off your cell phone and other devices and enjoy a vacation without the noise or distraction.
Nearly all of these “middle of nowhere” locations do have internet and WIFI access if you absolutely need to “plug” back into reality.
Cave Springs Resort
4727 Dunsmuir Ave.
Dunsmuir, CA 96025
www.cavesprings.com
For mid-century modern design lovers, Cave Springs Resort in Dunsmuir offers an “intentional” retreat with upscale kitsch Airstreams, cabins and a boutique hotel. This century old, newly renovated resort offers riverfront access and is surrounded by some of the best fly-fishing in the state.
Only 10 minutes from Mount Shasta, the resort is also just minutes from Mossbrae Falls, a beautiful gem along the Sacramento River. It is also a great location to discover the majestic Castle Crags State Park.
Old Town Ranch
43550 Dash for Cash Circle
Temecula, CA 92592
www.oldtownranch.com
Step back in time with a stay in a refurbished hand-crafted Conestoga covered wagon at Old Town Ranch in Temecula. Feel like a pioneer, but with the creature comforts of today. Each wagon has a cozy bed, restroom, heat and air conditioning. After a day exploring the De Portola Wine
Trail, within minutes of over 40 wineries, hot air balloon rides, horseback riding and golfing guests can relax at the ranch with games like cornhole and horseshoes or a campfire perfect for marshmallow roasting.
Fern Hook Cabins
450 Lovett Loop
Hiouchi CA, 95531
https://fernhookcabins.com
Escape from the world at the newly built Fern Hook Cabins in Hiouchi. Nestled among the redwoods of Del Norte County, the property offers one and two-bedroom cabins with modern amenities. Here old-growth redwood forests meet crystal clear waters on their way to the secluded beaches of the rugged north coast. Indulge in a private setting of magnificent redwoods carpeted with ferns. Hike the trails of Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park or float in the Smith River, one of the world’s cleanest rivers. Enjoy golf, horseback riding or deep-sea fishing.
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
9415 Hearst Drive
San Simeon, CA 93452 www.cavalierresort.com
Take a deep breath of clean ocean air from a perch on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Central Coast. It’s the ideal spot to simply unwind or to explore nearby Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and the Paso Robles wine country.
Banning House Lodge Avalon, Catalina Island www.facebook.com/BanningHouseLodge 877-778-8322
Reopening for the season on March 1, experience the charm and character of an early 20th-century lodge on Catalina Island. The craftsman-style B&B is surrounded by palm trees on a hill above Two Harbors, offering sweeping views of the Isthmus and Catalina Harbor. The Common Great Room and Sunroom offer cozy places to read a book by a roaring fire, while the beautifully trellised courtyard is the perfect spot to relax with a cool drink and enjoy beautiful island vistas. Shuttle service to and from Two Harbors Village is provided.
Whispering Pines Resort
17170 Highway 175
Middletown, CA 95461
www.whisperingpinesresort.com
Family-owned and operated for five generations, this getaway near Putah Creek Wildlife Area is located on Cobb Mountain, just north of Napa. The resort offers an array of cabins nestled throughout the 10-acre property. Guests can hike or bike nearby trails, fish or boat on Clear Lake and enjoy some wine tasting in nearby Napa.
The Oasis at Death Valley
6312 Zabriskie Lane
Death Valley, CA 92328
www.oasisatdeathvalley.com
Death Valley National Park is the country’s largest Dark Sky National Park, and you can have it all to yourself when you stay at The Oasis at Death Valley. This secluded, historic property completed a $250 million renovation in 2022. Guests can opt to stay at The Inn at Death Valley, which features 66 luxurious rooms and a spa, or The Ranch at Death Valley, with 195 rooms and 80 cottages. Immerse yourself in the “middle of nowhere” surrounded by the largest national park in the lower 48 with 3.4 million acres to explore. Death Valley National Park is designated as the largest Dark Sky National Park in the country by the International Dark Sky Association. The Oasis at Death Valley, alongside the National Park Service, has taken measures to greatly minimize light pollution in the area. Because of this, the park is designated as a “Gold Tier” Dark Sky Park, the highest level awarded. Feb. 21-23 is the annual Dark Sky Festival with astronomy programs and star parties.
At Whispering Pines Resort enjoy your own cabin in the woods on this 10-acre property which has been family-owned and operated for five generations. PHOTO WHISPERING PINES RESORT
Step back in time with a stay in a refurbished handcrafted Conestoga covered wagon at Old Town Ranch in Temecula. PHOTO OLD TOWN RANCH
Banning House Lodge, a historic property on a hill above Two Harbors, offers sweeping views of the Isthmus and Catalina Harbor.
PHOTO BANNING HOUSE LODGE
The Oasis at Death Valley will host the annual Dark Sky Festival Feb. 21-23.
PHOTO THE OASIS AT DEATH VALLEY
FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Experience The Spirit Of The Old West At The 29th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival
By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager
Dhistory to life.
id you know that we are already less than three months away from the 29th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival? On Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13, get ready for William S. Hart Park (24151 N. Newhall Avenue) to be completely transformed into the Wild West. Explore living history exhibits, enjoy live music on three stages and take part in activities for all ages. Explore a unique shopping experience featuring one-of-a-kind treasures, and savor authentic cowboy cuisine that celebrates Santa Clarita’s Old West traditions. Together, these elements honor the City’s rich Western heritage and brings our
If you ask me, William S. Hart Park is the perfect location for the Cowboy Festival. When you walk through the gates, you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. In each direction, you’ll see attractions that will immerse you in the cowboy lifestyle, with festivalgoer-favorites like hatchet throwing, archery, panning for gold, mechanical bull riding and more. For a deeper dive into frontier life, exploring the living history experiences will offer a glimpse into the Old West. Engage in conversations with The New Buffalo Soldiers as they care for their horses, take a photo with the iconic trick roper and watch as skilled blacksmiths man the forge – you can even get a horseshoe with your name stamped on it
Throughout each day, you won’t want to miss the incredible live music performed across three stages: The
Mane Stage, The Whistle Stop Stage and Hart Hall. Enjoy a unique blend of cowboy, country, folk and bluegrass music that will have you singing along. For those who enjoy line dancing - join the Bootscoot Bosses Line Dance Crew to learn a new dance routine every hour.
If you ask past attendees, some would say that their favorite part consists of the unique shopping experience that the event brings, along with all of the classic food and beverages. The Cowboy Festival offers an unparalleled marketplace across three distinct areas throughout William S. Hart Park. There’s Sutler’s Row, a carefully-curated collection of Western goods and merchandise, where you can find everything from vintage fashion to handcrafted leather goods. Mercantile Row delivers an authentic Old West shopping ambiance that has been wildly popular among attendees
and the food court is a flavorful hub for all the cowboy-inspired eats such as BBQ, brisket, Dutch-oven peach cobbler and refreshing craft beverages.
For those interested in joining in on the fun of the 29th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, we’re now seeking vendors who share a passion for the Western lifestyle that can offer unique, high-quality products and mouth-watering food and drinks. Vendor applications are open now through Monday, February 3. There is so much more to look forward to at the 29th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival. To learn more and submit your vendor application, visit CowboyFestival.org.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita. gov.
Roeper on: “Back In Action”
by Richard Roeper
Signal Contributing Writer
‘Back in Action’
1/2 (out of four)
Emily ..... Cameron Diaz
Matt ...... Jamie Foxx
Ginny ..... Glenn Close
Chuck ..... Kyle Chandler
Baron ..... Andrew Scott
Netflix presents a film directed by Seth Gordon and written by Gordon and Brendan O’Brien. Running time: 114 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for sequences of violence and action, some suggestive references and strong language, and brief teen partying). Streaming Friday on Netflix.
Sunday-Thursday, Januar y 26-30, 2025
before taking a 10-year hiatus was the unfortunate and quite dreadful redo of ”Annie” in 2014, which also starred Jamie Foxx. These two shining stars (who also appeared together in Oliver Stone’s fantastically over-the-top football drama “Any Given Sunday” in 1999) are reunited for the Netflix original movie “Back in Action,“ which has a double meaning, seeing as how Diaz is back in action and the film’s tired plot has Foxx and Diaz playing former CIA spies who have been living off the grid as a typical suburban married couple for 15 years -- but now their past has come back to haunt them, and they’re ... you know it ... BACK IN ACTION.
little of “Knight and Day,“ which starred Diaz and that Tom Cruise fella.
The last film Cameron Diaz made
As “Back in Action“ goes through its paces, you’ll find echoes of such films as the Bob Odenkirk-starring ”Nobody” and the Mark Wahlberg vehicle “The Family Plan,“ as well as “Mr. and Mrs. Smith“ and even a
NEWHALL
Lyons
B
L I G H T R I S K E Sun: 10:20 12:50 3:05 5:15 7:30; Mon to Thu: 12:50 3:05 5:15 7:30
An Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive to trial crosses the Alaskan wilderness Tensions soar and trust is tested, as not ever yone on board is who they seem
P R E S E N C E E 12:50 3:00 5:10 7:30
A family moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they ’re not alone
S E P T E M B E R 5 E 1:10 4:20 7:10
Base on the American Spor ts broadcasting team that quickly adapts to live coverage during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics Israeli athlete hostage situation
T H E RO O M N E X T D O O R C Sun: 10:30 AM
After years of being out of touch, Ingrid and Mar tha meet again in an ex treme but strangely sweet situation.
WO L F M A N E 1:20 4:30 7:20
A family is being terrorized by a lethal predator.
H A R D T RU T H S E Sun: 10:10 4:00; Mon to Thu: 4:00 PM
Pansy is a woman wracked by fear, tormented by afflic tions, and prone to raging tirades against her husband, son, and anyone who looks her way
T H E L A S T S H OWG I R L E Sun to Tue: 1:30 7:10; Wed: 1:30 PM; Thu: 1:30 7:10
Shelley, a glamorous showgirl, must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run
A CO M P L E T E U N K N OW N E Sun: 10:00 1:00 4:00 7:00; Mon to Thu: 1:00 4:00 7:00
An enigmatic 19-year- old from Minnesota arrives with his guitar and revolutionar y talent, destined to change the course of American music
F LOW B Sun: 10:30 AM
Flow follows a courageous cat after his home is devastated by a great flood
CO N C L AV E B Sun: 10:10 AM
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events - selec ting the new Pope
E AT T H E N I G H T Sun: 10:00 AM
LO S O C E A N O S S O N LO S V E R DA D E RO S CO N T I N E N T E S Wed: 7:00 PM
Director Seth Gordon (“Four Christmases,“ “Horrible Bosses“) knows how to film fast-moving comedies with star appeal, and Diaz (who hasn’t lost an ounce of onscreen charisma) and Foxx are terrific together, but wouldn’t it have been lovely if they had tackled more creative and challenging material? Trading quips while engaging in high-wire action sequences that defy all credibility is the movie equivalent of ordering fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner when there’s a whole world of more interesting menus out there.
In an extended prologue, Foxx’s Matt and Diaz’s Emily are elite CIA operatives who have recently embarked on a romance, much to the consternation of their supervisor, Chuck (Kyle Chandler). After a high-priority mission goes sideways, nearly killing Matt and Emily, who is pregnant, they agree to disappear and establish new identities as a regular American couple living a regular American life.
Cut to 15 years later, with Matt and Emily living quietly and happily in suburbia with their two children: 14-year-old Alice (McKenna Roberts), who of course thinks her parents are incredibly corny and embarrassing, and the precocious Leo (Rylan Jackson). A viral video leads to a team of assassins literally showing up on the family’s doorstep, and Matt and Emily take the kids to London
so they can retrieve an all-powerful doohickey thingy cyberterrorist key that can control power plants, dams, nuclear reactors, you name it. (How many times have we seen that particular MacGuffin in spy thrillers?)
“Back in Action“ follows a distressingly familiar pattern, with every stunt-heavy confrontation accompanied by a needle drop of an old standard, whether it be “L-O-V-E“ by Nat King Cole or “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head“ by Dean Martin or “At Last“ by Etta James, and how tired is THAT gimmick? The great Glenn Close, sporting a wobbly British accent, provides a bit of old-school movie-star spark, while the acclaimed Irish actor Andrew Scott (“All of Us Strangers“) is saddled with an underwritten antagonist role that seems beneath his status. “Back in Action“; is completely harmless and will almost surely attract big numbers on Netflix, and we’ll have forgotten it even existed by this time next year.
When cooking, keep in mind small changes that can make a big impact on heart health.
Healthy Food Swaps to Manage Cholesterol
High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease and stroke, with about 38% of American adults diagnosed with high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. It can be managed by getting levels regularly tested and making lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet.
Reduce saturated fat Select lean cuts of meat or opt for plant protein, limit processed meats, broil or bake rather than pan-fry meats and remove skin from poultry before cooking.
Eat more fish Fish can be fatty or lean, but it’s still low in saturated fat. Choose oily fish like salmon or trout, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Lower dairy fats Low-fat, fat-free or non-dairy milk can be used in many recipes instead of whole milk or half-and-half.
Increase fiber and whole grains Add high-fiber vegetables to meals, serve fruit instead of juice and try brown rice instead of white.
2 corn tortillas (6 inches each), cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips
1 corn tortilla (6 inches), torn into pieces 2-4 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup finely chopped avocado
1/4 medium red bell pepper, cut into matchstick-size strips
Find tips for managing cholesterol and other risk factors at heart.org/cholesterol. (Family Features)
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Servings: 4
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, visible fat discarded, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
2 cups fat-free, no-salt-added chicken
In slow cooker, stir chicken, corn, broth, tomatoes, onion, sugar, ancho powder, garlic and salt. Cook, covered, on low, 6-8 hours, or on high, 3-4 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 F.
broth
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) no-salt-added, diced tomatoes, undrained 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ancho powder
2 medium garlic cloves, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt
Air Fryer Crispy (Un) Fried Chicken
Servings: 4
On baking sheet, arrange tortilla strips in single layer. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until crisp. Transfer baking sheet to cooling rack. Let strips stand 15 minutes, or until cool. Transfer to airtight container and set aside.
Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
When soup is ready, transfer 1 cup to food processor or blender. Stir in tortilla pieces. Let mixture stand 1 minute. Process until smooth. Stir mixture into soup. Stir in cilantro. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with avocado, bell pepper and reserved tortilla strips.
This recipe is reprinted with permission from “Healthy Slow Cooker Cookbook, 2nd Edition.” Copyright 2018 by the American Heart Association. Published by Harmony Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.
cayenne.
In separate shallow dish or pie pan, whisk buttermilk and hot sauce.
In third shallow dish or pie pan, stir panko and Parmesan.
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2-1 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (optional)
1/3 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 ounces each), visible fat discarded, flattened to 1/4-inch thickness, patted dry with paper towels nonstick cooking spray
Preheat air fryer to 390 F.
In shallow dish or pie pan, whisk flour, parsley, oregano, pepper and
Place dishes and large plate in row. Dip chicken in flour mixture then buttermilk mixture then panko mixture, turning to coat at each step and gently shaking off excess. Using fingertips, gently press panko mixture so it adheres. Place chicken on plate. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Lightly spray chicken with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange chicken in single layer in air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Cook 10-15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center and coating is golden brown, turning once halfway through and lightly spraying with nonstick cooking spray. (Family Features)
Bathroom safety features
Bathrooms can benefit from updates that improve their form and function. While styles and color patterns may inspire bathroom renovations, improvements to safety also should be considered.
Bathrooms can be one of the most dangerous rooms in a house. Bath and shower areas account for about two-thirds of accidental injuries in these spaces. Many other injuries involve the toilet. In 2008, a thorough investigation of bathroom dangers conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that mishaps near the bathtub, shower, toilet and sink caused an estimated 234,094 nonfatal injuries among people aged 15 years and older.
Seniors are particularly vulnerable in the bathroom due to reduced mobility and flexibility, visual impairment and other factors. However, some key modifications can make bathrooms much safer for aging populations.
Raised toilet seat Install an ADA-compliant raised toilet seat. Standard toilet seats are roughly 15 inches high, but elevated seats can raise the bowl an additional two to four inches. Another option is to invest in risers that can be attached to an existing toilet.
Grab bars Seniors may use towel holders as grab bars, which don’t have stability and can dislodge from the wall. Install secured side grip bars by the toilet and inside the shower to make maneuvering easier.
Water temperature Seniors may be vulnerable to hot water temperatures. Lower the water temperature setting on the hot water heater. StaySafe.org recommends 120 F.
Faucets Change faucet handles to paddle-style handles rather than knobs. Knobs can be challenging to grip for those with arthritis in their hands. Also, handles that are easier for seniors to use can reduce the risk of the elderly losing their balance as
they attempt to gain leverage to turn the water on and off.
Nonslip mats Nonslip mats or tape strips can be used in showers and tub bottoms, as well as outside of the shower to reduce the risk of slips and falls. Rugs should have rubberized, slip-resistant backing.
Rounded corners Choose counters and fixtures with rounded corners. Should a senior fall against something, the rounded corner may prevent serious injury.
Shower benches and transfer seats Benches and transfer seats make it easier getting in and out of the shower. Also, sitting while showering reduces the risk of becoming light-headed or losing balance. Walk-in tubs/showers Minimiz-
ing the threshold to the shower or bathtub is an important safety feature. Some manufacturers make walk-in tubs with doors that secure and make watertight seals. Showers that don’t have a lip or tub to scale also are better for seniors.
Lighting Eyesight weakens over time, so improve lighting with combinations of overhead lighting and softer side lighting. Night lights or soft-glowing toilet lights can make it easier to get around the bathroom in the middle of the night. These are just some improvements that can create safer bathroom environments for seniors.(MC)
How to Better Understand Your Health Care Options
Health care can be a difficult world to navigate. Health insurance plans often change just as individuals grow accustomed to them, prompting many people to wonder if there’s anything they can do to gain a stronger grasp of the health care industry.
The American Institute of Preven-
tive Medicine reports that Americans spend more time researching which cars and appliances to buy than they do health plans.
Much of that is undoubtedly due to the belief that employers do much of the legwork in picking health care plans, leaving individuals with less responsibility and facing a relatively simple decision of picking the best
employer-sponsored plan offered to them.
But there’s more than that to being a wise health care consumer, and individuals can embrace these strategies so they have a better understanding of their plans and coverage.
Attend Information Sessions
Health insurance providers and
employers typically schedule enrollment meetings whenever a plan is up for renewal and/or being changed. Such meetings can easily get lost in the hectic fray of modern business environments, but professionals should find the time to attend them.
Enrollment meetings explain benefits in detail and provide a great
FITNESS
Time to Rethink Heart Health
On average, someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease (CVD) every 36 seconds, approximately 2,380 deaths each day, according to the American Heart Association.
Each day, 405 deaths occur in the U.S. as the result of strokes, an average of one death every 3:33. More people die annually from CVD than from any other cause including cancer, COPD, diabetes, lung infections and the flu, according to the American Heart Association 2021 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics.
Consider these steps to #Rethink CVRisk to change the course of the disease and your life.
Understand Your Risk COVID-19 has shown that those with underlying CVD face an especially high risk of serious
L I C E N S E D
H L E B O T O M Y T E C H N I C I A N
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$ 2 7 0 0
A P R I L 1 6 C L A S S S T A R T S
OPTIONS
Continued from page 11
opportunity to speak directly with an insurance provider without having to go through the often time-consuming customer service hotline.
Do Your Homework
Prior to an enrollment meeting, ask for information about the plans an employer is offering, then go through those plans and jot down any questions you may have and ask them during the meeting.
Understanding benefits is an essential trait of a wise health care consumer, so don’t hesitate to ask questions about what is and isn’t covered under each plan you’re considering.
Avoid Overemphasizing Cost
Cost is a big consideration for health care consumers. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average annual cost of health insurance in the United States is just under $7,500 for an individual and more than $21,000 for a family. Though it may be tempting to choose the least expensive plan you’re offered, avoid
overemphasizing cost, especially at the expense of coverage.
Adequate coverage that will help individuals and their families avoid financial difficulties in the case of emergencies or significant medical events should be a bigger priority than the cost of the plan.
Preventative Care
Learn about the benefits associated with preventive care. Many health insurance plans offer rebates to consumers who have memberships at fitness facilities and use those memberships a certain number of times in a set period of time. These benefits aren’t just ways to save money. They’re also powerful motivators to engage in preventive health care, which is one of the best ways for health care consumers to save money over the long haul.
The steps to becoming a better health care consumer are simple and can ensure individuals get the most out of their medical benefits.
(MC)
Find the right doctor for your condition
The medical field is comprised of many professionals working in concert to keep patients healthy, which involves treating any conditions that arise. Individuals may be treated by various types of doctors in their lifetime, and each is an expert in his or her field. According to Medical News Today, most physicians are categorized as primary care or specialty care.
Navigating the health care system can be confusing. Recognition of the specialties of various types of doctors can make it easier to make it through that system.
· General practitioner: Also known as a family physician, or primary care doctor, these are the doctors patients are likely to encounter most often. They care for patients during routine checkups and screening tests; provide immunizations; and manage ongoing
medical conditions. GPs also may be internists, treating both common and complex illnesses.
· Pediatrician: Pediatricians specialize in the care of children from birth and up. Although there is no set age when patients will transition from a pediatrician to an adult doctor, Kids Health says the switch is typically made between the ages of 18 and 21.
· Geriatric medicine specialists: These doctors focus on treating elderly patients and the medical conditions that can develop as a person ages. Geriatric doctors work in private offices, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and some even make house calls.
· Endocrinologists: An endocrinologist is an expert in the study of the body’s hormones, says the Cleveland Clinic. They diagnose and treat many different conditions that affect the
See DOCTOR, page 17
Val Verde - Canyon Country - Newhall - Valencia
Fridays, 4-5:30 p.m. Newhall Church of the Nazarene info@encorecreativity.org encorecreativity.org
RETHINK
Continued from page 12
COVID-19-related illness or even death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Regardless of whether you’ve received your COVID-19 vaccination, now is a good time to discuss your risk for heart disease with your doctor.
How Cardiovascular Disease Develops
Risk factors for CVD include high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes and high blood pressure. Other factors that contribute to risk are family history, prior cardiovascular events, smoking, being overweight or obese and unhealthy diet and exercise habits.
Over time, these risk factors can lead to injury of the blood vessel lining, causing inflammation, which can then trigger plaque growth. Plaque grows at different rates and in different arteries in the body for everyone and is often a slow, gradual process without symptoms.
As plaque buildup continues, the
risk of suffering a CV event — such as heart attack or stroke — increases. If plaque ruptures, the body will try to repair the injury, potentially causing a blockage to form, and when an artery becomes fully blocked, blood flow is restricted.
Blocked blood flow to the heart causes a heart attack while blocked blood flow to the brain causes a stroke.
Managing Risk Factors
The most effective way to prevent CVD is to understand and address risk factors. Triglycerides play an important role in heart health. They store unused calories to give your body energy and are the most common type of fat in the body. They come from foods you eat such as butter, oils and other fats, as well as carbohydrates, sugars and alcohol.
Your diet, lack of exercise, medical conditions, certain drugs and genetics can all cause high triglycerides. In the past, medicines used to lower triglycerides, such as fenofibrates and niacin, were commonly prescribed to help manage CV risk along with statins.
Truth and Falsehoods About Heart Disease Risks
Statins reduce your chance of experiencing a CV event by up to 90%.
False Statins, diet and exercise can lower your risk by about 25-35%, but for many patients, controlled cholesterol doesn’t eliminate CV risk. This residual risk, or “persistent CV risk,” puts millions of patients at risk and has been the focus of therapeutic development for many years. Managing high triglycerides along with taking statins is enough to reduce your risk.
False High triglycerides are a CV risk factor but lowering them won’t necessarily reduce your risk. For example, earlier generation medicines prescribed to lower triglycerides, like fenofibrates and niacin, failed to show clinical benefit when used with statins to reduce CV risk. In fact, the FDA withdrew approval for fenofibrates and niacin in combination with statins because they add potential risk with no proven benefit to heart health.
Fish oil supplements are a proven way to get protection from a CV event.
False Fish oil supplements are not FDA-approved medicines intended to treat or prevent a medical condition. Despite multiple clinical studies, these products have not been proven, to reduce CV risk on top of current medical therapies including statins.
Having a first CV event, such as a heart attack or stroke, puts you at greater risk to suffer another.
True Having a CV event makes you more likely to suffer another. That’s why it’s important to protect against a first CV event or future events. To closely monitor your heart health, stay in close contact with your doctor and reduce your risk by keeping up with your medications, exercising and sticking to a healthy diet. (Family Features)
However, clinical studies failed to show benefits and both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and American Diabetes Association discourage combining niacin and fenofibrates with statins.
Some turn to dietary supplement fish oil to help manage CV risk. However, supplements contain only 30% of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) with the majority of the product consisting
DOCTOR
Continued from page 14
endocrine system, including diabetes, reproductive issues and thyroid conditions.
· Dermatologist: Skin, hair and nail conditions are handled by a dermatologist. Dermatologists routinely treat conditions like acne, moles, scarring, rashes, and more.
· Nephrologists: Individuals with kidney diseases as well as high blood pressure and fluid and mineral imbalances will likely see a nephrologist.
· Ophthalmologist: Although many conditions of the eye can be diagnosed and treated by optometrists, ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can treat every kind of eye condition. They also can operate on the
of non-omega-3 ingredients, including saturated fats.
Some data suggests certain ingredients in dietary supplement fish oils, such as DHA and saturated fats, may raise bad cholesterol.
While high triglycerides are an indicator of CV risk, lowering them won’t necessarily reduce your risk. However, addressing the underlying causes of high triglycerides can help, according to the AHA.
eyes, according to WebMD.
· Oncologist: Oncologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. They have subspecialties in specific types of cancer, and also may serve as radiation oncologists, who provide radiation cancer treatments.
· Otolaryngologists: Commonly referred to as ear, nose and throat doctors, these professionals treat diseases in these areas of the body. They also treat conditions that affect the neck and respiratory system.
· Pulmonologists: Those with conditions related to breathing issues, such as pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer, can seek out pulmonologists.
These are just some of the many different types of doctors people may visit in their lifetimes.
Presents Podcasts and Editorial series
COMMUNITY INSPIRED
Episode one
Building A Healthy Community
Exploring where and how we live and celebrating the people and fabric of the Santa Clarita Valley.
With: Don Kimball Executive Vice President of Valencia By FivePoint
Kevin Klockenga CEO, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
Russell Gage Fitness Director, Henry Mayo Fitness & Health
Santa Clarita Valley
By Mary Petersen
HA New Kind Of New Year Reflection
appy New Year! After a celebratory holiday season, we begin yet another year, sending one another best wishes for good health and happiness. We might even set personal goals and make plans for a fresh start. I began the new year reconnecting with a PhD candidate from UCLA, Karen Nelson MSN,
sertation was
to
”death literacy.” I know it sounds kind of gloomy, but she explained it to me. Death literacy is defined as a “set of knowledge and skills that make it possible to gain access to, understand, and act upon end-of-life and death care options.” The definition is much less unsettling.
Thinking about death may seem counterintuitive as we celebrate the birth of a new year, but actually, birth and death are intricately interwoven. We can’t fully live life if we haven’t reflected upon death.
Artist and blogger Jill McClennen writes for End of Life Clarity, “Understanding end-of-life processes, grief, and related topics can significantly enhance our quality of life. Programs to educate people about these issues are designed to reduce the fear and mystery surrounding death and help people of all ages feel more comfortable and informed about this natural stage of life.”
I was surprised to learn that death literacy education is so practical and full of common sense. Making informed decisions includes examining financial resources, determining caregiving options, and communicating end-of-life wishes. Everything from creating a will to planning a memorial to healthcare directives. Basically, getting our ducks in a row to ease the burden for our families.
Equally important, as caregivers,
educating ourselves helps us to be knowledgeable and able to advocate for our dying loved ones. It enables us as caregivers to provide respectful, empathetic care for their physical and emotional preferences. We can become better prepared to create a peaceful and respectful experience for those nearing the end of life. In a society that often shies away from discussing death, learning about it can feel overwhelming. Yet knowledge and preparation reduce anxiety and promote peace of mind. Becoming aware helps us to be intimately present for this profound experience. It’s an opportunity for personal growth and deep reflection. Education can also prepare us to help our loved ones have some degree of agency in their lives and be able to make decisions about what is meaningful to them.
According to Karen Nelson, “Building community capacity to care for those at the end of life (EOL) has never been more vital in our aging society.” Her doctoral dissertation focuses on researching the characteristics of death literacy in the Santa Clarita Valley in order to improve EOL care for individuals and their families. For information about participating in her study, contact karen82@ucla.edu.
Beginning the new year by reflecting on the fleeting, ephemeral nature of life inspires us to live life fully each day in gratitude and approach its inevitable end with ease and peace of mind.
Mary Petersen is a retired COC English Instructor, 35-year SCV resident, and two-time breast cancer survivor. She welcomes your comments at asecondwind.signal@gmail.com
Top 5 Healthy Habits for Pets and Their Owners
Pets are the lights of their owners’ lives. And keeping pets healthy is key to extending the warmth and love for years.
Dr. Ernie Ward, nationally renowned veterinarian, pet author and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, offers his ‘Top 5 Healthy Habits’ for pet owners to help ensure pets stay happy and healthy throughout the year:
1. Healthy Eats and Treats
The most important decision you make each day regarding your pet’s health is what you feed it. When choosing pet food, look for meat as one of the first few ingredients, and avoid by-products, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives whenever possible.
When it comes to treats, look for low-cal options that confer some health benefit. Treats that help maintain healthy joints, clean teeth or en-
sure pills are taken are recommended. The Greenies Brand specializes in great-tasting treats individually formulated to deliver these benefits. If you’re going to give treats, make them count!
Most people love puzzles — and so does your pet! One of the best ways to feed and treat pets is with a food puzzle.
These clever devices hide your pet’s food or treats until they unlock the secret and get their goodies. These tools engage your pet’s brain and bust boredom while you’re away.
See HEALTHY HABITS, page 20
2. Brain Boosters
HEALTHY HABITS
Continued from page 19
Forget peanut butter-stuffed toys; these toys stimulate thought and don’t pack on the pounds!
3. Power Play
Walking your dog and playing with your cat each day keeps them trim, healthy and mentally alert. Pets that don’t receive enough physical activity (“lap potatoes”) have the highest rates of weight-related diseases such as arthritis and diabetes and suffer from behavioral problems.
For dogs, 20 to 30 minutes of brisk walking each day benefits both ends of the leash. For cats, two or three five-minute play periods are plenty. And don’t worry! Walking with your pet can be fun! Try programs like Greenies Wag & Walk 4 Life, and get active with your pet.
4. Paws Together
It’s more fun to play with other dogs! Socialized dogs are simply better behaved and more fun. Visit
a dog park, enroll in training classes or become active in serving your community. There are endless ways to get you and your dog to interact with other pet lovers. Share the fun and join a new pack!
5. Pets and Vets
Somehow pet owners started believing that the only time you need a vet is when something is wrong with your pet. The secret to a long and healthy life is vet visits when everything appears fine.
A pet owner’s primary goal should be to prevent disease, not only treat it. Changes in diet or lifestyle, giving nutritional supplements and exercising more are straight forward solutions. Sometimes you just need a prod; other times a push. Your veterinarian is your pet’s voice; let them speak for your pet by visiting once a year for young pets and twice yearly for those over age seven.
For more best-care tips for pets, visit www.greenies.com and www. drernieward.com. (NewsUSA)
It’s Always Great to get Out and About with your Pet whenever possible... We are OPEN EVERYDAY from 4PM to 11PM for all of your
Preventive Care is the Best way to avoid Illnesses and Accidents
what does this mean for your pet?
Outdoor Temperatures can be chilly, but when its Nice...
Allergies... Fall season allergies in Pets can wreak havoc on their systems. Some symptoms could include: Skin itchiness, Redness and irritation on the skin, Painful stomach, Diarrhea, Ear infections, Eye infections, Bumps on the skin, Hair loss, Scratching and chewing on feet or skin, Sneezing, Watery eyes, Reverse sneezing. Call for more information... Call or Message us at (661) 888-8VET 18597 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351 Check out our List of Services or contact us at -- www.scanimalurgentcare.vet
GAME PLAN
Continued from page 5
a thin, even layer.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the center of the cornbread is firm.
8. Using oven mitts, remove skillet from oven.
9. Carefully spread an even layer of sour cream over the cornbread.
10. Spread meat on top of the sour cream, and salsa on top of the meat.
11. Cover the whole thing with cheese and return skillet to oven.
12. When the cheese melts, remove skillet from oven.
13. Add any fresh toppings you favor, slice and serve.
For the Super Bowl, turn them into cute little footballs by using white icing as laces.
Serves 4-6 but if you want more strawberries, make more.
Ingredients
12 strawberries
4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Small tube of white decorative icing
1. Wash strawberries and pat dry.
2. Pour chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl. Place in microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. If not melted, microwave for 30 seconds more. Stir again.
3. Dip strawberries into melted chocolate and lay neatly on wax paper to cool.
4. Use icing to decorate your strawberries like footballs.
5. Place in refrigerator to harden…or eat immediately.
Buffalo Wings
We heartily recommend frying the wings: It’s the Super Bowl, not the Still Pretty Tasty But Definitely Not As Good Bowl. Baked or broiled wings will still be pretty tasty with the same sauce, but definitely not as good.
Pre-made wing sauces are available everywhere. Serves 4-6. If you have more people coming, do math.
Ingredients
12 whole chicken wings, cleaned and cut into flats and drums
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
Celery salt (optional) Oil for frying Blue cheese or ranch dressing
1. In a deep-fryer, dutch oven or large pot, heat the oil to about 375 degrees or medium-high heat.
2. Fry wings in oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes depending on size.
3. While the wings are frying, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add hot sauce and stir. Add celery salt or lemon pepper to taste, if desired. For spicier wings, up the ratio of hot sauce to butter. For milder wings, do the opposite.
4. When the wings are done, transfer them to a plate covered with paper towels to drain off excess oil. Then toss them in the wing sauce and serve with blue cheese or ranch.
Guacamole
Guacamole recipes can vary greatly, but one thing is practically always true: Fresh, homemade guac is better than anything you can get at the store.
Serves 4-6.
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
1/2 lime
1/4 cup diced onion
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno
Salt and pepper
Tortilla chips for dipping
1. Peel and pit avocados, then mash them in a medium bowl or mortar.
2. Add onion, cilantro and juice from the lime.
3. Wear rubber gloves to handle the jalapeno, especially — trust me — if you wear contact lenses and will need to remove them later. Otherwise you’re in for a world of pain.
4. Dice jalapeno and add to desired spice level. Depending on preference, you may only want 1/2 the pepper and no seeds. Some may want the whole thing, and all the seeds. Go slow.
5. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
6. Serve with tortilla chips. Baby carrots work, too, if you’re feeling guilty about frying the wings.
Mashed Potato Pizza
If you want to take your pizza to the next level, a
homemade pie won’t take any longer than any other traditional Super Bowl app.
Ingredients
1 Premade pizza dough (from your local grocery store, or – pro tip – your favorite local pizza joint)
Generous portion mashed potatoes
Mozzarella and/or cheddar cheeses
4 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and torn into bite-size chunks
2-3 eggs
Assembly
Well, it’s a pizza. Without getting overly scientific, you’ll want to toss the dough and then put down a bed of mozzarella (and some cheddar if you want). Then, add the potatoes and bacon. You can either dollop and gently spread or pipe the potatoes, as shown above.
Cook the pizza halfway, until the cheese is melting but the crust isn’t quite done yet. Then, remove from the oven and crack your eggs on top of the pizza. Return to oven and cook until pizza reaches desired doneness. (The cooking of the eggs is the trickiest part. If you like them runnier, add them closer to the end of cooking time).
Note You can make mashed potatoes however you like them (this could include instant), but add more butter/sour cream than you normally would so they don’t dry out in the oven.
Football Chocolate Covered Strawberries
SOLUTIONS
Opinion
READER LETTERS
A Shamefully Narrow Vote
Jan. 20, 2025, the Laken Riley Act passed in the Senate by a shameful 64-35 votes. Senators had to overcome a filibuster in order to get it passed. Only 12, Democrats voted with Republicans to get it passed. Those Democrats were Sens. John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), Ruben Gallego (Arizona), Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire), Mark Kelly (Arizona), Jon Ossoff (Georgia), Raphael Warnock (Georgia), Gary Peters (Michigan), Jacky Rosen (Nevada), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Elissa Slotkin (Michigan) and Mark Warner (Virginia). They are to be commended for standing up and voting for what is right!
But what about the 35 who voted against it, including Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla? Where were they on this issue and why did they vote against it? What did they find so egregious about this bill that they could not vote for it? Do they not belive in law and order? Do they not believe in protecting victims? Do they not believe in trying to stop these kinds of criminal atrocities by illegal immigrants? (And yes, I know not all of these kinds of acts are committed by Illegal immigrants; but this is one more step we can take.)
Or is it that our senators still believe we should remain a sanctuary state and just let criminals roam our streets? Do they not believe in legal immigration? Or maybe they believe in changing the plaque on the Statue of Liberty to read, “Send me you murderers and thieves, your plunderers to take what they please.” Yes, I know not all illegal immigrants are bad. However, they have broken our law by being here illegally. And just so you know, our senators are not the only ones who should be held accountable for this. Every one of you who voted for them must share the burden of their decisions. I hope, and I sincerely mean it, that it is not one of your family who may be the next victim.
Ron Perry Canyon Country
Why Politics Is Like Religion
Politics is like a religion for secular elites: It represents their fellowship of likeminded believers, their worthy place to serve and to tithe, and their meaning and purpose in life. Restricting the freedom of others is good and right in their eyes, and letting go of that philosophy is next to impossible because it gives identity; voting D means they’re the good guys, with ideas so good they must be mandated.
In contrast, Christianity teaches that we’ve only ever had one Good Guy, and He gave us the invitation — and the freedom — to follow Him, or not. Taking freedom from peaceful others is thus anathema; if Christ didn’t do it, what right has any mortal man to do so? Put differently, religious conservatives and secular liberals agree that conservatives are bad people, but only conservatives think that liberals are, too.
Rob Kerchner Santa Clarita
ETHICALLY SPEAKING
Ethical Vitamins for 2025
By David Hegg
Since we live in a world enamored with vitamins and supplements, I’d like to suggest four “ethical vitamins” for a better societal life in 2025. As I have viewed the public discussions regarding justice, race, politics, and progress in America, it has been discouraging to see how poorly we conduct civil, intellectually honest, and beneficial conversations.
for those for whom no tragedy should go wasted. We don’t have all the facts, but those in the business of shaping partial truths and appearances into political swords understand the power of getting to our minds first.
Submit a Letter to the Editor
Include name, address & phone. E-mail: letters@signalscv.com.
We must improve our ability to take in facts, process them through an informed, logical, and ethical grid, and propose valuable, workable answers and solutions. Otherwise, we will continue to foster regrettable division and the damage it always entails. Here are my “ethical vitamins” for the new year.
1. Communicate, don’t just “send”: Communication is essential to profitable dialogue, but I fear we are more prone to use keystrokes in a relational vacuum and hit “send” than we are to do the hard work of face-to-face listening, understanding, and responding. Telling is never communicating. Communication is about creating awareness among all parties rather than merely firing off missiles of opinion. Invective may make you feel better, but if your goal is to improve a situation, an unemotional commitment to active listening and a winsome response will provide a much better and more ethically satisfying outcome.
2. Read, don’t just watch: Friends, you cannot entrust your mind to the mainstream media and count on them to provide the facts and commentary you need to make a proper, informed and ethically balanced decision on most things. In addition to obvious bias on all sides, complex issues cannot be described, interpreted, or solved in three-minute video segments. In these short, explosive segments, what is presented is designed for ratings and often realignment, not honest education. We need to get back to reading, and by this, I mean books, essays and opinion columns on a broad scale. I will stop short of recommending my favorites, lest my own bias further invade this column. However, I recommend reading books by respected historians examining today’s political and social issues. Biographies of great men and women are also a must if we are to learn how time and culture affect societies and their lives.
3. Contemplate, don’t just react: We’ve all seen what reaction does as we’ve watched the recent firestorms become a political war zone
But, it is far better to take in information from the best sources and analyze them before forming opinions. It is also necessary to hold back our emotional biases, and perhaps this is the hardest thing to do simply because we’ve all been programmed to be “incensed” when something “outrageous” happens. This is true on both sides of the racial and political aisles. But it just isn’t helpful! When emotion takes the engineer’s seat, we often find ourselves driven off the rails. Here’s a tip: Pretend you are a judge in a court of law and must analyze the facts presented and come to a judgment. Will you be fair and unbiased, or will you give in to the political and societal pressure surrounding you? You be the judge.
4. Improve, don’t just settle for progress: Americans have a deep sense that things will improve. However, hope based on the promise of progress has no benefit unless we all, as individuals, are determined to improve as people and as neighbors.
Progress is usually understood as the economy improving, crime diminishing, and people of all kinds having more opportunities to live better lives. But I suggest that this isn’t enough. We must also take personal responsibility for improving ourselves, regardless of circumstances.
Regardless of your situation, the best way to make 2025 a great year is to heed the advice from the pen of Shakespeare. In Hamlet, Polonius exhorts his son Laertes concerning his behavior as he embarks upon a university education. “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” That is, be a person of virtue. Think, study, vigilantly guard your ethical convictions, and improve your character daily. Be the one who cleans up, speaks up, and lifts up those around you, and who knows? If we all improve, we'll look back and see we made the best kind of progress in 2025.
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
