Sunday Signal March 14, 2021

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MARCH 14, 2021

Jeri Melo & The Classroom to Go Page 7 Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

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POURING GREEN GLASSES FOR ST. PADDY

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TASTY WAYS TO THINK ABOUT PI(ES)

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M A R C H 14, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES 4 5 6 7

4

Experience the butterflies in SoCal St. Patty’s Day celebrations are back on!

Trick riders: The daredevils of horse riding Thinking outside the box, on wheels

FROM THE MAYOR

It’s Back

8

8 Ready to welcome the community to The Cube

HEALTH 9 9 Deep vein thrombosis

FOOD 10 1 0 Happy Pi(e) Day French Apple Pie Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie

ENTERTAINMENT 11 11 Qualley is ‘endearing’ in ‘My Salinger Year’

TECHNOLOGY 12 12 Why a tech career might be just right for you

SENIOR LIVING

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13 Helping older adults stay active at home during COVID

PETS 15 15 Fun ways to keep your cat entertained at home

GARDENING 16 16 Four easy ideas to enhance your 2021 garden

KIDS & FAMILY

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1 7 Donna’s Day: Print shamrock shapes for St. Patrick’s Day Junior Whirl • Health Fact

PUZZLES 18 OPINION 19 SPECIALIZING IN PRECISION ELECTRONIC TUNE-UPS, FUEL INJECTION, IGNITION, SMOG CHECK, GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

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M A R C H 14, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Experience the butterflies in SoCal

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

B

utterflies are magical. But in addition to their beauty, these delicate insects are an important part of the food chain. Butterflies, like bees, are important pollinators.

It’s unlikely the Santa Clarita Valley will soon experience another butterfly experience like we had in 2019, when millions of butterflies migrated through Southern California, captivating onlookers with the colorful spectacle of clouds of butterflies.

The orange butterflies, called Painted Ladies, which travel annually from the deserts of Southern California to the Pacific Northwest.

However, you can still get your “butterfly fix,” if you know where to look.

Attracting butterflies

The Santa Clarita Valley has a good climate for attracting butterflies. Plant butterfly-friendly plants and provide a shallow water source, such as a bird bath, to attract butterflies to your garden.

Butterflies such as Asters, phlox, goldenrod, milkweed, pineapple sage, purple coneflower, verbena, coreopsis, dianthus, nasturtium, French marigolds, Heliotrope, impatiens, cosmos and zinnias. Nectar-rich shrubs include: Azalea, butterfly bush, glossy abelia and trailing Lantana.

Where are the butterflies?

If you want to see large numbers of butterflies, visit one of these seasonal butterfly exhibits, or butterfly gardens, in California.

Butterfly Pavilion March 18 through Sept. 6 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles 90007 Info nhm.org/experience-nhm/exhibitionsnatural-history-museum/butterfly-pavilion The butterflies are again taking flight at the Natural History Museum’s Butterfly Pavilion, where guests will be able to stroll through the Nature Gardens on the way to the pavilion. There is a limited

A few butterfly facts

There are more than 20,000 differ-

ent butterfly species.

North America is home to more than 700 of these species.

Nectar is an important component of a butterfly’s diet.

The word for a swarm of butterflies is a kaleidoscope.

Butterflies taste with their feet and have a suction tube for a mouth.

Butterflies are cold-blooded animals and most active on a calm, warm day.

The Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County offers a close look at 30 different species of butterflies. PHOTO COURTESY NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF L.A. COUNTY

number of guests that will be allowed inside the Butterfly Pavilion. Currently, general public tickets will go on sale March 18-21. If you miss these dates, check back as the museum will be releasing additional tickets throughout the exhibit days.

This springtime exhibition features hundreds of butterflies, colorful native plants and plenty of natural light to help you see these creatures shimmer.

With lots of flight space and a variety of resting spots, this one of the best views in California of these amazing insects.

This exhibit offers 30 different species, including California natives such as the Mourning Cloak and Buckeye.

Discover caterpillars munching on milkweed, chrysalises dangling beneath shrubs and witness adult butterflies performing important pollination as they feed on blooming flowers. You’ll learn about different species of butterflies, including White Peacocks and Painted Ladies.

The Living Desert Zoo Open Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert 92260 Info livingdesert.org The Living Desert features trails where you can see colorful butterflies flutter past and hummingbirds hover near in this magical garden paradise.

Visitors can see countless butterflies representing more than 30 species, including the Monarch, Giant Owl, Queen, Zebra Longwing, Buckeye, Blue Morpho and Painted Ladies.

Entry is limited with timed ticketing in order to pace the number of guests. But besides the butterlies, you can also see giraffe feeding from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wildlife Wonders Show. Food venues are open for take-away.

General admission tickets (13+) are $24.95, children are $14.94 and seniors (62+) are $22.95. Children under 3 are free.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park Butterfly Jungle 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido 92027 Info: sdzsafaripark.org/butterflyjungle This year, the Butterfly Jungle is a paid ticketed reservation. The tickets are $60 per household group up to 6 people.

Here you will learn about the butterfly life cycle and become immersed in the wonder of butterflies in the Hidden Jungle. Each experience lasts approximately 30 minutes from check-in until exit. The Safari Park’s Hidden Jungle is home to the zoo’s butterflies, and inside the rain forest greenhouse, you’ll see thousands of butterflies above and around you as they sip nectar from flowers and feeders.

Both the zoo and the park are open, so make a day of it and enjoy all the sights to see. However, reservations are required in order to regulate the number of visitors.

Hallberg Butterfly Gardens 8687 Oak Grove Ave, Sebastopol 95472 Info hallbergbutterflygardens.org The Hallberg Butterfly Gardens are a wildlife sanctuary and an open habitat with dirt trails.

It’s nestled among the apple orchards of Western Sonoma County and covers nine acres of overgrown vines and thickets, flowering pathways and meadows. The self-guided tours are by appointment only. While the gardens are open April until October, the best time to see the butterflies is from April to June. This is when the most abundant populations of the large Swallowtail butterflies can be observed. 

M A R C H 14, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

St. Paddy’s Day celebrations are back on!

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

L

ast year, St. Patrick’s Day 2020 was all but canceled due to a new pandemic sweeping across the globe.

A day usually celebrated with corned beef, shepherd’s pie and green beer with friends and family was essentially put on pause. The cheers and fun times were halted as we collectively learned the words “stay-at-home order” for the first time.

But this year will be different for St. Patrick, according to Santa Clarita Valley business owners.

Restaurants and bars around the SCV are committed to making sure their customers and regulars have a chance to participate in the traditions — albeit ones altered by COVID-19 restrictions, once again.

On March 17 — almost one year exactly after California and Los Angeles County issued a shelter-in-place health order, the SCV will have St. Paddy’s Day once again.

Schooners Patio Grille

The owners of Schooners Patio Grille have said they expect this St. Patrick’s Day, especially after last year’s abrupt cancelation, to be one to remember, after what has been a trying year for them and restaurants everywhere.

“Everybody’s really excited to celebrate again, and I feel like it’ll be our first party since we’ve been back,” said Teri Ledesma, owner of Schooners. “Unfortunately, there will still be restrictions, so it can only be as busy as we can be. But we’ll be offering the green beer and we’ll be offering food specials throughout the day.”

Schooners’ St. Patrick’s Day plans would not only provide a welcome environment for customers to again enjoy, but also include some holiday treats.

“We’ll have beads, we’ll have our music going and we’re just going to make it a lively event,” said Ledesma. “We’re just going to do whatever we can to make our customers happy.”

Schooners is located at 22903 Soledad Canyon

Green beer is not an Irish custom, but an American one. The most common beer consumed in Ireland is Guinness, which is dark brown to black in color, making green dye useless in Irish pubs.

The crew at Schooners Patio Grille will be part of the fun and revelry on display throughout the Santa Clarita Valley for St. Patrick’s Day. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Road. For more information, visit www.schooners santaclarita.com, or call (661) 3884765.

Drifters Cocktails

Drifters Cocktails in Canyon Country is expecting a larger than normal crowd on St. Patrick’s Day due to their holiday celebration.

“We’re actually doing live bands all day, and then we’re going to have a DJ that night,” said Drifters owner Dennis Marazzito, “(and) we’re doing corned beef and cabbage sandwiches.”

In addition to the food and musical entertainment, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Drifters is also planning to have a number of St. Patrick’s Day drink specials, including $3 green beers, $5 Jamison shots and $6 Irish Car Bombs.

“We have three really good days out of the year: We have St. Patrick’s Day, the day before Thanksgiving is always busy and we have New Year’s. We kind of lost all of those last year,” said Marazzito.

“Less for me and more for my employees, I’m excited that they’re going to be able to actually make some money, make some tips.”

The festivities at the bar on St. Patrick’s Day will be socially distanced and outside, and some of the usual activities, such as karaoke, are currently prohibited, Marazzito said. Nevertheless, the bar and restaurant are planning to make the best of the situation. “(All bars) got shut down on St. Patrick’s Day of last year, and so this is going to be a great St. Patty’s Day,” said Marazzito. “We’re just so excited.”

Drifters Cocktails is located at 18240 Soledad Canyon Road. For more information, visit drifterscocktails.business.site or call (661) 252-2471.

Rose & Crown

One of Newhall’s most visited themed restaurants, the Rose and Crown British Restaurant on Lyons Avenue is said to be offering treats and food from across the pond in the lead up to and during St. Patrick’s Day. Advertising on their social media pages for March 16-17, the Rose and Crown is selling “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Boxes;” a themed package consisting of a three-course meal, sparkling cider, festive decor, themed accessories, musical playlist, fun games and more.

“I actually don’t know how to judge what’s going to happen, because last year I was expecting it to be relatively quiet. The closures were new, but we ended up being rather busy last year for takeout,” said Greg Sutton, manager of the Rose and Crown. “So, I’m expecting it to be rather busy again.”

The restaurant will also serve its famous corned beef and cabbage meal the week of St. Patrick’s Day, said Sutton.

“It’s always been a good time because this place sort of has a real genuine atmosphere,” said Sutton.

“At least last year and this year coming up, it’s been kind of sad because it hasn’t been that genuine experience, but it’s been so nice to see everyone still support us and to still get that experience through takeout.”

Rose & Crown is located at 24246 Lyons Ave. For more information, visit them on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/Rose-and-Crown-BritishRestaurant-SCV-111187015580763, or call (661) 255-5048. 

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M A R C H 14, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Trick riders: the daredevils of horse riding

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

P

erforming stunts while riding a horse is a time-honored tradition for some risk-takers. Trick riding has been around for years, and perhaps the most standout examples include a few Santa Clarita Valley resident who’ve even starred on the silver screen.

“Basically, trick riding is equestrian gymnastics,” said Gattlin Griffith. “It’s a performance, and doing tricks on horses while they run and perform in their own right.”

You don’t hear about many trick riders these days, especially a group of trick-riding kids. In fact, the Griffith’s — Callder, Arrden, Garrison, and Gattlin — along with neighbor Demi Trepanier, are one of the few active trick-riding groups in the nation.

“We’ve built that community in our own family and with Demi,” Gattlin said. “That’s made us really connected and we have a really special bond because of it.”

Wild West Express is a fourth-generation trick-riding group, coached by Griffith patriarch Tad Griffith, a famous stunt actor.

Tad started trick riding at the age of 5, because his parents had done it, according to Gattlin. Tad’s father is in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Cowboy Hall of Fame, while his mother is in the Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

“They made their living going rodeo to rodeo, so it was kind of a family business,” Gattlin said. “We don’t do it nearly as much as he did, but given who he is, we had a lot of great opportunities.”

Except for Garrison, who started when he was 4, the Griffith kids were all about 7 or 8 when their father started teaching them.

“Learning how to trick ride starts with learning how to ride,” Gattlin said. “They went hand-inhand, because you have to know how to sit on a horse and ride first.”

The kids were first taught how to get on a horse bareback and just ride around before they even used a safely, or began learning any of the basic tricks.

“When you’re in time with your horse, it really helps you get to the different positions you need to do in trick riding and being able to perform the tricks,” Gattlin said. “There’s a few foundational tricks you learn that have a lot of the same techniques that some of your more difficult tricks require, so building technique and building a sense of timing is huge for trick riding.”

In trick riding, although they may perform as a group, routines are done individually.

“We all have diverse tricks, and we each have our own set of things that we’re a little bit better at,” Gattlin said. “Callder’s definitely a trickster — he’s got a real improvisational aspect of his performance.”

“Gattlin’s more of the steady graceful trick rider,” Callder said.

Top: Garrison Griffith doing a trick on Okie McAlister during a performance. Right: and Arrden Griffith doing a trick on Brownie. PHOTOS COURTESY WENDY GRIFFITH

“Traditional, I guess,” Gattlin added to the conversation.

“The holding tricks he’s really good at just because he’s got a lot of upper (body) strength,” Callder continued.

While Arrden is a mixture of the two, Trepanier, being the only girl, has a different style entirely.

“There’s a difference between girls’ tricks and guys’ tricks,” Gattlin added.

“The boys have a lot more ground tricks, so they’ll hit the ground and go back up — for me, it’s all on saddle,” Trepanier said.

Each horse they ride has its own personality, Callder said, and the horse has to enjoy trick riding and trust the rider just as much as the rider trusts them, Garrison added.

“There’s a bond there and a connection that has to be formed,” Gattlin said.

The group usually begins training two weeks to a month before a show, with 4-hour practices sometimes six or seven days a week. “(Our father) is always having us practice at different times, different environments,” Callder said.

“So we’ll take the spotlight out and shine it on the horses so they get used to it for the show.”

They do this so they’re “prepared for anything,” Gattlin said.

Wild West Express has had opportunities to perform at various venues, including the Fort Worth Stock Show, North American Trick Riding Championship, and an almost annual performance at the Fiesta of the Spanish Horse at Griffith Park, as well as making an appearance on “America’s Got Talent” in 2015.

“That was kind of a big deal, just to be able to broadcast this aged sport to a larger audience,” Gattlin said. “It felt like we got a lot of feedback from

people saying it’s nice to see young people still doing it.”

Trepanier agreed, adding: “Pretty much, we’re the only ones.”

Trick riding can actually be quite dangerous, and the Griffith’s attribute their success to the help of their father.

“Because he knows so much, we don’t have to spend as much time as he did learning,” Gattlin said. “He can tell you situations that you’re probably going to encounter way before they happen, which makes the learning process a lot quicker.”

Even with his help though, all of them have gone through some wrecks, especially Arrden, who Gattlin said has been in some tough falls.

“I broke my left foot last April,” Arrden said. “I was on a big horse going around a corner doing a trick that has you on the side when he lost footing, tripped and stumbled on my lower torso and broke my foot.”

In fact, that’s how their grandmother died, Callder said: “A horse fell on her during a performance.”

“Luckily, it was just the broken foot, but he’s had plenty of wrecks like that — we’re surrounded by angels all the time,” Gattlin said. “We just know how lucky we are.”

See TRICK RIDERS, page 15

M A R C H 14, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

Thinking outside the box, on wheels

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

W

hile the pandemic brought about a number of challenges, it also inspired opportunities — like the brightly colored bus full of preschoolers who can often be heard singing along with teacher Jeri Melo.

Melo transformed the interior of a bus into a mobile learning space — equipped with everything you’d find in a typical preschool classroom — as a way to support her students she called Classroom To Go. “You see mobile dog groomers, you see food trucks, you see even mobile hair salons, so I was like, ‘You know what, why couldn’t a preschool work,’” Melo said. “Instead of thinking outside the box, I just put my box on wheels.”

From pandemic shut down to purchasing a bus

The Santa Clarita native was teaching at a local preschool when COVID-19 hit, and being a single mom, Melo needed to find a way to continue support her own kids, who were also out of school.

“Teaching is really the only thing that I know,” she said. “So, I kind of tinkered with a few ideas.”

Like most, Melo began with virtual lessons, even creating activity bags she called “Classroom to Go,” which could be delivered to families to keep the kids engaged.

Even so, it was challenging, as the virtual learning environment was hardly conducive to a young child’s attention span, and soon, parents

began asking if Melo would mind tutoring their child in-person in small cohorts.

“My car just turned into a storage unit for bringing supplies from my house to the family’s homes,” she said, adding it didn’t take her long to realize the school-at-home setup just wasn’t cutting it.

While most were online shopping for toilet paper and hand sanitizer mid-pandemic, Melo was purchasing a bus and transforming it into a classroom.

“I wanted to be safe for the families, and while I did want to teach in their homes, I wanted to be safe for myself, as well, so the only way I could figure out how to do that is to bring a classroom to them,” Melo added.

Creating a safe space for students

When classes began in August, Melo started with seven students and slowly increased that to 13.

“The children step onto my bus, and it’s a controlled environment where I know who’s going on it, who’s coming off of it, and so on, so forth,” she added. “It’s how I would like it to be: just a small, intimate group, where the families have really become each other’s support system throughout this whole thing.”

A cohort of three students from the school Melo used to teach at and whose families are comfortable with one another have since begun school on the bus, including Juanice Reyna’s 5-year-old son Maddox.

Before the bus, Maddox was struggling to focus on the virtual lessons, which worried Reyna, but she said

SCV Resident Jeri Melo teaches a group of preschoolers in a bus that she converted into a classroom.

N E W S F E AT U R E

The Classroom to Go bus. PHOTOS BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

she immediately saw a change in him when he returned to in-person instruction.

“I just don’t think learning on a computer for a five-year-old works,” she said. “I think they just need that one-on-one, personal interaction.”

When Melo told her about the bus, Reyna said, “‘OK, we’re totally in.’ I thought it was crazy at first, but she really did it, and then once we just saw everything come together, it was a great experience for the kids.”

For Maddox, who already had a great relationship with Melo before the pandemic, it’s been nothing but smiles.

“He loves it. He looks forward to it, and he’s always asking me when we’re going,” Reyna said, adding that she believes it was the right decision.

“They’re still getting that interaction, they’re still learning, (but) right now with the times, I just feel safer with a small group of kids and her.”

And it’s kids like Maddox that have inspired Melo, who wants to be a hybrid of Mr. Rogers and Ms. Frizzle from “The Magic School Bus.” “Most of those these children are going into kindergarten next year, and they might know their ABCs … but just even learning how to take direction from someone outside of their home is a big deal,” she said. “If I can support their wellbeing and their health and just bring positive energy, I’m going to do it.”

A lot of the activities that she did with her students in her last classroom translated onto the bus, just on a much smaller scale, with a focus on inclusion and diversity.

“I just wanted everyone to feel like they were represented in some way, whether it be a poster, a book, a doll,”

she added. “That was just my biggest goal is for everyone to feel like they’re home, especially during a time when everyone feels very separated. … I feel like there’s a lack of community right now — that’s the world we’re in right now — so even if it’s just these little baby steps, I think it’s a step in the right direction.”

Making the classroom even more special

At the beginning of the year, Melo heard of Brittany Jeltema, who was taking applications for classroom makeovers from teachers across the country as a way to give back to educators.

With the help of parents, Melo’s application was chosen from more than 1,000 submissions to receive the makeover, according to Jeltema, who traveled from Ohio to complete the project.

“All teachers are deserving, but something stood out about Jeri,” Jeltema said. “She has created a completely new concept, and I knew I wanted to help her achieve her goal and grow.

Her students will have the opportunity to experience education through a different lens and discover growth that can only be seen in a mobile classroom setting like this.”

Jeltema not only thought the idea was remarkable, but also was excited to tackle the challenge of flipping a school bus into a classroom setting, complete with seating, storage, learning tools and a mural on the outside.

“It’s incredible,” Melo said. “I am so extremely blessed to have gotten that opportunity … The possibilities are endless.” 

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 14, 2021

F R O M T H E M AY O R

Ice and entertainment in Santa Clarita —

Ready to welcome the community to The Cube

By Bill Miranda Santa Clarita City Mayor

A

fter months of renovations, the ice is frozen, the walls are painted, plumbing fixtures have been replaced, flooring has been updated and new signage is on the way at the former Valencia Ice Station, now known as The Cube — Ice and Entertainment in Santa Clarita.

You’ve no doubt heard of The Block at Orange or The Pike in Long Beach — The Cube brings the same kind of cool and concise name that is easy to remember and exciting to visit.

We are now just weeks away from cutting the ribbon and welcoming the community back to this vital amenity that will host ice sports — and also events. Capacity will, of course, depend on the current health restrictions.

You will continue to see progress being made as we move closer to the reopening date. New The Cube signage will be installed on the building, and an actual 3D cube will be placed in front of the

building, perfect for photo ops. You won’t be able to miss the new LED sign that will replace the old one above the ticket booth. The new sign has the capacity and clarity to broadcast movies and will share with the community important schedule information, City news and sponsor advertisements.

Speaking of sponsorship, there are still several very cool ways to promote your business or organization at The Cube. You can buy naming rights to one of the three rinks, do a custom Zamboni wrap or even name the newly renovated banquet and balcony area.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities at The Cube, which is anticipated to see an annual attendance of more than 500,000 visitors, please contact Chris Page at cpage@santa-clarita. com.

I know how excited our local ice athletes are to return to this landmark City facility. The Cube will offer three ice sheets — an NHL rink, an Olympic rink and The Pond, a smaller rink that can be used for warming up or for a kid’s birthday party.

In addition, there is an option to cover the ice with an insulated floor, which will allow for a huge event space. The NHL rink is 85 by 200 feet

which is approximately 17,000 square feet. This space would make The Cube the perfect venue for non-profit events, conventions, business meetings, concerts, sports competitions, filming and more.

The banquet area on the second floor has been completely renovated in the clean, crisp blue colors which are seen throughout The Cube. It will be the ideal place for mixers, smaller events and meetings.

The room opens up onto a picturesque balcony with stunning views of the valley and the beautiful Santa Clarita sunsets.

The ribbon-cutting date will be announced shortly. Please make sure you are following the City on social media for all the latest details on The Cube.

I am thrilled that the City was able to preserve this vital amenity for our residents. I look forward to seeing you at The Cube!

Mayor Bill Miranda is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at bmiranda@santaclarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

M A R C H 14, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

H E A LT H

To your good health —

Deep vein thrombosis usually due to surgery

By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Writer

Dear Dr. Roach I am a 47-year-old woman. Five years ago, I developed a blood clot in my left leg after fracturing my ankle and being immobilized for several months. I was put on a blood thinner, and my ankle healed.

Recently that leg started swelling again, and I went for an ultrasound.

I was told that I have a chronic DVT, but that I don’t need blood thinners.

Why do I not need a blood thinner now when I did before? What does “chronic” mean? Why am I getting swelling again five years after the first clot?

—L.S.B. Answer Blood clots can happen in veins or arteries, but the type that happen due to surgery and immobilization are almost always in the vein.

That’s the “V” in “DVT,” which stands for “deep vein thrombosis.”

A brand-new blood clot has a high risk of propagating further up the vein, and also of breaking off and traveling through the vein into the heart. Most often, the clot will go on into the lungs, then called a “pulmonary embolus.” But in the rare case, the clot can go through a patent foramen ovale, which is sometimes called a hole in the heart, and cause a stroke.

Because of the risk of life-threatening complications, acute DVTs are treated with anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or apixaban (Eliquis). This stabilizes the clot, and after a week or two the risk of propagation or embolization becomes much lower. Most people are treated for at least three months for maximum benefit.

Treatment does not dissolve the clot, and a follow-up ultrasound will detail changes that show the clot is no longer acute, hence “chronic.” The vein itself is scarred and damaged, and never returns to normal.

“Chronic DVT” isn’t the best term, since it confuses many, both patients and physicians alike. I prefer scarred, and some experts use “chronic luminal changes” to differentiate it from an acute clot. Whatever it is called, it may still be symptomatic.

Most people with a history of a large clot on one leg will notice that leg swells more than the other in heat or with a large salt load. Even so, anticoagulant treatment is neither necessary nor helpful.

Effective treatment for swelling associated with previous DVT includes salt restriction, compression stockings and leg elevation several times during the day. People with more severe symptoms that do not respond to conservative management may benefit from more aggressive therapies, such as placement of a metal stent to let the blood flow better through the damaged area.

A note from Dr. Roach I am

often asked about screening tests for pancreatic cancer. Despite the promise of new tests, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently re-reviewed the available evidence and continues to recommend against screening in the general population.

However, it’s important to recognize that these recommendations do not apply to people at increased risk for pancreatic cancer, such as those with familial pancreatic cancer or with some genetic syndromes, such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. However, it does apply to people with other risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including smokers and those with new-onset diabetes or chronic pancreatitis.

With better screening tests, or with improved treatments, the balance of benefits to harms (false positive results can lead to unnecessary surgery) may shift.  © 2020 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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M A R C H 14, 2021

FOOD

Happy Pi(e) Day

M

arch 14 is the annual celebration of (Pi) the mathematical constant since the first three numbers are 3, 1 and 4. As such, many like to celebrate with pie.

Continuing with that tradition, here are two pie recipes for you to make and enjoy.

p

French Apple Pie

A Perfectly Dreamy Dessert

S

ome desserts deliver sweet taste that satisfies taste buds while others provide a rich flavor that lingers long after you’ve finished that last delicious bite. When you’re pondering which type of dessert you’d like to make at home, it may be difficult to decide which direction to take.

Instead of making that nearly impossible decision, keep in mind you can have the best of both worlds with this Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie. On top of the hard-to-beat flavor, this recipe requires a short list of ingredients and limited time in the kitchen for an easy-to-make treat to satisfy your loved ones’ dessert desires.

Just mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, milk and whipped topping before layering together in a graham cracker crust that adds just enough crunch to the creamy texture. Top with chocolate chips and drizzle with chocolate and caramel syrups before freezing, serving and putting smiles on all the faces in the room.

1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup milk 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping 1 graham cracker crust

chocolate chips

chocolate syrup

caramel syrup

Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie

Pour into crust. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup and caramel syrup.

Freeze until set. (Family Features) 

Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

C

ertain foods are synonymous with particular holidays or times of year. Apples, and particularly apple pie, are a staple of many holiday season celebrations. But apple pie is just as delicious in March, April, May, etc., as it is during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s especially true when the apples are fresh. Whether yours is a seasonal or non-seasonal craving for apple pie, be sure to satisfy it with this recipe for French Apple Pie from Mollie Cox Bryan’s “Mrs. Rowe’s Little Book of Southern Pies” (Ten Speed Press).

Makes one 9-inch pie 1 recipe Plain Pie Pastry (see below)

Raisin Filling

2/3 cup raisins 6 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1-1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar 2 apples (preferably a tart variety) 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

Icing 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon butter, softened To make the raisin filling, combine the raisins, water and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally until the raisins are plump, about 15 minutes.

Separately, combine the corn syrup, flour and sugar and mix well, then add to the raisins and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until thick and syrupy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool until the mixture is just warm, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 9-inch pie plate with 1 rolled-out crust.

Peel the apples, cut them into thin wedges, and put them in a large bowl. Separately, combine the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch, then add to the apples and gently stir until evenly mixed.

Spread the apple mixture in the crust in an even layer, then spread the raisin filling evenly over the apples. Brush the rim of the crust with water, cover with the second rolled-out crust, seal and flute or crimp the edges, and cut a steam vent in the center.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until golden brown.

In bowl of stand mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and peanut butter; mix until blended. Add milk; mix until blended. Fold in whipped topping.

Cool on a wire rack for 1 to 2 hours, until completely cool.

To make the icing, combine the sugar and water and mix well. Add the butter and mix until smooth.

Brush over the top of the cooled pie before serving.

Plain Pie Pastry Makes two 9-inch pie crusts 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup vegetable shortening 5 to 7 tablespoons cold milk Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until it is the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the milk over part of the flour mixture. Gently toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Sprinkle another tablespoon of milk over another dry part, toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Repeat with the remaining milk until all of the flour mixture is moistened.

Press the dough together to form 2 equal balls, then flatten into disks. Roll out the crusts right away, or wrap the dough tightly, smoothing out any little wrinkles or air pockets and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Use a light touch and handle the dough as little as possible. (MC) 

M A R C H 14, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

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

Qualley is ‘endearing’ in ‘My Salinger Year’

ack in the ancient era of the 1980s and 1990s, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Johnny Depp, Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Andie MacDowell were appearing in major motion pictures. Cut to present day, and over the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen movies featuring: • Jack Kilmer (son of Val and Joanne).

• Lily-Rose Depp (daughter of Johnny and French singer-model-actress Vanessa Paradis).

• Maya Hawke (daughter of Ethan and Uma).

• Margaret Qualley (daughter of Andie MacDowell and former model Paul Qualley).

Each of these second-generation actors has demonstrated impressive chops, with Qualley arguably the deepest talent, as evidenced by her fine performances in the HBO series “The Leftovers” and the FX miniseries “Fosse/Verdon,” and her scene-swiping work opposite Brad Pitt in “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.” In the borderline trifling but consistently amusing and wry period piece “My Salinger Year,” Qualley has the opportunity to carry the story, and she delivers an effortlessly endearing performance in a literary

adventure that plays like “The Devil Wears Prada” meets “Can You Ever Forgive Me,” only at lower stakes.

With writer-director Philippe Falardeau putting a whimsical and at times almost dreamy spin on the memoir by Joanna Rakoff, “My Salinger Year” is set in 1995, when New York City was teeming with brickand-mortar bookstores and getting published meant GETTING PUBLISHED, as in magazines and books you held in your hands, with pages to be turned. Qualley’s Joanna arrives in New York City with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a literary-minded Holly Golightly and a romanticized notion of soaking in the hustle and bustle of the city, living in a delightfully shabby apartment and writing in cafes. Step One: Joanna gets a job as an assistant to Margaret, the legendary literary agent at a stuffy and traditional but still successful agency that has handled some of the great American authors of the 20th century, including one J.D. Salinger, who has been a recluse for some three decades but still occasionally rings the agency to talk to Margaret.

Joanna is bursting with enthusiasm. A real job at a real literary agency! Margaret, who terrorizes the office staff with sarcastic bon mots and slamming doors, tells Joanna to calm down and get to work — with the work including the responsibility of reading every single letter sent to Salinger and responding with one of a half-dozen form replies. (Ever since Mark David Chapman had a copy of “The Catcher in the Rye” in his possession when he murdered John Lennon, the agency has as-

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signed someone to read every letter sent to Salinger in order to weed out potentially dangerous stalker types.)

At times we see the letter-writers in various locales, speaking the content of their writings to camera. It’s a nice touch that demonstrates the vast majority of these supposed “weirdos” are just lost and lonely, and they relate to Holden Caulfield.

Joanna takes it upon herself to start responding to Salinger’s fans with personalized replies, which seems to help some of them and infuriate others and will get her fired if discovered. Tread lightly, Joanna! With Margaret often out of the office, Joanna develops something of a telephone friendship with Salinger (perfectly played by Tim Post as a voice on the phone and a figure seen in silhouette).

Meanwhile, Joanna moves into an apartment with Don (Douglas Booth), who works at a socialist bookstore and is writing a novel and forever talking about writing a novel

and takes Joanna to poetry readings and mansplains all things life and literary to Joanna, and he’s even worse than he sounds. We’re rooting for Joanna to find the time and inspiration to write, and we’re rooting for her to wake up to Don’s bull---- and get on with the best part of her life, which surely lies just ahead.

Sigourney Weaver is a fountain of dry wit (can you be a fountain of dry wit, let’s say yes) as Margaret, who can be absolutely dreadful in her dismissiveness but — SHOCKER — just might turn out to have a beating heart beneath the cloak of sarcasm.

Theodore Pellerin is a standout as the Salinger fan known as “Boy From Winston-Salem.” Mostly, though, this is Margaret Qualley’s movie and Joanna’s story, and whether Joanna is dancing in a fantasy sequence or finding her voice as a writer and as a person, it’s a lovely and endearing performance. 

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M A R C H 14, 2021

TECHNOLOGY

Why a tech career might be just right for you

I

f you have an interest in innovation, a passion for helping people and the confidence to let your creativity shine, there are exciting and rewarding career opportunities available to you in technology in almost every industry.

From supporting the development of critical vaccines; building the next generation of electric vehicles; creating new and engaging ways to deliver distance learning; keeping air, food and water safe and sustainable; or bringing efficiencies to the delivery of government services, there is a career in tech waiting for you.

Even better, you don’t necessarily need to be a computer whiz or math genius to land one of these jobs, as technical skills can often be taught, but professional and personal skills are often more difficult to find.

Those in the know say that a growing number of employers are more interested in creativity, organization, verbal and written communications skills and a willingness to be a team player and less in technical acumen.

“That’s true for people joining the labor force for the first time, returning to the workforce, burned out or hitting a ceiling in their current job, or downsized out of a job through no fault of their own,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association.

It’s a field that offers a certain amount of job security, too. The economic and employment disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on tech occupations, though not nearly to the degree that other industries have been affected. The unemployment rate for IT occupations in the U.S. stood at 2.4% in November 2020, below the national unemployment rate of 6.7%.

Employers across the country continue to advertise job openings for tech workers — there were nearly 200,000 listings in November 2020.

These openings were spread across many industries outside the technology sector, including financial services, manufacturing, retail, government, healthcare and education. You’ll also

find great variety in the types of positions companies need to fill. They include application and software developers; tech support professionals, whose roles are increasingly important as more people work and learn from home; network analysts, architects and engineers; cybersecurity pros responsible for securing our data, devices and networks; and project managers tasked with keeping mission-critical projects on track.

There are a number of free resources available to help you learn more about tech careers: • The Future of Tech (futureoftech. org) is a free and growing library of resources to get you up to speed on what’s new and next in the world of technology.

• Cyberstates (cyberstates.org) is the definitive guide to information on the U.S. technology industry and workforce.

• If you’re interested in cybersecurity, CyberSeek (cyberseek.org) has detailed information on the U.S. job market, including guidance on career paths and professional certifications.

• CompTIA (comptia.org) offers many tech career planning tools, including salary calculators and job search help.

“There are career options available that allow you to combine an interest in technology with something you are passionate about,” Thibodeaux said. “With the right access, encouragement and opportunity, anyone can maximize their digital knowledge and skills so they can achieve their life’s ambitions.” (StatePoint) 

M A R C H 14, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

SENIORLIVING

Helping older adults stay active at home during COVID

A

s the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many older adults are following the advice of public health experts and remaining at home to limit risk of exposure. Bad weather conditions can also keep people inside for days at a time.

But a strong body and mind are as important as ever, and the good news is being indoors doesn’t mean having to give up on exercising.

There are many great health benefits to staying active, such as improving mobility and balance, developing muscle and bone strength, increasing energy and managing weight. Exercise can also reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

According to Dr. Gina Conflitti, chief medical officer for Medicare at Cigna, the advantages aren’t just physical: “Keeping active has a positive impact on mental health, too,” she said. “With regular exercise, many older adults enjoy better sleep, clearer thinking, lower stress and improved mood.”

According to Cigna, which serves many older adults through its Medicare Advantage plans, here are four simple tips for exercising in the comfort of home: Make a plan What is your longterm goal? Having something to work toward is great motivation to keep up daily activity and set yourself up for success. Before you begin any physical activity, talk to your doctor about your health goals. Your doctor can provide guidance on exercises that are safe and attainable as you begin a new chapter of your wellness journey.

Take it slow You don’t have to run a marathon or even lift weights to keep fit — the most important thing is to just move. Start by walking around your house a few times a day or doing some gentle stretching.

Just adding five minutes of activity to your day can make a difference in your overall health and mood. As your body gets used to daily movement, you can enhance your physical activities as recommended by your health care provider.

Never Feel Disconnected Again

You don’t need to have a special gym or workout room in your home. You can temporarily turn any room in the house into a workout area.

Use what you have You don’t need a gym to get a healthy workout. In fact, there are plenty of exercises you can do using items found around the house. For example, “chair dips” are an effective arm and shoulder workout — just place both feet on the ground, face away from a chair and support your body by putting your hands on the seat behind you with straight arms. Next, raise and lower yourself by bending and unbending your arms.

You can even exercise while seated.

Hold your leg out in front of you and trace each letter of the alphabet. Work your feet and leg muscles by laying a kitchen towel on the floor, then use your toes to grab, release and push the fabric.

Check your health care plan benefits If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you might be eligible for extra benefits such as at-home fitness programs, including free on-demand workouts accessible from your computer, smart device or phone, as well as gear, such as resistance bands.

Find more healthy aging and exercise tips at cigna.com/medicare/ healthy-aging/physical-activity.

“As you start, remember to be flexible and stay positive,” Dr. Conflitti suggests. “Changing habits can take time, but every step is progress. If you haven’t reached a goal, don’t be hard on yourself — it’s most important to continue at your own pace.” (Statepoint) 

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M A R C H 14, 2021

HOME

Quick tips to revitalize your most-used spaces

H

ave the cold winter months left your home feeling a bit dirty, drab or disorganized? Are you feeling the urge to purge? Then it’s time for some spring cleaning. With a few simple tips and tricks, your home — and mood — can be refreshed and revitalized.

For the biggest payoff for your efforts, focus spring cleaning in the areas of the home that are used most: the kitchen and bathroom.

Clear kitchen clutter According to research from the Mayo Clinic, de-cluttering can have a significant positive effect on your mental health and well-being.

To start your refresh, toss anything that’s expired or no longer being used. Use a wall-mount spice rack to free up shelf space and keep ingredients within easy reach. Add sanity to the silverware drawer by giving all gadgets their own spaces with Spectrum HEXA In-Drawer Organizers.

HEXA organizers feature a unique, six-sided honeycomb base design that offers a sturdy foundation while allowing crumbs to fall through its base away from clean utensils. Simply, “lift and sift” to clean drawers.

store extra bath tissue and keep it out of the way. Just like the kitchen, utilize small baskets or HEXA in-drawer organizers to keep everything from makeup to medicine easily accessible and in the right place.

Labels & liners Add a new level of organization and personalization to cabinets, drawers and even wire racks with shelf liners. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, they offer a smooth top and grip bottom for easy sliding of items. Plus, the smooth surface catches messes and spills, making clean-up a breeze. Next, create custom labels for organizer bins with chalkboard or dry erase adhesives from Duck brand. For wire racks, add shelf liner to the bottom.

Conquer cluttery cords Conquer cords and countertop clutter by utilizing vertical spaces. Add shelves to walls to hold towels or smaller items, and add over-the-cabinet accessory baskets to the insides of cabinet doors. These easy-to-install organizers keep items like your blow dryer, straightener and curling iron out of sight, but within arm’s reach, for a faster morning routine.

For more organizational products, visit www.spectrumdiversified. com and follow the conversation at #LiveLifeOrganized.

Soon, with a bit of cleaning and organization focused in key areas of your home, you’ll be feeling refreshed and revitalized this spring. (StatePoint) 

Get savvy at the sink Next, move to one of the germiest areas of the kitchen: the sink. To keep this area neat and clean, add an organizer (such as Spectrum HEXA Sink Organizer, which has a built-in soap pump) to keep all cleaning essentials

— sponges and brushes — upright and dry and help resist the growth of bacteria. Excess water is captured in the base, which can be easily removed and wiped clean. Finally, place a raised mat in your sink basin to encourage air and water flow for faster drying, and to provide extra cushion for fragile glassware.

Banish bathroom battles From towels to toiletries, bathrooms collect a lot of “stuff.” Keep the daily-use items and purge the rest. If you have limited shower space, use a suction shower basket or shower caddy to hold shampoo and soaps. Add an over-the-tank toilet paper holder to

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M A R C H 14, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

Fun ways to keep your cat entertained at home

T

hanks to the pandemic, many people have gone from working in an office to working from home, giving cat owners a chance to spend more time with their furry friends.

With all this extra time, you have the opportunity to strengthen the bond you share with your cat while helping them get active and stay healthy.

Fortunately, there are several enrichment activities you can set up indoors to give them some much needed mental stimulation and prevent destructive behaviors.

Plan a treasure hunt One of the easiest ways to make a quick activity for your cat is to create a treasure hunt. All you have to do is hide small amounts of dry cat food in various spots around your house.

Throughout the day, your cat can “hunt” for their food, which will keep them active in a fun and engaging way.

TRICK RIDERS

Continued from page 6

In trick riding, there’s a special skill to getting out of tricky situations, which can only be learned as you get older, according to Gattlin.

“There’s a special spot in the trick,” Garrison said, almost like a “sweet spot,” where a trick becomes easier on the rider, as well as the horse, which is also often times the scariest position to get in.

“A lot of trick riding is going against your natural senses and what would be logical and just using physics,” Gattlin said.

And though it requires a toughness and bravery not required of most show events, each of them enjoy trick riding for their own reasons.

Arrden said he appreciates the challenge of trick riding: “The experience, because it’s a certain kind of horseback riding that only some can actually do,” he said, describing why he likes it.

“There’s a feeling you get before a show that’s like adrenalin mixed with motivation — it’s a feeling you can’t get with any other thing,” Arrden said.

Similarly, Gattlin likes the feeling just after a show.

“It’s this climax where everything has come together — all the hard

special sounds and displays schools of fish, encouraging your cat to pounce like she would in the wild. The more fish your cat catches, the higher the score. You can even keep track of her score and share it on social media.

Play a game Cats need mental stimulation just as much as humans — playing a game is a simple way to provide a stimulating, enriching experience. Friskies Cat Fishing 2, a free app available for iOS or Android, is a game designed specifically for cats. The app plays

work, all the practices in the dirt — we’re doing it for that feeling,” Gattlin said.

Trepanier loves learning a new trick, like she’s accomplished something, both solo and as a group.

“I love all of them — they’re just like my brothers — and just being with them after shows, we know what we’ve accomplished together,” she said.

Callder agreed, and said he loves “the conversations we have while were in the stations when it’s just us lined up.”

Now, although they’ve gotten a bit older and have begun to go their separate ways, they agree that their experience with horses and on the ranch has shaped who they are today.

“We’re in this interesting position where we’re acting in Los Angeles and are a part of that quick lifestyle, but then we come home to our ranch,” Gattlin said. “I’d like to bridge that gap and show both of those worlds.”

“It’s kind of like living double lives,” Callder added. “At home, we’re on the ranch. We have our horses, but once you go to school, it’s a totally different lifestyle.”

“I love living on a ranch though,” Trepanier said, “I wouldn’t want to grow up another way.” 

Make a puzzle feeder The active pursuit of food is instinctive for cats. A puzzle feeder is a great way to appeal to your cat’s desire for physical and mental stimulation. All you need is a plastic water or soda bottle and a utility knife. Use the knife to cut a few small holes in the sides of the clean, sanitized bottle.

Make sure the holes are big enough for pieces of kibble to pass through.

Place some dry kibble into the bottle, screw on the cap and let your cat get to work.

Create your own cat toy Cat toys don’t have to be expensive or complicated. Get crafty to keep

PETS

your cat busy with a DIY wand toy.

Start with a wooden dowel (about three feet in length and half-inch diameter), a barrel swivel and some fishing line. Then, gather materials to customize your wand - like colored pom poms, colored felt, feathers and jingle bells.

Go for a walk It may seem unorthodox, but cats can be trained to walk on a leash.

Many cats enjoy getting out to explore the neighborhood. Taking your cat for a walk lets them safely experience the great outdoors. It can also give them some necessary exercise.

Planning activities for your cat keeps them entertained, helps them stay healthy and can strengthen the bond you share. Try these activities for quick and easy ways to enrich your cat’s life at home. (BPT) 

Gattlin Griffith doing a trick on Clash during a performance. PHOTO COURTESY HALIE COOK / SCVTV

1 6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 14, 2021

GARDENING

Four easy ideas to enhance your 2021 garden

G

ardening enthusiasm is surging thanks to our increased time at home — whether on a small-space patio or in a larger backyard.

In fact, people spent 42% more time gardening in 2020 than the year before, according to Axiom Marketing’s 2021 Gardening Insight Survey, and it is estimated the pandemic contributed to creating nearly 20 million new “gardeners.”

Many experts agree the trend toward nurturing flowers, plants and vegetables will continue into 2021 and beyond.

If you’re looking to test your new green thumb or bring this year’s garden to the next level, consider these top trends and simple ideas from the experts at Ball Horticultural Company.

The year-round fresh and healthy garden

Gardening can provide fresh access to produce that can help encourage

healthy eating. You can feel confident knowing exactly where your food comes from and enjoy the satisfaction of growing it yourself. Plus, it doesn’t get fresher than picking something from your own garden just minutes before preparing a dish.

You don’t need an expansive garden to enjoy the many benefits of fresh, healthy vegetables and herbs. In fact, you don’t need a garden at all! Check out Kitchen Minis from PanAmerican Seed® and enjoy a variety of peppers and tomatoes that can be grown inside on a sunny windowsill, countertop or outside as patio tabletop plants. You can grow and harvest your own Kitchen Minis flavors most of the year.

The multi-purpose flower and herb garden Don’t be afraid to mix your flowers and herbs. Trending in 2021 is bundling your plants together to save

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space and make a multi-functional showcase. Start with a tiered fruit stand, line it with coco liner cut to fit inside each bowl space, and then add soil and plants of your choice.

The handle and lightness of the stand make it easy to hang as a basket or decorate a patio or table for a beautiful and functional addition wherever you garden.

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The beautiful garden for a bold and colorful outdoor living space

As people spend more time enjoying the outdoors from the safety and comforts of home, they are taking a new look at their exterior spaces. Colorful blooms brighten the outdoors

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and elevate the mood, which is why flower gardening is flourishing. However, people want this outdoor beauty without extensive maintenance, so ease is essential when planning your flower garden.

When it comes to pairing beauty and simplicity, Beacon® Impatiens are a great choice, especially for those whose outdoor spaces don’t get a lot of sun. Available in bright, bold colors, you can fill baskets, window boxes, patio containers and shade landscapes with Beacon to add vivid, dramatic color to your spaces and have confidence in their performance. These impatiens are low-maintenance and have high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew, a disease that has caused plant loss in recent years.

The fun family-friendly garden

Having a family garden comes with many benefits. Whether it’s you and your partner at home or the entire family, gardening has proven to be a fun and safe hobby that people of all ages can do together. Enjoy spending quality time while breathing fresh air and learning important lessons from nature and the environment.

Gather everyone’s input on a plan for your family garden and work together as a team to make it a success.

One plant that’s particularly fun for families to include is Lavender Primavera from Darwin Perennials. The rich purple color is visually stunning, plus lavender attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, so you’re enhancing the natural world around you. Additionally, you’re sure to enjoy the relaxing scent wafting in the breeze, and you can harvest your lavender to use in DIY craft projects around the house or as gifts to loved ones.

Start growing today

The ability to explore interests like gardening and plant care is a silver lining of spending more time at home. Gardening is a healthy activity for anyone, and there are many resources — from your local gardening store to online blogs and videos — to help you be successful. 2021 is your chance to dig in and grow!

(BPT) 

M A R C H 14, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Print shamrock shapes for St. Patrick’s Day

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

F

ill your house with the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17.

These creative and fun-to-do family activities will keep you and your kids thinking “green” all day long.

Early in the morning, enlist one of your kids to assist you in tinting a small bowl full of shaving cream with green food coloring. Fingerpaint a shamrock shape on bathroom mirrors to surprise the rest of the family when they wake up.

Set out large sheets of white paper for your kids and let them print St. Patrick’s Day shamrock designs for festive placemats using a green pepper for a stamp! Stamp on paper napkins, too.

In preparation for the craft, choose a firm green pepper at the market that has similar contours as the shape of a shamrock. An adult should slice it in half crosswise, remove the seeds and pat dry.

Dip the cut end of the pepper in green poster or acrylic paint, then press the pepper firmly on the paper to make shamrock-like prints from the natural stamp.

Paint stems freehand on the shamrock to complete the design. (If there

is a long stem on the pepper, it makes a nice handle for a young child to hold while stamping.)

Save and slice the remaining half of the green pepper into several shamrock-shaped slices to add to a salad.

At dinnertime, listen to traditional Irish music. Talk about names and surnames that are typically Irish, such as Sean, Megan, Shannon and O’Brien. Ask your kids if any of their friends have Irish names. Share stories about any Irish ancestors in your family tree.

For dessert, set small paper shamrock cutouts on serving plates. Sift cocoa over each entire plate and remove cutouts to reveal shamrock shapes. Serve a scoop of mint-chocolate-chip ice cream in the center.

Visit your neighborhood public library with your preschoolers before St. Patrick’s Day and ask for books of tales from or about Ireland. At bedtime, nothing will delight your “wee

ones” more than imagining a world of little people smaller than they are!

Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activi-

ties, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the Donna’s Day Facebook fan page.

Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  © 2020 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

18 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

M A R C H 14, 2021

CROSSWORD TIME

MA R C H 14, 2021

Opinion

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 9

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

READERLETTERS

Could it Happen Here?

Re: Vlad Ghenciu, letters, March 4, “Vigilance Against the Silencing.”

Thank you for printing this letter. Americans need to wake up. I am currently reading a book entitled “Live Not By Lies” by Rod Dreher.

What he is writing about has happened and IS happening. It is about the dangers of totalitarianism.

In 2015 he received a phone call from the son of a Czech immigrant who spent six years of her youth as a political prisoner and said that events in the United States today reminded her of when communism first came to Czechoslovakia.

We need to listen to those who have lived through this. I've been concerned about some things since during the Barack Obama administration.

Judy Propri Castaic

Appreciation for Garcia Office Staff This is a huge “thank you” to 25th District Rep. Mike Garcia's staff at the Santa Clarita office.

I had an ongoing claim with the United States Postal Service for an insured package that arrived to its destination on time; the problem was the box was torn half open and the contents were missing, but the box fragments were “delivered” with a post office stamp stating “damaged.” It was unbelievable.

The claim process was an exercise in left-hand-does-not- knowwhat-the-right-hand-is-doing. After two and a half months of post office visits, paperwork, etc., I contacted Rep. Garcia’s staff and presented all of my paperwork copies. I received a phone call from a postal employee the next day, and had two followup calls, and the matter was resolved within three working days.

I never expected a positive closure to come so efficiently.

Again, thank you staff.

Betty Arenson Valencia

Where Can We Find Sasquatch Past?

Re: Michele Buttelman, “Seeking Sasquatch.”

I saw your article in The Sunday Signal Feb. 21 and I just have one question concerning Sasquatch: According to your story, its existence has been around since 1920 or so. My question is, if it exists, why haven’t there been any skeletal or remains of Sasquatch found by anyone?

Jeffrey Moss Santa Clarita Editor's note: Alas, that is one of the many mysteries of the Sasquatch...

Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv.com. Mail to: Letters, The Signal, 26330 Diamond Place, Ste. 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

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

The Necessity of Pursuit

By David Hegg

W

hen the framers of the Declaration of Independence declared that among the “unalienable rights” imputed to each of us by our Creator is “the pursuit of happiness,” they were really on to something. In their wisdom they declared that, while life and liberty were rights endowed to all, when it came to happiness only the right to pursue it fell to each of us. That is, happiness is not something we come into this world automatically entitled to enjoy. It is something we must pursue.

Today far too many walk around in the cloud of entitlement. In their forays into education, athletics, relationships and business, they brandish an entitlement attitude like a sword, almost daring others to say it isn’t so.

Consequently, they are quite shocked when told to work hard, persevere through adversity, and even learn from their disappointments, in order to gain a true, consistent and lasting sense of wellbeing. The idea that happiness must be pursued seems crazy to a generation that has always considered society as obligated to give it to them.

The truth is that races are only won by those who run, and who are willing to deal with the pain that every worthy gain demands. So, for those who are just setting out to make sense of the world and something of their lives, I have the following suggestions on what it will take to pursue – and achieve – the kind of happiness our founding fathers recognized as synonymous with a life welllived.

1. Develop character first: Determine that the kind of person you are is the most important thing about you. Read any biography of a world-changer and you’ll find that whatever success they achieved was built on a foundation of radical integrity, courage, unwavering focus and an iron will. Understand that any success you attain before you’ve built strong character will most likely over-

whelm your weaknesses and destroy your life. Just look around at all the millionaires with broken families, broken bodies and broken kingdoms. Character must come first.

2. Prize learning forever: Learn to love learning, and never stop. Value educational opportunities both in and out of school. Work hard to master subjects rather than merely pass the test and get the grade. And make it a part of your life-plan to be a lifelong learner.

Education is an investment in yourself, and always pays the highest dividends.

Lifelong learning, done well, will not only keep you sharp and on point, but also help keep you humble as each day reminds you how much you have left to learn.

3. Demand excellence in all things: Demand excellence from yourself, in every area of life. Be a disciplined person.

Put things away. Clean up your messes.

Do things right and do the right things, for the right reasons. Don’t waste your life on things that really don’t matter. The passing fads and fancies of culture are for those who will never attempt anything great. Don’t be that person. As someone somewhere has said, “Don’t fear failure.

Fear spending your life succeeding at things that don’t really matter.”

4. Finish well: Be the person others can count on to get the job done, keep your promises, and persevere in righteousness despite societal opposition or adverse circumstance. Be the hero your family, friends and neighbors want and your country needs.

Don’t lay around waiting for happiness to drop in. Prepare yourself with character, convictions, knowledge and wisdom.

Then, go out and make a difference in your world. And when all is said and done, you’ll find that you not only pursued happiness, you caught it and made it your own.

Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

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