Sunday Signal 031724

Get Creative with Easter Sweets

Holiday hams and deviled eggs may take center stage at Easter gatherings, but edible crafts offer a reminder of the magic of the season that’s found in moments spent together. Simple recipes that call for a dose of creativity are perfect ways to bring the kids to the kitchen, made even easier when all that work leads to sweet treats.

While plastic eggs may have led to a decline in good, old-fashioned egg-dyeing, there are still fun ways to bring crafts back to Easter celebrations. Consider these Kids Krafty Easter Cake Pops, which call for little ones to help dip seasonal shapes in chocolate, use cake molds and more.

Children of virtually any age can relish in the joys of using cookie cutters and decorating Easter Sugar Cookies, all with a little supervision and short list of instructions. This version shows how to make the cookies and homemade icing so you can create any color you desire for maximum creativity.

Remember, these delicious crafts don’t have to be perfect – having fun and making memories that last a lifetime are what make Easter truly special.

Visit Culinary.net to find more Easter inspiration and recipes from “Cookin’ Savvy.” (Family Features) 

Kid-Friendly Crafts that Bring Loved Ones Together

Easter Sugar Cookies

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

Icing

1/3 cup meringue powder

1/2 cup warm water, plus additional for thinning (optional), divided

3 tablespoons vanilla

1 bag (2 pounds) powdered sugar

2 tablespoons corn syrup assorted food coloring

Cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 dash salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

To make icing Mix meringue powder, 1/2 cup warm water, vanilla, powdered sugar and corn syrup. Separate into bowls and add food coloring; mix with water, as needed, to thin for piping.

To make cookies Heat oven to 350 F.

Cream butter and sugar. Mix in egg, vanilla, baking powder and salt. Mix in flour 1 cup at a time to form dough. Roll dough out to 1/4-1/2-inch thickness.

Cut into shapes, place on baking sheet and freeze 10 minutes. Bake 8-12 minutes. Cool completely before icing.

Place icing in zip-top or piping bags and cut off tips. Put cookies on parchment paper. Trace outline first then fill in middle. Use toothpicks to smooth out.

Let dry 6 hours and finish decorating with different icing colors or edible markers.

Kids Krafty Easter Cake Pops

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

1 box cake mix

1 can frosting

1 bunny chocolate mold

1 cakesicle mold ice pop sticks

1 bag white chocolate chips or melting chips cake pop sticks

1 bag orange melting chips

2 tablespoons canola or coconut oil, divided

1 bag green melting chips pastel sprinkles

1 piece hard foam (optional) edible markers

Bake cake according to package instructions and let cool completely.

Crumble cake and mix with 1/2 can frosting until dough forms. Add more frosting, if needed. Using small cookie scoop, form dough into balls and set aside. Place dough in bunny molds then pop out and set aside with balls. Place dough in cakesicle mold, insert ice pop stick in each slot and freeze 5-10 minutes.

Melt handful of white melting chips. Stick tip of each cake pop stick in chocolate then insert into every cake ball and bunny until each has one stick. Set aside to dry.

Remove cakesicles from freezer and pop out of molds. In bowl, melt orange melts then mix in 1 tablespoon oil and transfer to cup. Dip cakesicles and scrape off excess using rim of cup. Place on parchment paper to dry.

In bowl, melt green melts then place in zip-top or piping bag. Cut tip off bag, pipe carrot leaves onto piece of parchment paper and let dry.

Melt remaining white melts and mix in remaining oil. Transfer to cup and dip ball-shaped cake pops and bunnies then tap stick on edge of cup to remove excess.

Over separate bowl, sprinkle ball-shaped pops with pastel sprinkles. To keep ball shape, let dry by sticking in piece of hard foam. Bunnies can dry face side up on parchment paper. After bunnies are dry, use edible markers to make face and color in ears.

When carrots and leaves are dry, remelt orange melts and place in piping or zip-top bag. Cut off tip and drizzle orange over carrots. Add small line of orange on each ice pop stick and place leaves on each stick. Let dry. 

Some Landmarks Change But Stay the Same

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

Acommon refrain heard throughout the Santa Clarita Valley is: “Everything has changed so much in the last few years.”

It is true that the addition of the Vista Canyon and Skyline Ranch projects have dramatically impacted the landscape of the SCV, as well as the countless changes in retail and restaurant businesses.

Yet, many longtime institutions remain.

Legendary SCV Classics

These restaurants have survived the winds of change in the SCV for more than 40 years.

Halfway House Café

15564 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita 91390

The Halfway House began life as a trading post in 1906. In 1931 it became a café. It is well known as a favorite entertainment industry location for the numerous film, television and commercial shoots it has been featured in throughout the decades.

The Original Saugus Café

25861 Railroad Ave., Santa Clarita 91355

The longest operating restaurant in Los Angeles County the Saugus Cafe was opened in 1886 by James Herbert Tolfree as “Saugus Eating House.” It moved to its current location in 1905.

Backwoods Inn

17846 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country 91351

The Backwoods Inn opened in 1966. In 2024 it will celebrate 58 years as one of the SCV’s premiere restaurants.

LeChene French Cuisine

12625 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita 91390

Celebrating 44 years, Juan Alonso, leased the building known as Castle Oaks in 1980 before buying the property the following year. In September 1980, he opened the renowned Le Chene French Cuisine restaurant.

Waystation Coffee Shop

24377 Main St., Newhall 91321

Way Station Coffee Shop opened in 1971 in the heart of Old Town Newhall and is a classic small-town diner. This cozy diner serves traditional breakfast and lunch meals. Its open Wednesday through Monday 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.

Comforting Classics

William S. Hart Regional Park

24151 N. Newhall Ave. Newhall 91321

William S. Hart, also known as “Two Gun Bill,” was the first cowboy movie star during the silent film era and made an indelible mark on the Santa Clarita Valley. He donated his sprawling 265-acre ranch for the public to enjoy. It features Hart’s home which is now a museum filled with his personal effects and movie paraphernalia, along with Native American artifacts and Western art.

The William S. Hart Museum is a satellite of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and offers free guided tours year round.

Canyon Theatre Guild

24242 Main St., Newhall 91321

The guild is a non-profit arts organization that produces at least nine fullscale productions each season. In July of 1970, it held it’s first production “Vacancy in Paradise,” which was held at the William S. Hart High School Auditorium. This year will mark 54 years of community theater in the SCV.

El Trocadero Mesquite Grill & Cantina

24274 Main St., Newhall 91321

The restaurant offers authentic Sonoran cuisine and opened for business in late 1998.

The smell of tantalizing mesquite wafting in the air is the first sign that you’re in for a treat here. Then there’s the friendly service, a hallmark of the restaurant’s more than 25-year history at Newhall location.

Egg Plantation

24415 Walnut St., Newhall 91321

The Egg Plantation was opened in the mid-1970s by Maureen Anderson. It was called the Egg Plant and offered a 101-omelet menu, which the restaurant still offers. 

Today, the Saugus Cafe is still a staple of the community and a popular location spot for the television and movie industries. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Tolfree’s Dining Room (circa 1989) when the Saugus Cafe was located inside the Saugus Train Station. PHOTO COURTESY SCVHISTORY.COM

The new Saugus Cafe 1952 building is seen on the left with the 1925 cafe building on the right. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

Cover: Martin Wood in front of the Saugus Cafe, which he bought from James Tolfree in 1989. PHOTO COURTESY SCVHISTORY.COM

Time to Hit California’s Trails

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

The natural beauty of California is unsurpassed. It’s time to get outside and enjoy California’s dramatic coastline, majestic granite peaks, rushing waterfalls, the world’s tallest trees, sapphire blue lakes and stunning desert oases.

Grab a water bottle, a bag of granola and your backpack. Lace up your hiking boots, put on your sunscreen and make sure you let someone know where you are hiking. (Don’t forget to wear a hat).

Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail

Redwood National and State Parks

Parks headquarters located at 1111 Second St., Crescent City 95531. This trail is located northeast of Orick and three miles up Bald Hills Road. Info www.nps.gov/places/lbjtrailhead.htm

What is more Californian than a walk through a redwood forest? Located not far from Highway 101, this easy 1.5-mile loop trail winds through old-growth redwoods and lush ferns has been a popular destination for decades.

During the summer, daily ranger-led walks begin at the parking lot. Numbered interpretive trail posts are found along the trail.

Only 5% of the world’s old-growth redwood forest remain and nearly half of that (40,000 acres) is in Redwood National and State Parks.

This trail is one of the few areas where in just a few steps you can walk through a second growth forest into an old-growth redwood forest. Most of the trees next to the parking lot are second-growth Douglas fir trees. That means they were planted after the ancient redwoods were logged in the 1960s.

Considered an easy route, this trail takes an average of 31 minutes to complete.

Eaton Canyon Trail

Eaton Canyon Natural Area 1750 N Altadena Drive, Pasadena 91107

Info parks.lacounty.gov/eaton-canyon-natural-areaand-nature-center/

If you are anxiously “chasing waterfalls” this 3.5mile out-and-back trail near Pasadena is generally considered a moderately challenging route and takes an average of an hour and a half to complete.

The trailhead is in Eaton Canyon Natural Area, a Los Angeles County Park with accompanying nature center.

Water flows year-round in Eaton Canyon, even in the dry season. This shady, streamside hike leads to Eaton Canyon Falls, a waterfall about 40 feet in height that pours into a pool beneath vertical rock walls.

This waterfall is reported to have been a favorite of John Muir, a Sierra Club founder and considered the “father of the U.S. National Parks system.”

Hikers should bring waterproof shoes as there

are about 10 water crossings on the trail. Despite recent rain the trail is in good condition, but expect to get your feet wet and be prepared with extra socks or shoes.

This trail is fun and enjoyable for beginners and offers beautiful views. This also is a very popular area for hiking and running, so expect company while exploring. The trail is open year-round.

Murray Canyon Trail

2019 E Murray Canyon Drive, Palm Springs 92264 Info www.indian-canyons.com/trail_maps

If you love the desert, you will enjoy this 3.7-mile out-and-back trail near Palm Springs. Located in Indian Canyons, the trail is considered a moderately challenging route and can be hiked in about an hour and a half.

The trail passes by uniquely desert vegetation including yellow creosote flowers. However, it is a desert trail so it shouldn’t be attempted in the summer months. October through April is the ideal time to tackle the Murray Canyon Trail to Seven Falls.

The trail offers beautiful views of water and palm trees, with stunning grotto-type falls. Consequently, there are some steep and challenging sections including a scramble over rocks to reach the end of the trail.

Since it also is a popular area for hiking and running, you’ll likely encounter others on your trek.

Castle Crags Trails

Castle Crags State Park

20022 Castle Creek Rd, Castella 96017

Info www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=454

Castle Crags is one of the most unique trails in California. The 6,000-foot granite spires are, in a word, breathtaking.

Start by heading straight up through dense forest and emerge at the base of the famous crags.

There are several trails to explore in Castle Crags State Park, from difficult to easy. Choose the trail best suited to your experience and fitness level.

With 28 miles of hiking trails, everyone can enjoy a mild stroll or an invigorating adventure. From the Vista Point parking area, a quarter mile accessible trail leads visitors to Vista Point where there are dramatic views of Castle Crags, Mount Shasta and nearby Grays Rocks. Gentle and shaded, the milelong Root Creek Trail guides hikers along an accessible path to a year-round flowing creek.

The most popular and challenging route is the Crags Trail which leads adventures to the base of Castle Dome with incredible views.

Palos Verdes Peninsula Discovery Trail

Terranea Resort

Pelican Cove Parking Area, 31300 Palos Verdes Drive S, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275

Info www.terranea.com/experiences/local-attractions

Set along the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Terranea Resort’s 102 acres provide unparalleled access to explore its stunning oceanfront views and surrounding natural habitat.

Within the resort’s acreage is the Discovery Trail, a two-mile scenic excursion open to the public for strolling visitors and hiking enthusiasts.

Terranea offers weekly guided coastal hikes (Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.). This naturalist-led tour guides participants along the Discovery Trail, which includes picturesque viewpoints and oceanfront vistas including nearby historic Point Vincente Lighthouse. The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The Discovery Trail is the perfect oceanfront hike any time of year. 

Santa Clarita Spring Break Camp 2024

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

Unlike our children who enjoy a weeklong spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury. Which means, many parents are searching for an engaging experience for their children during the time off school. The City of Santa Clarita offers just that. Our Spring Break Camp will take place at both the Newhall and Canyon Country Community Centers April 1-5, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. As a relatively new program, our staff developed this initiative in response to the community’s need to keep our youth engaged and active during school breaks. Designed for students ages 4.5 to 17, this camp aims to enrich our children’s lives through a variety of programs tailored to their individual age groups.

The teams at both the Canyon Country and Newhall Community Centers have enthusiastically crafted programs to cater to the diverse developmental needs of children, from engaging activities aimed at promoting cognitive and motor skills to dynamic workshops empowering adolescents with critical thinking and leadership abilities, these

programs provide a well-rounded approach to skill-building. At the Canyon Country Community Center, our staff offers the Spring Buddies program for children ages 4.5-5, featuring organized games and activities like team-building exercises, engaging in group snack time and dancing sessions. It provides an ideal opportunity for little ones to acclimate to the camp environment and develop essential social skills through interactions with peers Additionally, the Spring Adventures for Youth program for ages 5-12, offers a full day of learning and fun through games, dress-up days, arts and crafts and even an inflatable obstacle course, culminating in a “film festival” organized by the Teen Program participants. For teenagers aged 13-17, the Teen Experience provides a free half-day program focused on film-making, alongside various opportunities to participate in sports, build their imaginations through crafts and try their hand at cooking in a state-of-the-art kitchen, with the option to sign up for a field trip to Warner Studios.

At the Newhall Community Center, Spring Camp will feature programs focused on the sciences, math and technology, providing children with hands-on learning opportunities. Children aged 5-12 can choose between two options: STEAM Camp, offering all-day activities encompassing

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math, fostering creativity and critical thinking, while RecPlay provides all-day sports, recreational and high-impact games, promoting physical fitness and teamwork. Teens aged 13-17 can explore a variety of interests through the thoughtfully designed program, which includes daily themes like Art for All, Digital Odyssey and Fun Friday, encouraging self-expression and skill development. Additionally, the Teen Ventures program at the Newhall Community Center offers teenagers engaging daily curriculum, games, Tasty Bites food activities and local walking field trips, promoting social connections, culinary skills and community exploration.

Now is the time to register for Spring Camp 2024! Registration is open and available both online at SantaClarita.gov/Seasons and in person at both Community Centers. Our camp is designed to provide a diverse range of activities that engage young minds, foster creativity and encourage social interaction, ensuring a rewarding and enjoyable spring break for your child.

Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@ santaclarita.gov. 

One-Pan Easter Dishes Make Hosting Simple

Even if Easter hosting duties fell on your plate this year and added one more thing to your holiday to-do list, that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. After all, Easter is a time meant for fun and fellowship with the food just one part of the celebration.

Building the menu around simple, one-pan dishes can keep the focus where it needs to be: spending time and creating memories with family and friends. These dishes call for short lists of ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry, and simple preparation to create a full spread perfect for sharing with loved ones. Plus, using only one pan makes cleanup a breeze, so you can get back to the festivities quickly.

A dish like this Easter Roast lets you check both the main course and side dishes off your list, relying on the oven to do most of the work for you after some quick prep work. Similarly easy to prepare, these refrigerator rolls can also be made up to six days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to bake — a perfect complement to the savory roast and veggies.

Finish off your feast with an adaptable dessert like this Blueberry Crumble. Made using just five ingredients and ready in about an hour, you can swap the blueberry pie filling and yellow cake mix for any combination that suits your guests’ tastes like apple pie filling with spice cake or cherry pie filling with chocolate cake; the sky’s the limit when it comes to satisfying that sweet tooth.

For more Easter recipe inspiration, visit Culinary. net. (Family Features) 

Easter Roast

Salt pepper garlic powder

1 roast (3 pounds)

1 bag (1 pound) baby carrots

1 bag (1 1/2 pounds) trio potatoes or potato of choice

3 cups beef broth

1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup

1 tablespoon garlic pepper

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 onion, roughly chopped

1 bundle asparagus

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder over roast and rub into front, back and sides. Place seasoned roast in middle of large roasting pan. Place carrots on one side of roasting pan and potatoes on other side.

In large bowl, mix beef broth and cream of mushroom soup with garlic pepper. Pour mixture over roast, potatoes and carrots. Sprinkle brown sugar over carrots and add chopped onion. Cover and cook 2 1/2 hours then remove from oven, add asparagus and cook uncovered 30 minutes.

Serve from pan or place on platter for more formal presentation.

Refrigerator Rolls

Yield 18 rolls

2 packages yeast

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups lukewarm water

6-7 cups all-purpose flour, divided

2 teaspoons salt

2 eggs

1 stick softened butter oil, divided

In large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in lukewarm water. When yeast is foamy, add 3 cups flour. Mix in salt, eggs and butter.

Once mixed well, add remaining flour 1 cup at a time and knead dough into ball in bowl. Remove dough from bowl and place on clean surface.

Wash and dry bowl then grease with drizzle of oil. Place dough in bowl and let rise 1 hour or store in refrigerator if making in advance.

When ready to use, grease muffin pan with oil. Roll dough into hand-size balls and place in each muffin hole; cover 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 F. Bake rolls 30 minutes.

Note: Dough can be made in advance and stored in refrigerator up to six days. If making ahead, punch down dough, cover and place in refrigerator. Punch down daily until ready to use.

Blueberry Crumble

1 can blueberry pie filling

1 box yellow cake mix

1 bag (4 ounces) chopped pecans

1 stick butter, melted

1/4 cup oil

whipped cream, for serving (optional) vanilla ice cream, for serving(optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spread pie filling on bottom of 9-by-11-inch pan.

Sprinkle cake mix and pecans on top. Do not mix.

Drizzle melted butter and oil on top of cake mix and pecans. Do not mix. Lift pan and tilt from side to side until cake mix is completely covered in butter.

Bake 1 hour until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired. 

‘Cabrini’ Biopic a Reminder of the Human Behind the Name

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Cabrini’

 (out of four)

Angel Studios presents a film directed by Alejandro Monteverde and written by Rod Barr. Rated PG-13. In theaters.

For generations of Chicagoans, the name “Cabrini” instantly conjures thoughts of the Cabrini-Green Homes on the Near North Side that unfortunately became a notorious symbol of failed public housing, with a reputation for violence that sometimes made for national headlines, before the last high-rise building in the complex was closed in 2011. On the pop-culture front, the iconic 1970s TV show “Good Times” featured shots of Cabrini-Green in the credits, and the 1992 film “Candyman” was set in the housing project.

Sunday-Thursday, March 17-21, 2024

What’s almost lost to history when

we discuss the Cabrini-Green neighborhood is that it was named after labor leader William Green and Frances Xavier Cabrini, the pioneering Italian American nun who was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint by the Catholic Church some three decades after her death from malaria at age 67 in Columbus Hospi-

tal in Chicago, which she had founded in 1905.

The biopic “Cabrini” is a beautiful reminder of the human being behind the name — a small, sickly immigrant who lived in a time when the patriarchy’s word was first and final (especially within the Church), yet became an unstoppable force who would not take no for an answer as she built some 67 hospitals, schools and orphanages around the world. Inspired by true events, director Alejandro Monteverde’s sweeping and comprehensive film (the running time is 2 hours, 25 minutes) tells the story of Mother Cabrini’s life long before the shrines and the tributes.

The Italian actress Cristiana Dell’Anna turns in a stunningly effective, movie-star performance in a film that is reminiscent of old-fashioned religious biopics such as “The Song of Bernadette” and “Joan of Arc.” To be sure, there are moments when the messaging gets heavy-handed and there’s a bit too much speechifying and we’re squarely in hagiography territory — but then again, “hagiography” literally means “biography of saints.”

The screenplay by Rod Barr ladles on some heavy melodrama, e.g., when Cabrini befriends the sex worker Vittoria (Romana Maggiora Vergano), who must resort to violence to escape the brutal abuse of her pimp and eventually becomes a kind of Mary Magdalene figure. Like many a biopic, “Cabrini” is a mixture of fact-based major plot points and fictionalized conceits; the always-formidable David Morse plays the real-life Archbishop Corrigan, who doesn’t want to upset the balance of power and encourages Mother Cabrini not to rattle too many cages, while another of our best character actors, John Lithgow, plays the villainous bigot Mayor Gould, a fictional character who makes the mistake of underestimating Cabrini’s willpower — and her political and business acumen. (At one point, the mayor begrudgingly says, “You would have made an excellent man,” and Cabrini replies, “Men could never do what we do.” Sure, it’s corny, but you kind of want to applaud.)

Moving to NYC s F ve Points, Cabrini combats government, church, and b gotr y, champ oning

I M AG I N A RY C Sun to Wed: 1:30 4:30 7:30; Thu: 1:30 4:30

When Jess ca moves back into her ch ldhood home, her stepdaughter Al ce develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds n

K

“Dune

In the 1880s, having already co-founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cabrini lobbies Pope Leo XIII (the great Giancarlo Giannini) to send her to China to establish missions, but the pope tells her to first make inroads in New York City. Accompanied by a small team of sister nuns, Cabrini sets up camp in the filthy and violent slums of Five Points (this would be about 25 years after the events depicted in “Gangs of New York”), where conditions are so intolerable that even the rats have it better than Italian immigrant families, as one observer puts it. (This later becomes a rallying cry and a newspaper headline.)

Facing racism, sexism and institutionalized poverty every step of the way, Cabrini is determined to build a facility that will provide health care and education to the local immigrant community, and she’s in it for the long haul — even though her lungs are in terrible condition and a physician has already told her it would be a miracle if she lived more than a couple of years.

Whether Cabrini is lobbying wealthy second-generation immigrants for funding, returning to Rome to raise, um, heck or working herself to exhaustion as she oversees construction of a new institution, she is a force who seems to spend little time praying or engaging in ceremony. She’s too busy trying to help forge a new world. Dell’Anna conveys Cabrini’s faith and her resolve, and her bravery in standing up to prejudice and misogyny, without turning her into a one-dimensional superhero in nun’s clothing. This is a great-looking film; the production team did a remarkable job of using Buffalo locations to re-create Five Points and other neighborhoods, and the cinematography is appropriately golden-hued. Mostly, though, it’s the performances that carry the day.

In September of 1946, two months after Mother Cabrini was canonized, more than 100,000 gathered at Soldier Field for a Holy Hour celebration. “Cabrini” the film is a fine reminder of why she was so revered by so many. 

Copyright 2024 Chicago Sun-Times

SENIOR LIVING

Travel — An Essential Activity?

By Mary Petersen Signal Staff Writer

Aears at us.

ccording to Christopher Ryan in his book Civilized to Death, “Travel is in our genes. For most of the time our species has existed, we have lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers moving about in small bands of people.”

I’m thinking about this because last month we traveled through Baja for a week of whale watching. Beyond the breathtaking experience of seeing whales up close, the experience stimulated my curiosity and enthusiasm to travel more.

It’s one thing to learn about a place through travel guides. But exploring a culture firsthand makes travel a journey of self-discovery. Experiencing awe-inspiring landscapes, cultural artifacts and indigenous food provides an opportunity to appreciate the daily lives of others.

It immerses us in unfamiliar traditions and customs and binds us to the people we meet. This helps us consider our own values and priorities and determine what’s important in our lives.

I reflected that I have lived most of my life in a small corner of the world, insulated by my routines, habits and lifestyle. I found myself mesmerized as I observed the everyday lives of various people we met.

Margarita, whose son was our guide through the San Javier Mission, lives down a dirt road in a remote village near the mission. She made tortillas, cooked them on an outdoor grill and graciously served us burritos for lunch. In the background, dozens of goats bleated and tilted their long

We woke up early one morning to meet our pontoon boat captains at Bahia de Concepcion. These two young men maneuvered their boat through the bay, gathering clams, scallops and fish with nothing more than a snorkel and small spear.

Then they anchored the boat at a nearby island, served us fresh clams and cooked us a simple, delicious seafood meal over an open grill. We ate under the sun with waves lapping against the shore. Their skills and kinship with nature provide them a comfortable living from the sea.

Our guide to view cave paintings near San Ignacio was Carlos, a ranchero who has lived in this area for almost 60 years. Using a walking stick, he climbed the steps to the cave and pointed out ancient images, including shaman and animal drawings.

Despite our language challenges, he passionately communicated their symbolic and religious significance. He does important work each day to preserve the legacy of prehistoric ancestors.

Travel has a unique way of stimulating wonder and awe at the vast diversity yet universality of human life. It’s humbling and edifying to venture outside the predictable routine of our lives. It expands our capacity for empathy. We return home with a broadened appreciation of other cultures while being thankful for our own community and roots.

Travel feeds our sense of purpose and self-awareness. As Eric Weiner explains in his National Geographic. com article, “Travel is an essential activity. It’s not essential in the way hospitals and grocery stores are essential. 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. 

QI recently watched the series Sofia Vergara starred in about a female drug lord, and it made me wonder if Julie Bowen is also doing something now that “Modern Family” is over?

— A.E.

AIt’s been four years since the smash-hit sitcom “Modern Family” ended, but Bowen has been selective with her next series commitment. She’ll soon star in the 1980s-set supernatural-thriller series “Hysteria!” on Peacock, where she’ll play the mother of a teenager who is accused of being a satanist. A premiere date hasn’t been announced yet, but the highly anticipated series recently added Garret Dillahunt (“Raising

BOOK REVIEW

Julie Bowen (Upcoming in “Hysteria!”) Depositphotos

Hope”) and Nolan North (“Pretty Little Liars”) to the cast.

***

QI saw that Denise Richards and NeNe Leakes from “Real Housewives” are in a new TV movie on Lifetime. Who are the other two women in it? Are they also from the Bravo shows?

— K.S.

ADespite the movie starring Denise Richards and NeNe Leakes, and having a title like “Hunting Housewives,” this new Lifetime

BookTrib’s Bites

movie isn’t about Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise. Instead, it’s a scripted movie about four friends whose plane crashes en route to a spa vacation, and they find themselves being stalked by someone — or something.

Richards had a long acting career before returning to reality TV for “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” As she’s no longer a regular cast member, she’s back to acting in television and films. Leakes is best known for her time in the Atlanta franchise of “Real Housewives,” but she’s also guest-starred on shows like “Glee.”

The other two women running for their lives in the movie are played by Kym Johnson Herjavec and Melyssa Ford. Ford has starred in several music videos, but is best known as a podcaster. Herjavec is best recognized for her days as a dance pro on “Dancing with the Stars,” where she met her husband, Robert Herjavec, of “Shark Tank.” She also co-starred in the holiday romance movie “Christmas with the Knightlys.”

Q

What happened to the show

“Will Trent”? I hope it wasn’t canceled. It was one of the best new series I’ve seen in a while.

— A.K.

A“Will Trent” returned to ABC for its sophomore season on Feb. 20. It’s based on Karin Slaughter’s best-selling novels about a special agent who grew up in Atlanta’s foster care system. Ramón Rodriguez, who plays the crime-solving titular character, earned a Critics Choice Award nomination for the role in his debut season.

Erika Christensen (“Parenthood”) co-stars as Detective Polaski, who was seriously injured by a serial killer at the end of the last season, and Iantha Richardson is back as Will’s partner. The great cast is a big reason why the show has earned accolades from fans and critics alike. The new abbreviated season is due to last year’s monthslong strikes in Hollywood, but hopefully, “Will Trent” will be renewed for a third and longer season this fall. 

©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

Intriguing Reads to Keep You Cozy on Rainy Days

The Destination Birth

By Alex Bisset

Everybody has their own unique birth story. For Alex and Lauren, theirs would begin a grand adventure that would present its own twist of fate thousands of miles from home.

The Destination Birth is more than just a heartwarming and inspiring story; it’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions that will leave readers reaching for the tissues one moment and belly laughing the next. But through it all, readers will be reminded of the incredible resilience of the human spirit, the power of family, and the unbreakable bond between a parent and child.

So buckle up as a young couple navigates the trials and tribulations of childbirth, love, and family. This story will leave readers moved, inspired, and reminded of the extraordinary strength we can find when faced with adversity. Ten percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Bozeman-Deaconness Hospital NICU.

Forgetting Me

By Katherine Tirado-Ryen

When Anne Strafford wakes from a coma in a

New York City hospital, she has no memory of who she is, how she got there, or why the handsome movie star, Jack Post, sleeps by her bedside. She certainly doesn’t remember getting cosmetic surgery, or the accident that scarred her once-beautiful face.

While piecing together her past, Anne makes distressing discoveries. Her husband has filed for divorce. Her twin sister won’t speak to her. Everyone she’s ever loved has shattered in her wake. Yet how can Anne fix a forgotten life?

ences in the music industry and his love for Eastern and Western faiths, Ben embarks on a transformative journey that leads him to self-discovery and enlightenment.

Follow this intimate journey of self-discovery that asks some of life’s toughest questions. What truly defines us? And are we more than the sum of our experiences? With bravery and determination, one woman will confront the echoes of her past in order to embrace an unforgettable future.

Sex, Trucks, and Rock ‘n Roll

By Ben Mason

A riveting, raw memoir on the life of an arrogant and decadent rocker who eventually finds redemption and peace amid chaos. Drawing on his experi-

Ben shares the secrets of his evolution from being a self-centered rockstar to a successful entrepreneur and loving father, learning to embrace his true self and let go of the trappings of fame and fortune.

With transparency and vulnerability, Ben invites readers to embark on their own journey of self-transformation. By sharing intimate thoughts and feelings, he offers clues and inspiration encouraging readers to overcome their own struggles and find inner peace, kindness, and prosperity.BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com. 

HEALTH

Riding into Spring, Avoiding Skin Cancer Surgery

It’s practically Spring, and the outdoors is calling. “I’ll be back on my bike and celebrating the return of sunny weather,” says Todd Fishman, a long-time Louisville, Kentucky, resident and devoted bicycle enthusiast. “But this year,” he notes, “I’ll be far more diligent in protecting myself from the sun’s harmful UV rays.”

Fishman, 57, says, “Biking is my escape — it gives me balance in my life.” But exposure to the sun took its toll on this outdoor enthusiast. Last year, Fishman was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on his nose, but when his top-flight dermatologist recommended Mohs surgery, Fishman asked, can you guarantee I won’t have an ugly scar from the treatment? When the answer was no, Fishman did his own research and found a local dermatologist, Dr. Denise Dickinson, who offered a noninvasive alternative with a 99%+ cure rate with no surgery and no surgical scarring.

“I avoided the pain, scarring and downtime that accompanies Mohs surgery by choosing the newer, nonsurgical treatment known as Image-Guided SRT, or the GentleCure experience. My doctor, using high-frequency dermal imaging technology to observe and precisely target the cancer cells, aimed and delivered low energy x-rays at the tumor.

After a series of 15-minute sessions in her office, there was no evidence of skin cancer! This clearly was the better way to cure my cancer.”

Fishman is not alone. More Americans are diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer each year than all other cancer types combined. That’s more than 3.3 million people annually.

Most cases result from sun exposure, the dangerous effects of which are cumulative over time, which explains why one-in-five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.

Other factors that may mean you’re likely to get skin cancer include the

use of tanning beds, a personal or family history of skin cancer, and having pale skin, red or fair hair, or blue or green eyes.

“Albert Einstein,” Fishman notes, “said life is like riding a bicycle; to keep your balance, you must keep moving. He was so right, and thank

goodness that my dermatologist is keeping up with effective new treatment options like the GentleCure experience.”

For more information and to learn where the GentleCure experience is available, visit GentleCure.com. (NewsUSA) 

HOME

Building a Custom Home? Read These Tips First

Many people dream of building a custom home in a beautiful location. However, the journey of building a home from scratch is not always smooth.

“As a builder in sunny Southwest Florida, we work with all kinds of clients. Whether they are drawn to the timeless appeal of Naples, the coastal charm of Bonita Springs, the urban energy of Tampa, or the peaceful embrace of Sanibel, our job is to help them create their dream home and tell their unique story,” says Glen Harris III, regional partner of Alair Florida, an industry leader.

To help you navigate the intricate world of custom home-building, Alair Florida is shedding light on some common challenges prospective homeowners face and offering solutions based on their expertise.

Creating a custom home is an exciting journey with both triumphs and trials. Here are some common concerns:

Balancing Vision and Budget

Challenge Juggling expansive design ideas with realistic budget constraints.

Solution Overall project costs can be unpredictable with a standard costplus contract, particularly if you have an expansive vision. That’s why it’s important to work with a builder who encourages a pre-construction phase, whereby specifications and line-item costs are fixed.

This process allows you to make design adjustments on paper before construction begins, and in turn,

your builder will present you with a fixed cost-plus contract. As the project moves forward, be sure to request regular updates and clear project timelines.

Navigating Regulatory Terrain

Challenge Dealing with the complex world of permits and regulations often causes delays.

Solution Work with a builder who possesses local knowledge. Doing so can streamline the process as they will understand and adhere to specific requirements.

Timing the Sourcing of Materials

Challenge Excitement of hand-selecting materials tempered by potential supply chain disruptions.

Solution If your builder is experienced in material sourcing and high-quality craftsmanship, this will help them navigate such challenges to avoid delays while ensuring your new home is built to the highest standards.

er should act as your trusted advisor, connecting you with savvy designers, architects and other experts who understand the local market and the range of other factors that can affect your timeline.

Unforeseen Costs and Delays

Steven Cowan, Alair Old Naples partner, says, “Your builder should be committed to cultivating a collaborative partnership with homeowners. Every decision, whether it’s a change order or intricate detail, should be a result of thoughtful and shared deliberation.”

For more information about building in Southwest Florida, visit www. alairflorida.com.

Challenge Unexpected challenges despite meticulous planning.

Adapting to Evolving Design

Challenge The temptation of design changes impacting the project timeline.

Solution Striking a balance between innovation and sticking to the timeline is crucial for success. Your build-

Solution Establishing a contingency fund and maintaining open communication with your builder is prudent. To that end, your builder should take a client-driven approach and actively involve you in the decision-making process.

With careful attention and industry expertise, guided by a trusted custom home builder, you can transform your vision into reality, backed by the assurance of transparency, fixed-price contracts, quality craftsmanship, professional design services, and a client-driven approach. (SPT) 

What to Consider When Building a Retaining Wall

When you want to enhance your outdoor living space, consider building with retaining wall units. Segmental retaining wall (SRW) units are the basic building blocks of landscaping, and you will save on design and labor costs when you do it yourself. Whether you want to level a slope, build a sitting wall or add a raised patio, it’s essential to get informed before starting your project.

Check Local Rules

“Call 8-1-1 before you dig” is essential. Do-it-yourselfers also should check with their municipalities and homeowner’s associations for building codes, permits and/or property variance rules.

Some municipalities require permits for walls up to four feet tall, although engineering might not be needed for that height with most SRW systems.

A retaining wall taller than four feet might require geogrid for soil reinforcement and an approved design by a professional engineer. A landscaping supply store will know local permitting and can identify plans that might require an engineer.

Where You Buy Supplies

A landscaping supply store is a great place to get educated, purchase landscaping products and rent tools such as a compactor. A dedicated landscaping store can help you choose which wall system is best suited to your project, calculate the materials you will need and offer advice before, during and after installation.

“Do-it-yourself customers are the foundation of who we serve at Patio Town stores,” said David Johnson, who manages one of Patio Town’s three locations in St. Paul/Minneapolis.

“We have a team that will listen to what customers are thinking of doing, and then offer solutions and options. Should customers decide a project is more than they want to do, we can refer them to our design-build division, Villa Landscapes.”

Learn About Retaining Walls

Some systems are easier to install, and some require specialty pieces for

corners, curves and steps. The VERSA-LOK Standard retaining wall system is easy to install, and no special pieces are needed to build features. It is a solid unit that is renowned for ease of installation as there are no voids in the unit to fill.

Splitting the unit allows you to create curves, corners, columns, multi-angled corners, freestanding walls and steps.

Mark, Measure, Photograph

In addition to giving details about your project to your landscaping supplier, you might need advice to determine soil conditions or stormwater requirements.

For example, clay soil retains water so it may need amendment, or the wall might require drainage pipes based on soil and other factors. You can discuss the content of your soil with landscaping store staff, who can offer ideas on remediation if needed.

It’s All About the Base

The base is the most important course. Retaining wall manufacturers and landscape suppliers can offer product-specific details on how to excavate and prep the base.

After excavating a trench for the base, the subsoil should be compacted before a few inches of gravel is added and compacted. Make sure the area is level before starting the base course, which should be embedded half of the block’s height at a minimum.

With solid units such as VERSA-LOK, there is no need for concrete footings as the base course serves as the foundation.

Finishing Touches

After each unit is placed and leveled, fill and compact the gravel placed behind the wall. Finish off your wall with capstone units that can be secured with adhesive; be sure your adhesive has elastic properties as modular walls are flexible so they can withstand freeze-thaw cycles.

Another important point to consider is the weather! Bad weather can hinder your installation. With a little planning, know-how and a trusted landscaping store that shares advice throughout your project, you can build successfully with retaining wall units. (BPT) 

THINGS 2DO

March 23 is the Annual Free-For-All Museum Day

On Saturday, March 23, more than 30 museums offer free general admission, according to SoCal Museums.These museums present art, cultural heritage, film, natural history and science. They are located from Long Beach to Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

The following is a partial list. For a full list, visit socalmuseums. org/annual-free-for-all-2024. Some require advanced reservations.

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

www.academymuseum.org/en/tickets

American Museum of Ceramic Art amoca.org

Armory Center for the Arts www.armoryarts.org

Audry Museum of the American West theautry.org

Bowers Museum www.bowers.org

The Broad broad.org

California Botanic Garden www.calbg.org

California Science Center californiasciencecenter.org

Cayton Children’s Museum caytonmuseum.org

Columbia Memorial Space Center www.columbiaspacescience.org

Craft Contemporary www.craftcontemporary.org

Forest Lawn Museum forestlawn.com/museum

Fowler Museum at UCLA fowler.ucla.edu

Frederick R. Weisman of Art, Pepperdine University arts.pepperdine.edu/museum

The Getty Center www.getty.edu/visit/center

The Getty Villa www.getty.edu/visit/villa

GRAMMY Museum grammymuseum.org

Hammer Museum hammer.ucla.edu

Holocaust Museum LA www.holocaustmuseumla.org

Institute of Contemporary Art, LA www.theicala.org/en

The International Printing Museum www.printmuseum.org

Japanese American National Museum www.janm.org

Laguna Art Museum lagunaartmuseum.org

La Brea Tar Pits & Museum tarpits.org

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes lapca.org

Lincoln Memorial Shrine www.lincolnshrine.org/contact

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) lacma.org

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) moca.org

Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) molaa.org

Museum of Ventura County venturamuseum.org

Orange County Museum of Art ocma.art

Santa Barbara Museum of Art www.sbma.net

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History sbnature.org

Santa Monica History Museum santamonicahistory.org

Skirball Cultural Center skirball.org

Wende Museum wendemuseum.org

Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum automobiledrivingmuseum.org

* The Museum of Tolerance will be participating on Sunday, March 24 only. www.museumoftolerance. com 

PETS

Preventing Pets From Fighting Like Cats and Dogs

Animal interactions are often portrayed as confrontational. Many people have undoubtedly watched a cartoon mouse outsmart a cat, or laughed as the Road Runner stays a few steps ahead of Wile E. Coyote. Common companion animals also have reputations for confrontation when forced to coexist under one roof.

Reality often differs from such depictions. Potential pet owners can rest assured that many animals of all different breeds and species have the potential to cohabitate peacefully. It’s just a matter of doing your homework and facilitating the process of companionship. Here’s how to get started.

Initial Meet and Greet

When thinking about welcoming a new pet into the home, particularly one who has not previously bonded with another animal that you are adopting together, you should always bring your current pet along to gauge their interactions.

It is wise to also get a disposition report from the rescue about whether the available animal has a history of confrontation with other pets. Rescues typically let prospective pet parents know if a pet is good with dogs, cats, small animals and children.

Create Safe Spaces

Whether it is two dogs, two cats or one of each, animals may need time to spend alone, particularly if they have different energy levels or needs.

The Animal Humane Society says sanctuary rooms can be set up so pets

Top Pet Names of 2023

Tcan separate. Rooms should be secure, with a door and a ceiling.

These also are good spots to place new pets as they get used to the smells and sounds of other pets and the people in the home.

Think about placing items that smell like the other pet in the new pet’s area along with treats, so that the new animal comes to associate these items with good things, suggests the American Kennel Club.

Use a Gate or Screen

After a few days, new pets can be given a chance to see one another separately through a baby gate or screen door without the risk of fights.

When the pets are calm enough to meet without barriers, arrange the meeting in a neutral room, rather

he American Kennel Club reports that the most popular dog names of 2023 were “Luna” for girl dogs and “Max” for boy dogs. Luna beat out “Bella” for the top spot while Max bested “Charlie.”

In a nod to the popularity of football and the personal life of the world’s most recognizable pop star, “Kelce” was the top trending dog name of 2023 according to data compiled by the online pet ownership marketplace Rover. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was already wildly popular among Chiefs fans, but he rose to even greater prominence when he began dating pop star Taylor Swift during the 2023 National Football League season.

Rover reports that trending names for felines included “Norbert,” “Soju” and “Snoop.” (MC) 

than in a sanctuary space.

Equal Measures of Attention

Pets may covet their owners’ attention and that could lead to jealousy, especially among particularly needy

pets. While it’s not always possible to be equal, offer adequate time with both animals, including time where each gets individualized attention.

Sometimes It’s a No-Go

Pets may not be able to get along. For example, a dog with a very high prey drive, such as a breed that has been bred to flush out small animals or birds, may find a parakeet or guinea pig simply too tempting to leave alone.

A large snake may not work out in a home that has gerbils or hamsters, as rodents are snakes’ natural food sources.

Always take a pet’s breed, disposition and natural inclination into consideration before bringing in a new pet.

Various strategies can be employed to help pets peacefully coexist. Pet owners who may need some additional guidance can work with qualified animal trainers. (MC) 

Opinion

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

READER LETTERS

Reminders for Voters

The following letter was written prior to the March 5 Primary Election.

I would like to remind every voter of a few things.

1. Your tax dollars are paying for tens of thousands of illegal immigrants. They get California CalFresh cards for food ($291 per month per person!); they mock our legal system, they have overloaded our medical insurance and facilities, and they overcrowd our schools. We need to close the border and enforce our existing immigration laws, while we make the necessary changes to make them better.

2. Don’t believe the adds on television about the need to support our veterans by voting for Proposition 1. We need to know where the $21.6 billion the state is getting every year from the special taxes on people who make over a million dollars a year (per Assembly member Alex Lee) is going.

3. Our present District Attorney George Gascón has got to be replaced with someone who will actually do their job! His job is to enforce the law! Yet we have more crime in our county (including the impeachment process) than in any time in the history of the county! How about we make a change and elect our very own Santa Clarita resident Jonathan Hatami? He will enforce our laws!

4. Have you heard how things are going with the high-speed train lately? Have you heard that the transportation department is predicting the first phase will be finished by 2033? And it could be 40 years before it is completed! Did you know we have already spent $9.8 billion so far? Do you know the first phase is 119 miles and the total project is 500 miles? Did you know they are predicting a total cost of $228 billion? Do you really think that will cover it? Not a chance! Did you know Nancy Pelosi is benefiting from the high-speed rail project? (Google The Washington Free Beacon.)

5. It is my hope that Democrats, Republicans and independents will all look at these issues, and so many more, and see how our country needs so badly to enforce the laws we have. And then let our elected officers know that they work for us and we want them to stop throwing away our tax money and spend it wisely to solve the problems we have in this country. We are losing the freedoms we have and our children and grandchildren will pay the price!

Ron Perry Canyon Country

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Please Control Yourself

By David Hegg

Aristotle was the first philosopher to assert self-control as a virtue in any meaningful way. He put it this way: I count him braver who conquers his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is the victory over self. I suspect that, were this great philosopher to be teaching today, his classes would be poorly attended because self-expression, not self-control, has become the battle cry of our day.

strained. This testifies to the harsh reality that they have no internal moral compass or personal convictions that play the role of referee in their own lives. Their ruling principle is to jettison any restraint on their desires.

Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone. Anonymous letters aren’t published. E-mail: letters@signalscv.com.

Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 25060 Avenue Stanford, Suite 141, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Anonymous letters are not published.

The Greek word egkratais expressed what the Greeks understood as self-control. It simply meant “self-power” and described a state where outside influences did not shape one’s emotions, thoughts, desires and actions. Still, instead, these elements of personhood were formed and maintained by internal convictions and values.

Self-control was not primarily about restraining hurtful thoughts and actions as much as producing and acting on thoughts and convictions that were virtuous and laudable. Self-control was, thus, indispensable to constructing meritorious character, itself essential to a life of great worth and valor.

The self-controlled person was one controlled from the inside out rather than pushed around by the winds of external stimuli. Persons with self-control were recognized for their calm assurance, focused thinking and ability to fend off temptations to compromise. Their controlling element was the self, and the self, fueled by virtue and conviction, was a strong and competent master enabling the self-controlled individual to “conquer his desires.” That is, personal restraint came from certain beliefs and convictions that some personal desires were harmful, both to self and society.

Today, too many have decided that self-control amounts to losing freedom. They insist that any personal desire is acceptable because it is an essential part of their humanity and ultimately good in a moral and societal sense.

The post-modern acceptance of this “psychologized self” as sovereign in our society has created the mess we see all around us. We could rightly define these individuals as believing “whatever I desire must be applauded since these desires make me who I am.”

They will submit to no restrictions lest society somehow diminish their rights as individual selves. After all, according to this ideology, desires are there to be fulfilled, not conquered or re-

We can chalk this up to the war on values across our nation. Traditional ethical norms are now being ridiculed at best and criminalized at worst. Values such as the sanctity of life, parental rights, sexual purity, faithfulness in marriage, living within your means, paying your debts, taking care of your neighbors, sacrificing for the good of others, hard work, telling the truth, and keeping promises are either being marginalized, ridiculed, or demolished today.

The great tragedy in all this is that values are what form the basis for self-control. Without convictions, there can be no control. The control of self depends on the presence of bedrock convictions to which the individual is radically committed. Such rock-solid commitments to foundational beliefs will keep them from succumbing to the sinful desires of the human heart and the temptations that abound in our world.

But, in a day when even the idea of traditional values is scoffed at, can it be surprising that self-control is so rare? Can we be surprised that many of our teens succumb to the pressures of drugs, sex, alcohol, and serial deceit when the values of chastity, abstinence, respect for the law, and honesty are no longer prized by too many of the adults around them?

In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul used this same word — egkratais — in his list of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22,23). Paul took the Aristotelian concept and poured into it the idea that such laudable self-control was possible if God were at work in the soul. Self-control is built on the foundation of truth and conviction. America’s steady slide away from acknowledging God as the ultimate truth giver is a hazardous sign that we should expect more chaos and less self-control in the future.

Since it is impossible to legislate and regulate the settings on an accurate moral compass, we must live ethical, self-controlled lives. Then, we can hope and pray that those around us and those coming behind us will recognize self-control’s personal and societal benefits.

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

Custom silk trees with