Sunday Signal March 24, 2019

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MARCH 24, 2019

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TOUCH-UPS AROUND THE HOUSE

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M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

Valencia Allergy and Asthma Center

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS FEATURES

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LOCAL NEWS

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5 6 7 8

Understanding therapy and comfort dogs Easy fixes to up home value Keeping the pressure off kids Meet the chairman: our water leader

9 The SCV’s fight against Cemex Cemex update 10 Pedestrian killed by train 11 Stabbing suspect found injured Mistrial in manslaughter case 12 COC Foundation honors leaders SCV robotics competition

SPORTS 13 13 SCV AYSO teams try for titles

CITY MANAGER

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14 Heads up, Santa Clarita

We treat the cause not just the symptoms

TRAVEL 15 15 Learning about Russia

HOLIDAY 16 16 Making an Easter Brunch

TIME RANGER 17 OPINION 18

Specializes in both Adult and Pediatric Allergy and Asthma.

18 Our View • David Hegg • Tim Whyte

CALENDAR 21 HOME 22 22 Your Home Improvement

KIDS & FAMILY

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3 Family fun with faeries, grunions and more 2 24 Donna’s Day: help ‘write’ where you need it

(661) 259-69966 farhadianmd.com 23838 Valencia Blvd. Valencia , CA 91355

SCHOOL 25

Dr. Farhadian

25 School Menu Discussing violence with kids

ENTERTAINMENT 26 6 The return of Led Zepagain 2 27 ‘Five Feet Apart’ and ‘Free Solo’

FOOD 28 28 Delicious deli options

HEALTH 30 0 Dr. Roach: is this the flu?

3 Recognizing allergies

SENIORS 31 1 New center coming soon 3 32 Gray divorce

PETS 33 33 Getting rid of fleas

THINGS TO DO

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34 Wildflower walks

PROFILE 36 36 Meet the Wilks

GARDENING 39 39 Landscape design hacks

REAL ESTATE BRAIN GAMES

40 100 YEARS

Discover Music Summer Program for High School Students 1 Week June 15–23

2 Week June 15–29

Priority deadline is March 31.

Apply at extendedstudies.calarts.edu

Richard Budman Perry Smith Tim Whyte Brad Lanfranco Doña Uhrig Karen Bennett • Abner Gutierrez

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26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100 | Santa Clarita, CA 91350

661-259-1234 The entire contents of the Sunday Signal is copyrighted 2019 by Paladin Multi-Media Group, Inc. All submitted letters and columns are strictly the opinions of the authors and not necesarily those of the publisher. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

A difference between ‘service’ and ‘support’ introduced a bill that would provide even more protection for service dogs.

Assembly Bill 169 would ensure that any harm done to a service dog would result in restitution payments and a criminal misdemeanor, regardless of whether the dog is on duty or not during the incident. If passed, the bill states that the convicted party could be liable to payments up to $10,000 to the owner of the service dog along with up to a year in county jail.

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

I

f it seems like there are more service dogs than ever before accompanying their owners into coffee shops, grocery stores and restaurants, it’s because there are.

A 2015 study at the University of California, Davis found number of assistance dogs registered by animal control facilities in California has increased by 1,000 percent between 2002-12.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that service animals are allowed to accompany their owner anywhere that the public is normally allowed to go.

But what exactly is a service dog?

Over the years, dogs have been filling a growing number of jobs supporting people with various disabilities, both visible and invisible.

John Anthony, a cynologist and the director of training at Redemption Road K9, a working dog company, has studied dog emotion and cognition, as well as animal behavior, and says a dog can be trained to do almost anything.

Whether it’s sniffing out allergens, alerting a diabetic to changes in their blood sugar, calming someone with autism or anxiety, or guiding the blind or deaf, service dogs are trained to complete specific tasks according to their owner’s needs.

Bumble Bee

What’s the harm?

Tanya Yarbrough and her service dog Rambo, a Chihuahua and Rat Terrier mix.

Rambo has been trained to sniff out gluten for Yarbrough’s celiac dIsease. PHOTO COURTESY TANYA YARBROUGH

Dogs can also help alleviate symptoms of emotional or mental distress.

Through companionship and affection, dogs can support those with mental disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorders, according to Dr. Kathy Peters, a local vet.

“What most don’t know is that there’s a difference — and it’s a big one,” Peters said.

Emotional support animals (ESA) and therapy dogs do not receive the same protection under the ADA and therefore are not considered service dogs.

The ADA limits the definition of a “service animal” to dogs that are trained to “do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” The act also states that “dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.” “This means that a dog that is trained to calm someone suffering from an anxiety attack is considered a service dog, while a dog whose mere presence calms a person is not,” Peters said. “The bottom line is that if the dog has been professionally trained to assist its owner, it’s a service dog.”

Bumble Bee, a 5-year-old Cane Corso, is a trained service dog who can do deep pressure therapy during her owner’s panic attacks to calm her down. PHOTO COURTESY JULIE JONES

Deputy Kevin Duxbury of the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department says he has often responded to calls concerning whether ESA have the same rights as service dogs.

“The fact is that they don’t,” Duxbury said. “It’s something you see around town quite a lot, and the difference is that service animals have extensive training and costs thousands of dollars while comfort animals are classified as pets.”

Tanya Yarbrough, a dog trainer and the owner of Kazzi Dog Training, says the amount of training required for a service dog is tremendous. It takes at least 18 months to properly train a dog obedience and socialization while also preparing them for the numerous distractions they will face, Yarbrough said.

Whether it’s someone who legitimately has an ESA or someone who pretends their pet is a service dog so they can bring them everywhere, both can cause damage and harm to service dogs and their reputation.

Is it really illegal?

Laws are changing nationwide to combat the growing number of “fake” service dogs, but they have yet to change in California. In fact, they’ve been the same since 1995.

Penal Code 365.7 states that those pretending to be the owner of a service dog is a criminal misdemeanor with a penalty of up to $1,000 or six months in jail.

At the beginning of the year, Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale,

Acquiring a service-dog vest is simple. They can be bought on Amazon or at a pet shop, and because the ADA does not require any registration, licensing or documentation of service animals, it’s hard to know for sure if the dog is actually a service dog.

“People can buy these fake certificates online and show them as “proof ” that their animal is a service animal,” said Julie Jones, the owner of service dog Bumble Bee. “It causes uneducated employees who don’t know the laws to think that a certificate is required for anyone with a service dog, and because I don’t have one, I’ve been turned away.”

Bumble Bee, a 5-year-old Cane Corso, is a trained service dog who is able to retrieve medication, do deep-pressure therapy during panic attacks and calmly block people from getting too close to Jones while she’s having an attack.

Jones says she and Bumble Bee have been denied access to numerous places.

“They either weren’t sure if it was okay to allow us or they didn’t want to allow us due to previous experiences they’ve had with poorly behaved “service” dogs,” Jones said. “I’ve also been denied access before due to my dog’s breed, size and intimidating appearance even though any breed of dog can be a service dog if they have the right temperament, drive to work and training.”

Rambo, a Chihuahua, Rat Terrier mix who had been trained to sniff out gluten for Yarbrough’s celiac disease, See SERVICE, page 35

6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E

Five ways to improve your home

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

W

hether you’ve just bought a new home, are trying to sell it or are just trying to spruce it up, major remodels can become a hefty expense. Fortunately, there are still plenty of budget-friendly things you can do to scratch that home-improvement itch and make your home look great as well as increase its value.

Refresh your walls with a new coat of paint

Painting is one of the smallest investments you can make, but can also have the best results.

One of the easiest and quickest ways to freshen your house is with paint, according to Robert Barillas, the owner of RJB Remodeling and Maintenance. Anytime you repaint your home, it not only gives it a fresh look, but can also add value, Barillas said.

According to Anthony Ciaramaglia, a job supervisor at TME Construction, first impressions are the most important, so don’t just stop on the inside, either pressure wash or paint the exterior of your house as well.

A splash of color at the front of your house is an eye-catching plus, according to owner of California Style Construction Robert Bussard, so you should also apply some fun paint to your front door to help make your entry more welcoming.

With paint, you’ve got unlimited options, but if you’re planning on selling, don’t get too crazy when choosing your paint colors and stick to neutral shades.

Upgrade your home’s hardware and fixtures

Details matter, and according to Bussard, replacing outdated fixtures with attractive modern ones can make a big difference.

These include things like lighting fixtures, doorknobs, outlet covers, light switch plates and faucets, which Ciaramaglia says are updates that people can easily do themselves.

Barillas says that a great way to create accent points is by changing

Bathrooms can be a big selling point for homes. Hardwood flooring and new cabinets are not always necessary. Upgrade fixtures, like the shower on the left or the sink on the right, might do the job. PHOTOS COURTESY ROBERT BUSSARD, CALIFORNIA STYLE CONSTRUCTION

out standard hardware like window coverings. He advises to stay away from basic blinds and, instead, go for decorative curtains and window dressings to accent your windows.

Install cost-effective flooring

The floors in your home are constantly being put to the test. Almost daily, they come in contact with dirty shoes, spills, pet claws and furniture scratches, so it’s only a matter of time before they need replacing.

Don’t be afraid to upgrade even if you can’t afford hardwood. Replacing your old floors with laminate or vinyl flooring that is cost effective can still give you a ton of added value, Barillas said.

But you don’t necessarily always need to replace your flooring. According to Ciaramaglia, cleaning your carpets alone can do wonders to the look of your home.

Start with your kitchen or bathroom

Kitchens and bathrooms can be big selling points on homes and Ciaramaglia says they make up most of the renovations that they do.

Although installing new cabinets or appliances usually comes with a

large price tag, you still can give your kitchen a new look without doing a full-blown remodel by making a few cheaper cosmetic changes. For example, if your cabinets are in good shape, Barillas says you can simply reface them with a paint or stain. You can also replace hardware, add a backsplash or install recessed lighting.

For such a small space, there’s a whole lot that can be done in the bathroom for a low cost. Bussard says you can replace old shower doors, bathtubs, toilets, vanities, sinks, fixtures, showerheads, mirrors and lighting.

Don’t forget the outside

What your house looks like on the outside is just as important as what it looks like on the inside, and a fresh coat of paint won’t cut it if you’ve got weeds and dead shrubbery greeting guests when they pull up to your home.

Simple things like cutting the grass, pulling weeds, raking leaves and pruning hedges are vital, according to landscaper Jorge Alvarez. Alvarez also suggests adding a nice border and mulch to your garden beds or planting some if you don’t have any already.

Replacing old, cracked driveways and walkways with stamped concrete, pavers or bricks is another way to add to your curb appeal, according to Bussard.

And if you like to spend any time outside, a place for summer barbeques and an outdoor area for your kids to play is a must-have, Alvarez said.

Patio covers, decks, gazebos or porch additions make perfect accents to your homes, according to Bussard, and offer an extra dedicated space for entertaining guests.

When deciding what home improvements you want to tackle versus the ones you want to hire a professional for, it’s best to take your skill set into account.

Bussard says that just because you can do it yourself doesn’t necessarily mean you should — some projects, like those involving plumbing or electrical, can be “downright dangerous” to complete on your own.

Professionals are trained to handle tasks that are complicated, time-consuming or dangerous, so some projects are better left to the experts. 

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

How to find balance with your child’s extracurricular activities

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

A

s a parent, you want the best for your child. It’s natural to want your child to learn valuable skills, get along with their peers, gain confidence, find interests and try new things — you want to give them every opportunity possible.

Whether they’re playing a sport or an instrument or acting in a play, extracurricular activities often become the center of a child’s life.

“Children and adolescents are faced with not only the incredible pressure at school, but now have activities planned everyday, leaving them no time for play, relaxation and family time,” said Amanda Hills, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in children and adolescents. “Children learn about the world through play, and without this balance, they will demonstrate higher levels of stress and anxiety.”

As a child grows older and begins to specialize in some of the many activities they’re involved in, parents often will give them a nudge towards the decision they think is correct, trying their best to find the delicate balance between encouraging and pushing too hard, according to Larry Schallert, assistant director of College of the Canyons’ Student Health and Wellness/Mental Health Program.

“It’s important for coaches and parents to understand the difference and the effects of positive and negative motivation,” said Nila Karimzai, an outreach specialist at the Child & Family Center’s Domestic Violence Program. “70 percent of children are dropping out of organized sports by the age of 13 due to bullying from their parents.”

Club president of the Futbol Foundation of Santa Clarita Luciano Pilato says he sees this behavior a lot. FFSC has strict guidelines when it comes to sideline behavior, according to Pilato, and he has had to expel quite a few parents from the field.

“For me, soccer is about the players, and the spectators are there to enjoy it with the players and not be the

Real So Cal Soccer teams from the Santa Clarita Valley and Santa Monica scrimmage at Central Park. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

focus of the game,” Pilato said. “As long as they’re cheering them on, I’m fine with it, but as soon as it starts to affect the players or the game, I will step up and stop it.”

Fortunately, Pilato says that more often than not, a parent realizes their mistake and is accountable for their actions.

“Nowadays, there is so much focus on making kids successful that it becomes a machine that is constantly being driven,” said Dr. Greg Hamlin, clinical psychologist at Steps and Tools. “Family life is always driven for the next soccer practice, the next dance lesson.”

Building in down time and relationship building time with your kids can help alleviate this, according to Dr. Amy Warren Psy.D, clinical psychologist at the Child & Family Center.

“Maintaining those things they do together as a family that aren’t related to skill building or obtaining something,” Warren said. “Enjoying the relationship as opposed to have an end goal in mind. That’s an opportunity for learning, as well.”

One of the most important factors in being able to avoid putting extra pressure on your children, but still encouraging them to push themselves in a healthy way, is to recognize their

stress levels.

“While parents may really want to see their child succeed, they also need to keep an eye on the level of stress that it’s putting the child under and make sure that they are taking on the role of managing their child’s stress,” Warren said. “Modeling appropriate coping skills is really important for a parent. When they notice those symptoms, they may need to adjust their child’s schedule or take a step back.”

Hamlin agrees and reminds parents to remember what is “age-appropriate.”

“There’s a level of stress that a 15-year-old can handle that a 9-yearold shouldn’t be expected to handle,” Dr. Hamlin said. “Make sure the things you are suggesting or insisting upon are age appropriate and fit the stress tolerance level of that age group.”

These stresses don’t just disappear as they get older, and according to Schallert, students continue to face these pressures well into adulthood if they aren’t addressed properly.

One way to ensure that you can recognize when your child is feeling stressed is to ensure you have an open relationship with your child, according to Warren.

“Maintaining an openness and increasing open dialogue can allow parents to make sure whatever the

child is involved in is something they continue to have a desire to do,” Warren said. “Being able to express worries or concerns and having the parent be able to hear them is important.”

Karimzai suggests that parents also need to remember to set an example so children are able to conquer real and healthy success.

“Most importantly become a positive role model and mentor,” Karimzai said. “Mentors should verbalize when they notice good effort with words of encouragement and support. Helping mentees build self-esteem and self-confidence is a crucial part of mentorship.”

Part of mentorship is also facilitating the idea that it’s okay to fail, and according to Dr. Hamlin, helping kids realize that even if they aren’t the best, it still makes them feel good and that’s okay.

“Children need to understand that their self worth isn’t based on their abilities to succeed in one thing,” Warren said. “The value that they have exceeds beyond their ability in a sport or musical instrument, and they’re loved no matter what.”

Hamlin believes there are plenty of healthy ways to encourage your child to try something new.

“Tell your child: ‘I want you to try this, but once you try it if you don’t want to do it anymore then you don’t have to,’” Hamlin said. “It avoids a child having a narrow scope and not really knowing what they’re saying no to without trying it, but gives them much needed time to experiment.”

Schallert believes that extracurricular activities have great benefits for the development of children, but ensuring that your child doesn’t have every moment scheduled is also vital.

It’s a good idea to limit the number of activities that your children participate in one to two activities at a time.

“It’s got to be in moderation,” Schallert said. “Making sure they don’t have an activity planned every day is important so you still have some time for family, and family time is as important as these extracurricular activities.” 

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

PROFILE

Bill Cooper: Crafting a career out of water With a water career full-steam underway, Cooper looked around for a nice place to settle down.

The onion fields of a very rural Santa Clarita Valley back in 1972 were not too dissimilar to the sugar beet fields he remembered in Sterling, Colorado.

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

A

s Bill Cooper settles into another term at the helm of SCV Water’s board of directors, the newly re-elected president looks back on the vast, fluid career of his professional life.

William Cooper was born and raised on a flat part of Colorado in the northwest corner of the state, where generations of his farming family worked the land, growing sugar beets.

And, what he learned of water at that time in the tiny farming town of Sterling, Colorado, was just how precious water was to the lives of all those around him.

At 17, he enlisted in the military, venturing out on a 5-year stint serving his country as it fought the war in Vietnam.

Aside from sizing up the vast watery expanse of the Earth’s oceans from the bow of USS Bennington, Cooper had already begun his career in water without fully appreciating it at the time.

Evaporators

“My main job on the ship was to operate the salt-water distillation units known as the ‘Evaporators.’

“We made all the drinking water for the crew of 3,500 and for the boilers that powered the ships turbines.

So my water history starts way back then,” he said.

After three tours in Vietnam, Cooper returned to the states with a wide world of options and no firm notion of where to put down roots.

“It was the 60s. There was a lot of employment. Southern California was expanding,” he said, noting California, specifically Alhambra, was where he met his first wife.

So, when he thought of applying at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, not entirely sure his Navy experience manning salt-water distillation units would be the key to a full-time job, the young Cooper would learn later in life, that applying was the defining moment of his entire career.

SCV home

“Water has truly been my life’s career and while most see it as boring I have found it exciting and satisfying,” said Bill Cooper. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

The Met

Cooper logged four full decades at “the Met” wearing different hats at different times — never losing focus of that crucial lesson learned among the rows of sugar beets in Sterling, Colorado, that whether its serving an extended family of 19 or 19 million: Water is precious.

For a while, his name tag read: Bill Cooper, water treatment section manager.

I

During that time, he watched over the operations and maintenance of all five Metropolitan Water District treatment plants that supply about one-half of all the water to the 19 million or so people in Southern California.

Cooper has managed some of the largest water-treatment plants in the United States, and also was an adjunct professor at College of the Canyons teaching the Environmental Technologies Water Treatment Program.

Water in SCV

n the early days of what is now the Santa Clarita Valley, water was found at the bottom of ranch-owned groundwater wells around Newhall.

As Newhall grew, and homes were built, water gradually became distributed by a handful of independent water providers.

The Newhall County Water District — the SCV’S oldest water retailer — was created in 1953, bringing with it roots reaching back to the early 1900s with its predecessor, Newhall Water System.

Soon there were other water retailers — the Santa Clarita Water Co. and the Valencia Water Co. But, as Santa Clarita Valley con-

tinued to grow, so did the demand for water.

On April 20, 1962, a group called the Upper Santa Clara Valley Water Agency signed a contract to receive 41,500 acre-feet of water each year from Northern California as part of the State Water Project.

In 1970, it changed its name to the Castaic Lake Water Agency.

In October 2017, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 634, authorizing the merger of CLWA and NCWD, creating the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency.

Bill Cooper was elected the first president of the newly created Santa Clarita Water Agency’s board, and re-elected this year. 

He and first wife moved to Canyon Country where they raised two kids, becoming more and more involved in the community.

For a while, he taught classes on water at College of the Canyons and while he was there, a colleague suggested he run for seat on the Castaic Lake Water Agency board.

Cooper has served on the CLWA Board since 1993, and was president of the board for five years, from 1996 to 2001.

Since then, he has served on various committees and has chaired the Planning and Engineering Committee, providing oversight of the Agency’s $55 million capital-improvement program.

Community

Cooper became and remains a member of the Child & Family Center’s board of directors, also serving on the foundation board, which raised money in support of the center before it merged with the governing board.

He was appointed by Santa Clarita Mayor Frank Ferry to the City’s Elected Officials Committee on teenage alcohol and drug abuse and was a member of the Hart District Schools Site Council.

He has been a member of the American Water Works Association and the Association for California Water Agencies as well as many other organizations.

Water, however, is the legacy William Cooper has carved out for himself — an easy thing to do, he says, when you love what you do.

He noted this week: “Water has truly been my life’s career and while most see it as boring I have found it exciting and satisfying.” 

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

City calls win in Cemex mine fight

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

A

fter four years of investigation, wrangling and debate, a federal review board has reached a decision in Cemex’s appeal of the contract-canceling decision made by the Bureau of Land Management in July 2015.

City officials described the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) ruling as a historic victory for opponents of the mine, while some observers are advising caution due to details and potential legal wrangling that could still favor Cemex.

The ruling released Wednesday indicates the BLM decision is “affirmed in part, reversed in part, set aside in part, and case remanded.”

The ruling also sent local politicians who have been warring against a “mega-mine” in Soledad Canyon over the past two decades into celebration mode.

Officials with the city of Santa Clarita called the ruling historic as it ends 20 years of legal and legislative battles to stop the Mexican mining giant from ever mining gravel on the eastern edge of SCV. On Wednesday, civic leaders focused their attention on one key aspect of the much-anticipated ruling — that all of Cemex’s mining rights in Soledad Canyon will expire in July 2020.

“Cemex has never done any mining in Soledad Canyon, and after today’s decision — they never will,” said Councilman Bob Kellar, a City Council Cemex subcommittee member.

“Even though their contract will not expire ‘til 2020, it would take them at least three years to get their operation up and running.’

Repeated phone calls and emails placed with Cemex officials for comment were not returned Wednesday.

‘Monumental victory’

“The importance of this decision cannot be (overstated) — this is a

Fighting Cemex: A long, winding (and costly) rocky road

By Jim Holt Signal Staff Writer

S

ince the Bureau of Land Management granted Cemex two 10-year back-to-back mining contracts, civic leaders, environmental groups and residents have been fighting to stop the mine from happening.

The battle has been fought in a variety of arenas, involved several strategies and multiple proposed pieces of legislation.

Former Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, introduced half a dozen bills. None ever passed.

The path to Wednesday’s decision by the Interior Board of Land Appeals has been a rocky one:

• 1990: BLM awards Cemex two consecutive 10-year contracts to extract 56 million tons of sand and gravel from a site in Soledad Canyon, north of Canyon Country.

The city of Santa Clarita, however, strongly opposed Cemex’s proposed mining operation.

• 2004: Former Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, proposes congressional legislation to block the Cemex mine by banning mining in Soledad Canyon.

• February 2007: A “truce” is struck between Santa Clarita and the Mexican cement giant, with the city standing down from its opposition and Cemex halting any further permit pursuits, while the two sides were to negotiate an amicable solution.

• April 2008: McKeon introduces HR 5877 to Congress proposing a swap of the mine for land in Victorville.

• 2009: McKeon introduces his sixth bill aimed at keeping a massive sand and gravel mine out of the Santa Clarita Valley.

• 2010: U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., introduces her Soledad Canyon High Desert, California Public Lands Conservation and See TIMELINE, page 10

LOCALNEWS

Abandoned equipment stands at the Cemex site in Canyon Country. While city officials are lauding the decision as a historic victory, others advise caution because the ruling affirms part of the appeal, and sets aside other parts. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

monumental victory for our residents and our environment,” Kellar said.

The city of Santa Clarita has been fighting to prevent mining in Soledad Canyon since the Cemex contracts were issued by the federal govern-

ment in 1990.

The Cemex contracts would have allowed for the mining of 56 million tons of sand and gravel from Soledad Canyon, which would have added up to 1,164 truck trips per day to local

See DECISION, page 10

10 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

LOCALNEWS

Pedestrian struck, killed by freight train

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

A

male pedestrian died early Wednesday morning after being struck by a freight train near Soledad Canyon Road and Ruether Avenue.

An investigation involving at least three separate agencies continued into the morning hours.

“The call came in from Metrolink as a Union Pacific train versus pedestrian on Ruether Avenue at 12:46 a.m.,” said Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatcher Martin Rangel.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, and no one was transported to the hospital, he added. By Wednesday afternoon, the L.A. County Department of Medical Examiner-Cor-

DECISION

Continued from page 9

roads and freeways.

Such a gravel mine operating on Soledad Canyon, city officials say, would have caused air quality issues and potential negative impacts to the Santa Clara River, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, wildlife corridors connecting the Angeles National Forest, as well as fish, wildlife and plants in the area.

“This is a historic win for residents of the city of Santa Clarita,” said Councilwoman Laurene Weste, a City Council Cemex subcommittee member.

“We have fought for the last 20 years to make sure our community was protected from the effects of this mega-mining project. It’s been a tough fight — fought by many, including our city, our elected officials and those at all levels of government, together with our community. I am ecstatic that all the hard work has finally paid off.”

Cemex appeal

On Wednesday, the Department of the Interior announced that the IBLA had reached a decision in Cemex’s appeal of the contract-canceling decision made by the Bureau of Land Management in July 2015, squashing the company’s right to mine the area.

“A BLM decision to cancel a mineral material sales contract for a breach

A Union Pacific freight train struck and killed a pedestrian trespassing on the tracks early Wednesday morning near Soledad Canyon Road and Rainbow Glen Drive.

PHOTO BY AUSTIN DAVE / THE SIGNAL

oner had not yet identified the person.

“Right now, the decedent is listed as John Doe,” said Sarah Ardalani, public information officer for the department.

The incident called for a multiagency investigation involving the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Department, Union Pacific Police and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

of its terms by the purchaser of the contract will be set aside and the case remanded where BLM failed to afford the purchaser an opportunity to correct the breach, as required by (law),” the ruling says.

“But the requirement that BLM afford the purchaser an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the breach under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 is satisfied by the opportunity to appeal to this board.”

The board’s decision will be the final word from the U.S. Department of the Interior, but the ruling may still be appealed to federal court.

A decision by the federal review board was expected by local officials by this time last year.

There is no practical way, Murphy said, that Cemex can obtain the permits it needs to begin mining.

“They would have to get a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, and that takes a minimum of between 18 and 24 months,” he said. “They would also need permits from the (California) State Water Resources people.”

Practical implications

Mike Murphy, the intergovernmental relations manager for the city of Santa Clarita, said the ruling technically leaves Cemex with one of two contracts still valid, but without much time remaining.

“The practical implications of this ruling are that Cemex is left with a 16-month valid contract for a mine but they don’t have any of the permits in place,” he said.

In 1990, the BLM awarded Cemex two back-to-back 10-year mining contracts.

The first 10-year contract expired on July 31, 2010. The second 10-year contract picked up where the first one left off, and is set to expire July 31, 2020.

Omnibus bill

What about the prospect of mining being done in Soledad Canyon after the second Cemex contract expires next year?

Murphy said that, thanks to legislation submitted by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., with the help of former Rep. Steve Knight last year, no mining can take place once the existing mining contracts expire.

Wording in the 2018 Omnibus spending bill, signed by President Donald Trump a year ago, precludes any mining operations in Soledad Canyon upon the conclusion or termination of existing contracts, according to Knight’s office.

Asked what Wednesday’s IBLA decision means for people living in the Santa Clarita Valley, Murphy said: “It means there will be no mining in Soledad Canyon.”

“I am 100 percent confident that this (ruling) is going to stick,” Murphy said. 

By nearly 4 a.m., the investigation was still active, said SCV Sheriff ’s deputy Kevin Fleck. Investigators surrounded the area between Ruether Avenue and Rainbow Glen Drive trying to find out how and why the pedestrian ended up on the train tracks, as well as gathering information on the actions of the freight train and conductors.

Union Pacific spokesman Tim McMahan said the train crew, which consisted of a conductor and an engineer, did not suffer any injuries.

The train involved was an empty rock train moving westbound.

Law enforcement and investigators cleared the scene before 6 a.m., just prior to the start of the heavy morning commute. 

TIMELINE

Continued from page 9

Management Act of 2010.

• 2012: A five-year written “truce” between Santa Clarita and Cemex that staved off a major mine in Canyon Country expires. A petition drafted by the group Safe Action for the Environment Inc. calls on residents opposed to the Cemex mine.

More than 3,000 sign it.

• February 2015: Cemex informs city of Santa Clarita officials it is beginning work to update permits required to start mining.

• August 2015: BLM notifies Cemex on Aug. 28 that its Soledad Canyon mining contracts, held for more than 20 years but never acted on, had been canceled.

• September 2015: Cemex files an appeal of the BLM decision with the Interior Board of Land Appeals.

• January 2018: The city of Santa Clarita reveals it spent about $12.15 million in fighting Cemex.

• March 2018: Wording in the 2018 Omnibus spending bill, put forth by then-Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, precludes any mining operations in Soledad Canyon upon the conclusion or termination of existing contracts. 

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

LOCALNEWS

Stabbing suspect found injured in 7-Eleven restroom

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

A

suspect who was believed to have robbed someone while using a knife as a weapon was found in a 7-Eleven bathroom and transported to the hospital Wednesday.

At approximately 2 p.m., Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel were treating a man on the 28000 block of Timothy Drive in Saugus for medical reasons when he allegedly turned combative, according to Lt. Leo Bauer of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station.

After turning on first responders trying to help him, he then reportedly fled the scene on foot. While sheriff ’s deputies were beginning to respond to the incident, residents reported him as a possible burglar with a weapon, Bauer said.

Deputies had the neighborhood around Timothy and Rodgers drives

on lockdown, patrolling the streets and searching the area.

“He was running through the front yards after my neighbor and I saw him standing near our back gate,” said one resident on the 20500 block of Caitlin Lane.

“He was trying to wash himself off with one of our neighbor’s hoses.”

When a description of the suspect was sent out, deputies believed they had the suspect in custody, but later concluded the man they had taken into custody near Caitlin Lane was not their perpetrator, according to witnesses on the scene.

Hiding in the area

However, at approximately 3:30 p.m., deputies received notification that a suspect who they believe was the exact man they were looking for was spotted still in the area and hiding in a nearby convenience store bathroom on the 28300 block of Whites Canyon, according to Fire

Mistrial declared in 2016 vehicular manslaughter case

By Jim Holt Signal Staff Writer

T

he seven-week trial of a commercial driver charged with six counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter has ended in a hung jury and a mistrial declared in the case of 71-year-old Richard Lopez.

“The jury was hung today and a mistrial was declared,” Paul Eakins, spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, said late Wednesday afternoon. “A pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 26.”

At that April 26 hearing, Lopez lawyer Ben Mironer is expected to submit for the judge’s consideration, “an invitation to dismiss the case against his client.”

On that date, Sherilyn Garnett, presiding over Courtroom A at San Fernando Superior Court, is expected to either dismiss the case or order a new trial.

Asked how his client responded to news of the hung jury, Mironer said: “He’s been through so much, it still hasn’t sunk in.”

Jurors began deliberating Monday, and by the end of day three, notified the judge that they could not reach a verdict.

“Jurors were deadlocked,” Mironer said. “Eight jurors voted not guilty, four jurors voted guilty.”

Lopez is charged with six misdemeanor counts of vehicular manslaughter for allegedly having struck a minivan with his Freightliner truck at 3:37 a.m. June 28, 2016, in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5, just south of Gorman School Road.

The two women who died inside the burning 2016 Toyota Sienna minivan were Connie Wu Li and Flora Kuang, both 33. The children killed in the same vehicle were Jayden Li, 5; Lucas Li, 3; Sky Ng, 4; and Venus Ng, 2. 

Department Inspector Scott Elliot.

“Engine 128 (was on the scene) … and the patient was transported to a local area hospital,” said Elliot.

However, before the man was taken to the hospital for treatment of unknown injuries, he was removed from a sheriff ’s vehicle and walked around the parking lot for a field identification — meaning the robbery victim was in a nearby vehicle, according to witnesses on the scene. “(He) hasn’t been brought back yet to the station for booking,” Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff ’s Station, said at about 5 p.m.

Wednesday.

As of Wednesday evening, investigators had not released the suspect’s identity or indicated what charges he might face, or if there were any additional suspects being sought. 

Deputies detain a man in connection with a reported assault with a deadly weapon outside a 7-Eleven near the intersection of Plum Canyon Road and Bouquet Canyon Road. PHOTO BY AUSTIN DAVE/ THE SIGNAL

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12 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

LOCALNEWS

COC Foundation honors community leaders

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

I

n honor of their continuous support of the Santa Clarita community, the College of the Canyons Foundation named Don and Cheri Fleming the recipients of the 2019 Silver Spur Community Service Award at Saturday’s sold-out Silver Spur Celebration at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” Don Fleming said. “This is a great honor, and we never thought we would win this award — we’re so pleased and, honestly, speechless.”

“It is truly the biggest honor that Don and I could ever imagine winning,” Cheri Fleming said. “We join an alumni of past winners that are people that have taught us so much and that we have looked up to for the past 22 years.”

Since moving to the area in 1997 and purchasing Valencia Acura, the

Don and Cheri Fleming were honored with the 2019 Silver Spur Award.

COURTESY PHOTO

Flemings have dedicated themselves to helping their new community and the COC Foundation, college officials said.

“Don and Cheri made an excellent choice for the Silver Spur Award because of all they’ve done in the community and because of how sup-

portive they are of the students that go to COC,” said Diana Cusumano, board member for the COC Foundation and chair of the 2019 Silver Spur event.

When the couple purchased the dealership, it was ranked last in sales and customer satisfaction nationally among Acura dealers, according to school officials. Since then, it has become one of the top Acura dealerships in customer loyalty and sales penetration, and it has been instrumental in making local auto dealers the largest sales tax contributors to the city.

“Santa Clarita is different, and I think that it’s because people generally have a really positive attitude and are willing to invest in helping make things possible,” COC Chancellor Dianne G. Van Hook said. “The Flemings embody, through their actions, their attitude and their resilience what makes Santa Clarita what it is.

They aren’t investing for the return for themselves, they’re investing for

the return on the greater good, which is why they are deserving.”

Both Don and Cheri have served as leaders on the boards of charitable organization like the Henry Mayo Newhall Health Foundation, American Cancer Society, Child & Family Center, SCV Chamber of Commerce, and Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, and consequently earned the title of SCV Man and Woman of the Year in 2004. It was only the second time in 40 years that a husband and wife had shared the award in the same year.

“Our city has a balanced budget, a rainy day fund, a AAA bond credit rating, low crime rates and great schools,” Don said. “To me, that’s all worth fighting for. We’re very proud of this place.”

The Flemings have supported the college’s commitment to higher education for more than 20 years, and contributed to many of the foundation’s significant initiatives, COC officials said. 

Local robotics team heads to world championship

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

A

fter three days filled with panicked engineering, signs of camaraderie and robots smashing into one another, the Santa Clarita local Team 691 has won an invitation to the 2019 FIRST World Championship.

The 2019 “For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” (FIRST) World Championship is set to be held in Houston this year, and will bring together tens of thousands of students from around the world who participate in K-12 robotics programs — along with the educators, industry professionals, sponsors, organizations and colleges/ universities who support them, according to event organizers.

But, before they received their invitation to the Houston competition, which will feature teams from the Middle East, China, Taiwan and a number of other countries, Team 691 had to punch their ticket by placing at the Los Angeles North Regional competition, which was held in the Valencia High

Members of West Ranch High School’s Team 691 Julian Hope, left, and Demitri Duran lift their robot, which is named Jeffrey, into the arena during a robotics competition held at Valencia High School in Valencia on Saturday. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

School gym during this past weekend.

As those in attendance walked in the building, they were greeted by the sight of the impressive robotics obstacle course. The pilots of each $5,000, 120-pound robot navigated through the various timed challenges — from lifting disks onto a platform to shooting balls into a basket.

In the back of the gym sat an

engineering bay, where the students worked to get their robot in competitive shape, traded materials and shared know-how with members of other teams in an effort to help one another out — an aspect of the competition that is woven into both the culture and competition of robotics tournaments.

In addition to teams from California and the rest of the United States

being present, six teams from China and Taiwan were also competitors.

“We came here to compete in the robotics competition, but some of us have never been overseas,” said the Taiwanese team’s captain, Jeffery Tzou, 18. “So, this was our chance to come here, see America, compete. We have high hopes for this weekend.”

At the end of the weekend, after all 36 teams had competed, Team 691, which had never before been chosen to compete at the world championship, took home second place and was given a shot to compete in Houston.

“We’ve been a team in the district for 17 years, and we started out being hosted in people’s homes,” said Jessica Robotics, Team 691’s teacher/adviser.

“So, for us to finally have our robot get us to the (world competition) … it’s a ‘Cinderella’ story.”

The FIRST Championship in Houston is being held April 17-20 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. For more information about the event and how to watch Team 691 compete, visit the event’s website at www.firstchampionship.org/ houston. 

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

Spring brings championship soccer

By Diego Marquez Signal Staff Writer

C

ome rain or shine throughout the months of January and February, there were still sports to be played in Santa Clarita — specifically, championship-level youth soccer.

For three Canyon Country AYSO Boys All-Star soccer teams: Boys 10U, Boys 12U and Boys 14U teams from Region 677, that meant rescheduling numerous games throughout the course of the Area playoffs and into the Section playoffs.

That didn’t deter any of the three teams from advancing past the Area playoffs and into the latter playoffs held in Bakersfield “Our semifinal game in Area Playoffs was pouring rain and there was a lot of mud, but a lot of the parents stepped up and the kids stepped up,” said Boys 10U All-Star team head coach Omar Falah. “They just put it out and had a mission to accomplish

Three area AYSO teams advanced past the Area playoffs and into the playoffs held in Bakersfield. PHOTO COURTESY PAUL MARTINEZ, AYSO

and they did it, even though we had to get postponed, delayed and had to cancel some practices. It was pretty hard to keep it at a consistent level of play because we would practice two days a week, and then not practice for the next two weeks.

“It made it hard to keep a chemistry and that makes it even more

MARCH 30-31 | APRIL 6-7

MARCH 30-31 | APRIL 6-7

special looking back at it because without that chemistry because of the rain and doing so well, I think it’s just goes to show much better we would have been if we had those practices. But it was a good time for everybody. The kids were very excited.”

All three teams had very good showings at Area 10S playoffs, dominating opponents and outscoring them by very wide margins.

Falah’s Boys 10U team breezed through the Area 10S playoffs going undefeated in five games and registering 25 goals, while allowing only four on its way to the Area 10S title, to guarantee them a spot in the Section 10 playoffs.

The Boys 12U All-Star team coached by Bill Daggs won four out of the five Area 10S playoff games, with the fifth game being cancelled because of the weather and field conditions.

The team still managed to score and impressive 40 goals and allow just four in the process.

Lawrence Castruita’s Boys 14U AllStar team might have had the best showing in Area playoffs scoring netting 26 goals and allowing just one goal on its way to a the Area 10S title and a first-place seed in Bakersfield.

With the Boys 14U team qualifying for the Section 10S playoffs, the three teams headed off to Bakersfield to play three pool games and Saturday and if they advanced, a morning semifinals game and the championship later in the day.

SPORTS Section 10 playoffs are comprised of 8 Areas and 60 Regions representing approximately 60,500 players from throughout California.

Falah’s Boys 10U team continued their dominance, taking first place in pool play to advance to the semifinals and into the finals.

Unfortunately, the team’s ninegame winning streak came to a halt in a hard-fought loss to a Burbank team, finishing the squad in second-place.

“It’s a whole other ball-game at Section,” Falah said. “Every single player is the best player for their respective region and area — much better play at section.”

The Boys 12U team similarly continued the scoring netting 18 goals and going undefeated in pool play.

Their run ended, however, with two losses recently, resulting in a fourthplace finish.

The No. 1 seed in their pool, the Boys 14U team battled to advance into Sunday play, but fell to the eventual champions rom Northeast Bakersfield in the first game and rebounded to win the second game 2-0 to seal up a third-place finish.

With all three teams finishing the season in the top four at sections in their respective age groups this is one of if not the best year that the region has had as a whole.

“It’s an astounding accomplishment, however you see it,” Falah said. “Very rarely does a region get represented with so many teams at a section level for the finals. That’s unheard of. Since I’ve been with Canyon Country for over 15 years, I’ve never in my history been involved with so many teams being there. It’s just a testament to our region as far the organization and quality of play.

It all starts from the top and works its way down. I think this has been one of the better year that our region has had as a whole as far as players, parents, coaches and refs, and that’s just a testament about how well we did this year.” 

14 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Be a ‘heads-up’ pedestrian

By Ken Striplin City Manager

W

e have had eight pedestrian/cyclist accidents in the last month.

Tragically, two of these were fatal. In both incidents, according to witnesses, the pedestrian and cyclist moved into the path of oncoming traffic.

After analyzing the data from recent accidents, another disturbing trend is evident: Nearly 50 percent of collisions reported the pedestrian to be at fault. By not utilizing the facilities and crosswalks available, pedestrians are putting themselves and others at risk. Your time is valuable, but so is your life.

I urge you to let these tragic accidents remind you to be safe, alert and responsible whenever walking, riding or driving on our city streets.

Remember to take the time to cross in the crosswalk and if there is a paseo bridge nearby — use it! These are simple actions that could make a life-saving difference. Drivers and pedestrians alike share the responsibility of keeping themselves and others on the road safe.

The city continues to work closely with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station to push out the “Heads Up” safety campaign — highlighting these safety tips:

Heads-up See and be seen — make eye contact with the drivers in the intersection. Make sure they see you, and know when you are going to cross the street. Cyclists should wear bright, reflective clothing and at night you are required to have a white light visible on the front of your bike and a flashing red light on the back.

Heads-up Disconnect from distractions — wearing headphones or using an electronic device while walking can impede your alertness at an intersection. Be aware as you begin to cross the road — know where all the cars are, and what they are doing. It is crucial that drivers disconnect from distractions as well;

don’t respond to a text message while driving or stopped at a red light.

Drivers should always stay focused on the road and avoid distracted driving.

Heads-up Use the crosswalk

— don’t always assume you have the right of way. A driver could be distracted, impeded or disregarding road laws. No matter the intersection, low-traffic or high, always look up, and be aware of what cars are doing.

For drivers, remaining stopped at the crosswalk until the pedestrian completely crosses the street provides an opportunity for the pedestrian to cross safely and brings attention to other drivers on the roadway that a pedestrian is in the crosswalk.

Besides our many paseo bridges to help you cross safely, the City has also recently added safety enhancements at several major thoroughfares to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

The City Council recently cut the ribbon for the highly anticipated Newhall Ranch Road Bridge Widening Project. The road now offers one extra travel lane in each direction, in addition to protected pedestrian walkways and safe trail undercrossings at both ends of the bridge. The Sierra Highway Pedestrian Bridge is nearing completion, featuring a much safer way for students at Golden Valley High School to get to and from class.

Safety on our city streets is a responsibility that falls on each and every one of us. I encourage you to make responsible decisions, avoid distractions and look out for others. Together, we can make Santa Clarita roads safe for all who travel them. Please visit santa-clarita.com/ HeadsUp for a complete list of traffic safety tips for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. 

Ken Striplin is Santa Clarita city manager, and he can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.com. THe views expressed in his column are those of the city, and don’t necessarily reflect those of The Signal.

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

T R AV E L

Family: Learn about Russia

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

W

inston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, once described Russia as “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”

Russia and its President Vladimir Putin have been front and center in the news recently, but what do we know about the country and its people?

Geography

Russia is officially named the Russian Federation. Encompassing 6,612,100 square miles, Russia is the largest country in the world by area, covering more than one-eighth of the Earth’s inhabited land area. It is the ninth most populous, with about 146.77 million people.

Russia is about twice as large as the United States. However, it has less than half the people of the U.S. Find Moscow, Russia on a globe.

Moscow is the capital of Russia and its most populous city, with 13.2 million residents within the city limits.

The time in Moscow is 10 hours ahead of the time in Santa Clarita.

There are 11 time zones in Russia, the United States is spread across six time zones in comparison.

Food

Porridge is one of the most important dishes in traditional Russian cuisine. The variety of cereals is based on a variety of local crops. “Kasha” refers to any kind of porridge. The most popular cereals are buckwheat, millet, semolina, oats, barley and rice.

These cereals are traditionally cooked in milk, especially for breakfast.

People add butter, salt, sugar, different jams or fresh fruit and berries to taste. Also, simply cooked salty porridges, especially buckwheat and rice, can be served as the side dish.

Borscht is a soup made of broth, beets and tomatoes with various vegetables, including onions, cabbage, carrots and celery. It’s the soup most closely associated with Russia, however, Russian soups can be divided into at least seven large groups: chilled soups based on kvass (a traditional beverage commonly made from rye bread); light soups and

stews based on water and vegetables; noodle soups with meat, mushrooms or milk; soups based on cabbage; thick soups based on meat broth, with a salty-sour base; fish soups; and grain- and vegetable-based soups.

Borscht usually includes meat, particularly beef in Russia. Borscht is generally served very hot, with sour cream, chopped chives or parsley, and crushed garlic. Borscht is traditionally served with black bread.

Blini are thin pancakes or crepes and a common breakfast dish. They may be topped with butter, smetana (sour cream), fruit preserves or caviar.

Russian Flag

The flag of Russia is a tricolor flag consisting of three equal horizontal bars: white on the top, blue in the middle and red on the bottom. The flag was first used as an ensign for Russian merchant ships and became official as the flag of Russia in 1696.

Brief History

The Russian Empire originated with Peter the Great in 1721 and ended with the Emperor of All Russia, Nicholas II, who abdicated in 1917, and was executed with his family in 1918 during the Bolshevik Revolution.

After the socialist revolution of 1917 in Russia, the followers of the communist ideas of Karl Marx and the ideology of the Russian revolution leader Vladimir Lenin took over.

A civil war ensued that ended in 1922 with the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union existed for 70 years.

During this period, Russia became an ally of the West and helped defeat Germany and Adolf Hitler during WWII. After WWII, the Soviet Union and the West entered a “Cold War” of arms escalation and competition on the world stage.

The Soviet Union ceased to exist in 1991, as democratic forces, led by Boris Yeltsin, moved to the forefront of Russian politics.

Yeltsin stepped down and named Vladimir Putin the acting president on New Year’s Eve 1999. Putin has been elected Russian president in three consecutive elections. He has consolidated his power and stifled dissent.

The Arts

Russia has a long history of produc-

Russia, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral

ing amazing art, including the storied Faberge Eggs and The Bolshoi Ballet.

A Faberge Egg is a jeweled egg created by the House of Fabergé, in St. Petersburg, Imperial Russia. Virtually all were manufactured under the supervision of Peter Carl Fabergé between 1885 and 1917.

The Bolshoi Ballet is an internationally renowned classical ballet company, based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Founded in 1776, it is among the world’s oldest ballet companies. However, it is not the

only important ballet company in Russia. The Mariinsky Ballet in Saint Petersburg is also recognized as one of the foremost ballet companies in the world.

Matryoshka dolls are known as “Russian nesting dolls.” The stacking dolls wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. The first Russian nested doll set was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and designed by Sergey Malyutin, a folk crafts painter. The dolls are now mass produced and popular souvenirs. 

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16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

H O L I D AY

Michele makes

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

Easter Brunch

I

love Easter brunch. It’s a great time to exercise a variety of baking and cooking skill while creating a bountiful and special Easter breakfast/lunch table.

Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

A friend shared with recipe with me, I have tweaked it for my taste buds by increasing the amount of brown sugar and cinnamon. I also added bacon for texture. I use French Toast bread (I usually have about 4 slices of bread left over) and decorate with raspberries. This recipe packs a cinnamon punch, you can reduce the amount of cinnamon to 2 tsps. in both the bread mixture and the streusel topping if you want less cinnamon.

1 (22-ounce) loaf French bread, French Toast bread, sourdough bread or challah. (I use about 3/4 or 2/3 of the loaf.

16 ounces brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature 6 Tbsp confectioners’ sugar 2 Tbsp vanilla extract, divided 8 large eggs 2 1/4 cups half and half 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 cup packed brown sugar

Streusel Topping 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 1 cube (8 Tbsp) butter, cold and cubed 1 cup chopped walnuts

Garnish after baking

6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Confectioners’ sugar

Fruit Grease a 9 x13 pan with butter or spray with nonstick spray.

Cut the bread into cubes, about 1 inch in size. Spread half of the cubes into the prepared baking pan.

Beat cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth.

Beat in the confectioners’ sugar and 1 Tbsp vanilla extract until combined.

Drop random spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top of the bread, then spread cream cheese atop the layer of bread. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top of cream cheese.

In a separate bowl whisk eggs, milk,

PHOTOS BY MICHELE BUTTLEMAN

cinnamon, brown sugar and remaining vanilla together until no lumps remain.

Pour over the bread.

Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours minimum or overnight.

(Overnight is best.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare streusel topping: Whisk the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cubed butter (make sure it is very cold) with a pastry blender. Sprinkle the topping over the soaked bread.

Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Sprinkle with crumbled bacon, confectioners’ sugar and decorate with fresh strawberries, blueberries or raspberries.

Serve immediately with butter and syrup.

Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Make ahead tip Prepare the topping in advance, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator. Sprinkle over the soaked bread before baking. For freezing, prepare the recipe (without preheating the oven) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then add topping and bake as directed.

Recipe Notes This recipe can easily be halved in an 8- or 9-inch baking pan. The bake time will be slightly

less, around 30-35 minutes.

Another fun and decadent variation is to add a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the bread before covering with the streusel topping.

Smoked Salmon Bites

3/4 cup cream cheese 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt

Zest from 1 lemon 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon dried dill weed 1 small garlic clove, grated on a microplane or very finely minced

A pinch of sea salt 2 cucumbers, sliced 6 ounces cold smoked salmon (lox)

Capers to taste

Fresh dill and cracked pepper, to garnish Slice the cucumbers into discs.

Mix cream cheese, yogurt, lemon zest and juice, dill weed, garlic and salt. To assemble top each cucumber disc with the cream cheese mix, add salmon and garnish with capers, pepper and fresh dill.

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

This will impress your brunch crowd. You can make your own biscuits from scratch or simply make boxed or canned biscuits.

To make sausage gravy first brown 1lb. pork ground sausage. After the sausage is browned removed the meat from the pan and set aside.

Into the rendered sausage fat add 2 Tbsp flour. Cook for one minute stirring constantly.

Whisk 2 cups milk into the pan and bring to a boil. Turn down head and simmer gently for three minutes. Add the browned sausage and stir well.

Split your biscuits in half and pour gravy over the biscuits. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Oven Bacon

2 lbs. thick cut bacon (about 16 slices) Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 400 degrees.

Divide bacon between two wire racks set inside large foil-lined rimmed baking sheets. Bake, rotating baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through, until brown and crisp, 35–50 minutes (depending on the thickness). Transfer to paper towels to drain. Regular cut bacon will take about 20 minutes or so. Keep a close eye on your bacon, it will burn or overcook very quickly. 

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

Happy 91st Birthday, Vicki Long!

Before we even get out the gate, I want to offer a tip of the terribly expensive O’Farrell Official Time Ranger Cowboy Hat to Donnie Long’s mom, Vicki. Back when The Mighty Signal was a plug nickel (1946) Vicki (then Vicki Watt) was named Queen of the Fourth of July here. Her birthday’s today and she’s a hubba-hubba gal at 91. Make sure you tens of thousands of saddlepals get some cake from Vicki before the trailride ends. Also, as a warning, if you don’t sing “Happy Birthday to Vicki,” no cake.

Got it?

Cripes. My mother-like substance JoAnn turns 91 next month. Same darn birthday as Adolph “You Know Who” the Fuhrer guy. After all that with Vicki, if I don’t make some reference, I’ll never hear the end of it…

That lovely business aside, shall we mosey into the mystic?

WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• The 390th birthday of Saugus How times flies. Seems like just yesterday Saugus was 389. Happy Darn Birthday, Saugus! Well. Saugus —Massachusetts. Of course, we’re wishing a happy 390th birthday to our sister city back east, Saugus, Mass., birthplace of town founder, Henry Mayo Newhall.

MARCH 24, 1919

• Range war patriarch dead Bill Chormicle was no more. The rancher was the padrone of one of the families in one of the West’s bloodiest feuds.

The Castaic Range War lasted nearly 40 years and 27 men were killed fighting it. Chormicle had come from wagon train as a boy. His mom and dad were killed by Indians and Chormicle had taken an Indian arrow in the throat. That didn’t stop him from feuding with the W.W. Jenkins’ clan for nearly half a century. Funny.

Both Chormicle and Jenkins had been shot and spent four decades trying to kill the other. Both died of old age.

Earlier, Old Man Jenkins was shot in a roadside duel by a young cowboy, Billy Rose, but later died of “old age” in 1916 at 81. Rose? He died in the 1930s.

Another tidbit — one of Chormicle’s sons was hanged up Bouquet Canyon.

For years after, they called the place either “Dead Man’s Canyon” or “Hangman’s Canyon.”

• 101 years of saving daylight Folks were still trying to get the hang of this newfangled concept: Daylight Savings Time. This week, 100 years back, was just the second anniversary of setting the clocks ahead.

MARCH 24, 1929

• Million-word Boston Our local Western superstar, Bill Hart, was out of town down in Temecula, working on his latest flick, “Three Word Brand.” Hart built an entire town and courthouse and used a special train to ship the stars, crew and extras. Hart had the world debut at the Newhall Elementary Auditorium. The film was dubbed “Three Word Brand” because of Hart’s character always using no more than three words to describe anything. Wonder if he and me would have gotten along.

• Talkative Neighbors Signal editor/ owner A.B. “Dad” Thatcher had new neighbors. The telephone company bought the lot across the street from Dad on Newhall Avenue. It would be their new “booster station,” linking phones from Mexico to San Francisco.

MARCH 24, 1939

• Take a picture why doncha It was quite the small town crime caper and this newspaper played the key detective role in apprehending the perps.

A pair of Long Beach crooks raided a series of businesses in downtown Newhall. For their big rampage, all they netted were a few tools, 6 cents and two roles of film from The Signal front office. Police stopped the men on a routine traffic violation in Long Beach. Figuring the loot stolen, they developed the film to see if they could get any clues as to where the burglaries had been perpetrated. One of the photographs was of a girl standing in front of a large glass window with the

words, “The Newhall Signal” in the back. Case closed.

• Branding iron was a yard wide At least for some tongue-tied neighbors and some reporters, it was a welcome change. Carl Jelm, whose business was supplying portable plants for studios, bought a spread up in Saugus. In a blink, the old “Oliexiewicz Ranch” became the “Lazy J.” • Bear. Dog. Fat. Fat Duncan, a new WPA worker in Val Verde, got the shock of his life. First hour on the job, he got chased by “a large, black bear.”

Turned out to be a “large, black dog.”

Bear. Dog. Whatever it takes.

MARCH 24, 1949

• It’d cost a zillion today The county came up with a good idea on this date — pave Placerita Canyon Road from Sierra Highway to Sand Canyon. Cost of paving and grading the 5-mile stretch in 1949? Just $30,000.

• Here rests a hero Another visitor was added to the old Ruiz family cemetery in San Francisquito Canyon. The remains of young Johnny Cordova, of the old Castaic family, were laid to rest. The sergeant’s body had just been found from World War II and were given a full military funeral in the quiet little canyon.

MARCH 24, 1959

• Remember Easter? We had four separate Easter services planned in the SCV — five counting the horseback service in Castaic. Yup. That’s right. People went to church, outside, in Castaic back then.

• Remember rodeos? While the city’s Cowboy Fest is getting ready to launch next month, 60 years back, locals were enjoying the 33rd annual Newhall-Saugus Rodeo at the Saugus Speedway.

MARCH 24, 1969

• Ahhh the good ol’ days of journalism The Signal’s resident male chauvinist, Count Marco, touched off a local flurry of angry protests and threats of canceled subscriptions.

This week, 50 years ago, The Count suggested that local women dressed up in black dress and pearls for a day and pretend they were widows.

• Rains bring death The epic floods of 1969 caused more problems and a fatality. A state heavy equipment operator in Castaic was crushed to

TIMERANGER

death by a mudslide. The rains were so bad, traffic had to be rerouted throughout the SCV for months after the rain-caused delays.

• It’s been all downhill since Ah, civilization. On this date, we got the OK for a stop light at Lyons and Wiley.

• Thanks, President Nixon! Supervisor Warren Dorn and President Nixon met on this date to plan a big surprise for the SCV. Mr. Nixon allocated $42 million in flood control to tame the area’s, “… wild and dangerous Santa Clara River.”

MARCH 24, 1979

• Homeless in Santa Clarita The mystery of 30 burglaries was cleared up by the arrest of one small boy. A 14-year-old was caught in the act on No. 31 by local sheriff ’s deputies. He confessed to the other 30. Parental supervision? Try none. The lad’s mom lived in El Segundo and his father in Bakersfield. The child lived with friends or slept on the streets.

• Kill to have those prices The gasoline crunch hit the SCV with a vengeance. Most of the local stations had cut back their hours because they had little supply of the precious liquid. Some stations were empty or only selling to emergency vehicles. Gas went from about 75 cents a gallon in January 1979 here to about $1.09 by the end of the year. I remember paying 21 cents a gallon here in Newhall in the 1960s. Highest it got here was up to $4.46 in 2012.

• Fred & John Fred Picariello of Mint Canyon wasn’t surprised when he found it cost him 54 cents a minute to talk to his brother, John, in Saugus. That’s because his brother, John, lived in Saugus, Massachusetts.

See you next week with another exciting Time Ranger adventure.

Until then, as Bill & Ted sort of used to say — Ser excelentes los unos con los otros y vayan con Dios! (Be most excellent to one another and ride with God!) 

John Boston has been covering SCV history for more than 40 years.

Read his historical tome, “Images of America: The Santa Clarita Valley” on Amazon.com. Check out his History of The Mighty Signal series on Saturdays on A1.

1 8 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

Opinion

MA R C H 24, 2019

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

OURVIEW

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

We Hope This IS the Final Nail in the Cemex Coffin

The Art of Proving a Point, the Foundation of Virtue

By The Signal Editorial Board

By David Hegg

T

here’s a stereotypical plot line in the “slasher” horror movie genre and it goes something like this: The killer’s intended victims defend themselves and the villain appears to die an awful death — usually impaled on a piece of rebar or something — only to rise up again and chase the hapless teenagers, usually into a garage full of chainsaws.

The Cemex sand and gravel mine proposal is something like that. It’s reminiscent of the goalie mask-wearing villain Jason from the “Friday the 13th” franchise. Just when you think he’s dead...

Many times over the past 20 years, it has looked like the Cemex plan has been struck a death blow, only to rise again to threaten us anew.

So, you’ll forgive us just a smidgen of skepticism. We want to celebrate with everyone else over this week’s ruling from the Interior Board of Land Appeals, which on the face of it seems to ensure that there will never be a massive sand and gravel mine in Soledad Canyon, right on the eastern doorstep of the city of Santa Clarita.

It might just be the long-awaited

death blow. Maybe. We’d go so far as to say “likely.”

We’ll even hand out some well-deserved congratulations, because even if this isn’t the final victory, it is an important and hard-earned one none the less.

Among them: local activists and leaders of our city of Santa Clarita, not just now but stretching back over the past two decades and more. From City Council members to key staff members to community leaders, the effort to stop the Cemex mine and its potential impacts on our community are sincerely appreciated.

In particular, the City Council’s Cemex subcommittee consisting of Councilman Bob Kellar and Councilwoman Laurene Weste have devoted a great deal of extra time to the effort to defeat the mine.

Also among those deserving credit: our state and federal elected leaders, including our three most recent memSee OUR VIEW, page 20

I

have always been very intrigued by politics, and especially the discourse between opposing parties. Argument — done well — is both fun and intriguing to me as both sides try first to prove the truth, and then persuade others to agree. To prove and persuade, that is the essence of profitable political discourse, and the first must take priority over the second.

To prove a point usually demands the piling up of evidence to the place where dissenting views are proven unacceptable, or less so. But more important than the amount of evidence is its validity. You can have a truckload of evidentiary arguments but if none of them is valid, you really have an empty truck. So, when you boil it all down, in every argument, or discussion, or search for truth, there must ultimately be some foundation of authority that is taken to be rock-solid and true. The same can be said for all of life.

We all choose a worldview even if we don’t know it. We choose a way of life, including some very specific

ethical standards, even if we can’t readily describe them. Our actions fill in the gaps in our words. We choose how we are going to act and even if we don’t identify it as such, our actions and the motivations behind them form our ethic. The problem is that, unless our ethic is somehow based on a true foundation rather than wishful thinking, it won’t support us when the pull of adverse and threatening circumstances surrounds us.

In determining just who we will be there are some essential questions.

The first one is an essential two-parter: Who am I and why am I here? Back in the ’70s I often heard from my friends that they were “trying to find themselves.” Ultimately, everyone is on this same journey. We’re trying to make sense of our existence. Of course, the answer to this question will make you face one of two options: 1) Am I here by chance? or 2) Am I here by design?

The first will take you down the road of humanism, while the second routes you down the path of theism. If you decide you are here as the result of See HEGG, page 20

READERLETTERS

Our ‘Invisible’ Carbon Footprint The 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2016 Paris Agreement were ratified across the globe in an attempt to deal with greenhouse-gas-emissions (GHGs), measured and moderated within each nation’s borders.

The problem is that wealthy countries, including the U.S., import many high-GHG commodities such as steel and cement. The CO2 emitted in foreign countries during the extraction of raw materials, factory processing and transport to a construction site, what is termed embodied carbon, is not measured, making the foreign portion of a country's consumption-based carbon footprint effectively invisible.

Most countries, including the U.S., are using this carbon loophole to the point of basically wiping out their claimed CO2 reductions. In fact, one-quarter

of the global carbon emissions pass through the carbon loophole.

California, as the world’s fifth largest economy, is a major purchasing agent, constructing buildings and other infrastructure that use large amounts of steel, cement and other carbon-intensive products, and it has more than $100 billion in long-term infrastructure project obligations. Yet it still purchases commodities that produce high levels of GHGs. In response, California passed the Buy Clean California Act in 2017, which was inspired by similar policies adopted by Apple, Google, Chevron, PG&E, CalPERS and the U.S. Navy. It requires standards in purchasing construction materials that will promote low-carbon state infrastructure development and close the carbon loophole in the entire supply chain from the factory floor to the end customer.

See LETTERS, page 19

MA R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 9

Opinion

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

D R AW I N G CO N C LU S I O N S D R E W L I T TO N

BLACK&WHYTE

Cemex and Politicians Dancing in the End Zone

By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

R

emember the "Thank You, Buck?" banners?

They went up on more than a dozen bridges and overpasses around town, thanking then-Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, for introducing a bill that would put a dagger through the heart of the proposed Cemex megamine in Soledad Canyon.

“Thank You, Buck, for HR 5471! No Mega Mining in Soledad Canyon.”

It was reminiscent of former President George W. Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” banner when he gave a speech aboard an aircraft carrier in 2003, jumping the gun a bit in describing the status of combat operations in Iraq.

You see, the “Thank You, Buck” banners were only about 13 years too early: McKeon’s HR 5471, one of a fistful of McKeon bills aimed at stopping Cemex from mining 56.1 million tons of aggregate in Soledad Canyon, had not yet passed.

Nor would it pass.

But, as many wags noted, the banners went up in August 2006 — a scant few months before McKeon was up for re-election in November 2006.

It was one of those “things that make you go ‘Hmmm…’” moments in our valley’s history.

McKeon, in his years in Congress, may not have gotten legislation passed to stop the mine, but those repeated efforts were effective in keeping the issue on the minds of Santa Clarita Valley residents at a time when public momentum was considered a valuable resource in trying to stop the mine.

And make no mistake: While the mine might help satiate Southern California’s appetite for cheap concrete, it would be disastrous for those who

live near it. The truck traffic would be the least of the problems. Air quality impacts would be potentially devastating, especially for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly and those with existing respiratory conditions.

Water quality impacts, wildlife impacts, noise, visual aesthetics — all bad.

Local leaders wanted, so very badly, for one of McKeon’s bills to succeed.

And on some level, the bills did succeed, in terms of awareness and, for McKeon, sending the message to voters that he was “working for us.”

McKeon’s successor, Palmdale Republican Steve Knight, picked up the Cemex torch and also carried legislation designed to prevent mega-mining in Soledad Canyon. Like McKeon, he was not able to gain passage of a bill to kill the Cemex mine, per se, but he did accomplish something else: He secured language in an omnibus bill, signed last year by President Trump, that precludes any future mining in Soledad Canyon upon the conclusion or termination of existing contracts.

What does that mean? It means once the two existing Cemex contracts were either canceled or expired, there will be no future mining. That’s big, because believe it or not, there’s a good chance the massive Cemex mine would have been just the tip of the iceberg.

After this week’s big news that the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) had upheld key provisions of the 2015 decision by the Bureau of Land Management to cancel the Cemex contracts, many local leaders understandably celebrated a well-deserved victory. In particular, local activists, the city of Santa Clarita and several curSee WHYTE, page 20

LETTERS

Californians have strongly supported these actions, both at the polls and in their personal decisions. City and county governments should support this new law by adopting similar policies at the local level. In fact, the Richmond City Council voted unanimously in 2018 to implement the Buy Clean California Act locally. It is time Santa Clarita uses our tax dollars to fund projects that cut GHGs. Nancy Oliver Flores, Valencia

reduces your abilities down to those of a drunken driver. Drunken drivers weave lanes, speed through red lights, and do not signal when turning, just like a driver using a cell phone would do.

When driving to anywhere like College of the Canyons, ditch the phone! Have people leave messages and call when parked.

Using a phone when driving can result in a ticket or crash that, if not fatal, will haunt your future driving.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Do not drink and drive and “X the Txt.” Lori Martin, Tracy, California

Don’t Drive and Text

Must Be Old Photos

“c u soom.” By rear ending a vehicle, the typo was made.

Sadly, teenage crashes increase this time of year. Drinking and cell phones are some problems.

Many drivers now have their eyes glued to their phone on their lap or side of the steering wheel. Is this a “social norm”? This trend must end. Drivers are aware of the danger driving drunk poses. A drunken driver hit me when I was 16 in 1992 and I was seriously injured.

Surgery and therapy became my teenage life. My gait, hearing and speech are damaged.

Sending a text when driving

Re: Front-page photos of Sierra Nevada mountains, March 13.

I guess these pictures were taken before March 2018. Sierra Nevada snowpack improved to 93 percent of average in March 2018.

In 2019, the Sierra is above average for the first time since the 2016-2017 winter season.

Kay Vestal, Santa Clarita

Continued from page 18

Submit a Letter to the Editor

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

2 0 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

MA R C H 24, 2019

Opinion

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 18

bers of Congress, each of whom contributed to the effort to stop the mine while representing the SCV. Former Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, carried multiple pieces of legislation with the goal of stopping the mine. None of them passed, but the repeated efforts helped keep the issue at the forefront.

Former Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, actually succeeded in passing legislation — signed last year by President Trump — that outlawed mining in Soledad Canyon beyond any existing contracts. It’s the greatest — and only — real legislative victory in this battle.

And, current Rep. Katie Hill, D-Santa Clarita, and her staff have advocated for the IBLA to more quickly

WHYTE

Continued from page 19

rent and past City Council members have played key roles in this battle that has stretched more than two decades.

McKeon, to his credit, acknowledged the accomplishment of his successor. Said the former congressman: “Well, if anybody should be claiming victory, it should be Steve (Knight) because he did get that legislation passed after I retired.”

It’s a good point. Knight's legislation, combined with the IBLA ruling, makes it seem highly unlikely that a massive aggregate mine will be developed in Soledad Canyon, since the second Cemex contract is set to expire in about a year and a half.

Knight, for his part, didn’t do much of a touchdown dance in the end zone: “What we wanted was a positive decision that they weren’t going to get their appeal, and I think that’s what we’re taking away from this,” Knight said. “The jurisdiction (for mining permits) would come under the Army Corps of Engineers, and Cemex would have to go through the most extensive review imaginable, and between that and the legislation it puts them well behind the 8 ball on this.”

Current Rep. Katie Hill, D-Agua Dulce, took the opportunity to spike the ball.

Hill’s office issued a press release

complete its decision after nearly four years of deliberation.

What does the ruling mean?

Fabulous question.

The IBLA ruling is in response to an appeal by Cemex, which sought to overturn the Bureau of Land Management’s 2015 cancellation of Cemex’s consecutive 10-year mining contracts, originally approved in 1990 to allow the mining of up to 56.1 million tons of aggregate in Soledad Canyon. The city of Santa Clarita and other local leaders have been fighting to stop the contracts for more than two decades, citing unacceptable impacts on local air quality, traffic and other environmental considerations.

The IBLA ruling is a convoluted 48-page document written in the most excellent legalese your tax dollars can buy. A fairly quick consensus has emerged that the ruling essentially upholds the cancellation of the first contract, but leaves the second one in effect.

just a few days before the ruling came out, saying she’d sent a letter asking the IBLA to announce a decision ASAP. It has, after all, been nearly four years.

Then, lo and behold, a few days later, the IBLA released the ruling. It was almost as if Hill’s office knew it was coming.

Her staff then issued a press release with the headline, “Katie Hill Lands Early Decision from Interior Board of Land Appeals on CEMEX Mine.”

The first two paragraphs said: “At the request of Congresswoman Katie Hill, and thanks to many years of local advocacy, the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) has issued an expedited ruling on the dispute between the City of Santa Clarita and CEMEX USA. “‘The CEMEX mine has been an issue for our community for decades,’ said Hill. ‘I am so proud that we were able to get IBLA to issue an early decision and finally give our City the answers they deserve.’”

Early? It’s been almost four years.

It was going to happen sometime, one way or another.

Then, when the city staged a press conference to celebrate the IBLA ruling, the congresswoman made sure to show up and bask in the glory.

Flag on the play?

It’s at least ironic. Less than a month before she was elected, Hill, who lives near the proposed mine site, didn’t even think Cemex was a big deal. Here’s what she said in a

The hitch? It expires around the middle of 2020.

That’s just over a year from now, which doesn’t leave much time for Cemex to apply for the remaining needed permits and start mining. Most observers and some very smart minds say it can’t be done — which would make this ruling the final nail in the Cemex coffin for Soledad Canyon.

Except.

What if Cemex finds a legal way to reset the clock?

It has the option to take the issue to federal court, which would cast the issue into doubt once again.

And even if we don’t end up with a mine, will Cemex succeed in exacting other costs for this battle?

Don’t think for a second that this multinational mining company — with what it views as a significant investment in Soledad Canyon — will just go away quietly.

Jason never did. 

debate with the incumbent, Knight: “I’ve been a resident of Santa Clarita for most of my life. And Congressman Knight keeps saying that Cemex is the No. 1 issue, and I hate to say it but that’s not the case for most people I know. And I think that Cemex is an important issue of course, but it’s something that I hadn’t even heard of until relatively recently. And it’s certainly something that my parents, my friends, my family hadn’t heard of.”

Now, in all fairness: I have been told Hill and her team actually have been solidly engaged in the Cemex issue since she took office in January.

So, I think she does deserve credit for that. She didn’t go to Washington and ignore it — she went to Washington and did the right thing.

She went to work on it. We should appreciate that, even if it seems like she’s capturing a disproportionate share of the spotlight for a two-decade battle that, as recently as six months ago, she didn’t think was a very big deal.

And, our new congresswoman is displaying quite of a bit of savvy just a few months into her term: She’s already learned how important it is in the political game to grab all the credit you can. That’s a longstanding Washington tradition, for Republicans and Democrats alike.

Mission accomplished, indeed.

Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal.

His column appears Sundays. On Twitter: @TimWhyte. 

HEGG

Continued from page 18

some random set of occurrences, and that your personhood really has no greater meaning in the cosmos than that of a tree or whale, then you’ve got some work to do because the foundation of your ethic will be the uncertain, ever-shifting conclusions of evolutionary science that ultimately asserts that human life has no meaning in the end.

But if you tackle the idea of theism, you can find in the God of the Bible a foundation you can trust. As Augustine put it, “He has made us for Himself, and we are restless until we find our rest in Him.” If the answer to the first question is that God has created us specially, then the answer to the second part is that we will find our greatest satisfaction in achieving the purposes for which He brought us into this life.

Whatever choice you make, be sure the foundation you build your worldview on can hold the weight of this world, with its suffering, and beauty. The virtues you hold fast, which will determine your ethic and frame your character, are those that flow from whatever answer you give to this important question. And as Pascal, the great French mathematician, inventor, and Christ-follower put it, “If I am wrong, and the atheist is right, in the end I’ve lost nothing. But if the atheist is wrong and I am right, then in the end he has lost everything.”

Finding yourself and your purpose in life is the greatest task you’ll ever undertake. Take it seriously. Your life depends on it.

David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church and a Santa Clarita resident.“Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 1

= Family Friendly Event

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING Mondays, 10 a.m. Join Barnes & Noble every Monday morning at 10 a.m. for a special Toddler Storytime at the Children’s Stage. Barnes & Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita. Info: stores. barnesandnoble.com/store/2642 Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Drop in to Pocock Brewery weekly trivia night with Trivia with Budds. Trivia night.The weekly night also includes a rotating selection of food trucks.

Pocock Brewing Company, 24907 Ave. Tibbitts, Ste B, Santa Clarita, Info: triviawithbudds.com/trivia-locations Thursdays, 6 p.m. Come to the Canyon Club every Thursday for an 18+ night of line dancing lessons and county music presented

by Borderline Bar & Grill. Canyon Club, 24201 Valencia Blvd., #No. 1351, Santa Clarita.

Info: wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/canyonsanta-clarita/# Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

California farmers and specialty food purveyors come together each Saturday, rain or shine, to bring you a farmers’ market with the finest in fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, including organic, baked goods, flowers, herbs, cheeses, and prepared foods.

The market offers patrons a chance to come face to face with their food source. Old Town Newhall, 24500 Main St., Newhall. Info: oldtownnewhall.com/old-town-newhallfarmers-market Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to noon. Each weekend, the Gibbon Center is open to the public and a tour is given at roughly 10 a.m., no reservations are required. $15 Adults, $12 Teens & Students, $10 Seniors, $5 Children 6-12, Children under 5 are free. 19100 Esguerra Road, Santa Clarita. Info: gibboncenter.org Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Grab the young’uns and mosey on up the hill in William S. Hart Park to the glorious hilltop Mansion, where you can not only take a free guided tour, but your young ones can have some free craftin’ fun! Set up right outside the Mansion’s back door, on the covered back patio, is the new weekly Crafterday Saturday craft table! The young ones can try their hands at simple crafts like making their own totem poles, designing their own rope art, making their own dreamcatchers, and so much more!. The event is free. Activities are geared towards younger participants, but anyone who enjoys crafts will have a grand ol’ time, so don’t miss it. 24151 Newhall

Ave., Newhall. Info: (661) 254-4584, hartmuseum.org

EVENTS BY DATE Tuesday, March 26, noon to 1 p.m. This orientation will give insight into starting and running a successful small business. You will learn all about what the Small Business Development Center has to offer and how we can assist you in establishing or maintaining your small business through one-on-one consultation and training seminars. We offer the new client orientation free of charge to all new clients. College of the Canyons, Canyon Country Campus, 17200 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 362-5900 Tuesday, March 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Empower yourself by knowing and understanding the rights that you possess as a parent or guardian, and most importantly the rights and safeguards that are provided to Individuals with special needs. We will cover the special education process from the toddler stage to adulthood. College of the Canyons, University Center, Room 222, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita.

Wednesday, March 27, 8-10 a.m. Stop by, stay hello and have a cup of coffee with SCV Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Unit deputies at the “Coffee with a Cop” event. McDonald’s, 27618 The Old Road, Valencia. Info: alolivie@ lasd.org Wednesday, March 27, 3-8 p.m. Brave New World Comics in Newhall, is hosting a signing event for “Detective Comics” issue No. 1,000, on Wednesday, March 27 from 3-8 p.m. Artist David Baron, one of the colorists working on issue 1,000, is scheduled to make an appearance, meet fans and sign any issues or prints that attendees own.

Brave New World Comics, 22722 Lyons Ave, Ste 2, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/922835937908691/ Wednesday, March 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Have you ever wanted to paint a picture but thought it might be too complicated or maybe you don’t have the skill? For those of you that love to paint or always wanted to try it, here is your chance with Painting with a Twist. 50 percent of the proceeds will be supporting Avenues SLS. Children 7 and older have a special reserved room to paint in with snacks and water provided. Adults 21 and older will have another space with the choice of enjoying drinks available for purchase. $35. Painting with a Twist, 19115 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita. Info: paintingwithatwist.com/studio/santaclarita/event/1941431/

Thursday, March 28, 2-3 p.m. The Orchard Bluegrass Band performs bluegrass favorites for some great foot-stompin’ fun!

This upbeat and traditional band famous for amazing vocal harmonies brings their Nashville sound and spirit to audiences throughout Southern California. Y’all come enjoy Orchard Bluegrass Band’s unique blend of bluegrass, gospel and Western music! SCV Senior Center, Dining Room 22900 Market St, Santa Clarita. Info: Robin Clough rclough@ scv-seniorcenter.org, (661) 259-9444.

Friday, March 29, 6 p.m. Here’s your chance to see those unique arthouse films that you might have missed in the theater.

Host and moderator Gary Peterson will discuss film details; all screenings are free and open to the public. This screening will feature “BlacKkKlansman” at 6 p.m. and “Green Book” at 8 p.m. College of the Canyons, Hasley Hall, Room 101, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita. Info: gary.peterson@ canyons.edu Friday, March 29, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Joseph Cibere will demonstrate his unique style of watercolor and special guest artist Karen Browdy will join Joe as collagist, at a twoday workshop presented by Santa Clarita

Artists Association. Cibere’s painting style and art demonstrates his love of nature and wilderness. His abstract realism paintings integrate strong design and balance with a sense of illusion and have appeared in “Watercolor Magazine” and in the International Artists book, “The Watercolor Sky and Cloud Techniques of 23 International Artists,” and coming soon “Splash 20.” Stevenson Ranch Library, Stevenson Ranch Library meeting room, 25950 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch.

Info: Olga Kaczmar (661) 254-5267 Tuesday, April 2, 7-8:30 p.m. The Stage Door at the Keyboard Galleria hosts a free monthly open mic for all musicians, lyricists, comics and entertainers the first Tuesday of every month. Solo acts, duos and small combos are welcome. KGMC always provides a great back line, so don’t worry about bringing your gear. The stage is complete with amps, drums, digital piano and a Bose PA system. It’s a great room to play and a great way to meet other like-minded musicians in the community. If you’re not a performer, come check out some of the great talent here in Santa Clarita. Keyboard Galleria 21515 Soledad Canyon Rd, Ste 120, Santa Clarita.

Info: keyboardgalleria.com.

N!IN! IN! WIW W CONGRATULATIONS to COLLEEN FREEMAN of SANTA CLARITA — the winner of $100 for correctly identifying the artwork as being from ADVANCED AUDIOLOGY advertisement on page 33 of our March 10 issue.

Identify this piece of artwork and the page number that it is on in one of the advertisements in this week’s issue, and you will be entered to win $100. One game and one winner each week.

Mail your entry to: The Signal – Contest MARCH 30-31 | APRIL MARCH | 91350 APRIL 26330 Diamond Place | Santa30-31 Clarita, CA Or email to: contest@signalscv.com Advertiser: Page # Name: Address:

Phone:

This week’s entries are due Wed. April 3.

Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

6-7

6-7

22 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Conduct water test to help stop leaks You are the only reason why I still subscribe to The Signal and look forward to reading your columns every week.

Best regards, — Cathy R.

By Robert Lamoureux Signal Contributing Writer

Persistent water leak Hi Robert, I hope you are well! You have given me some great advice over the years, so I am hoping you can help me with this mystery.

When it rains, it leaks somewhere from my roof and it trickles down behind the drywall and pools in the corner of our upstairs bedroom.

There is no evidence of water or damage to the inside wall or molding because it is leaking in from behind the drywall.

In fact, most people probably would miss a leak like this as it is often hidden by furniture. Two years ago, I had a roofer pull all the tile and lay new paper to the smaller pitched roof above the bay windows I thought re-papering this section would solve the problem but it didn’t, and I had the same leaky problem last year. So, I got the roofer back and he went up higher and found the paper on the edge of the roof was worn and replaced it — he went back 8 feet. I even replaced the windows last year, too!

Well, he and I both thought for sure we found the problem but low and behold, the rainy season is here and I still have a leak.

I have to admit, Robert, the leak is not as bad as it was last year, but it is still trickling down and I can feel

SCV LOCK & KEY

the moisture behind the molding and drywall.

I have the carpet pulled back, and I called the roofer in January and he pretty much told me he was stumped and couldn’t offer another solution to find this pesky needle in the haystack.

I know water can travel. Do you have any suggestions?

I am wondering if it is possible for the water to be coming in where the flashing sits on the siding or maybe I need to replace all the paper on that side of the house.

I am at a loss, Robert. Any advice or suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

At this stage, I will do whatever it takes to find the problem and get it fixed once and for all!

Thank you for being such a great resource to our community.

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Cathy, This is where I am a big advocate of water testing before you do anything.

You need to get that roofer out there and have a water test done.

He’ll need to start at the low-end and work his way up until he gets the leak to manifest itself.

I strongly urge the water test. It is the one sure-fire way to confirm the issue(s) causing the leak.

There’s an underlayment, rubberized system that can be applied at any and all transitions, also there is

a rubberized product that has some adhesive on the back that you could also apply at any of the transitions.

Either of these will help prevent leaks.

Cathy, I would start with an extensive water test and move forward from there.

Best of luck, — Robert

Robert Lamoureux has 40 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting.

He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal.

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

How to tell if your soil is compacted Compacted soil can result from any number of activities, including walking on a lawn.

When soil on a lawn is compacted, grass roots might not receive the water, oxygen and nutrients they need to grow in strong. This can lead to weak lawns that are vulnerable to various issues. However, homeowners need not avoid their lawns to prevent soil compaction. Rather, learning to recognize signs of soil compaction can help homeowners identify the problem early and address it before grass begins to suffer. Here are some tips to identify compacted soil:

Hard soil Soil that is difficult

to penetrate with a shovel is likely compacted. Even healthy soil is sometimes resistant to penetration, but if homeowners put some muscle into their efforts to penetrate the soil and still can’t do so, then the soil is compacted.

Standing water Water standing

on top of soil for a long time is doing so because the soil is likely so compacted that the water, which roots need to thrive, cannot get through.

Excessive water runoff Runoff occurs when watering lawns. But if nearly all of the water intended for the lawn and the soil beneath it is seemingly being diverted away from the grass, then that means the water cannot get through to the soil or that so little is getting through that the lawn’s health is in jeopardy.

Loss of vegetation or poor plant growth Compacted soil

prevents water, nutrients and oxygen from accessing the root zone. As a result, plants, including trees, are vulnerable to disease and even death.

Compacted soil is relatively simple to fix. But when untreated, compacted soil can threaten lawns, plants and other vegetation.  — Metro Connection

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 23

K I D S & FA M I LY

Family fun from faery to grunion hunting, and more

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

S

pring brings longer and longer days, and warmer and warmer temperatures. It’s time to gather the family and head out for Southern California fun.

Play ball!

Major league baseball reports all 30 teams will play on March 28, the earliest opening day in history, excluding international openers.

Opening Day for the Los Angeles Dodgers is set for 1:10 p.m. Thursday, March 28, when the Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tickets to Opening Day might not be available but Opening Day for the Lancaster Jethawks will be held Thursday, April 4 at 6:35 p.m. The Jethawks will face the Modesto Nuts.

The first 1,000 guests will receive a 2019 Jethawks magnet schedule.

Info: www.mlb.com/dodgers or www.jethawks.com.

Visit with the butterflies

Address Butterfly Pavilion Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles Hours 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibit open March 17 to Sept. 2.

Butterflies are taking flight now at the new Butterfly Pavilion. Get up close to beautiful butterflies. The exhibit features more flight space, more resting spots and more natural light. There are hundreds of free-flying butterflies inside and our Gallery Interpreters are on hand to explain why these animals are so special. All ages welcome.

Info nhm.org/site/explore-exhibits/ special-exhibits/butterfly-pavilion

It’s not too soon to put the opening of Star Wars Land at Disneyland on your calendar. The long-awaited chance to live your Star Wars Adventure in a Galaxy, far, far away will commence May 31. PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY RESORTS

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

Address 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim Hours 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Times can vary, check the website.

Now through April 23, seasoned foodies along with culinary newbies will delight in experiencing this celebration of California-inspired cuisines.

Guests will enjoy indulging in favorite dishes and broadening their palettes with more than a dozen delicious Festival Marketplaces, featuring small plates, specialty wines and craft beers.

From celebrity chef appearances to family-friendly cooking demonstrations, there is something for connoisseurs of all ages to enjoy.

In addition, children can participate in Junior Chef, a fun, handson “cooking” experience, specially designed for young chefs. Participants will receive a sweet surprise following the seminar.

Info disneyland.disney.go.com/ events-tours/disney-californiaadventure/food-and-wine-festival/

It’s time to meet the grunions

Address Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M White Drive, San Pedro, 90731.

Hours Tuesday - Friday, noon to 5 p.m., Saturday - Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For, grunion hunting starts around 8 p.m. See below.

Admit it, you’ve always wanted to go “grunion hunting.” Now through June Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers special evening events to introduce you to the grunion. All ages are welcome.

Spend a night sitting on Southern California’s sandy shore waiting for the “grunion run.”

Grunion are small sardine-size fish of the silversides family, which are among the few species of fish that actually come ashore to lay their eggs on sandy beaches. They are found from Southern California south to Baja California and arrive at night after the high tide around the new moon and full moon.

Cabrillo Beach is one of the better places to observe the fish. Watch the silvery fish come up on the beach to spawn.

The Aquarium opens at 8 p.m., and an auditorium program begins at 9

p.m., followed by guided observation at the beach. Warm clothing and a flashlight are recommended.

Guests must arrive before 9 p.m. to participate in the full program in the auditorium, followed by a guided observation. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight to spot grunion at the beach. Program admission is $5 for adults and $1 children/seniors/ students with I.D. Buy tickets at the door or pre-purchase your tickets at meetthegrunion.org to guarantee admission.

Info cabrillomarineaquarium.org

A Faery Hunt Amazing Adventure

“A Faery Hunt” has been named “Best Children’s Theater in Los Angeles” by Nickelodeon.

This interactive experience creates Fairyland by weaving faery magic with original stories, dancing and songs. There is only gentle and silly fun at “A Faery Hunt.” There is nothing scary in this Faeryland. Spend the See SPRING, next page

24 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

K I D S & FA M I LY

SPRING

Continued from previous page

morning outdoors in nature with the family. Children are encouraged to come in their favorite fairy, princess or superhero costume. Parents can also join in on the fun and come in costume, too. Closed comfortable shoes, sunscreen and water suggested. Tickets for performances range from $12.50-$25 per ticket depending on location and event. Shows held in Griffith Park and Los Encinos State Historic Park, 16756 Moorpark Street, Encino, 91436, as well as locations in Simi Valley, Brentwood, Redondo Beach and other SoCal locations.

Event calendar and information https://afaeryhunt.com or call (818) 324-6802.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an All-New Land

It’s not too soon to put the opening of Star Wars Land at Disneyland on your calendar. The long-awaited

Now through April 23, seasoned foodies along with culinary newbies will delight in experiencing the California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. But it not just for adults, children can participate in a “Junior Chef” experience. PHOTO COURTESY DISNEY RESORTS

chance to live your Star Wars Adventure in a Galaxy, far, far away will commence May 31.

To visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park between May 31 and

June 23 guests will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land.

Information on reservations will

appear first on the Disney Blog at disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog.

On opening day, the first major attraction, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, will be open in addition to the Black Spire Outpost on the Planet Batuu.

The second major attraction in Star Wars Land, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will not open until later this year.

Black Spire Outpost will feature food and drink from across the cosmos as well as a street market filled with rare and unusual artifacts.

Drop by the local cantina to sample the indigenous beverages and curious concoctions.

Discover the secrets of Black Spire Outpost through the Play Disney Parks app, where you can use your personal “datapad” to access missions, take on jobs for hire, communicate with aliens and droids, and more.

Info https://disneyland.disney. go.com/destinations/disneyland/starwars-galaxys-edge 

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Pen bouquet is ‘write’ there when you need it

BY DONNA ERICKSON Signal Contributing Writer

W

hy is it that you can’t ever find a pen when you need one? It’s as though they have wings of invisible ink that take them far away from where they belong.

Businesses and services know about this disappearing act, and take on the challenge of safeguarding their pens. Our local gas station attaches white plastic spoons to the ends with big wads of masking tape. Colorful toothbrushes adorn the pens at the dentist’s office, while surgical tape binds tongue depressors to the pens at the medical clinic, making them look like splints.

Our dry cleaners attaches bundles of wispy down feathers that flutter on the end to keep me smiling even as I sign my name to the bill. But my favorite idea by far is at the charming Twigg’s Home & Garden store

around the corner from my house. Cleverly arranged in a rustic European terra cotta flower pot filled with natural soy beans “grow” translucent white pens with faux-green succulents glued to the top, while a little red bird sits on the rim keeping an eye on the till.

No matter where I go, it’s as if these pens with personality are saying, “Don’t even think of taking me away from here!” Which got me thinking.

Why not jazz up a new set of inexpensive pens and put them in an attractive vase or flowerpot for a practical pen bouquet right at home?

It’s an easy and quick project the whole family will enjoy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

First, gather silk flowers, botanicals, small toys and charms or any other gizmos to decorate the tops of pens.

Think of holiday items on a party stick too, such as shamrocks, Easter eggs and flags. Then, purchase several pens, such as Bic Round Stic pens that are flat on top.

How to attach toppers with green floral tape:

Place a stem of a silk flower or party stick going upward about 2 1/2 inches from the end of the pen with the flower or charm on the top end of the pen. Hold in place and wrap the entire length of the pen with the

floral tape. Wrap with a light angle to prevent bunching.

How to attach toppers with a glue gun:

An adult should carefully remove the button at the end of the pen with an X-acto-style knife. Insert a tiny stem or narrow part of an object in the hole and secure in place with the glue gun. 

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

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 25

SCHOOL

Understanding and addressing youth violence

Y

outh-related violence is a problem that plagues communities across the country.

Youth violence encompasses everything from physical fighting to bullying to sexual or physical assault.

The World Health Organization states that there are certain risk factors that elevate the likelihood of engaging in or being victimized by youth violence.

Individuals who are exposed early to alcohol, drugs and tobacco and who may come from homes where crime is prevalent may be more

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

(choice of one entree, seasonal fruit and milk)

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

Triple Berry Blast Mini French Toast Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

Kickin’ Chicken Drumstick & Mashed Potatoes Cheeseburger Smart Choice Pizza* Seasonal Salad Bar

Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

Bean & Cheese Burrito Chicken Nuggets PBJ Sandwich & String Cheese Smart Choice Pizza* Seasonal Salad Bar

Breakfast Pizza* Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Fruit Juice

Maple Burst’n Mini Pancakes & Sausage Patties* Popcorn Chicken Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Celebration Cookie

Thursday, March 28

Scrambled Slider Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

Cheeseburger Sliders Mini Corn Dogs Dippin’ Chicken & Sauce Smart Choice Pizza*^ Seasonal Salad Bar Brownie Cup

Friday, March 29

Buttermilk Bar Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

Cheesy Quesadilla Carnitas Quesadilla* Chicken Nuggets Deli Sandwich Smart Choice Pizza* Manager’s Choice* Seasonal Salad Bar

Monday, March 25 Tuesday, March 26 Wednesday, March 27

inclined to engage in violent behaviors. Low commitment to school and conduct or behavioral disorders also can increase the chances of being involved in youth violence. Children who can be violent also may come from homes that have inconsistent supervision and disciplinary practices, or a low level of attachment between parents and children.

Preventing youth violence depends on a number of factors. Multifaceted strategies that address factors at the individual, family and community levels may be needed, offers the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Promoting supportive family environments and early childhood intervention offering quality education early in life, and strengthening youth skills all may assist in keeping violent tendencies from surfacing. Connections to the community and support systems can be beneficial as well.

Interventions to lessen the effects of exposure to violence and treatments to correct problematic behaviors also are advised.

Some children can benefit from juvenile awareness programs, sometimes referred to as “scared straight” programs. These include prison tours and exposure to criminals to help shed light on the consequences of delinquent or violent behavior. Other adolescents and teens may find value from boot camp-style disciplinary programs that redirect energy in positive ways.

Youth violence can be addressed via various strategies aiming to keep young people, their schools and their communities safe. 

—Metro Connection

Did you know?

National Medal of Honor Day

March 25 is National Medal of Honor Day, honoring those awarded the nation’s highest military honor for bravery on the battlefield.

The first Medal of Honor was awarded on March 25, 1863 to Army Private Jacob Parrott. The most recent was to Captain Florent A. Groberg for his service in Afghanistan in 2012.

26 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

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

Led Zepagain to come around again

By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

Y

ou might have seen them at Central Park performing as a crowd favorite in the city’s annual summer Concerts in the Park series.

Or it could have been the last time they played the Canyon Santa Clarita.

Either way, you’ve almost for sure heard their sound.

Playing classics like “Stairway to Heaven” and the lesser-heralded “Out on the Tiles,” Led Zepagain rocks the house with a sound so near to the original they’ve even received perhaps the highest compliment a tribute band can receive: the approval of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees themselves.

Swan Montgomery, lead singer for Led Zepagain, describes meeting Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and gui-

tarist Jimmy Page as an unforgettable experience with Zepagain.

“The highlight, well of course meeting Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and Jimmy endorsing the band,” he said, recalling how Page described the tribute act as playing “inside the music.”

And don’t worry if you caught them over the summer — the band mixes up the set list every time it plays a location, he said.

“You’ve got to have your ‘Stairway’ and you’ve got to have your ‘Kashmir,’” Montgomery said, “but other than that we flip it around a lot.”  Find the Canyon Santa Clarita on the ground floor of the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Get tickets at the box office 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday-Saturday, by phone at (888) 645-5006, or via TicketMaster.com.

For more info, visit Wheremusicmeets theSoul.com.

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

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

‘Five Feet Apart’ and ‘Free Solo’

By Dianne WhiteCrawford Signal Contributing Writer

“Five Feet Apart” (General Release)

The all-too-familiar sick/dying teenager genre is frequently associated with Lifetime Channel movies or something of that ilk. What sets this one apart (and above) many in the slew of similarly themed movies is the script, and more so, two outstanding lead performances.

Director Justin Baldoni is best known as an actor and director of TV projects, but he (mostly) handles the script quite well.

Rising star Haley Lu Richardson plays Stella, a teenager who has been dealing with cystic fibrosis (CF) her entire life. When we first meet her, she has checked back in to the hospital for a “tune-up.”

On one of her frequent visits to the hospital nursery to watch the newborn babies, Stella crosses paths with Will, a more cynical CF patient who has B cepacia form – so deadly that sufferers aren’t included on the lung transplant list. In contrast to Stella, Will wonders if the hassle of treatment is worth the pain and inconvenience, when so little hope is present. CF patients are required to don gloves, masks, and oxygen packs.

One rule that must not be broken is to maintain at least a 6-foot distance at all times between themselves and any other CF patient. The risk of passing along their specific mixture of bacteria is simply too great.

“Opposites attract” is in play here as Stella and Will share only one trait, and it’s a bond where being too close could literally kill one or both of them. These are smart and interesting characters who understand there are no “happily ever afters” in their future. We are along for the ride as they learn more about each other. Will is a talented sketch artist with a wicked sense of humor in his cartoons, while Stella carries a special burden of putting others at ease while focusing on the present and looking to the future, thanks to the exploits of her beloved older sister Abby.

You will also meet Poe, a witty gay teenager and fellow CF patient, who has been friends with Stella since they were young kids. As the romance

Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson in Five Feet Apart (2019). PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

blooms for Stella and Will, there are some too-familiar moments and a couple of lame musical interludes with slow-motion … but there are also some terrific and heartfelt scenes.

The film teases us a few times with assumptions, but the theme of human touch is ever-present. For CF patients, is love selfish or is it an inherent need?

‘The lights are like stars’ is a nice touch that explains how this disease forces these folks to think a little differently and find joy in the moment … yet still keep their distance.

Sure, Ms. Richardson (a bona fide star in the making) is a bit too old to be playing a teenager, but her talent allows us to take in the layers here with the disease and the limitations on life. The film has plenty of laughs and plenty of tears — bring your tissue — as we watch a heartfelt romance while also learning some of the challenges facing the 30,000 cystic fibrosis patients in the United States.

Free solo rock climbing is defined as climbing without use of ropes or safety gear and without a partner.

The death rate is off the charts, and it’s difficult to avoid the word “crazy” when describing the act. This film follows renowned free soloist Alex Honnold and his pursuit of Yosemite’s 3000 foot El Capitan wall… one of the most awe-inspiring natural rock formations in the world.

You might assume Honnold is one of the “dude” spouting, gnarly-haired, free-spirited types we’ve come to associate with extreme sports, and if so, you’ll be surprised to discover a relatively quiet, kind of geeky, socially awkward 30-something with a charming smile and reserved personality that leans towards analytical.

Despite the relatively straight-forward goal of accomplishing one of the greatest feats in rock-climbing history, there is actually a lot going

DVD Recommendation

“Free Solo” (Oscar winner for Best Documentary)

Alex Honnold in Free Solo (2018). PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

on in the film. We get familiar with Honnold by learning some about his childhood, hearing directly from his mother, listening to his exchanges with climbing legend Tommy Caldwell (himself the subject of the documentary “The Dawn Wall,” and witnessing his first real relationship with Sanni McCandless, whom he met when she attended one of his book signings.

The most fascinating segments include his preparations for the climb, and the conflicts about whether he wants the cameras present. Honnold and the filmmakers (Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi) are equally concerned about whether cameras will distract — will they cause him to make a move he might not otherwise make? The slightest error could lead to instant death, as we learn that dozens of other known climbers have perished in the last few years.

Honnold’s preparations are methodical and detailed. Every nuance of El Capitan’s Free Rider path is etched in his mind and his notebook. He is armed only with a bag of rosin, tight-fitting shoes, freakish finger strength and an other-worldly sense of balance. And of course, his laser-focused mission of perfection… anything less leads to tragedy.

National Geographic is distributing the film, and even those with a certain fear of heights or nausea should be fine watching.

The members of the camera crew, who themselves find it difficult to watch Honnold in action, capture some amazing shots – whether by wrestling with a camera as they dangle from climbing rope, or perched on the ground with a powerful telescopic lense.

The shots of nature are stunning and Honnold’s presence brings tension and awe. His accomplishments and goals are not for publicity or glory, but simply because that’s how he’s made. The film succeeds in making this point, although we can’t help but utter “crazy” at least a couple times during his momentous climb. 

28 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

FOOD

Looking at some of SCV’s best delis

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

A

uthenticity, freshness and flavor served with a side of personal interaction is what makes a deli become a neighborhood favorite.

On a Friday afternoon at Bob’s Country Meats in Canyon Country, Ryan Barstaad waited as his tri-tip sandwich was being prepared, bantering with the meat-cutters behind the counter.

As a child, Barstaad would come to Bob’s with his father, who got all his meats there to cook at home. As an adult and self-proclaimed foodie, he appreciates being able to get his favorites ready to eat and on the go.

“The tri-tip is amazing. I tell all my friends about it,” he said. “I like to support local spots. Bob’s has good food, good people and good customer service.”

Across town at Italia Deli, it’s 10:30 on Saturday morning and the place is already filling up with customers eager to pick up homemade Italian food for weekend adventures.

Maritza Rubinick, of Valencia, was waiting for sandwiches for a family picnic. She’s been coming to Italia since it opened 10 years ago after being a long-time customer of the original location in Granada Hills.

“The food is very fresh and has homemade Italian flavor,” she said.

“It tastes better than anything I would make myself. They know how to do it.”

With just three and a half years at its Newhall location, Cathy’s Restaurant and Deli is a bit of a newcomer on the scene, but already has a dedicated following.

Ryan Borland, of Valencia, comes at least once a week, for the food and also for the friendly service.

“Erik, the owner, is awesome. He’s so personable and will sit down at your table to talk to you,” Borland said. “We just don’t have a lot of places like this out here.”

Whether you’re seeking culinary comfort, convenience, or both, the Santa Clarita Valley is fortunate to have many unique delis to serve you.

Here are five of our favorites:

Bob’s Country Meats owner Keith Mowry displays a tri-tip at Bob’s Country Meats in Santa Clarita. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Bob’s Country Meats

Address 19012 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 2515995 Hours Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday Info www.bobscountrymeats.com This butcher shop, deli and grocery store has been a staple in Santa Clarita for close to four decades. Owner Keith Mowry took it over from the original Bob 27 years ago and kept the emphasis on fresh, hand-cut meats along with homemade salads and sides, such as sky-high twice baked potatoes and a

creamy garlic pasta salad that Mowry mixes up himself.

Every day, rain or shine, Mowry and his crew fire up the barbecue outside the store to grill chicken, ribs, tri-tip and homemade hot Italian sausage. The savory, smoky meats are kept hot and ready for customers to pick up any time during opening hours. Like the stellar chili, made with big chunks of tender beef, the barbecue tends to go pretty quickly, so come in early. Sandwiches are standouts here, too, made with Boar’s heads meats, cheese and a whole lot of care.

If you’d rather cook something up at home, there are plenty of steaks chops, and kebabs to choose from, some pre-marinated, others waiting to soak up some of Bob’s homemade sauces and spice blends, which are also available.

Cathy’s Restaurant and Deli

Address 23120 Lyons Ave., Ste. 24, Newhall (661) 288-2217 Hours Open daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This sit-down restaurant is reminiscent of an old school New York deli diner, where meats are hand-sliced for sandwiches like a hefty Reuben loaded with perfectly cooked pastrami. The lox is prime Nova Scotia, and the chicken soup is anchored by a huge, fluffy matzah ball and surrounded by chunks of chicken, rough-cut carrots and long tangles of pappardelle noodles.

Owner John Magnanimo pulls freshly baked pizza bread from the oven at Italia Panetteria & Deli in Valencia.

Erik Tovar displays a pastrami ruben sandwich at Cathy’s Delicatessen in Newhall.

The rest of the menu features updated takes on diner classics, such as the Horchata French toast, a towering stack of grilled, cinnamon-infused Challah bread with a custard-like center or Eggs Benedict with twists like duck confit that deliver new flavors while retaining comfort food status.

Italia Panetteria & Deli

Address 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, No. 55, Valencia (661) 2949069 Hours Open 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday Info italiavalencia.com There is so much to explore at this beautiful ode to all things Italian, from cannoli, tiramisu, and jewel-like cookies in the pastry cases to dozens of homemade gelatos, sauces, pastas, and prepared dishes in the huge freezers.

Around the corner is a section devoted to items imported from the home country, ranging from huge tins of olive oil to colorful jars of peppers.

Italia’s busy kitchen offers lunch and dinner specials, including an antipasto or caprese salad or if you like it hot, lasagna, parmigiana, rigatoni, ravioli and alfredo for one to four people. However, Italia’s real claim to fame is the fresh-baked bread made on the premises daily by owner co-owner John Magnanimo.

The smell of these perfectly crusty rolls and baguettes will make you salivate even before they get loaded up with cold cuts, sausage and peppers or meat balls for delecta-

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 29

FOOD ble sandwiches, often crafted by co-owner Victoria Magnanimo (she and her husband have been working at Italia for decades). There are more than a dozen varieties to choose from and several, such as the fantastic Italia cold cut, can be made into 2- to 6-foot, party-perfect subs.

scoop up Man’oushee’s magnificent dips and sauces. Sweet tooths are also in luck here, since there are five different kinds of baklava to choose from, including pistachio, walnut, cashew, and a custard-filled version that combines the flaky decadence of pastry with a smooth, velvety center.

Man’oushee Mediterranean

Vallarta Supermarkets

Address 27131 Sierra Highway, Suite 100, Canyon Country (661) 251-6666 Hours Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Info www.manoushee.com Since its inception in 2008, the focus at Manoushee Mediterranean Bakery & Café has been home cooking, with everything made from scratch from recipes inspired by owner Maral Sabounjian’s Lebanese childhood.

About 60 percent of the food here falls under the vegan or vegetarian category, which is a natural for the region, including a textbook falafel or Lebanese Hash, a crispy disc of spicy potatoes, both of which can be served as a plate or wrapped up in homemade pita bread.

The deli case overflows with great take home options, including some of the best hummus, baba ghanouj, stuffed grape leaves, tzatziki, marinated olives, and pickled turnips you’ll find outside of LA. Whatever you order, make sure to ask for a side the garlic sauce or get a large tub to split at the table. The fluffy, luscious garlicky spread will make just about anything better.

Pick up some pita bread, too. It’s soft, chewy, filled with little air bubbles and crunchy bits, all the better to

Address 18571 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country or 23449 Lyons Avenue, Newhall Info www.vallartasupermarkets.com Yes, this is a grocery store, but there’s a whole side of the store devoted to Hispanic foods that can compete with or beat any local restaurant, in terms of quality (and definitely in price).

Vallarta’s deli starts with the bakery, where you can peruse dozens of shelves containing an overwhelming amount of pastries, muffins, and sweetbreads, before transitioning to sheet cakes, flan, and gelatin desserts in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Then there’s the hot case, with steaming silver trays containing a myriad Mexican specialties. Soups range from caldo de res (beef) or caldo de pollo (chicken) to albondigas (meatball), served with a generous portion of rice and warm tortillas.

You can take home family-size bundles of savory chicken, carne asada, chili verde, or carnitas plus rice and whole or refried beans. If it’s just you, there are smaller plates to enjoy in store (there are bench tables) or to go. Continue on down the line if you want to pick up authentic salsas, cheeses, sausages, salads, crema and even more sweets to round out your feast. 

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Server Evelyn Magana points to the wide variety of chesses on display at Italia Panetteria & Deli in Valencia.

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30 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

To Your Good Health

By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Editor

STOMACH ‘FLU’ IS NOT ACTUALLY FLU

With the flu season coming on, would you please discuss the difference between what people call the “stomach flu” and what the flu really is? I have two friends who said they weren’t getting the flu shot anymore because despite having it, they got the flu.

They each described several hours of throwing up, but feeling better the next day. I suggested that they probably had a gastrointestinal episode and not influenza, which is a respiratory disease.

They insisted that they had the flu, and they’d always learned that the stomach flu is influenza and the flu shot is meant to prevent it. Since then I’ve spoken to two others who believe the same thing.

— G.C. ANSWER: You are right that there is much confusion about what influenza is. Influenza typically begins with sudden onset of fever, headache, fatigue and severe body and muscle aches. Influenza occurs about two days after exposure. There also often are symptoms of cough, sore throat and nasal discharge, just as there are with the common cold, but the sudden onset, fever (commonly 100 to 104 degrees) and muscle aches help distinguish cold from flu. Gastrointestinal symptoms — such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea — are less common in influenza, and these symptoms in absence of the major manifestations listed above makes the diagnosis of flu very unlikely. In late fall through early spring, some diarrheal illnesses (mostly viral) are common, but you are correct that these are NOT influenza. The flu shot contains viral proteins, not live influen-

za, and it is incapable of causing the flu.

Many people will have a sore arm and sometimes mild fever and body aches after a flu shot. This is just part of the body’s reaction, and it goes away by itself within 24 hours. There is a live influenza vaccine given by nasal spray, which also generally has mild side effects. This may be given to adults under 50. The flu shot is not perfect: You still can get the flu after receiving the shot. However, the flu shot is effective at reducing the most serious cases of flu, such as influenza pneumonia, which can be life-threatening or fatal.

I’m a healthy 50-year-old woman, and I recently had my gallbladder removed.

What are the effects of not having this organ?

— I.T.

ANSWER: The gallbladder stores bile and release it when necessary after a meal.

Bile is made by the liver and is needed for proper digestion, especially of fats. After gallbladder removal, usually because of gallstones, the liver takes over the job by storing bile in bile ducts, and releasing it at the right time, under the influence of hormones, such as cholecystokinin. After surgery, most people have no problems with digestion, as their body gets used to the new status quo after a few weeks.

Rarely, people who have had their gallbladder removed can develop postcholecystectomy syndrome, which manifests as upper abdominal pain. There are several possible causes. Discovering it requires expert evaluation, usually by the surgeon, and it often involves CT scans and a special kind of MRI (MRCP) to evaluate the biliary tract. Retained stones in the bile ducts, leakage of bile and strictures (narrowings) in the bile ducts are the most common causes of PCS. Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible.

Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall.com, or write to Good Health, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.  ©2019 North America Synd., Inc.

Some lesser-known allergy symptoms

A

llergy symptoms are a result of a person’s immune system overreacting to something that is harmless to most people but sparks a reaction in people sensitive to the trigger.

Some symptoms of allergic reactions, such as sneezing, are widely known. But people may be surprised to discover some of the other common allergy symptoms. A host of physical symptoms are indicative of allergic reactions, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Wheezing, shortness of breath The ACAAI says that wheezing or shortness of breath are telltale signs of asthma, but notes that such symptoms also may be indicative of an allergic reaction.

The ACAAI recommends people see an allergist if they develop unexplained wheezing that keeps returning or if the wheezing occurs alongside symptoms like rapid breathing or difficulty taking in air. Wheezing that appears after a person is stung by an insect, takes a medication or eats something he or she is allergic to is symptomatic of an allergic reaction and requires immediate medical attention.

Cough The appearance of a dry, persistent cough may indicate an allergy. Coughs are often a byproduct of a cold or flu, but such coughs tend to taper off after a few days. Chronic dry coughs that linger for more than three weeks may indicate the presence of an allergy. Allergy-related coughs may be more prevalent during certain times of year or in certain environments. The ACAAI notes that chronic dry cough has been linked to allergies such as hay fever and may indicate an allergy to pet dander, dust, pollen, or mold.

Headache Though few people associate headaches with allergies, some headaches can be allergy-related. According to the ACAAI, sinus headaches and migraines have been linked to allergies. Sinus headaches may be characterized by localized pain over the sinus area and/or pain

Some symptoms of allergic reactions, such as sneezing, are widely known. But people may be surprised to discover some of the other common allergy symptoms.

in the face that may or may not be accompanied by a headache. A throbbing pain on one side of the head indicates a migraine, the symptoms of which may worsen when exposed to light. Among the more painful allergy symptoms, headaches should be discussed with an allergist.

Nausea and vomiting Nausea and vomiting may be a byproduct of food allergies. Seasonal allergies rarely, if ever, lead to nausea or vomiting.

However, when a person eats a food he or she is allergic to, the immune system reacts to this allergy in much the same way it does to allergies like hay fever, releasing a chemical called histamine. When a person is dealing with seasonal allergies, the histamine his or her body releases can cause sneezing, runny nose or other symptoms commonly associated with such allergies. But when histamine is released to combat food allergies, it can cause nausea and vomiting.

Allergies affect people in every corner of the globe. Recognizing symptoms of allergies can help people combat them more effectively.  — Metro Connection

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

SENIORS

New SCV Senior Center nears completion

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By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

A

fter over a year of construction, the new Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is planning to open its doors by early May, according to Kevin MacDonald, executive director of the senior center.

“We are very excited to move into the new Senior Center building — a beautiful and spacious venue worthy of the seniors and the community,” said Robin Clough, volunteers and recreation coordinator at the center.

The new 30,0000-square-foot center will be centrally located on Golden Valley Road and Newhall Ranch Road.

“The new center will offer a vast array of new services and will also continue all the current services,” MacDonald said. “Because of the space we will have, there will be lots of activities and a variety of rooms.”

The new center will have six multi-purpose rooms, an empowerment center, fitness center, dance studio, lounge, medical center, library, financial center, banquet hall, culinary arts kitchen, technology center and outdoor cabana.

“It’s time we move on,” said Eugene Paul, 91. “Santa Clarita is growing, and we need a new center for today’s seniors, but also tomorrow’s.”

With a parking lot that constantly overflows to the street and less than one-third of the square footage of the new center, the senior community has clearly outgrown the current Senior Center location.

More than 9,600 seniors are projected to be in the Santa Clarita Valley within the next four years, raising the total number of seniors to 42,000 by 2022, according to SCV Senior

Center Board Member Emeritus Don Kimball, community president for FivePoint, which has been a major contributor to the Senior Center’s fundraising campaign.

“Spending time at the Senior Center makes my day feel useful,” said Ruth Martinez, 76. “Being able to talk to people my age and learn new things is what the Senior Center is all about. We make up a large part of Santa Clarita, and I’m so overjoyed that the community recognizes that enough to help build us a new center.”

Although construction is almost finished, MacDonald says the center is still short on funds to complete the project.

“We’ve received tremendous support from the county, city and the community, but we’re still $500,000 short and are working very hard to continue fundraising,” MacDonald said.

Anyone who donates over $500 can have their name inscribed on the donor wall that will be at the entrance to the center, and can attribute a message in memory of someone.

The new center’s opening ceremony will be announced as soon as construction is completed later this month, MacDonald said.

To donate or learn more about the new senior center, visit new seniorcenter.com, and for more information on the current programs and services offered by the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, visit myscvcoa.org/ or call the center at (661) 259-9444. 

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M A R C H 24, 2019

SENIORS GETTIN’ UP THERE

Gray divorce: Proceed with caution

By Diana Sevanian Signal Staff Writer

F

ifty-two years ago, when then 75-yearold Sarah left her 84-yearold husband, Mort, a tectonic shift was felt among everyone who knew the couple.

This was a shocker of seismic proportions. Together forever, and without children, the divorce was Sarah’s idea. Apparently, it wasn’t for another man, or another woman. It was for her mental health and finding joy in whatever time she had left.

My being a teenager when this split-up occurred, I never knew the details on what catapulted the small, feisty, white-haired woman out of her outwardly comfy life. But through a relative, I had heard she’d said the following: “I was miserable living with that man. I’d bit my lip for so many years, I’m amazed that I still have a mouth.”

As a life veteran myself now, and cognizant of my own good, bad, and “Where’s the emergency exit?” experiences in certain relationships,

No Dog for Me?

By Matilda Charles Signal Contributing Writer

T

hree years ago I started thinking about getting a dog. Seeing neighbors out with their small dogs, I knew I wanted what I consider a real dog, a big one, not a dog that would fit in my purse. I made a pro-con dog ownership list, but over time the list of reasons for not getting a dog has gotten longer and longer.

Maybe my story will help if you’re considering adopting a dog. Where I live there are a lot of rules, and one of them concerns the size of dogs.

Specifically, the dog cannot top 25 pounds. The neighborhood rumor mill supplied this story: A woman was told to get rid of her dog after management showed up at her door with a set of scales and demanded to

her escape sounds far less earth-shattering today. Ideally, marriage should be a lifelong embrace of mutual love, laughter, fidelity, compromise, forgiveness and support – not a slow walk on the gangplank to death wearing a psychological straitjacket, right?

Statistically speaking, Sarah and Mort were way ahead of their time.

For while later-in-life break-ups were rare in 1967, they have skyrocketed in recent decades.

The Pew Research Center reports that the divorce rate among U.S. adults age 50 and over has doubled during the last 30 years. It’s even higher for couples married more than once. Referred to as “gray divorce,” these marital disconnections are largely driven by seniors living longer, not viewing divorce as the social and religious taboos they used to be, and boomers craving what they wanted in their Woodstock years: peace, love, and understanding — without being tethered to someone they can’t stand being with.

While that sounds like plausible reasons for getting out, there may be stronger reasons for some couples staying in.

For older folks that have each worked in careers and/or long saved

weigh the pooch, which unfortunately came in at nearly 30 pounds. The owner moved out and took the dog with her.

A size limit means I can’t adopt a young mixed-breed shelter mutt because there’s no real way to know how large the dog will be when it grows.

There are no sidewalks here. I don’t have a fenced yard either, which means no place to let a big dog romp and play. By the time I got this far, I knew it was hopeless. I never even got to the part about potential veterinary costs, or the price of quality dog food and grooming, flea treatments and toys. I’ve found a partial solution, however. I’m thinking of signing up as a dog walker volunteer at the shelter. Maybe I’ll fall in love with a tiny, purse-size dog.

© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

through the years, later-in-life singlehood may not present a detrimental monetary or lifestyle impact. In fact, it may be a fresh and healthy reboot for living. However, for many couples, particularly where there wasn’t a considerable amount of savings and investments, and/or where the wife didn’t work (outside of taking care of the family and home), divorce may add the huge burden of financial insecurity and the chronic anxiety that accompanies such stress.

Dr. Gene Dorio, a geriatric physician in Santa Clarita, acknowledges that while divorce may be the best answer for some seniors, it is more often a regrettable choice — and can lead to one or both exes suffering. Therefore, he advises couples to seek professional help before making any changes.

“One cannot remain in an abusive relationship, physical or emotional, but no matter the circumstance — unless it is perceived to be life-threatening — they should consider getting psychotherapy,” recommends Dorio, who for more than 30 years has provided housecalls for seniors.

In divorce, emotional issues are the usual cause, but financial issues will take a major toll, he warns.

Dorio, who ran a free divorce support group for 15 years (“Mr. Mom and Mrs. Dad”), urges seniors to anticipate their needs, talk with close family and friends, and examine all ramifications of divorce before going to an attorney and entering divorce proceedings.

“These (effects) include legal fees (in a costly legal system), someone

having to move out (maybe both), lifestyles being altered, insurance coverages may change, relationships with family, friends, and pets will be different, and physical and mental health may deteriorate, leading to depression, loneliness, and isolation,” Dorio said, adding, “In this day and age with living expenses so high, unless a couple has an extraordinary amount of money, getting a divorce would be too costly and potentially devastate both individuals.”

Divorce, he explained, is also time consuming, emotionally draining, and results in someone else making decisions for you.

“In most cases, it will escalate the aging process,” Dorio concluded.

Counseling and serious forethought to leaving one’s mate may successfully prevent a gray marriage from becoming a gray divorce. And salvaging what went from sweet to sour may well add years to your life, and life to your years, together.

As for Sarah, her remaining years were many, yet she was often disgruntled about this or that. She ultimately died in a single bed within a “home for the aged.” I have long wondered if therapy could have saved her marriage. But counseling, like senior divorce, was not a common go-to solution back then.

The older and wiser me also ponders what Mort’s side of the story might have been.

Diana Sevanian is a retired R.N. and longtime Signal features writer and columnist. 

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M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 33

Flea watch 2019: Protect your pets

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

F

leas aren’t super common in the Santa Clarita Valley, but due to recent record rainfall, that could all change in

2019.

“Usually I see maybe three pets a year that come in with fleas, but since we’ve been getting more rain here, I’ve seen more and more come in with fleas during the summer,” said Evelyn Vega, veterinarian and owner of Happy Pets Veterinary Clinic in Valencia.

That’s because increased rain creates more vegetation, which means more plants to protect flea larvae from direct sunlight, allowing them to mature from pupae to adult fleas.

Since most of her cat clients are kept indoors, it’s dogs who typically get fleas, at a ratio of 9-to-1.

As fleas are prolific, with females able to produce 40 to 50 flea eggs per day — a couple of fleas can quickly become a problem both on your pet and around the home.

Quite commonly found on wildlife, fleas feast on their hosts’ blood for nutrition. A few fleas may cause discomfort and itching for your pet, while more can create increased health risks, such as allergies and anemia.

“Some pets are allergic to flea saliva, which causes them to create hot spots as they chew themselves,” Vega said. “Flea allergy dermatitis is a condition where pets chew around their tail along the sacrum, so they tend to be bald in this area with scabs and redness from the chewing.”

Antibiotics are needed for the skin infection created by flea allergy

Dr. Evelyn Vega administers Revolution, once-a-month flea medication.

Dr. Evelyn Vega inspects 4-year-old Staffordshire Terrier, Winston, for fleas at Happy Pets Veterinary Center in Valencia. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

dermatitis.

More serious conditions such as tapeworms can also be caused by fleas. This is caused when a pet eats an infected flea. Haemobartonellosis can be transmitted by fleas, affecting red blood cells, which can lead to anemia and in severe cases, death.

Flea disease risks aren’t limited to pets. Humans can become exposed to bubonic plague, cat scratch fever, and typhus as a result of flea infestation.

So, what can you do to protect your pets and your home? There are number of products to keep your world as flea-free as possible:

• Topical products that can be applied or oral pills that can be given monthly.

• Flea collars that can last up to 8 months.

• Flea shampoos, which help decrease the flea burden on the pet once on a regular bathing schedule.

Dr. Evelyn Vega uses a flea comb

If you’re worried about negative effects from flea products, Vega has re-assuring news.

“The old days of harsh flea dips are long gone,” she said.

Today’s flea protection includes shampoos that contain tea tree oil and other products made with essential oils.

PETS

Pet owners just have to be extra careful with the latter, as some essential oils can be toxic if overused, especially to cats.

For those who are suffering with a current flea infestation, there is also help and hope.

At Happy Pets, Vega shows clients with this problem a triangle, with the top 10 percent representing fleas on your pets and the rest representing fleas in the environment.

“In order to manage fleas, the environment needs to be treated. I recommend clients contact a pest control company to treat the outside environment,” Vega said. “For indoors, you’ll want to wash your pet’s bedding and thoroughly vacuum the flooring and any furniture your pet likes to be on.”

She also has a pro tip: Add a new flea collar to your vacuum bag to kill the fleas there.

“There are so many flea and tick products available on the market today, that no pets should have a flea problem,” Vega said. 

34 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

THINGSTODO

Super bloom of 2019 to be ‘one for the recordbooks’

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

V

ibrant hues of red, orange, yellow, purple, blue and magenta are painting the hillsides of Southern California, and the Santa Clarita Valley, in a spectacular display of spring blooms not seen in recent memory.

A super bloom in 2017 delighted residents, who had not seen much to appreciate during California’s yearslong drought.

The super bloom of 2019 is already looking to be one for the record books, attracting huge crowds, who often trample the beauty they seek to admire.

Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore recently closed the area’s poppy fields to the public after thousands of visitors caused gridlock on nearby Interstate 15 and city streets around the trailhead. They also caused damage to the poppy fields, some areas have yet to recover from damage done by thoughtless poppy seekers during the 2017 bloom.

How can you find wildflowers without contributing to the chaos?

There is more to this super bloom than poppies, there are hundreds of beautiful wildflowers on display this spring, some growing almost in your own backyard.

Wear hiking boots and a hat, bring water and apply sunscreen. Use common sense when out in nature.

Do not pick the wildflowers. Leave nature as undisturbed as possible for others to enjoy. Stay on the trails.

There is a fine for picking wildflowers.

Left: Chinese House is layered like a pagoda and is pink and white. Elegant Clarkia (Top), also known as mountain garland, and Purple Sage (Right) are among the many wildflowers to look for in Elsmere, Whitney and Towsley canyons. PHOTOS COURTESY DIANNE ERSKINE-HELLRIGEL

SCV wildflower expert

Santa Clarita Community Hiking Club President Dianne ErskineHellrigel has a degree in biology, but is a self-taught botanist.

“I started hiking when I was 2 with my mother and she had a great interest in wildflowers,” she said. “I’ve been loving wildflowers for practically my entire life.”

Erskine-Hellrigel has collected thousands of wildflower photos over the years.

“I had over 90,000 photos of wildflowers at one time, but lost them after my external hard drive crashed,” she said.

She had planned on writing a wildflower identification guide.

Erskine-Hellrigel is rebuilding her photo collection and has shared her

Links to California Wildflower Websites http://theodorepayne.org/learn/wildflower-hotline/ http://www.abdnha.org/pages/03flora/reports/current.htm https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/wildflowers.htm www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html https://naturalhistorywanderings.com/wildflower-reports/ www.bishopvisitor.com/wildflowers-of-the-eastern-sierra/ http://www.smmflowers.org/whatsblooming/ www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/Pacific_Southwest/ FigueroaMountain/index.shtml www.afar.com/magazine/california-wildflowers-where-and-whento-find-them

photos for this story.

One of her favorite wildflower viewing experiences occurred in 2017 during the super bloom in Death Valley.

“The floor of the valley was covered with blooms,” she said. “It was breathtaking.”

Erskine-Hellrigel said not all the wildflowers will bloom at the same time.

“The good thing is that as some flowers die, others will start blooming,” she said. “Just because you’ve been out once to look at the flowers doesn’t mean you’ve seen everything.”

The main bloom is expected to last through mid-summer.

“But the real diehards can go through November,” said ErskineHellrigel.

Wildflowers

“Towsley Canyon has a wonderful display of Farewell to Spring and Speckled Clarkia wildflowers,” said Erskine-Hellrigel. “There is a flower called Chinese Houses, it is layered like a pagoda, and is pink and white.

It is just adorable.”

Erskine-Hellrigel said fields of Farewell to Spring will cover hillsides with pink blooms.

For Erskine-Hellrigel some of the most beautiful wildflowers to look for are what she calls “belly flowers.”

“Some flowers you can’t really see well unless you get down on your belly and take a good look,” she said.

One flower that Erskine-Hellrigel said she has not seen in five years, but has recently spotted are Red Maids.

“I’m really excited to have seen them. They are a magenta pink and are so pretty,” she said. “I’ve seen them already in Elsmere Canyon, Whitney Canyon and Towsley Canyon.”

Other wildflowers to look for include California Poppies, Cobweb Thistle, Sticky Monkey Flower, Purple Sage, Golden Yarrow, Blue Larkspur, Mariposa Lily, Western Virgin’s Bower, Daytura and Elegant Clarkia.

Some wildflowers will only bloom after a fire has come through the area, said Erskine-Hellrigel.

“We may see flowers we haven’t seen in years, because some flowers only bloom after a fire,” she said.

“The fire pops the seeds open and when rain hits, they grow. Some fire followers will bloom for eight years, then die back until the next fire.”

Erskine-Hellrigel suggests checking out websites of the locations below to find out the status of the blooms so you know “where to go and when.”

To find out when the Community Hiking Club will be hosting wildflower walks visit communityhikingclub. org.

Ed Davis Park in Towsley Canyon

Location 24335 The Old Road, Newhall, 91381

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

THINGSTODO Highway and Remson Street, just south of Eternal Valley Cemetery.

Info http://hikesantaclarita.com/ where-to-go/elsmere-canyon/

Whitney Canyon Park

Golden Yarrow

Butterfly Mariposa

Western Virgin

Info https://mrca.ca.gov/parks/ park-listing/ed-davis-park-in-towsley-canyon Parking $7 (there is also a no fee lot if you want to walk farther to the park).

In addition to wildflowers, Towsley Canyon is a great spot for butterflies, as well. (https://mrca.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Butterfly-Brochure-2.pdf).

Erskine-Hellrigel suggests taking the Towsley Loop Trail for best wildflower viewing. She said if you time it right you can spot Chocolate Lilies.

“They are brown and kind of blend in, and can be found on the Wiley Canyon side. They are brown and

yellow striped with some green in the middle. They are just beautiful.”

Location 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, 91321 Info http://www.placerita.org Every fourth Saturday of the month a “Blooms of the Season” wildflower walk is held 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Some trails in Placerita Canyon remain closed. The Botany Trail is open for self-guided hikes. You can spot some California Peonies and it is an easy, short walk.

to Oak Tree Gun Club, Newhall, 91321 Info https://www.alltrails.com/trail/ us/california/newhall-pass-weldoncanyon-trail This hidden gem is a great spot place to hike away from the crowds and get a great workout. The trail can be hard to spot.

The first half-mile is pretty steep, but the scenery is worth the efforts, and the wildflowers. Young oaks, lush vegetation and a beautiful view of Aliso Canyon when you reach the top of the mountain.

Weldon Canyon

Elsmere Canyon

Placerita Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center

Location Coltrane Avenue, adjacent

Location The intersection of Sierra

SERVICE

Continued from page 5

has also been denied access because of his size.

“They don’t even ask anymore, they just assume that you’re lying,” Yarbrough said. “It was only after the security guard saw my dog in a down stay next to sliding glass doors that kept opening and closing — and she didn’t move — that he realized that she was a service dog.”

Just hours after getting his new service dog Lazarus, a purebred West German Shepherd, Anthony was also faced with a public access challenge at a grocery store. He says he was accused of lying about why he had the dog with him in the store.

“He flat-out called me a liar and not only kicked me out of the store, but called the police and had them write me and Lazarus a ticket for trespassing,” Anthony said. “The dog hadn’t made a peep the entire time. She was

Service dog in training Lazarus (left) and search and rescue dog in training Crixus during training session at Redemption Road K-9 in Agua Dulce. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

quiet and attentive as officer after officer showed up.”

Anthony says he almost returned the dog, but decided to keep her and vowed to learn everything he could

about service dogs so that would never happen to him again and so that he could help other people like him who just wanted help living a normal life.

Location 20303 Newhall Ave, Santa Clarita, 91321 Info https://mrca.ca.gov/parks/ park-listing/whitney-canyon/ Other SCV wildflower areas to explore include Pico Canyon, East Canyon, East Walker Ranch and Golden Valley.

Carizzo Plain

Location 17495 Soda Lake Road, Santa Margarita, 93453 Info https://www.blm.gov/visit/carrizo-plain-national-monument Take I-5 North, then head off pretty much into the middle of nowhere.

Takes about three hours to get there.

Not exactly in our backyard, but worth a trip. Be careful when traveling on the dirt roads in the area, if there has been recent rain you might get stuck in the mud.

There is a paved road, Soda Lake Road, that goes around the plain and you can see the bloom without having to leave your car. 

There are rules for a reason and when it comes to service dogs, those rules are in place not only to protect the humans, but also the dogs.

“I’ve seen so many aggressive, out of control, freaked out dogs trying to be passed as service dogs,” Yarbrough said. “It’s cruel to take an untrained animal who is unable to handle the distractions of urban life and put them in a store where they are being set up to fail.”

Although Yarbrough believes that most people love their dogs, and their intent isn’t malicious or meant to be hurtful, she says that it doesn’t help the acceptance of legitimate service dogs.

“The people who own businesses and are in charge of making sure everyone is safe are forced to question the dogs legitimacy, which put the people with disabilities under more stress,” Yarbrough said. “This does not help their condition at all and is an extra stress that they don’t need to have.” 

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M A R C H 24, 2019

PROFILE

Scott and Vanessa Wilk

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

S

cott and Vanessa Wilk were born on opposite sides of the country, unlikely to ever meet — but a foreshadowing of their future selves, it was politics that brought them together.

Scott, a Republican, was elected to his first term in the California Senate in 2016, representing the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, Victor Valley and the communities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia and Victorville.

Vanessa is district director for Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, who represents the Antelope Valley, Acton and parts of Kern and San Bernardino counties.

Scott

Scott was born on the third floor of Antelope Valley Hospital in the third year of the hospital’s existence.

His father, like many Antelope Valley residents, worked in aerospace, and his mother was a stay-at-home mom.

Scott, the oldest of three siblings, has two sisters.

He also recently discovered he is a direct descendent of Kentucky frontiersman Daniel Boone.

“That was kind of neat to find out,” he said.

A graduate of Antelope Valley High School, Scott had planned to attend University of California, Santa Barbara, before fate intervened.

While attending community college, he applied for a paid summer internship program in Washington, D.C. He was accepted and found himself working in the summer of 1979 for Congressman Bill Thomas during the legislator’s freshman year in Congress.

Thomas, a Republican served in Congress from 1979 to 2007, finishing his tenure as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

“He was a very smart man,” said Scott.

Scott worked for Thomas in his Bakersfield district office for four and a half years.

Instead of attending UCSB, Scott attended the California State University, Bakersfield, during that time,

Scott and Vanessa Wilk with rescue dogs, Simi (left) and and AV. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

After his stint with Thomas, Wilk worked for a public affairs consulting group then found a position with Republican California state Sen. Ed Davis.

Davis represented the Santa Clarita Valley in the state senate from 198092.

Wilk moved on from Davis to work for the Motor Car Dealers Association of Southern California (now the New Car Dealers Association), and then ran the trade association.

Republican Assemblywomen Paula Boland hired Scott to be her chief of staff from 1993-96. Boland’s 38th Assembly District at the time included Granada Hills, Simi Valley and a little sliver of the SCV. After Boland was unable to run again because of term limits, Republican Tom McClintock took the seat and retained Scott as chief of staff.

In 1999, the Wilks left Southern California for Sioux Falls, S.D. Scott worked at a startup company in the

Midwest until 2001.

Buck and the Tornado

Fate brought the Wilks back to Southern California in a most dramatic fashion.

In June 2001, a tornado alert was issued for the Sioux Falls area, and the Wilks spent the night in their basement awaiting the all clear.

“In the morning, we went outside and saw that the trees in our neighborhood all looked like wine goblets,” said Scott. “The of the trees had been shaved. The tornado never touched the ground, but had taken off the tops of the trees.”

The F3 tornado, (classified as a “severe tornado” with wind speeds from 158 mph-206 mph) had touched down on the main street only a few blocks from the Wilks’ home.

“When Vanessa saw that, she said, ‘I’m out of here,’” said Scott.

Later in the day, then-Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, called Scott to ask if he wanted to return to California.

“Yes, yes I do,” Scott told McKeon.

“The phone call was completely out of left field, I was not expecting it — but it came at the right time.”

Scott worked for McKeon as district director in his Santa Clarita office until December 2006.

After leaving McKeon’s office, Scott went out on his own as a public affairs and government consultant working on the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Master Plan, helping obtain a parcel of land for Castaic High School and the addition of The Patios to Westfield Valencia Town Center.

Appointed in 2006 as a trustee to the Santa Clarita Community College District, Scott won re-election to the board in 2007 and 2011.

“It is so important in an ever-competitive world to get education right,” said Scott. “We have a moral obligation to the children. It seemed there was a miracle that would happen on the College of the Canyons campus every day. It was really rewarding to see how the college changed people’s lives.”

After Cameron Smyth “termed out” in the 38th Assembly District seat in 2012, Scott ran a hard-fought campaign against Patricia McKeon, Buck McKeon’s wife, and Santa Clarita resident Paul Strickland.

“It was during that campaign that Vanessa came up with the ‘Got Wilk’ campaign, a take-off of the ‘Got Milk’ advertising campaign,” Scott said. “I went into it kicking and screaming.

I said, ‘I’m a serious person, I’m not doing that.’”

However, when Scott saw the favorable reaction from voters to the whimsical campaign, he changed his tune and “we went all-in.”

He handily won the Republican primary nomination. He was re-elected to the Assembly in 2014.

Vanessa

Vanessa was born in Boston and spent her elementary school years in Watertown, Massachusetts. At age 12, the family moved to Weston where she attended junior high and high school.

She is a graduate of Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications.

Vanessa is the middle child with an

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 37

PROFILE

California State Senator Scott Wilk (left) holds his rescue dog, Simi as Wilk presents a Certificate of Recognition of Small Business of the Month to the owners Kathi Toaso, and Chris Hoeflich at Pet Supply in Saugus.

older and young brother.

Her father was a psychologist, which worked to her advantage as a child.

“If we did something wrong, he would take us into his office and ask why we were compelled to act the way we did,” she said. “Our friends would all get grounded for a week. In our house, we just discussed it, and then we were done.”

Her father’s asthma compelled the family to move to the Palm Springs area in 1979 while Vanessa was in college.

She came out West in 1981 after graduation.

“I intended to go back to Boston, but ended up staying,” she said.

Vanessa and her mother opened up a dress shop in Palm Desert they ran for more than three years.

After a mall was built in the area, they closed the shop and Vanessa moved to Los Angeles to work in the garment district at the California Mart.

Finding a Soulmate

Scott and Vanessa met when Scott

came to the Palm Springs area in support of a developer who wanted to build a Ritz Carlton hotel in the Rancho Mirage area.

The controversial project attracted powerful and influential people on both sides.

Frank and Barbara Sinatra were against the project, and former President Gerald Ford was in support.

The project landed on the ballot to be voted on by residents.

“Scott was working for a political consulting firm and they were hiring local people to go door-to-door to support the development,” said Vanessa. “A friend of mine suggested I work on this in my spare time to make extra money.”

Scott hired Vanessa and they became good friends.

The development was approved by voters and Scott returned to Los Angeles, but the couple stayed in touch.

Scott wanted more from the relationship, but Vanessa told him she didn’t feel the same way.

“This was before texting and emails. I wrote him a letter telling him, ‘Let’s just be friends,’” she said.

“Scott now calls it his, ‘Dear Scott’ letter.”

Vanessa soon moved to Los Angeles, unknowingly renting an apartment around the corner from where Scott lived.

She invited him to a Fourth of July party, where he showed up with a date.

Vanessa and Scott became an item soon after when Vanessa realized she did, in fact, want to date him.

“We started hanging out again, and the rest is history,” she said.

Scott proposed to Vanessa on the beach at Santa Monica in the summer of 1985.

“It was very sweet; the beach is my favorite happy place,” she said.

The couple were married Oct. 20, 1985.

“Vanessa is so vivacious,” said Scott.

“I would not be where I am with Vanessa. We are a partnership. I know she will always have my back.”

Family

The Wilks have two adult children, Scott Wilk Jr., 32 and Alison Grace Hicks, 29.

They have one grandson, Ezekiel

Brady Hicks.

“He is named after Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time,” said Vanessa, a New England Patriots superfan. “Alison did her big baby ‘reveal’ on Super Bowl Sunday in 2017.”

The Patriots won that game, defeating the Atlanta Falcons in what Vanessa called “the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. We told her she had to name the baby Brady — but my son-in-law objected. He finally agreed to Brady as the middle name.”

Vanessa said she is lucky her grandson lives in Canyon Country so she is able to see him a couple of times a week.

“I adore my grandson, every time I don’t think he can get cuter, then he does,” she said. “I get it now… about being a grandmother.”

Vanessa was a stay-at-home mom during the years her children were growing up.

Their two dogs, Simi, named after Simi Valley, and AV, named for the Antelope Valley, currently rule the Wilks’ home.

“They are spoiled rotten,” said Vanessa. “They have completely taken over our life.”

Vanessa’s mother also now lives with the couple in Saugus, having relocated from the Palm Spring area last year.

Sacramento

Scott clearly remembers his first day in Sacramento after election to the Assembly.

“It was Dec. 3, 2012. I was really awestruck,” he said. “We woke up early, about 5 a.m. It was still dark and when we opened the curtains in our hotel room, we could see the state capitol dome and it was all lit up.”

As a member of the minority party in Sacramento, Wilk has taken the advice given to him by former Assemblyman Cameron Smyth.

“Try to get to, ‘Yes,’” he said. “Sometimes, you can get changes to a bill because you are willing to negotiate.

It builds goodwill when people realize you are willing to listen.”

Scott serves as vice chair of four powerful state Senate committees See WILK on next page

38 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

WILK

Continued from previous page

— the committees on education, agriculture, rules and governmental organization. In addition to his vice chairmanships he is a member of the committees on business, professions and economic development and veterans’ affairs.

On March 14, Scott served his first tour as presiding officer of the Senate.

“I was the only Republican selected for this honor,” he said.

Wilk’s ability to reach across the aisle to work with Democrats has earned him the ability to get things done for his district.

In his first year in the state Senate, he was able to complete the merger of the Castaic Lake Water Agency and the Newhall Water Agency.

“It has saved millions of dollars for Santa Clarita water consumers,” he said.

He recently was able to get a bill passed to allow cultivation of industrial hemp in California.

“It will revolutionize agriculture in California and job creation,” he said.

Industrial hemp can be used in more than 25,000 different products.

Currently a battery company is setting up shop in the Antelope Valley to be near the new supply the local farms will soon produce.

Wilk’s philosophy is to listen to his constituents, as well as his peers.

“I don’t want to get caught up in all the noise,” he said. “If you write me a letter, I will write you back. I want people to feel connected to their government.”

Wilk is appreciative of all the support he has received in the SCV. “This is a childhood dream that I’ve achieved, and I couldn’t have done it without the people of Santa Clarita,” he said. “I feel very blessed and honored.”

Politics

Scott doesn’t know when his interest in politics began, or why.

“I was reading the paper at age 12,” he said. “My parents had no interest in politics.”

When Scott was 13, the family took a vacation to Northern California and Oregon.

“We spent two days in Sacramento, and we did a tour of the capitol.

I remember sitting in the balcony of

Vanessa and Scott Wilk brought their rescue dogs to The Brittany Foundation Adoption Day event held recently at Pet Supply in Saugus.

the state Senate thinking ‘this is what I want to do. I want to be a senator,’” he said.

Scott said the realization of his lifetime dream makes him emotional every time he walks onto the floor of the state Senate.

“I still well up,” he said.

Vanessa said Scott sparked her interest in politics.

“The more I was involved ,the more important I realized politics was to the future of my children,” she said.

In 2006, Vanessa served as executive director of the Republican headquarters in the SCV. In 2007, she became club director for Belcaro in Valencia, a 55-and-over housing community.

“I love that job, it was a joy,” she said.

But after seven years, when state Sen. Sharon Runner asked Vanessa to become her representative in Santa Clarita, Vanessa jumped at the chance.

After Runner died, Scott ran for Runner’s Senate seat and won, putting Vanessa out of a job.

In September 2017, Lackey called and offered her the position of district director in the Antelope Valley.

Challenges

The last couple of years have been filled with challenges for the Wilks.

There have been ups, like the birth of their first grandchild, and downs.

In late September, Scott Wilk Jr. was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

After the shock of the diagnosis wore off, Vanessa became her son’s

advocate, making sure he received the best care available in Southern California.

Scott Jr. is now in remission and his prognosis good.

“Scott and I have been married 34 years, and I remember taking those vows of ‘in sickness and in health,’” she said. “But you never think it will happen to you.”

In December, Vanessa was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

“The good news is that it is chronic and not acute,” said Vanessa. “The bad news is that it is leukemia, and I have the more aggressive kind.”

She is optimistic that the disease is treatable with an oral medication.

“We’re just going to fight through this and deal with it like we’ve dealt with other challenges in the past,” she said, “just address it head on.”

The side effects of the medication are minor, she said.

“I’m really tired and I have to be careful because my immune system is depressed,” said Vanessa. “But the outlook for a normal life is positive, and I’m receiving excellent care.”

Giving back

The Wilks have a long history of work with nonprofits and community service in the SCV. Vanessa is on the board of the Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging (SCV Senior Center), and served twice as the co-chair of the SCV Senior Center’s Celebrity Waiter fundraising dinner.

She is also a charter member of

Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley, which she’s served on the board of in several capacities and as club president in 2013.

“My proudest accomplishment as president was staring the Go Girls, a mentoring program in Val Verde for girls age 8-18. I tell everyone that we went in there thinking we were going to change their lives and in reality, they changed ours,” she said. “They are amazing young ladies, and to see their growth in the past five years has been incredible.”

Vanessa said fundraisers held by Soroptimist have raised thousands of dollars for organizations in the SCV including the Domestic Violence, Center, Henry Mayo Hospital, Sheila Veloz Breast Cancer Center and SCV Child and Family Center.

Vanessa is also on the board of the SCV Child & Family Center.

In January 2017, she was appointed to the Santa Clarita Arts Commission

by City Councilman Cameron Smyth.

She was recently named vice chair of the Arts Commission.

“I always knew Santa Clarita had a vibrant arts community, but I never realized how much was happening here. The city’s commitment to the arts has been inspiring,” she said.

The Wilks are seen at nearly every nonprofit fundraiser held in the SCV. Scott has served on the board of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee and a past member of the Granada Hills Rotary Club.

Loving the SCV

The Wilks first moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in August 1990 with their young children. They lived in North Valencia until taking their brief detour to South Dakota. Soon after they returned to the SCV in 2001, they purchased a home in Saugus.

“We love living in the SCV,” said Vanessa. “This is such a giving community and we are fortunate to know so many incredibly kind people.” 

M A R C H 24, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 39

Landscape design hacks for your garden

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

G

arden design is partlearned and partdependent on an innate sense of design and balance.

The best designers are artistically trained and naturally visualize how everything will flow together when installed and, more importantly, will grow in successfully in the future.

Quality landscape companies are aware this is a special skill and either employ designers or adapt versions of proven generic designs to their clients’ sites.

Too many gardens are installed by people who have little creativity or artistic sense. These are the bland, easily forgettable gardens (and sometimes bad enough you wish you could forget them) that are seen everywhere.

A good design works with a harmony of line and a balance of shape. In the garden, the visual impact needs to be aesthetically pleasing, maintainable and functional. It uses a combination of practical, non-living materials and living plant materials.

Events like walkways, patios, entertainment or sport areas, vegetable gardens, child and pet areas and so much more need to flow visually, function smoothly and be sustainable over a long period of time.

Once you know where all your events fit into your landscape (like placing pools and play areas for children in areas where they can be easily watched, or building herb or vegetable gardens close enough to the kitchen that they will be convenient to use), you may want to do your own designing. There are many ideas to spark your creativity online and in print publications. Here are some design hacks that might help.

• Small trees will give the illusion of distance. To make a garden look larger, plant small trees in the furthest spaces. Large trees will dwarf a garden unless the space is so small that the canopy has the effect of a

roof and the trunk is like a wall — in which case the tree won’t register much as a tree, anyway. We tend to think of a tree as being large, even when it isn’t, so putting a smaller tree in the back of a landscape tricks the eye into thinking the tree is farther away than it really is.

• You can create a rolling effect without having to move a lot of soil by planting gardens on areas of flat ground with cover plants that grow at different heights. The surface will be obscured by the variety of heights. Or you can use this same concept to accomplish the opposite by filling in lower areas with slightly higher growth to make the garden appear to be smooth and flat. This technique also works well to convert a featureless run of land into an illusion of peaks and valleys by grouping flowers and shrubs by height.

It is a lot easier and less expensive than having to re-engineer the surface of your soil.

• Create “windows” to look through to define special spaces or punch up a focal point. Windows can be in the form of shrubbery or solid walls that are constructed with see-through holes. You can even use actual windows hung from patio overhangs or cut into barriers of any material. Windows teach you to design and put to use the spaces between objects or structures.

• Distract the eye from something you want to down-play by drawing attention elsewhere. Creating a focal point with a water feature, sculpture or colorful garden bed will help pull the eye toward where you prefer your viewer to look.

Dasilyrion textures. Mixing plants, rock heights and textures turn this flat surface into a work of art.

look more contrived. Randomness looks more natural and, ironically, more balanced in a growing environment.

• Unless you are designing a very contemporary or graphic look, avoid a lot of straight lines. Nature rarely designs with them.

• Elongate short spaces by building a winding path that draws out the look of distance. This works particularly well where flat areas meet rising hillsides. Picture a meandering path across your property. It can even continue to wander up the hill creating a soothing design that allows you an easier access for slope maintenance. (A curving path up an incline is less steep to climb.) Plus, it can make an artistic statement at night if you edge the curving lines with solar or low voltage path lights.

GARDENING

• Break up long or narrow spaces by dividing them with fences, structures, hedges or other items to partition off space and create rooms.

You can create intrigue by inviting someone from one outdoor “room” to the next with an archway or decorative gate.

These are just some ways you can use illusion to change the shape of your garden. With some tricks of space and color you can make any garden look better. Illusion can allow you to separate different areas in a small garden, avoiding a cluttered look by creating cubicles.

Sometimes it is better to incorporate problem areas into your design than try to remove them.

Tree stumps, big rocky areas or unattractive views of surrounding property can be handled creatively.

Turn them into table bases, retaining walls, seating or make an ugly wall into an artistic statement by dressing it up with a mural, building a vertical living wall in front of it, or converting it into a productive fruit stand by training vines and espaliered fruit trees over the surface.

If you are designing your own garden — or maybe have been stuck with one of those dreary, unimaginative landscapes you want to improve — spice things up with your own creativity. Some of us have artistic talent we’ve never explored. Try some of these hacks. Have fun.You may love what you create. And if you don’t, well, you can always call in a designer to tweak your ideas into success. 

• Paint objects a bright color, grab attention with showy décor or plant hot-colored flowers in reds, yellows and oranges to make an area stand out.

• Conversely, blend in areas you want to down-play with dull colors or masking walls, fences, vines or facades.

• Use odd numbers. Group rocks and boulders or similar type plants so they make a natural-looking statement. Even numbers tend to

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Thursday April 25th 8:30am

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40 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

M A R C H 24, 2019

R E A L E S TAT E

Deciding your ‘must haves’ and ‘like-to haves’

By Ray the Realtor Signal Contributing Writer

B

eyond the basics of shelter, food, water, sanitation and sleep, what else is there?

Let me tell you, the range of diversity is wide.

First, I’ll note some of the more common things I have come across: price restrictions, bedroom count, areas and neighborhoods wanted or unwanted, proximity to shopping or freeways, school preferences, walkability, proximity to cultural or recreational facilities, proximity to hospital or health care, and proximity or drive time to work. Some want big yards and lots of space, and some want a small space with a no-maintenance yard.

Wants and needs often includes kitchen considerations of style, appliances, pantry, quality of appliances, etc. Some people need a home with no stairs, or a downstairs bedroom with full bath. Some need a home that has a home within a home for elderly parents or extended family, or as an income-producing rental to help with the mortgage payment.

Safety issues are often a concern. Garages and parking needs for RVs or many vehicles are important for some. Some people have a need to buy a “fixer-upper,” and others have a need to buy a home in move-in condition.

Just about everyone has a need to feel that their home purchase is a good investment. Some

people have champagne tastes on a beer budget.

Some people have so many special needs and “must-haves” that perhaps building the home of their dreams might be the best option. I know I’ve left out a lot, and perhaps it is that one thing that is of utmost importance to you in buying a home, I apologize. Tell me what your must-haves are, as well as your “like-to-haves.”

There are other special needs that people may have that include access considerations, which may involve mobility issues of doorway and hall width, low or no steps, lowered light switches and counters, and various other features that would make a house a home for them.

Sight- and hearing-impaired people have their own special needs and we work hard to meet them.

The MLS data fields (for real estate listings) have a whole section on special needs and accessibility features, and they are searchable by us for our clients. I have had clients who were noise-sensitive so a more secluded neighborhood far from traffic was needed. Sometimes the needs of pets or assistance animals are important, such as yard size or fencing.  Ray “the Realtor” Kutylo is the team leader of the SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties. The Team brings experienced and professional service, commitment and value to every transaction, whether you are a home buyer or seller. Ray can be reached at (661) 312-9461 or by email at rkutylo@gmail.com. The views expressed are his own and not necessarily those of The Signal. CA DRE 00918855

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY CLOSED SALES 3/9/19 TO 3/15/19 AREA/St#

St Name

Sold Price

SqFt/Source

CANYON COUNTRY 18169 26908 27074 29852 27009 29435 19811 30461 15644 19601 26858 29503 25119 15611

Sundowner WAY #911 Flo Ln #466 Hidaway AVE #2 Fitch AVE Karns CT #2306 Florabunda RD Collins RD Sunrose PL Carrousel DR Four Oaks ST Albion WAY Mammoth LN Golden Maple DR Condor Ridge RD

$310,000 $335,000 $360,000 $375,000 $387,500 $455,000 $500,000 $532,000 $559,000 $570,000 $590,000 $642,000 $665,000 $1,700,000

948/A 910/A 1250/A 1100/OT 1356/A 1040/A 1337/A 1625/A 1911/A 2346/A 2157/A 2104/A 2280/B 5250/D

$405,000 $450,000 $525,000 $540,000 $701,700

1536/A 1386/P 1691/A 1809/A 3154/A

$319,999 $320,000

819/A 970/A

CASTAIC & VAL VERDE 31921 27614 30333 29876 27630

Emerald LN Primrose LN Marigold CIR Cambridge AVE Mariposa LN

NEWHALL 24445 Valle Del Oro #205 19838 Sandpiper PL #65

18716 24829 25172 26449 24529 24210

Vista Del Canon #C Apple ST #B De Wolfe RD Whispering Leaves DR Ebelden AVE Creekside DR

$350,000 $380,000 $549,000 $620,000 $749,000 $800,000

1075/A 1230/A 1576/A 2146/A 3247/A 3681/A

Plum Canyon RD #611 Banyan PL #319 Banyan PL #23 Copper Hill DR #130 Kristin LN Moveo DR Grovepark DR Ginger WAY Peppercorn DR W Maldonado PL Marshall WAY Shadow Valley LN Lauren LN Conway PL Oakside CT Graham LN Agajanian LN Martellus DR Skipping Stone DR Redwood Canyon PL

$294,000 $380,000 $385,000 $387,000 $450,000 $450,000 $515,000 $535,000 $550,000 $599,670 $639,000 $642,500 $679,900 $680,000 $685,000 $690,000 $695,997 $716,400 $795,000 $805,000

733/A 1059/A 1059/A 1040/P 1307/A 1401/A 1752/A 1670/A 1752/A 1925/B 2055/A 3023/A 2407/A 2350/A 2970/A 2097/A 2804/A 2532/B 3531/A 2997/A

$370,000 $435,000

964/ 1348/A

$265,000 $324,995 $347,000 $360,000 $385,000 $400,000 $465,000 $480,000 $510,000 $529,015 $535,000 $540,000 $548,000 $575,000 $592,000 $610,000 $612,500 $614,000 $636,000 $639,000 $659,000 $689,000 $799,000

987/A 696/A 835/A 982/A 962/A 1252/A 1356/A 896/A 1806/B 1806/B 1179/S 1850/A 2640/A 1318/A 1624/A 1666/A 2192/A 2418/A 2211/A 1656/A 1928/P 2834/A 3152/A

SAUGUS 20000 22940 22832 22605 27752 21828 21648 27608 21820 19441 20829 28754 19333 22016 20059 19416 21656 19526 22587 28469

STEVENSON RANCH 25118 Steinbeck AVE #G 25531 Schubert CIR #E

VALENCIA & WESTRIDGE 23515 23953 24153 23624 24746 23963 25693 25976 28672 28701 25329 24600 23953 23307 27558 23908 24962 28633 27921 26024 27210 24333 28503

Lyons AVE #125 Arroyo Park DR #156 Del Monte DR #362 Big Horn #46 Masters Cup WAY Arroyo Park DR #99 Alicante DR Pueblo DR Jardineras DR Jardineras DR Via Saludo Brighton DR #C Francisco WAY Preston WAY Pamplico DR Hammond CT Avenida Balita Vista Del Rio DR Balsam CT Tourelle PL Branbury CT Foxglove PL Farrier DR

M A R C H 24, 2019

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M A R C H 24, 2019

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

Bribery 101

By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

I

’m writing this in the air, flying home in a Boeing Max 8. They just announced the plane would be taken out of service as soon as we land.

I’m not really worried that the plane has some hidden technical defect. I’m worried that the pilot’s parents might have been rich enough to bribe his way in to flight school.

For years, we’ve been hearing how difficult and stressful it is for even the best high school students to get in to a good college, even with outstanding SAT scores, a slew of extracurricular activities and charity work.

Turns out, all they need are rich parents to help cheat their way onto the campus of their choice.

Who cares if a kid isn’t smart enough to get a BA without Daddy’s money — how much harm could that cause? It’s not like you’re going to let someone with a liberal arts degree fix your faucet or change a light fixture without adult supervision.

But what if Little Miss Trust Fund wants to be a doctor? Can her family bribe her way in to medical school?

Normally, you would think that’s not possible. But how do you know?

Allegedly, this college bribery scandal lasted 10 years and only 50 people were indicted. How do we know there aren’t other academic bribery schemes out there?

I’m pretty sure my financial adviser bribed someone to get in to high school. Luckily for him, you don’t need a college degree to manage people’s money. You can just hang out a shingle.

What if you were wealthy beyond belief and you spent a fortune bribing your child in to an elite university, and he came out with a psychology or political science degree? Could you sue to get your bribe money back?

Don’t ask my lawyer. He comes from a wealthy family. He thinks the LSAT is something that orbits the Earth every three hours.

The strangest thing about this bribery case is that no one seems to blame the students. Why not? The

students know they didn’t get 1600 on their SATs. They know whether they can play tennis. First, these kids were being enabled by wealthy parents.

Now they’re being enabled by law enforcement and the press: “Gee, they’re just kids.” Just kids getting spots other “just kids” worked hard for and deserved.

The most puzzling question of all is why would you want to go to an Ivy League college if you’re not smart enough to pass a DNA test without cheating? Most people go to college so they can get a job in a field that interests them. If your parents paid $500,000 to get you in to college, you don’t have to work for a living.

I’m guessing the main reason these kids wanted to go to college is to meet boys and girls of the same social class who they can bring home to meet Mom and Dad. Will the kids who deserve to be at the school — the ones who worked hard and studied and made sacrifices — fall for that?

I think that’s a stretch. Especially the ones who have wealthy parents and still worked hard to get in to the college of their choice.

It might have been better if the wealthy parents had sent their children to a military recruiter instead of some sleazy “facilitator.” No bribes necessary. And the kids can still go to college after they grow up.  Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com.

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

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

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

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

City’s rent growth rate above state average

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

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

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

Children who are diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome will likely

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By Danielle Korzhenyak For The Signal

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

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

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

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

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

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July 7

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

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

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S H T N O SIX M INDEX

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

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

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

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

Good morning to Signal subscriber Louis Garasi of Canyon Country

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