Sunday Signal 041623

Bust out your big hair and gnarliest outf it for a totally rad evening of fun!

Multiple local and regional breweries and wineries will be on hand for sampling, plus enjoy awesome food trucks, sick spins by DJ Richie Rich, and live music by new wave ‘80s cover band The Spazmatics.

SATURDAY, MAY 6 / Palmdale Amphitheater

VIP Admission: 6-10 pm / General Admission: 7-10 pm

For ticket information and additional details, visit cityofpalmdale.org/visitpalmdale

Make Time for Romance

Where to celebrate that special evening.

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

If you’re still trying to make up for a blown Valentine’s Day, or have a relationship-celebratory event coming up, such as an important anniversary, you’re quite likely considering sharing a romantic dinner at a romantic restaurant.

But what makes a restaurant romantic? Only you, or more importantly, your partner, will know exactly what this means, but the most-recognized aspects are an establishment that offers a casually-elegant ambiance with enough comfort and intimacy so that you can share close conversation and not be distracted by the rest of the clientele.

There should probably be muted lighting, and music that subtly sets the mood, without intruding. Of course, there must be delicious food — often including sharable dishes — and the staff should be knowledgeable and professional.

The staff should also know just the right balance between being there and not being there. The last thing you want is to be rushed through (or forgotten), or to feel like you had dinner with

the waiter and not your partner.

And if at all possible, you might add in a beautiful view of something better than a parking lot. That last can really narrow things down, but we’re talking ideal here, right?

If you’re a longtime SCV resident, you probably already have your favorite romantic restaurant locked in. But, don’t forget that newer establishments arise and, sadly, sometimes old favorites lose their luster.

Study their websites, check the online reviews, review the “Best of” lists and ask around. Maybe stop in for a drink and “test drive” a location before your big day. Pick your best table and make a reservation for it, if you can.

Considering all the above “romantic” criteria, and with the understanding that few restaurants can check off every box, here are just a few of the top romantic restaurants in the SCV.

Le Chene

12625 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita 91390 Info (661) 251-4315; lechene.com

With a secluded, historic location set among natural oak trees, overlooking beautiful gardens and offering delicious French cuisine and fine wines, Le Chene, which means “the oak,” just might come the closest to having it all, romantically. And the peaceful highway drive there (25 minutes from Westfield Valencia Town Center) will make your experience all the more special through anticipation.

Owner and Chef Juan Alonso emphasized a few well-known, but spot-on notes about his creation, which has been serving romantics since 1980. “There is no need to travel to France to dine in a country inn by the side of the road. Here, food is the star, and we have one of the greatest wine lists in California — all at reasonable prices.”

Salt Creek Grille

24415 Town Center Drive, #115, Valencia 91355 Info (661) 222-9999; saltcreekgrille.com/valencia

Salt Creek has been a go-to for fine, fun, and romantic dining since 1999. With a warm interior design, many romantic booths, plus an expan-

sive covered patio with fire pit, the featured mesquite-grilled menu items will suit any palate or occasion.

Jennifer Chadwick, director of sales and marketing, said, “We are the perfect location for date nights, and many people celebrate anniversaries with us. Our half-moon booths are just right for romantic couples, our lighting is mellow, with candles on the tables, we have an extensive wine list, and there is live music in the bar on Friday and Saturday nights. Why not try a great cab with filet mignon, followed by our incredible chocolate soufflé?”

Reyes Winery on Main

24329 Main Street, Santa Clarita 91321 Info (661) 621-7777; reyeswineryonmain.com

Reyes Winery on Main offers top-shelf wines and fine dining in a romantic atmosphere downstairs or tapas, tastings and a view on their roof. And you could do both, enjoying your romantic dinner downstairs followed by more wine and more romance and dessert upstairs overlooking the SCV.

Owner Robert Reyes said, “We have tables and booths, subdued lighting and romantic music downstairs. And though our private room is normally for six or more, it could be reserved for a couple for a special occasion. The rooftop is very romantic, and a number of people have proposed up there. We call the area in front of the elevator ‘Lovers Corners.’”

Bella Cucina

27911 Seco Canyon Road, Santa Clarita 91350

Info (661) 263-1414; www.bellacucinascv.com

Bella Cucina has become a favorite of locals for its authentic Italian cuisine and its warm and welcoming atmosphere. The family-owned restaurant is cozy inside or you can dine on the sheltered patio. The intimate ambiance is casually elegant, and fine wines and craft cocktails await.

Owner Jay Hamzei said, “Bella Cucina offers great ambiance, romantic atmosphere, great opera music and a phenomenally-rich menu by Chef Luca Toumadi. You will feel like you are in Italy, with the warmest friendship and great hospitality.” 

PHOTO COURTESY BELLA CUCINA

PHOTO COURTESY LE CHENE

PHOTO COURTESY REYES ON MAIN

Wine, Beer and Food

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

May and June abound with California wine and beer festivals. There is a festival for everyone including those looking for high end, once-in-alifetime experiences, or those just hoping to relax and find a new favorite brew or bottle of wine.

May 6

High Desert Beer and Wine Festival

Palmdale Amphitheater, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd., Palmdale 9355

Info www.palmdaleamphitheater.com/ events/2023/high-desert-beer-and-wine-festival

Beer and wine sampling, food truck fare and music by the ‘80s cover band The Spazmatics. This evening event that starts at 7 p.m. (VIPs at 6 p.m.) features many of the region’s best craft breweries and wineries. Tickets ($22-$67) must be purchased in advance.

May 13 Noon-5 p.m.

10th Central Valley Brewfest

Stanislaus County Fair Grounds, 900 N. Broadway Ave., Turlock 95380

Info cvbrewfest.com

Art, music and more than 150 brews to sample. Back by popular demand is the VIP wine sampling tent. Premier ticket holders will have the opportunity to sample local wineries, local brews and a freshly-baked baguette for $60. General Admission tickets available for $45.

May 13 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Sun, Wind & Wine Festival

Mer Soleil Winery, 1290 River Rd, Salinas 93908

Info santaluciahighlands.com/events/wine-festival

The 15th Sun, Wind & Wine Festival offers a strolling wine tasting through the barrel cellar of Mer Soleil Winery, which is not normally open to the public. Enjoy limited-release Santa Lucia Highlands wines plus gourmet small bites and artisan goods. Tickets $135-$165.

May 13 Noon-5 p.m.

Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival

Main Street, Half Moon Bay 94019

Info hmbwineandjazzfest.com

Enjoy California wine, local eats and nationally-known jazz artists including Paula West, the Marcus Shelby Quintet and the John Santos Sextet. Tickets: $25-$125.

May 18-21

Paso Wine Fest in Paso Robles Wine Country

Info pasowine.com/winefest

Toast the acclaimed wine scene in Paso Robles at this long-weekend event with live music, winemaker dinners, seminars, and lots of tastings, all highlighting the region’s 100+ wineries.

The centerpiece of the weekend will be the Grand Tasting held at the Paso Robles Event Center on Saturday, May 20, noon to 4:30 p.m. which offers more space to taste as well as dedicated parking, concessions, restrooms, shade and additional outdoor and indoor venues. The event center is located at 2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles 93446.

The Grand Tasting will feature more than 115 wineries, craft distillers, live entertainment, food for purchase from 10+ food vendors, local artisan vendors, commemorative wine glass and tote bag.

May 18-21

Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience

West Plaza Lot, 30 North St., Healdsburg 95448

Info healdsburgwineandfood.com

Located in the heart of California wine country, the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience is a weekend-long celebration featuring the best of Sonoma County and world-renowned food and wines. Events feature local growers, winemakers and renowned chefs.

The festival will showcase the region’s makers, farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs, alongside globally recognized wines from the greatest wine regions of the world.

The highlight of the event is on Saturday, May 20, the Vintners Plaza Grand Tasting. Experience wines from over 100 of the finest producers from Sonoma, Napa and internationally renowned regions. Local and international chefs will prepare extraordinary bites with Sonoma’s seasonal agricultural bounty. Enjoy live music as you mix and mingle with some of your favorite makers throughout the day. Tickets are $250 for general admission entry.

May 27 1-5 p.m.

Viva La Cerveza!

Madonna Inn Meadows, 100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo 93405

Info vivalacerveza.com

If eating tacos and drinking beer is wrong, I don’t want to be right. This is a Memorial Day Weekend beer festival with unlimited beverage samples, a selection of tasty tacos to sample and vote for the best as well as cornhole boards, bouncy games giant pong, other games and music. Tickets $55.

June 10 Noon-4 p.m.

San Diego Brew Festival

NTC Park, 2455 Cushing Rd, San Diego 92106

Info sandiegobeerfest.com

The 12th annual San Diego Brew Festival finally returns! The event will feature over 70 breweries, 200 beers, 10 of San Diego’s best food trucks as well as cover bands and lawn games.

General admission ($50; 1-4 p.m.) includes unlimited samples from over 70 breweries, plus live music and access to food trucks. Early admission ($65; noon - 4 p.m.) includes specialty beers.

June 23-24

California Wine Festival

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club & Spa, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad 92011

Info californiawinefestival.com/carlsbad

This two-day festival includes a Friday evening sunset Rare and Reserve Tasting ($105) and a Saturday Beachside Wine Festival ($75 general admission). Early entrance tickets at noon are $95.

This is the quintessential California wine tasting experience with sun, sea, food, wine and music. It all comes together at this sun-splashed wine fest overlooking lush rolling hills and the shimmering Pacific Ocean.

A two-day VIP pass ($200) includes the Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting ticket at The Gardens and the Beachside Wine Festival ticket on the Heron Lawn with early entry at noon and exclusive admission to the VIP Pavilion, appetizers, reserve level wines, cheeses, tables, chairs and shade.

Toast the acclaimed wine scene in Paso Robles at the weekend-long wine fest. PHOTO COURTESY PASO WINE FEST

Viva La Cerveza is a Memorial Day weekend beer and taco festival in San Luis Obispo. PHOTO COURTESY VIVA LA CERVEZA.

Get Your Caffeine Fix at One of These Coffee Shops

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

Let’s face it, coffee is an acquired taste. Most of us need to add things like cream or sugar to make it enjoyable. Even so, for many of us, coffee has become a necessity, whether to get started in the morning or for pick-me-ups later in the day. It has also become the focus of social and business gatherings: “Let’s meet for coffee.” But, with or without friends, a hot cup of coffee, done “your” way, is both a relaxing, and yet energizing, interlude in a busy, or even lazy, day. And, if you are really hooked on the flavor, you might even crave the taste and experience so much you can drink decaf without missing the buzz.

How one likes their coffee is hugely influenced by what they are used to and the atmosphere and service influence where they like to get it. So, if you asked 10 people to name their number one place to get coffee, you could easily get 10 different answers.

The place next door might become your favorite by default. The same could hold for that chain store on every corner in every city. So here, completely debatable and limited by space, are our top four coffee houses in the SCV.

Coffee Kiosk

26833 Bouquet Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91350

23716 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321

Coffee Kiosk ranks high because it offers both drive-through convenience and quality. But you probably won’t do your meetups there.

Owner Eugene A. said, “During the 27 years we’ve been around, we’ve steadily improved our product offerings in terms of quality, service and value. For example, whereas most coffee frappé offerings on the market now use instant coffee or cold brew, we went the other direction and roast our own coffee/espresso beans.

“We still grind, pull and brew every coffee drink we sell … (and) our pastries are baked and picked up daily. Every item we have on our menu — from our food, coffee, matcha, chai, cold brew, chicory to the iced teas — we believe is of exceptional quality.

Honu Coffee

22722 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321

Honu Coffee is dedicated to being a true “coffee house,” comfortable, cozy and welcoming. Lizzy Caputo, coffee ambassador, said, “I think our mission statement says it all: ‘Providing high quality drinks made with high quality ingredients served with excellent customer service!’ That’s what sets us apart. Our team members love coming into work to be able to provide a high-quality product and they truly serve it with excellent customer service.”

Peet’s Coffee

27047 McBean Parkway, Valencia 91355

A Peet’s spokesman said, “Peet’s Coffee is for people who love coffee. Our guests know that we go the extra mile to deliver premium products for everyone (many beverages and menu items are already plant-based or can be modified to meet dietary needs) that are 100% responsibly-sourced.

“Being able to provide a great cup of coffee, that also serves as a force for good, matters to our guests, and we will continue providing that while evolving to meet future needs.”

Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders

22913 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita 91350

26910 Sierra Highway, Unit D-2, Newhall 91321

Owner Stephanie Inmon said, “Bodhi Leaf Coffee is a place we all like to call home, no matter what we are doing — dropping in for coffee with friends, studying, getting some work done or actually working here. We, as employees, love seeing our regular smiling customers who have become friends, as well as our new first-time customers.

“We have lots of seating both inside and outside and we have wifi. We are an importer, roaster and storefront. You can try one of our weekly pourovers or a specialty latte. Lavender is very popular, but we have many other fun flavors to choose from. For those that don’t drink coffee, we have chai tea and matcha tea.” 

Importantly, the staff is wonderful and by far the asset we invest in the most.”

Barista Jonathan Casas makes latte art at Honu Coffee shop in Newhall. PHOTOS BY CHRIS TORRES / THE SIGNAL

There’s nothing better than a steaming hot espresso like this one from Hono Coffee.

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY APRIL 22

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

Every year it seems Earth Day events become larger and more important. Once a fringe, “tree-hugger” celebration, Earth Day has become a mainstream significant day to embrace eco-consciousness and show a little love to our home, planet Earth.

Official Earth Day is held on April 22, but many events are being held in celebration of Earth Day throughout April. Celebrating “Earth Month” is also increasing in popularity.

Santa Clarita April 29

The centerpiece of Earth Day celebrations in Santa Clarita is the annual Neighborhood Cleanup event on Saturday April 15. Residents are invited to pre-register to volunteer for the 2023 Neighborhood where participants can pick up cleaning supplies, including bags and gloves, from one of three drive-thru locations and remove litter in their local neighborhoods.

All interested residents are required to pre-register online before the event at GreenSantaClarita.com.

When registering, participants will be prompted to select one of three locations to get their free supplies on the morning of the event.

Registered volunteers will start their day by picking up supplies at their selected location, all of which will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, free bags of mulch, while supplies last, will also be available at each pick up site for participants to use for home gardening projects.

After picking up cleaning supplies, volunteers will go to their neighborhoods, paseos, sidewalks and trails to collect trash at their own pace.

Participants are invited to post photos on social media using the hashtag #CleanUpSC.

Information featuring environmentally-friendly tips about recycling, water quality, community resources and more are available on GreenSanta Clarita.com for participants to reference at any time.

Hazardous/Electronic Waste Collection Event April 15

Safely dispose your household hazardous waste and electronic waste for free on Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia, CA 91355.

This event is open and free to all Los Angeles County residents. Business waste is not accepted at these events. Eligible items include paint, batteries, fluorescent light tubes, CFL bulbs, vehicle fluids, cleaners, solvents, pesticides and electronics.

For more information visit greensantaclarita.com.

Rain Barrel Information Class April 8

On Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., a class on the importance of rainwater harvesting and proper installation and maintenance of rain barrels will be held at the Newhall Community Center, located at 22421 Market St., Newhall, CA 91321. Rain barrels offered by the city are sold out, but purchase of a rain barrel is not required to attend the class.

L.A. River Cleanup April 15 and 22

Friends of the L.A. River’s 33rd Annual Great L.A. River Cleanup will be held Saturday, April 15 and Saturday, April 22. Join FoLAR for the inaugural “Earth With Us” celebration to celebrate the L.A. River through art, education and stewardship. Volunteers can participate in cleanups, habitat restoration, nature walks and river education activities across 51 miles of the L.A. River.

For more information, visit folar. org/event/earth-with-us-2023april22.

Hermosa Beach Cleanup Party April 22

Join friends, family and Beach Bound Sports at the Hermosa Beach Pier, 1 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a beach cleanup event and party. Bring gloves, closed toe shoes, water, snacks and sunscreen.

Prizes awarded to those who pick

up the most trash from the beach. After cleanup ends a small beach party will include music, beach games, beach volleyball, cornhole and refreshments. Recycled trash bags provided to collect the trash will be measured as to how full the bag is at the end to award prizes.

Activities to Celebrate Earth Day

Create your own Earth Day celebration by hosting your own neighborhood Earth Day clean up party, tree planting or other community activity. You can also participate in a few of the activities listed below:

Plant a tree Why should you plant a tree? Trees eat the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Trees clean the air so we can breathe more easily. And, trees cool down your life as they are natural air conditioners.

Calculate your ecological footprint Do you know the impact your lifestyle is having on the environment? Simply calculate your ecological footprint and explore sustainable solutions you can take to minimize your climate impact. Visit www.footprint calculator.org/home/en.

Buy reusable bags Ditch the plastic grocery store bags and buy a cloth reusable bag to tote your purchases home. It’s been estimated that Americans use 100 billion plastic bags a year and the production for those bags requires about 12 million barrels of oil.

Avoid single use plastic Avoid single use plastic wherever possible. Reuse storage bags and buy items sold in eco-friendly packaging where possible.

Use a refillable water bottle it takes more than 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture all of the plastic bottles used each year. Despite recycling efforts more than two million tons of water bottles have ended up in U.S. landfills.

Get produce from a local farmer’s market Buy your fruits and veggies local. Food from the grocery store can travel an average of 1,500 miles to get to you. That’s a lot of pollution for a head of lettuce. 

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Always Something New at SENSES Block Party

Experience rock climbing, archery and as if it couldn’t get any better than that, s’mo res over the campfire will tie together and create one perfect night.

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

Have you ever imagined what life was like during the Renaissance era or the Wild Wild West? Or wish you could transport yourself to a tropical paradise or the untouched nature of the mountains? You can experience all of this and more in the heart of our very own Old Town Newhall at SENSES, one of Santa Clarita’s most popular recurring events of the year.

Featuring live music, food trucks, adult beverages and fun activities, SENSES Block Parties transform Main Street into a different setting on the third Thursday of each month, March through October, from 7–10 p.m. I am proud to share the exciting lineup we have planned for the rest of the year!

On April 20, go back in time to the Wild Wild West. If you’ve ever wanted to line dance in your cowboy boots and grab a cocktail at the Old Town Junction on-street saloon, you can do just that at SENSES.

Face your fears and saddle up on the mechanical bull or embrace the live country music that will get you in the spirit for the 2023 Cowboy Festival coming up that weekend.

Explore the great outdoors on May 18 as Main Street turns into one big Outdoor Adventure. This SENSES event will place you in the middle of a dense forest or at one of your favorite campgrounds.

Face off in some friendly competition with giant board games on June 15 for Game Night and before we know it, Tropical Summer will be upon us on July 20. Watch as lit-up palm trees illuminate Main Street, kick back under the neon sunset with your favorite island cocktail, or if you’re feeling adventurous, surf’s up on the mechanical surfboard.

The Renaissance Faire SENSES is one event you won’t want to miss if you’re a fan of Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. All Main Street will be missing is a castle to complete the look of medieval times on the evening of August 17.

Knights can be seen jousting for honor, test your aim with ax throwing and things start to really heat up with a fire breather walking the street.

Represent your favorite sports teams and test your football skills on September 21 when Old Town Newhall turns into Santa Clarita’s largest Tailgate party. Just in time for Halloween, the last SENSES Block Party event of 2023 will be a Monster Mash on October 19 and only the bravest will be able to navigate through the different monster zones on Main Street.

Travel through the cursed grave yard with your friends and family, where the dead have risen and lurk within the twists and turns of a shad owy maze.

SENSES is always a great time and I hope to see you there. You can learn more by visiting santa-clarita.com/ SENSES.

Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

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ENTERTAINMENT

‘Schmigadoon’ is Worthy of a Broadway Production

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Schmigadoon’ Season 2

 1/2 (out of four)

Two episodes available now on Apple TV+, with a new episode premiering each Wednesday through May 3.

They should stage “Schmigadoon!” on Broadway, for real.

Each of the first two seasons of this wildly inventive, thoroughly entertaining, beautifully cast and utterly infectious Apple TV+ series from Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio is a pitch-perfect salute/satire of some of the most famous musicals of the 20th century, and each could be distilled into a full-length Broadway production. The premise is that great, the songs are that memorable.

Season 1 of “Schmigadoon!” saw New York doctors Melissa (Cecily Strong) and Josh (Keegan-Michael Key) trapped in a Golden Age-

era musical with clear overtones of “Brigadoon,” “Carousel,” “Oklahoma!” and “The Music Man,” among others. Some two years later, Melissa and Josh are back home, frustrated

because they’ve been unable to conceive and in a bit of a funk when they decide to reinvigorate with a return to Schmigadoon.

Wed: 7:00 PM

A beloved and best-selling classic comes to the b g screen with Lionsgate’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It s Me, Margaret This timeless and utterly relatable stor y has transcended decades and spoken to generat on over generation of women r e n f I e l d E 12:55 3:10 5:25 7:40

Renfie d, the tor tured aide to histor y s most narc ssistic boss, Dracula After centur es of ser vitude, Renfie d is ready to see if there’s a life outs de the shadow of The Prince of Darkness If only he can figure out how to end his codependenc y

A I r E 1:20 4:10 7:20

AIR reveals the unbelievable game - changing par tnership between a then rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgl ng basketball division which revolutionized the world of spor ts and contemporar y culture w th the Air Jordan brand

T h e s u p e r M A r I o B r o s. M ov I e B 12:50

3:00 5:15 7:30

For the first t me, the icon c globa enter tainment brands I lum nat on and Nintendo join forces to create The Super Mario Bros Movie a new big-screen adventure starring one of pop culture s most prominent plumbers of the past four decades

d u n G e o n s & d r AG o n s: h o n o r A M o n G T h I e v e s C

1:00 4:05 7:10

A charming th ef and a band of unlikely adventurers under take an epic heist to retrieve a lost rel c, but things go dangerously awr y when they run afou of the wrong people

With the price on his head ever increas ng, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most power ful players in the under world, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin

Ah, but this time around, they find themselves in the town of “Schmicago” and the darker, more cynical and sometimes more politically charged era of 1960s and 1970s works such as “Cabaret,” “Hair,” “Sweeney Todd,” “A Chorus Line,” “Annie,” “Sweet Charity” and of course, “Chicago.” The result is an edgier, more risque, splashier and even more involving adventure for Melissa and Josh, who no longer question how they’re plunged into this parallel universe and throw themselves into the action feet-first — even though they’re now in a storytelling world where happy endings are few and far between.

Many of the enormously talented cast members from Season 1 return, but in different roles. (If Josh or Melissa refer to any of them by their character names from Schmigadoon, they’re truly puzzled. Who are you talking about?) This time around, Kristin Chenoweth plays a character who is a combo platter of elements from Mrs. Lovett from “Sweeney Todd” and Miss Hannigan from “Annie”; Dove Cameron does a spot-on take of Sally Bowles from “Cabaret”; and the brilliant Ariana DeBose will remind you of the Emcee from that same musical. The always terrific Jane Krakowski is an opportunistic defense attorney named Bobbie

Flanagan, in a tribute to Billy Flynn from “Chicago”; the great Alan Cumming is Dooley Flint, a close cousin to Sweeney Todd; and Aaron Tveit is marvelous as the commune leader Topher, who is most closely modeled after Berger from “Hair.” (New cast members Titus Burgess as the Narrator and Patrick Page as the truly chilling, basso profundo-voiced villain also shine.)

“Schmigadoon!” often reminds me of the works of Christopher Guest and the IFC series “Documentary Now!” in that it sends up the genre but does so with such a good ear and with such true affection that it’s almost like the real thing. We see dance routines that immediately conjure up visions of Twyla Tharp’s or Bob Fosse’s choreography, and soak in production numbers that expertly capture the essence of “Cabaret” or “Chicago.”

There are times when there’s so much talent and such lavish spectacle onscreen, our two leads are almost lost along the way — but Strong and Key are masters of the reaction shot and very generous co-stars, and when they get their moments, they absolutely sparkle. In the name of “Wicked,” “In the Heights,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Avenue Q,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Hamilton,” here’s hoping for a Season 3 of “Schmigadoon!”

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

Inspire Creativity with Fun Snack Hacks

School days offer nearly endless opportunities for learning and exploration in the classroom, but education doesn't have to end with the final bell. Parents can ensure their students feel energetic, creative and confident by inspiring snack choices that are as smart as they are fun to make together.

Whether you're whipping up a snack to send to school or your little learners need an energy boost before starting afternoon homework, creative snacking can help encourage inspiration. As a trusted ally with better-for-you and convenient whole-fruit lunchbox snacks kids can enjoy, SunMaid offers these easy tips and ways to embrace the fun side of snack time.

Keep It Simple Look for recipes with five ingredients or less so your children can show their artful nature without becoming overwhelmed. Plus, this often leads to a more budget-friendly at-home treat.

Shop Together Gathering ingredients and equipment is an important part of any recipe, and bringing your future chefs along helps them feel like it's their creation from start to finish. Additionally, some important life lessons can be learned along the way, like how to navigate the store and compare costs.

Provide Kid-Friendly Instructions There are many ways kids can lend a hand in making their

own snacks, like mixing ingredients, washing produce or arranging a plate or platter. However, some steps are best left to the adults - make sure to do any cutting, slicing or dicing before letting children take the reins, for example, then just enjoy the creative fun.

With childhood favorites like crackers, marshmallows and vanilla yogurt covered raisins, Gimme S'mores Trail Mix offers a perfect way to get young minds thinking in the kitchen. A little guidance is all it takes to teach them each step of the recipe to make a crafty, delicious treat. Plus, with only a few simple ingredients that just need to be mixed together, it's a low-stress, lowmess way to cook up creativity.

For a healthier version of a snack time superstar, Apple Nachos combine sweet apples like Honeycrisp, peanut butter and versatile, whole-fruit Sun-Maid Raisins. Naturally made with nothing but grapes and California sunshine, these sweet raisins have been trusted as a better-for-you snack for kids and grown-up kids alike since 1912.

With zero grams of added sugars, they give parents the confidence they need to choose snacks that provide both great taste and nutrition for a happy and healthy family. As a household staple, they can be enjoyed as part of tasty recipes or as a standalone treat kids crave

and parents approve.

Find more sweet ideas to inspire confidence and creativity at sunmaid.com.

Gimme S'mores Trail Mix

Prep time 5 minutes

Servings 6

1/2 cup Sun-Maid Vanilla Yogurt Covered Raisins

3 cups graham crackers, assorted flavors

1 1/2 cups colored mini marshmallows

2 cups slivered almonds

1 cup chocolate chips

In large bowl, mix raisins, graham crackers, marshmallows, almonds and chocolate chips. Serve immediately, or store in airtight container up to 1 week.

Apple Nachos

Prep time 10 minutes

Servings 4

5 sweet apples, such as Honeycrisp lemon juice (optional)

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 cup Sun-Maid California Sun-Dried Raisins

Wash and slice apples.

Arrange one layer of sliced apples on serving plate. To keep apples from browning quickly, squeeze lemon juice on top, if desired.

In microwave, melt peanut butter about 30 seconds until smooth.

Drizzle 1 tablespoon peanut butter over first layer of apples. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup raisins.

Repeat with remaining apples, peanut butter and raisins. (Family Features) 

Gimme S’mores Trail Mix

Apple Nachos

Decorative Tomatoes — How About An Edible Arch

spill them out of window boxes.

Tomatoes themselves can be decorative. There are plenty of sizes, shapes, colors and forms that allow you to paint your own pictures with the fruits you are growing.

Consider ‘Banana.’ ‘Golden Egg’ or ‘Hartman’s Yellow Gooseberry’ for brilliant yellow tomatoes in different shapes. Look for ‘Hawaiian Pineapple,’ ‘Dixie Golden Giant ’ and ‘Tangerine’ for oranges and ‘Dutchman,’ ‘Mortgage Lifter’ and ‘Soldacki’ for examples of pink tomatoes. Or try ‘Black Cherry,” Black Krim,’ or ‘Black Brandywine’ for deep purples.

Then, of course, there are lists upon lists of red tomatoes to choose from. Some of the heirloom tomatoes come with stripes, speckles, swirls or blends of multiple colors. Drape cascading tomatoes over walls, stake tall eight-footers as space-dividers and create rough hedges with medium-sized plants.

Tomatoes can mingle in the flower garden, too. Tall ones can form a backdrop for blooms and ornamental foliage in your favorite garden bed. Mixing vegetables in with flowers and shrubs can be made artistic, and will supply edibles for people who don’t have room or simply don’t want to have a separate vegetable garden.

The herb garden can be a comfy home for tomato plants, too. Basil is a favorite companion of the tomato — both in the kitchen and in the ground. The height and breadth of tomato plants can complement the smaller growing chives, thyme, oregano and marjoram plants, whereas the colorful flowers of rosemary, lavender, borage and so many others, will harmonize with the yellow tomato blossoms to cheer up an herb garden.

By Jane Gates

Signal Staff Writer

Just because tomatoes may be one of the most popular home-grown edible plants, just because straightfrom-the-garden tomatoes taste better than store bought (even organic) versions, just because tomatoes are much healthier without commercial chemicals, and are much more nutritious when freshly cropped — these are not the only reasons to grow tomatoes. You can grow tomatoes decoratively to add color and texture to your garden — vegetable garden or flower garden. Consider growing tomatoes decoratively anywhere in your landscape! Cover an unsightly shed or block an undesirable view with thickly leafed, tall tomato vines. You can turn a plain balcony or patio into a work of art with ornamental containers filled with these edible plants studded with their colorful fruits. (Yes, to-

matoes are indeed “fruits.”)

Clothe naked stairways with hanging pots, or fringe the edge of an overhang with cascading tomatoes. You can even grow tomatoes upside down as a space saver or conversation piece — something that was a popular introduction a number of years ago.

Because tomato plants can grow in so many habits — climbing, trailing or bushy — the ways to grow them decoratively are limited only by your imagination.

There are hundreds of ways to design with tomatoes in containers or directly in the soil. In addition to where you grow your tomatoes, you can make them more decorative by how you grow them.

Put them in ornate cages of twisted, metal wires or accent a tropical or Asian garden theme by building cages with bamboo sticks into geometric shapes.

Set tomato plants into painted ceramic pots, or march them along a long wall planter held in place by rocks or patterned bricks. Edge a balcony with gaily-colored troughs filled with tomato plants, or

Growing your own plants will reward you with tomatoes that will far surpass the generic mass-market tomatoes sold in stores with their flavor and high vitamin and mineral content. And, you may even become a culinary expert as you discover the wide variety of flavors that come with the different looks of your tomatoes.

Tomatoes are easy to grow in pots or in the garden itself. If you haven’t started your favorite varieties from seed during the winter, you can try starting them now. (The smaller fruited varieties are your best bet for planting from seed this late in the season.) Or, you’ll find an exciting selection in retail centers to get an early start in the garden. Consider seeding some of the hard-to-find varieties and buy a few young plants now to start cropping while the seedlings catch up later in the season.

So, have fun growing tomatoes this year. And, grow them decoratively in whatever space you choose. Tomatoes are great for designing, eating and sharing with friends and family.

For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/user/Janieg8s.

Help Yourself and Others Through Mentoring

The role of mentor is complex and sometimes vulnerable to misinterpretation. According to the employment resource Indeed, a mentor is an individual who acts as an adviser or coach for a less experienced person. Mentors often share their experiences and may even offer advice to their mentees.

Anyone can serve as a mentor, though individuals who accept that responsibility are typically older and/ or more knowledgeable than their mentees.

Mentors may be athletic coaches, teachers, business associates, or esteemed family members. Mentoring is something older adults can consider as they look to share their knowledge with others.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

Many successful individuals credit mentors with helping them achieve their goals. However, mentors also walk away from mentoring having gained something significant.

According to the caregiving company Seasons, mentoring can keep an aging mind sharp. Being a mentor may help at-risk seniors reduce their chances of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

According to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Gerontology, gains were shown for mentors in “executive function and in the activity of prefrontal cortical regions in older adults at elevated risk for cognitive impairment.”

Mentoring also may give seniors extra reasons to get up and go each

day. A scheduled task like mentoring fosters social interactions and changes of scenery.

Information published in Harvard Business Review indicates seniors who mentor young people may be three times happier than people who do not.

Qualities of Good Mentors

Seniors considering mentoring should go over what can make a good mentor-mentee relationship. The following are some characteristics of successful mentors.

Engage The mentor should show genuine interest in the mentee, asking about their goals and expectations. Conversation should come easily.

Participate actively It’s important to make the time for mentoring sessions according to what the mentee can manage with his or her schedule.

Lessons should be tailored to what the mentee hopes to gain from the relationship. Gauging success along the way and tweaking things as necessary can keep mentoring sessions on target.

Listen well Mentors recognize the importance of listening first and then responding to the questions and needs of the mentee.

Possess expertise A mentor needn’t have an advanced degree or special certification, but he or she should have more experience in a given field or subject than the mentee.

Mentoring is a consideration for seniors looking to remain active in their communities and share their knowledge with others. (MC) 

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Apps That Can Make Driving Safer and Easier

It’s hard to go anywhere without using or coming into contact with technology. For drivers, that includes their vehicles, which have come a long way since the Ford Motor Company’s Model T was first introduced more than a century ago.

Devices and driving are now undeniably intertwined. Preoccupation with technology when behind the wheel can pose a threat to motorists, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 3,100 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving in 2020. But technology also can be utilized to great and positive effect. Various apps can help make driving safer, potentially reducing the number of accidents and fatalities on the nation’s roadways.

OneTap

OneTap was designed to put an end to distracted driving. Once enabled, the OneTap app blocks incom-

ing alerts on drivers’ phones and automatically replies to let individuals calling or sending messages that drivers will get in touch when they reach their destination.

Drivers can manually activate the app each time they get in their vehi-

DriveMode

DriveMode was designed for drivers who want a hands-free messaging and calling option while behind the wheel. The app uses voice-enabled commands so drivers reply to messages or texts using only their voice, and it also can be integrated with navigation, music and voice assistant apps.

Drivers can choose to have the app launch automatically when they start driving.

OtoZen

cles, or set it up so it automatically activates when the car begins moving. The latter approach can be especially useful for drivers who may forget to activate it when getting in their cars.

OtoZen can appeal to any drivers looking to be more safe, but it can be especially useful for parents of young drivers. Users can track family and friends with the app’s GPS tracker that can share location information in real time. Incoming messages are delivered through users’ car speakers, and speed alerts notify drivers when they exceed safe speed limits.

OnMyWay

The OnMyWay app automatically disables apps when vehicles are moving faster than 10 miles per hour. That functionality eliminates phone-related distractions like incoming text messages. But the hands-free component of the OnMyWay app allows users to make phone calls, use navigation apps and even play music.

Modern vehicles are testaments to technological innovation. Drivers can use that to their advantage by utilizing various apps designed specifically to reduce distracted driving.

Making Your Home Safe for Baby

Your little one’s on-the-go adventures mark a huge milestone for his or her development and your family. Before you allow your baby to trek freely from room to room, get your home ready for a child on the move with these safety steps and precautions:

Prepare Before the Birth

First-time parents are likely to embark upon a new life filled with late nights, sleep deprivation and a world of stresses they’ve never experienced or considered. Prepare your home before the baby is born to avoid the panic of waiting until the last minute.

Tour Like Your Tot

The first step toward ensuring your home is ready for a mobile child is to see the world from the same level. Take a crawling tour around your home to see things that may be in the way or discover hazardous items that are within easy reach. Use all of your senses to assess any potential dangers.

Latch it Up

Protect your little one from sharp objects and heavy items by installing child protection latches on all cabinets and drawers. For an added layer of protection, keep any sharp objects and harmful chemicals in high places only adults can reach.

Evaluate Leaning Objects

Bookshelves, bedside tables and the items placed on them, such as television sets and other large appliances, can be a threat to the safety of a small child trying to pull him or herself up and balance on two feet. Ensure these items are properly secured or keep them put away unless in use to avoid them being pulled on top of your child.

Other safety measures

To properly prepare your home for a mobile child, don’t forget to take steps such as:

• Covering electrical outlets with safety plugs

• Placing safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases

• Installing fireplace screens

• Adding foam padding to sharp furniture corners and edges

• Placing a soft cover over the bathtub waterspout

• Removing blinds with looped cords or installing safety tassels and cord stops

• Stocking your first aid kit

• Putting non-slip pads under rugs

Find more tips to child-proof your home at eLivingtoday.com. (Family Features) 

COUNTRY, COWBOY, FOLK AND BLUEGRASS MUSIC COWBOY GRUB WESTERN GEAR ROPING DUTCH OVEN PEACH COBBLER LIVING HISTORY ARCHERY HATCHET THROWING

Go with the Gut: Six Tips for Promoting Pet Health

When four-legged friends are feeling under the weather, pet parents may feel helpless pinpointing exactly what’s wrong. Nurturing your pet’s gut health is one way to protect his or her immune system and to promote overall well-being.

Improve your pooch’s gut health with these tips.

Signs of a Potential Gut Problem

While many problems are readily apparent, gut health isn’t one of them. There may be some tell-tale signs like diarrhea or vomiting, but other symptoms like bloating or constipation may be harder to spot.

Other signs of gut trouble might include fatigue, frequent licking, restlessness, changes in coat quality and luster, and weight fluctuations. Be sure to talk with your vet promptly if you observe any concerning symptoms.

Pay Attention to Ingredients

Choose a dog food with ingredients that promote gut health. For example, Solid Gold’s Hund-NFlocken dog food is powered by NutrientBoost, a proprietary blend of ingredients packed with protein and nutrients that help canines thrive. It features crave-worthy taste and ingredients like amino

acids, probiotics and proteins that support digestion, immunity and nutrient absorption. Each bite is made with a blend of high-fiber ingredients such as carrot, pumpkin and pearled barley to support digestive health.

Allergens and Food Intolerance

Dogs can experience allergies just like people. Allergies that affect a dog’s skin are common, but you might also find your dog has trouble digesting certain foods, which can create inflammation and irritation in the gut. Allergy testing or an elimination diet (removing one potential allergen source at a time) can help pinpoint the problem.

Probiotics Promote Good Bacteria

Just like humans, dogs need a well-balanced microbiome. Probiotics build the microflora in your dog’s system, promoting the good bacteria that wages war on infections and harmful bacteria when needed. Probiotics can be especially helpful if your dog is prone to diarrhea or gas, or if he or she has recently received an antibiotic treatment that may have affected the natural gut flora.

You can find probiotics in the form of food or supplements like Solid Gold’s Mellow Belly Gut Health Supplement, which is made with a powerful combination of natural digestive enzymes and

probiotics to aid in proper digestion. The entire collection of food and supplements are made with superfoods and probiotics to help support your pet’s immunity and get the most out of every day to keep him or her thriving.

Don’t Forget the Prebiotics

Many people are at least somewhat familiar with the role probiotics play in gut health, but not everyone knows about prebiotics. Prebiotics, which are a form of dietary fiber, function as a fertilizer or food source for probiotics, allowing helpful bacteria to multiply. Look for prebiotic treats, capsules, drops, powder and even specially formulated foods.

Manage Stress with Play and Exercise

If you’ve ever experienced digestive issues as a result of stress, you know mental and physical health go hand in hand. The same is true for dogs, so managing your dog’s stress level is an important step in helping regulate his or her gut health. Exercise is beneficial for your pet’s health in a variety of ways, including suppressing cortisol, which is an inflammatory hormone that may weaken the immune system.

Find more tips and nutritional information to support your pet’s health at instagram.com/ solidgoldpets. (Family Features) 

Dark Circles, Fine Lines, Puffiness Around Your Eyes?

Life is busy for everyone in different ways. Whether your days are filled with studying, parenting, climbing the career ladder or simply living your best life, days can get long and it can catch up to you. One of the sure signs of exhaustion and stress is when you wake up to find those dreaded dark circles, puffiness and fine lines around your eyes.

Why does this happen? Some people are more predisposed to these changes than others. Pinch the skin gently around the eyes and lift it off the surface; if the skin stays brown it’s likely a pigmentation issue, if it looks better, it’s likely caused by dilated veins. People with richer skin tones are predisposed to hyperpigmentation under the eyes as a genetic trait, explains Dr. Wendy Lee, an oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon. Environmental factors, like poor sleep and sun exposure, can also contribute to dark circles.

“The skin around the eyes is unique because it is amongst the thinnest of all the skin on the body,” said Lee. “That’s why it’s important to prioritize a routine that helps keep your delicate eye area refreshed and revitalized.”

To help everyone look their best, NYC board certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner shares these tips for helping achieve bright, refreshed eyes: Eye cream Eye creams are formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes and should be used daily. How-

ever, with so many on the market, it can be difficult to know which live up to the hype and won’t cause irritation.

With more than 20,000 5-star reviews and clinically proven results, you can feel confident using RETINOL CORREXION® Line Smoothing Eye Cream from Roc Skincare. This specially formulated eye cream treats the top three eye concerns at once by visibly reducing dark circles and depuffing eyes in 4 weeks and reducing the appearance of fine lines by 50% in 12 weeks.

Using a good eye cream at least once a day is essential, but to maximize benefits it’s important to apply it the correct way.

• After cleansing, squeeze a pea-size amount of eye cream onto your middle or ring finger.

• Distribute cream by gently tapping small dots under your eyes, starting with the inner corner.

• Work product outward and upward by tapping, being cautious to never

tug skin or rub too hard.

• Wait for the product to absorb.

Chill out

By reducing stress and prioritizing 7-9 hours of sleep a night, you help your body rest and refresh. This has a big impact on how your eyes appear, not to mention how you feel overall. Plus, your skin makes new collagen when you sleep, so big bonus for looking your best — the more sleep, the more collagen! Health check

To help reduce or eliminate dark circles, fine lines and puffiness around eyes, take time to look at your health habits. Getting enough sleep is only the beginning to help you look your best. Do you wear sunscreen every day? Drink plenty of water? Avoid smoking and being around others who are smoking?

“Effectively treating puffiness and dark circles doesn’t have to be complicated,” said Zeichner. “A few simple steps and mindful changes can help you look your best so you can be your best.” (BPT) 

CROSSWORD TIME PUZZLES

SOLUTIONS

READER LETTERS

AI: Is it Ready for Surgery?

Undeniably, artificial intelligence will play a phenomenal role in moving society forward.

AI, as with many advances like the automobile and antibiotics, will impact how humans enhance natural abilities to live and prosper in our environment.

Within the medical profession, it will aid health care professionals in making disease diagnoses, and provide better treatment options in the future.

Can AI take the place of doctors? Some physicians fear the clock is ticking.

Could we one day have robots doing surgery on patients, or diagnose illness without visiting a doctor? Yep, as we already provide robotic procedures, and have Google on PCs at home. Are they 100% correct? Nope, but neither are doctors.

Yet robots, like pilots, need to have backup. What if it doesn’t recognize a nerve, and cutting through it results in paralysis? Yikes! Recent attempts to develop self-driving AI cars still lead to pedestrians and bike riders being run over.

Some of the questions I have always asked my patients are, where were you born; are you married; how many children do you have; did you serve in the military; and what kind of work do you do?

Nowadays, these questions are considered “irrelevant information” and are not a part of the repertoire included on the computerized medical chart.

Often, this information has allowed me to treat my patient physically and psychologically. Can a computer analyze this “irrelevant information” and figure out the role it might play in illness?

No doctor is perfect, and no computer is perfect. It won’t be until Star Trek VI in star date 2293 before we achieve artificial intelligence comparable to Dr. McCoy.

Have no fear, my physician friends, time is with us!

Dr. Gene Dorio Saugus

Editor's note: Perhaps doctors, indeed, do have time on their sides. Do editors? Just for fun, I used an AI tool to write the headline for this letter. Uh-oh.

Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv.com.

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

V Is for... Something Else Now

By David Hegg

During World War II, Winston Churchill became the living symbol of toughness. As Nazi aircraft rained down destruction on London, he boldly declared, “V is for Victory,” and his two-finger gesture became the most iconic symbol of the solidarity, perseverance, and the “never give up” attitude that united not only England, but also the entire Allied world. And in the end V was for Victory, over tyranny, over atrocity, and over those who would force the world to cower and concede.

Sadly, and really tragically, today V is more likely to stand for “Victim.” While not yet poster-ready, the slogan “V is for Victim” would perfectly symbolize the weakness of the American spirit that has become its own debilitating epidemic all across our nation.

Face it, the quickest route to notoriety, power and public support today is to figure out how to be a victim, especially if what is victimized is your self-esteem. If someone has the audacity to oppose your viewpoint with fact-based, incontrovertible arguments, or better yet, uses a triggering word or phrase that hurts your feelings, then you’re on your way! Even better, if you can be victimized in more than one area, you’ll soon be the toast of the town, and probably be given a seat on some government advisory board.

I can remember, back in the day, hearing my high school coaches shout, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Ha! Not now. Now, it is all too common that when the going gets tough, Americans shrivel, whine, cry and demand someone hurt that meanie real bad.

Look around. Read, listen to, and watch, the news. While it once was popular to be strong, resilient, determined and self-confident, now the headlines are filled with crybabies whose most powerful weapon is their insistence that “I don’t feel safe.” What? Are we a nation of third graders who think life is a playground? Face it, if we’re honest, we’re becoming an incredibly vulnerable people, and we have turned vulnerability into a virtue. Are we really so soft, so feeble, so hypersensitive that we crumble if someone disagrees with us, or worse, uses a pronoun wrongly, or dares to suggest that in so many areas today the woke Emperor has no clothes? Boy, I sure hope China doesn’t find out and start calling us names.

OK, OK, I’ll stop trying to be clever and get to the point. If you think your satisfaction and success in life depends on other people acting the way you want them to, you’re a fool. The only person you can control is yourself. Some people will disappoint you, hurt you, ignore you, lie to you, and attempt to tell you what

to think, what to say and how to live. Don’t let them. Stand up to bullies. Call out their lies. Point out their absurdities while offering to help them throw off the chains of their victimizing ideology. Don’t be mean. But don’t be soft.

Above all, pour your energy into being a person of worth. Let your character speak for you. Let your virtue, wisdom and self-control be a pathway into the hearts and minds of those around you.

We don’t need any more pseudo victims. Even now we’re watching the once-resolute national character of our country eroding as the focus of life has shifted from “being” who we ought to be as men and women, to “bullying” others to serve our needy selves.

And the glaring truth is that pseudo victims, perhaps unknowingly, surrender up who they are in exchange for the person others have made them to be. In so doing, they advertise their weakness, their inability to cope, and most of all, the fact that the greatest force in shaping their lives is what others do to them.

The truth is, pseudo victims by definition do not have power. To claim victimhood is to acknowledge that you are simply a marionette whose strings are held by someone else. And, it needs to be said, these pseudo victims do a grave disservice to those who truly are victims of crime, and other inhumane forces that are taking over too many of our cities.

What we need are hearty men and women with good hearts, truth-based ethical systems, logical minds, controlled tongues, and a passion to help their neighbors live peaceful, useful and meaningful lives. What we need are men and women of grit, who chart a righteous path and don’t look back, don’t give up, and will not be deterred from calling evil, evil.

As the citizens of London watched the German bombers blacken the skies above, it became obvious that what may have divided them politically was put aside in order to unite them in the common cause of survival. Grave circumstances will do that. As I look around, I see the grave circumstances needle tipping the wrong way. It’s time to show up, stand up, speak up and reach out to those who think playing the victim card is a powerful strategy. Let’s show them it is so much better if, when the going gets tough, the tough unite, speak the truth, love one another, and once again make V stand for Victory.

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

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