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Rise & Shine

Favorite Places for Breakfast in the SCV

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

When you think of going out for breakfast, what do you imagine? Is it fresh fruit and avocado slices? Maybe. Or maybe you picture bacon, sausage and ham flanking a stack of blueberry pancakes, dripping in syrup — and, on a separate plate, a Denver omelet with extra cheese. Hardening arteries aside, your favorite breakfast is a very personal thing, and so is the restaurant where you get it. You might always order the same thing, or you might like to bounce around a varied menu. But, for sure, you want good cooking and friendly service. Here, with a leaning toward more “traditional” breakfasts, are a few of the best breakfast establishments in the SCV.

Egg Plantation

With an extensive menu, including a multitude of omelets, and a locked-in reputation for great food and friendly atmosphere, the Egg Plantation will be high on anyone’s breakfast list.

Owner Shannon Mee said, “Egg Plantation is like walking into grandma’s house. I have always thought of the staff and guests as family. We pride ourselves on making the food from scratch with the freshest ingredients. Every egg is cracked by hand and all the soups and sauces are made in house. I believe the care and love put into the food comes through and the community can taste the difference.

“The love for our community can be seen by the effort we put into nourishing their bodies with whole foods, and by our community donations. Each year we spend upwards of $30,000 in supporting various schools and nonprofits.”

Egg Plantation is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 24415 Walnut Street, Newhall 91321; (661) 2558222, www.eggplantation.com.

Eggs ‘n’ Things

Part of a small Southern California chain that wins more loyal fans daily, the Valencia Eggs ‘n’ Things offers your eggs any way you want them, accompanied by a wide selection of “things” to go with, such as chicken fried steak, chorizo, diced ham, and multi-grain pancakes. With the purchase of a breakfast meal, you can even get free Swedish pancakes.

Eggs ‘n’ Things is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 27560 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia 91355; (661) 702-8664, www.eggsnthings.net/.

Saugus Café

(The Original) Saugus Café (and Lounge) not only offers delicious breakfasts (and lunch and dinner) and a classic “diner” atmosphere, that atmosphere has been honed for 137 years. The Saugus Café has been recognized as the oldest continuously-operating café in Los Angeles County. And sure, go in for the history, but you’ll come back for the food.

Owner Alfredo Mercado said, “I have been cooking for over 30 years, and the best compliment is a returning customer. I love seeing new customers, that eventually become our regulars.”

The Saugus Café is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 25861 Railroad Avenue, Santa Clarita 91350; (661) 259-7886.

Way Station Coffee Shop

Far more than a “coffee shop,” the Way Station is near the top of most longtime SCV residents’ breakfast-purveyor lists. Serving hearty classics and imaginative variations of them for decades, Way Station is the kind of place where you make friends and keep coming back.

Owner Eric Leeser said, “Since 1971, the Way Station has been that ‘little cowboy café’ on the corner of 9th and Main in Newhall that keeps on doing it the way generations of local folks have come to expect: big, country-style breakfast plates and lunch-counter favorites prepared by Victor Gonzalez and Avel Miranda — two of the finest and hardest-working short-order cooks to ever pick up a spatula — and served up to our loyal customers from sunrise to early afternoon by a quick-butfriendly staff of servers and support crew that have been here, on average, for decades.

“This consistency, and the fact that nearly everything here remains unchanged for over half a century, is what makes us both a regular destination for breakfast lovers and a nostalgic touchstone for former SCV citizens that make the Way Station their first stop when back in town and find everything ‘just the way it was.’ We’re incredibly proud to be now serving many of the great-grandchildren of our earliest customers!”

The Way Station Coffee Shop is closed on Tuesdays. Otherwise, hours are 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily. Located at 24377 Main Street, Newhall 91321; (661) 255-0222. 

PHOTO BY CHRIS TORRES / THE SIGNAL

PHOTO BY CHRIS TORRES / THE SIGNAL

COURTESY PHOTO EGG PLANTATION

Let Us Entertain You!

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

The loss of the Canyon Club at Valencia Town Center struck a blow to entertainment options available to Santa Clarita Valley residents. However, the SCV is still a very entertaining place, if you know where to look.

MONTHLY FUN

SENSES Block Party

Main Street and Market Street, Old Town Newhall 91321.

Info oldtownnewhall.com/senses-block-party

Third Thursday of the month now through October, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Free. Live music, food trucks, themed activities and adult beverages.

Monthly themes:

April 20 Wild, Wild West

May 18 Outdoor Adventure

June 15 Game Night

July 20 Tropical Summer

Aug. 17 Renaissance Fair

Sept. 21 Tailgate

Oct. 19 Monster Mash

Celebrate!

Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Hwy, Canyon Country 91351

Info https://bit.ly/41EpA0K

Monthly through September. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Celebrate! is a free family-friendly event that aims to ignite curiosity and promote a greater understanding of Santa Clarita’s cultural diversity.

Monthly themes:

May 12 West Africa

June 9 Peru

July 14 Spain

Aug. 11 The Tataviam

Sept. 8 China

Punchlines at The MAIN

24266 Main St., Newhall 91321

Info https://bit.ly/3UOSCIG

Every other month; May 6 8 p.m.

This ever-changing show features local and nationally touring comics. It will be a gut-busting night of laughter. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors.

Sierra Hillbillies Social Square Dance Club

Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway, Valencia 91355.

Info www.sierrahillbillies.org

The Sierra Hillbillies dance on the first Sunday of

every month, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The social square dance club invites all who want to make new friends and to learn this fun way to exercise.

Beginning Class

Info Contact Alan at hillbillies.pres@gmail.com, (661) 262-9525

The beginning Square Dance class is held at Valencia Meadows Park, 25671 Fedala Road, Santa Clarita 91355. Class meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

WEEKLY FUN

Salt Creek Grille

24415 Town Center Drive #115, Valencia 91355 Info saltcreekgrille.com/valencia

Live music Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 11p.m.

Pocock Brewing Company

24907 Avenue Tibbitts, Suite B, Valencia 91355 Info www.pocockbrewing.com

Weekly live music on Saturdays, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Weekly Trivia with Budds, Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Monthly live free Punchlines Comedy Show first Tuesday of the month 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Lucky Luke Brewing Co.

25108 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia 91355 Info www.luckylukebrewing.com

Mondays at 7 p.m. King Trivia, No entry fee, fun prizes. Friday Night Bites with food truck and DJ. Occasional live music, see event calendar for details.

The Local Pub & Grill

The Old Road, Valencia, CA 91381 Info www.thelocalpubgrill.com

Tuesdays Taco Trivia at 7 p.m.

Route 66 Classic Grill

18730 Soledad Canyon Rd, Canyon Country 91350 Info www.route66classicgrill.com

Bike Nights at Route 66 Classic Grill are back every Wednesday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., now through October. Live music, raffle prizes, BBQ.

Smokehouse on Main

24255 Main St., Old Town Newhall, 91321 Info smokehouseonmain.com

Karaoke nights on Wednesdays, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sign up, eat, sing, drink and enjoy the entertainment. Pro Jam Sundays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your axe, bring your mic. Occasional live music, check events calendar. May 22 Blue Ramblers 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. soulful blues.

J.R.’S Comedy Club (Located Inside

Mimi’s Cafe)

24201 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia 91355

Info www.comedyinvalencia.com

Saturdays at 7 p.m. Standup comedy.

Concerts in the Park

Central Park

27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita 91350

Info https://bit.ly/40oyXAv

Every summer the city of Santa Clarita offers Concerts in the Park on Saturdays at 7 p.m. The free concerts will start on July 8 and run until Aug. 26. Lineup to be announced soon.

MAJOR VENUES

Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons

26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia 91355

Info pac.canyons.edu

The PAC plays host to a variety of entertainment throughout the year on its Main Stage and Black Box Theatre including a variety of concerts, plays and entertainment. Upcoming entertainment options include:

Free Electronica Musique & Multimedia Concert Black Box Theater. Thursday, May 18, 7 p.m.

Commercial Music Concert Main Stage, Friday, May 19, 7 p.m.

Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience Main Stage, Sunday, May 21, 3 and 7 p.m.

Free Music Department Studio Jazz Concert Main Stage, Tuesday, May 30, 7 p.m.

Lisa Loeb Main Stage, Saturday, June 3, 8 p.m.

California Institute of the Arts

24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia 91355

Info calarts.edu/news-and-events/events-calendar

As one of the premiere arts schools in the United States CalArts presents a variety of entertainment in music, dance and theater.

The MAIN

24266 Main St., Newhall, 91321

Info atthemain.org

The MAIN offers a variety of entertainment including music, comedy, theater and more.

Canyon Theatre Guild

24242 Main St., Newhall 91321

Info www.canyontheatre.org

The CTG in Old Town Newhall offers community theater performances throughout the year. Currently on stage through April 30 is “Disney’s Newsies, The Musical.” 

Latest Travel Trend: Adults Only Getaways

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

The latest trend in travel is the “adults only” getaway. Finding a tranquil, relaxing place to vacation for adults only can be challenging. However, it is an increasingly popular vacation option.

Surprisingly, there are now more places catering to this segment of the travel market.

Older adults and childless couples are driving the market to offer more adults-only resorts and hotels for those seeking to avoid noisy restaurants or hordes of children shrieking in the pool.

At one time it was difficult to find such properties that weren’t a destination all-inclusive resort, a hotel that catered exclusively to nudists or a bed and breakfast.

Mainstream hotels like the Hyatt, are now exploring the adults only market. Lifestyle experts say more niche “adults only” properties are on the horizon.

The Boon Hotel

14711 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville

95446

Info boonhotels.com

Set in an old-growth redwood forest near the Russian River in Guerneville, in Northern California, the 14-room boutique Boon Hotel is a Zen-like sanctuary that invites adults to relax poolside or at its spa.

Rooms have classic turntables and vinyl and guests have access to bikes and enjoy in-room breakfast daily.

Best of all, this gem of a property is ideally located in the heart of Sonoma wine country.

The Boon offers affordable luxury with the highest quality of service and amenities.

Mix yourself a refreshing drink at the honor bar, lounge by the solar-heated saline pool, play a lawn game in the sunshine while sipping on a glass of local wine, unwind with a massage at the on-site spa, take a ride to town or Armstrong Woods on one of The Boon’s famous orange cruisers, or simply stay cuddled up in your organic bed linens.

From May to October the hotel offers “glamping” tents and if glamping tents weren’t enough, you can also book the vintage “lovebug” camper, called the “boonito,” year-round. Campers enjoy all the same luxuries as indoor hotel guests.

Post Ranch Inn

47900 CA-1, Big Sur 93920

Info www.postranchinn.com

First opened in 1992 on a former homestead and cattle ranch, the resort is comprised of 40 accommodations, including ocean-view suites, treehouses on stilts and the freestanding Cliff House, which features a deck that appears to be suspended over the striking 1,200-foot-high ocean bluff.

All accommodations have details like reclaimed

redwood, glass walls, fireplaces and stainless-steel soaking tubs.

Adding to the Zen ambience are the absence of televisions or alarm clocks, and the relaxed calm that comes with an 18-and-up age policy.

The splurge-worthy room rate includes a variety of perks, from a breakfast buffet to daily yoga classes, guided hikes and stargazing outings. While hiking the resort’s trails you can view the endangered Smith’s blue butterfly, the California red-legged frog and California condors.

The hotel is also known for its award-winning restaurant, Sierra Mar, which offers local delights like Morro Bay oysters and Monterey Red Abalone.

The onsite spa offers the Big Sur Jade Stone Therapy treatment that utilizes warmed pieces of local jade collected from nearby beaches, as well as basalt river rocks and cooled marble. Other unique spa treatments include a couples’ astrology workshop or a chance to learn the art of reflexology.

With individual houses ranging from pacific villas to a unique tree house, every room is a secluded sanctuary. Don’t miss the view from the infinity-edge meditation pool.

L’Auberge Carmel

Monte Verde Street at Seventh, Carmel-by-theSea 93921

Info laubergecarmel.com

If you are seeking a romantic getaway, try a visit to Carmel-by-the Sea with a special romance package from L’Auberge. The Relais & Chateâux property in the heart of downtown includes a two-night stay, welcome amenity, signature breakfast for two and a wine-paired dinner at the acclaimed Aubergine Restaurant.

The location of the hotel makes it easy to walk to the art galleries, boutiques and restaurants the tiny town is known for.

At the Aubergine Executive Chef-Director Justin Cogley, a Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef and pas-

try chef Yulanda Santos prepare skillful, ingredient-driven cuisine that celebrates the bounty of the region. In 2019, Aubergine earned a coveted star in the 2019 Michelin Guide.

The Aster

1717 Vine St., Los Angeles 90028

Info www.theasterla.com

Live like an A-lister with a stay at the Aster Hotel in Hollywood. As part of the Aster Social Club, hotel guests have access to all club amenities, including a cinema, sound studio, wellness suite, lounges and pools. Don’t miss dining at the Lemon Grove, the club’s rooftop restaurant and bar focused on California cuisine. This hotel/social club is a bucket list experience, expect to pay the A-lister price tag.

The Hyatt Alila Napa Valley

1915 Main St., St Helena 94574

Info https://bit.ly/3mTepTi

A sanctuary for adults set amid Beringer Vineyards and surrounded by historic wineries, Alila Napa Valley is the perfect retreat with the rustic charm of the Napa lifestyle. This hidden enclave is only minutes from downtown St. Helena.

The farm-to-table onsite restaurant Acacia House, set in Alila Napa Valley’s restored Georgian farmhouse, features a seasonally driven menu of American cuisine, showcasing Napa’s finest local, organic and sustainable ingredients. The restaurant includes an extensive wine list crafted by a master sommelier, along with signature cocktails.

Spa Alila is the perfect respite offering a sense of deep rest and renewal.

The offers an endless array of experiences, from tranquil vineyard strolls to private wine tastings and fireside nightcaps.

Napa’s landscape surrounds the estate on three sides providing a magical backdrop from guestroom balconies and floor to ceiling windows. Most guestrooms feature firepits and outdoor seating. 

Spend your day surrounded by the ocean in one of the magical Pacific Suites at The Post Inn in Big Sur. A curved interior offers striking ocean views from the bedroom, living room, shower and soaking tub. PHOTO COURTESY PACIFIC SUITES

A Glimpse at How Education Will Look in 2050

By Rachel R. Hill Study crumb

Widely Spread Homeschooling Approach

Due to the need to give education a more individual approach, priority will be given to homeschooling. Students will be able to study and learn what they want, when they want, and for as long as they want. It will also give more physical, emotional and religious freedom as well as an opportunity to spend more time with family.

• Significantly less money is spent on homeschooling than on an average public school.

• A school environment is more favorable at home. Peer pressure, competition, boredom, and bullies are no longer part of an education process.

Statistics:

• There are approximately 2.3 million home-educated students in the United States. This is about 2 million children (about the population of Nebraska) homeschooled.

• Parents of homeschooled children save $27 billion (about $83 per person in the US) that would be spent on taxes annually if their children attended public school.

• Statistics say that home educated graduates read more, understand politics better and are more involved in their community.

If you are learning online and need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask our essay services for help.

Personalized Learning

Students will cover the material with study tools adapted to the capabilities of a student. As a result, students will be challenged with harder tasks and questions when a certain level is achieved. Those who experience difficulties with a subject will get the chance to practice more until they reach the required level.

• Individual, self-paced curriculum enabling comfortable and effective learning.

• Learning environment that adheres to student’s needs.

• Technologies that enrich learning potential and boost creativity.

• Frequent skills check that help to be in a constant study progress.

Statistics:

• 93% of education professionals agree that personalized pacing helps students’ close achievement gaps and accelerate learning.

• 94% of education professionals say that students improved their academic performance after technologies became incorporated into the classroom.

More E-learning Platforms

With the help of technology, the way knowledge is passed on will undergo significant shift towards online platforms. Learning will incorporate virtual reality and multiple perspectives. New platforms will give students an opportunity to learn how to negotiate issues and exchange ideas online. It is the

right way to online education.

• More E-learning platforms are affordable for people with limited budget.

• Distant learning enables us to mix study, work and family duties, and maintain the balance between them.

• Physical presence is not required, so learning becomes affordable in any corner of the world.

Statistics:

• In 2016, The Babson Survey Research Group reported that 28 percent of all U.S. college students attended at least one class over the internet.

• 39% of all adults say the format’s educational value is equal to the traditional course taken in a classroom.

• 71% of students think that virtual learning provides more flexibility and freedom to take classes. If you would like to get more information on what remote learning is, check out our blog.

No Physical Campuses

There will probably be no campuses as we know them today. Learning won’t be limited to a physical school. Traveling to classrooms and the real-world environment will be a new campus. However, city libraries and city laboratories will remain to help students complete their projects.

• Students are no longer dependent upon a certain place and are able to study wherever they are.

See EDUCATION, page 15

Celebrate Día de los Niños at the CC Community Center

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

Each year, the City celebrates the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds through our Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros celebration, better known as Día, coming up on May 13. Translated into Children’s Day/ Book Day, this event celebrates children and helps to connect them and their families to a world of learning through books, stories and of course, our Santa Clarita Public Library.

Día encompasses recognition and respect for culture, heritage and language as a powerful tool to strengthen families and communities.

This year, the Santa Clarita Public Library is honored to have the award-winning author and illustrator, Mirelle Ortega as the keynote speaker. Ortega is the recipient of the Pura Belpré Honor Award, which recognizes a Latino/Latina writer or illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms or celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

She won the award this year for her illustrations on her debut picture book, Magic: Once Upon a Far Away Land. Guests will get to hear from the award-winning illustrator as she speaks about her work from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Also at the event, there will be a wide variety of activities for families to take part in, including live performances from the local Innovation Show Choir and the talented Ballet Folklorico Luna Tapatia. There will also be local young authors and community groups in attendance to share resources and information with families.

Gearing up for the 2023 Summer Reading Program, children and teens at Día will have the opportunity to design a brand-new bookmark for the program. Once submitted, librarians will choose one special design that will become the featured artwork on the official Summer Reading Program bookmark, which will be given out to all participants throughout the summer.

To submit your design, you must attend the Día event.

Get ready to take home some crafts, because there will be something for everyone. From rock painting and paper flowers to toucan crafts and a bubble station, the Día event will be fun for all.

It will also be the perfect time to create a heartfelt, handmade gift for your mom, sister, grandmother or guardian, as Mother’s Day will be the following day. While you’re at Día, be sure to grab a selfie with friends and family at the “LEER” sign and tag the Santa Clarita Public Library (@scv publiclibrary) in your post to be featured on the page!

Attendees will go home with something new to read — in the form of free books and other Library giveaways. I hope all of our residents can take the time to come out for Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros at the Canyon Country Community Center (18410 Sierra Highway) on May 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you would like to learn more about Día or to see a schedule of events, please visit SantaClarita Library.com/Events. You won’t want to miss out on this wonderful family event!

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

ENTERTAINMENT

Metcalf and Romano are ‘Magnificent Together’

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Somewhere In Queens’

(out of four)

Roadside Attractions presents a film directed by Ray Romano and written by Romano and Mark Stegemann. Rated R. In theaters.

We know exactly where we’re going with Ray Romano’s delightful and sharply funny “Somewhere in Queens” from the opening segment, which is set in a utilitarian banquet hall with the grand name of Versailles Palace, the go-to place in the neighborhood for christening celebrations, confirmations, bar mitzvahs, retirement parties, birthdays, you name it. This time around, it’s a wedding reception, and as Louis Prima’s “Buona Sera” plays on the soundtrack, the videographer records the guests sending their best wishes.

“I love youse both,” says one gal,

and yes, she says “youse.”

Another woman says, “Louise, I know you think I hate you, I don’t, I love you, and I was right about that dress.”

A bridesmaid grabs the mic and says, “Sebastian, you better be good

to her, because she’s my ride or die, I swear, treat her right, cuz if not I’m going to beat the f--- out of you.”

Boom. Too great.

Director, star and co-writer Romano stays squarely in his comfort zone with “Somewhere in Queens,” in which he plays the likable schlub Leo Russo, who has been married to his high school sweetheart, the brassy but fiercely loyal Angela (Laurie Metcalf) for more than 20 years, dotes on his painfully shy basketball star son, Sticks (Jacob Ward), and works for the family construction company, which is owned by his old-school, tough-guy father (Tony Lo Bianco).

That Leo’s alpha-male younger brother, Frank (Sebastian Maniscalco), is the foreman while Leo is just on the crew, along with his childhood best friend, Petey (Jon Manfrellotti), tells you what the family thinks of Leo. He’s OK, he’s all right, even if he drives everybody nuts with his constant quoting of “Rocky” and his endless boasting about Sticks’ prowess on the court. He’s just not the guy you put in charge of things. He’s the guy you hope doesn’t screw things up.

and has strong opinions, earning her the grudging respect of the men at the table, though Sticks’ mom instantly dislikes her. (Angela’s reasons for clinging to her son go far beyond the usual overprotective Italian mother cliche. Having survived a bout with breast cancer, she’s fearful of the world, of change, of not having her boy close by.)

parano d man embarks on an ep c odyssey to get home to his mother n this bold and ingeniously depraved new film from writer/direc tor Ari Aster

C H E VA L I E R C 1:10 4:10 7:20

Inspired by the incredible true stor y of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne rises to improbable heights in French soc ety as a celebrated viol nist- composer and fencer

E V E RYT H I N G W E N T F I N E Thu: 7:00 PM

When André (André Dussol ier) contac ts his adult daughter, Emmanuèle, (Sophie Marceau) w th a devastating final wish, she is forced to reconc le her past with him, in François Ozon s power ful family drama

M A F I A M A M M A E 4:35 PM

MAFIA MAMMA follows an American woman who inherits her grandfather s mafia empire in Italy Guided by the firm’s trusted consigliere, she hilariously defies ever yone’s expec tat ons, includ ng her own, as the new head of the fam ly business

T H E P O P E’S E XO R C I S T E Sun to Wed: 1:20 4:00 7:10; Thu: 1:20 4:00

Based on Father Gabriele Amor th, the legendar y Italian priest who per formed over 100,000 exorcisms for the Vatican

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

and Nintendo join forces to create The Super Mario Bros

And yes, Ray Romano can play this type of character in his sleep, and Laurie Metcalf certainly knows her way around a sitcom-type kitchen, and they’re magnificent together. (Sidebar: We never see any of those people from the opening segment again. The Russos were just guests at the wedding. Leo screwed up his toast to the point where he asked the videographer to edit it out.)

Many a scene in “Somewhere ...” is set at various functions at the Versailles, and at the Russo family home, where the extended clan gathers every Sunday early in the afternoon, and you get the feeling nobody leaves the table until the sun is close to setting, what with all the back-and-forth banter and Mama Russo (June Gable) exhorting everyone to “Mangia tutti! Mangia!”

When Sticks (so nicknamed because of his height) brings his new girlfriend, Danielle (a wonderful Sadie Stanley), to one such dinner, you might think Danielle would be overwhelmed and intimidated — but not this free-thinking, independentminded spitfire. She speaks her mind

Sticks is convinced he’s found the love of his life in Danielle, just as his father found his mother when they were teenagers, but Danielle says they’re just beginning their lives and they need to explore the world, separately. She breaks things off. Sticks falls into a deep depression, barely leaving his room. And this is when “Somewhere in Queens” takes a leap that will make you feel a little queasy and isn’t entirely convincing, with Leo pleading with Danielle to get back together with Sticks, just for a couple of weeks, just to help Sticks get his confidence back for a tryout with Drexel. It’s a well-intentioned but terribly ill-conceived and off-putting move by Leo, and it endangers our affection for this guy, and we know it’s going to backfire in spectacularly damaging fashion.

Thankfully, the writing by Romano and his former “Men of a Certain Age” colleague Mark Stegemann saves the day. Beyond the often-hilarious dialogue and some slapstick humor, when “Somewhere in Queens” gets into serious territory, including Leo possibly having a fling with an attractive widow (Jennifer Esposito), the material is handled deftly and with intelligence and care.

Perhaps the most touching moment in the entire story occurs when Leo’s father finally finds it in himself to pay Leo a compliment, but does so without looking up from his desk, without looking at his son. Leo knows that’s the best his father can do, and he accepts that. Leo often goes too far in the other direction when it comes to his own parenting approach, and he comes dangerously close to ruining things with Sticks, but he’s a genuinely decent man at heart, and despite all the ribbing and criticism Leo takes every day of his life, his family knows and appreciates that.

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

CELEBRATE NATIONAL PICNIC DAY

When you’re dining alfresco with friends, simple lunch sandwiches and pasta salads are where it’s at — especially since they keep kitchen duty to a minimum. Most of these perfect picnic recipes can be prepared the day before or morning of with minimal work, leaving you with more time to relax outside in the sunshine. Plus they perfect for National Picnic Day on Sunday, April 23.

The name of the game is convenience and portability. You’re going to want dishes that you can carry with you and share easily. The OG portable option? Sandwiches, of course. But don’t just go for a PB&J. Try our sheet-pan Italian subs and save yourself from having to assemble each one individually. Want something a little more adventurous? Try our strawberry balsamic pasta salad.

Don’t forget sweets! Try these strawberry shortcake rice krispie treats. For more recipes, visit Delish.com. 

Sheet-Pan Italian Subs

Yields 14 serving(s)

Prep Time 15 mins

Total Time 55

mins

Ingredients

4 tbsp. melted butter, divided

2 loaves sliced bread, white or sourdough

1 lb. deli-style sliced ham

1/2 lb. salami

1/2 lb. sliced mozzarella

1/2 lb. sliced provolone

2 c. baby spinach

1 (8-oz.) jar pepperoncini, drained and sliced

Parmesan and chopped parsley, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Brush half the butter inside a half sheet pan, then lay out bread in a single layer, overlapping slices to look like shingles. (Make sure the entire sheet pan is covered!) Press down on bread to flatten slightly.

Top bread with mozzarella, then layer ham, spinach, salami, pepperoncini, and provolone on top. Shingle another layer of bread on top, then brush with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Put a second sheet pan on top of bread and weigh it down with a heavy skillet.

Transfer to oven and bake until the sandwich is pressed and starting to turn golden, about 10 minutes. Remove sheet pan and bake until top bread is golden, about 20 minutes more.

Garnish with parsley and Parmesan, and cut into squares, if desired.

Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad

Yields 8 serving(s)

Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Strawberry Shortcake Rice Krispies Treats

We took our classic Rice Krispies Treats and made them summer-ready. The white chocolate melts into the Rice Krispies and the strawberries give them a burst of freshness. Perfect for all your summer needs!

Yields 15 serving(s)

Prep Time 5 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Ingredients

1 lb. farfalle

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

1/2 c. Feta, crumbled

2 c. strawberries, quartered

1/2 c. baby spinach

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/4 c. almond slivers, toasted, for garnish

Directions

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook farfalle according to package directions until al dente. Drain, then transfer to a large serving bowl. Make balsamic glaze: In a small saucepan, bring balsamic vinegar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.

To bowl, add feta, strawberries and spinach. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss to combine.

Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with almonds. 

Ingredients

1/2 c. (1 stick butter), plus more for pan

1 (12-oz.) bag marshmallows

8 c. Rice Krispies

2 1/2 c. white chocolate chips, divided

2 1/2 c. freeze-dried strawberries, divided

Directions

Grease a 9”-x-13” baking pan with butter. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispies.

Fold in 2 cups white chocolate chips and 2 cups strawberries. Pour into pan and smooth top, being careful not to pack Rice Krispies into the pan too much.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt remaining ½ cup white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals until smooth. Drizzle over Rice Krispies, then top with remaining ½ cup of strawberries.

Let sit until cool and chocolate has hardened, 30 minutes.

The Miniclover is Drought-Tolerant , Low Maintenance

That lush, green lawn most strive for is struggling to survive as our climate experiences “weather whiplash,” meaning abrupt swings in weather conditions from one extreme to another. Last season, drought conditions were so dire in California billboards shouted, “Brown is the New Green.” This season, despite early, extreme flooding in California, evidence suggests the length and depth of droughts will increase in upcoming years, becoming more frequent and severe.

Outdoor water usage is still astronomical, synthetic chemical use is ever-present and fuel-guzzling lawn blowers and mowers sing all summer. Traditional lawn maintenance is expensive, unnatural, untenable and increases greenhouse gasses, wastes water, pollutes ecosystems and reduces biodiversity.

Cash rebates, up to $5,000, are being offered to some for the removal of grass lawns. To get the rebate, other water-efficient options must be put in place. It’s time to take a page from the past; sowing clover seed can create a great-looking, water-efficient, sustainable lawn. Decades ago, clover was standard in lawn seed mixes. Then agricultural chemical companies created herbicides to rid lawns

of broadleaf plants, killing everything but grass, clovers included, branding them weeds.

“Today, clover is making a comeback,” said Troy Hake, president and owner of Outsidepride.com, offering drought-tolerant grasses, clovers, wildflower seeds and more. “Tik Tok’s #cloverlawn has over 65 million views, evidencing it’s time for sustainable options, like adding ‘miniclover’ or replacing lawns with it.

Miniclover (trifolium repens), is one-third to half the size of white Dutch clover, only grows 4-6 inches and produces a thick, carpet-like look that blends well with turf. It is less expensive than grass seed and is a natural solution for self-sustaining, low-maintenance lawns that look beautiful. It’s

healthier for people, pets, soil and waterways. You can’t go wrong with it.”

Benefits

Nitrogen fixer Miniclover takes nitrogen from the air and “fixes” it in soil, eliminating the need to apply nitrogen, keeping lawns green and growing while adding natural nitrogen to surrounding soil.

Drought tolerant Miniclover is drought-tolerant and can stay green all summer with minimal watering.

Deters bugs Grubs that feed on grass roots will not eat miniclover, and adult beetles and bugs are deterred from laying eggs in it.

Crowds out weeds Miniclover is evenly dispersed via stolons (stems grow horizontally along the ground), crowding out weeds, preventing new weeds and controlling erosion.

Low-to-no maintenance. You can mow miniclover - the more it’s cut, the smaller the leaf size - or let it grow. Miniclover only blooms once in summer, providing bees with nectar, or mowing will prevent blooming.

So ... what’s not to like?

For other drought-tolerant options, visit Outsidepride.com. (Family Features) 

SENIOR LIVING

Transforming Potential of Spring

BY Mary Petersen Signal Staff Writer

Long awaited spring is here. After a wet, cold winter we welcome sunshine. Vibrant swatches of color adorn our hillsides as tender sprouts push up through dark, rich soil. The plants in our gardens are flourishing, blissfully unaware of the blistering sun they

Figuratively, we can endure the dark winter, shed winter’s layers of misfortune, illness or loss, and open ourselves to the renewal of spring. But the transition is not without pain.

Rebirth like birth requires perseverance and stamina. As mothers in labor will tell you, birth is not easy. The body stretches and aches, laboring to bring forth new life. Just as tenacious seedlings push through cracked pavement, eagerly searching for sunlight and moisture, bringing forth transformation in ourselves requires steadfastness.

It takes energy to move from dor

It was a bitter, cold Midwest winter that only heightened the darkness and loneliness she felt all season long. Now spring is a time of transition for her, a process of laboring to bring forth new life without them, and the path forward does not seem clear. Rather than anticipating a new beginning, she is struggling to find the sun.

As certain as it is that seasons change in nature, we inevitably flow through psychological and physical states of transformation throughout our lives. Our emotional states move from joy and contentment through sadness or fear and back again in an ongoing cycle.

midwife whose guid new life, we can accompany others through their journey. By providing comfort and encouragement, we can assist others to find the balance and stability to enter new life.

The figurative transition from winter to spring is fraught with apprehension and uncertainly. There is hesitancy in emerging from the winter’s thaw, and it takes courage. But spring is the season to plant seeds and shed winter’s layers that no longer serve our well-being. As Anais Nin says, “The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

Mary Petersen is a retired COC English instructor, a 30-year SCV resident and two-time breast cancer survivor. 

“The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

— Anais Nin

Here it comes! Common Allergy Triggers

The human body is a well-oiled machine that is a wonder of biological efficiency when working properly. The body’s immune system is integral to keeping a person healthy, and it does that by recognizing foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria, and then launching an attack to eradicate them. Sometimes, however, the body treats outside substances as harmful when they’re really just nuisances. This is the case with allergens.

Allergens, according to eMedicine Health, trigger an immune system response to various substances the body deems harmful. In turn, the body overreacts to these substances, triggering allergic reactions. Allergic reactions may occur in one person and not another. The immune system produces antibodies, which can cause certain effects, including inflammation of the skin, sinuses, digestive system, or airways, depending on the allergen, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Many things can trigger allergies, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 50 million people in the United States have allergies. Here’s a look at some of the more common allergies that tend to rear their heads when weather warms up.

Pollen

The air is filled with pollen come the spring and summer. Freshly blooming grasses, trees, flowers, and even weeds produce an abundance of pollen this time of year. It may coat vehicles outside and make its way indoors when people throw open windows to enjoy warm breezes.

Pollen allergies are quite common and cause runny, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, watery eyes, and itchiness of the skin or roof of the mouth in some instances. Decongestants tend to be recommended when pollen count is high. It’s also best to leave windows closed during these times.

Mold

Mold are very small fungi with spores that float in the breeze like pollen. Mold thrives in damp areas. Mold may grow unchecked after spring rains or in piles of damp leaves. It also can be found in musty basements or bathrooms. Using a dehumidifier indoors can help alleviate mold, but outdoors it may be a little more challenging to control. When doing yard work in damp areas, wear a mask to avoid breathing in spores.

Dust mites

Chances are the arrival of spring may trigger the desire to do a little cleaning. In turn, it’s highly

likely that dust will be disturbed, and along with it, dust mites. WebMD says dust mites are microscopic and people may not even know they are around. Keeping a home free of dusty items can reduce dust mite numbers. Also, cover mattresses, pillows and wash sheets weekly in hot water to help alleviate dust mite infiltration.

Allergens are common this time of year, and people can take caution to feel better if they suffer allergies. (MC) 

EDUCATION

Continued from page 8

• Students become closer to nature as they have a chance to spend more time out of the classroom.

• Unlimited study space makes students more open to the world around facing its real challenges.

Statistics:

• Evidence proved that mental health and general well-being of children improve while taking part in practical activities conducted outdoors.

• The study indicates that children who have taken part in Forest Schools showed a significantly higher pro-environmental attitude than those who have not.

Project-Based Learning & Rise of Edtech in the Classroom

Games that help kids code, toys which teach robotics, and various apps for teachers to efficiently deliver information to students will become common. Technologies will facilitate teaching and learning process. Learning will become more creative and practical. Students will be assessed on critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Taking tests will be replaced by students’ performance through creative projects.

• Project-based learning combines creativity and collaboration to problem solve difficult questions and tasks.

• PBL provides real world connection, structured collaboration, core learning and multifaceted assessment.

• Edtech in schools improves digital literacy enabling students to master technical skills such as coding.

• Learning through reading or lecture videos and doing projects or discussing what was learned in the classroom is possible only through Edtech.

• Ed tech makes grading much easier.

There are tons of EdTech tools that enable automated grade calculation and measuring student progress.

Statistics:

• 86% of teachers believe it’s essential to use edtech in the classroom.

• 96% of teachers are convinced edtech increases student’s motivation for learning.

• 92% of teachers say they are willing to use even more edtech in the classroom than they already do.

Teacher as a Guide

The role of a teacher will be not only to pass the knowledge on but also to identify student’s strengths, interests and values. Their primary job will be to guide students in the areas where they need guidance as innovators.

• Teachers perform as facilitators to support students in developing their way of thinking and learning.

• Teachers develop learning plans for students to obtain all necessary skills to be adaptable to whatever career paradigm that will emerge.

Statistics:

• According to the report from The New Teacher project, teachers need to “rethink their pedagogies and curriculum in ways that enable students to customize their paths.”

• It is predicted to have an increase in teachers’ technological-pedagogical content knowledge including three key components: technology, pedagogy and content.

There are projects, like Classful, that allow educators to implement their vision and create projects by getting fundraise!

Social and Emotional Skills as a Priority

To thrive in the workplace of the future, skills such as creativity, collaboration, communication and problem-solving will become must-have

competencies for future specialists as the market will see a huge increase in jobs requiring a mentioned set of skills.

• In the classroom, students are taught SEL skills through discussions, cooperative group work, problem-solving and group reflection.

• Parents also encourage children to develop SEL skills by remaining involved in their child’s education and providing a safe environment that will foster their further development.

• Extracurricular activities such as sports and music perform as accel-

erators for quicker SEL skills attainment.

Statistics:

• According to a 2011 meta-analysis, those who took part in evidence-based SEL programs demonstrated an 11 percentile-point gain in academic achievement compared to students who did not participate in SEL programs.

• A 2015 national study found that early prosocial skills decreased problems with education, employment, criminal activity and substance use. 

2023 World Music Festival at calArts

April 28-30

Join

Come early to experience art and Happenings taking place throughout the CalArts campus for our 50th anniversary weekend.

24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia calarts.edu

Montessori of Valencia

The kind of education your child receives will impact how they see the world around them. Which is why it is important to choose the best program and school for them;you want them to be successful. So, you may wonder,“Why should I choose Montessori for my child?” “How will it benefit them?”Welcome to our Montessori community! Our prestigious schools have proudly served families in the Santa Clarita Valley for over 15 years, accepting children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age. Choosing our school for your child’s foundational years has many benefits.

At our schools, we offer an individually paced learning environment that fosters independence, empathy, socialization, and joy in lifelong learning. We believe that your child’s education will impact how they see the world around them, which is why it’s essential to choose the best program and

to grow and discover their value and place in the world. We encourage independence, personal empowerment, respect for others, and pride in individual differences. Every teacher, from our infant room through kindergarten, has a passion for teaching and a deeper understanding of child development. Approaching children with love and respect is at the core of our philosophy. By doing so, we build a secure safety net with them, leading to more significant developmental aspects. At our schools, we allow freedom, encourage curiosity, and welcome their questions. Students become confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners, with skills that are crucial for the 21st century, such as critical thinking, collaboration, and confidence.

To schedule an individual tour and learn more about our authentic Montessori program, please call661-263-3265. Join our community and give your child the gift of a lifetime! 

TEEN IOP/PHP AND DAY SCHOOL

Oppor tunities For Learning (OFL) is a fully accredited public char ter school that has spent the last two decades helping students earn their diploma and find success in high school and beyond!

OFL creates customized learning plans for ever y student, combining small group classes, guided independent study, and online classes to match your individual strengths and needs. Combined with one-on-one suppor t from highly-qualified teachers and free single-subject tutoring, counseling, and special education services, ever y OFL student is provided with the tools, resources, and nur turing suppor t they need to succeed.

experience, and form a college and career path for FREE! No matter what your dream is, know that it ’s possible with OFL!

FOCUS ONEDUCATION

Insight Treatment for Adolescent Mental Health

Insight Treatment is an adolescent mental health treatment program for teens and their families (ages 13-18) and has been serving families for over three decades. Our Santa Clarita facility is located at 26330 Diamond Pl. off of Centre Pointe Pkwy and is led by our Clinical Director, Karissa Provost, LMFT and team.

Insight’s fundamental belief is that teens need to feel they belong to a community of their peers. Teens will only really open up and express their emotional pain and challenges when they feel safe in this type of environment.

In Santa Clarita we have a warehouse space that serves as a teen clubhouse for our PHP/IOP. This environment has proved to be more conducive to fostering relationships versus a more traditional setting in an office or medical building.

We provide an Intensive Outpatient program (IOP) in the afternoon/evenings that consist of group, individual and family therapy. For those teens who are struggling with school we also have a day school where they can come and focus on their academic work (PHP).

Webelieve it is important to address the entire family system when a teen is struggling. We thereforeprovide a lot of support to the parents with Family Night and Parent Group once a week.

Wetake all private-Insuranceplansand in network withmany insurance plans.

All calls are confidential and we offer an initialin-personassessment at no charge.We are happy to

assist anyone in findingappropriatetreatment program for your teen and family.Give our admissions line a call at (888) 295-9995. 

D I R E C T O R Y

Insight Treatment

26330 Diamond Pl. Suite 120/130

Santa Clarita 91350 (661) 765-8445

insighttreatment.com

Montessori of Valencia

24925 Anza Dr, Valencia 91355 (661) 257-4161

montessoriofnorthpark@yahoo.com

Moriah Medical College

26781 Bouquet Cyn Rd, Santa Clarita 91350 (661) 360-3501

moriahmedicalcollege.com

Opportunities For Learning

18824 Soledad Cyn Rd. Canyon Country 91351 (661) 424-1337 ofl-wsh.org

27616 Newhall Ranch Rd

Valencia 91355 (661) 607-0153 ofl-wsh.org

Playmakers Preschool

28040 Hasley Cyn Rd

Castaic 91384 (661) 383-0400

playmakerspreschool.org

Keeping Kids Engaged This Summer

Did you know 96% of teachers say that each fall, students appear to have forgotten or lost some of the knowledge or skills they learned the previous school year?

But don’t worry, the good news is that 89% of parents plan to continue some form of educational activities with their children during the summer. And, 92% of teachers agree that students will be more successful overall if they keep learning during the summer months.

Adults often look back fondly on their childhood experiences at summer camp or working on special projects at summer school. Camps and schools can provide the opportunity to form lifelong friendships and discover rewarding hobbies that can enrich campers’ lives for decades to come.

Choosing a summer camp or

Moriah Medical College

Moriah Medical College’s accelerated Vocational Nursing program equips each student with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pass the NCLEX-PN® (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) and obtain licensure. The nursing program, located in beautiful Santa Clarita, includes 1554 clock hours that can be completed in as little as15 months!

Why Choose MMC?

• Our distinguishednursing faculty includes Doctorate, Master’s and Bachelorprepared nurses & nurse practitioners.

• Our curriculum ensures a dynamic learner experience& high-quality nursing education as evidenced by a 91% NCLEX Pass Rate (Source: bvnpt.ca.gov, 2022).

• Daily campus-life reflectsaculture of caring and compassion.

• Our state-of-the art clinical skills lab and diverse clinical partners

Learning Through Play!

Play-Based & Hands-On Learning

Highly Qualified Caregivers

school is no small task, but these pages should help give you direction on what opportunities are available here.

The local selection ranges from learning or improving on your dance techniques, self-defense classes to swimming, music and acting lessons.

When looking for a camp for kids, families should make the decision together. Kids should be involved in the selection process, as they’re more likely to have an enjoyable camp experience if they had a say in where they will be spending their summers.

Camps may last as little as one week or up to several weeks, depending on the focus. So, it is important to consider what you and your child are considering. Nonetheless, summer camps and schools give kids a chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. (MC)

Small Group Sizes

Outdoor

provide exceptional hands-on training.

Our newly renovated 3,900 square foot campus offers flexible AM and PM schedules, and interest free payment plans. Now accepting applications for our upcoming 2023 class. Visit us online at www.moriahmedicalcollege.com for more info or call for a private tour (661) 360-3501. (Weekend and evening appointments available).

Camps and Schools

The Paseo Club

Santa Clarita’s #1 Tennis Summer Camp June 12th - August 4th

Escape the summer boredom and keep your child active through your choice of tennis or pickleball summer camp!

Learn proper fundamentals, stroke improvement, technical analysis, singles & doubles drills, games, lunch, swimming & more! Fun for All Levels of Tennis!

Four different stages: Future Stars Beginners Ages 5-7, Challenger Beginners Ages 8-13, Tournament Training Advanced and High Performance Ranked Players.

Our Daily Schedule is 10:00 am - 11:30am - Drills, Stroke Analysis, 11:30 am - 12:00pm – Games, 12:00

COC’s Summer Institute

Registration is now open for the popular career exploration themed College of the Canyons Summer Institute, with weekly sessions running June 12-16 and June 26-30.

pm -1:00 pm - Lunch & Swimming

(Lunch Included), 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm — Match Play & Games and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm — Arts & Crafts (Future Stars only)

Sign up before May 1st and Receive 10% off! (Lunch Included) Siblings Discount 10%

For further information regarding our junior summer camp, please contact Rene Heger at 661257-0044, or he can be reached via email atreneheger@thepaseoclub. comor go to www.thepaseoclub. com/summer-camp.

The College of the Canyons Summer Institute is open to students entering grades 6-8 in the fall of 2023.

The goal of the Summer Institute is to provide hands-on career exploration and learning opportunities to students in a variety of areas and subjects including: animation, sports medicine, babysitters club, architecture, teachers of the future, Esports, wood shop, and automotive technology.

Each track allows participating students to discover a multitude of career possibilities through a unique blend of innovative lesson plans and fun hands-on activities that are

scheduled each week.

The COC Summer Institute begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. Enrollment fees are $199 per child per week (except architecture and wood shop which are $219 including materials).

Scholarship awards are also available for select eligible students but you must apply by May 19.

For more information about the 2023 College of the Canyons Summer Institute, please visit www.canyons. edu/SummerInstitute, email communityed@canyons.edu or call 661-3623300.

Youth Theatre Institute 2023

CTG STARS Workshop for Students aged 13-17

Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr.

Participants meet Monday-Friday from 10am-3:30pm. Workshop concludes with multiple performances on two weekends.

• Sessions Dates: June 12 – July 7

• Performances: July 8, 9, 15, & 16

Tuition: $549 + $25 Registration Fee

CTG JUNIORS Workshop for Students aged 10-13!

Mystery At The Monster Prom

Workshop ends in a Friday show free to the public. Participants meet Monday-Friday from 12:30-4:30.

Two opportunities to participate in this 3 week workshop:

• June 26 – July 14; July 17 – August 4

Tuition: $424 + $25 Registration Fee

CTG KIDS Workshop for Students aged 6-10!

Super Heroes, Social Skills, and How to Interact with Human Beings

Participants meet Monday-Friday from 9am-Noon. Workshop culminates in a Friday show free to the public. Three opportunities to participate in this 2 week program: June 19 - June 30 ; July 10 - July 21; July 24 – August 4

Tuition: $299+ $25 Registration Fee

CAMPS AND SCHOOLS

A New Take on Summer Camp

EverWild’s Forest School and Summer Camps are connecting children ages 3-6 to nature in Santa Clarita! Encompassing forest-school and place-based learning philosophies, children spend 100% of their day outdoors, immersed in the local environment and alongside qualified nature-based mentors. Children are guided by nature as they play, explore, discover, and create.

The Finches Forest Preschool and Kindergarten is offered from September - May, 1-4 days/week, MondaysThursdays. Your child will be guided by nature, supported by qualified mentors, and will make many friends as they catch tadpoles, splash in puddles, and build shelters! Monthly enrollment secures your child’s spot in the class for the duration of the school year.

The Finches Summer Camp continues the fun from June-August during

weekly camps that take place Mondays - Fridays. Select from several nature-based themes including Art in Nature, Tiny Beings, Aquatic Ecology, Wilderness Survival, Wildlife Tracking, and more! Don’t miss out on all the wild fun, games, and activities to come!

All Finches classes and camps drop-off and pick-up at Whitney Canyon Park. Explorers hop in the EverWild adventure van and are transported to local nature destinations. The Finches travel to local wildlands within Santa Clarita, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Angeles National Forest, and the beach!

EverWild mentors receive background checks, year-round training, and CPR/First Aid or Wilderness First Aid certifications.

Do you have questions or are you interested in attending a tour day WITH YOUR CHILD? Contact our Main Treehouse today! 

Splashing kids, paddling canoes, exploring the outdoors — these are the images that come to mind when we hear the phrase “summer camp”. While the old summer camps are still alive — there are many alternatives. In fact there are so many alternatives it’s hard to choose what is right for your child.

There are gymnastic camps, martial arts camps, camps where kids go to different destinations like theme parks and climbing gyms. There’s ballet, and hip hop, and dance and cheerleading and football and basketball — you pick it, it’s there.

When my wife and I decided to design a camp program, we wanted to make something different. About 25 years ago, we developed a concept called, “The World in Your Backyard”. We ran the camp at our facility in Beverly Hills and it was one of our most successful programs. And it’s proven to be the same in Santa Clarita!

We believe a summer camp should be filled with fun, healthy activities,

but it should be a meaningful, educational experience. “The World in Your Backyard” is exactly that. Each week of the summer we offer a camp that explores the history, tradition and physical practices of world cultures right here in Santa Clarita!

Children get to meet and train with a master teacher who specializes in the art taught in the country of the week! Kid’s learn Capoeira from Brazil, Savate from France, Muay Thai from Thailand, and more! Kids have a multi-national lunch to fit the culture of the week and a Friday showing for parents!

Think of the experience when you travel to another country. Think of how it broadens your understanding of world culture — but without ever leaving Santa Clarita!

If you would like to experience a camp completely different from the run of the mill – please give us a call. We believe in courageous, compassionate kids!

For more information visit www. ekata.net.

Canyon Theatre Guild 24242 Main St, Newhall, CA 91321 (661) 799-2702

SELLING S a n t a C l a r i t a ' s P r e m i e r T e a m

FLEXIBLE COMMISSIONS

College of the Canyons

24655 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91355 661-259-7800

www.canyons.edu

17200 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country 91351 (661) 362-3800

canyons.edu

Dance Studio 84 27889 Smyth Dr. ,Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 775-7655

dancestudio84.com

Ekata Training Center 27831 Smyth Dr., Valencia 91355 (661) 255-1114

ekata.net

EverWild LA (424) 210-7077

everwildla.com

Paseo Club 27650 Dickason Dr., Valencia 91355 (661) 257-0044

thepaseoclub.com

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SOLUTIONS

Gascón Has Got to Go

Lack of consequences for criminal behavior is a serious problem that plagues societies around the world. When individuals feel that they can engage in criminal behavior without fear of punishment, it creates an environment that is ripe for even more crime. The lack of consequences leads to a breakdown in the rule of law, eroding the public trust that people have in their government and legal system. We see it happening in every major city in America today.

One of the primary reasons why lack of consequences leads to more crime is that it creates a sense of impunity. When people believe they can get away with committing crimes, they are more likely to engage in those behaviors, and engage in more egregious behaviors. This leads to a cycle of increasing criminal behavior, as people become emboldened by their ability to avoid punishment.

The lack of consequences for criminal behavior blatantly undermines the rule of law. When individuals and communities see there is no accountability for criminal behavior, they lose faith in the legal system and the government. This erodes the trust that people have in institutions and creates an environment where people are less likely to comply with laws and regulations.

George Gascón, district attorney of Los Angeles County, ran for office on a platform of “progressive” reforms, including reducing incarceration rates, ending the death penalty, and increasing the use of “alternatives to incarceration.” Gascón has gone way too far in his efforts to reduce incarceration rates and promote alternatives to incarceration. For example, Gascón has implemented a policy of not seeking cash bail for most misdemeanor and nonviolent felony cases. While this policy is intended to reduce the number of people being held in jail before trial, this policy has led to dangerous repeat criminal offenders being released back into the community. Gascón has implemented policies that reduce the sentences for certain crimes, such as gang-related offenses and hate crimes. This puts all our safety and the safety of our community at risk.

Finally, Gascón’s decision to reassign prosecutors who were previously assigned to specialized units is patently absurd. These prosecutors have years of specialized training and experience that is critical to effectively prosecuting certain types of crimes. By reassigning them to general units, Gascón is undermining the ability of the DA’s office to efficiently and effectively prosecute these cases. The result is that Gascón has EMBOLDENED criminal activity across Los Angeles. And it must stop.

We in Santa Clarita are so lucky to have Santa Clarita resident and Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami running for office. He is a career prosecutor who puts victims before criminals and believes in the rule of law. He fights for families victimized by ever-increasing crime in Los Angeles. He gives murdered children a voice, and puts murderers behind bars where they belong. I urge you to check out his platform, investigate his website, go hear him speak, and get involved. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to what is happening around us.

Denise Lite Santa Clarita

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

You Can’t Pretend Your Way

By David Hegg

The continuous stream of insightful comments made by our preschool granddaughters never ceases to amaze and delight me. Years ago, our daughter recounted an exchange with her 3-year old: Mom: “Honey, you must take three more bites of your food because you’re 3 years old now.”

Granddaughter: “Can we pretend I’m 2?”

As I look around, I find there are far too many people still pretending they are young, still acting like children, still demanding to be adolescents. They refuse to accept the accountability that comes with age, much less the responsibility to look ahead, forge a plan, and become valuable adult contributors to society.

Sociologists now confirm what we’ve been secretly suspecting. Adolescence, which used to range from ages 12 to18, is now seen as stretching to age 30 in terms of behavior and self-concept. The 20-somethings today seemingly refuse to grow up. They often have no plan, change their residence every 18 months, go from job to job, and often end up over-extended in debt and under-employed. They are finding their feet much later, living life according to their changing whims, and depending on the resources of their parents much more than did previous generations.

I say it is time for these folks to stop pretending they are still in college, or for some, high school. It is time for them to realize we live in a scary, dangerous world where everything is not handed to you on a silver platter just because your third-grade teacher, and the rest of your formative world, were determined to drive up your self-esteem. In this world, you’ve got to make a plan, work hard to accomplish it, and even then, you may end up having to plow through great adversity to reach success. In this life, success is not a given, and to win the race you’ve got to run hard every day.

It is also time the 20-somethings grounded themselves in a philosophy of life that can actually carry them through the tough times. To continue living as experiential agnostics, as if no absolutes exist in our world, is simply to be playing with a closed mind and closed

eyes. A worldview made up of extreme skepticism (life sucks!) Ironically welded to the myth that self-esteem brings about accomplishment (If I think I can do it, then it’s mostly done!) is not only intellectually vacuous, but felony stupid. And, most importantly, stop thinking that your happiness depends on the circumstances around you rather than the character inside you. It is time for these folks – and all the rest of us who may be sleeping in the light – to look around at the mess our world is in, and determine what our part is in holding back the forces that are eroding our lives.

Much of the blame for this discouraging phenomenon can be laid at the feet of those demanding we see this world as composed only of physical chemical processes. These scientific naturalists have ripped any spiritual meaning from life. They refuse to admit that, at the human core, there is a longing for wholeness that no laboratory can ever fill. We are more than the sum of our atomic bits. We have a capacity that is not found elsewhere in creation. We have a consciousness that demands belief in an understanding of humanity that includes a significant immaterial dimension. And it is in the realm of the immaterial – the spiritual – that our deepest longings will be met, and our greatest love expressed.

Yes, it’s time to stop pretending. Time to stop pretending age doesn’t bring responsibility and the accompanying accountability. Time to stop pretending that self-esteem can produce achievement without hard work. Time to stop pretending we can exchange the structure of our DNA. And definitely time to stop pretending we are nothing more than a randomly configured set of atomic particles set on this earth without an ultimate purpose.

Life matters, and all lives matter, and it’s time we stopped pretending we can live this life without considering our responsibility to honor the God who created us, to whom we all are ultimately accountable.

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

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