Sunday Signal 060423

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

The effects of the current Writers Guild of America strike won’t be felt in the movie theaters, or on television, this summer but with more job actions anticipated in Hollywood by actors, and possibility directors, audiences may see entertainment options more limited in just a few months.

This summer will offer a bumper crop of new releases, with something for nearly everyone. It looks like summer movies are back, and none too soon.

Currently in theaters two sequels of popular film franchises: “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3” and “Fast X” are burning up the box office.

Enjoy these much anticipated and upcoming summer blockbusters.

Big Screen Blockbusters

Summer 2023 will offer a large selection of movies for film fans. There are several “can’t miss” blockbusters among the crop.

June 2

Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse

Starring Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae.

MOVIES

More of the multi-verse as Miles Morales reunites with Gwen. They join up with Spider-folks from other universes to fight a new bad guy.

June 16

The Flash Starring Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons.

The Flash is easily one of the most highly anticipated new movies coming in the summer of 2023. The film centers around Barry Allen, aka The Flash, and his efforts to go back in time and save his mother. He needs the help of (among others) Batman, played by Michael Keaton.

June 30

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Starring Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook.

Indiana Jones is back for a fifth adventure. Harrison Ford returns to play Indy in the late 1960s as former Nazis are up to their old tricks, this time involving an evil plan related to the Space Race.

July 12

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One Starring Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames,

Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham.

This latest installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise sees the return of the IMF team led by Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt. It is the first installment of two. Hoping it’s not a cliff hanger, but what is known is that you’ll see Tom Cruise ride a motorcycle off a cliff.

Potential Big Screen Hits

There’s always a surprise big screen summer film that does better than expected. One of these films has the potential to capture the public’s fancy this summer and turn into a mega hit.

June 9

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Starring Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Ron Perlman, Michelle Yeoh, Pete Davidson, Peter Cullen, Colman Domingo.

The Transformers film franchise adds Maximals, Predacons and Terrorcons to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.

July 21

Oppenheimer Starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Kenneth Branagh, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Gary Oldman, Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett.

A movie for grownups, this look at the life of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his contributions to the creation of the first atomic bomb has Academy Awards written all over it.

Aug. 4

Meg 2: The Trench

Starring Jason Statham, Sienna Guillory, Cliff Curtis.

The sequel to the surprise 2018 hit creature feature “The Meg” once again pits action hero Jason Statham against an impossibly big shark. Yup, that’s the plot, all of it.

Aug. 11

Gran Turismo

Starring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Djimon Hounsou, Darren Barnet.

This isn’t what you might think. It’s not a trite adaptation of the wellknown video game. It is based on the true, real-life story of a teenage gamer whose Gran Turismo skills won him the opportunity to become a real racecar driver.

Aug.18

Blue Beetle

Starring Xolo Maridueña, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Harvey Guillen, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo. “Cobra Kai” star Xolo Maridueña

Clockwise from left: ‘The Flash’ Warner Bros., ‘Indiana Jones’ Lucasfilm, ‘The Meg 2’ IMDB, ‘Gran Turismo’ Sony Pictures, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Paramount Pictures. See MOVIES, page 7

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

Sacramento is more than just the state capitol of California, it is a diverse region with attractions ranging from the Gold Rush-era Old Sacramento Waterfront to the trendy Midtown area.

The area is rich with farm-to-fork restaurants, a burgeoning wine region, public art and a host of outdoor activities.

California State Sen. Scott Wilk and his wife, Vanessa, have become very familiar with Sacramento due to the amount of time Scott Wilk has spent as a former member of the state Assembly and currently as a state senator representing the 21st District which includes the Santa Clarita Valley.

Among his suggestions for seeing Sacramento is taking a public tour of the Stanford Mansion.

“The train museum and Crocker Museum are also awesome,” he said. “I’ve never been, but I heard the new children’s science museum at Discovery Park is incredible.” Wilk also suggests taking a steamboat down the Sacramento River.

“Of course, there’s also Sutter’s Fort,” he said. “And 20 minutes south of Sacramento is Clarksburg with beautiful scenery and about 10 wineries.”

Vanessa Wilk suggests visiting historic Midtown Sacramento.

“There are so many wonderful restaurants and it’s always hopping,” she said. “Of course, the Old Sacramento Waterfront district is also always fun, and it is right on the river. It’s one of my favorite places.”

State Capitol Tour

1315 10th St., Sacramento

Info www.assembly.ca.gov/publicservices/visit-state-capitol

If you’ve never seen the majestic state capitol in Sacramento it is worth a visit. Construction on the permanent state Capitol began in 1860 and

was completed in 1874.

Scott Wilk encourages SCV residents to contact his office to arrange a tour of the state capitol or to stop by his office when in Sacramento. His office is located at 1021 O St., Room 7140, Sacramento. (916) 651-4021.

You can also arrange a docent-led tour at the historic Capitol building by calling ReserveCalifornia at (866) 240-4655 or sign up for a first-come, first-served tour at the information desk in the first floor rotunda. Tours are free.

California State Railroad Museum

125 I St., Sacramento Info www.californiarailroad.

museum/visit

View beautifully restored railroad cars and locomotives illustrating railroad history in California and the West. It is considered the best railroad museum in North America and tells the story of the transcontinental railroad, the heyday of rail travel with numerous vintage train cars and engines that can be walked through along with other interactive exhibits.

Old Sacramento Waterfront Meander the boardwalk and enjoy the beautiful Sacramento River. Find over 125 shopping, dining and attractions located in the beautiful Old Sacramento Waterfront historic district. Have lunch at the historic Firehouse Restaurant at 1112 2nd St. It was built in 1853 and originally was the home of the Sacramento No. 3 firehouse. Finish your visit with a fun souvenir photo at McGee’s Old Time Photos at 103 K St.

Crocker Art Museum

216 O St., Sacramento Info www.crockerart.org

This is the oldest art museum west of the Mississippi and features the world’s foremost display of California art. The museum, which underwent a $100 million expansion in 2010, includes California impressionists, ancient art from across the globe and one of the largest collections of Euro-

pean drawings in the world. The art is partly housed in a beautifully maintained Victorian home.

Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, 800 N St., Sacramento Info www.parks.ca.gov/?page_ id=489

The Leland Stanford Mansion, which recently completed a 14-year, $22 million restoration, is a stunning example of the splendor and elegance of the Victorian era in California. Your tour of the 19,000-square-foot mansion includes 17-foot ceilings, elegant 19th century crystal and bronze light fixtures, historic paintings, original period furnishings that belonged to the Stanfords and 19th-Century style gardens.

Leland Stanford served as governor from 1862-1863. The mansion served as the office of three governors during the turbulent 1860s including Stanford, Fredrick Low and Henry Haight.

As a pro-Union Civil War governor and president of the Central Pacific Railroad, Stanford negotiated political and business deals at the mansion that helped complete the transcontinental railroad.

More Museums

There are 32 museums in Sacramento, and they cover everything from medical history to the Gold Rush in California and more. For more museum information, visit www.sacmuseums.org.

recent death of their mother and aren t getting much suppor t from the r therap st father When a desperate patient unexpec ted y shows up at their home, he eaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on famil es Pa d r e P i o E Sun: 10:20 AM

It is the end of Wor d War I and the young Ital an so d ers are making the r way back to San G ovann Rotondo a land of pover ty h storic violence and the iron clad rule of the church and its wealthy landowners Famil es are desperate the men are broken but v c tor ous

S P i d e r - m a n: ac ro S S T h e S P i d e r - V e r S e B Sun: 10:10 1:00 4:00 7:10; Mon to Thu: 1:00 4:00 7:10

An epic adventure that wil transpor t Brooklyn’s full-t me friendly ne ghborhood Spider-Man across the Mu t verse to jo n forces w th Gwen Stac y and a new team of Spider-People to face off w th a vil a n more power ful than anything they have ever encountered

a B o u T m y FaT h e r C 1:10 3:20 5:30 7:40

ABOUT MY FATHER centers around Sebastian who is encouraged by h s fiancée to bring h s imm grant ha rdresser father Salvo, to a weekend gettogether w th her super-rich and exceed ngly eccentric fam ly

T h e L i T T L e m e r m a i d B Sun: 10:00 1:15 4:10 7:00; Mon to Thu: 1:15 4:10 7:00

Ar e ongs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and while visiting the sur face fa ls for the dashing Prince Er c Whi e mermaids are forb dden to nterac t with humans, Ar el must fol ow her hear t T h e m ac h i n e E 1:20 4:20 7:20

Set 23 years after the original stor y which insp red it, The Machine finds Ber t Kreischer facing fami ial crisis and the arr val of his estranged father (Mark Ham l ) when the ghost of h s booze -soaked past arrives a murderous mobster (Iva Babic) he lbent on kidnapping Ber t back to the mother and to atone for his cr mes yo u h u r T m y F e e L i n g S E Sun: 10:10 4:15; Mon to Thu: 4:15 PM

From acclaimed filmmaker N cole Holofcener comes a sharp y obser ved comedy about a novelist whose longstanding marriage is sudden y upended when she overhears her husband g ve his honest reac tion to her latest book

Fa S T X

Lancaster’s The Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony

By Hannah Rogers Museum of Art and History, Lancaster

When driving through the desert on Highway 138, you might see the ruins of some old buildings sitting abandoned amongst the Joshua Trees. However, if you were to travel this route a little over 100 years ago, you would have instead seen a community of idealistic individuals all taking part in an ambitious, but ultimately failed, experiment in socialism.

Between 1914 and 1918, around 900 individuals lived in a socialist colony in the southeastern corner of the Antelope Valley, near where Pearblossom sits today.

Founded by Job and John Harriman, the Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony has been called the most important non-religious utopian colony in Western American history. Author Aldous Huxley described the colony as the “desert Ozymandias,” in reference to the Percy Shelley poem, due to the heights of its ambition in the face of its ultimate failure.

Job was an ordained minister and attorney from Los Angeles. Handsome, charismatic, and “starry-eyed,” he was also an aspiring politician, running for California governor (1898), Vice President of the United States (1900), and mayor of Los Angeles twice (1910s). Despite Job’s ambition, he was defeated in each election, in large part because of his Marxist leanings.

When Los Angeles would not have him, Job struck out into the Mojave Desert, planning to make his mark in a different way. On May Day of 1914, Job and a contingent of fellow socialists founded the experimental colony in Llano del Rio. Its purpose was to create a utopian community where everyone worked together and took care of one another.

These first colonists stayed in tents initially, but permanent housing was quickly constructed along with all kinds of other amenities. Schools, workshops, and even a hotel were constructed to service the growing community. The colonists bought up land and brought in fruit trees and

livestock. They dug out irrigation ditches and cleared the fields. Together the people living within the Llano Colony worked to grow produce to sell. The money earned by the colony was used communally—everyone had a share in both production and profit. 90% of the food consumed by colonists was food that they produced themselves.

But it wasn’t all work and no play. The colony members formed a variety of clubs and organizations. The Live Wires Dramatic Club performed plays, and a number of bands were formed, including a brass band and a barber-shop ensemble. In the wide open desert, the sounds of the bands’ music could be heard by non-Socialist neighbors of the Cooperative Colony.

Colonists sought to bring modern life out to the desert with them. This included such things as a printing press, automobiles, and even an airplane. The aircraft leads into one of the more memorable aspects of the Colony’s history: the burnt plane mystery.

In 1916, one of the colony members bought parts to build an airplane. Together with other members, they con-

structed a working plane - one of the first in the Antelope Valley. Despite being operational, it ultimately never took to the air. In the early morning of September 22, 1916 — the same day that the aircraft’s first flight was scheduled to take place—the plane was mysteriously destroyed in a fire. It was never discovered who had destroyed the plane, whether it was other colony members or someone from outside the community. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it surely put a damper on the spirits of the people that had constructed the plane.

Despite the success of the Colony’s early days, cracks soon began to show. Job Harriman had been a brilliant attorney, but was not as talented at running a growing desert community. The plan had been for the community to grow food on community-owned farms that could then

be used to feed everyone and fund projects. However, the farms never produced enough to pull in an adequate profit, and the Colony was kept afloat by members’ savings. As those savings dwindled, life in the Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony became a lot harder.

Huxley, who spoke to some of the former colonists, wrote, “there was a sense of shared high purpose, a sustaining conviction that one had broken out of an age-old prison and was marching, shoulder to shoulder with loyal comrades, towards a promised land.” This hope sustained the Colony in its early days, but as time wore on, more and greater problems arose. Job Harriman had a poor understanding of water supply. The Big Rock Creek could not supply enough water to

A failed experiment in building a socialist community.

PHOTOS COURTESY MUSEUM OF ARTS AND HISTORY

Ruins of Hotel Llano

becomes superhero Blue Beetle in this DC origin story about a recent college grad whose ancient alien relic gives him amazing powers.

Family Films

If you’re looking for movies to take the kids, or the grandkids, to this summer you can’t miss with these films:

May 26

The Little Mermaid

Cast Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Javier Bardem.

Another live-action remake of an animated clas-

RUINS

Continued from previous page

sustain the thousand colonists and grow enough produce to generate income for the community.

As they continued to struggle, many people grew disillusioned with the utopian ideals of the community and left. In the end there were “too many people, too little water, and no money,” (Huxley). The Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony broke apart after just four years, with many members returning to ordinary lives.

Two hundred of the still optimistic colony members left to seek greener pastures in Vernon Parish, Louisiana and started the “New Llano” Cooperative Colony. New Llano was much more successful than the original Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony, with members pooling resources and sharing ownership of a newspaper, broom factory, sawmill, ice plant, and sheet metal factory through the Great Depression, up until 1937. With almost two decades of operation, the New Llano Cooperative Colony was

MOVIES

Continued from page 4

sic from Disney.

June 16

Elemental

Starring Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Mason Wertheimer, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O’Hara.

Pixar’s latest animated effort takes place in a world where the inhabitants represent the four elements: earth, fire, water, air. A young woman made of fire forms an unlikely friendship with a man made of water, leading them to rethink the way they see the world.

June 30

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

Universal and DreamWorks offer this animated adventure about a seemingly normal 16-year-old girl who discovers she’s descended from sea krakens.

Aug. 4

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Starring Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Jackie Chan, Rose Byrne, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Post Malone, Ice Cube, Maya Rudolph, Paul Rudd.

A new, evolved animated reboot of the Ninja Turtles franchise that first debuted in 1987. 

colony

United

arguably the most successful socialist

in the

States. Though

New Llano has since left its socialist roots behind, the town still exists today with a population of about 2,500 people. 

Starring Lana Condor, Toni Collette, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson, Will Forte, Colman Domingo.

‘Elemental’ Courtesy Walt Disney Studios/Pixar

‘The Little Mermaid’ Courtesy IMDB

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

The City of Santa Clarita’s Annual Budget

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

Crafting a robust, balanced and on-time budget for our flourishing City of Santa Clarita is a year-round process that demands extensive hours from City staff throughout the organization. Under the leadership of our City Council, staff gathers community input, balanced with a 360-degree view of all the priorities and projects, to create a balanced and on-time budget — just as our organization has done every single year since incorporation. We look forward to presenting the recommended budget at the City Council meeting on June 13, 2023.

This year’s budget is consistent with the City Councils’ goals, as outlined in the five-year strategic plan SC2025 and provides the funding necessary to continue delivering exceptional service to Santa Clarita’s residents and businesses. The recommended Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget totals $322 million. When compared to the current year’s adopted budget, this represents a 7.7% increase, which is equivalent to $23 million. This is the first

time the City’s budget has surpassed $300 million, which is in stark comparison to the City’s first budget back in 1988, which was just under $30 million.

Some of the highlights in the recommended budget include funding for upgrades and improvements at the new Valencia Community Center (formerly the YMCA at Summit Park), new bus stop signage, a mobile library, new transit buses, additional bike lanes and sports fields replacement, just to name a few.

A big focus in the budget under the theme of Building and Creating Community is enhancing and improving our City parks. David March Park with be getting new baseball fields, a basketball court, new restrooms, covered family picnic areas and a shade structure over the play area. Old Orchard Park will get an updated playground, additional recreation amenities, a new multi-sport court, improvements to the multi-purpose room and enhanced landscape. At the City’s newest park — the Tesoro Adobe will also be undergoing improvements. Investing in parks provides immense value to our residents. Parks serve as vital communal space that foster social interaction, promote physical and mental well-being, enhance the environment and contribute to the overall quality of life here in Santa Clarita.

Remaining one of the safest cities in the nation is also a top priority and public safety continues to consume the largest portion of the General Fund Budget at $32 million. Through special operations, targeted traffic enforcement, specialized deployments, the apprehension of suspects and public education and awareness efforts; our Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station continues to do a tremendous job in keeping our community safe.

Santa Clarita has always followed a conservative approach to budgeting. This way, we are able to control and deliver on our goals and be prepared for things out of our control, creating a path for stability and success. This is one reason we have a 100%track record for a balanced and on-time budget with an impressive 20%reserve fund. The City also maintains a AAA credit rating from Standard and Poors.

We eagerly anticipate the realization of all the community benefits outlined in the recommended budget.

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. 

Over the last three years many of us have put off important routine medical screenings. Please discuss with your physician what screenings you may be due for. These routine medical tests can be life-saving.

For more information, call 661.200.1332 or visit henrymayo.com/screenings.

Gatherings in the summer sun are all about easy, convenient recipes combined with the joy warm weather brings. Spend those special occasions with those you love most and make this summer one to remember with flatbreads and sweet treats for all to share.

Keeping cooking simple means more time on the patio or in the backyard engaging with guests, and these Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads and Lemon Cheesecake with Fruit let home chefs skip complicated kitchen duties without skimping on flavor.

Visit Culinary.net to find more simple summer recipes to share with loved ones. (Family Features)

Lemon Cheesecake with Fruit

Servings 6-8

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3 eggs

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 orange, peeled and separated

8 raspberries

3 mint leaves, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press firmly into 9-inch springform pan.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs, fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract; mix until combined.

Pour into pan. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until center springs back when lightly pressed.

Chill in refrigerator until completely cooled.

Arrange orange slices around border of cake and place raspberries in middle. Top with mint leaves.

Chipotle Chicken Flatbreads

Recipe adapted from butteryourbiscuit.com

2 flatbreads

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 clove garlic, diced

4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed

1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered salt, to taste pepper, to taste

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle seasoning

2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted.

In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbreads and sprinkle with cilantro leaves. 

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Feelings’ is Authentic, Insightful, Slightly Cynical

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘You Hurt My Feelings’

(1/2 (out of four)

A24 presents a film written and directed by Nicole Holofcener. Rated R. In theaters.

It’s all in the details.

Writer-director Nicole Holofcener’s “You Hurt My Feelings” is an absolute marvel — a miniaturist gem in which every scene feels authentic and of this life, and every character, even the ones who wander in for a moment or two before getting on with their lives, rings true. If you’re looking for a smart, insightful, slightly cynical yet warm-hearted and consistently smile-inducing slice of life reminiscent of the best character-driven films of the 1970s, punch your ticket right here.

Ten years after Holofcener and Julia Louis-Dreyfus teamed up for the engaging and quite brilliant “Enough

Said,” they’re clicking once again here, with Louis-Dreyfus delivering smashingly good work as Beth, a novelist and essayist who teaches fiction writing at The New School in Greenwich Village. She holds court over a half-dozen students who eagerly soak in her words of wisdom even though we eventually find out none of them has read Beth’s recent memoir and a few seem surprised to learn she’s written, you know, books.

Beth is happily married to Don (Tobias Menzies), a therapist who apparently has a thriving practice but seems to be slipping on the job, e.g., mixing up his patients’ problems and often incurring the wrath of a bickering couple (played with biting hilarity by real-life spouses David Cross and Amber Tamblyn), who have been coming to Don for years and are starting to wonder if he sucks, given they still seem to hate each other.

Holofcener does a magnificent job of weaving in a number of story threads. Beth and her sister, Sarah

(the sublime Michaela Watkins, who improves every movie she’s in), do volunteer work matching secondhand clothes to unhoused customers, but they’re not above getting into spats with the clientele. Sarah is married to the laid-back Mark (Arian Moayed), a stage and film actor who still gets recognized for some goofball movie he did a decade ago but is beginning to question his career path. Beth and Sarah’s mother, Georgia (Jeannie Berlin), is starting to slip a little mentally, but she’s still armed with a rapier wit and minces no words when dealing with her daughters.

Then there’s Beth and Don’s son, Elliott (a terrific Owen Teague), who aspires to be a writer like Beth but has a post-collegiate job working in a marijuana dispensary and might never finish that script he’s been working on. After Elliott’s unseen girlfriend dumps him, sending him into a spiral of depression, he moves back home with his parents and is reminded of how their devotion to one another can make him feel like a third wheel.

“You Hurt My Feelings” ambles along nicely for a number of scenes and you begin to wonder where it’s all going — and that’s when Beth overhears Don confiding to Mark that even though he’s been nothing but encouraging to Beth as she has worked draft after draft of her novel, he doesn’t like it at all. In a moment with clear echoes of “An Unmarried Woman,” Beth dashes outside and comes close to throwing up on the street. No, Don isn’t having an affair, but in some ways this betrayal feels even worse to Beth; he has been lying to her about her passion, her life’s work, the thing she does.

Yes, yes, yes, I know: first-world, upper-middle-class problems, right? Still, this is no minor crisis in a marriage that has sailed along for more than 20 years, a marriage that had seemed unshakable. Louis-Dreyfus and Menzies conduct a master class in acting as Beth and Don finally confront the elephant in the room

and learn it’s not just one beast, but a sizable herd. Not that it ever turns into some kind of scorched-Earth blowup on the scale of a “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” or “Marriage Story.” This is played in a quieter key, and the revelations are equal parts funny and eye-opening. Though I mentioned that 1970s vibe, “You Hurt My Feelings” is also very much of our time, with the satire often cutting into our current Supportive Culture, where everybody is always telling everybody else how great they are. Don tells Beth her writing is terrific even when he doesn’t believe that to be the case; Beth has always told Don he’s a great therapist, but she doesn’t really know that’s true, and Sarah always compliments Mark’s performances, regardless of quality. It might sound like privileged whining when Elliott complains that his mother was TOO supportive of him when he was growing up, but he has a point. In some cases, she was actually setting him up for failure and disappointment. Is everyone just lying to each other, or is this how you demonstrate love and unwavering support?

Maybe it’s both. Or neither. Or somewhere in between. 

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

What Older Adults Should Know After a Doctor’s Visit

You know how important regular check-ups are and that consulting your healthcare provider when you have a concern is smart. But what happens after the visit is just as essential to maintaining good health.

Unfortunately, some people don’t follow their provider’s advice. Maybe they don’t take their prescriptions as written or forego recommended preventive screenings and immunizations. This can be costly, both for individuals and the health care system. Case in point: More than 125,000 people die each year because of prescription medication non-adherence, according to the National Council for Patient Information and Education.

Following a doctor’s recommended care plan can be challenging, according to Dr. J.B. Sobel, chief medical officer with Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business. There are multiple reasons why older patients can have difficulty following their provider’s instructions — including managing multiple medications at different times of day — or trouble accessing or affording care.

Thankfully, there are some processes and resources that can help you faithfully follow your healthcare provider’s advice.

Get organized More than half of adults 65 and older take four or more prescription drugs, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. With more medications, it can be difficult to know what to take, when to take it, and in what dosage. A low-cost pill organizer, available at drug stores and retail outlets, can help you stay organized. You may also want to automate your medication by taking it at the same time every day if directions allow that. The key is to find a system that works for you and stick with it.

Connect your providers Make sure your various doctors share information. For example, if you have an unexpected hospital visit, notify your primary care provider so they can review any new medications or diagnoses from the hospital and help you fit them into your current care plan. This can also help protect you from unnecessary or duplicate procedures.

Find alternative access to care If you have difficulty getting around or live far from where care is rendered, there are programs to help. Your provider may offer virtual visits. You may be able to have prescriptions safely delivered to your home in a 90-day supply, perhaps at a lower cost, and with reminders for refills. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you may be eligible for rides to your provider or pharmacy at no extra cost. Learn more about Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans at www.cigna. com/medicare.

Seek help with costs “Extra Help” is a federal program providing prescription drug cost support to those who qualify. Many pharmaceutical manufacturers help customers afford medications. You could also ask your healthcare provider about generic medications, which typically cost less but are equally effective.

Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans pay for many preventive procedures with no extra cost to you.

“If keeping up with your health care feels overwhelming, please don’t get discouraged,” said Dr. Sobel, who oversees a team of clinicians that contact Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage customers whose prescriptions have lapsed or not been refilled.

“Seek help from a doctor, a pharmacy or a loved one. They want to help you. Keep in mind that it’s easier to maintain good health than it is to recapture your health following a preventable crisis.” (SPT) 

• Women with hearing loss are more likely to be depressed.

• Higher levels of physical activity can lower your risk of hearing loss.

• Hearing loss is the third most common public health issue in the US.

“Best of” 2023 Ballot 22nd Annual

Dining & Entertainment

American Restaurant Atmosphere

Banquet Facility Bar

Barbecue

Breakfast

Brewery Brunch

Burger

Business Lunch

Catering

Chef

Chinese Restaurant Cocktails

Deli

Desserts

Dinner

Donuts

Family Entertainment

Family Restaurant

Fast Food

Frozen Yogurt

Happy Hour

Health Food

Ice Cream Store

Indian Restaurant

Italian Restaurant

Live Entertainment

Lunch Spot

Mediterranean Restaurant

Mexican Restaurant

New Restaurant

Pizza

Place for kids to have fun

Place to throw a party

Restaurant Service

Romantic Restaurant

Sandwiches

Seafood Restaurant

Social / Country Club

Sports Bar

Steak

Sushi

Takeout

Thai

Vietnamese Restaurant Wine Bar

For the Home

Air & Heating Service

Carpet / Flooring Store

Carpet Cleaning

Cleaning Company (Residential)

Contractor/ Remodeler

Door Company

Electrical Contractor

Emergency Restoration

Furniture Store

Glass & Mirror

Interior/Exterior Paint

Landscaping

Mattress Store

Pest Control

Plumber

Pool & Spa Supplies

Pool Services

Roofing Contractor

Solar Installer

Synthetic Lawns

Window Cleaning

Window Company

Window Coverings

Health & Fitness

Acupuncture

Audiologist

Cardiologist

Children’s Dentist

Children’s Fitness Center

Chiropractor

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Surgeon

Cross Fit Gym

Dance Studio

Dentistry

Dermatologist

Esthetician

Family Practice

Fitness Center / Gym

Golf Course

Gymnastics Center

Hair Removal Hospital

Hypnotherapist

Imaging Services

Internal Medicine

Lasik Surgery

Life Coach

Martial Arts

Medical Center

Optometrist

Oral Surgeon

Orthodontist

Orthopedist

Outpatient Surgery

Pediatrics

Periodontist

Personal Trainer

Physical Therapy

Pilates Studio

Plastic Surgeon

Podiatrist

Swim School

Urgent Care

Yoga Studio

Professional

Accounting & Tax Preparation

Architect

Bankruptcy Attorney

Bookkeeper

Business Attorney

Civil Attorney

Commercial Real Estate Agent

Criminal Attorney

Family Law Attorney

Health Care Insurance

Insurance Agent

Insurance Company

Interior Designer Investment Company

Mortgage Lender

Networking Group

Personal Injury Attorney

Private Investigator

Real Estate Agent

Travel

Veterinarian Services

After School Care

Appliance Repair

Art School

Assisted Living / Retirement Comm

Auto Paint and Body Shop

Auto Repair

Auto Stereo Awards / Trophies

Bail Bond Company

Bank

Barber Shop

Beauty Salon

Child Care Center

Cleaning Company (Commercial)

College

Commercial Real Estate Company

Computer Repair

Credit Union

Escrow Company

Executive Suites and Office Rental

High School

Limousine

Mortuary

Moving Company

Music School

Party Rentals

Name

Performing Arts School

Pet Groomer

Pet Hospital

Pet Trainer

Photographer Place to volunteer

Preschool

Printing & Graphics Company

Private School

Real Estate Company

Religious School School District

Security Services

Senior Care

Summer Camp

Tanning Salon

Tattoo Shop

Temp Agency

Tutoring Center

Web Design Company

Wedding Coordinator

Shopping

Balloon Design

Bicycle Store

Boat/RV Sales

Boutique

Bridal Shop

Car Wash

Children’s Clothing Store

Custom Framing

Day Spa

Dealership Service Department

Dry Cleaners

Floral Arrangements

Golf Equipment & Supply Hotel

Jewelry Store

Luxury Car Dealership

Massage

Men’s Clothing Store

Motorcycle Dealership

Music Store

Nail Salon

New Car Dealership

Nursery

Off Road Dealership

Pawn Shop

Pet Store

Pharmacy

Retail Wine Shop

Self Storage Facility

Shoe Store

Tire Store

Tuxedo Rental

Used Car Sales

Women’s Clothing Store

Voter Information

Address City State Zip

Email

One entry per household, per ballot. Must be 18 or older to vote. Voting ends 11:59 pm on June 17, 2023.

We appreciate your votes!

Please complete this ballot and return it to:

The Signal 25060 Avenue Stanford Ste 141 Valencia, CA 91355

“Best Of” Contest Rules

1. Only official ballots will be accepted (no photocopies).

2. All ballots must have a minimum of 5 categories completed.

3. Employees and families of The Signal are ineligible to participate.

4. The Signal will not enter into a written or oral discussion regarding the contest results, and all entries become the property of The Signal.

5. The Signal reserves the right to publish the results of the reader survey, delete questions, or restructure, and to refuse questionable or duplicate entries.

Dr. Allen Smudde DDS Dr. Kelly Smudde DDS 661-259-4474 YourValenciaDentist.com 27450 Tourney Road, Suite 250 Valencia

Santa Clarita Menu Guide

Pho Sure

Thai Dishes (Valencia)

Egg Plantation

Everest Burgers

Pho Sure signature dish is our Authentic Vietnamese beef noodle soups; however, we do offer an array of rice, dry noodle dishes as well as Vietnamese curry, Banh Hoi and Pho Ap Chao. We welcome you to Pho Sure because we trust that you will like what you try, Pho Sure!

23876 Copperhill Dr Valencia, Ca 91354 (661) 257-3888

Numero Uno Pizza

Eating is Believing!

We’re an authentic Thai Restaurant with many years of experience, cooking noodles, rice, seafood, curries using the freshest ingredients. We are located next to the 99 cents store on Valencia Blvd. Come try our yellow chicken curry and shrimp PAD SEE-EW. They’re Delicious!

23328 Valencia Blvd. Valencia, ca. 91355 (661) 253-3663

Pierogi Spot

About Egg Plantation

WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR WARM, ATTENTIVE HOSPITALITY, DELICOUS FRESH COOKED FOOD AND QUAINT CAFE CHARM. We specialize in breakfast including 101 omelets. We offer specialty espresso beverages and a full bar serving the best Bloody Marys around using our in house recipe.

24415 Walnut St Newhall, CA. 91321 661-255-8222

Newhall Refinery

Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and catering. We have Breakfast burritos, avocado bacon cheese burgers, grilled chicken salads, carne asada fries, avocado and bacon sandwiches. We serve quality food and generous portions.

18645 Soledad Cyn Rd. Santa Clarita , 91351 (661) 252-3412

Neighbarista

The restaurant is entirely family owned and operated and they’ve been doing it since 1993!!. The service is excellent and very friendly. The establishment carries fantastic pasta and Chicago style deep-dish pizza, not to mention the fresh made salads, sandwiches and appetizers.

26111 Bouquet Canyon Rd Santa Clarita, 91350 (661) 259-3895

One and only Polish food restaurant in Santa Clarita valley. Best comfort food in town. We specialize in serving house made pierogi, sausages, cabbage rolls, stews, schnitzels, and desserts on fire… Every meal includes Free daily soup and fresh salad. Give us a try, You won’t be disappointed!!!

26511 Golden Valley Rd Santa Clarita , 91350 (661) 254-4850

Newhall’s first gastropub located in the heart of Old Town Newhall, has the valley’s finest selection of craft beer with twenty rotating craft beers in our custom draught system. A fine selection of wines and amazing handcrafted cocktails, and a taste for everyone from our specialty blend craft burgers to delicious chef created entrees.

24258 Main Street Newhall Ca. 91321 661-388-4477

Breakfast elevated in the Santa Clarita Valley. A welcoming atmosphere and excellent service paired with excellent food. Everything served is made inhouse and they offer a variety of unique dishes. You are likely to fall in love with their breakfasts and lunches.

23120 Lyons Ave #24 Newhall, CA 91321 (661) 288-2217

Jersey Mike’s

L’Italiano Restaurant

Numero Uno

Fire Island Grill

Numero Uno Pizza is a local family-owned small business pizza restaurant for dine-in, pick up and delivery. The restaurant has a very cozy atmosphere with a unique family-oriented feeling. The owners, Sara and Daniel, are there most of the week, treating their customers as longtime friends since most of them truly are. The establishment has been open at the same location for thirty years, with Daniel managing for more than twenty.

Numero Uno was originally founded in 1973, and was very well known, thriving in the 70s and 80s. But as competition arose, several stores have now gone out of business, and we are very lucky that our beloved Numero Uno Pizza in Santa Clarita is still going strong. They are famous for their Chicago style deep dish pizza, as it is served in a deep dish pan with a hint of sweetness in the delicious dough.

The Romano Bread puffs is an appetizer made out of the same sweet dough (deep fried bread balls) sprinkled with garlic sauce and Parmesan cheese. As this is one of the most popular appetizers, and one of the most original ones, being on the menu since 1973! They also offer a homemade lasagna that is a must try, as well as their fresh made salads paired with marinated red onions. Not to mention all the other fantastic pastas they carry.

Customers still continue to drive from Ventura, Bakersfield, Antelope Valley, and farther, just to experience this pizza in such a welcoming environment.

COMING SOON

We are a quick casual restaurant serving an Island Fusion Flavor. We serve a variety of Rice Bowls, Salads, and Sandwiches. All our sauces and dressings are made in house. We offer in dining service, catering, to go orders, and delivery services.

19335 Plum Canyon Road Suite A

Santa Clarita 91350

Delicious food served

a

an elevated twist. Large screens and sound systems ensure sports viewing is comfortable. Wine and beer lovers rejoice with rotating selections of 40 beers on draft and regional wines served by glass or flight.

23460 Cinema Dr Unit J

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

(661) 753-3124

Funburger

with

smile. Funburger offers American fare with

At Jersey Mike’s, we offer a sub above — one that’s measured in more than inches or seconds ‘til served. We carefully consider every aspect of what we do — every slice, every sandwich, every store — we provide our customers with sustenance and substance too.

9 Locations in SCV, visit www. JerseyMikes.com for the one nearest you.

L’Italiano Restaurant — The Truffle Hunter — Located in the heart of Santa Clarita offers a welcoming environment and warm staff to serve you. You’ll find mouth-watering traditional Italian food prepared fresh to order, made with pride. Dine in for the full experience, ordering pickup or delivery online is available.

GARDENING

Helping Your Backyard Garden Birds Stay Healthy

Bird feeding is a common practice in the United States, with more than 59 million Americans participating, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. In addition to providing aesthetic and recreational benefits, bird feeding can have positive impacts on bird populations.

According to the National Audubon Society, birds provide important ecosystem services, such as pollination, pest control and seed dispersal. In fact, around 87% of flowering plants rely on animal pollinators, including birds, to reproduce and grow, according to a study published in “Science.” Birds also consume fruits and berries then spread the seeds, which helps maintain biodiversity and promotes the growth of new plants.

Considered good indicators of the health of the ecosystem, changes in bird populations and behaviors can signal changes in the environment, such as pollution, habitat loss and climate change. As temperatures, weather patterns and ecosystems change, it can affect the availability of food for birds, which may alter their behavior.

Feeding birds can be a beneficial practice that helps them cope with climate change. Consider these benefits:

Supplemental Food

Bird feeders provide a supplemental source of food for birds when natural food sources may be scarce due to prolonged droughts or severe storms. Bird feeding can help birds maintain energy levels, especially during breeding or migration when

nutritional needs are higher.

• Range Shifts Climate change can cause shifts in the distribution and abundance of bird species. Feeders can serve as “refuges” for birds, providing reliable food sources as they move in search of suitable habitats.

• Behavioral Adaptations Some species may alter their feeding behaviors due to changes in timing of insects hatching or plants flowering, which can affect the availability of natural food sources. Bird feeders can help bridge these gaps, providing a stable source of food when traditional sources are disrupted.

Feeders

To attract more birds this season, it’s important to offer quality feed in a variety of bird feeder types placed at different heights.

Traditional tube feeders are basic, all-purpose, must-have feeders that work well for finches, nuthatches and other small birds that cling. Made with state-of- the-art materials to prevent warping and discoloration, Cole’s Terrific Tube Feeder features a quick-clean removable base.

Simply push a button and the bottom of the feeder comes off for easy

access. Rinse well with soapy water, submerge in a 9-1 water-bleach solution, rinse and dry. Then reattach the bottom; there’s no disassembly or assembly of multiple parts necessary. Regular cleaning of feeders is essential, preventing mold, germs and disease.

Another option, bowl feeders, can serve not only seeds, but also dried mealworms, fruit and suet in cake or kibble form. For example, Cole’s Bountiful Bowl Feeder comes with an adjustable dome cover you can raise or lower to protect from rain and prevent larger birds and squirrels from getting to the food.

Popular Foods

In addition to feeders, offering a variety of foods is vital for inviting different species to your backyard.

• Birdseed Not all birdseed is created equal. Look for quality blends without filler seeds like red millet and oats.

All-natural seed, containing no chemicals or mineral oil, is safe and more appealing to birds. Consider researched, specially formulated options like all-natural black oil sunflower, Cole’s “Hot Meats” (sunflower meats infused with habanero chile

peppers) or Special Feeder blend, which is packed with black oil sunflower, sunflower meats, black striped sunflower, raw peanuts, safflower and pecans.

• Dried Mealworms Full of energy, essential nutrients, fats and proteins, mealworms are a preferred food for adult songbirds. Dried mealworms are easy to feed, less messy and lack the “ick” factor of live worms.

• Fresh Fruit Apple and orange halves and chunks of banana are favorites for orioles and tanagers.

• No-Melt Suet Perfect for insect-eating birds, high-fat food provides abundant calories and rich nutrition.

Don’t forget, birds need water just as much as humans. Drinking water helps regulate body processes, improves metabolism and maintains health. Birds also use water for preening and bathing, and on hot days, standing in cool water or taking a quick splash can help them keep cool.

Find more solutions to bring birds to your backyard at ColesWildBird. com. (Family Features) 

Small Renovations That Can Make a Big Impact

Home renovations provide a host of benefits. Such projects can increase resale value and improve on the safety, aesthetics and functionality of a home. Some homeowners may employ the mantra “go big or go home” when they embark on home improvements, thinking that only the largest renovations produce noticeable change. But that’s not the case. Various smaller renovations can provide a lot of bang for homeowners’ bucks as well.

Countertops and Hardware

A complete kitchen overhaul may stretch some homeowners’ budgets. However, changing an older countertop for a new material can provide the facelift a kitchen needs. And while changing the cabinets may be homeowners’ ultimate goal, swapping hardware in dated finishes for newer handles and pulls can provide low-cost appeal.

Paint

Painting a space is an inexpensive improvement that adds maximum impact. Paint can transform dark and drab rooms into bright and airy oases. Paint also can be used to create an accent wall or cozy nooks. Homeowners also can showcase their personalities with their choice of paint colors.

Saturday

and help homeowners save money. The initial investment may be significant, but those costs will pay off in energy savings. According to One Main Financial, space heating is the largest energy expense the average American homeowner has, accounting for around 45 percent of all energy costs.

Mudroom

Turn an entryway into a more functional space with the addition of cabinets, benches or custom-designed storage options that perfectly fit the area. Cubbies and cabinets can corral shoes, umbrellas, hats, bags, and much more.

Accent Updates

Lighting

Homeowners should not underestimate what a change in lighting can do. When rooms or exterior spaces are illuminated, they take on entirely new looks. It’s worth it to invest in new lighting, whether it’s a dramatic hanging light over the dining room table or task lighting in dim spaces.

Weatherproofing

Improving windows, doors, weatherstripping, and insulation in a home can offer visual appeal

Any space, whether it’s inside or outside a home, can get a fresh look with new decorative accents. Invest in new throw pillows and even slipcovers for living room sofas. Use new tile or paint the brick on a fireplace in a den, then update the mantel with decorative displays. Purchase wall art that can bring different colors into a room. Change the cushions on deck furniture and buy color-coordinated planters.

These subtle changes will not cost as much as full-scale renovations, but they can still help homeowners transform their homes. (MC) 

SOLUTIONS

Hate at the Ballpark

So the L.A. Dodgers fan base has been advised the Dodgers’ version of “Pride” is to mock and denigrate Christian religions in general, and the Catholic faith in particular, by inviting the hate-mongering group, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, to be honored at Pride Night June 16 at Dodger Stadium.

It is unfathomable that such a storied MLB franchise would wish to be associated with such a vile display of anti-religion perpetuated by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

I applaud star pitcher Clayton Kershaw for being “the adult in the room” by taking it upon himself to reintroduce “Christian Faith and Family Day” at Dodger Stadium. It’s unfortunate the Dodgers’ senior management has stooped to the low level that is now very apparent. The antics of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are the very definition of “hate speech.” The Dodgers’ fan base can determine if they choose to continue to support this team, but I strongly urge the Santa Clarita City Council to disassociate our city from the Dodgers by canceling Santa Clarita Dodger Day, scheduled to be held only one day after the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be allowed to make a mockery of organized religion. For our City Council to not to do so will be seen as the city endorsing the actions of this vitriolic and hateful group.

Dennis Fuerst Santa Clarita

Wanted: The Whole Story

I enjoy reading the letters and opinion sections each day. I feel that perhaps we are getting into a debate rather than voicing our ideas and feeling about a subject. The constant back and forth between what one person said yesterday or last week is a debate. One only needs to be sure of their facts if possible. I feel that we the public do not get all the facts on most stories written or reported in the media. Each paper and media outlet reports stories that are slanted to one side or the other. Looking at both sides of a story may reveal to us a clearer idea of what is being reported. We never get all the story.

Michael Dempsey Newhall

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Ethics and the Rule of Law

By David Hegg

If you were staying awake your junior year of high school, you’ll remember hearing about “the rule of law.” Mrs. Kraft, my favorite history teacher at John Rogers High School in Spokane, made sure we understood the vital importance this founding principle held in setting apart the newly formed United States from all other countries in the world. Unlike those municipalities, states and nations ruled by monarchs and despots, the USA was to be ruled by laws specifically formed to treat everyone equally.

The concepts that made up the rule of law were both simple and complex. On the simple side, this form of governance was blindfolded, demonstrating that nothing about the person could change the way he or she was treated. The law only regarded the person as measured by law. Today we still understand this, or at least that’s what we should champion as Americans.

Everyone is to be treated the same under the law, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, economic or social status, ideology, group alignment, or individual characteristics. From the beginning of our Union, this principle was foundational to the formation and health of the American experiment.

The Founders also recognized that, for the rule of law to be just, a system for creating, applying and enforcing the law had to be established, safeguarded and implemented justly. This was the purpose of our beloved Constitution. The Constitution defines, defends and declares the rule of law, American style.

Again, back to American history class, you’ll remember there are three branches of our government. A simple overview shows the power to create law was granted to the Legislative branch comprised of duly elected officials from among the citizenry. The Executive branch, again elected, was to administrate and apply the law, while the Judicial branch, both elected and appointed, was charged to deal with those cases where the law may have been broken. It was their responsibility through law enforcement to first gather up those suspected of breaking the law, then allow the courts to weigh the evidence and pronounce the appropriate fines or sentences on those found guilty.

The Founders understood that law needed to exist because universal righteousness does not. However, they also understood rightly that, given no one is perfectly righteous, those making, applying and enforcing the laws had to be mutually accountable to one another, and to the citizenry whose servants they became when they entered public service. Remember when “public service” actually meant serving the public interest? But I digress! They also recognized that human laws need the

guarantee of human force for civil society to thrive, and criminal activity to be both deterred and restrained. That’s the penal side of the rule of law.

But, despite the foundational aspects of the rule of law, today all around us we are watching the ethical unraveling of the rule of law. Our national character is collapsing, and this has the potential to severely cripple the doctrine of the rule of law.

Daily we read reports, themselves of dubious consistency, of those in the highest levels of government who openly ignore the rule of law either by their disregard for it personally, or their refusal to allow others to uphold and enforce the law.

Go to almost any large metropolis and you’ll find property rights no longer protected by those whose job it is to deal with those breaking the law. So too you’ll see drug deals going down in plain sight, blatant smashand-grab robberies, as well as smug thieves who plunder stores and walk away unhindered, knowing that, as long as their thievery doesn’t exceed a certain nonsensical dollar amount, there will be no consequence. They know that, in our society, the rule of law no longer can rule over them.

We also are hearing from many who no longer consider it a necessary principle for justice to be blind. Proposals are everywhere attempting to banish this segment for their race, that segment for their religious views, and still others for their refusal to agree with the latest woke absurdities. And now we’re hearing that having a great credit score could even be punished!

Certainly, we have learned little from Dr. King’s dream that it is character, not color, nor anything else that ought to identify a person in the eyes of society.

That the rule of law is foundational, fundamental and essential American political doctrine cannot be ignored. And even though we have experienced seasons where unrighteousness overwhelmed our best selves, and unjust actions were promulgated, even those admissions and recognitions do not constitute a compelling reason to act contrary to the founding principle of the rule of law.

Prejudice cannot be the remedy for prejudice. Vengeance cannot be the solution to injustice and cruelty cannot create civility. In America, all are created equal. While government is charged to uphold the rule of law, it is also the responsibility of us as citizens, neighbors and fellow travelers on the road of life, to love one another as human beings first, then listen and deal with our differences differently than some have in the past.

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