Enjoy a summer filled with exploration, songs, crafts, special events and of course – READING! Register yourself or sign-up the whole family to log your reading days and participate in a variety of reading challenges from June 12 through July 29 for the chance to win prizes.
Sponsored by:
The Four Preps’ popular song of the 50s and 60s says the “island of romance” is “26 miles across the sea” but in fact, its a bit closer and that means that you can get there even faster so you can enjoy the beauty of Catalina Island.
It’s described as white-sand beaches with melt-your-heart sunsets. “Catalina Island has all the elements you want in an island retreat—appealing lodgings, tempting seafood restaurants, beachy splendor, and family-friendly water sports. But you’ll also discover the unexpected, including a star-studded history—Marilyn Monroe lived here—exotic gardens, and even a wine estate,” says Visit California.
The first step is getting there and there are a couple of options, unless you have your own transportation. The trip is about an hour by boat.
Catalina Express offers year-round boat transportation to Catalina from Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point. Your departure port determines where you land. Long Beach goes to Avalon, San Pedro to Two Harbors and Avalon, and Dana Point goes to Avalon.
Roundtrip tickets range from $6 for infants to $85 for adults. There is a senior discount and additional charges for surfboards or bikes. For more information, visit www.catalinaexpress.com.
The Catalina Flyer ferry travels from Newport Beach to Avalon. Roundtrip tickets range from $7.20 to $78 for adults with a $5 discount for seniors. The Bike fee is $20 each. For more information and to book a ride, visit www. catalinainfo.com/catalina-flyer-schedules-fares.html.
If you want to get there even faster, you can splurge and take a 15-minute helicopter ride from various Southern California locations. There are several companies that offer the 15-minute trip.
Avalon is what most people think of when Catalina Island comes to mind. It is the only incorporated city on the island and it wraps around Avalon Bay.
Once you land on the island it is only a short walk to the main part of town. Here you can rent bikes and check in at the Tour Plaza or Pleasure Pier to book adventures.
The Pleasure Pier is the launching place for all Catalina Island Company ocean tours including Undersea Sub Expedition, Glass Bottom Boat, Discover Two Harbors and the seasonal Flying Fish Voyage. The brightly colored pier extends into the harbor near Crescent Street and Catalina Avenue.
The company offers tickets for their land-based tours at the Tour Plaza, which is located a block from the beach between Catalina and Sumner Ave-
nues. Their land tours include Discover Avalon, Bison Expedition, Journey to the Sky and the Ridgetop Eco Adventure.
The Undersea Sub Expedition is exactly what the name implies. You’ll board a Sea Wolf Semi-Submersible and cruise five feet below the surface to explore the wonders of the Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve. Here you see undersea creatures including bright orange Garibaldi, spotted calico bass, urchins, rock fish and bat rays.
At Two Harbors, which is located on the west end of the island, you can relax and enjoy an afternoon on the beach or rent mountain bikes, kayaks, paddleboards or snorkel gear to explore the water or trails. Two Harbors also offers excellent scuba diving.
Search for American Bison in the Catalina outback on the Bison Expedition or through the Catalina Island Conservancy’s Eco Tours
According to the conservancy, a herd of 14 American bison were brought to Catalina Island in 1924 for background for a film. The film crew left and the herd stayed. In 1972, the conservancy took responsibility for the herd’s wellbeing. The conservancy also offers a four-hour tour of the island’s wildflowers.
For more information, visit catalina conservancy.org/recreation/bison.
Nothing is probably more iconic than the island’s famed Casino, which was built under the direction of William Wrigley, Jr. of the famed Wrigley family.
It opened on May 29, 1929, and for nearly a century was the main venue for entertainers, Broadway productions and special events. Contrary to popular belief, there never has been gambling at the casino. Its name comes from the Italian language where casino means a gathering place.
To this day, the casino hosts many major indoor events including the Catalina Film Festivals. Tours are available.
If you enjoy golf, you may want to check out the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi. The Catalina Island Country Club and Golf Course is the former home of the Bobby Jones Invitational Tournament.
It was originally built as a threehole course, expanded to nine holes
in the early 1900s, 18 holes in 1929 and today is back to a nine hole with five Par 4s.
For more information and fees, visit catalinagolfcourse.com.
Catalina has a several restaurants where you can experience a variety of culinary experiences.
The Descanso Beach Club is Avalon’s only beachside restaurant and bar. It offers a selection of appetizers including chicken lollipops, catch of the day ceviche and Mexican elote.
Specialties include seared Ahi Tuna Steak, Kalbi Shortribs and a variety of burgers.
The Avalon Grille features premium meats, local fish, and farmstand produce. It also serves the famous Wrigley Martini, which was originally only served at the Wrigley Bar in Chicago’s Wrigley Building.
Catalina has a lot to offer for a one-day experience or several days.
There are hotels in Avalon and at Two Harbors, plus camping on the west side. So, if you’re looking for that island adventure, Catalina may
Santa Catalina Island has a long and storied history with inhabitants on the island for the past 7,000 years. The first Europeans to arrive claimed the island for the Spanish Empire. It was later turned over to Mexico and then to the United States. The island has served as a stop for smugglers, gold diggers, pirates, hunters, the Union army and missionaries. Catalina’s history as a resort destination began about 125 years ago.
By 1864, Catalina Island was entirely owned by James Lick, who was once considered the wealthiest man in California. After a few failed attempts at a resort development, Lick sold the island to the sons of Phineas Banning in 1891. The Banning Brothers established the Santa Catalina Island Company in 1894 and began developing the island into a resort destination, building hotels, attractions, and roads into the island’s rugged interior.
In 1915, a fire burned down half of Avalon’s buildings. The brothers attempted to salvage their investment, building Hotel St. Catherine in Descanso Canyon to attract new visitors, but they eventually had to sell the island in 1919.
In 1919, chewing gum entrepreneur William Wrigley Jr. bought nearly every share of the Santa Catalina Island Company until he owned a controlling interest. He then invested millions in his vision to create a “playground for all” on Catalina Island, building infrastructure, a reservoir, Hotel
be the place to go. For more information on things to do and where to stay, visit www.visit catalinaisland.com.
Atwater, Bird Park and other attractions.
In 1921, he made Avalon the Spring Training home of his beloved Chicago Cub’s, building the Catalina Country Club to house the team’s lockers and provide a gathering place for players. The team continued to train on the island until 1951.
In 1929, Wrigley built the iconic Catalina Casino, which boasts the world’s largest circular ballroom and the first theatre designed and built to show talking motion pictures. His son Philip Knight Wrigley took over and continued his father’s vision after his passing in 1932. During World War II, the island served as a military training facility and was closed to tourists.
The Island was a popular spot with Hollywood’s elite during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. More than 500 films, documentaries, commercials, and TV shows have been shot in and around Catalina.
To this day, descendants of William Wrigley Jr. still own the Catalina Island Company and carry on his vision to create a world-class island resort.
In 1975, Philip Knight Wrigley, his wife Helen, and his sister, Dorothy Wrigley Offield, deeded 42,000 acres of Catalina Island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, a non-profit organization they had established three years earlier in 1972. The oldest and largest private land trust in Southern California, the Conservancy has a continuing mission to “be a responsible steward of our lands through a balance of conservation, education, and recreation.”
—Catalina Island Company
Starting on a path toward healthy habits is often easier than maintaining them long term. This year, you can avoid a major pitfall of healthy resolutions and build healthy habits that stick by working small, positive steps into your daily life.
In fact, healthy habits are the first suggested treatment strategy for people whose blood pressure and cholesterol levels are creeping higher than normal, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement.
“The current guidelines for managing high blood pressure and cholesterol recognize that otherwise healthy individuals with mildly or moderately elevated levels of these cardiovascular risk factors should actively attempt to reduce these risks, and increasing physical activity is a great place to start,” said Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D., chair of the statement writing group and chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at West Virginia University School of Public Health.
These six ideas from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Habit Coach can help.
You may be surprised to learn the truth about creating and sticking to healthy habits. One myth is getting healthy means doing things you don’t like. Research shows positive emotions make habits stick, so set your intentions on something you enjoy. Another misconception is big results require big changes, which may lead to overly ambitious habits. However, the simpler the routine is, the more likely it is to become habit.
Your brain creates “loops” for habits made up of three things: a cue, a routine and a reward. Each time the loop is repeated, it becomes more routine and may become automatic. Knowing this, you can design cues for developing new, healthy habits, such as setting walking shoes by the bed to start a walking habit. The routine is putting on the shoes and walking around the block, and the reward is the pleasant sensations and brighter mood from a morning stroll.
Most successful health habits begin with a cue. The cue can be external in your environment or internal in terms of your mindset. The more consistent the cue, the more likely it is to trigger the habit. Hacking your brain’s reminder system can help you remember your cue. Some examples of visual cues are placing a sticky note where you’ll see it often, keeping a water bottle on your desk or refrigerating fresh veggies at eye level.
Positive and consistent habits are important to achieve your personal goals. Small habits done consistently can add up to big results. To create a new healthy habit, think through the steps that could lead to your desired outcome. Ask yourself whether you want to do it, if it’s easy and if it’s high impact. It’s important to choose habits that make a difference and move you closer to your goals.
For example, if one of your goals is improving your heart health, a meaningful habit might be to move more. Increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol along with many other health benefits, Gibbs said.
“Every little bit of activity is better than none,” she said. “Even small initial increases of 5-10 minutes a day can yield health benefits.”
Start by choosing a habit you enjoy that’s rewarding by itself. If you’re more of a dancer than runner, increase your physical activity with an upbeat dance class. You might also look for a more enjoyable version of a new habit, such as getting more fruits and veggies by sipping on a delicious smoothie.
New habits are experiments. If they don’t stick, you haven’t failed. Instead, you’ve learned what doesn’t work, which is useful. Get curious and ask yourself which part of the habit didn’t work for you. Maybe the cue was ineffective. Maybe the steps of the routine were too ambitious and you need to split them into smaller, easier steps. If you realize you don’t enjoy the habit, stop doing it and try something else.
Find more inspiration and ideas to jumpstart healthy habits this year at heart.org/habits. (Family Features)
If you’re like most Americans, health is an important aspect of your resolutions when each new year rolls around. While factors like diet and exercise are keys to healthy living, so are the ways you care for your home and belongings. Your home living environment plays a major role in your health and comfort, so incorporating some new habits like these from the cleaning experts at Swash Laundry Detergent can help you establish a healthier lifestyle.
Especially during the winter months when your home tends to be closed tight, air can grow stale. Do your best to keep air quality strong by opening windows on mild days to circulate fresh air, using an air purifier to remove irritants and pollutants, frequently vacuuming and sweeping to keep floor dust and debris under control and regularly cleaning textiles that can trap allergens and other particles.
Using too much laundry detergent isn’t just risking buildup and unnecessary wear on your washer and dryer; it can also increase the residue and buildup in your clothes, which can lead to skin irritation and damage fabric faster. Using only what you need helps protect your belongings and your skin. An option like Swash Laundry Detergent, which features a Precision Pour Cap, dispenses the detergent for you, so you only pour what you need to effectively clean each load and fight stains. A single bottle of the ultra-concentrated formula — available in Simply Sunrise, Free & Clear and Pure Linen scents — washes up to 83 loads while taking up less space than traditional, bulky detergent bottles.
When winter brings day after day of dark, dreary weather, it can take a toll on your mood. Brightening your living space with natural light can positively influence your emotional state while helping with your electric bill. If you’re concerned about
privacy, utilize window treatments at night, but let the sunlight bring good cheer to your living spaces during the day.
While you sleep, your body sheds oils, cells and elements you carry into your home like pollen. Sheets should be washed once a week on the hottest water setting your fabric will tolerate (check tags for laundering directions on your sheets before washing). If your schedule makes weekly washing, drying and remaking the bed unrealistic, consider having a couple sets you can rotate so you always have fresh, clean sheets waiting to remake your bed on laundry day.
The materials that keep you feeling cool and
fresh by wicking away sweat can quickly get stinky, but over-washing can make them lose their shape and fade. Even so, washing after every use is a must. Washing workout clothes inside out exposes the surfaces that have absorbed sweat and body oil to detergent and agitation. Be sure to close zippers, buttons, clasps and other fasteners to prevent snags. Pre-soaking with equal parts vinegar and cold water can also help eliminate odors, and washing in a gentle, cold-water cycle and drying on low heat can help protect the fabric’s elasticity and wicking properties.
Start your year off right with more advice for healthy habits around the home at Swash.com. (Family Features)
Having an organized and decorated laundry room can ease the weight of your to-do list and the tension you feel from the day-today grind. It can also help keep your laundry routine simple, orderly and organized. Consider these tips from the laundry experts at Swash:
Think Like a Minimalist
Empty your laundry space and sort through what you need and what you don’t. Eliminating the extras leaves
room to evaluate your space. Consider whether you could organize differently to make frequently used items more accessible and make the most of your storage space. Cutting down on clutter may even make it possible to incorporate shelves or cabinets.
Open Shelving
Open laundry shelves offer a sense of more space, and the horizontal lines can lend a sense of calm. For an easy and attractive upgrade, try hanging 2-3 open shelves within easy
reach. If you’re hesitant about the open feel, limit to just one shelf for the everyday necessities and keep the rest of your laundry supplies out of sight in a complementing cabinet. Baskets offer another option for concealing your belongings, whether you use them on the open shelves or inside cabinets to keep things tidy and clutter-free.
A Practical Workspace
Mundane laundry chores like folding can be more enjoyable when you
have a comfortable, dedicated space for the job. An open counter or table that folds down from the wall gives you the surface you need to fold clothing within your laundry space without disrupting the rest of the house. Other ways to add practical space include areas for sorting garments that need special attention and a place to hang items that shouldn’t be dried in the dryer. (Family Features)
Each year, streets are evaluated and identified for their need for pavement preservation and rehabilitation treatments through Road Rehab. By resurfacing existing roads to provide a smoother ride for vehicles, this initiative is an integral part in extending the lifespan of the pavement infrastructure here in Santa Clarita.
The 2022-23 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program begins in June and focuses on the resurfacing and coating of street surfaces, crack sealing, reconstruction and maintenance of roads citywide. Overlay treatment involves the application of a fresh layer of asphalt onto existing roadways, by grinding down the existing asphalt to prepare it for the new layer. Slurry Seal is an effective pavement preservation technique that involves an emulsion of finely crushed aggregate and water, which is applied to the existing street surface. This treatment is specifically designed to preserve the asphalt infrastructure and enhance the overall driving experience.
The selection process for rehabilitation follows
a data-driven approach, considering factors such as average daily traffic volume and the Pavement Condition Index (PCI). These criteria help to assess the condition of roads, including factors such as cracking, potholes and structural integrity. This year, Road Rehab will focus on the major arterials of Plum Canyon Road from Bouquet Canyon Road to Delight Street, as well as Copper Hill Drive from West Hills Drive to Rio Norte Drive and Newhall Ranch Road to Decoro Drive. More information can be found by visiting the santa-clarita.com/ RoadRehab.
Residents can access the City’s website for a more thorough comparison between slurry seal and overlay treatment, as well as a list of streets chosen for inclusion in this year’s Road Rehab. On our website, you can also find instructions on what you should do if your street is part of the program. To keep residents informed, electronic message boards will be installed in specific neighborhoods, along with social media and physical fliers, notifying them of the anticipated schedule for construction activities. Residents will additionally receive direct notices regarding the upcoming work to ensure they stay well-informed about the progress and any potential disruptions that may occur.
The City boasts an impressive 74.71 lane miles
of rehabilitated treatments through Road Rehab in the 2022 project and a planned 73.37 amount of lane miles for 2023. City staff continue to work hard to preserve our streets and improve the quality of life here in Santa Clarita.
The City will post updates on Twitter (@santaclarita) using #SCRoadRehab. You do not need a Twitter account to see these updates, so be sure to check the City’s page periodically to remain informed of any changes.
If you have any questions about Road Rehab and the street selection process, please do not hesitate to contact the Information Hotline at (661) 2902291. If your street is not chosen for Road Rehab in the selection process, but there are blemishes such as cracking or potholes in a roadway, please visit santa-clarita.com/RSC to request these to be addressed properly. Thank you and drive safely, Santa Clarita!
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.
S f o r m e r S: r i S e o f t h e B e a S tS C Sun: 10:00 1:10 4:10 7:10; Mon to Thu: 1:10 4:10 7:10
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts wil take audiences on a ‘90s globetrott ng adventure with the Autobots and ntroduce a whole new breed of Transformer - the Max ma s - to the ex sting battle or Ear th
t h e B o o g e ym a n C Sun & Mon: 1:30 4:30
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H gh school student Sad e Harper and her younger s ster are reel ng from the recent death of their mother and aren t getting much suppor t from the r therapist father When a desperate patient shows up at their home he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on fam lies
Pa D r e P i o E Sun: 10:20 AM
t is the end of World War I and the young Ital an soldiers are mak ng the r way back to San Giovanni Rotondo a and of pover ty historic v o ence and the iron c ad rule of the church and its wealthy landowners Fam lies 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: 10:00 1:20 4:00 7:00; Mon to Thu: 1:20 4:00 7:00
An epic adventure that w ll transpor t Brook yn s ful -time friendly neighborhood Spider-Man across the Multiverse to jo n forces with Gwen Stac y and a new team of Spider-People to face off w th a vi lain more power fu than anything they have ever encountered a B o u t m y fat h e r C Sun: 10:30 1:30 4:30 7:20; Mon: 1:30 4:30 7:20; Tue: 1:30 4:30;
Wed & Thu: 1:30 4:30 7:20
ABOUT MY FATHER centers around Sebastian who is encouraged by h s fiancée to br ng his immigrant, hairdresser father Salvo, to a weekend gettogether with her super-r ch and exceed ngly eccentr c fami y t h e l i t t l e m e r m a i D B Sun: 10:10 1:10 4:10 7:10; Mon to Thu: 1:10 4:10 7:10
Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while vis ting the sur face, falls for the dash ng Prince Er c Wh le mermaids are forbidden to interac t with humans, Ariel must fo low her hear t yo u h u r t m y f e e l i n g S E Sun: 10:10 4:20; Mon to Thu: 4:20 PM
From accla med fi mmaker Nicole Holofcener comes a sharply obser ved comedy about a novel st whose longstanding marriage is suddenly upended when she overhears her husband g ve his honest reac tion to her latest book fa S t X C Sun to Wed: 1:20 4:00 7:00; Thu: 1:20 4:00
Fast X, the tenth film n
Nutrition plays a key role in overall health and can positively affect everything from mood to energy levels. When thinking about ways to fuel busy days that will help you feel fuller, longer, look to clean, quality protein, which isn't just good for muscle growth and repair but also plays an integral part in overall health.
In fact, protein helps keep bones strong, supports your immune system, fuels metabolism to sustain energy, curbs cravings, distributes nutrients throughout your body and more.
If you're looking for ways to optimize your nutrition intake, it's important to know the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends the average person consume 10-35% of their daily calories from protein. Some changes like replacing cereal with protein-rich foods like eggs, snacking on healthy fats like nuts or fibrous veggies and fruits, or starting meals by eating the protein first can help set you on the right path.
In honor of National Nutrition Month, consider these bite-sized tips from nutrition expert Steph Grasso, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), social media influencer and member of the Orgain Nutrition Advisory Board, to help incorporate more quality nutrition into your diet in convenient, delicious ways and keep you feeling fuller, longer:
• Choose nutritious, filling snacks. As part
of your preparation for the week ahead, meal prep refrigerated snack containers featuring nuts, sliced cheese, veggies and a fun dip, like hummus. Grab-and-go fuel is imperative to creating balanced eating habits when life gets crazy. Another convenient solution, a high-quality nutrition shake can serve as a delicious option on jam-packed days.
• Maximize nutrition when enjoying sweets. If you have a sweet tooth, adding a scoop of high-quality protein powder to baked goods can be a simple way to sneak more protein into your diet. For example, Grasso recommends adding unsweetened Orgain Plantbased protein powder to these High-Protein Pumpkin Pancakes. With 21 grams of vegan protein and an excellent source of iron with 6 milligrams per serving, organic protein powder is non-GMO and made without added sugar and artificial sweeteners.
• Have frozen veggies on hand. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and delicious as their fresh counterparts and often more affordable and convenient. They are typically picked and frozen at the peak of ripeness when they are most nutrient-dense. They are prepped and ready to go, making meal preparation fast and easy. An ideal accompaniment to your choice of protein and grain, this Frozen Veggie Side Dish includes Greek yogurt and cheese for an added protein punch.
Find more tips and protein-packed recipes at Orgain.com.
Pancakes
2 cups oats
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/3 cup pumpkin
2 scoops Orgain unsweetened plant-based protein powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 egg whites
nonstick cooking spray berries, for topping (optional)
bananas, for topping (optional)
nut butter, for topping (optional) syrup, for topping (optional)
In bowl, use blender to blend oats, cottage cheese, pumpkin, protein powder, vanilla and egg whites. Spray pan over medium
heat with nonstick cooking spray.
Use 1/3 cup measuring cup to scoop batter into hot pan one scoop at a time.
Flip pancake once pan-side is lightly browned. Remove from pan once both sides are cooked. Repeat with remaining batter.
Stack pancakes and top with berries, bananas, nut butter and syrup, if desired.
1/2 bag (14 ounces) frozen white pearl onions
1 box (8 ounces) frozen quartered artichoke hearts
1 box (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach salt, to taste pepper, to taste
1/2 cup frozen sweet peas
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (optional)
1/4 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Prepare frozen white pearl onions, artichoke hearts and spinach according to package instructions.
In pan over medium heat, saute onions and artichoke hearts until tender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Add spinach, frozen sweet peas, heavy whipping cream, Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese. Mix until cheese is melted, and peas are soft.
Serve with protein and grain of choice, if desired. (Family Features)
Editor’s Note On May 7, we published some of Roeper’s most anticipated films of the summer. Here are the remaining movies.
7)
The talented screenwriter Adele Lim (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” makes her directorial debut in this road-trip buddy comedy/drama about Ashley Park’s Audrey, Sherry Cola’s Lolo, Sabrina Wu’s Deadeye and recent Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu’s Kat, who set out on a journey across China to find Audrey’s birth mother. Early reviews for “Joy Ride” praised the textured performances and a screenplay that dives deep into cultural issues while supplying a steady stream of smart laughs.
(July 14)
Tom Cruise isn’t one for promoting his movies, so we’ll help out by not-
ing this is the seventh edition in the “M.I.” canon, one of the rare action franchises that has topped itself with virtually every new chapter. Cruise returns in the role he was born to play: the death-defying, globe-trotting, motorcycle-riding, sharpshooting, independent-minded Ethan Hunt, who no doubt will be called upon once again to save the world against nearly insurmountable odds, and yet he’ll, um, mount them. So to
June 5, 2023
1. The Little Mermaid (PG) Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King
2. Fast X (PG-13) Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez
3. Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 (PG-13) Chris Pratt, Chukwudi Iwuji
4. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy
5. The Machine (R) Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill
6. About My Father (PG-13) Robert De Niro, Sebastian Maniscalco
7. Kandahar (R) Gerard Butler, Navid Negahban
8. You Hurt My Feelings (R) Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies
9. Evil Dead Rise (R) Mirabai Pease, Richard Crouchley
10. Book Club: The Next Chapter (PG-13) Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda
© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.
speak. In a nine-minute promotional clip showing the training for the already famous stunt scene involving a motorcycle, a ramp, a cliff and a base jump, we’re told Cruise skydived over 500 times and did 13,000 motocross jumps. Geez, I hope he found time to learn his lines!
‘Barbie’ (July 21)
If you ask me, “Would you like to see a Barbie movie?” my initial response would be, “I’ve seen the G.I. Joe movies. I don’t need any more punishment.”
If you ask me, “Would you like to see a Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie as the title character and Ryan Gosling as Ken, with Greta Gerwig directing from a screenplay she cowrote with her partner Noah Baumbach?” my response is, WHEN. Word is we’re getting multiple Barbies, played by Dua Lipa, Nicola Coughlin, Kate McKinnon and Issa Rae, among others, and a multitude of Kens as well, with Simu Lu, Ncuti Gatwa and Kingsley Ben-Adir joining the smooth comedy.
‘Oppenheimer’ (July 21)
Here’s your great big Prestige Project Summer Movie Oscar Contender right here, folks. Writer-director Christopher Nolan is giving the three-hour treatment to this biopic of “the father of the atomic bomb,” one J. Robert Oppenheimer, who will be played by Cillian Murphy (appearing in his sixth Nolan film). With a wide-ranging epic such as this, you know we’re going to get an A-list supporting cast, and that includes Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett, Matthew Modine, Jason Clarke and more. “Oppenheimer”
was shot in IMAX, with some scenes filmed in black-and-white, a first for that format.
‘Talk to Me’ (July 28)
You gotta have a late-summer horror movie in the mix, right? “Talk to Me” is about a group of friends who learn they can conjure spirits with the help of an embalmed hand, which once again proves it’s best to leave embalmed hands be.
‘Blue Beetle’ (Aug. 18)
Xolo Mariduena (from the Netflix series “Cobra Kai”) stars as Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, a DC Comics character who attains superpowers when an alien beetle scarab grafts onto him, forming an exoskeleton around his body. (This sort of merging deal happens a LOT in the superhero universe, don’t you think?)
‘The Equalizer 3’ (Sept. 1)
Denzel Washington will be turning 69 this year, but as is the case with 70-year-old Liam Neeson, we still love seeing these aging lions kicking the asses of henchmen half their age, even if they have to pause to take a breath once in a while. This is the third time Washington and director Antoine Fuqua have teamed up for an “Equalizer” film and their fifth collaboration in all, as Washington won an Oscar for his performance in Fuqua’s “Training Day” and also starred in the “Magnificent Seven” remake in 2016. In this threequel, Washington’s Robert McCall has relocated to Southern Italy and is enjoying his new life — but then the mafia messes with some of Robert’s friends, and off we go. Mafia, you have no chance.
Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times
Investing is often portrayed as something people need not worry about after retirement.
The theory that people should avoid risk as they approach and reach retirement age makes sense, as the unknown of investing can expose aging individuals to losses that compromise their ability to live comfortably on fixed incomes.
Though conventional wisdom regarding financial risk and aging still makes sense, the effects of inflation over the last year-plus have highlighted how important it can be for seniors to keep growing their money even after they retire. Fortunately, various strategies can help seniors grow their money without exposing them to considerable risk.
Look into high-yield savings accounts.
Interest on savings accounts was once a great way for individuals to grow their money. But interest rates on standard, no-minimum-balance accounts are now so low that the growth in interest is negligible. However, individuals with sizable savings, such as seniors, can explore highyield savings accounts.
High-yield savings accounts offer much higher interest rates than standard accounts. The rules governing eligibility to open such accounts differ between financial institutions, but many mandate that account holders have high minimum balances, typically in the neighborhood of $250,000. So long as account holders maintain that minimum balance, they can accrue penalty-free interest without exposing their money to the risks.
Consider other exclusive bank accounts.
High-yield savings accounts are not the only way seniors’ banks may be able to help grow their money without necessarily taking on market-related risk. Products such as Chase Private Client CheckingSM offer exclusive perks, including a dedicated client advisor who can work with seniors as they navigate life changes, including retirement.
Consider low-risk investments.
Risk aversion is not the same thing as risk avoidance. It’s wise for seniors to be averse to risk, but they can still consider low-risk investments like short-term bonds as a means to growing their money in retirement.
Low-risk investments can be vulnerable to inflation, not unlike money in a savings account. However, certain short-term bonds, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, are designed to mirror inflation, which makes them an option worthy of consideration.
According to the Department of the Treasury, the principal of a TIPS can go up or down over its term. When the bond reaches maturity, if the principal is higher than the original amount, bond holders get the increased amount. If the principal is lower at maturity, bond holders still get the original amount.
Seniors looking to grow their money after retirement can consider a host of options that can make them less vulnerable to inflation. (MC)
• Get new batteries and have your hearing aids cleaned by a professional.
• Look into insurance for your hearing aid in the event it’s lost or damaged.
• If heading to a humid climate, purchase a drying agent to keep your hearing aid from getting damp.
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One entry per household, per ballot. Must be 18 or older to vote. Voting ends 11:59 pm on June 17, 2023.
Please complete this ballot and return it to:
The Signal
25060 Avenue Stanford Ste 141 Valencia, CA 91355
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
23460 Cinema Dr A Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (661) 476-5618
Tired of the usual pizza or burgers? Looking for a delicious Asian restaurant in your area? Try something different at Thai Dishes. We’re a Thai food restaurant with many years of experience cooking authentic gourmet cuisine.
Located in the energetic uptown neighborhood of Valencia, Thai Dishes is a peaceful oasis of casual elegance and extraordinary Thai cuisine. Thai Dishes is the perfect place for friends and family to gather for good conversation, swap travel stories, and feast on the best Thai food in town and the winner of BEST FOOD AWARDS (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017) will guarantee your satisfaction.
We have a superb selection of dishes available, including an extensive range of seafood dishes and a great choice of vegetarian meals on our special menu. Thai Dishes also has a diverse selection of wines and other alcoholic beverages.
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
Delicious food served with a smile. Funburger offers American fare with 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
Whether you are interested in a casual lunch, a place to treat your business client right, are out on the town with friends, or looking for take-out food near you. Thai Dishes extends to you a comfortable, relaxing place to call your own. Our caring staff and talented chefs are dedicated to making your dining adventure just as fun and pleasurable as if you were dining in our Thai home. Stop in and enjoy Thai Dishes when you’re in the mood for a meal from an authentic Asian restaurant.
Living in this part of the country rewards us with a climate that makes it perfect to use the garden after dark.
Most other areas of the country have too much inclement weather or too many aggressive nighttime bugs to regularly relax outdoors after the sun goes down. And since so many of our summer days chase us indoors with excessive heat, the garden becomes even more tempting when temperatures cool at the end of the day.
So why not design your landscape to include nighttime use? After all, a garden can look amazingly magical after dark!
When planning out your garden,
keep in mind all the different ways you can use it when daytime is done. Think of extending your living space outdoors for rest and relaxation, entertainment and nighttime sports. There are many ways you can turn your ordinary landscape into a special place that is quite different than the daytime garden you are used to seeing.
Relax
Add comfy chairs, a water feature to provide the calming sound of trickling water and plant night-scented plants for a bit of aroma therapy. You can make your garden into a sensory experience after dark with scented flowers. There is something truly delightful about sitting in a garden aglow with warm nighttime lighting and the fragrance of night-blooming flowers filling the air.
By planting scented flowers in your garden, you can create a romantic experience or stress-healing retreat to enjoy and share after dark. Look for white or light pastel-colored flowers to add visual contrast in the dark.
Some good night-scented white flowering vines are jasmines like Trachelospermum jasminoides known as Star Jasmine (best planted with some daytime dappled shade), and the pink and white Jasminium polyanthum for full sun.
Moonflowers are another good vine for partial- or full-shade garden areas. But, only use Ipomoea alba. Other other varieties can be poisonous. For low-growing flowers, try a
ground cover of white Alyssum, flowering Tobacco or the Four O’Clock Alba. The Tufted Evening Primrose and the Chocolate flower are two good choices for native, water-wise scented flowers.
Fill a larger space with the shrubby California native Mock Orange (Philadelphus lesisii) for full sun or part shade. Or, try the frost-shy Cestrum nocturnum, the Night-Blooming Jasmine, to permeate the air with a powerful perfume in a protected area.
Casa Blanca Lily or the diminutive Zephranthes drummondii (Rain Lily) are some good bulb choices. They are good to grow in mild sun or part shade, and are not fussy about soil.
There are whites and other colors of Brugmansia, Angle Trumpet (all parts toxic if eaten), Centauria and Tobacco flower that will add color to your garden during the day yet still flood your garden with a gentle nighttime perfume.
You can even design in some of these fragrant flowers near a doorway or window where the scent can filter into your home and soothe you to sleep.
Other ways to make your garden inviting at night involve building and furnishing spaces that are comfortable and practical. Design in permanent features like a cozy patio, add tables and chairs, build an outdoor fireplace or fire pit and maybe a built-in barbecue so you can celebrate the outdoors at night with friends and family.
If you like to entertain, set your
backyard up so it is comfortable for evening parties in the garden. Look into some of the decorative and useful furniture being made for outdoor use.
Add a lighted sport court, a small hiking path dotted with low voltage or solar lighting or consider a dramatically lit water feature for powerful effects in the evening hours.
Lighting is an art of its own, transforming the same location into something entirely different with light and shadow. Use it in your night garden to pick out focal points, provide safety and transform a dark garden into a magical playground.
With outdoor LED lights embedded in flexible cords, you can even line walkways or draw outlines in your nighttime scene. There have never been so many choices in lighting effects. Most are energy efficient so they shouldn’t have much impact on your electricity bill. Choose warmer yellows or cooler whites and accent a special area with colored lights for special effects.
Think about all the ways you can make your garden work for you after the sun goes down. Nighttime gardens can be a haven for the inland landscape. Create your own magical garden. You can extend the useful part of your house and lifestyle not only into your garden, but deep into the night.
Each year in the middle of June, families honor the special men who help make the familial engine run. Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June in the United States and Canada, and families across both nations make the day all about dads.
Many families have their own unique Father’s Day traditions, but it’s not uncommon for those rituals to cross familial lines. For example, gift-giving is one popular Father’s Day tradition many families share. With that in mind, anyone looking for the right gift for Dad this Father’s Day can consider these ideas.
Father’s Day comes just as spring is winding down and summer is set to begin. That means Dad will soon be firing up the grill several nights per week, if he hasn’t already. Since summer is grilling season and Father’s Day predates the start of summer by a couple of days, why not give Dad a new grill this season?
Many people have fallen in love with the art of smoked foods in recent years, and if Dad fits that bill then a smoker/grill hybrid can be just the gift to make him smile. If Dad prefers the convenience of grilling at a moment’s notice, then a new propane grill can fit the bill.
Dads who love to tailgate outside their favorite football stadium may love a new portable grill to bring their pregame tailgates up a notch.
If Dad’s a devoted drinker of craft beers, then a subscription to a beer club that delivers suds right to his doorstep could make this Father’s Day one he won’t soon forget.
Clubs vary and many offer an array of membership options, but typically
these groups hand-pick beers from an assortment of participating breweries, some local and some from distant, though likely domestic, locales.
Gift givers can take note of Dad’s favorite beer style, whether it’s the wildly popular IPA or beers brewed in the Belgian tradition or some other style. Such information can be provided to clubs who will then curate the subscription box to align with the styles Dad likes best.
If Dad is an avid golfer, then he likely has his sights set on some special places to play 18 holes. Families can pool their resources and give Dad a trip to a course he wants to play. Courses across North America have hosted PGA Tour events, meaning Dad could end up playing the same holes his favorite professionals have played. Pebble Beach Golf LinksTM in California is undoubtedly on many a father’s golf course bucket list, but many more clubs outside of California and across both the U.S. and Canada offer stunning views and challenging rounds that will be sure to please Dad this Father’s Day.
No man cave is complete without memorabilia. If Dad’s a diehard sports fan, help him decorate his go-to spot to watch his favorite team with some authentic memorabilia. Whether it’s a framed game-worn jersey or a bat with Dad’s name engraved on it or a basketball signed by the roster of his favorite team, these items will look great on the wall of any father’s man cave.
The right Father’s Day gift for Dad can make this special day even more meaningful for the men who do so much for their families throughout the year. (MC)
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans were unaware of the 1918 pandemic that rampaged across the United States a century before. This involved a highly virulent H1N1 virus, and was estimated to have lasted from 1918 to 1920.
Despite the ensuing 100 years of medical technology under our belts including vaccines, anti-virals, supportive respiratory services and antibiotics to treat bacterial complications, the recent pandemic lasted longer with higher mortality than in 1918. Why? No doubt a larger world population and denser urban living played a role, and possibly this virus was more virulent. But in the U.S. there was a delay in recognizing this threat with false claims it could be easily treated with simple remedies, while the newly created vaccine and facemasks were politically shunned. Historians will forever debate the negative effects it had on the American people.
Some of us are aware of the technological spinoffs of the space program in the 1960s that enhanced our quality of life (cochlear implants, LASIK eye surgery, freeze-dried food, etc.) What are the good lessons from this pandemic? As an advocate for older adults, I would like to point out what we might learn for this population.
Specifically, the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center immediately upon pandemic closure utilized its large parking lot for evening drive-in movies, comedy shows, concerts, food distribution and daily lunch pick-ups. Our northern neighbors in the Antelope Valley had difficulty providing in-home lunch meals to seniors, so under the direction of SCV Senior Center CEO Kevin MacDonald, they provided important nutritious food amounting to over 1 million meals in a year for both valleys!
The Senior Center also transitioned its information methods, providing older adults online news from the city, county, state and federal agencies through phone and Zoom, educating seniors in new technology skills forced upon all of us. The media seemed to think seniors were too old and couldn’t grasp this technology, but they were proven wrong as older generations readily jumped through every hoop, adapting to all the bumps in the road.
As we opened parts of the Senior Center, the most amazing change occurred in, of all places, the bathrooms. They were now “hand- and touch-free.” From entering to leaving, no door handles were touched, flushing was automatic, and hand drying was simple.
Hybrid lectures allow one to learn while still at home, or coming to the center; and we scheduled doctor visits online, while receiving in-home COVID-19 vaccines. We can shop and order food, and visit family members who live across the country — all online. Yep, in the past three years, all of us, especially seniors, have utilized the spinoffs of this pandemic to adapt to the new evolving technology.
From the beginning, some complained about wearing masks, and yet I continue to do so. There are some who just can’t find a way to grasp this newfangled, highly technical facial covering.
At least the lessons learned from the pandemic could have a silver lining — some of which may be tinged by gray.
Dr. Gene Dorio SaugusRecently, I was approached by a young executive and asked a simple question: “What do you look for in someone you would hire to play an important role in your organization?”
Frankly, I immediately thought, “How can I say something that sounds erudite and also might be helpful?” I gave him an answer that seemed to satisfy him but the question continued to plague me throughout the day. After spending some time ruminating on the question, I found myself holding firmly to three attributes: Intelligence, Integrity and Industry.
By intelligence I mean both real knowledge and the wisdom to apply that knowledge properly and beneficially to the task or challenge that presents itself.
By integrity I mean a life-dominating commitment to be morally right, and determined to do the right things, in the right way, for the right reasons, with consistency. Not perfection of course, for we are all culpable at some point, but I want to surround myself with people whose integrity can’t be bought or in any way compromised.
By industry I mean a passion to get things done, work hard and persevere through the challenges that may arise. It is the ability to take an idea or plan and execute it to completion successfully. Industry is simply the good ol’ American work ethic that too often today has been overruled by a person’s dedication to the laziness of self-care.
All three of these – intelligence, integrity and industry –matter, but each is of little value without its mates.
Intelligence and industry without integrity is the genetic code of criminality in all its forms. Smart people who get things done but without moral character are the source of all kinds of the corruption that populate our headlines. And those headlines, I greatly fear, are only the tip of the iceberg.
Intelligence and integrity without industry is the worldview of many who earn multiple degrees, can quote Plato, Augustine and Buffett, but can’t keep a job. They know everything, and may be really good people, but when it comes to getting things accomplished, they’re as dumb as a rock and about
as useful.
Lastly, integrity and industry without intelligence is the formula for creating all kinds of seemingly brilliant ideas that aren’t actually good, and hopefully never come to fruition. Remember the millions of dollars spent on studying the effect of cow flatulence on the air we breathe? Or how about the idea that we get rid of fossil fuel, freedom of speech and police? Oy Gevalt!
So, back to the question of who I want to hire. But, let’s change it a bit. The better question is what kind of people ought we to be? The answer, of course, is the same!
We need to be intelligent, not merely knowledgeable. It isn’t enough to know stuff. We need to know the right stuff, believe it, and be able to apply it to the ups and downs of life. Today, truth seems to be dependent, not on verifiable facts, but on the personal desires of the individual or the professional, self-protective spin of those in power. Don’t fall for it! Intelligence is based on truth, and where truth is spun, shaved, compromised or left behind, what masquerades as truth is really a lie.
We need to be people of uncompromisable integrity. We can’t be bought, bullied, or broken by those peddling the idea that the end justifies the means when the means involves duplicity, exaggeration, or any other vehicle of moral compromise. We must be people with moral grit.
And lastly, we must be industrious people. Wars were never won by capitulation, and the right kind of progress will not be accomplished through anything less than a determination to get done what needs to be done. Is the challenge daunting? Are those who oppose powerful? Yep and yep. But never underestimate the power of being in the right, of representing moral fortitude, and walking in line with the truth that “in God we trust.”
That’s who I’d hire, and that’s who I’d be proud to work with as we attempt to be “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
