Sunday Signal June 19, 2022

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JUNE 19, 2022

How to Beat Inflation Page 5

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WHERE TO GET 9.625% IN INTEREST

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WINE FOR THE BEGINNER

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SUMMER FAIR FUN

PLUS : CITY NEWS | OPINION | SCHOOL | ENTERTAINMENT | CALENDAR | HEALTH & FITNESS

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J U N E 19, 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

J U N E 19, 2022

NEWS FEATURES 5 Beating Inflation — What You Can Do 6 Series I Savings Bonds Are Earning 9.62% 7 Buying Wine for Beginners 8 Summer Fair and Festival Fun FROM THE CITY MANAGER 9 Protecting the Santa Clara River ENTERTAINMENT 10 ‘Halftime’ — A Peek into the Private Life of J. Lo FOOD 11 Add Lobster to Your Summer Meals Chilled Lobster with Orange and Basil Vinaigrette Traditional Lobster Rolls GARDENING 13 Making Your Dream Garden a Reality HOME 13 Clear the Bathroom Clutter SENIOR LIVING 14 Having More Free Time After 50 BEST OF BALLOT HOME 20 Practical Upgrades to Increase Your Home’s Value KIDS & FAMILY 21 Donna’s Day: Fresh Strawberry Arugula Salad Junior Whirl • Health Fact PUZZLES OPINION David Hegg

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J U N E 19, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

How to Beat Inflation: There ARE things you can do

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

Other Tips to Beat Inflation

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ccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index increased 8.3% for the 12 months ending in April. The energy index rose 30.3% over the last year, and the food index increased 9.4%, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending April 1981. And, the information for May, just released, showed the CPI rose even more, to 8.6%.

Inflation is currently causing U.S. households to pay hundreds of extra dollars per month, or thousands more per year, on expenses. This is especially hard on low-income households, for whom spending on housing, groceries, energy and transportation requires a higher percentage of their income.

Naturally, inflation and soaring fuel prices have us all worried, but there are things we can do to reduce the impact of these on our lives. In general, we can fight back by cutting grocery, transportation and other expenses, auditing our budgets, and avoiding debt.

American Consumer Credit Counseling Inc. is a nonprofit debt management company that provides consumers personalized counseling, solutions for debt consolidation, and financial education. Daily on the front lines of the battle against inflation, so to speak, who better to offer some insights on winning it? Peter Mullen is an ACCC community outreach coordinator, and here he shares some valuable tips.

“Inflation is eating away our buying power,” Mullen said. “Three things are key to reducing that: (1) have a budget, (2) seek good information, and (3) plan ahead.”

Budget

“It’s critical to understand the basic financial information for anything you want to do,” Mullen said. “That includes what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what’s available afterward.”

Of course, seeking information is part of creating a budget and adjusting it. “Information is power,” he said. “You can influence the money in and money out.”

Money in: Even under current economic conditions, there are ways to increase your money coming in. “We are in a gig economy,” Mullen said.

“Look for opportunities and be open to them. Get side jobs or sell online. Buy at thrift stores and yard sales.” And he added, “Where I live, there is a garment district where you can buy clothing by the pound. Buying this way, a shirt might cost you $2 or $3. You can fix it up, add buttons, maybe, and then sell it for $40 or $50.”

Money out: “When it comes to bills, there are always things you should do,” Mullen said. “Ask questions, do research, push back. Remember that businesses are in competition. You can leverage

Food and staples

competitors. You can go with cable company A or B.” And, knowing that, the cable companies may negotiate. Also, look at what’s in the budget heavily influenced by current inflation, such as travel, and anything involving gas or transportation. “Buy local and save,” he said.

In terms of reducing money spent, Mullen offered a pyramid description of what you should think of first when considering purchases. The pyramid, created by Sarah Lazarovic, has what you should consider first, using what you already have, at its base, and what you should consider last, to buy something new, at the peak. Ascending in between are borrowing, swapping, buying at thrift stores, and making your own.

Plan ahead

Planning ahead can save you money in many ways. This is especially true when it comes to meals, Mullen said. “Why do people go out to eat or get takeout?” he asked rhetorically. “It’s because, at the end of the day, they are tired and want their food easy and fast.” Mullen’s alternative is to “use your time instead of your money. When you are fresh in the morning, maybe brown up some pounds of ground beef, peppers, and stir-fry foods from the freezer. You can make this for multiple meals and freeze it. Then you can microwave each meal as you need it. It saves you money, and time and effort when you are tired.”

Reduce debt

“Paying down debt is a more efficient use of money than investing at this time,” Mullen said.

“The debt interest rates are so much higher than the earned rates. And the cash flow you have left over each month is under attack by inflation.” But can you also shrink your set payments? You might be able to defer student loan payments or auto loan payments. You can consolidate your payments for multiple credit cards. And what would a creditor rather have, some money or no money? “You might respectfully request to pay $100 instead of $200,” he said. “If your debts are large, you might consider a debt management plan. You’ll have more cash left over each month.”

• Cook at home more often and create a meal plan each week to avoid impulse shopping or relying on takeout during the week.

• Minimize prepared food delivery.

• Eat less meat.

• Build meals around pasta, rice, dried or canned beans or potatoes.

• Use more canned and frozen fruits and vegetables.

• Use store-brand products whenever possible, rather than name brand.

• Comparison shop and/or buy staples from bulk stores, such as Costco and Sam’s Club.

• Use coupons and purchase discounted items.

Transportation

• Work from home or carpool whenever possible.

• Use public transport or bike when possible.

• Combine errands into as few trips as possible and avoid trips that aren’t really necessary.

• Shopping online may be cheaper than driving to the store.

• Keep auto tuned, oil changed and air filter clean.

• Keep the correct tire pressure.

• Don’t drive around with unnecessary weight in the car.

• Accelerate and decelerate gently.

• Join a gas station or grocery store rewards program.

• If you can, purchase your gas when prices are best (possibly midweek or early morning).

• Use your Costco membership for gas savings.

• Compare prices with an app such as GasBuddy … otherwise avoid gas stations immediately off the highway or in the most affluent neighborhoods.

• Use a credit card that offers the best reward on fuel purchases.

• Pay with cash or a debit card.

Worry less

Maybe put off any big-ticket purchases for now, and we definitely have to keep our eyes open and make smart financial decisions, but we don’t need to obsess on the current economy. Things will change. “Inflation is cyclical and temporary,” Mullen said. “For now, tighten a little. We’ll get through.”

Visit American Consumer Credit Counseling Inc. at www.consumercredit.com or call (800) 769-3571 for a budget counseling analysis to those suffering from debt issues.

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J U N E 19, 2022

N E W S F E AT U R E

Series I Savings Bonds Are Earning 9.62% Can you lock down some cash for a year?

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

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he latest investment buzz is that the initial interest rate on new Series I Savings Bonds is 9.62%! You heard right.

This exciting interest rate has definitely caught everyone’s attention, and I Bonds can be purchased through October 2022 at the current rate. That rate is applied to the six months after the purchase is made. For example, if you buy an I Bond on July 1, the 9.62% would be applied through Dec. 31.

It sounds great, but are Series I Bonds right for you?

Jerrod Ferguson is the vice president at Vance Wealth in Santa Clarita, and here he guides us through all the important points. First, an I Bond is a savings bond that earns interest based on combining a fixed rate and an inflation rate. They are non-marketable. They can’t be bought or sold in secondary securities markets.

“You should know that only $10,000 in I Bonds can be purchased annually per person — so $20,000 per couple,” Ferguson said. “Series I Bonds are issued by the U.S. government. There is no secondary market, so they must be redeemed directly with the government. They are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, so are default risk-free. They have a maturity of 30 years, and will stop earning interest beyond this point.”

You can use I Bonds to save in a low-risk product that helps protect your savings from inflation. You can also give them as gifts, or use them to pay for education, which might reduce your tax liability.

“These are zero-coupon bonds, meaning the interest is not paid out as it accrues,” Ferguson said.

“Instead, it gets added to the principal of the bond and is paid out upon redemption, allowing for compounding. So, if clients are looking for interest income, this wouldn’t necessarily satisfy that need, considering the interest adds to the principal and does not get paid out.”

How do I Bonds earn interest?

As you will see below, and I Bond earns interest based on combining a fixed rate and an inflation rate. The fixed rate stays the same for the life of the bond and the inflation rate is set twice a year, based on changes in the nonseasonally adjusted Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for all items, including food and energy.

As previously noted, for bonds issued from May 2022 through October 2022, the combined rate is 9.62%. The interest is earned on the bond every month, compounded semiannually. Twice a year, the interest the bond earned in the previous six months is added to the bond’s principal value;

PHOTOS CRED

then, interest for the next six months is calculated using this adjusted principal. The interest and principal are paid to you when you cash the bond.

Ferguson noted that what makes Series I Bonds such a great purchase right now is the current inflation rate. The fixed rate in the calculation is 0.0%. The entire 9.62% composite rate comes from inflation.

Currently Fixed rate 0.00% Semiannual inflation rate 4.81% Composite rate 0.00 + (2 x 4.81) = 9.62% However, inflation was much lower in, for example, November 2018, and so the composite rate was only 2.82%.

In November Of 2018 Fixed rate 0.50% Semiannual inflation rate 1.16% Composite rate 0.50 + (2 x 1.16) = 2.82% That 2.82% rate isn’t bad, but the current 9.62% rate is exceptional. And, Ferguson said, “Compared to cash rates at your local bank, this is a great alternative. We have some clients that sit on elevated cash balances. It could make sense for those individuals to take a portion of their cash earning very little interest and diversify into an I Bond, especially if they do not need the funds within the next 12 months, at the earliest.”

Taxes and Profits

Profits from I Bonds are subject to federal income tax. They are not subject to state or local income taxes. “These are safe assets that help you keep pace with inflation,” Ferguson said. “It sounds obvious but, when inflation is high, they are attractive and when inflation is low, they are far less attractive.

“There’s a reason why they’ve been around since the ’90s but you’re just now hearing about them. At a $10K max limit per purchaser, it would be tough to get a large enough percentage of your assets in-

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vested in these bonds for it to really make a difference. But if a client has up to $10,000 (or $20,000 for a couple) sitting in cash earning 0.05% nominal (-7.00% real), this would be a great alternative.”

Details

The minimum purchase amount for I Bonds is $25 electronic and $50 paper.

The maximum purchase per person per year is $10,000, total. However, up to $5,000 of that can be paper I Bonds, purchased only when filing a federal income tax return. You designate up to $5,000 of your refund toward the purchase.

Electronic I Bonds are available in any amount, to the penny, from $25 to $10,000. Paper I Bonds are available in $50, $100, $200, $500 and $1,000.

Purchase electronic I Bonds online at TreasuryDirect (including through payroll direct deposit).

Purchase paper I Bonds when you file your federal tax return.

Cashing Out

You can cash your Series I Bonds any time after 12 months. You receive the original purchase price plus interest earnings. I Bonds are meant to be longer-term investments; if you redeem an I Bond within the first five years, you’ll lose your last three months’ interest. For example, if you redeem an I Bond after 18 months, you’ll receive the first 15 months of interest.

“I think the primary risk is the one-year lockup,” Ferguson said. “Other than that, the threemonth interest penalty from years two through five shouldn’t be too much of a deterrent. Additionally, there is no guarantee of rate, considering it adjusts to the rate of inflation.”

For more information, visit www.treasurydirect. gov/indiv/products/prod_ibonds_glance.htm. You can reach Vance Wealth at vancewealth.com.

J U N E 19, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

Buying Wine for Beginners: Know How to Get Started or chardonnay. But many wines are blends of different varieties. “Some grapes, such as pinot noir, sangiovese and grenache, are very light, and these wines are usually blended, with maybe a darker syrah,” Reyes said. To call a wine by its grape name, it must have at least 75% of that grape in it.

“A darker, bold syrah or Malbec or cabernet franc can be added to anything.”

By Jim Walker Staff Writer

W

ith wine served at most social occasions these days, and people you meet all seeming to know more about it than you, as a wine newbie, it’s easy to be wine-intimidated. But, remember, everyone started out as a newbie once, and most of those “experts” really aren’t. And there is no right or wrong in your wine choices, anyway – only what you, personally, enjoy. While it’s true that the more you taste wine and learn about it, the greater your enjoyment of it will be, you can get a great start by knowing just a few simple facts.

Robert Reyes is the owner of the multi-award-winning Reyes Winery in Aqua Dulce, as well as the winery’s rooftop tasting room in Old Town Newhall, the Reyes Winery On Main.

A wine expert, for sure, he knows what newbies need to know to purchase, share and enjoy wine, and offers his insights here.

Daoh, we need to bring wine!

“Many people first get into wine when they are invited to a nice dinner, and stop on the way for a bottle,” Reyes said. “I would recommend a lighter red, such as a Pinot Noir, in the $15 to $50 price range – but probably best in the $25 range. We, as producers, know when a wine is good, and pretty much what it’s worth.” So, this price range offers a fairly good assurance of quality.

Lighter, Medium-bodied, Robust

In the lighter red category, Reyes includes this pinot noir.

In the medium-bodied category, Reyes includes this merlot.

More knowledge, more enjoyment

ple, a light red rosé might only leave the pressed grapes in contact with the skins for one day, whereas a more robust red might ferment the grapes in contact with the skins for a couple of weeks. “This adds more flavor, color and tannins,” Reyes said. Tannins occur naturally in grape skins to a varying degree, and have been described as a wine’s astringent “pucker power.” More of this can be a bad or good thing, depending on your preference.

“There is a palate for everything,” Reyes said. “I personally like a middle-of-the-road wine, not too robust.

But pairing with a hearty steak needs a hearty wine to match.”

Reyes noted that, as your knowledge of wine increases, you will enjoy it more, even appreciating the difference between a $25 and $35 bottle. “It’s like getting better at golf by putting in golf hours,” he said. “With more wine hours, you begin to understand the nuances of wine.” To assist you on your journey, he recommends the book “Nose, Legs, Body!”

And he emphasized that the “best” wine is the one you like.

Skin, color, tannins

Reyes explained that the insides of most grapes are greenish. So, red wine gets its color from the red or black grape skins, and longer contact with the skins makes the color darker and the wine more robust. For exam-

Varietals, blends

A wine varietal is a wine made from a single variety of grape, such as cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel

In the full-bodied or robust category, Reyes includes malbec, petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon.

Lighter reds: In the lighter red category, Reyes includes pinot noir, sangiovese and zinfandel.

Medium-bodied: In the medium-bodied category, he includes merlot and sometimes sangiovese.

Robust: In the full-bodied or robust category, Reyes includes malbec, petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon.

Corks or screw caps?

Advanced screw caps are becoming more and more common on today’s wine bottles, and screw cap vs. cork shouldn’t really be equated to “quality.” However, as with other aspects of wine, it may come down to personal preference. “Screw caps are more acceptable now,” Reyes said, “but maybe it’s the romantic in me – I personally would stay with the cork.”

And he noted that wine bottles from Reyes use reconstructed cork. “They breathe like natural cork, but there is no chance of bacteria being in them and being introduced to the wine.”

Overall

“For the beginner, I would recommend lighter wines in the mid-priced category, on the upper shelves of the wine section,” Reyes said. He noted that ultra-cheap wines quite often bring headaches with them. When it comes to white wines, he said that many people tend to start with the sweeter types, but usually graduate to drier whites. “The drier whites are better for pairing, so I would graduate sooner, rather than later.”

For more on the Reyes Winery in Agua Dulce, visit reyeswinery.com.

For more on the Old Town Newhall rooftop tasing room, the Reyes Winery On Main, visit reyeswineryonmain. com.

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J U N E 19, 2022

N E W S F E AT U R E

Fair and Festival Fun

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

F

airs and festivals are one of the joys of the summer season. Not all the familiar and fantastic family, food and fun events are returning in 2022 and some, like the Gilroy Garlic Festival, may never return.

However, after two years of cancellations, California will offer dozens of fairs and festivals for summer 2022. Here’s my top five list of “can’t miss” and “can’t wait to go” summer festival fun.

June 8-July 4

San Diego County Fair

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar 92014 Info sdfair.com. Fair tickets and parking must be purchased online and in advance.

The San Diego County Fair’s twinkling lights and buzzing sounds along the midway with both its nostalgic and modern games and rides attract thousands of visitors from around Southern California to experience its summertime magic.

The Toyota Concert Series will feature a variety of live music including John Fogarty and the Goo Goo Dolls. The Paddock Concert Series features a wide variety of tribute bands. Concerts are included in the price of fair admission.

Enjoy carnival rides, carnival food, goat milking, horse shows, kids’ marketplace, digging for gemstones, fine arts, flower show and more. There’s truly something for everyone at this world-class fair.

June 24-Aug. 28

The 56th Annual Sawdust Art Festival

11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach 92651 Info sawdustartfestival.org The festival features the handcrafted art of nearly 200 local Laguna Beach artists in an eclectic, artist village located in the heart of Laguna Canyon.

Nestled closely against the cliffs of Laguna Canyon, the Sawdust Art Festival has grown from humble beginnings to a nine-week gala situated on a lush 3-acre eucalyptus grove.

Artists sell hand-crafted bric-a-brac, including

clothing and textiles, jewelry and ceramics, painting and photography, wood and metal sculpture, scrimshaw, gourd art, furniture, leather and more.

The festival also features demonstrations such as glass blowing, free hands-on art workshops, a dynamic children’s art booth, three stages of live music, food vendors, local restaurants and cold beverages from the Sawdust Saloon.

July 15-16

The 22nd Annual Marysville Peach Festival

Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

D Street between First and Sixth streets in downtown Marysville 95901 Info www.marysvillepeachfest.com If you love a perfect peach, then a special trip to the Gold Country of Northern California might be worth the 6-hour drive. When you arrive in Marysville, located north of Sacramento off State Route 70, you will be welcomed to the “sweetest fest in the West ...” where the climate creates the perfect growing conditions for peaches.

Whether the cling or freestone or donut peaches are your favorite, this festival offers dozens of peach foods, desserts and beverages and more than 100 vendors.

Dance to the sounds of area bands at one of two entertainment stages located in Marysville’s Historic Shopping District.

Enter the peach pie eating contest that takes place on Saturday at 3rd and D Streets. Visit the children’s carnival area to keep your little ones entertained.

Discover countless hidden treasures at local brick-and-mortar businesses and escape the heat at one of the local restaurants and soak in the history of this Gold-Rush-era town. Cool down with an icy cold peach cocktail at one of downtown Marysville’s local watering holes.

Marysville, known as “California’s Oldest Little City,” was originally envisioned as a major metropolis. The city was founded Jan. 18, 1850, as tens of thousands of gold miners, merchants and capitalists flocked to the region in the days of the Gold Rush.

There’s plenty to see and do in around Marysville and nearby Yuba City. Take a few days to enjoy an important part of California history and bring home a box of fresh peaches, too.

July 15-31

2022 California State Fair

1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento 95815 Info calexpostatefair.com Why not combine a trip to the Marysville Peach Festival with a stop at the California State Fair?

This 17-day fair is a robust celebration of the state of California, its industries, agriculture and diversity of its people. Among the highlights are concerts, wine garden, midway rides, demonstration farm, livestock pavilion, fine arts competition, harness racing and nightly fireworks.

Tastes of the fair include exotic foods from around the world, plenty of healthy and nutritious options, as well as many deep-fried foods including zucchini, Twinkies, funnel cake, chicken, avocado, cheesecake and more.

Concerts will feature a variety of tribute bands and popular artists like Chaka Khan, KC & The Sunshine Band, The Guess Who and Neon Trees.

Concerts are free with fair admission, but reserved seats can be purchased.

July 30-31

The 27th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival

11 a.m.-7 p.m.

471 S B St., Oxnard 93030 Info oxnardsalsafestival.com Two days of spicy foods and sizzling entertainment when the Oxnard Salsa Festival food, music and dance returns to downtown Oxnard’s Plaza Park. The festival, presented by the Oxnard Downtowners, claims the title of “Southern California’s Hottest Summer Event.”

The festival features the region’s top salsa and Latin jazz bands, non-stop salsa dancing, marketplace shopping, tortilla art for kids, a salsa tasting tent, two international food courts and salsa dance exhibitions.

The event will also dish up an estimated 60,000 samples of specialty salsas by local restaurants, Mexican markets and gourmet salsa vendors inside the festival’s big‐top salsa tasting tent.

In the tent you’ll find dozens of different flavors of salsa to sample and buy. From fresh and fruity, sweet and smoky, to mild and scorching hot.

Admission to the salsa tent is $5 per person and includes a bag of fresh Mission tortilla chips and 10 tasting tickets.

J U N E 19, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Protect the Santa Clara River with Green Santa Clarita

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

I

f you ever look at a map of our City, you will notice the blue squiggly line running through the center of Santa Clarita, with several branches trailing off. As you know, the blue indicates where the Santa Clara River flows 13-miles through our City. However, as you drive along our streets or bike along our trails, you won’t see any water. This is because the water is flowing beneath the surface, and this valuable natural resource needs our protection.

Santa Clarita is known for its picturesque neighborhoods and streets.

But did you know that streets, curbs and gutters are part of an expansive storm drain system designed to efficiently move stormwater to prevent local flooding? The streets and

gutters are gently sloped to redirect water to storm drain pipes that run directly to the Santa Clara River. Pollutants that are left on the ground, including pet waste and pesticides, can be carried with stormwater or irrigation runoff.

You can do your part to protect the Santa Clara River by connecting with Green Santa Clarita, which provides educational tools for residents to live a greener lifestyle. One of Green Santa Clarita’s newest campaigns, It’s Your Duty to Bag Dog Doody, is a key tool in preventing pollution in the Santa Clara River. Dog waste that is left on the ground contains harmful bacteria that can wash into the City’s storm drain system and into the Santa Clara River, creating health and environmental hazards for the community. Additionally, improperly applied pesticides can affect water quality.

Residents can take simple actions, including picking up after their pets and using pesticides sparingly and

appropriately, to reduce the harmful effects on our environment. While these actions may seem small, they collectively have a much greater impact on protecting our water quality.

Another way the City is protecting our local water is through an innovative feature at the new Canyon Country Community Center. The Community Center is home to recreational programming and amenities for all ages. Although you will never see it – it is also home to a large stormwater infiltration system that was built directly beneath the parking lot. The system captures polluted stormwater

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runoff from Sierra Highway, filters it to take out large pollutants like litter and then the water is directed into a series of chambers where it is allowed to slowly percolate into the ground and replenish the City’s groundwater.

From the time the system was installed through March 2022, the City received just over nine inches of rainfall; as a result, the system captured and infiltrated 42 acre-feet of water which is enough water to cover 42 football fields with a foot of water.

Although this number is impressive – we are still facing drought conditions across the state and need to do what we can to conserve water.

Residents can learn even more information about the Santa Clara River and the City’s environmental programs by visiting GreenSantaClarita.com.

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

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J U N E 19, 2022

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

‘Halftime’ Gives a Peek into the Private Life of J. Lo

HA. No matter what your professional or personal achievements, you’ve probably experienced a simi‘Halftime’ lar family text thread that helps keep (out of four) you grounded, at least on some level.

Netflix presents a documentary I’m not going to pretend this is an directed by Amanda Micheli. No objective documentary, but direcMPAA rating. Running time: 96 mintor Amanda Micheli has delivered utes. On Netflix. a solid, entertaining, insider’s look at the life and times of a once-aspirven when you’re one of the ing singer-dancer-actress from the biggest stars in the world, Bronx who left home at 18 to pursue your family is your family. her dreams, got her first big break as One of my favorite moa “Fly Girl” on “In Living Color,” and ments in the new Jennifer Lopez for the last three decades has starred documentary “Halftime” on Netatres • Santa Clarita Signal adsource@exhibitorads.com in some 40 major motion pictures flix is when J. Lo is in the car on the and has sold more than 75 million p.

888.737.2812 f.

203.438.1206 5.9” morning after earning rave reviews records worldwide. at the Toronto Film Festival for her June 19-23, 2022 date: Sunday-Thursday, Even with all that success and a performance in “Hustlers,” and she PHOTO COURTESY IMDB number delivery date: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 10:56:58 AM CASCS_LEM0619-0623.qxp of high-profile romances, reads from a text thread including Lopez has maintained a tight conher mother, father and two sisters. what they’re saying.’ My mom goes, trol over her image (like most stars “My Dad goes ‘Happy Sunday, ‘Yeah, just recovered a fumble, go on that level), and this is probably as guys, go Jets!’ … Mom: ‘I have my Jets!’” close as her fans are going to get to a Jets jersey on.’ … Leslie: ‘Jets Jets Jennifer: “I’m just going to write, revealing filmed biography.

Jets!’ Lynda: ‘Go Jets! Jen had her ‘Go Jets!’” film premiere last night and look at Following in the footsteps of Beyonce’s “Homecoming,” Billie Eilish’s “The World’s a Little Blurry,” “Gaga: Five Foot Two” and the Janet JackTM son documentary series on Lifetime, “Halftime” toggles between traditional biography material and an in-depth look at Lopez’s life as she 22500 Lyons Ave. info Line 310.478.3836 hits 50 in the year 2019. A substantial amount of time is devoted to the Super Bowl halftime show in MiELVIS C Thu: 7:00 PM ami, in which Lopez was told she’d be “Elvis” is Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann’s musical drama about the life and music of Elvis Presley, seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker sharing the stage with Shakira, giving each of them about 6-7 minutes of GEORGE MICHAEL FREEDOM UNCUT Wed: 7:30 PM George Michael Freedom Uncut focuses on the formative period in the late Grammy Award winner’s life and career. The documentary stage time. (The implication: Unlike is narrated by the singer, who was heavily involved in the making of the film that serves as his final work. previous Super Bowl halftime shows, LIGHTYEAR B 1:20 4:20 7:20 with a clearly defined headliner, it A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside a group of ambitious recruits and his robot companion Sox. would take TWO Latinas to carry the JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION C 1:00 4:00 7:00 day.)

Dinosaurs now live - and hunt - alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on Earth.

Clips from “Selena” and “Out of Sight” and “Hustlers” remind us LoTHE STORY WON’T DIE Mon: 7:30 PM; Tue: 1:00 PM THE STORY WON’T DIE is an inspiring, timely look at a young generation of Syrian artists who use their work to protest and process pez can be a formidable screen preswhat is currently the world’s largest and longest ongoing displacement of people since World War II. ence, but we see how the tabloid meTHE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN C Sun: 1:30 4:30 7:30; dia and a number of critics labeled Mon: 1:30 4:30; Tue: 4:30 7:30; Wed & Thu: 1:30 4:30 her as a diva as they fixated as much Follows Maurice Flitcrofta dreamer and unrelenting optimist who managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship Qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process. on her figure and her romances as TOP GUN: MAVERICK C 1:05 4:10 7:15 her career. (Late-night comics had a After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot. field day with Lopez for years. We see a clip of Billy Bush asking, “How do DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA B 1:10 4:10 7:10 The much-anticipated cinematic return of the global phenomenon reunites the beloved cast as they go on a grand journey to the you feel about your BUTT?” to which South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’ newly inherited villa.

Lopez replies, “Are you kidding me?

THE HUMAN TRIAL I 1:10 3:20 5:30 7:40 Unprecedented, real-time access to the world’s sixth embryonic stem cell trial. An intimate journey with the patients and scientists You did not just ask me that.” Bush: who put themselves on the line.

“I did.”)

FOR 6/19/20226/23/2022 ONLY WWW.LAEMMLE.COM Director Micheli employs the clasBy Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

E

L L A H W E N

Bringing the Finest in Film to the SCV!

sic fly-on-the-wall approach as we follow Lopez through day after day of promoting and rehearsing and planning and working out and traveling and being J. Lo, with the occasional break, e.g., a Thanksgiving dinner with her extended family. (“Lynda!” she calls out to her sister. “Do something with your dog that you didn’t tell me you were bringing.”)

It was (and, of course, continues to be) a racially and politically charged time in America, and the discourse had spilled over into sports in a major way by 2019, and Lopez notes that while “I’m not into politics, I’m not that person,” she found herself “living in a United States I didn’t recognize.” Lopez felt it would be impossible NOT to make a statement during her performance, and the result was a medley that included children in small cages on the field and J. Lo brandishing a furry cape showcasing both the American and Puerto Rican flags, while her daughter Emme sang a few lines of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.” There’s no denying the sincerity and passion behind Lopez’s messaging and the power of that moment, but there’s also a lot of handwringing over whether she’ll win the Golden Globe and receive an Oscar nomination for “Hustlers,” and unlike those family text threads, that’s one big, giant A-Lister Hollywood Problem.

“I’ve lived in the public eye,” says Lopez. “One of the things I’m proud of is that I’m able to hold it together in front of everybody without anybody knowing how I feel.” For some, that very philosophy will mean “Halftime” falls short, as it pulls back the curtain only when Lopez wants the curtain pulled back. That might say more about us than it does the subject of this documentary. I’m perfectly fine with knowing exactly this much about Jennifer Lopez, and nothing more.

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

J U N E 19, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

FOOD

Five Reasons to Add Lobster to Summer Meals

T

he arrival of summer means favorites like fresh seafood are back on the menu for many families.

This year, as you explore new and inventive ways to add variety to weeknight dinners and backyard barbecues, consider including lobster as a versatile, indulgent ingredient.

Throughout the summer months, lobstermen up and down the Maine coast set off before dawn in pursuit of one of the most beloved crustaceans in the world. As one of the oldest fisheries in the country, the industry boasts a rich history with an unparalleled commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship that has allowed it to thrive for generations.

In addition to its distinctly sweet flavor, consider these reasons to add Maine lobster to your menu this summer:

Sustainability

To help protect the lobster population and the livelihood of those in the fishery, the lobstermen pioneered sustainability and traceability practices before it was fashionable. The sustainability measures developed and adapted over generations, such as protecting egg-bearing females and releasing juvenile lobsters, have preserved the fishery and produced abundant lobster stocks.

Small Business Support

Unlike many commercial fisheries, the Maine Lobster industry consists of more than 5,000 independent lobstermen who own and operate small day boats. Many lobstermen are from multi-generational lobstering families, which, along with a mandatory apprenticeship program, ensure its continued survival.

Front Lines of Science

Mother Nature and science guide the fishery, meaning ongoing collaboration between scientists and fishermen to research the health of the lobster population and adapt to the effects of climate change to help protect the oceans.

Protection of Endangered Species

Sustainability for the industry means taking care of the larger marine environment and the species that

rely on it. Since the 1990s, Maine lobstermen have taken proactive steps to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales by eliminating surface float rope, incorporating weak links to allow whales to break free in the event they encounter gear and marking rope to ensure traceability.

Community Engagement

The lobster industry goes well beyond the fishermen on the water; including the dealers, processors, restaurant owners, trap and boat builders and more. The fishery is part of the identity of Maine, which means enjoying lobster rolls, grilled tails or steamed lobsters this summer directly supports the community and the lobstermen who call it home.

To find more ways to support the industry and recipes to enjoy this summer, visit lobsterfrommaine.com.

(Family Features)

Chilled Lobster with Orange and Basil Vinaigrette Recipe courtesy of Erin Lynch on behalf of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative Servings: 4

Dressing 1 2 2 1 2 1 1/2 1/4 1 1 1 3

tablespoon minced shallots tablespoons olive oil tablespoons fresh orange juice tablespoon fresh lime juice tablespoons chopped fresh basil tablespoon chopped fresh parsley teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided teaspoon Dijon mustard pepper, to taste pound cooked Maine Lobster meat, cut into 1-inch pieces head butter lettuce, torn ripe avocado, peeled and diced radishes, thinly sliced kosher salt freshly ground black pepper

To make dressing In medium bowl, whisk shallots, olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, basil, parsley, salt and Dijon mustard. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.

Add lobster to bowl; toss to coat.

Chill at least 1 hour, or up to one day.

To serve Arrange lettuce on serving

plate and place lobster on top.

Sprinkle with avocado, radishes, kosher salt and ground black pepper.

Traditional Lobster Rolls Recipe courtesy of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative Yield: 4 rolls 1 pound cooked Maine lobster meat mayonnaise, to taste, for binding freshly ground black pepper, to taste salt, to taste fresh lemon juice, to taste 4 buttered, toasted rolls or preferred bread sliced chives, for garnish

to taste; and lemon juice, to taste.

In bowl, combine lobster meat; mayonnaise, to taste; pepper, to taste; salt,

Place 3-4 ounces lobster salad on each roll.

Garnish with chives and serve.

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J U N E 19, 2022

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

One Way Ticket To The Canyon — L.A. Guns

S

ince their self-titled debut in 1988 to the widely praised comeback albums, L.A. Guns, led by Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis have always delivered solid rock ‘n roll to their fans. This current incarnation of the band has been touring non-stop and the cohesiveness of the unit, not to mention Phil’s stunning and unique vocals and Guns’ mind-bending guitar playing, are on full display.

The “classic lineup” of Guns, former Girl sing-

er Phil Lewis, drummer Steve Riley, guitar player Mick Cripps and bassist Kelly Nickels have sold 6 1/2 million records, including 1988’s L.A. Guns and 1990’s Cocked and Loaded, both of which were certified Gold. Cocked and Loaded contained the hit single “Ballad of Jayne” that went to #33 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #25 on the Mainstream Rock charts. Three decades. Countless world tours.

Millions of records sold. L.A. Guns has become a staple of 80’s glam and sleaze-rock, with a deep cat-

alog of hair metal in addition to “Ballad of Jayne,” other hits include “Never Enough,” “Sex Action,” and “Over the Edge.”

You can see L.A. Guns live at The Canyon Santa Clarita on August 13. Tickets are available online through AXS, over the phone at (888) 645-5006, and in person at the Canyon Santa Clarita box office. For more information, visit www.wheremusicmeetsthe soul.com.

J U N E 19, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

GARDENING

Ways to Make Your Dream Garden a Reality

G

ardening has become a very popular pastime over the past two years, and that trend shows no sign of slowing down. According to last year’s Axiom Gardening Insights Survey, 62% of respondents said they will plant even more in 2022.

Whether you’re one of the many who plan to expand your garden or it’s your first attempt, there are plenty of tools and resources available to help you succeed.

It’s the perfect time to dream of warmer days — and gardening. Developing a concrete plan can help you make your dream become a reality.

Here are steps to help determine what you want from your garden.

1. Figure out your gardening goals You could have more than one motivation for gardening, ranging from just enjoying being outdoors to specific results. Your reasons might include: • Growing veggies, fruits and herbs you can eat or use in cooking • Boosting your home’s curb appeal with beautiful flowers • Attracting butterflies and bees with a pollinator garden • Creating a pretty backyard sanctuary Determining which goal is most important to you can help you make choices about what and where to plant.

2. Utilize help getting started Enlist family members or friends to share tasks like planting, watering, weeding and fertilizing. Gardening is a great hobby for all ages, and children can have fun learning about nature from planting things and watching them grow.

One easy way to get started is with Ferry-Morse Plantlings: live healthy baby plants delivered from the nursery directly to your door. With more than 100 varieties of herb, vegetable, shrub, tree and flower plantlings available, ready-to-plant seedlings are an easy way to get the summer growing season started.

3. Know your space and time limitations It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all

the amazing available choices, especially when you’re new to gardening.

But even homes with limited space can benefit from the beauty of plants or flowers in a planter, window box or raised garden bed. Choose low-maintenance plants and flowers to save on time.

Consider using what you already have to maximize your efforts — are there flowers and plants you already love in your yard? You could space them out if they are spreading varieties, moving some to other areas of your yard. Look up which plants need more sun or shade, so you know they’ll thrive where you transplant them.

4. Know your zone Learn what plants are native to your geographical zone and hardiest where you live before purchasing seeds or Plantlings. Learning the best times to plant specific species will also help your gardening efforts succeed. Your local agricultural extension office is a wonderful source of information on what plants grow best in your area.

5. Know your level of expertise Gardening rookie? You’ll enjoy your efforts even more if you limit the number of varieties you plant.

Focus on just a few at a time, then expand what you plant later in the year, or next year.

Even if you’re an experienced gardener, it still helps to have a list of goals. Don’t feel you have to do it all at once. To enjoy watching your garden transform its beauty throughout the growing season, plan for some early blooming plants, then arrange for different areas of your garden to feature mid-summer or late-blooming flowers.

Visit FerryMorse.com for everything you need to get started, plus tips and resources to help you enjoy your garden more than ever this year.

(BPT)

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J U N E 19, 2022

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE

BY PLANNING YOUR ESTATE TODAY

Wills & Trusts Living Wills • Probate Powers of Attorney Medi-Cal Planning Special Needs Trusts Michael A. Yeager, ESQ, LL.M. (Tax) Jennifer Yeager, Paralegal

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SENIOR LIVING

Seniors Have More Free Time After 50 than in Previous Decades

M

en and women may have more free time after 50 than they had in previous decades.

As children grow more independent and even leave the house, parents look to various activities, including travel, to fill their free time.

Travel is often seen as a luxury, but heading off for parts unknown can produce some serious health benefits.

A joint study from the Global Coalition on Aging and the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that women who vacation at least twice a year have a lower risk for heart attack than those who travel once every six years.

The study also found that men who do not take annual vacations are at a significantly higher risk of death (20%) and heart disease (30%) than those who make who take time to get away each year.

Vacations don’t even need to be long to produce significant, positive results. A 2018 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that a four-day long weekend vacation positively affected well-being, recovery, strain, and perceived stress for as long as 45 days. (MC)

J U N E 19, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

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J U N E 19, 2022

SENIORLIVING

Y

eager Law is Santa Clarita’s Premier Estate Planning and Probate Law Firm Yeager Law APC is a family firm focused solely on estate planning and probate, operated by the husband and wife team of Michael Yeager and Jennifer Roldan. “We strive to give each client a friendly and comforting experience. For many clients, we are the first encounter with any sort of law firm,” says firm founder and attorney Michael Yeager.

Many believe that estate planning is just a generic will or trust but the reality is much more. Each family is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. And with improvements in medicine, planning for incapacity has become just as important as what happens to your property after death. An

Living Trusts are About Living Benefits incomplete or incorrectly prepared estate plan can cause more harm than good. Yeager Law works with their clients and their families to provide the best and most comprehensive estate plan available.

Where estate planning fails, Yeager Law helps clients navigate the complex probate laws that exist after death where no estate planning was done or what was done was insufficient. Probate is a time-consuming and expensive process.

There are a lot of little rules and steps that drag out even the simplest probate. Even minor errors can cause months of delays and frustration. In addition to all the paperwork, Yeager Law routinely deals with the courts, creditors, and others that that come up during the course of the probate.

For more information, call Yeager Law at (661) 471-2177.

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he benefits of a Living Trust are that you can: • provide protection for your family, • manage your assets if you become incapacitated or have a long-term illness, • you can control the distribution of your assets, • save income and estate taxes, and • have some privacy that you would not otherwise have • avoid the California Probate Court process.

Living Trust provides management during incapacity. If you become incapacitated, unable to handle your own affairs, who’s going to handle them for you? Well, if you haven’t planned ahead of time, your family has to go to a Court-supervised procedure called

a Conservatorship, which, in California, is time-consuming and expensive.

An attorney or Conservator has to file annual and bi-annual accountings with the Court, and often there are legal battles over who’s going to manage your affairs. And, sometimes the person who fights the hardest to manage your money, is the person you’d least want to be in control of your financial destiny. You need to make the decision and say, “If I no longer can handle my affairs, this is the person I want to be in charge.” And you do this when you create your California Living Trust.

You name a Successor Trustee who takes charge and makes decisions for you, should you become incompetent.

For more information, contact Mary Mikhail, certified financial fiduciary, certified retirement financial advisor at (661) 977-3371 or (323) 428-0494.

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J U N E 19, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

PROTECT YOURSELF, FAMILY, HOUSE, ASSETS & BUSINESS

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• Probate freezes all your assets as well as makes all of what you built up for your family public information for everyone to see?

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TE VO for US Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology has been serving Santa Clarita for over 30 years. We don’t stop until we have found a solution to your hearing issues.

The Signal’s 21st Annual “Best of” Santa Clarita Valley Vote once per day online by visiting signalscv.com

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ote Dr. Hyun Oh

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Please complete this ballot and return it to: The Signal 25060 Avenue Stanford Ste 141 Valencia, CA 91355

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

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J U N E 19, 2022

HOME

Practical Upgrades to Increase Your Home’s Value

W

hether you’ve purchased a new house or are just looking to invest in what is likely your largest asset, home improvements can make your living space more comfortable, functional and stylish.

Homebuyers are looking for practical home amenities that allow them to live, work and play — such as dedicated home offices, backyard retreats, home gyms and more — without having to worry about any potential future restrictions caused by the pandemic, according to a survey by Zolo of more than 3,300 new homeowners and potential first-time buyers in 2022.

Consider these popular upgrade ideas to create a space built for your family’s needs that can also increase resale value down the line.

Home Office

At the height of the pandemic, many professionals found themselves working remotely — a trend that continued as restrictions were lifted. In fact, 46% of survey respondents listed a dedicated office space as a must-have when purchasing a new home. When creating this space, keep function and efficiency top of mind.

Walk-In Pantry

If you want to add a pantry in your kitchen, you’re not alone. Walk-in pantries found their way onto 48% of respondents’ lists of must-haves. To get started, consider your storage needs to determine the amount of space you’ll require and remember to vary shelving heights to maximize space. Open shelving can also be combined with additional counter space, cabinets, pull-out organizers and other features to help match the design to the rest of your kitchen.

Home Gym Skylights

By improving the overall look and functionality of dark spaces, such as home offices where natural light can improve creativity and productivity, an option like skylights can increase the value of a home, and 55% of new homebuyers rated skylights as desirable or essential, according to research from the National Association of Home Builders. For rooms that need brightening, skylights can free up wall space for storage while adding abundant natural light and increasing ventilation.

Another trend that rose in popularity amid the pandemic, home gyms can take on a variety of shapes and sizes, utilizing available space in the garage, basement, a spare bedroom or even the backyard. Providing more time to fit workouts into your schedule, home gyms can be customized with equipment most important for your lifestyle. From yoga mats, jump ropes and free weights to treadmills, ellipticals and benches and racks, your space, budget and goals can help in the creation or update of a dedicated, in-home workout space. (Family Features)

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J U N E 19, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 1

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Strawberries! Fresh Strawberry Arugula Salad

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

I

’m obsessed with fresh strawberries right now. Sweet to the taste and bright red to the eye, this luscious berry can be tossed into just about anything to turn an ordinary meal into a celebration.

Enjoy this prime strawberry season with me, and head out to a pickyour-own field or farmer’s market.

En route, challenge your family to think of all the ways you can use your bountiful baskets of juicy berries. As kids shout out their favorites, such as strawberries and waffles, peanut butter and strawberry-jam sandwiches and strawberry ice-cream cones, you’ll discover how the versatile berries can be worked into any meal of the day.

Back home, learn new ways to use your bounty — like stirring up straw-

browned. Cool completely.

berry-rhubarb jam or strawberry salsa. I like to use strawberries as a garnish; I toss them, along with fresh mint, into a chilled pitcher of water, and I’m always incorporating them in supper salads using other fresh local produce, nuts and cheese.

Here is a simple salad that’s a headliner on our Father’s Day lunch menu.

Young kids can prep the berries and peppery arugula while you quickly toast the pecans in a pan on the stove.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Add strawberries, arugula and pecans, and toss. Taste and season as needed.

4. Divide mixture on individual plates, and dot with the feta cheese, if you wish. Serves 4.

Tip Substitute half of the arugula with fresh spinach for a milder flavor.

Strawberry Arugula Salad 1 1/2 1 1/2 3/4 2

cups fresh strawberries tablespoons balsamic vinegar cup pecan halves tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 4 cups loosely packed baby arugula leaves* 1/2 cup crumbled mild feta cheese (optional)

1. Let school-age kids wash, hull, dry and halve the strawberries. Place in a bowl and toss with 1/2 tablespoon of the balsamic vinegar. Set

Young kids can prep the berries and greens for this simple salad.

aside for 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, an adult should toast the pecans in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat. Shake the pan to avoid overscorching until the nuts are fragrant and lightly

Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the Donna’s Day Facebook fan page.

Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.” © 2022 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

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

READERLETTERS

Path to Corruption Jonathan Kraut submitted a column (March 29) on holding the “free press” accountable for deliberate misinformation, and The Signal called it “The Fourth Branch of Government.” He proposed a media court. There’s just one problem with that: The media court will be composed of people, that is, human beings. It will thus be vulnerable to, subjected to, and inevitably cave in to, special-interest pressure, public as well as private. It will become corrupted, just like everything else we establish for the greater public good.

There’s nowhere to run when you’re running from yourself, Mr. Kraut, and that’s something a liberal activist is absolutely incapable of understanding.

I suggest you stop complaining about humans being human and just be glad we haven’t already self-destructed, because given what we are, we already should have.

Yeah, just be glad things aren’t even worse.

Arthur Saginian Santa Clarita

Another Shyster with a D Now we know. Hillary Clinton concocted Russiagate out of whole cloth in order to deflect attention from her own illegalities, ordered her lackeys to send it to the media (and then the FBI), hyped it in the campaign while pretending she learned about it FROM the media, and launched a divisive wild goose chase with terrorist-level FISA wiretaps that ended in Robert Mueller’s worthless witchhunt.

Disgusting.

Anyone who ever voted for this horrid woman should hang their head in shame.

But they won’t. Instead they’ll just vote for the next shyster with a “D” after their name.

In fact, they already have. His name is Joe Biden, and his “for sale” signs (and senility, creepiness and ineptitude) were apparent long BEFORE they voted for him.

Rob Kerchner Valencia Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv. com. Mail to: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 25060 Avenue Stanford, Suite 141, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.

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

Stubbornly Right That We’re Right

T

he area of neurological science has been responsible for giving us answers to many of the perplexing, if common, questions that arise in our daily lives. One that I have often wondered about is the way simple disagreements can quickly turn into huge arguments, with both sides digging their heels in to win a prize that ultimately really doesn’t matter. I have found myself mounting up argument after argument to prove that I’m right when being right actually doesn’t matter all that much.

A recent television commercial featuring a guy sitting in a café arguing on the phone about the date a certain popular song first came out made me chuckle because it could have been me.

Why do we fight so hard to be right? Daniel Goleman, the father of emotional intelligence research, chalks it up to “cognitive dissonance.” This term describes what we feel when something we firmly believe to be true is suddenly confronted with evidence to the contrary. Take someone who has been a lifelong Angels fan. Despite the fact that the Halos have just experienced a drastic losing streak, Mr. Angel Fan will argue all kinds of ways that the Angels are still able, and are just on the verge of greatness. And the more evidence that mounts to the contrary, the more dissonance there is in his mind between his convictions and the evidence.

This dissonance is hard, if not impossible, to live with so he must choose one of two courses of action: either change his convictions or diminish the evidence. We almost always diminish the evidence, and this is the path to greater denial, and in situations much more important that baseball teams, to great ruin.

Cognitive dissonance causes us to become more and more convinced of what we already believe and find greater and greater ways to ignore, diminish, or outright mock any evidence to the contrary. We put ourselves in the position of being unwilling and unable to sincerely accept evidence that will undermine our position.

We become calcified in a position that may be wrong, but worse, have determined nothing could change our minds. We do this, says Goleman, in order to live with ourselves. We want consonance between what we believe and what is true, so we shape all the truth to support our beliefs. And, as we all know, this is dangerous.

I see it all around me, and I see it in me. But where I see it most dangerously is in the political dialogue here in America. It is increasingly evident that Republicans will never give Democrats credit for good ideas, simply because they are already convinced that the Dems are ruining the country and life as we know it.

The same is true for the Dems. They insist the Repubs

are ruining the country and life as we know it, and on top of that, are mean-spirited, ignorant and enemies of democracy.

Of course, the Repubs will have none of that and insist that the Dems are elitist, socialists, anti-God and … Get the point?

Despite the evidence – whatever it may be!

– each side shapes it to prove they are right and their opponents are wrong.

In their book “Mistakes Were Made (but not by me),” Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson do a brilliant job demonstrating the destructive nature of cognitive dissonance in vital areas of our society including politics, science, psychology and law enforcement. The evidence is damning. We have found the enemy and it is us, if we become so locked into our beliefs that we lose the ability to honestly assess the evidence.

Even worse, an inability and unwillingness to be honest in assessing opposing arguments means we all too often have to diminish the character of the one bringing it in order to dismiss it to the point where we retain personal consonance. Herein lies the foundation of hatred, and character assassination, or worse. The current terrorizing of the SCOTUS homes is an example.

I greatly fear that the winsome and honoring tenor of our political discourse, so much a hallmark of America’s democratic history, is becoming so eroded that one side barely hears the other. We argue for the cameras rather than shape arguments to help solve problems. It appears that most of our political speech is intended either to galvanize our supporters or embarrass and demean our opponents. And this is filtering down from Washington into the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

Just monitor some of the punditry in the news and on the various social media platforms and you’ll have to agree. Cognitive dissonance is creating a monster variant of intolerance that has mutated from ridicule to outright hatred and the desire to see one’s opponents destroyed. The danger is not only that we are becoming more and more intransigent and committed to what we already believe, but also that we are forfeiting the chance to get better, solve some of the problems, and become what we all really want and that is to be better!

Better for ourselves, better for our children, and better than the current edition of the American Experiment which seems — shockingly! — to be coming apart at the seams.

Apparently, we’re stubbornly right that we’re right, and that’s just wrong.

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

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