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y a d Sun JULY 22, 2018

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College Milestones

Dianne Van Hook celebrates 30 years at helm of COC

Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

ARTIST PROFILE

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J U LY 22, 2018

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J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 3

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J U LY 22, 2018

Beware Zombie 2nd Mortgages!!

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f you have a 2nd mortgage that you haven’t paid, even if you received a letter from your bank telling you the mortgage was “charged off ” or “no further payments were necessary”, even if you thought you had it dismissed in a bankruptcy, you may be in DANGER! There is a disturbing trend in the mortgage industry that should scare Santa Clarita homeowners. There has been a dramatic increase in Zombie 2nds. A Zombie 2nd is a 2nd mortgage or other lien that the homeowner thought was gone, that comes back stronger than when the homeowner thought it died. When Zombie 2nds return they have a

much higher amount owed because although the homeowner may have thought the debt was gone, it remained unpaid and continued to accrue interest on both the original amount and the unpaid balance. In the past this sort of debt was not lucrative to enforce because there was no equity in the property to go after. But due to the increase in property values over the last several years a number of companies have sprung up that buy these debts for pennies on the dollar and then seek to enforce the full amount of the accrued debt. If a company can buy a $100,000 “dead” 2nd mortgage that hasn’t been paid for 10 years, for $1000, and then turn around and de-

mand payment of the now $300,000 debt, then there are extremely large incentives for companies to attack once there is equity in the property. The housing recovery brought equity back to homes but it unfortunately brought these “brain suckers” with it. The people and companies that do this will tell you they are helping “clean up bad debt”. I would say they are stealing people’s homes! The good news is you can defend yourself. But you need to check your title on your home to see what’s

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J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 5

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J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 7

y a d n Su

July 22, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[8] NEWS FEATURES

COC Milestone: College of the Canyons Chancellor Dianne Van Hook celebrates 30 years at helm of school. [10] Fire : Mid-summer checklist to prepare for wildfires [12] Education : Teachers take two and three jobs to make ends meet.

25 Chi Chi’s BUSINESS

[14] NEWS OF THE WEEK

[24] [25] [26] [27] [30] [33] [36]

[41] [42] [45] [46]

Countdown to Castaic High; 2 year old set to leave hospital for first time; SCV sees growing number of film locations; Filing for city council race starts

CITY MANAGER COLUMN : Ken Striplin BUSINESS Chi-Chi’s: An SCV favorite turns 60 100 Years in the SCV A page from The Signal’s archives SPORTS Coach’s Corner: West Ranch baseball’s Casey Burrill OPINION Our View; Jonathan Kraut; Tim Whyte; Scott Wilk THINGS TO DO Calendar; Free Summer Fun in the SCV ENTERTAINMENT Southern California’s Summer Festivals TV Review: Guilty Summer Viewing Pleasures; The Canyon Artist Profile

YOUR HOME Countertops 101 FOOD STUFF The Coolest Treats in Town; Recipes FAMILY Donna’s Day SENIORS Senior Center volunteer Tess Carlos Miku; Gettin’ Up There by Diana Sevanian

[48] THE ARTS

Beauty Tips That Will Survive the Santa Clarita Summer Heat

[52] PETS

ARTIST PROFILE

PET SUMMER SAFETY

SUNDAY SIGNAL STAFF

ARTIST PROFILE: Frank Rock

[51] BEAUTY & FASHION

Pet Summer Safety Tips

[54] BRAIN GAMES

SignalSCV.com Richard Budman Jason Schaff Tim Whyte Trish Galloway

Games, Crossword, Puzzles

Perry Smith Brad Lanfranco

Publisher Sunday Signal Editor Signal Editor Graphic Design & Production Deputy Managing Editor Advertising Director

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J U LY 22, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

Chancellor Dianne Van Hook 30 years at helm of College of the Canyons has seen huge growth, rise in prominence of school By Brennon Dixson

ianne Van Hook’s tenure as College of the Canyons’ chancellor stretches back to July 1, 1988 — nearly six months after Santa Clarita’s incorporation as a city — and it’s hard to tell who’s benefited most in the 30 years since: the students, the college or the city. In the 3 decades since Van Hook assumed control of the Santa Clarita Valley’s lone community college, the square footage has more than quadrupled - if you include the new Canyon Country Campus - the number of certificated degrees and programs has surged from 27 and 17, respectively, to 92 and 90, and three bond measures have been passed - Measure M, C and E “with the help of the community, who COC had helped so much over the years,” Van Hook said. Take a look out the window of the state-of-the-art Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at COC’s Valencia campus and you’ll see a lot has changed in town, as well. “I mean when I came here, we had a KMart and a Do it Center as I recall,” Van Hook said with a chuckle. “There weren’t very many places to stay the night,” she added, recalling the period when she had to stay at the Ranch House Inn near Magic Mountain Parkway due to the hundred of names ahead of her on an apartment waiting list.

“It was a real cowboy place back in those days,” with little restaurants, a few businesses and barely any hotels, Van Hook said, “but that’s what attracted me to this place.” At the time, the governing board of COC was seeking somebody who could change the community’s perception of the college and inform them of the resource the college could be for this community. “In simple terms,” Van Hook said, “They wanted somebody who could get sion for the creative process that college fosters. money, develop plans, build buildings, develop partWith her master’s — and, later, doctorate degree — nerships with the surrounding community — includsecured from the University of La Verne, Van Hook ing the schools, businesses and nonprofits — and build began counseling at night on the campus of Cerritos a great team of people.” College, where she’d start a women’s center. To some, the job may have Her success in Cerritos evenseemed too large for one person tually landed her full-time gig “ I WA N T E D TO to accomplish, but not for Van at Santa Ana College, where like D E V E LO P P E O P L E Hook, the woman who had a COC in the present and Cerritos hand in shaping six community A N D P L AC E S A N D College before, she continued to colleges before she ever stepped P R O G R A M S A N D start new programs. foot on the COC campus. The young counselor wrote P O S S I B I L I T I E S A N D “I really like working with busigrants and received money to ness and industry,” Van Hook PA R T N E R S H I P S .” start programs and services for said. “That’s why I chose to come – D I A N N E VA N H O O K “nontraditional students and rehere,” and its originally why she entry women,” Van Hook said, began to pursue a career as an adwith an intention to get women ministrator. into well-paying careers. While putting herself through college at Long Beach Women weren’t always allowed to take the classCity College and California State University Long es that would allow them to become auto mechanics, Beach, Van Hook taught preschool and Head Start at welders or electricians, she said, recalling a time when schools in the inner city, which was a long ways away women were only allowed to take sewing, cooking and from the midwestern towns that Van Hook bounced other courses that were related to life in the home. from as a child. Before the end of her tenure as a counselor, Van Hook The educator soon found herself teaching midwould start programs benefiting welfare recipients, first dle school for 6-7 years before she found a pasgeneration college students and the Indo-Chinese refugees who would come to Santa Ana in search of safety [Top right] Van Hook and other dignitaries attend and a new career. the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Canyon Van Hook was also asked to start a foundation to Country campus in 2007. [Above left] Van Hook is fund the building of the planned Rancho Santiago camannounced as the new superintendent-president in pus — which surely helped prepare her for the creation 1988, replacing the retiring Dr. Ramon F. LaGrandeur. of COC’s new campus in Canyon Country. Van Hook’s husband Roger is seated at left. [Left] After accomplishing all that she could as a counselor, The University Center takes shape in this low-aerial Van Hook began applying for jobs as an administrator. view looking northeast in February 2009. Photos

courtesy of College of the Canyons.

Continued next page

J U LY 22, 2018

“I wanted to be able to develop,” Van Hook said. “I wanted to develop people and places and programs and possibilities and partnerships.” Feather River College, a small rural community college in Quincy, California, gave her the opportunity to do just that when they hired Van Hook as dean of instruction/student service in 1984. It was a bit of a culture shock, Van Hook said. “I went from going to The Ritz for lunch to going to the Polka Dot Drive-in, which is still the only drive-in after 34 years in Quincy.” Two years later, while speaking at a conference in Lake Tahoe, Van Hook spotted an announcement for a job opening on the marquee of the local community college, a place where Van Hook and her husband always wanted to work. “Even if for a year or two,” she said. “We were snow skiers and water skiers and I’m a hiker so I thought this would be fun.” On top the of the leisurely benefits, Van Hook said “I wanted to make that move because Lake Tahoe was building a permanent campus,” which is something she deemed important, because it would prepare and help her acquire the skills to become a college president, which she wanted to become prior to the age of 40. “As you’re getting ready to do the next job, you wanna make sure you acquire the knowledge and the skills so when the opportunity becomes available,

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 9

you’re ready,” Van Hook said. “One of the things I didn’t know too much about was building buildings.” She certainly learned as she helped LTCC expand from rental buildings — that previously served as a car dealership, a Salvation Army and a blue motel right on Highway 50 — into the campus that it is today. After a year and half of leading Lake Tahoe CC, the chancellor position at COC became available, and you probably know the rest. Van Hook was no stranger to the job, as she had applied 3 times prior - once while at Santa Ana, again at Feather River and now for the final time in 1988. Having grown up on a farm in Minnesota, Van Hook learned that you don’t give up when something doesn’t go your way. “(My Great-Aunt Mabel) used to always say ‘don’t ever give up, the the third time’s the charm,’ and this was the third time so I thought, ‘I’ll stick with aunt Mabel,’ and I applied and got the job,” she said. Having been properly prepared by almost every job prior, Van Hook was everything the board was looking for, and the small town with big business potential was everything Van Hook was looking for. When the young chancellor wasn’t struggling to find a suitable living space that wasn’t waitlisted, she was working on changing the school’s funding forSee VAN HOOK, page 58

[Top] Van Hook reviews photos and articles from her past 30 years at College of the Canyons. Dan Watson / The Signal [Above] Van Hook shovels the first symbolic dirt during the official ground-breaking ceremony for the highly anticipated Performing Arts Center. Surrounding her are members of the Santa Clarita City Council. Archive photos courtesy of College of the Canyons.

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S C V F E AT U R E

J U LY 22, 2018

Fire: Are you ready? What if a wildfire roars quickly through your neighborhood By Marilyn Chavez-Martinez

15829 Toscana Court $1,499,500 Canyon Country, CA 91387 • Active Listing MLS# SR18133234 Single Family Residence 4beds 4baths Sq. ft.: 3,608 lot size: 42,561 sqft Garage: 3/ attached Built in 2012

ABOUT THIS PROPERTY Here is your chance to live in this beautiful turnkey home in a gated community. This single story pool home is in the Preserve in Sand Canyon. You will be immediately impressed with the well maintained yard and walkways leading to the front door. Inside you will find a very open floor plan featuring travertine flooring large fireplace, and custom leaded windows. The chefs delight kitchen has granite counter tops, SS Appliances, double ovens, a large island and breakfast bar, walk-in pantry and so much more. The large dining room is perfect for entertaining. Going into the master bedroom you will find walk-in closets and opens to a beautiful master bath with large sunken tub with leaded glass windows and many amenities. All bedrooms are tastefully decorated. The oversize laundry is complete with sink, cabinets, and folding area. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this home is the back yard. It features a large pool and spa, fire pit with seating area, and so many beautiful plants and trees. Interior/exterior recently painted. For the golfer you will enjoy your own putting green. The solar is system is all paid for. You will be glad you saw this home.

Bob Kellar 661.510.0987 16670 Soledad Cyn Rd kellar@earthlink.net CalBRE#01030351

The powerful Sand Fire, which began two years ago today and tore through more than 38,000 acres of land and destroyed 18 structures, forced Santa Clarita residents Jan Sanborn and Loren Janes to evacuate from their home. “We had in the past prioritized our belongings, as this was not our first evacuation,” said Sanborn, a [Above] A water dropping helicopter makes a drop on flames of the Sand Fire as it burns near Placerita pianist and composer Canyon Road and the Placerita Nature Center in who lived in Canyon 2016. Dan Watson / The Signal Country with her husband when the — READY — fire struck. “In this instance, we First comes regular property had to leave so quickly, and my pri- maintenance that homeowners can orities were my husband, now suf- manage before any emergency sitfering from Alzheimer’s, and our uation arises. This includes builddog, so I grabbed some clothes, a ing a defensible space, hardening few documents.” one’s home, and taking a homeResidents living in areas prone owner wildfire assessment. to brush fires are typically well “In regards to people’s homes, prepared, according to Inspector we always emphasize brush clearGustavo Medina of the L.A. Counance,” said Medina. “(Brush clearty Fire Department. In this case, ance) is a good practice to have however, the fire approached too probably throughout the year. quickly, growing from 2,500 acres Anything that’s touching the actuto 20,000 acres from one day to the al house, any dead brush, litter, dry next, according to live updates at pine needles, dry leaves, anything the time from The Signal. The Sand Fire, the Rye Fire and like that, clean up and make sure the recent Stone Fire all serve to nothing flammable is around the remind Santa Clarita residents that perimeter.” Maintaining about 100 feet wildfires are often unpredictable of spacing around one’s home and require a significant amount is called “building a defensible of preparation. To address all details and ques- space,” he said. Taking the Homeowner Wildtions of the process, officials at fire Assessment (http://firecenter. the L.A. County Fire Department recommend the “Ready! Set! Go!” berkeley.edu/homeassessment/ pamphlet, which is also endorsed home_assess_intro.html) can give by the U.S. Forest Service and Cal homeowners an idea of how vulFire. The pamphlet breaks down nerable their property may be to the preparedness process into wildfires and provide steps that can be taken to reduce any vulnerthree steps. abilities.

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 1

Fire continued from previous page The Ready for Wildfire website (readyforwildfire.org) also suggests “hardening your home,” which refers to “using construction materials that can help your home withstand flying embers finding weak spots in construction.” “We had completely cleared the property, 2.5 acres. The house itself was stucco (and) tile construction,” said Sanborn, who had been told that her property was the most defensible in an area that had four homes. Unfortunately, the fire forked going uphill and her home was destroyed in the fire, she said.

— SET —

The next step that the Ready! Set! Go! campaign suggests is creating a wildfire action plan and assembling an emergency supply kit. The wildfire action plan has a number of components such as designating a meet-up spot with one’s family outside of the fire hazard area. This helps members of the family keep track of who has gotten to safety. It is recommended that families have practice runs to familiarize themselves with the routes they would have to take to get to the safe spot. Having an evacuation plan for pets and large animals such as livestock is also recommended. Organizations, such as Gentle Barn, that assist officials during times of evacuation, can most effectively dispatch resources when animal owners have communicated their needs ahead of time and accurately registered their animals. Emergency supply kits should be assembled for each person, and include items such as: a three-day supply of non-perishable food and 3 gallons of water, a map marked with at least two evacuation routes, and a change of clothing, among other things, according to the American Red Cross. “We always do remind our residents to make sure that you do have your stuff ready. Money, medication, important documents, especially for kids and seniors. Anything that is valuable,” said Medina. The official Wildfire Action Plan recommends that people and pets; papers, phone numbers, prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses; pictures

and irreplaceable memorabilia; personal computer hard drive and disks; and credit cards, bank cards and cash all be ready to go in case immediate evacuation is required.

— GO —

The final step of the Ready! Set! Go! plan is the evacuation process. If an evacuation were to become necessary, officials recommend evacuating as soon as possible, when the request is still “voluntary,” as opposed to “mandatory.” Officials also recommend taking children, seniors and people with disabilities into account when making emergency evacuation plans. These preparations can range from designating who is responsible for getting a child to safety, to installing smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing lights for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. There are two interactive pamphlets from the American Red Cross (“Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors” and “Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs”) designed to guide those who need help accommodating seniors and people with disabilities into their emergency plan. The Sanborns’ story Jan Sanborn and family lost their home in the Sand Fire. They had done their best to prepare for the worst. In the following years, they would receive support from the Newhall Presbyterian Church, which held a fundraiser for them, the Grace Community Church, the Bel Air Presbyterian Church, the Lake Avenue Church, and The Stuntmen’s Association, among others, according to Sanborn. “I think people who live in areas that are prone to brush fire, even if they haven’t experienced it yet, they have neighbors that have, (and) they give them a head’s up. For the most part, they are well prepared,” said Medina. For more details about the Ready! Set Go! Campaign visit the Cal Fire website (readyforewildfire.org). To access the personal wildfire action pamphlet visit the L.A. County Fire Department website (fire.lacounty.gov). 

[Right] A member of a hand crew readies a water hose as he joins firefighters and water dropping helicopters and fixedwing aircraft fighting flames of the Sand Fire along Placerita Canyon Road in July 2016. [Below] A fixed wing aircraft makes a drop of fire retardant on a burning ridge as viewed from Sand Canyon Road in Canyon Country on July 22, 2016. Dan Watson / The Signal

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J U LY 22, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Making ends meet Local teachers claim funding situation prompts many to get second, third jobs to support family take vacations.” Instead, vacations are the pool in the backyard, movie nights It’s 8 a.m. Monday and your child’s on the couch and game nights with the grade-school teacher is in the class family. writing the day’s lesson on the white“I try to cut costs whenever I can,” board. She woke up at 6 a.m. to get the veteran teacher said, and it’s been her children dressed and ready so she that way since 1996, when she first becould be prepared prior to the arrival gan working two jobs and the “off-andof yours. on” third. It’s now 4 In recent “ I T ’S H A R D E S T F O R p.m. and afweeks, teachter educating, ers at every M Y FA M I LY B E s up e r v i s i n g school district C AU S E M Y K I D S A R E and mentorin the SCV ing your child sought raises V E R Y AC T I V E . T H E Y for an entire or expressed KNOW I’M WORKschool day, the concerns with same gradetheir current ING AND TRYING school teachpay, prompter is rushing ing a few to TO PAY T H E B I L L S , from the classpersonB U T I T ’S S T I L L H A R D share room to her al stories of second job at hardship reB E C AU S E I D O N ’ T a local pizzelated to highWA N T TO M I S S O U T ria, where she er costs of livmay find hering, increased O N I M P O R TA N T self serving workloads HIGH SCHOOL you and your and the rising family dincost of beneAC T I V I T I E S O R ner until 11 fits. M E M O R I E S .” p.m. Monday Some of through Frithem take on – A SIXTH-GRADE TEACHER IN day. extra jobs, T H E S A N TA C L A R I TA VA L L E Y She’ll rush even if it home and remeans misspeat the proing out on cess for the participating week, while she tries to parent, main- with their own kids, said the sixthtain her mental wellness and plan les- grade teacher who moonlights at a losons that stimulate and prepare chil- cal pizzeria. dren for the future that awaits them. “It’s hardest for my family because It’s now Saturday, and instead of my kids are very active,” she added. spending time with her family, the “They know I’m working and trying to grade school teacher is offering lessons pay the bills, but it’s still hard because on horseback-riding techniques at the I don’t want to miss out on important third job that she carries “just to make high school activities or memories.” it,” said the sixth-grade teacher, who A Newhall School District teacher asked not to be identified. — who also asked not to be identified “I’m not even buying extras,” she — took the responsibility of a second added. “I’m literally paying for the job when her son was in college to help house, utilities, the car, gas, groceries him with tuition and remain debt free, and that’s pretty much it.” which was something that she found Birthdays have to be minimal, she said, “and we don’t do extras. We don’t Continued next page

By Brennon Dixson

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 3

LOCALNEWS

Making continued from previous page

Declining dollars

important. Her husband had just start- never imagined struggling to afford baed a business, which, like many start- sic costs. ups, wasn’t an instant success from the California’s cost-of-living has been jump, so she felt she had to do some- cited as one reason why teachers are thing. unable to live and retire in a commuToday, when she’s not doing it for nity in which they’ve spent a lifetime free to help low-income children in her teaching, but others believe they simcommunity, the same teacher contin- ply haven’t been compensated fairly in ues to tutor in an effort to save for re- decades. tirement or for potential emergencies. Today, California’s average monthly “My husrent is 50 perband (who’s cent higher “ I F YO U ’ R E A now a sucthan the rest cessful busiof the country, T E AC H E R ( A N D ) nessman in according to YO U H AV E T W O the commuthe state Legnity) said I’d islative AnaCHILDREN LIVhave to save as lyst’s Office. ING IN THIS AREA, much as I can As a result, so I can keep “We have had W O U L D N ’ T YO U the lights on many teachWA N T YO U R K I D S TO ers have to sell in case something happens their homes B E A B L E TO H AV E to him,” she and move into THE SAME LIFE AS said. He’s been something sick before, “so that costs less,” OT H E R S ... Y E S , S O I have to be said Suzanne cognizant of Graff, the YO U F I N D A J O B, the fact I could Castaic TeachT U TO R O R S O M E be a widow er Association one day withunion presiT H I N G , S O YO U ’ L L out his income dent. “Some MAKE MONEY SO and the stuff have had to that he pays refinance their YO U R K I D S C A N G O for.” home loans TO C A M P.” “My situto get by for ation is difthe next few – A NEWHALL SCHOOL ferent from years.” DISTRIC T TEACHER teachers who W h e n have to do it,” teachers reshe said. “I ceive raises, have colleagues that couldn’t turn on they’re 2 or 3 percent increases, one their lights if they didn’t have a second Hart district English teacher said, job,” so they’re doing everything they “which is enough to afford nothing.” can to make ends meet. “I’m making more money at the “If you’re a teacher (and) you restaurant than I am teaching fullhave two children living in this area, time after getting my bachelor’s degree wouldn’t you want your kids to be able and teaching credential and spending to have the same life as others?” she thousands of dollars,” said the aforeasked rhetorically. “Yes, so you find a mentioned sixth-grade teacher, who job, tutor or something, so you’ll make encourages the public to Google the money so your kids can go to camp.” salaries of their local educators. The NSD teacher remembers her faShe has thought about moving, but ther telling her when she was first start- her family is why she stays. ing out as a teacher that she will never “I would never uproot them out of be rich — which many teachers said Continued on page 22 they knew going into the job — but she

Decreases in local enrollment figures leave districts struggling to get by, as well monthly increase to the health benefits cap or a $25 monthly increase As teachers across the Santa Clar- to cash-in-lieu for employees who ita Valley seek raises and express waive medical benefits. concerns with their current pay, suSaugus Superintendent Colleen perintendents are saying their hands Hawkins said the raise was a result are tied when it comes to the subject. of the district’s board and teachers The heads of the Saugus, Newhall coming to an understanding about and Castaic school districts all cited the district’s financial situation. the state’s severe shortfall in educaEvery School district in the state tional funding as the greatest factor of California receives their funding that’s keeping districts from via the Local Control Fundpaying teachers more. ing formula, and “Saugus “We’re tied to a funding is one of the lowest funded model that is based on (avschool districts in the state,” erage daily attendance),” she added. Castaic Superintendent Despite this, Hawkins said, Steve Doyle said, “so if kids “We do everything we can aren’t at school, like our disto pay our employees at the trict and several in the SCV, highest possible rate given Doyle then we aren’t making monthe formula that the state ey.” uses to fund schools.” “Enrollment drives revenue,” said The goal and priority of the board Jeff Pelzel, Newhall’s new superin- is to never be forced to lay ff teachtendent. “So when you have a de- ers, Pelzel said. “To (their) credit, mographer’s report that says you’ll even through the lean years, we habe down 200 kids,” then districts are ven’t had to lay off staff or cut vital limited in what they can do regard- programs.” ing teacher pay. The board wants to honor “The second thing that teachers and give as much as goes with that is the (State they can, Pelzel added, but it Teachers Retirement Sysalso has a fiscal responsibility tem and the Public Emto ensure that in one or two ployee Retirement System) years, there won’t be cuts to costs, which are very taxing any jobs. on a district,” Pelzel added. “Next year and the year after “The two things are like a are our two toughest years in Hawkins perfect storm to prevent terms of generating revenue,” districts from giving largPelzel said. “If the district er raises that they would otherwise were in a different situation with want to be able to give.” increasing enrollment, then more While Newhall is currently in the opportunities (for raises) would be middle of negotiations with its staff, provided,” he added. the Castaic Union School District “Unfortunately in the last few approved a raise for its teachers in years, the governor has chosen to April that will show up as a 3 per- give schools money in the form of cent increase in the salary schedule, one-time money,” Doyle said. The along with an additional 1 percent few million in one-time funding one-time bonus, as well. that districts received this year can’t Saugus officials also recently ap- be put on the salary schedule, beproved a 2 percent raise for staff and cause districts aren’t sure if they can faculty that will take effect in the upContinued on page 22 coming school year, along with a $50

By Brennon Dixson

1 4 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

J U LY 22, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Race for 25th heats up between Hill, Knight Congressional candidates have combined to raise more than $4 million so far ahead of November By Brennon Dixson

Challenger Katie Hill, who’s looking to unseat Rep. Steve Knight, R-Antelope Valley, in the 25th Congressional District race, has a significant lead in the fundraising race ahead of November’s election. Knight showed no concern about the different tallies Tuesday, and retained his lead for cash on hand. “We’ve got a plan on what we want to do and how we want to accomplish it,” Knight said. “Our fundraising numbers are right on point. Obviously you always want to raise more.” Hill had raised a total of $2,451,457 as of June 30, and had spent $1,598,615 according to figures available at the Federal Election Commission website. Knight raised $1,703,744, spending $439,771. Hill said Tuesday the nature of her fundraising efforts reflected that she was running a “people-powered” campaign. “Our campaign received almost 10,000 donations from more than 7,300 people in this quarter alone,” she said. “The amount of money we raised shows the seri-

ous momentum and energy behind flipping control of Congress.” As to cash on hand, Knight claimed a lead by maintaining a campaign war chest of $1.3 million at the end of June, while Hill had $852,841. Knight was quick to note that he’s been outraised by opponents in the past, which hasn’t been the difference-maker in any of his races thus far. For perspective, in 2016, he narrowly edged Democratic Party challenger Bryan Caforio in the final fundraising tally, raising $1,712,195 to $1,706,520. In the 2014 congressional race, Knight was outraised by Tony Strickland, a Republican from Simi Valley, by a

total of $1,931,068 to $415,460. “We do have a target to get to. We know what we need to do (with respect to fundraising),” Knight said, noting after several years, his team had “fine-tuned” their strategy, which made efficiency important. “We’ve probably hit every gamut, and some strategies work and some just don’t work in this district.” Hill noted that while edging Caforio in the June primary helped create an “overwhelming” show of support, her approach hasn’t changed — but the increase in resources has helped. “We know the issues that matter to the people of this district because I hear about them from friends I run into at the grocery store, from voters when I’m out knocking doors, and from my family who has been here for three generations,” Hill said in a statement. “As our team continues to grow we will be able to talk to more members of the community than ever.” Both candidates agreed the money is important, but fundraising isn’t the big prize, Knight noted. “It’s hard winning elections,” Knight said. “It’s not hard running.”

J U LY 22, 2018

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J U LY 22, 2018

LOCALNEWS

The countdown continues for Castaic High By Brennon Dixson

With 394 days, 18 hours and 48 minutes left until the grand opening of the long-awaited Castaic High School, according to the official counter, the William S. Hart Union High School District and Spirit Holding, the developers of Castaic High School, will host a community kick-off event from 8-10 a.m. Aug. 3, to celebrate the one year countdown of the community’s newest school. The upcoming ceremony is part of a larger effort to rally the community around the new school prior to the opening, according to previous reports. The $126.2 million project will sit on a 200-acre site at the intersection of Valley Creek Road and Canyon Hill Road and is scheduled to open to the ninth-graders of Castaic in August 2019. “We’re making great progress on the construction of Castaic’s new high school,” said Randy Wrage, the development’s project manager. “I’m delighted to share our progress with the community as we count down to the school’s grand opening in 2019.”

The $126.2 million Castaic High sits on 200-acre lot at the intersection of Valley Creek Road and Canyon Hill Road. Courtesy photo

The ceremony will take place at the site of the new high school in Castaic, according to the developers, and will include a short presentation from Wrage and Castaic High’s founding Principal Melanie Hagman, who began July 1, despite the school’s ongoing construction status. Several other activities are also planned for the event,

officials said, including a suggestion box that’s open to anyone with an idea for Castaic High’s mascot and school colors. Hagman is “excited to work with Castaic students, parents and community members to embark on the journey of opening a community-based school,” a spokesman said in a news release.

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 7

LOCALNEWS

SCV Water Agency discusses compensation Sen. Wilk offers testimony as water board OKs plan to limit per diem payouts for members By Jim Holt

SCV Water officials have approved a plan that changes the way board members are paid to attend meetings — identifying which meetings count and which ones don’t. Although they’re still paid a $228.15 per diem for every meeting they attend, their amended policy now defines the meetings for which they’ll be compensated, unlike the outgoing policy, which made no such distinction. State Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, who authored the assembly bill that created the SCV Water Agency, showed up at Tuesday’s meeting and voiced his support for the revisions made to the agency’s per diem policy. “Tonight, the board is taking another step forward by willingly curtailing compensation to the Board of Directors,” Wilk said. “It declares to your ratepayers you are serious about transparency and accountability and I salute you for doing the right thing.” The proposal approved unanimously by board members Tuesday limits the amount of money directors receive when attending events and meetings in an official capacity and also limits the amount of times each director can attend such events and be compensated for them.

Per diem The committee recommended directors get paid the same amount they received under the agency dissolved by SB 634 — the Castaic Lake Water Agency — of $228.15 per meeting. The amended policy, however, reigns in how much money will be paid out to members who attend industry meetings by listing which meetings garner compensation, as well as the ones that don’t. For example, board members will be compensated for attending multiday conferences, but they’re limited to attending three such conferences in a year. Under the old policy, no ceiling was placed on the number of multiday conferences a member could attend and still be compensated.

“It shows the public that we understand that it’s important to stay informed, but that we self-police and do the right thing,” the board’s vice-president, Maria Gutzeit, said.

Balance Five members of the SCV Water board spent the last three months reviewing how much they should pay themselves and other board members for attending meetings on water-related issues. They tried to find the right balance between the importance of attending conferences promising to educate them on important water issues and the cost of attending those conferences. Director Robert DiPrimio was chair of the five-member ad hoc committee that reviewed the compensation and reimbursement paid out to board members for attending meetings. The rate at which water board members are compensated stays the same. If a member is on the board of four committees and they meet in the course of a month — in addition to the monthly general meeting — the amount that member is paid amounts to $1,140.75. There is a limit, however, on how many meetings a board member may attend for which they can receive that stipend, which is 10.

Meetings categorized Members of the ad hoc committee reviewing the policy, however, defined and categorized what events that warrant per diem payments paid out for attending them. The committee’s recommendation includes board members being additionally compensated for meals and lodging. Under the amended policy board members are to reimbursed for the “reasonable cost of meals, including tips, not to exceed $150 per person per day.” Wilk noted that the agency’s “projected savings have already exceeded its expectations,” at Tuesday’s meeting. “Collectively, we spent several years

working to create a new water agency,” Wilk said. “First with the ad hoc committee, then with the engagement with the Castaic Lake Water Agency and the Newhall County Water District board of directors... And then, ultimately the new agency’s mission was honed and strengthened through the legislative process in our state capital. “The shared vision would offer Santa Clarita Valley ratepayers a new water agency that would hold down costs by eliminating redundancies and protection for consumers in the future by establishing a ratepayer advocate, better stewards of the watershed by having a single entity manage the resource and create a new governing board that would be transparent and accountable.

Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita,spoke in front of the SCV Water Agency this week regarding new policies for the district. Courtesy photo

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LOCALNEWS

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By Ryan Mancini

With more than just wine to offer, Circle of Hope will be having its Vine2Wine event on Aug. 11 at the California Institute of the Arts in an effort to raise money for cancer patients in the Santa Clarita Valley. Vine2Wine will feature fine wines to sample, along with craft brew, gourmet food, live music and a silent auction, with the money going to support Circle of Hope’s outreach. “It’s one of the best events out here,” said Alexander Hafizi, one of Circle of Hope’s vice presidents, calling the allyou-can-eat-and-drink event the best of both worlds whether you love wine-tasting or culinary endeavors. Hafizi has been on the board of directors for four years, but he’s been a fan of Vine2Wine since before his tenure, he added.

Live entertainment will be provided by Los Angeles-based guitarist and bassist Lance Allyn. Circle of Hope gives “emotional, financial and educational support to those diagnosed with cancer in the Santa Clarita Valley” since 2004, according to its website. It supports those diagnosed with breast, cervical, colon, melanoma, ovarian, prostate, testicular and uterine cancers. Ticket sales for the event began May 1, and will finish at midnight Aug. 10. Guests must be 21 and older, and will be asked to show I.D. Vine2Wine is sponsored by Logix Federal Credit Union, with Advanced Audiology serving as the event’s title sponsor. VIP entry will be at 6 p.m., followed by general entry at 7 p.m. For more information, go to https://circleofhopeinc.org/ vine2wine/.

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J U LY 22, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Elliot’s long journey home Family eagerly anticipates son’s first trip home from the hospital after more than two years By Ryan Mancini

At 2 and a half years old, Elliot Newcomb still hasn’t come home from the hospital, yet. Born Feb. 18, 2016, he arrived prematurely at the size of a baby at 28 weeks of gestation and was quickly placed onto a ventilator to get him breathing properly. Although this saved his life, there was still something wrong. His parents, Sara and Bryan, had him undergo genetic testing to find out — and the results were troubling, Sara said Monday. By resting on the ventilator, his condition actually worsened — Elliott was developing chronic lung disease and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD. “With BPD, you want to exercise the lungs,” Sara said. “Naturally, babies on ventilators breathe very fast.” BPD, which is common among premature infants, results in damaged lungs caused by a ventilator and causes longterm breathing difficulty, according to the American Lung Association’s website. “The totality of the situation was hard,” Sara said. Following a bronchoscope that looked at his breathing and airways from his lungs, doctors realized he had severe tracheobronchomalacia, “a rare condition that happens when the cartilage of the windpipe, or trachea, is soft, weak and floppy,” according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s website. “This can cause the tracheal wall to collapse and block the airway, making it hard to breathe.” After being moved from Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the Kaiser Center in Los Angeles’ Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, he remained in regular care. By the time of his first birthday, however, he was in a medically induced coma. This was done so that his body would not fight the intended use of the ventilator. During a conference in March, doctors suggested to the Newcombs that they should “withdraw care,” as the services kept Elliot alive but did not improve his condition. Weighing their options, the New-

combs were in communication with other parents whose children had the same diagnosis as Elliot through social media. Once they became aware of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, which conducts research on BPD in children, there was hope that Elliot would be able to move on with his life and recover. Kaiser made use of Nationwide’s ventilation protocols to help Elliot. He received physical therapy to build his core and give his body some degree of movement of which he did not have while heavily sedated and sick. “Nurses and respiratory therapists in the PICU were mystified at the results,” Sara added. While Elliot has lived his life in a hospital, the Newcombs have had to continue raising their other young children, Violet and August, as well. Both of them have been in regularly healthy condition, according to their mother. “Violet and August have not been on any antibiotics,” Sara said. “Elliot is the polar opposite.” With his condition improving, Elliot will still struggle with hearing and vision due to his diagnosis, and due to several different medications he’s taking. Sara referred to his developmental future — like walking and talking — as a matter of “wait and see and look where the chips fall.” And in a matter of weeks, Elliot is set to come home for the first time. The challenge now is how to help Elliot moving forward, which resulted in getting community support for her son. Sara created the Instagram page “love4elliot” to share his story with friends and supporters. She also will make a GoFundMe page to help raise money for rehabilitation equipment and more physical therapy, along with a larger vehicle to help Elliot move around. “It’s the luck of the draw when you’re a parent and you have a kid with medical problems,” Sara said. Through support and communication with parents dealing with the same problems, it has given her a sense of being a part of something bigger. “You do tend to feel very isolated in it,” she said. “Now, I’m part of that family.”

Elliot Newcomb, 2, smiles with family members as he awaits his first trip home. Courtesy photo

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J U LY 22, 2018

LOCALNEWS

More lights, cameras and action in the SCV Santa Clarita sees another year of increased filming for commercials, TV and movies By Danielle Korzhneyak

A futuristic installation off Vasquez Canyon Road is just one of a growing number of film locations in the Santa Clarita Valley, film officials confirmed. While season 2 of “Future Man” — the story of a janitor by day/worldranked gamer by night tasked with saving humanity, according to Hulu, the show’s host — recently wrapped up filming in Agua Dulce, there continues to be more and more filming activity in Santa Clarita each year, as well, according to data released by the city this week. The Agua Dulce production has garnered attention in the last few weeks from residents who’ve noticed from the road, the patchwork of structures that sit in front of what looks like a massive

bunker on the side of a hill. While “Future Man” production was filmed at 32570 Vasquez Canyon Road outside Santa Clarita city limits from May 22-24, according to Philip Sokoloski, vice president of integrated communications at FilmL.A., 2018 marks the fifth consecutive fiscal year the Santa Clarita film office has recorded more than 500 permits and over $30 million generated from location filming alone. Santa Clarita is seeing an increase in on-location filming for the 2017-18 fiscal year with over $30 million generated in economic impact to the local community, city officials touted in a news release. “We’re happy that production has remained so steady and Santa Clarita continues to be a top choice for location filming,” said Mayor Laurene

Weste. “We are proud that the film industry plays a big part in our local economy, supporting hundreds of area businesses and providing high paying jobs to thousands of our local residents. There was a 2.8 percent increase in permits with a record of 560 permits and an 8.9 percent increase in film days with a record of 1,377 film days when compared to the 2016-2017 fiscal year, according to records. Many movies have been shot in the SCV during 2017-18, including “Honey Boy,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Miss Virginia,” “Rogue Warfare,” “Semper Fi,” to name a few. More than

half of the filming days for the fiscal year 2017-2018 were attributed to television productions. Santa Clarita is known as one of the most-filmed places in California since it is located in the 30 mile zone and offers thousands of film friendly locations. It has over 20 sound stages, more than 10 movie ranches and some of the lowest film permitting fees in the Los Angeles area. Santa Clarita’s economic staff cite other factors contributing to the continued success and appeal of filming in Santa Clarita, including the city’s Film Incentive Program and Movie Ranch Overlay Zone.

[Above] One of the settings from “Future Man, season 2,” a Hulu production that took place in Agua Dulce and wrapped up in May. [Below] The WalMart off Carl Boyer Drive serves as the scene of a commercial earlier this year. Signal file photo

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 2 1

LOCALNEWS

Solar scene cited City, residents upset over hillside installation

This installation of solar panels above the Canyon View Mobile Estates community in Canyon Country prompted the city to issue a violation to the developer Tuesday. Austin Dave By Danielle Korzhneyak

The city of Santa Clarita has issued a notice of violation to the owners of Canyon View Mobile Estates for installing solar panels without the required permits and failure to comply with conditions of approval, according to a news release. The solar panels on the hillside were placed without the required permits and didn’t meet the conditions associated with the conditional use permit beyond the homes, said Kevin Strauss, communications specialist for the city. Mobile housing parks are under the jurisdiction of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development, or HCD, according to the news release. However, the city noted there are permitted conditions through which Canyon View is allowed to operate within Santa Clarita city limits, Strauss said. “This is an issue that arises from a land-use perspective,” said Strauss. “To then build in that open space, that’s when the city should have been brought into the loop.” Conditions of approval require 50 percent of the property to be maintained as open space, he said. Working with HCD, city staff have also obtained and reviewed materials concerning the solar project and its conditional use permit. The conditional use permit was originally issued by Los

Angeles County. “The review indicates that Canyon View Estates should have sought additional entitlements from the city, and is in violation of the conditional-use permit conditions of approval,” according to city officials in a statement issued Monday. The installation of the solar panels to the hillside of Canyon View drew the ire of residents concerned about safety hazards ranging from electrocution, radiation, increased heat and flooding, among other dangers, according to previous Signal reporting. One resident, Ben Turner, said he was surprised with the violation notice. While residents met a year ago to discuss the panels, meetings continued as recent as six months ago, he said. The panels, which gave some and not all of his neighbors a reduction in energy costs, caused property value to increase, including the prices of home leases, Turner said. The hillsides behind residents’ homes were cleared for the installation of the solar panels. In the past, consideration on installing the solar panels there came with the residents’ best interest in mind, according to Kerry Seidenglanz, the managing partner for the project, in a previous interview with The Signal. He did not respond to a request for comment Monday, after news of the violation was reported.

2 2 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

J U LY 22, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Declining

Making continued from page 13

continued from page 13 count on it next year, meaning it’d be financially irresponsible to plan raises around it. “We would love to pay teachers top dollars and benefits but there’s only so much money to go around,” Doyle added. “General fund money picks up the cost of all the things that aren’t adequately funded,” such as transportation and special education, which encroach the budget to a greater degree each and every year. Nevertheless, Hawkins said, “I think that the school district, with the governing board, will continue to do everything possible to work within the confinements of the current funding formula to support our employees.”

Local teachers protest outside the Newhall School District Office during recent labor negotiations. Teachers have claimed that raises haven’t kept up with their costs. Cory Rubin | The Signal

school and away from friends,” she said. “Santa Clarita is our home.”

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Besides, another teacher added, when teachers go from one district to another, the pay scale starts back on year five, meaning teachers have the potential to lose thousands of dollars in salary if they leave their current school for a city with cheaper rent. “If I were to go teach math in the Hart district after teaching for 15 years,” she said, “then the pay scale restarts. If my husband moves his business to Orange County, then, same thing.” The problem is a state problem, not a district problem, she added. A lot of teachers are a little older and starting to have kids age into high school, so they’re paying for car insurance, college and other substantial costs that weren’t there 10-20 years ago. Katrina Stroh, a 19-year teacher in the Newhall School District who is serving as a teacher on special assignment, said she is all too familiar with the situation. With her kids now in competitive cheer, which costs $10,000 per year, as well as lacrosse, track and cross country, Stroh said she teaches yoga and pilates classes, and sells beauty products along with clothes and accessories on Poshmark. “I also tutor as often as the opportunity arises,” she said, “and I’m always on the hunt to make an extra buck

whenever I can to keep up with my Santa Clarita and California lifestyle.” Having a second job originally started as a hobby, Stroh said. “When I didn’t have kids, I began working another job as a way to stockpile money for the time off I’d take when I eventually did have children. “I went back to work and realized there’s a much larger demand for time as a teacher. It wasn’t uncommon to stay up until 2 in the morning planning, prepping or learning a new grade level,” said Stroh, who’s also certified to teach English learners. Stroh, like many teachers in the SCV, found herself at home at night constantly thinking about how to help her students. “Let’s think about her health and happiness that would be in jeopardy due to the heavy workload,” Graff said, as she described the situation of a friend in the Castaic Union School District. Not to mention, Graff added, “We have many families paying $1,400 or more out of pocket for medical insurance per month.” Beth Campanella Judge commented during a video live streamed by The Signal that her health benefits cost $20,799 a year and the district covers $8,054 of this. The 31-year Newhall School District teacher said the remaining $12,745 comes out of her paycheck, leaving her approximately $4,500 a month to support a family of four. Despite the increasing job demands, the decreasing family time and the often hectic lives they live, Stroh and all the teachers interviewed for this story were adamant that they’d make the same decision again, knowing the challenges that lay before them. “It isn’t about the pay,” Stroh said. “The district has highly educated professionals that could have chosen any profession, but they chose teaching. “It’s obvious that we didn’t do it for the accolades or the money,” she added, “because I am going to teach anyway, and I know (every teacher) feels the same way.”

S U N DAYS I G N A L · 2 3

J U LY 22, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Six Flags Magic Mountain unveils CraZanity

[Left] Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Neal Thurman opens their newest addition to the park with a giant sledgehammer. (Right) Kids from the Boys & Girls Club take the first official ride on Six Flags Magic Mountain’s newest ride, CraZanity. CraZanity is a 17-story tall pendulum ride that reaches speeds up to 75 mph. Cory Rubin | The Signal

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2 4 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

J U LY 22, 2018

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

On time and balanced Forging ahead into new budget year Community Center, the Saugus Library and more. Our cIty has long been hailed as a safe t takes long hours, meticulous place to live and raise a family. In fact, attention to detail and a comprehensive review of all priorities and Reviews.org recently ranked Santa Clarprojects in order to deliver a reita as one of the top 10 cities nationwide sponsible, balanced and on-time budget with the least property crime, based for our thriving city. That is just what we on FBI statistics. To maintain this high did for Fiscal Year 18/19, and what we standard, public safety once again takes have done every year since the City of up the largest portion of the general Artist’s rendering of the new sheriff’s station. COURTESY PHOTO Santa Clarita was incorporated. fund budget at 23 percent, or nearly $26 The total amount for this year’s million. resources at city events and will add an budget is $203 million, a healthy three The City’s Public Safety budget addition staff position to our Drug Free percent increase over last year’s budget. includes funding for additional depuYouth in Santa Clarita Valley program, ties and staff to increase the safety of The budget provides for the continto help prevent drug use in our commuour residents. Currently, crime is down ued delivery of the City’s high-quality nity. more than 20 percent thanks to our services and implementation of the This Wednesday, July 25, we will action items in our strategic plan - Santa hard working deputies, and this boost in hold the official groundbreaking for staff will serve to further enhance their Clarita 2020. This plan includes many the brand new Santa Clarita Valley crime-fighting efforts. The budget also exciting new projects for residents to Sheriff’s Station, a 46,000 square foot allocates funds for additional security enjoy including the Canyon Country state-of-the-art facility, located on the city owned property on Golden Valley Road, between Centre Pointe Parkway and Robert C. Lee Parkway. This will replace the current station on Magic Mountain Parkway, which was built Ken Striplin decades ago, in the 1970s. The new Sheriff’s Station will feature a 4,000 square foot vehicle maintenance facility (ITS), with $2.3 million going towards phase seven. This phase will improve for on-site vehicle repairs, a heliport, roadway circulation and the efficiency 9-1-1 dispatch center, jail and enough space to house all of the resources need- of the city’s traffic signal network, by Thank You Again for enhancing the existing adaptive signal ed to provide public safety in the Santa Voting us the #1 Picture system performance. Adaptive controlClarita Valley. lers monitor traffic and automatically Framing Store Under the Santa Clarita 2020 theme adjust traffic signal timing to accommoof Building and Creating Community, Family Owned Business Providing • Special corporate pricing and date real-time traffic flow. By we will be encouraging residents to use terms the year 2020, the plan is to have • Quick turnaround alternative means of transportation, • No job too big or too small 120 adaptive controllers on city streets, • Same day service available through an updated Non-Motorized • Voted Best Custom Framing • All work fully guaranteed managing circulation with real-time Transportation Plan. We are also in SCV multiple years • Free design consultation traffic conditions. allocating funds to create a Parks and running • Free pickup and delivery These are just some highlights from Recreation Work Plan, and additional • Voted Best Small Business by • Installation available this year’s budget. Thanks to your marketing for our Arts Master Plan. the SCV Chamber City Council’s leadership, I am conThe Proactive, Transparent and 24204 Valencia Blvd. Responsive Government theme of Santa fident our organization will enter the new budget cycle strongly positioned Clarita 2020 includes upgrades to the (661) 291-1325 to maintain our delivery of exceptionaudio visual system in our Council al services, in addition to nearing the Chambers, our biannual Public OpinPresent this ad and receive $50 off completion of the milestone projects ion Poll, which we will be pushing out your custom framing order. in Santa Clarita 2020. I encourage all in the next few months, and funds to Must present when ordering. Offer good for custom framing orders only. of you to visit our website at sansupport our Hometown Hero Banner Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. ta-clarita.com to dive deeper into the Program. Design & Craftsmanship, Your Total Satisfaction Guarantee numbers and explore other projects We also are continuing to invest in www.fastframe.com included in the budget.  our Intelligent Transportation System By Ken Striplin

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J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 2 5

BUSINESS

Chi Chi’s turns 60: Mixing present with the past Restaurant is familiar friend to generations By Ryan Painter

n 1967 Frank Paul Miccolis, a first-generation Italian-American and recent transplant from Indiana, got in his car and headed north up Interstate 5 from the San Fernando Valley. Beyond Sylmar there wasn’t much. Some farmland, some onion fields, certainly few restaurants. But Miccolis, who had opened the successful Chi-Chi’s Pizza Panorama City just years prior, saw potential in the bucolic foothills, and had scheduled a meeting with Newhall Land and Farming to discuss bringing his business north. “He’d seen a master plan of what (Newhall Land and Farming) was planning and said he wanted to be part of it,” said Frank’s son, and current Vincenzo’s owner, Paul Miccolis. “And so he opened. “There were no homes and Soledad didn’t go through. My mom thought he was crazy.” Miccolis’ gamble, however, quickly paid off — as the second branch of his now 60-year-old pizza franchise grew into a veritable Santa Clarita staple. Miccolis founded Chi-Chi’s in 1958 in Panorama City, hoping to bring the Italian heritage of his father’s cooking to a California audience. The name “Chi-Chi’s,” Miccolis explained, was an homage to Frank Paul Miccolis’ father. “His name in Italian was Francesco Paolo,” Miccolis explained. “In Italy, the nickname for Francesco is ‘Ciccio,’ and they called my grandfather ‘Ciccio.’ So my dad, when he opened the first place in 1958, named it Chi-Chi’s after his father.” But, Miccolis qualified, “in America (my father) spelled it phonetically, ‘Chi-Chi,’ so people could pronounce it correctly.”

Equally as iconic to the franchise as the its alliterative name, said Miccolis, is the Chi-Chi’s logo. “That logo is actually my father,” said Miccolis. “A young man had come into the restaurant one day and said ‘you need a logo,’ and he sketched that out and showed it to my dad.” The artist worked quickly, transcribing Miccolis’ thick hornedrimmed glasses, bushy eyebrows and nonchalant countenance onto the blank page. On top, he rendered a pizza hat in the negative space. Miccolis loved it. A with a name and logo that metonymized the family values of his restaurant, he began to expand. From the San Fernando Valley, Miccolis opened Chi-Chi’s branches in Saugus and Simi Valley in 1967, and another in Northridge in 1973. The final Chi-Chi’s branch, and the second Santa Clarita Valley location, opened in 2000. Miccolis’ recipe for sustaining multiple branches for 60-years, he says, is simple. “(Chi-Chi’s) is homegrown, we still do it old school,” he said. “Handmade dough, we make the dough at the location everyday, and we make all the sauces there everyday.” “One of the best movers out at Saugus is the fried chicken that nobody else seems to have,” laughed Miccolis, noting the irregularity that an Italian restaurant should be renowned for such an American dish. But high quality ingredients are only half of Chi-Chi’s two pronged approach to longevity. “I would say we’re (also) focused on the grassroots level,” he said. “We focus on the schools, elementary and middle school, and we get requests from them and I try to focus on them.” “We do have a lot of requests for team meetings, business meetings,

Chi-Chi’s familiar logo can be seen near one of the SCV’s busiest intersections at Soledad Canyon and Bouquet Canyon roads. COURTESY PHOTO

things like that. It’s definitely a meeting place.” While Miccolis noted the significance of Chi-Chi’s diamond jubilee, he also described the dichotomous situation the chain will face as it attempts to continue to operate for 60 more years. How, for example, does a restaurant that prides itself on the preservation of its traditional ambiance attract a younger, millennial customer base without alienating those who have frequented the parlor for decades? Miccolis believes he can appease his younger customers without compromising the values upon which Chi-Chi’s has prospered. “It’s always a challenge to not change,” Miccolis said. “The way my dad ran it was old school and I learned the same way.” “But at the same time,” he said, “people change and new generations are coming through, and we still have to be adaptable to that generation and try to see what it is that they’re looking for.” Chi-Chi’s has experimented with

new delivery options, which Miccolis says are more popular among millenials, and has begun to offer gluten-free products. “We’ll tweak the menu a little bit so that millenials can feel appreciated,” he said. “But at the same time, I want them to experience what made us great in the first place.” And for Chi-Chi’s, nothing trumps the continuity of its pizza experience. “The Saugus (location) has been open for 51 years now,” he said. “We have people that were there since day one.” The onion fields that once surrounded Chi-Chi’s slowly dissolved, replaced instead by the busiest intersection in Santa Clarita. The horned rimmed glasses of Miccolis’ father now stare out onto thousands of cars daily. Miccolis cleared his throat. “The community grew up with us.” Chi-Chi’s Pizza is located at 2343 Soledad Canyon Rd. in Saugus and at 27117 Sierra Hwy in Canyon Country. 

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J U LY 22, 2018

One Community

FROM THE SIGNAL ARCHIVES July 22, 1948 Seventy years ago today, the front page of what was then called The Newhall Signal shows that life was much slower in our valley than it is now. Notice that one of the top stories is about two

“lads” who built racers for a soap box derby. Another is a report on a barbershop singing concert. However, a story with a smaller headline, is about voters being asked to approve a tax increase for the Hart High School District. 

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 2 7

COACHESCORNER

Dedication is No. 1 A lesson from Wildcats’ Burrill By Natalie Gilmore

t was another successful season as a Wildcat for West Ranch baseball’s one and only skipper, Casey Burrill as he led his team to secure a second place finish in the Foothill League and an overall record of 20-10-1. “We had three really great games with Hart. One-run games, and each team had a walk-off victory,” Burrill said. “We felt as though we were right where we need to be and when it was time to get that big hit or play, fell a little short.” Dedication is one of many philosophies coach Burrill stresses to the program, but it may be the most important. “The biggest thing for us is that we like to play a lot of baseball. We call it ‘the grind’ and ‘the process,’” Burrill said. “Anything you want to be good at you have to do it a lot. Play a lot and get the live reps.” Burrill took a newly established high school baseball program in 2004 and made winning its culture, though coaching was never on his radar. “After playing baseball at USC and minor league ball for the Braves, I was married thinking about kids and a little bit done with baseball,” Burrill said. “For about four years I didn’t watch much baseball and I wasn’t really around the game.” Burrill’s father was a teacher at Valencia and urged him to get back into the game through teaching and coaching. Keeping it in the Santa Clarita Valley, Burrill is a Hart High baseball alumni who earned his first coaching position as an assistant at Valencia High. His first head coach position was at Saugus in 2000 before moving onto West Ranch with four years of experience. Under Burrill’s leadership, West Ranch baseball has graduated seven players to be picked up in the Major League Baseball draft. This

includes recent UCLA graduate and fifth-round pick to the Rockies in 2018, Jake Bird, as well as Jagger Rusconi. Rusconi was selected in the 5th round by the Red Sox shortly after graduating from West Ranch in 2015. West Ranch baseball alumni are welcomed back to the field with open arms. As the alumni take off and rise through the levels of baseball, they still come to visit, spend time with current players, and get some swings in. “The greatest moment as a coach is not watching them get drafted or sign an NLI or play professionally, its seeing the kid at a restaurant or around town and there’s a big ‘Hey Coach, I’m doing this now, I’m in med school, I’m a firefighter, I have a family. The most satisfying as a coach is to see your players work hard and meet the goals that they’ve set for themselves,” Burrill said. At West Ranch, Burrill’s on-field persona takes a break in the classroom where he teaches AP Computer Science and Web Design. He is completely self-taught in the field of computer science, mentioning that it is a welcome distraction from baseball and the baseball mindset. He enjoys technology because it’s so opposite of baseball and gives him a rest; two different sides of the spectrum. In his free time, coach Burrill wishes he was on a baseball field. As of this past week, baseball has taken four weeks off. He and Mrs. Burrill are empty-nesters with both children in college. He is taking the weeks off to travel with his wife and take weekend trips to places they’ve never been. Casey Burrill’s younger brother Brady Burrill is his right hand man on the West Ranch coaching staff. Brady was drafted by the Mariners in the 2002 amateur draft, but decided to pursue a career in coaching and teaching instead. Working with his brother is “just awesome,” Burrill said.

[Above] Casey Burrill coached West Ranch baseball to a 20-10-1 record and a second-place finish in the Foothill League in the 2018 season. In addition to coaching the Wildcats, Burrill teaches AP Computer Science and Web Design at West Ranch High School. COURTESY PHOTO

“How lucky am I that I get to spend every single day with my brother?” From his years of experience in the game, Casey learned to “appreciate and love the game.” “I really feel at my best and the most comfortable on the baseball field,” he said. “When I first start-

ed, I didn’t know if I would have the same feeling as I did as a player. But I did. This is such a great game that mirrors life so much and teaches so many life lessons, I couldn’t ever let it go. “When I pass away, I would like to be buried on the West Ranch baseball field.” 

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Opinion

J U LY 22, 2018

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

OURVIEW

D E M O C R AT I C V O I C E S

It’s Sunday. Relax and Enjoy the Read.

Fed Fraud on Fraud Prevention

By The Signal Editorial Board

t’s been nearly 100 years. In February, The Signal — our friends call it The Mighty Signal — will hit the century mark. It has been an interesting journey for this community news organization, which started as a weekly publication serving a small town of just 500 souls. There were more cattle here than people at the time. As we celebrate that centennial anniversary next year, we’ll revisit a lot of the history of the community, and the journey that the upstart weekly took starting in 1919 on its way to being a full-fledged daily news operation with the most robust website in the Santa Clarita Valley. But today, we celebrate a milestone in Year 99: It’s Sunday, and you’re once again holding a Sunday Signal in your hands. If you’re a newcomer who’s not familiar with The Signal, may we introduce ourselves: From its humble small-town beginnings, the Santa Clarita Valley’s community newspaper grew as the community grew. First it became a twice-weekly, then a thrice-weekly. By 1989, Santa

Clarita had become a thriving city with a population over 100,000 and The Signal was a full-fledged daily newspaper. Through it all, the paper went through several major ownership changes. The Trueblood family owned it for many years, then the rambunctious newspapering duo of Scott and Ruth Newhall. For most of the ‘80s, ‘90s and early-2000s, it was owned by a corporation based in Georgia. A few years ago, it was brought back under local ownership. And, we’re proud to say, last month, it finally became a family-owned newspaper again. We’re excited to bring that notion of an extended family back to your community’s newspaper. The Signal’s owners and editors live here, we’ve raised families here, and we all care deeply about the best interests of this See OUR VIEW, page 32

By Jonathan Kraut

substantial portion of our work at my investigations firm is dedicated to aiding in the prosecution and recovery of funds lost due to fraud and financial crimes. We do this because government agencies typically do little. My friends at the FBI tell me not to file complaints with the FBI unless the fraud is at least in the millions of dollars. Some fraudulent claims include false notices that one has a winning lottery ticket (that was never purchased), unauthorized solicitation and use of credit card and personal information, and phone and internet scams falsely representing that a bank, utility, immigration, or the IRS needs money wire transferred right away. Most of these scams are perpetrated from other countries and the U.S. government has no jurisdiction, power, or interest related to offshore attacks.

President Trump last week announced a great new federal task force. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau he proclaimed was formed to go after criminals and better protect citizens from fraud. Of course, I was exceedingly overjoyed that finally one of the greatest ravages of our internet society — fraud and scams — was addressed. CNBC reported that it estimates Americans last year were bilked, tricked, or defrauded out of about $16 billion. Trump, already having de-fanged most federal enforcement and regulatory agencies, recently seemed to make a full reversal of his penchant for protecting businesses over consumers. I was hopeful that even the delusional Donald Trump had finally done something right. Especially for our most vulnerable, scams have hit us hard and affect everyone in some way in the end. After further review, however, this See KRAUT, page 32

READERLETTERS

Women’s Right to Choose

Suggestion: A Simple Suicide Hotline Number

Terri Lovell (“Right Here, Right Now,” july 14) obviously doesn’t believe that a woman should have the right to determine what she does with her OWN body. Each and every woman must be allowed to make her own choices without government interference. Carolyn Adamick, Valencia

The Signal’s story, “Battling suicide nationally, locally,” was on the front page on July 12 and included many phone numbers that can be called to seek help in preventing suicides, and that’s fine, but I just can’t understand, when there is national awareness of the current suicide crisis, we are not able to come up with a simple phone number for the “National Suicide Prevention Hotline.” The current number is 800-273-8255. With all

the other things you may have on your mind at the moment, can you remember that number? Me neither. Why isn’t there a number like our 911 number? How about 211 or 112 or whatever is simple and easily remembered? I’m sure it can be easily done. Why not do it? Richard Myers, Valencia Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include your name, address and phone number; Anonymous letters are not printed; Email: letters@signalscv. com; Mail to: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 26330 Diamond Place, Ste. 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 3 1

Opinion

Contact: Tim Whyte, Signal Editor Phone: 661-287-5591 | Email: letters@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

BLACK&WHYTE

L E G I S L AT I V E A C T I O N

11 Years Later, I Missed This

Animal Cruelty Is More Serious Than We Know

By Tim Whyte

o. Where were we? Oh yes. When I left The Signal in 2007, the Santa Clarita Valley was facing some major issues. There was the battle to stop the proposed CEMEX sand and gravel mine, which would pollute our air and send thousands of gravel trucks along our roads and freeways, destroying motorists’ windshields along the way. I wonder what ever happened with that... Then there was the Whittaker-Bermite property, and the perchlorate pollution plume emanating from that munitions manufacturing site in the geographic center of the city of Santa Clarita where they used to blow stuff up and just leave the toxins to filter into our groundwater. In 2007, the cleanup was getting under way, but still. Watch your thyroids! That’s surely all settled by now, right? Traffic was an issue. The I-5 was in need of upgrades and expansion. Growth was hotly debated, as anti-growthers sought to use water as a tool to restrict future development and seemingly every new resident wanted to be the LAST new resident. “I got mine! Pull up the drawbridge!” Literally. Evidence: A few months ago I was waiting for a takeout order at my favorite local eatery (duh, La Cocina at Seco and Copperhill) and I was chatting with another patron. “I wish they’d stop building all these new homes,” she said. “I came out here because it had that smalltown feeling and they’re destroying it with all this new growth.” “When did you move out here?”

I asked, half expecting her to equal or meet my residency record (1975 and counting). “Three years ago,” the newby replied. Three years. Ugh. I have socks that have been in Santa Clarita longer than that. Alas, the more things change, the more they stay the same. So I’m back, thanks to Richard Budman, who has brought The Mighty Signal back under family ownership for the first time since the Newhalls owned it in the ‘80s, and was kind enough to ask if I’d like to come back as editor. Upon my hiring, my dad suggested a hashtag: “Make The Signal Mighty Again, #MTSMA.” It might be a little Trumpian for this audience, but I like it. And, someone on Facebook wondered out loud, “So with Tim Whyte back, will we be seeing columns about hockey and dog walking?” In due time, sir. In due time. My kids are going to hate this. They’re older now. But, I’m also looking forward to writing about those long-running issues, like CEMEX, Whittaker-Bermite, traffic, water and growth, all of which remain as important as ever to the future of our community. It’s an exciting time here at The Mighty Signal. We’re bucking the news media trend and investing in additional staff, to better cover the news of your community. We’re emphasizing editorial excellence and old-fashioned journalistic values, like accuracy, fairness and attention to detail, in all of our media products, both online and in print. #MTSMA indeed. And, starting today, we’re bringing See WHYTE, page 32

By Senator Scott Wilk

champagne colored Pontiac Grand Am pulls up to a desolate stretch of two-lane California highway. It slows. The driver door opens and a shoebox-size object flies out on to the shoulder and down to the riverbank below. A small dog inside – beaten, killed, mutilated and finally discarded – lies some 30 feet below the highway where the Pontiac has now fled. It’s a tragic and heinous scene but unfortunately not an uncommon one; certainly not as uncommon as we all wish. And when it does occur one thing stands out. When the shock and awe of the helpless animal’s death fades and eyes clear from the involuntary welling a sight like that inevitably produces, one fact becomes clear; something is very wrong with the person who just did that. Animal cruelty is something we don’t talk about much. Our society and even our legal and criminal justice systems have failed to pay it the attention it needs or to recognize the rippling effects it has that have ravaged many of our communities. It is time for us all to open our eyes. Animal abuse must be taken seriously because it is serious, more serious than many of us may know. Ninety percent of mass shooting suspects have abused animals in their lives. Nearly half of all school shooters have animal abuse in their past. Seventy-one percent of domestic violence offenders also abused animals at some point. Seventy percent of all our violent prison inmates have animal abuse in their history as well. There is a link here that cannot be denied, and it cannot go unaddressed any longer. That’s why I’ve introduced the Animal Cruelty and Violence Intervention Act of 2018 – Senate Bill 1024 – which will finally bring change to the way we deal with animal abuse offenders. For the man behind the wheel of our

Pontiac, we know something is wrong. “Who does something like that?” one might ask. The answer is painfully clear; someone with a mental health issue. More and more we are seeing those struggling with mental illness committing acts of serious violence and it has made its way in to our societal conversations about how to fix the problems we face. Early intervention is something that is often promoted. Get to these folks early. Teach them young how to manage their issues. Keep their mental illness from consuming their lives. And it is an effective approach. So much so that it is the basis for the Animal Cruelty and Violence Intervention Act I’ve introduced. The act will put in place mandatory mental health evaluations for animal abuse offenders like the man in the Pontiac. In California, we recognize that animal abuse crimes are often linked to mental health issues and that they very often lead to escalating violent behavior toward not only other animals, but also ultimately humans. And yet we do nothing to address those mental health issues until much later when they manifest themselves as violence toward women or children or teachers or classmates. We are missing an opportunity in our current system and this act will seize that opportunity and has the potential to save many, many lives down the road as the link is broken between animal abuse and later acts of violence against humans. Through early intervention we can funnel animal abusers into much-needed mental health evaluation and treatment; we can educate them on the effects of animal abuse not only for the animal but also the abuser, the family and the community. We can intervene at a point where escalation is potentially imminent. And, we can ensure the man in the Pontiac is not throwing human bodies down that highway shoulder later in life as he tragically did with his helpless K-9. See WILK, page 32

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J U LY 22, 2018

Opinion

KRAUT

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 30

“New Task Force” is in fact not new but simply putting a shiny new label on a long-existing and grossly ineffective agency. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau basically sends out cease and desist letters upon consumer complaints. If these complaints are due to illegal activities overseas, these letters cannot be delivered or are completely ignored. If fraudulent activities originate in the U.S., it is possible that some monies might be collected, but these funds in the end are kept by the feds and consumers get nothing to recover their losses. Last week, the Fair Trade Commission won a $5.2 million ruling against the Credit Bureau Center, which defrauded millions of consumers who unknowingly subscribed to automatic credit monitoring monthly payments of $24.95. This scam collected tens of millions if not hundreds of millions of dollars pretending to be a legitimate credit reporting agency. Michael Brown, owner and sole employee of the Credit Bureau Center, has not faced charges and will probably not be charged with any crime. His firm simply has been asked to pay a very small percentage of what he took. Michael Brown, caught red handed, gets to keep most of the tens of millions he swindled, will face no criminal charges, and is free to run the same scam again, albeit from some other country. On the CFPB website under “Enforcement” is stated, “A central part of the CFPB’s mission is to stand up for consumers and make sure they are treated fairly in the financial marketplace. One way we do this is by enforcing federal consumer financial laws and holding financial service providers accountable for their actions.” One thing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau does not tell you is that they have reduced potential penalties corporations face due to engaging in fraud and misrepresentation. This not-new “enforcement agency” now diverts power from the already weakened FTC to an even less potent body that has no power to prosecute in criminal court and can only attempt to go after fraudsters with letters and possibly using civil court. When researching for firms listed as under investigation at the CFPB, instead of typing in a company name, as on the old FTC site, I got an Excel spreadsheet with 1,045,576 entries and had to search by hand for any possible listings of misconduct. Despite the public relations announcement pretending to consumers that the reformation of the CFPB is something good, this agency actually lessens penalties for scammers, removes protections on the behalf of consumers, better conceals misconduct, and makes it harder to initiate criminal prosecution. Designed to trick consumers into thinking that we are safer than before, the Trump decision continues to allow illegal activity to stream in unabated and without consequence for the foreseeable future. In other words, the promises and proclamations made by Trump and his administration when it comes to preventing and prosecuting fraud, itself is a scam.

community. Like many other news organizations that originated as print products, The Signal has encountered its bumps in the road with the advent of the digital age. It’s done some things really well — check out our website, signalscv.com, for evidence of that. And, there have been experiments on the print side. One of them was the elimination of the Sunday paper, which a few years ago was combined with the Saturday edition. That experiment ends today, with the debut of the new, re-imagined Sunday Signal. You’ll notice that it’s formatted a bit differently than our weekday broadsheet newspaper, and that’s because the Sunday read is different. The new Sunday Signal is presented as a news magazine, with in-depth features, and useful and fun information geared toward the casual Sunday read, in a package that can stay on the coffee table for the ensuing week. We’re distributing the Sunday Signal for free, to 70,000 Santa Clarita Valley households. We’re proud to be back on Sundays, we’re proud of The Mighty Signal, and we welcome your feedback. So please, relax. It’s Sunday. Enjoy the read. 

Jonathan Kraut directs a private investigations firm, is the CFO of a private security firm, is the COO of at an acting conservatory, is a published author, and Democratic Party activist. His column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of The Signal or of other organizations. 

WHYTE

Continued from page 31

back the Sunday Signal, with this 70,000-circulation news magazine created under the experienced leadership of Executive Editor Jason Schaff. I’m proud to be part of it. After 11 years as a PR and media consultant, I’m excited to be back. I admit, though, I feel like my first three weeks on the job were spent explaining to staffers, “Yes, so-and-so is a former client of mine...” I worked with a lot of good people over the past 11 years. I also spent a good bit of time explaining to young reporters that, even though I was with the paper for 18 years and then I left for 11 years, I’m not THAT old. One young staffer said she was glad to get editing tips from someone with more than 40 years of experience. I did the math. How old do these people think I am, anyway? After spending my first month back in the newsroom, I’ve realized that I missed this. I missed the connections with the community, and I’ve missed that sense of accomplishment that comes with putting out a quality community news product. I’ve missed the debates over things like balance on the opinion pages, the correct spellings of oddball words, and the tough decisions editors have to make each day. I’ve missed the vibe and the pulse of a daily newsroom. I’m back. And damn glad to be. Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays. He can be reached at twhyte@signalscv.com. On Twitter: @TimWhyte. 

WILK

Continued from page 31 The link between animal cruelty and future violent acts is well established, but it is not unbreakable. The Animal Cruelty and Violence Intervention Act of 2018 will finally bring a law to California strong enough to begin weakening that link. As we lean into the last month of the legislative session, I am pleased to report Senate Bill 1024 has been passed by the Senate and has cleared the first policy committee in the Assembly. Working together we will break this horrendous pattern of escalating violence in our communities. Scott Wilk represents the 21st Senate District, which encompasses the Antelope, Santa Clarita and Victor valleys. 

S U N DAYS I G N A L · 3 3

J U LY 22, 2018

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONG OI N G Boating Sunday 7:30 a.m. Dragon Boat Paddling. Experience a long Dragon boat with the Castaic Lake Dragon Boat team and a two-hour physical workout. Free, no experience necessary. Paddle and PFD personal flotation device provided. Info: https://teamdragoneyes.my-free.website (213) 447-5707. History Saturdays and Sundays 1-4 p.m. The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society invites guests to visit Heritage Junction Historic Park inside William S. Hart Park in Newhall. Tours are held every Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. 24101 Newhall Ave, Newhall. Info: https://scvhs.org. Music

Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. Remo Community Drumming Experience is an hour of fun entry-level experiential music making with drums and percussion that is accessible to everyone. Family-friendly environment with facilitator. All ages and levels of ability are welcome and no prior musical experience is necessary. Drums and percussion instruments provided at no cost. Free. Info: santaclaritaarts.com. Trails Saturdays thru Dec. 8 8 a.m.-noon. Trails & Open Space Beautification Projects. Join a group of dedicated volunteers and help clean up and maintain City trails. Interested volunteers must pre-register at SantaClaritaVolunteers.com. Nature

Saturdays 11 a.m. Family Nature Walk and a Native Live Animal Presentation at 1 p.m. Free. Placerita Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. Info: www.placerita.org. Second Saturday of the month 8 a.m. a docent led Bird Walk for beginning to advanced birders. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and water. 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. Info: www.placerita.org. Art First, second and third Thursdays of each month 6-9 p.m. ARTree Figure Drawing. Visit ARTree Community Arts Center for a chance to really explore your creative potential using a live model. Just drop in and bring a pencil and paper.

$10 donation. ARTree Community Arts Center, 22508 6th St., Newhall. Info: http://theartree. org. Animals Saturdays and Sundays (except rainy days and holidays) 9:30 a.m.-noon. The Gibbon Conservation Center is open to the public. A tour is given at 10 a.m. and self-guided tours are available at all times. Admission: $15 (adults); $12 (teens and students); $10 (seniors); $5 (children 6-12); $0 (Children under 5). Gibbon Conservation Center, 19100 Esguerra Road Saugus. Info: http://www.gibboncenter. org Art

Now thru Oct. 1. “Pettable Paintings,” is animal-themed artwork by Santa Clarita artist, Janine Cooper Ayres where guests are encouraged to touch the artwork. Newhall Community Center, 22421 Market St., Newhall. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Info: jbarber@santa-clarita.com or www.SantaClaritaArts.com. Theater Santa Clarita Regional Theatre’s production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” thru Aug. 12. Tickets: Adults $12 to $29. Seniors and Juniors $10 to $26. Visit canyontheatre.org or Box Office (661) 799-2702. “Gilligan’s Island, The Musical” July 28 to Aug. 25 Tickets: $21-$19 for adults and $19$17 seniors (over 62) and juniors (under 18) Visit canyontheatre.org or Box Office (661) 799-2702.

= Family Friendly Event event, food and beverages. Free. Downtown Valencia on Town Center Drive, adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Valencia. Info: https://valenciajazzandblues.com.

Sunday, July 22 7 p.m. “Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors.” Free. Elizabethan fun for the entire family. Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts, 24607 Walnut St., Newhall. Info: (661) 291-4016 Theater Friday and Saturday July 27-28 8 p.m. or www.NewhallFamilyTheatre.com Sunday, July 29 7 p.m. “Trojan Women.”Troy has fallen. A contemporary spin on the ancient Art tale of war by Euripides. The MAIN, 24266 Main Wednesday, July 25 6:30-8:30 p.m. A St., Newhall. Info: santaclaritaarts.com. Moment in Time Artist Reception The City of Santa Clarita invites you to attend an artist reception for the latest exhibit at City Hall’s First Floor Gallery. Works will display “A Moment in Time,” expressed through the ancient art medium of encaustic – a hot wax painting method. At the reception, meet the artists featured in the exhibition, while enjoying live music and light appetizers. Santa Clarita City Hall, First Floor Gallery, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita. Info: santaclaritaarts.com Music

Friday, July 27 7 p.m. Valencia Jazz and Blues Concert Series featuring Kelly’s Lot. Family friendly music

Saturday, July 28 7 p.m. City of Santa Clarita’s Concerts in the Park presents Hotel California, the internationally recognized salute to the Eagles. Free. Family-friendly atmosphere. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets, and food vendors will be on site selling a variety of concessions and snacks. Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus. Info: Santa-Clarita.com/Concerts.



N!IN! IN! WIW W Identify this piece of artwork and the page number that it is on in one of the advertisements in this week’s issue, and you will be entered to win $100. One game and one winner each week. Mail your entry to: The Signal - Contest 26330 Diamond Place Santa Clarita, CA 91350 Or email to: contest@signalscv.com

E VENT S BY DATE Theater Sunday, July 22 2 p.m. The Tavern Brawlers present “Harold and Maude.” A 19-year-old boy finally learns how to truly live when he meets the delightfully eccentric octogenarian, Maude. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Seating is first come, first served. Tickets: $20 Adults; $18 students and seniors. The MAIN, 24266 Main St., Newhall. Tickets: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/harold-and-maude-tickets-47172564410 or visit www.santaclaritaarts. com

Music

Advertiser:

Page #

Name: Address:

Phone:

This week’s entries are due Wed. Aug 1st. Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

T H I N G S TO DO

3 4 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

J U LY 22, 2018

Free Summer Fun Enjoying your free time in the SCV doesn’t need to be expensive. By Michelle Sathe

ummer is all about enjoying time with family and creating memories. For those who go out of town for vacation or take trips to local attractions and amusement parks, it quickly becomes clear this season is also something else… expensive. According to Nerdwallet.com, American parents plan to charge an average of $1,019 on credit cards this summer on family vacations and up to $471 on activities such as camp, sporting events, and going to the movies. Thankfully, you don’t have to go into debt or even spend any money to have a good time if you’re willing to be creative and stay local. There are plenty of free activities in the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas that make for fabulous family fun. Whether it’s educational, artistic, or just plain old-fashioned outdoor fun, here’s a round up of some of our favorites.

Concerts in the Park Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita https://www.santa-clarita.com/ city-hall/departments/recreationcommunity-services-and-open-space/ events/concerts-in-the-park

Ready to rock? You’re not alone. Concerts in the Park, which features top-notch cover bands, attracts thousands of locals of all ages. The concerts start promptly at 7 pm, but you’ll want to come earlier to grab a spot on the lawn, as well as the parking lot or surrounding street parking (blankets, chairs, and canopies can be set up much earlier in the day and left unattended until you arrive). Food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed and dancing is encouraged. This year’s lineup includes: [Right] Students visit the Placerita Canyon Nature Center with their families. Katharine Lotze/The Signal

July 7 – Wanted/Bon Jovi Tribute July 14 – Kenny Metcalf as Elton John July 21 – Green Today

[Right] Hart Park visitor center. Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

July 28 – Hotel California “A Salute to the Eagles” August 4 – Matchbox Twenty Too August 11 – Fooz Fighters August 18 – The Pettybreakers/Tom Petty Tribute August 25 – 40 Oz. to Freedom/Sublime Tribute

Farmer’s Markets Two locations – – Old Town Newhall Farmer’s Market – Saturdays 8:30 am to 12:30 pm 24500 Main Street, Newhall (Newhall Library Parking Lot) – Santa Clarita Certified Farmer’s Market – Sundays from 8:30 am to noon College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia

One of the joys of living in Southern California is the amazing produce grown throughout the region and summer is the most bountiful season of all! See for yourself at these two Farmer’s Markets, foodie havens which

[Below] Children play with a beach ball in the crowd of thousands as they listen to music at Concerts in the Park. Dan Watson/The Signal

J U LY 22, 2018

feature the most fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as eggs, cheese, flowers, salsas, nuts, breads, and so much more from local farmers and artisans. Those will cost you, but the eye candy, tasty samples, and prolific photo opportunities are free.

JAM Sessions First Thursday of each month, 7 to 9 pm Old Town Newhall Library patio, 24500 Main Street, Newhall

Remember that Motown hit “Dancing in the Streets”? Experience it for real at JAM Sessions, which combines dance instruction with live music in a festive outdoor setting in Old Town Newhall. Attendees are encouraged to boogie along, or if you’re musically inclined, bring an instrument and join the jam. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Comfortable clothes and shoes are suggested or if you just want to stay on the sidelines, a chair.

Placerita Canyon Natural Area 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall www.placerita.org

Placerita Canyon Natural Area boasts some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the Santa Clarita Valley. It also hosts a multitude of free, family-friendly events on weekends every month that allow you to learn

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 3 5

about and interact with native plants and wildlife: 1st Saturday – Family Nature Walk at 11 am, Native Live Animal Presentation at 1 pm 2nd Saturday – Docent Led Bird Walks at 8 am and Nature Tots Program (children 3 to 5) at 9:30 am (pre-registration required online) 3rd Saturday – Twilight Hike at 8 pm (July and August) and 7 pm (September) Third Sunday – Community Nature Education series (in July, this will take place on July 22) If you really want to make a day of it, pack a picnic and enjoy at one of many tables conveniently located in the shade.

Santa Clarita Libraries Three locations – Newhall, Valencia and Canyon Country www.santaclaritalibrary.com (for hours and addresses)

Vista Del Lago Visitor’s Center 38500 Vista Del Lago Road, Gorman http://wdl.water.ca.gov/recreation/ locations/pyramid/pyramidvisitors.cfm

Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, this is a fascinating place that highlights the history of how Californians have been getting water since ancient times. Vista Del Lago is loaded with exhibits including mock pipelines, pumping wheels, and topographical maps, as well as more high-tech features such as “Wings over Water,” a video that gives a unique fly-over perspective over the entire length of the State Water Project. Bring along snacks or a meal to enjoy at the center’s outdoor dining

What’s air-conditioned and offers you the opportunity to check out dozens of free books, CDs, books on tape, and DVDs? Why, it’s your local public library! Santa Clarita has three to choose from and each one offers a schedule of story time readings for every age group (and in Spanish), as well as computer classes, movie screenings, art exhibits, scrapbook workshops, and much more. [Right] Greg Finsley, the singer of Queen Nation, performs at Concerts in the Park in Central Park in Santa Clarita. Nikolas Samuels/The Signal

area with a gorgeous, wraparound view of Pyramid Lake.

William S. Hart Park 24151 Newhall Avenue, Newhall www.hartmuseum.org

Hiking. Farm animals. A herd of American bison. Western artifacts. There is so much to see and do at the former estate of silent Western star and producer William S. Hart. His home, a gorgeous Spanish Colonial Revival Style Mansion, serves as the museum, which overflows with Hollywood mementos, personal furnishings, Native American artifacts, and Western artwork. There’s also a vast picnic area to enjoy a meal in between all the sightseeing. 

T H I N G S TO DO

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J U LY 22, 2018

There’s a summer festival everywhere you go in SoCal By Michele E. Buttelman Summer is a great time to get out of the house and enjoy some fun and frolic at one of the many festivals being held in Southern California in the next few weeks. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and most festivals are family friendly destinations that include special children’s activities and play areas.

Oxnard Salsa Festival Saturday and Sunday July 28-29 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Plaza Park, Downtown Oxnard This fun celebration of everything “salsa” includes food, music and dance. There will be salsa tasting, salsa dancing, kids’ attractions, international cuisine and a salsa recipe contest. The event is free to attend, but there is a charge for food and special concert seating. Among the highlights: Salsa Tasting Tent: This is the place where salsa (the sauce) reigns supreme. Under the big-top Salsa Tasting 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. It’s the region’s biggest salsa bar and a celebration of all things salsa. Admission to the Salsa Tent is $5 per person and includes a bag of fresh Mission tortilla chips and 10 tasting tickets. Concert Venue Open Seating: Lawn or chair seating at the Festival is $5 per person (kids under 10 are free). Huge dance floor, orchestra-ready stage and sound and the “big screen” so everyone can view the bands and dancers. International Cuisine: Enjoy carne asada tacos, gourmet tamales and empanadas, roasted corn and strawberry desserts – there are dozens of menu items to choose from in the two festival food courts. Beer is on tap along with frosty frozen margaritas. Soda, fresh-squeezed lemonade and smoothies are available. Info: oxnardsalsafestival.com

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival Saturday and Sunday July 28-29 Marine Stadium, 5255 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The annual Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival showcases the ancient Chinese sport of dragon boat racing. In addition to hosting one of the largest dragon boat competitions in California, there will be Chinese traditional art demonstrations, Chinese acrobats, traditional dance, hip hop, music and martial arts performances. Info: www.lbdragonboat.com

California Watermelon Festival Saturday and Sunday July 28-29 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Hansen Dam Soccer Park Complex, 11480 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace (in the San Fernando Valley). Admission age 12 and older: $15, kids ages 3-11: $10; children 2 years and under free. Unlimited carnival rides: $55. Parking: $10. The California Watermelon Festival is a family-friendly event which features 50 carnival rides, games and attractions, 100 exhibitors and food vendors and 43,000 pounds of watermelon. Admission includes: All-You-Can-Eat Watermelon, Watermelon Carving, Cooking Demonstrations and Tastings, Crazy Watermelon Arena Games: Melon Skiing, Melon Bungee Pull, Watermelon Continued next page

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 3 7

Skiing, BMX Pro Stunt Bike Show For the kids: Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Children’s Theater, Magic Shows, Bubble Parties, Balloon Hats, Games, Crafts. Evening Program 7-10 p.m. Saturday headliner: Past Action Heroes. The Ultimate 80s Tribute. Sunday headliner: The Walking Phoenixes. Johnny Cash Tribute. Info: www.watermelonfest.org

Long Beach Crawfish Festival

CRAWFISH 101

A little Southern know-how: • •

Hold crawfish on both sides of tail joint. Twist and snap the head away from the tail. Diehards suck the juice from the crawfish head.

• •

Peel away the shell from the center as you would a shrimp. Hold the tip of the tail and gently tug out the tender meat.

Friday-Sunday July 27-29 Fat Friday 5-10 p.m. (admission $5), Saturday and Sunday noon-10 p.m. (daily admission $15). Children 12 and under are free (food, drinks, and VIP Lounge are not included). Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400-403 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach. North side of Shoreline Drive (between Shoreline Village Drive and Linden Avenue). The City Park next to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, nearest cross street is Pine Avenue. The Crawfish Boil will feature authentic, Louisiana-style Crawfish and served with Cajun potatoes and corn. Dance to live entertainment including Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans-style music and join the Second Line Dancing Parade. Zydeco dance lessons are held regularly throughout the day. Enjoy tons of fresh crawfish prepared Louisiana style by a master chef in the world’s largest crawfish pots at the international food court featuring New Orleans inspired cuisine (frog legs, catfish, gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, bread pudding), Café du Monde-style chicory coffee and beignets. Free e-Souvenir Photo, live sports tent, children’s stage with comedy magic, inflatable bounces, an exclusive VIP Lounge, Karaoke Lounge with a live band (on Friday and Saturday nights) and themed bayou bars featuring an infamous signature drink - the “Screaming Crawfish.” As featured on The Great Food Truck Race the Rajun Cajun Food Truck will offer authentic Cajun cuisine and one-of-a-kind dishes. Info: www.longbeachcrawfishfestival.com

Old Spanish Days Fiesta Tuesday-Sunday Aug. 1-5 Santa Barbara.

This annual event provides an education to residents and visitors about the history, customs, and traditions of the American Indian, Spanish, Mexican, and early American settlers that comprise the rich cultural heritage of Santa Barbara. Old Spanish Days Fiesta has grown in stature and reputation to become one of the top regional festivals in the United States. The event annually draws thousands of visitors from around the world. Fiesta performers come from around the nation and Mexico to participate. Old Spanish Days Fiesta offers a variety of events and celebrations including a parade, Mexican market and food court, entertainment, music, tours, arts and crafts and a rodeo. The events are held at a variety of times and locations around Santa Barbara. Info: https://oldspanishdays-fiesta.org

Hard Summer 2018 Music Festival Saturday and Sunday Aug. 4-5 The Speedway in Fontana, 9300 Cherry Ave., Fontana.

A general admission ticket grants you entry into the Speedway, where you’ll hear the most buzzing artists in electronic music and hip-hop. Single-Day from $79; 2-Day from $129. Info: www.hardsummer.com

Santa Paula Jazz & Art Festival Saturday, Aug. 18 6:30-10 p.m., 926 East Main St., Santa Paula.

Santa Paula Jazz & Art Festival Hot August Night is a free event with good food, good music and great company. The talented and local favorite Studio C Band will perform. There will be booths from local artists selling art, crafts, jewelry and more. Info: www.eventbrite.com/e/santa-paula-jazz-art-festival-tickets-47572342156. 

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J U LY 22, 2018

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

Summer TV’s Guilty Pleasures By Michele E. Buttelman

elevision is much more of a year-round affair now days. The Fall TV Premiere season with the anticipated new “hits” and “flops” still garners most of the TV “hoopla.” However, we’re still in the “dog days” of summer TV. Fall television premiere dates usually fall between mid-September and the end of October. Until the new season arrives there will be plenty of summer “guilty” pleasures on the tube to keep everyone entertained. My favorites: American Ninja Warrior The 10th season of “American Ninja Warrior” began on NBC May 30. However, there is much more Ninja action on tap leading to the Las Vegas finals. The season is about half over, but you can start watching now and won’t feel like you’ve missed anything. You can also

American Ninja Warriors

Big Brother

catch up On Demand or on the NBC app or Hulu. The program airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. “American Ninja Warrior” showcases dedicated “ninjas” and regular working folks (with training) trying their hand at an increasing tough set of obstacle courses with the potential of winning $1 million at the National Finals held in Las Vegas. As a child I loved playing on the

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“monkey bars” at Arbor Heights Elementary School, climbing the cherry tree in my front yard, scaling “cliffs” in Fauntleroy Park in West Seattle and rolling down the “hill” in my grandparent’s backyard. I even climbed atop the roof of our carport, until the nosy neighbor lady ratted me out to my disapproving mother. I was truly a “tomboy.” “American Ninja Warrior” appeals to my inner child where I still can run, jump and climb over anything. In addition, the show features “real” people, working mothers and fathers, students, people of all ages and skill levels. I am so impressed at the women running the course, from school teachers to stunt women. None of the women are given any quarter, they run the same timed course the men do, no special “exemptions” are given to the women. Big Brother The 20th season of “Big Brother” is well underway having premiered with a two-hour episode on June 27. However, you can catch up by watching past episodes On Demand or by subscribing to CBS All Access. The reality-competition show is more social experiment and pop-culture phenomenon with the catch phrase “expect the unexpected.” New episodes of Big Brother air on Sundays at 8 p.m., and Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 p.m. on CBS and CBS All Access. The finale should air mid-September. This summer 16 new faces made their way into the revamped Big Brother house. Julie Chen returns as host. From a former undercover cop to a college student, a pro-football player to a welder, houseguests from all walks of life became roommates as they compete for

$500,000. “Big Brother” is an interactive experience with viewers able to determine their favorite and least favorite houseguest using the Big Brother App. The idea of a “trending” houseguest sticks closely with Big Brother 20’s theme of technology. The decor of the house along with tech-themed competitions is designed to represent technology and its advancements since the early 1990s. Viewers can vote to change the status of their favorite houseguest by using the “BB App Store” via Facebook Messenger, Kik or Skype, according to CBS. There, users can message the “CBS Messenger Bot.” The bot will prompt a series of casual questions, which the user will answer. Through a series of five questions, viewers will be able to single out their favorite and least favorite houseguest. As seen in past seasons, the winner for the week will receive a reward and the houseguest with the most negative responses Michele E. Buttelman will receive a punishment. In addition to what you see during the regular broadcasts Big Brother Live Feeds are available through CBS All Access. The live feeds are usually 24/7 with downtime for competitions and non-live aired veto ceremonies and other “censored” moments. Be warned, “Big Brother” can become an addicting experience with nonstop See TV, page 40

J U LY 22, 2018

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Every Song Tells a Story and By George, he tells the story behind every song By Stephen K. Peeples

ock guitarist Randy Bachman of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive fame brings his “Every Song Tells a Story” tour from his native Canada to the Canyon Santa Clarita at Westfield Valencia Town Center for a headlining show tonight. Bachman’s powerfully tasty Les Paul licks, riffs and solos on now-classic rock hits like “No Time,” “American Woman,” “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” and “Takin’ Care of Business” have helped him earn more than 120 platinum, gold and silver records in Canada, the U.S. and around the world in his five-decade career. One of Winnipeg, Manitoba’s two most famous favorite sons (the other being Neil Young, who was in a rival teenage band and remains a close friend), Bachman scored his first #1 hit in Canada with The Guess Who’s “Shakin’ All Over” in 1965. Fifty-three years later, Bachman’s supporting his latest album, “By George By Bachman,” a collection of his imaginative reinventions of songs by his early and

enduring idol George Harrison, as a Beatle and solo. “It’s all revisions or reinterpretations of George Harrison songs done totally different – you don’t know what the song is until I start singing, because they’re all different grooves,” Bachman said on the phone from Ottawa, with more energy and enthusiasm than one might expect from a guy who’ll hit 75 in September. Sunday night, he’ll sing and play lead guitar, backed by longtime touring-recording bandmates Marc LaFrance (drums-percussion), Brent Knudsen (guitar) and Mick Dalla-Vee (bass), with his son Tal Bachman (keyboards) also joining up in fall 2017. “I’ve had this band over a dozen years and they’ve been together like 30 years, so they know everything,” Bachman said. “And some of them are from Winnipeg, so I’ve known them way back from the early days of The Guess Who and BTO. My son, Tal, joined the band because of this ‘By George’ album – there are twin guitars playing slide and extra harmonies. And it’s great, because near the end, he does his big hit, ‘She’s So High,’ and the crowd goes

nuts. All the women love that song.” Bachman will kick off the set Sunday with a trio of Harrison songs “to give people a taste of what ‘By George By Bachman’ (is like),” he said. “Then I just start ‘Shakin’ All Over’ and walk everybody through my life, to ‘These Eyes,’ ‘Undun,’ ‘No Time,’ ‘American Woman’ and all through the BTO stuff. In between, we do the odd George Harrison song and then Tal’s song. And we end, obviously, with ‘Takin’ Care of Business.’” Check out Bachman’s website at http://randybachman.com/ for lots more career and album info. ***** Doors open at 6 p.m. Preceding Bachman’s headlining set at 9 p.m., California-based hard rock quartet Ampage [https://www.ampage.com/] will take the stage at 7 p.m. followed by L.A. alt-hard-rockers Rules of Society [http:// rulesofsocietyband.com] at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28, $38, $48 and $58 plus applicable fees. To purchase a ticket at a table, you must also purchase dinner and arrive by 7 p.m. Minimum is $25 per person. Juniors younger than 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Get tickets through TicketMaster or the Canyon Santa Clarita’s box office. Walk-up hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Telephone hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; call 888-6455006. TicketMaster is open 24/7 at 866448-7849 or online at TicketMaster.com. You’ll find the Canyon Santa Clarita on the ground floor at Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 Valencia Blvd., #1351, Santa Clarita 91355. Find out more about the club at www. WhereMusicMeetsTheSoul.com. Stephen K. Peeples is an award-winning journalist based in the Santa Clarita Valley who has covered the SCV music scene for local media since 2004. Contact him via stephenkpeeples.com. 

Randy Bachman was a member of both The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE GOODWIN

ENTERTAINMENT

Randy Bachman to Take Care of Business Tonight at Canyon Santa Clarita

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J U LY 22, 2018

TV continued from page 38 viewing of the live streams and the three nights a week telecasts. Shark Week It wouldn’t be summer without Discovery Channel’s tribute to all things shark. Shark Week is television’s longest-running summer TV event, delivering all-new shark stories and incorporating innovative research technology to provide insight on some of the most unique shark species in the world. Shark Week 2018 is the 30th installment of the annual franchise and will kick off Sunday, July 22, at 8 p.m. with eight days of

shark-centric specials. Discovery has confirmed 13 specials for the 30th installment of Shark Week (with a total of 20 specials possible). Shark Week will be anchored by some notable athletes and celebrities. Ronda Rousey will free dive with a Mako shark, survivalist Bear Grylls also will come face-to-face with a shark, and athletes including Aaron Rodgers, Lindsey Vonn, and Rob Gronkowski will receive shark education from shark scientists. Prepare to travel to the waters off of Cuba for a special about the search for massive sharks, then to the

shores of South Africa to see how great white sharks are being wiped out by orcas, and then to the Bahamas to learn about the secret lives of bull and hammerhead sharks. The Great Food Truck Race One of my favorite culinary competition shows returns for its ninth season at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 26 on Food Network. Seven food truck teams will hit the open road and put their culinary skills to the test for a See TV, page 56

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 4 1

YOURHOME

Countertops 101: Options Abound By Michele E. Buttelman

[Left] Quartz countertops are among the most durable. METRO CREATIVE

or most people replacing their kitchen countertops is an exercise in emotion over education. You see a pretty granite countertop and think, “Hey! That’s beautiful! I want THAT one! How much does it cost?” We all “know” that granite countertops are the “best,” right? Or do we? It turns out that shopping for a countertop just got more complicated. There are dozens of choices now available for remodeling your tired and out-of-date kitchen and granite is not automatically the “go-to” preferred material. Interior Designer Jennifer Amy, of Santa Clarita, said customers should work up a budget and know how they are going to use their countertops before picking out a countertop. “Budget and lifestyle are the first two questions I ask clients,” said Amy. “It is important to know how you are going to use your countertops.” Amy said if you have your heart set on marble, but you don’t want to worry about stains then marble is not a good option. “I’ll tell you that marble might not be the answer, but that I might be able to find a quartz that can accommodate that same look,” she said. How many children do you have? Do you like to cook? “These are questions that should be answered before you choose the material for your countertops,” Amy said. Granite for many years was the most expensive countertop option, said Amy. “But now, because of demand, quartz is now at a higher price point,” she said. “Everyone wants white and the lighter the granite the more porous it is and it is super susceptible to staining.” The advantage of quartz, which is engineered

stone, is in its hardness and durability. “Quartz is natural stone, either granite, marble, travertine ground up really fine and mixed with a resin. The resin is what makes quartz stain resistant,” said Amy. She warns that all quartz products are not the same and cheaper products often won’t hold up as well in the long run as more expensive brands. Amy, who holds a degree in interior design from California State University, Northridge, has been in the interior design business for 18 years. “My background has been in residential design and construction,” she said. “I have always tried to educate consumers to make sure they get the right

You know best what's going on in your neighborhood. We want to hear what you love, what concerns you and what your priorities are for your City! Contact us by email: Mayor Laurene Weste

Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean

lweste@santa-clarita.com

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Bob Kellar

Bill Miranda

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bmiranda@santa-clarita.com

Cameron Smyth csmyth@santa-clarita.com

product.” Amy said the price of natural stone, like granite, is often determined by the accessibility of the stone and where it is mined. “When you go into the mountain the stone closer to the surface is going to be easier to mine and there will be more supply because it is a larger area,” she said. “The deeper into the quarry the rarer the stone becomes and the harder the stone is to mine the more it will cost.” Amy said most of the darker stone countertops will come from Brazil and Spain. Marble comes mostly from Italy and Greece. One of the common misconceptions of stone countertops, said Amy, is that they are completely and perfectly smooth. “People expect a polished completely smooth surface,” she said. “But it is a rock that has been cut open and polished. You are going to see little divots, imperfections, small marks.” Amy said homeowners need to be aware that contractors need to be able to bring the material into the home and install it. “Often homeowners have unrealistic expectations and don’t want to have a seam in their countertops,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if the slab of granite is 10’ wide, it still has to be brought into the home and installed.” In addition, stone is heavy, said Amy and cabinets often need to be shimmed or adjusted to bear the weight. See COUNTERS, page 56

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J U LY 22, 2018

FOODSTUFF

Coolest Treats in Town

From popsicles to gelato, tempt your taste buds with some frozen fun By Michelle Sathe When temperatures soar, what do you yearn for? If you’re like most Americans, it’s ice cream! On average, 48 pints are consumed by each person in this country every year. There are so many places to find tasty frozen treats in Santa Clarita. Here are some of the newest, most unique, or just plain awesome destinations to make sweet memories this summer. 3 Azabu Sabo 24201 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia (661) 288-2688 This is a modern, spare, sit-down Japanese restaurant with lots of delicious lunch and dinner options. But

you’re here for the dessert, so flip to the back of the thick menu for six pages of colorful frozen treats with an exotic flair. There are shaved ice concoctions with bean paste, soft ice cream with a rainbow of assorted toppings, and unique shakes. The black sesame shake ($4.95) looks like vanilla bean gone wild, but the flecks are something altogether different. It’s thick, creamy, and cool, with a mild peanut butter flavor and a little bit of chew, a tasty alternative to sometimes overly sweet American-style shakes. Whatever you choose, enjoy your treat in Azabu Sabo’s heavily air-conditioned interior or sit outside and partake in the people-watching party that is Westfield Town Center. 3

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Chyll Creamery & Boba 27560 Newhall Ranch Road, Suite 307 Valencia (661) 775-5605 Have you ever had rolled ice cream? I never knew such a glory existed before discovering Chyll Creamery & Boba. The name suits its products, of course, as well as the ambience. Think beach house meets coffeehouse, with lots of cool blue and white walls and solid mahogany tables. It’s an inviting space that encourages you to linger as your mouth marvels at one of the 17 sundaes ($5.75) offered here, with clever names such as Monkey Business and I Love You a Latte. Watching them get made is part of the fun. Flavored liquid cream is poured onto a frozen metal disc and thinned out like a large crepe. As it freezes, the cream is rolled into one of 5 perfect cylinders and placed vertically in a cup before being showered with tempting toppings. The Man-Go Crazy was subtly creamy, perfectly balanced with refreshing fresh chunks of mango and strawberry, a frilly pouf of whipped cream, and crunchy little teddy graham bears and pokey sticks. It’s delightful and attracts a strong following, especially among the younger crowd, so be prepared to wait, especially on hot weekend nights. 3 DW Cookie Company 18962 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 505-0781 Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a classic. It’s obvious from the name that this place would make a mean cookie, but what may not be known about DW Cookie Company is that it also offers old-school shakes ($5-$5.75), sundaes ($3), and ice cream sandwiches ($4). The key here is, like the cookies, the ice cream is made by hand. Get a scoop of chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla in a sundae with a cookie of your choice as the base (they’ll even warm it up!), then top it off with whipped cream and choc-

olate or caramel sauce. Voila – you’ve got the perfect mix of sweet, creamy, crunchy, cold, and cookie – served with a smile. On Tuesdays, it’s just $2 for sundaes and on Thursdays, $3 for ice cream sandwiches. Soon, DW Cookie Company will expand their frozen menu with malts and new shake flavors such as key lime pie. Just make sure you come Monday through Friday to indulge, as it is closed on weekends. 3 La Michoacana 23762 Newhall Avenue, Santa Clarita A popular chain in Mexico and parts of Los Angeles, La Michoacana caters Continued next page

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 4 3

Cool creations from D.W. Cookie Company, above, and Chyll, right. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SATHE

primarily to the Spanish-speaking market with a flurry of frozen treats with festive names like mangonadas. Walking in the door alone will make you smile, as La Michoacana is painted in vibrant shades of pink with vivid cartoon and photo images of all its offerings. Choose from frozen bananas rolled in chocolate and all the usual suspects (nuts, coconut), gelato, shakes, sundaes, and more. Fresas con crema ($6) is bursting with strawberries and comes either frozen in a little cardboard carton or in a plastic cup ladled with cool sweet cream. Topped with whipped cream and granola, it’s a fabulous marriage of flavor and texture, plus it has fruit…so semi-healthy, right? Then there’s the popsicles ($2.50), a glorious assortment of dozens of classic rich flavors (coconut, coffee, chocolate) to the refreshing (hibiscus, lime) to the downright different, such as pepino (cucumber) with assorted fruits and chile. Pina con chile (pineapple with chile) had a spicy kick and huge chunks of fruit, a marriage of savory and sweet that really hits the spot on a hot summer day.

3 Oh Bella Gelato 18585 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country Italian for ice cream, gelato has a similar creamy consistency as America’s favorite frozen treat, but tends to be a little lighter due to being lower in butterfat. That doesn’t mean a loss of flavor, though. Not at all. Especially at Oh Bella Gelato, which features more than a dozen choices. It can be hard to pick from all the vibrant hues of fruit-laden varieties or the treasure-filled versions of classics like chocolate chip cookie dough. That’s why The Sampler ($6.95) is a great choice. Pick four kinds of gelato and you’ll get a small scoop of each, along with a little plastic spade to enjoy it with. For extra texture, ask for a sugar cone, which can be crumbled on top. Not that you really need it. Each flavor is loaded with ingredients, such as huge macadamia nuts or chocolate chunks, and none is overly sweet, so the sampler can be enjoyed alone, but it’s even more fun to share with someone special. 

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J U LY 22, 2018

Tips to making delicious ice cream at home Ice cream is a favorite dessert across the globe. e average American consumes more than 23 pounds of ice cream per year, says the International Dairy Foods Association. Even though a trip to the local ice cream parlor can yield many diﬀerent opportunities to indulge, making ice cream at home is easier than one may believe. Also, creating homemade ice cream can be a fun way to experiment with unique flavors and textures. It is easy to customize concoctions based on what everyone likes best. Making ice cream also is a fun way to bring the family together with the reward of a tasty prize for all of the eﬀort. Here are some tips for making ice cream at home. • Buy quality ingredients. Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients. Real vanilla beans or extract can produce better flavor than imitations. Select inseason berries and other fruits and, if possible, use organic milk. All of these ingredients will blend together for fresh flavor.

• Freeze equipment early. Cold equipment is necessary to produce ice cream. Store the bowls of an ice cream maker in the freezer to keep them frozen and ready for when the mood strikes to make a batch of ice cream. • Avoid ice crystallization. According to Food 52, a foodie equipment and recipe resource, ice crystals in the ice cream can ruin texture by making ice cream crunchy. Freezing ice cream quickly at very cold temperatures is essential. at means freezing the bowl and keeping the ingredient mix cold. Spinning the ice cream and transfering it quickly to the freezer helps keep ice crystals small. • Keep mix-ins small. Mix-ins, like cookie pieces or cake crumbs, can add a diﬀerent dimension to ice cream. Chill the ingredients and make sure they are small (roughly the size of chocolate chips). Add them aer the ice cream is entirely frozen. • Watch alcohol usage. Alcohol can create a tipsy ice cream experience, but adding too much can interfere with ice

cream’s ability to freeze. erefore, use alcohol sparingly. • Store ice cream smartly. According to David Lebovitz, author of “e Perfect Scoop,” store ice cream in a shallow container to keep it soer. Also, cover the surface of the ice cream with

plastic wrap to prevent ice crystals from forming. Homemade ice cream will last for roughly a week in the freezer. Making ice cream can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. —METRO CREATIVE

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J U LY 22, 2018

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun Kids and chores

e word was out from the fire marshal in California's Santa Cruz mountains to remove dry brush, firewood and debris close to cabins and homes, to help protect them from possible wildfires. My summer neighbor, Stephanie Timmerman, and her three granddaughters heeded the call and worked together to move logs from a downed tree near their cabin porch. "When we woke up, we were going to go to play at a nearby park," said 9year-old Mercedes Lopez. "But we first wanted to help Grandma with the big chore, before she went home to San Francisco." All morning long, they hoisted split wood onto a wagon, and rolled larger loads down the hill to the edge of the property. "Sharing chores is essential to family life," said Stephanie. "e home is a little community, and there are basic things that need to be done to maintain it. I tell my grandkids that we have to cook and eat, so we need clean pots

and pans and dishes and silverware to do that. Neatness and order are important, too, as we complete daily chores, including today's task of stacking wood. Plus, we have a good time together getting a job done. Maybe you heard us laughing as we attempted to roll those big logs that take a lot of muscle," she said to me. Indeed, I had, which made me think about chores and how they are important to building healthy families. Here are my tips. Everyone can share in tasks and celebrate the satisfaction of jobs well done. Preschoolers: For the under-5's, work and play are essentially the same.

Hanging out with you, whether doing kitchen chores, cleaning the house or tackling yard work is fun. Give them tasks in small doses, and cheer them

Susan’s Healthy Salad By Healthy Exchanges Here is that go-to salad for this summer's big family gatherings. It is delicious, serves many, is good for everyone — and they won't even know it. 1 cup Kra fat-free mayonnaise 1/2 cup Splenda Granular 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli 1 1/2 cups chopped celery 1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained 1 1/2 cups red grapes, halved 1 1/2 cups white grapes, halved 1 cup white seedless raisins 2 tablespoons slivered almonds 1/4 cup Oscar Mayer or Hormel Real Bacon Bits 1. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, Splenda and vinegar. Add broccoli, celery, water chestnuts, grapes, raisins and almonds. Mix gently to combine. Stir in bacon bits. 2. Cover and refrigerate for at least

on with praise. Don't be too picky. ey'll develop standards later. For now, let them be proud to be making a contribution. School age: As they develop skills, emphasize giving them tasks doing things they like to do. Don't just hand oﬀ drudgery chores, especially those you don't like. Match their passions with a chore. If your preteen likes cooking, teach him how to use a good knife, and let him do the slicing and dicing for your next ratatouille. Teens: Give them responsibility, not just tasks. Let her make the basic plans for your next vacation. Or, your young driver might take charge of care and repair of the family vehicle. 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 NEW Donna's Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuﬀ for Families."

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J U LY 22, 2018

SENIORLIVING

Center stage Senior : Tess Carlos-Micu By Martha Michael

ess Carlos-Micu is comfortable in the limelight. She’s been a shoe model, an international beauty contestant, a doctor’s wife, the lead singer in a band, and she helped launch a large, local association in town. These days she stands in front of a crowd at the Santa Clarita Senior Center making announcements such as “G-eighteen. G-one-eight.” But calling Bingo is only one of the positions Micu has had in more than 20 years of volunteering there. She started in the kitchen, packing food for home delivery, eventually assessing the meals for support services. She also used to write for the Senior Center’s newspaper, The Mighty Oak – as well as other local publications – about the culture in her homeland of the Philippines. “I do odds and ends – whatever they need me to do,” Micu says of her volunteer jobs. “Most of the time I’m there twice or three times in a week. I used to go there

Ages 2 to Adult All Abilities Welcome

[Right] Micu circa 1962. Courtesy photo

every day, but I have a home-bound mom. My heart belongs to the seniors, because I know how it is.” Technically a senior herself at 72, you’d never know it due to her seemingly inextinguishable energy level. She sings in a band with other seniors who had careers as CEOs and engineers. They are featured musicians for parties and dances in the area, and on special occasions perform at the Senior Center. Micu usually starts the night off with “Proud Mary,” and her signature song is Etta James’ “At Last.” Though she played the piano, Micu only began singing when Doc’s Inn bar started holding karaoke nights – the first in Santa Clarita, she says. And she had her inaugural experience singing with a band when she attended a party in Universal City and the vocalist was a no-show. That night she pulled off “Rock Around the Clock,” “Johnny B. Goode” and other oldies. Early years Born Teresita Maria Salome Esperanza Asuncion, Continued next page

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S U N D AY S I G N A L · 4 7

GETTIN’ UP THERE SENIORLIVING she goes by “Tess,” which is a common Philippine nickname, Micu says. She is called “Tikya” among close friends and relatives. Her hometown, Marikina, is the “shoe capital of the Philippines” and holds the title for “world’s largest shoe,” according to the Guinness Book of World Records. When Micu was in her mid-teens, the Miss Shoe Trade Fair was looking for models, and she responded to the call – her first experience in the spotlight. Tess Carlos-Micu, a volunteer at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center calls bingo The stage got a little twice at month at the center. Kevin Karzin Photography LLC larger when Micu entered – and won – a beauty of them banded together to create the Filipicontest in Marikina. no-American Association, which has grown to The new “Miss Marikina” and her mother went approximately 4,000 members. Micu and the othto Japan for her to compete in the Miss Philiper founders refer to themselves as the “pioneers.” pines pageant. Her rally ended there, otherwise “The core group … decided amongst themit would’ve meant a trip to the United States as a selves to start an Association to have a “home contestant in the Miss International competition away from home,” Micu says. “The Association, in held in Long Beach, Calif. itself, is a very unique group, because the memFamily bers hail from different regions, which we call Micu gave birth to three children in the Philipprovinces. … I compared this group to a bouquet pines, and when her husband at the time took a of flowers with the same color, but (that) would be job as a physician at the VA Hospital on Wilshire more beautiful if mixed with different colors. We in 1972, the family-of-five moved to Southern are given this chance to share different traditions, California. They first settled in the Glendale area, foods, language, and customs of various groups.” then Long Beach, and moved again to Canoga There are only three or four Fil-Am pioneers Park. The Carlos family arrived in Valencia in still living, Micu says. She was the first female 1973. president of the Fil-Am Association when she was While Micu had been a teacher in the Philelected in 1996 and chose “Unity” as her theme. ippines, she wasn’t qualified to teach in the U.S., Since then, she has been chosen SCV Senior Censo in 1982 she took a job at the Flying Tiger Line cargo company, which was purchased by FedEx in ter Senior of the Year and was recognized by the 1989. She worked in the duty and tax department County of Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults because of her service. until retiring 10 years ago. Fil-Am SCV gained non-profit status in 1985, But for the first decade in Valencia she was and holds an annual fundraiser sharing Philippine home with her children: Giselle, now 50; Peter culture with the community. Fil-Am Academic James, 49; and Zinnia, who is 48 years old. Micu’s & Cultural Enhancement, or FACE, is hosting children live in Southern California, as do her two a program on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. in the grandchildren, Nicholas, 22, and Madison, 13. When her three children were at Wiley Canyon West Ranch High School Theatre, 26255 Valencia Blvd. in Stevenson Ranch. Elementary School, the Philippine-American There is no escaping the colorful personality mother volunteered, sharing her home counof Tess Carlos-Micu, whether you see her serving try’s culture with her kids’ classmates. Students wondered, “What planet are they from?” she says, at the Senior Center or catch her performing at a dance party singing and leading line dancing. In so she brought in ethnic food and even had the fact, many community members got that chance opportunity to tutor new students who couldn’t when she rode on the Senior Center’s award-winspeak English. ning Fourth of July float this month. They found Fil-Am When the Carlos family moved to Santa Clarita her, where else, but front and center, at the mic singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” as the float in the early ‘70s there were only seven Philiprolled down the street – entertaining, as usual … pine families in the area, Micu says. So, a group and likely using her pageant wave. 

By Diana Sevanian Signal Columnist

It’s all just a wrinkle in time

uddenly within the cool, dark room, that familiar voice whispered to me: “Come on, woman. Let’s do it. You’ll feel sooo much better.” Me thinking: For crying out loud! What’s it been, four, maybe five hours? Sure, that time I gave in. I had to. And yes, I felt better afterward. But not now. Nope. I wanted to be left alone. I wanted to sleep. Abruptly, I flipped over and pulled the bed covers high atop my head. Drat! That hasty body realignment evoked an inevitable reaction. Now I had to get up – and go do my 5 a.m. wee-wee. Yep, I’ve entered “the senior years.” That era in life when what once functioned like the German railroad – predictable, controlled clockwork -- is now taking orders from a fickle station-master with a wicked sense of humor. Perhaps you too are “of a certain age” and can relate. Some other formerly voluntary muscle-controlled parts could sorely use surge protectors (or at least warning systems). That keen sense of smell has been diminishing (probably a good thing in the absence of surge protectors). Those arms, once supple and wrinkle-free, now resemble crepey pterodactyl wings. The legs, previously limber, tanned, and muscular, have morphed into creaking, crackling appendages held together by (someone else’s) rumpled geezer flesh. Liver spots, much like summer ant infestations, appear overnight. Varicose veins pop from the calves like sewn-in purple-blue sidewinders. One drinks prune juice every morning, but not for its rich pruney flavor… The fresh, youthful face that your long-ago beau said could launch a thousand Sea-Doos has gradually drowned in laugh lines, crow’s feet and jowls. And yikes, those annoying mental changes. They’re happening – no matter how much you tell yourself that playing Words with Friends 12-hours a day keeps the synapses greased and snappy. Case in point: I recently came out of Trader Joe’s with a loaded shopping cart but no idea where to push it. All the while, I tried to look like See GETTIN’ UP, page 57

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J U LY 22, 2018

ARTISTPROFILE

Frank Rock

Art is his soothing influence Y By Patti Rasmussen

ou’ve probably noticed some new bears in town. These are not your typical California bears but life-size fiberglass bears painted by artists depicting events and history of the Santa Clarita Valley. Two of the most recently dedicated bears were designed and painted by local artist Frank Rock. The Cycling Bear, near the intersection of Valencia Boulevard and Bouquet Canyon Road, was inspired by the Amgen Bicycle Tour and the History Bear, at the Old Town Newhall Library, depicts various aspects of the valley’s past. Raised in Santa Clarita, Rock has had several jobs since graduating from Hart High School in 1968 and San Jose State in 1973. After a short stint as a deputy sheriff in Idaho, Rock returned to California with his bride Carol and signed on with a temp agency. This led him to everything from testing taco shells to handing out tickets to the Tonight Show for NBC. He also coached college and high school level track and field teams while selling shoes and managing stores for Foot Locker. Those jobs gave him an opportunity to take a few art classes while raising a family. “I was always drawing,” Rock said. “Sometimes it was profiles and other times, various objects. The classes I took gave me a better understanding of color and blending.” Soon the entire Rock family - Frank, Carol and their three children, Sarah, Kerry, and Casey - became involved with a local children’s theater. At the time, Frank didn’t find acting his thing, but volunteered to paint backdrops and signage, something he came to enjoy and continues to do for the Canyon Theatre Guild. Eventually, the acting bug bit him and over the last 24 years, he’s acted, sung and danced his way

though more than 45 shows with the Guild and the Repertory East Playhouse. But drawing is his passion and he said it soothes him. “I look forward to the end (of a project),” Rock said with a smile. “I like to look back and say, “That’s beautiful. I did that”.” Those same feelings recently got him through a very scary time in his life. A few months ago, Rock underwent open-heart surgery. An athlete and healthy man his entire life, the diagnosis set him back.

“O V E R T H E Y E A R S , I ’ V E S E E N F R A N K G R O W A N D E V O LV E AS AN ARTIST AND SEE HOW E X P R E S S I N G H I M S E L F O N WA L L S A N D C A N VA S F E E D S H I S S O U L .” – CAROL ROCK

The good news was the surgery went well and Rock is currently doing physical therapy. Rock was openly emotional when speaking of his recent surgery. “I have a surge of gratitude for the nurses and doctors who took care of me,” he said. “They are the inspiration for my newest art pieces of hearts. I just zone out when I’m painting these.” Rock and several other artists will be displaying their work in downtown Newhall on August 9 during Art Walk and again in September when the downtown Newhall Association hosts the Chalk Festival. You can also find Rock’s work on display at Valencia High School, in the administrative offices and the halls of the gymnasium; in downtown Newhall (the Southern Hotel mural); and at Newhall Library (the Howdy mural in the children’s section). Both Frank and Carol Rock are very supportive of each other’s passion (Carol Rock is a journalist and blogger). Married for 43 years now, the Rocks are grateful they have been able to have jobs that allow them to support their family while pursuing their passions. “Over the years, I’ve seen Frank grow and evolve as an artist and see how expressing himself on walls and canvas feeds his soul,” Carol said. “We’re the perfect balance – I do the words and he does the pictures. It makes for a pretty wonderful life.” 

J U LY 22, 2018

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[Above] Local Artist Frank Rock stands next to one of two bears he painted for the City of Santa Clarita. This bear is next to the Newhall Library the other bear is near the bicycle path at the intersection of Bouquet Canyon and Valencia Blvd. Kevin Karzin Photography LLC

[Right] Frank Rock sits in his home studio. Rock has been painting hearts while recovering from open heart surgery to replace a faulty heart valve. Kevin Karzin Photography LLC

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J U LY 22, 2018

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH By Keith Roach, M.D.

DOES AN ASPIRIN A DAY KEEP HEART RISK AT BAY?

DEAR DR. ROACH: A column in a popular consumer magazine states that taking a baby aspirin daily does more harm than good, and it should not be taken unless you have heart disease. I have been taking a baby aspirin daily for 10 years, and now I'm concerned. Your thoughts, please. -- G.D. ANSWER: Experts disagree on the best advice. Some points, however, are not controversial: Aspirin is beneficial for reducing future heart risks in people with established heart disease, but it increases the risk of bleeding events. Some of these are minor, but a few are potentially life-threatening. According to a recent review of published studies, in people at higher-than-average risk for heart disease, a daily aspirin reduces the risk of a nonfatal heart attack by about 20 percent, without significantly changing stroke risk or risk of dying from heart disease. Risk of bleeding is increased by 50 percent. Also, newer evidence suggests that aspirin may decrease the risk of some cancers, especially colon cancer. Aspirin is more likely to have a net benefit in people with higher risk of heart disease, even if it isn't diagnosed. The decision of taking aspirin should be made after a thorough review of all your individual risk factors, including heart disease risk and history of bleeding, and possibly colon cancer risk. When I discuss aspirin with patients, I very seldom recommend it to anyone with no known coronary disease who has had a significant side effect (such as

bleeding) with aspirin in the past. As more studies are failing to show benefit, these recommendations may change. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 48-year-old woman in pretty good health. I was a smoker for 30-plus years and quit about three years ago. I don't have any signs of COPD or other lung ailments yet, but I fear they are just around the corner. My question is, is there anything I can do now to postpone or prevent the onset of these diseases, or at least decrease their severity? -- V.M. ANSWER: Not all smokers will develop COPD. Some smokers are more susceptible than others to the effects of the many toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke. Conversely, some nonsmokers can develop COPD, especially those who lack a protective enzyme, alpha-1 antitrypsin; this is more likely in those exposed to secondhand smoke or other airborne pollutants. Quitting smoking is by far the most important action you can take to reduce your risk of developing lung disease, but there may be others. Avoid other airborne pollutants, especially other smokers, but also dusts and fumes. Some preliminary evidence suggests that statin drugs might slow down COPD, but there are conflicting studies, and I don't recommend them just for COPD. Regular exercise may help, and it certainly helps your heart and many other systems. The booklet on COPD explains in detail both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the two elements of COPD. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Roach -- No. 601W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. *** Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. To view and order health pamphlets, visit www.rbmamall.com.  © 2018 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

Electronics may have surprising effects on health By Metro Connection

ccording to the latest annual visual networking index forecast from Cisco, there will be four networked devices and connections per person across the globe by 2021. While there is no denying the many positive attributes of electronics and global connectivity, research indicates that some health concerns may be tied to our devices. Cancer from phones Smartphones, flip phones and their predecessors give off a form of energy known as radiofrequency, or RF. As the amount of time spent on phones has increased, concerns have been raised as to the possible health ramifications of RF exposure on the body. The American Cancer Society says RF waves are a form of non-ionizing radiation. They are different from the stronger, ionizing types of radiation that can affect the chemical structure of DNA in the body. But there is some concern that RF may contribute to the formation of cancer in the body. A large study by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) exposed large groups of lab rats and mice to RF energy over their entire bodies for about nine hours a day, starting before birth and continuing for up to two years. Results indicated an increased risk of tumors called malignant schwannomas of the heart in male rats exposed to RF radiation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified RF fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Although cancer risk is very low and not undeniably linked to phone use, it is something for people to keep in the back of their minds, and limiting phone use may help reduce risk. Mobile device use and social media addiction Increased use of technology may be linked to decreases in attention and increases in behavior and self-regulation problems for adolescents already at risk for mental health problems, says a study from Duke University. One hundred fifty-one adolescents were studied using digital technologies for an average of 2.3 hours a day. The researchers found that, on days when adolescents used their devices more, both when they exceeded their own normal use and when they exceeded average use by their peers, they were more likely to exhibit conduct problems such as lying and fighting. Also, as published in Psychiatric News, time spent on multiple social media outlets is considered a risk factor for mental health problems. Researchers found people who reported using the greatest number of social media sites (seven to 11) had more than three times the risk of depression and anxiety. Other health concerns Neck pain, wrist and elbow strain, eye strain, and other fatigue factors have been linked to computer use. A study published in the U.S. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that people using tablets for at least four hours before bedtime took longer to fall asleep than people who hadn’t used them. And recently, popular exercise tracker FitBit¨ came under fire when people were shocked while wearing the devices, and these types of trackers may cause people to micromanage their fitness, detracting from the psychological benefits of exercise. Electronics are important components of daily life. But devices may contribute to serious health problems. 

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 5 1

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

Hot mess? Don’t distress!

Summer Beauty SOS By Michelle Sathe

hose beachy waves. That sun-kissed skin. Summer is a time for effortless beauty, if many movies, TV, and commercials are to be believed. However, for most mere mortals without a Hollywood hair and makeup team, summer can be a little more challenging when it comes to navigating such seasonal frustrations as dry hair, oily skin, and sunburns. So how do you stay calm, cool, and looking good while temperatures soar in the Santa Clarita Valley? We turned to local professionals to find out. ~ The scoop on skin With the sun at its strongest and people at their most active levels in summer months, it’s a prime time for skin damage. “Pigmentation is of great concern this time of year. If you have fair to medium skin, you’re more prone to freckle. Exposure to the sun can also lead to skin lesions such as actinic keratosis, which are often precancerous,” said Craig Ingber, MD, and owner of DermaCure in Valencia. “Of course, the sun is also greatly responsible for breakdown of collagen, which leads to wrinkles and larger pores.” That’s why blocking sun exposure is so important. Thankfully, it can also be stylish. ~ Cool products Candice Maginn, aesthetic consultant at DermaCure, recommended wearing a sun hat such as those by the San Diego Hat Company. The hats, carried at DermaCure, range from $20 to $27. “The hats have a UV factor of 50, which provides extra protection, and they’re super cute,” Maginn said. While the climate may seem dry outside, many of

Maginn’s clients suffer from oily skin during the summer. “Heat stimulates the oil gland,” Maginn explained. To help restore balance, Maginn suggested a glycolic-based retexturing activator by SkinCeuticals. To reduce shine, blotting papers can help, as can powder sunscreens, such as Sun Forgettable by Color Science. “It’s a mineral sunscreen that helps soak up oil and gives extra coverage,” she said. Other ways to reduce potential sunburn is applying an anti-oxidant topical serum by Skinceuticals that acts as a base before applying traditional sunscreen. “It stays in the cells for 24 hours, so you have less chance of burning, even if your sunscreen wears off,” Maginn said. If you do burn, Maginn said an aloe-based cream with hydrocortisone helps prevent prickly heat bumps and reduces peeling, redness, and irritation. ~ Sunless tans Some may opt to stay out of the sun altogether, but long for the sun-kissed look of summer. That’s where spray tanning comes in. According to Maginn, the process has come a long way. “The product we use here doesn’t have a strong smell and has more of a natural bronze than an orange look,” she said. The process takes about 15 minutes, costs $35, and lasts up to two weeks. ~ Help for hair We’ve all been taught that sunscreen is crucial to protect skin, but did you know that hair can get sunburnt, too? “UVA and UVB rays can certainly damage hair, which can cause it to become brittle or dry. That’s why you see more breakage in the summer than you normally would,” said Ashlyn McKillop, a Valencia-based freelance hairstylist. “To protect your hair from sun damage, use hair products that contain UV protection and cover your hair with a hat in direct sunlight.” If your hair remains dry, McKillop recommends using a shampoo specifically formulated for moisture and a conditioner with heat protectants, along with a leave in conditioner. Those who dye their hair should use a color-treated formula and avoid anything labeled “cleansing or clarifying.” ~ In the swim Before taking a dip in a pool or ocean, McKillop suggested wetting hair with non-chlorinated water and putting on conditioner. A swim cap is an even

DON’T SWEAT IT, BOTOX IT! Known for smoothing out wrinkles, Botox has been FDA-approved for another use: controlling chronic sweat in the armpit area. “It’s usually reserved for people who can’t get relief with regular or even clinical grade anti-perspirants,” Ingber said. The procedure, which is available at DermaCure, takes approximately 50 units of Botox for each armpit, costs approximately $1,000, and lasts for 8 months to 2 years.

easier option. Since the water in Santa Clarita can be hard in general, and make summer’s dry hair even drier, McKillop is a fan of water softeners. “There are water softeners that connect directly to the shower head. It really helps reduce build up and improve the health of hair,” she said. “You can find them on Amazon.” ~ Style and control Exposure to water for long periods of time causes the hair shaft to swell, which can make wavy or curly hair downright puffy and unmanageable. McKillop suggested using leave-in conditioners and smoothing serums once you’re out of the water to control frizz and add shine. As for summer’s easiest hair style, McKillop loves braids. “They’re quick and will keep the hair from becoming unruly during hot days,” she said. “Braids are cute, trendy, versatile and can truly be worn for any occasion.” 

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J U LY 22, 2018

PAW P R I N T S

Dog Days of Summer Tips to keep Fido healthy and comfortable as the temperatures soar By Michelle Sathe

ummer’s here and of course, you want to include your four-legged best friend in many of your fun activities. But if you think it’s hot outside, imagine what it’s like wearing a fur coat. There are ways to keep your dog cool as the thermometer climbs into the triple digits and keep them protected against some of summer’s potentially dangerous health issues, according to Evelyn Vega, veterinarian and owner of Happy Pets Veterinary Center in Valencia. “Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes and we usually see more mosquitoes in the summertime,” Vega said. “I recommend to have your dog tested for heartworm and place them on a preventative that takes care of heartworm, fleas, and ticks all in one product.” This is especially important if you take your dog outside, whether it’s a hiking trail or your own backyard. “When they are out, dogs are more exposed to elements such as bugs and heat, so you want to protect them as much as you can,” she said. So, whether you’re gearing up for adventures away from home, going on local hikes, or hanging out in the comfort of your backyard, Vega also recommends the following tips:

The Great Outdoors

[Above] Summer can bring fun, but also hazards, for your pet.

Make sure your dog is micro-chipped, in case he or she gets loose after chasing a rabbit or escapes an open door during a party. The microchip can be scanned at a veterinarian’s office or animal shelter, providing immediate information to help you quickly get reunited. Enroll your dog in a rattlesnake prevention class and have them vaccinated against potential rattlesnake bites. The vaccine will buy you more time to get to a veterinarian in case a rattlesnake strikes. Walk or hike in the early morning or later evening hours, when the temperatures are cool. This will help dogs avoid having their pads burned on hot asphalt or rocks, as well as limit the exposure for heatstroke (see side-

bar). If you do venture out when it’s warm, have your dog wear hiking booties, which will protect their pads. For dogs with light fur and skin, use a sunscreen, as dogs (like people) can be susceptible to sun damage that can lead to skin cancer. Use dog-specific formulas, as they don’t contain toxic substances that can be licked off, and apply according to directions. Take plenty of water breaks to keep your dog (and yourself) hydrated.

Hit the Road For those that like to travel, make sure to carry a copy of vaccine records when you bring your dog along for the ride. These records are sometimes required for hotel or campground stays and come in handy should you need to take your dog to the vet for any reason while on the road. Also bring along any medications, supplements, and your dog’s regular food. Do not leave your dog alone in the car for any length of time when it’s hot outside. Temperatures can increase rapidly in car interiors, becoming dangerous or fatal within minutes. If you need to stop, ask your travel companion to stay in the car with the dog with the air conditioning on. Traveling alone? Research pet-friendly rest stops along your route in advance. Make sure your dog has access to fresh, cool [Continued next page]

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 5 3

SUSPECT HEAT STROKE?

Act Fast ! Heat stroke is caused by excessive environmental heat and humidity. Dogs that are obese, have cardiovascular disease, or are a brachiocephalic breed such as pugs or French bulldogs are especially susceptible. Heat stroke can come on quickly and result in cardiac or respiratory arrest, so it’s important to recognize the signs:

[Above and left] Kiddie pools are fun for pooches, but small dogs need to be supervised.

• • • • • • • • •

Panting Hypersalivation Respiratory distress Vomiting blood Blood in poop Seizures Shock Muscle tremors A body temperature of over 103 (a temperature of over 109 can lead to multisystem organ dysfunction/ failure and death)

If you suspect your dog has heat stroke, it’s crucial to act quickly. First, spray your dog with cool water or water throughout the trip. Picnics may be fun, but beware, the foods you enjoy can be dangerous to your dog. This includes grapes, apples, avocados and onions.

Backyard Fun

For those with a pool, make sure your dog knows how to swim and climb out of the pool if there’s no gate. This will prevent potential drownings for dogs

of all sizes. Kiddie pools can also be fun for dogs that like the water, plus you can also play with the hose while filling it up. Supervise the action and empty the pool when finished, especially if it’s a small dog that could drown in just a few inches of water. While your dog is outside, provide access to shade and cool water at all times. 

immerse in water, put a fan on them and/or alcohol on their pads, then head to your veterinarian ASAP. “Early recognition is key, as the dog will need to be slowly cooled down, placed on IV fluids and monitored closely,” Vega said.

BRAINGAMES

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Relax Give your mind a workout with these brainy exercises!

J U LY 22, 2018

S U N DAYS I G N A L Î&#x2021; 5 5

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J U LY 22, 2018

COUNTERS continued from page 41 Countertop options -Laminate countertops are popular and affordable. Made of sheeting glued to plywood or particle board substrate, laminate countertops are water-resistant but not very heat-resistant, so homeowners should not put hot pots or pans directly on the surface. Many homeowners prefer laminate countertops because they are available in a larger variety of colors than other materials. Cutting on laminate countertops is not recommended, but such surfaces are easy to clean and maintain. -Glass countertops can give kitchens a modern and eco-friendly feel. Because a diverse blend of glass is used, and the glass is always configured differently, no two crushed glass countertops are the same. Acrylic with glass gives the appearance of glass fragments afloat in liquid glass. Embedded glass in concrete has a mosaic look. Recycled glass countertops are increasing in popularity. If you chose a concrete and glass countertop make sure the concrete is sealed properly, said Amy. On the downside, glass, is glass and if a lot of weight is placed on a corner, it might crack. Also, foods with a high acid content such as a tomato left standing on the countertop, or harsh cleaners not fully removed, can mar an acrylic surface. Installation of glass countertops can be tricky, as improper installation can lead to stress points that make the glass susceptible to cracking. -Concrete is hard and tough. Most homeowners choose pigmented or stained concrete counters because with pigment, you can customize the color. With staining, you can give countertops the look of granite or other

natural stone. Texturing techniques will increase the uniqueness and beauty, however Amy said concrete is extremely porous and easy to stain. Concrete must also be resealed often, experts recommend every one to three years. Some installers specialize in embedding tile, stone, glass, shells or other materials in the concrete to produce a unique work of functional art. -Tile has been used for decades for countertops. The use of tile has been declining in popularity with homeowners favoring the smooth, sleek look of stone countertops. However, tile can be very affordable and is fairly durable. On the downside, tile can crack and chip and the grout must be sealed regularly to keep it from darkening. -Butcher block countertops give a warm, inviting look to kitchens and can be affordable. The surfaces can be sanded and resealed fairly easily. Keeping them properly sealed and oiled is the key to their durability. Amy said many people opt for just a butcher block island, or a section of the countertop. “Usually people with wood countertops have them sealed and maintain them properly,” she said. “Most people don’t prep right on top of the countertop, they still use a cutting board.” -Copper, zinc, pewter and bronze are also being fashioned into countertops. All the metals are easy to clean and care for. You can keep them polished or allow a natural patina to give them character. However, if you don’t want the patina look, you need to regularly polish copper, bronze and zinc countertops. -Stainless steel has been in use since the early 20th century and remains popular. It won’t stain, rust or corrode

TV continued from page 40 chance to win $50,000. Tyler Florence will return as host. This year the teams will travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas then to Phoenix, Ariz. and Yuma, Ariz. The competition will end when three teams return to the Coachella Valley in Southern California, where thousands of country music fans will arrive for a massive festival. I always thought that feeding people from a food

Marble countertops are beautiful and popular with bakers. METRO CREATIVE

and is heat resistant. However, it can scratch and show fingerprints. - Marble countertops are increasing in popularity because they blend easily with many different kitchen makeovers. Carrara marble is one of the least expensive (about $40 per square foot) natural countertop materials on the market, however, luxury stone like Calacatta marble, with a whiter surface and more dramatic veining, also has a luxury price tag (think about $180 per square foot). Amy said bakers are fond of marble countertops because with marble they can roll their dough directly onto the countertop and it will keep the dough cooler. -Granite offers homeowners a material with natural beauty and durability. Its unique shading and tone make granite countertops unique from one home to the next, and granite complements many different cabinet colors. Granite also is resistant to heat, scarring and, when sealed properly, stains. “It is important to seal granite when

truck would satisfy my inner gypsy. However, after watching eight seasons of The Great Food Truck Race I now realize it is not just about getting a truck and selling food, there are local ordinances, health and safety codes and business skills required to operate a food truck. I may still run off and join a carnival to operate a funnel cake stand, we’ll see. The seven teams feature the usual assortment of trained chefs, caterers, moms and kids and best friends. I think I’ve already found the team I’m rooting for, the Just Wing It truck.

it is installed,” Amy said. “You know when it is time to reseal if you put water on your countertop and it seeps in, instead of puddling.” Granite is naturally porous, so if it is not sealed properly, it can harbor bacteria and will stain. Some granite countertops must be sealed annually, while some pretreated countertops can go as long as 15 years without a need for resealing. -Quartz is engineered stone. Quartz has the look of natural stone without some of the problems. Amy said quartz countertops have superior durability and hardness. Unlike natural stone, quartz has a nonporous surface. “I have seen quartz stain,” said Amy. “But it resists stains more than other countertops.” -Lava stone countertops are made from actual lava mined from volcanic craters. This material is durable and very strong. The glazed surface is nonporous and doesn’t harbor bacteria. However, it is the rarest of countertop material and thus, very pricey. 

Just Wing It features Kevin, Sharon and Steven who met as contestants on season 12 of “Worst Cooks in America.” “It awakened something in the three of us that we never thought we had,” Sharon said. After tasting Kevin’s chicken, Steven said, “Oh, we need to do that!” Past seasons have featured breakdowns, fender benders and plenty of conflict. In the end, the team with the best food, best marketing and best business acumen usually wins. 

J U LY 22, 2018

GETTIN’ UP

Continued from page 47

I knew where my car was parked, but suspected folks were onto me. I could feel that semi-panicked appearance take hold. Quickly, I pressed the key clicker several times thinking that would be my auditory compass. No luck, my hearing’s been a little dicey lately too. Eventually I found my vehicle, then casually sauntered over to it, making eye contact with no one. I’m taking precautionary measures now, like making lists, e-mail reminders, notes on where I need to be, and what to buy. I never required those memory nudges before. Everything was securely downloaded in my gray matter and eas-

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 5 7 ily retrievable. It’s as if my data storage facility got hacked. So how did this happen? Only yesterday I was a sharp, young multitasking professional who thrived on four hours of sleep and prided herself as the mom who could do it all, a woman of endurance. (Endurance? I can’t even go five hours without going tinkle.) Time, oh time…where did you go? All griping aside now, I have a confession to make. Even more mind-blowing these days is the fact that this longer-toothed version of me is learning to accept such changes. In fact, I’m beginning to appreciate them, even laugh about them. Many of those sage giggles are shared with my similarly amused peers. We’re aging, and we’re damn glad

to still be here. United States Census statistics reveal that of the 76-million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964, 11-million had died by 2012. While individual ages at the time of death are not revealed, the oldest age range they could have reached was 48-66-years young -- prime years! Gone, along with their golden years and later life bucket lists. This figure saddens me. It also inspires me to embrace the various vicissitudes of growing old with gratitude and grace. I feel fortunate to be creaking and (occasionally) leaking. Like Rose Castorini told her daughter Loretta in “Moonstruck,” “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Until it’s time for me to go to that spir-

it in the sky, I want to be that good-humored Purple Hat lady who savors people, places, and life’s delicious buffet of experiences, right to the very end – whether I’m standing on my own two wrinkled pins or pushing a cherry-red walker. Having just turned 66, I humbly acknowledge that not everyone makes it to this ripened age. Now if I can just make it to the lady’s room… A Valencia resident, Diana Sevanian is a former longtime Signal features writer and columnist, as well as a retired R.N., mother, grandmother, and dog-mother. At this time she does not require incontinence products. 

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J U LY 22, 2018

CROSSWORD TIME Van Hook continued from page 9 mula after realizing it was not in the college’s favor. “We were serving 23 percent more students than we were getting paid for, and the college was doing that for about three years,” Van Hook said, “You can’t do that without going broke.” Van Hook also began petitioning a senator to sponsor a growth bill, so that community colleges who are fast-growing - like COC - can get properly funded. With tactical persuasion, Van Hook said she was able to convince the senator to draft a bill that would become law. With proper funding now available, the community college started to grow quite rapidly. “Between the mid-90s and 2004 we were funded for 159 percent growth, which is something that was pivotal for us,” Van Hook said. However, the school still lacked a current fiveyear construction plan on file, which was considered a must-have at that time. “In those days, community college buildings were funded by the state because it was too difficult to pass local bond measures, and the state determined which schools would be funded based on their master plan,” Van Hook said. Like so many things before, the chancellor again found success when she installed a master plan that secured enough funding to remodel the school’s older facilities. However, Van Hook was dissatisfied because the school wasn’t doing very much training for the local community, which - even in 1989 - was a service that Van Hook believed was essential for a community college to provide. “I used to say that community colleges were going to become the graduate

Van Hook walks from her office in Canyons Hall at College of the Canyons. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON

schools of the future,” she said. Not because junior colleges were going to offer graduate degrees — which COC now does thanks in part to Van Hook — but because Van Hook always felt that community colleges should act as the trainers of the workforce. With the help of a board member, Van Hook said, the college organized the Vision 2000 Luncheon with 200 business CEOs and the Valencia Industrial Association. We asked them what they needed from us to be able to grow their workforce for now and into the future, Van Hook said. From there, the college produced a Vision 2000 magazine that stated the things the college would be doing 11 years later. It was a publication of guesses and ambitious goals that was written as if it was the year 2000, but it allowed the college to move forward to achieve those goals “with momentum and synergy,” Van Hook said. “One thing leads to another,” VH said, and 30 years later the college is now preparing students for business and industry better than ever, partnering with the Hart district and working with nonprofit organizations to further increase

the resources available to the community. Every idea that was implemented led to five new ones, Van Hook said. “We really do believe if we can imagine it then we can figure it out. And we don’t allow the funding from the state to limit us in doing whatever it takes to meet the community’s needs. Van Hook said she’s been lucky. Lucky to work in a booming economic area with residents who want to help their community grow, lucky that she had the opportunity to build those partnerships, programs and people that she always wanted and, most of all, “lucky to have worked a job in two different places, where I learned in four years what I would’ve learned in 12 or 14 had I gone the traditional route of climbing the career ladder.” “(COC) is a pretty special opportunity,” Van Hook said, “and having worked full-time or part-time in 7 community college districts, I know,” which is why she has no plans of hanging it up anytime soon. “As long as you have a purpose and vision for (something),” Van Hook said, “then I think people should do it as long as they want to.” 

J U LY 22, 2018

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