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JULY 26, 2020

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J U LY 26, 2020 NEWS FEATURES 4 5 6 7

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Locally Owned and Operated

Getting ready for fire season Learning from the comfort of your home Lending your community a helping hand Time to pack up the trailer and ride

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FROM THE CITY MANAGER

8 Summer recreation, enrichment in Santa Clarita

HEALTH

9 To Your Good Health: Hyaluronic acid for arthritis

FOOD

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10 Michele makes ice cream … a cool, sweet treat 11 Kid-friendly creativity in the kitchen: Watermelon cookies

ENTERTAINMENT

12 Peacock adds to the flood of streaming choices SENIOR LIVING

• SLIDING • FRENCH • STANDARD & CUSTOM ENTRY DOORS

13 Seniors need to stay engaged

HOME

14 Practical upgrades to improve function, ambiance

GARDENING

15 Expert tips to maximize your victory garden

PETS

CUSTOM MADE

PATIO DOORS

16 Ways to support your pet’s immune system

KIDS & FAMILY

17 Donna’s Day: No-cook summer breakfast porridge Junior Whirl

PUZZLES OPINION

ENERGY SAVING

WINDOWS

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4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U LY 26, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Getting ready for fire season in Southern Cal By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

ildfire season is upon us. With the build up of dry vegetation in the summer heat, along with hot, dry winds, fueling these fires, it’s extremely dangerous and challenging for firefighters to control, according to fire officials. “As the temperatures will begin to heat up and our risk for brush fires dangerously increases, there’s an abundance of fine fuels and grasses that are ready to burn,” L.A. County Fire Department Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations David Richardson said. “The sun will dry out all the vegetation and increase the potential of damaging fires.” Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia agreed, adding that it’s a cycle that happens every year, where the brush is drying and losing its moisture. Here in the Santa Clarita Valley, wildfires will always be a natural part of our lives, and we are no stranger to wildland activity. That being said, both Richardson and Garcia urge SCV residents to be prepared, and create your own personal wildfire action plan. “Our department, along with our partner agencies, we’re always prepared to quickly respond to contain wildfires, utilizing our air and ground resources, but the bottom line is (that) your efforts within all the communities we serve and your cooperation will help minimize fire activity,” Richardson added. “Your preparation and prevention go hand-in-hand with what we provide within the region. “Fires don’t know jurisdictional boundaries, so we work closely with our partners, like L.A. County Fire,” Garcia added. The L.A. County Fire Department recently updated the Ready! Set! Go! Playbook, which not only helps you create your own wildfire preparation and evacuation plan, but also gives tips on how to protect your home from a destructive wildfire.

Ready

The first step in preparing for wildfire season is increasing your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire, as its chances of survival rely on the materials it’s constructed of and the quality of the “defensible space” surrounding it. This can be done by creating a buffer between your home and surrounding native landscape, like brush that can easily ignite a fire. “A lot of times folks do their defensible space clearance early in the year, and that effort needs a refresh throughout the fire season, because leaves fall on the roof, sometimes weeds and grass start to grow out,” Garcia said. “When a wildfire visits your neighborhood like that, it’s a good reminder not only to prevent, but also to go out, look and see if your home is as hardened as it could be.”

Camp crews gain access to the Tesoro Fire in Valencia back in 2018 by hopping a fence. Homeowners often clear their defensible space clearance early in the year, but that effort needs a refresh throughout the fire season, according to the experts. SIGNAL PHOTO

Set

Now it’s time to create a wildfire action plan with your family, ensuring each member is prepared well in advance of any danger. This includes steps like: Creating a family communication plan with a list of important phone numbers; Assembling an emergency supply kit that includes things like nonperishable food and water, a flashlight and first aid kit; Making a list of things to grab, such as prescriptions, important documents and family photos; And designating an emergency meeting spot.

Fire officials strongly urge residents to take action immediately when wildfire strikes, which not only keeps you out of harm’s way, but also keeps roads clear of congestion so firefighters can easily access the area.

Have a ‘Plan B’

As stay-at-home restrictions remain in place, ANF fire officials have been seeing a lot of crowds at popular recreation areas. “We’re seeing really, really high concentrations (of people), and obviously with the covid situation, that presents some challenges, but it also challenges us to get emergency responses into those areas,” Garcia added. “We’ve had a lot of lost hikers, injuries, vehicle accidents and then we’ve had a lot of fires. And with those popular recreation areas, those crowds make it very difficult to get in and get out of the narrow, canyon roads.” Garcia doesn’t want to discourage people from visiting the forest, but instead asks they have a couple

of backup plans if their favorite spots are crowded. “I welcome folks to call our visitors center and offices to plan some alternatives that would lend themselves to the type of visitor experience they’re looking for, but maybe are not as crowded,” Garcia added.

Being vigilant

“A lot of homeowners are near and around the Angeles National Forest use the forest for recreation, but also their proximity (allows them to be) the eyes and ears sometimes, so we definitely ask folks to be vigilant,” Garcia added. Though lately that has been for fireworks, as Fourth of July just passed, this also includes things like barbecues and campfires, which Garcia said become very dangerous at this time of year. “Visitors are restricted to barbecues (and campfires) only in developed sites,” Garcia added. “Those areas are designed to contain a fire. They’ve had hazard reduction and defensible space around them.” One Less Spark — One Less Wildfire, a campaign created by CalFire, highlights the dangers these campfires or barbecues can have. “Every fire starts with just one spark, with one ember, so whether that’s people towing vehicles that are dragging chains, or a barbecue, it creates an ember,” Garcia said. “And it’s just that one spark that’s literally in the wrong place in terms of Chaparral, brush, grass, that’s all it takes. And once it gets going, it’s amazing how difficult it is to stop.” For more information on Ready! Set! Go!, visit fire. lacounty.gov/rsg.

J U LY 26, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

Learning from the comfort of your home By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

s of this week, every school district within the Santa Clarita Valley has taken the in-person experience of school and put it into an online platform, citing the need to ensure student and staff safety during a global pandemic. However, learning from home via online classes is not just for the kids. And the kids don’t have to only be learning things that they would within a traditional classroom. There are a number of online services, and the city is providing online tutorials and training for practical life skills. From exercise to cooking to sewing and more, there are a number of options for people looking to capitalize on the extra time they might have while inside their home. So where can these services be found, and what are the best ways for people to access them?

Tips for online success • Accept that the first online class will feel overwhelming • Log on to your course frequently • Participate … participate … participate • Budget your time, set schedules • Make sure you have a private space where you can study • Speak up if you are having problems

City of Santa Clarita

For a number of years, the City of Santa Clarita has offered it’s Seasons catalogue: a large list of classes and courses available to the public. Fencing, pottery and languages, to name a few, have all been classes provided to the public with only small fees. This year, the Seasons catalogue was not distributed due to COVID-19, however, this did not stop the city and it’s teachers from coming together to provide classes. “We’re getting more interest because people are understanding this is kind of the new way of life,” said Lance O’Keefe, the recreation and community services manager for the city. The city has been earnestly using its Virtual Recreation Center, where it uses the website to inform people about a number of activities. “There’s a variety of arts and crafts, sport, family activities, hikes that you can go do out in the community,” said O’Keefe. “And then every week, it’s getting updated with new things.” On the Virtual Recreation Center website, there are a variety of options to choose from. Under the “Specialty Classes” section, for instance, there are free videos on beginning yoga, painting and snack making. In the Arts/Events section, the MAIN is providing in-depth discussions for those seeking advice or tips in regarding to acting or life on stage. Although some of the usual classes needed to be canceled this year due to the logistical issues, such as cooking, O’Keefe said people are still happy with the city’s offerings. “People are happy because there’s something to do,” said O’Keefe. “It’s giving them new ideas, new opportunities to do something that they would have never done.” O’Keefe added that although it’s almost August, it’s not too late to enjoy these activities or learn something new through the city. Visit https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/ departments/recreation-and-community-servicesdepartment/online-rec-center to learn more.

Brushing up on old skills and learning new ones are just a few of the things that people are doing now to kill time due to quarantine. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Other resources

If you were to be one of the people looking to improve themselves through learning a new skill while under COVID-19, you’re not alone. According to a study done by the World Economic Forum, the global educal technical investment worldwide was $18.66 billion in 2019 and the projected revenue for edtech is expected to reach $350 billion by 2025. “Whether it is language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools or online learning software, there has been a significant surge in usage since COVID-19,” reads the World Economic Forum study. So where to go then? One of the highest rated sites for learning a new skill is CreativeLive. CreativeLive broadcasts free, live courses in everything from photography, business, design, craft and cooking. The classes are taught by experts in the respective fields. Additionally, there are a number of sites such as Code Academy, General Assembly and Lynda that teach coding, digital marketing and graphic design. For other desires or hobby interests, however, that are not as niche as learning Javascript or HTML, look no further than Youtube. A number of Youtube channels offer free insight into how to improve your cooking or sewing or craftsmanship. The videos are free to all, and can be viewed on multiple devices. According to Google’s Consumer Data from 2019, 90% of DIYers, or “do it yourselfers,” watch their videos on Youtube during an actual project. So don’t feel alone in wanting to learn a new skill or trying to expand your horizons. There are plenty of free or cheap resources out there for people. The only impediment in the past has been time, and we seem to have a lot more of that these days.

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J U LY 26, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Lending your community a helping hand be comfortable with driving large vehicles. Those interested can expect to help out during the morning hours between 8 and 11 a.m., according to Mario Sierra with the pantry’s office warehouse. Those interested can expect to be placed in a waitlist as the Food Pantry handles a constant stream of volunteers, he said. The nonprofit is also accepting donations, with most needed items including dry beans, rice, canned meats and veggies, pasta and macaroni and cheese. For more information, call (661) 255-5001.

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

he COVID-19 crisis has upended everyday life, including how and where one can volunteer. But the desire for people to give back has not changed for many in the Santa Clarita Valley, who are still looking for ways to help. California has slowly reopened its economy since the issuance of its stay-at-home order in mid-March, yet with recent concerns about a surge in cases and the uncertainty of a second lockdown, some may be hesitant and unsure of how to help others or a cause these days. There are several ways still to volunteer, however, whether in the form of dedicating time, money or supplying goods to those in need, and perhaps is now more important than ever to reach out. State officials have even called on Californians to lend a hand in their communities. “We are asking all Californians who are healthy to stand up, to step up and to help connect and make a difference in your community,” said Josh Fryday, California chief service officer, during a precious live state briefing. Here are some options to consider that are currently available in and around the Santa Clarita Valley:

Deliver meals to older adults

The SCV Senior Center at Bella Vida has long offered the service of delivering meals to the local population of older adults but this effort is perhaps more important than ever as vulnerable older adults are at the greatest risk during the COVID-19 crisis. Since the onset of the pandemic, health experts have urged them to remain home and practice physical distancing from others outside their households to help reduce their chance of infection. To help some in your community receive their meals, you can volunteer with the Senior Center as a driver. “Delivering meals is a deeply fulfilling experience,” said Robin Clough, volunteer coordinator at the center. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have five years of driving experi-

Donate blood

Blood donations are essential and have helped amid the pandemic as the need is always ongoing. Agencies such as the Red Cross and Vitalant have implemented additional safety protocols to ensure a safer process for those looking to donate blood. To find out where you can donate, visit californiavolunteers.ca.gov.

Volunteer and actor Thomas Rudolph cuts the fabric to make masks at No Strings Attached Costumes in Saugus. There are a number of ways for people who are able to help their neighbors in a pandemic. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

ence. Volunteers can expect training and can deliver meals once a week, Monday through Friday. Those interested in volunteering on a long-term basis is preferred. The senior center will provide a vehicle. Strict COVID-19 safety precautions are maintained, said Clough. To sign up, contact her at rclough@ scv-seniorcenter.org or call (661) 2599444.

Endless opportunities at Bridge to Home

From serving meals to providing haircuts for the homeless, there are numerous opportunities for the community to jump in and help out Bridge to Home — the SCV’s nonprofit dedicated to helping the local homeless population. The shelter temporarily moved from its Drayton Street property to the Newhall Community Center to better serve clients. “There’s an immediate need at the shelter directly for a few nights a

week from 6 to 9 p.m., with meal services and helping faculty,” said Randi Wyatt, the volunteer coordinator. Residents can volunteer with tasks such as preparing coffee and food as clients are signed in at the shelter, rotating goods in their stock, and other housekeeping items. Bridge to Home is also looking for those that can provide services such as hair cuts and activities, such as yoga. For those looking to donate, the shelter is currently in need of new blankets, socks and underwear, canned goods and toiletries. Monetary donations can also be made online at btohome.org. For additional information, contact Wyatt at randi@btohome.org.

Drivers and donations wanted The SCV Food Pantry is currently in need of drivers to volunteer their time to pick up from local stores. All you need is a good driving record, be able to lift up to 50lbs and

Foster or adopt an animal

Consider this: You’ve been having to spend your time at home amid the pandemic. So, why not add a new little furry friend that may be in need of a temporary or forever home? Reach out to a local shelter, such as the Castaic Animal Care Center or the Brittany Foundation Animal Sanctuary, that can guide you through the process. For more ways on how to adopt, give back or fundraise for animals in need, check out resources with aspca.org.

Check on neighbors

The pandemic has taken a toll on many and sometimes the best help we can offer is to simply think of our neighbors and communicate with them. If you don’t have their phone number, reach out through the door and consider asking how you can help them or dropping off a treat or a note that lets them know you’re thinking of them — keeping in mind to keep six feet away and to wear face coverings. To find out local services that can benefit your neighbors in need or yourself, dial 211.

J U LY 26, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

Time to pack up the trailer and ride

N E W S F E AT U R E

By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

ell, by almost any indication, this year’s summer vacation will probably look a little bit different than last year’s. With the ebb and flow of pandemic concerns likely to stay with us for at least through the fall, more and more Americans are realizing that recreational vehicles offer summer travelers their very own traveling quarantine and hitting the road in comfort and style. “We’ve definitely seen an increase in business,” said Hayley Mount, store manager at Camping World of Valencia in Stevenson Ranch. “It’s amazing to see families coming together and staying in their coaches. They’re spending a lot more 1-on-1 time,” Mount said. While there might be some campsites that temporarily have limited access depending on whether it’s a county or state facility, and where, there are still a number of places where you can park your RV and enjoy wherever you are in the safety of your RV. “Families can go hiking together and spend time at the beach together,” Mount said, naming just a few of the possibilities.

The right ride

Recognizing what’s right for your quarantine travel crew is critical with such a significant investment, said Jordan Heck, sales manager for All Valley RV Center. “The main thing is to pertain to the customer’s needs and wants,” he said, noting there’s some practical considerations that go into an RV choice, as well as comfort and style choices. “There’s some customers who aren’t going to be able to tow a large unit,” Heck said, referring to the larger campers, which is why he sometimes suggests for newer RV customers to start at a smaller unit and then gradually work their way to a larger one. “A lot of times it’s best to guide them with smaller units at first,” Heck said, noting that many of their customers at All Valley are generational, and the focus is on retaining clients with care to their needs.

Customers Gary Morgan, left, Rich Kariger from Lancaster discuss the better insulation available on a Wilderness by Heartland travel trailer with sales manager Jordan Heck at All Valley RV Center in Acton. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

“The key in all reality is finding out what both he and she feel comfortable with for a floor plan,” Heck added, calling it “the customers’ guidelines.”

Popular units

Toy haulers For those with an adventurous agenda, these RVs can haul all your small off-road vehicles. From snowmobiles to motorcycles and ATVs, toy haulers were built to carry large cargo. These are Mount’s favorite choice, as it allows her to haul her “toys.” “I have a toy hauler, because I go to the desert and go dirt bike riding,” she said, and it lets her “carry my toys around.” Travel trailers These towable models are among the most popular RV types seen on the highway and in campgrounds these days. Travel trailers are known for being cost-efficient and for their flexibility to remain simple or complex as they can come with their own water supply, kitchen, refrigerators and bathrooms. These RVs can connect with a standard ball hitch receiver, which can widen towing vehicle options.

Class A and Class C The JAYCOs, a slightly higher-end model, are popular right now because of their quality and design, Heck notes. And the fact that people are spending more time in their recreational vehicles due to the feeling of safety and closures can’t hurt people’s willingness, when possible, to spend a little bit more for more space. Whether gas or diesel, Class A motorhomes are a popular choice for long-term trips as they offer a “homeaway-from-home” feel. Class C motorhomes are built atop an existing truck and van chassis and range between 20-33 feet. Their features resemble those of Class A models but at an overall lower cost.

Destination

Once you have the means and motive, the opportunities for travel call for a little bit of research. In mid-July, when Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a whole new wave of closures, the state parks system, which operates a reservation website, issued a statement to let people know state officials would be working with local officials to open as many facilities as possible as soon as its safe.

“The State of California recognizes the benefits of the outdoors during this challenging time of COVID-19,” according to a July 13 statement on the parks website. “As such, state Parks is working with local officials on a phased and regionally driven approach to increase access at park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. To date, limited public parking is available at 193 park units and 16 park units remain temporarily fully closed.” Basically, just like the locations you plan to visit outside the park, it’s a good idea to call and check first to see what’s open. However, the good news is that if you’re lucky, you might still be able to get a reservation that usually would be booked months in advance. For information on reservations, visit parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30388. For a list of which parks are still open, go to parks.ca.gov/pages/712/files/ OpenCampgrounds.pdf. Visitors with existing campground reservations will be notified via email in the case that their reservation must be cancelled in compliance with local and public health orders.

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J U LY 26, 2020

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Summer recreation and enrichment in Santa Clarita By City Manager Ken Striplin

he summer months in Santa Clarita, with their long, warm days filled with sunshine, are a time when individuals and families look forward to fun and enriching activities offered by the City of Santa Clarita. Although some traditional programs and events have been canceled this year, new and alternative options have been developed to ensure Santa Clarita residents have continued access to recreation opportunities. One area that we know is critical in the City is childcare, especially as parents face the prospect of shifting schedules and work requirements. The City’s Recreation and Community Services Department launched the Kidz Care program this summer to help lessen the burden on residents

in need of childcare. This program, geared for children ages 5-12, was developed by the City to meet the guidelines for public safety set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Camp Association and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Kidz Care offers children learning activities, crafts and more at City parks where physical distancing and infectious disease controls can be implemented and maintained. Children are placed into groups of no more than 10, with siblings in the same household placed in the same group, and each group is led by the same staff member for the entire weeklong camp. Each child is also given his or her own activity kit for the week, which includes markers, paintbrushes and other supplies. This reduces the possibility of spreading germs between participants.

Both the Newhall Community Center and Canyon Country Community Center are offering new craft projects through “Tote 2 Go.” This program, which runs through the summer, allows families to register in advance to receive a tote bag filled with fun craft projects, as well as hands-on activities, recipes, contests and more. These totes cost $5 each and can be purchased weekly. Registration for the “Tote 2 Go” program can be completed through the Seasons website at santa-clarita.com/Seasons. The City continues to showcase new exhibits in public galleries throughout Santa Clarita. While residents may not be able to visit them in person, they can go to SantaClaritaArts.com/Galleries to see virtual exhibits, as well as an online public art program that includes pieces from the Youth Arts Showcase, the popular “Art in Isolation” show and more. As I have mentioned previously in messages to the community, The MAIN in Old Town Newhall continues to produce one-of-a-kind performances, professional development series and entertainment. Some offerings that everyone should experience are the monthly 10 by 10 show and “You’re The Best” community talent competition. You can discover new favorite musicians, comedians and storytellers during 10 by 10 then show off your own hidden talent for a chance to win a $50 gift card in the “You’re The Best” contest. Learn more about both at Facebook.com/TheMAINNewhall.

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The City’s Recreation and Community Services Department has also launched new recreation challenges that allow residents to test their own abilities and compete against one another safely. The first-ever Virtual Disc Golf League is in full swing and disc golfers are compiling scores weekly on their own to see who will be the inaugural league champion. The Adult Sports office recently announced the Virtual Mile Challenge, which rewards residents of all ages for exploring the City’s open space and miles of trails and paseos. All you need to do is keep track of the miles you run, bike or hike and submit them online — prizes are awarded to those who rack up the most. The Aquatics 100 Miles At Home Challenge works similarly. Keep track of the amount of time spent swimming in your backyard pool or at a lake, river or beach that is open to the public, and let our Aquatics team know how you are progressing. Every ½ hour spent swimming equates to ½ mile of distance. You will receive a prize once you hit 100 miles! These are just some of the many ways that you and your family can participate in City recreation programs this summer. I encourage you to visit the Seasons website to explore a wide range of virtual classes being offered by instructors throughout the City. Finally, please take the time to visit the City’s new Virtual Rec Center at santa-clarita.com/VirtualRecCenter to find instructional videos, enrichment opportunities, family activities and helpful resources for the entire family. I hope you continue to have a safe, healthy and active summer in Santa Clarita. Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal.

J U LY 26, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

H E A LT H

To your good health —

IT’S TIME TO

Hyaluronic acid for arthritis By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Writer

Dear Dr. Roach Recently, my acupuncturist suggested that I try hyaluronic acid capsules for the arthritis in my hands, feet, back, neck and hips. I had heard of hyaluronic acid years ago and checked it out. Since it promotes cell growth, I assume it can’t differentiate from good cells or cancer cells, so I avoided trying it. Is this really safe to take? — C.F. ANSWER Hyaluronic acid is indicated for use via injection, especially into the knee for arthritis symptoms, but is also used for other purposes, such as a filler in cosmetic surgery. For knee injection, it appears safe and moderately effective. It isn’t thought to work by promoting cell growth but rather by replacing synovial fluid, a fluid that acts as a kind of shock absorber, protecting the cartilage, bone and nerves of the knee. There have been studies evaluating oral hyaluronic acid, and one from Japan in 2012 showed a very modest improvement compared with a placebo. I wouldn’t recommend oral hyaluronic acid based on the studies done so far. There are many reports in basic cancer research on the ability of cancer cells to grow in conditions of high hyaluronic acid; however, this does NOT mean that taking oral hyaluronic acid promotes growth of cancer cells. As far as I can tell, there is no evidence that links oral hyaluronic acid to increased cancer risk. Dear Dr. Roach I’m a 92-year-old man in better-than-average health. I have had two episodes of blood in my urine in the past two months. I know this isn’t normal. At my age, I’d just like to make believe it didn’t happen. What’s my future like? — Anon. Answer Your future will shortly include, I hope, a visit to your regular doctor. Blood in the urine often is due to a urine infection or a kidney stone, but in older men, there is always a concern about a tumor, whether of the kidney, bladder or prostate. Pretending it didn’t happen is not a

good solution, and your doctors will certainly take your age into account when looking at diagnostic possibilities and treatments. Most cases will turn out to be not much to worry about, so the sooner you get in, the sooner you can find out what’s going on and see what steps may be necessary. Dear Dr. Roach I suffered from constipation for years, and after consulting with a gastrointestinal specialist, I was prescribed MiraLAX. I take it every morning and have added fiber to my diet. The program has been successful. How wise is it to continue MiraLAX indefinitely? Should I worry about side effects? It has been quite pleasant to be free of constipation worries. — Anon. Answer MiraLAX is a non-absorbable chemical called polyethylene glycol. It passes through your system, bringing water with it, which makes stool less hard and easier to pass. It is very safe for short-term use. If used excessively, it can pull sodium and potassium out of a person’s system. If you are taking in enough fiber, it should be possible to decrease the MiraLAX without worrying about constipation again, but it’s OK to use MiraLAX as needed. Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu. © 2020 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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10 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U LY 26, 2020

FOOD

Michele makes ice cream … a cool, sweet treat Basic Vanilla Ice Cream

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

t’s summer in the Santa Clarita Valley. It’s hot. What can you do with the family that’s fun and gives you a sweet, cool treat as a reward? One of the simple joys of summer is ice cream. A great family activity is making homemade ice cream with your kids. Experimenting with flavors and ice cream recipes is one of my favorite summer past times.

Making ice cream

There are a few ways to make ice cream. Most ice cream recipes can be “churned” in just about any ice cream maker you purchase. Your choice of ice cream maker can be inexpensive or high end. Hand crank, electric crank, freezer bowl or ice cream compressor, spend as much, or as little, as you want. There’s just nothing that compares to homemade ice cream. You can even make ice cream in a bag. This is a great exercise for children. It’s a fun activity that rewards your child with a treat they made themselves.

This basic recipe works with just about any home ice cream maker and serves six. 1 3/4 cups heavy cream 1 1/4 cup whole milk 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt 1 tbsp. vanilla extract Pour 1 cup of the cream into a saucepan and add sugar and salt. Warm the mixture over medium heat just until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add remaining cream, milk and vanilla extract. Stir until combined and place into refrigerator to chill (about an hour). When ready to churn, whisk mixture briskly then pour into your ice cream maker. Churn with mix-ins (see list below) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer the finished ice cream to an airtight container and place in the freezer until ready to serve.

Make it Better

Take basic vanilla ice cream and add in all sorts of goodies to turn your ice cream from delicious to incredible.

Use 2 cups of your favorite mix-ins. Follow the directions on your ice cream maker as to the use of mix-ins. These can include: • Brownie chunks • Toffee bits • Cookie dough • Swirls of salted caramel sauce • Reese’s Pieces • Chopped up candy bars • Gummy bears • M&Ms • Berries • Fruit

Old Fashioned Butter Brickle Ice Cream

My mother’s favorite ice cream was Butter Brickle. She always had a quart of Darigold Butter Brickle Ice Cream in the freezer. As a little girl I loved it, too. Then, one day, Butter Brickle disappeared from the grocery store freezer. I was confused. It must just be a temporary absence, right? Decades have passed. No Butter Brickle ice cream to be found. Yes, there is “toffee this” and “salted

Way-Too-Easy Vanilla Ice Cream Way-Too-Easy Vanilla Ice Cream in a Bag 1 2 1 3 1/3

cup half-and-half tbsp. sugar tsp. vanilla cups ice cup kosher salt Toppings of your choice (chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, strawberries or chocolate chips).

Butter Brickle Sauce 1 1/4 2 1/2 1/2

tbsp. butter cup packed brown sugar tbsp. heavy cream tsp. vanilla tsp. salt

Butter Brickle Ice Cream

2 3 1 4 2 1 1 1/2

cups half and half tbsp. butter cup brown sugar tbsp. toffee sauce cups heavy cream tsp. vanilla cup toffee bits tsp. salt

Sauce In a small plastic bag that you can seal (like a Ziplock bag), combine half-andhalf, sugar and vanilla. Squeeze the air out of the bag and make sure it is completely sealed shut.

Into a large gallon-size resealable bag, combine the ice and salt.

4 Place the small bag inside the bigger bag. Make sure to cover the small bag of ice cream with the ice/salt mixture before sealing the larger bag.

caramel” that, but none of it is real Butter Brickle. I have searched high and low for the Darigold ice cream recipe to no avail. Butter Brickle was the registered trademark of a toffee ice cream flavoring and of a candy bar produced by Fenn Bros. Ice Cream and Candy Company from Sioux Falls, S.D. The ice cream was first sold in the 1920s at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska. In the 1970s, the trademark and formula were sold to Heath Bar then acquired by The Hershey Company in 1996. This is a two-part recipe. A butter toffee sauce to give the ice cream that butterscotch flavor and the ice cream recipe itself. The “butter brickle” bits I remember were more butterscotch than toffee, but this is a recipe still in refinement. For now, toffee bits will suffice.

Shake for 8-10 minutes. The finished ice cream is rich and smooth, and has firmed up.

Scrape the ice cream out of the bag, cover with toppings and enjoy. Tip To give your kids a chance to experiment, offer them a choice of extracts to add flavoring to the vanilla ice cream

Add butter, brown sugar, cream and salt in saucepan and stir until butter melts. Simmer over medium-low heat without stirring for three minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla. Cool.

Ice Cream Add butter, brown sugar and half and half over medium heat until butter and sugar combine. Add the sauce and vanilla and mix. Chill minimum of 4 hours; preferably overnight. Add heavy cream and process in ice cream machine. Add the toffee bits at the end just to mix them in. Freeze a minimum of four hours before serving.

J U LY 26, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

FOOD

Kid-Friendly Creativity in the Kitchen

hile so many families spend more time at home than normal, many may be seeking ways to increase fun and activity, especially for children. One way to increase engagement while teaching lifelong lessons is to head to the kitchen for a learning exercise in creating nutritious snacks and treats. Consider these creative ways you can get your kids involved in the kitchen: Look for simple recipes kids can help create. Logically, the first step in the process is to focus on ingredients and instructions that aren’t overly complicated. For example, avoid snacks that call for cutting with knives and instead try a recipe like these Frosted Watermelon Cutouts, which involves kid-friendly cookie cutters. Be flexible. Another way to involve children is to let them help in the meal-planning routine. Because kids’ desired tastes may differ from your own, be open to outside-the-box ideas like breakfast for dinner, nutritious snacks for lunch and fruit for dessert. Take advantage of nutritious produce. Comprised of 92% water to support hydration, an option like watermelon is a source of vitamin C and other important nutrients. At only 80 calories per 2-cup serving, one watermelon provides up to three dozen servings that can be used in a variety of nutritious family recipes, and 100% of the fruit is usable between the flesh, juice and rind. For example, this recipe for Kids Watermelon Sandwich Cookies provides a sweet treat the whole family can enjoy while calling for just a few ingredients. Visit watermelon.org for more creative ways to use the whole watermelon, including recipes and kid-friendly carvings. (Family Features)

Craft a Fun, Frozen Fruit

Using leftovers can make for a fun way to avoid food waste. For example, if you have extra watermelon, simply cut into 1/2-1-inch wedges and insert clean crafting sticks into the center of the rind. Put them in the freezer for at least 1 hour to create sweet watermelon ice pops.

Frosted Watermelon Cutouts

Kids Watermelon Sandwich Cookies

Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board 1 seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-3/4-inch thick slices 1 serving vanilla yogurt 1 serving granola or similar cereal

Servings: 6 12 blueberry pancakes (3-inch round), cooled to room temperature 1/2 cup white frosting 6 seedless watermelon slices (2/3-inch thick, 3-inch round), drained to remove excess moisture

Using cookie cutters, cut shapes out of watermelon slices. Or, if preferred, use classic cut watermelon wedges.

Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board

Evenly frost bottom of each pancake with white frosting. Arrange six pancakes frosting side up on serving platter. Place one slice watermelon on each frosted pancake. Top each with remaining pancakes, frosting side down. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Frost each slice with yogurt. Sprinkle with granola.

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J U LY 26, 2020

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

Peacock adds to the flood of streaming choices By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

he question I used to hear all the time: “What’s good in theaters right now? What should I see this weekend?” The question I now get all the time: “Where do I find that movie (or show) you liked so much?” A reasonable query. After all, there’s Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, CBS All Access, HBO Max and HBO Go, Quibi, Showtime, Epix Now, BET+, Starz, Kweli TV, PBS Passport, MUBI, OVID, et al. There’s an enormous amount of streaming content available for home viewing (which could lead to an astronomical monthly bill if you’re not careful), and it can be overwhelming, but consider that if we had been on lockdown in say, 1970, your viewing choices on a Tuesday night would have been: “The Mod Squad,” the ABC Movie of the Week, “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “Lancer,” “The Red Skelton Hour,” “The Governor and J.J.,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “The Debbie Reynolds Show.” That’s it. That’s the lineup. The latest entry in the streaming game: NBCUniversal’s Peacock, with some 20,000 hours of content — everything from current NBC staples such as “Law & Order: SVU” and “Saturday Night Live” to libraries of “30 Rock,” “Frasier,” “The Rockford Files” and “Columbo,” to hundreds of movies including the “Jurassic Park” franchise, to Telemundo content and original, big-budget movies and series. Peacock is spreading its wings with a free oneweek trial, after which you can opt for a free tier, in which you’ll receive about half of the available content, or premium packages at $4.99 or $9.99 a month, with access to all of the material and either a limited number of ads or none at all. Here’s a look at two of the high-profile original series debuting on Peacock:

‘Intelligence’

1/2 (out of four)

ome 16 years after the “Friends” shared one last group hug and headed off into the syndication sunset, David Schwimmer returns to episodic comedic TV with “Intelligence,” a sporadically funny but rudderless workplace comedy in which Schwimmer’s Jerry Bernstein is half nerdy Ross, half Michael Scott. Jerry is a socially inappropriate, unduly overconfident American NSA officer who has been sent across the pond to act as liaison with a British cybercrime unit. “I think we could learn a lot from each other, especially from me,” Jerry announces upon his arrival. He thinks he’s in charge. He’s not. As is the case with workplace sitcoms from “Taxi” to “Cheers” to “The Office” to “Brooklyn

Nine-Nine” to “Superstore,” we’re introduced to the ostensibly colorful cast of core characters — in this case, a curiously small and not particularly well-developed group that includes the geeky Joseph (Nick Mohammed, who created the show); the Dame Judi Dench-ish, no-nonsense head of operations Christine (Sylvestra Le Touzel); the wallflower cat lady Mary (Jane Stanness), who is constantly picked on by her colleagues; and the hipster hacker Tuva (Gana Bayarsaikhan), who observes everything with detached irony. Through six episodes, “Intelligence” relies on familiar and easy setups such as everyone in the office having to take a lie detector test (ooh, wonder if we’ll learn some personal secrets about the gang!) and is more concerned with some admittedly clever and politically incorrect one-liners than character development. (Upon meeting the relatively diminutive Joseph, Jerry calls him “John” and says, “Do you mind me asking if you have dwarfism in your family?”) Each 22-minute episode delivers a few chuckles, but is almost instantly forgettable.

‘The Capture’

he limited dramatic series “The Capture,” which originally aired on BBC One last year, is a much more impressive and time-worthy vehicle. This is a slick and entertaining if sometimes overly complicated conspiracy thriller in the vein of “24” that takes the concept of Fake News to mind-bending levels.

Callum Turner is outstanding as Shaun Emery, a British soldier who has been convicted of murdering an unarmed Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan, but on the day of his sentencing, his brilliant defense barrister, Hannah Roberts (Laura Haddock), introduces evidence indicating a technical malfunction in the helmet-cam footage and “proving” Shaun’s actions were justified. That night, CCTV cameras catch Shaun and Hannah kissing at a bus stop, and then Shaun violently drags Hannah away, and she goes missing. At least that’s what the footage shows. As we soon learn, “deep fake technology” allows various organizations with separate agendas to doctor virtually any recorded footage to “correct” events, to charge the innocent with crimes they didn’t commit, to fabricate murders, to bend reality to their sometimes nefarious needs. Shaun is the antihero of the story, but it’s Holliday Grainger’s Det. Rachel Carey who becomes the main protagonist, as she works tirelessly to unpeel seemingly endless layers of trickery and deceit and double-crosses and triple-crosses. This is a great-looking, well-paced, timely thriller, with excellent work by Turner, Haddock and Grainger, and scene-grabbing supporting work from Ron Perlman and Famke Janssen. Even the watchers and the watchers watching the watchers in “The Capture” are being watched, a nifty trick that keeps us involved throughout. Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun Times

J U LY 26, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

SENIORLIVING

Seniors need to stay engaged Is it selective hearing or is it that you can’t hear beyond the mask?

onnection and a sense of community can be critical to well-being as people continue to distance and isolate. It can be challenging, especially for older adults, but there are ways to engage, explore and unwind. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so choose a few things that suit you and commit to them. Remember to pay attention to your social and mental health while taking care of your physical health, and consider these ideas from the Administration for Community Living.

Connect • Use social media to stay in touch with friends and loved ones or reconnect with people you haven't seen in a while. • Take advantage of video call platforms to see faces of family and friends while you talk to them. • Write letters to friends and reminisce about some of your favorite memories. Ask them to write back and share their own favorite memories. • Keep up to date with current events and stay connected to neighbors by reading local newspapers and community bulletins.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

• Explore zoos and aquariums across the country through virtual tours and lessons. Many have live webcams that allow you to watch the animals in real time. • Enjoy artwork from around the world. Thousands of museums and galleries are currently displaying their collections online through virtual tours. • Tour one of the many national parks offering digital tours and experiences you can access anytime from the comfort of home.

Unwind • Check your library's free e-books and audiobooks you can borrow without leaving home. Consider joining a virtual book club to connect with others enjoying the same book. • Host dinner or a game night with friends over a video chat. Word, trivia and acting games tend to work well virtually. • Catch free performances online. Some opera houses and theaters are streaming plays and performances for digital audiences.

Explore

• Watch a TV show or movie while talking to a friend on the phone or over video chat. Many streaming services offer free trials and some even have a way to watch together online.

• Take free courses online. With subjects ranging from computers and cooking to studio arts and foreign languages, there is something for nearly everyone.

For information on services for older adults in your community, contact the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov. (Family Features)

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J U LY 26, 2020

HOME

Practical home upgrades to improve function, ambiance

omeowners tackling interior upgrades often focus their attention on two of the most-used rooms the in the house: the kitchen and bathroom. Tailoring these rooms to your personal preferences may enhance your enjoyment of the space, but most experts recommend thinking long term for the biggest return on your investment.

Kitchen considerations

As the hub of activity for many households, the kitchen is a space that commands efficient, functional design. Aside from the practical issue of losing access to the space while it’s under construction, there’s another important challenge for homeowners to consider when tackling a kitchen remodel: for maximum return on your investment, avoid making choices that are too trendy or personal. Design trends come and go, so while a contemporary update is almost always a good idea, many design experts recommend sticking with classic looks and styles that have broad appeal, especially for big ticket elements like cabinetry. Save your flair for aspects like the backsplash tile or wall color, which can be relatively easily changed. Another area to give special attention is the overall ambiance of the room, which is largely influenced by the light from natural and electric sources. For a room that needs brightening, skylights are a smart option because they free up wall space for more storage and cabinets while adding abundant natural light. However, natural light from above isn’t the only advantage of adding skylights. Some models, such as a Velux solar-powered, fresh-air skylight, can be opened with a remote control to bring fresh air inside, which helps keep the kitchen fresh and rids indoor air of pollutants from daily activities like cooking and cleaning. Skylights can be ordered with light-filtering or room-darkening blinds, which give homeowners maximum control over the exact amount of light they want. Plus, solar-powered blinds come in more than 75 colors and patterns for customizable

design options that allow you to truly make the space your own. Be sure to ask whether the line you’re considering qualifies for a federal tax credit. Solar-powered skylights and blinds are eligible for a 26% federal tax credit on product and installation if purchased and installed by the end of 2020. The credit decreases to 22% in 2021.

A better bathroom

In the bathroom, modern upgrades are also a smart investment. However, many experts recommend considering needs far into the future. Universal design is especially relevant in the bathroom, where simple adjustments can provide added accessibility as you age, and these updates can flow seamlessly into the design. This means considering a vanity with a raised counter height and a taller toilet base, which can add stylish enjoyment no matter your age. Other features like a zero-entry shower deliver high-demand design and

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safety simultaneously. Outside of accessibility-oriented updates, upgrading your fixtures, fresh paint and contemporary tile can go a long way toward transforming a bathroom. If you find your space is still in need of a boost, a skylight may be the answer. Natural light can be that last touch to bring your space from just OK to perfect, and skylights in the bathroom allow homeowners to maximize their natural light without losing any privacy. In a space like the bathroom, where ventilation is a top concern, a choice like Velux No Leak Solar-Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights provide natural light as well as fresh air ventilation to make the environment healthier. They help rid indoor air of bacteria, volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide.

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J U LY 26, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

Expert tips to maximize your victory garden

uarantine and social distancing have inspired renewed interest in gardening and home cooking. These two activities go hand-in-hand as people grow their own produce and herbs that can be plucked just steps from the kitchen where they can whip up tasty creations. In fact, this movement revived the concept of victory gardens, which help people become more self-reliant during challenging times.

What is a victory garden?

Victory gardens were common during World War I and II when people were encouraged to grow their own foods to supplement their household needs and open the food supply for the troops. People would grow fastyield crops in virtually any open soil, whether that be on their properties or in community gardens. Victory gardens are trending in summer 2020 because people want to positively utilize their space while

spending time at home. In fact, more than half (55%) of American adults are gardening or caring for their lawn during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a survey of 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults by Wakefield Research for Miracle-Gro. Growing a victory garden with your family is a wonderful way to bond, enjoy fresh air and lower your grocery bill. With the surge in cooking at home, many Americans are discovering the joy of using fresh items from their gardens.

Get the most out of your garden

Proper care will help ensure a bountiful harvest from your victory garden. Miracle-Gro’s Sara Eff, scientist in gardens at R&D, offers these helpful tips for getting the most out of some of the most popular garden plants: Add supports As garden plants grow, many need a little support. This helps keep leaves out of the dirt, prevents many diseases and strengthens against the elements. For example,

pepper plants should be staked to help support the main stem. Tomatoes benefit from a cage to protect the fruit-bearing branches. Plants like peas, beans and cucumbers love to climb a trellis, plus it makes it easier to pick them. Nourish well Like a multivitamin for your garden, you may consider supercharging your plants with Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules made from a mix of natural and organic ingredients. Specially formulated for growing tomatoes, vegetables, herbs and fruits, you simply apply dry and water in to start feeding. This can help plants grow faster, stronger and promotes higher yields than unfed plants. To pinch or not to pinch Small unnecessary stems and leaves can be pruned or hand pinched to stimulate growth upward. For example, tomato suckers are small leaves off the main stem. Any below the lowest set of flowers can be removed or pinched

GARDENING

off. Be sure to research proper trimming per plant variety as each one is unique. For example, when a basil plant blooms at the top, you pinch it off so that the leaves stay intact. However, you would never pinch tomato flowers because that’s what turns into fruit. Second harvests With a bit of smart planning, you can enjoy multiple harvests that provide fresh foods into fall. Early maturing crops like lettuce, radishes and beets can be replanted mid to late summer and provide another round of produce. For second plantings, choose fast-maturing, disease-resistant varieties of plants. For example, some leafy greens, such as kale, prefer cooler weather and can even survive frosts. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to growing your own victory garden. For additional gardening tips and planting advice, visit www.miraclegro.com. (BPT)

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16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J U LY 26, 2020

PETS

Ways you can support your pet’s immune system

p to 70% of a pet’s immune system is contained within his or her digestive system. “The digestive tract has immune cells that provide surveillance and are the front-line protectors to catch potential issues when pets eat something that’s not good for them,” said Michael Hayek, Ph.D., director of companion animal technical innovation for Exclusive® Pet Foods. “Since the digestive tract is so large, these cells comprise a large percentage of the total immune activity in dogs and cats.” To encourage owners to learn more about the importance of pets’ digestion and how it supports their overall health, Exclusive Pet Foods with the Comfort Care™ Digestive Health Support System has designated August as Pet Digestive Health Month. Hayek underscores the importance of monitoring what dogs and cats eat by offering these tips:

Limit or avoid human food

Resisting an adorable, begging, furry face can be difficult. Hayek suggests reaching for a few extra kibbles or a treat formulated for the nutrition of cats and dogs. However, remember to also limit the number of treats each day.

Avoid extreme stress

Family vacations are a good example. If boarding your pets, keeping them on a consistent diet can support digestive health until they are back to a normal routine.

Be aware of what your pets could get into Keep garbage covered or in an enclosed space. Look around for small items pets could ingest.

Look for anything in your yard they shouldn’t eat, and make sure dangerous foods such as chocolate are out of reach. “Dogs are naturally curious and want to explore everything,” Hayek said. “I guess you could say they eat first and ask questions later. Having things in the house or backyard they should not get into may be the biggest threat to their digestive health.” To support overall digestive health, it’s also important for owners to provide pets with a food with ingredients selected for ease of digestion. For example, the Comfort Care Digestive Health Support System in Exclusive Signature pet foods is composed of a combination of fiber (beet pulp), prebiotics (chicory root or yeast) and probiotics. A proprietary yeast is also used as part of the system. The company has conducted research that demonstrated this particular combination supports digestive health when present in the formula. Hayek recommends, along with providing the right combination of fiber, prebiotics and probiotics, owners consult their pets’ veterinarians if particular problems persist. For more information, please visit exclusivesignature.com. (Family Features)

J U LY 26, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

No-cook summer breakfast porridge By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Editor

nce your kids turn the last page of the classic bedtime story “The Three Bears,” tell them that when they wake up in the morning, they’ll get to mash and measure some healthy ingredients and watch them whirl all together in your blender for their own bowls of nutritious and filling porridge. You’ll actually be preparing a very thick smoothielike concoction that the kids can ladle into cereal bowls instead of drinking glasses, and top with colorful fresh summer fruits and berries. When they grab their spoons and dig in, they’ll quickly discover that their porridge is not too hot, not too cold, but “just right.” Gather all these ingredients on your counter, and you’ll have this no-cook breakfast together in minutes.

Porridge ingredients: 1/2 4 1/2 1

cup uncooked rolled oats tablespoons low-fat cottage cheese cup milk large ripe banana

6 raw almonds or walnut pieces Juice from 1/2 of a lemon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Topping ingredients:

Favorite fruits, such as sliced kiwi, and fresh berries in season, such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.

Here’s the fun: 1. While one child peels and mashes a banana on a plate with a fork, another may wash the berries, and juice the 1/2 lemon. 2. Meanwhile, an adult should place the oats in the blender and pulse a few seconds into a coarse powder. 3. Add the remaining porridge ingredients in the blender and blend, adding extra milk a tablespoon at a time if necessary, for desired consistency. 4. Serve in bowls, and let kids add their favorite fruit toppings. Makes approximately four 1/2-cup servings.

Alternative ideas: • Peel, slice and freeze the banana the night before for a cooler porridge. • Add a few strawberries or raspberries to the blender for a sweeter pink porridge. • Add 2 tablespoons freshly ground flaxseed. I buy mine in bulk and grind it in my coffee grinder before adding it to the porridge ingredients. 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.” © 2020 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

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SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

J U LY 26, 2020

CROSSWORD TIME

J U LY 26, 2020

Opinion

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 9

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

READERLETTERS

No Honor from Pelosi On Dec. 5, 2019, (this date is from Google) reporter James Rosen asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if she hated President Donald Trump. She replied that she was raised in a good, Catholic home and they didn’t hate anybody. “Don’t mess with me on this.” I sent the following email to her sometime after that in response. If I were writing to her today I would have LOTS more to say. I never received an acknowledgment of receipt or a reply: My parents were die-hard Democrats and if they were alive today they would not be in the Democrat Party. My parents were honorable, and the Democrat Party has completely lost all HONOR. They were also good, practicing Catholics who followed ALL church teachings. The Democrat platform has several items contrary to Catholic teaching, abortion just being one of them. Yet no outrage from you. Honor? I’m 78 and have never heard a sitting member of Congress publicly call any president a "M-Fer" and laugh about it as Rashida Tlaib from Michigan did. I’ve also never heard a sitting member of Congress publicly call on people to surround people from the current administration while they are at restaurants, gas stations or where they live, as Maxine Waters did. People acted on her suggestions. Again, no outrage from you or any other Democrat. NO HONOR! You say no one is above the law. I say only Democrats are. The corruption in the Barack Obama administration with the FBI and FISA was a shock. NO HONOR and no outrage! Democrats have turned California into a cesspool and I don’t want the same thing to happen to our country, or the Constitution or Bill of Rights being trampled upon. Earn your honor back by having all Democrats in Congress not take a paycheck until the American taxpayer is reimbursed for the Russia “investigation” and the Mueller Report. Judy Propri Castaic

Renaming Park Is Controversial For once I agree with Councilwoman Marsha McLean, in that, she said the renaming of Central Park is “a divisive issue for our community.” I believe renaming the park in memory of such a tragedy is NOT what would bring healing or peace to our community. Casey McMichael Saugus Submit a Letter to the Editor

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

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

Who Decides What Right Is? By David Hegg

recently met a man who was the epitome of post-modern thought in that he did not believe in absolute truth. All definitions of right and wrong were, for him, merely societal constructs made up by those in power. He had determined not to play society’s game and so had developed his own system of ethics in which there was no absolute standard and, therefore, no personal accountability. Of course, he shot down his own system by dogmatically stating that all truth was relative. I guess he never took Logic 101. Even so, he got me thinking about the way most of us determine what is right and wrong. In the study of ethics this topic often involves understanding two competing positions, that of consequentialism, and non-consequentialism. As you can gather from the labels, they both have to do with the consequences of our actions. For a consequentialist “right and wrong” are determined on the basis of how the action taken will affect well-being. The consequences determine the moral quality of the action. An example might be a starving man who steals a loaf of bread from a baker who has them by the dozens. Since the bread will not really be missed, and will save a life, the action could be considered morally acceptable. But not so for a non-consequentialist. For these folks, “right and wrong” are determined by a previously determined law, principle, or standard. The man who steals a loaf of bread is wrong because he has broken the law, plain and simple. We see the tug-of-war between these two systems all the time. Take the question of immigration. Non-consequentialists insist that those entering the country illegally are criminals and should be treated as such. But the consequential argument states that many who come in provide the necessary labor for industries that would be severely damaged if they had to pay the wages most American citizens demand. Further, to deport those here illegally could divide families, and end up hurting the children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in the States. This is an oversimplification, but you get the idea. There are many more arguments on both sides, but they all grow out of one of these two philosophical soils. Another example is the abortion issue. As

you can guess, the battle lines are often drawn between these two ways of determining right and wrong. Abortion advocates voice their support along the lines of the dire circumstances that many women find themselves in. To avoid negative consequences such as unwanted children, the financial burdens of such children, the shame of extramarital pregnancy and other general inconveniences, abortion is deemed morally acceptable. Yet, for non-consequentialists, ending the life is wrong simply because God, who brings all life into being, has said so. There is no question that we all can see the point of both systems. Who among us doesn’t feel the pain of a father who, unable to provide for his family, comes across the border illegally to find work? And who doesn’t also understand that the rule of law is a necessary element in our ordered society? But, as is always the case, choices themselves have consequences. If we choose to continue down the road of consequentialism in our country we will sooner or later become a society that believes the ends justify the means, and right and wrong will ever be evolving. We will become a people enslaved to pragmatism and at the mercy of whoever has the most power to decide which consequences will win the day. As much as the consequential view may tug at our hearts, in our minds we know that right and wrong cannot be left to the shifting sands of consequence. Every area of human intelligence, from science and math to biology and literature, exists because there are set laws and formulas and rules that demand our adherence. And ultimately, the reason our universe, with all of its complexity, continues to exist is that there are fundamental laws that cannot be violated without great peril. Such a universe argues for a designer, and its unchangeable laws certainly argue for a supreme lawgiver. It is from this foundation that mankind has always built its understanding of right and wrong, and if we turn away from this now we will do so to our ultimate undoing as a nation. Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.

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