Sunday Signal August 18, 2019

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AUGUST 18, 2019

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INTO THE SCV’S GREAT OUTDOORS

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

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Locally Owned and Operated

AU G U S T 18, 2019

NEWS FEATURES

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5 Scientists hope dreams lead to discovery 6 Experts weigh in on right time to refinance 7 Where the Santa Clarita Valley gathers to get outside

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LOCAL NEWS

9 SCV students go back to school 10 Castaic High School: a timeline Barger opposes plan to scram men’s jail 11 Details emerge about crash 32 Santa Clarita lauded as hard-working city

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

12 Santa Clarita parks — a fun and safe way to play

TECHNOLOGY

13 How to check if a website is legitimate

FROM THE CITY MAYOR SPORTS

15 Bauer, Glasnow among SCV products in the pros

THINGS TO DO

16 California’s ‘must-try’ golf courses

DINING GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT

23 Surreal beauty abounds at Bryce Canyon

KIDS & FAMILY

24 Six play activities that can help manage ‘bad behavior’ Four easy DIY projects to go back-to-school in style 25 Donna’s Day: Squeeze in last outings before labor day

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

28 Sprinkler timing issues, clearing plumbing lines

HEALTH & BEAUTY

29 Cholesterol plummets after giving up bread

PROFILE

30 Jason Crawford: Bringing Hollywood to Santa Clarita

TIME RANGER SENIOR LIVING

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GARDENING

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

Scientists hope dreams lead to discovery

By Brennon Dixson Signal Staff Writer

METRO CONNECTION

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hether it’s the ancient Egyptians’ belief that dreams are the gods communicating with us, or a more modern theory — that dreams may hold the secret to curing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia — we’ve been trying to understand what happens when we fall asleep for thousands of years.

“There has been a pretty wild notion that dreaming is a manifestation of your subconscious and that it’s an expression of unresolved conflicts one had during the day,” said Dr. Alon Avidan, director of UCLA’s Sleep Disorder Center and professor of neurology at UCLA, but the evidence from studies conducted at UCLA’s Sleep Laboratory isn’t conclusive.

“It’s interesting because, nowadays, dreams are recognized as hallucinatory experiences that the interpreter tries to put some meaning behind,” Avidan said. “But there is very little or not enough data to show this is an expression of any subconscious experience — so perhaps we’re putting too much meaning into what the dreams mean.”

Nightmares could come more often when somebody has undergone a traumatic event, Avidan said. “After 9/11, people were experiencing a high occurrence of nightmares, so it’s probably a window into one’s stress

There might be a lot be a lot we can learn about ourselves from the way we dream — but not in the way we traditionally think of, according to Dr. Alon Avidan, director of UCLA’s Sleep Disorder Center and professor of neurology at UCLA.

level, if they’re an adult.”

Individuals may also feel like they’re in a nightmare if they’ve experienced terrifying hypnagogic hallucinations, which are more commonly known as sleep paralysis — when a person feels like they’re fully awake but can’t move, according to Avidan.

“In most patients, it’s related to sleep deprivation,” Avidan said.

“There have been some myths and explanations attached to this on social media like alien abduction theories, where individuals lose all concepts of space and time so they think they were taken hostage on an alien ship. But really, the physiologic explanation is when people wake up,

Dr. Alon Avidan, director of UCLA’s Sleep Disorder Center and professor of neurology at UCLA. PHOTO COURTESY UCLA SLEEP CENTER

but they are still technically asleep so they’re paralyzed.”

But not all dreams can be dismissed as hallucinations, according to Avidan.

“I’ve come to understand there are certain dream experiences that may point toward more significant or clinical conditions or disorders that we as clinicians need to be more concerned about,” Avidan said, before sharing the specifics of REM sleep behavior disorder, or RBD. “It’s very, very interesting because (REM sleep behavior disorder) may put one at risk for a neurodegenerative disease later in life,” Avidan said, explaining how RBD is similar to sleepwalking, but a much more extreme form of parasomnia.

“Without a doubt, the question I am most often asked by reporters, inquirers, students and most people everywhere who discover that I study dreams is, ‘What do my dreams mean?’”

Patrick McNamara states on his website Dream Catcher. “Even if dreams do carry some meaning (and I believe that they do), no one has any validated method for reliably extracting those meanings from any given dream.”

Usually when one is sleeping, their muscles are paralyzed but patients diagnosed with RBD can often be seen punching, kicking, screaming or trying to to swat bees, hit a ball or fight all while dreaming, Avidan said.

N E W S F E AT U R E S

“But the problem with RBD is that it often leads to injury, because we’ve heard of patients of punching the wall or punching their spouse or lifting a heavy dresser and suffering serious fractures to the skull.

“RBD is also a sign that somebody may be at risk or is susceptible for neurodegenerative diseases, like dementia or Alzheimer’s,” Avidan said. “So when patients begin to act out their dreams, in about 10 years, two-thirds of them will develop Parkinson’s Disease, and the longer it continues, the more likely people are to develop other neurodegenerative diseases.”

This is why Avidan and other clinicians at the UCLA sleep lab are looking to develop a medication or therapy that can help patients before they develop the neurodegenerative diseases.

It’s a window of opportunity and it’s based on the diagnosis of dreams,” Avidan said. “It’s too late to cure it once they develop the disease, so we want to begin to try to intervene to delay or prevent the conversion later in life to dementia. That’s why this (dreaming) clue is really, really important, because we may finally be able to develop a medication for dementia.”

It’s like having fair skin and being susceptible to getting skin cancer, Avidan said. You can put on sunscreen to protect you, which is what the prospective therapy or medication would seek to do.

“It’s really bizarre and interesting and patients always ask, ‘Where do we go from here?’ But that’s a milliondollar question,” Avidan said. “I think we must find out if we can we take a medication to prevent the onset of neurodegenerative disease before we find out what’s next.”

Currently, there is a clinical trial at UCLA trying to understand RBD patients, and if there are other conditions, such as loss of smell, depression or constipation that could patients at a higher risk of contracting neurodegenerative diseases as opposed to somebody who just has RBD. “We can speak for hours on that, really,” Avidan said, “but we’ll just have to see.”

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Experts weigh in on right time to refinance

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

What’s the status on mortgage rates?

Mortgage applications increased by more than 5% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

“The Federal Reserve cut rates as expected last week, but the bigger influence on the financial markets was the beginning of a trade war with China. The result was a sharp drop in mortgage rates, which will likely draw many refinance borrowers into the market in the coming weeks,” Mike Fratantoni, MBA senior vice president and chief economist, said in a Mortgage Bankers Association news release on the data released in August. “The 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to its lowest level since November 2016, and the drop resulted in an almost 12 percent increase in refinance application volume, bringing the index to a reading over 2,000 - its highest over the same time period.”

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 3.6% in mid-August this year and 3.05% for 15-year fixed-rates, according to Freddie Mac. The refinance volume is expected

METRO CONNECTION

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ith mortgage rates tumbling down in recent weeks, millions of homeowners could save more than $150 a month from refinancing. But those considering a look at reducing their monthly payment have a few questions to ask themselves before making a decision, according to local financial experts.

“Is now a good time to refinance?

That’s an individual decision and there’s some outside factors to consider,” said Robert Brode, a real estate professor at College of the Canyons.

The goal in a refinancing transaction is to change an old loan for a new and better one to help homeowners’ save money or lower payments, but it comes at a cost. How long you plan on living in your house, where your credit score stands and what your financial goals look like all affect how refinancing plays out for borrowers.

Here are some factors to consider to help decide whether to jump in or wait on refinancing:

While the goal in a refinancing transaction is to change an old loan for a new and better one to help homeowners’ save money or lower payments, there are a number of factors homeowners should consider, according to the experts.

to rise even higher — an indication that homeowners should “lock that rate now. The bottom line is that the best time to refinance is when rates have fallen enough for you to save money,” said Holden Lewis, mortgage expert for NerdWallet.

How does my credit profile play a role?

For those considering to jump in while rates are low, having an improved credit score since attaining the original mortgage loan will help homeowners save more monthly and break-even quicker.

“There are a number of steps to help prepare for refinancing. As with any loan, borrowers should make sure their credit scores are healthy to obtain better refinance rates,” said Cheryl Young, senior economist at Zillow.

Tip: For those with a credit score below 720, consider seeking an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan as they can be a better deal than private mortgage insurance or conventional loans due to requiring a lower minimum down payments and credit scores, said Lewis.

How much would you save if you refinance?

Mortgage refinancing comes with a price tag, but it’s important to add up all the costs of a refinanced loan to calculate potential savings.

Some of those costs can include an

appraisal, fees for a new lender, credit check, legal documents and filings and closing costs. Even with “no closing cost” loans, borrowers could be paying fees through higher interest rates.

Homeowners should also find out how long they plan on living in the home. If the plan is to sell the property in the coming years, the loan will not be kept long enough to make it worthwhile. One might also want to consider whether there’s at least a 20% equity in the home, according to

financial experts.

“Be sure your finances are in order and that you have some equity in your home. Otherwise, refinancing might cost you more than you could potentially save. Always assess the costs and benefits of refinancing,” said Young.

After obtaining an estimate on costs, find out how long it will take to recover in closing costs. For example, Lewis said, it would take 48 months to break even on $4,800 in closing costs if monthly payments decrease by $100. If you “expect to keep the home for 48 years then you’ll save but if you sell it then you’d lose (money) if you refinance.”

The takeaway

Mortgage refinancing is encouraged when savings are included. Low interest rates, an improved credit score and keeping a loan for longer periods are signs indicating it’s a good time to cut that monthly expense.

Connecting with a local loan professional can help ease the process for those considering to refinance, according to Nancy Starczyk, with the California Association of Realtors and chairwoman of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s important to talk to loan professionals that can give you both scenarios,” she said, “to know how much to save.”

Simple ways to cut mortgage costs Monthly mortgage payments are the biggest single expense for many homeowners. So it’s understandable why plenty of homeowners would love to trim those costs.

While homeowners may feel as though there’s little wiggle room to cut the costs of their mortgages, there are several ways to do just that and potentially trim years from the life of a home loan: • Make bi-weekly payments. Making bi-weekly instead of once-a-month payments can save homeowners substantial amounts of money. A year’s worth of once-a-month payments equates to 12 payments per year. But homeowners who pay on a bi-weekly basis will make 26 half-payments, or 13 full payments, per year. That extra annual payment can be applied directly to the principal, dramati-

cally reducing how much homeowners pay in interest over the life of their loans.

• Stop paying PMI. Homeowners whose initial down payments are less than 20 percent of the sale price will have to pay private mortgage insurance, or PMI. But once the balances on such mortgages falls below 80 percent, homeowners can cancel such insurance. Homeowners may also be able to stop paying PMI by having their homes reappraised.

• Request a tax reassessment. Real estate values increase and decrease, and homeowners who feel their homes have decreased in value can request that their homes be reassessed. Homeowners whose homes are assessed at a value lower than the current value can expect to pay less each month in taxes. (MC)

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Where the Santa Clarita Valley gathers to get outside

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

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here is something fundamentally healthy about being outdoors. For children, it can give them the freedom to run, jump and play. And while physical activities like these are good for their health and physical development, it also allows them to explore their natural environment and adventure.

“To this generation, it is imperative that kids be full of the memories of hiking, camping, swimming, storytelling around the campfire, boating, exploring and understanding the grace of nature and big sky country,” said Al Ewing, County of Los Angeles, recreation services leader, “as opposed to walking through life fixed on a tiny screen and shooting aliens in a 10-by-12 bedroom as a matter of lifestyle.”

There are plenty of ways to get your kids outdoors and do just that here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Scouts BSA

Scouts BSA is a year-round program that provides fun, adventure, learning, challenge and responsibility for youth with a plethora of outdoor activities for everyone’s interests, according to Jeff Shrewsbury, district executive for the Western Los Angeles County Council.

Both girls and boys can become Cub Scouts from kindergarten, and

Coach Jen So, left, demonstrates how to draw and aim the bow for beginners Yuri Gumatay, 13, center, and his father, Orlando. The Santa Clarita Archery Range in Canyon Country is one of the many places where families can enjoy recreational activities in the great outdoors of the SCV. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

will progress into Scouts at 11 years old until they turn 18 or graduate high school.

Each troop varies, but all try to do an outdoor activity once a weekend and at least one big trip every month, Shrewsbury said.

“Every weekend, they try to get together, whether it be a hike at a local park or swimming,” Shrewsbury added. “We have several hundred merit badges that cover every outdoor activity you could think of.

We’re super active.”

Shrewsbury considers Scouting a “staycation,” where not only do they offer almost every sport, but they

The Scouts BSA, seen here during the recent SCV Fourth of July Parade, take part in a number of learning activities while camping and simply exploring the outdoors.

PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

also offer a variety of other outdoor adventures, including sailing, scuba diving, rock climbing, fishing, white water rafting and camping.

Nearby, Scouts also have Camp Emerald Bay on Catalina Island, which Shrewsbury said is “one of the best summer camps in the United States.”

Scouts BSA’s local office is located at 24338 Walnut St. in Newhall. For more information, call 661-284-6330 or visit scouting.org.

Girl Scouts

Like Scouts BSA, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success.

Any girl in grades kindergarten through 12th grade can join the Girl Scouts, and will be placed in the appropriate grade level according to what grade they’re in at school.

Troops can visit various day camps, weekend camps and summer camps, with a variety of activities such as archery, zip-lining, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and more, as well as weekend adventures.

Through their outdoor offerings, girls face challenges and adventures in an all-girl supportive environment, which allows them to find courage, confidence and character, according to Anne Marie Hand, director of program and community engagement.

“Our mission is to provide girls opportunities of being outdoors,

unplugging from technology and reaping the benefits of nature,” Hand said. “Learning how to preserve the environment and become environmental stewards while connecting with each other and with nature is important for these girls.”

As of last month, Girl Scouts has rolled out 12 new outdoor-adventure badges, sponsored by NorthFace, such as rock climbing and backpacking, Hand added.

Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles has also just launched a campaign to finish the rebuilding of Camp Lakota, a second overnight camp in the area, which will be open for summer camp season in 2020, according to Melanie Larsen, senior communications manager.

“It’s been a work in progress for many years, and we’re really, really excited that it’s finally opening next year for resident camp,” Hand added.

Troops can also utilize various local camps to do outdoor activities, including daytime activities as well as high adventure days and overnight experiences, according to Hand.

“One of the main things we try to do as a council is to try to provide opportunities that girls or troops wouldn’t be able to find on their own, especially in outdoor and STEAM,” Hand added.

Girl Scouts’ local office is located at See Outdoors, page 8

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

OUTDOORS

Continued from page 7

18316 Soledad Canyon Road in Canyon Country. For more information, call 661-287-1985 or visit girlscoutsla. org.

Michelle Chambers, 10, swings on the rings in the kids play area at Bridgeport Park in Valencia on Thursday. The city alone has 35 parks that residents can enjoy. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

SCV Archery

The archery range is available and open to the public seven days a week, from dusk ‘til dawn, and you can bring your own equipment or sign up for an introduction to archery workshop.

On select dates and times, SCV Archery hosts free and low-cost introductory classes, including one-onone coaching and group events.

The range, which recently opened in May, is currently trying to study what the community needs in order to implement classes and workshops to meet those needs, according to head coach, Rene Paguia.

Currently, they offer a beginner class every Saturday from 9-11 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for those who want to try archery.

“We teach them how to shoot and they learn the rules of the range, safety rules, as well as how to command the bow,” Paguia said.

They also offer a six-week training course on Mondays and Wednesdays for people who want to learn more.

“They start with learning the basics, and if we see their motor skills are improving, we will then introduce them to more advanced shooting skills,” Paguia said. “The camp can also lead them to becoming competitive if they choose to later on,where they can participate in tournaments.”

Classes are open to anyone age 8 and above, and are taught by USA certified coaches, which means they follow a certain shooting process.

SCV Archery is located at 21450 Copper Hill Drive. For more information, visit scvarchery.com.

Placerita Nature Center

The Placerita Nature Center offers numerous ways the community can interact with nature, all of which are free, according to Ranger Frank Hoffman, head ranger and park supervisor.

Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon, for example, families can go on an easy, hour-long nature walk to explore the natural area’s animals, plants and cultural history.

The center also offers an interactive animal presentation on Saturdays from 1-2 p.m., when guests can see, learn and ask questions about the live, native animals of the Placerita Canyon and surrounding Santa Clarita Valley.

Though the animals vary from season to season, they typically have a number of animals on the premises to showcase, including owls, falcons, hawks, snakes, tarantulas, tortoises, lizards, a skunk and an opossum.

Similarly, the center offers other monthly, hour-long walks, such as bird walks for birders of all levels, twilight hikes to learn about and discuss nocturnal creatures and the seasonal night sky, and blooms of season for those looking to see what is seasonally blooming year-round along the trails, or monthly community nature educational events in partnership with guest speakers related to all things in the natural environment.

The Junior Rangers Program has also returned to the park with Ranger Frank and his friends, covering topics ranging from fire ecology with Smokey Bear, local birds of prey and falconry, wild canines and felines, and much more. Junior Rangers should be at least 6 years old, so they can understand and appreciate the lessons, and parents and siblings are welcome too.

Placerita Nature Tots offers a similar program with explorations into the natural world for younger children, age 3 to 5, accompanied by an adult.

The Placerita Nature Center is lo-

cated at 19152 Placerita Canyon Road in Newhall. For more information, call 661-259-7721 or visit placerita.org.

William S. Hart Regional Park

The 256-acre park not only has dedicated space for picnics, barbeques, hiking and group camping, but more than 70 animals in their barnyard, from an African tortoise to alpacas, as well as a herd of American Bison that roam the property, according to Ewing.

The park also offers various outdoor events, including Movies Under the Stars, which shows a different movie outdoors every couple weeks during the summer months and Music in the Park.

Throughout the year, Hart Park hosts various A Day at the Ranch events, each of which focus on various fun, educational topics, such as their upcoming event scheduled for Nov. 9 that will focus on celebrating one of the most important trees in the history of our state — the mighty oak.

William S. Hart Regional Park is located at 24151 Newhall Ave., in Newhall. For more information, visit parks.lacounty.gov/william-s-hartregional-park or call 661-259-0855.

Castaic Lake Recreation Area

Castaic Lake is the largest state water project reservoir in Southern California, with more than 11,000 acres of parkland and open space habitat.

Park gates are open from sunrise to sunset, and it’s open every day of the year except Dec. 25.

The lakes are open to various water activities, including boating, fishing,

wakeboarding, jet-skiing, swimming, kayaking, sailing and more.

The park has more than seven miles of trails for all levels, beginner to experience, to explore, all of which are open to mountain bikes, equestrians and hikers.

The park also offers camping and picnicking locations throughout.

Castaic Lake is located at 32132 Castaic Lake Drive in Castaic. For more information, call 661-257-4050 or visit castaiclake.com.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park

Vasquez Rocks in a 932-acre park that offers hiking and camping among its unique rock formations.

The Interpretive Center showcases various exhibits and interactive displays with information on the movie filming done on site, reptile exhibits, geological information and more.

The park also offers star parties, organized by The Local Group, which gives visitors an opportunity to see the constellations, planets and distant galaxies.

On Saturday evenings once every few months, the local astronomy club will have telescopes set up in Vasquez Rocks Park free of charge. The group can also help to get a personal telescope up and running. Their next star party is scheduled for Oct. 26.

Vasquez Rocks is located at 10700 West Escondido Canyon in Aqua Dulce.

For more information, visit parks. lacounty.gov/vasquez-rocks-naturalarea-and-nature-center or call 661-2680840.

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

LOCALNEWS

SCV students go back to school

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

K

icking off the 2019-20 school year, William S. Hart Union High School District officials opened up Castaic High School and two district Wellness Centers Tuesday.

Castaic High School opened to its first freshman class after decades of anticipation, and the Wellness Centers located at West Ranch High School and Canyon High School have been a part of the district’s push for mental health awareness on campuses over the last two years.

Castaic High opened to approximately 330 ninth grade students whose 2023 class is set to be the first graduating Coyote class in history.

Officials said that, including the 330 students at Castaic, close to 23,000 students were also heading back to school across the district Tuesday.

“I welcomed the first student on to campus this morning,” said Linda Storli, a Hart District governing board member. “It’s amazing considering how four years ago there was nothing but dirt, and now we have this.”

In terms of classroom space, close to one dozen teachers will work with a dedicated math and science building, a 400-seat performing arts center, more than 800 on-site parking stalls and more than 250,000 square feet of space.

From classroom sizes to the availability of advanced placement class spots, parents said they were confident that the district would provide for their students.

However, one concern that parents at a handful of district schools expressed was the issue of bullying, a topic that ties into the district’s major push this year of social-emotional wellness across the district.

“It’s a huge deal for me, because my son is black and I am not,” said Alyssa Williams, a parent at Castaic High School. “And I have had to go to school to set things straight...And I think there’s a line between bullying and just being kids.”

“I know they’ve been pushing anti-bullying and things like that,” said Tammy, a mother who declined to give her last name, but had just dropped off her child at Castaic High

From left: Castaic High School Project Manager Randy Wrage; William S. Hart Union High School District governing board members Steve Sturgeon and Linda Storli; Hart District Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht; and Developer Larry Rasmussen attend the opening day of Castaic High School. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

School. “But, I don’t think we’re going to have a problem with that.”

Bullying, as well as other social-emotional issues such as anxiety, depression and relationships, are all part of the district’s attempt this year to educate “the whole student,” and in terms of the Wellness Centers, Storli said the idea had been practiced already at Academy of the Canyons, and was seeing success.

“This is the first year for the district where (wellness) is an ultimate priority,” said AOC Principal Pete Getz. “But we’re kind of unique here, because we’re smaller ... and we’ve had a wellness room on campus for going on three years now.”

Getz said that student social-emotional wellness is a part of educating the whole student, and that after he and his staff had committed themselves to pursuing emotional health among their peers, they wanted to give the students a similar opportunity. The idea of working on a variety of mental health topics eventually became student-driven at AOC, as well as a template for what would be used across the district going into this year.

“They’re on the internet all the time and their phones, and they see so

Castaic fast facts

• 804 parking spots • 168 classroom • flatscreen TVs

• Grading: 8,945,451 cubic yards of earth • Drainage systems: +$15M • 197 gross acres of property • 15 buildings on campus much,” said Christy Alben, president of the Parent Advisory Council at West Ranch High School. “And we, as parents, we didn’t have to deal with that while growing up, and I think we as parents are looking to the district for guidance and how to guide those issues.”

Alben said she thinks parents realize that getting into college or planning out life after high school is a challenging time for young students, but that also there are a number of issues kids might not feel comfortable talking with their parents or friends about, and the Wellness Centers can help with that.

In terms of quality of teaching, Alben said she believes in the quality of the district’s teachers and that

• +75 contractors worked on this project • 16 local companies • Averaged about 200 tradespeople per day • Workers contributed a total 1,122,831 man-hours of work Source: Randy Wrage, project manager

another popular concern raised by parents in public schools, safety, is not a concern of hers.

In addition to the Wellness Centers on district campuses, the district rolled out its Wellness Wheel last year — a website that grants anonymity and provides information on the district resources available to students and families within the district, as it relates to a chosen topic.

“I can see where the Wellness Centers could be abused, ‘I don’t want to take the test, I want to go to the Wellness Center,’ but I don’t think that’s going to happen very often,” said Storli. “And once we get them up all through the schools, it’s going to be wonderful.

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

LOCALNEWS

Castaic High School: a timeline

By Brennon Dixson Signal Staff Writer

I

t’s been nearly two decades since the William S. Hart Union High School District began exploring the possibility of a new high school in Castaic, but the delay is over with the long-awaited campus welcoming its first crop of students Tuesday.

Plans for Castaic High School began in the late-1990s, when community leaders agreed that the Castaic community should have a high school to call its own — but the district had no land or funds for the project.

The search for a location began in 2001, and multiple sites were considered before being withdrawn from consideration for various reasons.

2001

A $158 million bond measure known as Measure V passed in 2001 and kickstarted the Castaic High School development process, according to district officials.

“It dealt with construction and modernization projects predominantly at Arroyo Seco, Canyon and Saugus High Schools,” Hart District trustee

Members of the Castaic High School cheer team, left, welcome students of the inaugural class of Castaic High School to their first day of school.

PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Steve Sturgeon said. “There was also some activity related to Hart and the measure did have a component for Castaic. It was to review and study potential sites that could be elected.”

But the residents of Castaic felt they shouldn’t have been overlooked because they needed a school in the local area.

Castaic resident Flo Lawrence said

back in 2008, “We voted for Measure V, and saw the money go everywhere but to our community.”

As a result, Hart District trustees weren’t sure if the community would support another bond measure.

May 2008

During a special meeting of the Castaic Area Town Council, former Hart District Superintendent Jaime Castellanos informed a room full of frustrated Castaic residents that there was no timeline to build a high school in Castaic and it likely wouldn’t open until at least 2012.

Trustees admitted at the time that plans for Castaic’s high school had fallen through due to financial issues and other challenges, but they were hopeful they’d be able to get a bond See CASTAIC, page 12

Barger opposes plan to scrap men’s jail

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

S

upervisor Kathryn Barger was the only member on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to oppose the county’s plan for a new jail, calling it “a step backwards for public safety and treating the mentally ill.”

Barger cast the only dissenting vote against a motion co-authored

by Mark Ridley-Thomas and Janice Hahn to scrap the design-build contract for a state-of-the-art jail, saying it was a step backward in the county’s effort to replace the aging and obsolete Men’s Central Jail.

Supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of the plan to terminate the entire design-build agreement the county made with McCarthy Building Companies Inc. for the design and construction of the Mental Health Treatment Center.

Ridley-Thomas and Hahn said in their motion that more has to be done assessing the scope of the project and, specifically, that the original project scope for the Mental Health Treatment Center, as specified by the county and reflected in the design-build agreement with McCarthy Building Companies does not reflect

the board's present thinking, priorities and strategies.

offenses and their prospective threat to public safety.”

concern over Tuesday’s decision.

Mental health need

No relief

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement, also issued in a news release Tuesday: “The Board of Supervisors’ actions to cancel the McCarthy contract — the Mental Health Treatment Center design for Men’s Central Jail — is irresponsible because it would leave high-security inmates who are housed in single cells without a place to stay.

“We agree to the movement, ‘Care first jail last.’ However, this also neglects our mental health inmates’ needs for appropriate treatment as required by law.”

Villanueva called the decision a public safety issue.

“Should something awful happen to a member of our community, it lies directly with the Board of Supervisors’ action taken today,” he said.

Part of the approved motion calls for the county’s chief executive officer and director of Public Works to report back to the board in the next 30 days, in writing, on the feasibility of demolishing the Men’s Central Jail.

Barger argued that there is an urgent need for a mental health facility made up of 6,700 beds.

“The contract terminated Tuesday was based on a study conducted by Health Management Associates and took into account ongoing activities in Los Angeles County to increase diversion and further the development of linkages with community services,” Barger said in a statement made in a news release issued late Tuesday afternoon.

“Even with these robust diversion efforts, HMA projected a need for a mental health facility consisting of 6,700 beds. With the rise we have seen since this study was commissioned, it is clear that we have exceeded those projections and are in need of a new facility.

“Without a plan for replacing the outdated Men’s Central Jail facility, the county is choosing to maintain the status quo,” she said. “One-third of the county’s jail population has mental illness. The Office of Diversion and Reentry has estimated that they can potentially divert 56% of those mentally ill based on their

“(Tuesday’s) decision does not provide any relief or support to our existing inmate population or the staff who work there,” Barger said.

“The Office of Diversion and Reentry has done a good job of working with the justice partners to safely divert significant number of inmates from our county facilities.

“However, based on the current and projected numbers, there is a need for additional capacity,” Barger said. “We have heard from our contract cities and from our crime survivor community that returning to the drawing board only kicks the can down the road for improvements to rehabilitation.”

Over a decade and tens of millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent to develop the jail plan that was rejected Tuesday.

A new plan will take another four to five years and cost taxpayers additional millions of dollars. Inmates in jail have a constitutional right to mental health services – and the new jail was designed to provide safe and effective programming space.

The county’s top cop also voiced his

LASD: ‘irresponsible’

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

LOCALNEWS

Details emerge about crash

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

D

etails regarding the wild ride reported by motorists making their way along Bouquet Canyon Road Saturday evening continue to slowly emerge as investigators try to figure out what happened.

The incident happened Saturday

around 6:45 p.m., when first responders received word of a motorist speeding, weaving between lanes, driving on three wheels that caused sparks from a rim, crashing into several vehicles and driving into oncoming traffic.

The erratic driving unfolded a block from Fire Station 111 on Seco Canyon Road at Bouquet Canyon Road, prompting an immediate re-

sponse from firefighters on “B” shift.

When it was all over, the wayward car came to rest facing oncoming traffic between Seco Canyon Road and Alamogordo Road. At least four vehicles were hit by the wayward motorist during the incident.

“The crash happened on Bouquet Canyon Road, near Seco (Canyon Road),” Brian Stevens, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Depart-

ment, said Wednesday.

Firefighters and deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station were dispatched at 6:50 p.m. with paramedics arriving at the scene within five minutes, Stevens said.

“The call was for a traffic collision with a Silverado versus oncoming traffic,” he said, noting paramedics arriving at the crash immediately See CRASH, page 32

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Santa Clarita parks — a fun and safe way to play

By Ken Striplin City Manager

R

ecreational opportunities abound in the City of Santa Clarita.

From afternoons spent cooling off at the Aquatic Center to playing a friendly game of softball at Central Park, you will find residents enjoying time with family and friends at our parks every day of the week.

These opportunities are important for maintaining the high quality of life we enjoy in Santa Clarita, which is why the City Council joined other municipalities throughout the country in proclaiming July 2019 as Parks and Recreation Month.

With 34 parks scattered through-

CASTAIC

Continued from page 10

measure on the upcoming November ballot.

November 2008

The Hart District was able to secure a voter-approved $300 million bond measure known as Measure SA, which listed a Castaic-area high school as one of its top priorities.

“It was actually the No. 1 priority,” Sturgeon said, adding that, at the time, the school was expected to be completed between 2012 and 2014.

July 2010

Hart District trustees unanimously agreed in July 2010 to select Romero Canyon as the site of what’s now known as Castaic High School.

“The 5-0 vote means the William S. Hart Union High School District will begin a preliminary environmental impact report on the Castaic property owned by local developer Larry Rasmussen,” Signal Assistant City Editor Tammy Marashlian reported in 2010.

The decision capped off a nearly decade-long search.

August 2010

Shortly after it was announced that

out Santa Clarita, residents are never far away from a place where they can go to get active or simply relax.

In 2019 alone, the City has invested time and resources into maintaining and updating a number of our parks.

Earlier this year, City staff completed the resurfacing of the sports court at Old Orchard Park, which included replacing the 4,300-squarefoot outdoor basketball court.

One of the themes of the Santa Clarita 2020 Plan is Sustaining Public Infrastructure, and projects like this help the City achieve its goal.

City staff recently completed the construction of a new play area, shade structure and restroom facility at Copper Hill Park. This specific location was originally built as a grass recreation area by Los Angeles County, prior to being annexed into the City.

The park master plan was originally proposed to homeowners by the

original developer and we are happy to be able to make these promised amenities a reality.

I am also excited to report that a hot summer day doesn’t have to mean skipping an afternoon of fun at the park. We have installed new shade structures at a number of parks including Oak Springs Park, Pamplico Park and Santa Clarita Park, with others in the planning stages. These vital structures ensure that our children can use the playground equipment comfortably and be protected from the sun.

A new project in the works is the addition of an Inclusive Play Area at Canyon Country Park. This play area, which will be the first of its kind in Santa Clarita when it opens to the public later this year, will create an enjoyable environment that provides for physical and social inclusion for people of all ages and abilities.

Earlier in 2019, the City held a pair of public meetings to gain feedback from residents about proposed features. I am proud to say a number of these suggestions have been incorporated into the design of the Inclusive Play Area as it nears the construction phase.

The parks in Santa Clarita are beautiful spaces to be active, for children to let their imagination run wild and for the community to come together, relax and connect with friends and loved ones.

Please take time this week to visit your local park to enjoy all it has to offer — and be on the lookout for news about more upgrades in the future.

the 200-acre site in Romero Canyon was chosen as the location for the 58-acre high school campus, some residents living in Romero Canyon began to voice their opposition.

“They were concerned about traffic and roadway access,” Sturgeon said, discussing the rural environment and ranches that scatter the area.

told Signal Staff Writer Luke Money at the time.

June 2019

April 2013

With a unanimous vote at a board meeting in 2013, Hart District trustees named the long-awaited Castaic school site Castaic High School.

“This is a momentous occasion for the Hart district,” said Joe Messina, a current board member who was board president at the time. “In naming the high school, we have moved that much closer to realizing a permanent home for our Castaic children.”

May 2013

Residents and project stakeholders gathered to celebrate their progress at a groundbreaking ceremony held in early May 2012.

“From here, construction will begin on the school itself with the goal of opening it to an inaugural class of ninth-grade students for the 20162017 school year,” district officials

Oct. 19, 2016

The Hart District board approved a contract to begin construction of Castaic High School.

“We are thrilled to be moving on to this next phase of construction and are that much closer to teaching students at Castaic High School,” Hart District Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht said in 2016.

August 2018

The future students of Castaic High School joined state legislators, district leaders, parents and Santa Clarita Valley stakeholders on Aug. 3, 2018, at the school site to celebrate one year until the opening of the school.

The grinding and sounds of machine work rung in the background as children and adults alike attempted to guess the purpose of each building during their walk up the long road to the ceremony.

October 2018

Leaders of the William S. Hart Union High School District unveiled the colors and coyote mascot that will adorn Castaic High School uniforms and apparel for years to come.

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.

Just weeks away from opening, Castaic High School was without vital utility connections, including natural gas lines, which could have led to a delay in the school’s Aug. 13 opening, according to reports. But the crisis was averted through teamwork.

August 2019

Officials from the Hart District and Castaic High School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 7, in celebration of the school’s impending grand opening.

The future

“I’m really excited,” Castaic resident Flo Lawrence said Monday. “I’m going to go out there (Tuesday) morning and welcome all the new students to school.

“It’s time Castaic had a high school,” Lawrence added. “I’m grateful for all the unnamed people who fought and helped us to get this done.

“This is a school for the next 50 years and this won’t only be the signature school for the Hart District,” according to Lawrence, “but it could possibly be one for the L.A. area and California as a whole.”

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

How to check if a website is legitimate

By Kim Komando Signal Contributing Writer

METRO CONNECTION

there a way to see if a link is Q: Islegitimate before you click it? I’d

hate to get malware from just clicking the wrong thing.

A: Navigating the internet can be especially tricky sometimes, and it’s getting even worse as the days go by. It’s hard enough to watch out for phishing scams that seek to pilfer your private information, but you’ve also got to make sure something as simple as clicking on the wrong link won’t send you spiraling down into a terrible rabbit hole.

Luckily, there are several ways you can verify if a link is legitimate or scammy. If you’d like to be more vigilant about your online safety, try one of these reliable ways to see if a link is safe before you click it.

Run links through ScanURL

One of the easiest ways you can check a URL is by copying it and then pasting it into the confines of

Navigating the web can be especially tricky sometimes. Luckily, there are ways you can verify if a link is legitimate or a scam.

ScanURL (https://scanurl.net), a website that takes your link and runs it through several queries via secure HTTPS connection.

It checks Google Safe Browsing, PhishTank, and Web of Trust, the website’s online Whois record about the owner, and combines them to provide an instant approval or warning if you should visit the site or not.

Kaspersky VirusDesk

Kaspersky is a trusted name in the world of online security, especially when it comes to viruses. That means another great source to cross-reference if you’re looking to try and

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figure out if a link is legit is Kaspersky’s own VirusDesk tool (virusdesk. kaspersky.com).

It will scan links you provide it with as well as actual files you can upload.

It’s all very simple to use and done right from your browser, making it even easier for you to check anything you’re unsure about.

All you need to do is grab the URL you need to be scanned, paste it into the box, and click “Scan.” After that, Kaspersky VirusDesk will let you know if your link is safe.

If for some reason you believe the link may be safe, you can click the

TECHNOLOGY

“I disagree with the scan results” option to help Kaspersky employees better tweak their findings, and even contact you via email with what they figure out.

Check Norton Safe

Like Kaspersky, Norton is another trusted name when it comes to online security. Its online tool, Norton Safe Web (safeweb.norton.com) will scan a site for malware at your discretion.

You just need to copy and paste the link into the browser bar.

When you proceed, you’ll get a special rating that will let you know whether the site is safe to visit or not.

It features a summary of potential computer threats, identity threats, or “annoyance factors” that could result in some particularly frustrating visits to a website.

For information on Kim Komando on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks, visit her at Komando. com.

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

F R O M T H E C I T Y M AY O R

Head back to school with the ‘Heads Up!’ public safety campaign

By Mayor Marsha McLean

B

ack to school season is a time for growth, learning and new opportunities.

From meeting new teachers and making new friends to learning new subjects and possibly attending a new school — children often delight in the change that back-to-school time brings. This time of year also brings increased traffic, particularly in the mornings for school drop-off and afternoons for pick-up. In order to ensure that you and your loved ones get off to a great, and safe, start this school year — I want to emphasize the importance of practicing safe habits when walking, biking and driving throughout the City.

The City of Santa Clarita values the

safety of our residents and continuously strives to keep collision rates on a downward trend. In 2017, the City partnered with the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department to create the “Heads Up!” public safety campaign, which aims to increase awareness about driver, cyclist and pedestrian safety.

The ongoing campaign is a reminder to everyone to take precautions each time you travel. No matter what role you play on the road, it is always important to see and be seen and follow the rules of the road.

As children return to school this fall, make sure to keep the “Heads Up!” campaign in the forefront of your mind. City streets will become increasingly busy, especially around residential areas and schools. Doing

something as simple as leaving early to ensure you do not rush, or speed through town will make roads safer for everyone. Additionally, heightening your awareness as you drive up to a crosswalk might give you the extra cushion of time needed to see a little one hustling off the curb to catch the school bus.

Driving is a huge responsibility, and although it is a part of our everyday lives, we should never take the task lightly. I encourage all residents to practice these five basic safety tips that will make a large impact when out on the road: stay within the posted speed limits, do not text and drive, stay focused when driving, do not drive when you are extremely tired and encourage others to drive safely.

As a pedestrian, remember to cross only at designated crosswalks and stay vigilant when doing so. Taking the precautions of holding your child’s hand, and checking left, then right and left again, before stepping into a crosswalk can potentially protect you from being struck by a car.

While the long, relaxing days of summer may be behind us, we can all look forward to a fresh start this school year. As a community, we can work together to make our City a safe environment for all. Happy back-toschool season, and I wish everyone a fun, exciting, learning-filled year!

For more information about the City’s “Heads Up!” award-winning public safety campaign, please visit santa-clarita.com/HeadsUp. Mayor Marsha McLean is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at mmclean@ santa-clarita.com. The views expressed in her column are those of the city and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal.

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15 www.jetworldpowersports.com

SPORTS

Bauer, Glasnow among SCV products in the pros Keston Hiura

By Diego Marquez Signal Staff Writer

M

aking his MLB debut July 21 against the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants pitcher and The Master’s University alumnus Conner Menez got the nod once again, starting in two games the week before last and again on Sunday.

Getting called up from Triple-A Sacramento before an Aug. 6 game against the Washington Nationals, the rookie lefty surrendered six hits and five earned runs, while striking out four and walking three batters before being pulled after the sixth inning.

The Giants lost the game 5-3, giving Menez his first loss of his Major League career.

Menez’ third start of the year came five days later against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Things started out nicely for Menez as he struck out the first three batters he faced, but he was pulled after 1-2/3 innings of play.

In the second inning, Menez put two batters on base to begin the inning and allowed a run to cross the plate after another bases-loaded walk.

Menez was pulled with two outs in the second inning after giving up three earned runs on two hits while striking out four and walking three.

Menez was recalled to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday. In three Major League starts, Menez has an ERA of 7.11, 14 strikeouts and eight walks in 12.2 innings of work for the Giants.

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman and Valencia alumnus Keston Hiura has proven his batting skills belong in the major leagues after winning the National League Player of the Week award in July after an 11-game hitting streak that catapulted his batting average on the week to .517 and his slugging percentage to .966.

In August, Hiura recorded eight hits total, executing a three-hit game and hitting two home runs in a 8-3 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Since being called up from the minors, the second baseman has accrued 61 hits in 204 at-bats, 14 home runs and 32 RBIs with a .367 on-base percentage, .588 slugging percentage and a .299 batting average.

Trevor Bauer

After being traded to the Cincinnati Reds from the Cleveland Indians, Trevor Bauer made his Reds debut in a 5-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on Sunday, Aug. 4.

The Hart High grad lasted 4.2 innings after giving up three earned runs on seven hits, striking out four batters and walking three others in the loss.

Rebounding in his Reds home debut on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, Bauer earned his first win with his new team. Bauer impressed the home crowd by striking out 11 batters in seven innings of work on the way to a 5-2 Reds win.

Bauer is 10-8 on the year in 26 appearances with a 3.74 ERA over the course of 168.1 innings and has struck out 200 batters.

Tyler Glasnow Former The Master’s University athlete Conor Menez made his MLB debut last month against the New York Mets. He was one of several SCV alumnus to make a splash this week in Major League baseball.

PHOTO COURTESY SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Originally expected to be out four to six weeks with a right forearm strain, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow remains on the injured list after removing himself from a May 10 game against the New York Yankees.

At the time, the former Hart pitcher was leading the American League starters with a 1.86 ERA going 6-1 on the year.

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AU G U S T 18, 2019

THINGSTODO

California’s ‘must-try’ golf courses

The 36-hole Indian Wells Golf Course is one of the few properties to have two courses ranked in the Top 25 “Best Municipal Courses in the United States” by Golfweek Magazine. PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

G

olfers in the Santa Clarita Valley are fortunate to have several exceptional golf courses where they can drive, putt and seek that elusive “hole-in-one.”

The Oaks Club at Valencia, Sand Canyon Country Club, Valencia Country Club, Vista Valencia Golf Course and Elkins Ranch Golf Course in Fillmore give SCV residents a variety of private golf clubs and public courses to “make par.”

However, most golfers desire to play at least one, or more, of California’s iconic or “vacation-worthy” courses.

The California coastline provides the sublime backdrop for some of the PGA’s most famous gatherings: the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the Monterey Peninsula and the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Open, as well as the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

Both courses also offer opportunities for the public to live out their dream of golfing “like the pros.”

Here’s a few options where you can perfect your swing and enjoy

beautiful scenery at the same time.

Most courses give priority tee times to those staying at resorts and hotels associated with the course.

Pebble Beach Golf Links

1700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach Info www.pebblebeach.com/golf/ pebble-beach-golf-links Open to the public, the Pebble Beach Golf Links may be among the most iconic golf courses in the United States, if not the world. Fans of golf know all the holes, and the history of the course, first opened in 1919.

It is rated the No. 1 public course in the country. Pebble Beach is located on one of the most spectacular landscapes and seascapes in the world … near Monterey.

Perhaps one of the most famous holes in golf is the short par 3 seventh hole, which plays at a little more than 100 yards even during major championships. It is one of the most photographed holes in the world.

All guests of Pebble Beach Resorts can reserve a tee time at Pebble Beach Golf Links up to 18 months in advance, subject to minimum stay requirements.

The green fee for Pebble Beach is $550, a far cry from the 1970s when

you could play the course for less than $100.

If you feel like gambling you can book a tee time a day out without the resort stay (pay an additional $45), but it is far from a sure bet you’ll get on the course.

Torrey Pines Golf Course

11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla Info www.torreypines.com A stay at La Jolla’s The Lodge at Torrey Pines gives you priority tee times at this fabled golf course, or book a tee time (around $250) 90

days in advance, without a lodge reservation.

The scenery of velvety-green cliffs, the area’s namesake pines and the Pacific is beautiful enough to satisfy even a nongolfer. In addition to golf, there are 8 miles of trails in nearby Torrey Pines State Park to wander and explore when not teeing off.

La Quinta Resort

49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta Info www.laquintaresort.com/golf La Quinta Resort and Club offers avid golfers a choice of five 18-hole golf courses to explore. You don’t

Pebble Beach Golf Course is rated the No. 1 public course in the country.

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

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Quail Lodge Golf Club

La Quinta Resort and Club offers avid golfers a choice of five 18-hole golf courses to explore.

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is one of the most highly regarded courses in the Palm Springs area.

Stadium Course at PGA West

Greg Norman Course at PGA West

Mountain Course at La Quinta

Dunes Course at La Quinta

Carved from an ancient ocean, this Greg Norman-created course captures the essence of the outback. This challenging design features an abundance of sand, pockets of wildflowers, nine lakes and panoramic vistas.

Walk in the footsteps of golf legends on this course, ranked among the best courses in the world. Home of the Desert Classic Golf Tournament, this par-72 course was designed by Pete Dye. Nestled at the base of the picturesque Santa Rosa Mountains, this course is famed for its Pete Dye design, playability and stunning visuals.

This ultra-challenging course features pot bunkers, rock formations, elevations of tee boxes and well-bunkered greens.

Jack Nicklaus Course at PGA West

This course offers a challenging desert layout. Long hitters will appreciate the opportunity for power off the tee, while elevated greens require you to literally raise your game to another level. The dramatic beauty of this course can make you forget this

This 72-par course, designed by Pete Dye, offers traditional rolling-links style golf with Scottish and Irish flair, characterized by rolling mounds, manicured fairways and thick rough. Length, strength and finesse are key to scoring on this course, which has hosted the PGA Club Professional Championship and the Californian State Open.

clubhouse and is one of the few properties to have two courses ranked in the Top 25 “Best Municipal Courses in the United States” by Golfweek Magazine. The Celebrity Course and Players Course, known as “Beauty and the Beast,” have hosted Golf Channel’s “Big Break” and the PGA’s “Skins Game.” Both courses are located within walking distance from four

8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel-By-The-Sea Info www.quaillodge.com/golf The 18-hole championship golf course at Carmel’s family-friendly Quail Lodge was designed by Robert Muir Graves in 1964 and later refined

by Todd Eckenrode. It features shortgrass areas that surround the greens for more shot options, as well as grass swales that come into play on seven holes. There’s also an on-site academy for those duffers who want to polish golf skills with the aid of a pro.

Reviews of this Monterey Peninsula golf course say the 6,500-yard, par 71 Carmel Valley golf course “is perfect for the walking golfer of all ages and skill, offering just enough bite to make it interesting.”

You don’t have to stay at the lodge to play the course. Online reservations are available for advance tee times with costs ranging from $120 to $170.

SUMMER SALE Now! On

Indian Wells Golf Resort

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18 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

Lucille’s Bar-B-Que 24201 West Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 255-1227

Pocock Brewing Company 24907 Avenue Tibbits, Valencia (661) 775-4899

Q&Q Hawaiian BBQ 27530 Newhall Ranch Road #101, Santa Clarita (661) 383-9098

Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. 27746 N. McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 263-9653

Rattler’s BBQ 26495 Golden Valley Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-4195

AMERICAN Backwoods Inn 17846 W. Sierra Highway, Canyon Country (661) 252-5522 The Backyard Grub n’ Brews 26509 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita (661) 286-1165 Bergie’s 16404 Delone Street, Canyon Country (661)251-3133 Black Angus 27007 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 288-2000 Brooklyn Bar & Grill 25860 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 284-6057 The Cheesecake Factory 24250 Town Center Dr #110, Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 286-1232 Claim Jumper 25740 The Old Road, Valencia (661) 254-2628 Crazy Otto’s Diner 25373 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 291-1733 The Daily Harvest Cafe & Juicery 22722 Lyons Ave #6, Newhall (661) 383-9387 Eat Real Cafe 23414 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 254-2237 27530 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia

Marston’s Restaurant 24011 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 253-9910 Nealie’s Skillet 25858 Tournament Road, Valencia (661) 678-0031 Newhall Refinery 24258 Main St, Newhall (661) 388-4477 Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co 18810 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 252-7883 Route 66 Classic Grill 18730 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 298-1494 Saddle Ranch Chop House 24201 Valencia Blvd., Valencia (661) 383-0173 Salt Creek Grille 24415 Town Center Drive, Valencia (661) 222-9999 Souplantation 24303 Town Center Drive, Valencia (661) 286-1260 Stonefire Grill 23300 Cinema Drive, Valencia (661)799-8282 The Old Town Junction 24275 Main Street Newhall (661) 702-4888 The Social 23329 Lyons Ave, Ste A, Valencia (661) 799-9155

(661) 254-2237Iconic Eats 23460 Cinema Dr, Valencia (661) 481-9404

Thelma’s Cafe 22876 Copperhill Drive, Saugus (661) 263-8283

Grilled Cheese Factory 24201 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 888-1508

Wing Stop 18547 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-9700

Iconic Eats 23460 Cinema Dr, Valencia (661)481-9404 Islands 24180 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 284-5903

BBQ Black Bear Diner 23626 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 799-4820

Lazy Dog Cafe 24201 Valencia Blvd., Valencia (661) 253-9996

Dickeys Barbecue Pit 18742 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 251-0840

Mama’s Table 23340 Cinema Dr, Santa Clarita (661) 284-5988

L&L Hawaiian BBQ 18727 Via Princessa, Canyon Country (661) 251-8333

Smokehouse on Main 24255 Main St, Old Town Newhall (661) 888-4585 Wood Ranch Bar-B-Que & Grill 25580 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 222-9494

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

Casa Canela 27647 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 523-7282 Crazy Otto’s Diner 25373 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 291-1733 Egg Plantation 24415 Walnut Street, Newhall (661) 255-8222

Eggs N Things 27560 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 702-8664 Halfway House 15564 W. Sierra Highway, Saugus (661) 251-0102 Mama’s Table 23340 Cinema Dr, Santa Clarita (661) 284-5988 Marston’s Restaurant 24011 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 253-9910 Mimi’s Cafe 24201 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia (661) 255-5520 The Old Town Junction 24257 Main Street, Newhall (661) 702-4888 Saugus Cafe 25861 Railroad Avenue, Saugus (661) 259-7886 Way Station Coffee Shop 24377 Main Street, Newhall (661) 255-0222

BREWERIES BJ’s Restaurant 24320 Town Center Drive, Valencia (661) 288-1299 Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. 18810 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 252-7883

BURGERS/SANDWICHES Bricks 23820 Lyons Ave, Newhall (661) 286-1091 Brother’s Burgers 20655 Soledad Canyon (661) 299-9278 Burgerim 23740 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 670-8939 Corner Bakery 24290 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 259-2813 Cousins Burgers 19318 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 298-4200 Everest Burgers 18645 Soledad Canyon Road Santa Clarita, CA 91351 (661) 252-3412 Final Score 23754 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 254-6557 Firehouse Subs 23630 Valencia Blvd. Valencia (661) 255-3473 Five Guys 24201 W, Valencia Blvd #3672, Valencia (661) 255-0981 The Habit 25948 N. McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 291-1575 Italia Panetteria & Deli 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 294-9069 Jimmy Dean’s 22941 Lyons Ave, Newhall (661) 255-6315 JJ’s Bar and Grill 25848 Tournament Road, Valencia (661) 799-7557 Panini Palace 23120 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 678-0552 Pita Pit 28253 Newhall Ranch Road (661) 702-9977 Red Robin 27063 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 260-2411 Route 66 Classic Grill 18730 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 298-1494 Rustic Burger 24025 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 254-1300

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 19

DININGGUIDE

Rustic Eatery 25343 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 254-8100 Submarina California Subs 26517 Carl Boyer Drive, Canyon Country (661) 259-4782 Tiny’s Submarine Sandwiches 27251 Camp Plenty Rd, Canyon Country (661) 251-5885

CHINESE China Express 19417 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-8783 Golden Wok Restaurant 16668 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 424-0888 Grand Panda 23802 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 253-1898 27924 Seco Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 297-9868 Mandarin Wong Chinese Restaurant 23758 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 259-5823

New Moon 28281 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 257-4321 Pei Wei Asian Diner 24250 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 600-0132 Pick Up Stix 25960 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 288-2090 WaBa Grill 19120 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 367-7297 31739 Castaic Road, Castaic (661) 295 9222 Wok’s Cookin’ Chinese Restaurant 31565 Castaic Road, Castaic (661) 257-2890

CUBAN Hidden Havana Cuban Cafe 23548 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 254-4460

Moon Wok 23460 Cinema Drive Suite H, Valencia (661) 288-1898

DELICATESSEN Bob’s Country Meats 19012 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-5995 Cathy’s Delicatessen 23120 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 288-2217 Italia Panetteria & Deli 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 294-9069 Maria’s Italian-American Deli 22620 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 259-6261 Mariciano’s Chicago Style Deli 18635 Soledad Canyon Road (661) 299-1100 The Sandwich Shop 25530 W. Avenue Stanford, Valencia (661) 257-4811

FRENCH Le Chene French Cuisine 12625 Sierra Highway, Agua Dulce (661) 251-4315

GREEK Gyromania 20655 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 252-4976

INDIAN

An Indian Affaire 23360 W. Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 288-1200 Karma Restaurant, Bar & Lounge 23460 Cinema Drive, Valencia (661) 288-0080 Royal Tandoor 26532 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 263-7100

ITALIAN Bella Cucina Ristorante Italiano 27911 Seco Canyon Rd, Saugus (661) 263-1414 Buca di Beppo 26940 Theater Drive, Valencia (661) 253-1900 See DINING GUIDE, next page

& Sun Tues-Fri pm -6 3pm

BREAKFAST on the Weekends until 1pm!

BEST MENUDO in Town!

Open nch for Lu s-Fri

Tue :30pm 11am-2

As a family owned and operated business.

Our restaurant is truly a labor of love, and it shines through in every savory Sonoran dish.

MESQUITE GRILL & CANTINA 24274 Main Street, Old Town Newhall,

FOR RESERVATIONS: 661-284-6615 OPEN: 11am Tues-Fri, 10am Sat, 9am Sun

Thank you Santa Clarita for voting for voting us the best Vietnamese Restaurant in SCV. It is our pleasure serving you.

Pho Sure

Santa Clarita’s Favorite!

So Much More Than Pho Call ahead and order to-go!

(661) 257-3888

23876 Copper Hill Dr. • Valencia, CA 91354

20 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

DININGGUIDE

DINING GUIDE

Continued from previous page

Italia Panetteria & Deli 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 294-9069 Maria’s Italian-American Deli 22620 Lyons Ave, Newhall (661) 259-6261 Numero Uno Pizza 26111 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 252-5011 Olive Garden 27003 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 799-8161 Piccola Trattoria 18302 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country (661) 299-6952 Presto Pasta 24375 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia (661) 284-7737 Spumoni Restaurant 24917 W. Pico Canyon Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 799-0360

JAPANESE & SUSHI Achita Sushi 22913 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 476-5522 Asako Sushi 27540 Sierra Hwy, Canyon Country (661) 251-6010 Bonsai Garden 19358 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-9008 Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining 27025 McBean Pkwy, Valencia (661) 254-2355 Hibiki Restaurant 27625 Shangri La Dr., Canyon Country (661) 298-0273 I Love Sushi 26526 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita 661-673-5200 Kabuki 24045 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 799-8655

FAST DELIVERY At Our Valencia LOCATION ONLY pizzadimarco.com

Family Owned Since 1985

Pizza • Pasta • Sandwiches • Salads

Dine In - TakeOut - Delivery

661.295.8769 661.295.5605

Fax: (661) 295-9533 Min. Order $12.00

Kisho Japanese Teppan Grill & Revolving Sushi Bar 23430 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 284-3856 Masa Ramen 27051 McBean Pkwy, #101, Valencia (661) 254-4229 My Hot Pot 26238 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 288-1998 Shogun Sushi Japanese Restaurant 26807 Seco Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 513-0015 Sushi 661 26850 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita (661) 252-9831 Sushi Song Japanese Restaurant 22896 Copper Hill Dr, Santa Clarita (661) 297-5659 Xevichez Sushi Bar 24250 Town Center Dr #180, Santa Clarita (661) 288-1477 Yamato Restaurant 24947 Pico Canyon Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 799-0707

KOREAN & MONGOLIAN Charcoal Korean BBQ Restaurant 19158 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-9292 Flame Broiler 18519 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661)252-5918 Genghis Khan 24506 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 254-0351 Gogi House 26524 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 263-0048 Kogiya 2 Korean BBQ 23410 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 678-0999 Lee’s Korean BBQ & Tofu House 23360 West Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 254-2307 Sam’s Flaming Grill 24802 Orchard Village, Santa Clarita (661) 222-9060 19433 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 298-0115 25347 Wayne Mills Pl, Valencia (661) 254-2154 23874 Copper Hill Dr, Valencia (661) 294-1100 ZingGa Grill 26910 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita (661) 250-7592

MEDITERRANEAN Cafe O 20655 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 424-0401 Flame & Skewers 25870 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 799-7538 Grill Kabob 27653 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 263-7445 Kebab House 24201 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 799-5844 Manoushee Mediterranean Restaurant 27131 Sierra Hwy, Canyon Country (661) 251-6666 Olive Terrace Cafe 28261 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 257-7860 Zankou Chicken 24463 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia (661) 705-7265

MEXICAN Azul Tequila 25387 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 254-5500 Betito’s Mexican 18902 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661)251-0557 Cabo Cabana Restaurant 25710 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 222-7022 Casa Pasilla 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 295-1989 Dario’s Mexican Restaurant 24523 Newhall Avenue, Newhall (661) 255-6868 El Trocadero Mesquite Grill & Cantina 24274 Main Street, Newhall (661) 284-6615 La Cocina Bar & Grill 28022 Seco Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 297-4546 La Charrita Restaurant 24225 Main St, Newhall (661) 288-1204 Las Rocas Mexican Grill 27923 Sloan Canyon Road Castaic (661) 257-6905 Medrano’s Mexican Restaurant 19319 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 367-4945 Rosarito Grill 19425 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-2732 Solita Tacos & Margaritas 24201 Valencia Blvd., Suite 3470, Santa Clarita (661) 291-1399

PERSIAN Persia Lounge & Restaurant 24328 Main Street, Newhall (661) 259-4100

PIZZA Ameci Pizza & Pasta 28013 Seco Canyon, Santa Clarita (661) 296-6131 Chi Chi’s Pizza 27117 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country (661) 252-4405 23043 Soledad Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 259-4040 Guido’s Pizza & Pasta 26322 N. Friendly Valley Parkway, Newhall (661)252-4111 Magic Pizza SCV 26870 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 291-1921 Mama Mia Pizza 25708 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 286-9183 Pizza Di Marco 27674 Newhall Ranch Rd, Valencia 661-295-8769 Pizza Rev 24341 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia (661) 260-1257 Tomato Joes Pizza & Taps 19167 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita (661) 250-7550 Tomato Joes Pizza Express 27732 McBean Pkwy. Valencia (661) 263-8646 Toppers Pizza 23710 Valencia Blvd, Santa Clarita (805) 385-4444

POLISH Pierogi Spot 26511 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita (661) 254-4850

THAI Original Thai BBQ Restaurant 27530 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 257-6421 Siam Rice II 25845 Railroad Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 287-0099 Sister House Thai Fusion 26879 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita 661-263-9911

VIETNAMESE Pho Sure 23876 Copper Hill Drive, Valencia (661) 257-3888

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 21

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

English Beat coming to Canyon Santa Clarita

By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

T

he English Beat is bringing its internationally renowned sound to the Santa Clarita Valley next week with a stop Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Canyon Santa Clarita.

With four decades of music since the band released “a classic Smokey

Robinson tune ‘Tears of a Clown,’” for its first single in early 1979, according to the band’s website, and the English Beat still plays its lengthy catalogue to generations of fans.

Known for “coming to prominence as founding members of the British Two Tone Ska movement,” the band’s original singer and guitar player Dave Wakeling continues the band’s legacy

of hits like “Mirror in the Bathroom” and “Save it for Later,” among many others.The band still tours with Rancid and remains an influence on countless ska musicians.

Next week’s show promises “The English Beat with an amazing allstar ska backing band playing all the hits of The Beat, General Public and songs from (Wakeling’s) new album

‘Here We Go Love,’” according to the Canyon Santa Clarita website.

Find the Canyon Santa Clarita on the ground floor of the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Get tickets at the box office 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday-Saturday, by phone at (888) 645-5006, or via TicketMaster.com.

For more info, visit Wheremusicmeets theSoul.com.

22 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

= Family Friendly Event

Sunday, August 18, 2-3 p.m. Come to the Placerita Canyon Nature Center for a lecture with Linda Castro, assistant policy director for the Oakland-based California Wilderness Coalition (CalWild), who will provide an informative presentation on the California Desert National Conservation Lands.

You’ll learn what they are, how and when they were designated, and how they are now under threat. 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita.

Info: facebook.com/events/426408588219444/ Sunday, August 18, 2-4 p.m. Come see a stage performance of Tina Howe’s “Painting Churches,” which was a finalist for the 1984 Pulitzer Prize in Drama and the basis for the 1994 film “The Portrait” starring Gregory Peck and Laurel Bacall. $20 general admission; $18 seniors/students. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Seating is first come, first serve. The MAIN, 24266 Main Street., Newhall. Info: atthemain.org/tickets/ painting-churches-64379098617/ Sunday, August 18, 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Please join Muslim Youth of Santa Clarita to celebrate Eid Al Adha! Lots of fun activities, face painting, carnival games, great food and way more! Please pay the tickets amount using the donate link on myscgroup.org. Please add the note “Eid Tickets.”Valencia Glen Park, 23750 Vía Gavola, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/3167902693227630/ Monday, August 19, 6:30 p.m. Taking her inspiration from nature, Abby Diamond creates colorful, unique and evocative landscape collages using torn pieces of magazine paper. Diamond will demonstrate paper collage at the free public meeting of the Santa Clarita Artists Association (SCAA). Barnes & Noble 23630 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita.

ONGOING

Info: santaclaritaartists.org Tuesday, August 20, 7-10:30 p.m. Come Mondays, 9 p.m. to midnight Enjoy to the 10th annual Burrito Bowl CommitLatin dancing nights at Black and Blue tee burrito eating contest fundraiser Restaurant with $5 patron drinks, Coronas to support six local high schools. Westfield or Modelo beer. 24300 Town Center Drive, Valencia Town Center, 24201 West Valencia Blvd, STE 110, Valencia. Info: blacknbluelounge.

Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: scvburritobowl. com/events/ com/about-us.html Thursdays, 6 p.m. Come to The Canyon for Thursday, August 22, 7:30-10 p.m. Back by a night of line dancing lessons and county popular demand, the 8th Annual Comics for music presented by Borderline Bar & Grill. the Cause event brings together numerous Guests 18 years old and older will be permittalented and hilarious comics all under one ted, no parents or guardians needed to enter. roof to make you laugh and raise awareness Show a valid identification upon entry. The for the Youth Project! Laurie Kilmartin, Canyon – Santa Clarita, 24201 Valencia Blvd., Steve Simeone, and Jimmy Shubert are No. 1351, Santa Clarita. Info: wheremusic confirmed to perform. $40-55. Info: theyouth project.ticketleap.com/8th-annual-comics-formeetsthesoul.com/canyon-santa-clarita the-cause/ Fridays, 4 p.m. Hurricane Harbor’s Saturday, August 24, 6:30-10:30 “Dive-In Movies.” Cool off in the a.m. Join the Paseo Club’s seventh Forgotten Sea Wave Pool while a popular annual triathlon. A portion of all proceeds movie plays on a large screen above you. will go to A Light of Hope in its mission to Dive-In Movies give you the unique opporprovide healing and freedom for youth and tunity to float in the water while you families in our community. The race will consist watch. Screenings free with park admission. of a 150-yard swim, 10-mile bike and a 1.25Check the website for lineup and details. Info: mile run. The kids triathlon, 150 yard swim, sixflags.com/hurricaneharborla/special-events/ four mile bike and 1.25 run. 27650 Dickason dive-movies Dr, Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: thepaseoclub. com/event/7th-annual-triathlon/?instance_ EVENTS BY DATE id=1318 Sunday, August 18, 11:30 a.m. Wolf Creek Saturday, August 24, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 Brewery and Longshot Cornhole will host a p.m. Do you have questions or concerns about cornhole tournament to raise funds for the state issues, or need help with unclaimed Valley Jethawks Baseball Club to go to All Star property or dealing with a state agency? SenVillage in Cooperstown, New York. First place ator Scott Wilk’s office will be holding wins $300, second place wins $100. mobile district office hours at the Newhall $60 per two person team. Wolf Creek Brewery, Farmers Market. No appointment necessary.

25108 Rye Canyon Loop, Santa Clarita. Info: 24500 Main St, Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 2861471 facebook.com/events/1504808892988146/ Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join museum scientists and educators, and Placerita Canyon staff Thank you Santa Clarita for voting for voting usand volunteers, to discover the natural CONGRATULATIONS to Barbara Silvers for wonders of Placerita Canyon at the free the best Vietnamese Restaurant in SCV. correctly identifying Italia Panetteria on page 21. community science meetup. Guided It is our pleasure serving you.

Identify this advertiser and the page number in this week’s hikes, nature-inspired crafts, story issue, and you will be entered to win a $100 gift certificate for times, and light snacks will be provided. a local restaurant.

Guided hikes will include pro-tips on how to One game and one winner each week. take photos of wildlife. 19152 Placerita Canyon Mail your entry to The Signal – Contest Rd, Santa Clarita. Info: https://www.facebook.

26330 Diamond Place | Santa Clarita, CA 91350 com/events/681925135613835/ Or email contest@signalscv.com Favorite!

Saturday, August 24, 1-3 p.m. Join The Advertiser: _____________________________ Page # ______ Open Book for a special reading of Dr. Seuss’s Name: _____________________________________________ “The Sneetches” by HOPE Readers Theater Arts group. 19188 Soledad Canyon Address: ___________________________________________ Road, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ Phone: _____________________________________________ events/2257810727867241/ This week’s entries are due Wed. August 28 Saturday, August 24, 2-5:30 p.m. Join the Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

Gibbon Conservation Center for the first

!

WIN

!

WIN

!

WIN

Sure

ever Ape Art Painting Party. Learn how to paint a gibbon with step by step instructions.

Discover your inner artist but beware you may get messy. Ticket includes painting material.

Make sure to bring along snacks, drinks and mix ins if you desire. $45. 19100 Esguerra Rd., Santa Clarita Info: flipcause.com/secure/ cause_pdetails/NjA0NTg= Sunday, August 25, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Come to The Open Book’s “Fantastic Fossils” Sunday Storytime. Not only do we have real fossils to show, but we’re going to explore and learn about them, create our own and work together to see if we can figure out what some of these fossilized creatures might have looked like! Bring your imaginations with you! This event is free, snacks and crafts are provided. Please arrive before 2:30.

19188 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/events/1363678733801192/ Monday, August 26, 6 p.m. Learn. Eat. Repeat. Marston’s Restaurant’s Chef Jim show you how it’s done, you’ll enjoy a generous taste of every dish and leave with recipes! The class is demonstration style and includes tastings of each dish, a recipe booklet, and coffee, soda or tea. Happy Hour pricing is available on beer, wine, and cocktails. Limited seating and reservations are required. $60.

24011 Newhall Ranch Rd, Valencia. Info: (661) 253-9910, marstonsrestaurant.com/ marstons-events/ Monday, August 26, 6-9 p.m. Create a portrait of your fur babies in honor of National Dog Day at Painting with a Twist.

Send us a clear, front-facing photo of your pet to have it pre-sketched and ready for you on class day. A “head and shoulders” picture works best.

Seats are limited, please book in advance. 19115 Golden Valley Rd, Santa Clarita. Info: painting withatwist.com/studio/santa-clarita/ Tuesday, August 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Come to a watercolor workshop at the Old Town Newhall Library. Zony Gordon will be leading a small group in a watercolor painting workshop. Space is limited to 15 people, first come first served. 24500 Main St., Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/2306252779626813/ Friday, August 30, 5-8 p.m. Join Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School for our annual Family Fun Night Luau style! There will be games, prizes, dinner, and more!

Let’s have a night of fun and catching up from summer. 23225 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/events/2294589694129651/

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 23

T R AV E L

Surreal beauty abounds at Bryce Canyon

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

S

outhern Utah has a lot of beauty to behold and some of its most magnificent landscapes can be found at Bryce Canyon National Park.

Attracting about 2.7 million visitors per year, Bryce Canyon National Park might be a bit crowded but is way more manageable to navigate than neighboring Zion National Park, which hosts 4.5 million visitors annually.

This May, my boyfriend David and I were lucky enough to spend a day at Bryce Canyon, which is about 70 miles outside of Kanab, where we were staying for a long weekend.

The drive includes miles of bucolic small towns and family farms, before ascending into winding mountain roads. Since Bryce Canyon is at an altitude of 8,000 to 9,000 feet, there are tall Ponderosa pine and fir trees beautifying the drive — making you wonder, where are the canyons that the park is famous for?

Be patient. They’re just a few miles from the ranger station, where you’ll pay $35 for a 7-day pass and receive a map of the park. The fee also includes access to a shuttle, which stops at the most popular points and trails.

Bryce Canyon boasts the largest concentration of spectacular “hoodoos” in the world, from tall pointy spheres to otherworldly, precariously balanced free-form sculptures. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SATHE / THE SIGNAL

Luckily for us, we were able to find a parking spot quickly at the Rim Trail lot. From there, it took about 100 yards to be blown away at the scene below us, a seemingly endless amphitheater of rocky formations called “hoodoos” in every size, shape and hue of gold, rust, orange, red and white.

Formed over thousands of years, Bryce Canyon boasts the largest concentration of spectacular hoodoos in the world, from tall pointy spheres to otherworldly, precariously balanced free-form sculptures.

After looking in awe for several minutes, we noticed something.

There were tiny dots of movement in

the canyon below. Sure enough, there was a hiking trail called Queens Canyon at the far left of the rim. At just 2.9 miles of fairly flat, straight path, it’s the easiest of the dozen or so hikes available at Bryce Canyon.

Though we didn’t have more than a couple of bottles of water between us, David and I decided to descend into Queens Canyon along with the masses. Every twist and turn brought us to yet another incredible formation or canyon, all set under a brilliant blue sky. It was like being on the most beautiful soundstage possible. Of course, it’s a photographer’s paradise, so we stopped along with everyone else for the requisite selfie or taking turns posing against the insanely beautiful backdrops.

After about a mile, we headed back to the rim, which was a bit more strenuous than the way down, but worth every inch of the climb.

Hungry from our impromptu hike, we headed back into town, which features many non-descript fast, casual places serving pizza, hot dogs and burgers at high prices. Determined to find something better, we cruised along for a few more miles until we came across Bryce Canyon Pines.

With its rustic wood décor and country accents, Bryce Canyon Pines could have been another tourist trap, but we were more than pleasantly surprised with our meals: a savory bison cheeseburger and tender, juicy grilled chicken sandwich with creamy avocado and thick Applewood smoked bacon served on fresh, fluffy focaccia bread.

To top it off, David had a piece of lemon cream pie, a revelation of tart, sweet and creamy atop a textbook flaky crust. The perfect end to a memorable day.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Highway 63, Bryce, Utah 84764. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Bryce Canyon Pines, 2476 UT-12, Bryce Canyon City, UT, 84764.

Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

24 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

K I D S & FA M I LY

Six play activities that can help manage ‘bad behavior’

W

hen children misbehave, there’s often a reason for it, according to experts, who point out that understanding the behaviors can help you manage them more effectively, especially during play time.

“Our bodies want to be in balance and, ideally, we seek out what we need when we need it. When we are hungry, we eat. When we are thirsty, we drink. But when it comes to children whose sensory and nervous systems don’t process efficiently or effectively, this restorative balance may simply look like bad or undesired behavior,” says Ellen Metrick, a toy design consultant and an expert contributor to TheGeniusofPlay. org, who has a background in special education.

During play time, children who are under-stimulated may seek out sensory stimulation by spinning around repeatedly or intentionally banging into walls or even other children.

Children who are over-stimulated may get agitated and retreat from

Climb on a jungle gym Hanging on monkey bars and climbing ladders use a child’s own body as resistance to send signals to the brain and help organize the nervous system.

Have a dance party Games like freeze dance and musical chairs add structure and auditory processing to play. Children receive feedback from their muscles and joints with every step they take.

Children who are under-stimulated may seek out sensory stimulation by spinning around repeatedly or intentionally banging into walls or even other children.

PHOTO CREDIT ©fizkes /stock.Adobe.com

sensory stimulation by crawling under tables.

While playtime is when some of these behaviors may be exhibited, it’s also a chance for parents and caretakers to help children regulate their sensory system,” says Metrick.

“Remember that every individual is different, and if something isn’t working for your child, you can tweak the

activity to fit his or her needs.”

To help, Metrick and The Genius of Play, an initiative whose mission is to raise awareness about the importance of play and help parents make play a critical part of raising their kids, are offering three ideas for activities that will give a needed boost to children who are under-stimulated and crave more sensory stimulation:

Pop some bubbles Jumping up and down on a sheet of bubble wrap can be great fun and the deep pressure will trigger sensory receptors, telling the brain how to control movement and postural balance.

For children who are over-stimulated and need a bit less distraction, consider these three ideas for helping kids focus, from Metrick and The Genius of Play: Tone down the sound Removing extraneous sounds, like music, television and the whirring of a washing machine, may lessen distracting stimuli and improve the child’s focus and engagement in the activity.

See BEHAVIOR, next page

Four easy DIY projects to go back-to-school in style

P

arents spend more than $500 per student for those in grades K-12 during the back-to-school season, according to a new survey from Deloitte.

But back-to-school shopping doesn’t mean your wallet needs to take a heavy hit! With just a little extra time and effort, generic backpacks and supplies can be customized into a personality-reflecting fashion statement.

“Personalized backpacks, binders or even lockers are a great way to show off individual personalities and styles,” said Kate Piche, group product director at DAP. “And with the right adhesive, you can quickly liven up just about any school supply without spending a fortune.”

Start the year off right by transforming your affordable school supplies into fun, personalized pieces with these four simple projects:

Bonus project to create a locker chandelier, start with an inexpensive push light (found at hardware stores) and adhere decorative ribbons or gem stones to the outside rim of the light.

Backpack zipper pull

Locker door décor

Take a school locker from drab to fab by using DAP RapidFuse All-Purpose Adhesive to glue magnets to the back of mirrors, pen cups, clothespins or other decorative objects for cute and practical locker door décor that can be hung without damaging the locker. RapidFuse is water resistant and more durable than typical super glues, making it the best option for the job.

For a backpack that won’t get lost in the crowd, adhere a ring and clip to the back of a wooden ornament.

Squeeze a bead of adhesive onto the metal ring and press onto the back of the ornament for 30 seconds. Once dry, clip onto backpack zippers to create stylish pulls that reflect your kid’s interests! But don’t stop there, liven up your pencil case while you’re at it so it doesn’t get mistaken for someone else’s.

Personalize binders and lunch boxes

Visit a craft store and allow kids to choose decorative patches, buttons, gemstones or even fabrics. The hard-to-bond plastic surfaces typical of binders and lunchboxes are no

match for DAP RapidFuse Plastic Primer Kit. Once you’ve decided on décor placement, use the primer pen, wait one minute, apply RapidFuse All-Purpose Adhesive and press together. Also great for quick fixes around the house, the RapidFuse Plastic Primer Kit ensures a strong, clear bond on all plastic surfaces, allowing you to keep your cherished items, instead of tossing them out.

Teacher appreciation gift

Introduce yourself to your new teacher with a small teacher appreciation gift, like a pen holder or desktop organizer. Glue on letter tiles and spell out their name or subject -- or apply small beads of adhesive to fasten a fun note or name label to extra school supplies you’re donating to the classroom.

For more information to help tackle back-to-school décor and projects, visit https://blog.dap.com/category/ adhesives/. (BPT)

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 25

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Squeeze in last outings before Labor Day

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

S

o little time left, and so much yet to do. Do you feel that way this month, realizing that warm and long summer days soon will come to an end?

Chatting over the fence, my neighbor, a mom of two young energetic kids, lamented how quickly the season is passing by. Many of the outings and activities her family put on a list in June simply never happened. Eager to squeeze in some of the starred favorites before Labor Day, she sat down with her calendar and put them in. In ink.

“So, what made the cut?” I asked.

“We’ll bike to a nearby family-friendly ethnic restaurant,” she said.

“It will be fun to plan a route, park our bikes and sit outside on a breezy patio to eat a meal with new tastes.

We’re also going to an indoor ice skating rink. It’s off-season, so the price is right. Plus, for once, we don’t have to slather ourselves with sunscreen!

“I also saved a day to be grounded in nature and go to a state park. We’ll enjoy a picnic in the woods, and learn

BEHAVIOR

Continued from previous page

Play at a table Using a placemat or cookie sheet under the toy or activity at an empty table provides visual boundaries for focused play. It helps to have feet firmly planted on the ground, rather than dangling, so consider using a child-sized play table.

Create a quiet area Adding soft pillows and blankets to a cozy corner gives children a space to seek respite from environmental stimuli.

Whether your child requires more noise and excitement to satisfy energy needs or less to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, there are ways to tailor playtime to cater to those individual needs.

Parents searching for more play ideas and expert tips like these can visit TheGeniusofPlay.org. (Statepoint)

new things from the naturalists who share their knowledge of the local habitat.”

Like my neighbor, are there still a few things left on your summer fun list? Maybe it’s experiencing a new exhibit at a zoo, visiting a historical site or gathering friends at a nature trail for a picnic by a waterfall. Put them on your schedule now and make them happen.

Get kids involved in the prep before you go, even for mini outings. Choose healthy snacks to take along that they can carry in their own backpacks.

And don’t forget to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Here’s a craft idea to encourage your young school-

age kids to sip water during your adventure. Like supplies on an explorer’s trek, it’s a “canteen” designed with their creativity.

Here’s the stuff you need: • One medium-size plastic or lightweight metal water bottle • One 42-inch strip of 1-inch-wide ribbon • One 3-inch-by-10-inch rectangle of craft foam decorated with stickers or drawings • Household glue Here’s the fun: Glue the underside of the midpoint of the ribbon to the base of the bottle.

Lift the halves of the ribbon upward,

evenly on each side. Glue the craft foam around the bottle and over the ribbon to secure them in place. Tie the loose ends of the ribbon in a knot.

Fill with water and wear over shoulders.

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.” © 2019 Donna Erickson Distributed

by King Features Synd.

CLIP N SAVE Elementary School Menus Menus courtesy of Santa Clarita Valley School Food Services which serves these school districts: Castaic USD • Newhall USD • Saugus USD • Sulphur Springs USD

(choice of one entree, seasonal fruit and milk)

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

Monday, Aug. 19

Triple Berry Blast Mini French Toast Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

Kickin’ Chicken Drumstick & Mashed Potatoes PBJ Sandwich & String Cheese Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar

Tuesday, Aug. 20

Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

Bean & Cheese Burrito Chicken Nuggets Cheeseburger Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar

Wednesday, Aug. 21

Breakfast Pizza Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Fruit Juice

Brunch for Lunch: Maple Burst’n Mini Pancakes & Sausage Patties Popcorn Chicken Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Chocolate Chip Cookie

Thursday, Aug. 22

Scrambled Slider Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

Friday, Aug. 23

Buttermilk Bar Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Mini Corn Dogs Dippin’ Chicken & Sauce Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Brownie Cup Chicken Quesadilla Cheesy Quesadilla Chicken Nuggets Deli Sandwich Smart Choice Pizza Manager’s Choice Seasonal Salad Bar

26 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

FOOD

Toss some shrimp on the barbie at your next party

T

he popularity of cooking-based television shows has led many people to look at food through a new lens. Experiencing food in new ways may involve trying certain types of cuisine for the first time or even preparing beloved foods in new ways.

Shrimp lovers accustomed to shrimp cocktail or other popular shrimp dishes may find that few ways to prepare shrimp can be as flavorful as grilling.

Cooking meals over an open flame imparts a unique flavor to various foods, and shrimp is no exception.

Grilled seafood can be a perfect light alternative to grilled meats, which can be filling, something many people prefer to avoid when the weather is especially warm.

The following recipe for “Grilled Garlic Shrimp with a Fresh Heirloom Tomato Sauce” from Laurey Masterton’s “The Fresh Honey Cookbook” (Storey Publishing) provides a less filling but delicious alternative to more traditional backyard barbecue fare.

3 pounds assorted large heirloom tomatoes 1 small sweet onion, minced 1 garlic clove, minced 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon honey, preferably sourwood honey 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips (chiffonadeis the formal name for this cut), plus more for garnish Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper

Grilled Garlic Shrimp with a Fresh Heirloom Tomato Sauce Serves 6

For the marinated shrimp 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 garlic cloves, minced 36 large shrimp, peeled and deveined 12 6-inch wooden skewers For the tomato sauce

1. To marinate the shrimp, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar and garlic in a large bowl. Stir to combine. Add the shrimp and allow to sit, covered, for 1 hour. Stir occasionally.

2. Prepare a medium fire in a charcoal or gas grill. Soak the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning.

3. To make the tomato sauce, bring a medium pot of water to a boil.

Place one or two tomatoes at a

time into the boiling water. Watch them and, as you see the skin split, remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl of cool water. At this point, it will be very easy to slip off the skins.

4. Cut the peeled tomatoes into a small dice. Put the cut tomatoes into a large bowl. Add the onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and honey. Stir gently to combine.

5. Skewer the shrimp, 3 per skewer.

Grill the skewered shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until they are pink. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and a couple grinds of fresh pepper.

6. Just before serving, add the basil leaves to the tomato sauce. Taste and add more salt if necessary.

7. Ladle the tomato sauce onto a serving platter and arrange the skewers on top of the sauce. Garnish with more basil leaves and enjoy! (MC)

Substitute lamb for beef to make especially juicy burgers

B

ackyard barbecues typically are informal gatherings.

That lack of formality coupled with warm weather makes for a relaxing vibe.

When relaxing with family and friends in their backyards, grillmasters may be tempted to experiment with less traditional takes on grilling staples. For example, according to John Holl, author of “The American Craft Beer Cookbook” (Storey), using ground lamb in place of traditional ground beef can make burgers more juicy. That’s something even the most diehard devotee to burgers will no doubt appreciate the next time you fire up your grill for a get-together in the backyard.

Grilled Lamb Burgers with Local Chévre and MintCilantro Aioli Makes 6 burgers

Mint-Cilantro Aioli 1 cup aioli or mayonnaise 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves

small bowl to fully incorporate the ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

2. Make the burgers: Mix the lamb, eggs, cilantro, garlic, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire in a large bowl until combined. Form the burger mixture into six 7-ounce patties, transfer to a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use, or up to 1 day.

3. Prepare a medium-high fire in a gas or charcoal grill.

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh garlic Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt Burgers 3 pounds ground lamb 2 eggs 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 6 ounces fresh chévre 6 brioche or burger buns 1 head green or red leaf lettuce 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced 1 red onion, sliced 1. Make the aioli: Whisk the aioli, cilantro, mint, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt together in a

4. Transfer the patties to the grill and cook until medium-well, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Remove the patties from the grill. Top the burgers with the chévre, dividing the cheese equally. Let the patties rest for 1 minute.

5. Spread the aioli on the bottom halves of the buns, and then top with the lettuce, tomato and onion. Add the burger patties and top halves and serve immediately.

(MC)

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

INTERIORDESIGN

Storage/display opportunities —

In furniture, along walls and in hidden places

F

inding more space to store and display all the “stuff ” used for day-to-day living, as well as life’s pleasures, can be an adventure that ends with everything in its perfect place. Woodcraft can help you with a few ideas to kick-start your space hunt and then suggestions for tools and supplies to make your storage projects successful.

Small tables with enclosed storage underneath, chests and trunks that provide seating, benches with builtin storage, beds with built-in space underneath or in the headboard, and kitchen islands with concealed nooks are all options to manage “stuff.”

In the kitchen, add drawers to the space (toe-kick) beneath lower cabinets to store rarely used items.

Shelving and bookcases, either builtin or freestanding/open or enclosed, will transform unused wall areas or sections of large closets into instant storage for a wide range of items.

Nooks cut out of the wall and covered by pictures offer one of many concealed storage options that also include nooks or drawers in the sides of enclosed staircases.

The ideas for storage and display projects are endless and can be found through internet searches and on

Woodcraft.com, in books like “Stanley Built-Ins & Storage” by David Schiff, in the Woodcraft blog and in free videos and articles.

Plan for painting up-front

“When choosing where to develop storage and display space, you have the opportunity to rethink the colors in rooms where changes will be made,” Woodcraft Public Relations Manager and blogger Lori Harper said. “By using paint in building, buying or repurposing storage pieces, you can change or supplement an existing color palette.”

Woodcraft stocks a wide selection of finishing and paint products, including the versatile General Finishes Milk Paint, General Finishes Flat Out Flat Topcoat, Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint, and Black Dog Salvage Guard Dog and Show Dog Topcoats.

Above: Using paint in building, buying or repurposing storage pieces, you can change or supplement the room’s existing color palette. Left: This travel trunk from the 1970s is now a reimagined family heirloom storage trunk that fits well into any room.

Building made easy

Pocket-hole joinery is a quick, easy way to join wood pieces for building projects. Kreg makes it simple with a pocket-hole jig for every application to create very strong joints. Check out Festool’s CXS Compact Drill Driver Set for drilling pocket holes and adding pocket screws, as well as handling other dayto-day drilling and driving challenges with comfort. Tight spaces, dark spots, and corners are no match for it.

For projects that require using nearly invisible fasteners, the industrial

Practical and useful this side table with hidden storage.

strength Grex 23-gauge Headless Pinner leaves only the tiniest of entry holes, making it ideally suited for finishing work, detailed woodworking, light wood assembly, decorative trim, dowel and joint pinning, and picture frame assembly. To provide air pressure for the pinner, Rolair’s JC10PLUS Compressor is a good choice. The oilless machine features a 1 HP, single-stage, two-cylinder motor/pump and a stainless steel reed valve that runs on low RPM for optimum quiet operation.

Building drawers is easy with the Kreg Drawer Slide Jig that supports drawer boxes while mounting slides to the drawer. The jig works with ball-bearing, epoxy-coated, and under-mount slides for perfect positioning every time. Whether you’re boring shelf pin holes in a new entertainment center or adding adjustable shelving in an existing cabinet, the Kreg Shelf Pin Jig will help you get the job done quickly and accurately. The Kreg Cabinet Hardware Jig makes it easy to install

knobs and pulls on drawers and doors.

Shortcuts and safety

To save time when building drawers, check out the Ready-to-Use Prefinished Birch Drawer Sides at Woodcraft. For some really made-toorder storage units, use WoodRiver Cubby Cube Connectors. Available in three configurations — cross-brackets, T-brackets or L-brackets — these handy connectors allow for quick and easy construction of multiple cube storage using 3/4”-thick material in any size you need.

Protect your ears while using power tools with ISOtunes Professional Noise Isolating Earbuds-OSHA-approved hearing protection and Bluetooth technology so you can connect to a smartphone and listen to music. If protection is all you need, consider the Pyramex BP 3000 Banded Earplugs.

To learn more about these and other products, visit your local Woodcraft store, call (800) 535-4482 or visit www.Woodcraft.com. (MC)

28 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Sprinkler timing issues, clearing plumbing lines

By Robert Lamoureux Signal Contributing Writer

Sprinkler Issue Hi Robert, I have asked you a question before and appreciate your help.

We are in our 80s, and last year, I had to learn how to set the sprinklers for automatic watering.

Last week our sprinklers started going wild. When it is to water station No. 1, it is watering Nos. 1 and 2, then it waters No. 3 for twice the time set.

Today, I tried to water manually.

I set it to water station No. 1, and it was trying to water all three stations in the backyard at once. So I turned them off and set it to water No. 4. It started watering Nos. 1 and 4.

I set it for No. 7 and it said No. 8. I had to turn it to off for rain to shut it off. The sprinkler system is 29 years old. I don’t know what is going on with it. Can you give me the name of a reliable person to fix our problem sprinkler system?

Thank you so much! You are a blessing to people in this valley.

— Barbara S. Barbara, Thank you for writing in.

Let’s try this first; Unplug the timer and pull the backup battery out of it.

With electronics, there are anomalies that we can’t explain, so this may work.

Wait a full minute then replace the battery and turn the power back on.

Now try running one station and

see if it is operating properly.

If that works then try running all normally, see what happens. If that doesn’t work, then look at replacing the time clock, as this would be the next step. The actuators only respond to input power and cannot turn themselves on without the power from the time clock.

Based on what you wrote it’s a timer issue. If all else fails let me know and I’ll send you a referral, but this is the least expensive way to hopefully find your answer.

Best of luck.

— Robert Clearing lines, backups follow Robert, I’m on the board of an association that recently had our horizontal sewer lines hydrojetted.

The plumber was there for two days and the service they said was necessary annually, to keep the pipes clear and flowing.

This cost the association a ton of money and we were happy to pay it, because they said it is necessary to prevent backups.

Well they finished on a Friday and over the weekend we had a major backup into a first floor unit.

How could this be? We called that plumber back because they had just worked on these pipes, and they told us that there was heavy debris in the main line, but that they had done their job.

I don’t understand how this could be, that they say they cleared all of the lines and then overnight, there is a backup.

Can you shed light onto this for us?

We are ready to go to bat over this, as the backup of course was sewage into this unit, and the repairs needed are extensive.

Thank you for your insight.

— Roger C. Roger, I’ve seen this probably 20 or more times in my business, over the years.

This story is one that repeats itself and the simple answer is, abuse of the lines.

Your plumber undoubtedly, especially if they were there two days, ran that jetter through all of the lines and out to the street.

You didn’t mention the size of your association but generally two days means a lot of piping. Realize, that a quality jetter produces 4,000 PSI (pounds per square inch) of water pressure.

This can penetrate concrete, so when used in sewer lines, will break up the toughest of blockages and sludge.

Here is the scenario that I’ve seen time and time again: Horizontal lines are cleared, then someone decides to dump copious amounts of debris down their garbage disposal such as spaghetti, potato peels, orange peels, onion skins or anything else of the sort.

The problem, along with these items not being ground to nothing, is that there isn’t enough water run following, to push all of this debris out into the sewage system.

Now let’s say that this is done in the evening, usually after dinner hours, then the debris sits in the horizontal

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line and coagulates.

Now let’s go with the scenario that someone else, possibly higher up in the building, runs food in their disposal or their kid flushes something down the toilet (I’ve seen it a million times).

This new debris hits last night’s debris, backs up and since water takes the path of least resistance, where does this manifest itself? Usually first floor lavatory — tub, shower, toilet and sink.

Of course, since you had the plumber out in the last 24 hours prior, you automatically think that they didn’t do their job!

It makes sense that this is a thought. However, when you understand plumbing and jetting, you also understand that it is highly unlikely that this is the fault of the plumber who did your jetting.

I do recommend in this situation that you call your plumber back and give them the opportunity to at least be present, if not solve the issue.

The likelihood that this is the sort of thing that happened at your HOA is higher than not, since a jetter clears debris so well. Your plumber should have taken photos of the open pipes prior to running the jetter, as well as after.

This shows the power of the jetter and also, the condition of the lines before and after. Ask if they did this, it will show you clearly, that your lines have been cleared.

Good luck with this situation.

Valencia Art & Framing Quality Custom Services Since 2011

661-799-9900 21618 Golden Triangle Rd, Ste.107

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Robert Lamoureux has 38 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia.

His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at robert@imsconstruction.com.

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 29

Cholesterol plummets after giving up bread

By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Writer

Dear Dr. Roach Something’s been puzzling me.

I’m a 71-year-old female, and my cholesterol tends to hover around the 240 mark. However, I had to give up bread for several weeks due to oral surgery, and my next blood test results showed my cholesterol had plummeted 40 points to 206. (I actually had them double-check, since I thought they had given me someone else’s report!)

I asked my doctor about this, but he didn’t know of any reason for it to happen. My husband thinks it may have something to do with the yeast.

Do you have any ideas?

— R.R. No, I don’t think it’s the yeast; I think it’s because you are eating fewer carbohydrates from bread, which get quickly converted to sugar and enters the blood. Sugar has effects on blood cholesterol (especially on

triglycerides). Although a 20% drop is higher than the average, it’s not out of the expected range.

The other thing that is often forgotten is what you changed your diet to. If you ate overall fewer calories, you may have lost a few pounds, and sometimes that can have a big beneficial effect on cholesterol.

It also may be the case that you ate more fiber from vegetables, nuts and fruits, which in itself can help reduce cholesterol. It was wise to double-check, because although the lab only rarely makes mistakes, the level in the body does vary a bit. It’s possible that the 240 was higher than your average and the 206 was lower.

Following the trend helps prevent those kinds of errors.

Dear Dr. Roach There is a lot of information about how much one should exercise that doesn’t seem to apply to seniors. I am a 76-year-old man in acceptable health for my age. I have never fallen,

Senior exercise levels depend on what works for you.

but my balance has declined some.

I walk about 30-leisurely minutes a day, but I wouldn’t say any of the walk could be defined as “cardio.”

When walking on uneven ground, I use a walking stick. I am active in my yard; I mow my lawns and tend vegetable and flower beds. Is this enough of an exercise regimen?

— L.S. You are doing a lot better than most people who are 76. The optimal for you depends, because your exercise regimen has to work for your life. I can say that people who exercise a bit more than you do (including some

H E A LT H

work with weights and some more vigorous exercise to get the heart rate up — that’s what defines “cardio”) are likely to have a slightly lower risk of many diseases; however, it’s very wise to be cautious when you have a balance issue, even if you have never fallen. Using a walking stick is great if it helps you (many people have written to say that they use one or two sticks to help maintain balance).

What you don’t want is an exercise regimen that you won’t like to do, because people quickly quit exercising if they aren’t enjoying at least some aspect of it. So, keep doing what you are doing: It will help prevent loss of balance, strength and function.

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. © 2019 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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30 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

PROFILE

Jason Crawford: Bringing Hollywood to Santa Clarita

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

J

ason Crawford, City of Santa Clarita planning, marketing and economic development manager, is living proof that the bestlaid plans can often go strangely, yet perfectly.

A graduate of California Institute of the Arts, Crawford had dreamed of a career in the entertainment industry.

Instead, he found a career he loves in public administration.

“You think you know what you’re going to when you grow up, but what I’ve realized is that I really like what I’m doing,” he said, “even though it is entirely different than what I thought I would be doing when I was a child.”

From Nashville

Crawford was born to Belinda and Jack Crawford in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up in the city nicknamed “Music City USA” and graduated from McGavock High School.

He was offered a full scholarship to a Tennessee college, but decided to move to the Santa Clarita Valley when his family relocated to the area, after his father accepted a job at Westwood One. “I wanted to work in the film industry. It seemed more exciting to me to move out to the Los Angeles area and try to get into CalArts,” Crawford said. After the move he took a year off and found a few small jobs in the film industry.

Crawford was then accepted to CalArts, where he earned a bachelor’s of arts in theater. His mother worked at CalArts as a development officer for nearly seven years, then served as executive director of the SCV Food Pantry for more than 15 years.

His father retired from the Westwood One radio network, and now owns a UPS store in Castaic.

Crawford’s younger brother, Jeremy, also lives in the SCV. “The entire family is still active in the community,” he said.

Culture shock

Crawford said moving to Southern California was exiting, and he found living in the SCV to his liking. “Most of my friends at CalArts ended up

Jason Crawford, planning, marketing and economic development manager of the City of Santa Clarita, in the City of Santa Clarita filming memorabilia vault at City Hall. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

living in the LA area after a year or two,” he said. “I realized I liked it out here in the SCV because it was more like Nashville than LA was.”

Crawford said he grew up making eye contact and exchanging pleasantries with strangers when walking down the street. “You say, ‘Hello,’ when you pass someone,” he said. “I realized when I would go into LA and did that, it didn’t go over so well. It goes over better in Santa Clarita.”

City Hall

Crawford worked in the library at CalArts while attending school. “After the first year, they realized that I had computer help-desk skills,” he said.

“They put me in charge of the student help desk.”

That job led Crawford to apply for a position with the City of Santa Clarita. “While studying for my undergraduate degree, I started taking some directing classes,” he said. “That led me to go back to CalArts for a graduate degree in film directing.”

After his first year of graduate school, Crawford decided to take some time off and focus on making money to finance a film project.

“There was a job at the city for a help-

desk job that paid a little better than CalArts,” he said. “I thought I would work at the city for a year, make some money and work on some creative ideas, then return and finish my master’s.”

Crawford was hired by the city in March 2001.

tivity generated from filming, Crawford said. “They allowed me a lot of autonomy to achieve those results.”

The effort was a resounding success, allowing that the “luck of timing and other factors” were a large part of the winning formula, he said.

Film analyst

“CSI” debuted on CBS in 2000. The successful show ran 15 seasons and created a host of spin-offs and imitators. “When I first started the film office, ‘CSI’ was filming in a warehouse in Valencia,” Crawford said. “They weren’t really sure, at the time, it was going to last.”

As the buzz increased, as well as the show’s ratings, studios across Southern California began approaching “CSI” to move filming to other locations.

“The show ended up moving to Santa Clarita Studios and became the anchor show there for many years,” said Crawford. “The success of ‘CSI’ made other shows take notice of the benefits of filming in Santa Clarita.”

Crawford said the filming of a major motion picture in the SCV is “always exciting,” but the real “bread and butter” for economic development comes from television.

“A big movie is exciting for a couple of months, but then they go away. A

A few months later, a position was created by the city to start a film office.

“They wanted to hire somebody to bring more TV shows and movies to town,” he said. “I thought it was an amazing opportunity to learn a different side of the film industry.”

Nearly 500 applications were received for the position. “I was lucky to be the one selected,” he said.

Crawford, as the city’s “film analyst,” was a one-man show as he built the Santa Clarita Film Office. “That was exciting, setting up the entire program from scratch,” he said.

While the SCV has served as Hollywood’s “backlot” almost since the beginning of film and television, the creation of the Santa Clarita Film Office was designed to attract even more production.

The City Council and then-City Manager Ken Pulskamp knew they wanted to increase the economic ac-

‘CSI’ and more

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

PROFILE the Planning division.

television show can be shot here for years. In the case of ‘NCIS,’ 17 years.

‘Jag’ was out here for about 10 years,” he said. “That is long-term economic impact — long-term jobs. It becomes entirely different than the one month of a movie.”

Passionate about travel

Tourism and more

Like filming, tourism brings transient events and people to the SCV to spend money.

Crawford said that like a movie, the big events, like the AT&T Champions Classic, (a part of the Senior PGA Tour which played 2001-2009 at Valencia Country Club), are exciting for a weekend, “but the real dollars are in youthand amateur-sports tournaments.

“The real impact is from the tournaments that bring hundreds of people to Santa Clarita. They come for a weekend, stay in area hotels and spend money at local restaurants,” he said.

“When we are able to pull in a couple on the same weekend, that creates real economic impact, more than one or two big flashy events a year.”

In 2007, Crawford was promoted to manager of the Economic Devel-

Crawford was tasked in becoming Santa Clarita’s first ‘film analyst,’ building the Santa Clarita Film Office to attract more film and tv productions.

opment Division. “I was working on film and tourism, as well as all of the city’s business-attraction development,” he said.

In 2016, Crawford added planning to his responsibilities. “Since 2016 I have been managing both the Economic Development Division and the

Planning Division,” he said.

Crawford earned his master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Northridge.

He received his planning certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners in preparation for taking on the additional responsibilities of

Crawford enjoys scuba diving, hiking and travel. “I try to go to a new place every year. This year, I went on an Eastern European trip to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. I loved it,” he said.

Some of his favorite trips have been to Cuba, South America, Tokyo, China, New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Ireland and the Greek Islands.

“Every year I try to go to a new place and experience the culture, the food and learn about the history,” he said.

He still has a few places on his “bucket list.”

“I want to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef and I’ve never been to Australia,” he said.

Making sense of it all

“I left CalArts to begin working at the city,” he said. “Life takes you on some unexpected paths, then you realize, in retrospect, it all made sense. At the time, you don’t understand. It’s not what I planned on as a kid, but I love it.”

32 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

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Santa Clarita lauded as hard-working city

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any consider business to be the backbone of the Santa Clarita Valley, so local leaders weren’t too surprised to hear Kempler Industries named Santa Clarita the 12th-hardest-working city in the entire nation.

Kempler Industries analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau from nearly 200 cities across the U.S. that had a population of 150,000 or greater in order to rank the hardest-working cities in America, according to a news release. “They then ranked each city from hardest working to least, and found that Santa Clarita ranked as the No. 12 hardest-working city in America.”

Rankings were based on the following metrics:

• Average commute time: Santa Clarita averaged 34.9 minutes • Average workweek hours: Santa Clarita averaged 38.4 hours • Percentage of workforce population aged 16-64: 63.9% • Percentage of senior workforce aged 65 and up: 20.2% • The percentage of unused vacation days: 30.5% Santa Clarita received an overall score of 77.5, which was just 1.2 points shy of placing ninth in the nation, according to the online rankings.

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called for an ambulance.

Paramedics remained at the scene for close to an hour, Stevens said. In the end, paramedics took no one to the hospital.

The driver suspected of causing the crash was examined at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital shortly after the crash, according to one witness who saw the driver at the crash scene and then recognized the same man later in the hospital.

Despite the damage to four vehicles and the suspect car driving on three wheels and a tire rim, no one was

“We know well that we have a large working-age population and that’s one of the things that makes us an attractive location for businesses,” said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp.

“The workforce is also very educated,” Schroeder added, stating more than two-thirds of SCV residents have some form of postsecondary education. “That provides a lot of career opportunities, so I’m not entirely surprised to see we’re so hard working.”

Councilwoman Laurene Weste said the area’s number of dedicated workers reminds her of communities in middle America.

“It’s interesting because I think of Santa Clarita as a Midwestern little-big city that’s adjacent to a metropolis,” Weste said in an interview Wednesday. “We have a lot of seniors and young kids working hard, but we also play hard.

“And it’s great news that people are looking at Santa Clarita from a national perspective,” Weste added. “I am so happy that we’re getting acknowledged because this is a team effort.”

San Francisco was the only California city to make the top-10, and seven of Kempler Industries’ hardest-working cities were located in Texas, according to the company’s website. New York City placed 10th, while Washington, D.C., was named the hardest-working city in America with an overall score of 90. seriously hurt.

Two people who said they witnessed the incident first thought the driver had suffered some sort of medical problem such as a stroke or heart attack.

Sgt. Scott Shoemaker, who heads the Traffic Unit of the SCV Sheriff ’s Station, said last week that the driver did not appear to be the victim of a medical problem.

“This was a four-car collision,” he said four days after the incident.

“Deputies responding to the incident said it was not a hit-and-run, and not a DUI,” he said, referring to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. “The cause, unofficially, was due to the driver making a turning movement.”

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 33

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“Over the chance at life. could upcomof lineup of a Bon Jovi tribu Children July.” draiser in t, the family held been a gath years the struc te band, is the past a funture has geles, the Concerts in the Park Sanfilipp who are diagnose ering first up in o syndrome band d with goal to donate a month with the unobstructed view place to have .

The rock is made up of Based out of Los the an milli the 501( will likel (and of y Cure c)(3) nonprofit on dollars to Zam fireworks) from the festivities playing to ’n’ roll group professional mus Anorga icians.

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A tale of two rescues

7 years later, crash survivor glad to be alive at daughter’s book-signing

Missing puppy found after having run away from scene of crash; animal was hungry, dehydrated when saved

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wth rate Faith above sta te avera ge Coupons Home Improvement Hya tt joins Carter’s Hotel pla Business News ns event pro to donate fight SCV’s cee child’s bat ds to tr tle It’s the Law Column Sanfilippo synagadroinsmet to the g ibute reats Concert set to rets in the Pa rk ser Right Here Right Now urn to Ce ies ntral Pa rk Color Comics

City’s rent growth rate above state average

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By Brennon Dixson Louis Gar iber Signal Staff Writer of Canyon asi Country After hearing about Carter Sarkar, his fight with Sanfilippo syndrome and the recent million-dollar movement to fund his clinical trial, the Hyatt Regency Valencia has announced that it will donate every dollar from its upcoming fireworks viewing event to the young boy from Castaic.

“Our entire staff was deeply moved by the article in Saturday’s paper regarding Carter Sarkar and the fight to save him from Sanfilippo syndrome,” said Natasha Zambrano, sales coordinator at Hyatt Regency Valencia. “We at Hyatt would like to contribute to this fight by offering our parking structure to the community to watch fireworks this upcoming Fourth of July.”

Children who are diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome will likely

Concerts in the Park series set to return to Central Park

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Austin Dave/The Signal (See additional photos at signalscv.com)

home In this May 2017 photo, Jennifer Sarkar carries her son Carter to a to get on Ponderosa Street in Castaic. The Sarkar family raised $978,467 a clinical trial that might help Carter’s fight against Sanfilippo syndrome.

that could develop muscle pains, experience would fund a clinical trial seizures and then, ultimately, die in give Carter a chance at life.

“Over the years the structure has their mid-to late-teens, said Jennifer been a gathering place to have an Sarkar, Carter’s mother. festivities As a result, the family held a fun- unobstructed view of the Six Flags,” draiser in the past month with the (and fireworks) from goal to donate a million dollars to Zambrano said. the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization See CARTER, A6 Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, which

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The crowd-pleasing Concerts in the Park series returns to Santa Clarita for a music-filled summer, starting this weekend at Central Park.

Concerts in the Park are free public events put on by the city of Santa Clarita every Saturday night from July 7 until Aug. 25. The shows start at 7 p.m.

Get ready to break out your lawn chairs and blankets, grab some tasty snacks from local vendors onsite and listen to some of your favorite genre tribute bands coming to the Saugus park.

Here’s a breakdown of each band performing at Concerts in the Park:

July 7

Wanted, a Bon Jovi tribute band, is first up in the lineup of Concerts in the Park. Based out of Los Angeles, the band is made up of professional musicians.

The rock ’n’ roll group had immense success, playing to sold out venues and garnering rave reviews. Wanted was finally created after numerous requests from agents and promoters who worked with the band on other projects.

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Doggie Den 18350 Sierra Hwy.

GMC Creekside Rd.

Circle K 24551 Lyons Ave.

Dogs Etc. 24886 Apple St.

Go Postal Plus 18723 Via Princessa

Circus Liquor Sand Canyon Rd.

Don Kim DDS, M.D. 27450 Tourney Rd. # 160

Golden State Veterinary 29629 The Old Rd.

City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Blvd.

Donut Inn 18579 Soledad Canyon Rd.

Grand America Tires 22822 Lyons Ave.

COC Student Center Tournament Rd.

Dr. Landon Optometry 19036 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Gregory Jenkins MD 24355 Lyons Ave. # 160

Coco’s 24930 Pico Cyn Rd.

Dr. Rosen 27420 Tourney Rd. # 270

Halfway House Café 15564 Sierra Hwy.

Coin Op Laundry 23746 Lyons Ave.

DW Cookie Factory 18962 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Happy Pets Veterinary 27550 Newhall Ranch Rd.

Competition Transmission 18003 Sierra Hwy.

Eggs & Things 27560 Newhall Ranch Rd.

Healthy Smiles California 24355 Lyons Ave. # 200

Compounding Pharmacy 23206 Lyons Ave. # 112

eSuites 28005 Smyth Dr.

Heritage 25775 McBean Pkwy. # 106

Copper Hill Animal Clinic 29735 Seco Canyon Rd.

Eternal Valley Mortuary 23287 Sierra Hwy.

Holiday Inn 27413 Wayne Mills Pl.

Corben Optometry 23206 Lyons Ave. # 102

Everest Restaurant 18645 Soledad Cyn

Hughson-Otte DDS 27450 Tourney Rd. # 220

Cosmetic & General Dentistry 25880 Tournament Rd. # 214

Ezzat DDS 27450 Tourney Rd. # 200

Hyundai Creekside Rd.

Court House 23759 Magic Mountain Pkwy.

Fab Dogs 28255 Newhall Ranch Rd.

Hungry Ninja 27674 Newhall Ranch Rd.

7-Eleven 27761 Bouquet Cyn Rd. 7-Eleven 27860 Lake Hughes Rd. 7-Eleven 28088 Bouquet Cyn Rd. ACE Hardware 31814 Crown Valley Rd. Acton Fox Feed 3542 Gillespie Ave. Acton Market 32003 Crow Valley Rd. Acton Plaza Market 3807 Sierra Hwy. Acton Vale Pharmacy 3630 Smith Ave. Acura Creekside Rd. Adrienne Fang DDS PC 27420 Tourney Rd. # 280 Advance Audiology 23822 Valencia Blvd. #103 Agua Dulce Hardware 33314 Agua Dulce Rd. Albertson’s 23850 Copper Hill Dr. Albertson’s 27631 Bouquet Cyn Rd. All Creatures 22722 Lyons Ave. Amir Moldovan MD, FACR 23206 Lyons Ave. # 106 Andrew A Tran DDS 27450 Tourney Rd. # 130 Angel Dog Grooming 31577 Castaic Rd.

Audi Creekside Rd. Auto Spa Car Wash 23630 Valencia Blvd.

Baja Fresh 18744 Soledad Cyn Rd. Barrister Suites 27240 Turnberry Ln. Big Lots 19331 Soledad Cyn Rd. Big Mouth Pizza Co. 33323 Agua Dulce Rd. Bill’s Place 16374 Sierra Hwy. BMW Cinema Dr. Bouquet Auto Parts 26769 Bouquet Cyn Rd. Brothers Burger 20655 Soledad Cyn Rd. Burrito Factory 23029 Soledad Cyn Rd. California Retina Consultants 27420 Tourney Rd. # 170 Canyon Advantage Animal Hosp.

18840 Soledad Cyn Rd. Canyon Car Wash 18727 Soledad Cyn Rd. Canyon Country Library 118601 Soledad Cyn Rd. Canyon Country Senior Apt. 18701 Flying Tiger Dr. Canyon Liquor 16507 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Animal Medical Center 25848 McBean Pkwy.

Canyon Mail & More 16654 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Craig J Helm MD 27420 Tourney Rd. # 100

Facey Medical Group 23803 McBean Pkwy. # 101

Island Pacific Supermarket 19387 Soledad Canyon

Arco AmPm Mini Mart 28070 The Old Rd.

Canyon Market 18257 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Crown Valley Pharmacy 3720 Sierra Hwy.

Facey Medical Group 23803 McBean Pkwy. # 201

Italia 27674 Newhall Ranch Rd.

Arco AmPm Mini Mart 31505 Castaic Rd.

Canyon Pet Center 19154 Soledad Cyn Rd.

CVS Pharmacy 19424 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Facey Medical Group 23803 McBean Pkwy. # 202

It’s Grind Coffee Shop 29641 The Old Rd.

Arco AmPm Mini Mart 23105 Valencia Blvd.

Carnitas Restaurant 26972 Rainbow Glen Dr.

CVS Pharmacy 24840 Orchard Village Rd.

Facey Medical Group 26753 McBean Pkwy.

Jack E. Wasserstein DDS 27450 Tourney Rd. # 100

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

Jimmy Deans 22921 Lyons Ave.

Oak Tree Liquor 19965 Soledad Cyn Rd.

S & S Donut 27754 McBean Pkwy.

Starbucks 26925 Sierra Hwy.

U-Wash Doggie 23013 Soledad Cyn Rd.

JSB Development 27451 Tourney Rd. # 250

Osteoporosis Institute 24355 Lyons Ave. # 214

S & S Donuts 26850 Sierra Hwy.

Starbucks 27661 Bouquet Cyn Rd.

U-Wash Doggie 24144 Lyons Ave.

Kaiser Permanente 27201 Tourney Rd.

Outpatient Infusion Center 23929 McBean Pkwy. # 216

S&S Donuts 19425 Soledad Cyn Rd. #A

Starbucks 28120 The Old Rd.

Valencia Car Wash 24233 Creekside Rd.

Kake Kreations 18986 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Outpatient Lab. 23929 McBean Pkwy. # 107

Starbucks 31777 Castaic Rd.

Valencia Internal Med Center 23823 Valencia Blvd. # 210

Ken and Joes 21618 Golden Triangle Rd.

Outpatient Surgery Center 25751 McBean Pkwy. # 105

San Fernando Valley Vascular Group 23823 Valencia Blvd. # 215

Kwik Pick Liquor 26846 Seco Cyn Rd.

Pampered Pets 24811 Railroad Ave.

Starbucks Bouquet Cyn. Rd.

Valencia Library 23743 Valencia Blvd.

La Quinta Inn 25201 The Old Rd.

Pediatric Dentistry 25880 Tournament Rd. # 216

Starbucks Newhall Ave.

Valencia Liquor 22925 Lyons Ave.

Laser Vision Center 27420 Tourney Rd. #

Pepper Tree Liquor 9661 Sierra Hwy.

Steven K Watanabe DDS 25880 Tournament Rd. # 213

Valencia Neurology Medical Group 23928 Lyons Ave. # 102

Laura’s Dinner 27125 Sierra Hwy.

Perkin Up 33326 Santiago Rd.

Lexus Creekside Rd.

Pet Stop 26880 Sierra Hwy.

Liquor General Store 33355 Agua Dulce Rd.

Pet Supply Santa Clarita 26831 Bouquet Cyn

Little Paws Dog and Cat Hop 18560 Via Princessa

Pets and Suds 27736 McBean Pkwy.

Lowes Music 22932 Lyons Ave.

Petsmart 24975 The Old Rd.

Mama’s Table 23340 Cinema Dr.

Pizza Di Marco 27674 Newhall Ranch Rd.

Maria Bonita 20655 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Plastic Surgery 25880 Tournament Rd. # 217

Maria Bonitas 33311 Agua Dulce Rd.

Precious Pets 27737 Bouquet Cyn Rd.

Maria’s Deli 22620 Lyons Ave.

Promenade Dentistry 27420 Tourney Rd. # 230

SCV Podiatry 23929 McBean Pkwy. # 212

McCray Dermatology 27420 Tourney Rd. # 260

Protein for Pets 25910 McBean Pkwy.

SCV Quality Care 23823 Valencia Blvd. # 160

McDonalds W Sierra Hwy.

Rainbow Market 31719 The Old Rd.

Sheila R Veloz 23929 McBean Pkwy. # 101

Medical Building 27141 Hidaway Ave.

Rainbow Market 31719 The Old Rd.

Shell Mini Mart 18802 Via Princessa

Mercedes Benz Cinema Dr.

Ralphs Market 19340 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Shell Mini Mart 26801 Bouquet Canyon Rd.

Metrolink Station Soledad Cyn Rd.

Ralphs Market 24975 The Old Rd.

Shelter Hope Pet Shop 24250 Town Center Dr.

Michael Abelson DDS 25880 Tournament Rd. # 108

Ralphs Market 25930 McBean Pkwy.

Sherriff ’s Station 23740 Valencia Blvd.

Michael’s Liquor 20549 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Ralphs Market 27760 McBean Pkwy.

Sierra Liquor 17800 Sierra Hwy.

Mighty Mouth 18545 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Ralphs Market 29675 Hasley Cyn Rd.

Simply Discount Furniture 21444 Golden Triangle Rd.

Mini Cooper Creekside Rd.

Razi Dental Institute 27450 Tourney Rd. # 260

Smart Clinic 19231 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Mobil Market (back door) 26954 Seco Cyn Rd.

Rite Aid 26825 Bouquet Cyn Rd.

Smudde DDS 27450 Tourney Rd. # 250

Tran Institute For Plastic Surgery Inc. 23823 Valencia Blvd. # 220

Mobil Market 26954 Seco Cyn Rd.

Rolla Sushi Grill 27737 Bouquet Cyn Rd.

Starbucks 16548 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Trip Tipps 27530 Newhall Ranch Rd.

Wences Bistro 3620 Smith Ave.

Mobil 16411 Delone St.

Rosarito Fresh 19425 Soledad Cyn Rd. # E

Starbucks 19425 Soledad Canyon

Truck Supplies 31541 Castaic Rd.

Western Bagels 23170 Valencia Blvd

Mobil 30785 The Old Rd.

Rosarito Mexican 27674 Newhall Ranch Rd.

Starbucks 23337 Lyons Ave.

UCLA/SCV Cancer Center 23929 McBean Pkwy. # 215

Wok’s Cooking 31565 Castaic Rd.

Newhall Laundromat 24118 Main St.

Route 66 18730 Soledad Cyn Rd.

Starbucks 25912 McBean Pkwy.

Unocal 76 31786 The Old Rd.

Young’s Market Castaic Rd.

Sand Canyon Chevron 28552 Sand Canyon Rd. Santa C. Pets Hospital 24899 Railroad Ave. Santa Clarita Imaging 25775 McBean Pkwy.

Santa Clarita Imaging 25775 McBean Pkwy. # 216 Santa Clarita Lanes 21615 Soledad Cyn Rd. Santa Clarita Neuro 24355 Lyons Ave. # 216 Santa Clarita Pediatrics 23823 Valencia Blvd.

Santa Clarita Senior Center 22900 Market St. Santa Clarita Valley Endodontics 25880 Tournament Rd. #219 Saugus Animal Hospital 27737 Bouquet Cyn Rd. Saugus Café 25861 Railroad Ave.

Stevenson Ranch Veterinary 25860 Stevenson Ranch Pkwy.

Sue Bee Café 3807 Sierra Hwy. Sunrise Senior Living 25815 McBean Pkwy.

Sunrise Spirit 25862 Singing Hills Dr. Sweetwater Farms 33301 Agua Dulce Rd. Sweetwater Vet. Clinic 33324 Agua Dulce Rd. Tacos Los Toritos 18520 Soledad Cyn Rd. Telly’s Charburgers 27737 Bouquet Cyn Rd. Telly’s Drive-in 31703 Castaic Rd. The Cat Doctor 26055 Bouquet Cyn Rd. The Ice Station 27745 Smyth Dr. The Musella Group 27451 Tourney Rd. # 170 The Original Acton Market 3638 Smith Ave. Thrifty Shopper Liquor 18925 Soledad Cyn Rd. Tiny’s Submarine 27251 Camp Plenty Rd. Tommies 31526 Castaic Rd. Tourney Plaza Surgery 27420 Tourney Rd. # 160 Town & Country Liquor 23638 Newhall Ave.

Valencia Nissan 24111 Creekside Rd. Valencia Pain Clinic 24355 Lyons Ave. # 100 Valencia Pet 28128 Copper Hill Dr. Valencia Pulmonary Group 23928 Lyons Ave. # 203 Valencia Surgery 24355 Lyons Ave. # 120 Valencia Veterinary Center 23928 Summerhill Ln Vallarta Market 18571 Soledad Cyn Rd. Vallarta Market 22449 Orchard Village Rd. Valley Lyons Pet Hospital 24882 Apple St. Vincenzo’s Pizza 20701 Plum Cyn Rd. Vincenzo’s Pizza 24504 1/4 Lyons Ave. VIP 26111 Bouquet Cyn Rd. Vons Market 26518 Bouquet Cyn Rd. Vons Market 16550 Soledad Cyn Rd. Vons Market 24160 Lyons Ave. Vons Market 25850 The Old Rd. Warren’s Copy 27570 Sierra Hwy. Water Wheel Car Wash 27567 Sierra Hwy. Weber Professional Dental 27450 Tourney Rd. # 270

36 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

TIMERANGER

Frozen Dead Dogs to Valencia’s Birthday Tipping my terribly expensive but utilitarian O’Farrell hat toward the direction of you ladies and offering a positive “Howdy” to the menfolk.

What say we all climb aboard the thousands of ponies I’ve brought?

There’s an epic trail ride through the time portal into the golden yesteryears of Santa Clarita history. Let’s get to moseying. I guarantee you shall come back a little smarter with some excellent cocktail party conversation to share with your friends, neighbors and the family members to whom you are still speaking …

WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• And, it’s our oldest typographical error Aug. 24, 1845, there wasn’t much out here. But Mexico’s Alta California governor deeded an impressive spread to a French ship jumper, Francois Chari. Francois changed his name to Francisco to blend in a mite better. In memory of jumping ship in Oxnard and making his way to being a landed gentry property owner in Saugus, he named his big spread, Rancho del Buque. Or, French for “Ship Ranch.” When California changed hands and became an American state in 1849, topographers came out and started naming and renaming things. Speaking only English, they thought Chari’s ranch and canyon was Spanish for “bouquet.” And that’s where Bouquet Canyon got its name.

It was, for a time, also called Hangman’s Canyon in the late 1890s and early 1900s after the memory of an alleged cattle rustler’s untimely fate during the bloody Castaic Range War. • Where the cops used to live The sheriff ’s station wasn’t always in Valencia. Back on Aug. 26, 1926, a brand new substation was dedicated at the corner of what today is 6th and Main Street. It’s the wardrobe room of the Canyon Theatre Guild today.

AUG. 18, 1919

• From 8th grade to the battlefields of France For such a small village, we sure placed a lot of men in World War I. Fortunately, most of them came home. Bill Hope, of Newhall Elementary’s 1916 class, came back from fighting in France.

AUG. 18, 1929

• Opening ourselves to the outside world It’s hard to believe when we

for game. Even retired silent movie superstar Bill Hart complained of hunters foraging through his private ranch and game preserve. One of his dogs brought the severed head of a baby doe into his living room. Several teens were arrested for peppering a shed inhabited by two sleeping men.

AUG. 18, 1949

• Enough for two days of snacks for me Lillian Hoehn of Park Street grew an 83-pound watermelon in her back yard. speed up and down Interstate 5 or even The Old Road that 90 years back, there was a mountain there.

State highway crews used dynamite, modern “gasoline steam shovels” and old-fashioned muscle to dig a cut through Weldon Canyon, preparing it to be one of the world’s busiest thoroughfares — Highway 99.

• Sad tale from the horse & buggy days Leland Bowman was fine but his horse was dead. Leland was trying to cross the “Boulevard” (as Main Street was called then) at 6th Street. A speeding motorist from L.A. hit horse and rider dead on. The car was doing 40 mph — too fast even for today’s modern cars. A dark note, the horse accident occurred right in front of the 15 mph sign.

AUG. 18, 1939

• Playing a deadly game Little Sidney Hammond, 11, was playing in the backyard with a rope tied to a tree branch. He nearly hanged himself. In the nick of time, his mother returned from grocery shopping and found him dangling, unconscious, in the orchard. She extricated him and probably didn’t play hangman ever again.

• Idiots with rifles We were prime hunting country 80 years back and Elmer Fudds from all over motored up to Newhall to hunt deer. Many were called, “Dumbbells with Rifles” and it was a fitting description. On this week, there were several calls by ranchers, complaining of bullets screaming through their homes and barns and some even landing in their cows. This weekend in 1939, an estimated 2,100 hunters were combing the hills of the Santa Clarita, looking

• The last of the Sand Canyon cattle days Today, it’s a tony retreat for millionaires in Sand Canyon. But in 1949, the McMillan Ranch was a working cattle spread. It was also the last time they ran cattle as the main product. All the cattle — except for two milkers — were shipped to Galt and the ranch was turned into a chicken farm this month in August.

Hogs were later brought in, too. They would all later burn to death.

AUG. 18, 1959

• Moving late in life Members of the Gifford family were re-interred from a Los Angeles cemetery to Eternal Valley. John and his wife Sarah have the unique distinction of being Newhall’s first citizens — twice. They lived in a train box car when the city of Newhall was, according to historian A.B. Perkins, about 1.5 miles north of the Saugus depot. That would put that first community a mile further north than originally recorded. In 1878, because of a drought, folks moved the town of Newhall, every board and nail, down the road to about where 6th and Main Street is today.

AUG. 20, 1967

• The day everything started to turn beige This is where we sing a prairie song to Yuppiedom. On this date, the community of Valencia was officially founded. The stocks of tan paint companies soared …

AUG. 18, 1969

• Barbers: the endangered species The five barber shops in the SCV back then were unanimous: the style of long hair and hippies were killing their business. The younger men were the worst offenders, some of them going a year or two between trims.

• Angry, but not too bright Our

very own outlaw motorcycle gang, The Rebels, held their election this date, 50 years back. It was a primitive but simple process. Two leaders duked it out in an anything-goes knife fight. Winner was president, loser vice president. Laslie Checots and Jim Deatherage were arrested and hospitalized before the final tally.

Both Checots and Deatherage denounced the accusations, saying the police were just trying to drive them out of town and the cuts and bruises they sustained were administered by local police. Checots’ brother, Frank, was arrested a few days later for robbing and beating a boy in Newhall Park.

AUG. 18, 1979

• Missed being a cesspool by this much The issue of the year was easily the proposed construction of a giant, 720-acre hazardous waste material dump right next to an elementary school, over our water table and right next to the freeway. A Signal editorial by Scott Newhall opposed it in no uncertain terms, calling it, “Arsenic and Old Waste.” Scotty vowed the SCV would not become L.A. County’s “chamberpot.”

• Why is my dog so cold? Controversial veterinarian James Bullock was acquitted by a jury on petty theft charges. Dr. Bullock was accused of bilking a patient out of $39.50 in treatments on a black Labrador. Story was, the dog died, Bullock froze it for a week, charged room and board on the pooch, then thawed it out with a hair dryer right before pickup and burial.

Surely and dearly appreciate the company on these Sunday morning time rides through our local history and heritage. You people are good medicine. Hate to part company, but, it’s time — for a week at least — to go our separate ways. On the bright side, I’ll see all y’all in seven with another exciting Time Ranger adventure. Until then — vayan con Dios, amigos!

John Boston has been writing about SCV history for more than 40 years.

Read his historical tome, “Images of America: The Santa Clarita Valley” on Amazon.com. Check out his History of The Mighty Signal series on Saturdays on A1.

AU G U S T 18, 2019

GETTIN’ UP THERE

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 37

SENIORLIVING

FYI, ladies: senior-shared living may be for you is being launched. Part of the SCV Senior Center’s Advocacy Program, it’s a free housing-referral service that dear, departed friend — a will help connect senior women age licensed 55 and over with other female adults. psychoA self-selecting service, the program therapist brings women with room (to rent) in who was as much a their homes together with those need humorist as she was a place to live. a wise scholar — One of the program’s founders is used to say that the Peggy Edwards, a veteran advocate only real “fair” was found in Pomofor the homeless, helping people na. Judy Harris often spoke this line transition successfully from jail, and when counseling seniors who felt other causes requiring humane and their lives hadn’t panned out so well. productive solutions. She says there Being widowed/divorced, feeling is real need for the program. “There lonely, hopeless and irrelevant, and are many older women who still own facing limited funds and options — their homes but due to widowhood, such challenging conditions were divorce or the kids being grown and (and remain) some of life’s later gone, they are all alone. years difficulties.

“Then, there are The only real those who are just “SADLY, MANY OLDER fair is found in WOMEN LIVE ALONE IN A barely hanging Pomona — such onto their cura declaration NICE HOME BUT ACUTELY rent place and are from a therapist, MISS THE PRESENCE AND on the verge of herself a senior WARMTH OF ANOTHER losing their home. who had survived This (program) HUMAN BEING.” cancer, divorce, is a win-win for an armed hold-up everyone,” stated and numerous other OMG surprises Edwards, also a longtime member of and catastrophes, was not meant to Zonta, which empowers women globminimize others’ anguish. It was to ally through service and advocacy. help them make the most of their Edwards noted that in 2017, focus time now by adjusting their attitudes, groups were launched locally to deand choosing to live in gratitude, actermine which female population was ceptance, joy and peace. Adaptation open to the novel living arrangement. and mindfulness are big steps in this Among those queried were women process. But that’s a tall order when experiencing homelessness, survivors you face a daily struggle in your own of domestic violence (of all ages), and living situation. seniors the latter of which replied Sadly, many older women live alone with a resoundingly “yes.” in a nice home but acutely miss the Linda Davies, who is a co-founder presence and warmth of another huof the program and Senior Center man being. This can lead to depressupportive services program spesion and isolation, and even impact cialist, acknowledged that housing is one’s health. Then there are those difficult for anyone going through a who cannot afford the high rents in personal or financial crisis, and the our community and face homelessprices for rents in our valley make ness. Despair, decline and personal it even harder. “No one, a senior or danger can easily follow. a DV (domestic violence) survivor Neither situation is what these wants to leave the valley where they women envisioned as happening in have family, friends and resources,” their golden years. Where’s the “fair” Davies said. here, right?

While Davies thought that healThanks to visionary women who ing DV survivors might welcome deeply care about their sisters in sociSee SENIORS, next page ety, the Senior Shared Living Program

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38 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

SENIORLIVING

SENIORS

Continued from previous page

In

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REALTY ONE GROUP SUCCESS

an opportunity to share a home and costs of living with a senior (not as a health aide but as a family) her focus and involvement changed once the seniors raised their hands.

“That is when it became clear that this should be a Senior Center project,” Davies commented.

While seniors comprise the first group served through shared living, others, such as single moms with children, families or college students on the verge of homelessness, may one day participate in similar shared-housing programs. Time and observation from advocacy members and case managers will tell.

Many people are struggling because of wage stagnation, medical bills, job losses and separation from a spouse by death or divorce, co-founder and senior advocate Diane Trautman cautioned.

“I’d like to see more people understand the stress that others live with

every day and what that level of fear does to someone mentally, physically, and emotionally,” Trautman said.

“Maybe that understanding would create more compassion and the actions needed to solve so many social ills.”

“It really does take a village,” concluded Trautman, who with her husband Allan, lovingly cared for his elderly mother in their home after she was widowed. “I’m so glad we were able to do it, but many other seniors are not that fortunate.”

Judy Harris would have agreed with Trautman. It does take a village. She also would have loved and recommended this program, and no doubt would have said, “Who needs Pomona when the fair is right here in our own backyard.”

For info on Senior Shared Living, contact Robin Clough at rclough@ scv-seniorcenter.org or call (661) 2599444 ext.110. The SCV Senior Center’s website: www.myscvcoa.org.

Diana Sevanian is a retired registered nurse and longtime Signal features writer and columnist.

I love this town.

Bolanos Ins and Fin Svcs Inc Ernie Bolanos, Agent Insurance Lic# 0M84485 23822 Valencia Blvd, Suite 204 Valencia, CA 91355 Bus: 661-200-7260 8:30-5:30 Monday-Friday Evenings & Weekends available by appointment Hablamos Español

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 39

GARDENING

Vertical-panel gardening to dress-up living spaces

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

A

useful concept in the world of gardening is to build up instead of out.

You can create a garden that climbs up walls, sprays across a solid fence or creates a painting on vertical panels covered with decorative plants. This landscaping technique can literally liven up areas that have traditionally gone ignored.

Living walls are also excellent ways to add layers of natural insulation and to add colorful growth in spaces ordinarily too small to sustain a typical flat garden. You can turn a dull wall into something eye-caching to absorb heat on a sunny vertical surface or to make a handy herb or vegetable garden right next to the kitchen.

Using planted panels is an adaptation of the more common ways of growing plants to cover vertical surfaces, like hedges, espaliers or tall, narrow garden areas. Panel gardens are grown in grids of individual containers fabricated to be hung on a wall. They are irrigated from the back, allowing water to drain downward with gravity. As a result there is little water waste. And done right, these gardens offer a decorative statement that can be used both indoors and out.

Build your own vertical garden or have yours designed and/or constructed for you. A few years ago, these systems were new and hard to find. Now there are many easy-to-assemble modular kits on the market allowing you to choose your own style and price range.

Recycle used ABS piping and used pots to create your own vertical garden. This one will be used for assorted herbs right outside of the kitchen.

Horizontal slats with hardware cloth create a colorful wall planting. PHOTOS BY JANE GATES / THE SIGNAL

The watering system is made of tubing that waters each of the drainable, felt-like, natural-fiber pockets built to hold soil and plant roots. The whole thing can come as a big sheet of pockets or can be installed as separate sections.

Whatever design or material you use make sure you include an efficient waterproof lining between the planting framework and the supporting wall. You do not want water seeping into your house or any other dry structure.

Walls can be planted with exotic plants in protected areas. Hang cascading flowering plants, lush green foliage, drought-tolerant plants or even raise edibles. Imagine picking a dangling strawberry, snapping off a few tasty beans or popping a cherry tomato into your mouth as you pass by your vertical garden!

In our hot sun, you can take advantage of this form of gardening to turn a hot, sunny wall into a decorative wall hanging of living, sun-tolerant plants using small-growing plants like colorful succulents.

The concept of vertical gardening is not new and has been used for centuries by simply growing vines over fencing or trellising climbers up walls. Steep hillsides have been held

in place by cast cement blocks or natural stone with the gaps planted so roots keep soil from leaking out while adding a decorative effect. Technically, most plants grow vertically toward the sun, but these multi-container, living wall solutions were developed to hang an artistically plantable area directly on a flat, upright surface.

Vertical panel systems are modular and can be stacked or hung. This way many small plants can be planted close together, designs can be patterned into the flat surface, and even edibles like small-growing vegetables and fruits can be successfully grown on the upright surface.

You can even create a living wall on

wheels that can be rolled into different locations to partition off separate spaces in an outdoor room or patio.

Or, create a conversation piece by growing a panel on a well-lit wall indoors. Consider having a vertical herb garden in or near the kitchen to conveniently snip off fresh herbs. Or maybe you’d like to hang a real painting of plants on the wall over your sofa. Use your imagination to see where a vertical panel garden could enhance your living space.

If you construct your own living wall, you can place it to suit the plants you want to grow. Or do it in reverse, so the outdoor plants you grow can mediate temperatures that are impacting your home inside. This might be a decorative or practical solution for blocking sun from overheating a south or west facing wall. Just be sure you select the right kind of plants for the exposure or the right exposure for the plants you choose.

Most vertical gardens come with drainage systems already installed.

If you want to construct your own, think of building a frame that will include individual planting areas, drip lines into each soil pocket/pot and either a tray below or drainage tubing to conduct away excess water.

If you are interested in a gardening project that will be interesting and different, consider putting together your own lovely, ecological, living panel wall. Then use it for décor, natural insulation or to fill in a small or awkward place that will really benefit from a garden that grows up instead of out.

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40 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

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25711 Shady Oak Ln is a true masterpiece in the most prestigious guarded & gated community in Valencia, Westridge Estates.

Custom built home was meticulously designed with comfort and luxury in mind. Massive 12car underground garage and entertainment space, gourmet kitchen is equip with top grade appliances, open breakfast and living area.

Large patio with outdoor kitchen and amazing views of private pool and city lights.

This is truly a one-of-a-kind home

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Gorgeous 2+2 unit in secluded setting.

No expense spared when doing the many upgrades…scraped and textured ceilings, crown and shoe moldings, laminate wood flooring, ceiling fans with lighting, new bath fixtures, Anderson entry door with storm door, tile flooring, quartz counter tops, new kitchen sink and fixtures, 2 carports with ample storage, lovely outdoor living room, washer & dryer, electric fireplace & more! Friendly Valley is a SENIOR community/ guard gated and patrolled 24/7. Country club amenities including two golf courses. $369,500

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5 houses built on a high plateau with 360 degree unobstructed views of the Sierra Pelona Mountains and beyond. Built in 2009 the single story main house is 3+3, and is 2,908 sf of understated elegance. The other 4, more rustic, houses range in size from 822 to 1,204 sf and are ideal for the ultimate family compound or corporate retreat. A huge resort style patio with pool & spa, Tennis Court, helicopter garage, airplane hangar, pond, mature trees and 3 wells are also included on the property.

26330 Oak Highland Dr #C Newhall, CA 91321

Marilyn Garner

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Formal Dining room. Family-room with raised hearth fireplace and wet bar. The Master suite has a fireplace & giant walk-in closet. Absolutely stunning park like 7.2 flat and usable acres is completely fenced and private. 3 car garage. Incredible views from everywhere on the property. This property will not disappoint.

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$1,099,000

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SINGLE STORY HOME WITH X-LARGE YARD!

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Just minutes from SCV. Enjoy all 4 seasons on this 20+ acre ranch Home is 6247 sq. ft. with incredible VIEWS $1,550,000 8072 Cuddy Valley Road in Frazier Park

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 41

SINGLE STORY POOL HOME! $525,000 Instant Access To All POOL HOMES IN SCV!

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This Newhall Friendly Valley 2 bd/2 bath +Den ~ Stand-alone home has approx. 1561 sq. ft. Incredible view, great floor plan, 2 golf courses, gated/guard community,many activities, pool, much more! Come Home Today $565,000

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K

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BBQ ISLAND + FIRE PIT! VIRTUAL TOUR: www.15622nahin.info • 5 Bedrooms + Loft, 4 Bath 3,619 sqft • Downstairs bedroom • 3 Car Garage • Built-in BBQ Island and Fire Pit • Granite Kitchen • Stainless Appliances

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K

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6 beds 5 baths 3,674 sq ft 4 car garage Beautifully upgraded Hasley Canyon Estate. Travertine flooring, crown moldings, plantation shutters, mirrored closets, surround sound and recessed lighting!

Tons of upgrades throughout this spacious open floor plan. Beautiful views looking down on the valley from every room. Private serene country setting with perfect backyard for entertaining. $1,250,000

CLASSIC CALIFORNIA EQUESTRIAN RANCH

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4 beds 3 full baths~ 3,194 sqft ~11,217 sqft lot. Built in 1987 Single Family Residence.

Magnificent VICTORIAN one of a kind home with studio above garage could be yours.

Exquisite detail from the moment you enter...

Suzie Wing Wood

REALTOR® Lic. 01484482

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LAS VEGAS STUNNER!!

Gorgeous Toll Brothers Former Model ~ 3 BEDROOM 3.5 BATH ~ EACH BEDROOM HAS EN-SUITE BATH & BALCONY ~ POOL WITH SUNDECK ~ CUSTOM HOME THEATER ~ MOUNTAIN VIEWS FROM MASTER w/LOFT ~ GOURMET KITCHEN W/ ISLAND ~ UPGRADED APPLIANCES ~ DECORATOR FINISHES THROUGHOUT ~ CALL FOR DETAILS!

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Absolutely pristine move in ready unit in sought after Friendly Valley Country Club. Peaceful, serene upper unit offers expansive views of hills and trees. Many improvements --including dual pane windows and patio slider, new air conditioner and furnace, new range and microwave.

Laminate wood flooring throughout, scraped ceilings, newer kitchen cabinets. Truly a must see! $239,500

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csjwood@aol.com

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$599,000

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Single story, 3+2+office 2,363 SF, well designed and well-built home sits on the NW corner knoll of the property to take advantage of the sweeping views. Horse facilities include a workshop attached to a 3 stall stable with turn-outs. 2 additional stalls, several fenced areas designed for dogs/goats/sheep, a chicken “condo”, 2 arenas, 2 covered carports and several out buildings. Landscaped with mature trees that provide beauty, shade and privacy.

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42 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019 Mountains, trees and nature all around.

What an opportunity for full time residence, personal get away or rental.

Beautiful 3 bed- 2 bath well maintained 2002 manufactured home on permanent foundation. Back deck for outdoor dining & enjoying the view. Open updated kitchen w/custom cabinets, granite counters, newer flooring & morning room. Master suite has two walk in closets. Ensuite with soaking tub, separate shower, water closet and vanity dual sinks. Living room with wood burning fireplace, vinyl dual glaze windows & increased insulation in walls, ceiling & floor. Single extra length garage.

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Newer 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home in gated community, Villa Metro. Beautiful wood laminate floors, high ceilings and recessed lighting. Large kitchen with granite counters, center island, stainless steel sink and appliances. Large master bedroom with walk in closet. Master bath with dual sinks & separate water closet. Stackable laundry upstairs. Nice size secondary bedrooms, one has a “Romeo and Juliet” balcony! Very sweet back yard/courtyard. Large 2 car attached garage. Community boasts resort style pool, clubhouse, playground, barbeque and garden to grow your own vegetables or flowers!! $489,000 21860 Moveo Dr , Saugus 91350

Happy Valley Single Story Home 5+3 – 2,950 sq ft, single story, classic California ranch style pool home in Happy Valley. Lot is 11,822 sq ft and there is tons of RV/Boat/Toy parking. $850,000

CARLOTTA LEVY “You deserve to be treated like Royalty!”

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Dre# 01311715

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23322 Maple St., Newhall, 91321

BRANDON KING

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Single Family Residence approximately 1400 square feet, 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths, The Master Bath Addition has a shower, a large walk in closet all done with permits.

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Private fenced yard, 2 beds, 2 baths, 864 sqft-End Unit. Remodeled Master Bath, Newer Roof, Newer A/C Unit.

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Washer/Dryer included. 24 hour Security Guard Gated Community.

Amenities include Multipurpose buildings, heated Olympic size pool, 9 hole executive golf course, barbecue / picnic areas and more.

• 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bath, 2,371 sqft • Vaulted Ceiling in Every Room!

• Highly Upgraded Kitchen • 2 Horse Stalls, 2 Barns • 3 Car Garage+RV Parking • End of Cul De Sac

(661) 313-4284

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K

REALTOR®

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19162 Avenue of the Oaks Unit A, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

www.gailkopp.com gail@gailkopp.com

Gorgeous Executive Home 4+5 – 2942 sq ft, Gorgeous executive home behind the gates in West Hills. Loft room with private bath could be 5th bedroom.

Downstairs bed and bath with private entrance. $759,000

Gail Kopp

Broker Associate, DRE #01059833

661-313-4062 Michelle Munera

Dean Cox

Realtor, DRE# 01328342

27311 Altamere Ave, Canyon Country, CA 91351

626-390-4724

Realty Executives SCV

RE/MAX of Valencia CalBRE #01331788

28657 Farrier Dr. Valencia, 91354

661-644-6120

AU G U S T 18, 2019

Opinion

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 4 3

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

OURVIEWS

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

Men’s Jail: 5 Supervisors, Just One Sensible Vote

Yes, It Was Me: Society’s Culture of Blame-Shifting

By The Signal Editorial Board

By David Hegg

S

ometime in the next few years, when a mentally deranged person who should have been in the custody of law enforcement commits a horrific crime in Los Angeles County, you can blame the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

With one exception: Our valley’s representative, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who was the lone voice in the Board of Supervisors’ wilderness this past week when she cast the sole dissenting vote as the other four members of the board decided to abandon plans for a new mental health-focused custody facility to replace the aging, degraded, downright dangerous Men’s Central Jail.

The plan has been in the works for a dozen years, spanning more than 30 board motions and letters, and several studies to determine the best approach to keep communities safe while addressing the fact that an increasing percentage of inmates in the county Sheriff ’s Department’s jails are classified as mentally ill.

Yet, four supervisors — Hilda Solis, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Janice Hahn and Sheila Kuehl — voted to “kick the can down the road” and wait

for yet another study, delaying the much-needed improvements to the county’s incarceration and inmate mental health treatment capabilities.

Only Barger voted no, preferring to proceed with the now-canceled plan — which had already gotten to the point of executing a design-build contract for McCarthy Builders Inc. to construct the 6,700-bed Mental Health Treatment Facility to replace Men’s Central Jail.

“Without a plan for replacing the outdated Men’s Central Jail facility, the county is choosing to maintain the status quo,” Barger said. “One-third of the county’s jail population has mental illness. The Office of Diversion and Reentry has estimated that they can potentially divert 56% of those mentally ill based on their offenses and their prospective threat to public safety.”

Barger is right.

The board’s timing is ironic, too, coming on the heels of several mass shootings across the nation in which See OUR VIEW, page 45

F

or several years between my graduate studies and my first ministry position, I was in the corporate world. Providing for my family while serving as a lay minister meant being immersed in the world of business. I owned and ran a small business, transitioned to a home office marketing position in a multi-state financial institution, and ended up as a sales manager for a national company.

Along the way I learned – often the hard way! – about what has come to be known as the “blame game.”

In sales I found that character and trust were the primary commodities good salespersons offered their clients.

And perhaps the best way to gauge a salesperson's character was watching how they responded when something went wrong. Anyone can cause a mess, but only the truly virtuous will stand up, admit their culpability, and shoulder the responsibility to clean it up.

Admitting and fixing mistakes often shows more about you than do the mistakes themselves.

Of course, mistakes are a problem.

As someone has said, to err is human but when the eraser wears out long before the pencil, we’re in big trouble. I’m not suggesting that mistakes should be overlooked as long as someone admits being wrong. I am suggesting that the only way to minimize future messes is to accept responsibility for our mistakes, admit our need to change, learn the right lessons from failure, and thereby become better equipped to solve the problems we face.

In a fascinating book entitled “Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me),” authors Carol Tarvis and Elliot Aronson chronicle the descent of our society into the chasm of blame shifting. Through example after example they describe a phenomenon we see displayed every day in our world.

No one seems to be the ones making the mistakes. We are running out of men and women who will admit their fair share of blame. In their place we are given an almost inexhaustible cast of talking heads who are only too eager to tell us that no one on their side did See HEGG, page 44

READERLETTERS

Bravo on Boston Hill Column In Response to the column, “Shall We Merrily Move to Impeach Rep. Katie Hill” on Aug. 9 by John Boston: Bravo, Mr. Boston. Finally someone who is not afraid to say it as it is! You speak for a lot of us who do not speak our mind for the possibly of being ostracized or just not wanting to get into arguments that go on and on and on, or because we might offend dear friends and family, or for the aggravation of getting horrible looks or fear

of someone vandalizing our car or home for wearing hats or T-shirts that say “Make America Great Again.”

How do we prevent big money from taking over the elections in our district in the future?

Good question for all of us to think of.

Thank again, John for your on-point article.

Jim and Stella Pilarski, Valencia

Democrat Partisan Hit Piece I just read Jonathan Kraut’s opinion, compar-

ing President Trump to fascist behavior (reportedly from an article in “Psychology Today.”) This is a perfect example of a disingenuous Democrat partisan hit piece.

The list he gave as examples of Trump’s (fascist) behavior: paranoia, self described victimhood, smearing political opponents, leader “cult” worship, assuming full control of the government, subordinating people’s rights to the government — could also be said of Communist countries.

Think: Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Castro, See LETTERS, page 45

4 4 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

AU G U S T 18, 2019

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

D R AW I N G C O N C LU S I O N S J E F F S TA H L E R

WSU Move-In Day and a Dad Who’s All Thumbs

By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

I

t was move-in day at Washington State University, and my daughter’s dorm room looked like a crime scene.

Blood, spattered on the wall. In the sink. On the boxes we had carted there to, hopefully, get Brooke’s freshman year as a Cougar off to an auspicious start.

The trash basket was filled with blood-soaked paper towels, evidence of the kind of hasty cleanup effort that’s prompted by sudden bloodshed.

It was my blood. And I’d done something really, really stupid.

Fortunately, it was early. Brooke’s roommate wasn’t there yet. So, like Tony Soprano, we had time to call in Paulie Walnuts to clean up the mess I’d created.

I’d damn near lopped off my thumb.

It was dumb. We had just finished hauling in all of Brooke’s boxes, clothes, tubs, suitcases, a mini refrigerator, a small microwave and, of course, her Keurig. If you know Brooke, you know she wasn’t about to move 1,100 miles away without a coffee maker.

But it was the fridge that did me in.

I was putting the thing together, and there was a zip tie that had been holding the power cord together while the fridge was in its box. I grabbed our awesome American flag pocket knife, and prepared to slice that zip tie to smithereens.

Except it popped loose faster than I expected and next thing I know, Tim’s thumb is part of the smithereens.

Blood squirted from my thumb.

Launch velocity was pretty good. It hit the wall behind me. Ignoring all of my own preachings about knife safety, I had sliced the pad of my thumb to the point where it was hanging by a millimeter of skin, exposing the interior of

my thumb in a way that I never want to see again.

And there I was, holding my thumb together, blood flowing, trying to stop it. It didn’t hurt, but I was worried about how much blood I was losing.

My wife and my daughter? They were worried about the mess I

was making.

Looking back now, I see the humor in it. But at the time all I could think was, “I’ve ruined Brooke’s move-in day. Forever in this dorm, she will be known as the girl whose dopey dad sliced off his thumb on move-in day.”

That hurt much more than the knife.

The last thing I’d ever want to do is ruin anything for my little girl.

We got it temporarily patched up with gauze and duct tape, which Brooke had insisted on bringing to college because, she said, you never know when you’ll need duct tape.

She was right. And I think I owe her a fresh roll of stars-and-stripes duct tape.

She’s so ready for this college thing.

Erin wanted to drive me to the ER, but I was feeling OK and there was much work remaining to do in the dorm so I drove myself and left the girls — I believe they went through a whole tub of Clorox wipes, cleaning up while I was gone. Paulie, eat your heart out.

Fortunately, the Pullman Hospital ER wasn’t busy, and they got me glued back together within an hour. (Thanks, Dr. Lightfoot!)

I got back to the university and parked a few blocks from the dorm, and made the climb up the hill. I know WSU’s mascot is the Cougar, but they should be the WSU Mountain Goats.

The gag is, Pullman is the only place in that part of Washington too steep to See WHYTE, page 45

HEGG

Continued from page 43

anything poorly, and the problem lies completely at the feet of their opponents.

Of course we see this happening daily in our political world. But even more frightening is the fact that it happens in our homes. Being in the business of training lives gives me a front-row seat in the theater of conflict as it rages in marriages and families.

I have listened to countless married couples explain to me that their almost overwhelming problems are all to be blamed on their spouse.

“Sure our marriage is in shambles, but it is mostly because he/she did this or that.”

Occasionally, after one spouse is truly convicted of their own sinful behavior, sincere humility and brokenness begins to pour out of them. The first sign of authenticity in these matters is a painful, remorse-filled expression of personal responsibility that refuses to factor in whatever blame could rightly be shifted to their mate. When we come to honestly own our part in the mess, we turn the corner from perpetrator to problem solver.

The same principle is true at every level of society, and there’s a reason for that. Refusing to admit our part in

the mess displays a heart of pride and deceit born out of a greater concern for reputation than results. We would rather win than succeed. We would rather hang on to the myth of our superiority than admit that, deep down, we’re to blame as much as our opponents. Our society is fast coming to believe that culpability is far worse than failure.

But such a view only compounds the problems we face by replacing our duty to others with the desire to protect self.

What we need are more and more men and women willing to attempt great things, admit when they’re wrong, and shoulder the responsibility of fixing the messes they create.

Only then will our political system start to work again. Only then will our children learn the virtues of honesty, humility and hard work. Only then will we recover the necessary belief that proposals and slogans don’t solve problems. People solve problems. And it takes people with integrity, humility, creativity and a passionate desire to get things done, even if it means admitting and fixing their mistakes along the way.

David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church and a Santa Clarita resident.“Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.

AU G U S T 18, 2019

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 4 5

Opinion

WHYTE

Continued from page 44

grow wheat, so they put a university there.

At WSU, the “Freshman 15” means something completely different: It’s the 15 pounds you’ll LOSE from climbing all those hills.

But holy cow, it’s a beautiful campus, in the midst of a quintessentially American town where the university is everything. I knew Brooke had chosen a good place to be.

I got back to the girls, and we shared a few laughs over my exploits, now that the crisis was over. Erin and Brooke had done a terrific job cleaning up, and setting up her side of the room, and it felt like a good place to call home for the next couple of semesters.

And that’s when it started to hit me.

It hadn’t hit me on the drive up to Pullman, which felt like a family road trip except we were missing our

LETTERS

Continued from page 43

Maduro, Putin, Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping, Ortega, and even at times, (Gulp) President Obama.

What is described as “fascist” behavior is really “state-ist” behavior, and state-ism encompasses

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 43

the mental health of the perpetrators is at least one of the likely factors. We may not all agree on gun control, but we should all be able to agree on the importance of protecting the public from potentially dangerous people with mental illness, and treating those people rather than kicking them back out onto the streets, where they are, ironically, likely to contribute not only to the crime problem but also to the county’s growing homelessness problem.

The Department of Mental Health projects a 50% increase in the need for inmate mental health services in the next few years. Add to this the fact that only 20% of the county’s current jail population is considered “low risk” and, because of overcrowding, inmates typically only serve 10% of their sentences, and you have a Board of Supervisors that is flirting with disaster by continuing to study the issue to death rather than finally taking action after 12 years

son Luc, who was already back in Oklahoma getting ready for his senior year at OU. We veered off the I-5 just past Mt. Shasta and wound our way through the country roads and highways of Oregon and Washington — a truly scenic taste of America in which it seemed like, every hour or so, one of us would say, “What a cute little town...”

It was then, though, in the dorm, my thumb splinted and wrapped in bright blue medical tape, that it hit me: We were going back to Santa Clarita and Brooke was staying there, starting her college adventure while Erin and I headed back to an empty nest.

Like I said. She’s got this. Honor student. Good head on her shoulders. Quick wit. Huge heart. But damn. They grow up too fast.

We enjoyed a couple of meals in Pullman’s signature pubs and mom-and-pop restaurants, and Brooke stayed in the hotel with us on our last night before we left, sharing some laughs — at least one of which ended with a reference to my thumb and both girls, communism, socialism and fascism — all on the left.

The “right,” properly understood, is for: civil rights, individual freedom, free enterprise, property ownership, and equal application of the law, as set forth in our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

As long as President Trump supports those founding documents, neither he, nor his sup-

in unison, unrehearsed, lamenting, mockingly, “Oh, Timmy Tim Tim.” Yeah. I deserved that.

The next morning was the hard part. Erin and I had to head home, and Brooke had dorm meetings and welcome week events to attend, and new friends to make.

We pulled up to the front of her dorm on Sunday morning to say so long, until we next visit her in Pullman.

Hugs. Tears. “I love you’s.”

And then, I couldn’t resist it. Choking up, I told her I was proud of her — and, teary-eyed, I gave her a big, blue, bandaged “thumbs up.”

And I wouldn’t trade that smile she gave me, for anything.

Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays. On Twitter: @TimWhyte. porters, can be described as “fascist.”

Richard La Motte, Valencia Submit a Letter to the Editor Include name, address & 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.

We should all be able to agree on the importance of protecting the public from potentially dangerous people with mental illness, and treating those people rather than kicking them back out onto the streets, where they are, ironically, likely to contribute not only to the crime problem but also to the county’s growing homelessness problem. of pondering.

Aren’t these things supposed to be a priority for Los Angeles County?

James Wheeler thinks so. Wheeler, the vice president of ALADS — the union of the 8,000 L.A. County sheriff ’s deputies — testified to the board that canceling the design-build contract is a dangerous mistake with consequences not only for mentally ill inmates, but also for custody deputies and the community at large.

“Our deputy sheriffs have worked for decades in custody facilities where

conditions can only be described as deplorable for ALADS members and inmates alike,” Wheeler said. “Conditions at the Men’s Central Jail facility have been unsafe for as long as anyone can remember. The solution has always been to replace it with a 21st-century custody facility that will properly serve inmates, especially those with mental health needs.

“Canceling the design-build contract is a step backwards.”

Wheeler cited a study reporting that the county, which already houses 4,000

male and 1,000 female inmates with mental health issues, will need 6,700 beds for mental health inmates by 2025.

“Without the (Mental Health Treatment Center), and the custody mental health treatment beds it would provide, we expect severe overcrowding that would require the release of potentially violent, mentally ill inmates who would not have the benefit of treatment that may help their rehabilitation,” Wheeler said. “Your motion sends a message to your deputies that you are willing to accept options that we believe are not good for public safety.”

We thank Supervisor Barger for sticking to her guns on this issue.

Twelve years of study has been enough to determine that the Mental Health Treatment Center is sorely needed, and the Men’s Central Jail has outlived its shelf life.

If only the rest of the board shared Barger’s recognition that this is a poorly timed piece of procrastination — one that literally puts L.A. County residents’ lives at risk.

46 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

CROSSWORD TIME

AU G U S T 18, 2019

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

Funaholics, not workaholics

By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

B

efore they were world-famous, or even Great Britain-famous, the Beatles would play three or four shows a day at several different venues. If you’ve ever been in a band, you know what that means.

It means breaking down the equipment; hauling it into a crowded, food wrapper-filled van that breaks down more than it runs and stinks of fried food and stage sweat; crawling into that same van; finding the stage door (long before GPS); lugging stuff out of the van and setting it up again; waiting in a filthy dressing room that smells worse than the van; finding out onstage that the bass amp blew up; breaking the B string in the middle of your best solo; then finding out the promoter can’t (or won’t) pay you.

All this in the wonderful English weather in the rust-belt towns around Liverpool. A comparable American town would be Buffalo.

The Beatles did this for years. But it’s like the old joke: What, stop performing? And give up the glamour of show business?!

Me, even if I could play guitar and sing, I would have lasted about a week on the road, and I would have done nothing but complain the entire time.

And the idea that four kids from the cultural sticks would make it against all the odds was a pipe dream. Why would anyone put themselves through the death march of what it takes to become rich and famous, unless they enjoyed it?

George Harrison was 20 years old when the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan’s show. He’d already been a Beatle for four years. That’s what it takes to make it “overnight.”

I like golf, but the idea of hitting a thousand practice balls a day to win the U.S. Open would be boring beyond words. Yet that’s what it takes.

People do it. I’d like to make $20 million as a movie star, but I want to go to 500 auditions with 500 headshots like I want to have 500 colonoscopies.

But that’s what it takes.

When you see a Broadway musical,

you are not just seeing a two-hour show. You are seeing hundreds of hours of parents driving kids to, and paying for, dance lessons and music lessons and voice coaches and recitals. Every week. For years. No sane person would do it unless they got some kind of pleasure out of it, because all that work doesn’t guarantee that you will ever be a star. But at least you’ll be able to dance and sing — things you probably enjoy anyway.

When you see a movie or a TV show, you are watching years of some guy or gal trying to get a union card to become a sound technician or a camera operator or a key grip. It’s a hard card to get, yet there are 160,000 members of the biggest show business union. How many of them have you heard of? They don’t do these jobs just for the money, or the often nonexistent fame — they just like it.

Some people even like riding broncos. I don’t even wanna know how you practice that. It’s gotta hurt.

No matter what you do, you would change professions if it wasn’t fun for you on some level. Musicians like to hang out with musicians. Golfers love playing golf. Actors like acting. Investors like to invest. The media likes to talk about the money celebrities make, but that really misses the point of how celebrities came to be highly paid in the first place. They practice relentlessly because they can, and they want to. They are workaholics, sure, but a better word would be “funaholics.” They may not enjoy every minute of practice or travel to and from gigs, but to think they do everything for money is a bit far-fetched.

You’d be surprised how “lucky” you get when you’ve learned every trick in the book — how to sell a song, how to frame a shot, how to get one over the pond, how to act as if you’re not acting, how to seem as enthusiastic at the 501st audition as you were at the first one.

At the end of their last concert as the most famous band in the world, the one on the rooftop of Abbey Road Studios, John Lennon leaned into the mic and said, “Thank you very much and I hope we’ve passed the audition.” He was probably only half kidding.

Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com.

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