Sunday Signal August 25, 2019

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11 Bear spotted near Newhall mobile home park Hart District names superintendent-elect 12 Nonprofit’s Back 2 School Bash aims to test children Body of man found on Newhall bicycle path 13 Girl Scouts help seniors celebrate a prom of their own Operation School Bell scheduled to begin on Sept. 15 at Old Navy 14 Narcan two years later: Still saving SCV lives City touted as safest to raise a child

15 Health concerns, smartwatches and ‘pods’ 16 A behind-the-scenes look at filming in Santa Clarita 16 Runners: Assemble for the Santa Clarita Marathon 17 Moore returns to help indians under center 18 Grab some sun and fun for a Labor Day getaway 23 Jon B brings the beats to Canyon Santa Clarita 25 The I-5 experience from Santa Clarita to Washington

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AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E S

SCV crime plunges by nearly 24% since last year

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

C

rime in the Santa Clarita Valley — both violent crime, such as assaults, and property crimes, such as burglaries — are down by an unprecedented 24% compared to last year, and the SCV’s top cop points to dedicated deputies and a vigilant community as the reasons for the change.

Statistics compiled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department, comparing crimes reported in the first half of this year to the same time period last year showed a drastic drop in overall crime of 23.91%.

Violent crimes including homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault dropped by 33.02%, while property crimes including burglary, larceny theft, grand theft auto and arson dropped by 22.76%.

“I can’t say enough words to thank the deputies and the community,” Lewis said during a sit-down interview at the SCV Sheriff ’s Station this week, which included Lt. Ignacio Somoano, who heads the station’s Detective Bureau.

Lewis called the drop in crime “significant,” attributing it to a team of 160 deputies assigned to patrol 293,000 people in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The SCV is the third-largest community in Los Angeles County — and growing.

See something, say something

The captain credited the “see something, say something” campaign spearheaded by the SCV Sheriff ’s Station, encouraging residents to report

Capt. Robert Lewis and Deputy Chris Germansen investigate the scene of a crime last June. Violent crimes including homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault dropped by 33% in the last year.

SIGNAL PHOTO

Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean thanks several Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies: Mario Acosta, left, Tanner Sanchez and Chris Morgan, right, for their work in reducing the number of intoxicated drivers on the road. SCV-wide, crime is down by nearly a quarter, per Sheriff’s Department statistics. PHOTO BY TAMMY MURGA / THE SIGNAL

any suspicious activity.

The fact that residents are seeing suspicious activity and reporting it is the dynamic driving crime down.

“A lot of the time, we’re getting alerted by someone calling in because they saw something suspicious. When they do, we have more cars on the street and we’re able to react in time and get there quicker,” Lewis said.

“And we’re arresting more people on more of those cases,” he said.

Lewis also credits “predictive policing,” in which the station’s crime analyst, Yvette McClain, identifies crime trends, allowing sheriff deputies to respond accordingly.

“The kudos really go to the deputies out working with the community,” Lewis said.

“The deputies are out there now in a day and age where officers are killed for meaningless things. They’re out there doing the work in though the odds are against them,” he said.

“And, they believe in something with this community. They believe in a safe Santa Clarita,” he said.

When it comes to keeping SCV residents safe, the latest numbers speak for themselves.

Assaults drop 42%

The number of aggravated assaults this year compared to last year

dropped by more than 42%, with 112 cases reported between January and June in 2018, and 64 cases reported during the same time frame in 2019.

Robberies dropped by almost 29% from 69 cases last year, compared to 49 this year.

The number of rape cases stayed virtually the same with slight 3.23% drop.

And, although the same stats show one homicide this year compared to three last year, Lewis and Somoano promptly produced revised statistics showing that SCV’s only homicide this year was re-defined.

“It’s either manslaughter or something else, but it’s not a homicide,” Somoano said.

To which Lewis replied proudly: “We’ve had no homicides this year.”

Property crimes down

A quick look at property crimes reveals the same downward trend.

The most impressive drop was in the number of arsons — 18 arsons reported in 2018, seven so far in 2019.

The number of burglaries and incidents of grand theft auto were cut by a third year this year over last.

LASD officials reported 381 burglaries in the SCV last year, compared to 265 this year. For grand theft auto, those numbers were 188

in 2018 and 129 in 2019.

Larceny theft cases dropped by more than 18%, reflecting a change from 1,109 cases last year to 909 cases this year.

“The community is really stepping up and providing us with information about porch pirates and people stealing from cars,” Somoano said.

More eyes

“The more eyes we have on residential streets and the more eyes we have watching driveways and people’s cars, the more we’re able to solve crimes,” Somoano said.

“Our crime is way down,” Somoano said. “But that doesn’t mean the detectives are not busy.

“We’re now having little clues come our way, making them (investigations) workable,” he said. “So now we’re spending more time on cases that were not within the detectives’ reach in the past.”

Technology has been a big help, they said.

Many residents with doorbell videos are able to send images of suspects to detectives.

Somoano and the captain also praised the “business alliance” of local businesses sharing information they each may have which might be useful to others.

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AU G U S T 25, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Volunteerism offers families chance to get together outside

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

I

t’s common for families to look at the end of the summer and see the declining opportunity to get together and spend quality time with one another. Often offering a break from school, work and day-to-day hustle and bustle, the summer is considered an ideal time for families to bond with each other.

However, there’s plenty of community service and volunteerism opportunities for families to spend time together even with summer winding down and schools back in session.

“For parents, I encourage them to start their kids (volunteering) young,” said Tess Simgen, the arts and events volunteer engagement supervisor for the city. “When parents bring their kids, you’re being a good role model and you’re teaching them a good life lesson.”

River Clean Up, CERT and the Marathon

One upcoming opportunity to give back is part of a long-standing tradition in Santa Clarita, the Santa Clara River Rally. During the event, volunteers flock to a local portion of the Santa Clara River, and pick up gloves, trash bags and water bottles to walk out into the riverbed to pick up trash.

Since the event started 25 years ago, over 445,000 pounds of trash have been collected during River Rallies, Simgen said.

“Last year, we had over 1,200 volunteers show up … and kids as young as five coming down with their parents,” said Simgen. “It’s a good place for families to bond and do something together.”

In addition to the River Rally, a Community Emergency Response Training is being held the same day.

The course is set to begin Sept. 7, and the three-week program takes place every Saturday until Sept. 21.

The CERT program, which is run as a partnership between the city and Los Angeles County Fire Department, helps the class participants practice what they’ve learned, and helps the community prepare for a disaster.

A third opportunity for the year is the Santa Clarita marathon, where

families can volunteer for a water station or course monitor. Course monitors make sure a certain spot is secure, while making sure the runners are going the same way, said Simgen.

“It’s a good way to meet other people, other families, and work with others and it could be fun to cheer on the runners,” said Simgen. “We get runners from different states, and sometimes even different countries.”

Simgen said groups and families can apply to volunteer to work the event together. There’s a 5k and 10k on Nov. 2, and the half marathon and full marathon are on the second day.

Volunteer registration for the River Rally Clean Up/Environmental Expo and the CERT program are now open, and marathon volunteer registration starts Sept. 1. For more information about what roles you and your family can play in these city-run community events, visit http://santaclaritavolunteers.com/

Castaic Lake

Castaic Lake is visited and enjoyed by tens of thousands of people each year. And in order to keep the natural beauty of the lake at a pristine level, a number of individuals and groups volunteer their time to help clean up trash and leftovers from these events.

The Friends of Castaic Lake, is a volunteer group that makes a positive impact on the Castaic Lake

Friends and family wait at the finish line for their loved ones to arrive at the 2017 Santa Clarita Marathon. SIGNAL PHOTO

Recreation Area by working to keep it clean. For the last 36 years, the nonprofit group has had a mission to enhance operations for the County of Los Angeles’ largest regional park.

And on the second Saturday of each month, the members of the FOCL hold a Pride in the Lake Day, from 9-11 a.m., where the volunteers pick up trash.

Dennis Luker, 37, of Saugus, picks up trash with Cub Scout Pack 527 of Santa Clarita, with his 6-year-old son Tyler, right, and fellow pack member Carlo Colon.

SIGNAL PHOTO

“This is a great way to get out there and do something positive for our community,” said Courtney Tole, Friends of Castaic Lake social media and communication coordinator. “We will supply gloves, trash bags and trash-pickers; all you need to bring is a desire to make one of Los Angeles County’s best parks even better.”

Other volunteer events, which people can either offer to work at or attend for fun, include the “Casting a Special Thrill” or CAST event for disabled children, the December “Winter Magic-Lighted Boat” parade, or even the “Fishin’ and Fun for Kids” day, which draws over 400 kids to the lake to learn how to fish and fish alongside one another.

“Adults and kids alike thoroughly enjoy our events (and) our goal is to make every event fun and memorable for all guests and volunteers in attendance,” said Tole. “(And) we are always looking for more volunteers.”

FOCL meets at the BISC Building located inside the park on the third Tuesday of every month (except December). If you are interested in getting involved, attend a meeting, or for more information, contact the park office at (661) 257-4050.

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Labor Day backyard barbeques smoke and sizzle

By Fiona Soukup and Michele Braun Whiteaker Signal Contributing Writers

L

abor Day weekend is rapidly approaching, which means its time to plan your end-ofsummer backyard barbeques.

The heat has hit. Now hit back! By taking your kitchen outdoors, you’ll keep the high temperatures where they belong. Here in California we use “barbeque” as a verb. “Wanna barbeque tonight?” is a common saying in Santa Clarita during the summer months.

Native Californians will be surprised to learn this is not the norm in other parts of the country where families “grill on the grill” instead of “barbequing on the barbeque.” That’s okay. Whatever you call it — it’s just plain good.

Our traditional All-American Barbeque menu includes favorites like grilled chicken, corn-on-the cob, coleslaw and baked beans. To prevent sticking, season your grill with an oil spray, such as Pam, before lighting. A refreshingly patriotic dessert of fruit and cream tops off the meal.

BBQ Chicken with Chimichurri Marinade

Chimichurri is an Argentinean marinade made with fresh green herbs, garlic and lemon juice. It also makes a great dipping sauce for bread. It is ideal for marinating chicken and steak cooked over an open fire.

Marinade: 4 cloves garlic 1 bunch parsley l/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup lemon juice

6 pieces chicken 1 cup BBQ sauce Combine the marinade ingredients in a blender. Cut slits in the chicken and cover each piece on both sides with the marinade. Marinade the chicken overnight.

Cook over hot coals for at least 30 minutes or until done. When the chicken is done, baste with BBQ sauce and keep warm until serving time.

Corn

Golden ears of sweet com are available in abundance throughout the summer and an essential at a true backyard barbeque.

6 whole ears of com, husks removed Foil Butter Wrap each ear of corn in foil. Cook over the hot coals for 20 minutes.

Remove the foil and serve with butter.

Coleslaw

This colorful summertime salad gets a nutritious lift with watercress,

jicama and oranges. Buy a good premade poppyseed dressing to complement this crunchy fresh salad. l/2 green cabbage, thinly sliced l/2 purple cabbage, thinly sliced l/2 cup carrots, grated 1 bunch watercress, stalks trimmed 1 jicama, peeled, sliced, and cubed 3 oranges, peeled and sliced Poppyseed dressing Combine all the ingredients in a salad bowl and serve the dressing on the side.

Smokey Beans

Smoked bacon sets off the pinto beans.

4 strips smoked bacon 2 cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed 1 large red onion, diced 1 cup celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tablespoons sugar 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 cup water, if necessary Cook the bacon in a pan. Set aside.

Use the pan with bacon drippings

to saute the onion, celery and garlic until browned. Add the sugar and vinegar.

Chop up the cooked bacon and add to the onion mixture. Add water, if necessary.

Combine onion mixture with the beans and allow to simmer slowly for 15 minutes.

Berry Shortcake

Mixed summer berries and shortcake with whipped cream are the crowning glory of this barbeque 1 cup blueberries, washed 1 cup raspberries, washed 2 cups strawberries, washed and sliced 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 4 tablespoons orange juice or boubon 6 individual shortcake cups

Whipped cream

Combine the berries with the sugar and orange juice and allow to sit for an hour. Fill each shortcake cup with whipped cream. Spoon the berries over the whipped cream and serve.

10 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E S

SCV pilot helps 200 kids discover flight

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

Left: Lisa Fusano stands next to the plane she flies out of Whiteman Airport in Van Nuys for the Young Eagles. PHOTO BY EMILY ALVARENGA / THE SIGNAL

L

isa Fusano never thought she’d be where she is today — a pilot with her own plane, giving more than 200 kids the opportunity to soar through the skies.

She’s able to do this as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, which allows children between the ages of 8 and 17 to experience their first free ride in an airplane.

Fusano said after she’d been a single mom for about 10 years, struggling to provide for her children, she found an inspiration that changed everything for her.

“The Lord found me, and turned my life around,” she said. “To go from that to being able to own a plane and fly kids is amazing.”

She had always been fascinated with planes, since her father, a WWII veteran who also later worked on planes for Lockheed Martin, helped foster her fascination with the aviation world.

“My dad never was a pilot, but always wanted to be,” she said. “He inspired me, and said, ‘I never got my pilot license, so I want you to.’”

Fusano began her aviation journey back in 2005, when she got the chance to sit in the cockpit of a six-seat floatplane on a vacation in Alaska with her husband.

“That was it, I was bitten — I had the bug,” she said, and she then began the long road to becoming a pilot.

Now, she flies children every month through the Young Eagles program, which was created in July 1992 in an effort to introduce a new generation to the world of flight, according to Dick Knapinski, director of communications.

Their goal was to fly 1 million kids and introduce them to aviation by the centennial of the Wright brother’s flight in 2003, he added.

“Everybody thought we were completely nuts, because no way are you going to find people to volunteer their time, their airplanes, the fuel to fly a million kids,” Knapinski said.

Yet, since then, the program has been able to fly nearly 2.2 million

Below: Fusano and her daughter Charity soar above the Santa Clarita Valley in Fusano’s plane. Lisa has shared the experience of flying with more than 200 children through the Young Eagles program. COURTESY PHOTO LISA FUSANO

young people worldwide with the help of more than 50,000 pilots, in anything from a hot air balloon to a corporate jet, he added.

In fact, there are more than 20,000 licensed pilots in the U.S. today, under age 40, who got their start with that Young Eagles flight, according to Knapinski.

Fusano first began taking flight classes and then joined the San Fernando Valley Ninety-Nines, a women pilots organization created by Amelia Earhart, which helped her to begin applying for scholarships. Through this she was able to get more than half of her flight training paid for.

In 2014, she was finally able to get her private pilot’s license, and she couldn’t wait to fly her father, who was 91 at the time.

“He was my first passenger, and he just had a blast flying with me,” Fusano said.

While in flight training, she joined the EAA and already knew she wanted to become a part of the Young Eagles program. Fusano said she was excited to fly with children shortly after getting her license.

“I just love flying the kids,” she said, smiling broadly, her enthusiasm clearly written on her face. “I love seeing the excitement on their faces

— they’re just ecstatic. We get to let them feel what it feels like to move the controls, so we get to let them turn right, turn left, and they just light up.”

If Fusano doesn’t have any other commitments, she’ll get there early and fly late. Some days, she’ll even fly 20 kids in a day.

“When I applied for my scholarships, I knew in my essays I was going to be talking about what I was going to do when I got my pilot's license, and I knew right away I was going to help kids be exposed to aviation — it’s just a way to give back,” she added.

Though Fusano loves flying every kid she can, she said she really thrives on flying kids with special needs, like her daughter, Charity.

“One of my most memorable flights is flying my girl, I’ve flown her all the way to Red Bluff, California — she loved it,” she said.

Every June, Fusano also flies kids who are in Camp Chesed, a Los Angeles-based camp for Jewish children with special needs.

“When kids come to the airport, if there’s anyone with a disability, I fly them,” she said.

Fusano also is a part of Aviation Explorer Post 747, which is a nonprofit open to young men and women, ages 14 to 21, who have an interest in aviation.

The program not only helps to give those looking to pursue their license extra instruction and exposes them to See FLIGHT, page 34

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Bear spotted near Newhall mobile home park

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

B

ears: Some have spotted them in Valencia and, just weeks ago, in Castaic backyards. Add Newhall to the mix as the California Highway Patrol received reports of a bear sighting early Wednesday morning.

A large bear was spotted around 2 a.m. rummaging through trash cans near the Crescent Valley Mobile Home Estates, located at 23500 The Old Road.

“The call came in at 1:56 a.m. of a bear in the reporting party’s backyard,” said Officer Peter Nicholson with the CHP. “The call was then transported to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s (Station).”

Law enforcement and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife did not respond to the area.

There were no reports of injuries or additional sightings by Wednesday afternoon, according to Nicholson.

Property manager Rocio Mendoza

said bear visits in and around Crescent Valley, between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., have been frequent over the past three weeks.

“We’ve been getting a big bear and a small bear every night for the last three weeks, and they’re always going into dumpsters and sometimes they visit our residents’ spaces.”

While no one has been injured, Mendoza said she is advising residents not to leave food outside their homes “as they are sensitive to smells” and will be sending out a newsletter with additional tips.

“We can’t avoid them. We’re on their territory, and we just have to work it out,” she added.

Just more than a month ago, a mother bear and her cub were seen in a Castaic neighborhood. The SCV Sheriff ’s Station responded and the Department of Fish and Wildlife was contacted but determined that no response was necessary unless there’s a direct threat.

A bear was spotted near a mobile home park in Newhall. COURTESY PHOTO RICK MCCLURE

Hart District names superintendent-elect

By Brennon Dixson and Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writers

H

art District Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht is set to retire in June 2020, and during Wednesday night’s governing board meeting her deputy superintendent, Mike Kuhlman, was named as her successor on a unanimous board vote.

Engbrecht’s move to retire prompted district trustees to consider the appointment of a new superintendent Wednesday, to facilitate a seamless transition when Engbrecht steps down on or before June 30, 2020, according to district officials.

“Earlier in 2019, after our wonderful Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht established her retirement date … the board decided to conduct an internal search for superintendent-elect,” said board President Bob Jensen. “This person will also work closely with Ms. Engbrecht until such time as she retires.”

The action Wednesday night was to “appoint a superintendent-elect

Deputy Superintendent Mike Kuhlman was named the superintendent-elect during the board meeting for the William S. Hart Union High School District.

PHOTO BY CALEB LUNETTA / THE SIGNAL

because Mrs. Engbrecht is still the superintendent, and her contract runs through June 30,” Jensen said.

“When you’re a large school district like we are, it only serves the students, parents, school district personnel and community to have a

transition period where you choose a superintendent-elect prior to the current one retiring, so there is continuity and they have time to adjust to the work,” Jensen said. ‘’Once we have the appointment made, then it will be up to the super-

intendent-elect, the current superintendent and the board to decide how everything will come into play as far as what the superintendent-elect will do and how they’ll interact with the personnel of the district,” Jensen said.

The board, according to Jensen, has been going through a process just like it would with a principal or assistant principal because they valued having a successor named during the transition.

“Qualified applicants were invited to apply, the board then conducted an interview process and then conducted a selection process,” said Jensen.

At the end of the process, the board decided to name Kuhlman for the district’s top job.

“I’m honored to be considered for this opportunity,” said Kuhlman. “I’ve thought about the future of the Hart District as one that presents challenges and opportunities, and I am optimistic and hopeful about what we’re going to be able to do together because of the wonderful people that we have from students, to teachers, to administrators to my colleagues to See SUPER, next page

12 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Nonprofit’s Back 2 School Bash aims to test children

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

S

TREAM Kids Expo, a nonprofit created to challenge kids, is hosting a Back 2 School Bash for kids age 5 to 15 on Saturday.

The event is part of STREAM’s Kids Conquer Challenges, which are oneday events designed to test children both physically and mentally, focusing primarily on health and wellness, according to event organizers.

Niamani Knight, a senior at Saugus High School, founded STREAM, which stands for science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and manufacturing, in 2014, when she was only 13.

Knight’s goal is to bridge the gap between students and STREAM subjects by providing interactive learning experiences and encouraging

Left: Paul Spradley, a representative from Lockheed Martin, helps 10-year-old Ashwat Prabu shoot a rocket made out of plastic bottles a previous STREAM Kids Expo event. Right: Tyanne Jordan, 10, controls a robot at the S.T.R.E.A.M Kid’s Expo. SIGNAL PHOTOS

students of every learning style and ability to find their passions.

“I love science and math, but I began to notice that my peers seemed

Body of man found on Newhall bicycle path

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

N

atural causes are suspected in the death of a man whose body was found Wednesday on a bike path in Newhall, near the South Fork Trail.

Deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station responded to reports of a body found on a bike path.

SUPER

Continued from previous page

the board all give me hope for a positive future for the Hart District.”

The district sought applications for the superintendent position a few months ago, in accordance with state law, according to district officials.

When asked how many applicants submitted applications for the position or were interviewed for the process, both Jensen and Engbrecht

“This was an adult male who was found (dead) on the bike path area,” said Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff ’s Station.

Deputies are unsure if the man was exercising or bicycling, but reported that it appeared he had fallen.

The deceased man was described only as elderly by officials.

Officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner were notified.

declined to comment Wednesday.

Engbrecht did say that the district chose not to conduct a national search. It can cost around $50,000 to do that kind of search, but the board was “confident that we had the right people, the best people, most qualified people right here in Santa Clarita.”

“We invited all qualified applicants to apply … and we would consider principals, district office directors, cabinet members,” said Engbrecht. “I can tell you the pool of eligible candidates was 15 to 20 applicants.”

afraid of these aspects of STREAM,” Knight said. “I began to think, ‘What can I do that includes kids of all different learning styles?’”

Participants are expected to go through different exercises with each fitness professional in attendance, such as Lion’s Pride, ZTAG and Grit OCR, who will each design interactive activities in their focus area, according to Knight.

“The goal is to show kids that the obstacles they are facing are something that they can get over with the support of the community behind them,” Knight said. “With school back in session, health and wellness is a big focus, so they’ll learn different workouts.”

ZTAG creator Quan Gan hopes to create a game of multiplayer tag during the event with more than 40 players at once, while using wearable

wireless devices to detect who’s “it.”

“I want to help get kids off screens and back onto the playground,” Gan said. “I wanted to create something fun that has elements of video games that kids love, but brings it into the real world so the players can get the physical and social benefits as well.”

Medals are also expected to be awarded to participants after the event.

Both Engbrect and Jensen joined with the rest of the board members Wednesday and said they are very optimistic about the future under Kuhlman’s leadership.

“Mr. Kuhlman is an outstanding individual and he will do a great job in continuing with the excellence of the Hart School District and seeking improvement in outstanding service to our students for years to come,” said Jensen.

“I’ve obviously worked with Mr. Kuhlman for a number of years … and he’s been my right hand and he

understands every aspect of running a school district,” said Engbrecht.

“He’s a man of the highest integrity, and he’s super well respected among our administrators and teachers that know him.”

“I’m following in some big shoes with Mrs. Engbrecht,” said Kuhlman.

“But I know I’m in a good spot because I know we have an outstanding superintendent who is still superintendent and I have plenty of time to keep learning under her.”

Though the event is free to attend, those interested must register online beforehand as spaces are limited. The Back 2 School Bash is scheduled from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, in the former SEARS parking lot of the Westfield Valencia Town Center, located at 24201 West Valencia Blvd. in Valencia.

For more information, visit stream global.org/back2schoolbash

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Girl Scouts help seniors celebrate a prom of their own

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

T

hough prom season has passed, senior citizens have a chance to do the same as their high school counterparts in celebrating The Red Carpet: Senior Prom, hosted by Girl Scout Troop No. 7222, on Sept. 6.

Guests can dress to impress or come as they are for an evening of dancing while being transported back in time to their proms.

Kira Gilliam, a Scout working toward her Silver Award, contacted the Bella Vida senior center hoping to organize the event, according to Robin Clough, volunteer and recreation coordinator for the center.

West Ranch High School students organized a prom for senior citizens in May 2018.

This year, a local Girl Scout troop is working, along with Bella Vida, to put on a similar event. SIGNAL PHOTO

“We did initial planning together,” Clough said. “They had great ideas

and (had) been working hard. They have procured a wonderful DJ for

dancing and are planning a beautiful ‘on the red carpet’ Hollywood venue with clips of old Hollywood movies shown on a projector.”

In addition to the traditional musical entertainment and dancing, the event is expected to include complimentary refreshments, a photo booth and possibly even some paparazzi, Clough added.

The Red Carpet: Senior Prom is scheduled 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Bella Vida senior center, located at 27180 Golden Valley Road. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, Aug. 27, using the signup sheet located at the center’s front desk.

For more information, call the center at 661-259-9444.

Operation School Bell scheduled to begin on Sept. 15 at Old Navy

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

T

hough prom season has passed, senior citizens have a chance to do the same as their high school counterparts in celebrating The Red Carpet: Senior Prom, hosted by Girl Scout Troop No. 7222, on Sept. 6.

Guests can dress to impress or come as they are for an evening of dancing while being transported back in time to their proms.

Kira Gilliam, a Scout working toward her Silver Award, contacted the Bella Vida senior center hoping to organize the event, according to Robin Clough, volunteer and recreation coordinator for the center.

“We did initial planning together,” Clough said. “They had great ideas and (had) been working hard. They have procured a wonderful DJ for dancing and are planning a beautiful ‘on the red carpet’ Hollywood venue with clips of old Hollywood movies shown on a projector.”

In addition to the traditional musical entertainment and dancing, the event is expected to include complimentary refreshments, a photo booth and possibly even some paparazzi, Clough added.

The Red Carpet: Senior Prom is

SIGNAL PHOTO

scheduled 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Bella Vida senior center, located at 27180 Golden Valley

Road. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, Aug. 27, using the signup sheet located at

the center’s front desk.

For more information, call the center at 661-259-9444.

14 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E S

Narcan two years later: Still saving SCV lives

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

P

roving just how necessary Narcan has become in saving the lives of SCV heroin addicts, local sheriff ’s deputies dispatched Thursday for an unresponsive man feared dead in the bathroom of a Stevenson Ranch restaurant watched signs of life return to the man after paramedics administered the drug.

At 11:40 a.m., first responders were called to the McDonald’s Restaurant on Chiquella Lane, near Lyons Avenue, for reports of a man found slumped over and unresponsive in the restroom.

Deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station and paramedics with the Los Angeles County Fire Department got to the restaurant within three minutes.

A manager with the restaurant was there to greet them. When he was asked if the man was dead or alive, the manager replied: “Seriously, I don’t know.”

“We responded to McDonald’s around that time for an unresponsive male in the bathroom,” said Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff ’s Station.

One of the responding deputies, confirming it was a drug overdose, said: “When firefighters got him, he didn’t look too good,” noting one of the paramedics administered Narcan.

The man was taken to the hospital at 12:15 p.m., Fire Department spokeswoman Melinda Choi said.

Within about a half-hour of the emergency call, the situation was resolved and a life saved.

Two years ago, Narcan was introduced in a public ceremony as the latest weapon in the arsenal of deputies battling a growing opioid problem in the SCV. Civic leaders, sheriff ’s deputies and doctors stood shoulder-to-shoulder against the nationwide opioid epidemic and unveiled the use of a medical tool promising to help stop overdose deaths and prevent heroin and opioids from devastating the Santa Clarita Valley.

It was a response to a rash of

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital emergency medicine attending physician Darrin Privett demonstrates how anti-overdose drug Narcan is administered. SIGNAL PHOTO

overdose cases witnessed in the SCV. During a 72-hour period in April 2017, eight overdose patients turned up at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

One person died.

After Capt. Robert Lewis of the SCV Sheriff ’s Station officially

unveiled Narcan, each of the 240 sworn personnel at the SCV Sheriff ’s Station were trained in the use of and equipped with the anti-overdose drug.

In a check with the captain on Monday on how Narcan is holding

up two years later, Lewis said the number of lethal overdoses has been dropping.

“There were nine ODs this year,” he said, referring to overdose deaths.

“Last year we had 14.”

“I want the number to be at zero,” he said.

Lt. Ignacio Somoano, who heads the station’s Detective Section, also reflected on the effectiveness of the drug, noting: “We use Narcan to bring them back to life.”

Somoano cited a traffic collision just last month in which the driver overdosed while driving. Narcan was administered in that case and the driver regained consciousness.

On the day Narcan was unveiled on the steps of the SCV Sheriff ’s Station, Dr. Darrin Privett of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital explained how Narcan saves lives.

He referred to it as an “opioid antagonist,” which he said “competes with opioids in the body, making that opioid ineffective.”

Privett stressed the importance for anyone finding a person unconscious due to an overdose to make sure the victim is getting oxygen.

City touted as safest to raise a child

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

S

anta Clarita is one of the safest cities in the nation to raise a child, according to a recent report by SafeWise.

The city earned a ranking of 25 out of 50 others listed in the Aug. 15 study, which considered factors such as the prevalence of crime, graduation rates and the number of sex offenders per capita.

“As parents, there’s nothing more important than keeping our children safe. From crime levels to quality schools, living in a community that shares your priorities is important,” the report read.

With a safety score of 91.12 out of 100, Santa Clarita was recognized for having a violent crime rate of 1.63 crimes per 1,000 people, a lower rate than the national average at 4.49

crimes. The city’s property crime rate of 14.24 was also lower than the national rate, which reached 27.11 crimes per 1,000 individuals. When it came to the number of sex offenders, data indicated a rate of 1 out of 10,000 people.

Efforts between the city and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station, such as the Stolen Collection, 9 p.m.

Routine and Heads Up campaigns, which target theft prevention and traffic safety “have led to impressive drops in both crime and traffic collisions,” said City Communications Manager Carrie Lujan.

Under education, Santa Clarita’s “public schools routinely rank in the top 10% among California school systems,” the report read — an indication of its high graduation rate of 90.3%.

Among the programs directly aimed for SCV students is the Drug

Free Youth in the SCV program, which has “empowered more than 50,000 students to make good choices and give them the tools they need to say no to peer pressure” since its launch, said Lujan.

The report also highlighted Santa Clarita’s “extensive recreational opportunities, including 34 parks sprinkled throughout the city and over 3,000 acres of open space,” something with which Mayor Marsha McLean agreed.

“We do have our reputation as a family-friendly community and that is not by accident,” she said. “Law enforcement and Parks and Recreation are the top areas we fund. We focus very much on making sure our kids have a wonderful place to grow up.”

Santa Clarita was among 13 other California cities that made the list of the top 50 safest places to raise children.

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

TECHNOLOGY

Health concerns, smartwatches and ‘pods’

Expand Netflix

seem to find anything Q: Itocan’t watch on Netflix. Am I doing something wrong? Are there settings I can change, so I see things that interest me?

A: The streaming phenomenon that Netflix helped create is now crowded with copycats, including the soon-tobe-rival Disney Plus.

Netflix is struggling to stay competitive, despite a host of original series and multiple Academy Awards for its theatrical films. Part of the problem: Subscribers can’t always find the content they’re interested in.

Here are a few apps and tricks that’ll help you greatly enhance your experience and discover series and films you never knew existed: Super Netflix allows you to pick the quality of video streaming, rather than using Netflix’s default setting.

Never Ending Netflix allows you to

automatically play the next episode of whatever series you’re binge-watching, skip title sequences and search more than 3,000 genres. For Web viewers there is a countless number of codes that viewers can check out here: ogres-crypt.com/public/Net Flix-Streaming-Genres.html. (The list is difficult to access on SmartTVs, but the titles found in the online list are searchable in Netflix.)

Smartwatch selection

you by surprise. Tap or click here to see the full FCC report on 5G.

it’s far pricier than its competitors.

The bottom line: Each watch has different benefits and drawbacks, and each surviving company has earned its place in the market, often for distinct reasons. The Ticwatch Pro is a nifty dark horse. (You can see a list of Kim’s rankings at Komando.com.)

Discount ‘Airpods’

you say that it’s possible Q: Itoheard make $200 AirPods at home for about $4. How can I do that?

A: A clever 15-year-old young man purchased a wireless bone conduction headset from eBay. This kind of headphone vibrates against your skull to translate sound to your middle ear, and it works. Once he received his prize in the mail, he stripped down the parts and dismantled his basic headphones for assembly. If you know how to solder and have the desire, visit: komando.com/happen ing-now/570502/make-your-ownairpods-for-4-how-to-do-it for the steps he used to make his own version of the pricey headphones for $4.

5G health question

hear that 5G causes brain Q: Icancer.

Is this true? My doctor told me that it could.

Q

: What’s the best smartwatch?

Everyone raves about the Apple Watch. What about Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin’s watch?

A: One of the most exciting smartwatch developments of the past couple of years is the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch. It looks beautiful, it’s water-resistant, you can charge it without a cord, and you can speak directly into the watch face, like in the “Dick Tracy” comics. Pretty nifty, eh? The drawback is that it’s not yet available (probably September), and

A: I’m not sure what your Doctor is reading, but from what I have seen, 5G does not appear to cause cancer.

The FCC doesn’t seem to be concerned about its impact on the brain, and no one expects tumors to result from using 5G. This should be good news, considering the inevitable transition to 5G networks; within a few years, we’ll be upgrading our phones and other devices to receive a decent signal. At the same time, there are phone-related health concerns you should be aware of, which make take

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 25, 2019

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

A behind-the-scenes look at filming in Santa Clarita

By Ken Striplin City Manager

W

hether you know it or not, you live in one of the mostfilmed cities in California.

Santa Clarita offers filmmakers a diverse landscape that can double for almost anywhere in the world, which is why Hollywood frequently comes calling to shoot movies, TV shows, commercials and much more in our City.

Whether it’s using a local golf course to land an airplane or filming an action sequence at our skate park, productions choose Santa Clarita for the variety of backdrops and our convenient one-stop Film Office.

All of the movie magic that takes place in Santa Clarita adds up to major economic benefits for our City.

I’m happy to report that in fiscal year 2018-19, the Film Office recorded a total of 526 film permits and 1,380 film days, which generated an impressive $33.4 million in economic impact to the local community.

Not included in these statistics are the film days that take place on certified sound stages, which do not require a film permit.

Santa Clarita is home to more than 20 soundstages, 10 movie ranches and thousands of film-friendly locations all within the “30-Mile Zone” (also known as the TMZ).

The TMZ is used by union film projects to determine per diem rates and driving distances for crew members.

Within the boundaries of the TMZ, the on-set crew are expected to transport themselves. When workers are required to show up for work outside the zone, studios become responsible for transporta-

tion, meals and additional compensation.

When it comes to permitting a film shoot within Santa Clarita, production companies come to the City’s Film Office.

When the Film Office was created in 2002, the goal was to provide a one-stop shop for filmmakers to ensure the success and timeliness of production.

A few years later in 2009, the Santa Clarita City Council established the Film Incentive Program. This program’s goal is to increase the number of television productions that film in the City by subsidizing permit fees and reducing the costs of safety personnel.

The Film Incentive Program has added to our City’s film-friendly reputation, and has made Santa Clarita the hot-spot for location filming.

Fast forward to today — the Santa Clarita Film Office does every-

thing from issuing film permits and assisting productions with location inquires and scouting, to acting as a liaison between the production community and the City’s residences and businesses.

I encourage you to check out FilmSantaClarita.com, which is home to valuable resources including permit forms, production alerts, information for student filmmakers and an endless library of productions that have filmed in Santa Clarita.

It is always interesting to check to see if your favorite show, or that recent blockbuster movie (like “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) filmed scenes right here in Santa Clarita, because chances are they did!

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.

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

Runners: Assemble for the Santa Clarita Marathon

By Mayor Marsha McLean

A

re you faster than a speeding bullet? Do you strive to be the best you can be?

If so, be sure to assemble for the 2019 Santa Clarita Marathon Heroes Edition, presented by Parkway Motorcars!

The Santa Clarita Marathon is a grand tradition in our City — one that brings thousands of competitors and spectators together each year. Happening on Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3, the event this year is taking on a Heroes Edition theme as the perfect way to end the Halloween weekend.

The Santa Clarita Marathon offers runners an entertaining way to let loose while showing off their costumes, and your cape can fly behind you as you speed through the course. The Heroes Edition theme encourages participants in all events, including the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon, to pay

tribute to their favorite hero. You can even wear your costume on the Mayor’s Walk as we explore three beautiful miles on our trails and paseo system! Costumes in all races are optional!!

Those who prefer to cheer on the runners from the sidelines can set up a spot to do so from one of the many spectator locations along the different routes. The exciting action of the start and finish on both Saturday and Sunday will be in the northern parking lot at Westfield Valencia Town Center, where your encouragement and applause will help boost each runner over the finish line.

This year also marks the return of the Final Mile Challenge, presented

by Kaiser Permanente, which is an opportunity for school children in Santa Clarita and Castaic to complete 25 miles ahead of time before

running the final 1.2 miles of the Santa Clarita Marathon course. Students from 37 schools in the Santa Clarita Valley can participate in the Final Mile Challenge — free of charge — and registration information is being provided to school districts, campuses and parent-teacher organizations.

Kids participating in the Final Mile Challenge, as well as those loved ones who come to support them, can dress as their favorite hero or show their school pride wearing their school’s spirit shirt.

The Final Mile Challenge will take place throughout the day on Saturday, Nov. 2, following the 5K and 10K, so that the kids have plenty of time and space to complete the route.

There is much to do during the weekend for those who aren’t competing.

The Santa Clarita Health and Fitness Expo, presented by Boston Scientific, will be open to the public

from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, so that you and your family can connect with vendors in the health and lifestyle industries. The expo will once again take place near the start and finish lines, so don’t miss out!

The excitement is building for the 2019 Santa Clarita Marathon and I can’t wait until race day!

Remember our Marathon is a qualifier for the prestigious Boston Marathon!

I hope you will consider registering for an event this year, which you can do by visiting our website at scmarathon.org. If you are not up for a run — please join me for the Mayor’s Walk!

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.

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

Moore returns to help Indians under center

By Haley Sawyer Signal Sports Editor

M

att Moore is wearing red and black once again.

But instead of the football uniform he wore when he was the quarterback at Hart in the early 2000s, it’s a T-shirt, shorts and the white ball cap with the unmistakable “Hart” lettering in cursive, red writing that nearly every coach dons.

Moore is in the process of becoming an assistant coach for the Indians, although he’s been observing practices for two days now.

“This is a traditional program,” Moore said. “History speaks for itself, to be a part of that was awesome and to maybe be a part of stuff in the future is exciting to me too.”

Moore graduated from Hart in 2002 and afterward played at UCLA and Oregon State before beginning an 11-year NFL career with the Carolina Panthers and the Miami Dolphins.

Hart High alum and former NFL quarterback Matt Moore is returning to his hometown to coach quarterbacks for the Indians. PHOTO BY HALEY SAWYER / THE SIGNAL

After his final season with the Dolphins in 2017, he took on a role as a scout for the team for about six months. When his NFL tenure ended,

he picked up the phone and called Bryan Martuscello, an assistant coach at Hart.

“I was just like, ‘Hey I think I’m going to come out and see what it’s about,’” Moore said. “Just be around the game and be around the guys. It wasn’t a hard process to get through to get out there.”

In Moore’s two varsity seasons at Hart, the team went 25-2 and won two CIF titles. His senior year, he threw for over 3,300 yards and rushed for more than 400 yards. In total, he had 40 touchdowns.

“That would be awesome,” was Herrington’s response to Moore’s phone call. “Someone with his experience to get a different look on different things, aspects of the game and it just gives us another qualified person out there to help make adjustments and give some finer coaching tips to these athletes.”

Although he is unable to directly interact with the players until he

SPORTS

officially is named a coach, Moore has been offering encouragement to coaches and suggestions on how to improve different aspects of the game.

Moore’s family is still in the area, along with his wife’s family. With two younger brothers who have gone through the Hart program, Moore has stayed in touch with the coaching staff and has attended games as he progressed through his college and professional football career.

Moore said he is unsure if he’ll make a career of coaching or if it’s something he’ll dabble in. At the end of the season, he’ll decide what his next move is.

“I’m probably going to learn a lot,” Moore said. “I hope that anybody that I come in contact with out here, hopefully I can pass something along to them that’s going to make them a better player. I just hope to help Mike in any way that I can, not that I have all the answers because I definitely do not, but just little things.”

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AU G U S T 25, 2019

THINGSTODO

Grab some sun and fun for a Labor Day getaway

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

W

here did the summer go? Labor Day is around the corner and it’s time for one last summer California getaway.

South Lake Tahoe

The Labor Day holiday is the perfect time to enjoy South Lake Tahoe before the winter brings the annual avalanche of skiers and snow enthusiasts. Hike your heart out and explore the many South Lake Tahoe beaches.

There are beaches with restaurants, with marinas and water toys, beaches with live music and secluded beaches that offer quiet relaxation in the sun.

Included, at no charge, are views of spectacular Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Water sports are available nearly everywhere. This might be a good time to learn to paddleboard.

For history buffs, visit Zephyr Cove Resort, built in 1900 in response to the Comstock silver-mining boom, or Camp Richardson Resort offering city folk a lake front retreat since 1924.

Vikingsholm Castle, a grand estate of the 1920s, is located at the head of Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed spots in the United States.

This magnificent structure, now a national and California landmark, is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture outside of the Nordic countries.

Labor Day is a perfect time to enjoy South Lake Tahoe before the annual avalanche of skiers and snow enthusiasts. PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA

Things to do Hike Van Sickle Bi-State Park. Van Sickle is one the most accessible parks in the Tahoe Basin. A short climb from the trailhead quickly transports visitors to the serenity of the forest.

Houseboats have been part of Sausalito’s waterfront since the 1880s. After WWII, the houseboats began to attract a free-spirited Bohemian crowd and flotillas of houseboats became vibrant artists’ colonies.

The park’s easy to moderate trails are studded with rock outcroppings that present grand views of the largest alpine lake in North America and the surrounding peaks.

The Rim Trail Connector provides a tie-in to the famed Tahoe Rim Trail, designated by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of the nation’s top ten trails. The park is open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.

Info parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoenevada-state-park-3 Paddleboard on the crystal-clear waters of South Lake Tahoe. There are dozens of places perfect for paddleboarding and beautiful scenery and interesting sights to see.

There are many places to rent paddle boards.

Info tahoecitykayak.com or tahoeadventurecompany.com Eat, drink and be merry in the many restaurants and craft breweries that dot the South Lake Tahoe landscape.

From mountain resort dining to lakefront cafes, you can find a unique

dining experience for every meal.

Info tahoesouth.com/eat

Sausalito

Sausalito is a picturesque seaside town near San Francisco with the ambience of a European vacation resort.

Offering quaint boutiques, upscale art galleries, a scenic waterfront walk and yacht-filled marinas this is the perfect Labor Day getaway.

Even locals from San Francisco feel they are “getting away” when they spend an afternoon here, although it’s just a few miles away.

Sausalito has been a favorite retreat of San Franciscans since the advent of passenger boat service in 1868. Visitors can see elegant houses nestled on wooded hillsides and can arrive the way wealthy Victorians once did, by boat. The ferry ride across the bay offers a spectacular approach to Sausalito, with marvelous views of the Golden Gate Bridge along the way.

Things to do Ride a ferry. Getting to Sausalito is more than half the fun, and

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 19

THINGSTODO this exciting 30-minute boat ride is the most dramatic way to arrive in Sausalito. The ferry offers a fantastic scenic tour of San Francisco Bay, with sailboats, commercial ships and flocks of seagulls and pelicans. The ferry passes Alcatraz Island and offers a breathtaking view of Golden Gate Bridge to the west.

Info goldengateferry.org/schedules/ Sausalito.php Walk the scenic walk along Bridgeway. For magnificent views and photo opportunities, take a stroll from the center of town along Bridgeway, a scenic road with old-fashioned street lamps that hold decorative hanging pots of colorful flowers.

This waterfront pathway begins around the ferry landing and goes in two directions: north towards the yacht harbors with the marinas and Mount Tamalpais as a backdrop or south towards the Bay with San Francisco in the distance. Keep an eye out for the iconic bronze seal statue, which is covered in water at high tide.

Sausalito offers quaint boutiques, upscale art galleries, a scenic waterfront walk and yacht-filled marinas.

Houseboats and the Bohemian Artists’ Colonies are must-see sights in Sausalito. Houseboats have been part of Sausalito’s waterfront since the

1880s. After WWII, the houseboats began to attract a free-spirited Bohemian crowd and flotillas of houseboats became vibrant artists’ colonies.

Wine tasting is among the most popular activities in Sonoma County where you can visit beautiful wine castles and taste world-class wines

Sausalito has around 400 floating home docks in five residential marinas. Many of the houseboats are colorful and feature whimsical exterior decor, with potted plants and artwork displayed on the decks.

Two interesting houseboat communities are at Galilee Harbor and Waldo Point Harbor. Visitors may take a self-guided tour around the houseboat docks, and on special occasions, some houseboats are open to the public for art viewings.

On Sept. 14, the Floating Homes Association will be conducting an open-homes tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A dozen homes will be open, ranging from funky to palatial.

Advanced tickets are recommended.

Tickets are $50 per person.

Info http://floatinghomes.org/ visiting-and-tours/tour-information/

Sonoma County

Just 45 minutes north of San Francisco, Sonoma County is one of California’s top food and wine destinations. It is home to more than 425 wineries. You can also find towering redwoods, visit inviting small towns and cruise along the rugged Pacific coastline.

Things to do Wine tasting is among the most popular activities in Sonoma County.

Visit beautiful wine castles and taste world-class wines.

Info www.sonomacounty.com/ articles/most-beautiful-wine-castlessonoma Seek out and visit some of the small farms that dot the Sonoma County countryside. There’s even a map to help guide you on your way.

Info www.farmtrails.org Explore the California Cheese Trail. Sonoma County’s distinctive, hand-crafted cheeses are a delight for “real cheese people.” The Cheese Trail winds through about a hundred miles of canyons, pastures and oak-covered hills, linking nearly 30 farms and creameries. Depending on the property, you can reserve full tours, cheese tastings and cheese-making classes, then visit with the farm’s goats, cows, sheep, or even water buffalo. Check out the Cheese Trail map for locations.

Info www.sonomacounty.com/ articles/california-sonoma-cheesetrail-and-map

20 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

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

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

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

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

Islands 24180 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 284-5903

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

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

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 (661) 254-2237

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

Votedrita‘s Cla Santa st New e “B urant” Resta019 2

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 Thelma’s Cafe 22876 Copperhill Drive, Saugus (661) 263-8283 Wing Stop 18547 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-9700

BBQ Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3:00-5:30pm Brunch 8:30am-2pm Sat. and Sun. Lunch Menu starts at 11am

24275 Main St. Santa Clarita

661-702-4888 theoldtownjunction.com

Featuring: Chef Daniel Otto VOTED SCV’S BEST CHEF 2 YEARS IN A ROW!

Black Bear Diner 23626 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 799-4820 Dickeys Barbecue Pit 18742 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 251-0840

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

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 21

DININGGUIDE

BREWERIES Pocock Brewing Company 24907 Avenue Tibbits, Valencia (661) 775-4899 Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. 27746 N. McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 263-9653

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 Route 66 Classic Grill 18730 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 298-1494 Rustic Burger 24025 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 254-1300 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 Moon Wok 23460 Cinema Drive Suite H, Valencia (661) 288-1898

Home Made Flavor, Home Made Desserts

Weekend Breakfast Special Fri, Sat + Sun

8 oz. New York Steak and Eggs $14.99 8 oz. Rib Eye Steak and Eggs $17.99

Homemade Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Made with Mama’s Love!

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

Homemade Cooking!

Wok’s Cookin’ Chinese Restaurant 31565 Castaic Road, Castaic (661) 257-2890

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

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

4 Homemade Soups Served Daily Sweet Apple & Carrot, Beef Vegetable Barley Clam Chowder, Taco Tortilla nior Spec Homemade 15e% ial O FF Jelly Bar! S

Mond W/Cou ay- F pon M rida ust Beve y, 7am- be over rages 9 5 not inpm exp 5 clude 9/06 /1 d

9

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

Strawberry, Blueberry, Orange Marmalade, Green Tomato

661.284.5988

23340 Cinema Dr Valencia CA 91355 www.himamastable.com

online order by Postmates • DoorDash • Uber Eats See DINING GUIDE, next page

22 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

DININGGUIDE

DINING GUIDE

Continued from previous page

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 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

Gogi House 26524 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 263-0048

Las Rocas Mexican Grill 27923 Sloan Canyon Road Castaic (661) 257-6905

Spumoni Restaurant 24917 W. Pico Canyon Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 799-0360

Kogiya 2 Korean BBQ 23410 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 678-0999

Medrano’s Mexican Restaurant 19319 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 367-4945

Lee’s Korean BBQ & Tofu House 23360 West Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 254-2307

Rosarito Grill 19425 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-2732

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

Solita Tacos & Margaritas 24201 Valencia Blvd., Suite 3470, Santa Clarita (661) 291-1399

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 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

italiavalencia.com

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

Xevichez Sushi Bar 24250 Town Center Dr #180, Santa Clarita (661) 288-1477

Betito’s Mexican 18902 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661)251-0557

Yamato Restaurant 24947 Pico Canyon Road, Stevenson Ranch (661) 799-0707

Casa Pasilla 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 295-1989

Charcoal Korean BBQ Restaurant 19158 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-9292

661-294-9069

MEDITERRANEAN

Sushi Song Japanese Restaurant 22896 Copper Hill Dr, Santa Clarita (661) 297-5659

KOREAN & MONGOLIAN

27674 Newhall Ranch Rd #55 Valencia CA 91355

ZingGa Grill 26910 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita (661) 250-7592

Genghis Khan 24506 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 254-0351

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

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 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 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 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 23

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

Jon B brings the beats to Canyon Santa Clarita

By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

A

n accomplished writer, producer and collaborator, Jon B, is coming to Canyon Santa Clarita at the end of the month to bring his smooth R&B sound to the SCV. A Grammy-nominated artist and an accomplished musician, Jon

B has worked with or written for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton, After 7, Color Me Badd and The Spice Girls, to name a few.

A songwriter and producer with gold and platinum records, a couple of his most notable collaborations include “Are U Still Down,” with Tupac Shakur and “Someone to Love,” with

Babyface. “Cool Relax” also received commercial and critical success.

What’s also interesting about Jon B is that he “shows no sign of stopping,” according to his website, which notes, “he is currently putting the finishing touches on album no. 8, slated for a 2019 release.”

Fans of the R&B sound who would like to hear a catalogue that stretches back more than two decades can check

out Jon B when he comes to Canyon Santa Clarita on Aug. 30.

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.

24 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

California farmers and specialty food purveyors come together each Saturday, rain or shine, to bring you a farmers’ market with the finest in fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, including organic, baked goods, flowers, herbs, cheeses, and prepared foods. Old Town Newhall, 24500 Main St., Newhall. Info: oldtownnewhall.com/oldtown-newhall-farmers-market Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to noon The Santa Clarita Certified Farmers’ Market offers locals a Sunday breakfast prepared onsite from one of the Market’s several food vendors or try some of our wonderful artisan bakery products. Open year round, rain or shine.

College of the Canyons, Parking Lot 5, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita. Info: vccfarmersmarkets.com/santa-clarita/ Fridays, 4 p.m. Hurricane Harbor’s “Dive-In Movies.” Cool off in the Forgotten Sea Wave Pool while a popular movie plays on a large screen above you. Dive-In Movies give you the unique opportunity to float in the water while you watch. Screenings free with park admission.

Check the website for lineup and details.

Info: sixflags.com/hurricaneharborla/ special-events/dive-movies

EVENTS BY DATE Sunday, August 25, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Come to The Open Book’s “Fantastic Fossils” Sunday Storytime. We have real fossils to show. This event is free, snacks and crafts are provided.

Please arrive before 2:30. 19188 Soledad

!

WIN

= Family Friendly Event

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, marstons restaurant.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/ August 27, 7-10 p.m. Hollywood is coming to Santa Clarita! Comedian Darren Carter from “The Tonight Show,” Showtime, Comedy Central, and BET is bringing his friends for a night of laughter you won’t want to miss! $10. Noche Azul, 23115 Lyons Ave., Newhall, Santa Clarita/ Info: facebook. com/events/938742753133149/ Wednesday, August 28, 6-10 p.m. The

! !

WIINNSTOCK ITEMS!WIN

CONGRATULATIONS to Krystal Briscoe for correctly identifying Azul Tequila on page 19.

18 MONTHS FINANCING!

100

Identify this advertiser and the page number in this week’s any job over issue, and you will be entered to win a $100 gift certificate for $2,000 not valid with any other offers. a local restaurant.

One game and one winner each week.

250

Mail your entry to The Signal – Contest OFF 26330 Diamond Place | Santa Clarita, CAany 91350 job over $3,000 Or email contest@signalscv.com not valid with any other offers.

Advertiser: _____________________________ Page # ______ Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________

This week’s entries are due Wed. September 4 Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

Bridgeway Theater Co. will host open auditions for a production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Please prepare a one minute monologue for auditions, for callbacks please have sides ready. This is a nonprofit paid production and actors will get paid $10 per show. Temple Beth Ami, 23023 Hilse Ln, Santa Clarita. Info: bridgewaytc@gmail.com, SNdirector21@ gmail.com, (661) 974-1684, facebook.com/ events/394764114508930/ Thursday, August 29, 7-9 p.m. Come to Quiz and Recreation: A “Parks and Rec”-Themed Trivia Night! Think you know everything about Pawnee, Indiana? Assemble your dream team, grab your color-coded binders, and treat yo’ self to some trivia! Trivia Night is free to attend and is appropriate for any non-Eagletonians aged 18 and older. The MAIN, 24266 Main St., Santa Clarita. Info: facebook. com/events/502497090504130/ 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/ Friday, August 30, 8-11 p.m. Join the Friends of Hart Park and Museum for free movies under the stars featuring “Captain Marvel.” AvenuesSLS.org will be selling snow-cones, popcorn, candy and drinks.

Bring your chairs, blankets, towels, etc. 24151 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/386723855271401/ Friday, August 30, 9 p.m. to midnight Skyline Productions exists to showcase artists of all mediums in an atmosphere filled with fellow creatives and enthusiasts who are ready to find the next big thing. We are re-imagining the current state of the industry to provide an experience for artists and fans absent of the politics that often push away those who are deserving of exposure. Come to our next showcase! $10. 24346 Main St, Newhall. Info: facebook.com/events/355348882057584/ Saturday, August 31, noon to 2 a.m.

Come to Drifters Cocktails’monthly Art Crawl Series is an opportunity for local vendors and artists to come together alike and paint, drink and enjoy the sights and sounds of scv’s finest musicians and artists. We offer bottomless mimosas for $20 from noon-2pm and run the event the entire day. 18240 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/events/777014509400351/ Monday, September 2, 7-8:30 p.m. The Craft Comedy Tour is teaming up with Brewery Draconum to bring New York City’s no. 1 roast

comedian to Santa Clarita! See Irish comedian Sean Finnerty, one of America’s fastest rising comics, featured on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” as we share laughs over drafts! $15. Brewery Draconum, 24407 Main Street, Santa Clarita Info: facebook.com/ events/440773123438484/ Saturday, September 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join Sanctuary Animal Assisted Therapy for our monthly volunteer day. Come for a day of work and fun with your family and friends! Enjoy a vegan breakfast and lunch and love animals with us!

27662 Rolling Hills Road, Canyon Country. Info: sanctuaryaat.org Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come to Wolf Creek Brewery for Avenue Supported Living Services’ third annual cornhole tournament fundraiser. Enjoy food trucks, various craft vendors, friends, family and fun! 25108 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/596251124221779/ Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Praise on the Mountain (POTM) is a worship concert with a simple vision in mind, create an atmosphere where Apostolics could gather together to worship and fellowship at Six Flags amusement parks. POTM started as a youth event, but has grown into an event of all ages across the nation. SIx Flags Magic Mountain, 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia. Info: praiseonthemountain.org Saturday, September 7, 12:301:30 p.m. Come to Code Ninjas’ free coding bootcamp. We will be teaching kids 7 to 14 how to code a video game! This camp is appropriate for beginners, no experience is necessary. Kids will also get a chance to play with our Snap Circuits, robots and more! We ask that parents stay during the camp and get a feel for what their child is learning. Only 30 spots available. Tickets are free, but we ask for you to reserve your spot. Code Ninjas, 26867 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/425173648088258/ Saturday, September 7, 6-10 p.m. Join the women of Soroptimist International of Valencia as we hold our 16th annual Bras For A Cause. Proceeds from this spectacular event benefit organizations and women in our local community who support or are dealing with breast cancer. Hyatt Regency Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia. Dress to impress!

Info: one.bidpal.net/bfac2019/welcome

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 25

T R AV E L

The I-5 experience from Santa Clarita to Washington

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

T

he Golden State Freeway, or Interstate 5, spans the length of California and beyond. It is currently the only interstate highway to touch both the Mexican and the Canadian borders.

The I-5 runs at total of 796.53 miles in California from end to end, 308.14 miles in Oregon and 276.62 miles in Washington.

I am a veteran I-5 warrior. It usually takes two days from the SCV to the Seattle area. I always take a cooler with beverages and a few snacks with me in the car. However, I always make time for these stops.

Pea Soup Andersons 12411 CA-33, Gustine, 95322 (exit 407) Info www.peasoupandersens.net Started by Danish immigrants in 1924, this famous restaurant is known for its split-pea soup. However, the menu offers something for everyone.

The gift shop is a wonderland of treats, kitsch and signature Christmas tree ornaments. Offers a huge parking lot, perfect for RVs and trailers.

The Olive Pit 2156 Solano St., Corning, 96021 (exit 631) Info www.olivepit.com Serving travelers for more than 50 years, the Olive Pit is still a family-run business. There’s a café, but the store is the real attraction. It offers dozens of kinds of green olives stuffed with garlic, almonds, capers, anchovies, blue cheese, Habanero chilis, Jalapenos and dozens of other locally produced products. Large parking lot.

Klamath rest area Take exit 786 to the most beautiful rest area you’ll ever visit. It’s a great place to stop, eat food you purchased in nearby Yreka (we’ve bought McDonald’s, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Subway off exit 773) and sat quietly by the Klamath River, if only for a few minutes.

Taco Time 140 N. Gateway Blvd, Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424 Info www.tacotime.com

Nothing compares to Taco Time.

If you’re not hungry when you reach Cottage Grove, there are other Taco Times off the I-5 all the way north.

Taco Time’s “soft taco” is more the size of a burrito, one is plenty. Be sure to add an order of Mexi-Fries (seasoned tater tots) and Crustos (deepfried flour tortillas, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar) for the perfect Taco Time experience.

Klamath rest area, OR

Sights along the I-5 There are miles and miles … and miles of … well … nothing along I-5.

From the bottom of the grapevine to south of Tracy there isn’t really much going on along the I-5. There are areas along I-5, mostly in Northern California without cell service. It is a good thing that California still maintains the freeway call boxes in case of emergencies.

Mt. Shasta, CA

What’s that smell?

Not one of the highlights of the trip, but something to be prepared for. The 800-acre Harris Ranch feedlot is located east of the I-5 near Coalinga. At any given time, 70,000-100,000 head of cattle are present at the lot.

Shasta Lake It is heartening to see the shores of Shasta Lake lapping at the tree line again. For the fourth year in a row, (as of mid-June), Shasta Lake has filled to the top.

Delta fire The Delta Fire ignited on Sept.

5, 2018, about two miles north of Lakehead. The fire exploded rapidly crossing over I-5 between Lakehead and Castella (exit 724). I-5 was shut down by the fire Sept. 5-10, 2018. The fire consumed 63,311 acres before it was contained on Oct. 7. There are miles of fire-ravaged scenery along both sides of I-5. View this YouTube video of cars trapped along the I-5 during the fire, www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IV-pOKB4AzU Castle Craigs At around exit 720 start looking up to your left. Majestic Castle Crags is more than 170 million years old.

These 6,000-foot granite spires are located in the Castle Crags Wilderness. Castle Craigs State Park is at exit 724. A viewpoint is available on Craig View Drive at exit 727.

Pea Soup Andersons , CA

PHOTOS BY MICHELE E. BUTTELMAN / THE SIGNAL

Mount Shasta The best view of Mount Shasta I have found is from a Pilot gas station in Weed (exit 745). Views of Mount Shasta loom over the I-5 starting just north of Dunsmuir. The last exit in California is at Hilt, exit 796.

Siskiyou Summit Welcome to Oregon. Approximately 4 miles north of the California border you will arrive at Siskiyou Summit. At 4,310 feet, it is the highest point on I-5.

Southern Oregon After leaving Grants Pass, Oregon, you’ll travel through the beautiful mountains of the Southern Oregon Coast Range, a challenging drive that zig-zags through the forest before you level out into somewhat tamer

countryside near Roseburg. Once past Eugene, you’ll find the farming belt and easier driving. Don’t go here in winter. Really. Don’t.

Portland, Oregon Many seasoned travelers avoid the I-5 through Portland, choosing to take the I-205 detour around the city. However, if you’ve never been to Portland, it’s worth the effort to drive through and marvel at this wonderous city.

Columbia River The Columbia River marks the border between Oregon and Washington.

I-5 passes through Tacoma and Seattle before you reach Canada. Keep an eye out for CenturyLink Field (the Seahawks stadium) and the Space Needle on your way north.

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AU G U S T 25, 2019

K I D S & FA M I LY

What parents can do to reduce SIDS risk

P

arents of newborns and infants face many challenges throughout a typical day.

At the end of a long day tending to their youngsters’ every need, parents may think their work for the day is nearly done as bedtime approaches. But a parent’s work is never done, and parents have some especially important work to do in regard to protecting their children when they go down to sleep.

Expecting parents and parents of newborns and infants have no doubt heard of SIDS, an acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but may not fully understand it. And they’re not alone. In fact, the American SIDS Institute notes that, in an attempt to clarify the sometimes confusing terminology around SIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently suggested changing some of that terminology. Those suggestions included introducing the term Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, or SUID. Learning to distinguish between SUID and SIDS is a great first step for parents looking to reduce their youngsters’ risk of accidental death while sleeping.

of a seemingly healthy baby who is less than one year old.

What can parents do to reduce SIDS risk?

Parents are not helpless against SIDS. In fact, moms and dads can start taking steps to reduce SIDS risk before their children are even born.

The American SIDS Institute offers these tips to parents in the hopes that they can reduce SIDS risk.

Learning to distinguish between SUID and SIDS is a great first step for parents looking to reduce their youngsters’ risk of accidental death while sleeping.

What is the difference between SUID and SIDS?

The CDC introduced the term SUID so it could serve as a broad term that encompasses all sudden infant deaths. SIDS falls under the umbrella of SUID, but so, too, do accidental deaths, such as suffocation and strangulation; sudden natural deaths, such as those caused by infections, disorders and neurological conditions; and homicides. The Mayo Clinic notes that SIDS is the unexplained death, typically during sleep,

Don’t smoke Exposure to cigarette smoke before or after birth raises SIDS risk. Parents and anyone else should never smoke near a baby. Using drugs such as cocaine and heroin also increases SIDS risk.

Don’t bed-share Parents should not fall asleep with their babies in their beds or while holding their babies in a chair or sofa. Babies should always sleep separately from their parents and other children.

Place the baby in a bare crib Babies should sleep in bare cribs with no covers, pillows, bumper pads, or positioning devices.

Follow the “Back-is-best” rule When placing a baby down to sleep, always place the child on his or her

back. Follow this rule at all times, even when children are fretful, in need of extra comfort or have a cold.

Babies with colds are at higher risk for SIDS. Prioritize prenatal care A healthy full-term baby is more likely to live past infancy than a child born prematurely.

Offer a pacifier Breastfeeding mothers can offer their babies a pacifier after the child has learned to feed.

The American SIDS Institute notes that various studies have found a lower risk of sleep-related death when babies use pacifiers. Pacifiers should not be attached to the baby or crib, as doing so can present a choking hazard.

Practice tummy time Interactive tummy time on a play mat on the floor can help babies strengthen their bodies. That strength can make it easier for them turn over onto their backs should they end up on their stomachs while sleeping.

SIDS is a serious concern that parents must not take lightly. Learn more by visiting the American SIDS Institute at www.sids.org. (MC)

Extracurricular activities for the non-athlete

S

ports are a popular activity for adults and children alike.

While adults may not have the time to hit the hardwoods or toss the ball around as much as they used to, sports continue to be as popular as ever among young people.

According to the State of Play: 2018 report from The Aspen Institute, 69% of children between the ages of six and 12 participated in a team or individual sport at least once in 2017.

As popular as sports are, some students are not inclined to lace up a pair of cleats or compete with their peers on the athletic playing fields. In fact, that same report found that just 37% of kids between the ages of six and 12 participated in a team sport on a regular basis. Lack of interest in sports is nothing for parents to worry about, though it is important that parents encourage their kids to participate in extracurricular activities, which can pay a host of dividends.

Why participate in extracurricular activities?

Extracurricular activities do more than just provide something for kids to do once they’re dismissed from school. Certain activities may help kids perform better academically. In analyzing data on more than 25,000 second-school students, the United States Department of Education found that those who reported consistent involvement in instrumental music during middle school and high school, performed significantly better in mathematics by grade 12 than kids who did not participate in music programs.

Participation in extracurricular activities as a youngster also may pay dividends well into the future.

A 2017 study from researchers at Rutgers University found that people who were involved in extracurricular activities in high school were likely to stay involved in their communities throughout their lives.

ties for kids to learn an instrument and connect with fellow music lovers.

A lack of interest in sports is nothing for parents to worry about, though it is important that parents encourage their kids to participate in extracurricular activities.

Extracurricular activities for non-athletes

Sports might be a popular extracurricular activity, but there are still plenty of additional activities for kids who have no interest in sports.

Music School bands or community music programs provide opportuni-

Volunteering Many organizations welcome teenager volunteers, recognizing that kids who volunteer as teens are more likely to continue doing so as adults, which can help charities and other organizations meet their missions. Volunteering even allows kids to further indulge an existing passion. For example, kids who love the beach can volunteer with a local environmental organization that works to clean up local beaches and waterways.

Writing Youngsters with an interest in writing can participate in local creative writing groups. Such groups can be great places to brainstorm story ideas and learn about the creative writing process. Participating in extracurricular activities can enrich young peoples’ lives and lay the foundation for a rich, fulfilling life.

(MC)

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Watermelon sandwiches are late-summer treats card or letter, or invite nearby grandparents over for a fun get-together.

Stir up your own surprises with your kids for a memorable multigenerational gathering.

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

W

hen Joani Deuel’s two grandkids, Hunter and Parker, come to visit in Dublin, California, they’ve learned to expect the unexpected from a grandmother who absolutely loves to have a surprise up her sleeve. The latest caper appeared at lunchtime when she said, “Come and get your watermelon sandwiches!”

“I didn’t think it was really true,” 12-year-old Hunter later told me.

“Grandma invited us over for soup and sandwiches, but watermelon sandwiches? I was thinking grilled cheese.”

I tasted Joani’s talked-about creation on a recent visit to the West Coast, and just like her grandkids, I gave the innovative recipe an enthusiastic thumbs up. Served with zucchini soup and a simple bowl of fresh fruit topped with yogurt, watermelon sandwiches were memorable and definitely worth repeating.

Now, back on my own turf in Minnesota, our family has already made watermelon sandwiches for our neighborhood National Night Out potluck and family suppers, and I’ll be serving them up next week for a mom’s back-to-school get-together.

Try this simple, easy-to-prepare recipe with your kids, and get ready for those surprised looks from your guests when you serve a curious platter of watermelon sandwiches.

Here’s what you’ll need for 8 openfaced sandwiches: 4 ciabatta sandwich rolls sliced in half 1 handful of fresh mint stripped from the stems and chopped 1 8-ounce tube goat cheese 8 thin slices of chilled watermelon with seeds and rind removed Cracked pepper and salt to taste Assemble in 3 easy steps: 1. Crumble cold goat cheese in a bowl. It works best chilled. Lightly combine with chopped mint.

2. Brush both sides of the sliced ciabatta rolls and grill or toast lightly.

3. Spread the cheese and mint mixture on the cut side of each

ciabatta half. Add salt and pepper according to taste. Cut watermelon slices in triangles and stack 2 triangles on each half.

For a fun twist, Joani suggests letting kids cut the watermelon into triangles with kitchen scissors instead of a knife. When assembled, you may wish use the scissors to cut the sandwich half in half again for smaller portions.)

Coming up Sunday, Sept. 8, is designated as Grandparents’ Day. Send a

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. 26

Banana Muffin & String Cheese Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

Rodeo Roundup Burger & Spicy Curly Fries Cheesy Stix & Marinara Chicken Nuggets Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Cinnamon Toast Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

Turkey Taco Dippin’ Chicken & Sauce Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar

Wednesday, Aug. 28

Breakfast Bagel Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Fruit Juice

Hot Dog on a Bun Dippin’ Chicken & Sauce Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Celebration Cookie

Thursday, Aug. 29

Strawberry Splash Mini Pancakes Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

Friday, Aug. 30

Skillet Omelet & Tortilla Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

Orange Chicken w/Rice Corn Dog Chicken Sandwich Spicy Chicken Sandwich Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Toasty Grilled Cheese Sandwich Popcorn Chicken PBJ Sandwich & String Cheese Smart Choice Pizza Manager’s Choice Seasonal Salad Bar

28 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

L A B O R D AY middle of the circle. Players scramble to collect ping pong balls with the highest points. Highest total wins. Can be played in teams or as individuals.

Relay Races Make up fun relay races for teams of players. Players take turns going from one side of the pool to the other and the fastest team wins. Some examples include: swimming backwards, riding a pool float, using a kickboard, pushing a watermelon across the pool, crawling on the bottom of the pool, etc.

Food

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

L

abor Day. The official end of summer and the beginning of the fall season. The kids are back in school, summer vacations are in the record books and anticipation builds for the annual fall rollout of pumpkin spice lattes and such. Now is a great time to celebrate the “fall of summer” with family and friends. Make it a family-friendly event with a special theme, games, prizes, food and fun.

Themes

An end-of-summer pool party must absolutely have a theme. The best party themes are fun, lighthearted and silly.

Tiki Bar Party Go full bore “Polynesian” with a fun Tiki Bar stand you can make yourself, or purchase the essentials online. Serving drinks in hollowed-out coconuts is a must.

Decorate with raffia table skirting and fake palm and banana leaves.

Include Polynesian tiki totems. Play Polynesian drumming music. Offer fruit plates and chicken and vegetable kebobs with a pineapple marinade.

Hawaiian Luau Party A variation of the “tiki” party, the Hawaiian party focuses more on grass skirts, leis and pineapples for decorations, drinks and food. Think of a Hawaiian luau for inspiration. Create a custom playlist of the best Hawaiian music including Don Ho’s “Tiny Bubbles” and Elvis’ “Hawaiian Wedding Song” (See playlist here: www.kingshawaiian.com/blog/the-all-time-best-ha-

waiian-music-playlist).

Offer ambrosia salad, shredded pork on King’s Hawaiian buns and cupcakes with a coconut frosting decorated with tiny umbrellas.

A “JAWSome” Party A sharkthemed pool party will make guests smile. Decorate with inflatable sharks and make your own “sharks in the water” by cutting out foam “fins” and gluing them on floats throughout the pool. Place bowls of gummy candy sharks on the table along with shark fin-topped cupcakes, shark decorated cookies and offer up a signature “Sharknado” cocktail (see recipe below).

Glow Stick Party For an evening pool party toss glow sticks in various colors into the pool. Have the kids dive in and collect glow sticks of each color. Award a prize to the child who collects one of each color the fastest. Decorate with streamers and multi-colored balloons in the same colors as the glow sticks. Twinkle lights can be strung around the yard and on the pergola to create a festive atmosphere.

Games

Organize a few games for the kids, and/or adults, to play in the pool.

Award small prizes.

Noodle Joust Give players a pool noodle and a raft. Last person on a raft wins. Create teams of players, or have one-on-one “duels.”

Ping Pong Scramble Players form a large circle in the pool. Dump container of ping pong balls, each numbered with a point value, in the

Let’s be honest. The last thing you want to do at your pool party is slave away in the kitchen, or over a hot barbecue. The best option is to cater your party with easy “eats” from one of the Santa Clarita Valley’s ubiquitous sandwich shops or big box “club” stores.

However, if you insist on making your own “gourmet” party spread here’s a few ideas.

Serve platters of chicken wings, cut up fruit, raw veggies with dips and other “finger food.”

Easy appetizers include: pineapple chunks wrapped with ham, “Cowboy Sushi” (deli ham wrapped around cream cheese and a pickle), melon prosciutto skewers (cantaloupe balls wrapped in prosciutto and basil leaves with balsamic glaze drizzle) and Greek Salad on a Stick (cherry tomato, Kalamata olive, chunk of cucumber and feta cheese square on a stick, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic).

Platters of cold, fried chicken, sandwiches and pulled pork sliders with sides of coleslaw, potato and macaroni salads. Easy desserts include ice cream sundae bar, themed cupcakes and/or popsicles, ice cream bars.

Cocktails/Mocktails

If you’re serving fun libations such as “mocktails” or “adult beverages,” plastic cups are a must around the pool. Have a large selection of waters and sodas available, too. Flavored sparkling water and seltzers are all the rage.

Mocktails

Skinny Coconut Slushy Blend together 1 cup coconut cream, 1 1/2 cups of ice and 5 tbsps. lemon juice

METRO CONNECTION

Water balloon toss Water balloon tosses are the most fun in a pool.

concentrate. Add 1/8 cup water, add water until drink reaches desired consistency. Sprinkle dash of turmeric for garnish.

Afterglow 4 ounces orange juice, 3 ounces pineapple juice, 1-ounce grenadine syrup and ice. In a tall glass add ice and stir in the orange and pineapple juice. Pour in grenadine syrup, do not stir. Garnish with paper umbrellas.

Pina Non-Colada 2 ounces coconut cream, 4 ounces pineapple juice, 1 tbsp. coconut flakes, 2 cups crushed ice, Maraschino cherries, sliced spears of pineapple. In a blender, add crushed ice, pineapple juice, half the coconut flakes and coconut cream.

Blend mixture until smooth and creamy. Pour into a stemmed glass and garnish with cherries, pineapple and remaining coconut flakes.

Cocktails

Blue Hawaiian Blend 1-ounce light rum, 1-ounce blue curacao, 2 ounces pineapple juice, 1 cup crushed ice.

Garnish with orange slice and pineapple chunk.

Maui Rainstorm 1-ounce Smirnoff Pineapple Vodka, 1/2-ounce Malibu Rum, 1-ounce blue curacao. Combine in cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass, garnish with pineapple wedge.

Waikiki Sunset 1/2-ounce pineapple juice, 1/2-ounce lime juice, 1-ounce rum, 1/4-ounce maraschino liqueur, dash of grenadine. Garnish with cherry atop pineapple chunk.

Sharknado 1 1/2 ounces light rum, 1-ounce simple syrup, 1/2-ounce lime juice, 1 tsp. blue curacao, 1 cup ice, 1/2-ounce cotton candy. Combine rum, simple syrup, lime juice and blue curacao in a cocktail shaker.

Strain into glass, garnish with cotton candy.

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 29

INTERIORDESIGN

Things to consider when designing a functional pantry

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any homeowners wish they had more storage space, and kitchens are one area where people seemingly can always use more storage.

Despite a desire for more kitchen space, until recently, kitchen pantries fell out of favor. Builders and architects may have thought that close proximity to supermarkets as well as multi-use cabinets in kitchens would offset the need for pantries.

But according to a recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders, a kitchen pantry is the most desirable kitchen feature for buyers in the market for a new home.

According to a 2016 survey from ReportLinker, 98% of Americans say cooking at home is their preferred way to prepare a meal. And despite the wide array of restaurants, prepared meals and fast food options nearby, more than one-third of people cook at home daily, with nearly 50% cooking between three and six days a week.

In order to accommodate for

basement or a mud/laundry room.

Various factors should be considered before placing a pantry outside a kitchen. What is the climate? Will food spoil? Is there a possibility that vermin or insects can infiltrate the room and access food? These factors will dictate whether to have closed cabinets, air-tight bins or open shelves or if other modifications must be made to the room prior to building.

Choose the type of pantry

In order to accommodate for spending more time in the kitchen, homeowners are directing additional attention to kitchen preparation and storage features. In fact, one recent trend in kitchen renovations is creating custom-designed pantries.

spending more time in the kitchen, homeowners are directing additional attention to kitchen preparation and storage features. In fact, one recent trend in kitchen renovations is creating custom-designed pantries.

Locate the appropriate space

Ideally, pantries should be in, or adjacent to, the kitchen. But not every home layout allows for this setup.

Some homeowners need to move storage pantries into the garage, the

Why it’s smart to have a smart home

D

evices are everywhere.

According to a recent visual networking index forecast from Cisco, by 2021, there will be four networked devices and connections per person across the globe. Those figures are even greater in North America, where Cisco estimates each person will have 13 networked devices and connections by 2021.

With all those devices, it’s no surprise that a greater number of people are embracing the smart home movement. Those who have yet to jump on the bandwagon can benefit from learning more about smart homes and why it’s intelligent to have a smart home.

What is a smart home?

According to SmartHomeUSA. com, the term “smart home” is commonly used to define residences in which appliances, lighting, heating and cooling units, televisions, computers, entertainment systems, and

security systems are capable of communicating with one another. Each of these components can be controlled remotely, typically via a smartphone.

Why is it smart to have a smart home?

The benefits of a smart home are numerous, and will likely only multiply as people utilize more devices.

Time A recent joint survey from CNET and Coldwell Banker found that 57% of Americans say that smart home technology saves them an average of 30 minutes per day. That’s an especially beneficial advantage for busy parents and/or professionals who find it difficult to juggle all of their daily responsibilities.

Money Another benefit to smart homes is their cost savings. Because devices can be controlled remotely, smart home owners can adjust the temperatures on their heating and cooling units while away from home.

That means they can arrive home each night to a comfortable home without

having to run their HVAC systems all day while no one was home. In fact, the CNET/Coldwell Banker survey found 45% of Americans say that smart home products save them an average of $98.30 each month.

Investment Whether you’re a developer or a single-family homeowner, real estate is an investment. Making a home as appealing to prospective buyers as possible is a great way to get a better return on your real estate investment. The CNET/Coldwell Banker survey found that 81% of buyers would be more likely to buy a home if smart home products were already installed. That can make the market for your home more competitive, ultimately earning you more money at resale.

Smart homes are both the present and the future. Homeowners who want to make their homes more livable today and more marketable tomorrow should consider investing in smart home products. (MC)

Accessibility is essential in a pantry.

Everything should be easily reached and grabbed as needed without having to move too many things. Ideally, foods should be arranged in a single layer so that all items can be viewed at a glance. Shelves of various depths and heights can accommodate items of different sizes. Adjustable shelves are ideal because they can be modified as foods change. Sliding drawers can improve reach in cabinets.

In smaller spaces, French doorstyle reach-in cabinets are convenient and flexible. In complete kitchen remodels or new constructions, walkin pantries offer the most space and flexibility.

Must-have features

Pantries serve different functions in different homes. For the bulk shopper, a pantry with plenty of room for large items will be needed.

Lighting can be beneficial in all pantries. Lights can improve visibility when trying to locate items. Others prefer an outlet for charging handheld vacuums or other small appliances. Counter space in the pantry enables homeowners to unload groceries directly onto pantry shelves.

For pantries located outside of the kitchen, built-in freezers can maximize storage possibilities, especially for those who freeze-and-eat after bulk shopping ventures.

Pantries are popular features that homeowners can customize depending on their storage needs and the amount of time they spend in their kitchens. (MC)

30 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Angled-roof repair issues, pool light malfunctions Angled roof issues Dear Robert, I’m a property manager in the Valley, though I live in Santa Clarita.

We’re at a two-story building with the roof that is not flat, but angled and short.

We’ve gone out for bid on it and these men are telling us that they can’t access this with a ladder so they either have to bring in scaffold or some sort of lift device.

It sounds to me that they are trying to take advantage of us by charging us extra for these lifting systems.

Are we wrong in thinking that they could use ladders and do part of the work and then access the rest of the roof?

It would save us money to not have to pay for lifting systems, do they really need this, based on what you see in the picture?

We just want to be sure that we aren’t being taken advantage of.

— Martha M. Martha, what you are being told is absolutely necessary on this type of roof.

You cannot safely access a roof with that pitch, by reaching over to set tiles.

It would be incredibly risky and likely end in a severe accident.

You will absolutely need to factor in those additional costs with your roofing proposal. It’s just part of what the costs will be for this style of roof.

Any roofer that tells you otherwise

will be risking not only his men but your insurance as well.

Whatever you do and whomever you choose, be sure to have their carrier send you their Certificate of Insurance.

Once you receive it, double check that it is current and active, and that they are carrying general liability insurance as well as worker’s comp.

Both are very important when you have contractors working on your property especially at such risk. If any roofer even tried to apply tiles this way, the finished look wouldn’t turn out well anyway, there is no way to get the product straight from the angle that a man would have to be in order to reach. You’re looking at a failed roof here, absolutely needs to be changed, and you will need to factor in the additional equipment for all of the above reasons. Good luck to you.

— Robert Pool lighting malfunction Hi Robert, I am a resident of Santa Clarita and I own a property with a swimming pool.

There is a pool light but it isn’t functioning, and hasn’t been since we moved in.

I would like to get this fixed at some point, perhaps doing it myself.

Can you tell me how extensive of a project this is, and how one would go about doing such a thing?

I’ve been told that this can be done without draining the water to the level below the light, but I just don’t see how this is possible.

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If this is beyond my abilities, do I need to hire a “pool man” or an electrician? I’m completely lost on this, though willing to try. If you think a rather capable person would and should, tackle something like this.

I look forward to your reply, thank you.

— John M. John, It’s very simple as long as the cord has not gotten swollen in the conduit.

First and foremost, be sure the breaker to the light is turned OFF. To do this, open the bell box (this is the box just in front of your light fixture, just above the ground with a cover over it) by removing the four screws. Test it with an electrical meter so make sure that there is NO power coming to those wires.

Next, lay on your stomach and unscrew the screw at the top of the fixture that’s in the pool and pull the fixture out.

It should have at least two-feet-plus of play in the cord so you can then lay the light fixture on the deck of the pool.

At that point pull on the cord from inside of the nitch (nitch is what the light is sitting in, the cavity). If the cord is able to be pulled and appears to be free then stop pulling immediately and do the following, a must.

Return to the bell box and tie either a piece of nylon rope that is no bigger than the wire itself but longer than the distance that you’ll be pulling, to the existing wires after you have disconnected them from the circuit.

This is where you need assistance, being that this is new to you. Have

someone feed the rope into the rose tube (conduit) as you’re pulling. Be sure to leave the rope in place, as you’ll need this to pull the new cord through and get it into position. Once you have pulled it all the way out and you have the rope, you can now disconnect the rope.

Now the new fixture is ready to be installed, and you’ll do this by reversing this process.

Tie the rope to the new pool light cord and then pull the rope until the new cord is at the bell box. Make your connections, being sure you follow the rule of thumb and this goes for any electrical work you do: first, the ground (green), then the neutral (white) and lastly the hot (this can be any other color such as black, red, and orange, and so on.

Be sure the new fixture is set in the nitch tightly and watch for any bubbles making sure the seal is tight.

Also, be sure the GFI is working on the circuit by testing it.

The other circumstance would be if the cord cannot be pulled. In this case, I would hire a seasoned electrician who knows how to get the wire out of the conduit without tearing your entire deck open. There are tricks to doing this but do hire the guy who knows how to do this.

Should you not being to pull the cord, feel free to write back and I’ll refer someone to you who can do the work.

Good luck, and be sure that your power is off completely at this area, prior to beginning any of this work.

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 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

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

Exploring the options in ‘mommy makeovers’

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omen frequently notice changes in their bodies after pregnancy. Although many things can be modified through diet and exercise, some new moms may benefit from a little extra help. In fact, an entire niche in health and wellness, The Mommy Makeover, helps women adjust to life post-pregnancy.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons defines a mommy makeover as a single-stage procedure that can rejuvenate areas of the body that change most during and after pregnancy, such as the breasts, abdomen, buttocks, genitalia and waist. Possible procedures in a mommy makeover include breast augmentation or lift, buttocks augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck or Coolsculpting®. The mommy makeover is designed to enhance areas of the body that may lose shape as women age or after childbirth, and to restore and enhance natural curves.

increased by 39%, tummy tucks by 85% and breast lifts by 70%.

As mommy makeovers have become more popular, more and more professionals are offering them. However, for the safety of the patient, only board-certified plastic surgeons are formally trained in these procedures.

It’s key for anyone considering a mommy makeover to do her research and carefully vet all professionals.

Here are some things women should know about mommy makeovers.

Pregnancy and childbirth can contribute to long-lasting physical issues.

Sagging of skin and breasts and excessive abdominal fat are just some of the issues that women may face after giving birth.

ASPS statistics show a recent rise in mommy makeovers. Over the past decade, breast augmentations have

• Procedures are unique for each woman and are customized based on individual goals.

• The desired amount of restoration, placement of incisions and techniques used will dictate appearance and recovery time.

• Mommy makeovers may occur in a single operation or at different appointments.

• The cost of a mommy makeover varies depending on the procedures

and where women live. Many plastic surgeons have financing options that can help make the costs of the procedures more manageable.

• Because mommy makeovers are surgeries, other precautions and procedures are necessary. These include surgery pre-clearance, an examination of oneÕs health history, cessation of certain medications or smoking prior to the surgery, and other recommendations from the surgeon.

• Recovery periods vary, but doctors will help patients through this time. According to Aristocrat Plastic Surgery & MedAesthetics, recovery may be six weeks or more depending on the procedures chosen. However, every measure to reduce recovery time and limit discomfort is made.

Mommy makeovers can be an option for women who want help reshaping their postnatal bodies.

(MC)

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PROFILE

Assemblywoman Smith’s passions: public safety, education (EOPS) a student support-services program. She then moved to the admissions office and then to the counseling office. Smith also became president of the COC classified employees’ union for one collective-bargaining term.

After studying at COC, where she became the chief justice of the student judiciary, Smith graduated with honors and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles.

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

C

alifornia State Assemblywoman Christy Smith is in her first term representing the 38th Assembly District, which includes Agua Dulce, Castaic, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley and the northern San Fernando Valley.

Smith, a Democrat, defeated oneterm Republican incumbent Dante Acosta in the November 2018 election. The election was so close it took nine days for Smith to clinch the win.

The slim margin of victory saw Smith capture 51.5% and 95,751 votes to Acosta’s 48.5% and 90,298 votes. The win flipped the historically Republican seat to the Democratic Party.

Midwest roots

Smith was born in a U.S. Army hospital in Würzburg, Germany. “My father was in the Army and stationed overseas,” she said. “My mother joined him in Germany and I was born on a military base in Germany.”

When her father’s enlistment ended, her parents moved to Indiana when she was 6 months old.

Her father, a mechanical engineer, found work at RCA Records near Fortville, Indiana, a small town of less than 3,000 people, outside of Indianapolis. The family later moved to Terre Haute, Indiana. Smith is the oldest of three children with two younger brothers.

Marriage and family

Assemblywoman Christy Smith represents the 38th Assembly District, which includes Agua Dulce, Castaic, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley and the northern San Fernando Valley. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

“In 1979, when I was nearly 11, we moved to the Santa Clarita Valley,” she said. “My dad was relocating for a job. My parents looked all over the San Fernando Valley, but couldn’t find a neighborhood where they wanted to raise kids. Then they came to Valencia and loved it.”

The family moved first to the Valencia Glen neighborhood where Smith rode a bus to Peachland Elementary School. They later moved to the Meadows development. Smith also attended Placerita Junior High School, and is a graduate of Hart High School.

A passion for politics

Assemblywoman Smith and Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Capt.

Robert Lewis listen to questions from the audience during a recent Wildfire Preparedness Town Hall. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

As a young child, Smith decided she wanted to become a dentist.

“When I was in the second grade, I had a lot of dental work done and that was the professional environment I knew,” she said.

In the fifth grade, her interests changed after experiencing a “deep dive” into American history. “Learning about the history of America, about the Constitution and the founding of our government sparked something in me, and it became a passion for me that I never let go,” Smith said.

Throughout junior high and high school, Smith was active in student

government. However, she said one of her most meaningful political memories came in high school.

“One afternoon, Gov. George Deukmejian, along with our congressman and state senator, came to Santa Clarita to attend a luncheon,” she said.

“Clyde Smyth, the Hart Union School District superintendent, had extra tickets and he could have invited anybody, school district staff or colleagues, but instead he chose to invite the three high school student body presidents.” At the time, the only high schools in the SCV were Canyon, Hart and Saugus.

Smith said the experience impacted her greatly. “After meeting the governor, I decided my future would be in politics,” she said.

COC and UCLA

Smith’s parents divorced before she graduated from Hart. “I didn’t have the resources to put myself through a four-year university,” she said. “The best bargain in town is our local College of the Canyons. I started as a student at COC, and became an employee a few months later.”

Smith held a variety of positions at COC, where she worked from 1987 to 1993. Her first job was with Extended Opportunity Programs and Services

Smith met her husband, Phil, at COC where the couple shared a political-science class and served on the student judiciary together. “Our first date was in May, he proposed in October and we were married in December of the same year,” she said.

The couple will celebrate their 30th anniversary in December.

After graduation the couple moved to Washington, D.C. “My husband was a graduate fellow with the CIA and pursued his graduate program at George Washington University. I was able to get a job at the U.S. Dept. of Education as an analyst,” Smith said.

“It was an exciting time. President Clinton wanted to rethink the federal role in public education and I had the opportunity to serve as one of the staffers.” Smith worked on education initiatives concerning parent involvement and school-to-work.

The Smiths became pregnant with their first child while in Washington, D.C. “I had some serious complications with the pregnancy and almost didn’t survive,” she said.

After the premature birth of their first daughter, the couple decided to return to Santa Clarita to live closer to family. After their return, Smith focused her attention on being a mother. Three years later a second daughter was born.

Education activist

While raising their two daughters, Smith became active in local education, serving as a PTA and site council member. “This was a time when the push to put new technology in our school classrooms started to ramp up and every local district was really strapped for cash,” she said.

Smith started a nonprofit founda-

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 33

PROFILE tion in the Newhall School District, the Valencia Valley Technological Education Foundation, to raise resources and served as its initial chair. “That propelled a run for school board … and here we are today,” she said.

Smith was elected to the Newhall School District’s governing board in 2009 and served two terms. She also served as chair of the successful Measure E Prop 39 bond campaign for the Newhall District, which has provided $60 million in resources for facility and technology upgrades.

State Assembly

Smith ran for the State Assembly in the 2016 election and lost to Acosta.

“I ran because I thought we needed a change in representation,” she said. “I felt the larger community was left out of the conversation, and access was challenging.”

As a Democratic activist, Smith also saw the demographics of the district changing. “We were trending purple,” she said. “Even if I didn’t have a meaningful chance of securing the seat, running meant I would have a platform for talking about a meaningful alternative agenda.”

After the national results of the 2016 election, Smith was even more determined to run in 2018. “I knew California would need to become a leader on many important issues, including women’s health care freedoms, environmental protections, wage and labor protection and things that were core values to middle class voters,” she said. “Issues that include public safety and education.”

Smith said setting an example for her daughters, currently ages 20 and 23, was also a consideration. “It was important to me to demonstrate to my girls that even in the face of what seems to be an insurmountable challenge you can pick yourself up and dust yourself off and start again, you can try again,” she said.

Smith said it is important to her that all voices feel represented at the state level. “I didn’t want my leadership or representation to be ‘scary’ to anyone,” she said, “which is why I have invited all voices to the table. I want to make sure no one feels left out.”

On a lighter note, Smith said the most surprising thing she discovered about her new job in the state capital was how often she got lost in the state

Assemblywoman Smith lost her initial run for the assembly. In deciding to run again, she said it was important to demonstrate to her daughters “that even in the face of what seems to be an insurmountable challenge, you can pick yourself up and dust yourself off and start again, you can try again.” SIGNAL PHOTO

house building. Because of numerous additions and remodels, the floors often don’t match up.

“Just finding food consistently is a challenge. I told my staff, ‘Just let me get lost,’” she said. After six months on the job, Smith said she is more comfortable finding her way around the Capitol.

Down time

When Smith has time to relax, she enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with family. She enjoys hiking all the trails around the SCV. “We are so lucky the city has really focused on preserving open space,” she said.

Smith also has a fondness for Yosemite National Park. “I never pass up an opportunity to visit Yosemite and hike,” she said. “It is my favorite place to hike on the entire planet.”

Goals

“It is truly an honor and privilege to be able to do this job, to work in public service which I enjoy,” she said.

“My real driving passion is ensuring we improve public education in the state, so every child has the best possible opportunity,” Smith said.

The quality of the public schools in Santa Clarita is a model that Smith feels can be achieved statewide.

“Santa Clarita is known for having great schools, and that is part of what drives my passion,” she said. “Because I know what can be achieved, I have seen it here at the local level with our public schools.”

34 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

N E W S F E AT U R E S

FLIGHT

Continued from page 10

various guest speakers in the aviation field, but also helps to give them scholarships to help pay for flight training.

“We like to support them,” she said.

“We show up when they solo if we can, we show up when they get their private pilot’s license.”

Fusano is now working towards getting her ground instructor certificate, so she can help out with teaching, but she continues to fly kids from near and far, including quite a few from right here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“We fly right over Santa Clarita,” she added. “I like to ask the kids, ‘What’s better than going to Magic Mountain? — flying over Magic Mountain!’”

She used to fly completely out of Agua Dulce, but over the last few years, has moved to Whiteman Airport in Pacoima.

The Young Eagles program gives participants a chance to experience a free airplane ride and an introduction into the safety operations of airplanes, as well as the basic principles of aviation. After the flight, participants receive a certificate, along with a way to continue their aviation experience if they so choose.

“There are pathways for them after that first flight,” Knapinski said.

“The young person becomes an EAA member, and they also receive the possibility to go onto an online pilot

course. We want to give them that opportunity, the information and the resources where they can start to step forward and do that if they wanted.”

The course, which is offered through Sporty’s Pilot Shops, gives them the learning tools they need to take the FAA written test for pilots, Knapinski added.

Fusano bought her plane, 5424J, which she calls Julie after her first granddaughter, in July 2014.

Since then, she has went on to get her instrument rating in 2017, and should be getting her commercial rating by the end of the year with the goal of becoming a certificated flight instructor.

“I want to teach kids how to fly,” she said. “When people get out of my plane, they’ve pretty much had a lesson.”

She has nearly 800 hours of flight time, and has flown more than 200 kids through the Young Eagles program with even more otherwise.

“When you start flying 100, 200, 300 kids, that puts you in the top 10% of the pilots in the program right there,” Knapinski said.

Any child is eligible to participate in the Young Eagles program, and anyone 18 and over can also participate in the EAA’s Eagle Flights program, according to the EAA. The Young Eagles program meets at 10 a.m. every fourth Saturday of the month at Whiteman Airport, located at 12653 Osborne St. in Pacoima. For more information, visit youngeagles. org.

PHOTO BY EMILY ALVARENGA / THE SIGNAL

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

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AU G U S T 25, 2019

PETS

Leash your dog, it’s the law

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

A

nyone who knows me knows how much I love my dogs. You might even call me a helicopter dog mom, always concerned about their health and safety.

That’s why nothing incenses me more than when walking around our Newhall condo complex, we see an off-leash dog. These have come in the forms of a massive Malamute barreling towards us, a tiny Chihuahua trotting over and a pair of furious fluffies flying by — all barking and snarling.

Every time, I say the same thing, “Please put your dog on a leash.”

Usually, this is met with, “Oh, don’t worry, my dog is friendly.”

That’s not the point. While my dogs will most likely not do anything to harm another dog, an introduction with one off-leash dog to two onleash dogs is far from ideal. It has

the potential to turn into a scuffle or worse, a full-blown fight that can cause injuries to the dogs and the people who try to break it up.

Not to mention, it’s illegal to have dogs off leash. The Los Angeles County Leash Law (10.32.010) prohibits dogs from running at-large on any public street, park or other public areas or upon private property other than that of the dog owner. A dog must be restrained by a substantial leash not exceeding 6-feet and be in the control of a competent person when off property. Fines are $50 for the first offense, $80 for the second and a day in court for the third.

That also means that the owner of the off-leash dog is liable for any injuries that may occur.

“No matter how well-trained your dog is, it’s not worth the risk of an altercation,” said Hsiawen Hull, lead volunteer at Castaic Animal Care Center. Hull, who helps train dogs that come into the center. He suggests learning how to walk your dog safety

Castaic Animal Care Center volunteer Hsiawen Hull prefers a 6-foot soft-rope, sliplead leash.

and comfortably on a leash, but not the retractable style, which offers very little control for dogs of any size.

“If you can’t control your dog, it’s not only unsafe, it’s a violation of the leash law,” Hull said.

On a warm summer day, he was working with a shaggy, 85-pound youngster named Spike. For maximum control, Hull prefers a 6-foot soft-rope, slip-lead leash.

“I use this one on dogs from 3 pounds to 150 pounds,” he said.

“Once you know how to use it, it’s a great tool.”

Easy to slip off and on a dog’s neck, it features a soft leather “lock” that secures the leash and allows for solid control. Hull held the slip lead 2 feet from the dog, wrapping two fingers around the loop rather than his whole hand.

“You shouldn’t wrap the leash around your hand. You can’t let go and it can be unsafe,” he said.

For those that prefer a more traditional collar and leash approach, there is a “soft-choke” style martingale collar that evenly distributes the pressure around the neck. For dogs with tracheal or breathing issues, a harness can be an option, while dogs that are hard to handle can possibly be fitted with a gentle-leader style halter. All work best with a flat nylon leash no longer than 6 feet.

“You’ll know you have the right tool for your dog when you can walk him or her comfortably,” Hull said.

If you’re not sure where to start, Hull suggested consulting with a professional dog trainer for help.

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AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 37

Imbeciles, Heroes, Coin Flips & Sweethearts A warm and Western howdy to all those dear and familiar faces and so many fresh ones on this Sunday trail ride through those sometimes shocking, sometimes gloriously calm and pleasant yesteryears of life in the Santa Clarita.

Welcome. Good to see you and then some. What say you? Shall we mosey into the mystic?

WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• SCV loses coin flip A humble padre up the coast at Mission Santa Buenaventura made a historic decision back on Sept. 3, 1795. The Catholic Church was down to two sites to build their newest mission — either in San Fernando or Santa Clarita.

Father Vincent de Santa Maria made the call and we lost.

AUG. 25, 1919

• Historic High School Sweethearts Two pioneer Newhall families were linked by marriage. On this date, Lloyd Houghton married Opal Mayhue. Lloyd had just returned from fighting in Europe during World War I and came home to immediately marry his high school sweetheart.

• Car Sold — Stop the presses!! The car was still such a recent invention, it made front-page news whenever a local bought a new one. “Cowboy” Bob Anderson, one-time owner of the former Saugus Speedway, purchased himself a brand new Studebaker to drive to the state fair in Sacramento.

Bob was running thoroughbreds at the races there. In fact, the speedway was going to be THE premier race track in Southern California. But a couple of places called Santa Anita and Hollywood Park aced the Santa Clarita Downs out of the running. Hm. Wonder how many cars we sell in a day here in the SCV? More than two?

AUG. 25, 1929

• Camping Tragedy The Carranza family woke to screams in the middle of the night. En route to Bakersfield, they camped just north of Castaic.

Sleeping outside, the father woke to the distant cries of his 9-year-old son screaming, “Papa! Papa!” The family, penniless and friendless, searched for days with sheriff ’s deputies for the missing boy. Searchers believed he wandered off and either fell off a cliff or was the victim of a mountain lion.

• Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and The Boys? Well, uh, no. Just about everybody in town was grinning in amazement as the great German air ship, the Graf Zeppelin (no relation to Led Zeppelin) landed at Newhall International Airport. The pilot, Dr. Eckener, upon landing, said: “Glad to be here” and Lady Drummond Hayes said, upon stepping off at our tiny airstrip: “Hello, everybody. I’m so happy to be in friendly California.” Signal Editor A.B. Thatcher, renowned for his hatred of mechanical devices floating while carrying homo sapiens in their bellies, warned in somber tones that these great airships were an accident waiting to happen. A few years later and old Dad Thatcher was right. The Hindenburg crashed in New Jersey. It prompted one of the most famous quotes of the 20th century: “Oh! The humanity!!”

• When they say “They don’t pay me enough,” The CHP wasn’t kidding Here’s one for you. California Highway Patrolmen in 1929 made between $150 and $500 a month, depending on what county they worked in.

They were required to not only pay for their uniforms, but also, in some cases, supply their own cars.

AUG. 27, 1933

• The SCV’s most significant soul Atholl McBean was elected president of The Newhall Land and Farming Co. on this date by members of the Newhall family. NL&F was a privately held family corporation and they voted old Atholl in to basically save the farm. It has been successfully argued that Atholl is the SCV’s most historically significant person in at least the 20th century because he turned around the company and helped set the stage for the planned

TIMERANGER

community Valencia is today. And yup.

McBean Parkway is named after the curmudgeon …

privately owned airport near Whites Canyon today; “6S” stands for the six Schultzes in the family).

AUG. 25, 1939

AUG. 28, 1962

• Another hunting horror story A red-faced local rancher angrily complained about the idiot hunters who infested the SCV and particularly his ranch during deer season. The cowboy listed a litany of woes, including how deer hunters would shoot holes through his posted no hunting signs; how they shot his calves and chickens for target practice or meanness; how one blew holes in his water tank with his .30-.30 and how they camped out on his property, pulling up fence posts to use as fire wood.

A Signal editorial suggested that several Newhall folks should follow the hunters back to Los Angeles, “ ... shoot out the window lights of their apartments, fill their pet pooch full of bird shot, strew their 2-by-4 hallway with old tin cans, scare the daylights out of their wives and children, and build a good roaring fire in the middle of their living room. Oh my yes — THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT!” Now THAT’S an editorial.

• Our noble correspondent Wheatley Glaze, Signal columnist from Val Verde, reported that the black, or “colored” as he referred to them in his piece, employees of MGM Studios held their company picnic at Val Verde Park. Literally thousands showed up for the shindig, including jazz and swing legend, the band leader, Les Hite.

AUG. 25, 1949

• Now that’s a proper cowboy vehicle Just about every kid in town was at the American Theater on this date.

Jim Bannon was making a special appearance. Jim played the cowboy, Red Ryder, in the serial pictures. He pulled up not on a horse, but a big, white, Lincoln convertible with Texas longhorns on the hood. The gear shift was an actual .45 Colt revolver and the door handles were silver horseshoes. Interior was saddle leather and to lock the thing, you just pushed gold bullets on the door.

AUG. 25, 1959

• Our lost airport A lot of kinks appeared in the necks of Canyon Country residents. They had a skydiving exhibition at the old 6S Sky Ranch (a

• The great fire Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch burned to the ground on this date in the great Placerita Canyon forest fire. It was one of the most destructive and biggest blazes to hit the SCV. Through a world-wide call to actors, directors and movie people who provided photographs, the ranch was later rebuilt to its original look by the Veluzat family.

AUG. 25, 1969

• Three good souls Ken Clow and Ian Bruce died in an explosion at Bermite on this date. Within a couple years, Ken’s younger brother, Joe committed suicide.

AUG. 25, 1979

• Farewell, Leland Leland Bowman died on this date, 40 years back. He moved to Newhall in 1921. His wife, Jereann, was a Hart board member after whom Bowman High was named.

• SCV turns into opposite universe This was billed as a “Man Bites Dog” story. The CHP reported that a man in his car by Jack-in-the-Box in Newhall was rushed by three teenaged girls wearing short-shorts. The girls pounded on his car, waving bags of candy and begging him to give them a ride. Time out. I know the cops tell the kids never to get in a car with a man offering you candy, not the other way around.

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.

38 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 2019

SENIORLIVING A SECOND WIND

Dealing with disappointment?

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eagles requires so much energy.

I know, you’re probably saying y friend recently unthat lowering expectations is setdertling for less, that avoiding risks is a went faint-hearted way to prevent disapa pointment, that people who lower the grueling job apbar use underachieving as a form of plication process. ego preservation. But Albert Einstein So much time was was considered an underachiever, spent fine tuning and look how well that turned out the cover letter, for him. Isn’t it possible that “good painstakingly reworking the resume enough” is the optimal mantra? and preparing for interview quesAccording to Ray Bennett’s book tions.

“The Underachiever’s Manifesto,” She made it to the second inter“In our overachieving society, a little view, but alas, another candidate was underachievement is the necessary selected for the job.

Who hasn’t felt the reeling emotion corrective.” He urges us to live life to the minimum and love it. of disappointment after anticipating Failure, falling short and imperfecsomething with great hope, pouring tion are inevitable your heart into parts of life. But it, meticulously “BLESSED IS HE clinging to expecattending to every tations makes it WHO EXPECTS detail and watching hard to pick up the it come crashing NOTHING, FOR HE pieces when disapdown? There’s SHALL NEVER BE pointment occurs. a feeling of loss, It’s possible that DISAPPOINTED” failure and despair detaching and not that it was all for — ALEXANDER POPE investing so much nothing. urgency in achieveDisappointment ment liberates us to either succeed is especially painful when we put pressure on ourselves, or feel pressure with ease or fail without trauma.

I’m not arguing that we should lose from others, to excel and then don’t meet our expectations. This fuels self- passion for our goals. I’m just saying that practicing detachment lowers the doubt about achieving future goals. stress level, and not catastrophizing Gratefully, there is a remedy for the an event helps us to better cope with angst that disappointment creates. disappointment.

English poet and satirist AlexanA case in point. I realize that I der Pope quips, “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be did not reach my goal this month of focusing the column primarily on disappointed.” senior citizens. The Senior Living It’s a comforting perspective — column is geared toward growing not investing too much energy in older, and I drifted into living life any outcome. In my younger days I productively. dabbled in poetry writing and loved Granted, living life productively the advice that poet William Stafford and growing older may be two sides gave about writing. of the same coin. Nonetheless, I didn’t Stafford was in the habit of writmeet my expectation. I suppose I ing a poem a day. When questioned could have started over, but maybe about what he does if the poem is this time I’ll lower my standards, weak, he responded, “Then I lower embrace “good enough,” and ease out my standards.” of disappointment.

Maybe mediocrity is the key to happiness. Maybe turning it down a notch and setting the bar lower provides a sense of ease. Soaring with

Mary Petersen is a retired COC English instructor, 30-year-SCV resident, and two-time breast cancer survivor.

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 39

GARDENING

Fall is a prime time to tend lawns and gardens

B

elieve it or not, fall is around the corner. And, fall is gardening season.

That statement may not seem right to those who think of the spring as the peak time to care for lawns and gardens. However, fall is an ideal time to get into the garden and ensure that flowers, trees and garden beds will over-winter successfully.

A number of things make fall a prime gardening season. The cooler days of fall enable gardeners to spend ample time outdoors without the threat of blazing heat. In addition, soil harbors a lot of residual warmth in fall. Also, the colder temperatures haven’t yet arrived, making fall a prime time to assess what’s already in the landscape, what needs pruning back and where to address planting for next year.

Gardening enthusiasts can focus their attention on these areas this fall.

Pamper perennials As annuals and perennials start to fall back, mark the spots where perennials are located so they can be easily identified later on. This way, when planning spots for spring bulbs or other spring layouts for next year, perennials won’t be overlooked or covered over.

Prune shrubs Look at shrubs and trees and cut out dead or diseased wood.

Clean up borders Weed and tidy up borders and lawn edging.

Install pavers or rock wall Embrace the cooler temperatures to work on

T

ransplant shock occurs when plants adversely respond to being moved from one place to another. Plants may need to be moved for a variety of reasons, but homeowners should be especially careful when moving plants around their properties.

When moving a plant, do your best to avoid disturbing the root, even resisting the urge to shake dirt off the roots. Keep the rootball wet throughout transplanting, too, as

Otherwise, strip all leaves and freeze for storage during colder months.

Consider mums Chrysanthemum plants are perennials. While they look beautiful in pots, if planted, maintained and winterized, they can bloom every fall.

Fertilize the lawn Fertilizing in the fall helps ensure grass will stay healthy throughout the cooler months.

Add mulch and compost to the garden Replenish spent soil with mulch and compost so garden beds will be revitalized for spring planting.

Prune hedges Tidy up hedges, as they won’t be growing much more this year.

Mums are perennials. When properly planted and cared for, they can bloom every fall.

labor-intensive projects, such as putting in a garden bed, retaining wall or walkway.

Dig up herbs Relocate herbs like parsley or basil to indoor gardens.

Remove spent summer veggies Take out vegetable garden plants that have already bloomed and borne fruit.

Tidy up vegetable gardens and start to sow cooler weather plants, such as onions, garlic, beans and sweet peas.

Clean and store equipment Clean, sharpen and oil all equipment, storing lawn and garden tools properly so they are ready for spring.

Fall may not seem like gardening season, but there are plenty of lawn and garden tasks to tend to during this time of year. (MC)

NEWHALL HARDWARE

OWNERSHIP UNDER NEW

Rake and compost Rake the leaves and gather grass clippings to add to the compost pile.

Plant spring bulbs Get tulips and other spring bulbs ready for planting so they’ll burst with color next year.

HARDWARE • TOOLS • POTS and MORE!

roots that dry out are more susceptible to damage than those that remain moist.

Transplant shock is less likely to occur if most of the roots are moved along with the plant, so try to dig up as many of the roots as possible before picking up the plant and moving it.

Water also can help prevent transplant shock by helping the plant acclimate to its new location, so remember to water the plant after it has been moved. (MC)

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42 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

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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

The Back-Room Dealings Our Addiction to ‘Easy’ vs. at the Hart School District Choosing Difficult Things

By David Hegg

By The Signal Editorial Board

M

ike Kuhlman will take over as superintendent of the William S. Hart Union High School District at the end of this school year, replacing the retiring Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht. We wish him all success in the position.

But his appointment on a 5-0 vote this past Tuesday still leaves a bad taste. Not because Kuhlman isn’t the right choice for the job — he may be — but because of the Hart District’s utter lack of transparency in arriving at the decision.

Once the choice of a new superintendent was finally placed on a public agenda, the decision was already made — and it was the first time the Hart District informed the public that Engbrecht was retiring and a replacement had been sought.

It appears no laws were broken.

After all, the state’s open meeting law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, allows public agencies to discuss personnel matters in closed session.

That’s SO not the point.

The superintendent of this valley’s only high school district is one of the most important leadership

positions in our community. The superintendent serves at the pleasure of the board, so the public has no formal role in the selection. It’s not a matter for a public vote. It’s a matter for a vote of our five elected trustees. But we expect more than this from those five elected officials.

Much more.

Things the board never told you until the decision was already in the bag for Kuhlman: 1) That Engbrecht was retiring at the end of this school year. It’s not a surprise — she’s worked for the district since 1976, when she started out as an English teacher at Sierra Vista Junior High School. She’s served the district well, in multiple capacities. But there was no announcement until her replacement had been chosen, behind the scenes.

2) That the board decided not to conduct a national search for her replacement. We might not have quibbled with this decision — naSee OUR VIEW, page 45

A

s a young boy my dad taught me to be careful not to choose the easy path in life. He was a firm believer that anything worth doing was going to demand disciplined effort, and disciplined effort was going to mean hard work.

He insisted my chores be done in the right way, which was hardly ever the easy way.

Today, things have changed. It seems our society is addicted to the easy way.

Maybe we can blame it on the technology that has poured life into apps, and seduced us into thinking everything should be easy, quick and enjoyable.

Or maybe we can blame it on wealth that allows us to hire others to do the hard things. And, perhaps, we can even go so far as to say life is supposed to be easy, free from struggle, and certainly never requiring fatigue or perseverance.

All these may play a part, but behind them all is the insidious lie that the best life is the easy life, the life that offers more leisure and less labor. This toxic ideal has permeated the younger

half of our society and we are beginning to see the disastrous results.

At the risk of displaying just how “old school” I am, let me get really old and take you back to Aristotle. He said, “Both skill and virtue are always concerned with what is harder, because success in what is harder is superior.”

Let’s consider virtue first. Take a look around at our society and you will see that deceit, incivility, crudeness, impudence, rash decision-making, lawlessness, vulgarity, pugnacity (look it up!), and all manner of other iniquitous toxins have not only infested our society but are regularly defended and even applauded.

Why? The answer is simple. All of these are the natural proclivities of the person who has not done the hard work of developing self-control, prudence, respect, honesty, honor and love of neighbor. In other words, immaturity comes naturally because it is easy. We’re born with it. But maturity demands intentional effort that perseveres past what comes naturally to See HEGG, page 44

READERLETTERS

Fund Transfer Questioned As a past member of the 2007 “Save Open Space” committee, I am disgusted with the current controversy and actions of our City Council’s transferring of funds from the open space district’s line item to the facilities fund.

As a committee member we spent hours and hours on its interpretation and the managing of its financial matters. At no time, and nowhere, was it brought up about the potential of using these funds for anything else but the purchase of open

space surrounding the city.

The citizens of the city voted for and put their trust into the city to use these funds for open space, period! Trust in government, at any level, is always negative, which is why this was voted down the first time.

Communications Manager Carrie Lujan is quoted as saying the panel’s action changes nothing.

What it does do, is show the community how the city operates. Well, that comment sure scares the hell out of me in dealing with my tax dollars and changing matters that were set forth.

Even more significant is Mayor Marsha McLean’s comments as she is quoted as saying, “I’m assuming that all this was looked at before the decision was made to go ahead and use the money to build the active park at the community center.”

She went on to indicate, “When we receive information that an action is OK to take, we go by what our staff puts forth. As far as I know, this was all done the way it was supposed to be done, and until something different comes up, that’s what we go by.”

See LETTERS, page 45

4 4 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

AU G U S T 25, 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 CO N C LU S I O N S D R E W L I T TO N

Clyde Smyth, My Diploma and Lost Transparency

By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

I

’ll never forget that Zonta roast in 1997.

The Signal was the roast-ee for the big annual fundraiser, and Zonta’s roasters took full aim at the paper in general — and in particular at then-Publisher Will Fleet, columnist John Boston, and, me.

Clyde Smyth, the 16-year superintendent of the William S. Hart Union High School District who later served a term on the Santa Clarita City Council, was one of the roasters.

Clyde was an icon of the Santa Clarita Valley. If the name seems familiar, his son Cameron has carried the family torch as our former assemblyman and current City Council member.

The elder Smyth (1931-2012) had been the Hart District superintendent all the way back to my high school days, and was one of the most universally revered leaders in the community.

He retired from the Hart District in 1992 and, at the time of the 1997 Zonta roast, he was mayor of Santa Clarita.

And there he was, roasting me and The Signal. I was a little starstruck. But he didn’t go easy on me. During his speech, he reminded me and a ballroom full of 400 people at the Hyatt that he had been superintendent when I graduated from Saugus High School in 1984.

As I wrote in my 1997 column about it, Clyde then displayed, for all to see: “Copies of actual pictures from my high school yearbook, complete with bad hair and my senior memory of ‘Greg and I watching Ms. D write on the blackboard.’ (Ms. D was our math teacher. She was fabulous. And a pretty good teacher, too.)”

Yeah. Like the whole community needed to see my 1984 mullet and evidence that I found a teacher to be, how

shall we say, “attractive.”

Then, Clyde pulled out an oversized replica of my high school diploma.

It was about 3 feet by 5 feet. And something was missing: In the spot where his signature should have been, as the superintendent in 1984, was just a big blank

space.

No signature from Clyde.

He admonished me that, as Signal editor, I better behave myself, or I’d never get that signature. Good luck getting another job!

It was such great fun and I took that oversized diploma home as a cherished souvenir.

I bring this up now because it reminds me of what an important position the Hart District superintendent was then, and is now. And how things have changed.

We tend to talk about elected officials a lot in our news coverage, and they of course have a major impact on life in the SCV. But there are a few key appointed positions that have a profound impact on our community: Santa Clarita city manager, which has only changed hands twice since 1988.

The superintendent (now chancellor) of College of the Canyons, a position held by Dianne Van Hook since I was a student there in 1988. Van Hook, too, will go down as an icon of this community’s history.

And, the Hart district superintendent.

Comparing any of the successors to Clyde Smyth really isn’t fair. He was the district’s chief executive in a different era, when the valley was smaller and had just three high schools, and he was as much beloved for his excellent leadership as he was for his personal See WHYTE, page 45

HEGG

Continued from page 43

build character strong enough to resist the temptation to act as a child. Simply put, we continue to act like children because we refuse to do the hard work that honor, courage, self-control and applied wisdom require. And, I greatly fear, someone, somewhere is trying to build an app for that!

But what about the skill component in Aristotle’s dictum? Once again, if you take a good look at the prevailing ideology of our day in regard to prudence, or applied wisdom, here’s what you’ll find. Gone are the days when experience counted for much.

If you’ve been on the job for 20, 30, or more years, you can remember when the prevailing thought was that skill was learned and gained over time, and the more time you spent developing your ability, the more valuable you were to your enterprise. In a word, experience was a plus, if that experience was gained through hard work and the pursuit of excellence.

Sadly, the younger segment of our population no longer sees time plus effort as adding up to benefit. To be fair, there certainly are areas where technology has grown so quickly that those coming out of grad school today know far more about their industry than do the old timers. But, do they understand people? Have they learned from 30 years’ worth of mistakes, problem-solving, and most of all, per-

severance through trial?

Lest you think this column is just the rantings of an older curmudgeon, that is not the case. There is a reason our best athletes are those who practice the longest, work out the hardest and are the most disciplined in their field.

There is a reason our best researchers, scientists, writers and statesmen spend time and effort perfecting their skills and honing their intellectual capabilities. There is a reason the best and bravest among us often carry the scars of battle as emblems of their perseverance through unimaginable adversity.

The reason is simple. True character and skill aren’t easy to acquire, and once gained, they don’t quit when adversity arrives.

And be assured, adversity is a pervasive element in our world. Those who choose the easy way will never build the ethical muscles and strength of character necessary to keep going when the going gets tough.

Mountains abound in this world, and they demand to be climbed. Only those who learn to push through the fatigue will one day enjoy the view. So choose the hard things. Push yourself to harness your natural tendencies with the reins of virtue. Prize the rigor of perseverance, because Aristotle was right. Success in what is harder is vastly superior to easy victories.

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

AU G U S T 25, 2019

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 4 5

Opinion

WHYTE

Continued from page 44

down-home kindness, values and good humor.

In the early-’90s, when I was a news reporter, he called me back every time I called, and talked to me straight-up rather than having a public information officer run interference. No hiding. Honest answers.

No ducking the tough questions. No B.S. We really don’t have many public executives in town who do that anymore. Maybe not any.

Clyde was a special dude.

And, through all the changes we’ve seen, the Hart District superintendent position remains a vital one, in a community that prides itself on its excellent public education.

This week, the Hart District named a new superintendent to replace the retiring Vicki Engbrecht, who has served as superintendent since 2015 and recently saw the realization of what may be the crowning achievement of her tenure, the debut of the long-awaited new high school in Castaic.

Taking over for Engbrecht when she retires at the

LETTERS

Continued from page 43

Oh really? This sounds like bait and switch, and someone needs to do their homework.

It seems to me that since the City Council is being paid a monthly salary, that they, as part of

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 43

tional searches are expensive, and to be fair there’s a pretty solid talent base right here in the Hart District.

Regardless, the community should have been told, and should have had an opportunity to weigh in.

3) That a pool of candidates was “eligible to apply.” We don’t know exactly how many were “eligible,” what determined their “eligibility” or how many of those were actually interviewed, and by whom, because, even now that it’s over, district officials refuse to pinpoint the number of “eligible” candidates or the number who were interviewed. The closest they’ll get is “15 to 20” eligible candidates.

Engbrecht, when asked directly for a more specific answer, replied, “I’m not going further on that.”

end of the school year will be Mike Kuhlman, who has served as assistant superintendent and then deputy superintendent over the past five years.

Will Kuhlman be the next Clyde Smyth?

I don’t know enough about him to say. We haven’t had a Clyde Smyth in that position since... well, Clyde Smyth.

And really, my gripe here isn’t about Kuhlman. I also have no objection to the district promoting from within, when all is said and done. In fact, I see an inherent advantage in that, because there’s an instant dose of institutional knowledge in the position when he takes over.

My gripe is more with the process.

As far as we know, the Hart District board followed all applicable laws in the recruitment and selection of a new superintendent. That, too, is not the point.

The point is transparency. They never made a point of telling the community this was all happening until it was already a done deal. They conducted an “internal search” and there were 15 to 20 candidates — district officials refuse to pinpoint the number, reinforcing my point that no one seems to provide a straight answer to a fair question anymore. their job, are responsible to be aware of all city expenditures. This is THEIR fiduciary responsibility, not a staff person’s. Perhaps we’re paying the wrong people.

Many years ago as a past chief financial officer for a large Califoria corporation, this is a matter I would never do, and although I was asked to transfer funds from one line item (account) to an-

It all happened behind the scenes and, apparently, in closed sessions of the board.

At no time did the board, Engbrecht or the district tell the community, “Hey y’all, the superintendent is retiring and we’re interviewing potential replacements. We’ll keep you posted on how it goes.”

Of course the ultimate decision is the board’s, as it should be. But there was no chance for public review or input, until the deed was done to the point of just a formality of a board vote that everyone already knew was going to be 5-0 before the meeting started.

No public disclosure of the finalists and their backgrounds, for the top position at arguably the most important school district in the valley, and one of the three most important appointed public jobs in our community.

Then, at the end of it, we get vague answers about the process that was entirely conducted in the back room, out of public view.

I don’t believe Clyde Smyth would have stood for it.

Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays. On Twitter: @TimWhyte. other line item, I refused because from my moral perspective this type of action is unethical, period!

Ken Dean, Santa Clarita 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.

The community deserves open, transparent local high school governance, and it should start with the selection of the Hart District’s top executive. While Kuhlman may prove to be an entirely capable leader for one of the best high school districts in California, the process that brought him to the district’s top job was an abject failure in open governance.

3) That Kuhlman had been chosen, and it was a done deal before the item was publicly agendized for Tuesday’s meeting, when a 5-0 board vote — a formality, really, because the real decision-making was already done out of public view — confirmed Kuhlman as the choice.

We mean none of this to say Kuhlman isn’t a good choice for the job.

He may well be. On paper, he seems like a well-qualified candidate. We hope to get to know him better in the months and years ahead.

That doesn’t excuse the process.

The Hart District, like some other local public agencies that come to mind, has become a rather insulated body that holds a vise grip on information and only releases that

which it must, and then, grudgingly — unless the information is a warm, fuzzy, unicorns-and-rainbows message delivered in a carefully crafted and vetted press release.

The community deserves open, transparent local high school governance, and it should start with the selection of the Hart District’s top executive. While Kuhlman may prove to be an entirely capable leader for one of the best high school districts in California, the process that brought him to the district’s top job was an abject failure in open governance.

We hope the Kuhlman era ushers in a change in the level of openness and transparency at the William S. Hart Union High School District.

We expect better than this.

The community deserves better than this.

46 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

CROSSWORD TIME

AU G U S T 25, 2019

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

I’m driving me crazy

By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

I

can’t wait to get a self-driving car. I know most people hate the idea; they want to drive themselves. But I have never been a very good driver.

I’ve never been in an accident, but it’s finally dawning on me how many of my friends volunteer to drive for me after they spend a few minutes in my passenger seat, stamping down on the nonexistent passenger-side brake pedal.

My attention wanders. Four-way stops confuse me. Does that guy in the Honda really think he got to this intersection before me? I don’t think so, pal. So we both ease on into the intersection, eyeing each other, until a third car sails between us out of nowhere.

If I do the speed limit on the freeway, I’m in danger of getting rammed, because nobody does the speed limit. It’s either bumper-tobumper traffic or 15 mph faster than what’s posted.

Something evil in me always hopes that the guy who just zipped past me, weaving in and out of traffic, will either get a ticket or get in a nasty one-car accident. My true fear is that he’ll get in a multicar accident and hurt or kill someone.

I’m sure we all know someone, or know of someone, whose life has been changed by a traffic accident.

Every now and then, you’ll hear a talking head on TV mention how many people a year are killed in automobile accidents. But rarely do they tell you how many people were injured in car accidents. I don’t want to totally bum you out with a number … just Google it and trust me, you’ll be shocked.

Self-driving cars have been in the news a lot, usually when one gets in an accident. But think how many human-driven cars get in accidents every single day. I think I’m more scared of humans than machines.

The other day a car turned on to a busy street right in front of me,

cutting me off. After I swore and gestured at the driver, I realized my right blinker was on. He thought I was turning in, not going straight.

We both made stupid mistakes — me with the blinker, the other guy for trusting a human.

I’m tired of being honked at when I block traffic trying to parallel park. Not only can I not do it, I had to look up how to spell parallel.

Should I be behind the wheel at all?

The sad thing is that, as bad a driver as I am, there are many out there who are worse. And it’s not even the interstates and highways that scare me: It’s the mall parking lots.

We all know that every time you find an empty parking spot next to the front entrance, an angel gets his wings, but everybody seems to have the same idea. Pedestrians, shopping carts, rambunctious children, SUVs in reverse, cargo doors opening, two cars gunning for the same space — what could possibly go wrong?

It’s like watching one of those “Mad Max” movies without all the eye patches. You just know it’s not going to end well for most of the cast.

When the price of self-driving cars comes down, when they stop spontaneously combusting, and when they make them idiot-proof, I’ll be in the market for one. But even then, things will go wrong.

As every commuter knows, regular cars break down all the time.

Even the smartest car can have a tire blow out, or have a stone crack the windshield, or collide with a deer. But a self-driving won’t ram the car in front of it because it spilled coffee in its lap, or because it was fiddling with the radio. It won’t be bothered by the sun in its eyes.

It won’t rubberneck. If the traffic is heavy, it will automatically try to find a faster detour.

It can parallel park.

Best of all, it will detect human drivers like me and avoid them.

Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com.

2019 River Cleanup and Environmental Expo Saturday, September 21, 2019 • 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Newhall Community Center - 22421 Market Street

There has never been a better time to go green in Santa Clarita! By participating in the 25th Annual River Rally, you can take part in preserving one of the last natural rivers in Southern California. We will provide the gloves and trash bags, but we need your help!

BUSINESS PARTNERS

River Rally is an excellent volunteer opportunity for clubs, students, scout troops, non-profit organizations and people of all ages.

Don’t forget to ride your bike to River Rally. There will be free bike valet service courtesy of the City of Santa Clarita and Incycle. Also, bring a reusable water bottle to help us reduce waste.

Be sure to visit the Environmental Expo and learn about recycling, air quality, wildlife conservation, pollution prevention and more!

For more information or to register visit GreenSantaClarita.com or call the River Rally hotline at (661) 284-1415.

Please remember, NO PETS ALLOWED and participants must wear CLOSED-TOED SHOES. Pre-registration is required for all volunteers.

REX charges 70% less than traditional agents.

Traditional agents like fine print and big commissions. Us, not so much. With REX you pay just a 2% total fee to sell your home, not the 6% agents typically charge.

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REX’s agents are clear, concise and to the point…A huge benefit was the fact that everyone talked to each other to get things done. So we did really well and saved so much through all of this…but the people were really what got us through this.

Thank you REX team for all your help!

-The Bird Family, Bought and Sold with REX, and used REX Home Loans and REX Insurance

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