Sunday Signal December 8, 2019

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DECEMBER 8, 2019

Christmas Cheer is Here Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

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TALES OF ‘SECRET SANTA’ GONE AWRY

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EVENTS TO BRING OUT YOUR HOLIDAY SPIRIT

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HANDMADE GIFTS FROM THE HEART

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

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES 4 4 Making the stocking stuffer gift list a little easier 5 Holiday lights to see in Santa Clarita 6 ‘Secret Santa’ misses: When best-laid plans go awry 7 Six tips to plan a last-minute winter getaway LOCAL NEWS 8 8 Capt. Lewis slated to receive promotion Supervisors OK 911 tax for March 2020 ballot 9 Fire consumes motor home 10 First of two Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters arrives World War II pilot, hero dies at age 98 FROM THE MAYOR 12 12 2019: A year for the public art in Santa Clarita HOME 13 13 Tradition rules in holiday outdoor lighting for 2019 SPORTS 14 14 Wolitarsky reflects on road to Grey Cup FOOD 15 15 A chef ’s advice for stress-free holiday cooking TECHNOLOGY 16 16 Finding friends; seeking secrecy and safety DINING GUIDE 17 ENTERTAINMENT 20 20 The Sweet returns to Canyon Santa Clarita PETS 21 21 Paw-some holiday gift ideas for your furry friends CALENDAR 22 KIDS & FAMILY 23 23 Celebrate the holidays around the SCV 24 Donna’s Day: Kids and holiday decorating activities School menu TRAVEL 25 25 Breakfast with Santa, a castle that’s decked out for the holidays THINGS TO DO 26 26 ‘Tis the season for family fun GIFT GUIDE 27 HOLIDAY 30 30 Handmade holiday gifts HOME IMPROVEMENT 31 31 Water hammering, pressure problems FINANCE 32 32 American’s motivated to improve holiday finances Tips to protect yourself from ID theft this season HEALTH 33 33 Make time for better health on busy days PROFILE 34 34 Adele Macpherson — A lifetime of service to others SENIOR LIVING 35 35 Modifications can make driving safer for seniors TIME RANGER 36 GARDENING 37 37 December SCV garden care tips OPINION 40 VILLAGE IDIOT 43

Richard Budman Perry Smith Tim Whyte Doña Uhrig Karen Bennett

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Making the stocking stuffer gift list a little easier be the perfect little stocking stuffer gift for her to give all her friends,” Regla said.

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

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efore tackling the big-ticket items on your holiday shopping list, you might want to start small with the stocking stuffers.

While these items can add up if you’re not careful, there’s a lot you can get that’ll still be both unique and practical.

Here are some affordable gifts that are easy to buy and perfect to put in whomever’s stocking needs it.

Stickers

Another gift that can be customized to fit anyone’s style, stickers can be put on just about anything.

“With the reusable water bottles becoming so popular, all of my kids have begun stickering them up,” Regla added. “And they don’t just do it once — it’s like a change of clothes.

Every few months the stickers change, so this year, their stockings are filled with a bunch of stickers to last them until next Christmas.”

Christmas tree ornaments

You can never have too many Christmas tree ornaments, especially when each one has a special meaning.

“Searching for a special ornament for each of my kids to put on the tree has been a tradition of mine since they were babies,” said Katie Regla, a mother of four and Castaic resident.

“Then, when they’re older, they’ll be able to take their ornaments with them to start their own families.”

Whether it’s a Disney ornament, snowman ornament or a “Paw Patrol” one, they make the perfect stocking stuffer that can be customized to fit anyone’s likes.

Phone charging cables

Phone-charging cables have a habit of disappearing within a week of their purchase, so you can never have too many of these either, and their usefulness is ubiquitous.

Charging cables can also be customized to fit each person, which also helps to distinguish them and ensure you know who stole yours.

Lip balm

Another of the less glamorous of stocking stuffers, but one which can help to relieve any winter-chapped lips.

“They sell those huge packs, and every year, I give my family and co-workers a lip balm in their ‘stockings,’” Stevenson Ranch resident

PopSockets

While the holiday shopping list can be overwhelming, taking care of the small things for stocking stuffers doesn’t have to be. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Paula Saul said. “They never get tired of it, and I never get tired of giving them. My son tells me it’s where he gets his supply for the whole year.”

Reusable bag

Though California banned single-use carryout bags years ago, it’s still difficult for many of us to remember to bring reusable bags into the grocery store with us.

Getting a reusable bag that folds into a small square is the perfect solution, as it fits in most purses and can be put to use whenever it’s needed.

“I also love giving out these little bags because they’re just so useful,” Saul said. “I discovered them just last year, and everyone got one, but they’ll get them again this year …

My stocking stuffers may not be that fun, but they’re definitely things that they’ll use for the whole year round and think of me.”

Socks

Now, who doesn’t love a nice, warm pair of socks? Whether it’s a themed sock or a fuzzy sock, you certainly can never have too many of these.

“My mom used to give us all socks when we were kids each Christmas, and now she does it for my kids,” Valencia resident Walt Oliviar said.

“They’re always excited to find out what new design they’ll get. Sometimes, it’s ‘Christmas-y’; sometimes, it’s not. They love it.”

Just like ornaments, these can be customized to fit each person and make the perfect solution to cold feet.

Metal straws

Reusable metal straws are not only cute but useful, as many restaurants have begun to go withdraw the straw.

“I actually found out about these when my daughter asked me to buy them months ago, so I figured they’d

These little circular additions can be seen on phones everywhere, but there’s a reason for it.

PopSockets not only offer a stronger grip on your phone for those who are prone to dropping it, but they also can be used as a stand for watching videos and come in a number of colors and designs.

“All of my kids and even my wife have PopSockets, and I wasn’t a believer until it saved me from dropping my 16-year-old’s phone in the pool — she would’ve killed me,” Oliviar said, chuckling. “All my coworkers are getting one for Christmas after that.”

Bath bombs

You can help a loved one’s holiday stress dissolve as quickly as a bath bomb with this gift.

Giving anyone an excuse to relax in a bath can make bath bombs the perfect addition to a stocking.

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Holiday lights to see in Santa Clarita

By Vivianna Shields Signal Staff Writer

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uring the holiday season, places throughout the Santa Clarita Valley are decorated in holiday lights, attracting crowds from all over the county to experience the city’s festivity first-hand.

Holiday lights are a staple piece of the holiday season nationwide; however, there are spots in SCV that provide a twist to the traditional lights along with impressive presentations.

Each year as the light displays become more intricate and interactive, bigger crowds are brought out.

Winter Wonderland: Wakefield Court in Saugus

Every holiday season, thousands of people pass through Wakefield Court to view its award-winning lights.

As of 2018, there were 41 houses on Wakefield Court who participated in the holiday by decorating their homes.

“Coming to ‘Winter Wonderland’ has become a tradition for my friends and I,” said Bellet Sarhad, of Canyon Country. “We take a photo in front of the same tree every year, and we’ve done so for the past five years.” One year, Sarhad recalls seeing A.J. McLean, from the boy band Backstreet Boys.

The consensus on social media seems to be that the most effective way to see the street is by walking through it. This method avoids car traffic and allows you to go through the neighborhood at your own speed.

Thousands makes the trip through Wakefield Court each year, which has a celebrated tradition as the Santa Clarita Valley’s “Candy Cane Lane,” a neighborhood where almost every home is absolutely covered in Christmas cheer. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

In years past, the line going into the street has spanned all the way down to Copper Hill Drive. It’s open from 5:30-10:30 p.m.

Holiday Lights Tour

Each year, Santa Clarita Transit offers a Holiday Lights Tour in the various decorated neighborhoods in the SCV. The route is being worked out, but neighborhoods that are usually stops include: Homestead Place (just east of Wakefield Court), Clearidge Drive, Littleton Way, Royal Oaks Road and Canterwood Drive, said Alex Porlier, administrative analyst for the city of Santa Clarita.

“We don’t go down Wakefield Court, because we couldn’t safely maneuver our vehicles through it because of the traffic,” said Porlier. “It is a safety concern.”

Trolleys and Dial-A-Ride vehicles depart from the designated station every 30 minutes, for 45-minute tours around the different neighborhoods.

Trolley fares are $3 or free with a donation of canned food. In the following weeks, Santa Clarita Transit will release more information regarding the tours, and other details.

Westfield Valencia Town Center

Similarly to past years, Westfield Valencia Town Center decorates its shopping mall to celebrate the holiday season. As shoppers are starting

and finishing their holiday shopping at the mall, they are surrounded by festive ambiance in the form of large ornaments hanging from the ceiling, an impressive Christmas tree in the center of the mall and light arrangements throughout the patios.

“Westfield Valencia Town Center has a strong tradition of our customers and community visiting our center to experience and enjoy the holiday ambiance with family and friends,” said Corrine Barchanowicz, senior shopping center manager at Westfield Valencia Town Center.

“Westfield Valencia Town Center serves as a modern-day town square for Santa Clarita.”

Each year, Westfield decorates its center to create new experiences for families to enjoy together. The goal is to make the family-friendly atmosphere a place to create traditions that can be shared across generations, Barchanowicz said.

Downtown Newhall

Every November, the city of Santa Clarita turns on the holiday cheer on Main Street with its annual Light Up Main Street event. The lights are up for the community to enjoy all through December. All the way down the street, lights line the street along with occasional holiday arches with messages to help ring in the holiday season.

Main Street is famous for its strip of tasty and local restaurants. After

supporting and eating locally, any night can conclude with a stroll down the decorated street. Most weekends, Main Street is very lively, especially at night, so the lights add an additional element of festivity to the street.

Couples, families and everyone else can bask in the holiday spirit without having to wait in lines or deal with excessive crowds.

Philbrook Avenue in Valencia

An additional decorated street to see this holiday season is Philbrook Avenue, a more mellow alternative to the Wakefield Court. On the street, not all the houses are decorated but there are homes that offer interesting, interactive elements to those who come to visit.

In the past, a home displayed “Christmas Light Hero,” an attraction that lets visitors could play the video game “Guitar Hero” on the family’s garage door. Also, another home does a radio show where visitors in their car can turn to a specific radio station and their houses light show with coincide with the music on the radio.

It’s a way to experience the magic of the light show without having to step out of your warm car.

“Growing up in the Valencia area, I always went to Philbrook Avenue,” said Michael Valenzuela, Valencia resident. “Around the holidays, it was something we would go see because the residents do a great job spreading holiday cheer.”

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‘Secret Santa’ misses: When best-laid plans go awry off-the-wall, random stuff,” said Villanueva. “It’s funny to see what shows up and then the person tell how they got that item and the meaning of it.”

These gifts, over the years, have ranged from “stylish-in-another-era” to just-plain dated items, like a “Napoleon Dynamite” t-shirt, or handmade ceramic items and random dollar store items, Villanueva said.

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

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t’s that time of year again, when homes smell of Christmas tree, stores pump holiday music through the air and office cubicles are filled with festivity. It’s also the time of year when a familiar baseball hat filled with pieces of paper circles the office, each person being asked to pull one of their coworkers’ names from it.

Whether we’re talking about the more comment garden-variety “Secret Santa,” a “White Elephant” exchange or the “Yankee Swap,” preparation is key.

While most of us have been there at one point or another, last-minute buys can lead to some uncomfortable situations, cautionary tales and, under certain circumstances, some laughs.

However, some of these more notable disasters are enough to make one wonder if some folks were even trying for Santa’s “Nice” list in the first place.

Kim Morales, Valencia Resident

Kim Morales, a Valencia resident, said she participated in a White Elephant gift exchange at work that was supposed to have a $20 limit, which, in year’s past, led to some great gag gifts.

White Elephant gift exchanges generally have each participant bring one wrapped gift to contribute.

Each player that then draws a number, determining the order of in which people can pick gifts. The following players can either choose to

Bonnie, Castaic resident

“Secret Santa”-type games can be fun for friends and family — but they also leave opportunity for a bit of cheekiness if the mood is right. SIGNAL PHOTO

steal the gift from the person before them or choose to unwrap a different gift.

After going for three “swaps,” or steals, the round comes to an end, and a specific present can only be stolen once per round. After all the players have had a turn, the first player gets a chance to swap the gift he or she is holding.

“I forgot about that rule,” Morales said of the rule where the first player gets a chance to swap the gift.

Morales had brought a joke gift much like everyone else, but one of the new people at work that hadn’t been there the year previously, and didn’t know about the “joke gift” social norm, had brought in a handmade blanket. Morales, much like many others there, wanted to go home with the handmade blanket and she thought she would be going home with it if she played her cards right.

“It finally got to me and I was last, and I was able to steal the blanket,” said Morales. “But the person who had gone first had pulled my gift, which I think that year was a (movie) poster for a terrible 90s (romantic comedy). It was an inside joke for all of us.”

The first person, not wanting the poster, ended the game by not only stealing Morales’ new plush blanket, “the one good prize,” but she also ended up giving the poster to Morales, completing the gift-giving cycle.

“It was karma, I think.”

Laura Clark, Saugus Resident

Clark, a veteran of everything of holiday gift exchanges, noted when some groups play these games over the years, the rules evolve in response to comic circumstances.

“Well, there was the one for (Adult Bible Fellowship) where someone brought a pet mouse they didn’t want anymore, and another person brought their kids’ frog in a critter keeper that he didn’t want anymore,” said Clark. “We had to make a rule after that for no living things being ‘treated.’”

Clark said that among the most inventive exchanges have been with teachers.

She said one regifting from an educator is know known by her and her husband, Dean, as the “Phlegm Flower.”

“It was like a snow globe,” said Clark. “There was liquid and a fake silk flower on the inside ... I’m guessing it had been re-gifted a few times before.”

Rachel Villanueva, Saugus Resident

Rachel Villanueva, a parent at Rosedell Elementary, said she has a friend who holds an annual “You Won’t Believe” Party.

“It’s a White Elephant-style party and you bring an item that was given to you in the past year that is weird,

“I’m allergic to a lot of perfumes and stuff like that. Our secret Santa party host had us make lists. I put candy, socks and gift cards on the list. My Secret Santa got me a whole gift basket of body creams that were expired. The worst part: This person knows me and knows I’m allergic to tons of stuff. I think she was secretly trying to murder me.

“We also do a secret Santa every year with my in-laws, and it’s supposed to have a ‘large value’ in place of us buying gifts for all the aunts and uncles. My husband got a $25 Amazon gift card from his secret Santa.”

A.J. Loftus, Newhall resident

A.J. Loftus said for the Secret Santa at his work, everyone in the group draws one random name.

Depending on and how well-organized the exchange is, and the group, some people may have gift suggestions.

The anticipation builds toward the holiday party finale, when people attempt to guess each giver.

For Loftus, he waited until the very end to unwrap his gift, assuming that, as the “new guy” on staff at his company, he’d be receiving a joke gift.

“I had put in work to getting my gift for my person,” he said.

To Loftus’ chagrin, when it was his turn, he unwrapped a lobster tail-themed Speedo swimsuit. The lobster-tail swimsuit has become a time-honored office tradition, he said, re-gifted each year.

“It was horrible,” said Loftus. “I’ll never let them forget it, because I never did.”

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Six tips to plan a last-minute winter getaway

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

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he key to a successful, stress-free and budget-friendly trip is to plan ahead. But when time isn’t always in your favor, what is the best way to plan for a last-minute getaway this winter?

Depending on a couple of factors, knowing when and where to check for deals and keeping an open mind can help put you on the road for your spontaneous trip.

Here are six tips to help avoid stressing and maxing out the credit cards:

Be flexible

When you’ve run out of time to plan ahead your options become limited. At this point, especially during the winter season, it’s important to be flexible about a destination and travel dates.

“With the way travel is today, you have to be flexible,” said Cynthia Chavez, travel agent with Newhall-Valencia Travel Inc. Even with last-minute trips,

she suggests to “give yourself time to plan ahead in case any problems may come up.”

Start out by choosing a type of vacation rather than a particular city, as this can help you land better deals when searching for flights. For example, search for travel savings to island destinations instead of to Maui or Cancun. But if you do search for a city, try five others to compare prices before locking in on one.

Visiting a friend or family member can not only help you save big bucks on booking a hotel, but this option also opens up the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones during the holiday season.

Tip When searching online, your best option is to use your browser in Incognito mode, as companies can use “cookies” to track your searches, and have been known to raise prices accordingly.

Have a budget in mind

Now that you have a destination set, know how much you’re willing to spend. Part of what makes a spontaneous getaway exciting is one where you won’t have to stress about money.

Create a quick budget in advance by identifying the big-ticket items, your travel priorities and estimating expenses such as transportation, accommodation and meals.

Tip Consider an emergency fund for future, impulsive trips and avoid the temptation to splurge.

Get deals sent to your inbox

As you start looking into travel deals, subscribe to airline and hotel newsletters to learn about last-minute flight deals.

Third-party sites and apps, such as Scottscheapflights, Hopper and ExpertFlyer, can connect customers with cheap fares.

Social media can also come in handy as many companies announce savings deals on Twitter.

Tip Turn on flight alerts to receive notifications on flight deals from the nearest airport to any particular cities.

Know when to book

You may be short on time, but any planning in advance can help you save some extra dollars, particularly

A traveler off-loading luggage just before check-in time is assisted by hotel staff at the Hyatt Regency Valencia. Holiday travel can be hectic, but setting a budget and sticking to it can help prevent costs from getting out of control. PHOTO BY GILBERT BERNAL / THE SIGNAL

on airfare. When to book and when you begin your trip is vital, according to Christie Hudson, spokeswoman for Expedia.

The cheapest airfares are generally booked on the weekend, particularly Sunday, which yielded savings of 20% or more, according to a 2019 Expedia flight report.

“But, it’s not just about when you book,” said Hudson. “It also matters when you begin your trip. Starting your trip on a Thursday or Friday is going to be cheaper for the most part than starting on a Sunday or Monday.”

This winter season, Christmas Eve is the best day to start your trip, and Dec. 23 is the second-best day, she added.

Package deals that include flight and hotel, and/or car rental could come with triple-digit dollar savings and save time searching through a myriad amount of websites.

Where to stay

Perhaps the most important task in booking a last-minute and budget-friendly trip is to compare prices.

Whether you’re planning to stay at a hotel or Airbnb, check deals from the company’s direct website or contact the host. First, check the prices listed online for the dates you have selected, then contact the front desk for any deals that can be topped.

If you’re reaching out to a host, try

negotiating prices and dates.

When your options appear slim, consider reaching out to a travel agent, who has the connections to get last-minute reservations.

“Call a travel agent because they do have predetermined contracts,” said Chavez, adding that full-service agencies such as Newhall-Valencia Travel can help answer questions ranging from booking to customized vacations for those who want spontaneous getaway but don’t know where to start.

Take a road trip

Sometimes “last-minute” means you have to skip the airport and get behind the wheel.

Driving to your destination could save you a generous amount from spending on flights and offer the opportunity to spend a little more on where you plan on staying.

Plenty of people drive or fly around this time of year. If you’re hitting the road, remember to check traffic and weather conditions before heading out. The California Highway Patrol reminds motorists to check their vehicles’ breaks, tires, windshield wipers, heater and to carry chains for snow-covered roads. To check for highway conditions, drivers are advised to call the Caltrans hotline at (800) 427-ROAD.

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

LOCALNEWS

Capt. Lewis slated to receive promotion

By Perry Smith Signal Managing Editor

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fter more than two and a half years as the Santa Clarita Valley’s “top cop,” county officials confirmed Wednesday morning that SCV Sheriff ’s Station Capt. Robert Lewis is slated to be promoted again — to commander.

“He’s obviously very deserving of the promotion and is doing a great job for the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Tony Bell, spokesman for Supervisor Kathryn Barger, when reached for comment Wednesday.

Lewis was not immediately available to comment.

Lewis’ promotion to his current spot as captain of the SCV Sheriff ’s Station was announced in April 2017, and during his tenure he saw Santa Clarita’s crime rate hit an all-time low, while leading the effort to address crises ranging from underage vaping to a rash of overdoses to the school shooting last month that left three students dead at Saugus High.

It’s unknown at this time what Lewis’ next position would be, or whether Lewis will be transferred to fill a vacancy elsewhere in the Sheriff ’s Department once Lewis’ promotion

County officials have confirmed SCV Sheriff’s Station Capt. Robert Lewis is to be promoted to commander. SIGNAL PHOTO

becomes effective.

The most recent organizational chart available online from the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department indicated the department, which has more than 10,000 sworn officers and 8,000 civilian staff, has about two dozen officers serving as commanders.

SCV experience, background Data released by the city in Janu-

ary showed a 20% drop from 2017 to 2018 for part one crimes, which include homicide, rape, robbery, burglary and arson. The numbers surpassed the previous record for Santa Clarita, which was set in 2014.

In 2018, robberies decreased by 26%, burglaries fell by more than 16%, grand theft autos dropped by 30% and assaults declined by nearly 25%.

At the time of his most recent appointment to the SCV Sheriff ’s Station, Lewis was not new to the captain’s desk. He had served as acting captain in 2013-14.

Lewis has lived in the SCV since 1966. He attended elementary school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Newhall and graduated from Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills.

He was chosen from a pool of three candidates after interviews with Santa Clarita city officials and a representative from Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office.

Lewis previously told The Signal he wanted to be a part of the Sheriff ’s Department after he went on a ridealong as a teenager.

He’s worked all over Los Angeles County for the Sheriff ’s Department, including Malibu, West Hollywood, Altadena, Lost Hills and Crescenta Valley.

During his last training bureau stint, he created “Crisis Intervention Training,” which teaches deputies how to work with individuals in crisis.

— This story includes material from previous Signal staff reporting.

Supervisors OK 911 tax for March 2020 ballot

By Vivianna Shields Signal Staff Writer

A

6-cent-per-square-foot parcel tax, to aid the Los Angeles County Fire Department in hiring more firefighters and paramedics and replacing safety gear and life-saving rescue equipment, has been unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors to be added to the March 2020 ballot for voters to decide.

“With an extended fire season and a substantial increase in calls for emergency medical services, voters will have the opportunity to help the Fire Department address its structural deficit to ensure our first responders are fully equipped to continue providing the highest-quality public safety services,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the

5th district, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley.

The L.A. County Fire District 911 Firefighter and Paramedic Emergency Response Measure would impose “an annual special parcel tax of 6 cents ($0.06) per square foot of improvements on all improved parcels, except as exempted, within the district,” the report says. The parcel tax is computed by the size of the structure, not the overall property, according to county officials. (The approximate average size of a single-family home in Los Angeles is 1,700 square feet, which equates to about $102 for each homeowner.)

“Today’s fast-moving, explosive wildfires and the rising numbers of 911 calls are really putting a strain on the hard-working men and women who are our local firefighter/ paramedics,” L.A. County Fire Chief

Daryl Osby said in a news release.

“There’s a human impact on them as we stretch to ensure the safety of our neighbors and community. We desperately need more resources to meet today’s demands. I’m grateful to the board for placing this much-needed ballot measure before our voters.”

Specifically, this parcel tax is designed to generate ongoing funding to allow the district to hire and train additional firefighters and paramedics, and to replace aging safety gear, communications tools and lifesaving rescue equipment, the report says.

Unlike other departments in the county, the fire district receives its funding through property tax collected within the district, not through the county’s general fund. Unfortunately, the funding collected has not been enough to keep up with the department’s increasing needs, according to

the report.

“Since 2008, L.A. County has seen an over 50% increase in calls for assistance in medical emergencies, such as strokes, heart attacks and car accidents,” the report says. “Yet, in that same time period, there has been less than a 5% increase in paramedic units to respond to those calls.”

If voters approve by a two-thirds vote, the parcel tax would collect about $134 million a year from residents in the Consolidated Fire Protection District, according to a news release.

“When you call 911, you know help is coming. For us, this is our 911,” said Erin Regan, L.A. County firefighter and paramedic. “We are asking you for this measure because our firefighters and paramedics in the field need more resources.”

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LOCALNEWS

Fire consumes motor home

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

A

burning motor home seen fully engulfed in flames prompted a swift response by firefighters to a vacant lot in Castaic Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly before 2:30 p.m., witnesses who spotted the motor home on fire on The Old Road near Parker Road got to the scene within six minutes and extinguished the fire.

“The call was for an RV fire on a vacant lot,” Fire Department spokesman Chris Thomas said.

“When they got there, it was fully involved,” he Firefighters work Wednesday afternoon to extinguish a fire that broke out in a motor home parked at a storage facility located on The Old Road in Castaic. PHOTO BY BOBBIE BLOCK/ THE SIGNAL

said, adding there was no exposure to any other structure.

The lot is actually used to store boats and RVs. Thanks to the quick-thinking owner of the ill-fated motor home, the burning vehicle was left in an isolated spot.

The owner of the motor home was working on the vehicle at the side of the road when a propane tank exploded in It’s not known at this time if anyone was injured in the blaze, which is still under investigation.

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

LOCALNEWS

Copter 21 has landed —

First of two Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters arrives

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

T

he Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Air Operations unit recently welcomed Copter 21, the first of two new Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters expected to join their ranks in early 2020, to Barton Heliport at Whiteman Airport.

“This aircraft is the perfect platform for us to do our missions … and a very versatile tool,” said Patrick Sprengel, battalion chief of Air Operations. “It will certainly add to our abilities here.”

“I think this is the finest piece of equipment that we own,” added Dennis Blumenthal, chief of helicopter maintenance at Air Operations.

With the arrival of Copters No. 21 and 22, L.A. County will have a total

As chief of helicopter maintenance for Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations, Santa Clarita resident Dennis Blumenthal says Copter 21, the department’s new Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopter, is “the finest piece of equipment we own.” PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

Continued on next page

World War II pilot, hero dies at age 98

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

W

illiam Harrington, a World War II pilot and war hero, died recently at the age of

98.

Harrington was described by his daughter Mary Atchison, the oldest of nine children, as a survivor. “He survived World War II, the (Great) Depression, two earthquakes and a fire that destroyed his whole home.”

The 2008 Sayre Fire burned down Harrington’s home in Sylmar, prompting him and his wife, Mary Catherine, to move to the Santa Clarita Valley.

As an Army Air Corps pilot, Harrington was injured in a plane crash in the South Pacific during World War II. After working to evacuate most of his crew, “They had to hold him back from going back to get more,” Atchison said.

The plane had caught fire, so Harrington was severely burned over a large portion of his body as a result.

Even his eyes were burned, which left him blinded for six months as they

Left: William Harrington, a World War II pilot and war hero, died on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, at the age of 98. Right: William Harrington, a World War II pilot and war hero, in his Army Air Corps uniform, shares a park bench with his wife, Mary Catherine, in the 1940s. PHOTOS COURTESY BILL SHANNON

healed.

Though he didn’t talk much about the war, he was given an opportunity to fly in an old World War II plane in recent years, and he noted at the time he didn’t recall them being so small, according to Atchison. “He called them box cars that flew,” she added,

chuckling.

“He’s been through a lot, but he lived a very full life and was an actual war hero in my eyes,” Harrington’s grandson Bill Shannon said. “He never said a cross word in his life and smiled until the day he passed.”

Harrington raised seven of nine

children, as the other two died in infancy, and lost a son in Vietnam and another about five years ago to a heart attack.

He taught until he was 85, and only retired because Mary Catherine broke her hip and he had to take care of her, Atchison said. They were married 67 years before she died in 2009.

“He was such a hard worker,” Atchison added. “Things were tough at different times, but he just kept plugging along — that’s where we got our work ethic.”

In 2016, he moved to Utah to be closer to Atchison, and resided in Southern Utah Veterans Home until he died.

Harrington was also described as a very generous man who always listened.

“He’d give you the shirt off his back,” Atchison added. “We called him the ‘Chatty Cathy’ — you could call him and talk to him for hours.”

Harrington was given a military funeral Nov. 15, and was buried at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, next to Mary Catherine and his son, among other family members..

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

LOCALNEWS Continued from previous page

of 10 helicopters — three Bell 412EPs, two Bell 412HPs, three Sikorsky S-70A Firehawks and the two new S-70i Firehawks.

“Right now, we have the capability of putting up at least two of these aircraft, but with five of these, we will be able to put up three to four when needed during the fire season on a fairly routine basis,” Sprengel said, adding that each aircraft flies about 300 hours per year.

The more helicopters in the fleet, the easier it is for Blumenthal and Sprengel to plan the fleet’s flying schedule, ensuring that each helicopter is available when needed.

“We project it as far as nine months in advance, usually, how we’re going to fly the aircraft, so it could be down (for maintenance) at the right time instead of the wrong time,” Blumenthal added. “I’ve got data going back to 2001 of how many hours we fly every single month over all those years, so we can kind of start speculating what it’s going to be moving forward.”

Copter 21 is not new to the Santa Clarita Valley skies, as it was here last year while assisting with the wildfire season before heading back to United Rotorcraft in Colorado to get retrofitted with its new water tank and some other equipment.

“We did training with the crews and then we also used it for what we call ‘HELCO’ (or observation duties), so this flew on some of the bigger fires we had last year, including the Woolsey Fire, but it didn’t have the water tank yet for water dropping,” Sprengel said.

Four primary missions

Helicopters such as this one have

“You’re just going to put more water on a fire with 1,000 gallons on this platform than anything else,” Blumenthal said, adding that the S-70i’s water-dropping capabilities are what makes it so vital to the department.

“This is an all-brand-new designed tank, similar to what we had on before, but now fully upgraded with all the new machinery on it,” Sprengel said, with the main difference being the retractable snorkel. “So, a thousand gallons of water will be sucked up into the tank, it’ll be off and flying and this thing will be rolling up — all in a matter of about a minute or so.”

The cockpit of the Firehawk, seen at Barton Heliport in Pacoima on Monday, This eliminates speed restrictions features many upgrades compared to the county’s older S-70A models. and provides more room in the cabin, Blumenthal added.

When a firefighter is injured, a four primary missions for the depart- tive, not only effective with the drop Firehawk can go from dropping water but even the ability to fly in those ment: transporting trauma patients, to a hoist rescue and patient transtypes of conditions.” hoist rescues, water-dropping during When comparing the S-70i helicop- port seamlessly, “so all three missions fires and crew transport. ters to a Super Scooper, for example, a within a matter of a couple of minutes “(The S-70is) excel in all four,” Super Scooper is strictly used for wa- — pretty unique,” Sprengel added.

Sprengel said. “They are just a bigger, “We are very, very lucky to work ter-dropping and flies approximately better platform to work on … allow for the department that we do and be 30 hours per year. us to get out there quicker, allow us “(Firehawks) can handle wind, can supported by L.A. County,” he added. to go longer on that fuel load, allow “They have the best of the best equipus to carry more patients, so there is a handle all different terrain, it can ment … and the department allows drop in all different configurations, lot of advantages.” us to train to that, too — so it allows (such as) deep drainages and up on These helicopters also fly better in all of our guys to be the best-trained. the ridge top, very effectively, ” Sprensome of the weather conditions often We’re very fortunate.” gel added. found in L.A. County, such as high Copter 21 arrived early to assist winds or at elevation.

Less water, more speed with fire season, so when Copter 22 “We do hoist rescues at elevation, A Super Scooper has a 1,600-galarrives early next year, No. 21 is set so when you talk about some of the lon water tank and flies at 100 mph, to return to Colorado to receive its areas in L.A. County that are up in whereas a Firehawk carries only 1,000 final modifications, including its EMS our mountains here, we have a very gallons, but can fly at about 160 mph. interior needed to transport patients hard time doing them with (the 412s), “In the time it’d take the Super and hoist equipment used for rescues. but with (the S-70is), we can do them Scooper to go get the water, we could Both Blumenthal and Sprengel at 10,000 feet without even thinking do probably four or five turns (with believe the Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk twice,” Sprengel said. “In the winds of the Firehawk),” Sprengel said. “And is the future of the L.A. County Fire some of those bigger fires (we’ve had the accuracy with these aircraft and Department, as well as other nearby recently), this aircraft is really the only this tank configuration are about as agencies, such as CalFire, Ventura aircraft, helicopter-wise, that is effeccrisp as it gets.”

County Fire and San Diego Fire.

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

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

2019: A year for the public art in Santa Clarita!

I

By Mayor Marsha McLean

t has been a big year for public art in Santa Clarita! The City Council and the Arts Commission have worked to increase the number of public art pieces throughout town, with the goal of making beautiful and inspiring art available to all community members!

When public art is plentiful, it can stimulate inspiration and draw a community together.

In June of this year, we welcomed Australian artist Emma Anna to Santa Clarita as she unveiled her sculpture, IMAG_NE. Community members were encouraged to engage with the interactive art sculpture located near the front of the Valencia Library, and stand in the space of the second “I.”

It has been exciting to see Santa Clarita residents share what they imagine, along with their photos with the sculpture, on social media using the hashtag #ImagineSC. The community engagement we’ve seen with this art piece is exactly what I love about public art!

Other community members unleashed their inner poets to craft thoughtful poems that reflect Santa Clarita’s cultural, natural and shared spaces as a part of the 2019 Sidewalk Poetry Project. An impressive 281 outstanding poems were submitted, and nine were selected to be stamped into City sidewalks.

Now when Santa Clarita residents and visitors stroll along our sidewalks, they are able to enjoy little spots of creativity along the way.

I can’t wait to see the new poems that will become a part of the 2020 Sidewalk Poetry Project!

Another big addition to Santa

Clarita’s public art lineup this year is a vibrant mural by Chicago-based artist Miguel A. Del Real at the Santa Clarita Skate Park. He visited Santa Clarita in October to complete Inertia, a colorful and abstract mural that covers the Santa Clarita Skate Park’s main entrance building, as well as a portion of the stairs in the park.

Del Real’s artistic process involved meeting with Santa Clarita residents and learning about our local skate community, to help him create a piece that would speak to the skate park’s visitors. His final creation complements our community wonderfully, and I know our residents will enjoy the art for years to come.

With the City’s growing collection of public art, there is so much to see. One of the best resources to help you in your journey to explore art in our City is the Public Art Tour app. The app provides you

with details about each piece of art and their locations. For details about how to download the app on your mobile device, visit SantaClaritaArts.com/PublicArt. As 2019 comes to a close, I am proud as I reflect on the strides the City has made in adding public art in our community. I hope Santa Clarita residents will take time to visit these diverse and inspiring creations, and look forward to what 2020 will bring to the City’s public art scene! For more information about all things art in the City, please visit SantaClaritaArts.com.

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.

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

HOME

Tradition rules in holiday outdoor lighting for 2019

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

T

radition rules in 2019 with the iconic holiday images of Santa, reindeer, snowmen and the addition of lights, lots and lots of lights. Sweet and wacky, not to mention bigger is better, is the theme for the 2019 holiday outdoor decorating season.

Clever new lighting trends will also be seen, according to outdoor holiday decorating experts. LED lights lead the way with their low-energy and lower-heat signatures.

In Southern California we are unlikely to see the snowy picture postcard scenes traditionally associated with the holidays, but we can decorate our palm trees for a whimsical holiday touch.

The best part of outdoor holiday décor is that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate the season. Every homeowner who shares the love of the holidays with a simple string of lights or an elaborate expensive display will bring a smile to a stranger’s face.

What’s new

Sweet and wacky are the buzzwords for 2019 holiday outdoor décor. Think colorful inflatable unicorn or the 18-foot-tall Frosty The Snowman Light Show (Hammacher

Schlemmer $399.99). Inflatables are still popular, but “pop-ups,” are on the rise in popularity. The 84-inch popup snowman from Costco $139.99) may be out of stock online, but still can be found in many store locations and similar items are available at various retailers.

What’s popular

Huge outdoor nutcrackers have always been a staple for outdoor holiday décor, but this year they are likely to be seen everywhere.

Natural, fresh garland and wreaths are making a comeback. Frame not only your doors, but your windows with lighted garlands and red bows to enhance curb appeal and show off your holiday spirit.

A pair of these handsome nutcrackers (Costco $329.99) flanking your Huge, huge lights and orfront door will add the finishing touch to your outdoor holiday décor. naments are perfect for your PHOTOS BY MICHELE E. BUTTELMAN outdoor spaces. String the oversize ornaments along the Among the most popular is Home Defence, or bushes and make sure there are plenty pot’s 9-foot Inflatable Lighted Airblown of lights to show off the shiny baubles.

Polar Bears on Slide Scene ($144.53) and the 8-foot-tall Inflatable Giant Christmas Pirate Must have Ship Scene ($149). Don’t forget the 6-footThis season stores are crammed with clever tall Airblown Inflatable Christmas Unicorn and beautiful new outdoor lights. LED crystal with Metallic Detail (Home Depot $87.98) to spheres, snowflakes and twinkling icicle lights add fun and charm to your outdoor display. in new looks will add an elegant touch to your eclectic mix of tradition and whimsy this season.

Hang your lighted LED snowflakes, icicles or crystal spheres from the bottom of a balcony, the beams of your pergola or in the very dark reaches of your yard for maximum effect.

Add a forest of LED trees twinkling with 1,600 lights to amaze your neighbors. The 7-foot-tall elegant white trees (Costco $189.99) offer both steady and twinkle mode.

Colorful, oversize LED pathway lights are available in many styles including candy canes, candles, gumdrops and Christmas bulbs. Place them along your sidewalk or place randomly throughout your front yard to add more light and interest to your display.

Inflatables This sturdy “pop-up” snowman glows with more than 300 LED lights. (Costco $139.99)

Big box home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes, as well as discount merchandise locations like Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart and Target offer some of the best selections of front year inflatables this holiday season.

Go bold

The boldest outdoor decorating statement you can make is to install a fully decorated outdoor Christmas tree. Use oversize lights and ornaments so the tree can be clearly seen from the street. Make sure your ornaments are securely fastened to tree limbs to discourage petty pilferage. Music and light shows are also popular additions for the tech savvy and those wanting to claim the crown of neighborhood “Outdoor Holiday Décor” champ.

Front Door Focal Point

Making the front door of your home a welcoming focal point is easy with a beautiful fresh wreath and the addition of a bright red bow and lighted garland framing the entrance to your cozy home.

Add a free-standing nutcracker, or a pair of nutcrackers, to flank your doorway and you have curb appeal for days this holiday season.

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

SPORTS

Wolitarsky reflects on road to Grey Cup

By Haley Sawyer Signal Sports Editor

E

ven though he had the Grey Cup trophy in his hands and the scoreboard read 33-12 in Winnipeg’s favor, winning the Canadian Football League’s championship still hadn’t sunk in yet for Canyon High alum Drew Wolitarsky.

“It doesn’t really hit you. You don’t think about what it means until later on, and after you’re done celebrating,” Wolitarsky said, “or while you’re celebrating and seeing the city have a parade and going on the back of a semi-truck, and see how excited the city is.”

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 107th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta on Nov. 22, bringing the city of Winnipeg its first championship in 28 years.

The aftermath of the win, Wolitarsky said, was surreal.

“Seeing my dad and my girlfriend and my mom after the game — my dad was so happy and he looked like a little kid at a game, and that was a cool image,” he said. “Seeing my dad look like a little kid for someone he watches on TV was cool. I knew what it meant for the people I loved, the city and for that, I was honored to be a part of that team.”

Although the season ended in the best way possible, it wasn’t an easy year for Wolitarsky. Heading into his third CFL season and second as a starter, the receiver felt he was poised for a breakout year.

His role wasn’t what he expected.

He was tasked with more blocking than he expected, and didn’t rack up the numbers he wanted. There were changes at quarterback and the Blue Bombers began running the ball more often.

“It was this internal struggle of how do I change my mindset,” Wolitarsky said. “I had to swallow my pride and really accept the role I had on the team. I was finally able to (ignore) my own ego. I just want to win games.”

His mindset developed as the season went on and he became closer

Canyon High alum Drew Wolitarsky might not have put up the numbers he expected to this year, but his performance was enough to do something even more important — win a championship. PHOTO COURTESY TREVOR HAGAN / CFL.CA

with his teammates and the coaching staff. Even though it was his third year with the team, Wolitarsky said there’s always an acclimation period that comes along with a new season.

But with the tough, cold practice conditions in Winnipeg and the desire to win brought the team — which was half-Canadian, half-American with two players from Mexico and one from Germany — together.

“Maybe it is a survival mechanism,” Wolitarsky said. “You play in the cold, you’ve got to get up every day, by being an individual, it’s tough to be motivated to go to work when you don’t have that kinship, and that friendship. As individuals, the sport is very daunting.”

Winnipeg finished its season 11-7, for third place in the West Division.

The Blue Bombers beat the Calgary Stampeders, 35-14 in the CFL Division Semifinals; and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 20-13 in the Division Finals.

Wolitarsky ended the season with 33 receptions for 361 yards and four touchdowns. This season, he wasn’t concerned with the numbers, though.

Just getting the win.

“As the season progresses, you start feeling those friendships and start caring about people,” Wolitarsky said.

“I don’t worry about my stats, and, ‘Am I scoring? Am I getting enough catches?’ When I care about people around me and I want to succeed, it’s easy to drop that.”

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

FOOD

A chef’s advice for stress-free holiday cooking

Left: White Hominy Chicken Chili.

PHOTO COURTESY HOLLAND HOUSE Top: Gathering and measuring ingredients before you being cooking is one way to reduce the stress when preparing meals, according to Chef Caitlin Meade. COURTESY PHOTO

H

ow many times have you heard someone say they’ve slaved away in the kitchen all day? Stress in the kitchen can easily arise for a variety of reasons, especially when you’re strapped for time and have a never-ending to-do list.

As a survivor of Gordon Ramsay’s “MasterChef ” competition, Caitlin Meade — a top 4 finalist on season 8 — understands the pressure all too well.

To decrease the stress and make your hosting experience more enjoyable, consider putting these tips from Chef Meade into practice.

of table wine, as most recipes call for less than a cup. An option like Holland House Cooking Wines delivers consistent, bold flavor while standing up to high temperatures. Available in Sherry, Marsala, Red and White, there are plenty of flavor-boosting options that will have your friends and family wondering what your secret ingredient is.

Prep before you begin Practice the “mise en place” method — a French term alluding to having everything in place before cooking. Measure ingredients, chop vegetables and prepare utensils to create a steady workflow.

Recipe courtesy of Cate Meade Prep time 15 minutes Cook time 4 hours Servings 8 2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil 2 medium yellow onions, diced 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast 1 packet of white chili seasoning 1 cup Holland House White Cooking Wine 1 jar (16 ounces) chunky salsa verde 4 cups unsalted vegetable stock 1 can (16 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 large poblano or green pepper, diced 1 bag (10 ounces) frozen fire-roasted corn 1 can (29 ounces) white hominy, drained and rinsed 3 tablespoons cornmeal (optional) Toppings recommendations Lime wedges, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, cheese, tortilla chips, jalapenos

Plan in advance — like a chef Prep the main dish the night before, have easy appetizers assembled ahead of guests’ arrival and outsource sides to family and friends.

Save money by getting spicy Before it’s time to cook, pre-make spices. Since many store-bought blends can be overpriced, this is a way to save both time and money while personalizing your own flavors.

Save table wine for drinking & use cooking wine A secret ingredient and important pantry staple for Chef Meade, cooking wine is perfect for when she needs to make a pan sauce or add flavor. It’s even saved her from having to open a nice bottle

Create your own stock Many recipes call for chicken stock. One way to

save money and time at the store is to create your own. Save any leftover poultry carcasses, wing tips, neck and bones. Add onion peels, celery tips, carrot tops and other vegetable scraps in the freezer.

When you’re ready to make a batch, fill a large pot with the leftovers, cover with water, bring to a boil and simmer 1-2 hours for stock that can last up to one year. (Family Features) For more stress-free holiday recipes, visit holland houseflavors.com.

White Hominy Chicken Chili Instructions 1. Turn slow cooker on low; add oil, onions and chicken. Distribute chili seasoning evenly over chicken and onions.

2. Add cooking wine, salsa verde and chicken stock.

3. Cover and cook 3 hours.

4. Remove chicken and allow to rest, covered, for 15 minutes before shredding.

5. Add beans, peppers, corn and hominy to slow cooker. For thicker consistency, add cornmeal, if desired. Cook on high 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

6. Add shredded chicken back to slow cooker and serve with lime wedges, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, cheese, tortilla chips and jalapenos, if desired.

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

TECHNOLOGY

Finding friends; seeking secrecy and safety college student daughter Q: My has to walk in the dark from her

By Kim Komando Signal Contributing Writer

evening classes. She carries pepper spray. Can her phone call 911 if she gets into trouble?

Q

: I’d like to find my old college sweetheart just to say hello. I tried Google, but nothing came up. The people finder sites scammed me out of $65. How else can I find her?

A Your search for an old acquaintance comes at an interesting time; yes, billions of people are connected through social media, and it’s easier than ever to find long-lost acquaintances. You can try Facebook, LinkedIn, and FamilyTreeNow. Hardly anyone can exist in a first-world nation without leaving a digital footprint. Aliases and married names can hinder easy searches, but there are several tricks you can use to track people down. Watch this video for six ways to find anyone on the internet: bit.ly/2R5yTpw.

There are services that delete your emails as soon as they’re opened. A new password can also help you keep your family’s web connection secure from spying eyes.

A Pepper spray is a good start, and I’m glad she’s prepared for a physical altercation. But she should also be able to call for help in a moment’s notice if (God forbid) something happens. After all, assailants tend to move quickly, and you only have a split-second to contact authorities.

Several apps have been developed for a range of emergencies, including Noonlight, which will automatically call the police if you release your finger from the phone and don’t enter a unique PIN. Other apps can transmit location data and SOS signals.

keep this singular danger in mind.

Otherwise, this works great for sending, say, secure passwords or notes you don’t want anyone snooping on.

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.

my neighbors are using it possible to send emails that Q: Imythinkwireless network. How can I Q: IsJames Bond would send? I want boot them off? my messages to self-destruct. That would be awesome!

A Mail, including email, is a funny thing because once you dispatch it, you have no further control over its content. There are services designed to destroy messages the moment they’ve been opened. In theory, you shouldn’t have to worry about anyone reading sensitive content because the message will be deleted without a trace. Granted, someone could take a screenshot of your transmission before it disappears, so

A Wi-Fi mooching happens all the time, usually among people who live or work closely together, and they’re often too polite to address the issue out loud. Meanwhile, there are lots of security issues that come with sharing your Wi-Fi, and if your signal isn’t password-protected, I urge you to change your settings immediately. But if you want to know what “guest” is currently pirating your Wi-Fi, you can use your router’s online interface to figure out exact-

ly who has logged on. If you don’t recognize one of the devices, you can easily trace it back to your neighbor.

As for booting them off, a new hard password should do the trick.

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

The Local Pub & Grill 26876 The Old Road Stevenson Ranch Ca 91381 661.495.9192 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

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

Brooklyn Bar & Grill 25860 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 284-6057 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 Iconic Eats 23460 Cinema Dr, Valencia (661) 481-9404

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 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 Dickeys Barbecue Pit 18742 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 251-0840 L&L Hawaiian BBQ 18727 Via Princessa, Canyon Country (661) 251-8333 Lucille’s Bar-B-Que 24201 West Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 255-1227 Q&Q Hawaiian BBQ 27530 Newhall Ranch Road #101, Santa Clarita (661) 383-9098 Rattler’s BBQ 26495 Golden Valley Road, Canyon Country (661) 251-4195 Smokehouse on Main 24255 Main St, Old Town Newhall (661) 888-4585 Continued next page

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

DININGGUIDE Continued from previous page

BBQ 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

Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. 18810 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 252-7883 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

Burgerim 23740 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 670-8939 Everest Burgers 18645 Soledad Canyon Road Santa Clarita, CA 91351 (661) 252-3412 Final Score 23754 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 254-6557 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

The Old Town Junction 24257 Main Street, Newhall (661) 702-4888

Panini Palace 23120 Lyons Ave., Santa Clarita (661) 678-0552

Saugus Cafe 25861 Railroad Avenue, Saugus (661) 259-7886

Pita Pit 28253 Newhall Ranch Road (661) 702-9977

Way Station Coffee Shop 24377 Main Street, Newhall (661) 255-0222

BREWERIES BJ’s Restaurant 24320 Town Center Drive, Valencia (661) 288-1299

Red Robin 27063 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 260-2411 Route 66 Classic Grill 18730 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 298-1494 Rustic Burger 24025 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 254-1300

Rustic Eatery 25343 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 254-8100 Submarina California Subs 26517 Carl Boyer Drive, Canyon Country (661) 259-4782 The Habit 25948 N. McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 291-1575 23120 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita (661) 678-0552 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 Genghis Khan 24506 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall 661-254-0351 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 New Moon 28281 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 257-4321 WaBa Grill 19120 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (661) 367-7297 31739 Castaic Road, Castaic (661) 295 9222 Wok’s Cookin’ Chinese Restaurant 31565 Castaic Road, Castaic (661) 257-2890

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

DELICATESSEN

Bob’s Country Meats 19012 Soledad Cyn Rd, Canyon Country (661) 251-5995

The Sandwich Shop 25530 W. Avenue Stanford, Valencia (661) 257-4811

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

GREEK

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

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

ITALIAN Bella Cucina Ristorante Italiano 27911 Seco Canyon Rd, Saugus (661) 263-1414 Buca di Beppo 26940 Theater Drive, Valencia (661) 253-1900 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 Road, Saugus (661) 259-3895 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

JAPANESE & SUSHI Achita Sushi 22913 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita (661) 476-5522 Bonsai Garden 19358 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-9008

Italia Panetteria & Deli 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 294-9069

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Dining 27025 McBean Pkwy, Valencia (661) 254-2355 Hibiki Restaurant 27625 Shangri La Dr., Canyon Country (661) 298-0273

Maria’s Italian-American Deli 22620 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 259-6261

I Love Sushi 26526 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita 661-673-5200

Cathy’s Delicatessen 23120 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 288-2217

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Kabuki 24045 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 799-8655

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

Kisho Japanese Teppan Grill & Revolving Sushi Bar 23430 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 284-3856

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

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) 252-983 Sushi Song Japanese Restaurant 22896 Copper Hill Dr, Santa Clarita (661) 297-5659

KOREAN & MONGOLIAN Charcoal Korean BBQ Restaurant 19158 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 251-9292 Genghis Khan 24506 W. Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 254-0351

Lee’s Korean BBQ & Tofu House 23360 West Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 254-2307 ZingGa Grill 26910 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita (661) 250-7592

Zankou Chicken 24463 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia (661) 705-7265

MEXICAN

Azul Tequila 25387 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia (661) 254-5500 El Trocadero Mesquite Grill & Cantina 24274 Main Street, Newhall (661) 284-6615

Numero Uno Pizza 26111 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 259-3895 Pieology Pizzeria 28295 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661)678-0234 Pizza Di Marco 27674 Newhall Ranch Rd, Valencia 661-295-8769

La Charrita Restaurant 24225 Main St, Newhall (661) 288-1204

Tomato Joes Pizza & Taps 19167 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita (661) 250-7550 (805) 385-4444

Cafe O 20655 Soledad Canyon Rd, Cyn Country (661) 424-0401

La Cocina Bar & Grill 28022 Seco Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 297-4546

Toppers Pizza 23710 Valencia Blvd, Santa Clarita (805) 385-4444

Flame & Skewers 25870 McBean Parkway, Valencia (661) 799-7538

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

Grill Kabob 27653 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 263-7445

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

MEDITERRANEAN

Kebab House 24201 Valencia Blvd, Valencia (661) 799-5844 Manoushee Mediterranean Restaurant 27131 Sierra Hwy, Canyon Country (661) 251-6666

PIZZA

Ameci Pizza & Pasta 28013 Seco Canyon, Santa Clarita (661) 296-6131 Italia Panetteria & Deli 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia (661) 294-9069

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

VIETNAMESE

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

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

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

Tandem headlines another classic 80s show

By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

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he week before Santa Claus comes to town, Canyon Santa Clarita is bringing the gift of the 80s to Santa Clarita Valley music lovers on Friday, Dec. 20.

For the show, Canyon Santa Clarita is inviting not one but two classic acts, responsible for hits like “Walk-

ing in L.A.” and “I Want Candy” are putting on a show that fans of the era won’t want to forget.

Missing Persons featuring Dale Bozzio offers fans an original voice for fans, an 80s new wave star who also created noted works with Frank Zappa. Founded in 1980, almost 40 years later the band remains together and actively touring, keeping alive the legacy of hits like “Mental Hop-

scotch,” “Destination Unknown” and “Word.”

Also headlining the show, is another unique link to music history.

“Annabella Lwin of Bow Wow Wow is the vivacious, effervescent original lead singer of the group,” according to the Canyon Santa Clarita website, which offers tickets to the show.

Lwin’s set also promises the original hits that made Bow Wow popular

more than 30 years ago, including hits like “Do You Wanna Hold Me,” “Baby Oh No” and “Chihuahua.”

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 Ticket Master.com. For more info, visit Where musicmeetstheSoul.com.

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 21

PETS

Paw-some holiday gift ideas for your furry friends

T

he holiday season is meant for spending time with your friends and family, including those of the four-legged variety. Whether you have a dog, cat, fish or other small pet, Christmas can serve as the perfect time to show your affection by showering him or her with thoughtful gifts.

When searching for the right gift for your furry friend, consider his or her likes and dislikes when it comes to treats, toys and bedding, among other things, and look for gifts that align with favorite hobbies, such as

Optimal comfort for your furry friend

Whether you are looking for a special comfortable home or warm, stylish attire for the season, consider the special likes and dislikes of your furry friend when chosing their gifts. PHOTOS COURTESY PETSMART

fetch or taking walks, or things that can be easily personalized like leashes, beds and food bowls.

Check with your local pet store, such as PetSmart, and inquire about some of its seasonal bestsellers like bedding or sweaters, for example, or recommendations for gifts that might

be most appropriate for your dog or cat’s breed.

Regardless of whether you’re looking for something wearable, playful or maybe a little of both, you can find more gift ideas for the four-legged loved ones in your life at petsmart. com.

Make the holidays special, and extra comfortable, for your pet this season and beyond by giving him or her a warm place to rest with this cozy Merry & Bright Tree Hut Bed. The festive hut-style pet bed, which comes in the form of a colorful Christmas tree, provides plenty of seasonal cheer and features a removable pillow that can easily be washed or used as a separate resting spot.

Warm, stylish pet attire

Keep your pet warm when the weather turns cold, and do so in style, with this Top Paw Red Buffalo Checkered Fleece pet sweater. Available in sizes to fit large and small dogs alike, the hooded fleece slips on and off easily and offers optimal comfort, warmth and fashion with a fabric fastener strap at the neck to ensure it stays in place. (Family Features)

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING Daily through Jan. 12 Join the L.A. Kings for their Holiday Ice Rink. Make the most out of the holiday season by skating with your family and friends at Westfield Valencia Town Center. Skate rental included in general admission ticket. General admission $17, Seniors and children 6 and below $14.

24201 West, Valencia Blvd, Valencia. Info: lakingsholidayice.com/westfield-valencia/ Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. California farmers and specialty food purveyors come together 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/old-town-newhall-farmers-market Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to noon The Santa Clarita Certified Farmers’ Market offers locals a breakfast prepared onsite from one of the market’s several food vendors, or you can try some of our wonderful artisan bakery products. Open yearround, rain or shine. College of the Canyons, Parking Lot 5, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: vccfarmersmarkets.com/ santa-clarita Mondays, 11-11:45 a.m. Want a more enchanting way to read with your child? Join House of Bounce for Princess Storytime. Foster a lifelong love of reading as your child joins a live character guest for stories, bubbles, dancing and crafts. 24201 Valencia Blvd #2312,

WIN!

= Family Friendly Event

Valencia, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/2033908346914148/?event_time_ id=2033908453580804 Thursdays, 4-9 p.m. The Vegan Exchange SCV at Wolf Creek Brewery is a weekly 100% vegan market featuring local food, beverage, apparel, cosmetics and lifestyle vendors.

Pocock Brewing Company, 24907 Ave. Tibbitts, Suite B, Santa Clarita. Info: veganexchange events.com/vxscv Fridays, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. House music all night long. Alchemy presents Casa de House Friday Nights at Alchemy Valencia.

Enjoy the DJs Monaco DJ and Gatsby.

Alchemy Valencia, 24501 Town Center Drive, Suite 101, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/511923576223628/?event_time_ id=511930999556219 Saturdays, 10:30-11:45 a.m. Come and enjoy group drumming with your family at our Kids Rhythm Club. Our 45 minute drumming session helps build self-confidence, self-esteem, expands the musical imagination and nurtures creative thinking. All ages and levels of ability are welcome. Drums and percussion instruments provided at no extra cost and reservations are not required. Adults $5, kids 12 and under free. Remo Music Center, 28101 Industry Drive, Valencia. Info: remo.com/experience/post/ kids-rhythm-club-remo-music-center-2 Second Saturday of the month, 5-11:30 p.m. Get ready to glow up your gaming experience. GlowHouse Gamin is bringing you a new monthly “Super Smash Bros.” tournament. This monthly will count towards the Santa Clarita Power Rankings and South-

WIN!

WIN!

CONGRATULATIONS to Ron Frazier for correctly identifying Grand Panda on page 17 Identify this advertiser and the page number in this week’s issue, and you will be entered to win a $100 gift certificate for a local restaurant. One game and one winner each week.

Mail your entry to The Signal – Contest 26330 Diamond Place | Santa Clarita, CA 91350 Or email contest@signalscv.com Advertiser: ______________________________Page # ______ Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________ This week’s entries are due Wed. December 18 Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

ern California Ultimate League. Venue fee $10, Singles $5, Doubles $6, Spectators $3.

25061 Avenue Stanford, Suite 40 Santa Clarita.

Info: facebook.com/events/538010103431521 Third Friday of the month, 7-9 p.m. Join The Open Book at open mic night for a night of talent and good company. Come watch the local talent, or if you are a performer, sign up. Slots are for 15 minutes and performance material must be original and family-friendly. 19188 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: (661-255-1400) Third Saturday of the Month, 6-10 p.m.

Join the monthly Deaf Social. Come and eat, play games and socialize. Starbucks, 25918 McBean Parkway, Valencia. Info: facebook. com/events/2307889265908176/?event_ time_id=2307889295908173

EVENTS BY DATE Sunday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Circle this date on your calendar and join Bicycle Johns’ for our 15th annual Holiday Ride.

This ride benefits children whose Christmas holidays may not be as blessed as yours and ours. Please bring a $15 toy or donation to the ride. 26635 Valley Center Drive, Suite 108, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/798336293936153/ Sunday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Placerita Canyon Nature Center will host its holiday craft fair fundraiser.

Create and decorate your own holiday wreaths, centerpieces, and ornaments using a large assortment of fresh cut greenery, pine cones and other beautiful natural treasures. Children’s crafts will also be available. For those with allergy concerns, please note that peanut butter is used on some craft items. No finished craft items will be on sale — you must make your own at this event. 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/386959011996346/?event_time_ id=386959015329679 Sunday, Dec. 8, noon to 2 p.m. Join CBS Film Series for the screening of “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles.”

Everything you wanted to know about the Broadway show and movie, “Fiddler On The Roof,” wrapped up in a celebratory film which is a must-see and currently has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. $5 including lunch and popcorn. 21430 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 254-2411, cbsfilmseries@gmail.com Sunday, Dec. 8, 4-7 p.m. Southern California composer Morten Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna” is one of the

most glorious works now sung throughout the world and it will launch us into a wonderful holiday program. Along with the children’s choirs, the Santa Clarita Master Chorale will present their “Holiday Lights” concert with holiday music. Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: www3. canyons.edu/Offices/PIO/CanyonsPAC/lights. html Monday, Dec. 9, 7-10 p.m. It’s the fourth annual Santa Clarita Master Chorale community Messiah Singalong with orchestra and soloists. For the second year in a row, soloists selected from the music department of California State University, Northridge. Bring your own score or borrow one at the door. $15-20. 25718 McBean Parkway, Valencia. Info: facebook.com/ events/2145627559077428/ Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. to midnight Come to Glowhouse Gaming’s Star Wars Party. Snack bar available with pizza, chips, cup noodles, hot cocoa, candy, cookies, popcorn and drinks. Jedi or Sith? Pick a side and battle it out in our Beat Saber VR competition. Dress up and enter our cosplay contest. Think you know more about the series than anyone else? Prove it in a trivia contest. $10-$15. 25061 Avenue Stanford no. 40, Santa Clarita Info: glowhousegaming. com/event-calendar/star-wars-party-2019/ Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join the Agua Dulce Women’s Club at the 26th annual Parade of Tables. Table hostesses decorate their table in a specific theme and then sell tickets for a place at their table.

Come together as a community to gather, share lunch and increase awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness.

There will also be a catered lunch, cash bar, entertainment, raffle baskets and silent auction items and some dynamic keynote speakers. $40. Agua Dulce Airpark, 33638 Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. Info: facebook.com/ events/987798274897922 Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season at GIlchrist Farms’ Holidays at the Farm. Santa and elves will help celebrate all day with live music, food, craft vendors, make and take crafts, pony rides, horse rides, festive petting zoo, caroling wagon rides, archery, giant slide, hot chocolate bar, goats in sweaters and more. Activities prices $5-$10 per activity.

30116 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita.

Info: gilchristfarm.com/holiday-hoedown

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 23

Celebrate the Holidays: Around the SCV

T

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

he holidays are rushing toward us as fast as the legendary Polar Express train. It’s a time for joy, family fun and once-a-year excitement. The Santa Clarita Valley and nearby communities offer a variety of unique experiences for holiday cheer.

Through Dec. 29 Fillmore & Western Polar Express Train Ride, 364 Main St., Fillmore Info socalthepolarexpressride.com/fillmore-schedule-and-tickets/ Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and a cookie are served by dancing chefs.

Passengers then read along with the classic children’s book, “The Polar Express.” Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas. Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell. There is a First-Class table car and passengers will receive a commemorative mug to take home. A unique experience, new this year.

Dec. 13-14 Ventura Harbor 43rd annual Parade of Lights and Fireworks, 1575 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura Info venturaharborvillage.com/parade-of-lights The 2019 theme pays homage to all things imaginary and magical — “SEAing is Believing.” Enjoy a colorful boat parade, Harbor Village festivities and fireworks. Shimmering lights, whirling kid carnival rides, boutique gift shopping and holiday cheer.

Dec. 14, 5 p.m.

Castaic Lake Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade, 32132 Castaic Lake Drive, Castaic Info www.castaiclake.com The 26th annual “Winter Magic” Castaic Lake Lighted Boat Parade will be held in Paradise Cove Lower Lagoon area. The event begins at 2 p.m. with snow play and sledding for kids (bring your own sled). Food, raffles and fun.

Bring an unwrapped toy and canned food to donate to charity and earn raffle tickets. Meet Santa. Parade begins at 5 p.m. No fee to enter your decorated boat in the parade.

Through Jan. 1 Christmas at Hart Mansion, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall Info www.hartmuseum.org With the help of a team of energetic volunteers, the Friends of Hart Park decorate the mansion of William S. Hart on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. William S. Hart was a famed Western silent film star. After he retired in 1927, Hart moved into his 10,000-square-foot mansion atop his Horseshoe Ranch in Newhall.

Tours begin at the top of every hour, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wait by the front door of the mansion to begin the tour.

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Kids and holiday decorating activities

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

A

sk me for a few memories of Christmases past, and I instantly recall my dad on a ladder stapling multicolor strings of lights to the eaves of our house.

Mom festooned the interior with swags of evergreen and fresh eucalyptus (we lived in Northern California) with gilded angels and shiny ornaments. Although my brothers and I decorated cookies and set up the manger scene, it was my folks who primarily created the holiday magic around our place.

In today’s more relaxed style, why

not bring the kids into the center of holiday decorating with you, and make the coming month a do-together season of creativity, entertaining and giving?

To get kids started, here’s a whimsical centerpiece that combines a variety of objects to tell a story or suggest a holiday wintry theme to adorn a dining-room table or mantel.

Look for a clear glass hurricane or a clear glass wide vase you may have tucked away in your storage closet.

Then choose small holiday items and images that express the way you celebrate the season, along with nature finds. Then bring out stored ornaments, mini strings of battery-operated lights or candles.

What you need: • one tall and wide (about 12 inches by 5 inches) clear glass hurricane shade, a similar size plain, clear glass vase, or a glass chimney tube (available at craft and discount stores) • a tray, a large round plate or a wide, shallow bowl for the base • small keepsake holiday or themed items, toys, artificial greens or nature finds, such as mini pinecones and moss Here’s the fun: Arrange holiday-themed items in the center of the base, then place glass shade, vase or chimney tube over it.

Set in the middle of your diningroom table. Add greens or other decorative items around the outside of the base.

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)

Monday, Dec. 9 Tuesday, Dec. 10 Wednesday, Dec. 11 Thursday, Dec. 12 Friday, Dec. 13

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

Triple Berry Blast Mini French Toast Hard-boiled Egg Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

Kickin’ Chicken Drumstick & Mashed Potatoes Cheeseburger Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar

Hard-boiled Egg Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit

Cheesy Bean Burrito Chicken Nuggets Deli Sandwich-turkey HB Eggs & Savory Crackers Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Brunch for Lunch: Maple Burst’n Mini Pancakes & Sausage Patties Dippin’ Chicken Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Chocolate Chip Cookie

Breakfast Pizza Hard-boiled Egg Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Fruit Juice Scrambled Slider Hard-boiled Egg Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Buttermilk Bar Hard-boiled Egg Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

Corn Dog-chicken Popcorn Chicken PBJ Sandwich & String Cheese Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Carnitas Quesadilla Cheesy Quesadilla Chicken Nuggets Smart Choice Pizza Manager’s Choice Seasonal Salad Bar

For example: 1. Set a miniature decorative pine tree with tiny decorations dusted with snow in the middle. Around the outside, create a village scene with mini houses and figurines from your kids’ toy bins or your ornament collection.

2. School-age kids might enjoy decorating the glass by painting designs with permanent paint pens or acrylic paint in squeeze bottles.

3. Set a pillar candle inside by itself and let the light sparkle through colorful flat-sided marbles that you glue randomly around the outside of the glass shade. (Use thick, quick-setting glue for best results.) When the candle glows at mealtime, it will remind your child that he or she was the one who placed the marbles just so!

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.

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 25

T R AV E L

Breakfast with Santa, a castle that’s decked out for the holidays

PHOTO COURTESY QUEEN MARY

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

H

oliday attractions are fun places for families to visit, especially during the long winter break during the school year.

Through Dec. 30

Hearst Castle 750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon Info hearstcastle.org/tour-hearst-castle/dailytours/holiday-twilight-tour/ Hearst Castle is spectacular in and of itself. But at Christmas, it is a visual feast not to be missed.

During the holiday season, the main houses are decorated as they might have been during the castle’s heyday in the 1920s and ‘30s. The Assembly Room, the Refectory and the Morning Room sport lavish decorations of handmade garlands and bright red poinsettias. Two 18-foot-tall Christmas trees glow with lights and traditional ornaments. You can see the decorations during daytime hours, but Hearst Castle also offers special evening holiday tours. The castle displays a dozen Christmas trees during the season. View Hearst’s celebrated art collection in the warm glow of thousands of holiday lights. Your tour guide will also share stories of holiday festivities during the estate’s heyday.

Griffith Park Holiday Train Ride 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles Info griffithparktrainrides.com/content/holidaylight-festival-train-ride

Griffith Park trains offer a 10-minute ride around a 1-mile track. The track is filled with magical scenes and tens of thousands of Christmas lights.

The slow-moving train allows guests time to enjoy the beautiful display. Best of all this attraction is a bargain. Tickets: $5. Enter Santa’s Village for $2.

Photos with Santa are $5. The first train will leave at 5 p.m. and the last train leaves at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The last train leaves at 9 p.m.

Friday through Sunday.

Through Jan. 1

Queen Mary Christmas 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach Info queenmary.com/calendar-of-events/ qmchristmas/home/ The Queen Mary invites visitors to start a special yuletide adventure at the outdoor North Pole Village with ice skating at the True North Ice Rink circling a 26-foot Christmas tree. Then, jump aboard the QM Express Train or the Grand Carousel for more festive fun. Enjoy strolling performers, gingerbread house making, stocking decorating, a sweet treat or libation as you watch live entertainment on the outdoor stage before climbing aboard the Queen Mary to take in the dazzling decor.

The holiday fun continues aboard the ship, where guests find Mrs. Claus reading stories to little ones and Saint Nick hosting meet-and-greets in the Captain’s Quarters. The Queen Mary’s 4-D theater will screen a special 4-D version of “The Polar Express” movie, complete with hot cocoa smells and snow flurries for a magical movie experience.

Tickets to Queen Mary Christmas start at $29 ($22 for kids 4-11), with options for VIP admission, date-night package, reindeer peak cabanas, breakfast with Santa, ghosts of Christmas past and a holiday dinner show.

Through Jan. 5

Santa’s Village 28950 CA-18, Skyforest Info skyparksantasvillage.com Experience a “Nostalgic Christmas in the Woods” inside Santa’s Village at Lake Arrowhead.

Santa’s Village was opened just six weeks before Disneyland on Memorial Day weekend in 1955.

The original idea came from a Saturday Evening Post article that was written about a Santa’s Village in New Hampshire.

Many Southern California residents have visited Santa’s Village as children. Renew this family tradition with a visit to Santa in his home and touch the icy North Pole. As an added bonus, you can join Santa for a breakfast party and join Mrs. Claus for a special tea party. There is entertainment, puppet shows, tree lightings and interactive storytelling.

Santa’s elves will be holding special crafting workshops and cookie decorating classes for those who want to craft their own creations. Lace up a pair of skates and glide along the Silver Bells Arena, a charming, outdoor pond. Visit Santa’s Workshop and Post Office to learn what Santa and his elves are up to during this busy season and mail your very own letter to Santa. Climb aboard the Northwoods Express Train Ride and enjoy a charming and fascinating ride and tour of the village.

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THINGSTODO

for family fun!

Visit with Santa from noon-4 p.m.

There are free pictures and Holiday arts and crafts vendors. At 5 p.m., visit the Channel Islands Maritime Museum and watch the Holiday Lighting of the 75-foot “Tallship Mast” in front of the museum. Enjoy live music and sing-along to Holiday favorites.

At 6:30 p.m., Santa will arrive to flip the switch and light up the Mast.

The lighted-boat parade starts at 7 p.m. in front of Peninsula Park and heads to the Main Channel, turns at Kiddie Beach, loops in front of the launch ramp, and then heads back to Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club and repeats the route for a second run. The parade can be viewed from parks and walkways that line the route as well as from most Harbor restaurants.

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

T

he holidays are a special time to make memories in Southern California. There are activities for families of any size, all ages and interests. Tradition is important, but try to make time to do one new activity each holiday season. After a few years you’ll have a treasure trove of new memories.

Through Dec. 29

“Bob Baker’s Nutcracker” Carrie Hamilton Theater at the Pasadena Playhouse 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena Info pasadenaplayhouse.org/event/ bob-bakers-nutcracker Bob Baker’s adaptation of the ballet classic is one of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s most beloved shows since it opened in 1969. Imagination dwells at the Pasadena Playhouse, in a space specially outfitted for optimal holiday and puppetry joy.

Allow the Bob Baker Marionette Theater and more than 100 handcrafted puppets to take you on an adventure through the wizardry of strings and into the enchanted world of the fantastic.

Meet the Sugarplum Fairy and her Promenading Cakes, dance with the Waltzing Flowers, cheer the Nutcracker band, The Go-Go’s and marvel at the wonders beyond the Mysterious Door.

Through Dec. 30

Candy Cane Demonstration Logan’s Candies 125 W. “B” Street, Ontario Info loganscandies.com/ candydemos.php Candy canes are an enduring symbol of the holidays, but do you know how they are made? Logan’s Candies is a unique shop with 80 years of

Dec. 16-24, 6:30 p.m.

‘Tis the season to enjoy the Pershing Square Ice Rink. Take to the ice in Los Angeles County’s largest ice skating rink, open through Jan. 20. PHOTO COURTESY DOWNTOWNLA.ORG

history making candy canes with the same recipe and in exactly the same way since 1933.

See a free demonstration of the art of candy-cane making from start to finish. After the presentation purchase a warm candy cane and let the kids mold their own cane however they wish. This can be an exciting new family tradition well worth the effort and time.

Through Jan. 20

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square 532 S Olive St., Los Angeles Info holidayicerinkdowntownla.com Now in its 22nd year, the Bai Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square is framed by towering skyscrapers and adorned with festive holiday lights. It is L.A.’s largest outdoor ice rink and spans 7,200 square feet.

Every Tuesday throughout the season will be dedicated to Disney’s “Frozen.” On “Let It Go Tuesdays,” ice rink lights will be predominantly blue, and every third song played will be from the “Frozen” original Broadway cast recording during the 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. sessions.

Dec. 13-14

Ventura Harbor 43rd annual Parade of Lights and Fireworks 1575 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, Info venturaharborvillage.com/ parade-of-lights The 2019 theme pays homage to all things imaginary and magical — “SEAing is Believing.” Enjoy a colorful boat parade, Harbor Village festivities and fireworks. Shimmering lights, whirling kid carnival rides, boutique gift shopping and holiday cheer.

Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

54th annual Holiday Parade of Lights Channel Islands Harbor 3900 Pelican Way, Oxnard Info channelislandsharbor.org/ event/54th-annual-parade-of-lightsat-channel-islands-harbor The Channel Islands Harbor will kick off the holidays with its 54th annual holiday Parade of Lights, themed “Musical Notes & Holiday Floats.” Beginning at 10 a.m., families can play in tons of snow falling at the north end of Harbor View Park, located at 3600 Harbor Blvd.

Las Posadas at Olvera Street 10 Olvera St., Los Angeles Info olveraevents.com/olvera-streetlas-posadas Each year Olvera Street merchants and their families walk through El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in a ceremonial re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s nine-night search for sanctuary. Las Posadas has been a part of Olvera Street since its founding in 1930, when they re-enact the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem with traditional songs, colorful costumes and vibrant music.

The procession starts and ends at the Avila Adobe, the oldest house in Los Angeles. Free sweet bread and champurrado is given to all after procession. The children’s piñata begins at 6:30 p.m. in the plaza followed by the procession at 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 21, 2:30 p.m.

Holiday Sing-Along Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles Info laphil.com/events/ performances/677/2019-12-21/ holiday-sing-along This beloved holiday tradition returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Join in song with hundreds of fellow revelers, plus a jazz combo, a choir and the mighty pipe organ, for this joyous annual tradition. A jolly good time for the entire family.

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

GIFTGUIDE

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 29

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his holiday season, stop by Santa Clarita’s #1 Auto Stereo Store and give the gift of car audio accessories, GPS navigation systems and much more!

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

H O L I D AY

Handmade Holiday Gifts

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

I

know what you are thinking … “I don’t have time for this.” Yes, yes you do. Most of these handmade holiday gifts can be put together in an evening, or less. More importantly, these gifts tell your family and friends that you cared enough to make something personal, something with your own two hands or something sentimental that speaks to each person individually.

Sometimes you need a few (or more) gifts for the folks at the office, or as “thank you gifts” for clients and others. Something handmade will impress your colleagues and win the hearts (and minds) of many others.

Photos

For friends and family nothing melts the heart like a special gift sporting a personalized photo, or photos.

Get those photos out of your camera and have the pictures printed (Walmart is a great, inexpensive option) and placed in small flip photo albums. Use pictures from gatherings with friends or family, weddings, holidays and vacations.

If you have access to heirloom family portraits make a keepsake book of past generations for everyone in your family. If time permits, photo

Hearty Pasta Soup Mix In a 1 qt. Mason jar with a screwtop lid layer or other airtight glass container layer: 1/2 2 1/2 2 1 1 1

cup dried split peas tablespoons chicken bouillon granules cup dried lentils tablespoons dried minced onion teaspoon dried basil teaspoon dried parsley flakes envelope savory herb with garlic soup mix or vegetable soup mix

In a second jar place 2 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta.

Print a label that reads To prepare soup: Place 10 cups water in a Dutch oven; stir in soup mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Add 3 cups cubed cooked chicken, 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained and pasta. Cover and simmer until pasta, peas and lentils are tender, 15-20 minutes longer.

calendars, coffee cups and other items can be made with personal photos at many commercial locations. (Costco is my favorite.)

A few gift ideas:

Gift in a Jar

Barbecue in a Jar Share your homemade “secret” barbecue rub in a jar.

There are so many gifts you can give in a jar.

Personalize each “gift in a jar” for each recipient.

Large glass jars, or Mason jars are perfect vehicles for “gift in a jar” giving. Dollar stores usually carry a variety of large-mouth, decorative jars with lids at various times throughout the year, or simply buy a supply of Mason canning jars. Finish off your jar with a label you print yourself and tie a pretty ribbon around the bottle or lid.

Minibar in a Jar Buy a selection of cute mini liquor bottles and place in a jar.

Pampering in a Jar Include travel size moisturizers, body bar, bath gel, lip balm, hand lotion and other self-care products in a jar with a pretty scrub.

Snackin’ Jar Place a variety of tasty treats into a jar.

Love in a Jar

Nothing says “love” like edible (or drinkable) comforts.

Chai Tea

This is a great recipe where you can use any size airtight glass container.

Combine 2 cups sugar 2 cups unsweetened instant tea 1 1/2 cups powdered French vanilla nondairy creamer 1 1/4 cups powdered nondairy creamer 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar 3/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder 2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1 1/4 tsp. cardamom 1 1/4 tsp. cloves 1 tsp. allspice 1/4 tsp. white pepper In a large bowl, combine ingredients. In a blend-

er, cover and process tea mixture in batches until powdery. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

Fill glass container with lid of your choice with mix. Add label with instructions on how to prepare chai tea: Place 1/4 cup mix in a mug. Add hot milk; stir until combined.

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Water hammering, pressure problems

By Robert Lamoureux Signal Contributing Writer

Water hammer issue Robert, We developed water hammer about two and a half months ago, and have been unable to get rid of it (a plumbing problem in which a knocking noise in a water pipe that can happen when a tap is quickly shut off).

Following the water hammer onset we developed a number of strange plumbing problems and I need to determine if these are related to the water hammer. My plumber has told me that water hammer is almost impossible to solve.

I need to find out if this is true or I need a new plumber. Just some general information. House was built in 1969. We have lived in the house since 1972 with no water hammer issues. We re-plumbed the house in 1991, with good quality copper pipes. We have been told pipes are still in good condition. In 1994 added a third bath upstairs right over the two bathrooms downstairs.

Prior to this, the upstairs was just one large bonus room. The shower in this bath is rarely used. The following is the sequence of events: 1. Mid-Sept., Culligan replaced the used soft water tank for a full one.

During this process, I heard the water hammering start during the replacement process and it has continued to the present.

2. About 10 days later, a product called a Heater Treater attached to our Noritz Tankless sprung a leak where it was attached to the pipe and was removed. This had only been installed for five months. The plumber informed me that I had water hammer, and it was not easily solved. I checked out some things and everything was fine.

3. I then contacted Culligan since the problem started with their tank replacement, and they sent someone out. He replaced the bypass system, O rings and screen. Also installed a

hose bib to flush soft water tank before attachment. We had been getting a lot of visible resin in our water. Also added a water hammer arrestor and discovered water pressure too low and needed a new pressure regulator.

Water hammer got slightly better for a while. I was very surprised that Culligan did all this since customer service had been very poor. This makes me suspect them as the cause of the problem. The serviceman that came told me they were having many problems.

4. Called Valencia Water regarding the water pressure problem. They had turned off the water for over 10 hours in August. They sent someone out and he discovered we had no pressure regulator.

5. Plumber installed pressure regulator and set at 60 psi, but this pressure was too low, but water hammer was fainter. Pressure reset to 75 psi which was better, but water hammer became louder. I told the plumber I was having problems getting hot water from the Noritz first thing in the morning.

Some mornings I would have it and other mornings it took too long. The Noritz is in the garage and have had for 2 1/2 years and never had this problem before. The lack of hot water was not related to outside temperatures. The plumber had no solution.

The timer is properly set.

6. Woke up at 2:00 AM on Thanksgiving morning to water leaking out of a heating light fixture in the toilet/ shower area of our master bath. It leaked for about 45 minutes. Leaked just continuous drops and not that heavy. Turned off water outside and next morning called a local plumber.

The plumber mentioned above does not do emergency work. Once we had a plumber on site, we turned on the water and there was no leak. They told us to leave water on and turn off at bedtime and turn on again in the morning. Still no leak.

I have had experience with larger plumbing companies sending me inexperienced trainees who cause problems. I am not sure that the second plumbing company sent me a licensed plumber.

Please give me the name of a plumber you would recommend.

Also do you have any opinion regarding whole house water systems? Life Source has been recommended. Do you have any knowledge of them? I cannot tell you how important your service and Signal column are. You have rescued so many people from costly mistakes. If only you had been here 50 years ago when we first became homeowners.

Many thanks, Linda M. Linda, Good morning and thank you for being a reader.

It seems that you may want to have an expansion tank put in, to absorb this hammering. If your plumber has looked into everything and been thorough, then the only thing I can think of is the expansion tank. The pressure cannot be set over 80 PSI. You may want to call another plumber to get his thoughts on the

situation, let them know I referred you and my suggestion, and see what they might come up with. Without being there in person and seeing for myself, I don’t want to chase you all over the place so I think getting another opinion and mentioning the expansion tank is best.

Best of luck, Robert 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.

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

FINANCE

Americans motivated to improve holiday finances

A

Americans can now boost their credit score instantly by using Experian Boost, a free tool that allows anyone to add positive payment history for utility or telecom bills to their Experian credit report, possibly increasing their FICO Score 8 in real time. Consumers who increase their scores average more than a 10-point bump.

For more information, visit experian.com/boost.

mericans are taking proactive steps to keep holiday spending in check and be financially ready for next year, according to an Experian national consumer survey.

A majority of those surveyed (84%) say they’re motivated to improve their finances this holiday season, with 66% paying for gifts in cash and 62% planning to pay off debt. Almost half (46%) will try to improve their credit score before the start of the new decade.

Holiday pressure may cause unwise financial choices

Holiday shopping strains finances

Many Americans agree that holiday expenses affect their finances negatively (63%), and nearly two out of three feel stressed about their finances during the season.

However, Americans plan to tackle these challenges with some smart approaches; many of those surveyed (65%) will set aside money for gifts, while 52% will tighten their budgets to prepare for holiday shopping.

Looking beyond gift giving, 42% will start financial planning to prepare for next year and beyond.

Consumers’ top New Year’s resolutions are saving more (49%) and improving their credit score (33%).

Credit as part of a holiday spending plan

Nearly one in four consumers plans to introduce open a new credit card during the holidays, according to Experian. If this describes you, it’s important to go about it carefully.

“Debt you can’t repay will certainly bring down your holiday spirit,” says Rod Griffin, Experian’s director of consumer education.

“There’s often the temptation to

overspend, but the best gift you can give yourself is being financially smart. Make sure to create a budget and stick to it while using credit wisely. The key is strategic use of credit — whether that’s using a card that provides low interest, rewards points or cash back — to improve the shopping experience and stretch your dollars.”

Whether to get the best credit card for holiday shopping or to be prepared for future loan needs,

Sixty percent of survey respondents say they spend too much during the holiday season. In fact, despite being stressed about debt, they’ll still spend an average of $1,649 on gifts this year, compared to $945 in 2018, a whopping 75% more, according to Experian.

Additionally, the lure of deals is hard to resist; one in five Americans surveyed would risk becoming a victim of identity theft for a good Cyber Monday deal, and 56% would rather get a 10% discount at a store than improve their credit score by 10 points.

Don’t let the holidays get the best of your wallet. Start the new decade on solid financial ground by making smart seasonal choices. (StatePoint)

Tips to protect yourself from ID theft this season

‘T

is the season for holiday shopping. When making purchases online, be sure to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft — it’s more common than you may think.

With just a few pieces of personal information, thieves can open new credit lines, drain bank accounts and file fraudulent tax returns. The Federal Trade Commission says credit card fraud was the number one type of identity theft reported in 2018, with 167,000 people saying their information was misused on an existing account or used to open a new credit card account. No matter

what form it takes, identity theft can cost thousands of dollars and take years to correct.

Below are four tips to help prevent identity theft:

Vary passwords

Use a different username and password for each shopping account.

That way, if someone steals your information on one account, they won’t be able to go on a shopping spree at other sites, too.

Track transactions

Check your statements for any suspicious activity. If you don’t recognize a transaction, contact your credit card company or bank right away.

Beware of scams

Watch out for phishing scams in which fraudsters send emails that look like they’re from a reputable company, but aren’t. Avoid clicking on links in emails as they may download malware that can give thieves access to your personal information.

Always visit a retailer’s website directly to make a purchase.

Get identify theft insurance

Some insurance companies offer coverage to make the process of undoing the damage from identity theft easier and less costly. For example, Erie Insurance has Identity Theft Recovery Coverage, an affordable

option that can easily be added to a homeowners or renters insurance policy.

“When someone uses information about you without your permission, it takes time and money to straighten things out,” said Robert Buckel, vice president of product management at Erie Insurance. “This coverage offers peace of mind to help you restore your credit and make the process — and your life — a little easier.”

Protecting your identity may not be top-of-mind during the holiday shopping season, but with just a few safeguards in place, your online security can be greatly enhanced. (StatePoint)

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 33

Make time for better health on busy days

F

itting in time to exercise and eat sensible meals can be impractical, if not impossible, when the demands of daily life get in the way. If busy days limit your ability to live as healthy of a lifestyle as you desire, take charge by squeezing in fitness and smart snacking when and where you can.

Sneak in some exercise. Even on days you can’t make it to the gym, you can find ways to get your body moving. Forego the closest parking spaces and get in a little cardio with a walk into the office or while running errands. Skip the elevator and use the stairs. Swap out your traditional desk chair for a standing desk or a balance ball that lets you get in a little core exercise. Make a point to write down your fitness resolutions and stick to them.

Choose smart snacks on the go.

There are plenty of snack foods available that prove you don’t have to choose between great taste and great

for you - even when a busy schedule threatens to get in the way. For example, when you need a quick, healthy snack, make a clean choice like Stryve Beef Biltong, a meat snack with a few simple ingredients that is high in protein. Air-dried to retain as much of the protein and flavor as possible with no sugar or preservatives, biltong is just beef and spices. It also contains no MSG, nitrates, gluten or other artificial ingredients. Biltong also works in popular high-protein, low-carb eating plans like keto and paleo.

Drink more water. Staying hydrated is essential for good health, and since you can carry water with you nearly any place you go, it takes virtually no extra time at all. Proper hydration helps keep skin supple and your body systems functioning properly. Water also helps you feel full; in fact, people often mistake the body’s natural craving for more water as hunger. Keep a bottle of water at your

desk and refill it often. If you have trouble guzzling at least 64 ounces a day, set reminders on your phone or computer to keep you on track.

Make meal prepping more fun.

If planning an entire week of meals seems like a chore, make it more entertaining by sharing the duty with a friend or incorporating the whole family. Having meals and snacks ready to go for the week ahead makes it less tempting to grab quicker, less healthy options when a busy day sneaks up on you.

Carve out mental health time.

It may seem counter-intuitive but forcing yourself to grab a few minutes of down time can actually make you more productive. Turn off or mute your devices and take a break. You might use the time to collect your scattered thoughts into an efficient to-do list or simply meditate to give your brain a break before you head to bed so you can wake up refreshed for another day.

H E A LT H

Find more ideas for living a healthier on-the-go lifestyle at stryve.com.

Beef Done Better

What is biltong?

Biltong is a centuries-old process of drying and preserving meat that originated in South Africa. It’s thinly sliced, seasoned beef that has been air-dried at room temperature, typically for 14 days. A good-for-you snack alternative to traditional jerky, Stryve beef biltong is 100% all natural. It has no artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives and is free from nitrates, gluten and MSG. How is biltong made?

Step 1 Season. Lean slabs of top round beef are washed with vinegar and dry rubbed with a medley of simple seasonings.

Step 2 Dry. Seasoned beef is hung to air-dry for up to two weeks in a humidity-controlled room.

Step 3 Slice. Slabs are sliced against the grain into ultra-thin, extra-tender pieces. (Family Features)

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

PROFILE

Adele Macpherson — A lifetime of service to others

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

improve the lives of other people.”

dele Macpherson has lived in cities around the world, but for the last 33 years she has called the Santa Clarita Valley home.

Macpherson was born near Manchester, England and grew up in Sale located 35 miles east of Liverpool and 200 miles northwest of London.

Despite her years living in the states, she retains her distinctive and lyrical British accent.

A member of the SCV Zonta Club for 30 years, Macpherson has held every position in the club, some twice, and was instrumental in the creation of the Zonta Foundation.

“I like the mission of Zonta, improving the lives of women and girls through service and education and now the mission of empowering women through service and advocacy,” she said. “Those are things that are near and dear to me.”

In 2010 a court advocacy program was launched in partnership with the SCV Domestic Violence Center to assist women in filing restraining orders. Macpherson served as co-chair of the program.

“We offer support to women who are victims of domestic violence.

We’re not giving legal advice, but we offer support and help with forms,” she said.

“We go with clients, accompany them if they are concerned or scared or don’t have anyone to go with them,” she said. “We provide emotional support and explain what is going to happen.”

A

Zonta

A chiropodist

After high school Macpherson spent three years studying to become a chiropodist or a foot doctor.

“I had a foot issue and went to a friend who was a chiropodist,” she said. “I decided on that career because of the impact you can make on someone’s life. It can be the difference between someone walking or not walking.”

After graduation, she went into private practice. “I had my career and I thought I was all grown up,” she said.

She met her husband, Iain when their parents introduced them. “We dated on and off, and married in 1969 when I was 24,” she said. “My husband is Scottish. We always said we had a ‘mixed’ marriage. No one understood the joke until the movie ‘Braveheart’ came out. After that film people understood what we were talking about.”

(In case you are not familiar, a long history of conflict between the Scottish and English still fuels the Scottish independence movement today.)

The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Moving away

After six months of marriage Macpherson’s husband, an aerospace engineer, was offered a job in Israel.

The couple left the United Kingdom and began their international travels.

“It was culture shock to move to Israel, but it was also fascinating,” she said. “I didn’t know anyone there and my husband was working long hours.

I would put myself on a bus and get lost, and then I would find my way around and get people to help me get back home.”

The couple’s daughters, Kristie and

Adele Macpherson displays red dresses as part the Red Dress Project: Zonta Says No to Domestic Violence. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Fiona, were born during their time in Israel. “I returned to England for the births, so there would be no question of citizenship,” Macpherson said.

Moving on

The couple lived in Israel for eight years before Iain was offered a new job in Montreal, Canada. They stayed two years before leaving for Washington state. “My husband’s dream was always to work for Boeing,” she said.

The couple and their daughters, ages 5 and 2, moved to Redmond, Washington, where Iain worked at Boeing’s Renton facility. “I was a stay-at-home mom until Fiona went to school, then I became a certified medical assistant,” Macpherson said.

After eight years, the family moved to Valencia Hills in 1986.

City employee

After moving to Santa Clarita, Macpherson volunteered for the American Red Cross and became a national disaster volunteer. In 1989 she became manager of the Santa Clarita branch of the American Red Cross.

Then in 1990, she went to work for the City of Santa Clarita as the emergency coordinator and year later was made emergency manager.

“When Santa Clarita created the community services division and I became the superintendent that was a dream made in heaven for me,” Macpherson said. “I was working for my community, and the nonprofits,

filling in gaps in services.”

In 1994 the 6.7 magnitude Northridge Earthquake rattled the SCV and caused widespread damage.

“It was my earthquake to manage,” Macpherson said. “I was responsible that everyone knew what their jobs were, and to coordinate resources that came into town.”

In 1995, in addition to being the emergency manager, Macpherson became the community services superintendent. In 2010, she retired from the city.

Volunteer work

Macpherson’s volunteer activities have included the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Zonta Club of the Santa Clarita Valley, SCV Committee on Aging, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, SCV Resource Center, School-toBusiness Alliance, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita, United Way and Daughters of the British Empire.

In 2002 she was named Santa Clarita Valley’s Woman of the Year.

“I have always called my volunteer work ‘my soul food.’ To be recognized for doing something I just had to do, for something I loved, was amazing.”

Macpherson said volunteering goes back to her youth.

“I’ve always done volunteer work. I was a Girl Guide (scout) and so volunteering has always been a part of me,” she said. “I like to help people. Whatever I’ve done has always been to help

American citizens

The Macphersons became American citizens after moving to the SCV. In 1991 they moved to Sunset Point in Newhall.

They spend as much time as possible with their four grandchildren and daughters, who now live in Modesto.

“We also travel back to the UK to see family,” Macpherson said. “All our family is in England and Scotland.

We are the only ones living in the United States.”

Macpherson’s mother died in 2017 at age 97. “My sister and I started a new tradition to celebrate our mother,” she said. “In April we took a trip to New York City. We had a fabulous time. Next year we are going to Washington, D.C.” Macpherson encourages SCV residents to become involved in the community. “It’s vital to the quality of life,” she said. “There are still gaps in services, there is lots to be done, lots of people need help and the only way you can do that is to roll up your sleeves and get involved.”

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

SENIORLIVING

Modifications can make driving safer for seniors

D

riving provides an almost unrivaled level of independence. The ability to travel beyond a neighborhood or even one’s hometown without a chaperone is probably what excites new drivers so much and makes them eager to get their licenses and cars.

Senior drivers also may define their independence by their ability to drive.

Few things diminish senior dignity and independence faster than losing the ability to drive.

Despite popular misconceptions, seniors are some of the safest drivers around. The experts at Hartford Auto Insurance indicate that the number of accidents involving older drivers actually decreases as age increases. It’s the risk factors like medical conditions, medication usage and reduced physical function that increase the risk for accidents and injuries involving older drivers.

Thanks to technology and some other well-designed devices, seniors may be able to continue driving longer than the aging drivers of years past.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and education association, says roughly 90% of seniors don’t take advantage of simple, often inexpensive features that can greatly improve safety and extend their time behind the wheel.

Here are some considerations.

Cushions and seat pads Cushions do more than just alleviate hip and back pain while sitting. Cushions and pads can raise drivers up and improve their line of sight over the dashboard.

Swivel pads can make it easier to enter and exit the car as well.

Adaptive cruise control This feature can adjust speed automatically to maintain a consistent space between vehicles.

Adaptive headlights These headlights, also known as steerable headlights, can improve visibility by changing the direction of the light beam with the movement of the steering wheel.

Pedal extenders Extenders help

Thanks to technological advances, there are several “well-designed” devices that can help seniors prolong their driving years, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

short drivers reach the pedals while maintaining a safe distance from the steering wheel and potential airbag deployment.

Hand controls Whether one has sensory changes in the feet from surgery or a medical condition, adaptive hand controls can move the “pedals” up to the steering column.

Blind spot warning and other sensors Today’s cars can be equipped with any number of sensors that can detect oncoming traffic, cars to the left or right of the vehicle, items or cars behind the vehicle when reversing, and even if the vehicle has drifted out of the lane. These are all great safety features for any driver, but may be especially helpful to seniors.

Parking assist Parking assist technology can steer the vehicle into a space with little input from the driver.

Voice control Avoiding distractions and keeping hands on the wheel is enhanced by voice controls, which can be set up to do things like turn on the radio or adjust climate control.

Convex mirrors Special mirrors increase the field of vision.

Seniors have many tools available to make driving safer and more comfortable, which can prolong their years behind the wheel.

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

TIMERANGER

Cowboys, Grinches, Uber-Cold & Dog-Eating Cougars Not even winter but it sure feels like winter, don’t it, saddlepals? Nice thing about time traveling in cold weather is that you get to wear your best cowboy duds. Plus, I sort of monkeyed with the SCV time continuum and once you’re up in the saddle, it’s a perfect 72.4 degrees.

C’mon.

Let us mosey into the mystic and inspect what was going on in our riparian SCV before the days of crowds and concrete …

WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• Three degrees of separation Charles Frederick Gebhart was born on Dec. 12, 1891, in Vincennes, Indiana. At the age of 16, the future SCV resident would join the Army and would fight in the Philippines in what history calls the Moro Rebellion.

After his military days, he became a cowboy in Oklahoma. He married in 1915, moved to Hollywood with his pregnant wife and got a job in the budding movie business for $5 a day. Ten years later, Charles is one of the top movie actors on Earth, doing three films with Carole Lombard.

Along with my Uncle Fred, Mr. Gebhart was one of the 492 victims of one of the worst blazes in American history — the Coconut Grove Fire of 1942.

He had escaped, but went back in to try and save victims trapped inside.

The SCV’s Charles Gebhart is better known by his stage name: Buck Jones.

DEC. 8, 1919

• That’s not even a population of a condo today A cool century ago, the U.S. Census figured out there were about 500 people living in Newhall.

Mr. Stein, principal of Newhall Elementary, came up with a nifty homework assignment for his few charges, asking members of the 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes to go door-to-door and find out just how many people lived here. The students came up with about the same exact number as from 1899. Happy Valley had 30 people living there with Placerita adding another 64. Adding them to the rest of Newhall (395), the grand total was 489. One student eagerly noted that in the near future, “…we can easily count on 500 or more.”

DEC. 8, 1929

• Imagine the SCV line today We’ve

mentioned this before, but it still bears witness to small-town life. Long before there was a Department of Motor Vehicles, the Southern California Automobile Club registered all vehicles. Locals moseyed down to Doty’s garage in a two-day period from 9 a.m. ’til noon to sign their cars up.

• More than a few months before cell phones were invented… The local telephone company doubled. A second switchboard and operator was added.

Up until 1960, folks had to call the operator to place a call. We went from 35 phones in 1923 to 200 in 1929.

Wow. Adding to that, telephone crews were literally camping out in the SCV, adding new phone machinery and lines. Every spare room in town was rented out to the phone army.

DEC. 8, 1939

• The California grinch who stole SCV Christmas The State Highway Department, progenitors of our present-day Caltrans, got their undies in a bunch. Seems an entire passel of downtown Newhall merchants, on their own, planted lovely, fullsize Christmas trees in front of their businesses up and down Spruce Street (today, Main Street). Jack Warren, head of the local state road office and government Grinch, sent a worker down to yank every last one of the yule trees out and trash them. Seems we didn’t have the proper permits.

Signal Editor Fred Trueblood composed and printed a front-page poem for the occasion. It started out: “If you wish the Christmas Spirit; Get A Permit! If you dare to try to cheer it; Get A Permit! Don’t plant your Christmas tree Where Old Glory used to be Or a man will call to see — Your Permit!”

Fred’s a little kinder than some of us at The Signal might have been …

• Not quite 10 bucks a week State

Relief Administration payoffs — the early version of modern welfare — increased locally. A family of four averaged $36.75 in payments a month.

Rough around Christmas but better than nothing …

• Some serious driving Elmer Marty, our local sheriff ’s captain, came hat-in-hand to county Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz (whose uncle lived in Newhall, by the way). Seems Elmer wanted Eugene to pop for another radio patrol car. The Newhall area actually had much larger boundaries than the present-day valley limits.

Back in 1939, we were referred to as The Soledad Township with an area covering nearly 1,000 miles.

DEC. 8, 1949

• Purina puma chow A mountain lion was treating itself to a little Christmas cheer over on Atwood Street. The big cat was eating neighborhood dogs.

• Brr. Double brr and triple brrrrrr … We had one of the coldest nights on record when the thermometer plunged to Fairbanks, Alaska, levels — 13 degrees. Pipes burst and water troughs had 5-inch-thick crusts on them — not good news for all the livestock people living locally.

DEC. 8, 1959

• Nope. Tweren’t Elvis The King died. King Valentine, the aging patriarch of the Horseshoe Ranch, died.

The big hoss came into this world as a foal on Valentine’s Day in 1920 then later lived 25 years on William S. Hart’s Newhall Ranch. Nearly 40 in horse years is a pretty long lifespan.

DEC. 8, 1969

• Local boy makes good The Minnesota Vikings handed the Los Angeles Rams their first loss of the season, 20-13 on this date. It was the Vikes’ 11th straight victory. I mentioned this because the Minnesota quarterback was none other than Joe Kapp, former Hart High basketball great. Kapp is renowned as the greatest athlete to come out of the SCV. • Art imitates life? A five-member film crew from L.A. County arrived on Arch Street on this date. They were making a movie about the county tax assessor’s office and what it does. Title of the flick? “Somebody’s Got To Be Kidding.”

• Well. At least the meeting was peaceful. Along the lines of the above theme, local anti-war protesters hired out the Hart Auditorium to hold a peace meeting. Ten people showed.

DEC. 8, 1979

• Crooked bureaucrats?? Naaahhhh. Couldn’t happen here … The pie-throwing continued at the West Los Angeles Resource Conservation District. Director Marcus Frishman, in bell-bottomed disco attire, attacked a member of the press (not The Signal because we hit back) during a board meeting. Frishman tried to rip a copy of a letter from the outof-town reporter’s hand. It was for Frishman’s judge and written by a fellow WLARCD board member, urging that Frishman’s parole for petty theft be revoked and he be sent to prison.

• And a heck of a nice guy On this date, my old friend Andy Jauregui was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Andy was world famous as a rodeo star, impresario and stunt man.

• Almost a pizza joint The abandoned Saugus train station (when it was across the street from the Saugus Cafe) was given a brief reprieve by Southern Pacific’s bulldozers. SP said they’d donate the building to anyone who’d get it off their railroad. George Nigro, who had just bought the old Saugus Elementary School campus, wanted the depot on his new schoolturned-shopping center property. I guess you all know who won the tug of war…

Drat and darn it. From that familiar spinning time vortex, our next stop will be in the Santa Clarita of here and now. Hate to part company with you dear friends. You know the drill.

Take good care of yourselves. Be kind to one another. Make a difference. Be the person you’re supposed to be. I’ll be back next week with another exciting Time Ranger adventure. Until then — ¡Vayan con Dios, amigos, y feliz Navidad!

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.

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

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December SCV garden care tips

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

H

opefully, everyone had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Now we’re on to the last round of holidays for 2019. It is impossible to know what the winter weather will be this year, but prepare for extreme cold, heat, rain, frost, wind, drought and wildfires as best you can! We can get any or all of it!

While the rest of the nation battles freezing temperatures and snow, we get to work outdoors in the garden.

Cool weather makes this a good month for construction projects and short days make it easy for new or transplanted plants to settle in.

Winter vegetables should be growing comfortably in the vegetable garden and the promise of rain should coax up wildflowers.

You can also plant started vegetables from multi-packs. Snap up the last of the best winter vegetables still available for sale. Or, plant seed for later crops of peas, cabbages, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, fava beans, lettuces, radishes, Swiss chard, etc.

Plant root crops like carrots, radishes, and beets from seed, too. And try some less traditional edible root plants like celeriac, parsnip and salsify for variety. Root crops are best planted from seed since they don’t like transplanting. Most vegetables do well with aged manure — all manure should be aged at least four months to destroy potentially dangerous bacteria. But if you

are expecting to grow long, straight carrots, avoid adding manure of any kind to your soil as it can encourage the roots to fork.

This is a good time to keep up with weeding. The tiny plants that germinate right after rain pull easily. You may even want to replace those weeds with some California wildflower plants. Scattering wildflower seed is a handy way to fill up open areas or an empty garden with color for springtime. Just scatter seeds the day before rain is likely and let nature plant them for you.

Prune dormant trees and shrubs.

Sap is flowing more slowly and trees will suffer less stress from cuts or wounds. As the final leaves fall this month, you can shred them and add them to your compost heap.

Pop early spring-blooming bulbs into flower beds or a cutting garden. There is a wide choice of bulbs available now to add colorful flowers to an evergreen garden, add perfume to ordinary plant areas, supply cut flowers or just add excitement to any planter or garden.

Think about adding new sections to the garden, removing lawn, building a raised vegetable garden or working on some garden designing. This is the best time to get projects and plans in gear before the spring rush. Start by listing what you want to do and the materials that will be involved, sketch out a design of the area and how it will go together, then price out and buy your materials so you have everything organized before you start the project.

Keep on planting those hardy annual flower seeds, plants, shrubs and

trees. Other hardy plants will likely transplant easily with the moister soil, gentler temperatures and shorter days of December. Make sure the newly planted don’t dry out in spells when there is no rain, and toss a cover of light burlap over them on frosty nights for protection.

Pore through garden furniture, plant and seed catalogs online or printed. They provide a delightful way to spend a cold, windy or rainy day and will give you some interesting ideas for your garden. And check out some of the local garden centers for fun garden holiday gifts. You might find a gift or two that you and your garden deserve after putting in a year of care and hard work. Some gifts might make work easier, like some useful tools.

Other gifts will make gardening healthier to do, like hats, gloves, sunscreen, knee pads and more. And still others might just plain be fun, like décor, games, books, and clothes.

When in doubt, gift your gardening friends (or yourself) with a gift certif-

GARDENING

Early December is a good time to start scouring the garden for natural materials to craft into holiday ornaments and displays.

icate for shopping in the future!

December is an ideal time to take on outdoor projects while the weather is comfortable for work. You can add new sections to the garden, plant lawns, build a raised vegetable garden or add some decorative garden edging so your landscape will shine come the spring season. And make sure you provide a spot for rest and relaxation in your garden. If you already have one, I repeat, use it during the hectic holidays!

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

Give your mind a workoutwith thesebrainy exercises!

BRAINGAMES

Relax

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 4 1

D E C E M B E R 8, 2019

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THE VILLAGE IDIOT

News from the Fergusons

By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

D

ear Friends and Family, Well, it’s that time of year again! We Fergusons have had a great year. Here are a few of our highlights.

As you can see from the enclosed family photo, Bob lost 40 pounds on a low-carb diet. He had to get a second job to afford the diet, because he now eats more red meat than a grizzly bear, but you can’t knock the results. The low-carb plan doesn’t allow you to eat anything inexpensive like pasta, potatoes or rice. But you can eat as many $12-per-pound steaks as you like. We’ve spent so much on food this year, we can’t afford to buy him new clothes! His pants are so baggy, he looks like he just graduated from clown school. Still, it beats the stomach staple the doctors were talking about, and he says he feels good.

Speaking of health, Chardonnay’s nose ring got infected and she missed most of this last semester at junior college. The whole experience has made her think seriously about changing her major from Tattoo Art Appreciation to Life Coaching, but nothing’s firm yet.

The really exciting news is that Chardonnay finally has a boyfriend — a lawyer. No, wait a minute. Bob says I’ve got that wrong. The boyfriend isn’t a lawyer, the boyfriend has a lawyer. My bad. Kids these days! I could never have afforded a lawyer when I was his age. He must really be smart. He’s living above our garage “until the heat dies down” at his place, he says. Bob and I used to have an apartment like that, too — once the heat came on, you could never turn it off.

Josh is doing well in Golf Course Management; he came “thisclose” to making the Pro’s List this semester, except for his low grade in lawn-mowing. Thank goodness he got an A in Watering Grass 101.

Bob’s mother is still living. With us. Sometimes she’s a little forgetful.

I think she would probably be better off in a nursing home, but Bob won’t

hear of it. He says, “As long as you’re healthy, why shouldn’t she stay with us?” Except for the smoking, the drinking, the cleaning, the cooking, the swearing and the laundry, she’s not much of a bother. And the kids love her. They’re always trying to make her comfortable. But no matter how many times I tell them, they still try to turn her oxygen back on when she’s smoking.

I suppose this is as good a time as any to explain that newspaper headline in June, “Bob Ferguson Arrested in Credit Card Fraud.” Actually, it was good news: They finally arrested the guy who had stolen Bob’s identity. They caught him trying to charge a Slim Jim and a box of Handi-Wipes down at the Gas and Go Away. Little did the thief know that Bob’s credit cards have been maxed out for months, and all the clerks have orders to call the police if he ever tries to use a credit card there again.

The thief is in jail and is still pretending to be Bob, but that will probably change when he finds out about the back taxes we owe from that tax-shelter fiasco last year. Apparently, you can’t just skip mowing your backyard, call it a “tree farm” and start taking an agricultural deduction. Who knew? But if the fake Bob Ferguson wants to do eight to 10 years for tax fraud, that’s fine with us.

Which reminds me, be sure to watch Bob’s dad on “60 Minutes” next week to hear his side of the story. The church calls it embezzlement, but Dad swears it was just a bookkeeping mistake.

Well, that’s about it from the Fergusons. I’ve got to go pick up Fluffy from the vet. I’m not sure I want to see the bill, but really — how much could a simple tail reattachment cost, anyway?

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday, The Fergusons Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com.

CROSSWORD TIME