Sunday Signal Dec. 16, 2018

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SEPTEM DAT B E RE 00, 30, 2018

Valencia | Saugus | Newhall | Canyon Country | Stevenson Ranch | Westridge | Castaic | Val Verde

Gift Guide Inside!

DECEMBER 16, 2018

$1.25

When it’s time to entertain Page 7

Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

6

A VISIT TO ‘GRANDMA’S VILLAGE’

27

FILMS TO WATCH THIS CHRISTMAS

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KEEP YOUR FURRY FRIENDS WARM

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

!

a l S y o u i R te A HOME FURNISHINGS

Celebrating

41Years of Satisfied Customers

From an 800 sq.ft. outlet store on Sierra Highway in 1977 to their present 22,000 sq.ft. Superstore on Carl Boyer Drive, A Royal Suite has become one of the oldest furniture stores in Santa Clarita and has built its success on quality furniture and customer service.

Now celebrating their 41st anniversary, Norb Moniz, president and owner, credits much of his success to customer loyalty and a focus on products from domesitc manufactures, which means higher quality and faster delivery speed, plus a far wider selection than competitors can offer. To celebrate their 41st anniversary, A Royal suite is offering a

41% storewide discount till the end of the year.

So, head on over to A Royal suite and experience for yourself why they are the oldest and most successful furniture store in Santa Clarita.

www.aroyalsuite.com

26536 Carl Boyer Dr.

(across afrom Sam’s Club)

SANTA CLARITA • 661-259-7000

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS FEATURES

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NEWS OF THE WEEK

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6 A look inside Grandma’s Village 7 Boutique Rentals L.A. brings unique look to SCV parties 8 New ways to entertain this holiday season 8 10

11

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Councilman to ring bell for Salvation Army Mayor selection stirs up council Pace bikes roll into Santa Clarita City working to clarify streetlight letter County supervisors approval 58 miles of nearby trails Supes approval housing project

CITY MANAGER

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REAL ESTATE

14

SPORTS

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12 Thank you to first responders

Happy Holidays from our Families to Yours

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

ABOUT THIS PROPERTY Here is your chance to live in this beautiful turnkey home in a gated community. This single story pool home is in the Preserve in Sand Canyon. You will be immediately impressed with the well maintained yard and walkways leading to the front door. Inside you will find a very open floor plan featuring travertine flooring large fireplace, and custom leaded windows. The chefs delight kitchen has granite counter tops, SS Appliances, double ovens, a large island and breakfast bar, walk-in pantry and so much more.

The large dining room is perfect for entertaining. Going into the master bedroom you will find walk-in closets and opens to a beautiful master bath with large sunken tub with leaded glass windows and many amenities. All bedrooms Kellar Davis has over are tastefully decorated. The oversize laundry is complete yearscabinets, of experience with 18 sink, and folding area. Perhaps the most CANYON COUNTRY and specializes in the impressive aspect of this home is the back yard. ItOFFICE features 16670 Soledad Canyon Rd. Santa Clarita, CA a large pool and spa, fire pit with seating area, and so Santa Clarita market.

661.299.5570 many beautiful plants and trees. Interior/exterior recently painted.

With 35 professional agents, For the golfer you will enjoy your own putting green. The howistoallmake solarwe is know system paid for. You will be glad you saw this selling or buying your home home. a dream come true.

5 Paseo Aquatics Club swimmer breaks record 1 A polar plunge

TIME RANGER 16 CALENDAR 17 OPINION 18 18 Our View • David Hegg • Tim Whyte

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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KIDS & FAMILY

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1 Your Home Improvement 2 22 Kitchen upgrades 3 2

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The perfect gingerbread house Sticky Chocolate Gingerbread Donna’s Day: Easy French ‘Chocolate Mousse’ Gingerbread fun facts

SCHOOL 25 25 School menu 8 things to consider when choosing a high school

HOLIDAY 26 6 Holiday card etiquette 2 27 Our favorite Christmas movies

GIFT GUIDE 28 FOOD 30 30 Checking out the Charcoal Grill

PETS 31 31 Keeping your furry friends warm

THINGS TO DO

19310 Ave Of The Oaks Ste #C, Newhall, CA

661.252.9000

Bob Kellar 661.510.0987 Kellar 16670 Soledad Cyn Rd

661.510.0987

NEWHALL OFFICE kellar@earthlink.net kellar@earthlink.net 26364 Sierra Hwy Ste. #C, Newhall, CA CalBRE#01030351 CalBRE#01030351

661.252.3942

32

32 A trip to the snow

SENIORS 35 5 Keeping an eye on blood pressure 3 Don’t forget seniors at the holidays

PROFILE 36 36 Producer-turned-politician-turned-helper

ENTERTAINMENT 38 8 Martha Davis & The Motels at the Canyon Santa Clarita 3 39 Movie crazy with Dianne Crawford

BRAIN GAMES

FRIENDLY VALLEY OFFICE

Bob

14 This week in real estate

41

SUNDAY SIGNAL SignalSCV.com

Richard Budman Perry Smith Tim Whyte Brad Lanfranco Doña Uhrig Karen Bennett • Matt Boyle • Abner Gutierrez

Publisher Sunday Signal Editor Signal Editor Advertising Director Production Manager Graphic Designers

26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100 | Santa Clarita, CA 91350

661-259-1234 On the cover: PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

‘Grandma’s Village’ offers fun for whole family

By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

A

iden Tracy, 4, visits his great-grandmother walking into an office trailer yelling “Choo, choo,” as a whole village lights up before his eyes, music fills his ears and a remote control train begins to run around a track.

To him and his family, this isn’t any ordinary place, it’s “Grandma’s Village.”

“First, it was my grandkids: They would say, ‘Grammy, are you going to have your village up by Thanksgiving?’” said resident Lynda Herrick.

Now her great-grandkids ask the same question as part of the family’s holiday tradition.

On the border of Agua Dulce and Santa Clarita, resident Lynda Herrick, 72, and her “soulmate” Danny Jones, 71, built a village of memories with the help of friends and family.

A 10-foot-by-30-foot trailer sits near their home at Davenport Storage in Agua Dulce, and inside it stands a holiday porcelain village that was started more than 23 years ago with a special gift.

“It was a birthday present from my deceased husband (Tom Herrick),” Herrick said.

On Nov. 30, 1995, a big box just showed up, she said. “It was parts of

Above: Camping Trailer Park Right: Victorian Town PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

my village, and that year, I put it in my fireplace that didn’t work.”

A simple gift of a porcelain village grew into a holiday tradition.

“It went from one box to — I don’t know — I couldn’t even tell you, a trailer full of boxes,” said Debbie Sanchez, Lynda’s oldest daughter. “We talk about it the whole year.”

In September, Herrick and Jones began to build this year’s village.

“We do it together and have been working on it since September,” Herrick said. “We finished in first week of December.”

The first time Jones met Herrick, she had three Christmas trees in her living room and her village taking up an entire room in her house, he said.

“She loves Christmas and I enjoyed it just as much as she did.”

The couple did take a break from decorating to travel the country together.

From 2006-15, they traveled in their motorhome, working as camp hosts at different campsites.

“We didn’t do any decorations for seven years — I didn’t put it up,” Herrick said. “I kept buying things for it, or (my daughters) would get me something.”

When they came to Agua Dulce in December 2015, they put it back up in the house.

“I couldn’t use it all because I had too much,” she said. “And this year, I asked the boss to borrow the trailer.”

Inside the office trailer, movement, music and lights make it feel as if you were in Santa’s Workshop.

Each piece from a family member or friend, every piece with a story and memory.

“There are all these memories,” Herrick said. “I sit here, I look and I think, ‘In those house, did they have as much fun as we do?’”

All different themes are in the village, many with special meaning.

Farms with all different animals and barns remind Herrick of her grandparents. A camper section to remember Jones and Herricks’ trips together.

“My oldest daughter made the big trailer,” she said.

“My sister (Stephanie), our kids and I made stuff for her, like fences out of popsicles sticks,” Sanchez said.

A cathedral reminds her of Germany, where her first husband, Tom, was once stationed in the Air Force.

“We’d go there as a family, so I just had to have it,” she said.

“We remember what happened when those pieces were bought and given to her,” Sanchez said. “(Tom) is the beginner of the whole thing,” Herrick said.

Right before he passed away, he had given her sign for her village, reading “Lynda’s Village.”

The tradition continues, with new pieces added each year.

This year, adding carnival-themed pieces, such as a merry-go-round and two different ferris wheels that light up and move.

“Danny bought me a house with Santa Claus for a train area,” Herrick said. “He just goes to the store and looks for what I don’t have.”

During the other seasons, the vil-

Danny Jones and Lynda Herrick with the Christmas Village they built in an office trailer in Agua Dulce.

lage sits wrapped in a bunch of boxes in a storage unit.

“It took probably three weeks to take all the boxes down,” Herrick said. “I have my ideas of how I need it set up. (Danny) helps me bring it down and unwrap it, climbs on the ladder and the guys who work here have helped this year, too.”

“It’s called the ‘honey-do’ list,” Jones said laughing. “Honey do this, honey do that.”

This Christmas, Lynda’s family will see this year’s set up for the first time.

“Their smiles and laughter are just so genuine when they look at it. I can’t even describe it,” Sanchez said about her family. “You can look at it, and go back in an hour and find something new.”

Something new, even for Herrick.

She has a new favorite part everytime she looks at it.

“I think, I like the Victorian part best, and then I come out here and I like this part best — it’s different everyday,” she said.

Each family member will find their favorite part this year, and 4-year-old Aiden’s eyes will light up again as he watches the trains go around the track.

“I don’t think (Lynda) realizes how amazing it makes her friends and family feel,” Sanchez said. The special gift will continue to grow, creating more memories for years to come.

“I need more room,” Herrick said laughing, “so now I asked for a semi.” 

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

S C V F E AT U R E

Boutique Rentals L.A. brings uniqueness to SCV parties

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

P

reparing for a party may require a quick trip down the red cup aisle, but sometimes the store-bought plastic Solo cup don’t quite match an event’s theme.

With a growing inventory of specialty items, three Santa Clarita residents and business owners knew they could ease people’s party-planning dilemma.

And it’s evident to all passers-by of their Newhall storefront, which opened in July.

Located at 25044 Peachland Ave., Boutique Rentals L.A. is a partyrental company that offers a variety of modern, vintage and traditional accessories and props for themedevents.

From top to bottom and through the rows, visitors can find items of more than 1,000 items, such as stoneware and depression glass dating back to the 1950s, English china, paper goods and props like suitcases, lanterns and a Rattan peacock chair.

“Sometimes, people want something other than the white paper plates,” said co-owner Elda Meguerditchian. “We offer very unique items that you won’t find elsewhere

Above: Hunreds of glasses in all colors at Boutique Rentals L.A. located on Peachland Avenue in Newhall.

Right: A Christmas table display to bring in all the holiday cheer for your next party.

Boutique Rentals L.A. located on Peachland Avenue in Newhall. PHOTOS

BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

at a traditional party store. We do the work ourselves.”

That’s the concept behind Boutique Rentals L.A. “Instead of spending hours searching for the perfect piece, we’ve already done the legwork for you. We search for inspiring party ware that adds that special touch,” the store’s website reads. After the event ends, the renter can simply return the items without the “need to store something you will hardly use again.”

Along with Meguerditchian, family members Tatiana Chao and Liz Caamano have helped grow the one-of-a-kind party inventory by hand-selecting items at estate sales.

But what started it all was Meguerditchian’s love of chinaware.

“Years ago, I started with a china set large enough for a tea party of 150,”

The showroom at Boutique Rentals L.A. located on Peachland Avenue in Newhall.

she said. “I had so much inventory and no space at home. My husband and I love to throw parties and so does my sister, so we combined what we had.”

Since opening, Boutique Rentals L.A. has dressed more than 50 themed-events such as engagements, showers, weddings, birthdays, photo shoots, reunions, and kids and tea parties in the Santa Clarita Valley, as well as Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Among their most proud work includes a children’s carnival-themed event, adorned by large, plush animals, vintage cages, popcorn and cotton candy machines, cake stands, balloons and paper party supplies.

The family is not new to the business community, however. Meguerditchian is also the owner of Eat Real, a food joint serving healthy options like salads and wraps in Newhall and

Valencia. Three years ago, she sold The Tea Garden after running the country-style cafe for eight years.

Their businesses may offer different services, but the family said there’s one common goal.

Chao said, “We want to be in touch with the community, because we know we can offer something really unique.”

“No matter what age or what event, whether for an anniversary or corporate event,” she said of Boutique Rentals L.A. “We want to be the main party rental when it comes to searching for that unique niche look.”

For more information about Boutique Rentals L.A., including store hours and how to book an event, visit boutiquerentalsla.com. 

Above: Giant animals, like the one pictured, make great additions to animal-themed carnivals, a pop-up petting zoo or tea parties.

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

Ideas for planning a unique holiday party On a large table, spread out supplies to create a variety of ornaments such as paint-dipped wooden pieces or pinecone elf ornaments. Don’t forget the appetizers and holiday tunes in the background.

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

A

nother year, another holiday party. That may easily turn out into the typical ugly Christmas function or Secret Santa gift exchange. While these are always fun, the most memorable events are those that stand out from the bunch.

Santa Clarita Valley hosts can step out of the routine and channel their holiday cheer in more creative approaches.

“Party hosting isn’t easy but with the right items you can make a really unique display,” said Elda Meguerditchian, co-owner of Boutique Rentals Los Angeles in Newhall.

Whether stopping by Boutique Rentals L.A. or other SCV stores for party essentials, unique event ideas can be achieved through some planning and a reasonable budget.

Here are tips to help organize and host a creative holiday party:

The planning

Make a list To host a successful event, you want to make sure you have everything you need. Preparing a list can help ease the stress behind planning an event.

Shop to entertain

Food and drinks are essential features in all holiday parties. Consider

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Party

Who said the holidays have to be all about lights and ribbons? Try mixing Halloween-vibes by having guests arrive in costumes and carving spooky Christmas icons on pumpkins.

Guess the Santa Planning ahead a unique holiday party can lead to a great experience for you and your guests. COURTESY PHOTO

purchasing ingredients in bulk, such as cookies, crackers and nuts, which can be mixed with other selections to create a visual platter. Stocking up on sodas, mixers, coffee and adult drinks also helps when its time to entertain your guests.

Preparing the venue

Keeping the party venue tidy is important but it doesn’t have to be pristine. For those hosting at home, consider keeping an empty drawer or bin available to sweep papers when guests arrive, HGTV’s party tips series suggests. If there’s a messy room, shut the lights off and close the door to keep visitors out.

Breaking traditions

Part of hosting a unique holiday party is trying something new. “(S) ometimes breaking from old traditions can save your sanity; living up to Grandma’s years of holiday handiwork is hard work,” according to H. Camille Smith, managing editor of HGTV’s website. “Keep the best, ditch the rest.”

Need some ideas? Follow this compilation of holiday party themes and games:

Ornament-crafting party

For a casual function, consider hosting a do-it-yourself theme. Select ornaments for all your guests or ask each one to bring one of their choices.

The game is simple but guaranteed to get your guests laughing. Without anyone else knowing, ask one of your attendees to dress up in a Santa Claus suit.

At the start of the event, have Santa come in and deliver gifts or make an announcement. Then ask the audience members to raise their hand if they think they know the person under the suit. Prizes can be offered.

Christmas from around the world

To add variety and ease the cooking portion on yourself, consider asking guests to bring an international dish.

Italian, Asian and Mexican foods are among the most popular but holiday cuisines from other countries such as the Philippines, Chile or Finland can also contribute to a flavorful menu. 

Councilman to ring bell at Vons for Salvation Army

By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

I

n the 1930s, a young woman named Ileen suddenly found herself alone at the age of 11.

She had been living in Seaside with her father, after her mother died when she was young, running a small store to make money.

One day, Ileen came home from visiting a friend when she saw a note left for her: “Ileen, I love you dearly. There’s spaghetti in the icebox. From, your father.”

Ileen felt the note “didn’t read right,” somehow, so she went across

the street to the saloon and asked if the barkeep had seen her father.

That’s when the police cars pulled up, and officers went into the saloon to report what had happened.

In one of the cars was the man who, turns out, had shot and killed Ileen’s father moments before.

Ileen, now an orphan, had nowhere to go.

“But that’s when the Salvation Army came in,” her son Bob Kellar recalled decades later. “They took my mother in and she grew up in their orphanage from age 11 to 18.”

To show his gratitude, the Santa Clarita councilman plans to give

back this Saturday by ringing the bell for the Salvation Army Santa Clarita Valley Corps at the Canyon Country Vons from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

He wants to honor the memory of his mother, who died on New Year’s Eve 1998.

“I’ve made these comments to others, and I’m not shy about it,” Kellar said. “I’m very sensitive to the Salvation Army and how they helped my mother out. I never walk past a red kettle and don’t make a contribution. They raised my mother, and they have so many programs of helping people that are

less fortunate. For homeless people, children’s programs, camps for children, alcohol and drug abuse programs. Thank God we have the Salvation Army in America.”

Kellar is on the advisory board for the Santa Clarita chapter. He said he encourages all community members to come out to the Canyon Country Vons to donate. All contributions will be to the Salvation Army chapter in the SCV. “I look forward to shaking their hands and telling them, “Thank you,” for supporting the Salvation Army,” Kellar said. “It’s so near and dear to my heart.” 

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

GIVE THE GIFT OF EDUCATION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

FUNDING 87 MORE FIRST-YEAR PROMISE STUDENTS IN 2018

‘FIRST-YEAR PROMISE WILL HELP ME GET AN AA IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.’ -ITZIELY BELTRAN

The College of the Canyons Foundation is funding 500 First-Year Promise students. This #GivingTuesday we kicked off our goal to fund the final 87 students by the end of the year. Will you help support these students?

We know from experience how critical a positive first-year experience is for incoming students. Every $1,000 raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar and will provide one qualified student free tuition, guidance, and the support needed to ensure success in their first year at College of the Canyons. To learn more, donate and track our progress visit www.FirstYearPromise.com

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Mayor selection stirs up council

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

S

urrounded by family and friends, Marsha McLean was named Santa Clarita’s newest mayor, but only after a heated discussion among City Council members over the nomination.

During an extended special meeting Tuesday, McLean was officially appointed to the one-year title by a 3-2 margin, with outgoing Mayor Laurene Weste casting the deciding “yes” vote.

Councilman Cameron Smyth, in a unanimous vote, was appointed mayor pro tem.

Traditionally, the council gives the mayor position to the previous year’s mayor pro tem, which was McLean this year. That tradition was briefly at question when Councilman Bob Kellar first nominated Smyth, which was followed by McLean nominating herself, leading to the back-and-forth among all five council members.

“I just think that we should move forward with this, in the way it should be, and the mayor pro tem should go ahead and move forward,” McLean said, mentioning the tradition after she nominating herself.

Weste seconded Kellar’s nomination of Smyth, and Councilman Bill Miranda supported McLean.

With two nominations for mayor on the floor, City Attorney Joe Montes said the council would have to vote on McLean’s nomination first, as the substitute nomination, then vote on the nomination for Smyth.

At that point, they each discussed their thoughts before casting votes.

“All five of us need to work together, and if we can’t get at least four votes on the council for a mayor, then I think we ought to keep trying until we do,” Miranda said, casting his vote for McLean.

After first showing support for Smyth — and seconding the motion when Kellar nominated Smyth — Weste said during the discussion: “If Councilman Smyth would be OK with Marsha moving forward, I would be proud to nominate him as mayor pro tem.”

During the official vote on McLean’s nomination, Smyth initially abstained from voting, but then changed that to “no” after Montes said that an abstention counts as a “yes” vote.

“Of course, I’m not going to vote against myself and now I’m on the record of voting ‘No,’” said Smyth. “...I feel if you (Weste) weren’t going to vote for me you should have never seconded the motion and the same thing to you, Bill. If you’re going to say four votes is your threshold, then you should own that.”

Marsha McLean is sworn in as the next mayor of Santa Clarita at City Hall Tuesday night. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

“I have no problem with Marsha being the mayor at all,” he added.

“But you have both gone against what you had said in your previous comments and now I’m the one voting ‘no’… it does make the city look very unprofessional.”

At the regular meeting soon after, Smyth suggested that the council adopt a structure, such as Robert’s Rules of Order, to prevent a similar debate. They agreed to bring the

matter forward in the next council meeting.

McLean now begins her fourth stint as mayor, after previously serving in 2007, 2011 and 2015, and first joining the council in 2002. The mayor’s post requires duties such as setting the agenda, as well as hold a seat on the sanitation district and the budget committee. The position also holds equal voting authority as the other four council members. 

On the move: Pace bikes roll into Santa Clarita

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

S

ome residents have spotted electric scooters in parts of the Santa Clarita Valley. Their placement on sidewalks isn’t permitted by the city, but a similar concept is — and may change the way residents and visitors move around the area.

Zagster, a Boston-based bike sharing company, confirmed Wednesday that its bike share brand, Pace, has arrived in Santa Clarita.

The service allows riders to check out a “lock-to” dockless bike for $1 per 30 minutes and ride it around town.

The system is quite simple: Riders

use the Pace app to locate a nearby bike, which, when found, is synced to the user’s phone. The match automatically unlocks a cable that holds the vehicle to its rack so riders can start riding. To end a ride, the person has to find a Pace or public rack, hit “End Rental” in the app and secure the bike onto the rack with the attached cable.

There are already 12 stations installed, which usually hold 10 bicycles each, located across multiple areas including the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station, the McBean Regional Transit Center and at the Camp Plenty Road Trailhead, according to Stacy Sebeczek, Zagster market manager.

The city has not yet confirmed Pace’s operation, but Carrie Lujan, commu-

nications manager with the city, said Wednesday, “We will have more information coming later this week.”

Micromobility options like bikes and scooters have gained a negative reputation in some areas as users have left them almost anywhere, blocking traffic.

But Sebeczek said Pace’s lock-to feature “really appealed to the city because this avoids clutter so riders can be responsible and not leave bikes where they’re not supposed to.”

She said the city is working with Zagster to present the new service as a pilot program with the intention to grow and expand transportation options for residents and tourists alike to get around. 

Zagster, a Boston-based bike-sharing company, confirmed Wednesday that its bike share brand, Pace, has arrived in Santa Clarita. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

For more information about Pace, visit zagster.com.

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

LOCALNEWS

City working to clarify streetlight letter

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

A

fter being under fire for sending out an ambiguous letter about a proposed streetlight maintenance assessment to homeowners, the city of Santa Clarita is working to provide the public with clarifications.

On the city’s website, staff published on Tuesday a frequently asked questions page, listing 14 questions and answers, including one the most asked by recipients of the letter: why?

“We have put out a frequently asked questions (webpage) as of yesterday online and there is talk about outreach as well, but it’s in the preliminary stages,” Carrie Lujan, the city’s communications manager, said Wednesday.

Outreach in the form of a follow-up letter before the Jan. 22 ballot and public hearing deadline come after a suggestion by newly named Mayor

Pro Tem Cameron Smyth during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

“We need to do a better job of communicating this,” he said. “If we have to spend additional dollars to send a follow-up mailer...something that is easy for a non-technical person to understand so they know clearly what they’re voting on, I think that is money well spent…”

The letter, sent out to roughly 34,000 homes in late November, indicated that the recipient’s annual streetlight maintenance rate of $12.38, keeping steady for the past 20 years, would have to rise to $81.71 in order to continue maintaining streetlights in their neighborhoods.

The letter then read ballots would be mailed out, on which they would have to vote either “yes” to indicate “support maintaining streetlight services in your neighborhood” or “no” to “indicate you are opposed.”

Many who received the notice expressed confusion, questioning why

the city was asking owners to consider paying more and what voting “no” actually meant.

Special Districts Manager Kevin Tonoian told the City Council that the city was only polling those still in the streetlight zone that pays the $12.38 rate. A remaining 25,000 property owners “have already been balloted and voted to move into the zone that pays the full rate.”

He also mentioned the city’s ongoing process of assuming local ownership of streetlights, which would then transition into LED streetlights, saving the city around $32 million through the first 30 years.

“The savings that we will incur from owning the system will be used toward paying those bonds (in the amount of $15 million to pay for streetlights and conversion to LED),” he said. “As we get into greater savings, we will be able to pass those savings along onto our residents …”

Despite the breakdown Tonoian

provided, some council members said they were still confused, including Councilwoman Laurene Weste, who turned in her gavel as mayor to Marsha McLean Tuesday.

Weste said, “I got the ballot and was shocked. There’s just a real confusion and problem here. I need to see a lot more information and I need to understand it and our residents need to understand it.”

Donald Ricketts, a retired attorney and Santa Clarita resident, is also behind the suggestion of a follow-up letter to property owners. On Tuesday sent a letter asking Tononian to “send a letter to all recipients of your Nov. 29 letter correcting this very significant error. If I do not have a positive response by Dec. 21 I will assume this request is declined.”

Ricketts said Wednesday he has since not heard back. 

County supervisors approve 58 miles of nearby trails

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

B

ikers and hikers received a treat Tuesday when county supervisors unanimously approved 58 miles of nearby multi-use trails.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the adoption of the second phase of the Santa Susana Master Plan, which adds 58 miles to the existing 10 miles of multi-use, hiking, mountain-biking and eques-

trian trails in a 22-square-mile area of the Santa Susana Mountains.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who put forward the motion, said: “With nearly two years of community outreach and the engagement of 62 public agencies, community groups and nonprofit organizations, this comprehensive trail system will provide a terrific outdoor recreational opportunity for families, county residents and visitors to the Santa Susana Mountains.”

The approved plan includes a road map for a comprehensive multi-use trail system connecting user groups and local populations to desired recreation destinations and experiences.

For the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, the plan is expected to serve as a framework, Barger said, that would encourage and promote new multi-use trails in the designated area, improve connectivity with

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neighboring jurisdictions, as well as recommend improvements to existing trails.

“We appreciate the support of Supervisor Barger, whose office has been heavily involved throughout the process in identifying developers, trail-user groups, property owners and members of the community whose input is critical to the success of this plan,” said John Wicker, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. 

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12 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Supes approve housing project

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

T

he Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors gave Tejon Ranch developers the green light Tuesday to start building more than 19,000 homes near the Kern County line as part the Centennial Project.

After hearing from scores of people for and against the housing development project — in a downtown Los Angeles meeting that was streamed live on the internet — four out of five supervisors endorsed a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to approve the project.

Citing concerns about affordable housing so far away, the threat of wildfires and temporary as opposed to permanent jobs, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl voted against it.

Citing job creation, the construction of affordable housing and a boost to the local economy, Barger called Centennial: “Not just another sprawl project.

“It includes key amendments that address fire safety by requiring peer review, by or in coordination with CAL FIRE, at all points of the implementation, create 20,000 new longterm jobs and establish a partnership for a job training program — all to ensure that we have a comprehensive and resilient community,” she said.

Over the last 14 years, the Centennial project has gone through extensive public debate and review, including five public hearings and a lengthy and comprehensive environmental impact review process,

Barger said, after the vote was taken.

“It is a responsible, forward-thinking project,” Barger said, “that exceeds the goals of the county’s general plan for smart, sustainable growth and sorely needed housing stock, including 18 percent of affordable housing units, which is approximately 3,500 units.

Tejon Ranch has set aside 90 percent of its holdings — 240,000 acres — for permanent conservation, which Barger said “will ensure the protection of expansive open space for generations to come.”

Thumbs up

Greg Mederos of the Tejon Ranch Co. called Centennial “the largest commitment of affordable housing by a private developer.”

Going into Wednesday’s public session, Centennial developers had committed to 15 percent of the housing earmarked as affordable housing.

After hearing many speakers emphasize the urgency of the issue, Supervisor Hilda Solis put forward a motion bumping that commitment to 20 percent.

After Barger suggested a compromise, the board voted to approve the project if it allotted 18 percent housing devoted to affordable housing.

Supporters included: Robert Lovelace, representing the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters; Shomori Davis, representing the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and Brett Tremaine, senior vice president of Majestic Realty Inc. “We strongly believe Centenni-

al will benefit the entire region,” Tremaine said.

Enrique Armente, speaking for the regional governing office of general contractors, said: “This project will assist in alleviating the housing crisis.”

Local thumbs up

At least two speakers from the Santa Clarita Valley urged supervisors to approve the project.

Troy Hooper, speaking on behalf of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce aqs the immediate past chair, called Centennial “a boost to the local economy.”

Wendy Heffernan, of Santa Clarita, told the board she took a day off work in June to voice her support for the project, and took a day off Wednesday to do it again.

“I believe this to be a well-planned project,” she said. “I believe Tejon Ranch to be a good steward of the land and more importantly, as the mother of three adult children who live in Santa Clarita who are priced out of the housing market, I want my kids to be able to live close to me.”

While several speakers agreed with Barger on many fronts and, most vigorously on the prospect of jobs created through “local hire” considerations, there were many who remained opposed, concerned about fire safety.

“It’s in a high fire-severity zone,” Fire Chief Daryl Osby of the Los Angeles County Fire Department told the board.

“We’ve worked with the developer to determine the number of fire stations needed and for the project to have, around its perimeter, the proper fuel modification,” he said.

Thumbs down

Those opposed to the project included Joseph Maizlish, who asked: “Where is the comprehensive countywide social impact report?

“The people who need the housing the most have not been here today to testify,” he said. “They would say let’s have 85 percent low-cost and no-cost housing. How you do that is a big, big challenge but you’re not engaging in it by approving this today.”

One of many voicing concerns about fire safety was Clifford McLean, president of the San Gabriel Mountains Chapter of the California Native Plant Society: “Because of its location, surrounded by highly flammable grassland and subject to very high winds, it is extremely vulnerable to deadly wildfires,” he said. “If I was the supervisor, I would not want the deaths of residents on my conscience for having approved this project.”

Land use

The Centennial project calls for 19,333 homes on close to 5,000 acres. It includes about 8.4 million square feet earmarked for a business park on close to 600 acres and 1 million square feet of commercial user space on 102 acres.

About 1.6 million square feet on 110 acres is to be set aside for institutional and civic land uses for things such as schools for higher education, medical facilities and a library.

On 75 acres, about 130,680 square feet will be reserved for recreational and entertainment uses such as space for a clubhouse, farmers market, child care facilities and health clubs.

The project also calls for major utility facilities that would serve the entire community, including two wastewater reclamation facilities and a water treatment facility on 191 acres.

Land set aside for schools — including kindergarten through 12th grade schools — encompasses 146 acres.

As for open space, about 5,624 acres of the 12,323-acre site — just over 45 percent — is for open space.

Centennial is to be built in stages over 20 years. It includes the construction of nine villages that will each contain a mix of land uses that enable residents to live near schools, recreation, shopping, neighborhood businesses and services, civic buildings, medical facilities and employment centers. 

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Thank you to those who helped keep us safe

By Ken Striplin City Manager

I

t has now been several weeks since devastating fires tore through neighboring Southland communities in early November. For the families who lost their homes, the journey to recovery and rebuilding is just beginning. For our local firefighters who spent weeks on the front lines, they are now transitioning back to their regular duties in Santa Clarita.

I had a chance to chat with our Assistant Fire Chief Anderson Mackey about what his days look like when faced with incidents such as the Woolsey Fire.

Mackey’s area of responsibility includes all of Santa Clarita, but also stretches north to Gorman, south to the Interstate 5 and 14 Freeway split, east to Altadena and west to Chatsworth (Lake Manor). This area to the

Assistant Fire Chief Anderson Mackey answers questions from residents of the Oakmont Senior Living complex after the Rye Fire came very close last December.

COURTESY PHOTO

west is near where the Hill Fire and the Woolsey Fire broke out Nov. 8.

Mackey and the entire Los Angeles County Fire Department, were already on high alert because of the red flag warnings that were issued due to strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions. He was in East Los Angeles at an operations staff meeting with all the other department chiefs when the fires began.

Once he arrived on scene near the 118 Freeway and Rocky Peak Road, to take command of his resources working the Hill Fire, it became clear

that the Woolsey Fire was going to be the bigger challenge.

The first priority for our fire partners is to protect life and property.

In the case of this fast-moving fire, Chief Mackey’s first responsibility was to develop a plan for evacuations.

With winds constantly blowing at 30 miles per hour and above, he mapped the canyons throughout Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills and other nearby communities that were in the fire’s path.

Chief Mackey explains that the goal of the evacuation branch is to get

people to safety in a timely manner to limit congestion on local roads.

Most residents want to wait until it is absolutely necessary to leave, but at that point the fire is already nipping at their heels, and while they are trying to get out – fire engines are trying to get in to protect their homes. This is why Chief Mackey emphasizes the importance of being ready to go, and to get out as soon as possible when the evacuation order is given. This makes the firefighters’ dangerous job, easier.

I want to thank Chief Mackey and all of the brave men and women who helped battle these dangerous fires.

I also want to take this opportunity to remind all of our residents to visit L.A. County Fire’s “Ready Set Go” website at www.fire.lacounty.gov.

By being prepared and working together we can help lessen the impact a wildfire would have on our community.  The views expressed in this column are those of the city and not necessarily those of The Signal.

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14 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

R E A L E S TAT E

Seven questions real estate agents dread

R

ealtors get all kinds of questions from buyers and sellers, and every once in a while, we get questions that can make us squirm or legally, we just can’t comment on.

But if you have any question or concern about buying or selling a home, you really should ask us, I encourage it.

The folks at “The Lighter Side of Real Estate” on Facebook asked Realtors what questions we don’t like, and here is what they came up with:

Q. I bet real estate is easy, isn’t it? Probably quick money, eh?

A. Ummm, no — to both questions.

Q. I already have an agent, but I don’t want to inconvenience them, so can you just show me this property?

A. Ummm, no. But your agent would love to show you the home. Call them, now.

Q. Is your commission negotiable?

A. Yes, of course. It starts at XX percent, and goes up from there.

Q. (Insert pretty much anything sexist or any kind of pick up line)

A. I’m your agent. I’m not going to date you.

(Full disclosure: I haven’t had this one in a long time.)

Q. I already have an agent, but could you come out and look at the house and give me an assessment on what you think should be done and what the price should be?

A. Ummm, no, I don’t work for free.

Q. Just off the top of your head, what do you think my home is worth?

A. If I’m $25,000 too low or $25,000 too high, that won’t matter to you will it? Besides, I haven’t seen your home, so …

Q. Is this a good or a bad neighborhood?

A. Folks, we can’t answer that question.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me, and share your concerns.

Ray Kutylo is associated with Keller Williams VIP Properties in Santa Clarita. CA DRE 00918855  Ray the Realtor Kutylo is the team leader of the SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties in Valencia. CA DRE 00918855 He can be contacted at (661) 312-9461 or via email at rkutylo@gmail. com. The views expressed in his column are his own and not necessarily those of The Signal.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY CLOSED SALES 11/30/18 TO 12/7/18 AREA/St#

St Name

Sold Price

Br/Ba

Sqft/Source

Price/SqFt

CANYON COUNTRY 18209 16646 16910 18110 19112 27706 19340 30412 15261 29104 26853 26812 26505 15710 26432 16126 26443

Sierra #33 Gazeley ST Shinedale DR Flynn DR #4202 Lonerock ST Tambora DR Delight ST Jasmine Valley DR Carla CT Abelia RD Albion WAY Neff CT Royal Vista CT Rob Roi CT Oakdale Canyon LN Live Oak CIR Macmillan Ranch RD

$279,000 $350,000 $350,000 $390,000 $460,000 $470,000 $477,000 $505,000 $525,000 $540,000 $585,000 $609,000 $610,000 $699,000 $760,000 $1.375 M $1.425 M

2/2, 2/1, 3/2, 3/3, 4/1,0,1, 4/2, 3/1,0,1, 3/2, 3/2, 3/2,0,1, 4/3, 4/3, 3/2, 4/3, 4/3, 4/4, 6/5,

795/A 700/A 1553/A 1419/A 1144/A 1144/A 1080/A 1156/A 1198/A 1464/P 2157/A 2100/A 1570/A 3422/A 2463/P 3494/D 4748/A

$350.94 $500.00 $225.37 $274.84 $402.10 $410.84 $441.67 $436.85 $438.23 $368.85 $271.21 $290.00 $388.54 $204.27 $308.57 $393.53 $300.13

$230,000 $250,000 $305,000 $345,000 $360,000 $485,000 $485,000 $505,000 $560,000 $637,500

2/1, 2/1, 2/2, 3/2, 3/2,0,1, 4/2, 3/2,0,0,1 3/2,0,1, 3/3, 5/3,

806/A 806/A 819/A 1078/A 1176/A 1488/A 2221/A 1504/A 2125/A 2509/A

$285.36 $310.17 $372.41 $320.04 $306.12 $325.94 $218.37 $335.77 $263.53 $254.09

$79,500 $304,500 $469,000 $542,500 $625,000 $694,000 $705,000 $852,000

2/1, 2/1, 3/2, 4/2, 4/2,0,1, 4/3, 4/3, 5/4,

688/SEE 834/A 1287/A 1400/P 1860/A 2254/A 2754/A 3538/B

$115.55 $365.11 $364.41 $387.50 $336.02 $307.90 $255.99 $240.81

$513,000 $552,500 $600,000

3/2,0,1, 3/3, 3/3,

1644/A 1841/A 1840/A

$312.04 $300.11 $326.09

NEWHALL 19118 19139 21227 19852 18846 19220 19872 26014 19840 26013

Avenue Of The Oaks #D Avenue Of The Oaks #B Trumpet DR #205 Sandpiper PL #96 Vista Del Canon #A Maplebay CT Via Kalban Cayman PL Via Ott Bryce CT

SAUGUS 34858 28021 22451 27534 22432 28401 28939 19020

Bouquet Canyon RD#117 Robin AVE Los Rogues DR Raindance PL Cypress PL Ricki CT High Sierra Graham LN

STEVENSON RANCH 25754 Perlman PL #F 25812 Browning PL 25457 Fitzgerald AVE

AREA/St#

St Name

25368 N Mirabile CT 25705 Barnett LN 25825 Meadow LN

Sqft/Source

Price/SqFt

$637,000 $735,000 $1.190 M

Sold Price

3/2,0,0,1 5/2,0,1, 5/4,

Br/Ba

1948/A 2301/A 3510/A

$327.00 $319.43 $339.03

$325,000 $381,000 $400,000 $455,000 $518,000 $520,000 $520,000 $548,000 $575,000 $589,000 $630,000 $634,920 $645,000 $650,000 $665,000 $685,000 $689,000 $696,000 $705,000 $815,000 $825,000 $830,500 $1.300 M $1.550 M $1.550 M

1/1, 2/2, 2/2, 2/3, 3/2, 3/2, 3/2, 4/2, 4/2, 3/2, 4/2,0,1, 3/3, 4/3, 4/2,0,1, 5/3, 2/3, 4/3, 3/3, 4/3, 5/4,0,1, 5/2,1, 5/4,0,1, 5/5, 5/5, 5/4,0,1,

900/A 970/A 1440/A 1420/A 1128/A 1330/A 1263/A 1593/A 1817/A 1529/A 2317/A 1868/A 2088/ 2388/A 2867/O 2287/A 2198/A 1841/A 2000/S 4515/A 3516/A 2942/A 4260/A 4473/A 4172/AP

$361.11 $392.78 $277.78 $320.42 $459.22 $390.98 $411.72 $344.01 $316.46 $385.22 $271.90 $339.89 $308.91 $272.19 $231.95 $299.52 $313.47 $378.06 $352.50 $180.51 $234.64 $282.29 $305.16 $346.52 $371.52

VALENCIA & WESTRIDGE 24505 24113 28561 28252 25808 25786 27726 23128 23946 26903 24036 23908 25802 29317 26425 23730 27463 26025 25624 29266 27030 28621 24704 25854 26810

Town Center DR #7408 Del Monte DR #37 Herrera ST Canterbury CT El Gato PL Salceda RD Cherry Creek DR Calvello DR Avenida Entrana Palacete DR Via Vista Capistrano CT Rana DR Via Solano Emerald Dove DR Spruce Meadow CT Bridgewater DR Bellis DR Avenida Jolita Las Palmas CT Littlefield DR Stonegate CT Tiburon ST Shady Oak LN Stonegate DR

MLS Data Disclaimer: Based on information from the Southland Regional Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing Service for the week ending on 12/7/18.

All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

SPORTS

Paseo Aquatics Club’s Teia Salvino breaks Southern California record

By Dan Lovi Signal Staff Writer

T

eia Salvino is your average 13-year-old. She likes spending time with her family and friends. She has two brothers and two sisters, and grew up wanting to copy her older sister. She’s a pretty typical teenanger.Except when it comes to swimming.

Salvino broke the Southern California Swimming record for the 50-yard freestyle in the 11-12 girls age group in early November (she has since turned 13), at the Kevin Perry Meet in La Mirada. She clocked in with a time of 23.71, besting the previous record set by Claire McClean from Westside Aquatics by 0.15 seconds.

To break a record at such a young age, especially in such a competitive state as California, is a rare achievement.

“Socal swimming has over 30,000 athletes. In my opinion the pinnacle is here, Florida and Texas. Those are the three most competitive states to

“We trained so hard, swim,” said Salvino’s coach at Paseo we developed this skill, Aquatics Club, Daiki refining other skills Sato. “If you are one in the process and of the top athletes that same girl we beat in your age group, in March. That kind you’re bound to be of started an upward top in the nation. trend of her career That’s how cutthroat right now. and competitive it is Salvino possesses in these states.” several qualities that “I was mostly just are hard to come by in shock,” Salvino in 13-year-olds. She’s said when she found a gifted athlete, and Teia Salvino out she set a new has the physical tools record in the 50-yard necessary to succeed in freestyle. the sport.

She’s come a long way since she She is able to block out outside began swimming five years ago, with noise and has a calmness about her her talent and hard work coming to when on the starting block that her fruition earlier this year. coach describes feels like “a storm is “What I think the turning point in brewing behind her.” her career was last February, we had But perhaps what makes her stand a meet and she got beat really bad by out the most is her ability to put a bad one of the girls in her age group,” Sato race behind her and move on to the said. “After that race, she came up to next without dwelling on it, accordme and said, ‘Hey coach, I really want to work on my underwaters.’ That was the turning point in my opinion.

Your polar plunge survival guide Come wintertime, polar plunges are sponsored by various organizations.

Such events may serve as fundraisers for club operations or to help needy individuals, while others may simply be efforts to fend off cabin fever.

The largest plunge in the United States is the Plungapalooza in Maryland, which includes 12,000 swimmers, all of whom are there to raise funds for the Special Olympics.

Polar bear swims are not for the feint of heart, and even the most stalwart (and cold-tolerant) plunger can employ a few strategies to make the swim a success.

• Prepare in advance. Build up your cold tolerance in the bathtub or shower. Cold water may cause some people to hyperventilate. Exercise caution if you have a heart condition. Walk slowly into the water.

Rather than running and diving in, slow enter the water to acclimate your body to the cold and mitigate some of the shock.

• Make it a brief stint. Only stay in

the water for a few minutes. Doctors say that cold water incapacitation can begin within five minutes of entering the water.

ing to her coach.

“She has a championship mindset.

She has a short memory. Similar to a quarterback,” Sato said. “They throw an interception, like an elite quarterback who throws one, they forget about it, move on and keep dominating.

“It’s like that with her. It’s a skill she has internally that’s so impressive. I think it’s rare. Even at the top echelon of the girls, the top three or four in her caliber of swimming, I don’t think they have that same mindset.

That evolution that she keeps going through and the speed of it is unreal.”

As Salvino continues to evolve as a swimmer, she has set clear goals for herself in the short-term and in the long-term.

“I have high expectations for myself. I want to keep refining my skills and to keep the intensity up,” she said of her present goals, then adding: “I want to go to the Olympics in 2028 and I want to go to Cal Berkeley for college.” 

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• Bring along warm clothes. You’ll need to warm up quickly after the plunge. A terry cloth bath robe, thick wool socks, heavy sweater, and a hat can help restore body heat.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can give off a false feeling of warmth and heat in the body, advises Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani at Indiana’s Ball State University.

Alcohol dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the limbs at the expense of the core. It also may interrupt the body’s natural shivering response. Warming up with some scotch is not adviseable before or after the plunge.

If health ailments do not preclude a person from plunging, it can be an exciting way to spend a few wet minutes.  —Metro Connection

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16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

TIMERANGER

Storms, Wild Rides, Old Pals & Cowboy St. Nick A couple of weeks before Christmas. It just can’t be. On the bright side, we who are in charge of history and horsey trail rides here at The Mighty Signal have mastered the art of time travel. Come with us this morning and you’ll have a few extra million years of shopping time.

We’ve a most interesting ride ahead, dear saddlepals, into the lore of Santa Clarita. There’s Tarzan and Bill Hart’s wife, our connection to Africa’s Dr. David Livingston and a bittersweet look at two old friends. Your hometown paper will take an editorial stand on the flu (against) and a pair

Funny how we drive on streets and have no idea where they got their names. There’s Powell Street in Newhall, named after the famous jurist John Powell who served this valley in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For 26 years, he served as judge over an area covering 1,000 square miles. In that time, only one verdict was overturned by a higher court — Powell’s first. In 1859, he and the famed Dr. David Livingston (of “Dr. Livingston, I presume” fame) freed 705 men, women and children from an African camp who were bound for slavery. Powell claimed on his deathbed that was his greatest accomplishment in life. He led troops in seven major Civil War battles. Prior to that, Powell was a famed big game hunter and still holds the record for bagging the largest mountain lion in California. The creature stretched 12 feet, 6 inches from nose to tip of tail.

He also shot a rare white wolf in Bouquet Canyon. Powell was born Dec. 17, 1830, in Galway, Ireland.

of youths go for a wild ride when they get into the wrong taxi.

C’mon. Let’s stop gabbing and do some actual touristing…

WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• The federal government established the San Gabriel Forest Reserve, back on Dec. 20, 1892. It would later be called the Angeles National Forest. That’s that big splotch of shrubbery surrounding much of us that burns every few years.

DEC. 16, 1928

• Newhall’s semipro baseball squad beat another local team, the Wildcats, 14-5 on the local ballfield. The Wildcats were owned by Western superstar Tom Mix. Both squads would play a team from the south San Fernando Valley called The Apemen. The Apes were own by Tarzan author Edgar Rice Burroughs.

• Minnie M. Martin and Emma Johns, they were the best of friends.

The two ladies worked the Newhall precinct for years and aided the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, even kidded about both of them being there.

Emma had been friends with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in her youth in Maine. Minnie, 91 and her best friend Emma, 92, died peacefully within 3 days of one another.

• Snow and icy rain closed the Ridge Route a few miles north of Castaic. Crossing the main route to Bakersfield was a bona fide adventure and it was closed on and off for a week. Imagine sliding off the edge of the road on ice-slick pavement into a gorge 500 feet below.

DEC. 16, 1938

• Sorry I can’t give directions. But a young geologist from New Mexico, Jack Gregory, hit a big vein of gold 15 miles northeast of Saugus.

The ore ran $710 to the ton. Young Jack kept the directions secret and you only could get there by foot or burro.

• The Soledad Township (today, that’s us, the SCV) was pelted with eight straight days of heavy rain.

Downtown Newhall recorded nearly

11 inches double that in some of the canyons. Landslides covered railroad tracks, roads were washed out and Mrs. Emil Peters lost 150 baby chickens to drowning. The wet weather also canceled our annual Christmas Day Parade down San Fernando Road.

• Mrs. Harry Carey was nearly stranded at the San Francisquito Ranch because of the rain. The Careys were quite experienced with the old road going out from floods. Mrs. C left a car on one side of the wash and swam out on horseback to get to it. Now THAT’S a woman…

DEC. 16, 1948

• Newhall was so Western, we even had a cowboy Santa Claus. St. Nick showed up at the old American Theater in a red cowboy suit and white beard on horseback. Santa gave out candy and presents to the kids.

• Historian and water district president A.B. Perkins ran an ad in The Mighty Signal with the giant headline: “NO DOPE.” No. A.B. wasn’t soliciting narcotics. He ran an ad deploring the amount of oil prospecting in residential Newhall.

DEC. 16, 1958

The December 1948 trial to determine the estate of Wm. S. Hart was postponed. At stake was his famous 400-acre Horseshoe Ranch and millions of dollars in assets.

Hart’s former teen bride, Winifred Westover, challenged Hart’s will, which left most of his possessions to Los Angeles County. The pair met on the 1919 set of Hart’s film, “John Petticoats.” She was at least 34 years his junior. They would wed in 1921 and produce a son, Bill Hart Jr., nine months later. Hart had actually been engaged to his longtime sweetheart.

While she was out shopping for a wedding dress in New York City, Hart had a liaison with Winnie at their hotel room. Before Hart was to be wed, Win said she was pregnant. He broke off the engagement, married Westover and found out afterwards she wasn’t pregnant. How about that for stab and kiss. She moved out three months after the marriage. Hart helped her get back into showbiz in 1930, getting her the lead in “The Lummox.” It flopped and was her last picture. She died in 1978.

• The word “gay” certainly has changed in meaning. Note the frontpage headline in The Mighty Signal: “Signal shopper tells easy shopping in gay Newhall shops.” Gay, in this case, meant festive. Cripes. What numbskull copy editor managed to get the words “shopper,” “shopping” and “shops” in a nine-word headline?

• Christmas hot enough for you?

The thermometer flirted with 90-degree readings.

• Hart ended their season and an 11-game win streak with a 14-6 loss to San Marino in the semi-finals of CIF football.

DEC. 16, 1968

• Arguably, Atholl McBean was the most influential man in SCV history. The 89-year-old died Dec. 15. McBean had taken over a very troubled Newhall Land and Farming Co. in 1933, slowly nursed it back See TIME RANGER, page 33

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

= Family Friendly Event

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING First, Second and Third Thursdays of every month, 6-9 p.m. Are you an artist frustrated with the lack of opportunities to draw in Santa Clarita? Come to ARTree Community Arts Center for a chance to really explore your creative potential using a live model. Just drop in and bring a pencil and paper. A $10 donation is requested. ARTree Community Arts Center 22508 6th Street, Newhall, CA 9132. Info: http://theartree.org.

Third Thursday of every month, 10 a.m.

Newcomers and Friends host their “Coffee Corner” for people to learn more about the club. Now in their 32nd year with 201 members, Newcomers and Friends is a social club open to all women in the Santa Clarita Valley who are new to the area or would like to meet new friends. Enjoy monthly luncheons, activities, and trips. Call for location at a local restaurant. Info: (661) 259-0666, (661) 299-1834 or (661) 254-8796. Visit www. ncandf.com.

Fourth Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) will hold a support group for parents, allies and our LGBTQ community as they deal with the coming out process, safety issues, and other matters of importance to all. St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 24901 Orchard Village Rd, Valencia.

Info: Jennifer (661) 254-2177 or pflagscv@ gmail.com.

First and third Wednesdays of every month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. During the Western Music Association Showcase, musicians and cowboy poets perform stories and songs of the romantic Old West, contemporary music of the American West, and songs of the open range and the American cowboy.

To perform your Western music or poetry with them during this event, email wmacc@ westernmusiccalifornia.org. El Trocadero Steakhouse, 24274 Main Street, Newhall Info: wmacc@westernmusiccalifornia.org.

First and Third Tuesdays of every month, 6:30 p.m., Second and fourth Mondays of every month, 7 p.m. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) holds a free support group focused on the families that need support, education and resources at Real Life Church, 23841 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia on Mondays, and at the Department of Mental Health, 23501 Cinema Dr. on Tuesdays. For more info call (818) 3719381 or visit https://www.nami.org.

Third Monday of every month, 7-8:30 p.m. The Santa Clarita Valley Young

Democrats will hold their monthly meeting at the Round Table Pizza at 23254 Lyons Ave., Newhall. Info: https://www.facebook.com/ scvyoungdemocrats.

Every Sunday, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Come out and try one of the fastest growing sports in Santa Clarita. Dragon boating has more than 2,000 years of history behind it but here in Santa Clarita it is still relatively new at about 4 years old. We invite the community to come out to Castaic’s lower lake to give dragon boating a try. All equipment and parking will be provided free. All ages welcome from 9 years and up. Castaic Lake Dragonboat Club is for like-minded paddlers who want to work out, belong to a community, and promote this sport for all to enjoy. We accept people of all ages and sizes with a great attitude!

Castaic Lake Recreation, 32132 Castaic Lake Dr., Castaic, California. For more information please call (213) 447-5707 or visit https:// teamdragoneyes.my-free.website.

Every Monday, 10 a.m. Join us for a special Toddler Storytime at the Barnes and Noble Children’s Stage. Creekside Place, 23630 Valencia Blvd.

Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Info: 661-254-6604.

Third Friday of every month, 11:30 a.m. The Santa Clarita Veteran Services will hold a meeting as a place for veterans to obtain information and services to make life more fulfilling. University Center, Room 301, at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia. Info: scv-vets.org.

Third Thursday of every month, 10-11 a.m. Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver support group for Family and Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and related Dementia to come together, exchange information on caregiving, talk through challenges, develop a support system and learn about community resources. Home Care Services, 23340 Cinema Dr., Valencia. Contact Suzi Fox (800) 808-4777, scvevents@homecaresanta clarita.com.

Third Thursday of every month. 6:30-8 p.m. Alzheimer’s support group for caregivers, family, and friends assisting patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

Our facilitators Mary Dembkowski and Debbie DiCorrado have been trained by the Alzheimer’s Association. And both have dealt with Alzheimer’s Disease personally while taking care of their mothers. Oakmont of Santa Clarita, 28650 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia. Before attending please contact Debbie DiCorrado for info at (661) 993-2004 or dicorrado3@att.net. Please inquire about

other available locations and dates.

First and third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. The Valencia California Family History Center holds courses to help the community discover, preserve and share family histories. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 24443 McBean Parkway, Valencia 91355. Info: (661) 259-1347.

EVENTS BY DATE

cia. For cost and other questions please call (661) 347-1015. Reservations are required.

Wednesday, Dec. 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join us for the SCV Chamber Business After Hours Holiday Mixer. Meet fellow Chamber members and business leaders and enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres, seasonal beverages, and live music. Oakmont of Santa Clarita, 28650 Newhall Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Info: Cheryl Ramirez, 661702-6977 ext. 2002.

Dec. 17 to Dec. 30. On Mondays, come in your pajamas for a ride to the “North Pole” to visit with Thursday, Dec. 20, 7 a.m. - 7:30 Santa on the “North Pole Express” or on the p.m. Henry Mayo will hold a blood drive. To weekends, ride the “Sugar Plum Express.”. schedule your life-saving appointment: visit Enjoy storytelling, caroling, and cookies and redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: chocolate milk while on board. Visit Santa’s HenryMayo or call (800) Red Cross. RefreshVillage in the park and ride the Carousel or ments and snacks will be provided. Photo shop at the Christmas Craft Booths. Tickets I.D. required. Henry Mayo Education Center cost $32 or $22 for youth ages 2-12 and 23803 McBean Parkway, Valencia. Info: Emily advanced reservations are required. 364 Main VALENCIA MARKETPLACE & St, Fillmore, CA 93015. Info: (805) 524-2546 Kim, (661) 200-1306.

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SHERIFF’S Thursday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. - 9 orTHE visit http://fwry.com/holidaytrains.html. p.m. The Westfield Valencia will Tuesday, Dec.18, 10:30 a.m. meet and hold a Santa Paws event where greet, 11 a.m. meeting and lunguests can bring their pets to take a photo cheon. Santa Clarita Republican Women with Santa. 24201 West Valencia Blvd Suite Federation will hold a luncheon meeting at 150 Valencia CA 91355. Info: (661) 254-0213.

The Oaks, 26550 Heritage View Lane, Valen-

N!IN! IN! WIW W CONGRATULATIONS to Diane Albert of Canyon Country — the winner of $100 for correctly identifying the artwork as being from A Royal Suite advertisement on page 2 of our Dec. 2 issue.

OnGoing Through December 20th

PLEASE DONATE Identify this piece of artwork and the page number that it is on in one of the advertisements in this week’s issue, and you will be entered to win $100. One game and one winner each week.

New, Unwrapped Toys for Deserving Children in the Santa Clarita Valley

Mail your entry to: The Signal – Contest 26330 Diamond Place | Santa Clarita, CA 91350 The Following Merchants Or email to: contest@signalscv.com

are Accepting Toy donations: - Stevenson Ranch # Advertiser: Page Library Name: - Mod Pizza Address:

Phone:

www.ValenciaMarketplace.com on Facebook! entries are Like dueusWed. Dec. 26.

This week’s Winner to be announced in 2 weeks.

1 8 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

Opinion

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

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

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

OURVIEW

Mayoral Debacle: Lessons Have Yourself an Ethical to Learn, Hatchets to Bury (and Merry) Christmas

By The Signal Editorial Board

T

his was not Santa Clarita’s finest hour.

On Tuesday night, the City Council met, as it does each December, to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, salute the outgoing mayor, and choose its mayor and mayor pro tem for the following year.

It all went well until the last scroll was presented to outgoing Mayor Laurene Weste. Then all hell broke loose.

Most years, the selection of a “new” mayor for the following year is a rather uneventful passing of the gavel from one mayor to the next. In Santa Clarita’s council-manager form of government, the mayor is a largely ceremonial — though not insignificant — role. Santa Claritans do not directly elect the mayor. Rather, the mayor is appointed each year by the council, from within their own ranks.

He or she who has the gavel runs the meetings and sets the tone, but does not hold any greater voting power than the other four council members.

The city manager — an executive who serves at the pleasure of the five council members — actually handles the day-to-day running of the city.

The mayor also serves as the city’s “ceremonial” leader. The job involves a lot of speeches, ribbon cuttings, and photo ops while wearing a hard hat and holding a gold-colored shovel as the city breaks ground on one public improvement project or another.

Santa Clarita’s mayor is essentially a leader among equals, but make no mistake: When Weste had the opportunity to run for re-election this November as the sitting mayor, local political wags took notice of the inherent advantage it gave her on top of the “regular” benefits of incumbency.

When you’re the mayor of a well-run city like Santa Clarita, a place where people are generally pretty happy to live and their biggest complaint is the

By David Hegg

traffic, the word “mayor” sure looks good next to your name on the ballot — and all those photo ops throughout the year don’t hurt, either.

Considering all this, the council, for most of its existence since the city formed in 1987, has adhered to an understanding that the mayoralty “rotates” among council members.

Each year, they appoint the current mayor pro tem as mayor and select a new mayor pro tem who, in turn, is “on deck” to be the next mayor.

The council has deviated from the rotation on several occasions, but for the most part, they have stuck with it.

Going into Tuesday night, the 2018 mayor pro tem, long-time council member Marsha McLean, was “on deck” to be the next mayor.

But something happened on her way up to her turn at bat. Councilman Bob Kellar opened the nominations by nominating not McLean, but Councilman Cameron Smyth to be mayor.

Weste quickly seconded the motion.

McLean, expressing surprise and anger that as mayor pro tem she was not nominated to be mayor, nominated herself. Councilman Bill Miranda seconded that motion.

A rather heated discussion ensued.

Smyth indicated he would be voting for himself because, as he noted, the “first rule of politics” is to never vote against oneself. McLean said she was offended by Kellar’s motion and she felt blindsided — to which Kellar responded that he had called her earlier in the day and left her a voice mail to let her know of his intentions to nominate Smyth.

Miranda indicated that his own See OUR VIEW, page 20

I

t’s here! While we’ve been treated to advertisements, store promotions, and an occasional seasonal song since before Halloween, there is no doubt that the Christmas season has finally landed. Now the goal is not to be crushed by its weight.

You know what I mean. We start off with great hopes and expectations built on the best memories of bygone years. But too often by the time we’re putting the boxes and used wrapping in the trash we’re suffering from a mix of disappointment and exhaustion. So, how about we do things differently this year?

Here are four suggestions. Feel free to use them or lose them, as best fits your need.

First, be responsible. By this I mean financially responsible. Don’t overspend. Don’t buy things just to buy things. Don’t think that expensive presents can take the place of real love and relationship. Take your credit card statement out, tape it to your bathroom mirror, and think about how discouraging debt is. Don’t spend more than you can afford. I can guarantee, if you are financially responsible, you’ll be happy when the January statement comes.

Second, be respectful. Not everyone celebrates the same way, and some don’t celebrate Christmas at all. Don’t be the guy who snaps if someone says “Happy Holidays.” While Christmas is all about Christ, and I proudly infuse Christ into all of my seasonal conversations and celebrations, I also work for Jesus Christ and know that he isn’t pleased when I act like a jerk and dress somebody down for saying “holiday.”

On the other hand, you who don’t want the season to be about God’s plan of redemption extended to mankind in

His Son Jesus, give room and respect to those of us who do. And, BTW, we’ll let you enjoy our traditional music and church services, no questions asked.

Third, be mature. Every year nerves get frazzled as the freeway and mall get more and more crowded.

As the day approaches, parking spaces become prime real estate, and fathers gain media attention by fighting over the latest “got to have” toy. C’mon people!

How ironic is it that a season meant to remind us of God’s great love often brings frustration, anger and words that we will severely regret later? Plan on taking some extra time to get there.

Let someone go first. Open the door for a package-laden stranger, and just generally be the one smiling. Everyone will wonder what’s gotten into you, but you’ll enjoy the days much more, and so will those around you.

Lastly, be joyful. Regardless of your thoughts on Christmas, the fact is most people in our country do find the season to be a time of friendship, human warmth, beautiful music and lights, and most of all, unhurried moments with those we love. The church especially tries to make the season one that calls us away from the brokenness of this world, and the ridiculous pace of life in it, to reflect on the amazing love of almighty God. When God brought our world into being it was a perfect reflection of his own goodness. But, through Adam’s rebellious act, the virus of sin found its way into the operating system of creation, including the hearts and minds of mankind. At that point, God could have walked away and left the world to go on spinning out of control. But, because of his great love, he determined See HEGG, page 19

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 9

Opinion

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

BLACK&WHYTE

When They Tried to Kick Marsha Off the Island

By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

A

m I a bad person if I enjoyed Tuesday night’s Santa Clarita Tribal Council meeting?

Oops. Check that.

CITY Council. It was the City Council, NOT “Tribal Council.” Sorry! Honest mistake, really. This wasn’t an episode of “Survivor.” It just looked like one, minus the torches, and I was on the edge of my seat.

In a nutshell: Marsha McLean was next in line to be mayor, but Bob Kellar nominated Cameron Smyth instead, and Laurene Weste seconded the motion, but then an irate McLean nominated herself, and (deep breath…) Bill Miranda seconded THAT motion, and the discussion and vote that ensued, while an embarrassment to the city, can only be described as high drama and great theater.

Of course, I don’t think that was the council’s goal.

It was their annual “organizational” session, in which the five elected council members decide who will be their ceremonial leader for the following year and serve as mayor. There’s a tradition under which the gavel rotates among all five council members, and each year the previous year’s mayor pro tem ascends to become mayor.

The rotation has for the most part remained intact through the city’s history, and in my first stint with The Mighty Signal there was one notable, legendary exception.

It was 1999. The council was often divided 3-2 on the bigger issues, with Jill Klajic and Jan Heidt in the minority versus a majority that consisted of Jo Anne Darcy, Frank Ferry and Laurene Weste. (Having served as mayor this year, Weste is the only one of those five still on the council. In 1999, she

and Ferry were the “new” council members.)

Darcy (1931-2017), was the closest thing Santa Clarita ever had to royalty (may she rest in peace). She had served as mayor in 1999. At the beginning of the annual reorganization meeting in December 1999, Darcy presented each of her four fellow council members with a gift to commemorate their year together. The gifts? Each council member got a paperweight, which was a little smaller than a brick.

If memory serves, they were Lucite and Darcy had them engraved.

Turns out they made for great projectiles.

Once the gifts were given and the reflections on the past year were done, the council took up the business of choosing the mayor for the year 2000.

If the council stuck by its tradition of “rotating” the role, Klajic would have been due. But Klajic, an outspoken anti-growth activist, was something of a controversial figure. Ferry, Weste and Darcy did not support the notion of Klajic serving as their leader and the city’s highest-profile representative.

So, they took a bold step, one that had not been taken before and has not been replicated since: They appointed Darcy to a second consecutive oneyear term as mayor.

Klajic was steamed.

So steamed, in fact, that she “returned” the gift Darcy had given her.

Accounts vary — Klajic’s allies said she merely shoved the paperweight across the dais back toward Darcy, saying something along the lines of, “Here, you can have your gift back.”

Klajic’s opponents said it was more like she “threw” the paperweight at Darcy.

My recollection? It was more than a See WHYTE, page 20

READERLETTERS

How to Be a Leader to Help Planet Earth Cher Gilmore detailed the newly introduced Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act in her Dec. 11 op-ed "Good News and Bad News on Climate Change." The title helped me recall a quote from Steve Jobs, who many would agree was one of our country's most successful business leaders. He said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

Although the 45th “leader” chooses to deny the need for this legislation, and he indeed has no appreciation of the well-conceived innovation that is at the core of this legislation, the six congressional representatives who introduced this legislation are true leaders. Additionally, the large corporations that Ms. Gilmore lists who are committed to powering their operations with renewable energy are true leadership models. Citizens’ Climate Lobby members are leaders.

All of us can practice and model leadership in taking even small steps to reduce our carbon footprints.

You don’t have to stop driving your own car — combine your errands, carpool, walk to the corner drugstore, pump up the tires on your bicycle. Buy products not containing palm oil (an easy online search).

Reduce your consumption before you plan to buy needlessly and then recycle. Eat less beef. You will have

HEGG

Continued from page 18

that sin wouldn’t win the day.

God set about to launch a royal rescue plan by which the sentence our sin deserved in the court of heaven could be paid by another, and our brokenness made whole. Christmas is a celebration that the promised rescue has arrived in the person of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s vow

saved money after making just some of these choices, and when legislation such as that described does become law, you will have money in your pocket every month. Tell your congressional representative you support this legislation.

If stewardship of our Earth matters to you, be a leader.

Kathleen Brown, Santa Clarita

What Really Motivates Climate Change Fear?

How come the Earth was warmer 800 years ago? Could it be that it will always warm and cool greatly no matter what we do? Remember 40-some years ago when the fear was “global cooling”? In the 1880s the volcanic explosion of Krakatoa was heard over a large segment of the Earth. The ash cloud circled the whole Earth and sunshine dimmed for about five years.

Guess what? The globe cleansed itself. Could this fear of climate change be an attempt by some to get rich at everybody else’s expense?

Bob Comer, Valencia Submit a Letter to the Editor

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

together to do so in a way that doesn’t undermine the very fabric of the season. Let’s be responsible financially, respectful relationally, mature in our interaction, and joyful in our reflection. And may we all look back as the New Year dawns and recognize that we truly have had a very, very Merry Christmas!

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

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

Opinion

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 18

“standard” was to have at least four votes in favor of a new mayor. Weste said she just wanted all of the council members to get along.

Since McLean’s nomination of herself served as a “substitute” motion, the council voted on it first. Miranda and McLean voted “yes.” Smyth initially chose to abstain, but when he was told that in this case an abstention would count as a “yes,” he switched it to a “no.”

Kellar voted “no.”

That left it at a 2-2 deadlock with Weste’s vote left.

Weste, clearly torn, backed down from her support of Smyth’s nomination and cast her vote for McLean.

In the ensuing vote for mayor pro tem, the council appointed Smyth — possibly putting him in line to run for re-election as the sitting mayor in 2020.

Before she cast her vote for Smyth, McLean lamented to Miranda that she thought he should have been next in line for mayor pro tem since, as the newest council member, he is the only one who has yet to serve in either of the two leadership roles.

It seemed to escape McLean that, if she thought Miranda should have been nominated for mayor pro tem, she could have nominated him just as she

WHYTE

Continued from page 19

shove, but less than a “throw.” It was a lob. There was a distinct “thud” when it landed on the dais in front of Darcy.

It was an instant local legend, the stuff of lore, with the story getting juicier every time it was retold. The paperweight lob heard ’round the world escalated in the retelling, to the point where one would get the impression that Klajic, sporting a throwing arm that would make Aaron Rodgers weep, mercilessly rifled that Lucite brick and hit sweet old Jo Anne Darcy right between the eyes.

The truth was less interesting, but still pretty damn interesting. And, as sports talk show host Colin Cowherd likes to say, “I’m in the Interesting Business.”

Which brings me to this year’s re-

had nominated herself for mayor.

As interesting as all of this was — and we recommend you make some popcorn and check out the video of the session at signalscv.com/video729 — it was one of the low points in the governing of a city that gives us many more highs than lows.

Let’s not kid ourselves. The odds are extremely remote that the majority of the council was unaware of Kellar’s intentions before they gathered Tuesday night. It’s a fair bet that his nomination of Smyth didn’t surprise anyone on the dais. Even McLean.

It’s also a fair bet, based on her quick seconding of Kellar’s motion, that Weste intended to support Smyth as the next mayor. But when push came to shove, she backed down and left Smyth and Kellar holding the bag. Miranda made it difficult for Weste by seconding McLean’s self-nomination.

As uncomfortable as it might have been to do so, Weste should have had the courage of her convictions and stuck by her second on Kellar’s motion, as she clearly favored Smyth and only backed down to put out the fire they’d started. One way or the other, right or wrong, we expect our leaders to lead.

Expressing his disdain at essentially being thrown under the bus, Smyth characterized the whole scene as “amateur hour.”

It’s hard to disagree with that char-

acterization, and it also serves as a reminder that, as the city of Santa Clarita enters its 31st year, it’s time for our city leaders to take a hard look at how the council is elected, how it operates, and how it chooses its own mayor from within its ranks. Santa Clarita is growing, and still has some “growing up” to do.

We’ve previously suggested that the time has come for the city to consider more efficient and effective ways for local residents to elect their representatives, to better enable voters to make informed choices and to ensure a regular injection of new blood into the council. Perhaps it’s term limits, perhaps election by district, and perhaps some other solution — but the time has come for the serious discussion of such things, and for that discussion to lead to change.

Likewise, the time has come to address the issue of the mayoral “rotation.” We would suggest this: Rather than having council members feeling “entitled” to take their “turn” as the mayor, perhaps each year there should be no pretense of a rotation, and the council should elect its mayor and mayor pro tem based on merit at any given time, and have a frank discussion, in the open, like the big boys and girls they are supposed to be. Who will be most efficient at running the meetings?

Are there council members who have

not yet served as mayor but are ready for the experience? Who will best serve as the city’s ceremonial leader for the following year? Who really has the time for it? (Remember, serving on the council is a part-time job. Council members often have a “day job” that actually pays their bills.)

That’s not to say we’d like to see any one “mayor” get entrenched in the role. But it does seem the notion of a “rotation” is obsolete, and being mayor should not be some kind of participation trophy for merely serving on the council. To avoid entrenchment, perhaps the unofficial rotation could be replaced with an unofficial understanding that a mayor will not serve consecutive years in that role.

As evidenced by what happened Tuesday night, the council already has the power to deviate from the rotation.

Really, other than stroking egos and reinforcing a sense of entitlement among their elected brethren, what purpose does the rotation even serve?

On Tuesday night, it only served to promote rancor, hard feelings and an entertaining but embarrassing scene at City Hall.

Now, the challenge for the council members is to put the acrimony behind them — and get back to the business of running one of the nation’s greatest cities. 

organization meeting. “Interesting” is putting it lightly. For those who haven’t seen it yet, let me summarize: Kellar nominates Smyth, rather than McLean, then says very little the rest of the way, almost as if he had said to himself, “Well. Gonna dump a little gasoline here and toss a match on it, then see what happens!”

Fireworks. That’s what happens.

Weste seconds Kellar’s motion.

McLean, ticked off at Kellar and Weste, nominates herself. Miranda, who apparently didn’t get the memo about the plan to install Smyth as mayor instead of McLean, seconds McLean’s motion.

The five argue. Hilarity ensues, although I don’t think any of the council members thought it was at all funny.

McLean tells Kellar that what he and Weste did was “unmerited” and “rude” and could only be explained by some kind of personal vendetta. She

felt blindsided. Kellar responds that he tried to call her earlier in the day to, you know, alert her that she probably wasn’t going to be mayor and stuff, but apparently she didn’t check her voice mail before the meeting.

It goes to a vote. McLean and Miranda vote yes on her self-nomination.

Kellar and Smyth vote no, with Smyth invoking the “never-vote-against-yourself ” rule of politics.

Weste, facing the chore of breaking a 2-2 tie — which I am betting was NOT part of the plan — invokes the memory of Rodney King and says she just wants everyone to get along. She decides the best way to promote harmony is to vote for McLean, despite being the one who seconded Kellar’s motion.

Smyth, bus-sized tire tracks running right up the back of his suit coat, launches into a bit of a rant that can best be summed up as, “Thanks for

making ME look like the A-hole.”

They then nominate Smyth as mayor pro tem, and he’s approved, for the most part without further incident except for McLean lamenting out loud that no one (uh, including her…) bothered to nominate Miranda for mayor pro tem, leaving him as the only council member never to be nominated for one of the council’s two special titles.

McLean was sworn in as mayor, then brought the episode to a perfect end, saying, “Can we eat cake now?”

And, presumably, they ate cake. But that part was off-camera.

If you’re in the Interesting Business, this was pure gold. But thankfully, on Tuesday night, one thing remained missing from the ceremonies: Paperweights.

Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays. 

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 21

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Water hammer and pressure problems

By Robert Lamoureux Signal Contributing Writer

Water hammer and pressure problems 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:

Sometimes installing an expansion tank can help solve persistent problems with water pressure. COURTESY PHOTO

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

1. Mid-Sept., Culligan replaced the used soft water tank for a full

2. About 10 days later, a product called a Heater Treater attached to our Noritz Tankless sprung a leak where 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

Water hammer is a plumbing problem in which a knocking noise in a water pipe that can happen when a tap is quickly shut off. COURTESY PHOTO

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 a.m. 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,W 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. 

22 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Small kitchen improvements that maximize functionality

M

any homeowners wish for expansive kitchens.

Modernized kitchens that include sought after features and showcase the latest trends go a long way to improving the overall value of a home.

As desirable as such kitchens may be, some homes simply don’t have enough space for a centerfold-worthy kitchen featuring an island, wine refrigerator and walk-in pantry. However, homeowners with small kitchens can still improve the form and function of their existing spaces.

Reconfigure and revamp cabinetry

Homeowners whose kitchens are small often lament their lack of storage. Redesigning the layout of cabinets, and possibly adding some more cabinetry, may take care of certain storage issues. The experts at Merit Kitchens suggest utilizing corner space with LeMans units, lazy susans and other gadgets to make access to these areas easier. Going vertical with wall cabinets that extend to the

consider the ultimate function of the kitchen and then think about which appliances will serve them well.

Homeowners with small kitchens may not need a large stand mixer or an oversized commercial stove.

Add some glass

The DIY Network recommends incorporating glass to improve the perception of space in small kitchens.

Glass lets you see through the objects, thereby enhancing the feeling of spaciousness or what designers call “negative space.” Glass also can be reflective, visually expanding the space.

Modernized kitchens that include sought-after features and showcase the latest trends go a long way to improving the overall value of a home. COURTESY PHOTO

ceiling also can add more storage, as can roll-in work carts.

inet toaster oven and microwave to create more counter space.

Work with the walls

Use scaled-down appliances

Small kitchens require clever usage of vertical space. Vertical storage units, hooks, shelving, and more can move items out of drawers and off of counters. Consider an under-the-cab-

Shop with size in mind when looking at new appliances if you have a small kitchen. Compact versions won’t take up as much space as larger alternatives. Homeowners should

Embrace high-end materials

It costs less to renovate small spaces than bigger areas, so homeowners may be able to afford high-end materials that really add personality to a kitchen. Flooring, counter materials and quality fixtures can really set small kitchens apart.

Small kitchens can be culinary havens with the right improvements to maximize the space.  —Metro Connection

Household items that can be reused

“R

euse, reduce, recycle” is a mantra used by many eco-conscious men and women. Reducing, reusing and recycling is not just a great way to conserve energy and natural resources, but also an effective means to saving money.

Men and women may not know it, but they likely have many items

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around the house that they can reuse and repurpose. This can reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills and help conserve the resources used to manufacture new products.

The following are some common household items that can be reused or repurposed.

Containers Glass jars and coffee cans are two examples of containers

that don’t have to be discarded once the pasta sauce or coffee grains have been used up. Foodies who like to make their own sauces or spreads can repurpose old pasta sauce jars into storage for their homemade foods, such as marmalades, while coffee cans can be turned into storage for miscellaneous tools such as nails or screws. Parents of young children can even turn old pasta jars into banks for their children, who may grow excited as they watch the jars gradually fill up with coins.

Plastic milk jugs/water bottles Gardeners can turn gallon milk jugs that would otherwise go into the recycling bin into watering cans for the plants in their gardens. Water bottles can be reused to water indoor plants.

Takeout containers The organization Ocean Conservancy notes that single-use plastics, including plastic takeout containers, are among the biggest threats to the world’s oceans.

But plastic takeout containers need

not be used once and discarded.

Many such containers are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, meaning they can be reused over and over. Use such containers to store leftovers or as serving dishes when hosting less formal affairs at home.

Toothbrushes In lieu of discarding plastic toothbrushes once they’re no longer effective at cleaning teeth, men and women can repurpose them as cleaning utensils to use for hardto-reach spots. Toothbrushes can be used to clean rims around toilets and to scrub grime between bathroom and kitchen sink fixtures.

Many inexpensive items people are accustomed to discarding can be reused and repurposed, which can help remove tons of garbage from landfills and reduce the amount of plastics that find their way into the world’s oceans.  —Metro Connection

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 23

The magic of building with gingerbread

K I D S & FA M I LY

By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

G

ingerbread houses might be a commonplace sight around the holidays, but they’re suspected to have roots in a popular 16th century German fairytale.

The Brothers Grimm are believed to have laid the foundation for the first gingerbread houses with the story of Hansel and Gretel, according to a recent article on PBS. Now, gingerbread houses are a holiday staple. People of all ages take part in decorating these houses, from children in classrooms or at home, to adults who enter into competitive gingerbread house building competitions.

Clarice’s Cake & Candy Supplies owner Nanci Olmos gives workshops and talks about how to make the best gingerbread house for the holidays.

The design of a gingerbread house may look simple, but constructing a long-lasting house takes time.

Firm walls

Olmos says to bake the walls “so they have a firm gingerbread.”

“You cannot build a recipe the

Clarice’s owner Nanci Olmos demonstrates how to apply royal icing during a recent class at Clarice’s Cake and Candy Supplies in Newhall. PHOTO

BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Jack Kozell, 2, points at the gingerbread houses on display at the Festival of Trees as his grandpa Jack and grandma Jodie Baker watch him on Friday. A gingerbread house isn’t just a sweet treat, it can also be a centerpiece-worthy display around the home. SIGNAL FILE PHOTO

same as cookies.”

This is because cookies are softer, but the walls of a sturdy gingerbread house need to be stable.

“Having a firm structure is vital,” she said. “Having a soft cookie will not hold up.”

Olmos explains that once the roof

and walls go on, there is a lot of weight on the gingerbread house.

“Once you put the icing, it gets heavy,” she added.

She recommends using royal icing to construct the houses.

“It’s meringue powder, powdered sugar and water,” she explains. “If

you use buttercream, it has an oil base, and it will collapse and soak into the cookies.”

Olmos says that royal icing is “cake-decorator cement” that will preserve the structure of the gingerbread house for a long time.

See MAGIC, next page

Gingerbread makes the perfect holiday treat

T

he holiday season is synonymous with many things, including family gatherings, shopping, elaborate lighting displays, and Santa Claus.

For foodies, this time of year is the perfect opportunity to indulge one’s love of baked goods.

Between office parties and gatherings with family and friends, it’s hard to avoid baked treats come the holiday season. Perhaps no baked good is more closely linked to the holidays than gingerbread, an indulgence many people enjoy only around Christmastime. Holiday hosts or those who want to bring a dessert to their next holiday gathering can whip up this recipe for “Sticky Chocolate Gingerbread” from Maxine Clark’s “Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers” (Ryland, Peters & Small).

Sticky Chocolate Gingerbread Yield: One 8-inch cake 2 1/3 cups dark molasses 6 ounces dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa solids), grated 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground ginger 5 ounces whole pieces preserved stem ginger, drained and roughly chopped 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, sifted (to remove lumps) 2 medium eggs, beaten 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons milk, warmed

A pinch of salt

Extra-large crystallized ginger pieces, to scatter (optional)

A deep 8-inch square cake pan or 8 x 6 x 3-inch oval cake pan

Preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease and line the

base and sides of the cake pan with nonstick parchment paper.

Put the molasses in a pan and heat gently until hot, but do not allow it to boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until melted.

Sift the flour, ground ginger and salt together in a bowl. Add the stem ginger and toss it around in the flour until every piece is coated.

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs, then the molasses and chocolate mixture and finally the flour mixture. Dissolve the baking soda in the milk and gradually beat this into the batter.

Pour into the prepared cake pan, scatter with the crystallized ginger, if using, and bake for 45 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 F and bake for another 30 minutes. (If using the oval pan, cook for about 45 minutes at the

higher temperature, then about one hour at the lower temperature, as it will be deeper.) A metal skewer inserted into the center should come out clean. Let cool for five minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

When cold, store in an airtight container for at least a couple of days to mature and become sticky. Don’t worry if it sinks a bit in the middle — this is normal.

— Metro Connection

24 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Make Easy French ‘Chocolate Mousse’

F

rench-born Nicole Winters enjoys telling the story of serving her favorite chocolate dessert from her childhood at a Christmas party gathering of over 20 friends and family. When her 3-year-old grandson, Jacob, stepped up to the dessert table after the meal, a woman offered him a small bowl and asked, “Would you like some chocolate pudding?” “It’s not pudding, it’s ‘mousse au chocolat’!” he confidently exclaimed with a perfect French accent. “I was so surprised,” said Nicole. “He had just been in the kitchen cooking with me the day before when I taught him how to say those French words.

Cooking together is an enjoyable way for me to pass on family food traditions from my background and culture to my children and grandchildren, which I believe is so important.” Since her easy blender version of rich “mousse au chocolat” (chocolate mousse) doesn’t use raw eggs like the traditional French recipe, and it comes together effortlessly in just 10 minutes, it captured my attention for our family holi-

Easy Blender ‘Chocolate Mousse’

1 2 1 3/4

cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips tablespoons sugar teaspoon vanilla extract cup whole milk Cream cheese (3 ounces), cut into several pieces Fresh raspberries or whipped cream for topping

1. Place chocolate chips, sugar and vanilla in your blender.

2. Heat milk in a saucepan to almost scalding. It should be steaming. Immediately pour it into the blender over the chocolate day menus. I gave it a whirl in our blender, poured it into small dessert bowls, and let it chill in the refrigerator overnight. Topped with fresh raspberries or a dollop of whipped cream, it’s a keeper.

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.” 

DID YOU KNOW? Gingerbread fun facts

G

ingerbread is a broad term that can describe anything from a firm and crispy cookie to a moist,

soft cake.

Traditionally, gingerbread is seasoned with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and other aromatic spices. Molasses and brown sugar counteract the spice with sweetness.

North Americans have been baking gingerbread in various shapes or forms for more than 200 years, and the recipes even pre-date the American revolution.

However, gingerbread dates back even further to the Shakespearean era, with The Bard having mentioned it in one of his plays. Gingerbread’s name can be traced to medieval England and once referred to any kind

of preserved ginger.

The term went on to reference ginger-flavored cakes in the 15th century, and gingerbread eventually became popular throughout the world. Even though gingerbread cakes and cookies have been made for centuries, Germans are often credited with creating gingerbread houses, according to Smithsonian.

They were probably modeled after the witch’s candy cottage in the German fairy tale, “Hansel and Gretel.”

Even though gingerbread can be made any time of year, it is particularly associated with the Christmas season, with gingerbread men and other fanciful shapes turning up on cookie platters.

— Metro Connection

chips, sugar and vanilla, cover and blend for 30 seconds.

3. Add cream cheese pieces and blend until smooth.

4. Pour into six small dessert dishes or a dessert bowl. Refrigerate at least two hours, until set. 5. To serve, top each dish or serving dish with a few raspberries or a dollop of whipped cream. A little sprig of fresh mint is a nice touch for a special occasion.

Makes 6 servings.

MAGIC

Continued from previous page

Next, it’s important to have a firm base.

“Some people put it on a thin cardboard, but it’s flimsy when they pick it up,” she explains.

Instead, build the gingerbread house on a thicker piece of cardboard or a tray.

“I’ve built them on glass tiles,” Olmos said. “You can build them on anything as long as it’s firm.”

Decorating details

After building a solid structure, remember to add the details to the gingerbread house.

Olmos suggests decorating windows and adding M&Ms or gumdrops around the base to simulate plants growing.

You can even add “yard art,” like a tree and a fence, she said.

Then, make sure the walls of the gingerbread house completely dry.

Olmos says the best way to make sure the walls are stable is to let them dry for an hour — or maybe even over night — then to put the roof on.

Patience is a virtue of the gingerbread builder, she noted: If the walls have not had the chance to dry, Olmos says the frosting might make the entire house collapse.

“If you build the walls and let them dry overnight then put the

roof on, you will be more successful,” she explained.

Because the cookies may shrink in size but the icing does not, make sure to completely dry out the cookies before using them to build the walls of the gingerbread house.

After the walls are set and the roof is frosted on, enjoy the creative part of building a gingerbread house by adding unique details.

Olmos says that her favorite part of seeing all the gingerbread houses fully decorated is that no two are the same.

She says no matter how the houses start off, people come in with the same one and “go home with 100 percent different (gingerbread houses).”

Olmos teaches classes for the holidays at Clarice’s Cake & Candy Supplies — including how to make gingerbread houses, sugar snowballs and holiday cookie wreaths — but there is only room on the waitlist right now. However, families can stop by the shop to purchase their own gingerbread house making kits and other candy supplies to decorate at home. Olmos says anyone interested in decorating a gingerbread house can also find candy to use as decorations at discount stores.

For more information about Clarice’s classes, contact (661) 2590352 or visit its location at 22936 Lyons Ave., Newhall.

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 25

SCHOOLS

8 things to consider when choosing a high school

P

lanning ahead for the future often involves having a strong educational foundation upon which a secure and financially rewarding career can be built. While many students and families give ample thought to where they will attend college, taking such an approach to high school can be beneficial as well.

High school is a critical time in a child’s life. Many students simply attend their local public high schools, even if that school may not be the best fit for the student. It behooves families to investigate other possibilities they have to ensure teenagers end up in the right academic environment during high school.

Public schools, private/religious institutions and specialty and vocational

Academics, college preparation, campus size and extracurricular activities all should be considered when choosing a high school. COURTESY PHOTO

schools may have different assets that set them apart. Therefore, students and their parents can look at various factors to determine which school will present them with the right environment and tools for success.

1. Identify needs and wants. Have a frank discussion as a family regarding what the student is looking to get out of the high school experience, as well as which settings help him or her learn the best.

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. 17 Tuesday, Dec. 18 Wednesday, Dec. 19 Thursday, Dec. 20 Friday, Dec. 21

BREAKFAST Yogurt & Crackers Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice Breakfast Bagel B reakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Maple Burst’n Mini Pancakes Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Apple Cinnamon Muffin & String Cheese Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fresh Fruit Breakfast Pizza Breakfast Bun Cereal Chilled Fruit Fruit Juice

LUNCH Lil Kahuna Double Dog Spicy Chicken Sandwich Chicken Sandwich Cheesy Stix& Marinara Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes Chicken Nuggets PBJ Sandwich & String Cheese Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Corn Dog Dippin’ Chicken & Sauce Cheeseburger Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Celebration Cookie Macaroni & Cheese Dippin’ Chicken & Sauce Deli Sandwich Smart Choice Pizza Seasonal Salad Bar Frozen Fruit Cup Toasty Grilled Cheese Sandwich Chicken Nuggets Smart Choice Pizza Manager’s Choice Seasonal Salad Bar

2. Look at programs offered. Schools vary in their offerings. Comprehensive high schools offer a smorgasbord of courses to appeal to as many students as possible. Magnet or specialty schools may have specialized focuses, such as STEM, communications, business or art.

3. How much college prep is desired?

While most schools offer advanced placement courses that can translate into college credit, some offer specialty tracks that enable high school students to earn a high school diploma and associate’s degree concurrently.

4. Check out campus size. The number of students on campus and teacher-to-student ratio can affect how some students learn. Social kids may like big schools, while an intimate setting may bring others out of their shells.

5. Consider religious affiliations.

Many families like a faith-based program and religious schools often blend faith into their curriculum.

6. Pay attention to finances. Tuition costs can impact which school a student attends.

7. Map the school location. Decisions also can be based on how close a school may be. Long commutes can eat into extracurricular activities or family time.

8. What clubs and activities are offered? School decisions also can be based on the activities that help develop well-rounded students. Athletes may seek schools with strong sports programs, for example.

Students can explore all possibilities in their local areas and beyond when determining where to attend high school.  —Metro Connection

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26 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

H O L I D AY

o Holiday cards: Send personal greetings, customize delivery

By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

H

oliday cards are definitely changing, as e-cards and emails replace traditional paper greetings.

But for holiday 2018, what is the etiquette that one should keep and throw away?

Reference-checking firm Allison & Taylor notes that approximately half of all reference checks they conduct reveal negative input from the references, and so there is a rhyme and reason behind sending the best card.

But, whatever you do, the most important noticeable thing that multiple experts note is: Make it personal.

Cards should not be written in bulk, said employees of Hallmark branches in Santa Clarita.

Employees at Debbie’s Hallmark Shop and Ruggle’s Hallmark Shop at the Westfield Valencia Town Center suggested that customers buy cards with the intent of sending sentimental messages.

Many customers often buy cards in bulk and simply sign them, but this is actually a faux pas that does not

Personal gifts are a nice thought around the holidays, but its also important to follow gift etiquette. PHOTOS BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

convey appreciation, one worker at Debbie’s Hallmark Shop said.

Wendi Weiner, a national career expert consultant, also writes on a blog that a personalized greeting , if kept short but professional and courteous, will lead to a better reciprocation.

A popular custom is to send the handwritten holiday cards to colleagues and clients during holidays, but the type of card may also lead colleagues scratching their heads over

what is best.

Often, the type of card one sends is dependent on the work culture.

If a company prizes being hip and modern, sending an e-card is more cost-efficient and also with the times.

But if a company is more established and traditional and appreciates conservative business, a physical card will be more appreciated, Weiner writes.

Whatever you do, the best way to go is to explain your decision,

especially if you go more of an avant-garde route.

HR firms also note that sending a holiday greeting makes a favorable impression with a company, so don’t opt out.

The best times to send cards are as early as possible, such as around mid-December, so workers and bosses have optimal time to respond if possible, the firm writes in an email.

Non-denominational cards are also best — not every employee celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah.

Sending an appropriate and thoughtful holiday greeting will surely work to your favor in cultivating your professional relationships and references, the firm writes, and if you play your cards right, could even better workplace relations. 

Gift with a holiday flourish

By Marina Anderson Signal Staff Writer

G

ifts under the tree are a beautiful sight indeed!

But what could make the one you give stand out from the rest?

If you’re a DIYer, there’s plenty of arts and crafts decorations you can make like embellish ornaments with rhinestones, crystals, glitter or other sparkly things or cozy, fuzzy socks attached to the top of a package.

There’s a plethora of ideas to soak up by strolling down the isles of 99 Cent store, Joann’s Fabrics or Michaels, if you’re just looking for a little accent.

For those who love to bake, prep your cookie with a hole at the top to thread a pretty ribbon and attached the blinged-out baked goodie to a package. But if you’re not a baker or

handy with a glue gun or don’t want to just stick a run-of-the-mill ornament on top of your present, you can add a special “WOW!” factor by checking out the unusual and more personalized options offered by a few of our local retailers that will make your gift unique and a memory to be cherished.

Edible decor

It’s true when they say, “big gifts sometimes come in small packages,” but what about decorating them? That can be a challenge because they’re, well… small.

Here’s a place to solve that problem: Hide your gift inside a cupcake or cake! When I contacted Jill’s Cake Creations, Alissa Perez told me they were in the middle of constructing the Challenger space shuttle for the Netflix show, “Glow.”

“That’s nothing out of the ordinary”

for this bakery, she explained. From a snowman, Christmas tree, Santa, Rudolph the reindeer to a cake shaped and decorated like a gift complete with holiday wrapping (edible, of course), they can pretty much bake your heart’s desire. Your gift can be placed in a specified area in the cake, with an adornment marking the spot where to cut and serve to your intended.

For an extra wild and special effect, they can even make part of the decoration light up. Not just with sparklers, but imagine a Christmas tree cake with the star at the stop that lights up and a gift hidden inside the tree.

“We’re doing a candle (cake) with LED lights in it now,” Perez cheerfully adds.

Picking your favorite design for the decoration, cake flavor, frosting and layer filling adds other dimensions to making this a treat for the senses.

PHOTO BY AUSTIN DAVE / THE SIGNAL

Personalize it

For a very personalized gift embellishment, Things Remembered is a classic option at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

There’s a treasure trove of choices here from personalizing stuffed See GIFTS, page 34

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

H O L I D AY

Christmas is coming: What to Watch?

By Ryan Mancini Signal Staff Writer

“Y

ippee ki yay!” — Christmas is around the corner and it’s time to pop in a movie.

But with any other film, the Christmas movie genre has its own distinctions. Depending on who you ask, it might not even be a Christmas movie that gets people into the holiday spirit.

Even nationally, everyone’s favorite holiday movie certainly varies from state to state. According to HowtoWatch.com, a wide array of films from across the decades popped up following an experiment with Google Trends. The top three titles, “Elf,” “Scrooged” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” all made it to the top of their list over several states.

Keep in mind, not every Christmas movie per state is for the whole family. The Stanley Kubrick-helmed thriller “Eyes Wide Shut” is preferred in Colorado, Florida and Massachusetts, according to the digital data collected.

North Dakota’s favorite film was the 2015 horror film “Krampus,” while the comedy sequel “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” found love in the heart of Texas.

The more standard films in the genre have a special place for people living in Santa Clarita, too, some of which have connections to the city itself.

Parts of the Arnold Schwarzenegger comedy “Jingle All the Way” were

filmed at Vasquez Rocks, and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” was directed by CalArts alumnus Tim Burton, according to Evan Thomason, economic development associate with the Santa Clarita Film Office.

Thomason said he remembered watching holiday animations, featuring actor and singer Burl Ives, best known as Sam the Snowman in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

“Growing up, there were less channels on the television,” he said. “So (those movies) were just on. You’d look forward to your favorites and mark your calendar.”

Though she grew up watching “The Santa Clause” with her grandmother, Santa Clarita resident Jillian Smith has had a love of watching iterations of “The Nutcracker” ballet on PBS. “‘The Nutcracker’ ballet is just beautiful to watch,” she said. “They’re so amazing.”

Not all of these traditions adhere to the Christmas film genre. Although “Bad Santa” is her favorite Christmas movie, Stevenson Ranch resident Sharlene Smith Nguyen said her family loves to watch the 2013 Marvel film “Guardians of the Galaxy” as a newer holiday tradition “‘Bad Santa’ is hilarious, but it also

shows how a ‘bad’ person can change with the Christmas spirit and be a better human being,” she said. “(As for) ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ we just stumbled on (it) one year and now it’s a new tradition. We like the theme that your family isn’t necessarily your blood, and it can be made up of the friends in your life.”

Responses to a Facebook post by The Signal about people’s favorite films and traditions ranged from classics like “White Christmas” to newer films like “The Polar Express.”

Another film that received a lot of love was “Die Hard.” Though not a stereotypical Christmas movie, the

setting of Nakatomi Plaza on Christmas Eve has re-imagined the 1988 action film in recent years.

Newhall resident Diane Bilyeu commented on the post with a list of seven films that play while she and her husband prepare for Christmas.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, they watch “Plains, Trains and Automobiles” to “get the holiday season started,” she said. As they decorate the house and set up their Christmas tree, they pop in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “A Christmas Story.” To See MOVIES, page 34

PHOTOS FROM IMDB

28 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

FOOD

Charcoal Grill Chicken offers homestyle flavor

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

D

o you ever walk by a neighbor’s house when they have a tantalizing grill going and wish you were invited over?

Well, at Charcoal Grill Chicken, you’re more than welcome to come in and get some of the best grilled chicken you’ll ever have.

Located in a small strip mall, this is a modest, family-friendly place with basic tables and chairs, handwritten signs, cheery orange walls and the delicious scent of grilling meat.

Owner Juan Vasquez hails from a long line of cooks in Guadalajara, and began grilling chicken with his parents at the age of 16. He operated El Rey de Pollo in North Hollywood before opening Charcoal Grill Chicken a year and a half ago in Canyon Country.

It’s a family affair, with wife Es-

meralda and 18-year-old son Ismael helping to handcraft the restaurant’s heartfelt dishes, sides and salsas.

“This is the type of food that’s real, that everyone enjoys,” he says.

“We like to take our time, because it makes the flavor better.”

Indeed, Charcoal Grill’s chicken starts with a long marinade in citrus, garlic and spices. Your order will take 10 minutes or so, but it’s worth the wait, especially when you’re provided with complimentary rich, creamy bean dip, spicy roasted salsa and warm, golden chips fried from homemade tortillas. Just try to restrain yourself from eating the whole basket (it’s not easy) — because you’ll want to leave room for the main event.

The chicken ($6.99 for two pieces, $3.99 for three pieces, $9 for a half or $17 for a whole) is just as good as it smells. The skin is perfectly crisp and the meat is succulent, with smoky flavor permeating every bite.

See HOMESTYLE, on page 37

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Juan Vasquez and his son Ismael with several of the fantastic dishes at Charcoal Grill Chicken, a family-run restaurant in Canyon Country. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SATHE / THE SIGNAL

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

PETS

Keep your pet warm this winter

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

J

udging by the hats, hoodies and scarves being worn by people around town, winter has arrived in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Mornings and evenings are especially frigid, with temperatures dropping under 40 degrees.

We’re not the only ones feeling the chill, according to veterinarian Brianna Wilson of Happy Pets Veterinary Center.

“A good rule of thumb is if it is too cold or hot for you, then it is cold or hot for your pet,” Wilson said. “Around 45 degrees is when it’s getting cold enough to mildly effect pets.”

Those effects present themselves as shivering, your pet seeking a heat source and experiencing fatigue.

When temperatures hit freezing (32 degrees), things can get more serious.

“We become most concerned about frostbite and hypothermia or a pet’s temperature dropping below normal body temperature, which ranges from 99 to 102.5 degrees for dogs and cats,” Wilson said.

Signs of life-threatening hypothermia include intense shivering, slow breathing, fatigue or lethargy, stiff muscles, fixed pupils that won’t constrict in light, and finally coma or death.

Such symptoms require immediate veterinary care, which usually

Well insulated clothing for pets can be both useful in keeping them warm and stylish.

includes slowly warming up the body over a period of several hours as to not send a pet into shock, making sure blood sugar levels stay adequate and that proper hydration is maintained.

Any small, short-haired pet is at risk in cold weather, especially those that have been recently groomed.

Even those with long hair and thick undercoats that fare better in cold weather can still fall prey to other problems.

“Some breeds are ‘made’ for snow and below-zero temperatures, however they still run a big risk of frostbite, cuts on the extremities or paw pads, chapped noses and lip edges. If you have your groomer remove any of the

top or under coat, your pet is now less insulated and cannot tolerate as cold of temperatures as before,” Wilson said. “And when any pet drinks water, they can be messy and can get on their face, legs and paws, which opens them up to frostbite easier and chapped skin.”

In short, keeping pets inside the home is the best prevention to any of these issues, not to mention the right thing to do, as Wilson pointed out.

“Having to ‘tolerate’ cold temperature isn’t exactly a good quality life, which is what we should strive to provide for our pets,” she said.

Some pets even appreciate the extra warmth of wearing clothing made especially for them. To find out if your pet is a fashionista, Wilson suggested the following: • Don’t put a sweater or sweatshirt on them and leave for the day.

Introduce them to wearing it when you are home to monitor them and ensure they don’t get snagged the clothing snagged on anything or try to scratch it off and tangle a nail in the fabric. (A fabric sweatshirt material may not be as cute as a knit sweater, but it is less likely to get caught on your pet or other things around the house).

Regardless of whether your pet has a thick natural coat or is a short-hair breed, they can become susceptible to the cold. COURTESY PHOTOS.

• Signs that your pet is not enjoying the clothing experience include scratching at it non-stop, chewing at it, running around in circles or rubbing their whole body on the floor or couch.

Your pets will exhibit symptoms such as fatigue and slow breathing if their health is at risk due to cold weather.

• You need to ease them into it gently. Giving low-calorie treats (like a frozen Kong stuffed with xylitol-free peanut butter, plain Greek yogurt or a mix of the two) or a favorite toy is a good way to re-focus their energy on something else until they get used to having the sweater on.

• Signs that pets are comfortable in clothing are either indifferent to having it on, may scratch one or two times briefly, or may be excited to see the object that is going to make them warm and want to wear it. (The last is especially true when it signifies you are going for a walk and your pet really enjoys their outdoor time).

• Once you know they are comfortable wearing their clothing and there isn’t risk of getting caught anywhere in the house, then you may leave them alone wearing it.

• The same process applies to dog booties. Having your dog wear these outside is a good idea to prevent unwanted cuts or frostbitten toes. 

32 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

T R AV E L

The season for a snow trip

By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

’T

is the season to snowboard, sled and make snow angels. With the closest snowfall less than an hour away from Santa Clarita, a day trip can make everlasting winter memories for all ages.

Whether it’s your first time in the snow, or you have a season pass to the ski resort, there are a few important tips to remember while heading up the mountain.

First, wear weather appropriate clothing. Temperatures in the mountains can be below 30 degrees during snowfall, so it is important to stay warm. Waterproof snow pants, a snow jacket, gloves, beanies and warm socks are a few clothing suggestions. If you plan to go skiing or snowboarding, goggles are suggested for safety.

Another safety tip is important during travel, snow chains.

“You can expect strict chain control at any given time. It’s strictly enforced,” said Officer Rich Anthes, Public Information Officer for the Fort Tejon Area Office of the California Highway Patrol. “There are no exceptions.”

This is for your safety, during natural snowfall, cars can be stopped before going up the mountain if they are without snow chains or 4-wheeldrive.

“They will turn people away when it becomes to crowded in cars,” Officer Anthes said.

Frazier Park

When headed up the mountain to Frazier Park, it is important to be respectful of property owners and stay off of private property.

“When pulling off the road to park, pull completely off the roadway,” Officer Anthes said.

When the roads are icy, go slowly.

“When the sun starts setting the snow turns into ice,” Officer Anthes said. “Maybe bring have a shovel in the car.”

Frazier park Mount Pinos is a place many families go sledding or just play in the snow.

As the location is family friendly, it

is important to watch for children as many people pull off the roadway to play in the snow.

Mountain High

For skiers and snowboarders, a 75-minute drive to Mountain High is perfect for a day trip.

“Mountain High consists of three separate areas; East, West, and North,” according to its website.

The snow resort offers rentals, sport shops, food and beverage facilities and more.

The slopes are open morning until night from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily.

“Your single Mountain High ticket is good at all places and traveling from resort to resort is easy with our free shuttle service,” according to its website.

Mountain High offers a resort with beginner terrain catering to families and introductory skiers that is open on peak weekends and holidays.

Mountain High North also includes the North Pole Tubing Park with up to 10 lanes and two moving carpets.

“When you choose Mountain High, you are guaranteed to spend less time on the road and more time on the mountain,” according to its site.

For more information on Mountain High, or to buy tickets, go to www.mthigh.com.

Big Bear

Bear Mountain and Snow Summit renowned for their mountain biking, hiking and golf in the summer has turned into a winter wonderland for skiing and snowboarding.

Opening three weeks earlier than last year, the mountains are filled with natural and made made snow for all ages to enjoy.

“We’re known as SoCal’s snow capital,” said Justin Kanton, marketing manager for Big Bear Mountain Resort. “Snow Summit is open seven days a week and Bear Mountain is open seven days a week beginning Friday.”

With two slopes, the resort caters to all ages. “We’re calling it the season to learn,” he said.

Snow Summit is more family-centric and Bear Mountain has more terrain for more advanced skiers and snowboarders, Kanton said.

PHOTO BY MICHELE LUTES / THE SIGNAL

The resort offers lessons for riders 4 and up. They also offer a place called Grizzly Ridge, for families and little kids who are not necessarily looking to ski or snowboard, Kanton said.

“We pride ourselves on our teaching staff.”

The resort currently has five runs open, but plans to expand as the weather conditions permit.

Throughout the season they are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The first night session will be Dec. 8 from 6-8:30 p.m.

You can book tickets in advance online, Kanton said. “Season passes are currently on sale too.”

Prices for season passes go up on Dec. 22.

Depending on the weather, Big Bear Resort is scheduled to remain open until April, Kanton said.

Besides the slopes, the Big Bear resort offers events throughout the season.

For more information on events and ticket pricing, go to www. bigbearmountainresort.com.

Mammoth Mountain

Located off Highway 395 about 200 miles away from Santa Clarita, Woolly the Mammoth shreds snow with riders down Mammoth Mountain.

The mountain offers 3,500 skiable acres at three different lodges seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,said Justin Romano, communications assistant with Mammoth Resorts.

Main Lodge, Eagle Lodge and Canyon Lodge are open to all ages.

“Canyon Lodge is the best beginner area,” Romano said. “They offer lessons from there.”

The resort offers group and private lessons. Groups for ages 3-4, 5-7, 8-12, 13 and up and privates for all ages.

They also rent equipment, Romano said. “We rent everything, bindings, boards, helmets and more.”

Woolly’s Kids Park is on the road up to the Main Lodge, he said. “It’s fun for whole family.”

With options for all ages, the resort will be open as long as possible, weather permitting.

“We’re letting fun rule,” Romano said. “There is something for everyone on the mountain. It snows a whole lot here.”

As of Monday, Mammoth Mountain had the most snow in country, he said. “This is the place you want to be riding this winter break.”

For tickets and more information, go to www.mammothmountain.com.

June Mountain

Mammoth Mountain’s sister resort, June Mountain opens December 21.

“Kids 12 and under ski free there,” Romano said. “It’s a great family mountain.”

The mountain is located about 18 miles north of Mammoth.

For more information go to www. junemountain.com.

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

TIMERANGER

Continued from page 16

to health, then helped make it one of the most influential companies in California. He died in San Francisco, not living long enough for the ribbon cutting a few weeks later for the boulevard named in his honor McBean Parkway.

• Signal publisher Scott Newhall penned an editorial entitled: “An Ultimatum to the Flu.” In it, Scotty wrote: “... this newspaper would like to take a strong stand on the controversial flu issue which threatens to bring this nation to a halt over the Christmas holidays. For the record, we hereby declare that we are absolutely opposed to any kind of virus, foreign or domestic, disabling any citizen of this valley.” Scott ended by writing: “If the Hong Kong flu rears its ugly head here, we will retaliate with our own Valencia Valley virus, which will be dispatched at once to distant Hong Kong for suitable revenge.”

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 33

DEC. 16, 1978

• A pair of youthful hitchhikers thumbed the ride of their lives.

They were picked up on Lyons by a man driving a Yellow Cab. The two thumbers didn’t realize that Nels Carlson had just swiped the taxi in L.A., stopped in Newhall for a fill-up, then got back on the freeway to resume the high-speed pursuit with CHP, LAPD and local sheriff ’s deputies.

Well. That about does it. Always mixed feelings, returning to the here and now. You folks have safe, sane and serene holidays. Merry DARN Christmas!! See you next week with another exciting Time Ranger history adventure. Until then vayan con Dios y Feliz Navidad!  John Boston, aka, Mr. Santa Clarita Valley, has been writing about and teaching the history of the SCV for more than 40 years. Read his historical tome, “Images of America: The Santa Clarita Valley.” It’s available on Amazon.com.

A Head-to-Toe Guide to Winter Warmth

By Matilda Charles Signal Conttributing Writer

T

he official start of winter is just weeks away, and if the two popular almanacs are accurate, much of the country is going to have a brutal winter with lots of snow, cold and ice.

For seniors, weather this cold can present problems. Sometimes circulation isn’t the best because blood vessels aren’t as elastic as they once were. Seniors also lose a fat layer under the skin. Hypothermia is a very real danger, but there are ways to stay warm when you have to go out.

Head Heat also rises out of the top of the head. Even when you’re indoors, a cap can help you stay warm.

For outdoors, look for an insulated one that also covers your ears.

Neck Heat rises, and all that saved-up core heat can escape unless you use a scarf. Thick ones that wind around the neck more than once will go a long way toward holding in trapped warmth.

Hands Double up on the layers of

your gloves. Here’s a hint: Use a pair of thin gloves as the first layer and then add an insulated mitten over that.

Core While a thick coat might seem to be enough, adding a vest underneath will keep your chest and back warm. It’s also a great item to keep handy and wear around the house.

Legs Consider flannel-lined pants or jeans.

Feet A double layer of wool socks can help keep toes warm, as can insulated boots. Also consider having an automatic starter installed in your car so it’s warm before you even go outside. After all, we can’t just stay inside all winter. We have places to go, things to do and people to see. © 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

34 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

H O L I D AY

GIFTS

Continued from page 26

animals to hundreds of special, yet useful items. There’s just as many engraving choices for logo designs — sports, love, holidays, animals, fonts for monograms that also come in a variety of textures (e.g., zebra, leopard).

Costs for engraving can add up quickly, however, Perez informs me the company offers a holiday “value message.”

From $15, you can choose from an assortment of over 30 pre-set message/phrases/designs such as, “All I want for Christmas is you,” with a heart design or a stackable word tree (engraved words stacked to look like a tree): Believe, Peace, Hope, Joy and a star at the top with a beautiful scroll design at the bottom ($25).

There are also Lenox bone china plates in various sizes or cups and mugs that can be embellished with a phrase, monogram or design on the face of the plate. Perfect to for

those yummy holiday cookies to be displayed in cello wrapping with a festive ribbon.

Once the cookies are eaten, you still have an elegant keepsake gift for future holidays. Another memento is their “Together Forever” ceramic guest signature vase. Engravable heart in the center and includes a marker for everyone to sign their name or doodle artwork.

To top things off

And what holiday celebration could be complete without “oh soooo different” balloons?

Kim Kurowski, owner of A-1 Party, suggests a balloon-within-a-balloon or ones that are confetti-filled. There’s also mylar balloons shaped like trees, candy canes, Santa, snowmen and holographic snowflakes to create a winter wonderland theme. Kim points out they can even insert a small stuffed animal or other surprise inside their balloons. Shiny chrome finish looking balloons “are the newest balloons in town,” she adds.

Jill Phillips works on the top of a cake at her shop on Lyons Avenue. PHOTO BY AUSTIN DAVE / THE SIGNAL

Because they use a special treatment that coats the inside of the helium balloons, A-1’s last much longer. And delivery is free inside the Santa Clarita Valley.

If you want to keep it simple, but with a bit of panache, add one of Edible Arrangement’s holiday “pops” to the

MOVIES

Continued from page 27

maintain a festive mood, they watch “Love Actually,” “The Bishop’s Wife” and “Miracle on 34th Street” all while wrapping gifts.

This year will be the “49th holiday season” for Bilyeu and her husband, she wrote.

“Traditions like these are at the heart of our family celebrations,” she added. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Across town, a mother and her son rented the “Home Alone” films from Gina Lee, owner of Video Depot on Lyons Avenue. The young boy told Lee he had seen the first

bow on your gift.

“Nothing like a tasty treat of a pineapple star or dark chocolate-covered reindeer,” said Store manager Ben Perez, “or snowman covered in white chocolate or wreath-shaped apple ring.”  “Home Alone” five times.

“Everything’s so popular,” Lee said with a smile.

As she stocked up her Christmas movie shelves, she said people were renting movies rather than streaming as a way to connect with each other, going out as a family and choosing films together. She praised each DVD she picked up, making a note of why people rent a particular film. For example, children and teenagers will typically rent “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

Lee brandished a copy of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” her personal favorite.

“Lots of people are watching this one,” she said, still smiling.  PHOTOS FROM IMDB

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

SENIORS

Simple, natural ways to help lower blood pressure

H

igh blood pressure is a big problem.

Roughly one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While such figures might be frightening, Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that there are some simple and natural ways for people to lower their high blood pressure.

contain probiotics to healthy blood pressure.

Probiotics are consumable live bacteria, and while studies regarding the relationship between probiotics and blood pressure are ongoing, researchers believe probiotics may produce chemicals that, when absorbed in the bloodstream, may activate receptors in the blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

• Opt for heart-healthy foods.

Instead of foods that are high in sodium, eat a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

Check labels before buying prepared foods at the grocery store, as many such foods are high in sodium.

• Lose weight. People with high blood pressure who are carrying a few extra pounds should know that research indicates extra weight can cause injury to the heart. Dropping those pounds, especially through physical activity that can boost heart health, can help men and women lower their blood pressure.

— Metro Connection

• Look for foods that contain probiotics. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that studies have linked foods that

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Ear! FOR THE

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Don’t forget seniors at the holidays

By Matilda Charles Signal Contributing Writer

F

or older people, these holidays are especially sweet when cele­brated with family and loved ones. But for many seniors, the passing years have left them more and more alone, and it is up to all of us to make sure they know they are not forgotten. Reaching out to them reminds us that we are all one human family.

On that note, let’s consider what we can do for them this year.

Decorate the homes of seniors in your community who may not have family close by. You can start by bringing them the symbols of their celebrations.

For Christmas, consid­er bringing an artificial tree and decorating it with new sets of lights. A box of holiday goodies including fruitcakes, cook­ies and preserves would also be welcome.

And don’t forget the older folks living in senior residences or nursing facilities. Check with the doctors to see what foods you can bring. Also consider volunteering to add to the holiday cheer with appropriate (and

safety-approved) decorations.

For seniors who can’t get out and about easily, volunteer to drive them to the mall or your local shopping area so they can see the lights and decorations of the season. You can also help them shop for greeting cards and gifts for their families and friends.

Gift Suggestions

The local movie house may have a book of tickets for sale for a number of upcoming showings. Or, you might want to buy tickets to a sporting event.

Check out local exhibitions (art, photography, museum exhibits) that seniors might enjoy, and take them there.

Take them to concerts or an evening at the theatre, followed by a great dinner.

Give your senior the gift of looking great and feeling fit with an indulgence at a spa or gym.

Enjoy the season, and let’s help make the festivities special for everyone. © 2004 King Features Synd., Inc.

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

PROFILE

From Hollywood to helping hands

By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

L

aurie Ender has been making an impact in the Santa Clarita Valley since she first moved here in 1992 with her husband and oldest son.

She attended Pepperdine University, and then lived in Studio City before moving to the area. Like many, the couple’s desire to raise a family was a big driver.

“This was a perfect place to raise a family,” she says, “so we moved out here.”

And since her move to the SCV, she’s been involved in everything from major television production to City Council to now making sure other families in the Santa Clarita Valley have every opportunity they can through her work with local nonprofits.

Into to Hollywood

While at Pepperdine University, Ender studied to become a sports broadcaster. But an internship at “Entertainment Tonight” changed her career path altogether .

“I ended up getting a job there and staying there for 10 years,” she says.

“It was a crazy experience.”

After that, a new opportunity arose for her. Ender’s boss at “Entertainment Tonight” left for a development deal at NBC. “My boss called me and said, ‘I’ll double your salary if you come help me start this show.’”

That long-running show is now known as “Access Hollywood.” Ender says the two of them spent about a year developing the show — coming up with the title, theme, set, hosts and all the details. She worked there for three years before getting pregnant with her third child.

“Working on a daily show, there’s no break,” explains Ender.

So she left work with the plan to watch her kids and take them to sports practices and other extracurricular activities.

Volunteer life

Former councilwoman Laurie Ender give an empassioned plea to the city council about homelessness at a City Hall meeting. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

NOW OPEN BARBERS WANTED

“That was hard,” she said. “I never intended to be a stay at home mom. I stayed home for one day, then decided to volunteer.”

Ender eventually became president of the SCV Council PTA. In 2008, she joined the City Council, serving as mayor from 2011-12.

She explains how during her time on the council, she pushed for the expansion of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

“It is important we have the best hospital facilities we could,” she said.

“I really fought for the expansion.

You can’t make everyone happy, but you have to look at the greater good and I’m so proud.”

She says the facilities are so much better now, and that has attracted a new group of trained staff.

“We have new, young doctors and specialists who never would have come out here if it was just a little hometown hospital,” she added.

As for Ender’s career in city politics, she puts to rest the idea of running again.

Right: Laurie Ender stands next to her husband, Chris Ender, as she receives the gavel to start her term as mayor of Santa Clarita.

PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Left: Roche Vermaak of Family Promise (left) enjoys a day of fundraising at last year’s Box City event.

“I don’t really like politics, but I love community service,” she explains.

“I won’t run again. I’m too busy,” she said, explaining her involvement in Family Promise. “But I want to use my talents and treasures to make an impact.”

So she began her work with Family Promise.

Family Promise has a mission to “help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response,” according to the national website.

Family Promise

Ender explained how she got information from Family Promise National that showed there were about 800 homeless students in the SCV. “Everyone heard that and said that possibly cannot be true,” she says.

“We do a homeless count every year and they don’t find this. That was the thing that sparked our attention.

What is the true story?”

Ender said that there were families sleeping in cars or sending their kids off to different homes to sleep on couches for a while.

“The definition of homelessness

is much broader than living in the riverbed.”

Ender describes how several types of congregations come together through Family Promise to provide shelter for those who need it. Some of these places include Jewish Synagogues and Catholic churches. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Seventh-day Adventists and Methodists are also hosts to the families needing shelter.

Ender says that some people did not think the idea behind Family Promise would work.

This is because people of different religions would have to come together, regardless of ideology.

“People said that would never work,” Ender says. “But it does work and it’s pretty amazing.”

“They leave their theology at the door and help the neediest people in our community, and that is God working,” she says. “We have so many different ways people can volunteer and we are constantly amazed.”

Family Promise is located at 18565 Soledad Canyon Road or visit family promisescv.org. 

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

HOMESTYLE

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 37

All Valley RV Center

WRAP it UP SANTA

FOOD

Continued from page 30

Eat it straight off the bone or nestle chunks into the soft, hot corn tortillas and top with that yummy salsa.

You’ll have a choice of two sides and you can’t go wrong with any of the options: more of those awesome beans, fluffy-orange tinged rice, coleslaw, or a freshly made potato salad with just the right blend of mayo, spices, and crunchy bits of red and green bell pepper.

Not in the mood for chicken? No problem. There’s also a long list of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and pupusas on the menu.

The barbacoa tacos ($8.95), a specialty from Chapala, Mexico, come three to a plate (plus a choice of two sides). The beef is stewed for four to 6 hours until it renders into juicy, tender shreds. It’s then tucked in a corn tortilla that’s dipped into the meat’s juice and crisped on the grill for maximum flavor. Add a bit of piquant red chili salsa to fully enjoy these little pockets of heaven.

Pupusas ($2.75), a Salvadorean specialty, are elevated here. Vasquez uses three cheeses, which are melted into savory, gooey goodness within the grilled flour disc. It’s presented with a tangy tomato/onion sauce and cool, fresh bits of lettuce and cabbage. Combine it all together for a gourmet quesadilla-like dish. (There’s also a bean and cheese or chicharron option).

On weekends, massive bowls of classic Mexican soups are on offer to warm you up: pozole, caldo de res, or menudo are rotated throughout the month and served with corn tortillas and two sides for just $10.

Whatever you order, do pair with

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it an agua fresca. Like just about everything here, these “waters” are made fresh on the regular and totally on point. The Jamaica (hibiscus) is tart, tangy, and not too sweet, while the cucumber is light and refreshing, with just a hint of lime.

With its authentic, delicious food, fair prices, generous portions, and friendly service, this is a gem worth discovering, whether you live down the street or anywhere across the Santa Clarita Valley. And like a good neighbor, Vasquez will always welcome you with a smile.

“The beauty of having a restaurant is when people enjoy what you make.

They become your friends,” he said.

“It’s satisfying to see them satisfied.”

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D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

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

Martha Davis & The Motels checking into Canyon Santa Clarita

By Stephen K. Peeples Signal Staff Writer

R

ock singer-guitarist Martha Davis and The Motels, enduring legends of Hollywood’s off-the-hook rock scene in the late 1970s-early ’80s, will unpack classics and brand-

new songs when they check into the Canyon Santa Clarita Friday night, Dec. 21.

Davis landed in L.A. from Berkeley in 1975 as a four-year member of the Warfield Foxes, which shuffled personnel until settling on the lineup of Davis, Marty Jourard, his brother Jeff

Jourard, Michael Goodroe and Brian Glascock.

The quintet changed their name to The Motels, signed with Capitol Records (on Mother’s Day 1979) and released five albums for the label between 1979-1985.

Two – “All Four One” (1982) and

“Little Robbers” (1983) – earned gold and spawned the Top 10 hits “Only the Lonely” and “Suddenly Last Summer” (also a No. 1 Billboard Rock Track). Videos for those and other Motels singles helped define early MTV. See MOTELS, on page 40

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 39

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

A look at a ‘Favourite,’ ‘Incredibles 2,’ ‘Tully’

By Dianne White Crawford Signal Contributing Writer

W

ith the Golden Globe Nominations announced, there are a couple of extra DVD recommendations in this week’s reviews.

“The Favourite” (Limited Release)

This Golden Globe-nominated period piece set in the early 1800s takes place in Britain. The film centers around the relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill, and how such relationship is affected when the cousin of the latter arrives seeking employment. The film offers an eclectic mix of dark comedy and great cinematography, but doesn’t completely hold together, which was slightly disappointing.

Lanthimos’ unique cinematography is outstanding throughout, as are many of his commendable aesthetic choices that help enrich the film’s unique quality and tone. The acting is strong throughout, with the distinct nature of each performance among the three lead actresses enhancing the viewing experience.

Unfortunately, however, the film’s script has a number of concerns. The film’s writing attempts to be witty and funny much of the time, but such lines of wit and humor do not always land. Some of the more raunchy moments are well-placed, but others just feel childishly silly or ridiculous.

For a prestige film from an acclaimed director revered by many serious film buffs, the film can end up feeling quite unsophisticated at times, which can alienate the viewer from some of the more serious commentary of the time period Lanthimos is depicting, particularly with regards to the issue of gender roles and the patriarchal nature of the society and culture.

The total shifts can be quite jarring, even more so when one stops to consider that not all scenes played for comedic effect are particularly funny or even amusing at face or literal value. A majority of the film is well-paced, yet the third act can come off as anti-climactic. Ultimately, while

I didn’t dislike the film, I did expect a bit more from what some critics have determined will likely be a top Oscar contender.

DVD Recommendations

“Tully” (2018)

(Also available to rent or buy on Prime Video) (Nominated for Golden Globe: Charlize Theron, Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Music or Comedy) Director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody first collaborated on the filming of Cody’s debut script “Juno” in 2007. Four years later, they made “Young Adult” with Charlize Theron, and now all three reunite for this latest tip of the cap to motherhood and self-care. Simpatico is the word that comes to mind here with the perfect lineup of writer, director and actress. The biggest question is how to label it. Some will call it a comedy, while others will proclaim it a serious drama. As with much of life, there is a bit of laughter, a touch of drama and a dash of most every emotion.

Theron stars as Marlo’s mother of three. There is 9-year-old daughter Sarah, 6-year-old son Jonah who lands on the autistic spectrum, and now an unplanned newborn that threatens to rock a family already barely getting through each day.

Jonah gets booted from mainstream kindergarten by a principal who labels him “quirky.”

Marlo’s husband, Drew, is a traveling businessman who, though a nice guy and loving father, is clueless to the stresses of running the household. Also in the mix is Craig, Marlo’s brother who is equal parts wealthy and smug.

Charlize Theron proves again that she is truly an elite actress when she commits to a role. Her 50-lb. weight gain adds the necessary realism, but it’s her emotional teetering that is most impressive. She is like a supermodel who also plays rugby — a rare blend of beauty, talent and skill.

Mackenzie Davis, as Tully, is a revelation. She holds her own in every scene and it’s quite interesting to see her as a free-spirited modern day Mary Poppins.

See REVIEWS, on page 40

Mackenzie Davis will next star in Amblin Entertainment’s “The Turning,” produced

by Steven Spielberg and directed by Floria Sigismondi. ©2018 TULLY PRODUCTIONS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

40 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

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

REVIEWS

Continued from page page 39

If a previous movie has dealt with the challenge and stress of motherhood with this level of depth and realism, it doesn’t come to mind. The movie kind of creeps up on you with a message regarding the importance of dealing with lost youth, while also never losing sight of yourself as an individual … all with incisive humor and pulling no punches on being an overwhelmed mom. Just don’t call it quirky.

Incredibles 2 (2018)

(Also available to Buy or Rent on Prime Video) (Golden Globe Nomination for Best Animated Movie) In 2004, “The Incredibles” became the sixth Pixar film in a row to dominate the box office, and also to “WOW” us with a combination of animation, story, action and characters.

All these years later, Brad Bird, the creative force behind the original,

is back with the much anticipated sequel. Bird’s career over those years has featured a blend of other animation (“Ratatouille,” 2007) and live-action (“Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol.”

Filled with the beautiful colors and art design we’ve come to take for granted from Pixar, the film also features some of the best action sequences you’ll see in any movie.

The train sequence with Elastigirl is simply spectacular – as is the final action sequence. It’s also nice to see the flip in gender roles as Mom (Holly Hunter) takes the lead.

Family films don’t get much better than this, and even though it runs 2 hours, the closing credits feature the theme song for each of the superheroes, and could easily have been a short film unto itself.

With the Golden Globe Nominations out and the Screen Actors Guild Nominations out on Wednesday, the race for Oscar gold begins. I am excited to get into the thick of this season and see what the next few weeks hold.

I’ll be at the movies every day. 

SUPER SAVER CLASSIFIEDS

MOTELS

Continued from page page 38

After Davis disbanded The Motels in 1987, she recorded a solo album, “Policy,” then took a long break.

“I didn’t write a song – the first time in my life I ever just stopped everything,” Davis said. “When I started up again, I basically started over, with a very young bunch of kids from Ventura. This band started in 2003, and it’s incredible – the personalities, the musicality, everything. This is the best Motels ever. Even old Motels say this.”

The Mach II Motels lineup features Davis, Marty Jourard (sax; he rejoined in 2011), Clint Walsh (guitars), Eric Gardner (drums) and Nic Johns (bass).

“Me and Marty are like Mom and Pop, and then there’s the boys – it’s hilarious,” Davis said. “Clint describes us as a ‘post-industrial family on a field trip.’ We love the hell out of each other. And I love all their girlfriends.

Classifieds

How often does that happen?”

“The Last Few Beautiful Days,” produced by Johns and out in spring 2018, is the current lineup’s first album, only the seventh official Motels studio album, and the first collection of new material since 1985’s “Shock.”

“It’s a really beautiful, heartfelt record,” Davis said. “People say, ‘Wow, it sounds just like The Motels, only modern.’ Without trying to, we’ve just done that.”

This Friday night, she said, “Longtime Motels fans will not be missing out on their old beloveds. But there are always songs people ask for, and I’m like, ‘That one is not in the set.’ We hit just about every album, though.

“We’re starting to amass quite a bit of music, because now we have the new album, which is absolutely beautiful,” Davis said. “It’s a tremendous band and a great night of music. We have a very good time, and I’m sure you guys will, too.”

Keep up with Davis and The Motels at themotels.com. 

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 41

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CROSSWORD TIME

D E C E M B E R 16, 2018

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

American as pumpkin spice

By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

T

hree years ago at this time of year, I mentioned that I had just gone through an entire day without having a pumpkin spice latte.

I wrote that I had also successfully avoided dozens of other seasonal delights: pumpkin spice soup, pumpkin spice marshmallows, pumpkin spice granola, pumpkin spice pancakes, pumpkin spice beer, pumpkin spice donuts, pumpkin spice beef jerky, pumpkin spice potato chips, pumpkin spice ice cream, pumpkin spice crepes, pumpkin spice scones, pumpkin spice bread, pumpkin spice cookies, pumpkin spice oatmeal, pumpkin spice syrup, pumpkin spice cheesecake, pumpkin spice hot chocolate, pumpkin spice waffles, pumpkin spice liqueur, pumpkin spice smoothies, pumpkin spice coffee creamer, pumpkin spice french toast, pumpkin spice sticky buns, and a few million others.

A fad is usually over by the time everyone has heard of it. Surely, pumpkin spice was as dead as Beanie Babies and bitcoin three years ago. I should know; I lost money on both of them. But, as usual, I was on the wrong side of history.

In the store yesterday, I saw pumpkin spice menthol cough drops. It’s hard to imagine a more disgusting flavor than that — other than, say, a pumpkin spice Tide Pod. But I suppose these are the cough drops to take after you’ve smoked a pack of pumpkin spice cigarettes.

Clearly, the trend is not over. Any day now, I expect the reconstituted Spice Girls to rename themselves the Pumpkin Spice Girls so they can double the price of their concert tickets.

It is time for the lawmakers to step in and stop this before we lose our taste buds altogether.

I’m all for pumpkin spice in a pumpkin pie, and maybe even some additional baked goods. But not all

of them. Don’t be making a pumpkin spice cherry pie. It’s a dessert too far, and it’s just plain wrong. At this year’s Thanksgiving, someone brought an apple pie to my house with a secret ingredient. Cumin. We had to ask him to leave. Sorry about that, Dad, but as you used to say, “My house, my rules.” Try a little harder next year.

One day, in the distant future, this trend will finally be over, and in the name of all things good and holy, pumpkin spice — and its loathsome cousin, hazelnut — will go the way of Jell-O ring molds and bell bottoms, never to be seen again.

When that glorious day comes, we will only taste pumpkin spice once or twice a year in a slice of pie on Thanksgiving or Christmas, the way it was meant to be. I will no longer lie awake at night wondering where it will be misused next. (Pumpkin spice taco shells? Pumpkin spice KFC?) Instead, I will lie awake at night wondering what new spawn of the industrial food complex will start to appear on our store shelves.

Pumpkin spice will be replaced by some new flavor — something that seems unique at first, taken from some food that almost everybody likes once in a while. Food companies will glom onto it and overuse it until it’s in almost everything you touch. Sriracha comes to mind. Lime is another possibility. Cranberry and pomegranate — flavors you would have been hard-pressed to taste outside of their actual namesake fruits a few years ago — are now everywhere.

With food science, the possibilities are endless. One day, a guy in a lab coat will say to his boss, “Who doesn’t like a corn dog at the state fair?” and we’ll be off to the flavor races once again.

After all, if it’s good at the state fair, why wouldn’t it be good in your coffee? Or as a breakfast cereal? Or a candle? Or a cough drop?

Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com. 

December 21

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For Theon nyak drome Signal nt mill ment to fund his ion-dollar moveHyatt Reg clinical trial The crow , the nounced ency Valencia returns to d-pleasing Con has that anit cert will don dollar from s in the starting thisSanta Clarita for ate Park seri a viewing eve its upcoming fire every Concert weekend at Cen music-filled sum es works nt to the you mer, Castaic. ng boy from on by the s in the Park are tral Park.

List “Our enti publicClarita Santa Cla free from July city of 0.2 percent, down by 0.04 per- Salviati, an Apartment eve ritaineveSanta eclipses 7 untitwo-bedroom moved by re staff was Santa Clarita’s rate l Aug. 25. and housing economist. ry Saturdaynts put

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Sign is g Carter 7 p.m. Only 21 of the 100 average ’s on Pon 7 photo, Jenn some tast r lawn cha at inal (See addi the fight to to a as well as the national site and Sark y snac irs and blan tional phot a ies in America have seen rents growth can be attributed ifer Sarkar forkstwo-bedrooms crease listen to som decreased has but from percent, syndrome,”save him from San ar and a clin derosa Street in 1.4 os of -fall over the past year, though general growth in population this at released loca study signalsc national carr l ven CastaicA. The e of yourfor a one-bedroom ies her son ds com ical trial that v.com)to last ban $3 increase online month, ing to the sales coo said Natasha Zamfilippo favorite gen dors on- an additional 24 saw modest in the Los Angeles metro area.

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Apartmenta List brea from Car ter’srate at Hyatt platform Valencia. e is 8,4renting ed $97 Con growth elop fighfrom Reg certs in the kdown of Clarita’s month-to- gains of less than 1.0 percent, t agayear to 67 to getMonday. to contrib “We at Hyatt wou ency seizures muscle pains, revealed See RENT, A6 Sandecline Park:Santa each band perform is at such as Santa Clarita, said Chris slight at 4.1 percent, ainst filippo synd ute to this exp now ld like and then, ing at ncelastwou our parking The rome.July median rate for a month rent change for July fight by offe their mid ultimatel erie percent.

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wth rate Faith above sta te avera ge Coupons Home Improvement Hya tt joins Carter’s Hotel pla Business News ns event proc to donate fight SCV’s ee child’s ba ds to tr ttle again It’s the Law Column Sanfilippo syndromest to the g ibute reats Concer ts set to retuin the Pa rk serie Right Here Right Now rn to Ce s nt ral Pa rk Color Comics

City’s rent growth rate above state average

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

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

Children who are diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome will likely

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By Danielle Korzhenyak For The Signal

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

home In this May 2017 photo, Jennifer Sarkar carries her son Carter to a to get on Ponderosa Street in Castaic. The Sarkar family raised $978,467 a clinical trial that might help Carter’s fight against Sanfilippo syndrome. develop muscle pains, experience seizures and then, ultimately, die in their mid-to late-teens, said Jennifer Sarkar, Carter’s mother.

As a result, the family held a fundraiser in the past month with the goal to donate a million dollars to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, which

would fund a clinical trial that could give Carter a chance at life.

“Over the years the structure has been a gathering place to have an unobstructed view of the festivities (and fireworks) from Six Flags,” Zambrano said.

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July 7

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

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

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S H T N O SIX M INDEX

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

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

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

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

Good morning to Signal subscriber Louis Garasi of Canyon Country

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The Mercedes-Benz of Valencia Winter Event.

Put on your driving mittens and take advantage of exclusive deals on select Mercedes-Benz vehicles.