Creature Comforts for Overnight Holiday Guests
Overnight guests can make the holiday season feel that much more special. Spending extra time with loved ones is part and parcel of the holiday season for millions of individuals, and hosting overnight guests ensures hosts get quality time with friends and family members they may not see much of throughout the rest of the year.
Holiday hosts may want to go the extra mile for their overnight guests who traveled long distances to see them. With that in mind, hosts can provide these creature comforts to make overnight guests feel right at home during their stay.
Charging dock Just about anyone who has traveled over the last two decades has forgotten to pack a phone charger or left one behind at one point or another. A charging dock on each guest room nightstand can ensure no such fate awaits hosts’ friends and family members.
Fresh bedding It’s customary to wash sheets after overnight guests leave so the next time loved ones are welcomed into a home the bedding is clean. But if it’s been awhile since you’ve hosted an overnight guest, wash the bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, covers, and, if necessary, comforters or duvets, prior to guests’ arrival. The scent of freshly washed bedding can set a welcoming tone that guests will appreciate.
Toiletries Stock up on extra toothbrushes and travel-sized accessories like mouthwash and hand sanitizer so guests who might have forgotten their own items don’t feel like they have to impose and ask for a ride to the store to purchase new items. If kids are coming, be sure to purchase some spare kids’ size toothbrushes.
Privacy Privacy is perhaps the most significant creature comfort to offer overnight holiday guests.
In homes with small children, hosts can check guest room door locks to ensure they still work and install replacements if they don’t. In addition, in homes where this is possible, designate one bathroom as “guests only” during their stay. Privacy also can extend to where guests spend their nights. If possible, pick a room away from the hustle and bustle of the house so guests can get some quiet time and rest during their stay. If that’s not possible, hosts can make sure the holiday festivities quiet down at a certain hour each night so overnight guests can rest if they so desire.
Share your Wifi password Kids spend a lot of time on their phones and tablets. Parents may police those hours during school days, but during holiday breaks there may be more free reign. Hosts can alert their guests to the Wifi router name and password so that kids will be able to jump online without missing a beat.
Plan activities for all Children may feel left out if adults gather for drinks and chit-chat. Hosts can avoid such an outcome by organizing activities and engaging in conversations that everyone can be involved in. Game night, family movie sessions with snacks, or something similar can keep kids entertained.
Accommodate all kids Children are bound to have more fun when other kids are around. If possible, make room for as many kids as you can. The kids can camp out in the living room or share a bedroom if space is limited. Creature comforts might be what adults are looking for, but the more kids the merrier applies to the youngsters.
Offer some comforts reminiscent of home Young children may be out of sorts sleeping away from their familiar spaces. Hosts can plan ahead and leave out some dolls, stuffed animals,
a night light, or other creature comforts in spaces where kids will be sleeping.
Relax the rules Just as kids may have more freedom with using their devices, hosts can relax the rules of the house while guests are staying over. Let your own kids and your guests’ children stay up a little later and plan to offer a nightly dessert.
Overnight stays are part of holiday travel, and there are many ways to make staying over more enjoyable for children.
Holiday hosts can take their offer of hospitality to the next level by offering their overnight guests some creature comforts that can make their stay that much more enjoyable. (MC)
Planning Pointers
• Hire a local cleaning service
• Get an early head count
• Rent items from a local party supply store
• Arrange for transportation
Last Minute Holiday Fun
By Michele E. Buttelman
The holidays can be hectic but after the gifts are unwrapped and the holiday cookies are consumed there is still time between Christmas and the New Year to enjoy more holiday fun.
Hilton Universal Holidays On The Hill
555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608 www.experiencethehill.com
The Hilton Universal will offer a “Wicked”-themed outdoor ice-skating rink, as part of Hilton Universal’s Holidays on the Hill. Wednesday nights will feature “Wicked” nights complete with a green-lit rink, the show’s original cast recording playing overhead and a musical performance by a cast member of the stage production playing nearby at the Pantages, alongside the Los Angeles Ice Theater.
Each ice-skating session is 60 minutes. Sunday –Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Holidays on the Hill will also feature the seasonal pop-up bar, Jingle Bell Tavern and more.
If you need a break from cooking and cleaning don’t miss the fine dining opportunities available at the Hilton Universal that includes an all you can eat seafood buffet.
Christmas traditionalists, be sure to plan your visits for Thursday evenings when the rink’s live DJ will play classic holiday tunes 5:30-10 p.m.
Running through Jan. 5, the series will take place from 5-8 p.m. daily.
Sparkle Dtla Light Show
700 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90017 www.theblocla.com
Nightly 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m.
Experience a magical holiday show as 18 million hues of lights illuminate the night and synchronize to festive tunes.
Sparkle DTLA at The Bloc, now through Dec. 31 will take you through an unforgettable nighttime journey that includes one of LA’s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays. Capture your perfect photo-op moments at this ultimate holiday experience.
This experience is free to attend and is open to all ages, furry friends are also welcome.
Theme Park Holidays
Did you make it to one of the Southern California theme parks for the special holiday seasonal food and fun?
Area theme parks keep the holiday glow going even past Jan. 1.
Disneyland Resort And California Adventure Park
https://disneyland.disney.go.com
Now through Jan. 6 Disneyland and California Adventure will offer several new entertainment and dining experiences throughout both parks during the holiday season.
Disneyland
The newly refurbished New Orleans Square has reopened in time for the holidays along with Haunted Mansion Holiday.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade will find beloved Disney characters as they join Santa Claus for a merry musical celebration, heading down Main Street, U.S.A.
Among the new food experiences are Peppermint S’mores Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Mickey-shaped Beignets dusted with peppermint powdered sugar and Tinga Enchiladas: Cheese enchiladas, chicken tinga, poblano crema, queso fresco, rice, beans, and curtido slaw.
California Adventure Park
Holiday Toy Drummers are located in Paradise Gardens Park. March along as these merry musicians perform precision percussion.
A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland and Miguel is located on Buena Vista Street. Join Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland and Miguel from Pixar’s “Coco” as they celebrate the spirit of the holidays through heartfelt stories and timeless songs.
Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season is located in Paradise Gardens Park. Join Mirabel from “Encanto” and her friends as they rejoice over the magical gifts of the holidays with whimsical stories and cherished songs.
The food and drink are also magical during the holiday season. Try a Savory Kugel Mac & Cheese, Cookie Dough Yule Log and a Hot Butter Pecan Bourbon Cocktail, among many other seasonal treats.
End your day with a special holiday edition of the World of Color - Season of Light in Paradise Gardens Park. Share the wonder as water, light, story and song are transformed into pure holiday magic.
Universal Studios Hollywood
www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us Through Jan. 6 Universal Studios transforms the enchanting world of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Hogsmeade into a holiday wonderland. Marvel at the dazzling Christmas tree in Universal CityWalk Hollywood, and share in the joy of the season with the Grinch and Max during the whimsical Grinchmas celebrations. You can also enjoy holiday-themed character encounters and holiday décor throughout the park.
See A Movie
Several new movies will be play in Santa Clarita film theaters through the New Year.
“The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker” opens Dec. 22. Peter Wright’s much-loved production for The Royal Ballet offers gorgeous period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman and keeps true to the spirit of this festive ballet classic.
“Wicked Sing-Along” opens Dec. 25. “Wicked,” the untold story of the witches of Oz, will now offer a “sing-along” film experience.
“Nosferatu” opens Dec. 25. Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her. Starring Lily-Rose Depp.
“A Complete Unknown” opens Dec. 25. Set in New York in the early 1960s against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan, in this electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.
Where To Celebrate
By Michele E. Buttelman
It’s almost 2025, whether you’re ready for it, or not. Which begs the question, where will you be to ring in the first quarter-century of the 2000s? New Year’s Day is also a time to enjoy parades and football. How, and where, will you start the New Year?
New Year’s Eve
Jr’s Comedy Club
Hilton Garden Inn
27710 The Old Road, Valencia, CA 91355 www.comedyinvalencia.com
JR’s Comedy Club will offer up two ways to ring in the New Year on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
For those looking for an early evening the East Coast New Year’s Eve Show at The Hilton Garden Inn with Larry Omaha will start at 7:15 p.m. with 5:30 seating for dinner.
For those looking for a time appropriate New Year’s Eve celebration the West Coast New Year’s Eve Show at The Hilton Garden Inn with Larry Omaha will start at 10:15 p.m. with 8:30 seating for dinner.
Full Dinner Show package includes:
Double Headliner Comedy Show with Darren Carter and Larry Omaha.
Complete dinner buffet.
Champagne toast.
Party favors, noisemakers and hats.
Doors open 90 minutes before the shows. Ample free parking.
Omaha describes himself as a “indigenous humanistic Native American standup comedian” who has performed worldwide. His comedy special “Goin’ Native” appeared on Showtime, he has made
an appearance on the Gabriel Iglesias Comedy Central show, “Stand-Up Revolution” and is credited with the voice of a character from the video game Mortal Kombat.
Carter is a stand-up comedian, actor and impressionist. He has performed on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Comics Unleashed,” “Premium
Blend” on Comedy Central, and as a supporting character in the 2005 feature film “Be Cool” with John Travolta.
Full Dinner Show Package: $94.99 plus $7.50 service charge.
For tickets visit www.comedyinvalencia.com.
See floats from the 2025 Rose Parade up close and person at Floatfest Jan. 1-3. Photo Tournament of Roses Parade.
Tradition is a Major Part of Hanukkah Celebrations
Tradition is a major component of the Jewish faith, so it’s no surprise that tradition plays such a central role during the celebration of Hanukkah.
Although some are quick to note Hanukkah is not one of the major Jewish holidays, it is celebrated in a very public fashion. Hanukkah celebrants make the holiday more high profile by displaying menorahs in prominent locations and participating in holiday meals.
Like other Jewish holidays, Hanukkah is shrouded in tradition. Hanukkah means “dedication” or “induction” in Hebrew. The holiday begins on the 25th of Kislev and can occur in either November or December. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah includes menorah displays, traditional foods and games and songs. This year, it starts on Sunday, Dec. 18.
lously, that oil burned for eight nights, leading to the development of an eight-day festival to commemorate this miracle.
Hanukkah rose to prominence thanks in part to the story of faith and miracle behind its inception. Antiochus IV was a Greek sovereign in control of the region of Syria, Egypt and Palestine, where many Jews resided. Antiochus began to oppress the Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion
Tand desecrating the Jewish Temple. Opposition to Antiochus grew, and a group led by Mattathias the Hasmonean and his son, Judah Maccabee, took on the Syrian army. They were successful in their efforts to combat religious oppression, and the Temple was subsequently rededicated. The Talmud states that, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. This posed a problem because oil was needed to burn the Temple menorah throughout the night every night. However, there was only enough left for one night’s illumination. Miracu-
Because Hanukkah is about the miracle of the oil and the lasting flame, oil and candles factor heavily in the holiday. A nine-armed menorah called the hanukiah is lit, and one candle is lit on each of the eight nights of the celebration. The last branch of the candelabra holds the shamash (servant) candle. The organization Reform Judaism says the traditional song “Ma’oz Tzur (Rock of Ages)” is sung after the lighting of the candles each night and at other times throughout the holiday. Foods fried in oil, including latkes and jelly doughnuts, are consumed as well.
Celebrants play games with a dreidel, a German-based spinning top, and giving to charity is encouraged. Hanukkah is one of the few times of the year when rabbis permit games of chance. The letters atop the dreidel stand for the first letter of each word in the Hebrew statement “Neis gadol hayah sham,” which translates to “A great miracle happened there,” and refers to the defeat of the Syrian army and the rededication of the Temple (MC)
The Meaning Behind the Menorah
he menorah is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Hanukkah. Displayed in homes, and often in windows, each year, the menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum that symbolizes Hanukkah and much more.
Menorahs have been part of the Jewish faith since ancient times. Isaiah 42:6 indicates that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel, and its mission is to be a “light unto nations.” After being liberated from slavery in Egypt, the Jews were commanded by God to make the original menorah, which at the time featured seven branches. The seven arms were believed to refer to the seven days of creation. The menorah was lit every evening and cleaned every morning. The wicks were replaced and fresh, consecrated olive oil was put into the cups to keep the flame alive.
After the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and desecrated by the Romans, there remained only enough sealed, consecrated olive oil left to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, giving the Jews enough time to make new consecrated oil. This became known as the Hanukkah miracle.
While the original menorahs were seven-branched, the Hanukkah menorah, or Chanukiah (Hanukkiah), became a nine-branched version lit only during the holiday. According to the Jewish holiday site Breaking Matzo, celebrants light a new candle or wick on each night of Hanukkah.
The ninth night, called the Shamash (“helper” or “servant”), is used to light all the other candles or oil lamps. To be kosher, the Shamash must be placed on a different level than the eight other candles.
After both temples were destroyed, a new tradition developed in which Jews did not replicate anything from the destroyed temples. As a result, menorahs used in many Jewish services, apart from Hanukkah, no longer had seven branches. Six-branched menorahs became popular in some synagogues. However, the Jewish Virtual Library indicates that some rabbis have gone back to seven-armed
menorahs for regular services because the modern ones are electrified and, therefore, cannot possibly be duplicates of the original Temple menorah.
Lighting the Hanukkah menorah gives celebrants the ability to embrace the holiness of the holiday and take a small part in Jewish history. (MC)
NEWS FEATURE
NEW YEAR
Continued from page 6
Maginns Irish Pub
24480 Main St. #140 Newhall, CA 91321 www.maginnspub.com
For those who really want an early, early night Maginns in Old Town Newhall will celebrate the ringing in of the Irish/British New Year at 4 p.m. Come raise a pint to celebrate, then go home. The pub will only be open until 6 p.m.
Le Chene French Cuisine
12625 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA 91390 https://lechene.com
Le Chene will offer two options for New Years Year’s Eve, dinner in the dining room or a special New Year’s Eve show, “Evening of Enchantment and Magic.”
New Year’s Eve 2024 in the Dining Room at Le Chene will be held Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. A special limited menu will be served. Entrees priced at $58 each. Deserts and appetizers priced a la carte.
Make reservations at https://lechene.com/reservations/.
A Special New Year’s Eve Evening of Enchantment and Magic at Le Chene will include an unforgettable evening starring Sharpo (close-up performer at the World Famous Magic Castle) and Darren Charles and featuring special guest star professional magicians, James Lantiegne and Gregory Alexander.
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. cocktails and registration, 7:30 p.m. dinner and show.
Priced at $170 per person, all inclusive ($25 for
the show, $145 for dinner. Includes tax and tip). Event is prepaid in advance and payment is non-refundable.
Tables seat 10 guests; bring your friends. Make reservations at https://lechene.com/events/.
New Year’s Day
First Day Hike
Make a New Year’s resolution to spend more time in nature with a First Day Hike at Saddleback Butte State Park on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1. Park staff and volunteers will lead three hikes varying from a casual half-mile stroll to a strenuous five-mile hike up to the peak of Saddleback Butte. All ages welcome.
Saddleback Butte is a granite mountaintop that towers some 3,651 feet above the broad alluvial bottom land of the Antelope Valley on the western edge of the Mojave Desert. The state park surrounding Saddleback Butte was created in 1960 to protect the butte (one of many similar land features in the Antelope Valley) and examples of native Joshua Tree woodlands and other plants and animals that were once common throughout this high desert area.
Saddleback Butte State Park is 17 miles east of Lancaster. Check-in for the hikes to Saddleback Butte Peak and the Loop Hike Across the Park is in the campground at 17071 East Avenue K, Lancaster, CA 93535.
The sign up for the Dowen Nature Trail Hike is at the park’s visitor center located at 17102 East Avenue J, Lancaster, CA 93535.
Parking is available in the campground area and day use area near the visitor center. Day use parking fees apply.
The three hikes available are:
9 a.m. Hike to Saddleback Butte Peak
This strenuous 5-mile hike from the campground to Saddleback Butte Peak (3,651 feet) offers incredible views and incredible exercise.
10 a.m. Loop Hike Across the Park
This easy/moderate 3.5-mile loop hike across the park will take you into the special land of Creosote and Joshua Trees while offering long, sweeping vistas of local buttes.
11 a.m. Dowen Nature Trail
This easy 0.5-mile guided interpretive walk along the Dowen Nature Trail is great for all ages and ability levels.
Contact: (661) 946-6092 or Mojave.Sector@ parks.ca.gov
For more information on Saddleback Butte State Park visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=618
Floatfest 2025
Jan. 1– 3
East Sierra Madre Boulevard and East Washington Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91107
https://tournamentofroses.com/event/floatfest-arose-parade-showcase/
This 2-mile display features Rose Parade floats after their appearance on the parade route. The family-friendly, celebratory atmosphere also gives guests a chance to interact with the float exhibitors.
Wednesday, Jan 1, 1:30-5 p.m.
Thursday, Jan 2, 7-9 a.m. Reserved for seniors and disabled visitors.
Thursday, Jan 2, 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, Jan 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Check website for more information on cost, parking, shuttles and entrance restrictions.
Happy 2 Enjoy a First Day Hike at Saddleback Butte State Park on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1. There are three hikes available for all skill levels.
PHOTO SADDLEBACK BUTTE STATE PARK.
Fourth Year Of The 2025 Strategic Plan
By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager
The new year is just around the corner and with the change of the calendar, we will be in the homestretch of the City’s Strategic Plan - Santa Clarita 2025 (SC2025). Looking back over the past 12 months, we checked off many key action items in this extensive Plan.
manent housing.
To combat drug use, the City launched the Parenting for Prevention campaign, equipping parents with tools to discuss drugs with their kids through social media, in-person meetings and a new City podcast.
This year we saw the completion of the Town Center Specific Plan. This Plan sets a visionary framework for the mall area, balancing land uses and incorporating placemaking elements to maintain its status as a regional destination.
Some of the most exciting are taking place at our City parks. David March Park is in the middle of a massive expansion, adding eight-acres to the popular site. The project will add a new baseball field, exercise staircase among other amenities. Over at one of our City’s oldest parks, Old Orchard Park, the playground is getting an upgrade, the basketball court will have a pickleball overlay and a new ADA-compliant restroom are all in the works.
A huge achievement for the City is just around the corner. We are poised to add the historic William S. Hart Park, with its hiking trails, bison herd and museum to the City’s vast park system this summer. Another great amenity coming to our residents is at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex, with construction underway on The Rink Sports Pavilion, a multi-use hub for roller skating, sports and events.
The Copper Hill Bridge Widening project is in the works, expanding the bridge to three lanes in each direction. This developer-led effort includes new sidewalks, traffic signal adjustments, storm drains, curb ramps and lighting, all aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.
The City has also made major strides in addressing homelessness in 2024, with two new facilities. Bridge to Home opened a transitional shelter on Drayton Street, housing 90 individuals and eight families. Family Promise’s Resource Center in Newhall now offers four family units, an emergency unit, and critical support to help families transition into per-
The City’s Energy Efficiency project has introduced impactful upgrades at facilities and parks, including irrigation controllers, LED lighting retrofits, solar pool heating, HVAC replacements, sports field lighting and solar canopies. These initiatives enhance sustainability while reducing energy consumption.
Santa Clarita continues to be ranked as one of the safest cities in the nation, thanks to the priority placed on Public Safety. In collaboration with the SCV Sheriff’s Station, 35 Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras will soon be strategically installed across the City. The cameras will enhance the Sheriff’s station’s crime prevention and response capabilities by enabling rapid detection and intervention of vehicles involved in criminal activity.
All of these amazing projects are possible thanks to the leadership and fiscal responsibility of our City Council. For the fiscal year 2024/25, the City adopted another on-time, balanced budget totaling $342 million. Maintaining healthy reserves and a AAA credit rating ensures the resources needed to meet our SC 2025 goals.
These accomplishments are just a snapshot of the progress made under the Santa Clarita 2025 Strategic Plan. For the full list of action items, visit SantaClarita.gov/SC2025.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita. gov.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
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ENTERTAINMENT
“Mufasa: The Lion King” Beloved, Action Jammed
by Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer
“Mufasa: The Lion King” (out of four)
Walt Disney Pictures presents a film directed by Barry Jenkins and written by Jeff Nathanson. Running time: 118 minutes. Rated PG (for action/ violence, peril and some thematic elements). Opens Thursday in theaters.
In the beautifully rendered and action-jammed “Mufasa: The Lion King” from Walt Disney Pictures, we learn that the OG Lion King’s backstory was more like an I’ve-Got-Your-Back-Story mixed with a Watch-Your-Back-Story. Continuing the Shakespearean themes established in the 1994 original and echoed in the 2019 remake, friendships and families are forged, bonds are strengthened but then broken, lives are forever altered, and the Circle of Life turns out to be riddled with jagged edges.
As a prequel framed by a sequel, “Mufasa” might have benefited from a little trimming of the 118-minute running time, and at times it’s a bit difficult to distinguish one photoreal computer-generated lion from another, but acclaimed director Barry Jenkins of “Moonlight” fame is a gifted storyteller who comes up with some interesting and at times boldly creative camera angles (a few close-ups are equal parts hilarious and harrowing), and the talented veteran scribe Jeff Nathanson (“Catch Me If You Can,” the 2019 version of “The Lion King”) does fine work in expanding the stories of beloved characters while introducing some new ones as well.
Sunday-Thursday, December 22-26, 2024
The voice work from the outstanding cast is rich and warm and vibrant, and while the songs from the great Lin-Manuel Miranda (with Lebo M. making valuable contributions) might not make for a generational catalog, they’re still infectious and clever.
The 2019 “Lion King” was an enormous global hit but met with mixed
N o s f e r at u E Sun: 10:00 1:10 4:10 7:20; Mon & Tue: 1:10 4:10 7:20; Wed & Thu: 1:00 4:00 7:00
A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her M u fa s a: t h e L i o N K i N g B Sun: 9:50 1:10 4:10 7:10; Mon & Tue: 1:10 4:10 7:10; Wed & Thu: 1:10 4:10 7:00
Rafiki relays the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick
s o N i c t h e h e d g e h o g 3 B Sun: 10:30 1:30 4:30 7:30; Mon to Thu: 1:30 4:30 7:30 Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a power ful new adversar y, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before
K r av e N t h e h u N t e r E Sun: 10:00 1:00 4:00 7:00; Mon & Tue: 1:00 4:00 7:00 Kraven, a man whose complex relationship with his ruthless gangster father star ts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences
M oa N a 2 B Sun: 10:20 1:20 4:25 7:30; Mon & Tue: 1:20 4:25 7:30 Moana and Maui reunite three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers
g L a d i ato r i i E Sun: 10:00 12:50 4:00 7:10; Mon: 12:50 4:00 7:10; Tue: 12:50 4:00
Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glor y of Rome to its people
W i c K e d B Sun: 9:50 1:00 3:55 7:00; Mon & Tue: 1:00 3:55 7:00; Wed & Thu: 12:50 3:55 7:10
The untold stor y of the witches of Oz Elphaba, a defiant social outcast who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true hear t s i N g - a - Lo N g f i d d L e r o N t h e ro o f A Tue: 7:00 PM
Originally based on Sholem Aleichem’s shor t stor y “ Tev ye and His Daughters,” Norman Jewison’s adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical is set in a Russian village at the beginning of the twentieth centur y a co M p L e t e u N K N oW N E Wed & Thu: 12:50 4:00 7:10
An enigmatic 19-year- old from Minnesota arrives with his guitar and revolutionar y talent, destined to change the course of American music
Ba Byg i r L E Wed & Thu: 1:10 4:20 7:30
A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern
reactions from critics. I loved it and thought it was a worthy companion to the almost universally beloved original animated film from 1994, but others were put off by the blend of animation, photoreal CGI and live-action filmmaking techniques. (One Twitter user reacted to publicity shots of the main characters by saying, “Those are literally just lions.”) With “Mufasa,” the visuals are screen-popping and glorious and stunning to behold -- but yes, you either go with the idea of these realistically rendered lions dialoguing in English and occasionally bursting into Broadway-esque tunes, or you don’t. If it’s not your bag, nothing that happens here is going to change your viewpoint.
Set in the Pride Lands of Tanzania in the aftermath of the events of “The Lion King,” the story kicks off with the cub lion Kiara (adorably voiced by Blue Ivy Carter) left in the care of the wise old mandrill Rafiki (John Kani) and the wisecracking duo of Pumbaa the warthog (Seth Rogen) and Timon the meerkat (Billy Eichner) as a ferocious storm is approaching. (Donald Glover’s Simba and Beyonce Carter-Knowles’ Nala are otherwise occupied, and we’ll leave the reveal of their whereabouts to be enjoyed by viewers.) Young Kiara is terrified of the storm, and to keep her thoughts elsewhere, Rafiki tells a story, with Pumbaa and Timon providing comic-relief meta-jokes, e.g., a reference to the “sock puppets” in the theatrical version of the Lion King’s story.
The main story reveals that the regal Mufasa wasn’t born into royal destiny at all, and was in fact just a “regular” albeit super-fast and intuitive lion (voiced by Braelyn and Brielle Rankins as a cub) who was separated from his parents during a flash flood (this is the first of many water-based adventure sequences) and nearly died before he was saved by Taka (voiced by Theo Somolu as a cub) who DOES come from an esteemed royal bloodline. (This is our cue for a terrific duet titled, “I Always Wanted a Brother.”)
With Aaron Pierre taking on the voice role of the young lion Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. voicing Taka,
the “brothers” are left on their own and are on the run after their pride is attacked by the ferocious and ruthless villain Kiros (Mads Mikkelson) and his snarling marauders. In a number somewhat reminiscent of “King Herod’s Song” from “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Kiros mocks the feel-good vibe of “The Lion King” legacy in a song titled “Bye Bye,” crooning, “The Circle of Life is a lie / A pretty way to say there are predators and prey / That circle of vultures up high, they keep stealing glances, they don’t like your chances, and neither do I.” You know, he’s not all wrong there.
As Mufasa and Taka set out for the legendary and perhaps only mythical land of Milele, they’re joined by a young and preternaturally hopeful mandrill named Rafiki (Kagiso Lediga), a brave lion named Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) who has been separated from her tribe, and Sarabi’s recently appointed guardsman, a hornbill named Zazu (Preston Nyman). The vengeful Kiros and his ferocious pride of hench-lions are tracking them every step of the way, and “Mufasa” becomes the story of a long and dangerous trek, ending with a final set piece where battle lines are drawn, loyalties are tested, betrayals transpire -- and Taka is scarred for life, in more ways than one.
Even with that nearly two-hour running time, the story jams in some whiplash plot developments that seem a bit forced in order to fit the known narrative of stories we already know, but this is still a terrific chapter of big-screen entertainment that expands the “Lion King” universe.
CHRISTMAS COOKIE
ABy Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
s a child I remember sitting impatiently at the kitchen table waiting for my tray of cutout sugar cookies to decorate. My favorite cookie cutters were the angel and the Christmas tree. Those were fun cookies to decorate. I never did like the reindeer, his legs or his head always tore off when getting transferred from the table to the cookie sheet for decorating. In addition, I didn’t like red or green sugar decorated reindeer, the reindeer had to have the chocolate sprinkles, which usually ran out first.
When I had a daughter of my own, we made it a holiday tradition to decorate Christmas cookies together.
My favorite story about my Christmas cookie recipes is the time I decided to
Springerle from Mrs. Roehr
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL RECIPE, REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS WRITTEN.
Stir in 1 Tbsp. butter, 2 C sugar and 4 large eggs. (Before mixers the recipe said to beat for 1/4 hour).
Add 4 C flour and 1 tsp. baking powder. Add 1/4 package anise seed.
Kneed on board a few minutes
Roll to 1/4-inch thickness.
Roll again with little figured rolling pin.
Leave on trays overnight. This is a MUST.
Sprinkle anise seed on cookie sheet and lay cookies on top. (Optional)
Bake in slow oven 250 degress, 25-30 minutes approx.
Cook one sheet at a time.
Remove baked cookies from sheets immediately, If not removed, they will stick to the cookie sheet like cement.
Lita Cakes
1 pound butter
2 cups sugar
4 cups flower
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 lb. package of cornstarch
Warm butter at room temp until easily creamed with sugar. Beat until light in color.
Add unbeaten eggs one at a time alternately with flour and cornstarch sifted together. Add vanilla.
Form in long strings about the thickness of a finger.
Cut off and form into balls like large marbles and
publish our family’s most “sacred” recipe, the Springerle recipe handed down from my grandmother. She obtained the recipe from a neighbor.
My aunt was horrified that I would share such an important family recipe. “Not the Springerle!” she objected.
However, I shared the recipe despite her objections. She has since shared the recipe with friends, as well.
It is, after all, the season of “giving.”
Here are some time-tested Christmas cookie recipes from my own recipe box Most of these recipes have been handed down in my family, but not all.
Some recipes were gathered from friends. I usually make most, if not all of these cookies every year for the holidays.
press down to 1/4 inch, make dent with a little finger and fill with plum jam.
Bake well apart at 300 degrees.
Do not brown, but cook just until a light brown on the bottom of the cookie.
Bake 15-25 minutes.
When kept in tight tins, cookies improve with age. Do NOT replace butter with margarine.
Decorated Sour Cream Cookies
1 1 /2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. thick sour cream
2 well-beaten eggs
3 cups of flour
1/4 tsp. vanilla
Cream the butter and sugar, add the eggs and blend.
Dissolve the soda in the sour cream and add, alternatively, with the flour and salt.
Chill the dough until it is very stiff. Roll a little thicker than a dime on a floured board.
use holiday cookie cutters to cut into festive shapes. Baste the cookies with milk and decorate with a variety of springles and other cookie decor.
Bake in a hot oven at 400 degrees until pale gold.
Bake 5 or 6 minutes.
Candy Cane Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 cup sifted confectioners’ suger
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract OR 1 tsp. peppermint extract.
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. red food coloring
Mix shortening and butter, sugar, egg, almond and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt and add to shortening mixture.
Divide dough in half.
Blend red food coloring into one half of the dough. Roll 1 teaspoon of the red dough and 1 teaspoon of the white dough on lightly floured board into 3-inch long and 1/4-inch wide ropes
Place the ropes side by side and press lightly together and twist like a rope. Curve top of rope down to look like the handle of a candy cane.
Bake 9 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly browned.
Optional Sprinkle with 1/2 cup crushed peppermint stick candy and 1/2 cup sugar.
Q:
Is it true that former “Bachelorette” Jenn Tran is dating her partner from “Dancing with the Stars”? I hope so; they were so cute together.
—K.S.
A:While Jenn Tran and dance pro Sasha Farber haven’t confirmed that they’re a couple, it certainly appears so. If anything, they’re great friends who recently attended the premiere of the movie “Wicked” together, as well as a Taylor Swift concert in Vancouver, Canada.
They both deserve some happiness. Tran had her heart broken when her fiance from “The Bachelorette” ended their engagement right before she was cast on “DWTS,” while Farber’s marriage to fellow dance pro Emma Slater was dissolved in 2023.
Q:
Whatever happened to actor Denis Leary? I loved his firefighter drama series but haven’t seen him in anything since.
—L.W.
A: Denis Leary’s best known work “Rescue Me,” which he co-created with Peter Tolan and starred in as troubled 9/11 first responder Tommy Gavin, ended in 2011. Since this time, he’s kept busy with many other projects both in front of and behind the camera -- and also behind the mic voicing Diego the saber-tooth tiger in the animated “Ice Age” movies.
His next series on FX was “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll,” in which he played an aging rock singer who recruits his daughter for his new band. After this, he starred in the short-lived Fox sitcom “The Moodys,” which followed a dysfunctional family, before landing a stint as a detective on “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” He followed it with a role on the gritty family crime drama “Animal Kingdom.”
Leary started his career as a standup comedian before landing his breakout role in the comedy film “The Ref” in 1994. He’s returning to his comedic roots early next year in a new comedy series on Fox, oppo-
Jenn Tran (“The Bachelorette” and “Dancing with the Stars”) PHOTO COURTESY DEPOSITPHOTOS
site Catherine Tate (“The Office”) and Danny Pudi (“Community”). It sounds like he’s perfectly cast as a “loud-mouth Army colonel” who is sent to a base in the Netherlands “with no real purpose.”
“Going Dutch” premieres on Jan. 2, 2025, as part of a comedy block with Joel McHale’s sitcom “Animal Control.”
Q:Who
is the man with the gray hair in the new Charles Schwab commercials who gets angry every time the company is mentioned? He looks so familiar.
—D.D.
A:Salvator Xuereb plays “Carl the Broker” in a series of commercials that are currently airing for the financial services company Charles Schwab. He’s a character actor who has guest-starred in numerous television series, most recently as a smarmy doctor in “9-1-1,” a CIA officer in “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and Mr. Stewart in “Teen Wolf.”
He’s also appeared in movies like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” but his TV credits far exceed his movie credits. Perhaps you recognize him as part of the cast from the series “Pensacola: Wings of Gold,” in which he played a demolitions expert nicknamed Buddha.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c)
Why You Should Invest In Your Skin Health
If you’re like many people, you may view the change in seasons as a sign that you can give up your skin protection routine. Experts say that everyone, regardless of gender or lifestyle, should be careful not to neglect their skin health in winter.
“Don’t let your guard down in winter. Not only are you still being exposed to sunlight and pollution during these colder months, but there are sources of free radicals indoors, too, which may have negative, aging effects on the skin. Free radicals can damage the skin’s cell function and DNA, and DNA changes can cause mutations that could increase the risk of skin cancer,” says New York City dermatologist, Rachel Nazarian, MD FAAD
To invest in your skin health this winter, and all year long, Dr. Nazarian offers the following tips:
• Keep up the SPF routine: Don’t stow that bottle of sunscreen away. Applying a topical broad spectrum
SPF on a daily basis can protect skin while you’re enjoying time outdoors, and from the incidental exposure that occurs through a window indoors, like while driving.
• Get inside-out protection: While topical protection is important, ultimate skin health requires a combination of defensive layers. Amp up your skin protection routine with a daily supplement, such as Heliocare. Clinically proven and recommended by 87% of U.S. dermatologists surveyed, this vegan and gluten-free natural dietary supplement has antioxidant effects on the skin and contains Fernblock PLE Technology, a proprietary ingredient that aids in neutralizing the negative effects of free radicals.
“Whether you’re a ski bunny or prefer hibernating all winter, there is no time of year when your skin is immune to free radical damage. A popular skin concern, collagen loss, can create signs of aging, like wrinkling, fine-lines and sagging. Since collagen loss is expedited by free radical dam-
age, taking a supplement like Heliocare all year long is an excellent precaution to help your body protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals ,” says Dr. Nazarian. To learn more, visit heliocare.com.
• Put the device down: Protect your skin from excessive exposure to the visible light emitted from digital screens like cellphones and laptops. To do so, find small, easy ways to limit your device usage, such as reading a physical book instead of using an e-reader, or by playing records instead of playing DJ on your phone. You can also reduce exposure by simply turning the brightness down on your devices.
the best temperature for sleep is 65 degrees Fahrenheit, even in winter when it’s tempting to turn up the thermostat to toastier temperatures. You can also promote good sleep by keeping alcohol and caffeine consumption in check, and by turning to sleep apps that soothe users into slumber with meditation and white noise.
• Sleep tight: During sleep, your body works to repair organs, including your skin. Getting high-quality, deep sleep each night is essential for healthy skin and a healthy body. According to The Sleep Foundation,
To help keep skin healthy and radiant, don’t neglect it in the winter months. For best results, ensure your care routine is both comprehensive, and year-round.
Help Make Your Poinsettias Last Longer
Poinsettias are synonymous with the holiday season. These colorful plants brighten up homes with their vibrant hues in variations of red, white and pink, making them a holiday decoration many people cannot live without.
While they’re most visible during the often chilly holiday season, poinsettias prefer warm weather.
Poinsettias are native to Central America and originally flourished in an area of southern Mexico. The Aztecs used the plant for decorative and medicinal purposes.
The poinsettia may have remained a regional plant if not for the efforts of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first United States Ambassador to Mexico under President James Madison.
Poinsett, who would later found the Smithsonian Institution, had a love of botany and became enamored with the brilliant red plants he saw in Mexico. Eventually, Poinsett began growing the plants at home in South Carolina, and friends and others soon coveted them.
Poinsettias are beautiful and the bracts (modified leaves) can be vibrantly colored. That signature vibrancy is why many people would like to preserve their poinsettias to last beyond the New Year, which is possible with the right care.
The following are some tips, courtesy of Mother Nature’s Network, Habersham Gardens, Oregon Live, and Phoenix Flower Shops, to keep poinsettias thriving past the holiday season.
◊ Start with healthy plants that have full leaves, bracts and deep colors.
◊ Poinsettias do best when the temperature is between 65 and 75 F. Temperatures below that or drafts from cold windows can cause leaves to drop.
◊ Position the plant in a room that gets indirect
sunlight for at least six hours per day. If direct sunlight can’t be avoided, diffuse the light with a sheer curtain.
◊ Poinsettias need well-drained soil. Overwatering or allowing roots to sit in wet soil can cause the leaves to fall off prematurely. Water thoroughly only when the pot looks dry. In households with temperatures around 70 F, the plant should be watered about once a week.
◊ Fertilize the plant after the blooming season with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
◊ Try placing poinsettias in or near a bathroom, as they prefer high humidity.
It may be possible to get poinsettias to rebloom next season. Allow the poinsettias to dry out a little more in the spring. In May, cut about four inches from each stem to produce a lush, full plant during the winter. The plants can be moved outside in June and during the summer, but keep them away from direct sunlight. Return the poinsettias indoors beginning around October. Make sure the plants get at least 12 hours of darkness per day for around eight weeks in October and November. This will help them develop a deep hue and bloom on time for Christmas.(MC)
15% OFF
Please present this coupon to the host upon arrival and receive 15% discount on Dinner Sunday through Thursday Excludes tax & gratuity. Not valid with other offers, holidays or special events
Inspiring Ideas For Last-Minute Holiday Shoppers
It’s unlikely that anyone aspires to be a last-minute holiday shopper. Putting off holiday shopping until the last minute can make for a stressful home stretch to the season, and there’s no guarantee store shelves won’t already be picked clean or that gifts purchased online will arrive on time.
Despite how unappealing last-minute shopping can be, it’s still a fact of life for millions of holiday shoppers. As the clock winds down this holiday season, shoppers can look to these ideas for inspiration.
SHOPPERS, page 15
SHOPPERS
Continued from page 12
Gift cards: Gift cards may never earn a distinction as the most sentimental item to give a loved one during the holiday season, but they are surprisingly sought-after. In fact, a survey from the National Retail Federation found that 54 percent of participants identified gift cards as the most-wanted gift of the 2022 holiday season. Chain retailers, small businesses and restaurants are among the many establishments that sell gift cards, so shoppers are bound to find a card to please anyone on their shopping list.
Food/beverage: The holiday season is a popular time to indulge in some great food and wash it down with a favorite wine or another adult beverage. That makes food and beverages a great holiday gift. Shoppers can take a loved one out to a favorite restaurant, prepare a homemade treat or purchase a favorite dish from a local specialty grocery store or eatery. Pair the food with an appropriate beverage and this accessible last-minute gift idea is sure to be a hit.
Tickets: Tickets to a movie, sport-
ing event, live theater performance, or concert are another gift idea that likely won’t be gobbled up by early bird shoppers. People of all ages enjoy experiences, and a 2022 survey from the travel booking platform GetYourGuide found that 50 percent of survey respondents indicated they would enjoy tickets to a concert or show.
Books: Books make an ideal holiday gift for everyone from young kids to grandparents. Traditional print books are small enough that they can likely arrive on time even if they’re purchased just a few days before Christmas. E-book sellers enable gift givers to pick the perfect time to notify loved ones they have received an electronic book. Audiobooks, which can be downloaded to a smartphone or given as a CD, make an ideal gift for loved ones who spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
Last-minute holiday shopping can be stressful. However, various sought-after items can be secured at the last minute, ensuring gift givers’ loved ones have a happy holiday season.
Families Can Create Their Own Advent Calendars
Advent is observed in most Christian denominations as a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas as well as the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. On the liturgical calendar, Advent falls between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and begins roughly four weeks prior to December 25 each year. Although the Bible doesnÕt say anything about observing the tradition of Advent, it has existed within the Christian church for centuries. Key symbols of Advent include lighting the Advent wreath at Mass each Sunday and counting down to Christmas with an Advent calendar.
Families that partake in the Advent countdown look to Advent calendars to help them stay on track. Advent calendars run the gamut from the simple to the elaborate. Although calendars can be purchased from various retailers, it can be a thoughtful and family-oriented project to make one at home for all to enjoy. The following are some ideas for crafty Advent calendars.
Psalms And Scripture
Craft a simple Advent calendar that contains a series of cards that, when turned over, reveal a particular passage of scripture to read or a psalm that can be recited or sung. Choose passages that directly relate to the birth of Jesus if youÕd like.
Good Deeds
Use Advent to focus on being a
better person in preparation for the joy of Christmas. Behind each calendar date, children and adults can affix certain tasks that can help them strengthen their faith. Ideas can include volunteering at a charity, donating time at church, attending a special event featuring traditional Christmas carols, or making a meal and bringing it to an elderly neighbor.
Craft For Youngsters
Very young children may not understand the significance of Advent, but they can still participate in the countdown to Christmas. One idea is to get a large, Christmas-related picture and attach it to a piece of poster board. Then cut out shapes from construction paper that relate to the image that will be attached over the image to conceal it. For example, a Christmas tree image can be covered by birds, ornaments, pine cones, and other shapes. Each day of Advent, kids can remove one of these coverings. By the time Christmas has arrived, the underlying image will be fully revealed.
Food Focused
Many store-bought Advent calendars are cardboard creations with small doors that hide chocolates behind them. Often that chocolate is not very tasty. Families that love to spend time in the kitchen can have a living Advent calendar where each day is a new food adventure to whip up or purchase.
Green Thumb Garden Center Christmas Clearance
Saturday, December 21 10% off Sunday, December 22 20% off Monday, December 23
24
All Sales Final. Sale excludes previous purchases. No returns. Sales limited to Christmas stock on hand. Sale does not include: * Dept. 56 Villages * Byers Choice Carolers * Annalee Dolls
Luxury Design Features To Watch For In New Homes
Looking ahead to 2025, luxury custom homes are pushing the boundaries of design, offering innovative elements that blend functionality with high-end aesthetics. From cutting-edge technology to timeless materials, these features are setting the standard for what’s next in luxury living. Here’s what to expect as you explore the homes of tomorrow.
Smart Glass: The Future of Privacy and Elegance
Imagine having complete control over your privacy with just the touch of a button. Smart glass, also known as switchable or privacy glass, transitions from clear to opaque instantly, eliminating the need for traditional window treatments.
Benefits you’ll love:
• Instant privacy control via smartphone integration that’s ideal for bathrooms, room dividers and other areas
• Flexibility between views and privacy in areas such as the primary suite
• UV protection while allowing in natural light
• Solar heat control for energy efficiency
• A sleek, minimalist aesthetic with no curtains or blinds
Revolutionary Virtual Linear Fireplaces: Where Art Meets Warmth
The fireplace is no longer just for warmth—it’s a centerpiece. Virtual built-in linear electric fireplaces with LED technology are redefining how these features function. They combine custom design with energy efficiency, creating stunning focal points such as:
• Customizable flame colors and patterns
• No maintenance or ventilation needed
• Energy-efficient heating when
desired
• Safe-to-touch technology
• Practicability for all climates, with a noheat option
Architectural
Water Features: A
Bold Focal Point for Your Home’s Entrance
Water features are a striking hallmark of luxury design, transforming an entrance into a sensory experience. Imagine a dramatic two- or three-story water wall, where the soothing sound of cascading water sets the tone for the entire home and:
• Creates a stunning first impression
• Adds tranquility and elegance with flowing water
• Enhances beauty with LED lighting
• Functions as a living work of art
• Increases home value with a sense of exclusivity
Hurricane-Rated Pocket Doors: Seamless IndoorOutdoor Living
For truly seamless living, hurricane-rated sliding pocket doors are a must. These engineering marvels connect your indoor and outdoor spaces, offering:
• Expansive openings for entertaining
• Hurricane protection without compromising design
• Smooth, quiet operation
• Added real estate value
• Energy efficiency
These doors transform how you experience indoor-outdoor living, and are a must-have in areas prone to wicked weather.
Statement Skylights: Bringing the Sky Indoors
Natural light and large statement skylights are the perfect way to bring the sky inside, providing:
• Energy-saving natural light
• Unique architectural interest
• Opportunities for star-gazing
• Increased perceived space
Gilded Perfection: Gold and Brass Accents
The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, and adding gold and brass accents can add:
• Timeless elegance
• Warm metallic reflections
• Custom personality
“While touring luxury custom home projects of our partners set for completion in 2025, I had the opportunity to meet with industry leaders redefining the standard of living— like HLevel Architecture, Wright Jenkins Home Design, and interior design firms such as Design and Company and Leili Design Studio. Working alongside them, we’ve seen firsthand how their innovative designs are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” says Jennifer Kis, regional and brand marketing manager at Alair Homes.
For more 2025 luxury custom home trends, visit www.alairflorida. com.
From smart glass to interior waterfalls, these features are leading the way in luxury custom homes and setting the stage for the next era of sophisticated living.
Reason For The Winter Solstice Season
By Mary Petersen
My sister and brotherin-law are hosting a Winter Solstice party. They held one last year too which I didn’t attend. This year the invitation prompted my curiosity about the winter solstice and its connection with the season.
I thought the winter solstice initiated the season of darkness. In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year with the fewest hours of daylight. But this day is the transition from darkness to light. It is the last of the sun’s shortest days and the gradual beginning of the longer days. It really happens in one moment, despite receiving recognition of an entire day. According to timeanddate.com, the winter solstice in Santa Clarita will occur at 1:20 am (PST) on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
It is the moment the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn in
the Southern Hemisphere, the southernmost latitude it reaches during the year. After the solstice, it begins moving north again. According to NASA, “A few days before and after the solstice, the sun’s trek across the sky looks so similar, it appears like it’s taking the same path every day” or standing still. Thus, the name “solstice” means “sun stands still” in Latin.
What causes both solstices and equinoxes to occur? The tilt of the earth’s axis. The amount of light each hemisphere gets will vary throughout the year as our planet moves around the sun due to this tilt. According to astronomer Phil Plait, if the axis were straight and not tilted, there would be no seasons, and the seasonal cycle is the key to life on Earth. Without seasons, life would only be possible around the narrow equatorial band. Plait quips, “The earth’s axis is the reason for the season.”
That’s about as much science as I can comprehend, and as fascinating
as physics is, the universal human response to this event is equally striking. For millennia, humans have recognized the life-giving force of the sun and our dependence upon it. Across cultures and religions, people have created rituals and ceremonies of light and fire to coax back the sun each season.
According to author and Anchorage city planner Janet McCabe, “Primitive people would have watched in dread as the sun’s presence diminished each day. The sun was heat and life. If the sun left, there could be only darkness and death.” Slowly, miraculously, as daylight increased, hope returned. The sun gave promise that warmth and fertility would be renewed, and life could continue in its ongoing cycle.
The winter solstice represents the triumph of light over darkness. The
feasts, festivals and holidays surrounding the December solstice serve as a powerful reminder of the earth’s dynamic relationship with the sun and the cyclical rhythms that shape our existence.
This year, regardless of religious beliefs or spiritual practice, let the joy of this season remind us of our shared humanity. That’s the reason for the season.
Mary Petersen is a retired COC English Instructor, 35-year SCV resident, and two-time breast cancer survivor. She welcomes your comments at asecondwind.signal@gmail.com
SOLUTIONS
Opinion
Unless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.
READER LETTERS
What’s Really Behind PSPS?
One of the biggest lies being spread by Southern California Edison is their public safety power shutoff program has been accomplished for public safety.
Reading an article in the Dec. 12 edition of The Signal, “Power Outages Continue to Irk East Side Residents,” Diane Castro spokeswoman for Southern California Edison, continues to perpetuate this untruth as she was quoted as saying, “Our No. 1 priority is the safety of customers, employees and communities.”
Why would I express this opinion? It is because electric power has been tuned off, numerous times this year.
I checked the surrounding homes to see if they had electric service tuned off also. What I discovered again: I live on the corner of Walnut Springs Avenue and Nearbrook Street and while power was down at my home, power was ON across the street on Nearbrook and across the street on Walnut Springs and one block away on Wellhaven Street.
Why do you think that's the case? It is because SoCal Edison does not shut power down by neighborhood or area but instead by the power line that has an issue somewhere along its route.
If your home gets power from that line you lose power no matter how far away from the problem you live. In my case, I am at the end of a power feed line that starts some 30 miles away, routed down Sierra Highway to a few square blocks in North Oaks. That power feed comes from Aqua Dulce. So, if there is a wind problem in Aqua Dulce, my power gets shut off.
I know this because every time the power goes off, I call Southern California Edison customer service, and I have also put in a Public Utilities Commission complaint about this situation. I have been told continuously, power is being shut down because of some problem somewhere along the feed line and they have no scheduled event to fix this issue.
When I contacted Southern California Edison some four years ago a supervisor told me this problem would be fixed, and when I spoke with another supervisor after I put in a PUC complaint last year, he told me this is a problem they need to address, but there is no scheduled activity for that to occur.
I don’t believe they are concerned about their customers. There seems to be no concern about the very young, the elderly, and the medically challenged who are left without lights, heat and lifesaving equipment.
Also consider our young school-age residents who need to do their homework.
OK, want to help fix this problem? Speak at the next online PUC commissioner meeting on Jan. 16 and/or Jan. 30. Dial in at 800 8571917 code 9599501# at 11 a.m.
Write an email to the PUC Energy Division at Energy@cpuc.ca.gov. Let them know the problem SoCal Edison has created with the way PSPS is being used by SoCal Edison. If enough of us bend their ear, we may get this issue resolved.
Alan Ferdman Canyon Country
ETHICALLY SPEAKING
A Promise Fulfilled
By David Hegg
Perhaps nothing demonstrates the reality of a person’s integrity more than their willingness to keep a promise. As the great Alaskan poet Robert Service once wrote, “A promise made is a debt unpaid.” Yet, today, promises are thrown around like confetti, and seldom are they remembered, let alone kept. At the very core of our society’s desire to succeed should be a commitment to only make promises we can keep and then a persevering determination to fulfill them.
Almighty God and Prince of Peace. Indeed, anyone reading that promise would have been skeptical, yet the impossible came to pass as history moved forward.
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First, it should be clear that we should only make promises we can keep. Every time we endure another political season, we are reminded anew that most of those wooing our votes are experts at making promises they can’t keep. They hope that the election will be long over by the time we figure it out, and they’ll be firmly in office. A promise-keeper must make the right promises and have the power and perseverance necessary to fulfill them.
For me, the most significant promise ever made was voiced by God in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3:15: On the heels of Adam’s sin, He announced that one day, a “He” would come along to fix the problems sin brought into the world. This promise forms the very backbone of the Bible, as God continued to give installments of the promise, each carrying more and more information as to its ultimate fulfillment. In Genesis 12, God narrowed it down to Abram, through whom a great nation would come. And out of this nation would come the One through whom all the world's nations would be offered the blessing of renewed relationship with the Almighty.
In Isaiah, the promise is further described in terms that must have seemed impossible at the time. The promised “He” would be born to a virgin and grow to be a king, sitting on David’s throne forever and ever. To top it off, his titles would include
Micah, the prophet, declared that this “He” would be born outside Bethlehem and even mentioned a well-known tower that had stood in the shepherds’ fields since the time of Jacob. In these fields, an industry grew up during the reign of Herod in Jerusalem. Those who ran the Temple Mount determined that only lambs raised near Jerusalem could be used for the great Passover feasts. Thousands of these special lambs were raised by special Levitical shepherds between mid-December and February. During this period, the shepherds stayed with their sheep around the clock to ensure these valuable lambs were expertly cared for at birth. Luke records that it was to these shepherds that the angel first appeared to declare that God had kept the promise. These shepherds, whose task it was to certify that Passover lambs were, in fact, spotless and without blemish, were called to the very birthing place of Jesus. And there, lying in the manger, they found the “He” whom God had sent to be the Savior. And at that moment, the promise was fulfilled. God, the great promise-keeper, had brought the He into the world at the place where all the Passover lambs were born. And in that same place, some 33 years later, the Lamb of God – Jesus Christ – would willingly sacrifice his life so that all who follow him in faith might escape judgment and find eternal life.
As you celebrate Christmas, may your joy be full and time with family and friends be comforting and exciting. May you find time to remember the great God of Heaven whose promise was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ the Lord. Merry Christmas!
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
