Sunday Signal Dec 30, 2018 by Signal

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SEPTEM DAT B E RE 00, 30, 2018

DECEMBER 30, 2018

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS FEATURES 5 6 7 24 32

Family-friendly activities for winter break What’s your New Year’s Eve preference? Cheers to lasting, positive change in ’19 Quirky New Year’s customs How a lot has changed, and not much at all

NEWS OF THE WEEK

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 impressive aspect in of the 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 many Santa Clarita market. 661.299.5570 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.

Deputies respond to report of gunshot victims Taking a break to spread holiday cheer ‘Cody’s Coats’ warms SCV and L.A. homeless Project Pizza visits downtown Los Angeles Detectives arrest stabbing suspect

BUSINESS 13 3 Carving out their American Dream 1 26 New laws that take affect for the new year

SPORTS

14 10 girls to watch in SCV high school hoops

CITY MANAGER

15 To a happy and safe New Year’s Day celebration

REAL ESTATE

16 This week in real estate

TIME RANGER OPINION

17 18

18 Our View • David Hegg • Tim Whyte

CALENDAR 21 HOME IMPROVEMENT

2 Your Home Improvement 2 23 Outdoor improvements that boost home value

KIDS & FAMILY

24 Ring in the new year with eggnog 25 Donna’s Day: Create snow globe memories Helping kids find hobbies

FOOD 27 27 Most memorable food moments of 2018 29 A place to buy a friend a beer

ENTERTAINMENT 30 0 Puddle of Mudd coming to Canyon Santa Clarita 3 31 Poppins, Eternity’s Gate and ‘The Wife’

SENIORS 34 34 On resolutions and ghosts of holiday pasts

PROFILE 35 35 The father of Santa Clarita’s viticulture

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

S C V F E AT U R E

Family-friendly activities for winter break By Brennon Dixson Signal Staff Writer

ith winter break now in place at every school district in the Santa Clarita Valley, local parents will soon be scrambling to find an activity that will keep their child engaged during this year’s break. Local school districts won’t return from winter vacation until the month of January, meaning children will have multiple weeks of break without a single day in the classroom. Popular theme parks like Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm or Disneyland are some of a few Southern California destinations where families will often travel during their student’s winter break. Other local residents might look to ring in the new year with some snow, which is easily accessible by making a short day trip up to Mountain High. Those who are looking to provide their child with entertainment without a long drive or big ticket purchase might seek a place like the Westfield Valencia Town Center or local movie theaters and bowling alleys. Color Me Mine, which is located near the Westfield mall, is one of many businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley that allow young students the opportunity to artistically express themselves. As You Wish Pottery, located at 24201 Valencia Blvd., is another local location where students

can find their inner artist this winter vacation. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 5, 2019, ARTree will host Flutterby, a nocharge open art studio held on the first Saturday of each month. Kids and their parents are invited to the art event, which requires no prior registration, according to the city’s calendar. The event will occur at the ARTree Community Arts Center, Studios One and Two, located at 22508 Sixth Street in Newhall. Active children can head to the Billy Beez jungle or a similar venue that encourages an energetic and playful day, according to the company website. Complete with indoor slides, sports courts, tunnels and swings, it might make your child feel like it’s recess. Children 10 and under can enjoy bounce stations, slides, a multilevel jungle gym, ball pools and an enclosed zip line at the House of Bounce on Valencia Boulevard, while the KID-CO Play & Learn Center can serve as a fun place for children 6 months to 5 years old to play. Parents looking to join in on the fun can head to Scooter’s Jungle, which has adult-sized equipment that encourages parents to play with their kids at the indoor “bounce house” play park located at 28230 Constellation in Valencia. Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club CEO Matt Nelson said mothers and fathers who are working can still ensure their child is having

From left to right, Achaia Elohim, Sophia Ferguson and Levi Banks look on with excitement as their pinewood derby cars race along. The SCV Boys & Girls Club is a great option for children who might be in search of activities over break.

Volunteers work to create a historical tile mural at Newhall Elementary School on over the summer. The school project is one of many ways ArtTree engages with the community for the arts. SIGNAL FILE PHOTOS

fun and learning by dropping them off at the local clubhouse. “We’ll be open Jan. 2 through the two weeks after that. We’ve got games and fun activities going on from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday,” Nelson said. Parents can register or find more information online at www.scvbgc.org. The local libraries are other options that could help foster a more academic environment over the winter break, and, luckily, there are multiple kidfriendly events happening at various branches this coming January. The Canyon Country Library will host “Pro-CRAFT-tinating,” a crafting event for teens who want to flex their creative muscles, the library’s calendar states. The event will run from 4:30-5:30 p.m., Jan. 3. The Old Town Newhall Library invites teens to it’s movie night on the same Thursday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for a chance to catch a teenage movies that was recently showing in theaters, according to the calendar. Snacks will be provided. Local students and children are also invited down to Code Ninjas, a local coding center for kids. The company already accepting students for camps that start as early as Jan. 7, according to the website. “Your kids will have a blast building video games while learning coding, math, logic and problem-solving skills.” In the Beginning Javascript camp,

parents can expect their child to learn the basics of the programming language in one week, according to the company’s website. Kids can build their own customizations into a popular video game during the Minecraft Create camp. Parents are encouraged to visit https://www.codeninjas.com/camps/ ca-santa-clarita/ to receive more information on Code Ninjas and their programs. Families who think their child get enough interactions with video games might consider getting out to see some wildlife. The Shadowland Foundation, with its pack of 8 wolf-hybrids, is dedicated to educating children of all ages about the true nature of wolves and their contribution to the environment, while The Gentle Barn is currently home to over 130 animals who are rescued and given sanctuary from abuse and still has spots available to visit in December and January, according to the company’s website. Children can also enjoy some outdoor time at William S. Hart Park or head to the Gibbons Conservation Center, which is the only organization in the world devoted exclusively to the study, preservation, and propagation of gibbons, and to education of the public about them. “We are open to the public every Saturday and Sunday 9:30 am to noon,” according to gibboncenter.org. “No reservations are required.” 

6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

What’s your New Year’s Eve preference? If you like more intimate gatherings

By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

There’s no better time to host a party than on New Year’s Eve. Invite your closest friends and family and enjoy the countdown together. All you need are some noisemakers, snacks and champagne for midnight. Watch the ball drop on TV and beat the cold weather by staying indoors.

s the clock strikes midnight and the ball drops, signaling the new year, no matter what you choose to do, there are plenty of options to make sure it’s a night to remember. Whether your party has small children or even more boisterous adults, there are several local options for celebrating New Year’s Eve this year. Although if you’re willing and able to venture south of the Newhall Pass, there are admittedly more choices for both types of parties, and everything in between. Here are a few ideas for the family:

If you like bars

Inside the SCV

(Family-friendly) Valencia Lanes will hold a Cosmic New Year’s Eve bowling celebration. There will be party favors, a countdown to the ball drop and a champagne or apple cider toast if you reserve the 9:30 p.m. bowling session. There are also midday and evening bowling sessions for families with younger children who might not stay awake until midnight. A lane reservation includes two pitchers of soda and a jumbo pizza. Lanes must be reserved in advance. Valencia Lanes is located at 23700 Lyons Ave., Santa Clarita. For more information, call (661) 222-9080. The Canyon Santa Clarita is welcoming one of the SCV’s favorite tribute bands, Led Zepagain, to rock in the new year with some of rock ’n’ roll’s all-time greatest sounds. Before the champagne toast at midnight, you can also enjoy opening sets by Deepest Purple, a tribute to Deep Purple, and TnT, a tribute to AC/DC. Guests are asked to arrive by 7 p.m., and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paid adult. The Canyon Santa Clarita is located at the Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 Valencia Blvd, Suite 1351, Santa Clarita. For more information, visit wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com. Le Chène French Cuisine has two dinner options on New Year’s Eve. The first is a murder mystery dinner theater by Sharpo! This option includes a three-course meal and the

TOP: Celebrate the new year at the home of some of L.A.’s furry friends, as well as with express entry to L.A. Zoo Lights. LEFT: Valencia Lanes will hold a Cosmic New Year’s Eve bowling celebration. COURTESY PHOTOS

show. Or if you want to skip the murder mystery, you can enjoy the New Year’s Eve dinner in the dining room. You can also read more about the story behind Le Chène, which is French for “the oak,” with our profile on its founder on page 35. Le Chene is located at 12625 Sierra Highway. Make reservations online at lechene. com. Double Trouble Wine Room will be holding a New Year’s Eve event where guests can enjoy some wine and music. The wine room features drinks from two wineries — Hoi Polloi Winery and Pagter Brothers Winery. Guests can enjoy wine until 10 p.m. on Dec. 31. The tasting rooms are located at 24338 Main St., Newhall. For more information, call (661) 476-5627.

Outside the SCV

Grand Park and The Music Center (Family-friendly) This event begins at 8 p.m. and offers fun for the whole family. The website promises the opportunity to “dance your heart

out and into 2019 with best friends, sweeties, friendly neighbors, and those cousins from out-of-town at the West Coast’s flagship New Year’s Eve celebration.” The event begins at 8 p.m., and there’s information on what’s allowed and what’s prohibited at the event’s website, nyela.grandparkla.org. The event is located at 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. L.A. Zoo Lights 2018/19: Family New Year’s Eve (Family-friendly) Celebrate the new year at the home of some of L.A.’s furry friends, as well as with express entry to L.A. Zoo Lights, a dinner buffet and carousel. Attendees can “Raise a toast to the New Year with complimentary champagne for adults and sparkling apple cider for kids,” according to the event’s website, which promises fun for all ages. Dinner is served from 6-8 p.m. For ticket information, visit lazoo.showare. com. The event is located at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles.

The Old Chalet bar in Los Angeles will be hosting a night of drinks and karaoke with “great and terrible singers guaranteed.” The party starts at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 and ends at 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Guests can “enjoy all night happy hour, featuring $5 draft beers, well drinks and wine by the glass, plus a complimentary champagne toast at midnight,” according to the Eventbrite description. Make sure to reserve a spot by calling The Old Chalet at (323) 508-5058. The address is 1630 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, and it can be found online at theoldchalet.com.

If you like to party

The Hollywood Roosevelt is hosting its third annual New Year’s Eve event. There will be four rooms of music, a premium open bar and a giant project wall to countdown the new year. There is even a VIP option, which features a nightclub, upgraded party favors and more. The Roosevelt is located at 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. For ticket information, visit theholly woodroosevelt.com.

If you like dressing up

IX Tapa Pasadena will be host to a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party. The event will feature live music from DJ BeatDrop from Power 106 and VDJ Culprit. There will be party favors, a balloon drop and a champagne toast. The party goes from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 to 2 a.m. Jan. 1, and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 online before a service fee. The restaurant is located at 119 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. For more information, call iX Tapa at (626) 304-1000. 

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

S C V F E AT U R E

By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

Take this job …

lasses are clinging, confetti is flying and the ball is dropping in Time Square. The new year is fast approaching and a resolution may be a little more complicated than you think. How do you set a reasonable resolution? And how do you achieve it? Whether it’s a fitness- , work- or personal life-related goal, there are a few good tips to follow to keep you on a healthy, sustainable path for rising to the occasion in 2019: “You want the goals to be reasonable, within a reasonable time frame,” said Larry Schallert, assistant director of the Student Health Wellness and Mental Health Program at College of the Canyons. “Create a SMART goal,” said Catherine Francisco, Clinical Integration Coordinator with Henry Mayo Fitness and Health. Smart is an acronym for “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timebound,” she added. “Small steps are probably bigger than taking large steps,” Schallert said. “Try to eliminate the distractions that keep you from achieving your goals.” “Any type of accomplishment is positive for your mental health,” he said. “Pay attention to the positive things, tap into your creative side or kindness side. Doing some kind things for others, is not a difficult goal to achieve.” Write your goals down and look at them, Schallert and Francisco agreed.

N COURTESY PHOTO

Share them with others around you, they can keep you accountable. “A little nudge from your friends doesn’t hurt,” Schallert said. Nor does tying your goal to a purpose. Finding a reason why you want to achieve your goal can help keep you inspired to achieve. “What does that mean for you?” said Francisco. “It should have some type of meaning towards yourself.” Nearly half (45 percent) of people make the resolution to lose weight, according to www.statista.com.

Fitness Goals

“Evidence shows that people who lose weight gradually and steadily are more successful at keeping weight off,” according to the Centers

2018

14 20

Tax Planning

of Disease Control and Prevention. “Healthy weight loss isn’t just about a “diet” or “program.” It’s about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits.” And setting small goals such as “I’m going to lose this much weight in the next 3 months,” help you through to reach the bigger picture. “One to two pounds a week is a healthy habit,” Francisco said. “It is maintaining it, it is a lifestyle change.” “You feel empowered after achieving your goal,” Francisco said. “It is a positive mindset.” Even if you aren’t able to achieve your goal, you’re 10 steps ahead of where you were in the past, she said. 

ew Year’s resolutions are made every January, and many use the tradition as a chance to declare their intention to change jobs. The reasons why people change jobs vary, but the most popular reason to do so might surprise you: Nearly half 45 percent of respondents indicated they changed jobs due to a lack of opportunities for advancement with their previous employers, according to a LinkedIn survey of more than 10,000 people who recently changed jobs. The next most popular reason: dissatisfaction with the leadership of senior management. Employers may be surprised to learn that dissatisfaction with compensation was relatively low on the list of why people changed jobs, as just 34 percent of respondents listed that among the top reasons why they left their old jobs. While that may encourage employers to find ways other than pay increases to keep their employees happy, it’s also important to note that the LinkedIn survey found that money was the second-most popular reason job switchers, 74 percent of whom received higher salaries at their new jobs, chose their new positions.  — Metro Connection

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And same ‘Th signed each boo you?’ By Jim Holt , then she The dog here.” Kerr said anks for the sup k the Signal Senior Staff Writer was desc , found within 24 . ribed as deh port,’” hou was brou She said ydrated and rs of the crash, ght David La Vau who in 2011 hungry whe “I was very of the book-si Rescue to safety. n it was found in a 200-foot-deep ratraffic com excited that thergning: owner on rs at the Way Stat vine six days after crashing his car there was ing in and out ande was pick up thesocial media and ion found the dog arranged ’s dog. off of Lake Hughes Road showed This boo ) a buzz about our (that for them k has touc book. to just how happy he was to people live hed a lot s. By Jim Holt be alive Saturday as people lined of “My mai Signal Senior Staff Writer up for a copy of the book about his ways bee n purpose has A tow truc k operato alordeal. See FOUND, When firefighters to forgiven to share with side of a theche down ter beingrappelled r wat peo A6 His daughter, Lisa A. Kerr, s ascara Toyo and, mos and also be forg ple, d abo a driver rescue to lifte ut 200whose Castaic on steep embankment ta t wrote a book called, “But Not TofeetRoad Sepon by a crane Corolla reaches theSignal file photo yourself.” of all, learn to forgiven Canyon Sand201 t. 30, had gone over a precipice on ive day: The story of David La Vau,” surf 1. DavidocLa Vau surv to Lake Hughes Roa ace aflast week, they learned that one of the car’s chronicling her father’s near death d nor th of ived the cras cupants had, until now, eluded them — a pup h. experience, the family’s despernamed Bella. ate search to find him and the long By Crystal The dog was plucked from the wild environs See LA VAU road to recovery. Duan peovery the by Forest Signal Staff , National A6 of the Angeles Writer On Saturday, she and her father Santa Cla ple trained in helping animals. rita’ held a book-signing at The Open s rate ecli the state employee of Wildlife Graham, A nationa ave Heather pses an Book store on Soledad Canyon two of as well as rage Road, Canyon 2.1 -bed week indi l study released Tujunga Little Station percon room in ent, is theWay cate Road at Whites Canyon Road. nationa Santasep$2,564, mountains theand growth rate s Santa Clarita’s this of 1.4 percent, which way through l its Cla winds ave rita rage “My dad is very humble,” Kerr but has dec Santa Clarita a one-bed 0.2 is $1,995. from now at 4.1 from year to yearrent compared to arating room cen percent, down This marSunland, ed crea Valley Monday. “He was so excited said last mon thereas by t, ks terrain. 0.04 rough the acco in se from last percent, a slight decl is renting platform a $4 inpuppy theonli spottedth, per- Salv rding to the ne by itselffor two-bed month’s 4.9 to see people at the book signing. ine reve Apaafter Onl room iati, an to find site effort increase rtmenta List weekend-long aled Mo This frantic $3 percent. Apa for a one s and a ies in y 21 of the 100 larg . “People just kept asking him y. from Jun The July ndathe -bedroom America est cit- housing economist. rtment List dog. e. I get my picture with you?’ median3-month-old hav ‘Can fall Mu e on seen San ch ove driving to rate forwas on her way r the past of rent “Heather Clawork, rita’s (Bella),” a monthta she And, he signed each book the year, thou s growth can the SCV’s rent month-to- an additional when rent chafound Sand Canyon Road, gh be attribute 24 saw nge forthe same ‘Thanks for the support,’” general gain JulyWay Deanna Armbruster, spokeswoman for is at such s of less than 1.0 modest in the growth in pop d to a Kerr said. as Santa Los Ang ulat percent, Station, said Monday. Clarita, said eles metro ion She said of the book-signing: area. Chris “She followed the dog and waited until she “I was very excited that there was found a safe place to pull over to the side of the traffic coming in and out and (that See RENT, A6 road,” she said. “She jumped out and the dog there was) a buzz about our book. ran off a bit. But, she was able to calm her (BelThis book has touched a lot of la) down and put her in the car. And, then she lives. brought her here.” “My main purpose has alThe dog, found within 24 hours of the crash, ways been to share with people, was described as dehydrated and hungry when it to forgive and also be forgiven was brought to safety. and, most of all, learn to forgive dog’s the found Station Way the at By Brenno Rescuers yourself.” n Dixson Signal Staff owner on social media and arranged for them to Signal file photo Writer pick up the dog. afA tow truck operator watches as a Toyota Corolla reaches the surface After hea lifted about 200 feet by a crane on to Lake Hughes Road north of ter being See LA VAU, A6 his fight ring about Carter By Danielle with San David La Vau survived the crash. See FOUND, A6 Sept. Kor30, and the rece filippo synSarkar, Castaic zhe2011. 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 By Crystal Duan Getpercent, according to the site. a one-bedroom ready to is The sho 2.1 Austin Dave nighcent, paper rega the article in Satudeeply In this May the state average ofkets t brea$2,564, Much of the SCV’s rent ws star largest citStaff Writer Signal k /The out , $4 a rdin grab t rday marks This 201 you $1,995. 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. Car ter compared SarkarSanta Clarita’s rent indicates mig week Her Sau rdinator to ht fam bran e’s gus re help a June. ily raisyear hom tribute o, dev park. 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. 4.9 month’s from ld stru -to fund y, die ring Sark cture to the late July 7 nity to wat ar, Carter’ -teens, said Jenn in give Carter a clinical trial that a ifer ing Fourth ch fireworks this commuWanted As a resu s mother. “Over the chance at life. could upcomof July.” lineup of , a Bon Jovi tribute Childre draiser in lt, the family held been a gath years the structur the past a fungeles, the Concerts in the Park band, is first up Sanfilippon who are diagnos ering plac e has month with uno ban ed with goal to donate in . syndrome the (andbstructed view of e to have an a mill The rock d is made up of Based out of Los the the will like the festiviti ly Cur 501(c)(3) nonprof ion dollars to Zam fireworks) from playing to ’n’ roll group professional mus Anes it organiza e Sanfilip icians. bran Six Flag o said. po Founda tion views. Wa sold out venues had immense succ s,” tion, whi requests nted was finally and garnering rave ess, ch from age with the nts and created after num reWeather ban See prom . . . . . . . erou INDEX d on othe CARTER, . . . . . . . r projects oters who wor s A6 Lottery . . . . . . . . ked . . . . . . . . .

SignalSCV.

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A tale of two rescues

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

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

City’s re nt gro

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

9 1 9 1 d e h s i l b a Est

tribute Hyatt joins Carter’s fight SCV’s to the greats

Opinion

Hotel plans to donate event proceeds to child’s battle against Sanfilippo syndrome

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Concerts in the Park series set to return to Central Park

news l a c o l T S E B The e h t n i e c r u o s ion and informat ey! l l a V a t i r a l C Santa Good m

to Signal orning subscribe r 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

TS, A8

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. See CONCERTS, A8

See CARTER, A6

0 2 1 $ . . . . . R A E Y ONE 0 6 $ . . . . . 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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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

LOCALNEWS

Deputies respond to report of gunshot victims By Signal Staff

heriff ’s deputies this week were investigating a shooting that resulted in three gunshot victims being dropped off at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital on Wednesday night, and Santa Clarita Valley sheriff ’s deputies are asking for the public’s help with any information that may lead to the capture of the suspect or suspects involved. All three shooting victims — a teenage boy and two men who were taken to the hospital in a silver Honda sedan — are expected to survive and their conditions were listed as stable as of Thursday afternoon, according to a statement released by Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff ’s Station. From the moment the car pulled up to the hospital’s emergency department entrance on Wednesday night, the shooting left more questions than answers as deputies tried to piece it together. The statement from the SCV Sheriff ’s Station said the victims were traveling in the Honda with three

others — a man and two other teens — in the Newhall/Saugus area when they were shot at by someone in another vehicle. “The suspect allegedly pulled alongside the victims’ vehicle and an occupant of the suspect’s vehicle opened fire with an unknown-type firearm,” the statement said. “Two male adults and one male teen were struck and injured by the gunfire. The other three occupants were uninjured.” Detectives believe the shooting could have occurred on Railroad Avenue, near Drayton Avenue, around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. “Santa Clarita Sheriff ’s COBRA detectives are leading the investigation and are working to identify the suspect(s) involved, and the circumstances that led up to the shooting,” the statement said. “Through preliminary investigation, detectives do not feel that the shooting was ‘random.’” Detectives are asking anyone who happened to be driving on Railroad Avenue in the Newhall/Saugus area, and heard or saw anything unusual

SCV Sheriff’s Station deputies investigate three gunshot victims dropped off at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. PHOTO BY AUSTIN DAVE / THE SIGNAL

around the time of the shooting, to contact the station’s Detective Bureau at (661) 255-1121 ext. 5146. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you can call “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477),

use your smartphone to download the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or visit http://lacrimestoppers.org. For updates on this story, please visit signalscv.com. 

Taking a break to spread holiday cheer By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

hildren do not often see law enforcement officers driving around their neighborhoods with bags full of toys, but every holiday season some get that chance. Just days before Christmas, Deputy Tom Drake and other deputies of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station personally delivered hundreds of toys to kids across the valley. “About two or three days before Christmas, myself and other deputies drive around and if we see kids walking around we will stop the car and deliver the toys one by one,” said Drake. “I honk the siren and one or two kids come out. Within a minute or so I have about 15 kids surrounding me.” The sheriff ’s deputy said he drove to communities like Canyon Country and Newhall as well as public areas where he thought kids would most

likely hang around. At least 400 toys, ranging from dolls to electronics and arts and crafts, were handed out. “On Christmas Eve, I was handing out toys and a little girl, about 4 years old, pointed to a toy doll and her eyes just lit up,” said Drake about one of the most memorable moments of this year’s toy giveaway.

Much like other annual toy drives, like the California Highway Patrol’s CHiPs for Kids or the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots, the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Station holds its own. Toys are collected about three weeks before the holiday season thanks to donations by community members, schools and businesses.

Donations are then distributed to families and organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club across the county, including in the SCV. Every year, “there’s still a handful of extra toys — about nine large bags full of toys — from the annual drive. So, we go around the community and See CHEER, page 12

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

LOCALNEWS

A warm coat and a hug

‘Cody’s Coats’ warms SCV and L.A. homeless By Matt Fernandez Signal Staff Writer

wenty-year-old Cody Wheeler is doing his part to make the homeless feel a little bit warmer this holiday season. “We were walking out of church one day and he said, ‘Mom I don’t want anyone to be cold on Christmas,’” said his mother Christy Ramirez-Wheeler. “He wouldn’t let it go. So we sat down a week later, created a flier and posted it on Facebook.” Christy and Cody created the Cody’s Coats for the Cold clothing drive, hoping to get at least 50 coats donated to give to the homeless populations of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles. After the post was shared by the family’s friends and at their workplaces, Cody received more than 500

coats, scarves and gloves in about three weeks. According to Christy, charity work and volunteering are normal for the family and that service is something that Cody has “always had in his head.” “We always used to go and help feed the homeless and we do family projects to package sets of warm clothing then distribute them to people on Skid Row,” she said. “We had to stop doing that because life got crazy, and I don’t know what sparked this in him but that’s where he wanted to help give clothing.” Over the weekend, Cody distributed coats to Bridge to Home in Santa Clarita and the Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row. Christy said the family often volunteered at Bridge to Home and that it was important to also give back to the local community.

“It’s important to me that my kids don’t grow up to be entitled and that they know that there is another life out there,” she said. “Santa Clarita is a bit of a bubble that shelters people from that, so it’s important to show them that life here is not what it’s like everywhere else.” Christy said that Cody, who is autistic, was proud of his accomplishment but a little “shell-shocked.” She added that Cody’s success illustrates that autistic people are the same as those without autism. “The size of Cody’s developmental delay does not impact the size of his heart and that’s what we love the most about him,” Christy said. “Autism

affects people’s ability to socialize, but not their kindness and who they are as people.” Cody and Christy said they would like to continue the clothing drive next year, but plan on reducing the amount of donations they are able to accept. She added that interacting with the recipients of the coats was an eye-opening and humbling experience for her and her family. “They’re not always down and out people, and anyone could become homeless,” Christy said. “I’m so proud that my son knows that and is willing to help out. After we donated all he could say is, ‘They won’t be cold on Christmas.’” 

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Cody Wheeler, left, stands with his mother Christy Wheeler-Ramirez as they give coats to homeless people in Santa Clarita and Los Angeles. COURTESY PHOTO

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

LOCALNEWS

Slices of generosity

Project Pizza visits downtown Los Angeles By Austin Dave Signal Staff Writer

he order has been placed. The group is on the move. “Project Pizza” has begun.

It’s a bit far for a typical order, but retrieving a steaming stack of 200 cheesy pepperoni pies from a downtown Los Angeles pizzeria is anything but typical. “It’s double what we ordered last year,” said Ruben Jimenez. The 21-year-old returned Sunday to the same Little Caesars shop on the 1900 block of San Pedro Street he’s frequented since his senior year of high school. The group walked inside the store and passed on their order information to a cashier peering at them between two stacks of orange cardboard pizza boxes. “It’s the one day a year where no matter what we’ve got going on, my best friends and I, we all come

together to do something bigger than ourselves,” said Andrew Garcia. The Saugus High School alumnus joined the group, affectionately dubbed Project Pizza, during its second year. “We’re going to head out to Skid Row and roam through the streets of Los Angeles and just find some people who are in need,” Garcia said. What began as a project in 2015 between friends at Golden Valley High School to put food into the hands of the less fortunate living on the streets of Los Angeles has doubled year after year. “We racked up our change and we got about 15 boxes our first year, something humble and it’s progressed after that,” Jimenez said. Project Pizza, which is solely funded by donations from a GoFundMe account, saw a significant increase in attention over the last See PIZZA, next page

From left: Santa Clarita Valley residents Ruben Jimenez, Aaron Garcia and Andrew Garcia prepare slices of pepperoni pizza from the back of a Ford F-150 pickup truck during the execution of Project Pizza on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. PHOTO BY GEORGIA RIOS / THE SIGNAL.

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

LOCALNEWS

Detectives arrest stabbing suspect By Ryan Mancini Signal Staff Writer

anta Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station detectives have found and arrested the suspect in a stabbing that took place in Saugus on Saturday night. Gregory Brunson, 55, was found near Bouquet Canyon Park on Sunday, according to Lt. Chuck Becerra of the SCV Sheriff ’s Station. Brunson is suspected of stabbing his 79-yearold parents at the 28000 block of Oaklar Drive Saturday evening. The couple was found stabbed by a knife in their home Saturday evening. The suspect fled the scene and reportedly left behind a kitchen knife, which was recovered by law enforcement, Vander Leek said. Deputies suspect this was the weapon used in the attack. Sheriff ’s deputies received a call from a nearby resident who said

PIZZA

Continued from previous page

two years, he said. “People took notice to the cause and they gave us their change as well and it’s just been multiplying ever since,” Jimenez said. Each year, the friends set out to give meaning to the holiday season and moreover send a reminder to those who call the streets of Skid Row home: “We’re not leaving you behind.” “Oftentimes, during the holidays I think we get caught up in so much receiving and we don’t do enough giving. I think a gift of the heart, that’s the best gift that anybody can give,” Garcia said. After playing a bit of Tetris needed to fit and secure the 200 boxes of pizza in the back of a rented nondescript Ford F-150 pickup truck, the group hit the streets. Within minutes, the truck reached San Julian Street, a location of Los Angeles known for being one of the highest concentrated areas of homeless people in the nation. Instantly, the vehicle was surround-

Brunson would set up camp near Bouquet Canyon Park. At 1:15 p.m. Sunday, they walked to the park and found an encampment. After they called out Brunson by name, the suspect appeared and surrendered without incident, Becerra said. Law enforcement officials took him into custody, but remained on the scene to collect additional evidence. Brunson was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where he was examined for injuries, and was then transported to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station to be booked, Becerra said. Brunson’s parents, who were taken to Henry Mayo after suffering severe injuries the night before, were declared to be in stable condition and out of surgery Sunday, Becerra said. Sheriff ’s deputies and paramedics arrived at the 28000 block of Oaklar Drive within five minutes of an initial

call at 8:54 p.m., according to Vander Leek. Brunson was booked on charges of attempted murder, burglary, criminal mayhem, elder abuse and criminal threats, according to Sgt. Wayne Wa-

terman at the SCV Sheriff ’s Station. Brunson is scheduled to appear at the San Fernando Courthouse on Wednesday for an arraignment hearing. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. 

ed by people seeking a cheesy snack. “The people coming to give free food, I think are good people,” said Cesar Solorzano. The man frequents Skid Row and considers himself a “volunteer extraordinaire” at the Rotary House, a holistic shelter focused on helping transients overcome addiction and unemployment. Jimenez said his connection with Skid Row stems from a history of family members finding themselves out of options and taking shelter on

the streets of Los Angeles. “I figured if my family can end up here, anybody’s family can,” he said. The group said their booming presence is a subtle gesture to make the area feel less like a last resort and more like home. “They have a heart, they don’t judge,” said Lilany Togisala, a woman who called 5th Street her home. More than 1,600 slices of pizza and several hundred water bottles were served to about 800 people before the

sun disappeared behind the metropolitan skyscrapers and yielded to the moon. But for Jimenez and Garcia, it’s not about the pizza. They consider themselves stewards who just happen to dish out “slices of love.” “It’s really amazing what we can do when we all work together and we think beyond ourselves,” Garcia said. “Such a micro contribution makes a macro difference.” 

A man wanted in relation to a stabbing is detained in the hills above Bouquet Canyon Park in Saugus. PHOTO BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

CHEER

Continued from page 9

hand them out,” said Drake. The deputy added that, while they get thousands of toys every year, they are always short of dolls and sports-related items. “I always get a lot of ‘thank yous’ from parents and it’s such a positive thing to be able to match a toy with a child,” said Drake. “This event brings tremendous joy and we couldn’t do it without the unbelievable support our community members give.” 

Deputy Tom Drake, from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, was one of many deputies tasked with delivering toys to children across the valley days before Christmas as part of the station’s annual toy drive. COURTESY PHOTO

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

Carving out their American Dream By Matt Fernandez Signal Staff Writer

ike Campbell and Josh Organ have worked with wood for a large part of their lives, and together they decided to put their woodworking skills to use in the creation of a special wooden flag to donate to their church. People saw their work and wanted to buy flags of their own, so the two men created a business out of it. Now, Campbell and Organ own 4 Day Woodworx, which sells wooden American flags that can be customized to include names, patriotic messages or insignias, the most popular of which is the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor. In the past 18 months, the two men have made more than 200 flags out of Organ’s garage shop in Agua Dulce. For Campbell and Organ, 4 Day Woodworx is a hobby and a side business. Both men work full-time for the Pasadena Fire Department, and come from military families. Campbell himself is a former Marine and police officer. The name of their company is a reference to the fourday breaks the men get between work shifts at the fire station. “The funny thing is how many people think that four days is how long it takes us to make the flags,” Campbell said with a laugh. “But then you get the cops or firemen who get it and say, ’Oh, you do this on your days off.’ Usually it’s with a snicker from the cops. It actually only takes us about 45 minutes to an hour to make a flag.” Initially, the flags were all made by hand with carving tools and took hours to complete. After a lot of trial and error and purchasing a machine to help carve custom designs into the wood, they were able to streamline the process and cut the time by over half. Once a week, Organ will open up his workshop and, with the help of Campbell’s father, the three men will work on the eight to 10 flag orders they get per month. Most of 4 Day Woodworx’s orders are the result of word-of-mouth referrals, and though there are many similar flag companies, Organ believes that the popu-

TOP: 4 Day Woodworx co-owner Josh Organ holds a completed flag at their workshop in Agua Dulce. RIGHT: Josh Organ, co-owner of 4 Day Woodworx, works on a CNC Router engraving a design into a wooden flag at their workshop. PHOTOS BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

larity of their flags is due to the high quality and low price point. “We know other flag builders and our quality is on par with them, but we’re easily $50 to $100 cheaper,” Organ said. “We would rather see these flags go in more homes of families who want a flag and couldn’t really afford a big price tag than to make an extra $50.” Almost a third of the flags they make are donated to the families of fallen servicemen, police officers and firefighters, using the money from their paid orders to cover the material costs. Though this may not sound like a solid business practice, Campbell and Organ see it as a ministry and patriotic duty to honor families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. “These donations are the best part of making the flags for me, especially to Gold Star families, and it’s the paying customers that allow us to make

so many donations,” Campbell said. “We have other ways of making an income, and if we were just in this for the money then we probably would not have lasted this long. If there’s one frustration for me, it would be when we get so backed up with orders that we aren’t able to make the deadline for a funeral service.” Another reason why Organ and Campbell enjoy making the flags is because they believe veterans are an underserved and often forgotten segment of the population. The flags help promote patriotism, which, in the current political climate, they believe is in short supply. “I think people forget how fortunate we are,” Organ said. “Other countries like Venezuela, Russia or China don’t have the same freedoms as we do in America. I think that patriotism is pride, love for our country and the beauty in how different

BUSINESS

we all are. You may not agree with everything that goes on here, but as an American you need to be proud of where you’re from.” Campbell likened patriotism to one of their flags in that there are many imperfections in the wood, but the point is to enjoy the product as a whole and for what it strives to be. Though a majority of people praise the flags for their artisanship and meaning, others criticize 4 Day Woodwork for violating flag code by carving symbols and words into a flag. While Organ and Campbell are aware of the violation, they believe more in the spirit of the code than the letter and that the writers of the flag code would not oppose their work. “What we’re doing is art,” Organ said. “We do have limits, though, and there are certain designs that we won’t do. We won’t make a flag with Mickey Mouse or a sports team on it.” The biggest values for the 4 Day Woodworx team are respect and honor. They make sure to research the customers and ensure that they really were part of the group that they want engraved on their flag and that someone does not get a Navy Seal insignia engraved just because they think it is cool. And while Campbell and Organ are willing to make products other than flags, they will not use the flag as a decoration on a piece of furniture like a table or cutting board. In the coming year, Campbell and Organ plan on catching up with their current orders and eventually scaling back their operations in order to spend more time with their families. They also plan to host at least one workshop and barbecue where attendees can make their own flags. “Eventually, I want to see us grow so that we can split the business between the money-making side and the charitable side,” Campbell said. “I would love to see us expand to where we could make enough money to become the go-to company for charitable events. Being included in that honor and giving away something that has meaning is the coolest part.” To see some of 4 Day Woodworx’s other work or to order a flag, visit the company’s Facebook page at www.face book.com/4DaywoodWorx/. 

14 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

SPORTS

10 girls to watch in SCV high school hoops By Diego Marquez Signal Staff Writer

ith the 2018-19 girls basketball season underway, we take a look at 10 players from the Santa Clarita Valley to keep an eye on throughout the year. Canyon — Chidinma Okafor (Jr.) Chidinma Okafor provides a lowpost threat for Canyon, averaging a double-double with 12.2 points and 13.2 rebounds, according to MaxPreps.com. Picking up basketball for the first time two years ago, Okafor is barely scratching the surface of her potential, and will continue to show her dominance as the season moves forward. “She has grown tremendously,” said Canyon coach Jessica Haayer. “She has never played basketball... She has grown tremendously from the summer to now. She is still learning, and obviously young to basketball, so

the sky’s the limit for her. I’m excited to have her for the next two years. So it’s really nice to have that force on the glass, and the mismatches that she creates.” Valencia — Skylar Ingram (Jr.) The 6-foot-1 junior center leads the Vikings in scoring and rebounding, almost averaging a double-double through 10 games. Pulling down 19 boards in her first Foothill League game this year in a win against Saugus, Ingram is a force to be reckoned with inside the paint for Valencia. Valencia — Mailey Ballard (So.) Taking on a bigger role in her second year playing varsity, Ballard has improved in every facet of the game. Her scoring, rebounding and assist have all improved averaging 10.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game through 11 games this season. She will continue to progress and will be a staple for the Valencia program for years to come.

Saugus — Monique Febles (Jr.) The floor general for Saugus, Febles controls the pace and scoring with her ball handling abilities. She can get out on the break burning defenders with her speed or use her elusive ball skills to fool defenders on any given play. “She really keeps us together with her dribbling and ball handling and she gets overshadowed which she shouldn’t,” Conn said. “Mo getting the ball up the floor, she is very good at what she does. Controlling the tempo of the game and she’s getting better at it.” Saugus — Libbie McMahan (Jr.) Entering her junior year, McMahan is looking to improve on the impressive 17.1 points per game she averaged last season. She can rebound with the best of them, and knock down long-range shots from just about anywhere on the court. Her scoring ability and length will be key to Saugus’ success. “She’s just nonstop,” Conn said. “She’s the Energizer Bunny, and sometimes, I have to reel her back in because she’s just constantly going.” Hart — Trudy Larkins (Sr.) Tough, tenacious and aggressive on both ends of the floor, Larkins is a “do-it-all” player for Hart who can drive and score inside the lane, bang inside with the bigs and pop out for a perimeter shot. “Trudy is one of the toughest kids you’ll see. She was always a good defensive player, but now she’s gotten stronger and her offensive game has come around so she creates problems because people foul her,” Palmer said. “She looks small, but she’s strong and she does not shy away from the contact.” Golden Valley — Shyann Franklin (Sr.) Leading by example, Franklin is the Grizzlies leading scorer and rebounder averaging 12.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game through nine games. “She brings stability when we hit a little traffic,” said Golden Valley coach Galbert Conner. “She’s the one that pumps us up and is the coach on the floor. She centers us and is an amazing talent.” West Ranch — Elora Kawasawa (Fr.) Only a freshman, Kawasawa has already cemented herself as the Wild-

Libbie McMahan, a junior at Saugus, has proved she can score from all over the court, and provides a strong presence inside for Saugus. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

cats go to scorer through 14 games. A true shooting guard, Kawasawa has taken the reigns of the team and provided timely buckets for West Ranch with her fluid shooting motion. “She’s running the point guard position and is really a true shooting guard,” said West Ranch coach Carlos Fandino. “She is basically our glue right now. Our go-to player when we need a bucket and has been coming in clutch in terms of points. She is a pure-shooter with incredible form. She’s still so young right now and will only get better.” SCCS — Aaronya Crosswhite (Sr.) When she’s not busy logging kills on the volleyball court, Crosswhite is dominating on the hardwood as one of Santa Clarita Christian’s top-scorers. The senior is an important cog in the Cardinals system and is the leader of the team. Trinity — Hannah Caddow (Sr.) In her senior year, Caddow is the Knights’ swiss-army knife doing a little bit of everything. Thanks to her height she can go up and grab rebounds as well as step out and knock down 3s with her range and knack for scoring. 

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

ALL VALLEY RV Your one stop shop for EVERYTHING RV related!

To a happy and safe New Year’s Day celebration

By Ken Striplin City Manager

t’s hard to believe that 2018 will be behind us in just two more days. I hope you have many festive celebrations planned to usher in 2019, but I want to remind you to celebrate safe. This New Year’s Eve, do your part to make sure our city streets are safe for everyone traveling throughout our community. I urge you to practice caution on the roadways, report drunk drivers and plan ahead. If you are going out, make sure to designate a sober driver in advance, keep a taxi phone number handy, your Uber or Lyft app ready to go or simply stay in to avoid driving altogether. If you are designated as the sober driver, you should practice extra precaution by staying alert. As always, all drivers should buckle up and encourage other riders to do the same. Our dedicated Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station, as well as CHP officers, will be extra vigilant over the New Year’s holiday. Even though local law enforcement does their best to try and prevent tragedy on the roadways, there will still be a number of people who make the unfortunate decision to drink and drive. The goal is to make sure those who are driving under the influence are stopped and arrested before they cause harm to themselves or others. Driving under the influence can not only result in injury or death, but DUI arrests also have serious financial repercussions. Depending on the severity of the incident, DUI fines can sometimes total more than $10,000. This is in addition to the fact that driving drunk could also cost someone else their life. A DUI doesn’t go away either — convictions

ET! ERE Y H T V R

NEW

can hold long standing consequences including jail time, the loss of your driver’s license, higher car insurance rates and serious damage to your hard-earned reputation. Here are a few things to remember when celebrating, not just this New Year’s Eve, but always: • Just one drink can impair your judgement and increase the risk of an accident. • If you plan to drink, plan ahead and designate a responsible sober driver. • If you drink, do not drive. Call a taxi, Uber, Lyft, friend or family member. • Be a good friend and neighbor and look out for others. Keep those who are drinking from getting be-

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hind the wheel. • If you see something, say something. Report concerning drivers to 9-1-1. Driving safe and responsibly is important year round, not just during the holidays. That’s why the City’s Heads Up campaign is so important. We can all do our part to make our streets safer. A big part of that is avoiding distracted driving. Texting while behind the wheel is dangerous — and our Sheriff motor deputies are always nearby ready to write you a ticket. For more information on being a heads up driver please visit santa-clarita.com/HeadsUp. Please remember, one drink could cost you your life or claim someone else’s. Celebrate safely Santa Clarita — so we can all enjoy a happy 2019. 

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16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

R E A L E S TAT E

Down payment gifts and a New Year’s resolution

any people and families want to buy a home, but coming up with the down payment for a purchase is often a problem. One way people buy their first home is with the assistance of a down payment gift. Isn’t this the gift you really want to give or get this year? Gifts for a down payment complicate the home-buying process, and there are guidelines for making it all work. First of all, lenders generally do not allow gifts

to come from just anyone, or “suddenly appear.” Acceptable sources of gifts include family, domestic partners and significant others if engaged to be married. Second, depending on the type of loan, there may be restrictions on the down payment gift. For example, if it’s conventional financing with 20 percent or more down, all of it can come as a gift. If it’s FHA financing, you will need to put in some portion of the down payment. FHA and VA loans have other restrictions based on your credit-worthiness and specific type of loan. For instance, minimum down FHA 3.5 percent down financing require all the funds to be from your own pocket, not from a gift.

Also, count on some documentation requirements by your home purchase lender. A letter of explanation of the gift that includes the name of the donor, their relationship to you, the date and amount of the gift and a statement that says the money is given with no expectation of repayment. However, if the gift has been in your account for some months prior to getting a home loan, your lender may not need the documentation and verification of the source of the funds. Just know that when dealing with a lender, it’s always best to remember the other “Golden Rule” — those with the gold make the rules. The important New Year’s Resolution: Have

you decided to make your move this year, whether as a first-time or investment buyer, or as a home seller? It is never too early to consult with a trained and seasoned real estate professional about one of the largest lifestyle and financial decisions you will ever make. Ray “the Realtor” Kutylo is the team leader of the SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties. The Team brings experienced and professional service, commitment and value to every transaction, whether you are a home buyer or seller. Ray can be reached at (661) 312-9461 or by email at rkutylo@gmail.com. The views expressed are his own and not necessarily those of The Signal. CA DRE 00918855 

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY CLOSED SALES 12/14/18 TO 12/21/18 AREA/St#

St Name

Sold Price

SqFt/Source

$400,000 $915,000

1190/ 3298/A

$300,000 $399,000 $415,000 $525,000 $543,000 $549,000 $555,000 $560,000 $575,000 $590,000 $600,000 $695,000 $770,000 $1,040,000 $1,250,000 $1,285,000

1127/A 1340/A 920/A 2230/A 1662/A 2234/A 2419/A 1670/A 2210/A 2108/A 1930/A 3000/E 2682/A 3099/E 4728/P 4940/A

Buchanan WAY Arrow Point DR Nichols LN San Martinez RD Ridge Top LN Countryside LN

$411,000 $440,000 $455,000 $475,000 $625,000 $714,900

1678/A 1067/A 1960/A 1996/A 2846/A 3007/A

Avenue Of The Oaks #C Peachland AVE #223 Peachland AVE #170 Leonard Tree LN #202 Valle Del Oro #202 Sandpiper PL #134 Vista Del Canon #B Mentry DR Fambrough ST Haskell Vista LN Newhall AVE

$230,000 $260,000 $285,000 $309,900 $320,000 $345,000 $370,000 $646,312 $650,000 $659,000 $1,975,000

666/A 850/A 867/A 943/ 943/A 1078/A 1132/A 2930/A 2200/O 1500/A 3301/A

$299,000

799/A

CANYON COUNTRY 27612 27924 19315 29031 28064 29355 29414 15112 27546 16737 28054 26536 14314 15890 15529 15031

Nugget DR #5 Avalon DR Newhouse ST Flowerpark DR Wildwind RD Ryan LN Dakotah CT Julianne CT Fairport AVE La Veda AVE Parkridge LN Brant WAY Platt CT Falconrim DR Saddleback RD Live Oak Springs Canyon

CASTAIC & VAL VERDE 30008 31425 31356 30706 32717 31318

St Name

Sold Price

SqFt/Source

SAUGUS (continued)

ACTON & AGUA DULCE 5908 Shannon Valley RD 35149 Penman RD

AREA/St#

21773 21989 26706 27754 21622 28805 25531

Propello DR Propello DR Lexington LN Caraway LN Farmington LN Pepper PL Norfork PL

$490,000 $495,000 $505,000 $510,000 $536,000 $585,000 $605,000

1695/A 1719/A 2330/A 1890/A 1304/A 1375/A 1410/A

$759,997

2031/A

$435,000 $467,000 $475,000 $535,000 $540,000 $572,990 $589,000 $640,000 $640,000 $642,000 $650,000 $759,000 $831,100 $840,000 $3,200,000

1809/A 1574/A 1128/A 1356/A 1196/A 1596/A 1624/A 1763/A 2815/A 1692/A 2211/A 2784/A 2828/A 3315/A 6077/A

STEVENSON RANCH 25435 Shelley PL

VALENCIA & WESTRIDGE 29226 27018 25679 25950 25837 25408 23220 23702 23923 26022 27824 23321 23313 27322 25569

Rio Lobo WAY Fairway LN Lupita DR Palomita DR Parada DR Via Pacifica Osage Ridge RD Greystone CT Francisco WAY La Palma CT Bloomfield CT Summerglen PL Cuestport DR Blueridge DR Oak Savannah CT

NEWHALL 19149 25007 25031 24439 24429 19849 18858 24160 23634 23220 23469

SAUGUS 28193 Robin AVE

MLS Data Disclaimer: Based on information from the Southland Regional Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing Service for the week ending on 12/21/18. 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 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

TIMERANGER

Naked 7-Eleven Lady, Freezes & Bears. Oh my!

here’s an undeniable beauty of forever. This is our last Time Ranger adventure of 2018. But, with the gift of time travel, who cares? We can bounce hither and yon, forward and backward, visit our great grandparents and postulate on the future. A long sigh, however. We can’t undo past mistakes, just learn from them. As always, a most interesting trek ahead for us on the back trails of Santa Clarita history. There’s nudists aplenty, swindlers, bears, bees and lots of cold weather. (DO bring something fashionable, windproof and Western…) WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• Not kosher just fishing techniques— Our Tataviam ancestors, who lived as peaceful nudists here while our forefathers were writing the Constitution, fished for freshwater clams on the Santa Clara River, which ran bank to bank back then. Like other Southland tribes, they may have sprinkled the water with hallucinogenic herbs. Soon, trout and other fish would float to the surface in a stupor. • Wine into water — Local vineyard owner Andrae Miohell wanted

HER LAST PREMONITION — In late December 1978, Carol Flores of East Los Angeles had a terrible feeling that she was going to die on this ride before climbing aboard Magic Mountain’s Colossus roller coaster. She was thrown from the coaster when she slipped out of her safety bar. The centrifugal forces of her weight (more than 250 pounds) and height (less than 5 feet) was blamed for the accident that threw her from 100 feet high to her death.

to turn his grapes into Catholic sacramental wine and applied for a permit. It would later be denied in December 1910. Reason? The winery was too close to the new California Aqueduct and the Board of Supervisors feared the grapes would fall into the water. • Can’t fly over Saugus — Legendary pilot Horace Kearny wanted to become the first person to fly over San Francisquito Canyon. The birdman took a powerful Curtis airplane, plus extra gas tanks, to make the jaunt in December 1912. Worst darn time of year. Kearny was flying from Los Angeles to San Francisco to set a record. He had to postpone. • So long, Mr. Funny money — It was a freezing night in 1902. Counterfeiter David Elsworth was being escorted on a train from Santa Barbara to L.A. when he leapt off somewhere between Newhall and Saugus. The passenger train was chugging at top speed and Elsworth just opened a window and jumped. They never found him.

DEC. 30, 1928 • Tongs for the memories — Chan Yeck was a suspected Tong underworld crime boss responsible for illegal drug sales from here to Bakersfield. He was arrested in Newhall for drug possession. The rich, elegantly dressed Chinese businessman was quite high and, according to police reports, they “ ... found a stock of narcotics that would send half the town to cocaine heaven.” • Well, we’re atleast greener — It’s amazing to compare photos from 80 years ago to today. We’ve planted hundreds of thousands of trees in the last 50 years. Interestingly, a Signal editorial from this day in 1928 noted: “Here, the forests have been destroyed, and must be replaced for the use of the people of a hundred years hence.” • Fooling car thieves —Car theft had become such a problem here in the SCV, the mechanics of the Doty Ford Garage started moving the ignition wires inside the steering column. DEC. 30, 1938

• Gunfighter, rodeo man or law-

man? —Lawman. A new sheriff ’s deputy was assigned here. His name was Hackshaw Story. • Motorcycle cop 1st place, motorcycle 2nd — State policeman Walt Fidler was badly injured, patrolling the back roads of the SCV. A dog ran out from a ranch in front of his Harley Davidson. Fidler ran over the dog and killed it, but was thrown head over handlebars and didn’t land well. • Chick-a-filled up — R.C. Gibson was one of the state’s top egg and chicken producers. His farm was in today’s Happy Valley and he had nearly 50,000 hens and chicks. DEC. 30, 1948

• Montana cold — Lord have mercy. It was 14 degrees in some of the outer canyons. A portent of perhaps the oddest weather to hit the SCV. In January 1949, it would snow heavily for more than a week here. • Bears, bees and Madrays do not mix — For three nights straight, bears attacked Earl Madray’s hives in Castaic. The fourth night the bruins returned. By the time Earl jumped out of bed, grabbed a shotgun and halfway pulled up his britches, the bears were gone. The bees were angry and attacked Earl instead, sneaking into his opened pants and stinging the poor apiarist where the moon normally does not shine. • And no, you couldnt text or facechat — Late December meant the phone company came out with new telephone books — an event close to Christmas for locals. The new phone book had 300 more listings than the previous year for a total of near 1,900. That included the Antelope Valley. • Duck season. Wabbit season. Deer season — Hunters went berserk up by Elizabeth Lake. After unsuccessfully plunking away at migrating mallards, several dozen hunters spotted a deer by water’s edge and started firing like an ISIS training camp on opening day. DEC. 30, 1958

• Good-bye, operator — Modern times were just a year away. The telephone company announced that the

Newhall-Saugus area would be the first rural community in California to go to direct dialing in January 1960. We still had another year of dialing the local operator to place a call. DEC. 30, 1968

• State-sponsored sex ed — Who should teach sex education? The parents? Or, the state? The state won. Already, tepid “adult classes” were being offered under the guise of health education. All in the wording. Replace “sex” for “health.” • Going whole hog — Signal correspondent Eddie Myers and his friends butchered and prepared a 250-pound pig for a Val Verde New Year’s Day feast. The meat would slowly cook for several days. DEC. 30, 1978

• The big chill — the biggest snowfall in the previous 12 years hit the SCV. Snow kept on falling in the local mountains. Residents of Castaic, Acton and Agua Dulce were either sliding around the icy roads, or safe at home, making snowmen. • Making an entrance — A shapely woman, nude save for a sombrero, walked into a 7-Eleven at Bouquet and Urbandale. She bought nothing, just danced through the aisles and left. 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.

1 8 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

Opinion

D E C E M B E R 30, 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.

PUBLISHER'SMESSAGE

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

Divided Community, but No Name-Calling Allowed

Seeking a Path Toward Maturity in the New Year

By Richard Budman Signal Publisher

ast Sunday we called for a social media truce on Christmas Day. We asked posters to refrain from name-calling for a single day. I’m not sure how many people honored that request. Today I am telling you that we will be strictly enforcing this policy of no name-calling or personal attacks on all of our platforms. In print, on our website and on all our social media. We will delete any post or comment and edit any letter or column that does not follow these guidelines. Our community includes a diverse spectrum of viewpoints. Our elected officials come from both sides of the aisle. Our President is a Republican. Our congresswoman-elect is a Democrat. Our state senator is a Republican. Our state Assemblywoman-elect is a Democrat. We are a divided community but we need to rationally talk to each other and discuss the issues we disagree on. We must be able to exchange ideas and viewpoints with one another and to listen to each other, in a civil manner.

The Signal encourages dialogue and respectful discussions of the issues from both sides. That is the way it used to be and the way it should be. As your community newspaper we welcome discussions and your viewpoints and we will provide a platform to anyone and everyone who writes or comments, but we will no longer allow any name-calling or personal attacks. Only debates on issues. The editors of this paper will oversee our print publications and we will be monitoring our website and social media as well, but we can’t do it alone. I am asking everyone who sees this policy being abused to please email me at rbudman@signalscv.com or Signal Editor Tim Whyte at twhyte@signalscv.com and report the abuse, and we will have the post or comments deleted. Thank you for your help. Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year. Richard Budman is owner and publisher of The Signal.. 

By David Hegg

like to watch sporting events. While soccer is my favorite, I’ll watch just about anything, especially when my kids are home. Lately, it’s been football and besides the score and the action, I’ve come to understand the reason teams with veteran players usually come out on top. That is not to diminish the contribution at all. Youth will be served, as the saying goes. But even the rookies, and those in their first few years, understand how important it is to have, and to learn from, those who have been playing the game a long time. Why is this? I think it is because experience builds maturity, and maturity comes to focus on the right priorities and actions, whether it is in football, or the great game of life. Having achieved a certain amount of years myself, I offer to you some things that are marks of maturity simply because they are so hard to do unless you stop caring so much about self and determine to do what is best and right. First on the list is self-awareness.

Immaturity casts its eyes outward almost all the time, critiquing others but hardly ever self. Immaturity is given to rationalization rather than confession simply because the immature are still fighting for acceptance, status and applause. But maturity demonstrates itself in one of the hardest, yet most needed character traits. That is the willingness to acknowledge personal deficiencies, confess them openly, apologize for them sincerely, and seek forgiveness from others while demanding change and consistency in righteousness from yourself. It takes maturity to do the hard things well, in life just as in football. A second mark of maturity is found on the other side of the confession coin. It’s forgiveness. Immaturity struggles to forgive. It wants its pound of flesh, and carefully stores up bitterness masquerading as hurt feelings. Bitterness is the residue of wrongs suffered that allows us to feel good about acting badly. See HEGG, page 20

READERLETTERS

What Should Be the REAL Top Priority I am delighted to hear Katie Hill has hit the ground running in Washington and she is dedicated to representing her constituency, rather than her campaign donors. I would like to suggest that the climate crisis that threatens all life on this planet BEGS to become everyone’s priority, especially those in the Congress and administration who wield the power to make the most significant impact. There are myriad problems, untold injustices in the world. But none surpass this for urgency. I have never heard it expressed more concisely and powerfully than in this TedX talk by a 15-year-old autistic Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAmmUIEsN9A.

Katie: please do everything you can starting Jan. 7 to support fast and decisive solutions for the world, not just those of us in District 25. Lynne Girdlestone, Newhall

Does Letter Writer’s Hatred of Trump Bring Joy? Lois Eisenberg (letters, Dec. 22) spews venom to no good purpose. We could ask, does she accomplish anything? Has she changed one person’s mind? I would think not. She sees anti-Semitism around every corner. For Lois, Donald Trump is the culmination of all that is evil in the world. Despite his record of unprecedented achievement, fully half of our population says they dislike Continued on next page

D E C E M B E R 30, 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

L E G I S L AT I V E V O I C E S

BLACK&WHYTE

Predictions, Resolutions Priorities: A Look Ahead to the 116th Congress and My Utter Failures By Tim Whyte Signal Editor You’re gonna take a walk in the rain And you’re gonna get wet (I predict) You’re gonna eat a bowl of chow mein And be hungry real soon. (I predict) — Lyrics, “I Predict” by Sparks, 1982

s a prognosticator, I always felt a certain kinship with that awful song by the 1980s onehit wonder, Sparks. The song’s opening lyrics were predictions of the well-duh variety: Going out in the rain? Yep. Gonna get wet. That much, I can predict with certainty. Ordering chow mein? Better get some orange chicken with that. And some honey walnut shrimp. Because the chow mein isn’t gonna do the whole job all by itself. Trust me. But these sorts of predictions don’t exactly make one Carnac the Magnificent.

I was reminded of my prognosticative ineptitude as we come to the end of one year and the beginning of another, and I am of course contemplating this annual exercise in which columnists must do one of these three things: 1) Look back on the

past year. 2) Make predictions for the next year. Or, 3) Offer a series of New Year’s resolutions. It’s in the rules. I have to do one of those things. It’s the end of 2018 and 2019 starts on Tuesday. All other column topics are off limits until I’ve done the obligatory New Year Thing. Ugh. I’m really bad at this. Looking back on 2018, all that sticks out at me are a bunch of things I never would have predicted. It ranges from little things, like who would win the Stanley Cup. (I really thought Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals would never get it done, and that made me happy. But then when

See WHYTE, page 20

Letters, continued from previous page

him and don’t trust him. Hate is simple. It is the manifestation of emotion let loose. It takes work and energy to hate on the level Lois does. It gives some people an upset stomach or worse. I can’t believe it truly gives Lois any joy. Jim Horton, Valencia

A Case Study in Favor of School Choice We enrolled (our daughter) Leia in California Virtual Academy - Los Angeles two years ago to pursue a quality education with rigorous curriculum while enabling Leia to focus on her passion for dance (CAVA-LA). She’s interested in college and studying both dance and possibly law. CAVA-LA is preparing her for academics at the next level.

Part 2 of 2 By Katie Hill Congresswoman-Elect

or everyone who celebrated, I hope you enjoyed your Christmas! My mom worked the overnight shift and got off at 7 a.m. on Christmas Day, only to turn around and host our family gathering. I know many of you had hectic holiday schedules of your own! Last week, I updated you on what I’ve been up to this past month. But with the opening day of the 116th Congress just a few days away, I wanted to let you know some of the plans my team has in store. I’m so proud to let you know I’ve hired some key staff who will be essential in paving the way for our success. My chief of staff will be Emily Burns, a purpose-driven leader with eight years of policy-making experience. She brings an in-depth knowledge of the House Armed Services Committee and the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, helping to develop landmark legislation like the most recent five-year transportation authori-

zation bill and the annual defense authorization acts. Emily spent the last few weeks of the election here getting to know the 25th, organizing community events in Santa Clarita and throughout our district. Alongside Emily, I’ve hired Angela Giacchetti to serve as my district director. Some of you may remember Angela — she ran the field operation in Santa Clarita. With her proven track record of growing engaged communities, scaling operations and working collaboratively to launch successful programs, we are going to have some of the best constituent services in the country. Our goal was to retain all three of Rep. Steve Knight’s district offices in Simi Valley, Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley. However, we were only able to renew the leases in Simi and Palmdale. Thank you for bearing with us as we find a permanent home in Santa Clarita. We are ready to get our doors open and start giving this community our very best. I also plan to advance the goals of See HILL, page 20

Leia’s earned a spot at The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in the Byham Center for Dance. She trains and performs with their company more than half the school year and CAVA-LA provides her the flexibility to train alongside professionals without sacrificing her education. Leia’s top college choice is UC at Santa Barbara and she thanks CAVA-LA for preparing her for academic independence. The state of California needs to protect our school choice options — for children like Leia and for the countless other families needing something beyond the four-walled classroom. Molly Zorba, Agua Dulce 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.

2 0 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

Opinion

WHYTE

Continued from page 19

they won, I was happy for them, and I never would have predicted THAT.) It also includes major events in my own life — like coming back to The Signal. If you’d asked me on Jan. 1, 2018, if I’d be the editor of The Signal a year later, I would have laughed and asked if you’d been visiting a downtown dispensary lately. And the election. Sure, I could have seen the Democrats’ takeover of the House coming a mile away. But two legislative seats, right here in the ol’

Republican stronghold that is northern L.A. County, flipping to Democrats? Yes, I thought it was possible, but if I had been betting on it, I’d have predicted the GOP incumbents would hold on by slim margins. Good thing I don’t gamble. And then there’s the local political stuff. A couple weeks back, when the Santa Clarita City Council gave us the gift of a highly entertaining argument over which of them would be the next mayor, only to fall back on their generally understood rotation that gave the gavel to Marsha McLean for 2019, I confess. I didn’t see it coming.

HEGG

Continued from page 18

Forgiveness, rightly understood and offered, refuses to allow bitterness to remain. While the pain may remain, and trust be built up slowly, true forgiveness means no longer holding the wrong confessed against the forgiven person. This is a sign of maturity because it is so hard to do. The ability to truly forgive is forged over time as we experience true forgiveness ourselves. Being forgiven breeds a forgiving heart. A third mark of maturity is accepting responsibility of your own well-being, and no longer believing it is the responsibility of the world around you to make you feel good at every turn. Immaturity believes the world exists for them. It places unreasonable expectations on those in their lives, critiques the way they are treated, and stores up bitterness as evidence that

HILL

Continued from page 19

our communities by joining congressional caucuses that are aligned with our priorities. As the only member of Congress with a background in homelessness services, I’m excited to bring my expertise to the Congressional Homelessness Caucus. I mentioned last week that I hope to be on the Armed Services Committee because of how many veterans we have in our district — for the same reason, I’m looking forward to serving on a caucus like the Veterans Jobs Caucus. My personal experience will also benefit me on caucuses like the bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and LGBT Equality Caucus. The Democratic Party truly is a “big

But hey. Surprises are fun sometimes. So, based on my quick review of 2018, I can rightly conclude that it’s relatively pointless for me to try to predict anything in 2019. Who’s winning the Super Bowl? No idea. Will I predict that Alabama will lose in the college football playoffs? Nope. I’m superstitious. I really really really want them to lose and I’m afraid that if I predict it, it won’t happen. Who’s the next mayor of Santa Clarita? Cripes, Cameron Smyth is in line — but we’ve already established that those council members are an unpredictable bunch.

they’ve been victimized by mean haters and, therefore, are not responsible for their wayward actions and self-inflicted failures. Maturity is the realization that we exist for the world, for those around us, and for the God who made us. Maturity takes responsibility to build inner strength, a positive reliance on personal character and virtue, and a firm set of ethical convictions that steer the course of action regardless of the circumstances around them. As we look ahead to the New Year, and the months of challenge and opportunity it brings, can we agree to pursue a greater level of maturity in our lives? Can we trade in cynicism for compassion, shouting for listening, and bitterness for patience and forgiveness? And can we muster up the courage to take personal inventory of ourselves each day, being more aware of our own deficiencies and demanding better of ourselves.?

tent” that represents a lot of diversity in race, class and ideology. This diversity is what makes us strong, and I’ve never thought my views could be put into one box. That’s why I’m proud to be a part of both the New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The New Democrat Coalition represents the more moderate wing of our party, committed to achieving results through negotiating deals. I’m looking forward to working with them for tangible change on some of our biggest hurdles, like lowering the cost of prescription drugs. The Congressional Progressive Caucus members are forward thinkers who are committed to changing the system. I can’t wait to work with them on rolling back the damage we’ve done to our climate and our planet, and building

It’s clear that I’m not much of a prognosticator. And resolutions? Geez. I’ve got a few, but none that I want to put into print. Let’s just say there a LOT of ways I can try to do better. So that’s that. I am shirking my New Year’s duties as a columnist. No predictions. No resolutions. Sorry. But I will wish you, dear reader, a happy, healthy and prosperous 2019. Who knows what it will bring? Let’s embrace unpredictability and enjoy the surprises. Tim Whyte is editor of The Signal. His column appears Sundays. 

Of course, if you read this column regularly you know where I’m heading. The path of my life always leads me back to the personal God of the Bible who is really the only one who can truly forgive our trespasses. I happen to know this personally, more this year than before. So, as we head to a New Year, with all the challenges and opportunities it will lay out before us, let’s agree to pursue greater levels of maturity, and greater consistency in living out the lessons we’ve learned, the character we’ve built, and the ethical convictions we share. After all, we’re in this together. Let’s make it a great New Year! David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church and a Santa Clarita resident.“Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

a health care system that works for everyone. It’s important that when we search for solutions, we look at all sides of an issue. The caucuses I’m joining show my continuing commitment to that idea and demonstrate my willingness to work with everyone – we’re only as strong as our ability to get over gridlock and get to work. Solutions and effectiveness have never been more sorely needed in government than they are right now, after several weeks of unprecedented instability and the ongoing government shutdown. We have seen our president prioritize politics and his personal agenda over our safety, livelihood and best interests, and I’m angry that it won’t be our elected officials in Washington who pay the price. Instead, it’s people like our Forest

Service firefighters, TSA agents, and law enforcement and corrections officers. Some 380,000 federal workers have been forced to take mandatory unpaid time off, and 420,000 have been forced to come to work without pay. I support legislative efforts to guarantee back pay, but nothing can make up for the uncertainty they’ve endured. If the system doesn’t work for us, it’s on us to change it, and we can only do that with a seat at the table. With a strong team behind me, and support from all of you, I am ready to get to work for this community, starting day one. Katie Hill, D-Agua Dulce, is the representative-elect for the 25th Congressional District, which includes the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys. 

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 1

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING Every Monday, 10 a.m. Please join us for baby and toddler Storytime in the Barnes & Noble Children’s Department every Monday morning. This time is designated for children 6 to 36 months old and their grown-ups. Come read with us, participate in fun activities and make new friends. 23630 Valencia Blvd. Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 254-6604 or visit https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/ store/2642 First and Third Tuesdays of each month, 6:30 p.m., Second and fourth Mondays of each 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) 371-9381 or visit https://www.nami.org.

FLOOR & HOME

sessions will take place the first Saturday of every month. Participants should bring a mat. Classes begin at 8:30 a.m. and attendees should arrive 5-10 minutes early. Instructing the group will be Madeleine Elisabet, a teacher with 15 years experience in a variety of yoga forms, including hatha, power, vinyasa, Ashtanga, yin and smart flow styles. Cost: $20. 19100 Esguerra Road, Santa Clarita, (Near Lombardi Ranch, in Saugus). gibboncenter.org. Last Sunday of Every Month, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Route 66 Classic Grill in Canyon Country will hold their monthly “Cars & Coffee” event where car enthusiasts meet to share their passion. Newcomers welcome! It’s free to gawk, but the coffee is extra. 18730 Soledad Canyon Rd Canyon Country. Info: route66classicgrill.com

EVENTS BY DATE

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Monday, Dec. 31, 12:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Celebrate your New Year’s Eve at Valencia Every Wednesday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Are Lanes! Enjoy unlimited bowling per session, you ready to put your smarts to work? Gather shoe rentals, two pitchers of soda, a jumbo hardpizza, up a team and head over to Pocock Brewery’s favors and a countdown to sumusic rfacparty em weekly trivia night, Trivia with Budds. Teams the ball drop. a4teSessions We have to rial pforryou (includin i c i ng can have up to 6 players. Teams will answer g SAL1Ewillpbe from 12:30-3 choose from. Session r i c i * n Onp.m.; questions over 5 rounds all with different )! sesly osession be from 3:30-6 g p.m.; n Pur2cwill h a s e s themes. No cell phones or yelling allowed. coup o v on3 M sion willUbe 6:30-9 p.m.; e and session 4 STfrom b e prese r $5000, Teams compete for prizes and fantastic befbe n will 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. ted(Champagne orfrom e contra at or c t s ig bragging rights! 24907 Avenue Tibbitts, Suite or apple n Valicider in included to ring in the g d Untoast . /12/1 B, Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 775-4899, www. New Year). Up totil6 1 people per8 lane. Reserve triviawithbudds.com your lanes today! Reservations must be prepaid in full. Valencia Lanes 23700 Lyons Fourth Wednesday of the month, 6-7 p.m. “Stop the Bleed’ is a national initiative Ave., Santa Clarita. Info: (661) 222-9080, bowlvalencialanes.com/nye-party. designed to provide bystanders with the tools and knowledge they can use to stop Monday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m. The Canyon life-threatening bleeding. This event is is pleased to ring in the New Year while free but advanced registration is required. continuing the tradition of presenting the Education Center at Henry Mayo Fitness and ultimate in tribute bands, and Led Zepagain Health, 24525 Town Center Dr., Valencia. Info: is just that. Party like a rock star this New Chad Cossey, (661) 200-1701, cosseychad@ Year’s Eve, as enjoy the music of Led Zeppelin henrymayo.com — just like hearing/seeing the real thing! Doors open at 6 p.m. Headliner at 10 p.m. Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7-9 p.m. Parents, Families, and Friends of Les- If you purchase a ticket at a table, you are required to purchase dinner. Minimum spend bians and Gays (PFLAG) will hold a support is $25 per person. You must arrive by 7p.m. group meeting for parents, allies, and our Under 18 must be accompanied by a paying LGBTQ community as they deal with the adult. The Canyon - Santa Clarita, Westfield coming out process, safety issues, and other Valencia Town Center, 24201 Valencia Blvd, matters of importance to all. St. Stephens Suite 1351, Santa Clarita. Info: https:// Episcopal Church, 24901 Orchard Village Rd, wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/events/led Valencia. Info: Jennifer (661) 254-2177 or zepagain-nye-santa-clarita/ pflagscv@gmail.com First Saturday of the Month, 8:30 a.m. The Gibbon Conservation Center presents Yoga with the Gibbons! Stretch, strengthen and lengthen alongside the beautiful gibbons at the Conservation Center. Yoga

room, where professional actors from Sharpo Entertainment stay in character throughout the dinner and create a sense of mystery, meanwhile guests participate as suspects in a crime investigation. Info: (661) 251-4315, info@lechene.com, or visit https://lechene. com. Thursday, Jan. 3, 4:30 p.m. Stressed about school? Want to flex your creative muscles? You don’t have to be a pro to participate in these crafts! Come in for some Pro-CRAFT-tinating and and leave with something beautiful, crafted by your own hands. Canyon Country Library Teen Area 18601 Soledad Canyon Rd. Santa Clarita. Info: Kendra Fitzpatrick at kfitzpatrick@santaclarita.com

= Family Friendly Event Thursday, Jan. 3 7-9 p.m. 10 by 10: Variety Show 10 by 10 is a variety night giving ten selected entertainers the chance to take the stage for a ten minute performance of their choosing. Audience members will enjoy storytelling, magic, comedy, improv, music, and other forms of entertainment at this ever changing event. Admission is free. The MAIN 24266 Main Street., Newhall.

Saturday, Jan. 5, 9 a.m. Pique your child’s visual arts interests with our hands-on workshop where you and your child can build an easel. Your young artist can display artwork from school or create a new masterpiece on the dry-erase whiteboard keeping the project mess free. Once your easel is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a workshop Thursday, Jan. 3, 6 p.m. The community apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies is invited to the Elks Lodge charity Bingo last. Children must be present at the store to fundraiser that benefits many organizations. participate in the workshop and receive the kit, The Santa Clarita Emblem Club will serve , The workshop will be held at apron nepin. t Oand e p r a C delicious food for purchase. Win cashband (28033 Newhall Ranch er of bothiathe ltyNewhall store d the Santa Clarita storeOnly one s l r Memare rgest spRdecSanta o prizes, and know your contributions w Clarita) and the he la in gro(20642 up in Golden improving the quality of lives for tothers Triangle Rd Santa Clarita). For g Beautiful G uyin bSanta prices and to register visit. https:// g d n e i t r a more information our community. 17766 Sierra Hwy, i o t flo go ally ne www.homedepot.com/workshops/#change_ you don’t lo n rated o Clarita. Info: https://www.elks.org/lodges/ i t a N & ope ears d e n ow store 9 y ContactUs.cfm?LodgeNumber=2379 Family license for 3 we will re 1 r e d n u

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another fl Labor, materi CONGRATULATIONS to Bindu Dhrun — the winner of - we are so co $100 for correctly identifying the artwork as being fromhelp you find Valencia Marketplace advertisement on page 28 of our Dec. 16 issue. love, that we 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.

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Installations and ruinous roots

By Robert Lamoureux Signal Contributing Writer

sink back down? How long would this take? — Bob S. Bob, You won’t see this magic happen while you own the house, if it ever does. A tree root large enough to move concrete would take “forever” to decompose to that level, and once concrete has lifted like this, it would never settle back down to the proper placement anyways, so ultimately the answer is “no.” I encourage you to repair this area sooner rather than later, mostly for safety. The nature of some less than stellar people today is such that a raised area such as this can become a huge liability for a homeowner, especially depending on location. Good luck, Robert

Ducts and cabinets Dear Robert, First, we want to thank you for your extremely informative and valuable column in the Signal. As homeowners, we look forward to reading it religiously every week. We have been plagued by two problems in our home and hopefully you can recommend solutions to our problems and possibly guide us to reliable, qualified Robert Lamoureux reminds readers to be careful when you have something installed in your home, because if the systems aren’t installed properly, whether it’s and experienced specialists who can HVAC or home security, serious problems can arise. COURTESY PHOTO help solve our problems. As you know, there are all kinds of Another high-quality local painting finished in place. We are experiencing folks who claim to be experts but as lifting of the finish that exposes the company will help with this, they’re we know this most often not the case. color of the raw wood. We have never the masters. Both referrals are being We are experiencing what we believe seen this before. sent privately. to be air and outside dust and dirt Some touch up was done by the finGood luck to you, entering our heating Robert Lamoureux has 38 years of isher but the probsystem ducting and Robert experience as a general contractor, lem continues. We AS YOU KNOW, the finish is literally with separate licenses in electrical believe that the peeling away from Removed tree and plumbing contracting. He owns THERE ARE ALL cabinets may need our kitchen cabinets. Hi Robert, IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. KINDS OF FOLKS to be stripped Several years ago, We have a section of our driveway His opinions are his own, not necesand finished with we had a security WHO CLAIM TO BE that is between red bricks and lifting sarily those of The Signal. Opinions materials that are system installed in due to tree roots. expressed in this column are not meant EXPERTS BUT AS compatible, and our two-story home. We had the tree removed, and now to replace the recommendations of a WE KNOW, THIS will provide the The remote sensors, we’re in a bit of a disagreement about qualified contractor after that contracdurability that we local controller pads MOST OFTEN NOT replacing it. The big question is: Will tor has made a thorough visual inspecneed. We don’t and loud speaker are tion. Email questions to Robert at this root that is under the concrete THE CASE. WE ARE have children all hard-wired into robert@imsconstruction.com.  rot, and eventually, the concrete will living with us so EXPERIENCING the central processor. they see very light During installation, WHAT WE BELIEVE use. we believe that a TO BE AIR AND Perhaps you technician possibly or a competent stepped on a duct at OUTSIDE DUST AND finisher to tell a difficult to get to DIRT ENTERING OUR us the best way location in our attic HEATING SYSTEM to proceed? Any that created a leak. reliable references The house has been would be greatly very dusty and drafty appreciated. since this took place. — Dave We believe that a duct pressure test Dave, and a borescope camera inspection Thank you for writing in. can answer our question. Maybe As far as the dust and the problems even flying a drone with a camera with the HVAC ducting, I’ll give you in our attic? However, we don’t have a local recommendation that I trust. any idea as to what competent local Have him come in and assess the sitspecialist is qualified to perform this uation, he’ll know what to do to help work? Our second problem is probably a with this. little more complicated and has to do Your kitchen cabinets appear to with the finish on our custom kitchen have had a bad finish applied, and/or Tree roots can also create expensive concerns if they aren’t proactively managed. cabinets. These were installed and a primer issue. COURTESY PHOTO

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 23

HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Outdoor improvements that boost home value

hether home improvement projects are designed to improve the interior or exterior of a house, focusing on renovations that make the most financial sense can benefit homeowners in the long run. The right renovations can be assets if and when homeowners decide to sell their homes. So how does one get started? First and foremost, speak to a local real estate agent who is knowledgeable about trends in the community. While a swimming pool may be something coveted in one area, it may impede sales in another. It also helps to study generalized trends and data from various home improvement industry analysts to guide upcoming projects. The following outdoor projects are just a few renovations that tend to add value.

Fire pit

A fire pit is a great place to gather most months of the year. Bob Vila and CBS news report that a fire pit realizes a 78 percent return on investment, or ROI. A fire pit can turn a boring backyard into a relaxing retreat. But homeowners must adhere to the dos and don’ts of fire pits to ensure their retreat is something they can enjoy for years to come.

Whether you create a subtle backyard haven, simply add a firepit or improve your hardscape, the right renovations can be assets if and when homeowners decide to sell their homes.

Outdoor kitchen

Many buyers are looking to utilize their yards as an extension of interior living areas. Cooking, dining and even watching TV outdoors is increasingly popular. Outdoor living areas can be custom designed and built. In addition, prefabricated modular units that require a much smaller commitment of time and money are available.

Patio

Deck

Decks can be as valuable as patios.

Door update

Improve curb appeal with a new, high-end front door and garage doors. If that’s too expensive, a good cleaning and new coat of paint can make an old door look brand new.

Color can dramatically enhance an entryway. Painting an existing door or replacing it with a more vivid option can do the trick.

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New landscaping

The National Association of Realtors says an outdoor makeover that includes well-thought out landscaping can net 105 percent ROI. Installing a walkway, adding stone planters, mulching and planting shrubs are ideas to consider. Many different outdoor projects can add value to a home.  — Metro Connection

only 18 20

Homeowners who do not already have a patio will find that adding one can increase a home’s value. Patios help a home look neat, add useable space and may help a home to sell quickly. The experts at Space Wise, a division of Extra Space Storage, say that refinishing, repairing and building a new patio offers strong ROI.

A deck is another outdoor space that can be used for entertaining, dining and more. Remodeling magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report indicates that an $11,000 deck can add about $9,000 in resale value to the home, recouping around 82 percent of the project’s costs.

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

Forget kissing, try these quirky New Year’s customs front of them. A rooster is then set down in the middle of the circle, and the woman whose corn it chooses first will also be the first of the group to wed.

By Lucie Winborne Signal Contributing Writer

s we all know, New Year’s isn’t just about party hats, champagne, a kiss at midnight and watching a sparkly ball drop in Times Square — it heralds a season of new beginnings. And around the world, folks who want to get things off to a great start have been known to put some interesting practices to work for them. How many of these have you heard of — or tried yourself?

Before you pack that travel bag

In many Latin American countries, New Year’s merrymakers place an empty suitcase by their front door, drag it in circles around a room or even tote it around the block. Why? In the hopes it will summon adventure and travel!

Don’t forget the beano

Feeling uneasy about the current

Break a dish, save it ‘til January

Now chances are good that when you break a dish, you just chuck the remnants into the trash, right? Not so fast! In Denmark the shards are saved till New Year’s Eve, then tossed at the homes of friends and family for good luck. If your aim’s not so hot, you can opt to leave them on the doorstep.

economic climate? You might consider emulating the good folks of Argentina by eating beans just before the clock strikes 12:00 on Dec. 31 … to ensure job security throughout the coming year.

with bringing good luck, though it’s unclear why. One version traces it to the Civil War, when Union soldiers stole all the enemy’s food supplies with the exception of black-eyed peas, rendering them “lucky”!

Or perhaps you’d prefer peas

Who needs a dating service?

Down south, you’ll often find families feasting on a New Year’s Day supper of collard greens, pork and black-eyed peas. The latter is credited

Ladies, if you want your man to put a ring on it in 2019, take a tip from single gals in Belarus, who sit in a circle with individual piles of corn in

Here’s one way to lose that ugly old sofa

And speaking of tossing … residents of Johannesburg, South Africa’s Hillbrow neighborhood ring in the New Year by throwing their old furniture out the window or off a balcony! A word of caution, however: Unsurprisingly, injuries and police visits have been known to result.  ©2018 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

The Kitchen Diva

Ring in the New Year With Eggnog Eggnog has been prepared and served during the holidays for hundreds of years. Upper-class Europeans served the drink to their holiday guests as a hot milk punch combined with liquor, usually wine or brandy. The traditional recipe traveled from Europe to America with the English colonists during the 18th century. President George Washington was very fond of eggnog. While dairy products were plentiful in America, wine and brandy were heavily taxed. Since rum, which also was called grog, was inexpensive, it became the traditional addition to eggnog. The name eggnog is thought to be a derivative of egg and grog. While it was once believed that adding alcohol to eggnog inhibits or destroys bacterial growth, including salmonella, there really is no scientific data to support this claim. One of the best ways to ensure the safety and quality of your eggnog is to cook the ingredients and to use quality eggs. Times have changed, and eggnog

Easy Eggnog This easy eggnog recipe cooks the eggs and milk in the microwave. You might want to make a double batch and use any extra eggnog as a flavoring for baked goods or coffee. 6 Eggland’s Best eggs 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 quart milk Garnishes or stir-ins, optional* *Whipping cream, ground nutmeg, sherbet or ice cream, fruit juice, brandy or rum extract, peppermint sticks or candy canes, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, pomegranate seeds and juice, maraschino cherries or chocolate curls

has conformed to modern tastes. You can find recipes for this holiday drink with and without alcohol, and commercially prepared recipes that use skimmed, low-fat or soy milk. There

1. In large microwave-safe bowl, beat together eggs, sugar and salt until thoroughly blended. Stir in vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside. 2. In a smaller microwave-safe bowl, cook the milk in the microwave on high or full power, about 3 minutes. Stir and continue to cook on high power for another 3 minutes or until bubbles form at the edges of the milk. 3. Slowly stir 1/4 cup of the hot milk are even brands of eggnog especially for vegans and for those who are lactose intolerant. While the recipes for this delicious drink vary, it’s still traditionally served during the winter

into the egg mixture. Stir vigorously until the ingredients are well combined to bring both mixtures up to the same temperature and to avoid scrambling the eggs. Continue to add the hot milk, 1/2 cup at a time, until all of it has been combined. Stir vigorously after each addition. 4. Return the mixture to the microwave and cook on high for another 2 to 3 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, several hours or overnight. Just before serving, pour the eggnog into a punch bowl or a pitcher. Garnish or add stir-ins, if desired. Serve immediately. Makes 1 1/2 quarts, or 12 (1/2-cup) servings. as a way to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year.  © 2018 King Features Synd., Inc., and Angela Shelf Medearis

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 25

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Snow globe holds memories of 2018 By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

label and let it dry completely.

here’s something magical about a snow globe. Who can resist shaking a liquidfilled decoration to watch it “snow”? I know families that collect them on their summer vacations, and on occasion they give them a good shake, turn them upright and then smile with the memories. Now you can make your own to commemorate something special you did in 2018. Reminisce with your kids about activities your family enjoyed this past year, and then make a memory snow globe using a small waterproof object to represent the activity or event.

toy, game piece, travel souvenir or trinket to inhabit the imaginary world. Place it temporarily inside the lid and lower the jar down over it, just to make sure it fits and allows enough space for the “snow” to fall when complete. An adult should glue the object on the inside of the lid with water-resistant glue, such as aquarium sealant from your local pet store. Let dry 24 hours.

Here’s how

First, you want to have a vision for your scene and how it will be con-

Step 2 Choose a clean waterproof

tained. Will you need a little jar, fat jar or skinny jar? A tall jam jar might accommodate that plastic bear figure as a reminder of a camping trip at a national park. A baby-food jar would make a perfect home for a little rubber starfish to represent the sea life you observed at an aquarium. It’s all up to you and your imagination.

Step 1 Fill the jar with water and shake to test the lid for tightness. Pour the water out, remove the paper

dry for 24 hours. Gather your kids around and shake your 2018 memory globe. Then hold still and watch.

Step 3 Fill the jar almost to the top with baby oil, or use distilled water with a few drops of glycerin added to the water. Sprinkle glitter or waterproof confetti into the liquid. An adult should apply water-resistant glue to the outside grooves of the jar rim and carefully screw on the lid. Stand the jar with lid end up to

Grandparent Tip Enjoy a “crafting fest” with your grandchildren and let each one make a memory globe with objects that represent something you did together, such as a fishing trip, a book you read, a movie you saw or a recipe you cooked up. Talk about the memory as you create.  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.” © 2018 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

they engage in the activity. If they appear to be enjoying themselves but are periodically frustrated, encourage them to keep trying. If kids appear to be disinterested in overcoming any struggles, then they might benefit by pursuing another hobby. • Don’t hesitate to focus on fun. Hobbies can teach kids valuable lessons and provide a sense of fulfillment, but it’s important that parents

not overlook the importance of fun in regard to their children’s hobbies. Hobbies can provide children with the same respite from busy schedules that they do adults, and that break should be as fun as possible. Hobbies can enrich the lives of children. Finding the right activity may require some patience on the part of parents and youngsters alike.  — Metro Creative

Helping kids find hobbies

uch like adults can benefit from participating in hobbies, children can reap rewards from engaging in hobbies. According to the Child Development Institute, hobbies give children a chance to express themselves. The CDI also notes that hobbies can play an important role in children’s self-discovery and boost their self-esteem. Some children may discover hobbies on their own, requiring little if any assistance on the part of their parents. For example, some kids may display an interest in music that parents, even those with no such musical inclination, can foster by purchasing certain instruments. But some children may need a little more prompting, and parents of such boys and girls can take certain steps to help their youngsters find rewarding hobbies. • Involve kids in your own hobbies. Kids look up to their parents and often want to emulate what their mothers and fathers do. If possible, involve children in your own hobbies.

Gardeners can teach their youngsters how to grow and tend to a garden, while painters can host family painting nights where everyone is encouraged to create their own masterpiece. Parents whose hobbies are more adult-oriented, like woodworking, can still involve their children. For example, work with children to design a new item, then show them how the item goes from paper to finished product; just avoid allowing them to use any unsafe tools or machines. • Let kids choose an activity. While some children might take to hobbies their parents favor, others might need to be given some freedom to find their own activities. Afford youngsters this chance, recognizing that it might take some time before kids find an activity that genuinely sparks their passion. • Be a source of encouragement. Some hobbies may prove more difficult than kids first imagined, requiring some perseverance before they can be enjoyed fully. In such instances, observe youngsters while

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

BUSINESS

New laws that take affect for the new year By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

ere’s a roundup of new and recent laws affecting employers and employees in California. For more information about the legislation, visit leginfo.legislature. ca.gov.

SB 3 Minimum wage

While not a new law, SB 3 will have a new impact on 2019. This law mandates from Jan. 1, 2019, the minimum wage for businesses with 25 or fewer employees. The minimum wage rises to $12 per hour for businesses with 25 or more employees.

SB 224 Personal rights — civil liability and enforcement

This bill would include within the elements in a cause of action for sexual harassment when the plaintiff proves, among other things, that the defendant holds himself or herself out as being able to help the plaintiff establish a business, service or professional relationship with the defendant or a third party.

SB 820 Confidentiality agreements

This bill would prohibit a provision in a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of factual information relating to certain claims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or harassment or discrimination based on sex, that are filed in a civil or administrative action. The bill would make a provision in a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of factual information related to the claim, as described in the bill, entered into on or after January 1, 2019, void as a matter of law and against public policy.

SB 1123 Disability compensation, paid family leave

This bill would, on and after Jan. 1, 2021, expand the scope of the family temporary disability insurance program to include time off to participate in a qualifying exigency related to the covered active duty, as defined, or call to covered active duty of the individual’s spouse, domestic partner, child or parent in the armed forces of

the United States, as specified.

SB 1300 Unlawful employment practices — discrimination and harassment

This bill would specify that an employer may be responsible for the acts of nonemployees with respect to other harassment activity. The bill, with certain exceptions, would prohibit an employer, in exchange for a raise or bonus, or as a condition of employment of continued employment, from requiring the execution of a release of a claim or right under FEHA or from requiring an employee to sign a nondisparagement agreement or other document that purports to deny the employee the right to disclose information about unlawful acts in the workplace, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment. The bill would provide that an agreement or document in violation of either of those prohibitions is contrary to public policy and unenforceable.

AB 1976 Employment — lactation accommodation

This bill would instead require an employer to make reasonable efforts to provide an employee with use of a room or other location, other than a bathroom, for breast-feeding. The bill would deem an employer to be in compliance with the requirement of providing a lactation location if the employer makes available a temporary lactation location that meets specified conditions.

AB 2282 Salary history information

Existing law prohibits an employer

from relying on the salary history information of an applicant for employment as a factor in determining whether to offer an applicant employment or what salary to offer an applicant, except in specified circumstances. Existing law requires an employer, upon reasonable request, to provide the pay scale for a position to an applicant applying for employment. This bill would define “pay scale,” “reasonable request,” and “applicant” for purposes of these provisions. The bill would specify that these provisions do not prohibit an employer from asking about an applicant for employment’s salary expectation for the position being applied for.

AB 2610 Employees — meal periods

This bill would authorize a commercial driver employed by a motor carrier transporting nutrients and byproducts from a licensed commercial feed manufacturer to a customer located in a remote rural location to commence a meal period after six hours of work, if the regular rate of pay of the driver is no less than one and one-half times the state minimum wage and the driver receives overtime compensation in accordance with specific provisions of existing law. 

SB 1343 Employers’ requirement for sexual harassment training

This bill would instead require an employer who employs five or more employees, including temporary or seasonal employees, to provide at least two hours of sexual harassment training to all supervisory employees and at least one hour of sexual harassment training to all nonsupervisory employees by January 1, 2020, and once every two years thereafter, as specified.

SB 1123 disability compensation addresses paid family leave and expands the scope of disability insurance.

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

Most memorable food moments of 2018 By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

ood, like music, is a universal language. Without a word, food satisfies, delights, and intrigues, or In the best cases, a combination of all three. That’s one of the reasons I love writing about the incredibly interesting and delicious food the Santa Clarita Valley has to offer. Once known as a chain restaurant haven, the SCV has grown into city that’s embraced culinary ethnicity and authenticity. Residents no longer need to drive to the valley or L.A. for a great meal. It’s right here in our own backyards. The other reason is the ability to showcase the people behind the food. Running a restaurant is one of the hardest businesses you can choose. It’s really more of a lifestyle than an occupation, one that demands discipline, dedication, and passion. Here are some of my most memorable food moments of 2018 and the people who made them happen:

Best Asian Fusion: My Hot Pot

Address: 26238 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita (661) 288-1998 My Hot Pot in Saugus fuses tastes from all over Asia into individual hot pots overflowing with tasty treasures.The one of-a-kind concept was created by owners Sunn Wee and his fiancé, Nook Budsaeng, of Saugus. They met while working at Mr. Sushi in Valencia and decided that they wanted to open a restaurant together. The broth for each hot pot is bone based and simmered for 10 hours (with the exception of the Veggie Lover, which is vegetarian), with

flavors and spices added for each version. You choose the heat level from mild to spicy, as well as 2 of 7 sauces that are made fresh in-house. The Tom Yummy ($13.95) boasts a beautiful red broth fragrant with notes of lemongrass and chiles, served in a small metal wok over an open flame so it stays hot throughout your meal. What’s amazing, besides the amount of food, is that all the elements have the perfect texture, from the tender meats to the springy ramen noodles to the crisp yet pliant cabbage, carrot, corn on the cob and squash. As if that weren’t enough, you’ll also get a side of rice, plus some garlic and cilantro to add to the mix. Whew.

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Best Breakfast: Cathy’s Deli

Address: 23120 Lyons Avenue, Suite 24, Newhall (661) 288-2217 Eric Tovar-Plummer loves breakfast. So much so that he and his wife would drive all over California, as far as Carmel, to find that perfect morning meal. Still, the Newhall resident could never quite find a breakfast that matched those he had enjoyed as a boy during road trips with his grandfather, when the duo would stop in diners across America. That is until he took over Cathy’s Deli in Newhall three years ago. Under his ownership, Cathy’s Deli now boasts an innovative, delicious menu and a hip yet family-friendly vibe reminiscent of a neighborhood café one might find in Silverlake or Los Feliz. The Duck Confit Benny ($13.95) is See FOOD, next page

There’s a world of goodness in the Tom Yummy, one of several hot pot options available at My Hot Pot. PHOTO BY MICHELLE SATHE / THE SIGNAL

• Trees must be placed inside or next to greenwaste carts for pickup. • Remove all decorations including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands. • Flocked trees will be collected and disposed of as trash; they cannot be recycled. • Residents of multi-family complexes should place trees next to trash enclosure. • When possible, trees that are larger than 6 feet tall should be cut in half.

For more information, please contact Waste Management at (661) 259-2398 or the City of Santa Clarita at (661) 286-4098.

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

FOOD

Continued from previous page

incredible. Think layers of savory duck layered over English muffins, topped with luscious, perfectly poached eggs and the crowning glory, a lemony bright, creamy hollandaise with a drizzle of tangy balsamic reduction.

Best Burger and Sandwich: Bricks

Address: 23820 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 286-1091 Yummy food magic — that’s what’s happening at Bricks, which takes (mostly) American classics and gives them an extra flavorful flair. Take the Shrimp Po’ Boy ($12), a New Orleans favorite, with tempura shrimp layered on a golden focaccia roll with tangy coleslaw and spicy mayo. There’s a bit of crunch, succulence, spice and tang in every bite, a great option when you want a light but satisfying sandwich. The Bricks Burger ($12), on the other hand, is a towering concoction of hot grilled beef, crispy bacon, molten Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and grilled jalapeno. Oh, this burger…it’s decadent, delicious, and has just the right spicy kick. Just try not to grin like a fool when you eat it (I failed).

Best Comfort Food: Brewery Draconum Address: 24407 Main Street, Newhall (661) 568-9160

It’s winter and I don’t know about you, but I’m craving comfort food. The Shepherd’s Pie ($14) at Brewery Draconum in Newhall certainly fits the bill. While deceptively simple in concept – mashed potatoes, ground beef, and vegetables in gravy – here it is elevated to something far more complex. That’s because the potatoes are organic, perfectly fluffy and piped into a beautiful swirl atop a rich, fragrant stew stocked with house-ground Angus beef, carrots, peas and onions simmered in Brewery Draconum’s own stout. Each bite is creamy, savory, satisfying and delicious. Such attention to detail extends from the food to the incredible selection of beers brewed in-house, with close to two dozen variations to choose from on any given day, created by owner Ben Law and his assistant brewmaster Nora Finch.

Best Greek: Gyromania

Address: 20655 Soledad Canyon Road, Saugus (661) 252-4976 “Opa!” With that joyful greeting, a sea of blue walls, and the tantalizing smell of grilled meat in the air, walking into Gyromania Authentic Greek Kitchen is like teleporting to a modern Greek neighborhood restaurant. Most likely you’ll be met at the counter by owner Kyriakos Champi, who opened Gyromania in Saugus eight months ago. Much of the food you’ll eat comes from recipes in the Champi family for decades or even centuries, whether it’s the scratchmade dressings, marinades, and soups, to the gyros

TOP LEFT: The Duck Confit Benedict is one of eight “Benny” options at Cathy’s Deli and it is magnificent. TOP RIGHT: Vegan tacos at La Charrita are savory, hearty, and satisfying. RIGHT: The nicely tart, not too sweet blackberry apple cobbler at Brewery Draconum comes to the table bubbling hot. PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SATHE / THE SIGNAL

and souvlaki Champi learned to make while working at his uncle’s restaurant in Cypress. Heartier options include gyro plates ($11.99) with your choice of chicken, lamb, beef, or pork, marinated in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, and spices for 24 hours. That means even white meat chicken turns out flavorful, moist and juicy, while the lamb is fork tender. The meat is served atop a bed of fluffy, dill and olive oil infused rice that soaks up all the savory juices. Add some luscious garlic sauce to the mix to really take the whole dish over the top.

Best Salad: Daily Harvest Café & Juicery Address: 22722 Lyons Avenue, Newhall (661) 383-9387

Normally, I’m not one to wax poetic about salad nor am I fan a quinoa, no matter how many times I’ve been told that both are good for me. Chef Andres Moya has me singing a different tune after trying the Quinoa Veggie Bowl ($11) at the Daily Harvest Café & Juicery in Newhall. This is a Technicolor musical of a salad, with eye-popping hues of purple, red, orange, and green. While it’s almost too pretty to eat, go ahead and toss the bitter arugula, perfectly ripe tomatoes, earthy quinoa, crunchy carrots, cucumbers and cabbage, creamy hummus and chunky avocado mash together. You’ll get a full symphony of flavor and texture that will leave you not only satisfied, but energized (especially if you pair it with one of the refreshing cold-pressed juices, like the Liquid Gold made with apple, turmeric, carrot and ginger). Culinary harmony is a skill the Colombian-born Moya has honed after creating ambitious menus for some of Hollywood’s most glamorous events and launching popular restaurants across Southern California for 37 years. Moya, a Canyon Country resident, opened The Daily Harvest Café & Juicery

in 2015 with his wife, Maria, and four children, who wanted to share their love of fresh, healthy eating with their community.

Best Vegan: La Charrita

Address: 24225 Main Street, Newhall (661) 288-1204 La Charrita is your classic family run Mexican restaurant, with a truly unexpected touch: several vegan options, courtesy of daughter and co-owner Lupe Meza, who wanted to share a love of plantbased food with her customers. What’s even more amazing is how delicious these dishes are and the incredibly beautiful presentation La Charrita’s small kitchen lovingly adds to each. Take the roasted sopes veganos de soyrizo coliflor ($8.50). Roasted cauliflower, the “It” vegetable of the moment, has the perfect amount of char. It’s tossed with spicy soy-based “chorizo” and set atop a thick, crisp fried cornmeal disc layered with delectably creamy refried beans and “cheese.” A bit of cabbage is sprinkled on the cauliflower for crunch and color. It’s a feast for the eyes and the senses. Then there’s the al pastor jackfruit tacos ($2.75 a la carte or $7.95 for three). The jackfruit tastes just like well-cooked, shredded chicken, complete with a meaty essence and crispy edges. The taco is drizzled with a luscious chipotle “crema” and showered with pico de gallo on a double layered corn tortilla. Wow. If you are a carnivore who doubts you could ever like vegan food, this taco will make you a believer. It’s as satisfying as any meat taco and the best vegan dish I’ve ever had. 

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 29

FOOD

A place to ‘buy a friend a beer’ By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

ocock Brewing Company has quickly become a popular option in Santa Clarita. The unique taste of the beer has proven to be popular simply from the places all around Southern California requesting to sell its beer, from the San Fernando Valley to Orange County. Pocock Brewing Company features a variety of seasonal beers, but Todd Tisdell, one of Pocock’s four owners, says they also have special themed beers released throughout the year for holidays and special occasions. During their Pococktoberfest, the brewery releases a themed beer that stays out until January or February. They will also be releasing St. Patrick’s Day beers in March 2019. Tisdell says every year, the crew at Pocock also teams up with Pulchella Winery to create an anniversary beer. This year’s anniversary beer is a

Todd Tisdell samples one of the 31 varieties of beer at the Pocock Brewery in Valencia. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Saison called “Elusive.” “We ferment the beer with their leaves until next fall, when we’ll release the anniversary beer for that year,” explains Tisdell. Though most people come for the taste of the beer, many stay for the entertainment. Pocock hosts live trivia nights every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m, and live music on Saturdays from 7-10 p.m. Pocock is also host to

more laid back activities, from arcade games to shuffleboard. On a wall around the corner of the main room, there is an eye-catching chalkboard displayed with “Buy a Friend a Beer” written across the top. The wall features a grid with patrons’ names and a dollar amount next to it. Tisdell says the names are essential gift cards customers give to their friends, but the idea to have their

names up on the board makes it more fun. There are also spots on the chalkboard for those in the military, police officers, teachers, nurses, EMTs and those in similar fields. Anyone who works in those fields can come in and use the gift card money to get themselves a drink. Tisdell says if those categories run low, customers usually notice and refill the amount so anyone in a service job can always have a beer. The top of the chalkboard is also lined with patches from all over the country. These patches have been collected and traded by different service members throughout the years and made their way to the walls of Pocock, representing the patrons who have come from all over. Several of these patches are from the police department.  Pocock Brewing Co. is located at 24907 Ave Tibbitts, Unit B, Santa Clarita. For more information, visit pocockbrewing.com.

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30 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

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

Puddle of Mudd coming to Canyon Santa Clarita

By Stephen K. Peeples Signal Staff Writer

uddle of Muddle will splash down at the Canyon Santa Clarita Jan. 5 as the postgrunge alt-metal hard rockers wrap up a year of roadwork in the States and Europe. “We’ve been all over, toured Germany and Austria a couple times, had a great time and made it out alive,”

frontman-founder and lead singer Wes Scantlin said last week between gigs in the Midwest. “Our chops are all chopped up and good,” he said. “We’re playing all the hits and trying to squeeze in as many cool B tracks as we can.” “We’re playing ‘Control,’ ‘Psycho,’ ‘Blurry,’ ‘She F’in Hates Me,’ ‘Famous,’ ‘Drift and Die,’ ‘Spin You Around,’ ‘Heel Over Head’ and more,” he said.

“We’re going to get up there and jam as long as the venue will let us,” he said, “until they start saying, ‘You got to start paying overtime for security.’”. Along with Scantlin, Puddle of Mudd now features David Moreno (drums, vocals), Michael John Adams (bass, vocals) and Matt Fuller (guitar, vocals). Keep up with Scantlin and Puddle of Mudd at www.puddleofmud.com.

Find the Canyon Santa Clarita on the ground floor of the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Get tickets at the box office 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, by phone at (888) 6455006, or via TicketMaster.com. For more info, visit Wheremusicmeetsthe Soul.com. Santa Clarita journalist and Grammy nominee Stephen K. Peeples has covered the SCV music scene since 2004. Contact him via stephenkpee ples.com. 

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

Poppins, Eternity’s Gate and ‘The Wife’

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

By Dianne White Crawford Signal Contributing Writer

his week, our reviews of 2018’s nominees for the biggest awards continue as awards season rolls along. The selections include another modern take on a classic character in “Mary Poppins Returns,” and an artist sharing his interpretation of another artist’s (Vincent Van Gogh’s) final months in “At Eternity’s Gate.” “The Wife” offers another interpretive look, adapting the novel of the same name to the silver screen.

“Mary Poppins Returns”

Disney once again scores a fan favorite with this well-received revisioning of the family-friendly 1964 classic “Mary Poppins.” COURTESY PHOTO

(Released) (Golden Globe Nominations for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy-Emily Blunt; Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy-Lin Manuel Miranda; Best Original Score, Motion Picture-Marc Shaiman; SAG Nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role) The 1964 classic Disney film “Mary Poppins” is much beloved, and has been shared across generations for more than 50 years. It won five Oscars on 13 nominations, and shifted Julie Andrews from a Broadway star to an international movie star, as she won the Oscar for Best Actress while becoming the ideal nanny for most every boy and girl. Rarely do reboots, remakes, or sequels to the classics make much of a dent with the movie-going public, but it’s likely director Rob Marshall’s

film will be an exception. Marshall balances nostalgia with contemporary, and benefits from a marvelous successor to the Mary Poppins role … Emily Blunt. Marshall, who co-wrote the screenplay, has created a worthy sequel (a quite high standard) from P.L. Travers’ original books that is delightful and a joy to watch. The group of original songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman serve the story fine, but the one downside to the film is that none of the new songs are as catchy or memorable as those of the Sherman Brothers (Richard and Robert) from 54 years ago. This is a film where those behindthe-scenes are crucial to its success. Oscar winning cinematographer Dion Beebe and Editor Wyatt Smith both are at the top of their game, and Costume Designer Sandy Powell delivers stunners, not just for the singing nanny, but for all characters. The core of the story remains rediscovering the magic in life, and finding joy in each other — and this sequel also provides the adventures to match the original. It’s simultaneously familiar and fresh, which is key to a successful follow up to a beloved classic. Marshall has delivered a film that is practically perfect in every way.

“At Eternity’s Gate”

(Limited Release) (Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama) Vincent Van Gogh is an artist whose life was seemingly tailor-made for the movies — the brilliance, the madness, the short tragic story unappreciated in his time and... the ear. (The first I ever heard of Van Gogh was in elementary school — an artist so intense he cut his own ear off? Cool!) Coming off last year’s brilliantly animated “Loving Vincent,” comes

In director Bjorn Runge’s adaptation of the novel “The Wife,” Joan Castleman (Glenn Close) appears to be the perfect wife and more to her literary giant of a husband, writer Joe Castleman (Jonathan Pryce). COURTESY PHOTO

Willem Dafoe stars in a biopic about Vincent Van Gogh, an artist whose life was seemingly tailor-made for the movies. COURTESY PHOTO

the latest entry in the Van Gogh filmography. But the artist, played by Willem Dafoe, isn’t given the traditional biopic treatment. The film focuses on the last few months of the painter’s life. Aided by Cinematographer Benoit Delhomme, we get a kaleidoscope of images, sounds and visions. Delhomme’s hand-held camera-work takes some getting used to, and, quite frankly, can be a bit distracting at times (the demands supposedly forced the camera operator to give up on the opening shot and Delhomme had to operate the camera himself.). The minimalist score adds to the disjointed perspective. Schnabel’s fragmented style doesn’t give the actors much room to breathe, but Dafoe and the others handled themselves capably. The cumulative effect will certainly not be to everyone’s taste (particularly those desiring a traditional biography), but, the film is a vivid impression of what those final months may have been like — one artist’s vision of another’s. I would recommend waiting for the DVD.

“The Wife”

(Recap from Week One) (Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, drama-Glenn

Close; SAG Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role) In director Bjorn Runge’s adaptation of the novel “The Wife,” Joan Castleman is the perfect wife and more, as she constantly caters to her literary giant of a husband, writer Joe Castleman. It’s 1992 in coastal Connecticut, and in only a few days, things will change dramatically for Mr. and Mrs. Castleman. Director Runge utilizes flashbacks to 1958 Smith College to provide us a foundation and narrative for the relationship between Joe and Joan. She was once a budding star writer under the tutelage of the young, married professor. Her flirting, babysitting and writing all worked to win Joe over, and they were soon married. Young Joe the professor is played by Harry Lloyd (great-great-great grandson of Charles Dickens), and young Joan is played beautifully by Annie Starke (Glenn Close’s real life daughter). These early days and an encounter with a broken female writer (played terrifically by Elizabeth McGovern) lead Joan to surrender her writing dreams and put her support behind her husband. Shooting down the purity of “a writer must write,” McGovern’s beaten-down character instead says “a writer has to be read.” Glenn Close will likely receive much Oscar chatter for her role. Her transformation from dutiful sidekick to self-enlightenment is a performance laden with subtle and nuanced signs of resentment. Her early disquiet could be compared to a volcano — the inside building towards eruption while the outside remains strong and majestic. 

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

How a lot has changed, and not much at all By Patti Rasmussen Signal Staff Writer

n a day or two we will be saying goodbye to 2018. As The Signal prepares for its 100th birthday, I am ending my year with a column instead of a news story which is pretty much how I started my career at the paper. It was 1996. My neighbor Ronnie Silver wrote a weekly column for The Signal about education — the school children, the teachers who were innovative or getting ready to retire and how the classroom was changing with new technology making its way in the door. Ronnie was moving back home to New York and she asked if I wanted to take her job at the paper. (I was pretty involved in the schools at the time.) It was still a small town. With only four high schools and a handful of elementary schools, it was pretty easy to find a story and write about it.

A lot has changed at The Signal since 1996, including the move from from Creekside Road to Diamond Place. One thing that hasn’t is the outlet’s dedication to locally focused coverage of the Santa Clarita Valley. COURTESY PHOTO

A lot has changed in journalism since I wrote my first column more than 20 years ago and a lot has changed in Santa Clarita since first moving here in 1977. My husband and I chose Newhall when we got married. He was a Lancaster boy and I was raised in the Valley. We figured Newhall was right in the middle of those two places and since his brother already lived here, we had instant family.

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There were about 50,000 people in Santa Clarita then and we were not a city yet (that would come in 1988) Charlie and I ended up buying a house around the corner from his brother and directly across the street from a local celebrity: Tex Williams. For those who do not remember Tex, you only have to think of his most popular Country Western song, “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette.” He and his wife, Dallas, had a

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daughter close to my age so we all became pretty good friends. Charlie was in awe of the people that would come to visit Tex, always going across the street to listen to them play guitar and drink a little Jack Daniels. Tex and his band even sang at Charlie’s 30th birthday party. We had another neighbor, Tom Frew, and had no idea how far back See CHANGE, page 36

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

SENIORS

On resolutions and ghosts of holiday dinners past By Diana Sevanian Signal Staff Writer

ith the new year upon us, most seniors are looking forward to making positive changes in their lives. For many, the same resolutions have resurfaced every 12 months for a very long time, like a well-intentioned Feng Shui life cycle of annually getting your act together. Lose weight. Eat healthfully. Have regular check-ups. Get off your fanny and out into nature more often. Scale down on those possessions. Visit friends and loved ones more frequently (Text less, talk more.) Be a nicer, more grateful, more mindful and vibrant human being. Another (potential) resolution — one that starts to marinate between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s, and may come as a shock to your relatives — is to never again put on another grand holiday mega-meal, the ones you so lovingly labored over for decades.

While our family-meal memories may be romanticized, they’re certainly as indelible as they are irreplaceable. COURTESY PHOTO

Why? Because by the time many folks (especially matriarchs) reach senior citizen status, they’re tired of all the work that goes into creating (and cleaning up from) these elaborate banquets. Yet, the notion of saying “I’m not doing this anymore” makes you feel guilty and sad. Hanging up your apron is a lot like surrendering the car keys. Your identity has forever been tied to

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these deeply gratifying activities. Should you? Could you? But, oh, those Norman Rockwell memories (some real, some perceived): Come holiday-time, your big and clamorous aroma-filled house brimmed with happy, hungry people. There was the spouse or partner who caringly helped you and nibbled on your neck as you basted the bird. The excited, adorable kids (sometimes several generations) who relentlessly asked, “Mommy/Nana, when are we gonna eat?” Beautiful holiday music and decorations filled the home with cheer and wonder. All the “oohs” and ahhs” over the lavish spreads you provided — it’s changed now. And as with other chapters in your life book, adaptation is key. Many mates are no longer present. Kids have grown up and cultivated their own families and in-laws. Some have moved away and cannot always return to the roost for these dinners. Your own ailments may make the labor-intensive culinary process difficult. As you reminisce on these good old days, you may self-protectively rationalize that they weren’t so magical after all. This helps mitigate wistful thoughts of the past. Looking back on your younger years, you reflect on the holiday dinners that you frequently swore you’d never do again, because they were essentially gluttonous gatherings for your Mixed Nuts Brigade of family members: the ravenous (“thrifty”) ones who predictably walked in with one bottle of booze intended solely for their own consumption; the folks who could never resist bringing up delicate

ancient history, like whose deceased father cheated his deceased brother in business back in 1950; the no-filter cousin who droned on about how last year she made the juiciest turkey ever eaten — as she’s loudly masticating your expensive organic brined bird (that “came out a tad dry”); the wintry uncle who told grisly World War II stories to the horrified kiddies; and that sister-in-law with a fresh manicure who sat like a queen when dinnerware for 20 was being cleared away. Oy, there was also your elderly ex-smoker aunt who hocked up mucus plugs as everyone tried to eat. Understandably, those holiday meals often felt more like chow-time in Hades. All that aside, a new realization emerges with “senior-ity”: When you get older and life quiets down, and guest lists have shortened, and those big exhausting gatherings have morphed into dinners for five from within your senior apartment, or you go to a local restaurant, or bring in Whole Foods take-out, or maybe you’re not even with family but instead dining at a senior center — you may realize that you viscerally long for all that work … the noise, the muss, the fuss, the expense, the clean-up performed on aching, swollen tootsies, and yes, even (most of) the Mixed Nuts Brigade! Life is like that. Situations that rattled our nerves as younger people — including guests who occasionally made us not want to even answer the door bell — we will wind up missing. That continuity of family rituals and myriad of unique personalities and shared history, a keener appreciation of time, the softening of gripes through matured reflection of our own issues that magnified others’ imperfections, it all comes back to bite us in the ass — and kiss our consciousness, as we age, if we’re lucky. Whether you have a hillside mansion or reside in a 55-and over miniabode, think twice before giving up on the honor of knocking yourself out once or twice a year. It’s not about the size of your kitchen but the love in your heart and around the table. For while New Year’s resolutions come back annually, the opportunity to show others that we care won’t always be there.  Diana Sevanian is a longtime Signal features writer and columnist.

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

PROFILE

The father of Santa Clarita Valley’s viticulture By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

Notable times in Le Chêne's location: 100 years of history

said, ‘Would you like to have your own place?’ and that is how it happened.” Alonso said that before that, he hadn’t thought about opening a restaurant. But he wanted to take the opportunity. The only problem he had was the issue of payment. “I was broke and had no money,” Alonso said. “I had to borrow money. I borrowed from Peter and Paul and everyone else.” With the help, he was able to buy the space that is now Le Chêne. But the building looked different than it does today. “The place was in shambles and pretty bad,” he explains. “I had to sand the rocks. The place had psychedelic colors.” Before Le Chêne was the little piece of France it is now, it was a “funky beer bar.” The place was even featured in Steven Spielberg’s film “Duel.” Alonso had to fix the place up to make it his own, even sanding down the rocks outside to give it a new look. Now, it has the taste and feel of France, right in the middle of the SCV. “Here we are 39 years later,” says Alonso. “To dine at the side of the road, it’s like a French country inn.” And Le Chêne is the perfect place to celebrate any occasion. “People come from all walks of life, from birthdays to anniversaries,” says Alonso. He even hosts events for holidays and special occasions, the next one being a murder mystery dinner experience for New Year’s Eve. But for those who would rather enjoy a traditional dinner, the restaurant has an option for that, too. Le Chêne is located at 12625 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita. For more information, visit the website, lechene. com, or call (661) 251-4315. 

1917 The Dodrills built a roadside gas station which first opened for business. It started as a simple wooden building with a tar-papered roof, and with just one gasoline pump out front. The new enterprise was called “Oaks Garage.” 1923 The cafe was added after the first few years of operation, with the Dodrills using a horse and wagon to haul river stones from Big Rock Creek in the Valyermo area, south of Pearblossom. They can still be seen today.

COURTESY PHOTO

Chef Juan Alonso offers his own wine. PHOTO BY AUSTIN DAVE / THE SIGNAL

The translation of the restaurant’s name “Le Chêne” means “The Oak.” This area has always been noted for its beautiful, centennial, oak trees. Starting in 1917, there has been a long tradition of naming businesses operating at this location after these magnificent oak trees. The site was originally developed by the Dodrill family in the early part of the 20th century.

COURTESY PHOTO

long Sierra Highway is a building with blue doors constructed of stone, with bushes of flowers sprinkling the outside. Inside is an upscale restaurant with classic French cuisine. The ambiance of Le Chêne rings true to a European feel, while the outside is lined with a green garden, twinkling lights wrapping around the trees. Behind the food and wine is Chef Juan Alonso, who has been grooming his restaurant for 39 years to maintain the most authentic French cuisine, and bring a taste of France to Santa Clarita. Before Alonso brought European flavor to the SCV, he lived in several places throughout the world, he said. “I was born in Spain,” says Alonso. “I grew up in France, and lived in Switzerland and the Canary Islands.” He grew up watching his father grow grapes to make wine. He also worked as a cook throughout his life. Alonso lived in the San Fernando Valley, which was his first home after he moved to the United States. He later moved to Santa Clarita, where, in 1995, he became the first person to plant grapes in the SCV to make wine. “It was out of nostalgia,” Alonso says, “(since) my father used to make wine and grow his own grapes ... I was a small boy then, and there was that sensation of taking care of the vines. I watched him and decided to try it.” But growing grapes in the SCV did not come without some doubts. “People told me, ‘Oh no, you cannot grow grapes here,’” he recalled. “But we proved them wrong.” Alonso has been growing grapes to make wine ever since then, which he now offers on the menu at his restaurant, Le Chêne French Cuisine. “We are here,” he says. “We have been here for 39 years.” “We are an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city,” he added. “It’s like an escape — a destination restaurant.” Alonso explains that he didn’t mean to aquire a restaurant, despite his previous cooking experience. He was selling real estate when the opportunity arose. “The lady who owned the building would buy and sell through me. One day, she came and knew I was a chef. She

1940s Popular motocross events attracts visitors from the Beverly Hills Motorcycle Club including Gregory Peck, Wallace Beery, Keenan Wynn and Lee Marvin. The Oaks was destination for many of the movie stars of the day. 1957 Chester and Marie Lamar divided the property and sold it separately. They sold the “stone building” to Cindy Ferrero who ran it as a road-side diner and bar. 1971 “Duel” was first released as a 74-minute, made-for-television movie in November 1971. It helped launch the career of a filmmaker who would go on to be quite successful: Steven Spielberg. 1975 The building was known as Margie’s Truck Stop, a business run by Marjorie Detterich. 1980 The current owner of the “Castle Oaks,” Juan Alonso, leased the building in 1980 before buying the property the following year. In September 1980, Le Chêne was born.

36 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

CHANGE

Continued from page 32

his family played a role in the development of this town (think town blacksmith) but he could throw some awesome parties that included a fullon circus (Tom rode on an elephant down Maple Street) and a Renaissance Faire with castles and kings and ladies and knights of the Round Table. Soon children came into our picture. We had four of them to be exact and all boys. We loved our Happy Valley neighborhood but the fourth boy made our house a little smaller so we put a “For Sale” sign up and moved about 10 minutes away into Placerita Canyon. (It was important to my husband that we didn’t move too far away from Newhall Hardware). With horses and the dirt roads, creeks and wildlife — the canyon was a great place to raise four boys. Soon half the boys were off to college and that’s when I decided to take Ronnie up on her offer to write a weekly column. I had a friend at

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

the paper, Carol Rock, and she took me in to meet the editor, Tim Whyte, who at the age of 30-something was no Lou Grant. Tim gave me the rules about columns and how much it paid. He pretty much said I could write about anything as long as it was 700 words and in to him by Thursday. For the next four years I visited schools, sat in on board meetings, got to know the superintendents and principals and tremendously enjoyed my time. When a full-time position opened in the newsroom, I was offered the job. The Signal was a different beast in those days. After moving from a couple of old buildings in downtown Newhall, the new Signal offices on Creekside had room for everyone — reporters and photographers (with a dark room as digital had not quite come in yet), advertisement, a large conference room, and a huge warehouse type room to hold the mighty press machine. Yup, the paper was printed right there in the building. Our deadline was at 5 p.m. Tim ex-

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pected the news reporters to turn in two and a half stories every day. The sports guys were just coming in and getting ready for their night. And the press machine was warming up. It was an exciting time. Probably the two biggest stories I covered at my time in the newsroom was 9/11 and the shooting of Deputy Jake Kuredjian, both within a month of each other. As tragic as those two events were, I think the car crashes of young teens and the funerals that followed were the hardest on me. The “Every 15 Minutes” program in the high schools — led by Tom and Alice Renolds, who lost two sons in one moment — were heart-wrenching and eye opening for both the parents and the teens. It’s been over 10 years since I worked in a newsroom but I went back for a couple of days last month to fill in for the education reporter. Like I said, much has changed in journalism. The kids were great but oh so young. Tim Whyte was back at the helm in a new building but still pretty laid back (no Lou Grant

Classifieds

moments while I was there) Advertisement was upstairs. Reporters were in cubicles, so gone were the days you could just swing your chair over to a co-worker for advice on a story. Also gone was the dark room and the mighty press machine as the newspaper gets printed out-of-town. While we might have had Tell It To the Signal back then (and Tim was always deleting inappropriate content), there are now hundreds of sites reporting the news, not to mention hundreds of 24-hour news channels. But here’s why a paper like The Signal is important: You will never get a story about a student who comes in with a perfect ACT score (we just had three in our town this year). You will never know about local city council race in the big Los Angeles papers or on the news channels. And you will never hear about the passing of people who made our town what it is today. This will be an exciting year for The Signal as we look back at 100 years of history. I am proud to be just a small part of that. 

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D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

Give your mind a workout with these brainy exercises!

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38 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

CROSSWORD TIME

D E C E M B E R 30, 2018

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

Out to lunch By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

was talking to my friend Charlie on the phone last night, and he said he had to go eat dinner. He mentioned he was pretty hungry because he had forgotten to eat lunch. Forgotten to eat lunch? There’s a phrase I have never used in my life. Usually, while I am eating lunch, I am planning what I am going to eat for breakfast three days from now. I’ve already planned my meals for the next two days. And the snacks. I’m thinking granola. Granola pancakes. With maple-flavored whipped cream. No, that would be wrong. Maple syrup with plain whipped cream. But if I have pancakes three days from now, what will I have for lunch? Maybe I’ll go to that guy who sells fish tacos out of a truck. Anyway, what I’m saying is that it is really abnormal to forget about eating. Of course, Charlie is the one who always says, “If you know someone who is normal, you must not know them very well.” The few times in my life that I skipped a meal, it wasn’t because I forgot to eat but because there were circumstances beyond my control. Emergency room visits, being broke, the first day of any diet, arriving at 2 a.m. in a small airport. Does Charlie have an undiagnosed eating disorder? FLS — Forgetting Lunch Syndrome. Or maybe he has a body image problem. As a friend, isn’t it my duty to make sure that he isn’t a danger to himself or others? I don’t know how not eating lunch could be a danger to others, unless it starts a trend of not eating lunch. Something like, “Lose 10 pounds by Tuesday. All you have to do is skip lunch.” It sounds good until you realize you ate twice as much for dinner. The pounds are not dropping off. By Tuesday, you’re completely bummed out because you gained half a pound. To feel better, you go shopping. For a new pair of pants with a stretch top. At my age, things can go south fast

when it comes to food. One day you forget to eat lunch and the next day you forget the name of that movie star who died. The one with the mustache. You know who I’m talking about. He was married to that woman with the hair. Never mind, it’ll come to me when I’m not thinking about it. There was a story in one of those magazines at the doctor’s office that said forgetting to eat lunch is one of the seven early warning signs of something. Or maybe it wasn’t forgetting lunch; it was about forgetting something. I just can’t remember what. Still, I’m a man of action. I casually dropped by Charlie’s house today just to make sure he was OK, and he was acting very, very strange. He kept wanting to know what the matter with me was — as if I were the one who forgot to eat lunch! Was there any food in his house? Was he too embarrassed to say that he had fallen on hard times? I pretended to use the bathroom and snuck into his kitchen. No food anywhere. I opened the refrigerator and got the shock of my life. It was worse than I ever imagined. It was full of bottled water and leafy green vegetables. Kale. Broccoli. Spinach. Charlie had gone over to the dark side. “Hungry?” he asked. “No,” I said. “But when did you start keeping rabbits?” “I’ve turned over a new leaf,” he said shutting the refrigerator door. “I’m cleansing. I feel better, I’m more active, and I even think my memory’s improved.” “Really? Who was that actor with the mustache married to the woman with the hair?” “That sounds like Ernie Kovacs. He died 60 years ago. What made you think of him? You must have a good memory; I haven’t thought of him in years.” Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com. 

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