Sunday Signal Nov. 4, 2018

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

NOVEMBER 4, 2018

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Straightening Reins At home on the ranch Page 40 Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

5

A CAMPING TRIP CHANGED A LIFE FOREVER

15

HOOP DREAMS WEST RANCH ALUM NAMED CAPTAIN

29

GETTING WITH SCV’S GIBBONS

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

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

Your Republican Choices for Governance Congressman Steve Knight 25th Congressional District

Assemblyman Dante Acosta 38th Assembly District

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

-Ronald Reagan

Our Choices for City Council

We live in one of the safest cities in California

Laurene Weste City Council

SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (COC)

Joan MacGregor Area 5

Bill Miranda City Council

Marsha McLean City Council

Our Choices for Education

We have some of the top schools in the State!

WM S HART SCHOOL DISTRICT

Joe Messina Area 5

Bob Jensen Area 2

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SAUGUS UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWS FEATURES

5

Living with Lyme disease • Skate park coming to Castaic • Dreaming of an ‘Eazy’ Christmas • Getting to know the gibbons • Straightening Reins, at home on the ranch

NEWS OF THE WEEK

9

Task force unveiled • Women discuss getting ahead • ‘Addicted’ series recognized by county

SPORTS

When it’s time to

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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.

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15

West Ranch grad named team captain at SFSU

REAL ESTATE

16

This week in real estate listings

OPINION

20

Our View, David Hegg, Tim Whyte

CALENDAR 23 TIME RANGER

24

KIDS & FAMILY

25

Donna’s Day

BEAUTY & FASHION

28

Finding fashion deals on wheels

ENTERTAINMENT

32

The Dan Band comes to Canyon Santa Clarita • Santa Clarita hosts ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’

FOOD

34

Living the American dream at Margarita’s • ‘Arroz con Pollo’ with our Assemblyman

GARDENING

36

Creating your winter bounty • The time of year for planting trees

SENIORS

38

Safety behind the wheel • Advice for a second career

ARTS

42

Santa Clarita’s curator

BRAIN GAMES

45

Games, Crossword, Village Idiot

SUNDAY SIGNAL SignalSCV.com

Richard Budman Perry Smith Tim Whyte Brad Lanfranco Doña Uhrig Joel Z. Rosario Abner Gutierrez

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

Living life with Lyme

S C V F E AT U R E

SCV resident looks to turn her diagnosis into awareness for others

Sara Sterkel, 31 was diagnosed with Lyme disease when she was 13, but it wasn’t a proper diagnosis. She was diagnosed again at 26 after having a mini stroke. She now lives everyday fighting to stay alive and is helping educate and advocate for others who also have the disease. PHOTO BY MICHELE LUTES / THE SIGNAL

By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

S

anta Clarita resident Sara Sterkel, 31, was on a camping trip 18 years ago, when she was bit by a bug on her shin, a normal occurance for campers. For her, it would be a turning point in her life.

At age 13, she sat in the doctor’s office to hear the bug that bit her was a tick carrying Lyme disease.

“To think this could be the next 50 years of my life is unbearable,” Sterkel said. “I’ve always been a very independent person, and all I want is to be able to take care of myself. It’s very difficult for me to ask for help from people.”

She has suffered in silence with an invisible chronic disease for years, but she is now using her struggles to advocate for others while continuing to fight for her life. “(Doctors) looked at the rash, they looked at the bite and they looked at my symptoms,” Sterkel said. “They tested me and I tested positive for

ing seven partLyme disease.” time jobs to put They told her On a daily basis, my days herself through and her mother, consist of managing my school. She loved “Don’t worry to do volunabout it; it’s not symptoms, surviving. I common, and am constantly in survival teer work with you’ll be fine.” mode, like fight or flight,” animals, children and adults with She was just she said. “It changes special needs a kid, unable minute to minute, hour to and the elderly. to advocate While pursuing for herself, she hour and day to day.” her teaching said. “You look credential at the at your parents and look at the doctors and you trust University of La Verne, with only four classes left, her life turned upside them.” down.

Putting her trust in others, Sterkel On December 15, 2013 while went on her way, and for the next 13 years, she experienced symptoms that driving near the Highway 14 and Interstate 5 split, she had a Transient would come and go, such as flu like Ischemic Attack, or TIA, also known symptoms and a diagnosis of fibroas a “mini stroke,” she said. myalgia.

She spent almost a year in the hos“I was what they call, a typical, pital as doctors ran tests, but failed to classic case. I had the signs and I still properly diagnose her. wasn’t properly treated,” Sterkel said.

For the next two years, she was Sterkel was born and raised in Sanin and out of the emergency room, ta Clarita, graduated from Canyon experiencing life-threatening and High in 2005 and attended CSUN, debilitating symptoms. graduating with honors while work-

“

Seeing more than 20 doctors, she was wrongly diagnosed with multiple diseases, all the way up to cancer, she said. “I am sure I saw double that, but I lost count after 20.”

When seeing an oncologist to look into her symptoms, the doctor confirmed it was not cancer, it was Lyme disease, she said. “They asked me, ‘Have you ever heard of something called Lyme disease?’”

She remembered she had it when she was 13, and the doctor sent her to get re-tested.

“I found an internal medicine doctor in Thousand Oaks, they re-tested me and I tested positive, not just for Lyme, but for co-infections, too,” Sterkel said. “Ticks carry more than one bacteria. With the Lyme I also got Babezia, which is a malaria-like parasyte. It basically destroys your red blood cells, so I always feel like I am starving for oxygen.”

Being air hungry, Sterkel started her research to find the best plan of action for herself.

Continued on next page.

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E Continued from previous page

“I was thinking everything was gonna get better. And I quickly found out, that wasn’t the case,” she said.

“The Center of Disease Control and Prevention, insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industries do not support or fund Lyme disease. They do not believe it exists in a chronic stage.”

Sterkel has late stage chronic neurological Lyme disease, making everyday different.

“On a daily basis, my days consist of managing my symptoms, surviving. I am constantly in survival mode, like fight or flight,” she said.

“It changes minute to minute, hour to hour and day to day.”

Her disease is like a 24-hour, 7-day-a week, 365-day-a-year job, except she’s the one paying thousands to try to get better.

Once she received the diagnosis, she began to search for doctors, but since the CDC, insurance companies and pharmaceutical industries don’t believe in the chronic stage, there are not many doctors who treat it.

“The doctors that do treat and try to bill, they end up being scrutinized,” Sterkel said. “They lose their license, they get sued, and they get ostracised from the medical community. It’s horrible.”

Her doctors’ visits generally run between $300 and $650 for a single visit, she said. “Sometimes I can be there once a week, every two weeks, or multiple times a week. And then IVs, supplements and everything like that, nothing is covered by insurance,” Sterkel said. “It’s literally all out of pocket” She has attempted to fundraise money to help her get into remission and help advocate for others with similar conditions.

“I have been suffering in silence for five years, and I want to be able to give a voice to the voiceless, for the hundreds and thousands who are also suffering unnecessarily,” she said.

Sterkel has tried to sell 25Score cards and collect recyclables, but due to her health, her hard work trying to fundraise for her medical expenses are continuing to set her back from remission.

There are doctors who offer treatments that could save Sterkel’s life, she said. “I would leave the doctor

in tears because they are offering treatments that could give me quality of life, but I don’t have the money to do it.”

A GoFundMe has been created to hopefully help take the financial burden off her shoulders as she lives one day at a time fighting to stay alive and advocates for others who are in a similar position as her.

“I want to spread awareness and educate people, to prevent others from going through the suffering that I’ve gone through,” Sterkel said. “If somebody gave me the information I am trying to give to other people, my life would be drastically different right now. I would of got proper treatment probably, and I wouldn’t be where I am at today” Five years after her life changed forever, she shared her story for the first time as a guest speaker at Lunch Mob, she was invited by Ed Bernstein, the organizer of the a business networking group.

“I’m pretty inspired,” Bernstein said, “(Her story) is gonna touch people, just like it touched me.”

Sterkel is not the only one going through the battle. “Many celebrities are recently coming forward with their battle with Lyme Disease,” she said.

Shania Twain, Daryl Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Alec Baldwin, Kelly Osbourne, Ally Hilfiger, Yolanda Hadid and Avril Lavigne are just a few. Lavigne recently shared her struggles in a newly released song, “Head Above Water.”

“I feel like I’m dying constantly, a very long, slow painful death. It never stops, it never goes away,” Sterkel said with tears in her eyes. “I can’t be honest or be myself, because this isn’t

TOP LEFT: Sterkel descibed her disease as a 24-hour, 7-day-a week, 365-day-a-year job, except she’s the one paying thousands to try to get better. TOP RIGHT: Her doctors’ visits generally run between $300 and $650 for a single visit. She is looking to spread awareness of the disease and its treatment. COURTESY PHOTOS

something that is just gonna go away tomorrow.”

She is continuing to fight a war within side, but all she wants is “to not be suffering from a day to day basis,” she said. “All I want is to have a

full 24 hours where I’m not suffering.”

If you or someone you know may be suffering from Lyme disease, go to dnaconnexions.com, for the up to date test for Lyme Disease and CoInfections. 

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

Vote

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

STEVE KNIGHT

HE IS WORKING HARD FOR SANTA CLARITA

REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION Steve Knight secured $47 million for improvements to I-5 in the Santa Clarita Valley that will reduce traffic congestion — helping to improve local commute times.

STOPPING CEMEX Steve Knight authored the law to halt mining in Soledad Canyon by CEMEX and is working to permanently protect the Santa Clarita Valley from future mining.

IMPROVING SCHOOL SAFETY Steve worked with school officials and law enforcement and introduced a bipartisan bill to improve school safety.

Local Leaders Agree: “Vote Steve Knight for Congress” Cameron Smyth Santa Clarita Councilmember

Marsha McLean Santa Clarita Councilmember

Kathryn Barger LA County Supervisor for Santa Clarita

Laurene Weste Santa Clarita Councilmember

Bill Miranda Santa Clarita Councilmember

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce

Paid for by Steve Knight for Congress

Santa Clarita Valley Signal

U.S. Army Veteran.

18-Year LAPD Officer.

Community Leader.

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

Skatepark coming to Castaic Sports Complex

By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

S

oon, Castaic residents will have the opportunity to use a skatepark in their area.

Its estimated grand opening will be sometime in January 2019, and construction is already underway.

The park is being built at the site of the Castaic Sports Complex, and approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors back in September 2016, according to Kevin Jimenez, spokesman for the county’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Although it was approved two years ago, the need for a skatepark at the Castaic Sports Complex was a long time coming. That need was voiced by the community in various community meetings in the years leading up to the board letter being approved, Jimenez said.

Mike Riederer, Castaic resident and local skateboard instructor, confirmed the project has been a popular desire of the community for a long time.

“The skatepark has been in the works for over 10 years, and to see it all come together is very exciting,” he said. “Having a local skatepark here in Castaic is going to be a great outlet for the youth in our town.”

The proposed project will consist of a new approximately 6,500-squarefoot in-ground concrete skate park with sports lighting, a covered seating area, drinking fountain, bike rack and perimeter walkways, Jimenez said.

There will also be upgrades to the existing parking lot for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) acces-

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Castaic’s first skate park is being built at the site of the Castaic Sports Complex. It was approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors back in September 2016. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL When complete, the project is expected to sibility, landscaping and irrigation add approximately 6,500 system modifications and on-site square feet of in-ground drainage improvements to comply concrete skate park with with county guidelines. sports lighting, a covered seating area, drinking All contractors used will be local, fountain, bike rack and Jimenez said. perimeter walkways.

Riederer, who is known in the

skate community as “Hydro Mike,” currently goes to the Santa Clarita Skatepark at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex four to five times a week.

He said there is no other place in the Castaic area for skating enthusiasts to get their fix.

The new skatepark has a total budget of $1.3 million, according to county data.

The county has also planned another skatepark that will be built at George Lane Park in Quartz Hill, but construction for that project will not begin until 2019, Jimenez said.

For more information, residents can contact the county’s Parks and Recreation department at 626-5885364.

The Castaic Sports Complex is located at 31230 Castaic Road in Castaic.

The Santa Clarita Skatepark is located at 20840 Centre Pointe Parkway in Santa Clarita. 

If you go: Castaic Sports Complex While a skate park is in the works, the Los Angeles County Castaic Sports Complex has been operational since its dedication in 1992.

The Castaic Sports Complex sits on 54 acres, planned with much input from local community members and therefore designed to suit the recreational needs of the community.

There are baseball diamonds, gymnasium, walking paths, horseshoe pits and a state-of-the-art aquatic center.

The LEED Silver Certified Castaic Aquatics Center, dedicated on May 31, 2013, features a competition-sized 6,425-square-foot pool,

4,435 square-foot recreation pool with integrated splash pad and a 12,500 square-foot pool building.

The Castaic Regional Sports Complex is located at 31320 N. Castaic Road in Castaic.

The contact number for the complex is (661) 775-8865 or, to reach the pool, (661) 294-6467.

The hours of operation are listed as sunset to sunrise.

Los Angeles County’s Department of Parks and Recreation has dozens of amenities and programs Santa Clarita Valley residents can enjoy listed on the park’s website parks.lacounty.gov/castaic-regional-sports-complex/#. 

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

DON’T TRASH YOUR COMMUNITY Did you know it is illegal to dump trash and bulky items in front of a home, business, alleyway, around trash bin areas or on the street?

Bulky items include furniture, appliances, electronics, tires and trash that doesn’t fit in the bin.

Get rid of your bulky items for FREE by following these easy steps: 1. Notify your propery manager or call WM customer service at (661) 259-2398 to schedule a FREE bulky item pick up at least 48 hours before your scheduled collection day.

2. Leave up to three bulky items next to your carts or your building’s trash bin on your scheduled collection day. DO NOT place items out until arrangements have been made.

3. Repeat up to four times a year at no additional cost.

OR...

4. Drop off bulky items at the Waste Management facility for free!

Please note: Household Hazardous Waste cannot be accepted at this location.

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

As a former Planning Commissioner, small business owner, nonprofit organizer, and long-time Santa Clarita resident, Diane has the experience to:

Steve Tannehill, Former Exec. Dir., Small Business Development Center Ms. Trautman’s knowledge of city functions and her understanding of the organizations and constituencies that make up our city make her uniquely qualified to represent us on city council.

Founding City Councilmember Carl Boyer Diane Trautman is the candidate for city council who will analyze problems and create common-sense solutions not based on some political rhetoric.

LALCV Vice President Shona Ganguly Diane Trautman is committed to conservation, climate resilience, and water reliability, while also being deeply engaged in multiple organizations and efforts, including the arts, education, care for seniors, medical ethics, equity for girls and women, community advocacy, and neighborhood empowerment.

PAID FOR BY TRAUTMAN FOR CITY COUNCIL 2018

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 11

He’s no ordinary Joe! www.Joe4Hart.com

I will continue to: • Strengthen and Expand Career Technical Education.

• Keep schools safe, clean and modernized.

• Be a fiscal watchdog over your taxpayer dollars.

• Grow the HART to HOME program for students who can’t attend a regular High School.

While on the board: • Procured over $200,000 for Career Technical Education Equipment.

• 81% of our Students meet or exceed state literacy standards.

• District Ranked top 10% in the nation. {US World News).

• Graduation rates increased to 97%.

• We now have almost 30 career pathways.

Endorsed By: Congressman Steve Knight State Senator Scott Wilk State Assemblyman Dante Acosta LA County Supervisor- Kathryn Barger ALL Current City Council members COC Trustees, Mike Berger, Joan MacGregor, and Michele Jenkins ALL current Hart Board Trustees Newhall School Board-Phil Ellis Hart Teachers Association

Join Community Leaders in supporting Joe: City Councilman Cameron Smyth ..

“As a graduate and parent of students in the Hart District, I am proud to see our local schools continually rank among the best in the State. Joe Messina is committed to ensuring our teachers and students have the resources necessary to continue that level of success and he is by far the most qualified candidate for the School Board.

Dr Cherise Moore ... Board Member .. “As the newest board member with no previous experience working with any of the current board members, I had the unique opportunity to observe and learn about the dedication and focus of each board member. Joe Messina is committed to ensuring our students are workforce ready by having access to career technical education and to ensuring that tax payer money is used appropriately on facilities.”

Hart District Superintendent – Vicki Engbrecht Joe has been a tireless advocate for Career Technical Education. He pushes hard to make sure that the Hart District continues to explore new career paths for all students and makes sure that the tools and resources are provided for all to succeed.

Hart Personnel Commission member - Ronda Chobanian Murray Joe has served the school district for almost 9 years with fairness and common sense. Joe has my support!

Hart Trustee - Linda Storli- “Joe has an agenda on the board... It is to help produce graduates that are capable of getting jobs. His commitment to Career tech is paramount.”

Paid for by Committee to Re-Elect Joe Messina for Wm. S. Hart School District 26893 Bouquet Cyn. Rd. Suite c336 Santa Clarita, CA 91350

12 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

LOCALNEWS

L.A. County honors Signal for series

Task force unveiled

By Signal Staff

M

T

he Signal’s news team was honored Tuesday morning by Los Angeles County officials for its work in examining the local impacts of the national opioid crisis.

Signal Publisher Richard Budman, joined by Chief Multimedia Journalist Austin Dave and Action Family Counseling CEO Cary Quashen, accepted embossed scrolls from 5th District County Supervisor Kathryn Barger during the Board of Supervisors meeting.

Barger highlighted the team’s efforts to produce “Addicted,” a micro-documentary online video series tasked with shining a spotlight on the Santa Clarita Valley’s increasing number of fatal overdoses and proactive efforts made by local law enforcement and medical crews.

“We’re very proud of Austin and the work he did in leading this project. We also appreciate the recognition from Supervisor Kathryn Barger on the ‘Addicted’ series,” Budman said, “and the county’s proactive efforts to battle opioid addiction, which is one of the most serious crises facing our nation. By sharing these stories in The Signal and on SignalSCV.com, we hope to raise awareness of the scope of this problem locally and have a positive impact in the community.”

The first eight episodes of the “Addicted” video series are available for viewing on-demand on The Signal’s Vault Project website, https:// vault.signalscv.com/Addicted. 

JJ

By Jim Holt Signal Senior Staff Writer

embers of a new specialized federal drug task force began investigating the apparent drug overdose death of a man in Newhall on Tuesday.

The deceased man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was found unresponsive Tuesday morning, prompting a frantic call by family members to 911.

He was one of two people reported to have experienced a drug overdose in the Santa Clarita Valley on Tuesday.

“We responded to the 24600 block of Spruce Street in Newhall at approximately 10:42 a.m. today regarding a rescue call,” said Lt. Ignacio Somoano of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station.

“A male adult was pronounced deceased at the scene,” he said. “The cause of death is undetermined and the (Los Angeles County Medical Examiner) Coroner’s office will ultimately be utilized to determine the cause of death.”

cleared from the scene at 11:22 a.m., she added.

Deputies who remained at the scene roped off an area of concern with yellow tape, including inside the protected area a charcoal-colored Honda Civic parked on 12th Street at the house.

At least one detective scoured the inside of the car before it was roped off.

Joining deputies at the house on the southwest corner of Spruce and 12th Street were members of the Southern California Drug Task Force.

Newhall house

Drug task force

At 10:40 a.m., paramedics with the L.A. County Fire Department responded to reports of an overdose at a residence on the 24000 block of Spruce Street, said Vanessa Lozano, spokeswoman for the Fire Department.

Paramedics arrived at the scene at 10:45 a.m. and began performing CPR, she said.

“A woman apparently came out of the house screaming that someone was dying,” Lozano said. Paramedics

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Detective Bill Velek, left, with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station searches an older model Honda Civic Hybrid at the scene of a suspected fatal drug overdose near Spruce Street and 12th Street in Newhall. PHOTO BY AUSTIN DAVE / THE SIGNAL

The task force was put together to disrupt illicit drug trafficking by immobilizing targeted violators and trafficking organizations that use the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area as a trans-shipment point for illicit drugs to other regions of the nation or as a money-laundering hub, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

“We’re here for an unknown cause of death,” said one DEA agent assigned to the task force who would not give his name.

“Based on the information we have, we believe it is drug-related,” he said, a couple of minutes after having emerged from the deceased man’s house.

Task force members responded to the overdose on Spruce Street in an effort to get a jump on their investigation into drug-dealing people connected with the incident.

“Because there are so many overdoses we want to act fast,” the DEA agent said, noting there has been a significant spike in overdose deaths this year.

“We had two overdoses today —

this one and another one. The other guy survived,” he said.

At mid-afternoon, officials with the county Coroner’s Office arrived at the house to investigate and remove the body.

At one point, two women emerged from the house sobbing, one comforting the other.

Pastor help Associate Pastor Javier Nuñez with the Victory Outreach Ministries was inside the deceased man’s house, comforting surviving relatives.

“We try to help those in the grip of addiction,” Nuñez said outside the house.

“I’m here for support,” he said, saying he knew the deceased man.

The Victory Outreach Church of the San Fernando Valley is an international, church-oriented Christian ministry which, according to its mission statement online, is “called to the task of evangelizing and discipling the hurting people of the world, with the message of hope and plan of Jesus Christ.”

The Southern California Drug Task Force operates within a larger drug program called The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States.

Los Angeles County is considered one of those critical areas.

“One of the things we want to know at a scene such as this is — A, is it a drug-related death?” the agent said.

“And, B — does it involve an opioid?” 

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 13

LOCALNEWS

Women discuss getting ahead in industry

By Crystal Duan Signal Staff Writer

S

anta Clarita women attended a networking reception and panel Tuesday night geared toward empowering themselves in the workplace.

Women2Women, an international young women’s leadership program, brought its tour to the Hyatt Regency Valencia, where women spoke about how to bring more equity into the business industry.

The tour was founded by Sarah Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Republican Main Street Partnership.

Chamberlain said she’s the only female CEO of a major Republican organization, but wants to change that through the tour, which serves as a forum to discuss ideas.

Citing statistics that women only make 80 cents to the dollar compared to men’s wages — and even while over 11.6 million firms nationwide are women-held, women-owned firms are growing slower than men-owned firms.

Chamberlain said women needed to “count themselves in” and find mentors, and remember that “every issue is a women’s issue.”

The panel was moderated by SCVTV anchor Tami Edwards, who spoke to her own experience as a mother of four who was going through hardship six years ago.

Now, Edwards is a Realtor with HomeSmart Real Estate, but she said she sometimes is still overlooked when it comes to being taken seriously in the workplace.

Actress Vivica A. Fox, famous for

roles in “Independence Day,” “Kill Bill” and “Two Can Play That Game,” spoke about her recent book, “Every Day I’m Hustling,” which she said was her way to give back to the community.

The panelists discussed being collaborative instead of competitive with fellow women.

“They always have women catfighting, but the reason we see quality entertainment is that we’re not catfighting anymore,” Fox said. “Women are sticking together. We are writing, producing and employing each other.

We have learned together that there is much more power.”

Nicky Dare, president of the International Association of Women Santa Clarita, and Gloria Mercado Fortine, president and CEO of Global Education Solutions, also spoke.

Dare spoke about the importance of mentoring and networking, emphasizing that sticking together was a gateway to rising in the industry.

Fortine said that single mothers were the largest group at the poverty level and, as an educator, she wanted to promote that to level the playing field.

“I think there’s much to be done in terms of providing more resources and mentoring programs, apprenticeship programs,” she said. “Financial support is also important. Some of these women interested in opening up their own business, should have that resource. They don’t know that these opportunities exist — ways to get free education or low tuition, and I think as women networking is so important.

Women, we also need to think out of the box that there are jobs out there that are nontraditional.” 

From left: Nicky Dare, Vivica A. Fox, Sarah Chamberlain and Gloria Mercado-Fortine discuss empowering the female business community in Santa Clarita while moderator Tami Edwards looks on at the Women2Women event held at the Hyatt Regency Valencia on Tuesday night. PHOTO BY CRYSTAL DUAN / THE SIGNAL

14 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Make sure your voice is heard on Tuesday Ken Striplin City Manager

W

e are just a little more than a week away from the Nov. 6 election. No matter your politics, no matter your views, the most important thing is ... you need to show up and vote.

The right to vote was not always available to everyone. African American men were not given the right to vote until 1870, women couldn’t vote until 1920 and Native American’s until 1924. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their

“

right to vote Election, will be Democracy cannot as guaranteed held on Novemsucceed unless those who under the 15th ber 6, 2018. RegAmendment. istered voters in express their choice are Now, every the city of Santa prepared to choose wisely. citizen over the Clarita will have The real safeguard of age of 18 has the opportunity democracy, therefore, is the right to cast to elect three city education.” their ballot. of Santa Clarita –Franklin D. Roosevelt So where to councilmembers start? of the five-memIn the city of Santa Clarita, all your ber City Council, for a term of four voting information is available at years each. The three top vote-getters your fingertips at VoteSantaClarita. are expected to be sworn into office com. This one-stop shop has everyon Dec. 11, prior to the regularly thing you need to make your voice scheduled City Council meeting. heard. You can locate your polling In addition to the City Council place, find out where you can drop election, on Nov. 6 residents will also off your mail-in ballot, view a sample get to vote on a variety of proposiballot — and come election night, tions and candidates for national, check in on the results. state and local offices. This might The city’s 2018 General Municipal sound like a lot of information Election, consolidated with the Los to review, but there are plenty of Angeles County Statewide General resources available to help you make

Is Santa Clarita as Nice as when you moved here?

“He is not business as usual, and that is what’s needed.”

- The Santa Clarita Gazette Newspaper

A 42 year resident and USAF Vet TimBen Will: ✔ Fix the traffic ✔ ✓Increase law enforcement funding ✔ ✓Increase clean water supply ✔ ✓Keep Santa Clarita family friendly ✔ ✓Help the seniors and homeless

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

For more information regarding the upcoming Election, visit VoteSanta Clarita.com or call the City Clerk’s Office at (661) 255-4391. 

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an educated decision.

The easiest place to start is with your Voter Information Guide. All registered voters should have received one in the mail. If not, you can download the guide at voterguide.sos.ca.gov.

This guide highlights your rights as a voter, offers a brief voter reference guide for all propositions on the ballot with pros and cons, and also offers complete background information and fiscal impacts. I urge you to take a moment to review this information before heading to the polls.

If there is one thing I know will help shape the future of our great city of Santa Clarita, it is your vote. Please take a moment on Nov. 6 to share your opinion and make your voice heard.

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TimBen Boydston for City Council

For more information, visit timbenboydston.com *Paid for by Committee to Elect TimBen Boydston to City Council 2018 ID#1343994

Visit www.korekland.com for full list of available land.

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

SPORTS

Former West Ranch basketball player shining at SF State

By Dan Lovi Signal Staff Writer

S

tanding 7 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds, it made sense for West Ranch alumnus Ryne Williams to pursue a basketball

career.

While baseball was his first love, Williams quickly grew to love the game of basketball and gravitated towards the sport as he continued to grow in stature.

Some of his fondest memories consist of going to Los Angeles Lakers games with his dad when he was a kid.

“Sports has always been around. My dad is a big sports guy and had Lakers season tickets,” Williams said. “It’s always been a big part of my life and a key part to me and my dad bonding.

My whole family as a whole bonding.”

Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Williams moved to Castaic with his family before his first birthday. He

grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley, and although he doesn’t make the drive back home as often as he’d like, he still considers the SCV his home.

Afterall, it’s hard to travel in your free time when you have very little free time. Williams is a fifth-year senior on the San Francisco State basketball team who also interns at 95.7 The Game, a sports radio station in San Francisco, in addition to on-campus job.

He also hosts his own radio show on the campus radio station KSFS called “LA to the Bay.” Not to mention he works tirelessly at his academics. He was named to the 2017-18 CCAA Winter All-Academic Team last season. and will look to earn that honor again this year. Williams is also proud of a recent honor bestowed upon him by the squad — captain of the basketball team.

Not bad for someone who was hardly recruited after nearly averaging a double-double in his senior season at West Ranch.

Ryne Williams, a West Ranch High alum and fifth-year senior, was named a captain of the San Francisco State University basketball team this season. COURTESY PHOTOS

“Out of Santa Clarita, I wasn’t recruited highly. I ended up getting a chance here at San Francisco State and I jumped on it,” Williams said. “I was basically a walk-on (meaning he initially wasn’t offered a scholarship), and the coach told me to work my

way up to a scholarship. It took me three years, but I worked my way up and finally got on scholarship. I’ve been grinding every year, chipping away at it. Now this year, I’m going to be team captain.”

See HOOPS, page 43

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16 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 04, 2018

Protect homeownership: Yes on 5, No on 10

By Ray Kutylo Signal Contributing Writer

A

mong a lot of “No” votes on my ballot is my “Yes” vote on Proposition 5.

This measure will protect those 55 and older, the disabled, and victims of natural disaster from facing a “moving penalty” or property tax spike should they need to relocate.

That, in turn, will help boost the housing inventory in existing neighborhoods as homeowners move AREA/St#

St Name

out of single family homes that no longer meet their needs and will free up housing for the next generation.

Many baby boomers want to downsize or move to a community that is closer to their children or grandchildren, but if they do they may face enormous property tax increases of 100 percent - 300 percent.

The same dilemma faces severely disabled people who may live in homes that are no longer safe or practical for them, and likewise for victims of natural disaster, such as those who lost their homes to wildfires if they wish to relocate rather than rebuild.

For each of these groups of homeowners, the current moving penalty is neither fair nor justified.

Prop 5 provides appropriate relief by allowing those eligible the ability to transfer their current property tax base to the purchase of another home in any of California’s 58 counties.

The new property tax for an individual would be based on his or her original home’s assessment, in addition to an adjustment consisting of the difference in value between the sale price of the original home and the sale price of the new home. The formula of Prop 5 ensures that these vulnerable homeowners will still pay their fair share of property taxes but shields them from an enormous increase in their bills.

There are other solid arguments in favor of a yes on Prop 5 vote, but I am out of room.

Vote ‘No’ on Prop. 10 This proposition, if passed, would radically disrupt if not destroy the housing and rental market. California socialists and too many useful idiots will vote yes, so your NO vote is needed. Stop the madness. Protect home ownership and property rights.

Please visit my Facebook page, Ray The Realtor®, for additional commentary on this and other election recommendations.

Ray the Realtor® Kutylo has been a licensed Realtor since 1986, and he’s also a member of the SCV Home Team at Keller Williams VIP Properties. You can reach Ray the Realtor at 661-312-9461 or Ray@SCVhometeam.com CA DRE# 00918855 

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY CLOSED SALES 10/19/18 TO 10/26/18 Sold Price

ACTON & AGUA DULCE 33105 Santiago RD #140 4340 Pelona Canyon RD 33929 53rd ST W 34662 Desert RD 1830 Shadow Canyon RD

$303,000 $440,000 $450,000 $630,000 $694,000

Br/Ba

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

CANYON COUNTRY 20123 Edgewater DR 18756 Mandan ST #1513 30658 Tick Canyon RD 18734 Wellhaven ST 20005 Ermine ST 19531 Steinway ST 26650 Whippoorwill PL 29814 Abelia RD 27707 Thalia LN 19975 Tracy CT 14818 Quezada WAY 27107 Red Cedar WAY 15927 Austin CT 18678 Cedar Crest DR 18738 Cedar Crest DR 14356 Cascade CT

$159,000 $275,000 $375,000 $480,000 $488,000 $490,000 $525,000 $534,900 $535,000 $550,000 $569,000 $615,000 $627,000 $712,000 $740,000 $760,000

NEWHALL Spanish Oak DR 19715

$289,000

2/2,

24436 18810 19361 25030

$320,000 $339,888 $359,250 $375,000

2/2, 2/2, 2/2, 2/1,

Valle Del Oro #101 Vista Del Canon #H Anzel CIR De Wolfe RD

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Sunday, November 18, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Free and Open to the Community Childcare Provided RSVP to umcv@umcv.org by November 14 Valencia United Methodist Church 25718 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355 ~ 661.255.1301 ~ umcv.org

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

Sqft/Source

1156/A 2295/A 1960/A 3054/A 3378/A 1477/A 860/A 780/A 1590/A 1240/A 1238/A 1561/A 1722/A 2258/A 1883/ 1464/A 2264/A 3035/P 2699/B 3027/A 2928/A 876/A

943/A 980/A 1088/A 840/A

Price/SqFt

$262.11 $191.72 $229.59 $206.29 $205.45 $107.65 $319.77 $480.77 $301.89 $393.55 $395.80 $336.32 $310.63 $236.94 $292.09 $388.66 $271.64 $206.59 $263.80 $244.47 $259.56 $329.91

$339.34 $346.82 $330.19 $446.43

AREA/St#

24369 25239 25902 20421 23221

St Name

La Glorita CIR Avenida Dorena Santa Susana DR Victory CT 8th ST

Sold Price

Br/Ba

Sqft/Source

Price/SqFt

$405,000 $415,000 $479,500 $500,000 $550,000

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

1406/A 1278/A 1272/A 1521/A 1581/A

$288.05 $324.73 $376.97 $328.73 $347.88

$266,000 $316,000 $370,000 $400,000 $450,000 $485,000 $485,000 $525,000 $532,500 $658,000 $705,000 $715,000 $715,000

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

834/A 965/A 1121/A 1040/A 1710/A 1174/A 2272/A 1200/A 1670/P 2702/O 2993/A 2552/AP 2686/A

$318.94 $327.46 $330.06 $384.62 $263.16 $413.12 $213.47 $437.50 $318.86 $243.52 $235.55 $280.17 $266.20

$357,000 $415,000 $415,000 $429,900 $442,000 $449,900 $580,000 $605,000 $605,000 $625,000 $645,000 $650,000 $660,000 $697,500 $700,000 $713,000

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

1296/A 1110/A 2032/A 1330/A 1352/A 864/A 1624/A 1815/A 2217/A 1488/A 1641/A 2562/A 1936/A 2317/AP 2242/A 2471/A

$275.46 $373.87 $204.23 $323.23 $326.92 $520.72 $357.14 $333.33 $272.89 $420.03 $393.05 $253.71 $340.91 $301.04 $312.22 $288.55

$650,000 $841,000

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

1624/A 2976/A

$400.25 $282.59

SAUGUS 28059 Robin AVE #166 27646 Susan Beth WAY #A 19408 Opal LN #308 22707 Copper Hill DR #27 28378 Mirabelle LN 22445 Los Rogues DR 19972 Via Joyce DR 21869 Peppercorn DR 21848 Grovepark DR 28361 Stansfield LN 19701 Castille LN 22916 Boxwood LN 21648 Glen Canyon PL VALENCIA 25730 Player DR #S1 24505 Town Center #7101 27030 Rio Pecos DR 27275 Riverview LN 24015 Cornelia PL 25668 Leticia DR 27622 Maple Ridge CIR 23853 Laurelwood LN 23233 Beachcomber LN 23912 Clearmont CT 26210 Paolino PL 28343 Esplanada DR 24714 Avignon DR 23420 Lane CT 23944 Mill Valley RD 27588 Cunningham DR STEVENSON RANCH 25730 Wordsworth LN 26303 Mitchell PL

Based on information from the Southland Regional Association of REALTORS®/ Multiple Listing Service for the week ending on 10/26/18. 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.

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 17

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18 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

SCV man dreaming of an ‘Eazy’ Christmas

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

One of the highlights every holiday season is choosing the right tree, but too many have seen their selections dry up and crumble just a week before Christmas.

Valencia resident and father of four Ryan Wach could relate, prompting him to create Eazy Treezy, a solution to what he calls “the season’s most dreaded chore.”

“My wife and I have had a not uncommon, terrible experience with putting up a Christmas tree,” he said.

“After about an hour, the tree would never stay straight no matter how we screwed it on a stand.”

In true infomercial fashion, Wach could replay all the moments in his mind when things went downhill: endless adjustments, water spilling at every attempt to refill reservoirs and covering up stinky tree odors.

Several stands and frustrations later, Wach decided to formulate a tree stand that would check off every problem he faced with other products.

“I’m a mechanical engineer and am always looking for problems to solve,” he said. “I knew there had to be something better out there.”

About six years ago, Wach started his market research, finding a German tree stand that looked promising but valued at more than $100. If he wouldn’t invest in one at that price, he thought, many others wouldn’t either.

The cost was just one of the important components.

“If I can make a tree stand that you

can install with one person, water easily and make it at mid-price, this will solve a lot of problems,” Wach said.

It took some trial-and-error, creating multiple 3D-printed prototypes before choosing the model he would finalize and officially launch on the market as Eazy Treezy— The Drop-in Christmas Tree Stand.

The patent-pending product, which he first created about three years ago, was designed to help set up a tree within seconds.

“One of the biggest complaints I would hear is that you needed more than one person to install a tree and it would take forever,” said Wach. “This design requires one person and can be done instantly.”

Several stands out on the market require at least four hands to set up a tree firmly down, particularly those that need one person to tighten screws while the other holds the tree.

Eazy Treezy has five plastic jaws located within the stand that open as the tree is pushed in and secured in an upright position and is only let out by manually releasing the jaws and lifting the tree. The stand can hold a tree as tall as 10 feet, with a trunk diameter anywhere between 2.5 and 5.5 inches.

Three galvanized steel spikes hold the base of the tree in place, allowing the tree to absorb water a lot easier.

Its “check-and-fill” spout sticks out of the stand to make the watering process less messy.

“With other stands, not only can you not tell but it’s a pain to add water,” said Wach. “The spout was made to help you see if there’s still water

Eazy Treezy stands are manufactured in Southern California and are sold for a retail price of $39.99 each.

Ryan Wach, Valencia resident, father of 4 showcases how easy it is to put in a tree (Above) and take it out (Below). PHOTOS BY CORY RUBIN / THE SIGNAL

and if you need to refill it you can with a pitcher and it won’t spill.”

Though he had finally produced a model he was content with, he said testing was perhaps the most challenging part.

“Christmas trees aren’t readily available in the state,” said the Valencia entrepreneur. “There are places that grow locally, but they aren’t very big here and don’t make for a good test.

Developing a Christmas tree stand in California is a lot harder than it would in Oregon or Wisconsin.”

Still, real trees aren’t as scarce during the holiday season, and Wach said his product solves the problem of why most people choose fake trees over authentic ones.

He said, “Most people that I talk to say it’s normally convenience and for reasons specifically related to the stand. Trees get dry and die soon because of a bad water reservoir, or they live alone and can’t ask for help to install a real tree.”

Simply put: “An easy Christmas is a happy Christmas.”

Eazy Treezy stands are manufactured in Southern California and are sold at a retail price of $39.99 each,

falling right in line with the midrange tree stands.

Wach said he is working on getting the product out in stories, but its current location is Frosty’s Forest Christmas Tree Farm at 25235 Orchard Village Road in Valencia. One can now place an online order by visiting eazytreezy.com or the Eazy Treezy Facebook page. 

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

Re-Elect

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 19

BOB

JENSEN

To the HART SCHOOL BOARD NOVEMBER 6, 2018 Under Bob Jensen’s leadership:

• All 6 comprehensive high schools have earned a national top 10% ranking • Built the Career Education program into 28 career paths • Received numerous California Distinguished School Awards • Established protocols for safe campuses

Meet Bob Jensen:

• Elected Hart School Board Member for 9 years • Certified Public Accountant • Married to Teresa with two daughters Lauren & Katie

Bob Jensen is committed to:

• Developing state-of-the-art mental and emotional education • Opening the new Castaic High School in August 2019 • Modernizing and improving existing facilities • Managing financial resources for all students

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

BOB JENSEN

HART SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

Jensen4Hart.com

2 0 · S U N D AY S I G N A L

Opinion

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

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

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

OURVIEW

Floyd, Bloomberg and Hill Rethinking What 'Progress' Represent NYC, Not SCV Means in Today's Society

By The Signal Editorial Board

I

f you’re old enough, perhaps you remember the TV commercial: Four authentic-looking cowboys, sitting around a campfire, getting ready for some tasty campout vittles.

One cowpoke is playing the harmonica, while another dumps the last bit of Pace Picante Sauce onto his plate.

The jar is empty.

“Floyd, more Pace Picante Sauce!” he hollers across the campfire.

“There you go!” Floyd replies, tossing him a jar of red liquid.

But it’s not Pace Picante Sauce. It’s an imposter. The country boy points out to Floyd that Pace is made in San Antonio, by folks who know what picante sauce should taste like.

Another cowboy grabs the “fake picante sauce” jar and says, “This stuff ’s made in New York City!”

Floyd’s three campmates exclaim, “New York City?!?”

The scene cuts to the next day, when Floyd is making the return trip from their campout, tied to the trunk of his buddies’ car.

That, in a nutshell, is what’s been happening with the financing of the Katie Hill for Congress campaign.

Hill’s campaign rhetoric is built on

By David Hegg

the premise that it’s an up-from-thebootstraps grass-roots campaign, and to some extent, judging from the local support she’s receiving, there’s a level of truth to that.

But the financing? While the Hill campaign has spent the past several months claiming to eschew “big money” in favor of individual donors, it’s actually all about big money — big, out-of-town money. It turns out that the multimillion-dollar support for Katie Hill was not built in Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, or Lancaster, or any other community within the 25th Congressional District.

The big money supporting Katie Hill for Congress isn’t even from San Antonio.

A giant chunk of it is from — you guessed it — New York City.

New York City?!?

Yes, New York City.

For starters, that’s where Michael Bloomberg is from. You remember See OUR VIEW, page 22

I

almost entitled this column, “Why marketing departments hate history,” but I thought that might be a bit overstated. The truth is our nation has become a society of malcontents, and in large measure it isn’t our fault. We’ve been trained to think wrongly about history, and specifically, we’ve been duped into seeing progress as a stand-alone virtue.

Progress is certainly something we all believe is good, and even essential for individuals, families and societies.

Who doesn’t want a better life next year, and to leave a better nation to our children? Who doesn’t want better products, healthier food, more efficient systems and new areas of real knowledge? And yet, our dedication to progress as good has caused a serious warp in our thinking.

Progress is really just a subset of the study of history, and yet when the new, the latest innovation becomes an end in itself, and is severed from that which has come before, the desire for progress turns into an ugly arrogance.

In most fields, the contributions of

those who came before us are honored, and understood as the basic foundations, and necessary steppingstones to the innovations and improvements of today.

This is true in the military, where those who fought in past wars are studied, and appreciated for their pioneering efforts.

The same is true in the great sports programs as well as the great academic programs of our best universities. They still applaud the discipline, courage and achievement of those who have come before, humbly understanding that their own accomplishments were enabled only as they stood on the shoulders of their predecessors. Even cutting-edge musicians today will gush about those who were major influences on their lives and sound.

But, in a consumer-driven society, appreciating the past too much is a problem. The problem is that you may not understand just how much you need to throw out last year’s model to buy the new and improved version.

And so the marketing folks have had See HEGG, page 22

READERLETTERS

Protect Water Supply, Yes on 3 California has the world’s fifth largest economy, but that economy cannot continue to grow without ensuring that our aging water infrastructure system is updated. In an era of increased drought and increased water supply volatility, updating our state’s water system is integral to continued economic growth. Proposition 3 takes the right steps to getting us there.

California’s recent years of drought followed by an extremely wet winter in 2016-17 have demonstrated the importance for the state to invest in

water management for storage and recycling projects to capture water, as well as flood and dam infrastructure to cope during the wet years.

Southern California is reliant on a combination of imported water from Northern California, the Colorado River, and our own groundwater basins, and Proposition 3 makes the investments needed to improve reliability of our imported water, restore local watersheds and help local agencies better manage our limited supplies.

The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) strongly supports YES on Proposition 3, and asks you to join with the business community,

labor, over 100 environmental groups, environmental justice groups, water agencies, the Southern California Water Coalition, and local legislators in support of a clean and reliable water supply through Proposition 3.

Stuart Waldman, President Valley Industry and Commerce Association Van Nuys 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.

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 2 1

Opinion

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

BLACK&WHYTE

G U E S T C O M M E N TA R Y

Lies, Politics and the Appropriation of Jesus

Building on a Bipartisan Record, Success, Service

By Tim Whyte Signal Editor

H

er voice was bright and cheery.

“Hi! I’m calling on behalf of a nonpartisan evangelical group and we’re doing a 31-city bus tour to encourage people to vote for candidates whose positions are consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

Oh boy. I’m not overly religious, and I assumed this was some kind of right-wing group. I settled in for the proselytizing and wondered how long it would be before I heard “Roe vs.

Wade” come out of her mouth.

“We’re coming to Santa Clarita next week to hold a rally in support of a candidate for the 25th Congressional District,” she said. “Katie Hill.”

What the...?

My jaw hit the floor. I’d been bracing myself for the pro-life lecture. Evangelical Christians? Rallying for Katie Hill?

“Gotta be an alternate universe,” I thought to myself.

“You guys are nonpartisan, right?”

“Absolutely!” she replied, sounding as upbeat and perky as your favorite Disney character.

“So,” I asked, “out of the 31 cities you are visiting on your bus tour, how many of the candidates you’re supporting are Democrats and how many of them are Republicans?”

“Oh, they’re all Democrats,” she said.

Apparently Jesus wants the House to flip.

“But you told me you were nonpartisan. Supporting only the candidates of one political party is the very definition of partisanship. Isn’t honesty one of the teachings of Jesus Christ?”

Crickets. Long pause. “You might have a bit of a point there.”

But like a bird that flies into a sliding glass window, she collected herself

and started flying again.

She said the organization believes Donald Trump isn’t behaving in a very Christ-like manner.

Well. No argument there.

But neither is her organization, Vote Common Good. It turns out this is far from the grass-roots nonpartisan group she claimed it to be.

In a scheme some media have dubbed “rent-an-evangelist,” Vote Common Good is part of an orchestrated, well-funded partisan effort to split the evangelical vote.

In two conversations, the Vote Common Good reps lied, misled or gave me false information three times.

One, they aren’t nonpartisan, at least not in 2018. Two, they weren’t coming to Santa Clarita. The “Santa Clarita” church where they held their rally was in Mission Hills, in the 29th District, represented by Democrat Tony Cardenas. (OK, that could have been a mistake. But still.)

Then another: The second time they called, I asked if Katie Hill was attending the rally on Halloween night. “Absolutely!” came the enthusiastic reply.

Here’s the thing. I’d already been told Hill wasn’t planning to attend.

(According to her Facebook page, she spent Halloween night doing some phone banking while wearing rather awesome zombie makeup. I may not agree with her politics, but Katie, major props on the zombie look...)

Democrat Christy Smith, running for the 38th Assembly District, did show up for the rally. But both Hill and Smith should get the benefit of the doubt: Just because Vote Common Good provided false information about the organization’s background, purpose and the location of their rally, does not mean Hill and Smith were in See WHYTE, page 22

By Steve Knight Representative, 25th Congressional District

F

or someone running on a platform of changing “politics as usual,” my opponent in Tuesday’s election sure does seem to pull a lot of tired old tricks out of the Washington grab-bag of false attacks and talking points.

She claims I’m a “career politician” who sells out the well-being of my friends and neighbors in favor of the interests of corporate donors; that I am somehow a member of the “political elite” without any ties to our district.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout my career, for more than 30 years, my first priority has been service to our community and our nation.

At 18, I joined the Army, where I was stationed in Germany to stand with our European allies. Later, as an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department, I served on the gangs division and worked every day to keep our families and streets safe. As a member of the Palmdale City Council, I worked closely with other local officials to help the Antelope Valley grow into the bustling and successful economy it is today.

As an assemblyman and senator in the state Legislature, I worked with the governor and other leaders in Sacramento to improve the quality of life of all Californians as we served the people of our great state. I had more bills signed into law than any other Republican in a Legislature where Democrats held a super majority.

In all the roles I’ve had the honor of filling, public service has been my No. 1 motivating factor.

Now, as your representative in the U.S. Congress, my duty is to advocate for our community at the national level, defend the homeland from threats

abroad, protect the sacred freedoms we cherish as Americans, and enact national policies that allow hardworking American families to succeed. In my three and a half years in Washington, I’ve continued to fulfill this duty in spite of our current hyper-partisan climate.

I have introduced, and advanced through House passage, bipartisan legislation addressing school safety, groundbreaking treatment for veterans with PTSD, support for women-owned businesses, aeronautics research and development, updating our security clearance process to support local businesses, promoting STEM education in schools, supporting local industries on the forefront of renewable energy, and a litany of other important issues. I’ve had more bills pass the House than 52 of the 55 members of the California congressional delegation. The majority of my bills, 28 of 40, are cosponsored

by Democrats, and I have had bills signed into law by both President Obama and President Trump.

I’ve worked directly with the VA to create a first-in-the-nation program here in our district to improve options and access to health care for our area’s veterans. I’ve secured federal resources to build a much-needed air traffic control tower at Plant 42, as well as $47 million to improve traffic on the I-5 interchange chokepoint. My bill to improve safety standards at natural gas storage facilities was signed into law by President Obama and will help ensure a disaster like the Aliso Canyon leak will never happen again. I helped halt future mining operations in Soledad Canyon that would cripple our environment and passed legislation to preclude future contracts once the current ones expire.

See KNIGHT, page 22

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

Opinion

OUR VIEW

Continued from page 20

Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City?

New York City?!?

Bloomberg, through his political action committee called Independence USA, is spending more than $4.5 million on advertising to help elect Hill for Congress.

Why is a New York City billionaire trying to tell Santa Claritans who they should send to Congress?

It does not stop there. Hill has received $7.3 million in direct contributions — nearly triple what incumbent Rep. Steve Knight has raised, and that’s not counting all the outside PAC money she indirectly received from sources like Bloomberg’s PAC. Giant chunks of it came from outside the 25th District.

To be fair, Knight has also taken contributions from outside the district — and his opponents got into quite a dither over whether he declined to accept several thousand dollars from the NRA, a drop in the bucket compared to the bigger money flowing into both campaigns.

Based on the records of their respective campaigns’ finances, Knight’s “outside” contributions pale in comparison to the massive influx of money backing Hill from places outside the 25th Congressional District.

Who will she represent if elected?

WHYTE

Continued from page 21

cahoots with or participating in those things. I believe they were not. Sometimes, when you’re running for office, people who support you do things that are out of your control, and you shouldn’t get blamed for them.

As I write this (Sunday’s deadline is Thursday), Rep. Steve Knight is going through something like that, but admittedly much more serious: His campaign ran a TV commercial featuring a veteran for whom Knight helped cut VA red tape to get a lung transplant.

Turns out the veteran has a disgusting track record of racist, bigoted posts on social media.

Knight’s people didn’t properly vet the vet before featuring him in the

Will it be the people from her district or the interests of those whose millions will have swept her into Congress?

For them, the interests of the 25th District are irrelevant. For them, it’s all about flipping the House majority to the Democratic Party, harnessing hatred of President Trump.

Whatever you may think of the president, who you choose to represent the 25th District should be a reflection of which candidate is best equipped to serve the interests of your community, while also addressing the important broader issues facing the nation.

We believe the interests of the Santa Clarita Valley are best served by Steve Knight, who has built a track record on local issues such as protecting our environment by fighting against the proposed CEMEX gravel mine, working to obtain federal funding for Interstate 5 improvements and leading the drive to get the St. Francis Dam disaster site the federal historic landmark recognition that its victims deserve.

And, as we've previously editorialized, we agree with Knight’s views on the broader issues, like border security, taxes and health care.

Don’t fall for the fake picante sauce.

On Nov. 6, we urge you to vote for Steve Knight. And while we won’t advocate strapping Bloomberg to the trunk of a car on his way out of town, we will advocate sending a message that he can better spend his money where it belongs: In New York City.  commercial. Big mistake. It blew up in their faces, prompting media coverage, and once he knew what had happened, Knight told The Signal that he ordered the ads to be stopped.

The two situations are very different, but the slight parallel is, I think it’s important that we avoid taking leaps of logic. Helping a veteran get a lung transplant doesn’t mean Knight shares that veteran’s bigotry, nor does the support from Vote Common Good mean Hill and Smith are in favor of the organization’s disingenuous tactics.

Regardless... Vote Common Good has bigger problems than some smalltown newspaper editor’s column. After all: If I know they misrepresented themselves, so does Jesus.

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

KNIGHT

Continued from page 21

I fought against President Obama’s disastrous Iran nuclear deal and his veto of the National Defense Authorization Act funding our troops. I fought against President Trump’s separation of immigrant children from their families and the administration’s actions to reverse net neutrality standards.

This is not the record of a politician in the pockets of corporate interests or party leaders. This is my record of commitment to the unique strengths and challenges of our community here in Southern California. This is the community where I was raised, where my wife and I have raised our kids; the one in which my wife saves lives every day as a NICU nurse; and the one in which we’ve served for decades.

HEGG

Continued from page 20

to create a new view of progress, one that is built on the presupposition that what was pretty good yesterday is, in comparison to today’s model, obsolete and only sported by losers. They have become very good at feeding our passion for progress so as to create an ever-present sense of dissatisfaction with the product we are currently using. We need the new and improved version, and we need it now.

Now, I’m all for new and better. But what I see happening as a result of the constant bombardment of marketing propaganda is a subtle yet deep-seated sense of historical arrogance becoming pervasive in our society. The emerging generation hardly knows, yet alone honors, the contributions of the past.

It is as if nothing really significant ever happened before they came of age, and started texting and tweeting on their smartphones. Having been raised on a steady diet of advertisements trumpeting the latest and greatest innovations, these mega-consumers believe anything with more than two years of history falls in the loser category.

OK, so I’m an old guy, and I’m painting with too broad a brush. But before you write me off, understand that progress is best understood as understanding, honoring and building

My opponent would have you ignore this record of achievement. She, Swing Left and the nearly $10 million of SuperPAC money that is supporting her, will run ads falsely claiming I am out to hurt middle-class families, that I want to gut Social Security and Medicare, and that I put my party affiliation above the interests of my neighbors.

These are the same old tactics used by my opponent in 2016. Fortunately, voters saw through that charade, and I have full confidence they will see through this one as well. In California’s 25th Congressional District, achievements matter more than the party listed next to a candidate’s name. No amount of celebrity endorsements or HBO specials will ever change that.

Rep. Steve Knight represents the 25th Congressional District, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley.  on the past rather than denigrating it for being old. And this ought to apply to human resources as well.

In societies that venerate "being" over "doing," age is seen as an asset.

But in our doing-oriented society, age is too often seen negatively, as an obstacle to creativity and innovation.

Old phones, old computers and old people are increasingly seen as unnecessary because we forget that the new versions of almost everything actually owe their very existence to ideas and courageous actions on the part of those have come before us. We’ve simply got to stop having an existential view of history that sees everything through the lens of now.

Progress is not beneficial simply for what it produces, but more for what it teaches about the relay race that is human history. We can never forget those who handed the baton to us even as we prepare the next generation to take it and run. To denigrate the past not only denies us its benefit, it also dishonors the whole race. And while new products can help us all, let’s not be so arrogant as to think that the new could ever arrive without all of the handoffs of those who have lived and run with courage and purpose in years past.

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

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018 2018

23 S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 3

= Family Friendly Event

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

ONGOING Santa Clarita City Council Meetings second and fourth Tuesday of every month 6 p.m.

Council meetings are also broadcast live on SCV TV channel 20 and on the city’s website. Santa Clarita City Hall, City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita. Info: City Clerk’s office Clerk’s office: (661) 255-4391.

Sundays, 7:30 a.m. Dragon Boat Paddling.

Experience a long Dragon boat with the Castaic Lake Dragon Boat team and a two-hour physical workout. Free, no experience necessary. Paddle and PFD personal flotation device provided. Info: teamdragoneyes.my-free.website (213) 447-5707.

Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society invites guests to visit Heritage Junction Historic Park inside William S. Hart Park in Newhall. Tours are held every Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. 24101 Newhall Ave, Newhall. Info: scvhs.org.

Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 p.m. Remo Community Drumming Experience is an hour of fun entry-level experiential music making with drums and percussion that is accessible to everyone. Family-friendly environment with facilitator. All ages and levels of ability are welcome and no prior musical experience is necessary. Drums and percussion instruments provided at no cost. Free. Info: santaclaritaarts.com.

Saturdays thru Dec. 8, 8 a.m. to noon. Trails & Open Space Beautification Projects. Join a group of dedicated volunteers and help clean up and maintain city trails. Interested volunteers must pre-register at SantaClaritaVolunteers.com.

Saturdays, 11 a.m. Family Nature Walk and a Native Live Animal Presentation at 1 p.m. Free.

Placerita Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. Info: placerita.org.

Second Saturday of the month, 8 a.m. A docent-led bird walk for beginning to advanced birders. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and water.

19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall.

Info: placerita.org.

First, second and third Thursdays of each month, 6-9 p.m. ARTree Figure Drawing. Visit ARTree Community Arts Center for a chance to really explore your creative potential using a live model.

Just drop in and bring a pencil and paper. $10 donation. ARTree Community Arts Center, 22508 6th St., Newhall. Info: theartree.org.

Saturdays and Sundays (except rainy days and holidays) 9:30 a.m. to noon. The Gibbon Conservation Center is open to the public. A tour is given at 10 a.m. and self-guided tours are available at all times. Admission: $15 (adults); $12 (teens and

students); $10 (seniors); $5 (children 6-12); $0 (Children under 5). Gibbon Conservation Center, 19100 Esguerra Road Saugus.

Info: gibboncenter.org

EVENTS BY DATE Sunday Nov. 4, 6:15-10 a.m. Santa Clarita Marathon Volunteers. Volunteer for the Santa Clarita Marathon. Visit SantaClaritaVolunteers.com for more information and to register to volunteer.

Sunday Nov. 4, 7 a.m. Santa Clarita Marathon.

The Santa Clarita Marathon, which is an official qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, will test the physical boundaries of the human body.

The weekend will include a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K run, 5K run and Mayor’s Walk. To enhance the running experience, Santa Clarita Marathon races will take place over two days, Nov. 3-4. Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 West Valencia Blvd., Valencia Info: scmarathon.org Sunday Nov. 4, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa Clarita Marathon Health and Fitness Expo. Visit more than 50 health-related vendors and information booths. Runners may sign up for events and race participants pick-up race bibs and t-shirts. Westfield Valencia Town Center, 24201 West Valencia Blvd., Valencia.

Info: scmarathon.org Sunday Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Annual Holiday Boutique, Hosted by Grace for Moms.

Grace Baptist Church, 22833 Copper Hill Drive, Santa Clarita. More than 60 vendors, bake sale, gourmet food trucks. Raffle prizes from vendors, local businesses, restaurants, and family and child activities Free admission.

Info: gbcgraceformoms.wordpress.com/annualboutique Sunday, Nov. 4 3-7 p.m. Boots and Barrels presented By Soroptimist of Valencia Ticket includes admission to the event, along with six wine or beer tastings of your choice. Line dancing and jam-packed raffles. Food trucks will be onsite to buy some grub. Benefits local programs that support women and girls. Live Your Dream is an award program that gives women the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.

Wolf Creek Brewery 25108 Rye Canyon Loop, Valencia.

Info: sivalencia.org/boots-and-barrels Sunday, Nov 4 11:30 a.m. CBS Film Series presents “The Invisibles.” In June 1943, Germany infamously declared Berlin “judenfrei — free of Jews.” But at that moment, there were 7,000 Jews still living in the Nazi capital: hiding in attics, basements and warehouses, protected by courageous Berliners while trying to avoid deportation. “The Invisibles” tells the stories of

four German Jews who with great ingenuity and emotional strength and great risk to themselves, managed to evade Nazi authorities between 1943 and 1945. $1 Raffle tickets for your chance to win a $25 gift card of your choice. Bring a new friend and your friend will receive a free raffle ticket. CBS Social Hall 21430 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita.

Info: cbs-scv.org.

Wednesday Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m. Western Music Association Showcase/ Musicians and cowboy poets perform stories and songs of the romantic Old West, contemporary music of the American West, and songs of the open range and the American cowboy. To perform your Western music or poetry during this event, email wmacc@westernmusiccalifornia.org. El Trocadero Steakhouse 24274 Main St., Newhall.

Thursday, Nov. 8 6:30 p.m. The Local Group Astronomy Club meets at Valencia branch of the Santa Clarita Public Library, 23743 Valencia Blvd., Valencia. Open to the public.

Info: lgscv.org Thursday, Nov. 8 Alzheimer’s Association Workshop. Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters. English: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Spanish: 4:305:30 p.m. Joan Darcy Canyon Country Library, 18601 Soledad Ave., Canyon Country.

Info: Email evpacis@alz.org.

Thursday, Nov. 8 7-9 p.m. Note by Note Showcase. Audiences will enjoy a free evening of music of all genres at Note by Note, a musical showcase. Bands, duos and soloists will play their blend of music, enjoy a wide range of music styles, including rock, folk, Celtic, Americana, Blues, Jazz, Country, experimental, Western and more. The MAIN, 24266 Main Street., Newhall.

Info: thursdaysatnewhall.com/notebynote Friday, Nov. 9 Friday Night Movies at College of the Canyons. See unique films you might have missed. Host and moderator Gary Peterson will discuss details of the films. All films are free and open to the public. Friday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m. “Autism in Love”; 8 p.m., “Won’t You Be My Neighbor”; Friday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m., “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool”; 8 p.m., “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story”; Friday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m., “Three Identical Strangers”; 8 p.m., “Disobedience”; College of the Canyons, Hasley Hall, Room 101, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia 91355.

Friday, Nov. 9, 5-10 p.m. SCV 40 Under Forty Honoree Gala. Cocktail attire. Tickets: http:// scv40underforty.com/shop/. Hyatt Regency Valencia, Ballroom, 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, 91355.

Info: scv40underforty.com.

! N! !

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10/30/2018 9:59:12 AM

24 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

Strange Suicides, Weevils, Drunks, Punks & Bozos

W

ell there you are, o sleepy-sleep SClaritians. C’mon. Soon we’ll be burning daylight. Out of those bunks and futons (which I always thought was some sort of atomic bomb). We’ve a firstclass trek ahead into yesteryear.

There’s epic fires, epic rains and how a Newhall gal named Death Valley.

There’s lost schools, lost rescuers and lost souls aplenty. Let’s quietly guide our thousands of steeds to the east and that familiar and comforting vortex into the Santa Clarita of yore …

WAY BACK WHEN & THEN SOME

• We mentioned last week that perhaps the most glorious building ever to grace the SCV took 45 minutes to burn to the ground. The Southern Hotel and its 150 rooms went up in flame and smoke on Oct. 23, 1888. It was built in 1878 by land baron and businessman, Henry Mayo Newhall, after whom Newhall is named. Hank died four years before the blaze. It had been his dream to make this valley a ritzy city, with all the elegances of a European capital. The posh 5-star hotel cost $300,000 to build — a tidy sum in those days. One of the most luxurious resorts on the entire West Coast, the Southern was designed to attract investors and beautiful people.

• William Manly and John Rogers set out from what would later be known as Death Valley on Nov. 4, 1849. They were headed to San Francisco to bring back help for their stranded Bennett-Arcane wagon train. The young men hiked more than 200 miles — in the wrong direction — and ended up in the SCV. Exhausted, starving, they asked the vaqueros how far they were from San Francisco. The cowboys laughed and assured them that they were already here. Back then, we were called the Rancho San Francisco. A rescue party of several riders and wagons set out to bring back the families. Upon leaving one of the most desolate places on Earth, one woman, who later lived her days out in Newhall, looked out the back of her Conestoga and said, “Goodbye, Death Valley.” And that’s how the place got its name.

NOV. 4, 1928

• It had been a lament locally until 1987 when the city of Santa Clarita

was formed. Many things, including justice, were out of our hands. Local were outraged when, in two separate accidents, drunk drivers seriously injured SCV families. They were more outraged when the two drunks got off with no jail time, no fine, no penalty. Turned out the boozers were connected to a crooked Los Angeles judge, who tried the case.

• How I love English. A Signal scribe noted that a recent cold spell had caused all the young ladies to “…keep their calves in the pasture.” Get it?

• Agua Dulce Elementary had an old-fashioned Halloween party fit to make the Druids blush. They had a huge bonfire on the campus dirt playground. All the costumed kids got to dance and pirouette around the blaze. Some church-goers were rather horrified.

OCT. 29, 1932

• Highway 99/Weldon Canyon officially opened, bypassing the old Ridge Route as the main north-south state thoroughfare. At the big Newhall ceremony, farmers and rural folk came down just to see a brand new invention: the double line. At the ceremonies, locals joked that though you couldn’t across it, they stepped over it with ease.

NOV. 4, 1938

• Back when in ’38, we were pert near minute. The odds of two people committing suicide the same night were astronomical, especially in the bizarre methods. The poor first victim didn’t start life with a decent name.

But, you have to hand it to Bert Nevergood in the Determination Department. Bert stabbed himself to death with a ballpoint pen. Pearson Shaffer was more organized. He stuck his suicide note to the end of a stick and used the stick to pull the trigger attached to the shotgun sticking inside his mouth.

• The Newhall PTA relieved boredom, ever so slightly, by showing a single feature at the Newhall Elementary Auditorium. Despite the title, it wasn’t a porno. A small crowd suffered through “The Hoosier Schoolmaster.”

• One of our long-forgotten elementary schools disappeared on this date. New Era had trouble attracting students, so, it held a vote to merge with Saugus Elementary. In an epic display of indifference, locals voted 27-15 to join campuses.

• You won’t find this on The Signal recipe page. Raymond Deebach, our Acton correspondent, offered the helpful hint that it was OK to eat venison, “…provided you shake the weevils out of the carcass before eating.” Good tip, Ray. NOV. 4, 1948

• History is circular and circular and circular. Here’s the first paragraph of a Signal editorial: “For the past two years, The Signal has believed that partisan bickering in government has been the biggest threat to our nation’s welfare.” No way, hoser. You think?

• Ah, the good old days. Local sheriff ’s deputies initiated a three-day curfew for Halloween. You couldn’t be under 18 and be out after 10 p.m.

If it were today, and I were boss, I’d get to pick the people who could be either in or out, not matter what time and for years on end.

NOV. 4, 1958

• A freak thunderstorm pelted Newhall with 1.5 inches of rain — in an hour. The old Ford dealership was at the bottom of Newhall Creek’s new boundaries.

• I’ll need some help from you Hart readers. The Indians set a record for their largest margin of victory, trouncing Carpinteria 62-0, under the legs of Castaic’s John Sheeler.

NOV. 3, 1962

• This weekend marks the 55th anniversary of the birth of Canyon Country. We celebrated with the first-ever Frontier Days parade, rodeo and fair.

NOV. 4, 1968

• It’s not an anniversary that is celebrated. The first-ever case of someone selling drugs on a local campus occurred 50 years ago. A Hart High

senior was arrested for selling “reds” (or, “downers”) to students. Teachers started noticing kids dozing off in a catatonic manner — at least in a manner different than normal dozing off in class. Boy howdy. I could name names and folks would have to move out of town …

• John Granville was to return to the playing fields of Hart where he had triumphed as an athlete just the year before. He was to be the guest of honor at Hart’s homecoming, but couldn’t get medical clearance to travel from an Oakland military hospital.

Granville had lost both his legs in Vietnam.

• Bob Hogan came home from his shift at Lockheed to find a baby resting peacefully in a blanket on the sofa. His wife had just given birth minutes earlier. Neither she nor her husband knew she was pregnant and the birth was quite the surprise. They must have missed those films in 10th grade…

NOV. 4, 1978

• Nearly 200 jackass hooligan teens were arrested Halloween night. The bozos had taken over Tournament Road and McBean Parkway and were hurling everything from eggs to beer cans at passing motorists. More than 100 complaint calls were logged. Two arrested girls urinated on themselves in protest while being booked.

• Our Supreme Court ruled that women reporters must be allowed access to the locker room of the New York Yankees for postgame interviews. In a constitutional test, Signal Sports Editor Walt Cieplik tried to get interviews in the local women’s sports facilities. College of the Canyons said no, Cieplik, no.

Thank you so much for trekking all the way into your Sunday Signal to take this trail ride. You friends and neighbors are good company. Tell you what. I’ll be back next Sunday with another exciting Time Ranger adventure on your history and heritage.

Until then dear saddlepals, as they’ll be saying at The Way Station this Wednesday: tu madre va como ella en Halloween y vayan con Dios!

John Boston, aka, Mr. Santa Clarita Valley, has been writing about and teaching the history of the SCV for more than 40 years. 

N O V E M B E R 4, 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

Make Fall Haystack Cookies With Kids

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

W

e were sitting around the dinner table recently commenting about fall and how much our family loves this time of year. When it came to specifics, we blurted out favorites like football, jumping in raked leaves, crispy apples at the farmer’s market and cooler evenings sleeping under comforters with the window still open. Then a friend who grew up in Indiana chimed in, “Don’t forget haystacks!”

If you are a city dweller, you probably don’t think of haystacks when

images of fall come to mind. But take a leisurely autumn drive into the countryside, and you’ll no doubt see haystacks of all shapes and sizes lined up in the farm fields, mile after mile.

Haystacks have been part of our culture for ages. Young children recite the charming rhyme about “Little Boy Blue” who fell fast asleep under a haystack; French impressionist Claude Monet painted a memorable series of haystacks; and there’s the old expression “It’s like finding a needle in a haystack” that comes up in moments of frustration. Now you and your kids can make your own Haystack Cookies in your kitchen in three easy steps to celebrate this harvest season.

No need to skip baking when going gluten-free

M

illions of people across the globe adhere to a gluten-free diet. While gluten must be avoided by people who have been diagnosed with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the small intestines, roughly 70 percent of the people who have adopted gluten-free diets do not have the disease.

Where there once was a dearth of gluten-free foods just a few years ago, today many mainstream retailers have entire aisles filled with gluten-free offerings. And people who used to eschew various baked goods, including breads and desserts, now have many options at their disposal.

A gluten-free diet requires avoiding flours made from wheat, barley and rye. In such instances, people can choose from flours made from rice, tapioca starch or potato starch. Some carefully tested and blended flours use a combination of various flours to produce just the right consistency.

For those who desire a traditional golden cake, try this recipe for “Gluten-Free Yellow Cake” courtesy of King Arthur Flour.

Gluten-Free Yellow Cake Yield: Two 9” cake rounds 2-1/4 cups King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour or brown rice flour blend 1 teaspoon xanthan gum 2 tablespoons gluten-free King Arthur Cake Enhancer (optional) 1-3/4 cups sugar 16 tablespoons (1 cup) soft butter 1 teaspoon salt 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon gluten-free vanilla extract 4 large eggs 1 cup milk, at room temperature

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans.

Whisk together the flour or flour blend, xanthan gum and Cake Enhancer, if using.

In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the sugar, soft butter, salt, baking powder, and vanilla for 45 seconds at medium-high speed, until smooth.

Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Still using the mixer, beat in the eggs one at a time; the mixture should become quite fluffy. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl again.

Continuing to use the mixer, mix in the milk, at low speed, alternately with the dry ingredients, adding about one-third of each at a time, and ending with the dry ingredients. The batter will look curdled after the milk addition; that’s okay, it will come back together once the final addition of flour has been mixed in for 30-45 seconds.

Scoop the batter into the prepared pans. Bake the cake for about 32-36 minutes, about 3 to 4 minutes past the point where the cake springs back when touched lightly in the center, and a cake tester (or toothpick) inserted into the middle comes out clean. The finished cake’s internal temperature should be 210 degrees.

Remove from the oven, and cool for 5 to 10 minutes before turning out of the pan to cool on a rack.

Top with desired frosting, berries, whipped cream, or caramel drizzle.

Note: You must use a stand mixer or electric hand mixer to prepare the batter. Mixing by hand will not do a thorough enough job.

— Metro Connections 

HAYSTACK COOKIES 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1/4 cup honey 1/2 cup peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup cornflakes cereal 1 cup chow mein noodles 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Here’s the fun: 1. Let the kids measure and stir together the corn syrup, honey and peanut butter in a medium saucepan. An adult should take over and bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

2. Meanwhile, kids can measure and mix the cornflakes, chow mein noodles and chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl. An adult should pour the melted peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir lightly until completely coated.

3. When cool to the touch, let kids drop the mixture by heaping tablespoons onto a foil-covered baking sheet. Form each one into a haystack shape. Cool in refrigerator until firm. Makes approximately 24 haystacks, depending on the size you create.

Note: These cookies freeze well.

TIP: Take a walk with your child or grandchild and look upward for nests tucked in bare tree branches. When you return, prepare this recipe, replacing the cornflakes with more chow mein noodles, for a total of 2 cups. Shape the cookies into bird’s nests instead of haystacks.

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.

26 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

Paid for by McDonnell for LA County Sheriff 2018, 3605 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite 426, Long Beach, CA 90807

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Unite for Sheriff Jim McDonnell Sheriff Jim McDonnell started as a neighborhood police officer and rose through the ranks, rising to second-in-command at LAPD and then becoming Chief of Long Beach Police before being elected L.A. County Sheriff four years ago. Since then Sheriff McDonnell has taken a department that Commissioners said was “in utter chaos” and restored public confidence after the shameful Baca-Tanaka scandal.

Crime is down in areas patrolled by the Sheriff’s Department. Watchdogs say Sheriff McDonnell has been a stabilizing presence. And under his leadership, the County established the Human Trafficking Bureau to attack a growing regional and national problem that victimizes young people, especially women and girls.

No wonder Sheriff Jim McDonnell is endorsed by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and a long list of law enforcement leaders including the L.A. County Professional Peace Officers Association, District Attorney Jackie Lacey, L.A. County Police Chiefs’ Association and the Association of Deputy District Attorneys.

Sheriff McDonnell established the Human Trafficking Bureau which has already rescued almost 300 victims of human trafficking while arresting over 1,400 suspects.

AFSCME

Kathryn Barger

L.A. County Supervisor

37870_1.indd 1

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce

L.A. County Professional Peace Officers Association

L.A. County Police Chiefs’ Association

Association of Deputy District Attorneys

10/30/2018 4:30:36 PM

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 27

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28 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

FA S H I O N

Fashion deals on wheels in SCV

By Taylor Villanueva Signal staff writer

Y

ou might have seen it around the SCV: a whiteand-pink truck decorated with pink-and-orange

flowers.

But it’s not making deliveries. The meandering fashion truck is newer, growing brand of retail: a boutique on wheels.

Freehand Boutique has been around since 2015, when its two owners, Rhiannon Sandoval and Erin Merrick, decided to “do something creative.”

The store is welcoming, a small ramp entrance with racks of clothes lining the outside, inviting the shopper in to browse.

There are even more clothes inside, along with accessories, like hats or clutches.

The shop looks like a traditional store once the customer is inside.

There’s even a changing room near the front of the truck.

“I kind of always knew I wanted to start some sort of business,” said Sandoval.

Before opening up the wandering fashion truck for business, Sandoval was working at a mortgage company, and Merrick was an assistant site supervisor at an elementary school.

But they always dreamed about using their creative skills to do some-

From left, SCV residents Erin Merrick and Rhiannon Sandoval opened their mobile retail outlet in 2015. Their Freehand Boutique truck can be found at locations throughout Southern California. Visit FreehandBoutique.com to find out where it’ll be next. COURTESY PHOTOS

thing different and work together.

“Erin always had a passion for clothing and style, so we combined forces with what we were good at,” she said.

The two started with pop-up shops in 2014, until they decided on creating their own mobile boutique, instead of going the brick-and-mortar route.

“Prices to rent are crazy and this idea popped up. We found a truck and got it on the road.”

This isn’t the only fashion and clothing store going mobile: Los Angeles is home to several mobile shops,

including Wear on Wheels.

“I had been in the fashion business for over 20 years,” said Wear on Wheels owner Maryana Chervets. “I did personal styling, merchandising — all aspects you can think of.”

Chervets designed the mobile boutique herself, after deciding a truck would be a more viable option than a traditional retail store.

“It looks like a food truck but you put out a stair and enter from the back,” Chervets said. “It becomes a boutique feel, almost a wardrobe.”

A lot of fashion trucks face similar problems some food truck owners face, such as parking and permitting issues, with Chervets noting she needed what’s called a “peddler’s permit.”

Chervets also said unlike food trucks, fashion trucks can’t park anywhere along the curb.

There are specific places they are allowed to park because of liability issues.

Despite the problems that can come up, the fashion truck community is tight-knit.

“All of us in the fashion truck world are kind of buddies,” said Sandoval.

“We’ve done events with a bunch of other trucks.”

Sandoval and Merrick said they were happy to bring their idea to life, but starting their business

wasn’t always exciting.

The co-owners faced tragedy when, in 2015, their first truck caught flames while they were driving on the freeway.

“It was terrifying,” said Sandoval.

“We lost control of the steering and brakes. It was literally watching your dream burn up in front of your face.”

They were able to jump out and call 911 as the truck was sparking, but within minutes their mobile shop was engulfed in flames.

This didn’t stop them.

“We got a lot of outpouring of support from the community,” Sandoval said. Merrick’s sister started a GoFundMe page, and the women were able to open a new boutique. “We got so many messages and words of encouragement from friends, people we didn’t know, and other boutiques.”

Now that their new truck has been running, the women are able to enjoy their hard work.

“We’ll drive on the freeway and everyone will be looking, like ‘What’s inside of there?’” Sandoval said. “It’s so nice to hear people like what you worked so hard for.”

Shoppers can book the wandering fashion truck by going to the company’s website. Follow Freehand Boutique’s Instagram to see where in Santa Clarita they will be next. 

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 29

Getting to know your gibbon neighbors

THINGS TO DO

By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

T

here aren’t many places on earth quite like the Gibbon Conservation Center right here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

At this special location off Bouquet Canyon Road, those carrying on a legacy work to provide Santa Clarita Valley’s residents and visitors the opportunity to connect with a population whom those living in suburban Los Angeles County would otherwise never see.

The Gibbon Conservation Center held its Gibbon-Fest fundraiser Saturday, raising more than $3,000 to help care for and feed the gibbons. But perhaps more than that, with each exposure, those working to further the studies of the late Alan Mootnick share a better understanding of the gibbon, and how close we really are to the vocal and communicative primates.

“We have two every year,” said Gabriella Skollar, director of the Gibbon Conservation Center, who worked under Mootnick for years. “We want to raise funds to run this place, but this is also a way to outreach to the community.”

The center houses five species of gibbons out of the 19-20 species in the world, Skollar said.

Above: Howard clings on to his mother, Tuk, at the GCC. PHOTO BY NIKOLAS SAMUELS / THE SIGNAL Center: Nate and his pen mate hang togher in their enclosure.

PHOTO BY SKYLAR BARTI / THE SIGNAL Right: Howard, the baby Gibbon, hangs on to the chain link fence.

PHOTO BY NIKOLAS SAMUELS/THE SIGNAL

Gabriella Skollar, director of the Gibbon Conservation Center (GCC), feeds Lucia a berry.

PHOTO BY NIKOLAS SAMUELS / THE SIGNAL

During the event, guests were able to tour the center, drink beer, enjoy food, lawn games and watch the gibbons enjoy their afternoon meals.

Silent auction items were on display to also help raise money for the center and guests were able to stay the night to hear the gibbons in the morning.

Guests stayed on a hill overlooking the property, said Alma Rodriguez, operations and development manager at the Gibbon Conservation Center. “(The Gibbons) sing at dawn. We wanted to give people the opportunity to hear them.”

“It’s a one-of-a-kind place,” said SCV resident Karla Edwards. She takes all her out of

town guests to take tours of the center, and when she heard the center could use donations, she reached out to others.

Mike Roberts of Oakridge Landscape donated and planted a tree at the Gibbon Conservation Preserve, Edwards said.

Supporting the gibbons One of the center’s more recent fundraising goals has been a new house for the gibbons inside their SCV home.

The center is looking to build a brand new enclosed structure specifically designed for the gibbons’ unique way of moving. The new See GIBBONS, next page

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

PHOTO BY MICHELE LUTES / THE SIGNAL

Tuk holds her baby gibbon, Howard. PHOTO BY NIKOLAS SAMUELS / THE SIGNAL

GIBBONS

Continued from previous page

structure will hopefully help introduce two northern white-cheeked gibbons, Pepper and Nate, to each other, according Rodriguez.

“There are only about 1,000 left of them in the world,” Rodriguez said regarding the northern whitecheeked gibbons. “We’re going to introduce Pepper and Nate: They were both born here, and we want to pair them off together. They’re part of a species survival plan.”

Pepper and Nate are genetically different from each other, which makes them prime candidates to pair off in order to create a diverse offspring, according to Rodriguez.

The new structure being designed for the center is being priced at around $100,000, and the center is looking for donations and fundraising options to meet that goal by the end of October.

“The actual design came from Brent Hoerner Structural engineering,” Rodriguez said. “He came out, he watched the gibbons and he proposed the design to us. We loved it.

We told him to go forward with it.”

So far, the center had raised

$20,000 as of about mid-August, much of which had come from the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation through a donation.

A legacy and its importance All species of gibbons are considered endangered, and places like the Gibbon Conservation Center are making an effort to stop the decline through repopulation efforts and awareness events.

“When people see this firsthand and with their own eyes, they have a new appreciation and it sticks with them

throughout their day,” Rodriguez said.

“They build a connection with the gibbons. They are very similar to humans.

They live in families with a mom, dad, offspring. They all have unique upbringings and personalities. That resonates more with people and they care a little more.”

“Our mission is to promote the conservation study and care of gibbons through public education and habitat preservation,” Rodriguez said.

The center was founded in 1976 and moved to its current location in 1980, said Skollar, who’s originally from Hungary and started volunteering at the center in 2005.

Alan Mootnick, who died at age 60 in

2011, established the center and became known as one of the world’s foremost experts on gibbons, thanks to his research and published articles that shed light on the small Southeast Asian apes.

“We need volunteers, so if people have extra time, they can come and help out. Everybody who works here today, started as a volunteer,” she said.

“Gibbons are so similar to us,” she added. “They live in family groups, the way they interact with each other, they sing duets, and are so easy to relate to them. That’s why I love it.”

The center is located off of Bouquet Canyon Road, at 19100 Esguerra Road, and open every Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the Gibbons Conservation Center, visit gibboncenter.org.

Those wishing to donate to the center can visit its website at www.gibbon center.org/donations.html. 

Above: PHOTO BY MICHELE LUTES / THE SIGNAL Left: Pepper swings from her enclosure at the Gibbon Center.

PHOTO BY SKYLAR BARTI / THE SIGNAL

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 31

SCHOOLS

Maximize free time for a productive winter break

I

t may seem like only yesterday that the school year began anew, but before students (and their parents) know it, winter break will have arrived.

College and university students may have several weeks off between semesters, while some may be off just a week or two. Regardless of how much time you have, these are some ways to make your winter break as productive as possible.

• Make time for play. Don’t discount the importance of using your downtime to rest and recharge. Prior to winter break, many students face year- or semester-end exams. Such students can use their winter break to refuel their brains.

• Earn some money. Use your time off to make some money. Students who attend school close to home can speak with their employers about increasing their hours during the winter break.

• Find time to study. A phenomenon called “summer slide” refers to when students lose a portion of what they’ve learned during summer vacation. The same phenomenon can occur during winter break, albeit on a smaller scale. To avoid back-sliding on lessons over winter break, read a book or do some other things to keep your mind sharp.

• Clear clutter. Use your down time to go through your school paperwork and discard those things you won’t need. You also can organize supplies for the upcoming semester.

• Update your résumé. Update your résumé to include any new experience you have. In addition, start to look for internships or summer jobs in your field of study.

• Do something artistic or handy.

Work on fine arts projects or crafts.

A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science fair or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate. Catch up on creative pursuits during the break.

661-360-8167

20655 Soledad Canyon Road Unit 31 Santa Clarita, CA 91351

Students can utilize winter breaks to keep their minds sharp and stay productive.  —Metro Connection

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(choice of one entree, seasonal fruit and milk)

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• Network and socialize. The adage, “It’s not what you know but who you know” is as applicable as ever.

Use winter break as an opportunity to visit with friends, former classmates, alumni groups, and others to continue to build a strong network.

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32 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

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

The Dan Band Brings ‘Hollywood’s Hottest Ticket’ to Canyon Santa Clarita

By Stephen K. Peeples Signal Staff Writer

D

an Finnerty caught America’s attention as the foulmouthed wedding singer in the box-office smash “Old School,” performing his now-infamous rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” as well as his appearance as the

36902_16.indd 1

sleazy bat-mitzvah singer in “Starsky & Hutch,” and again as the inappropriate wedding singer in the record-breaking hit “The Hangover.”

What started as a drunken joke for Finnerty, singing “I Am Woman” at a karaoke bar more than a decade ago, quickly spiraled out of control into The Dan Band.

See The Dan Band, next page.

10/30/2018 5:12:40 PM

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 33

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

Santa Clarita hosts midnight ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’

By Perry Smith Signal Managing Editor

S

Lauren Franco, left, and Strawberry, dressed in character enter the theater to watch ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ during a midnight showing of the 1975 cult classic at The MAIN in Newhall PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

anta Clarita fans of the classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show” had the chance to catch one of two screenings the city hosted over this past weekend at The MAIN Theater.

The weekend before Halloween tends to draw crowds to the 1975 musical sci-fi classic as attendees dress the part, yell at the screen and, in general, create an interactive experience for the audience.

Santa Clarita was looking to foster that kind of fun, allowing folks to bring props and engage with their fellow audience members, said Kyle Loper, events supervisor for the city of Santa Clarita.

“This was our second year hosting it at The MAIN,” Lopez said. “It’s something we plan to continue successfully for the next couple of years and we’re hoping to grow it.”

The city reached out to local campuses such as California Institute of the Arts and College of the Canyons, and attendees seemed to really enjoy getting into the spirit of the show.

“We had people who were in some serious costumes,” Lopez said. “It was nice to see the range of costumes that came to the event.” 

THE DAN BAND

Continued from previous page

Doing the “guys singing girl’s songs with bad-boy choreography thing,” as he puts it, the cult phenomenon has scored raves from The New York Times, The L.A. Times, Variety and Rolling Stone, among others, and prompted Entertainment Weekly to dub the show “the hottest ticket in Hollywood.”

The Dan Band now plays to sold out crowds from coast to coast and has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Ellen,” “The Late Late Show,” “Last Call with Carson Daly,” “Last Comic Standing” and “The Guys Choice Awards.”

Finnerty’s act also caught the attention of Steven Spielberg, who signed on as executive producer of “The Dan Band: I Am Woman,” a one-hour concert special directed by McG for Bravo in 2017.

For the Canyon Santa Clarita show, lead singer Finnerty will be backed by guitarist Mark Strommer, drummer Ivan Delaforce, and a bunch of pre-recorded tracks, with John Kozeluh and Gene Reed joining in the bad-boy choreography.

“We start with ‘Only Girl in the World’ by Rihanna and then end with ‘Flashdance’ by Irene Cara,” Finnerty said. “In between there’s Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Shoop,’ Wilson Phillips’ ‘Hold On’ and a Shakira medley that’ll break your heart.

There’s hula hoops and gymnastic ribbons and whatever I would think was funny watching middle-aged guys try to do.”

Finnerty’s favorite part of the show is between-song improv. “I go out into the audience and mess with people and make up crazy songs about them,” he said. “It’s just ridiculous, and no two shows are the same.”

Attempt to keep up with Finnerty and The Dan Band via www.thedanband. 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 888-645-5006, or via TicketMaster.com. For more info, visit WheremusicmeetstheSoul.com. 

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

FOOD

Enjoying the American dream at Margarita’s

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

J

ose Lucatero has come a long way since bussing tables at La Golondrina on Olvera Street.

It was 1972 and he was just 15 years old, newly arrived from Colimo, Mexico. During his two-year tenure, Lucatero worked hard, learned English and served chips and salsa to celebrities like Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Elton John and Sonny and Cher.

Lucatero went on to become a waiter and bartender at Mexican restaurants across Los Angeles before working up to a management and training position at El Torito in Santa Clarita. Still, Lucatero and his wife, Maria, wanted their own restaurant.

She was a fabulous cook, having learned from her mother in Mexico, and he knew the business end.

“All my experiences were the best school I could have learned from,” Lucatero said.

Their dream first came true in 1998, when a neighbor helped them get financing and they took over the former Alamo in Canyon Country and reopened it as the Express Alamo.

Above: The Baja Mar Fajitas ($23.99) is a delight for any seafood lover, featuring perfectly cooked and seasoned shrimp, scallops and white fish.

Right: For a salad that eats like a meal, try the Chicken Avocado ($13.99) PHOTOS BY MICHELLE SATHE / THE SIGNAL

In 2003, they found a larger space in Valencia and Margarita’s Mexican Grill was born.

Their staff grew from 10-25, while the space expanded with a patio and banquet room. The walls were painted festive shades of yellow and orange, accented with colorful art and murals, pairing well with the tile floors and large, leather booths and dark wood tables and chairs.

Margarita’s menu was a family effort, with recipes from the Lucatero’s Guadalajara heritage and innovative new touches like seven homemade salsas, three house dressings, and nine desserts (including a seasonal pumpkin flan that’s available now through January).

Of course, there were also unique variations on its namesake cocktail.

Margaritas ($6.29 to $8.29) made with top quality tequila or mezcal, agave and fresh fruits.

“Fresh, organic and simple is always better,” Lucatero said. “Everything I buy is quality. From the alcohol to the food, I only buy No. 1, never second best.”

Customers followed the Lucateros to their new venture and 15 years later, Margarita’s remains one of the most popular Mexican restaurants in town.

Those same patrons were there for Lucatero when Maria passed away in October 2016. “The people in Santa Clarita are just so nice,” Lucatero said with tears in his eyes. “They’ve supported us since the beginning and even more so now.”

That sense of community

Chef Alex Cuatepoxso and owner Jose Lucatero with several of the delicious dishes on offer at Margarita’s Mexican Grill in Valencia.

is part of the vibe at Margarita’s, from the friendly greeting you get when you walk in the door, to the casual camaraderie at the bar, where Dodger and other sports are playing on a flat screen TV, to the attentive service.

It’s a place where dishwashers can work their way up to chef status, as Alex Cuatepoxso has. Like his boss, experience has been a valuable school for Cuatepoxso, who executes stellar dishes from Margarita’s wide-ranging menu.

There are nine salads to choose from and the chicken avocado version ($13.99) doesn’t disappoint.

Huge chunks of succulent grilled chicken are served alongside a generous amount of creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes and crumbly queso fresco atop a bed of crisp, cool lettuce. The cilantro Caesar dressing adds just the right amount of spice. This is a salad that eats like a meal with each delicious bite.

The chile verde burrito ($15.79) is a huge roll of comfort food happiness, stuffed with large cubes of fork tender pork, creamy beans and fluffy rice, smothered with piquant salsa verde and melted cheese. Top it off with a bit of the guacamole and sour cream served on the side, then add a dash of the scarlet roasted salsa and dig in.

For seafood lovers, the Baja Mar

Fajitas ($23.99) is a real delight. Plump shrimp and scallops are served alongside a moist, flaky fillet of white fish, all grilled and seasoned to perfection. Underneath all that seafood is a wealth of treasures: roasted broccoli, onions, and peppers melding with the orange-hued Spanish rice. And if that weren’t enough, there are hot, homemade tortillas and a plate filled with tangy nopales (cactus), more of those yummy beans, guacamole and a little sweet corn cake.

A great way to sample Margarita’s offerings is at the lunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for $12.49 or the happy hour, with reduced prized appetizers and drinks, served Monday through Friday from 3 to 6:30 pm. The $21.99 Sunday brunch includes free-flowing champagne and Mimosas.

Margarita’s also offers catering for small to large events, as well as parties in its banquet room and patio area.

“We do it all,” Lucatero said.

And you do it well, Margarita’s.

Margarita’s Mexican Grill is located at 23320 Valencia Boulevard, Valencia.

Open Monday to Thursday 11 am to 10 pm, Friday 11 am to 11 pm, Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Delivery available via Grubhub. For more information, (661) 255-1136 or visit www.margaritasmexgrill.com. 

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 35

Dante’s one-pan ‘Arroz con Pollo’

By Perry Smith Signal Managing Editor

A

ssemblyman Dante Acosta learned one of his first recipes, Arroz con Pollo, from his mother, he said, when he was about 10 or 11 years old.

“My mother, being a single mom, had to make a one-pan dishes to take care of her three kids — my father died when I was 11 — so she would leave instructions for us,” Acosta said.

“This is one of my favorites.”

The Acosta typically makes it is a fairly quick and easy recipe, as a result. It’s something that will give the family a hearty meal, balance the food groups and it can be put together in about an hour, he said.

“The prep time’s probably about 10-15 minutes, and it takes about — depending on if you’re using frozen chicken breasts or fresh, which I’m using today — it takes about 45 minutes to cook,” he said.

Another nice benefit of the dish is that there isn’t a lot of cleanup after-

ward, he said, because the ingredients are fairly contained to mostly storebought supplies and there’s only one dish t wash, a 10-inch skillet, one that’s ideally about 4 inches deep so it can brown the chicken while it cooks with the season. 

One-pan Arroz con Pollo Ingredients Four or five chicken breasts 10-inch skillet 3 cloves of garlic 1 quarter cup of diced onions (optional) 1/4 tsp. cumin (or more, to taste) 2 tbsp. olive oil (or four turns of the pan) 3 cups chicken broth 1 tbsp pepper (to taste) 1 can Ortega green chiles (mild or spicy, depending on preference) 1 package of frozen green beans 1 package of rice

Instructions Pour the olive oil into the skillet on the stove (heat setting depends on the type of stove, but chicken should be checked throughout the process). Add the garlic, onions (if desired) and chicken to the pan. Season to taste with cumin as chicken is slowly brown in the skillet for about 15-20 minutes.

Then add the chicken broth and and pepper, and

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let simmer for about 15-20 minutes. As that’s being stirred, add the rice, and all the while check the consistency toward the 15-minute mark to make sure the chicken stays tender and there’s enough broth to make sure the rice doesn’t dry out. The green beans should be added to the top of the dish toward the end of the meal prep, allowing more time if they’re frozen.

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Assemblyman Dante Acosta readies to prepare a family favorite, “Arroz con Pollo,” at his family home in Canyon Country. PHOTO BY AUSTIN DAVE / THE SIGNAL

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36 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

GARDENING

Winter’s bounty

By Michelle Sathe Signal Staff Writer

S

pring and summer may be the seasons most people associate with a home garden’s bounty, but if you’re strategic about what you plant, winter can be just as bountiful.

Another bonus? Planting in fall provides a much more beneficial climate for your winter garden to really bloom, according to John Windsor, horticultural consultant at Green Thumb Nursery in Newhall.

“The weather is cooler, there are fewer insects, and the soil doesn’t dry out as quick,” Windsor said. “If Mother Nature cooperates, we may even get rain, which we don’t typically see in spring or summer.”

Windsor suggested planting crops that will grow well, and are readily available, such as leafy greens like lettuce, spinach or kale, and cruciferous

vegetables such as Brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower.

Depending on your patience level, gardeners can select from seeds or starter plants.

“Starter plants can be put right in the ground where you want them to grow and you’ll see growth almost instantly,” Windsor said. “Seeds take about 10 days to sprout.”

Root crops such as cabbage, carrots, beets and turnips need to be started from seeds.

It’ll take 60-90 days for most plants to be ready for harvest, so if you start now, you can be eating garden-fresh produce by January or February.

“With lettuce and spinach, you can cut small leaves off to use and the plant will continue to grow,” Windsor said.

To get your garden party started, Windsor recommends preparing a space of about 100 square feet.

“The real key is soil preparation. If you planted a spring crop, you probably already did a lot of prep at that time and might not need anything more than organic fertilizer add to the soil,” he said. “If you did not put in a spring crop and the area is new, you’ll need to add organic material such as bagged soil amendments and minerals.”

Preparation steps include: • Weed removal (cutting, pulling, or spraying • Remove rocks and debris • Rototill or dig with shovels to loosen soil • Rake and remove rocks and debris

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Left: Horticultural consultant John Windsor displays various herbs available at Green Thumb Nursery. Right: There also are a variety of organic seeds available at the nursery located in Newhall. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

• Adder fertilizer and organic materials as need • Rototill or turn with shovels to mix all ingredients • Rake smooth and level • Check irrigation • Plant or sow seeds Potential material to help improve a 100-square-foot garden space could include: • 12 cubic feet of organic material

• 5 pounds of all-purpose natural fertilizer with probiotics • 10 pounds of pelletized gypsum • 5 pounds of Dolomite Lime • 2 pounds of Epsom salts • 5 pounds of Azomite or Rock Phosphate

four sections for leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, and legumes. Seeds start at $2.50 per packet and starter plants range between $2.99 to $4.99.

Don’t have a yard that will accommodate a garden? No problem. Many of these vegetables will do just fine in planters, as will herbs such as rosemary, oregano, marjoram and thyme.

“Vegetables really aren’t fussy and plants like lettuce can be really attractive with all their different colors and textures,” Windsor said.

Here’s a recipe of materials for planting individual containers: • 1 cup pelletized gypsum

• 1 tablespoon of granulized soil Sulphur • 1 tablespoon of chelated iron

• 5 pounds of Greensand or Sul-PoMag

• 1 tablespoon of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts)

Such materials can run up to $50 for the 100 square foot space, with Windsor suggested dividing into

• ½ cup of all purpose natural fertilizers with beneficial bacteria, mycorrhizae fungus, and Humic acid By creating a home garden, the fruits, or vegetables, of your labor include knowing exactly what’s in your food, plus other benefits.

“Almost all home gardens are organic and that’s very healthy,” Windsor said. “Gardening is also very good therapy for the body and soul.”

Green Thumb Nursery is located at 23734 Newhall Avenue, Newhall.

Open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm. For more information, call (661) 259-1071 or visit www.greenthumb.com (where you can also sign up for weekly coupons). 

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 37

GARDENING

Which Evergreen Trees Grow Well in the SCV?

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

A

utumn is not only a good time to plant California natives and many droughttolerant flowers, but it is the best time to plant and do major pruning on trees and woody shrubs.

Sap (tree blood) slows as plants go into winter dormancy or semidormancy. This means there will be less bleeding at this time of year, and the tree will go through less shock when roots are moved around or limbs are cut.

Why plant trees?

Trees are important investments in the landscape. Shading your home in the summer can save you 10 percent or more on cooling costs.

With the increasing heat of our lengthening inland chaparral summers, we can use all the help we can get. On cooler days of the year, a shady canopy invites you outdoors to enjoy good weather, play with the kids or pets, or lounge in a comfy chair. The sound of rustling leaves in the breeze offers a calming psychological effect, a welcome gift to our all-too-stressedout days. Leaves clean our air, attract birds and butterflies and increase the value of our property.

Trees can define your landscape.

Because they make a bold statement in the overall design and many can live for a century or more, you need to choose the right one(s). But which trees are best for your garden?

Whatever tree you choose, remember this: Plant a tree — no matter how cute and small it may be when young — as if it’s full grown. The most common mistake people make is to choose a tree according to how it looks when purchased. But all trees grow large, need head room and root space, and will look different in five years — and very different in eight to 10.

Here is a good, partial selection of evergreen trees that tend to grow well in our area. I’ve noted some trees that are a bit frost shy since cold

would have made them risky a half dozen years ago. But with the radical increase in nighttime winter temperatures they are probably safe now.

The warmer areas of Newhall, Saugus and Valencia should carry little risk.

Higher elevations and further east in Canyon Country, some spots can still be exposed to more frosty nights.

Small/Medium trees (under 35’) Acacia baileyana (Baily’s Acacia)— dependable in our area Acacia cultriformis (Knife Acacia)— dependable Acacia longifolia (Sydney Golden Wattle)—frost shy Acacia pendula (Weeping Acacia)— frost shy Agonis flexuosa (Peppermint tree)— frost shy Arbutus unedo (Strawberry tree)— another dependable choice

Medium-tall trees (under 55’) Brachychiton populneus (Bottle tree)—dependable Eucalyptus nicholii (Willow Leaved Peppermint)—usually dependable Eucalyptus polyanthermos (Silver Dollar)—variable Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Red Ironbark) height variable—usually dependable Grevillea robusta (Silk Oak)—dependable with light frost only Olea europaea (Olive tree)—dependable Podocarpus gracilior (Fern or Weeping Podocarpus)—can be a little frost shy Schinus molle (California Pepper)— very dependable but on the forestry commission’s do-not-plant list Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian Pepper)—very dependable but on the forestry commission’s do-not-plant list

Callistemon citrinus (Lemon Bottlebrush)—dependable

Tall/very tall trees

Ceratonia siliqua (Carob tree)—frost shy

Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor tree)—dependable

Citrus (Lemon, kumquat, tangerine, orange, lime, grapefruit and more)— listed in order of cold tolerance

Eucalyptus citrodora (Lemon Gum)— dependable

Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat)—dependable Feijoa sellowiana (Pineapple Guava)—dependable (Strawberry Guava is frost shy) Geijera parviflora (Australian Willow)—dependable Hakea suaveolens (Sweet Hakea)—dependable but hard to find Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon)—dependable native

Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)— dependable but slow-growing Quercus ilex (Holly Oak)—dependable but slow-growing Tristiania conferta (Brisbane Box)— frost shy Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm)—dependable but very root invasive You may notice I have not included pine trees or palms in the list, even

Metrosideros excelsus (New Zealand Christmas tree)—frost shy Myoporum laetum (Sandalwood)— variable

though they are evergreens. Both these tree types have so many varieties that they would require separate articles. Many fir trees, including pines have very flammable sap so I don’t recommend planting them anywhere near structures in our wildfire prone environment.

There are plenty more trees to choose from if you are interested in deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves for the winter). These include fruit trees, many decorative trees like Crape Myrtle and some of our most colorful bloomers like the Jacaranda.

Research which trees will look good and do well in your garden now and in future years. Plant the right tree in the right place and you will love it forever. The wrong tree can crack cement walkways and house foundations, litter your yard, and make you spend thousands of dollars to remove it.

Do your homework: You won’t regret it! 

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Melaleuca nesophila (Pink Melaleuca)—can be a little frost shy Melaleuca quinquinerva (Cajeput tree)—can be a little frost shy

The bottle brush tree can be grown as a small- or medium-sized tree. There are also varieties that are good as small shrubs or even hedges. COURTESY PHOTO

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38 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

SENIORLIVING

How seniors can safely stay behind the wheel

A

greater sense of independence is often cited as the reason so many young people anxiously await the day they earn their drivers’ licenses.

But the connection between driving and independence is not lost on seniors, either.

Aging can take its toll on drivers, prompting such drivers’ families to feel as if their loved ones’ ability to safely operate motor vehicles has been compromised. However, many seniors can still safely operate motor vehicles, and those who do can take steps to ensure they’re as safe as possible behind the wheel.

• Avoid driving on days when aches and pains are strong. Aches and pains are common side effects of aging, and seniors know that some days are better than others. Seniors’ ability to control their vehicles may be compromised on days when stiffness, aches or pains seem particularly strong, so it’s best to avoid driving during these

times. Fatigue may set in on days when aches and pains require extra effort to perform relatively simple tasks, and drivers of all ages should avoid driving while tired.

• Don’t skip medical checkups. Few seniors may look forward to their medical checkups, but visits to the doctor can reveal issues that can help seniors be safer on the road. Schedule routine vision exams so eyeglass prescriptions are always up-to-date.

In addition, seniors should discuss hearing screenings with their physicians so they can ensure they can always hear sirens and other motorists while on the road. Great strides have been made in regard to helping people with fading hearing hear better, and seniors would be wise to take advantage of such advancements, which include hearing aids that can be connected to smartphones.

• Familiarize yourself with medication side effects. Whether they do so temporarily or permanently, many seniors take medications, and every

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medication comes with side effects.

When filling a new prescription, carefully read the dosage and description label to ensure that it’s safe to drive while taking the medicine. Make note of how you feel when taking a new prescription, avoiding driving if the medication makes you feel fatigued or drowsy or affects your motor functions. If the side effects of a new prescription are making it difficult to safely operate a vehicle, discuss potential alternatives with your physician.

• Avoid driving in certain conditions. Driving in inclement weather, during rush hour and at night makes

Enhance nighttime visibility in 4 simple steps

M

many drivers uncomfortable, regardless of their age. But such conditions can be especially dangerous for aging drivers whose vision and reaction times might be fading. Seniors who avoid driving in harsh conditions and heavy traffic may be more comfortable behind the wheel, thereby reducing their risk of accident or injury.

Seniors need not give up their drivers’ licenses at the first signs of aging. But adjusting certain behaviors and exercising extra caution can help these men and women stay safe behind the wheel.  —Metro Connections miles per hour. By upgrading their headlights, drivers can quickly and effectively put more light on the road. Lumileds, a leading lighting solutions company for the automotive industry, offers a state-of-the-art headlight bulb that can dramatically upgrade and improve your vehicle’s lighting. The advanced technology in the Philips X-tremeVison headlight bulb can increase vison by up to 100 percent more than standard bulbs, putting more light where it’s needed so drivers see more of the road ahead of them.

4. Keep your headlight lenses clear.

The plastic headlamp lenses found on most vehicles tend to become hazed and yellow over time from the effects of sunlight, ozone, road pollution, and carwash chemicals.

Such clouding reduces headlight output and compromises nighttime visibility. Designed to restore plastic lenses in less than 30 minutes, the Philips Headlight Restoration Kit quickly and effectively combats clouding on headlights as well as taillights, turn signals and reflective lens covers, improving driver visibility while also making cars more visible to other drivers.

In addition, the Philips Headlight Restoration Kit employs a protective UV coating that produces longer lens clarity while preventing future clouding for up to two years.

More information is available at www. philips.com/automotive.  —Metro Connections

ost drivers are less comfortable driving at night than during the day. Statistics indicate that drivers’ fears about driving at night are not unwarranted.

Traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day. However, drivers need not stay tethered to their couches at night just because driving in the dark can be dangerous. In fact, four simple steps can help drivers enhance their nighttime visibility and reduce their risk of being in an accident.

1. Turn your headlights on earlier.

Daytime running lights can make it easier for drivers to be seen during the day, but they are not designed for nighttime driving. If you are struggling to see as evening transitions into nighttime, turn your headlights on earlier, using your car’s automatic switch setting if it has one.

2. Prioritize headlight maintenance.

Properly maintained headlights can improve driver visibility at night. And such maintenance is simple, yet effective. Simply check the age and performance of your headlight bulbs. If they are more than three years old and/or dimming, replace them to ensure optimal performance.

3. Upgrade your headlights.

A recent AAA study discovered that the halogen headlights found in more than 80 percent of vehicles on the road today fail to safely illuminate unlit roadPhilips X-tremeVison headlight bulbs (right) can ways, even when vehicles are increase vision by up to 100 percent compared to moving at speeds as low as 40 standard halogen bulbs (left).

Better brain health.

Dear Neighbor, N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 39

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National Center for Health Statistics, Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. (1989). National Health Interview Survey. United States Department of Health and Human Services. Doi:http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR09583.v1 | 2Amieva, H., Ouvrard, C., Giulioli, C., Meillon C., Rullier, L., & Dartigues, J. F. (2015). Self-reported hearing loss, hearing aids, and cognitive decline in elderly adults: A 25-year study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015 Oct;63 (10):2099-104. doi: 10.1111/jgs.13649.

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40 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S C V F E AT U R E

Straightening Reins, at home on the ranch

By Perry Smith Managing Editor

O

ver the last seven years, Straightening Reins, the nonprofit organization run by Debbie Rocha, has been housed by several locations in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The was the first spot on Quail Trail, near Vasquez Canyon Road; then more recently on San Francisquito Canyon Road, off Seco Canyon Road; and then there was the spot at Sand Canyon and Lost Canyon Road, which was a temporary place.

But it’s hoping its latest location in Agua Dulce, off Davenport Road, will serve as a home for a little bit longer.

“We are very blessed to have found a family that is retiring out of state,” Rocha said this week. “They were trying to sell the house, and they decided they would work out a rental agreement with us.”

Nothing about SRD—Straightening Reins has come easy for Rocha —

Left: Roxie Bradford,11, grooms rescued horses Mia, left, and Jax at SRD Straightening Reins’ new facility in Agua Dulce.

Top: Cassidy Schultz, 14, fills the water bucket for rescued horse Jake. PHOTOS

BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

her inspiration for the organization, the initials, SRD, refer to Samantha Rocha-Dyer, Rocha’s daughter, who

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killed herself by jumping onto a stretch of Highway 14, north of Santiago Road. In fact, it’s still too painful for Debbie navigate that stretch of highway. The memories and the pain from the day she learned of her tragic loss in April of 2011 still feel too real.

From that pain and loss came the inspiration for Straightening Reins, and Rocha honors her daughter’s memory by providing equine therapy in the community to child who might have behavioral challenges, live within the spectrum of autism or might be part of an at-risk population — Rocha is unlikely to turn someone away.

Community involvement has been a hallmark of the program, Rocha said, and the reason that Straightening Reins has continued to be available to help SCV residents.

“I think the biggest part is that the community really did come together to make this happen,” Rocha said of the new facility. “This isn’t a corporate company.”

Rocha, a Saugus Union School District teacher at Helmers Elementary, loves working with children, and her after-work job, taking care of a nonprofit organization that helps children throughout the SCV, allows her to do just that.

At SRD~Straightening Reins, the horses are just as valuable for the students there as the counselors, who

take advantage of the horses’ usually innate calm,graceful way and ability to pick up on people’s moods to teach to the Ranch Crew and offer therapeutic healing to SRD-Straightening Reins’ clients.

The Ranch Crew is a weekend volunteer group who pay a small per-visit fee that helps support the organization. But it’s an educational experience for everyone involved.

During a trip to Straightening Reins last winter, before the latest move, volunteer Haley Moore, a volunteer who lives in the area but attends college out of state and was helping out while on break from classes, shared about how much she learned and realized through working with animals to improve mental health, and how much it means to those who visit the ranch, as well.

“There’s such a big world in mental health, and so many people are just like, ‘You know, it’s there, but I don’t want to talk about it.’ It’s like religion and politics,” she said. “You don’t talk about it at the table. We’re not talking about mental health. And it’s something that, unfortunately, in this day and age, it needs to be talked about.”

For Rocha, it’s a primary goal, to provide children a space to talk about and work through some of the challenges kids face, whether it’s being different, being cyber-bullied or being afraid to ask for help.

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 41

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Growing needs, and services In 2018, Rocha continued to grow the services offered by Straightening Reins’ herd — which includes rescue goats and a couple donkeys in addition to the horses — through partnerships with the William S. Hart Union High School District and involvement from College of the Canyons students.

“We are expanding our services at the ranch, with our foster kids population, specifically who are in the transitional youth program,” Rocha said, noting that the latest partnership is with Golden Oaks Adult School.

SRD allows ranch visitors to talk about things they might be struggling with or have feelings about, such as depression or anxiety without judgment from their peers and in a healthy environment, Rocha said, which is such an important thing for kids to have.

“I firmly believe the that the community has come together and put

us here,” she said, thankful for SRD’s new home, and mentioning how the process of struggling to find a new location actually turned into an outreach opportunity because local residents have been so supportive.

As a result, she’s even made friends and found new supporters for the ranch, such as Norris Frederick, a two-time track and field Olympian, and his brother John Anthony, owner and manager of Redemption Road, a K9 dog-training facility.

“They use therapy horses and we use dogs, so I was very excited when I heard about their organization,” Anthony said, discussing how he met his new neighbor. “She was looking for some support that could bring some additional support and exposure to her project and what she’s doing, and we told her we’d love to help.”

Anthony is also new to the area, having recently moved their facility from Seattle to the 10-acre property in Agua Dulce about a month ago.

Rocha said she’s been so grateful with how the community has supported the cause when the organization is in its hour of need.

“We’ve actually picked up a few families I think that’s a huge piece,” she said, “I mean, we.ve raised awareness — I think that’s because our client numbers are growing.” 

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Top: Roxie Bradford,11, right, grooms rescued horses Jax, left, and Mia at SRD Straightening Reins’ new facility. Top right: Cassidy Schultz, 14, and Roxie Bradford, 11, carry buckets of food to the horses.

“The idea of the Ranch Crew is to really have a safe place for the kids to be,” Rocha said. “This is about them exploring, about them learning what they want to do — really kind of checking things out.”

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

ARTS

Santa Clarita’s curator extraordinaire

By Patti Rasmussen Signal Staff Writer

Meet Jeff Barber, art supervisor for the city of Santa Clarita, a fixture in the Santa Clarita arts scene for the past 10 years.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Simi Valley, Barber said he was always a creative person. A fourth-generation drummer, Barber expanded his art exposure when he started working at the Autry Museum, first at the information desk for $6.50 an hour, then working his way up to the programs department.

After 12 years at The Autry, Barber headed up the coast for a stint at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. In 2008, he applied for the art supervisor position with the city of Santa Clarita, where for the last decade he’s curated a local appreciation for the arts among SCV residents.

“I think (Arts and Events Manager) Phil Lantis and (former city Director of Recreation, Community Services and Open Space) Rick Gould were impressed with what I had been doing,” Barber said of his interview.

“I was around art, but at a distance. I just kind of made a niche for myself.”

Once hired, Barber went to work to establish small galleries around town.

The First Floor Gallery at City Hall and the Westfield Town Center Community Wall were the first on the list.

Barber said staff saw the shows and

Above: Jeff Barber poses with his Audi Q5 and its vanity license plate, a play on his nickname, Six. Right: Jeff Barber hangs a photo in the “California Dreaming” graphic illustration exhibit by College of the Canyons students at the Old Town Newhall Library.

PHOTOS BY KATHARINE LOTZE /THE SIGNAL

kept asking for more gallery space.

“When I started there were no exhibit programs,” he said. “Now, we have seven venues for art where we are constantly exhibiting. It’s really fun to put together a theme and see what you get.”

“It awes me,” he said.

With the approval of the city’s Art Master Plan in 2016, Barber said things really began to change and art became a key element in the community. The recent State of the City event highlighted all the art programs.

Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste said the Master Plan is a wonderful tool for staff.

“Much of what has been happening in arts can be contributed to city staff and the Arts Commission,” Weste said. “There is all kind of talent out there and it takes a knowledgeable person to find it. That’s what Jeff does.”

Several artists give Barber credit for keeping arts alive and it’s those comments that keep Barber going.

“I’ve had many jobs, just making money,” Barber said. “I’ve been pretty blessed to get into The Autry and the Natural History Museum and now I have a job that I really dig.”

Barber believes that next on the

horizon for art will be the creation of a community arts center.

“Not something huge or fancy,” he said. “Just a work space. It would mature our whole program.”

In the meantime, Barber keeps busy looking for more artists to exhibit.

He is also in charge of the city’s Note

by Note and 10 x 10 programs at The Main in downtown Newhall. He arranges several seminars throughout the year to help artists that covers such areas as finances and social media. And just in case he’s not busy enough, Barber also plays drums for his group — Hell Toupee — “just an old school punk band,” he said.

Barber said his mantra in life is to share his creativity and believes he fulfills that in his work and personal life.

“I hope the work I do is valued,” he said. “After all, what isn’t there to love about art?”

Patti Rasmussen is a member of the city of Santa Clarita Arts Commission.

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 43

SPORTS

Williams, senior for San Francisco State, squares up for a jump shot during a game against Cal Poly Pomona last season. COURTESY PHOTOS

HOOPS

Continued from page 15

Williams, who was named a team captain for his final year at SFSU, squares up for a jump shot during a 69-66 double-overtime

The grinding mentality seems to be win against Cal State University San Marcos in February. ingrained in Williams’ DNA, as he had to overcome a series of road bumps evolving to a more spread out style of pancake mix,” he said laughing. “You dating back to his freshman year in play. He shot 38 percent from beyond have to get the buttermilk ones and high school. the arc last season and 40 percent the instead of water you have to do it with Williams originally attended Bishop season prior. milk. I also put a little cinnamon in my Alemany, a private school in Mission While his shooting has vastly imHills known for its athletic prowess. It proved so has his postgame, defense was his belief he’d have the opportuand rebounding. As a die-hard Lakers nity to grow and develop as a player fan, Williams grew there, but he hardly up a fan of Shaquille even got a chance to Sports has always been O’Neal, but he says around. My dad is a big see the court. his game more closely sports guy and had Lakers On the verge of resembles another season tickets,” Williams quitting the game he former Lakers chamsaid. “It’s always been a big loved, Williams and pion, Pau Gasol. part of my life and a key part his family decided “My favorite Laker to me and my dad bonding. it was best for him looking back was My whole family as a whole to transfer to West Pau Gasol. That Ranch and give it one bonding.” soft touch around more shot. the basket, good-back-to-the-basket It was definitely the right move, as game, the fire that he has and he’s got Williams became an integral part of the the jumper,” Williams said. “He’s one Wildcats basketball team, and able to of those guys I watch highlights on, move on in his basketball career. watch film to put it side-by-side with Now, he has one more hurdle to my game.” jump. After graduation, Williams wants In addition to his love of basketball to play professional ball. and radio, Williams has one more love: “To come from where I’ve come from pancakes. to where I was almost quitting basketball While he said the best pancakes to in high school as a sophomore to transget both in the SCV and San Francisferring to West Ranch — and all of a sud- co are at IHOP, and the chili browns den I’m in college and now I’m looking at at the Way Station Coffee Shop in playing pro,” Williams said. “It’s crazy to Newhall are “a classic.” think that. It’s a dream for me.”

He also said he found the perfect For now, the soon to be 22-year-old is recipe for homemade pancakes. focused on the task at hand, helping his “I tried like 10 different pancake team get better everyday. He’s expandmixes and I finally found the one ed his shooting range as the game is which is just perfect. Hungry Jack

“

pancakes too. It’s been a long process.”

With his last season about to get underway, Williams has the right recipe for success. 

44 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

WILLIAM S. HART USD AREA #5

Jeff Martin Jeff Martin* of Saugus

Bio:

Lifetime Santa Clarita resident.

Graduated from Saugus high school.

Anti-bully and special needs advocate with a rank of first degree black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Instructor of all ages on personal development, self-protection and fitness. Involved in AYSO for over 20 years as a player and a coach. *Candidate did not report age.

Campaign statement:

Imagine being a parent that felt their child is not safe at school. Imagine a parent being afraid their child would not return home safely. These are real concerns from real parents in our community. Imagine a local developer

contributing to the campaigns of local board officials then getting no-bid contracts in return. This happened.

Parents and homeowners want three things: child Safety, inclusivity and knowing that their money (taxes) is being well spent by creating the next set of leaders, artists, public servants, professionals and skilled workers of the next generation.

My platform is the following: promoting an inclusive environment with anti-bullying and compassion programs; teachers deserve competitive wages; school safety through proactive safety programs and systems; smaller class sizes; healthier food options; and focus on supplying teachers with necessary resources and modern technology.

Correction: Jeff Martin’s information was omitted from The Signal’s Election Guide that ran in the Sunday Signal on Oct. 28

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36700_7.indd 1

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N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

Give your mind a workout with these brainy exercises!

BRAINGAMES

Relax

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 45

46 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

CROSSWORD TIME

N O V E M B E R 4, 2018

THE VILLAGE IDIOT

This incredibly old house

By Jim Mullen Signal Contributing Writer

E

very now and then, I’ll see a story on one of the home-decorating channels about the 13th Lord Pushface, who lives in genteel poverty in Haughty House, a stately 300-room manor in Somethingorothershire.

He inherited the place from the 12th Lord Pushface, who lost all the family’s cash playing craps in Las Vegas in 1973. Lord Willoughby Pushface keeps the place solvent by letting out rooms to tourists and by selling medieval furniture that’s been stored in the attic since the place was last renovated back in 1649.

A tweedy old guy with a walrus mustache, Lord Pushface chuckles when he wonders aloud what his more cash-flush ancestors must think now that he has to mow his own 40-acre lawn. And Stevens, the butler, not only has to answer the door, but fix his own lunch, too. Stevens claims not to mind: He calls it multitasking, and says he’s treated like one of the family.

“Yes, I don’t have any money, either,” he says.

There is no Upstairs-Downstairs anymore at Haughty House; it’s more like Downstairs-Basement. The Persian carpets are patchy and threadbare, the gigantic wall-sized paintings in gilded frames are so covered in soot and dust that it is hard to tell if they are portraits of the 12 previous Ladies Pushface or paintings of the inside of a train tunnel.

To pay to have the leaking roof fixed, Lord Pushface even started letting tourists sleep in the old bedroom belonging to his grandfather, the late Lord Stuffy Pushface. The bed could fit Henry VIII and all his wives at once, with room to spare.

The tourists expect Stevens to draw their bath for them; they expect Lord Pushface to sit down to dinner with them in the Great Hall and share gossipy family stories about the many

royals who ate in this very room, at this very table, in this very chair — as if it somehow makes them royalty, too. Oh, the indignity of it all.

When I lived in a studio apartment, I had no sympathy for the Lord Pushfaces of the world. They may not have had money, at least not anymore, but they did have 299 more rooms than I did.

Now that I live in a big, old, creaky house myself, I’m not so arrogant. I’m trying to think of ways to raise money so I can afford to get the roof patched.

I’m not positive, but I suspect that we are the only people in our town who have to give an alternate “rain date” when we invite people over for dinner. It’s hard to talk to people over the rain-catching pot on the dining room table. Outside, the paint is peeling in places where it is sunny, and covered with mold in places it isn’t. There are saplings growing in the gutters. I’m sure the neighborhood kids think the Munsters must live here.

The plaster is cracking in the living room, the dining room, the upstairs hall and the guest bedroom. The banister wiggles like a loose tooth. The attic — well, I’ve never been in the attic, because something up there is making its own noisy renovations. Squirrels, raccoons, birds, a goalie-masked serial killer — who knows? But I’m not going to be the one to find out.

Everywhere I look, there is something that needs to be fixed, something that needs attention. The windows all need to be replaced, and the plumbing and the wiring both need to be brought up to code. We need a new furnace; we need to call a chimney sweep.

It’s hard to imagine having to worry about 299 more rooms when the few we have are wearing us out. If we could afford a butler, he wouldn’t be answering the door, he’d be patching the roof and cleaning out the gutters.

I’m thinking maybe we should rent the house out to English royalty. They might enjoy the coziness. Lord Pushface might even be our first guest.  Contact Jim Mullen at mullen.jim@ gmail.com

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Bill CITY COUNCIL Working Together For A Better Santa Clarita “As a Santa Clarita Councilman, I feel it’s my responsibility to help keep our community safe and provide economic growth for our city.”

I VOTED TO:

BILL MIRANDA

Build a new Senior Center, Sheriff Station and Canyon Country Community Center

Vote For Me Nov. 6th!

Build new roads to help reduce traffic congestion

“I am an Air Force veteran, a 35 year resident of Santa Clarita and a local business owner.”

Bring good paying jobs to Santa Clarita

For more about me please visit my website:

www.BillMirandaForCityCouncil.com Paid for by Bill Miranda for City Council 2018 ID #1397785