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DECEMBER 6, 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

NEWS FEATURES 5 6 7 8

A few places to enjoy the slopes this winter Recipes to support your immune system Lend a helping hand for the holidays Local temples ring in Hanukkah

HEALTH 9 9 COPD progression and your life expectancy

FROM THE MAYOR

10 Reflecting on success and progress in 2020

FOOD 11 11 Christmas cookie cravings

ENTERTAINMENT 12 12 The latest ‘Black Beauty’ is ‘beautifully uplifting’

GIFT GUIDE 13 GARDENING 17 17 Help make your poinsettias last the whole season

AUTOMOTIVE 18 18 Emergency supplies in case you break down

BEAUTY 19 19 Take care of your scalp

SENIOR LIVING

KIDS & FAMILY

20 Understanding chronic pain 2 1 Donna’s Day: Potato latkes are just for Hanukkah SCV begins the celebration of Hanukkah Did you Know? Hanukkah

PUZZLES 22 OPINION 23

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661-259-1234 The entire content of the Sunday Signal is copyrighted 2019 by Paladin Multi-Media Group, Inc. All submitted letters and columns are strictly the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. If you would not like this delivered to your home, please call (661) 259-1000.

D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

A few places to enjoy the slopes this winter By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

ike most things this year, winter break is sure to look a bit different as COVID-19 remains at the forefront of everyone’s minds, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and enjoy some winter bliss. With the closest snowfall less than an hour away from Santa Clarita, you can still grab your mask and head out for a day trip to the mountains. Whether you’re planning on going to ski or snowboard or simply to sled and have a snowball fight, there are plenty of options nearby.

COVID-19 changes

Whether it’ll be your first time in the snow or you’re a seasoned pro on a pair of skis, there are a few important COVID-19 changes to note this year. As with other establishments, guests are asked to practice social distancing and are required to wear masks when indoors, as well as in lift lines, on lifts, in gondolas and on shuttles. Due to the pandemic, this year ski resorts have made some changes to prevent overcrowding, including limiting the sale of tickets to get on the mountain. Many resorts have closed their in-person ticket sale windows and instead are requiring guests purchase their lift tickets in advance, while others are restricting access to the resorts to only those with valid tickets. That’s why it’s best to check each resort’s restrictions heading up the mountain.

Frazier Mountain

For those of you looking to simply get a bit of time in the snowy mountains, Frazier Mountain is only a quick day trip away. Located in the nearby Los Padres National Forest just off Interstate 5, this is the closest place to enjoy the snowfall. This area has always been popular for families, with some good-sized hills to go sledding or tubing, or just play in the snow. Frazier Mountain is about an hour away, located off Frazier Mountain Road near Frazier Park.

Big Bear Lake is a popular option because it has two options whether you ski or snowboard. PHOTO COURTESY BEAR MOUNTAIN

Mt. Waterman

Open for more than 80 years, Mt. Waterman is located in the nearby Angeles National Forest, making it one of the closest ski resorts to the SCV. The resort survived the Bobcat Fire, which burned for more than a month, devastating nearly 116,000 acres of the ANF, and is ready to celebrate the winter season — once it gets enough snow that is. With only one winter storm so far this season and the resort relying entirely on natural snow, it has yet to get enough snow to open. Though no sledding is allowed, the resort does offer scenic lift rides for those who don’t ski or snowboard. There are no gas stations or gear rental on the mountain, so be prepared before heading up. Mt Waterman is about 60 miles away, located off Highway 2 in La Cañada Flintridge. For more information, visit mtwaterman.org or call (818) 790-2002.

Big Bear Mountain Resort (Bear Mountain / Snow Summit)

Big Bear Mountain Resort, located

in the San Bernardino National Forest, has two separate ski areas 3 miles apart — Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. This winter, both resorts require all guests to have a valid lift ticket, season pass or reservation to receive gated entry access to the base areas, meaning if you’re just spectating, you won’t be granted access. Snow Summit is known for being a family-friendly resort with its Grizzly Ridge Tube Park, while Bear Mountain is recognized for its extensive terrain parks for varying ability levels with some of California’s only halfpipes. Both resorts are currently open and are located about two hours away. Bear Mountain is located at 43101 Goldmine Drive in Big Bear, and Snow Summit is located at 880 Summit Blvd. For more information, visit bigbearmountainresort.com/winter or call 844-GO2BEAR (402-2327).

Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain has the highest summit elevation in California, which makes it no surprise that they’re snow season typically lasts more than half of the year and aver-

ages more than 400 inches of snow. As with Big Bear, Mammoth is controlling resort visitation levels to avoid overcrowding by tightly regulating the number of daily lift tickets, which are available by advance purchase only. Nevertheless, with a motto of “letting fun rule,” this resort not only offers 3,500 skiable acres,but also plenty of other winter activities for those who prefer not to ski or snowboard. Catch a lift up the hill, then bomb down the mountain in a tube at Woolly’s Tube Park, or hit the snow play area. For the more adventurous type, you can also take a gondola up to the summit, then either do some cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or even rent or take a guided tour on your choice of snowmobile or snowcat. Mammoth Mountain is now open for the winter season and is located just over four hours away at 10001 Minaret Road in Mammoth. For more information, visit mammothmountain. com/winter or call 800-MAMMOTH (626-6684). 

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Recipes to support your immune system for flu season By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

Salt and freshly ground black pepper 10 - 12 cups of water Fresh flat chopped parsley (added on the end)

mid the COVID-19 pandemic and the flu season, behaviors such as quality sleep, exercise and regularly washing one’s hands are vital to improving your immune system. But when it comes to food, knowing what nutrients you need to fortify your health can make all the difference. “The flu season is upon us and keeping yourself healthy is of paramount importance,” said Brian Downs, an urgent care physician at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. “Eating a nutritious diet and regular exercise are the keys to maintaining a healthy immune system. A healthy immune system can help you fight off common colds and the flu.” Downs recommends looking at three categories: fruits and vegetables; proteins and whole grains; and vitamins and minerals. “Protein sources such as lean meats, dairy, eggs and legumes are especially important because they supply the amino acids that your body needs to build the components of your immune system,” he said, adding that everyone also needs at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables to receive adequate vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Here are some recipes to consider trying:

Immunity-boosting ‘shots’

Whether you’re looking to stave off colds and the flu or if you’re starting to feel under the weather, make an immune booster shot. “Whenever I start feeling like I’m coming down with something, I make an immune booster shot and get a bit of rest. I’ve done this for years and whenever I have, I have never gotten fully sick,” said recipe developer Cheryl Malik on 40aprons. com, which offers clean eating, healthy recipes. Malik’s shot recipe is jam-packed with immune-boosting ingredients such as ginger, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits; lemon, which supplies a healthy dose of Vitamin C; garlic, known to reduce cold-like symptoms; and honey, a

Directions: 1. Wash chicken under cold water and put into a large pot, cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt, bay leaf and allspice. 2. Cook on low heat for about an hour. 3. Remove foam/scum with the spoon while cooking. 4. Add vegetables. 5. Cook an additional 45 min - 1 hr. 6. Serve hot with boiled potatoes or noodles or barley with lots of black pepper and chopped parsley.

Get a meal plan going Creating a meal plan with fresh and healthy ingredients is a great way to build up your immune system. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

natural sweetener that soothes sore throats. The trick to this recipe is to incorporate fresh ingredients for maximum benefits and drink immediately after making the drink.

Immune Booster Shot Prep time: 5 mins Servings: 1

Ingredients

1 tablespoon honey 1 lemon 1 navel orange 1-2 cloves garlic minced 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated Dash of cayenne pepper Dash of real sea salt 1/4 teaspoon turmeric Grind of black pepper 1 tablespoon Natures Intent, with “the Mother”, organic apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon hot water

Preparation Mince the garlic and set aside for 10 minutes to give the enzymes a chance to form, ensuring maximum benefits, said Malik. Whisk together the honey, turmeric and hot water until the honey is incorporated and smooth.

Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Chicken veggie soup

You can never go wrong with a colorful, hearty soup, if you fill it with a variety of vegetables. Take this chicken soup recipe from Anna Leszczynska, an educator in the Kaiser Permanente Center for Healthy Living, which includes parsnips, carrots, celery and onions. Parsnips, for example, are a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as fiber and folate. Carrots can protect immune cells from free radical damage and celery can help fight off infections with its antimicrobial properties, which boosts immunity. Prep time: 1 hr and 45 mins Servings: 2-4

Ingredients:

½ organic chicken 4 medium carrots (peeled and cut into medallions) 4 celery stalks (cut into 2” pieces) and celery root sliced (optional) 2 parsnips (peeled and cut into medallions) ½ large onion – can be caramelized or charred 4 bay leaves All spice

If you’re trying to get ahead for the week, try setting up meal prep with foods that target what you’re trying to achieve. To support a strong immune system, try incorporating foods that are high in vitamin C, such as bell peppers or kiwi; and zinc, such as beans, grains and beef. Here’s a simple daily meal prep plan to keep in mind, courtesy of Leszczynska: First thing in the morning On an empty stomach, drink a cup of hot water with freshly squeezed lemon juice from half a lemon. Breakfast Plain kefir or Greek yogurt, oatmeal with cinnamon, pumpkin seeds, a kiwi and green tea with ginger and honey. Lunch Ginger miso-grilled salmon on a bed of lentils and sauerkraut. Snack Broccoli and bell peppers with garlic hummus. Dinner Chicken soup with carrots, celery, onions, potatoes and freshly chopped parsley. Dessert Carrot pudding. Liquids Drink at least 8 cups of fluids in between meals: ginger tea with honey, green tea, green juice, and water. Visit henrymayo.com/newsupdates/ 

D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

A few ways to lend a hand for the holidays By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

f there was ever a year to give back to one’s community, 2020 is the year. With Giving Tuesday behind us, Santa Clarita Valley residents still have a myriad of places and ways to share their generosity. Giving Tuesday, a global movement that started in 2012 as a way to encourage people “to do good” — celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving Day — is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world,” according to the website givingtuesday.org, which supports the philanthropic effort online. But as any social worker, staff member for a nonprofit or even someone who’s volunteered at a chari-

Local Charities & Resources Bridge to Home

volunteers@btohome.org (661) 313-9002

City of Santa Clarita Volunteer Hub SantaClaritaVolunteers.com

Congregation Beth Shalom

21430 Centre Pointe Pkwy 91350 (661) 254-2411

Family Promise of SCV

24820 Orchard Village Rd 91355 contact@familypromisescv.org (661) 251-2866

SCV Child & Family Center childfamilycenter.org (661) 259-9439

SCV Food Pantry

24133 Railroad Ave 91321 info@scvfoodpantry.org (661) 255-5001

SCV Senior Center

27180 Golden Valley Rd 91350 (661) 259-9444

Single Mothers Outreach

24781 Valley St Unit B 91321 admin@smoscv.org (661) 288-0117

Smile, SCV!

Regina Lee smilescvtoday@gmail.com.

ty drive recently can tell you, the need has never been greater than now with the pandemic. Last year, billions of dollars were raised in “countless acts of generosity” from communities throughout the country, whether it was a small gesture such as donating the change from a purchase to participating in a grand event at the Bella Vida Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center. While the latter is no longer an option, nonprofit organization staff; local, general do-gooders; and well-intentioned helpers, have found ways not only to raise money, but also to continue to safely deliver services to the people they serve With so many places and causes to choose from and support, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, SCVbased organizations and philanthropists are highlighting that giving back goes beyond Giving Tuesday. Here are just a few locations and ways to contribute:

Toys for children

Regardless of the pandemic, toys can make a difference in children’s lives by bringing them smiles and opportunities to play in new ways, according to Regina Lee. The Saugus High School student started the “Smile, SCV!” fund to support local businesses affected by shutdowns. In thinking about local children, she reached out to the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club to find ways to help the nonprofit, which has had to cancel their annual charity events due to health restrictions. “I reached out to the Boys & Girls Club and got the idea of a toy drive,” she said. “After talking to the director I learned that kids needed toys, books and school supplies so we’re aiming to have 300 or more kids receive the toys and supplies they need, especially during the quarantine. We wanted to make sure they can smile.”

Help families struggling amid COVID-19

Congregation Beth Shalom and nonprofit Family Promise of SCV have partnered throughout the years to provide temporary housing to homeless families. Family Promise recently acquired a transition home in Castaic. This was

N E W S F E AT U R E

Solid Waste Administrator Kurtis Williams checks the list of 900 registered participants during the 2020 Neighborhood Cleanup and Online Environmental Expo at Central Park in Saugus. Getting involved in a drive-thru event that supports your community is a great way to help give back in 2020. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

at a time when places of worship had to close indoor operations, including the ability to offer temporary housing for the homeless, due to health restrictions. The partnership continues, according to Judy Eichner, a member of Congregation Beth Shalom. “This year during the High Holidays, Rabbi Siegel issued a call to action for our membership to step up and help the members of our Santa Clarita Valley community that have been hit especially hard by the ‘COVID economy.’ We are working very hard to answer the call,” said Eichner. The Santa Clarita Valley Child & Family Center also provides a number of year-round services from substance abuse counseling to family therapy to help for those dealing with domestic violence issues. The organization, which is focused solely on serving the Santa Clarita Valley, relies on that community’s support to thrive.

Provide meals at the homeless shelter

Bridge to Home has kept extra busy during the pandemic assisting those in need at the shelter, which is temporarily set up at the Newhall Commu-

nity Center. Among the multiple services the nonprofit provides is offer its more than 60 clients meals. “That represents 65,700 meals served each year,” reads the nonprofit’s website, which adds that three meals are served daily at the shelter and are provided by volunteers. From families to businesses and organizations, all are welcome to offer meals. Bridge to Home offers a signup list on its website where those interested in participating can sign up to drop off lunch bags and dinners. Lunch bags can include a sandwich, tuna, chips, fruit and a water bottle or small juice. Dinners should be hot upon arrival and ready to serve anywhere between 65 to 75 guests. Contributions can include a hot entree, vegetables or salad, a side dish, dessert, or soft drinks. “In addition to meals, we are always accepting donations for breakfast items such as whole milk, dry cereal, oatmeal, bagels, cream cheese, sliced bread, butter, jelly/jam, coffee grounds, creamer, and sugar,” reads the Bridge to Home meal sign up page. The city of Santa Clarita has also recently launched a one-stop-shop that connects area non-profits and volunteers. 

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

N E W S F E AT U R E

Local temples ring in the Hanukkah holiday By Raychel Stewart Signal Staff Writer

eople of the Jewish faith will gather to light the first candle of the menorah, eat traditional foods and get into the spirit of Hanukkah, which starts Dec. 10th this year. The eight-day Jewish holiday commemorates the fight between Jews and Greeks in 168 B.C., when the Jewish faith was outlawed, and people were forced to worship Greek gods. Soldiers under King Antiochus IV Epiphanes attacked people of Jerusalem, massacring thousands and defiling the second Temple. Oils for the menorah were discarded, pigs were sacrificed at the altar and holy items in the temple were no longer pure. A rebellion was led by the Jewish priest Mattathias and his five sons. After his death, Mattathias’ son Judah, known as the Maccabee (“The Hammer”), took the reins and led the Jewish people to victory. The Antiochus monarchy was driven out of Jerusalem after a two-year battle, and the Temple was reclaimed and cleansed by followers of Judah. “Hanukkah means ‘rededication,’” said Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami. “Jewish leaders were fighting for independence, fighting to practice their religion against Greece. They fought back against assimilation and religion intolerance.” The altar and menorah at the second temple were rebuilt, but enough oil for a single candle was salvaged. The candle was lit, but lasted eight days instead of just one, which allowed more time to find another supply of oil. This brought on the Hanukkah “Miracle” and the tradition of lighting one candle each night of Hanukkah. “The most important commandment is lighting the menorah,” said Rabbi Choni Marozov of Chabad of SCV. “Every night, we light a candle in our home with family. But most

Hanukkah has been described as “a celebration of lights to light up the darkest time of the year” by scholars, and it’s celebrated a number of different ways, including with food, family and performances. PHOTO COURTESY TEMPLE BETH AMI

importantly, the menorah signifies lighting up a dark world.” The spiritual significance of the menorah is to reflect on the concept of victory and light over darkness. “That’s what we try to do every day,” said Marozov. Rabbi Jay Siegel of Congregation of Beth Shalom described the tradition as “a celebration of lights to light up the darkest time of the year.” When getting ready for Hanukkah, people spend time getting their homes prepared for gatherings and decorating. Preparing traditional meals is a significant part of celebrating the holiday. Traditional foods such as latkes, or potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts, are the more popular food items eaten over the holiday, because they are typically fried in oil. “Frying food in oil signifies the oil of the menorah, and is a reminder of the miracle that took place,” said Marozov. “Oil has different properties: It won’t mix with other liquids; it reinforced what God gave to Jewish people. Our ancestors rose above all other intellectual ideas and kept

Jews alive for thousands of years.” Because the holiday spans over eight days, families have the chance to celebrate with different groups of people, such as members of their congregation, friends and different sides of families. “You can have one night for each side of your family, one night for friends and one night for people you just met,” said Blazer. “No one can

say they couldn’t celebrate, there’s no limit, there’s always something fun to do.” One traditional game to bring people together is the dreidel game, played with a four-sided spinning top. The game dates back to the history of Hanukkah. When Greek soldiers outlawed the practice of Judaism, the study of the Torah was criminalized. Jews would gather in secrecy to study while one person looked out for soldiers. If one was spotted, a signal was made and torahs were replaced with dreidels to give soldiers the illusion the gathering is to play a game. Today, the game is played as entertainment. Each side of the dreidel has a letter of the Hebrew alphabet signifying the players move. A game piece must be placed in the pot by each player before the dreidel is spun. Whatever the dreidel lands on decides if the player gives or takes from the pot. Gift-giving has become incorporated with Hanukkah, where the tradition is one gift is given per day. Siegel said this tradition could have derived from the traditions of Christmas, since the holidays occur around the same time. 

Last year at the Chabad of Santa Clarita, attendees created granite menorahs. Holidays like Hanukkah are not only times when we can stop to recognize the importance of tradition and observance in our lives, but also, our friends and loved ones. SIGNAL PHOTO

D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

H E A LT H

To your good health —

The speed of COPD progression, life expectancy By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Writer

Dear Dr. Roach I was diagnosed with COPD a year and a half ago and have several questions. I seem to be unable to get answers from my pulmonary doctor, as he is always busy and doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with me. How fast does COPD progress? I’m 78 years old, in reasonably good health and exercise regularly. I have chronic bronchitis with a slight amount of emphysema. I had been coughing a little during the day, had mucus in the morning and coughed at night for two to three hours after bedtime — to the extent of having to use a rescue inhaler to settle down and get back to sleep. After he put me on Trelegy, all of those symptoms disappeared, and I feel perfectly normal except for shortness of breath. My other question is what is the life expectancy of a person diagnosed

with COPD? I’ve read about answers to this all over the map, from two or three years after diagnosis to 15 or more years. I would presume that it depends on other factors such as physical condition, exercise, weight, etc. But I would like some kind of guideline for someone in my condition. — T.J. Answer There are two major types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: chronic bronchitis, where the primary problem is productive cough; and emphysema, which is destruction of the small airways. Shortness of breath is a common feature of all types of COPD. I can’t answer your questions on rate of progression and overall prognosis without much more information, but it is certainly a good sign that many of your symptoms are well-controlled on treatment. The single biggest factor in rate of progression of COPD is whether you are a smoker, but not being able

to exercise, being male and being very underweight are additional risk factors for faster progression. Lung function falls inexorably over time. In people who have no lung disease, the normal decline with aging is never enough to cause symptoms during normal activity. In someone with COPD, the decline over months to years can cause symptoms to occur first with exercise, and then when at rest. Once people have severe symptoms at rest, the prognosis becomes quite poor. No medication can reverse lung damage. Inhaled steroids reduce inflammation and can slow progression somewhat. Inhaled bronchodilators open airways and make breathing easier. Inhaled anticholinergics reduce secretions. Your medication, Trelegy, contains all of these medicines, and is appropriate for people with severe COPD. An online calculator for prognosis

can be found at //bit.ly/2N1UEoy. It can be used if you know how far you can walk in six minutes and the results of your breathing test (specifically, the FEV1%). Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu.  © 2020 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

F R O M T H E M AY O R

Reflecting on success and progress in 2020 By Cameron Smyth Santa Clarita Mayor

t has been a great honor and pleasure to serve as the Mayor of Santa Clarita in 2020. As you know, I grew up in this community and there is nothing more important to me than working hard to ensure the City of Santa Clarita continues to be a place known for its high quality of life, low crime rate and unparalleled amenities that are the reason so many choose to plant their roots here. This past year has brought with it challenges that few — if any — of us have seen in our lifetime. However, as each new obstacle was laid in our path, we continued to come together as a united community to care for our neighbors. From donating personal protective

equipment to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to supporting our local restaurants and businesses when they’ve been able to be open, you’ve shown the strong bond that exists between all residents in Santa Clarita. In 2020, much progress has been made in areas that not only provide new opportunities for our residents but also directly improve the quality of life in our City. Early in the pandemic, the Newhall Community Center was converted to allow Bridge to Home to provide shelter services to clients with all proper COVID-19-related safety measures in place. Recently, the City Council voted to approve the donation of land in Newhall to Family Promise to build affordable housing units and office space that will help families experiencing homelessness get the high-quality assistance they deserve.

I am proud of the work done by the Community Task Force on Homelessness to strategize and take real action on this important issue. The City and the William S. Hart Union High School District revived the Human Relations Roundtable to bring together all voices in Santa Clarita with the mission to encourage, assist and empower our community to eliminate all forms of racism and discrimination. We look forward to updates provided by this group as it meets in the coming months. This year also saw projects come to fruition that benefit the mental and physical health of Santa Clarita residents. Plum Canyon Park near the Skyline Ranch development became the City’s 35th park and first with a dedicated baseball field, while the Trek Bike Park of Santa Clarita gives BMX riders and mountain bikers a dedicated space to conquer jumps, trails

and more at the George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex. There is also much to look forward to as we prepare for the year ahead of us. Please be on the lookout for updates regarding the future Canyon Country Community Center, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ’s Station, Vista Canyon development and more in the weeks and months ahead. For more information on these and other projects, please visit the City of Santa Clarita’s Facebook page. I look forward to our continued partnership with residents, businesses, non-profits and other organizations in the new year. Mayor Cameron Smyth is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at csmyth@santaclarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

FOOD

CHRISTMAS COOKIE By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

s a child I remember sitting impatiently at the kitchen table waiting for my tray of cutout sugar cookies to decorate. My favorite cookie cutters were the angel and the Christmas tree. Those were fun cookies to decorate. I never did like the reindeer, his legs or his head always tore off when getting transferred from the table to the cookie sheet for decorating. In addition, I didn’t like red or green sugar decorated reindeer, the reindeer had to have the chocolate sprinkles, which usually ran out first. When I had a daughter of my own, we made it a holiday tradition to decorate Christmas cookies together. My favorite story about my Christmas cookie recipes is the time I decided to

publish our family’s most “sacred” recipe, the Springerle recipe handed down from my grandmother. She obtained the recipe from a neighbor. My aunt was horrified that I would share such an important family recipe. “Not the Springerle!” she objected. However, I shared the recipe despite her objections. She has since shared the recipe with friends, as well. It is, after all, the season of “giving.” Here are some time-tested Christmas cookie recipes from my own recipe box. Most of these recipes have been handed down in my family, but not all. Some recipes were gathered from friends. I usually make most, if not all of these cookies every year for the holidays.

Springerle from Mrs. Roehr

Dissolve the soda in the sour cream and add, alternatively, with the flour and salt.

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL RECIPE, REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS WRITTEN.

Chill the dough until it is very stiff. Roll a little thicker than a dime on a floured board.

Stir in 1 Tbsp. butter, 2 C sugar and 4 large eggs. (Before mixers the recipe said to beat for 1/4 hour). Add 4 C flour and 1 tsp. baking powder. Add 1/4 package anise seed.

use holiday cookie cutters to cut into festive shapes. Baste the cookies with milk and decorate with a variety of springles and other cookie decor.

Kneed on board a few minutes

Bake in a hot oven at 400 degrees until pale gold.

Roll to 1/4-inch thickness.

Bake 5 or 6 minutes.

Candy Cane Cookies

Roll again with little figured rolling pin. Leave on trays overnight. This is a MUST. Sprinkle anise seed on cookie sheet and lay cookies on top. (Optional) Bake in slow oven 250 degress, 25-30 minutes approx. Cook one sheet at a time. Remove baked cookies from sheets immediately, If not removed, they will stick to the cookie sheet like cement.

Lita Cakes

1 pound butter 2 cups sugar 4 cups flower 4 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1 lb. package of cornstarch

press down to 1/4 inch, make dent with a little finger and fill with plum jam. Bake well apart at 300 degrees. Do not brown, but cook just until a light brown on the bottom of the cookie. Bake 15-25 minutes. When kept in tight tins, cookies improve with age. Do NOT replace butter with margarine.

Divide dough in half. Blend red food coloring into one half of the dough.

Decorated Sour Cream Cookies

Roll 1 teaspoon of the red dough and 1 teaspoon of the white dough on lightly floured board into 3-inch long and 1/4-inch wide ropes

Form in long strings about the thickness of a finger. Cut off and form into balls like large marbles and

Cream the butter and sugar, add the eggs and blend.

Add unbeaten eggs one at a time alternately with flour and cornstarch sifted together. Add vanilla.

Mix shortening and butter, sugar, egg, almond and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt and add to shortening mixture.

1 1 /2 cups sugar 1 cup butter 1/2 tsp. soda 1/4 tsp. salt 3 Tbsp. thick sour cream 2 well-beaten eggs 3 cups of flour 1/4 tsp. vanilla

Warm butter at room temp until easily creamed with sugar. Beat until light in color.

1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup shortening 1 egg 1 cup sifted confectioners’ suger 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract OR 1 tsp. peppermint extract. 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. salt 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. red food coloring

Place the ropes side by side and press lightly together and twist like a rope. Curve top of rope down to look like the handle of a candy cane. Bake 9 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly browned. Optional Sprinkle with 1/2 cup crushed peppermint stick candy and 1/2 cup sugar. 

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

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

The latest ‘Black Beauty’ is ‘beautifully uplifting’ By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Black Beauty’

1/2 (out of four) 

Disney presents a film written and directed by Ashley Avis, based on the novel by Anna Sewell. No MPAA rating. Running time: 109 minutes. Available on Disney+.

or more than a century, every generation has had its cinematic adaptation of “Black Beauty,” and while the new Disney+ version switches the genders of the magnificent horse as well as the young protagonist and moves the locale from the English countryside of the late 19th century to the American West of today, it’s thematically and spiritually faithful to Anna Sewell’s timeless classic, from the horse serving as narrator to the episodic nature of the storyline to the powerful and still-relevant message about humane treatment of animals — and the undeniably healing and lasting dynamic between human and creature. I loved this movie. Yes, it’s an unapologetically sentimental, anthropomorphic, family-friendly, sugar-sweet story aimed squarely at the younger members of your brood, and stop me if you think there’s anything wrong with that. This is a beautifully uplifting film at a time we can all use a dose of old-fashioned, cynicism-free storytelling. Writer-director Ashley Avis and her production team have created a gorgeous, sweeping epic, with Kate Winslet voicing Black Beauty’s thoughts and feelings to heart-melting effect, the wonderfully talented Mackenzie Foy delivering a sublime performance as the girl who finds a kindred spirit in Black Beauty, and Iain Glen from “Game of Thrones” and “Downton Abbey” playing the most dashing and empathetic horse whisperer this side of Robert Redford. “Black Beauty” isn’t one of those photorealistic movies with animals literally talking, e.g., the most recent version of “The Lion King.” From the moment we meet the energetic and adventure-seeking mustang foal who will be named Black Beauty, roaming free in the wild with her mother and extended family, her thoughts and emotions are expressed through

PHOTO CREDIT IMDB

Winslet’s warm and comforting voice-over. The first of many lump-in-yourthroat moments occurs when 21stcentury cowboys, complete with tracking helicopter overhead, round up the herd and Beauty is separated from her mother, never to see her again. Fortunately, the young filly winds up with the horse-loving, quietly noble and goodhearted trainer John Manly, who believes wild horses can be broken in a humane fashion and should be treated with care and respect. Just as Beauty is coming to terms with her new life, there’s another new arrival at the ranch: the teenage girl Jo Green (Mackenzie Foy), who lost her family as well when a tragic car accident claimed the lives of her parents. Alone and closed-off, a city girl in the country, Jo barely knows her Uncle Jack and wants nothing to do with him, but she does feel an immediate connection to Beauty, and the connection is mutual. They are fellow wounded souls, but they also share a nearly unbreakable spirit, though both will be tested time and again in the years to come. “Black Beauty” is sectioned off like the chapter book it’s based on, with Beauty spending time as a horse-forlease in a lavishly appointed stable run by a cruel and uncaring matriarch (Claire Forlani), putting in some heroic years as a rescue horse for a good man named Terry (Hakeem Kae-Kazim) and eventually winding up as a carriage horse in New York City, subjected to backbreaking hours, horrific living conditions and terrible neglect by the mercenary

stable operators. Meanwhile, Jo never gives up on one day finding Beauty, though that hardly seems likely now that Jo is a young woman living in … New York City! Maybe there’s a chance for a miraculous reunion after all, what do you think! There’s nothing subtle about the simple messaging urging us to be the best we can be and to treat our fellow humans and our animal companions as we’d like to be treated. Then again, there was nothing subtle about that messaging in the source material, but that doesn’t lessen its impact. Writer-director Avis even includes a lovely reference to the “Black Beauty” author’s dependence on horses and horse-drawn carriages to help her get about (Sewell was severely injured at 14 and her mobility was restricted), as well as Sewell’s groundbreaking advocacy for animal rights. The 2020 edition of “Black Beauty” is among the best versions I’ve ever seen.

‘The Flight Attendant’



An eight-part limited series premiering on HBO Max.

“O

ne night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster, the bars are temples, but the pearls ain’t free …” —“One Night in Bangkok,” a hit single from the musical “Chess,” which you probably never saw and I didn’t see either. Kaley Cuoco gets the role of her career in the HBO Max limited series “The Flight Attendant” and she absolutely nails it as the title character, a hot mess who wakes up one morning in a luxury hotel suite in Bangkok with a handsome near-stranger in bed next to her, and he won’t be getting up anytime soon, given he was murdered in the dead of night and is covered in the blood that gushed out from the slash across his throat. And yes, this is a comedy. Mostly. Presented with great style and an abundance of split-screen and quickcut flourishes and based on Chris Bohjalian’s dark comedic novel of the same name, “The Flight Attendant” moves at a breakneck pace, befitting the lifestyle of Cuoco’s Cassie Bowden, who works international flights for the fictional Imperial At-

lantic airline and takes advantage of the perks of the job, i.e., she hits the bars and nightclubs in glamorous locales, getting totally wasted and often hooking up with a colleague or someone she just met. Even when Cassie’s on the job. When Cassie’s phone alarm goes off the next morning (her phone alarm is set to “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham, and her ringtone is “Two of Hearts” by Stacey Q), she feels the familiar aftereffects of a night of hard partying, tries to shake off the cobwebs, takes a look at the guy from the night before — and has a major freakout, with his throat having been slashed and his upper body soaked in blood. This is … not good. Shaking and in near shock, Cassie phones her attorney friend Annie (Zosia Mamet from “Girls”) and says, “Who’s the girl, the Italian girl, actually she was the American girl with the murder thing, she was obviously innocent?” “Are you talking about Amanda Knox?” comes the reply. “Yeah! Did she call the police, the Italian police, did they come, do you know what happened there?” “They arrested her. Cassie, why are you asking me about Amanda Knox?” Off we go on a madcap and lurid murder mystery, as Cassie makes one bad decision after another, starting with a frantic and failed effort to clean up the crime scene before fleeing the hotel without contacting the authorities. With each passing episode, Cassie bumbles and stumbles about, playing private detective even as the FBI targets her as the main suspect. Along the way, Cassie tries to piece together the events of that fateful night with the help of the murder victim, Michiel Huisman’s Alex, who lives on inside her head and acts as a sounding board and confidante. At times “The Flight Attendant” is a little too zippy and visually self-indulgent for its own good, but it’s a wickedly funny black comedy with some poignant domestic drama, and Cuoco is a marvel to watch every second she’s onscreen.  Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times

D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

GARDENING

Help make your poinsettias last the whole season

oinsettias are synonymous with the holiday season. These colorful plants brighten up homes with their vibrant hues in variations of red, white and pink, making them a holiday decoration many people cannot live without. While they’re most visible during the often chilly holiday season, poinsettias prefer warm weather. Poinsettias are native to Central America and originally flourished in an area of southern Mexico. The Aztecs used the plant for decorative and medicinal purposes. The poinsettia may have remained a regional plant if not for the efforts of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first United States Ambassador to Mexico under President James Madison. Poinsett, who would later found the Smithsonian Institution, had a love of botany and became enamored with the brilliant red plants he saw in Mexico. Eventually, Poinsett began growing the plants at home in South Carolina, and friends and others soon coveted them. Poinsettias are beautiful and the bracts (modified leaves) can be vibrantly colored. That signature vibrancy is why many people would like to preserve their poinsettias to last beyond the New Year, which is possible with the right care.

leaves to fall off prematurely. Water thoroughly only when the pot looks dry. In households with temperatures around 70 F, the plant should be watered about once a week. • Fertilize the plant after the blooming season with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.

The following are some tips, courtesy of Mother Nature’s Network, Habersham Gardens, Oregon Live and Phoenix Flower Shops, to keep poinsettias thriving past the holiday season. • Start with healthy plants that have full leaves, bracts and deep colors. • Poinsettias do best when the temperature is between 65 and 75 F. Temperatures below that or drafts from cold windows can cause leaves to drop. • Position the plant in a room that gets indirect sunlight for at least six hours per day. If direct sunlight can’t be avoided, diffuse the light with a sheer curtain. • Poinsettias need well-drained soil. Overwatering or allowing roots to sit in wet soil can cause the

• Try placing poinsettias in or near a bathroom, as they prefer high humidity. It may be possible to get poinsettias to rebloom next season. Allow the poinsettias to dry out a little more in the spring. In May, cut about four inches from each stem to produce a lush, full plant during the winter. The plants can be moved outside in June and during the summer, but keep them away from direct sunlight. Return the poinsettias indoors beginning around October. Make sure the plants get at least 12 hours of darkness per day for around eight weeks in October and November. This will help them develop a deep hue and bloom on time for Christmas. (MC) One local nursery where you can find your poinsettias, which currently are on sale, is at Green Thumb Nursery, which is located at 23734 Newhall Ave. in Newhall. Call (661) 259-1071 or visit www. GreenThumb.com. 

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

AUTOMOTIVE

Stock up on emergency supplies in case you break down

nforeseen situations can crop up at any time. Anyone who has had a roadside breakdown in their car understands this. A flat tire or an engine malfunction is something no driver wants to experience, but those with a well-stocked vehicle emergency kit and breakdown strategy can get through most situations rather easily. A 2017 survey from AAA found that 40% of drivers in the United States are not ready to handle a typical roadside emergency breakdown. The organization estimates it helps some seven million motorists get back on the road each summer. A well-equipped roadside emergency kit may help drivers get their vehicles back on the road on their own.

First aid kit

The first aid kit will celebrate its 133rd birthday in 2021. The Johnson & Johnson company began commercializing first aid kits in 1888. Having

Mobile phone/charger

A mobile phone is essential for calling for assistance, but the phone is only useful if it’s charged.

Blanket

Keep a blanket in the trunk or another storage area. Should the vehicle die in cold weather, that blanket can help keep passengers warm until assistance arrives.

Basic tools

Tools like a screwdriver, ratchet set and wrench may enable drivers to complete minor repairs. Tools also should include tire-changing gear, such as a jack and lug nut remover.

Traction aid

A well-equipped roadside emergency kit may help drivers get their vehicles back on the road on their own.

a first aid kit in the car to treat minor injuries can be helpful in the event of an accident or even after injuring oneself during a breakdown.

Fire extinguisher

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parts and are susceptible to catching on fire. The National Fire Protection Association says vehicle fire extinguishers need to be rated for Class B and C fires.

Flashlight

A flashlight can help keep you visible and able to see your surroundings in dark conditions.

Jumper cables

A weak or dead battery is often the culprit in breakdowns. Jumper cables enable drivers to get a charge from another motorist, and may help get a person back on the road quickly. If possible, get a set of cables that also comes with safety gloves and heavy duty clamps, offers Defensive Driving Online, a defensive driving course.

Snacks and water

Water and food that stores well, such as emergency rations, granola bars or trail mix, can quell hunger pangs and provide an energy boost while waiting for help. These items can be used in various situations to secure a vehicle. While drivers can gather these items separately, many companies offer all-in-one vehicle emergency kits. A safety kit is essential for all drivers. (MC) 

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 9

BEAUTY

Take care of your scalp

hen it comes to your skin and hair care routine, it can be all too easy to forget the scalp. But you shouldn’t, says Dr. Rocio Rivera, Ph.D. “Think of your scalp as an extension of your skin from your face. If you put too much product on your face, your skin cannot breathe. The same is true for the scalp and hair follicles,” she said. “Taking proper care of your scalp is important in preventing follicles from clogging and avoids hair getting weighed down from too much product buildup.” Scalp buildup is caused by a number of factors, many of which are unfortunately beyond your control. These include environmental factors, dead skin cells that don’t shed quickly enough, sweat, sebum and hair care products. Over time, scalp buildup can cause issues like itching, shedding and clogged follicles, ultimately compro-

mising healthy hair growth and your comfort. Solution? One thing to consider is the frequency you shampoo your hair. While the right frequency will vary, you can experiment until you strike the right balance for you. You may also want to incorporate a detox solution into your routine. Consider solutions like the EverPure Scalp Care + Detox system from L’Oréal Paris, which is recommended for twice a week use. Containing menthol and neem leaf extract, it leaves the scalp feeling fresh for 24 hours, and leaves hair healthy-looking, bouncy and soft. For ultimate scalp and hair health, try adopting a diet that includes nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids and biotin. Don’t let life take its toll on your scalp. By counteracting the effects of buildup, you can help restore the health of your scalp and locks. (SPT) 

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D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

SENIORLIVING

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ccording to a survey from Boston Scientific of more than 500 people with chronic pain, 60% aren’t satisfied with their current treatment or therapies. Professional golfer Grant Waite can relate. Repetitive, rotational movements make golf incredibly stressful on the back. Waite tried multiple surgeries, which didn’t provide relief, and he said he couldn’t function while taking prescription medications. Twelve years ago, the pain in his back was so debilitating he could barely get out of bed, let alone play professional golf or spend time with his family. “Pain is debilitating not just physically, but mentally and emotionally because there’s no escaping it. When you’re in pain, it’s just difficult to function.” According to the CDC, more than 50 million chronic pain sufferers nationwide are struggling with pain that lasts for six months or longer without finding relief. One of the most common reasons that adults seek medical care, chronic pain has been linked to restrictions in mobility and daily activities, dependence on opioids, anxiety and depression, and reduced quality of life. Unfortunately, less than half of those surveyed are aware of drug-free, minimally invasive, interventional therapies helping patients such as Waite return to activities they love and regain hope for their future. Waite sought help from a pain management specialist — a doctor specially trained to address acute and chronic pain. That’s when he learned about spinal cord stimulation. SCS is an FDA-approved implant-

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ed medical device that interrupts pain signals from reaching the brain. Unlike some surgical procedures, it can be personalized to an individual’s needs and is reversible. Patients undergo a trial period, allowing them to evaluate and adjust the pain relief delivered before deciding to receive a permanent implant. Initially, Waite didn’t know much about this treatment, but after completing his trial and full implantation with the Boston Scientific Spectra WaveWriter SCS System, he champions it. “Before SCS, my pain forced me to give up my active lifestyle, which was hard. Now there are very few limitations on what I can do,” says Waite, who is back to playing golf, working out, and even hiking and traveling with his family. “The experience of chronic pain is complex and unique to every person. But pain management specialists have many tools in our arsenal that can provide adequate, lasting, personalized pain relief,” says Dr. Steve Pyles, a pain specialist and founder of the Pain Treatment Centers in Florida. The new survey found that 94% of chronic pain sufferers would try an FDA-approved, drug-free alternative to help manage chronic pain, but less than half have ever seen a pain specialist. Dr. Pyles notes that for patients with chronic pain in the lower back, legs and feet, SCS offers a personalized experience that can treat multiple pain areas simultaneously. For those suffering from moderate lumbar spinal stenosis, interspinous spacers may relieve pain and discomfort in the lower back, legs, groin and buttocks. Alternatively, radiofrequency ablation delivers a small current to interrupt pain signals at the source. To find a local pain management specialist and learn more about chronic pain, visit www.pain.com, an educational site from Boston Scientific. You can also take a pain assessment quiz and connect with other patients. Life with chronic pain can be all-encompassing. However, experts say that non-drug therapies are providing tangible relief to patients. (SPT)

D E C E M B E R 6, 2020

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 2 1

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Don’t think potato latkes are just for Hanukkah By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

Family-style Potato Latkes

“

When the calendar turns to December, we’re a blended family as far as holiday traditions go,” said professional caterer and mom, Carole Blumenberg Garrigos. Her husband was born in Seville, Spain, of Catholic heritage, and she was raised in the Jewish faith in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Their teenage daughter Carmen practices Judaism, but appreciates both family religious traditions, including the approaching celebrations of Hanukkah and Christmas. On a visit to their home, I asked Carmen what the eight days of Hanukkah, beginning Dec. 10, mean to her. “The most memorable night is when my extended family gathers at our home at sunset, and we light candles on the menorah, sing a blessing, and eat a meal with tender, juicy brisket, a green salad, Jell-O and — fresh out of sizzling pans on the stove — potato latkes!” she said. So we grated, stirred and fried up a big and beautiful batch of 12 golden

Carole Blumenberg Garrigos and daughter Carmen prepare latkes, a traditional dish served during Hanukkah.

latkes (potato pancakes) together. Topped with dollops of applesauce and sour cream (if you opt for ketchup on top, that’s OK too, according to Carole), I was convinced that latkes are delicious not only during Hanuk-

4 large potatoes (Carole prefers Yukon gold, scrubbed and unpeeled) 1/2 onion 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper to taste 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Vegetable oil for frying Sour cream for topping Applesauce for topping

3. Heat 1/4 inch oil in a heavy frying pan over medium high heat. Drop mixture in heaping spoonfuls into the hot oil. Cook for about 3-4 minutes. Turn with a spatula and cook to light brown and crisp on both sides.

1. Cut potatoes and peeled onion in chunks and coarsely shred in a food processor, or use a box grater. Place in a mixing bowl.

Extra idea For a twist, heat up your waffle iron, oil lightly, and cook the potato mixture by the spoonful until crisp. Enjoy as a brunch item topped with a poached egg, smoked salmon and chopped chives as a garnish, if you wish. 

2. Add eggs, flour, salt and pepper, and baking powder. Toss to combine. kah, but anytime of the year. 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

4. Serve immediately with toppings of sour cream and/or applesauce. Serves 4-6.

The SCV begins celebration of Hanukkah By Michele Lutes Signal Staff Writer

andles will begin to be lit on Thursday evening around the world to celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah from Dec. 10-17, continuing a tradition of faith dating back over the course of two millennia. “Hanukkah celebrates the events that happened over 2,000 years ago,” said Rabbi Mark Blazer of Temple Beth Ami in Santa Clarita. “The Jewish community fought back for religious freedom and Jewish tradition.” “In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Syrian-Greeks, who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of mitzvah observance and belief in God,” according to chabad.org. “Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews

defeated one of the mightiest armies on Earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of God.” The story has inspired many, Blazer said. “The biggest miracle of Hanukkah is the small group was able to withstand a bigger force and keep tradition.” Tradition has been kept as the Jewish religion celebrates Hanukkah in December each year. “It’s not a ‘Jewish Christmas,’” Blazer said. “It has a different meaning.” After reclaiming the Holy Temple, the Jews sought to light the Temple’s Menorah, according to chabad.org. “They found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.”

Each candle represents a different day of the holiday. When celebrating the holiday, a candle on the Menorah is lit each evening of Hanukkah. “The miracle of the lights,” Blazer said.

Hanukkah is a relatively new tradition on the Jewish calendar in Jewish history, he said. “It’s about halfway through our history. A lot of stuff that happened before that.” 

Hanukkah

anukkah is a Jewish celebration that lasts for eight days and nights and commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek-Syrian ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes roughly 2,200 years ago. Hanukkah is called the “Festival of Lights” in recognition of the day’s supply of oil that somehow burned in the temple for eight days. Hanukkah celebrations are rife with tradition. Families eat latkes and sufganiyot, which are fried in oil

to commemorate the miracle of the oil. Children are rewarded for their Torah studies by receiving Hanukkah money and presents during the eightday celebration, which also includes a recitation of the entire Hallel. Individuals light a special ninebranched candelabrum called a menorah. In ancient times, oil was used to light the menorah, but nowadays many Hanukkah celebrants use candles to light their menorahs, which are typically placed in prominent spots in their homes. 

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

READERLETTERS

Troubling Details of Prop. 19 As many readers know, Proposition 19 recently passed. It was sold as a way to make it easier for certain homeowners, predominantly over age 55, to move and carry over their low Prop. 13 assessed value to their new residence. What was not well publicized is that, to fund the tax shortfall from this change, parents who want to transfer property to their children face greater restrictions on their ability to pass on their lower assessed value under Prop. 13. Under existing law, parents (and in limited instances grandparents) can transfer title of certain real estate parcels to their children without causing a reassessment under Prop. 13. Effective for transfers after Feb. 15, 2021, such transfers will generally be reassessed unless the property is used as the child’s residence and the assessed value does not exceed $1 million. If the assessed value of the property exceeds $1 million the rules are more complex. Although the new rules are complicated, if you own property in California and you plan to transfer it to your children as part of your overall estate plan, you should consider consulting with your estate planning advisor to see whether it is advisable to take any steps now to avoid the adverse consequences of Prop. 19. For postFeb. 15 transfers, the proposition will potentially make it more expensive for your children to own the property. Each person’s situation is unique and avoiding the consequences of Prop. 19 cannot be contemplated outside of the context of an overall estate plan. That’s why readers should consider discussing this matter with their estate planning advisor. This letter should not tax be considered tax advice, but an attempt to make readers aware. Jim de Bree Valencia

Exemptions Won’t Halt Virus Have you read the L.A. County health officer order? The first line reads: “Gatherings: All public and private gatherings with individuals not in your household are prohibited, except for faith based services and protests, which are constitutionally protected rights.” I gather this is the “balanced” approach, throwing us a bone. Somehow faith-based services and protests do not carry the risk of disease transmission, the Constitution notwithstanding. Either that or according to the Constitution protecting religious and political freedoms is more important than protecting human life. If those are the loopholes, I encourage everyone to attend church services and protest about something, anything, on a daily basis until Dec. 20. Do you see how ridiculous this is? Do you see the absurdity? If you want to halt the spread of a virus, knock it dead in its tracks. You don't allow loopholes in your program. No gatherings are allowed anywhere, under any circumstance until the fever is gone. That’s what leaders who are determined and resolute do. Arthur Saginian Santa Clarita Submit a Letter to the Editor

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

Contentment, Complaint By David Hegg

orgive me for being intentionally redundant as I know I’ve mentioned this sentiment previously. You don’t need 20/20 sociological vision to see how complaining has become one of our nation’s favorite, yet most destructive pastimes. Yes, we’re a tough people and we’ve long appreciated a thoughtful, balanced and incisive critique, and even the necessary complaints that accompany such reasoned and rational reflection. But folks, it has gotten completely out of hand! We’ve become a nation of softies, spoiled brats who believe our mere existence entitles us to these two things. First, we get the life we want, and everyone else — especially the government! — is responsible to provide it. Second, we get to sound off and complain using all manner of malice and mean-spirited invective whenever our wants have gone unmet in even the smallest way. While we often admit we’re not perfect — the spontaneous response when we’re found wanting — we expect perfection from the world around us and everyone in it when it comes to making our lives perfect. Pretty warped, not to mention absurd and impossible. Here’s the deal: If your joy and happiness are dependent on life going your way, and everyone in it treating you like the superstar you imagine yourself to be, you better be sitting down when you read the next line. Spoiler alert: It’ll never happen, and if you thinking it should, you’re a self-centered, arrogant, deluded person just like the rest of us. You’ve bought the lie peddled by those whose advertisements advance the fairy tale that this world owes you happiness, and that you should complain whenever you don’t get your fair share. But the truth is, real meaning, purpose and joy in this life are actually built with the stuff of contentment. Happiness never grows in the mixed soil of entitlement, self-pity and incessant complaint. Happiness is a function of delighting in what we do have, not what we think we’re missing. And, pursuing true contentment even in times of adversity is actually the exercise that strengthens our ability to persevere through trials in a way

that builds character and moral strength. If we put the energy we use to complain into seeking contentment instead, we will find our lives are improved in ways we may never have considered. The Apostle Paul knew something about prizing contentment over complaint when he was writing his letter to the Philippian church in the New Testament. He spoke of his own joy and called his readers to rejoice even though at the time he was a Roman prisoner, left to provide his own food, clothing and medical treatments. As any history student knows, being a prisoner of Rome was anything but comfortable. Yet, Paul looked beyond his circumstances and discovered contentment rather than complaint was the only way to make sense of what every day brought him. He told his readers he had “found the secret” of being content in whatever circumstances surrounded him. What was it? Simply this: He realized his life was not about what happened to him but was about God’s purpose for his being alive in the first place. He was committed to something bigger than personal circumstances regardless of how adverse they were. He found contentment in the fact that, even as a prisoner, the grand purpose of his life — the proclamation of the Good News found in Jesus — was being accomplished. If you want the whole story, you can read Philippians. As we continue through this Christmas season, it is my prayer that you will find ways to take a detour from the highway of complaint to travel the much more satisfying road of contentment. Set your sights on the grand purposes of this life, of the privilege of loving and serving others, rather than fixating on your own desires. After all, the essence of Christmas is realizing that our greatest satisfaction is not found in living selfishly, but in imitation of the Christ Child who came to Earth for us, that we might find eternal contentment in his offer of eternal life. Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

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