Sunday Signal August 8, 2021

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AUGUST 8, 2021

Pickleball Now In Play Page 5

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REVISITING CLASSICS AT THE RECORD SHOP

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MAKING KEBABS, ORANGE ICE CREAM

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AU G U S T 8, 2021 NEWS FEATURES

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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4 Listening as records spin around again 5 Santa Clarita joins in national pickleball craze 6 History and tradition keeps ‘em coming back

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

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PUBLIC LIBRARY

8 Canyon Country Community Center: A destination for all

SENIOR LIVING

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9 Diabetes care for loved ones

ENTERTAINMENT 10 10 ‘Ride the Eagle’ is an ‘insightful, low-key charmer’ ‘Jungle Cruise’

FOOD 11 11 Infuse bright, nutritional flavor into summer Orange and Harissa Glazed Beef Kebabs Orange Ice Cream

FASHION 13

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13 Styles for heading back to the office

GARDENING 14 14 Gardening in August

FINANCE 15 15 Score a gold medal in financial fitness

AUTOMOTIVE 16 16 Survey: Americans’ relationship with cars shifts gears

KIDS & FAMILY

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17 Donna’s Day: Turning dull clay into fancy flowerpots

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AU G U S T 8, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Listening as records spin around again

By Kev Kurdoghlian Signal Staff Writer

R

ecords are back!

The format has gained in popularity over the past decade — a trend made visible by a 4% increase in turntable sales in 2020, and a 30% increase in record sales, according to Statista, a provider of market and consumer data.

Anthony Beeby, co-owner of Boho Records and Rags, said he’s seen the trend materialize before his eyes at his Newhall records store.

Beeby said the two main drivers of a vinyl resurgence have been nostalgia and a new interest from a younger generation.

He recalled a recent occurrence where a father, in his 50s, and his daughter, a young teenager, visited his store.

“The next thing I know, he disappears and she comes back with a stack of records,” he told The Sunday Signal. “The And she’d telling her dad what Beatles record it was, what year it was made and this was the precursor to this. And she knows this.”

Beeby said he’s seen many young people like the girl from his story visit his store, which he opened with his brother Steven in 2018.

“I see kids being a bright future, to be honest with you,” he said, noting the rising generation is more “broad-minded and accepting,” especially of musical genres. “I get these kids dressed in complete heavy metal clothing who you think he goes straight for Ozzy Osborne. He’ll go to the jazz section.”

Nostalgia keeps the records spinning, too. Beeby said he has new customers who have acquired turntables come into the store every weekend.

When he asks customers, he said, they tell him that it reminds them of when they were a kid and life was simpler.

“It starts out as the ones you had when you were a kid, and then all of a sudden it gets to those...that you could never find or couldn’t afford at the time,” he said of the trajectory of the 50-year-old with expendable income. “So then that bug becomes a collector’s bug.”

Greg Pinker has had the collector’s bug since he was a kid. In 2016,

Dante Pinker organizes records of his favorite genre, post-punk and punk, at Voodoo Vinyl, his records store that opened in 2018 in Old Town Newhall. PHOTO BY KEV KURDOGHLIAN / THE SIGNAL

he opened Voodoo Vinyl, which his parents operate in Lancaster. In 2018, he opened a second location on Main Street in Newhall, where his son, Dante, runs the business.

“The record collecting community has grown and has been growing for several years now,” he said, noting the people collect records for different reasons. “For me, I’d rather have more various records.”

Pinker has seen an increase in the amount of young people passing through his stores, too.

“Part of it is the sound,” he said of his thinking about resurgence of records. “Analog sounds better.”

Another part, Pinker said, has to do with the ease of just pressing a button on a smartphone to stream music. “(People) rarely, if ever, listen to an entire album from beginning to end, where with a record, you have no choice,” he said. “Depending on who the artist is, (they’re) going to tell a story, and I know this might sound hokey, but...if you just chunk it up to a song here and song there, you’re missing the entire thing.”

Pinker also pointed to the physical feel of a record and the experience of taking care of a collection of records.

“There something about putting a needle down on a record and just sitting back and letting it play,” he said.

“It’s actually building out the collection and like holding physical things and appreciating it and taking care of it.”

Pinker’s son Dante, 23, quickly caught the collector’s bug from his dad. Pinker said his son has never collected anything but records.

Dante Pinker said he like the feeling of actually owning the music on the record.

“If it’s a newer artist you also get the feeling of directly supporting people,” he said. “People don’t really get anything from digital except exposure.”

Exposure, Dante said, is great, but it doesn’t offer the same support as buying a new artist’s record.

“With independent artists, when you buy (their record), that really helps,” he said. “And there are some things you can only get on vinyl.”

In the store, records fill bins at every corner. Shelves of books, stacks of cassettes and DVDs, baskets of buttons and pins, and rows of magazines separate the hundreds of records categorized by their genre then alphabetically organized throughout the store.

“People come looking for specific things all the time,” Dante said, noting that often collectors will have searched other stores around the county.

For the person thinking about col-

lecting, Dante’s advice was to just start.

“If it’s something interesting (to you), there’s really nothing keeping you back besides owning a record player,” he said, noting record prices can range from $2 into the hundreds.

Back at Boho, Beeby said the COVID-19 pandemic also played its part in the resurgence of records.

“During COVID, I think people were stuck indoors and records gave them something different to do,” he said.

And the cheap records, he said, form the “building blocks” for a new generation of record collectors and listeners. Today’s younger generation reminds him of himself when he was a kid.

“I used to prefer the record store to the candy store,” he recalled. “My eyes would be wide open looking at everything.”

Voodoo Vinyl’s Santa Clarita location is in Old Town Newhall at 24269 Main Street. They’re online at voodoovinylrecords.com and can be reached over the phone at (661) 3839292.

Boho Records and Rags is located at 24827 Railroad Avenue. Find them online at bohorecordsandrags.com or reach them over the phone at (661) 388-4066. 

AU G U S T 8, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

Santa Clarita joins in national pickleball craze

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

I

t’s one of the fastest growing sporting trends in America and it comes with a paddle, a wiffle ball and a funny name: pickleball.

Widely regarded by both the larger and local members of the sporting community, pickleball and its players have become ever increasing sites at private and public courts.

And those who have already hopped in on the smaller version of tennis that is played with a paddle instead of a racket and wiffle ball instead of a tennis ball, say their community is accepting and interested in gaining as many players as they can.

What is pickleball?

“Tennis now has just become pretty much how hard can you hit the ball past someone else,” said Frank Nadasdy, a pickleball coach at The Paseo Club. “But in pickleball, actually, as you get better and more experienced, you actually hit the ball softer.”

According to Nadasdy and fellow pickleball enthusiast and The Paseo Club General Manager, Jen Azevedo, the game is one of the fastest growing because it allows for people of all ages to join in on the play.

Considered almost like a smaller version of tennis, with the court divided into two “service areas, with the non-volley zone running lengthwise along the net. Played with a paddle and wiffleball, the server must serve the ball in an upward arc that when the ball is struck, the paddle contact must not be made above the waist level.

Bounces and volleys — where there is no bounce — are both permitted depending on the moment of the game and placement of the players.

“In order for you to get better, you have to hit the ball softly and strategically as opposed to just hitting it hard,” said Nadadsy. It’s almost like you’re playing chess.”

“Pickleball is a little tennis, a lot of badminton, ping pong and volleyball,” said Azevedo. “It’s definitely a blended game — but it’s a blast.”

Who plays pickleball?

“My 4-year-old can play, and my parents, who are in their 70s, both play,” said Azevedo. “It’s all ages, and I can play with my parents and have a great time.”

The local community of pickle players is small and growing, according to the Paseo Club’s experts.

At their club, there’s approximately 240 people playing; and at Bouquet Canyon Park, there are many more players looking for a doubles partner on the weekends.

“Pickleball is much more open than tennis, because in tennis you’re always looking at, you know, these guys aren’t good enough to play or they’re too good to play against us,” said Nadadsy. “One of the beauties of Pickleball is you can have a good time

Players compete in a recent Paseo Club Pickleball tournament. The club recently added a number of courts to accommodate the growing number of players. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

even if the people are kind of not evenly matched.”

“The game is very inclusive, it’s very friendly,” Azevedo added. “Even if you do find yourself in a ‘drop-in’ situation, and you’re not really comfortable with the level, the other three players on court, most of the time, will extend some courtesy to you such that they’re going to play gently, they’re going to help you feel comfortable.”

Azevedo said that since pickleball is such a relatively new sport, the usual social hierarchy and trappings that come with a sport like tennis are nearly non-existent.

“It’s such a new sport and everybody has been that person and everybody remembers it most recently enough that they can still be helpful to those people,” said Azevedo, who conceded that after a lifetime of playing tennis, she understands how that environment come sometimes be elitist to newcomers. “The bad stereotypes of tennis, those don’t exist as much in the pickleball realm.”

Those wishing to play are encouraged to visit Bouquet Canyon Park in the evening hours or on the weekends.

What do you need?

Members of the team at First Serve Tennis Shop said being an active member in the pickleball community comes down to not having the most expensive gear, but the gear that will keep you playing the longest.

Starting first with shoes, getting a good pair on your feet can not only ensure you do not get hurt while playing, but can also improve your game.

“They have to be quite specific for pickleball because if you play with a $200 Nike or Asics running shoe, and that will not have the support of a court shoe,” said Francis Dimaya, owner of First Serve Tennis Shop. “That’s kind of the biggest thing for people, whether it’s tennis or pickleball, is they don’t have the right equipment and they’re starting off on the wrong foot.”

Dimaya said having the wrong shoe can cause you to slip around on the court or even roll your ankle. And while you don’t want to go for the most expensive equipment, he advised that you do not start off with the cheapest equipment either.

But one of the most important things, Dimaya said, is to get out there and enjoy yourself.

“I think my pitch is that it’s a small tennis court, and you don’t have to cover as much ground and it’s fast paced,” said Dimaya. “It’s a lot of fun, it’s great exercise, and it’s less taxing on your body than tennis.”

The Paseo Club, located at 27650 Dickason Drive, Valencia, has a number of pickleball courts and upcoming events. More information can be found by calling (661) 257-0044. 

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AU G U S T 8, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

History and tradition keeps ’em coming back

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

T

here are three things Santa Clarita residents take great pride in: Christmas, football and breakfast.

Whether it’s whose side of town has the best Christmas lights; who will win the annual Foothill League rumbles under Friday night lights or which breakfast diner they pledge their loyalty to; the conversations and traditions are fiercely important.

And none more so than when it comes to our unifying appreciation of the most important meal of the day.

Probably recognizing this aspect woven into the very fabric of the town, restaurant and coffee shop owners have come and gone through the years, continually trying to leave their mark on the local Sunday morning scramble.

But there are three solidified breakfast spots that are always going to be brought into any discussion. Spots that have seen the valley change and grow over the decades, and despite the constant turnover in competition, continue to draw their regulars: Way Station Coffee Shop on Main Street; Saugus Cafe on Railroad Avenue; and The Halfway House Cafe on Sierra Highway.

As historic as they are busy on any given morning, these three restaurants have drawn longtime residents into the restaurant rivalry. They all speak highly of one another, but each one claims to have the best coffee, customers and/or breakfast in town.

What you’ll find is, history aside,

these three restaurants have been able to solidify themselves as local institutions all for the same reasons: tradition.

And those traditions effect what makes them popular: their history, their staff and their menus.

Way Station Coffee Shop

The Way Station Coffee Shop, or just “Way Station” to their regulars, has always been a family-owned and operated business. Starting in 1971, the restaurant was opened by the mother of current owner, Eric Leeser.

“And not much has changed since then,” said Leeser. “We have kept the 70s look going on here, and we’ve made the food in the same way since we did when we first started.”

Leeser took over the business in 1990, and has made a conscious decision to keep not only the same atmosphere and menu over the years, but much of the staff, as well.

“It’s been the same staff for 15 years, and we’ve even had (the staff ’s) kids come and work here,” said Leeser. “Victor Gonzalez has been our short order cook for … 40 years, and three of his kids have worked here.”

Known locally for his unbroken presence behind the Way Station grill, Gonzalez is seen everyday with either a mountain of hash browns cooking in front of him, pouring gravy over biscuits or plating up the restaurant’s popular ham and eggs meal.

“Something really special just happens here everyday,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez manages all the food that comes through the restaurant and says that he can go through hundreds

Servers Efrain Salas and Gail Johnson have been part of the team that have kept The Original Saugus Cafe a local favorite for more than 130 years. PHOTOS BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

of pounds of hash browns in a single week. And during the Christmas season, he says he’s cooked up to halfa-ton of shredded potatoes in a single seven day span.

However, according to both general manager and cook, what draws many people in over the years has been the Kris’ Special: two eggs, two strips of bacon and hashbrowns all served on a

muffin and covered in either chicken or sausage gravy.

“It’s named after a waitress that worked here a while back named Kris who came up with the idea,” said Leeser. “And we’ve always tried to keep our prices for it, and the whole menu, the same.”

“I’m proud of what we’ve done over the years … and we’ve not only see

Forty-year employee, Server Gail Johnson pours coffee for long-time customer Larry McKinley at The Original Saugus Cafe.

AU G U S T 8, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

Regulars enjoy breakfast at The Original Saugus Cafe.

the grandkids (of our customers) grow up, we’re now seeing the great grandkids grow up,” said Leeser.

“We’ve watched the community grow and we’ve always been a restaurant for everybody.”

The Saugus Cafe is open yearround except for Christmas Day. It opens daily at 5 a.m.

The Original Saugus Cafe

First opened in 1886, 33 years before The Signal newspaper had published its first edition on Feb. 7, 1919.

(The Signal will continue to share stories of its 100 years of history with subscribers to our print edition.).

Longtime owner Alfredo Mercado said that the name on his menus was famous before he had even started working there as a busboy. But after working his way up from cleaning tables to running the entire kitchen, he decided in 1996 to buy the place from the previous owners with the help of another coworker, in order to keep history alive.

“He never had plans to own a

restaurant of his own … but he had been working here since he was a teenager,” said Yecenia Mercado, Alfredo’s daughter.

And since taking over, Mercado says he takes pride in rarely ever changing the menu, staff or atmosphere of the building. And he should know, he’s been involved in operations for about a quarter-century, including his time as an employee.

“I think he still does it because he wants the plate to come out like he’s always seen it and wants it to stay consistent,” Yecenia said. “He’s kept the menu the same, the recipes the same. He’s never wanted to change anything … except for the Alfredo Bloody Mary, which we named after him.”

In addition to keeping the menu the same, Mercado has also tried to keep the staff the same, making his business a family-run operation, with close to 20 members of his family currently working or having worked in the restaurant. And those employ-

Above: Twenty-plus-year employee Chef Sanchez Baudelio prepares homemade biscuits and potatoes for the lunch crowd at Halfway House Cafe. Right: Andres Aguilar pours coffee for long-time customer Tim Sgrignoli at The Way Station Coffee Shop.

ees that are not related to him by blood are related to him by history, according to Yecenia.

“We’re such a good team and we can actually count on another. I could not see the place running the same if it weren’t a family,” said Yecenia, who’s Dad apparently calls her the restaurant manager to other people, she says she was never given the title formally. “I grew up here and behind the scenes — I would always throw on the apron when I was a little girl.

I’d always try to reach the register to hit the buttons, but couldn’t reach.

That’s when Karen, a waitress who worked here, would come pick me up so I could play with the register.”

The Saugus Cafe is open 364 days a year, with Christmas being the only exception. Their most popular breakfast item, according to the owner’s family, is the country-fried steak.

The Halfway House Cafe

Occupying a building that has been around since the early part of the 20th century, when Santa Clarita was still a mining and railroad town, the current owners of The Halfway House Cafe in Canyon Country, Bob and Sally Lima, first bought the place in 1994.

“We weren’t married at the time, but my husband, Bob, bought the building and then had to shut it down until 1996 for remodels,” Sally said. The historic building had been damaged by flooding in Sierra Canyon, and in the nearby Santa Clara riverbed. “He’s the one that put the train rails in to make sure that didn’t happen again when he reopened.”

After getting married 20 years ago, Bob and Sally have ran The Halfway House together, and watched as the

valley expanded, traffic increased and their business grew. The reason for their success: They didn’t change their winning formula.

“I grew up seven miles down the road from here, and grew up going to Halfway House,” said Sally. “And we keep doing what the Halfway House has always done, by making everything fresh.”

According to Sally, the restaurant has rarely, if ever, changed its menu or how it prepares food. For years, the most popular dish, eggs benedict, is served every time with potatoes that are never frozen; they’re hand-peeled by the staff everyday. The pork chops are locally cut, and even the biscuits are made from scratch everyday.

She attributes the restaurant’s popularity, which sees people throughout Southern California come visit, as the result of the reliability of her employees. She describes them as her family running a “well-greased machine.”

“Me and my brother would come in here for breakfast and lunch when we were kids... but I know I’m working here and doing a little bit of everything,” said Shannon Corder, who works side-by-side with her mom, Dessa Canada. “I get to spend a majority of my time here with my mom, serving and talking to our fantastic customers and regulars... I have no desire to work anywhere else.”

“Our employees are what are valuable and we have some fantastic customers that come in,” said Sally.

“We’re all one big family who have worked together for years, making the same food for the same great community.”

“If it ain’t broke,” Sally added, “don’t fix it,”. 

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 8, 2021

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Canyon Country Community Center: A destination for all

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

W

hen the brand-new Canyon Country Community Center on Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway opens its doors to the public later this year, it will transform and improve the daily life of residents throughout Santa Clarita.

More than just a traditional community center building, the site will soon become a destination for individuals and families to enjoy cultural programming, community events, recreational opportunities and much more.

From the moment you set foot on the new Canyon Country Community Center site, you will notice a number of features and amenities. First, the nearly 28-foot-tall Communitree art installation at the southwest corner of the site welcomes visitors and represents the City’s beloved oak trees.

The tree’s steel and acrylic plexiglass leaves have a kinetic effect that allows them to flutter in the breeze, recreating the movement of leaves blowing in the wind. The artist says this unique and colorful piece symbolizes the strength of the community.

Other art pieces are installed throughout the park surrounding the Community Center building, including a bicycle rack, mosaic wall and utility covers. Outside amenities also include half-court basketball, a playground for children with inclusive elements, a large grass area to run around or have a picnic and a raised stage that can host concerts and other special events. The Mercado parking lot, which is adjacent to Sierra Highway, has the ability to quickly transform into a venue for food truck festivals, farmers markets and more.

Of course, the Canyon Country Community Center building itself will be a cultural hub for Santa Clarita residents, offer one-of-a-kind class-

es, after-school enrichment programs, professional development opportunities and just plain fun.

Children can participate in summer camp or take part in arts and crafts days. Adults can enroll in an English as a second language course, enhance their computer skills or become a culinary wizard with classes in the new teaching demonstration kitchen.

Programs that are popular within the senior community in Santa Clarita will also continue at the new facility, including social gatherings and exercise classes. One of the best parts about the new Canyon Country Community Center is that there is also plenty of room for other favorites, including Family Dodgeball Night and Salsa Dancing.

We are reaching the final stages of construction on the community center and look forward to its grand opening very soon. We can’t wait to welcome residents to a large celebration worthy of this incredible facility once it is complete so please be on the lookout for details in the coming weeks.

I can’t wait for you to explore all the new Canyon Country Community Center has to offer!

Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@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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AU G U S T 8, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

SENIORLIVING

Diabetes care for loved ones

M

ore than 34 million Americans are living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 90-95% of those diagnosed have Type 2 diabetes.

With many Americans having deferred medical care since the start of the pandemic, delayed or overdue diabetes diagnoses are expected in the coming months. Experts encourage those living with diabetes and their loved ones to navigate the disease head-on and with confidence.

“Instructions given to those with a new diabetes diagnosis at the hospital are often one-size-fits-all and can feel rigid, so it’s fairly typical for a diagnosis to be met with some resistance or even denial at first,” says Jennifer Sheets, president and CEO of Interim HealthCare Inc., the nation’s leading franchise network of home healthcare, personal care, healthcare staffing, and hospice services.

As Sheets explains, a holistic, personalized approach to diabetes care can lessen symptoms while improving the quality of life for the individual impacted — and their loved ones, and new resources can help your family find its footing.

One such resource is “Caring for a Loved One With Diabetes,” a new guide from Interim HealthCare Inc. The latest offering in its HomeLife Enrichment series, the guide equips families with tools to care for the whole individual, not just one facet of diabetes management, including mind, body, and spirit, as well as the family dimension.

According to Interim HealthCare Inc., this wide-angle approach can lead to more compassionate care, improved health and a positive outlook amid health challenges.

Sheets also suggests that families consider professional home-based care, which can serve not only as an educational extension of the doctor’s office, but an opportunity to tailor care in a personal way that makes sense to the patient.

“Making the lifestyle changes recommended by a physician after a diabetes diagnosis can be overwhelming,” explains Sheets. “By extending the education provided by a physician

YOUR VISION IS GOOD! BUT…

HOW’S YOUR into a ‘real-life’ setting, home health clinicians and paraprofessionals get a total view of the patient to tailor a realistic and effective care plan.”

In the case of Interim HealthCare, which is anchored by more than 25 years in diabetic chronic care, its proprietary training programs enable home health clinicians and paraprofessionals to provide valuable education and assistance in familiar surroundings — at home or in assisted living communities.

This intimate, unedited view into an individual’s daily life results in care plans accounting for a patient’s specific needs, personal motivations and unspoken obstacles, for improved health management and ideally, a more rewarding and better quality of life.

“Patients are often more comfortable sharing with a home-based health professional than their doctor what their actual habits are. Whether it’s the occasional drink or consumption of food with lesser nutritional value, once a clinician knows what their patient is truly dealing with, they can help the patient make practical adjustments that can become part of everyday life and with that confidence, kickstart a new understanding and better management of their diabetes,” says Sheets.

To download the free diabetes caregiver guide, now also available in Spanish, visit info.interimhealthcare. com/diabetes-guide.

To learn more about Interim HealthCare’s diabetes care program, contact a locally owned and operated office. Access the office locator at interimhealthcare.com/locations/.

“With knowledge and the power that unique home-centered care provides, living well with diabetes is absolutely possible,” says Sheets. (Sharepoint) 

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1 0 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 8, 2021

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

‘Ride the Eagle’ is an ‘insightful, low-key charmer’

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Ride The Eagle’

 (out of four)

Decal presents a film directed by Trent O’Donnell and written by O’Donnell and Jake Johnson. No MPAA. Running time: 88 minutes. In theaters and on demand.

T

he thing about “Ride the Eagle” is we have a funny, sweet, insightful, low-key charmer of a story that’s all about making human connections, reconciling broken relationships and finding solace in the companionship of another fellow traveler on this planet — and yet the main characters are almost never in the same room with one another.

In fact, one of ‘em is dead and exists only on VHS. That title makes it sounds like this might be some kind of bad “Top Gun” knockoff, but “Ride the Eagle” is set in the beautiful isolation of Yosemite country, primarily in a gorgeous and spacious cabin in the woods — a cabin Jake Johnson’s Leif stands to inherit from his recently departed mother, Honey (Susan Sarandon), a lifelong bohemian hippie who abandoned Leif when he was just 12, and was continually rebuffed when she tried to reconnect with him in later years.

Leif is now in his early 40s, aimlessly drifting through life as a pot-smoking bongo player in a marginal band populated by guys half his age. Upon learning Honey has passed away after a bout with cancer, Leif feels little or no emotion, but he’s jazzed about inheriting Honey’s fabulous cabin, which she has left him in her will — but it’s a “conditional inheritance.” As Honey explains on a VHS tape she has left for Leif, he must complete a series of tasks before the cabin is his.

(Of course, there’s no way Honey can ascertain whether Leif truly completes the tasks, what with her being dead and all. He’s on the honor system.)

The tasks have titles such as “Express Yourself ”; “Eat What You Kill” (Leif ’s attempts to whack a fish with rocks are hilarious); “Love Is Important,” in which Leif is told to call “the one that got away;” and a final journey called “Green Lake,” and we’ll say

PHOTOS COURTESY IMDB

no more about that last challenge other than it’s a real punch to the heart.

As for the one that got away: Leif rifles through his mental Rolodex of ex-girlfriends and lands on Audrey (D’Arcy Carden). He reaches her on the phone some eight years after they broke up — and as timing would have it, just as Audrey has ended a recent and quite serious romance.

Just as Johnson and Sarandon somehow manage to establish a relationship just through Honey’s videotaped messages and Leif ’s reactions, Johnson and Carden have a real and funny and endearing rom-com banter, even though it’s solely via texts and phone conversations. This is a tribute to the fine performances and also the writing by Johnson and director Trent O’Donnell (old mates from “New Girl”).

Same can be said for the great J.K. Simmons as Honey’s on-and-off boyfriend, who stalks Leif in the belief he’s Honey’s latest boytoy and has a wonderfully offbeat extended reaction when he finds out Honey is dead, and Leif is her son.

Johnson and O’Donnell wrote and filmed “Ride the Eagle” during the early months of the COVID outbreak, and what a clever and effective way they found to make a wonderful little movie that makes no mention of the pandemic and doesn’t seem to be set during the pandemic at all. In organic fashion, these people just happen to be in different locales (or states of be-

ing) over the course of Leif ’s journey.

‘Jungle Cruise’



Walt Disney Pictures presents a film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa and Michael Green. Rated PG-13 (for adventure violence). In theaters.

I

n the pantheon of Disney films based on theme park attractions, the intermittently entertaining but bombastic and bloated “Jungle Cruise” is quite a few notches below the best of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” entries, but rungs above the likes of “Tower of Terror” and “The Haunted Mansion” and “The Country Bears,” and who could forget the “Country Bears” movie!

Well. Most of us.

Overflowing with off-putting supernatural elements and taking far too many detours into overlong subplots, “Jungle Cruise” is clearly modeled after old-fashioned adventures such as “The African Queen,” “Romancing the Stone,” “The Mummy” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” but it’s not in the same league. Director Jaume Collet-Serra (best known for the Liam Neeson actioners “Unknown,” “Non-Stop” and “The Commuter”) is far too enamored with the CGI possibilities of an epic fantasy adventure, while the team of writers sacrifice character development in favor of banter heavy on groan-inducing puns

and recurring punchlines that actually don’t pack much of a punch.

The result is an overlong and unsatisfying half-a-thrill ride that takes too many dark and visually grotesque turns to be suitable fare for very young audiences but isn’t sophisticated or smart enough for adults. They should have postponed and rebooked this “Cruise” until the script found the right tone.

With a generic action-movie score swelling and never letting up throughout the entire film, “Jungle Cruise” is set in 1916, when we’re two years into World War I. Emily Blunt’s plucky botanist Dr. Lily Houghton (perhaps that flowery first name is a tribute to Katharine Hepburn’s Rose in “The African Queen”) and her fussy and loyal brother MacGregor (Jack Whitehall) have made the trek from London to a Brazilian port, where they plan to commission a boat to take them deep into the heart of the Amazon in search a magical tree known as the Tears of the Moon.

Legend has it a single petal from the great tree can break curses and cure illnesses. Cool tree.

Against Lily’s better judgment, she hires Dwayne Johnson’s Frank Wolff, who scrapes out a living taking tourists on jungle cruises in his dilapidated old boat, which hardly seems seaworthy but keeps on chugging along because that’s the deal with dilapidated old boats in the movies. Of course, the sophisticated and worldly Lily and the rough-hewn, ever-quipping Frank are immediately at odds with one another, with Frank calling Lily “Pants” because she dares to wear trousers, and Lily referring to Frank as “Skippy” rather than Skipper, and you can see what I mean by the dialogue often falling short of rapier wit.

What with the Tears of the Moon containing such immense powers, it’s no surprise Frank, Lily and MacGregor aren’t the only ones in pursuit of this treasure. Their chief rival is the snarling, sneering, hissing and quite villainous German Prince Joachim (the wonderful Jesse Plemons, miscast here), who has brought a fully crewed submarine to the Amazon, which seems like overkill, but that’s pretty much the theme of this movie.

See JUNGLE, page 12

AU G U S T 8, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

FOOD

Infuse Bright, Nutritional Flavor into Summer

W

hen families fire up their grills and turn to favorite summer recipes for filling meals, nutritional considerations are often not the focus. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. This year, you can rethink traditional seasonal menus by opting for main courses — and even desserts — that offer healthier returns by incorporating ingredients like whole oranges, which provide a multitude of nutritional benefits.

Adding an ingredient like California Valencia oranges to your family’s dishes means you’re including a rich source of vitamin C (70% of the daily value) and an excellent source of folate (20% of the daily value) in your seasonal spread.

As a balance of sweet and tart, the extra juicy oranges reach their peak in summer, making them perfect for warm-weather recipes, juicing or as portable snacks to take along on adventures.

Plus, their anti-inflammatory benefits help support the body, especially as outdoor activities increase in the warm weather. The potassium found in oranges also helps support cell function, healthy blood pressure levels, bone health and hydration.

When it comes to meal planning, oranges are a highly versatile fruit that can be added to both sweet and savory dishes, as well as beverages, cocktails, sauces, frozen desserts, smoothies and more. To introduce a depth of flavor and burst of nutrition to dishes, add a sprinkle of zest, segments or fresh-squeezed juice, or even grill the fruit to bring out the flavor.

Try combining them with tastes of the Mediterranean for dinner with Orange and Harissa Glazed Beef Kebabs or end your meal with a refreshing sweet treat like Orange Ice Cream the entire family can enjoy.

Visit CaliforniaCitrusGrowers.com for more information on California oranges. (Family Features) 

Orange and Harissa Glazed Beef Kebabs Prep time: 2 hours Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 2 1/2 cup California Valencia orange juice, freshly squeezed 2 California Valencia oranges, zested and segmented 2 tablespoons harissa paste 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 8 ounces beef tenderloin, cut into 2-inch cubes

unit, such as old-fashioned churner or ice cream machine with motor.

1 green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch squares 1 red onion, cut into 2-inch squares 16 broccoli florets, raw

kosher salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

cooked couscous

mandarin chutney

Reduce orange juice to 1 cup; ice down to chill.

In saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, cream, vanilla scraped pod and seeds, and glucose syrup until hot; remove from heat. Steep 30 minutes.

In mixing bowl, combine orange juice and zest, harissa, honey, oil, mint and garlic; mix well.

In bowl, combine milk powder and sugar. Add dry mixture into hot cream mixture. Whisk to combine.

Return mixture to medium heat.

Add beef cubes and toss to coat; marinate 2 hours in refrigerator.

Using long skewers, build kebabs, alternating beef, peppers, onions and broccoli on each.

Heat grill to medium-high heat.

Season kebabs with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until vegetables are cooked through and beef reaches desired doneness.

Serve over bed of couscous and top with mandarin chutney. 

Orange Ice Cream Prep time: 1 hour Servings: 6 2 cups California Valencia orange juice, freshly squeezed 1 1/2 cups whole milk 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/2 vanilla bean 2 tablespoons glucose syrup or corn syrup 1/4 cup non-fat dry milk powder 2/3 cup granulated sugar 3 egg yolks 2 California Valencia oranges, zest only

California Valencia orange slices, for garnish Prepare ice cream making vessel or

In separate heat-safe bowl, combine egg yolks and orange zest.

In small increments, pour hot mixture over yolks and zest. Mix vigorously while pouring.

Cook to 185 F. Remove from heat and pour through fine strainer. Hand-blend until smooth.

Ice down immediately. Add cooled, reduced orange juice. Hand blend to combine.

Spin and freeze then follow directions according to machine or vessel to make ice cream.

Serve with orange slices. 

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AU G U S T 8, 2021

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

JUNGLE

Continued from page 10

The farther the journey takes us down the Amazon, the more “Jungle Cruise” relies on candy-colored visuals and CGI obstacles. (Far too many sequences are so obviously enhanced we half expect to see crews erecting green screens in the background.) An encounter with a supposedly cannibalistic tribe addresses criticisms of the original theme ride

containing racist elements and sort of turns that on its head. There’s also a touching interlude where MacGregor comes out to Frank, and the guy who has problems with a woman wearing pants immediately accepts MacGregor. OK, these are nice, well-intentioned touches, even if such moments seem crowbarred into the script.

“Jungle Cruise” really starts to sink when Prince Joachim teams up with some Zombie Conquistadors from

the 16th century, I kid you not, freeing them from their frozen state so they can once again roam the jungle, with their leader, Aguirre (Edgar Ramirez), seeking vengeance or some such thing even as snakes emerge from his face, and that’s what I meant when I said this stuff is too intense for the little ones. Equally disconcerting is a late reveal about a main character that only succeeds in making us LESS invested in their story.

Emily Blunt is perfectly cast as the heroine, while Dwayne Johnson does his Dwayne Johnson thing, playing the Big Guy with the Big Heart who’s always ready with a smile even as he’s throwing stunt performers this way and that. Their chemistry is medium temperature and is no match for the constant onslaught of digitally rendered, uninvolving silliness. 

Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times

AU G U S T 8, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

Five style ideas for heading back to the office

I

terior offices) and it all comes packed into 8.9 mm case, which fits nicely under a button down shirt sleeve.

With a Bluetooth Smartphone Link providing access to the time in over 300 cities globally, you can schedule meetings with anyone anywhere with confidence.

Looking for more of a throwback look and feel? Casio’s Vintage line of trendy and fun watches features a minimalist design in a variety of styles, colors and features.

f you’ve been working remotely for the past year and a half, you’ve likely traded in your standard business attire for more casual items, like t-shirts, flipflops and other trademarks of weekend wear.

And if you’re not looking forward to giving up this comfort or your personal style when you return to the office, have no fear. Here are five great ways to stay comfortable, fashionable and professional in the workplace:

Cozy pants

Have you ever conducted a Zoom meeting pants-free? If the answer is yes, or you’ve been rocking sweats, the time is now to find office-appropriate pants you love. The good news is that pants that feel like leggings or sweats, but fit like trousers, are available from a number of brands in a range of colors and styles.

A nifty timepiece

A watch is a classic workplace accessory that completes any out-

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fit. And these days, hyper-functional dress watches, such as those from the Edifice line from Casio, can keep you not just on time, but in style too.

The EQB1100XDC-1A in particular, sports an office-ready look with its black IP band and green IP tachymeter octagon bezel.

The Tough Solar power system enables charging by exposure to even small amounts of light (perfect for in-

Sneakers you can wear to work New low-key designs make it possible to enjoy the comfort and support of sneakers in the office. The sustainably-made everyday sneakers from Allbirds, for example, come in neutral tones like charcoal, navy and grey, and are even machine washable, making it easy to maintain a crisp, professional look.

A multifaceted bag

If you’re heading back to the office, you may be headed back to the gym

FA S H I O N

too, which means you need one bag to take you from work to workout.

The Kinetic backpack from Athleta features a pocket for your laptop, a water bottle compartment and a separate shoe storage bag, and its olive green design is both subdued enough for work and stylish enough for play.

Travel mug

If your favorite coffee is the coffee you make at home, you can still enjoy your morning cup of joe on-thego with a sleek travel mug that keeps your hot beverages hot and your iced beverages cool for the duration of your commute and beyond. Those from S’well have a condensation-free exterior and won’t drip, making them safe around your devices and paperwork once you arrive at the office.

By prioritizing both style and comfort in your workday wear, you can return to the office fashionably, professionally and with a smile on your face. (StatePoint) 

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1 4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

AU G U S T 8, 2021

GARDENING

How to safely garden in the heat of August

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

D

id someone say summer and triple-digit temperatures? Summer gardening in Santa Clarita can be a challenge. We have an astonishingly wide range of microclimates here. But being mostly an inland chaparral, there are commonalities that make gardening in this part Southern California harder in the summertime than the rest of the year.

Still, if you love gardening, you don’t have to hide indoors all summer; just plan for summer conditions.

Keeping active in the garden will be good for you, your home, your garden and the environment.

Fountains can add the sound of cooling water while creating a focal point in your garden. They can take the form of walls, pots, sculptures and much more.

PHOTO BY JANE GATES / THE SIGNAL

It gets hot!

The sun is intense in the inland chaparral and we experience wide temperatures ranges that allow cooling at night. Too much sun has been proven dangerous to our skin, and overheating can cause sun stroke.

What you can do Take advantage of our nighttime temperature drops by working during the cooler hours of early morning and early evening.

Make working safer and more comfortable by wearing protection.

Add a hat, gloves and loosely fitted long-sleeved and leg-covering clothes. These will not only help protect you from sun, but from scratches and insect bites. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.

The land of wildfires!

We have had plenty of reminders of our vulnerability in the past few years — how quickly they spread, how greedily and cruelly they will consume anything they can, and how willingly they will invade even areas we might have thought safe.

What you can Clear any brush surrounding your home. Keep gutters, eaves, areas around your house and garden clean. Design your landscape for beauty, efficiency, productivity and safety. Include fire breaks

in your design, choose your materials and their placement carefully, use low-profile plants, avoid highly flammable trees, and position irrigation and water sources wisely.

Wildlife invasions

Warming temperatures have increased insect infestations and other pest incursions. We are seeing mealy bugs, thrips, scale insects and more aphids than ever. Snails are invading northern and eastern Santa Clarita Valley and trailing into Agua Dulce.

Raccoons are now seen up through

Despite summer challenges, the garden still has a lot to offer. Make time to use your garden. Grow edibles for fresher, tastier and healthier food. Relax in the shade to reduce stress. Psychologically cool yourself with the refreshing water from a strategically located fountain or waterfall.

Entertain friends during balmy evenings. There are plenty of jobs that can be done outdoors even during toasty August days.

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What you can do Clean your garden and take away litter where pests multiply. Using chemicals can encourage pests to build up a natural resistance. Those same chemicals can filter into garden soil and drinking water, entering our food chain and that of friendly wildlife like bees, birds and butterflies. Whenever possible, use physical barriers to deter pests. Try sticky traps, sound and odor deterrents.

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For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://you tube.com/user/Janieg8s. 

AU G U S T 8, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

FINANCE

Three tips to score a gold medal in financial fitness

W

hen it comes to financial fitness, careful training and preparation may not get your face on a cereal box, but it could score you a gold medal in savings.

Over the past year the pandemic has changed the game, with many Americans looking to shape up their savings. According to a March 2021 Consumer Sentiment Study by Lincoln Financial Group and CivicScience, one in four employed adults feel they are lagging behind in saving for retirement, and fewer than one in 10 would award themselves a gold medal across five categories of financial fitness: managing debt, sticking to a budget, saving for retirement, choosing benefits at work and being financially prepared for an emergency.

“Having the right benefits in place to protect you today, while planning for your tomorrow, has become more important than ever, and it all starts

with having a complete picture of your financial wellness,” said Jamie Ohl, executive vice president, president, Workplace Solutions, head of Operations and Brand, Lincoln Financial Group. “It’s a journey, much like fitness, and you can’t start without taking the first step toward the financial future you envision.”

Lincoln Financial offers three steps to shape up your savings and score the financial future you desire: Have the right equipment Get an accurate financial snapshot of where you are now. A good place to start is

with financial wellness tools, which many employers offer their employees. With these tools, you can create a personalized action plan and improve your financial well-being, whether that’s a plan to pay down debt or create an emergency savings fund.

You can also take advantage of retirement income estimators to get a realistic view of your income sources in retirement. And for those struggling with competing financial priorities, including debt, Lincoln’s debt calculator can help.

Set a goal Just like athletes aspire to be at the top of their sport, you can set a specific goal to work toward while celebrating the small victories along the way. A good rule of thumb is to save at least 10% to 15% of your pay.

If that feels out of reach, start where you can and try increasing contributions a little each year to see big changes in total savings over time. In the years leading up to retirement, you have the option to make catch-up

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Meet with a financial “coach” to determine a game plan Improving your financial fitness is a team sport.

Your financial professional, employer, retirement plan provider — they’re all there to help. A financial professional can help you take a holistic view of your finances, from accumulation to protection to distribution, helping ensure all considerations are taken into account and planned accordingly.

If your employer offers retirement consultants, schedule a meeting to help you understand the full picture of your savings and where to focus your efforts.

Just like it can be hard to find time for workouts, the same goes for exercising financial fitness, and your competing priorities can have an impact on savings. The good news?

There’s always time to formulate a financial game plan and score a spot on the savings podium. (SPT) 

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AU G U S T 8, 2021

AUTOMOTIVE

Survey: Americans’ relationship with cars shifts gears

W

ithout question, Americans’ relationship with vehicles turned a new direction over the last year and a half, and it is evolving yet again. As vaccination rates increase, restrictions ease and a sense of “normalcy” returns, new research revealed trends in the way drivers view, depend on and take care of their vehicles.

The daily routes are changing

combined with increased availability of in-home entertainment and food delivery apps could factor into a more permanent shift in how people are engaging with social, shopping and entertainment options.

Most Americans point to curbside restaurant service (46%) and grocery pickup (45%) among the pandemchanged the way many viewed highly ic-driven services they would most crowded mass transit options. And like to see stay. Entertainment-based while air, train and public transporoutings are still at lower levels, too, tation seems to be quickly gaining the survey found. steam again, most (78%) Americans Sixty-one percent of people say still rank automotive as the mode of they are driving to events much less transportation they are most likely to often than prior to the pandemic, and use through the end of the summer. adsource@exhibitorads.com 54% say the same for restaurants.

That includes using cars for travel,

According to Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index survey, fielded in late spring 2021, while 45% of people say eatres • Santa Clarita Signal they are driving every day (more than twice as many as this time in 2020), p. 888.737.2812 f. 203.438.1206 too. Seventy percent of those planDependence on car travel is they are going to what were previousAugust 8-12, 2021 date: Sunday-Thursday, ning travel anticipate using a car as ly considered “usual places” less often. growing their primary method of getting to The survey found that one-third of at 10:21:48 delivery date: One in five Americans Tuesday, August 3, 2021 AM (19%) CASCS_LEM0808-0812.qxp their destination. drivers still say they are heading to the bought a new or used car because Key factors behind the decision office or school much less often than of the pandemic. This emphasizes include flexibility (49%), an added before (33% and 36%, respectively). another trend the latest research unBut the daily drive isn’t the only veiled: a steadily growing dependence feeling of safety over other forms of transportation (45%), in addition to thing that has shifted. The lasting on vehicular transportation. economic impact of the pandemic Understandably, the pandemic general preference (47%).

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Car maintenance skills still need some tuning up

Despite this increased dependence on cars and road travel, the latest Gauge found that while many Americans have the equipment to handle an on-the-road emergency, they don’t necessarily know how to use it. For example, two-thirds (64%) of drivers own a tire jack, but 20% don’t know how to change a tire!

However, it is promising that most people (77%) owned their car maintenance tools prior to the onset of the pandemic. Perhaps the next evolution of Americans’ relationship with vehicles will be ensuring we’re keeping them in tip-top shape, for whatever the road ahead may bring.

Looking down that road, Hankook will continue to monitor the shifting landscape, as, due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and varying local restrictions, these trends may change in the future. (BPT) 

AU G U S T 8, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s day: creative family fun

Kids turn dull clay into fancy flowerpots

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

the sand and grout.

lowerpots are more than just containers for fragrant herbs, summer’s begonias or fall’s chrysanthemums. Grab a plain clay pot the next time you and your kids are at a nursery or garden center, hold it up and think of it as an artist’s canvas, waiting for your creative expression.

Purchase several, or repurpose empty clay pots you have at home, and you’re on your way to this fun family activity.

Once you and your kids have added the artistic embellishments to the pots, fill them with fresh potting soil, plant cuttings from your summer garden or pot new flowers for fall and watch your living “windowsill masterpieces” grow.

Use extra decorated pots as catchalls for desk supplies, hair accessories, etc. Here are three easy techniques.

Paint a clean clay flowerpot with acrylic paints using a paintbrush or a painting sponge. Experiment with a crazy, splashy design of swirls, stripes and spots (dip the eraser end of an old pencil in the paint to dab on the dots).

For a spattered look, older children can dip the bristles of an old toothbrush in paint and run their thumb across the bristles to spray flecks on the pot.

F

Wacky junk

Slather tile grout on the outside of a clay pot like you are frosting a cake.

Dig through your toy box, junk or desk drawer and choose tiny, lightweight, whimsical items such as plastic spiders or sea creatures, a pocket mirror, leftover game piece, badge, button or coin. Embed the pieces in the grout. Let dry thoroughly.

Sand designs

Create a Southwest look, ideal for potting a cactus. Draw designs like zigzags, triangles and circles on the pot with a pencil or marker. Trace the

Simple painting

Decorated clay flowerpots. PHOTO

BY DONNA ERICKSON

design with white household glue on one section of the pot, then sprinkle clean, colored craft sand over the glue.

Or, cover the entire pot with tile grout (see above) and sprinkle colored sand over the grout. Embed small objects such as marbles into

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 Donna’s Day Facebook fan page.

Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  © 2020 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

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SOLUTIONS

PUZZLES

AU G U S T 8, 2021

CROSSWORD TIME

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