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OCTOBER 31, 2021
Trick or Treat Time Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source
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ARE YOU READY FOR RETIREMENT?
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THE NEW FACE OF BEAUTY
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GARDENING TIPS FOR NOVEMBER
PLUS : CITY NEWS | OPINION | SCHOOL | ENTERTAINMENT | CALENDAR | HEALTH & FITNESS
Canyon Theatre Guild THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL
BASED ON THE SONGS OF
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24242 Main Street, Newhall, CA 91321
TICKET PRICES: Adults $22 Juniors (+18) $19 Seniors (62+) $19 GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! (661) 799-2702 canyontheatre.org MAMMA MIA is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
“What a great show. A MUST See. … saw it twice. Loved it!!!!” ~ Melissa R. “So great! Wonderful performances by everyone!!” ~ Charlotte S. “It was so great! I had so much fun!” ~ Leslie G. “We saw Mama Mia this afternoon and it was FABULOUS! Enjoyed every moment.” ~Ann B. “Fantastic !!! Excellent performance. Must see.” ~ Manuel L. “I’m mind blown away by the talent! Can’t wait to go back and see it again!” ~ Noemi V. “Amazing!!” ~ Lyndie M.
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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THINGS TO DO 4 4 California’s ‘must-try’ golf courses NEWS FEATURES 5 5 Investigating suspicious deaths in the SCV 6 Financial advisers’ advice on retirement 7 Fun, safe, in-person activities return to Bella Vida FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8 8 Spooky good tips for a safe Halloween BEAUTY 9 9 Energy-based devices are the new face of beauty ENTERTAINMENT 10 10 Halloween horror movie takes top box-office draw 12 Roeper recommends two star-studded movies FOOD 11 11 A simple yet delicious weeknight dinners Chicken burrito bowls • Veal Tex Mex stuffed shells SENIOR LIVING 13 13 At-home care or in the doctor’s office HEALTH 14 14 To Your Good Health: Parkinson’s Disease RESTAURANT GUIDE 16 HOME 19 19 Inspiring storage solutions GARDENING 20 20 A guide to November gardening KIDS & FAMILY 21 21 Donna’s Day: Stirring up gooey goop fun Junior Whirl PUZZLES 22 OPINION 23
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Publisher Sunday Signal Editor Signal Editor Production Manager
Richard Budman Perry Smith Tim Whyte Doña Uhrig
25060 Avenue Stanford, Suite 141 | Valencia, CA 91355
661-259-1234 The entire content of the Sunday Signal is copyrighted 2021 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.
1Cruise itineraries subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. 2Onboard credit valid on new bookings made by 12/31/2021. 3AAA Member Benefit: $50 discount does not apply to air/car only bookings. Discount is per booking and taken at time of booking. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Your local AAA club acts as an agent for cruise & tour providers listed. CST 1016202-80. To learn how we collect and use your information, visit the privacy link at AAA.com. ©2021 Auto Club Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved. AAA Travel Alert: Many travel destinations have implemented COVID-19–related restrictions. Before making travel plans, check to see if hotels, attractions, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants and local authorities have issued health and safety-related restrictions or entry requirements. The local tourism board is a good resource for updated information. Ship’s Registry: United States
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THINGSTODO
California’s ‘must-try’ golf courses
The 36-hole Indian Wells Golf Course is one of the few properties to have had two courses ranked in the Top 25 “Best Municipal Courses in the United States” by Golfweek Magazine. PHOTOS COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
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olfers in the Santa Clarita Valley are fortunate to have several exceptional golf courses where they can drive, putt and seek that elusive “hole-in-one.” Sand Canyon Country Club, Valencia Country Club, Vista Valencia Golf Course and The Oaks Club at Valencia give SCV residents a variety of private golf clubs and public courses to “make par.” However, most golfers desire to play at least one, or more, of California’s iconic or “vacation-worthy” courses. The California coastline provides the sublime backdrop for some of the PGA’s most famous gatherings: the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the Monterey Peninsula and the 2008 and 2021 U.S. Open, as well as the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. Both courses also offer opportunities for the public to live out their dream of golfing “like the pros.” Here’s a few options where you can perfect your swing and enjoy beautiful scenery at the same time.
Most courses give priority tee times to those staying at resorts and hotels associated with the course.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
1700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach Info www.pebblebeach.com/golf/ pebble-beach-golf-links Open to the public, the Pebble Beach Golf Links may be among the most iconic golf courses in the United States, if not the world. Fans of golf know all the holes, and the history of the course, first opened in 1919. It is rated the No. 1 public course in the country. Pebble Beach is located on one of the most spectacular landscapes and seascapes in the world … near Monterey. Perhaps one of the most famous holes in golf is the short par 3 seventh hole, which plays at a little more than 100 yards even during major championships. It is one of the most photographed holes in the world. All guests of Pebble Beach Resorts can reserve a tee time at Pebble Beach Golf Links up to 18 months in advance, subject to minimum stay requirements. The green fee for Pebble Beach is $575, a far cry from the 1970s when you could play the course for less
than $100. If you feel like gambling you can book a tee time a day out without the resort stay (pay an additional $45), but it is far from a sure bet you’ll get on the course.
Torrey Pines Golf Course
11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla Info www.torreypines.com A stay at La Jolla’s The Lodge at Torrey Pines gives you priority tee times at this fabled golf course, or book a tee time 90 days in advance, without a lodge reservation. The scenery of velvety-green cliffs,
the area’s namesake pines and the Pacific is beautiful enough to satisfy even a nongolfer. In addition to golf, there are 8 miles of trails in nearby Torrey Pines State Park to wander and explore when not teeing off.
La Quinta Resort
49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta Info www.laquintaresort.com/golf La Quinta Resort and Club offers avid golfers a choice of five 18-hole golf courses to explore. You don’t have to stay at the resort to book a public tee time online. See GOLF, page 18
Pebble Beach Golf Course is rated the No. 1 public course in the country.
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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5
Investigating suspicious deaths in the SCV
area. The information regarding her homicide file is listed as pending a security hold from the Missing Persons/ Homicide Bureau on June 28, less than two weeks after she was found deceased.
By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor
T
he murder rate for an area the size of Los Angeles County changes from year to year. To give an idea — in Los Angeles County last year, there were 135 criminal homicides reported to the Sheriff ’s Department, which was actually 10 lower than the 2019 figure (145) — which had been the lowest figure in 50 years, according to LASD data. Five years ago, there were 211. And the all-time high, unsurprisingly, came in 1992, which saw 434 death investigations, including 63 killed in the L.A. Riots. And if the last 10 months have demonstrated anything to Los Angeles County detectives, murder is back on the rise: There were 216 murders in the first nine months of 2021, according to LASD data. In the Santa Clarita Valley, there were three homicides reported each year in 2019 and 2020, and all of these cases are investigated by the more than 75 or so detectives who work in the Sheriff ’s Department’s Homicide Bureau. The recent proliferation of the true crime genre in the media — everything from blogs to podcasts to both amateur and professional programming — have brought forth new information and, in some instances, even helped investigators understand new angles, bring forth new witnesses and help create awareness, which, in some cases, has helped put murderers away. There have been two SCV “homicides” under investigation in 2021: Michelle Dorsey and Suzane Guillaum. Technically, homicide detectives have not ruled Guillaum’s death a murder; however, they’re also not releasing any information regarding her death or what they think might have caused it, until they’ve answered all of their questions, which linger months later.
The beat goes on
Due to the fact that there’s no statute of limitations for a murder charge, detectives will often carry
N E W S F E AT U R E
Working through challenges
A Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputy cordons off foot path to a Canyon Country overpass where Suzane Guillaum was found dead June 15. PHOTO BY CALEB LUNETTA / THE SIGNAL
cases for years, according to one official who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigations and operations. A case becomes a cold case murder after all of the investigative avenues have been exhausted but, even then, detectives don’t like to give up on an investigation until it’s time to retire the badge and service revolver. As a result, a detective in the Homicide Bureau can have as many as 15-20 cases or more to investigate at any one time. If all “leads” or clues have been looked into and a detective is no longer able to pursue a case as an active investigator, the case goes to coldcase detectives. Despite a caseload that can stretch back for years and covers thousands upon thousands of hours of investigative work, these detectives continue their search for answers.
Different types of tragedies
So far this year in Los Angeles County, there have been more than 200 criminal homicides reported, two of which occurred in the SCV:
The first one, the murder of Michelle Dorsey, had a relatively quick resolution for tragedies that can often drag on for years in the courts. James “Matthew” Dorsey was sentenced to 35.5 years after pleading guilty to murder his estranged wife. (Current state law would make him eligible for a parole hearing in 20 years.) Law enforcement officers caught up to James “Matthew” Dorsey quickly because Michelle Dorsey was able to identify her estranged husband as her attacker before she died on the morning of April 15. The second might be a little more difficult to solve, although it’s still relatively early in the process to tell if that’s what’s happening — or even that the death will end up being a murder. As of this story’s publication, detectives are still seeking answers in the SCV’s second suspicious death of 2021: Suzane Guillaum was found under an overpass at the Camp Plenty Bridge in Canyon Country. The 44-year-old woman didn’t have a registered address, but lived locally and had friends and family in the
The detectives working the case are still waiting for the full results of the medical exam that coroners perform to determine the official cause of death, which includes a blood-toxicology screening. However, the initial conditions are part of the challenge that’s often facing detectives when there are no witnesses who come forward, or the proverbial smoking gun. Sources have indicated that Guillaum’s death likely could end up being a homicide, which is how its currently classified according to Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department data. Now detectives will have to piece together how and why she ended up being found in triple-digit heat June 15, under a bridge across town in the middle of Canyon Country. In Guillaum’s case, detectives have yet to release whether she died where her body was found, near the bridge, or if she was placed there. Their understanding of the circumstances, as well as her exact time of death, are complicated by the conditions in which the body was discovered. “(Guillaum’s body) was in the advanced stages of decomposition,” said Lt. Derrick Alfred of the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department Homicide Bureau, adding, “We don’t know if that’s because of the time, but it may have been accelerated because of the heat.” The Santa Clarita Valley was roasted by temperatures that peaked in the triple digits for several days prior to the body being found, according to homicide officials and National Weather Service records. “There was some (evidence) that we’re just not going to be able to comment on,” he added, “at this stage of the investigation.”
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N E W S F E AT U R E
Financial advisers: Retirement starts with you By Jose Herrera Signal Staff Writer
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abriel Bibby, 74, spends much of his time with his wife, three kids and grandchildren. They go to the park, watch movies, and he enjoys watching his grandkids do the things they love the most like sports and drama. That’s the life he loves — being with his loved ones as much as possible. And though he’s at the point of his life where he could be retired, he chooses to work part-time as an Uber driver three to four times a week. “It’s in my nature, my personality,” Bibby said. “I’m far from retiring because I don’t know how to sit down and go golfing, read or swim for hours. I need to be functioning (working), and I found that Uber gave me a platform and flexibility to work when I can.” Bibby likes to work. He worked at IMS Autoparts Wholesale before he started at Uber. He said he’s worked at least for 54 years of his life and will continue as long as his health and God allow. He started a family young, and although he would worry about his future and retirement, he didn’t have much time to think about it when he had to raise and support his family. However, throughout the years and thanks to advice from family members, he slowly started saving money and investing in the housing market. “I invested that money in the same process, which enabled me in the 90s to buy a bigger house in Santa Clarita,” Bibby said. “We sold the house and downsized.” Now, he lives with his wife in Friendly Valley Country Club, a gated retirement senior living community in Santa Clarita. Although, he receives financial aid from Social Security, income from his time with Uber and from a few financial assets, he still wonders if he can sustain his lifestyle. Manya Prybyla, a Realtor, said she works a lot with the senior community, and many of them are retirees. She helps them sell their house that they’re leaving and find a suitable home in Friendly Valley, or in other senior-living communities. Friendly Valley is a senior living community where older adults can be secure, stay active, and still afford their lifestyle, according to Prybyla. She added the community offers a variety of amenities and activities that brings older adults into a community. “It’s a big change,” Prybyla said. “They had a house full of kids and people, and now life is quieter. You don’t have all that activity, and you don’t need all that room.” The idea of retirement can be a daunting one as many people don’t fully comprehend what it takes to retire, or because a lot of people are uncomfort-
Retirement planning is a personal decision. It depends on what you want to do in the future and figuring out how to get there whether you have large or small portfolios. (MC)
able or fearful of the topic of money, according to Patti Handy, a financial adviser at Vance Wealth. She added that typically society will say that once a person reaches the age of 65, that’s the time to retire, but that isn’t always true as some people will retire sooner or others like Bibby will want to continue working as long as he can. “There is no magic number,” Handy said. “It also just depends on your lifestyle. It depends on how much you’re spending every month in terms of your monthly obligations.” Retirement is a “very personal decision,” she said. Handy has worked with clients with healthy portfolios — investable assets that include IRS or 401(k)s, investments, taxable accounts, mutual funds, stocks and bonds — but they spend too much money and their financial plan is not sustainable. Then she discussed the opposite, where clients have small portfolios. But these clients have consistent income which covers their bills, and they are able to save money for the future. Handy added that the key to retirement is starting young between ages 20 to 30. Jerry Citarella, a financial adviser with Prosperitas Financial and who has spent 14 years in wealth management, agreed with Handy. “A lot of people start (saving for retirement) by using something they have at work,” Citarella said.
“That’s the way most people do it. They get a job, some sort of 401(k) plan, or some other company-sponsored retirement plan, and they start contributing to it.” “Unfortunately, that’s where a lot of people just end it,” he added. People need to start as they get their first job, he said. Then take a percentage of whatever they make to put it away for retirement, he added. He recommends approximately 10% of a paycheck is a good starting point. Both financial advisers agreed that saving money can go a long way and people should be mindful of their spending habits. “It’s a world we live in where people see nice things and want them,” Citarella said. “People get caught up in … satisfying themselves with these things that become meaningless.” Handy said, the important part of planning for retirement, or the future, is where you want to be and how you want to spend your time. “Yeah, make it a priority,” Citarella said. “Start early, stay consistent. The only difference is that life is so complicated. Each person lives a different life. So, depending on where you are in that moment, your needs in the way you approach (your financial) plan will change.”
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N E W S F E AT U R E
Fun, safe, in-person activities return to Bella Vida By Emily Alvarenga Signal Senior Staff Writer
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fter more than a year stuck at home, Santa Clarita Valley seniors can once again start heading on over to the Bella Vida SCV Senior Center for some fun — and safe — activities. “We’re opening up slowly, but we’re welcoming people back with open arms, and we’re happy to see them,” said Blyth Birchall, Senior Center event coordinator. “We have all sorts of activities for all different types of interests.” The Senior Center is excited to welcome seniors who’ve been isolated for so long, making the center a safe space for them to gather and have some fun, Birchall explained. “It’s always a thrill to see a senior I haven’t seen in a year and a half in the hallway,” Birchall added. Throughout the month, the Senior Center hosts a plethora of activities and events, most of which are free to attend and open to all registered seniors.
Courtyard Concert
Join the Senior Center for another courtyard concert, featuring Mirage - Visions of Fleetwood Mac this month. Mirage is named after one of Fleetwood Mac’s best-selling albums and has earned top honors among tribute artists, heavily praised by the lead vocalist Stevie Nicks, according to Birchall. “The lead singer, Michelle Tyler, is a dead ringer for the sound and the vibe of Stevie Nicks, and I’m really excited,” Birchall said. Light refreshments are set to be provided. Doors are set to open at 4:15 p.m. and the concert is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13.
Senior Cinema
Join the center for Senior Cinema, featuring a screening of “Halls of Montezuma,” a classic World War II film being shown in honor of the SCV’s veterans for Veterans Day. The film was directed by Academy Award-winner Lewis Milestone and was filmed on location at Camp Pendleton in San Diego.
ABBA cover band ABBAFab performs to a crowd of nearly 250 guests at the SCV Senior Center at Bella Vida. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL
It stars Richard Widmark and his character’s journey as the Marines fight on a Japanese-held island, incorporating real color combat footage from the war in the Pacific. Senior Cinema is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
Bingo is back
If movies aren’t your thing, instead join the center for some bingo, which has returned to the center’s dining room. The lucky winners are set to receive prizes, which often consist of gift cards to local restaurants, according to Birchall. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and bingo is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, and tickets are $5 for five games or $6 for five games and one dauber.
Classes, activities, workshops and more! As the center reopens to seniors, many of its classes, activities and clubs have also begun to return as well.
While most of the Senior Center’s classes still offer a virtual option via Zoom, seniors can also attend them in person at the center, with classes being offered ranging from exercise classes, such as zumba, tai chi, yoga or sit and be fit chair exercises, to drawing and writing classes, and even various lecture series. Those who enjoy reading, billiards, Wii bowling, needlecraft or pinochle — among other activities — can also head to the Senior Center for weekly meetings. Additionally, the center has various support groups, including some for grandparents, grief and loss, and caregivers.
Senior Center meals
The center has also continued its meal program, providing daily drive-thru and home-delivered meals to seniors across the SCV. Each weekday, registered seniors can drive to the Senior Center for lunch, receiving contactless meals through the drive-thru program set up in the parking lot, while home-
bound seniors can also get meals home-delivered by Senior Center volunteers. The drive-thru meal program runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For all events, space is limited, so reservations are required. COVID-19 protocols are being followed, so masks are required while indoors. The Senior Center is located at 27180 Golden Valley Road in Santa Clarita. For more information or to register for classes, visit myscvcoa. org, under the “Activities” tab, or call (661) 259-9444, ext. 151.
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DROUGHT READY SCV L E T ’ S D O O U R PA R T P R E S E RV E
M OT H E R
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DROUGHT READY SCV L E T ’ S D O O U R PA R T P R E S E RV E
M OT H E R
N AT U R E
P R E S E RV E
M OT H E R
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DROUGHT READY SCV L E T ’ S D O O U R PA R T DROUGHT READY SCV L E T ’ S D O O U R PA R T P R E S E RV E
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We’ve saved before and we can do it again! LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO PRESERVE MOTHER NATURE’S FINEST RESOURCE. Visit DroughtReadySCV.com to find water-saving resources, rebates and tips.
FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Spooky good tips for a safe Halloween By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager
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alloween is one of the most anticipated nights on the calendar for Santa Clarita residents of all ages. From kids trick-or-treating with friends to young adults coordinating costumes to those mentally preparing for a horror movie marathon, Halloween is full of haunts, scares and plenty of fun. The City recently held the Harvest Festival SENSES Block Party in Old Town Newhall, which brought together residents from throughout Santa Clarita for pumpkin bowling, apple cider and other fall activities. The night featured the return of Scarecrow Alley, the community-wide scarecrow decorating contest that is quickly becoming a Santa Clarita tradition. As we prepare for the spooky night ahead of us, it is important to take a step back to ensure that you can make the most out of Halloween while still keeping yourself — and others — safe. Naturally, streets throughout Santa Clarita see more foot traffic on Halloween night as parents take their kids trick-or-treating. As you drive around the City on Sunday, expect to see many more pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks, and anticipate their presence as you slow down at intersections. Remember, while trick-or-treaters may be more prevalent in residential areas, don’t be surprised to see caped crusaders, witches and monsters walking along sidewalks of busy streets like Newhall Ranch Road, Soledad Canyon Road and Bouquet Canyon Road. For drivers, this means you should allow for extra drive time to get to your destination so that you can reduce your speed and ensure pedestrians are completely finished crossing the street before making a turn or going through an intersection. This is particularly important for residential areas because the excitement of Halloween may result in overeager kids
trying to cross in the middle of the street or without looking both ways before they cross. Parents should also remain alert while walking with their children. Only cross the street at designated intersections, and be sure to carry a flashlight and other reflective safety items so that drivers can see you — particularly after the sun goes down. Sit down with your older children to remind them of these important safety tips as well so that everyone in our City gets home safely. To help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, keep gatherings small and avoid crowded places. When your kids are trick-or-treating, keep your distance from other groups and bring hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean. For those passing out treats, setting up a station in front of your home that allows trick-or-treaters to keep their distance is also a good idea. So whether you are making memories with your kids while they fill their pillowcases with candy, head out for dinner with coworkers or settle in to watch “Rocky Horror Picture Show” with friends, do your part to keep this Halloween safe for all by being a “Heads-Up” pedestrian and driver and following best practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. You can learn more about the City’s award-winning Heads Up traffic safety campaign by visiting santa-clarita. com/HeadsUp.
Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santa-clarita.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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BEAUTY
Energy-based devices are the new face of beauty
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eauty, like health, goes beyond the visible surface. While many of us manage our wellness via diet, exercise and check-ups, we don’t apply the same 360-degree approach to our beauty regimen. It’s possibly due to lack of viable options. Neauvia International Group looks to transform the way we practice beauty and solve skin care challenges by extending its premium energy-based devices into the United States. In the hands of trained medical aesthetics professionals, Neauvia devices leverage sophisticated technology such as thermo-lifting and water peeling to deeply target your areas of concern. With years in the global skin care market, Neauvia’s eatres • Santa Clarita approach pairs thisSignal advanced technology with spe- adsource@exhibitorads.com cially formulated skin care for remarkable results. they offer you access to these revolutionary non-inp. 888.737.2812 f. 203.438.1206 “Over a decade of Neauvia’s international skin vasive treatments that are not available for home October 31-November date: Sunday-Thursday, care success has taught us that a single product use. They’ll work with you to customize an optimal does not meet the overall demands of and desired treatment plan to achieve your desired results. delivery date: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 10:29:45 AM CASCS_LEM1031-1104.qxp outcomes for patients or providers,” says Sean WilOften, using multiple technologies per session son, president of newly launched Neauvia North yields a marked difference. The Zaffiro treatment America. Best-in-class treatments do, however. combines thermo-lift technology with the gentle They also require training and certification. So, exfoliation of water-resurfacing and specific solutake time to research your local plastic surgeons, tions for your skin type and desired results. It dedermatologists, aestheticians and med spas because livers lifted, tightened and hydrated skin with less
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E N T E R TA I N M E N T
Halloween horror movie takes top box-office draw 1. Halloween Kills (R) Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer 2. No Time to Die (PG-13) Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas 3. Venom: Let There be Carnage (PG-13) Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson 4. The Addams Family 2 (PG) animated 5. The Last Duel (R) Matt Damon, Adam Driver PHOTO COURTESY IMDB
6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (PG-13) Simu Liu, Awkwafina 7. Honsla Rakh (NR) Diljit Dosanjh, Shehnaaz Gill 8. Free Guy (PG-13) Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer 9. Lamb (R) Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snaer Guonason 10. Most Eligible Bachelor (NR) Akhil Akkineni, Pooja Hegde
— Source Box Office Mojo
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FOOD
A simple yet delicious weeknight dinners
E
ase and convenience can go a long way toward creating weeknight meals that bring the entire family together, which is why it’s helpful to focus your favorite dishes around main ingredients that simplify dinner routines. Versatile proteins like veal open many possibilities from decadent, romantic meals to easy and beginner-friendly options. Its flavor is light, making it a blank canvas for discovery by pairing it with different combinations of sauces, spices, cheeses and more. You can be confident in the taste of veal as your main ingredient in these Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells, a quick and easy dinner perfect for hectic weeknights. Requiring just over half an hour in the kitchen, jumbo pasta shells are loaded with taco-flavored ground veal and melted cream cheese then topped with your favorite taco sauce. It offers a new, exciting recipe to add to the family menu while also providing nutrition; a 3-ounce serving of veal includes 27 grams of protein, which is more than half of the daily value for a 2,000-calorie diet. Discover more quick and easy recipe ideas at Veal.org, funded by Beef Farmers and Ranchers. (FF)
Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls Prep time 20 minutes Cook time 4-8 hours Servings 6 1 jar (16 ounces) chunky salsa 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups instant brown rice 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen chopped avocado, for garnish chopped cilantro, for garnish chopped red onion, for garnish chopped tomatoes, for garnish lime wedges, for garnish sour cream or Greek yogurt, for garnish shredded colby jack cheese, for garnish In slow cooker, stir together salsa, chicken, broth and chili powder. Cook 3 1/2 hours on high or 7 1/2 hours on low. Transfer chicken to cutting board and coarsely shred; return to slow cooker. Stir in beans, rice and corn. Cook 30 minutes on high, or until rice is cooked through. Serve garnished with avocado, cilantro, onion, tomatoes, limes, sour cream and cheese. Recipe courtesy of Lori Yates of Foxes Love Lemons on behalf of Milk Means More. (FF)
Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells Prep time 20 minutes Cook time 15 minutes Servings 6
1 pound ground veal 1/2 cup diced onion 1/2 cup diced poblano pepper 1 package (1 1/4 ounces) taco seasoning 1/2 cup water 4 ounces cream cheese 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese, divided 20 jumbo pasta shells 1 1/2 cups salsa 1 cup taco sauce Preheat oven to 350 F. In large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground veal, diced onion and diced pepper until meat is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Break cream cheese into chunks and
add to skillet; simmer 3-4 minutes, or until cream cheese melts into veal mixture. Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup colby jack cheese; stir to combine. Bring large pot of salted water to boil and add pasta shells. Cook according to package directions and drain. Immediately separate shells on plate to avoid sticking together. Pour salsa into 13-by-9-inch baking dish and spread to cover bottom. Fill each pasta shell with 1-2 tablespoons veal mixture and place in baking dish. Top stuffed shells with taco sauce and sprinkle remaining colby jack cheese on top. Bake 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and shells are heated through.
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E N T E R TA I N M E N T
‘The Harder They Fall,’ ‘The French Dispatch’ are star studded By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer
‘The Harder They Fall’
1/2 (out of four) Netflix presents a film directed by Jeymes Samuel and written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin. Rated R. In theaters and on Netflix.
W
hat a ride. Sergio Leone meets Quentin Tarantino at the drivein with the darkly funny, cartoonishly violent and greatly entertaining “The Harder They Fall,” a Black Western with an amazingly talented cast, some wonderfully anachronistic dialogue and — fistfights, shootouts, robberies, raucous tavern sequences and showdowns on Main Street. Not only that, but Idris Elba sheds ALL THE TEARS in a Shakespearean twist of a scene late in the film, and oh, by the way: The female characters in director/co-writer/producer Jeymes Samuel’s radical, transformative, jazzy take on the Old West are so much more than mere window dressing. They’re right there in the middle of the mix, throwing haymakers and cocking rifles and getting kneedeep in the muck and the grime and the blood. “The Harder They Fall” is filled with characters whose names reflect real-life 19th-century Black figures, including Rufus Buck, Nat Love, Cherokee Bill and Stagecoach Mary, but the story is 100% fictional. After a harrowing and tense prologue in which we see Elba’s Rufus Buck gun down a preacher and his wife in cold blood and then use a switchblade to carve a cross into the forehead of their 10-year-old son, we fast forward about 25 years, when that boy has grown up to become the outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors, fresh off his triumphant work in “Lovecraft Country”), who has spent much of his adult life robbing other outlaws and hunting down the gang members who were present when his parents were killed, much to the frustration of his on-and-off love interest, the saloon owner Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz). She’s had it with him, and she’ll smack him in the face to prove it, but then they’ll start making out again, because love.
PHOTOS COURTESY IMDB
In a tightly constructed, expertly rendered and eventually carnage-filled sequence aboard a locomotive, the notorious Rufus Buck, who has been behind bars for years, is liberated by his loyal and lethal gang, including the coldly efficient killer Treacherous Trudy (Regina King), who clearly loves Rufus, and the sharpshooter Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), who is said to be the fastest gun in all the West. When Nat gets word of Rufus Buck’s escape, he assembles a posse of his own to hunt down Rufus, with the gender-fluid Cuffee (Danielle Deadwyler), the cocky and flashy gunman James Beckwourth (RJ Cyler), the rifleman Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and the federal marshal Bass Reeves (Delroy Lindo) joining him and Stagecoach Mary. “The Harder They Fall” is filled with bold and cool creative choices, as when we’re told a neighboring town is “all white” and when Nat and his gang arrive at the town to rob the local bank, it’s literally white — not just the residents, but the buildings, the interiors, you name it … everything is rendered in shades of white. It’s ridiculous and great. Then there’s the soundtrack of the year, which features everything from a remix of Barrington Levy’s seminal reggae tune “Here I Come” to “Let’s Start” by Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti (with Ginger Baker) to a new tune called “Guns Go Bang” from Jay-Z (who is also a producer on the film) and Kid Cudi. This is also a beautifully
shot film, with the Cerro Pelon Movie Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, serving as a primary location. For all of the 21st-century, profanity-laced dialogue and the modern music, “The Harder They Fall” still has that wide-openskies look of a classic Western.
‘The French Dispatch’
Searchlight Pictures presents a film written and directed by Wes Anderson. Rated R. In theaters.
F
rom “The Royal Tenenbaums” to “Rushmore,” from “The Grand Budapest Hotel” to “Moonrise Kingdom,” the writer-director Wes Anderson is a greatly skilled miniaturist who consistently produces finely honed, exquisitely rendered works that inspire great admiration while usually leaving one a little bit … chilly. We admire these films. We appreciate the pinpoint dialogue and the gorgeously appointed sets and the memorably creative imagery and the performances from the Ensemble of Wes Anderson Regulars and other A-list talents — but that respect nearly always comes from a bit of a distance. It’s as if we’re in a museum of modern art and we’re silently applauding the latest exhibit, but our tear ducts remain desert-dry. This is most certainly the case with Anderson’s latest effort, the three-part journalism anthology “The French Dispatch,” a wry and deliberately stagey, visually stunning albeit un-
even but ultimately shining nugget of a film with some memorably funny and clever set pieces, and a bevy of fine performances from a cast that includes Bill Murray, Jeffrey Wright, Timothee Chalamet (finally getting some work!), Tilda Swinton, Benicio Del Toro, Lea Seydoux, Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Frances McDormand, so yes, the world’s finest actors are drawn to Anderson’s projects. Constructed as a love letter to The New Yorker in its glorious 20th-century heyday and legendary editors such as Harold Ross and William Shawn, “The French Dispatch” is a cinematic magazine index featuring an Obituary, a Travel column and three lengthy and meandering and richly creative Feature Stories. The obit is for the founding editor of the magazine called The French Dispatch — one Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Bill Murray), who departed from Kansas a half-century prior and established a literary magazine with a global reach as he mentored some of the finest writers in the world. Alas, Arthur has stipulated that when he goes, the magazine goes with him, so this will be the final edition of The French Dispatch. Set in the fictional city of Ennui-sur-Blase, and how’s that for a Wes Anderson locale, “The French Dispatch” features the bicycling travel correspondent Herbsaint Sazerac (Owen Wilson), who acts as our tour guide of this quaint and historic village and remains dedicated to his mission even as he keeps on crashing his bike in a series of mishaps that usually wind up with offscreen bang. We also meet the likes of copy editor Alumna (Elisabeth Moss), cartoonist Hermes Jones (Jason Schwartzman) and staffers played by Griffin Dunne and Fisher Stevens, but they’re essentially bit players, framing the three main stories: “The Concrete Masterpiece, “Revisions to Manifesto” and “The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner.” “The French Dispatch” is filled with a sense of wistful longing, delivered from the perspectives of creative and observant strangers in a wonderfully strange land.
Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times
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S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3
SENIORLIVING
At-home care, or in a doctor’s office
M
edicare’s annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) is an important time of year during which Medicare beneficiaries can review their current coverage and evaluate whether they want to remain with their current plan or switch to a new one that is a better fit for their health care needs. If you are interested in what Medicare Advantage plans have to offer, this is a good time to learn more and understand what’s available to you. While evaluating the various offerings, it is also a good time to consider what type of care works best for you and in what setting you feel most comfortable receiving health care. With many new options available, it is worth the time to learn more about what is available to you:
Senior-focused primary care centers
These are stand-alone, primarycare practices designed specifically for seniors, where a care team oversees your health care, including your physical, behavioral and social health needs. The care team at each center is typically led by a primary care physician and often includes access to a nurse, social worker, pharmacist, behavioral health specialist and community engagement team that can help with transportation, food and housing. Both CenterWell and Conviva provide senior-focused primary care, with locations in many regions of the country.
In-home primary care
The pandemic has taught us that many things can be taken care of at home, including certain aspects of our health care. Telemedicine and — in some cases — home visits by a physician are increasingly popular choices for those who have routine issues that don’t require a drive to the doctor’s office. From the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure to physicals and vaccines, organizations such as Heal provide health care from the comfort of your living room. For Medicare beneficiaries, some
care providers may also offer medication review, fall-risk evaluation and home visits after a hospital stay.
Urgent in-home care
Ever feel really sick, when even a drive to the urgent care clinic seems daunting? Receiving urgent care in your home may be an option, so long as your needs are neither life- nor limb-threatening. Where available, companies such as Dispatch Health will assess your need and, within a few hours, if medically appropriate, send a medical team to your home, treat your condition when possible and even call in prescriptions if necessary. Typical urgent issues that can be treated at home include shingles, sinus infections, bronchitis, flu and even food poisoning. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to educate yourself about plan options safely by using digital resources, including virtual educational events and one-on-one virtual meetings with licensed sales agents. Beneficiaries can also visit www.Medicare. gov; call 1-800-MEDICARE (800633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; or go to www.Humana.com/ Medicare to learn more about Humana plans. Other providers may be available in the Humana network. Providers may also contract with other plan sponsors. Licensed Humana sales agents are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week at 1-800-2135286 (TTY: 711). With these resources, you’ll be able to more confidently select a 2022 Medicare Advantage plan that suits your specific health care needs. (NewsUSA)
HEAR IN PINK with Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology Whether it’s breast cancer research or helping patients get to treatment, our fundraising makes a real difference in the fight against breast cancer and in our community.
Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology is donating a portion of all its hearing aid proceeds to breast cancer research, and Circle of Hope. Raising awareness among patients, and local communities about breast cancer which affects 1 in 8 women in the U.S. Nola Aronson, M.A., CCC-A
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scvadvancedaudiology.com 661.200.9470 23822 VALENCIA BLVD. | SUITE 103 | VALENCIA
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H E A LT H
To your good health —
Help with Parkinson’s By Keith Roach, M.D. Signal Contributing Writer
Dear Dr. Roach Is acupuncture a possible therapy to relieve back pain and stiffness associated with Parkinson’s disease? — R.G. Answer There have been many trials that show acupuncture is superior to no treatment for various symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This is true especially for fatigue, but also in a composite score that includes stiffness. A systematic review of published studies found that “acupuncture has significant positive effects.” Other studies have shown that sham acupuncture, where random areas of the body were needled, was also effective in treating symptoms. This has led some skeptical authors to conclude that acupuncture is a placebo effect: The treatment convinces people that they are getting better, so they do feel better. However, if acupuncture were completely harmless and improved symptoms, I would recommend it to people who were interested. Acupuncture is mostly, but not entirely, harmless. Adverse events are not common with acupuncture, but they do happen. Minor adverse effects happen in about 9% of cases. Serious adverse events such as pneumothorax (sometimes called a collapsed lung) and nerve damage are occasionally reported.
Medical hierarchy Dear Dr. Roach I recently read in a magazine that it would be better to contact a registered nurse over a physician assistant for medical questions. I was surprised. Just what is the hierarchy below a doctor? How about a nurse practitioner? — P.H. Answer I don’t look at doctors, nurses and physician assistants as being in a strict hierarchy, but as important members of a team, whose job is to provide care. All of us on a team have different strengths and different knowledge. There are many parts of a nurse’s role that I (like the vast majority of doctors) am unquali-
fied to perform, and any hospital (and many doctor’s offices, including mine) would descend into chaos within hours without nurses. Individual offices have different ways of answering patient’s questions by phone. In some offices, the doctor answers it directly, but in others, the nurse or PA might. Both have knowledge and expertise to do so, and can contact other members of the team if necessary. Both PAs and RNs are trained and skilled professionals. Nurse practitioners are clinicians. They act in nearly all ways as a doctor does with their patients. Most NPs I have known have specialized areas of knowledge. In my first faculty position at the University of Chicago, the NPs there had near-encyclopedic knowledge of gynecologic care of healthy women, and not only did they teach me a great deal, they were a valued resource when I had questions about well-woman care or common gynecologic issues. My NP colleagues at Cornell have great expertise in care of diabetes, and I frequently solicit their advice; I am also delighted to answer questions my NP colleagues have of me in other areas. Years of practicing together has led to a mutual respect for each other’s strengths. However, NPs are not physicians and generally do not perform surgery as a gynecologist does, nor usually take care of complex cases of Type 1 diabetes with insulin pumps, for example. It’s important for all of us clinicians not to exceed our level of competence, and to recognize when we need help and to make appropriate consultations. 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. © 2021 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved
The 2021 C-Class Sedan
Live the Moment. Drive the Future.
Build your deal during the Certified Pre-Owned Sales Event.
1 6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L
OC TOBER 31, 2021
Restaurant Guide Celebr
ating 28 YEA in Busin RS e ss!
PIZZA, PASTA & MORE!
Dine-In • Take-Out • Delivery • Catering
“One Bite and We Gotcha!” HONEY TASTING M-F 2PM-4PM
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$
50
2 large 2-topping pizzas NUMERO UNO 661-259-3895 With this coupon. One coupon per household. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. SIGNAL COUPON Expires 11-30-21
FREE order of Romano Bread Puffs with purchase of a large Specialty Pizza NUMERO UNO 661-259-3895
With this coupon. One coupon per household. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. SIGNAL COUPON Expires 11-30-21
661-259-3895
26111 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita Sun - Thur. 11am-8:30pm - Fri & Sat 11am-9pm numerounosantaclarita.com
Come Visit Our Honey Store This is a great time to stock up on honey … it never goes bad! 3176 Honey Lane, Fillmore, CA 93015
LUNCH SPECIALS
Open 7 days a week - Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm • Sat/Sun 9am-5pm
11am-4pm • Dine In Only
Shop Our e-Store at: www.bennetthoney.com 805-521-1375
1) Individual Cheese Pizza...............................................$4.50 2) Italian Feast For One..................................................$10.25 Slice of Cheese Pizza, Spaghetti, Garlic Bread and a dinner salad.
3) Soup and Dinner Salad ..................................................$8.25 4) Individual One Topping Pizza and Dinner Salad ........$9.95 5) Spaghetti & Dinner Salad ............................................$10.25 6) Full Lasagna & Dinner Salad ....................................$11.50 7) Meatball Sub, Italian Link Sub, or Deli Sandwich .......$10.50
$10 OFF
Purchase of $50 or more
Includes Dinner salad
$20 OFF
Purchase of $100 or more
Valid in store only. Coupon not valid with wholesale pricing, sale items or any other offer or coupons. Offer does not include Manuka Honey or any of the candies. Limit one coupon per household. Must present coupon to cashier at the time of purchase. Exp 11-30-21
8) Italian Feast for two ....................................... $17.75
Small Cheese Pizza, Two Orders of Spaghetti, and Two Dinner Salads
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Voted “Best Of” Most Romantic Restaurant 8 years in a row by Signal Readers
STORE COUPON
L CHÊNE e French Cuisine
15% OFF
Please present this coupon to the host upon arrival and receive 15% discount on Dinner Sunday through Thursday Excludes tax & gratuity. Not valid with other offers, holidays or special events
We missed you!
Come by and experience a little taste of France. For menus and prices, please visit our website.
“Join our mailing list at lechene.com to receive $10.00 off - first dinner.” Open 7 Days for Dinner and Sunday Brunch
3 Banquet Room and Garden make us the ideal location for weddings, anniversaries, and other special events.
(661) 251-4315 | lechene.com
12625 Sierra Highway Santa Clarita, CA 91390
Sunday Brunch
11 am-3 pm Now offering Sunday Brunch Bottomless Champagne!
O C TO B E R 31, 2021
S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7
Spend $35 and Get $5 OFF! *not to be combined with any other offers Expires 11-15-21 Open 7 days - 7am - 9pm
661-259-7886
25861 Railroad Ave. • Santa Clarita 91350
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Gift Certificates available
Thank you Santa Clarita for voting us the best Vietnamese Restaurant in SCV. It is our pleasure serving you.
Pho Sure
Santa Clarita’s Favorite!
So Much More Than Pho Dine-in or Take out
(661) 257-3888
23876 Copper Hill Dr. • Valencia, CA 91354 VOTED FAVORITE THAI RESTAURANT IN SANTA CLARITA!
23328 Valencia Blvd. Next to Margaritas Grill Near 99 cent store
661-253-FOOD 661-253-3663
www.thaidishes-scv.com
Now Open For Dine-In, Pickup, Drive Thru
Find our menu on Google Drive thru open until 12 AM
18645 Soledad Cyn Rd (in Library Shopping Center)
(661) 252-3412
Open Daily 6:30am - 11pm
FAST ONLINE ORDERING!
$5 OFF
Lunch 11am-3pm Dinner 5pm-9pm Sat.&Sun. 12pm-9pm
Any Order
of $25 or more, before tax, 7-days wk
*NOT VALID WITH LUNCH SPECIALS AND CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS
23328 VALENCIA BLVD
661-253 3663
EXP. 11-28-21
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THINGSTODO
Indian Wells (left) Quail Lodge (right). PHOTO COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA
GOLF
Continued from page 4
Stadium Course at PGA West
Walk in the footsteps of golf legends on this course, ranked among the best courses in the world. Home
of the Desert Classic Golf Tournament, this par-72 course was designed by Pete Dye.
Mountain Course at La Quinta
Nestled at the base of the picturesque Santa Rosa Mountains, this course is famed for its Pete Dye de-
sign, playability and stunning visuals. This ultra-challenging course features pot bunkers, rock formations, elevations of tee boxes and well-bunkered greens.
Jack Nicklaus Course at PGA West
This course offers a challenging desert layout. Long hitters will appreciate the opportunity for power off the tee, while elevated greens require you to literally raise your game to another level. The dramatic beauty of this course can make you forget this is one of the most highly regarded courses in the Palm Springs area.
Greg Norman Course at PGA West
Carved from an ancient ocean, this Greg Norman-created course captures the essence of the outback. This challenging design features an abundance of sand, pockets of wildflowers, nine lakes and panoramic vistas.
Dunes Course at La Quinta
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This 72-par course, designed by Pete Dye, offers traditional rolling-links style golf with Scottish and Irish flair, characterized by rolling mounds, manicured fairways and thick rough. Length, strength and finesse are key to scoring on this course, which has hosted the PGA Club Professional Championship and the Californian State Open.
Indian Wells Golf Resort
44-500 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells Info www.indianwellsgolfresort.com This 36-hole Palm Springs golf resort features a 53,000-square-foot clubhouse and is one of the few prop-
erties to have two courses ranked in the Top 25 “Best Municipal Courses in the United States” by Golfweek Magazine. The Celebrity Course and Players Course, known as “Beauty and the Beast,” have hosted Golf Channel’s “Big Break” and the PGA’s “Skins Game.” Both courses are located within walking distance from four luxury hotels. Tee times $40 to $120.
Quail Lodge Golf Club
8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel-By-The-Sea Info www.quaillodge.com/golf The 18-hole championship golf course at Carmel’s family-friendly Quail Lodge was designed by Robert Muir Graves in 1964 and later refined by Todd Eckenrode. It features shortgrass areas that surround the greens for more shot options, as well as grass swales that come into play on seven holes. There’s also an on-site academy for those duffers who want to polish golf skills with the aid of a pro. Reviews of this Monterey Peninsula golf course say the 6,500-yard, par 71 Carmel Valley golf course “is perfect for the walking golfer of all ages and skill, offering just enough bite to make it interesting.” You don’t have to stay at the lodge to play the course. Online reservations are available for advance tee times with costs ranging from $120 to $170.
O C TO B E R 31, 2021
HOME
Inspiring storage solutions
T
here’s no such thing as too much storage space. And that goes double for thoughtfully designed, carefully constructed cabinets, closets, shelves and other home stowage solutions. “The most successful built-in storage answers a specific need,” notes Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. “It might be micro scale, like a drawer to store and charge electronic devices, or a macro project, such as outfitting an entire mudroom, but its usefulness, durability and aesthetics will depend on how good the planning, materials and execution are. Hardwood’s versatility, strength, and good looks make it an ideal starting point when considering most home storage problems.” Here are six inspiring examples of what Linda is talking about.
In-drawer charging station
Smart phones, tablets, and other personal electronic devices, along with their tangle-prone power cords, are a perennial source of clutter. A dedicated drawer equipped with a charging outlet, as shown in this Chappaqua, New York custom kitchen by Studio Dearborn, gets the gadgets out of the way-and looking great against the blond wood millwork-while they power up.
Pots and pan drawers and pullouts
Studio Dearborn tackles an even bigger problem-how to keep pots, pans, and other culinary equipment close to a cooktop without creating a jumble-in this Sleepy Hollow, New York custom kitchen. A deep center drawer holding bulky saucepans is flanked by a pair of vertical pullouts for smaller utensils and bottles of cooking oil, a practical and elegant solution.
Kitchen island storage
A custom kitchen in Chicago by 210 Design House featuring Plain & Fancy cabinetry makes exemplary use of the center island’s inherent storage possibilities. Open shelves and deep cubbies not only help break up a visually massive piece of solid-walnut furniture but also provide neat pigeonholes
SELLING
S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 9
SANTA CLARITA MARTIN REALTY GROUP
PHOTO CREDIT ADAM KANE MACCHIA
for magazines and attractive display space for silverware, ceramics, and wickerwork.
Under-stair storage
The wedge-shape void beneath a staircase is often underutilized real estate in multilevel residences. Specht Architects makes the most of this no-man’s-land in a tiny New York loft with a triangle of custom builtin cupboards and drawers. Exquisitely calibrated to use the maximum available space, the storage wall also creates an almost sculptural work of decorative design.
SANTA CLARITA’S PREMIER TEAM
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Built-in wine storage
The space at the top of a staircase can be almost as problematic as the underside. In remodeling an Omaha, Nebraska house, Steven Ginn Architects and designer Marilyn Offut use custom hardwood shelving, cabinets, and wine-storage system to create a welcoming and practical cellar in what otherwise could be a wasted nook.
Mud room built-ins
Making the most of this Denver, Colorado mudroom’s generous dimensions, Terra Firma Custom Homes has provided separate alder cubbies for each member of a family. While all share a bench for taking off boots, there are individual under-seat recesses for storing damp footwear, hooks for outdoor clothing, and wiremesh-fronted lockers for personal items. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about built-in storage with American hardwoods. (NewsUSA)
CRAIG MARTIN DRE # 01939259
661-466-HOME CraigMartinHomes.com
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GARDENING
A Santa Clarita gardening guide for November By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer
H
ere comes cooler weather and the holiday season. November landscapes not only offer plenty of gardening jobs to do, but this is a perfect month to take a little time out to relax in the garden. But first, I will repeat myself about how your landscape can help defend your home. As we have once again experienced, you can never be too prepared for wildfires. Keep your landscape pruned back and clean of blowing refuse to avoid breeding pests and building up material that could ignite in a wildfire. After decades living in Santa Clarita I just had my first chance to experience the stress of running before a wildfire — even in a built-up area. No one is immune! Designing and maintaining a fire-conscious landscape can make your home more beautiful, more fun and productive — and safer! If you haven’t already done so, make sure you set back your irrigation controllers. The days are short,
YOUNG ONIONS most plants are going dormant or semi-dormant and temperatures are cooling. Your garden needs much less water than it did in the summer. Check out all the fun new introductions in the growing world and con-
FLOWERKISSER™
ASPARAGUS PEA PLANT sider experimenting with some plant varieties you’ve never grown. Try FlowerKisser™ After Midnight English Lavender or a new variety of the California Monardella villosa: Coyote Mint ‘Russian River’. Check out lots more at your favorite garden center and page through the new seed and plant catalogs online or in print. Consider developing an unused piece of your property or renovating an existing part of the garden. November is a perfect time of the year to plan and build in your landscape design. The weather is cooler for working and professional help is more readily available than during the spring rush. Start planting hardy plants and fill bare areas with native flower seed. Scatter wildflower seeds just before predicted rains so they will get a good start before the wildlife gobbles them up. Continue to plant onion and garlic sets and other cool season crops like peas, cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard and Chinese greens. Root crops like beets, radishes and carrots can be seeded now, too. Feed fish in ponds with winter food when water reaches 60 degrees and stop feeding them altogether when water temperatures fall below 50. Re-
move delicate water plants to a frostfree location. We haven’t had any real icy cold nights for the last few years, but they have been normal to our area in the past, so don’t get lulled by recent warmth. Spread a layer of mulch over gardens to protect roots from cold nights and to hold in moisture from rain and irrigation. Start pruning and trimming woody plants and roses so they are in good shape to start new growth by the end of the winter. This is a good time of year to design replacements for water-thirsty lawns with more decorative, easier-care drought-resistant gardens. You could also add vegetable or herb gardens, permeable paving for play, sports or pets, or useful areas like patios, or sport courts. Have fun decorating your landscape for the holidays, but keep safety in mind at all times. The holidays can be ideal times to put the garden to work for outdoor barbecues, visiting family or just a place to sneak out for a little rest and relaxation when stress starts to build up. Let your garden pay you back for all the work you’ve put into it over the year.
O C TO B E R 31, 2021
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
Stir up some gooey goop for Halloween fun paint or food coloring. Mix colors, use just one, or don’t add any color at all and leave it white. We usually make our batches purple.
By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer
K
ids everywhere love just about anything that’s gooey, slithery and slimy. That’s probably why this recipe for “gooey goop” is such a crowd pleaser when you get together with friends, especially at a Halloween party. It’s quick, easy and creates lots of laughter. What could be better?
2. In the smaller bowl, stir together the cup of warm water and borax powder until almost dissolved. Don’t worry if you can’t get all of the little clumps to disappear completely.
Here’s what you’ll need: 8 ounce bottle of white household glue such as Elmer’s 8 ounces water Poster paint or food coloring (optional) Small mixing bowl Large mixing bowl 1 cup warm water 1 1/2 teaspoons borax powder
Henry Bransford and his sister Rose measure, pour and get their hands in the gooey-goop surprise!
Here’s the fun:
1. Squeeze the entire bottle of glue into a big bowl. Then fill the emp-
ty 8-ounce glue bottle with water and add to the glue. Stir a lot while adding several drops of poster
3. Gather your family or friends together for this step! Slowly, and stirring constantly, pour the borax mixture into the glue mixture. Swirl the results with your hands and in seconds goop will form into gooey globs as it oozes from your slippery grasp. Pick it up, knead it, squeeze it and enjoy playing with it. NOTE Keep the gooey goop away from carpets and upholstered furniture. If it gets on your clothing, wash it out quickly with soap and water. TIP While you are making the recipe, make up other names for the concoction. How about “Sublime Slime,” “Slithery Concoction” or “Ectoplasmic Ick”? 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
O C TO B E R 31, 2021
CROSSWORD TIME
O C TO B E R 31, 2021
Opinion
S U N D AY S I G N A L · 2 3
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
We Need Contrary Opinions I read with part amusement, part sadness the letter to the editor by Edward Strawser (Oct. 26) in which he lamented the “90% Republican biased” editorials and cartoons “ALWAYS mocking our current president (and definitely not even funny).” He was upset that The Signal is, in his opinion, biased and not representative of the diverse community we call home. One of the primary roles of the free press is to challenge and even agitate the people in power. Sometimes that’s done with an opinion contrary to your own. We have seen social media giants Facebook and Twitter refuse to allow former President Donald Trump the freedom to post anything at all. For our “protection,” they say. Well, I don’t need protection from views contrary to my own. I have the intelligence and education to think and critically evaluate the validity of something. However, I can only do that when I’m allowed to see all points of view and have exposure to the facts, unencumbered by the filter of a “benevolent agent” trying to shelter me from upsetting ideas. If The Signal was trying to suppress liberal viewpoints, they could have deleted Edward’s email. They didn’t do what Twitter and Facebook do. They welcome contrariness. We all should be open to differing opinions and insist that they be protected. All types of speech, political commentary and ideas should be heard and expressed, no matter how ugly or upsetting they are. Edward should be grateful that there is a forum to see views different from his own. I’m sure if he wanted to read a paper with an overwhelming left-leaning view, there are tons of media outlets locally and nationally. I’m kind of glad that we have a local paper that is diverse and independent and prints opposing viewpoints. Art Tom Valencia
Thanks to a Great Teacher Thank you, Jody Liss Monteleone, for your letter appearing in the Signal on Friday, Oct. 22 , honoring Chris Mansfield. It brought many memories to me and my daughter Christa Whitmire Kish who was a student in Mr. Mansfield’s classes of algebra/trigonometry and calculus at Hart High School. Chris was very encouraging and supportive. So what is Christa doing today? She is teaching accelerated eighth-grade math for a school district in Southern California. Thank you so much, Chris! Judy Whitmire Santa Clarita Submit a Letter to the Editor
Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv.com. Mail to: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 25060 Avenue Stanford, Suite 141, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
E T H I C A L LY S P E A K I N G
Why We Don’t Trust Each Other By David Hegg
W
hile much attention is focused on America’s rising financial deficit, there may be an even more troubling social trend on the rise. According to a recent AP-GfK poll, only one-third of our neighbors think we can be trusted. The fact that we live in an increasingly suspicious society isn’t really news to most of us. We’ve all been taken in by the half-truths and blatant untruths that regularly flow from both Madison and Pennsylvania avenues. But it seems even more insidious when we realize we have good reason not to trust the each other. Apparently, we have a pervasive problem with our individual ethics. The research speaks to a falling off of what is termed “societal trust.” This refers to the common tendency to trust those around us to do the right thing, mean what they say, and keep their commitments. It also assumes that in a given situation, honesty will rule, and the good of the many will drive personal action. In practical terms it means we don’t have to lock our cars when we go into the store, can leave our iPad to reserve a table at Starbucks while ordering our drink, and assume that a briefcase left at the restaurant where we ate lunch will be kept safely until we return to retrieve it. And if you winced at any of those examples, you’re probably part of the 66% who increasingly believe it is unwise to trust people. The problems that flow from a general lack of trust are many. Without trust there can be no profitable negotiation, no assumption that directives will be carried out, and no certainty that production and efficiency will happen. Without trust there can be no true fiduciary responsibility, and every enterprise that depends on our entrusting something to them will ultimately be degraded. And it goes without saying that an erosion of common, societal trust will leave us even more isolated from one another than we already are. In every human society relationship is essential. You can’t live without it. Yet, every healthy relationship springs from the soil of trust. Think about it. Businesses flourish
because of relationships built on trust, as do sports teams and families. Marriages that provide long-term joy and safety are trust-dependent and trust-driven. It is not an overstatement to say that trust is to relationship what oxygen is to life. Without it we die. But if we dig down deeper we’ll find that trust is not an end in itself. It rises from something even more fundamental. Trust is the flower that grows on the stem of a radically consistent way of life. You can only trust what you can safely predict when it comes to the way another person will think and act. And this kind of consistency will be evidence that the trustworthy person has, at his or her core, an inviolable belief system composed of propositional truths to which they have made a purposeful commitment. In other words, a worldview that shapes who they are, and who you may safely trust them to be. They are people who possess, and are possessed by, conviction. The problem we are facing is not merely a diminishing level of societal trust. It is much graver than that. What we are seeing is a pervasive dismantling of the very concepts of right and wrong. Absolute truth has suddenly become passé while pragmatism and relativism have become fashionable. But these can never provide a solid foundation for belief, much less action. And so we watch as America leaves its intellectual and ethical moorings in order to sail on the sea of individualism and tolerance run amok. It’s time to reconsider our tendency to throw away traditional values. It’s time to reconstitute our fundamental American belief that we are one nation under God, and that God’s Word still provides the best option for creating and maintaining an ethical society that desires to be the best hope of the world. It’s time to recover our convictions. It’s time to become people our clients, neighbors and children can trust. It’s time. Trust me. Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.