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SPRING DECORATING

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A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES 4 Rebuilding the Dagger Flat Trail 5 Save Water While It’s Still Easy To Do 6 Spring Decorating 7 Easter Family Fun FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8 The Cube: Ice, Entertainment and More SENIOR LIVING 9 The Intersection of Social Isolation and Loneliness ENTERTAINMENT 10 ‘Julia’ is ‘Deliciously Entertaining’ FOOD 11 A Hoppy Easter Cake GARDENING 13 Jane Gates: Spring Tips HOLIDAY 14 Michele Makes Easter Brunch 15 Easter Egg Decorating Tips 16 Decorating Fun for the Table 19 Passover: The Celebration of Freedom and Hope HEALTH 17 Does Your Child Have Asthma? KIDS & FAMILY 21 Donna’s Day: Easter Egg ‘Egg Plant’ Junior Whirl • Did You Know PUZZLES OPINION David Hegg

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4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

A P R I L10, 2022

N E W S F E AT U R E

Rebuilding the Dagger Flat Trail … Again

Native Footpath Rises from the Sand Fire Ashes with Help from Community Hiking Group and Tataviam Band of Mission Indians By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

n July 22, 2016, the Santa Clarita Community Hiking Club took an inaugural hike on the newly completed Dagger Flat Trail — previously a native Tataviam footpath — that had been lovingly restored by Steve Ritchie, Dave Pulsifer, Linda Castro and Dianne Hellrigel. The quartet, assisted by other volunteers, had spent the better part of four years reconstructing a trail abandoned in the 1930s. A parking lot was built at the trailhead and Boston Scientific donated a sturdy picnic table.

Sand Fire

On that hot July day, hours after the last members of the hiking club had returned to their vehicles and driven home, the Sand Fire roared through the area, consuming everything in its path. The Dagger Flat Trail and its thousands of hours of hard work; the picnic table; and more than $25,000 in tools, supplies and wheelbarrows used in the construction were gone, destroyed by the fire’s fury. “It burned the night of the day we finished the trail,” said Hellrigel, Community Hiking Club executive director. “It was heartbreaking.” The fire started after 2 p.m. on July 22, 2016, near the intersection of Soledad Canyon Road and Sand Canyon Road. By 10 p.m., less than eight hours after it was reported, the fire had burned more than 3,300 acres. It wasn’t until Aug. 3, 2016 that the fire was 100% contained after burning 41,432 acres, 18 homes and costing one man his life.

History of Dagger Flat

In the years before, Dagger Flat was a trail in the Angeles National Forest. It was a Tataviam footpath used by the indigenous people of the SCV as a hunting and gathering trail. The trail, on the east side of Santa Clarita, is located just above Canyon Country. Hundreds of years ago the Tataviam knew the area to be rich with wildlife and wild foods. In 1930, the Angeles Civilian Con-

From left: Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Tribal Senator Jesus Alvarez, his sister Lucia Alfaro and friend Jim Magana assist in the reconstruction of the Dagger Flat Trail, an ancient Tataviam footpath. PHOTO COURTESY DIANNE HELLRIGEL

servation Corps, in coordination with the Angeles National Forest, resurrected the trail and named it Dagger Flat. It was the only trail in the western/northern portion of the forest at the time. However, the few farmers and ranchers in the area had no interest in the trail and it was soon forgotten.

Finding Dagger Flat

Hellrigel had read about the trail and was interested in finding where it was located. In 2012, using an old Forest Service map from 1930, Pulsifer and Hellrigel went searching the hills above Sand Canyon. As Pulsifer and Hellrigel hiked through the thick chaparral, they found portions of the trail here and there, but much of the mapping process was done at ground level. “We were on our hands and knees for 2.7 miles and we encountered more than one rattlesnake along the way,” Hellrigel said. Ritchie and Castro soon signed on to the effort along with a cadre of other part-time volunteers. Enough of a trail existed that a ribbon cutting for the trail was held Sept. 7, 2014. Nearly 40 people attended the ceremony, including local officials and other political representatives.

Construction continued on the trail, installing railroad ties and other improvements until the entire 2.7 miles was deemed “complete” on July 22, 2016.

Rebuilding Dagger Flat

After the devastation of the Sand Fire, the area where the Dagger Flat trail was located was closed to the public for several years. “I wanted to go back to the trail but the Forest Service wouldn’t allow it because the conditions were still dangerous,” Hellrigel said. “The access road to the trail had fallen in, as well. It took them a long time to fix it.” Hellrigel was able to start the process of rebuilding the trail in September 2021. “It was 113 degrees and we hiked the whole trail,” Hellrigel said. “There were landslides and washouts. I can’t tell you how many times I fell. We were following a GPS track of the trail and marking it with pink ribbons.” Work to repair the trail has been slow because of the pandemic. “I have about a half of a mile finished,” she said.

Enter the Tataviam

During her efforts to rebuild the trail, Hellrigel decided to involve

members of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. Jesus Alvarez is one of nine tribal senators who are responsible for the development of tribal laws under the Constitution of the Fernandeño Tataviam. The two met when Alvarez’s mother passed on Hellrigel’s card to her son after attending a meeting held in Newhall. “I found a kindred spirit in Dianne and when I learned what she was doing I wanted to help and serve,” Alvarez said. Alvarez’s grandfather was born in Newhall and he felt a connection to Hellrigel’s project. “I get to walk around and look at the soil and the sage,” he said. “There is just such a profoundness to be on the land. I feel very blessed to work with people to create this legacy. To have our hands on this trail that will live beyond us. It’s really something special. It’s a bigger picture than just me.” Hellrigel said Alvarez and members of his family recently came out to help on the trail reconstruction. “It’s so meaningful to have them be a part of this effort,” she said. To Alvarez it is important to have this historic footpath reconstructed to be used by new generations. “You have this sense of timelessness when you are walking on the trail,” he said. “We are all so busy, yet to walk through that land you have to be calm, quieted. In some places you have to put your phone away because there is no service and that helps, too.”

Dagger Flat Work Parties

Volunteers are being sought to help with the Dagger Flat reconstruction, said Hellrigel. Most work parties are held in the mornings to avoid the heat of the day and wrap up by noon. To learn more or to volunteer, visit www.meetup.com/Santa-Clarita-Com munity-Hiking-Club-Meetup-Group or email Hellrigel at zuliebear@aol. com. 

A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

Save Water While It Is Still Easy To Do The Santa Clarita Valley is currently under Stage 1 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

WHERE IS OUR WATER COMING FROM IN 2022?

f you’re like me, you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with stressful news lately, and I, for one, was really hoping we’d have a super-wet water year in California so that talk of drought would be off the table for a while. Consequently, it pains me to now pound more splinters under your fingernails. Though we have a bit more time left for more rain to come this water year, and though we’ve had more rain this year than last, we are still below average and still in a drought. It is estimated that, in California, we’d need 150% of our yearly average precipitation to fully recover from the current drought, which began in latter 2019. Last June, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Californians to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 15%. Some progress has been made, but not enough. And that, combined with continued drought, has us on the

Stage 1 encourages customers to voluntarily reduce their water use by a minimum of 10% and to participate in available rebate programs to increase wateruse efficiency. Here’s how you can help: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF REBATE PROGRAMS

ADHERE TO ALL CURRENT WATER WASTE RESTRICTIONS

REPORT WATER WASTE IF YOU SEE IT IN THE COMMUNITY

SCV Water’s supply portfolio comes from four main sources. In 2022, that looks like this: GROUNDWATER: More than a quarter (17,300 acre-feet) of our water comes from local, sustainable groundwater sources.

GROUNDWATER RECYCLED WATER IMPORTED SWP IMPORTED OTHER DRY YEAR RESERVES

IMPORTED WATER: Typically, the State Water Project provides nearly 75% of our water needs. However, in an unprecedented decision spurred by extreme drought conditions, the California Department of Water Resources announced a zero percent initial allocation from the State Water Project to SCV Water in December 2021. In early 2022, the allocation was increased to 15% due to a significant early winter storm. BANKED (STORED) WATER: We store 141,000 acre-feet of water in underground aquifers in Kern County to use in times of need, such as this year due to the zero percent State Water Project allotment. RECYCLED WATER: This is less than 1% of total supply, but there are plans for future expansion. GRAPHIC COURTESY SCV WATER

verge of even more stringent water use cutbacks. However, for the moment, we are still in Stage 1 Water Use Restrictions. Most of the SCV receives its water from Santa Clarita Valley Water, and, in a November press release, SCV Water’s General Manager Matt Stone said, “Our customers’ efforts are trending in the right direction, but we still need to work together to ramp up additional conservation across the Santa Clarita Valley, so we can achieve our voluntary target (15%). We’ve saved during past droughts, and we’re confident our customers will take this call to practice voluntary conservation to heart.” According to SCV Water Communications Manager Kathie Martin, “We are still at Stage 1, but the governor has asked all water agencies to move toward Stage 2. That will have to go through our board later this month.” So, what does being in Stage 1 Water Use Restrictions mean to you? Well, these easy-dos are: • Aim to eliminate runoff from your landscape. • Use a hose with a shutoff nozzle when washing your car. • Use a broom, not water, to sweep

your sidewalk, driveway and hardscape. • Turn off your irrigation during measurable rain (0.25 inch), and for at least 48 hours after. • Only use fountains with recirculating pumps. Easy peasy, right? So, let’s get on these while we can. And, when tighter restrictions come, which is likely, we can all do our parts there, as well. The SCV Water website, yourscv water.com, is an amazing hub of information concerning our water supply, how to conserve it, and a whole lot more. There are lots of resources there for residential customers, businesses and HOAs, including information about rebates, videos on leak investigation and fixing a leaky toilet, info on irrigation system checkups, steps to replace your water-hungry lawn, and what to plant instead. There are important, and more specific, sub-links listed at the end of this article. Beyond the recommendations for Stage 1, SCV Water offers a number of excellent water-saving tips. However, Martin emphasizes the top four of them here: “About 60% of residential water use is outdoors,” she said, “and it is estimated that more than half of that is

wasted as runoff and overspray. We need to water plants, not pavement.” So, her No. 1 water-saving tip is to, “Check your irrigation system for leaks and overspray, and adjust your timers for the minimum watering necessary.” With a recommended five-minute cycle, you can cut that down to four and save 20%. This will save runoff. Inside the home, Martin emphasizes checking for leaky faucets and toilets. “Leaks here waste large amounts of water over time. It really adds up,” she said. Martin also recommends doing only “full loads of laundry and dishes in your appliances.” This will save a lot of water over time. “Take five-minute ‘power showers,’” she said. With a little hustle, you can do all your body washing in that time and save several gallons of water each time. “We are in the midst of an historic drought,” Martin summarized, “and while SCV Water plans ahead for dry years, every gallon of water matters. We just don’t have a drop to waste. We encourage everybody to visit yourscvwater.com for a ton of resources that they can use to help us reach our savings goals.” For more information, visit yourscv water.com/drought-ready. 

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A P R I L 10, 2022

N E W S F E AT U R E

Don’t be afraid to have fun Get the look of handcrafted pottery with speckled details. GRAPHIC COURTESY MICHAELS

By Jim Walker Signal Staff Writer

hough spring is a seasonal change, it’s not really about the weather, which, locally, has been kind of erratic, swinging from rain to wind to heat and back to cool. Spring is more of a feeling, a sense of rejuvenation and rebirth, signified by easy-breezy furnishings and finally taking down the Christmas lights. Your spring décor adjustments can run from the large, such as swapping curtains and inlaws, to smaller adjustments, such as putting out pastel coasters. Poking around the internet, you will find a lot of good advice on spring décor, though some of it might be more than your energy or budget will allow, such as changing your wallpaper, or buying new spring curtains, if you didn’t already have such seasonals in storage. One large, but free suggestion is rearranging your existing furniture. You could open things up a bit and gain a new perspective. Decluttering is also cost-free, but that should have been done during your spring cleaning. Switching out your darker furniture pillows for those with a spring feel is recommended by many pros, as is replacing “heavier” table arrangements with the pastel colors of artificial or fresh flowers, and bringing in green with potted plants. A spring wreath on the door and/or wall welcomes guests to the season. If you are clever enough and dedicated enough, you can introduce an overall theme to your spring décor, from table settings to shelves to vases and lamps and pillows — knowing that lighter colors and textures are a hallmark of the season. But, if you find yourself stumped and clueless as to the specifics of that, why not visit your local décor store? Here you can get good advice, motivation and see some great examples.

Herein, we get some expert advice from the Michaels company’s Andrea Manning, Senior Director, Trend, Design and Packaging. First off, you might wonder what “feeling” most people want to elicit from their spring décor, and what are the perennial go-tos in that. “Natural materials, textures and neutral colors continue to be important,” Manning said. “But neutrals are warming up into more mushrooms, browns and creams. People are also ready to add in fun! They are layering in pops of color, handmade touches, florals, pattern mixing and unique or nostalgic pieces.” But you might also wonder what trends are particularly popular this spring. In that, Manning offers three categories: colors, fabrics and individual items. “Colors include lavender, purples, shades of blue and warm neutrals, such as creams, ginger, wild mushroom and browns. Pinks are also warming up and going more coral.” “When it comes to fabrics,” Manning said, “handmade and homespun are popular, as are linen and textured cottons.” She said that touches of spring this year include items such as pottery, baskets, pressed floral art, ferns and greenery. In regard to the trends she already mentioned, Manning noted that, for this spring, Michaels is emphasizing colors of lavender, water blues and warm neutrals. In addition to the linen and textured cottons, Michaels is featuring madras plaid and seersucker. In addition to the pottery, florals and greenery, Michaels is featuring imperfect ceramics and textured, functional storage pieces. “Our collections this spring include Into the Garden, Spring Clean, French Chateau and Very Berry,” Manning said. Manning also offered advice on some dos and don’ts for your spring décor. “Do layer in your

hand-made, heirloom and nostalgic pieces to personalize your spring, and mix and match color and patterns,” she said. “Do not be afraid to have fun or be too minimal. Mix in pops of color, patterns and textures.” For those on a budget, Manning suggests you, “Upcycle pieces you have, and DIY them to make them new again!” In summary, Manning said. “Do not be afraid to have fun with your spring decor! Layer in pops of color, bring the outdoors in with florals and greenery, mix and match patterns and textures to give your neutrals base and your own unique refresh for spring.” For more information visit www.michaels. com. 

Mix seersucker stripes and plaids —a perfect pairing for spring.

A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

Easter Family Dark and light moss.

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

Rocks.

aster bunnies, Easter egg hunts and Peeps marshmallow chicks are iconic Easter traditions. It’s time to enjoy family Easter fun in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Plastic Easter eggs. To assemble: 1. Add foam block in the base of the lantern to create dimension.

Castaic Spring Jubilee

2. Then place the moss over and around the foam to create an outdoor scene.

Date Thursday, April 14 Time 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Location Castaic Regional Sports Complex, 31230 N. Castaic Road, Castaic 91384. Enjoy fun activities including a marionette show, Easter egg hunt and arts and crafts for the whole family.

3. Put plastic Easter eggs, rocks and Peeps Chicks on top of the moss and position them in whimsical locations, as if the Chicks are searching for the Easter eggs.

Eggstravaganza

Date Saturday, April 16 Time 10 a.m. Location Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350. Limited parking. Eggstravaganza, the family fun egg hunt hosted by the city of Santa Clarita, returns this year to Central Park in Saugus. The Santa Clarita Eggstravaganza will hold the family-friendly free egg hunt for children ages 1 to 10. Grab your basket and bring a donation of non-perishable or canned food items to donate to the Santa Clarita Food Pantry. The “Egg Scramble” begins promptly at 10 a.m. The park will be divided into different areas by age.

Splash-and-Dash Egg Hunt

Date Saturday, April 16 Time 10 a.m. Location Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, 20850 Centre Pointe Parkway Santa Clarita 91351. Limited parking. Free for children ages 3 to 10. Parents are encouraged to search for eggs with their little ones. Put on your swimsuit and splash into the waterslide pool at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center for an egg hunt like no other. Participants will be let into the pool in groups of 200. Lifejackets are available for unsure swimmers at no cost. Donations of canned goods for the Santa Clarita Food Pantry encouraged.

Prancers Easter Village

Date Through April 24 Time Monday, Thursday, Friday noon to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Location 3075 Johnson Drive, Ventura 93003 Info Admission is $10. Free parking. www. prancersfarm.com. The family fun includes an Easter egg hunt, egg painting, pony rides, bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting, food trucks and more. Families are invited to Prancers Easter Village

now through April 24 (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The fun includes an Easter egg hunt, Easter bunny photos, pony rides, bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting, food trucks and more. Certain activities are only available on the weekends. Children under 2 are free.

Blessing of the Animals

Date Saturday, April 16 Time Entertainment Noon to 4 p.m. Blessing 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Line for the Blessing begins at 1 p.m. in front of the Pico House. Location El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles 90012 A favorite family Easter activity is the Blessing of the Animals in downtown Los Angeles. The Blessing of the Animals is an annual tradition that has been celebrated in L.A. since 1930. Shut down because of COVID-19 for the past two years, this year the Blessing returns. Families are invited to bring their pets to be blessed. The festivities also include live musical entertainment, food and fun. Archbishop Jose Gomez will offer a blessing to all animals present. There are likely to be street closures in effect. For more information visit olveraevents.com/blessing-of-animals-olvera-street.

Family Easter Craft Project

What could be more whimsical for your Easter table centerpiece than a Peeps Easter egg hunt diorama? This is a fun, family project suitable for all ages. For your diorama you will need: Peeps Marshmallow Chicks, use any color and as many as you want. Clear/glass lantern. Foam block.

4. Display your diorama on the Easter dining table for people to enjoy. For more information visit www.peepsbrand.com/ recipes/peeps-easter-egg-hunt-diorama.

Peeps Rainbow Cupcakes

Everyone loves cupcakes. To make a special cupcake sfor Easter add a rainbow assortment of Peeps Marshmallow Chicks to your dessert table. It’s an easy and fun way to involve the kids in baking and bringing a splash of color to your dessert table. Directions: Gather Peeps of every color and snip apart the chicks so there is one for each cupcake. This will allow you to easily place different Chick colors on the cupcakes. Buy colorful cupcake liner cups that match the color of your peeps. Make several flavors of cupcakes, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla, or any of your favorite flavors. Carefully prepare your favorite cake mix following the recipe on the package. Place cupcake liners in the muffin cups and divide batter evenly into muffin cups and bake according to the package directions. Cool completely before decorating. Top with vanilla frosting and immediately top with Peeps Chicks before the frosting dries. Everyone in the family can pick their favorite color of Peeps and favorite flavor of cupcake.

Plant Flowers

Easter is the season of rebirth. Give each child a packet of wildflower seeds and have them scatter them in a garden bed and water. Teach children how to water and weed the garden and enjoy the flowers when they bloom. Flowers are important in the cycle of life as they help the pollinators that are important to our food supply survive. You can also give each child a small pot and some flower seeds to plant for an indoor garden. Make sure your pots have water and sun. 

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A P R I L 10, 2022

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

The Cube: Ice, Entertainment and So Much More! By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

hen The Cube – Ice and Entertainment Center powered by FivePoint | Valencia opened to the public nearly one year ago, it instantly became a facility that attracted visitors from throughout Southern California. While The Cube does serve as the home for a number of ice sports and programs, including figure skating and hockey teams such as the SC Flyers, West Ranch Hockey Club and UCLA Bruins, it is also a place that can serve a variety of community purposes. Over the past year, much work has been done to establish and grow The Cube’s meetings and banquets program, which caters to the professional needs of organizations in Santa Clarita. Whether your group is interested in ice skating as a networking activity or you just need space for your company-wide staff meeting, The Cube offers the amenities and flexibility you won’t find at other off-site locations. Your organization can reserve one of the many

private meeting or event areas at The Cube, which can accommodate 10 to 40 individuals in a traditional meeting space or up to 100 with a non-traditional setup. These areas are available to rent between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., seven days a week. If you do have a desire to have an ice skating break for your attendees, you can build private ice time into your schedule. While you are at The Cube, be sure to stop by The Grille for some of the best food you will find anywhere. Open weekdays in the afternoon and evenings – and all day on the weekends – The Grille at

Caring. Compassionate. Committed.

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The Cube offers an array of breakfast foods, sandwiches, pizza, adult beverages and more. The best part is that The Grille is open to any and all visitors, meaning you can stop in for a bite to eat whenever you’d like. As the National Hockey League’s season comes to a close and the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, The Grille is the perfect place to cheer on the LA Kings as they push for another championship. Grab your coworkers and friends and head to The Cube for a fun night out watching your favorite team. Are you looking for a unique venue for an anniversary celebration, graduation party or other reception for your family? The Cube has you covered with a combination of indoor/outdoor spaces that create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere with picturesque views of the Santa Clarita Valley. The Cube truly is an Ice and Entertainment Center that provides opportunities for all residents in Santa Clarita. I encourage you to learn more about everything The Cube has to offer by visiting TheCubeSantaClarita.com.

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. 

A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

SENIORLIVING

The Intersection of Social Isolation and Loneliness

hese past couple of years have been challenging in lots of ways and many people, particularly older adults, have felt the weight and impact of loneliness and social isolation. This has been especially true when staying home and sheltering in place has been recommended to increase safety. With less contact with others, it may be difficult for older adults to maintain the relationships that are so important to mental, as well as physical, well-being. In fact, loneliness has been found to lead to health risks, such as: • Depression • Poor sleep • Anxiety • Hypertension • Cognitive decline • Heart disease and stroke

It becomes incredibly important to understand these effects and impacts of loneliness and social isolation. You might think the two concepts are very similar, if not identical, but they have important distinctions. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone and social isolation is the lack of social contacts. A person can feel alone, even if they have a wide social circle and, on the flip side, it’s possible for someone to not have many social connections yet not feel alone. A state of loneliness or social isolation can have a major effect on one’s sense of wellness and overall health. But what is the impact when both are present? Researchers from UnitedHealthcare and OptumLabs, in conjunction with AARP Services Inc., conducted and published a study in 2021 to discover how the combination affected latelife health outcomes. With a random sampling of Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan members, researchers collected survey data measuring

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Call today 661.302.4483 to schedule your FREE hearing consultation and screening with our Exact Match Hearing Process™ groups who were lonely only, socially isolated only, both lonely and socially isolated or neither. Those who were both lonely and socially isolated were more likely to be older, with a lower quality of life and greater medical needs and costs. They also had significantly higher rates of ER and inpatient admissions. Keeping interventions in mind for both conditions could have a big impact on seniors’ overall health. For social isolation it might be things like volunteerism, physical activity and engaging in a community, while for loneliness it might make sense to focus on personal strengths such as defining one’s purpose and building social awareness skills. AARP and the Global Council on Brain Health recently published a guide, “Boosters for Joy: A Guide on Ways to Connect,” that offers a wide range of helpful resources for boosting social connections. “The pandemic has brought issues of loneliness and social isolation to the fore and should spark a national conversation,” said Dr. Erica Schwartz, M.D., president of Insurance Solutions at UnitedHealthcare. “The need to feel connected and to be connected is even more critical as we face continued disruption and disconnectedness in our daily lives.” To learn more about the study from UnitedHealthcare, OptumLabs and AARP Services Inc., visit bit.ly/ 3NS6q1u. For more information on how to help get connected if you’re feeling socially isolated, visit connect2affect.org. (BPT) 

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A P R I L10, 2022

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

‘Julia’ is Like a ‘Freshly Baked … Deliciously Entertaining Dish’

val footage of Child in the TV kitchen — and yet the HBO Max limited bio-series “Julia” feels like a freshly ‘Julia’ baked, lovingly prepared and deli(out of four) ciously entertaining dish, focusing on Thursdays on HBO Max. the first season of Child’s television show. With Sarah Lancashire deliverhe TV and streaming menu ing a robust, wickedly funny, powerin the 21st century has ful, nomination-worthy performance been loaded with cooking as Julia, and a stellar supporting cast shows, from “Top Chef ” including the wonderfully precise to “Hell’s Kitchen” to “Good Eats” David Hyde Pierce as Julia’s husto “Cupcake Wars” to “Iron Chef ” band, Paul; Bebe Neuwirth as her best to “Cooked With Cannabis” to “Is It friend, Avis DeVoto, and Fiona GlasCake?” and on and on it goes, and cott as her clever and loyal book ediall those chefs and programs owe a tor, Judith Jones, it’s almost too easy to eatres • Santa Clarita gratitude Signalto Julia adsource@exhibitorads.com debt of historical call this “comfort food viewing,” but Child, the Babe Ruth — or should p. 888.737.2812 f. 203.438.1206 5.9” we’re saying it anyway, because that’s we say the Babe Didrikson Zaharias exactly what we’re getting here. PHOTO CREDIT IMDB April date: Sunday-Thursday, — of the modern television cooking10-14, 2022 The behind-the-scenes machinashow. Child was not the first woman delivery date: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 12:21:14 PM CASCS_LEM0410-0414.qxp and changed the way we think about tions at Boston’s public television to have a cooking show on TV, but food. station, WGBH, are reminiscent of when she created and hosted “The Meryl Streep played Child to great the warm comedic hijinks of the 1982 French Chef ” for Boston public tele- effect in the 2009 film “Julie & Julia,” comedy “My Favorite Year,” while the vision in 1963 and eventually took it and just last year we had the invaludepiction of the complex and somenationwide, she revolutionized home able documentary “Julia,” and of times strained but deeply committed cooking for millions of Americans course there’s a treasure trove of archi- and beautifully romantic relationship between Julia and Paul is touching and authentic. (There’s a scene in which Julia’s cold father, played TM by James Cromwell, flat-out admits he thinks Paul married Julia for the family’s money, and Paul shows him a framed photo of Julia and says, “If 22500 Lyons Ave. info Line 310.478.3836 only you could see what I could see.”) We see the bond between Julia and Paul from the very start, at a dinFANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE C Thu: 7:00 PM ner party scene in Norway, where Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team on a dangerous mission. Paul is stationed as a diplomat for the MORBIUS C 1:30 4:30 7:20 U.S. Foreign Service and Julia’s first One of Marvel’s most compelling and conflicted characters comes to the big screen as Oscar® winner Jared Leto transforms into the enigmatic antihero Michael Morbius. book, “Mastering the Art of French YOU WON’T BE ALONE E 4:40 PM Cooking,” is about to be published Set in an isolated mountain village in 19th century Macedonia, YOU WON’T BE ALONE follows a young girl who is kidnapped and then transformed into a witch by an ancient spirit to great success. When they relocate THE LOST CITY C 1:10 4:00 7:30 to Cambridge, Massachusetts, Julia After being kidnapped by a villainous treasure hunter, a successful romance novelist is forced to team up with her cover model as they are swept into a cutthroat jungle adventure that proves stranger than fiction. is booked as a guest on the pompous MOTHERING SUNDAY E Sun: 1:10 4:00 7:00; Mon: 1:10 4:00; Tue: 4:00 7:00; and ridiculously titled snore-fest “I’ve Wed & Thu: 1:10 4:00 Been Reading,” hosted by the stuffy On a warm spring day in 1924, house maid and foundling Jane Fairchild finds herself alone on Mother’s Day. Her employers, Mr. and Mrs. Niven, are out and she has the rare chance to spend quality time with her secret lover. and condescending Albert Duhamel THE OUTFIT E Sun to Tue: 1:20 4:20 (Jefferson Mays), who is horrified Leonard, an English tailor ended up in Chicago, operating a small tailor shop in a rough part of town where he makes beautiful clothes for the only people around whocan afford them: A family of vicious gangsters. when Julia fumbles about looking for an outlet so she can cook an omelet X E Sun to Tue: 7:00 PM In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them on live TV, and he can’t exit the set in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives. fast enough when the segment is over THE BATMAN C 1:00 6:45 When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective — but he takes the dish with him, beon an investigation into the underworld. cause Julia knows how to cook tasty, JULES AND JIM I Wed: 7:00 PM Truffaut’s hugely popular New Wave classic sees Jeanne Moreau at her most ebullient as Catherine, a Parisian beauty caught up in a relatively sophisticated dishes anyone complex ménage à trois with the two friends of the title just before the First World War. could prepare in their kitchen. EXHIBITION ON SCREEN: EASTER IN ART Mon: 7:30 PM; Tue: 1:00 PM This beautifully crafted film explores the Easter story as depicted in art, from the time of the early Christians to the present day. Shot “Julia” settles into a steady yet on location in Jerusalem, United States and throughout Europe, the film explores the different ways artists have depicted the Easter story through the ages and thus depicts the history of us all. breezy early-1960s period-piece FOR 4/10/20224/14/2022 ONLY WWW.LAEMMLE.COM rhythm, with Julia determined to By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

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NEWHALL

Bringing the Finest in Film to the SCV!

do a regular show on WGBH and running into the predictable wall of sexism and skepticism from highbrow director/producer Russ Morash (Fran Kranz) and a bunch of “Mad Men”-type white-guy execs and even her husband, who thinks television is a silly and passing fad. Still, that first guest appearance resonated with female viewers — including the wives of some of the WGBH brass — which leads to a slapstick sequence in the pilot episode, in which Julia makes a mess of the kitchen, utterly unskilled in the art of television hosting. (They even include a version of the urban legend about Child dropping the chicken on the floor, picking it up and saying, “If you’re alone in the kitchen, who’s going to see?”) And yet … there’s something there. Something relatable and unique about Julia. At times the series makes admirable if not always effective attempts to inject social commentary into the proceedings. Christian Clemenson appears as the openly gay James Beard, and while Julia and James had a true friendship, we see signs of Julia’s homophobia. There’s a scene addressing the fact Child was playing to an audience of housewives at a time when women were marching to get out of the kitchen and liberate themselves. And the showrunners have created a wholly fictional character in Alice, a young Black producer at WGBH who becomes Julia’s biggest champion while facing casual racism and sexism in the workplace. Despite the fine performance by Brittany Bradford, the fact we know Alice didn’t exist undercuts the dramatic impact of the scenes. When “Julia” works best, we’re on the set of the TV show or at home or at dinners with Julia and Paul and their closest friends. Lancashire captures Julia’s essence without delving into impersonation, while Pierce infuses Paul with humanity and heart. (And how great is it to see “Frasier” alums Pierce and Neuwirth bantering with one another?) With all the previous material about Julia Child already out there, this is certainly not essential viewing — but it’s difficult to resist another invitation to welcome Julia Child and her story into our homes. 

A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

A Hoppy Easter Cake

FOOD

armer days at the start of spring mean Easter is almost here, and the big bunny himself will be hopping around in no time delivering good-

ies. This Easter, celebrate with your loved ones with a delicious and colorful Easter Bunny Butt Cake. It can bring smiles and laughter while putting everyone in a light, joyful mood. This cake is fun and bright with a fluffy, moist interior. Complete with chocolate candy eggs, shredded coconut and chocolate chips for little bunny toes, this recipe goes all out to paint a picture of the Easter bunny. Start by combining whole eggs, egg whites, cream of coconut, crushed pineapple, coconut extract and vanilla extract. In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Then add butter gradually, 6 tablespoons at a time, for a total of 12 tablespoons. Add dry mixture to a mixing bowl then add egg mixture half at a time. Beat until cake batter is formed. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake 18-20 minutes. The remaining batter goes into an oven-safe bowl to bake for 1 hour, 40 minutes. The buttercream frosting is made with powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla extract and coconut extract. Assemble the cake using pretzel sticks to blend it together to make the bunny butt shape. Frost the cake and spread shredded coconut over it to create a textured appearance. Stick chocolate chips on the bunny’s feet to create toes. Place your favorite Easter or bunny candies around the cake for extra garnish. This cake is worth every step. It’s delicious and as cute as can be, plus it’s perfect for dessert after a big Easter dinner. Find more creative and scrumptious holiday recipes at Culinary.net.

Easter Bunny Butt Cake

Servings: 10-12 Nonstick cooking spray 2 eggs, plus 4 egg whites, at room temperature 3/4 cup cream of coconut 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained 2 teaspoons coconut extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/4 cups flour 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

Buttercream Frosting:

3 cups powdered sugar 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract 4 thin pretzel sticks 1 bag (10 ounces) sweetened shredded coconut 8 drops green food coloring 2 large round chocolate candy melts 6 chocolate chips mini candy-coated chocolate eggs, for garnish Heat oven to 325 F. Line muffin pan with four paper liners. Spray oven-safe glass bowl with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites, cream of coconut, pineapple, coconut extract and vanilla extract until combined. In food processor, pulse flour, sugar, baking powder and salt until combined. Add 6 tablespoons butter. Pulse until combined. Add remaining butter. Pulse until coarse meal forms. In large mixing bowl, add coarse flour butter meal. Add half of egg mixture. Beat 1-2 minutes. Add remaining egg mixture; beat until combined. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until done. Cool completely. Pour remaining batter into prepared oven-safe bowl. Bake 1 hour, 40 minutes, or until done. Cool completely. To make buttercream frosting: In large bowl, add powdered sugar and butter; beat until fluffy. Add milk, vanilla extract and coconut extract; beat until creamy.

Turn bowl upside-down on cake stand until cake removes from bowl. If cake needs leveled, turn cake over and trim to flatten. Frost cake. Remove wrappers from cupcakes. Using two pretzel sticks, press into base of cupcakes and anchor to bottom rim of bowl cake to create bunny feet. Frost feet. Take third cupcake and cut muffin top off. Cut muffin top in half. Using one pretzel stick, anchor one muffin top half at bottom of full cupcake to form toes. Repeat with second muffin top half for other foot. Frost toes. Attach final cupcake with remaining pretzel stick to butt area of cake to make tail. Frost tail. Apply 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut all over cake. Press chocolate candy melts into bottoms of bunny feet to resemble foot pads. Add chocolate chips to resemble pads for toes. Place remaining coconut in plastic bag. Add green food coloring. Toss in bag until coconut is colored. Spread around base of cake for grass. Decorate grass with chocolate eggs. Tips Spoon flour into dry measuring cup and level off excess. Scooping directly from bag compacts flour, resulting in dry baked goods. Add 1 tablespoon additional milk if frosting is too stiff. Keep adding until desired consistency. 

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A P R I L 10, 2022

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

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters at The Canyon

n addition to being one of our nation’s most acclaimed actors, Bud (Billy Bob) Thornton is also recognized for his musical talents. He has recorded four solo albums: Private Radio, Edge Of The World, Hobo and Beautiful Door. He has also appeared on numerous recordings by other artists, including Warren Zevon’s Grammy winning album The Wind, the legendary Earl Scruggs’ Earl Scruggs And Friends, and Anchored In Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash.

He recently co-wrote the song “The Middle Of Nowhere” with Tony Joe White on his album Rain Crow. Thornton’s partner in The Boxmasters is J.D. Andrew, a Grammy Award-winning recording engineer whose credits include The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, The Pussycat Dolls, Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, Guy Clark, and more. The two co-founded The Boxmasters in 2007, and recently released their 10th album together,

Light Rays, with plans for a Christmas album to be released later this year. You can see Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters live at The Canyon Santa Clarita on April 23. Tickets are available online through AXS, over the phone at (888) 645-5006, and in person at the Canyon Santa Clarita box office. For more information, visit www.wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com. 

A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

GARDENING

Spring Tips: What Works Best For Gardens, Lawns By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

s temperatures warm in Santa Clarita, the likelihood of rain dwindles away. After a year of generous precipitation the sunshine is welcome, but garden plants will need irrigation just as the cost of water rises for the summer. Lawns are the biggest water guzzling part of the landscape. So as you do spring cleaning, consider where, when and how to use your lawn to get the best possible use of your water consumption. Use your lawn as a functional or design element only, not as a way to fill empty space. Then, enliven your chosen lawn areas with a spring tuneup. Spring cleaning means it’s time to reset your irrigation system so you water slowly and deeply early in the morning before the heat and dry air steals away the moisture. Make watering appropriate for spring; long enough to thoroughly sink in, but short enough that the water doesn’t wash away. As temperatures warm and weather begins to dry, it’s time to plant warm-season vegetables into your garden. You can comfortably plant seeds of root crops like carrots, beets, radishes, parsnips and salsify. Some edible plants can be planted from seed. Root vegetables are always better off planted from seed in soil without fresh manure. Manure can cause roots to fork. Transplanting usually is less successful with these vegetables, so just thin seedlings of root crops, and leave the strongest one in place to grow on. Grow vegetables in amended soil with plenty of compost. Soil in all parts of Santa Clarita tends to be low in organic matter. It doesn’t matter whether your area is primarily sandy, clay or decomposed gravel. Make provisions for regular, efficient watering. Most vegetables are not very drought tolerant so make sure they do not dry out. Artichokes are an example of one of the more

Our local cactus, the Beavertail opuntia, blooms in a rich hot pink naturally in the hills of Santa Clarita.

Pink Sugar arctotis is a colorful addition that will love to be planted in your garden now. PHOTOS BY JANE GATES / THE SIGNAL!

drought-tolerant vegetables that will grow well here. Water vegetables efficiently by growing them in well-defined, raised gardens or by using carefully designed drip systems. Give your vegetables at least 6 hours of sunshine and keep your growing area well weeded. Watch carefully for insects like aphids, and hose them off right away before they become an infestation. Avoid planting cool-season vegetables, like head lettuce, cabbages, broccoli and peas. They no longer have time to reach maturity before they wilt under the coming heat. Look at the design of your landscape. You may find that areas with little traffic will look better and require less water if you plant them with attractive, low-growing ground cover plants like Dymondia, sedum, festuca grass or other attractive low plantings. Non-living, permeable stone or cement alternatives, like pavers, stepping stones and brick, offer decorative alternatives to plain gravel. Or, convert small open spaces into seating areas, build in a small hot tub, or a fire pit, or fence them in as play areas for kids or pets. We are at the end of the cool-season garden, so the best time to plant California natives, seed flowers, and woody trees and shrubs is coming to a close. Lots of herbaceous flowering plants, ornamental grasses and annual flowers will enjoy being planted,

divided and transplanted in April. Potted trees can also be added to your landscape now. All of these will need supplementary watering to help them grow strong before scorching summer sun arrives. Keep all plants trimmed and cleaned, but wait for autumn for severe pruning. You can certainly plant and prune whatever you want at any other time of the year, but your

chances for success with the big jobs are considerably reduced heading into summer. One other thing to do this April is to explore our local neighborhoods and enjoy the native flower displays happening on hillsides and ravines everywhere. Due to years of drought, this year’s rain has woken up a storehouse of native wildflowers and set them into a colorful celebration. They serve as a reminder just how decorative our natural native plants can be. And that you can actually buy seeds for many of them to fill in areas of your yard where you don’t want to spend a lot of time, effort and money in fussing over a garden. Natives can provide amazing color, beauty and ease of care while helping out our local butterflies and bees — all with minimum work. For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://you tube.com/user/Janieg8s. 

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A P R I L10, 2022

H O L I D AY

Michele makes By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

salt and pepper to taste.

love Easter brunch. It’s a great time to exercise a variety of baking and cooking skill while creating a bountiful and special Easter breakfast/lunch table.

Smoked Salmon Bites

Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

A friend shared with recipe with me, I have tweaked it for my taste buds by increasing the amount of brown sugar and cinnamon. I also added bacon for texture. I use French Toast bread (I usually have about 4 slices of bread left over) and decorate with raspberries. This recipe packs a cinnamon punch, you can reduce the amount of cinnamon to 2 tsps. in both the bread mixture and the streusel topping if you want less cinnamon. 1 (22-ounce) loaf French bread, French Toast bread, sourdough bread or challah. (I use about 3/4 or 2/3 of the loaf. 16 ounces brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature 6 Tbsp confectioners’ sugar 2 Tbsp vanilla extract, divided 8 large eggs 2 1/4 cups half and half 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 cup packed brown sugar Streusel Topping 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 1 cube (8 Tbsp) butter, cold and cubed 1 cup chopped walnuts Garnish after baking 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled Confectioners’ sugar Fruit Grease a 9 x13 pan with butter or spray with nonstick spray. Cut the bread into cubes, about 1 inch in size. Spread half of the cubes into the prepared baking pan. Beat cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar and 1 Tbsp vanilla extract until combined. Drop random spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top of the bread, then spread cream cheese atop the layer of bread. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top of cream cheese. In a separate bowl whisk eggs, milk,

PHOTOS BY MICHELE BUTTLEMAN / THE SIGNAL

cinnamon, brown sugar and remaining vanilla together until no lumps remain. Pour over the bread. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours minimum or overnight. (Overnight is best.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare streusel topping: Whisk the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cubed butter (make sure it is very cold) with a pastry blender. Sprinkle the topping over the soaked bread. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown on top. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon, confectioners’ sugar and decorate with fresh strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Serve immediately with butter and syrup. Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Make ahead tip Prepare the topping in advance, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator. Sprinkle over the soaked bread before baking. For freezing, prepare the recipe (without preheating the oven) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then add topping and bake as directed. Recipe Notes This recipe can easily

be halved in an 8- or 9-inch baking pan. The bake time will be slightly less, around 30-35 minutes. Another fun and decadent variation is to add a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of the bread before covering with the streusel topping.

3/4 cup cream cheese 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt Zest from 1 lemon 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon dried dill weed 1 small garlic clove, grated on a microplane or very finely minced A pinch of sea salt 2 cucumbers, sliced 6 ounces cold smoked salmon (lox) Capers to taste Fresh dill and cracked pepper, to garnish Slice the cucumbers into discs. Mix cream cheese, yogurt, lemon zest and juice, dill weed, garlic and salt. To assemble top each cucumber disc with the cream cheese mix, add salmon and garnish with capers, pepper and fresh dill.

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

This will impress your brunch crowd. You can make your own biscuits from scratch or simply make boxed or canned biscuits. To make sausage gravy first brown 1lb. pork ground sausage. After the sausage is browned removed the meat from the pan and set aside. Into the rendered sausage fat add 2 Tbsp flour. Cook for one minute stirring constantly. Whisk 2 cups milk into the pan and bring to a boil. Turn down head and simmer gently for three minutes. Add the browned sausage and stir well. Split your biscuits in half and pour gravy over the biscuits. Season with

Oven Bacon

2 lbs. thick cut bacon (about 16 slices) Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 400 degrees. Divide bacon between two wire racks set inside large foil-lined rimmed baking sheets. Bake, rotating baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through, until brown and crisp, 35–50 minutes (depending on the thickness). Transfer to paper towels to drain. Regular cut bacon will take about 20 minutes or so. Keep a close eye on your bacon, it will burn or overcook very quickly. 

A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

Easter Egg Tips

yeing eggs is an entertaining activity, but one that also may have some religious significance. Many families will color eggs this Easter, and these guidelines can make the process go smoothly. • Wait until just before coloring to hard-boil eggs. Good Housekeeping recommends boiling eggs for 11 minutes for a hard boil. Do not chill the eggs afterward; warm eggs absorb color more effectively for more vivid results. • Egg dye can stain furniture, clothing or tablecloths. Therefore, dress in clothing that you’re not worried about staining. Also, cover work surfaces with an old tablecloth and newspapers to soak up any spills. • Make a drying rack to ensure that eggs will dry evenly. This can be a rimmed cookie sheet lined with layers of paper towels to absorb any excess dye that runs off the eggs. Or push pins into thick foam board and place the eggs on top to allow air to circulate. • Consider using glass bowls or ceramic mugs to house the colored dye solutions. These vessels are more sturdy than plastic cups, and less like-

H O L I D AY

ly to be overturned by eager young hands. • Scissor-style tongs are ideal tools for retrieving eggs from the dye. Eggs tend to slide off of the spoons or wire rings provided in kits, leading to splashing and kids dunking their fingers in to grab eggs. • Stir dyeing cups often to guarantee consistent color. • Use electrical tape to make patterns on Easter eggs. Dip the eggs and let dry. Afterwards, remove the tape to reveal the designs. • If food coloring-based dyes seem too messy, use watercolor paint sets and allow everyone to get creative. While some people may want to use Easter eggs for recipes later on, it may be safer to boil up a fresh batch of eggs for that purpose, even if it seems wasteful. According to Emily Rubin, RD, LDN of the Thomas Jefferson University Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “hard-boiled eggs should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking and discarded if left out for more than two hours at room temperature.” Chances are it may take two hours or more for children to find hard-boiled eggs hidden by the Easter bunny. (MC) 

Join us under the stars Saturday, April 16th at 7:30 p.m. The Santa Clarita Seventh-day Adventist Church will host “Resurrection: An Oratorio” written by SCV resident Brett Cameron Perry.

Perry is a composer who has scored TV series such as That 70’s Show and worked with artists from Linda Ronstadt to Amy Grant. This beautiful musical celebrates Christ’s resurrection on that Easter morning so long ago. Santa Clarita Seventh-day Adventist Church 24436 Valley Street, Newhall, 91321 Head south from Lyons on Valley Street. Just past the intersection with 8th Street, we are located immediately on the left. For FREE tickets, please visit our website at www.r-oratorio.com

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H O L I D AY

A P R I L10, 2022

Easter Decorating Fun for the Table

By Pauline Mason Signal Staff Writer

ooking for cute or elegant, but very easy and inexpensive ideas for your Easter table? Here are dozens of ideas for great flowers, centerpieces and place cards. Setting my Easter table is always fun each year. Sometimes we opt for elegant arrangements with flowers and beautifully decorated eggs. Most of the time though, we get distracted by the wide range of cute Easter products on the market and end up with a table filled with candy, Easter decorations and other objects. One year, we even decorated the whole table with fluffy chicks … both of the stuffed and marshmellow variety. Here are a few of my favorite ideas.

Centerpieces

Easter has plenty of creative possibilities when it comes to fun and

attractive centerpieces. Easer eggs are a primary focus. But, bowls, baskets and other containers full of plain and colored eggs are always popular. Bunnies are a natural for the Easter table. Ceramic, suffed, chocolate, paper … you name it, you can use it. Just refrain from the real thing!

Flowers

My husband is a jelly bean addict, and Easter in our household is more about jelly beans thean chocolate bunnies. One of the easiest ways to make a colorful vases to hold flowers is to use jelly beans to fill them. For fake flower arrangements, you can simply fill a large clear or translucentcolored vase with jelly bens and place the plastic stems into the vase. Use hardy blossoms as napkin rings. Keep them in water before placing them on the table, or provide a water source for them, such as a small florist’s tube.

Place cards

This year, our place cards are going to be small vases filled with jelly beans and crocuses. We fill the tiny vases with jelly beans and then

cut small crocuses from our garden. We nestle the crocuses in small floral tubes and then insert the tubes in the jelly beans. 

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A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

H E A LT H

Think Your Child Might Have Asthma? Take These Steps

oes your child sometimes wheeze? Are they short of breath? If so, they may need to see a health care provider to determine if they have asthma. Asthma affects the airways, or tubes, that carry air in and out of the lungs. In people with asthma, inhaling an irritant causes the airways to become inflamed and the airway muscles to tighten, making it harder to breathe. Asthma is the most common longterm health condition in children, affecting about 5 million kids in the United States. It usually starts before age 5. Asthma impacts some groups of children more than others. For example, boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it. Black, Puerto Rican and Native American children are more likely than white children to have asthma. Poorly controlled asthma can cause kids to miss school or even end up

in the hospital. The good news is that with the right management, most kids with asthma can lead healthy, active lives. Here are several things you can do if you think your child has asthma: Look out for common signs and symptoms of asthma. These include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), up to 40% of children who wheeze when they get colds or respiratory infections eventually get diagnosed with asthma. Notice when and where your child has symptoms. Do the symptoms interrupt your child’s sleep? Do they occur during a specific time of the

PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES

day? Do exercise, allergies or illness make them worse? If your child’s symptoms persist, see a health care provider. The health care provider may ask about your child’s medical history and symptoms and do a physical exam. They may also conduct tests to measure your child’s breathing. Work with the doctor to develop an asthma action plan if your child is

diagnosed with asthma. This is important. The plan will help you track medicines, monitor symptoms and changes, and understand when emergency care is necessary. Learn about the triggers that can bring on an asthma attack. Try to avoid the triggers that make your child’s symptoms worse. These may include things that cause allergies – such as pets, pollen, mold and dust – or cold or low-quality air, infections such as the flu and tobacco smoke. Your family and health care provider can work together to control your child’s asthma and keep your child doing the activities they love. Find asthma information and resources from NHLBI’s Learn More Breathe Better® program at nhlbi. nih.gov/breathebetter. (Family Features) 

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A P R I L10, 2022

HOME

Small-Spaces Storage Ideas small spice containers and oil bottles, elevate them with a decorative cake stand. Place small jars below and top with pretty decanters and additional spices. • If you’re using prime cabinet space for items you only use once a year, such as holiday cake pans or a big serving bowl you pull out for parties, consider storing them in the attic or a closet instead.

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Kitchen • Metal rods with hanging hooks can create storage space on your blank walls. Use them to hang coffee cups, cooking utensils, dish towels or pots and pans. • Magnetic strips mounted on the wall or the inside of a cabinet door can be a simple way to hang knives and free up counter space normally taken up by a knife block. • If your countertop is cluttered with

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• Most modern cabinetry has adjustable shelving. If you haven’t customized the heights of your shelving to accommodate different sized bottles and containers, give it a try. • A three-tiered fruit basket might seem perfect for the kitchen, but it’s also a handy way to store bathroom essentials right beside the sink. • Flour and sugar canisters can also be repurposed in the bathroom to keep makeup, toiletries, cleaning supplies and soaps contained. Make sure to buy bins that stack easily.

Bedroom • Nix those nightstands and hang small shelves on either side of the bed. This cuts down on the clutter you can keep and makes cleaning underneath a breeze. • Rolling bins that fit under the bed are perfect for storing linens, outof-season clothing and children’s toys. They’re also the perfect way to slide building block projects out of sight without destroying your child’s latest masterpiece. • Closets with a single hanging rod are one of the biggest space-wasters in the bedroom. Double their storage capacity by hanging a second rod or shelf below shorter jackets and shirts. Find more ideas to maximize your space at eLivingtoday.com. (Family Features) 

A P R I L 10, 2022

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 19

H O L I D AY

The Celebration of Freedom and Hope By Rabbi Mark Blazer Signal Contributing Writer

pring is in the air, and the celebration of Passover (Pesach), which begins the evening of April 15, celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The name Passover is taken from the Exodus story: During the tenth and ultimate plague inflicted on Pharaoh to break his will, God passed over the Israelites and struck down only the Egyptian firstborn. That night, Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go; and ever since then, we gather together on that night at our Seder meal to commemorate that time, and to contemplate the meaning of freedom. The central meaning of Passover is liberation, and hence, it is also called “zeman heiruteinu” — the season of our liberation. We understand liberation, politically — the move from slavery to freedom, as well as through spiritual transformation — the transition from the idolatry of our ancestors to the religious liberation eventually experienced through the Exodus and the giving of Law at Sinai. At the root of both these liberation experiences is God. In Judaism’s view, slavery draws legitimacy from idolatry; democracy is ultimately grounded in the God-given dignity of every human being. Totalitarianism, the total worship of any human creation, is the idolatry of our time. The God who created and loves us gives us freedom as our right, and denies absolute authority to all human governments and systems. Another name for Passover is “hag ha-aviv” — the holiday of spring. Following the bleakness of winter, spring marks the rebirth of the earth with the bursting forth of green life. Pesach is a celebration of rebirth and hope that annually reminds us that no matter how terrible our situation,

we must not lose hope. One of our favorite songs during Passover is a litany called “Dayenu,” meaning “It Would Have Been Enough.” This rousing liturgical piece is a list of the miracles that God performed from the Egyptian Exodus through the restoration of the Israelites in their homeland. On one level, Dayenu reminds us of the cumulative manifested power of God during this experience of liberation, but on another, it also reminds us that there were stages in this historical drama. Taken further, Dayenu reminds us that even in our own lives, we need to take one day at a time. All change takes time, and occurs incrementally, a little bit each day. Whether its rehabilitation from illness, recovery from addiction or reaching any of our personal goals, after each step we say, Dayenu — this was a good day and I’ll take it. But we never forget our final vision. We can’t be trapped being selfcongratulatory, and we cannot make our steps, our transitory stages, our final stop. We must always remind ourselves that for all our successes, we haven’t completely realized our dreams. And that’s why the last words of our seder are always “L’Shana Haba’ah B’Yerushalayim” — Next Year in Jerusalem. Tomorrow will be even greater.

Community Seder

Temple Beth Ami will be celebrating a community Seder the second night of Passover, Saturday, April 16 at 6 pm. Led by Rabbi Mark Blazer and Wendy Hersh. Call (661) 2556410 for information. The Seder will also be streamed live on Facebook at facebook.com/TempleBethAmi. The first night of Passover Seder will be on JLTV, which can be found on DriectTV (325-1) and Spectrum (469). 

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A P R I L10, 2022

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A P R I L 10, 2022

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

Create an ‘Egg Plant’ with Easter Eggs

several tablespoons of brightly colored sand (available at toy and craft stores) into a clear plastic sandwich bag. Squeeze household glue from a plastic bottle in a simple design, such as zigzags or an alphabet letter, onto a blown egg that is still white or dyed in a light color. Carefully set the egg in the plastic bag and close it lightly in your fist, keeping locked air inside. Gently shake the bag of sand to coat the glue on the egg to reveal the design you made. Remove the egg with your fingers and slip it onto one of the wooden skewers through the hole in the shell, making sure the skewer doesn’t go through the hole at the opposite end.

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

hake and decorate hollowed-out Easter eggs, then save them as keepsakes to display from year to year as a whimsical “egg plant” centerpiece. The lovely eggs, together with other favorites, can be “blooming” out of a pretty Easter basket, a medium-size flowerpot or several mini containers lined down the center of your table or along a windowsill. Here are three easy steps for an afternoon of fun:

1. Blowing Eggs To empty an egg, poke a small hole with a straight pin at each end of a washed raw egg. Carefully wiggle a toothpick or wooden skewer into one of the holes to break the yolk. Place a drinking straw over the hole on top, and blow through the straw, collecting the contents of the egg in a small

Hollowed-out eggs “bloom” in this family-made Easter centerpiece. PHOTO BY DONNA ERICKSON

dish. Rinse out the empty shell and let dry. Store in an empty egg carton until ready to use.

2. Shake and Decorate First, poke wooden skewers into a chunk of floral foam. Set aside. Scoop

3. Display Set the floral foam with skewers and decorated eggs in a flowerpot or Easter basket. Rearrange the skewers to balance the arrangement of budding egg “flowers.” Add other decorated eggs you might have saved from previous years. Cover the foam with green moss or colorful Easter paper grass. Tip This year I lined a medium-size Easter basket with plastic, scooped potting soil inside and sprinkled wheat grass seeds on top. I kept it damp until the seeds sprouted. The green grass grew tall with sunshine and watering in just 10 days. 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.”  © 2022 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd.

CROSSWORD TIME

A P R I L10, 2022

PUZZLES

SOLUTIONS

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A P R I L 10, 2022

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

Slipping Parents a Woke Mickey Florida’s Legislature and governor recently passed and approved the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, which will prohibit classroom instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in grades kindergarten through third. When Floridians read or hear the actual wording of the simple bill, they have indicated support for it 2-1, acknowledging parents’ right to protect their children from unnecessary exposure to such sensitive and moral concerns. But leftist progressives and “woke” iconoclasts conveniently ignore the limited scope of this legislation and protest it as a free speech issue for adults. Others want young children (who still have their baby teeth!) to be instructed in sexualized content that most affected parents resist and renounce as vastly “inappropriate” for these young ages. Now, the iconic Burbank-based Walt Disney Co. seeks to protest the Floridian legislation and politicize the family values of American parents, which have been the foundation of its amazingly successful — nearly 100-year-old — media empire. Disney’s transitioning from a family-friendly company to a very culturally “woke” and politicized bully is very disturbing and alarming. It is way beyond their organized opposition to parents-rights legislation in Florida. No longer the guardian of children’s innocence, Disney seems to have corporately decided to sexualize our culture, from young adults down to young children. Alert parents have observed Disney’s descent into sexualized content for several years. But now, many of Disney’s producers and influencers publicly brag about how they strategically insert “queerness” (their word) into their themes, characters and content, as often as possible. One parent says, “Disney has now transformed into a political propaganda machine that grooms children for abortions and sexual promiscuity.” The new “sexualized” Disney is streaming directly to a home near you, exclusively on Disney Plus. Your parental (and grand-parental) concerns need to motivate us to actively protect our children and teens. Remove the toxic sources. As the above-mentioned parent declared, “We are not dealing with Mickey anymore!” Gary Curtis Newhall

Working-Class Motorists Need Help Now Dear Gov. Gavin Newsom, It is well and good that you will give vehicle owners a $400 rebate due to the high cost of gasoline. BUT, what about the working-class families that live from paycheck to paycheck? They could use the (approximately $10 in taxes and fees) you collect for every 10 gallons of gas now instead of a $400 rebate they will probably not receive until next year. Mildred (Millie) Hubert 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

Choices Matter, Every Day

hile the proverbial advice to “take each day as it comes” has some validity, it also masks the dangerous assumption that the choices we make today won’t have consequential carry-over tomorrow. In fact, while it is both harmful and a waste of time to worry about the unknowns of the future, it is always wise to consider what effect my decisions today will have on the options available to me later. It is a common parenting tool to tell your kids as they are leaving the home to “make good choices.” We all understand that choices have consequences, and because we love our kids, we hope and pray and teach and train for the purpose of raising children who can lead healthy, happy and productive lives. But too often we don’t realize ourselves that each bad decision severely reduces the number of good decisions available to us. Take, for example, the decision to lie. Once the lie leaves us, we only have two available options, and both of them are painful. First, we can continue down the path of intentional deceit that will most probably mean more lies, leading to even more lies. We will find ourselves trapped on the road of duplicity, forced to admit that we are liars, and consigned to keeping track of the minute, made-up details of our story. The only other choice that follows a lie is to repent, admit we lied, and suffer the consequences. Either way, the choice to lie leaves us without any good choices left. And yet, we continue to use deceit intentionally, and watch as our national leaders turn lying into a daily business practice. The reason? Our national ethical foundation that once conceived of honesty as a cardinal virtue now considers pragmatism acceptable, with all its ugliness, as long as the outcome feeds our selfishness. But the consequences of our choices are not always immediately seen. In marriages it is often the case that incremental isolation and indifference, intentionally played out in minuscule choices every day, take the couple down the path of incivility and conflict further and faster than any one skirmish might suggest. Then, one day they

wake to the fact that they hate each other, and now they only have hard choices in front of them. Usually they choose what appears to be the least painful and head for divorce. But, as study after study, and plain old common experience have shown, divorce is a solution that only exacerbates the problem. Divorce, like a brick thrown in a pond, extends and deepens the ripples of pain outward, affecting children, friends, family, businesses and beyond. The only other choice is humility, repentance, forgiveness and reformation of hearts that have become hardened through the deceitfulness of incremental selfishness. In this case, the best option is still very hard. The ugly truth is this: Every decision you and I make today will, in some way, determine the number of good decisions available to us tomorrow. Choosing an ethic today that values love, sacrificial service, honesty, self-control, humility and generosity will mean greater opportunities to love, serve and be loved tomorrow. In my world, all that is just another way of denying my natural, self-serving tendencies, identifying as a follower of Jesus Christ, and then setting my mind and heart to follow him closely. When we let the biblical ethos set our ethical foundation, and choose righteousness, regardless of the temporal consequences, we will find that today’s good choices open up more good opportunities to lead lives of significance and contentment. You can only take each day as it comes if you have a coherent ethical foundation able to cope well with every eventuality. Pragmatism simply won’t work long term. As a nation, and as individuals, we must demand better than that. If we are to live lives that matter, that make a positive, lasting difference, we simply must believe and stand for what is right, all the time. What we choose today will determine tomorrow’s opportunities. Now, let’s go out make some good choices. Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

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