Sunday Signal January 10, 2021

Valencia | Saugus | Newhall | Canyon Country | Stevenson Ranch | Westridge | Castaic | Val Verde JANUARY 10, 2021

Exploring Trails in the SCV Page 4 Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

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A FEW WAYS TO HELP WITH YOUR STRESS

10

A ‘ZESTY SPIN’ ON FAMILY FAVES

15

ARE YOU READY FOR THE MARKET?

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

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J A N UA RY 10, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES

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FROM THE CITY MANAGER

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The paths to enjoy nature in Santa Clarita Riding off into the sunset of retirement Making your stress more manageable Six steps to improving your credit rating City offers a variety of trails and paths for all uses

8 Maintaining fiscal responsibility for Santa Clarita

ENTERTAINMENT 9 9 Hero movies from WWII to the future

FOOD 10 1 0 Put a zesty spin on weeknight meals Ranch Crusted Burgers Ranch Seasoned Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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11 Simple ways to look and feel your best this year

HOME 12 12 Colorful kitchen inspiration

GARDENING 13 13 How plants improve mental and physical wellness

FINANCE & CAREER

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REAL ESTATE

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SENIOR LIVING

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KIDS & FAMILY

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14 Keeping your career change alive during a recession 15 Do your homework before jumping on the real estate boom 17 Dementia-related psychosis warnings 1 8 Donna’s Day: Building a strong family one brick at a time Junior Whirl New Word

OPINION 19

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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.

4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

The paths to enjoy nature in Santa Clarita

By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

T

hroughout the Santa Clarita Valley is a system of pedestrian paths that has grown over the years.

These paths are the work of city planners, engineers and builders.

While some trails started as ideas from the need of residents and community members, the city of Santa Clarita and the county have created a partnership with those who enjoy the great outdoors for a chance to constantly innovate and create a more enjoyable experience for walkers and riders.

There are multiple groups in the Santa Clarita Valley that come together to advocate for better, more efficient walking and biking trails for the purpose of leisure and convenience.

One of these groups is the Santa Clarita Valley Bicycle Coalition, an advocacy group supporting Santa Clarita “to be a fun, safe, bikeable place to live.”

Nina Moskol is the chair of the Santa Clarita Valley chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. She says that in the advocacy group, the members discuss plans for changes to bike paths.

“When I interact with the city, they often tell me what is coming within the schedule for both building additional infrastructure and bike events they will sponsor during the year,” she said.

The coalition will discuss the “needs and wants of the community”

Bike riders take the paseo over Creekside Road in Valencia. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

and work with the city and engineers to come up with practical plans for mapping out new cycling and walking trails.

The Santa Clarita Valley Bicycle Coalition also has an active Facebook group, where members can bring up problems they spot and work to improve them.

“They will say ‘we have a problem here’ or ‘fix this there’ and I will bring those issues back to the city,” Moskol says.

“We have been really, really happy with our partnership with the city of Santa Clarita,” she adds. “The city is proactive and responsive about making positive change, and it is really starting to happen faster.”

The group has been advocating for bicyclists to make their way across the SCV without having to cross ma-

jor intersections, a goal the city has almost completely reached.

“When they opened the Fallen Warriors Memorial Bridge, they called it the Cross-Valley Connector,” Moskol explains.

“It was a roadway that went east to west across Santa Clarita from the 5 (freeway) to (Highway) 14.”

With that addition, it was almost possible for cyclists and pedestrians to get around “without having to go across the roadway.”

Even with this change, groups are pushing for more safety.

“There is one more trail we are campaigning for,” Moskol says. Advocates are working to make plans by the Five Knolls neighborhood to Discovery Park so that pedestrians won’t have to cross with “dangerous motor vehicles.”

The pedestrian paths added to the maps are determined by the city’s topography.

“Santa Clarita has an interesting topography,” Moskol says.

This means there has to be a “major act of landscaping” to create practical walking and cycling paths that can serve residents without interfering with roadways or other spaces.

To create the new paths, the city usually hears from advocates or makes plans on their own, then works with engineers to make changes possible.

Moskol says the advocacy group applied for a grant to make the most recent changes possible. After the city worked with engineers to see if the plans could be put into action, they found that it is possible to make a trail that keeps pedestrians from crossing roadways.

There are other groups that make new walking and biking paths possible in the Santa Clarita Valley.

At the start of last year, the SCV Trail Users worked to improve an existing multi-use trail in the Golden Valley Ranch Open Space.

The group is a committee of the nonprofit Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association, who work to create and maintain trails.

Although these groups in and around the SCV work together mainly to advocate for the changing and bettering of trails, they sometimes come together outside of their volunteer work.

See TRAILS, page 16

Emmanuel Chavez goes for a hike in Towsley Canyon.

PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL

Brian and Alicia Espinoza help their son, Nicholas, 3, at last year’s Rotary Club of Santa Clarita Bike Exchange.

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

Riding off into the sunset of retirement

N E W S F E AT U R E

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

W

hile the pandemic threw almost everyone for a loop in 2020, as another new year begins, it’s time to reset and begin preparing for 2021. This includes setting financial goals for the new year.

Whether young or old, many of these financial goals revolve around planning for the future, especially for retirement.

That’s why, regardless of age, it’s important to begin making choices that will pay off once your career comes to an end, so here are some tips from financial experts to help you do just that.

Take stock of where you’re at

Whether or not your retirement plans are looking secure, the new year is a great time to review where you stand.

This year more than usual, it’s important to look back on any major changes that occurred through 2020 that have affected your finances and reevaluate those financial goals for the new year, taking into account the current state of the market.

For Erick Arndt, a financial adviser at Virtue Wealth, balance is key when it comes to setting these financial goals.

“Look at your portfolio and make sure you have balance,” Arndt said. “It’s hard to turn away from great market returns, but remember: Things correct, and you don’t want to be on the other end of that correction because it’s painful.”

A correction of such can very well be on the forecast for early 2021, as large segments of the economy continue to face challenges.

The 50-30-20 plan

O

ne financial strategy that people of all ages can look to for guidance is the 50-30-20 approach. The 50-3020 approach to financial planning can be a valuable resource for anyone trying to develop a budget. The approach is simple yet effective. Under the 50-30-20 approach, income is allocated based on this breakdown: • 50% of money is spent on needs, including housing costs, health insurance, car payments, and groceries • 30% of money is spent on wants, including hobbies, dining out and travel • 20% of money is allocated to savings Proponents of the 50-30-20 approach note that calculations should be based on after-tax income, or what’s often referred to as “take-home pay.”  (MC)

This year more so than most, it’s important to take stock of all that happened the previous year to see how that might have impacted plans already in place, or how you might want to chart a new course. (MC)

“A rising tide has brought all boats up, but I think that it doesn’t go on forever, and I think that’s going to start changing in 2021 as we start to figure out not all companies can go up,” Arndt said. “Like Warren Buffett said, ‘You don’t know who’s swimming naked until the tide rolls out.’”

Financial analyst Peggy Williams agreed, suggesting everyone take a close look at what is in their portfolio, given the ongoing volatility in the financial markets.

While it’s easy to get swept up in the fear of a crash or even the fear of missing out on gains, Williams suggests staying practical with portfolios, as giving into these fears can set you up for unnecessary losses or stress.

Always keep your time horizon in mind

“I think time horizon is a big thing and clarity about the future,” Jerrod Ferguson, vice president at Vance Wealth, said.

Someone’s time horizon is specific to their financial situation and the clarity they have on their financial future, while someone’s retirement plan typically consists of a longer time horizon.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint to the end of the yard,” Arndt added. “Understand your horizon and think how far away it is, and then invest according to that.”

Arndt suggests thinking of a retirement plan as a pension from a government entity. “It’s something that you want to have continually increasing year over year.”

This means the closer you are to retirement, the more you should focus on minimizing loss, rather than getting the upside of investments.

Take the hits the pandemic brought to heart

However they’ve fared this past year, Williams suggests everyone be brutally honest with themselves about whether they could course correct if another “surprise,” like the pandemic, impacted income streams.

“I would not only proceed cautiously, but with a big safety net,” she added. “These uncertainties aren’t going away anytime soon, and it’s better to be prepared to face those blows head on.”

The pandemic showed how at risk retirement funds really are, as many withdrew money from their 401(k) plans to pay for their expenses when the CARES Act allowed qualified individuals affected by COVID-19 to withdraw up to $100,000 from eligible plans.

Even those who earned good salaries and had limited savings, needed to borrow from their retirement plans this past year, according to a survey

by Edelman Financial Engines.

The study found that more than 25% of the 2,000 respondents aged 40-65 and had an annual income of more than $100,000 made early withdrawals due to the pandemic, with an average of six years expected to regain those funds.

These withdraws only have highlighted the need for emergency funds and savings accounts.

“Keep in mind that emergency funds are never exciting when you don’t need them,” Arndt said. “Nobody gets excited about emergency funds, but man, when you need it, it’s a wonderful thing to have.”

Regardless of whether your retirement plan was built to withstand the type of market volatility brought on by the pandemic, use the past year as a wakeup call and start taking retirement planning seriously — whether you’re 30, 45 or 65. 

6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Making your stress more manageable

By Brennon Dixson Signal Staff Writer

W

ith school back in session and the ups and downs of the public health restrictions, parents, students and employees across the Santa Clarita Valley might be feeling a bit more stressed or burnt out.

A Turbo survey revealed that members of Generation Z feel stuck in an unhealthy cycle of stress. But it’s not just Generation Z. More than 40% of all adults say they lie awake at night because of stress, according to American Psychology Association’s Stress in America survey.

“Although we all get stressed at some point in our lives, it’s critically important that we pay attention to it,” said Dr. Luis Sandoval, a psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “Stress can cause serious health problems and significantly reduce your quality of life.”

The biggest misconception about stress is people associate it with just a feeling, said Krista Salkeld, a registered nurse at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. “But there is a physiological response in your body, as well.”

Salkeld said, “Stress causes increases in heart rate and blood pressure, which are both risk factors associated with heart attacks.”

According to Dr. Sandoval, other common symptoms of stress include:

• Anxiety • Weight gain or loss • Depression • Headaches • Insomnia Stress may also manifest itself as an upset stomach, irritability, body pains, rapid breathing, sweaty palms, fatigue or the inability to concentrate, remember things and make decisions, Sandoval said.

One of the leading causes of stress is major life changes, regardless of whether they are good or bad. These include relationships, work, financial problems and even family obligations, according to the Kaiser Permanente website.

Stress can build up over time, so it’s important to continuously evaluate the different aspects of life.

Luckily, when one is feeling stressed, there are a number of different options to reduce or alleviate the feeling, but it’s important to note there are coping methods and behaviors that are healthier than others.

“In times of stress, a lot of people will turn to drinking or smoking,” which is a risk factor for future heart problems, Salkeld said. “So, we try to teach our patients to manage their stressors by adapting their responses or changing the situations they find themselves in.”

Other patients have had success with stress journals, according to Salkeld.

“Some patients don’t have an outlet so keeping a stress journal is one way to vent out the day’s problems,” Salkeld said. “It’s also one kind of way to keep track of their day because, if you know what’s causing you stress, then you can learn to manage it better. So keeping a journal can definitely be helpful.”

Salkeld added, “Another one of the things that we teach our patients to do is pair down their to-do list during the week.

“Keep it limited,” Selkeld said.

“Don’t save 20 things for the end of the week. Instead, maybe do two or three things a day, so the tasks are more manageable and you’re not stressing about all you have to do come the weekend.”

The registered nurse also had some tips for students.

“As far as homework: give yourself a timeline,” Salkeld said, mentioning parents can help children determine a reasonable time frame. “If you finish your homework by 5 p.m., then you have an hour outside to play. Having things like that can be a motivator.”

Other suggestions include:

Vacation time

Vacation is not just a time to get away and take a trip to a distant land.

The APA has noted that it’s important for employees to take time away from work to replenish and avoid the negative effects of chronic stress and burnout.

“The majority of working Americans reported positive effects of taking vacation time and said when they return to work their mood is more positive, and they have more energy and motivation and feel less stressed,” the APA states.

“Additionally, working adults reported that, following time off, they were more productive and their work

quality was better.”

Exercise

If vacation isn’t an option for you or a loved one, the APA also states there are a number of other exerciserelated techniques that can effectively alleviate stress, including meditation, yoga, tai chi and other deep-breathing exercises.

“Exercising is a great relief,” Salkeld said, mentioning it’s one of the activities doctors in the cardiac rehabilitation program encourage patients to perform. “Even for patients who can’t do too much, it is especially important because it can increase the strength of their heart muscles.”

It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise that has you drenched in sweat and sore the next day, according to Salkeld. “Some people enjoy a simple walk outdoors, while others like to hike a few miles. Heart patients have different guidelines because some people can’t put too much stress on the heart, so sometimes it’s more about being outside and doing what you can.” 

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

Six steps to improving your credit rating on your credit report for seven to 10 years, says Ferguson.

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

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nyone who’s ever tried to finance the purchase of a house, a car, a business expense or even an education loan knows, your credit score can be all important at certain points in your life.

“It is so important today to understand how credit reporting and scoring works to be financially successful,” said Rod Griffin, director of consumer education and awareness at Experian.

Experian along with Equifax and TransUnion are the three major credit bureaus that collect information about your spending and create a report on your credit history. When lenders check your credit, they’ll almost certainly do so with one of these credit reporting agencies. While each CRA has its own scoring model, the general rule of thumb for an average FICO score is typically anywhere between 300 to 850.

The average American’s FICO score for classic models is 700 or a little above, according to Griffin. If you get to that 700 mark, you’re near prime, and anything above 750 is typically considered great.

“Having a low credit score is one of those things that can stay with you forever,” said Jerrod Ferguson, senior wealth adviser and certified financial planner at Vance Wealth Management.

If you don’t have a good credit score, you will be charged higher

E

Address any risk factors

Every credit report will have four or five risk factors, which tell you what is most affecting your score, according to Griffin.

“These tell you exactly what you need to work on to better your score in order of most important,” Griffin said. “If you address your risk factors, your whole score will get better.”

Prevent any late payments

interest rates for future purchases, like buying a car or a home, and therefore, the amount of debt you have will inevitably be higher, Ferguson explained.

If your scores aren’t the best, there are plenty of things you can do right now to move toward that goal.

Review your credit report

“It boils down to awareness and an understanding of some of the basic fundamentals,” said Nancy E. BistritzBalkan, vice president of communications and consumer education at Equifax.

That includes understanding what actually comprises a credit score: the number and types of accounts you have, your used credit versus your available credit, the length of your credit history and your payment history, according to Bistritz-Balkan.

“The first thing you want to do

Additional advice

xperian has a program called Experian Boost.

It is a free service that gives you the choice to give Experian access to the bank accounts you use to pay your bills.

This allows them to view your utility, cell phone, rent payments, etc., which means that your positive payment history can now be added to your credit report. The program will give you your FICO score before and after so that you can see the difference it has

made, and most see an increase in scores of 10 or more points almost instantly, according to Rod Griffin, director of consumer education and awareness at Experian.

Erick Arndt, a financial adviser at Virtue Wealth, suggests listening to “The Dave Ramsey Show,” a podcast dedicated to giving financial advice and answering life’s tough money questions. The podcast airs on daveramsey.com/show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

would be to review your credit reports and make sure you fully understand what’s on there and if there are any delinquencies,” Ferguson said.

CRAs make mistakes, and according to Amy Thomann, senior managing editor and spokesperson for TransUnion, and inaccuracies can negatively impact your credit.

You’re allowed a free copy of your credit report annually that won’t ding your score, which you can get at annualcreditreport.com, Thomann said.

Reviewing your credit report will not only help protect you from identity theft, but can also help you dispute things that are not correct, according to Erick Arndt, a financial adviser at Virtue Wealth.

“This can allow you to start chipping away at things that aren’t factually correct,” Arndt said. “Companies have 30 days to respond to a dispute or else it will come off your credit report.”

Don’t let old mistakes haunt you

Checking your credit report will also allow you to see if you have any delinquencies, which typically consist of old debts you didn’t pay, like old utilities you overlooked when you moved or balances on retail credit cards you forgot existed.

Arndt says delinquent accounts can really affect your score, so be sure to set up payment plans for any negatives you see.

Overall, time will help with delinquencies as they can ultimately stay

“The most important factor in building or maintaining healthy credit is to pay bills on time and in full each month,” Thomann said.

Setting up automatic payments is an easy way to ensure that you don’t forget all of your different due dates, according to Thomann. But if that isn’t feasible, setting up a reminder is key, Ferguson said.

Fix your credit use ratio

If your credit card balance every month is more than 30% of your credit limit, your score is suffering, even if you’re paying off your balance in full by the due date, according to Griffin.

“Having access to credit, but using a low amount of the available credit, demonstrates responsible borrowing to lenders,” Thomann said.

Keeping your balances as low as possible is vital to bettering your scores, Griffin said. If you get above 30%, your scores will start to drop much faster.

“Credit agencies are able to gauge how quickly and how concurrently you make payments,” said Manu Wali, managing partner at Continuum Global Asset Management, LLC. “So if you make payments in full way before the deadline, your credit score will go up because you ‘paid off a debt.’”

What about credit cards?

There is no exact number of credit cards you should have, according to many financial advisers. Most agree that everyone should have a credit card for security and to help improve your credit scores; however, they can also open the door to problems if you aren’t diligent to pay them off every See CREDIT, page 15

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Maintaining fiscal responsibility for Santa Clarita

By Ken Striplin City Manager

T

he New Year is officially here and with it comes the promise of new beginnings, aspirations, plans and hope.

Looking back at all of the challenges our nation and the world endured throughout 2020, it only makes sense to head into 2021 with a more positive and hopeful outlook.

In Santa Clarita, the coronavirus pandemic has caused its fair share of difficulties for our community, but I am proud of the strength, resilience and compassion demonstrated not only by our Councilmembers, but by our City staff, local businesses and residents as well. Despite the tough year we all had, the City of Santa Clarita remains committed to providing excellent services, exhibiting innovation and maintaining fiscal responsibility to uphold the high quality of life we all enjoy.

In regard to our City’s fiscal responsibility, did you know that Santa Clarita recently ranked in the top 6% of fiscally healthy California cities? The City earned this ranking from the California State Auditor’s Fiscal Health Analysis for assessments

within fiscal year 2018-19.

Some of the categories that contributed to the City’s high ranking were perfect scores in liquidity and general fund reserves. This low-risk designation serves as a reminder that the budgeting, analysis and forecasting processes that the City regularly completes to preserve positive and sustainable fiscal health, continue to benefit our community as a whole.

Under guidance from our City Council, it is remarkable to see the City’s efforts to maintain fiscal stability receive great recognition. Apart from the accolades, a healthy financial standing for our City is beneficial to every resident.

This affords us the opportunity to continue providing the services and amenities you love, while also improving and enhancing our community.

Some of these include developing and maintaining parks, hosting events such as Concerts in the Park (once events are allowed again), increasing library programming, supporting startup businesses through the Business Incubator Program, offering school programs to promote healthy lifestyles amongst our City’s youth and providing countless recreation opportunities to cater to varying interests and needs.

The wide variety of programs and services the City of Santa Clarita is fortunate to offer illustrates the importance of fiscal responsibility.

I am grateful for the work of the City Council and staff to keep strong fiscal health a priority for Santa Clarita. The awards and recognitions received are due to their outstanding efforts yearround.

Additionally, the conservative budget practices displayed have allowed our City to weather the storm brought forth by COVID-19 without diminishing our good financial standing. As we stride closer toward normalcy for our community, it should bring residents comfort and confidence, knowing that their City continues to be fiscally responsible while also making exceptional service and innovation top priorities.

Looking forward to the initiatives and projects planned for the coming months, I do not doubt that the City will continue to excel in each of these areas and further improve the quality of life for Santa Clarita residents.

Ken Striplin can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.com. The views expressed in his column are those of the City and do not necessarily reflect those of The Signal. 

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J A N UA RY 10, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

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

Fun hero movies from WWII to those of the future graphed action sequences, but thanks in large part to Moretz’s ferociously effective work, we’re all too happy to take that zany ride.

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Shadow in the Cloud’



(out of four) Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment present a film directed

by Roseanne Liang. Written by Roseanne Liang and Max Landis. Rated R (for language throughout, sexual references and violence). Running time: 83 minutes. On Demand

‘We Can Be Heroes



Netflix presents a film written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. Rated PG (for mild action/violence). Running time: 100 minutes.

T

O

ne of the most famous episodes of “The Twilight Zone” was the 1963 classic titled “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” with a pre- “Star Trek” William Shatner playing an airline passenger returning home after a six-month stay at a sanitarium who swears he has seen a gremlin on the wing of the plane, trying to disable one of the engines. (The episode was reprised in the 1983 “Twilight Zone” movie, with John Lithgow playing the role of the agitated passenger.)

Although the entertainingly bonkers feature “Shadow in the Cloud” is an original story, it’s basically “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” in a World War II setting, with Chloe Grace Moretz playing the part of the ostensibly hysterical passenger who swears there’s a gremlin (maybe more than one) lurking in the skies, hell-bent on attacking the aircraft and killing everyone onboard. It’s the first killer B-movie of 2021.

The year is 1943, and Moretz’s Flight Officer Maude Garrett is an unwelcome guest of the all-male crew on a B-17 Flying Fortress named “The Fool’s Errand” (and oh is that name a harbinger of things to come) taking off from New Zealand. Maude has been tasked with transporting a top-secret package that must not be opened under any circumstances because it’s the MacGuffin of this movie, but there’s not enough room in the Sperry turret for both Maude and the package, so Taylor John Smith’s Quaid tells Maude he’ll safeguard the valuable cargo while she’s wedged into the tiny enclosure.

For about half the film, “Shadow in the Cloud” director Roseanne Liang keeps the camera focused solely on Maude in that cramped turret as Maude hears the boorish male crew

PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

members making lewd jokes about her (they forgot she has a headset, but it doesn’t really matter to them when they’re busted) and laughing off her reports of some mysterious creature — maybe even an actual gremlin — hovering about the plane. It’s a wondrous performance by Moretz, who establishes Maude as a resourceful badass who has endured sexism and abuse for much of her life and refuses to let her tormentors define her.

Moretz also looks every part the 1940s movie star, even as Maude springs into action a la Ripley in “Aliens” and performs increasingly implausible feats of strength and heroism, whether she’s improvising ways to stay alive, shooting down Japanese fighter planes, or doing battle with a veritable army of truly terrifying CGI creatures that resemble giant flying rabid bat-rats. At times, it’s difficult to distinguish one male flight crew member from another, as they exist only as voices on the radio for much of the film, but Nick Robinson distinguishes himself as the sexist lout Stu Beckell, who’s a million miles away from the usual modern and likable and sensitive characters Robinson has played in films such as “Love, Simon” and the recent series “A Teacher.”

The deeper “Shadow in the Cloud” dives into sci-fi fantasy territory, the more we’re asked to just go with it and enjoy the spectacularly choreo-

hey can be heroes. Just for one day.

We hear certain characters singing the chorus to David Bowie’s classic art-rock masterpiece more than once, and we get the “we can be heroes” message throughout writer-director Robert Rodriguez’s breezy, candy-colored, kid-friendly and cheerfully strange “We Can Be Heroes,” a stand-alone sequel to Rodriguez’ equally loony and upbeat “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D” from 2005.

“Are you saying we could be heroes?” comes the question from one little superhero in the making. “We could be heroes, just for one day,” another mini-superhero sings in reply, and then quips, “Sorry, it was there for the taking!”

That kind of self-aware humor permeates “We Can Be Heroes,” which has the vibe of a Saturday morning live-action serial, only with better special effects. Though aimed at a young audience, this is one of those superhero adventures that will keep the adults entertained as well.

Our narrator and hero-in-themaking is one Missy Moreno (YaYa Gosselin, in a winning performance), who tells us, “At a time in the world when things were feeling less and less certain, there was one thing you could always count on: the Heroics.

Our planet’s team of superheroes.”

The Heroics once were led by Missy’s single father, Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Moreno, but Marcus has made a deal with Missy: He’ll continue to work from a desk job at Heroics headquarters (which resembles a downgraded version of the Avengers facility), but he’ll keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. (So, in the same week Pedro Pascal is playing the main villain in “Wonder Woman 1984,” he’s on the

side of good in “We Can Be Heroes.”)

Ah, but the best-laid plans of mice and men and superheroes often go awry, and Marcus is pressed into action to join the likes of Christian Slater’s Tech-No, Boyd Holbrook’s Miracle Guy and the grown-up Sharkboy and Lavagirl, who are now married with a young daughter, to take on an armada of alien ships invading Earth’s atmosphere. (Taylor Dooley reprises her role as Lavagirl, but Taylor Lautner was reportedly unavailable to return as Sharkboy, so a masked J.J. Dashnaw takes over the role.) The Heroics are no match for this army of purple-colored flying machines with mechanical tentacles and are soon captured and held prisoner. Meanwhile, the children of the Heroics have been quarantined in an underground bunker at Heroics headquarters, the better to protect them from the aliens.

Christopher McDonald’s bumbling POTUS addresses the nation and says, “People of America. As you have witnessed, the Heroics have been captured. … It all looks rather hopeless.

Bad. Hopelessly bad.”

“How did this guy ever get elected?” says one of the kids. “He can’t even put two sentences together.”

Like I said: Jokes for the kids and jokes for the grown-ups.

Missy is the only one in the kids’ group who doesn’t have demonstrable superpowers, but she’s a natural leader, and she spearheads a mission to escape from the bunker, invade the aliens’ mothership and save their parents — and the world. Her sidekicks are a diverse group who initially are at odds with one another but must learn to get along despite their differences and work together, and that’s your main message of “Heroes” right there. It’s a likable group of kids and the proceedings are livened up by Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the straightlaced Mrs. Granada, a civilian who is the director of Heroics, and the wonderful Adriana Barraza, grandmother to Missy and the founder of the Heroics. 

Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times

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FOOD

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

Put a ‘Zesty

F

Spin’ on weeknight meals

or many, dinner means foolproof recipes that families can count on, but those can become bland and boring. Finding new ways to put a twist on meals throughout the week adds fun to time spent in the kitchen while bringing new flavor to the table.

To help reinvigorate traditional weeknight dinners, chef Bobby Flay and Hidden Valley Ranch created the three-part Hidden Valley Ranch Night! series to debut dishes that bring bold flavor to traditional meals, such as these recipes for Ranch Crusted Burgers with Avocado Ranch Sauce and Ranch Seasoned Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas with Tomato Salsa and Sour Cream. The series will provide a spin on weeknight staples to showcase the simplicity, versatility and zesty flavor of ranch seasoning when used to create family-friendly dinners any night of the week.

Find more information, including series episodes and additional recipes, at hiddenvalley.com/ranch-night. (Family Features) 

Ranch Seasoned Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas with Tomato Salsa and Sour Cream

bowl, combine tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, lime juice, olive oil and basil; season with salt and pepper.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

Servings: 4

To make quesadillas Preheat oven to 450 F.

Tomato Salsa

Ranch Crusted Burgers with Avocado Ranch Sauce Servings: 4

Avocado Ranch Sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup sour cream 1 tablespoon well-shaken buttermilk 1/2 teaspoon Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper 3 green onions, thinly sliced 2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced

Ranch Spice Crusted Burger

1 1/2 teaspoons Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning 1 teaspoon paprika

kosher salt

freshly ground pepper 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80% lean) 2 tablespoons canola oil 8 slices American cheese 1/4 cup water 4 brioche buns, split in half

Avocado Ranch Sauce To make avocado ranch sauce In

bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth. Fold in green onions and diced avocados; set aside.

To make burgers In small bowl, whisk ranch seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.

Heat large cast-iron pan or griddle over high heat. Divide meat into four 6-ounce patties and make deep depression in centers with thumb. Season each with spice rub on one side.

Add canola oil to pan and heat until shimmering. Place on burgers in pan, spice side down, and cook until golden brown and lightly charred, 4 minutes.

Turn burgers over and cook 4 minutes, or until they reach desired doneness.

Top each burger with two slices cheese. Add water to pan and cover tightly with lid 10 seconds, or until the cheese is melted.

Place burgers on bottom buns and top each with avocado ranch sauce and top buns. 

4 plum tomatoes, seeded and finely diced 1/2 small red onion, finely diced 1/2 jalapeno, finely diced 1 lime, juice only 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped into ribbons

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

Quesadillas

2 tablespoons canola oil 1 1/2 pounds cremini or button mushrooms, thinly sliced 2 teaspoons Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning, divided 12 flour tortillas (6 inches) 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 16 ounces roasted or rotisserie chicken, shredded

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

canola oil 1/2 cup sour cream

tomato salsa 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped To make tomato salsa In medium

In large saute pan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add mushrooms and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons ranch seasoning. Cook until mushrooms are golden brown and liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool.

Place tortillas next to each other on baking sheet. Sprinkle thin layer of cheese on eight tortillas. Add cooled mushrooms to four tortillas and shredded chicken to other four tortillas. Season each layer with salt and pepper. Stack tortillas to create four, two-layer quesadillas. Cover each with remaining tortillas; brush top tortillas lightly with canola oil and sprinkle with remaining ranch seasoning.

Bake 6-8 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas turn lightly golden brown with crispy edges.

Cut each quesadilla into four pieces.

Garnish each slice with dollop of sour cream. Add dollop of tomato salsa on top of sour cream and garnish with basil. 

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y

Simple ways to look and feel your best this year

A

t the dawn of a new year, many people resolve to reach for new heights.

On the path to personal growth or improvement, one may find that making a few adjustments can greatly increase confidence and satisfaction.

The adage “don’t judge a book by its cover” can inspire people to look beyond the outer shell to what lies beneath. However, how a person presents himself or herself undeniably has an impact on how this person is perceived. Therefore, individuals can make small changes that improve how they look and feel about themselves. This, in turn, may make people more self-assured.

Consider a teeth-whitening treatment

A bright, welcoming smile portrays friendliness and confidence. People who hide their smiles because of yellowing teeth can find that investing in at-home whitening strips or gels, or

rack clothing just doesn’t fit as well as a person may hope, especially if that man or woman is between sizes.

Working with a tailor or seamstress to make clothing fit better can help people feel more comfortable in everything they do.

Practice better posture

Standing tall with shoulders back and head held high can do everything from project assertiveness to help clothes fit and fall better.

Properly groom your brows Start with a bright smile and then work on other methods to help you feel better and more confident.

working with a dentist for professional whitening services, can dramatically change their looks.

Skip the pockets

Rely on clothing that is pocket-less, especially if you’re prone to putting hands in pockets. Body language experts say that people put their hands

in their pockets when they are uncomfortable or unsure of themselves.

Keeping one’s hands free can project more confidence in all they do.

Get a tailored wardrobe

Ill-fitting clothing may tell others you don’t care about your appearance, even if you do. Sometimes off-the-

Men and women both can benefit from well-tended brows. These eye-framing wonders are one area on the face people tend to notice first. It pays to keep them well-groomed.

Start exercising

Exercise does wonders for not only maintaining a healthy, fit body, but it also can improve mood.

These suggestions are relatively easy tweaks to help a person put forth his or her best self. (MC) 

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HOME

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

Colorful Kitchen Inspiration account for 70% of sales, signaling a significant shift among homeowners and their preferences.

While there are virtually no limitations when it comes to the paint, stain and glaze options available to complement your overall kitchen design, the current stylings reflected in Wellborn Cabinet’s annual color trends provides an opening to a range of impactful colors, such as grays, blues, blacks and wood tones, and a mixture of these on-trend hues.

A gray for every mood

T

he kitchen is the heart of many homes, and careful planning is a necessity when it comes to redesigning this essential living space. Picking out cabinetry — and a color for those cabinets, in particular — can be a challenging process.

Everything from the style of your cabinets to the amount of natural light your space receives are key factors to consider when choosing an updated hue. While white cabinets are an everlasting choice, and woodstained cabinetry once held 70% of the market, painted cabinets now

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While gray cabinets have been a popular design choice for several years, much like shades of white, no two grays are exactly alike. Cabinet colors live on a color spectrum that ranges from warm to neutral to dark; warm grays have yellow or brown undertones while cool grays have hushed hues of blue.

Neutral gray, or Ash, is a true black and white mixture of colors. However, many homeowners are opting for warmer or cooler shades instead. For example, light gray cabinets can create a chic, modern motif for homeowners looking to liven up their space while avoiding completely white cabinetry. One of the latest gray trends is a warmer gray that can look almost beige, earning the nickname “greige.”

A sea of blue

One of today’s hottest trends in kitchen cabinetry is the use of shades of blue, which provide calming and restful effects and the feeling of harmony and serenity. Pops of blue can be used as an accent color on islands

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or on either upper or base cabinets.

To balance out these dramatic darks, many homeowners are opting to pair a bold color choice like a navy hue — such as Bleu — with neutral to warm whites, such as wool and bone white, to create a crisp, clean look. Gold hardware can be used on navy cabinetry for an upscale and regal look while silver-tone hardware provides a contemporary finishing touch.

While lighter shades of blue, like aqua, are perfect for keeping spaces light and airy, one of the latest colors to emerge is a mid-tone classic blue.

A balanced option like Sapphire from Wellborn Cabinet, which is a classic, mid-tone royal blue available in the Premier and Estate Series framed cabinetry, as well as the full-access, frameless Aspire Series, can help create energy and inspiration for dining or cooking.

Mixed wood tones

Even with the rise in painted woods, stains are seeing a surge in popularity. The application of stain to natural wood can enhance the character of the cabinetry. Neutral color, dimension, texture and soft luxury can be layered into nearly any space to create a blended balance.

Wood grains typically pair well with whites, grays, blues and brass tones — all of which are popular colors in modern kitchens and other localized entertaining areas such as in-home refreshment areas or bars.

Multitones and unexpected pops of color

Many homeowners are even pairing two or more complementary colors to create two- and three-toned looks.

For example, lighter gray, Shale or blue can be used for the upper cabinets with darker shades used below for the base cabinetry, or a neutral hue can be used on the uppers with a contrast color on the bottom. In three-toned kitchens, an additional color or material is introduced to create asymmetry in the palette to help define zones or functions and keep the eye moving.

Find more on-trend kitchen inspiration and color options at Wellborn. com. (Family Features) 

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

GARDENING

How plants improve mental and physical wellness

F

lowers and plants are staples in many American homes, adding to the style and aesthetic of virtually any space.

While the visual benefits of plants are widely embraced, many people are unaware of the ways plants can support mental and physical well-being, too.

“Plants offer countless benefits beyond beauty,” explains Alfred Palomares, vice president of merchandising at 1-800-Flowers.com. “From improving air quality to having calming and healing benefits, plants are such an important component to keep in your home.”

He lends insight into the benefits of plants and which species you should consider for your favorite spaces:

A home office that nurtures

For your home office in particular, choose furnishings and decor that improve your comfort, functionality and focus. Make sure your chair is ergonomic and adjusted at the right height

for your desk, and that the space has adequate lighting and ventilation.

Plants suitable for a home office should be easy to maintain, and will not take over the space. For example, a hanging plant that won’t use up valuable desk space can add a welcome touch of green.

Plant to consider English Ivy can beautifully spruce up your work area.

Improve air quality

Plants can improve air quality by decreasing the levels of volatile organic compounds in the air by up to 89%, according to a report by the NASA Stennis Space Center. VOCs are commonly found in household items and paints, and include formaldehyde, benzene and trichlorethylene, among others.

Many green houseplants have the ability to: • Reduce carbon dioxide levels • Control humidity levels • Reduce indoor pollution levels • Reduce airborne dust levels

• Add oxygen to the air Plant to consider Peace Lily can remove pollutants and absorb harmful substances like ammonia and xylene that may be present in your home, plus has a pleasant scent when in bloom.

Healing and health-promoting Plants are believed to calm and promote healing in people of all ages. Just looking at pictures of plants can have a positive impact. The reason? Scientists believe that the calming effects of nature images can reduce cortisol levels and improve mood, effectively speeding up the healing process.

Of course live plants are the ideal.

A Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine article found that patients recovering from surgery with plants and flowers in their room have experienced: • Lower blood pressure and heart rate • Lower ratings of pain, anxiety and fatigue

• Fewer intakes of pain medication Whether you’re recovering from an illness or simply want to promote the overall wellness of the people who live in your home, consider placing plants throughout the most-used spaces to reap the benefits.

Plant to consider Aloe Vera is an ancient natural remedy that not only adds visual appeal, but the clear gel from the plant’s leaves also soothes the skin.

Learn how plants can boost wellness in any space at 1800flowers.com/ blog/plants. (BPT) 

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1 4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

FINANCE&CAREER

Keeping your career change alive during a recession

T

hough people might not have known it when the world-renowned ball began to descend on New York City’s Times Square shortly before midnight on December 31, 2019, the year 2020 would prove to be one marked by considerable challenges.

Many people will rejoice as the calender turns from 2020 to 2021, even though the economic fallout of COVID-19 is likely to be felt well into 2021. In a survey of 235 economists conducted by the National Association for Business Economists, roughly 80% of respondents indicated there is at least a 25% chance that the U.S. economy will endure a double-dip recession.

Each January people resolve to make changes in an effort to improve their lives. These resolutions can serve as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. According to Statista, finding a new job was the eighth most popular New Year’s resolution in 2019.

Given the economic challenges of 2020, professionals unhappy with their careers may think twice before resolving to switch careers in the year ahead.

And while switching careers in the midst of a prolonged economic downturn may seem risky, there are ways to continue on the path to a new career

al life jacket should your industry crash during an economic downturn in the coming months.

Keep looking Just because the economy is struggling doesn’t mean businesses aren’t still hiring. While some industries have suffered mightily during the pandemic, others have thrived.

U.S. Unemployment figures reached historic highs in June 2020, but those numbers had already declined significantly by the end of summer. That’s because companies were hiring. Opportunities are out there, even if the economy is struggling. even if the economy is struggling.

Stay the course If you have been working toward a career change then it’s important to stay the course. That’s especially important if you are changing careers because your industry was already suffering prior to the recession. Much of the world has paused during the pandemic, and struggling industries on life support are no doubt still struggling. So staying the course now puts you in better position to jump ship before your industry crashes.

If your efforts involve going back to school, stay in school and keep working toward your degree or certificate, which could prove to be a profession-

Maintain your professional connections Networking is a valuable tool when looking for a new job. Successful networking can provide access to job openings that may never be posted on online job boards. And in the age of social distancing, many professionals working from home full-time or those who have been grounded for business traveling are happy to connect with colleagues, even if those connections are limited to Zoom calls or email.

While a recession may not be the best time to make a career change, all career transitions require some measure of risk. Professionals committed to changing careers should not let economic downturns prevent them from doing so. (MC) 

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 15

R E A L E S TAT E

Do your homework before jumping on the RE boom

O

ver the past several months, everyone’s lives have been upended, with consequences nobody predicted. One unexpected result of the pandemic? A real estate boom.

With so many more people working from home, people are re-evaluating their living spaces, including those who need to factor in homeschooling.

Some families are realizing they need more bedrooms, larger yards or just more space in general. Others who have suffered financial setbacks may be looking to downsize. And many city dwellers are trying to move away from congested areas to smaller towns or suburbs.

All of these changes, plus the low mortgage rates, have resulted in plenty of activity in the housing market.

If you’re one of the many Americans considering a move, here are some tips to navigate the process successfully right now.

1. Check your credit

Long before you make any large purchase, whether it’s a car or a home, you should check your credit score and your credit report.

Before you even start scoping out

CREDIT

Continued from page 7

month, Arndt said.

If someone can’t honor the commitments and responsibilities that come with a credit card, then it may not be in their best interest to get one, Bistritz-Balkan said.

“The number of credit cards you hold isn’t nearly as important as what you do with them,” Thomann said. “It’s better to have one or two cards with good payment records than lots of cards with high balances or missed payments.”

Griffin believes credit cards shows CRAs that you can make good independent borrowing decisions by giving them insight into how much you choose to borrow and pay.

And if you do have multiple cards, Ferguson advises you to make sure to identify why you are using each card.

neighborhoods, visit AnnualCredit Report.com, a site where you can access for free your credit report — these days, on a weekly basis. Also be sure to review the report to ensure there are no errors. You can also check your VantageScore credit score for free at websites like CreditKarma. com, MyLendingTree.com and My CreditGuide from American Express.

The VantageScore model, widely used by lenders, helps consumers and lenders by providing a more accurate representation of the risk for someone to default on a loan payment.

It also provides more consistent scores regardless of which national credit reporting company provides your score.

If your credit score is not up to par, improve it by: • Making timely payments on bills, especially credit cards, and pay more than the minimum when you can.

• Reducing the percentage of revolving credit you’re using by paying down some of your cards. Under 30% of the maximum credit available is optimal.

• Asking for your credit limits to be increased. If you increase the credit limit but don’t charge more on your You should also think about your overall financial situation before closing unused credit cards, Griffin said.

Because the limit on the card you want to close is going toward the percentage of credit you don’t use in your credit utilization ratio, closing credit cards can negatively affect your score, according to Ferguson.

“Having an account with a long history and solid track record of paying bills on time every time are the types of responsible habits lenders and creditors look for,” Bistritz-Balkan said. “Therefore, closing that account might not be in the consumer’s best interest.”

Closing a card will also cause your score to dip, so either close a card well in advance of any loan applications you plan on filing or wait until after. In most cases, scores will rebound if no significant new debt accrues, Griffin said. 

card, you’ll be using a smaller percentage of your limit.

• Keeping a neglected credit account active by making a small purchase on it that you can quickly pay off.

No matter which strategies you use, allow a few months for your improved credit habits to show up on your report before applying for a mortgage.

2. Get pre-qualified

Being pre-qualified makes you a much more attractive buyer.

The first step in getting pre-qualified is checking your credit score (see above).

Next, crunch some numbers. You’ll need to figure out your debt-to-income ratio based on the anticipated mortgage monthly payment: What percentage of your gross monthly income goes toward debt (student loans, credit cards, car payments, etc.)? Most mortgage lenders look for a DTI of 36% or lower.

If your DTI is high, see if you can decrease your debt by paying some down and/or increase your income (perhaps with a part-time job).

Apply with a number of lenders — some will give you better rates than others. Before applying, ask what information and documents you will need. This will include proof of employment and income, plus previous tax returns.

Also, be sure to apply to all the lenders within a span of two weeks.

That way, only one “credit inquiry” will impact your VantageScore credit score.

3. Take advantage of virtual home tours

Save time and stay safe by touring

homes virtually while you’re in the initial stages of house-hunting. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can ask about visiting properties in person, following safety protocols.

4. Leave your emotions at the door

Whether you’re buying and/or selling, don’t let the emotions of the moment push you into making a hasty decision. Make sure you know your budget and the acceptable terms or conditions for the purchase (or sale). If the seller (or buyer) suddenly changes something about the deal — from the closing date to the offer or asking price — don’t make a snap decision. Tell them you’ll think about it overnight and discuss it with your real estate agent. Weigh the pros and cons before agreeing.

For more financial tips and information about credit, visit www.yourvan tagescore.com. (BPT) 

Annette Davis

REALTOR® Lic#01055118

(310) 795-6701

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Enjoy year-round living with central air and heating. A workshop shed is out back for storage, home projects or hobby enthusiasts.

Not included in the square footage is a detached bonus room measuring approximately 19’ x 10’ with 2 entries, upgraded electrical and equipped with cable and gas, and is perfect for guests, kids and pets. This turn-key home offers a quiet lifestyle, yet is centrally located Northeast of Santa Clarita with easy access to the 405, 5, 210 and 14 freeways. Priced to sell! Hurry this home won’t last!

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J A N UA RY 10, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

City offers a variety of trails and paths for all uses

By Taylor Villanueva Signal Staff Writer

T

he trail system in the Santa Clarita Valley consists of a variety of paths ranging in use and length, which serve both practical and leisurely uses.

The city of Santa Clarita’s Instagram page notes there are more than 115 miles of bike paths in the SCV. Trails along the city range from neighborhood paseos to multi-use trails.

The walking paths throughout the city have several classifications.

Beside paseos, there are also lighted trails, river and creekside trails, bridges, underpasses, recreation centers and parks.

Trail classifications

The trail system in the Santa Clarita Valley is divided into different sections based on trail class.

There are Class I Bike Paths, Class II Bike Lanes, Class III Bike Routes and Multi-Use Trails. The city pro-

City of Santa Clarita trails and parks maps help you find places to explore. PHOTO

BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

vides descriptions for each type of trail on its website.

Class I Bike Paths provide “a completely separated right-of-way for the

TRAILS

Continued from page 4

20 0 2

“Most of us are connected on social media, so we will ride together,” Moskol says.

“We do rides and functions with the city.” She says that the group also held education classes.

Moskol explains how bicyclists use the trails for both transportation and leisure, but they were originally designed as recreational paths.

“As the city grew and the demand increased to use the roads, it has turned into a very big, great bike infrastructure amenity,” Moskol says. “We are so lucky to have what we have.”  Santa Clarita Valley Bicycle Coalition is the chapter of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.

For more information, visit www. la-bike.org/chapters. For more information about the Santa Clarita Valley Trail Users, visit Facebook.com and search for SCV Trail Users. 

exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with cross-flow traffic minimized.” These paths also have fences that encourage the “use of designated access points.”

Class II Bike Lanes provide “a striped lane for one-way bike travel on a street or highway.” These lanes “are marked with signs and pavement striping,” according to the city’s website.

Class III Bike Routes provide for “shared use with a pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic” and are “marked with signs.”

Multi-use trails are “located primarily in rural areas.” These trails are “unpaved and are available for equestrian, hiking and mountain bike use.”

The trails are “marked with lodgepole fencing.”

The trail system has expanded rapidly in recent years, and there are more upcoming changes to make it easier for pedestrians to safely make their way across the city.

To construct a new trail, the city must receive enough funding through grants or other means. Once there is a sufficient budget, the map-making process can commence.

Factors such as the city’s topography and jurisdictions play a role in where the trails can go. Engineers work with city members to make sure the trails are plausible in certain areas. Once these plans are approved, workers can begin the process to create a new trail.

Like most places, Santa Clarita has a trail system etiquette to maintain the quality of pathways and experience for those using the trails. Trails are open from sunrise to sunset. The paths have trash receptacles provided throughout the trails. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on these pedestrian paths. Dogs must be on leashes at all times, and pet owners have to pick up after their dogs to keep the trails clean. There are also posted trail use guidelines for trails that have individualized rules.  For information on pedestrian trails in the SCV, visit hikesantaclarita. com and bikesantaclarita.com. Visit santa-clarita.com for general information on trails, including maps and locations. 

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

SENIORLIVING

Dementia-related psychosis

A

pproximately 2.4 million people or 30% of people living with dementia in the U.S. may experience hallucinations and delusions associated with dementia-related psychosis. These symptoms might include seeing something that isn’t there or believing something that isn’t true and can be frequent, persistent and recur over time.

According to advocates, improving management of these troubling symptoms starts with recognizing and understanding what patients are experiencing. To learn more, UsAgainst Alzheimer’s, the Lewy Body Dementia Association and Acadia Pharmaceuticals, surveyed patients and their caregivers. Findings highlighted important, infrequently discussed, considerations for caregivers:

1. Symptoms can happen frequently.

The most common symptoms of dementia-related psychosis reported by surveyed patients were visual hallucinations (89%), auditory hallucinations (54%) and distortion of senses (54%) and such symptoms can happen frequently. Of patients who reported recent visual hallucinations, 61% indicated they occurred at least weekly. In addition, the majority of care partners (77%) reported paranoid delusions as occurring at least weekly.

“Given their potential frequency, being prepared to recognize, report, and manage these symptoms is critical,” says Theresa Frangiosa of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, one of the survey authors. “My mom experienced these kinds of symptoms associated with her Alzheimer’s disease and in talking with other caregivers, many people think this could never happen to their family until it does.”

2. Dementia-related hallucinations

and delusions greatly impact a patient’s overall health and quality of life. Most surveyed patients said their activities of daily living (75%), sleep (63%), family life (56%) and safety (about 56%) were affected by dementia-related hallucinations.

Care partners reported that symptoms make it difficult for their loved ones to know what is real and what is not real, contributing to their anxiety, and impacting their personal relationships. Pay attention to increased

MAKE YOUR HEARING YOUR #1 GOAL IN 2021!

instances of possible hallucinations.

Research shows that these kind of neuropsychiatric symptoms may pose challenges. For example, studies show that presence of psychosis in Alzheimer’s patients was also associated with 1.5 times increased likelihood of death.

3. Care partners are affected too.

Dementia-related hallucinations and delusions are symptoms that can be associated with all forms of dementia. Unfortunately, caregivers of people with dementia compared to non-caregivers can experience high rates of emotional and physical stress as well as depression, an increased likelihood of comorbid conditions, hospitalizations and doctor visits. In fact, caregiver burden is associated with increased desire to place people with dementia in long-term care.

4. Getting help as early as possible

is key. Living with dementia-related hallucinations and delusions takes a toll on both patients and caregivers.

That’s why advocates urge caregivers to get educated about what to expect from dementia-related psychosis and find support.

“If you see your loved one exhibiting new symptoms, then take the initiative to tell their health care provider, who can offer advice on how to cope,” urges Frangiosa.

While the symptoms of dementia-related psychosis can be hard to recognize at first, reporting symptoms is the first step to finding support.

For more information, visit usagainst alzheimers.org. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is an advocacy and research-focused organization pushing for expanding treatments and research for Alzheimer’s disease. Additional education is available from LBDA at www.lbda.org.

(SPT) 

GOALS

1. Call Adv a FREE haenacred Audiology to s 661.200.94 ing screening! chedule 70 2. Ask abo $1500 oufft 2m021 New Year sp id & high lev ecial of aids el hearing Trust your hearing care to the most highly qualified audiologists in the SCV at Advanced Audiology.

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• Voted 2020 Business of the year by VIA • Voted #19 of 51 most influential people in Santa Clarita in 2020 by the Signal • Voted 2019 Business of the year by the SCV Chamber of Commerce • Vote 2020 Best Audiologist by Elite Magazine voters • Voted Business of the Month by Senator Scott Wilk We are here to educate our patients! Regardless of your age or lifestyle your hearing care needs are our top priority. You can trust Advanced Audiology to work with you to ensure you receive the best care and solution to your specific needs.

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1 8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Building a strong family one brick at a time You’re an expert on something. Share your talent or hobby with kids.

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

B

Teach, but never stop learning

uilding a strong family is like building a house: We do it brick by brick, one day at a time. Here are some “bricks” that I try to focus on annually in January. I get inspired with these little reminders, as I adjust my thinking and goals for my family of five, and also for my extended family as it grows and changes with the seasons and the years.

Learning is a two-way street. Don’t know how to snowboard? Having trouble with an app you just downloaded? Chances are your kids can help you out.

Make a mess a minute

Kids love a good mess. Let’s face it — mess is often the sign of a good time. Relax, and enjoy moments of discovery and creation.

Carry on traditions, and start your own

It’s the little things that yield big results It’s the little things we remember from childhood, like sledding with Mom, jumping into a pile of leaves with Dad or making pancakes with an uncle on a Saturday morning.

Make the ordinary extraordinary

Stop and take a moment with chil-

Aaron Peppers, father of two, shares his love for singing and songwriting with his cousin’s daughter, Lexi, in Placerville, California.

dren to appreciate the joy and wonder of the world around them.

erence. Encourage kids to see things from another point of view.

Look through a different pair of glasses

Share what you love with kids

Everyone has a unique frame of ref-

Parents and other significant adults in their lives are kids’ No. 1 teachers.

Traditions connect us through generations. It might be a special candlestick that comes out once a year, a recipe, a special way of saying “Thank you.” Share the old and create the new in 2021.

Give the gift of time

The formative years matter. The moments you spend with the children in your life now will help mold them into giving, resourceful and caring adults.

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.

J A N UA RY 10, 2021

Opinion

S U N D AY S I G N A L · 1 9

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

The Blind Spot of the Left Looking at the current state of affairs at the Capitol, one wonders how pro-Trump protesters breached Capitol security — they (were) in the building. Who allowed that? Not only that, they were open-faced... not masked.

I ’m not thinking about Covid-19. I ’m thinking about anonymity. They ’re not afraid of being identified. This is a bit telling of who and what is on each side of this... this... whatever you want to call it.

I don’t think the left is prepared for this sort of confrontation, even though it was the left that created the conditions that led up to it. Four years of ignoring the rule of law and scornfully mocking literally half the voting population of this country, and this what you get.

Watching the major news channels it ’s clear to me that the left still cannot see the role they played, and they likely never will — they are that dense with self-righteousness.

I am certain they are saying the exact same thing of the right, but it was the left that took "first blood" this time.

So this is the picture. This is no longer a matter of who is right or who is wrong, who is good or who is bad. Concepts like “taking the high road” become irrelevant. This is fast becoming a matter of who can beat who in a street fight, and this is the main reason the framers of the Constitution gave citizens the right to bear arms because they knew something like this was bound to happen — where laws and the human character would fail and we would once again need to resort to violence to restore the republic.

Arthur Saginian Santa Clarita

The Irony of NeverTrumpers In 2016, I told “NeverTrumpers” to reconsider, as Donald Trump was the candidate more likely to be impeached if he tried something bad than Hillary “Email Server” Clinton would ever be. But when he won, the NeverTrumpers were so vexed they instead tried to impeach Trump over something good (investigating Joe Biden’s foreign corruption). Then in 2020 those same NeverTrumpers (either by omission or commission) ignored that very same corruption and helped the now very impeachable Joe Biden into the White House.

Irony abounds!

Rob Kerchner Valencia Submit a Letter to the Editor

Include name, address & phone; Anonymous letters aren’t printed; email: letters@signalscv.com. Mail to: Letters, The Signal, 26330 Diamond Place, Ste. 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

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

So You Want a Revolution?

By David Hegg

R

ecently, I spent some time with friends who have recently moved out of California. Like so many others who are fleeing our fair land because they can, taking employment mobility and bags of money with them, this couple extolled the benefits of living elsewhere. They told us how much further their money goes, of course, but that wasn’t all. They were especially surprised how much nicer, kinder, cheerful and neighborly folks were in their new state.

But that doesn’t surprise us, does it? Where once you could count on others giving you ample space to merge onto the freeway now most act like they don’t see you coming up the onramp. And how about the drivers who play chicken with anyone brave enough to use a crosswalk?

And it’s not just our driving that demonstrates a radical devolution in common courtesy around here. We scream at the neighbors’ dogs, rail at slow drive-thru lines, take umbrage with our kids’ teachers and customer service agents of various kinds, and generally gripe every chance we get.

We’ve become an uptight, critical, easily annoyed and offended group of spoiled brats who insist the rest of the world must see us, our opinions and especially our convenience, as their most important priority. Face it, if we were in a second-grade class with a really good teacher, we’d all be missing recess!

Yes, I know, we could chalk it up to COVID-19, but hey folks! It’s been this way long enough that our true kind, generous and patient natures should have shown up, right?

OK, so I am overselling the case, exaggerating the problem, and generalizing the situation. But you’ve got to admit we’re just not as nice as we once were, as a neighborhood, as a people, as a country.

So, what’s the answer? I think it is simple and difficult at the same time. Simply put, we have buried the virtue of sacrifice under a garbage truck load of selfishness. We have stopped putting others' needs and comfort ahead of our own any time it calls for personal inconvenience.

As a pastor, I can put it in biblical terms: We’ve stopped loving our neighbors.

If we truly loved our neighbors – whom the

Bible defines as anyone to whom we can do good – we would prepare our hearts and minds every day to be inconvenienced without complaint. We would add a readiness to be kind whenever and wherever and to whomever we can. If our hearts were not so self-centered, we would find our eyes opened to the much more satisfying virtues of sacrificial compassion and neighborly generosity.

But wait, there’s more. Those known for kindness, for being ready to help, comfort and encourage no matter the personal cost, are also almost always the most satisfied, joyful and contented people we know. Turns out those who sincerely and honestly dole out kindness and common courtesy gain more from their disposition and activity than those on the receiving end. Apparently, kindness has a personally beneficial residual effect on the giver, sort of a super powerful life supplement that increases the joy and satisfaction life can bring. And did I mention it’s free?

The reason exchanging an attitude of petulance and criticism for kindness and selfless love brings so much contentedness to life is simple.

Each of us is here, still breathing, with a beating heart and all the other necessary life functions, and this is due to the kindness and ongoing love of Almighty God, who created us to represent him. Given this, we will be most satisfied when his ways, his truth, and his nature are most seen in and through us.

Our founding fathers understood this and realized our republic would only be as strong as were the righteous virtues of our people. But right now, we are watching Americans of every political stripe biting and devouring one another. We are fully engaged in a verbal civil war that far too few see as dangerous. But what makes for good television is horrible for neighborhoods.

When Jesus was asked, “What’s the greatest commandment?” he replied with a two-fer: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength … and your neighbor as yourself.” Almost 2,000 years later it remains the only hope for any nation, and that includes the one that claims, “in God we trust.”

Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays. 

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