Sunday Signal January 24, 2021

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Catching Up with SCV’s Young Talent

JANUARY 24, 2021

Page 7

Your News, Entertainment & Lifestyle Source

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WHERE TO GO OFF-ROAD IN SOCAL

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HEALTHY BOOSTS FOR YOUR ENERGY, IMMUNE SYSTEM

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HOW TO EMBRACE GOING GRAY

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

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J A N UA RY 24, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWS FEATURES

4

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

8

4 5 6 7

Creative ways to be healthy in the home office SCV teens keeping up the acts of kindness Getting out and doing some off-reading Young actors share fun, challenges

8 More adventure awaits BMX riders, mountain bikers

ENTERTAINMENT 9 9 Two four-star movies from Amazon studios and on-demand

FOOD

1 0 Keep the focus on fun during family baking sessions Easy-to-make cookies

10

HEALTH 11 1 1 The roles different vitamins play in a healthy lifestyle Vitamin A deficiency in preschoolers

HOME 12 12 Rethink your home’s interior

GARDENING 13 1 3 Learn the right ways to clean lawn, patio furniture Clean garden tools can mean healthier plants

TECHNOLOGY 14 1 4 Clean your computer inside and out for better performance Interactive fitness mirrors

REAL ESTATE

1 5 Three tips to help prepare your home for the market Stay put or move on

15

PETS 16 1 6 How to welcome a new puppy to the family Consider the gift of training

SENIOR LIVING

17

KIDS & FAMILY

18

17 Graying with grace 1 8 Donna’s Day: Sunny-side up snowflakes Junior Whirl  Health Fact  How to say that in …

OPINION 19 SPORTS

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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 24, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Creative ways to be healthy in the home office

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

I

t’s almost been a year now since the concept of working from home became a reality for most, with makeshift home-office setups becoming the unofficial norm.

As kitchen or dining room tables turn into desks and couches or recliners turn into office chairs, however cozy we may feel, experts say our new home setups could be creating chronic problems.

Whether it’s shoulder, neck or back pain you may be feeling, it’s most likely those makeshift workspaces that are to blame.

“Ergonomics is the science of fitting the work task and work environment to the individual worker, as opposed to the individual trying to conform to a work setting that is awkward or a workflow that is stressful,” said Julie Barker, physical therapist and ergonomist at Henry Mayo Fitness and Health.

This becomes exactly the case when

Above: Adjusting your computer or desktop height, whether you favor a sitting or standing desk, can make all the difference in addressing soreness. PHOTO COURTESY KAISER PERMANENTE Right: Making sure that you take time to get up to stretch when you’re at your work station, whether it’s in the home or your place of business, is critical, according to the experts. MC

you try to conform your body to the couch or bed, with laptops balanced upon your knees, or at the kitchen table, with wrists or elbows resting on sharp edges, Barker added.

Kaiser Permanente’s senior physi-

Tips and tricks to making your work-from-home setup actually work

I

f you’re working on a laptop, invest in a wireless keyboard and mouse, so you can keep your screen at eye-level and an arm’s length away.

• Find a table or work surface with a height that matches your seated resting elbow height. If you’re short, a TV tray may work, and if you’re tall, maybe try stacking books under the table. An ironing board can also be lowered or raised to the perfect height.

• You can also use your kitchen counter or ironing board to create a sit-to-stand desk. Make sure it is also elbow height.

• Use pillows or folded towels to lift your butt up higher than your knees to achieve a better spinal posture and raise you up to the correct height to view your screen.

• You can also place a pillow or

rolled towel behind you for lower back support.

• Use boxes as foot rests or to raise your screen up to the correct height.

• Use Legos to build yourself the perfect tablet stand to ensure it, too, is at eye-level.

• Use sponges or an old tube sock filled with rice as a wrist rest.

• Enlist the posture police by asking family members to cue you when they see you slumped, or make a visual reminder so you can police yourself.

• Drink plenty of water to help cycle the toxins out of your system.

• Take microbreaks, which are vital to working successfully. Take a few seconds to stand up and move every 20-30 minutes and focus your eyes on an object 20 feet away. Walk and stretch during some tasks, like taking phone calls. 

cal therapist and ergonomist Ghyzal Ashrati, agreed, adding, “Working from home typically sounds nice, but in terms of ergonomics and proper body mechanics, setting up a healthy home workstation can be challenging.”

Traditional workplaces often provide key items, such as keyboard trays, ergonomic chairs and height adjustable desks, to support good body mechanics.

The biggest concerns regarding makeshift setups

One of the biggest problems with working from a couch or bed, instead of a desk, is the poor or awkward position you’re putting your body in, as rather than sitting upright, typically you’re slouched.

In addition, using improper work surfaces, like your lap, can lead to you being hunched over trying to see the screen, while having an incorrect seat or a table height, can result in the same.

This is especially true when using laptops, as you can’t have your arms and your head in a really comfortable position at the same time, added Amy Wunsch, co-owner of Next Level Physical Therapy and Athletic Performance.

Barker agreed, adding, “You literally cannot get yourself in a good position using your laptop in your lap.”

Barker and Wunsch also agree that working from home has led many to

be moving too little as they tend to stay glued to their screens.

“When you’re at the office, you’re getting up and going to meetings and coming back and going to lunch and you’re moving around — we don’t have that now — everybody comes to you, basically, and you stay stuck in your chair,” Barker said.

“And sitting actually increases the pressure at your spine by 50%,” Wunsch added.

It’s this suboptimal work environment that is causing postural strain and a lot of injuries.

A good ergonomic setup can not only reduce muscle soreness and overall fatigue, as well as prevent injuries, like bulging discs or carpal tunnel, but it can also make your job more efficient and easier, in turn making you faster and more productive, allowing your brain to focus on the task at hand, rather than any pain you may be feeling, Barker said.

“I think there is a tendency to just try to get by until it’s over, (but) we need to be intentional about carving out a dedicated and correctly set up workspace,” Barker added.

The key is really making your environment work to your body versus trying to fit your body into your environment, Wunsh explained.

“Working from home and keeping yourself free of injury,” Ashrati added, “may require a little creativity.” 

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 5

SCV teens keeping up the acts of kindness

N E W S F E AT U R E

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

T

he coronavirus crisis intensified the challenges many faced before the pandemic, but it also spurred several initiatives that helped bring the community

together.

Perhaps most encouraging, many of those humanitarian efforts stemmed from the future of the Santa Clarita Valley — nonprofit drives, charitable groups and organizing that’s continuing into the new year.

Groceries for all

Six Feet Supplies, for example, started at the end of March 2020 as the SCV was nearly a week into the statewide “Stay-at-Home” order. Under that lockdown, a group of local high school students decided they wanted to deliver groceries to those in need.

In its early days, Six Feet Supplies, which works by placing online orders, was delivering about 30 orders in the SCV. To date, volunteers have delivered more than $40,000 worth of groceries to more than 400 people and have expanded services to areas including West Los Angeles and the San Fernando, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel valleys, according to Valencia High School student Zoe Monterola, who partnered with West Ranch High School student Eric Luo to create the zero-cost grocery delivery service.

“It was a lot about being proactive and building that repertoire and relationships to get the word out,” she said. “It was definitely about starting with a really good mission and values, which they still are: safety and doing honest and good work. We always strive to do our best.”

For Monterola, hearing back from those that placed orders and what receiving their groceries meant for them was “really touching” and served as “fuel behind the fire.”

“One story that stands out is of a mom and her husband who had just delivered a new baby and they were home and they didn’t have any groceries so they contacted us and they were so grateful,” she said. “There was also an elderly couple whose son emailed us and expressed how thankful he was because his parents were just so scared of going out.

There was a woman, too, who was so grateful that she said if we wanted, we could pick oranges from her front yard.”

“We definitely don’t ask for money because we do this to help other people but a woman gave a $50 tip for delivering to her grandfather who was a little bit further out of SCV and she was so grateful that I think she cried on the phone with the person who delivered groceries,” she added.

Monterola is preparing for college but said she and others are working to find younger peers who will continue running operations.

Valencia High School students, from left, Nicholas Moy, Joseph Lee, Avi Basnet, Hayden Lee and Fabio Nunez Del Prada display their SupplyNeighbor app. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

To learn more, visit sixfeetsupplies.com.

Supporting the homeless

The youth from various local schools have also stepped up to support the SCV homeless population by providing meals, clothing and essential items.

Among them is Hart High School senior Isabella Sandoval, who started “Hart for the Homeless,” a school club formed last year that has exclusively helped Bridge to Home.

“I was watching the news and it was talking about the homeless population in L.A. County, which I found really interesting,” said Sandoval. “So, I started thinking about the local level in Santa Clarita and how a 17-year-old like me can make a change and from there I started the research process.”

Through collaborations with members of the community, Hart for Homeless, with an estimated 25 members and volunteers, has provided hundreds of donations to the nonprofit organization and its clients, such as toothbrushes, blankets, shampoo and laundry detergent.

For Sandoval and the volunteers, dropping off the items at the shelter has been the most rewarding.

“Seeing the reactions of clients, like, ‘What is that and what are the things that are coming in?’ and seeing how genuinely happy they were to see people taking the time out of their day to help, I think, really made the experience worth it and it was just the cherry on top.”

The students’ initiative is setting examples for many, said Randi Wyatt, volunteer coordinator at Bridge to Home.

“Their efforts really create a great impact. I think it’s great that young people want to get involved and

by reaching out they’re creating a greater sense of community,” she said. “The feedback is great because when the youth groups drop off items all you can hear (from clients) is, ‘That’s so cool,’ and ‘Did you see the kids?’”

Hart for Homeless is planning to continue donation drives and in February, members are expecting to drop off Valentine’s Day cards to the homeless, according to Sandoval.

For information on how to help Bridge to Home, visit btohome.org.

Neighbors helping neighbors

With students behind these initiatives moving into college sometime this year or the next, five Valencia High School students behind Supply Neighbor wanted to create a service that would essentially run on its own as they become more occupied with their studies.

Based on zip codes, Supply Neighbor allows people within a neighborhood to request needed items, such as face masks, groceries and hand sanitizers, or to offer supplies for their neighbors in need.

Since its launch last spring, an estimated 8,000 members have signed up and actively request or offer supplies, according to student senior Nicholas Moy, project coordinator and co-founder.

“We’ve been growing our user base and we have reached out to our families who live in other states.

We’ve been starting up in those states as well,” he said, adding that “because the website is meant to be self-sustaining, we will keep it up and running.”

To learn more, visit supplyneighbor.com/home. php. 

6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

N E W S F E AT U R E

Getting out and doing some nearby off-roading six days a week and includes a main track, 90cc mini track and 65cc peewee track.

The SVRA also recently added two new ATV tracks and a nearby campground with shaded picnic tables, firepits and bathrooms.

For information , visit //ohv.parks. ca.gov/?page_id=1192.

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

W

ith so much beautiful scenery in California, it’s not a surprise that off-roading is such an extremely popular hobby.

“Off-roading lets you drive somewhere you’ve never seen, meet people, make memories and overall have great experiences that you’ll never forget,” avid off-roader Christian Ibarra said.

Although it may seem like you should be allowed to ride up any hill or dirt road, in Santa Clarita, there aren’t many places to legally off-road.

Why can’t you just ride anywhere?

“The goal of the off-highway community is to develop a sustainable community where they can recreate,” said Mark Hada, superintendent and visitor services manager of the California State Park’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division.

“But certain areas aren’t very sustainable to off-roading.”

If the area has endangered species, mineral issues or land use issues for example, then you can’t ride there.

“If conditions and weather don’t meet certain criteria, then they can’t open these trails to the public either,” Hada said.

Then there are also areas the recreation division is not able to maintain for financial reasons.

According to the Angeles National Forest website, the Angeles National Forest is located within one of the driest, most fire-prone areas in the United States.

Santa Clarita is in a “Zone 4 fire area,” which, says Sgt. Mike Konecny of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s Off-Road Enforcement Team, means that you’re not even allowed to legally ride on your own private property.

Forest trails

Not all areas that are impacted by these fires will recover naturally, so the Angeles National Forest is required by law to attempt restorations intended to reproduce the ecosystems that had previously been damaged.

So where can you ride?

Here are a few nearby locations you can try out.

Rowher Flat OHV From Highway 14, take Sierra Highway offramp north and turn left on Rush Canyon Road.

Rowher Flat is an all-year OHV area with some 47 miles of marked trails spread across 10,000 acres. The area is mainly hard pack with some free play areas.

There are a variety of trails requiring anywhere from beginner to advanced riding skills, according to the Angeles National Forest Off Highway Vehicle. Designated OHV routes are marked with signs for the type of use and level of difficulty. Beginners are advised to stay on the flat areas.

With recent upgrades to staging areas including loading ramps, bathrooms, shaded picnic tables and firepits, this area can also be great for camping.

The main staging area also has an 80cc mini track and four-wheel drive training course.

For information on Rowher Flat, visit www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/

recarea/?recid=41806. The site includes any restrictions regarding recent fire activity.

Drinkwater Flat Take San

Francisquito Canyon Road and travel north for approximately 5 miles.

Near Rowher Flat, Drinkwater Flat is comprised of only a few marked and rated trails, but there is both smooth-groomed easy stuff and rougher hills for those looking for tougher trails.

OHVs are still required to be registered and stickered accordingly.

Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area 5301 Ralphs Ranch Road (previously known as Peace Valley Road) in Gorman.

Hungry Valley SVRA is the third largest California State Park’s OHMVR area with over 130 miles of trails on 19,000 acres.

With elevation ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 feet and a wide variety of trails and terrain, off-roaders of all skill level will be challenged, according to the OHMVR. Experienced riders can tackle the hills and sand washes in the back-country while beginners can enjoy the scenery and easier trails in the Native Grasslands Management Area, the OHMVR website states.

The Quail Canyon Motocross Track to the southeast is open to the public

The rest of the Angeles National Forest has a system of OHV-designated routes that are open to four-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles and are identified by “designated route” signs, according to the forest’s off-highway vehicles brochure.

These marked fire trails are not always open, so Konecny suggests getting maps from forest services and calling to check which are accessible.

For information, visit www.fs.usda. gov/main/angeles/home.

Before you ride …

To ensure a safe and fun off-roading experience, make sure to always wear the proper protective gear including helmets, boots, gloves and eye protection when appropriate.

Forest-approved spark arrestors or mufflers are required on all OHVs, according to the OHMVR. Each OHV must be registered and will receive either a green or red sticker per its emissions standards.

Green sticker vehicles are able to be ridden year-round while red sticker vehicles can only be ridden October 1 through April 30, according to the OHMVR. California State Parks offers free safety seminars for kids ages 6 to 18, according to Amy Granat, California Off-Road Vehicle Association managing director.

For more information, email HungryValleyASITraining@gmail. com. 

PHOTO COURTESY CHRISTIAN IBARRA

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 7

N E W S F E AT U R E

Young actors share fun, challenges amid the pandemic

By Perry Smith Sunday Signal Editor

F

or Mackenzie Hancsicsak and Maddy McGraw, two of Hollywood’s brightest young stars, 2020 was an interesting, stop-and-go year to say the least.

Mackenzie stars as the young Kate in the Emmy Award-winning NBC primetime drama “This Is Us,” and Maddy McGraw just enjoyed her Disney Channel premiere “Secrets of Sulphur Springs,” and she’s already preparing for her next shoot.

From new projects to new interests, despite the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, these two burgeoning Hollywood careers were able to use a number of opportunities to grow and develop.

Both recently took some time to share their perspectives on how filming and life in general have changed over the last year.

New interests

For Mackenzie, her time together with family in quarantine has also been a time of discovery and exploration of her interests, as well as community service.

An interest in the kitchen was spurred in part by family tradition and also her eighth-grade culinary course in junior high, she said.

“I did like it a little bit before (the class),” Mackenzie said, “I used to always help my mom bake — and with her popcorn.”

In fact, Momz Caramel Corn has been a fun family project for the pair, said Mackenzie’s mother, Melinda, who said it uses a recipe her mom shared with her before she passed away, which she’s now shared with Mackenzie.

The Rio Norte student recently celebrated her GPA with her family, in fact, with a cake Mackenzie baked herself, as the young chef is also learning terms like “mise en place,” from her favorite culinary shows, and also that she prefers baking to cooking.

Mackenzie also said filming during the quarantine has been a bit different, as there are so many new precautions amid COVID-19 that the set experience is decidedly less interactive with the other actors, who are also friends. (“This Is Us” is now in

the middle of its fifth season, and episodes return Feb. 2.)

Like all major sets, the crew, actors and actresses all follow a number of protocols, and in order to help keep everyone safe and abide by the rules, the Hancsicsaks also have restricted their travel. However, Mackenzie found an opportunity to help others locally through her service as a Girl Scout during the pandemic, with her troop working together to create “thank you” bags for the hospital staff at Providence Holy Cross and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, about 500 or so, which will help Mackenzie and her friends earn their Silver badge.

(There’s also an Instagram account, @ MomzCaramelCorn, for more information.)

New opportunities

For Maddy McGraw, 2020 actually presented a new opportunity that she’d been working on for a while, earning a great role after a lot of work in auditioning and then the making of the pilot.

Earlier this month, “Secrets of Sulphur Springs” debuted on the Disney Channel, a project that McGraw had been working on since early 2019.

“I want to say fall (2019), we found out that the pilot was going to series, which is also a very, very exciting phone call,” said Maddy McGraw’s mother, Jackie. “And then in January 2020, (Maddy) and my husband went off to New Orleans to start filming season one.”

Unfortunately, everyone knows what happened not long after they arrived in the Bayou. Much like the

January is off to a great start for Maddy McGraw, who saw her new show “Secrets of Sulphur Springs” debut earlier this month, in which she plays Zoey. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Mackenzie Hancsicsak discovered she really enjoys baking, during the pandemic, in addition to her hobbies and acting career. PHOTO BY BOBBY BLOCK / THE SIGNAL Inset: Hancsicsak as the young Kate on “This Is Us.” PHOTO COURTESY IMDB

rest of the world, the film set for “Secrets” went on pause after making it through a handful of episodes.

Needless to say, it was a challenging time for the aspiring actress.

“I was really sad and really nervous because I was like, ‘Finally, I get to be on a Disney show. It’s so cool.” I’ve been getting all these ‘Nos’ (on auditions). And I finally got the ‘Yes.’ So I was really nervous.”

But as luck would have it, there was a happy ending to the story for Maddy.

“And when we finally got the call that we were going to go back to shooting, I was so relieved and so

happy and grateful,” she added.

It’s been a tremendous experience for Maddy, who also made good friends with her cast members.

“The cast is so amazing,” Maddy said. “We all got along so well.

They’re all my family. I love them so much. And I’m so happy that I got to work with all of them.”

She’s also already excited about her next project in North Carolina, which is a feature film set to be directed by Scott Derrickson, who directed “Doctor Strange” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still.”

In addition to making film projects with her siblings, who have also already garnered IMDB.com pages, Maddy enjoys playing soccer with her local club team.

Maddy’s latest work was also a bit of a different project for Disney, as the show about the haunted hotel in Louisiana (which is where their Sulphur Springs is located) has a little more mystery and intrigue than most shows on the network, “(Disney)” has never really done something as creepy or as mysterious as this one,” McGraw added, “so I’m really excited to see what happens.” 

8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

More adventure awaits bmx riders, mountain bikers

By Ken Striplin City Manager

T

he new Trek Bike Park of Santa Clarita is already a smash hit with residents of all ages. Since its grand opening last September, we’ve seen countless riders head to the Bike Park to test their skills, ride for fun and learn some new tricks.

Like so many in our community — including a large number of City of Santa Clarita employees — I enjoy mountain biking with friends and family. It is one of the few activities we can do during the COVID health restrictions because, by the very nature of biking, it is a socially distanced sport. While it is thrilling to explore trails outside of the City from time to time, it is wonderful to have this dedicated amenity for cyclists right here in Santa Clarita.

If you haven’t been to the Trek Bike Park yet, or if you’ve only gone once or twice, you may not have discovered everything it has to offer. Though

it initially opened with mountain bike trails, a strider track for youngsters and beginners and a single BMX pump track, the rideable space has grown significantly over the past few months.

In addition to four mountain bike trails that vary in intensity, the Bike Park now offers three pump tracks (easy, moderate, difficult) and a non-sanctioned BMX track that features 1,200 feet of riding surface.

Recently, City staff also covered the medium pump track (300 feet of easy-to-moderate riding) with 70 tons of asphalt and installed drain boxes and drains to improve rideability and enhance drainage efforts.

I invite you and your family to visit and explore the Trek Bike Park of Santa Clarita, located in the hills above the George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex. The Bike Park is open daily — conditions permitting — from dawn to dusk.

While improvements and modifications will be ongoing for this popular attraction, it is far from the only recreational project on the radar for 2021.

In the coming weeks and months, much more information will be available for two highly anticipated amenities.

First, it goes without saying that the Inclusive Play Area at Canyon Country Park has had a profound impact on the children in our community.

As such, I am thrilled that the City is planning to build a second Inclusive Play Area on the west side of Santa Clarita. More details on this project will be made available as soon as they are confirmed.

We also cannot wait to open the doors of the former Ice Station once more. Crews have been hard at work refurbishing the facility and preparing it to welcome back the community for skating, hockey, events and more. You don’t want to miss all we have in store for this cherished Santa Clarita landmark this year.

As we get further into 2021, I encourage you to stay active and healthy and take advantage of all your City has to offer.

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

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J A N UA RY 24, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 9

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

Two four-star movies from Amazon studios, on-demand

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘One Night in Miami’

 

(out of four) Amazon Studios presents a film directed by Regina King. Rated R (for language). Available on Amazon Prime Video.

T

he joke making the social media rounds in the wake of the Georgia Senate runoffs goes like this: “A Black man and a Jewish man walk into a bar in Georgia and the bartender says, ‘What’ll you have, senators?’”

Virtually every “walk into a bar” joke ever told is based on a premise of, “Now there’s something you don’t see every day.” And so it goes with films and TV series that use a real-life meeting between notable figures as a launching point for largely (or completely) fictional works of entertainment, whether it be The King and the president meeting in “Elvis & Nixon” (2016) or Queen Elizabeth’s conversations with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Crown” or even the recent “The Comey Rule” on Showtime, which reimagines a dinner between the director of the FBI and the beleaguered president.

Director Regina King’s memorably electric “One Night in Miami” (based on the 2013 stage play of the same name by Kemp Powers) is based on the real-life convergence of Cassius Clay (who would soon become known to the world as Muhammad Ali), Jim Brown, Sam Cooke and Malcolm X in Miami Beach in 1964, on the night Clay defeated the favored Sonny Liston and became heavyweight champion of the world. At Ali’s urging, the four men wound up in Malcolm X’s room at the Hampton House Motel for a long night of discussion. Others were present in the room, but for the sake of dramatic impact, “One Night in Miami” is a four-man show, with crackling good performances by Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X, Leslie Odom Jr. as Cooke, Eli Goree as Clay/Ali and Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown.

After a series of scene-setting opening vignettes, including the mesmerizingly great Cooke performing at the Copacabana to a dismissive and rude

PHOTO COURTESY AMAZON STUDIOS

all-white crowd, and conquering NFL hero Brown visiting an old friend and neighbor in his hometown in Georgia, where the pleasantries take a harsh and racist turn, “One Night in Miami” spends the bulk of its time in Malcolm X’s hotel suite, where the four men gather to celebrate Ali’s monumental victory — a celebration that turns into a long and sometimes contentious night of debate and discussion about each man’s place in the world in 1964, and what they’re doing to advance the cause of racial and social equality.

At first, Malcolm X comes across as almost nerdy and is teased by the alpha jock football player and boxer and the sex-symbol crooner, but as the night deepens, Malcolm becomes more forceful as he challenges the others, particularly Cooke, to use their platforms and their gifts to effect real change. When Cooke says he sticks primarily to old-fashioned love songs because protest music doesn’t sell, Malcolm plays a recording of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” which had become a mega-hit.

With Terence Blanchard’s score beautifully augmenting the historyin-the-making gathering of these four icons at a pivotal moment in their lives, “One Night in Miami” is filled with profoundly impactful exchanges, and a sprinkling of edgy, comedic observations, e.g., when Brown cracks about Malcolm X that it’s always the lighter-skinned Blacks who are the most radical. And there’s a bittersweet

cloud hanging over the proceedings, as we know both Cooke and Malcolm X will be shot and killed within a year of this evening.

The performances are universally excellent, with Leslie Odom Jr. beautifully conveying Cooke’s magnetism on stage and off; Kingsley Ben-Adir capturing Malcolm’s single-minded determination and dedication to the cause; Eli Goree managing to sound and look like Clay/Ali without delving into an easy impersonation; and Hodge delivering a nuanced performance as Brown, who often acts as the go-between, the interpreter, between Malcolm and Cooke, who want the same things but have very different ideas about how to achieve those goals.

We don’t know the details of that famous meeting of four legends more than half-century ago, but if it was anything like what plays out in “One Night in Miami,” oh what a night.

‘News of the World’

 

Universal Pictures presents a film directed by Paul Greengrass. Written

by Paul Greengrass and Luke Davies, based on the novel by Paulette Jiles.

Rated PG-13. Available on demand.

T

here was an era — and that era was the 1970s — when a Time magazine poll named news anchor Walter Cronkite as “the most trusted man in America,” and Watergate investigative heroes Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were largely responsible for the occupation of journalist regularly charting near the top of the rankings of most admired professions in the USA. If we were to conduct a poll of the most trusted actors in America, I’d argue Tom Hanks would be near the top of that list, and Hanks is perfectly cast as an 1870 news anchor of sorts in Paul Greengrass’ gritty and visceral and deeply resonant “News of the World,” a rough-and-tumble Texas road-trip movie that plays like a hybrid of the John Wayne movies.

Hanks reteams with his “Captain Phillips” director to play a very different kind of captain — one Capt.

Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who fought for the Confederate

infantry and sustained injuries both external and internal, and has now carved out a unique way of making a living, i.e., he rides from town to town in the raw and rough state of Texas and literally reads the news of the world to the townsfolk for 10 cents a head, bringing them the latest developments from near and afar, Jefferson is a stoic man, a widower who keeps to himself, but his solitary, nomad life is upended when he happens across a 10-year-old girl named Johanna (Helena Zengel), who has spent much of her life as a captive of the Kiowa tribe and has been left with the authorities after her captors were killed. Jefferson takes on the responsibility of transporting the girl to her only surviving relatives in the faroff hill country town of Castroville, and thus begins a long and arduous journey, made all the more difficult because Johanna is deeply resentful of this strange man, speaks not a word of English and doesn’t even understand the concept of a knife and fork.

With the lush and moving score by James Newton Howard, “News of the World” has a rather deliberate pace that allows for the inevitable bonding between the world-weary and tough but goodhearted Jefferson and the wild and rebellious Helena.

We know these two will run into nearly insurmountable obstacles along the way, and director Greengrass does his usual superb job of amping up the suspense, whether Jefferson is dealing with a racist power broker named Mr. Farley (Thomas Francis Murphy) in one town who forces Jefferson to read Fake News propaganda, or engaged in a prolonged and deadly shootout with a band of nasty outlaws led by Michael Angelo Covino’s suitably hiss-worthy Almay, who wants to capture Johanna and turn her into a child prostitute.

Director Greengrass is a master at combining sympathetic character studies with docudrama and he’s at the top of his game here in this expertly crafted adaptation of the 2016 novel by Paulette Jiles. “News of the World” works at the highest levels as a story of two lost souls who find each other, and as a crackling good, blood-spattered Western. 

Copyright 2020 Chicago Sun-Times

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J A N UA RY 24, 2021

FOOD

Keep the focus on fun during family baking sessions

B

aking is a beloved tradition in many families. Though family baking sessions tend to be especially popular during the holiday season, there’s nothing stopping families from breaking out the flour and having some fun in the kitchen at any time of year.

Fun is the focus when families bake together, and the following are some ways to make such sessions enjoyable for everyone.

different than doing so alongside preteens and adolescents. In addition, consider kids’ maturity levels when planning family baking sessions, as some youngsters might be more than capable of following more challenging recipes.

Making sure kids are given age-appropriate tasks or jobs on par with their maturity levels is a great way to keep sessions fun and prevent frustration.

Encourage input The designated family baker may have a host of go-to recipes up his or her sleeve, and baking such specialties might be a necessity on birthdays or during the holiday season.

But all baking sessions need not be beholden to family favorites. Encourage all family members to recommend recipes prior to family baking sessions, even allowing a different person to choose the recipe each time.

This can make the whole family enthusiastic about baking together and may even help families discover some new foods.

young children are involved. Kids’ attention spans may wane or they may grow upset if they spill some ingredients.

Remain patient at such times and let kids know making a mess is part of the fun of baking together.

Remember that patience is a virtue Family baking sessions require patience, especially when

Simplify sessions as necessary Baking with toddlers and school-aged youngsters is going to be

Easy-to-make cookies

W

hether it’s a homecooked meal, a tasty snack or a delicious dessert, sometimes the best recipes are the easiest. Take your sweets to the next level by adding an option to your cookbook that’s as simple as it is tempting and satisfying.

These Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies require only three everyday ingredients that can be prepped and baked in less than half an hour.

Just preheat the oven; mix the peanut butter, sugar and one egg; roll into individual balls then flatten on a cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes.

The key ingredient is the flavorful peanut butter that packs a protein punch while delivering the taste that’ll bring loved ones back for seconds.

Find more ways to incorporate peanuts and peanut butter into your desserts at gapeanuts.com.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 8-10 minutes 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg

Share the baking bounty Let everyone indulge a little during the baking session. If you plan on making cookies, don’t hesitate to let everyone snack on a few chocolate chips while preparing the cookies. And once the bounty is done baking and it’s ready to eat, share it with family, friends and neighbors. Kids will be proud of their creations and want to share them, and that will ensure they’re excited about the next family baking session.

When baking with the family, keep the focus on fun so everyone has a great time while baking some tasty treats. (MC) Here are two cookie recipes to start your family baking fun. 

Teddy Bear Cookies

By Lauren Miyashiro Signal Contributing Writer

T

hese cookies are so cute you almost won’t want to eat them.

Yields:12 Prep time: 15 mins Total time: 25 mins

Ingredients

Oatmeal cookie mix, plus ingredients called for on package

Granulated sugar, for rolling

Brown M&M’s

Mini chocolate chips

Directions Preheat oven to 375° and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Preheat oven to 350 F. In bowl, combine peanut butter, sugar and egg.

Using small cookie scoop, place dough balls on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Flatten with fork to make traditional peanut butter cookie crisscross pattern.

Bake 8-10 minutes until done. Cool thoroughly before removing from cookie sheet. Store in air-tight container. (FF) 

In a large bowl, prepare oatmeal cookie dough according to package instructions.

Shape cookie dough into six 1” balls for the bear head. Flatten bear heads with a glass.

Shape smaller 1/2" balls for the ears and snouts. Place two balls on the top of each bear head to create ears.

Roll the dough balls being used for snouts in sugar and place in the bottom center of the bear head.

Carefully flatten the smaller balls.

Bake until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.

While the bear cookies are still warm, place an M&M on the snout to make a nose and use two mini chocolate chips to make eyes.

Let cool completely.

(Delish) 

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 1

H E A LT H

The roles different vitamins play in a healthy lifestyle

A

nutritious diet is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. When it’s part of a health regimen that includes routine exercise, a healthy diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables can help people reduce their risk for various illnesses, including chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Many adults have known about the value of fruits and vegetables since they were youngsters and their parents repeatedly told them how important it was to eat healthy foods.

Despite those early lessons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that less than 10% of adults and adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables. That’s unfortunate, as fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins that benefit the body in myriad ways.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that vitamin deficiency occurs when people do not get enough of certain vitamins. Recognizing the many functions vitamins serve may compel adults and adolescents to include more fruits and vegetables in their diets.

Vitamin A The USNLM notes

that vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children and increases the risk of disease and death from severe infections.

Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells and maintain brain function. Though the National Institutes of Health notes that isolated vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommon, a deficiency has been associated with various conditions, including a weakened immune system and dermatitis cheilitis, a condition marked by scaling on the lips and cracks at the corners of the mouth.

Vitamin C Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums, helps the body absorb iron and maintains healthy tissue. In addition, vitamin C plays an integral role in helping wounds heal. Vitamin C deficiency impairs bone function, and Merck notes that in children that impairment can cause bone lesions and contribute to poor bone growth.

Vitamin D The USNLM notes that 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine three

Vitamin A deficiency in preschoolers

A

ccording to the World Health Organization, an estimated 250 million preschool children are vitamin A deficient. That’s a significant concern, as children who are not getting enough vitamin A are at greater risk for severe visual impairment and blindness.

Vitamin A deficiency also increases a child’s risk of severe illness, and even death, from common childhood infections, including diarrheal disease and measles.

The WHO notes that breast milk is a natural source of vitamin A and urges mothers of infants to breastfeed to ensure children get ample amounts of vitamin A.

Parents of older children can look to various healthy foods to make sure youngsters are getting enough vitamin A. The National Institutes of Health notes that foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots and fortified cereals typically contain substantial amounts of vitamin A. The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that various animal products, including meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products, also contain significant amounts of vitamin A. Parents can speak with their children’s pediatricians to determine the healthiest, most effective ways to ensure their youngsters are getting enough vitamin A. (MC) 

times per week is enough to produce the body’s vitamin D requirement for people at most latitudes. It’s hard to rely on food to supply ample vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium that is necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones.

Vitamin E Vitamin E helps the body form red blood cells and utilize vitamin K. Green, leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli are good sources of vitamin E. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that a vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve and muscle damage, potentially leading to muscle weakness and vision problems.

Vitamin K Vitamin K helps to make certain proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones. The T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard notes that the main type of vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale and spinach. Vitamin K

deficiency is rare, but it can lead to bleeding, hemorrhaging or osteoporosis.

Vitamins are crucial to human beings’ overall health. Eating ample amounts of fruits and vegetables is a great and delicious way to avoid vitamin deficiency. (MC) 

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J A N UA RY 24, 2021

HOME

The Kitchen

K

itchens are the most popular rooms in many homes.

Even though The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states the average person spends just 68 minutes each weekday consuming food, and around 37 minutes preparing meals, the kitchen is not just a spot for food. It also is a gathering place for conversation, homework and family time.

In recognition that so much time is spent in this heart of the home, many people are embracing some of the more popular trends concerning kitchen layouts to maximize the comfort and efficiency of these rooms.

Communal zones

Unlike the days of yore when the kitchen was utilitarian, today’s home floor plans make kitchens a focal point of a home. Food preparation also is no longer a solitary task.

Thanks to larger kitchen footprints and multiple zones set up for meal creation, a greater number of people can hang out in the kitchen and help with meals. You’ll find multiple sinks,

large islands and more counter space are key components of modern kitchen layouts.

Dining nooks

Kitchen designs are bringing back banquette seating in a cozy nook.

This design is a practical use of space, and can fit in large and small kitchens alike. It also can give a kitchen a highend look, as built-in banquettes can highlight a bay window or seem custom-made for the space. Banquette seating can fit a number of people comfortably and provides a sensible and casual dining spot solution.

Family table

The trend experts at Southern Living magazine indicate that formal dining and living rooms are now used infrequently. As a result, kitchens have evolved to accommodate meal prep and dining. A large family table in the center of the room brings people into the kitchen to get more involved with food, according to San Francisco designer David Kensington.

ingly outfitted with a large island flanked by chic counter stools, according to the design pros at Domino. Family members can pull up a stool and grab a quick snack. It’s also a great place for friends to engage in conversation while a host or hostess prepares cocktails and appetizers for an evening soirée.

Counter culture

Work zone

Taking a page out of a favorite corner diner or bar, kitchens are increas-

Many families like to have an area of the kitchen set up as a tech zone

The Home Office work spaces can increase productivity. And, now that it has been a year, many may want to rethink their current office situation.

Here are some guidelines to create effective, organized home offices.

Begin with the desk

R

emote working has become popular in recent years, but the “working-fromhome” economy bloomed exponentially as the world was forced to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, as of summer 2020, 42% of the United States labor force was working from home full-time.

The need for home office spaces has increased as more people work from home. Many have retrofitted various spaces around their homes into areas to get work done. However, more organized home

where kids can do their homework and even parents can do some work, such as paying bills. Setting aside an area of counter space as a small desk area can be a great idea. Such areas also help parents keep a watchful eye on children while they’re surfing the internet.

Kitchens are the hub of the household, and modern design trends cater to a growing need for a multipurpose space. (MC) 

the desk in home offices without closets or drawers. Look for shelves that blend in with decor but are sturdy enough to be functional.

Organize paperwork

Figure out a system that works for you to help tidy up papers you choose to save. While some papers can be scanned and stored as digital files, colorcoded file folders can organize statements and other important documents. This makes it easy to find the folder you need.

The desk is the primary spot where work will take place. The right desk accessories can provide visual appeal and also serve practical purposes. Have cups for holding pens and pencils, baskets and bins for larger items, and store whatever you can elsewhere so it does not lead to clutter on the desk.

Establish a charging station

Create a printing station

Make essential binders

While you’re moving that wireless printer elsewhere, designate a space to serve as the central printing hub. This way children who need to print assignments for school will know where to go as well. Printer supplies like extra ink cartridges and printer paper can be kept in decorative storage boxes nearby.

Increase your shelving

Shelving can help keep items organized and off

Repurpose certain items, such as a desk organizer, into an easily accessible electronics charging station where phones and tablets can charge at one time.

HGTV suggests making binders that can store the most important papers for easy access — even in an emergency. Set up a binder for automotive paperwork, including repair receipts, a medical binder where key medical records are kept, a binder for manuals for devices in the home, and one to store financial planning documents.

These organizational tips can help remedy common problems around a home office. (MC) 

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 3

GARDENING

Learn the right ways to clean lawn, patio furniture

O

nce the days begin to grow a little bit longer and the numbers on the thermometer creep a tad higher, outdoor entertaining season is right around the corner. Homeowners may be anxious to once again return to the comforts of their backyards. However, their patio furniture may not be ready for lounging just yet.

Some simple cleaning strategies make it easy to brighten outdoor furniture made of metal, glass, wood, and plastic. Before homeowners know it, their backyards will be ready for outdoor entertaining season.

Proper storage

Storing outdoor furniture during the colder months of the year is a great way to protect items from the elements. This may involve careful shrink-wrapping and keeping items outdoors, or by moving furniture indoors to a shed or garage. Cleaning the furniture one last time before storing it also can be handy.

Remove stuck-on debris

Inspect furniture and be prepared to remove any stuck-on debris, such as bird droppings, sticky food residue or even cobwebs and insect nests. Be sure to use a cleaning tool that is safe for the material you are cleaning. Test an inconspicuous area of the furniture first to ensure your tools don’t

damage the furniture. For example, many scrub brushes can scratch glass or aluminum.

Make a thorough cleanser

Clean stains off of furniture with a versatile cleanser. A mild cleaner can be made by mixing 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 gallon of warm water, according to the experts at Better Homes & Gardens. Regular dishwashing detergent also can be mixed with water, as it has a mild bleaching agent.

This cleanser can be used on plastic resin furniture or metal furniture, which are popular patio furniture materials.

clean outdoor fabrics. Once items are clean, HGTV advises applying a water-repellent fabric protector to minimize staining and maintenance.

Patio fabrics

Strip or sand

Check the cleaning instructions of outdoor fabrics, as there might be specific instructions on the tags. In some cases, fabric may be removed and washed in a washing machine on a gentle setting. A solution of dish soap and warm water also is a gentle way to

Clean garden tools can mean healthier plants

D

ate time, such as when the tools are being stored in fall or before using them in spring or after using them to remove infected plants, can prevent the damage caused by invisible pathogens.

Avoid using strictly bleach to disinfect garden tools, as the UME notes that bleach corrodes metal and can therefore render tools that require sharp edges ineffective.

A homemade solution that’s nine parts water and one part bleach can be used to effectively clean shovels, spades and rakes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in concentrations of 70% or more can effectively disinfect surfaces for bacteria, fungi and viruses.

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Such a solution can be used to disinfect hand pruners and other small hand tools. Store-bought cleaners with an active ingredient that is 0.1% alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate also can be effective when disinfecting small hand tools as well as small pots and saucers. (MC)

20 20

isinfecting garden tools can help ensure the longterm health of plants and vegetables. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, plant pathogens, including bacteria, fungi and viruses, cause diseases that can damage and even kill plants. These pathogens can be transferred to plants and infect them through bits of soil and plant debris that get stuck on common gardening tools, including shovels and pruners.

Pathogens are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye, which is why even tools that appear clean may still contain harmful substances on their surfaces that can prove life-threatening to plants.

Disinfecting tools at the appropri-

Wood furniture may need specialized care. If stains cannot be removed with a mild cleanser, then hard woods like teak can be surface-sanded to restore items’ original look.

Pressure washers can often do more harm than good to patio furniture, so it’s best to look for an alternative way to clean them. Usually a bit of elbow grease and a cleanser is all that’s needed. Give the cleaning product time to work. Wipe down and dry the furniture thoroughly to prevent the growth of mildew. (MC)

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1 4 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

TECHNOLOGY

Clean your computer inside, out for better performance

C

omputers are significant investments and invaluable resources for school, work and recreational use.

These days, the daily use of computers had increased.

While an integral part of our daily activities, computers are not infallible. A concerted effort to clean computers every day can keep computers in top form.

According to How-to-Geek, computer cleanup can flush disk space and free up valuable system resources. In addition to cleaning internal components, computer owners must clean the exteriors of their devices.

These steps can keep computers running smoothly well into the future.

Store your computer the correct way

placed on a desk.

Check fan vents and ports

Check fan vents and other ports on the computer for accumulation of debris. Computers may need to be cleaned more frequently in homes where people smoke or have pets that shed.

Use a cleansing cloth and a can of compressed air to dislodge dust and other dirt.

Check internal systems

Some computer operating systems come with their own disk cleanup software that can help clean up system files, including fragmented files that not only take up space, but also cause computers to operate more slowly.

Empty the trash/recycle bin

A computer that is positioned close to the ground may be exposed to carpet particles, dust, hair, pet fur and more. These particles are less likely to get on or in the computer if it is

Files placed in the trash folder are not gone until the folder is emptied.

Check ‘auto launch’ applications

A computer can get bogged down

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by applications that launch on startup. They can draw on system resources and slow down the process of starting the computer. Review the applications in the startup list and limit to only what is needed.

Seek professional assistance

While some people can effectively open computer cases and clean internal components, newer computers are thinner and more streamlined than older models. Rather than risk damage, if a computer seems to be inefficient or running hot, take it in for professional cleaning and servicing.

Free up disk space

Photos and videos take up a lot of disk space. Consider moving larger files to an external hard drive, which also can serve as a backup for important files. In addition, uninstall unnecessary programs that you no longer need to keep on the computer. Deleting them will free up additional space and help the computer run smoothly.

In addition to these tips, remem-

ber to use only products that are safe for use on electronics when cleaning monitors, keyboards and optical mice. Keep devices away from water and moisture as well. (MC) 

Interactive fitness mirrors

D

igital smart mirrors, sometimes referred to as interactive fitness displays, are among the latest technology to hit the home fitness market. The mirrors are fully functioning exercise studios right in the comfort of home, but unlike other workout equipment, fitness mirrors look just like a regular mirror when they’re not engaged. That means they can hang in any room without distracting from the decor.

How do they work?

The equipment works differently depending on the chosen product. Units can range from $1,500 to $2,000, and a subscription to a fitness account is necessary. This provides access to either recorded or livestreamed fitness trainers. They are often certified individuals from the country’s top studios.

Trainers will have access to information subscribers enter and will be able to provide motivation and live feedback based on fitness metrics — as well as what they see live.

In addition, some mirrors come with expertly curated playlists that

complement specific workouts.

Other features and technology

Depending on the unit, the fitness mirror may sync with a Bluetoothenabled fitness watch or tracker to provide real time heart rate and other measurable data. Keep in mind that the mirrors use integrative cameras to provide feedback on performance.

Some rely on advanced motion-capture technology to protect privacy more effectively.

In addition to the interactive mirror, other smart fitness systems have gear built right into the devices. This can include electromagnetic weights to deliver resistance when “smart” handles or a bar are connected to the wall-mounted machine.

The brand Tonal has a spotter mode, to assist with heavy lifting.

Other tech-driven fitness equipment includes interactive treadmills and stationary bikes.

Streamlined, tech-heavy fitness devices are revolutionizing home gyms.

With some up-front investment, these devices may pay for themselves with improved health and reduced reliance on club memberships. (MC) 

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 5

R E A L E S TAT E

Three tips to help you prepare your home for sale

A

ccording to Realtor.com, spring is the busiest and best season to sell a home.

While a good home can find a buyer any time of year, homeowners might find the buyers’ pool is strongest in spring and into summer.

The reasons for that are many, ranging from parents wanting to move when their children are not in school to buyers wanting to move when the weather is most accommodating.

Because spring is such a popular time to sell a home, homeowners who want to put their homes on the market should use winter as an opportunity to prepare their homes for the prying eyes of prospective buyers.

The following tips can help homeowners during the pre-selling preparation process.

Address the exterior

Winter can be harsh on a home’s

exterior, so as winter winds down, homeowners who want to sell their homes should make an effort to address anything that might negatively affect their homes’ curb appeal.

A study of homes in Greenville, S.C., from researchers at Clemson University found that the value of homes with landscapes that were upgraded from “good” to “excellent” increased by 6 to 7%.

If it’s in the budget, hire professional landscapers to fix any problematic landscaping or address any issues that arose during the winter. Homeowners with green thumbs can tackle such projects on their own, but hiring professionals is akin to staging inside the home.

Conquer interior clutter

Clutter has a way of accumulating over the winter, when people tend to spend more time indoors than they

Stay put or move on

M

any home improvement television series showcase people deciding whether to improve upon their current homes to make them into the houses of their dreams or to put “for sale” signs in their lawns and move on to something new.

The question of whether to move or stay put depends on various factors. Such factors may include emotional attachment to a home, the current economic climate and the cost of real estate.

Current data points to a greater propensity for people to invest and improve upon their current properties rather than trading up for something new.

According to information collected by John Burns Real Estate Consulting, the percentage of homeowners moving up to their next home is the lowest in 25 years.

Many are opting to make starter homes permanent by expanding them and repairing homes for the long haul.

The National Association of Re-

altors said that, between 1987 and 2008, home buyers stayed in their homes an average of six years before selling. Since 2010, however, NAR says the average expected length of time people will stay in their homes is now 15 years.

Part of what’s fueling this permanency is that many home buyers were able to acquire rock-bottom mortgage interest rates shortly after the 2008 recession. As a result, they’re not inclined to walk away from those rates, even if doing so means getting more house.

Those factors and others have led many homeowners to invest in renovations instead. The experts at Bankrate say realistic budgeting and comparing renovation project costs against mortgages and interests rates can further help individuals decide whether to remain in their current homes or move out.

Very often a smarter layout and more efficient floor plan can make meaningful differences in spaces. Renovations and redesigns can make sense and often are less expensive than moving. (MC)

do throughout the rest of the year.

Homeowners who want to put their homes on the market in spring won’t have the luxury of waiting until spring to do their “spring” cleaning, so start clearing any clutter out in winter, even resolving to make an effort to prevent its accumulation throughout winter.

Just like buyers are impressed by curb appeal, they are turned off by clutter.

The Appraisal Institute suggests homeowners clear clutter out of their homes before appraisers visit, and the same approach can be applied to open houses.

Buyers, like appraisers, see cluttered homes as less valuable. In addition, a home full of clutter might give buyers the impression, true or not, that the home was not well maintained.

Eliminate odors.

A home’s inhabitants grow accustomed to odors that might be circulating throughout the house. Pet odor,

for instance, might not be as strong to a home’s residents as it is to guests and prospective buyers.

Because windows tend to stay closed throughout the winter, interior odors can be even stronger come late-winter than they are during the rest of the year.

A thorough cleaning of the house, including vacuuming and removal of any pet hair that accumulated over the winter, can help to remove odor.

In the weeks leading up to the open house, bathe pets more frequently, using a shampoo that promotes healthy skin so pet dander is not as prevalent.

Open windows when the weather allows so more fresh air comes into the home.

Spring is a popular and potentially lucrative time to sell a home, and homeowners who spend winter preparing their homes for the market may reap even greater rewards.

(MC) 

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REALTOR® Lic#01055118

(310) 795-6701

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1 6 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

PETS

How to welcome a new puppy to the family

I

ntroducing a new puppy to your household can bring many rewards. However, getting the hang of things can take some time, especially for first-time pet owners.

In fact, it takes the average pet owner almost four months to get into the flow with a new four-legged family member, according to a survey by Royal Canin. Eight in 10 respondents said the first year of pet ownership is the most important, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

The survey found 64% believe the first year is also the most difficult and deciding how to train a new pet was cited as the most important decision pet parents have to make.

“Bringing a puppy home is a hugely rewarding experience for pet owners, but it’s also a time of huge challenges and steep learning curves,” said Dr. Jill Cline, pet nutritionist and site director of Royal Canin’s Pet Health and Nutrition Center.

“In addition to helping your puppy adjust to its new home, you can support your puppy’s health now and always with a nutritionally complete diet tailored to its specific needs.”

Make welcoming a new puppy a rewarding experience for the whole family with these tips.

Arriving home

Your puppy may be feeling stressed by new sights, sounds, smells and the separation from its mother. Manage the noise and activity to avoid adding to this stress.

As soon as you get home, take your puppy to your yard or outside area so it can go to the bathroom. Use positive verbal reinforcement when the job is done.

Once indoors, block off a safe area and let your puppy sniff and explore on its own time. Getting acquainted with a new place takes time and lots of exploring.

Some puppies can be overwhelmed by too much human contact, so allow

PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES

your puppy to come to you.

Getting settled

Puppies like to know what to expect. Plan your routine for feeding, potty trips, exercise and grooming so you can get started on day one. If you know what routine your puppy had before adoption, it’s best to continue for consistency until your puppy is settled.

Any sudden dietary changes can cause stress or digestive problems, so for the first week or two, give your puppy the same food as its previous owner, following the feeding recommendations on the package.

Nutrition tailored to specific developmental needs can help fragile, young puppies grow into strong, healthy dogs. It’s important to select a high-quality food based on age and expected adult size.

Your puppy’s eating spot should be away from where you and any other pets eat. Allow your puppy to eat in peace to prevent it from feeling ner-

vous or protective.

Puppies tire easily and need as much as 18-20 hours of sleep per day for healthy development. A crate near where you sleep lets your puppy see and smell you but keeps it from wandering off.

Put something that carries your scent in your puppy’s bed along with a blanket to snuggle into.

Remember to schedule regular veterinarian visits and gradually introduce your puppy to new experiences like sounds, car travel, walks and other animals. It’s also important to begin behavior training right away to develop good habits from the start.

If you’re interested in getting a new puppy, before making a decision on which breed best suits your family and lifestyle, you can see all 196 registered breeds during the 2021 AKC National Championship.

Find more advice for welcoming a new puppy into your home at Royal Canin.com/puppies. (FF) 

The gift of training 20 0 2

F

inding a gift for new pet owners may be as simple as choosing presents that help care for companion animals. New puppy owners often find that the first several months to a year of having the pooch can be a whirlwind.

Training is an effective way to raise a healthy, safe and happy pet, but there are bound to be some trials and tribulations along the way.

New dog owners may not know

where to start in their training.

A gift of puppy kindergarten classes at a nearby pet store or training center can help puppy parents learn the basics. Another idea is to offer a present of personalized training with a one-on-one instructor. Many trainers make house calls to work with puppies on important skills, such as sitting, staying, house training and walking on a leash.

(MC) 

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

S U N D AYS I G N A L · 1 7

SENIORLIVING

Graying with grace

Your hearing is just as important as your vision!

1

2 3

F

or some people, gray hair comes with age. And, men and women have spent much time, money and energy covering their gray heads of hair with various hair dyes. But now there’s a growing trend among people to embrace the gray.

The rate at which hair will turn to gray differs based on genetics and other factors. Some people may go gray seemingly overnight, while others may gray at the temples first before the rest of their hair gradually changes color.

Aging women often wonder if they should cover up their gray hair or embrace the silver. However, going gray is no longer something that has women running to their stylists at the sight of the first gray strand.

According to a survey of hair trends by L’Oréal Professional, 28% of women embraced or considered opting for silver hair. And the trend has continued to gain steam.

Celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis and Helen Mirren were some of the first to embrace their grays. Younger celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Pink and Lady Gaga have opted for silver tresses to make a statement.

However, there are a few things to know before you decide to embrace, or encourage, gray hair. Gray hair — especially hair close to the temples — tends to be coarser and more resistant to absorbing hair color than other hair.

It can be difficult to cover the gray

4

hairs, and then once it is dyed, gray hair may end up showing through prematurely. As a result, many men and women have discovered it is more cost-effective to embrace their gray hair.

Prepare mentally for gray hair

Hair does not generally turn gray overnight. Therefore, people must expect to live with the gradual change and insecurities that arise as hair starts to turn gray. This requires a certain measure of strength and perseverance.

Consider a major haircut

Sometimes the process can be sped along with a dramatic hair cut that removes much of the dead ends and hair that has not yet turned gray.

5

Experiencing hearing loss can be stressful and embarrassing.

Hearing check-ups take a back seat to other important health check-ups like vision. Don’t wait another minute, Call today for a FREE hearing exam and wax check!

51

%

have their vision checked annually.

Stop using color-care shampoos

Certain shampoos are designed to lock color in place. Those who want to go gray can use regular shampoos or clarifying shampoos that strip old hair dye from the hair shaft.

Switch over to a toning shampoo that leaves a bit of pigment to counteract brassiness in gray hair.

Consider a makeup swap, too

Transition makeup color to give the face a warmer, rosier glow. Avoid dark eye shadows, which can wash out a complexion.

With a few simple techniques, men and women can naturally transition to gray hair. (MC) 

27

%

have their hearing checked annually.

Don’t forget our New Years special for the month of January. $1500 off mid and high level hearing aids. *New purchases only.

VALLEY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ADVOCATE.EDUCATE.INNOVATE.

2020 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

scvadvancedaudiology.com 661.200.9470

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1 8 · S U N D AYS I G N A L

J A N UA RY 24, 2021

K I D S & FA M I LY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun

Sunny-side up snowflakes

By Donna Erickson Signal Contributing Writer

P

ut “Snowflakes Sunny-Side Up” on your breakfast menu and the nutritious surprise will brighten even the darkest of wintry mornings.

Made with colorful slices of sweet red pepper in shapes that resemble snowflakes, the whimsy adds fun to the start of the day.

The curvy rings frame an egg as it fries into deliciousness for about 5 minutes. Top with a dusting of Parmesan or feta cheese, and serve with toast or an English muffin and fruit juice.

For a special weekend breakfast, let the snowflakes land on servings of hashed brown potatoes, bacon or sausage.

Let’s get crackin’ …

Snowflakes Sunny-Side Up

2 large firm red bell peppers with contours

Butter 6 medium eggs

Salt and pepper

Grated parmesan cheese or crumbled feta 1. Slice peppers into six 1/3-inchthick rounds, keeping the cut edges smooth and even. Remove seeds and core pieces.

2. Melt some butter on a flat skillet.

Cook the pepper slices on medium heat on one side for about 1 minute, then flip.

3. Carefully crack an egg into the center of each ring. Immediately press down on the ring with a spatula if egg white seeps through.

Cook for about 5 minutes or until the yolks are firm. (Place a lid on the pan for the last minute, if you wish.)

4. Serve with salt and pepper, and cheese sprinkled on top. Makes 6 snowflakes.

TIP For a springtime twist, set a strip of cooked bacon upright under the pepper on the plate. Your winter snowflake instantly transforms into a blooming flower with a stem.

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 24, 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

A Lesson for Congress I appreciated Betty Arenson’s column on Jan. 13. I, also, was appalled about the response regarding the demonstration in Washington, D.C., versus the lack of concern for riots last year in our major cities such as Seattle and Portland.

The reasons for demonstrations differed: concern over discrepancies in the presidential election versus police violence and discrimination against Black people. The weeks and months of demonstrations of the latter were aggravated by antifa and Black Lives Matter. In fact, police restraint was ordered as they (the police) were allowed to be spat upon, have feces thrown at them, and were beaten as they were on duty. In addition, peaceful demonstrators during the day were replaced by rioters at night, thus limiting local police resources. President Donald Trump’s offer of help from federal troops was refused. Interestingly, BLM did not rejoice that the Washington, D.C., police used “less brutality” in the one-day demonstration and again claimed discrimination! Mayors, city councils let their cities be destroyed and none of the hierarchy of government seem to care about citizen ruination.

Our legislators finally experienced some of what citizens of rioting cities experienced: fear, shutdown, hiding, hoping for police success, etc.; but I doubt our legislators have developed insights from their “riot” experience regarding the fear and devastation experienced by ordinary people whose businesses were robbed, burned, ruined and shut down forever, and as public buildings were desecrated and works of art ruined.

So, now, Washington, D.C.. is again attending to business, blaming citizens and the president — forgetting or ignoring that professional rioters infiltrated the peaceful demonstration. Instead of blame and fear, Congress needs to develop self-responsibility to truth, service and care to we citizens.

Mary Smith Valencia

Please Consider Monument Options Because I couldn’t access the City Council on Jan. 12, I would like to comment on the Central Park monument. I am not against a monument. I don’t think this very colorful design is appropriate. I am deeply sorry for the loss of these two students. Our son is in the Youth Grove. It is not flashy and is in a quiet place out of respect for them. Our son was a passenger and seat-belted. I can relate to your losses because our son was 17 years old and about to graduate. Living with us, he had all the usual personal items left behind. All reminders of him. We loved him as you loved your young teens.

Please consider other respectful solutions.

Joan Dunn Santa Clarita 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

On Normalcy and Honor

By David Hegg

O

ften, when I forget an appointment or where I put my glasses, I utter, “Of all the things I’ve lost I miss my mind the most.” But in this continuing day-and-nightmare of COVID I’ve found myself thinking, “Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss normalcy the most.” Right?

What we all struggle with is the disruption of the normal rhythms of life, the ebb and flow of our hours, our days, and our seasonal plans and hopes. And lurking beneath it all is the fear that we are drowning in the waves of prickly knowns and fearful unknowns. We need something solid, something unassailably normal to hold on to.

Americans have always found hope and security in two principle institutions. We’ve tethered our lives to God and country, to a theology of a transcendent, powerful and redemption-offering God, and the glorious, freedom-based experiment called democracy.

And since the past few years have seen the intentional erosion of both by those who would play god and use government for personal gain, it is clearly time for a reset.

This isn’t a religion column so if you want to hear about the God of the Bible, and his plan for human rescue, reformation and redemption, come hear me preach or enroll in one of my theology classes.

This is an ethics column, so let’s think about the opportunity we have to retreat back into the normalcy of the life-giving ethic of honor while we still can. I’m talking about the event that took place Jan. 20 when, once again, a duly elected president was honorably sworn in, and inaugurated. While we watched a new man take office, we were also taking part in one of the most honored traditions in our country.

I believe there is a foundational normalcy to be grasped in honoring the traditions that undergird our political system. Yes, that means honoring those who hold elective positions even when we disagree with them. The genius of democracy is never found in the individuals who occupy governmental positions, for they will vary greatly as to their integrity, views and abilities. The genius of democracy lies in the implicit contract between those who govern and the governed who put them in positions of

temporary power. That contract is a mutual promise of honor.

President Joe Biden deserves our honor as the one occupying the Oval Office. As such he deserves that we give him a fair hearing, and spend a fair amount of time considering what he does and says rather than listening only to his opponents. It also means praying for him that he would honor his office, serve his people, and walk humbly before Almighty God. What is killing us today is not only a virus, but also a mind-set of disdain and hatred for anyone or anything that differs from our point of view. This has set off a firestorm known as the “cancel culture” that is not only dividing us, but also decimating the possibility of reasoned discourse that could lead to mutual understanding and corporate success.

Today, our differences have left us believing that, unless you agree with me, and are as intense in your agreement as I am, and as adamant in your hatred of those who disagree as I am, then not only are you not right, you are also dangerous and must be destroyed.

Can we see where this is leading? Can we understand the danger of allowing personal preferences to overwhelm love of neighbor?

As we close the book on one administration and open the pages yet to be written by President Biden, it is time we also follow the truth of another book that has been foundational in our history.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Rome about the way they were to view the Roman society and government, had this to say: “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”

I believe America is hurting, and much of the pain is self-inflicted. To be honorable people we must demonstrate honor for others, honor for those in positions of government, and most of all, honor for the God whose blessings are promised to those who turn from their wicked ways, do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before him.

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

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