Sunday Signal 051224

It’s time to dust off those leg warmers, pump up the volume on your boombox, and join us for an epic evening of brews, vino, and righteous tunes!

Multiple local and regional breweries and wineries will be on hand for sampling, plus a variety of satisfying food trucks

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2024 Trends in Home Decorating

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

With inflation raging and uncertainty ahead, the trends for home decorating in 2024 emphasize comfort and warmth, as well as recycle, renew, reuse.

The post-pandemic euphoria of being able to move about the country freely is slowly giving way to cautious spending and a desire to “forget your worries” and embrace comfort and security.

As costs of home renovation have soared with prices of paint, flooring and appliances reaching unexpected heights, most consumers are more interested in money-saving ways to refresh and revitalize home décor.

Thrift store “chic” has never been more popular. A variety of other home décor trends are also emerging in 2024 which demonstrates the continuing theme of “anything goes.”

Pantone Color of the Year

In contrast to the more vibrant colors of recent years such as Viva Magenta in 2023 and Very Peri in 2022, the 2024 Pantone Color of the Year is the more muted, soft and warm Peach Fuzz 13.

“Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body and soul,” read the Pantone release announcing the 2024 Color of the Year.

“In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade

that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute executive director.

For more information and design ideas using the 2024 Pantone Color of the year visit www.pantone. com/color-of-the-year/2024.

Soft and Squishy

Embracing the theme of comfort, safety and warmth fashion experts at Elle expect 2024 furniture designs to emphasize “soft and squishy.” The idea of being “hugged” by your couch, loveseat or recliner is catching on fast. Furniture showrooms are now crowded with rounded sofas and armchairs, continuing the trend of the kidney beanshaped furniture of the last few years.

Lush throw pillows and area rugs are also part of this design trend as well as comfy blankets in which to cuddle on sofas and armchairs.

Latte Luxury

Consumers are also embracing “latte luxury” which includes furnishings and accent walls featuring the rich brown hues of your favorite coffee beverage.

Latte luxury has migrated to home furnishings after commanding a season as the “it” look in bespoke fashion and ready-to-wear.

Embrace Nature in 2024

The design experts at HGTV report that homeowners are expected to embrace more indoor plants, living green walls, natural materials like stone and wood and large windows to maximize

natural light in 2024.

Among the tips for successfully decorating with house plants:

• Surround seating areas with plants.

• Unlike a centerpiece vase of flowers, a plant can breathe life into dining space.

• Use a group of closely spaced plants as a focal point. Sometimes more, is more. But only bring in the number of plants you can care for.

• Go vertical. If you have a stark, white wall that needs some love consider hanging pots of small ferns, spider plants and other small plants with brackets. The pots add a sense of depth to the space.

• Tuck plants into unexpected spaces. Make a little noticed space in your home more dynamic by tucking a house plant in the area.

• Green up the bedroom. Try hanging trailing plants from the ceiling or placing them on a shelf over your bed.

Focus on All of the House

In 2024 there is now a focus on areas of the home that usually don’t receive much décor love, such as the hallway, pantry, utility room and laundry room. These rooms are now coming ‘center stage.”

Design experts are encouraging homeowners to consider expanding and continuing design themes throughout the entire home instead of just the traditional living and family rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. This would include hallways and laundry rooms. 

Brown tones Plants

Comfy Couch

Lingering effects from the Writer’s Guild and Screen Actors Guild strikes still stalk movie theaters, as well as television and streaming production.

However, there are a few bright spots on the summer entertainment horizon.

With the official start of summer traditionally celebrated over the Memorial Day weekend, just weeks away, get ready to enjoy a new crop of film, television and streaming options.

Summer Blockbusters

While summer 2024 doesn’t seem to have any surprising box office behemoths lurking backstage this year, unlike the “Barbenheimer” craze of 2023, there are some films that have promise.

The annual summer movie season has already kicked off with Universal’s Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt action romantic comedy “The Fall Guy” which opened on May 3 and a new installment in the “Apes” series, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” on May 10.

Upcoming releases include:

May 17

“I Saw the TV Glow” offers reality blurred in this thriller when two teenagers (Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine) watch a mysterious latenight television show.

“IF” is a family film about a girl (Cailey Fleming) and her upstairs neighbor (Ryan Reynolds) who can see all the imaginary friends (aka IFs) who have been left behind. “IF” voices include Steve Carell, Emily Blunt, Maya Rudolph, Matt Damon and the late Louis Gossett Jr.

May 24

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is another high-octane Mad Max tale focusing this time on a young Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy and a warlord named Dementus (Chris Hemsworth).

May 31

“Summer Camp” offers up Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard as childhood friends who meet again at a camp reunion.

June 7

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” stars Will Smith, in his first major movie since slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. Smith reunites with Martin Lawrence for the fourth installment in the “Bad Boys” fran-

What we can look forward to …

chise, which started in 1995.

“The Watchers” stars Dakota Fanning who plays an artist who gets stranded in a forest in western Ireland where mysterious creatures lurk in the night.

June 14

“Inside Out 2” is a sequel to the Disney film “Inside Out.” Riley is a teenager now and some new emotions are coming onto the scene to join Joy (Amy Poehler) and the gang, including Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser).

June 21

“The Bikeriders” captures the spirit of a Midwestern motorcycle club in the 1960s in this drama inspired by Danny Lyon’s 1967 photo-book about the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.

“Thelma” sees June Squibb on a “Mission: Impossible” style adventure across Los Angeles with Richard Roundtree to try to reclaim her money from a phone scammer in this delightful comedy.

June 28

“Horizon: An American Saga– Chapter I” is Kevin Costner’s two-part Western epic that focuses on the westward expansion during the American Civil War. Chapter II will be released in theaters Aug. 16.

July 19

“Twisters” finds a new band of storm chasers risking life and limb in this standalone sequel to the 1996 blockbuster.

July 26

“Deadpool & Wolverine” may be the one of this summer’s biggest hits. The Merc with a Mouth (Ryan Reynolds) and the previously dead X-Man (Hugh Jackman) find their way to one another at last and into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“Alien: Romulus” is a terrifying new installment in the “Alien” series.

Streaming

May 16

“Bridgerton” Season 3 Part 1 on Netflix. Part 2 will debut June 13. Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton) take center stage as the duo to watch.

May 23

“The Blue Angels” on Amazon Prime Video. If you’re looking for some “Top Gun” spectacle at

the movies there is a new documentary shot with IMAX cameras about the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron that was filmed over a year.

June 7

“Hit Man” on Netflix. Armed with glowing reviews from the fall festivals, Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” stars Glen Powell.

June 28

“A Family Affair” on Netflix. Nicole Kidman, Joey King and Zac Efron star in this film about a mother and daughter, a movie star boss and an unexpected romance with comic consequences.

July 3

“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” on Netflix. Forty years after Axel Foley crossed jurisdictions to investigate a crime, Eddie Murphy is back for a fourth film, alongside Judge Reinhold and Paul Reiser.

Aug. 9

“The Instigators” on Apple TV+. A comedic heist movie starring Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Hong Chau.

Aug. 16

“The Union” on Netflix. Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg are former high school sweethearts turned spies in this action-comedy-romance.

Television

Perhaps the biggest draw in television this summer will be the Paris Olympics with the Olympics Opening Ceremony airing on July 26 on NBC and Peacock.

The games of the 33rd Olympiad will run through Aug. 11. NBC Sports will broadcast the highest number of hours ever for a Summer Olympics, an estimated 243.5 hours of programming.

Paris 2024 will mark the centenary of Paris 1924 and these Olympic Games will be the sixth hosted by France, three in summer and three in winter, Other summer television highlights include:

June 3

“American Ninja Warrior” on NBC.

June 7

“Daytime Emmy Awards” on CBS.

June 16

“The Tony Awards” on CBS.

July 8

“The Bachelorette” on ABC. 

Signal Staff Writer

“IF” PHOTO PARAMOUNT PICTURES

“DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. PHOTO MARVEL STUDIOS

“TWISTERS’ PHOTO UNIVERSAL PICTURES “AMERICAN NINJA WARIOR” PHOTO NBC

Embrace the Benefits of Cycling

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

There is no better time to pump up your tires and take your bicycle for a spin. Our City boasts an extensive network of trails, allowing you to safely pedal most anywhere you need to go — be it work, running errands or to enjoy one of our City’s 38 parks.

This coming week is the Bike to Work Challenge and we encourage you to try out the “no-pollute

exercise, making it suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Not to mention the mental benefits of cycling, as with all exercise, has been shown to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Santa Clarita stands out as a particularly cyclist-friendly City, thanks to our impressive trail network, boasting over 100 miles of connected trails and paseos. In fact, our City was just renewed as a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly City. Our trails not only provide safe routes away from vehicular traffic but also connect commuters to major business centers, shopping districts, green spaces and residential areas.

collect free giveaways and enjoy refreshments provided by this year‘s partners. To encourage participants with longer commutes, Santa Clarita Transit will be offering FREE local rides to anyone with a bike and/or helmet. Those who need to utilize

Simple, Convenient Salads to Celebrate Spring

Letting in a little fresh air with an open window or a screen door is a sure sign of spring, allowing the natural sights and smells of the outdoors to accompany you at the dinner table. Take that open-air freshness to new heights this spring by pairing it with your own signature spins on salad season.

For example, this Tuna and Rice Nicoise Salad offers a new take on tuna salad with olive tapenade, capers, tomatoes, green beans and cherry tomatoes. Its calling card: swapping out potatoes in favor of Minute Yellow Rice Cups, which cook up fast as a convenient and flavorful alternative that saves the chore of washing, peeling and boiling potatoes. Fully cooked and packaged in BPA-free cups, it features white rice lightly seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder and turmeric for a delightful taste ready in just 1 minute.

As a perfect recipe for those who love veggies, this dish combines classic salad freshness with olive tapenade for a briny bite in every mouthful. Canned tuna mixes with bursts of capers, hardboiled egg, crisp green beans and sweet cherry tomatoes capped off with tart balsamic dressing to round out the dish.

If you love the taste of crisp, peppery arugula, this Pomegranate and Arugula Rice Salad is practically perfect. Your favorite green shines alongside a delicious mix of sweet pomegranate seeds, crisp almonds and tart balsamic dressing that's ideal for a starter or side, or you can add a preferred protein to turn it into a satisfying main course.

Incredibly colorful with a lively taste, bright flavors mingle with fluffy grains of Minute Instant Jasmine Rice, ready in just 5 minutes to keep your dinner schedule on track. Aromatic white rice provides a distinct scent, perfect texture and delicious taste that's fast, fragrant, flavorful and fluffy. It's

simply precooked then dried with nothing added but convenience to help you get tasty meals on the table quickly.

Requiring just 15 minutes to prepare, this salad is ready in an instant and serves up to eight people, making it a solution for anything from family gatherings to meal prepping for a busy week ahead.

Find more spring salads and other flavorful, convenient recipes by visiting MinuteRice.com.

Tuna and Rice Nicoise Salad

Prep time 4 minutes

Cook time 1 minute

Servings 1

1 cup Minute Yellow Rice Cups

2 tablespoons balsamic dressing

2 tablespoons olive tapenade

1 teaspoon capers, drained well

1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup frozen green beans, thawed

1 can (3 ounces) tuna, drained and flaked

1 hard-boiled egg, cut into wedges

Heat rice according to package directions.

In medium bowl, combine rice, balsamic dressing, tapenade and capers. Mix well.

Top with cherry tomatoes, green beans, tuna and hard-boiled egg.

Tip Serve salad over bed of mixed greens, if desired.

Pomegranate and Arugula Rice Salad

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook time 5 minute

Servings 8

2 cups Minute Instant Jasmine Rice

1/3 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons minced red onion

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 bag (5 ounces) arugula

1 cup pomegranate seeds

1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Prepare rice according to package directions. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

In large bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, red onion, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.

Add rice, arugula and pomegranate seeds to bowl; toss to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle with almonds.

Tips For added flavor, top salad with crumbled goat or blue cheese.

Pomegranate

To cool rice quickly, spread evenly on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. (Family Features) 

Tuna and Rice Nicoise Salad

and Arugula Rice Salad

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Dark Matter’ is a ‘Visually Stunning, Heart-Grabbing Journey’

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Dark Matter’

 (out of four)

A nine-episode series airing Wednesday on Apple TV+.

In one of the many multiverse versions of Chicago we see in the mind-bending and dense and at times exhilarating Apple TV+ limited series “Dark Matter,” two main characters meet in a restaurant with a wraparound view that is perched on the top floor of a futuristic skyscraper that stretches so high, it's literally above the clouds. In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, a glass etching tells us where this meeting is taking place:

May 12-16, 2024

‘The Spire Chicago’ Fantastic! I'm not sure if anyone outside Chicago will get the reference, as it's been a decade and a half since the wildly ambitious Chicago Spire project was abandoned, leaving

an infamous crater behind, but it's a cool touch. (Last month, construction began on a two-tower project called 400 North Lake Shore Drive — but in the alternate Chicago of “Dark Matter,” the Spire lives and thrives.)

Other versions of Chicago are unveiled in “Dark Matter” through a spectacularly rendered blending of cinematography and VFX, and they range from the idyllic to the dysto-

pian. Based on the bestselling 2016 novel of the same name by Blake Crouch (who serves as showrunner) and shot in the Chicagoland area, “Dark Matter” is a visually stunning and heart-grabbing journey of the mind and heart featuring show-stopping performances by Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly, who (along with a number of other cast members) are tasked with playing different versions of the same character and succeed in creating fully formed personas. It's elevated acting. Also, not gonna lie to you, there are times when the storyline goes so deep down the rabbit hole, you'll feel as lost as the characters themselves. As is the case with many a universe-hopping story, you just have to trust in the writing to take you through the murky waters until all (or least most) becomes clear.

attacked by a masked man who kidnaps him and sedates him. When Jason wakes up, he has somehow been transported to an alternate reality in which he ended things with Daniela some 15 years ago to concentrate on his work and he eventually developed the technology that can put a human being in a state of superposition, i.e., to be in two places at the same time. It's some kind of an extension of the Schrodinger's Cat theory and, I think, the Copenhagen Interpretation, but don't quote me on that.

What's important is that Jason is now in a world in which he forms an alliance with a stranger named Amanda (Alice Braga), who seems to know him quite well, but when he makes contact with Daniela, they haven't seen each other in years, they have no family and she's on a different life path.

Over the course of nine episodes that weave this way and that, much of “Dark Matter” is an “Inception” meets Homer's Odyssey meets “It's a Wonderful Life” adventure in which Jason tries to make his way back to his original existence. In the meantime, a DIFFERENT version of Jason — let's call him Jason 2.0 — has insinuated himself into Jason's life, but Daniela and Charlie begin to suspect something isn't right. Why is Jason acting so differently?

the stunt community he gets b own up shot crashed thrown through windows and dropped from the h ghest of heights al for our enter tainment

C H A L L E N G E R S E Sun: 10:00 1:10 4:00 6:55; Mon to Thu: 1:10 4:00 6:55

A former tennis prodigy turned coach has her strategy for her husband s redempt on take a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best fr end

U N S U N G H E RO B Sun: 10:20 1:00 4:30; Mon to Thu: 1:00 4:30 When David Smallbone’s successful music company col apses, he moves h s fami y from Australia to the States, searching for a br ghter future

T H E M I N I S T RY O F U N G E N T L E M A N LY WA R FA R E E Sun to Tue: 4:10 7:00; Wed: 4:10 PM; Thu: 4:10 7:00 The stor y of the first- ever specia forces organ zation formed

In the “real” and seemingly ordinary world where the story kicks off, Edgerton's Jason Dessen teaches physics at the fictional Lakemont College and lives in Logan Square in a warm, autumnal-toned home with his wife, Daniela (Connelly), who manages an art gallery, and their teenage son, Charlie (Oakes Fegley).

When Jason joins the celebration at the Village Tap (“played” in the series by the Damen Tavern) for his old friend Ryan (Jimmi Simpson), who has won the prestigious Pavia Prize for his groundbreaking work in physics, we get the sense that while Jason is content with his life, he has a sense of yearning, of wondering what might have been, had he decided to focus more on career and less on family.

Walking home that night, Jason is

Jason and Amanda find themselves caught in a kind of time-loop liminal space where each time they open a door, they find themselves in a different version of Chicago, populated by a different Jason, a different Daniela, a different Charlie, sometimes no Charlie. (It's kind of great that when we get a glimpse of a Utopian Chicago, it's basically the current version of the Riverwalk, only with more skyscrapers in the background.)

Edgerton and Braga have a great buddy-movie chemistry together, while Connelly's Daniela, no matter what the universe, is so luminous and warm and kind that we understand why Jason will stop at nothing to get back to the life he once had with her — even if it means killing himself. Well, not himself, but that OTHER Jason guy. 

SENIOR LIVING

The Healing Power of Nature

Being in good health and avoiding various diseases often comes down to a combination of factors. Individuals may be aware that nutrition and exercise play important roles in personal well-being, but it appears that nature may provide its own medicinal benefits as well.

A number of studies have examined the potential healing components of being in nature. The World Health Organization released a report in 2023 titled “Green and Blue Spaces and Mental Health,” which indicated that time in nature improves mood, mindsets and mental health. This occurs regardless of whether that nature was “country” regions or urban areas. The following are some of the ways nature can have a healing effect.

Immunity protection Trees and plants emit aromatic compounds called phytoncides. When inhaled, these compounds can ignite healthy biological changes similar to the concepts of aromatherapy. When people walk in forests or other green areas, they often experience changes in the blood that are associated with protection against cancer, improved immunity and lower blood pressure, says Dr. Qing Li, a professor at the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo.

Get a brain break When spending time in nature, attention is focused on the scenery, the animals and the rest of the environment. This may help quiet the rush of thoughts in the head that clutters the ability to think freely.

adverse health conditions. The Mayo Clinic says stress can cause headache, muscle tension, fatigue, changes in sex drive, and a weaker immune system, among other things. Being outside in nature and away from work and home responsibilities can help reduce stress levels.

Dr. Mathew McGlothlin, senior medical director with WellMed Medical Group, says being in nature provides stress relief.

Get Vitamin D The body naturally produces vitamin D from sun exposure. The National Institutes of Health says it is optimal to have sun exposure for five to 30 minutes a day, most days a week, to absorb UVB rays and effectively make vitamin D. Vitamin D is a nutrient the body needs to build and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also regulates many other cellular functions in the body, and may be able to prevent cognitive decline.

Inspires exercise People may be more inclined to be physically active while outdoors. Hiking, cycling, swimming, and even strolls in the park all make the outdoors more fun. Exercise promotes heart health and helps people maintain a healthy weight.

Nature can have a healing effect, and more time outdoors can promote mental and physical well-being. (MC) 

• Hearing Aid Evaluations

• Hearing Evaluations ages 2-100+

• Top Hearing Aid Brands

• Tinnitus Testing

• Hearing Aid Fitting

• Hearing Aid Repair

• Daily Walk-In Hours

• 0% Interest, OAC

Reduce stress Stress is a catalyst for a number of

HOME

Home Updates to Provide You Peace of Mind

Home improvement projects often focus on updating the aesthetic of your house, but upgrades that make your living space more secure and comfortable for you and your family are sometimes even more important.

From your front door to the interior of your home and more, these ideas from the experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and exterior doors, can help provide greater peace of mind - ensuring what matters most is always protected.

Ensure Your Home is Well-Lit

A well-lit home exterior makes it easier to spot potential threats and may even deter people and animals that don’t belong on your property. Automatic outdoor lighting, either set to a timer or triggered by motion or light sensors, can help you see what’s going on outside. Ensure fixtures on your porch, patio and garage are in good working order and replace burned out bulbs or lights that no longer function. Adding landscape lighting can also aid in security while boosting curb appeal.

Protect Your Home with a Secure Front Door

Upgrading your front door can do much more than just improve the look of your home - it’s also an important part of providing enhanced security for you and your family. With four times more impact resistance than a standard deadbolt lock, the M-Protect Multi-Point Security Lock offers homeowners unmatched protection to keep what matters most safe. The lock works like a standard deadbolt, but with more points of contact, and it is compatible with a wide array of handle sets and hardware, including electronic deadbolts. It can be added to any Masonite Performance Door System - an innovative solution that provides superior energy efficiency, performance and comfort - which is available in a diverse range of finishes, colors and glass styles to fit any home design.

Reduce Fire Hazards

Many elements of a home like furnaces, chimneys, hot water heaters

and other gas appliances provide value to homeowners through comfort and convenience but can pose risks without proper maintenance. Hiring a professional to check your heating and air conditioning system annually can help you avoid costly repairs while also protecting your loved ones. Keeping the chimney clean of debris, creosote and soot helps lower fire risk and ensures smoke, carbon dioxide and other gases are safely carried out of the home.

Control Home Systems On the Go Installing security systems, doorbells, lighting and other systems that can be controlled from a smartphone app, like the Masonite M-Pwr Smart Door, can provide added convenience and peace of mind. You can remotely turn lights on and off, unlock doors, change the temperature, open or close garage doors and check camera feeds while away.

Replace Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

A simple project to make your home safer, it’s essential to check your smoke detectors regularly and replace the batteries every six months. If you discover the date of manufacture on the back of your smoke detectors is more than 10 years ago, replacement is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. While checking your smoke detectors, test or install carbon monoxide alarms to ensure you have a way to detect the invisible, odorless gas that can cause serious health problems if left unchecked.

Visit Masonite.com/mprotect to learn more about the latest innovations in home security. (Family Features) 

By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer

LCreate a Nightime Respite for those Hot Summer Nights

iving in this part of the country rewards us with a climate that makes it perfect to use the garden after dark. Most other areas of the country have too much inclement weather or too many aggressive nighttime bugs to regularly relax outdoors after the sun goes down. And since so many of our summer days chase us indoors with excessive heat, the garden becomes even more tempting when temperatures cool at the end of the day.

sory experience after dark with scented flowers. There is something truly delightful about sitting in a garden aglow with warm nighttime lighting and the fragrance of night-blooming flowers filling the air.

By planting scented flowers in your garden, you can create a romantic experience or stress-healing retreat to enjoy and share after dark. Look for white or light pastel-colored flowers to add visual contrast in the dark.

Scented flowers

So why not design your landscape to include nighttime use? After all, a garden can look amazingly magical after dark!

When planning out your garden, keep in mind all the different ways you can use it when daytime is done. Think of extending your living space outdoors for rest and relaxation, entertainment and nighttime sports. There are many ways you can turn your ordinary landscape into a special place that is quite different than the daytime garden you are used to seeing.

Relax

Add comfy chairs, a water feature to provide the calming sound of trickling water and plant night-scented plants for a bit of aroma therapy. You can make your garden into a sen-

Some good night-scented white flowering vines are jasmines like Trachelospermum jasminoides known as Star Jasmine (best planted with some daytime dappled shade), and the pink and white Jasminium polyanthum for full sun.

Moonflowers are another good vine for partial- or full-shade garden areas. But, only use Ipomoea alba. Other other varieties can be poisonous.

For low-growing flowers, try a ground cover of white Alyssum, flowering Tobacco or the Four O’Clock Alba. The Tufted Evening Primrose and the Chocolate flower are two good choices for native, water-wise scented flowers.

Fill a larger space with the shrubby California native Mock Orange (Philadelphus lesisii) for full sun or part shade. Or, try the frost-shy Cestrum nocturnum, the Night-Blooming Jasmine, to permeate the air with a powerful perfume in a protected area.

Casa Blanca Lily or the diminutive

Zephranthes drummondii (Rain Lily) are some good bulb choices. They are good to grow in mild sun or part shade, and are not fussy about soil.

There are whites and other colors of Brugmansia, Angle Trumpet (all parts toxic if eaten), Centauria and Tobacco flower that will add color to your garden during the day yet still flood your garden with a gentle nighttime perfume.

You can even design in some of these fragrant flowers near a doorway or window where the scent can filter into your home and soothe you to sleep.

Nighttime fun and comfort

Other ways to make your garden inviting at night involve building and furnishing spaces that are comfortable and practical. Design in permanent features like a cozy patio, add tables and chairs, build an outdoor fireplace or fire pit and maybe a built-in barbecue so you can celebrate the outdoors at night with friends and family.

If you like to entertain, set your backyard up so it is comfortable for evening parties in the garden. Look into some of the decorative and useful furniture being made for outdoor use.

Lighting

Add a lighted sport court, a small hiking path dotted with low voltage or solar lighting or consider a dramatically lit water feature for powerful effects in the evening hours.

Lighting is an art of its own, transforming the same location into something entirely different with light and

shadow. Use it in your night garden to pick out focal points, provide safety and transform a dark garden into a magical playground.

With outdoor LED lights embedded in flexible cords, you can even line walkways or draw outlines in your nighttime scene. There have never been so many choices in lighting effects. Most are energy efficient so they shouldn’t have much impact on your electricity bill. Choose warmer yellows or cooler whites and accent a special area with colored lights for special effects.

Think about all the ways you can make your garden work for you after the sun goes down. Nighttime gardens can be a haven for the inland landscape. Create your own magical garden. You can extend the useful part of your house and lifestyle not only into your garden, but deep into the night. 

SHOWER DOOR SPECIALIST

HEALTH

Getting the Most Out of Your Prescription Drug Benefits

The health care system can feel uncoordinated and costly. One in 10 U.S. adults ration medication because they can’t afford their prescriptions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the more a patient must pay at the counter, the more likely they are to abandon their treatment. Other Americans simply lack convenient access to primary care providers and pharmacies, and go undertreated as a result.

Pharmacy services companies exist to fill these gaps in care. Because these companies sit in the middle of the health care delivery system, they have the unique ability to spot and solve problems across the supply chain to drive affordability and deliver improved clinical outcomes.

“Every day at Express Scripts, we use our clinical expertise and patient-centered programs to help the more than 100 million Americans we serve keep their health on track,” says

Adam Kautzner, president of Express Scripts, a leading pharmacy services company.

Before filling your next prescription, check out these insights from Express Scripts:

Check your coverage At a time of rising drug costs and access barriers, some pharmacy services companies are helping people take their medications as prescribed. Express Scripts, for example, was the first in the industry to cap the out-of-pocket costs of insulin and other diabetic treatments, saving people more than $45 million in two years.

“A prescription drug doesn’t work if it’s priced out of reach,” says Kautzner. “Reducing out-of-pocket costs is the single best thing we can do to improve the health of people we serve.”

Tools to stay adherent Half of all treatments fail because people don’t take medication as prescribed and nearly one-quarter of hospitalizations are due to medication non-adherence, according to the American Hospital Association. Further, chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease have been on the rise for more than two decades – today, 60% of U.S. adults have at least one chronic condition. One of the biggest — and costliest — challenges with managing the rise of chronic conditions is ensuring patients get on and stay on the medicines they need.

Express Scripts is helping patients better understand and manage their conditions through comprehensive disease management, including condition-specific coaching, tracking medication adherence, and digital tools.

“By taking medications as direct-

ed and working with their pharmacist, patients stay healthier longer and spend less on health care, requiring fewer emergency room visits, hospitalizations and medical tests,” says Stephanie Smith Cooney, PharmD, senior director of independent pharmacy affairs at Express Scripts.

Understand your pharmacy benefits Prescription drug coverage is the most frequently utilized benefit that employers and health plans offer. On average, a pharmacy benefit is used approximately 11 times a year. Unfortunately, pharmacy care benefits, like all healthcare benefits, can be confusing. That’s why pharmacy services companies are taking steps to give patients greater clarity. Starting this year, prescriptions from Express Scripts include an easy-to-understand digital pharmacy benefits statement with drug price information, out-ofpocket costs and the value delivered. Pharmacy access Pharmacists often fill care gaps in their communities, particularly where there are shortages of physicians, such as in rural areas. One in five Americans live in rural areas, yet less than 10% of physicians practice in these communities. This means longer wait times to get an appointment and more difficulty accessing pharmacies.

A new effort called the IndependentRx Initiative, is working to expand pharmacy care services to widely include such care as smoking cessation support, behavioral health screenings, biometric screenings, routine vaccinations and the administration of life-saving naloxone. The Express Scripts program will also increase what it pays rural independent pharmacies to make sure their businesses can continue to serve their communities.

To learn more, visit evernorth.com/ affordableforall.

Ensuring equitable access to affordable, quality pharmacy care and health services will not only improve health, but it will also help individuals, families and communities thrive. (StatePoint) 

Why Anxiety and Dishonesty is Common When Money is Involved

Anew survey suggests that while consumers are decreasing their spending to get by in the current economy, they harbor some anxieties and are struggling to improve their approach to money management.

The inaugural “Wells Fargo Money Study” surveyed American adults and teens to uncover candid truths about their current finances, money stories, personal goals and other issues related to their attitudes toward money.

One overarching theme to the findings is that complicated emotions and money often go hand-in-hand. Americans are worried about money and for many, these concerns began at a young age. More than two-thirds of adults worry about money and over half of teens do.

What’s more, many people reported feeling embarrassed, judged and overfocused on the subject. Some even admitted that money created tension in their family and relationships. At the same time, money is a subject that most Americans attempt to avoid. Up to two-thirds are reluctant to talk about money, four out of five regard it as a private topic, and most Americans say it’s harder to talk about than religion, politics or death.

Up to one-third of all those surveyed say they have lied about their money. And among teens, half confess they have lied about how much they spend.

The good news? While money anxieties, and some not so positive habits are common, Americans remain optimistic about where their money stories are heading and believe there are solutions to helping them

Imake improvements. Large majorities of respondents say they would value help from their bank in being more intentional and thoughtful about their spending, and in aligning their choices with their values. Most of those surveyed also see their bank as a potential source of education on financial subjects.

With nearly half of Americans seeking support in the form of ideas for improving their situation, along with ways to plan, envision and map out the future, and nearly one-fifth of Americans valuing technology solutions that simplify money management, tools like LifeSync in the Wells Fargo mobile app are meeting consumers where they are. This app allows users to create and personalize their goals and track their progress. It also offers financial snapshots, allowing users to view their account summary and FICO Score at the touch of the button, and provides market commentary, tailored insights and other

The Cost of Borrowing Money has Increased

nterest rates have been headline news for well over a year. In an effort to tame inflation, the Federal Reserve has increased mortgage interest rates with regularity over the last year-plus. While the cost to borrow money has increased, individuals likely noticed that the reward for saving money has not increased along with it, as interest rates for savings accounts have remained low.

An assortment of variables have combined to lower savings account interest rates, but numerous analysts point to banks having more deposits than they require to issue loans. When that happens, banks do not need to attract additional deposits, which they typically do by offering higher savings account interest rates. Without that incentive, savings account interest rates have remained low, meaning account holders will continue to pay considerably more to borrow money than they will earn when they save it. (MC) 

content that can inspire smart decisions and a new approach to finances.

For additional survey insights, visit sites.wf.com/wfmoneystudy.

“The data tells us that Americans — no matter who they are — are uncertain about the sustainability of their financial lives. However, making small, incremental changes can help

you accomplish your financial goals, and become more open and honest about your money habits,” says Michael Liersch, head of Advice and Planning for Wells Fargo.

Investment and Insurance Products are:

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• Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested

©2024 Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management. All rights reserved.

LifeSync® is available on the smartphone versions of the Wells Fargo Mobile® app. Additional device availability may vary. Availability may be affected by your mobile carrier’s coverage area. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. (SPT) 

CELEBRITY NEWS

QWhat is the name of the show that preceded “NCIS”? It had a very handsome leading man, but I’m blanking on the show and the star.

— K.L.

A“JAG,” which is a United States military acronym that stands for Judge Advocate General, debuted on NBC in 1995, but the show moved to CBS a year later and lasted another nine seasons. The handsome leading man was played by David James Elliott, who was previously known as one of Elaine’s boyfriends on the “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Couch.”

“JAG” also starred Catherine Bell, Patrick Labyorteaux and John M. Jackson, all of whom have gueststarred on its very successful spin-off “NCIS.” Mark Harmon, Cote de Pablo

BOOK REVIEW

and Michael Weatherly launched the original “NCIS” series, which was currently just renewed for its 22nd season.

Elliott and Bell have both moved on from the show, working steadily since. Elliott starred alongside Jennifer Finnigan in another legal drama “Close to Home,” from 2005 to 2007, and Bell starred in “Army Wives” for seven seasons. She’s since acted in several TV movies for Lifetime and Hallmark. Elliott can be seen in

BookTrib’s Bites

Coded to Kill

By Marschall Runge, M.D.

Is medicine’s greatest breakthrough also the world’s most efficient killing machine?

After a decade of development, Drexel Hospital’s cutting-edge Electronic Health Records system is about to become the national standard and revolutionize health care. Housing the real-time medical records of every American, the EHR system will enable doctors to access records with a keystroke and issue life-or-death medical orders with a finger swipe. No one wants the EHR to succeed more than Hugh Torrence, a former NSA honcho who sees the system as a tool for unimaginable and unaccountable power. The only thing standing in his way is a loose-knit group of Drexel employees with conflicting agendas and questionable loyalties. While they search for answers, the suspicious patient deaths keep

the upcoming film “Harvest Moon,” written by and starring Paul Bettany (“WandaVision”).

“JAG” ultimately led to five “NCIS” series in total, each set in a different city. Unfortunately, “NCIS: Hawai’i” — the first one with a female headliner (Vanessa Lachey) — was recently canceled after three seasons. It was axed days before the network was planning to announce its fall schedule. Its series finale will air on May 6.

QI recently read how much money Mark Cuban had to pay in taxes. Is he the richest of the “Shark Tank” investors?

— E.E.

AAccording to an article on TVInsider, the main panel members of ABC’s “Shark Tank” have collectively invested $200 million into products and investment opportunities featured on the show. Barbara Corcoran has the least net worth at an estimated (gulp) $100 million. However, the top three wealthiest are Daymond John, the CEO of FUBU, who is worth $350 million; Kevin O’Leary (AKA “Mr. Wonderful”), who has an estimated $400 million

net worth; and Mark Cuban, the only billionaire in the group, who has about $6.86 billion.

Cuban recently wrote, “After military service, paying your taxes is the most patriotic thing we can do.” His contribution to the IRS was said to be $275.9 million.

QI love the new series “Shogun.” Is there going to be another season, or is it a limited series?

— Y.F.

A The new FX series “Shogun” is based on a novel by James Clavell that was published in 1975. Set in the 15th through 17th centuries, it first became a hit miniseries back in 1980, originally starring Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune. Since the newest series tells the entire story of the novel, the writers would have to come up with another chapter for there to be a second season.

According to TV Guide, the series creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks are open to the idea of another season, but they don’t know if it’s possible, pointing out that even the novelist Clavell moved on to other stories after writing his acclaimed book.  ©2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

mounting as the target on their back grows larger.

The Dream Collector: Book I “Sabrine and Sigmund Freud”

By R.w. Meek

The Dream Collector thrusts readers into the dynamic ambiance of late 19th-century Paris where science and art entwine. Against the backdrop of the emerging Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements, the story centers on Julie Forette, a self-educated woman from Marseilles. Her journey leads her to the notorious Salpêtrière, a sprawling hospital and asylum governed by the esteemed neurologist Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot. Amidst the chaos of over five thousand disabled, demented, and abandoned women, Julie forges a friendship with the young intern Sigmund Freud. Together, they explore the conscious-altering power of cocaine, hypnotism, and dream interpretation,

embarking on an urgent quest to find a cure for the star hysteric, Sabrine Weiss, before Dr. Charcot resorts to radical measures.

As the narrative unfolds, Julie’s entanglements extend beyond the asylum, intertwining with major artists like Cezanne, Gauguin, and Monet, making Belle Époque Paris come alive in an unforgettable way.

At the Edge of the Ice

By Carolyn Armstrong

The perfect book for middle-graders to celebrate Earth Day later this month, At The Edge Of The Ice is a heartfelt eco-adventure about the complexities of how habitats are affected by climate change and how small steps can make a big difference. Sydney Cabella talks to animals, but they never talk back — until one

day, they do.

When an intuitive eleven-year-old Sydney, her brainiac twin sister Sierra, and her photojournalist parents explore the Arctic ecosystem near the North Pole, Sydney accidentally hits her head. When she wakes up, the impossible happens: she and the animals can talk to each other.

The first animal who speaks up, a ringed seal named Ringo , tells Sydney that loss of habitat and global warming have pushed this ecosystem to the brink of collapse. With just 72 hours, the twins must put their squabbles aside to decipher Ringo’s clues and help.

BookBites is presented by Book Trib.com. 

David James Elliot and Catherine Bell in “JAG.” PHOTO COURTESY CBS

What to Expect From an EV Charger Installation

Amid the nearly 285 million vehicles on the road, there are now 1.7 million electric cars in operation in the United States, according to Experian. That figure only stands to grow as tax incentives, environmental perks and other benefits to driving electric vehicles expand.

Now that more EVs are on the roadways, drivers need ready access to charging stations to power their rides. Although there has been an influx in stations available in shopping centers and rest stops, nothing beats the convenience of an EV charger at home.

There are things homeowners need to know about EV charger installation. EV charger installation is a job best left to a qualified electrician because of its complexity.

There are three EV chargers available today: level one, level two and level three. The higher the number, the faster the charging and the more energy required.

According to PC Mag, most home installations involve level two chargers. Compared to level one, which plugs into a standard wall outlet (120V) and can take 10 hours or more to charge a vehicle, level two cuts that charging time in half. Due to the extra energy draw, level two chargers often require adjustments to a home’s electrical system, which likely will include installing dedicated

circuits and outlets.

New York State Charge NY says that level two chargers use higher voltage between 108 and 240V. They can provide around 20 miles of range in an hour, and after three to six hours most EVs are fully charged.

MotorTrend magazine says most homeowners will spend between $1,150 and $2,750 to purchase and install a level two charging station.

Qmerit, a nationwide specialist in installing EV charging equipment, says the charger itself can cost between $350 and $750. The the installation varies depending on the electrician.

If extensive work needs to be done to the electrical panel, particularly in older homes with outdated circuitry, it can cost more. Replacing wires also may require working with a local utility company, which extends the installation timeline. It is wise to be

MIT: EVs are Eco-Friendly Despite Batteries

Consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has increased considerably in recent years, and automotive industry forecasts indicate that demand is likely to continue to rise over the next five to 10 years. Despite that popularity, some are still not sure if EVs are more eco-friendly than traditional cars and trucks, a skepticism that is typically linked to the production of EV batteries.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology report that EVs ultimately are more eco-friendly than gas-powered alternatives, even if the batteries needed to power them are more carbon-intensive to manufacture than gas-powered cars.

In their 2019 Insights Into Future Mobility study, researchers at MIT determined that the average gas-powered car emits more than 350 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile driven over their lifetimes. By contrast, hybrid and plug-in hybrids emitted around 260 grams of CO2 per mile driven, while fully battery-electric vehicles emitted 200 grams of CO2 per mile driven.

The future also looks even better for EVs, as the MIT report indicates battery EVs could drop to around 125 grams of CO2 per mile driven by 2050 as more countries work to decarbonize their electric grids. (MC) 

prepared for such circumstances. When shopping for an EV charger, consider these features.

• Choose a cord that is 20 feet in length or longer for greatest flexibility and reach, whether in the garage or outside. Also, if a future EV has a charging port in a different location than a current vehicle, a longer cord will reach it.

• Ensure the chargers are UL- or ETL-certified, which means they

meet industry safety standards.

• Consider whether WiFi connectivity is desired. Smart chargers can track energy usage or allow you to program charging times remotely.

• Having the charger hardwired could be a smart idea. Qmerit recommends hardwiring all wall chargers to prevent nuisance tripping, which occurs when a ground-fault circuit-interrupting breaker on both the electrical system and charger can cause the circuit breaker to cut power unnecessarily.

• Do your homework to find a reputable electrician who will be qualified to install an EV charging station. Choose an electrician who will pull permits and do load calculations to ensure everything is in compliance with local codes. EV charging stations can be installed at home for convenience and faster charging times. (MC) 

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SOLUTIONS

Opinion

READER LETTERS

Astonishing Astonishment

I am astonished that anyone is astonished that Americans are sour on the economy despite the fact that the economy is doing great ... if that is indeed the case. I'll tell you why I am astonished.

First of all, despite the reduction in overall inflation, the cost of goods has not come down. The reduction in overall inflation means only one thing, and that is that prices are not going up at the rate that they were.

So what? Prices are still high, but why is that? Well, because inflation was high, creeping up to 7-9% from 2021-2022. OK, why is that?

The answer is that there were severe disruptions to the supply chain and labor in nearly every market, and the laws of supply and demand did what they do. OK, why is that?

The answer is that our leaders, not just here in the United States, but around the world, did the absolute worst thing any leader can do during a time of crisis: They panicked. Whether or not anyone knew where the coronavirus came from or how it should be dealt with, our leaders not only panicked, they also kept changing their story as they groped around for answers and solutions, which is the main reason people stopped trusting them and thus gave rise to some of the most preposterous conspiracy theories I have ever heard. And what is even worse, they sacrificed our youth, our future, our school-aged children’s mental health, in an attempt to save the elderly and the frail. Will they ever apologize for that?

In short, our leaders failed us — ALL of them. Democrats, Republicans, ALL of them. They are, in the words of FDR’s Vice President John Nance Garner, “Not worth a bucket of warm spit.”

This is the sort of stuff that the village idiot is supposed to do, not world leaders. It’s the job of world leaders to prevent that sort of stuff from happening, but they didn’t, which would lead any reasonable person to question their qualifications as leaders. This isn’t rocket science, boys and girls. This is simple “connect the dots.”

I don’t believe in conspiracies, but I do believe in incompetence and stupidity, and those are the kind of people we call “leaders,” and that’s why I don’t think it matters who becomes our next president because we’re living in an age where our leaders are as stupid as we are. Talk about “representative government.”

This is it, folks. I see no “shining stars,” and I trust not a one. I’d sooner follow migrating geese. At least they have good instincts.

Now THAT’s a scary thought.

Submit a Letter to the Editor

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Escaping the Cul-de-Sac

By David Hegg

Today is Mother’s Day, and on behalf of all the loving, praying, and long-suffering mothers in my reading audience, I have decided to speak to those they care about deeply but are struggling to make their lives meaningful.

Part of the joy and misery of my job as a pastor is being with folks in trouble, surrounded by the carnage of poor choices, and facing what appear to be insurmountable obstacles.

It could be relationship problems in their marriages or with kids. Sometimes, it has to do with addictions or criminal activity, both of which have the capacity to take away the freedom of those involved. I also find myself trying to help those in financial freefall and those whose quality of life is eroded through an almost total lack of self-discipline.

All these have this in common: They find themselves in the cul-de-sac of horrible choices. By this, I mean the state you’ll end up in if you travel down the road of making another wrong decision trying to fix the consequences of a previous bad choice. Soon, you will be in that horrible place where no good choices are left. The only options you have are all painful, simply because you have passed the point where one somewhat good choice could have stopped your descent into misery. And now, the only good option you have is painful and humiliating. It will mean humbling yourself before all those you have let down and hurt deeply. It will mean finally being scared to death at the person you have become. Lastly, it will mean admitting that you are unable to help yourself in any way and are totally dependent on outside help. But few people choose to take this hard first step out of the cul-de-sac.

Take the person who builds a drug habit, for example. As they slide deeper and deeper into dependency, they will often start channeling their energy into getting money from those who care about them to feed their habit.

Arthur Saginian Santa Clarita

Include name, address & phone. Anonymous letters aren’t published. E-mail: letters@signalscv.com. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Signal, 25060 Avenue Stanford, Suite 141, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Anonymous letters are not published.

In the same way, those whose financial mismanagement lands them in colossal debt will often plead with those who love them for a loan to make things right. In marriages, I regularly see spouses who have eroded their relationship through neglect and self-centeredness, reaching out for help just to look good. Seldom do those

in the cul-de-sac take personal responsibility for their actions.

As I listen to these folks’ stories, it is heartbreaking. Even more devastating is the realization that their plight is a result of their own choices, and now they may well be past the point of any return to normalcy.

Take the 19-year-old boy who, on a lark, decided to steal from his employer and now faces a stint in prison on a felony conviction. Take the 53-year-old woman whose alcohol-impaired driving was responsible for the car accident that killed one of her passengers. And I could go on and on.

All too often, it feels to me as though lives are like a 2-liter bottle of soda. People shake them up hard, pop the top, and watch the liquid spray out all over the room. Then they hand the bottle to me and say, “Pastor, we’ve come to you to help us get our lives back in the bottle like they used to be, all nice and pretty.”

So, why am I writing this? Because percentages tell us some of you reading this are already walking down the road of bad choices. And others of you are watching someone near you traveling that same road.

In either event, it is time to stop. We all know if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep getting what we’ve got. Bad choices are never remedied with more bad choices. If you’re heading toward the cul-de-sac, stop now, turn around, and make one good choice today, another tomorrow, and another the day after.

And if you’re already at the place where all the good choices have vanished, admit it, stop playing games with yourself, and plead for help from those in the best place to offer it. Whether it is your place of worship or a trusted friend, or a community clinic, quit rationalizing your eroding life and get some help.

Be willing to do whatever it takes to get back where you can make good choices and make your life mean something once again. Whatever the future holds, make it your goal to stay far away from the cul-de-sac. Life is better on the road leading to a joyful, useful and honorable life.

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

Craig

Todd Tyra Todd has been on TV’s “Antique Roadshow” for five years and ran the largest jewelry buying event company in America for 25 years.