Celebrate Summer — Its Fair Time!
Enjoy everything from fair foods, rodeos, exhibits, rides and games on the midway.
By Michele E. Buttelman
Signal Staff Writer
There’s just something magical about a county fair, it could be the exhibits, the rides or the fried food, but a county fair is always part nostalgia and part carefree fun.
Don’t forget to see the horses, cows, pigs, sheep and more.
If you want to feel like a kid again take a road trip this summer to a few of these old-time county fairs. Eat a corn dog and a deep fried … anything.
OC Fair
July 18 – Aug. 17 (Wednesdays-Sundays)
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa 92626 Info ocfair.com
As they like to say, “Find your happy at the OC Fair! With acres of mouthwatering fair food, heart-pounding carnival rides, adorable farm an-
imals and spectacular competitions, there’s something for everyone. Grab your family, friends and sense of adventure and come Find Your Happy!”
If you’re looking for rides, there are two main carnival areas: Main and Kidland. To plan your trip, visit ocfair.com/oc-fair/things-to-do/carnival. Here you’ll find ride restrictions and a read and ride form.
The OC Fair also offers a several interesting exhibits.
Discover iconic beachside landmarks, wander through culinary entries, explore a touch tank and take a deep dive into virtual reality at the Sand and Sea exhibit.
Echoes of Conflict: Remembering Vietnam features artifacts, personal stories, historical facts and poignant memorabilia.
The SAAAB Story Exhibit tells the story of the Santa Ana Army Air Base that was in Costa Mesa from 1942-1946.
Ventura County Fair
July 30-Aug. 10
Ventura County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura 93001
Info venturacountyfair.org
The Ventura County Fair promises “an unforgettable celebration filled with exciting ridges, live entertainment and delicious food.”
One fun part of a county fair is visiting the exhibit halls were youth agriculture groups compete in a variety of categories. PHOTO COURTESY NORCO RODEO AND FAIR
A major change to their entertainment is that you can go free or you can go VIP. The upgrade gets you access to special VIP seating and standing areas in the arena. Depending on the event, tickets run from $40 to $82 for VIP tickets, which do not include fair admission.
The PRCA Rodeo shows will be held Aug. 8-10. Rodeo tickets are adults $10, children $8.
Norco Rodeo and Fair
Aug. 29-Sept. 1
3737 Crestview Drive, Norco 92860
Info norcofair.org
The Norco fair offers four days of fun for the entire family. There will be live music, great food, rodeo and bull riding events, live entertainment, mower races, vendors, kid-friendly entertainment and much more. Who wouldn’t like to see the mower races?
Everyone is invited to participate in their pet parade, community competition, Jr. livestock show & auction, a labor day parade and a family fun day!
Antelope Valley Fair
Sept. 24-28
‘A Pig-Ture Perfect Fair’
2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster 93536
Info avfair.com
Established in 1938, the AV Fair is known for its concert series. This year’s lineup includes Queen nation and Journey Revisited; Busta Rhymes with Lupe Fiasco; Ace Frehley (performing all the KISS hits) with Quiet Riot and Vixen; and Midland with Pug Johnson. The final Sunday headliner is still to be announced.
COMMUNITY INSPIRED
Family Makes Move Toward Community and Sustainability
By Michael Picarella Signal Staff Writer
They were compelled to move to Southern California. In considering communities to put down roots, they looked at air quality maps and found that the Santa Clarita Valley stood out for having cleaner air than many other parts of the region.
Nayelli Gonzalez, 44, and her husband, Peter O’Brien, 46, were also drawn to Valencia by FivePoint because it aligned with their values of environmental consciousness and sustainability.
“It’s something that we’re not only passionate about, but we really feel is part of our purpose,” Gonzalez said during a recent telephone interview. “This community just called to us.”
Gonzalez was born in Los Angeles and spent her childhood moving to different places throughout Southern California.
After high school, she attended Boston University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and history. She later pursued graduate studies in the Bay Area, ultimately earning her master’s of business administration from Presidio Graduate School.
Gonzalez’s parents came to America in search of a better life, a life they worked hard to achieve. Grateful for those opportunities, they taught their daughter from a young age the importance of giving back and serving the community.
“I’ve always gravitated toward career paths that are about helping other people and just being of service,” Gonzalez said. “I eventually decided to get an MBA focused on sustainability and sustainable management, and since then, I’ve been working in the sustainability and social impact sectors, which are really focused on how we can … bring resources together as communities to enrich people and the planet.”
O’Brien was born and raised in Davis, California. As a kid, he rode his bike everywhere. That bike, he said, wasn’t just the customary kid’s way of getting around. It also served as a clean, low-impact and sustainable mode of transportation. He was aware of that even in the early years.
After high school, O’Brien went to Principia Col-
/
lege in Elsah, Illinois, and received a degree in philosophy and world perspectives. He then served in the Peace Corps and went on to work for a nonprofit.
“I wanted to find how I could make my contribution and make the world a better place,” he said during a separate telephone interview.
Inspired by the founder of the nonprofit who became a mentor, O’Brien went on to get his MBA at Cornell University, which included a focus on Sustainable Global Enterprise.
He’d then go on to work in the “clean tech” world — solar energy and eventually the battery storage business. He said he feels batteries are the enablers of cleaner energy.
Gonzalez and O’Brien met, naturally enough, at a renewable energy networking event in San Francisco. They got married, and in 2018 they had a daughter, carving out a life in the Bay Area.
In 2021, the family was hit with some scary news.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Gonzalez said. “We decided to move down to Southern California during that time to be around my family, who
offered support while I underwent that treatment.” That support included childcare for their young daughter.
Moving to Southern California was initially a temporary move while Gonzalez received treatment, which she underwent for about a year and a half. They lived in Diamond Bar at the time.
According to her husband, it was then that Gonzalez really became more conscientious about a clean environment and other aspects of health and awareness.
“She was already pretty attuned to healthy eating and other things like that, but this just made her hyper aware. Ever since, we’ve been super diligent about every aspect of our life … (W)e were at level nine before, and this took us to level 11 like in ‘This Is Spinal Tap,’” he said, referencing a famous scene in the 1984 film in which a guitar amplifier goes past 10 to 11 to symbolize going all out.
To them, part of going all out meant going all in on a very specific place to live. After her bout with cancer, Gonzalez and O’Brien decided they wanted to stay in Southern California, but they wanted a community that was health-conscientious and environmentally friendly.
Gonzalez discovered Valencia by FivePoint. She loved the community’s focus on achieving net zero emissions of greenhouse gases and living sustainably, something she really hadn’t seen in other communities.
Valencia by FivePoint representatives have shared their sustainability goals with the community in the past. One particularly impactful measure from a conservation standpoint includes designating approximately 10,000 acres of land — equivalent to more than twice the size of Griffith Park — as permanently protected open space.
Homes are built with energy-efficient materials and appliances, solar power and Level 2 electric vehicle chargers in every garage.
There’s also a growing trail network for golf cartlike neighborhood electric vehicles and e-bikes that members of the community can use on those trails — and a growing number of electric-vehicle charging stations within public and commercial areas in the community.
Through a transportation program called
Nayelli Gonzalez and husband, Peter O’Brien, with their daughter Vivienne, 6. PHOTO BY HABEBA MOSTAFA
THE SIGNAL
“There’s a garden club that we’re part of, and there’s a hiking club,” Gonzalez said. “And so, we decided, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to start a club that focuses on the sustainability aspects of our community, but also helps advance some of those sustainability initiatives?’” Thus, the Sustainability Club was born.
ValenciaGO, homeowners are also eligible to apply to receive subsidy reimbursements to put toward the purchase of an eco-friendly mode of transportation.
Gonzalez shared all of these features with her husband. That prompted them to visit, tour homes and speak with a few people about the area. It was just what they were looking for. Even better, they said they could afford it.
In the summer of 2022, they bought a home there. A few of the key factors that appealed to their needs included the community garden, solar living and the way the developers designed the community around the native landscaping.
Additionally, the couple was attracted to what they called the “really great schools” in the area.
“We have a young daughter, and the community here is very family oriented,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve spent a lot of time living in big cities — and I love cities — but I feel like where I am in my life right now, it’s really nice to be somewhere where it’s a little bit more family focused.”
O’Brien said he appreciates that the area feels safe enough for their daughter to play freely outside. He also values the strong sense of community and the cleanliness of the neighborhood, adding that the family even has a backyard garden, which he’s particularly proud of.
O’Brien also loves that the area offers alternate modes of transportation and ways to get around.
“I appreciate the bus line and trying to boost ridership to get people out of their cars,” he said. “The paseos and the two Metrolink stations also made me feel an instant appreciation for the thoughtful development of the area. I enjoy riding the train and try to take Metrolink instead of driving whenever I can.”
Another thing Gonzalez and O’Brien appreciate about the Valencia by FivePoint community is the way residents have come together to form clubs and social groups.
In fact, it inspired them to start a group of their own.
“There’s a garden club that we’re part of, and there’s a hiking club,” Gonzalez said. “And so, we decided, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to start a club that focuses on the sustainability aspects of our community, but also helps advance some of those sustainability initiatives?’”
Thus, the Sustainability Club was born. According to the couple, it’s still fairly new, but it’s open to like-minded people in the community who value environmental stewardship and conscious living.
“We welcome everyone,” Gonzalez said. “Our main goal is to build community and learn together, take meaningful action, and make sustainability feel approachable and empowering for all.”
Four years ago, Gonzalez’s health crisis brought her and her family to Southern California and ultimately to Valencia by FivePoint. That coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Gonzalez drew
meaning from that.
Her personal life was turning upside down at the same time the world felt like it was falling apart.
“Since we’ve been in Southern California, it’s been a time of rebuilding and restoration,” she said. “I feel like that’s where we are in the world. Everyone — not just me — is just trying to make sense of things going on, but also … feeling a sense of empowerment that we, as individuals, can take part and help to rebuild in a way that’s in the spirit of kindness and compassion, to build a place like in this community where people can really live happily and thrive.”
Community Inspired is an advertorial series focusing on people who are strengthening our community and essential to the future of the Santa Clarita Valley. The monthly series — and accompanying podcast — is presented by Valencia by FivePoint.
A variety of plants grow in the FivePoint Valencia Community Garden.
Get Ready to Do Some Local Off-Roading
By Signal Staff Writers
With 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. And, that’s for a good reason.
“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.
According to the Angeles National Forest website, the Angeles National Forest is located within one of the driest, most fire-prone areas in the U.S.
Not all areas that are impacted by 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?
Rowher Flat OHV From Highway 14, take Sierra Highway off-ramp 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.
The main staging area also has an 80cc mini track and four-wheel drive training course.
For information on Rowher Flat, visit bit.ly/ 3IydwKo. 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 Quail Canyon Motocross Track to the south-
east is open to the public 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 bit.ly/40WZXKD
Forest trails
The rest of the Angeles National Forest has a system of OHV-designated routes that are open to fourwheel 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.
©ADOBE STOCK
FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Unwind, Explore and Experience Summer in Santa Clarita
By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager
With summer in full swing, there’s no better time to explore and experience everything Santa Clarita has to offer. From scenic hikes and free live music to locally owned restaurants, breweries and wineries, the season is packed with opportunities to relax, explore and make unforgettable memories. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to our community, Santa Clarita has something for everyone. For those who can’t get enough of the outdoors, Santa Clarita has you covered. With over 100 miles of picturesque trails and 13,000 acres of open space, hikers, bikers and nature enthusiasts can enjoy breathtaking views in every corner of our Valley. Towsley Canyon and Placerita Canyon are local favorites, offering shady trails, wildlife sightings and even historical landmarks like the Oak of the Golden Dream, the site of California’s first documented gold discovery. Are you up for a challenging hike or just a peaceful walk? Santa Clarita’s open spaces are ready to be explored. If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, Old Town Newhall, Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District, offers a walkable blend of historic charm and modern edge. There you will find a wide range of culinary options, from casual comfort food and fine dining experiences to locally owned breweries and curated wine tastings. Old Town Newhall is also home to The MAIN (24266 Main Street), Santa Clarita’s intimate theatre
venue that’s home to original plays, comedy nights and live musical performances. For The MAIN’s full lineup, visit AtTheMAIN.org, and OldTownNewhall.com for everything Old Town Newhall has to offer.
Nothing says summer in Santa Clarita quite like Concerts in the Park, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, happening every Saturday evening through August 30 at Central Park (27150 Bouquet Canyon Road). Each week features a free, family-friendly concert with a different high-energy cover band performing hits from genres like classic rock, country, pop and more. The full lineup can be found at SantaClarita.gov/Concerts.
If you or someone you know is visiting, getting around town during the summer is easier than ever thanks to the Summer Trolley. Running through Monday, September 1, this free service connects local hotels with some of Santa Clarita’s top destinations, including Old Town Newhall, the Valencia Town Center, as well as Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor. Whether you’re staying overnight or just visiting for the day, the Summer Trolley helps you travel around the City stress-free. To find all the stops and complete route, go to VisitSantaClarita.com/Summer-Trolley.
Santa Clarita has everything you need to make this summer one to remember, whether you’re out exploring the trails, relaxing in Old Town Newhall or enjoying live music. Come discover your new summer tradition and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita. gov.
and Editorial
COMMUNITY INSPIRED
Exploring where and how we live and celebrating the people and fabric of the Santa Clarita Valley.
Sustainable Living
Ana Fonseca President and CEO Logix Federal Credit Union
Matt Carpenter Senior VP of Environmental Resources FivePoint
Jonathan Parfrey Founder and Executive Director Climate Resolve
The Latest News on What’s Happening In Hollywood
By Tony Rizzo
Brandon Flynn will play James Dean in director Guy Guido’s upcoming film “Willie and Jimmy Dean,” which is based on William Bast’s memoir “Surviving James Dean.” In the memoir, Bast claimed to be Dean’s lover.
Flynn played Ryan Peters in HBO’s “True Detective” (2019) and Justin Foley in the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” (2017-2020). He had a recurring role in the “Ratched” series, as well as the lead role in Apple TV+’s historical Abraham Lincoln miniseries “Manhunt.” He was also second-billed in the Max film “The Parenting,” with Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow, Brian Cox and Edie Falco.
Sunday-Thursday, July 20-24, 2025
Miami native Flynn is wed to Canadian writer/director Jordan Tannahill. But what does he know about James Dean, who died before he was born? Flynn explained, “His short life left behind just three films, a mountain of photographs, and a cultural mythology we keep trying to decode. This script is a beautiful attempt at truthfully understanding who he really was — not just the icon but the man.” According to Flynn, the script humanizes Dean rather than taking a sensational approach.
Flynn continued, “It highlights how Hollywood has historically forced LGBTQ people into performance, even in their personal lives.” It covers Dean’s meeting with his fu-
ture male lover, Bast, to Dean’s death in 1955. (Bast died in 2015 at 84.) Bast met Dean at the UCLA Theater when he was 19, and they became roommates, friends and lovers.
Allegedly, Dean had affairs with Marlon Brando, Paul Newman and others. Dean acted in many live television dramas, including “Hallmark Hall of Fame,” “Kraft Television Theatre,” “You Are There,” “Omnibus,” and “General Electric Theater.”
“UNBAOM” (about Unabomber Ted Kaczynski), “Bear Country” with Aaron Paul and Luke Evans, and the sports drama “The Beast in Me” with Luke Hemsworth.
their nvolvement and make a pac t to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences
S M U R F S B Sun: 10:30 12:50 3:05 5:15 7:30; Mon to Thu: 12:50 3:05 5:15 7:30 When Papa Smurf is myster ously taken by evi wizards, Razamel and Gargamel Smurfette leads the Smurfs on a m ssion nto the real world to save h m
D O N’T L E T ’S G O TO T H E D O G S TO N I G H T E Sun: 1:20 4:30 7 10; Mon: 1:20 4:30; Tue: 1:20 4:30 7:10; Wed: 1:20 4:30; Thu: 1:20 4 30 7:10
This film captures the chi dhood of 8-year- old Bobo on her family farm in Z mbabwe at the end of the Zimbabwean War for independence n 1980
S U P E R M A N C Sun: 10:10 1:10 4:10 7:10 Mon to Thu: 1:10 4:10 7:10
DC Studios’ first feature film to h t the b g screen, is set to soar nto theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros
JUR ASSIC WORLD REBIRTH C Sun: 10:00 12:45 4:00 7:15; Mon to Wed: 12:45 4:00 7:15; Thu: 12:45 4:00
Three colossa creatures ho d the key to a drug that wi l bring miraculous ife -saving benefits to humankind
F1 T H E M OV I E C 1:00 3:50 7:00
Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best n the world M AT E R I A L I S TS E Sun: 10:10
But he only made three films: “East of Eden” (1955), “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955), and “Giant” (1956), for which he was posthumously Oscar-nominated.
Russell Crowe will instruct Henry Cavill in the ways of immortals in the “Highlander” remake.
Crowe’s completed his role as Hermann Goring, Adolf Hitler’s and Luftwaffe’s commander-in-chief, in “Nuremberg,” opposite Oscar winner Rami Malek and Michael Shannon (due Nov. 7). He’s also in Netflix’s
Meanwhile, Cavill’s upcoming in Guy Ritchie’s “In the Grey” with Jake Gyllenhaal, “Voltron” with Sterling K. Brown, and “Enola Holmes 3” with Millie Bobby Brown. The former “Man of Steel” had a child in January with his girlfriend, Natalie Viscuso, but they’re mum on the child’s name and gender.
Aaron Sorkin won an Oscar for his adapted screenplay of “The Social Network” (2010) and is now writing and directing a follow-up to the original, which made movie stars of Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake and Armie Hammer. With the current state of the internet, maybe he should call it “The Antisocial Network!”
©2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Brandon Flynn (Upcoming in “Willie and Jimmy Dean.” Courtesy of Netflix Russell Crowe. ©IMDB
Recipes for Your Next Camping Trip
By Mackenzie Filson Delish.com
There’s a lot of reasons to go camping — fresh air, fireside ghost stories, and yes, the food. As summer is prime camping time, this season we’re taking our campground cuisine very seriously. Even if you’ve been doing it for years, there are plenty of ways to upgrade your campfire kitchen. These easy skillet, skewer and campfire cooking recipes will guarantee you’ll be eating well in the great outdoors from breakfast to dessert. For more camping recipes, visit www. delish.com/cooking/menus/g27615055/ camping-food-cooking-recipes
Grilled Shrimp Foil
Packets
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb. large shrimp, peeled, deveined
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 smoked andouille sausages, thinly sliced
2 ears corn, each cut crosswise into 4 pieces
1 lb. red bliss potatoes, chopped into 1” pieces
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. Old Bay seasoning Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
1 lemon, sliced into thin wedges
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Directions
Prepare a grill for high heat; heat 5 minutes, or preheat oven to 425°.
Cut 4 sheets of foil about 12" long.
Divide shrimp, garlic, sausage, corn, and potatoes over foil sheets.
Drizzle with oil, then add Old Bay seasoning; season with salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine. Top each with parsley, lemon, and butter.
Fold foil packets crosswise over shrimp mixture to cover. Roll top and bottom edges to seal.
Place foil packets on grill and cook until just cooked through, about 5-10 minutes. (or transfer to oven and bake for 20 minutes).
Campfire Strawberries
These fruity beauties are the perfect combination of sweet grilled fruit and a campfire classic: fresh strawberries are skewered then coated in marshmallow fluff and roasted before being topped with chocolate and graham crackers.
Ingredients
1 pt. fresh strawberries
1 cup Marshmallow Fluff
Hershey chocolate syrup, for drizzling (optional)
2 to 3 graham crackers, crumbled (optional)
Directions
Pierce strawberries with a skewer.
Dip in Marshmallow Fluff. Working one at a time, roast over an open flame until lightly toasted, 30 to 45 seconds.
Drizzle with chocolate syrup (if using). Top with graham cracker crumbles (if using).
Maple Chorizo Breakfast
Skillet
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 lb. potatoes, scrubbed clean and diced into ½” pieces
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bell pepper, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
8 oz. cured (not fresh) Spanish chorizo, diced
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
4 to 6 large eggs
Sliced green onions, for garnish
Directions
Place a grate and large cast-iron skillet over a campfire and preheat 15 minutes. Heat oil in skillet, then add potatoes in an even layer. Season with salt and pepper and cook, undisturbed, until golden and crispy on one side, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in peppers, onions, chorizo, and maple syrup. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
Use a spoon to make wells in mixture. Crack an egg into each well and season with salt and pepper. Cover skillet with foil (or a lid) and cook until eggs are done to your liking, 3 to 4 minutes.
Garnish with green onions and season with more black pepper before serving.
Navigating Your Medication and Exercise
Exercise is widely acknowledged as a pathway to improved physical and mental health. Reduced vulnerability to disease, lower risk for broken bones thanks to improved bone density and strength, and improved mood are just some of the many benefits attributed to regular exercise. Indeed, exercise is vital to people of all ages, including seniors.
Seniors can benefit from routine exercise, but they may need to navigate working out differently than their younger counterparts. That’s because prescription drug use is much higher among older adults compared to younger demographics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 89 percent of adults age 65 and older take prescription medication.
That’s notable because prescription medication can produce side effects that must be taken into consideration when designing and performing an exercise regimen. Seniors taking prescription medication who want to exercise can consider these strategies to en-
sure their workouts are safe.
Open a dialogue with your physician. The first step seniors must take is to open a dialogue with any physician who is currently prescribing them medicine. Physicians will be familiar with the potential side effects of medications they prescribe and are great resources who can share information about what seniors can expect while taking a given medicine. Physicians can discuss patients’ intended workout schedules and may recommend taking medications at certain times of day so workout routines go as smoothly as possible.
Consider low-exertion exercises. The Mayo Clinic notes that opioids slow breathing and heart rate. Breathing less means the body takes in less oxygen, and that in turn means less oxygen is available for muscles. This can adversely affect endurance, and seniors taking opioids may find they tire quickly or cannot exercise with the intensity they’re accustomed to. In such instances, seniors can consider low-exer-
tion exercises such as walking so they can still get the benefits of physical activity while taking the medications their doctors prescribe.
Work out with a friend. The buddy system has long been touted as a great way to maintain exercise motivation, but working out with a friend also is beneficial for seniors taking medication who don’t necessarily need a companion to keep them on track. Exercising with a workout buddy can ensure someone is there to point out any side effects that individuals may not feel themselves or may feel but write off as harmless consequences of breaking a sweat. A workout buddy can report when a pal looks flushed or seems off in some other way. Of course, working out with a friend also ensures someone is there to call for help in the case of an emergency.
Seniors have much to gain from exercising regularly. However, older adults taking prescription medications must be mindful of the potential side effects of their medicines and keep an eye out for any warning signs that they could be in danger. (MC)
Get Proactive with Your Eye Health to Avoid Issues
Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of permanent blindness, often does its damage silently — with no noticeable symptoms — as vision is lost. Glaucoma affects an estimated 3 million Americans, but most people don’t know they have the condition until it’s revealed in an eye exam.
Once vision is lost, it cannot be recovered. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. That’s why when it comes to detecting and treating glaucoma, the earlier, the better.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by increased pressure in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and reduce vision, sometimes making objects look blurry or dark. Early on, most people don’t notice what’s happening, but as glaucoma progresses, you may notice some loss of peripheral vision. By this point, the disease has progressed significantly toward blindness, and treatment options may be limited.
Diagnosing Glaucoma
Regular eye exams, including specific glaucoma tests, are important for the early detection and diagnosis of glaucoma. If diagnosed early, an eye doctor can recommend treatment to manage glaucoma and help prevent vision loss.
“Many patients are surprised to learn glaucoma often presents with no initial symptoms,” said Oluwatosin U. Smith, MD, glaucoma specialist and ophthalmologist at Glaucoma Associates of Texas. “That’s why routine, comprehensive eye exams are so vital. These screenings allow us to detect glaucoma in its earliest stages, often before any vision loss occurs. Early diagnosis and treatment are the cornerstone of effec-
tive glaucoma management.”
To check for glaucoma, your eye doctor tests your eye pressure, peripheral vision and overall eye health. The painless screening is the only way to accurately diagnose the condition and determine appropriate treatment.
Traditional Glaucoma Treatment
For decades, prescription eye drops have been the most common treatment to help lower eye pressure and slow the progression of the disease.
Although prescription eye drops are commonly prescribed and generally effective at lowering eye pressure, they can cause challenges and unwanted side effects, including redness, irritation, burning, stinging or difficulty putting them in the eye. In addition, patients may find it difficult to remember to take their eye drops every day, and missing doses can put vision at risk by allowing eye pressure to rise unchecked.
When prescription eye drops are unsuccessful at controlling eye pressure or managing glaucoma, an eye doctor may change treatment by prescribing additional prescription eye drops, which can make the challenges and inconveniences associated with prescription eye drops worse.
A Proactive Approach
Modern glaucoma management is evolving with a shift from reactive — take prescription eye drops and “watch and wait” until glaucoma progresses before exploring alternative treatment — to proactive management.
Taking a proactive approach means choosing a minimally invasive procedure earlier in the treatment journey to help slow the progression of glaucoma and minimize vision loss while reducing the challenges of daily prescription eye drops.
“The shift toward a more proactive approach represents a significant advancement in how we manage glaucoma,” Smith said. “Traditionally, we waited for vision loss before a procedural intervention. However, with modern minimally invasive procedures, we can now proactively lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve much earlier. This approach helps us preserve our patients’ vision and quality of life for longer. I encourage anyone with a glaucoma diagnosis, or those with risk factors, to discuss proactive options with their ophthalmologist.”
• Procedural pharmaceuticals, or drug delivery systems, may include tiny, FDA-approved implants that deliver medication continuously to
help lower eye pressure and protect vision.
• Micro-invasive, or minimally invasive, glaucoma surgery involves less-invasive procedures, devices (such as stents) and techniques with faster recovery times than traditional surgeries.
• Laser treatment commonly involves a laser being aimed through a special lens onto the drainage system of the eye, triggering a natural change that helps fluid drain from the eye to lower pressure.
These treatments may be used in combination with prescription eye drops or on their own. For more information, visit livingwithglaucoma.com. (Family Features)
Make Your Backyard Your Haven and Relax
By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer
Living 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.
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 sensory 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
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.
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 See HAVEN, on next page.
Saving Money While Setting Up a Smart Home
Whether you’re setting up a smart home in new digs this moving season, or simply looking to get better connected, making your home smart doesn’t have to break the bank with these practical ways to get connected and save.
Get Connected
A smart home all starts with fast, hassle-free internet, and these days, there are options available that can help you get connected with no downtime.
Rather than waiting for an installation appointment or technician, solutions like T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offer easy setup right out of the box. Simply plug it in, power it on and you’re online within minutes. Now is an especially good time to make this switch, thanks to current promotions. With all T-Mobile Home Internet plans there are no annual contracts or
HAVEN
Continued from previous page. 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.
monthly equipment fees. Additional savings are available when bundling with T-Mobile voice plans, making this a solid choice if you also happen to be shopping for a wireless plan.
Moving into a new home can mean making adjustments to your budget, and unexpected bill increases can make planning difficult. Unlike some other internet options, T-Mobile doesn’t have introductory promo pricing that increases later, making it easy to account for this line item into the future. Select plans even come with extras, like subscriptions to popular streaming services, so you can save on these monthly expenses too.
Get Smart
Now that you have internet that can support your smart home, it’s time to select a smart home ecosystem on which to run it, along with devices you’d like to connect it to. Just be sure the ecosystem and devices you choose
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.
are compatible.
The good news? While this technology that adds seamless convenience to your life comes with a price tag, many smart home features can help you save on monthly expenses, offsetting the cost of your new smart home. For example, devices that make your home more secure, such as smart locks, doorbells, cameras and security systems, could potentially score you a discount on renters or homeowners insurance. Other devices, such as thermostats, lights and appliances, can be programmed to help reduce energy usage and bills. Of course, you should be sure to protect all your smart devices from hackers by using strong passwords and two-factor authentication,
and by keeping systems up to date. There are endless details to manage when settling into a new residence. Fortunately, setting up internet and smart home technology no longer needs to be stressful. (SPT)
Protecting Your Pets From Heartworms
Heartworms are one of the most common and serious health threats faced by pets. According to the American Heartworm Society, more than a million U.S. pets are infected with heartworms, and incidence numbers are rising—even though heartworms are easily prevented. To equip pet parents to provide the protection their four-legged family members need this summer and yearround, the American Heartworm Society is sharing five vital facts about this deadly threat.
1. A single infected mosquito can spread heartworms to multiple pets. Heartworms aren’t spread from one pet to another. Instead, they are transmitted when a mosquito feeds on an
infected animal, such as a dog, coyote, fox or wolf, then later feeds on other susceptible animals and pets. Within months, heartworms grow from tiny larvae into foot-long adult worms that live in pets’ hearts, lungs and blood vessels.
2. Heartworms are found throughout the United States.
Warm, humid locales such as the Gulf States and Southeastern U.S. are widely known as hotbeds of heartworm infection, thanks to the presence of mosquitoes that thrive in these conditions. However, heartworms have become increasingly common in regions such as the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Upper Midwest and New England. One factor supporting broader transmission is the practice of
transporting homeless dogs for adoption from areas of the country where heartworms are extremely common to locales that formerly had few cases. Studies also suggest that mosquitoes prefer feeding on pets with heartworms over pets that don’t harbor them. Finally, mosquitoes are opportunistic pests that require only small amounts of standing water—including puddles or half-full watering cans—to breed.
3. Heartworms aren’t just going to the dogs.
weather conditions in even the coldest parts of the country.
Furthermore, buildings, parking lots and other structures in city and suburban communities can create sheltered “heat islands” with significantly warmer conditions than surrounding open areas. Mosquitoes also survive and thrive by relocating indoors or taking refuge in garages and crawl spaces when temperatures drop.
5. Prevention beats treatment every time.
While dogs are highly susceptible to heartworm infection, cats and ferrets get heartworms, too. One thing all three species have in common is that they can become very ill, and even die, if infected with heartworms. That’s why the American Heartworm Society recommends heartworm screening and year-round prevention for all pets.
4. There’s no “season” for heartworms. While the risk of heartworm spread is greatest for pets from spring through fall, experts advise that pets be maintained on heartworm prevention year-round. Estimating when the first and last mosquito of the so-called season will appear is a dangerous guessing game, given the volatility of
While heartworms in dogs can be treated, treatment can be expensive and requires multiple veterinary visits and months of activity restriction. Cats and ferrets, meanwhile, have no medications to cure their heartworms, because the treatment used in dogs is not safe for them.
Fortunately, heartworms can be prevented with veterinary-prescribed medications that are safe, effective and affordable.
For more information on heartworm prevention and management, visit heartwormsociety.org.
Heartworms pose huge health risks for pets. Fortunately, protecting them from infection is simple. (SPT)
PUZZLES
SOLUTIONS
Retroactive Price Increase
Since Burrtec replaced Waste Management as the city’s trash collector, I have generally been pleased with their services and I see them as an improvement over Waste Management. With the closing of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, Burrtec understandably had to increase its rates to cover the additional cost of hauling trash to more distant locations. However, there is one aspect of this fee increase that is inherently unfair.
Last January, I took Burrtec up on its offer to prepay my entire 2025 trash collection service. The pitch was if you pay for the full year in advance, Burrtec will only charge you for 11 months. One factor influencing my decision was a conversation I had with a Burrtec employee who led me to believe that paying in advance would also protect me from future price increases for 2025 trash collection.
Evidently, I misunderstood, because, after the City Council approved the rate increase, Burrtec sent me a notice saying, “Customers who prepaid for services in 2025 will receive an invoice adjustment for the new rates for the period of July 1-Dec. 31, 2025.”
Customers who prepaid already purchased trash collection services for that period, so Burrtec has effectively imposed an inequitable retroactive price increase on those customers. Santa Clarita customers who prepaid for 2025 services should be disappointed, not only with Burrtec, but also with the City Council who did not consider this situation when they approved the fee increase.
When Burrtec seeks future price increase approvals, the City Council must consider the nuance of customers who already paid in advance for trash collection services.
Jim de Bree Valencia
ETHICALLY SPEAKING
Why Not Be the Best?
By David Hegg
For a long time, it has been common to hear athletes motivate their teammates by exhorting them to “represent.” It is a call to be the best, giving their best effort, as representatives of their team, school and philosophy of excellence. It is a reminder that each represents the rest of the team. What they did and how they played would affect how those watching would think of the team as a whole.
Like you, my soul has been greatly saddened, even hurt, by the violence and hatred currently bubbling up all around our country. Sadly, while we attempt to be vigilant and united against the looming threat of terrorism by those who hate our country, we are being torn apart by the very real hatred that is increasingly defining our nation.
So, I have a solution. Each of us — you, me, your neighbors, my neighbors, my race, your race, my political group, your political group, my worldview, your worldview — needs to be the best representative of whatever group or category we fall into. And if you eschew categories or groups, be the best representative of those who eschew categories and groups!
If you are a white male, be the best white male you can be. If you are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or other, strive to live so that you make those around you think highly of you and those you represent. If you are a liberal, moderate, conservative, or libertarian, be the best person — the best example — of your political viewpoint as possible. No matter what “tribe” you’re part of, represent them well. Be the best version of yourself you possibly can be.
All of this depends on what ”best” really means. What does being the “best” representative look like? I submit we’re talking about fundamental ethical values that all great societies share.
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Regardless of your race, age, political viewpoint, or worldview, some non-negotiables regarding being a “best” person exist. Here are a few of the most necessary ones.
Honesty: An honest person has a sound relationship with the truth. She recognizes the essential place truth
plays in society, seeks it out without prejudice, and is committed to finding, holding and speaking the truth.
Integrity is what you are and do when no one is looking. It is a commitment to moral rightness regardless of the circumstances. A person with integrity is the kind of man or woman you want to follow as a leader, hire as an employee, and hope your kids marry. We all need to be one.
Trustworthiness: This is a person you can assign something to and know it will get done. A trustworthy person keeps their word even when it hurts, keeps their promises even when they are hard, and keeps at the job until it is done well.
Compassion: A compassionate person is involved with those around them. Relationships are not optional, and neither is helping others, of course. A “best” person puts others before self, is generous with resources, and works hard not to let disappointment and adversity harden their hearts against those around them.
Courage: People who prize honesty, live with integrity, strive to be trustworthy, and extend compassion to others often swim upstream against the current of what is comfortable and convenient. It takes courage to stand for what is right, with those who may need help to stand at all. Pursuing truth requires courage, following the facts wherever they lead. And it takes courage to stand for what is right when wrong looks so much more expedient. Humility: Lastly, and perhaps most important when it comes to being the best representative of your group, is humility. Humble people take their tasks seriously, but never themselves. They don’t need the credit, the recognition, or the reward as long as the right things get done, and truth and justice are championed.
There are certainly more “best practices” when it comes to being the best representative you can be. I leave it to you to fill out the whole palette. But the real point is that we can become the nation we’ve always wanted to live in if we just become the best version of ourselves, working hard to represent, and even harder to do it well.
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
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