Finding the Perfect Local Coffee Shop
By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
What do you want in your perfect coffee shop? Are you looking for a diverse selection of beverages, or do you want a place that makes your perfect brew and they’ll remember your order the moment you walk in? Are you looking for a place to sit, relax and share stories with strangers? Is your perfect coffee store a community gathering place?
In the Santa Clarita Valley, you can find just about any type of coffee shop you want, including those offering a full breakfast.
Coffee Facts
• The United States drinks more coffee than any single country in the world.
• Colombia and Brazil have been the top two countries exporting coffee to the U.S. since 2009.
• A tiny fraction of American coffee consumed is produced in Hawaii, and no coffee is grown in the lower-48 states.
The Spring 2025 National Coffee Data Trends report, conducted on behalf of the National Coffee Association found that two-thirds of American adults drink coffee each day, higher than consumption of tea, juice, soda and bottled water and up nearly 7% compared to 2020. Every American coffee drinker consumes on average 3 cups per day.
Driving coffee’s five-year growth trend, consumption of specialty coffee has increased by nearly 18% (consumed by 46% of American adults compared to 39% in 2020). Consumption of traditional coffee held steady over the same time and consumed by 42% of adults.
Within the specialty category, consumption of espresso-based beverages (which include cappuccinos, espressos, lattes, caffè mochas, macchiatos, flat
whites and Americanos) increased by 17% and consumption of non-espresso-based beverages (which include frozen blended coffees, cold brew coffees, and nitro coffees) shot up by nearly 42%.
For every 100 cups of coffee consumed, 59 are specialty and 41 are traditional.
Coffee Culture in the SCV
The Santa Clarita Valley is home to more than the 30 Starbucks stores. However, there are many other options available.
Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders
22913 Soledad Canyon Rd., Canyon Country 91351
Info bodhileafcoffee.com; Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
This small Southern California chain offers coffee beans and drinks like the matcha latte with rose syrup.
Havana Savannah
24050 Copper Hill Dr., Valencia 91354
Info havanasavannah.com; Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.8 p.m.
In August 2020, serial inventor and entrepreneur Bruce Burrows turned his attention to the creation of a new coffee-brewing technology. This unique extraction technology also generates a smooth iced coffee base, for frappuccino-style drinks. After three years of development, Burrows built his flagship coffee house, Havana Savannah, in Valencia, to commercialize his patented TornadoBrew coffee technology.
Guests recommend the brown sugar shaken oat milk espresso and the pizza cooked using Burrows’ LavaFire technology.
Henry’s Coffee
24400 Walnut St. Ste E, Newhall 91321
Info henryscoffeeco.com; Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
This small gem of a family-owned coffee shop
only seats 16, but guests rave about the Honey Latte.
Honu Coffee
22722 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321
Info honucoffee.com; Monday-Sunday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Opened in 2014 with the intention of being a true community coffee house. Honu Coffee is family owned and offers a traditional coffee shop menu as well as signature drinks.
Los Coffeeholics
23460 Cinema Dr., Valencia 91355
Info www.thescvhub.com; Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Located in the SCV Hub Food Hall, try the Mazapán Latte, a milk tea or any of the seasonal offerings.
Makenna Koffee
23881 Newhall Ranch Rd., Valencia 91355
Info makennakoffeevalencia.square.site; Monday-Sunday 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
This family-friendly coffee shop offers espresso, flavored Red Bull, smoothies, blended coffee chillers, teas and cool yummy drinks for the kids.
San Fernando Coffee
19439 Soledad Canyon Rd., Canyon Country 91351
Info sanfernandocoffeeco.com; Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
This small Southern California chain serves coffee made from certified fair trade and organic beans from Latin America. Drinks to try include the Strawberry Hibiscus Lemonade and the Mexican Mocha.
Trophy Coffee
21726 Placerita Canyon Rd., Newhall 91321
Info trophycoffee.co; Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 3-10 p.m.
Family owned. Serving The Master’s University campus and the community.
By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
Monday, Sept. 22, the first day of the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, offers Santa Clarita Valley residents the opportunity to enjoy all the numerous bounties of the fall season.
Find a farmers’ or roadside market, a harvest festival or foodie festival to celebrate harvest time in California.
In case you didn’t know, California is the leading agricultural producer in the U.S., with over $59 billion in agricultural sales in 2022 and $59.4 billion in cash receipts in 2023, providing roughly 13% of the nation’s total agricultural production value.
The state is the nation’s top producer of fruits, tree nuts and vegetables, growing over a third of the country’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of its fruits and nuts.
Farmers Markets
The Santa Clarita Valley has embraced the “farm to table” movement with four farmers markets operating in the SCV. There’s no better way to celebrate the bounty of the season than to visit a local farmers market to explore what’s just been picked.
“There is no place to get fresher produce, unless
you grow it yourself,” said Larry McClements, market manager of three nonprofit farmers markets in the SCV. “It doesn’t just taste better, it’s more nutritious and it lasts longer.”
McClements recommends seeking out fall pluots and plums through November, fresh peaches and corn through Thanksgiving.
“We are starting to see our fall crops come including pomegranates and pears. Apples are now back in our markets. We have two apple farmers that work with us and the apples just fantastic. They grow something like 14 different varieties,” he said. “There are some heirloom apples you won’t find anywhere else.”
McClements said the pears, grown in Tehachapi, are “just wonderful.”
“Lettuce is a cold weather crop so that is something to look forward to,” he said. “We have lettuce year-round, but we don’t have the diversity.”
McClements said California strictly regulates all produce at the farmers markets must be grown locally. It cannot be imported from another country.
Fall squash is also in season now.
“Delicata squash is one we have a lot of now,” he said. “The nice about it is you don’t have to peel it. We also have butternut squash and a honeynut squash which is a hybrid between an acorn squash
and a butternut squash.”
Among McClements favorite vegetables is kabocha squash, another squash that doesn’t require peeling.
“You just cut the end off, dice it, throw it in a pan with olive oil and salt and 30 minute later it is ready. It cooks quickly,” he said.
The Newhall farmers market, which features at least 75 vendors, has become the largest farmers market in north Los Angeles County, McClements said.
For fresh produce, fruit and bakery items, among other goodies, visit:
• Old Town Newhall Farmers Market
Sundays 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Old Town Newhall Library parking lot, 24500 Main St., Newhall
• Canyon Country Farmers Market
Wednesdays 4-8 p.m. Canyon Country Community Center,18410 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country
• Valencia Five Point Farmers Market
Sundays 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 27426 Navigation Ave., Valencia
• Santa Clarita Certified Farmers’ Market
Sundays 8 a.m.-noon, College of the Canyons
PHOTOS ©ADOBE STOCK
The 78th Annual Corning Olive Festival
Parking Lot 5, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia
This market is organized by the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Markets and features fresh produce, seafood, herbs, honey, eggs, nuts, juices, jams and cut flowers.
Harvest Fairs and Fests
The wonder of California’s bounty in food and wine will be showcased at numerous fairs and festivals this autumn.
California Avocado Festival
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 3-5 Linden Field, 800 Linden Ave., Carpinteria Info avofest.com
This free celebration of all things avocado features the world’s largest vat of guacamole and numerous avocado dishes you can buy and try.
This festival is one of the largest free festivals to attend in California with over 80 music acts on four stages.
Avocados are the primary agricultural industry along the Central California coast north and south of the city of Santa Barbara.
The Largest Avocado Contest is where you can see avocados you won’t normally see on the average home tree. Winners have previously weighed in at over three pounds.
The Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival
The Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival
Amador Wine Country, near Sacramento
Saturday - Sunday, Oct. 4-5, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info amadorwine.com/big-crush-harvest-winefestival
More than 50 wineries across Amador County celebrate the harvest with tastings, live music and classic activities such as grape stomps. Your ticket grants you access to events, tastings and pairings at select wineries each day, along with a commemorative glass.
Experience the fall wine harvest in action where guests can enjoy an array of behind-the-scenes harvest experiences including barrel tastings and winery tours as well as watching the crush in person at family-owned wineries.
The 78th Annual Corning Olive Festival
Saturday Oct 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., about 100 miles north of Sacramento 1485 Toomes Ave., Corning Info www.facebook.comcorningolivefestival andcarshow
Celebrate the history and global impact that Corning, the “Olive City,” has had for more than 100 years. Olive trees cover more than 13 square miles in Tehama County, the Shasta Cascade home
California Avocado Festival
of this festival that dates back to 1947. Sample the savory pitted fruit along with its accompanying oils and other products from vendors that feature olive themed products or products made from olives. The festival includes food trucks, car show and vendors. Before you head back to the SCV be sure to stop at the Corning Olive Pit store to load up on a large variety of green olives and olive oil.
Offering offsite parking at the Olive Pit all day with shuttle to/from the Corning Community Park bus stop.
For more fall fun in California visit www. visitcalifornia.com/experience/october-eventscalifornia.
COMMUNITY INSPIRED
Home Wasn’t in the Plan Until it Was
By Michael Picarella Signal Staff Writer
Buying a home felt out of reach. It was something she thought only older people could afford to do.
Yet, for Amber Branch, her husband and their two young daughters, their new place in Valencia by FivePoint has become their home sweet home — and they’re not the only young family in the community.
“I didn’t go into this expecting people our age — with children our age — to be (living) here, but there’s such a community of young parents,” Branch said during a recent telephone interview. “We have neighbors that the girls play with and go outside and ride bikes and scooters together with. Our second day here, our neighbors came and brought us homemade cookies. There’s just a great sense of community in the area, where people are really looking out for each other and getting to know each other. It definitely gives it a ‘home’ feel.”
Branch grew up in Carson, and has lived and worked there, in the San Fernando Valley and in the state of Washington over the years. After college, she worked as a high school chemistry and physics teacher in Washington.
After getting married and becoming pregnant, her mom, who still lived in Carson, couldn’t bear to have her daughter living so far away.
“She was like, ‘Bring my grandchild home,’” Branch said.
Branch took a teaching job in Van Nuys and lived in an apartment in Encino. She and her husband would have two daughters, currently 9 and 6 years old.
When the girls were about 4 and 1
years old, Branch and her husband began to reconsider where they lived.
“We were having troubles with the electricity, with the plumbing, with bugs,” she said. “We started to look for other apartments. We actually found a house to rent in Canyon Country.”
Branch explained that she and her husband were initially trying to buy a place, but they kept getting outbid by other buyers. Renting seemed to be the best option for them.
The young family moved into the Canyon Country rental home in 2021. Branch planned to commute to
her school in Van Nuys, but a friend of hers in Castaic asked her why she didn’t apply to schools in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Branch considered it, applied, got a number of different offers, and eventually fell in love with Bowman High School in Canyon Country.
“I’ve been here going on my fifth year now,” she said.
Her district wasn’t the only thing Branch changed. Soon, she and her husband bought their house in Valencia by FivePoint. She described her journey to homeownership as an
In February, Branch and her husband were viewing homes when they came across a movein ready property with all upgrades and strong buyer incentives. Although it wasn’t part of their original plan, the deal felt too good to pass up.
unexpected but serendipitous turn of events.
At the end of 2024, after costly car repairs, she and her husband decided to sell the vehicle, which unexpectedly left them with extra funds they intended to save.
Earlier this year, while focusing on getting their finances in order, she and her husband casually agreed to meet a realtor recommended by Branch’s mom.
In February, Branch and her husband were viewing homes when they
Amber and Quinten Branch with their daughters Harriet, center left, 6 and Harriet, 9, embrace their new home in FivePoint. PHOTOS BY HABEBA MOSTAFA / THE SIGNAL
FROM THE CITY MANAGER
New Virtual Deputy Services Enhances Public Safety in Santa Clarita
By Ken Striplin
Santa Clarita City Manager
PClarita was recently recognized as the fifth safest city in the state.
ublic safety remains a top priority for the City of Santa Clarita. As our community grows, strong communication with local law enforcement is essential. Now, with the launch of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s new Virtual Deputy service, residents have an innovative way to connect with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
Virtual Deputy makes it easy to schedule secure, virtual meetings with a deputy to report certain non-emergency incidents or ask law enforcement-related questions. This online service, available through LASD.org/ Santa-Clarita-Valley, is designed for situations that do not require an immediate response. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1. Getting started is simple, visit the website, answer a few quick questions about your situation and, if your request qualifies, submit your contact information. Then, check your email, including the spam folder, for a secure meeting link and select the appointment time that works best for you. In just a few steps, you can connect with a deputy from home or work, while ensuring deputies remain available for urgent calls in the community.
I am proud that Santa Clarita consistently ranks among the safest cities in California and the nation, a distinction earned not by chance, but through the hard work and dedication of the deputies who protect our community and our vigilant residents. According to RealPha California, Santa
Virtual Deputy complements oth er City safety efforts, including our Lock It or Lose It (LioLi) campaign. I encourage residents to try a “free sample”of LioLi by simply practicing proactive steps to secure their homes and vehicles — locking doors, hiding valuables and parking in well-lit areas —which can dramatically reduce theft. The message is clear: small actions lead to safer neighborhoods. And here in Santa Clarita, we’ve seen that when residents engage in prevention, every one benefits.
The City continues to engage in neighborhood outreach and community education, strengthening the partnership between residents and law enforcement. Programs such as Coffee with a Cop and the frequent use of the City’s social media to share safety re sources, create opportunities for direct dialogue, ensuring concerns are ad dressed quickly and effectively.
I encourage residents to explore this new tool and learn more about when and how to use it by visiting LASD. org/Santa-Clarita-Valley. To learn more about the City’s Lock it Or Lose It Program, please visit SantaClarita. gov/LockitOrLoseIt.
By using these tools, our community can continue to safeguard one another, keep deputies focused on emergencies and maintain Santa Clarita’s reputation as one the safest cities to live, work and play.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita. gov.
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Questions about the Festival? Email Susan Congdon at scongdon@taschq com
The Latest News on What’s Happening In Hollywood
By Tony Rizzo
Robert Redford couldn’t stay away from moviemaking. No, he’s not acting, but he is one of the executive producers of the AMC psychological-thriller series “Dark Winds,” which has been renewed for its fourth season. It stars Zahn McClarnon, a Native American who played tribal police chief Mathias in A&E’s “Longmire”for six seasons and Hanzee Dent in season two of “Fargo.” He’s starred as Joe Leaphorn in “Dark Winds” since 2022. (Editor’s Note: This column was released before the death of Robert Redford.)
Austin Butler confessed, “No calls as far as that goes, but I love that man! Would I play James Bond? I don’t think that would be a good idea. Because I’m an American. I can do an accent, but that would be kind of sacrilegious. Those movies meant so much to me, but I think that it’s gotta be somebody who is from [England].”
On the other hand, when Butler was asked if he would play a villain, he said, “That would be alright. I’d do that!”
Sunday-Thursday, September 21-25, 2025
The search for the next James Bond continues, and at least two actors are out of the running.
Chiming in, Glen Powell recently admitted, “I’m Texan. A Texan should not play James Bond.” Gentlemen, the film will be made by an American company, Amazon MGM Studios, and no one has even asked you yet!
Thirty-five-year-old Aaron Taylor-Johnson is still the 007 frontrun-
ner. He has two films completed and is currently shooting the crime thriller “Blood on Snow,” co-starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
Ryan Reynolds will play Deadpool again in “Avengers: Doomsday” (due in December 2026), but first he’ll be the top-line actor in “Animal Friends,” with Jason Momoa and Vince Vaughn. It comes out in May 2026. Reynolds will also star in Apple TV+’s action-adventure film “Mayday,” opposite Kenneth Branagh and Maria Bakalova.
We can’t forget Wolverine, Hugh Jackman, who’s just completed the biographical musical “Song Sung Blue.” Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli and Jim Belushi co-star. Jackman and Hudson play a down-on-their-luck couple who perform in a Neil Diamond tribute band. It’s due on Dec. 25.
Top Movies
Sept. 15, 2025
1.The Conjuring: Last Rites (R) Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga
2.Hamilton (PG-13) Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo
3.Weapons (R) Julia Garner, Josh Brolin
Oscar winner Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye”) stars in the supernatural-horror film “Other Mommy,” along with Karen Allen (who starred in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and two “Indiana Jones” sequels). It opens in May 2026.
Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter
SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES E Sun & Mon: 4 20 PM; Wed & Thu 4:20 PM
Spinal Tap wrestles with the r checkered past to put on a concer t that they hope w l sol d fy the r place in the pantheon of rock n’ ro l
THE LONG WALK E Sun: 1:40 4 30 7:30 Mon: 1:40 4 30; Wed: 1:40 4 30; Thu: 1:40 4:30 7:30
An emot ona thri ler that cha lenges aud ences to confront a haunting quest on: how far cou d you go?
A SAVAGE ART: THE LIFE & C ARTOONS OF PAT OLIPHANT Sun: 10:00 AM; Mon: 7:00 PM
The film covers the histor y and mpor tance o pol tical car toons n global democracies
THE CONJURING: L AST RITES E Sun: 1:10 4:10 7:10; Mon: 1:10 4:10; Wed & Thu: 1:10 4:10 7:10
Vera Farmiga and Patr ck W lson reun te or one ast case as renowned rea - i e paranorma nvest gators Ed and Lorra ne Warren THE ROSES E Sun: 10:10 1 40 7:00 Mon: 1:40 7 00; Wed: 1:40 7 00; Thu: 1:40 PM As Theo’s career nosed ves wh le Iv y s own ambit ons take off a tinderbox of fierce competit on and h dden
4.Freakier Friday (PG) Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan
5.Caught Stealing (R) Austin Butler, Regina King
6.The Fantastic Four: First Steps (PG-13) Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby
7.The Roses (R) Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch
8.The Bad Guys 2 (PG) Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
“La La Land” (2016) and “Poor Things” (2023) Oscar winner Emma Stone has two films slated for this year. A black comedy called “Eddington,” with Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes and Austin Butler, hit screens back in July. Next up is her sci-fi thriller “Bugonia,” with Jesse Plemons, which opens on Oct. 24. Pedro Pascal, who is not been on the record about his sexuality despite being 50 and never having been married, was courted by director Todd Haynes for his corrupt cop film “De Noche.” Pascal will star opposite 32-year-old Danny Ramirez, who plays his lover. Maybe we’ll know more about Pascal’s sexuality by how convincingly he can cop a feel! © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Zahn McClarnon (“Longmire,” “Fargo” and “Dark Winds”) Courtesy of AMC
Recipes to Use From Your Apple-Picking Haul
By Mackenzie Filson Delish.com
We’re of the mind that it’s basically a crime not to eat an apple a day during the fall, don’t you think? But when you’re sitting on a ton of gorgeous fruit, it can sometimes be hard to start.
Whether you’re grabbing a pile while apple picking from a U-Pick farm, a farmer’s market or just from your local grocery store, apples are the fruit to turn into everything from desserts to condiments, and we’ve got recipes for them all here.
For more recipes, visit www.delish.com/cooking/ g1968/easy-apple-recipes.
Apple & Cranberry Roasted Chicken
By Laura Rege
Ingredients
1 cup frozen or fresh cranberries
2 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp. dry white wine, divided
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, very thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 Honeycrisp apples (about 1 lb.), cored, cut into 8 wedges
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving
Preheat oven to 425°. In a medium bowl, toss cranberries, brown sugar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon wine.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Cook chicken, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat in skillet. Cook shallot, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes. Add
garlic and cook, stirring, until garlic and shallot are fragrant and light golden, about 1 minute more.
Add remaining 1/2 cup wine, increase heat to high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is mostly evaporated, about 2 minutes. Pour in broth and bring to a boil.
Add apple and cranberry mixture, scraping any extra sugar mixture in bottom of bowl into skillet, and stir to combine. Nestle chicken skin side up into skillet and sprinkle with thyme. Bake until chicken is cooked through and fruit is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Top with parsley and more thyme.
Bloomin’ Apples
By Lauren Miyashiro Ingredients
4
1
1
4 apples
8 chewy caramel squares
Breyers Natural Vanilla ice cream, for serving Caramel, for drizzling
Directions
For Oven
Preheat oven to 375° and grease a medium baking dish with cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, sugars, and cinnamon.
Slice top off of each apple then use a corer to remove core. Then if necessary, use a small spoon to remove any pieces of core left. Using a paring knife, make two circular cuts in apple. Place apple cut side down on a cutting board and slice crosswise, being careful not to cut through the core.
Place cut apples in a small baking dish. Fill each apple with two caramel squares, then brush melted butter mixture on top. Bake until the apples are tender, about 30 minutes.
Serve warm with ice cream and drizzle with caramel. (Delish.com)
Bloomin Apples
Apple & Cranberry Roasted Chicken
SENIOR LIVING
The Science of Scent: Understanding Smell Disorders
Your sense of smell is more important than you think. It does more than just let you enjoy the aromas of your favorite foods or flowers. It can also serve as a warning system-alerting you to dangers such as a gas leak, spoiled food, or a fire.
Many adults experience changes to their sense of smell. Twelve to 13% of Americans over age 40-about 13.3 million people-have problems with their ability to smell. These problems-known as “smell disorders”-are more common in men than women. The risk of having a smell disorder also increases with age; nearly 25% of men ages 60 to 69 have a smell disorder.
People with a smell disorder either have trouble smelling odors, or they
experience odors differently than most people do. There are four types of smell disorders:
Hyposmia you have trouble detecting odors
Anosmia you can’t detect odors at all
Parosmia the way you perceive odors changes; for example, something that normally smells pleasant now smells foul
Phantosmia you perceive an odor that isn’t there
Smell disorders have many causes besides aging. Other causes are:
• Viruses
• Sinus inflammation and other upper-respiratory infections
• Smoking
• Head injuries
• Hormonal disturbances
• Dental problems
• Some medications
• Conditions that affect the nervous system
Changes in a person’s sense of smell can be short or long-lasting. Some people regain their ability to smell when they recover from the illness that caused the change. Others recover their sense of smell spontaneously, for no obvious reason.
If you experience changes in your sense of smell, talk to a doctor. Smell disorders can be a sign of a serious underlying health condition and can have a negative effect on your quality of life. An otolaryngologist-a special-
ist in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck-can help identify the cause of a potential smell disorder and offer options for treatment.
If you’re experiencing changes in your sense of smell, talk to a doctor.
Curious about how your sense of smell works? Learn how smells travel from the source to your brain and the reasons behind changes in your sense of smell in this short video from the National Institutes of Health at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). You can find this video at https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/smell-video. For more information on your sense of smell and smell disorders, visit NIDCD at https://www.nidcd.nih. gov. (BPT)
The Santa Clarita Artists Association 35th Art Classic, 2025
Saturday September 27th, 1-5pm | Sunday September 28th, 11-4pm
This fine art exhibit is FREE and will take place at the fabulous Cedar Hall Ballroom at The Center.
The Art Classic is the largest judged art competition in the Santa Clarita Valley, it includes several categories:
• Oil
• Acrylic
• Watercolors
• Dry & mixed media
• Photography
• Sculpture
An exciting silent auction will be ongoing throughout the event, with live music, wine, and refreshments.
The Center is located at 20880 CenterPoint Parkway, Santa Clarita, California www.santaclaritaartists.org
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Statin Intolerance
If your doctor has concerns about your cholesterol levels, you may be familiar with statins. This is a class of medications that can help reduce your body’s cholesterol production, lowering your risk of heart attack or stroke.
However, up to 30% of adults in the United States have some degree of statin intolerance, according to research published in the “Journal of Clinical Lipidology.” Possible signs or symptoms of statin intolerance are muscle aches and cramps, fatigue, weakness, elevated liver enzymes and the onset of diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. As a result, nearly one-third of patients (29%) discontinue their statin within the first year, according to findings published in the “American Journal of Cardiology.” Unfortunately, patients with statin intolerance are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including higher rates of coronary heart disease and recurrent heart attack.
Lowering Bad Cholesterol
A diagnosis of high cholesterol involves measuring low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it leads to the accumulation of plaque in your arteries. Plaque reduces your blood flow, which can cause damage to your cardiovascular system.
Bloodwork is the best indicator of your cholesterol levels, since you may not experience any symptoms of high cholesterol until you already have damage and buildup in your arteries. To help create your treatment plan, talk to your doctor about your medical history, including whether you’ve had a heart attack or any heart procedures, such as a stent placement or bypass surgery. You’ll also review
current medications, recent lab results and notes on any symptoms you may be experiencing.
Your doctor is likely to recommend a series of steps to reduce your cholesterol. Some common recommendations include a healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats and high in fiber, especially fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
If you’re not already getting regular physical activity, your doctor will likely encourage you to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, find ways to include more movement in your everyday lifestyle and, if necessary, work toward shedding extra weight.
Lifestyle changes can help but may not make a big enough impact to reduce cholesterol to a recommended level. In those cases, doctors rely on cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins. Statins can be highly effective at reducing bad cholesterol, making them a powerful tool to reduce the risks associated with heart disease.
When Statins Are Intolerable or Aren’t Enough
For a variety of reasons, including intolerance to the medication, other health conditions or interactions with other medications, statins may not be the right choice for everyone.
“While statins remain the gold standard for cholesterol lowering, I often see patients who either can’t or won’t take a statin, as well as patients who require further LDL cholesterol reduction,” said Guy L. Mintz, Director of Cardiovascular Health & Lipidolology at Northwell Health System. “For those patients, I prescribe non-statin medications, such as NEXLETOL (an oral prescription medication with the cholesterol lowering agent bempedoic acid) and NEXLIZET (a combina-
tion of cholesterol-lowering medicines bempedoic acid and ezetimibe). I am comfortable using NEXLETOL and NEXLIZET, along with a healthy diet and exercise, to reduce LDL cholesterol in adults with high blood cho-
lesterol levels and to reduce risk of heart events. Non-statins are another important therapeutic tool in our lipid lowering toolbox.”
To learn more visit Nexlizet.com. (Family Features)
GARDENING
Saving Vegetable Seeds for Next Year’s Crop
By Jane Gates Signal Staff Writer
Not only can you save your own vegetable seeds to grow the next year’s crop, but sometimes you can even end up with a plant that surpasses your expectations. Of course, most often you’ll get something similar to the original plant.
You can also end up with big disappointments. Using seeds from traditionally stable parent plants and taking care in how you produce your seeds will impact how much control you will have in the growth of the next generation seeds.
Start Planning Ahead of Time
Decide what vegetables you want to grow as ‘parent’ plants for your seed collecting. Annual vegetables (plants that grow, flower, seed and die all within one year) are the best choice.
You can grow biennials (plants like carrots and cabbage), but you will have to wait for a second year before the plant will bloom to collect seeds. Some perennials (plants that grow year after year, like artichokes and asparagus), will bloom in their first year but may take longer to produce
enough fruits to make seed collecting worthwhile. Then, you will have to wait again for the plant you grow from your collected seeds to mature.
Choose Your Parent Plants
Carefully
Collect seeds from vegetables that are not hybrids. If you grow your vegetables from open-pollinated — sometimes called heirloom varieties — your seeds are more likely to grow true from seed without unpleasant surprises. Some seeds from hybrid plants can be sterile. And, as I said before, rarely, you might accidentally grow a gem!
Parent Plants Matters
male and female flower parts on the same plant. Corn, onions, Swiss chard, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, radishes, melons and squashes are just some examples.
Isolate and hand pollinate your vegetable flowers under a tent of plastic or fine cloth if you want to be fully in control of the pollination process to be extra sure your plants will produce reliable or ‘true’ seeds.
Or … If all this sounds a bit too demanding you can collect seed informally.
Collecting and Preserving Your Seeds
Collect seed from your healthiest and most successful plants. This way you know at least one genetic contributor is exactly what you want to reproduce.
Dry seeds indoors and keep them safe from humidity and pests. Over-winter your seeds in glass jars to keep them fresh. If you add a packet of silica gel it will keep the air in the jar dry, preventing rot, mold or early germination. You can also refrigerate seeds since most refrigerators stay at around 40 degrees F. Never freeze collected seed as most vegetables are not hardy in frost.
Some vegetables I have found easy to grow from plants originally raised from packaged seed in my garden are lettuce and Swiss chard (both will self-seed) basil, fennel (even the fancy bronze variety although it throws a number of green plants), oregano and even peas. Tomatoes are almost always good, although I grow an assortment of varieties so I never know what size, shape or color the resulting crossbreeds will be. So far, they’ve all tasted good!
Expect variable results if your plants are open to cross pollination or if you are mixing varieties. If you just want to grow your vegetables informally in a mixed vegetable garden, chances are your seeds will likely produce good enough seed to grow next years’ crop. You may also get a number of inferior plants, some sterile seed or even that occasional unexpected unknown hybrid of your own.
Plant your vegetables in isolated groups if you want to control pollination. Otherwise wind, bees and other insects may cross pollinate your vegetables with varieties that may introduce unwanted characteristics to the genetics of your seed. You can also prevent adding those unwanted genetics by making sure any other potential cross-pollinators will bloom before or after your chosen plants are flowering.
Keep self-pollinating plants growing in a group at least 10 feet from other potential pollinators. Self-pollinating plants are those that have both
Since people have been tinkering with cross-breeding plants for centuries, even heirlooms have some variability. Most vegetables — unless you are seeking to recreate a special growth pattern or color — will produce predominantly good, tasty vegetables without too much fuss.
Note There are a number of ways to know if you are growing your original plants from hybrids. Sometimes it’s a simple as reading the label of the parent plants. It may state “Hybrid” or “Heirloom.” Or look for varieties listed in Latin. Most of these are likely to be free from hybridization. Plants or seeds labeled with letters F1, F2 or “cv” are cultivated varieties and less likely to produce fertile, reliable seeds for you to collect to use for future planting.
For more information about gardening in the Santa Clarita Valley, visit Jane Gates on YouTube at https://youtube.com/user/Janieg8s.
©ADOBE STOCK
Smart Upgrades for a Cleaner, Healthier Home
Cleaner spaces are healthier spaces, especially for those who are allergy-conscious, or who have pets or small children. Consider these smart upgrades and devices to simplify deep cleaning, and feel happier and more comfortable in your home:
Touchless faucets To improve hygiene and eliminate cleaning tasks, consider smart, touchless faucets for your kitchen and bathroom sinks. Today’s choices include not only ultra-modern designs, but classic looks as well to suit every preference. With this upgrade, you can anticipate seamless food preparation and cleaner, healthier surfaces in high-traffic areas, mitigating the spread of germs.
The latest models are also resistant to mineral buildup, reducing the need for long-term maintenance, and feature swivel spouts that rotate, helping you maintain soap and food residue-free sinks.
Cleaner floors, less effort It’s time to ditch your standard vacuum and mop. The new FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam from Tineco is simplifying cleaning into a single, efficient routine with less manual effort, setting a new gold standard in smart floor care.
Combining vacuuming, mopping and 284 degree F steam cleaning, this one machine eliminates sticky, stubborn messes on hard and sealed floors, while sanitizing surfaces for a more hygienic home.
In fact, internal testing shows its steam function loosens and removes 99.9% of common bacteria, without the need for a cleaning solution, making it a choice those with young children or pets can feel good about.
Designed to maximize reach, the 180-degree lay-flat design with triple-sided edge cleaning allows for easy access of corners, and gets under heavy, hard-to-move furniture with ease.
Plus, it incorporates innovative technology inspired by car gear systems for maximum flexibility. A cleverly placed clean water tank lowers the center of gravity, lightening the machine for effortless maneuverability.
Easy to use, its smart features adjust suction power and water flow automatically to simplify cleaning decisions and extend battery life, delivering up to 75 minutes of runtime so you can clean the whole house on a single charge. And when you’re done, the FlashDry system self-cleans and dries the unit in minutes, eliminat-
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ing the manual maintenance typically required of machines with similar features.
Tineco has sold over 19 million smart cleaning appliances globally, making it a trusted leader in smart floor care. To learn more, visit amazon.com.
Natural air purification Indoor gar-
dening is not only a major aesthetic upgrade, some houseplants actually measurably improve indoor air quality and help manage mold growth. For cleaner, healthier air, pair a high-quality air purifier with some carefully placed greenery in your various living spaces.
For example, a good choice for bedrooms are snake plants, which remove toxins like formaldehyde and xylene from the air while releasing oxygen and moisture for better breathing at night. Whereas spider plants are great for kitchens and bathrooms, as they can help fight mold in these humid rooms.
If you have pets or suffer from allergies, add an Areca palm to the living room to help trap allergens. Don’t have a green thumb? Apps like Planta or GardenTags make plant care intuitive for beginners. Simpler still, easyplant offers self-watering plants that arrive in pots featuring built-in reservoirs you need fill only once a month, along with lifetime access to plant experts over chat.
Cleanliness does not always equate to more elbow grease. Implementing smart upgrades can help you maintain a healthy, hygienic home with less effort. (SPT)
The Recipe for Healthy Dogs Begins with Food
Nutrition is a cornerstone of good health. The right foods provide vitamins and minerals that affect everything from energy levels to susceptibility to disease to body weight. Companion animals also derive similar benefits from nutritious foods, but pet parents may not recognize all of their options. Store shelves are lined with countless dog foods, and some pack a more nutritious punch than others.
Right Amount of Food
One of the first considerations for feeding is determining the right amount of food. Checking the label for the serving size recommendation from the food manufacturer may not be so cut and dry. That’s because dog food companies are in the business of selling food, which means the serving recommendation might be larger than is actually necessary.
The 2022 U.S. Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey found 61% of cats and 59% of dogs are overweight or obese. Overfeeding is a notable culprit behind that problem. It’s better to experiment with food portions to achieve the right balance instead of dol-
DREAM HOME
Continued from page 8
came across a move-in ready property with all upgrades and strong buyer incentives. Although it wasn’t part of their original plan, the deal felt too good to pass up.
A little over a month later, on March 27, they closed on the home — much sooner than they ever expected.
Branch said she’s since fallen in love with the area and feels incredibly fortunate to have found a place she can truly call home. She also feels grateful just to be a homeowner.
“It’s the ability financially to purchase a home and not feel like you have to be a billionaire,” she said. “My husband and I did not have, unfortunately, a lot of the financial support that some people may have from their parents. Both of us, at 18, moved out. We were fortunate and blessed enough
ing out cups of food in accordance with the instructions on a packet. Consult with a veterinarian or conduct research on what a healthy weight looks like on a particular dog breed, and what weights are in the right range for age and gender.
Food Standards
Choose a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced diet for dogs. Price isn’t always indicative of quality, but pet owners may want to choose the best food they can afford. Check nutrition labels to ensure that protein sources are the first ingredients, which means they are in higher quantities in the food. Pass on foods that have a lot of fillers.
Choose foods that meet the standards set by organizations like the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This ensures the food provides all the necessary nutrients for a specific life stage.
Consistent Meals
Consistency in feeding times is beneficial to dogs, who tend to prefer routine in their lives to alleviate stress. Scheduled mealtimes may help with digestive health by regulating bowel movements. Plus, rath-
to go to college and get a college education. However, as grateful as I am for an education, in some ways that put us a step back.”
She added that she and her husband had children at a young age, which she called a blessing, but at the time she questioned their decision, explaining that, as a young married couple with student loan debt, starting a family felt a little irresponsible.
Now, looking back on the challenges, Branch says all the uncertainty was worth it.
Branch and her family are now proud owners of a two-bedroom, twoand-a-half-bath tri-level home with a garage. Branch talked about what she called a “bottom floor flex space” in the house, which her girls use as a playroom. It’s also set up as a guest room.
er than “free feeding,” which means leaving a food bowl out all day, scheduled meals can prevent overeating and a healthier routine.
Offer Treats Sparingly
Every now and then offering a dog a treat of human food can fit into a healthy lifestyle. Although many human foods are unsafe for dogs, plenty are perfectly fine to eat. When supplementing with these foods, pet owners should adjust dog food portions to balance out the meal. Many vets recommend that treats comprise no more than 10 to 15% of a dog’s daily caloric intake. The pet supply company Chewy recommends these items as “people food” for dogs, but dog owners should be sure to check with their vets before introducing any new food into their dogs’ diets.
A healthy diet for a dog involves portion control, high-quality food, consistent feedings, and infrequent, healthy treats. Partnering with a veterinarian can be a good way for dog owners to maintain their focus on a dog’s individual needs and weight to ensure a long, healthy life. (MC)
She also raved about Confluence Park, a main park in the community.
“You’re able to rent spaces (at the park),” she said. “We’ve already rented the Garden Home to have a housewarming party.”
The Garden Home is a dual-purpose, open-air gathering space adjacent to the park’s community gardens. Branch said the space and their housewarming event were “super excellent.”
For the new homeowner, having access to shared spaces like Confluence Park has deepened her connection to the neighborhood. It’s not just about owning a home, she said, but about feeling rooted in a community where people come together, celebrate milestones and build lasting relationships.
Owning a home in such a community has given her a strong sense of fulfillment, Branch added, making her
feel like she’s truly achieved the American Dream.
“There’s a sense of pride in having something that is your own,” she said. “It gives you financial leverage for the future when, let’s say, we need to borrow from the equity of the home to send the girls to college, or for whatever other financial endeavors we have. I never have to be concerned about a place for us or them to live. I don’t have to worry about rent increases. It’s just a sense of stability that you don’t have otherwise.”
“Community Inspired” is an editorial 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.
Four Tips to Take Control of Your Savings
Saving money is a critical financial practice that nearly everyone strives to accomplish. Yet, it is often easier in theory than reality. If you are anxious or concerned about your financial situation and your ability to save, know you’re not alone.
More than one-third (36%) of the general U.S. population feels anxious about their current financial situation. Further, many households across the country do not feel in control of their finances, with 11% reporting they’ve “forfeited contributions to their retirement accounts,” potentially impacting themselves later in life. These figures from the World Financial Group paint a concerning picture of how people feel about their current and future finances. Consider these savings tips.
Create a Budget
Every budget begins with your net income. Ensure you subtract deductions like taxes, workplace benefits, insurance or retirement plan contributions. This way, you know exactly how much money is available each month. Next, calculate all fixed expenses, including regular monthly payments or bills. These include utilities, cellphone bills, rent or mortgage, vehicle payments and anything that remains static month-to-month. Subtract those fixed expenses from your net income
to create your monthly budget.
Track Your Expenses
Once your budget is in place, it’s much easier to keep track of expenses that vary month-to-month, like gas, groceries and entertainment costs such as dining out, seeing a movie or going to a sporting event. Tracking minor expenses may seem tedious initially, but logging each purchase can help set a foundation for financial accountability.
Set Savings Goals
Tracking your expenses for a few months should give you a good idea of how realistic it is to save a set amount of money each month. Before you set a goal, or if you’re struggling to consistently reach savings goals, take a financial literacy quiz to test your knowledge and then consider meeting with a financial services expert.
Pay Down Debts
Debt is one of the largest barricades people face when trying to save more money. If you feel debts are stopping you from reaching your financial goals, know it is possible to pay off debt while saving at the same time. Make sure to prioritize debts with higher interest rates that lead to compounding costs in the future and then, if possible, make more than the minimum payment to pay them off faster. It may limit you in the short-term but can equate to more financial freedom - and the ability to save more - in the future.
Find more expert savings advice and test your financial literacy by visiting WorldFinancialGroup.com. (Family Features)
COMMUNITY INSPIRED
where and how we live and celebrating the people and fabric of the Santa Clarita Valley.
PUZZLES
SOLUTIONS
Giving Permission to the Fringe
President Donald Trump and his supporters are called Nazis. This is dehumanizing and done without any evidence. In doing so, you are giving permission to your fringe to kill people.
Stop it!
We are called fascists. People who use this vulgarity are either too stupid to know what a fascist is or they know what it is and don’t care that they are lying about it.
Stop it!
We are called threats to democracy. Understand that if we were really threats to democracy, you would know it. We do not attempt to imprison our political opponents. We don’t attempt or actually succeed in killing our political opponents like you did with Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump and now, sadly, Charlie Kirk. We have prayer vigils. You riot. And spare me the “both sides” nonsense by bringing up a four-hour demonstration on Jan. 6. Nobody died during that event. Oops, one person was murdered, an unarmed veteran shot by a Capitol Hill cop.
Stop it!
There are endless examples of leaders on the left saying all manner of disgusting and vile things about conservatives and their leaders. What you are doing, what you are apparently too asinine to understand, is that you are degrading us and you are giving permission to the lunatics on your side to do the ultimate evil. You are encouraging people to commit heinous crimes. We are your fellow Americans and we don’t deserve it nor is it even remotely warranted. You are not going to like where you are taking this country. It may appear that you have the upper hand, but that is an Illusion. If you ever called a fellow American a Nazi or fascist or accused someone of being a threat to democracy, you are complicit and you are taking this country into a dark place.
Stop it!
Submit a Letter to the Editor
Include name, address & phone. E-mail: letters@signalscv.com.
ETHICALLY SPEAKING
Whatever Happened to Shame?
By David Hegg
At the ground level of ethics is the understanding that living ethically is honorable while unethical behavior is shameful. This fundamental recognition of shame and honor can be found in every society. Even the concept of guilt and innocence is tied to what a society considers right or wrong, honorable or shameful. When you transgress a societal law or moral standard, the unavoidable consequence is supposed to be personal shame. And when a society reaches the place where egregious action fails to produce shame, it is time to consider the reality that its ethical standards have been incrementally, but substantially, eroded.
it. Today, too many are worshiping at the trough of unrestricted personal pleasure while angrily mocking any person or worldview that dares to curb their appetite.
Now, before you go off ranting about my puritanical views, consider this: My point is actually more than the surface evidence that the acceptance of unkind, rancorous speech has eroded our ethical norms. My point is much more important than the differences those in our free society have toward public expression.
Brian Richards Stevenson Ranch
It is fair to say that in too many cases, public reaction to the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk has allowed ridicule and hatred to rise to an unprecedented level. As I have read the remarks of highly placed politicos, famous athletes and film stars, and a host of others who sprinted to let the world know just how gleeful they were that one they considered vicious had met a violent end, I felt great despair for our homeland. How did we fall this far into all that can be wrong in a society?
The question is: Should there be shame? Or is caustic, hate-filled rancor, name-calling, and joy over a criminally expedited death acceptable and even applauded? You can’t have it both ways. And yet, we are immersed in a culture where those allied with the purveyors of caustic declarations refuse to be good parents and shout, “You should be ashamed of yourselves!”
It is no coincidence that the seeming death of shame parallels the erosion of belief in God in America. After all, God is the King of shame, given that he has determined what is right and wrong, and defined what is wrong as sin. And it is no surprise that shameful behavior rises as faith in God wanes for one simple reason. People too often worship what they want to do and choose a god that allows
My point is that, with the erosion of shame in this area, we have lost an essential guardrail on the treacherous highway of life. Those who call evil good without any sense of personal shame do so because they understand that the train of a debauched society is heading toward even more aggressive expressions, and they can hardly wait. We are watching the rise of a new type of citizenry that defines freedom as life without boundaries, restraints, and shame.
Unfortunately for us all, in a society where shame no longer exerts a restraining force, freedom devolves into chaos. Some reading this will think I should be ashamed of my conservative views, as though my conservatism somehow curtails their freedom. But I actually answer to the greater ideal of a society where some things are sacred, and need to be protected from the base passions of those who refuse to accept the basic foundations of civility.
We have laws that prohibit the theft of personal property. We must resurrect a sense of shame that condemns those attempting to rob us of the moral and ethical standards that should allow us all, even in the midst of monumental disagreement, to live as an honorable society. And for those who disagree, who applaud demeaning rhetoric emanating from their own side of the aisle ... shame on you!
Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” appears Sundays.
