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Costumes

Costumes and candy are synonymous with Halloween. Individuals may spend weeks or months trying to come up with the perfect costumes for their trick-or-treating excursions or Halloween parties. Many children and adults also enjoy costume themes, in which they dress up to coordinate with others in their group.

There is always a steady selection of classic costumes that appeal to Halloween revelers, including vampires, cats, witches, and pirates. But one only need look to pop culture to come up with costumes unique to a particular year or era. The following are some costume ideas that figure to be wildly popular in 2023.

Barbie®

Due to the release of the mid-summer motion picture “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie as the titular character and Ryan Gosling as “Ken,” there are bound to be many pink-clad trick-or-treaters traveling through neighborhoods this fall. Barbie always has had an impressive wardrobe, so fans of the film can dress up in any of her signature looks.

Ariel

Disney has reinvented many of its popular animated classics into live-action retellings, and “The Little Mermaid” took its turn this year. Life is more fun under the sea, so costumes for Ariel the mermaid and her underwater friends and foes figure to be popular.

Creed

Rocky’s boxing spin-off series “Creed” gave fans its latest installment with “Creed III” in 2023. The boxing champ dons all-white or all-red color schemes in this movie, and fans may want to emulate that in their costumes.

Geralt of Rivia

“The Witcher” fandom is widespread, and viewers were treated to another season of the Netflix series this summer. This is the final season with Henry Cavill in the titular role (Liam Hemsworth is reportedly set to take over), so fans may be inspired to dress the part for Halloween this year.

Jigsaw

“Saw X” will be released on October 27, and the Jigsaw Killer might be a choice for those looking to instill fear around the neighborhood.

Wednesday Addams

Fans took to the inspiring new Addams Family spinoff that explores life through Wednesday’s eyes. With her signature black frocks and pigtails, it doesn’t take much to look like this macabre teen.

Nepo Baby

The phrase “Nepo Baby” grew wings this year with the spotlight placed on many celebrity kids whose rise to fame may have been pushed along by their successful parents. All it takes is a pair of jeans and plain white T-shirt with “Nepo Baby” on the front to pull off this look.

Ted Lasso

The main character from the Apple TV series potentially has made his last appearance on the pitch, as the most recent season, which premiered in March, is rumored to be the show’s last. Nevertheless, Lasso’s goofy, down-to-earth-isms and unique look will live on through those who wear his signature mustache, jacket and visor.

Halloween costumes run the gamut of classics and pop culture references. This year people are bound to see some common threads in neighborhoods across the country. (MC) 

FOR TIPS ON GETTING PETS READY FOR HALLOWEEN, SEE PAGE 16

Costume photos courtesy HalloweenCostumes.com

ART IS EVERYWHERE IN THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer

In 2009 the City of Santa Clarita embraced support of the arts as an important facet of civic responsibility by appointing a five-member Arts Commission to promote art in Santa Clarita.

In 2015 an Arts Master Plan was developed to provide a roadmap for making Santa Clarita an arts-friendly city.

Enacted in 2016 the plan began with 41 items, with 20 more items added in the last few years. Currently, 31 of the 61 items on the decade-long plan have been accomplished, said Phil Lantis, Arts and Events manager. Six more items will be added to the plan for the coming year.

From civic art to fine art, music, theater, sidewalk poetry and more, the arts are thriving in Santa Clarita, not only embraced by the city, but also by

City of Santa Clarita City Hall First Floor Gallery

23920 Valencia Blvd #120 91355

Pop Culture

Sept.15 – Jan.12, 2024

Embracing the fusion of art and pop culture, this dynamic exhibit explores the ever-evolving landscape through the eyes of local exhibiting artists. The exhibition pays homage to the diverse facets of popular culture, spanning from iconic comic book characters to beloved musicians. Each artwork captures the essence and nostalgia of pop culture movements.

Canyon Country Community Center

18410 Sierra Highway 91351

My Kind of Town by Justin N. Kim

Aug. 11 – Dec. 8

Kim is a Korean born abstract painter who currently lives and works in Los Angeles. He paints abstract color field paintings, maps and circuit

Santa Clarita Valley arts-based nonprofits. SantaClaritaArts.com

Lantis said SantaClaritaArts.com is a city-hosted resource for those looking to experience arts in Santa Clarita. Users can find galleries, public art and youth art education information on the website.

Interested in exhibiting your artwork or curating for one of the many exhibit locations throughout the city of Santa Clarita? Fill out an online application at santaclaritaarts.com to be considered. This call is open year-round and spaces are juried by committee.

Watch SantaClaritaArts.com for frequent “call for artists” theme exhibit opportunities.

The Importance of Art

Lantis has spent his career in arts and events with the city of Santa Clarita. He has worked in the Santa Clarita art scene for 30 years. Lantis said art is

Exhibits Around Town

boards visualizing melded relationships found within manmade subject matters and surroundings.

Newhall Hall Community Center

22421 Market St 91321

Video Games

July 26 – Nov. 17

This visual art exhibition delves into the captivating realm of video games. Explore the intersection of art and gaming as talented local artists showcase their creative interpretations of the vibrant and dynamic world of video games.

Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library

18601 Soledad Canyon Rd. 91351

Gloaming by Claire Steidl

Aug. 25 – Dec. 18

Emerging artist Steidl’s mesmerizing exhibit, “Gloaming,” explores the enchanting interplay of light and shadow, memory and emotion, as the beauty of twilight is captured on can-

important to Santa Clarita’s identity.

“Art creates a sense of community,” he said. “Arts brings people together. Economically the arts have been a great benefit to the city.”

Lantis also offered an historical perspective when considering the impact of art on Santa Clarita’s legacy.

“When you look back in history, what survives about a culture is its art. We are creating our historical record through the arts. We are creating who Santa Clarita is as a community through its arts. That’s the story that will be told 100 years from now,” he said.

Fine Art

There are more than a half dozen locations where established and emerging artists stage gallery shows. There also is a fine art gallery hosted by the Santa Clarita Artists Association in Old Town Newhall.

vas in her first solo exhibition of her artistic journey.

Old Town Newhall Library

24500 Main St. 91321

Season of Discovery by Santa Clarita Artists Association

Sept. 22 – Dec. 29

“Season of Discovery” is an immersive showcase, highlighting the talent and creativity of local artists. The exhibition encompasses a wide range of artistic mediums, including oil and watercolor paintings, ink drawings, photography and mixed media. Exhibiting artists: Pam Rothmann, Cheri Marcovitch, Sandy Fisher, Charlotte Mullich, Cathy King, Tobi Beck, Jane Mick, Laura Ledesma, Joseph Jasik, Meresssa Naftalin, Debra Zednik, Lynda Frautnick, LW Krebs, Patty Haft, Lisa Barr, George Ivanyi, Idelle Okaman Tyzbir, Karen Martinez, Naomi Young, Howard Marcovitch and Gary Friedman.

Valencia Library

23743 West Valencia Blvd. 91355

A Confluence of Culture by Larry Richardson

July 11 – Oct. 13

Richardson worked in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s touring through the southern states. After one year he concluded his work in the movement and was part of the March on Washington having the honor to be present during the historical “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King. He has earned many awards for his work and is collected by a divergent group of people.

Santa Clarita Artists Association

Sixth Street Gallery, 22508 Sixth St. 91321

The nonprofit SCAA brings together artists from the Santa Clarita Valley in all disciplines. Gallery hours are Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 

“Art and culture are not just frills, but crucial elements of human life.” — Daniel Libeskind

By Michele E. Buttelman

Signal Staff Writer

The calendar has officially turned the page to autumn and awesome fall fun, festivals, Oktoberfests and Halloween compete for your attention.

Big Bear Oktoberfest

Info bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest

Weekends now through Saturday, Nov. 4 celebrate Oktoberfest in Big Bear. The 53rd annual classic celebration combines Big Bear’s mountain charm with authentic German traditions, charismatic characters dressed in full regalia, German bands rocking oompah-pah tunes and, of course, the crowd favorite Chicken dance.

This festival serves up a German feast fit for a king. Enjoy scrumptious bratwurst, knockwurst, or kielbasa with lots of home-style sauerkraut.

Also available is German Potato Salad, Bavarian potato dumplings, beer cheese soup and mega-sized pretzels. Save room for fresh German apple strudel with warm vanilla sauce drizzled on top.

Enjoy the autumn splendor available in Big Bear. The best time to see awesome fall colors is mid-October to early November. Golden quaking aspens, cottonwoods, black oaks, big leaf maples and willows make for a magical fall hike.

‘Carved’ at Descanso Gardens

Info www.descansogardens.org/programs-events/ carved

The Halloween-themed, family-friendly event runs Oct. 6-29. For three weeks in October, hun-

dreds of carved pumpkins will line the Camellia Forest.

This year, “Carved” returns with a new route, new locations and enhanced experiences. As visitors wind their way through the Camellia Forest and picturesque Rose Garden, they will be enchanted by luminous jack-o’- lanterns, fall foliage and whimsical displays.

Don’t miss the Día de los Muertos altar, glow-inthe-dark installation “Rhizome” by Tom and Lien Dekyvere and giant carved pumpkins.

Castaic Lake Haunted Halloween Hike

Info www.castaiclake.com/halloweenhaunt

The Friends of Castaic Lake will host the Castaic Lake Haunted Halloween Hike “Let’s Go to the Circus” on Friday, Oct. 27, Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29 at the Castaic Lake State Recreation Area.

Participants literally crawl, crouch and interact with actors as they physically travel through a unique haunted experience. Obstacles include blood, slime, gore cannons, obstacle courses, slides and real balls of fire. This is a production filled with various levels of interactive experiences that challenge even the bravest.

The Haunted Hike is rated PG-13. Not recommended for children ages 13 and under. Parental discretion is advised.

Temecula’s Big Horse Corn Maze

Info bighorsecornmaze.com

If you want to take on the largest Corn Maze in Southern California you will need to travel to the Big Horse Corn Maze, hosted by the Big Horse Feed and Mercantile.

The maze is open now through Halloween Tuesdays through Fridays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last entrance into the maze is at 4 p.m. as it closes at 5 p.m. The last maze on Halloween is at 3 p.m..

Food vendors and a beer garden will be available on weekends.

Big Horse Feed and Mercantile also offers the Pumpkin Patch/Harvest Festival open now through Monday, Oct. 30 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Halloween the festival is open only 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival will feature tons of inflatable amusements including bounce houses, giant slides and obstacle courses and a bungee ride. It offers pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, pumpkin accessories, snacks, beverages and more.

Ghostwalk 2023 Buffalo Bill and The Temple of Doom in Santa Paula

Info www.ghostwalk.com

Santa Paula Theater Center presents GhostWalk 2023 Buffalo Bill and The Temple of Doom Fridays through Sundays over the weekends of Oct, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29.

Ghostwalk is Ventura County’s original Halloween street theater presentation, a production of the Santa Paula Theater Center, now in its 29th year. Each year GhostWalk is presented in a different historic Santa Paula location. Flashlight in hand, walkers will be led along a route where they hear ghosts tell their tales of how they met their untimely ends. Some of the stories are true and based on history, and others are made up. You decide which is which! 

Left: For three weeks in October, hundreds of carved pumpkins will line the Camellia Forest as Descanso Gardens presents “Carved.” PHOTO CREDIT DESCANSO GARDENS. Right: The largest corn maze in Southern California is the Big Horse Corn Maze.

PHOTO CREDIT BIG HORSE FEED AND MERCANTILE.

Electric Intelligence. Pure Performance.

Drive the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE, an all-electric sedan with a thirst for power.

HOME DESIGN

Updating your home can provide the perfect opportunity to explore new design styles or refresh living spaces with a new color scheme. In fact, a coat of paint can help set the mood for entire rooms in your home.

By turning to nature-inspired designs, you can create a sense of comfort and relaxation. A hybrid color, like Valspar’s 2024 Color of the Year, Renew Blue, is gentle and airy with a touch of blue to set a restful and meditative mood. The grayed sea green - inspired by fleeting things such as fog, mist, clouds and glacier lakes — is a seasonless and versatile hue that features a mid-tone blue with warm undertones and can be used in outdoor living spaces and four-season rooms alike.

“This mid-tone shade has become popular for wellness environments over the years due to its low saturation level, which evokes a sense of rest and calm,” said Sue Kim, Valspar’s director of color marketing. “The harmonious green and blue open the possibility for outdoor applications, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior.”

To help elevate the mood in your home, consider implementing Renew Blue into one of these popular design trends that can update the look of nearly any of your indoor or outdoor spaces.

Coastal

Coastal looks are timeless designs that have remained relevant for years because of their positive correlation to calming beach locations. Perfect for outdoor spaces like the backyard, you can implement a more curated and personal take on the trend by shifting from “typical” coastal design that

Inspiration

pairs beachy hues with natural textures like rope, driftwood and wicker to something more classic and natural like the Cape Cod variation by working in some nautical touches like anchors, oars or seashells.

Modern Farmhouse

In the entryway, using beautiful and functional decor, such as unique ceramics and handwoven textiles, helps usher in a modern rustic style. By using timeless tones and accents, as well as layering

heritage art, you can create visual mystery while elevating the ordinary to make your home feel warm and welcoming to guests from the moment they walk through the door.

Nordic Comfort

Modern Traditional is a style that came together over time, and the Hygge look is a refined take. It pulls elementary cues from traditional farmhouse style but has shaker-inspired elements mixed in and is done with a slightly modern twist. It can make a larger space like the kitchen feel welcoming, open, carefully curated and warm.

Modern Boho

Boho is a nature-loving and free-spirited style connected to earthy and botanical elements. From handmade decor to vintage metallic finishes, this style reimagines the past and elevates everyday spaces like bathrooms into personal retreats designed with wellness in mind.

Pastel Wabi-Sabi

Leaning into the modern sentiment of “less is more,” this style reflects a naturally minimalist design aesthetic and showcases color coordination with mood-boosting hues and joyful color. Perfect for nurseries and other spaces that should be bright and welcoming, pieces with pared-back, welcoming shapes and silhouettes that allow quality natural materials to shine are perfect for decorating the room.

Visit Valspar.com to find more on-trend home design inspiration and order up to 10 free paint chips to be delivered to your home to see how your favorite colors will fit your space. (Family Features) 

Get Your Steps in on the Trails!

By Ken Striplin Santa Clarita City Manager

As the sun begins to set earlier and the days become cooler, this is the best time to get out into nature and enjoy our open spaces. During the past few months, staff and volunteers have been hard at work, creating new trails, enhancing our open spaces and working together to build a trail system that everyone can enjoy.

One of the best parts of our community is the volunteer spirit. From our students in high school to our Elder Crew, residents take pride in preserving our miles of pristine open space and are proud to give back, not only to their City but to the environment. In June, the William S. Hart School District trail crew constructed three miles of new trail in the East Walker Ranch and Lang Station Open Spaces. Their hard work not only helped us expand our recreational opportunities but also equipped the group of 32 students with invaluable hands-on experience for their future endeavors.

Additionally, two local Boy Scouts have chosen the City’s Archery Range in the Haskell Canyon Open Space as the location for their culminating Eagle Scout Projects. The first is building and installing 13 target stands for the Olympic-style range, allowing users to practice their skills on new equipment. The second project is the creation of four puncheon bridges in the Roving Archery Range, on the shooting trail. Puncheon bridges are short-span wooden walkways that allow easier accessibility for hikers and trail runners, but they also help protect the natural ecosystem of the area. Both of these projects will make our archery enthusiasts’ time on the trail

that much smoother and enhance their experience in our open space.

Across town, the Gates Family Wildlife Preserve has also been the location of volunteer projects from the Elder Crew and another local Boy Scout. The Elder Crew is about to complete the last section of the Pioneer Oil Trail from the existing pathway to the south, in addition to the four puncheon bridges that were placed over the creek along the route. This trail should be complete in the next couple of months.

In July, the Victor Fire burned 70 acres of mountainside in the southeast area of Santa Clarita, near the Needham Ranch Open Space. With much of the hillside turned to ash, City staff recently planted native seeds in the burned area, timing it perfectly before our last rainfall. These seeds will help bring back native plants to the landscape and help revive the local ecosystem.

Staff has also been hard at work installing signage and paving the trailheads at the Lang Station Open Space. This includes the Lang Station Depot, Sterling Borax and Agua Dulce Canyon Road trailheads. These enhancements will keep our hikers informed and safe while out on the trails.

I hope that our residents take time to enjoy these newly enhanced trials and explore some of the 13,000 acres of open space that surrounds our City. Be sure to also complete the City’s second annual Hiking Challenge. To join this free program, visit city.sc/ HikingChallenge2023. For more information on trails or locations, please visit HikeSantaClarita.com.

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

‘Fair Play’ is a ‘Lurid, Cynical and Nasty’ Piece of Work

By Richard Roeper Signal Contributing Writer

‘Fair Play’

 1/2 (out of four)

Netflix presents a film written and directed by Chloe Domont. Rated R In theaters and on Netflix.

Writer-director Chloe Domont’s searing and electric “Fair Play” is set in present day, but in many ways feels like a throwback psychosexual thriller a la “9 1/2 Weeks” and “Disclosure,” “Fatal Attraction” and “Unfaithful.” Nearly everyone in this film behaves as if we’re in a time and place at least a generation prior to the age of #MeToo, and that might stretch credulity — until you realize there probably are some workplaces in which far too many people still behave as if they didn’t get the memo.

This is a lurid, cynical, nasty, rough piece of work, and I mean that in the best possible way. With Alden

Ehrenreich (“Solo: A Star Wars Story”) and Phoebe Dynevor (Daphne in “Bridgerton”) delivering arguably the most memorable work of their relatively young careers, writer-director Domont displaying a gift for brutal and at times almost campy dark dialogue, and cinematographer

Menno Mans providing the film noir visuals, “Fair Play” is a mesmerizing study of two people who have convinced themselves they’re madly in love, when in fact, they’re trapped in a quagmire of toxicity that could ruin both of them if someone doesn’t wake up and escape to the other side of the globe. It’s also sexy as hell, and so bruising in a couple of instances that I was reminded of Neil LaBute’s pitch-black minor classic “In the Company of Men.”

The opening scene feels like something out of a crime family movie, with Ehrenreichs Luke introducing Dynevor’s Emily to his kin at his brother’s wedding reception:

“Uncle J, this is the woman I can’t stop talking about.”

“So, Mister Ivy League has the best-looking girl in the room. … If this guy gives you any kind of trouble, just let me know, I’ll sort him out.”

One half-expects to hear a Rolling Stones song on the soundtrack and a Scorsese-esque voice-over narration.

We cut to Luke and Emily in the bathroom, with Luke gushing about how much he effing loves Emily as they start consuming one another, and let’s just say things take a turn you almost never see in a mainstream movie — and we’ll later get a bathroom sex scene that’s even more jarring.

When a portfolio manager is fired and starts destroying his office with a golf club, his colleagues keep watching a deadly dry Human Resources video, turning up the volume and chuckling quietly over the breakdown taking place across the way. Hmmm, that means a promotion is open, who do you think will get it?

Both Luke and Emily believe it’s Luke’s time — but Emily is summoned to a bar at 2 a.m. by the coolly intimidating and all-powerful Campbell, who informs her that she’s got the job. Boom! Just like that, the dynamic between Emily and Luke changes drastically, with the unctuous Luke saying he supports Emily even as his eyes flicker like a serial killer. This guy is NOT happy with having to report to Emily, especially after he commits an eight-figure blunder while Emily is dazzling Campbell and her fellow portfolio managers with whiz-bang unicorn killer declarations such as, “Quinn bought it at 26. We should sell now and buy in on YData. The market doesn’t understand the stock. … Revenue is up 45%, year-overyear, and trades at a low multiple to my forward sales projections.” Who knows what that means, but it’s impressive as all get-out.

Mon to Thu:

nce the death of his w fe V c tor Fielding has raised the r daughter Angela on h s own But when Angela and a friend disappear in the woods only to return three days later w th no memor y of what happened to them it unleashes a cha n of events that wi l force Vic tor to confront the nad r of evi

Mon to Thu: 1:00 4:00 7:00

A hardened ex-special forces agent and his team are h red to hunt down the Creator, the elus ve arch tec t of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon of massive power They trave nto enemy territor y only to discover the weapon in question is an AI in the form of a young ch ld

D U M B M O N E Y E Sun: 10:10 1:10 4:00 7:10; Mon to Thu: 1:10 4:00 7:10

Dumb Money te ls the stor y of for tunes made and lost overn ght n the David-vs -Goliath GameStop shor t squeeze that may have changed Wal Street forever

PAW PAT RO L: T H E M I G H T Y M OV I E B Sun: 10:30 12:50 3:00 5:15 7:30; Mon to Thu: 12:50 3:00 5:15 7:30

When a mag cal meteor crash lands n Adventure City t g ves the PAW Patro pups superpowers transforming them into The M GHT Y PUPS

S AW X E Sun to Tue: 1:10 4:10 7:10; Wed: 1:10 4:10; Thu: 1:10 4:10 7:10

A sick and desperate John trave s to Mex co for a r sky and experimental med cal procedure n hopes of a mirac e cure for his cancer - on y to d scover the ent re operat on s a scam to defraud the most vulnerable

A H AU N T I N G I N V E N I C E C Sun: 10:30 1:30 4:10 7:00; Mon to Thu: 1:30 4:10 7:00

A Haunting n Venice s set in eerie, post-World War I Venice on All Ha lows Eve and is a terrifying myster y featur ng the return of the ce ebrated sleuth, Hercu e Po rot

A M E R I K ATS I Sun: 10:00 AM

In 1948 decades after fleeing Armen a to the US as a child, Charlie returns in the hope of finding a connec tion to h s roots but what he finds instead is a countr y crushed under Sov et rule After be ng un ust y mpr soned, Char ie fa ls into despair, unt l he discovers that he can see nto a nearby apar tment from h s cel window - the home of a prison guard

ful of ove twists and turns

We soon learn Luke and Emily have risen above their respective working-class upbringings and both work as financial analysts at One Crest Capital, a high-end, cutthroat hedge fund in Manhattan. (Although Emily and Luke have been together two years, live together and just got engaged, they’ve kept the relationship a secret so as not to violate company policy.)

What a place, this One Crest Capital. The team of analysts who work the phones and sit glued to their multiple computer screens is about 99% male and 95% white, with the project managers and the firm’s president, Campbell (Eddie Marsan in a great performance), carrying out their Masters of the Universe business in glass-walled offices. They engage in sexist banter and couldn’t care less if it offends.

Emily starts dressing and comporting herself like a 1940s femme fatale, owning her status, even going out with the boys for a night of debauchery at a strip club. (Luke isn’t invited. He’s not in that stratosphere.) Luke continues to unravel, wallowing in a pool of self-pity, rage and jealousy, refusing to have sex with Emily, snarling at her and hurling accusations of her sleeping with Campbell, because in his twisted viewpoint, that’s the only way she could have been promoted over him. Emily is no saint, either, as she drunkenly calls Luke “pathetic,” seems horrified by the idea of the engagement party her mother wants to throw for her and at times almost seems to be turned on by Luke’s despair.

They’re a mess, these two. Whether they stay together or set fire to this relationship, neither is walking away unscathed. 

Copyright 2022 Chicago Sun-Times

PHOTOS COURTESY IMDB

FOOD

A Plant-Based Twist on the Taco Night Menu

Smoky Chipotle Pecan Burrito Bowls

Recipe courtesy of Dominique

Williamson on behalf of the American Pecan Promotion Board

Prep time 40 minutes

Cook time 15 minutes

Servings 2-3

Pecan “Meat”

2 1/2 cups water

1 cup pecans

1/2 cup portobello mushrooms

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

2 tablespoons tamari sauce or soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon liquid smoke

1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce

Pineapple Salsa

1 pineapple, diced

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

1-2 jalapenos, diced

1 cup cilantro, finely chopped

1 red onion, diced

1/4 cup lime juice salt, to taste

Chipotle Crema

2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 cup vegan mayo

Mealtime traditions are common among many families, from taco Tuesdays to weekend favorites. You can add a special touch to one of the most popular traditions - taco night - with a plant-based twist.

With a nutty, smoky and truly meaty taste and texture, pecans offer a perfect plant-based protein to incorporate in favorite dishes like tacos. However, great taste is just the beginning - pecans pack a nutritious punch with a unique mix of health-promoting nutrients while shining in a wide range of flavor profiles.

To help make your next taco night all the rage among loved ones, the American Pecan Promotion Board recommends serving up authentic vegan taco recipes using pecans in place of meat in dishes like Smoky Chipotle Pecan Burrito Bowls and Vegan Pecan Al Pastor Tacos. Their texture makes them uniquely suited as a meat alternative that doesn’t sacrifice flavor so it can taste like the original and leave your family clamoring to keep taco night on the weekly menu.

Learn more and discover delicious plant-based recipes at eatpecans.com. (Family Features) 

Vegan Pecan Al Pastor Tacos

Prep time 35 minutes

Cook time 10 minutes

Servings 4-6

2 pounds chopped pecans

1 cup onion

8 cloves garlic, minced

8 dried guajillo peppers

2 tablespoons oil

salt, to taste pepper, to taste

7 ounces (1 can) chipotle peppers in adobo

Toppings and Garnishes

flour or corn tortillas (6 inches each)

cilantro

diced onion lime pineapple

In bowl of boiling water, soak pecans, covered, at least 30 minutes, or overnight in room temperature water for softer texture.

Drain pecans. In food processor, pulse pecans to meat-like crumbles. Do not overprocess to butter. Finely chop onions, garlic and guajillo peppers.

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons vinegar

2 tablespoons plant-based milk

1 teaspoon agave

1/2 teaspoon salt

To make pecan "meat:" In bowl of boiling water, soak pecans, covered, at least 30 minutes, or overnight in room temperature water for softer texture.

Drain pecans and place in food processor with mushrooms. Pulse mixture to texture resembling meat crumbles. Avoid over-pulsing.

In pan over medium heat, add pecan mixture, taco seasoning, tamari sauce, minced garlic, liquid smoke and vegan Worcestershire sauce. Cook 7-10 minutes then add chipotle in adobo. Cook 3 minutes.

To make pineapple salsa: Combine pineapple, tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, red onion, lime juice and salt, to taste.

To make chipotle crema: Combine chipotle peppers, vegan mayo, garlic, vinegar, milk, agave and salt.

To assemble bowls, place pecan mixture in bowl followed by pineapple salsa and chipotle crema. 

In skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and saute onions until transparent, 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and stir to combine.

Add chipotle peppers in adobo and cook 1 minute. Add crumbled pecans and stir well to combine. Remove from heat and serve on tortillas. Serve with cilantro, onion, lime and pineapple. 

Getting Your Sleep Back on Track with Seasonal Changes

For many people, changing seasons are about resetting routines and adjusting to a different pace of life. With fall activities in full swing, families should be intentional about their sleep routines to avoid missing the magical moments ahead.

According to SleepScore, people lose an average of 15 1/2 hours of sleep (about 10 minutes each night) during summer months due to the “summer sleep slump.”

Addressing this challenge, Natrol, a leading sleep, mood and stress supplement brand, along with behavioral sleep specialist Shelby Harris, intend to help people gain control over their sleep and mood to be more present each day.

“Sleep is supposed to help you live your day to the fullest,” Harris said. “There are smart behavioral shifts you can make to maximize your sleep routine this fall, and sometimes that can include melatonin supplements. I always say, ‘If you are taking a sleep aid that makes you sleepy throughout the day, what is the point of taking it?’”

Harris recommends these easy tips to improve your sleep routine.

Consider Sleep Cycle Changes

Before trying to reset routines, consider the

changes you’re hoping to make. Track the sleep you’re getting now and pay attention to factors that may hinder your current sleep cycle, from struggling to fall asleep to tossing and turning during the night, then think about the ways you might be able to improve those hindrances.

Gradual Adjustments

Remember, changes don’t happen overnight. For many people, the solution is as simple as going to bed earlier. Rather than trying to make up that extra 30 minutes immediately, it’s often helpful to slowly adjust routines. Try starting your bedtime ritual 5 minutes earlier each night to work toward your goal.

Set Aside Time to Unwind

Despite the hectic nature of fall schedules, it’s important to prioritize time to unwind before bed. Whether it’s reading a book, meditating or finding another slow-paced activity you enjoy, a calming, screenless way to slow your mind may help you fall asleep quicker.

Watch Light Exposure

Too much light exposure (indoor and out) at night can cause sleep issues. Be mindful of your own comfort by ensuring TVs and computers are

powered down, smartphones are set aside, outdoor lights are off and curtains are drawn. Keeping the room dark can make a big difference when trying to fall and stay asleep throughout the night.

Sleep Aid Supplements

If you follow consistently good bedtime habits but still have trouble falling asleep, try a low-milligram melatonin supplement, like those from Natrol, which are designed to help people sleep better so they can feel well-rested and ready to take on the day.†

“Melatonin is not a one-stop solution to help get your sleep back on track,” Harris said. “If you are taking melatonin, finding a brand with USP Verified options, like Natrol’s 5MG Fast Dissolve Tablets, for example, is extremely important.”

Find more ways to help get your sleep back on track by visiting Natrol.com. (Family Features) 

Quality-of-Life Amenities to Look for When House Hunting

Curb appeal is important, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of house hunting. By factoring in other priorities, such as great schools, a community feel, along with nearby amenities that improve your quality of life, you can feel right at home in your new neighborhood from the moment you arrive.

“Many families want it all — the connection that comes with a small town feel, and the bustle and energy of shopping, dining and culture,” says Blake Gable, CEO Barron Collier Companies, the real estate development firm behind Ave Maria, a 5,000acre community in Southwest Florida.

With the understanding that many families desire to work, live, learn and recreate all in one place, master-planned communities such as Ave Maria have grown in popularity in Florida, and often include residential neighborhoods, schools, town centers with shopping and dining, office space, business parks and recreational amenities.

Keyed into what neighborhood features foster community and enhance quality of life, Gable is sharing some quality-of-life amenities to look for while house hunting:

A Community Feel

If you’d like your neighbors to be more than just strangers who happen to live close by, a master-planned community may be the right style of living for you. In many such communities, there are more golf carts and bikes than there are cars, creating a friendly atmosphere where it’s easy to stop, chat and catch up with neighbors-turned-friends.

Such self-sustained communities often have their own sports fields, dog parks, nature paths, active events calendars and even social clubs. Whether it’s photography, bird watching or pickleball, you can nurture your interests while meeting new people.

Healthy Living

The right neighborhood for your family is one that’s built for a healthy lifestyle. Find out whether your prospective new neighborhood has achieved Blue Zones Project certification. This pioneering health initiative is helping communities commit to improving the well-being of residents by offering them opportunities to move naturally, eat better, develop social circles, and live with purpose.

As one of the first places to earn the designation in Florida and the Southeast United States, Ave Maria is a good example of a town designed to help residents live their healthiest, happiest life.

A Town Center

A neighborhood with its own town center blends big town convenience with small town connection. Merchants are not just businesses, they are neighbors, too, so that you don’t have to leave the neighborhood to find all the shopping and services you need, from supermarkets, restaurants

and boutiques to spas, salons and doctors.

Great Value

The lifestyle you want should come at the right price. Fortunately, you don’t have to overspend to find a new home in one of the country’s most desirable locations, Southwest Florida. Named the fastest growing new home community in Southwest Florida since 2015 by MetroStudy, and Community of the Year by Collier Building Industry Association since 2015, Ave Maria offers the same type of lifestyle amenities, albeit at a much greater value, than similar options in nearby, more expensive Naples.

To learn more about the quality-of-life amenities found in affordable master-planned communities, visit avemaria.com.

As you search for a home, consider narrowing your search to neighborhoods that offer a community atmosphere and a healthy, friendly lifestyle. (SPT) 

Understanding the Different Kinds of Seeds

Seeds. You buy them in packets. You sow them in the soil and they turn into living beauty, and the very source of our survival. Understanding a plant’s family history can offer clues to how its seeds will act in the garden.

The history of flowering plants goes back 160 million years, and the fossil record suggests that they evolved quickly from their early beginnings.

Today, flowering plant species number more than 300,000. The diversity of shapes and mechanisms in seeds is no less impressive. Each has a structure, a mode of dispersal, and a shelf life. Some germinate almost instantly; others take weeks to show their green.

Beans and Peas

The wild ancestors of beans had a dispersal technique that has been bred out of cultivated varieties: their seeds literally exploded from the pods and landed about 10 feet from the parent plant. After a short latent period, they germinated over the next couple of years. Modern cultivated varieties of beans and peas maintain their viability for several years.

In the field, bean seeds are protected from scavenging animals by compounds that make them unpalatable. These compounds are rendered harmless by cooking.

Covering the seedlings with row cover until they attain some size is a wise practice. Flowers of beans and peas are self-pollinating, so excluding insects will not prevent the development of pods.

Beets, Chard, and Spinach

Beet seeds are dried fruits, held together with a cork-like material.

Beets originated from wild sea beets, a common coastal plant of Europe and Western Asia. These plants produce copious amounts of pollen, which travels by wind to other plants. Seeds of the sea beet can be carried long distances on ocean currents.

Like their wild ancestors, beets and chard are salt-tolerant and wind-pollinated. Their seeds are actually dried fruits, which are clumps of two or more seeds held together by a buoyant cork-like material. Because of the protective covering, the seeds can be slow to germinate, and they often sprout in clumps that must be thinned.

Spinach is in the same plant family as beets and chard, and shares their tolerance for cool maritime weather. In fact, spinach refuses to germinate at all if the soil is too warm. If you germinate the seed in a cool location and then transfer the seedlings to the late summer garden, it makes an excellent fall crop.

Broccoli, Cabbage, Radishes, Turnips and Mustard Greens

In nature, brassica seedpods shatter. When seeds become ripe, their pods split open and scatter their contents onto the ground in the vicinity of the parent plant. This mechanism has advantages in nature — it allows the plant to shed seed over a period of time. The sheer numbers of seeds and the various weather conditions that occur at the times of their dispersal ensures that the next generation of plants will persist.

Take a cue from this dispersal mode, and do not bury the seeds too deeply. Germination of brassica seeds is normally not a problem. They are, in general, cool season crops, meaning that the plants mature best when the weather is cool. But they have the advantage of germinating very quick-

ly whether the temperatures are hot or cold. This trait makes cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, and the rest of the clan ideal for fall growing.

Carrots, Fennel, Parsnip, Parsley, Cilantro

The beautiful flower aggregates of carrot family plants, known as umbels, attract large numbers of pollinators. Once an insect completes the job of pollination, each individual flower contained in an umbel matures into two seeds. Seeds of the wild carrot have developed bristles, which cling to the fur of animals. The seeds are also lightweight and borne on tall stalks, so they are easily distributed by wind.

Carrot seeds mature over a period of time. In the wild, having mature seeds ready under various weather conditions aids in their survival. Under cultivation, the quality of harvested seed reflects their varying levels of maturity, with less mature seeds often taking longer to germinate. Unless stored in optimal cool and dry conditions, the seeds do not last long, so it is best to buy new seed each year.

Lettuce and Sunflowers

Lettuce and sunflowers are related. Both produce flowers that attract pollinators.

Lettuce is related to both sunflowers and dandelions, but the seeds have more in common with those of dandelions. Gardeners tend to pull lettuce plants out when they bolt, but if you allow the bolting plant to follow its course it will produce a mass of small daisy-like yellow flower heads. Each flower (like sunflowers and dandelions) contains many florets, which mature into seeds. The trait lettuce flowers share with dandelions is that the narrow seeds are topped with tufted hairs, allowing them to drift in

the wind and land far from the parent plant. Lettuce seeds require light to germinate—this makes sense, considering that they land lightly on top of the soil.

Sunflower seeds are heavy, and not tufted, and so cannot be carried by the wind. It is fortunate, however, that they are often carried and dropped in new soil by birds and other seed loving animals. Sunflowers have a condition known as autotoxicity. If they come up in the same location year after year, the quality of the plants declines.

Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Melons and Squash

A fruit, such as a tomato, eggplant, or squash, is nothing more than a reproductive aid, when you look at it from the plant’s perspective. The starchy flesh protects the seeds until they mature. At that point the starch is converted to sugars and the fruit becomes highly attractive to animals, which eat the flesh and wander off, depositing the seeds elsewhere. Protected by an outer shell, the seed of a fruit will pass through the digestive tract of its consumer unharmed. What’s more, the animal’s feces provide it with a warm, moist environment that contains mineral nutrients necessary for its growth. The fourlegged method of dispersal guarantees that, in nature, some of the seeds will germinate at a distance from the parent

Keep this in mind when you plant seeds of these plants. To germinate, they need warm soil and moist conditions. Not so coincidentally, annual plants that bear fleshy fruits should be rotated to fresh soil each year. (Home Garden Seed Association) 

Five Ways to Help Manage Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects over 32.5 million U.S. adults. OA is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness and can lead to limited function.

OA of the knee is the most common type, affecting more than 12 million Americans ages 65 and older. The signs and symptoms of OA can vary, but commonly include joint stiffness, pain during activity, and cracking or creaking noises around the joint.

“Although there is no treatment that can reverse OA, physical therapy can help individuals manage the symptoms conservatively through appropriate and individualized exercise programs and other treatments provided by physical therapists,” said Rachel Prusynski, a spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. “Physical therapy may also help to prevent a worsening of OA and the need for invasive procedures and prescribed pain medications.”

People with OA should increase their physical activity routines more gradually than those without OA and should avoid high-impact exercises (think jumping or pounding movements on the joints).

Prusynski suggests five ways to manage OA symptoms through movement:

• Regular physical activity can help maintain and improve movement and function, and reduce joint pain for people with OA. Physical therapists can prescribe a tailored, individual physical activity plan, which in addition to helping with OA symptoms, can also boost heart health and facili-

tate weight loss.

• Muscle strength training with exercises primarily aimed at the large muscle groups around the knee and hip joints. Muscle strengthening exercises include lifting weights or working with resistance bands.

• Low-impact aerobics activities put less stress on the joints and include brisk walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, light gardening, certain group exercise classes and dancing.

• Balance exercises like walking backward, standing on one foot and tai chi are important for those who are at risk of falling or who have trouble walking. Having OA can increase your risk of falling, so it’s important to build your balance and strength.

• Flexibility exercises like stretching and yoga are important for people with arthritis to reduce muscle ten sion and strain. Yoga can be modified for those with arthritis. Some people with OA have joint stiffness that makes daily tasks difficult. Doing dai ly flexibility exercises helps maintain your range of motion so you can keep doing everyday things like household tasks, hobbies and visiting with friends and family.

Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through hands-on care and remote telehealth visits, patient education, and prescribed movement. They are important members of your health care team and often work closely with other health care providers, including your primary care physician. To learn more and find a physical therapist near you, visit ChoosePT.com.

(SPT)

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Whether it’s breast cancer research or helping patients get to treatment, our fundraising makes a real difference in the fight against breast cancer and in our community.

If you or a loved one needs help with their hearing, October is the best time visit Advanced Audiology. At the same time you’re helping yourself you’re also donating and helping your community.

Advanced Audiology is donating a portion of all its hearing aid proceeds to breast cancer research, and Circle of Hope. Raising awareness among patients, and local communities about breast cancer which affects 1 in 8 women in the U.S. Nola Aronson is a 20 year breast cancer survivor herself, so this cause is personal and close to her heart.

Nola Aronson, M.A., CCC-A

Get Your Pet Ready

Dressing up for Halloween is one of the more enjoyable ways to celebrate the spooky season. It’s not uncommon for people to be planning their costumes well ahead of Halloween, and seeing as the popup retailer Spirit Halloween starts taking over vacant properties beginning the middle of August, it’s never too early to begin thinking about the thrills, chills and candy to come.

Pet owners often choose to include their companion animals in Halloween festivities. Data from a 2022 PetSmart national survey unveiled that more than 75% of pet parents

planned to dress their pets up for Halloween and other fall occasions. Some city-dwelling individuals even planned to match their pet’s fall attire

to their own.

In 2019, the National Retail Federation estimated Americans would spend $490 million on pet costumes in 2020, which was more than double the figure spent around a decade prior.

Rubies, the largest manufacturer of pet costumes in the U.S. and Europe, shared these statistics in 2022, many of which will stay consistent this year.

• Vermont, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, and Maine are the states most likely to have dress up their pets.

• A pumpkin, hot dog and bat are the three most popular pet costumes. Star Wars-themed costumes also are favorites year after year.

• There are plenty of costumes and pet clothing designed for pets, but not all of them are recommended by humane organizations or vets. Those who choose to include pets in Halloween festivities should keep these tips in mind when selecting costumes.

• Can the pet move properly? Check to see if the clothing item is sized appropriately so that it is not restrictive. Make sure the pet can walk properly, jump, groom, and relieve itself. Do not leave pets in costumes for too long, as they may affect the animal’s ability to control body temperature.

• Is your pet stressed? Look for behaviors that may indicate the pet is stressed by wearing the costume. Pets feeling anxious may groom excessively or make more noise than usual. Dogs may pant a lot or yawn. If a pet is pawing or pulling at the costume, it might be making the animal uncomfortable. Dogs tend to be more tolerant of costumes than cats, though each pet is unique.

• Can body language be relayed? Pets use body language to communicate with other animals. Costumes could interfere with that ability. If the pet will be wearing the costume indoors and not in proximity to other animals, it may be fine. Pets who will be walking outdoors and come into contact with other companion animals might act differently and other animals may act aggressively when faced with a pet in a costume.

• Is it safe? Choose costumes that do not impede the pet’s vision or its ability to walk. Select materials that are fire-retardant and nontoxic.

Pet costumes are quite popular on Halloween, and pet parents can have fun celebrating while also keeping pets’ comfort and safety in mind.

(MC)

QI know it’s not even Halloween yet, but when will the Hallmark Christmas movies begin airing? I hope they’re not being postponed because of the strikes.

— L.E.

AIt appears filming was already completed before the writers’ and actors’ strikes began. According to Entertainment Weekly, the Hallmark Channel, the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries network, and the streaming service Hallmark Movies Now will air a combined 42 new holiday movies starting this October — Oct. 20 to be exact.

One of the most anticipated is a “Party of Five” reunion with Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf in “A Mer-

Lacey Chabert (Upcoming in “A Merry Scottish Christmas”) PHOTO CREDIT DEPOSITPHOTOS

ry Scottish Christmas.” The actors played siblings in the late-1990s series and will once again star as brother and sister — but as different characters.

Both are veterans of the Hallmark Channel, but this is the first time

they’ve teamed up in decades. Chabert told Variety that the two have talked for years about doing another project together.

The screenplay for “A Merry Scottish Christmas” was written by “Dateline” correspondent Andrea Canning and author Audrey Schulman.

The film follows two siblings who reunite in Scotland with their mother at Christmas where “a big family secret is revealed.” The movie premieres on the original Hallmark Channel on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET.

In addition to Chabert and Wolf, other returning Hallmark favorites include Catherine Bell, Jonathan Bennett, James Denton, Ryan Paevey, Bethany Joy Lenz and Victor Webster.

Be sure to visit EW.com/movies/ hallmark-christmas-movieschedule-2023 for release dates, times and more details on Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas.

QIs it true that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are dating, or is this just a publicity stunt? How seri-

CELEBRITY NEWS

ABack in July, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce attended Taylor Swift’s concert as a fan, but also with the hope of meeting her in person backstage. He reportedly made her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it, but still didn’t get to meet the pop star in person. Fast forward a couple months, and rumors began swirling that the two did eventually connect and are, in fact, dating. It wasn’t until Swift attended a Chiefs game in person, cheering him on next to his mom, Donna, that the rumor was confirmed to be true.

If you didn’t get a ticket to Swift’s live concert tour this past year, you can see her on screen in “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” at your local movie house beginning Oct. 13.

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

BookTrib’s Bites From Dark Romance to Political Commentary

Captivated

By Jessica Rooker

Quinton Starks is a vain, self-absorbed, philandering playboy and company president whose life is work, partying, and one-night stands. He treats women as sexual objects rather than equals until he finds himself enthralled with a sweet and humble innkeeper, Amelia Johansson. Only there’s one small problem — she’s married!

Once Quinton realizes Amelia isn’t unattainable, he executes a plan to ensure their paths will cross again. Fate gives Quinton the opportunity to make Amelia his. He decides to sweep her away on a platonic trip with his gang in tow. After the trip turns steamy, Amelia realizes she cannot return to her normal life. Quinton’s full-service, fast-pace, and fun-loving lifestyle brings Amelia back to life — both mentally and physically. Read this hot romance that captures what the heart desires in a

new relationship fueled with lust and love!

Dead to Rights

By Bailey Herrington

For readers who enjoy mystery novels sprinkled with political and social commentary. David Elliott from What the Barber Knew returns in a new, action-packed thriller. 1953. David is a college sophomore American Literature major who also plays baseball and has a propensity to jump into things without looking. When his revered professor Steven Jeffrey ostensibly commits suicide, David receives a coded letter from

him a day later. With the help of his cousin Judy, David is determined to decipher the message and make it public.

However, they quickly become entangled in intrigue, murder, and peril masterminded by a cadre of CIA operatives. Only their courage and ingenuity can save them from also falling victims to staged murders. During their fight, David and Judy face personal and political revelations that will upend their lives.

Wrongful Acts

By Tony Sclama

Two years ago, Nobel laureate Dr.

Allisyn McLoren unexpectedly left her prestigious research position. Since then, as FDA commissioner she has restored the legitimacy and reputation of the troubled agency plagued by prior mismanagement and numerous deficiencies. But now she finds herself under pressure from government sources and a prior colleague to circumvent protocol and personally expedite approval of a bio-tech firm’s new form of gene therapy, and she’s at a loss to explain their motive.

When a homicide detective’s investigation of a deadly altercation between two friends leads him to Allisyn, they uncover a conspiracy to defraud the government that has deadly consequences. In her pursuit of the evidence to expose the deception, she must overcome a response that threatens her reputation, career, and even her life.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com. 

SOLUTIONS

COMMENTARY

Feinstein's Replacement Sets Stage for Chaotic ‘24

By Joe Guzzardi

During much of Dianne Feinstein’s 20 years in the U.S. Senate, I lived in California and wrote political commentary for two San Joaquin Valley dailies. Regardless of my topic, out of professional curiosity, I asked my subjects’ offthe-record opinion about the governor and their local congressional representatives.

When I inquired about Feinstein, most replied with indifference. At no point did I sense enthusiasm about Feinstein, or detect the feeling that her re-election was seen as paramount to California’s well-being.

Yet, after Republican Sen. Pete Wilson resigned in 1991 to run for governor, Feinstein won the 1992 special election, and was then re-elected five times – a remarkable achievement. Prior to her Senate success, Feinstein came in third in the 1975 San Francisco mayoral election to George Moscone, and lost the 1990 gubernatorial election to Wilson. Elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969, Feinstein served as board president in 1978, during which time Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were assassinated. She succeeded Moscone, and Wilson’s decision to give up his Senate seat opened up national office opportunities for Feinstein.

Considered a moderate when she arrived in Washington, Feinstein adopted established Democratic positions, especially on an issue that roiled Congress from her career’s inception to its end: immigration.

In the early 1990s, at a press conference on the California-Mexico border, she said illegal immigration was too costly to allow it to continue. In California alone, Feinstein continued, taxpayers spent $2 billion annually on illegal immigration. Feinstein added that illegal immigration involved a battle for “space” between the aliens and citizens – space for jobs, for classroom seats and for housing. More immigration means less space for citizens, said Feinstein.

Thirty years later, Feinstein joined the Senate’s open borders faction. Over three

decades in the Senate, Feinstein’s immigration grade dropped from C to D.

Unbeknownst to the public, Feinstein also championed private immigration bills. She introduced more bills that protected illegal immigrants from deportation than any other legislator. Her attempts to circumvent immigration laws to provide for her special causes mostly involved tourist visa overstays. Some remained unlawfully present for as long as 17 years after their visas expired, hardly compelling circumstances that require Senate intervention.

On Oct. 2, Gov. Gavin Newsom named EMILY’s List President Laphonza Butler to fill the remaining 15 months of Feinstein’s term. EMILY’s List works to elect female Democrats who support abortion rights.

Per an August Federal Election Commission filing, Butler was a Maryland resident. Butler was then quickly sworn into office by Vice President Kamala Harris, for whom Butler had worked on Harris’ failed 2020 presidential campaign.

What happens next is uncertain. A special election involving Butler is probable, but no one knows whether the appointee or any of the other declared candidates for the full six-year term will run. Announced candidates Reps. Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter are evaluating their decisions vis-à-vis the special election.

Despite California’s $32 billion deficit, its affordable housing crisis, a soaring homeless population, endemic smash-and-grab crime and a collapsed education system, whoever permanently replaces Feinstein will vote straight “yea” on immigration expansion bills – as if more immigration is the solution to California’s monumental problems. Lee, Schiff and Porter have Fimmigration grades from NumbersUSA.

Still, Feinstein’s congressional pro-immigration allies can take comfort that her replacement will carry on with the departed senator’s sovereignty-eroding immigration expansion legacy.

Joe Guzzardi is a Project for Immigration Reform analyst.

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

The Joy of Obligation

By David Hegg

Earlier this week I was asked if writing a weekly column is becoming a chore. It went like this. “Do you ever get tired of facing a deadline every week? Do you think there will come a time when you’ll just get so tired of it that you’ll stop doing it? After all, you’re not being compensated, right? And don’t you think it’s just one more thing you have to do in an already busy life?”

It got me to thinking, and here’s what I’ve come up with. While the possibility exists that someday writing this column may get old, even tiresome, I can’t see myself getting tired of writing. And while I’m not compensated monetarily for my work, don’t for a minute think there isn’t a great personal reward in doing so.

I enjoy the challenge, and I also enjoy hearing from some who read my thoughts and are spurred on in their own thinking. I appreciate those who thoughtfully disagree with my perspective, and thereby, help me keep learning. And I have to admit it’s fun to tell my granddaughters that Papa is a columnist, even though it has yet to impress them even a little.

And as for the weekly obligation being just another thing that puts pressure on my time and energy, the fact is, that’s what life is supposed to be for in my judgment. Let me explain.

Of all the great questions in life, one of the biggest is this: Why am I here? We all either answer this one, or spend our lives ducking it. But either way, the question pre-supposes that life is to be lived fully. We only have so many years, days, hours and minutes. And while our years may appear too long, in reality our lifespan amounts to the width of a hair laying across a yard stick when compared to time and eternity.

The Bible characterizes life as a vapor that is here and gone, and as grass that flourishes one day, and is gone the next. The point is simply that we ought not to take our time here for granted. Even better, we would do well to squeeze every ounce of benefit out of the days we are given.

For me this means trying to influence as many people, with as much truth, as I can. I make no bones about it. I’m here to influence you in the ways you think and live, whether you agree with me or not. I’m here to make you think, to analyze your life, to examine your core values and see if they are a worthy foundation for your time on this Earth.

In short, I’m here to promote an ethic built on the belief that God exists and has accommodated and revealed himself to us in a way we can both understand and put to work. This ethical system has proven valuable for many down through history, and it has for me. As long as right and wrong are recognized and appreciated in this country, I hope to be here pleading with you in writing to test the validity of your world-view, and choose to view every day as an opportunity do right by God and your neighbors.

And who could ever get tired of that?

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