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Local Santa Clarita News, Talk, Sports, Events and Entertainment.

News from The Signal newspaper (voted number one news source the last eight years) at the top of every hour with national and business news mixed in. Local and national talk and entertainment shows on politics, crime, medical, home improvement, fashion, financial, parenting, pets, Hollywood and more!

Weekday Schedule

• Daily Buzz: M-F 6-9am, 6-9pm

• Paws & Order: Mon. 12pm, Sat. 6pm

• Boomer Rebellion: Mon. 12:30pm, Sat. 6:30pm

• Sports Buzz: Tue. 12pm, Sat. 7pm

• Buzz on the Street: Wed. 12pm, Sat. 4pm

• Voices of Santa Clarita: Thur. 12pm, Sat. 10am

• The Mark Mosley Show: Fri. 12pm, Sat. 5pm

• Dr. Asa: M-F 4-6pm, Sat. 2-4pm

• In the Trenches: Sun. 7am

• Grace Baptist Services: Sun. 8am

• Todd Starnes: M-F 9am-12pm

Plus on the Weekend

• Kevin Jackson- M-F 2-4pm

• Advice Line: M-F 9-11pm

Sports, Crime, Comedy, Financial, Pets, Hollywood, Cold Logic, When Radio Was, Law Enforcement Talk, Garden Club, Eat Drink Smoke, Tech It Out, Animals Today, Intelligent Medicine, The Money Pit, Car Dr., Around the House, Radio Dad, BBQ Radio, Veterans Chronicles, Whispers in the Dark, Boomerology, Movies, Passport Momma, Among Monsters, and Watchdog on Wall Street.

Take Some Time Off from the Hustle and

By Michele E. Buttelman and Alicia Doyle Sunday Signal Writers

The holidays are the most anticipated time of the year. Every year we promise ourselves we’ll do something really special, something different and fun. Then, in all the frantic demands on our time, we often push aside those plans for holiday fun. Make this the year for last-minute holiday fun.

Ice Skating

Is there a more festive holiday activity than ice skating?

The Cube

27745 Smyth Drive, Valencia 91355; (661) 2572823

Info www.thecubesantaclarita.com

Your closest ice-skating venue for the holidays is right in your own backyard. The CUBE, owned by the city of Santa Clarita has a festive Christmas tree on the ice and public skating and skate rentals seven days a week.

Open public daily skating hours are 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday hours also include 9-11 a.m. From Friday through Sunday additional times are 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Pershing Square Ice Rink

448 S. Hill St., Los Angeles 90013 Info holidayicerinkdowntownla.com/

Glide into the holidays while ice skating outdoors in Pershing Square in downtown L.A. Open daily through Jan.11, you won’t want to miss this magical winter wonderland that promises to delight all ages.

One-hour sessions start every 1.5 hours, noon-10 p.m. daily. General admission including skate rental: $22.

Ice at Santa Monica

1324 5th St., Santa Monica 90401

Info iceatsantamonica.com

The Ice Rink at Santa Monica is presented by Disney+ and Hulu. This will be the 17th season for this holiday experience. Located in the heart of Santa Monica, the outdoor rink offers the unique opportunity to skate under the California sun by day and the stars by night. Open daily noon-10 p.m. through Jan. 19. Admission including skate rental: $22.

Lights, Lights, Lights

The best part of the holidays are all the festive lighting displays throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. You can drive down nearly any street and enjoy the beautiful displays offered up by your neighbors for the season. Here is a list of some of the truly spectacular displays in the SCV and beyond. Free neighborhood light displays.

Wakefield Winter Wonderland

21965 Wakefield Court 91350

Wakefield Winter Wonderland on Wakefield Court between Seco Canyon and Haskell Canyon off Copper Hill Drive and Courtland Way in Saugus is a holiday tradition in the SCV.

The 41 homes on Wakefield Court feature thousands of lights and creative, elaborate displays. Best viewed by parking your car and walking the dual cul-de-sac. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m. Please remember these are private homes and be respectful of others.

Clearidge Drive/Meraweather Place

Valencia 91354

Clearidge Drive and nearby streets have been “lighting up” during the holidays for more than two decades. Fridays-Sundays, residents light up the

curbsides with glowing luminaries. Drive through, or walk through this festive neighborhood with true holiday spirit. You might even catch Santa on his sleigh. Hours: 6-10 p.m.

Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills Lubao Avenue and Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills 91367

Open 6-10 p.m. until Dec. 31. Candy Cane Lane is one of Los Angeles County’s oldest holiday light spectaculars. It started in 1952 as a neighborhood tradition where residents coordinated their festive holiday lights and decorations, turning the streets of Lubao, Jumilla and Oakdale into themed winter wonderlands.

This eight-square-block area in Woodland Hills has annually transformed for more than 70 years into Candy Cane Lane with a celebration of lights, figures and artificial snow.

105th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Altadena Santa Rosa Avenue, Altadena 91001

Along Santa Rosa Avenue in Altadena from Mariposa Street to Woodbury Road, thousands of holiday bulbs adorn a short stretch of deodars originally planted in the 1880s. The tradition of illuminating

Every house in Wakefield Winter Wonderland, a small neighborhood street in Saugus, is fully decked out in holiday lights and welcomes visitors from all over to catch a glimpse of the decorations. PHOTOS BY Katherine Quezada / The Signal

Bustle of the Holidays and Have Some Fun

Santa Rosa Avenue stretches back to 1920. It is the oldest large-scale outdoor lighting display in the country.

Despite damage from the Eaton Fire, the display has been rewired and rehung with thousands of new light strands on the trees that miraculously survived the fire.

Holidays at the Farm

30116 Bouquet Canyon Rd. 91390 Info (661) 645-2517

Gilchrist Farm’s “Holidays at the Farm 2025” offers families a full day of affordable, mostly free seasonal fun on the first three weekends of December, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission and free parking make it an easy yes for budget-minded parents looking for holiday cheer close to home.

Free activities include visits with Santa from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 10 a.m. each day, a holiday parade will showcase festive pony carts, a real fire truck, lovingly restored classic tractors and Santa himself, with an extra-special parade planned for Dec. 13 and 14.

In other free offerings, young horse lovers can watch students from the Gilchrist Farm Equestrian

Program ride and lead the farm’s horses and ponies in costume, and catch a live horseback riding demo by the Gilchrist Farm demo team. Families can stop by the letter-writing station to pen wish lists to Santa, cheer on the “Jingle Pigs” in festive pig races at noon and 3 p.m., and enjoy live music, including the Orchard Bluegrass Band and other performers. An on-site artisan marketplace will feature handmade gifts and holiday décor from local vendors, from jewelry and trendy crafts to soaps, candles and home accents.

For a small fee, families can add extra experiences like the Festive Farm Animal Visit for $5 and a Caroling Wagon Ride for $5. Kids can also tackle the all-day Giant Jingle Slide for $10, or engage in the Coin Hunt Maze for $5.

Special Celebrations

As the holidays grow near take time to enjoy special celebrations with family and friends.

Salt Creek Grille Winter Drinks

24415 Town Center Dr #115, Valencia 91355 Info saltcreekgrille.com/valencia

Salt Creek Grille has stocked the bar with a quartet of seasonal drinks, available only for a limited

time. Take a few minutes from your hectic schedule and invite a few good friends to join you for special seasonal cheer.

This year’s offerings include:

The Drunken German Chocolate Made with vanilla vodka, chocolate liquor, coconut rum, splash of cream and topped with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings.

Buffalo Bill’s Coffee Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream, butterscotch schnapps, topped with coffee.

Marshmallow Espresso Martini Toasted marshmallow whiskey, coffee liquor, fresh espresso and topped with toasted marshmallow.

Winter Wonderland Rumchata liquor, vanilla vodka, blue curacao and finished with a sugar rim.

‘Amahl and the Nigh Visitors’ Info www.missionopera.com

Experience the magic of the Nativity story like never before. In the desert lands of the first century, a young boy catches sight of a giant star. As his mother hopes for the family’s future, they are visited by three mysterious kings on a journey to find a newborn child. Visit the website for tickets.

All shows are 4-5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 24901 Orchard Village Road, Santa Clarita 91355. Sunday, Dec. 28 Trinity Episcopal Church, Fillmore, 600 Saratoga St., Fillmore 93015.

Saturday, Jan. 3 Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway, Santa Clarita 91355.

Saturday, Jan. 10 St. Kateri Catholic Church, 22508 Copper Hill Drive, Santa Clarita 91350.

Mission Opera is an OPERA America professional opera company located in Santa Clarita, serving the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys. As an educational performing arts charity, we present live theater, opera, musical theater, and various educational outreach initiatives, in addition to our diverse programming of concerts and events around Southern California.

The CUBE, owned by the city of Santa Clarita, has a festive Christmas tree on the ice and public skating and skate rentals seven days a week.

Unique Christmas Traditions Around the World

Christmas celebrations span the globe. According to a 2025 report from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there are roughly 2.6 billion Christians worldwide, a figure that undoubtedly contributes to the popularity of Christmas. Christianity continues to have the most adherents of any religion in the world, and the Christian population is expected to top three billion before 2050.

Christians bring unique cultural touches to their Christmas celebrations each year. Celebrations vary widely, and here’s a look at some notable Christmas traditions across the globe.

Yule Goat

The Yule Goat is a Christmas tradition in Sweden. The goat is believed to be an invisible spirit that ensures that Yule preparations are done correctly. A popular theory connects the goat to the Norse god Thor, who rode a chariot pulled by two goats.

Krampus

While many people celebrate the benevolence of Santa Claus, some celebrate a much grumpier alter-ego of sort. Krampus is a man-goat, half-demon monster who punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime, says Britannica. He is the evil companion of St. Nicholas, and is believed to have originated in Germany. His name comes from the German word “krampen,” which means, “claw.”

Christmas Chicken

Christmas Eve is a popular romantic occasion for couples and families in Japan. In addition to gift-giving and a romance, many people choose to feast on a meal of KFC fried chicken and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Roller-Skating to Mass

In the city of Caracas, Venezuela, it’s customary for Christmas Eve celebrants to roller skate to early morning Mass. Known as “Misa de Aguinaldo,” these special church services take place on the days leading up to Christmas, with the most festive held on December 24. On this day, the streets of Caracas are closed to automobiles, enabling revelers to cheerfully skate to church.

Mummering

In Newfoundland, Canada, celebrants known as mummers dress in elaborate disguises featuring mismatched clothing and whimsical accessories. The mummers obscure their identities and visit neighbors’ homes during the 12 days of Christmas, performing songs, skits or dances while others attempt to guess their identities.

Las Posadas

In some Hispanic regions, including Mexico, participants reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem through vibrant processions. They travel from house to house, singing traditional songs and requesting shelter only to be turned away until they reach a final home or church that will symbolically welcome them in.

Spiderweb Decorations

Individuals in Ukraine decorate their Christmas trees with artificial spider webs. This tradition is inspired by a tale of a poor widow and her children who didn’t have money for tree ornaments. Upon waking up on Christmas morning, they found their tree covered in sparkling, glimmering spider webs that resembled tinsel. A spider had spun the beautiful display as thanks for finding shelter and warmth in the family’s humble abode. Today’s spider webs symbolize unexpected blessings and gratitude.

Plenty of unique touches set Christmastime celebrations apart across the globe. (MC) 

©ADOBE STOCK

A popular tradition in Japan is to eat KFC chicken and strawberry shortcake. ©SHUTTERSTOCK

Join in the 5th Annual MLK, Jr. Unity Walk

By Ken Striplin

Santa Clarita City Manager

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each January, the Santa Clarita community gathers to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — a man whose message of equality, compassion and service continues to inspire generations. This year, the City of Santa Clarita invites residents to come together once again for the 5th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Walk, taking place

understanding and unity. The Unity Walk provides an opportunity for residents of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs to walk side-by-side, reflecting on how each of us can contribute to a stronger, more compassionate community.

The morning will begin with a brief program led by the Mayor, including a moving invocation representing diverse faith traditions coming together in solidarity. Their shared message of hope will set the tone for the day, reminding all in attendance of the spiritual foundation of Dr. King’s dream.

Participants will also hear musical performances from local youth, whose voices add a meaningful

spectives through an essay contest, exploring how Dr. King’s message continues to guide us in today’s world. The winner of the contest will read their entry during the program.

Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to Bridge to Home, our community’s primary homeless services provider, who will be present at the event. Dr. King’s life was defined by his unwavering dedication to service — a belief that true greatness comes not from power or position, but from a steadfast commitment to helping others. The Unity Walk is a perfect opportunity for participants to give back to their community.

Easy and Elegant Charcuterie Boards

When holiday occasions call for you to don your hosting cap, skip complicated appetizers and hors d'oeuvres to instead serve sustainable charcuterie with sommelier-approved wine pairings. After all, simplicity can still equal premium flavor with the right meats, cheeses and libations.

It doesn't take a hosting expert or pairing professional to create a spread that's as memorable as it is delicious. Charcuterie boards made with just a few ingredients can start the festivities on a high note by wowing loved ones with your pairing prowess.

Amaze your guests (and even yourself) by starting with heritage breed pork in small-batch artisanal production from Niman Ranch, whose independent family farmers and ranchers raise all animals with no antibiotics or added hormones ever. Their commitment to humane practices and sustainability leads to the exceptional flavor and tenderness your crowd craves and can taste in every bite.

Match the selection of meats — like prosciutto, Genoa salami or capocollo in these recipes — with complementary cheeses and accents such as crostini, olives or even thyme-infused honey for an extra special touch. Finally, find the perfect bottle of wine for each board to round out a palate-pleasing spread that suits each guest's preferred pairing profile.

With flavor, sustainability and a personal touch, charcuterie can bring holiday occasions to life for you and your loved ones. Visit NimanRanch. com to find more seasonal inspiration and charcuterie solutions. (Family Features) 

Capocollo, Aged

Cheddar, Thyme Honey and Txakoli

Niman Ranch

Capocollo

Aged sharp cheddar cheese

Thyme-infused honey

Txakoli wine

Start your cheese board or platter with savory capocollo laced with pockets of cured

fat that balance out the meat. Its mild smokiness works well with an aged sharp cheddar for a salty, intriguing but complementary match. Serve with a side of thyme-infused honey for herbaceous sweetness. Pair with Txakoli, a dry Spanish wine that’s easy to drink with hints of salt and pinesap. 

Genoa Salami, Vintage Grand Ewe and Syrah

Prosciutto, Sottocenere and Aligote

Niman Ranch Prosciutto

Firm cheese, such as Sottocenere

Toasted crostini

Aligote wine

On a cheese board or platter, arrange buttery, silky prosciutto with Sottocenere, a

Aged, firm sheep's cheese, such as Vintage Grand Ewe Olives

Syrah wine

On a cheese board or platter, arrange genoa salami, featuring the rich flavors pulled from the spices and wine used in its making. Pair with an aged, firm sheep's cheese

firm cheese speckled with black truffle, or any firm cheese striped with dill or paprika or washed in ale. To round out these savory flavors, pair with Aligote, a white burgundy from France that’s citrusy but refined with hints of green apple and honeydew. 

such as Vintage Grand Ewe, with notes of toasted almond, maple syrup and cultured butter. The sweetness of the cheese gives way to the genoa salami to be the star. Finish the board with skewered olives and serve with an unfussy red wine low in tannins like Syrah. 

Niman Ranch Genoa Salami

The Latest News on What’s Happening In Hollywood

By Tony Rizzo

Now that Tom Cruise has won an Oscar (even if it’s an honorary one), where does he go from here? He received four previous nominations for “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989), “Jerry Maguire” (1996), “Magnolia” (1999), and “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022). Now, at 63, with 50 films behind him, can he still continue making action films, jumping from planes and off buildings (and occasionally injuring himself)?

The Academy gave Cruise the Oscar for “his incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community.” Cruise accepted the award, saying, “Making films is not what I do. It is who I am!”

Sunday-Thursday, December 14-18, 2025

Cruise’s 51st film will be an untitled Alejandro G. Inarritu film (tentatively titled “Judy”) that he’s producing along with Innaritu, who wrote the screenplay. It also stars Jesse Plemons and John Goodman.

LEOnardo DiCaprio wasn’t even born when “The Wizard of Oz” was made, but his company Appian Way Productions has announced that they’re doing a documentary about the making of “The Wizard of Oz.” They promise that it’ll be a behindthe-scenes look at the classic 1939 film, and it will contain never-before-seen footage.

When I went to the Chinese Theater that was showing “Oz” in IMAX and 3D to commemorate its 75th birth-

day, I was shocked by something that I’d never seen in the hundreds of times I viewed “Oz!” In the the Enchanted Forest scene where they read a sign that says, “I’d turn back if I were you,” the Lion runs away, but the Scarecrow and Tinman bring him back. The Scarecrow is holding, among other things, a gun. Was this a big blooper, or did they actually have guns in Oz?

Hope they can explain this!

It’s the time of year when networks clean house, making room for new shows for January 2026. CBS has canceled “S.W.A.T.,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” and “FBI: International.” NBC’s dropped “Night Court” and “Lopez vs Lopez,” while ABC is done with “The Conners.”

Top Movies

Dec. 8, 2025

Tom Cruise (Upcoming in “Judy”) Depositphotos

Showtime has dropped “Original Sin,” while Netflix has canceled Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “FUBAR” and “Cobra Kai.” Finally, Disney+ said goodbye to “Goosebumps.”

1. Zootopia 2 (PG) Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman

2. Wicked: For Good (PG) Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande

3. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (PG-13) Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson

y and work life in a comedy about the peop e you ove and how to sur vive them

H A M N E T C Sun to Tue: 1:00 3:50 7:00; Wed: 1:00 3:50; Thu: 1:00 3:50 7 00

HAMNET te ls the power ful love stor y that insp red the creation of Shakespeare s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet

E T E R N I T Y C Sun: 10:00 AM

In an afterl fe where souls have one week to decide where to spend etern ty, Joan is faced with the imposs ble choice between the man she spent her life with and her ﬁrst love, who d ed young

ZO OTO P I A 2 B Sun: 10 20 1:30 4:20 7:20; Mon to Thu: 1:30 4:20 7:20

Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpec ted new par ts of town, where their grow ng par tnership is tested like never before

W I C K E D: F O R G O O D B 12 50 4:00 7:10

As an angr y mob rises against the W cked Witch Glinda and Elphaba w ll need to come together one ﬁnal time PA I N T I N G T H E S O U L O F T H E 20T H C E N T U RY: P E L L I Z Z A DA

This is the stor y of the tormented life of divis onist pa nter Giuseppe Pellizza (1868-1907), famous for his work The Four th Estate’, as well as

4. Predator: Badlands (PG13) Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi

5. The Running Man (R) Glen Powell, Alyssa Benn

6. Eternity (PG-13) Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen

7. Rental Family (PG-13) Brendan Fraser, Paolo Andrea Di Pietro

Tom Hanks has taken time off from moviemaking to do a play in a small theater in NYC. In “This World of Tomorrow,” he is a man from the future who time travels to the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Broadway star Kelli O’ Hara (of “The King and I” and “South Pacific”) co-stars in the play.

The show’s adapted from Hanks’ 2017 book of short stories “Uncommon Type.” No doubt that a two-time Oscar-winning star adapting a play from his own book is a way of also taking it to the big screen. The show will run until Dec. 21 and could possibly be extended. The critics liked it, and his fans say, “Hanks for the memories!”  © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.

Lingering Cough? Learn About Bronchiectasis

Getting the correct treatment for bronchiectasis, a chronic lung condition affecting 350,000 to 500,000 adults nationwide, is necessary to slow disease progression and help prevent further damage to the airways.

The American Lung Association, with support from Boehringer Ingelheim, is raising awareness about the need for early diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis. Here are the top things to know: Bronchiectasis is chronic It is a lifelong, progressive lung condition where the walls of your airways (bronchi) are permanently damaged, becoming widened and thickened from inflammation and infection. Getting the correct treatment as early as possible can help improve health outcomes.

Diagnosis is often delayed Two of bronchiectasis’ hallmark symptoms are daily cough and daily production of mucus. Because these symptoms, along with shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain, can

mirror that of other lung conditions, bronchiectasis may have a delayed diagnosis. Further complicating matters, people often have bronchiectasis along with other lung conditions. However, it requires a separate diagnosis and its own specialized treatment plan.

Disease management is critical People with bronchiectasis often fall into a cycle where a respiratory infection triggers airway inflammation, which then causes further lung damage. To interrupt this cycle, follow your treatment plan: take medication as prescribed, utilize learned airway clearance techniques and take steps to reduce flare-up risk.

You can decrease your risk of flare-ups. While you can’t control everything about your environment and health, there are steps you can take to help prevent bronchiectasis flare-ups. These include:

• Avoiding exposure to toxic fumes

• Staying healthy by avoiding those sick with respiratory infections and keeping up to date with rec-

ommended vaccinations

• Staying hydrated to help thin your mucus

• Following your treatment plan

• Leading a healthy lifestyle

There are many causes Although the cause of bronchiectasis is not known in about 40% of cases, it is often brought on by damage from another condition that affects the lungs. An airway blockage, like a growth or noncancerous tumor, can lead to bronchiectasis. Often linked to cystic fibrosis, many other conditions can trigger bronchiectasis, such as autoimmune disease, immunodeficiency disorders, COPD, inflammatory bowel diseases and recurring infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, pertussis and fungal infections.

Bronchiectasis resources, including information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, can be found by visiting lung.org/bronchiectasis. (SPT) 

Consider These Resilient Home Upgrade Ideas

In an era when extreme weather events are increasingly common, resilient home upgrades are now more of a necessity than a luxury. Homeowners and builders alike are seeking materials that can withstand harsh conditions while maintaining high-end aesthetics.

This shift is driven by not only the need to protect homes from severe weather and reduce long-term maintenance costs, but also to create seamless indoor-outdoor design continuity. In fact, indoor-outdoor coherent design is a top outdoor living trend, according to nearly 80% of design experts surveyed by the Brick Industry Association. Furthermore, Zillow data found eco-friendly, resilient surfaces can boost a home’s resale value by up to 2.8%.

To improve your home’s ability to stand up to harsh weather, pests and more while enhancing curb appeal, consider these low-maintenance, long-lasting upgrade ideas from the experts at Westlake Royal Building Products, a leader throughout North America in the innovation, design and production of exterior and interior building products.

Protect Your Home from Above

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Investing in storm-resistant roofing materials can reduce the risk of damage during severe weather events. Modern roofing solutions are designed to withstand high winds, heavy rain and even hail, providing peace of mind and long-lasting protection.

Incorporate Durable, Lasting Beauty

Siding plays a vital role in protecting your home from extreme weather, ground contact and insect damage while contributing to its aesthetic appeal.

Durable siding solutions, such as TruExterior poly-ash siding, crafted from a blend of fly ash and polymers, provides the aesthetic of real wood with enhanced durability and performance.

With a range of profiles — board and batten, nickel gap, channel, channel bevel and shiplap — it can be cut, milled, glued, stained and painted, catering to diverse design preferences and various architectural styles.

Or for a rich, authentic stone appearance without added installation time, consider Versetta Stone siding. Bold and neutral tones allow for a variety of design styles, from modern to timeless, in traditional, quarried stone and rugged, irregular profiles. Its panelized format hangs with screws for easier, faster installation compared to traditional masonry.

Upgrade Windows and Doors

Modern windows and doors are designed with advanced materials and technologies, such as impact-resistant glass and reinforced frames, that enhance their resilience. High-quality, storm-resistant windows and doors can prevent water infiltration, withstand high winds and provide security against break-ins. They not only improve safety but can also help improve energy efficiency and reduce noise.

Keep Water and Pests Out

Trim is an often-overlooked component when it comes to protecting your home from water infiltration and pests. Elevate your exterior with the timeless look of painted wood — without the cracks, warping or constant repainting — with an option like Kleer PVC trim. With its tongue-andgroove design, it’s suitable for modern or traditional styles and ideal for high-traffic or moisture-prone areas. Visit westlakeroyalbuildingproducts. com for more ideas and inspiration to make your home more resilient. (Family Features) 

PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTLAKE ROYAL BUILDING PRODUCTS

Improving Driving Skills

Motor vehicles have come a long way since the days of the Model T. Safety features in particular have undergone significant enhancements over the last several decades. Improvements in airbags, structural modifications like crumple zones and technological features like automatic emergency braking have helped to make modern vehicles far safer than the cars and trucks of yesteryear.

While there’s no denying that modern vehicles are safer than ever, the human element remains an unpredictable variable. Even in an era marked by vehicles with greatly enhanced safety features, distracted or impaired drivers can compromise the well-being of everyone on the road.

Age is another variable unique to each driver that merits consideration when considering road safety. The National Institute on Aging notes that certain conditions associated with aging, including increased stiffness of muscles and joints, can make it difficult for seniors to safely operate motor vehicles.

Seniors who want to ensure they’re safe to drive can take various steps to ensure they are not compromising their own safety or the safety of others when getting behind the wheel. Have your driving skills assessed by a trained professional The NIA notes that the American Occupational Therapy Association maintains a database of driving specialists who can help seniors assess their skills behind the wheel.

These trained professionals may assess existing skills and offer advice about how to overcome any issues aging drivers might be having.

Take a driving course Safe driving courses can help drivers of all ages stay up-to-date on the latest safety protocols and advice on how to drive safely. Modern driving is vastly different than it was when many current seniors became licensed drivers.

A safe driving course can refresh drivers’ memories about safety protocols, and some may even offer advice on how to navigate modern roadways, which may be marked by distracted drivers and feature vehicles with brighter headlights that can make it more difficult for older drivers to drive at night.

Speak with your physicians about your medications A recent study from the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration found that the average adult age 65 and older now uses roughly four medications.

Medications produce side effects that can affect every area of a user’s life, including their ability to drive. Those effects might be heightened when taking more than one medication, and interactions also can lead to side effects that might not manifest if individuals were taking just one prescription.

Aging drivers can maintain an honest and ongoing dialogue with their physicians to ensure they’re aware of the effects their medications might be having on their ability to drive safely. Report any new side effects the moment they appear.

Aging can compromise seniors’ ability to safely operate motor vehicles. But aging adults can employ various strategies to improve their skills behind

wheel.

Holiday Gifts Can Come Straight From Your Garden

Personal, handmade gifts are always the best, and as gardeners, we have many options to choose from. Of course, the more you plan ahead, the more materials you’ll have to work with. Here is a selection of garden gift ideas sure to please everyone on your list.

Use Your Herbs

Dry them, infuse them, or use them as flavorings for vinegars or drinks.

Dried herbs packed in pretty glass jars are a welcome gift for the foodies on your list. Easy-to-dry favorites include bay leaves, tarragon, sage, and thyme. Stored in a cool, dry location, these herbs will hold their flavors for a year or two.

Teas can be made using herbs harvested from your garden. Dry the leaves by bundling and hanging them, or spreading them out on a piece of cheesecloth or an old window screen. Popular tea plants include holy basil, also known as tulsi, Lemon verbena, lemon balm, mint of any kind and anise hyssop.

Package a couple of bags of dried tea leaves with a tea strainer and voilà! — a perfect gift for a tea lover.

Herbal teas are versatile and easy to make. Start by packing a glass jar with

fresh herbs, stems and all. Basils, rosemary, tarragon, lemon thyme, or garlic chives all make flavorful vinegars. Heat a mild type of vinegar, such as rice vinegar, almost to a boil and pour it over the herbs. Cover and store your infusions in a cool dark place for 2 to 4 weeks, then strain and pour the flavored vinegars into decorative bottles. Flavored shrubs (mixtures of fruit, sugar, and vinegar) were common in colonial America. They’re back on the scene, especially as a cocktail ingredient, or combined refreshingly with sparkling water. The cold process of making shrubs is very simple: mush fruit and sugar and let the mixture sit in the refrigerator until you get a syr-

chili lovers. Take a needle and thread, knot it at the end, and thread it through the top of the first pepper. Continue threading each pepper onto the string until it is the desired length. Pepper strings, known also as ristras, should be hung in a place that has good air circulation. They will retain their color for months.

up. Strain, pressing the fruit to extract the solids and whisk the fruit syrup with vinegar.

A good starting ratio is 1 pound of fruit to 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of vinegar, but this can depend on the fruit, and your personal preference. You can make shrub with rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, peaches or any fruit. For a more complex taste, add herbs or spices, such as basil, ginger, rosemary, lavender or mint.

Be Inspired by Your Garden It is a wealth of raw materials for decorating.

A Holiday Wreath, made using natural materials can last for weeks if hung on an outside door. You can start with a basic purchased wreath and augment with a variety of greens — arborvitae, boxwood, magnolia and juniper, for example — using a hot glue gun. From there, the list of possible adornments is endless. Cones, cayenne peppers, Thai peppers, okra pods, broom corn, dry wheat or rye stalks, coneflower seed heads, acorns, and gourds are popular embellishments from the garden, and a little sparkle never hurts.

Strings of dried cayenne peppers are beautiful and useful, especially for

Grow gourds Not only are they beautiful and interesting as is, they can be dried and decorated for use as holiday ornaments. Cut gourds from the vine when they are mature, leaving an inch or two of stem, and wash and rinse them. Place them where they will get good air circulation and turn them every week or two. Or, hang them from a fence or from tree branches. For birdhouses, grow birdhouse gourds.

Share Your Plants.

Succulents are easy to propagate. Simply take a cutting and poke it into moist soil, keeping it moist until the cutting develops roots. With many succulents, this happens within three to four weeks. Transplant your cuttings into small clay pots for attractive, easy-care gift plants.

Seeds from your garden, placed in envelopes decorated with a photo of the plant, are great gifts for gardener friends. Let a few of your plants go to seed for this purpose. Easy to collect seeds include herbs such as dill, borage, and cilantro; vegetables including lettuce, arugula, and beans; and flowers of all kinds, especially marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers, larkspur, nicotiana, and calendula. Keep in mind that the seeds of flowering plants that are insect-pollinated may produce flowers or fruits that differ from those on the parent plant. (Home Garden Seed Assn.) 

©ADOBE STOCK

Gift GuideHoliday

Shining a Light on Chanukah

Fall and winter provide plenty of opportunities for merriment, including Chanukah, which encourages the Jewish community to gather and celebrate their faith together.

What is Chanukah?

Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah), is a Jewish festival that lasts eight days. It starts on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev, which usually falls within the month of December, and commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees. The Temple had been previously desecrated by the Syrians.

Why is Chanukah eight days?

After the Maccabees fended off the Syrian-Greeks and reclaimed their Temple, they sought to light the Tem-

ple’s menorah. However, they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination, according to Chabad.org. Miraculously, the oneday supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity. Sages subsequently instituted the festival of Chanukah to commemorate and publicize this miracle.

Menorah Lighting

The menorah is the centerpiece of the Chanukah celebration. It holds nine flames, one of which is called the “shamash” (attendant). That candle is used to kindle the other eight lights. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are lit and glowing. The menorah is placed in a doorway or window. See LIGHT, page 18

Take a Breather and Enjoy Holiday Fun at the Library

By Alicia Doyle Sunday Staff Writer

From cookies to reading with dogs and Austen-era tea socials, Santa Clarita’s public libraries are turning their branches into cozy community hubs this season, offering winter-break fun for kids and adults who want to get out, get creative and connect close to home.

Read to a Dog

Young readers can wind down a busy December week with some four-legged encouragement at Valencia Library’s “Read to a Dog” program. The session takes place Thursday, December 18, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Community Room at the Valencia branch and is designed for children in grades K-6th. Kids are invited to pick out a book,

meet a few friendly dogs and enjoy a relaxed hour of reading with their furry audience, with staff on hand to check in participants as they arrive for the program.

Valencia Library is located at 23743 Valencia Boulevard in Santa Clarita. For more information, contact Jeni Rendahl at jrendahl@santa-clarita. com or call (661) 799-6125.

Teen Library Eats: Cookie Core

Teen Library Eats: Cookie Core invites local tweens and teens to trade after-school screen time for sprinkles, frosting and a bit of hands-on creativity. The free drop-in program will be held in the Teen Area at the Valencia Library on Thursday, December 18 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Organizers say it is part of the library’s effort to blend fun, food and wellness, giving students

a relaxed place to unwind as winter break approaches.

During Cookie Core, participants in grades 6–12 can decorate both a cookie box and the sweet treat that goes inside, with all supplies provided while materials last. Listed under the library’s Health & Wellness and Other program categories, the session aims to give tweens and teens a low-pressure way to practice basic food skills, express their artistic side and connect with peers. No registration is required, making it easy for students to drop in after school and head home with a custom-decorated cookie and container.

For more information, contact Jeni Rendahl at jrendahl@santa-clarita. com or (661) 799-6125.

Regency Blend: A Tea Making Social

Adults and seniors who love all things Austen can step into a Regency-inspired gathering at Old Town Newhall Library’s “Regency Blend: A Tea Making Social.” The event is set for Friday, December 19, 2025, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the library’s Community Room and invites guests to linger over tea, conversation and lighthearted games.

Continued from page 15

Oily Foods

Since the Chanukah miracle focuses on oil, it is customary to enjoy foods fried in oil. Potato latkes are commonly enjoyed, as are jelly-filled donoughts called “sufganiyah.”

Giving

Chanukah really isn’t about exchanging gifts. The tradition actually is to give out Chanukah gelt, which is gifts of money to children. Also, individuals reward positive behavior and devotion to Torah study. The cash

Participants will get to mix their own signature tea blends using classic black, green and white tea leaves, along with a variety of mix-ins, then take home both their personalized blend and a charming steeping tool to continue the experience later. The social atmosphere is rounded out with conversation cards, friendly games and plenty of time to mingle, with attendance offered on a first-come, firstserved basis while supplies last. The program is geared to adults and seniors. Old Town Newhall Library is located at 24500 Main Street. For more information, contact Jazz McCulley at jmcculley@santa-clarita.com or call (661) 799-6101. 

gifts enable kids to give to charity.

A Minor Holiday

Although it is a significant and widely observed festival, Chanukah is a historical rather than biblical holiday. It doesn’t carry the same religious weight as other Jewish high holidays like Yom Kippur, for example. Its emphasis may be due in part to Chanukah’s proximity to Christmas.

Chanukah celebrations enable faithful Jews to celebrate together and focus on their faith during a festive time of year. (MC) 

©ADOBE STOCK

Breaking Down the OBBBA’s Social Security Tax Deduction

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law in July 2025, set in motion a new tax break that could shift how seniors file their 2025 returns and plan for retirement income. The recently introduced senior tax deduction aims to provide additional relief to taxpayers age 65 and older.

Who qualifies? Does the deduction apply to 2025 taxes? Do seniors still have to pay taxes on Social Security? Today’s seniors are actively seeking answers to these questions and will rely on their accountants to provide guidance.

Understanding the phase-outs and the nuts and bolts of the new deduction will be key for tax professionals as they guide clients through the upcoming filing season.

What is the new Social Security tax deduction?

The OBBBA provides a new deduction capped at $6,000 annually for certain taxpayers age 65 and old-

er, beginning in 2025. For married seniors who both qualify, they can claim up to $12,000. For higherincome taxpayers, the deduction phases out.

For single taxpayers with income over $75,000 and married filers with income over $150,000, it phases out at a 6% rate. That means, for every $1,000 in additional income over $75,000 for singles (or $150,000 for married seniors filing jointly), the deduction will decline by $60. It is fully phased out at $175,000 for single filers (or $250,000 for joint filers).

To claim the deduction, a taxpayer must be at least age 65 on or before the last day of the taxable year. Taxpayers must also include the Social Security number of the qualifying individual(s) on the return, and if married, they must file jointly.

“It is going to be very helpful for some of our senior taxpayers, but is it going to be a complete exclusion? No, it will not,” said Shaun Hunley, executive editor at Thomson Reuters. “In some cases, you may see some that are getting close to having no tax

on their Social Security if that’s all they earn; if that’s the only income they have.”

President Trump, who has long promised to end the taxation of Social Security, hailed the deduction as “the largest tax break in American history for our nation’s seniors,” claiming it resulted in “no tax” on Social Security income for 88% (51.4 million) of all seniors receiving Social Security income. It’s a claim that has been met with some skepticism and concern.

For instance, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget warned that the OBBBA would accelerate Social Security and Medicare insolvency by a year, to 2032. The impacts would be indirect, said CRFB, namely by “reducing the revenue collected from the income taxation of Social Security benefits, which is deposited into the Social Security and Medicare trust funds.”

See TAX DEDUCTION, next page

FINANCE

TAX DEDUCTION

Continued from previous page

Does the senior tax deduction apply to 2025 taxes?

Under the OBBBA, taxpayers can claim the deduction if they are age 65 or older by December 31, 2025.

The new deduction is in addition to an extra additional standard deduction offered to taxpayers age 65 and older that predates the new OBBBA provisions. For 2025, the additional standard deduction is $2,000 for qualifying single filers or those who file as head of household. For married taxpayers filing jointly or separately, the extra standard deduction is $1,600 per qualifying individual.

Do seniors still have to pay taxes on Social Security?

In short, yes. For eligible seniors, the new senior deduction under the OBBBA can meaningfully reduce taxable income. However, it does not eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits.

The long-standing rule that up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be taxable remains in place. For those clients on the edge of the Social Security tax thresholds, the change may be noticeable; for those well below the thresholds, the impact will likely be minimal.

Tax planning strategies

for seniors.

With the new senior deduction in effect from 2025 through 2028, practitioners should approach tax planning conversations with an eye toward timing and seizing opportunities.

For practitioners with clients who qualify for the senior tax deduction and are not subject to phaseouts, the next few years could present an ideal window for income-producing moves such as Roth conversions.

“If they are taking full advantage, meaning they are not phased out of this deduction, this is probably a better time to make a Roth conversion. When you do that, you are going to trigger taxable income. Usually, from a planning standpoint, we try to do those conversions when you are in a lower tax bracket,” Hunley said.

Hunley added, “Especially if you are married filing jointly, you get a $12,000 extra deduction. I’m thinking now until 2028, this is probably the better time to look at those conversions and see if they would work out.”

Further strengthen your role as an advisor by communicating these strategies clearly, helping clients understand that while the deduction offers near-term relief, it also opens a tax

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Highlights

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) created a new tax deduction for seniors 65+ starting with the 2025 tax year, offering up to $6,000 for single filers and $12,000 for married couples.

• Effective from 2025 through 2028, the temporary deduction presents a strategic window for tax planning, allowing practitioners to advise clients on income-producing moves like Roth conversions.

• For tax preparers, the new deduction adds complexity through eligibility verification and new forms like Schedule 1-A, while reinforcing the standard deduction’s appeal for most seniors.

planning opportunity that may not be available after 2028.

Itemizing vs. Standard Deduction

While the new senior deduction provides added relief for qualifying seniors, it generally won’t change the fundamental decision between itemizing and claiming the standard deduction.

medical expenses, because that’s an itemized deduction. Professionals just need to look at both [itemizing vs. standard deduction] and see what gives the client the best result.”

“A lot of seniors are probably taking the standard deduction [versus itemizing] … just because it’s so high. For 2025, if you’re filing jointly, the standard deduction is $31,500, which is a really huge amount. On top of that, there is an additional standard deduction for senior citizens, and then, on top of that, there’s this new enhanced deduction for seniors,” said Hunley. Hunley continued, “They could get up to $46,700 when combining all three deductions. That’s a huge amount, so I would say, overall, most seniors are probably taking the standard deduction, unless they have high

That said, the new deduction does add a layer of complexity to the filing process. Preparers will need to confirm each client’s eligibility (e.g., verifying age and Social Security number) and calculate modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) to determine whether the deduction applies in full or begins to phase out.

Reprinted from Thomson Reuters Institute “Breaking down the OBBBA’s Social Security tax deduction” tax. thomsonreuters.com/blog/breakingdown-the-obbbas-social-securitytax-deduction/ with permission of Thomson Reuters.

FROM VENTURA HARBOR

Pets on the Wish List? Choose the Adoption Option

While many may find a puppy or kitten with a bow under the Christmas tree an adorable sight, there are important factors to take into consideration before gifting a pet this holiday season. Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to take the country no-kill, which means saving every healthy and treatable pet in shelters, encourages those wanting to gift a furry companion this holiday season to choose the adoption option.

No-kill is defined by a 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter and is a meaningful and common-sense benchmark for measuring lifesaving progress.

Data from Best Friends reports that on average, roughly 210,000 pets are adopted in December and 180,000 adoptions happen in January. While some may have concerns that pets acquired around the holidays often end up in shelters, Best Friends data shows

owner surrenders are no higher in January than at other times throughout the year.

“Best Friends Animal Society believes pets belong in loving homes, not shelters, but hundreds of thousands of pets across the country are currently sitting in shelters still waiting for homes of their own,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society.

“Gifting a pet during the holidays is a meaningful way to spread holiday

cheer, and by choosing the adoption option, anyone can make a homeless pet’s holiday wish come true.”

To provide peace of mind to those considering adding a new family member this December, here are the top three things to consider:

Check Your List Twice

When gifting a pet, it’s important to confirm that everyone in the household is ready and fully committed to caring for the new dog or cat. While the idea of a surprise is sweet, it’s important to take life with a pet into consideration, from daily walks to cleaning the litter box. Getting on board with responsibilities early will help make the transition easier for everyone.

Gift the Experience, Not the Pet

Consider giving a gift certificate from your local shelter or rescue group instead of a specific pet. This lets the recipient make a lasting memory by going to meet, choose, and bring home their new companion. To

still present them with a physical gift, wrap the gift certificate with new pet essentials or plan a visit together to help them find their new best friend.

Two Gifts in One

Always choose to adopt from a local animal shelter or rescue group when gifting a cat or dog. By adopting a pet, two lives are saved — the pet who has found a loving home and the pet who can now take its place in the shelter. Plus, if just 6% more people planning to bring home a new pet chose to adopt instead of purchase, the country would achieve no-kill.

“The holidays are the season of giving, and even if you aren’t in the position to adopt right now, consider fostering during the holidays. Many use this time to relax and spend additional time at home, and giving back by letting a dog or cat decompress in a warm home for a few days or weeks is a great way to savor the cozy season,” said Castle.

To learn more, visit bestfriends. org. 

Things to Consider Before Giving Pets as Gift

Imagine this scenario: A family is gathered around exchanging presents. There is one last gift tucked away. You hand the present to a child, and he or she opens it to find a puppy or kitten. The tears of happiness start flowing and the big smiles on all involved will be forever captured in photos and video. The pet immediately becomes a cherished member of the family.

Of course this scenario is perfect when giving a pet as a gift. A recent ASPCA study found that pets received as gifts generally have a low return rate. According to the survey, 96% of the people who received pets as gifts thought it either increased or had no impact on their love or attachment to that pet. The survey also revealed no difference in attachment based on the gift being a surprise or being

known in advance.

Rather than getting into a situation where an animal’s welfare could be at risk, it is important to keep a few things in mind when considering gifting a pet.

Don’t make it a surprise Unless it’s for your own children, do not give a pet as a surprise gift. Even if a person has expressed an interest in having a pet, he or she may not be ready at the moment. Talk the gift idea over with the potential recipient if your mind is set on gifting a pet so that you can make it a collaborative effort. The thought is still there.

Pay for adoption fees You can visit a shelter and preemptively pay the adoption fees if you know that a person will be adopting a pet in the near future. This way you can make the gift a surprise and enable the recipient to choose the right timing to go

pick out a pet.

Offer supplies instead Another pet-related gift idea is to offer a gift card to a nearby pet retailer so that the person will be able to stock up on supplies when the time comes to get a pet.

Do not act on impulse A pet is a very personal decision. Even if someone you know is very interested in getting a pet, he or she may want to pick out the pet rather than have that choice made by a loved one. Taking away the opportunity to select and bond with a given companion animal could backfire. Although giving pets as gifts often works out for the best, it’s always best to test the waters and tread carefully to maximize the chances that the pet fits in at its new home. (MC) 

PUZZLES

SOLUTIONS

The Gift That Is Marriage

For generations most people have stood before friends and family as a couple made promises to each other we call marriage vows. The most familiar being: I, (Name) take you, (Name), to be my wedded (husband/wife), to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death us do part. So, two people attracted to one another sharing core values and a vision for the life they hope to have decide to walk a shared path. With the love, excitement and wonder associated with the wedding day, the ability of each to understand and commit to the other, holding to the promises made and implied in the wedding vows, is imperative.

I can only speak for myself and the amazing journey I shared with my wife for 58 years. Two days before we both recited the above vows to each other, her mother pulled me aside and said, “take care of my girl.” At that moment I made a promise to myself that as long as I had strength to draw a breath I would care for that woman. On our wedding day we were both 19. It began a journey that was more exciting, scary, happy and challenging than any ride Disney could imagine. Starting in a three-room Texas apartment living on Army pay, then a year of separation due to a tour in Vietnam, we experienced the “poor.” Next, starting careers, raising two amazing daughters, two moves across country, meeting most of our life goals then facing serious health issues, we covered just about all the bases in the wedding vows. And yes, as of writing this my wife went to be with the Lord eight months and 21 days ago. The final words in the wedding vows.

This Dec. 23 it will be 59 years since two 19-year-old kids stood in front of a judge in the Aida County courthouse in Boise, Idaho, after a 780-mile drive, and made those simple but powerful promises. I have been blessed with sharing every experience with an amazing friend, lover and wife for a lifetime. She was the perfect wife for me. Was I a good husband? Only she could answer that. If I were to guess, she would say, “Yes, but could have done better in some areas.” She always wanted me to be better and I love her for it. We always looked at our marriage as a Christmas gift from God. Having lived it, I can’t think of any gift that could compare.

Thomas L. Cadman

Canyon Country

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Finding Each Day’s Joy

By David Hegg

Ithink it was around my 40th year that I realized how much time I’d spent living in the future. Much of my life was filled with tasks and goals deemed valuable only because they prepared me for whatever came next. I remember receiving a basketball for Christmas in third grade and practicing so I could get picked for an intramural team. Then, I set my sights on making the junior high team, then the high school team, and so on. I worked hard to get into college, only to learn college grades were about getting into the right grad school, which would prepare me for the next step in life. This future-focused mindset bled into every area of my life.

should be? What if we stepped away from our future-focused mindset and chose to see each day this season as a gift? What if every day was a unique set of experiences, given to us by God, never to be repeated? What if we resolved to stop and enjoy the day for what it is — appreciating the tasks and appointments, cherishing the relationships?

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As a married couple, we rented an apartment to save for a small house. When we finally bought one, we looked into how to “move up” to a larger house later. Even raising children had this sense of always needing to anticipate the future: Should we buy her 12-month clothes, or the 18-month size she’ll grow into soon? When she crawled, we prepared for her to walk; when she walked, we started strategizing about sports, schooling and eventually, college. Each step was about prepping for the next.

This way of living — shaping today only with the future in mind — has its value and necessity. But over time, it can also rob us of the simple joys and unique delights each day offers.

Consider the Christmas season. If you’re like me, you may have already mapped out the weeks until Dec. 25 and felt the looming pressure of all the obligations. You’ve likely scheduled parties, concerts, meals and banquets, and slotted in time for shopping, cleaning, cooking and mailing. In all this, Christmas can begin to feel like a treadmill — a marathon of tasks to survive. You may find yourself tired before the season even begins, the joy leached away by living, not for today, but for the relief when it’s finally over. Is that really how it

I admit, as Christmas approached this year, I dreaded some of the usual chores. Looking at the house after Thanksgiving, the thought of hauling down bins, testing lights, wrestling with the ladder and maneuvering around the roof didn’t excite me. Stringing up the tree and lights felt more like an obligation than a joy. But then I remembered that my grandkids would be spending Christmas with us. Suddenly, everything changed. I imagined them looking up in wonder at Papa’s lights, and my attitude shifted instantly. It reminded me of how children approach life: They haven’t yet learned to live constantly in the future. They dive into the present, finding wonder in the everyday, letting the beauty of each moment and its opportunities fill them. So, I’ve decided to live this season in the moment. I’m going to get the most out of whatever is on my schedule each day and not think of it as an obligatory step in a longer journey. No, I’m not suggesting we give in to the philosophy to “live for today” and not worry about making wise choices. Instead, the best way to ward off the staleness and seeming drudgery of the season is to see each day through the eyes of a child. See each day as another unique gift from God, filled with delights that can only be seen and enjoyed if you pause long enough to see and enjoy them. Today is unique, and so is tomorrow. Don’t miss what life and love have for you today, and just around the corner!

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

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Gift GuideHoliday

Shining a Light on Chanukah

Menorah Lighting

Take a Breather and Enjoy Holiday Fun at the Library

Read to a Dog

Teen Library Eats: Cookie Core

Regency Blend: A Tea Making Social

Oily Foods

Giving

A Minor Holiday

Breaking Down the OBBBA’s Social Security Tax Deduction

FINANCE

TAX DEDUCTION

Do seniors still have to pay taxes on Social Security?

Tax planning strategies

Holiday Cruises

Highlights

Itemizing vs. Standard Deduction

Pets on the Wish List? Choose the Adoption Option

Check Your List Twice

Gift the Experience, Not the Pet

Two Gifts in One

Things to Consider Before Giving Pets as Gift

PUZZLES

SOLUTIONS

The Gift That Is Marriage

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Finding Each Day’s Joy