Brave new world

Who recalls the movie "Soylent Green?" It's in the news that Congress is considering plans to reduce Medicare benefits. According to Section 1233 of H.R. 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009," these social engineers plan to introduce mandatory meetings every five years with seniors to discuss their "end-of-life" choices. I guess that means instead of treating seniors with the best medicines for recovery, they will get pain killers. Could we also consider this ...

Health care needs public option

I am always amazed when I read that some of the people who represent us in Washington are against making health care available to every person in America.

Louise Elerding: Bringing manners to the board room

Do you welcome, or try to avoid, attending business meetings? If you have not had good experiences in this arena, then you are likely not eager to spend your time this way.

Cam Noltemeyer: Community speaks up to City Hall

Yet another well-organized citizen's group recently challenged a project from the Planning Commission to the Santa Clarita City Council.

Accident ends with CHP chase

A car chase that started with a hit and run in Frazier Park ended south of the McBean Parkway in Valencia on Wednesday, according a California Highway Patrol officer.

See SCV All Stars at Concerts in the Park

The SCV Allstars, produced by Pramik Entertainment, is made up of 11 of the Santa Clarita Valley's busiest professional musicians.

Canyon Theatre Guild stages a trifecta

We are in late July (and the summer's going fast), but the scene is certainly heating up at the Canyon Theatre Guild with three shows opening between last Saturday and this Saturday, Aug. 1, and casting of our October show.

Going on vacation? Sign up for sheriff's check

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station offers a free vacation check service for residents going out of town.

Enrollment fees increase at College of the Canyons

Enrollment fees at all of California's community colleges have been raised from $20 to $26 per unit for the fall, 2009 semester as a result of legislation signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 28.

Car knocks over stroller in Valencia

Two young children were taken to a local hospital Tuesday afternoon for observation after a car in a Valencia shopping center parking lot knocked over their stroller, authorities said.

Island-Style Skewers

Makes 4 to 6 servings Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 15 to 20 minutes 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup prepared mango chutney, chopped if coarse 1/2 cup bottled teriyaki sauce 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast 18 medium shrimp, shelled and deveined 18 large bamboo skewers (about 12 inches long) 1 medium yellow ...

Speak English

No disrespect, but when calling a company's customer-service department, have you encountered a representative who can hardly speak English?

Real history

I'm trying to understand Krall's version of "A little history" (Letters, June 26) that he is using to refute the premise of an earlier article in The Signal.

Grilled Mango With Spicy Rum Glaze and Vanilla Ice Cream

Makes 4 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons unsweetened pineapple juice 1 1/2 tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons dark rum 2 firm mangos, peeled pitted and sliced into strips Nonstick cooking spray 1 pint vanilla ice cream ...

Coffee shop dream becomes a nightmare

It seemed like the perfect plan. Early last year, Rick Greenland, who was retired after 22 years as a chiropractor, decided with his wife to step out in a new direction. They purchased the Town Grind Coffee Cafe at the corner of Lyons Avenue and Apple Street, taking the helm of the java shop in April 2008. "This was her passion," Greenland said. "She loves this place." Tucked off Lyons Avenue just a stone's throw ...

Bieber's car hits photographer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Video shows Justin Bieber running into a photographer with his white Ferrari in Hollywood, but police say there was no crime and the injuries aren't life-threatening.

Serial murder suspect delivers opening remarks

SAN RAFAEL (AP) - Serial murder suspect Joseph Naso delivered an hours-long personal history Monday replete with childhood photos, as he launched his defense, denied the decades-old slayings of four women and claimed he is not the "monster" prosecutors have made him out to be.

Obama: NSA secret data gathering 'transparent'

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama defended top secret National Security Agency spying programs as legal in a lengthy interview Monday, and called them transparent - even though they are authorized in secret.

N. Calif. wildfire brings evacuation of 150 homes

MARIPOSA (AP) - A wind-whipped wildfire near the main route into Yosemite National Park in the Sierra foothills forced the evacuation of at least 150 houses Monday and was threatening more, state fire officials said.

Will Durst: Your ever-vigilant friends at the NSA

Dear U.S. Citizen,

Charlie Vignola: Giving up freedom and privacy for security

Two weeks have gone by since Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old computer tech working as an NSA contractor, leaked information about classified government information to the press, effectively exposing top secret programs designed to combat terrorism and save American lives.

John Rosemond: Living with Children

If my parents told me once, they told me at least one hundred times, "Don't talk to anyone about their religious or political beliefs." They meant, of course, that those topics are likely to generate tension and angry conflict. As such, they were not the stuff of polite social conversation. Notwithstanding the fact that I find religion and politics to be the two most interesting of all conversational topics, a third caution should be added ...

4 Saugus board members’ behavior professional during censure meeting

Where’s our raises, City Council?

I have lived in Santa Clarita since 1963, paying my taxes, gas bills, etc. myself. I and many others are on Social Security.

Sexual Assaults in the Military

The Senate Armed Services Committee is investigating an alarming Pentagon survey which revealed over 26,000 sexual assaults in our military ranks last year.

UPDATE: Suspected wrong-way driver arrested after multiple-car pileup on 14

By Signal Staff

Bruins beat Blackhawks 2-0, lead Cup finals 2-1

BOSTON (AP) - Tuukka Rask shut out the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals on Monday night and got enough help from the Bruins' offense to do it without another exhausting overtime.

Man arrested a month ago awaiting arraignment

A man charged with murder in an Acton shooting has yet to be arraigned and no prosecutor has been assigned to the case a month after his arrest, a court official said Monday.

Winkler residency expected to be addressed Tuesday night

The issue of censured school board member Stephen Winkler's legal residency is expected be debated at the Saugus Union School District meeting Tuesday night. Some expect the board to fire him by declaring his seat vacant.

Two COC Cougars to compete at U.S. Junior Track and Field Championships

A pair of College of the Canyons freshmen, Tim White and Anthony Fowler, are headed to the U.S. Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week in Des Moines, Iowa.