Light the night for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

I've always considered the Fourth of July to be the demarcation line for the year. Half the year is gone, just half the year remains. I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful summer of fun. Time to relax, enjoy and take a break!

On column writing and censorship

I had an interesting exchange with one of The Signal's fairly regular columnists last week: He accused me of censorship.

There’s poison in the pot — folic acid fortification

I got an urgent call from my Uncle Earl the other day. He wanted me to come over immediately. Earl is the relative that every family fears at gatherings - loud, opinionated and eats all of the guacamole. Then, he polishes off all of the onion dip. But, as coarse as Earl can be, he is often right and worth listening to. So, my curiosity piqued, I went over and saw Earl.

Don’t put seniors in harm's way

We need housing for our growing senior population. That is why state law allows local jurisdictions to forgo some of their planning rules about hillsides, water supply, and other issues that normally would be a concern. This is fine - our community wants good, safe housing, close by, for our seniors to live in. But "safe" should always be the operative word. Our parents and grandparents have worked hard for many years to benefit our ...

McCain’s unintentionally funny campaign mailer

There's one thing I just love about being a registered Republican. It seems I'm on every mailing list from every Republican candidate whose shadow has ever darkened our valley, district, state, or nation.

Blackwater’s San Diego facility demands attention

Blackwater Worldwide, one of the largest private military contractors in the world has opened a base of operations in southern California under questionable circumstances.

Hart High Class of 1968 to reunite

This is a blatant attempt to coerce folks to spend some money for a good cause - themselves.

Even as the Obamas ascend, stereotypes persist

Contrary to popular and delusional thought, African-Americans - to be politically, not culturally, correct - do not comprise a monolithic camp, with twin charlatans Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson tag-teaming the role of Moses, and Cornell West manufacturing cerebral arms.

‘If I Had a Hummer (I’d Sell It in the Morning)’

According to certain psychologists, the automobiles we drive may be interpreted as expressions of how we view ourselves, or would like to.

Welcome to summer in Santa Clarita

It's been a crazy June! Where was the gloom? Well, we are past the summer solstice (June 21) with the longest day of the year - now each day will start to get shorter until winter solstice (Dec. 21).

Becoming sustainable, a step at a time

'Sustainability" is our latest buzzword. But sustainability is more than just a buzzword. It is a great opportunity for companies, cities, and individuals to explore fantastic avenues for self-sufficiency, creating a healthier environment, and increasing profitability.

‘News briefs’ from the Picarella household

Parents suspect two 4-year-olds are an item Earlier this month, teachers and students reported that my 4-year-old son and one of his female classmates were dating. "The two of them were caught together in the tunnel slide sharing a moment of passion," said a teacher, who asked to remain anonymous. "It seems they were sharing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, something they're both passionate about." Both my 4-year-old and the girl denied the alleged ...

Democrats are putting us on a tax roller coaster

I used to like roller coasters. When I was a kid, we could ride for hours and not be fazed one little bit. On one visit to a thinly-attended Disneyland, we rode Space Mountain 17 times in a row. Seventeen times. On a full stomach.

Year-round fun in your backyard and beyond

'Tis the perfect summer for camping. The Great American Backyard Campout, sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, is coming up Saturday night. Last year more than 42,000 people participated in this low-key introduction to camping. Recipes, packing lists, nighttime wildlife guides and more are available at www.backyardcampout.org.

Messing with Mother Nature, and paying for it

Don't mess with mother nature." This common colloquialism, often said with a knowing chuckle, becomes all too real and serious after major storms such as the current flooding in the Midwest. These rains were unusual but not unprecedented, with similar flooding occurring as recently as 1993.

Kathryn Lopez: Semantic gymnastics rationalize abortion

t a recent Thursday-morning press conference, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi was asked to explain the moral difference between the 20-week-old babies whom Dr. Kermit Gosnell killed in his Philadelphia clinic and the unborn children that legislation sponsored by Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks would help protect.

Rick Jensen: Democrats are OK with Obama spying

Liberals are slurping at a new yet familiar theme trough: Republicans are hypocrites because they're against NSA surveillance now but were all for it during the Bush administration.

Steve and Cokie Roberts: Out of their minds

Have these men lost their minds?"

David Hegg: The legacy of leadership from our fathers

Famous leadership expert Dr. John Maxwell is on record as declaring that "everything rises and falls on leadership." The ability to see into the future, understand the risks and rewards, and organize a group of people to accomplish the mission is essential for success.

Tina Dupuy: The freedom of too much information

We are all celebrities now. Ever since we won Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2006, the same year we first found out about the National Security Administration spying on us, we've all become essentially public figures.

Bob Kellar: Live from City Hall

"Responsible," "on time," "balanced," "lean" and "sustainable" are words used to describe the city of Santa Clarita's budget and budget practices, and that's something your City Council is extremely proud of.

Timothy Myers: What to do with Stephen Winkler?

By the time this column runs, with a bit of luck, Stephen Winkler, the extremely controversial member of the Saugus Union School District governing board, will have submitted his resignation from the board.

Tom Purcell: Countering government intimidation

Admit it. You're a dirty rotten conservative!"

Christine Korenthal: Meet your new HOA, the city of Santa Clarita

I will never forget when my husband, Kevin, and I began looking for our first house. It was an exciting time for us as we began our search to find the new place that we would call home.

Danny Tyree: Toy gun buyback? Just shoot me

According to Townhall.com and other sources, Stobridge Elementary School in Hayward, California, may be shooting itself in the foot, publicity-wise.

Joe Gandelman: Will America regret Snowden’s intelligence leaks?

A popular graphic making the rounds on the Internet shows Boston Marathon bombing terrorist brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev with the caption: "Apparently Not Verizon Customers."

Kevin Bayona: Things heat up in Turkey

When the Arab Spring erupted back in December of 2010, I never thought the revolutions and protests we witnessed on our television screens would reach Turkey, considered by many to be a democratic anchor of stability in an otherwise un-democratic and unstable part of the world.

Ever feel like you’re being watched?

Killing me with kisses

In some countries, greeting friends with a kiss is the common custom. France, Italy, Greece and Hollywood come to mind.

Repeal, don’t expand, ethanol mandate

Sometimes big government becomes so big that even good conservatives find themselves unwittingly advocating expansions of government in response to its failures.