WIXLIB

Page 4, Valley News Group December 30, 2021VIEWPOINTWord on the ------From Kathleen Sterling Thought for the day: “Wrinkles should merely indicate wheresmiles have been.” The great writer Mark Twain said it. We love the rumor that a new business is opening up in WoodlandHills. It’s a partnership between a veterinarian and a taxidermist. Theysay no matter what happens to your dog, you’ll still get him back. “Doctor!” the frantic mother screamed into the phone one latenight, “my baby just ate an entire tube of K-Y Jelly! What should wedo?” After a moment’s reflection, the physician said, “If you reallycan’t wait, call one of the all-night drugstores.” Here’s a fact heard on Doug McIntyre’s ABC radio program: inthe old days, cargo ships fighting shipping costs used to use dried cowchips to cheaply propel the ships. But, when sea water splashed ontothe bow of the ship, it created a bad small and methane gas, whichoften exploded, causing ship damage. Soooo, the sailors began storingthe cow chips on deck covered with a tarp. The labeled the storageShips High In Transit - which was ultimately just reduced to the initialsof the sign. And you thought it was a golf term! After his divorce, Jones realized poker isn’t the only game startingwith holding hands and ending with a financial loss. A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. Duringher struggle the phone rang so she asked her four-year old daughterto answer the phone. “Mommy can’t come to the phone to talk to youright now. She’s hitting the bottle!”PUBLISHERKathleen SterlingEDITORKATIE STERLINGEXECUTIVE ASSISTANTConnie HeinBUSINESS EDITORMiri RossittoENTERTAINMENT EDITORTheda ReichmanHEALTH EDITORJaney RifkinEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDDan BrinJoyce FletcherMartin CooperRickey GelbGlen KovacsBrad RosenheimMiri RossittoRichard ShermanScott SilversteinMolly UngerJohn WalkerDiana WilliamsDennis ZinePHONE 818.313.9545 FAX 818.302.1417Email: ValleyNewsGroup@gmail.com22025 Ventura Blvd. #303 Woodland Hills CA 91364www.valleynewsgroup.com Facebook.com/valleynewsgroupwoodlandhillsValley Vantage, Warner News, Calabasas Enterprise and Encino Enterprise arepublished weekly by Kathleen Sterling. Opinions expressed in articles are thosebelonging to the article’s author and do not necessarily reflect the view of thePublisher or its advertisers. Submissions are welcome and must include name,address and phone. All submissions become the property of the Publisher. ValleyVantage is a legally adjudicated newspaper of general circulation in the County of LosAngeles by Superior Court Decree No. SFC 858.I’ve been in the newspaperbusiness 40 years come March,and in those years I’ve donestories that have moved me, mademe laugh, brought me to tears,brought me to action. Very few inall that time have punched me inthe gut.Watching the YouTube videoof Ken Craft and Rowan Vansleveof Hope of the Valley live on thestreets of L.A. for just 100 hourswas one.Regardless of what makessomeone homeless, it’s no way tolive.Without judgment on whysomeone is on the street, whetherby choice, by default, by drugsor despair, the scenarios faced bythe two as they learned first handwhat those they try to help facedaily were overwhelming.Craft and Vansleve pulled nopunches in the video. At timesthey were ready to give up as itgot so tough. They were cold,tired, hungry, chased, yelled at,turned over to the cops, abusedby bystanders and just plainoverwhelmed by what it took tosurvive.There were some bright spots- and good people - along the way.Someone bought them blankets.Someone gave them moneywhich they used to buy cheapsleeping bags. Another homelessperson actually referred them toHope of the Valley, which was funto watch as Ken nodded and tookthe advice seriously.But overall there was no funin the experience. It was onlyfour days, but I’m sure to themit seemed much longer, as therain continued and the nights gotcolder and colder.It pointed out the harshreality of being homeless. We alldecry the makeshift shantytownsthat have sprung up seeminglyeverywhere across the valley. Butafter seeing the video you realizethose cardboard houses are meantto be some shelter for those whoThe city should realize thatno human being should beleft out of the systemin the cold, in the dark,without their basichuman needs met.feel they have no other place togo.Hope of the Valley’s tinyhome villages are a start. What’ssad is they are the product of aprivate non-profit.Why isn’t our city gettingthe ball rolling and buildingmore accessible and affordablehousing - not the 500,000 a unitapartment houses downtown,which help no one here in thevalley? The red tape and time ittook Councilman Blumenfield toget one bridge housing in CanogaPark approved was appalling. Itgot built, but there are hundredsmore on the street who needhoused, counseled, detoxed andhelped.I can’t solve those problems.I can, however, echo Ken’ssentiment that the experiencegave him humility, gratitude andgenerosity.Watching the video certainlymade me grateful.I watched it as the rain poureddown and the wind howledoutside my window.I was grateful for my strong,sturdy house. I was grateful forthe heat pouring out the vents. Forthe bed I sleep in. For the blanketsI cover myself with.For all the little things I takefor granted.As the rain continues to pouroutside, I hope others will alsowatch the video, and be moved tobe generous.That the city will realize thatno human being should be left outof the system in the cold, in thedark, without their basic humanneeds met.Watch the video. Be grateful.Be moved to action - or at least toempathy.(You can see the video of their100 hours at hopeofthevalley.org/hopewins.)ATTORNEYS!We are adjudicated for all of L.A. CountyWe Publish:Summons Petition to Administer Estate DBAs Lien Notices Name Changes ABC Notices Land PatentsCall Valley News Group 818.313.9545Want to Get this PaperDelivered by Email?Visit valleynewsgroup.com to sign upor email valleynewsgroup@gmail.com and say“Register Me”The paper will arrive every Thursday night in your “In” Box!Any questions call 818.313.9545Proud Member:

Valley News Group December 30, 2021, Page 5BUSINESSRing in the New Year With Financial ResolutionsThe New Year offers theperfect time for a fresh start anda renewed commitment to gettingfinances back on track after aseason of spending – one wheremany Americans felt the effects ofthe pandemic on their wallets evenbefore the onset of the holidays.In fact, COVID-19 hasalready prompted consumersto start thinking differentlyabout their finances. Accordingto Lincoln Financial Group’sConsumer Sentiment Tracker,59% say they are planning tomake permanent changes to theway they spend and save due tothe crisis. The findings went onto show that consumers’ top threefinancial concerns in today’smarketincludeemergencysavings (41%), having enoughincome in retirement (40%) andinflation erested in protection duringtimes of financial uncertainty,which reinforces the need forfinancial planning,” said SharonScanlon, senior vice president,Customer Experience, ProducerSolutionsandRetirementOperations for Lincoln FinancialGroup. “Everyone has competingpriorities but making a few easyadjustments can help peopleachieve their financial goals.”Here are three simplefinancial resolutions LincolnFinancial recommends for 2022to help strengthen consumers’financial outlooks in the new year:1.Reviewfinancesholistically. Ensure you evaluatethe big picture – not just whereyou are spending, but where youBOB’S LOCKSMITH SHOPCOMMERCIAL HARDWARESecurity SpecialistGet a Quote.We’ll Beat It!(818) 340-0421 (310) 592-8357are saving and protecting yourfuture too. A simple budget willhelp you differentiate betweenneeds and wants, enablingyou to find areas to cut backor eliminate to find money tomeet your financial goals, likeretirement or emergency savings.Maximize online budgeting tools,Ensure you evaluate the bigpicture – not just where youare spending, but where youare saving and protectingyour future too.calculators and other financialwellness resources availablethrough your employer too.2. Prepare for the unexpected.Without the right protectionsin place, an unexpected eventcan derail retirement savings,disrupt your ability to providefor your family or drive youinto additional debt. Look intocoverages like disability, accidentand life insurance that may beavailable through your employeror consider an individual lifeinsurance policy. Also, committo funding your emergencysavings account as part of yourbudget. And don’t forget to thinkabout how you would fund thecost of care if you or a lovedone had a long-term care event.3. Plan for the future. Startwith your employer-sponsoredretirement plan and commit tosave at least up to the match, ifavailable. If you already meet thematch, resolve to increase yourretirement contributions eachyear, or with each increase in pay.You don’t just need a retirementplan, though – you need a plan forretirement! Consider diversifyingyour portfolio with an annuity.Also, in-plan guaranteed incomeoptions can serve as a powerfultool to protect savings duringperiods of market volatility, whilestill benefiting you when themarket goes g with a trusted financialprofessional who can help youidentify solutions that bestmeet your individual needs andsituation. Visit www.lfg.com formore tools and resources.With a few proactivestrategies, you can get 2022started on the right financial foot.THE RIGHT EYES.THE RIGHT MESSAGE.THE RIGHT MOMENT.Robert MuñozCOWE.COMSpecializing in- Commercial Office Cleaning- Apartment Clear Out & Clean UpOffice: 818.340.3968OwnerPO Box 268Canoga Park, CA 91305Canogapark64@yahoo.comFree EstimatesMobile: 661.209.6561

Page 6, Valley News Group December 30, 2021COMMUNITYWest Valley Playhouse Kicks Off 2022With Murder on the Orient ExpressThe first 2022 production of the West Valley Playhouse will be theAgatha Christie classic Murder on the Orient Express.The play follows the elegant train of the 1930s, the Orient Express,which is stopped by heavy snowfall. A murder is discovered, andDetective Hercule Poirot’s trip home to London from the Middle Eastis interrupted to solve the case.The show will be directed by the Playhouse’s Artistic Director JonBerry, and as of now is scheduled to open February 11. Tickets areavailable at wvplayhouse.com or by calling (818) 884-1907. Seasontickets are also available. The West Valley Playhouse is located at 7507Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Canoga Park.All Performances of Hamilton PostponedUntil January 26The Hollywood Pantages has canceled all planned performances ofHamilton from now until January 23.In a statement management said they have paused performances tosecure the wellbeing of the cast, crew and theatre goers.All tickets will be refunded.Topanga Canyon Gallery to PresentTwo Solo ShowsTopanga Canyon Gallery will present two solo shows openingJanuary 8.Jonathan Burke will present “Catch and Release” featuring still lifeobjects, landscapes and animals to convey the strongest message ofour interconnectedness. June Kim will present “Amaurosis: Destituteof Vision” depicting our transitional period of the global pandemic.The gallery is located at 137 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga.For more information visti topangacanyongallery.com.Hail and Farewell to Those We Lost in 2021By Theda Kleinhans ReichmanIt is time to say “so long farewell” to 2021. And as theold year ends I would also like tosay “good bye” to the followingcelebrity friends who are nolonger with us.Children’sbookauthorBeverly Cleary (104), authorAnne Rice (Interview With AVampire) and Prince Phillip ofEngland (99), husband of QueenEllizabeth. (They were married for72 years.) George Segal (belovedgrandpa on TV’s The Goldbergs),Cloris Leachman and Ed Asner(Mary Tyler Moore Show) andStephen Sondheim (composerWest Side Story, Into the Woodsand Company).Other celebrities includeGavin Macleod, age 90 (TheLove Boat and Mary Tyler MooreShow), Christopher Plummer (91,(The Sound of Music,) Jane Powell(92), Cicely Tyson (96), WillardScott (87), Colin Powell (84),Walter Mondale (93), Larry King(87), Hal Holbrook (95). MikeNesmith (78) “The Monkees,”baseball’s Tommy Lasorda (92)and legendary Hall of Fame CoachJohn Madden (85).Thanks for the memories.OPEN DAILY !9 a.m. - MidnightFULL CAPACITY!RESERVE LANES ON-LINE winnetkabowl.net(SUBJECT TO LANE AVAILABILITY)BAR & Grill open daily5 p.m. - MidnightTRIVIA TUESDAYS at 7 p.m.Join in the Fun!Play for Free! Earn Prizes!Winnetka Bowl & Entertainment Center20122 Vanowen St. Winnetka, CA 818-340-5190In accordance with Health Department policies, masks are required regardlessof vaccination status. Thank you for your compliance.Clockwise from top left: Christopher Plummer, Prince Phillip, EdAsner, Anne Rice.

Valley News Group December 30, 2021, Page 7VALLEY ENTERTAINMENTJennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio star in new movie.Don’t Look Up is a Disasterof a Disaster MovieBy Katie SterlingIs it slightly barbarous towatch a disaster movie whileliving in fairly disastrous times?Maybe. And yet, it couldalways get worse That’s the message (andwarning) in Netflix’s latest starstudded film Don’t Look Up, adark comedy about an impendingcomet that is on track to annihilateplanet Earth. Well, depending onwho you ask Michigan astronomer Dr.Mindy (Leo DiCaprio) and hisPhD student Kate Dibiasky(Jennifer Lawrence) stumbleupon a horrific discovery whilecalculating numbers one night inthe science lab; a comet is on adirect path to hit Earth within sixmonths. Categorized as a “planetdestroyer,” the two scramble toalert authorities only to have thePresident of the United States(Meryl Streep) brush off theirconcerns.After all, there are moreimportant matters to focus onat the moment like her pollnumbers and public image.When the scientists go rogueand take their message to themedia, it barely makes a blipabove the latest celebrity scandal.As the countdown to thecomet’s impact ticks down, thedebate escalates between thoseset on diverting the disasterand those who are cometdeniers. Sound familiar? Evenwhen the comet is clearlyvisible with its fiery vengeanceoverhead,politicalpartiessimply declare, “Don’t look up.”The satirical unraveling ofthe impending comet shines alight on all too familiar clichés,but instead of informing us ofanything new, the movie serves toheighten the ridiculousness we’realready all too familiar with. Theshtick of politicians concernedwith self-image more than thesociety they are set to govern. Thehype the media gives to storiescentered on celebrities rather thanthe news that will truly affecttheir viewers. The old white menwho have the billions to fund truechange but would rather showoff their shiny new tech toys.While Don’t Look Up presentsa not-so-subtle message aboutInstead of informing us ofanything new, the movieserves to heighten theridiculousness we’realready all too familiar with.climate change, the presentation ofthe story minimizes the message.Ironically, in a film that pokesat the obsession of celebrities,viewers have to shift through themyriad of famous faces pepperedthroughout this film to focus onthe plot at hand.It’s a movie that’s hard to enjoybecause as satirical as it is, there’sthe depressing realization that it’snot so far from our living truth.Don’t Look Up is a movie that’sdifficult to discern and muchlike the problem at the story’score, will have viewers divided.Don’t Look Up is currentlystreaming on Netflix.Soraya to Celebrate10th WithBroadway ShowThe Soraya will celebrate its10th anniversary with “BroadwayCelebrates The Soraya” onJanuary 29 (opening date as ofnow).Three of Broadway’s mostcelebrated performers - EdenEspinosa, Joshua Henry, andMegan Hilty - will raise the roofwith songs from classic musicalsand hits from the roles they madefamous from Wicked, Hamilton,Carousel, and more.For tickets visit thesoraya.org.CELEBRATENEW YEAR’S EVEAT THE CANTINA!LIVE BAND DJMIDNIGHT CHAMPAGNE TOASTPARTY FAVORS 10 Cover Charge

Page 8, Valley News Group December 30, 2021HEALTH & BEAUTYFree Seminar on Philanthropic Planning Set for Non ProfitsThe Community Foundationof the Valleys is hosting a freeseminar to help not-for-profitagencies and professional servicesproviders navigate the complexworld of philanthropic planning.Topics will include giftingappreciated assets, differencesbetween charitable trusts andcharitable giving as part of estateplanning.The seminar is scheduledforWednesday,January12, from 4:30 until 6 pm atBaker Tilly, 15760 VenturaBlvd., Suite 1100, in Encino.“This seminar will helpattendees understand the manytax opportunities that donoradvised funds offer,” saidseminar presenter and host, BillWolf, CPA, from Baker Tilly.“Attendees will be introduced tothe power of donor advised fundsvs. private foundations and manyother topics.” Presenting withWolf is Heath Goldman, financialarchitect with ICON Wealth &Legacy Partners.Goldman stated, “During theseminar, Bill and I will unravelthe “alphabet soup” of DAFs,PFs, CRTs, CLTs and othercharitable giving tools.”Reservations are requiredfor this in-person event no laterthan January 10 by contactingBrooke Daley at brooke.daley@bakertilly.com.Absolutely Grounded with Conni PonturoWorkout Anywhere, Anytime!Enjoy Access to Hundreds of Motivating Videos Including Pilates, Guided Meditation,Stretching, Daily Doses of Health and Much More on this Membership Site!absolutelygrounded.comYour whitest teeth.Not in three months.Not in three weeks.By tonight.Introducing Zoom!Professional Teeth Whitening Centers.The revolutionary new wayto whiten your teeth.Now there’s a whole new way to whiten your teeth.Without spending weeks with a bleaching kit or so-called whitening toothpaste.Zoom!’s remarkable new technology is so effective, it can safely and gentlywhiten your teeth to their ultimate natural whiteness - in just one visit.And the results are guaranteed to your satisfaction. Just call Zoom! today.And you could have whiter teeth by tonight.Joseph P. Sciarra, D.D.S.22554 Ventura Blvd., Suite 102Woodland Hills 818.224.2970How Accurate Are At-HomeAntigen Tests?With the highly contagiousOmicron variant of COVID-19currently affecting the population,many individuals are now turningtowards at-home testing kits.With the recent holidays, rapidtest kits were almost impossibleto obtain as people were utilizingthem to get quick COVIDresults in order to congregatewith others. Convenient, andmuch more affordable thanPCR tests, rapid kits typicallygive results in a matter ofminutes. But how accurate arethey at truly detecting COVID?As we’ve seen with the variousstrains, coronavirus mutates andas such, some antigen tests maybe ineffective at picking up thenewest mutation. Antigen testsare less sensitive to pick up earlyinfections and thus can providenegative results when in fact, aperson may have COVID in theirsystem. PCR, on the other hand,are more accurate because theypick up the tiniest viral RNAwhich detects the virus beforesymptoms may start. As thewinter months bring an onset offlu, colds and allergies, antigentests are beneficial for testingin the moment to determineif the symptoms one has areCOVID or minor illnesses.While both PCR and antigentests have their pros and cons,each test is essentially reflectinga moment in time.Antigen, rapid tests can reflectwhere your system currentlystands but it’s important to testagain days later as the body’sinfection may be detected at a laterdate. It’s also important to notethat if you are fully vaccinatedagainst coronavirus, the spikeprotein it delivers to combat thevirus will not interfere with anytesting methods. Antigen testsdetect the N protein, not the spikeprotein.Whenutilizingat-homeantigen tests, false negatives mayoccur but false positives are rare.Confirm your diagnosis with aPCR test and quarantine if needed.When purchasing at-homeantigen tests, confirm thatthey have been FDA approved(suchasQuickVueandBinax) to ensure reliability.While antigen tests are not themost accurate, at the end of theday, any test is better than no test.

Valley News Group December 30, 2021, Page 9Are you or someone you know feeling“STUCK”on a Medicare Advantage plan?(Or are you on an overpricedMedicare Supplement Plan F, I OR J?)GREAT NEWSCompare these L.A. Area rates with your plan!for people that wantto make a changeAgePlan GPlan G EXTRA65* 113 127a Guaranteed issue from anyMedicare Advantage plan67 154 168a Guaranteed issue from anyMedicare Supplement plan69 179 19371 203 21773 220 23475 255 26977 287 30179 314 328a No health questions81 343 357a Plan F has no deductible. Plan G hasa once-a-year deductible of 233.NO OTHER DI

dry goods, including eggshells, coffee grounds and tea bags, must now be separated from the rest of your trash and put into your yard waste bins without a trash bag. Literally . you’ll be ready to make your move to a senior living lifestyle more marvelous than you can imagine. Become a VI