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Find your Fit off the Beaten Path
While it seems like there's never enough time in the fresh air and sunshine, sometimes the same old hikes and strolls get a little stale. Here are some of SCV's best under-the-radar hikes to keep you trekking.

Newhall Pass Open Space
Wander through beautiful Oak Trees and wildflowers along the McHaddad and Cabin Trails in one of SCV's best kept secrets, the Newhall Pass Open Space. The northern entrance, the Cabin Trail, starts along the Old Road and meets with the McHaddad Trail that starts at the southern entrance of the Open Space. Park one car at each trailhead to soak in all the magnificent views of the I-5/SR-14 freeway interchange and the Santa Clarita Valley or make it an out-and-back hike that will have you coming back again and again.

Fish Canyon
Touted as the best overnight trail in the Santa Clarita Valley, Fish Canyon begins at the end of Templin Highway and carries you north of Castaic Lake. A long, narrow canyon winds deep into remote parts of the surrounding mountains. If you decide to stay overnight, many hikers set up camp at Pianobox Prospect - an old mining shaft that used to have a piano in it.

Mt. San Antonio
This one is outside of Santa Clarita but well worth the trip. The tallest peak in Los Angeles County, this 10,064-foot beauty stands tall among the San Gabriel Mountains - and requires a bit of experience. A steep slope takes hikers through granite boulders, alpine slopes and a plane crash site from the 40s. But the view from the top is worth it.

Health Crisis during COVID-19: A Personal Account
by Cheri Fleming, Owner of Valencia Acura, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Chair Elect
Don Fleming and I have been together over 30 years, and other than the occasional travel I do for Soroptimist International, we've never been apart. That changed in June when Don suffered a broken hip that required surgery and a 3-week hospital stay. While there is never a good time for a loved one to require hospitalization, the level of care at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital truly demonstrated a culture of care - even with the challenging circumstances of a pandemic. But what was so impressive were the high-level health protocols in place that made Don's time in the new Patient Tower and Acute Rehabilitation Unit so safe. The level of care, concern and treatment provided at our community hospital was not only medically advanced and lifesaving, but without reservation, it was truly exceptional and exceeded all expectations.

Whether young, old or in the prime of life, the realization that we have the highest level of medical excellence in our community hospital is a conviction I hold near and dear. Not only am I forever grateful to the doctors and staff for the care they provided Don in his time of need, but I am extremely proud to serve on the Board of Directors of such an extraordinary community hospital. I encourage everyone in need of medical care - necessary or elective - not to hesitate. There are so many safety protocols in place that a visit to Henry Mayo is likely safer than a trip to a big box retailer, in my humble opinion.
Valencia Acura 255-3000

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Ask the Doctor
The Prominent Veins in my Hands make me Look Older. What are the Causes?
Answered by Dr. Larisse Lee of LA Vein Center
Venous conditions can happen anywhere on our bodies, although some areas are more prone than others, including the legs and the hands. There are several reasons that make our hands particularly vulnerable to venous conditions. First, because they are an extremity and we use our hands for everything. Secondly, the more elastic your skin, the more youthful looking they are. As we age, our hands lose a protein called elastin and lose some firmness and tightness. The third reason that makes our hands vulnerable to developing conditions with veins is that they are consistently pumping blood upward, straining them over time. In a nutshell, the main cause of visible hand veins is simply aging and thinning skin.
Harvard and Stanford trained double-board-certified surgeon Dr. Larisse Lee focuses on the most up-to-date techniques to get the results you want. Be it hand and leg vein treatment, laser liposuction or other concerns, Dr. Lee can tailor a plan for you. Her state-of-the-art facility, LA Vein Center in Sherman Oaks, offers minimally-invasive procedures with exceptional results.
LA Vein Center 818-325-0400

Free Resources to Help Seniors Stay Home & Stay Healthy
No matter the situation, staying healthy for seniors means paying attention to both physical and mental wellness. "Families must remain vigilant with infection control practices, as well as with regular communications about seniors' emotional well-being," says Owner Joel Green. "While we all have experienced isolation during this health crisis, the implications are most severe in older adults."

Home Instead resources include recommendations to connect with your senior loved one safely, whether via technology or in person, as well as a simple checklist to assess the COVID-19 risk each time you visit. All of these free guides are designed to help seniors stay home and stay healthy during the pandemic, and they can be found at HomeInstead.com/COVID-19.

"Our goal in sharing these materials," Green says, "is to make it as easy as possible for families in our community to ensure home - wherever that may be - is a safe and healthy environment for older loved ones, not just during this pandemic but for good."
Home Instead Senior Care for Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys 254-8701