What's that advice everyone seems to offer - slow down to appreciate this special time of year? Something like that? Well, after months of driving past homes with carved pumpkins and spiderweb-decked bushes, then those deformed squashes that people put on their porch for Thanksgiving, and of course Christmas lights and decorations, I assure you: I have fully noticed, registered, acknowledged and pushed the very limits of appreciation for this special time of year, thank you very much. But as grumbly as that may sound, there's something comforting about the unending nature of the holiday spirit. It's one of those things that's never really over.

Travis Likes Rollercoasters
People have talked about the demise of Six Flags before. That chatter has resurfaced, even after the merger with Cedar Fair last year. Some parks are set to close, and Six Flags Entertainment Corps added $100 million in debt in a single quarter this year. Yet look to Santa Clarita's western skyline, and Goliath is still Goliathing. One further sign that the brand is still kicking came when Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and other investors bought a 9 percent stake in Six Flags. Why? He's explained that he grew up loving theme parks and wants to help turn things around. You can dislike Kelce's team, or you can dislike his fiance's latest album, but you can't hate on his hopes of revitalizing parks for families to enjoy.
In the midst of these transactions, Disney reminded us that they're very much in Santa Clarita, too. The night sky above Golden Oak Ranch lit up with hundreds of shining drones in precise formations, making the shimmering manta ray from "Moana" and more. The captivating scenes of what was apparently a rehearsal exploded across social media with rampant speculation. Disney's "imagineering" is never really over - perhaps there's a lesson there for Six Flags.
Burned
The unravelling of just what happened in the deadly Palisades Fire has been a slow burn of shock and disbelief. Not long ago, officials announced that the arsonist who set the initial fire had been brought into custody. He was painted as a pyromaniac Uber driver who ignited the flames just as the New Year rolled in. We heard details about his alleged AI-generated fantasies of watching the world burn. Authorities explained that the fire he set was extinguished above-ground, but it burned through plant roots underground for days until it resurfaced in the fierce winds blowing on January 7.
There were clear hopes to present the arrest as a victory at the initial press conference, but almost immediately, journalists began asking why the first fire hadn't been fully extinguished. In the following weeks, we've heard about orders for firefighters to leave a still-smoldering scene. There was technology that could have helped detect potentially-dangerous hotspots, but thermal imagery wasn't ultimately used. Hikers filmed and communicated their concerns even after crews left. We've all learned that SoCal fires can keep going, even after they seem to be over, and the aftermath will be smoldering for even more years to come.
Changing Seasons
At some point during the holidays, you'll need to take some quiet moments for yourself. The stress of making holiday magic for the kids and hosting finicky family members can put anyone on edge, so it's important to decompress regularly - definitely before you decide to abandon everything and join a cult in the hinterlands of Sand Canyon. When you do take this break, just look around you. November and December are the peak of our fall foliage, and the hills have already greened up with early rains. It's a little like fall, winter, and spring all at once this year.
And while looking around, ask yourself if you hear any birds singing. That's what I do for one of my favorite Santa Clarita holiday traditions, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The nationwide count has been happening for over a century, and Santa Clarita's for over two decades. Birders tally and identify every bird they encounter, then send the data to help inform conservation efforts. Through the years, everything from roadrunners to larks to a spotted owl has been seen. Nature reminds us that special times in the SCV are never over but just shift with the seasons, and there's something to heart about all of them.
This column is intended as satire and a (sometimes successful) attempt at humor. Suggestions and catty comments intended for the author can be e-mailed to iheartscv@insidescv.com.