I would like to extend a hearty “Thank You” to Alissa and her crew at Ocean View Bar and Grill for a great dine out night for the Crescenta Valley  Chamber of Commerce.  The food was delicious (lots of it) and everyone was so friendly and accommodating—you felt like home!  I also made some new friends. Best of all, the money raised will help the Chamber of Commerce continue to provide successful events for the community to come together for hometown businesses to benefit from our advocacy, and to provide scholarships for our young people.

It was a win-win and I know I’ll be back to dine there. 

Thanks, Alissa, for being a part of our community!

Camille Levee

Board Member, CV Chamber

Dear Dr. Cohn,

First of all, you will be comforted to know our event was peaceful and none of the guests felt their safety or that of La Canada was in jeopardy. In fact, the protestors out front found us rather boring and left early.

In regard to your partisan editorial, we obviously have a difference of opinion on many levels; however, I will state this on the issue of George Papadopoulos: In my opinion, the final chapter on Mr. Papdopoulos’ unfortunate and unjust circumstances is still in production.  Dr. Cohn, I hope you agree that in a civil society, even partisans can agree to disagree and respect each other’s right to do so. Since we are in the time of High Holidays, it seems fitting to insert the wisdom of a local Rabbi, “We are so fortunate to live in a country that guarantees our free speech.”

“G’mar Hatima Tova.” 

LoisLee Brand Billings, President, GBRA

(Speaking for myself)

A Spirit of Fear

I was in a Ralphs market in Glendale earlier this month on a hot Friday night around 10 p.m. The power failed and the lights, running on emergency backup only, suddenly became very dim. There was an immediate outcry.

A father, while shielding his toddler in the [shopping] cart, loudly said, “What the *&%* is going on!?”

I was near the back of the store and immediately two separate mothers with children gathered close, came near and asked, “Is something bad happening?” “Are we okay?”

[Though] the automatic doors failed, several people rushed to the doors while a young store employee was trying to force them open. Another young employee was apologetically reassuring people who could no longer check out to just leave their carts and head home.

I tried to reassure the mothers who were near me, and the father with the toddler, that this was just a typical summer overload and there was no reason to be afraid.

What bothered me, though, was just how quickly a normal, SoCal event became a frightening thing for people.

I was in a similar situation in a supermarket 20 years ago and it was met mostly with humor: “With the price of these groceries you’d think they could pay their power bill!”

This was very different. It both unsettles me and makes me sad that there is so much unspoken fear just below the surface for a fair percentage of our fellow citizens.

William Martinez

Los Angeles