Praising the Crescenta Valley

This past week has been, well, exhausting and exhilarating. Emotionally I’ve been battered about, which is exhausting, but not surprisingly the community has stepped up to show its support, which is exhilarating.

I’ve been a member of the Crescenta Valley community for over 40 years. I’m the president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, the former president of Prom Plus (which hosts a post-prom event for Crescenta Valley High School seniors and their guests to keep them safe after the prom) and on the boards of the Glendale Kiwanis and the Salvation Army, among others.

My husband and I started Crescenta Valley Cable in 1982 (we sold it in 1990) and I launched the Crescenta Valley Weekly in 2009. If you remember, I used to work for the Crescenta Valley Sun but after its parent company, the LA Times, closed the CV Sun I was out of a job. I went home and told Steve, “We need to start a newspaper.” He responded that we had enough money to redo the kitchen or launch the paper.

I still have the ugliest kitchen in La Crescenta.

But I have the best newspaper.

I’m proud to serve on the many organizations listed above and have met some fantastic people. Typically these people are also hard working, meaning they balance their volunteer work with their jobs … not an easy task. Without them and their dedication many of the nonprofit and volunteer organizations probably wouldn’t be around; we should all be grateful.

The chamber, for example, is planning two upcoming business mixers. These are an opportunity for its members to “mix and mingle,” getting to know other business owners and residents in the area.

The first mixer is on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Fire House youth center, 2563 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta. According to the St. Luke’s website (the Fire House is located on the grounds of St. Luke’s), the Fire House is used as a meeting center and safe house for local middle schoolers and teens. The Fire House serves as a safe place for teens to hang out, do homework and share fellowship. The Fire House serves a pancake breakfast once a week, on banking day, to middle schoolers who attend nearby Rosemont Middle School. This breakfast regularly serves over 100 students and the people who provide breakfast are all volunteers. The food they serve is donated (donations are always welcome).

The St. Patrick’s Day-themed mixer is on Thursday, March 7 at Bob Smith Toyota. Highlighted will be the distribution of grants from the Mary Pinola/CV Chamber Education Fund, which supports programs or projects in the Crescenta Valley. This mixer is in preparation for the Smart A Thon, a major fundraiser for the Mary Pinola/CV Chamber Education Fund that takes place on March 27.

Attendance to these mixers costs just $15 for Chamber members, $20 for nonmembers, payable at the door.

Plan now to attend!