Summer is Quiet? Not So Much

Who says summer time is quiet time? Granted, there is a sigh of relief as prom (and Prom Plus) and graduation are behind us, and when you read this, July 4th is also over. (We had to go to press early, so this week’s issue doesn’t have photos from last night’s display. If you can’t wait until next week’s issue, take a minute and visit www.cvweekly.com for our view of the annual fireworks show at La Crescenta Elementary).

As an indicator of how busy summer time is, last weekend was crazy busy in the foothills.

On Friday, the quick response by the Montrose Search & Rescue Team averted the drowning of an 18-month-old little girl. The circumstances leading to her rescue were serendipitous at the very least.

Members of the Montrose Search & Rescue Team were in the Angeles National Forest continuing their search for missing man Ertug Ergun. The consul general from Turkey had driven up to the site to personally thank the team for their efforts and Mary O’Keefe was there with them. Minutes after the team was thanked and had returned to their search, the call came out that a baby had been found face down in a nearby creek.

You may have seen Mary O’Keefe’s photos of the incident on KTLA on Monday evening. You can read her news story (on page 6) and her personal perspective (on page 9) of this unbelievable rescue in this week’s issue.

Saturday had three fantastic events happening. The 11th Annual Hot Rod & Classic Car Show Independence Block Party kept Honolulu Avenue hopping on Saturday. Crowds of auto enthusiasts poured onto the avenue for a chance to check out all the cool chrome. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend due to the fall I took last week. (Thank you to everyone who took the time to wish me well – I really appreciate it.)

Writer Michael J. Arvizu and staff photographer Leonard Coutin were on Honolulu, though, to bring you a terrific overview of this favorite event. The story and pictures are on page 5.

A different kind of show also took place on Saturday – the American Heroes Air Show at Hansen Dam.

My husband, being a recreational helicopter pilot, was involved in this event and the day couldn’t have gone better. Hundreds showed up at the event grounds to see the aircraft that help save lives every day. Mary O’Keefe had a chance to stop over there and you can see her pictures of the day also on page  5.

Saturday was also a historic event here in the valley – the celebration of the acquisition of the land known as the Rosemont Preserve.

That was an event I attended and I’m so glad I did. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the members of the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy who spearheaded this acquisition and to have the chance to meet Terry Villanueva and her son Justin Whelan. They agreed to sell the 7.5-acre parcel to the conservancy. Folks showed up to take a docent-led tour and learn about the various plants that have claimed the area – some of which will be extracted per naturalist Roger Klemm.

I for one am very excited about the acquisition and to paraphrase fellow CV resident Mike Veselich, our community has begun an exciting journey.

You can read my account (with help from Mary O’Keefe) of the Rosemont Preserve celebration on page 3.

Sunday was a rewarding day as well with the arrival at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church of flags to replace those that had been stolen in May. And these weren’t delivered by just anyone. Sen. Adam Schiff came by personally to deliver a new American flag.

Other dignitaries also made sure to stop by with flags representing their heritage.

You can see all the flags proudly displayed at the St. Luke’s property at Rosemont and Foothill – and of course read the story in this week’s paper.

Robin Goldsworthy is the publisher of the Crescenta
Valley Weekly. She can be
reached at robin@cvweekly.com
or (818) 248-2740.