By Mary O’KEEFE

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – well maybe a lot like the beginning of the holiday season with decorations having appeared at the tree in front of the La Crescenta Library at 2809 Foothill Blvd.

Last year Robbyn Battles, then Crescenta Valley Town Council president, wanted a centralized place in La Crescenta where the holidays could be celebrated as a community, where the lighting of a Christmas tree would be the kick off to the holidays. The La Crescenta Library at La Crescenta Avenue and Foothill Boulevard seemed to be the perfect place.

This year Battles, off CVTC now but still on the La Crescenta Christmas committee, is back with decorations in tow.

The town council is still involved in a volunteer capacity and decorating this corner of La Crescenta has become a community effort. The public has reached out to the committee members with suggestions, which have been taken into consideration when planning the second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

“There will be a lot of surprises for the community,” Battles said. “We tried this year to reach out to different segments of the community. [We want to] make this a celebration of gratitude and giving back to the community.”

Local students from elementary schools, including Lincoln, Monte Vista and Valley View, will be performing or creating special projects for the event. Crescenta Valley High School Charismatics will perform as will the band from the La Crescenta Baptist Church.

Community members will see a gradual decorating of the tree and the plaza in front of the library. Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation is helping with a bucket truck to reach the top of the tree while other businesses and members have supported the event through donations.

Friends of the La Crescenta Library are hosting a magician and other fun things for kids to do prior to the official beginning of the Dec. 1 event, along with providing hot chocolate and cookies for attendees.

This is a special event this year as there will be presentations for L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich.

“It will be almost the last event the supervisor will attend as our supervisor,” Battles said. “We are going to have a special ceremony to show our gratitude for [all he has done for CV].”

After more than three decades of service, Antonovich has been termed out of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. He has been a longtime supporter of La Crescenta including the building of the La Crescenta Library.

The tree lighting event begins at 5:30 p.m. with cookies and hot chocolate, games, music and magicians. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.

At present there are plans to close one lane of Foothill Boulevard from about Raymond Avenue west to just past the library. Last year there were so many people the crowds spilled onto the boulevard. Parking is also available at First Baptist Church of La Crescenta, 4441 La Crescenta Ave. The organizers are looking into getting a shuttle for those who would have difficulty walking to the event.

  Mary Okeefe