Glendale College, Lighting Survey Results Among Topics at Next CVTC Meeting

I hope that everyone so far has had a wonderful and pleasant summer. The start of a new year in our La Crescenta schools is around the corner. Thanks to parents’ efforts to save summer, the school year is starting later this year than in previous years.

Speaking of schools, Dr. David Viar, Glendale Community College’s superintendent and president, will update the Crescenta Valley Town Council on GCC at our next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the La Crescenta Library. Three years have elapsed since the council was last updated, and GCC is celebrating its 90th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 30 with the theme “Reaching for the Stars.” Let’s congratulate GCC on its first 90 years as we look forward to another 90 years of outstanding performance. According to the Los Angeles Times in 2015, “Among the 21 community colleges across Los Angeles County, Glendale Community College ranked at the top of the list in the percentage of students who transferred to four-year schools between 2008 and 2014. During that time, 47.4% of Glendale Community College students transferred to four-year universities, compared to the 46.5% of students who transferred at Pasadena City College and the 44.8% at Santa Monica College, which ranked second and third, respectively, on the list.”

Also on the agenda for our Aug. 17 Town Council meeting is the presentation of the lighting survey results followed by discussion. An overwhelming number of responses came in, which is especially heartening given the intensity of the issue. Come to the Town Council meeting to find out where our community stands on lighting; as of this writing, I am in as much suspense as you are.

As was announced at the July Town Council meeting, the American Legion Post 288 & VFW Post 1614 will hold their 6th Annual Community Bingo Night on Friday, Aug. 18 at Healy Hall – Holy Redeemer Church, 2361 Del Mar Road in Montrose. Check-in is at 5:30 p.m., and food will be available for purchase at that time, too. The first game will be called at 7 p.m. Proceeds will benefit veterans in the community. Each bingo game will pay $100 or more. Admission is $15.

With respect to fundraisers, looking ahead to September, the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station will hold its annual rummage sale on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and our Town Council will hold its annual pancake breakfast at Crescenta Valley High School that same morning. The pancake breakfast is a major source of funds for the scholarships we give away each year. Stay tuned and mark your calendars!

In a bit of good news, as some of you may have noticed who receive Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s weekly 5th District Newsletter, on Aug. 1 the board of supervisors unanimously approved Supervisor Barger’s motion to direct the Dept. of Mental Health to move forward in developing a database that would track mental health resources countywide. According to the supervisor, “Right now, locating readily available and effective mental health treatment resources is a significant challenge for both the individual in need and first responders who are trying to help. Providing easy access to a quality continuum of care services is critical. This motion is a proactive effort to create a streamlined and accessible system to better serve those struggling to find treatment and service options.”

The Town Council looks forward to this database being created for the benefit of our community, as it will surely save lives.

Last but not least (and the bane of our existence this past year), the Foothill Freeway (I-210) closures for pavement rehabilitation continue. Caltrans will close portions of the I-210 through August: the westbound Angeles Crest Highway (Loop) on-ramp and the westbound Ocean View Boulevard off-ramp. Caltrans states that “residents and local businesses located near the freeway may experience noise, vibrations and dust associated with construction activities. Noise levels will not exceed state and federal regulations. Water trucks will be used to minimize dust during working hours.”

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. in the community room of the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd., for the Town Council’s next general meeting.

  Harry LEON