CVCA is very pleased the City of Glendale extended for a year the exclusive negotiating agreement with the Gangi Company for the Rockhaven project. Hopefully that will allow time to arrange financing for the historic rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Friends of Rockhaven will be hosting tours on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. See their web-page for more information: https://www.friendsofrockhaven.org/.

Also coming up this month is the Rockhaven Soirée & Silent Auction. It’s on Sept. 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the La Crescenta Woman’s Club, 4004 La Crescenta Ave. Check the Friends of Rockhaven Facebook page for more information.

Another worthy non-profit, Glendale Beautiful, will be awarding sustainable features and landscaping in homes at their Fall Awards Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Casa Adobe de San Rafael, 1330 Dorothy Drive, Glendale. In so doing, they hope to encourage others to also consider sustainable options. Donations will be accepted at the event. Snacks and refreshments will be served. In addition to encouraging sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping, Glendale Beautiful operates the Casa Adobe de San Rafael for the city. Volunteer docents open the Casa the first Sunday of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for self-guided or docent-led tours. Join us Oct. 1 to learn about the historic home built 1868-1871.

School has started for another year and, as usual, it seems the traffic is especially hazardous around schools. Many parents, or whoever is dropping off or picking up students, many times double park, park in red zones and crosswalks, make illegal U-turns, and make other dangerous maneuvers. Pedestrians and student drivers also frequently fail to exercise caution. As our schools become more specialized at every level, more students commute, although our schools were built when most kids walked or rode a bicycle to school. The Caltrans work on the 210 Freeway is sending frustrated commuters onto our few roughly east/west streets. Let’s all try to ease the situation by giving ourselves enough time in case we get caught in traffic, car pooling when we can, walking or bicycling to school where possible, and being very careful to always look out for others regardless of their mode of transportation.

This column is being written while water and fire retardant is being dropped on the Verdugos visible from my backyard. Like many Crescenta Valley residents, I vividly recall the Station Fire and didn’t get much sleep Friday night. I have that same helpless feeling, watching and waiting and unable to concentrate on much. It’s a good reminder to check that your emergency bag is ready with necessities, including current medicines for all the people and pets in the household, whether you live in the fire threatened neighborhoods or not. It’s also a good time to review your disaster supplies for “shelter in place” emergencies such as an earthquake. Food banks can use your canned goods that will be past the “use by date” in a few months and you can replace them with things that will be good for a couple of more years. Old bottled water can be used for houseplants or irrigating the yard. Doing all the things you can to be ready is better than worrying.

The next Crescenta Valley Community Association meeting will be Sept. 28 starting at 7 p.m. in the community room at the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd. Park in the upper lot accessed from La Crescenta Avenue. A representative from Wells Fargo will be there to discuss solutions for the variance request to legalize the fence rather than the required block wall at their recently opened branch at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue. Please join us, particularly if you live on Maryann below the new bank. We will also have updates on other local issues. Our meetings are free and open to the public.

  SHARON WEISMAN