“Coffee with Council” at Two Strike Park took place on Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. We provided updates on Council business and answered questions about the medians on Foothill, which began construction last month, and on the Two Strike Park tree project, among other items of community interest.

Speaking of the tree project, Mercy Santoro of LA County Parks & Recreation will present renderings at the next general meeting of the council on Sept. 20. The meeting will also include a presentation by the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority (AVCJPA), which consists of the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena and South Pasadena and the unincorporated areas of Crescenta Valley/Montrose within Los Angeles County. Earlier this year, the city councils and county approved the formation of the JPA and have begun work on the first five-year funding plan for the JPA’s Multiyear Subregional Programs (MSP). Funded through the voter-approved sales tax, Measure M, the Arroyo Verdugo communities must create their MSP plans in order to determine what projects to fund in the first five years.

Also on Saturday, the Town Council issued certificates of appreciation to members of the California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. and Glendale Police Dept.

As Supervisor Kathryn Barger relayed to the community in her weekly newsletter, these are special heroes: “I am so proud of our quick-thinking and brave sheriff’s deputies. This week, deputies rushed a 9-month-old baby to the hospital because he wasn’t breathing. On the way there, they performed CPR and resuscitated him. Because of the help of these brave first responders, the baby is alive and healthy!”

Recording Secretary Aram Ordubegian, Councilmembers Mariam Barnes, Jo Ann Stupakis and I were honored to join the 9/11 Motorcade honoring the men and women who lost their lives and the sacrifices made by heroes that fateful day, 17 years ago.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) report on the transfer of Sagebrush to La Cañada Unified from Glendale Unified has been released and the public has through Sept. 18 to register views to the LA County Committee on School District Organization. There will also be a public hearing on Oct. 3. We ask for community support to write or sign opposition letters (through Sept. 18) and to speak at the public hearing on Oct. 3. Keep our kids together!

On Saturday, Sept. 15, the 4th Korean Cultural Festival of the Korean American Federation of North Los Angeles will take place at La Cañada Memorial Park. It celebrates the traditional Korean Harvest Day with family, friends, and neighbors by sharing food, games, entertainment and Korean cultural performances. The Korean Harvest Day is about celebrating Korean Thanksgiving. Town Council Corresponding Secretary Sophal Ear and I, as we did last year, will attend.

Don’t forget, until Sept. 23 the Los Angeles County fair is open. As Supervisor Barger relayed: “This year, the theme is Route 66 … For inspiration during the planning process, Fairplex’s CEO Miguel Santana traveled from Illinois to California on Route 66 himself! After seeing the fair setup, I think he has really captured the spirit of the journey from the Midwest to Santa Monica.

“As always, there will be great rides, musical performances and food. To go along with the theme, there is also a featured menu with dozens of items for only $6.60.”

Mark your calendars! The Town Council and Crescenta Valley High School 12th Annual Community Pancake Breakfast takes place on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 7 a.m. to
11 a.m. at the CV High School quad, 2900 Community Ave. Underwritten by Los Angeles Supervisor Kathryn Barger, this is our main fundraiser for scholarships for high school seniors that we give out each year. Sponsors include our very own CV Weekly, Arick Gevorkian – Business Management Consultants, J’s Maintenance & Maid Service, Paul Barnes of Podley Properties, Bob Smith Toyota, Lena Hotoyan of Greater Pasadena New York Life, Crescenta Valley Insurance, Gelsinger’s Amber Road, American Savings, F.S., and Global Print Inc.

The challenges of the Foothill Freeway (I-210) closures for pavement rehabilitation continue. We heard from Caltrans reps at our August Town Council meeting, thanks to a request made by State Representative Laura Friedman. Some closures may start and end later. All closures are weather permitting and subject to change. Motorists can check traffic conditions before they leave by visiting the Caltrans Quickmap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.

We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 21 at our general meeting of the Town Council at 7 p.m. in the community room of the La Crescenta Library, 2809 Foothill Blvd.

Harry Leon is president of the Crescenta Valley Town Council.