Thanking Her ‘Village’ The old proverb, “It takes a village…,” rings true in my heart. My son will be graduating from Crescenta Valley High School soon and as I reflect on the past few years I have become increasingly aware of all the people who have contributed to his development and maturity. Mountain Avenue Elementary […]
The Horned Toad House Crescenta Valley in its early days, the late 1800s and just after the turn of the century, was a get-away destination for businessmen and workers from the booming city of Los Angeles. Much in the same way as people today own weekend cabins in Big Bear, people had vacation residences in […]
Our Not-So-Small Town Our son has lived in Montana for the past two years and came home for a long-awaited visit this past week. This is a guy who was born and raised right here in the Crescenta Valley, although he has always felt like a misplaced soul – having a personality and passion for […]
Helping State Parks Like many Americans, I enjoy taking my family on the road for vacation. I turn to our state parks and open spaces to educate my daughter about plants and animals, to get back in touch with nature, and to find solace from the stress of modern urban life. To keep our parks […]
The Bandit Vasquez and Dunsmore Canyon: Just Another Legend? The bandit Tiburcio Vasquez raided all over California from the 1850s into the 1870s. Not only did he make a name for himself, but he also left his name on many important landmarks in the Los Angeles area. Most local communities trace some historical connection to […]
She Lights Up My Life My wife has never met a light she doesn’t want to leave on. There, I said it. To be fair, and to prove the old axiom that opposites attract, I can be more than obsessive when it comes to turning lights off. My dear wife and kids can easily recite […]
Don’t drink. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t get in a car with someone who’s been drinking. This includes pot and every other drug. Stay with your friends and take care of each other. Text me the signal word and I’ll call. I’ll come and get you, no questions asked. You will be punished if you […]
The Bandit Vasquez and the Crescenta Valley Tiburcio Vasquez is one of the most colorful figures in California history. This bandit, both feared and admired, terrorized California from the 1850s until his capture in 1874. He was a romantic figure – handsome and literate. He fashioned himself as a Robin Hood figure, robbing only the […]
From Sad to Mad in Two Blocks I find myself driving along Foothill Boulevard at least once or twice on any given day. No matter how often I pass by certain landmarks, some of them always make me say either “Wow!” or “Wh-what?!?” Like the still impressive architectural beauty of our new L.A. County Public […]
It was easier to learn about parenting before middle school. There were books, playgroups and the kindness of strangers. Time passed; times changed. But useful advice is still needed, and here’s a great way to get some. For the next five Tuesdays, take advantage of Tips for Parents of Teens, a partnership of GUSD, the […]