Changes for the Holidays

It’s already the second week of November – holy cow! One can’t help but think ahead to Thanksgiving taking place in just two weeks and on the heels of that is Christmas and all the wonderful things that entails.

I’m eager to share some changes that are going to take place this upcoming holiday season – and hope to let you know in the future of more events and activities that are tailor-made for our community.

As many of you know, the Friday after Thanksgiving is commonly known as “Black Friday” because for many merchants that is when their finances go from red to black. It is the biggest shopping day of the year and unfortunately can also be one of the most harried shopping days of the year.

We’ve all seen the news reports when folks – bellies still swollen from a Thanksgiving dinner – camp outside big name stores that promise bargain basement prices on (usually) limited quantities of popular items. The doors swing open at 4 a.m. and people surge inward running to grab that sought after merchandise.

Thankfully, the pace is a bit more civilized in the Crescenta Valley.

On Friday, Nov. 25 the Montrose Shopping Park Assn. is kicking off the holiday season by hosting “White Friday,” an event when many of the Montrose merchants are “whiting out” the sales tax on purchases, with the day culminating with a tree and park lighting ceremony complete with snow! There’s even carolers planned to serenade the crowd and usher in the holidays. The fun begins late Friday afternoon and I’m looking forward to taking part in the festivities.

The following week is the annual Montrose Christmas Parade. Thousands are expected to line both sides of Honolulu Avenue from the 2200 block west to wave hello to some of the biggest names in radio, television and business. Of course, there’ll be plenty of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies, plus marching bands from many of our schools. The grand marshals are Helen and Jack Nethercutt, founders of Merle Norman Cosmetics. The Nethercutts are also famous for their collections, perhaps best known for their expansive car collection, mechanical musical instruments and antique furniture. They have graciously offered four of their finest vehicles for to be displayed in the parade, weather permitting. For the third year, the staff of Crescenta Valley Weekly will be making its way down the avenue as well.     The parade begins at 6:10 p.m. on Dec. 3, but folks are encouraged to claim their viewing spot early.

The second Saturday in December is traditionally the holiday home tour and boutique benefitting CVHS Prom Plus. This year we are taking a break from the home tour portion of the day. As president of Prom Plus, I have to say that we just didn’t get the response we needed from homeowners in order to guarantee the successful tour that our supporters have come to expect.

Instead, Prom Plus is focusing its attention on an expanded, even more dynamic boutique at the beautiful courtyard at St. Luke’s of the Mountains at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Rosemont Avenue. CVHS parent Evelyn McCall is spearheading the boutique and is securing some vendors that will have high quality, hand made items that are perfect for gift giving or for completing home holiday decorating. Prom Plus will also have its popular bake sale and opportunity drawing. Musicians from Rosemont and Crescenta Valley High School will be performing throughout the day as well.

We’re going to be at St. Luke’s from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 10 – rain or shine – and look forward to seeing the familiar faces who come out for home tour every year plus new faces as well.

We appreciate the ongoing support for Prom Plus and while we’re disappointed that we won’t be hosting our annual home tour, we’re optimistic the community will visit our boutique.

And don’t count us out for home tour next year – we’ve got some phenomenal homes already lined up.

  robin goldsworthy