By Mary O’KEEFE

The La Crescenta community came together on Thursday for the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the La Crescenta Library.

The event saw well over 100 people in attendance and was one of the last events attended by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich. Community members spoke of Antonovich’s leadership and guidance throughout his career, and thanked him for his support of the Crescenta Valley.

Fire House youth center President Jimmy Moreno and vice president Jessica Kovasic presented Antonovich with a Fire House skateboard. The board was designed by Fire House teens and Moreno read comments from Cooper Iven, who was not able to be at the event. Iven along with Corbin Southworth led a group of Fire House skaters to create and helped to design the new CV Skate Park.

This is the second year that there has been a tree lighting ceremony in La Crescenta. It was the idea of then-president of the CV Town Council Robbyn Battles. Though she has left the town council, she continues to promote and organize the ceremony, and she decorates the tree with the artistic input of CVTC member Lisa Griffin and others in the community.

Before the tree lights came on, the Friends of the Library hosted refreshments and hot chocolate for all who attended, and provided other donations for the evening as well. Live music was provided by the First Baptist Church-La Crescenta band, the Crescenta Valley High School Charismatics and the Eaglettes from Valley View Elementary School. The audience stood for the flag salute and presentation of colors.

After the tree lighting Antonovich made his way to the library’s community room where he read a book to children and talked to community members who wanted to personally thank him for his years of service.

The lighted tree can be seen nightly at the library at 2809 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

  Mary Okeefe