As most of you know, I bragged that a couple of weeks ago I bought a new car – well, new to me anyway. It’s a 2000 convertible Toyota Solara and I lost no time in putting the top down, tying on my scarf and putting on my sunglasses (gifts from Mary O’Keefe and her daughter Jessy) and heading south. (If you see a woman who looks like Jackie O, that would be me.) I have been having a ball and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

However, there is an unexpected downside to having my “own” car.

The boys and I have been sharing an older Camry for the last couple of years. We’ve had to work together to coordinate schedules to avoid anyone being late for appointments, school, sporting events, etc. Because we’ve done a lot of carpooling, we’ve had plenty of time to just talk. Talk about school, girl friends, jobs, etc. – subjects that popped up in the course of driving somewhere. Knowing as I do the preciousness of this type of spontaneous conversation, it is with a sad heart that I have come to realize that with Mom having her own wheels, those opportunities have dried up. Not entirely – it’s not like we’re a bunch of zombies at home – but those times when you’re driving provide a perfect chance to get reacquainted with each other, to catch up with what’s going on in each other’s lives.

Thankfully, we do get together as a family for dinner a couple of times a week but it isn’t entirely the same.

Who would have thought that having a “chore” like carpooling end would be cause for melancholy?

Rain, rain stay away.

This weekend is too jam packed with events to have wet weather get in the way.

What’s going on? you ask. Let me elaborate.

Saturday is a big day. Beginning at 8 a.m. is the Relay for Life rummage sale at the back of J’s Maintenance at 3550 Foothill Blvd. Several Relay teams will have tables to display the treasures they’re willing to part with. The money raised will offset the costs of participating in Relay, which takes place in May at Clark Magnet High School. The rummage sale lasts until 2 p.m.

Over at Two Strike Park is the annual Arbor Day celebration from 9 a.m.to 10ish. (Two Strike is located at 5107 Rosemont Ave.) The event moves to the auditorium at Monte Vista Elementary School if the weather does turn bad. (Monte Vista is located at 2617 Orange Ave. just west of Rosemont Avenue below the park). This year, the La Crescenta Woman’s Club is being recognized for the 100th anniversary.

In the quad at CV High School there will be an Outdoor Family Korean barbecue luncheon taking place on Saturday from

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The $10 ticket includes the full gourmet meal, one free raffle ticket and free live musical entertainment. CV High School is located at 2900 Community Ave. in La Crescenta.

While there you might as well stick around for the flag retirement ceremony at 3 p.m. This is a solemn occasion and an opportunity for residents to retire their battered Old Glory.

On Sunday, the bell will ring at Santa Anita for the Day at the Races. The gates open at 11 with the first race at 12:30. This fundraiser benefits the CV Chamber of Commerce and the Crescenta Valley Sheriff Support Group. Tickets are $25 for adults and include lunch, Thoroughbred racing, parking and official racing program. Organizer Rick Dinger will be on hand to offer “expert” handicapping advice. Hmmm – we’ll see about that. In any case, tickets are available at the CV Chamber of Commerce office at 3131 Foothill Blvd., ‘D’ in La Crescenta. But the chamber office is only open until 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday so make sure and stop by before then to get your tickets.

Hope to see you there!

  robin goldsworthy, Viewpoints