A week ago Steve and I traveled up north in a motorhome with our son, his wife and our granddaughter who is just 7 months old. The baby was a good traveler, rarely fussing about being on the road so many hours. But while it is rewarding to have a content child, there is a different level altogether when that child smiles not to mention laughs.

The laughter of a child is music to whoever hears it. On Tuesday night it was a veritable concert of merriment that was heard at the grand opening of The Fire House at Rosemont and Foothill. The Fire House, named because the structure was the original site of Station 19, is a youth center, a product of a partnership between the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition, St. Luke’s of the Mountains and St. Geroge’s Episcopal Churches.

The grand opening was the opportunity for the community to see the result of the hard work that so many volunteers have done to transform the little stone cottage that fronts Foothill Boulevard into a vibrant place for our community’s children – to study, to talk, to have a safe place to hang out. On Tuesday, nearly a hundred people stopped by to grab a slice of pizza or a sandwich and to admire the newly painted walls, foosball and billiard tables and conversation areas. Many of these visitors were kids and it is hoped that they will return on Tuesdays when the center is open to just hang out. For some it will be a chance to enjoy each other’s company; for others, it will offer a sanctuary from turmoil that is found at school or at home. Two nights ago, it was wonderful to stand back and watch them play cards, pinball or pool, laughing and kidding each other at ease and comfortable.

Congratulations to the Coalition and to those who have worked to make sure that our kids have a place to hang out.

For those who might have missed the grand opening, The Fire House will be part of the annual Holiday Home Tour that Prom Plus is holding on Dec. 11. The tour is a fundraiser for Prom Plus, an organization that has like goals as the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition. The Prom Plus Holiday Home Tour showcases lovely homes in the area that are decorated for the Christmas holiday. This year, The Fire House will have its doors open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be decorated by the kids who frequent it. As a bonus, St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church, which owns The Fire House facility, will also open its doors.

St. Luke’s is where CV Weekly celebrated its one-year anniversary (pics available online at www.cvweekly.com, click on Photo Gallery). I was surprised to hear so many people comment that they had never been to St. Luke’s. It is a truly magnificent historic structure that reflects our foothills community. As a member of the Prom Plus committee, I am excited that The Fire House and church will be part of our tour.

Also on the tour is the home of the Richards family on Santa Carlotta Avenue. The Richards have a phenomenal holiday display each year that includes music that is synchronized with a light show. Crescenta Valley High School Principal Michele Doll will also have her home on the tour.

Located nearer to Kenneth Village, the Doll home is of historic significance and we’re delighted to include it in the tour.

Another showpiece to the south of us is the home of Dave Polk, owner of the Flintridge House at the Montrose/Glendale border. Dave opened the doors of Flintridge House last year for the tour and if his home reflects the beauty of his store, then tour goers are in for a treat.

Tickets for the Prom Plus Annual Holiday Home Tour are $25 and will be available in mid-November.

Hope to see you then.

  robin goldsworthy, Viewpoints