Many times when I sit down to write this column, I wonder what I’m going to write about. I generally will go over in my mind the things that are going on in town or what is going on in my life that I think may be of interest to you. Sometimes I hit the mark, and sometimes I’m off.

But this week it wasn’t hard at all for me to figure out what to write about. I mean, what better time than Thanksgiving to write about gratitude? The question was where to start.

When the LA Times chose to close the CV Sun in July and I found myself out of work, I couldn’t help but scratch my head. Why would they shut down a paper that was so obviously important to our community? But the big boys didn’t know – or understand – our community and it didn’t take long at all for me to realize what a mistake they had made. It was then that I decided to nose around to see if leaders in our community felt the same and – most importantly – would financially support the launch of a home grown, independent paper. What was surprising was the level of support I received.

I knocked on Chris Waldheim’s door at J’s Maintenance and proposed my idea. Chris sat and talked with me and by the end of the conversation had pulled out his checkbook. Kris and Kim over at Merle Norman Cosmetics in Montrose did the same. Stuart Perlitsh at Glendale Area Schools Federal Credit Union was actually the first advertiser to climb on board the CV Weekly bandwagon. Dave Drucker at Verdugo Hills Contact Lens and Maureen Palacios of Once Upon A Time were also eager to show their support.

A neighbor of mine asked me at one point if it was all about the money; was that why the Sun had been closed down? Simply put, the answer is yes. Believe me when I say that without the financial commitment of our business leaders, there’s no way I could present this paper every week. When you see an advertiser in this paper, it is a business saying, “I believe in you; I believe the foothill community deserves its own paper and I want to be a part of that.”

Once I received the commitment of our business leaders I searched for the talent that would make the CV Weekly come alive. I am most thankful that the stars were aligned and Mary O’Keefe, who had recently left employment with the Glendale NewsPress, was willing to give the Crescenta Valley Weekly a try. I mean, let’s face it: there’s no other reporter as connected to our community as she and I am grateful for her support.

Jim Chase and Mike Lawler were at my side, ready to offer a column every week.

Photographers Leonard Coutin and Greg Cook give me outstanding photos each edition.

Of course, without readers a paper is nothing more than something in which to wrap fish. From day one, the community – you – have embraced this paper, offering letters of encouragement and writing a check for the $52 a year subscription. There are still many folks who are surprised to learn that they can support us by paying for a subscription. After all, they find the paper in their driveway almost every Thursday. However, it’s the subscribers who have stepped up and said that this paper is meaningful and have plunked down the cash to make sure it continues.

Then there’s the staff here that answers the phones, designs the pages and visits prospective advertisers. Every week we’re trying our best to bring you a product that you’re eager to receive.

I can’t forget my friends and family who have stood by me offering encouragement and direction.

So it is with an attitude of gratitude that I say thank you to our business partners, our community members, our staff and all those who have given so much so one woman could try and do what the “big boys” didn’t think was worth doing.

Thank you.