2010 La Cañada Fiesta Days Parade

Posted on 31. May, 2010 by kchristieh in local news

I love this town, where:

• There are more people in the parade than watching it
• Participants finish the parade with one group, then drive back to the beginning of the route to ride with another
• Girl Scouts get to ride on fire trucks
• Preschoolers decorate their trikes/bikes/strollers, etc.
• I can walk up to the corner 10 minutes before the parade starts and get a perfect seat
• Local businesses hand out drinks and coupons
• A Rose Princess is scootering in front of the entry for a Mexican restaurant aptly-named “Los Gringos Locos”, which is towing a band called “Misplaced Priorities”
• Every year we get to see miniature trucks and Smokey the Bear

Check out these pictures and be happy.  :)

Please and Flash to view this Flash video.

Happy Memorial Day!!

Panera Bread coming to La Cañada!

Posted on 27. May, 2010 by kchristieh in local news

After years of rumors, there’s finally physical evidence that Panera Bread is moving into the Sport Chalet shopping center at the corner of Foothill Blvd. and Angeles Crest Highway. We can’t wait!

Here’s the sign that’s posted on the fence on Angeles Crest:

Does anyone know when it’s expected to open?

Rice Krispies Treat symbolizes a new day for beleaguered city

Posted on 14. Mar, 2010 by kchristieh in food, local news

Once upon a time, a truck crashed. Then a bigger truck crashed. Then came fires. Then mudslides. Finally, the fair and gentle citizens of La Canada Flintridge gathered together to build a big, magical Rice Krispies Treat that would make all their troubles disappear. **POOF** Nothing bad ever happened again.

The End.

Volunteers desperately needed to build Rice Krispies Treat

Posted on 13. Mar, 2010 by kchristieh in food, local news

Help!!! The people building the World’s Largest Rice Krispie Treat at the Community Center of La Canada need more people to help them complete the task tonight! Head on over to the Community Center, and they’ll put you to work bagging marshmallows (my specialty), scooping butter, mixing ingredents, and more. All ages welcome. Be a part of La Canada history!

While you’re at it, you might make it onto the new reality tv show, “Mega Bites.” Woohoo! Learn more in my previous post.

See you at the carnival tomorrow, 1 pm – 4 pm.

“Building a Healthier Community” Fair 2/27

Posted on 22. Feb, 2010 by kchristieh in health

Eat free food, listen to live music, meet local politicians and celebrities and get your H1N1 flu shot all at once. There’s even a drawing for great prizes. What could be more fun? Check out the “Building a Healthier Community” Fair this Saturday at LCPC. More details are below.

After spending Saturday being healthy, you can join State Senator Carol Liu in walking in the Chinatown Firecracker Run this Sunday, 2/28. See more information here. This is a great opportunity to get to know your State Senator. Download the pdf here and bring it on the day of the run along with a check for $22 made out to the Los Angeles Firecracker Run Committee. It’s a $5 discount off the regular price. Meet at Senator Liu’s booth at the start line on North Broadway, Los Angeles at 7am. Please RSVP to or call .

Ashes to ashes, and now to my house

Posted on 28. Oct, 2009 by kchristieh in animals, local news

Yesterday’s strong winds blew so much ash off the local mountains that the skies above La Canada looked like a storm was brewing. It’s good that there wasn’t a storm, as we’re not eager for the debris that is likely to flow down the canyons that were ravaged by the recent Station Fire, but it would be nice to have a little rain to wash away some of the ash that landed everywhere.

My dog wasn’t bothered by the ash. He just jumped right over it. Someday I’ll get a better action shot of him jumping like a gazelle. He does this every time he comes inside.

All of that blackness is ash and dust. It makes me wonder exactly what burned to cause it.

Map of expected debris flow from impending rains

Posted on 07. Oct, 2009 by kchristieh in environment, local news

The Greek, Hindu and Japanese systems of thought believe that there are five classical elements: Fire, Wind, Water, Earth and Aether. Our foothills have already had Fire, thankfully not accompanied by too much Wind, but we await the Water that will rain down and probably make the Earth flow in rivers of mud.

The Los Angeles Times blog has a posting titled Federal scientists say risk of mudslides from Station fire extremely high that shows a map of where the mud is likely to flow into our communities if it rains as much as forecasters expect. Unfortunately, the map isn’t at a high enough resolution to easily tell which streets will be impacted. I’ve overlaid it to a Google map to help see which streets in La Canada Flintridge are likely to be in the path of a mud flow.

Here’s the map from the LA Times blog:

Here’s a Google Map covering the same area:

Here’s an overlay of both maps with streets highlighted:

What can be done to prevent this? Simply put, either remove the debris before it flows down, block it once it gets here, or get out of the way. All would be quite difficult, given the terrain, the budget crunch, and the permanent structures in the way. Hopefully the County, the City, and homeowners will do what they can before the rains come.

“I’ve seen fire, and I’ll see rain. I’ll see muddy flows that I hope will find an end.” (apologies to James Taylor)

Why you should vote for Neal Millard for La Canada School Board

Posted on 21. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in education, politics

When Neal Millard asked me to be one of his campaign managers for his run for La Canada Unified School District Governing Board, I said “yes” in an instant. I’ve known Neal since our days on the LCF Educational Foundation board, and he’d always impressed me with his ability to ask probing questions and articulate wise positions.

The more I learn about Neal, the more impressed I become. Because his law practice concentrates on charter schools, he’s exposed to creative solutions to problems that plague many schools, including our own. He also has extensive experience in school finance, and is eager to bring parents, teachers, administrators and students together to make our schools the best they can be.

You can learn more about Neal at the website I created for him at www.nealmillard.com. (My favorite page is the Contact page – love that graphic at the top!)

Please if you’re a registered voter here and would like to endorse Neal!

Giving thanks

Posted on 11. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in local news, tv

This evening the citizens of La Canada Flintridge gathered to pose for a group picture which will accompany thank you cards which the city will send to each agency that sent personnel to fight the awful fire that burned here last week and is still burning in Angeles National Forest. I was so impressed by the outpouring of appreciation from so many people. This is a great place.

Many members of the media showed up. I made it to the 10 pm newscast on CBS2/KCAL9 here in Los Angeles.

I hope that next time I’m in the news it’s for something more upbeat. I can’t imagine the courage it takes to be a firefighter, or the pain the families of the fallen firefighters are feeling now.

Don’t forget: Meet at 9:00 am on Saturday, Sept. 12th at the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge to carpool to Dodger Stadium for a memorial service for Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones. Even if you didn’t know them personally, and most of us didn’t, it’s still meaningful to show how much our community appreciates the ultimate sacrifice they made for us.

Links:

• Pasadena Star News article: Residents near Station Fire thank firefighters, law enforcement
• CBS2/KCAL9 newscast
• Camera snaps ‘Thanks’ from La Cañada

One last fire shot, as seen from La Canada High School last Friday

Posted on 08. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in local news

This photo of the fire in Angeles Forest was taken from the parking lot at La Canada High School last Friday, Sept. 4th around 4:30 pm, looking east towards Pasadena. If my kids had been willing to sit in the parking lot for awhile, I could have taken a fantastic time-lapse video of it. You could see the plume growing by the second. A half hour later, this was gone. I think it collapsed upon itself. FYI, the mountain is about 5,700 feet elevation at the point we’re viewing.

How you can show appreciation to the firefighters and other emergency workers

Posted on 04. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news

I’m incredibly impressed by the eagerness of everyone in this community to express appreciation to the firefighters and other agencies who helped to save our homes and keep us safe. They risked their own health and safety to do so, and some of them have lost their homes, suffered injuries, or even lost their lives.

This morning I attended a meeting at La Canada City Hall to brainstorm ways in which the community can band together to show that it cares. More details will be forthcoming, but we’re eager to work together as a team to show the magnitude of our gratitude.

Please save the following dates and times. Please wear red, white and/or blue to each of them.

• Thurs., Sept. 10th at 5:30 pm: Picture at Memorial Park of as many citizens as possible to include with thank-you cards to every department and agency that helped.
• Sat., Sept. 12th at 9:00 am: Meet at the Community Center of La Canada parking lot to carpool to the memorial service at Dodger Stadium for LA County Firefighters Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones, who gave their lives fighting the fire.

Please note that all events and efforts described here are for anyone to attend, not just La Canadans. I don’t know what’s being organized in neighboring communities, but we’re all one when it comes to thanking these brave men and women.

Firefighting agencies expressed to Mayor Laura Olhasso that they would rather not have a party or picnic in their honor. After the fires are put out, they’d rather return home to spend much-appreciated time with their families. Therefore, the city will put its effort into raising funds to distribute to the fallen firefighters’ families, other firefighters who have lost their homes or been injured, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, LA County Firefighters, and other agencies that have helped in this effort. Please check back to see more details about where how donations will be accepted.

I am in awe of people who put their lives on the line so that others may be saved. They should be honored as the heroes they truly are.

Paint your car and tie a yellow ribbon to thank the firefighters and other emergency personnel

Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news

Looking for a good way to thank the firefighters and other emergency personnel for all the hard work they’re doing? There’s a grassroots effort to spread the word that people should paint their cars with phrases such as “Thank you, firefighters!” or “Thanks for saving us from the fires!” My daughter and a friend painted my car last night:

They used “Go Team” glass markers that they purchased at Michaels. (Amy B. says they’re in Aisle 5 of the Glendale Michael’s.) If you don’t have glass markers, some people have said you can use shoe polish. Either way, hopefully it’ll encourage emergency personnel to see how much we appreciate all they’re doing. If you know Lisa S. in La Canada, you can stop by her house between 3 pm – 5 pm (“ish”) and her daughter and some friends will paint your car for you. Lisa is also collecting for the families of the firefighters who died and for the Pasadena Humane Society.

There’s also been talk of tying yellow ribbons around the trees on Foothill Blvd. to honor the two firefighters that sacrificed their lives in this fire. I spoke to Mayor Laura Olhasso, and she said that’s fine. Is there someone out there who can lead this effort?

The city is also trying to determine the best “big” way to thank the firefighters and other emergency personnel. Many are from out of state, and we don’t know when their job will be done, so it’s tough to plan. Stay tuned.

Again, many, many thanks to everyone who’s putting their life on the line for us. You’re truly heroic.

Another great fire info resource: LA Times Interactive Map

Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in local news

The LA Times is updating an interactive map of the fire as it spreads from La Canada to La Crescenta, Tujunga, Altadena, Pasadena, Acton and…hopefully the list will stop there. You can zoom in and out, and click on an area to see the most updated information about it.

has also proven itself to be a great way to share/obtain information: Save a and see the constant updates.

Here are the other links I’ve found most useful:

• InciWeb: Incident Information System (regular updates with statistics)
• City of La Canada Flintridge (hourly updates)
• LA County Emergency Scanner (live audio feed of emergency personnel communications)

Update:

• AQMD Current Hourly Air Quality Data (map showing air quality in various parts of Southern California)

Drowning in smoke and concerned for neighboring towns

Posted on 30. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news

The sun is red, and the smoke is as thick as pea soup. The fires have receded here in La Canada, but they’ve fanned out to La Crescenta, Altadena, Pasadena, and Acton, which is over 10 miles to the north.

According to InciWeb, the fire

• Has burned over 35,200 acres;
• Is only 5% contained;
• Is being fought by 1,804 personnel.

Those people are heroes. We need to throw a parade or a big party for them and their families. It’s incredible that no structures burned here in La Canada, and I hope they can continue being that effective in neighboring communities.

Besides InciWeb, the most useful websites I’ve found for information are:

• City of La Canada Flintridge (hourly updates)
• LA County Emergency Scanner (live audio feed of emergency personnel communications)

The latter is amazing, but I had to turn it off after awhile. It was too stressful to have in the background.

So far, school is still set to open tomorrow. The district will notify parents by a phone call around 3:00 pm today to let us know what they’ve decided.

Now to convince my dog that he shouldn’t stay outside and bark at squirrels. I wonder how the squirrels are doing?

Here are some pictures I took yesterday around noon on my way back from giving a social networking talk to AAUW women in Carson.

Coming up the 110:

From the Glendale Freeway (2) near Eagle Rock:

From the transition from the 2 to the 210 Freeway:

La Canada fire update

Posted on 28. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in local news

Here’s a picture taken from the top of Chevy Chase at 1:15 pm today. It’s the same location as the pictures in the previous post.

The parts of the mountain that burned last night look like they’ve had a buzz cut. The fire’s definitely spread out since yesterday. I was down at the high school for the Back to School Teacher Luncheon, so I stopped by the Red Cross Evacuation Center. They said they’d only had a handful of people stop by, but they’ve got the North Gym all set up with cots in case people need a place to sleep. The Pasadena Humane Society is there, too, ready to help care for pets, and AllState insurance has a tent set up.

Hopefully no one will need any of this, but it’s good to know it’s there.

“Hernandez Quesadilla Salad” launches at Los Gringos Locos in La Canada

Posted on 09. Jul, 2009 by kchristieh in food, religion

If I get to Heaven and God says I can eat whatever I want, I’ll choose the following:

• A Hobee’s omelette and coffee cake for breakfast
• The “Hernandez Quesadilla Salad” from Los Gringos Locos for lunch
• My mom’s amazing sausage lasagne for dinner
• Mint chocolate chip ice cream mixed with brownies for dessert.

But since I’m here on Earth, I’m still determined to eat healthy food, so I’ll just stick to the “Hernandez Quesadilla Salad.” I think that Los Gringos Locos manager/owner Bent Hansen, my amiga Jody Platisa and I did a fantastic job of concocting the best salad north of the Rio Grande. I won the opportunity to develop a new dish at this year’s LCF Educational Foundation gala. It’s a win-win-win: the Foundation gets $1 every time it’s ordered for the next year, Los Gringos gets more business, and I get to finally eat a healthy, tasty Mexican salad.

The salad consists of two grilled tortillas with melted cheddar cheese between them, covered with romaine lettuce, an avocado pico de gallo salsa and the yummiest marinated grilled chicken strips you’ll ever taste. It’s served with a spicy tomatillo dressing on the side. I knew we’d done a good job, but when I had it the other day I was blown away by how amazing it is. I could eat it every day. Truly. I hope they keep it on the menu when the year is up.

Check it out! Here’s a picture of last year’s Foundation president, Deborah Weirick, me, and Bent, posing with the famous salad. It ran with this week’s Outlook article.

Check out the Valley Sun article. Ruth Longoria actually came down to Los Gringos Locos and took an action shot of me actually eating the salad. Too funny. It could have been a much worse picture, so I’m ok with it.

I can’t wait to eat the salad again!

La Canada Flintridge parcel tax passes with nearly 75% of the vote

Posted on 30. Jun, 2009 by kchristieh in economy, education, local news

La Canada Flintridge voters have overwhelmingly approved Measure LC, a tax of $150 per parcel to help fund local schools. Election results as of this evening indicate that nearly 75% of the votes approved of the tax. Some votes have yet to be counted, but they won’t bring the percentage below the 2/3 needed to pass the tax.

This will bring about $900,000 per year to our local school district. It won’t cover the whole shortfall the district will need to cover due to decreased state funding, but it’ll definitely help lessen the pain.

Thanks to all who supported Measure LC and our schools!!

It’s official: South Pasadena passed its parcel tax

Posted on 20. Jun, 2009 by kchristieh in education

In the past month,

• San Marino passed a parcel tax for $795
• South Pasadena passed a parcel tax for $288

Clearly, the residents of both of these communities are willing to pay to help their public schools.

I hope La Canada’s willing to pass a parcel tax for $150.

If you want to vote for this, get your ballot in NOW. They must be received by June 30th. Postmarks don’t count.

Have questions? Visit www.measurelc.org.

Why I’m voting “YES” on Measure LC, the La Canada parcel tax

Posted on 02. Jun, 2009 by kchristieh in local news

For years I’ve helped raise money for the La Canada public schools. If we didn’t raise private funds, our kids wouldn’t have 20 kids per teacher in Kindergarten – 3rd grade, art, drama and music at the elementary level, computers, or a librarian and a guidance counselor at the upper levels.

Unfortunately, the current California/national/international economic crisis means this isn’t enough. If local residents don’t step up and pass a parcel tax, our schools are going to have to drop programs and positions that are critical to maintaining our schools’ high standards.

Measure LC would raise property taxes a mere $150 per parcel. That’s less than the cost of a postage stamp a day. And yet, it would raise approximately $900K per year for the district. It still isn’t enough to avoid making any cuts, but it sure will help.

Please join me on voting “YES” on this crucial measure. It’s a mail-in vote only, so look for the ballot you probably received in today’s mail and send it in asap. It needs 2/3 majority to pass, so every single vote counts.

You can learn more about Measure LC at www.measurelc.org.

By the way, San Marino just passed a $795 parcel tax, which supplements the $295 parcel tax they already had That’s a community that values education! Let’s show that we are, too!

PTSA President 3.0: I have the gavel

Posted on 01. Jun, 2009 by kchristieh in education, local news, my life

Today I achieved the Triple Crown of PTA: I was installed as President of our high school’s PTSA. I’ve already been an elementary school PTA president and a junior high school PTA president, so I’m optimistic that those have prepared me well for this job. Unlike parenting, which gets more difficult as the kids get older, PTA President gets easier. At the elementary school I had 90 (!) positions under me, with numerous fundraisers, room representatives, docents and programs. When you added a dash of confusion over PTA bylaws, it got stressful at times. At the high school, we have only a few straightforward fundraisers, no room reps (our kids would kill us!), one program (Red Ribbon Week – any ideas?) and no docents. I’ve got a GREAT group of people on my Executive Board, and all have years of experience. I’m following in the steps of an amazing woman, and she’s done a wonderful job of paving the way.

We’re looking forward to another great year!

Help Ban Trucks on Angeles Crest Highway!

Posted on 27. Apr, 2009 by kchristieh in local news

Let’s make sure there’s not any more runaway truck accidents on Angeles Crest Highway! Here’s the following from Malia Mailes, who researched truck traffic on Angeles Crest Highway for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Click here to download this and fax it in.

---

My name is Malia Mailes and I am a La Ca̱ada Girl Scout working to make sure that trucks are permanently banned on Angeles Crest Highway. If you live in La Ca̱ada then you already know why Рto prevent more people from getting killed or injured from trucks that lose their brakes coming over the Crest and then crashing into the intersection at Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Blvd.

Our State Assembly Member Anthony Portantino has proposed a new law – AB1361 – that will make the temporary 90-day ban into a permanent ban. The bill will be voted on by the state assembly transportation committee on Monday, April 27, 2009. Please take a few minutes to show your support.

1) Fill in your name and address at the top.
2) Write why you want the law passed and why it’s important to our community.
3) Sign your name.
4) Fax it to Assembly Member Mike Eng, who is the chair of the Committee on Transportation at .
5) Fax a copy of what you just faxed to Assembly Member Eng to Assembly Member Anthony Portantino at .
6) If you are underage, you can still fax in a letter but please ask also your parents to fax one in. Please ask your friends too. It is not necessary to use the form I made. It is just for your convenience. You can send your letter in any format you want.

The State Assembly Committee on Transportation will meet Monday, April 27 so please try to get your faxes in before then.

Thank you,

Malia Mailes
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Date __________________________

The Honorable Mike Eng
Member, California State Assembly
Chair, Committee on Transportation
Fax:

Subject: Support to AB 1361

Dear Assembly Member Eng:

Sincerely,

cc: Assembly Member Anthony Portantino,  Fax:

The grade of Angeles Crest Highway is too steep for trucks: 6.5%

Posted on 04. Apr, 2009 by kchristieh in local news, startling statistics

For the last 7/8 of a mile before it reaches Foothill Blvd., Angeles Crest Highway drops 300′ in elevation. That’s 6.5%. According to Wikipedia, interstate highways are allowed a maximum 6% grade in mountainous or hilly areas.

I took down my geologic map from the wall and did some rough measurements. Here’s what I came up with:

Elevation at:

• Foothill Blvd. & Angeles Crest Highway: 1300′
• Lavender Lane & Angeles Crest Highway: 1600′, is 7/8 mile up the mountain from Foothill Blvd.
• Arroyo Summit Dr. & Angeles Crest Highway: 1800′, is 1.63 miles up the mountain from Foothill Blvd.

Here’s a rough chart, to scale, showing the elevation drop:

This grade is too steep for trucks, especially given that they have to come to a complete stop at the bottom to avoid hitting pedestrians, cross traffic and businesses. Trucks shouldn’t be allowed to drive through the mountains, only to reach this stretch of road.
Here’s a topographic map of the last few miles of Angeles Crest Highway north of Foothill Blvd. in La Canada:

Major accident occurs in La Canada – AGAIN! But this time, people died.

Posted on 01. Apr, 2009 by kchristieh in local news

At around 5:49 pm this evening, a car carrier coming down Angeles Crest Highway flew through the light at the bottom of the hill and smashed in the Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse. It took out several cars in the process, and killed at least two people. Many others were injured. The channel 9 reporter was on the verge of tears when she noted that one of the victims was a baby.

I had passed through the intersection just 12 minutes before, on my way to a meeting. Here’s a picture I took at 7 pm, when I returned:

This town is devastated. Not only is it tragic, but it’s senseless. It’s no surprise, as this has happened many times before. This past September 5th, I witnessed this big rig fly through the driveway between Hill Street Cafe and the bookstore. That time we got lucky: no one was injured. Same with the time that the septic truck lost its brakes.

Local Girl Scout Malia Mailes recently stood before the La Canada Flintridge City Council and CalTrans representatives and noted the outrageously high number of truck crashes at this intersection. She called on CalTrans to ensure that Angeles Crest Highway is not used at a truck route. On this news this evening, she said that she’d looked through CalTrans documents, and there was nothing that explicitly bars trucks from this route. The channel 4 news reporter read a statement from Mayor Laura Olhasso stating that the city had repeatedly asked CalTrans to take action, but they hadn’t.

Nothing changed, except our worst fears were realized.

The helicopters are still buzzing overhead, documenting the investigation for the local news. Hopefully further above, in heaven, the victims are at peace.

Links:

• “Collision Leaves Two Dead in LCF” (La Canada Valley Sun)
• “Truck slams into Calif. bookstore; 2 dead, 12 hurt” (NPR)
• “2 killed as truck collides with cars, slams into bookstore” (Los Angeles Times)
• “Around Town: A Sad Day for Our Town” by Anita Susan Brenner (La Canada Valley Sun)

You know you’re an adult in La Canada Flintridge when…

Posted on 29. Mar, 2008 by kchristieh in local news, social networking

• You’ve had to explain to people that you’re not from Canada.
• You’ve shopped at Ralphs even when Vons is closer.
• Even though Arco is cheaper, sometimes you go to other gas stations so you can use your credit card.
• You know that wherever you go in town, you’ll see someone you know.
• You tell your kids they won’t get away with anything in this town because someone will always find out and tell you.
• You know who Officer Smith is, and may have even appreciated him.
• You’d never dare drive over 40 on Foothill.
• You can count on one hand the number of friends who have moved out of town since you’ve lived here.
• You know what PCR, PCY, LCE, FIS, LCPC, LAFC, ALF, LCJBSA, Gala, Parent Ed, Fiesta Days and LCHS stand for.
• You can’t really figure out who all those kids are that go to school in the old FIS building are. But you’re pretty sure they’re not Scientologists.
• Your child played AYSO and LCJBSA.
• You sent your child to the Gollatz Cotillion.
• You love the concept of a bookstore here, but you admit to still buying books on Amazon.com.
• You’re often surprised when someone says they’re a Democrat.
• You love the Korean food at elementary school carnivals.
• You call the local freeway “The 210″ instead of “The Foothill Freeway.”
• You can’t wait for the sewer construction to end.
• You have either parrots or peacocks in your neighborhood, unless you have rattlesnakes and coyotes instead.
• If you’re a woman, you’re either in a book club or have been asked to join a book club.
• When you go to the library, you don’t browse: you pick up the books you ordered online.
• There are some people in town who everyone knows by their first name: Anthony, Jinny, Janice, Damon, Wendy, …
• Every adult you know in town has a child.
• You sometimes feel like a family with just two kids is small.
• Your children think that God made women with blonde hair, and men with brown hair.
• You’ve woken up at an insanely early hour to sign your kid up for preschool, camp, sports, summer school, parent ed., etc.
• You and your neighbors can’t agree on whether LCF is rural or suburban.
• You can’t believe you need to cross the street to get your mail.
• You love Trader Joe’s but hate its parking lot.
• You’ve marched in at least one Fiesta Days parade.
• You wish you had a funny little car like the Shriners in the parade do.
• You tell your kids never to drive into the mountains.
• Your teen has begged you to schedule her driving test in Newhall, even though Glendale is right next door.
• You hope your child won’t be at the high school in a big earthquake.
• You have a strong opinion about whether Home Goods going into the Sport Chalet Town Center is a good thing.
• You feel sorry for Penguins, but go to Pinkberry anyway.
• You don’t miss Hidden Treasures. Is it really gone?
• You think the town has enough banks, cleaners and hair salons.
• You either drive a big car, a luxury car, or a Prius.
• After a few years here you can recognize people from behind by their hair or the way they walk.
• You’ve given money to supplement public education funding.
• You read the Valley Sun and the Outlook cover to cover each Thursday.
• You have a favorite Mexican restaurant and a favorite pizza parlor in town.
• You forget you’re on top of a freeway when you’re at Memorial Park.
• When your kids were little, they loved running up and down the hill at the park during Music in the Park.
• You go to Pasadena to see most of your movies.
• As illogical as it may seem, you know that the exit to In-N-Out is after the exit for the 134.
• You scan the Rose Parade program to make sure not to miss the La Canada float.
• It drives you crazy when people say “Hahamonga” instead of “Hahamongna.”
• You’ve argued with people who think that JPL is in Pasadena.
• If you live in Flintridge, you only call it that if you’ve lived there more than 20 years. Otherwise, you say you live in La Canada.

——————————————-

I’ve created a Facebook group called “” with this list on it. Join Facebook and let me know if you have any additions to the list!

Memorial Day in La Canada

Posted on 30. May, 2006 by kchristieh in my life, politics

La Canada Flintridge becomes a regular Small Town, USA on Memorial Day weekend. Music in the Park, croquet tournament, Korean dancing, fireworks, and of course, the annual Memorial Day Parade.

This year’s parade was as fine as ever. The preschoolers decorated their wagons and dragged their stuffed animals, and the jr. high band proved its worthiness. A few more Democrats came out of the closet this year, and 106 of them marched down Foothill Blvd., along with a few local candidates for assembly and congress.

A few of the parade entrants were somewhat confusing. I still haven’t figured out who the gentlemen in the picture to the right were with, as they didn’t have a sign announcing their group. I’m guessing they were Mongolian, or perhaps Falun Gong. I don’t know, but they had great outfits. I’m impressed that Domino’s Pizza managed to get 4 or 5 cars in the parade, but it’s probably because they promised free pizza at the end of the parade route. The UPS store sponsored some cheerleaders, so there was even a UPS truck in the parade.

But of course, my favorites were the Shriners. I know a few men who should join so they can ride the spiffy little cars.

I wonder if they accept women? But, my kids would die if I ever did that…and it’s not really my personality anyway.