The Year in Review - 2008

• The Community Standards District, six years in the making, was approved by the Los Angeles Planning Commission and forwarded to the board of supervisors. The CSD would implement area-specific standards for the unincorporated portion of the Foothill Boulevard commercial corridor.

• The public’s help was sought by the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station after parolee Henry John Stueck escaped custody.

• A campaign was kicked off by L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich to raise funds for a new War Memorial at Two Strike Park. Initial cost of the project was $200,000.

• The newly formed Stonebarn Vineyard Conservancy oversaw the harvest of wine grapes at Deukmejian Park. The Conservancy was formed to pay homage to the original owners of the vineyard, the LeMesnager family, according to founding member Stuart Byles.

September

• Signs were installed at Pickens Canyon Park, giving a historical overview of the area. The signs were part of an Eagle Scout project by Scout Doorie Lee.

• The third time was a charm for the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce when it held its annual Hometown Country Fair. The first year the event was poorly attended due to extremely high temperatures; the following year it was rained out by an unseasonal storm.

• Metrolink engineer and La Crescenta resident Robert Sanchez was being investigated after the Metrolink he was operating crashed into a freight train killing 26 people including Sanchez.

• Friends and family of the late actor Dennis Morgan gathered at Two Strike Park, which the actor had helped create, to watch “Christmas in Connecticut,” one of Morgan’s films from 1945.

• Local members of the Islamic congregation gathered at the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge to celebrate Ramadan.

• Dale Frazier of La Cañada had a close call with a coyote when walking her border terrier, Doc. The coyote attempted to grab the terrier and run, but let go when Frazier started yelling at it. The Strong family fought with a mountain lion when it snatched their Bernaise mountain dog, Bear, from the family’s compound in La Cañada. Thankfully they were able to get Bear to a vet who saved the 50-pound pet.

October