San Gabriel Mountains

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) warned that a U.S. Department of the Interior recommendation that the San Gabriel Mountains be designated a national recreation area separate from the Santa Monica Mountains will create its own set of challenges. On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recommended adding the San Gabriel River watershed and most of the San Gabriel Mountains to the National Park Service as a component of the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, the L.A. Times reported.

Parents warn kids about mountain lion The PTA at Crescenta Valley High School is urging students to be careful if hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains following several recent cougar sightings in the foothills. The cougar that has been spotted might be the same animal that last year took a dog from a backyard in Pinecrest, a neighborhood north of La Crescenta Avenue, according to an e-bulletin sent by the school’s PTA. The Crescenta Valley Town Council has also cautioned the public about the cougar, which was spotted this month on the east side of JPL, Town Councilwoman Danette Erickson said.

The Crescenta Valley Town Council approved a new design for its logo Thursday night, with all but one member voting in favor of the change. "Some of us on the council, in addition to members of the community who contacted members of the council, felt they wanted to update and create a new logo for the community," Council President Sharon Hales said. The council's old logo -- approved on in 1989, when the council first started -- featured a children's drawing of a mountain range and sun. The new logo, which will begin use Jan. 1, was designed by La Crescenta resident Richard Toyon, a production designer by trade.

It was a muggy Saturday night in the Foothills. We were out for a walk, the dog and I. Silent lightning flashed beyond the Arroyo. An owl hooted. Miss Audrey Hepburn strained at her leash. Strange weather, I said to Miss Hepburn. Yes, came the unexpected reply. It was not Miss Hepburn. It was her. The Anonymous Source. The Source handed me a brown paper bag, smiled, and then she was gone. I opened the bag and saw a manuscript. The date was 1935. I looked again and realized it was pay dirt: W. D. Chawner?

The warmth of this home begins with the a welcoming front courtyard that invites you into this spectacular traditional home. This property is tucked away on a quiet corner lot in a cul-de-sac that is north of Foothill Boulevard. It boasts an open floor plan, hardwood floors, two spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is a cozy family room with a wood-burning fireplace, a large dining area and a backyard that is perfect for entertaining. Additional features include Italian hand-cut tile in the entry and kitchen, an above ground spa, copper plumbing throughout, massive attic storage space, gorgeous mountain views, and side access for RV parking.

Rim of the Valley study passes House The House of Representatives Tuesday sent Rep. Adam Schiff?s Rim of the Valley Corridor Study legislation to the president to be signed into law, culminating a seven-year effort to get the bill through both houses. The measure directs the secretary of the interior to study the feasibility of expanding the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include the mountains and canyons in Southern California that are part of the Rim of the Valley Corridor, as designated by the state.

Two cold fronts made their way through the Glendale area this week, leaving a white blanket of snow over many areas in the upper elevations outside of Glendale. Meteorologist Bruce Rockwell of the National Weather Service said that as much as 6 feet of snow was recorded at elevations of 7,000 feet or higher. Approximately 7 or more inches of snow was reported at 4,000 feet, and slight traces of snow fell just above 3,000 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Overnight campgrounds nestled among Glendale's 5,000-plus acres of open space are on the drawing board as city parks officials launch two public input meetings next week. Jeff Weinstein, the city's trails and open-space specialist, said his staff hopes to create two campgrounds in the Verdugo Mountains, Deukmejian Wilderness Park or the San Rafael Hills. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and local church groups would be the likely users of the reservation-only sites, he said. "Rather than driving hundreds of miles to a state park or forest, we want to give people a first taste of outdoor life," Weinstein said.

The San Gabriel Mountains are clearly on the mend from the devastation of the Station fire, with flora and fauna coming back and areas reopened for public use. But as the two-year anniversary of the fire arrives, some important matters remain untended, leaving the region more at risk from inevitable future wildfires than it need be. The mystery of who started the Station fire remains unsolved, but that may not be the most pressing question....

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) warned that a U.S. Department of the Interior recommendation that the San Gabriel Mountains be designated a national recreation area separate from the Santa Monica Mountains will create its own set of challenges. On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recommended adding the San Gabriel River watershed and most of the San Gabriel Mountains to the National Park Service as a component of the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, the L.A. Times reported.

The San Gabriel Mountains are clearly on the mend from the devastation of the Station fire, with flora and fauna coming back and areas reopened for public use. But as the two-year anniversary of the fire arrives, some important matters remain untended, leaving the region more at risk from inevitable future wildfires than it need be. The mystery of who started the Station fire remains unsolved, but that may not be the most pressing question....

Overnight campgrounds nestled among Glendale's 5,000-plus acres of open space are on the drawing board as city parks officials launch two public input meetings next week. Jeff Weinstein, the city's trails and open-space specialist, said his staff hopes to create two campgrounds in the Verdugo Mountains, Deukmejian Wilderness Park or the San Rafael Hills. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and local church groups would be the likely users of the reservation-only sites, he said. "Rather than driving hundreds of miles to a state park or forest, we want to give people a first taste of outdoor life," Weinstein said.

As is becoming customary in this space, I have a couple of announcements. First, I want to let everyone know about our new blog network. The paper now features four blogs, all accessible through our website, www.glendalenewspress.com www.glendalenewspress.com . Here’s a quick rundown on each:  TCN North Now: Breaking news and updates  Tasty Edits: Newsroom insights from the News-Press’ editors  PicBits: Our photographers’ favorite images  Jewel City Juice: Analysis and scuttlebutt on local news and politics  Going Overtime: All things sports Blogs have become an increasingly vital way for journalists to connect with readers, and I believe it markedly increases our transparency.

It was a muggy Saturday night in the Foothills. We were out for a walk, the dog and I. Silent lightning flashed beyond the Arroyo. An owl hooted. Miss Audrey Hepburn strained at her leash. Strange weather, I said to Miss Hepburn. Yes, came the unexpected reply. It was not Miss Hepburn. It was her. The Anonymous Source. The Source handed me a brown paper bag, smiled, and then she was gone. I opened the bag and saw a manuscript. The date was 1935. I looked again and realized it was pay dirt: W. D. Chawner?

After seven years working its way in various forms through Congress, Rep. Adam Schiff?s Rim of the Valley Corridor Study, which could pave the way toward more than doubling the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, is finally on its way to the president?s desk. The bill is included in the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which the House of Representatives passed on Tuesday. The Rim of the Valley study passed the House in December, but it had to be reconciled with Sen. Dianne Feinstein?

Rim of the Valley study passes House The House of Representatives Tuesday sent Rep. Adam Schiff?s Rim of the Valley Corridor Study legislation to the president to be signed into law, culminating a seven-year effort to get the bill through both houses. The measure directs the secretary of the interior to study the feasibility of expanding the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include the mountains and canyons in Southern California that are part of the Rim of the Valley Corridor, as designated by the state.

Parents warn kids about mountain lion The PTA at Crescenta Valley High School is urging students to be careful if hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains following several recent cougar sightings in the foothills. The cougar that has been spotted might be the same animal that last year took a dog from a backyard in Pinecrest, a neighborhood north of La Crescenta Avenue, according to an e-bulletin sent by the school’s PTA. The Crescenta Valley Town Council has also cautioned the public about the cougar, which was spotted this month on the east side of JPL, Town Councilwoman Danette Erickson said.