A Most Interesting Year

Except for those of us with “essential services,” our shops are closed, customer/client contact is limited or non-existent, whatever “rainy day” funds we had set aside are either depleted or getting close to depletion, most of us are still waiting for the promised government financial assistance, and each of us could use a hug.

One of the “positives” that comes from an economic and societal disaster, such as the one we are currently experiencing, is our human ability to find creative solutions or new approaches to what we have been doing year after year. It may be a realignment of our business structure, a creative method to increase sales, an exciting new way for keeping in touch with existing clients or attracting new ones. Our human soul has this unique built-in ability to find new answers to old questions. Just when you think there is no point of continuing with your business, you will find a solution. It’s there! Take a deep breath, free your mind and search a bit more. The answer has always been there but you “never had the time” to seek it. So use this unique opportunity to find your answer!

The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce continues to serve its community. Though our office door is closed, we will respond to your emails and phone calls and provide you with the most current information regarding state, county, and city pandemic services. Contact us at info@crescentavalleychamber.org or call (818) 248-4957.

Facts. Did you know for the past 13 years the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce has been providing monthly volunteer cleaning of the westbound 210 Freeway La Crescenta Avenue off-ramp? Each second Saturday of the month, Chamber members and community volunteers meet at 8:15 a.m. to pick up trash, litter and cigarette butts and trim plants in order to keep pristine the entry to our Crescenta Valley community. And people notice! This past month the Caltrans District 7 office awarded the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce its 2020 Adopt-A-Highway Volunteer of the Year Award. We salute each Chamber member and community volunteer who literally had their hands involved with this recognition from Caltrans.

Congratulations to Chamber board member Vince Iuculano, COO, YMCA of the Foothills, and his wife, Kelly Lynn, on the birth of their son Noah Emmanuel on March 29. Our Crescenta Valley community shines a bit brighter with Noah’s arrival.

Congratulations to Chamber board member Keith Hobbs, CEO, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, for the well-deserved recognition from our first responders and community members saluting the dedicated service by hospital and area healthcare workers. Where would we be without them . . . job well done!!

Kudos and thank you to CV Weekly publisher/editor, and Chamber board member Robin Goldsworthy for keeping her CV Weekly newspaper alive and well during this difficult period. Newspapers rely on advertising and subscribers to keep their doors open and printing presses operating. Please support our CV Weekly newspaper. We need it!

The Chamber is still accepting scholarship applications from eligible students at Crescenta Valley High School. The deadline is nearing. Interested students should contact the school or the Chamber office at info@crescentavalleychamber.org.

The Chamber’s May 28 mixer event at the YMCA of the Foothills has been canceled due to current restrictions. There is no plan to reschedule, at least for the remainder of the year.

Welcome New Members! Panos Productions Photography (Katie Katsenis) … providing photography, fine art maternity, baby/child portraits and select product photography. Contact katie@panosproductions.net

Clear Minded Marketing (Leslie Lesh) … helping local businesses improve their visibility and presence online. Contact leslie@clearmindedmarketing.com.

Final Thoughts. Former board member Camille Levee has moved to St. Cloud, Florida to live near her sister. Camille’s energy, knowledge and enthusiasm are well known. She was loved by all in our community. St. Cloud, Florida, you are getting a jewel!

Emergency Preparedness Tip. May is the month to gather copies of insurance policies, bank account records, identification cards (IDs), medical information and extra cash (small denominations); keep everything in a secure bag ready to grab in an emergency.

Get Ready to Re-Open Your Business. The day is coming soon when businesses will be re-opening. Be ready to handle the needs of your customers with your supplies and services. If you are planning a grand re-opening, ribbon cutting or offering something special for your customers, let us know and we will be glad to help you promote it. The Chamber is here for you … after all, “Our Business is Your Business.”

Steve Pierce,
Executive Director

Crescenta Valley
Chamber of Commerce

3131 Foothill Blvd. ‘D’

La Crescenta, CA 91214