By Robin GOLDSWORTHY, Mary O’KEEFE and Ruth SOWBY
National Night Out (NNO) is celebrated on the first Tuesday in August. After a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, on Aug. 2 neighbors came out in force to meet and greet each other while neighborhood councilmembers came out to grin and grip.
From Little Landers Park in Tujunga and the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station on Briggs Avenue to Sparr Heights and Nibley Park in Glendale, family activities were organized to provide a chance to meet elected representatives, emergency responders and neighbors.
Glendale’s Nibley Park was the venue that attracted the largest number of neighbors below the foothills. Glendale City Councilmembers Ara Najarian and Paula Devine, who live in the Rossmoyne area, pressed the flesh saying “hello” to their old neighbors and greeting new ones.
Devine also delivered organic recycling baskets to those who have garbage ready to recycle into mulch.
Devine enthused, “It was fun and environmentally friendly.”
“This is one of the best nights for residents,” agreed Najarian. “We realize that a community is only as strong as we are together.
Lorna Vartarian, president of the Rossmoyne Homeowners Association was busy signing up community members for neighborhood watch groups. She said she had a record number of signups among the close to 200 neighbors who turned out for the 11th annual NNO event.
Among the night’s activities was a screening of the film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” upstaging activity on the nearby monkey bars, free ice cream sundaes that fit the bill on a warm summer night and Neighborhood Watch lawn signs, free for the taking.
At the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station, the night was busy with residents eager to meet station personnel and fire fighters who stopped by. Deputies kept a grill busy cooking hot dogs that were given out to attendees – one of several food items that residents were treated to. Others included pastries and coffee from Starbucks, pretzels from Prom Plus and donuts from “The Donut Guy,” realtor Justin Jenewein.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger made a visit, too, taking the mic to welcome guests. CV Sheriff’s Station Capt. Robert Hahnlein thanked her for the County’s financial support for the mobile commander center.
In Tujunga at the Little Landers Park, nearly 300 people turned out for a full evening. Live music was provided by different bands, including Skin Deep, there were information booths from several area organizations including the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council, the Elks Lodge and Elks Riders #2098 and rangers from the Dept. of Recreation and Parks. LAPD officers greeted attendees and Bolton Hall Museum was open to the public with members of the historical society on hand to answer questions.
Photos by Robin GOLDSWORTHY, Mary O’KEEFE and Ruth SOWBY