By Ruth SOWBY

Council members put safety first at their general meeting on Thursday, Sept. 15. The meeting, held at the La Crescenta Library, described the formation of a task force that will assist residents in unincorporated La Crescenta to become prepared for future disasters including wildfires, earthquakes, and “floodsand” debris flows. 

“Our goal is to educate residents and [encourage them to] have a plan in place on what to do before, during and after a disaster before our first responders can reach them,” said Council Corresponding Secretary Kerri Lewin Brautigam. The first meeting of the Emergency Preparedness Task Force is today, Sept. 22.

Related was Paul Dutton’s presentation before the Council. Dutton is the CV Sheriff volunteer coordinator for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). The program is an approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens can respond to others in need effectively and efficiently before professional first responders arrive without placing themselves in danger. The five free classes will be held at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station at 4554 Briggs Ave., La Crescenta. Sign-ups are welcome. The first class will meet on Saturday, Oct. 1. For more information, call (818) 249-8378.   

Further driving home the Council’s safety theme at this meeting was the announcement of the 75^th anniversary of the Montrose Search and Rescue team. On Saturday, Sept. 24, there will be a free celebratory event at Crescenta Valley Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be something for everyone – food trucks, live music, a petting zoo, a climbing wall, rescue demos, a vintage car show, inflatable slides and an Air Rescue 5 helicopter flyover. Reserve deputy Robert Sheedy gave the presentation to the Council.   

More community events include:

Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the 1^st annual free “Touch a Truck” event at the Glendale Elks Lodge, 120 E. Colorado, Glendale. Sponsored by the City of Glendale and the American Cancer Society.

Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is a “fabulous book sale” sponsored by the Friends of La Crescenta Library at the library, 2809 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta.

Oct. 15 at 7 a.m. is a pancake breakfast at the Crescenta Valley High School quad sponsored by the CV Valley Town Council. The cost is $12 at the door.

Nov. 10 is the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Recognition Banquet at the Glendale Elks Lodge, 120 E. Colorado, Glendale. For further information, email info@crescentavalleychamber.org.

The meeting ended with a surprise presentation by Council President Harry Leon to the organizers of the Commons at Orange and Rosemont avenues. Fred Laughrey was given a framed certificate of appreciation that read in part, “For Your Dedication to the Crescenta Commons.”

“You have remained steadfast in your devotion to maintain this special corner of our community,” he was told. 

Laughrey was joined by wife Sue and Council members for photos.