Kicking Off Our Holiday Season

For many, the holiday season kicks off with Black Friday but, up here in the Crescenta Valley, we instead look to “White Friday” to launch our holiday season. White Friday is the term for the Friday after Thanksgiving when many Montrose merchants “white-out” the sales tax on customers’ purchases. Friday night is also when the Montrose Shopping Park lights its Christmas tree with much fanfare, song and celebration. Each weekend until Christmas the shopping park hosts live musicians, a horse-drawn carriage that takes shoppers up and down Honolulu Avenue, pony rides and even Santa, who can be seen greeting shoppers and handing out candy canes.

Another indicator that Christmas is drawing near is the annual Montrose Christmas Parade. Held last Saturday (despite predictions of a wet evening), the parade brought folks out eager to cheer on the scouts, civic organizations, service clubs and others (like CV Weekly) that made their way down Honolulu. Our “float” (I use the term loosely) was near the end of the parade, right in front of Rep. Adam Schiff. I’m embarrassed to say that among those who applauded him were those who booed him. One woman reportedly ran after his car, dragging her son behind her, screaming derogatory remarks. I understand that the Secret Service agents who were assigned to him had to step in. Personally, I don’t think a parade is the place to pull that nonsense.

Prior to the parade CV Weekly hosts a pre-parade get together at our office. It gives us a chance to celebrate the holidays with our friends, neighbors, readers and advertisers. We served food prepared by Gourmet a go go and desserts by Portos. Let’s just say there was barely a bite left. We were protected from the weather by tents, tables, linens and chairs provided by our party supplier of choice, Bonners.

We’ve hosted a pre-parade party since opening in 2009 and have seen several renditions of it over the years, from the days when our staff brought in crockpots filled with homemade goodies to more professional offerings. The party always gives me such pleasure because I get to spend time with my guests. I’m grateful, too, to the supporters who take the time to stop by. I’m talking about our subscribers and advertisers.

These people understand that it is through their financial commitment to CV Weekly that we’re able to provide the local news, sports and more every week that our readers have come to depend on. I’ve told you before – I don’t have deep pockets; this newspaper is funded entirely by me and the people who believe in the importance of having an honest, local news source.

I know some people ask, “I don’t have a business but I love the paper. How can I support it?” Simply put, subscribe. Fill out the subscription form on page 4 and mail it in or call the office and talk to Rachelle. She’ll be happy to get you set up with home delivery. After all, what’s better than catching up with all the local happenings than doing it in your jammies with a cup of coffee in your hand? And don’t forget to visit our advertisers.

As 2019 draws to a close, I hope you’ll consider adding CV Weekly to those organizations that you support. We all deserve it.

  robin goldsworthy