La Cañada History: ‘Family Ties’ start helps YMCA fundraising effort
Ten Years Ago
The La Cañada Flintridge Planning Commission approved a parking variance to allow Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria Café to open in the shopping center anchored by a Big Lots store. The decision allowed the eatery to operate with six parking spots fewer than the 13 required by code.
Twenty Years Ago
A symbolic ground-breaking ceremony was held at La Cañada Elementary School to mark the beginning of districtwide modernization projects at all La Cañada Unified School District campuses, made possible by a $15-million school bond passed by voters in June 1995. “The results will insure the safety of the schools and their modernization for the next 30 years,” said then-Supt. Jim Davis.
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Thirty Years Ago
Two hundred people gathered for the kickoff dinner launching the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA’s 35th annual fundraising campaign.
Forty Years Ago
Clark L. Smithson, who was then serving as city manager of the Bay Area city of Brisbane, was hired for the same position in the new city of La Cañada Flintridge, then less than two months old. Smithson, whose annual salary was set at $30,000, plus car allowance, was expected to start his job here on Feb. 14, 1977.
Fifty Years Ago
In memory of her late husband, T. Fenton Knight, La Cañada resident Julia Knight donated 50 flowering trees to replace several magnolias that had been removed to make way for a widening project on Oakwood Avenue. The announcement of the $2,000 gift was made by Steve Sander, then chairman of La Cañada Valley Beautiful.
Sixty Years Ago
More than 350 La Cañada women signed up to visit local homes on the evening of Jan. 31, 1957, to solicit funds on behalf of the March of Dimes’ fight against polio. The goal was that every house in La Cañada and Flintridge would be visited between 7 and 8 p.m. that date, not only for the purpose of seeking donations, but to provide a fact sheet to local parents advising of the need for their families to be vaccinated against the disease.
Compiled from the Valley Sun archives by Carol Cormaci.
