La Cañada history: Cards, some bearing lucky numbers, dropped over town by helicopter in Community Chest promotion

Ten Years Ago

Eleven vehicles, ranging from BMWs to Hondas, were reported stolen in the La Cañada area over a two-week period in September 2007. A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detective said it was hard to pinpoint the cause for the notable spike in car thefts, but surmised it might be burglars “just taking the car to get from one place to another.”

Twenty Years Ago

A lightning strike was suspected of causing a power outage that affected more than 1600 Southern California Edison customers in La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta.

Thirty Years Ago

Phil Joanou of La Cañada Flintridge, then chairman and chief executive of Dailey & Associates advertising agency, accepted an award from President Ronald Reagan recognizing the Media-Advertising Partnership for a Drug-Free America, for which Joanou did pro bono work. The partnership, which Joanou also helped to conceive, was reportedly the largest public service advertising campaign in the country.

Forty Years Ago

With 500 invitations having gone out to state, county and neighboring cities’ dignitaries, the La Cañada Flintridge City Council held an open house in September 1977 to show off the new City Hall in the Villa Real building at 1327 Foothill Blvd. The honored guest was L.A. County Supervisor Baxter Ward, a former television news anchor.

Fifty Years Ago

An 11-year-old La Cañada boy was suspected of accidentally setting off a brush fire on the 2100 block of Chimneysmoke Road while playing with matches. Three engine companies doused the blaze and no injuries were reported.

Sixty Years Ago

A helicopter flew low over La Cañada, dropping hundreds of numbered cards, some of which had “lucky” numbers on them that entitled local children finding those cards to turn them in for free prizes. The event was held in support of the La Cañada Community Chest Fair, which showcased some of the involvements of the charitable organization. Guests attending the fair were treated to a day of fun and entertainment, including a free showing of the Academy Award-winning documentary short “Benjy.”

Compiled from the Valley Sun archives by Carol Cormaci.