Quick Hits: Mayor’s Hike slated for Cherry Canyon
In recognition of the 30th anniversary of public open space at Cherry Canyon, La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Jon Curtis will lead a “Mayor’s Hike” on Saturday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. Hikers, bikers, joggers and equestrians are encouraged to attend the walk, which will culminate with a celebration at Ultimate Destination Point.
The hike begins at the Hampstead Road Trail Head at 9:30 a.m., but due to extremely limited parking in that area, participants are asked to park at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, where a shuttle bus will be available to and from the trailhead from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Once hikers have arrived and assembled at Ultimate Destination Point, light refreshments will be served at 10:30 a.m. The group will hear a brief talk on native vegetation and then regenerate the open space area by throwing seed bombs filled with native poppy.
Join the conversation on Facebook >>
Following the hilltop celebration, participants will hike back to the trailhead. The entire walk and celebration is expected to last approximately two hours.
Some parts of the hike involve traversing steep slopes, so hiking shoes are recommended. Only children 6 and older should participate. Dogs are welcome on the hike but must be leashed, and owners must pick up after their dogs.
For more information, contact Greg Kwolek, management analyst, at (818) 790-8882 or gkwolek@lcf.ca.gov. An event map can be found online at www.lcf.ca.gov/open-space-celebration.
District discussion plugs into tech
La Cañada Unified School District, in conjunction with the Community Prevention Council (CPC), will sponsor an informational evening for parents on how to successfully live with technology in today’s connected world tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. in the La Cañada High School Auditorium, 4463 Oak Grove Drive.
A panel of experts — including licensed clinical social worker Paul Royer, clinical psychologist and RN Debra Kessler, LCUSD Chief Technology Officer Jamie Lewsadder and two tech-savvy students — will share what types of technology are being used in schools and offer strategies for managing screen time.
The discussion will also focus on cyber-bullying, sexting and risky online behavior as well as how technology affects family relationships and developing brains, especially those with spectrum disorders.
“In today’s world technology is unavoidable,” CPC Chair Will Moffitt said in a release. “As parents, we’re constantly trying to find that balance of allowing kids to stay socially connected while also making sure they’re not overusing it or engaging in risky behaviors.”
The event is free and open to the public For more information on the Community Prevention Council, visit lcfcpc.com.
Blaze explained
Flames seen by neighbors in the Flintridge area in the early morning hours of Monday were the result of an outdoor structure fire that was thought to have started by a fire pit, a captain at La Cañada’s Fire Station No. 82 reported Monday afternoon.
Capt. Don Bailey said the incident occurred at around 5:30 a.m. on Durham Place south of Chevy Chase Drive. Firefighters believe the last person to use the fire pit had not completely doused the fire before leaving the pit unattended.
Split vote on support of tax measure
On a split, 3-2 vote, the La Cañada Flintridge City Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution in support of Measure M, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s one-half percent sales tax measure on the Nov. 8 ballot.
According to a staff report presented to the Council by division manager Ann Wilson, if the measure gains voter approval, the city would receive in the first year an estimated $292,544 that could be used for street improvements. The measure does not sunset, as does its predecessor, Measure R, passed by voters in 2008, which established a 0.5% sales tax increase that runs until 2039.
If Measure M is approved, La Cañada Flintridge stands to receive an allocation of $67 million over the first 40 years, according to the staff report, $35 million of which could be used for soundwall project completion, with the remainder used for other local improvements.
Wilson noted in her report that “no net revenues” generated from the proposed tax would be used to on a 710 Freeway gap closure project, following successful negotiations that such language be included in the measure. The city of La Cañada Flintridge has long been opposed to a 710 closure project.
Mayor Jon Curtis, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Davitt and Councilwoman Terry Walker approved the resolution, noting there are critical transportation issues that need to be addressed in the region.
Councilmen Dave Spence and Len Pieroni dissented, saying they were reluctant to urge voters to approve a new tax.
“I don’t think we as a council need to tell our residents how to vote,” Spence said.