La Cañada History: Ralphs supermarket opens; local firefighters help after Hurricane Katrina

Ten Years Ago

In the aftermath of deadly Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall Aug. 29, 2005, in southeast Louisiana, local firefighters were among those sent by the Los Angeles County Fire Department to assist in Baton Rouge, La., Orlando, Fla. and in Mississippi. Area firefighters were also called to lend a hand with a Palm Springs area fire. A spokesman for the department noted that if disaster struck here, agencies from across the U.S. would reciprocate.

Twenty Years Ago

After a long career in the House of Representatives, local politician Carlos Moorhead announced in August 1995 that he would retire effective Jan. 3, 1997. Prior to his 28-year stint in Congress, Moorhead, a Republican from Glendale, had represented La Cañada and neighboring communities for three terms in the state Assembly.

Thirty Years Ago

La Cañada High School senior Steve White, 17, won the California State Boys’ Golf Championship at Industry Hills Country Club. White posted a two-over-par 217 total to tie with a Westlake Village teen, then won the championship in a sudden death playoff.

Forty Years Ago

The La Cañada First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in late summer 1975 was staging a production of the Broadway musical “The Boyfriend,” by Sandy Wilson. The cast included local adults and teens.

Fifty Years Ago

The La Cañada public elementary educational program, first established in 1885, entered its 80th year with the largest number of students in its history. The deputy superintendent, Dick Farmer, announced enrollment would top 2,800 children when the 1965-66 school year started in September of that year.

Sixty Years Ago

Balloons and children’s activities enticed curious locals when Ralphs Grocery Co. opened its first store in the Crescenta-Cañada Valley, at 2111 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada (where Ross Dress for Less operates a store today). It was the 33rd location for the Ralphs chain, and it anchored the new La Cañada Village Shopping Center. According to a news report, the latest trends were incorporated into the site. “Color is, perhaps, the most dramatic note,” the Valley Sun reported, “with coral, turquoise and chartreuse being used, especially in the frozen food department.” Some generous prizes were offered during the three-day grand-opening celebration, including a $1,000 mink stole, a complete back-to-school wardrobe for a teenage girl, 200 free baskets full of groceries and orchid plants.

Compiled from the Valley Sun archives by Carol Cormaci.