Locals drawn to’Fiesta Days’

From Staff Reports

Although unseasonably cold, wet weather kept crowds down at some of the venues, the annual Fiesta Days celebration presented chiefly by the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce over Memorial Day weekend went off very well, according to organizers.

One near casualty of the rainfall was the inaugural outdoor offering Friday night of Family Flick Night. But the Fiesta Days committee regrouped and offered the event indoors.

Aside from that slight hitch, the weekend unfolded with its full complement of planned activities, from Saturday morning’s French Toast Breakfast to Monday afternoon’s rollicking Music in the Park performance by Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries. In between those two events La Cañadans and visitors either witnessed or participated in the Lanterman Croquet Tournament, the Vintage Car Show, Lanterman Open House, Korean Cultural Celebration, Barbecue Dinner and Fireworks Show, the YMCA’s Fiesta Days Fun Run, the Memorial Service, the Fiesta Days Parade and Afternoon in the Park.

Family Flick Night

Rained washed away the fields adjacent to the Community Center Friday, so instead the center’s main auditorium hosted the movie “Shrek the Third” for the Fiesta Days Family Flick Night.

“We resorted to Plan B,” said Pat Anderson, LCF Chamber president and CEO, “and although we thought the weather might be an issue we decided even the few who showed up would still have a good time.”

The family fun affair was hosted by State Farm Insurance.

“We are always interested in supporting family activities,” said Barbara Marshall, owner of the local State Farm agency and chairman of the LCF Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Although it was lightly attended (approximately 30 people, including event volunteers, were there), it was appreciated by those who did show up.

“I came because I like the movie” said 8-year-old Sean Segal. When asked if he also came for the candy he said, “No, but I do like it!”

Segal also enjoyed dancing with the “Good NeighBear” who was associated with State Farm and the complimentary fingerprinting and DNA kits for the children.

La Cañada High School juniors Olivia Tucker, Iman Khan, Taylor Segal and Meghan Bartine from the Miss LCF court arrived to enjoy the event as well.

“We get to support the people who do so much for our community,” said Bartine.

“We also enjoy hanging out with the children,” said Khan.

Breakfast, Car Show

French toast and sweet strawberries enticed small crowds of Foothills folk out to Memorial Park Saturday morning, despite the damp grounds and chill air. The Chamber’s Anderson said the annual A.M. Kiwanis’ French Toast Breakfast wasn’t as well attended as in previous years, due to the weather, but it was still a success.

“Everyone’s having a good time, and that’s the important thing,” said Anderson.

“Mmmm. This is yummy,” said Amy Bergen, 8, a student at Paradise Canyon Elementary School, as she put another large, ripe strawberry in her mouth. Amy attended the event with her sister, Megan, and family friends, Abby, 9, Harry, 7, and Elisa Coleman, 39.

A handful of about nine antique and hot rod vehicles in front of Memorial Park Saturday morning during the French Toast Breakfast was Fiesta Days’ start into the vintage car show venue. Rain and cold weather kept many of the vehicles and drivers away, said Rick Chew, founder of Early Rodders of La Cañada Flintridge.

Korean Cultural fete

The skies were dark and threatening and the cold was numbing fingers, but still little dancers in puffy jackets over traditional costumes were laughing and chasing each other across the lawn at Memorial Park for the Korean Cultural Celebration on Saturday evening.

Choir members, other dancers, parents and those who came just for the party and entertainment were enjoying the hot barbecue, pot stickers, salad, spicy cucumber and rice provided by the members of the La Cañada Community Outreach Committee.

The air was filled with the smell of hot barbecue cooked by volunteers from the committee who were encouraging people to “Eat, eat!” The entertainment began with dancing provided by the Kim Eung Hwa Dance Academy, Performing Arts School. Though the school is located in L.A. there are four dancers from the La Cañada-La Crescenta area. The dancers ranged in age from 5 to 18, all in traditional dress, make-up and hairstyles. Even the smallest of dancers performed flawless routines using fans and umbrellas to compliment the vivid costumes.

The choir was led by Shinshill Park. All the choristers, ages 5-18, attend the Korean American Music Academy.

The program ended with a rousing display of Tae Kwan Do from members of the U.S. Black Belt Center of La Crescenta, led by Master Arnold.

At the end of the festivities, attendees Debbie and Alan Juranek of San Gabriel remarked about “the wonderful opportunity to see the cultural display performed here today. The food was marvelous and it was so exciting to see these young kids learning their cultural heritage in music and dance.”

‘Yea’ to croquet

If you visited Lanterman House museum on Monday, then you may have seen our mayor speaking softly and carrying a big stick.

That’s right, Mayor Steve Del Guercio was playing croquet as part of the Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation’s croquet tournament, held yearly on site. The tournament, which was held both on Saturday in La Cañada Memorial Park and Sunday at Lanterman House, was a success, with a number of people showing up, including Mayor Del Guercio,

“The Lanterman family was nuts about croquet,” Executive Director Melissa Patton said, “What is now Lanterman Lane used to be professional-sized croquet courts. They would have friends come over and play croquet.”

To read more about the event, check out the sports pages.

Lanterman doors opened

Some things learned by visitors to the Lanterman open house event Sunday: The house was built out of poured concrete in the early 1900s because of the patriarch Roy Lanterman’s fear of dying in a fire from all the things he witnessed during the time he worked as aide relief in San Francisco, though, irony of ironies, the house was not earthquake proof.

Among the other eccentricities, one can learn about the odd nature of the Lantermans.

For example: Emily, wife of Roy and mother of Frank and Lloyd, wanted a ballroom built in the house so she could hold social events in which her boys would meet a nice girl. Neither did and they both died bachelors.

“We do this to honor the family,” said Lanterman House’s Patton, who provides a wonderful tour, complete with a sense of humor and a depth of knowledge.

Barbecue, fireworks

The families of the foothills gathered under the red, white and blue balloons lining the crowded Memorial Park Sunday for an evening for music, food and fireworks.

“I’m here for the fireworks and friends,” said LCHS sophomore Robert Moldafsky.

Friends and families huddled for warmth under blankets as they enjoyed their hamburgers and hot dogs while the children played with glow in the dark necklaces.

“It’s a community event we wouldn’t miss,” said Tim McQuay.

His wife Julie said, “We honor our soldiers fighting in the war and we wish it would end.”

Red, white and blue lights lit the gazebo as the LCHS Jazz Band and Chamber Singers entertained the families.

A fire truck, coffee stand and LCF Tournament of Roses booth, among others, lined the field. Cynthia Morrison with Alta Dena Dairy and husband Kevin Morrison worked at the ice cream booth for the fifth year in a row.

“The customers are great and so are the fireworks,” said Morrison.

“We have a blast every year,” added her husband.

The night came to a close with the fireworks display. The sky grew dark and slowly one fireworks rose into the dark night to be greeted by another fireworks and soon the whole sky was dashed with light.

“This is when I get to see my family members who have been in college all year. It’s nice to get together and the band is awesome. I absolutely love the fireworks at the end,” said Robin McQuay.

Crescenta-Cañada YMCA’s race begins Memorial Day

More than 900 runners and family walkers began at Descanso Gardens for the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA’s Family Fun Run, 5 & 10K runs through town. For the first time at the Fiesta Run, the Adidas Mobile Tour bus entertained runners and visitors with three flip-screens featuring Xbox 360 and educated runners on the best shoes for their stressed out feet. At 7:30 a.m. parents and kids ran a mile during the Family Fun Run. After they crossed the finish line they enjoyed a glass of orange juice and energy bar and were awarded a medal.

Four and a half-year-old Aidan Armaly and his 3-year-old brother trained for the race by running races at home. When asked if all the training was worth it Aidan replied, “Yes!”

Two sisters, Naomi, 8, and Jessica, 10, started their morning with the mile run, then took off their running shoes and put on their Girl Scout uniform to help carry the American flag at the Memorial Service. Special congratulations go to the 5K winners Jennifer Overlock of Burbank and 19-year-old Oscar Oqwaro with a winning time of 14.40. Winner of the 10K run were Michelle Cheney of La Crescenta and 16-year-old Western Nelson, with a time of 32.24.

Homage to fallen paid at annual Memorial Service

The wailing of the bagpipes played by Karen J. McIlvena, M.D. heralded the opening of the 2008 Memorial Day Service held at Memorial Park in La Cañada on Monday. Welcomed by Elizabeth Toomarian, Senior Girl Scout and Gold Award Recipient from Troop 33, the audience was invited to honor all fallen service members as well as veterans.

After a benediction given by Rabbi Kolin who called “all living veterans and those presently serving” to the stage, the Color Guard, comprised of Blair High School Junior ROTC under the command of Colonel Tyrell, and several La Cañada Scouts presented the colors. The National Anthem was played by the LCHS Band under the direction of Susan Hamre thereby beginning the ceremony.

“Let us raise our children to respect our rights and freedoms that are our heritage,” Mayor Steve Del Guercio said.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino read a list of names of those who have “fallen from our corner of the San Gabriel Valley. Thank you to the veterans who are here to memorialize and those who are not.”

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Joe Puglia, former Marine and new Memorial Day Service organizer, said, “My thoughts are especially with the children: You may not fully understand my words today, but you have taken the first steps toward understanding what this service is for by being here.” The La Cañada High School Band played a musical tribute to the fallen soldiers by performing “Summon the Heroes.” Once the living veterans and presently serving soldiers introduced themselves, Anita Brenner read the names of local fallen service members who are listed on plaques at the park. Len Torres, one of the 28 veterans, exhorted the audience to have “many, many more here next year.”At the end of the service, the audience of more than 200 people bowed their heads as “Taps” was sounded by Jimmy Myers and Eric Yun.

A lively parade

Foothill Boulevard was awash with red, white and blue as La Cañada celebrated Memorial Day with a patriotic parade that began with a U.S. Air Force flyover. High school bands, kids in wagons waving American flags and hometown officials all turned out to honor this day set aside to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Veterans from World War II to the present war in Iraq drove down the boulevard to a cheering crowd.

“This day is to honor those who served and gave their lives for this country,” said World War II veteran Lt. Robert Sommerville, a US Naval aviator. “I am very happy to be here and to be with my buddies. I just want people to remember what this day is really about.”

As with every parade, the children seemed to have to most fun watching and marching. “Domino’s! I love you guys,” yelled 9-year-old Maggie Rouleau as the pizza delivery cars paraded by. “I love your car and your pizza,” added friend Avery Richardson. Cully Rouleau and Heather Richardson, both 6, joined in as they shared their enthusiasm with everyone that marched past.

The true meaning of the day was visible with every entry especially when the Allen Lund Company truck with its Statue of Liberty image on the side turned the first corner onto the boulevard and red, white and blue confetti shot from its side.

And the 2008 festivities end

Memorial Park was filled with music and families having lunch after the parade on Monday.

It was a casual event with the Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries, dressed in their trademark shiny red jackets, performing the sounds of the 1950s and ’60s.

“This afternoon event emphasizes the small town aspect of La Cañada. All the kids come together and play. I even bring the disabled children I work with here too,” said LCHS graduate Laura Wulke.

As the day warmed up a bit and the sun made an appearance, families continued to spend the day outside in the park. “This event is great for all generations,” said LCHS graduate Jennifer Lazo.

Seth Amitin, Carol Cormaci, Ruth Longoria, Mary O’Keefe Olivia Smith and Erna Taylor-Stark contributed to this report.