Time Flies Everywhere But on Commerce Avenue
FREE
FRIDAY • OCTOBER 2, 2015
TELLING THE TRUTH FOR OVER 10 YEARS!
Haggen’s Heads Back After Closing in S-T by
David DeMullé
Pacific Northwest grocery chain Haggen’s announced last week that it was closing its California stores as part of their chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring program. The chapter 11 plan allows them to come up with a plan to divest themselves of properties that are not profitable and still continue business. We reported just seven months ago that Haggen had purchased 146 Albertsons, Pavilions and Vons markets, and that the Tujunga Albertsons would become a Haggen store with little to no loss of employees. The paint still hasn’t dried on the building, and the new store is already moving
INSIDE:
Casino Night at the American Legion Hall! ................ LADWP Meeting Brings Out A Crowd ................
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DEPARTMENTS What Folks Are Doing........... 2 My Two Cents....................... 2 View from the Rock.............. 3 Letters and Perspectives........ 3 Chef Randy........................... 5 Pets Page............................. 8 S-T Crime Stats................... 10 Take My Card..................... 11
Haggen’s came and went faster than a rotten tomato. out. Employees here are upset because promises made to them during the Albertson’sHaggen transfer were not kept. More than 66 stores statewide will close, with 16 slated for closure in the Los Angeles
area. Based on a plan submitted to the bankruptcy court, the closings will begin in November or December with employees being given a 60-days notice. see Haggen, page 9
VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20
Bloodhound “Glory” Wins National Title by
Landa Coldiron
A star-studded red carpet, black-tie event took place at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom on September 19 honoring Glory, a local bloodhound, with the coveted title of 2015 Hero Dog – Search and Rescue. Her handler, Landa Coldiron, accepted the award from Bruce Boxleitner and Barbara Niven on behalf of the Lois Pope Life Foundation and the American Humane Association. Glory’s Charity Partner for this year’s event was the National Search Dog Alliance. Glory won $2,500.00 for this nonprofit life- saving organization.
Landa and Glory receive top award! The voting process for the Hero Dog Awards www. herodogawards.org began in February of this year and ended in September. Over two hundred dogs vied for the prestigious titles: Military, Arson, Guide/Hearsee Glory, page 9
Now’s The Time to Show Pride in Our Community by
David DeMullé
Everything in S-T is like having a great meal, and when it’s finished, you go to the bathroom and it’s all over. Seven years ago, the Commerce Owners & Business Restoration Association came up with the great idea of getting a clock to enhance the new sidewalks and general restoration of Commerce Ave in Tujunga. Charlotte, Elaine, Terry and Robin all spent their time fund raising, talking to the city and making it happen after three years of effort. It was beautiful and didn’t work quite right. And people got angry when we
mentioned it. And nobody did anything about it. And then it stopped running. For two years it stayed at 9:05. And nobody did anything. When we started tracking down “Just Who Is Responsible?” Absolutely nobody had any valid information to share. One person dramatically explained how all the street lights went out on Commerce when Wendy Greuel threw the switch. Only problem is that Wendy wasn’t there, it was Paul Krekorian. Everybody had a different version of who actually was/is responsible for the clock maintenance. The clock was purchased for
Our clock needs your help! $12,890 by COBRA and then donated to the city. And here is what we found in the May 14, 2010 edition of The Foothills Paper: “Clock Tower to be built,
red curb to be fixed” As a direct result of recent efforts by Councilmember Paul Krekorian’s office, two important issues in the community, the Commerce see Clock page 9
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2 — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20
Kidz Dance Troupe to Offer Lessons HIP HOP starts off a series of free dance lessons run by the Sunland Recreation Center on Tuesday, November 3rd at 6 p.m., followed by HIP HOP/SALSA on December 1. It is hoping that the hip hop team will be ready to perform at the Sunland Rec Center’s Holiday Party. Our highly experienced dance professionals are donating their time to our community to bring the world of “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing With the Stars” to our own kids and young Cheryl Griffith and crew strut their stuff! adults. They don’t need to have experience. They don’t of “KIDZ DANCE TROUPE” and young adults who would need to audition. They don’t from Sunland/Tujunga area. “love” to learn to dance and even need talent. They must Volunteer instructors enjoy a hobby that may just “WANNA DANCE.” Cheryl Griffith, a highly otherwise not be available to The purpose of the program them. Those who excel will experienced hip hop and ballis to offer, at no cost, the joy room dance teacher, formerly continue to get training to of dance to our community’s from The Dance House in La compete in the USA Dance young people. It is available Crescenta, Pinecrest School Antelope Valley’s Kidz to ages 8 and up. The instruc- Dance Program in Palmdale in Thousand Oaks, and Arthur tors want to find all children see Dance, page 9 each March under the name
Tuna Talk: Fish Canning in the Port of L.A.
merce Avenue in Tujunga. Formore information , call (818) 352-3420 or e-mail littlelanders@verizon.net. •••
The history of the building of the Port of Los Angeles and its related industries includes the success of our city’s fish canning business. The next program in the series of Little Landers Historical Society’s monthly programs tells us why a tuna fish is on the Seal of the County of Los Angeles. Our speaker for this program is L.A. Harbor Department historian Dennis Hagner. He is a 28-year veteran of the Harbor Department and his duties include administering the Department’s Historic Resource Policy and reviewing environmental legislation. This program is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome and is on Saturday, October 10 at 1 p.m. at Bolton Hall Museum, 10110 Com-
Megan Kleszcz of Tujunga Awarded Sigma Alpha Lambda is proud to announce that Megan Marie Kleszcz of Tujunga, CA, has recently become recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Leadership and Honors Organization at the Sonoma State University. Sigma Alpha Lambda is a national leadership and honors organization dedicated to promoting and rewarding academic achievement and providing members with opportunities for community service, personal development, and lifelong professional fulfillment. Congratulations to Megan Marie Kleszcz.
My Two Cents
To a Woman, “Firm” Means… The hotel we stayed at on vacation had soft and firm pillows. The firm pillows weren’t firm enough so I requested extra firm. The hotel clerk thought when I said extra firm that I meant in quantity, not texture, so he gave me two additional firm pillows. This went on for a few days till the bed were covered in pillows and the misunderstanding finally cleared up. Turns out the hotel didn’t have extra firm pillows, but they did have extra firm mattresses. When you fly and use the airplane pillow there’s always that one stray hair on it. You see the hair and wonder if that person had head lice. You ask yourself if the person before you was sick and coughed all over it.
You wonder if they washed their hands after using the restroom, before touching the pillow. You wonder if the pillow carries e-coli. Did the person before you drool on the pillow? Even worse, if they drooled, were they carrying a deadly disease? If you answer yes, then you wonder if your HMO will cover the outrageous medical bills. Let’s just hope you go quickly. As a woman when you rest your head on a hotel pillow, you realize the definition of the word firm varies. As a woman you think if your breast were as firm as the pillow, they’d be dragging on the ground. That’s not good. A woman wants solid and sturdy both in her pillow
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Cindy Argiento is a freelance columnist. To check out her book and laugh along at her other works, go to cindyargiento.com. She may be contacted via cargiento@aol.com.
For the absolute best steak this Labor Day, get Harmony Farms’
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THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 — 3
VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
Just in time for Halloween, our community is getting things cleaned up and visiting our new businesses. Yes, 2-3 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. We have come together to unravel the almost criminal acts by some of our “esteemed” residents. Commerce Avenue got cleaned up by the efforts of our local Clean-up & Beautification (CUB) committee and with the help of some of our social/ service organizations. But I didn’t see one single Commerce Ave. business owner lifting a finger to help. You know, sometimes it gets really difficult dealing with people who don’t have our same values of cleanliness. Our two fried chicken places were shut down (and re-opened) for rodent & vermin removal. I spent some time walking up and down Commerce Ave. and it is hard to believe that people can maintain such shoddy store fronts. Not all, but some, are an absolute disgrace to the community. Unfortunately, we don’t have the Commerce Owners & Business Restoration Association around anymore. After getting little (if no) help
from the STNC, they just up and quit. And I don’t blame them. It is a real bitch to break your ass to make the community better for everyone, and although everyone tells you how wonderful your project is/was, not many community residents or business owners come out to help. I’ve pissed off a lot of people in the past because I rubbed their noses in it. The cronyism, the flat-out lies by our social/service clubs, the misspeaking of our councilman and his aids, the incestuous relationships between the STNC, the Chamber of Commerce and the political wannabees, have all done their share to destroy our community. It wasn’t that long ago that we had Tomi-Lynn’s bogus “Best of S-T Awards”. That was the top of the iceberg. All the usual suspects joined together to protect her and it almost destroyed our neighborhood council. It’s funny what a digital video recording can do about exposing lies. Yup, this is S-T, a great town. And together we can make it better. What I did find, is that corruption in our neighborhood council perme-
VI EW
R OCK ated everything here. There is a comment flying around town “JOIN THE CHAMBER – AND DIE!” And our local businesses are doing just that. Wouldn’t it be nice for local businesses to be able to come together and have fun events for the community? Just a thought. I do remember how it used to be with our “Old Timers Days,” The Easter Festival, the Watermelon Festival, the Farmers Market, the Commerce Ave. Community Fair. And more. I guess I just hate it when people
act badly. Oh, and now we are going to lose our STNC Logistics office because our councilman is upset over the hate comments on our local hate sites. With the acquiescence of our community leaders, the Michele’s and Tomi-Lyn’s hate sites prospered and spewed their venom across city boundaries, making S-T look like something out of the movie Deliverance. I’ve been trying to figure out how things like this happened and I really have to say: “It Could Be the Water!
The Foothills Letters & Perspectives
It’s Time to Take A Stand THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
is published bi-weekly. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. All submissions to this newspaper become property of THE FOOTHILLS PAPER and may not be republished in whole or in part. The opinions expressed by contributing writers do not necessarily express the views of the publisher nor staff of this newspaper. TFP is available free of charge. No person may, without prior written permission from TFP, take more than one copy of each edition (stated value: $1). Only authorized TFP distributors may distribute THE FOOTHILLS PAPER. THE FOOTHILLS PAPER is a nonprofit newspaper produced by the OSS-Spectrum group.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR/PUBLISHER Dr. David DeMullé
editor@thefoothillspaper.com TECHNICAL EDITOR Randall Fleming ftp@thepaper.ws WITH THANKS TO The ILS Foundation for Their Support
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER TheFoothillsPaper.COM P.O. Box 444, Tujunga CA 91043 818-951-0943
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Dear Editor, The recent controversial decision by a sharply divided (5-4) Supreme Court to concoct a Constitutional “right” to homosexual “marriage” won’t be the last word on the subject. The ideologically based, politically biased decision, which basically puts heterophobic homosexuals on the same level as normal heterosexuals, so flies in the face of reason that it will eventually be overturned by more intelligent, less biased judges. Thinking people have known for centuries that homosexual activity is immoral and a bad legal precedent. The ancient and primitive Greek and Roman societies once valued homosexual activity, but people ultimately wised up and deprecated it. Plato, for example, wisely and logically opposed it as unethical. Some Supreme Court Justices should be as wise as Plato on this subject. As female minds in male bodies and male minds in female bodies are sure signs that something went wrong somewhere (in nature and/ or nurture), so homosexual minds in heterosexual bodies are also sure signs of mind/ body mismatches, are sure signs of disorders. To put obvious disorders like homosexuality on a par with normal heterosexuality is clearly absurd. To equate homosexual
“marriage” with heterosexual marriage is nonsensical. Someday in the future people will look back at this regressive, inane decision and wonder “What were they thinking?” (or IF they were thinking). In the meantime, it’s up to decent ethical people to work to overturn it. Let’s get started. Wayne L.
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4 — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
Attention All Veterans,
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20
Casino Night at The Legion Hall
Sons, Daughters and Wives of Veterans
Come and Enjoy your local American Legion Post Help support Veterans and Veterans’ Causes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EVERY SUNDAY: SPECIAL DRINK SERVED WITH A LIGHT LUNCH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, Oct 4 Meeting Day
12:30 p.m. - Sons • 1 p.m. - Legion 2 p.m. - Auxiliary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday, Oct 10, 8 p.m.
Working Stiffz
Anniversary Dinner Dance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, October 11 Post Breakfast 9 a.m. - Noon Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Bacon, Eggs, Pancakes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 17, 6:30 p.m. Auxiliary Dinner - Dance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
American Legion Post 377
10039 Pinewood Avenue, Tujunga
(818) 353-9856 Events open to the Public
Canteen Hours - 7 days a week, 2- 10 p.m.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For Hall Rental, call Commander Dan at
(818) 521-1137
While most of our community’s “Social/Service Organizations” are out trying to get new members and provide fun things for their club, the American Legion Post 377 opens its doors to Sunland-Tujunga to share the fun with its neighbors. The Working Stiffz were there playing their music to the toe tapping crowd. Go Legion!
Casino Night Sponsors 2015 American Legion Post 377 Thank you all for your support! Security Paving LMS Electric Robert Young Crescenta-Canada Rotary Precision Prep Joe Kroening Doug Boyland The Baca Family Tile Max Boston Dental The Kellgreen Family Salon A.J. Masters RE Smith The Foothills Paper Classy Jewelers Sunland Discount
Chapman Chiropractic Mark Freeman Stil-Mor Automotive Jason Honda The Rattler American Legion Post 520 Marina Edwards Wag My Tail Joe Farindino C&M Printing Nita Young Seward Real Estate Tom Cissel American Legion Post 377
Bartenders Joe & Linda Henry Joey Hallarn & Daughters Rise ‘N Shine Cafe Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce Bud Fales Andy’s Transfer & Storage Crippen Mortuary American Legion Post 377 Women’s Auxiliary The DeSilvera Family The Schneider Family Joselito’s Mexican Food
NVNC Annual Community Health Fair Was a Success The North Valley Nursing Center had its annual Sidewalk Community Health Fair across from North Valley City Hall last Saturday. Their event was open to the public and they brought together local businesses and services supporting health, safety and other resources in the Sunland-Tujunga area. This year, they had information booths from local businesses and agencies, face painting, gifts for visitors, free flu shots and free health screenings. It was another successful community event put on by the North Valley Nursing Center.
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 — 5
VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
Cremini Mushroom and Ricotta Galette Cremini mushrooms are younger Portobello mushrooms and are sometimes sold as “baby Portobello” or “baby Bella” mushrooms. They have a firm texture and a wonderful earthy flavor. I use them frequently in soups because they hold up better in liquid than most mushrooms. If you’ve enjoyed my Teleme, Squash and Onion Galette then you’re gonna love this one. In addition to Cremini mushrooms, this Galette features a flaky wheat germ crust with a Swiss chard and ricotta cheese filling. Why not make this as a special appetizer for your favorite father this Sunday? Crust Ingredients: 3 cups flour 1 cup wheat germ 1½ teaspoon salt 1¼ cup tablespoons unsalted butter 10-12 tablespoons cold water Galette Ingredients: 1 cup fresh ricotta Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided) 4 ounces Cremini mushrooms (sliced thin) 1 garlic clove (minced) 1 bunch large Swiss chard (ribs and stems removed and leaves chopped) 1 cup mixed spring greens (such as the Ready Pac brand) 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest (grated fine)
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Crust Directions: Stir together flour, wheat germ and salt. Cut butter into these dry ingredients (a pastry cutter makes this easy). When the dough is the consistency of rolled oats, sprinkle with enough of the water to hold the dough together. Form into two equal balls, cover and refrigerate for about an hour before rolling out into a circle approximately ¼-inch thick. Galette Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season ricotta with salt and pepper. Stir and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic for until about 30 seconds. Add half of chard, season with salt and pepper, and cook, tossing, until slightly wilted. Add
remaining chard and cook, tossing occasionally, until completely wilted, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and set aside. Roll each ball of dough on a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper to about ¼-inch thickness (approx. 12-inches in diameter). Transfer parchment and dough to a baking sheet. Spread three-fourths of ricotta over dough, leaving a 1½” border. Top with chard and then mushrooms. Dollop remaining ricotta over this. Bring edges of dough up and over filling, overlapping as needed, to create the border. Bake Galette, rotating once, until crust is golden brown and cooked through, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Toss mixed greens with lemon juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small bowl. Season with pepper. Top Galette with the greens and lemon zest and serve while still warm.
See Chef Randy’s food blog for more recipes at
http://valley-vegetarian.com Former Sunland Resident Wins International Illustration Contest
Former Sunland resident Talia Spencer has been officially announced as a winner in the Illustrators of the Future Contest. She will be honored at the 32th Annual L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards Event being held in April 2016 in L.A. The Oscarstyle awards event celebrates this year’s winners in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future contest. The contest, one of the most prestigious illustration competitions now in its 27th year, is judged by some of the
Artfully
I read somewhere, years ago, that without art in a culture, that culture was destined to eventually deteriorate. The concept I read was lengthy and complicated. With the space constraints, I won’t have the time to expound on it here. Those of us not brought up with art in our lives unconsciously are searching for it. I believe humanity, since the dawn of time; starting with the caveman, was looking for something to explain their world and used “art” in the form of cave paintings to help untangle the uncertainty of life and dissuade their fears. We do the same today, using the technology at hand today. Whatever technologically popular art we create in the near or distant future, it is our way of trying to explain our world. The major issue is that our world today may be more complex. In retrospect, in Michelangelo’s time, painters choose to hold to the traditions of their past. I laud the work done by the masters who created works that span decades. They also developed new processes and methods many still used today. We take for granted the efforts of these artists. In a time when the aristocracy or the church ruled with an iron fist; where new doctrine was look upon with suspicion; when discovery and exploration into the mysteries of life were discouraged. These artists worked, in secrecy and with great personal peril, to move art into the light. Much of what we see
e
and experienced in art can be attributed to the work of these artists. Much of what we know about art in general is directly related to them; I see my life as being a bridge from the past to present. My training and experience comes from these masters of the past. They are the base of my entire art career. I’m a child of their teachings. Newer generations of artists, with the current media exposure given them, are looking with fresh eyes to creating newer art. I may not applaud the results or appreciate their efforts, but a small segment of contemporary artists are pushing, like those who pushed before them, to create new ways of seeing as did the artists who created Fauvism, Cubism, Impressionism did before them. I will continue to paint in the style I appreciate and understand while shunning the Modernists or Abstractionists. Yes, I push forward but I’m not willing to go to the extremes I see in art today. I am forever cemented here with tradition, for better or worse, to be one of the voices who believe it is okay to look ahead and try and create a “modern” view of life, but we must not forget where we came from. We must not dismiss all the work which came before. We must not look forward while ignoring the generations of artists who, through their struggle, made possible the art we create today. It is through their efforts that we have the freedom to push modern art boundaries.
Reach 7,000 premier names in speculative fiction. As a winner, Ms. Spencer’s art will be published in the bestselling science fiction anthology series, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume XXXII. She will also receive a cash prize and attend a week-long workshop
taught by the contest blue ribbon panel of judges including Cliff Nielsen (Chronicles of Narnia), Larry Elmore (Dungeons and Dragons), Steven Hickman and others, followed by the awards ceremony. She currently resides in L.A. and attends the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
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6 — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20
It’s The Water, Indeed by
Karen Perdue
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power held a community meeting on a proposed water and power rate increase at the Sunland-Tujunga Municipal Building on September 24. They are “proposing a fiveyear rate action that seeks a modest water and power rate increases each year based on the following priorities and key principles: Replace Aging Water and Power Infrastructure, Transform Water and Power Supplies, Improve Customer Service, and Keep Rates Competitive.” Customers will see an increase of approximately $5.00-$20.00 per month added to their bill for five years. Does anyone
believe the increase will end in five years? They state their highest priority is customer trust. That trust was flushed down the toilet more than a year ago when their customers were robbed of hundreds, and for some, thousands of dollars during their billing debacle. Customers either paid their ransom or they sat in the dark. Customer service was absent during that time and offered scripted nonsensical answers to explain why ratepayers bill had doubled or tripled. I’ve heard many stories where arbitrary bills were sent out for an additional $2,500 or more for retroactive “estimated billing periods” in addition to their
regular bills. There were many angry people in attendance. Most have already had a taste of the water and power shenanigans and it was repugnant. Of particular interest are the results of a yearlong battle to allow an audit into how the LADWP workers union spent $40 million of ratepayer trust fund money: Trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, lots of steak dinners, free gasoline, and millions in contracts without competitive bids. That’s how. The new rate plan will need to be approved by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, the L.A. city council, and then by the Mayor. If approved, the new rates will go into effect in January.
More than 50 people showed up at the LADWP meeting to hear about the new water price increases.
Got a few minutes? Want to do something different while waiting for a seat at Caruso’s?
Check out the RATTLER BAR across the street!
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 — 7
VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
Foothills Pet Page Chain Stores You Probably Didn’t Know Allowed Pets For many pet lovers, bringing a furry friend along on a shopping trip would be the perfect way to spend a day. While many big-name chain stores do have a “service dogs only” policy, you may be surprised to know that a number of them will in fact allow you to shop with your Shih-Tzu or browse with your bulldog. Please keep in mind that many of these stores only welcome pets on a limited basis. In some cases, the decision to allow pets is left to individual store managers. This means that while one chain location may welcome your pooch, another may have a no-pets policy. In other cases, a stand-alone chain location may allow pets, while a mall location may have to comply with that mall’s no-pets policy. Rules and policies change all the time from store to store and from location to location. It’s important to contact any store you plan to visit with your pet to ensure that they will in fact allow him in - even if you have brought him into that store before. Out of respect to the establishment and its patrons, any time your pet visits a store he should be leashed and under your control at all times. Some stores ask that pets ride in shopping carts and be kept securely and tightly
Learn to laugh at life
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leashed, and some ask that they be contained in a carrier. Make sure you are aware of the store’s specific policies before visiting. Department Stores Several department store chains around the country have been known to welcome pets. Banana Republic is notably dog friendly, with some locations offering treats to canine visitors. The Gap and Old Navy, which are owned by the same company as Banana Republic, have also been known to allow dogs. Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s allow dogs in at least some of their locations, and Nordstrom has welcomed
pooches through its doors for over 20 years. Bed Bath and Beyond goes above and beyond at some of its locations by not only allowing pets, but providing specialty dog carts for them to ride in. Pet Stores Perhaps not surprisingly, both Petco and PetSmart celebrate their doggie clientele, and leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome throughout each store at every location. Some locations even offer doggie day care for shoppers. Home Improvement Stores Lowe’s Home Improvement and Home Depot are both well-known for allowing pets see Friendly, page 9
8 — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20
Bill Murray, Where Are You? When the rats, gophers and squirrels start ganging up, look out! Jim Laris
digress before I have actually started doing something? You know it wasn’t until I How can I digress when I’m was 29 that I learned that not not doing anything? If I had all women in bars are named started my column, and then Security. I would go into a I mentioned meeting all the place and sit down next to a lovely Securities I once knew, beautiful (or any breathing) that would be OK. That young woman, and I would would be true digression. look at her, and raise my eye- Anyway, I am not digressbrows alternately, right, then ing now. I am just continuing left, then right again, and on with my column and I’d let her catch a glimpse of entering into a completely my money clip with the two new subject. The digression twenties in it hiding the ones, is now over, or to be more and I would order a Chivas accurate, the digression never rocks with a splash of 7-Up, really started. and I would say, “Hi, would Do you guys have you like to have the wildest problems with rats, gophers night of clothes-ripping, and squirrels? Well, your sweat-dripping sex you’ve favorite digressing columnist ever had, or would you like does. We have rats in our to go out with me?” garage. And it is not pretty. And then, when she paused These little rotten rodents and gaped at me, I would are everywhere. We find rat introduce myself, “My name droppings on the floor and is Jim. What’s yours?” And on the shelves and on our she’d always say, “Security.” car. They’ve gnawed holes in And I would say, “Hi, Secuboxes and are making nests rity. This is really uncanny. in old clothes. I think I can You’re the fifth woman I’ve hear them laughing too. met this week with that name. At first, I tried to get rid of What are the odds?” them myself. I bought some But I digress. But before of those deadly rat springI digress, I would like to traps and hired a guy from inquire if I can officially Gold’s Gym to pull back the by
iron bar things, and I baited the traps with peanut butter, and yes, the traps all went off, but I didn’t catch any rats. Nope, I just hear them spitting out PB now. You ever hear a rat go pa-tui. And then laugh. It’s not a good sound. Then I took out my old .22 rifle and staked out the garage. And when I finally saw one of those little brownfaced PB-suckers, I pulled off a round. I missed, but the ricocheting bullet was kind of entertaining. It bounced off an old cook pot and then glanced off a lamp and then off a sand wedge into one of my seven coolers. I felt like I was in a Road Runner cartoon. So, for safety’s sake, I put on a hockey helmet and fired off a few more shots. Didn’t get any rats, but at least all those storage boxes know who’s boss now. And get this: we have squirrels that are bad-asses too. About a month ago, we were having trouble with our TV reception, so we call Charter and the guy comes out and checks some stuff, then goes outside and looks
at the wire corning into the house from the garage roof, and says, “You guys got squirrel problems.” “You mean those cute tittle bushy-tailed, buck-toothed critters who sing Christmas songs?” I said. “No,” he said, “Those are chipmunks, dumbass. You got squirrels eating your wires.” Jim Laris is Jim Laris. “See up there?” And sure enough, the little varmint And now -as if the rats and vandals had eaten clean through the wires, preventing the squirrels weren’t enough -we have been invaded by us from getting our daily allowance of reality program- gophers. They are in our ming. (I think Marge showed backyard. Holes everywhere. So we had the gardener try them where the wires were.) to (don’t tell PETA) drown By the way, and this is a them with the hose. Didn’t legitimate digression, have work. Then we got Orkin you ever seen a squirrel go out here and they put poison poo-poo? I have not. I have down in their little gopher seen rats leave rat pellets. l tunnels. Didn’t do diddly. I have seen every other kind called Bill Murray and asked of animal leave their calling him to bring his Caddyshack cards. I have seen my dog, dynamite, but I haven’t heard Hadley, leave mounds that back from him. Bastard. should have been illegal. So what could I do? I got But I have never ever seen out my .22 again, and I was a squirrel even so much as lying prone on the grass like hunch over, let alone leave Gordon Liddy humping Mrs. evidence of television wire Liddy, and I had the rifle coating in their scat or pointed right at the gopher whatever those little squirrel suckers call it. see Gophers, page 9
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THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 — 9
VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
-over sixty miles away from her home. Goldie backed out ing, Therapy, Service, Law of her harness at an industrial Enforcement, Emerging Hero area in Orange County. At Dog, and Search and Rescue. nine days lost, when all The only certified bloodavenues had been exhausted hound in the country used by the owners, Glory found to locate lost pets, Glory Goldie hiding under crates in has helped bring closure to a large outdoor tile factory. hundreds of families across The Pekinese was severely California in the last eight dehydrated and scared, but years. Her devotion and drive very much alive! (and nose) help her to sniff The two-hour Hero Dog out lost pets or remains up to event will be broadcast on the a period of twenty-two days. Hallmark Channel on October Last year, Glory was 30 at 8 p.m. Pacific Time. So able to walk up and find a mark your calendars. You Pekinese, Goldie. Goldie had won’t want to miss it. been lost by a pet sitter who Landa Coldiron is a two-time had taken her to his work award-winning bloodhound place--without permissionhandler.
Glory, from pg. 1
Haggen, from pg. 1 At this time, rumors are circulating that Stater Brothers may buy the Southern California Haggen stores and continue on with the existing employees. Although everyone had high hopes on the new quality and lower prices that Haggen promised when they opened, higher prices kept most local
Woman, from pg. 2 and breasts. She doesn’t want saggy. As a woman you think if your neck was as firm as the pillow, butchers would hunt you down come Thanksgiving. A woman wants tight and
Gophers, from pg. 8 hole just waiting for one of the dirtbags to raise his little pest head, and then I heard something. It was very faint at first. I could barely hear it Then it got a little louder and
shoppers away. Even the weekly barrage of grocery store ads that arrived in the mail depicted prices so high that people just didn’t even go there to see for themselves if there were in fact higher quality items. Sunland-Tujunga is now saddled with the possibility of yet another empty building on Foothill Boulevard. taut both in her pillow and neck. As a woman standing over your firm pillow, holding up your sagging breast and turkey neck (which is now part of your cleavage,) you make a firm decision to take your own pillow next time you travel. I leaned closer to the hole. And I swear on my mother’s tattoo, I heard a gopher say in his little gopher voice, “Got any peanut butter?” Jim can be contacted at jimlaris@mac.com
Friendly, from pg. 7
but also not surprising.
however, the degree to which pets are welcome varies widely from location to location. It’s important to check with each individual store before bringing your dog with you to help you select your lumber or bathroom fixtures.
Craft Stores Michael’s Craft Store has a reputation for being dog friendly. While not every location may welcome your pooch, some of them will allow him to ride in the cart as you browse.
Outdoor Stores Tractor Supply Company, a well-known agricultural and farming supply store, welcomes leashed, friendly dogs at most of its locations - but that’s what you might expect from a store that supports pet adoptions and holds an annual Pet Appreciation Week. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s - both of which are hunting, fishing and all-around outdoor authorities -- also allow pets at many of their locations; a fact that’s not well-known,
Local Stores Many local chains or mom-and-pop stores work to develop personal relationships with their clientele. They also tend to have a lot of discretion and autonomy when it comes to whether or not they will allow pets in their establishments. Call ahead to your favorite local retailer. They may surprise you by saying your pet is welcome, especially if he’s small enough to fit in a carrier or shopping cart.
Clock, from pg. 1 Avenue town clock and an inconveniently painted red curb also on Commerce Avenue, are in the process of being resolved. On Wednesday, Councilmember Krekorian sent a letter to the Bureau of Street Lighting to place a street clock at the corner of Commerce Avenue and Tujunga Canyon Boulevard as part of the revitalization of Historic Old Towne Commerce Avenue in Tujunga. One day later, the clock tower was approved and installation is scheduled to begin as early as mid-May,
due to an innovative process the Councilmember proposed. In his letter, he asked the Bureau of Street Lighting to use the existing streetlight electrical system for the clock, as it “makes the best fiscal sense,” he wrote. With the rise in a pedestrian traffic along Commerce Avenue, residents took note when a freshly painted red curb seemed to eliminate needed parking spaces near Greeley Street. Councilmember Krekorian urges the City’s Department of Transportation to remove a portion of the red curb to allow for additional parking spots Officials hope to have a
arts and culture into their curriculums. Nowadays, dance is Murray’s School of Dance. only taught in private schools Joan Robinson has also taught so this is our way of helping dance at the Dance House the LA School District. and the Foothill Athletic Club. Dancing is not just a hobby, She has won numerous comit is a great form of exercise petition and volunteer awards which enhances social skills with the National Smooth and encourages interaction Dancers. Rachel Seward is and communication. It is a an avid dancer who teaches form of art that is getting lost dance at the Solheim Senior’s among the video games and Home. the texting crazes, neither As Rachel and Joan explain, of which are particularly “It has come to our attention redeeming.” that the schools do not have The instructors particularly much of a budget to provide want to encourage teenagers
Dance, from pg. 2
resolution on this issue very soon.” Calls made to Felipe Fuente’s office brought no intelligent information, and the little information we did receive was useless. So we went ahead on our own. TFP staffers have spoken to the clock manufacturer and we can get a repairman out to repair the broken clock for under $1,000. All we need is permission from the city to work on it. We will be having a fundraiser to raise the almost $1,000 needed to get it back “on-time.”
and males. “After all,” says Joan, “it is the only sport where guys can hold young ladies in their arms and be adored by them for doing so. We ladies love to dance more than men. So the males who get into dancing find themselves very popular with members of the opposite sex.” Pre-registration is required. Call Sunland Recreation Center at (818) 352-5282 with student’s name, phone #, school and grade. For more information, call Joan Robinson at (818) 951-1516.
10 — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
Crime Stats Theft 09/10/15 01:00 PM 00 BLOCK OF BIG TUJUNGA BL AND ORO VISTA ST
Theft 09/19/15 08:00 PM 6200 BLOCK OF GYRAL DR
Theft 09/15/15 01:00 PM 00 BLOCK OF ELLENBOGEN AND PARR
Theft 09/19/15 10:00 PM 6100 BLOCK OF SISTER ELSIE DR
Theft 09/15/15 09:00 PM 10400 BLOCK OF JOHANNA AV
Theft 09/19/15 02:00 PM 10500 BLOCK OF MCCLEMONT AV
Burglary 09/15/15 12:00 PM 9500 BLOCK OF INSPIRATION WY
Theft 09/19/15 05:45 PM 10500 BLOCK OF MOUNT GLEASON AV
Theft 09/15/15 02:10 PM 7700 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL
Theft 09/20/15 09:45 AM 8600 BLOCK OF WENTWORTH ST
Theft 09/16/15 06:00 PM 6600 BLOCK OF ELMHURST DR
Theft 09/21/15 01:30 AM 6900 BLOCK OF ESTEPA DR
Assault 09/16/15 08:20 PM 6900 BLOCK OF DAY ST
Burglary 09/21/15 09:40 AM 10800 BLOCK OF AMIDON PL
Theft 09/16/15 10:15 PM 10300 BLOCK OF MCCLEMONT AV
Theft 09/18/15 10:00 AM 10900 BLOCK OF RUSSETT AV
Burglary 09/16/15 07:20 PM 7500 BLOCK OF OWENS ST
Theft 09/20/15 03:00 PM 10400 BLOCK OF SUNLAND BL
Assault 09/16/15 11:00 PM 11000 BLOCK OF WHITEGATE AV
Theft 09/21/15 10:00 PM 7000 BLOCK OF GREELEY ST
Theft 09/16/15 05:20 PM 8300 BLOCK OF KYLE ST
Burglary 09/21/15 09:30 PM 10600 BLOCK OF PLAINVIEW AV
Theft 09/16/15 09:30 PM 9000 BLOCK OF MULBERRY DR
Theft 09/21/15 09:30 PM 10600 BLOCK OF PLAINVIEW AV
Theft 09/16/15 10:30 PM 00 BLOCK OF 3RD ST AND GRAND VIEW
Theft 09/23/15 08:00 PM 8600 BLOCK OF JAYSEEL ST
Theft 09/17/15 02:15 PM 1700 BLOCK OF LA BARRANCH RD
Theft 09/24/15 09:00 AM 10100 BLOCK OF SILVERTON AV
Burglary 09/17/15 01:25 PM 5200 BLOCK OF ALTA CANYADA RD
Theft 09/24/15 10:00 AM 7400 BLOCK OF FOOTHILL BL
Theft 09/17/15 02:00 PM 00 BLOCK OF MOUNT GLEASON AND JAYDEE CR
Burglary 09/25/15 02:20 AM 10400 BLOCK OF SUNLAND BL
Burglary 09/18/15 10:00 PM 10600 BLOCK OF MCCLEMONT AV
Burglary 09/24/15 04:00 PM 9300 BLOCK OF WEXFORD DR
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20
LCFOG Hosts Book and Author Luncheon in Sunland by
Arlene Massimino
The LaCañada-Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild (LCFOG) will hold its 58th annual Book and Author Luncheon on October 27 at Angeles National Golf Course in Sunland. The luncheon is a major fundraising event for the Guild, which was founded in 1957 as an auxiliary of the Charitable Children’s Guild (CCG). Members of the LCFOG support the Orthopaedic Institute for Children (OIC) with fundraising and volunteer hours. Several members volunteer at the ‘It’s A Bargain Thrift Shop’ while others perform clerical duties or work at the annual carnival or Christmas parties held at the OIC campus in downtown Los Angeles. One thing is certain; one hundred percent of all contributions to the Guild as well as all profits from book sales go directly to the CCG for donation to OIC Ambulatory Surgery Center Fund. This year, guests at the annual luncheon will have an opportunity to hear three amazing speakers present their latest books. The first presenter will be Shari Shattuck, an entertaining and talented actress and author who lives close by in the National Forest above Los Angeles. Shattuck’s first book, Loaded,
Karen Keskinen.
Shari Shattuck.
was selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best of 2003. Since then, she has written five novels. She will speak about her most recently published book, Becoming Ellen” which follows her 2014 book, Invisible Ellen. Karen Keskinen, a friendly, caring and exceptional author, will be the second speaker of the day. During her childhood, Keskinen says she was privileged to attend schools which were mixed racially, culturally and by income levels. These aspects of life emerge in both her novels Blood Orange and Black Current. One of her passions — in addition to writing — is being an advocate for mental health services. She donates a portion of her proceeds from the Jaymie Zarlin series to the Rosalind Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism. LCFOG is hon-
ored that she has chosen to be one of our distinguished guest speakers and is certain the luncheon guests will be impressed with her thoughts and her book. The third speaker, Keika Yamaguchi, is an illustrator of children’s books and has a very interesting story to tell. She moved from Japan to the U.S. as a child and found picture books an essential tool to help her learn to read in English. Space is limited and the luncheon is by invitation. If you would like to attend please contact Marianne Jennings at (818) 249-5443 or via email, fajmlj@aol.com, and request an invitation be mailed to you. If you are unable to attend and wish to further the cause of OIC, donations may be sent to LaCañada-Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild, P.O. Box 777, La Cañada-Flintridge, CA 91012-0777.
THE FOOTHILLS PAPER • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 — 11
VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20 • www.thefoothillspaper.com
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12 — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 • THE FOOTHILLS PAPER
www.thefoothillspaper.com • VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 20
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