La Canada Real Estate

Something to Do Friday November 18

"Moveable Feast...a Collection of Our Favorite Things"

Calling all holiday shoppers! This boutique features wonderful home accessories by Jamie Dietrich and Nate Ricketts plus paintings by Linda Miller. Many other artists will be selling their jewelry and crafts at this special in-home holiday event:

Sip, Mingle & Shop!

11:00-8:00 Friday November 18, 2011

4835 Oakwood Avenue, La Canada

Save the Dates

On Thursday November 17 at 7:30 pm the Americana is having their 4th annual tree-lighting ceremony. Even if you aren't a big shopper it really is a fun place to take the kids...like Disneyland without the rides.

The Festival of Lights at La Canada Memorial Park is slated for December 2 at 4:30. There is music, reindeer and real snow plus the gazebo is lit up like a Christmas tree.

News from our Chamber of Commerce insider Dick Grippi:

Sprouts is opening February 24, 2012. The new owners of La Canada Town Center will be submitting plans to the city for modifications to allow more foot traffic. Town Center is also supposed to Decorate one of the big Deodars in celebration of the holidays. Los Gringos Locos will be open in their new location (Vons center) for private parties in December and open to the public in January. Lots of stuff happening in our little town! Cheers!

Things To Do This Summer

The La Canada Beach Bus is back! The bus picks up on the NW corner of Foothill and La Canada Blvd. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9:15 through September 5. Round-trip fare to Santa Monica is $3. Pick up in Santa Monica is 3:30, arriving back in La Canada at 4:30. If all of the threatening highway signage is true regarding the 405 shut-down, the bus departing La Canada on July 16 will arrive back sometime next year. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Music in the Park is a wonderful La Canada summer tradition. Join friends and family at Memorial Park every Sunday this summer for food, fun and music:

http://lacanadaflintridge.com/docfiles/city/rec_na_sch_110512_081332.pdf

Descanso Gardens also offers plenty of summer activities, including a kid-friendly concert series Tuesday nights:

http://www.descansogardens.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=353:family-summer-series-2011&catid=48:events&Itemid=73

Look for my crazy loud children and their posse of friends on Tuesday for Rhythm Child!

 

Save the Date

My mom has edited and contributed to a wonderful book titled "Cherished." She and other authors will be signing books at Vromans on April 28 at 7:00 pm. If you have ever loved and lost a pet this book will speak to you.

http://www.vromansbookstore.com/cherished

Of course I am plugging this book (my Mom!). I have to admit I have not read it yet as it is a subject that is almost too moving for me to handle. If you see someone sobbing in the corner at Vromans, it may be me.

First day of school...

Okay, so I didn't cry but was incredibly moved by how mature my little people are! The back packs, the socks and shoes...summer is over and they are ready...

Soon they will be driving and won't care if I come to the first day of school so I am enjoying every second of this!
  

Things to do for the 4th of July

If you are at a loss for things to do locally, here are some ideas:

Americafest at the Rose Bowl

http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/RoseBowl_Americafest.htm

Cresenta Valley Fireworks

http://www.cvfireworks.com/

Other areas

http://www.safejuly4th.org/fw/fwshows.htm

Enjoy and be safe!

Things To Do This Summer

While many parents took care of the summer schedule months ago and are so organized that this information is irrelevant, I am just now sitting down to figure out what my kids will do all summer. In truth, my son is going to summer school for 6 weeks from 9:00-12:00 and my daughter has a flexible schedule at the CEC. But I feel as though I have failed Parenting 101 because I don't have fabulous camps and art classes lined up for my poor neglected children. In an effort to keep them away from the TV I am investigating things to do. The following are links to all that is available in La Canada and the surrounding communities:

La Canada Community Center with sports camps, art and dance programs

http://www.cclcf.org/index.lasso?page=home

Crescenta Canada YMCA preschool and kinder camp is filling up but space available for 1st-9th graders

http://www.ymcafoothills.org/Main/Default/LongTopicDetail.aspx?TopicID=41

 

Tom Sawyer

Almost full, but some availability (which is highly unusual)

http://www.tomsawyercamps.com/Info.html

Descanso Gardens Kids Programs for Summer

http://www.descansogardens.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=50&Itemid=75

Buff Buddies - some availability

http://www.buffbuddiesfitness.com/

Child Education Center - camps for elementary school age

http://ceconline.org/programs/summercamp.asp

 

Cookin Kids Camp 

http://www.cookinkidscamp.com/register.php

Armory Arts Center- great classes for children

http://www.armoryart.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.summerArtCamp

 

Art Center, Pasadena -

http://www.artcenter.edu/kids/program/intro.jsp 

Danny's Farm

Specialty Autism Program for summer  ages 5 yrs to 17yrs 

July open August almost full. Regional center vendored or private pay

http://www.dannysfarm.com/

 

Huntington Gardens - availability

http://www.huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary.aspx?id=7290

 

 

 

Things to do in La Canada

I went with my friends last night to Vendome for a wine and cheese tasting. What a fun evening! While we did get a little loud and had a bit too much to drink (note the blurry photo), I think we will be allowed to go back.  I am always discovering new things that make me appreciate our little 'burb even more. If you are looking for something to do:

http://www.lepetitvendome.com/cgi-bin/calendar.cgi?month=5&year=2010

710 Freeway

This is what I consider a very important issue for La Canada and something we need learn more about. While it is possibly decades away, if it becomes a reality it will adversely impact the city, our schools (LCE is almost on top of the freeway) and our real estate values. Tomorrow night (Friday, February 26) the City of South Pasadena is holding a City Council meeting to discuss the proposed 710 tunnel (thank you Carol Liu!). Our mayor Laura Olasso will be there with Anthony Portantino as well as Ara Najarian, a Metro Board Chair from Glendale and an outspoken opponent of the tunnel (ie: friend to La Canada). Registration starts at 6:30 and the meeting at 7:00. It will be held at South Pas High, 1401 Fremont. If you attend, please post information on the blog.

Important dates

Kindergarten enrollment packets will be available at the elementary school sites beginning Monday. Sibling enrollment will begin on Feb. 4. On Feb. 8 new families can begin enrollment. If you are unfamiliar with the schools and want to know more, there will be tours at all 3 elementary sites at 9:00 February 19. Enjoy!