Rachel Whitaker and Ron Rohrer of La Crescenta will be married on June 27 in Hamilton, Montana and will reside in Tujunga. Both are from La Crescenta. Rachel attended Mountain Avenue Elementary, Rosemont Middle School, CV High School and graduated from Cal State Northridge. She is in her sixth year of teaching elementary school.

Ron attended CV High School and Mesa College in Arizona and works in real estate. The Whitaker family and the Rohrer family have lived in La Crescenta and La Crescenta area for the last 38 years.

The 6200 block of Foothill Boulevard today, Friday, June 19, was the scene of dual protests. One was in support of Black Lives Matter, the other in support of Blue Lives Matter.

The protests were peaceful.

Photos by Charly SHELTON

The Glendale Unified School District is exploring options for reopening campuses for the next school year. The District is working with other agencies to determine the safest way to teach students; however the District has announced the first day of instruction for students will be Wednesday, Aug. 19.

The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 38 new deaths and 1,414 new cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Thirty-one people who died were over the age of 65 and seven people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65. Thirty-two people had underlying health conditions including 26 people over the age of 65 years old and six people between the ages of 41 to 65.

To date, Public Health has identified 79,609 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 3,063 deaths. Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 2,844 people (99% of the cases reported by Public Health).

Upon further investigation, 32 cases and two deaths reported earlier were not LA County residents. There are 1,446 people who are currently hospitalized, 29% of these people are in the ICU and 21% are on ventilators. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for nearly 891,000 individuals and 8% of people testing positive.

The City of Glendale reports 1,219 cases, La Cañada reports 66 cases, Sunland reports 196 cases, Tujunga reports 153 cases and unincorporated County of Los Angeles La Crescenta/Montrose reports 39 cases.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the many people across our county who have lost a loved one or friend to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health. “Since May 13, Public Health has been requiring that everyone wear a cloth face covering when in contact with others not in their household. A lot of questions are raised about why this is important, especially by individuals who are not worried about becoming infected themselves. The important issue here is that we are not asking you to wear the face covering to protect yourself. We ask you to cover your mouth and nose to protect others, especially since you can be infected with COVID-19 and have no illness symptoms; this is how you keep your respiratory droplets from reaching someone else. And even if you tested negative, that negative test only tells you your status the day you were tested. You could become infected the very next day and unknowingly pass on COVID-19 to others. If you were already positive for COVID-19, it is still not clear that you have immunity from the virus, which means you could become infected again and therefore pass along the virus to others. So please continue to always wear a cloth face covering when you are around anyone else, even if this is just passing by someone else.”

Public Health continues to assess indicators on the Recovery Dashboard to understand how COVID-19 is affecting communities and capacity to treat people who may become seriously ill. Based on data from the Recovery Dashboard and key recovery indicators, Public Health is noting that the seven-day average of deaths per day are decreasing across all races and ethnicities, however African Americans, Latinos/Latinx and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are still experiencing a disproportionate number of deaths from COVID-19. The average daily deaths were at their highest in early May at 45 or 46 deaths per day, and in early June, the average daily deaths range between 20 and 30. The daily number of hospitalizations has decreased as well, from peaks of over 1900 to now between 1,350 and 1,450 per day, although there is a slight increase in the last few days. LA County continues to be on target for maintaining adequate hospital capacity, including capacity in intensive care units and having an adequate numbers of ventilators, and meeting the goal of testing 15,000 people per day. The County is also on target for contacting tracing and other indictors found on the Recovery Dashboard.

A modified Health Officer Order and directives for the reopening of additional businesses was issued yesterday with an effective date of today, June 19. The Health Officer Order will allow for the following sectors to reopen once they implement the required protocols for infection control and distancing:

• Cardrooms, satellite wagering facilities and racetracks with no spectators
• Personal care services including: esthetician, skin care and cosmetology services; electrology; nail salons; body art professionals, tattoo parlors, microblading and permanent make-up; and piercing shops; and massage therapy
• Bars, wineries, breweries and tasting rooms

The Health Officer Order contains protocols for all businesses that are permitted to reopen to ensure it is done as safely as possible for employees, customers and residents; all sectors are reopening with reduced occupancy. Employees and visitors to these businesses will need to wear a cloth face covering when around other people and practice physical distancing of at least six feet at all times. Some employees may be required to wear face shields. It is important for everyone to follow the directives and to do their part every day to keep everyone as safe as possible. Businesses should take the time to put all of the protocols in place before reopening. The directives are available online and are contained in sector-specific protocols that inform all re-openings.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Because this virus is still easily transmitted among people in contact with each other, the best protection against COVID-19 continues to be to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, self-isolate if you are sick, practice physical distancing, and wear a clean face covering when in contact with others from outside your household. It’s important if someone thinks they could be positive for COVID-19 and are awaiting testing results, to stay at home and act as if they are positive. This means self-isolating for 10 days and 72 hours after symptoms and fever subside, or until they receive a negative result. If a person tests positive for COVID-19, they should plan on receiving a call from a contact tracer to discuss how to protect themselves and others, to find out where they may have been, and who they were in close contact with while infectious. People who have underlying health conditions remain at much greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, so it will continue to be very important for the County’s vulnerable residents to stay at home as much as possible, to have groceries and medicine delivered, and to call their providers immediately if they have even mild symptoms.

On June 14, at approximately 4:30 p.m., officers were working speed enforcement in the area of Glenoaks Boulevard and Raymond Avenue when they observed two vehicles accelerating at a high rate of speed westbound on Glenoaks.  The vehicles appeared to be taunting one another to speed up.

As the officers were catching up to the two vehicles, they stopped for a red light.  Once the light turned green, both vehicles rapidly accelerated to speeds of approximately 70 MPH as they attempted to gain superiority over one another.  The posted speed limit on this section of Glenoaks is 40 MPH.

Officers were able to stop both vehicles and contacted the drivers, identified as 29-year-old Harutyun Gevorgyan of Burbank and 28-year-old Hrachik Melikyan of Sun Valley, regarding the violations.

Both drivers were arrested for illegal speed contest and their vehicles were impounded.

The Glendale Police Department reminds everyone to adhere to all traffic laws; keeping Glendale safe is our top priority. 

On June 12,  around 8 p.m., a patrol officer was conducting speed enforcement in the area of Glendale Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard when they observed a vehicle driving northbound Glendale at a high rate of speed (over 70 MPH in a 35 MPH zone).  The officer stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, identified as 30-year-old Nareg Rostami of Glendale, regarding the violation. Rostami was subsequently arrested for reckless driving and his vehicle was impounded. 

On June 13,  just after 7 a.m., a patrol officer was in the area of Brand Boulevard and Cerritos Avenue when they heard a vehicle’s engine revving loudly at a nearby intersection. Shortly thereafter, the officer heard the vehicle loudly start accelerating towards their location and observed a vehicle driving northbound on Brand through Cerritos at a high rate of speed. The officer located a vehicle matching this vehicle’s description in the immediate area and contacted 20-year-old Jimmy Vasquez of Los Angeles who admitted to driving the vehicle. Vasquez estimated his speed on Brand to be approximately 55 MPH (in excess of the 25 MPH posted speed limit). Vasquez stated he had revved his engine because he was, “Saying hi to a buddy.” 

Vasquez was arrested for reckless driving and his vehicle was impounded.

UPDATE
June 22

Today, June 22, Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Heath confirmed 18 new deaths due to COVID-19. This brings the total number of deaths in the entire LA County due to COVID-19 to 3,137. Looking at individual cities that feed into that total, as of June 20, the City of Glendale reported 102 deaths, La Cañada Flintridge reported six deaths, Eagle Rock reported 16 deaths, Sunland 20 deaths and Tujunga 11 deaths. In the unincorporated areas of LA County, Altadena reported six deaths and La Crescenta/Montrose reported one death.

On June 22, Public Health confirmed 2,571 new cases of COVID-19.

“This is the third day in the past week we are reporting over 2,000 new cases,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health. “And while some of the increases are due to test reporting issues, it is clear that much of the increase represents more community transmission. Continuing to slow the spread of COVID-19 will not be possible without a renewed commitment by all of us to take care of each other by wearing cloth face coverings, keeping our distance and avoiding crowds.”

With today’s additional cases the total number of positive COVID-19 cases throughout LA County is 85,942; of this total 1,283 cases were in Glendale, 69 were in La Cañada Flintridge, 275 were in Eagle Rock, 16 in Shadow Hills, 203 in Sunland and 161 in Tujunga. In the unincorporated areas of LA County, Altadena has reported 208 cases and La Crescenta/Montrose reported 41 cases.

Public Health continues tracking the number of positive cases and deaths among healthcare workers related to the COVID-19 pandemic response. A total of 7,095 healthcare workers and first responders have confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County. This is an additional 534 new cases since reported last week. Nurses continue to account for the majority of positive cases (43%), though cases have been identified among a range of occupational roles, including caregivers, people who work in administration, medical assistants and people who work in environmental services and food services. The source of exposure is known for 50% of the healthcare workers who tested positive for COVID-19; 78% of healthcare workers with known exposure were exposed in a healthcare facility.

Public Health confirmed 52 healthcare workers have died from COVID-19, eight additional people since the report last week; 39 people who died worked in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, six people worked in hospitals, three people worked in home health, one person worked in a correctional facility, one person worked in a laboratory, and one person who died worked in an outpatient facility. For one healthcare worker who passed away, his/her workplace setting has not been specified.

Dr. Barbara Ferrer made a public statement today, Monday, June 22 following a threat on a Facebook Live conference saying the public health director should be shot.

“COVID-19 has upended thousands and thousands of lives all across the nation. The virus has changed our world as we know it, and people are angry,” Ferrer said.

“As of Monday, 83,397 cases have been reported in Los Angeles County and 3,120 people have died from this virus. We mourn every single one of those deaths, and we are working tirelessly to slow the spread of COVID-19 and find good solutions for the future of our communities.

“And while the devastation experienced by so many is heartbreaking, it is also disheartening that an increasing number of public health officials, across the country – myself included – are threatened with violence on a regular basis. In my case, the death threats started last month, during a COVID-19 Facebook Live public briefing when someone very casually suggested that I should be shot. I didn’t immediately see the message, but my husband did, my children did, and so did my colleagues.

“One reason I handle these briefings myself is to shield the extraordinary team at LA County Public Health from these attacks, which have been going on, via emails, public postings, and letters, since March. It is deeply worrisome to imagine that our hardworking infectious disease physicians, nurses, epidemiologists and environmental health specialists or any of our other team members would have to face this level of hatred.

“Our job and our calling is to keep as many people as safe as possible during this pandemic. We did not create this virus. We come into work every single day prepared to do our very best, prepared to work with everyone, with all of our partners, to try to continue to contain this pandemic and to try to continue to minimize the loss of life. And while frustration boils over in our communities as people are done with this virus, this virus is not done with us.

“As public health officials, we try hard not to be influenced by partisan politics or public sentiment – we must follow the science in order to save lives. And the science says if we don’t change the way we go about our daily routines, we could pay for it with our lives or the lives of others around us. Change is hard, but we must change if we want to contain this virus. Face coverings must be worn because they help to stop the spread of the virus. I recognize there is a lot of pushback from people not wanting to wear face coverings – when wearing a seatbelt was made mandatory in California there was a lot of pushback, too. But the data proves that seatbelts save lives, and the data also proves that wearing a face covering will help stop transmission of COVID-19, which will save lives. And that’s what drives public health officials and is our passion: saving lives.”

Update
June 23

The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 34 new deaths and 2,364 new cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Twenty-seven people who died were over the age of 65, six people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 40. Twenty-seven people had underlying health conditions including 20 people over the age of 65, six people between the ages of 41 and 65 years old and one person between the ages of 18 and 40.

To date, Public Health has identified 88,262 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 3,171 deaths. Ninety-four percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 2,951 people (99% of the cases reported by Public Health).

Upon further investigation, 44 cases reported earlier were not LA County residents. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for nearly 979,000 individuals and 8% of people testing positive.

The City of Glendale reports 1,299 cases; La Cañada Flintridge reports 70 cases; Eagle Rock reports 280 cases; Sunland reports 204 cases and Tujunga reports 165 cases. In the unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County, La Crescenta/Montrose reports 42 cases.

“To the family and friends of people who have passed away from COVID-19, we wish you healing and peace during this sad and difficult time,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health. “The recent increase in daily cases and rates of positive test results indicates that there is more community spread of COVID-19 in LA County. It is as important as ever to use the tools we have to slow the spread of the virus. Please practice physical distancing and wear a cloth face covering. If you have been exposed and/or if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or waiting for results, please self-isolate and stay away from other people, even those who live in your household. These actions save lives.”

Public Health continues to assess key recovery indicators to understand how COVID-19 is affecting communities and capacity to treat people who may become seriously ill. Public Health is seeing small increases in hospitalizations and in the seven-day average of the daily positivity rate. There are 1,515 people who are currently hospitalized, 27% of these people are in the ICU and 18% are on ventilators. Although this number is significantly lower than peaks of over 1,900 people hospitalized daily for COVID-19, this is higher than 1,350 to 1,450 daily hospitalizations seen in recent weeks. And while the cumulative positivity rate remains at 8%, the seven-day average of the daily positivity rate has increased to 8.8%. As the recovery journey continues, Public Health will monitor the data closely to see how increases in cases and rates of positivity affect the number of daily hospitalizations over the next few weeks. The collective goal is to prevent an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 cases at healthcare facilities.

Because this virus is still easily transmitted among people in contact with each other, the best protection against COVID-19 continues to be to wash hands frequently, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, those who are sick should self-isolate, practice physical distancing and wear a clean face covering when in contact with others from outside your household. It’s important if someone thinks they could be positive for COVID-19 and are awaiting testing results to stay at home and act as if they are positive. This means self-isolating for 10 days and 72 hours after symptoms and fever subside, or until they receive a negative result. If a person tests positive for COVID-19, they should plan on receiving a call from a contact tracer to discuss how to protect themselves and others, to find out where they may have been, and who they were in close contact with while infectious. People who have underlying health conditions remain at much greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, so it will continue to be very important for the County’s vulnerable residents to stay at home as much as possible, to have groceries and medicine delivered, and to call their providers immediately if they have even mild symptoms.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things that can be done to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

FDA advises consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico due to the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol), a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. FDA has identified the following products manufactured by Eskbiochem:

• All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
• Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
• Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
• The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
• CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
• Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)

FDA tested samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ. Lavar Gel contains 81%  (v/v) methanol and no ethyl alcohol, and CleanCare No Germ contains 28% (v/v) methanol. Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects.

Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who by accident ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning.

On June 17, FDA contacted Eskbiochem to recommend the company remove its hand sanitizer products from the market due to the risks associated with methanol poisoning. To date, the company has not taken action to remove these potentially dangerous products from the market. Therefore, FDA recommends consumers stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers. Do not flush or pour these products down the drain.

FDA reminds consumers to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose. If soap and water are not readily available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethanol.

FDA remains vigilant and will continue to take action when quality issues arise with hand sanitizers. Additionally, the agency is concerned with false and misleading claims for hand sanitizers, for example that they can provide prolonged protection such as 24 hours against viruses including COVID-19, since there is no evidence to support these claims.

To date, FDA is not aware of any reports of adverse events associated with these hand sanitizer products.

The Bailey Human Care Center, a free community outreach program of the Tujunga United Methodist Church, 9701 Tujunga Canyon, has been providing services to the local community since 1981.  It is an entirely volunteer run organization that serves over 200 needy families and individuals a week. The Center is currently in desperate need  of food with an extreme need for spaghetti sauce, cereal, canned vegetables and soup. Also needed are paper bags.

Items can be dropped off at CV United Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Ave. (call beforehand [818] 249-6173), at the office of CV Weekly, 3800 La Crescenta Ave. #206 (after hours bags can be left at the bottom of the stairs in the lobby or outside the office doors) or contact the Bailey Human Care Center for drop 0ff days and times (818) 352-1481.

Their services are free of charge. 

The Big Wildfire of 1908 – Part 1

In the Crescenta Valley, we’re accustomed to the idea of fire in the mountains around us. But few of us can conceive of wildfire sweeping across the valley floor. Yet, that’s exactly what the Crescenta Valley faced in the late summer of 1908.

The Reverend J. C. Ward of Glendale owned a 10-acre lot in the southwest portion of the Crescenta Valley, perhaps down near today’s CV Park. He and his two sons were clearing it of sagebrush in September 1908. Over several days they carefully burned off the chaparral, taking care that the fire didn’t spread. They then dug out the roots, presumably so they could cultivate the land. A little before noon on a very hot day, they burned one last pile of brush. A gust of wind blew through, sending some embers into the surrounding brush, and the wildfire took off. The three men fought the moving fire as best they could, but it got away from them.

The fire was now headed northeast toward the La Crescenta General Store (at La Crescenta Avenue and Foothill Boulevard) and the La Crescenta Elementary School. The owner of the store and five other men from surrounding homes got out in front of the slowly advancing flames and brought the fire to a standstill with shovels and wet gunny sacks.

The men thought they had beaten the fire. Dripping sweat, they all retreated to the store for food and water. While inside relaxing, they heard a roaring sound outside. They piled out the front door of the store and looked south where they saw huge flames sweeping across what is today Verdugo City and Montrose. While they had been inside the fire had reignited on its southern flank. It had swept the sagebrush-covered (future) Montrose and was turning north again toward the store. The storeowner started a backfire just behind his store in hopes of quickly clearing the brush from behind the building.

Meanwhile farther east on Foothill, the residences and hotels clustered around Foothill and Rosemont Avenue were threatened. It was every man for himself as the fire picked up speed heading up the hill toward Foothill Boulevard. The La Crescenta Hotel just above Foothill was spared, but two homes immediately across the street were quickly incinerated, along with outbuildings and barns.

At the Fairmont Hotel (a resort hotel above Foothill on Fairmont Avenue between Rosemont and Briggs avenues), the hotel manager was sure the flames would stop at the wide Foothill road. But the flames leaped easily across the road. The fire was now generating its own wind. While hotel guests beat at the approaching flames, the main body of the fire tore past them at an incredible speed, traveling north at 100 yards a minute. The hotel was spared but all around them was left a smoking blackened wasteland.

The fire quickly burned up Briggs Avenue, through the olive groves and vineyards heavy with ripe fruit, destroying the crop. The fire was now at the base of the San Gabriels and flames were beginning to sweep up the canyons. The wind changed, and the fire was now pushing west across the foothills, toward the mansion (called Granite Heights) of Sam Merrill at the top of La Crescenta Avenue. Sam Merrill was a community leader, and many men rushed up the hill to his aid. A stand was made and his house was saved, but two ranches nearby were consumed.

The fire now continued moving west across the top of the valley, passing La Crescenta Avenue, then Ramsdell, and approaching the ranch of Vernon Hall at Pennsylvania Avenue and Foothill. Vernon was fighting the fire and cut off from his home but his new wife, Eudoxie, barely out of her teens, saved the ranch single-handedly. As the fire approached, she cut a firebreak and placed water barrels along the fire line. She beat furiously at the flames with a wet sack, running along the line of flames, wetting her sack as needed. She saved their ranch and the fire passed her by.

Next week: the fire continues, the federal firefighters abandon CV, and Phil Begue rallies locals.

By Brandon HENSLEY

Across the country this spring, high schools have tried to find ways to recognize graduating seniors without the usual pomp and circumstance one would find at traditional ceremonies. Because of restrictive measures implemented due to COVID-19, the 2020 graduates of La Cañada High School experienced a virtual ceremony to recognize their accomplishments. But in driving around town recently, one could also see the creativity of their biggest cheerleaders in how the students were supported.

A parent-backed initiative led to banners being hung on light poles up and down Foothill Boulevard, each one showing a senior portrait of a student with their name below.

“The idea really was a grassroots one that started with several supportive parents sharing how they thought this could help not only support the students but unite the community,” said LCHS principal James Cartnal in an email.

He said the parents reached out to the governing board of La Cañada High School with an idea of how to recognize the students. Board President Joe Radabaugh loved it and went to the Superintendent of Schools Wendy Sinnette. From there it snowballed into an outside celebration for students who have been cooped up since March.

“I saw a similar idea being pursued on the East Coast. We agreed to raise the idea with our school and city leaders,” Radabaugh said over email. “They loved it and it became possible to pursue since the Memorial Day parade that normally leverages the poles for their celebratory purposes got moved to Labor Day.”

City officials were on board and then the idea was supported by the deputy director of Public Works Patrick DeChellis.

“Mr. DeChellis, in fact, even spent a morning walking Foothill Boulevard to identify the light poles on which student banners could be hung,” Cartnal said.

The banners were produced by LA Partyworks in South El Monte and Cartnal said an LCHS staff member designed them. Bronson Photography in Montrose brought a thumb drive of all the senior portraits to import the photos.

Cartnal said students and parents would be able to pick up the banners from school this week until Friday.

“It was an important element of the entire project to honor our graduates with this keepsake,” Cartnal said.

“Students, their families, and the community loved it. Once the banners started going [up], the reactions were amazing,” said Radabaugh.

2020 has seen the reimagining of gay Pride events all over the world since the first parade in 1970, one year following the Stonewall uprising. As the public health protocols surrounding COVID-19 seem to evolve daily, many Pride events that were initially canceled have been reconfigured into a virtual format, creating a near-global celebration that crosses borders, cultures and languages that bodies cannot.

Post Pride at ace/121 Gallery marks the first exhibition for many of the artists featured since the issuance of the Safer-At-Home Order. The show was conceived before COVID-19 hit, and the Order seemed to make its themes all the more relevant.

The nine artists featured in the show – Dorian Katz, Emery Nunez, Emiliano Aguirre, Jo Ann Block, John Calavitta, Juan Velasquez, Nelson Munares, Shelley Heffler and Violenta Flores – reflect myriad meditations on queerness and Pride with a particular focus for some on social and racial issues, highlighting the intersectional themes that Pride has come to represent.

From archival work that has found new relevance to new works produced since the pandemic, the artists represented rose to a call of considering when and how a world can be reimagined amidst COVID-19 during – and after – Pride, forever intertwined with the country’s pandemic of racism. The visual appearance of Pride – and how these artists have found ways to display it – has changed drastically over the last months, and these artists’ depictions of self and others offer a gesture toward how we all might emerge from quarantine, in solidarity, toward a common – and possible – future.

To view the exhibition, visit www.ace121gallery.com/post-pride.

This exhibition is made possible by the Eisner Foundation and LA County Arts Commission. It is presented by EngAGE with support from Meta Housing. It is curated by Ben Evans.

By Lori BODNAR, intern

Plato said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Even the global COVID-19 pandemic can’t stop music – during it people have been singing and playing instruments from balconies, porches, and sidewalks, or even virtually together over the internet. Crescenta Valley High School Instrumental Music held a Virtual Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 5 to honor their student musicians. The instrumental music department usually has a celebratory banquet and awards ceremony at the end of the year but due to the current restrictions, the ceremony was held virtually through Zoom, with over 200 participants taking part.

Mathew Schick, instrumental music teacher at Crescenta Valley High School, has been a fixture at the school for 20 years where he teaches six different music classes.

“Being virtual, it was quite lonely for me speaking to everyone because I couldn’t see them [in person] and feel their live energy,” Schick said. “However, I was happy that we had many people watching and opportunities for kids to chat and comment while we went through the awards. We had many more people involved making slides, organizing to drop off items afterward, and compiling the information needed for the ceremony. On one hand, I like the idea of listing awardees in slides because it was a wonderful way of recognizing the students and when we go back to live ceremonies I want to continue that aspect of it. Crescenta Valley Instrumental Music [CVIM, the parent volunteer boosters organization] did an amazing job of helping to convert a live event into a great online experience.”

Kimmie Blood is an 11th grader at CVHS and is in the marching band and jazz band. Blood plays trombone, piano, clarinet, flute and percussion. She is also the assistant drum major this year and will be the drum major next year as a senior. 

“This year’s awards were on Zoom and were a bit disappointing that we couldn’t share in each other’s excitement in person,” she said, “but I’m thankful that through modern technology we could still be connected and celebrate with our music family. I loved being able to see everyone’s faces again. It’s been hard being separated from these wonderful people for so long.”

Andrew Kim, an 11th grader at Crescenta Valley High School, is in marching band and plays the saxophone.

“Obviously with the whole pandemic situation we could not have an actual in-person banquet,” he said. “The emotional aspect of being with each other and celebrating the awards at the end of the year was missing. Although we could not physically be with each other, we had separate Zoom calls going so we could talk to each other and emotionally support each other during the banquet. The virtual award ceremony gave me a sense of normalcy and in a way some closure to the year. Even though it was not in-person, the awards banquet was still something and for that I am very grateful. It was really nice getting to see all of the faces that I haven’t seen in a while, and in a way it was fun because we could still celebrate the accomplishments of my peers and friends even if it was through a screen.”

The awards ceremony featured videos of the musicians playing music, recognized CVIM parent volunteers, recognized the seniors and acknowledged the students and their hard work throughout the year. Announcements were made of awards for the students, plus a picture slideshow was created by Andrew Kim that summed up the year. The different music classes at CV are marching band, string orchestra, symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz band, and color guard.

There were 45 seniors in the instrumental music department this year. Many seniors were in instrumental music throughout all four years of high school, an amazing accomplishment. Some seniors joined music in their last year of high school.

“Our CVIM Foundation put together senior gift swag bags and delivered them the day after the award ceremony. It had gift items for everyone as well as what they earned at the awards ceremony. We always give perpetual tickets to every four-year senior that grants them free admission into any CV Instrumental Music Concert for life, as long as I’m the director. It also had CVIM mugs for everyone as well as some fun and special keepsakes to recognize and acknowledge our musical seniors who are graduating for all they have accomplished.”

The students worked hard throughout the whole year and, in marching band, the music students even labored last summer in band camp to learn their music and field formations. In each instrumental music class, there were student officers who help out with tasks in the classroom. The students volunteer to be student officers and gain leadership experience.

Blood was a drum major assistant this year for marching band.

“Being drum major assistant allowed me to give back to an organization that has blessed my family for over two decades as well as to serve the most kind, deserving people I know,” she said.

Next year, Blood will be the president of jazz band in addition to drum major of the marching band. 

“I am super excited to lead the jazz band next year. We have enrolled a really talented and dedicated group of musicians so I know it will be a fantastic year,” she said.

Andrew Kim was vice president of the marching band this year.

“I was able to help a lot of people, and was essentially a catch all for problems that needed to be resolved,” Kim said. “This was by far the most rewarding portion of my role as I could see a physical representation of my work, whether it was working alongside our equipment crew, or fixing broken props, or taking pictures, I was able to make a difference.”

Kim will be the marching band president next year.

“I am very excited to be the next marching band president because of the strong leadership team that we have this year. All of my fellow peers have been working so hard for this upcoming year and I cannot wait to see what we as a group accomplish musically,” he said of his new role. “Although the role of the marching band might change in the coming year due to COVID-19, I am confident that we, as a group, will have a very memorable year. I cannot wait to see what is in store for us.”

The music students performed in the Winter Concert, although the Spring Concert was cancelled due to COVID-19. However, the music students kept practicing and playing music via remote learning.

There is also an equipment crew who helps load the trailer and U-Haul for performances at football games and festivals, and assists with other tasks such as checking the instruments and helping with the lockers.

Additional awards were given for the most spirited, outstanding musicians, and outstanding initiative in the different music classes that were voted for by the students. Students also made awards for their peers such as the three musketeers, most likely to be Tik Tok famous award, walking history textbook, and best hair.

Scholarships were presented to exceptional music students. The national awards presented at the CVHS Instrumental Music Virtual Awards Banquet were the Director’s Award, Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz Band, National Orchestra Award, and John Philp Sousa Award.

Alexa Hernandez, a senior who was in both marching band and string orchestra for four years, won the Director’s Award. Hernandez was also the president of string orchestra this year.

David Januzik won the Louis Armstrong Award. Leo Gonta won the National Orchestra Award. Nicholas Sandoval, the drum major of marching band for this year, won the John Philip Sousa Award. The criteria for these awards include private lessons, commitment, enthusiasm, dedication, growth, involvement, leadership, citizenship, dependability and musical accomplishment. The students who won these awards are clearly dedicated to music.

The marching band usually has band camp in the summer.

“Band camp will happen, but depending on what the District allows us to do, I’m not sure if we’ll be doing virtual or in person,” said Schick. “I’m planning for both so when we know I can implement a fun and worthwhile experience either way.”

The memories and skills that these students take with them will not be forgotten.

“Marching band has a special place in my heart because of the bond that we share amongst members,” said Kim. ‘Due to the amount of time that we spend with each other, we become very close with one another and, in a cheesy way, they are like your family.”

And through music there might be direction on how to handle current uncertainties.

“I know right now we are all grasping how to deal with the current situation,” said Schick. “I find that music helps give us purpose and an outlet. Whether we just listen or play, music can give us a way to express how we feel without having to verbally articulate it. We will get through this period in our life and we will have fantastic stories to tell our kids and grandkids. Look ahead to the time we get to be around each other again and don’t take the little things for granted when we can get together because as we’ve learned, those things can be taken away at a moment’s notice. Appreciate those around you and do your best to make life better for them.”

By Charly SHELTON

According to the Global Digital Reports from HootSuite, 57% of the world’s population is connected to the Internet. The average Internet user now spends more than six and a half hours online each day. That leaves nearly 18 hours, on average, that the personal computer is not being used for gathering or distributing data from the Internet. One student at Crescenta Valley High School has volunteered his computer to do work for the good of the world – while he’s not using it for homework.

“A lot of diseases, viruses like the coronavirus, operate in certain ways,” said Lukas Fullner, a student in the Advanced Placement computer programming class at Crescenta Valley High School, in a vlog sent to the class by teacher Dr. Greg Neat. “Coronavirus interacts with your body in a certain way and, if we can figure out how that works, we can then do things to stop it from interacting in that way and make it have [fewer] effects or even stop it. But we can’t just look at it and see what it does. We have to use these complex computer programs to model what it does and those are really computer intensive. So what Folding@home does is split [the larger computations] into jobs and sends them to every participating computer, which can then do the math and send them back. Basically it helps these scientists set the models, which they can use to cure the disease.”

Folding is a distributed computing system that allows scientists to submit proteins to be folded by computers with spare power, Fullner told CV Weekly. This uses the computer’s processing power and Internet connection to do thousands upon thousands of mini-computations, which help predict models of interaction between the virus and host. Just like Iron Man has done so many times in the Marvel films, it all comes down to locking a model of prediction before knowing if this new suit will run or being able to track the villain; however in this case the villain is a real virus that needs a vaccine. By modeling the problem based on data collected through Stanford University, the network of participating computers works as one massive computer to make the overall problem-solving quicker and more efficient.

“We have a server that is basically like Dropbox. I wanted the kids to know what the cloud was and so in my room we actually have a server that can provide those functions that you can do with AWS [Amazon Web Services] or with Dropbox or whatever,” Dr. Neat said. “When we went into remote [learning due to the COVID-19 shutdown] we needed to make [the server] accessible from the outside because before remote you could only use [the server] if you were in the classroom.”

Fullner was helping Dr. Neat make the server accessible to remote learners when he told him that he built a computer at his house “just for fun” once remote learning was put into place.

“He told me about the Folding@home thing and that he was using his computer to do that,” said Dr. Neat. “Then I got all excited because the server is great at doing that kind of work. I mean that’s what that Folding@home thing is all about –getting these idle powerhouses to just crunch away at the scientist stuff.”

For anyone with a computer that is willing to help the Folding@home team from CVHS, the process is simple and free. By visiting the website, FoldingAtHome.org, and installing the client, your computer can help cure COVID-19.

“Once a user installs the client, the Folding@home server will send them jobs automatically and once they are completed the jobs are sent back. The client is fully automated and will run on its own,” Fullner said. “The public can join by downloading the client, and when prompted can join the CVFolding team by entering the team number 260,292.”

The CVFolding team, consisting of 13 CPUs is, at press time, ranked 5,298 of 254,107, or in the top 2% in the world.

Dr. Neat is very proud of his student and his whole class that has taken on the challenge to make positive change in the world.

“Lukas is an example of somebody who’s bursting with passion. Everything we saw him do was on his own initiative,” Dr. Neat said in his vlog to the class. “He wasn’t doing it for credit, I didn’t ask him to do it, it was him pursuing something he loved and applying it to a problem that the world needs [solved] right now. And that’s just beautiful. I was thinking if I still worked at JPL right now I would hire him in a second.”

To see Dr. Neat’s vlog when Lukas introduced the concept and prepared the in-class server for external communications and for the CVFolding team, visit https://bit.ly/3fNtoF4.

QUESTION: We’re having a challenge with our son Jason who is attending college online. He tells us he’s fed-up with online classes, misses seeing his friends and wants to drop out. We tell him “this too, shall pass” and to hang in there.

We’ve also told him if he does drop out, he has to get a job. We’ve told him that a year passes quickly and, at the end of a year after he’s dropped out, he’ll wish he hadn’t. Nothing we tell him is getting through. He only has one year to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

We attend church regularly as a family and have prayed and prayed about this and still he remains firm about wanting to drop out. We’re thinking since he’s so persistent, perhaps God has other ideas for his life. Please help us sort this out and perhaps provide some ideas that will help Jason get a grip on reality.

~ Disappointed Mom & Dad

Dear Disappointed Mom and Dad,

It is frustrating to live in moments where we long for life to return to normal while also being powerless to make it so. I believe that this time will be a defining moment for Gen Z students as they discover that navigating uncharted waters is both harrowing and adventurous. Unfortunately for those who care deeply about our children and their peers, our wisdom feels like advice from a bygone era.

Binary options are no longer enough. But I find that they do offer boundaries for discussion. For example, your son’s options are: 1) remain enrolled full-time or 2) find a full-time job. Both are likely untenable. But middle ground remains. The flexibility of online studies might allow for part-time enrollment (and part-time employment). Beyond employment, there are currently countless opportunities to serve those in need in the Los Angeles area, from activism to homeless services to food pantries and more. And each of these contributes to a well-formed life.

Proverbs 16:9 offers wisdom as well: “In our hearts we plan our course, but God establishes our steps.” Our choices in life inevitably open some doors and can permanently close others. But God remains behind all of them. Many people who are fulfilled in life took a circuitous path to that fulfillment, often a path they did not imagine they would ever trod. It requires faith to step out on the road.

Personally, I would encourage your son to finish his degree – but he can likely do so at a slower pace. If you have the means and he desires a broader experience during this time, he can work or volunteer while taking a couple of classes online. Maybe he explores coursework that he was curious about but never tried. I do not think the answer is to do nothing but hang out with friends all day for the next year. The world needs this next generation to bring their enthusiasm and energy for lasting change – what inspires him to say yes to that calling?

Pastor Kyle Sears

kylesears@lacanadachurch.org

Dear Disappointed Mom and Dad,

I can only imagine how you both feel about Jason’s choices right now! He is at the age where he wants to make his own decisions about life and feels that since he is an adult he can do so. But you both have wisdom and experience behind your recommendations for him to stay in college because you understand how fast one year will fly by in light of all that is happening in today’s world.

There are a few things that have been left out of your inquiry. What field/area is Jason’s degree in? In that field, how necessary is it to have a college degree? Is Jason confident that this is the field that he is ultimately called to work in?

God truly knows what is best for Jason and it may be that after taking off a year to work he begins to see what he is missing out on. Today, many students are taking what is known as a “gap year” in which they work for a bit and then enroll in college. He may need that year, but only God knows.

What may be hard but be best is if you are able to release him completely into God’s hands and support his decision even though you do not agree. He will learn from this and may even look back and say, “My parents didn’t want me to not finish college, but they believed in me and supported my decision and that has meant a lot to me.” 

We don’t know but perhaps after a year he will see how much he needs that degree and immediately hop back in.

One of the many things I have learned in parenting our four now middle-aged adult children is that they have had to at times experience “soft failures.” We hate them to experience these but as long as it is not something illegal or immoral, we have had to allow them to make decisions that God uses to grow their character. Hard, but so necessary! Today each of ours and their families love God and are faithful servants of Him. 

You are doing what is good and right – praying and asking for God’s intervention in Jason’s life. God hears and knows and will comfort your heart with His peace as you trust Him with your son’s journey. Parenting is never easy, but is incredibly rewarding! Hang in there dear ones!

Pastor Debbie Sayovitz

debbie@epicentrechurch.org

QUESTION: We have one son, Mike, who has recently been offered a better paying position in another state. He and his wife, Sandy, have blessed us with three beautiful grandchildren, ages 5, 8, and 11. We enjoy their family so much! Now that they’re moving, they want us to move, too. We’ve lived in the same house for 40 years, and really don’t want to leave the area. We are both involved in community activities and volunteer at a food bank. We’re having a difficult time making up our minds about what to do. Mike and Sandy have said they’ll take care of everything – from packing up the house, selling it and finding us a home near where they’ll be living. We’re both in our 70s and a move just sounds like too much of a big change. If we don’t go, we won’t get to see them very often because they’ll live 900 miles away.

What do you think?

~ Undecided Seniors

Dear Undecided Seniors,

I’m not sure why, but my dad told me years ago to never follow your adult children. He had friends who did so and when their children got better paying positions they moved again, leaving their friends in an unfamiliar setting and not being able to afford to move back to California. I was just a kid when he told me that but it’s stuck with me.

You have to also realize that parents and kids will be busy with friends, school and work. How much would you see them? You also seemed very involved in your community. How easy would it be to do that in a new community? 

Since money doesn’t seem to be a problem with Mike and Sandy, maybe they could buy a home with a guesthouse or another bedroom that could be dedicated as yours? Once the virus is over, you could have a more quality visit as often as you want.

Of course the decision is yours, but don’t count on them staying where they are. Take it from my dear departed dad. He saw it happen many times to his friends who longed to come back.

Carolyn Young, LCSW

cjymesalila@gmail.com

Dear Undecided Seniors,

I don’t blame you for not being able to decide. The pull to be near the grandkids can be overwhelming. And so is missing Mike! But what a major upheaval! Let me ask you, do you really feel like starting all over? Have you thought about how dependent you’d be on Mike and Sandy socially? How isolated at first? You’d be starting over with geography, a new space and place, church, driving, restaurants, associations, doctors and finding new friends, probably even a new climate too. Employment can be such a fickle thing. It’s 900 miles away you say? Yikes! 

From what you’ve written, it sounds like Mike and family haven’t moved yet. It’s nice they want you near them. Have you considered the added stress that comes to him with your move to be near him? This new job better work out or else!!! My advice would be this: For a while, at least until things calm down and all the moving dust settles, why not let grandma and grandpa’s house be a beloved and exciting destination? Somewhere over the river and through the woods! It’s always fun to go there! Everybody looks forward to it! Not so much if you see them multiple times per week. And you would indeed see them multiple times per week since you’ve said goodbye to all the other things you used to do back home that kept you so active. This reminds me – would it be a good idea for your daughter-in-law’s parents to also move near her so they could spend more time with her and your son and your grandkids?   

And you know what? Sometimes your kids move back into town! I did. It’s not unheard of. And since you don’t know all the variables of this new job for your son, it seems wise to me to wait and see before making any big moves. There are lots to enjoy here in this life you’ve made for yourselves. You’ve been good parents for a long time. But you are more than parents. You’ve made a life for yourselves, here, for over 40 years. Who knows where Mike will go and for how long?

Mike knows the way back home. Why not be there waiting for him?

Pastor Jon Karn

pastorjon@lightonthecorner.org

“Around us, life bursts with miracles – a glass of water,
a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

About now many of us are looking for a miracle; instead, look for the expected. Current-day circumstances have kept us closer to home. As days turned to months, the weather continued to ease the uncertainties of each day as sunshine dominated and the outdoors beckoned.

Normally “May Gray” and “June Gloom” spread across the inland valleys, keeping temperatures down. NOAA’s meteorologist in Oxnard says the early summer temperatures and clear skies we are experiencing are unprecedented. No complaints here as it means more pool-time. (A quick side-note: Brighton’s doggy swim-lessons went well!) Our garden is at it’s best; the tomato vines are healthy as they reach towards the clouds. Where’s Jack?

At any given moment, monarch butterflies may be seen fluttering about. I gave Mother Nature a helping hand and planted several milkweed plants (home to the butterfly caterpillars). A variety of flowers give food to the adults. But it’s only on the milkweed that they lay their eggs; then the hatched caterpillars gorge on the leaves. Also I provide transport to a netted safe-haven where they form a chrysalis until they metamorphose into a butterfly and take flight after 14 days. To participate in their world is to see a miracle as each wing is a work of art – a masterpiece.

The water year for California begins Oct. 1 and goes through Sept. 30. It makes sense as there’s a big natural break – the summer months when nary a raindrop falls. The old standard used for measuring the annual precipitation is from July 1 through June 30. Using this, our grand total for the 2019-20 rain season is 18.70 inches; average is 23-24 inches. As the likelihood of rain began to diminish, it came … just late!

Upcoming weather? Perfect! Monarch questions? Please email me.

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley
resident and Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

Fiesta Days 2020 Canceled

At its last meeting the LCF Chamber board of directors made the difficult decision to cancel Fiesta Days for this year. The Memorial Day weekend event was originally pushed to Labor Day weekend in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but, in an abundance of caution, the board decided to postpone the event this year.

CVCA Meets Tonight

The Crescenta Valley Community Association will have its monthly meeting tonight, June 25, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. On the agenda is a discussion about housing and how the current state bills under consideration may affect the Crescenta Valley. Contact the CVCA at crescentavalleycommunityassn@gmail.com for Zoom meeting information.

4th of July Decorating Contest

The CV Chamber of Commerce is having a decorating contest for local residents to show their patriotism. There will be eight prizes given to the entries that get the most “likes” on the chamber Facebook page Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce. To submit photos, email cvcoc@aol.com and in the subject line write 4th Decorating Contest.

Have questions? Call the chamber office at (818) 248-4957.

Plan now to attend the July 8 “Mask-er-ade” business mixer at Alissa’s Ocean View Bar & Grill at the corner of Florencita and Ocean View. This is the chamber’s first post-pandemic business mixer of the year. Entry fee is $15 for non-members, $10 for chamber members. Plan now to meet your next client!

All Fireworks Are Illegal in Glendale

Fire danger and injuries from fireworks still exist even in the midst of a pandemic crisis. It is important to remember that the City of Glendale has a zero tolerance policy for all fireworks. All personal fireworks, including “safe and sane” varieties, are illegal in the city. The municipal code allows for the prosecution of fireworks-related offenses. Violators are subject to arrest, which could include serving up to six months in jail with fines up to $1,000.

Statistics show that fireworks are among the most dangerous of all consumer products. Even hand-held sparklers, which many consider safe, are dangerous and can reach 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, causing serious burns and fires.

Call Glendale police at (818) 548-4911 to report illegal fireworks and other suspicious activities.

GUSD SOLICITS INPUT ON RETURNING TO SCHOOL

Stakeholder input is being solicited by the Glendale Unified School District to establish protocols for reopening campuses in August. A dedicated email account (returntoschool@gusd.net) has been established to collect feedback.

Additionally, two community town halls are planned for Wednesday, July 8. One begins at 11 a.m. and the other at 5:30 p.m. These will give stakeholders an opportunity to directly address school board members and district leadership. To take part in the town halls, connect live at www.gusd.net/returntoschool or facebook.com/GlendaleUSD.

Stakeholder feedback will be collected until July 10; after that date the Return to School Task Force will draft a final recommendation to present to the board of education on July 14.

Mosquito Problems May Increase

As the weather heats up and Angelenos head outside, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) reminds residents to take action against mosquitoes by removing standing water and wearing insect repellent to protect themselves from mosquitoes and the diseases they can transmit such as West Nile virus. In honor of National Mosquito Control Awareness Week (June 21-27), GLACVCD is launching the #TipTossTakeAction campaign, providing messages and recommendations for residents, organizations and cities to work together to increase awareness and preventative measures against mosquitoes.

The City of Glendale’s 2020 Homeless Count was a collaborative effort between the City of Glendale, the Glendale Homeless Continuum of Care, homeless alumni, and community volunteers. The results of the 2020 Homeless Count provide information that serves as the basis for two important priorities: understanding the nature and extent of the current trends in homelessness in the City of Glendale and responding to the unmet needs and gaps in services for homeless individuals and families in the City of Glendale.

On Jan. 22, 169 persons were homeless according to the Glendale 2020 Homeless Count and Survey Final Report. The previous homeless count and subpopulation survey was completed in 2019 during which 243 persons were counted. A comparison of the last two counts reveals that 74 fewer persons were counted in 2020, which represents a decrease of 30%. Despite this decrease, it is unclear whether there will be an increase in the number of homeless due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Loss of employment has always been one of the primary factors contributing to homelessness in the City of Glendale; therefore, homelessness may escalate if the unemployment levels remain higher than the long-term average. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the California Unemployment Rate is at 15.50% as of April 30, compared to 5.50% last month and 4.20% last year. This is significantly higher than the long-term average of 7.20%.

According to Glendale’s 2020 Homeless Count Survey, 44 out of the 75 (59%) unsheltered persons became homeless for the first time. The Homeless Count Survey revealed that the top three causes of first-time homelessness in Glendale are: rent increase, loss of employment, and unexpected illness.

The City of Glendale’s homeless services team continues to implement new programming, including various hotel programs funded by the Emergency Solutions Grant – CARES Act (ESG-CV) to address the impacts of COVID-19, and will continue to utilize funds to ensure clients in hotel programs are referred to prioritized housing.

The City of Glendale continues its efforts to end homelessness in the community, and based on the 2020 Homeless Count results, has produced 10 recommendations that can be accessed via
its website www.glendaleca.gov and entering homeless count 2020 in the
search bar.