High Water Mark

Glendale man disputes utility’s claim that he used 1.5 million gallons in two months.

By Zain Shauk

Published: Friday, October 30, 2009

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — When Escott Norton spotted inspectors examining his home’s water meter, he thought they were as doubtful as he was that he had used 1.5 million gallons in one two-month billing cycle.

That was before he got a bill for $5,474.71 worth of water, far surpassing his previous high of $120.05.

“Everyone thought it was ridiculous except for the people at [Glendale Water & Power],” Norton said.

VIEW FROM THE BALCONY: Watch Out For Water Wizard

By Gary Huerta Published: October 29, 2009

Gather around, and I’ll tell you a terrifying Halloween story. Some would call it a classic power struggle.

Once upon a time, in a little hillside village, there lived a humble craftsman named Escott Norton. He was a hard-working man and had earned a reputation as an honest and fair member of the community.

After many years of work, Escott saved up enough money to build a castle where he and his family could enjoy the fruits of his labors.

So Escott set off to work, designing his home to be comfortable and energy efficient. He took great pains to make sure that the house would meet the approval of the local magistrates and overlords, whose approval he needed in order to build his castle to their codes.

A BALCONY VIEW: Time to put on a costume

By Gary Huerta

Published: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I’m not real enthusiastic about dressing up for Halloween. For some reason, I just can’t seem to muster the energy required to get it together, even though there’s still more than a week to prepare. About the best I can do this year is wear a terry cloth robe and scraggly beard like my favorite Coen Brothers underachiever, Jeffrey Lebowski.

I must point out that I wasn’t always this way. There was a time when I enjoyed Halloween. I was brought up with a much higher respect for the day than I now display. My parents were legendary costumer makers in their own right, and that tradition was impressed upon me from an early age.

I remember my mom making an elaborate Martian costume for me in first grade. It had a bizarre head piece using a hard plastic lampshade and sequined fabric — my clothes a long, flowing green gown. I vividly recall the hard plastic lampshade digging into my forehead and wandering blindly around the playground, bumping into other kids like some visually impaired ET. Good times.

Candidate forums coming up

From the Crescenta Valley Town Council:

The Crescenta Valley Town Council will be hosting candidate forums for the CV Water District and CV Town Council candidates:

Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
Rosemont Middle School Cafeteria
4725 Rosemont Ave.

Please come hear the candidates and have the opportunity to ask them questions before the elections!

· November 3rd for the Crescenta Valley Water District Board
· November 7th for the Crescenta Valley Town Council (8 am – 5 pm at Rosemont)

Contact Cheryl Davis (818) 970-0976 for additional information

Sandbags available at Two Strike Park

From Steve Pierce, president of the Crescenta Valley Town Council:

Sand will be available at the upper end of the Two Strike Park parking lot (5107 Rosemont Ave, La Crescenta) starting Monday afternoon (October 12th).

People should bring their own sandbags, ties to tie off the top of the bag, and a shovel to load sand. Sand will be available at this site throughout the next 5-6 months.

We are also working on a schedule for volunteers to help load sand into bags. Once the schedule is arranged it will be made public (i.e. websites, newspapers, and community bulletin boards).

The bin is courtesy of Allied Waste Management and the sand is courtesy of L.A. County Public Works.

Crescenta Valley flood-protection meeting — Oct. 6

From the Crescenta Valley Town Council

We all need to be prepared and informed about the potential flooding to our neighborhoods.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 6th 6:30pm

Where: Rosemont Middle School Cafeteria
4725 Rosemont Ave., La Crescenta 91214

What: After brief presentations residents are encouraged to ask as many questions as necessary of all attendees.

Who: LA County Public Works, AQMD, LA County Fire, LA County Sheriff, Edison, Glendale Chapter Red Cross, LA County Animal Control, Insurance Representatives, LA County Flood Control, Highway Patrol, Representatives for LA County Supervisors office and State Legislature as well as others.

Please attend, we want you safe and prepared.

Complete Details: www.thecvcouncil.com

A BALCONY VIEW: Facing reality of fire damage

Published in the Glendale News-Press — Thurs., Oct. 1

Last Sunday, I rode my motorcycle into Big Tujunga Canyon for the first time since the Station fire. I knew going in that it would be a gut-wrenching experience.

The ride from Big Tujunga Canyon up into the Angeles National Forest is a ride coveted by motorcyclists all over Southern California. Even before the fire, I knew how lucky I was to have something so precious in my own backyard. I’ve been riding for only a couple of years, but it was long enough to relish Newcomb’s Ranch as a place to bond with other riders who shared my love of the twisting, turning Angeles Crest Highway.

I know that not everyone shares my love of motorcycles, but it’s safe to say that nearly all of us have a personal relationship with the mountains bordering us. Diesel-powered ski lifts. Hiking trails. Cool streams. Weekend camping at Charlton Flats and Chilao. I always thought they’d be there. Last week, as I looked into the canyon, reality glared back at me. Those things were gone.

Dr. Terry Paulson to speak Oct. 8

From a La Crescenta Valley Republican Women news release:

Dr. Terry Paulson, a popular conservative columnist for Scripps Howard and Townhall.com and author of “The Dinner: The Political Conversation Your Mother Told You Never To Have” is looking forward to meeting all of the Republican Clubs of the Foothills!

The La Crescenta Valley Republican Women, Federated has the honor of presenting Dr. Terry Paulson at a special evening meeting on October 8, 2009 at 7PM – 9PM, at the La Crescenta Woman’s Club at 4004 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta $10 Hors-d’oeuvres & dessert. For reservations please contact annieplanas@yahoo.com or Ellen Hedrick 818.248.0924.

A BALCONY VIEW: Finding profit in our bad diets

Published in the Glendale News-Press — Thurs., Sept. 24

I was going to sugar-coat my opening stanza of this week’s column. But I realized over sweetening things is a colossal problem today so I’ll just say it: Americans are pretty fat compared to the rest of the world.

If that seems too harsh, I offer this consolation: Californians seem slightly healthier than the rest of the country. Anyone who’s traveled east of Riverside knows what I’m talking about.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. There he goes again, ignoring local events. Not so. I noticed the sprinklers watering the sidewalk on Honolulu Avenue this week. But for now, obesity is something that needs addressing — if not for our own personal well-being, than for the general welfare of our country.

Crescenta Valley Town Council election

From the Crescenta Valley Town Council:

The 2009 Crescenta Valley Town Council Election will be Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Rosemont Middle School, 4725 Rosemont Ave., La Crescenta, CA 91214

• Candidate Applications must be received by midnight, October 18, 2009, with the $40 application fee.  (Deadline to participate in the Town Council Candidate Forum is October 15, 2009, with the $40 application fee.)  Applications should be submitted to the Election Committee Chair, Cheryl Davis, in person or mailed to:

Crescenta Valley Town Council
P.O. Box 8676
La Crescenta, CA  91224-0676

Download Candidate Application
Download Absentee Ballot Request

For more information, click here.