Sunroom Desk

You are browsing the archives of 2008 October.

Vehicles were moving even slower today than usual, each stopping completely between Hoover High School and Toll Middle School at the Glenwood Road crosswalk, where an 11-year-old sixth grade student was struck and killed yesterday. Flags at these two schools, and adjacent Mark Keppel Elementary School, were flying at half-mast.

What a horrible tragedy for the family of the girl who was killed, the school and community, and the motorist who accidentally struck her. Principals of the three schools recorded messages that went to all student households, asking that thoughts and prayers be with the families, and advising that counselors were standing by if students needed them.

The three schools in these two blocks form a large community of primary students from kindergarten to high school seniors. Morning classes start around 8 a.m., drop-off traffic is intense, and there are at least eight crossing guards at key intersections, many of which are one-way streets. (more…)

17th Annual Fritz Coleman Comedy Night

American Red Cross Glendale Chapter

Sunday, November 2, 2008, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Glendale Center Theatre, 324 North Orange, Glendale

Tickets: $25, benefit the American Red Cross

$45 for VIP reception at Phoenicia Restaurant

Halloween costumes made in China fill three Brand Boulevard retail spaces. One of these formerly housed the Salvation Army Thrift Store and now features items like the Freddy Krueger glove, priced at $54.99. Painted on the walls, and visible above the skeleton bodysuits, vampire masks and witches’ costumes, are the former tenant’s mottos: “Changing the World, One Life at a Time,” “Shouldering the Needs of Others,” and “Christianity in Action.”

An LA Times story reports Halloween sales in the region are better than expected, although it didn’t quote any Glendale store operators. I’ve visited all three downtown shops, shaken my head at several sale reps, and watched as people walked in and out of the stores. Only on a Saturday did I see a line at a cash register. This is truly discretionary spending.

How do sales of Halloween costumes and decorations help Glendale? (more…)