Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 9, 2016

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 9, 2016 


Walking Sierra Madre…The Social Side 

by Deanne Davis

“May this new year all your dreams turn into reality 
and all your efforts into great achievements.”

 Can we believe it, friends and neighbors, it’s 
2016! Our fabulous Rose Parade float, “Rollin’ On 
The River,” won the animation trophy, rightfully 
so, and we’re launched into another new year. 
Exciting times. There’s an old, possibly, ancient, 
Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times.” 
The thought being if things are sorta boring and 
uneventful then there’s really not a lot to concern 
oneself about, so things are good, right? Not 
necessarily. 

 Here’s what fellow author and blogger Michelle 
Griep said to start off her new year:

 “It’s a new year. Be awesome. Wear a helmet. 
Don’t forget to call your mom. 

 Or your therapist. Whatever. Be real.”

 To that I would like to add: floss your teeth, write 
thank you letters for anything someone gives you, 
or for something nice someone does. Read your 
Bible. Yeah, I know, you’ve already read it, but it’s 
not The Hunger Games, friends, it’s God’s letter to 
us, telling us He loves us. Look around you. Notice 
stuff. Like flowers and trees and butterflies and bees. 
And people. Buy a tomato plant at OSH or Home 
Depot and put it in a pot in a sunny spot and water 
it once in a while and you’ll be so excited when a 
tomato appears. Say nice things to people. Smile. 
Hug. Eat healthier. Walk more. Look at sunrises 
and sunsets and what other people are doing in 
their yard. Be silly once in a while.

 Thinking about a picture to put up with this 
week’s column, of course, I thought about the 
float, but we’ve had so many great pictures of those 
adorable pink flamingoes. Then I thought about 
how the new year is always symbolized by a baby. 
I just happen to have a picture of a terrific baby, 
born on my birthday last year. Mr. Brady Benjamin 
Davis, our #13 grandchild, with his mommy and 
daddy. If the new year turns out to be as amazing 
as this little guy is, it’s going to be a fabulous year!

 I hate to say it, but Christmas is over. I’m hoping 
everybody leaves their outside lights on a while 
longer. Love those. We need to take the Christmas 
wreath off the front door and pack up the 
decorations. AND, we need to get rid of the rest of 
the cookies and candied nuts and that fudge some 
of us have been hoarding and start thinking about 
getting back on track as far as diet and exercise 
are concerned. Of course, the famous quotation: 
“Whenever I Feel the Urge to Exercise I Lie Down 
Until It Goes Away,” which has been attributed to 
everybody from Mark Twain to Jimmy Durante, 
comes to mind. But I push it out of mind and resolve 
to get away from the computer more, get up and 
walk more, go to the gym more, and spend less time 
in front of the TV. But, “Downton Abbey, Season 6” 
just started and I can’t wait to get into it. Will Bates 
and Anna ever be free of this murder charge? Will 
Carson and Mrs. Hughes actually get married? Will 
Mrs. Patmore ever get out of the kitchen? And then 
“Grey’s Anatomy” will be back sometime soon, 
even though it’s lost a lot of sparkle with Derek 
gone and the squabbling sisters are a little tiresome. 
See what happens? No wonder I don’t get enough 
exercise. I’m also two bank statements behind, and 
I don’t even want to think about thank you notes!

 Our house is officially 100 years old this year. 
We’ve lived here since 1970 and love it more every 
year. Last year it required complete new plumbing 
through our downstairs after it sprang a leak which 
soaked the carpeting, the walls, the one and only 
photograph of my husband’s dad in a marching 
band, circa 1900 or so, and cost almost as much as a 
year at USC to repair. However, it’s all more beautiful 
than ever now, and our new copper and flexpipe 
plumbing, which replaced all the galvanized, should 
last forever. Rumors have it that our water problems 
have hastened much galvanized pipe into total and 
final collapse here and there ‘round town. So now 
we’re back to the wells, replacing groundwater with 
imported water. El Nino, we can hardly wait for you 
to arrive! 

 Have you got your tickets to “Deathtrap” at the 
Playhouse? We do, and I had to work to get an 
available time so don’t wait too long.

 Happy New Year, dear Walking Sierra Madre 
friends. Hope to see you out and about in 2016. 

 Check out my book page on Amazon.com: 
DeanneDavis@Amazon.com

 You might like my blog, too: 

www.authordeanne.com


APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED 

FOR THE SIERRA MADRE WATERWORKS 
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD 

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) was 
created to provide residents and the community 
an opportunity to be a part of the planning 
process for aquatic services at the Sierra Madre 
Aquatic Center. The CAB consists of seven distinct 
positions representing: swim lessons, swim team, 
lap swimming/ water aerobics, recreation swim/ 
social user, a Waterworks Aquatics staff, Community 
Service Department staff and Community Services 
Commission liaison. Each of the community 
positions serve one year terms and are appointed by 
the selection committee consisting of the Waterworks 
Aquatics staff, Community Services Department 
staff and Community Services Commission liaison. 

 The CAB meets on a once a month basis 
throughout the year. Upon completion of the one 
year term, members of the CAB can reapply for 
appointment. Applications can be turned in to the 
Sierra Madre Aquatics Center, located in Sierra 
Vista Park at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024. 

 

 For applications, information and questions on 
the CAB please contact Waterworks Aquatics at 
(626) 836-1200 ext. 168 or email Monica Rathbun 
at monica@waterworksswim.com.

NEW RAIN BARREL REBATE PROGRAM

Don’t let rain go down the drain! The San Gabriel 
Valley Municipal Water District is offering a 
rebate of up to $100 for the purchase of a rain 
barrel. Capturing rain water helps store water for 
future use (irrigation, pools, etc.), reduces demand 
for water and reduces water/pollutants in storm 
drains. 

 Purchase your rain barrel(s) at any hardware, 
home and garden, or online store. You’re eligible 
for a rebate of up to $100 per rain barrel and up 
to four rebates per household! Click here for more 
information.

ARROYO CANYON 
WESTERN RIDING LESSONS 
at 
Encanto Equestrian Center 
3737 Encanto Parkway Duarte, CA. 
Youth—Adult 
Beginners through Intermediate 
Horsemanship 101 Classes 
Summer Camps 
For rates and availability please call Julie Unamuno at 
626-278-9450 or 
Email her at: arroyocanyonriders@gmail.com 
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com