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Saturday, February 3, 2024 

WALKING SIERRA MADRE - The Social Side

by Deanne Davis

WISTARIA FESTIVAL 2024􀀃 
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024 􀍲 9:00 AM TO 5 PM􀀃 
FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY􀀃
Celebrate The Guinness Book of World Records Wistaria Vine􀀃􀀃Visit Local Shops and more than 100 Crafters & Food Vendors􀀃
And THE SIERRA MADRE AUTO SHOW􀀃
FOR SHUTTLE TICKETS GO TO:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-wistaria-
festival-shuttle-tickets-817627585117?
aff=oddtdtcreatorSShhuuttttllee TTiicckkeettss OOnn SSaallee NNooww!!
It’s February! The shortest month and the 
bridge between chilly winter and the hopeful 
signs we’re looking for that announce the 
coming of Spring!

This month is stuffed with so much good 
stuff that we’re going to need a professional 
organizer follow us around so we don’t miss 
anything! But they would probably make us 
get off the couch, put down that doughnut 
and go to the gym.

February 1: Change Your Password Day, 
Decorating with Candy Day and National Dark Chocolate Day

February 2: Bubblegum Day, Groundhog Day, National Tater Tot Day, National 
Ukulele Day

February 3: National Carrot Cake Day, National Golden Retriever Day, National Ice 
Cream for Breakfast Day

February 4: National Homemade Soup Day, National Thank a Mail Carrier Day, 
World Cancer Day

Here’s a really good one: February 10th is Chinese New Year! 2024 is the year of 
the dragon. In case you didn’t know, the dragon in China is a well-known mascot 
representing good luck, justice, prosperity and strength. People born in the year of the 
dragon are seen as charismatic, intelligent, confident, powerful, naturally lucky and 
gifted. 

February 11: Super Bowl Sunday!! The 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs will be battling 
it out in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Of course, the main attraction of the Super 
Bowl is, of course, the commercials. The “Bet MGM “Tom Has Won Enough” with 
Vince Vaughn is priceless. Last year, Fox was charging $6.5 million for a 30 second 
spot. It will be higher this year, folks (duh!)

The most important part of the day (after the commercials) is what will we be eating? 
Lots!

Guacamole and Doritos, chili, pizza, veggies and ranch dip, buffalo chicken wings. 
Just about anything that’s fairly portable. Things overheard at various Super Bowl 
parties…

• Fantasy football is you thinking your team will win.

• Is it time for the halftime show yet?

• There’s way too much football between these commercials.

• We tried to find a wine that pairs well with pretending to know what’s going 
on.

We’ll all have a good time and then revisit our New Year’s Suggestion about HOPE. 
We’re going to HOPE we didn’t gain ten pounds at the party.

Lots more to February, friends and neighbors. Valentine’s Day is February 14th, which 
is on a Wednesday. Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away.

Holy Moley, you’re saying to yourself! I didn’t realize it was so soon. If you want to go 
out to dinner, make that reservation today. If you want to order flowers and I heartily 
recommend flowers, call Lisa at Ixora right here in town – (626) 355-0040 – and order 
something for your sweetie. Everything Lisa creates is awesome and you’ll be glad you 
planned ahead. You can stop in and see her, too. Ixora is at 35 E. Montecito. Yes, ladies, 
you can order flowers for your guy.

Now then, when was the last time you read Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s famous love 
poem? Probably not since you were in high school. Well, here it and it’s pretty nice…

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.”

“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.” Paulo Coelho

“Love grows more tremendously full, swift, poignant, as the years multiply.” Zane Grey

I never actually said anything like that to my Valentine, the adorable, ever-patient, 
John, who is now residing in heaven where every day is Valentine’s Day, and love 
abounds all over the place.

No, I never quoted Elizabeth Barrett Browning to him, but I wrote about love…

“You are ever in my mind. You are the other half of my heart.

You are, very simply, the one person selected by God to be 

my lover, my friend, my husband.

We have shared all there is in life:

Joy, sorrow, laughter, tears, death, birth, pleasure, misery, poverty, not quite so poverty.

Walks along beautiful beaches all around the world 

where we held hands, ate wonderful things,

Drank champagne…laughed...we laughed so much more than we cried.

And always, always we have had each other to hold on to.”

It’s a little early for it, but Happy Valentine’s Day. Celebrate!

My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

Take a look! There are interesting goodies galore for

You Kindle readers and even an actual book or two for you

“I need to hold it in my hands” readers.


SENIOR COMMUNITY COMMISSION ARE 
SEEKING YOUR COLLABORATION TO 
FIND THE 2024 OLDER 'SIERRA MADRE' 
AMERICAN OF THE YEAR. 

Nominations are now being accepted for this renowned honor. Note 
that although worthy, Senior Community Commissioners are not 
eligible. Additionally, nominations will only be accepted for new 
candidates who have not been honored in years prior. 

The nomination form is available on the city's website at: https://www.cityofsierramadre.com/cms/one.
aspx?portalId=212393&pageId=241945 and return it to the Hart Park House Senior Center, or mail/
walk in to City Hall, Community Services Department, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 
91024 prior to. or no later than. Wednesday. March 13th• 2024. 

The Commission will review nominations and select an honoree at their regularly scheduled meeting 
on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. 

The individual selected by you or your organization must live in Sierra Madre, while demonstrating 
outstanding community service and be at least the age of, or older than 60. The honoree will be 
recognized at a reception held in their honor on Wednesday., May 8th., 2024. 

Previous Honorees: Dick Johnson, Joan Crow, Jerry & Nan Carlton, Pat Alcorn, Fran Garbaccio, Ken 
Anhalt, Eph Konigsberg, Russ Anderson, George Throop, Loyal Camacho, John Grijalva, Joylouise 
Harte-Smith, James Heasley, Midge Morash, James Tyler, Isabella Paegal, Bonnie Garner, Rose Fafach, 
Ed Wellman, Celeste McCleary, Dorothy Tillquist, Doris Webster, Elsie Dammeyer, George Mauer, 
Karl Teigler, Laurie Cooper, Lucille Flanders, Ann Tyler, Jay Whitcraft, Darlene Crook, Paul Hagen and 
Clem and Nina Bartolai. 

Thank You in advance for your support and assistance with this spirited community event. Should you 
have any additional questions, feel free to contact Lawren Heinz, Administrative Analyst at (626) 355-
5278 x704. 


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