La Cañada Flintridge, California
| City of La Cañada Flintridge | |
|---|---|
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| Incorporated (city) | 1976-11-30[1] |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Stephen A. Del Guercio[2] |
| Area | |
| - Total | 8.65 sq mi (22.40 km2) |
| - Land | 8.65 sq mi (22.40 km2) |
| - Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0.00% |
| Population (2000)[3] | |
| - Total | 20,318 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP Code | 91011, 91012[4] |
| Area code(s) | 818[5] |
| Website | http://www.lacanadaflintridge.com/ |
La Cañada Flintridge is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States whose population at the 2000 census was 20,318. As of 2009, the city's 91011 ZIP code ranks the it as the 113th most expensive city to live in within the United States,[6]. Of the 100 highest-income places with a population of at least 10,000, La Cañada Flintridge currently ranks 38th.
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Pronunciation
Part of the name for La Cañada Flintridge comes from the Spanish word canada, meaning canyon, gorge, ravine. In Spanish, this has a tilde (ñ) and is pronounced "canyada" [kaˈɲaða]; the English pronunciation is /kənˈjɑːdə/. "Flintridge" is simply pronounced as the two English words "flint" and "ridge", but does not refer to an outcropping ridge of flint (see history section). The name has nothing to do with the country Canada (whose name derives from the St. Lawrence Iroquois word for "village" or "settlement").
Geography
La Cañada Flintridge is located at (34.206047, -118.199499).[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.4 km² (8.6 mi²), all land.
The city is situated in the far western end of the San Gabriel Valley. It is nestled between the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest on the north, and the San Rafael Hills on the south. Most of the city drains southeastward toward Pasadena to Arroyo Seco, but the western part of the city (generally west of Alta Canyada Road) drains southward toward Glendale via Verdugo Canyon. Both drainages join the Los Angeles River north of downtown Los Angeles.
La Cañada Flintridge varies in elevation from about 970 feet (295 m) just below Devil's Gate Dam in the Arroyo Seco to about 2400 feet (730 m) at the highest neighborhood, along the mountain front east of Pickens Canyon, at the upper end of Ocean View Blvd. The city limits extend into the San Gabriel Mountains and reach 3440 feet (1050 m) along Mount Lukens Road, which follows the crest line well above the developed city.
The city is home to Descanso Gardens and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Weather
The climate of La Cañada Flintridge is typical of a Southern California inland valley, with mild winters and hot summers. Spring often has hazy days, in contrast to the more persistently clear weather of fall. On average, the warmest month is August with high temperatures (F) in the low 90s and lows in the low 60s. December and January are the coolest months with typical highs in the high 60s (F) and lows in the mid-40s. Rainfall occurs mostly during winter, averaging about 22 inches annually. Rainfall is rare in summer. The moderating influence of the ocean (22 miles, 35 km, away) is limited due to the city's location inland from the intervening Santa Monica Mountains and the Verdugo Mountains and San Rafael Hills. Consequently, summers are generally hotter and winters often cooler than in coastal parts of metropolitan Los Angeles if winds are calm or blowing gently offshore. Occasional strong offshore winds, known as Santa Ana winds, can bring particularly hot air in summer and fall as air from the deserts plateaus crosses the mountains and descends, thus warming further by adiabatic heating. Summer and early fall temperatures are substantially cooler if the prevailing wind is persistently onshore. Occasionally during a winter storm, the upper elevations of the city may see trace amounts of snow. The small ski resorts Mountain High, Mount Baldy, and Mount Waterman are located about 30 miles to the northeast. In August 2009, the city came under threat by the Station Fire.
History
During the Spanish era, the area was known as Rancho La Canada.
Prior to the city's incorporation in 1976, the area consisted of two distinct communities, La Canada and Flintridge (the latter named after developer and United States Senator Frank P. Flint). Flintridge comprises the southern part of the city, covering the northern flank of the San Rafael Hills, but more generally including most areas south of Foothill Blvd. The eastern part of the city, even north of Foothill Blvd., was also originally considered Flintridge and is still home to the Flintridge Riding Club and Flintridge Preparatory School. Reference to the entire city is often shortened to just 'La Cañada' but seldom to just 'Flintridge'. The full city name specifically does not have a hyphen in it, to illustrate unity between the communities that were once separately known as La Cañada and Flintridge.
La Cañada Flintridge had the longest city name in California with 18 letters until the year 2000, when the title was ceded to Rancho Santa Margarita.
Demographics
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 20,318 people, 6,823 households, and 5,690 families residing in the city. The population density was 906.9/km² (2,348.9/mi²). There were 6,989 housing units at an average density of 312.0/km² (808.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.53% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 31.57% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 3.31% from two or more races. 4.80% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,823 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.
According to a 2008 estimate[9], the median income for a household in the city was $140,474, and the median income for a family was $157,511. This makes La Cañada Flintridge the 18th most affluent city in the United States of America, according to www.forbes.com[10] Males had a median income of $92,760 versus $57,321 for females. The per capita income for the city was $52,838. About 3.6% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
La Cañada Flintridge has been home to many celebrities over the years, including Angela Bassett; Mark Geragos; Ron Howard; Haley Joel Osment; his sister, Emily Osment; Kevin Costner; Bill Plaschke, Miley Cyrus and her father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus who have since moved to Toluca Lake. Three of Walt Disney's top animators, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston and Eric Larson settled here. Currently several prominent animators and TV news personalities make La Cañada Flintridge their home. It is also a popular filming location, where parts of movies such as "American Pie," "Date Movie," "Old School" and the 1946 Frank Capra / James Stewart (actor) holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life" have been shot. La Cañada Flintridge is also the home of current MLB infielder Rafael Furcal and outfielder Manny Ramirez , as well as former MLB pitcher Jae Seo.
Education
The La Cañada Unified School District serves most of the city. The district is now 2nd in the state. Three public schools serve grades K-6: La Cañada Elementary, Palm Crest Elementary, and Paradise Canyon Elementary School. The public high school, La Cañada High School, which also serves as a middle school (grades 7-8), is a 2004 Blue Ribbon School and is ranked as one of the top 100 high schools in the country.[11] In addition, a small portion of the city is served by the Glendale Unified School District, with La Cañada Flintridge students attending Mountain Avenue Elementary School (a 2005 Blue Ribbon School), Rosemont Middle School, Clark Magnet High School (a 2005 California Distinguished School), and Crescenta Valley High School (a 2005 California Distinguished School). The city is also home to many private schools including the very highly regarded St. Francis High School, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, and Flintridge Preparatory School. As of this year, the school district is rated number 2 in the state, and its high school sits at number nine.
Media
La Cañada is served by two distinct weekly newspapers: La Cañada Valley Sun, owned by Times Community News, a division of the Los Angeles Times; and La Cañada Outlook, owned by La Cañada News, Inc. Both newspapers publish on Thursdays. The La Cañada Valley Sun has a sister paper, the Crescenta Valley Sun, published Fridays.
City government
La Cañada Flintridge is governed by the City Council, which has five councilmembers, each elected to overlapping four-year terms. Each year, the City Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and one to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem for terms of one year. The City Council is aided by five commissions and two committees, each with its own area of responsibility. In addition, the City Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, City Treasurer, and all members of its advisory bodies. It also serves as the governing board for the Public Improvement Corporation, the Redevelopment Agency, the LCF Local Financing Authority, and Sanitation Districts No. 28 and No. 34.
The Current Members of the City Council are:[12]
- Mayor: Laura Olhasso
- Mayor Pro-Tem: Donald Voss
- Councilmember: Greg Brown
- Councilmember: David Spence
- Councilmember: Stephen A. Del Guercio
The City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of La Cañada Flintridge City Hall.
Politics
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) operates the Crescenta Valley Station in La Crescenta, serving La Cañada Flintridge.[13]
In the state legislature La Cañada Flintridge is located in the 21st Senate District, represented by Democrat Carol Liu, and in the 44th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Anthony J. Portantino. Federally, La Cañada Flintridge is located in California's 26th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +4[14] and is represented by Republican David Dreier.
Community organizations
La Cañada has many clubs, religious and social organizations:
- Assistance League of Flintridge
- Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals of Assistance League of Flintridge
- Crescenta-Cañada Lions Club
- Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Upsilon Chapter
- Flintridge Guild of Children's Hospital
- Friends of La Cañada Flintridge Library
- Girl Scout Association of La Cañada
- Glendale Community Foundation
- Kiwanis Club of La Cañada AM
- Kiwanis Club Of La Canada
- K-Kids of the Community Center Of La Canada
- La Cañada Elementary School PTA
- La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Assn
- La Cañada Flintridge Coordinating Council
- La Canada Flintridge Democratic Club
- La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation
- La Cañada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild
- La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses
- La Cañada Flintridge Trails Council
- La Cañada Flintridge Women's Club
- La Cañada Flintridge players club hosted by white syndicate
- La Canada High School 7/8 PTA
- La Canada High School 9-12 PTA
- La Cañada High School Drama Parents Association
- La Cañada High School Music Parents Association
- La Canada Junior Baseball/Softball Association
- La Cañada Junior Women's Club
- La Cañada Newcomers Club
- La Canada Presbyterian Church
- La Cañada Thursday Club
- La Cañada Valley Beautiful
- La Crescenta Valley Republican Women Federation
- La Crescenta Woman's Club
- Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation
- Leisure Club of La Cañada Flintridge
- Lions Club Foundation
- Los Altos Auxiliary of the Sycamores
- Palm Crest Elementary School PTA
- Paradise Canyon Elementary School PTA
- Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge
- Rotary Club of La Cañada Flintridge
- Community Scholarship Foundation of La Cañada Flintridge
- Special Children's League
- St. Bede's Parish Council of Women
- St. Bede's Church Skidettes
- Verdugo Hills Hospital Volunteers
- Wellness Community - Foothills
- Women's Council of Verdugo Hills Hospital & Foundation
- Towne Singers
- The Young Republicans of La Canada Flintridge
- The Young Democrats of La Canada Flintridge
- La Cañada High School Engineering Club
- The United Southern Californian Socialists; LC Branch
Points of interest
- The city is home to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is the primary United States research and development center for the robotic exploration of the solar system.
- The first Frisbee golf course is located in the Hahamongna Watershed Park (formerly Oak Grove Park), outside of La Cañada Flintridge and across the street from La Cañada High School.
- Descanso Gardens hosts the largest collection of camellia species in North America.[15]
- The La Cañada Town Center opened on Aug. 21, 2008. The $60 million shopping center development at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Angeles Crest Highway includes Sport Chalet, a remodeled Taylor’s Steakhouse, and a HomeGoods store, other retailers and eateries.[16]
- La Cañada Congregational Church, formerly Church of the Lighted Window, is the city's oldest church.
- Lanterman House, museum and local historical archives in one of the early (1915) homes of the area.[17]
Angeles Crest Highway Controversy
On Sept. 5, 2008, a big rig carrying 78,000 pounds of onions lost its brakes on Angeles Crest Highway. It entered a driveway at Hill Street Cafe, crashed into a wall, a garbage bin, a tree and six vehicles before coming to rest in the parking lot. James Bines, 43, of Florida and his passenger Willy Robinson, had been hauling a full load of onions through the high desert area in the 18-wheeler. They traveled over Angeles Crest Highway because, Bines said, he had received directions from his global positioning system that the highway, State Route 2, was the most direct route from there to Los Angeles.[18][19]
On April 1, 2009, a similar incident occurred at roughly the same location. A car carrier carrying 3 cars heading southbound on Angeles Crest Highway shortly before 6 p.m. lost its brakes, causing a multiple vehicle accident that resulted in two fatalities and 12 injuries, three of them critical. Angel Jorge Posca, 58, and his 12-year-old daughter Angelina, both of Palmdale, had just exited the eastbound Foothill Freeway at Angeles Crest Highway in their red Ford Escort and were starting to turn north on the highway to return to Palmdale when the semi-truck struck their vehicle.[20]
The scene has become all-too-familiar to La Cañada residents, business owners and city officials: a vehicle loses its brakes or has some other mechanical failure while traveling southbound on Angeles Crest Highway and crashes into the route's terminus on Foothill Boulevard in the heart of the city's commercial district. Articles detailing several such incidents go back to at least 1951.
A bill that bans heavy trucks with three or more axles from driving on Angeles Crest highway was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger on August 6, 2009.[21]
References
- ↑ "Incorporation Dates of California Cities". http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ↑ "City of La Canada Flintridge - City Council". http://www.lacanadaflintridge.com/city/council/council.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ↑ "La Canada Flintridge city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder". http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=La%20Canada%20Flintridge&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ↑ "USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results". http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=La%20Canada%20Flintridge. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ↑ "Number Administration System - NPA and City/Town Search Results". http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=La%20Canada%20Flintridge. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
- ↑ "Most Expensive ZIP Codes". http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/26/most-expensive-zip-codes-lifestyle-real-estate-zip_full-list_2.html. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "La Canada Flintridge city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder". http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US0606308&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0606308&_street=&_county=la+canada+flintridge&_cityTown=la+canada+flintridge&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
- ↑ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US0633308&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0633308&_street=&_county=la+canada+flintridge&_cityTown=la+canada+flintridge&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=
- ↑ Gold Medal Schools - US News and World Report
- ↑ http://www.lacanadaflintridge.com/
- ↑ "Crescenta Valley Station." Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Retrieved on January 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ↑ http://www.descansogardens.org/site/camelliaforest.cfm
- ↑ http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2008/08/16/news/lnws-towncenter814.txt
- ↑ http://lantermanfoundation.org/
- ↑ http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2008/09/05/news/doc48c1a55fa4eeb907483701.txt
- ↑ http://www.ktla.com/landing_topstories/?Deadly-Crash-Runaway-Big-Rig-Slams-into-=1&blockID=255846&feedID=1198
- ↑ http://www.lacanadaonline.com/articles/2009/04/02/news/doc49d423d77c878292022527.txt
- ↑ "Big Rigs Banned from Angeles Crest Highway After Fatal Crash". KTLA. 2009-08-06. http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-big-rig-ban,0,34.story. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
External links
- Official city website
- LA County Disaster Communications Service ( DCS ) Crescenta Valley Station
- Community Information & Links
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