by Timothy Rutt
"This community was under siege last week," Assemblyman Anthony Portantino said at last night's Christmas Tree Lane lights-on ceremony. "But look at us now."
Indeed. Thanks to dedicated work by county crews and volunteers, Altadena's Christmas gift to Los Angeles was ready to go on schedule, despite Windstorm Gabriel* and felled trees. This is when Altadena becomes a small town, and we have more images to share after the jump.
(*yep, we decided we liked that one).
Sabina Reckendorf and her dog Tiger cut quite the figure at the winter arts and crafts fair before the lights went on.
Artist Chris Miller's creations in the afternoon sun.
Mistress of ceremonies Tammy Trujillo confers with Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich before the start of the ceremony.
Trujillo introduced the speakers and performers at the ceremony.
Young Isaac Elliot led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Linda Lane White sings the national anthem.
The Blair IB Singers started off the performances with seasonal music
Young singers from the Altadena Children's Choir performed the music of various cultures for the season.
Dr. Karen Reinhard directs the Altadena Children's Choir.
The crowd anxiously awaits the lighting ceremony. Well, some are more anxious than others.
And it's lights on -- and with the roar of drums, the John Muir High School Alumni Drum Corps leads the march down Santa Rosa Avenue, which was closed for the ceremony.