No, Sierra Madre Isn't Altadena
There's a reason Sierra Madre is the way it is... the people who live here.
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This is response column to the article Altadena is No Sierra Madre, published January 10 on Patch.
As a native Sierra Madrean, it is hard for me to know what it is like to live somewhere else. I've lived here all my life. Not too much has changed from the time that I was growing up.
The biggest reason that Sierra Madre has preserved its character is that the residents make sure that it does. The residents are invested in this town. If it were not for the community involvement, we would no longer have the services and events that we enjoy today. The community organizations raise lots of money and provide volunteers so that the city can continue the Huck Finn Fishing Derby, the Mount Wilson Trail Race, and the Halloween Window Painting to name a few. These organizations also raise monies for other necessities of the different city departments, organizations or businesses. For example, air conditioning for the Sierra Madre Playhouse or equipment for the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association. The residents approved a utility user’s tax so that we could retain our own police and fire departments. It costs a lot for a small town to stay financially solvent.
I do not live in a million dollar home and neither do my family members that live here in town. I believe that Sierra Madre has retained some its working-class roots despite recent real estate trends.
I can have a hearty lunch for $6 at Sierra Madre Thai. I’ve had BIG dinners there with girlfriends for less than $12 each including tips because we can bring in our own wine or beer. Arnold’s Hardware still has good, old fashioned friendly service. Bean Town has a homey, “stick around for a while” atmosphere. I love that the women from Sierra Madre Civic Club knit there on Wednesdays and sell what they make to raise more funds. (I am a member but I don’t knit.)
Altadena cannot be like Sierra Madre or any other place. It is unique and there are strong reasons that someone chooses to live there. Price may not be the strongest reason. My college roommate and her husband have chosen Altadena as the place to raise their family. They are extremely happy with that choice.
I believe that no matter where you live, community involvement is what makes the difference.
About Maria: Maria was born in the Sierra Madre Community Hospital so she considers herself a true Sierra Madre native. She has lived here all her life except for time away while she attended UCLA and when her husband was promoted to position out of state. She is proud to live in Sierra Madre, raise her family here and have friends and family within walking distance.
Related:
- Altadena is No Sierra Madre
- A Greasy Spoon Once Offered Ravioli and a Little Bit of Hooch
- The First Building in Sierra Madre? Shirley.
In This article
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Sierra Madre Playhouse
87 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA -
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Thai Sierra Madre
85 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA -
Arnold's Frontier Hardware and Gifts
297 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA -
Bean Town
45 N Baldwin Ave, Sierra Madre, CA -
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Karin Bugge
5:35 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Maria, enjoyed your piece very much. And will definitely try Sierra Madre Thai in the near future.
Maria Martin Decker
9:06 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Karin--I am glad that you enjoyed it. I wanted to give my take on Sierra Madre and respond to some of the comments to your article. Sierra Madre Thai is a great place for cheap eats. If you are looking for a little fancier place, we love Zugo's. We've been there for breakfast and lunch, but heard that their dinners are wonderful too. The owners use the freshest ingredients. Their cupcakes are to die for. Can you tell that I love baked goods? :-) I've been wanting to try the Wistaria Restaurant, but haven't had a chance.
Lori A. Webster
10:04 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
I loved your post, too, Maria.....and you're exactly right. Bravo!
Maria Martin Decker
12:38 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thanks Lori. By the way, we love Webster's.
Mary Brandenburg
4:15 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Maria, nice response to the "Altadena is no Sierra Madre" article.
Your reasons for commending Sierra Madre are precisely what drew us here over 20 years ago. Unfortunately, over the past 20 years there's been a change in the values of this city, from what I've directly experienced. What once catered to artists, outdoors lovers, free spirits, has turned into more of an uptight, rigid, conformist, intolerant, upwardly mobile and pseudo politically correct place- that's lost it's "hometown feel" for us.
When we moved in to Sierra Madre, our next door neighbor ran the Sierra Madre Welcome Wagon. She brought us a basket of goodies, shared some local history, told us about local yearly events, etc. We felt welcomed and accepted, warts and all.
You are absolutely right, community involvement and support is key in what makes the difference. I just don't know what happened to that "hometown feel"........it's become more of a facade than the real thing imho.
Tony Brandenburg
4:22 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
mary, while i was demoing and rebuilding the house, no hot water, no walls, living on pringles and pepsi, etc. mrs. bowman would walk over to see if i needed food or to use the phone. she was awesome.
Nico
8:46 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
That's interesting that you confirm what I was thinking, Mary. I remember "old" Sierra Madre as a laid-back and welcoming place -- and I felt that the vibe had changed when I visited recently. We welcome you to our scruffy but well-loved Altadena whenever you feel like a change!
Kelli R
10:40 am on Monday, January 30, 2012
I think Sierra Madre still has that hometown feel and remains a very welcoming community. Seems every time I run into town I always see a friend, parents of friends or some random family member. I love that times haven’t changed too much in town; my soon to be teenaged nephew can still go into town with friends and hang out at by themselves; just like we did as kids. Not many towns where that can still happen.
I had the best of both worlds, a father who grew up in Altadena where his parents resided throughout my childhood and me growing up in Sierra Madre with a mom and step dad who grew up here as well. I love Altadena and have fond memories of going to Websters on Lake with grandma and getting to pick out a candy bar. If I didn’t live in Sierra Madre, I would be living in Altadena. :)
I totally agree that community involvement is the key to a healthy and vibrant town. Good article Maria!
Sarah Calipes
11:20 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Great piece Maria! I chose to move into this city and raise my family here 5 years ago for exactly the reasons you mentioned above, hometown appeal and community involvement. My home is nowhere near being in the millions and I certainly am not making am not making enough to afford one. I love being able to take walks at night and run into random citizens and strike up a conversation.
Maria Martin Decker
12:47 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
My parents were also "welcomed" to Sierra Madre by Mrs Bowman when they bought their home here. Mrs. Bowman was a wonderful woman. Folks with the same welcoming, down-to-earth and caring spirit as Mrs. Bowman are alive and well in Sierra Madre. I am fortunate to know many of them. They are ready to help out friends and neighbors in need. For example, when my father-in-law returned home from open-heart surgery, hot, homemade meals made it to my in-laws' doorstep for the first couple of weeks.
In addition, thanks to the Neighborhood Watch program, on my block and on others throughout town, neighbors get to know and take care of each other. One year, we had a potluck at my house to celebrate National Night Out highlighted with visits from police, fire and search & rescue.