“Do Something, Mayor!”

I’ve been the honorary mayor of Toluca Lake for 30 years. Some people would say, “What happened to term limits?”

During my tenure, my only responsibility has been to be present at the Christmas tree lighting on the first Friday of every December, kicking off the iconic Holiday Open House.

I’m not buckling under the responsibility. I feel my skills are being underused. So I came up with some suggestions for ways to support our community and maybe raise funds that could benefit the Chamber, the Garden Club, the Toluca Lake Sport Fishing Cooperative or what have you. These community projects would be way more fun to support than a GoFundMe page … or a bond issue.

1. Riverside Drive Walk of Fame

Famous Toluca Lake residents, past and present, memorialized in cement on our Village sidewalks — name, what made them famous, years of residence. People from all over the world would crouch down for a selfie with Bette Davis or Tex Ritter. The Hollywood Chamber gets $75,000 per star for their version! Cha-ching.

2. Outdoor Movie Night

Once a month, bring the family and watch a classic movie projected on a bank building.

3. Outdoor Binge-Watching Marathon

Once a month, bring the family, a blanket and a picnic basket. The kids will be asleep by episode three. For atmosphere, this could be arranged in a cozy backyard … maybe at a home being sold by Craig Strong.

4. Outdoor Karaoke Night

Once a month, share your astonishing, undiscovered vocal talents with your nonjudgmental neighbors.

5. Trivia Night

Teams made up of friends, neighbors, companies, brilliant ringers from out of town. A charge to enter your team. A charge to spectate.

6. Toluca Lake Pickleball Tournament

How can a game that requires so little skill or physical stamina still be so exciting? Come and find out! A charge to enter. A charge to spectate.

7. Book Sale

Apparently, actual printed books are in slow decline. Bring all your printed volumes to a central location. There may be collectibles … for people who want or understand collectibles. Fun! Who doesn’t like the smell of real books?

8. Toluca Lake Food Festival

Sampling delicious delights up and down both sides of Riverside Drive? What could be more fun? The participating restaurants don’t necessarily all have to be from the Village. We can introduce people to foreign cuisine from faraway places like Burbank or Los Feliz!

Bonus Ideas

1. Horse-drawn tours of the Village
2. Jet Ski rentals on the lake
3. Toluca Lake Wax Museum
4. A community-owned tapas restaurant called “Bar-a-Lago”
5. Barham Boulevard zipline
6. Trader Joe’s outlet store
7. Riverside Drive toll

To close on a more serious note, there probably isn’t a family in our Village that isn’t related to, friends with or the co-worker of someone who has had their life changed by the recent firestorms. Please know that the residents of Toluca Lake collectively send positive energy to all those affected. The recovery process will take a long time. But our love and support are with you always.