Ladera: Demolition party launches shopping center remodel Ladera: Demolition party launches shopping center remodel (September 21, 2005)

"Let the Ladera shopping center remodel begin."

That's the cause for celebration on Saturday, September 24, when neighbors and customers of the shopping center along Alpine Road get together at a demolition party from noon to 2 p.m. at the center.

With a whack of a sledgehammer, wielded by Bill Lane, demolition of the former Iberia restaurant building will start.

Others can take a whack at the wall and take home a piece of the wood as a souvenir for a $5 donation. These funds will go to the Ladera Community Association for beautification on the traffic islands at La Mesa and Cuesta drives.

The 48-year-old shopping center known as Ladera Country Shopper is undergoing a three-phase, $2 million facelift to be completed in March 2006.

The Iberia building is the only one to be torn down and will be rebuilt for offices or a medical building.

The demolition party features an arts and craft fair, a visit from clown "Twinkie Dee Star," authors, lots of balloons and music. Kids can bounce in the "Astro House" in the parking area.

Several local artists will be setting up tables and display easels.

Robin Toews will sell her note cards, featuring photos of flowers, fauna and animals. Elvie McKeen will display and sell her crafted dragon boats and tamari balls, and Demetra Paras will display her jewelry. Carrie Sweetnam will show knitted works.

Susan Thomas, Dennis Carey and Virginia Bacon will display their photographs.

Dr. Walter Bortz will talk about his new book "Diabetes Danger: What 200 Million Americans Need to Know," soon to be released.

Co-author Pam Gullard of "Life on the San Andreas Fault: A History of Portola Valley" with Nancy Lund will have copies of the book on display and for sale.

Refreshments will be available. Matt Ragno, now wine consultant at Bianchini's Market, will have a small wine tasting outside the market for a $5 donation. Terriyaki chicken on a skewer, barbecued by the Ladera Deli staff, also will be for sale.

Eric Willis, project manager and a new owner of the shopping center, is sponsoring the party to let the community know that all merchants will be open for business during the remodel that will create an updated center for the community.

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