On the Town: Cabrini Literary Guild holds annual luncheon; Hoover High student to attend academy at Harvard
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but pearls run a close second, if you ask the Cabrini Literary Guild.
For its annual luncheon, the women’s philanthropic group took inspiration for the theme from the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” starring the oh-so-elegant Audrey Hepburn. Committee members, welcoming guests to the Oakmont Country Club, donned rhinestone tiaras and wrapped pearl necklaces twice and three times about their graceful necks.
The frilly centerpieces featured a ginormous faux diamond ring that looked like a bauble Richard Burton might have slipped onto Liz Taylor’s finger.
Social hour flew by with guests perusing the array of silent-auction prizes and opportunity baskets, while Dan Urrutia played lovely background music on piano. President Marie Urrutia called the luncheon to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Then co-chairs Miryam Finkelberg and Patty Szot thanked all for coming and introduced the Fred Astaire Dancers, who jumped and jived with ease across the ballroom floor.
Funds raised go to the guild’s annual creative writing contest for students at Archdiocesan high schools throughout the area as well as Ascencia’s homeless shelter, Brothers’ Helpers, Catholic Charities Loaves and Fishes, Family Promise of the Verdugos, Glendale Public Library’s adult literacy program, Glendale YWCA’s domestic violence program for women and Shield of Roses.
Top winners of the day were Jane McIver, who took home $1,000; Mary and Paul Wight, who won $300 and generously donated it back to Cabrini; and Irma Martinez, who won $200.
Cabrini members serving on the committee were Aurora Vega-Dottavio, Mary Wight, Mary Natalizio, Jan Kubani, Maureen Walsh, Ann Herrmann, Sally Lim, Virginia Williams and Joan Sandon. Others volunteering were Marie Baker, Cecilia Botticella, Jessica Botticella, Scarlett Chachi, Heather Ghermezian, Nancy Guillen, Anita Joshua, Laurie Leask, Monica Sierra, Arlene Villarin-Nalbandian, Marilynn Linder, Genevieve Collopy, Brenda Lantieri, Alice McCormick, Helen Misik, Terry Campbell and Wanda Bistagne.
Guest Arline Glasser recalled that back in the early 1960s, her mother worked for TWA and she got passes to take Arline to New York. They watched the Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall and then attended the opening of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
When she returned to Los Angeles and her job at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, she saw the opening of the film again.
Hoover ninth-grader will attend academy
Sevanne Luke, a ninth-grader at Hoover High School, was selected to represent California at the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists at Harvard University Square in Cambridge, Mass.
Sevanne was nominated by Connie Mariano, medical director of the National Academy. The three-day congress gives students from across the country an opportunity to hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about leading medical research. They will be given advice by Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect at medical school and learn about cutting-edge advances in medicine and medical technology.
Upon her return from this conference, Sevanne will attend a nanotechnology conference at UCLA.
Jewel City Kiwanis cooks for kids
If you are at a charity event and smell the grilling of hamburgers, hot dogs and fries, it’s most likely that the Jewel City Kiwanis Club is wielding the spatulas.
The club is increasing its ranks and invites prospective members to stop by a Tuesday night meeting at Clancy’s. To schedule a visit, call President Rich Jessup at (818) 249-8197.
The service club started raising money for child-based charities in the Glendale area in 1984. Club members designed and built a commercial kitchen trailer with white cabinets, stainless steel counters and sinks, a cooktop, triple fryers, a commercial freezer and refrigerators and lots of storage. A local business donated a cargo van to pull the trailer and hold equipment.
Key Kiwanis member Bob Morris, of Monterey Tow Service, stores the truck, trailer and equipment and provides electricity. Tom Brittan and Howard Shermer keep the equipment in top shape, while treasurer Bill Warner balances the books. Now women are joining the group. The first female members were Alice Hamrajbaian and Chris Zastrow.
Funds raised go to such charities as local schools, YMCA, YWCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, CV Little League, Glendale Police K-9 Program, Salvation Army, Glendale Cops 4 Kids, CV ROTC, Glendale Campbell Center, Habitat for Humanity and Operation Gratitude. They also donate children’s books to local libraries.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.
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Editor’s Note: Joyce Rudolph is filling in this week for our regular society columnist Ruth Sowby Rands.