Community: Liu honored as Zonta’s Woman of the Year
State Sen. Carol Liu was recognized as Zonta Club of Burbank Area’s Woman of the Year for her contributions while in public office at a luncheon on Oct. 29 at Lakeside Golf Club.
Liu was elected twice to her present seat on the California state Senate. Before that, she served the state Assembly and La Cañada Flintridge City Council as well as working for 17 years in public schools.
Her bills signed into law have included those that improve community-college student success, provide access to adult education, protect foster and homeless youth, prevent domestic violence, reduce poverty and homelessness and introduce programs for the incarcerated.
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Zonta President Samantha Mielke welcomed all and introduced the VIPs attending, including Mayor Jess Talamantes and City Council members Emily Gabel-Luddy and Bob Frutos.
Those serving on the committee with Mielke were Brittany Vaughan, Nickie Bonner, Sharon Cohen, Grace Farenbaugh, Francesca Gallard, Marva Murphy, Gloria Salas, Merisol Speat and Candy Williams.
Talin Mangioglu, district director, said that while serving in the Assembly, Liu spent the night in a women’s institution and spoke with the women about their grievances. One that surprised Liu was the inability of female prisoners to see their children.
She arranged for youngsters to take a bus to an institution, and she came along. At first, the group was turned away until prison officials learned that a state legislator was on the bus checking out how the system worked. Consequently, the children were let in to see their parents.
Talamantes had his own story to tell about the modest senator before presenting her with the key to the city.
The mayor had been invited to visit Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon whenever he was in Sacramento. So one day, Talamantes stopped by to say hello and the staff told him de Leon was too busy. But who should walk in the door — Sen. Liu who had an appointment with him. She invited Talamantes to sit down and wait with her — and they saw him together.
A $500 donation was made by Zonta in Liu’s name to Family Promise of the Verdugos. At the close of the program, Liu received a standing ovation.
Funds raised from the luncheon will go to Zonta projects, including its Wings program that provides grants to help women who are enrolled or recently graduated from educational or vocational training that will lead to employment and economic independence.
Elks Lodge devotes a night to Genio’s
It was a very sad day when Genio’s restaurant closed in 2006.
Before then, when my friends and I would go to dinner, it topped our list. It was a convenient stop after many Burbank On Parades — right there on Olive Avenue. And New Year’s Eve was even more special spent at Genio’s — with toy horns and cardboard hats.
We knew we would always enjoy the meal and see all the movers and shakers in town.
So what a great idea it was when the Burbank Elks held a “Genio’s Revival Night” in mid-October honoring former owners Marvin and Carol Cecchini, along with their family members.
More than 210 guests relished the traditional Genio’s fare of either shrimp scampi, chicken piccata or lasagna.
This memorable food was prepared by the restaurant’s past master chefs Jose Lopez. Rito Puente, and of course, Elks’ own chef, Jim Ewart.
Adding to the nostalgia was having the plates served up by three of Genio’s former waitresses — Nancy Smallwood, Alicia Robinson and Windy Johnson. They were assisted by members of Boy Scout Troop #210 as well as Elks’ own Kathy Perry.
Proceeds from the event will go to the many Elks charities, said Exalted Ruler John Coyle. One of the major charities of which the California Hawaii Elks Assn. is most proud is the Purple Pig.
“This charity invests millions of dollars each year into providing therapy for children with disabilities,” he said. “It also screens some 50,000 preschool-aged children for vision problems. Elks care and share so that children can walk, talk, see and play.”
Elks rev up for car show, cook-off
Burbank Elks Lodge #1497 is planning a Classic Car Show and Chili Cook-Off from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the lodge, 2232 N. Hollywood Way.
Those interested in showing their classic car or motorcycle should arrive by 10:30 a.m. Vehicle entry is free, but to reserve a spot, call (818) 526-0556.
Chefs who want to enter the cook-off are asked to cook their chili at home — with or without beans — and bring it to the lodge for judging at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $10.
Members of Boy Scout Troop #210 will be collecting toiletries and clean clothing for men and women that will be donated to those serving in the military in honor of Veterans’ Day.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.