On the Town: GCC Patrons Club dresses up annual luncheon
“Future Stars of America” — that’s what members of the Glendale Community College Patrons Club dubbed their annual fashion show and luncheon. The “Stars,” of course, refer to all the bright students who win scholarships.
Patrons Club members contribute to those scholarships through fundraising activities. This past Friday, the Castaway restaurant in Burbank played host to some 250 club members and guests.
Club President Karen Wharton and college Supt./President David Viar welcomed their audience. Following, Paul Schlossman, Patrons Club adviser and dean of student affairs, gave a brief state of the college report. According to Schlossman, $300,000 in scholarship money was awarded to 500 students during the past academic year,.
Proceeds from this year’s luncheon will contribute to future scholarships. To that end, Marianne Jennings, club chairperson, set up a virtual three-ring circus to collect those funds. Tables of colorful, silent-auction baskets greeted supporters when they arrived at the Castaways’ Starlight Room.
Raffle baskets filled a table in the dining room. Opportunity tickets for a $1,000 pot were sold by Margaret Hammond, chairperson of the opportunity prize. Table centerpiece drawings took place. And if that wasn’t enough, a live(ly) auction of sports events donated by KTLA’s Don Corsini preceded the fashion show. His wife, Flora, is a Patrons Club member.
This year’s fashions were donated by Holiday Hats & Gowns in Montrose. Show commentary was provided by Teresa Cortey, recently retired chairperson of the college’s foreign language department. Fashion models were all college staff members. Popular models sashaying down the runway were Viar and wife, Jane. Also popular was double-threat auctioneer/model Sgt. Samir Abou-Rass from the college’s police department. Abou-Rass is a former Glendale Community College student.
College VIPs applauding the show included College Board of Trustees President Tony Tartaglia, Vice President Anita Gabrielian, Clerk Armine Hacopian and members Ann Ransford and Vahe Peroomian.
Alas, all good things must come to an end. Many supporters had to get back to work at the college. Kudos must also be given to Carolyn Payne, vice president of the Patrons Club, and Lisa Brooks, executive director of the Glendale College Foundation.
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The annual Book & Author Luncheon presented by the La Cañada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild attracts supporters from throughout the foothill communities. This year’s luncheon, held at the Angeles National Golf Club in Sunland, was no exception. On Oct. 27, more than 200 book lovers gathered to appreciate the written word and support the guild’s charity, the Orthopaedic Institute for Children in Los Angeles.
Joan Cleven, guild president, welcomed her audience and reminded them of the guild’s $100,000 pledge to the institute for construction of its ambulatory surgery center. The guild is only $17,000 short of its goal. Cleven hoped that proceeds from this event would close the gap.
The midmorning program continued with keynote speaker Mary Beth Perrine, the institute’s senior director of community outreach. Perrine thanked guild members for supporting the institute for 58 years. She then introduced 16-year-old Bibiana Mashamba from Africa, a patient at the institute. Bibiana wears a leg prosthesis donated by Hanger Prosthesis and the institute.
Following Perrine’s remarks, Cleven introduced the first author on the dais, Shari Shattuck, who wrote “Becoming Ellen.” Shattuck, who is also an actress, has written seven previous novels. Her latest chronicles the friendship between two women.
Next on the dais was mystery writer Karen Keskinen, a Santa Barbara resident. The author has set her latest novel, “Black Current,” in Santa Barbara. The book follows the investigation into the drowning of a high school athlete.
Lastly, illustrator Keika Yamaguchi introduced her book, “Puddle Pug.” Written by Kim Norman, the tale is about a pug and his pursuit of friendship. Yamaguchi’s illustrations were so popular with the crowd, the guild quickly sold out of the book. Those lucky enough to wrangle a copy had Yamaguchi sign it along with drawing puddle pug, himself. Montrose resident Sherry Taylor bought signed copies for her three grandchildren.
Book lovers present included La Crescenta residents Danette Erickson and Margot Nenzell. Former La Crescenta resident Sally Benson was glad she made the trip in from Shadow Hills. She won $213 in the 50/50 drawing.
A contingent of members of Glendale Community College Patrons Club had their own table. Those attending included Marianne Jennings (a guild “Friend”), Carolyn Payne, Betty Musacco and Judy Gorham.
Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena provided all books.
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RUTH SOWBY RANDS may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.