The Valley Line: YMCA of the Foothills presents its Volunteer Dinner
I think my dog Lola has finally recovered from all the fireworks sounds we experienced over the long Fourth of July weekend. She seemed traumatized for three full days. Poor thing, she just quivered. I’m going to have to look into “chill pills” for her before the next Fourth rolls around. I hope everyone had a good holiday.
Those with school-age children will soon be wrapping up their family vacations and preparing for the back-to-school season, now that La Cañada Unified opens its doors on Aug. 16.
Summer music is continuing at Descanso Gardens with International music on Tuesday nights and jazz on Thursday. I love sitting in this lovely garden and enjoying good music, so close to home.
Before summer is over I want to get over to L.A. Zoo to see the seven adorable life-like baby Dialoceratops dinosaurs that just hatched. They are making their animated debut in a once off-limits corner of the zoo at “Dinosaurs: Unextinct.”
Nesting since April 15, when the exhibit opened to the public, the newborns — three girls and four boys — “hatched” beside their ferociously protective mom, who is one of 17 animatronic dinosaurs in the exhibit, all — including the little ones — brought to life with electronic “brains.” The exhibit will be open through Oct. 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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The YMCA of the Foothills recently held its Volunteer Dinner at Oakmont Country Club.
The evening began with live jazz music directed by Jack Lantz, while guests enjoyed catching up on summer news.
Kristin McQueen, board chair, extended a warm welcome to all attending. After dinner, McQueen talked about the role of the volunteer and how their efforts distinguish the YMCA as a place where everyone can take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change in the community.
“Last year, 654 dedicated volunteers provided 11,427 hours of lifting, digging, harvesting, tutoring, coaching, counseling, listening and leading in our community,” McQueen said. “Imagine the lives touched and made better by their selfless efforts, we, as a Y and as a community are truly blessed.”
McQueen then announced the “Spirit of the Y Award” and recognized individuals who have dedicated 100 hours or more to giving back and supporting our neighbors.
She then asked all 100-hour volunteers to stand and be recognized. Those receiving honors were Allegra Batista, Mary Anne Brooks, Beverly Craig, Troy Emi, Sandeep Khera, Joanna Libby, Chris Lazo, Peter Najarian, Venus Pavandeh, Steve Poteete-Marshall, Hamish Shaw, Allison Terry, Levon Terzian, Ryan Thomas, David Wright, Kristen Wright, Narine Vartanian and Joan Zimmerman.
Additional awards conferred that evening went to Rick Dinger, who was awarded the Call to Service award. The annual Pat Aho award went to Tom Heller.
Gary Awad and Kristin McQueen received Distinguished Service awards.
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The Oakmont League of Glendale recently had a really fun party. It was back to the 1950s for the group. Most of the men got the memo about wearing jeans with white T-shirts — some even kept their ciggies rolled up in the sleeve.
There were several poodle skirts swirling on the dance floor. The fashions from the film “Grease” were a hit too.
Truly fun to see was the arrival of Martial and Fernanda Gathon, who drove up in their flame red 1959 Cadillac.
Evidently this car has been quite a project for Martial. He has done a lot of the restoration engine work himself. It is a real beauty! I wouldn’t even know to parallel park a car like that. It looked to me that it was practically as big as the Queen Mary.
Ron and Rosalie Youra opened up their lovely La Cañada home for the party. Michaelynn Cashion and Barbara MacCullough were the party chairs and they did a great job.
Tables were set up around the pool and on the patio. It was a lovely balmy evening. Patrick Campbell handled the catering and the food was delicious. Guests served up beautiful salads and meats such as grilled beef and chicken. Many of the members brought fabulous desserts to cap off the meal.
The stars of the evening were the band members of Richard Dell and the Rock Bottom Betty’s. The music was fantastic! The dance floor set up by the pool was continually crowded while dancers tried to remember how to remember the steps to the Twist, the Cat, the Swim, etc. I must say this was a great people-watching event to attend.
Perhaps having the best time of all was Isabel Trout, Oakmont president’s granddaughter. Grandmother Lydia got her all dressed up in her Grease-inspired clothes.
Isabel just graduated from her high school in Istanbul, Turkey. She is here for the summer, then she will be attending college in England. She is such a lively girl and she especially loved dancing with her grandfather, Brook Trout.
Among some of the 70 people attending were “be-boppers” Cathy and Alan Steel, Mary Broerman and her husband John Yeghiaian, Fran and Terry Buchanan, Marion Graydon and her husband Paul Greene, Ron and Carolyn Beaton, Allison and Peter Weir, Pam and Keith Sorem, Judy and Joe Mendicina, Nina and Larry Ratliff, Shirley Johnston, Marguerite Marsh, Sharon Swinford, Esther Bowen and Julie Budimir.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.