Guild topic is Middle Eastern politics
The USC Trojan Guild of Los Angeles welcomed Glendale resident Richard H. Dekmejian, professor of political science and director of the Institute of Armenian Studies at USC, as its guest speaker at the first fall meeting on Oct. 4 in the Davidson Conference Center.
Dekmejian is considered an expert in Middle Eastern politics, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Islamic civilization, terrorism, U.S. foreign policy, oil politics, international human relations and religious terrorism. His recent books include “Islam in Revolution” and “The Just Prince: A Manual of Leadership.” Dekmejian’s presentation focused on current Middle Eastern issues, which was an appropriate topic, said member Christin Bey Moses, because the meeting was held just before the national election and because it parallels the guild’s theme for the year— “USC’s Global Reach.”
The Trojan Guild has been an active women’s philanthropic support group at USC since 1960. Many members reside in Glendale. The guild’s primary focus is to raise funds for scholarships while sharing friendship and intellectual enrichment through speakers from various departments at USC. Membership is open to women who have attended USC and are 30 years of age or older. For information, contact Margie Moore, membership chairwoman, at (310) 577-1010.
Realty offices combine for Thank a Soldier day
Employees of Keller Williams Realty offices in Burbank, Glendale and La Canada Flintridge are engaged in an effort to send donations to military personnel serving our country abroad.
The public is asked to bring donations such as personal-care items and snacks — DVDs, beef jerky, phone cards, toothbrushes and other such items — to the Thank a Soldier Barbecue and Care Box Assembly day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Keller Williams Realty office parking lot in Burbank, 401 S. First St. In return, the public is invited to a free lunch with live entertainment and family activities.
This is the second time the company has produced the event. Last year 100 boxes were sent to soldiers. This year, the goal is 300 boxes or more, said Teri Covarrubias, Market Center administrator for Keller Williams in Burbank.
“We want the public to come and be our guests and enjoy the event and bring their children and families and listen to the entertainment we are going to have, and bring donations for the boxes,” she said.
There will be live bands and soloists, and an artist drawing guests’ portraits. For kids, there will be face-painting, a bounce house and balloon animals. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks. Parking will be available in a lot across the street. Guests will be able to write letters to soldiers thanking them for their service.
Burbank Veterans Committee members are going to be helping to pack the boxes, said that group’s chairman, Mickey DePalo. The city of Burbank will be shipping the boxes over the next couple of months, he added.
For a complete list of suggested items to donate, go to www.facebook.com/KWpowerofone.
Local chapter receives national honor
The Verdugo Glen Chapter of the American Business Women’s Assn. has been named one of the top 16 successful chapters in the United States, receiving the “Best Practices in Team Management Award - Level I.”
The Verdugo Glen chapter was presented with the national organization’s award for achieving the highest levels of achievement and group management at the National Women’s Leadership Conference last week in Memphis.
Representing the chapter was Marty Preciado, of Tujunga, and Lynn White-Shelby, of Burbank. Preciado will be among the 10 women recognized as a Top Ten Business Woman of ABWA.
The Glendale chapter meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Glendale Elks, 120 E. Colorado St. For more information, call (818) 512-4079.
Former Bob’s employee reaches 100
Hazel Francis Armstrong, a former employee of Bob’s Big Boy in Glendale, is marking her centennial birthday with a party on Saturday at the Burbank home of her daughter, Gwen Sanden. She was born in 1912 in Waukegan, Ill., the eldest of five children.
She was married in 1932 to Milton Armstrong in North Dakota and moved to California in 1935. She has lived in Burbank most of her life. She is a longtime member of the Burbank Foursquare Church, where she volunteered in many capacities, including heading up the food pantry.
Her husband passed away in 1972 and she never remarried. At that time, she became employed by Bob’s Big Boy restaurant in the order department, which was in the main commissary, at that time located in Glendale. She retired when the department relocated to Los Angeles.
She has four daughters, Marjorie Joy Johnson of Arkansas, Joanne Pollock of Arizona, Dorothy Thornton of Palm Springs (formerly Glendale), and Gwen Sanden of Burbank. She has 18 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and 34 great-great-grandchildren. One of her granddaughters is Sharon Townsend Roth, chief executive officer of Glendale Healthy Kids.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.