Charity League gathers for gala
organs Candles glowed and carolers sang at the recent Le Bal de Nöel dinner dance gala of the Burbank Chapter of National Charity League.
A well-decorated Oakmont Country Club in Glendale was the setting for this year’s fundraiser, going on its 47th year, where everyone attending enjoyed a lovely holiday party while they raised funds for local charities.
Guests at the Bal were greeted by co-chairwomen, Valerie Nelson and Pam Stumbaugh, both of Glendale. President Nancy Korb introduced special guests, including Barbara Howell, executive director of Burbank Temporary Aid Center.
After dining on a steak dinner followed by peppermint brownie cake, members danced the night away to lively musical numbers of the Mary White Band. Master of Ceremonies was performer Sara Winterer, the voice of many Nickelodeon characters and actress of the stage and screen.
Winterer also served as auctioneer for the evening and was assisted by Ticktockers from the Class of 2006 and committee members Cathy Stevens, Marsha Munemura, Teri Suarez, Kathy Hodgins and Dana Brooks.
They ensured the evening ran smoothly and handed out prizes such as a cruise to Mexico, a diamond necklace and a golden retriever puppy, all of which significantly benefited the chapter’s philanthropies.
Free seminar offered on domestic violence
Magnolia Park United Methodist Church will sponsor a free hourlong seminar on domestic violence at 5 p.m. Jan. 8.
Domestic violence impacts the entire community, and Super Bowl Sunday is considered by many to be one of the most violent days of the year. In an effort to help address the problem, church officials are presenting CASE -- Creating A Safe Environment -- a faith and community-based collaborative approach to domestic violence prevention and intervention.
Leader for the event is the Rev. Arnetha Inge, an affiliate of the Dominguez United Methodist Church and Interval House Domestic Violence Crisis Shelters.
An open discussion and a light supper follow the seminar. Child care will be provided.
For more information, call Magnolia Park United Methodist Church at (818) 846-2866, or e-mail magnoliaparkumcjuno.com. The church is at 2828 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank.
Autism Alliance
has resource meeting
The Foothill Autism Alliance Inc. will have its next Family Resource Meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Pasadena Child Development Associates, 620 N. Lake Ave., second floor, Pasadena.
Claire Scovell LaZebnik and pediatrician Leslie Richard will speak on “Autism and Adolescence.” LaZebnik is the mother of four children. Her oldest son was diagnosed with autism at 2 1/2 . She is the co-author (with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel) of “Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope that can Transform a Child’s Life.”
LaZebnik recently had an article in the New York Times about having a teenage son with autism who’s starting to show interest in the opposite sex. She lives in Pacific Palisades. Richard is a graduate of UC San Francisco medical school and has been in private practice for 10 years. Her experience in developmental pediatrics and interest in working with children with disabilities led her, in 1998, to become a consultant pediatrician to Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center.
Based in Glendale, the Foothill Autism Alliance works to provide information and support for the autism community of Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge. For more information, call (818) 662-8847.20051231is91iync(LA)Enjoying the Le Bal de Noel gala are co-chairwomen Pam Stumbaugh, left, and Valerie Nelson of National Charity League, Burbank Chapter.