On the Town: Glendale Latino Assn. celebrates 25 years

By Ruth Sowby Rands

Oct. 14, 2015 3:20 PM PT

Members and guests of the Glendale Latino Assn. celebrated its 25th Anniversary party in Glendale’s Embassy Suites.On Sept. 30 the party was in full swing by 5:30 p.m. Dozens of guests stopped by after work to sip, sup and socialize in the Embassy’s well-appointed lobby.

Pride and good humor was the order of the day when Glendale City Councilwoman Laura Friedman arrived with a City Proclamation congratulating the association on its 25 years of community service. Friedman presented the proclamation to officers and board members of the association.

Glendale Community College Supt./President David Viar was present to informally thank association members for scholarships awarded to excelling, local students.In May, $14,000 was awarded to 13 high school and college students at the group’s Annual Breakfast ceremony.To date, scholarship money donated by the association has totaled over $115,000.

Mixer admission fees, opportunity drawings, contributions and sponsorships help fill scholarship coffers. Over the last year, sponsors have included the Glendale College Foundation, Glendale College Police Chief Gary Montecuollo, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, and Massage Envy Spa, represented at the mixer by owner Helen McDonagh. Also stopping by was Betty Porto, owner of Porto’s Bakery. A party just wouldn’t be a party without Glendale Arts CEO Elissa Glickman. Glendale Arts was also a sponsor, generously providing funds and venues.

During the mixer, plenty a business card was exchanged — all the name of networking and conviviality.

There’s nothing like a good party at the Tam O’Shanter Inn in Atwater Village. This venerable establishment has been a staple of many Glendale shindigs since 1922. Prime rib, served with a touch of Scottish flair, was recently gobbled down by some 40 members and guests of NCARE — Nestle Carnation Assn. of Retired Employees.

NCARE steering committee member Bob Clarke took reservations.Another committee member, Angela Radalj, greeted guests. Glendale resident Mary Jamora explained that the modest per person price of the luncheon of $20 was due to a subsidy from Glendale-based Nestle. Just recently, Nestle donated $2,000 to NCARE.

Nestle not only gives to its retired employees, it also has a vibrant Adopt-A-School program to promote reading. Jamora explained that she and other members of NCARE go to local, elementary school classrooms to read to students. Members also provide book giveaways.

Just as dessert was being served, the luncheon’s guest speaker was introduced. Speaker Rick Darbourne is Nestle’s USA Head of Procurement for Corporate Services. According to Darbourne, Nestle will be offering more snack food to match customers’ growing habit of snacking all day in lieu of the tradition three squares a day.

Nestle also provided to luncheon guests candy table favors and candy gift baskets for the lucky winners of an opportunity drawing. All agreed that candy was the perfect accompaniment to prime rib.

A hot fall is still considered the harvest season. And what could be better than a good old-fashioned hoedown. This one was put on by the La Crescenta congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A chili cook-off was thrown in as part of the festivities.

On Oct. 10 at the church’s Stake Center, over 100 hungry guests filled their paper plates with an assortment of chili — ranging from white chili to a Hawaiian-inspired chili with pineapple slices to the more traditional chili dishes.

Church leaders Charles Woodhouse and Monte Harrick, in cowboy hat, boots and vest, welcomed church members and their guests to the cultural hall featuring a long, chili-laden table from which guests helped themselves. La Crescenta resident Judy Renn and Michael Kellogg were among the early birds. Also from La Crescenta were Melissa Blake, her husband Lance Blake and their 18-month-old son Ezra who preferred a milder dish and chowed down on the apple pie and ice cream following dinner.

The party came to an end with square dancing called by a very professional Kellogg. Many said a reluctant goodbye just as the evening began to cool down.

RUTH SOWBY RANDS may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.