On the Town: Starting the travel season, doing it in style

No organization knows how to party like the La Crescenta Woman’s Club, especially after some lady-like mimosas. After 101 years, the group is still going strong and has no trouble attracting new members. At its circa 1927 clubhouse, its annual Fashion Show & Luncheon was themed “Holidays Abroad.” On Saturday, 180 members and guests were transported to countries far and wide. Each table and corresponding centerpiece represented a country. Treasurer Danette Erickson sat at the Netherlands table. A pair of her Grandma Erickson’s wooden shoes were its centerpiece. They were a souvenir from a 1950s trip to Holland. Erickson admits her family is Irish, but the Irish table was already full.

The 12 teenage luncheon servers were students from St. James, Holy Redeemer and Providence high schools. They dropped nary a fork. The Chinese chicken salad filled the bill as the satiated audience next enjoyed the fashion show. Again, taking advantage of the travel theme, the fashions were ready to pack and wear in any clime. Commentator Jessica Howard narrated the fashions from Veronica M, while Karla Cohen commented on the ensembles from Holiday Hats & Gowns. Club models were Tamara Hughes, Amira Smith, Gloria Beyer, Erika Schmeid, Crystal Polischeck, Breanna Coe, Mallory Mudie, Lauren Barton Hassani and Marilyn Wright. Fascinators replaced hats — the influence of Britain’s Princess Kate.

Event Co-Chairmen Daryl Baker Pollack and Lynne Roberto did themselves proud as they supervised a team of club members who spent many an hour on food, drink, decorations, silent and live auctions and opportunity prize drawings. Members and guests were big bidders this afternoon. A private tour of International Studio Services brought in $750 from the live auction. The winning bidder was Karen Bynum, who will share the tour with mother and long-time club member Sally Benson.

A contingent of Red Hat Society women also bid up the prizes. They were headed by Queen Roberto and included her guests Susie Fighera, Donelle Woolsey, Barbara Hunt and Nita Pearson. Club member Margaret Hammond also sported a large red hat.

Club President Carol Huntwork bid her audience adieu, many ready to begin the travel season in style.

It was all Glendale Adventist Medical Center all the time last week in honor of National Doctors’ Day on Friday. But at the hospital it was more like Doctors’ Week. The week kicked off with Doctors’ Day 2012 on Wednesday, followed by Physician Car Wash the next day. Hospital employees showed their appreciation of the doctors by washing their cars for free. No tips accepted. Even President and Chief Executive Kevin Roberts got into the act by wielding a hose. Friday was dubbed Official Doctors’ Day, during which various events were hosted by the Glendale Adventist medical staff office.

Wednesday’s Red Carpet Luncheon in the East Tower Patio brought out hospital doctors looking for a free lunch, music and games. “Celebrating Our Champion Physicians” was the theme for the afternoon. Roberts made another appearance — without his car wash accouterments.

“Today is an opportunity for our doctors to let their hair down a little,” said Roberts.

And so they did. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Leah Cyran was a whiz at air hockey. Nobody could beat her. Cyran was also presented a trophy for being a top performer in computer order entry.

Surgeon Dr. Sam Carvajac also had a chance to relax just a little before his beeper called him into the operating room. Dr. Sirvard Khanoyan, specializing in family practice, boasted that her husband, Nephrologist Dr. Artashes Patrikyan, was also a top performer in computer order entry. Medical Oncologist Dr. Raymundo Romero also toted a trophy for a computer-order-entry top performer. This was the first time Romero had attended the Doctors’ Day lunch.

Medical staff on hand included Claudia Kanne. She’s the director of medical staff and compliance. Hospital media consultant Alicia Gonzalez acted as a hostess for the afternoon.

Sen. Carol Liu (D-La Cañada Flintridge) honored her district’s 2012 “Women of the Year” during a cocktail reception on March 23.

The honorees included Dominque Evans-Bye of La Crescenta, a biology teacher at Clark Magnet High School. Evans-Bye is also accredited scuba instructor and a member of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Dive team.

Honoree Armine Hacopian immigrated to the U.S. from Iran in 1965 knowing no English. Hacopian eventually became the first Armenian American woman elected to the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees. Hacopian has been an educator for more than 40 years as a teacher, ESL specialist and counselor.

Also honored was Amy Navarette. She is vice president of Glendale-based Americans United Bank, a member of Glendale Kiwanis and president of the Glendale Latino Assn.

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