On the Town: An evening of wine, roses, magic and fundraising
Glendale Memorial Hospital’s 26th annual “Evening of Wine & Roses” had a new venue this year.
The lush Langham Hotel in Pasadena was the opulent setting Sunday for 540 guests who enjoyed cocktails along with live auctions and dinner fit for a magician. The centerpieces of white roses, top hats, gloves and canes fit the evening’s “House of Magic” theme.
Honored was Glendale’s own Ruth Charles as community advocate. In 1950, Charles and her late husband, Dick, founded Charles Music Store and Studios in Glendale. As a cancer survivor, Ruth Charles helped found the hospital’s cancer department. Her award was presented by James Cashion.
Also honored was June H. Huntington as a volunteer at Glendale Memorial for 50 years. Huntington has served as vice president and president of the Glendale Memorial Hospital Guild.
Her award was given by long-time friend Timothy Lewis, who was Huntington’s escort for the evening. Lewis’ late wife, Louise, worked with Huntington at the hospital for 48 years, when Louise started as a candy striper.
Hospital VIPs graciously willing to have their photos snapped were Jack Ivie, the hospital’s president, accompanied by wife, Tina, and Wayne Herron, vice president of philanthropy of the hospital’s foundation.
Event chairs were Lawrence Cimmarusti and Haig Youredjian. Also at the event was Dr. Boris Bagdasarian and wife, Karine. Dr. Bagdasarian, a specialist in hematology and medical oncology, has been practicing at the hospital for many years.
Glendale notables included Glendale Mayor Dave Weaver and wife, Linda, former Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian and guest Palmira Perez, as well as Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, accompanied by wife, Abigail.
After the cocktail auction, guests were ushered into the dimly lit ballroom for dinner and entertainment by illusionists, magicians, tarot card readers and a hypnotist.
Expected proceeds of $300,000 will be given to the new hospital’s Outpatient Diagnostic and Treatment Center.
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Business Life Magazine recently shined its light on 27 Women Achievers at its Business & Healthcare Conference, co-chaired by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and State Sen. Carol Liu.
Following the workshops at the Glendale Hilton, the women were honored at a luncheon. They entered the ballroom with a flourish, each wearing large sunflower pins, to the applause from the crowd of some 450 guests.
More than 300 women achievers have been recognized by the magazine during the past 24 years. Started in 1990 by the late John Krikorian, Business Life has a readership of 18,000. The honored women will grace the magazine’s cover.
The Women Achiever honorees are Ardis Bazyn, Lori Brogin, Irma Clark, Cindy Clearly, Reyna Del Haro, Tami DeVine, Emily Gabel-Luddy, Janet Hamilton, Phyllis Howard, Seta Javor, Hasmik Keyribarian, Zita Lefebvre, Shirley Manning, Ramella Markarian, Barbara Martinoff, Helen McDonagh, Stella R. Murga, Kelsey Peterson-More, Lisa Pitney, Kristen Pugh, Tracy Rafter, Ann Ransford, Diva O. Salano, Emma Salmassian, Ruth Sowby, Gloria Tango and Carmen B. Vargas.
Each woman received a plaque of the magazine’s cover shot of the 27 woman and commendations from U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff, State Sen. Carol Liu and Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, present at the luncheon.
Also prominent among attendees was Lillian Conroe, representing Gov. Jerry Brown. Other VIPs were Glendale Mayor Dave Weaver and wife, Linda, and Glendale Community College Board of Trustees President Ann Ransford, one of the Women Achievers.
Krikorian’s son, Greg Krikorian, holds the dual roles of Business Life vice president and Glendale Unified School District board member. He welcomed the women achievers and guests and introduced a nine-minute video honoring his father.
Featured in the video was family friend Gerda Govine, who called John Krikorian, “My West Coast dad.”
John Krikorian will continue to be remembered by the community through the John Krikorian Journalism Fund. Scholarships will be awarded to deserving students majoring in journalism.
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RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.