On the Town: Cheering on pampered pets and classic cars
Do you ever wonder how a carpet business that remained on Foothill Boulevard in La Crescenta for 27 years turned into a store for pet grooming run by the same owner? Here’s the scoop. When Violet Hovsepian’s husband decided to leave carpets behind, Hovsepian decided to follow her passion for dogs and cats. One year ago, she started Pampered Poochez in the same location with her sister-in-law Lala Maranjyan. The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted an open house at the pet grooming store on Saturday.
Free treats and pooch bandanas were handed out to some 20 customers and their pets as part of the first anniversary for Pampered Poochez. The first customers were Maranjyan’s daughters Irene Asatryan, 7, and younger sister Tiffany Asatryan, 5. Their pooch to be pampered was Mimi, a female toy poodle. The girls’ father Robert Asatryan (Maranjyan’s husband) supervised. Sunny and Thomas Ivani dropped off Cosie, a female Maltese. Cosie was cosseted, trimmed, brushed and hot-oil messaged. She even had a deep teeth cleaning and her ears cleaned — all for $35. Groomer Verona Bravo did the honors.
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At the same time the L. A. Flea Market debuted on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, Glendale residents had their own Swap Meet/Flea Market to shop in, granted it was in a slightly smaller space. At Glendale Community College’s upper parking lot, Glendale’s market is open for business every third week of the month. Items for sale range from antiques and collectables to jewelry, dolls, books and musical instruments.
One of the most popular booths offered handmade jewelry and Romanian-crocheted doilies for the coffee table or dining room table “in the European style,” said Mariana Lazar. Lazar is a first-time vendor at the Glendale Community College Flea Market. She recently lost her job as a pharmacist tech and needed to bring in more money.
Lazar, of Romanian heritage, decided to go the flea market route, taking advantage of her skills in jewelry and crochet work. She found the college flea market on the Internet. The market’s emphasis on antique and homemade items attracted her and she set up shop. Her handy helper was grandson Trevor Rosca, 18.
One of the shoppers at Lazar’s booth was Glendale resident Larisa Franchesco. She was eyeing a $3 pair of antique earrings. They may be for her mother who Franchesco takes care of in West Hollywood.
At the height of the noon sun, venders were beginning to close up shop since customers were few. An advantage for those hardy souls who ventured out in the sun was free parking.
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The ever-popular, free-admission Cruise Night in Glendale had record crowds and set the Guinness Book of World Records by having 1,692 Chubby Checker fans dance the Twist at the same time. On Saturday night, thousands of Glendale residents and those who live farther afield packed Brand Boulevard to see 460 cars. They were classic, they were vintage, they were vets, they were hot rods.
Although the Twist contest and Chubby Checker’s in-person celebration of the 50th anniversary of his single, “The Twist,” it was the cars that the throngs were drawn to.
La Crescenta resident John Fovos was there for his love of cars, having a Chip Foose-designed Mustang at home. His friend Michelle Steele from Glendale was along for the ride. Glendale residents Sue and Steve Wilder were spotted in the multitudes, as was Daisy Alexander, an annual visitor.
Rufino Roy Camacho brought his camera along to shoot car photos. One of his favorite cars was a ’59 Ford owned by Danny Jung. Glendale resident Camacho was accompanied by wife Joyette Camacho, son Miguel Camacho, 9, daughter Isabelle Camacho, 4 and sister-in-law Marney Villanueva.
Should the car fans want more, there were plenty of distractions. “Glendale Rocks” rock-climbing 28-foot tower was scaled by 9-year-old Nikolai Garcia. He scrambled up and down in minutes. Proud parents standing nearby were Esperanza Garcia and Howey Parkins from Burbank. Parkins was showing off his blue ’57 Chevy.
Also part of the scene were booths of every persuasion. The Democrats were across from the Republicans. The Glendale Peace Vigil’s booth was across from the Glendale Unified School District’s table. Manning the table was school board President Greg Krikorian. School board member Nayiri Nahabedian worked the early shift. In front of the Alex Theatre was the Glendale Arts and Film Society table. A board member of both organizations, Brian Ellis, handed out publicity of coming attractions. Daughter Alexandra Ellis was an able backup.
For more fun, car buffs headed over to Massage Envy Spa. Although massages were not in the offering, wine was. For only a $5 donation a glass, imbibers supported Glendale Arts.
All in all, it was a cool night.