Holy Family continues fiesta tradition
For some three decades Holy Family Grade School has presented its Fiesta Tropicale. In keeping with tradition, more than 1,000 families visited the fiesta between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, in spite of the drizzle.
An early morning breakfast started the festivities, but it was the Scooby-Doo Bouncer and food booths in the school yard that attracted the crowds. Event co-chairwoman Brenda De Borja and her fundraising chairwoman Mary Avila stayed busy making sure that the tamales, tacos, beans, rice, churros and skewered meat were regularly replenished. Parent sponsors of the Mexican food booth were Steve and Celine Benedict.
From Glendale, 9-year-old pompom girls Alethea De Jesus and twins Abigail and Audrey Caringal performed lively cheers. Standing in the wings were proud parents Eileen and Oscar De Jesus and the twins’ mom Aimee Tirados and stepfather Jason Monsod. Rumor has it that the pompom girls have been practicing their routines afterschool for a year. The bouncer attracted 8-year-olds Kathleen Gonzalez, Emily Aguilera and Sydney Sayoc. Kathleen’s dad, Martin Gonzalez, decided to sit this one out. Parent volunteer Ruben Maldonado boasted the bouncer took him a mere 20 minutes to set up.
Avila estimated that the fiesta, the largest school fundraiser for the year, would bring in proceeds of $50,000 to $60,000. Those funds are earmarked for school operating expenses such as teacher salaries.
+++
Sunday also marked the KRLA-AM (870)-sponsored “Townhall 2010” at the Alex Theatre. Featured was the Glendale-based radio station’s line-up of conservative talk-show hosts. At a late afternoon reception in the theater’s mezzanine, VIP guests munched and mingled with KRLA stars Dennis Prager, Dennis Miller, Michael Medved, Mike Gallagher and Kevin James.
Glendale residents Cathy and Bill Stilfield were last-minute reception guests. They said they came to the town hall because they are loyal KRLA listeners. Glendale residents (recently relocated to Aliso Viejo) Sharon and John Gramatky said they showed up at the event to stay informed on [political] issues. Also from Glendale were Rosemary Montana and husband Glenn Wiener.
“The panel presents another view not as prevalent in the public arena,” Montana said.
Following the VIP reception, about 1,300 KRLA listeners filled the theater and were welcomed by James. He warned his audience that they should be prepared for a hard-hitting town hall discussion, kicking off November’s election. Attendees appeared to welcome the views of their favorite radio hosts.
++++
During three hours on Thursday, 110 pillowcases were sewn, trimmed, turned and ironed by 46 members Glendale Second Ward Relief Society members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The pillowcases will be donated to young patients at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles in time for Halloween.
On Sunday, Relief Society Homemaking Leader Jane Mc Vay worked on a batch of 30 completed pillowcases. They still needed to be washed, rinsed twice and ironed again. McVey was assisted on the job by brother and sister Robert and Stella Yeritsyan.
Warner Bros. Studio execs had donated cartoon super hero character-themed fabric for the pillowcases. More fabric was donated by church members.
“The pillowcases will add some color to the stark hospital beds,” said Mc Vay, “They will be taken home by the patients after their hospital stay.” More than 400 pillowcases will be donated for Halloween and Christmas.
In January, the Relief Society will organize another drive among church members to raise at least $500 to purchase more fabric to make future pillowcases. The goal is to add pillowcase donations for Valentine’s Day, Easter and Thanksgiving.