Bowling to strike out cancer

Soroptimist International of the Verdugos got a head start on breast cancer awareness. Instead of waiting for October, the designated month for the national drive, more than 60 members and their guests gathered at Burbank’s Pickwick Bowl for “Strikes n’ Spares” on June 26.

This seventh annual fundraiser is the organization’s major fundraiser to combat breast cancer. Since beginning the fundraiser, “We’ve raised over $100,000 for grants we give to breast cancer survivors,” said Immediate Past President Edith Fuentes.

Using some bowling lingo, the afternoon’s theme was “Together we can strike out breast cancer and spare lives!” To that end, members, guests and a smattering of boyfriends lined up for pizza and salad before going for their strikes and spares. They also had an opportunity to bid on silent-auction items.

Some guests bowling on teams were Trisha Rubia, Theresa Payawal and Elisa Emond. Members bowling on a team were Laila Santos, Jackie Lazatin and Nelly Costanios.

Incoming President Geraldine Yumping showed off a set of pink bowling pins. Knocking them over was anyone who could pony up $125 for lunch, bowling shoes and a couple hours of bowling on the lanes.

Soroptimist International of the Verdugos members are looking forward to giving their money away. They are having a Sunday champagne brunch on Aug. 7. Members will be installing officers, inducting new members and giving out breast cancer grants for breast cancer survivors.

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A Gold Rush was part of an Independence Day weekend experience for visitors at the Autry National Center. On July 2, dozens of kids grabbed their pans to find “gold” nuggets in fast-moving streams in troughs just kid-high. Event organizers hoped that the visitors would experience the elation similar to that of the miners of 1849.

Dozens of children looked for the glint of gold, free with museum admission. Kids two and younger had free admission. Even some grandmas got into the act. Ruth Thompson panned for her own gold next to grandson Ethan Cash, 11. On their way to see a Gene Autry movie at the museum, the two decided to go for the gold instead—four nuggets allowed per person. Unfortunately, nobody is going to get rich at the Autry. The “gold” is actually iron pyrite, or fool’s gold.

Members of a family from Atwater are old hands at spotting the glitter in the pan. Mom Ingrid Mort and dad Eddie Mort lifted their 23-month-old daughter, Querida, above the trough so that she could wield her pan like an expert. Museum members, the Morts are frequent visitors to the museum.

Museum teacher Rebekah Harding guided visitors into proper panning techniques. Harding expected more than 200 visitors to stop by the panning exhibit over the weekend. During the week, school groups visit. In fact, Harding remembers panning for gold when she was in elementary school 30 years ago.

If panning for gold isn’t your thing, museum visitors can look forward to “Sizzling Summer Nights” at the Autry. Live Latin music and dancing is offered as part of the Autry’s free, summer outdoor music series in Griffith Park on Thursday evenings until Sept. 1—complimentary dance lessons at every show. The show is free for museum members and is $10 for the public.

[Editor’s note: This story has been updated from an earlier version.]