Community: Glendale Beautiful fetes its namesake
Glendale boasts some beautiful shopping areas, landmarks and parks, but at times we get so busy, we miss those businesses that have made a special effort to spruce up the front of their buildings with a coat of paint or a ribbon of spring flowers along a walkway.
Those who do take notice are the members of the nonprofit group Glendale Beautiful, and once a year they recognize several businesses at the annual awards luncheon.
Receiving awards this year were Adams Luxury Apartments, Avalon Glendale, Drier’s Nursing Care Center, Glendale Elks Lodge, Glen Oaks Escrow Company and Griffith Manor Park.
They were honored at a luncheon on April 3 at the Joe Bridges Clubhouse.
Following a welcome by President Gladys Wymore and lunch, Awards Day Chairman Jim Reichgelt introduced the representatives of each facility who told about the upgrades made to the properties.
Griffith Manor Park has had a major upgrade with construction of a 2,800-square-foot community building, new restroom facilities, new security fencing, park lighting, an irrigation system with reclaimed water and more.
Drier’s had made remarkable changes. A community fixture for 67 years, it is on its third generation of family owners. Outside, the patio was fitted with a water fountain and surrounded by fresh landscaping. Exterior painting and maintenance was also recently completed.
The Glendale Elks Lodge has added new landscaping using succulents and added cactus in front of a wall that was a constant backdrop for tagging.
“It is low maintenance and blends in with the city of Glendale Community Center across the street,” said Elks representative Hugh Scanlon.
City Council member Ara Najarian thanked Glendale Beautiful for all of its community programs including its preservation of “our great Spanish heritage.”
“We are fortunate to have an organization like Glendale Beautiful and we need to appreciate you more,” he said.
ABWA hosts third annual fundraiser
The Verdugo Glen chapter of the American Business Women’s Assn. is hosting its third annual fundraiser, “Casino Royale III,” from 7 to 11 p.m. April 27 at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena.
There will be dinner, dancing, gaming and a silent auction.
For ticket information, contact Kella Price at (661) 526-6578 or drkellabprice@gmail.com or for event information, call Lynn Shelby at (818) 512-4079. Tickets purchased before April 15 are $50 and after April 15, $55. After-5 attire is suggested. Proceeds benefit member educational programs and local student scholarships.
Cabrini Literary Guild awards young writers
The Cabrini Literary Guild will present its annual writing contest awards during a luncheon Thursday at the Oakmont Country Club. The contest is open to all high schools in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
The three judges chose the top eight compositions from 55 entries. Winners are from Holy Family, Bishop Conaty, Immaculate Heart and Sacred Heart. The winners will receive $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place, $350 for fourth place, and $100 for each honorable mention. The chairwoman of the writing awards is Patty Szot.
The writing awards program is one of the prime reasons that the Cabrini Guild was formed.
The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at noon with the awards presented at 1 p.m.
Cost of the luncheon is $30. For reservations, call (323) 257-9873.
Master of ceremonies is Patrick Caneday, who writes the Small Wonders column that appears in the Burbank Leader and Glendale News-Press newspapers.
The judges are newscaster Colleen Williams, Senior Library Supervisor Mary Alice Wollam and Glendale News-Press history columnist Katherine Yamada.
Soroptimists seek entries for event
There is still time to submit a design for Soroptimist International of Glendale’s ninth annual Bras for a Cause. The theme is “Bras for a Cause Celebrates Holidays.” The design entry deadline has been extended to April 20. To enter or to purchase tickets for the April 28 event, go to www.soroptimistglendale.org or call (818) 398-7043.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.