The Valley Line: Miss LCF finalists, debs, VHH Women’s Council and Children’s Hospital guild all on the move
As the holiday season arrives, the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its Festival in Lights, which will be held in Memorial Park during the late afternoon/early evening of Dec. 6.
This annual tradition is so much fun, especially for the kids in town. It’s also exciting for young women who have tried out for the 2020 Miss La Cañada Flintridge Royal Court. Fourteen finalists have made it through the competition stage; five of them will be named during the festival as members of the court.
The finalists are Devyn Cox, Annalise Evans, Grace Fontes, Gloria Gong, Eunice Kang, Kendall Knudsen, Maggie MacKenzie, Ellaney Matarese, Audrey Melillo, Alya Nappi, Malaya Perushek, Reese Ramseyer, Ally Rayer and Kelleigh Serdar. One of the five finalists announced Dec. 6 will be crowned Miss La Cañada Flintridge on Jan. 30 at the chamber’s installation gala.
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Autumn has found the La Cañada Thursday Club debutante provisionals very busy participating in outings to fulfill their cultural and personal development requirements.
The teens enjoyed the artwork at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, where they added some intrigue by completing an art scavenger hunt. After the tour at the museum they explored the historic Craftsman-style Gamble House, also located in Pasadena.
Sheri Morton, past president of the Thursday Club and a former schoolteacher, instructed the girls about the art of writing thank-you notes. She also demonstrated the ins and outs of both professional and personal correspondence and the importance of handwritten letters.
The girls were then given their own monogrammed stationery and wrote lovely thank-you notes to several instructors in the debutante program.
For more information on the La Cañada Thursday Club’s Les Fleurettes program, contact Ani Derhartounian at aniderhartounian@gmail.com.
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It was a night of big laughs and small bites when the USC-VHH Women’s Council held a Comedy Night last Thursday in the Council Room at Verdugo Hills Hospital.
Before the frivolity began, guests partook of lots of tasty tidbits in a well-stocked buffet.
Since I’m not generally amused by stand-up acts, I surprised myself and everyone around me by laughing the loudest and longest. All three of the comedians absolutely tickled my funny bone and my sides ached from laughing so heartily. That’s certainly not a bad thing. Can’t we all use comedy relief in our crazy world?
The comedians were a varied bunch that truly believe laughter is the best medicine. Pierre Bardakjian, a VHH employee, volunteered his time to be emcee for the evening.
The night opened with Frank Lucero as he talked about his Latin heritage and absolutely sent the crowd into gales of laughter with his imitations of Mariachi musicians. By the way, for all of his sense of fun, he is an excellent guitarist.
Next up to amuse us was the comedy magician Omar Covarrubias, who amazed us with his bag of tricks delivered with such humor. More than once guests let out gasps of surprise with some of his magic.
Rounding out the evening was certainly a change of pace with Kira Soltanovich, a lively, pretty woman who hails from Russia, yet has a clear understanding of American humor. She was so topical and took leads from the guests where she turned their situation around to be hysterically funny. She was so in tune with the audience, and they seemed to love her in return.
All in all, it was such a fun evening!
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The Flintridge Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) just celebrated its 70th year in the community with a beautiful celebration held at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena.
The boutique and luncheon, themed “A Thankful Heart,” was the culmination of more than a year of special planning.
When you realize there are only 28 active members who put this incredible fundraising event together it is even more amazing.
When the more than 300 guests arrived at this historic hotel they were ushered into the foyer and bedazzled by the opulence of the chic boutique presented by 24 vendors selling beautiful items ranging from fine jewelry and furs to handmade purses and tote bags in luxurious leathers and tapestry.
A unique vendor was the sandal maker who created footwear to order. Guests watched as two cobblers created their sandals. It was very interesting.
Two of the long-standing members of the Guild, Savonia Angelica and Linda Fults, greeted guests, who were offered a mimosa or orange juice to sustain them as they signed up for an array of fabulous silent auction items and shopped vendor stations.
When the luncheon bell sounded, guests were seated at beautifully dressed tables with lovely center pieces of autumn leaves, tiny pumpkins and a center candle encased in a lantern.
The main speaker for the day was Sara Larsen, whose daughter Paige was born with a genetic disorder that causes abnormal development of the skull. Sara told of Paige receiving miracle-like treatment at the Children’s Hospital. Her impassioned speech was very engaging. Today Paige is a happy, fifth-grade student at St. Bede School.
Angelica, one of the three chairs of the event said, “Preparing for this 70th anniversary has been a journey of love and dedication for all of our members.”
Fults said, “It was such a pleasure to honor our past presidents because they have given so much to the guild, the community and Children’s Hospital.”
Chairing the event with Angelica were Delia Cotter and Patti Kriste. Kim Kessler, president of the Guild, was also there to welcome guests.