TOWN:Artists and chamber officials mix at Luna

The Glendale Arts Community Mixer brought out an intriguing mix of artists and chamber members on March 19 at the Luna Playhouse in Glendale. They sipped and supped among the sets and props for "Bailegangaire," the Luna's current offering.

Hosting the mixer was Aramazd Stepanian, artistic director of the Luna Playhouse.

Glendale residents attending included Jennifer Swain, who designed the La Cañada Flintridge Rose Parade float three years in a row; her mother Patricia Magoffin, actress and La Cañada/Glendale Chamber Ambassador of the Year; and Catherine Emrani, head of the Chamber's Glendale Leadership Academy.

Other Glendale residents attending were: Arman Keyvanian, pianist; Pam Ellis, Glendale Unified School District board member; Rose Goss, writer and founder of Art Day in Glendale; and Becky Mate, writer. Mate said she was in attendance for the Luna Playhouse's very first show.

Saying "aloha" from the La Crescenta Woman's Club were more than 100 members and their guests at the "Little Grass Skirt" Fashion Show/Luncheon on Saturday.

The group's parent organization, the San Gabriel Valley District of the California Federation, is a part of the largest, nonpolitical women's organization in the world, said Dea McCrory, the local club's third vice-president.

Glendale/La Crescenta Annex residents included Danette Erickson, general treasurer; Florence Virgallito, publicity; Sally Benson, luncheon chairwoman; and Carol Benedetti, second vice president.

Glendale residents included Rita Even, president, who was leading the "aloha" crowd as the La Crescenta Woman's Club celebrated its 96th birthday and more than 50 years of fashion shows. Guest Pauline Richardson also enjoyed the lunch and fashion show featuring fashions from Draper's & Damon's in Pasadena.

La Crescenta residents attending were Tamara Hughes, evening section treasurer; Gloria Lee; and Genny Mundick.

Sunland resident Jeff Palmer also attended in the place of his club-member wife, Jacqueline Palmer, who is hospitalized.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Assn. to prevent women's heart disease.

The Glendale Area Alumnae Panhellenic had its 59th annual scholarship benefit luncheon, also on Saturday, at the Oakmont Country Club in Glendale.

Speaker was Maureen Palacios, owner of Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose.

The 80 members and their guests included Glendale residents Elizabeth Manasserian, a guest of Kathleen Powers; Deb Ann Orfalea, a 20-year member; and Julie Weller and Betty Wagner, benefit co-chairwomen.

More Glendale residents in attendance at the Kappa Kappa Gamma table were Joyce Brace, Debbie Wagner and Barbara McAndrews.

Speaker Palacios described her transition from human resource consultant to bookstore owner and the one letter that changed her life. It was written by her 11-year-old daughter, Jessica, to the Glendale News-Press asking who would buy "the nice bookstore."

Mother Maureen took the hint and bought the bookstore. Of the store's inventory, 80% is children's books. The luncheon will contribute toward raising $4,000 to $6,000 in scholarships for local high school and college students.