On The Town:

Glendale Adventist Medical Center hosted a talk titled “My Stroke of Insight” at the Alex Theatre just as the clouds parted Monday evening.

The speaker was stroke survivor Jill Bolte Taylor, who was a neuroscientist working at Harvard University’s brain research center when she experienced a stroke. Taylor, a New York Times best-selling author, was recently chosen one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” for 2008.

The event is a precursor to Sunday’s Downtown Dash. Glendale residents on hand included a healthy contingent of Glendale Adventist employees including Chief Operating Officer Warren Tetz with wife, Luz Tetz, Chaplain Al Garcilazo, Neuro Registered Nurse J.P. Belmonte, Human Resources specialist Jodi Parrish and husband Tony Parrish.

Also present were President of Glendale Noon Rotary Makiko Nakasoni and husband Steven Nakasoni, on the board of Glendale’s Path Achieve. Making an appearance were Glendale Adventist volunteer Carol Hounsell and husband Ken Hounsell.

The 2008 Downtown Dash, a 5K run/walk down Brand Boulevard, is expected to attract 750 participants and 100 volunteers.

Glendale Healthy Kids hosted the Losing it for the Kids Rally on Feb. 23 at Gourmet A Go Go in Montrose to cheer on board President Brian Bergh and board member-Glendale City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian on their progress toward losing 12% body fat by April 18.

Owner-chef Gail Connell presented several dozen supporters a healthy cuisine menu and offered tips on how to put together delicious and nutritious foods and still lose weight. A gift of 10% of the evening’s purchases were donated to the Glendale Healthy Kids’ Orthodontic Program.

Verdugo Mental Health President/Chief Executive Lynn Brandstater ordered to-go from the spa menu but couldn’t resist the mac and cheese, strictly non-spa.

Glendale residents ordering in were Lois Neil Sambar, Laura Friedman, Monica and Jose Sierra, Vicki McConnell, Doris Twedt, Glendale school board President Joylene Wagner, Commission on the Status of Women’s new Vice Chairwoman Elizabeth Manasserian and Message Envy Spa’s Helen McDonagh, having just rolled out her new hot stone massages.