Berry

When legendary Crescenta Valley High softball Coach Dan Berry passed away last October, it was a given that whoever succeeded him at the helm of the Falcons would have huge shoes to fill. Mark Samford, a longtime basketball coach at the school, took up the challenge on an interim basis and kept the Falcons in the chase for a Pacific League title and back in the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs. As a result, Samford was fitted for some more permanent footwear on Tuesday when Crescenta Valley ended its coaching search by officially naming Samford the head man. "That was one of many factors [in his hiring]

An article in the Oct. 27 News section incorrectly stated that Dan Berry was 66 when he died. He was 65.

Gary Moskowitz Family and friends of local women's rights activist Rae Berry will gather Friday at Glendale Community College for a celebration of her life. Berry, a former college trustee, died of pneumonia on Dec. 3, 2003, in Yuma, Ariz. She was 86. The college will host a celebration in honor of Berry at 1 p.m. Friday in Kreider Hall at GCC, 1500 N. Verdugo Road. The event is open to the public. Deborah Dentler, who wrote a 40-page biography of Berry in 1997, called her a "working-class girl" who worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" in a factory in Burbank during World War II. Dentler will join college President John Davitt, community leaders and educators in speaking about Berry during Friday's event.

Gary Moskowitz Many people remember Rae Berry as a pioneer for women's rights, some remember her as a fan of breakfast food, and a few were lucky enough to hear her giggle on a regular basis. But all of those who attended a memorial celebration Friday at Glendale Community College in honor of Berry agreed that their lives had been touched by knowing her. Rae Berry, a former GCC trustee, died of pneumonia Dec. 3 in Yuma, Ariz. She was 86. More than 100 college officials, community leaders, family members and friends gathered to celebrate Berry's life as a local leader, mentor, activist and role model.

Gary Moskowitz Rae Berry, a former Glendale Community College trustee known as a pioneer of women's rights in Glendale, died of pneumonia Tuesday at a hospital in Yuma, Ariz. She was 86. While Berry's list of accomplishments and accolades is extensive, family and friends this week remembered her most as a bold, caring woman who was ahead of her time. Berry's ties to Glendale Community College spanned from 1969 to 1995. She served on the college board of trustees from 1983 to 1995 and was board president in during the 1985-86 school year.

The architect of the Crescenta Valley High softball program and, arguably, the area's most successful softball coach, Dan Berry, is breathing on his own after being taken off a ventilator, but battling for his life, Athletic Director Peter Kim confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Berry, 66, was taken to Verdugo Hills Hospital on Oct. 11 after suffering two seizures inside the Crescenta Valley coaches' office. After paramedics arrived, confirmed Kim, Berry went into cardiac arrest and was treated at the scene before being taken to the hospital.

Karen S. Kim NORTHEAST GLENDALE -- The Glendale Community College Cultural Diversity Program and the school's Associated Students are inviting the public to attend a special program April 26 that will include comedian, entertainer and lecturer Bertice Berry. Berry, who formerly hosted and co-produced her own syndicated talk show "The Bertice Berry Show" and hosted "USA Live" on the USA Network, has appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "BET Live."

A high-speed chase on La Tuna Canyon Road led Glendale police to arrest a Tujunga man and possibly to solve an earlier burglary of a La Crescenta house. Glendale police officers arrested Josh Berry, 31, on suspicion of evading police officers in disregard of public safety after attempting to stop him on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Police documents state officers began following Berry at the intersection of Honolulu Avenue and La Tuna Canyon Road at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, and activated their emergency lights after the left tire of the 1985 Ford Mustang Berry was driving crossed the center line twice.

Local travel softball team takes second The Crescenta Valley Condors softball team, guided by Crescenta Valley High's Dan Berry, took second in the Women's "B" National championship July 31 in Lancaster. After playing for 10 consecutive hours, the Condors lost to the NorCal Heat from Manteca, 4-3, in the if-necessary championship game. Crescenta Valley defeated the NorCal Heat, 3-2, in eight innings to force the final game. The Condors, who lost to the Heat, 4-2, earlier in the tournament, scored two runs in the top of the seventh to tie the score.

Karen S. Kim DOWNTOWN -- It's taken almost two years, but downtown Glendale merchants will soon see the directional signs they've been hoping for become a reality. A project to install 24 large directional signs guiding drivers to major destination points in the city is expected to reach fruition by the summer, project manager Mark Berry said. Because the project includes installing five 12-foot by3.5-foot signs at key entry points in the city, careful consideration and study of designs and locations contributed to the project's delay, Berry said.