Bowling

Ciria Saavedra, 10, clutched a pink bowling ball in her hands Thursday and eagerly waited her turn to bowl. It was the fulfillment of a promise to Ciria and 30 of her peers at Horace Mann Elementary School, who were awarded with medallions and rewarded with a trip to Jewel City Bowl for showing improvement on their reading and writing proficiency scores. "These students are our Hispanic achievers," said Kim Bishop, principal of Horace Mann Elementary.

Alecia Foster MONTROSE -- Mary Garcia never got to meet her sister Claire. The vibrant 9 1/2-year-old Claire died from cystic fibrosis almost exactly a year before Mary was born. "My mom has told me a lot of stories about her and I've seen pictures and videos of her," Mary said. "I sort of feel like I met her, in a way." Mary has also heard about Claire's struggles with the disease. And when the opportunity to help researchers find a cure arose, Mary jumped at the chance.

Under the vibrantly painted art-deco facade of the Jewel City Bowl and Grill, glass double doors bear a sign — “You are now entering a Trans-Fat free zone.” I would expect no less from a bowling alley, but I was very surprised to hear it about their grill. As our guest said, “Most places have the list up like a McDonald’s, but this place has menus!” Menus and no trans fat. This is not your father’s bowling alley grill. I barely got the kids past the arcade, and we gazed at the bowlers on our way to a little sign that said “Java Hut.” There we found a waitress, a posting for the espresso bar and the real menus we were so impressed with.

GLENDALE — The crashes of tumbling bowling pins, the scattered laughter of children and the idle chit-chat as players waited for their turn at Jewel City Bowl & Grill Thursday night seemed like a normal affair. But when 8-year-old Laura, an orphan from Bogota, Colombia, was taken aside from her 10-pin reverie and was asked about her home country, her eyes saddened as if she were keeping some sensitive stories inside. Eleven such orphans were at the local bowling alley Thursday night with host families and advocates for what Kidsave Los Angeles — the volunteer organization that tries to pair children in orphanages and foster care into permanent homes and families — in what was billed as just another fun outing in their Summer Miracles program.

On Monday, April 7 we had our annual Bowl-A-Thon. It was a lot of fun with over 50 bowlers in attendance. Many thanks to the following for their contributions to the event: New Moon, Leo’s All-Star Sports Bar & Grill, Laurie Jo Designs, Jenkins Properties Management, Century 21-Crest, Tuscany Spa, Stix & Stones, First VP Jane Kane, CEO Jim Bates, Glendale News Press, La Cañada/Crescenta Valley Sun, La Cañada Outlook, J’s Maintenance, Fidelity...

For women who want lifestyle advice but don't want to ask Dear Abby or plan lunch with a friend, a new online option has emerged. Newport Beach resident Nikki Gutshall and colleague Kailynn Bowling offer their online thoughts on everything from how to plan a good bridal shower to the best ways to decorate a new home. Their website, www.ChicBlvd.com, launched in March. The intended audience: The oft-targeted 18- to-35-year-old female demographic. Calling it "the girlfriend's guide for the road of life," the pair wants the site to become the go-to place for young women seeking inspiration.

Contestants for makeover sought The CW Television Network is casting for a makeover show. The network is searching for outgoing girls between the ages of 19 and 32 with “amazing” personalities who are in need of a style makeover. They are seeking people who have conquered adversity or who have “been blessed beyond comparison.” Send name, age, height, weight, contact information and recent photos to thecastingproducer@gmail.com.   Duck splash this Saturday “Lake Glendale” in Verdugo Park is the site for the annual Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash taking place tomorrow, Saturday.

Sparkling lights flickered across the walls while magically decorated tables and beautiful princesses completed the fairy tale atmosphere at Holy Redeemer Catholic School during the school's third annual Daddy/Daughter dance. Little girls dressed in colorful ball gowns entered with very proud and handsome escorts at their arm. "I'm a little worried about them looking so grown up," Rafael Gonzalez said of his daughter, Mariah, and her friends. He was among many dads who voiced their amazement at their girls' beauty and uneasiness at seeing the girls grow up so fast.

Ten Years Ago The Crescenta Valley Sierra Club was planning its annual potluck picnic, to be held July 8, 1999 in Dunsmore Park, where attendees could participate in a host of activities including boccie ball and croquet games.     Twenty Years Ago An unemployed La Crescenta man was arrested after a store employee noticed he’d placed three packages of meat in his shirt in an obvious attempt to shoplift. When the employee tried to stop the theft, the suspect allegedly struck him. Based on that act, he was charged by law enforcement officials with a strong-arm robbery.

Family Promise is having its third annual Empty Bowl fundraiser on June 2 with proceeds going to provide safe shelter, meals and support for homeless families. Guests are welcome from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Glendale, 134 N. Kenwood St., Glendale. The event brings together independent potters, arts associations and other community groups to donate their handcrafted ceramic bowls. Guests who purchase adult tickets will receive one-of-a-kind bowls that will be used to serve a simple meal of soup with bread and a dessert donated by area restaurants.

When the younger generation of the Zankou Chicken family dynasty decided to open a Mexican eatery, there were naysayers. I was not one of them. I was excited at the prospect of Armenian-Mexican fusion fare. Just look what Kogi BBQ did for Korean and Mexican cuisines. Expectations are a dangerous thing. I fantasized about shawerma tacos with garlic tomatillo sauce or fattoush tostadas or maybe lule enchiladas. I figured the chef would create something brilliant. What the family came up with instead is a build-your-own burrito/bowl concept.

GLENDALE - A large crowd flocked to midfield at Moyse Field on Wednesday for yet another big celebration, punctuated by hoisting a trophy in the air. It's become a regular occurrence for the Glendale High track and field program, which continued its domination of cross-town rival Hoover. Backed by some impressive efforts from Lauren Hansen, Andrea Popescu and Mike Williams, Glendale maintained ownership of the Bronze Bowl. Hansen won two individual events and helped win a relay race and Popescu won three individual events to spark the host Glendale girls to a 95-28 Pacific League win against Hoover.

"Admission" is a nice movie. You have no idea how depressing it is for a critic to drag out what may be the blandest word in the English language. But it fits. "Admission" is a bowl of oatmeal - instant oatmeal - with nothing added; not sugar, not fruit, maybe a tiny bit of butter. Don't get me wrong: I like oatmeal, even plain. Neither it nor “Admission” is awful, but I can't imagine it getting anyone genuinely stoked. Tina Fey plays Portia Nathan, an admissions officer at Princeton.

Please allow me to boast. Congratulations to Matthew Benitez, Jacob Deyell, Victor Garcia, Gayane Hovsepyan and Meagan Yuen for winning Hoover's first Glendale Unified Scholastic Bowl in five years - and my first victory as coach. Glendale Unified School District is to be commended for maintaining the annual event for 23 years, even during lean financial years lately.  It's the one event that showcases the smart kids in Glendale's schools and puts these young people in the spotlight.  NBC Channel 4 weatherman Fritz Coleman has been the host for the past 17 years and does a yeoman's job with his droll sense of humor.

Glendale police will be conducting "roving DUI patrols" on Super Bowl Sunday as part of a regional task force to clamp down on inebriated drivers. In the announcement issued Friday, police included a few reminders for those planning to take part in Super Bowl festivities - including the fact that hosts can be held liable if someone leaves drunk and ends up in a crash. Police issued the following suggestions: If you're attending a Super Bowl party: • Designate your sober driver before the party begins.

Though those in the NFL with local ties have long ago wrapped up their respective seasons, much like the rest of the world, the impending Super Bowl is still drawing plenty of interest in Glendale, La Crescenta, La Cañada Flintridge and beyond. Within the coming week of build-up, myriad story lines will receive even more press as kickoff for Super Bowl XLVII between the favored San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in New Orleans approaches. Rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick, with his strong arm and fleet feet, has captured headlines and victories after becoming the 49ers' starter down the stretch.

College football coaches won't be the only ones calling the shots at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Dozens of Tournament of Roses Assn. workers are now planning every game detail, including the timing of the traditional B-2 flyover and the toss of a specially minted silver coin to determine who will receive the kickoff. The busiest invisible hands belong to Tournament of Roses Senior Game Manager Edward Corey and Game Manager Ted Tompkins. Corey, prepping for his 35th Rose Bowl, coordinates each moment from the sidelines.

Traffic, noise and the displacement of Arroyo Seco users top a list of concerns voiced during a recent public hearing on plans to temporarily house an NFL team at the Rose Bowl. The stadium could be ready to accommodate NFL games as early as next fall, but Rose Bowl officials have yet to discuss proposals with the league, team owners or developers planning Farmers Field in downtown Los Angeles, said Rose Bowl General Manager Darryl Dunn. For professional football to come to the Rose Bowl, Pasadena City Council members must waive restrictions on the number of large events at the stadium after approving an environmental study of the proposal.

The price tag for renovations at the Rose Bowl continues to balloon, with officials adding $6 million last week to a construction contract for the already well-over-budget project. The money is needed to cover repairs for botched upgrades installed ahead of the 1994 World Cup games and increased labor costs incurred in the rush to finish seating upgrades before UCLA's football home opener on Sept. 8, officials said. Originally expected to cost $152 million, the project is now budgeted at about $170 million - excluding $14 million in work that has already been deferred because of cost concerns.