Front Desk

GLENDALE ? Becky Chaires has an infectious laugh and a commitment to her job that has earned her two Unsung Heroes Awards from fellow members of the Glendale chapter of the California School Employees Assn. Chaires and the rest of the district's classified employees will celebrate today at Hoover High School in anticipation of classified employees week, which kicks off Monday. Each of the district's 30 schools is planning its own celebration, but today about 200 members of the Glendale chapter of the association and their family members are expected to enjoy a breakfast and receive donated gifts, association spokeswoman Julie Niles said.

Amber Willard GLENDALE -- More than 30 bags of candy and cookies, some baked by local Girl Scouts, have been delivered to Glendale Police headquarters in a show of support since last week's terrorist assaults. "They've been coming in to say 'thanks for being there for us,' " said Officer Tim Spruill, who spends many of his shifts covering the department's front desk. "I think it makes people realize how vulnerable they are when they see police officers hurt."

Jackson Bell In an effort to keep residents better protected against firearm tragedies, the Glendale Police Department is offering free gun locks. Cable-style gun locks donated by Project ChildSafe are free at the front desk of the police station's main lobby, 131 N. Isabel St. Anyone can stop by at any time and pick up as many as they want, no questions asked, Sgt. Tom Lorenz said. "Unfortunately, we've heard all the horror stories that come with kids picking up unsecured guns," Lorenz said.

GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the Daily Pilot on a rotating basis. For information about adding your organization to this list, call (714) 966-4600. COMPANION HOSPICE The hospice is now recruiting volunteers to become a friend for someone who needs that extra special caring at the end of life. Become a member of a team whose goal is to promote quality of life and comfort measures. Each applicant will receive 16 hours of orientation and training.

Ben Godar With the numbers of reserve officers and search-and-rescue team members beginning to dwindle, deputies at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station hope an upcoming recruiting day will bring in more support. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at the station, 4554 N. Briggs Ave. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide information. It's part of a countywide recruitment drive that was spawned as a result of the success of an event at the station last fall.

The article in Friday's Glendale News-Press quoted Fred Jackson on the three Es of education, engineering and enforcement (“Metrolink targets Doran crossing,” Jan. 28). Quite a few years ago, when speed bumps and traffic circles were being installed along Mountain Street and in the area, I sat next to an Alabama traffic engineer on a flight to Birmingham. I asked him to comment on the massive project, and he told me about the three Es. But he listed them in a different order and said it was too bad Glendale was resorting to the expensive engineering before giving education and enforcement a chance.

Gretchen Hoffman GLENDALE -- A flier on the front desk at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy spurred 16-year-old Erin Frazier to enter a scholarship competition in March. Now, four months later, she's preparing to vie for the next step in the program -- the state Junior Miss title. Frazier, Glendale's Young Woman of the Year, and seven other women representing Los Angeles County will head to Rohnert Park, Calif. on Aug. 9 to rehearse for the state competition of the California Miss Junior Competition.

Bonnie Butler-Sibbald, manager of volunteer services at Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, did not hesitate when naming Ken Cressy as the individual who stands out due to his dedication to volunteer work. “Ken has a warm and caring personality,” she said. “His willingness to take on extra projects and more hours adds to his amazing work ethic. He also excels in training new volunteers. He is basically a role model and a mentor to the other volunteers.

Gary Moskowitz Officials with 24 Hour Fitness are encouraging their Glendale members to avoid bringing valuable items like wallets and jewelry to the gym, after thieves broke into more than 20 lockers at two local gyms earlier this month. "We have been telling them in the Glendale area, always leave valuables at home or at work, and avoid leaving items in their car in plain view," 24 Hour Fitness spokeswoman Allyson Savage said Friday. "They should always secure lockers with a disk lock, instead of one with a key, which are easier to pick.

GLENDALE — A 63-year-old man turned himself into police Tuesday after he allegedly struck his daughter’s boyfriend in the head with a pipe while he was sleeping, police said. The father of a Glendale resident, Levon Hovanesyan, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and mayhem, which means that a victim’s body part was disabled, disfigured or rendered useless, according Glendale Police Department reports. “It’s not common on a day-to-day basis for someone who has committed a serious assault or attempted to kill someone,” Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said of people turning themselves into police.