Tow Truck

Gretchen Hoffman Area organizations are offering free rides New Year's Eve to try to keep revelers from getting behind the wheel after they've been drinking. Travelers on Metropolitan Transit Authority buses can ride for free from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday. The Glendale Beeline will stop running at 7 p.m. Tuesday under its usual schedule. The Automobile Club of Southern California is offering its annual Tipsy Tow program from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

cars4charities has a unique opportunity for you to get a year-end tax deduction and help one of over 200 respected charities at the same time. Some of the benefiting charities include Breast Cancer Research Foundation, National Foundation of the Blind of California, Autism Speaks, Parkinson Association of the Sacramento Region, a Home Away From Homelessness, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Greater Los Angeles Division. Donate your unwanted car to cars4charities and be eligible for a tax deduction of $500 or what the car is sold for, whichever is greater.

Anyone who donates an unwanted car by Dec. 31 to Cars4Charities and will be eligible for a year-end tax deduction of at least $500. This donation will also help one of over 200 respected charities at the same time. Some of the benefiting charities include: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ? Greater Los Angeles Chapter, Teach For America ? Los Angeles Chapter, Simi Valley Hospital Foundation, Autism Speaks ? California Chapter, Camp Fire USA ?

Darleene Barrientos A Montrose man turned himself in to the California Highway Patrol on Thursday afternoon after he allegedly rear-ended a disabled car and a tow truck, severely injuring the truck driver. Choon Suk Ro, 41, was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run, CHP Officer Vince Bell said, adding that investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the accident. Ro was driving north on the Glendale (2) Freeway, between Chevy Chase and Holly drives, early Thursday when he struck a car on the shoulder, Bell said.

LA CRESCENTA — A fatal big-rig accident early Thursday closed the eastbound lanes of the Foothill (210) Freeway and gridlocked travel along Foothill Boulevard. Officers responded about 4 a.m. to a collision involving two big-rig trucks, said California Highway Patrol Officer Andre Primeaux. Emergency personnel arrived to find that a semi-truck driven by a 56-year-old Ontario man had rear-ended another big rig. The Ontario man was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver reported no injuries.

Lent should reflect what we choose to kill and eat This week marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period preceding Easter when Christians have traditionally abstained from meat and dairy products in memory of Jesus' 40 days of fast and prayer before dying on the cross ("Beginning of Lenten season marked," Feb. 22). With religious devotion giving way to self-indulgence in recent times, Christian denominations gradually receded to meatless Fridays, then to even fewer dietary restrictions.

Committee's survey is one-sided Recently, I have followed the news regarding the Glendale Police Department's towing service contract, and I wanted to comment on actions taken regarding Gay's Automotive and Towing Inc. ("Council weighs towing services," Aug. 22) My wife and I have known Carvel and Pat Gay for the past 36 years, and have had many occasions to use their services. We have always received exceptional service through all of these years, and know the owners to be extremely honest and credible citizens of our community.

EDUCATION Glendale Unified stocks up on Blue Ribbons Glendale Unified School District was the only district in the state to have three elementary schools nominated for the Blue Ribbon School Program, part of President Bush's No Child Left Behind education initiative. Monte Vista, Mountain Avenue and Valley View Elementary made their grades, among 35 elementary schools nominated by State Supt. Of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. Each school nominated is ranked among the top 10% of the state and have met state targets for growth and performance, as well as federal progress requirements.

Everybody didn't always have a telephone. I can remember when a youngster would be called in from playing by the owner of the corner candy store to run and tell Mrs. Smith on Elm Street that she was wanted on the telephone in the third booth at Harry's. The youngster would run to the house to deliver the message and would receive 5 cents from Mrs. Smith for doing so as she raced down the street to take her call. Things have changed a whole lot since then.