Small Efforts Result in Waves of Change

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Mother Teresa
Last week at a banquet we honored people that have created many ripples in the waters of the Crescenta Valley. The honorees that we celebrated for the great work they do in the Crescenta Valley were: Woman of the Year – Mercy Velazquez, Organization of the Year – Foothills Relay for Life, Business of the Year – Caspian Services, Inc., Educator of the Year – Grant Clark of Crescenta Valley High School, Man of the Year – Aldo Mascheroni, Volunteer of the Year – Robert Barney, Beautification Award – Tickle Tree Café, and Student of the Year – Guy Burstein of Clark Magnet High School. We also honored our service heroes: California Highway Patrol – Officer Kevin Denmon, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Deputy Jeffrey Martin, Glendale Police Department Officer – Jeff Rivas and Los Angeles County Fire Department – Captain Don Kunitomi. These are all people who consistently give their all to make the Crescenta Valley a better place to live and work.

Caspian Services opened their doors in January of 2005, and have helped many local businesses and organizations with their website and other marketing needs. They work with many non-profit organizations locally by either donating their time or offering discounts. Some of the many organizations they have helped include the Sunland-Tujunga, CV, Montrose and Eagle Rock chambers of commerce, the Sheriff’s Support Group, Prom Plus, Sparr Heights District, Homenetmen Ararat Chapter and the Burbank Film Festival. Recently they launched the new website for Verdugo Hills Hospital. They are a pleasure to work with and a tremendous asset to the community. Leonard is the current president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber. His dedication to the community goes beyond the description of the job. We have been very fortunate.

Bob Barney is a lifelong resident of the foothills, attending elementary, middle and high school in La Crescenta. Although he has no children of his own, he is known as “uncle” to many. His involvement in the community has included coaching kids in CSA baseball and Falcon basketball. He is also the girls’ commissioner for the Falcon Basketball League. Bob is seen every year setting up his tent, supporting the annual Foothills Relay for Life weekend. He is a dedicated usher at his church, and can be found running in the 5K at Two Strike Park. For some extra fun, he volunteers his time, and his T-Birds, driving in the Montrose Christmas parade. The Crescenta Valley is very fortunate to have a dedicated volunteer like Bob Barney.

Last Saturday, the CV Chamber along with the great support of the City of Glendale cleaned the sidewalks and a little more along Foothill Boulevard from Lowell (Glendale portion) to Briggs (county area). We appreciate the help Glendale has been for the past several years as they bring tools, bags, gloves, etc. along with their vans that pick up the trash and cigarettes we collect along the boulevard.

Please mark your calendars for Nov. 14 for Taste of the Foothills when over 25 restaurants gather to give you a taste of their gourmet cuisine.

Important CV Chamber dates: Nov. 14 – Taste of The Foothills; Dec. 12 –Business mixer at U.S. Bank.

Please contact our office for more details on any event. How to reach us: (818) 248-4957/ crescentachamber@aol.com / www.LaCrescenta.org / 3131 Foothill Blvd., Ste. D.

  julia rabago