By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrated local civic leaders, businesses and organizations that enhance the Crescenta Valley community at its annual recognition banquet on Thursday evening.

The event was held at the La Cañada Country Club and emceed by chamber president Leonard Ghazarian, whose business – Caspian Services, Inc. – was honored as business of the year.

“The room is filled with many great people that make the Crescenta Valley the place we all call home,” Ghazarian said in his message to guests.

This year’s honorees are: 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; Student of the Year – Guy Burstein of Clark Magnet High School.

Also recognized were safety personnel: 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.

The chamber’s next event is the Taste of the Foothills on Nov. 14 in the Ralphs Marketplace, 2629 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta. The fundraiser is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 26 restaurants will be on-site to offer samples of their fare. The CVHS jazz band will provide entertainment. Tickets are $15, children 5 to 12 years are $10, and available at the chamber office.
For more information, contact the chamber office at (818) 248-4957.

  robin goldsworthy, STEVE GOLDSWORTHY