By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

Last week I had the chance to celebrate some folks in the Crescenta Valley who were showcased by the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce as going above and beyond, benefiting us all and making our community the envy of many.
The occasion was the installation of officers and directors of the MVCOC board and the annual awards ceremony held at the Oakmont Country Club. The chamber board undertakes the arduous task each year of selecting those in the community that go that extra mile. Award categories include Community Endearment, Woman and Man of the Year, the Frank Roberts Award, and Community Enhancement.
I had the honor of making the community enhancement presentation to historians Mike Lawler and Robert Newcombe. (Unfortunately Mike was sick and couldn’t attend the dinner and award ceremony.)
As you know, Mike writes a weekly column for the CV Weekly and before the CVW, I knew Mike from my days as a reporter for the Crescenta Valley Sun. His love of local history helped me prepare many a story and there’s no doubting the value he brings to the CV Weekly.
Robert, with Mike, has written books that chronicle the history of the Crescenta Valley and his contributions have helped to educate many of us in the area. His most recent book, “Images of America: Montrose” is now on sale and is filled with interesting nuggets of local history. As we get ready for the centennial celebration of Montrose, his book is particularly pertinent. I encourage you to pick up a copy.
Next week, we’ll be doing a nice spread on last Thursday’s event, but you can learn more this week by turning to MVCOC executive director Melinda Clarke’s article on page 22.
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Those who are recognized for their work in and for the Crescenta Valley don’t do it for the accolades, but speaking for myself, it sure does feel good.
I speak as the recently named Woman of the Year by the Glendale Latino Association.
The focus of the GLA is to “bring together the business and professional Latinos of Glendale, to promote the betterment of our businesses and professions, and to improve access to education by awarding yearly scholarships to local Latino students seeking higher education.” But the organization is much more than that. Its members represent a variety of businesses and organizations that are eager to support each other and, in doing so, raise scholarship money for deserving youth.
I was taken aback to learn that I was named woman of the year by this organization. Previous recipients include Susan Hunt of the Glendale Education Foundation, Elissa Glickman of Glendale Arts and Denise Miller of Live Well Senior Program at Glendale Adventist Medical Center – accomplished women each. I will be sharing the podium with Glendale Police Chief Ron De Pompa, named Man of the Year, and representatives from Glendale Memorial Hospital, recognized as Business of the Year.
A luncheon honoring the recipients is being held on Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Oakmont Country Club. Tickets to the luncheon are on sale and support levels vary from individual lunch reservations to bronze, silver and gold sponsorships. You can learn more by calling GLA president Nancy Guillen at (818) 557-7700.
I hope you’ll consider supporting this event and if you come, I promise to make my acceptance speech short.