By Ted AYALA

Members of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce (LCFCC) were hoping to channel some of the thunder of the hammer-wielding Norse god Thor – all for a good cause. The chamber held a movie premiere night on Nov. 7 at the UA La Cañada 8 on Verdugo Boulevard organized around the opening week run of the movie “Thor” produced by Marvel Studios. Funds gathered at the event went towards the chamber’s scholarship programs.

Admission for the event was $65 and included a dinner provided by North Shore Burgers, two drinks and a souvenir photo.

Taking inspiration from the red carpet galas that greet the opening runs of major Hollywood films, Linda Taix, owner of Extreme Boot Camp and LCFCC board member (shown above with L.A. County Sheriff candidate Bob Olmstead, Jackie Walls and Pat Anderson )said she hoped that the event could bring a bit of glamour into the foothills.

“I’ve been to a couple of movie premieres and screenings in my past and I thought that it would be awesome to bring that here to La Cañada where we never had anything like that as a fundraiser,” she said. “It adds a little flair to the area.”

On top of the big movie premiere, there was a “step and repeat” photo opportunity – and the red carpet, of course.

“I just wanted this event to be different,” Taix continued. “Something that nobody else in the area has done.”

Figures weren’t available as of press time but, according to her, the chamber was hoping to raise $50,000.

“I’m not sure if we’ve reached that number yet,” she said. “But I do believe we [were] sold out.”

Among the dignitaries invited to the event were Jon Curtis and Mike Davitt of the LCF City Council.

Taix’s fellow LCFCC board member Jackie Walls, owner of Jackie’s Hair A-Go-Go, called the process of organizing the event “fun” and was “glad to be a part of it.”

“This is the first ever movie night like this we’ve ever done,” she said. “It looks great. Next year we might even reserve two theaters. We tried to make this an authentic Hollywood experience.”

According to Pat Anderson, the executive director for the LCFCC, 120 people attended the gala event.

“It’s nice to go to the theater with 120 of your closest friends and to have the whole theater reserved just for you,” she said.

Bob Olmstead, candidate for Los Angeles County Sheriff, also was on hand to attend the event, snapping photos and talking with supporters.

“This is an outstanding event,” he said. “What a great way to bring the community together and help out young folks to get a leg up on their next stage in life.”

  Ted Ayala