By Brandon HENSLEY

Fundraisers stretching from the foothills to Glendale are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14 to help the Prom Plus organization of Crescenta Valley High School.

Those who would like to support Prom Plus can take part in a holiday boutique and/or holiday home tour that includes a tour of the campus of Rockhaven Sanitarium, all between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The boutique is free to attend, and tickets for the tour are $25.

“I love La Crescenta and I like to do things that will benefit the community,” said Diana Tyson, who will be coordinating the boutique at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church, located at 2563 Foothill Blvd.

Entertainment at St. Luke’s includes the high school’s Charismatics a capella group from 10 a.m. to 10:30 followed by the award-winning jazz band from 11 a.m. to noon.

Prom Plus is recognizing its 20th anniversary this year, giving students a safe after-prom experience at the Crescenta-Cañada Y from midnight to 5 a.m.

But it doesn’t come cheap. The event costs around $25,000 to put on every year, with gyroscopes, bull-riding stations and a zip line that all come with a substantial price tag.

Tyson, who will also be at the boutique as a vendor for Silpada Designs, a sterling silver jewelry company, said previous boutique attendance has “not been good enough” and wants to help the event remain viable. Items at the boutique will range from comic books to scented soap. Shoppers can also purchase opportunity tickets for just $1 in the hopes of winning prizes such as a catered dinner by Frank’s Famous Kitchen and Bakery, a handmade afghan or quilt, gift cards and more.

Prom Plus President Robin Goldsworthy [who is also publisher of the Crescenta Valley Weekly] is excited about the home tour. Five properties will be highlighted, including the showroom of JP Weaver Company, which does interior mouldings and sets, such as those for movie studios.

Two homes in Mountain Oaks will also be featured for the first time on the tour. Guests can park at the bottom of New York Avenue and be shuttled up. Goldsworthy noted these homes are not conducive to anyone who has trouble navigating stairs.

“The community has really supported us in order to promote [these events] and I think the home tour reflects how special Prom Plus is by the important properties that are going to be featured this year,” Goldsworthy said.

The Rockhaven Sanitarium tours, located at 2713 Honolulu Ave., will be every half-hour starting at 10:30 a.m. Joanna Linkchorst will be conducting the tours, along with former president of the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley Mike Lawler who will be giving his insights. Members of the Crescenta Valley High School Prom Plus Club will be onsite as well. The last tour begins at 3:30 p.m.

Rockhaven was started by Agnes Richards as a place to treat mentally ill women, and ran from the 1920s to 2006. Linkchorst said via email she’s viewing the tours not as a chance to help Prom Plus, but the other way around.

“I’ve actually been looking at it as Prom Plus helping us,” she wrote. “I’m excited [ticketholders and students] will get to learn some local history and about some really strong women. I’m excited more people get to see RH under this historical perspective.”

Goldsworthy said she’s thankful for the community’s support every year. A couple recently mailed her a check paying for two home tour tickets, even though they wouldn’t be able to attend; they wanted to give the money anyway.

“People know the good we do for the kids. They respect that and support it,” Goldsworthy said.

Tyson, whose two kids attended CV High School several years ago, is glad to have a controlled event like Prom Plus available.

“They don’t have to try and create their own experience,” she said of the students. “They can just participate in something that’s healthy and has good oversight.”

Tickets for the tour can purchased at several places around town, including the UPS stores in La Crescenta, Montrose and Glendale; the office of CV Weekly at 3800 La Crescenta Ave. #101; CV High School; the Crescenta Valley and Montrose chambers of commerce; J’s Maintenance; online at glendalearts.org and on the day of the event at the properties or the boutique.

  Brandon Hensley