Building Blocks

Anyone who has seen the recent theatrical release “The Lego Movie” has been humming the tune to the very catchy theme song. The lyrics seem very positive and optimistic and if you set aside the satire, the little yellow-faced characters make you feel like anything is possible and, as the song goes, “Everything is awesome. Everything is cool when you’re part of a team.” You don’t have to see the movie to deconstruct the basic meaning of this line, but let me tell you, you will not be able to get the song out of your head!

We are lucky to live in an awesome town filled with very team-driven folks. What first starts as an idea or concept grows and develops into unbelievable projects. For example, take the Crescenta Valley dog park, the first in L.A. County, or the teen inspired CV skate and scooter park, which is well on its way to fruition, or the community focused desire for a crossing guard at Rosemont Middle School or the preservation of 7.75 acres of wilderness land at the top of Rosemont Avenue, known as the Rosemont Preserve. It takes a lot of research, development, plans, money, determination, persistence … and a team to make it to the end.

This same drive can be applied to starting a business, which I am sure Virgil Dinger can attest to: he started Crescenta Valley Insurance back in 1969. This past week, with many friends, clients, business associates, and family, CVI celebrated 45 years and served as gracious hosts to both the Crescenta Valley and Montrose chambers of commerce at our monthly mixer. Rick Dinger, CVI’s president, along with his colleagues, planned a lively, fun event and if they were part of “The Lego Movie,” would have been singing the same theme song. Everything was definitely awesome!

CV Chamber of Commerce president Steve Pierce had this to say: “In 1969, a small local insurance company took its first step down the path to greatness. Today, Crescenta Valley Insurance, affectionately known to all of us as CVI, is one of our community’s most successful businesses. Congratulations and kudos to Rick Dinger and his father Virgil for their 45 years of success, their 20 years of Chamber membership, and even more for their community involvement.”

Mark your calendars  
Crescenta Valley Day at the Races is Saturday, March 16 at Santa Anita Race Track. The “Pre-Smart” March business mixer is on Wednesday, March 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bob Smith Toyota.

The 26th Annual Smart-A-Thon is Wednesday, March 26 at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.

The 9th Annual Hometown Country Fair is Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Crescenta Valley Park.

For more information on any event, you are always welcome to call us at (818) 248-4957 or visit our website: crescentavalleychamber.org

  Leila BELL