May sees a multitude of activities at the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Tonight, Thursday, May 7 we celebrate a ribbon cutting in the penthouse suite of the offices of New York Life Insurance at 801 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Chamber members Christopher McReynolds and Stepan Keshishian, New York Life agents and financial advisors, will host the free event together. They invite all Chamber and community members. Parking is available underground or street side.

This Saturday is our monthly offramp cleanup day.  Meet the cleanup crew at the top of the westbound La Crescenta Avenue 210 freeway offramp at 8:30 Saturday morning (May 9) if you’d like to lend a hand. Bring gloves. All other supplies are provided. For more information, call the office at (818) 248-4957.

Here at the Chamber, we think Cinco de Mayo should be celebrated all month long! This month’s mixer on Wednesday, May 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be all about that greatest of Mexican holidays. Tacos and margaritas set the mood at JR Hardware, Sash & Door, 2916 Foothill Blvd, La Crescenta. Everyone is welcome, especially business owners and entrepreneurs hoping to grow their business network. If you’re a Chamber member the cost is a mere $7; $9 for nonmembers.

For Chamber members only: The progressive pot has grown to $250!  We might pick your name out of the jar at the mixer on May 13. You have to be present to win!

Earlier in the day on May 13, we have a very special opportunity to hear nationally recognized speaker, author and Huffington Post columnist Michael Rooni as part of our Speaker’s Lunch series. Rooni is the founder of Attractive Communication Training, a unique program where attendees learn to become effective communicators in all eight areas of communication and dispute resolution. Mr. Rooni earned his doctorate in jurisprudence and has been a member of the State Bar since 1994. He has helped resolve very complex and contentious personal, business and legal conflicts using litigation, mediation, arbitration and communication methods. Cost is $5 and lunch is included. Space is limited. Please call (818) 248-4957 to RSVP.

Finally, the Smart-a-Thon is set for Wednesday, May 20. Put on by the Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Fund and Community Foundation of the Verdugos, the Smart-a-Thon is a rollicking good time. Proceeds go towards funding grant requests from local educators for needed programs and supplies. Last year’s Smart-a-Thon helped fund programs at Clark Magnet School Robotics Program, Crescenta-Cañada Rotary, CV Alliance, CV High School Instrumental Music Program, Dunsmore Elementary, The Fire House, Glendale Healthy Kids, Lincoln Elementary, Mountain Avenue Elementary, Prom Plus, Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, Glendale Community College, Rosemont Middle School, St. James the Less Elementary School and Holy Redeemer Middle School, and YMCA of the Foothills.

Show the world your braininess while raising money for a good cause at this year’s Smart-a-Thon. Check out our website for a registration form, www.crescentavalleychamber.org. RSVPs appreciated by May 13.
Lisa Dupuy, executive director
CV Chamber of Commerce
3131 Foothill Blvd. ‘D’
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 248-4957