Smart-A-Thon Fun and More

Thanks to the more than 150 competitive contestants who supported the annual Smart-a-thon held March 7 at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Clearly the test is not something you can study for and, of the 66 questions, the highest team score was 45. That happened to be a tie between SIG Property Management and Congressman Schiff’s teams. This would be the third year in a row Schiff’s team came in first; wonder what they study up on. We know it’s all scored correctly because we borrow the scantron machine from Clark Magnet High School. Also coming into a little extra money that day that day – $500 – were USC-VHH Foundation and Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. We won’t announce last place as I think that team grabbed their score sheet on the way out.

A lot of thought goes into this event. Mary Pinola writes the script that the emcees can’t wait for, comes up with the quiz questions (probably watches the same shows as Schiff’s team) and provides several of the prizes and hula skirts. With all this, she walks the LA Marathon each year to raise additional funds.

If you missed the event this year, we will be back on March 27 next year. Sign up early and maybe we can give hints on some answers.

We’re holding our annual bingo game on Saturday, March 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Come on over for a chance to win $100 or more per game! We have lots of space in the hospital’s fourth floor community room and a computerized bingo program projected onto two big screens. Starting at 4:30 p.m., there will be food and drinks for purchase at a nominal fee. At 5:30 p.m., the first game will be called. Tickets are $15, which includes four cards for 10 games plus a dauber. You can buy tickets at the Chamber office between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at 3131 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta or you can call us at (818) 248-4957 and we’ll place them at will call. Tickets will also be available at the door but we expect a full house so arrive early. Families are more than welcome to attend but you must be 21 or older to collect winnings.

We would like to heartily thank the sponsors who are supporting this fundraiser thus far. These businesses and organizations are underwriting games, facilities and/or refreshments. Thank you to the American Legion Post 288, Senator Anthony Portantino, J’s Maids, Relay for Life, SIG Property Management, Taix Workout Studio, Mike Baldwin and, of course, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Please keep in mind that there are still sponsorship opportunities available. You can visit our website at CrescentaValleyChamber.org/Events.

  Robyn Forrand