Celebrating Our Community’s Leaders

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”
 Martin Luther King Jr.

What makes someone a leader? Sure, a leader has followers, but that is far too simplistic a definition. Leadership is not about titles. It’s not about being the loudest, most wealthy, the most powerful nor the biggest. I believe it comes down to one word: trust.     There is something mind-blowing about being in the presence of someone who can fire up those around him or her, share a vision and then come together for the ultimate betterment of the whole whether it be a business, a school, a community organization or a home. That courageous voice says, “Move with me, leap with me, join me. We can do this. Together.”

During our installation luncheon last week, President Steve Pierce, together with his executive team and directors, were installed and are looking forward to carrying on the great traditions of our chamber. We also congratulated this year’s grant recipients of the Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Fund. A total of $18,780 was awarded to 11 outstanding community organizations. Join me in congratulating them: Crescenta Valley High School Instrumental Program, Clark Magnet High School Robotics Program, YMCA of the Foothills, Glendale Community College Adaptive Physical Education Program, Mountain Avenue Elementary School, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Family Education Program, Rosemont Middle School, CV Alliance, Prom Plus, La Crescenta Woman’s Club and Glendale Healthy Kids. Through generous individual contributions and fundraisers, such as the Smart-A-Thon, this fund has provided grants to help enrich education opportunities to so many worthwhile and esteemed community organizations in the Crescenta Valley. The Smart-A-Thon quilt, which I understand holds many answers to this year’s event, was unveiled at the luncheon and is currently on display at Clark Magnet High School. Thank you to Mary Pinola and the fund’s amazing board of advisors for all they do for our community!

One of the best ways to support our businesses is to visit them. One of our new board members, Calvin Chock, known to many as Kaipo, was born on Oahu, but was raised in La Crescenta and has been here ever since. He worked construction and many other jobs that gave him enough knowledge, foresight and confidence to open his own business. In 1994, JR Neighborhood Hardware opened its doors in the 2500 block of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose along with some our most loved and revered mom and pop stores. A few months later, they changed the name to JR Hardware Sash and Door, and it’s been that way for 20 years, providing a one-stop shop for everything from small upgrades to remodels, or new construction. Their recent move to 2916 Foothill Blvd. provides a large showroom and has enabled them to showcase their variety of windows, doors, mouldings and hardware. They offer free estimates on any project, big or small, can help you stay on budget, and if you need a lock fixed immediately, they also offer service calls! As their website states, “A home is a sanctuary where your uniqueness as an individual is played.”

Kaipo’s entrepreneurial spirit sparked again in November 2013 when he opened TCscooterZ right next door at 2914 Foothill Blvd. He would drive 30-plus miles to visit scooter shops and skate parks, which was the impetus for this new venture and his desire to jump on board the CV Skate Park Committee.

TCscooterZ carries a wide range of scooter and skate board parts, and they can fix any problem you might have with your scooter or skateboard. We encourage you to stop by one of his businesses and meet him!

CV Chamber Events
Our next business mixer is on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., hosted by Rick Dinger and Crescenta Valley Insurance. CVI is celebrating 45 years in business! Join us and the Montrose Chamber for this momentous occasion!

The Smart-A-Thon, in its 26th year, is taking place on Wednesday, March 26 at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.

Please save the date for our 9th Annual Hometown Country Fair on Saturday, April 5 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.

Until next week, remember – we’re in this together!

  Leila BELL