By Brandon HENSLEY

September means another season of TV shows, football, and, at least to the people of Crescenta Valley, the time to get to know their local businesses.

The ninth annual Foothills Community Business Expo was held at Verdugo Hills Hospital Sept. 9 in the community room, a place to spread the word about the various services available and products for sale in the foothills.

“The goal is to promote local business and give them exposure not only to the other businesses but to the community at large,” said Scott Trulik, president of the Montrose-Verdugo Chamber of Commerce.

Sixty-six businesses attended the expo, which was co-sponsored by the hospital.

There were food and raffle prizes given out to attendees – including an iPad 2 donated by Crescenta Valley Insurance. Ric Alejandrino was the lucky winner.

“[The expo] basically is a tool for businesses to use with other owners and get some one-on-one time and have the opportunity to develop relationships with neighbors,” said Leslie Lesh, president of the CV Chamber of Commerce.

Lesh and her husband Leo own Leo’s All-Star Sports Bar & Grill. She said events like the expo provide a chance for people to get more informed about restaurants like hers. She emphasized that many think Leo’s is just a sports bar.

“There are people that haven’t been to our All-Star Sports Bar and know what we do,” she said. “We do this every year because we know that you can never stop promoting your business.”

Lesh said she became involved with the Chamber because she wanted to connect with people and businesses and support them as much as she gets supported.

As for the turnout, it was busier this year, according to Lesh, and she said that may have been because people are feeling better about the economy.

Trulik didn’t go that far, but said, “It was as good if not better than last year.”

Next on the agenda for the Montrose-Verdugo Chamber is the annual Oktoberfest on Oct. 1, of which Trulik is the chair person. For Crescenta Valley Chamber, there’s the 5K Walk on Saturday and Taste of the Foothills in November.

  Brandon Hensley, crescenta valley, CV Weekly