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he Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce will be honoring the following awardees at our annual recognition banquet on Oct. 28. It is an honor to know them and to have them in our community!

Man of the Year: Mike Smith gives back to the community on a daily basis. Mike volunteers for numerous boards, organizations and is a minister to the sick. He always has a smile and makes you feel welcome. Instead of displaying the many awards in his office, you see family pictures.

Woman of the Year: Elizabeth Manasserian has been involved with our schools, PTAs (currently PTSA president), Glendale Healthy Kids, Rotary and Glendale Educational Foundation, as well as other organizations. She understands the importance of education for all students.

Business of the Year: Crescenta Valley Weekly recently celebrated its first year in business. Owner Robin Goldsworthy took a chance in a time when many businesses were struggling, but had a driving desire for local community news and the determination to make it work.

Organization of the Year: Crescenta Valley Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition began with meetings in the basement of a high school with a few parents and Glendale Police Dept. Officer Matt Zakarian a little over a year ago. The coalition recently received notice that they were recipients of a five-year, $625,000 grant toward educating teens about drugs.

Educator of the Year: Rod Yonkers has taught music at Rosemont Middle School for numerous years. His love of teaching is well known, and his skills have led Rosemont, at the California State Board Competition, to the highest rating possible.

Volunteer of the Year: Roy Allmon has been a Boy Scout troop leader for more than 20 years, member of Kiwanis for over 10 years, member and officer of the VFW, and a strong promoter for the Two Strike War Memorial Wall.

Beautification Award: Walgreens’ 11,000-square-foot building broke ground in 2008, and when completed in 2009, was the 511th location in California. The Spanish-themed building is a compliment to the community.

Our heroes from law enforcement and fire patrol also being honored include California Highway Patrol Officer James Dean (JD) Fields, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Sergeant Ray Harley, Glendale Police Department Detective Arthur Frank and Los Angeles County Fire Department Firefighter Chris Siok.

Please call the office to reserve your spot for our Recognition Banquet on Oct. 28. Deadline to RSVP is Oct. 20 and dinner is only $45. You may also sponsor a table (or dinner) for one of our heroes – a great way to recognize all that they do!

Important Chamber dates: Oct. 28 – Recognition Banquet; Nov. 10 – Taste in the Foothills. Please call our office for more details on any event. How to reach us: (818) 248-4957 / crescentachamber@aol.com / www.LaCrescenta.org / 3131 Foothill Blvd., Ste. D.

  chamber, La Crescenta