Next Thursday, the CV Chamber will hold our annual Recognition Banquet at Oakmont Country Club. We will honor numerous men, women and organizations that have helped make the Crescenta Valley a better place to live. Here is a little bit about each of our honorees.

Man of the Year – Harry Leon. Harry Leon is the current president of the Crescenta Valley Town Council, but he has been serving the community for years. He started the CV Prayer Breakfast, volunteers with the CV Sheriff’s Station, works to raise funds for scholarships, supports scouting and just lends a hand whenever he can.

Woman of the Year – Lynn Miyamoto. Lynn Miyamoto has served for many years in various leadership roles with the PTA at the local, district and state levels. Besides being a partner in a law firm, Ms. Miyamoto has served on numerous boards including Jericho Road, Girls Run and CV Alliance as well as organizations that support the homeless and foster youth and arts education.

Business of the Year – USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Under the leadership of CEO Keith Hobbs and his colleagues, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital is undergoing “a massive trajectory of improvement,” according to hospital Chief Medical Officer Armand Dorian. Look to the higher staff salaries, improved morale, high-tech upgrades and the new Neonatal ICU as examples of major improvements at the facility.

Organization of the Year – Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council. The CV Fire Safe Council’s goal is to bring a higher level of preparedness to the community before the next wild fire hits. The volunteers on the Council make it their business to bring neighbors together, to educate them on fire safety and even to pitch in when clearing brush.

Educator of the Year – Nancy Ritthamel. Nancy Ritthamel is the special education teacher and department chair at Rosemont Middle School. She works with parents and students one-on-one throughout the year, showing true compassion, tenderness and a real love for these very special students.

Volunteer of the Year – Dick Clubb. Edwin R. (aka Dick) Clubb can be seen at almost every CV Chamber function – be it a mixer, ceremony, public event, ribbon cutting or fundraiser – with at least one camera hanging from his neck. Over the years he has become our unofficial official photographer, providing us with much needed imagery for our website, newsletters and more.

Beautification Award – La Crescenta Woman’s Club. One of the Crescenta Valley’s oldest historical buildings has a new “lease on life.” The property at 4004 La Crescenta Avenue just finished a complete renovation thanks to a generous grant from then-LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich. The funds brought the 92-year old building up to current codes while maintaining its architectural integrity.

Next Week: Learn about our Student of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and winners of the Don Carpenter and Lifetime Community Service awards as well as the LA County Fire, Glendale Police, LA County Sheriffs, and CHP recipients. To reserve your seat at the banquet, visit www.crescentavalleychamber.org/banquet.

  Lisa DUPUY