B-I-N-G-O!

I had the pleasure of speaking before the CV Town Council on Thursday night, updating it and the audience on things that Prom Plus is doing. (Side note: Current plans are for Mary and me, along with other board members, to step back from Prom Plus after this year’s event; parents of students are encouraged to step up and be a part of this wonderful organization to ensure that it won’t go away.)

One of the (loud) announcements I made was that bingo season had officially arrived. The La Crescenta Woman’s Club hosted what I think is the first bingo night of the new year. Held on Saturday night at the clubhouse of the LCWC, the club’s inaugural bingo saw a house full of bingo players eager to raise their arms in victory, crying “Bingo!” After folks had a chance to purchase something to eat – quite a selection, too, including sandwiches from Jersey Mike’s and homemade treats – and peruse the raffle items, everyone settled into their seats for the games to begin.

I had the honor of calling the first game of the night and wasted no time in finding out, by a show of hands, how many folks got a “big chip” game piece for bringing in the coupon that was in the paper. A high number of hands were raised proving, once again, the power of the paper.

Then it was all about the numbers.

The veterans from the American Legion across the street from the LCWC oversaw the game, setting up their bingo machine and making sure that everyone in the room was able to see the numbers as they were displayed.

All too soon my turn as caller was done as one lucky player yelled the word all yearned to say: Bingo! Then I was able to take a seat next to State Senator Anthony Portantino, who was trying his luck with wife Ellen and daughter Bella, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman, her daughter Rachel and assistant Blake Dellinger. Though we were earnest in our attempts, that blessed word never left our lips that night.

But chances abound! The Kiwanis Club of Glendale (of which I am a part) is having a bingo night on Feb. 22 at the Elks Club, 120 E. Colorado Blvd. in Glendale. CV Weekly is a proud sponsor.

The annual Prom Plus bingo night is a leap year bingo, taking place on Saturday evening, Feb. 29 at the American Legion Hall. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with the first game at 5:30 p.m. I am proud to acknowledge those who have already committed to being a sponsor: American Legion Post 288, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614, the Center for Spiritual Living-La Crescenta, Wellness Works, Harry Leon, Chris Waldheim – J’s Maids and Maintenance, Andy’s Transfer – Joe Kroening, Harriet Hammons and Mary Pinola – Smart-A-Thon.

Tickets for Prom Plus Leap Year Bingo are $20 and available pre-purchase beginning tomorrow, Friday. You can stop by CV Weekly to get yours. If you’re interested in sponsoring a game or donating a raffle prize, get in touch with me; I’d love to add your name to our growing list of supporters.

  robin goldsworthy