Party On!

For those sad that the holiday season has passed ending the chance for celebration, weep no more! The New Year brings plenty of opportunities to celebrate those non-profits that work so hard for our community. For example, this past Saturday night the Crescenta Valley Weekly Glendale/Burbank sales professional Sonya Marquez and I hopped the train to Union Station for the 10th Annual Ascencia Gala. Held at Union Station, the event was a “Who’s Who” that included Rick and Heather Dinger of CV Insurance, Jana Wunderlich of Podley Insurance, Supervisor Mike Antonovich, Elissa Glickman, Nina Crowe, Mike and Karen Swan, Shant Sahakian and Patricia Larrigan.

If you’re unfamiliar, let me share with you Ascencia’s simple yet complex mission: To lift people out of homelessness in Glendale. Not an easy task, but with the supporters it boasts, the strides that Ascencia has made over the years have been impressive. At Saturday’s gala the organization honored The Stone-Beck Group at Morgan Stanley with its distinguished Ambassador of Hope Award. Among those at the Stone-Beck Group at Morgan Stanley are Chip and Nancy Stone and my friend Toni Beck-Espinoza. Hearing of the work the group has done over the years to assist Ascencia was indeed heartwarming and I congratulate them on their honor.

The festivities of the night included a live auction overseen by Rick Dinger. Talk about fun! Though I didn’t go home with any treasures (though I did have my paddle up for a couple of attempts) I did carry with me fond memories of the night.

For those interested in fundraisers of the equine nature, AHEAD with Horses is having its annual Valentine fundraiser tomorrow, Friday, at Brookside Country Club. AHEAD with Horses is a developmental therapeutic riding program for disabled children.

If you’re in the mood to travel a little this Valentine’s weekend, head up to Idyllwild for the 3rd Annual Under $100 Art Fair. It features 19 individual artist booths and a reception will be open to the public from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Middle Ridge Winery. If the weather holds (and Sue Kilpatrick says it looks promising) this will be a wonderful way to spend the day while having the chance to do some shopping.

Though Fat Tuesday has passed, the USC/Verdugo Hills Hospital Women’s Council is planning its Mardi Gras-themed annual casino night on Feb. 20 at the hospital council room. The cost to attend is $55 and all funds will be allocated to the hospital nursery.

There are plenty of other chances to support local non-profits. Check out our Calendar This section in Just For Fun for information on these and other upcoming events. For a complete listing, visit our website www.cvweekly.com.

We’re proud to share with you all that is going on with our non-profits; it’s just one way that CV Weekly is your community newspaper!