St. Patrick’s Day has come to be associated with everything Irish, anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. What is luck? Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, says: “Luck is good or bad fortune in life caused by accident or chance, and attributed by some to reasons of faith or superstition, which happens beyond a person’s control.” It is the word “faith” in that definition that makes Tennessee Williams and me believe that if you have faith, or believe you are lucky, you will be. So grab your rabbit’s foot, dream catchers, lucky bamboo, wishbone, lucky penny, adorn yourself with your garlic necklace, throw salt over your shoulder, wear your lucky shark tooth, wish upon a falling star, rub the Buddha’s belly, put a horseshoe above the doorway, and follow the rainbow to the pot of gold at the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, where we believe you will be lucky.

This Sunday, March 20, I believe you will be lucky if you attend our third annual Day at the Races, co-sponsored by the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Crescenta Valley Sheriff Support Group. The Day at the Races will be at Santa Anita Race Track starting at 11 a.m. and includes nine exciting thoroughbred races, parking, and official race program, a barbecue tri-tip lunch from Schreiners, soft drinks, desserts and expert handicapping advice from Rick Dinger, the luckiest man alive (well at least he believes so!). Join us for this great event and support two great organizations.

On Wednesday, March 23, there will be another opportunity for you to be lucky (I mean smart) at our 2011 Smart-A-Thon held at Verdugo Hills Hospital. Bring a team of four of your smartest friends or come alone and we will put you with the smartest team. Teams will battle for bragging rights of being the smartest (or luckiest) team in the Crescenta Valley. This event is the premier fundraiser for the CV Chamber/Mary Pinola Educational Endowment fund, which grants funds to projects at all our local schools and educational organizations. Call the Chamber and we can sign you up for lunch and participation for only $35. What luck – that you can have fun and give back to a worthwhile cause at the same time!

Also, don’t forget about two great future events: our first Tuesday Dine Out series, next on April 5 at Ocean View Bistro, 3826 Ocean View Blvd., in Montrose, and on Saturday, April 16, our sixth annual Hometown Country Fair. For more information on any event or to get lucky visit www.LaCrescenta.org or call our office.

Important dates: March 20 – Day at the Races; March 23 – Smart-a-thon; April 5 – Dine Out Night at Ocean View Bistro; April 13 – April business mixer at Go Fit Go; April 16 – Hometown Country Fair.

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. Suite ‘D.’

  julia rabogo, st. pattys day