The Best Laid Plans…

This was going to be a busy week. Elections were Tuesday and I had a little more studying to do before casting my ballot. There was a Hometown Country Fair meeting scheduled for this morning (I sit on the chamber of commerce board of directors and am overseeing the volunteer force). The main focus, though, was the Relay for Life 24-hour event taking place this weekend at Clark Magnet High School.

Mary O’Keefe and I are Relay co-chairs this year and have been working with the many folks who put on this annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. These include Todd Black who is handling our electrical needs and Jean Maluccio and Julie Dowse who are taking care of feeding the many who have paid their $100 for the privilege to walk the track, listen to the entertainment, participate in the luminaria ceremony, dine on the (mainly) donated fare and take part in all aspects of the 24-hour relay. Liza Morelli at Bonners Equipment Rentals has answered all possible questions regarding our equipment needs and Clyde Hemphill with the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses has made available again this year the really big tent which is the centerpiece of the field. Sparkletts Water has once again stepped up to donate water and a dispenser to keep team members hydrated. Ruth Warner and Eli Locke are working with the entertainment that will be emceed throughout the day by Rick Dinger, Mike Perry and Rik Middleton.

But as is attributed to John Lennon, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” and life broadsided me on Friday. A family emergency demanded that I immediately leave for New Hampshire where I am sitting today looking at snow that still sits on the ground while I pine for sunny California. No elections for me; Hometown Country Fair meeting had one empty seat; Relay will happen without my sneakers on the track. Pity party? Perhaps.

But just because I can’t be there doesn’t mean you can’t. You can tie one on (a pair of walking shoes that is) and make your way to Clark Magnet (4747 New York Ave. in La Crescenta) any time between 9 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday to show your support for Relay. Though this is a fundraiser, you don’t have to pay a dime to be a part of an event that shows solidarity and support for the cancer community, which is, sadly, rather large.

If you’re still wondering why people participate in Relay for Life, I invite you to read Mike’s story and Chuck’s story on page 15.

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There will be some new faces on the Glendale City Council dais as well as on the GUSD school board. These were hard fought contests and I applaud the sincere efforts put forth by all the candidates. I bid farewell and say thank you to Dave Weaver who served the City of Glendale for so many years. Welcome new councilmember Vartan Gharpetian and returning councilmember Paula Devine.

Jennifer Freemon will be taking a seat next to re-elected GUSD board member Nayiri Nahabedian. Thank you to Sandy Russell for stepping in during the interim.