ON THE TOWN:

Thanks to Soroptimist International of Glendale, the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women and e-mail, Paula Devine was able to quickly put together Friday evening’s event devoted to friendship and consciousness-raising.

After a delicious potluck dinner, about 20 women lounged on the Devine’s divans against big, stuffed pillows. Paula’s husband, Art Devine, pulled down the movie screen and slipped in a DVD. What may have appeared a light-hearted evening of eats, treats and DVDs was much more than that. The 20-minute DVD was titled “Look Beneath the Surface” and dealt with human trafficking.

Amelda Buncap, director of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking shelter for abused women, was present to comment and answer questions after the film. We learned, for instance, that every 10 minutes, a man, woman or child is trafficked into the United States for forced labor. Human trafficking has become a $9-billion-a-year global industry and is the third-largest international criminal enterprise after drugs and arms.

Also present for the eye-opening evening were shelter program coordinator Haidee Cuasim, Soroptomist International of Glendale President Margo Bottcher, Soroptomist members Susan Hunt, Mary Lauritsen, Denise Michele, Lynne Raggio, Janet Hamilton, Kate Bernier, Michelle Lathe, Sharon Brady and guests Sue Arellano and Pam Gibson, Bottcher’s sister visiting from Sebastopol.

At the end of the evening, Bottcher suggested a visit to www.sorotimist.org to learn how to make a donation to support the Sorotimists STOP Trafficking project.

The Glendale branch of the American Assn. of University Women celebrated its 85th year Founders Day and honored 18 past presidents Saturday at the Oakmont Country Club. The luncheon and meeting were attended by about 70 members and guests.

A pre-luncheon opportunity drawing with dinners donated by the likes of P.F. Chang’s, Damon’s and Islands was matched by huge baskets of gourmet delicacies donated by Trader Joe’s, Vons and cosmetics donated by Merle Norman.

Co-president Neda Fabris introduced the 18 past presidents present. Taking their bows were Joan Benson, Linda Blackwell, Joyce Covey, Norma Cunanan, Hanna Cline, Barbara Curl, Pat Donlin, Evelyn Florio, Donna Franklin, Phyllis Fernandez, Gerry Johnstone, Susan Hunt, Mary Pallares, Anna Rundle, Elaine Smith, Clari Wilson, Pat Wilson and Sunny Wheeler.

Members from Glendale on hand to honor the past presidents were Mary Jo Bronn, Charlene Carnachan, Carla Chan, Kathy Dupree, Helen Fey, Rosa Frommer, Lina Harper, Lisolette Koerner, Marilyn Nelson, Sharon Ouellette, Leni Richardson, Mary Margaret Smith, Anna Torres and CarlaWalker.

Co-chairwomen were Laurie Galleher and Oralia Van Leuven.

After the luncheon, Norma Cunanan introduced the speaker, Carla J. Christofferson, co-owner of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. Christofferson is also a litigation partner in the office of O’Melveny and Meyers LLP. All appreciated her take on women in sports.

The Education Foundation of the American Assn. of University Women granted 86 fellowships in 2006-07, totaling $1,665,250. The Education Foundation is also credited with giving Marie Curie $156,413 to buy 1 gram of radium in 1920.

The 10th annual Traveling Cremona [Italy] Exhibition and Sale took place at Glendale’s Metzler Violin Shop on Sunday afternoon.

Fifty-one violins by modern Italian violin makers were on display and were played and compared before an audience. The violins ranged in price from $4,500 to $26,500, depending on the violin maker.

David Stenske, associate concertmaster of the Los Angeles Opera orchestra and concertmaster of the Glendale Symphony, performed for his 10th year in a row at the violin shop.

This year, he played the first two phrases of the Bruch violin concerto as he compared each violin side by side. Commenting as he played, Stenske said, “I prefer the bright [sound] with some depth.”

About 60 violin shoppers made up the audience that hung on Stenske’s every note. After the free demonstration, anyone could inspect and play a violin. Daniel Kay of Alhambra has purchased five Cremonese violins from shop owner David Metzler and was considering buying a sixth. Miki Todd of San Pedro bought a violin two years ago and was tempted to buy another.

Glendale residents in the audience were Inna Asatryan, David Manukyan, Oganesyan Hakop, Karo Hakop, Rima Shirvanyan, David Pan, David Ayvazyan, Albert Ayvazyan, Enrique Ramirez Sr., Zoila Cecilia Ramirez, Helen Chinn, Jeanne Tellez, Sharon Jenkins, Christopher Rose, Julian Jaramillo and Cecelia Walker, who works in Glendale.

The violins will be available for trial, inspection and sale at Metzler Violin Shop Tuesdays through Saturdays until Feb. 9.

 RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthsowby@msn.com.