ON THE TOWN:

Dozens of cancer survivors and their friends and family filled the main auditorium of Glendale Adventist Medical Center on Friday to lunch and listen to ABC7 Eyewitness News weekend weather anchor Danny Romero Danny Romero recount his experiences as a three-time cancer survivor.

Cancer Survivor Day celebrated all people diagnosed with cancer and those who have experienced cancer through family or friends. Glendale City Councilwoman Laura Friedman also described her experience as a cancer survivor. A new bride in 2005, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn’t know if her young groom, Guillaume Lemoine, would step up to the plate and deal with all that went with cancer treatments. Lemoine was more than up to the task. He went with Friedman to every medical appointment and even “force-fed me through all my chemotherapy,” Friedman said.

Now cancer-free, Friedman credits her husband with the idea of Glendale garden tours that raised $38,000 for cancer services at Glendale Adventist, including a fitness and yoga class for cancer survivors.

Lemoine, a landscape designer, was honored at the annual luncheon in a “Flame of Hope” ceremony. He received the Community Award, along with those who participated in the planning of the garden tours, community advocate and artist Arlene Vidor and Glendale Director of Planning Elaine Wilkerson. Glendale Adventist President/Chief Executive Morre Dean honored the three community volunteers.

Also recognized was Glendale resident and cancer survivor Kendra Wilson. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma one year ago and credits the staff at Glendale Adventist for her survival. Wilson was joined at the luncheon by her niece from San Clemente Makena Mamola, 2.

Available at the luncheon were American Cancer Society fliers promoting Relay for Life of Glendale, where cancer survivors may join the Survivors’ Lap Ceremony that begins each Relay for Life. Glendale’s next Relay for Life will be at Scholl Canyon on Oct. 17 and 18.

The Glendale Symphony Orchestra Assn. members presented their “Summer Evening under the Stars” gala fundraiser atop Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the museum courtyard over-looking our Jewel city Thursday.

As the sun set, hors d’oeuvres from Chin Chin of Beverly Hills and Glendale’s own Phoenicia Restaurant and Porto’s Bakery were the partygoers’ favorites. Wine and soft drinks made the evening mellow as guests mingled with members of the symphony board and orchestra. Anticipated at the reception was the evening’s entertainment — NBC4 weatherman and humorist Fritz Coleman.

Event co-chairs and Glendale residents Shirley Darling and Jack Kabateck welcomed symphony supporters. Darling is also a symphony board member and Kabateck is board executive vice president. Director of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce Judee Kendall, a past symphony president, and current Glendale Symphony Orchestra Assn. President Patrick Shahijanian helped re-energize symphony supporters to, in turn, re-energize a brand-new symphony season.

Other symphony board members at the reception were “Love Boat’s” Jeraldine Saunders, board Recording Secretary Sheila Murray and Arman Keyvanian, who is also chair of the Arts and Culture Commission. More symphony supporters and Glendale residents were Glendale Community College Supervisor/President Emeritus John Davitt and his lovely Gael Davitt, Mary and Paul Wight, Paula and Art Devine, Donna and Al Hofmann, and Glady Kabateck.

For an afternoon of rousing choral singing and no-lines at the ladies room, try the Los Angeles Gay Men’s Chorus. The Saturday matinee of “Broadway!” at the Alex Theatre marked the closing weekend of the chorus’ 30th anniversary year of continual performances.

This show’s audience was 350 strong, only paying $20 for an orchestra seat. The chorus draws audiences of all ages from all over Los Angeles. Eager to enjoy “Broadway!” were Sherman Oaks residents Rowan Blanchard, 7, and sister Carmen Blanchard, 5.

They were accompanied by grand mom Barbara Boyce and friend Karen Dickinson, both of Hollywood. Also hailing from Hollywood was Wayne Blohm, a.k.a. “Rosiedelmar.” He was there with friend and Glendale resident Shirley Darling, never one to let a walker get in the way of her fun.

Not only did the audience enjoy the two-hour buffo production, featuring the divine Jessay Martin performing “One Night Only,” everyone had the opportunity to buy a $10 chance ($25 for three chances) for an All-Gay Alaskan Cruise, including round-trip airfare for two via Southwest Airlines. Organizers for the cruise on the five-star MS Westerdam in August welcome travelers of all orientations.

Outgoing Glendale Noon Rotary President Makiko Nakasone was “demoted” Sunday evening at Glendale’s Phoenicia Restaurant. But her demotion party heralded another’s “promotion.” Glen Passmore became Noon Rotary’s president for 2009-10.

The ceremonies followed a sumptuous Middle-Eastern dinner of appetizers including hummus, moussaka and cheese platters. The main course combined chicken, beef kebabs and white rice — as only Phoenicia can do it.

Some 75 Rotarians and their guests included Tom Roth, handling emcee duties; Ann Ransford; and Glady and Jack Kabateck. Makiko Nakasone’s husband, Steve Nakasone, was beaming with pride. Besides being a big support to his wife this past year, he is also on the board of Glendale Path Achieve.

Rotarians rightly boast that there are 1.2 million Rotary Club members in more than 200 countries.

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