On the Town: Women’s Council Mardi Gras event is a winner
The Women’s Council of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital mixed a festive Mardi Gras theme with an exciting casino night for its annual fundraiser at the hospital on Feb. 20.
Several of the committee members donned colorful beaded necklaces and lavishly decorated masks as they greeted the more than 80 foundation members, doctors, hospital management staff, volunteers and community members who joined in the evening’s fun.
Tables around the room offered a variety of games of chance, such as poker, craps and roulette.
Founding member Virginia Clegg was the big winner with most chips in hand at the close of the evening. One of the Women’s Council’s newer members, Hassie Ramath, was runner-up.
The Mardi Gras menu offered an appropriate selection of red beans and rice served in a ramekin, mini muffulettas, jambalaya arancini with spicy remoulade and smoked paprika glazed andouille sausage. Live piano music enhanced the whole experience.
Guests were invited to shop from a large selection of silent-auction items, featuring Dodgers’ tickets, Lakers-Clippers’ tickets, an instant wine cellar, restaurant gift cards from such establishments as Oakmont Country Club and Taylor’s Steakhouse and a wide assortment of food and beverage baskets donated by the Women’s Council’s members and friends.
The evening ended on a positive note for two reasons. Several prospective members pledged to join the Women’s Council, and proceeds will go toward new equipment and decor upgrades in the hospital’s nursery.
Center’s first poker event is a success
The Campbell Center celebrated its inaugural Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament fundraiser on Feb. 21 at its headquarters to benefit the organization’s programs and services.
Proceeds benefit the nonprofit agency whose mission is to provide adults with disabilities the opportunity to achieve their highest level of independence through residential placement, on-site vocational training, job placement, community inclusion and education.
More than 40 players, many of whom were new to the organization, took part and were cheered on by family and friends. The center’s location on San Fernando Road was transformed from a work activity center into an atmosphere to rival any casino nearby or across the state line.
Along with a full buffet of delectable fare, the room featured decorations of casino danglers, gold-foil curtains, giant playing cards, a lighted welcoming arch, cocktail tables courtesy of Pickwick Banquet Center, two bars — the works!
Several Campbell Center clients were on hand to welcome guests, mingle, hand out chips and even call the start of the game.
“Having the clients at the event was a great plus for all our guests,” said Muhannad Malki, a member of the Campbell Center Foundation and event co-chair. “Offering our clients opportunities to integrate and interact with our supporters is the quintessential element of our mission.”
Other co-chairs were board members Hilda Tourians and Stephen Ropfogel. Committee members included board members Jodi Deranja and Christine Klein. Rounding out the committee was Kim Guard, owner of Express Employment Professionals.
Throughout the evening, players displayed their formidable poker prowess, but at the end of the day, three emerged at the top. Placing third was John Surmabukian; in second place was Edgar Martirosyan and placing first was Jimmy Santangelo. In a true charitable spirit, all donated their prizes back to the Campbell Center. These gentlemen were winners in more than one way.
Youth choruses sing in harmony
Sixty-five students from area schools gathered at Jordan Middle School in Burbank earlier this month for Youth Harmony Day, hosted by the Verdugo Hills Chorus. The all-day musical event was created to teach barbershop-style singing to students ages 12 to 18.
Attendees partnered with Verdugo Hills Chorus director and associate directors as well as section leaders. Participants were middle and high school students as well as home-schooled students. Most of the schools represented have participated in the Verdugo Hills’ A Cappella Scholarship Festival held in the spring. Barbershop, however, is a new music style for the students.
For a $5 registration fee, students ate a free lunch, received a festival T-shirt and took part in a full day of music. Singers from Verdugo Hill Chorus supported the students as they learned new songs, which were performed in a concert later that afternoon.
The 45-minute concert included songs by the middle and high school girls, a young men’s performance and songs by the Harmonyholics, champions of the Young Women in Harmony Rising Star competition. The Verdugo Hills Chorus performed three songs as well.
Youth Harmony Day was the dream of Janice Kueppers, an active tenor with Verdugo Hills Chorus and a retired middle school vocal music teacher. The committee spent months contacting schools and promoting the event. Kueppers noted that the day was hugely successful and hopes the occasion will blossom into an annual event.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.
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