People in the News

Samuelsons are Y’s ‘Pacesetter’ winners

JackandSally Samuelson and the late RobertSamuelson and his wife, Doris,have been honored with the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA’s Pacesetter Award, it was announced by Larry Hall, president and CEO of the local Y. Robert Samuelson died last month.

“This award is presented to those individuals or groups that have set the pace in the community in leadership and philanthropy,” Hall stated. “The Samuelsons have exemplified the very essence of this award through a lifetime of generosity, leadership and philanthropy in our community. We honor them and their achievements by awarding five area children full scholarships to summer resident camp.”

In 1946 Bob and Jack Samuelson co-founded Samuelson Brothers, a real estate developer and contracting firm. They co-founded Beacon Affordable Housing and have served several non-profit housing and health care related companies.

The Samuelson Charitable Foundation, Inc. established in 1996, directs funds to Christian agencies, churches, substance abuse service centers and educational and theological institutions. Jack and Sally Samuelson have supported La Cañada Presbyterian Church, Fuller Seminary, their alma mater Occidental College, and Southern California Presbyterian Homes.

Bob and Doris Samuelson have supported the Lutheran Church in the Foothills, and California Lutheran University, where Bob was involved in fund-raising and building the Samuelson Aquatic Center.

The Samuelson have been active community leaders. Jack has received such awards as Kiwanis “La Cañadan of the Year,” Lifetime Honoree of the California Parent-Teacher Association and the Les Tupper Award. Bob also was a recipient of the Les Tupper Award, president of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and a major supporter of the Camp Fire Girls.

Instrumental in bringing the YMCA to La Cañada, the Samuelsons have been major financial contributors to both the La Cañada and Verdugo Hills branches. Bob served as honorary chair of the YMCA Capital Fund Drive and both Jack and Bob have served as president of the Board of Directors. Jack and Sally have four children: Reid Samuelson, Lisa Paugh, Laura Murphy, and David Samuelson. Bob and Doris raised four children: Gail McGinnis, Brooke Bustrum, Scot Samuelson, and Jill Abejon.

Bent Hansen wins national award

Bent Hansen, owner of Los Gringos Locos on Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada, has been named Independent Restaurant Marketer of the Year for 2008 by Restaurant Marketing Systems, an international organization.

Hansen beat out 11 other finalists in the competition to take home a 2008 $40,000 Nissan 350Z and nearly $10,000 in other prizes.

“I am so thankful to my guests and employees at Los Gringos Locos who have helped propel me to this level of success,” Hansen stated. “The car is beautiful, I leaped on top of it when I won, but what I am most proud of is being named 200 RMS International Ambassador. There are over 5,300 independent restaurants involved with RMS and to be chosen to represent this entire group is an honor that blows me away.

“I could not have done this without my wife, Brenda, and my talented employees and guests.”

Foundation seeks new exec director

Sharon Collins has announced her resignation as the executive director of The Glendale Community Foundation, it was announced Friday.

Collins, who stepped into the shoes of the late Tom Miller of La Cañada, has been with the foundation for 11 months and will be moving to Seattle, Wash. due to the death of a family member.

Collins has provided leadership during her tenure with the Glendale Community Foundation to a number of projects including the awarding of over $100,000 in scholarships to students of Glendale, La Crescenta, Montrose, Verdugo City, and La Cañada Flintridge communities through a grant to the Glendale Scholarship Endowment.

Michael Seaton, president, Glendale Community Foundation Board of Trustees, said of Collins’ announcement, “The Board of Trustees was sadden to hear of Sharon’s decision to move to Washington, but are extremely understanding of her priorities which are to help her family after a tragic loss.

“The Board of Trustees will be immediately launching a search for a new executive director. Since the Board has recently been though this search process and has assumed a more active role in the governance of the foundation the Trustees are ready to step in to assure a smooth transition.”

Community members interested in the position of executive director of the Glendale Community Foundation may send their letter of application and résumé to the foundation, P.O. Box 313, Glendale, CA 91209.