TOWN:Volunteers applauded on behalf of nature

It has been six years since the Burbank City Council cut the ribbon to open the Stough Canyon Nature Center. Facility officials on Friday evening presented their Sixth Anniversary Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the nature center, which is nestled in the canyon overlooking Burbank, the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles.

Among those in attendance were Bill and Cherie Hadsell, Melodee Stave, Joe and Lela Moore, John Mercado, June Box, Sandie Wolfe and her son, Marcus Moore, who spoke to the group about an upcoming Eagle Scout project he is working on.

Among the docents on hand were Marie Ammerman, Alice Shinmoto and Mike and Rosemarie McHorney. New volunteers in attendance included Jaqueline and Kerri Tobin, Mary Tyler and Daniel Belmour.

Honored for their five years of volunteer service to the center were Hani Antar, Harriet Frederick and Maria Schaefer. Along with receiving an award for her service, Schaefer's 2-year-old son, Luca, was also presented with a special "half size" certificate naming him as the center's honorary docent.

Also enjoying the evening were Dan and Virginia Saliba, Colleen Koll and members of city staff including Carol Mercado, Rachel Ross, Linda Bailey, Dana Bleitz and Park, Recreation & Community Services Department Deputy Director Teri Stein.

Friday's dinner was made possible by the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services Department, Handy Market, Trader Joe's and IKEA. Entertainment was provided by Bob Alborzian and Tom White of Sidewalk Astronomers, who put on a celestial show for the assemblage by focusing their handmade telescopes on the moon, Venus, Saturn and Orion Nebula.

Just a stone's throw from the nature center was the annual fundraising fashion show luncheon presented by the Verdugo-Glen Chapter of the American Business Women's Assn. on Saturday in The Castaway's Starlight Room.

Presented under the theme of "A Touch of Class," members perused a boutique and various exhibitor booths including that of Becky Silke, who was presenting her Taste of Home Entertaining offerings.

The main event, which included a luncheon and fashion show presented by Annie's Scandal of Montrose, was then kicked off by welcoming remarks delivered by event chairwoman Kathy Van Houton.