Toluca Lake Beautification Partners (TLBP) and its supporters commemorated 10 years of transformative community impact at “A Time to Celebrate” on August 16. Held in the picturesque garden at The Garland, the gala “embodied TLBP’s commitment to fostering beautiful, community-focused spaces,” chair Ryan Altoon says.
Emcee Jonathan Mangum entertained attendees throughout a program celebrating TLBP’s innovative beautification initiatives and honoring leaders enhancing the community. The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation was named a Gold Founder for its commitment to philanthropy, including support for Toluca Lake’s community enhancement. L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and City Office of Major Events Executive Director Paul Krekorian were recognized with Civic Leadership Awards for advancing community partnerships to prioritize safety, sustainability and civic engagement.
The evening also included heartwarming tributes to Community Service Award honorees Paulanna Cuccinello (presented by Joe Mantegna), owner of longtime Toluca Lake Village cornerstone Pergolina, and Brian Veskosky and Jim Orozco (presented by Michelle Valles), owners of neighborhood culinary and social hub Red Maple. The three were recognized for their support for local initiatives, small business advocacy and community pride.
“A standout moment was a surprise presentation of the Excellence in Leadership Award to Natalie Bloxham, honoring 50 years of dedicated service to the Southeast Valley,” Altoon notes. A touching video by honorary mayor Fritz Coleman highlighted her tireless contributions, including launching the community’s first beautification initiatives and serving as a leader of the Garden Club, Chamber of Commerce and TLBP.
A live auction raised significant funds for TLBP’s future projects, inspiring spirited bidding on exclusive items that included special venue experiences, commemorative Village clock brick pavers and a painting by Eric Ernest Johnson, “Time in Toluca Lake,” which secured the evening’s highest bid and was acquired by Craig Strong.
Altoon expresses TLBP’s gratitude to the sponsors whose support made the event possible: Era Sponsor Warner Bros. Television; Period Sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal and the Craig Strong Group; Art Patron Buckle Down Agency; Age Sponsor Toluca Lake Magazine; Epoch Sponsors the Office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, AC Martin and Vanguard Home Health Care; and Partners the Office of Adrin Nazarian, RELM, The Cooperative LA and Trinity Worldwide. Also indispensable were TLBP Gala Committee co-chairs Jason Friedman and Ruby Bowen, and members Ryan Altoon, Natalie Bloxham, Dana Boyd, Steven Gross, Brooke Karzen and Leah Mangum. “Additional thanks go to Jonathan Mangum, our exceptional master of ceremonies; Grant Klein of Buckle Down Agency; Brad Roller and Matthew Roseman of Radius Pictures; and all the local businesses and individuals who generously donated items to make this occasion truly memorable,” he says.
The gala’s time theme was not only a reference to the Village clock — a TLBP initiative unveiled earlier this year — but also a tribute to past and future accomplishments. TLBP has dedicated more than 20,000 volunteer hours to cultivating an acre of sustainable native plantings, removed over 375 tons of waste in Toluca Lake Village, engaged over 5,000 stakeholders in collaborative streetscape initiatives, and channeled more than $500,000 into high-impact beautification projects through strategic public and private partnerships.
Altoon says upcoming projects include revitalizing a median on Vineland Avenue; designing a community garden in West Toluca Lake; reconfiguring a segment of Forman Avenue under the 134 Freeway with angled public parking, murals, lighting and landscape; beautifying state property along the 101, 170 and 134 freeways; and completing the Lankershim Boulevard streetscape plan to reimagine the corridor as a walkable and sustainable gateway to the Southeast Valley. “TLBP’s current campaign offers the community to be a part of history and leave a lasting legacy by purchasing a personalized brick for the Toluca Lake Village clock, forever marking your place in our vibrant community,” he adds. “To learn more, visit tolucalakepartners.org or contact Ryan.Altoon@tlbp.org.”
The gala was a vital opportunity for TLBP to raise awareness about its work and invite community members to join in continuing its vision into the future, Altoon concludes: “It fosters unity and inspires continued investment in a thriving, inclusive Toluca Lake for all.”