USC Trojan Affiliates, a philanthropic and social women’s group of the University of Southern California, invites alumni, parents and friends to attend their upcoming meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. at Mijares Restaurant, 145 Palmetto Dr., Pasadena. The evening will feature local author Janet Webb speaking on her book, “Hawaiian Walking.”
“Hawaiian Walking” is Webb’s first published book. It portrays a Hawaiian boy devastated by the death of his beloved grandfather who sets off walking alone. He experiences a flood of memories walking by areas where he shared time with his grandfather. He eventually discovers a sacred place which causes a spiritual healing. Hawaiian language is sprinkled throughout this beautifully illustrated book by artist Guy Buffet. Universal themes of love, family, loss and transformation surface with tension, humor, a driving question and a turning point when nothing is ever the same.
Webb was born and raised in San Marino, attending San Marino schools. She graduated from the University of Southern California where she met her husband, John. Upon graduation, she worked for the YMCA in Los Angeles and Orange County as a mentor and role model to underprivileged youth. She moved to Delaware where she worked for the city of Newark in the Recreation Department creating a Safety Town program. She took on various leadership roles prior to returning to San Marino to raise her five children. In San Marino, she was active in National Charity San Marino Area Chapter, various PTAs, Little League Booster Clubs, San Marino Woman’s Club and other community organizations. Webb is also a past president of Trojan Affiliates.
Her 10 grandchildren are enjoying Camp Gaga, the camp she designed. You will have a hard a time finding where she is located as she and her husband are Global Experiencialists combing the world, as travel is their passion. To quote Webb: “As you travel on each day remember to live with the Aloha Spirit. We all must seek our best life. ‘Omi ili.’”
Edie Etmekjian, formerly of Glendale and now a resident of Huntington Beach and Ayuko Siegel of Glendale, serving in their first term as Trojan Affiliates co-presidents, encourage women in the community to attend the October meeting to become acquainted with the members of Trojan Affiliates. The members meet five times a year in the San Gabriel Valley and are educated by various USC professors and other well-versed and interesting speakers. Members also donate their time to raise greatly needed funds for scholarships for worthy USC students.
For further information regarding USC Trojan Affiliates and/or to make reservations for the program, at $40 per person for a Mijares buffet dinner, please contact reservations chairman, Sarah Sismondo, by Sept. 28 at sisarah@verizon.net.
First published in the Sept. 28 issue of the San Marino Tribune
