Dr. Mike Golpa and Mrs. USA

Observed

Had we known that being a dentist meant that you could rub elbows with crowned beauties and black-tied cuties, we would have ditched journalism school and gone the more medical route. Ah, the bitter taste of regret...

But we digress. Yes, that is Santa Clarita's own Dr. Mike Golpa

Debbie Reynolds

schmoozing with Mrs. USA. Seems that the prestigious doctor has been selected as a judge for the 2006 Mrs. U.S. Globe Pageant. The event is sponsored by the international WIN (Women In Need) Foundation, which promotes health and well-being for women facing emotional/physical abuse. Pageant delegates use their travels and titles to increase awareness of the issue. Dr. Golpa is

Ruta Lee

a frequent supporter of women's and children's organizations.

Guests of the Betty Ferguson Foundation's Women of Honor dinner were treated to an evening of old-school Hollywood glamour. This year's award recipients, introduced by last year's winner Dianne Crawford, were none other than silver screen sirens Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee.

Both leading ladies fit the required dress for the evening (the invitation specifically requested "Black Tie and Glamorous") and looked lovely under the Hyatt's sparkling lights.

Overheard

Sharon Bronson and Linda Arbogast

Have you ever managed to say no to Sharon Bronson, sales manager for KHTS 1220 AM? Yeah, we haven't, either. Let's face it - the woman has Jedi mind trick skills, which is why her team always wins the annual SCV Chamber of Commerce membership drive. We asked Sharon to pose for a picture, but she was too busy explaining the benefits of chamber membership to new member Linda Arbogast, so we took one without her knowing. Good to know that a job as paparazzi can always be had if the whole magazine writer thing doesn't pan out.

It's official! The ink is dry on the contract between College of the Canyons and local shipping company Vital Express. The agreement, which was reached last year and finalized in August, coordinates perfectly with the Vital Express Center's new fall entertainment lineup.

Vital Express owners Dan and Lisa Boaz have been keeping very busy - their franchise opportunities have exploded their already popular service. Because of the growth on the East Coast, the couple has decided to take on dual residency between the SCV and North Carolina. No worries, though - the Vital headquarters will stay in Valencia, and the pair will maintain their support and participation with local nonprofits (College of the Canyons, Henry Mayo hospital, Soroptimist, the Chamber of Commerce, and VIA all benefit from their goodwill.).