A.V. SOROPTIMISTS TO HONOR 2 OUTSTANDING WOMEN.

Byline: KAREN THACKER

LANCASTER - Two local women will be honored by the Soroptimist International Club of Antelope Valley this month in celebration of International Women's Day.

The Women of Distinction Award will go to Sherry Lasagna, field deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, and the Women Helping Women Award will go to Sandra Darrington, coordinator of the Sexual Assault Response Service at Antelope Valley Hospital.

The awards, to be presented at the club's annual awards luncheon March 28, are to recognize outstanding individuals who have contributed to the advancement of women, according to local Soroptimist President Caroline Byassee.

Lasagna was the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce manager for two years and was a supervisor with the County Department of Public Social Services.

She hosted two local cable television programs, Valley Views from 1986 to 1994 and Crime Watch since 1994. Her community involvement includes work with the Lancaster Economic Development Corp., the California State Prison Citizens Advisory Committee, Antelope Valley Regional Partnership, California Motion Picture Council and the Children's Center of Antelope Valley.

Darrington has worked with survivors of rape for 13 years, coordinating counseling, volunteer training and a community awareness program. She is a member of the Children's Center Advisory Council, Antelope Valley Abuse Network Team, and Lancaster Child Abuse Task Force.

She has also earned the Los Angeles Commission for Women Award, Los Angeles District Attorney's Victim Service Award and Lancaster Chamber's Women of Achievement Award.

LANCASTER - The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks celebrated its 128th birthday this past month.

The Lancaster Elks Lodge has been a part of the group for 57 years and was able to contribute $11,000 to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation last year, according to Elks member Bob Younker.

The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is the major service project for the organization in aiding physically disabled children. More than $2.2 million was contributed by the California-Hawaii Elks lodges in 1995.

QUARTZ HILL - The Quartz Hill Woman's Club will hold its 31st annual Poppy Fashion Show and Luncheon on March 23 at the Essex House Convention Center.

Social hour will begin at 11 a.m. with luncheon at noon. The show will follow. The theme is "Garden of Fashions."

Designs are from locally owned stores and will be worn by club members and guest models. Commentator for the show will be Alta Crusna.

Tickets are $25 and all proceeds benefit local scholarships and civic projects supported by the Quartz Hill Woman's Club.

For more information or tickets call 722-6213.