The Valley Line: LCF Rose Parade ‘Floaters’ gather for happy hour
Oh my, Mother Nature is stirring the pot a wee bit too vigorously. Oppressive heat and melting humidity have been the ingredients for her bubbling summer stew.
My antique air conditioner just can’t keep up and I’m wilting. How about you? A couple of days ago when the weather was breaking all sorts of heat index records; there wasn’t even a whisper of a breeze to cool us down.
This simply isn’t the California I grew up in when my mother, as the sun was just setting, would raise all the windows in our front and dining rooms and the cross breeze was so refreshing. I believe that global warming is here — the weather just isn’t like it used to be.
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Just before the heat set in, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. (GLAZA) staged its 43rd annual Beastly Ball, raising nearly $1.1 million for its efforts.
At the gate to welcome guests was La Cañada Flintridge resident Connie Morgan, president of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. and John Lewis, also a foothill resident, who is director of the zoo.
This is the summer party to attend and nearly 700 people donned their safari-type clothing to talk with the animals, sip cool beverages and dine on fabulous foods prepared by iconic restaurants from across the city. La Cañada’s Jersey Mike’s was just one of the restaurants preparing food for guests.
Two popular eateries that attracted on-the-go diners at the party were Pink’s Hot Dogs and a mashed-potato bar. Just some of the other restaurants participating were Bar Celona, Canele, Celestino Ristorante, El Cholo L.A., El Coyote Mexican Café, the Federal Bar, Glorious Gourmet Catering & Garnish Café, Georgetown Cupcake Los Angeles, Green Street Restaurant in Pasadena, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana, ix Tapa Restaurant and Cantina, Maison Akira, Taix French Restaurant, Villa Sorriso and Yummy Cupcakes.
All who attended had a sneak peek at the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit, which is under construction and is scheduled to open later this year. It will immerse guests in a rain forest experience. The key element of the exhibit’s eclectic nature is its central theme of “Everything needs a home.”
Partygoers also had an opportunity to bid on hundreds of amazing silent and live auction items and one-of-a-kind opportunities.
Receiving recognition that evening was Pauley Perrette, actress on television’s popular NCIS show, for her charitable work throughout the city. Also thanked was Wells Fargo, which has a long history of charitable contributions to GLAZA, including partial funding for all three great ape habitats and the award-winning Elephants of Asia exhibit. Representing Wells Fargo at the ball were John Manning, executive vice president division manager, commercial banking group; Maria Clemow, executive vice president and regional president, San Fernando Valley; and Jonathan Weedman, senior vice president, community relations, Wells Fargo Foundation.
Perrette’s award was established in the memory of Tom Mankiewicz, a beloved and highly regarded film and television writer and director.
Once again, this party was a huge success and remains a star of summer partygoing.
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Liz Argue hosted the recent Happy Hour mixer at her Descanso area home for the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn.
She invited guests into her lovely house and also her expansive back garden to sip refreshments and taste the plentiful hors d’oeuvres that were brought by those who attended the event.
New members Steven and Heather Park joined Liz in welcoming guests. Representing Descanso Gardens was David Brown, executive director of the gardens, with colleagues Julliann Rooke and Rachel Young.
Among those attending the party were Sherrill Carbonetti, Eileen St. Amand, Barbie Eland, Lorie MacKenzie, Dick and Pat Anderson, Pam Wiedenbeck, Pamela and Bud Carney, Lee Johnson, John Burrows, Clyde and Bobbie Hemphill, Betty Jones, Brenda Gant and Jeff Hughes, Bill and Fran Evans, Donna Franklin, David Hildreth, Chuck Terhune, Roy and Lillian Olofson, Joel and Darleen Peterson, Pat Hutchins, Ann and Bob Neilson, Sue Beatty, David Granish and Julia Cameron, Adene and Jim Misamore, Cathy and Pete Palermo, Sharlyn French, Jenny Pass, and Peter and Susan Huntsman.
Other “floaters” enjoying the summer party were Nancy Wyman, Vera and Garth Gragg, Chuck and Harriett Hughes, Bev and Bob Wallace, Joey Mitchell, Adrine Issavy, Bill Pounders, Peggy Hotaling, Alex Keledjian, Art Johnson, Cab and Val Burgess, Terry and Gloria Beyer, Dave Moffett, Kitty Barr, Doug and Bev Albright, Richard Grippi, Daryal and Mary Gant, Tom and Martha Burns, Diane and John Landrum, Betty Ryan and Fred Keenan, Don and Joan Williams, Dee and Fraser Draper, Dick and Evie Barley, Larry Andreason, Harriet Hammons and Jim Geoghegan.
The next Happy Hour will be at the home of Wendy and Phil Wyatt, 4242 Oakwood Ave., at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 26. No reservations are required; simply take an appetizer to share and enjoy the evening.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@yahoo.com with news of your special event.