The Valley Line: Chamber of Commerce hosts August mixer
I’m in deep withdrawal after spending so much time watching the Olympic Games from my front-row seats in my TV room. The USA medal count was staggering! As the last notes of the Bossa Nova music were played in the colorful closing ceremonies in Rio, we are now dialed into the 2020 games that will be held in Tokyo.
Life goes on beyond the Olympics and I did take a time out to attend a couple of events this past weekend.
The La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Assn. held its August mixer at the Glendale Adventist Urgent Care Center on Verdugo Boulevard.
A sizable crowd gathered in the patio and parking area of the facility. Meeting and greeting guests from the Glendale Adventist Medical Center were Ramella Markarian, vice president of business development; Rita Nunez, physicians relations manager; Elisa Westman, business development liaison and Nancy Quintanilla, of the operations and marketing department.
The Luna Grill eatery in La Cañada Flintridge provided a wide sampling of Mediterranean food. Flavorful hummus scooped up on pita bread was a popular choice among mixer guests.
While people gathered to exchange summer news, guitarist Richard Gomez provided great background music for chatting.
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Music and picnic aficionados gathered at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia for the Pasadena Pops concert with Michael Feinstein conducting. It was Cole Porter night — and what a night it was!
To begin with, as Feinstein picked up his baton and made that first swing downward, the baton’s shaft fell apart from the handle and went flying somewhere into the orchestra.
Feinstein made small talk and then just went ahead and conducted the orchestra sans baton. Finally a replacement baton was found and delivered to him by his best pal, Liza Minnelli, who made a slight bow and then shuffled off the stage, supported by a companion, as she obviously was having difficulty walking.
Feinstein presented an eclectic program of music by Porter, one of America’s greatest songwriters of all time. He related many stories about the artist, both funny and sad.
No doubt about it, everyone went home from this concert with Porter’s songs buzzing in their heads. How could one not with such songs as, “ “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Let’s Do it, Let’s Fall in Love,” “Just One of Those Things,” “You’d be so Easy to Love,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “I Love Paris.” Porter’s playlist goes on and on.
By the way, this year is the 125th celebration of the songwriter’s birth. “Too bad he couldn’t be with us tonight,” Feinstein said.
Next concert and final for the season for the Pops will be a tribute to music from the movies and a salute to Warner Bros. on Sept. 10.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.