Dinners Offer Seniors a Family-Style Holiday

Thanksgiving for most people is a day for a family celebration, but for many senior citizens, it can be a lonely time.

But thanks to one Westside resident with a big heart and kitchen, more than 110 seniors from the Freda Mohr Senior Center in the Fairfax District will be treated to a special dinner.

It was nearly nine years ago when Rita Zide, owner of the Roll ‘n Rye restaurant in Culver City, started her own Thanksgiving tradition. Each year, she closes the restaurant to the public and serves up a traditional turkey dinner.

“I have an empathy for people who don’t have families,” she said. “I like to try and help people that don’t have it as well as I have it.”

As Zide’s tradition dictates, guests are greeted and welcomed to the restaurant with flowers. Roses are given to the women, and carnations are presented to the men.

After the meal, there is music, singing and dancing, provided by Zide and her staff.

Spending Thanksgiving Day at work is no problem, Zide insists.

“We have a good time doing it,” she said. “It leaves us with a good feeling for the holidays.”

William Elliott has been elected chairman of the board of the Center for the Partially Sighted in Santa Monica.

Elliot has been a member of the board for seven years and served as vice chairman for the past four years before being elected chairman. He is also a trustee and past chairman of the Regents Council at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles and a member of the USC Associates.

He is a resident of Beverly Hills.

The Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs has presented its Red Yarmulke Award to Dr. Edward Kamenir of Bel-Air.

Kamenir, recognized for his longtime devotion and service to the Jewish community, was honored at the group’s annual dinner on Nov. 3 at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.

Lisa Baker, housing program administrator for Culver City, has been appointed to a two-year term on the Community Revitalization and Development Committee of the National Assn. of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

Baker, who has more than eight years’ experience in housing and community issues, has worked for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and the Area Housing Authority for Ventura County.

The National Council of Teachers of English has awarded a research grant to Santa Monica High School teacher Carol Jago. She will work on an oral history project titled “When Students Begin to Listen.”

Donald Barrett, associate professor of psychology at Loyola Marymount University, recently received commendations for his work as the founder and project director of the United Methodist Junior Basketball League.

Barrett was honored with commendations from Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, City Atty. James K. Hahn, Inglewood Mayor Edward Vincent and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth P. Hahn.

The league that Barrett started is a diversion program for inner-city youths who are at risk of gang and drug involvement.