The Valley Line: Happy Hour rocks while Marvin Pops
No priorities were misplaced recently when Meredith and Tom Reynolds hosted the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn. July Happy Hour. In fact, nearly 80 people placed this event at the top of their social calendar.
It was unseasonably balmy for a late July summer eve when guests gathered in the Reynolds’ patio and backyard to sip a refreshing beverage.
As always, the culinary highlight of the evening were the hors d’oeuvres that guests prepared and brought to this popular event. Tasty tidbits of all sorts were spread out on a table.
As expected, news of our float’s progress was a hot topic. The rendering of our float, themed, “If Pigs Could Fly,” can be found on the Tournament’s website, www.lcftra.org.
I can hardly wait to see the little pink piggies and their friends take shape under the bridge this coming December. This is going to be an adorable float and I predict it will not only be a crowd pleaser, but will also be an award winner.
The tournament is always looking for ways to earn money so our float can be built, and I think they have come up with a great idea. Now that we are green-minded and trying to not use plastic grocery bags, the tournament is selling heavy-duty grocery tote bags. The bags are black and the organization’s logo, a red rose, is on the front. The bags cost $3 and can be ordered by calling Jim Geoghegan at (818) 519-1282.
Enjoying this happy evening were Bobbie and Clyde Hemphill, Jenny Pass, John Burrows, Mary and Duane Batenhorst, Malak Peterman, Doris Horwith, Irene and Carl Christensen, Lillian and Roy Olofson, Fran and Bill Evans, Dottie Ecker, Sue Beatty, Nancy Thurston, Peggy Hotaling, Bob Wallace, DiAndra Montgomery, Julie Thurston, Gigi and Jim Schlueter, Pat Foltyn, Barbara Dennerline, Dorothy and Bob Lyans, Art Johnson, Richard Grippi, Joan and Chuck McGee, Sherrill and Jim Carbonetti, Claire Slaughter, Jean and Don Spomer, and Adene and Jim Misamore.
Also sipping and munching were Joey and Dave Mitchell, Sarah and Mayf Marshall, Pat and Otis Hutchins, Pat and Lyle Wroan, Emily Neilson, Gillie Matthew, Ann and Bob Neilson, Karen Neilson, Nicole Matthew, Pamela and Bud Carney, Darleen and Joel Peterson, Vera and Garth Gragg, Gloria and Terry Beyer, Becky and Chuck Gelhaar, Brenda and Jeff Hughes, Joyce and Bob Covey, Mary and Daryal Gant, Pat Anderson, Joan and Don Williams, Nancy and Mike Walizer, Barbara and Jack Dawson, Diane and John Landrum, Betty Jones and Nancy Wyman.
The next Happy Hour gathering will be Hamburger Night on Friday, Aug. 26, at the home of Sarah and Mayfield Marshall, 4918 Vineta Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. At this popular mixer, hamburgers (or cheeseburgers), potato salad, baked beans and all the fixin’s are only $8, and beverages of choice are available for purchase at nominal cost. Anyone 18 or older is welcome to attend and support our city’s 2012 Rose Parade float.
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Marvin Hamlisch, an Oscar-, Emmy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, made his debut as conductor of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra on Saturday, July 23.
The huge crowd, who had settled into the tables and chairs at the Pops home set up on the Rose Bowl soccer field, were more than enthusiastic as Hamlisch charmed them with his wit, humor and fabulous music. The concert theme was “Marvin Does Marvin,” and began with the energetic overture from the musical, “Gypsy.”
Guest singer for the evening was tenor J. Mark McVey, who was taking a brief break from his role of Jean ValJean at the Ahmanson Theatre’s production of “Les Miserables.” McVey sang “Bring Him Home,” from Les Miserables. As usual, I had to drag out a tissue from my pocket to dab at my eyes — I always cry when he sings this song. McVey also made hearts melt when he sang the romantic songs of Richard Rogers.
Hamlisch began the second half of the show with his composition, “Ice Castles.” He completed the concert with songs from his Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, “A Chorus Line,” and a recently composed piece, “One Song.”
The next concert for Hamlisch and the POPS will be “Marvin Does Broadway” on Aug. 6.