Thanks to an invitation from Lovely Valerie Foster Hoffman to join her at the Beach Club. It was a bit too cool to eat outside so we had a lovely lunch inside. Carol Soucek King, Veronica, Nancy, Valerie, our hostess with the mostest, me, and dear Vanya, Valerie’s sister, visiting from Leesburg, Virginia.
When the sun came out we strolled around outside.
Later I had a tour of the brand new amazing kitchen.
And was even given a gift from one of the chefs!
A private tour of “Picture Worlds, Greek Maya, and Moche Pottery” at the Getty Villa (through July 29th) was sheer magic.
Is this what having ones own villa is like?
First there was an introductory lecture and then cocktails and a sit down dinner featuring Greek food…
While being serenaded by Greek musicians…
A lot of meeting and greeting…
Peggy you are the cutest!
On to the galleries where we were guided by the Getty’s brilliant curators.
With Awesome Mary Ann.
I don’t think I absorbed all the information…
Terri, you really followed along . I think I was overwhelmed.
Actually it’s much more fun when you can’t touch!
This little guy was my favorite. A “Vessel in the Form of a Warrior Duck” from Moche, Peru 500-650 CE.
Time to go shopping.
The exquisite lily pond is right outside the Gift Shop.
One of my favorite events at The Music Center is the presentation of the ‘Spotlight’ finalists and the Grand Finale Performance..
But first the Champagne Welcome in the Founder’s Room.
Terri and me with Rob Carson from Center Dance Arts with Mimi Rotter.
Awesome Rachel Moore, President and CEO of The Music Center.
Amazing philanthropist Alyce de Roulet Williamson who is beyond generous with everything wonderful in LA!
Awww Peggy, you are simply the cutest!
The performances were brilliant! I wish I had a photo of all 14 Grand Prize Finalists. Spotlight’s year-long program provides artistic development to 1,500 high school students yearly through workshops, mentoring, and live auditions. This is all free to the students, and Spotlight awards more than $100,000 in arts scholarships annually!
Time for dinner! Sweet Diane photo bombed me and Jason Fraszier.
Turn-a-bout is such fun!
It was family style, so kind Rob ended up serving everyone.
Sweet Cheryl from the Music Center stopped by to see Mary Ann and me. Sooo cute! And that about does it for this year’s Spotlight Program. It’s so inspiring and so wonderful to help these talented young people. Please DM or email me if you want to join this wonderful group. You’ll get to be included in rehearsals, which are so thrilling.
I bet you thought the birthday celebrating was over. What a delightful surprise at Parkway Grill.
Sweet Susie standing over our dear Marguerite and Carol.
These four were adorable. Yi-Lin, Curtis, Veronica and Patricia!
I was so happy to see brilliant Jan.
Now, that’s what I call a card. Thank you, amazing Joycie. And thank you all for remembering me in such a wonderful way!
But wait, there’s more….Sandie Girl treated to a joint celebration of our May birthdays at the Langham in Pasadena.
Remembering marrying Charles in this courtyard when the hotel was the Ritz Carlton.
In case you’re interested…This Hennessy will cost you only $1,300,000.00!
On a much sadder note, Celebrating the Life of Jerry Joseph Albus at Westlake Yacht Club.
Oh dear Alice, there are no words.
One of Alice’s and Jerry’s sons was in town from New York with his adorable wife Maria. It was a joy to have some time to be with them.
The Four Seasons Hotel was so close by….what would you do?
I needed another candle!
And some retail theraphy.
This month, Lovely Carol Soucek King’s “Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life” featured the topic “Humor,” with the Main Presentation given by Master Storyteller David Bender. David featured Nathan Haines, Graham Lance Richardson, and Edward Lee Goldstein. “Good Stories Live in the Heart”. David has been a part of the storytelling community for more than 30 years. If you’re interested in sharing stories and also learn how to tell them better, you can sign up for his Thursday evening Zoom group at storytelling.CA@gmail.com
Patricia Ferber wrote the following on “Humor.”
The opposite of laughter is crying,
the opposite of hate is love.
There are times when hearts are breaking,
and think that God has no sense of humor at all.
A day withought laughter is like the sun not rising.
They say one must laugh at least 17-20 times a day.
Humor makes the heart tread lightly,
the profound becoming a softer tune.
Days become weeks; months become years.
Remember not only the poignant moments
throughout our lifetime,
but especially moments of humor.
Find the humor and laughter will follow,
It’s better than shedding tears for humanity’s tristesse.
Later that evening Thoughtful Carol gathered her “Salon Stars’ for a delightful dinner and fine discussion at El Portal in Pasadena.
David Bender, the main speaker at the Salon with Nino Wong, Head Docent for the Huntington’s Chinese Garden and artist, sculptor and poet Patricia Ferber.
I can see that this is getting way to long so I’ll close with this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that I read at the Salon.
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.”
I wish you joy!