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SierraMadreSue's Music News (5/14/08 Edition)

(5/15/08) Random Observations...by Pat Ostrye Pat Ostrye is a Sierra Madre resident with a long history of service to the San Gabriel Valley, including serving as one of Southern California's first female City Council members, and as Monrovia's first elected mayor.

Mother's Day That Was!

This is the "day after" and the LA Times tells us about yesterday's spectacular Mother's Day banquet sponsored by the Fred Jordan Missions in downtown Los Angeles and served to over 2000 impoverished women and their families. This Mission, which was first opened in 1944 primarily for men, now serves about 1,000 people a day, mostly women and children. Each mother was given a red carnation and baked chicken was at the top of the menu. Some attend each year because they no longer have relatives in the area, others because it has become a tradition to bring their mothers each year to enjoy the festive camaraderie. How great!

A few days before Mother's Day, on TV I heard quite a switch concerning just what gifts Mothers really prefer. I'm sure the florists around the country weren't too happy about it, but the point was made that flowers are beautiful but, in this uncertain economy, not very practical for many mothers, particularly grandmothers on fixed incomes. There were illustrations of home-made gifts and many food suggestions, but also MONEY! I go for that big time, it matches everything for any age! Over the past few years, I have received mostly money and gift cards which seem to have become the most popular gift for any occasion.

However, there are other extremes out there. It seemed a little late but even in Tiffany's daily ad in the LA Times on Sunday: Flowers For Mother's Day, Tiffany floral rose and brilliant-cut diamond bracelet, $110,000! On the same page, Neiman Marcus, Geary's and Movado had equally extreme gifts for Mother. First of all, with that kind of money, I doubt that the "other half" would be perusing the ads at any time when one phone call to their favorite Jeweler could take care of the matter.

As for me, having seven very attentive adult children and six living grandchildren, the occasion is always exciting as well as bountiful. This year I was at a daughter's in Pasadena with a son, his wife and 2 very young children, ages 2 years and 4 months, also attending, making it a really joyous occasion. Grandparents traditionally have the privilege of enjoying the little ones at their best, leaving the chasing and caring to their very tired parents, who will one day have their "quieter" turns at Mother's and Father's Day!

(Editor's Note: We missed a few of Mrs. Ostrye's columns, here are direct links to the last few weeks...

5/9/08 - The Week That Was!

5/2/08 - Please, Somebody Do Something!!

4/25/08 - Volunteers, The Heart of the Community!

4/18/08 - What I Could Have, Might Have, Should Have Done!!

4/11/08 - Larger Than Life! Really!

4/4/08 - What Price Satire?)

postrye@netscape.com

About Pat Ostrye, previous columns

(5/15/08) Mt. Wilson Trail Race Update Trail Race Committee Chair Pete Siberell recently sent a newsletter to those running in the race. Here's an excerpt:

The Trail Is Open and the Race Is ON!

Thanks to all the great work from volunteer “Trail Blazers,” city staff and our friends at Sierra Madre Search & Rescue, the trail was opened to hikers and runners last Friday. That also means that the race will be run as scheduled!

We will be acknowledging their wonderful contributions as best we can between now and the race, but please thank Charlie Bell, Peter McNulty, Gary Hilliard, Mark Gage, John Grace and all the other guys who have gone up to work on the trail since the fire. John organized 12-16 guys to work on the trail on Saturday, so we think most of the work is done. It’s been tough and grimy work, but I actually believe that the trail is even better now…it’s wider in many areas, which means it’s safer.

Between the last hydrant above the trailhead to First Water, much of the vegetation you have used as points of reference have been lost, and the trail is a lot softer in many spots. I would encourage you to get up there and run it before the race so you know what to expect.

Also, special thanks to the non-defending (only because she’s pregnant) ladies’ champion, Sharon Pevsner, for helping deliver sandwiches that The Only Place in Town donated for Saturday’s work day. Other wonderful contributors to Saturday’s work day were Starbucks, Webb-Martin Realty, Arnold’s Hardware and Lenora Moss. Thanks to all these great corporate citizens, and to John Grace for arranging the donations.

For the complete newsletter, which includes information about the post-race beer garden and how it will benefit the Sierra Madre Fire Fund, a new commemorative Trail Race item for sale, and information about the third annual Kid's Fun Run, click here.

(5/14/08) Charles Andrese Passes Away Charles Andrese died Friday, May 9. He co-founded the Sierra Madre Playhouse in 1980 and has been its principal visionary ever since. Initially, he was involved in acting in and directing playhouse productions; later, along with Stan Zalas, he concentrated on the artistic and business management of the enterprise. The two set very high artistic standards, and, despite a perennial shortage of funds, the playhouse acquired a well-deserved reputation for excellence.

For many years, Charles was the persona of the playhouse, taking phone reservations, greeting patrons, serving cookies and punch at intermission, seeing patrons out after the play, and cleaning up once they had left. He seemed to know everyone personally, frequently reserving preferred seats for special patrons. (In those days, those in the know brought their own seat cushions to protect themselves from protruding springs).

Andrese fell ill in 1995, and was able to attend his beloved “Masterpiece Theater” on only a few occasions since. However, he remained its Artistic Director, selecting plays and directors with an unerring eye for good, family entertainment. He corresponded frequently with his many friends and kept abreast of what was going on in the playhouse and the city.

The family has not released information on what memorials may be planned.

(5/9/08) Sierra Madre Civic Club Awards Education Grants At its meeting on Thursday, the Sierra Madre Civic Club announced the recipients of its “Education Award 2008”, a main philanthropy for the group. Only high school seniors are eligible for the grants, given conditionally on one of the following; that the senior be a resident of Sierra Madre, has a relative who is a member of Civic Club, or has worked in Sierra Madre for the last twelve months or has a parent who works in Sierra Madre.

Key points about each student considered by the Awards Committee include: volunteer activities, interests, talents, hobbies, accomplishments or recognition, plus educational or career plans.

Two letters of reference - one from a teacher or school administrator and one from an adult leader in the applicant's volunteer activity or an employer – were also required for the consideration of the Education Awards Committee, chaired by Amy Putnam.

Selected to receive awards this year were: Brittany Banis, Dalia Copti, Jenna Coyne, Pablo Garcia, Kara-Leigh Huse, Simone Lovano, Katie Merrill, Ellen O’ Connor, Mireya Perez, Andrew Pirrone, and Caitlin Skelly.

Brittany Banis attends Mayfield Senior High, and plans to attend UCSD. Dalia Copti attends Maranatha High School, and will be going to San Diego State. Jenna Coyne attends Paul VI High School in Audobon, NJ, and plans to go to Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Pablo Garcia, a Duarte High School senior, will be attending Cal Poly Pomona, La Salle's Kara-Leigh Huse will "fight on" at USC, and Simone Lovano will be traveling east to Rutgers after also graduating from La Salle High School. When Katie Merrill graduates from PHS, she’ll be applying her grant towards her studies at Bryn Mawr. Ellen O’Connor, who attends Alverno High School, will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall. Mireya Perez will graduate from Arcadia High School, and after attending community college at first, plans to complete her studies at either Berkeley or UCLA. Andrew Pirrone, who, with Merrill, attends PHS, will be joining Garcia at Cal Poly Pomona. And Caitlin Skelly will head up to the Bay area to attend San Francisco State University. For more photos from the event (and a caption that tells you who each of the students in the above picture is, click here...

(5/8/08) Dedication of Milton and Harriet Goldberg Park In April of 1947, Milton and Harriet Goldberg were among the founders of the Sierra Madre Community Nursery School. In April of 2008, the Milton and Harriet Goldberg Park became a reality, and Sierra Madre Community Nursery School played an integral part of the creation.

For decades, Sierra Madre children have played on the open lots at the corner of Sunnyside and Ramona. Milton Goldberg had bought the property, but refused to build on it, saying "Children need space, time and love." Roberta and Michael Goldberg, children of Milton and Harriet, wanted to see the land become park space after their parents passed away.

The City hadn't opened a new park in more than thirty years. But thanks to the sale of the land that the Sierra Madre Community Nursery School sits on to the school, funds were made available for the City to purchase the land from the Goldbergs, and in November of 2007 the ground was broken on the park. And in April of 2008, nearly sixty-one years to the day after the Goldbergs were instrumental in creating a special space for Sierra Madre's children, another special space for Sierra Madre's children became a reality as Mayor Kurt Zimmerman dedicated the park by reading a proclamation naming the day Milton and Harriet Goldberg day in Sierra Madre, and the Goldberg offspring joined Harriet's sister, Natalie Jacobs and Roberta's longtime friend and former Sierra Madre mayor Enid Joffe in cutting the ribbon for the opening of the park.

There were many members of the Goldberg extended family in attendance at the dedication, which was attended by several dozen folks, among them Council members John Buchanan and Joe Mosca and Public Works director Bruce Inman. Also on hand from Public Works were Chris Cimino and Suzi McConnell. Community Services Director Michelle Keith was on hand, with Assistant Director Elisa Weaver, and Adam Matsumoto also was on hand representing Community Services. Fire Chief Steve Heydorff and Engineer Bill Messersmith were on hand. City Manager Elaine Aguilar was joined by former City Manager John Gillison at the ceremony. Council members Don Watts and Maryann MacGillivray did not attend. For lots more photos from this event, and video, including the proclamation by Mayor Zimmerman, click here.

From the Archives

We've pulled photos and videos from the archives, and created new pages for the SMVFA Pancake Breakfasts in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Visit the Firefighter's Annual Flapjack Breakfast page. We've also created a page for last month's City Council reorganization, featuring several photos, as well as videos of Council members John Buchanan and Maryann MacGillivray taking the oath of office.

(5/7/08) Popular Musicians To Be Featured at Sierra Madre Art Fair

The 46^th Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair is proud to offer the exceptional work of about 100 Fine Artists. Scheduled for Saturday May 17^th, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday May 18^th 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, at the tree-lined Memorial Park, 220 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, this year’s Art Fair is already creating quite a buzz!

Sure to please art-lovers and music-lovers alike, popular and varied musicians can be enjoyed at the Bandshell. From 11:00am to 1:00pm Saturday and Sunday, unique musicians ‘String Planet’ feature string instruments in a popular format everyone knows and enjoys. Be sure to check out Larry Tuttle’s expertise on the ‘Stick’ and be wowed! Also featured Saturday from 2:00 to 4:30 will be Stephanie Bettman and the Boys. Well-known from Nashville to LA, they provide a catchy, toe-tapping mixture of bluegrass, folk, and jazz with a “mountain vibe” – a perfect blend for our Foothill communities! Voted “Best of LA by LA Magazine”, the all-acoustic Gonzalo Bergara Group can be seen Sunday 2:00-4:00pm. This acclaimed trio blends Blues with Latin-swing, and is extraordinary!

Not to be outdone by the Bandshell, the Park’s South Lawn will feature LA’s popular acoustic guitarist Logan Coats on Saturday from 1:00 to 2:30pm; Ann Luke on the dulcimer Saturday and Sunday; and Harpist Ron Longo. Don’t miss The Daisy Chang Duo Sunday 12:00 to 1:30 pm for some jazzy Brazilian Guitar rhythms that are sure to get you going! Joel Penner Trio is a returning favorite, and can be enjoyed Saturday 3:00 to 5:00pm, and Sunday 2:00 to 4:00pm. Their inspiration is a bebop sound of the ‘40’s and ‘50’s, and they get the crowd going with original and well-known standard tunes with unique Jazz, Latin, funk, and pop music—always enjoyed by all ages!

Enjoy the creativity of Fine Artists’ ceramics, jewelry, oils, watercolors, mixed media, photography, and so much more! When the family gets hungry, stop by the Food Court for some of the area’s best offerings!

Sponsored by the Friends of the Sierra Madre Library, proceeds directly support Library services, acquisitions, programs, and grounds’ improvements. For more information contact Sharon Murphy @ (626) 355-3977, or go to www.sierramadreartfair.com.

(5/7/08) Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshal Sought

Sierra Madre Parade on Friday, July 4^th

The Sierra Madre Fourth of July Committee is looking for candidates to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2008 Fourth of July Parade. This year's parade will be held on Friday, July 4, according to Matt Bosse, Fourth of July Committee Chairman.

Candidates for the Parade Grand Marshal should echo the spirit of Sierra Madre and should be active volunteers in any of the local nonprofit organizations in Sierra Madre.

Nominations should be sent to: The Fourth of July Committee, P.O. Box 1073, Sierra Madre 91025 or via e-mail to matthewbosse@hotmail.com by Monday, June 2^nd.

The Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Sierra Madre Blvd. and Sunnyside, progressing east to Sierra Vista Park until about 11:30 a.m. At that time Memorial Park, on the west side of town, will be filled with nonprofit food booths and the Beer Garden will be open for business.

Chairman Bosse reminds residents that the event kicks off at Memorial Park beginning 6 pm on July 3^rd with the band Aluminum Marshmallow and continuing with the Night Bloomin' Jazzmen playing under the large shade tree from noon to about 4 p.m. on July 4^th - children's games will take place also on the south lawn of Memorial Park. Food booths and the Beer Garden will be open both the evening of July 3^rd and after the parade on July 4^th.

Fund Established to Help Pay for Firefighting Efforts A Santa Anita Fire Fund has been set up with the Sierra Madre Community Foundation to help the City pay for the cost of fighting the Santa Anita Fire. If you would like to donate, you can download the attached form and mail it with your donation to:

SIERRA MADRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

PO Box 716, Sierra Madre, CA 91025

Checks should be made out to SMCF/CCF with "Santa Anita Fire Fund" in the memo.

4th of July Parade Applications Available Online Exclusively at SierraMadreNews.Net

The Fourth of July parade application has now been posted online, exclusively on this website. Click the headline above to download your copy of the application. For Sierra Madre 4th of July coverage as it occurs, visit our fourth of July section of the site, www.sierramadre4thofjuly.us

(Pat Ostrye's Column, Including Back Columns, Will Return to This Corner Next Week, If Not Sooner)

Joke of the Day

Thanks to Mike in Sierra Madre for this one...

Steven Wright humor...

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

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When an evil masochist dies, does he go to hell, or would heaven be a better punishment?

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If you are killing time, are you damaging eternity?

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If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?

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If a parsley farmer loses a law suit, do they garnish his wages?

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Why is it, 'A penny for your thoughts,' but, you have to 'put your two cents' in? Somebody's making a penny.

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I bought a self-learning record to learn Spanish. I turned it on and went to sleep; the record got stuck. The next day I could only stutter in Spanish.

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Boycott shampoo! Demand the REAL poo!

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Can atheists get insurance for acts of God?

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What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

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I believe five out of four people have trouble with fractions.

Quote of the Day

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand." -- Woodrow Wilson

(5/15/08) Regarding the SMPD Pedestrian Decoy Operation on Wednesday, May 14th Received the following release from Chief Diaz (cost information is at the bottom of the article):

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the Sierra Madre Police Department hosted a Pedestrian Decoy Awareness Program at the intersection of Sierra Madre Blvd. and Hermosa Ave. The Department has received many complaints from residents about flagrant crosswalk violations in the downtown area. Four Monterey Park Police Department motor officers and Jan’s Towing assisted the Sierra Madre Police Department in the operation. The emphasis for this event was on driver awareness, education and enforcement.

A total of 2,244 vehicles passed through this intersection during the operation. Officers wrote 42 citations and towed 2 vehicles. The following is a breakdown of the violations issued during the 4-hour period:

31 drivers were cited for Vehicle Code Section (VC) 21950(a) – Driver not Stopping for Pedestrian in a Crosswalk;

2 drivers were cited for V.C. 12500(a) – Unlicensed Driver;

7 drivers were cited for V.C. 27315(d)(1) – Driver not Wearing a Seatbelt;

2 drivers were cited for V.C. 27315(e) – Passenger not Wearing a Seatbelt;

1 driver was cited for V.C. 26708(a)(1) – Objects Blocking Window;

1 driver was cited for V.C. 12951(a) – Driver not in Possession of Driver License; and

1 driver was cited for V.C. 27007 – Loud Music Heard 50-feet or More from Vehicle.

I then sent the Chief an e-mail asking for information regarding the costs of the operation. She responded: "We used a total of 8 hours of overtime for a SMPD sergeant and one officer. The costs were charged to a State grant fund, not to our General Fund. The other personnel were either on duty or volunteered. Police Chief Jones Moy of the Monterey Park PD graciously donated the services of the four motorcycle officers."

(5/8/08) Sierra Madre Schools, Businesses and Non-profits Recognized at San Gabriel Valley Environmental Awards

By Bill Coburn

On Tuesday, May 6^th, six Sierra Madre organizations were recognized at the San Gabriel Valley Environmental Awards, sponsored by the Los Angeles Regional Agency (LARA). According to James Carlson, with SM Public Works Dept., the City is a member of LARA. The membership is paid for by Athens, who provides the City’s waste disposal services. Carlson said that AB 939, requires all Cities to divert fifty percent of their solid fills from landfills. By virtue of its membership in LARA, the City is able to pool/average its numbers so that if in some months they don’t quite reach the required fifty percent, they won’t incur penalties. Another benefit is shared funding to put on educational showcases and joint events, as well as an opportunity for City staffers to discuss and consult about ways to handle problems, or share success stories for possible implementation. For the rest of the story and pictures from the luncheon, click here...

(5/15/08) On My Mind These Days

By Glenn Lambdin

Regarding Same Sex Marriage...

Recently, while walking out of my favorite discount department store, I was approached by an enthusiastic young woman who asked me to sign her petition supporting some new legislation recognizing same sex marriages. Typically, my standard response to accosting signature gatherers is a self-amusing lie that rolls off my tongue with the greatest of ease, “Sorry, I can’t. I am a convicted felon.”

I find the concept of same sex marriage to be a fascinating exercise in democracy and one that I am sure my generation will witness morph through an interesting evolution in American jurisprudence.

I believe it is paramount that all governmental legislation and legal authority originate from the practical application of logic and reason. Baseline principles like public need, public health and safety, and constitutional rights are minimal non-negotiable starting points that must be considered when crafting laws that guide our society. My favorite principle has always been, “equality for all people, all the time, without exception; regardless of race, gender, color of skin, religious belief, or financial or social status.” This is the basis of our Constitution and one principle that I have sworn an oath to defend. I take it very seriously.

Since the Establishment Clause of our Constitution mandates the separation of church and state, when considering same sex marriages, it seems reasonable and logical that legislatures first define what marriage is, apart from any religious dogma. And, also define what marriage isn’t.

Legally, couples are not required to be married to make babies, nor are they required to make babies if they are married. Marriage is not a requirement in order to have sex, to live together, to purchase property, or to adopt or raise children. And, in each of these scenarios, abilities are not gender specific or a necessary requirement since both males and females are equally qualified to perform any of these duties. Once married, there are no laws that require a couple to do anything specific except file taxes differently than single people. So in a governmental sense, marriage is nothing more than some sanctioned non-specific partnership agreement between two individuals. It’s a contract with no real requirements, except tax requirements. From a governmental perspective, marriage becomes little more than a recorded business partnership.

In 2002, after being married for 25 years, my wife and I decided to call it quits and part friends. We divorced. It was merely the simple dissolution of a legal contract and the distribution of our assets, not much different than the dissolution of any business partnership. There was no church approval, ceremony, or required permission. We didn’t have to plea or explain our case. We just filed the paperwork, paid the money, and waited. I get this, she gets that; processed by the court, and its over. Again, not much different than the dissolution of any business partnership. The government’s role was basically to see the fair and equitable distribution of our assets. It was business! Non-gender specific business.

So the question really becomes, “Can the specific performance of a marriage contract be performed equally as well between couples of the same sex as with opposite-sex couples?” Since a marriage contract has no real specific requirements of performance in the first place, than the answer is definitively yes. Therefore, in the absence of any legitimate public need or public health and safety issues that would require opposite sex only marriages, it becomes painfully obvious that the denial of same sex marriage is intentionally targeted discrimination.

I believe in equality for all Americans, all the time, without exception.

I signed the petition.

Past Glenn Lambdin Columns

(5/6/08) Fire Safe Council Meeting

I'm working on getting video of the Fire Safe Council meeting posted. Each 7 - 8 minute video is about 75mb, so after I get each piece edited and created, uploading takes quite a while. The meeting was about 1 hr. and 45 minutes long, so they may not all be posted for a day or two, but they'll probably still be up before Channel 3 gets them up. Here's a link to the page, where I've started putting them up...I also picked up the handouts, and will do what I can to make links to the sites referenced in the handouts, and when possible, to scan in and post the handouts.

(5/7/08) Author's Night Series Continues with Timothy Potter Author and Sierra Madrean Tim Potter will discuss and sign his new novel, The Lost Boys: A Parochial Novel of the Vietnam Generation, on Monday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the Sierra Madre Public Library, 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.. Ten years in the making, the book is a fictionalized memoir of a group of veterans who struggle to come to terms with the war and find stability and meaning for their lives in a largely hostile post-war America. Sponsored by the Friends of the Sierra Madre Library.

(5/8/08) Kid’s Art Show at CAG Through May 25th

Mix together Puppetry and Painting with a little Ceramics, Woodwork, and Stained Glass, and you’ve conjured up a bright and whimsical art show featuring the work of 1^st through 9^th grade students. Visitors will see brightly colored masks of paper, wood, and clay; puppets from classes throughout the year including “How the Elephant Got Its Trunk” complete with crocodile and Limpopo River; ceramic cups, bowls, witches, and dinosaurs; stained glass hearts and flowers along with some abstract work; and a painted parade, sailboat, fish in the sea, and children walking on a rainbow.

The exceptional instruction at Creative Arts Group represented in this show by teachers Cathy Manzo, Cathy Imhoff, Debbie Schweiner, Lynn Hendricks, D. Lester Williams, and Barbara Wamboldt have provided stimulating projects that bring out the creativity in each child. Creative Arts Group offers an extensive array of art classes for children throughout the year, including Drawing & Painting, Mixed Media, Cartooning, Puppetry, Ceramics, and many one-and two-day specialty workshops.

The Children’s Art Show runs through May 25, 2008, at Creative Arts Group, 108 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre.

(5/8/08) Alverno Jaguar Softball Heads to CIF for Seventeenth Straight Year

Alverno High School’s softball team is heading to CIF playoffs for the seventeenth straight year. The undefeated Jaguars hold a 10-0 Horizon League record this season, with a 20-3-0 record overall. For the rest of the story, and pictures, click here.

(5/8/08) Friends of the Library to Have Bargain Books Table at Library

The Friends of the Sierra Madre Library will have a Bargain Books Table Sale inside the Library during the Library’s public open hours. Featured titles will include Fiction, Health, Nature, and Specialty books. All books are in good condition and will be sold at the bargain price of $1.00.

The book sale will occur Monday, May 12 – Saturday, May 17, 2008

The Sierra Madre Public Library, located at 440 West Sierra Madre Boulevard in Sierra Madre, is open Monday through Wednesday from Noon to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday from Noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For further information on programs and services please visit the Library’s web site at www.sierramadre.lib.ca.us or call (626) 355-7186

These every-other-month book sales sponsored by The Friends help provide funding for Library resources and programs.

(5/9/08) Hilarious ‘Beau Jest’ Brings Summer Fun to Sierra Madre Playhouse

By Fran Syverson

Girl meets Boy. Waiting eagerly to meet the boy, too, are Mom and Dad—especially Mom. So daughter finally agrees to have them all to dinner.

Just one problem: girl (Jewish) had met and fallen in love with boy (gentile)—but Mom and Dad had been waiting eagerly for their Sarah to find “a nice Jewish boy” to marry.

What to do—what to do? Sarah is almost obsessive in her need to please her parents. So what she does is phone an escort service and hires a Jewish stand-in “beau” for the dinner. She can, she rationalizes, introduce her parents to the real boyfriend, Chris, later. She hopes they’ll grow to love him as she does and somehow eventually come to terms with the notion of a non-Jewish son-in-law.

Could there be a better set-up for the “jests” in Beau Jest? Well, yes—because it quickly evolves that Bob, the stand-in beau, is also actually a gentile. Thus Beau Jest is hilarious from the first footlights, its wit and humor ranging from sophisticated to brassy.

The senior Goldmans arrive for dinner, casserole in hand. It’s to be warmed “in the oven, not the microwave,” Miriam admonishes. Abe grumbles about the parking—and so begins the verbal sparring between Miriam and Abe, and also between Miriam and Sarah. It’s endless, and stays frolickingly funny to the final curtain.

Miriam and Abe Goldman (Rosina Pinchot and Howard Krupnick) personify the stereotypical smothering parental couple roles so well that some of the audience pondered whether, offstage, they are actually married. (They’re not.) They’d steal their scenes if it weren’t for the strong counterpoint of the leads: radiant, irrepressible Meg Wolf as Sarah Goldman and handsome Travis Nefores as Bob.

Bob, an actor “between assignments”—read “jobless”—soon demonstrates his thespian talents as Sarah’s beau. He must throw on the mantle of being not only Jewish, but also a physician, which Sarah impulsively conjures for him, the better to match her fiancé.

When he starts to get in too deep, Sarah, with a certain flair, manages to change the subject or give Bob cues. As they begin to relish how well they are carrying off their charade, the connections between them grow. Sarah soon senses another complication in her love life. Her ardor for Chris (John Lysaght) seems to waver in proportion to her continuing contact with Bob. (Don’t miss the impromptu back massage.)

What they don’t realize is that her divorced brother Joel (Jonas Gabriel) is not quite as taken with the situation, and casts some well-placed skepticism. But then, he’s a psychiatrist, probably reveling inwardly as he observes his clan’s dysfunction. Still, he’s not above a rousting good sibling argument with Sarah.

In addition to being laugh-a-minute funny, Beau Jest also slips in a bit of a message. James Sherman’s play surely was not meant to be educational, but those who are not Jewish can gain some insight into Jewish tradition, especially at the Seder. Even then, the family cannot get through their customary rituals without familial and comic confrontations.

Sarah’s Chicago apartment is modern in a non-definitive way, with a tan overstuffed sofa and two occasional chairs, an entertainment center, wall lamps, and dining furniture. Greenery softens the edges, as does an “outdoor” window, cleverly lit to evoke sunlight.

Stan Kelly, no stranger to the Sierra Madre Playhouse, directs this romantic comedy. Lois Tedrow does her usual fine job of costuming, up to and including Sarah’s just-out-of-the-shower bath towel. Multiple backstage roles are filled by David Calhoun as set designer and master carpenter; by Anne Marie Atwan as stage manager and properties, along with Ruth Thompson; by Ward Calaway as producer, plus program design with John Johnson who is also production photographer; and by Kristen Cox as lighting designer, who shares light and sound operations with Karen Young and Mike Dessin.

Steve Shaw is sound designer. Jang-Hyun Yoon, Dong-Kyu Yang, Tommy Wang, and Achim Kovi comprise the lighting crew. With Calaway and Dessin on the construction crew are Don Bergmann and Dana Zeuschner. Bruce Yeakel is credited with the poster art design, and Philip Sokoloff is publicist. Charles Andrese is the longtime Playhouse artistic director.

If you see Beau Jest once and, a couple of weeks later find yourself bored with the summer TV lineup, you might consider enjoying another evening with the Goldmans, knowing you’ll find them just as funny the second time around.

Beau Jest runs weekends through Sat., June 14. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. for Sunday matinees. Admission is $20 general, $17 for seniors (65+) and students, and $12 for children 12 years and under.

The Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Free parking is available in city lots. Restaurants on Sierra Madre Boulevard and Baldwin Avenue offer pre-theater dining for every taste. For reservations or more information, phone (626) 256-3809, or visit the website, www.sierramadreplayhouse.org, for information or for online credit-card sales. Photos by Ward Calaway Photos 1 and 3, Meg Wolf, Travis Nefores Photo 2, Howard Krupnick

City Stuff

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Official City Website

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5/13/08 City Council Closed and Regular Meeting Agendas

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The Wistaria Vine Online

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Pool Schedule/Aquatics

(5/14/08) Long Term Care to be Subject of June 3rd Kiwanis Meeting Program Attend the Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club luncheon meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, to learn how to "Own Your Future" with Long Term Care Awareness. The Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club meets at The Masonic Hall at 33 W Sierra Madre Blvd at noon. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to (626) 355-3656. If you would like to join the Kiwanians for lunch, it’s just $10 per guest and is catered by Lozano’s, or simply come for the program.

(5/14/08) Weight Loss Challenge to be Held at Rec Center

Sierra Madre's very own Biggest Loser Competition, the Weight Loss Challenge, is a friendly and fun competition with a bonus cash incentive. The 12-week program will put your dieting mysteries to an end, and the health-based curriculum will make losing weight fun. The health topics will include, proper daily nutrition, daily eating habits, healthy grocery shopping and guidelines for eating out.

Hosting a WLC in Sierra Madre is an effort to help the community to combat the growing obesity epidemic happening all across America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 percent of American kids are overweight and 65 percent of Americans age 20 and older are overweight. Obesity increases the risk of illness from 30 serious medical conditions that include heart disease, strokes, most forms of cancer, hypertension, sleep apnea and diabetes.

With poor health steadily increasing, health care costs have doubled from 1990 to 2001 and will contribute to the costs doubling again in 2012.

Participants are welcome to any weight loss method, but the contestants will gain guidance and tips for losing weight as well as the understanding of the basic principals that govern healthy weight loss will help boost their results. Contestants will be encouraged to implement their new knowledge to produce great weight loss results.

At the end of the 12-week program, the top three biggest losers will win a cash prize --- determined by percentage of body weight lost.