Joyce Rudolph
The Brandview Collection was filled with beautiful music Friday night.
Operatic, classical and show tunes were the perfect topper for an evening
of socializing and dining at the third annual Festa Italiana.
Co-chairwoman Mary Wight and Mary Lou Bacino organized the musical
gala sponsored by the Women's Committee of the Glendale Symphony
Orchestra Association.
Capturing thunderous applause from the 100-plus attending were Don
Domenico, world-renowned tenor, and Anna Coombs accompanied by Holli Addy
on piano. Domenico and Coombs were delightful, alternating singing
together and apart.
Following a social hour that touted tasty hors d'ouvres and background
music by keyboardist Rush Robinson, was a gourmet dinner. A mixed green
salad was the overture for either Chateaubiand or salmon, rosemary
potatoes, melange of vegetables and a superb roulade for dessert.
Beverly Morrow, Women's Committee president, was sitting with her
husband, Fred, and their table mates Joyce and Joe Ayvazi, Pat and Harry
Missakian, their son Craig, Aurora Steuer and Marianne Abdulian.
Joyce Ayvazi is a past president of the Women's Committee and is
planning the group's annual Wassail Bowl party. The Preludes, a branch
group of the Women's Committee made up of teenage girls, will serve
refreshments. Joyce says its the kickoff for the holiday season for the
Women's Committee.
Phyllis Kenney, the News-Press' 1999 Woman of Achievement, was sitting
with Helen and Tom Stafford, Mickey Burbank, Doris and Frank Guerin, Hedy
Hedback, Mary Minder and Bea and Jim Reynolds.
Sitting with member Dorothy Powell and her husband, Bob, were Fred and
Mary Margaret Smith, Bob and Rita Burns and JoAnn and Tony Grimaldi.
At Mary and Paul Wight's table were Mary's brothers, Joe and Tom
Sorrentino, Donald and Mary Jay and Deenie, Madeline and Sonny Sardo.
Helping on the committee were Joyce Ayvazi, Shirley Darling, JoAnn
Grimaldi, Kay and Walter Hunt, Mary Alice Johnson, Dorothy Powell, Bob
and Rita Burns, Lois Frederick, May Haven, Lucille Mellon and Audrey and
Fred Packard. Shelley Detweiller designed the invitation. Lucille Mellon
and Jane Whitaker secured the opportunity prizes.
Top prize winners were Harold Singer, who received a round-trip ticket
for two to Las Vegas along with $200 in cash; Ed Van Tura, already
planning his stay at the Ramada Express in Laughlin, Nev.; and Vartan
Markarian, who now has seats for four at any choice of performances at
The Alex Theatre.
