Plaza attracts a sea of eateries and eaters

The calypso music alighted from the Perkins Plaza and Atrium to the streets around it Friday evening at the fourth annual Summer Night on the Plaza.

"It's, well, summery — bright colors, good music, just really relaxing," said Julie Shermer, the event's organizer.

With beachside scene items and tropical fish decals abounding, the plaza in front of the Glendale Civic Center had a Caribbean feel.

The three-man band Trinidadio provided the Caribbean-influenced tunes on steel drums, congas and guitar.

"There's some dancing going on," band leader Fab Rogis said.

The best part of the event, many participants said, was the food and atmosphere.

"Oh, beautiful," said Glendale resident Roseanne Ragus, 58. "It's a wonderful way to enjoy a Friday evening."

Local eateries catered their choice of dishes for the nearly 400 people who came out to enjoy the evening. Participating eateries included Art's Bakery, Billy's Deli, C&C Internet Café, California Pizza Kitchen, Carousel Restaurant, Flor de Café Bakery, Mignon Chocolate, Minx Restaurant & Lounge, Nestle Ice Cream, Olive Garden and Starbucks Coffee.

Starbucks employee Jason Fischer was working the crowd with a coffee-dispensing backpack with a hose running out of it — pumping gallons of hot brewed coffee from a pressurized chamber.

"This is what we in the industry call a Mercury Man," Fischer said.

Several people were wowed by the mobile barista.

"This is the coolest thing I've ever seen," said Pasadena resident Pam Ragus, 44. "He just serves coffee off his back."

Besides the music and food, the event showcased various items in a silent auction and a photo contest.

Auction items included tickets to Dodger games and Pasadena Symphony performances, gift baskets and gift certificates and various DVDs. The showcase item, though, was an electric scooter with a $300 minimum bid.

The "I Love My Hometown" photo contest had about 55 entries featuring shots from various spots in La Crescenta, Montrose and Glendale.

Last year's photo contest winner was an 87-year-old Glendale resident, Shermer said, but this year has a front-runner in 8-year-old Bryce Bunkofske.

"I took the picture because I wanted to enter the contest," Bryce said. "And I took it why? Because I wanted to win."