Center Stage

After capturing gold by coming in as "the first to adopt Christianity" and "the first in the 20th century to be subject to a systematic genocide," Armenians have long been overdue for another gold medal. Attaining silver in the category of literacy (99% rate), behind the Finns, Norwegians and the Danes (100%) has not satiated their innate desire for winning something. Recent attempts at striking gold in such categories as "the most oppressed people in history," "first to have raised the curtain of Communism," or the "gaudiest houses on the hills" have failed.

When Glendale resident Robert Pranski lost interest in pursuing accounting as a career, he decided to become an actor instead. The 71-year-old New York native starred in theater productions of musical comedies and comedy plays after attending acting school. After a 15-year acting stint in New York, Pranski married and moved to Glendale and landed various roles for the stage and television. His career on the West Coast lasted for a brief three years.

Newport nightlife is undergoing a metamorphosis. The social bar scene on the California Riviera formerly consisted of polar opposites. If you wanted to socialize over a drink at the bar and you were feeling flush, the Ritz or perhaps 21 Oceanfront beckoned. Old-world leather booths and a martini atmosphere defined the price of admission and the status of the clientele. On the other end of the spectrum, guys in Reyn Spooner shirts and blond beach babes in cotton shifts and sandals made their acquaintance at the American Legion Bar on the Peninsula or in hangouts like Malarky's or Corona del Mar's Quiet Woman.

Edgar Melik-Stepanyan Finally, finally, finally. Those were the only words that could come out of Sara Sun's mouth at the conclusion of Friday's girls' 500-yard freestyle event at the CIF Southern Section Division I final at the Belmont Plaza Pool. For the past year, the Crescenta Valley High sophomore thought, dreamed and talked about winning a CIF title. She thought she could win a crown in the 200 freestyle, but she finished second in the event, forcing her to wait another hour for a chance at capturing a championship.

Grant Gordon It took just one swing for Crescenta Valley High's Lauren Strangis to erase the ills of one bad pitch. Consequently, it took just one Strangis swing to ruin a previously stupendous day for Burbank High's Jillian Shafer. Strangis doubled under the outstretched glove of Burbank leftfielder Veronica De Los Santos in the bottom of the seventh inning to score two runs -- including the game-winner -- as Strangis and Crescenta Valley walked off with a 3-2 nonleague victory Thursday at Crescenta Valley High.

It's not just an evening of jazz, and it's not just an evening of classical music. It's not just a performance, and it's not just a panel discussion. It's Clazzical Notes, a free jazz outreach program sponsored by The Pasadena Symphony. And, as its title suggests, Clazzical Notes is a fusion of jazz, classical music, performance and discussion that has rapidly become a favorite of music lovers throughout Southern California. On Jan. 24, Clazzical Notes will return for the third time in the 2004-2005 season, to present "Meet the Sidemen" at Travis Auditorium on the campus of Fuller Theological Seminary, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The program, which has focused in the past on such instruments as the piano, flute, violin and voice, will highlight "sidemen" from the worlds of both jazz and classical music.

GRANT GORDON "Allow myself to introduce ... myself." -- Austin Powers You're likely asking yourself, "Who is this guy?" When, why and how did this rotund, yet devilishly handsome young man come to find our neck of the woods. Particularly, who does he think he is, prognosticating the misfortune of the majority of the area's football contingent? Forgive me, I'm new, we've got to get to know each other. Chances are, if you already know who I am, it's not because of anything good.

Erik Boal During the next two weeks, more than 70 baseball and softball games in six divisions will be contested at eight locations. That type of chaotic schedule can only mean one thing -- it's time for the Little League District 16 Tri-Cities Tournaments. Beginning with four contests Monday, more than 700 8- to 14-year-old boys and girls will take to diamonds in Glendale, La Crescenta, Montrose and Tujunga, all bidding to capture a championship in their respective divisions.

Lisa Dupuy "Guys and Dolls" has been called the quintessential Broadway musical. And for good reason -- the plot is rich, the characters colorful and the songs sublime. Glendale Centre Theatre provides a remake that is entertaining and lively. Yet with all remakes, one can't help but notice the shortcomings. The plot revolves around Nathan Detroit, organizer of the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York, who bets fellow gambler Sky Masterson that he can't make Miss Sarah Brown, a pure-at-heart Salvation Army-type reformer, fly off to Havana with him. Nathan has problems of his own with his fiancee of 14 years, Miss Adelaide.

Darleene Barrientos It's been dirty, it's been tattered and it's been burned, but Americans still see Old Glory as a symbol of patriotism and freedom. The flag will move from its usual position on the sidelines to center stage Friday during the 13th annual Flag Day luncheon, sponsored by the Citizenship and Patriotism Committee of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Glendale. "It's a day that was set aside to honor our flag, and we use it also to honor our military," said Judee Kendall, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, "and to recognize people who are true patriots, someone who honors the flag and supports the military and is a good citizen."