National Anthem

Minutes before Glendale resident Montana Tsai was due to sing the national anthem before thousands of people at Dodger Stadium, the 15-year-old was all smiles. Montana’s mother, Lisa Wong Tsai — who stood nearby quietly preparing her video camera — admitted that she was probably more nervous than her daughter. “But I have a little secret,” Montana said, giggling. “When I’m nervous, I smile and laugh a lot.” A sophomore at Glendale Adventist Academy, Montana was tapped by the Dodgers to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Tuesday night in conjunction with the organization’s annual Chinese American Community Night, said event organizer Mike Gin, a member of the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles.

Eight-year-old Dana Ryan has never had a problem performing with people watching. All eyes will be on Dana at Friday night’s Crescenta Valley High School boys’ basketball game. Dana will get the ball rolling at 7 p.m. by singing the national anthem before the game. “I’m not nervous at all. I am actually very excited,” said Dana, a second-grader at Mountain Avenue Elementary School in La Crescenta. Dana was approached to sing the national anthem for the Crescenta Valley basketball game after someone heard her singing at her grandfather’s funeral.

Glendale residents got to throw out the first pitch and sing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium Tuesday night as part of "City of Glendale Night" celebrated before the game between the Dodgers and Pirates. Jesse Martin, a member of the Glendale City Church, won a competition last week to represent the community in the singing the national anthem. Scott Akerley of Glenoaks Escrow got to throw out the first pitch for selling more than 300 tickets to the game.

I have enjoyed your coverage of the Fourth of July activities at Crescenta Valley High School. But I'm very disappointed to see no mention of the music presented by the vocal group In God We Trust. The group did an outstanding job of presenting traditional American songs of patriotism and honor to our country. The group also featured a trio that presented a three-part harmony of the National Anthem. This was the third year these people have presented an awesome and moving musical performance.

Claudia Peschiutta GLENDALE -- Fame comes at a cost -- many, many Dodger game tickets. Members of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce are competing to throw the first pitch and a chance to sing the national anthem on Glendale Dodger Night by selling tickets to the Sept. 6 game. The first pitch will go to the person who sells the most tickets to the game, in which the Dodgers will play the Pittsburgh Pirates. Contestants who sell at least 20 tickets by Aug. 28 will get to try out for the national anthem honors.

Last week, the Burbank Leader's front page photo showed a large group of Burbank High School students during ceremonies commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York's Twin Towers. A military color guard was present and the national anthem was being played, according to the story line (“Students remember, learn about the Sept. 11 attacks,” Sept. 10). One student in front of the group was holding her right hand over her heart. The student to her left may also have been doing the same, but her hand was obscured by the color guard.

When I found out a couple of months ago that I had been chosen by my employer to attend the Super Bowl, I felt honored. The trip is bestowed upon select dealers and employees the company believes has shown dedication and effort over the course of the year. For me personally, it was a chance to witness something that I have always held among the most emotional moments in all of sports — the playing of our national anthem before the Super Bowl. I am not talking about the song that is played before every baseball, hockey and basketball game, or the one played before high school assemblies.

On May 13, 2000, I attended the commencement services at Glendale Community College. It was a lovely ceremony and I was very impressed with the program as a whole. However, a major blight occurred during the program that horrified me. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the College Choir performed a beautiful arrangement of the "Star Spangled Banner." To my dismay, I was suddenly aware that only a small portion of the audience was standing, and that the VIPs on the podium had remained seated and were chatting among themselves.

What a splash the American Softub mixer was. Owner Todd Thornbury had one of the three viewable portable hot tubs demonstrating how relaxing they can be, (hydrotherapy for the mind and body), while the other two were demonstrating how sturdy the covers were for use as tables. You might want to ponder sneaking into the patio showroom located at 2520 B Foothill Blvd., turn on the serene music, relax with a glass of milk or bubbly, and see for yourself. Should you want to call first (suggested)

Paul Andersen, Weekend GLENDALE -- It's not often that a rock band will play a concert beginning at 7:15 in the morning. It's even less often that 20,000 fans are expected to be there to bask in the experience. The idea is not so farfetched in this case, where the group is legendary rockers John Kay and Steppenwolf and the audience is made up of bikers participating in the charity-driven Love Ride. Harley-Davidson of Glendale is the starting point for the 17th annual ride Nov. 12 that will culminate with a concert, barbecue and trade show at Castaic Lake.

Last week, the Burbank Leader's front page photo showed a large group of Burbank High School students during ceremonies commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York's Twin Towers. A military color guard was present and the national anthem was being played, according to the story line (“Students remember, learn about the Sept. 11 attacks,” Sept. 10). One student in front of the group was holding her right hand over her heart. The student to her left may also have been doing the same, but her hand was obscured by the color guard.

When I found out a couple of months ago that I had been chosen by my employer to attend the Super Bowl, I felt honored. The trip is bestowed upon select dealers and employees the company believes has shown dedication and effort over the course of the year. For me personally, it was a chance to witness something that I have always held among the most emotional moments in all of sports — the playing of our national anthem before the Super Bowl. I am not talking about the song that is played before every baseball, hockey and basketball game, or the one played before high school assemblies.

Eight-year-old Dana Ryan has never had a problem performing with people watching. All eyes will be on Dana at Friday night’s Crescenta Valley High School boys’ basketball game. Dana will get the ball rolling at 7 p.m. by singing the national anthem before the game. “I’m not nervous at all. I am actually very excited,” said Dana, a second-grader at Mountain Avenue Elementary School in La Crescenta. Dana was approached to sing the national anthem for the Crescenta Valley basketball game after someone heard her singing at her grandfather’s funeral.

More than 1,000 people at the Alex Theatre Wednesday celebrated the fifth anniversary of Glendale’s sisterhood with the little south Armenian mining town of Ghapan. The City Council vote in 2002 to confirm Ghapan, also known as Kapan, as Glendale’s fifth sister city was touted as a perfect match, considering this city’s sizable Armenian population and that city’s eagerness to form stronger ties with an established democracy. Since then, city officials and organizers said Wednesday, the relationship has proven fruitful in terms of material benefits to Ghapan and in providing Glendale Armenians a formal conduit through which they can help, learn about and stay connected to their heritage.

What a splash the American Softub mixer was. Owner Todd Thornbury had one of the three viewable portable hot tubs demonstrating how relaxing they can be, (hydrotherapy for the mind and body), while the other two were demonstrating how sturdy the covers were for use as tables. You might want to ponder sneaking into the patio showroom located at 2520 B Foothill Blvd., turn on the serene music, relax with a glass of milk or bubbly, and see for yourself. Should you want to call first (suggested)

Minutes before Glendale resident Montana Tsai was due to sing the national anthem before thousands of people at Dodger Stadium, the 15-year-old was all smiles. Montana’s mother, Lisa Wong Tsai — who stood nearby quietly preparing her video camera — admitted that she was probably more nervous than her daughter. “But I have a little secret,” Montana said, giggling. “When I’m nervous, I smile and laugh a lot.” A sophomore at Glendale Adventist Academy, Montana was tapped by the Dodgers to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Tuesday night in conjunction with the organization’s annual Chinese American Community Night, said event organizer Mike Gin, a member of the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles.

A mass of hungry people lined up under a lighted tent at KABC-TV studios on Sunday afternoon. The seventh annual Dreaming of Roses fundraising event featured Asian, Cuban, Mexican, American and Italian foods for ticket holders to sample to their stomachs' delight. Beer, wine, cheese, fruit platters, pastries and auction items were offered up to ticket holders to raise funds for Glendale's 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade float. Original artwork by painters such as Picasso and Salvador Dali were on the silent auction block as well as sports memorabilia and food and entertainment packages.

Lauren Masters Students at Marshall Elementary School had an unusual request of World War II veterans who visited their school Monday morning -- autographs. When each class had a chance to shake the veterans' hands, Argishti Stepanian, 10, pulled out a piece of paper and had the veterans sign their names before they left. "You've spoken to someone who 60 years ago fought in a war and could very well be the reason you're standing here," he said.

PATRONS CLUB EARNS $11,500 FOR STUDENTS A total of $11,500 was raised when the Patrons Club of Glendale Community College had its annual fund-raising luncheon at The Castaway in Burbank. Proceeds benefit scholar- ships and grants-in-aid, which provide financial assistance to students to purchase books or other needs. More than 250 people attended the event. President Betty Musacco welcomed the more than 250 people attending. First Vice President Pauline Richardson recited an invocation and led the flag salute.