On the Town: Hospital throws gala in support of surgeons; Former mayor pens memoir

Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center hosted its 27th annual Evening of Wine and Roses attracting the beautiful people of Glendale, Pasadena and surrounding communities.

This past Sunday, Pasadena’s Langham Hotel was the glittering setting for the festivities. Event co-chairs Haig Youredjian, Larry Cimmarusti and Dr. Kathleen Dennis-Zarate put it all together.

A cocktail reception and silent auction kicked off the evening of dinner, live auction and entertainment, featuring cast members from ABC-TV’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Master of ceremonies was another TV star, Bill A. Jones from Fox TV’s “Glee.”

Foundation Chairman Vincent Hambright and President Jack Ivie welcomed the more that 500 supporters in their fancy tuxes and gowns.

Honored was Dr. Santo Polito, a cardiology surgeon for over 40 years at the hospital. He currently serves on the hospital’s foundation board of directors. His proud bride of 40 years, Joanne, said, “He’s just a very special man.”

According to Ivie, the evening’s expected proceeds of between $300,000 and $400,000 will support new technology for surgeons.

Glendale Memorial is among the top 10% of U.S. hospitals for general surgery. Last year, 5,000 surgeries were performed in eight surgery suites.

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Former Glendale Mayor Eileen Givens didn’t let her retirement from civic leadership last long. For three years, she’s been writing” I Baked a Cake for Ike and Mamie!,” an informal memoir made up of her grandmother’s letters to friends and family describing people and politics in the Eisenhower administration during the ‘50s.

In front of an audience of some 50 book lovers at the Glendale Central Library last Wednesday, Givens explained that she wasn’t the one who baked the cake. She was too young. The baker was her grandmother Mabel McKay, who gave her specialty, an angel food cake, to President Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower and wife, Mamie, for their 38th wedding anniversary. McKay recalled Ike as “always so cute and friendly.”

In the meantime, Givens’ grandfather Doug McKay was busy as Secretary of the Interior from 1953-1956. Givens’ fondest childhood wish was to “grow up to be like my grandfather.” She admired that he kept his own values.

During a brief question-and-answer session following Givens’ remarks and photo presentation, Givens assured that she “didn’t inherit Granny’s cooking ability.”

The evening ended with a book signing. Givens’ book may be purchased on Amazon.

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“An Unexpected Culinary Experience from Bourbon Steak and Lincoln Motor Co.” That was the subject line of lucky emails announcing the latest news from Americana at Brand. What that translates to is an evening of test-driving a 2015 Lincoln and eating a complimentary three-course dinner created by Chef Joseph Conrad at Americana’s Bourbon Steak.

On a recent balmy evening at the Americana, about 175 steak-loving drivers turned up to enjoy being treated like a king or queen as they were whisked around the block by product specialist Stephen Gilbert in a brand-new Lincoln.

Glendale resident Kim Petty was all smiles after her ride in a shiny, black 2015 MKC — a compact crossover. “What a nice car. I’m a Ford person,” she said. Her husband, Danny McIntyre, also along for the ride, agreed.

The couple was then escorted to a dining table in Bourbon Steak, collaborating with the Lincoln Motor Co. for the evening. Entre choices were wood-grilled bavette steak, oak-fired King salmon or gnocchi Parisienne. Wine allowed the rich dinner to go down easily. Dessert was a chocolate custard bar with a thin, round chocolate disc imprinted with the Lincoln emblem, natch.

Busy waiter and Burbank resident P.J. King made his diners happy.

Americana shoppers, check your email for another chance to release your inner foodie.

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RUTH SOWBY RANDS may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.