On Saturday the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club hosted its annual “90th and Better Birthday Celebration,” ensuring no resident of Pacific Palisades will turn 90 (or better) this year without a little fanfare, recognition and birthday cake.
In attendance were 45 Palisadians in their 90s, many accompanied by family. Ninety-year-old Dr. Robert LeLevier, a resident of the Palisades since 1957, spoke fondly of life in the Palisades and marked the birthday party as his “latest fondest memory.”
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
LeLevier advised younger generations to “go with the flow and be happy. Take a walk every day if you can.”
As for marriage advice, 93-year-old Clif Carlson, with his wife Joanne, 81, suggested couples “see everything as good” and acknowledged the importance of friendship and forgiveness.
Grace Gonzalez, a 90-year-old former costume designer with Warner Bros., first came to the party several years ago with her husband. “He would be 100 this year,” she said. “Now I’m celebrating myself.”
Also in attendance was published author, restaurateur and local celebrity Madame Sylvia Wu, who PPWC President Terri Lyman called an “iconic figure” and “one of the pioneers of Chinese cuisine in the U.S.” Madame Wu will turn 100 this year and recently received the 2014 Culinary Legacy Award from the Asia Society of Southern California.
Event organizer Fay Vahdani, owner of Luxe Homecare, said her passion for working with the elderly is inspired by her desire to “give back to society.”
The annual event is an extension of the PPWC’s aim “to make sure that our community continues to grow [and] continues to be the family-fun, friendly place that we all moved into,” Lyman said.
At the party, entertainer Jacqi Bowe dazzled the audience with her comedy. Keynote speaker Bill Bruns acknowledged the birthday celebrants’ lifetime accomplishments and longest marriages (Reuben and Blanche Rosloff at 70 years, and Bob and Mary Jacobson married for 65).
In addition to 99-year-old Wu, the oldest party-goers included Dr. Mohammad Hariri at 100, as well as Ann Manza and George Mitchell at 99.
Trivia prize baskets were donated by local businesses including Palisades Dermatology; Dr. Damon B. Raskin, M.D.; Pacific Palisades Dentistry; and CHEAR Physical Therapy. Matthew’s Garden Café donated pastas and salads, and frozen yogurt was provided by The Yogurt Shoppe.
Vahdani also thanked sponsors including, Atria Sunrise, Tivoli, Vittorio’s, Chez Mimi, Palisades Garden Café, Moku Sushi, Casa Nostra, Café Vida, Pinocchio, Taste, Kay ’n Dave’s, Beech Street Café, K Bakery, Coffee Bean, Balloon Celebration, Bellagio Nails & Spa and Black Ink.
See more photos of the 90th and Better Birthday Celebration on page 16.
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