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We move forward into the Pasadena
Wine & Food Society's 2001-2002 season in an altered world.
In one important sense, the enjoyment of wine and food in this post 9/11
era must take a back-seat to the security of a safe and close family.
But in another sense, the quiet pleasure of being at table, surrounded
by friends, can offer a valuable respite to the stress of the day. I count
you all as my friends, and I look forward to our opportunities to congregate
and dine.
We all were pleased with the four events of the past season. I am equally
pleased to be able to thank the Dinner Chairmen of those events: Norm
Blank started us off well at Le Dome in Hollywood. The evening concluded
with the highlight of the meal, Norm's donated case of an elegant,
honeyed 1961 Chateau Climens Barsac from Sauternes. Chuck Livingstone
insisted he could get our group into a newly-renovated (and usually
fully-booked) Patina on Melrose in Los Angeles. He delivered a gorgeous
meal with a cool, understated panache. Ken McCormick organized a tutta
bene Italian meal at Drago in Santa Monica, not knowing that a group
of us would attempt to devour a two-foot wheel of parmigiano reggiano
inadvertently left near our table. Ken wasn't billed for the damage
we did. And then we concluded the season in grand style at the Hotel
Bel Air. Bob & Carmen Farmer and John & Joyce Penido chaired
a most gracious Spouses and Odd Lots dinner, invariably a fun event.
The evening won kudos from all those in attendance.
I must acknowledge
my fellow board members, who serve tirelessly on our behalf. Secretary/Treasurer
Tony Phillips, Wine Chairman/Director Bob Farmer and Directors John
Penido and Chuck Livingstone do much for the organization. (Note that
all four of these good gentlemen have decided that the $10,000 annual
honoraria taken from membership dues and paid out to each of them is
no longer sufficient. I'm not sure what
to do and am open to negotiation suggestions.)
This new season's line-up opens with a dinner in Pasadena's
back-yard: Restaurant Devon in Monrovia. We'll move on to the
California Club in February for a Spouses Valentine's Dinner.
Then, in March, we'll pop the corks on 7 bottles each of 1961
Latour and Lafite Rothschild at a special Tasting & Dinner. And
in April, we'll
venture downtown to Water Grill for some tastes of the sea.
I'm looking forward to it all.
Dave Felton
President
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