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Welcome back! A year ago, this directory was produced
under the pall of the immediate aftermath of "9/11". Now, we
go to press with the very real potential of an escalation of war in the
Mideast. And once again, I note the comfort that can come from repairing
to a well-laden table, for food and drink among friends. It is the simple "gathering" traditions
of any culture or religion which can provide an important solace in our
lives.
I thought last year's four events were truly superb. Tim Alderson,
with an assist from John Glanville, had us quickly out of the gate with
our dinner at Restaurant Devon in Monrovia. I still salivate at the mention
of "sliced pears with blue cheese ice cream and caramel sauce".
Jim Caillouette and Norm Mitchell then took the reins and presented a
most elegant and romantic "Valentine's Supper" for members
and spouses (or special guests). We dined at the California Club, a la
Versailles, at a long single table lit by candlelight. Exquisite. Then
a group of us, including Alan Arora, Chuck Greaves and Joel Streng, organized
a fine Bordeaux tasting and dinner at Caltech's Athenaeum Club,
featuring guest speaker Joe Coulombe (the original Trader Joe). We tasted
a series of superlative bottles from the legendary 1961 vintage, including
Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Latour. We also were the recipients
of generous wine contributions for the tasting from members Paul Erskine
and Wes Webb. Finally, in an appropriate season-ending grande finale,
Chuck Livingstone and Chris Anthony chaired a wondrous dinner at Water
Grill. Many of the members noted that it was one of the best blendings
of food and wine in years. Everything clicked that night.
I received little feedback from the
membership last year about the annual honoraria ($10,000 each) given to
the four other members of your Board. Secretary/Treasurer Tony Phillips,
Wine Chairman Bob Farmer, Events Chairman Chuck Livingstone, and Director-at-Large
John Penido are all worthy gentlemen who put in a great deal of effort
on your behalf, but each have asked for $15,000 this year. Please let
me know what you think.
I trust you'll enjoy the 2002-2003 season,
as well. We begin with an evening at Valentino, as the special guests
of Proprietor Piero Selvaggio. One of the great restaurants in the country,
our Society has had a special bond with Valentino, having dined there
more than a half dozen times over the past thirty years. In February,
we'll
visit Napa Rose in Anaheim, a newer restaurant garnering a mammoth amount
of positive press. By late March, we'll be looking to learn a
bit more about some of the great red wines of the world in a planned
education tasting and dinner. And, in May, we conclude the season with
our Spouses Dinner, and event still in the planning stages.
A votre
sante.
Dave Felton
President
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