The Valley Line

The early “June Gloom” was welcomed by Fiesta Days parade participants and watchers last Monday. The gloom did finally wear off and the sun peeped out, but certainly not as hot as it has been in past parades.

I had a different “take” on the parade this year because I was riding IN the parade, perched atop the back seat of an adorable 1951 MG, courtesy of Mike Nichols who owns the car, and the La Cañada Junior Women’s Club who is celebrating its 40th year in the community. Karen Nichols, Mike’s wife, is one of those energetic Juniors.

Mike’s ’51 cream colored MG TD Roadster, with its red leather seats, was making its maiden parade voyage down Foothill Boulevard on Monday. Mike refers to this beauty of a car as a “her.” To be precise, her name is Midge.

The best part of this story is that Midge is Mike’s first car and he bought her when he was 17 years old. Over the years Midge has spent most of her time languishing in the garage of the various houses where Mike has lived.

But a few years ago he began paying more attention to this classic beauty and she is responding well to the special care he has been giving her. Of course Mike and Karen absolutely adore their own daughters, Remi and Drew, but little Midge will always be the family’s “First Girl.”

Thank you Mike, Karen and the La Cañada Junior Women’s Club for such a fun day Monday — I had a grand time! Oh, yes — Midge you are a bee-U-tiful girl car and your debut was quite spectacular.

OK, now getting back to some more news of LCF happenings. Lifelong LCF resident Julie Pejsa and relative community newcomer Lee Chumo, were mannequins in the 71st Las Floristas Headdress Ball recently held in the Crystal Ballroom of the historic Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The always well attended evening was themed, “An Affair to Remember.” More than $350,000 was raised for Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Over the years Las Floristas has raised multi millions of dollars for Rancho and have positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of children.

The ball was chaired by Barbara Gaylord with co-chairs Marni Bernstein and Jeri Goldstein. Assistant ball chair was Jill Cross. Julie Pejsa is ball chair elect and next year will be putting on the “big show.”