Summertime...And The Listening Is Easy

Maestra Rachel Worby

Not just June is Bustin’ Out All Over when we celebrate Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer. As fall rapidly approaches and, with it, a return to our usual hectic, crammed workaday schedules and obligations, join us as we explore the distinctive allure and evocative sounds of marvelous, magical Summertime…when the livin’—and listening—is easy. Discover how generations of composers—from Haydn and Vivaldi to Prokofiev, Piazzola and Michel Legrand— have paid tribute to this most special season.

All of us hold fond memories of summers past—some even as far back as The Summer of ’42. Why not add yet another, A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a beautiful, moonlight-dappled garden, surrounded by the stars and a galaxy of great medleys? This concert is a ‘keeper’—one to replay in your heart for years to come.
The Pasadena POPS season at Descanso Gardens is sponsored by Rusnak Audi Pasadena and Bentley Pasadena, part of the Rusnak Auto Group.
For more information, call (626) 793-7172, or visit www.theorchestras.org.

Special Preview of the New 2009
Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé

On Thursday, September 11th, 2008 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Pasadena invited VIP clients to an exclusive evening under the stars at the Maguire Gardens in Los Angeles, California to showcase the much-anticipated 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé. The elegance of the evening was complemented with performances by The Orchestra of Pasadena and the Pasadena POPS.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé marries cutting-edge technology with a beautifully proportioned, muscular body that exudes power and style. Instantly recognizable, the Phantom Coupé embodies a modern, dynamic spirit while retaining the confidence and grandeur that has characterized Rolls-Royce motor cars for more than a century. Crafted by hand, it offers an unparalleled blend of modern amenities with classical craftsmanship.
For more information, visit or call our Experienced Sales Associates at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Pasadena, 297 West Colorado Blvd. Pasadena (888) 238-8976.

Rusnak Jaguar Uncorked

The 3rd Annual Sierra Madre Wine and Jazz Walk benefiting City of Hope kicked of on Friday, September 12th, 2008 at the San Antonio Winery / Riboli Family Vineyards at their historical winery in Los Angeles. It was an evening of Jazz; Wine tasting and abundant hors d'oeuvres. Rusnak Jaguar was the valet sponsor who also showcased two of their new state of the art Jaguars on the red carpet.

Rolls Royce Motor Cars Pasadena
Supports John Williams Gala

Not everyone can have Hollywood’s greatest living composer provide music at a gala in their honor, but that’s what happened when The Orchestras of Pasadena honored James F. McNulty, Chairman of Parsons Corporation, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008.
“John Williams Conducts John Williams” with Williams conducting The Orchestras of Pasadena in a concert of his own “Music That Made The Movies” was the centerpiece of a sparkling evening at the beautiful Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena.
Attendees enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres on the Ambassador Plaza that was accented by huge white fabric balloons floating in reflecting pools before the concert began. As a nod to Williams’ longtime association with the Star Wars film saga, white-armored Storm Troopers guarded Ambassador’s entrances. Star Wars robot R2D2 became the center of attention as guests entered the gala grounds – with many stopping to get their picture taken with the diminutive movie icon as he scurried around, squeaking and beeping in his own language.
More than 400 students from Pasadena Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, and those participating in The Orchestras’ Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra and Side By Side music education programs attended the concert along with their parents. Some of these students traveled from North San Diego County and from the San Fernando Valley to participate in the gala.
The night honored McNulty, who has served as Parsons’ Chairman of the Board since 1998 following his being named Chief Executive Officer in 1996. In addition to his responsibilities at Parsons, McNulty is a longtime supporter of The Pasadena POPS, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, United Way, and numerous Pasadena and Los Angeles civic and philanthropic activities. He is also a Trustee of The Linsly School, his high school alma mater in Wheeling, West Virginia, and is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the California Science Center and the Los Angeles Sports Council. He is the past Chairman of Town Hall Los Angeles and previous member of the Board of Trustees of Pomona College.

Ron Taylor, GM Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Pasadena, and wife Sharon.

McNulty’s accomplishments were noted in an onstage tribute before the concert when Rachael Worby, Music Director of The Pasadena POPS, introduced Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who presented the guest of honor with framed remarks Schiff had made about McNulty on the floor of the House of Representatives that are now part of the Congressional Record.
Following the McNulty tribute, TV producer Norman Lear (All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons and other TV classics) joined Ms. Worby onstage to accept $62,000 in on-the-spot donations by concertgoers. Lear, a longtime friend, also introduced John Williams with his characteristic charm and humor.
The concert was a rare opportunity to hear a master composer conduct his own works that will surely become classics for future generations. Williams, 76, conducted with vigor and nuance to pull out top performances of Bugler’s Dream/Olympic Fanfare and Theme (from the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles); excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind; three pieces from Harry Potter, “Hedwig’s Theme,” “Nimbus 2000,” and “Harry’s Wondrous World”; “Sayuri’s Theme” from Memoirs of a Geisha; two pieces from Indiana Jones, “The Adventures of Mutt” and “Raiders March”; the moving theme from Schindler’s List with a breath-taking performance by Aimee Kreston, Concertmaster of The Orchestras of Pasadena; and “Adventures on Earth” from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. The encore featuring the rarely heard “Miriam’s Theme” from Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and, of course, a rousing selection from Star Wars to close the concert with the last of five standing ovations as the audience called for even more. Following the concert, more than 250 invited guests attended dinner held on the Ambassador Plaza. Guests were seated at tables named after films for which Williams wrote soundtracks – for example, Empire of the Sun, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and many others. The dinner, presented by the Smith Brothers Restaurant Group and Parkway Grill, featured a first course of Avocado Crown with Soft Lettuce and Beet Chip, the entrée of Filet Mignon with Asparagus Puree, Fingerling Potatoes, Blistered Tomatoes, Caramelized Onion and Baby Broccoli Florets, and Butterscotch Pudding and Ginger Cookie for dessert. “John Williams Conducts John Williams,” a gala concert benefiting The Orchestras of Pasadena, was sponsored by Parsons Corporation, Unified Grocers, Rusnak, Rolls Royce, Tiffany & Co., Wells Fargo Bank, Forest Glen Wines, Del Rey Marketing, Utility Trailers, the Capital Group Companies, Ernst & Young, The Henry Wine Group, the Smith Brothers Restaurant Corporation, Arroyo Chop House, Crocodile Cafe, Parkway Grill, Smitty’s Grill, Vibrato Grill, Trader Joe’s.
For information regarding the upcoming 2008-09 concert season by The Pasadena Symphony and The Pasadena POPS at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium, call (626) 793-7172 or visit www.theorchestras.org.

Rusnak Audi A4 Launch and Presents
“Keys To Success: College Launch”

“Keys to Success”, an event presented by Rusnak Audi A4 and hosted by College Launch Inc., was held on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 267 West Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. Proceeds generated from a silent auction benefited The La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation (LCFEF) and providing tips and advice about the College Interview Process were 2 of the main goals programmed to benefit the community-but there were more.
Approximately 500 students and parents, professionals and community supporters filled seats with many standing, and applauding as the opening singer Judy Tran, senior in the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, kicked off the evening. Free to the public, the innovative and educational event highlighted the importance image improvement improving interview skills of student success by . The Master of Ceremonies Steve Watson, actor of Monster House, an HGTV show, introduced each segment: dress for success, a college interview panel, and fall fashion show. Rusnak’s “Keys to Success” also featured an exciting silent auction that raised over a thousand dollars with 100% of the proceeds benefiting La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation. Scarlet Tea catered food and refreshments while TeaZazz provided healthy tea drinks.

“The transformation was noticeable as the student models selected from different schools became more confident and beautiful through the interviewing and styling process,” said Tammy Huang-Anacleto, president of College Launch. “The interview panel gave students valuable practice and feedback for future interviews.”
The interview panel included 2008 USA Olympic Team Men’s Water Polo coach Terry Schroeder (who took the team to win the silver medal at the recent Beijing Olympics), 2008 Miss California International Hilary Gushwa, Cal Tech Associate Dr. Richard King, Harvard University Alumni and Interviewer Joao Huang-Anacleto, and “Young and The Restless” Actress Denice Duff conducted mock interviewers with students on stage.
The feedback panel included notable author Carol Soucek-King, Edison Former Director Gil Tam and Pasadena Human Relations Committee Nat Nedar.
“Tammy and Joao Huang-Anacleto, the founders of College Launch have a fresh approach to education, and Rusnak has always believed in pursuing excellence in education,” said Liz Rusnak Arizmendi, Rusnak Auto Group's Vice President of Public Relations. “There was a lot of excitement at this unique event.”
She added that Rusnak has supported the LCFEF for more than a decade, with 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction benefiting the Educational Foundation.
Meanwhile, featured in the backdrop was the launch of the ‘entirely new’ Audi A4. “This was launch synergy and it made a lot of sense,” said Mike Bradford, Rusnak Audi's General Manager. “Our Audi product line is for students and parents; this is the hottest product line in the industry. The A4 is sleek, economical, hip and glitzy for students and their parents. The car is more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, but it's also more powerful. It's a perfect car for a student to go back to school.”
In addition, the business community was delighted with their opportunity to participate in an event that would benefit students. A fashion show featuring college and professional wear was assembled by Frockx and Sasan, with professional hair and make-up styling from The Beauty Lounge. Models were chosen by the William Adrian Agency. The Bell Gardens High School Dance Team rounded out the evening “Keys to Success”.
Deborah Weirick, president of the LCFEF, was energized about the benefits provided to the community.. “We are very appreciative to Liz and the Rusnak Auto Group for all she does for the entire community,” Weirick said. “We are committed to helping kids, and College Launch is obviously committed to doing the same. Our families got to know about College Launch; it will be another resource available to them. We are all on the same page; we believe in this mission.”

New Porsche 2009 911® Launch

On Wednesday September 24, Porsche Pasadena presented the New 2009 Porsche 911 Launch.
2009 911 U.S. pricing starts at $75,600 for the Carrera Coupe, $86,200 for the Carrera Cabriolet and the Carrera S Coupe, and the Carrera S Cabriolet is $96,800.

Four new 911 models go on sale in September in North America - the 911 Carrera Coupe, 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 911 Carrera S Coupe, and 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. All offer a higher level of performance thanks to their all-new flat-six engines displacing 3.6 and 3.8 liters respectively. And for the first time in a Porsche sports car, engines utilize direct fuel injection (DFI) and can be coupled with the new optional 7-speed double-clutch gearbox Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), racing inspired technology and a Porsche first. The result of these new technologies allows Porsche to once again boost performance of the 911, yet improve fuel efficiency by up to 13 percent as measured in the European driving cycle.

Exterior enhancements of the new 911 stand out clearly through innovations in design and technology. The refined front bumper has larger air intakes which signal an increase in power and the newly designed dual-arm exterior mirrors give a larger field of vision to the rear of the car. LED daytime driving lights and bi-xenon headlights will be standard on all new models, as well as LED tail and brake lights. This gives the 911 an even more distinctive style and a truly unique look from the front and rear. As a further option, Porsche now also offers Dynamic Cornering Lights on all models. In Porsche fashion, these new refinements do not change the drag coefficient of the 911 as it stays at a remarkable 0.29.

For more information, visit or call our Experienced Sales Associates at Rusnak Porsche Pasadena, 325 West Colorado Blvd. Pasadena (866) 452-1557 or Rusnak Porsche Westlake at 3832 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks (866) 453-5856.

Pasadena Ronald McDonald House
Hosts Fourth Annual Benefit

On Saturday, September 27, The Pasadena Ronald McDonald House® (PRMH) hosted its fourth annual “Shine” gala in the theme of nostalgic Americana, a throwback to simpler times. The event featured classic American food, scotch tasting and live entertainment including a jazz ensemble, barbershop quartet and the horn section of the USC band. A silent and live auction, included a private Laker game suite at The Staples Center and a seven night Alaskan cruise.
In addition, four San Gabriel Valley residents and organizations were recognized for their dedication and support to the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House. The honorees included Pediatric Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon Khaled Tawansy M.D., who provided medical assistance to about 25% of the patients that reside at the PRMH, Gale Kohl, Shine honorary chairperson, outgoing Board President Liz Vail and the National Charity League of Pasadena and San Marino.
Sponsors for the 4th annual Shine gala included Huntington Hospital, THE Magazine, Sharp Seating, Rusnak Automotive Group and the San Antonio Winery.
Money raised during the “Shine on Harvest Moon” gala benefited the PRMH, a low-cost residence for families of seriously ill children, which is conveniently located across the street from Huntington Memorial Hospital and adjacent to 19 medical centers. The Craftsman-style residence offers accommodations for up to 10 families.
For more information, please contact the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, 763 South Pasadena Avenue, Pasadena, California 91105, or call (626) 585-1588.

Caruso Cocktail Reception at the Americana

Distinguished Speaker Series

On Wednesday, October 29th, Distinguished Speakers Series of Southern California will present Thomas Friedman. Thomas Friedman the three-time Pulitzer Prize-winner is one of the world’s preeminent commentators on international affairs. When events in this nation and abroad seem too menacing to comprehend, the American public looks to him for the straight talk and reliable information we need. He has traveled the globe reporting on the Middle East conflict, the end of the cold war, U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy, international economics, and the impact of the worldwide terrorist threat. His foreign affairs column, which appears twice a week in the New York Times, is syndicated to seven hundred newspapers worldwide. His best selling books include: Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11, and The World is Flat. Rusnak Mercedes-Benz has been a proud sponsor of the Distinguished Speakers Series for the past 8 years. To purchase your season tickets, please visit them online at www.speakersla.com or call Kathy Winterhalder at (310) 546-6222.

Women’s Council of Verdugo Hills
Hospital and Foundation

On Saturday, November 1st, 2008 The Women’s Council of Verdugo Hills Hospital and Foundation will host with great excitement their annual fundraiser, “The Main Event…Dreams of Fall”. The event will be held at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in Glendale. The main event begins at 6:00pm with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a fabulous silent auction. A four-course dinner follows at 7:30pm with a special live auction. After dinner, the band, “Title Wave,” will provide the entertainment for dancing. Rusnak Jaguar and Bentley Pasadena will sponsor the valet parking.
For more information, please contact the Verdugo Hills Hospital Women’s Council at (818) 952-2228.

Raffle Benefiting Five Acres

From The Rusnak Mailbox

Numerous letters of gratitude were received this month. Here are a couple we would like to share with you.

We start off this month’s mail with a wonderful letter to The Rusnak Auto Group:

Dear Mr. Rusnak,

Thank you so much for your in-kind gift to the Women's Council of Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation. We are extremely grateful.
Your gift of 2 tables of 10 for 9-7-08 Pasadena Pops concert, received on Saturday, July 26, 2008 for auction at the Women's Council Summer Party, truly helped make a event something special. As you know, all gifts and donations to our non-profit hospital enable us to provide the best in services and care to our community.
It is a privilege to serve our neighbors who live and work in the Foothill communities. behalf of our Board members, physicians, staff, and, most importantly, our patients, thank you for your support.

Warm regards,

Margaret Anne Kean
President

Jennifer Berger
Director of Annual Giving & Special Events

Dear Liz,

I didn’t get a chance to say hello at the Five Acres golf kick-off last night. It is important for me to tell you how important your involvement with Five Acres means to me, our group and all the kids and families of Five Acres. Your generosity and support is over whelming. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Pamela Scott
Board Member
Five Acres

Dear Ron Taylor,

On behalf of David Collett and me, we sincerely thank you for the invitation to the September 11, 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom presentation. The unveiling of the new Phantom Coupe was impressive and superbly done. Your attention at the affair to detail, i.e., food, service and music was par excellence. We find you charming and a gracious hostess.
I look forward to seeing you and to be of service to the Rusnak Auto Group.

Cordially,
L. J. Giovannini
Director
Tailoring Giovannini
Beverly Hills, CA

Hello Mike Bradford!

I hope you had a fabulous and restful weekend! I thoroughly enjoyed the College Launch event, and thought it was a great success! Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of it!

Hope to hear from you soon! Thanks.

Hilary Gushwa
Miss California International 2009

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