Love was in the air Friday afternoon at the South Pasadena Senior Center.
Plenty of red and white was sprinkled about the dining area as a full house of seniors enjoyed a Valentine’s Day luncheon sponsored by the South Pasadena Rotary Club.
Chicken stuffed with ham and mozzarella, creamy mashed potatoes, mixed green salad and colorful cupcakes were served by Rotary members and dignitaries.
Entertainment was provided by Composers Duo, singing love songs from the 30’s and 40’s.
Liliana Torres, who heads the Senior Center, joined Marcelle Sellers from the Rotary in welcoming guests. About a dozen Rotarians were on hand to serve the seniors.
Previous Luncheon: Chinese New Year
A large gathering dined on Chinese delicacies Friday, February 7, as the South Pasadena Chinese American Club presented it annual Chinese New Year celebration at the War Memorial Building.
“Happy Chinese New Year, Gong hay Fat Choy,” exclaimed South Pasadena City Mayor Robert Joe, enjoying an array of lunch items before Chinese dancers performed in colorful outfits.
During his brief remarks, Joe said Lunar New Year is the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar.
2020 is the Year of the Rat, the first of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, as explained by Chinesenewyear.net, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first.
Rat is the first in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. The Years of the Rat include 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032…
Though the rat may not be considered adorable, in the eyes of the Chinese, it has characteristics of an animal with spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, flexibility and vitality.
Joe values Chinese New Year as a time for family and friends to get together and wish each other good health, luck and prosperity, and much happiness throughout the coming year.
Following lunch, seated guests were entertained by dancers Christina Lui, Kit Wan and Daisy Feng; Annie Zhou playing the guzheng (Chinese plucked string instrument), and a performance by the South Pasadena orchestra ensemble.