Cornelia Connelly Award Winner Veronica Anorve and
Head of School Rita McBride.

On Sunday, June 9, the 77 members of Mayfield Senior School’s Class of 2013 stepped forth into the next chapter of their lives after receiving their diplomas at the school’s 75th commencement ceremony.

More than 1,000 guests gathered at the school’s Pasadena campus to celebrate the accomplishments of this group of poised young women, who were accepted to a total of 141 colleges and universities across the country.

Once again, 100 percent of students in Mayfield’s senior class were accepted to a four-year school, with graduates enrolled to attend 46 colleges this fall, including Harvard, M.I.T., Stanford, Notre Dame, and USC.

Founded in 1931, Mayfield Senior School is a college-preparatory, independent, Catholic school in Pasadena founded by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and dedicated to its motto, “Actions Not Words.”

The senior students in the Class of 2013 exemplify the seven core qualities of a Mayfield graduate: faith, intellect, integrity, reverence, justice, balance, and joy.

Graduates from the Class of 2013 and Mayfield Senior School
Head of School Rita McBride.

Among the graduates who received special recognition this year are: Veronica Anorve, who earned Mayfield’s highest award, the Cornelia Connelly Award, named for the foundress of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. This award is given each year to a senior student who best exemplifies the qualities of academic excellence, community service, and well-rounded interests that Cornelia Connelly espoused in her educational philosophy. Veronica, a talented musician who also won the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Christian Service award, will attend Stanford University in the fall.

Madeline Waller, a National Merit Scholar who will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology, not only received the Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Pike Award for achieving the highest academic average for four years, but also excelled as an athlete, breaking the school record for the pole vault this spring.

Senior class president Frances Patano gave the graduation speech. Frances has been active in the Mayfield Senior School Theatre Conservatory, and also received the school’s academic award for excellence in Latin and was named a National Merit Commended Scholar. She will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

The invited graduation speaker was Mayfield alumna Adia Gooden ’03, who received her B.A. degree in Psychology, Spanish, and African American studies from Stanford University. Gooden completed her M.A. and Ph.D. at DePaul University in clinical and community psychology. Her research focuses on prevention and intervention programs for urban youth and working to build and strengthen communities.

Mayfield Senior School’s peaceful, eight-acre campus in Pasadena overlooks the Arroyo Seco and features the historic Strub Hall mansion, designed by renowned architect Frederick Louis Roehrig.

In addition to the challenging college-prep curriculum, which includes 21 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, students can engage in a myriad of activities on campus, including participating in one of the school’s 21 competitive teams in 13 sports or participating in one of the eight cutting-edge Conservatory for the Arts programs.

That’s Toluca Lake’s own Kassandra Carroll as Marilyn Monroe in downtown Palm Springs recently at the 26 ft. tall statue of the icon. Carroll helped celebrate what would have been the star’s 87th birthday on June 1.

Little Pandas Xochitl and Itzel with Sifu Patty. Xochitl and Itzel’s father, Rufino, is also a Wing Chun Sifu.

Classes are available daily and cover many topics relevant to the school year such as classroom etiquette, anti-bullying, street safety, and social skills. All children are required to demonstrate increased focus, discipline, and control before they can earn their next “sash” (aka belt). The program also strengthens students’ physical skills, challenging them to develop better balance, coordination, and overall fitness. “Most of our kids are also involved in other extracurricular activities, so we want to improve their performance in those areas as well. Our curriculum really brings out the best in terms of lower body power, strength, and speed,” notes Nancy Tei, the school’s Program Director.

The school has always offered daily group classes, but has also recently expanded its private lesson offerings in response to increased demand for private martial arts training. Private lessons are particularly popular among non-local students, parents of special needs children, and professionals with erratic schedules. Most of the school’s group class students also partake in private sessions in order to play catch up or learn at an accelerated pace based on their individual needs and goals.

Helmed by Todd Shawn Tei, a world-renowned Wing Chun master with a lineage that connects him directly to Bruce Lee, the school will celebrate its 18th anniversary this summer. Tei recently certified two new Sifus, or masters: 17-year-old Patricia Whitehead, who has looked forward to this rare achievement since beginning her training at age 8, and Rufino Cuevas, whose two daughters, Xochitl and Itzel, are successful students in the Academy’s “Little Pandas” martial arts program for preschoolers.

For more information on California Academy of Martial Arts, visit http://www.kungfuwingchun.com.

Luca’s full bar.

Luca’s is conceptually driven by owner Baret Lepejian and is his “perfect” restaurant featuring the best of what he loves to eat. “I listened to the loyal Chez Nous customers and made sure to maintain the high quality of the in-house baked goods as well as to offer delicious, yet accessible breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus,” stated Lepejian.

Start your day with freshly baked, traditional French baked goods from long-time baker, Laurent Soulie, including to-die-for regular, almond, and chocolate croissants, brioche, and traditional French pastries including fresh tarts, Napoleons, and Éclairs. If you’re looking for a full American breakfast, try the delicious Frittata-style Omelets, Steak and Eggs, Breakfast Burrito, Short Stack, or French Toast.

Lunch features lovely salads like the Chopped Kale, Steak Salad or Nicoise, and hearty sandwiches like Luca’s Classic Cheese Burger or a Marinated Rib-eye Steak Sandwich. Luca’s Lunch Plates include Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Alaskan King Salmon, and Fish & Chips.

In the evening the lights dim and there are delicious options for whatever mood strikes your fancy! Straight ahead sushi-lovers can sit at Luca’s sushi bar or order off the menu in the dining room. Those looking for more traditional fare can enjoy American classics like Lobster Bisque, Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Cakes, and Wedge Salad. Luca’s raw and sushi menus feature the most pristine seafood including fresh oysters, sashimi, grilled octopus, classic sushi, and rolls. Whether ordering surf or turf, the ingredients speak for themselves.

Luca’s is located at 10550 Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake. For more information, please visit lucastolucalake.com.

4422 Bakman, Studio City, a 2BR+Den home for $699,000.

Saturday, June 15, is a special day as Tammy Jerome and her associates at Coldwater Banker will sponsor a neighborhood vendor’s fair at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. It’s sure to be a can’t-miss event – residents will get the opportunity to establish a face-to-face connection with local vendors in the Toluca Lake and Studio City communities.

Tammy Jerome firmly believes that knowing your neighborhood businesses is as important to your feelings of community and belonging as your residential connections. This event creates an opportunity for you to see new offers, techniques, and specialties on hand; take advantage of coupons and discounts; and try the products and services offered by the business owners there to share their wares and skills.

There will be a variety of great deals offered by merchants whose main goal is to get to know you and show what they can do for you as well. They’ve assembled a whole array of services: from an interior design or remodel firm, to a state-of-the-art security system. From a top-of-the-line appliances provider to all you’d like to know about your beloved pet. At this fair you’d not only get visual design ideas, but be able to connect with the vendors that can design it for you, bring you the materials for it, and build it, all in one stop.

10757 Hortense, Toluca Lake, a 3 BR Townhome for $330,000.

Vendors representing all facets of home improvements such as flooring, cabinets, room additions, and remodeling as well as local shops will take the time to offer ideas to personalize your next project and create new excitement and beauty for your home.

Tammy and her associates will make your time fun and productive: they’ll provide continental breakfast for you to enjoy while you peruse the vendors; and if you stay for the entire event, on June 15, at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, you’ll qualify to win an iPad Mini just for visiting and enjoying the conversation and offers customized for the visitors.

This is a great opportunity to see what this array of the cities’ merchants have to offer and you may meet some of your neighbors too … whether you’ve lived in the area for years or are a newbie, you’re sure to find something of interest at the fair.

Come on by June 15 from 10a—1p, at the Sportsmen’s Lodge located at 12825 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City.

But you must RSVP on the 24/7 voice mail lined up for you: (818) 487-5854.

I would venture to guess that you and I would probably agree more than disagree when it comes to politics. But there is one area that I have a hard time with no matter who says it, and that is when criticism of the Obama administration comes from a viewpoint that the GOP has astonishingly clean hands in all matters.

Thirteen consulates were attacked under the Bush administration with many fatalities, yet the GOP acts as if — only under Obama could such a thing happen. Did Obama lie in regards to what he knew or didn’t know? I don’t know. But I do know that Bush’s lies got us into a war where thousands have been killed, and no one is pushing to set that record straight.

The indiscretions of the IRS under the Bush administration were numerous from attacking the NAACP to Greenpeace to a church in Pasadena who criticized Bush going into Iraq. Does the GOP or Tea Party bring this up? Not that I’ve heard.

Wiretapping under the Bush administration became as easy as 1,2,3 under the guise of “National Security.” Does anyone really believe they NEVER used it for political gain?

Criticize the Obama administration. The fact that we can openly criticize our nation’s leaders is one of our country’s most valuable assets. But please don’t act as if the so-called Conservative Party’s collective feces has no aroma. Both parties need to be willing to step up to the plate and openly say “We really messed up,” though “messed” does seem a little mousy of a word for what’s been going on over the past several decades.

— Marilyn Moss

Artisanal-quality pizza has never been this fast or affordable. PizzaRev is located at 12103 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City. Call (818) 505-1748 to order your pie.

Last September construction banners were pulled back from the Ventura Boulevard windows of PizzaRev’s flagship location and a whole new way to enjoy pizza was revealed. The steady line of customers that would form out those now-opened doors over the next year is evidence of a mounting “PizzaRev-olution.”

“We chose the Studio City community for our flagship location because of its vibrant combination of community-minded residents and strong area businesses,” explains Irv Zuckerman, co-CEO of PizzaRev. “The enthusiastic reception we’ve received in Studio City has been overwhelming and we’re very appreciative.”

PizzaRev has rapidly grown to three Valley locations, with plans for many more throughout Southern California thanks to a newly announced partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.

For PizzaRev, the rave reviews can be traced to its signature “Roman-style” thin and crispy customizable pizzas.

Starting with PizzaRev’s original homemade dough, guests are empowered to craft their own custom pizza, choosing their favorites from an impressive menu of flavorful sauces, premium cheeses, and 30+ fresh toppings in any combination for under $8.

Once crafted, your pizza is placed in PizzaRev’s state of the art open-flame stone-hearth oven, where temperatures can exceed 900 degrees, and is served piping hot in about three minutes. Artisanal-quality pizza has never been this fast or affordable.

“Our goal is to serve the best pizza around,” says Zuckerman, “and from flour to fire, we compromise nothing to achieve it.”

Find out more about PIzzaRev at www.pizzarev.com.

(BPT) – Mark knew he wanted to marry his girlfriend, Stacy, but he didn’t know how to pop the question. The proposal had to be memorable, unique, and meaningful for just the two of them. A cozy picnic on their favorite beach, surrounded by soft sand and cresting waves sounded perfect. Mark just needed that one final detail to make saying “I do” irresistible.

Mark decided to ask his friend Travis, a store manager at Things Remembered in Clovis, California for ideas. Mark told Travis about his beach proposal. As soon as he mentioned his girlfriend’s love of wine, Travis suggested, “Bring in a bottle of her favorite vintage and we’ll engrave: ‘Stacy, Will You Marry Me?’ on it. When she says ‘yes,’ fill it with sand from the beach as a keepsake.”

As details for the upcoming nuptials were set, Mark and Stacy added an engraved wine charm displaying their wedding date. And when the day finally arrived, the couple was able to use the very special bottle to adorn their head table.

Want to make your wedding moments as one-of-a-kind as Mark and Stacy’s? Here are some unique wedding ideas to inspire you.

Capture the look of your love with a custom logo

Are you classic and sophisticated, modern and chic, or casual and whimsical? Whatever your style, you can design a logo that captures that unique spirit. Use it to seamlessly tie together all of the many elements of your event, from the invitations to the programs to your aisle runner and toasting flutes. Imagine your logo as your cake topper or delicately weaved into the design with fondant. The possibilities are endless.

You may be thinking that a wedding logo sounds amazing, but it’s probably time-consuming and expensive. No worries – the personalization experts at Things Remembered will do all the work for you. You’ll get a customized logo (available in several digital formats) that can be used in dozens of ways. And it’s free with any qualifying bridal purchase – perfect for any wedding budget.

Spice up your guest book

It’s tradition to have your guests “sign in” at your wedding. But how can you turn it into an experience? Get a big, blank-paged guest book with plenty of room inside. Engrave your names and wedding date on the cover. Then grab some props that fit your wedding’s theme and rent a photo booth. It’s time for everyone to strike a pose! Who doesn’t love playing around with different looks while a camera captures the moment?

Your guests can keep a few photos for themselves, plus paste favorites into your guest book along with their personal messages. It’s much more fun than a simple signature!

Take your wedding gifts up a notch – personalize them

When she was younger, Kristen, a bride-to-be in Minnesota, loved taking walks with her father after dinner. It was their time to catch up and share stories. For her special day, she wanted to give her dad a gift to remind him of those moments. She bought a frame ready for a photo of the two of them walking down the aisle. On it she engraved, “Of all the walks we’ve taken together, this one is my favorite.” It’s a gift her dad will never forget.

The best way to share your love and gratitude is to give personal, one-of-a-kind gifts that are made just for the ones you love. Add a meaningful quote to a pocket watch for your best man or personalize a bracelet with your maid of honor’s favorite song lyrics. Flower girls will love seeing their monogram on a customized keepsake locket, and ring bearers can’t help but show off their first engraved ID bracelet.

And what is more personal than a message written by you? A new service at Things Remembered called iEngrave lets you personalize your gifts with your own handwriting. Write out your message as only you can and iEngrave will take care of the rest. Your friends and family will never receive another gift so unique.

For more information on custom wedding logos, iEngrave and other personalized wedding day gift options, visit www.thingsremembered.com.

When looking for a gift, first consider the type of job he performs or wishes he could, if only he had the right tool. The Craftsman brand offers tool solutions for every project and skill level, ensuring that there is something for everyone. Check out these hot finds now available for that special someone.

For the multi-tasker – Craftsman Bolt-On System. As America’s largest modular power tool attachment system, it eliminates the need to purchase a whole new tool system each time a job requires new equipment, providing cost savings and space management. This innovative portable power tool system gives the user the opportunity to utilize nine interchangeable attachments on a powerful tool base, transforming it to take on different projects. The Bolt-On base comes standard with a drill/driver attachment, a 20-volt Max lithium-ion battery for enough power to tackle light to heavy do-it-yourself projects and an exclusive Craftsman QuickBoost Charger.

For the weekend warrior – Craftsman C3 19.2-Volt Heavy-Duty Drill with XCP Battery. Tough jobs require tough equipment, and this drill is ready to handle anything in its way. With a 1/2-in. single-sleeve, all-metal chuck for extreme durability, this drill delivers up to 465 lbs. of torque. Users can swiftly shift between two speeds to better execute the job at hand. The drill also has a 24-position clutch, built-in LED light, forward/reverse switch, micro-texture grip and handy on-board storage for bits.

For the car mechanic – 80-piece Max Axess Wrench Set. When it comes to fixing and tinkering under the hood, multiple and different-sized wrenches are a must. With this tool set, the user can easily reach for the correct wrench. The unique pass-thru design allows the user to grasp hard to reach nuts and bolts in even the tightest of spots. Each ratchet is up to 45 percent stronger than a traditional version, making the torqueing action, and ultimately the completion of the project, much easier.

For the king of the grill – 4-piece Barbecue Gift Set. Make sure your grill master has the right tools to showcase his culinary talents. The gift set includes a barbecue fork, brush, turner and tongs. Each one of the utensils is stainless steel with contoured tool-style handgrips to encourage your guy to cook his incredible cuisine.

For the accomplished worker – Bottle Opener. When the project is complete, most guys want to show off their hard work and relax with a cold drink at the end of the day. This opener’s stainless steel base is designed for high strength and chemical resistance, and is complete with contoured tool-style hand grip and leather strap for hanging.

For the motorcycle enthusiast – Special Edition Craftsman/Harley-Davidson Portable Metal Tool Chest. Give the motorcycle-loving guy the perfect place to rest and revere his tools. This tool storage unit has three full-extension drawers with drawer liners to organize and protect tools. It also features a black frame, official Harley-Davidson “vintage orange” drawer fronts and official Harley-Davidson decaling, including the Harley-Davidson bar and shield.

For more information on DIY projects and top Father’s Day gifts, visit www.craftsman.com. Here, you can also join the Craftsman Club, part of the Shop Your Way Network, a community that links members with exclusive content, projects, deals and social shopping on an interactive website.

Last week I shared with you three of the top ten things I’ve learned about weddings over more than twenty years of officiating ceremonies. Here’s the remaining seven:

No two-year-old should have to walk down a long aisle by him or herself with a hundred “giants” looking on, oohing, ahhing, and snapping photos! I’ve seen too many bewildered, terrified toddlers — let them at least walk with another child who is a few years older.

The money you spend on a wedding coordinator is the best money you’ll spend on your wedding! A coordinator is there to worry about the details that you, your mother, or best friend shouldn’t have to be concerned about on your wedding day.

I’ve yet to meet a bride, obsessed with having the “perfect” day, who truly enjoyed the day. Your goal is to create a memory that will cause people to smile five years later. From that goal perfection will flow. But if you begin with focusing solely on the perfection, you’ll soon forget what “magic” looks feels like.

Even if you don’t believe in God, you can have a ceremony that is warm, gracious, and that celebrates you as a couple.

It’s possible to create a ceremony that honors different cultures and traditions in a way that unites rather than divides. It’s possible to weave varying traditions in a way that doesn’t create “dueling deities” or one-upmanship.

Your wedding really is a gift to family and friends — no matter how jaded we are, we all hunger for meaning and for something and some ones we can place our hope in.

Lastly, couples that try not to cry in the ceremony make some very odd faces! I’ve looked at brides and grooms and thought they were on the verge of having a seizure, but they later explained: “I didn’t want to cry so I tried not to blink.” You’ve spent so much time, emotion, and money on this moment so I say, cry all you want! Besides, if the groom cries guests feel like they got their money’s worth and will slip an extra $50 into the envelope!

Remember: Your wedding is a touch point along your journey together — celebrating the life you have created, celebrating the life you’re committed to creating. Cheers!

Please send your questions to JP Reynolds at: jp@jpr-communications.com Follow me on Twitter: @jprweddings