Happy Birthday Harvey

OK, OK, I know its been a bit of a delay in catching up on my blog, but with a busy June now behind me, I am back and plan to catch you all up whats been going on, and by the way, I learned a new tool in a class I am taking this summer. I tried it out here. A prize goes to the first that can find it and identify it. Look away.

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In Mid May, it was time to celebrate the newest member of the Octogenarian club- My Uncle Harvey. For those who don't know him, there is so much to tell, but here's a few key items:

He grew up in Chicago with my dad and Auntie Lynn (duh), at world famous Flornoy Street. Famous only because that is where they grew up and the family saying has become "just like Flornoy Street".

He was the first of the family to head west (smart guy) and stopped first in Albuquerque. He sold and serviced coffee machines at Sandia Labs, where he was advised to change his name from Rosenberg for obvious reasons. If its not obvious to you check it out here.

He then moved farther west and ended up in Los Angelas, where he still lives.

I will always remember our first trip to California to visit him and his family.

• He had a pool in his backyard, how cool was that.
• He was a pilot. Cool item #2.
• He took us to a mountain lake (Arrowhead) to go water-skiing- Cool #3.
• He was really buff Cool #4
  
• He retired early and took on a second career- Cool #5
  

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'll spell it out. I have a pool in my backyard, I am a pilot, I have a place at a Mountain Lake and I am in the middle of my second career. I am Cool, just like my Uncle Harvey !!!! (OK, 4/5 isn't too bad)

There are so many stories about my Uncle Harvey's escapades and "interesting" friends, you will just have to ask me about them. The one I will share is when Bonnie and I first moved to California, we went to LA and attended a New Year's party at his place. Everyone there was wearing heavy gold chains, open shirts and we felt like we were in a strange gangster world.

After he sold his coffee business, he invested in the Commerce Casino. He was on the board for many years and oversaw its growth from a small card club to the major casino resort it is today. He even has a section of the casino named for him- "Harvey's Corner". His second career was pretty cool, almost as cool as mine, although his was a little more profitable. Now on to the celebration trip.

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All my best trips include the 3 F's; Flying, Food and Family. This one was no exception. Bonnie and I jumped in our trusty steed (airplane) and headed to St. George, Utah to pick up Harvey's sister, my Auntie Lynn and her husband, Uncle Tony. After a quick overnight we headed to LA for the party. Prior to arrival, I had heard that a famous Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich Shop (Portillos) had opened only a few blocks from the airport. For those who read my blog regularly, you know I couldn't resist, so after landing, off we went. YUMMMY. It was awesome.

Off to stay at the Commerce Casino Resort, Havey's home away from home and site of the celebration.People came from near and far to honor Harvey, including Daryl from Hawaii and Sheryl from Anaheim.


Daryl had flown in the night before and was hanging out at Sheryl's place, so we headed down to pick him up and revisit one of our other favorite food places, Rudabagorz, for a light dinner.

The day of the party arrived and after listening to stories of years gone by, we all moved to the party room where Harvey's wife Linda had set out a feast for all to enjoy, followed by a couple of wonderful comedians. Of course the highlight of the evening was my dad's speech about the antics they participated in as kids, followed by my brother Mark's speech. Me, I'm just too shy to speak out. :). Enjoy a slideshow below of some of the great pictures at the party.




The next morning the fog lifted as we arrived at the airport for our return home via St. George. Another wonderful family celebration. On  September 10th, 2010, my Uncle Harvey passed away. We will always remember him fondly. I am sure he is just hanging out at Flornory street these days looking for a card game.

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Check back soon to learn the story behind the pictures below