CURTAIN CALL
Penny Parisi • Laura Smith • Jan Steese • Jackie Wheatley

We are so happy to have Graham and Kaley’s mom singing again. The twins are 5 months old and absolutely adorable.  We performed for the first time since their arrival at the VERDUGO HILLS’ Ice Cream Social and then again as part of a chorus performance in September. We also sang for the VERDUGO HILLS’ alumnae who attended the chorus party honoring them on September 26 and we wowed 150 eighth graders—introducing many of them to barbershop music for the very first time (even got an “encore”/ curtain call)!! Jackie won a free voice lesson with Laura Pallas at Summer Sizzler and what a great session that was. Jan and Jackie spent 10 fabulous days in Canada sightseeing in Lake Louise and Banff, and cheering for our Region 11 competitors in Calgary. They all made us proud. When they returned, CURTAIN CALL got right back at it learning a new Christmas song and coaching with Alan Gordon.  We wish all the double quartets the best but especially those representing VERDUGO HILLS.  See you in the spring.

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OOH LA LA
Barbara Adams • Esther Alva • Jonni Anderson • Judy Hatch

Come meet our new Lead La La, Esther (aka Hot Lips). You'll likely remember her as the baritone of SWEET SYNERGY.  Esther has been singing since she was 4 years old...a whopping 22 years. She has been a member of the SANTA MONICA CHORUS for 4 years and is currently the Lead Section Leader and Music Librarian.

Esther's pride and joy is her daughter, Jenelle, a beautiful 5-year old and future baritone. A design/drafting consultant by day (to pay for daughter, stilettos and singing weekends), Esther enjoys volunteering for charities such as the Habitat for Humanity. Not only is Esther a talented singer, she paints, hikes, and does wood working.  She's also impulsive, mischievous and loves chocolate (and wine!) – a true La La. We are, once again, happy to be a foursome. Don't hesitate to stop us and ask for a song!

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RIO
Karen Betancourt • Dani Avalos-Prigge • Alisa Zichterman • Diane McGrath

“Once Upon a Time” (ask someone who was in Calgary about this), RÍO represented Region 11 in Calgary. We did our best to do you proud. We were THRILLED to see SHIMMER! make the finals and place 9th in the world!!! Way to go!! We came away with constructive comments from the judges, and will take them to heart as we continue our journey together.

We had a fabulous time preparing for Calgary – we’ve become good friends as well as singing pals, and that is so important. CELEBRATION CHORUS has been incredibly supportive of us on this journey – over half our chorus came to watch us! How wonderful that was! Coach Linda Kelly came to wish us the best the morning of the contest. You’ve been a great help to us on this journey – we love you!!! Thanks to the Region for the beautiful flowers and support as we came off stage – we were very touched.

The couple of weeks after Calgary we sang in a barbershop quartet contest in our home county as part of Colony Days in Atascadero, and sang on PACIFIC HORIZON’S show. We’ve got holiday gigs coming up, so we’re busy getting ready for those.

Have a blast singing in those double quartets this weekend in this fabulous region! Peace and harmony to all. See you again in April!

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SERIOUS TREBLE
Melissa Hockenberger • Shelly Wilner • Debra Hockenberger • Jeannie Vercillo

We are SO proud of our Region 11 quartets, RIO and SHIMMER! Thank you for all the time and energy you put into this craft – you inspire us! Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!

In September, we sang for a civic function in Santa Monica at an afternoon tea, honoring the community’s volunteers. And we had a great time headlining the RIVEROAKS CHORUS show, “We Are Family” on October 28. Come see us perform again at the L.A. SOUTH TOWNS SHOW CHORUS show on December 1.

A follow up to our TV show audition for Nip/Tuck: We got a “call back” and were 1 of 5 quartets chosen to sing for the producers at Paramount Studios. In the end, they chose a male/female quartet, but we had a lot of fun. The producers loved the black boas and our rendition of “Santa Baby”. We’re looking forward to some great holiday shows: SANTA MONICA on December 8, and VERDUGO HILLS on December 16. Come one, come all!

Baby news: Jeannie’s 7th grandchild (Will) was born in August. Shelly’s girls are now 3 1⁄2 years and 4 months old, and Melissa’s kids (a.k.a. Debra’s grandkids) will be 6 and 2 in January! We’re busy mamas and grandmamas! On a sad note, Shelly's father-in-law, Daniel Wilner, passed away October 14. We had the privilege of singing, "It Is Well With My Soul" at his funeral. Daniel was our biggest fan, and fan of Sweet Adelines, in general. He will be very missed.

Congratulations to SANTA MONICA for your IES invitation. We happen to know (from insiders) that this package will be even more entertaining than the Greek package. Is that possible???

Wishing you all the best in 2008!

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SHIMMER!
Patty Cobb Baker • Missy Pearce • Judy Ashmore • Mary Ashford

There was the Big Bang … the Industrial Revolution … SHIMMER! … and then Y2K. After 16 years and 9 Sweet Adeline International Competitions, SHIMMER! finally hit the TOP 10! We were very proud to represent Region 11 and 21 as we shared the stage with RIO, SPARX, ONE VOICE, CELEBRITY CITY and HARBORLITES. As we stood with Ferne Hogan behind the white curtain awaiting to take the stage, we could hear everyone chanting SSSHHHIIIMMMEEERRR!” It was the most uplifting way to send us out onto stage. And then when we came off of the stage, there you were awaiting us with cheering, clapping, hugs, kisses, roses and champagne. It was a dream come true for us and what made it so special was to have so many of our family and friends, RMT, and Winners’ Circle there to support us.

We couldn’t have reached our dream of getting into the TOP 10 without our esteemed line up of fabulous coaches including Sandy Robinson Marron, Lynne Smith, Dale Syverson, Betty Clipman, THE BUZZ and our inhouse musical genius and coach extraordinaire, Jeff “for-oo-wuh” Baker.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of months. SHIMMER! performed at Region 21’s Summer Seminar. In September as we ramped up for Calgary, we were featured on the HARBORLITES Show. Immediately following Calgary, we were featured on the CHANNELAIRE Show along with CHEERS! and the 2007 BHS International Champion, WESTMINSTER CHORUS.  We love doing shows! Call us!

Thank you, CALIFORNIA HEARTLAND, for hosting a fun-filled Fall Festival Weekend featuring the talents of Kathy Carmody and Bonnie McKibben. We wish all of the double quartets the best of luck. We look forward to seeing everyone at Spring Regional. Happy Holidays!

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