BEVERLY HILLS COURIER | AUGUST 3, 2012 Page FT1
FALL TRAVEL
One-Of-A-Kind Trips, Events In Israel With Help From My Dream Production or those who want a trip to Israel like no other, or who want to plan a one-of-a-kind event in the country, My Dream Production has the answer. Founded two years ago by Nurit Jessica Lieberman and Sandra Perel Haytov, the company is young, innovative, unique and fresh. It specializes in customized themed tours and one-of-akind events. • Next month’s seven-day trip (Sept. 1-9) has an anti-aging emphasis with sightseeing to Israel’s key attractions with an English-speaking tour guide, combined with spa treatments. Attendees will also get a personally designed anti-aging plan. • The “culinar y experience in Israel,” set for October, will highlight Israeli and Mediterranean food and feature visits to Israel’s best food markets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem accompanied by a chef, and two-days of inthe-kitchen opportunities. The common tread in all their projects and where the company name comes from, is making clients’ dreams come true. Events the company handles range from private events like weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and family reunions, to business events like conferences, office parties and trips for employees. Both owners have experience in the field and living in both the U.S. and Israel, where Lieberman grew up. Her family produced and organized international events, and during the last decade she held key positions in complex multi-national events. With highly developed logistics abilities, creative original thinking and
F
Frances Allen Desert Roundup
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, the best feel-good, live on-stage musical performance, anywhere–and it’s as close as the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs. For the past 21 years, the Follies, under the ever-watchful eyes of impresario/co-founder Rif Markowitz, has presented a Broadway-caliber celebration of the music, dance and comedy of mid-century America with a cast old enough to have lived it! For more than a generation, the Follies promises a more spectacular show with each successive season; and for more than a generation they has delivered on its promise, as legendary guest stars and international vaudeville acts join the Follies’ chorus line of long-legged ranging in age from 54 to 83, for lavish production numbers while decked out in hand-made costumes from the wardrobe department. The Follies has just announced the musical theme for its 22nd season beginning Nov. 1 with vocalist and Palm Springs resident Lorna Luft singing the songs made popular by her mother Judy Garland. It’s called “Dance to the Music,” and sure to bring back memories of running home after school to watch Dick Clark's American
Bandstand as new songs were performed by teen-age idols. Luft will headline through Dec. 31 followed by Lou Christie (Jan. 8 to Mar. 9) and Lesley Gore (Mar. 12 to May 19). In addition to the all-new production, the folks in the back office have crafted five new ways to enhance a visit from savings on early ticket purchases; annual passports to the Follies; enhanced frequent-guest awards; dinner with the cast; and main floor seating in the theater from just $29. More information is at 760-327-0225. Do your part in proving Billie Burke’s famous quote: “Age doesn’t matter unless you’re a cheese.” ******* It didn’t take long for Mitch Gershenfeld, recently appointed president/CEO of the McCallum Theatre, to put his stamp on the range of entertainment available to Coachella Valley residents beginning the end of August. Rather than have the theater dark until November or late October, Gershenfeld has announced the addition of nine shows to the McCallum schedule. First off the mark as the season’s opener is Steve Martin and his Steep Canyon Rangers bluegrass band on Aug. 31, followed
a week later by the locally popular Pink Martini. But it is the addition of some alternative music to the program that has caught the attention of some theater-goers. Historically, the McCallum has featured touring Broadway shows, one-person shows or pop concerts. But, perhaps taking the lead from the enormously successful Coachella and Stagecoach festivals, Gershenfeld has booked some “alternative” entertainment with a couple of performers who have previously taken the stage at the Coachella and Stage festivals. One impressive ‘get’ is a Nov. 16 performance by Jackie Evancho, the now 12-year-old gifted operatic singer who is now marketing herself as a “crossover” artist. Gershenfeld acknowledged that Evancho commands fees higher than that paid by the McCallum, and even with highend ticket prices ($40-$129) there would not be enough income generated by the performance to cover all costs. Local philanthropist and McCallum Theatre board member Joanne McGrath stepped up to the sponsorship-window, assuring Evancho and Gershenfeld that the pre-teen’s performance would end up in the black without her having to sing in a casino cum saloon. Other artists performing early at the McCallum are
the highest personal attentive care and service, “My Dream” strives to produce exactly what its clients dream about, and much more. After meeting with clients and finalizing the budget, the professional English-speaking team of “My Dream” takes care of every aspect of an event, any size, modest or extravagant, simple or complex. No matter what the budget for the trip or event, clients are promised the best Israel has to offer. For a wedding they will find a venue, arrange the catering and help with clothes, if needed. Their extensive contact list includes hair stylists and makeup people. “If you are dreaming about the perfect event in Israel our team will be happy to rise to the occasion and meet the challenge, and be a part in fulfilling your dream, up to the last detail,” Lieberman promises. “What makes us special,” says Lieberman, “is that everyone has a different dream, so each individual gets his or her own event; no two weddings or conferences are the same.” For trips, the company has a list of must-see sites in Israel it recommends, but special excursions and requests can easily be accommodated. “Large companies can’t offer the personal care and tailoring that we do,” says Lieberman. “Giving clients what they want is the first thing on our minds.” For more information, call +97254-6279009, +972-54-4448966 or +1917-4351616, visit mydreamproduction.com or email mydreampro@gmail.com.
Holocaust Survivor Harry Eisen, Norco Ranch Founder, Dies At 95 Beverly Hills resident Harry Eisen, a Polish-born Holocaust survivor who founded Riverside County’s Norco Ranch Inc., which became one of the state’s leading egg producers, processors and distributors, died July 19 at age 95. Eisen and his wife of 67 years, Hilda, immigrated to California in 1948. Shortly thereafter, he bought his first 100 chickens and peddled the eggs in his Arcadia neighborhood before moved their operation to Norco. In 2000 Eisen sold Norco Ranch Inc. to Moark Egg Corp. He employed 450 people and his customers included the
Ralphs, Vons, Albertson’s, Costco, Trader Joe’s and Jack-in-the-Box. Eisen was a member of several Holocaust survivor organizations, serving as president of the Lodzer Organization of California. The family contributed financially to the building of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and attended its 1993 dedication. Besides his wife, he is survived by daughters Frances Miller, Ruth Eisen and Mary Cramer; a son, Howard; eight grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren.
Conjunto Primevera (Sept. 1); Mike Birbilia (Sept. 22); Wilco (Sept. 28); Smokey Robinson (Oct. 26); Charlie Zaa (Oct. 27); and Shelby Lynne (Nov. 3). ****** Kudos and a tip of the golden bedpan to Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. This medical facility, the only non-profit hospital in the Valley, has just been named the second most beautiful hospital in the nation. The award, based on 170,000 votes cast– Eisenhower garnered just over 39,000 votes –was awarded by Soliant Health,
a nationwide provider of healthcare staffers. In citing the attributes involved in making the selection, Eisenhower’s design was said to “incorporates evidence-based processes (whatever that means) into each patient room.” And, in describing the junior-suite-at-aHilton look, noted that the hospital had “central pavilions (sic) with refined color palettes and Renaissance-based art.” Only one other hospital in California made the top 20. The proud first-place winner: North Carolina’s Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville.