Pinney House Mixer Draws a Crowd, Raises Funds for Float

Posted 12/8/11 – Nearly sixty people turned out for the Chamber mixer Tuesday night.  Interestingly, in a house that large, you would never have known that many were there.  As people took self-guided tours around the house, Christmas carols were performed live by pianist, Nikki Hardin, food was served in the dining room, the bar was tended by the master of the house, and a presentation rolled in one of the many first floor parlor rooms, showing video of the Rose Float Association’s T-2 test the previous Saturday (which they aced)!

Elsa Soldana of Sierra Madre won one of the drawing prizes, a Sierra Madre hooded sweatshirt donated by the Chamber of Commerce, and Eric Olsen of Sierra Madre won the grand prize, two grandstand seats for the Rose Parade, donated by Sharp Seating (which incidentally still has seats available for Jan. 2, and will begin selling seats for 2013 on Feb. 1).

Just over $400 was raised for the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association (SMRFA), whose 2012 float “Colorful Imagination” will be Sierra Madre’s eightieth entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade.  SMRFA has a long-time streak on the line with this float, having won major awards for the last six years running.  The public is invited to visit the Barn, located behind the tennis courts in Sierra Vista Park on Sierra Madre Blvd., between now and New Year’s, and anyone interested in volunteering with decoration should just ask one of the folks working in the barn, or ask for Bonnie Colcher, who’s in charge of volunteers.