An old birthday tradition is resurected when Mark's mom and dad travel over 2500 miles to have a fine Cuban dinner!
That, and to celebrate a milestone 50th birthday with a few pals, like old friend Valentyna with Mike!
This b-day party was special because old pals like Howard Flaer, who I havent seen since the halcyon days at Southwest "get" High
skool in early '70s Miami was joined by more recent friends Mary and Sophie
East meets West - my English friend Sophie with my Hawaiian Hula Princess pal Cindy "Leinani" Caluya
and on the right, my friend of almost 10 years, artist Amy G and her husband Tom
What made this occasion extra special was having Uncle Chris and Aunt Julie Dittmar (all the way from Ohio!)
and my mom's aunt Gloria Clanton (nee Carpinelli) celebrating my B-I-G Five Oh!.
Until last summer, when cousin Kristin Dittmar moved here to LA for a coveted residency at UCLA,
for the past 25 years, it was just me and Glo's bro Uncle Willam Carpinelli in San Diego (since WW2!)
So to have some family here on the left coast was quite the treat. They enjoyed King Tut at LACMA, the opening of
"Wicked" at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, brunch at the Getty and trips thru the mountains, beach and desert!
When I'm in Atlanta, mom or Aunt Glo will make the killer Italian dinner for me and the family.
they might even do it when I'm not there... (Glo's not hiding. It was the only shot I got! Sorry!)
The official Birthday Cake by the lovely Sophie (before the mojitos). Then, after the mojitos!!
Yes, it's a bit out of focus, but this shot gives you an idea of what El Floridita is like.
Luckily, my birthday fell on a Tuesday. On Monday nights, this place is wall to wall salsa!!
After a hectic visit, here's mom and dad kickin' it at my crib in Carthay Circle.
This is a shot or pose not likely seen anywhere else anytime soon, so enjoy!
Blues Garage my hot rod and harley site featuring Von Dutch
DeCouto Family Network one of the first sites i made for practice featuring my family. notice the unlimited pop3 availabilty for family members. (could be used for biz, also)
