PETE ON THE STREET: ‘What one person in the world would you invite over to your house for dinner tonight and what you ask them?’

This week we hit the street, wanting to know “What one person in the world would you invite over to your house for dinner tonight and what you ask them?” We found our victims attending a La Verne Chamber of Mixer last Wednesday, hosted by Jack and Mary Zenian, the proud owners of Lone Hill Collision Center in Glendora.

Sandwiched between the wonderful hors d’oeuvres, we received some very insightful answers:

Liz Johnston

“Oh gosh, it would be the queen of England,” said Liz Johnston, who works for the Automobile Club in La Verne. “How does she keep that composure at all times? It seems like nothing seems to faze her. I’d especially like to know how she liked jumping from that airplane with James Bond [Daniel Craig].”

The conversation turned more serious with our next responder, Mark Levy, although the owner of Pet Palace Salon in La Verne is regarded around town as one of La Verne’s true comedians. “I was 12 years old when my father died, so my father would have been my first answer. But among the living, I think it would be Jerry Lewis. Jerry Lewis has always been a hero of mine. He has accomplished so much, in the fields of entertainment and philanthropy [Muscular Dystrophy Association].

Mark Levy

“So he is the one man, I truly would want to sit down and talk with. He has certainly seen a lot and lived a lot. I would want to tell him first he was always my hero and that anybody who has the ability to make somebody else laugh is certainly blessed. That is the No. 1 thing you can offer anyone, that they can make people forget their problems, their woes, their troubles.”

For Beverly Jafari, it wouldn’t be a queen or a comedian but an athlete.

Bev Jafari

“Any of the gold medalists, like swimmer Dana Vollmer [Olympic gold and world record in the 100m butterfly],” said Jafari, owner of Glendora Tire and Brake Center. “She almost gave up four years ago. What kept her going and why did she do it? Why did she put in so many hours? What makes her her? Why do athletes like her do it?”

Koko Vartanian, owner of Rodeo Jewelers in La Verne, was in a mirthful mood, evidenced by his quick-witted answer:

“Why not Gandhi?” he asked. “At least he doesn’t eat too much. I wouldn’t have to feed him.”

Koko Vartanian

Ruby James

Ruby James’ dinner guest would be the ubiquitous Dr. Phil. “He deals with a lot of issues and traumas,” she said, dressed in a bright ruby red blouse. “He has answers and solutions and therefore he helps people. And I’d ask him, ‘Why does he do what he does?’”

Sitting next to Ruby was Sameenah Fuller.

“It would have to be Oprah,” she said. “She has attained a lot of wisdom over the years from meeting so many different people, so I think I could tap into some of that knowledge and make it work for me. I would want to know what she is going to do in her next 10 years, as far as her public service goes. What are her real plans and what are her suggestions for smaller communities and what does she think they can do to expand?”

Sameenah Fuller

Why not strike up a conversation with the person standing in line with you today while you’re waiting for your cup of coffee. Ask that individual what one person in the world they would like to invite over for dinner.

You can learn a lot about people, not to mention what’s on their mind, from the answers they provide!

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