by Neena Strichart
Having lived in the same house nearly all of my life has helped me garner some pretty strong positive relationships with my neighbors. If I take those relationships and add them to those I have garnered by working in the newspaper business in the same area for more than twenty years, I must admit that I have a darn good collection of folks to lean on and learn from.
Through the years I have heard folks say, “It isn’t what you know, it’s who you know.” Sometimes, those who utter the sentiment say it with a wry smile, giving the impression that they believe they have used their “who you knows” wisely. Others I’ve encountered have said the same words about the whole “who you know” bit, but with their nasty tones and sour faces they have made it clear that they are jealous of those who have worked hard to build trusting long-lasting relationships.
Last Saturday I had occasion to take advantage of one of my long-held relationships by asking for a favor. The story goes like this ! I received a call from Mother early in the morning. Knowing I am not an early riser, I figured Mom must be having quite an issue to call me on a Saturday before 10 am. Hearing her voice on the other end of the phone, I braced myself for the worst. Thank goodness her dilemma had nothing to do with her health, rather it was one of an unforeseeable interruption of her entertainment plans. As it happened, due to a flooding problem at the building where she resides (Bixby Knolls Towers), the family holiday party she had planned for later in the day was going to have to be cancelled. Doing what she does best, she had come up with Plan B before she even called me. Doing what I do best, I read her mind and came up with the same plan. Within fifteen minutes we worked together to save the day. I picked up my phone and called Leo the manager at the Breakfast Club of Long Beach. After telling him the situation, he cheerfully agreed to accommodate the entire party of around twenty guests and offered up their private room for Mom’s shindig. By the time I called Mom to tell her the good news, she had already gathered all the invitee’s phone numbers and was ready to start dialing and advise the guests of the change of venue. With family coming from as far away as Simi Valley to the North and San Diego to the South, we knew that time was of the essence since most of them would be hitting the freeway shortly to make the party scheduled for 1 pm.
Well, I am happy to report that the party went off without a hitch. Steve and I drove over to Mom’s at noon, put all the Christmas gifts in the car, belted her in, and headed two blocks up the street to The Breakfast Club. Everyone else arrived in a timely fashion, were escorted into our private party room where food and beverage orders were taken, lunch was served, gifts were given and received, and a good time was had by all.
Saying “thank you” to Leo and staff, and of course the owner of the establishment, Jack Skandalakis, is not enough. Those folks really went beyond the call of duty. We offer them our sincere gratitude for the quick accommodations, great food and extremely reasonable price. Did I take advantage of the old adage “it’s who you know?” You bet I did. I first saw Jack when I was 13 years-old and he was 18 years-old. We met at a friend’s family Easter party. Nearly 47 years later, he has become is one of my favorite “who I knows” and I am proud to call him my friend. Thanks again Jack, and Leo, for coming to our rescue.
