Mia Ruhman
Palisadian Mia Ruhman, will sing the National Anthem on Sunday, August 28 at the Village Green. The triangular small park at the center of the village is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Ruhman will step to the mike after the flag raising at 10:30 a.m.
Village Green Board Co-president Cindy Kirven said she found Ruhman through the Will Rogers 5/10K Race organizers. Kirven knew that group had held auditions for singers and contacted them to see if they could make any suggestions.
Dalena Hathway, who had helped hold auditions, wrote Kirven back and said they had found two incredible singers, Ross Chitwood, who sang before the race and Mia Ruhman.
Kirven contacted Ruhman, a sophomore at UCLA studying music composition, who agreed to sing for the event.
In 2017, as a 14-year-old Ruhman sang the National Anthem to start the Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade.
She has attended or been in the parade every year of her life because her grandfather, the late Lionel Ruhman, designed and built the Little Red School House float, usually entered annually by the Palisades Riviera Masonic Lodge. Lionel was a Mason, Rotarian and member of American Legion Post 283.
Ruhman was a member of the National Children’s Chorus and sang in concerts around the world including at the Vatican.
She performed in Theatre Palisades Youth productions, and at shows at Paul Revere and Palisades High School.
Ruhman graduated in 2021 – and also sang the anthem at her graduation. She sings every Sunday with the United Methodist Church Choir.
“I’m honored and grateful to sing the National Anthem for the community that nurtured my hopes and dreams,” Ruhman said. “I love the Palisades deeply.”
Circling the News has high praise for the singer, after hearing here sing the Christmas Carol, O Holy Night last Christmas Eve.
Long a favorite song of this editor’s mom, it is nearly impossible for an average singer to hit the notes.
Written in 1847 by French composer Adlophen Adam, a 2012 L.A. Times story (O Holy Night Sets the Bar High among Popular Christmas Carols), a Canadian-American singer Rufus Wainwright explained, “It’s the most operatic of all Christmas songs, for sure. With that high note near the very end, you go an octave, there’s a lot to aim for. It’s kind of like a slow rising alp that you eventually hope to scale.”
At the United Methodist Church on Via de la Paz, congregants and visitors were treated to a perfect rendition. Ruhman’s pure, clear voice was effortless in the song’s execution.
This resident who grew up in the Pacific Palisades is the perfect choice for the festivities.
Village Green Will Celebrate Its 50th Anniversary
The Village Green was built 50 years ago.
The Palisades Village Green is turning 50 years old and the board of directors of this triangular private park are asking the community to join in the festivities from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 27.
“We want to celebrate the amazing community that helped bring the Village Green Park to life when it was converted from a gas station to the beautiful little park we all enjoy in the heart of the village,” said Village Green co-president Cindy Kirven.
Homespun activities will include live music, kids’ art table, flag raising, singing of the National Anthem. There will be CD 11 presentations, and town historians will also participate.
Everyone is asked to submit their favorite Village Green photo to info@palisadesvillagegreen.org to be entered in the photo contest. Include your name, age (if a student) and contact information. Professional photographer and beloved Palisades Charter High School photography teacher, Rick Steil, has volunteered to judge the submissions.
Businesses who are supporting the event are Amazing Music (equipment) and Katie ONeill Art.
I don’t have pictures but I surely remember what a wonderful change the Village
Green was for the Palisades. We moved here in 1966 and still love living here.
Yes, we did contribute to the cause.
Emily and Jerry Mayer