Staffers kick back at third annual picnic
BY ANNE BURKE
Today Staff Writer
UCLA’s third annual staff picnic drew its biggest crowd ever to Dickson Court, where about 4,500 turned out on July 13 to enjoy free food and music on a picture-perfect summer day.
Picnickers arrived early to claim shady spots under the oak trees, settling into foldable chairs and stretching out on colorful blankets. The mercury hit the high 70s but cold beverages, watermelon and ice cream helped keep things cool.
“It’s really nice to be able to get to see everybody, and you can’t beat the price,” said Joseph Babi, who works at the Biomedical Library and met up with friends Jon Edmondson, Bob Freel, Juan Jaime, Judith DeLeon and others from the UCLA library system.
Sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office and the UCLA Staff Assembly, the picnic is the largest gathering anywhere of UCLA staff members. The event has grown by about a third since the first picnic was held in 2004. Bosses — with the university’s blessing — generally give employees an extra-long lunch break on picnic day.
“I think it’s becoming an established event that folks look forward to each year,” said Sabrina Lux, president-elect of Staff Assembly. “It’s one of the times where you can relax and enjoy yourself and really feel a part of the UCLA community.”
In a courtyard festooned with blue and yellow balloons, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Daniel M. Neuman kicked off the event with brief welcoming remarks. Staffers clutching complimentary yellow tickets lined up at several distribution points to pick up box lunches from UCLA Catering. The vegetarian selection — tofu veggie kabobs — went fast. Meat eaters dined on fried chicken.
The picnic has become a popular showcase for dancers who don’t normally have an opportunity to get down and funky in the office. With encouragement from DJ Todd Buteaux of Feet First Entertainment in Culver City — “It’s time to shake it, people” — the plaza filled quickly.
Linda Stalling, an administrative assistant at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, was deep in conversation when the familiar beat of the “Cha-Cha Slide” came over the speakers. Stalling was dressed in a pink cowboy hat, pink capris and top, and high-heeled sandals. She stopped mid-sentence. “I’ve got to go dance!” she said, rushing to join the swelling crowd in the plaza.
Onlookers hooted at electrician Johnny Roberts and Karla Clark, a clinic assistant at the Pfleger Liver Institute, who looked to be having fun dirty dancing. Roberts’ friend Pilar Berges, who works in housekeeping, watched from the sidelines. “In 20 years I never knew he liked to dance,” said Berges, her eyebrows raised.
Among the most enthusiastic dancers was Nicole Jamison, who works for Facilities Management. Jamison took a couple of solos under the awning at the top of the stairs, which served as a stage. Jamison acts, dances and sings professionally — “ ‘Beauty Shop,’ but I got cut,” she responded when asked for a recent credit. She wasn’t left out at the picnic. The crowd cheered her performance.
Others took advantage of the long lunch hour to relax on the grass. Friends Tanya Crumpton and Jessica Gonzalez, who work at the Travel Center at Corporate Financial Services, stretched out on a picnic blanket. The pair talked with heads together conspiratorially, then burst into fits of giggles. They looked to be gossiping. “We never gossip,” Crumpton corrected, a severe look on her face.
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