Senior Celebrates Birthday with Classic Cars and Old Time Friends

There was a spark in Paul Owens's eye as he looked at the classic cars lined up in front of the Grand Terrace senior center Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 28. Examining them, he'd found his favorite. "This one's the winner here," he said, pointing to the sleek front end of the blue 1957 Chevrolet Convertible, sun glinting off its front end. As the birthday boy, Owens was the judge of the classic car contest. About 10 classic vehicles, most from the Past Pleasures Car Club and one his own, were parked in a line leading up to the entrance of the center, where the senior - who was celebrating his 84th birthday that day - had a multitude of friends and family waiting for him to announce the winner. Inside the senior center, Mark Barnett and his band played old-time music reminiscent of what one might have heard in an ice cream parlor or 50s diner joint back in the day while Owens's friends and family members enjoyed lunch and sweet carrot cake. The crowd hushed as Owens took the stage and announced the winner of the car show: Highgrove Happenings owners Barney and Ardie Barnett. Friends were encouraged to get up and dance, and many did as the band struck up again. Many also played in the pool tournament, the fan belt toss and the radiator hose toss to boot. Jane Haines, the Senior Center president, has been a good friend of Paul and his wife, Marge, for a few years now, she explained. Haines and her husband, Steve Lee, met the couple who got them involved in Grand Terrace's Citizens on Patrol (COP) program. "This is very special for Paul. He has been very active and it's great to see everyone together for him today," Haines said as Paul posed for photographs with family and the dance floor filled with swaying couples. "I wanted a party for everyone to celebrate," said Owens, who was born in 1930. "I am more than pleased. It has been wonderful and to see our facility full of people is what I envisioned it should be."