OUT OF THE 'BLUES' FUND-RAISER EMCEES ARE ON A MISSION FOR COMEDY.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Greedy ``waiters'' charging diners for everything from silverware to water - ice is extra - will have to share the laughs at next Friday's fund-raiser for the Santa Clarita Senior Center.

Enter Santa Clarita's version of the Blues Brothers.

George Pederson and Bob Kellar - the former's an ex-city councilman, the latter in his first term - practiced Friday serving up the laughs as co- masters of ceremonies for a Celebrity Waiter Dinner to benefit respite adult day care at the senior center.

``You're lifting up your heels; I can feel it,'' the height-challenged Pederson said as he and Kellar posed back-to-back as the too-cool Blues Brothers. ``You don't see me doing that. I'm a professional.''

``A professional what?'' a visitor asked.

``If he ever figures it out, he'll let you know,'' Kellar shot back, the walls of City Hall reflecting in his sunglasses.

The pair staged a dress rehearsal of sorts - dark suits, dark glasses, fedoras and masterful straight faces as they traded one-liners.

``We're not going to have a lot of childish behavior at this event,'' Kellar said, recalling past such fund-raisers where zany antics ruled as waiters drew tips from their diners.

``It's shocking for me as a professional to hear these stories,'' Pederson responded.

Pederson and Kellar are both World War II veterans and retired cops. Pederson ran Kellar's 2000 City Council campaign, and now the winner isn't sure he's grateful, having had a taste of local government. Perhaps it's the experience in discipline that keeps them from breaking into laughter as they rehearse their act.

Pederson, emcee extraordinaire, has done this kind of thing many times. On a rare solemn note, he explains that these social events are fun, but the cause is a serious one.

The Senior Center provides respite care for the elderly, and counseling and support for caregivers. The center has accepted a larger role in its services to seniors by taking some of the patients from the recently closed Adult Day Health Care Center at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

This dinner is a first for the center, which is taking the event over from the American Heart Association. Sponsors buy tables, create a theme and pay scrip for favors - and entertainment - from their celebrity waiters. The event also includes an auction with trips, golf excursions and other luxuries on the block.

To become a sponsor for the Celebrity Waiter Dinner or to buy tickets, call Don Kimball at [phone].

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Photo:

(color) Councilman Bob Kellar, left, and former Councilman George Pederson will be performing as the Blues Brothers at a charity dinner next Friday to benefit the Santa Clarita Senior Center Adult Day Care program.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer