SeeCalifornia.com

By C. MacDonald

The competition can be tough when political candidates try to differentiate themselves from the crowd. In Carmel by the Sea actor/producer Clint Eastwood served as the city’s mayor from 1986 to 1988. Sonny Bono was known for his success in the singing duo, Sonny & Cher, but he was also mayor of Palm Springs, California, from 1988 to 1992.  So it shouldn’t seem unusual that in Huntington Beach the city’s mayor, Jill Hardy, sings the National Anthem at events. Hardy’s most recent gig, the Labour of Love Music Fest, drew 10,000 people to Bolsa Chica State Beach on Labor Day Weekend.  At the Orange County Fair recently her powerful, stunning voice drew attention during her guest performance.

“My mother-in-law voted for Jill because of her wonderful singing,” said Guy Guzzardo, co-owner of M.E. Helm antiques in downtown Huntington Beach. The mother of two is in demand as a singer, when her busy schedule as a math teacher at Marina High School, mayor of one of Orange County’s biggest cities, and her family allows. The mayor, who earned degrees at the University of California Santa Barbara and Long Beach State, said she’s always loved to sing and looks forward to her next gig.

“She’s an amazing pro with a sensational voice,” said Kathleen Pedick, a jazz singer in Scotland for 21 years. Pedick and her husband, Joe (pastor at Calvary Chapel of the Harbour), produced the music festival featuring nationally-known talents.