At their annual “OBie Awards” dinner, held last night, October 14th, at Shades, the Ocean Beach Town Council recognized key community volunteers – giving out the Council’s traditional awards during an event attended by a ‘who’s-who’ of village politicos.
Congressman Scott Peters and Councilman Ed Harris also addressed the crowd, and numerous reps of other politicians were recognized. Harris gave out a special certificate of recognition to OB Planning Board chair Pete Ruscitti.
Town Council president Gretchen Newsom guided the event swimmingly through the evening, smoothed by a fine dinner prepared by the staff of Shades. She listed the Council’s accomplishments over the past year, and with the sun setting behind her, Newson relied on Trudy Levenson, Jon Carr and Gio Ingolia to make the different awards presentations.
(Leveson’s dry wit drew repeated chuckles, such as her sardonic reading off of the names of the politicians invited but who didn’t show, with her most notable comment about the key chains handed out as part of the awards – “they’ll last about 2 weeks”.)
The “OB Citizen of the Year” was awarded to Mindy Pellisier for her work and dedication around the OB Community Plan update process. Mindy and her partner, Jane, own and run Dog Beach Dog Wash – and have for 22 years.
The OB Town Council handed their “Lifetime Achievement Award” to Claudia Jack for her 24/7 volunteerism over the years, becoming the “go-to-gal” for just about anything OB. Claudia also works as staff for the OB Mainstreet Association.
Dave Martin – who in fact owns Shades and is the former OBTC president – was awarded the “Humanitarian Service” certificate for his generosity and giving nature around such enterprises as the OB Chili Cook-off and the annual Pancake Breakfast.
Newsom also gave out Certificates of Appreciation to OBTC board members who have retired from the council, including Dave Cieslak, Jeri Ryan, former president Jim Musgrove, Jody Thompson, Ken Moss, Melinda Redding, and Steve Grosch (who was rumored to be on his honeymoon).
Other OBie Awards included:
- Community Partner: The OB Rag ;
- Programs for Youth: Junior Lifeguards – accepted by Cory McClelleand;
- Volunteer Service: Nancy Vaughn;
- Clean Beaches: John Vorderbruegge;
- Green Building: OB Woman’s Club – accepted by Mel Roark;
Certificates of Appreciation were also given to Lt. Natalie Stone, SDPD; Councilman Harris, and his aide, Chet Barfield.
OB Awardees who were recognized included: Community Renewal: Integrated Signs – Steve Clippinger; Cultural Contribution: OB Playhouse & Cultural Art Center – Lynne & Paul Bolton; Great Parks and Gardens: Park & Rec Department – Vincent Paniagua.
There was also the yearly swearing-in of the new board of directors, who now include: Gretchen Newsom – president, Gio Ingolia – vice-president, Donna Zoll – treasurer, Jon Carr – corresponding secretary, Marin Green – recording secretary, Jenn Avoledo, Nate Bazydio, Jill Chorak, Lori Jones, Trudy Levenson, Anthony Palmiotto, Zach Rowland, Becca Taylor and Melanie Williams.
Tanya Joy and Jon Carr – our table mates.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Sorry, gang, for taking so long to get all these photos out. Patty took 110 pics last night so I had lots to choose from.
Oh, was hoping to see one pic of me and Mel accepting our award for the Woman’s Club. You only mentioned Mel above, I accepted the award with her. It was an honor for the club to be recognized after almost folding last year.
Sorry OB Mercy, Patty didn’t get a good one of you and Mel. Yes, you were certainly there as well, editordude was simply working off the OBTC sheet that only mentioned Mel as the president of the OB Woman’s Club. Jenn Avoledo certainly praised both of you in her presentation.
That’s cool Frank. Any way I could get you to email me that pic? I thought I would be taking a bunch of Mel, I had no clue they were going to call me up there!
Sorry, read that wrong, I see she didn’t get a good pic, no worries. Hopefully the official photog got one.
{ 1 trackback }