Banquet Will Honor Our Finest Volunteers

The Angeles Chapter will honor its members at the Annual Awards Banquet May 2, 2010. The event will take place at the Brookside Country Club near the Rose Bowl. Outdoor reception from 5-6 pm, followed by dinner and presentation of awards. Sierra Club President Allison Chin will be our keynote speaker. This is not the event you want to miss out on!

The Phil Bernays Service Plaque, the highest service award conferred by the Angeles Chapter, will be presented to Susana Reyes for her relentless on-going efforts on behalf of the LA Political Committee. Not only does she serve as co-chair, she is instrumental in ensuring that our political agendas are met, says Chapter Senior Director Ron Silverman.

The Wealdon Heald Conservation Award goes to Chuck Buck for his work as co chair of the Orange County Global Warming Committee. Conservation Coordinator Jennifer Robinson notes: 'Chuck has been instrumental in establishing the Orange County Global Warming Committee. Under his leadership, the Committee has expanded to 50 members working to survey the energy efficiency of cities in Orange County.'

Chester Versteeg Outings Award will be presented to Ron Hudson for his numerous contributions to the Leadership Training Committee and Sierra Peaks Section for more than 17 years.

Extraordinary Achievement Plaque goes to Bill Vanderberg. The tireless leader of the Sierra Club's Building Bridges to the Outdoors (BBTO) program, he introduces youth of all backgrounds to the natural environment.

The Elna Bakker Nature Interpretation Plaque goes to Cliff and Gabi McLean who have just released Plants of the San Gabriel Mountains, their second CD on wildflowers. Judy Anderson will be awarded the Lifelong Service Plaque for decades of contributions as Sierra Club activist and volunteer. 'Her involvement includes efforts on the California Wilderness Bill in the 1980's, the California Desert Protection Act in the 1990's. She has served in the Chapter ExComm, Conservation Grants Committee, San Gabriel Valley Task Force, Santa Monica Mountain Task Force and recently the Chapter Conservation Chair' says Jennifer Robinson.

Jeff Johnson will receive the Lori and Robin Ives Media Award for the GLS newsletter.

The Linda Hoyer Staff Plaque will be awarded to Jane MacFarlane. Jane has done an outstanding job in her role as Chapter Coordinator says Ron Silverman. She is an asset to the Chapter!

The Irene Charnock Office Service Award goes to Charming Evelyn for her wonderful work as a front office volunteer at Chapter Headquarters. Charming also serves as Chair of the Water Committee.

A Citation of Merit award will be awarded to Steve Luner. Steve is an integral member of the Electronic Communications Committee.

The Special Award Plaque will go to Tamara Winter-Compean who dedicated many hours to the survey that ultimately revealed that Los Angeles County and local municipalities are charging significantly higher fees and taking longer to issue solar panel permits than neighboring areas. Solar panel permit fees were ultimately reduced based on that report.

Sandra Cattell, The Coyote Hills Task Force (Denny Bean, Helen Higgins, Angela Lindstrom, Connie Spenger, Cathleen Shanfield), Linda Strong and Tom Williams will receive Conservation Service Certificates.

Outings Service Awards go to Barry Bonnickson, Steve Botan, Julie Garner, Larry Hoak, Karen Issacson-Leverich, Mark Jacobs, Gerard Lewis, Andrea Lim, Timothy Luzzi, Patrick McKusky, Mary McMannes, Jacques Monier, Kathy Rich, Anne Marie Richardson, and Alvin Walte.

Special Service Awards will be given to Terry Bass, Jeanne Karpenko, Joel Kenyon, Ed McCarroll, Ann Marie Salvador, Patty Sappingfield, Andrea Stoker, Alan Takushi, and Elizabeth Ward.

Silvia Darie will head up the group that produces the banquet. For more information, email at outdoorsygal@sbcglobal.net.

Donna Specht produces the reception. She will hound your group for donations to help pay for it. To those groups and sections that help fund the reception, your help is truly appreciated. Elizabeth Pomeroy is in charge of the dinner.

Mary Ann Webster will chair the silent auction. Please contact her to donate articles for the silent auction.

Tickets are $35. Send check, payable to Angeles Chapter to: Cathy Kissinger, Reservationist, 10541 Oro Vista Ave., Sunland 91040-2853. Be sure to indicate if you request a special menu, such as vegetarian. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope to return your tickets.

Individual awardees may request single free tickets. Some awards will go to multiple individuals. In that case, there will be one free ticket for the group.

Chapter entities are encouraged to purchase tables for the banquet: $350 per table for 10.

The banquet is not a fundraiser; in fact, it does not break even. Entities are encouraged to help the Chapter by paying for the free tickets that will go to the individuals they have nominated