A packed room of former Dolphin honorees celebrates the newest Citizens of the Year at the Malibu West Beach Club.
By Michael Aushenker / Special to The Malibu Times
Dozens of Dolphins turned out Saturday morning at the Malibu West Beach Club to honor their newest peers as they joined the ranks of The Malibu Times Citizens of the Year, recognized for their community service to Malibu and beyond.
The Malibu Times publishers Arnold and Karen York emceed the annual citizen-of-the-year ceremony, which was originally inspired by Harvey Baskin, founder of Geoffrey’s restaurant, after the devastating 1993 fires during which residents helped each other throughout the crisis.
The Yorks have continued the tradition each year, which has grown to include almost 200 Dolphins citizens.
This year’s honorees included exiting City Councilmembers Pamela Conley Ulich and Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, St. Aidan’s School Director Kathy Cook, Veterans Day organizer Ani Dermenjian, equestrian instructor Georgia King, special needs teacher Lisa Szilagyi, ocean safety instructor Kurt Lampson, 11-year-old piano prodigy Benjamin Krasner and community activists Bob and Jackie Sutton.
“She has created a haven,” said Kay Gabbard, a 2005 Dolphin winner, introducing pre-school director Cook. “Not only for children, parents, and grandparents, but for bugs, butterflies and plants.”
Cook first came to Malibu in 1986 and has been overseeing the growth of young children (ages 2-6) at St. Aidan’s ever since.
Cook thanked the assembled audience, before noting with a laugh, “I’ve lived in this community long enough to have my daughter run for City Council.”
Anne Payne (Dolphin Awardee ‘96) introduced Dermenjian, recalling the first time she saw the woman with the “beautiful smile, dark hair and loads of enthusiasm to make [Veterans Day] a full community event.”
Dermenjian, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker who was born in Lebanon, has organized the annual Veterans Day event in Malibu since 2000. She took to the dais and accepted her award on behalf of the veterans and her husband, Raffi, an Iraqi ex-patriot.
“We don’t take our freedom for granted,” Dermenjian said. She also thanked her Aunt Margaret, who was in attendance, for emigrating her family from Lebanon to the United States when Dermenjian was seven.
Colorfully dressed in full cowboy regalia, Rod Bergan of Trancas Riders and Ropers (a 2010 Dolphin), introduced King, appropriately enough, with a horse joke (“Horse walks into a bar. Bartender asks, ‘Why the long face?’”). King has lived in Malibu for more than 20 years, and works at Sycamore Farms teaching horseriding.
King delivered one of the quickest speeches, telling the room, “I feel very lucky to be here and share what I love and my knowledge [with young students].”
Martial arts instructor Kurt Lampson was introduced by his mentor, Rob LeMond (‘93), with whom he began teaching ocean safety in 1984. Every summer since, Lampson has instructed two or three classes per day of up to 30 kids, who range in age from six years to teenagers, on how to swim safely in the ocean, among other activities.
Supported by his wife Carol, son Kai and daughter-in-law Austin, Lampson said he was heartened to see former students begin to bring their children to his studio, and he credited LeMond and his wife, Carol, for inspiring him to teach children.
Malibu High special needs educator Lisa Szilagyi, founder of the weekly Thursday afternoon Hand in Hand after-school program at Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue that mingles kids with children with special needs, received an introduction from Janet Ettenger (‘04) and the Jewish Center’s Cantor Marcello Gindlin. Gindlin grew emotional as Szilagyi, “I didn’t have a doubt that you and Janet could create this for those who can not speak for themselves… You have changed our lives forever.”
Szilagyi thanked both the Jewish Center and the greater Malibu community for being so supportive of her efforts, including raising her 22-year-old daughter Emily (born with tuberous sclerosis) “who taught me how to see beyond the surface of people and to see their hearts and their souls.”
Jo Giese (‘05) introduced Ulich, who happened to officiate at the former’s marriage three years ago. Ulich, a mother of two, moved to Malibu in 1996 and has served on the City Council since 2004. She has championed numerous causes and most recently spearheaded the renovation of the Malibu Library, set to reopen next month.
“Dolphins live in a pod and help each other feed and if one is sick, they care for it. Like being a dolphin, we are here to take care of each other,” Ulich said, crediting the people of Malibu for supporting each other and being proactive in shaping their city.
“Where else can a girl from Kansas become a mom and a mayor in a place called Malibu?” Ulich said.
Current Mayor Laura Rosenthal (‘01) introduced Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner for his Dolphin Award.
“Jefferson became the mayor the day I got sworn in [on the City Council],” Rosenthal said. “I learned a lot from his calm, cool and rational approach, going out of his way to be inclusive and to listen to everyone.”
Rosenthal hailed Wagner’s commitment to improving Malibu’s water quality, and noted his diligent work in preparing for meetings and learning about issues. Wagner has served on the City Council since 2008, and thanked the community.
“It’s my pleasure to serve you,” Wagner said, before promising he would remain active in city events.
“I’ll be in curmudgeon corner,” Wagner continued, saying he would keep an eye on future councilmembers. Riffing off Rosenthal’s claim that he excelled at Trivial Pursuit, Wagner said, “Do your homework!…I’m saber-rattling. If you don’t, I’ll come back!”
Maria D’Angelo (‘94) of Children’s Lifesaving Foundation lauded Dolphin winners Jackie and Bob Sutton. The couple, who have been married for 60 years, had five of their six children in attendance: Carrie Cook and Kevin Sutton of Hermosa Beach, Julie Bacino of Laguna Beach, Suzanne Rottman of Santa Barbara and local John Sutton (Nancy Svensson, who was not in attendance, lives in Arizona).
“People work hard in Malibu,” said Jackie Sutton. “It’s an amazing community.”
Bob Sutton began with an apology to The Malibu Times. When he heard it was sold years ago, his impression was, “There goes the paper!” He teared up as he told the Yorks, “What you two have done with the paper…is sacred.”
Malibu Film Society organizer Scott Tallal introduced this year’s Young Dolphin award winner Benjamin Krasner. Krasner, 11, is a piano virtuoso who in his young career has performed all over the world. He has lent his talents in recent years to performing at local charity benefits, including at last year’s earthquake and tsunami relief event for Japan at the Malibu Lumber Yard. Decked out in a tuxedo, Krasner thanked “the City of Malibu, my friends, family and teachers” before performing a rousing rendition of Mendelssohn’s “Rondo Cappricioso” on a Yamaha organ.
State Senator Fran Pavley also spoke at the event, thanking both the Yorks and the community of Malibu.
“I don’t know how you top it every year,” Pavley told the Yorks regarding the awards presentation. “You have a very special community. I’m very honored to represent you.”
Representatives on behalf of State Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (Matthew Barnette) and County Board of Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky (Susan Nissman) were also on hand to present certificates and commendations. Karen York read a commendation on behalf of Congressman Henry Waxman.
Mary Higgins coordinated this year’s Dolphin Awards. Jena Chanel, MaryJo Fortin, Lenka Janischova-Shockley and Sherry Weinstein handled reception. With Tarte Catering and Chocolate Box Cafe providing brunch and the Steve McPeters Sextet performing, attendees mingled in style at the gala luncheon, with Maliballoons and flowers courtesy of Sea Lily and the Trancas Canyon Nursery adorning the Malibu West Beach Club.