The Malibu Times publishers, Arnold and Karen Portugal York, announce the 2004 Dolphins Awards, recognizing individual or group contributions to the Malibu community. As in years past, many of those being honored this year are more than just individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to Malibu; they are in many ways the heart and soul of the city.
-Jacqueline Bridgeman
Malibu Stage Co. co-founder and president, Jacqueline Bridgeman has contributed her time, money and efforts to make the 15-year-old theater company a success in the Malibu community. Bridgeman actively pursues donations and support for Malibu Stage, and hosts playwrights and actors at her home who visit Malibu to perform at the theater.
-Rich Davis
Rich Davis has been the driving force behind Malibu Coastal Vision Inc., a citizen-driven, nonprofit corporation that seeks to ensure that Malibu residents and stakeholders have a voice in shaping the future of Malibu.
-Joan House
Joan House served on the City Council from 1992 to 2004. Her 12-year tenure was the longest in Malibu history. Joining the Malibu government just one year after the creation of the city, House was an instrumental force in building Malibu. She still remains active in local politics.
-Lea and Leon Johnson
For the past five years, Malibu residents and Realtors Lea and Leon Johnson, along with volunteers they’ve recruited, have been going down to Tijuana, usually in monthly trips, bringing much needed supplies of food, clothes, shoes, school supplies and more to the El Faro (The Lighthouse) Orphanage.
-Téa Leoni
Malibu resident Téa Leoni regularly takes time out of her busy schedule as a mother and actress to participate in charitable causes. Leoni has played an active role in the annual Take-A-Hike event for breast cancer research for the past seven years and is active in UNICEF, among other causes.
-Carol Randall
Carol Randall is a planning commissioner and public safety commissioner. She is active in traffic safety issues, and has been relentless in her efforts to get the state to create a double-fine zone on Pacific Coast Highway. Randall has also been active on other city committees throughout the years.
-Wes Walraven
Wes Walraven is the founder and chairman of The Shark Fund at Malibu High School. The nonprofit organization raises money for the high school. The organization is essential in a time when the state continues to cut public school funding.
-Ettenger and Welch Families
Janet and Roy Ettenger and their children, Simon, Elijah and Eden, and Diane and Steve Welch and their son, Maxx Bricklin, started the tradition of serving Thanksgiving dinner to laborers at the Malibu Labor Exchange and to the homeless in Malibu. The families’ children have run clothing and toiletries drives to hand out on Thanksgiving Day. In addition, the families have reached out to the youth at local juvenile detention camps located in and near Malibu.