The Malibu Times publishers Arnold and Karen Portugal York announce the 2008 Dolphin 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. More complete biographies on the Dolphin winners will be published in the coming weeks.
Alexis Deutsch-Adler
Deutsch-Adler is the founder of the “One Book, One City-Malibu” event in which citizens of Malibu are encouraged to read a particular book during one month each year. The purpose of the program is to bring the community together through a common interest. Deutsch-Adler’s efforts in gathering funding and soliciting sponsors has helped enable the purchase of the book of choice each year to be donated to local schools, the library and even be made available at local book stores.
Debrah Caraway
Caraway has been an employee at Ralphs grocery store for more than 30 years, cheering customers with her smile and by occasionally singing.
As Mary Gonzalez wrote: “She goes beyond work and makes you feel special.”
Caraway also participates in local charities and fundraising events, including as part of Ralphs Market Malibu Cancer Team, which participated in the Susan G. Komen Walk for Breast Cancer last year, along with local Dick Van Dyke.
Chris Cortazzo
A Realtor, Cortazzo grew up in Malibu and has contributed a great deal of his time and money to many philanthropic organizations, including the Point Dume Marine Science Healthy Lunch Program, the Boys and Girls Club, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Avon Walk for breast cancer, the Agoura Animal Shelter and the Wildlife Conservation Network. He also is a member of Malibu Board Riders Club, which provides a day at the beach for children with cancer, and was instrumental in creating Ride A Wave, which enables adult and pediatric quadriplegics enjoy Malibu’s beaches and experience surfing.
Fran Drescher
Drescher, a part-time Malibu resident, founded the movement Cancer Schmancer, named after the best-selling book she wrote on her battle with uterine cancer. It is the foundation’s goal to ensure that all women’s cancers are diagnosed in Stage 1, when they are most curable.
Drescher was appointed by the U.S. State Department last September as an American public diplomacy envoy on women’s health issues, and travels the world to help educate people about early cancer detection. She was instrumental in lobbying for the Gynecologic Cancers Education & Awareness Act of 2005, known as Johanna’s Law, named for Johanna Silver Gordon, who died from ovarian cancer in 2000, and for the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2007, HR 119, now updated to 2008, which was passed by the House and is now with the Senate.
Jonathan Friedman
Friedman had been with The Malibu Times since November 2002 when he became a freelance writer. He was hired as a staff writer in October 2003, and promoted to assistant editor in October 2004. During that time, Friedman gained respect and admiration from a variety of Malibu community members for his dogged, thorough and fair reporting.
He recently left the paper to work as an assistant marketing manager at PCR Services Corp., an environmental consultant firm.
Rebecca Gray
An honors student during her entire high school education, Gray, a 12th grader, is a percussionist for the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, regularly performs with the Malibu High School Orchestra, plays sports, has served on the Malibu Youth Commission, is treasurer of the Best Buddies program at Malibu High, is president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at her school, and is a trainer for the Gay-Straight Alliance Network’s Southern California Youth Council. Gray has also volunteered for the Weingart Center for the Homeless and is currently treasurer of the Malibu High School Optimist Club.
David Kagon
The late David Kagon was a longtime Malibu resident who was always active in the Malibu community. He served as an original member of the Malibu General Plan Task Force for more than two years, which was responsible for founding the City of Malibu and writing its constitution. He also helped the city establish a mediation group comprised of local attorneys to assist citizens in dispute resolution, helping to avoid lengthy, costly and contentious legal litigation. Kagon also represented the east end of Malibu on the Civic Center Plan during the ’90s. Before his death in December at the age of 90, Kagon was instrumental in spearheading the drive to reopen Rambla Pacifico in order to provide a safe emergency exit for fellow residents.
Scott Hosfeld and Maria Newman
Founders of Malibu Friends of Music, Hosfeld and Newman have offered world-class recitals of chamber music for free on a monthly basis at their home, the Montgomery Arts House for Music and Architecture. They have relied solely on donations, corporate contributions and their own financing to provide the Malibu community with these free concerts, as well as the Annual Malibu Coast Chamber Music Festival, which takes place for one week during the summer. Musicians from around the world, many of whom are housed in Hosfeld’s and Newman’s home during the festival, participate in this event. Also offered at MOHMA are performances by the Malibu Coast Chamber Ballet, using local ballerina talent performing original ballets, and the Malibu String Academy, which offers recitals by young students. The two groups were formed in conjunction with the Malibu Friends of Music to nurture cultural opportunities for Malibu’s youth.
-Laura Tate, Editor