State Sen. Fran Pavley and other dignitaries attended the awards ceremony on Saturday to honor nine outstanding members of the Malibu community.
By Olivia Damavandi / Assistant Editor
Sunshine emerged through looming rain clouds Saturday morning, as more than 100 people gathered at the Malibu West Beach Club to honor the 2009 recipients of The Malibu Times 20th annual Citizens of the Year Dolphin Awards.
The awards are presented each year by The Malibu Times to recognize and thank the recipients for their contributions, volunteerism and tireless work and devotion to the community of Malibu.
Greeted by Times publishers Arnold and Karen York, the awardees included Malibu Mayor Sharon Barovsky, Ann Buxie, Leon Cooper, Cindy Ludwig, Malibu City Councilmember Andy Stern and John Zambetti. Malibu High School senior Erica Posey received the Youth Dolphin Award, and Ron Merriman accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Current and former members of the Malibu City Council, and several city officials, as well as candidates in the upcoming city council election attended the awards ceremony. State Sen. Fran Pavley, state Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, and Susan Nissman, deputy for County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, were also on hand to congratulate the honorees and to award them certificates of recognition. The office of Congressman Henry Waxman also sent certificates of honor.
Monsignor John Sheridan of Our Lady of Malibu Church, in opening remarks to guests, spoke of the sense of community that makes Malibu so unique. Dolphin recipients in their acceptance speeches echoed that theme, and expressed gratitude for being able to serve the community.
Mayor Barovsky and Councilmember Stern, whose final terms will expire in April, were each recognized for their leadership and for serving more than 10 years in public office. They were also praised for their individual efforts in making possible the acquisition of the Malibu Performing Arts Center to serve as a new city hall, and the purchase of the former Chili Cook-Off land to develop Legacy Park, among other achievements.
Past Dolphin honorees presented the newest crop with their awards.
Former Mayor and councilman Ken Kearsley presented the award to Barovsky, whom he dubbed “The Queen of Quip.”
Kearsley lauded the continuation of her community activism despite the loss of her husband Harry Barovsky, who died suddenly in 2000 while serving as mayor pro tem.
“I stood here 10 years ago to accept a Dolphin Award for my husband and I stand here today accepting it for my husband because most of what he wanted to do has been accomplished,” Barovsky said, before receiving a standing ovation.
Stern was introduced by former Mayor and councilman Jeff Jennings, who applauded Stern’s leadership in winning the fight against a proposed BHP Billiton liquid natural gas port off the Malibu coast.
Stern thanked his fellow council members for their support and the people of Malibu for electing him twice. “It has been an honor, I’m very privileged,” he said.
Bill Armstrong presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to master educator Ron Merriman, who has served as principal and a teacher for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District for more than 35 years.
Merriman said he first realized “what a wonderful place Malibu is” when he began teaching at Juan Cabrillo Elementary School decades ago.
“I found that when I came [to Malibu], kids could leave their lunch money sitting on their desk. In town, if you had your money sitting on your desk, it disappeared,” Merriman said.
Cindy Ludwig was also recognized for her dedication to education as the director of the Malibu Presbyterian Church Nursery School, where she has taught for more than a decade. Ludwig was presented by Kay Gabbard, who highlighted Ludwig’s commitment to creating a safe school environment, especially after the 2007 Malibu Canyon Fire destroyed the school and church.
“We’re here today as citizens of one of the most incredible places God has ever created,” Ludwig said. “My husband and I moved to Malibu 33 years ago in search of community … with excellent public schools, clean air and people who care about each other. And we found that in Malibu.”
Dolphin Jo Giese introduced Ann Buxie, director of Malibu’s Tales by the Sea. Buxie was acknowledged for running the storytelling events since 1995, bringing to Malibu some of the best professional storytellers from throughout the country and transforming an ancient tradition of communication into an art form.
World War II veteran and former Malibu Township Council president Leon Cooper was praised by former Mayor Walt Keller for his commitment to protecting Malibu’s uniquely “small-town” character and for helping to achieve its cityhood. Cooper is also well known for his current project: repatriating the bones of more than 1,100 American soldiers who were killed during battle-in which he participated-on the Central Pacific island of Tarawa in 1943.
Malibu High School Principal Dr. Mark Kelly presented Erica Posey with the Youth Dolphin Award, praising her ardent volunteerism. Posey has worked on the junior staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu after school and cochaired the Harry Barovsky Memorial Youth Commission, among many other activities and events.
“There are so many students who are willing to step up and help other communities and other people,” Posey said in accepting her award. “I feel so privileged to have been a part of this community with so many people who are willing to give their time and their spirit.”
Dolphin Alexis Adler gave the final award to John Zambetti, a doctor and musician who, in addition to various volunteer work, started the annual Malibu Christmas Woody Parade in honor of the classic car. Before performing a song he wrote about Malibu, which in 1996 became the theme song to an MTV series called “Malibu Beach House,” Zambetti said, “Talk about dreams. A 14-year-old-kid from the Bronx writes a song about Malibu, and now here I am.”
Guests enjoyed live music by the Steve McPeters Jazz Trio, a full buffet breakfast by Richard Chesterfield of Monrose Catering, and decorations and floral arrangements by MaliBalloons and The Malibu Garden Center.