By Ivy Weiss Contributing Reporter Calabasas The Calabasas Chamber of Commerce Monte Carlo Night & Installation Gala took place Jan. 30 at the new Calabasas Civic Center in Founders Hall. Serving as Installation Officer for this year’s ceremony was Mayor Pro Tem Jonathon Wolfson from the City of Calabasas. Douglas Ridley of Quisenberry, Ridley & Shiffman LLP was installed as the chairman of the board. Rounding out the 2009 Board of Directors are: First Vice Chair Kimberly Bordonaro; Vice Chair Finance Sue Orgen, SRO Business Solutions; Vice Chair Chamber Development, Trevis Rucci, UBS Financial Services; Vice Chair Governmental Affairs, Martin Seda, AXA Advisors, LLC; Vice Chair Membership, Dave Ribble, The Company Image; Immediate Past Chair Stephanie Warren, VICA; Jeff Blum, Wachovia Securities; Brenda Johnson, Calabasas Pharmacy; Rick Lemmo, Caruso Affiliated; Don Lucove, Lucove, Say & Company; Barbara McDaniel, Coldwell Banker Calabasas; Jeff Morton, AmeriFund Lending Group, LP; Michelle Paquette, All Ways Consulting; Matt Pime, New England Financial; and Elena Yasno, Ticket to Travel. Among the honorees were outgoing 2008 Board Members, Adam Adair, Eden Surgical & Wellness Center and Joe Donato, Acura 101 West Calabasas. This year’s Chairman’s Award was presented to Elena Yasno from Ticket to Travel. Yasno was elected to her first term in 2008 and she was appointed the new chamber sheriff of the Deputy Committee in December 2008. She serves on the Breakfast Committee and worked successfully as the volunteer coordinator for the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival. Each year, the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce proudly bestows an award to reflect the pioneering spirit, exceptional initiative and outstanding contributions to the Calabasas community in memory of Bill Van Gieson, who is remembered for his creative leadership in developing Chamber activities. This year’s Bill Van Gieson Memorial award was given to Arlene Bernholtz, who directed the Calabasas Chamber’s membership development for 13 years and who helped build the Chamber into one of the most successful business alliances in the region. Since her retirement in 2007, Bernholtz has continued to be active in numerous philanthropic, historical, cultural and community endeavors. Bernholtz is past-president and charter member of the Calabasas Historical Society; member of the Canoga Park-Owensmouth Historical Society board; regional vice president of the California Conference of Historical Societies; an election division precinct board member of the L.A. County Deputy Registrar; and is a pet therapy volunteer at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center with the group “Love On 4 Paws.” A little known fact: Bernholtz is also an avid Mercedes Club enthusiast. Canoga Park/West Hills On Feb. 5, the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce is having its 91st Installation Gala at the Marriott Woodland Hills, honoring John Parker, Parker Brown Inc., who served as chamber president for 2007 and 2008. The evening will also welcome the Chamber’s new President Jack Dawson, Princess Hardwood Flooring, and the 2009 Board of Directors. Councilman Dennis P. Zine will be this year’s Master of Ceremonies. Entertainment will be provided by comedian Sunda Croonquist. The 2008 Board selected Westfield Topanga and Promenade as the Large Business of the Year and Jacobi Building Materials as the Small Business of the Year. Included in the evening’s festivities will be a live auction with items that include dinner for four at Fire Station 106 in West Hills, and a day with Councilman Zine. There is a special Grand Prize Package of one-week passage for two to the Mexican Riviera on Carnival Cruises’ ship, “Spirit.” The Chamber is selling only 150 tickets at $50.00 each. The prize includes an interior cabin and all taxes and port charges. For information about the Gala and/or the grand prize, please contact the Chamber at (818) 884-4222. Chatsworth/Porter Ranch The Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber honored outgoing President for 2007 and 2008 Bill Powers, Law Offices of William F. Powers, Jr., with a celebration dinner and roast while it also welcomed 2009 President Les Himes, Phillipp & Associates Insurance Services, Inc. Les previously served as president of the Chamber for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000. The roasters included Fernando Award recipient Gloria Pollack, Gelb Enterprises; Chief of Staff for Councilman Greig Smith, Mitch Englander; and former Chamber and Chatsworth BID President Dick Pearson, Pearson & Co.. Returning board members are Ronald Bernheim, Trilogy Financial Services; Steve Boren, SZone; Kevin Huling, Les Sisters Southern Kitchen; John Jamgotchian, Law Offices of John Jamgotchian; Sean Kane, Captain LAPD; Jack Megrabyan, Affinity Bank; Nick Mont & #259;no, Los Toros Mexican Restaurant; Melissa Phillipp, Phillipp & Associates Insurance Services; Gloria Pollack, Gelb Enterprises; Jerre Reimers, Pratt & Whitney, Rocketdyne; Ron Schulkin, CPA; Mona Strehler, TPC Enterprises; Dick Styke, Castle Carpets; Linda van der Valk, Chatsworth Neighborhood Council; and Lucie Volotzky, Beds Unlimited. They were sworn in along with new Board member Amity Anderson, Time Warner Cable.
