Seen at the Scene: Honoring Rick Rackers' Woman of the Year

Feb. 5 arrived with a bright and beautiful moing when nearly 200 supporters came together at Old Ranch Country Club to honor Julie Taboada, the 61st Rick Rackers Woman of the Year.

Ricker Rackers is an Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Long Beach. Its primary philanthropy is Operation School Bell, dedicated to the vision that no child should fail to perform in school for lack of adequate clothing. The program provides school uniforms for children in need attending kindergarten through 12th grade in the LBUSD.

Based on Julie’s long history as both an educator and supporter of organizations that serve local children in-need, Woman of the Year chair Jeifer Peterson and crew styled the event as a vintage classroom.

Upon her retirement from LAUSD in 2005 Julie began her volunteer career serving on the boards of Long Beach Day Nursery, Constellation Middle School, and Tichenor Orthopedic Clinic for Children. Julie is currently the president of the Center Guild of AbilityFirst

Rick Rackers chair Blair Carty welcomed the attendees with a brief history of the organization’s 73 years of philanthropy in Long Beach.

“The School Bell program is a team comprised of Rick Rackers and Assistance League of Long Beach Chapter members,” Carty stated. “And is a great example of the phenomenal things that can be accomplished when the needs of kids are put first.”

The event raised more than $5,000 in donations for Operation School Bell. Bells at each table rang to celebrate every donation, following a heart wrenching speech by keynote speaker, Mona Cook, principal at Inteational Elementary School which illuminated the often extreme needs of her students.

Sharon Weissman, senior advisor to Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, presented Julie with a certificate honoring her service.

Past Women of the Year honorees attending were: Dorothy Wise, Jean Bixby Smith, Mya Wigod, Mary Klingensmith, Beverly O’Neill, Melva Miller, Suzae Nosworthy, Mary Alice Braly, Wanda Sewak, Shirley Wild, Shirlee Bouch, Gloria Deukmejian, Mari Hooper, Candice Stacy, Norma Marter, Judy McNulty-Black, Susan Bell, and Ae Marie Forster.

Seen at the Scene: Julie’s husband, Henry, their children and grandchildren, Suzae Powell, Nancy Higginson, Faye Alperin, Bill and Kathy Wade, Jane Jackson, Ellie Shaffner, Cindy Summers, Boie Dorrans, Linda Drummond, Nancy Smith, Mary Lee Freeman, Vickie Sullos, Shelly Barbre, Barbara Newton, Karen Sprague, Vicki Vaught, Jan Whisenant, Peggy Anatol, Nancy Lewis and Aette Kashiwabara.

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Police Foundation

More than 100 guests were welcomed by Mayor Robert Garcia, Police Chief Robert Luna and the Long Beach Police Foundation Board President Bruce D.D. Mac Rae as the Foundation kicked off its 2016 fundraising campaign, “Passion for Police.”

The foundation raised more than $40,000 from sponsors and silent and live auction items during the three-hour event hosted by Keesal, Young & Logan on Feb. 11.

Donations to the Police Foundation raise money to fund projects, training and equipment that help improve operations. Last year the department received drug and terrorist interdiction training, leadership training and equipment to support detectives and patrol officers.

The department also receives ongoing support and funding for community engagement programs including the Youth Police Explorers, Quality of Life Unit which assists officers with the mentally ill and homeless, Search & Rescue, Holiday Patrol and Shop with a Cop.

Long Beach resident, Al Brunella working with the evidence control section, developed a gun crusher that gives the department the capability for on-site destruction of firearms instead of having to transport them to another agency with an armed security escort. Through the Foundation, Al donated the materials and labor to build the hydraulic machine which can destroy 150 to 200 firearms in three hours saving the department thousands of dollars aually.

Seen at the Scene: included the Senior Police Officers and Explorers, Dan Walker, Mike Walter, Mari Hooper, Janet McCarthy, John Dixon, Gretchen Houser, Lacy Marlette, Patti Fly, Zubin Fitter and Hank Feldman.

CAMEO presents LBCC Culinary Arts

At last year’s CAMEO fashion show Coie Sziebel won the “Trump the Auction” drawing at which she could pick any auction item. She chose “Dier for 10” prepared by Chef Haley Nguyen and ten of her students in the new Long Beach City College Culinary Arts Building.

CAMEO member Giy Baxter generously gave the go-ahead to auctioneer Randy Gordon for another opportunity as an auction bid with Pam Munday as the wier.

On Feb. 18, both groups enjoyed a wonderful evening at the impressive new LBCC Culinary Arts facility. The 20 guests were hosted by Giy, assisted by Camille Bolton. During the reception the throng gathered in the mode kitchen to watch one of the students demonstrating an hors d’ouevre.

Seated in the dining area the group watched as the kitchen cameras followed the dier preparation of an impressive dier beautifully plated that included first course of frisee, dates, bacon, blood oranges, feta cheese with balsamic reduction.

Second course was grilled shrimp, creamed leeks, pickled beets in feel broth. A choice of short ribs or grilled chicken was followed by chocolate molten cake with ice cream and roasted pineapple dessert.

Over 250 students are enrolled in the Culinary Arts program that provides instruction not only for chefs but also experience in catering and restaurant management. The facility has a bakery and bistro luncheon open to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the semester. Reservations may be made at [email protected].

Seen at the Scene: Pam and Mike Munday, Dr. Ron and Wendy Smith, Rosi Pedersen, Larry Forrester, Carol Nimmons, Jessie Sziebl Christensen, Laura Claveran, Rich and Pat Archbold, Ae Cramer

News of social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at [email protected] or by fax to (562) 594-9668. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to [email protected] and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at (562) 594-9468 for more information. Please check the website for coverage of additional events: wwwpresstelegram.com/social.

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