Last Friday, I attended the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce Installation and Awards Ceremony held at the Blak Box Theatre in Joshua Tree. “You Ought To be in Pictures” was the theme for the event. The ticket said “Dress as your favorite movie star!” so I thought I would go with the Fanny Brice thing and for you younger readers, think Hello Dolly! I did not dress up as Lois Lane or Hedda Hopper because I could not locate those costumes…….Clark?
Outgoing Chamber President Mike “Grumpy” Kelliher, was dressed in an Applebee’s Bus Boy costume or MAYBE he was heading over to his new job after his demotion. He opened up the ceremony with his greetings before handing over the gavel to newly elected Chamber President, Dave Eckenberg, dressed as a Director sporting a black beret and wearing a mini megaphone around his neck.
The “Trifecta” dinner was catered by Bruce’s Coyote Kitchen and offered up chicken tenders served over wild rice pilaf and steamed vegetables. For the meat and potato guys, huge slabs of rare roast beef served with roasted potatoes. Why am I even writing about this you ask? Both meal choices were served on the same large plate to everyone. Even the vegetarians were happy as they scooted the meats off to the side leaving all the good stuff on their plates for the starving children in China. Good job Bruce! A Trifecta meal with all placing “First Place” in my book!
Recognizing the outstanding citizens of Yucca Valley, each was awarded an Oscar statuette in keeping with the theme of this event. They also received Proclamations from Senator Bob Dutton, Supervisor Neil Derry and Assemblyman Paul Cook. The “Terminator” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was not able to attend this red carpet event and his Proclamations were handed out by Alan Rasmussen.
And the Oscars went to:
CHP Officer of the Year: Officer Randy O’Brien, Firefighter of the Year: Captain Dave Breskin, Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year: Deputy Roger Meyer, Teacher of the Year: Roberta Ficara, Town Employee of the Year: Maureen Randall, Boss of the Year: Gary DeMaroney of Copper Mountain Broadcasting, Unsung Hero of the Year: Susan Corbin and Senator Dutton’s special award for Business of the Year went to Cynthia Kraemer. Congratulations to everyone!
Earlier in the program, Yucca Valley Town Council member George Huntington swore in the 2010 Directors and Officers with long and wordy pledge that stopped short of promising their first born child. Eleven students were called up to the stage that were awarded a Yucca Valley Scholarship and I apologize I do not have all of their names.
I wanted to give you the link to the Yucca Valley Chamber for the names of the incoming Directors and Officers but they are not up on the website.
Best Wishes to the newly elected Directors and Officers:
President Dave Eckenberg
President Elect Vickie Bridenstine
Past President Mike Kelliher
Secretary Megan Nielsen
Treasurer John Babrowski
Director Raj Idnani
Director Jeff Poland
Director Dorian Kirk
My kudos to Executive Director Cheryl Nankervis, “Stage Mom” dressed as Popeye and her assistant Sara Hutson “Under Study” for their hard work “Behind the Scenes.”
As I See It…..Cactus Thorns brings you the “Breaking Stories!”
THAT’S A WRAP!
