Chamber Installation Dinner, June 12

Gavin MacLeod Signs on for Second Term as Honorary Mayor

The Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce will hold its 59th Annual Installation Dinner on Thursday, June 12, at the Riviera Country Club. The festivities, including dancing, begin at 6 p.m. During the evening, actor Gavin MacLeod (‘The Love Boat’ and ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’) will be sworn in for a second two-year term as the town’s honorary mayor. He becomes only the fourth celebrity to serve a second term, joining John Raitt, Steve Guttenberg, and MacLeod’s good pal, the late Ted Knight. Antonia Balfour, co-owner of Oasis Palisades, a new health spa in Marquez, will receive a gavel as the new Chamber president. She succeeds Palisades resident Brad Lusk of Sunrise Senior Living Santa Monica. The Mort Farberow Businessperson of the Year Award will be presented to longtime Palisadian David Williams, owner of Mogan’s Caf’ in the Highlands and the longtime (recently retired) soccer coach at Palisades High. Criteria for this award are the three C’s that the late Farberow valued dearly: ‘Community,’ ‘Chamber’ and ‘Children.’ Past recipients have been Bob Benton, Bob Sharka, Roberta Donohue, Cheryel Kanan and Sam Lagana. This year’s Beautification Award (presented by representatives of the Palisades Rotary Club) will go to Palisades Charter High School, in recognition of its $1.7-million makeover of the school’s long-neglected football field and running track. Through its addition of a synthetic track and artificial turf field, Pali has significantly improved the aesthetics along Temescal Canyon Road while expanding year-round use of the facility. The annual Best New Business Award will be given to Palisadian Nicole Howard for her Internet endeavor, ThisWeekinPalisades.com, an online calendar of upcoming events in the community. Launched in 2006, the interactive site provides local residents with a weekly e-mail update each Thursday, designed to help them with their weekend planning. Along with Balfour, Lusk and Williams, the Chamber’s new executive board will include president-elect Ramis Sadrieh (Technology for You!), vice president John Petrick (Perennial Financial Services), vice president Greg Wood (Palisades Charter High School), and past presidents Roberta Donohue (Palisadian-Post publisher and Post Printing), Sandy Eddy (The Discovery Shop), and Roy Robbins (Roy Robbins Gifts and Stationery). The new board of directors will consist of Sanda Alcaly (Coldwell Banker), Brett Bjornson (attorney), Rena Bornstein (Cognitiatives), Zara Guivi (CalNational Bank), Nicole Howard, Sam Lagana (Pepperdine University), Jennifer Lowe (Metrocities Mortgage), and Angela Parker (Body Inspired Fitness). Leaving the Board will be Dr. Robert Bornstein and Lester Wood. Sam Lagana will serve as the evening’s emcee. The invocation will be read by Brother Atmananda of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine. Live musical entertainment will be performed by Ernie Hernandez and his orchestra. Silent auction items will be on display. Dinner reservations ($77 per person) can be made at the Chamber office on Antioch or by calling (310) 459-7963.