Susan McInerney, Leslie Pereira and Bruce Schwartz were named Golden Sparkplug Award winners last Thursday by the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC).
“Each of these worthy honorees contributed to the betterment, safety and community involvement within Pacific Palisades in 2012,” said Community Council President Barbara Kohn. “They will be honored at our April 11 meeting, when we also celebrate PPCC’s 40th anniversary.”
McInerney was honored on behalf of her volunteer work at the Palisades Recreation Center the past three years, first for conceiving and organizing a “Spooktacular” event every Halloween that draws 800 to 1,000 people, and second for chairing a similar Easter event called “Eggstravaganza.”
Pereira was recognized for launching (with her husband, Eugene Volokh) the Pacific Palisades Spelling Bee at the Rustic Canyon Recreation Center in February 2012, an event that drew 115 students (first through fifth grade) from 15 schools. She again chaired this year’s event, which attracted 135 students.
“My children have attended both spelling bees,” said nominator William Hamm, “and while we have not won, they have enjoyed it and learned a lot. I do not know Leslie and Eugene that well but respect and admire their dedication to mount an event that truly is a community gem.”
In 2012, said nominator Janet Turner, “Bruce Schwartz sparked
the idea of a Sunset Safety Week and particularly the aspect of banners along Sunset to educate our community about the dangers of distracted driving.
“Currently the banners are up and plans are in the works for a yearly event or series of events to bring the seriousness of this issue to the public’s attention.” (See related Sunset story, page 1.)
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