Shirley Wild: Business council hands out Women of Excellence Awards

More than 100 guests were welcomed with a glass of champagne while taking in the view of the Long Beach Downtown Skyline at the Reef earlier this year. They were there to celebrate the annual Women’s Business Council’s Women of Excellence Awards.

The WBC is part of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Vice President Dana Buchanan was the master of ceremonies for the March evening. After welcoming the throng, she introduced Dr. Nishan Tchekmedyian, deputy physician-in-chief and associate clinical professor at the City of Hope’s Department of Oncology and Therapeutic Research. After his presentation, a congratulatory video from LB Chamber President Jeremy Harris was shown. An informative video, from the past WBC president and founder of the Women of Business Awards, April Barnes, followed. Yvonne Santos, WBC president, warmly moderated the panel of honorees in a lively, spontaneous discussion that was both impactful and heartfelt.

Awards were given for Outstanding Community Leader, Outstanding Woman in Business, Outstanding Woman in Education and the Small Business Grant Recipient. All nominees must be Long Beach Chamber members.

The honorees were: Brandee Raygoza, sponsored by the City of Hope, received the Small Business Grant; Alba Danely received the Outstanding Community Leader award; Sossi Crilly received the Outstanding Woman in Business award; and Tasha Hunter received the Outstanding Woman in Education award.

Seen at the Scene: Aimee Mandala, Kris Gragson, Mary Sopheia, Megan Christensen, Julie Maleki-Noggle, Heather Summers, Cheryl Vargas, Leslie Smith, Loara Cadavona, Brissa Sotelo-Vargas, Andrea Sulsona, Kari Wells, Diana Rodriguez, Jorge Herrera Avila, Judy Nelson, Sharlyn Ouzounian.

The Stramski Center visits Dirtbags ball game

The Steel Magnolias were on hand to help patients and families of The Stramski Center enjoy a fun day at the Dirtbags baseball game at Long Beach State on May 19. Steel Magnolias and LBSU sponsored the children and families of Stramski Children’s Developmental Center in Long Beach.

The exciting event allowed the children and families of the center to attend the baseball game, have some fun games and prizes pregame, and enjoy a delicious lunch provided by Legends Restaurant & Sports Bar. Pregame events included lawn games that the children could play to win Beanie Babies or bobble head prizes.

Steel Magnolias President Bobbie Fesler and her granddaughter threw out the first pitch with one of the children from Stramski Center. The event chairs were Gary Lee Wolf, who was celebrating his birthday, and Cathy King. The children and families were in the right field pavilion to watch the Dirtbags play the University of Hawaii. Unfortunately, the Dirtbags lost the game.

Seen at the Scene: Dr. Gary Feldman Director of the Stramski Center, Steel Magnolias, President Bobbie and Don Fesler, President-Elect Michele Dobson, Lifetime member Anthony Gagliardi, Gary Lee Wolf, Cathy King, Sue DeRosa, Carl Lee, Sherry Loos, Valerie Uyeda, Marianne Gastelum, Melanie Alvitre, and Angi Burkard.

News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net or by fax to 562-594-9468. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.