Calabasas Chamber plans gala annual event
Van Gieson award announced

NOTABLE- Rodger Sterling, left, will be the recipient of the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce Bill Van Gieson community service award at this weekend's gala. Douglas Ridley, right, will become the Chamber's new chairman of the board.

The 2008 Calabasas Chamber of Commerce board installation and "Hollywood Glamour Evening" is set for 6 p.m. Sat., Jan. 26 at the Calabasas Country Club, 4515 Park Entrada in Calabasas. According to the Chamber, it will be an evening of recognition and fine entertainment.

Television, film and stage actor Tim Snay ("The Practice," "Ally McBeal," "The Gilmore Girls," "Close to Home" and "Oceans 11") will serve as master of ceremonies.

Guests will be entertained by radio personality Joy Bonner and will hear the singing voices of Elizabeth Howard's Vocal Power Inc. Ensemble. Howard and partner Geoffrey Forward are the owners and operators of the Los Angeles Shakespeare Company's Globe Theater in Topanga.

During the evening the Chamber will present its annual Chairman's Award and Bill Van Gieson Memorial Award. Rodger Sterling, publisher of the Valley News Group, will receive the Van Gieson honor for his many years of community service.

Bill Van Gieson, a community pioneer and longtime volunteer, was former owner of the Calabasas Saddlery.

Past recipients include Bob Hill, Ray Phillips, Dennis Washburn, Flo Klein, Mac and Alice Stelle, and Frank and Betty-Jean Farmer.

Sterling bought the Las Virgenes Enterprise in 1968 from Mac and Alice Stelle, who had founded the local newspaper to aid in bringing water and schools to the Las Virgenes district.

Sterling was president of the Calabasas Chamber in 1970 and 1974 and during his tenure he started the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival. He lives with his wife and daughter in Agoura.

Also being honored for their dedication and service to the business community will be 2006-07 board chair Stephanie Warren and other outgoing board members. Douglas Ridley, a lawyer from the Agoura Hills firm of Quisenberry, Ridley & Shiffman, will be sworn in as the new board chair.

Serving as installation officer for this year's ceremony will be Calabasas Mayor James Bozajian.

To make a reservation for the gala Chamber event, call (818) 222-5680.