Retired Marine General to Head Disaster Preparedness Effort

Marine Brig. Gen. William A. Bloomer, (ret.), one-time commanding general of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, has agreed to serve as chairman of the 1988 Orange County Disaster Preparedness Academy.

The American Red Cross-sponsored academy, a one-day seminar scheduled April 26, will address emergency preparation for all segments of the community, including business, industry, government and schools.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to help educate Orange County in preparing for disaster of any kind,” said Bloomer, a Vietnam combat veteran who currently serves on the Irvine Public Safety Commission. “We have to face the fact that, geographically, we’re particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.”

Robert Ave’Lallement, 17, of Fullerton, who worked with handicapped people at a 3-day summer camp to complete his community-related service project, attained the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of Troop 200.

Tustin High School graduate Mark Grace was named by the Chicago Cubs organization as its 1987 Minor League Player of the Year at a banquet in Chicago. Andre Dawson of the Cubs also was honored at the ceremony for being named the National League’s Most Valuable Player for 1987. A 1981 graduate, Grace plays first base and will report to the Cubs’ Triple A team in Des Moines.

Four volunteers for “Someone Cares,” a free patient transportation service at Western Medical Center/Santa Ana, were honored at an awards banquet. Virginia (Jeannie) Lovil of Tustin was named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Armida Garcia of Orange was named Chaplain of the Year, Bernie Mott of Santa Ana won the “Bushels of Love” award and Liz Cason of Anaheim got the “Double Duty” award.

Harriett Fox, 75, of Costa Mesa, was selected over 21 other contestants to win Ms. Senior America of California at the Grand Hotel in Anaheim. She will represent the state in the national contest April 17-21 in Atlantic City.

Designed for women who have reached the “Age of Elegance,” the contest was judged on appearance, spirit, involvement and talent, according to pageant director Elda Barry of Huntington Harbour, last year’s state winner.

Fox is a singer and performs with an 18-piece orchestra at the Irvine Senior Citizens Center.

The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club will distribute $90,000, the proceeds of last year’s 42nd annual Fish Fry & Carnival, to nearly 50 community organizations on Feb. 9 at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club.

Beneficiaries will include the Lions-UCI Eye Bank and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Harbor and Newport Mesa areas. Service clubs, sports programs and sight and hearing groups also will receive funds.

Last year’s fish fry was the club’s most successful, said Paul Lamas, club president, who noted that this year’s event will be held June 3-5.

Barbara Buck and Terry Stark, both of Balboa Island, and Alan Reynolds of Irvine were named to the prestigious 2-year California Agricultural Leadership program.

It provides leadership training and experience for agriculturists ages 27 to 40 under sponsorship of the nonprofit Agricultural Education Foundation. The program culminates in a 2-week trip to Washington.

Ed Conway, president of the Dana Point Specific Plan Board of Review, has been named Dana Point’s Citizen of the Year by the 500-member Chamber of Commerce. Conway is past president of the chamber, serves on the steering committee incorporation task force seeking cityhood for the beach community, and is a member of the Orange County Harbors, Beaches and Parks Commission. He represents the 5th Supervisorial District on the county’s Overall Economic Commission.

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