School Volunteer Honored for Record Service

Los Alamitos resident Edith Rubin was presented the Outstanding Contribution to Education Award for donating 22,800 volunteer hours to the Los Alamitos School District, a record unmatched in the history of the district.

Rubin, who began her volunteer career in 1972, is currently donating her time at McGaugh Elementary School. Principal John Blaydes nominated her for the award, which was presented by the Orange County Department of Education.

Other awards presented to Rubin include the National Council of Jewish Women Outstanding Service Award, Weaver Elementary School PTA Honorary Service Award and Long Beach City of Hope Recognition Award.

Fullerton Fire Chief Ron Coleman, nationally recognized authority on fire service leadership and management, was lauded for his efforts to promote the use of fire sprinkler systems in homes and was presented the Henry S. Parmelee Award by the American Fire Sprinkler Assn. The award is named for the inventor of the first commercially successful closed sprinkler head.

Orange County high-tech engineer Bruce Del Mar was presented the Significant Achievement in Major Medical Electronics Award from the Academy of Medical Arts and Sciences, a Dallas-based group promoting the prudent use of medical technology.

He was cited for “meritorious service and significant individual contributions to health care” and for “single-handedly spawning an entire industry.”

Jamboree Center in Irvine; South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa; The City Tower in Orange; City Centre in Fountain Valley; Bixby Office Park in Seal Beach and Harbor Corporate Park in Santa Ana shared the spotlight with 34 other firms outside Orange County for outstanding contributions to the environmental quality of Southern California.

The honors, presented at the 32nd annual Business & Industry Awards Ceremony sponsored by Los Angeles Beautiful, were given to the firms for enhancing the environment and beauty of the community through landscaping and maintenance of their facilities.

Checks for $1,000 each and recognition for outstanding service to San Juan Capistrano were presented to city employees George Arreola, Nolen Boyer, Jeanne Beck, Nancy Barney, Tony Forster, Phil Falzarano, Julia Kimminau, Alberto Morales, Maricella Moreno, Diane Regier, John Reynolds, Dawn Schanderl and Julie Stanley.

The awards were based on recommendations of a committee of their peers and each employee was evaluated for skills, knowledge, positive attitude, action toward self-improvement, creativity, attendance and support of city goals.

Jeff Voss of Alta Loma was named California’s “Fastest Trowel on the Block” in a state contest for journeymen masons held at ORCO Block Co. in Stanton. The winner was determined by the number of cement blocks laid with the highest degree of workmanship in 20 minutes.

The Department of Health and Human Services in Washington named Orange resident William Steiner, executive director of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation in Orange, to receive its 1989 Commissioner’s Award.

The award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

The award noted that as director of the foundation, Steiner worked closely with the private sector to raise $8 million to build Orangewood Children’s Home, the county emergency shelter for abused and neglected children.

Huntington Beach resident Chauncey A. Alexander, an instructor in the department of social work at Cal State Long Beach, was presented a lifetime achievement award from the National Assn. of Social Workers based in Washington. A 50-year veteran of social welfare policy nationally and locally, Alexander was cited for his role as policy maker and administrator. He was executive director of the National Assn. of Social Workers from 1969-82.

“No one that I know of has been a more forceful and consistent spokesperson for the social work profession than Chauncey Alexander,” said Richard L. Edwards, NASW president.

State Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim) will be honored as Legislator of the Year by the California Assn. of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs at a dinner tonight in Palm Springs.

Among his many achievements, he is recognized as a leader in efforts to provide education and treatment programs for those convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Earlier, the Orange County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognized Seymour with its Government Leaders Against Drunk Driving Award.