The honorees for the 2011 Hammer-Marcum Award, Karin Ann Park and Terry Umstead, underscore the interests and concerns that epitomize the San Lorenzo Valley community. Karin represents its neighbors-helping-neighbors ideal, the meaning of its history, the value of its local businesses; Terry epitomizes the vital importance of educating its youth and understanding and protecting its environment. The Valley Women’s Club created the Award in 1987 to honor Mary Hammer and Annette Marcum, who had already given thousands of hours to improve the quality of life of local residents, and continue to do so 24 years later.

Our government representatives will join in the Celebration in their honor.  Congress Member, Anna Eshoo, is sending special recognition, and spokespersons for State Senator, Joe Simitian and State Assembly Member, Bill Monning, will add their tribute. Our 5th District Supervisor, Mark Stone, will make a presentation for the Board of Supervisors.

To add to the special nature of the celebration, will be an additional tribute to 1998 Hammer Marcum Honoree, Shirlee Byrd, who will be recognized for her decades of dedication to the Arts, as she retires from Santa Cruz County Arts Commission after ten years of service.

Reservations are being accepted for the Sunday, October 23rd Award presentation, at 1:30 pm at the Highlands Park Senior Center in Ben Lomond; send $12 for the wonderful dessert celebration, with music by Steve Abrams, to the Valley Women’s Club, PO Box 574, Ben Lomond, CA 95005; or email nbbm@cruzio.com, or contact Karen Burman at 335-8231, by October 17.