Seaside Park Board Announces Awards

The board of directors of Seaside Park in Ventura announced the winners of its annual awards, which honor individuals for outstanding efforts and contributions to the success of the fairgrounds, the Derby Club and the 1997 Ventura County Fair.

Jim Naylor, owner of Raceway Promotions, which hosts the Ventura Raceway at the park, was awarded the Western Fairs Assn. Blue Ribbon Award. The award is the highest honor presented for meritorious service to the fair industry.

Carolyn Adams of Ventura received the Manager’s Award in recognition of her “vision for Seaside Park and talents in expanding the facility rental program.”

The following people were each honored with a Director’s Award:

Dan Peyton of Camarillo for his “dedication and contributions as liaison between 4-H and the Ventura County Fair.”

Janette Brown of Ventura for her “positive attitude and commitment to guest service in the Derby Club.”

Hal Beavers of Oxnard for “creating and developing youth programs for the fair.”

Frankie Valenzuela of Ventura for his “cheerful manner, prompt positive response and excellent work on the Facilities staff.” Jymmye Hitch and Jacqueline Kelly, both of Ventura, for their 50 years of volunteer service to the Ventura County Fair. Bill and Lois Allmen of Oxnard for their years of volunteering in the Gems and Minerals Department at the Ventura County Fair.

Sue Kleine of Oak View for her “talents in bringing new and exciting exhibits to the Agriculture Department every year.”

Kaye Zerbes of Ventura for her “positive attitude in guest relations at the Derby Club and in the fair’s souvenir booth, as well as her volunteer service in floriculture.”

Linda Jenkins of Oxnard for her “professionalism, common sense and ability to coordinate diverse activities through her office.”

A new award--the Jack Morgan Memorial Award for outstanding Guest Service--was introduced in honor of the late Jack Morgan, who staffed the parking lot ticket booth with his wife Norma.

Graduate Awarded Fulbright Scholarship * Gregory Dobbins, who graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in 1990, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. Dobbins will attend Trinity College and University College Dublin in Ireland to research his doctoral dissertation in the field of Irish literature with an emphasis on the works of James Joyce. Dobbins graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with an honors degree in English and Celtic studies from UC Berkeley in 1994. His parents, Maureen and Terry Dobbins, still live in Thousand Oaks.

Chamber CEO Receives Accreditation * Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Jane Levett was recognized as an accredited chamber executive by the Western Assn. of Chamber Executives. Levett was one of five Chamber of Commerce executives awarded accreditation this year at the association’s annual conference in Cost Mesa. The program was created in 1992 to encourage chamber executives to upgrade and expand their skills through continuing education and training programs in the chamber management and business fields. Out of 500 members, only 35 chamber executives in the state have received the designation.

Awards and Honors is compiled by Rodney Bosch. Please address items to Awards and Honors, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items can also be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.