Summer 2012 - Steel Magnolias

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We Help Children’s Health Blossom
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Stramski Children’s Developmental Center
at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach
Summer 2012
President’s Message
Service is the rent
we pay for living
Reaching out is
what we are all
about. This spring
the Steel Magnolia members have
been busy doing
just that!
On May 20
we reached out to
the Stramski Center families and along
with the Long Beach State Baseball
team treated 400 children and families
to a ballgame and party at Blair Field.
“MY BEST DAY EVER”, a handmade
sign held by a young child, summarized the day.
In May we also had the privilege of
welcoming the Stags, a prominent
group of men in Long Beach, who
formed their own alliance group to support the Stramski Children's Developmental Center.
In June we reached out to you, our
supporters, to attend a fabulous Home
Tour of five gorgeous and unique
homes. Around 550 people toured the
homes and joined us at a reception in
Tony Gagliardi's back yard for scrumptious hors d'oeuvres, provided by Forbidden City, along with the best hot
dogs in town.
Steel Magnolias never stops! This is
a wonderful group of men and women
who work all year long finding ways to
support the Stramski Center. We do
hope you will join us on September 15
for a fantastic gala “Salute the Cause”
being planned at Virginia Country
Club. We want to invite you to celebrate and thank you for your support
of the Stramski Children's Developmental Center.
Lorie Merrill
President, Steel Magnolias
Those Fabulous Party
Opportunities are Back!
P
lease join us for Steel
Magnolia's annual Gala
on September 15. It will be a
wonderful party and a celebration of Steel Magnolias thirteen years of support for
Stramski Center. We return
to beautiful Virginia Country
Club for a hosted reception in
the club house, followed by a
scrumptious dinner on the
Virginia Country Club.
tented upper level in front of the
club house.
You will be enticed by several of Steel Magnolias signature
one-of-a-kind, over-the-top parties offered for sale, including a
Titanic party, a French dinner,
and an Oscar party. Look for costumed models and glamorously
Chicago Party 2012.
set tables describing each party,
along with entertainment throughout the evening and dancing to the Lee Farrell Ensemble. New features this year include a Kids Klub lemonade stand and silent auction of
themed restaurant gift cards.
Aloha! Hawaii beckons for a five night stay at the St. Regis Resort in Kauai, Hawaii,
including a round of golf for two. Revel in the five-star restaurant, acclaimed spa, and
breath-taking views at this world famous hotel! This visit to paradise is offered in the
short, very select, live auction. Another offering is a trip to Washington, D.C., complete
with tour of the Capitol and round-trip airfare or, for the stay-at-homes, how about a
round of golf for four and lunch at Virginia CC, with renowned Jamie Mulligan checking
out your swing?
"Expect the unexpected!" Our creative group always offers excitement, surprises and
fun-- Chairman Gary Wolf and his committee are hard at work making this the best Gala
ever. We play, but we are very serious about our devotion to the worthy cause of supporting Stramski Center's work with children in need of highly specialized care and services.
We need your support to continue the tradition – don't miss out on an evening of great
fun and the chance to do a good deed at the same time!
Stags Launch
Man of the Year
Steel Magnolias
Scrapbook
Steve Goodling
Steve Goodling was selected from
five community leaders for the first Stag,
Man of the Year Award. The Stags, an all
male committee, is an alliance of the
Steel Magnolias. Candidates were chosen for their current community contributions and leadership, not their lifetime
achievements. The candidates were
Steve Goodling, Mike Donelon, Dan
Monson, Roy Paul, and Sam
Breuklander.
Goodling received a beautiful crystal
trophy after a few laughs were had at his
expense, from comedian Tiffany
Haddish, during the evening's Roast. The
evening also included dinner, cocktails,
and cigars al fresco at The Grand on May
31.
There were 163 men in attendance,
which under usual social circumstances
would equate to 326 guests--an impressive turn out under any circumstances,
but particularly for a first time event!
The committee was chaired by
Robert McKenna and Ryan Choura with
Stags board member John Morris as master of ceremonies. The charter board
members also include: Jim Bunnell, Dr.
Larry Drum, Mike DuRee, John Knight,
Randy Martin, Tom Ramsey, Harry
Saltzgaver. Charter Stag Members attending included: John Faber, Dan Gooch,
John Metcalf, Merle Asper, Alex Cherin,
Darren Hamilton, Wayne Kitsner, Rick
Limer, Jerry Maize, Nate Olsen, Tom Nix,
Paul Padova, Kelly Williams, David
Stanton.
Rigo, born with a cleft palate, has been coming to the Stramski Center since he was 10. He had a
computer that was used when he received it 10 years ago. Kay Chun, the Center's Clinical Social
Worker, knew that when he enters Cypress College in the fall he could use a newer computer. She
asked Steel Magnolias for help. Dr. Bonnie Bateman Ganz donated a new laptop and Steel Magnolias
members Jorene Hankla, Betsy Metcalf, Marian Pincombe and Loree Scarborough purchased a printer,
cartridges, and paper for him.
Left to right: Lorie Merrill, Kay Chun, Rigo Cano, Rigo's mother, Jorene Hankla, Dr. Feldman, The
Center's Medical Director, Loree Scarborough,
and Marian Pincombe.
Right: Steel Magnolias Joyce
Krauss, Linda Drummond, Sharon
Civalleri, and Debi Lorbeer with
stuffed dogs donated by Joe
Edmonds to children at the
Stramski Center.
Below: Stags members John
Faber, Jeff Wimbish, Chairman
Robert McKenna, Co-Chair Ryan
Choura and Randy Martin.
Right: Jeanne Suttie and Dave
Houser, hosts of Chicago party
purchased at 2011 Gala.
Introducing:
Christina Aguirre-Kolb
M.S., L.E.P., A.B.S.N.P.
T
he Stramski Children's Developmental Center at Miller
Children's hospital recently added a new
member to the care
team, Christina AguirreKolb, an Educational
Psychologist.
A psychologist is necessary to the Stramski
Center's program because many of the paChristina Aguirre-Kolb
tients have behavioral
or developmental conditions that impact their learning and growth. Christina worked as
a school psychologist in Santa Barbara for seven years before moving to Long Beach.
As an educational psychologist, Christina looks at the social and cognitive development of patients at the Stramski Center. She often serves as a conduit between the child
and their parents, school teachers and even physicians. When working with each child,
the goal is to understand their differences and highlight their strengths.
Among other things, her work helps others understand how to encourage the child to
focus, retain information, and communicate effectively. Christina uses cognitive assessments, academic tests, vision and auditory capability tests, and fine and gross motor skills
tests to measure a child's strengths and weaknesses in their learning abilities. Results are
then used to provide behavioral and educational intervention tactics for parents, physicians and schools.
Game Day
Success
The children, families, and the staff of
the Stramski Center enjoyed a fun day in
the sun on May 20 at Blair Field watching
the CSULB Dirtbags play ball. The event
raised approximately $4,000 for the
Stramski Children's Developmental Center
of Miller Children's Hospital Center.
At the Steel Magnolia/Stramski Center
party, before the LB State – U of Pacific
game, the youngsters wearing “LB State
Dirtbag”/Stramski Kids” tee shirts, were
treated to a fun pre-game event. They
were greeted by life size cartoon figures -Mr. Toast (handing out books); Jack the
Dog (delivering tempting hot dogs from
DOGZ); and Jose the Balloon Man making balloon animals for each of the children. The kids also received a baseball
signed by the entire 'Dirtbag' team–and by
Chuck Lopez (one of LB State top 30
'Dirtbags' of all time). A highlight of the
event was when the entire LB State
Dirtbag team came to the party to greet
the kids!
There were games to play and baseball signs to make (with the aid of the LB
State interns). There were peanuts and
Cracker Jacks and more delicious food provided by Legends, Naples Ribs, Joe Josts
and Creative Cakery. A drawing was held
for two bicycles, a giant bear, two Jered
Weaver bobble heads, Dirtbag hats, coupons for batting cages, and LB State sports
toys.
“We have tests that are task-oriented and some that are just a regular arithmetic
test,” says Christina. “I encourage the kids to take their time and not to be embarrassed of any wrong answers. The wrong answers are the ones that help me determine what types of intervention are needed. My goal is to find out a child's strength
and make them as strong as possible so their education can be as valuable as possible,” says Christina.
Visiting the Stramski Center is an emotionally moving experience, beginning with
the constantly busy waiting area filled with parents and children of all ages, some
playing games, others sitting quietly (or not so quietly) on laps.
From the waiting room it is clear that each family unit is struggling to find the
best care for their child, the most nurturing and effective care they so richly deserve.
The multi-disciplinary nature of the children's physical, mental and emotional conditions
is managed by a comprehensive team of professionals with skill, talent and love. There is
no doubt Christina is a vital piece to the treatment plan for each child at the Stramski
Center. Please stop by to say hello and welcome her during your next visit.
Throwing out the first balls were
Mayor Bob Foster and Medical Director of
the Stramski Center, Dr. Gary Feldman,
with able assistance from twins Abigail
and Colin Nolta. Sandy and Rich Kaley
coordinated the day's events.
Steel Magnolias
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Long Beach, CA
Permit No. 368
Federal ID # 32-0355983
6216 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. #352
Long Beach, CA 90803
www.thesteelmagnolias.org ·
(562) 331-8007
Looking Ahead to 13th
Annual Celebration
September 15, 2012
Steel Magnolias 13th Annual Gala,
Virginia Country Club
Sponsorship opportunities available: Contact Debra Barrad at
[email protected]
December 2012
Year End Kids Klub Campaign
Please look for your letter in the
mail.
T.B.A. Spring 2013
9th Annual Style Long Beach
Home Tour
Newsletter Editor: Leigh Latimer
Contributors: Shirley Wild, Linda
Drummond, Susan Redfield,
Carolyn Bixby, Dr. James Wells,
Janis Krantz
Design: [email protected]
Long Beach Homes
Wow Visitors
June 10 was a perfect California summer day for Steel
Magnolias and its 8th
annual Style…Long
Beach Home Design
Tour. About 550 people attended the
event, which was a
tour de force of five
fabulous Long Beach
living styles, from period Art Deco and
Craftsman to Mediterranean to contemporary.
The two homes in Belmont
Heights and three in Park Estates delighted the visitors as they oohed and
aahed over such features as flowerfilled courtyards, a Batchelder tiled
fireplace, an illuminated onyx bar, a
climate-controlled wine room, and a
clerestory illuminated living room.
Homeowners who generously offered their homes for the tour were
Bill Barden, Alan & Trish Ross, Vic &
Priya Jain, Jim & Sheri Eaton, and
Jerry & Jean Green.
Steel Magnolias Members
Founder
Shirley Wild
Chairman
Anthony Gagliardi
President
Lorie Merrill
President Elect
Carolyn Bixby
Honorary Member
Dr. Beverly O’Neill
Susie Atwood
Shelly Barbre s
Debra Barrad
Susan Bell s
Carolyn Bixby
Judy McNulty Black
Karen Blair
Shirlee Bouch
Mary Alice Braly
Audrey Choura
Sharon Civalleri
Stephanie Davis
Gloria Deukmejian
Paul Diego
Linda Drummond
Aimee DuRee
Diana Eastman s
Carolyn Faber
Eline Fudge
Barbara Gaylord s
Elaine Goodnoe
Gail Gray
Jackey Gray s
Shell Grossman s
Barbara McDonald Hall s
Jorene Hankla
Michelle Hertzog s
Susan Hill
Mari Hooper
Lorrie Hutton s
Judie Johnsen s
Jeannie Jones
Dia Kaesman
Sandy Kaley
Nancy Kindelan
After touring the five homes, guests were invited to the Park Estates home of Steel Magnolias Chairman Anthony Gagliardi, where everyone enjoyed hors d'oeuvres from Forbidden City
and delicious desserts provided by Steel Magnolia members. Guests shopped in a boutique featuring jewelry, orchids, and clothing. An astrologer and a psychic, a display of vintage cars, and
musical entertainment added to the fun. The
event netted approximately $40,000 for the
Geraldine Stramski Children's Developmental
Center at Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach.
Our thanks to Chairman Garry Sandlin and his
wonderful crew!
Mary Klingensmith
Joan Knight s
Janis Krantz
Joyce Krauss
Linda Lassers s
Leigh Latimer
Kathy Lingle
Sherry Loos
Debi Lorbeer
Pam Luckey
Carolyn Maney
Patty McCarty s
Dawn McKenna s
Valerie Martin
Betsy Metcalfe
Elizabeth Minor s
Jo Murray
Kim Neipling
Karen Nolta
Kelly Pierce s
Marian Pincombe
Ellen Pook
Renee Pratto
Susan Redfield
Jill Rosenberg s
Garry Sandlin
Loree Scarborough
Bonnie Scott s
Sandra Sherrard s
Lynn Shrum s
Candice Stacy s
Jocelyn Stanton s
Julie Suares
Marlene Temple
Deborah Veady
Karen Wells
Myrna Wigod s
Gary Wolf
Carl Ann Wylie
s = sustaining member