By Neena Strichart
I have heard it said that people most fear speaking or singing in front of a large group. Remembering how I felt giving an oral book report in front of my peers at Signal Hill Elementary School, or having to recite a poem for church, I have to say that I too suffered from the public-performing phobia.
Through the years I have faced my fear of public speaking and just did it anyway. I have learned to keep it short and to the point, and I have done my best to not only inform my audience but to entertain them a bit as well. You’ll have to ask those who have been within earshot of my various speeches whether or not I have been successful.
During the big karaoke craze a few years ago, I also tackled the singing-in-public thing, often choosing to belt out the Neena version of “La Bamba” (yes, in Spanish), and more recently have tried my hand at Curley’s in Signal Hill singing “Believe” by Cher or “Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain— especially after a glass or two of adult beverage.
It looks as if my practice at addressing crowds will come in handy later this month since I have been asked to be one of the “roasters” at the “Ray Grabinski and Rae Gabelich Get Roasted” benefit, which is being held to help the Knights of Pythias with their wilderness education program for at-risk youth. One of the “knights” sent over the following details for the event. Read below— I hope to see you there.
Eighth District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich and former 7th District Councilmember Ray Grabinski will be the subjects of an evening of jokes, barbs and humorous anecdotes from some distinguished community leaders, all to help at-risk youth have the opportunity to attend a wilderness camp.
The Rae-Ray Roast, which will raise money for the Pythian Youth Foundation’s (PYF) Wilderness Camp in the Sequoia National Forest, will take place on Thursday, Sept. 30 at the law offices of Keesal, Young & Logan. The celebration begins with a reception at 5:30pm. William Grisolia, a 2010 Music Award Nominee for Best Blues Song of the Year, will provide entertainment. A limited number of tickets are available at $50 each.
Among the roasters who will be providing the good-natured tributes are Supervisor Don Knabe, Press-Telegram columnist Tom Hennessy, Signal Tribune publisher Neena Strichart and jazz legend Al Williams. Gloria Cordero, a partner with the ABC Advocacy Group and a longtime friend of Gabelich and Grabinski, will be the roastmaster.
“The Rae-Ray Roast will be a celebration of friends and friendships that have resulted in more than four decades of service to the Long Beach community,” said Thomas White, executive director of the Pythian Youth Foundation. “The roast is an opportunity for friends to reflect on the power of friendships and a time to say thanks to two dynamic citizens of our community.”
The Pythian Youth Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1946 to develop and manage a 19-acre wilderness camp that was granted by President Harry S. Truman. The foundation and its sister organization, the Children’s Welfare Foundation, have quietly worked behind the scenes in Long Beach for the past ten years. Working closely with the YMCA, Police Athletic League, the Signal Hill Community Association and other public and nonprofit organizations, PYF has provided free camperships for children between 9 and 11 years of age. They have also sponsored book drives in partnership with the Long Beach Public Library to promote literacy and given away thousands of bicycle safety helmets to help prevent head injuries.
Rae Gabelich was elected to the Long Beach City Council in 2004 and re-elected without opposition in 2008. She represents the Eighth District, which includes Bixby Knolls, Los Cerritos and part of North Long Beach. On the City Council, Gabelich has focused on improving public safety, revitalizing the business corridors in Bixby Knolls and North Long Beach, and protecting the quality of life in the neighborhoods. She is a retired flight attendant for United Airlines, and she has a son, Guy. Her late husband, Gary Gabelich, set the world land speed record in 1970, and she has maintained that enthusiasm for racing, helping to establish and organize the annual Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show.
Ray Grabinski has been a friend of Long Beach for the past 50 years. He was raised in North Long Beach, graduated from Long Beach Jordan High School, attended Long Beach City College and is a US Army veteran. As a widowed father living in the Bixby area, he raised four sons— Ray Jr., Bill, Mike, and Matt. He was first elected to the Long Beach City Council in 1986 and served as 7th District Councilman through 1994. In 1998, he was re-elected as 7th District Councilmember for a third term. Ray recently retired from the University of California 4-H Program, where he served as resource development coordinator for Los Angeles County.
For reservations or event information, contact Thomas White at (562) 881-0165 or email pythianyouthcamp@earthlink.net.
