Peninsula Journal

The San Mateo and Hillsborough communities came together at the San Mateo Public Library Oct. 18 to recognize remarkable men and women whose achievements remind us all of how individual actions can improve our towns, our counties and the world in which we live. The occasion was a reception for the San Mateo Public Library Foundation’s Wall of Fame 2008 Honorees.

The 2008 honorees were:

Dave Bennett, co-founder of Mollie Stone’s Market, who has modeled good business practice by creating an excellent customer experience as well as giving extensive support to local schools and non-profits.

Robert Caughlan, trophy-winning surfer, founding president of the Surfrider Foundation and co-founder of Friends of the River, who has devoted his life to public service with a major emphasis on fighting for environmental protection.

Dr. Sang-ick Chang, Chief Executive Officer of the San Mateo Medical Center, who oversees the care of 60,000 patients and whose tenure has seen both a major redesign of patient care at outpatient clinics and improvement in healthcare to low income uninsured patients.

Larry Wayne Ellis, Ph.D., Pastor of the Pilgrim Baptist Church, 2007 recipient of the Pastoral Excellence Award at Stanford University and founder of CHOICES drug information and referral agency, who serves as a major influence on the spiritual life of the community.

Albert Guibara, sculptor, who over five decades has used his imagination and bronze to push his beloved medium in new directions and create as his legacy such whimsies as Leon, the beloved giraffe who lives in San Mateo’s Central Park.

Sue Lempert, the role model of a community leader, who served first for twenty years on elementary and high school boards and then twelve years on the San Mateo City Council, including two terms as mayor of San Mateo.

Ortensia Lopez, who as a founding member and the current Executive Director of El Concilio of San Mateo County, a coalition of twenty Latino services providers, has promoted leadership development and educational opportunities for underserved communities.

Evelyn Taylor, a lifelong educator in the San Mateo area and the first African-American woman appointed a principal in the San Mateo-Foster City School District, who after retirement served as Coordinator for the Homework Central Program and now serves as a Project READ volunteer at Project 90.

George Trubow, beloved teacher and coach for more than 35 years and the ‘heart and soul’ of the athletics program at Borel Middle School, who has worked tirelessly to enable countless middle school students to participate in volleyball, basketball, cross country, track and tennis.

Martin Yan, the celebrated host of over 3,000 cooking shows broadcast worldwide, who has captured the hearts of millions of fans by spicing his cooking artistry and teaching with a personal ingredient: wit.

The San Mateo Public Library Foundation Board Wall of Fame Committee included Chair Dildar Gill Pisani, Jason Ting, Loni Locketz, Joy Addison and Pam Casey. Judges selecting this year’s honorees were Deborah Barrow, Karen Burnett, Diane Jennings, Julie Jerome, Kay Remsen and Karen Saunders. The reception was sponsored by Lifemark Group, the San Mateo Daily Journal, tiny prints, Essence Printing, Jim and Tish Busselle, Bill and Pam Casey, Dream Dinners, Alex’s Café at the Library, Joy Luck Place, AcquaPazza Ristorante, Maker’s Mark Handmade Bourbon, Mfinity Wines and International Grape Vine.

To send us information on upcoming events, e-mail us at

social@smdailyjournal.com.