International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials

Central California Chapter Installation Dinner

By Martin Salberg, Chapter Secretary

January 26, 2008

It was a dark January night in downtown San Jose and the old clock in front of the San Jose Civic Auditorium had just struck 6:00 PM. Across the street the revelry began.

Asparagus wrapped in Prosciutto, Lamb Chops with Black Pepper and Mint Honey and Chicken Lettuce Wraps were hors d’oeuvres prepared by Michael Mina’s Arcadia Grill for the cocktail hour at the 2008 CCC IAPMO Installation Dinner. Long time members Eugene Sheffield and Tom and Evelyn Lehane visited with Russ and Jutta Chaney from the World Headquarters in Ontario, California and Dwight and Patti Perkins District 1 Manager.

At 7:45 Mo Salberg led the 135 guests in the pledge of Allegiance followed by Dave Ledda’s presentation to Sarah Aguilar of the diamond studded Tiara and Scepter. The dinner bell rang and the multitudes engorged on salads of Mixed Baby Greens, Bosch Pears, Candied Walnuts, and Gorgonzola Cheese with dressings of Blue Cheese and Red Wine Vinegarette. The entrees at the luxurious Level II Ballroom at the downtown San Jose Marriott included Lobster Bisque en Crout, Roasted Chicken Breast with Truffled Macaroni and Cheese with Asparagus, Seared New York Strip Loin and Fingerling Potatoes with Haricot Vert and a Vegetarian Manicotti.

After a dessert of Italian Panna Cotta with Fresh Strawberries and Chocolate Hazelnut Silk Cake, Chairperson Ledda graciously presented the outgoing board members with commemorative plaques. The awardees consisted of John Nava, Secretary, Nate Vasquez, Treasurer and Sarah Aguilar, Vice Chairperson. Sarah then received the gavel in high ceremony from the teary eyed chairperson, who in turn received his own plaque of achievement from 2008 chairperson Aguilar. Ledda then presented Foster City Plumbing Inspector, Martin Cooper, Local 38’s finest, with the much coveted Government Person of the Year Award. Following a dramatic drum roll was the honoring of the Industry Person of the Year award for 2007 by Sarah Aguilar given to the incomparable Phil Ribbs.

The incoming Officers for 2008 were handed pins by the Executive Director Russ Chaney and Dwight Perkins, Regional 1 Manager. They are Mo Salberg, Secretary, Don Wadsworth, Treasurer, Nathan Vasquez, Vice Chairperson, and Sarah Aguilar, Chairperson. As her first duty of office chairperson Aguilar, with the help from Athena Gonzalez, bestowed raffle prizes on one and all. The Pulsators led by the great Johnny Campbell played to dancing and much fanfare until 11:00 PM. And at the end everyone went away happy.