Did the popular television series “Modern Family” lift its moniker from the Culver City Chamber of Commerce? Or the reverse?
Familial and familiar were the parallel moods at the lunch hour yesterday at the Doubletree.
Outgoing board chairman Bill Rieder reported perhaps the day’s most important statistic, a rare serious interlude, noting that the Chamber’s new membership increased 40 percent in the last 12 months.
When youthful realtor Kevin Lachoff – the only redhead in the room, a status aided by several men who have grown taller than their hair – was installed as the next year-long chairman of the Chamber board, old-fashioned family feelings and jab-jab ribbings formed the thread that throbbed through the lighthearted and occasionally heavier tributes.
For example, master of ceremonies Andy Weissman usually is the funniest man in the room, whether in a telephone booth, the Doubletree or the Coliseum.
Leo Bunnin of Bunnin Chevrolet was the winner of the Chamber’s President’s Award from Steve Rose, Chamber CEO and president.
Innocently, Mr. Bunning observed that he spends one-third to one-half of his time in Culver City.
Never one to allow a setup line to pass unexplored, Mr. Weissman cracked that it was a timely coincidence. “One-third of his time is about what Steve Rose spends in his office.”
No one, however, is safe from fireworks humor and tenderly pointed barbs when Herb Wesson is present.
The president of the Los Angeles City Council is as richly free-forming and genuinely funny – sometimes self-deprecating — as he was 20 years ago when he was significantly less widely known.
Main Event Is Coming
Mr. Wesson was invited to formally install the incoming Chamber of Commerce board. But more than a few bellies in the large second-floor room shook with laughter as the hometowner dashed up the on-ramp to his technical duties.
In the background, you almost could hear the large orchestra strike up the strains of “I Love Culver City” as Mr. Wesson, a bantamweight, jauntily stepped to the podium.
Addressing his launching remarks to the Chamber president, Mr. Rose, Mr. Wesson promptly became airborne.
“When I was Speaker of the California Assembly, I do believe I installed the officers of the Chamber as well.”
Mr. Rose, committed to historical nonfiction, nodded negatively.
“No?” said Mr. Wesson.
“Then that’s another memory loss,” he cagily confessed. “Too much Scotch,” and the crowd repaid him handsomely.
Yesterday’s other special guess was Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City/Crenshaw District), youngest member of the body in Sacramento. Since his election 13 months ago, Mr. Ridley-Thomas has placed a strong emphasis on Culver City, and Mr. Wesson was about to explain why the community is crucial.
Where It All Began
Mr. Wesson’s political career was born and burgeoned in the bosoms of Culver City voters, he said reflectively. Culver City not only is where the Wessons raised their family, “My career started in Culver City,” he said. “I won every precinct in Culver City. I love Culver City. Thank you for my career.”
The installation would wait a few minutes while Mr. Wesson sent up one more rocket.
“A pleasure to be here today and see so many old friends,” he said, reeling off a few names.
“Steve and I go ‘way back. To be here with Jim and…”
Moving at a faster clip, Mr. Wesson directed a special tonsorial tribute toward a former City Councilman. “Marcus (Richard), I really love your hair,” the longest of any man in the room. The crowd appreciatively laughed.
In the spirit of the moment, Mr. Marcus, never spotlight-bashful, stood and turned for all to see. And enjoy.
