Planning a What to See Trip this Fall? in the September Sky See Health Tips Tarzana Celebrates Their Centennial Year Page 12 See Page 14 See Page 15 ENCINO ENTERPRISE Volume 1, Issue 12 A Compendious Source of Information September 6, 2019 NEWS IN BRIEF Fiorello’s Love of the Game Paved the Way in Women’s Sports By Laura Levinsky to play in, and play she did. She -year school. Her time teaching in To see her, you might was part of a movement of women the Valley was just beginning. think she is just like any other lady her age. The movie “A League of A little weathered, Their Own” is based on the moving a little slower than she used to. And American Girls Professional you might be right. Or, Baseball League where you could be looking at a woman who, at 96 Fiorello played. years old, has helped change the face of Her next move was “Operation Demetra” Attempts to Reunite women’s sports in this to Pierce College. When she Stolen Art to Their Rightful Owners country. arrived, there wasn’t even a The youngest gym. That didn’t stop Geri. It’s a tale that sounds straight out of a Hollywood of four, Geri Fiorello She helped design the gym and film. Decades after a massive art heist in the early 90’s pilfered followed the lead of the old 9-hole golf course on hundreds of pieces of valuable art, the long lost collection two of her older sisters campus. She was instrumental has surprisingly resurfaced after one of the suspected thieves who were athletic and in building the women’s athletic recently passed and their heir attempted to sell the purloined learned to play softball program at Pierce – volleyball, goods. While the burglars were arrested for their crime decades and basketball along basketball, golf, gymnastics – all ago, the art was never found…until now. with golf. In an era started and built into flourishing The thefts occurred from homes in the west San where girls weren’t programs under Geri Fiorello’s Fernando Valley, as well as the Hollywood Hills, almost three encouraged to play tutelage. There were no budgets decades ago. When some of the artifacts resurfaced at an art sports, the Fiorello for uniforms, travel or food so dealer recently, who suspected the items were stolen, a new family supported their Geri helped raised the money case was opened dubbed “Operation Demetra.” The same love of being athletic. so her students detectives that investigated the original burglaries were brought As a Marine could fulfill back to this case in an attempt to hunt down the various pieces during World War their destiny of missing art. Investigators are working to identify the pieces, II, Geri was part of as athletes. their current worth and their rightful owners. the first group of women to be Thousands of Police are asking people who believe that some of stationed at Pearl Harbor after young women the pieces might be rightfully theirs to come forward with the bombing. There wasn’t have followed proof of rightful ownership. All of the items, which includes much to do when off-duty, so their passion Picassos, a Rembrandt and artifacts from famous figures, can she organized a softball team because Coach be viewed at foundbylapd.smugmug.com under “Operation among the women. This led to the Fiorello paved Demetra.” creation of a league and her team the way. went on to win the championship. Along the way, She helped change the way she coached a L.A. Mayor to Address Valley Chambers women in the military were couple of future perceived. Olympians and After her service, she some who went to The annual Mayor’s Lunch hosted by United worked her way to Chicago become coaches Chambers of Commerce will be held on Wednesday, September where she went to college while at other schools. 18 at 11 am. also pitching in the All American Along that same Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will address Girls Professional Baseball being viewed as professional way she also convinced Adidas to members of various valley chambers and discuss issues of League (AAGBPL). The movie athletes. supply athletic shoes to her teams. relevance to residents and employers of the valley. “A League of Their Own” is In 1955 Geri was She changed the way women’s The lunch will be held at the Warner Center Marriott, based on the AAGPBL. The days recruited to come to California sports were perceived and set 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills. were long, the games were rough, to teach at Wilson High School – in motion plans to continue the Tickets are $65 per person and the deadline for and she loved every minute of the athletics department boomed support for girls in sports. If you purchasing is September 11. Call Marian at United Chambers it. while she was there. Then she want to know what Title IX was at 818-789-4711. The league ended in transferred to Birmingham High really about and what it meant to 1954 but there were other leagues in the days when it was still a six (continued to page 5) Encino Enterprise, September 6, 2019, Page 2 CALENDAR People in the News SEPTEMBER Fernando Award 2019 Finalists Community Calendar * Do you want to help make Encino’s biggest festival a fun and successful day for all? Join the Encino Chamber on The Fernando Award He is a founder of helped develop the Reseda Friday, September 6, from 12 to 1 pm to plan for the 32nd Foundation has announced the SFV MAPS—Marketing and Community Network. He was Annual Encino Family Festival. Bring your own lunch and finalists for the 2019 Fernando Admissions Professionals for also a critical source in creating brainstorming ideas! The meeting will be held at the Chamber Award. Seniors which is dedicated to the Child Development Center at office (4933 Balboa Blvd). The annual award raising public awareness and the Providence Tarzana campus. is given out to a person support for senior care and He also plays a vital role as * Back to Tarzana Ranch 1919-2019 Gala Centennial who exemplifies the best in housing in the San Fernando Chairperson of the Board of El Celebration will be held on Saturday, September 21, at the volunteerism and service to the Valley. Jeff has been involved Camino Real Charter High School Tarzana Community & Cultural Center (19130 Ventura communities of the San Fernando in several other organizations in Woodland Hills and provided Blvd.) for the annual gala celebrating the 100th anniversary Valley. such as the ALS Association, crucial leadership at a challenging of Tarzana Ranch. Admission includes appetizers, drinks, a The five finalists are as Parkinson’s Association and time for the school. He has also gourmet farm-to-table dinner, a fabulous silent auction that follows: Stroke Association as well as the been involved in the Special includes rare Tarzan memorabilia, entertainment by The Angel West Valley Jewish Community Olympics, Woodland Hills- City Big Band with Bonnie Bowden, celebrity guests, and Steve Fazio is the Center. Warner Center Neighborhood more. To order tickets go to www.mytarzana.org or call them head of Fazio Enterprises which Council, Chaminade College at 818.705.1286. owns the Fazio Cleaners chain Mike Quiroga is the Preparatory High School and that has several outlets in the founder of Mike’s Roofing and Cri-Help Inc. and worked on *Little ones are invited to Jump’n Jig’s Open House greater Los Angeles area. He has Building Service which he started the Warner Center Specific and Launch Party on Sunday, September 7, from 12 to 2:30 pm served as a Los Angeles Police after emigrating from Bolivia Plan, Promenade 2035 Plan and at 16733 Ventura Blvd. This is free event will allow your kids Department Reserve Officer and at the age of 23. Through the Reimagine Ventura Plan. to try out a dance class, tour the studios and enjoy refreshments as a member of the Los Angeles years his business has offered and a day of fun! City Fire Commission. Fazio was advanced training programs to Jane Skeeter is CEO the founding president of Sierra his employees to build leadership and Founder of UltraGlas Inc., the * The Tarzana Community and Cultural Center invites Canyon School, an independent skills and further their education. world’s leading manufacturer of you to their stretch class every Monday from 12:15 to 1:15 pm. private school in Chatsworth He has also devoted countless designed architectural and high- Learn to maintain balance and gain strength in this all-level that serves students from early hours volunteering and serving on performance glass and glass tile. class led by Benjamin Griffes M.A., D.C. kindergarten through 12th grade. the boards of directors of several She has been an active supporter He has had extensive local non-profits including Valley of the West Valley Boys and Girls *The Encino Chamber of Commerce will hold their involvement in business Village, Therapeutic Living Club serving in many capacities Disaster Preparedness Table Top Drill on Saturday, September education serving in leadership Centers for the Blind, Mid including its Governance and 5, from 8 am to 11 am. The meeting will be held at Chamber positions for three local Young Valley YMCA, Tierra Del Sol Executives Committees. She offices located at 4933 Balboa Blvd. To RSVP, call 818-789- Presidents Organization Chapters and Mid Valley American Heart has been a member of the 4711. (YPO) as well as being on Association. He has been an National Association of Women the Pepperdine University active member of several local Business Owners, Los Angeles, *The Encino Neighborhood Council will hold their Business School Board and a Chambers of Commerce and has representing the area several Planning and Land Use Meeting on Tuesday, September 10, at Senior Fellow at the Pepperdine been on the Los Angeles Valley times in Washington D.C.