Awards season is here and gladly cycling has a gala all of its own. LACBC’s Firefly Ball reached annual status last night with biking’s greatest dignitaries and advocates in attendance.
Formal events are fun to take part in and everyone there always enjoys reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.
Before I go into anymore detail, let me first recognize Kelly Martin for putting on such a fabulous event. She does an incredible amount of work behind the scenes and never asks for any of the credit.
Here’s a little photo log of the evening’s proceedings:
The calm before the storm. Over two hundred made it out to the Majestic Downtown in the heart of Spring St.
There were plenty of auctions on hand, including bikes from PureCity and Tern.
Everyone mingled during the reception in the upstairs terrace. Glad to run into my hockey cohort and CiclaValley fan Steven Mateer from Metro. I just wished he passed the puck more…
Damian Kevitt of Finish the Ride introduced Councilmen Mitch Englander and Joe Buscaino later in the evening. Also, I approve of his new clean shaven look!
Actor, cyclist and friend Taylor Nichols led the evening’s festivities and even worked in a joke about me. I’m an easy target!
This may one day mirror that image of a young Bill Clinton shaking JFK’s hand. Mobility wunderkind Matt Grossman introduced Mayor Richard Riordan for the evening’s first honoree. Matt also took home the award for most sharply dressed.
LACBC Board President Steve Boyd gave many thanks to the supporters of this great organization. That takes a lot of time.
Dave Snyder, Executive Director of the California Bicycle Coalition, led the in memoriam for Safe Routes to School’sDeb Hubsmith, LACBC supporter Howard Krepach and Alex Baum, last year’s honoree and probably Los Angeles’ biggest cycling advocate ever.
Just to let you know, it was a packed house!
LACBC Board Member, valley dude and always bring a smile to your face Doug John.
John Jones, of the East Side Bike Riders Club and Joe Buscaino’s Watts Field Deputy, picked up the pace and got everybody on their feet for our next honoree.
Councilman Joe Buscaino, who helped bring many bike lanes to his district and a reward for hit and run crimes, brought his energy to liven up the night.
LACBC’s Executive Director, Tamika Butler, leads her first Firefly Ball and informs everyone about the evening being the kickoff of Operation Firefly.
The speeches gave away to a little video featuring LACBC’s Education Director Colin Bogart to show how Operation Firefly serves the community.
Recognition was given to both Greg and Tish Laemmle, who’s Laemmle Charitable Foundation is the lead sponsor for this year’s Operation Firefly.
Onto introduce our last honoree was Andres Ramirez.
Tafarai Bayne was calm, cool and collected while accepting his award and eager to do more for Los Angeles.
It was a great evening and everyone left with big smiles on their faces. I got to see many of our city’s great luminaries, including Danny Gamboa, Joe Linton, Damien Newton, Ron Milam, Don Ward and Ted Rogers. There were so many people of note, that I missed seeing a great deal of them.
Year two of the Firefly Ball was such a success, I’m already looking forward to next year. But take a rest first Kelly, you’ve earned it.