Dear Fellow Ladera Ranch Residents,
Ladera Ranch has some of the most remarkable people I have ever known. People who accomplish great things while juggling a handful of personal and professional responsibilities, and yet have time to do more. Never has the old saying, "If you want to get something done, give it to a busy person," been truer than it is right here in our wonderful community.
Take Kimberlee Mitchell, for example. Kimberlee started a company called "Boo Boo Busters," which specializes in babyproofing houses for infants and children. Not only is this a full-time career, but she has a family to raise and, on top of that, she managed to get her company highlighted in a major feature movie -- "Baby Mama," which just premiered across the nation a week ago (see story on page 4).
Then there’s Michelle Patterson. She’s a dynamo that needs to be reckoned with or you’ll get run over as she zooms past. As full-time mother of two, she is the founder and managing partner of TouchPointe, headquarter in Ladera Ranch, a senior level consulting and recruiting firm. In addition, she is the creator, organizer, and executive director of the Taste of Ladera, which has raised nearly $100,000 for local charities in its three years in existence. The fourth Taste of Ladera is at Founders Park from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm this Saturday, May 3 (see stories beginning on page 16).
Ram Mukherji not only has his own consulting business, but he still finds time to serve as President of the LARMAC Board, which consumes an addition 50 to 100 hours of his precious time each month. On top of that, he is very involved in Capistrano school matters, attending each school board meeting, and writing a monthly column on school issues for the Ladera Times.
Sherrie LeVan is one of Ladera Ranch’s top Realtors®, which keeps her busy 24/7, but she manages to find time to serve as a member of the LARCS Board, and organizer and President of the Ladera Ranch Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she created and organizes the annual Dogue Vogue event, and is the driving force between many charitable and community efforts, the latest being the drive to raise funds for the Camacho Family Children Foundation.
Jason Glass, owner and operator of Avendale Insurance Services, is like a buzz-saw as he runs around the community working on behalf of his clients. When a ruptured pipe flooded a customer’s home, he provided professional restoration equipment and spent his weekend helping with the cleanup. But he also manages to contribute valuable time and money to must charitable and community activities.
I could go on and on. I know there’s hundreds of residents such as Chuck Gibson, Kim Sprague, Jodi and Ryan Miller, Jeff Blugrind, and many, many, many others who work tirelessly on behalf of our community and the families that call Ladera Ranch "home." We’ll continue to highlight them and their activities in the Ladera Times.
Jim Schmitt, Editor and Publisher