10 NOMINATED FOR VALLEY'S FERNANDO AWARD.

Byline: Dominic Berbeo Staff Writer

Ten civic superstars were named Friday as semifinalists for the 42nd annual Fernando Awards, the highest community award a volunteer can receive in the San Fernando Valley.

``This year's nominees reflect the quality and diversity of the people whose dedication to their community sustains the San Fernando Valley's reputation for being the Volunteer Capital of the United States,'' said Tom Soule, president of Fernando Award Foundation Inc., in a prepared statement. ``This year's nominees are the best of the best.''

A 14-member selection committee will choose five finalists to be named next Friday at the Jesse F. McHam Fernando Nomination Luncheon at the Warner Center Marriott. The winner will be announced Nov. 3.

This year's contenders are:

--Martha Diaz Aszkenazy of Los Angeles, president of Pueblo Contracting Services. A former chairwoman of the Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce, she is now a member of the state's Building for the 21st Century Commission and the Governor's Conference for Women.

--Ed Cholakian of Granada Hills, head of Uniglobe Executive Travel in Sylmar. He is the recipient of the Nellie Reagan Award for Distinguished Community Service and is vice president of the LAPD Jeopardy Program. He has served on City Councilman Hal Bernson's Citizens Advisory Council and has volunteered in public safety activities for four decades.

--Rickey M. Gelb of Studio City, vice president of the Plan Review Board for the Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan and vice president of the board of directors for Mid-Valley Jeopardy.

--Rose Goldwater of Woodland Hills, a community activist and founding chairwoman of the West Hills Hospital Community Advisory Board. She also organized the Woodland Hills Day Labor Task Force.

--Esther J. Neill of Van Nuys, a staff member in the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. She is vice president of community development for the Universal City-North Hollywood Jaycees and recipient of the 2000 District 11 Governor's Award for Outstanding Service of the California Jaycees and the Community.

--Robert Scott of West Hills, an attorney who has been affiliated with the United Chambers of Commerce, the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and the San Fernando Valley Association of Realtors. He has worked with local and state officials on Valley and city issues.

--Marvin Selter of Studio City, president of a national management-consulting firm. He is chairman of the Board of the Valley Economic Development Center and has worked on a camping program for physically and mentally challenged youths since 1997.

--Irwin S. Silon of Arleta, a retired graphic artist who has assisted police in organizing business crime watches in the Northeast Valley since 1998. He has also worked with the Jeopardy program since 1998.

--M. Hawley Smith of Arleta, president of the Arleta Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of the Panorama City American Legion Post 817.

--Ellie Vargas of Woodland Hills, founder of the LAPD West Valley Area Crisis Response Team, has helped set up crisis teams around the city. In 1999, she chaired the Teens Against Gangs rally in the West Valley to create positive alternative activities for youth.

For information, contact Thomas Soule at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

10 photos

Photo:

(1) Martha Diaz Aszkenazy

(2) Ed Cholakian

(3) Rickey M. Gelb

(4) Rose Goldwater

(5) Esther J. Neill

(6) Robert Scott

(7) Marvin Selter

(8) Irwin S. Silon

(9) M. Hawley Smith

(10) Ellie Vargas