Carmel Magazine

030 Dina Eastwood_Carmel Mag 4/21/13 9:18 AM Page 1 BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT DINA EASTWOOD Who's in Your Hall of Fame? he state of California's great- T est citizens are honored every year by being inducted into our Hall ball." Listening to Ms. Huerta explain that we must never give up grass-roots community organizing inspired me. Finally, the lights went down, and the actual ceremony began. of Fame by the elected Governor As I watched gorgeous photo narratives and listened to the grand ceremony, held annually at the Museum in Sacramento, put in my own personal Hall of Fame? Who has created my and the California Museum. It's a as it was this spring. Governor Brown oversaw the induction of eleven amazing trail-blazers who have changed our lives in stunning biographies, a question came to mind: Who would I "California Dream," or motivated me to inspire others? Thousands of mental files scrolled through my mind, as I fields such as science, architecture, culture, film and athletics. thought of those who have touched and changed my life. quarterback Joe Montana, and film legend Warren Beatty— three years in row, fourth through sixth grade. He had the Faces we all know and love—former San Francisco 49er were given the glory due to them for the many lives they have enlightened and entertained. But, wonderfully, this ceremony isn't about celebrity. It celebrates people who have transcend- ed the boundaries of his or her field. People who are honored Listening to Ms. Huerta explain that we must never give up grass-roots community organizing inspired me. have made contributions that affect- ed our state, nation and world. Husband and wife artist/architect Charles and Ray Eames most likely designed something you have sat on or looked at, at some point in your life. Their legacy is now recorded in the great legacy, as is the life of scientist Gregory Bateson, who beside Several teachers came to mind. First came "Mr. B," who I had coolest haircut, and took us to Berkeley for field trips. He read us tales of Narnia while we all laid on bean-bags, and ensured us that NOTHING was out of reach in life. He was the first 'almost openly gay' man many of us ever knew, and he surely knocked down my judgement on 'who could love who.' I chuckled as I thought about the lasting impression made upon me by a 7th grade math teacher. She always liked me, but wrote me a referral (meaning big trouble in the office!) because I never flexed my knees when I bent over to pick up a piece of paper, and she SWORE someday, when I was a grown woman, I'd have a back injury.Yeah, I'd put her in my Hall of Fame for health and wellness. I think of both of my parents, one a teenager and the other being an anthropologist and biologist a struggling 21-year-old college student, juggling a newborn field of family therapy. Living legend They would be honored in so many categories, surely by inspir- almost single-handedly created the and labor organizer, Dolores Huerta, was also honored, surrounded by her children and grandchil- dren, whose paths she has altered by her fierce determination that continues now but ignited decades ago. Being the past chairwoman of the Museum's board of baby, classes and being an interracial couple in the mid-1960s. ing their own children to "further their dreams through their own unique stories." Then there are my girlfriends, who day in and day out show me and others what great mothering and level headedness looks like. They get my "role model" award. Try to take a few moments and think about your Hall of trustees gave me the great honor of getting to help with the Fame. Call the living honorees, and share their award with minute fill-in—to conduct the red carpet interviews with the You will be glad you did. ceremony. But this year, unlike years past, I was asked—as a last living inductees and the families of those who had passed. My them. Send a wish to the ones who are no longer with us. Dina Eastwood is a former news anchor at KSBW TV, past host head and nerves swirled in the greatness that surrounded me. of "Candid Camera" and has starred on a reality show on the E! humble man wondered how he could possibly be in the com- Monterey Peninsula with her husband, Clint Eastwood, and their Chatting with Mr. Montana, I chuckled when the extremely pany of his Class of 2013 by "playing some dumb game of foot30 C ARMEL MAGAZINE•SPRING/SUMMER 2013 Network. She is a writer, editor, and yogini. She resides on the daughter, Morgan.

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