by Tom Topping
On May 20, 2012, there was a great turnout for the John Stillion brunch to support the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful. Michael Nogueira had graciously donated the use of his beautiful back yard for the event, and the food was fabulous along with the included mimosas.
Just seconds after Marie Klein lost her balance and fell into the pool, Boulevard Sentinel Publisher Tom Topping jumped in and got her to safety. Here, Topping, at right, and Marie, with her back to the camera, are dripping wet following the rescue.
The live jazz was excellent, but Marie Klein, one of the guests, was making her way with a dish of food around the pool to her table in the shade, she lost her balance and fell in the pool.
I was nearby talking to Jack Goldhammer, who was awarded that day for his boulevard cleaning and watering efforts, when I heard the splash and looked over to see an elderly person in the pool who was obviously in distress. I looked for her to be treading water and making her way to the edge of the pool but instead saw her arms flailing around and her head go underwater.
Without a thought I just jumped right in and grabbed her legs and boosted her up to the surface and to the edge of the pool where she was pulled out by others nearby. Most at the event barely noticed anything had happened at all, because it was over seconds after it started.
I was no worse for wear, but I can’t say the same about my T-mobile phone and Canon camera that I had in my pocket at the time.
After going home to dry out, I got back just in time to hear the closing remarks of the CERB board as they thanked the contrbutors and volunteers for the day’s event.
They report that their debt on the Eagle Rock canyon trail property has fallen from $72,000 to $47,000 recently with the help of anonymous donors.
