by Heather Rock Woods
Carroll Notthoff, Jaye Carr and Bonnie Neylan, the owner of Sweet Amy's restaurant, have lived in Menlo Park and contributed to the community for decades. They have one other thing in common now. All three have been named winners of this year's Golden Acorn Awards by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce.
The women will receive their plaques at a dinner March 14 at the Ladera Oaks Swim and Tennis Club. The winner of the Gary T. Williams Memorial Award for service to the chamber will be announced at the dinner.
Notthoff, retired since 1992, was singled out for her contribution to the community through volunteer efforts.
"She certainly is the right choice for that category," said former co-worker Pat Kennel.
Notthoff has dedicated much of her free time to the Chamber of Commerce. She served as chamber president in 1995 and worked on Menlo Park Cares Day the past two years. She is also a life member of the Oak Knoll School PTA and a 30-year member of Peninsula Volunteers, which runs Little House senior center.
Carr has been Menlo Park's city clerk for 12 years. She has worked for the city since 1971, the first eight years in the library's ordering department and then as assistant city clerk. Carr is being honored for her outstanding customer service.
"To win something for liking to help people is wonderful. I love Menlo Park, and I like the people who live here," said Carr.
Sweet Amy's, located across Willow Road from the Veterans Hospital, collected about $2,500 in tips and donations to buy bulletproof vests for East Palo Alto officers, for which owner Neylan won awards from Governor Wilson and the Attorney General's Office in San Francisco in 1993.
Sweet Amy's is the Golden Acorn winner for a firm or organization that improves the community.
Neylan also participates in Red Ribbon Day and a Veterans Hospital run.
"She's located her business in a part of town that really benefits from having an entrepreneur with a heart, which is what she is. The whole family has contributed so much to better Menlo Park," said San Mateo County Supervisor Ruben Barrales, an old family friend who nominated Neylan.
The winner of the Jerry Jacobs Scholarship for a Menlo Atherton High School senior also will be announced next week.
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