5 Community Activists Vying for Award

Five San Fernando Valley community activists were selected Wednesday as finalists for the 2002 Fernando Award.

The nominations were announced during a luncheon at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City.

The nominees are: political consultant Jill Banks Barad of Sherman Oaks, businessman Sheldon I. Mende of Encino, attorney and real estate broker William F. Powers Jr. of Chatsworth, businesswoman Ruth Richter of Winnetka and newspaper publisher Kathleen Sterling of Woodland Hills.

The award has been presented annually since 1958 by the Fernando Award Foundation to an outstanding Valley resident to honor volunteerism and community service. The winner will be announced at a banquet Nov. 1.