Dave&MaryAnn
Dave Thomas and Mary Ann Theim

Dave Thomas and Mary Ann Thiem are two volunteers who exude so much energy and enthusiasm for the City of Oceanside and the Mainstreet Oceanside Organization it is positively contagious!

Dave Thomas' career started as a column writer for the American Weekly in France and then moved into the visual area as a news photographer and advertising illustrator. He was also involved in the film and television industry as a director and producer. Dave's works have been published in Time Magazine, Popular Photo, Camera 35 and the New York Times. He has received numerous awards for producing, directing, cinematography and script writing. Mainstreet Oceanside feels blessed to have Dave as our official photographer and now also as the Editor of the Newsletter.

Mary Anne Thiem spent most of her adult life in New York City. The majority of her career was with the Bell system as an assignment, photo, and publication editor. Mary Ann has produced and directed many award winning marketing materials, some of which were for AT&T Corporate. The last five years of her career she managed AT&T's international advertising. Mary Ann is currently the chairman of Dia De Los Muertos. She has an extensive personal collection of Mexican Folk Art and felt the need to help bring this celebration more attention, especially with the large number of Hispanics in our community. I think we would all agree it has become one of Mainstreet Oceanside's signature celebrations. Mary Ann is also Vice President of the Board of the Friends of Oceanside Public Library.

Dave and Mary Ann spent a year traveling around the United States trying to decide where they wanted to retire and "settle down". Their first home was a small city in Arizona. They vacationed in San Diego and traveled up the coast and discovered Oceanside where they purchased a condo to escape the desert heat! Finally in 1999, they realized Oceanside was where they wanted to be and so sold their Arizona home and purchased a home in Oceanside. Oceanside to Dave and Mary Ann is an exciting place to be. It is diverse, constantly changing and emerging into it's own unique place.

When queried why they became involved as volunteers for Mainstreet Oceanside they both responded, "We love the city and the excitement of all the changes taking place and want to be a part of it all." They also claim they get bored very easily! However, after talking with them for a short time, you realize that boredom for them is very difficult with all they are involved in!

Dave and Mary Ann can be found at all Mainstreet Oceanside events. They work together as a team producing a meaningful and beautiful photographic record of all the events. The next Mainstreet Oceanside event you're at please remember to smile, you could be a part of Mainstreet Oceanside's Photo Album.

Article by Mary Milew