It’s possible that there are few area music fans who aren’t familiar with Chuck Schiele and his work. With his trademark pork pie-styled hat and cool demeanor, he is easily one of Ocean Beach’s best-known residents. But on Oct. 23, he was surprised to find recognition of his community service had reached the state senate. At that evening’s Ocean Beach MainStreet Association meeting, Schiele was awarded a certificate of recognition for dedicated service to the community of Ocean Beach by state Sen. Christine Kehoe. Always ready with a kind word and a smile, Schiele has emerged as one of the lynchpins of San Diego’s musical community. His group, The Grams, has drawn the biggest amount of attention to date, having scored San Diego Music Awards for “Best Americana” in 2006 and 2007. He has also become a noted producer with numerous album credits, including music from SDMA nominees Podunk Nowhere and John Miller. But it is his less visible work in the community that is making the biggest impact. It is clear Schiele loves his community, working tirelessly with the Ocean Beach Merchants Association. From designing graphics for the area’s marketing plan to hosting music acts at the weekly farmers market and booking performers at the annual Ocean Beach Street Festival and Chili Cook-Off, Schiele gets involved. “We just wanted to give Chuck some well-deserved recognition,” said Cordelia Mendoza, head of the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association’s Promotions Committee. “He always volunteers to help out with just about whatever comes up and has so many creative and insightful ideas to promote the area that we thought this was a good way of saying thank you.” Mendoza cites Schiele’s work in bringing music to Ocean Beach as particularly impressive, but notes Schiele has taken on all manner of tasks on behalf of the community. “So many people volunteer to do things and never follow through,” Mendoza said. “But with Chuck, he gives even more than we expect. He is just great to work with.” Schiele was genuinely surprised by the recognition. “Shocked is a good word,” he said. When the presentation was announced, Schiele was sure he had misheard. “It was sort of, ‘Did she just say what I think she said?,’” he said. Asked how he feels about his hometown, Schiele is succinct. “I’ve been around the world three times,” Schiele said. “I could live anywhere. I want to live here. Ocean Beach is the friendliest collection of neighbors you will find anywhere. We have changed a lot down here while remaining loyal to our California surf town heritage, which remains impeccably intact. “We live up to the idea of what a community is all about,” Schiele continued. “I’ve been involved with the OB civic system — full-stride — for about four years now. What we discuss in the meeting room vs. the progress I see on the street is incredible. I can go on all day about the good culture here.” Amongst new projects Schiele is helming is a compilation album featuring Ocean Beach artists singing songs about OB, set for release at the 2009 street festival and chili cook-off. In his long career, Schiele has received several awards. But he said this one is special. “It means a lot because it comes from the community where I choose to live and where I invest my efforts,” Schiele said. “I feel like I did something good and that my purpose in life is in the right place. That is a very powerful and satisfying feeling.” In typical Schiele fashion, the award has sparked another flurry of activity for him. “I’m thrilled with the honor,” Schiele said. “Its been so rejuvenating. I feel charged up for 2009.”