Chamber Awards Gala Jan. 20

Sat., Jan. 6, 2007

By Kandis Carper kandisc@spokesman.com

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual Awards Gala will be Jan. 20 in the ballroom of the Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N. Sullivan Road.

A silent auction and social hour begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 and a program at 8:30. Dress is semiformal attire. Dance music will be provided by Nu Jack City, and Richard Brown, KXLY News 4 anchor, will host the event.

Tickets are $40 per person, available at the Chamber office, 9507 E. Sprague Ave., through Jan. 19.

Joseph W. Custer is this year’s recipient of the Harry E. Nelson Citizen of the Year award.

Custer retired from Vera Water and Power after 38 years of active involvement in the community. He served as a past president of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce and was a leader in the creation of the Centennial Trail.

An award will be given to the small, medium and large Business of the Year; businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative and recognized success in their day-to-day operations.

Nominees for small business of the year include the Brickhouse Massage and Coffee Bar, MOJO Reprographics, A Step in Time, A.S.K. Clothing and Brighton Court Assisted Living.

Intermountain Community Bank, Outback Steakhouse and Holiday Inn Express Spokane Valley are nominated for medium business of the year.

Nominees for large business of the year include Sterling Savings Bank, Journal of Business, Itron and Staples.

The Chamber Volunteer of the Year award will be presented to a member who has demonstrated exceptional support of the Spokane Valley Chamber through volunteerism, leadership and serving as a positive role model. Nominees include Susan Delano, Wishing Star; Tami Smith, A.S.K. Clothing and Mary Kay Cosmetics; Sue Schindler, Blodgett & Co. and Mary Farnsworth, ECO, Friendly Home and Beauty and Ponderosa Publishing.

The Community Caring award will be presented to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of community service through dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all. Nominees include Pam Almeida, Meals on Wheels Spokane Valley; Susan Delano, Wishing Star; and Peggy Doering, Valleyfest.

The Nonprofit of the Year award will be presented to an organization that has enhanced the quality of life and the giving spirit of the Spokane Valley through their community service. Wishing Star, Inland NW Candlelighters and Spokane Neighborhood Action Program have been nominated for this award.

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