Calabasas Chamber making plans for February gala

Honoring the community and the people who make it special will be the theme of the "I Love Calabasas Awards and Recognition Dinner" on Mon., Feb. 25, sponsored by the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce.

The black tie event begins at 6 p.m. at Calabasas Inn.

Awards by the chamber will be given in three categories: Entrepreneur of the Year, Business of the Year and Public Servant of the Year. An entrepreneur is defined as someone who started a business in the city within the past five years.

"We said, ‘Let’s put some of the spotlight on the business leaders and achievements throughout the city,’ whether it’s the city staff people, an employee or a chamber member," said Carol Washburn, the chamber president and chief executive officer.

The gala event will take the place of the chamber’s installation luncheon and mayor’s dinner, events normally conducted at the beginning of the year.

The chamber will greet incoming president Lilianne Chaumant and recognize the services of outgoing president Larry Negrin.

The chamber’s 2002 board of directors will be installed as well. The board includes first vice chair Shirlee Kingsley, vice chair of business development Gordon Whitehead, vice chair of finance Donald Lucove, vice chair of government affairs Daniel Bergman, vice chair of membership Jeff Blum, and immediate past chair Negrin.

Also to be presented is the Bill Van Gieson Memorial Award. The annual humanitarian award went last year to Ray Phillips, president of the Leonis Adobe in Calabasas.

"I Love Calabasas celebrates our members’ generosity of heart and their contributions to the community," Chaumont said. "It’s a very dedicated and hard-working group of people."

Chaumont is a Calabasas lawyer and a chamber boardmember since 1999.

Nominations for the awards are being accepted until Feb. 11. Contact (818) 222-5680 for more information about participation and sponsorship. The elegant affair will include gourmet food and music.

Upcoming chamber functions include the annual Golden Lasso Awards and Fashion Show Luncheon in April and the Chamber of Commerce wine tasting event in June.

The chamber also is making plans to revive the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival, a traditional fundraising event in the fall.

—John Loesing