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Business excellence honoured

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South Surrey & White Rock Chamber president Jay Fettinger with Jackie Smith

Members of the Semiahmoo Peninsula business community celebrated a few of their own Thursday evening, during the 2010 Business Excellence Awards at Hazelmere Country Club.

Dubbed one of the biggest, most glamourous galas of the year, the 12th annual black-tie event, which recognizes outstanding business practices and community involvement, drew a crowd of more than 200 attendees, including a handful of local dignitaries.

Selected by a panel of judges, the first set of honours handed out were the Business Excellence Awards, sponsored by Peace Arch News and presented by PAN publisher Linda Klitch.

In the category of one to seven employees, the big winner was Roca Blanca Dance Studio.

Other nominees in the one to seven category were Ayreborn Audio/Video and Sight for Sore Eyes Optical.

In the eight to 14 employee category, South Fraser Women's Services Society took top honours. The society was nominated along with CIBC Grandview Corners, iFinance (Investec Solutions) and White Rock/Surrey U-Lock Mini Storage.

Choices Market edged out fellow nominees Core Education & Fine Arts and The White Rock Boathouse Restaurant in the 15-plus category.

Curtis Christopherson of Innovative Fitness was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year, competing against Jeff Wong of Mudbay Wines and Donnie Unagro of Culinary Ink, while the award for New Business of the Year was awarded to Ball Park Sports, which was up against Living Wellness Centre and Sheila's Deli and Catering.

Business Person of the Year – Self Employed, sponsored by Barnes Wheaton GM, was presented to Cathy Jesson, owner of Black Bond Books in South Surrey. Joan Walker of The Curtain Call Drapery & Decorating and Shell Bussey of HouseSmart Home Services Referral Network were also nominated for the prestigious title.

Westminster Savings Credit Union sponsored the final award of the evening – Business Person of the Year – Corporate, which went to Peace Arch Hospital & Community Health Foundation's executive director, Jackie Smith, who was up against David Young, executive director of Sources Community Resources Society.