Community can now vote on Spirit of Laguna awards

The Spirit of Laguna awards, for the first time, might truly reflect the spirit of Laguna.

Every January, the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce has presented the awards to honor individuals, businesses and public officials around town. In the past, the nominations and winners were chosen by representatives from local nonprofits, according to chamber executive director Laura Henkels.

In 2016, though, the chamber has altered its approach. While a committee still selects the nominees, the winners now are chosen through a public vote, with residents invited to cast ballots on the chamber website or on Facebook.

“That way, we feel it’s much more indicative of the community,” Henkels said. “It’s a much bigger honor this year.”

The chamber, which announced the nominees this week, will fete the winners at a ceremony Jan. 29. Between now and midnight on Jan. 20, members of the public may cast votes online.

The awards ceremony is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. at [seven-degrees], 891 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Admission is $75 for members and $85 for non-members. For more information or reservations, call (949) 494-1018.

The nominees are as follows:

Building Industry: Gregg Abel Design & Construction, Laguna Crest Enterprise, Morris Skenderian & Associates

Non-Profit: Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, Festival of Arts, Friendship Shelter

Volunteer: Annette Malinowski, Eric Bergstrom, Gail Duncan, Wendy Potter

Citizen: Barbara MacGillivray, Sam Goldstein, Sande St. John

Green Enterprise: Laguna Beach County Water District, Stu News Laguna, Waste Management

Restaurant: Broadway by Amar Santana, Starfish Laguna Beach, The Deck/Driftwood Kitchen

Government Official: Bob Whalen, Kelly Boyd, Steve Dicterow

City Professional: Christa Johnson, Dennis Bogle, Laura Farinella

Retail Store: Hobie Surf Shop, Tommy Bahama, The T-Shirt Company at Laguna Beach

Gallery: Galerie Simard Bilodeau, Peter Blake Gallery, Virga Gallery

Professional Service: McMurray Marketing Communications, Pacific Payroll Group, UPS Store/Boat Canyon

Business: Firebrand Media, Montage Laguna Beach, Tivoli Terrace/Tivoli Too