Blue Ribbon Award nominees announced

The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) is holding their annual Blue Ribbon Awards dinner on Thursday, November 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Harrah's Lake Tahoe Ballroom. This gala event honors businesses, organizations, and individuals for civic contributions, tourism experiences, customer service, and entrepreneurial achievements. Tickets for the award ceremony are currently available online at www.TahoeChamber.org.

Community members submitted a total of 118 nominations during the nomination period. The evening's excitement includes announcement of the top three nominees and the winner in each award category.

Congratulations to all the 2017 Blue Ribbon Awards nominees!

Geotourim Award – Sponsored by Bike the West
· Anderson Bicycle Rental
· South Tahoe Refuse
· Tahoe Rim Trail Association
· Tahoe Trout Farm
· The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe
· Zephyr Cove Resort | Lake Tahoe Cruises
· Zephyr Cove Stables

Tourism Award – Sponsored by Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
· Destination Tahoe Meetings Events
· Edgewood Tahoe
· Getaway Reno/Tahoe
· Tahoe Cruises - Safari Rose
· Sky Combat Ace
· Tahoe Sports - Ski Run Boat Company
· Tahoe Trout Farm
· Tahoe.com
· The Coachman Hotel

Experience Award – Sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence Club
· Camp Richardson
· Chimayó BBQ Tacos y Tortas
· DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay
· FNCTN
· Inversion Gym
· Lake Tahoe AleWorx
· Lake Tahoe Boat Rides
· Lake Tahoe Cruises - MS Dixie ll
· Lake Tahoe Epic Curling
· Lake Tahoe Yoga
· Over The Edge Tahoe
· Sky Combat Ace
· SOS Outreach
· Summit to Shore Chiropractic
· Tahoe Modern Makers
· Tahoe Tastings
· Tahoe Trout Farm
· The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe
· Trapped in Tahoe
· Zephyr Cove Resort | Lake Tahoe Cruises
· Zephyr Cove Resort Snowmobile Center
· Zephyr Cove Stables

Entrepreneur Award – Sponsored by Getaway Reno/Tahoe
· Connie Hinton - Connie's Thrift Shop
· Erin Uclickas - High Vibe Society Artisan Collective
· Jim Primo - Primo's Italian Bistro
· Jodi Schmitz - Tahoe Modern Makers
· Kai Crowe - Chimayo BBQ Tacos y Tortas
· Loreen Sanchez - Burger Lounge
· Luca Genasci - Lake Tahoe AleWorX
· Lyndsay Bryant - Lake Tahoe Sitters
· Matt Levitt - Tahoe Blue Vodka
· Melinda Choy - Elevate Wellness Center
· Parker Alexander - Tahoe Heartbeat Apparel
· Paula Peterson - SouthTahoeNow.com
· Robyn Lindner - The Bar
· Steve Harness - KRLT 9.39 The Lake and KOWL 1490 The Owl
· Toby Sun- LimeBike

Customer Service (Business) Award – Sponsored by Heavenly & Kirkwood
· Antonio Valdivia - Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
· Chris Oliver - Alpine Computers
· Dallas Burn – Getaway Reno/Tahoe
· Darin Haworth - Summit to Shore Chiropractic
· Diane Guth - Getaway Cafe
· Gary Lefler - All Seasons Plumbing and Heating
· Gregory A. Cremeans - Intero Real Estate
· Gregory Ochoa - Oliver Luxury Real Estate
· Irma Salazar - Lake Tahoe Visitor Center
· Jaime Harness - Ken's Tire Center
· Jamah Dacus - BlendBee Tea
· James Vallier - Tahoe Trout Farm
· Jenn Boyd - Weidinger Public Relations
· Jordan Kramer - Escobar Training Grounds
· Kris Kay - Mont Bleu Resort Casino and Spa
· Lucius Beall - Tahoe Keys Boat Rentals
· Lyndsay Bryant - Lake Tahoe Sitters
· Malena Winther - Malena - an eclectic boutique
· Maureen Froyum - Barton Skilled Nursing Facility
· Meghan Burk - Getaway Reno/Tahoe
· Michael and Laura Wharry - The Alder Inn
· Nick Ashmore - Cafe Fiore
· Roberta Van Gorden - Barton Health Systems Pharmacy
· Sam Hyslop - Over the Edge Tahoe
· Sandra Jaimes Vargas - Marriott Timber Lodge
· Shannon Schumacher - The Ridge Tahoe
· Stefani Kern - Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
· Teresa Sydney – Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe
· The Attic Thrift Store Staff
· Tiffany Zabaglo - Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
· Travis Johnson - Liberty Utilities

Customer Service (Public Agency) Award – Sponsored by South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling Services

· Elizabeth Ruiz - Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe
· Emily Abernathy - Tahoe Chamber
· Jayme Paine - City of South Lake Tahoe: Code Enforcement SLT
· Jeff Pollitt - Clean Tahoe Program
· Jim Marino - City of South Lake Tahoe
· John Pickett - Tahoe Fire Prevention District
· Julie Regan - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
· Michelle Risdon - Lake Tahoe Community College
· Sergeant Robert Rikalo - Nevada Highway Patrol
· Lisa Hixenbaugh, Gail Forstedt, Blair Berry, Angel Brandsgard, Valeria Perez, and Marika Walton - Barton Hospital

Unique to the 10th annual Blue Ribbon Awards is the Tallac Achievement Award. This award will be given to an exemplary business, recreation or infrastructure revitalization project that enhances the economy and community of the South Shore. The Chamber Board of Directors and Blue Ribbon Committee has put forth three projects for consideration. Community members will have the opportunity to vote for one of the three projects below by visiting the Tahoe Chamber’s Facebook page at facebook.com/tahoechamber, or by visiting TahoeChamber.org.

Tallac Achievement Award
· The Crossing at Tahoe Valley
· El Dorado Beach to Ski Run Bike Trail
· The Kingsbury Stinger Trail

With their award, recipients also receive a one-year complimentary Tahoe Chamber membership, signage to display at their business, and continuous recognition throughout the year for their contributions to our community. The Blue Ribbon Awards is a great opportunity to celebrate the nominees, award winners, and the important role of our business and employer community on the South Shore. Dinner table sponsorships and tickets are available on TahoeChamber.org.