Volunteer stars of the show, Del Campo High School cheer squad members pose with event VIPs. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

 

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - More than 11,000 votes decided the 40 top businesses and services in Carmichael. After weeks of balloting, winners were announced at the Best of Carmichael awards dinner last weekend.

An occasion for almost 200 merchants and professional people to let down hair, the gala took over the old La Sierra High School gym and adopted a prom theme. Guests were treated to music, a high-end cafeteria meal and desserts-by-auction.

A lemon and blueberry confection whipped up by Oakmont of Carmichael’s chef raised a top bid of $325. A red velvet cake donated by Farmers Insurance agent Katie Pexa brought $275. Heidi Green’s Peanut and chocolate dessert snagged $100.

Candidates and supporters held their breath as winning envelopes were torn open Oscar-style. Back-slaps, cheers and victory jigs were champions’ dues.

Auto shops were revved up contenders: American Eagle Body Shop won Best Collision Repair and Restoration. Buck Family Automotive sped away with Best Auto Repair and Service (owners Jeff and Rosie Buck also garnered most votes of the entire contest).

Best Carmichael School produced a tie between Thomas Kelly Elementary and Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School.

The restaurant category saw delicious rivalry but, in a repeat of 2021 results, Best Pizza was delivered to Mark and Monica’s and Hagen’s Orange Freeze squeezed Best Fast-Food honors. Skip’s Kitchen reclaimed Best Restaurant and River City Brewery was perennial Best Bar and Pub winner. I Love Pie Bakeshop was (again) cheered for Best Dessert Shop.

For the sixth time, Carmichael Presbyterian collected Best Church laurels. Another repeat winner, Bel Air Market, has snagged best Grocery Store every year since 2017. Insurance agent Katie Pexa took her sixth award. Susan Maxwell Skinner won in two categories: Best Photographer and Best Entertainer.

Denoting a leap in participation from last year, almost 400 local businesses were nominated. Votes were counted by Ryan Griffith of Voter Fly.

At the award celebration, merchants ate, drank, danced and were exceedingly merry. “The High School theme had our attendees sharing stories and having a really good time,” reported volunteer coordinator Rosie Buck. “Feeling carefree is a pleasant change from our daily business lives.”

Gala sponsors included Carmichael Times, American River College Automotive Technology Program, Faye Thyme Events, Carmichael Improvement District, Milagro Centre, SMUD and ACR Solar, Folsom Vice Mayor Y.K. Chalamcherla, Carmichael Disc Centre, River City Brewing Comp, Pit Boss Jerky, Bowen Law Firm, A and A Event Production, David Lanni Construction, Katie Pexa Insurance (Farmers) Agency, School of Rock, Sacramento and the Grocery Outlet.

For a $100 guest donation, Best Insurance Agency winner and volunteer auctioneer Katie Pexa slaps a cake in the face of “Homecoming King” Joe Green. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

 

Assemblyman Josh Hoover (left) and Congressman Ami Bera’s representative Matt Ceccato give rah-rahs to Carmichael Honorary Mayor Kerri Mandes. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

 Best of Carmichael winner for 2023 line up for a victory snapshot at La Sierra Community Center. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Supervisor Rich Desmond (right) hangs with Carmichael Improvement District leader Nick Bloise and Kiwanians Donna Miller and Linda Martin. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Carmichael Times publisher Paul Scholl (center) and friends joined forces to win a “death by chocolate” dessert. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Ezekiel Weil (left) and tablemates Donna Miller, Linda Martin and Assemblyman Josh Hoover preview dessert with Chamber volunteer Joe Green. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner