John Taylor Project Surf Camp, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Senator John Laird, Mayor Carla Wixom, Councilmember Zara Landrum, 2022 Citizen of the Year, Bonnie Jones, Supervisor Bruce Gibson, Councilmember Jen Ford, Councilmember Cyndee Edwards, 2022 Business of the Year Justine and Dave Thomas and 2022 Living Treasure Cathy Novak. Photos by Dean Sullivan
By Erica D. Crawford, chamber president and CEO
Hosting the Morro Bay community at our Annual Awards Gala is one of the most special and enjoyable things that the Morro Bay Chamber does each year to recognize the best amongst us, and to celebrate all that makes Morro Bay the place where we choose to live and do business.
Eleven local Morro Bay businesses contributed to the menu of food and beverages and the decor for the April 21 soiree, and over 60 local businesses donated items for a silent auction. Thank you to Morro Bay Butcher and Deli, Flavor Fool, Shine Cafe, Babydudes, Buttercup Bakery & Cafe, Chowa Bowl, Three Stacks and a Rock Brewing Company, Gaia’s Garden, Lost Isles Adventures, Harbor Floral, Carousel Taffy and Albertsons.
More than 200 people attended the event, and dignitaries included Senator John Laird, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Supervisor Bruce Gibson, Mayor Carla Wixom, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Ford, Councilmember Cyndee Edwards, and Councilmember Zara Landrum.
Cathy Novak, 2022 Living Treasure and a former mayor of Morro Bay, delivered a speech for the ages, weaving in her decades of experience as a project advocate at the podium for hundreds of City Council and Planning Commission meetings.
Bonnie Jones, 2022 Citizen of the Year, included the importance of community togetherness in her remarks and highlighted the great work of the Morro Bay Maritime Museum.
Dave Thomas, representing The Shell Shop, 2022 Business of the Year, shared stories from over five decades of being in business on the corner of Marina and Embarcadero. John Taylor representing the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year, Project Surf Camp, demonstrated one of the confidence-boosting techniques he uses to support differently-abled campers for camp activities.
The Chamber thanks event sponsors Perfect Union, Golden State Wind, Poppy, Ross | Carreiro | Brown CPAs, Vistra, Confluence Engineering Solutions, Mechanics Bank, Bob and Judy Salamacha, and CAPSLO for their generous support!
