surprise, surprise, surprise!

Homescapes, Carmel is awarded the Green Ribbon of Excellence

We sent out an email notice on Wednesday giving you an F.Y.I. about our being nominated for a Green Ribbon of Excellence in Retailing by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Well, we went to the awards dinner at Quail Lodge, certain for failure, and for good reason: we were up against the Crossroads Shopping Center! A whole mall!

Anyway, the way this works is that after the general public nominates their personal fav's in different categories, all the members of Carmel's Chamber of Commerce vote for the Award Winners. Being new to this kind of thing myself, I kind of compare it to the "Academy Awards of the Business World" because business people vote for what they feel are the best businesses.

A cheeky comment rose from our table-mate, Eric Cushman, the publisher of the Monterey County Weekly,as our category came up. "Thompson," he yelled out over background music, "Don't worry about it; You guys aren't going to win." He was just as cynical as the rest of us.

The names were called out one by one: Crossroads Shopping Center, Homescapes, Carmel; Pacific Tweed. When our namewas called as winner, we all sat kind of stunned for a moment. I think Edward had to poke me with a fork to remind me take a photo. At least, I hope that's why I have four puncture wounds in my arm... Regardless, I was stunned.

The Chamber really knows how to throw a party, and why shouldn't they? These businesses work very hard all year, and so to celebrate their hard work, they really go to town. They hired a great band, had great food and a rhythmic program to keep the general interest of the mass. They'd only do a few awards at a time and then break with music and then serve a course... it was well-planned.

Anyway, the rest of the night was a bit of a jubilant blur. I recall seeing Thompson doing some sort of jig much like a cross between the Macarena and Moonwalking. Edward started a Congo-line and somehow got the whole room to follow him and I think *I* even shook it a little during a disco throwback that I (shamelessly) barely remember at its highest popularity.

So as this year comes to its closing days, we'd like to thank the Chamber and, well, everyone, for thinking so highly of us. Looking back over 2004, we've had an incredible year of awards and recognition, and it amazes us.

We can only hope 2005 treats us as well.

- Keri Marion