Celebrating the best of the best in North County.

The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce took on the motto of the U.S. Post Office March 10 when neither rain, snow nor sleet could stop more than 600 chamber members and guests from attending the Chamber's annual meeting at the Aviara Four Seasons Resort.

Even with the foul weather threatening, the guests arrived in a jovial mood as honors were bestowed on the small, medium and large size businesses of the year. Next, the Lifetime Achievement, Business Person of the Year, Entrepreneurial Spirit and Community Leadership awards were presented.

Six Marines from Camp Pendleton--each the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat in Iraq--were also saluted. After a standing ovation that lasted several minutes, the Commanding General of Marine Corps Bases West, Major General Michael Lennert was brought to the podium to receive two checks from Poseidon Resources and Cabrillo Power. The contribution totaled $15,000 and went to the Semper Fi Wounded Marines Fund which provides money to dependents of wounded Marines and Sailors. This, in turn, allows for more visitation during the recovery period of the wounded combatants.

The evening was also an opportunity to welcome in the 2006 Board of Directors as well as thank and say goodbye to certain members leaving the board. Chairman and co-President of Grand Pacific Resorts, Tim Stripe praised his board for their innovation and commitment to Carlsbad and North County. At the conclusion of his remarks he then presented the Chairman's Award to Greg and Barbi Nelson for their lifetime of philanthropic services to and for the community. The Nelson family highlighted their decades of giving to the Carlsbad community with a $1 million grant to the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club to kickoff the building campaign for the new facility inside Bressi Ranch.

More than 80 companies and individuals were nominated for recognition at this year's annual meeting. In total, there were 11 awards presented. The winners of those awards are as follows:

* Business of the Year (Small)--John Stevenson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

* Business of the Year (Small)--Sylvan Learning Center of Encinitas

* Business of the Year (Medium)--Museum of Making Music

* Business of the Year (Large)--Invitrogen Corporation

* Businessperson of Year--Michael "Mick" Pattinson, Barratt American

* Entrepreneur of the Year--Troy Mills & Tim Wrisley, Carlsbad Magazine

* Entrepreneur of the Year--David and Susan Danglard, K1 Speed

* Lifetime Achievement in Business--Richard Heckmann, K2 Inc.

* Lifetime Achievement in Business--Judi Missett, Jazzercise

* Community Leadership--Julie Baker, Baker Land Surveys Inc.

* Community Leadership--Gary Hill, GIA 

In other North County news:

--Tri-City Medical Center is moving forward with a $596 million bond measure that will tax the homeowners in the hospital district $23.40 per $100,000 of a home's assessed value. The hospital has until 2013 to finish the expansion and remodeling of the facility to meet the States mandate for an earthquake proof hospital. The bond will be placed on the June 6 ballot.

--San Francisco-based Genentech has purchased Biogen Idec's 70,000 square facility in Oceanside. The NICO or New Idec Clinical Operation center will allow Genentech to do research that will produce new clinical trial medicines. Thirty new employees will be hired to bring their total employment in the region to 485.

--The California Coastal Commission approved KSL's Encinitas condo-hotel overlooking the ocean and Batiquitos Lagoon. One hundred of the 130 suites will sell for up to $1.5 million each. New owners agree not to occupy the rooms for more than 90 days of the year. In addition, no stay can exceed more than 25 days in length.

--Carlsbad-based Luxtera, a developer of optical electronic chips, has raised $22 million from a group of venture capitalists. The Caltech spin-off is developing chips that will speed data transmission via fiber-optic technology. The funding for this endeavor came from Sevin Rosen Funds, New Enterprise Associates and August Capital.

--The Flower Fields in Carlsbad had a delayed grand opening this year but are now in full blooming glory. The fifty acre fields are a major tourism attraction for North County from March through early May. Millions of Tecolote ranunculus flowers stand proudly against a back drop of the Pacific Ocean drawing thousands of visitors. The fields are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

--One of the construction companies working on the North County Transit District Sprinter project has won another contract to work on a similar project in Los Angeles. FCI Contractors located in Vista was awarded a $420 million contract to build the MidCity/Exposition Light Rail that will connect downtown LA with Culver City. The project consists of 9.6 miles of light rail, 11 passenger stations and three park and ride facilities.

--North County is apparently breeding another restaurant district. Not meaning to copy the Gaslamp in San Diego or Restaurant Row in San Marcos but along the 78 Corridor adjacent to El Camino Real and Vista Way eatries are popping up like Freeway Daisy's in the spring. The latest is the national hamburger chain Fuddrucker's. The store is located in the old Love's restaurant on the east side of El Camino Real in Oceanside. It joins the likes of Chili's Grill and Bar, Macaroni Grill, Black Angus, Chuck E. Cheese, Chipotle, El Torrito, Red Lobster, Hana Sushi, Outback Steakhouse ... the list goes on and on. When you add to that already extensive list the fast food selections in the area, it turns out that a massive food conglomerate is being created.

Ted Owen & the president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.