After 60 years of recognizing citizens and businesses for outstanding achievement in business and in the community, the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition this year is presenting an award for "Community Organization or Nonprofit of the Year."

"You could have a community organization compete for Business of the Year, but it's hard for them to compete there because of the differences in how they do things," said Mysty Rusk, Chamber Coalition president. "In our view, to make this a community celebration that truly reflects our community, we needed to add a category."

Another new award, recognizing an individual or business as Good Steward of the Planet, will be presented. Rusk said the prize will go to one who is a leader in the sustainability movement locally, addressing economic, social and environmental aspects.

In addition to the long list of awards prepared for those who shone in 2007, the city itself will be recognized as a safe and a green community.

The Environmental Protection Agency will present another award to Corvallis for its healthy participation in Pacific Power's Blue Sky program, which provides electricity generated by wind turbines and geothermal plants.

Corvallis was the first - and it remains the only - city on the West Coast to receive the designation. In March, 2,950 Corvallis households and 100 local businesses were enrolled in the program.

Farmer's Insurance will present its Community Safety Award to the city. In December, the insurance company commissioned Portland-based Sperling's Best Places to compile cities' risks and assets. Among data considered: crime statistics, the risk of natural disasters or terrorist attacks and economic and educational indicators.

Corvallis came out on top of the list of most secure places to live in the United States among cities with fewer than 150,000 residents.

"I don't know other places that get the kind of accolades we do," Rusk said. "Beyond all the individual awards and businesses we recognize, this shows that we work well as a community."

Matt Neznanski can be reached at 758-9518 or matt.neznanski@lee. net

If you go

What: 60th annual Celebrate Corvallis awards

When: Wednesday, Jan 23. Dinner at 5:15 p.m. at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center. Awards at 7:15 p.m. in LaSells Stewart Center. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Cost: Dinner and awards tickets, $70 per person or $575 for a table for eight. Awards-only tickets cost $25 and include refreshments after the ceremony. Ticket registration closes Thursday.

Details: Allen Alley, deputy chief of staff to Gov. Ted Kulongoski, will deliver a keynote address during dinner. Valet parking will begin at 4 p.m. at the alumni center, with pick-up at LaSells after the award ceremony.

Purchase tickets online at www.cbchambercoalition.com, or call 757-1505.

Celebrate Corvallis 2007 Nominees

First Citizen:

• George Abele, Rubicon Investments

• Courtney Campbell, Oregon State University

• Carolyn Hinds, Corvallis School District

• Mark Hoffman, Oregon State University

• Cindy Mitchell, Benton Habitat for Humanity

• Sylvia Moore, retired, Oregon State University

• Susan (Sue) Schulz, retired Jefferson School cook

• Jacque Schreck, former city councilor

• Jeanne Smith, Jeanne Smith & Associates PC

• Biff Traber, president Corvallis Rotary

• John Turman, Turman Financial Group

Senior First Citizen

• Judy Brazee, member of the Heartland Board

• Bardon Maginnis, retired CPA, past Fall Festival treasurer

• Barbara Ross, former state representative, former Benton County commissioner

• Donna Silver, former Laubach teacher and director

Junior First Citizen

• Laura Conroy, Adkins Watkinson, LLC

• Michelle Davis, Hilton Garden Inn

• Erica Filker, 7 Stones Spa

• Jim Kuhlman, State Farm Insurance

• Cary Stephens, Barnheisel, Willlis, Barlow & Stephens PC

Future First Citizen

• Michael Dimock, Alsea High School

• Jordan Gerding, Santiam Christian

• Maya Jasmine Heck, Corvallis High School

• Sunithi Hindagolla, Crescent Valley High School

Business of the Year

• Animal Crackers Pet Supply, Kate Lindburg

• DEVCO Engineering, Inc., Lyle Hutchens

• El Sol De Mexico, Bernardo Magana and Rafael De La Cruz

• InsightsNow, Inc., David Lundahl

• Stover Neyhart & Co., Larry Stover

Entrepreneur of the Year

• John A. Gardner, ViewPlus Technologies, Inc.

• Deb Kadas, Deborah Kadas Design

• David Lundahl, InsightsNow, Inc.

• Matt McLaughlin, i5Logic

Jim & Ruth Howland Lifetime Achievement Award

• Carol Challis, Welcome Waggers Therapy Dogs

• Beverly Larson, Old Mill Center for Children and Families

• Hans Neukomm, CH2M HILL

Robert C. Ingalls Business Person of the Year

• Timothy Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Painting, Inc.

• Lyle E. Hutchens, Devco Engineering, Inc.

• Robert (Skip) Rung, ONAMI, Inc.

Patron of the Arts

• Jan Maitland, Maitland Studio and Gallery

• Keith Moses, CVHS, Arts Center, Benton Center

• Marnie Ross, Arts Center, LBCC

• Court and Linda Smith, writers, teachers, poets

Good Steward of the Planet 2007

• Abundant Solar, James Reismiller

• Benton Habitat for Humanity, Debbie Coppenger

• Beth Young Garden Design, Beth Young

• Bombs Away Cafe, John Huyck

• City of Corvallis, Mayor Charlie Tomlinson

• CORE Communications, Lou Butera

• Corvallis-Albany Farmers' Markets, Rebecca Landis

• FireWorks Restaurant & Catering, Intaba Liff-Anderson

• First Alternative Co-op, Michele Adams

• Oregon Natural Step Network, Bruce Hecht

• Solar Summit, Heidi Eveland

• Your Green Home, David Graetz

Community Organization/Non-profit of the Year

• Ashbrook Independent School, Charlotte Sachtjen

• Assistance League of Corvallis, Judy Kuenzli

• Benton County Foundation, Dick Thompson

• Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, Helen Higgins

• Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV), Nancy O'Mara

• Corvallis Community Theater, Terry Moore

• Corvallis Environmental Center, Erin Popelka

• Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center, Dee Curwen

• Corvallis Oddfellows Barnum Lodge #7, Brad Probst

• Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, Annette Mills

• Greenbelt Land Trust, Karlene McCabe

• Kiwanis Club of Corvallis, Al Hall

• OSU Thrift Shop, Kate Mathews