By SUSAN PARK

In January, I attended two Chamber of Commerce banquets: Ballard and University. Both Chambers wined and dined members, announced their 2002 board members, and presented special awards. The following is a recap of the highlights from the two events:

Ballard Chamber:

Ballard Chamber Executive Director Beth Williamson Miller began the meeting by saying, "When we went into retreat, we decided that this year, the Ballard Chamber was going to be 'audacious.'"

Miller said that the Chamber would celebrate its 75th anniversary in May and the organization is going to plan a big publicity stunt "to get back at the City for annexing us in 1906," she said. "My idea was to leave the (Ballard) Bridge up for a day. Liz Talley promised to organize all of her boat friends to go up and down under the bridge." said Miller, before adding: "That probably won't happen."

Whatever stunt they arrange, it should be spectacular - the new president elect is none other than marketing guru, Rosemary Heckman of award winning Turk's Head Productions. I've run into Heckman before - she coordinates marketing for the annual "What's Cookin' in Wallingford."

Board member Bruce Breitenbach made a big production of the "passing of the Gavel." Miller had put together several props to don on Heckman: a sash which read "Chamber Queen" and a plastic crown. "Here's a tool to help you bring people to order or in some cases, into consciousness," said Breitenbach as he handed her a scepter which Miller had made herself. He also handed her a genuine fox stole and a plastic ring for her finger for her subjects to "kiss to secure fair promises."

Breitenbach then gave her a larger ring for her wrist and said, "And, in case city employees begin to throw their weight around, it would be unqueenly for you to ask them to kiss a special part of your anatomy, so for them we've given you an especially big ring." (Heckman said later that she had to soak her wrist for hours in soapy water to get the ring off.) Heckman was then sworn in as "Lief Erickson." The Chamber members were then asked: "Do you take Rosemary to be your Queen, in sickness or in death, and until death or until next year's election?" which was answered by a unanimous "We do!"

"My court," said Heckman as she bowed. The event was toasted with a glass of champagne and apple cider.

Two other awards were presented: Outgoing Chamber President Bob Yeakel of Double Y Investment presented the President's Award (a Viking hat) to Issues Chair Scott Clark of Clark Design Group. Miller presented The King Salmon Award to Mary Hurley who helped with the annual Ballard SeafoodFest.

Although I had never attended a Ballard Chamber meeting, I was surprised to run into several people I knew: Molly Leptich, former Miss Lake City of 1980, is now happily working for Dr. Christopher Wolff at Health First Chiropractic in Ballard; Michele Della Pella, former Greenwood/Phinney Chamber President, who was recently transferred from Bank of America's Greenwood branch, where she had been manager, to become manager of BoA's Ballard branch; and Kim Griffith, salesperson for the Ballard News Tribune.

Greater University Chamber:

Not to be outdone, the University Chamber held a gala evening affair in the University Towers Hotel Ballroom. Attendees were treated to a delicious buffet dinner and milled around chatting for about an hour before the festivities began.

Jim Moran of Safeco presented four awards. The first, the Chamber's President's Cup, was given to Outgoing Chamber President Fred Hart of La Tienda Folk Art Gallery. Hart thanked the City Council for approving the new "Ave" project that will improve pedestrian amenities on University Way where his store is based.

The Don Rupp Memorial Award for the Outstanding Small Business was presented to long-time dance instructor Martha Nishitani, who has lived and worked in the University District since 1954. Nishitani also won the Mayor's Small Business Award in 1998. Don Rupp was the owner of Nowogroski Rupp Insurance, which is now run by his daughter Michelle Rupp in Northgate. The Seafair "Spirit Cup" Award was presented to Cathy McCluskey of the University YMCA in part for helping with the Homeless Youth Program. "It's easy to get paid for something you love to do," said McCluskey.

Then came the time to announce the Cal McCune Community Service Award. Moran said, "Although not a member of the University Chamber, your qualifications far exceed requirements," as he gave the award to Jim Diers, the recently laid-off director of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Diers had been instrumental in helping the University District with various neighborhood improvement projects. Moran said, "he did his job so well, he worked himself out of a job," speaking of Diers recent departure from the City after being relieved of his duties by the new Mayor, Greg Nickels.

Moran listed Diers' unusual attributes including his degree in Colonialism and Nationalism in Third World Development from Grinnell College in Iowa and his habit of yelling out a loud "whoop" when excited.

Diers and his wife Sarah Driggs attended the Chamber banquet as guests of Safeco Insurance. Diers got up and said, "One of the embarrassing things about losing my job is all the public outpouring of support. ... Everybody's worked hard here." Diers was given a standing ovation. A surprise award was presented to Marketing and Events Coordinator Susan Harper by the Chamber's new Executive Director, Teresa Lord Hugel for Harper's work on running the office without an executive director and her work on the University Street Fair. Upon receiving the award, Harper said of this year's upcoming fair, "It's gonna be great and we're gonna rock!"