To the victor, the sash. Carmichael Honorary Mayor Mike Rockenstein (in sash) wins re-election for a 2027 term. The result was announced last week during the Best of Carmichael gala. Rival is Lacey Martinez (in red). Flanking the candidates are Carmichael Chamber of Commerce Directors Brad Sanborn (left) Miranda Viani; Rosie Buck and emcee husband Jeff Buck.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Business and service professionals last week applauded 64 winners of the Best of Carmichael contest.

More than 350 revelers packed the La Sierra Center to wine, dine and cheer. Presented by the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce and the Carmichael Times, the annual competition raises funds for non-profits and chamber community programs.

The contest fielded 64 categories and 545 contenders. Online participation totaled more than 22,387 votes.

The Nov. 6 event festooned its venue with chandeliers, Sherlock Holmes lookalikes and costumed suspects in tradition with the mystery board game “Clue.”

A climatic reveal declared Chamber President Rosie Buck – Mrs. Peacock – to be a knife-wielding culprit. Her victim was Carmichael Improvement District executive Samantha Beck. (No blood was spilled and Beck remains in good health.)

From auto-shops to sushi sellers; from churches to chiropractors; from youth to senior programs – the contest celebrated the varied enterprises that make a town tick.

Carmichael Times staffer Susan Maxwell Skinner (center) is perennial winner for Best Photographer. Award presenters are Josh Gumacal (left), rep. Congressman Ami Bera; Vanessa Olmstead, rep. Senator Roger Niello, Kendra Johnson, rep. Supervisor Rich Desmond and Natalya Sachuk, rep. Assemblyman Josh Hoover.

As Carmichael marches on its stomach, food categories included burger, taco, kabob, pie and pizza merchants. To stay in shape from such indulgence, gyms and fitness enterprises were also lauded.

Glen Oaks swim and Tennis Club came in first for Youth Sports. Carmichael Presbyterian Church was praised as Best House of Worship. Carmichael Recreation and Park District romped off with wins in multiple categories, including Best Hidden Gem (Jensen Botanical Gardens). 

A Best Bartender award was stirred – not shaken – when Jennifer Holman (Shenanigans) and Sara Ryan (River City Brewing) split the prize.

Jacks Urban Eats scarfed a Best New Business title. Best Concert Series Band (for the third time) was the Carmichael rock group Wasted Space.

The Best Non-Profit profited from a cash prize. The Kiwanis Club of Carmichael took home $1,200. This bonus was sponsored by Assemblyman Josh Hoover and San Juan School board candidate Morri Elliott.

The Favorite Teacher category offered another cash incentive; this year shared by Ashley Lippner (Carmichael Elementary) and Emily Andrews (Starr King Elementary). The educators each earned $400, sponsored by San Juan School Board candidate Roxanne Stellmacher.

Teacher Emily Andrews also took home a $1,000 door prize voucher, to spend at Aquamarine Jewelers. For complete Best of Carmichael results, visit www.BestofCarmichael.com.

Following a dinner catered by Momo’s Smokehouse, a cake and auction sweetened fundraising by more than $2,200 for eight desserts.

A surprise announcement hailed a conclusion for the 2027 honorary mayoral race. Business consultant Mike Rockenstein will keep his bejeweled sash for another term.

Between Rockenstein and rival campaigner Lacey Martinez, the mayoral race realized more than $35,000. The incumbent’s campaign will benefit First Tee of Sacramento, a golfing program for youth. 

Though pipped for mayoral office, Lacey Martinez’s Tangle Free Salon snipped Best Hair Service honors for the fourth time. Her campaign funds will assist the Special Education Advocacy PTA of San Juan Unified School District – a non-profit that supports families of disabled students.

“This was truly our greatest Best of Carmichael, yet” reported Carmichael President Rosie Buck. “We were thrilled by the number of winners who attended.”

Next week’s Carmichael Times will contain a photo spread featuring contest winners. 

Sponsors included: Aquamarine Jewelers, Supervisor Rich Desmond, Carmichael Times, SMUD, Buck Family Automotive, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, SMUD, A&A Music, Dignity Health, Carmichael Times, Carmichael Improvement District, Milagro Centre, Pit Boss Jerky, Roxanne Stellmacher, Morri Elliott, Voter Fly, Assemblyman Josh Hoover, Edward Jones, Amy Slavensky and River City Brewing.