Ribbons, gift bags and a birthday cake were all part of the scene Wednesday night at Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ, where the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce celebrated its first year in action.

Local business owners, employees, chamber board members, city staffers and elected officials were all on hand, including all five Lake Forest City Council members. Partygoers enjoyed a barbecue buffet, live music and a chance to win prizes—from a big-screen TV to restaurant gift certificates—donated by Lake Forest businesses.

Mayor Pro Tem Mark Tettemer, Mayor Peter Herzog, chamber President Mike Brenhaug and chamber events and programs Chairwoman Margie Matsil each addressed the crowd. Herzog emphasized the partnership between the chamber and Lake Forest's government, which awarded the chamber an 18-month, $22,500 contract starting in Jan. 2010 by a vote of the council.

"You've listened for two years now as the White House has bashed the national Chamber of Commerce," Herzog said. "That doesn't happen in Lake Forest. ... While California has been lambasted for being not business-friendly, here in Lake Forest, 2011 is a great year for business."

Chamber member Adam Lomax of Lake Forest-based Oxygen Funding said  he valued the chamber for the connections it has helped him to make over the past year or so.

"It's a good group of people," he said. "They do a good job of helping you network."

Brenhaug took to the microphone after Herzog.

"This is a great party," he said. "I love seeing all the new faces ... that's what the Lake Forest chamber is about. Because when you see new faces, you know what that is? We're connecting."