Best in biz: The province's top business leaders were feted at the 19th annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards, which spotights game-changing entrepreneurs who continue to drive sustainable growth and job creation across the country. Fourteen-hundred guests filed into the convention centre for the celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, fronted by Pacific Region chair Ron Voyer. Ashley Cooper, president and CEO of Paladin Security was the night's biggest winner, earning the Pacific Region title.

Good relations: For his accomplishments in spearheading initiatives in aboriginal education, training and employment, Eric Newell, former chief executive of Syncrude Canada, was cited with the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) 10th annual gala held at the Hotel Vancouver.

Stacked: Vancity presented the sophomore edition of Stack the Rack, a benefit for QMUNITY in partnership with John Clerides' Marquis Wine Cellars. Several hundred wine enthusiasts gathered at Mark Brand's Boneta event space for the Marc Smith-produced food and wine fundraiser in support of B.C.'s queer resource centre. Yours truly, along with Isla Traquair, emceed the Gastown shindig. Nearly $28,000 was raised for the West End community centre that sees 35,000 clients annually using its core services.

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Hear Fred Mondays 8:20 a.m. on CBC Radio's The Early Edition; email yvrflee@hotmail.com; Twitter: @FredAboutTown or fredabouttown.blogspot.com.