TOUCHING—Community and business leader Elaine Freeman holds back tears as she walks to the stage to accept the Strathearn Lifetime Achievement Award Jan. 29 at the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 57th annual Business Achievement Luncheon at the Grand Vista Hotel. Freeman, CEO of Urban Strategies and chair of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board, had no idea she was going to be presented with the honor and was overcome with emotion. “I feel so blessed to have so many of you as friends; this is truly a special place to call home,” she told the audience. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers