Super Valu doors now shut

It was a sad day yesterday when I noticed from my balcony that the open sign at Super Valu was turned off by dinner time.  Tyee Plaza now has one less tenant and downtown isn’t the same this morning.

Best of luck to Dave and his staff.  Thank you for consistently friendly service. You’ll be missed.

Send them home with love on a plate

As I’ve mentioned previously, please don’t always assume that Christmas is a festive time of year for everyone.

Do you know someone who is facing his or her first Christmas without a loved one? Spend time with them. Go for a walk along the seawall or something un-Santa related. Or help them with whatever seasonal preparations they’re comfortable with. Are there people who don’t have family in town? Invite them to share Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner with your family. Send them home with leftovers (don’t forget the cranberry).

Sometimes the best gift you can give someone is your presence. Merry Christmas.

Shoppers Row adds new business

Now open in the former Inner Odyssey location on Shoppers Row, beside San Marcos, is P & D Collection.

Check it out for hand crafts, fashion and accessories, including jewelry.

Hospice’s “Celebrate a Life” comforts and honours

Amidst the festive ho-ho-hos and the fa-la-la-las, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that Christmas isn’t joyful for everyone.  The Campbell River Hospice acknowledges this can be a difficult time for some and offers a way to remember those who have died and who are still lovingly remembered.

Again this year, the 22nd in a row, the hospice is offering their “Celebrate a Life” project at Campbell River Common, formerly Ironwood Mall. The concept is a simple one: Christmas trees are strung with lights and for a donation, people write the name of the person they wish to remember on a paper shaped dove, place it on a tree, and turn the light on. It’s a quiet yet meaningful way to take time out at this busy time of year and honour those we love who are no longer with us.

This year the volunteers and the trees are available from 10:00am to 7:00pm starting tomorrow, December 15, until December 24 (they close at 3:00pm on Christmas Eve).

The trees are left up through the holidays so you’re welcome to take your dove home during the week after Christmas. After that, please feel free to stop by the hospice office to pick it up if you would like it as a remembrance.   The office is located at #104 - 301  Dogwood Street, near the curling club. Call them at 250-286-1121. Office hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday through Friday.

Thanks to the hospice for offering this opportunity. It’s important to a lot of people.

Coho Books hosts Mountain Timber author Richard Mackie

If you missed Vancouver Island author Richard Mackie’s appearance at the museum on Saturday, there’s a final  opportunity to buy his newest book, Mountain Timber, and have it signed, all in time for giving to the local history buff on your Christmas list.

Mountain Timber is a most welcome follow up to Richard’s book Island Timber. It’s well written and full of wonderful photographs that help to further the story of the Comox Logging Company.

Meet Richard on Saturday, December 12 from noon until 2:00pm at Coho Books, at 1074 Shoppers Row, in the same block at Cheddar and Co. Contact Pirkko Anderson at 250-287-2336 or email  info@cohobooks.com if you have any questions.

Check out this link for book details from publisher Sono Nis: http://www.sononis.com/book145.stm

Library welcomes feedback on its vision

The Campbell River library is looking for your contributions to its strategic planning process. Come on down to your branch on Tuesday December 8th starting at 7:00 pm at 1240 Shoppers Row.

Library borrowers living in Campbell River, Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Sayward, Tahsis, Gold River and area are all welcome to attend.
 
This is an opportunity to bring together the public, the library board and staff to develop a common vision and direction for the next three years.

If you have questions, please call Elaine Julian at 250-287-3655.

The Local Market offers another local Christmas shopping option

Starting this weekend, we’ll have another choice about where to shop locally for Christmas.

Beginning this Saturday morning, December 5 after 9:00am, head on down to The Local Market in the former Arby’s location across from the Community Centre and check out the selection of neato craft items, including bird carges, lamps, and one of a kind rugs made from recycled materials.

Owner Ron Everett said recently that work is moving ahead well despite some delays. He hopes to be fully open by mid-month. There will be a restuarant, The Raincity Forest Cafe, operated by Michael Fanning, as well as retail sales of local meat and produce in addition to the arts and crafts section.

Chamber members elect board, eat and enjoy

Andy Leitch of Canaccord Capital will lead the Chamber’s volunteer Board of Directors for the coming year, ably assisted by:

* Gary Thulin, First Vice President, Pioneer Home Hardware

* Cyriel DeBruyne, 2nd Vice President, Quality Foods

* Diane Rogers, Secretary/Treasurer, Total Concept Management and Realty

* Colin Buss, Director, Sonora Forestry

* Tom Conlon, Director, Marine Harvest Canada

* Ed Falstrem, Director, Periscope Promotions

* Tanya Hofer, Director, Stonehouse Teas

* Dave Keiver, Director, NVI Mining

* Colleen McClure, Director, Oceanside Dental Spa and

* Heidi Peterson, Director, Chameleon Creative and Web Design

The board was elected at the Chamber’s 78th AGM November 26 held at the Carriage Room of the Royal Coachman.

Thanks to Past President Kim Vokey, Campbell River Hospice, and Director Linda Krug from Discovery Hot Tubs for their service to the board.

And the evening had its share of fun. The Wall of Wine, an exciting variety of both red and white wines from around the world donated by Chamber members was won Cyriel DeBruyne.  This was a really cool fundraiser, with ticket proceeds going to the Chamber. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Colleen Evans, Executive Director, highlighted the busy year the Chamber had and gave members the scoop on what to expect in 2010, including  a possible visit from BC Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell in January.

Steve  Watson from BC Hydro was the keynote speaker. He provided an overview of some of the projects they’re curerntly involved in Campbell River, including the upgrade to John Hart dam, which started in 2007. And did you know – 2/3 of the power generated on Vancouver Island comes from Campbell River?! I didn’t.

A shout out to pub staff for the great food. A personal highlight was the “prawn tree” and miniature beef dip.

Learn more about your Chamber at www.campbellriverchamber.ca or call 250-287-4636.