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.

T-Mar Industries amongst local finalists for island awards

A trio of Campbell River-based businesses were finalists  at the 4th annual awards sponsored by MISTIC (the Mid-Island Science, Technology and Innovation Council) in Nanaimo this past Thursday night.

T-Mar Industries was nominated two categories - the Island SRED Excellence in Innovation and Engineering category, Chameleon Creative in Vancouver Island Univeristy New Media, and Value Added Products was where Hilmark Boats Inc. fit in.

The winners were ECOSIP in Island SRED Excellence in Innovation, Strategic Forest Management in Engineering, The Woodshop Recording Studio in New Media, and K2 Stone in Value Added Products.

MISTIC Executive Director Carolyn Tatton said, “The science, technology and innovative based sectors are continually growing and have established their mark as a major economic contributor.”

MISTIC is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1994.  It is one of nine innovation councils in the province.  MISTIC provides support to innovators, business owners and entrepreneurs in knowledge-based industries in the region from Mill Bay to the tip of the Vancouver Island in the north, including the Sunshine Coast. Their website is www.mistic.bc.ca.

New life for former Arby’s location

The corner of 11th Ave. and Cedar Street, across from the Community Centre, is alive with activity again, even if it’s all happening inside. And indeed it is. The combination restaurant, farmer’s market, and retail space is the brainchild of local resident Ron Everett, who brings fresh ideas to his business.

“Food will be a big part of this,” he said recently.

Ron’s vision for the space includes three distinct yet complimentary aspects: a sit down restaurant, retail sales of local meat and produce, and rental space for arts and crafts and select homemade items such as preserves and bread.

The Rivercity Rainforest Cafe will be sublet to, and operated by, Michael Fanning. He has cooked in such diverse communities as Montreal, Ottawa, and Dawson City. The cafe will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. A preview of the draft menu promises favorites as well as exciting variations on classic dishes. A unique feature of the cafe will be its free delivery to customers within the downtown area, Michael revealed.

The Local Market is the portion of the business encompassing the retail area and the booths where people will offer their artistic creations and hand made food creations.

Adding to the uniqueness of Ron’s undertaking will be the rough cut lumber post and beam entrance. A combination covered deck and solarium with perfect sun exposure will allow Michael to grow herbs for the cafe on the premises.

Ron’s guiding principle that everybody currently working on the project live in Campbell River means a completely local workforce. Another essential component of his business is that everything sold and used in the cafe be available from within 200 kilometres of Campbell River.

Although Ron has a solid background in management through ownership of his own forest-related business for more than two decades, the experience of dealing with food regulations and City Hall is something he hadn’t tackled before.

“This is all new to me,” he said with a smile.

A website is currently being designed by Chameleon Creative.

If you have a product you’d like to offer for sale through the farmer’s market side of things, please contact Ron at 250-923-1236 by email at notmadeinchina@live.ca. The arts and crafts area will offer some sales options including  consignment or , sales directly by the creator through booth rental. 

Stayed tuned for confirmation of opening day as work progresses and in the meantime, start making plans to visit.

Focus on your work future with free event

Have you recently been laid off and are open to something completely different work-wise? Wondering if now’s a favourable time to consider switching to a different industry? Not sure what that field might be?

Or maybe you’re curious about a specific career field but not sure if you’ve got the training or skills needed to even think about it yet? Interested in discovering what industries are likely candidates for expansion in the short and long term here on the North Island and further afield?

The Careers of the Future forum at the Community Centre tomorrow, Thursday, June 11, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm is worth checking out for the answers to these questions – it’s a one stop shop for current, relevant employment-related information.

NIEFS and the Mid-Island Science, Technology and Innovation Council (MISTIC) provide a valuable opportunity to research a variety of possible career paths in expanding sectors. Talk to real live people who can answer your questions based on their first-hand knowledge of the industry.

Speakers scheduled:  

• Neucel Speciality Cellulose
•  Millwright and Electrical Programs at North Island College
• Marine Harvest Canada
• Aquaculture Program at Vancouver Island University
• Sealand Aviation
• Aircraft Structures Technician Program at North Island College
• Hillmark Boats
• Silva Bay Shipyard School (Boat Building and Restoration)

 Employers who will be there:

• North Island Film Commission
• Tremain Media
• Plutonic Power
• Chameleon Creative Web and Graphic Design
• Canadian Forces
• Neucel Speciality Cellulose
• Marine Harvest Canada
• Sealand Aviation
• Timberwright Manufacturing
• Hillmark Boats  

Organizations:

• Campbell River Chamber of Commerce
• BC Construction Association
• River Corp
• North Island Employment Foundation Society (NIEFS)
• Mid-Island Science, Technology and Innovation Council (MISTIC)

Training Institutions:

• Discovery Community College
• Vancouver Island University
• North Island College (NIC)
• Silva Bay Shipyard School

Talk to people who can tell you what courses and programs are available to help you qualify for the job you’re interested in. Not all training has to take years before you’re job ready.

Financial Supports:

• New Employee Wage Subsidy (NEWS)
• Training Support Centre

If you’re curious about opportunities in the oil and gas sector or health care, there will also be information on these industries. 

It’s free – and there are door prizes too. Call NIEFS at 250-286-3441 if you have questions or to pre-register for the hour-long presentations that start at 1:10pm and 2:10pm.

Accurate and relevant information is your first step when you’re overwhelmed in this time of huge and rapid change in the world of work. Solid information will help you make decisions about your next steps. Find it at the Community Centre tomorrow. Grab the possibilities.