Mark your calendars now for a Small Business Week EXPO Sunday Oct. 25 at Echo Centre. The expo, hosted by the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, will feature a full day of business learning and sharing.
The morning will feature four sessions on best practices and will feature local success stories. After lunch a trade show will be held to showcase products and services available locally. Childcare is offered for the day.
Registration and more information is available from the chamber of commerce. The $25 registration fee trades for a free pass to a chamber networking dinner in 2016. Call the camber office at 250-724-6535.
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Also on the chamber of commerce calendar for this month are two opportunities to network and learn more about local business. A free business after business networking event will be held at Community Employment at 4471 Margaret Street on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. The event celebrates Disability Month. Come to learn more about how businesses support disabled members of our community.
The October business after business event will take place at Char’s Landing Oct. 14, at 5:30 pm.
The annual chamber networking dinner takes place Sept 30. 5:30 p.m. at Solda’s restaurant.
The agenda includes Green Party candidate Glenn Sollitt and a presentation on the benefits of online marketing. And one lucky guest will win an iPad. The evening is $25, call the chamber office to register 250-724-6535.
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The Labour Council and chamber of commerce are teaming up to host the all-candidates meeting Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Italian Centre. All four federal candidates have confirmed their attendance. Cindy Solda will moderate.
Three of four federal candidates have opened campaign offices in Port Alberni. The Green Party office, candidate Glen Sollitt, is located at Adelaide Plaza off Johnston. The NDP office, candidate Gord Johns, is located at the corner of 10th Ave and Roger, and the Conservative Party office, candidate John Duncan, is located at 4778 Johnston Rd.
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Simon Daniells first pitched his idea for a new kind of yoga studio on CBC’s Dragon Den and now he has brought that idea to Port Alberni. Daniells, a two-time second place National Yoga Asana Champion, and founder of the Hot n Cool Yoga Club in Parksville is opening a new Hot Yoga Club in Port Alberni. He recently aired on CBC’s Dragons Den promoting The Pulse Yoga Club and his idea, the “Rhythm Yogi Experience”.
Daniells aims to make Hot Yoga more enjoyable, affordable, and accessible to all by offering memberships at a quarter the price of industry standard. Daniells’ new studio is located at Victoria Quay. See pyc.com for more info or to register. Call 778-654-9279.
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The Card Corner at Kingsway Crossing (Kingsway Avenue at Argyle Street) now has an online store featuring all the latest and coolest games, gaming supplies and collectibles. Share the site cardcorner.ca with all your online gaming friends.
Also new at the Card Corner is a Catan Club for everyone who enjoys playing the challenging strategy game Settlers of Catan. Thursday nights at 7 p.m. is Catan night.
And if you or someone you know is into all things Pokemon, check the website for upcoming gaming opportunities. See cardcorner.ca or call 778-421-0141
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The Comfort Zone on China Creek Road, near Quality Foods, has added stair lifts and walk-in tubs to their extensive product line of mobility aids, spas and ebikes. They service what they sell and offer rentals and sale of used mobility equipment. See albernicomfortzone.com or call 250-724-4477.
Venue Financial is opening a Port Alberni office on the corner of Johnston and Elizabeth Street. They offer payday loans, collateral loans, title loans and installment loans using your car, truck, RV, equipment, ATV and more. They also offer mortgages and home equity loans. See venuefinancial.com.
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Just like pubs in the old country, the whole family can now go to the pub in Port Alberni. Westwind Pub on Cherry Creek Road now welcomes families to a designated section from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 250-724-1324.
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Walmart and Boston Pizza are once again welcoming the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock cyclists to the Alberni Valley. The riders will arrive at Walmart Sept 25 between 11:30 am and noon, with a welcome event and hotdog barbecue fundraiser.
Later that evening, Boston Pizza hosts a dinner fundraiser at 5 p.m. To reserve your spot call 250-723-2622.
Teresa Bird is the Alberni Valley News publisher. If you have a business item to pass on, please e-mail her at publisher@albernivalleynews.com.