January 2022 Business News
BC Foster Parents
Throughout this pandemic, children are still coming into government care. Vulnerable children, youth and families could be at greater risk.
Right now, there are more than 5,000 children and youth across British Columbia who need loving, supportive foster families to provide a safe place when they can’t live at home. In our beautiful Elk Valley, there is an urgent need for more foster caregivers. There are a variety of caregiving options from providing care for a child a few days a month to welcoming children full time into your family until they are returned home.
If becoming a foster caregiver has been on your mind, please reach out to Halina Wloka at 250-423-9718 or visit bcfosterparents.ca.
Edge of the World
421B 2nd Ave 250-423-9292
Calling all KIDS! Edge of the World’s Kids Colouring Contest is back for its fourth year with an epic new colouring sheet.
Do you like to be creative and win cool prizes? Grab your art supplies and get those creative skills flowing! The contest is open to kids 12 and under and is FREE to enter. Drop by and pick up a colouring sheet at Edge of the World starting January 1. Colour your entry (be as creative as you can!) and return your artwork masterpiece to the store by January 31, 2022. Winners will be announced February 1 and awesome prize packs will be awarded to the age categories of 6 and under, 7-9, and 10-12 years old. All entries handed in will be entered to win draw prizes and receive a discount coupon for kids’ items.
Check out Edge’s selection of kids’ snowboards, outerwear, clothing, Vans shoes, Tech Deck, and more! Edgeoftheworld.ca Kids forever rule!
Fernie Roasting Company
fernieroasting.ca 250-278-0737
Fernie Roasting Company (FRC) is a new business in Fernie, providing fresh, small batch coffee to locals and visitors of the Elk Valley by custom roasting orders to fuel your adventure.
Owner Chris Lane and his wife moved to Fernie in July of 2008. His roasting coffee began after visiting micro-roasteries throughout Canada. Experimentation began while roasting on a Coleman stove on his deck in 2020 and he quickly fell in love with the process and freshness of the coffee. Since then, all his extra energy (when not raising a family of three boys and a full-time position with Teck) goes into developing a business that stokes his passion. Throughout 2021 FRC has evolved from an idea into a test with Chris roasting outside at local farmers markets, and now an approved coffee roasting facility with Interior Health. Visit FCR on social @ fernieroastingcompany.
Emily Brydon Youth Foundation
The Emily Brydon Youth Foundation (EBYF) is 15 years old. In that time, EBYF has invested ~$680k back into the community! They are also well on the way to their $1.5m goal for the endowment fund which will ensure support for youth in the Elk Valley in perpetuity.
After a successful fundraising campaign in December, the EBYF 12 Days of Christmas, EBYF is all in supporting various youth activities and programs this winter. They are also excited to see many new opportunities available out there.
EBYF is a foundation dedicated to youth in the Elk Valley through sports, arts and education. Their mission is to enable and empower youth to go after their dreams, have access to various programs and activities and create opportunities for those less fortunate.
To learn more, apply for funds, or donate to the Foundation please go to emilybrydonyouthfoundation.com.
Fernie Trails Alliance
fernietrailsalliance.com
The Fernie Trails Alliance (FTA) has restructured for 2022. As the organization has grown alongside trail use in our valley, the responsibilities and work has as well. The FTA has relied heavily on volunteers, specifically its board which has been a working board structure to ensure it runs professionally, accountably and executes its mandate. The board decided to hire an Executive Director and to shift to a governance board to meet this growth and become an even stronger community organization.
With the structural change, the FTA lost long-time employee Julie Kelly, who was an important team member passionate about the trails and mountain biking. She continues to support these passions through her role as Vice President with the Fernie Mountain Bike Club.
The FTA welcomes Todd Penke as the new Executive Director. Todd is a strategy and management consultant who specializes in supporting social impact organizations. He and his family have lived in Fernie since fall of 2020 and he is looking forward to combining his love for the outdoors with his professional experience.
Fernie Strength Collective
1521A 9th Ave
Fernie Strength Collective is excited to have brought a women’s strength facility and program to Fernie.
Different from typical group fitness formats, their program is designed to improve women’s strength and fitness by progressing them through stages of strength training monthly, with cardio and bootcamp classes also offered to complement weight training.
Priding themselves on being a space for every body, absent of pressures that can be felt in fitness environments, an emphasis is placed on increasing confidence along with skill, loving your body for what it can do, and having fun.
“Our goal is to make lifting weights something that every woman can do, and to offer a supportive, positive environment to do it in. It’s incredibly exciting to see women getting stronger and doing things they may not have before,” said owner Amanda Dreger.
Check out their upcoming Women’s Learn to Lift Program, and more details on what they offer at ferniestrengthcollective.com.
Mountain Air Events
Mountain Air Events (MAE) provides professional, personalized events in Fernie and the East Kootenay region. MAE enjoys planning all types of events including birthdays, celebratory dinners and brunches, cocktail events, showers, anniversaries, bachelor/ettes, tattoo parties and more! They also specialize in weddings of all sizes, including services such as wedding and design, a month of coordination, day of coordination and consultations.
You can reach MAE through email at maefernie@gmail.com or follow them on social media on Instagram @maefernie and Facebook @MountainAir Events.
Vogue Theatre
321 2nd Ave 250-423-3132
Vogue Theatre is pleased to present for the 29th year, the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour on two separate nights this year! Each night there will be two shows, a 6pm and a 9pm presented on Sunday January 2 and Monday January 3.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at The Guides Hut, Edge of the World and at the theatre. Get your tickets now to avoid disappointment – this event sells out every year! For details on the 21/22 World Tour Films at-a-glance, visit banffcentre.ca/banffmountainfestival/tour/21-22-films. Not all films are played in every location, expect a program of between six to ten diverse and engaging films.
Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it
tobaccoplains.org
This month, Yaq̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it is accepting used winter gear, including winter jackets, snow pants and winter boots, for those less fortunate who would be grateful to receive. In lieu of donation, each Yaq̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it is eligible for an item that will keep them warm and geared up through the winter months. For more information, contact Shaila Holmes at 250-887-3461, ext. 3419. The program deadline is January 15, 2022.
Also, five Winter Storywalks will be posted near the Yaq̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it playground over the next five months, created by Yaq̓ it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it, Paq’Mi’Nuq’Yuk and Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy for everyone to enjoy.