January 2023 Business News

College of the Rockies 
cotr.bc.ca/herizons 

Are you a women looking to advance your career, re-enter the workforce or start your own business? Seneca HELIX’s HERizons is a free women’s employment program funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills – Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program and offered in partnership with Seneca College in Ontario. The program is offered online and can be accessed from anywhere in our region or province. HERizons offers weekly workshops on a variety of topics, the ability to access a virtual reality program for one-on-one skills, networking events, math and English upgrading for those who qualify, and the ability to apply for microgrants. 

For more information and to register in the program, please go to cotr.bc.ca/herizons

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 5th year with an all new epic colouring sheet. Do you like to win awesome prizes? Grab your art supplies and get those creative juices 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, 2023. Winners will be announced February 1 and prizes awarded to the age categories of 6 and under, 7-9, and 10-12 years old. All participants will be entered in to win draw prizes and receive a discount coupon for kids’ items. Explore Edge’s wide selection of kids’ snowboards, outerwear, clothing, Vans shoes, Tech Deck, and more. Kids always rule at Edge of the World. 

Emily Brydon Youth Foundation
emilybrydonyouthfoundation.com

In December, the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation held its popular 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser. With items donated by businesses, artists and individuals, with title sponsor the Ski Base, it was very successful raising over $28,500. Bridgeland Market is a huge supporter of EBYF and hosted a Cheesemas where they offered cheese boxes, raclette, tastings and more. Red Girl played live, and people socialized and perused some of the auction items. 

“This year’s EBYF 12 Days of Christmas knocked it out of the park. I was blown away by the generosity of the sponsors and the participants - it showed the true power and potential of giving. The funds raised will be put directly back in the Elk Valley by supporting youth across sports, arts and education. Every dollars counts and you never know the difference you can make in an individual and a family’s life. Thanks for jumping in and supporting the foundation,” Emily said.

EBYF has an annual budget of $80,000. To learn more about donating or applying, visit emilybrydonyouthfoundation.com. 

Fernie Pride Society
ferniepride.ca

Fernie Pride Society is hosting the first ever Queer Out Here: Small Town Pride Conference February 9 - 12, 2023 in Fernie. This weekend conference is an opportunity for members of the queer community living in rural places in the Columbia Basin and beyond to meet, network, learn, and socialize. Speakers include Ivan Coyote, Fae Johnstone, ex-Olympian Martha McCabe, Stace Chomiak, Smokii Sumac, Jesse Halton, Tyla Chabonneau, Tyrel Hawke, Andrea Brennan, Patty Vadnais. In a combination of workshops, keynotes, roundtables, panel discussions, and social events, Queer Out Here aims to engage participants with a sense of genuine small town pride. 

Let’s bring our 2SLGBTQ+ family together in one place to connect, create, and celebrate queer rural lifestyles by sharing our lived experiences, discussing unique challenges, brainstorming solutions, and meeting new peers. For more information, including schedule, volunteer opportunities, and pop-up market vendor registration please visit: ferniepride.ca/conference 

The Funky Old Medina
441 C 2nd Ave 

After 22 years of offering adventure tours around the world, Corinne and Natascha of VM Travel found themselves in a Covid quandary. They refocused on a recovery program to bring the world to Fernie by importing handmade artisan items from two of their favourite destinations, Turkey and Morocco.

The Funky Old Medina imports Turkish Kilim carpets and pillow covers, Moroccan Berber and Beni Ourain rugs, genuine leather poufs, woven textiles, hand painted pottery, clay cooking tagines, mosaic lamps from Istanbul as well as Turkish towels in an array of colours.

These unique decor items can be found at the Elk Valley Furniture Studio as a compliment to their fine furniture. Drop in on 2nd Ave to the right of the IGS store to see the full array!  
Check Instagram @ thefunkyoldmedinaimports to sneak a peek or call Corinne at 1-877-423-5007 to custom order the perfect rug for any cozy space. 

Le Bon Pain C’est la vie - Bakery
792 3 Ave 250-278-0109

With the arrival of January, Le Bon Pain C’est la vie - Bakery will be celebrating the national obsession of the galette des rois – the King Cake. If you’ve ever visited France, you’ve likely noticed this delicious looking cake topped with a nice paper crown. It’s made of pâte feuilleté, puff pastry, and stuffed with a dense, creamy almond paste called frangipane. It’s flaky, sweet, and best served warm and straight out of the oven.The real fun of galette des rois is the excitement of discovering you are the lucky one to find the tiny charm, buried beneath one of the slices. If you are, then you are king for the day and you take your place within a 700-year old French Tradition. 

Le Bon Pain C’est la vie - Bakery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 7:45am to 5pm. If you are keen to participate in this year’s Galette des Rois, order by text to 250-946-7286 or email lebonpainfernie@gmail.com.

REEL Canadian Film Festival
fernielovesfilm.ca
For the last fourteen years, on a winter weekend in late January, the Reel Canadian Film Society (RCFS) has entertained Elk Valley residents and visitors with a diverse selection of short and feature films that showcase the talent, diversity and independence of the Canadian film industry. 

The 15th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival runs January 27 to 29, 2023, and their lineup this year is exceptional!  Feature films include Ashgrove (sci-fi thriller), Stay the Night (not your typical rom-com), Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, 
A Journey, A Song (documentary about Canada’s most iconic singer-songwriter), Niagara (hilarious road trip comedy from Quebec), and Riceboy Sleeps (heartfelt drama about the immigration experience). Along with their fabulous opening night reception, question and answer session with a filmmaker, Local Reels, and lively closing reception, this is an event you don’t want to miss. 
Visit fernielovesfilm.ca for information on purchasing festival passes.