Downtown Courtenay Media Updates

New Earth Day Downtown event for DCBIA

2013-04-10T23:05:26Z

Downtown Courtenay is launching a new event this April 20th and the whole community is invited! Earth Day Downtown is a day-long celebration of local food and backyard gardening and a great way to celebrate earth friendly living. Live music, kids’ art activities, local business events, vendors and local non-profits will all be part of the fun as the community celebrates ‘earth-friendly’ living in the heart of our urban core.

The DCBIA is welcoming a wide variety of vendors and community organizations downtown from 10 am till 3 pm. Vendors are offering everything from compost makers and compost product, mushroom kits, seeds, seedlings, trees and berry bushes, seed bombs, kids crafts and much more! Vendors and groups will be set up in the lot at the corner of 5th and England

Families are invited to come down and learn about gardening methods, chat with growers and farmers and get inspired for their own backyard farming activities. Community organizations are also joining the celebration and talking about projects and initiatives that support local food production, urban famring and healthy eating!

Confirmed vendors to date include: Merville Organics, Natures Way Blueberry Farm, Weegasin Farm (mushroom kits), Sugar Shack Seeds, Comox Lazo Women’s Institute, Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections, Lush Valley, Earth Art Studios - hands of kids art activities, Sunrise Rotary - Skyrocket Compost, CVRD Community Educator Gayle Bates, Tree Eater Nursery and Farm, Morrison Creek Alpaca, Fresh Earth Products - Speedibin Composter, City of Courtenay Green Team, Comox Valley Seed Savers and Fertile Ground.

Live music and hands on art projects will add even more fun! Performers include Luke Blu Guthrie, Alan Jossul and Annie Becker, with more surprises yet to come. Earth Art Studio will be offering hands on earth day crafts for kids.

Local shops and restaurant are also getting in on the action! Beyond the Kitchen Door is hosting a special “Meet Your Maker” cooking demo with Chef Laura Agnew owner of As You Like it Catering. Chef Laura will be working with products from local food producers from noon till 4 pm including Abuelo’s (tortillas), Clever Crow Sea Salt and Spice Mixes, Eatmore Sprouts, Ironwood Farms (produce), Tree Island Yogurt, Simply Divine (honey) and Island Bison.

Restaurants are offering special “Earth Day Fresh Sheets”. Union Street Grill is getting into the spirit of things offering Bison Tacos with local Abuelos Corn Tortillas, Pattison Farms and Eatmore Sprouts Greens, Sunflower Sprouts, Island Bison Blade Roast (slow roasted with Pattison Farms Tomatillos and fresh rosemary right out of Danielle’s garden from home) and topping it off with Union Street Pico de Gallo and Smoked Crescendo Pepper Tree Island Yogurt.

Earth Day Downtown is a reflection of the many ways that Downtown Courtenay is defining itself as a community destination as well as a retail one. “Visiting Downtown Courtenay has to be a ‘value added’ experience” says DCBIA President Mark Middleton. “We can’t always compete with pricing but we can always compete with personalized service, unique selections, atmosphere, quality and a strong sense of community.”

In fact, the development of strong community partnerships has been at the heart of efforts to add vibrancy to Downtown Courtenay. The DCBIA has taken on several exciting new initiatives over the past year. These include sponsoring the development of the innovative new Elevate Arts Festival, partnership with the local multi-cultural society on a Lunar New Year celebration, collaboration with the local Arts Council on Market Day and Local Colours, development of the new WinterFest Celebration and working with the BIABC, Fortis BC, and the Vancouver Island Aids Society to promote energy conservation and collect warm weather clothing for the homeless.

Through partnerships with the community the DCBIA is adding value to Downtown Courtenay for retailers, restaurateurs, visitors, shoppers and even residents of local neighbourhoods. These collaborations are powerful. Community partnerships create a ripple of awareness and participation as friends and families of community partners join the fun.

Walk the Windows Winners Announcement 2012

2012-12-14T03:09:30Z

Beginning the morning of “WinterFest 2012” on November 16, shoppers enjoyed 2 weeks to vote for their favourite decorated Christmas window displays in the Walk the Windows decorating contest in downtown Courtenay.

The Popular Window Votes are: 1st place Rattan Plus Home & Patio; 2nd place Cody & Company; and 3rd place Sid Williams Theatre. This year we added a 4th window winner recognized by the Walk the Windows committee for Honorable Mention – winner is Courtenay Antiques.

Theresa Mooney, Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (BIA) Director and owner of ‘Beyond’ the Kitchen Door drew from all the voting ballots received for recipients of the four shopping sprees. The lucky $1,000 spree winner is Dianne Hawkins, who entered to win while shopping at Red Living. Theresa also drew the names of Beth Sanderson - $500 spree winner, Michelle Bailey - $250 spree winner, and Sandra Waldhaus - second $250 spree winner. The shopping spree winners have until the end of December to make their selections.

“The businesses really pulled out all the stops this year to create a dazzling festive display, downtown looks amazing with all of the decorations and lights”, said Kim Stubblefield, Executive Director of the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (BIA). “The businesses downtown can be proud of the wonderful Christmas displays that add so much to the ambience; and congratulations to the lucky draw winners. It’s great to be able to give these prizes as a thank you to people who appreciate shopping locally. ”

Walk the Windows is a part of the WinterFest 2012 event in Downtown Courtenay, organized by the Downtown Courtenay BIA and sponsored by the participating businesses and the Comox Valley Record.

Comox Valley Christmas Parade 2012 Winners!

2012-11-29T04:11:45Z

Awarded prizes at the after-parade ceremony on Sunday at the Courtenay and District Museum.

Here are the winners!

* Best Overall Float - $1,000 cash sponsored by Comox Valley Dodge Jeep – winners Coast Realty

* Best Entertaining Entry - $1,500 gift cards from Quality Foods – winners My Tech Guys

* Best Theme Entry (A Mystical Magical Christmas) - $1,500 gift cards from Comox Valley Businesses – winners Retirement Concepts

* Best Commercial Entry - $2000 advertising from C V Echo and 97.3 FM The Eagle. – winners Royal LePage

* Best School Entry - $500 cash sponsored by Comox Valley Dodge Jeep – winners Laurie Tinkler School of Dance

* Best Children’s Entry (12 & under) - $250 cash from A & W Restaurant and $250 gift cards from Comox Valley Children’s and Book-stores – winners Pantuso Dance

* Best Children’s Entry (including older kids) - $500 gift cards from ‘Beyond’ the Kitchen Door – winners Valley Dance Centre

* Best New Entry - $500 gift cards from Thrifty Foods – winners Triple Heat Dance Academy

* The Three Mayor’s Choice - $500 gift cards from Comox Valley Businesses – winners Cumberland Marching Band

* Honourable Mention - $500 gift cards from Comox Valley Businesses – winners Courtenay Little Theatre

* Most Innovative Entry - $500 gift cards from Ski Tak Hut – winners CV Orchas Synchronized Swim Club

Thanks to everyone who participated and all the sponsors who made it possible!

About Town Summer 2011

2011-09-01T01:04:29Z

Open publication - Free publishing - More bc

Walk the Windows 2010 - Window and Draw Winners!

2010-12-18T07:45:51Z

And the winners are….!

Beginning the morning of “Christmas Magic” on November 27th, shoppers enjoyed 2 weeks to vote for their favourite decorated Christmas window displays in the Walk the Windows decorating contest in downtown Courtenay.

The windows with the most votes are: 1st place Cody & Company; 2nd place Secret Drawers; and 3rd place Winds of Change.

Michael Smale, Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (BIA) President drew from all the voting ballots received for recipient of the $1,000 shopping spree. That lucky winner is Catherine O’Rourke, who voted for the Winds of Change window, and has until the end of December to make her selections. Also drawn for a two night golf stay package at Crown Isle Resort was Maureen Coltman who voted for Graham’s Jewellers’ window. Add these to the two winners of the previous weeks’ draw when Vicki Harry voted for Cherry Wine’s window and won a two night spa stay at the Kingfisher Resort, and Shannon Jones who’s vote for ‘be’ - Solely Canadian Clothing & Accessories’ won her a two night stay in an Ocean View Room at Crown Isle Resort’s Crown Mansion in Qualicum Beach.

“The best thing about the Walk the Windows campaign is all the businesses pulling together to create an event downtown for the whole community,” said Kim Stubblefield, Coordinator of the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (BIA) that sponsored the event with the Comox Valley Record. “The businesses downtown can be proud of the wonderful Christmas displays that add so much to the festive ambience. We’ve had really positive response from the public about it.”

For more information about Downtown Courtenay events check the website at http://www.downtowncourtenay.com

Comox Valley Christmas Parade 2010

2010-12-06T00:42:23Z

It was a fabulous Christmas Parade in Downtown Courtenay. The winners are:

* CV Cycling Most Innovative Entry - $500 gift cards from Ski Tak Hut

* CV Christian School Best School Entry - $500 cash sponsored by Comox Valley Dodge Jeep

* Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Best Theme Entry (Thank the World) - $1,500 gift cards from Comox Valley Businesses

* Coast Realty Group Best Commercial Entry - $5000 advertising from C V Echo and 97.3 FM The Eagle.

* Valley Dance Centre Best Entertaining Entry - $1,500 gift cards from Quality Foods

* CV Jr. Curling Club Honourable Mention - $500 gift cards from Comox Valley Businesses

* CV Orcas Swim Club Best Children’s Entry (12 & under) - $250 cash from McDonalds Restaurant and $250 gift cards from Comox Valley Book-stores

* Youth Unlimited Best Nativity Entry - $500 gift cards from ‘Beyond’ the Kitchen Door

* Habitat For Humanity Best Overall Float - $1,000 cash sponsored by Comox Valley Dodge Jeep

* School District # 71 Fine Arts The Three Mayor’s Choice - $500 gift cards from Comox Valley Businesses

* Pantuso Dance Best New Entry - $500 gift cards from Thrifty Foods

Watch the video here: Comox Valley Christmas Parade 2010

Readying your team for Olympic Spirit!

2010-01-08T07:54:40Z

Press Release

Are your sales associates ready for the athlete’s and visitors coming to the Comox Valley during the pre-Olympic training weeks and Olympic Games in Jan. and Feb.? Hitec Printing/Brazen Sportswear has designed a bold new design on long sleeve t’shirts and sweatshirts that everyone can wear to show their Olympic Spirit! With every order of 6 or more receive a free Canada Cap. Available now. Delivery within 2-5 days. For more information contact Margaret at Hitec Printing-Brazen Sportswear, 250-334-3656 or 1-800-811-8799 or visit the website: http://www.brazencanadian.com

Comox Valley Christmas Parade 2009 Winners

2009-12-05T05:59:16Z

Congratulations on another successful parade! The judges found it difficult to choose some of the winners, because most of the entries were so wonderful!

The winners were:

* Best Overall Entry- Comox Valley Christian School
* Runner Up Best Entry - Courtenay Little Theatre
* Best entertaining - Island Spirit Sports
* Runner Up best entertaining - Valley Dance
* Best Themed - Quality Foods
* Runner Up Best Themed - Home Depot
* Best Nativity - Salvation Army
* Best Non-profit Snow Sport - Youth Unlimited
* Most Innovative - Comox Valley Doulas
* Best New Entry - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
* Best Children’s Entry - Little Lambs Preschool
* Honourable Mention - Habitat for Humanity

Win a $1,000 Shopping Spree in Downtown Courtenay!

2009-12-02T05:45:26Z

Shop windows in Downtown Courtenay are glittering with the magic of Christmas thanks to the Walk the Windows decorating contest that continues until the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 11. Now is your chance to vote for your favourite display. All ballots will be entered into a draw for a $1,000 shopping spree that can be spent at any participating Walk the Windows business.

Ballots are available at all of the 56 local stores that have set up window displays for the contest. The top three favourite windows, as voted by the public, will also win three “best-dressed” prizes. With as many festive themes in downtown windows as there are businesses, there is sure to be something that delights every eye.

Posters are in-store showing the suggested route for visiting all the shop windows. A good place to start is the Comox Valley Art Gallery on Duncan Ave. with its fun display of vintage Santa Clauses.

Walk the Windows is sponsored by the Comox Valley Record and the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (BIA). For more information about Walk the Windows call the BIA Coordinator Kim Stubblefield at 250-337-2096 or visit the website at http://www.downtowncourtenay.com.

Downtown Courtenay Mural Project Support

2009-04-29T11:49:56Z

The Comox Valley Community Arts Council has been working with the City of Courtenay and others on developing a Mural Project that will match youth interested in expressing themselves through street art with established artists as mentors. The Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (BIA) is enthused about this creative initiative and gave some financial support to further the project. Last week Michael Smale, President of the BIA was pleased to present John Cronin of the CV Community Arts Council with $1,000 for the Mural Project.

“After a presentation last year that showed what our downtown alleys could look like with some creative murals on them, the BIA Directors thought it was an idea well worth pursuing,” said Smale. “We know the Arts Council is working on a shoestring so we are sure that it will help this excellent project”. The CVC Arts Council is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports arts, culture and education in and around the Comox Valley, and is a member of the Downtown Courtenay BIA.

Downtown Courtenay sponsors CVC Arts Council in Airport

2009-02-22T11:50:23Z

Artists: Marilyn Peeters, Cathy Korvan, Claude Dalley, Sarah Kerr and Martin Kaspers
Exhibition: Comox Valley Community Arts Council and the Comox Valley Airport
Exhibition Runs: January 16th to April 16th, 2008

Local Artists Exhibit at the Comox Valley Airport

The Comox Valley Community Arts Council is pleased to announce a new selection of exciting, original art works at the Comox Valley Airport. After scrutinizing over the incredible work submitted to the call for entry, pieces by Marilyn Peeters, Barb Hutson, Cathy Korvan, Claude Dalley, Sarah Kerr and Martin Kaspers were selected for exhibition. We encourage anyone visiting the airport terminal to take some extra time to view these exceptional works.

The ComoxValley Community Arts Council and the Comox Valley Airport are extremely excited about the success of their partnership in providing this excellent opportunity to showcase local talents to a much wider audience. Submissions for the 2008 exhibition schedule were accepted from members of the Comox Valley Community Arts Council. The CVCAC was thrilled to see such a variety of pieces. This calibre of work makes us excited about what is happening with arts and culture in the Comox Valley. It also makes it very difficult to choose. With an estimated 600,000 visitors to the Terminal on an annual basis this is an ideal venue to showcase our areas local talents.

To exhibit at the CV Airport Terminal artists must reside on Vancouver Island from Nanaimo north, must be members of the CVCAC and fulfill all of the requirements of the submission policy. The Airport exhibition is changed four times a year. Please visit the information counter at the CV Airport for details about work in this exhibition. You can also visit the CVCAC website at http://www.comoxvalleyarts.org or call (250) 338 4417 ex2 for more information.

The CVCAC and the CV Airport Authority would like to thank the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association for their support of this year’s exhibits. Downtown Courtenay hosts an exciting variety of experiences, see for yourself, and discover why residents and visitors alike flock to this one-stop destination year-round.

We would also like to thank the community and volunteers for their support with this project.

FMI: Dallas Stevenson, Gallery Coordinator 338-4417 ex 2