Tips for Working from Home

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Tips for Working from Home from a Professional

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From someone that has worked from home for over 13 years, I know what it’s like to try and get stuff done when the TV, kids or your warm bed is still calling your name.

In September of this last year, I finally stepped out from the home office and moved into Cowork Chilliwack BUT, given the current times, I’ve quickly had to re-adapt to some old practices. I put them down in a list, because lists make it easier (see lesson three).

  • Get Dressed & Ready for the Day

It’s important to feel like you’re getting ready for something. Showing up in comfy clothes (or no clothes) doesn’t help you get in the mindset to get work done. Show up to your home office dressed and ready. It’s time to get stuff done.

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  • Have a Designated Space

You might have a home office or den; use it. Clean it up so you can focus on your work. If you don’t have one, then make a space that’s as free of distractions as possible for your work space for the day.
For me, I have 3 kids, and if I worked upstairs I would get nothing done. I had a basement office where I could go, close the door and have my own space to work. I taught my kids that if that door was closed, they couldn’t bug me. It worked most of the time.

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  • Make a List

I love having a list of things I know I want to accomplish that day. Even putting ‘Make a List’ on a list and crossing it off is somewhat satisfying.
I love pen and paper. I have two notebooks that I use for lists - one is the day to day tasks & meetings notes book and the other is for bigger projects.

I also love to use https://teuxdeux.com it’s a couple bucks a month and it syncs with all devices but the mobile app is the best when you cross a list item off because you see a flying cat…and nothing says a job well done like a flying cat.

  • Conference Call with People

We have so much amazing technology at our finger tips. Use it to call people to brainstorm, connect, go over ideas, problem solving etc. Just don’t leave people a voicemail. Voicemails are the worst. Seriously, send me a text or an email; NOT a voicemail.

  • Right Timing

For myself, I am very productive in the mornings. I like early starts to the day and find that my productivity level begins to wane as noon approaches. I try to book my meetings from lunch and afterwards, so that I can find a way to get up and moving to force my body and mind to keep with it.

For others, you might be an afternoon person or a night owl. Find the right time that helps get you energized and productive.

  • Take Breaks

Things suck right now - not going to lie. BUT take breaks and give yourself some time to breathe. Play a game with the kids, make a snack, workout, open your windows for some fresh… do something to give your mind a break.

  • Don’t Day Drink

Although it’s fun, I say wait until Happy Hour: 3 or 4pm, depending how early you’d like it start. Day Drinking will shut down your productivity, give you “really good ideas”, and probably make you want to nap. Work for your Happy Hour and you’ll be happier for it.

  • Reward System

It’s easy to procrastinate and get distracted. Things like social media can suck an hour away before you know it. Set a reward system for focusing; read/write this many pages, work for 50 minutes, send 4 e-mails, finish this project, etc, and then reward yourself with a break such as a 7 minute social media break, a coffee, a quick video game time, check the news...

I have more tips, but it got sunny outside and I’m going to go pretend like I’m on the golf course right now.

Stay safe, stay home (as much as you can) and stay strong.

Thanks Chilliwack,
Matt

Time for a Gut Check

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Government of Canada Supports Hockey Project Aimed at Promoting Healthy Weights for Men

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and healthy eating, plays an important role in the well-being and quality of life of Canadians and helps prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Excess weight is a top risk factor for developing chronic diseases and significantly compromises the health of Canadians. In Canada, men (particularly those who are middle-aged) are almost 35% more likely than women to be overweight or obese. 

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The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has invested up to $2.5 million over three and a half years to help expand Western University's Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) program across the country. This program aims to motivate Canadian adult males to eat healthier foods and become more physically active by incorporating participants' passion for hockey into the initiative.

Hockey FIT is a 3-month, off-ice, healthy lifestyle program for men who are overweight or obese, between 35 and 65 years of age, and fans of their local hockey team. The program is offered free-of-charge as part of a federally-funded research study. 

Hockey FIT has recently moved to Western Canada after successfully launching in 16 communities across Ontario. In your community, Hockey FIT has partnered with the Chilliwack Chiefs and Club XO to implement and deliver the program.

The program curriculum includes an education component focusing on healthy eating and the importance of physical activity, as well as an exercise component, involving aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises. Connecting to participants' passion for hockey, the program incorporates activities like stick handling drills to promote being active and includes the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the team's home rink.

SIGN UP HERE: www.hockeyfansintraining.org

Quotes and Quick Facts from Newswire Media Release April 2019

(SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada; https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-supports-hockey-project-aimed-at-promoting-healthy-weights-for-men-825913645.html)

"The Government of Canada knows that physical activity is a pillar of healthy living. That's why we are committed to supporting and encouraging initiatives like the Hockey FIT program that get Canadians moving and keep them active through physical activity and sport. This program is encouraging men across Canada to take their love of hockey and turn it into an opportunity to improve their health by moving more and eating healthier foods."

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

"Canadian men live an average of four years less than Canadian women—with an even greater gap for Indigenous men and men living in rural settings or with lower incomes. Finding innovative ways to encourage men to get more active, improve their diets and achieve and maintain healthy weights is important to help change this trend. Programs like Hockey FIT are an example of turning a passion into a path to improving one's health and well-being."

Dr. Theresa Tam
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer

"Men are under-represented in health promotion programs and visit their doctor less than women; this may be associated with worsening health indicators in men compared to women in Canada. Our research suggests that men associate physical activity with sport and athleticism and prefer health promotion programs that incorporate competition in the company of other men. Given Canada's love of hockey and that junior hockey in large and small communities across the country is often a rallying point, Hockey Fans in Training will engage men who are fans of their favourite junior hockey team to participate in adopting a healthy lifestyle and improve their health. Our partnerships cut across public and private sectors to provide a range of innovative tools and technologies to support long term health change in Canadian men, which we believe will positively impact their families too." 

Dr. Robert Petrella
Professor, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University

Quick Facts

  • Excess weight is one of the top risk factors for developing chronic diseases. In 2014, almost 62% of Canadian men were overweight or obese (versus 46% of Canadian women).

  • Hockey FIT is supported through the Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention – Multi-sectoral Partnerships (MSP) program, which supports projects across the country for a wide variety of populations including children and youth, women, Indigenous Peoples and new Canadians. Past and current partnerships of the MSP program include ParticipACTION, Smart Moms, Farm to School and Walk or Run to Quit — all with the goal of lowering the risks of developing chronic diseases by improving access to the information, resources and services all Canadians need to make healthier choices.

  • Through this project, PHAC's MSP Program is piloting a new funding model where Hockey FIT will be eligible for incentive payments beyond the initial investment for this project, based on measurable improvements in the health of participants, including cardiorespiratory fitness, healthy weights and blood pressure. This innovative approach is a first for the Government of Canada in the area of public health.

  • The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is also providing funding to Western University for the Hockey FIT program through a separate grant agreement.

Circulating Through Chilliwack: The FVRL Chilliwack Branch  

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Circulating Through Chilliwack: The FVRL Chilliwack Branch  

2010.005.1845 Chilliwack Library from Salish Park, no date.

The Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) and the Chilliwack Library were at the forefront of library experimentation when first opened in August 1930. Created through a $100,000 grant ($1,550,000 in 2020, accounting for inflation) provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the library system was to accommodate citizens from Ladner to Hope with headquarters originally located in Chilliwack. The system was designed to consist of more than just libraries: it would include a main book distribution, deposit stations and a travelling van (the first in Canada) to reach citizens located in rural areas. In the months prior to the opening, the Chilliwack Progress reported the network would be one of the most comprehensive on the continent once opened. 

The first Chilliwack Library location was at the corner of Nowell and Maxwell Streets and the library enjoyed much fanfare in the first few days following its opening. School aged children were treated to readings of Kipling and refreshments on the Thursday and Friday before the library opened for full service on Saturday. The first Saturday of operations was particularly busy, with over 375 books being checked out in one day alone. This contributed to the more than 1,000 library cards that were signed in the first few days of service at the branch, an impressive number for the reported combined 8,263 people reported to be living in the City of Chilliwack and Township of Chilliwhack in the 1921 British Columbia Municipal Census. The first three books checked out were “Clemenceau” by Martlet, “Concerning Man’s Origin” by Sir Arthur Keith and “Our Face from Fish to Man” by William K. Gregory.

Growing collections and demand for library services in Chilliwack spurred relocation of the library. A new facility, financed by both City and Township governments, was built at the corner of Wellington Avenue and College Streets in 1949 where Cyrus Centre is today. In 1981, the library relocated once more to its current facility at Salish Place, waiving all overdue book fees for a week to mark the occasion. 

Spring Break Art Camps at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre

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Spring Break Art Camps at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre

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A vacation of imagination! The Centre’s Spring Break Art Camps let your kids unleash their creativity with an exciting range of artistic activities that are sure to leave your kids entertained!

There’s no better way to fill those two weeks than with artistic exploration, and with The Centre’s inspirational array of classes and activities, and a flexible class schedule, this is a fantastic opportunity for your child to explore their creative side!

Packed with a fun selection of art classes designed to excite and inspire creativity, the Spring Break Art Camps are the perfect way to entertain your children over the school break. The camps are running from March 16 to 20 and 23 to 27,and are filled with a wide selection of activities that include everything from arts and crafts to performance, music, and dance. Anime Illustration explores the incredibly popular style of art and teaches kids how to draw their own characters, A-Pickin’ & A-Grinnin’ and iUke offer an opportunity to pick up a provided instrument and learn the basics, while Cosmic Kids and Disney Crafts are a great opportunity for those crafty kids in your life to get creative. Your kids can also learn how to use fibre materials to make fun items in Weaving and Macramé, or even discover the basics of Cross Stitch. 

And again this year classes are being offered for older kids aged 11 to 13; Art Journaling - where students will learn many mixed media techniques to fill their journal; Start Drawing! - where aspiring young artists will learn how to take things they see every day and put them on paper; and Create Your Own Graphic Novel - where they will learn dynamic figure drawing, colour theory and the art of inking! 

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With 51 classes to pick and choose from, your kids will not only have the chance to try new things but to also explore and learn more about the activities that already interested them.

The Spring Break Art Camps are an easy way to inspire your child’s imagination, so make your kids’ spring break something extraordinary and let them explore their creativity!

Camps will run from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm with supervised breaks, Monday to Friday, between March 16 and March 27, 2020. Each day is split into six blocks of 65-minute sessions, with four different classes running in each time slot. Choose one class per time slot, and your child will take part in that activity, at that time, for the full week. Sign up for a single class, two per day, or for a full week of fun and creativity! Each class costs $37.50, and registering for a class means your child will participate in that activity at that time from Monday to Friday, meaning you get 5 fantastic and creative sessions for just $37.50!

Create Your Own Graphic Novel for 11–13 year-olds runs from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the first week – March 16 to 20. Art Journaling for 11–13 year-olds will run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the second week – March 23 to 27, 2020. These two classes are $112.50 each for the week - 5 fantastic and creative 3-hour sessions. 

Start Drawing for 11–13 year-olds runs from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the second week – March 23 to 27, 2020 and is $75 for the week - 5 fantastic and creative 3-hour sessions.

The Centre’s Spring Break Art Camps for Kids are available for kids age 5–13, and with sessions broken into categories for 5-7, 8–11, and 11-13 year-olds, your children will get the perfect art experience catered to their age. 

To learn more about class schedules, descriptions, registration and more, make sure to either drop by The Centre and pick up a Spring Break Art Camps brochure, visit chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or contact The Centre Box Office at 604-391-SHOW(7469).

Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society - John Martin, Chilliwack MLA

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Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society - John Martin, Chilliwack MLA

John took some time to visit with Mike Csoka from Chilliwack Bowls Of Hope Society to learn about the great work they do for students in our community.

If you’re interested in donating or volunteering with Chilliwack Bowls of Hope, learn more here:
https://chilliwackbowlsofhope.com

The First Kingfish // 
Vedder River Steelhead Derby

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The First Kingfish // 
Vedder River Steelhead Derby

Nitrate negative taken by Cec Bradwin: "Steelhead Derby". According to the Chilliwack Progress from December 31, 1962, Helen Petkovich won the women’s competition.Photograph courtesy of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, [2010.060.02117].

Nitrate negative taken by Cec Bradwin: "Steelhead Derby". According to the Chilliwack Progress from December 31, 1962, Helen Petkovich won the women’s competition.

Photograph courtesy of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, [2010.060.02117].

Hosted annually on Boxing Day almost every year, the Vedder River Steelhead Derby is a Chilliwack classic. First held in 1937-1938, the event was originally conceived by George Rannie and Jack Pilling, with the support of the Chilliwack Fish and Game Club (later renamed the Chilliwack Fish and Game Protective Association). In future years, the Association assumed derby management, which continues to this day. The date and duration of the Derby has changed over time, shortening from a months long Derby to a one-day affair and the dates changing over time to coincide with steelhead runs.

45 entrants who had qualified in the elimination contests held in the late fall-early winter met at the Vedder Crossing Bridge on February 6, 1938 for the first Vedder River Steelhead Derby. Officially launched by the ringing a gunshot at 7 am, fishermen and women scattered brusquely on foot (as per Derby rules) along the banks of the Vedder River, eager to claim their fishing grounds. Contestants had 4.5 hours to both catch and submit their steelhead for weigh-in at the Derby weigh stations. With the echoing of a second gunshot at 11:30 am, the competition closed and no more fish could be submitted or weighed. Some contestants who chose fishing grounds further away from the Vedder Bridge were forced to run to the station to beat the gun.

A crowd of approximately 750 people attended the awards ceremony at the Bridge, where prizes were handed out in a number of diverse categories. The W.S. Simpson Cup, a trophy bestowed upon the female angler who caught the largest steelhead, was awarded to Kay Nelmes, who also received a casserole and watch for her efforts. Armed with a bamboo rod during the competition, Carl Wilson claimed first overall in the Derby with the heaviest fish, a catch weighing 12 lbs 9 oz. With the catch, Carl won the Ferguson & Furnell cup, $125 ($2,246.71 in 2019, accounting for inflation) and boasting rights. As a result of winning the championship, Carl became known as “Kingfish Carl,” a title claimed by the winner of the Derby. The title of “Kingfish” continues today with the King Fish Trophy, given to anglers with the heaviest steelhead catch.

Be sure to check out the Chilliwack Museum and Archives to learn more about our community’s rich history:
https://www.chilliwackmuseum.ca

And their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ChilliwackMuseumArchives


James & Jamesy | O Christmas Tea Ticket Contest

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James & Jamesy | O Christmas Tea Ticket Contest

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CONGRATULATIONS TO JULEE MELE - you’ve won and we’ve emailed details about your tickets! Enjoy the show!

Here’s your chance to win a pair of tickets to the O Christmas Tea performance at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, put on by James & Jamesy.

How to enter:

1) Tell us below who you would take to the show
2) Follow James & Jamesy online

Do this by December 9th at 9pm and we will announce the winner on December 11th at Noon!

For more info about James & Jamesy and their shows:
https://www.jamesandjamesy.com

James & Jamesy | O Christmas Tea

Small Business BC Awards - Nomination

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Small Business BC Awards - Nomination

We are beyond thrilled to let you know that we’ve been nominated for a Small Business BC Award. Someone(s) out there was too kind to nominate us for the Premier's People's Choice award.

What we need you to do is go to this link:

https://sbbcawards.ca/award/peoples-choice/around-chilliwack/

And click the VOTE NOW button on the bottom left.

Thanks so much for your help. We look forward to continuing to promote small business in Chilliwack and all of the amazing things that happen in this beautiful community!

People Around Chilliwack - First Five Episodes

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People Around Chilliwack - First Five Episodes

Screenshot from video with Metric Civil.

Screenshot from video with Metric Civil.

The video series ‘People Around Chilliwack’ is a mini-replacement of our podcast. The premise is simple: 5 questions in under 1 minute. We’ve had 5 videos come out so far and people seem to really enjoy them.

In case you missed any of the first five episodes, we’ve posted them all in one place for you to watch.
Have any recommendations for who should be interviewed next? Let us know.
Contact us here: https://www.aroundchilliwack.ca/contact

Enjoy!

Special thanks to Michael Berger for the name suggestion of ‘People Around Chilliwack’!

O Christmas Tea - James and Jamesy - Chilliwack Cultural Centre

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O Christmas Tea

O Christmas Tea - James and Jamesy - Chilliwack Cultural Centre

There’s an upcoming show happening in Chilliwack and we’re pretty excited about it. We often hear from people that they don’t know what’s happening in Chilliwack. We love British style of humour, like the classics of Monty Python and Mr. Bean. James and Jamesy, the comedic duo brings a fresh take on this style of humour and we couldn’t be happier about it. The upcoming show from James and Jamesy is coming to the live stage of the Cultural Centre.

WHEN & WHERE:
December 13 at 7:30pm
Chilliwack Cultural Centre

Here’s what ‘O Christmas Tea’ is about:
A Christmas wish comes true with catastrophic repercussions.

Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for the unexpected, London’s 3-time Impresario Award-winning duo steep an astonishing show reminiscent of classic British pantos. Rich in wordplay, comic physicality, and cleverly crafted interactive elements—this show is uproarious fun, yet it is the duo’s boundless imagination and endearing chemistry that provide the real magic and heart of this play.

Read more here: https://www.jamesandjamesy.com/o-christmas-tea/

Tickets are available from the Chilliwack Cultural Centre here.

From their website:
”James & Jamesy create multi-award winning theatrical performances with extended characters, rich emotion, and fantastical trips of the imagination. With roots in physical comedy, clown, and dance, their immersive performances remind adult audiences of the children they once were – and still are.”

Check out the trailer below:

Chilliwack Museum Moment: S’í:lhqey

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Photograph courtesy of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, [2004.052.2186]

Photograph courtesy of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, [2004.052.2186]

Chilliwack Museum Moment: S’í:lhqey

A part of S’ólh Téméxw (our world), the areas known today as Chilliwack Landing and Five Corners are located on the traditional land of the Ts’elxwéyeqw (Chilliwack) and Pelólhxw (Pilalt) tribes of the Stó:lō people.  The Stó:lō people, the People are the River, are a part of the Coast Salish peoples and have been here since time immemorial. 

Stó:lō elders and community members share lessons about the history and creation of S’ólh Téméxw through sxwōxwiyám (creation and transformer stories) and sqwélqwel (true news and family histories). These accounts, as well as the shxwelí (life force) which resides in all living and non-living things, connect current generations of Stó:lō to the land and to their ancestors.  

Stl’á:leqem (supernatural creatures), such as the s’í:lhqey, have and continue to be reported by Stó:lō elders and community members in Chilliwack and the Five Corners area. Living in winding channels and marshlands, s’í:lhqey are normally described as serpents with two heads. S’í:lhqey have the power to cause a person’s body to twist and become sick until death if a person runs upon seeing the creature. 

Learn more about s’í:lhqey through the Five Faces, Five Corners: The Social Experience of Chilliwack’s Downtown exhibition at the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, located at 45820 Spadina Road. The exhibition will run until April 18, 2020. 

*Captions for the images are included below.

Learn more about the current exhibit here: https://www.chilliwackmuseum.ca/exhibitions/current-exhibits/ 

Caption from the first image:
A double-headed Snake “They made it on a 3ft wide post. The one head pointed down and the other up. The middle was round like a tub. It was like a big snake only the head like a horse’s head - long and smooth - a long mouth - long ears like a horse’s - it’s got a note and teeth in its mouth, like an alligator. They had it painted, lots of red Indian paint - on the eyes - the ears were long like a horse’s, only they were feathers.”

“This *SEEL-kee was seen by two brothers who were searching for their “power” to be in Indian doctors, down at *koh-KWAH-puhl. They saw it in a pond they used to *qoh-QIY-ah; it was down behind where the Chilliwack Exhibition Grounds are now.”

“My grandfather told me not to go there when shooting ducks - you away - Indians you know - when you see it - you pull your hair out of your head - like that - and blow it at him - and when you do that you are hurting him, - but when you see him, don’t turn around, or if you do, you are going to twist all up. That’s what my grandfather told me.”

Caption from the second image:
“A great big serpent - it’s got a head at both ends and it swims around in that slough - (where the Chilliwack Court House was later). To kill it, the man swam out to it and grabbed it and threw grass into its mouth, which killed it.

When it died, and after it rotted away, the man who got his power - because he had killed this big serpent - did what the serpent had told him. He burned the bones and then painted a picture of the serpent across the front of his big house, over the door. He marks the place where all the bones beyond - he pictured the shape of that serpent over the door to protect that house.”

The ‘power’ of the *SEEL-kee to destroy usually caused its victims to writhe and twist in pain until the collapsed. This was the punishment meted out, according to legend, to a raiding party who came from the cost to attack the house.

Caption from the third image:
Chief Joe was hunting at a big pond, south of Little Mountain, east of Chilliwack City, near where Prest Road is now.

“He heard this thing flying - it came right down into that lake - just like a duck - when he got to that lake he found out it wasn’t a duck. He said it was like a big tub floating, and while he was watching its head came up and started talking. It talked like a duck - like a Mallard. It was not long before another head came up - he had two heads - and how that thing could fly I don’t know; but the Indian said that thing could fly from lake to lake. I don’t understand, but that’s a great thing you know: but if you tell a white man he wouldn’t believe it, you know, but my grandfather, Chief Joe of *koh-KWAH-puhl, he saw it twice, it came right over him and it came down on to the lake just like a boat. He said it was just like a tub - then one head came up and it started talking - then the other head came up - like a duck’s head on a long neck.”
“That’s a *SEEL-kee - that’s what they called it.”

Captions provided from: Wells, Oliver N. Myths and Legends: STAW-loh INDIANS of South Western British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Frank T. Coan Ltd, 1970.

PechaKucha Chilliwack 2019

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PechaKucha Chilliwack 2019

Come and learn more about the untold stories of Chilliwack's creative economy. The 5th annual PechaKucha Chilliwack is a free event and will feature local speakers each with a unique story to tell delivered in a very unique format.

PechaKucha 20x20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images.

It will be fast-paced, insightful and inspirational and the members of the Chilliwack Creative Commission would like to invite you to attend. Please reserve your spot today as we expect to have a full house.

Get your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pechakucha-chilliwack-2019-tickets-71325461375?fbclid=IwAR1Ucgn5hsoWWC_vsh_tM_K676FpVi8oXLuNIzyOcgoOLWFHOBksY1a4drw

Brought to you by:

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The Chilliwack Creative Commission, a committee of CEPCO, is a one-stop resource for film, interactive and digital media in Chilliwack.

Annual Chilliwack Agriculture Tour 2019

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Annual Chilliwack Agriculture Tour 2019

The Chilliwack Agricultural Commission is an ad hoc committee of the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation. The Commission, which was formed in 1999, recognizes the importance and value of Chilliwack’s diverse agricultural sector and has successfully promoted agricultural growth, development, education and awareness in Chilliwack by leading the following projects and events:

  • Annual Chilliwack Agriculture Tour (17 years)

  • Agriculture Sector Strategy

  • Agriculture Education Opportunities Study

  • Slow Moving Farm Vehicle Signs

  • Housing for Seasonal Farm Workers Bylaw

  • Sardis Secondary School Greenhouse Renovation

  • Agriculture Plastics Recycling Pilot Project

  • University of the Fraser Valley Agriculture Development Plan

  • Chilliwack Agricultural Area Plan

  • Agri-food Directions to 2020 Report

  • Agriculture Centre of Excellence at University of the Fraser Valley

The Town Butcher - Online Ordering Now Available

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The Town Butcher - Online Ordering Now Available

It is finally here!!! The Town Butcher launched their online delivery and pickup service. For orders $50 or more you can have delivery for $5 anywhere within 20km of our store.

They have delivery days for Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays. You can also customize your order and pick it up at the store.

Be one of the first 50 customers with orders over $50 and you will be entered to win a gift card to The Town Butcher for $200.

Place your order online NOW!
https://thetownbutcher.myshopify.com

Find out more about the Town Butcher here:
https://thetownbutcher.com

Chilliwack 25th Business Excellence Awards - Tickets On Sale Now

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It's here! Tickets are NOW on sale for the 25th Business Excellence Awards and to celebrate our 25th anniversary, we took a little field trip with our event sponsors, Baker Newby LLP & KPMG LLP (and a few of our Board Members!) and drove by 25 places that have been around for 25 years or more!

Buy your tickets here: http://business.chilliwackchamber.com/events/details/25th-annual-business-excellence-awards-1572

*We had a lot of fun creating this video with the Chamber ladies and all of the amazing participants that took part in it as well.

Ever After Character Company - The Name Change!

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Ever After Character Company - The Name Change!

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First off, let me introduce myself. I'm Emily, and I am one of the founders of this company! Along with my bestie Pauline, we keep the princess hair looking fancy, the dresses looking magical, and the communications running smoothly. We both have an extensive musical theatre background, and running this company has been such and amazing way to use our musical and acting talents to make dreams come true.

We had a HUGE announcement in August! We changed our name from Ever After Princess Party Events to (drum-roll please...) Ever After Character Company! To us, the name change was a no-brainer! When we first started the company in 2015, we honestly thought we would just be doing a few events a month, and that Pauline and myself would be able to handle all the parties we booked. Boy, were we WRONG! It wasn't long before we started to call in our other theatre friends to help out with the demand. Fast-forward to 4.5 years later... and we have OVER 20 characters on our roster!

It has been AMAZING to add so many great people to our team... and to add so many amazing characters as well!

As we grew, we kept adding more and more princesses, but we also had a demand for pirates, wizards, super heroes, unicorn princesses... the list kept growing! So, the decision was made to change our name to something that told people we do MORE than 'princess' here at Ever After! It's just that simple.

The response to the name change has been great! Our new logo by Becca at Diva! Design is absolutely STUNNING! We were blown away by what she came up with for us. It just feels like this was all meant to be.

As I conclude, I realize that I have used a lot of CAPs and exclamation points in this blog post. But I can't help it. I'M JUST SO EXCITED!

If you're reading this as a customer, thanks for all the support that you've given us over the years. You're the reason we get up in the morning, and we're so thankful that you've chosen to have us over for a visit in the past. If you're new to us, welcome! Thanks for visiting us! We can't wait to see you in person some time soon.

This is Emily, signing off!

Go learn more about the Ever After Character Company and book them for your next event or party!
https://www.everaftercharacter.co

Chilliwack Museum Moment - The Paramount Theatre

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Chilliwack Museum Moment - The Paramount Theatre

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Emblazoned with a fifty-foot sign and heralded as “Chilliwack’s first skyscraper” by the Chilliwack Progress, the Paramount Theatre opened to great fanfare in 1949. Complete with state-of-the-art seating and candy bar, the Paramount opened to a sold-out crowd of 900, with hundreds more lined up outside attempting to catch the Canadian premiere of “Sorrowful Jones”. The first ticket to the show was purchased by Barry Middleton of Vedder Crossing. 

A landmark on the streets around Five Corners for 64 years prior to its demolition in 2013 and a magnet for Chilliwackians, the Paramount Theatre was the latest in a string of live performance and cinematic theatres to open at Five Corners. Other venues, such as the Chilliwack Opera House and the Lyric Theatre were completed much earlier between 1909 -1910, providing much needed space for theatrical and musical performances. Both of these businesses were renovated and later renamed, becoming the Strand and Imperial Theatres respectively as their businesses gradually shifted towards showing moving pictures and cinema films. 

The closure and eventual demolition of the Paramount Theatre spelled the end of more than a century of continuous years of live or cinematic performances at the core of Chilliwack’s downtown social experience.   

Learn more about the Paramount and Five Corners through the Five Faces, Five Corners: The Social Experience of Chilliwack’s Downtown exhibition at the Chilliwack Museum and Archives, located at 45820 Spadina Road. The exhibition will run until April 18, 2020. 

Learn more about the current exhibit here: https://www.chilliwackmuseum.ca/exhibitions/current-exhibits/





3 Reasons Why "Around Chilliwack” Supports Local and Small Businesses

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3 Reasons Why Around Chilliwack Supports Local and Small Businesses

1.  It puts money back into the community and into local families

Downtown Chilliwack

Downtown Chilliwack

When you purchase things locally or use local services, you are putting your money back into the community, into people who are your neighbour.  You are helping put a daughter through jui-jitsu or dance classes, a son through piano or soccer lessons.  You are investing back into your community, and into businesses that help support businesses and their community.  

For instance, one local artisan we love is “Scrappy Creations by Jenn”.  Though mostly found online and at local markets, she also hosts classes inside locally owned Decades Coffee Club. Another example is The Town Butcher; we love that The Town Butcher not only provides “instant meals” for us to buy, but that a local chef also makes them. We also love that our local Locke’s Pharmacy held a free street party for our community, simply to celebrate 70 years of serving their community and to thank the community for their support. These are businesses supporting businesses, and it’s not just about business, it’s about a community.

We love supporting people and businesses that invest back in to people and their community

2.  It’s not just about money in their pocket, but also about customers and quality service

Dan at the Local Harvest takes great pride in his self-sustaining market and quality products.

Dan at the Local Harvest takes great pride in his self-sustaining market and quality products.

Local and small businesses genuinely care about their customers and clients.  These businesses are not in it to “get rich”.  Oftentimes, these business owners saw a need within the community and wanted to provide a product or service to passionately fill that need.

We love that we are valued as a client and customer, and not just valued for our wallet.

3.  Unique products, unique services

Local business often host one-of-a-kind products or services, with a creative twist.  Items are made with care and precision and are offered with intent and thought.  This includes thought as to its impact to the environment and that it is sourced ethically.  

Artisan Bread at the Local Harvest.

Artisan Bread at the Local Harvest.

We really like local honey, which we often buy at farmers markets or in locally owned stores.  We have often found that local honey suppliers and sellers are not only passionate about the importance of local honey, but also about its quality, about the bee population, and how the honey is processed.  There is thought put into this product offered, and it is something unique that stands out from the rest.

At Around Chilliwack, we love supporting people’s passions and accessing original products.



How Around Chilliwack Can Promote and Support Your Business

Beer, Pizza and Tacos at Major League 2

Beer, Pizza and Tacos at Major League 2

Recently, we have expanded our team and created a brand new package that now includes professional and visually appealing content made for your business, and provides a platform to help market and promote your businesses and expand your reach within our community and throughout the Fraser Valley.  

Our work has originally been to simply promote and feature new, old and hidden treasures within our community, free of charge; however, the creation of these new packages will now allow businesses to proactively access our platform to promote and expand their business.

Oftentimes local business owners have to wear too many hats.  Wearing too many hats can spread a person too thin, reduce productivity and also increase one’s stress level.  We know that when we need our furnace repaired, we call our repairman, or when our microwave breaks and can’t be repaired, we visit GP Furniture.  If we need business cards, we go to our printers, and if a blog post or photo needs extra help with editing, we send it to our team member best qualified to do that.  We are your team members as well.  The packages we have put together are designed to help local businesses market their business and increase their presence online and on social media by:

Bill Turnbull, owner of The Town Butcher

Bill Turnbull, owner of The Town Butcher

    • Providing professional photos and/or videos

    • Making advertising and feature spots available on our website to help showcase businesses and services/products offered

    • Providing clients with content, content, content, content. Every day, content is pushed down and replaced by the latest content. We provide businesses with the new content needed to stay relevant.

Let us help you with one of your many hats.  Our newly expanded team consists of professional marketers, photographers, videographers and writers.  This team has a way of finding and capturing the beauty of light shining on an amber glass of beer, of seeing the beauty in a perfectly lined row of colourful clothes, and even in how a dedicated owner slices a piece of beef with care and precision.  We can focus on what we do best so that you have more time to focus on other aspects of your business.

To find a package right for your business, contact us or view our available packages at https://www.aroundchilliwack.ca/advertise-with-us

What We Offer - Advertising with Around Chilliwack

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What We Offer - Advertising with Around Chilliwack

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Around Chilliwack has been happening now for almost 4 years. It originally launched as a podcast called ‘Around Town in Chilliwack’ and it was solely a podcast show that featured unique individuals in our community. As the show progressed, there was clearly a need for a website and social media channels to showcase our city.

After much debate and thought, some important conversations and a good friend’s advice, the ‘Town’ part of the name was dropped and ‘Around Chilliwack’ was officially born. The venture started out with only a small amount of advertising funds from 3 key local businesses, otherwise the work and promotion you see done on Around Chilliwack has been free of charge and for the sole purpose of promoting our incredible community.

Moving into the next phase of Around Chilliwack, we’ve gathered together some of our favourite creative people and are teaming up to create the best content for local businesses on Around Chilliwack AND on those businesses promotional avenues.

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With the amount of content that people look through online in a day, it’s hard to stay atop of everything and get noticed. Creating visually stunning and interesting content is important. Having a social media plan and a library of content to pick from makes your day to day that much easier. We help with that.

We are only currently offering 10 spots for content creation packages and so far 6 of those spots are filled.

If you’d like to learn more, check out this page:
https://www.aroundchilliwack.ca/advertise-with-us

You can check out some of our recent work below.