Art Classes Return to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre!

Art Classes Return to the Centre!

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CHILLIWACK, BC — Art classes will be returning to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre with a series of Summer Classes that follow strict social distancing protocols. The long-awaited return of the open clay studio has also commenced, and the creation of art is once again taking up residence in the building. From clay to mixed media to photography, there are brilliant new ways to explore your creativity and find new hobbies.

For pottery enthusiasts, Wheel 1: Intro to Wheel and Wheel 2: Beyond Basic Wheel take students through the basics, from centering on the pottery wheel to creating basic shapes in wheel throwing to trimming, glazing and firing. There is even a workshop to learn new creative ways to Make Clay Handles. While both Wheel 1 and Wheel 2: Beyond Basic Wheel have already sold out, the box office offers a waitlist for the Fall Classes for those enthusiastic about learning to use the wheel to make stunning pieces of pottery. 

If you’re looking for a mixed-media creative outlet, two incredible classes are being offered. Mixed Media Workshop is a class that will take you through numerous mixed media techniques to create a unique masterpiece in a single afternoon. For those looking to go more in-depth to the world of mixed media art, Art Journaling will walk you through the steps of creating a colourful, interactive art journal that is the perfect way to express yourself through art.

Beginning Photography will guide those with new cameras through how to use them. This class will explain the basics of composition, exposure, camera settings and even the different types of photography. It’s a great first step in starting your journey with photography.

For those who have taken a pottery class at The Centre, the Clay Open Studio is once again up and running. These studio sessions allow you to continue developing your skills independently by giving you a space to practice on the wheel, hand-building, or finish work started in class. Spots available within the open studio are limited, and registration is required.

Return to the world of art with one of these fantastic classes, or discover a new passion. The Centre is thrilled to welcome you back with this fun assortment of classes. Space in classes is limited, so don’t miss your chance to rediscover art!

Registration for all classes is now available, but sign up soon because spots are filling up fast! For more information or to register for a class, visit www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, call 604-391-SHOW(7469), or stop by The Centre Box Office (9201 Corbould Street, Chilliwack).

Hops & Heritage Fundraiser - Chilliwack Museum

Hops & Heritage Fundraiser - Chilliwack Museum

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The Chilliwack Museum & Archives hosted its inaugural Hops & Heritage Fundraiser in 2019 to great success! Although we had to cancel the 2020 event due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have re-imagined the event so that we can move forward with it in 2021! Hops & Heritage is primarily an awareness and engagement campaign that aims to connect the Chilliwack Museum & Archives with the community, and to support local businesses at the same time.

Hops & Heritage focuses on the local craft brewing and hops industry in Chilliwack, and how this industry has played an important role in the development of our economy, identity, and heritage. While this event would typically be an in-person tasting event at the Chilliwack Museum, this year we are approaching it differently. Participants will be able to purchase a Hops & Heritage Passbook from the Chilliwack Museum; each page of the passbook will feature a different local brewery. Passbooks will then be presented at participating breweries and be given a stamp indicating they have visited the brewery. The more stamps a passport has, the better chance participants will have in winning a prize. You can also receive stamps by visiting The Hops Connection Exhibition at the Chilliwack Museum.

“Our goal is not only to raise awareness about the Museum, but to encourage the community to visit all the amazing local shops and organizations in Chilliwack,” says Shawna Maurice, Executive Director, “we have ten weeks of draws for local businesses plus three grand prizes donated by Fortin’s Home Hardware, Front Foot Wealth Management, and Manning Park Resort”.

“We are so grateful to have four local breweries willing to participate,” adds Cari Moore, Coordinator of Volunteers and Administration, “Bricklayer, Farmhouse, Fieldhouse, and Old Yale have all been great to work with and they have great beer too!”

You can see a complete list of prizes and sponsors by visiting www.chilliwackmuseum.ca
Proceeds from this event will benefit the accessibility upgrades planned for the Chilliwack Museum.
Our goal is to update our front entrance and washroom to meet modern accessibility standards.

Hops & Heritage will run alongside our new exhibition, The Hops Connection, from June 24 to September 11, 2021. Weekly draws will commence the week of July 6, 2021 with the grand prize draws being held on September 13, 2021.

Get Outside, Explore & Play with Chill and Thrill

Get Outside, Explore & Play with Chill and Thrill

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Chill and Thrill is an online platform that provides self-guided outdoor experiences in Chilliwack that you can enjoy anytime, on your own or with family and friends. All you need is a smartphone and the desire to get outside, explore and play! 

Inspired by a passion for the outdoors, a love for Chilliwack and the desire to help others discover the joy of exploring, Chill and Thrill offers a variety of fun Scavenger Hunts and exciting Challenges. And as the name implies, there’s something for every fitness level and adventure style.

You simply check out the range of experiences on the Chill and Thrill website at chillandthrill.ca, choose one, sign-up, (there are affordable one-time, monthly and quarterly passes as well as free trials for everyone), review the details, grab your smartphone and then head out! 

You’ll be guided by simple instructions on your mobile device as you go. Here’s what some of our adventurers have said about their first experiences with Chill and Thrill. 

The Chill and Thrill Ten Trail Challenge

This summer Chill and Thrill launches the Ten Trail Challenge, where participants challenge themselves to walk, hike or run 10 beautiful Chilliwack trails between June 19th and August 13th. Some are “chill” (flatter, shorter, easier) and some are “thrill” (not for the faint of heart) but all are fun! 

Participation is just $25 per Challenger, with $5 from every registration going to support Chilliwack trails via the Chilliwack Park Society, and there are prizes to be won, completion badges to collect, and memories to be made. More? 

After a long, hard year, the Ten Trail Challenge will get you out of the house and away from your screen. You’ll be motivated to explore new Chilliwack trails (even more fun with friends!) and enjoy a wonderful sense of accomplishment. You can enter to win fun prizes, show off completion badges online and see how you rank in online leaderboards for each trail. You’ll also be supporting an important local non-profit. What could be better? 
Don’t wait! The Ten Trail Challenge begins on June 19th with registration remaining open until July 31.
Learn more and register here.
Use the discount code AROUNDCHILLIWACK to get 10% off Ten Trail Challenge registration.

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GIVEAWAY with DirectFood.Store & Around Chilliwack

GIVEAWAY with DirectFood.Store & Around Chilliwack

DirectFood.Store & Around Chilliwack Want to Giveaway $50 for you to try out their local, fresh and amazing products that they ship direct to your door!


All you have to do to enter is follow DirectFood.Store on Facebook and Instagram and leave us a comment of what you’d like to try out from their website:
vancouver.directfood.store


Contest runs June 1st - June 5th at 3pm 2021

If you haven’t already, check out our post that shows off all the amazing local and fresh products we received using DirectFood.Store - www.aroundchilliwack.ca/where-to-shop//directfood-local-online-grocery-shopping

(for full rules please see the link below)

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Music Bingo Fundraiser - Chilliwack Rotary Clubs

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Music Bingo Fundraiser - Chilliwack Rotary Clubs

Chilliwack After Hours Rotary Club and Chilliwack Fraser Rotaract Club is hosting a Zoom Music Bingo Fundraiser to raise funds to support  local schools with lunch and breakfast programs on May, 28.

Music Bingo has been a crowd favorite in pubs and restaurants across Canada for years and is now offered online providing a physically distanced, safe entertainment opportunity that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home. Similar to traditional Bingo, Music Bingo replaces numbers with clips from popular songs. Rather than numbers, Music Bingo cards have song titles and artists under the B-I-N-G-O - when the songs played by the DJ appear on a players card, they mark it off and win prizes when they complete specific patterns such as 1 Line, 3 Lines and Full Card.

Music Bingo cards for the fundraiser in support of Chilliwack After Hours Rotary Club and Chilliwack Fraser Rotaract Club can be purchased for $10 each online at https://online.musicbingo.com and includes 2 hours of interactive entertainment with chances to win great prizes that can be enjoyed by the whole family. 

Join us for a PAJAMA PARTY – Friday, May 28th, 2021
Zoom Room login begins at 7:00pm
Music Bingo begins at 7:30pm

Family-Friendly event. From the 70s to the latest hits!
Play on Zoom from home

Music Bingo Cards are $10 each and we play 3 patterns… 1 Line, 3 Lines and then a Full Card… for 3 chances to win.
You can buy the bingo cards here.

Follow them on Facebook!

ART that Breathes by Patricia Peters - Chilliwack Cultural Centre

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ART that Breathes by Patricia Peters - Chilliwack Cultural Centre

The latest exhibit taking up residence in the O’Connor Group Art Gallery in the Chilliwack Cultural Centre is an evocative collection of works from local artist Patricia Peters. From May 17 to Jun 25ART that Breathes will be open to the public through the authority given by Fraser Heath (with strict social distancing protocols in place).

Patricia’s exhibit brings together works that she created during the current pandemic as well as in recent years. She is thrilled to be showcasing her contemporary pieces with everyone and sharing how she sees the world through her art.

“Colour relationships are the most important tool I have, but I still pay attention to strong values and shapes. I’m always looking for a way to breathe life into my work with how the trees are moving in the wind, water cascade over the rocks, the ocean swells, how it lifts you up and down. It makes us feel alive. This allows me total freedom and evokes strong reactions from the viewer.” Says artist Patricia Peters. “It has always been important to paint the places and things that I love, as it fosters hope for the future, memories of past adventures, and connection with each other. These works are a spiritual response to the land and how things have endured the challenges of living and breathing.”

“I’ll also be showing a small body of abstract work. These explore patterns of colour, line and texture, incorporating wax treatments and collage,” Patricia continues. “I invite people to come to the gallery to meet me and to even get a glimpse of how my work is created, as I will be working in the gallery Thursdays and Fridays.”

There is no charge for admission. Gallery hours are from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday to Friday (closed on Holidays). You can visit the Chilliwack Cultural Centre to view this stunning exhibit, witnessing this perfect example of how art can transform the world around us into something truly inspiring and new.

The re-opening of the O-Connor Group Art Gallery will limit patrons to five at a time to ensure proper social distancing. Face masks covering both nose and mouth must be worn at all times by anyone entering the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, and enhanced operating protocols must be followed.

Around Chilliwack Patio Blankets - What's Going On in Chilliwack

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Around Chilliwack Patio Blankets - What's Going On in Chilliwack

We’re fortunate that we get to visit so many great patios in our community. Whether it’s a cafe, restaurant, brewery or pub; Chilliwack has no shortage of great breweries for you to visit!

After the provincial health order for restaurants to close dine-in options, we’ve seen patios pop up all over the place, even bistro tables and chairs setup on sidewalks or roadsides. People are gathering in their bubbles all over our community to support our local businesses. It’s great to see despite this difficult time.

The evenings are still cool and we’ve found ourselves wishing we were a little warmer outside on these great patios. Yes a lot of them have heaters, covered spaces, or like Farmhouse Brewing, a fire pit outside but having something to keep you a little bit warmer that also showcases a brand that highlights and prides itself in promoting local businesses would be great!

Introducing the Around Chilliwack Patio Blanket!
We’ve never offered any sort of merchandise or swag before and we were really happy to connect with the Local Space to meet with a promotional company in the Lower Mainland that also works with as many local or Canadian brands as possible. Together we came up with super soft fleece blankets with our Around Chilliwack logo placed in a corner of the blanket.

These blankets are helping us keep the bills paid and our work of promoting local businesses going a little bit further.

Cost is $45 per blanket.
We only had a small batch of blankets made and they are available at the following local businesses:
- Bricklayer Brewing (#101 - 46126 Yale Road)
- Farmhouse Brewing (6385 Lickman Road)
- Lakeside Beach Club (4131 Columbia Valley Road)
- Blossom Floral Design (#2-7425 Vedder Road)

OR; you can email us to order and have one delivered within Chilliwack for you:
contactus (at) aroundchilliwack (dot) ca

We look forward to seeing these blankets around town and if you happen to get one, we’d love to have you tag us in your photos of the patios you’re visiting!

Hike for Hospice - Chilliwack Hospice Society

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Hike for Hospice - Chilliwack Hospice Society

Join the Chilliwack Hospice Society for the Covid Friendly Hike for Hospice 2021!

Create a team, and from now until June 5, 2021, fundraise in a safe and virtual way by asking for financial donations from friends, family, employers, etc.  Every dollar counts, and we would like to encourage participants to set a goal to raise $150+.

June 5, 2021

Join us at Sardis Park to collect your event swag and meet the Hospice Staff and Volunteers. Stay in your bubbles, and also please stay in your vehicles. Designated parking spots will be provided and event staff will come to you to say Thank You!

Hit the road, the trail, the track, or the treadmill. We ask that whatever activity you partake in, is socially distanced, safe, and most of all fun!

This event is only possible with the support of people like you, and the generous support of our sponsors.

June 30th awards will be presented in the following categories:

  • Best Dressed Team (When you arrive at Sardis Park, we would love to see some GREAT outfits).

  • Top Individual Fundraiser

  • Top Team Fundraiser

Thank you to the following sponsors:

Pop-Up Weddings at The Royal Hotel

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Pop-Up Weddings at The Royal Hotel

LOOKING TO TIE THE KNOT COVID STYLE?

For two weeks this June Chilliwack’s historic Royal Hotel is offering the chance for couples to tie the knot – Covid style. From June 12 through 26 the Royal Hotel’s intimate Homestead room will be transformed, with the assistance of Sprigs & Sparrows, into a romantic, vintage themed wedding space - all ready for you & your partner to say “I Do”, pop-up style. As per local health requirements, indoor weddings are limited to 10 people.

Once home to the 112- year-old hotel’s tavern, and located off the lobby, the Homestead Room now hosts meetings, events and small weddings. The private room offers original fir floors, antique furniture and exudes charm & history along with a connection to Chilliwack’s past. 

The hotel has partnered with several local businesses to offer flowers & photography as well as Chilliwack based wedding officiants to customize and perform your ceremony. 

In March 2020, for the first time in it’s 112-year-old history, Chilliwack’s historic Royal Hotel dimmed the lights, locked the front doors and did not re-open until June 2020.

Since re-opening in June, the hotel has had to adapt to this new reality of running a hotel while ensuring all Covid 19 safety protocols are being followed. And like many other hotels across B.C. the Royal Hotel is looking at creative ways to do so.

“Weddings can still happen, albeit in a different fashion, so hosting pop-up weddings in our vintage space while teaming up with local wedding vendors, who have also seen a huge decline in business, just made good sense, notes the Royal’s Laura Reid.

“We are excited to offer our historic and intimate wedding space to the community and we will work with each couple to ensure their day is seamless and memorable,” adds Laura Reid.

For more information or to book your wedding please contact Laura Reid at the Royal Hotel. laurar@royalhotelchilliwack.com

Please contact Laura Reid for additional information. 604-828-5286

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Valley Waste & Recycling

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Valley Waste & Recycling

For 20+ years Valley Waste & Recycling has been taking care of Chilliwack and throughout the Fraser Valley. Their entire fleet of trucks are available for waste and septic removal, as well as recycling, Hydro Vac, portable toilet rentals, roll off container rentals and more.

Family owned and run, Valley works hard to keep their fleet, staff and services above all else in the Fraser Valley. What started out once as a single garbage truck risk of an investment snowballed into a valley wide service that’s proven to work well with cities and private waste and recycling needs.

Having worked with Valley Waste & Recycling ourselves, we know how easy they are to work with for bathroom needs at events and locations. They are incredibly professional, quick to setup and have impeccably clean portable toilets for your event guests.

Spring Projects

With the spring well upon us maybe you need to get your septic tank pumped or have need for a container or garbage bin placed outside your property to make your spring renovations that much easier.

Check out their website:
https://valleywaste.ca

Or give them a call:
604-792-6070

From the website:
We are a family-owned waste management company that has been serving the Fraser Valley for over 20 years. We pride ourselves in keeping the streets clean, providing excellent customer service, and supporting the communities we serve.

We offer a variety of services and are the most trusted provider for garbage disposal & recycling, roll off container, curb side pickup, septic tank, hydrovac and portable toilet services in the Fraser Valley. We are committed to safely providing quality services to our customers in a manner that ensures a safe and healthy work environment for our employees and customers.

Himalaya: A Film Festival

Himalaya: A Film Festival

Himalaya is a series of five films by four different filmmakers about the Himalayas, the land and its people. With stunning footage and breathtaking scenery, viewers will intimately experience how a small, local charity is helping transform lives and make a massive impact. 

Join them on April 30 for this unique and exciting drive-in film festival, Himalaya.

To review their full Drive-in COVID-19 Protocol and Tips, click here.

Friday, April 30th | Yarrow Community Centre, Yarrow, BC | 8:30pm + 10:30pm showings


From their website:
As Himalayan Life, we exist to holistically enhance the lives of children and youth in the Himalayas, with particular focus on those who lack basic socio-economic structures.

Tickets for Yarrow showings on sale now.
Purchase tickets early, as there max 50 car spots at each show. The first 10 cars to register will receive a swag bag!

You can buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/himalayan-life-17971838370

Check out more about the festival here: https://himalayanlife.com/film-fest/

Wagging Tails and Happy Trails

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Wagging Tails and Happy Trails

For some time we’ve been watching Wagging Tails and Happy Trails, they are a dog walking company that’s located here in Chilliwack. We love seeing which dogs they’re walking and actually have a few favourite dogs we like to watch (don’t tell anyone!).

We reached out to Wagging Tails and Happy Trails and got to meet up with Amber, the owner, at Vedder River Park for a quick photo shoot and to meet one of their happy four legged clients: Ellie.

Amber has been running her dog walking company for 2 years and has enjoyed walking dogs all around Chilliwack. She was working at Clancy’s and walking dogs on the side. She realized quickly how busy she could be with walking dogs. She quit her job, laced up her shoes and got walking some amazing canines.

Amber herself is a half marathon runner, has hiked most of our local mountains and has done the Juan de Fuca and West Coast Trails. Being able to be outside, walk and hang out with dogs is her idea of a dream job.

She’s currently walking 10 dogs and has very limited space for more and charges $25 for an hour and $15 for 30 minutes. She has her dog first aid certificate and is fully insured to protect your pet, any other dogs encountered on a walk and your home. Most of her clients are owned by first responders and she takes great pride in posting updates of who she is walking, even dressing up them up for special holidays like St. Patrick’s Day which just past.

It was such a pleasure to meet up with Amber and hear how her passions and work have combined. If you’re looking for someone to check in on your dog and take them for a walk, connect with Amber (see below) and see if maybe she can help you out.

Dog Walking Tips from the Professional:
1. Let your dog sniff around, it is great mental stimulation for them.

2. ALWAYS pick up your dogs poop!! We all want to share the beautiful spaces that Chilliwack has to offer.

3. Make sure you have water for your dog. Especially in the summer. Don’t walk your dog after 26-28°. It’s too hot for dogs. I just do home visits and potty breaks with mind stimulation toys for those times.

4. Check the pavement temperature before setting out in the summer and avoid salt on the sidewalks in winter!

5. Ask before approaching other dogs. Not all dogs want to say hi and we have to respect their space.

6. Bring along high value( treats your dog goes crazy for) to keep their attention when they get distracted on walks. Last but the most important.

7. Always have identification on your dog in case they go on their own adventure.



Chilliwack Chamber Membership Benefits

Chilliwack Chamber Membership Benefits

A number of years ago we became a part of the Chilliwack Chamber for a couple of reasons.
We wanted to be part of the local economy and connect with fellow entrepreneurs and network and collaborate on projects and ideas. PLUS we wanted to have access to the benefits and group insurance plan. With a growing family that inevitably would need eye glasses, prescriptions and regular dental checkups, we wanted to have some sort of help and support you’d normally get from working under a bigger company.

Nearly 10 years later and we’re still thrilled to be a part of the Chamber and the benefits we have access to. Some of those benefits include a discount on your gas/diesel purchases AND the Whistler 48 hour club, where you can get a flat rate on condo’s in 13 different resorts in Whistler with 48 hours notice.

We loved being able to work with the Chamber on this recent video to highlight a few of the benefits you can access from being a Chamber member and were even more excited to highlight some of the local businesses you can access, including: Thrive Collective, Reclaimed Massage Therapy, Optimum Sport & Health Centre, and Iris Optometrists and Opticians. Check it out below:

Learn about a few of the benefits of being a Chamber member.

From the Chamber website:
”The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce offers a suite of benefits for our membership to help Chilliwack companies and entrepreneurs lower their day-to-day business costs. Benefits enable our membership to access preferential rates on key business services including group insurance, email marketing, merchant services, travel, gasoline, office supplies and training.”

You can check out more of the benefits of being a Chamber member here:
www.chilliwackchamber.com/benefits-savings/

Social Media Tips for Small Business - Chilliwack Small Business

Social Media Tips for Small Business - Chilliwack Small Business

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We’ve learned a few things about helping small businesses on social media and put together 5 simple tips for you to check out.

1. Authentic
The biggest thing first: be yourself. Find your voice and share it. If you’re not willing to be yourself, people will see right through you.

2. Consistent
Be consistent in your postings. Find a time/day that works for you and stick with it. For some people that’s daily or twice daily and for others that’s weekly. Whatever it is, stick with it.

3. Theme
Find a look and feel that works for you. Find something that matches with your voice and your look. Something that can remain consistent throughout your posts and…

4. Create & Deliver
When you make your content, think of the previous items.
One of the other things we recommend is batching your content. Instead of thinking about one single post, create enough content in one session for an entire week or even a month. Make it worth your time.

5. Recycle
Too many people assume you need to create fresh new content for every single post. Don’t be afraid of reusing something. A lot of times our content doesn’t get seen by everyone because of the algorithms. Recycle your content but maybe add a week to it. Adjust your write-up or make it a single photo or group of photos.

The one thing we didn’t add in this was engagement. If you’re hopping on social media than we assume you are wanting to engage & connect. It could be tip 6 maybe but 🤷‍♂️

We love you Chilliwack! Keep being awesome.

Gifts for Him That He'll Love - Local Gift Ideas to Buy Him for Christmas

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Gifts for Him That He'll Love - Local Gift Ideas to Buy Him for Christmas

Shopping for him for Christmas isn’t the easiest task. Wouldn't it be easier if he just let you know what he wanted?! Instead you’re left guessing, but we’re here to help you out! PLUS, we’ve got ideas from some great local stores.

Be sure to check out our Mom’s Gift Guide too!
www.aroundchilliwack.ca/blog//gifts-for-mom-that-dont-suck-local-gift-ideas-to-but-mom-for-christmas

Be sure to check out our Teacher’s Gift Guide too!
www.aroundchilliwack.ca/blog//holiday-gift-guide-what-to-buy-teachers

Buy something off this list for him and we know he’ll love it! Maybe even combine a few things from a few different stores! Remember to buy local and support our community. Merry Christmas!

GP Home Furniture - Cocktail Kit
Visit Them Online

Major League 2 Taphouse & Sports Bar - Gift Card
Visit Them Online

Cheam Mountain Golf Course - Green Fee Card, Driving Range Card and Golf Balls
Visit Them Online

The Town Butcher - Custom Cut Ribeye Steak
Visit Them Online


Gifts for Mom That Don't Suck - Local Gift Ideas to But Mom for Christmas

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Gifts for Mom That Don't Suck - Local Gift Ideas to But Mom for Christmas

Shopping for Mom for Christmas can be tough some times. We know she’ll love whatever you get her BUT in reality she would like something nice, something thoughtful.

We’re here to help you out.

Be sure to check out our Teacher’s Gift Guide too!
www.aroundchilliwack.ca/blog//holiday-gift-guide-what-to-buy-teachers

Buy something off this list for Mom and we know she’ll love it! Maybe even combine a few things from a few different stores! Remember to buy local and support our community. Merry Christmas!

Button Box - Unique Earrings & Wine Glasses
Visit Them Online

Creekside Home Decor - Warm Cozy Scarf
Visit Them Online

PickEco Refills - Natural Soaps & Bathroom Supplies
Visit Them Online

GP Home Furniture - Nest Chair & Custom Engraved Yeti
Visit Them Online

Blossom Floral Design - Tropical House Plants & Pots
Visit Them Online

Winks Home - Goat Leather Bags & Inspirational Signs
Visit Them Online


Holiday Gift Guide - What To Buy Teachers

Holiday Gift Guide - What To Buy Teachers

We’re not far away from the kids going on Christmas break and we know parents will be looking for gifts to buy teachers as a little thank you. To be honest, teachers this year probably deserve a Christmas gift more than ever!

Below you’ll find some great gift ideas to buy teachers, plenty of them $20 or less and they’re all from local shops and some you can order online!

Button Box - Candy & Champagne Treats
Visit Them Online

PickEco Refills - Bracelets & Soaps
Visit Them Online

GP Home Furniture - Bars/Scrubs & Yeti Cups (that you can get personally engraved)
Visit Them Online

Creekside Home Decor - Teacher Tree Ornament
Visit Them Online

Blossom Floral Design - Sage, Lavender and Crystal & Aloe Vera Plant
Visit Them Online

Winks Home - Books & Signs
Visit Them Online

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The Reality of Retail - Shopping Around Chilliwack

Showroom at GP Home Furniture

Showroom at GP Home Furniture

The Reality of Retail - Shopping Around Chilliwack

Let’s take a moment to talk about what it takes to run a retail store in a small community.

Running a retail store is not easy. There are great times where you can’t keep a certain product on the shelf as it sells out so fast, or that a sale seems to hit people just right where they come buy from you, but in reality, retail is hard.

We wanted to take a few moments to share a few things about retail that you might not know and may help you see things a little differently the next time you stop into a local business.

Blossom Floral Designs Shop

Blossom Floral Designs Shop

Local business owners run their business because they have a passion for what they do.

The Price of Markups
People often get caught up on what the markup on items are. They will see a product marked up by 100% or 50% and will focus on trying to get the retailer to sell the product at a cheaper rate, but there is a lot that isn’t seen.

People don’t see the cost of freight and shipping. For anything that’s brought in from out of country, there’s the cost of bringing it across the border, plus the cost of the company to ship it from the supplier. Those costs need to be recovered in the cost of the product which leads to the markup.

What you might not see as well, is that the markup needs to include the cost of inventory. You can mark up an item 50%, but part of that markup is to cover the cost of the inventory that stays in stock and doesn’t sell. If a product is in stock and not selling, money isn’t coming in. The markups need to cover that loss. The reality is that the store will not sell every piece of product, and markups are created to reflect that.

Most retailers don’t own their own building either. The cost of their lease, plus turning lights on, air conditioning, free WiFi for their guests, and a plethora of other costs are factored into that markup. It’s not a markup to gouge you, but a markup to run their business and hopefully, at the end of the day, have some kind of profit to say they’ve made at least a little money.

If you were to take a local business owners total time spent working and the amount of money they make in a year and average it out, we can almost guarantee that you’d be shocked at how little it works out to be. Local business owners run their business because they have a passion for what they do, employees to care for, and ultimately, the customers that they serve.

Fundraisers, Donations and Handouts

Local businesses are often looked at for donations to various fundraisers in the community. From Girl Guides, sports teams, community organizations and more, local retailers are looked to for help from cash and prize donations. Get to know a local business owner and you’ll quickly find out how often people come into their establishment asking for handouts.

Pro Shop at Cheam Mountain Golf Course

Pro Shop at Cheam Mountain Golf Course

These businesses don’t have those items simply sitting around at no cost to them. Those donations are given out from the small profits they’ve made on the mark-ups mentioned above. Retailers aren’t given big pay checks or unlimited items from suppliers to give away to fundraisers. Retailers, our local businesses, are giving out of their own pockets because they care about the community they live in. They believe in the causes that make this community great.

You don’t get to see the late nights a retailer has put into problem solving or perfecting the product they put on the shelf the next morning.

The Unknown Costs

Beyond markups, supply costs and everything else, what people never see is the amount of time, knowledge, research, failures and successes a local retailer has put into their store. You don’t get to see the late nights a retailer has put into problem solving or perfecting the product they put on the shelf the next morning, or the hours, days or years that they’ve put into learning everything about a certain product field and discovering which product is the best to put on their shelf and in your hands, and why and how it works for their store. They don’t show the little things, like making private deliveries for a customer that needs some extra help, or a quiet donation to a cause that’s having difficulty covering basic costs.

Local retailers are in business for more than profit. Yes, they are making a living, but they are also providing employment and economic growth in our community. The money they make and the employees they pay in turn buy/rent homes in town, they shop at local stores, play local sports, visit local restaurants and more. The money they bring into their store is to keep this community healthy and strong. It’s the backbone of this community.

The cost of running a retail store in a small community is high but the reward is so much greater. Next time you’re in a local retail business, try to see things through their lens and maybe say thanks for the hard work they’ve done to be here. We need them a lot more than we know.

The Book Man Downtown

The Book Man Downtown

Boomerang Five - Chilliwack Cultural Centre

Boomerang Five - Chilliwack Cultural Centre

Boomerang Five - Chilliwack Cultural Centre

Local music talent shines in a magnificent concert!

Shining the spotlight on musicians once again, Boomerang returns to Chilliwack with three fantastic bands! On November 21, Sarah Wills will head a lineup of musicians that will fill the theatre with fantastic jazz and even some rock and roll. Seats are limited due to social distancing protocols, so get your tickets soon so you can experience a stellar lineup of musicians.         

"The concert should be a wonderfully relaxing night filled with jazz of all sorts and some acoustic rock. We have three sets that showcase acoustic rock, gypsy jazz, and then classic jazz combos of swings and sorts,” explains Sarah Wills. “All the musicians in it are people I've played with or have been fellow music acquaintances with, and I'm happy I get to play with some of them again. The journey of getting this concert together has been a big roller-coaster, but the people that have been working on this concert with me have made that process a breeze so we can create a great night of music and R&R when it's needed most!"

"The bands we have playing consist of traditional jazz, gypsy jazz, and acoustic rock. Gypsy is special because it doesn't have drums; it has guitar and bass acting as a steady rhythm section to allow the violinist to shine and showcases everyone in varying gypsy jazz styles from slow ballads to fast swing. I've invited local rising rock band Tayos to come to play an acoustic set that will sound amazing as they have always put on great shows in the past. Finally, we have trad jazz, which is what we are opening with, classic jazz."

These astonishing talents will tell their own stories through their range of alternative, folk, and country music. Each with their unique take, these performers are sure to inspire anyone interested in producing their art or anyone who wants to see what incredible talent can be found locally. Whether you are looking for a fun evening out or want to come out and support the local music scene, Boomerang is the place to be!

Boomerang Five is coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on November 21, 2020 at 7:00 pm. For more information, call the Centre Box Office 604-391-SHOW(7469).

Chilliwack Agriculture - The Heart of our Community

Chilliwack Agriculture - The Heart of our Community


Check out the farms we recently had an opportunity to film as part of the virtual Agricultural Tour with Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation this year:

The first stop on the tour is Brightside Eggs, a family-owned and operated poultry farm committed to sustainable and humane farming practices, animal care and animal health. These 3rd generation farmers are passionate about producing food for local families.

“Farming is like any job, except you punch in at age 5, and you never punch out” Heritage Farms is a family farm that raises Canadian grass-fed and grain-finished beef and also offers certified organic, free-range eggs. The Garcia family takes pride in teaching their children respect for the animals and the value of hard work, and in providing the highest quality beef that is ethically and sustainably raised.

The third stop on our tour is Bredenhof Hop Farms and R & T Poultry. Raymond and Tracey Bredenhof started their poultry farm with 5,000 birds and have expanded to 250,000 birds per year. They branched out to grow hops about 5 years ago and are now one of the largest hop growers in the region – and they do all their own processing and distribution as well!

The fourth stop on our tour is Sparkes Corn Barn, which is owned and operated by Ian Sparkes and family. Sparkes sweet corn is grown locally in Chilliwack. To maintain freshness and optimum maturity, Sparkes does a planting every few days so there is corn ripening throughout the season. The corn is picked fresh daily and delivered directly from the fields to the convenient drive-thru stands, ensuring it is ripe, fresh, and full of flavour. And, Sparkes only grows non-GMO product!

The fifth and final stop on our tour is Golden Oak Acres, a family-owned and operated farm in Chilliwack that recently transitioned from poultry to dairy farming. Chris Kloot, dairy farmer and City of Chilliwack Councillor, is passionate about supporting Canadian farmers and protecting our food sovereignty. Watch to hear why Chris loves Chilliwack agriculture.

Check out our new highlight reel from the last three years of tours before this year.