Tomora and Melanie Trudelle are doing their part to remove unsightly graffiti from schools in the Cowichan Valley.
The Trudelles are the owners of McRae Painting, a company specializing in painting and refinishing, which moved to the Valley from the Parksville area about seven months ago.
Tomora said she noticed soon after setting up the business here that graffiti is a big problem in the Valley, and she’s particularly concerned with graffiti around schools, pre-schools and daycares.
Some of the language and drawings can be inappropriate.
She said the company has reached out to the Cowichan Valley school district, City of Duncan and the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area to offer services to remove the graffiti, free of charge.
“We feel that the graffiti problem is most likely a ‘build up’ over time and we could clean it up pretty quickly if everyone gets on board,” Tomora said.
“We are currently working on formulating maintenance programs which would involve daily removal. Painting and refurbishing take up most of our time at the business, but we wanted to offer our company’s services to help deal with the graffiti problem in the Valley as well.”
For more information about McRae Painting, call at 1-778-350-6077, or check out www.mcrpainting.com.
Spa Sanctuary opens in new tranquil spot in Crofton
Crofton’s Spa Sanctuary is now operating from a new location at 1470 Adelaide St.
Owner Angela Price, who had operated the spa from her home for more than 10 years, said her business has been expanding over the years so more room was needed to keep up with demand and offer more amenities.
She said a lot of work and renovations had to be completed to convert the new location into a spa.
As a result of the move, Spa Sanctuary’s treatments, including everything from facials to foot soaks, are now provided in a tranquil and serene setting of its new privately-reserved, ocean-view spa.
Price said work continues to add a sauna and steam room to the spa. and she expected to make further announcements in the coming months.
“The new location is just five blocks from where I used to operate, so the move has not been too hard on my long-time clients,” she said.
“Business is growing all the time in this new and beautiful location.”
For more information, call Price at 250-588-2212, or check out spasanctuary.ca.
Cowichan Wellness opens doors on new yoga studio
Staff at Cowichan Wellness are pleased to announce that their new yoga studio is now open.
As part of last year’s expansion project, Cowichan Wellness, located at #204-225 Canada Ave., has added a new third-floor yoga studio overlooking Duncan City Square.
Lise Duncan, Tammy Ryzak, Rhonda McGuire-Seal and Trudy O’Hearn Talbot are offering an array of different styles of yoga for all levels of fitness and capability in the new space.
The yoga instructors are all offering a complimentary session to explore your yoga possibilities.
Check out the website cowichanwellness.ca, or call the office at 250-709-2151 for more information.
‘Organic’ food now has to be certified in British Columbia
As of Sept. 1, people can buy British Columbia food products and beverages that are marketed as organic with more confidence, knowing that the products have been certified through an accredited provincial or federal program.
Under a new provincial regulation, organic food and beverage operators are now required to maintain up-to-date proof of certification.
The regulation follows consultation with organic operators in 2015, and a subsequent transition period that included multiple announcements, an awareness campaign targeting growers, outreach at agriculture shows, conferences, agriculture association events and annual general meetings.
Previously, there were no official requirements for people who were selling or marketing B.C. food products as organic.
“People are more engaged then ever with how their food is grown and processed,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture.
“Requiring certification for the use of the term ‘organic’ for the sales of B.C. foods and beverages means producers are able to offer British Columbians an increased level of certainty about the farming and processing practices of their products.”
The B.C. government will use a graduated enforcement approach that initially will focus on bringing businesses and individuals into compliance through education and warnings.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
DDBIA welcomes new executive director Locke
Ian Locke is the new executive director of the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area.
Locke has a diverse background in multimedia creation and digital marketing and said he is eager to apply his talents towards championing further prosperity in downtown Duncan.
He will be working closely with the DDBIA’s board of directors, members and stakeholders to continue the improvement area’s legacy of cooperation and innovative revitalization.
“We live in an exciting time with more opportunities than ever to reach people and let them know how great this place is and how much better it’s getting all the time,” Locke said.
DDBIA president Ian Fairwell said he anticipates bold new ideas for growth and reach into new media arenas with Locke as executive director.