March, 2010

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Do You Deserve To Win? – Small Business BC Successful You Awards

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

By Cybele Negris

With all the medals Canada has won during the Olympics and Paralympics, now it is your turn to show what you’ve got! If you have a business or knows someone who does, here’s a great opportunity to get some recognition and exposure by entering the Small Business BC “Successful You Awards.”

PROVINCE-WIDE SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS

SUBMIT YOUR BUSINESS PLAN (or) NOMINATION TODAY!

DEADLINE: MARCH 31st, 2010

Small Business BC and the Insurance Bureau of Canada are hosting the 7th annual Successful You – Small Business Awards. Submit your business plan (or) nominate yourself or someone you know into one of our four Award Categories:

1). Business Concept Award (business plan required)

2). Business Growth Award (business plan required)

3). Business Champion Award (nomination based)

4). Company of the Year Award (nomination based)

Related Posts:

Vancouver Small Business & the Olympics – Part IV of Series – Interview with George Hunter, CEO of Small Business BC by Cybele Negris

Cybele Negris is Co-Founder of Webnames.ca, Canada’s Original Domain Registrar. She is on the Boards of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business BC, Government of BC Small Business Roundtable and the Vancouver Economic Development Commission. More information is available at cybele.tel or webnames.tel. Follow on Twitter @cybelenegris and @webnames

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Who Do You Think is Canada’s Star of the 2010 Winter Games? – the poll

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

By Cybele Negris

Last week we ran a poll at MetroBlenzNewsSquad.com and at BlenzCommunity.com “Who do you think is Canada’s star of the 2010 Winter Games?” and the results are in!

The people have spoken and the most popular choices are in the following order (#1 being most popular):

Sidney Crosby voted as top Canadian star (photo by S. Yume licensed under the Creative Commons)

  1. Sidney Crosby – scores winning goal in men’s hockey giving Canada the most gold medals in history of Winter Games
  2. Joannie Rochette – wins bronze days after her mother’s death
  3. Maelle Ricker – 1st woman to win gold
  4. Alexandre Bilodeau – 1st to win gold on home soil

People were also given the opportunity to pick their own favorites. Another popular choice included Tessa Virtue who secured a gold medal finish in ice dancing with her partner Scott Moir. Other notables included Jasey Jay Anderson who won gold at the men’s parallel giant slalom event, the Women’s Hockey team for their on ice celebrations (described by one poll taker as “so very Canadian”) and even Olympic Mascot Mukmuk!

I’m not surprised Sidney Crosby was first choice given Canada’s love-affair with hockey. Personally, I thought it was really tough to pick one star. The Canadian athletes together were phenomenal and really demonstrated great sportsmanship and of course huge success.

Here is a comprehensive recap of all the medalists from the 2010 Olympics from all countries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2010_Winter_Olympics_medal_winners

One could argue though that the real star was Canadians as a whole who rallied together in never-seen-before national pride. I can still hear the chants in my head… “Go Canada Go!…”

Cybele Negris is Co-Founder of Webnames.ca, Canada’s Original Domain Registrar. She is on the Boards of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business BC, Government of BC Small Business Roundtable and the Vancouver Economic Development Commission. More information is available at cybele.tel or webnames.tel. Follow on Twitter @cybelenegris and @webnames

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Canada House, an itch I can’t seem to scratch

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

David Hutchison

David Hutchison

On Sunday I went to Canada House and like many others stood patiently in line waiting for it to open at 1PM, they were late, only 10 minutes, but late just the same. And I thought, okay, get over it, not a big deal, but after speaking to someone else who had a similar experience, except their wait was a bit longer, what is the problem?

In Beijing, Canada House opened six months in advance, in Turin they opened four months early and here they were a day late. And as it turns out, opening late has become a habit. I know I shouldn’t take it personal, but I get the sense they didn’t care, it wasn’t important enough.

Now don’t get me wrong I loved the Olympics and I love the Paralympics, but I got this itch I can’t seem to scratch. When I did get in to see Canada House, I was really disappointed, it was just a tent. At least Manitoba House built something, used hammer and nails, made it out of wood like they were trying to sell something and they had nicer pins.

Northern House was very cool, Russia, which I didn’t get to see, but had friends tell me it was awesome, and many others that were tents at least had some entertainment value, Canada House, not so much.

It just seems to me, the Feds could have done a lot better and history does point enough examples of that, so what happened. I have heard the excuses and claims and none seems to wash. Thankfully, others did a great job so most of us went home happy and “the” Stephen showed up on time for the openings.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

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Light House Sustainable Building Centre – From Greening the Olympics to Practical Workshops

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

By Cybele Negris

I recently had the pleasure of getting a tour of Light House Sustainable Building Centre. The new 5,400-square-foot facility at 2060 Pine Street in Vancouver is designed to inspire and provide advice and practical skills for sustainable building projects large and small. The facility showcases the newest innovations in green building technologies and serves as an education and resource centre.

Light House was instrumental in the greening of the Olympic Games, coordinating the integrated design process for the Vancouver athletes’ village and providing technical assistance to Whistler’s athletes’ village as it worked towards meeting the Whistler Green standard. Light House staff continue to undertake research and consulting projects helping to shape policies throughout BC, including projects for the City of Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver.

Whether you are a home owner looking to renovate your home or a builder/contractor, Light House has something for you. The Light House website includes comprehensive information about everything related to sustainable building including:

  • a directory of architects and contractors that specialize in sustainable building
  • a directory of green building products from appliances to lighting and flooring and more
  • information about grants and incentives for homeowners or developers
  • green jobs if you are looking for work in the industry
  • upcoming events, workshops and seminars
  • and so much more

Of special note is the 2010 Green Building Challenge, an initiative that began in 2008. Light House proposed a challenge to homeowners, small business owners, and strata councils to green their homes and workplaces in time for the Vancouver Winter Olympics following a stringent set of energy, water, and waste reduction targets and strategies. A draw took place and 10 British Columbians were chosen to receive free technical assistance for their renovations.

Light House has now put together case studies and reporting on the reductions achieved by each project. In addition, they are hosting a series of workshops summarizing findings from the projects as well as tours of some of the completed projects.

Click on a date below for more information or to register:

March 6: Green Retrofits for Small Businesses workshop (10am-noon) followed by a tour of the Wood Co-op

March 13: Home Heating workshop (10am-noon) followed by a tour of the Moore-Babicki Residence

March 18: Green Building for Stratas workshop (6-8pm)

March 20: Green Building Rating Systems for Homes workshop (10am-noon) followed by a tour of a LEED for Homes pilot project

March 27: Prefab and Laneway Homes workshop (10am-noon) followed by a tour of a laneway home project

greenhouse

greenhouse1

Cybele Negris is Co-Founder of Webnames.ca, Canada’s Original Domain Registrar. She is on the Boards of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business BC, Government of BC Small Business Roundtable and the Vancouver Economic Development Commission. More information is available at cybele.tel or webnames.tel. Follow on Twitter @cybelenegris and @webnames

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Paralympic Opening Ceremonies – BC Place Was Rocking

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

By Des Dougan

I was very fortunate this evening to have attended the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. BC Place was packed, colourful and loud. Seated high in the nosebleed seats with two of my children, we had an amazing view of the stadium floor as first the audience preparation then the main show kicked off. Clad in pale blue ponchos (there were ponchos around the stadium in 4 or 5 different colours) and armed with reflective gold cards and pompoms with build-in orange lights, we were prepared by the pre-show MC as he rehearsed when and what to do. Of course, once the main show kicked off, most of his instructions went by the wayside, especially in the use of the pompoms. When the stadium had darkened, and everyone (and I mean everyone) started shaking the lit pompoms, the sea of flickering orange lights was a sight to behold.

And did I mention the noise? As well as the excellent sound system, the cheers and screams of support from the crowd left my ears ringing as the performers strutted their stuff. Each country’s athletes received loud applause and approval as they moved across the stadium floor. Finally, of course, the host nation entered the arena last and if I thought it had been noisy prior to this – the ovation for Canada’s athletes was long and heartfelt and wonderful to see.

The emphasis on the future, showcased by the majority of performers being children, was an interesting and creative direction that differentiated the ceremony quite clearly from its sibling last month. The mix of able-bodied and disabled performers was well managed and brought home how physical challenges are no barrier to people with talent.

Lloyd Robertson’s section on Terry Fox was extremely moving and emotional and led well into the lighting of the Paralympic flame, which ended the wonderful event on an excellent high note.

You never know what to expect of events such as this; and the show’s directors had a huge challenge to create an event that could stand out on its own. That they did so with zest and some excellent performances is a credit to the entire team behind the show.

Downsides for me – the national anthem seemed to have been tweaked again (it wasn’t clear in the stadium other than there appeared to have been an extra chorus added). It’s fine as it is (actually, it’s a great anthem), so why mess with it?? The second downside was John Furlong’s absolutely awful French. I’m sure he’s very relieved that he won’t have to attempt speak the language ever again after next weekend!

Des Dougan is Principal of Dougan Consulting Group, which provides technology support services to small businesses in the Metro Vancouver area. Des can be contacted here and via @ddougan on Twitter.

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Canada’s Maelle Ricker races to World Cup season title in snowboard cross

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Canadian Press
March 12, 2010 4:48 p.m.

Re posted form Metro News Vancouver

Maelle Ricker

Maelle Ricker

VALMALENCO, Italy – Maelle Ricker’s dream season keeps getting better.

The Olympic champion from West Vancouver locked up the snowboard cross World Cup title by finishing second in the women’s event Friday.

Ricker finished just behind American Lindsey Jacobellis at the penultimate event of the season. Dominique Maltais of Petite-Riviere-St-Francois, Que., was third.

“To have the (Olympic) gold medal and the crystal globe is pretty cool,” Ricker said in a phone interview. “I’m definitely happy with the season.”

Ricker, 31, won Olympic gold on home soil last month at Cypress Mountain to go with her three World Cup victories this season.

It’s Ricker’s second career crystal globe.

“It’s our Stanley Cup or our Super Bowl,” coach Tim Milne said of the accomplishment. “Everybody sees the Olympics as a one-off event and Maelle had a great performance obviously to win that one and a gold medal is an incredible thing.

“But on World Cup, to win a crystal globe you have to be a consistent performer and on the podium just about every week. To take it and battle hard for it all season, it’s the pinnacle for an accomplishment for a snowboarder.”

In all, Ricker made five World Cup podium appearances this season. For her career, she has 14 victories and 31 podiums in 105 starts.

“She’s just a great competitor,” Milne said. “She’s been at this sport a long time and she’s persevered through a lot of trials and competitions. She’s put a lot of hard work in and it’s paid off this season.”

Ricker has battled injuries throughout her long career.

She suffered a concussion after a fall in the Olympic final four years ago in Turin. She made her Olympic debut at the 1998 Games in Nagano and finished fifth in the halfpipe. She has had eight knee surgeries since.

Ricker is also a good bet to take the overall crystal globe for all snowboard disciplines when the World Cup season wraps up next week in France.

“It’s nice to be consistent throughout the season,” Ricker said. “And it’s nice to end on a good note too . . . I was really looking forward to coming to Europe. It’s nice to have some results as well.”

She added that her main goal at the start of the season was simply to put down her best races.

“I just tried to focus on my riding and on racing and not focusing on what results you get,” Ricker said. “I just like trying to ride the best I can and know that when that happens hopefully results come along with it.”

Maltais is also enjoying her best World Cup season with five podium appearances.

It has been a banner campaign for the Canadian team with 26 trips up the World Cup podium, two more than its previous best in 2008.

Australian Alex Pullin won the men’s race Friday. Mario Fuchs of Austria was second and Mateusz Ligocki of Poland was third.

Rob Fagan of Cranbrook, B.C., was the top Canadian in ninth place.

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