Valley Heartbeat! by Kristi Dobson

February 17, 2017
You might know her from her excellent customer service at Boutique Belles Amies or Blue Fish Gallery, but Carol Vandenhoorn has been in and around Port Alberni all her life. Born in the first hospital where the RCMP building is now located, Carol was raised in Beaver Creek by Dutch immigrant...
February 14, 2017
“We had such an amazing community response that we posted on our Facebook page that we don’t need any more milk jugs,” said Jenny Fortin…. Family Day was a hit yesterday at the Alberni Aquarium and Stewardship Centre at Harbour Quay. Staff opened it up with free admittance for the public and about...
February 10, 2017
If you are looking for something to do for the weekend before Valentine’s Day, there is plenty happening for all ages starting tonight. Put your dancing shoes on and head to Char’s Landing for some pre-Valentine’s Day music with Beverley McKeen tonight from 8pm. The music is a variety, including...
February 7, 2017
The staff at Port Boat House recently returned from the largest boat show in western Canada and are gearing up for the boating season. The five-day show at BC Place Stadium at the end of January was a good introduction to new offerings this year and a chance for the local shop to unveil a big...
February 3, 2017
Joe Roodbol has been taking part in the annual Variety Club scavenger hunt for 28 years and is urging new participants to experience the popular fundraiser. This marks the third year of the long-standing event to be held at the Westwind Pub and the annual fundraiser always puts the FUN in raising...
January 31, 2017
Fans of Mexican cuisine will be happy to know that All Mex’d Up on the waterfront will be reopening tomorrow. Under the new management of Matt Dunk, the colourful and cozy restaurant has been closed since December, but after a bit of painting, additional décor, and a few additions to the menu, the...
January 27, 2017
Port Alberni has the potential of becoming the next mecca for maple syrup, thanks to an initiative among the Hupacasath First Nation. When Jason Lion, manager of Kleekhoot Gold, first came to Port Alberni in the Spring of 2015 after completing his Plant and Soil Sciences degree at UBC, he started...
January 24, 2017
Last night’s City Council meeting was one resident’s chance to share his opinions on the high-profile and controversial issue of renaming city streets. Cameron Stefiuk has publicly taken a stand against Councillor Chris Alemany’s request to pass a motion to rename Neill Street, named after Mr. A.W...
January 20, 2017
Acupuncture will soon be made more widely available in Port Alberni thanks to the recent initiative of two local practitioners. Janette Cormier and Matt Kupnicki joined together to launch the Port Alberni Community Acupuncture clinic and will be opening the doors to the public this Tuesday. Their...
January 17, 2017
Shawn Standley recently launched a new scuba dive business with a soft opening and is now ready to help create a flourishing dive community right here in Port Alberni. After helping his wife, Rebecca get her business, Full of Beans, off the ground, he decided to go with his passion for both...
January 13, 2017
Do you have an opinion on where you see the arts, culture, and heritage sector fitting into the community? The City of Port Alberni is putting together a large, interactive event to make sure your voice is heard and to help promote all aspects of local arts. Best of all, it is a free, family-...
January 10, 2017
Alicia La Rue is stepping into new territory as she starts the New Year campaigning for a seat in the Green Party for the upcoming provincial election. When it was first suggested to her that she would make a good candidate as MLA, her first reaction was mixed. “I was unsure, but I thought it would...
January 6, 2017
Haven Living is about to experience new changes for the New Year. The former retail location on the corner of Third Avenue and Argyle Street is getting a makeover, complete with environmentally-friendly renovations, and will soon be home to the eclectic store. Currently located on Adelaide Street,...
January 3, 2017
Members of Portal Players Dramatic Society are inviting the community out to enjoy the entertainment of a true homegrown production. Musical Memories is currently running at the Capitol Theatre and promises to educate and entertain the audience on the history of the arts in Port Alberni. It all...
December 30, 2016
For many, the New Year is a time for setting goals and starting out on a new path. For others, it is a time of reflection, examining one's life and offering to better the world around them. One way several local residents have been beginning the year is through the annual Peace March on January 1....
December 27, 2016
The Bread of Life had its doors open on Christmas Eve for its annual Christmas dinner and welcomed a full house of guests. As a non-profit organization geared at helping those in need, the dinner always goes off without a hitch, thanks in part to a group of volunteers. Saturday’s meal saw some new...
December 23, 2016
Have you come across series of videos capturing the lives and times of some Port Alberni residents lately? A Vancouver-based filmmaker recently launched his project aimed at showing the positive side of the Alberni Valley. Thomas Buchan was given the opportunity through the Telus Optik Local...
December 20, 2016
Do you have the best intentions of sticking to the local streets for your holiday shopping this year? Or do you commit annually or, even year round, to doing so? Shopping local has many long and short-term benefits. Some seem more obvious than others, but one thing is certain: the results are...
December 16, 2016
After the team at Trends Design Team held a free haircutting event last Spring for those in need, they knew it was something that would become a regular opportunity. With Christmas just around the corner, they found such an opportunity and have paired up with the Hospitality Inn to take part in the...
December 13, 2016
Last Sunday, members of the Alberni Valley United Church brought in enough contributions of food and money to make Christmas a little brighter for each guest of the Bread of Life. Held on the third Sunday of the advent, the long-standing tradition of White Gift Sunday ended with a generous showing...

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