Okay, I’m salivating as I look at pictures of a number of Langley homes built or renovated in the past year that this past Saturday earned industry accolades.
Kudos to Sonbuilt Custom Homes, South Ridge Developments, Hayer Builders Group, and Lacey Developments (specifically for Langley projects). They took top honours at the inaugural Fraser Valley Housing Awards of Excellence gala this past weekend.
Sonbuilt Custom Homes received a special achievement award for the best certified home (Panama).
South Ridge Development won in the custom home construction (value $450,000 to $699,999) for the Farmhouse Charm – Life Above project.
Hayer Builders Group won in the best new innovative feature and best new outdoor living space categories for work they did on the Exchange project in Langley.
And Lacey Developments Ltd. took three renovation awards for work it did on the Langley Gathering House, in the categories of kitchen renos valued at $50,000 and up, any room renos, and whole house renos valued at more than half a million dollars.
“It is an honour and pleasure to celebrate our members’ hard work and talent with their commitment to the high standards of quality projects tonight.” said Stephanie Yen, chair of the new CHBA-FV awards.
Housing Awards of Excellence has been introduced as a local program highlighting excellence in home building and renovation in the Valley.
To be eligible for an award, members of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the Fraser Valley submitted entries that were built, renovated, developed, created, and or marketed during the period of Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 1, 2016.
The finalists and winners were selected by a panel of industry professionals throughout Canada, Yen explained.
The categories represent the diverse aspects of the industry, including new residential construction, renovation and energy-efficiency.
“Thank you to all our members who entered and demonstrate the impact of the industry in building communities. We are very proud of the work our members continue to build as evident this evening!” said Christy MacLeod, CHBA-FV’s executive director.
“Congratulations to the finalists and winners… It is exciting to see so many amazing projects from our builders and renovators in the Fraser Valley supported by a fantastic network of suppliers and service people. Building and renovating homes for families in our community is a reward in itself, and we welcome the opportunity to recognize excellence in our construction community,” said Lesa Lacey, CHBA-FV president.
• See Facebook for photos from each of these winning projects in Langley
Collection points sought
Organizers of Shoe Bank Canada are on the hunt for Langley businesses willing to collect shoes on a year-round basis for those in need.
The program, new to this region – but already operational in Kelowna and Ottawa – reach out to individuals in need of work shoes, winter boots and other reliable footware.
Hoping to take their first steps in the Metro Vancouver area this spring, the search is on for potential partners, said Shoe Bank founder and board member Jim Belshaw. He hopes to have the first shoe drive this April.
There are currently more than 500 locations in B.C., Alberta, and Ontario collecting shoes and contributing to the efforts, he said.
“…a small effort on your part can make a huge difference in your community,” Belshaw added.
With the ongoing issues of homelessness and individuals facing personal and financial struggles, the shoe bank has collected and distributed more than 40,000 pairs of shoes since the organization was formed five years ago, he said. Belshaw is excited to see more businesses participate and the charity expand its operations.
Several years ago now, Belshaw – owner of Roy`s Shoe Repair in Kelowna, a dedicated Rotarian, and an avid community activist – began to search for opportunities to provide those in need with better access to shoes.
Belshaw and his colleagues wondered if they could create a shoe charity that would focus more on taking care of Canadians in need.
As a result, 2015 saw the birth of Shoe Bank Canada. The charity has hundreds of permanent drop-off locations in cities across B.C., Alberta, and Ontario, and works with numerous Rotarians, volunteers and agencies to collect, sort, and distribute footwear.
Clean and comfortable footwear is made available for men, women, and children, offering a chance to experience a better quality of life, as well as opportunities.
With these shoes, many recipients are able to get jobs that turn things around for their families.
“This is about Canadians helping Canadians,” Belshaw said. “There’s such a need here, so we’re working on making a difference in our own backyard.”
He describes it as a great way to get involved in giving back to the community and those most in need.
“I am humbled by the impact that providing free shoes has had on people and the passion for the cause that volunteers and those who donate bring to the table,” Belshaw said.
Info: shoebankcanada.com.
Ways to care
Once again, PetsMart is hosting a couple cat adoption days later this month for the Langley-based Canadian Animal Rescue & Extended Shelter (CARES).
Those adoption days coincide with the organization’s 13th annual bowl-a-thon weekend. This year’s bowl-a-thon is happening Saturday, Feb. 18 at Willowbrook Lanes from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Admission to bowl is $25.
Meanwhile, PetsMart is opening its doors to CARES from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 19.
On the chamber calendar
The role of chambers of commerce in today’s business reality will be topic “uno” at the monthly chamber dinner meeting later this month.
Right in the midst of the Chamber of Commerce week – celebrated annually during the third week of February – the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is spotlighting the power chambers and boards of trade across the province have and the roles they play in driving the B.C. economy.
Canadian chamber chair Duncan Wilson will be joined by the BC chamber’s chair Patrick Giesbrecht and CEO Val Litwin will explain how the chambers work together as a network to advance policy, develop key partnerships, and shape conversation on issues of importance to the business community and the economy.
The dinner is being held Tuesday, Feb. 21, with registration and networking at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and presentations at 6:30 p.m. at the Coast Hotel & Convention Centre. The cost is $35 for members and $50 for non-members. Call 604-371-3770 or email events@langleychamber.com.
What’s ahead for franchises
And, as of last week, B.C.’s new franchise act came into force, providing governance to the previously unregulated franchise industry in B.C.
Business lawyer Jamie Nay, from the Langley-based legal team of Campbell, Burton & McMullan, will be speaking on the issue during a meeting hosted by the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce.
That meeting, set for Wednesday, Feb. 22, is the latest in the chamber’s Lunch & Learn series. As the series name implies, it runs from 12 (noon) to 1:30 p.m. in the chamber board room (#207-8047 199th St.)
Nay will delve into what this new act will mean for franchisees and franchisors. For instance, the act brought in what he calls “extensive” disclosure requirements for all franchisors in the province.
Anyone interested in participating must pre-register before 5 p.m. Feb. 20 at 604-371-3770 or email events@langleychamber.com. The cost is $10 for chamber members and $15 for non-members. Participants are asked to bring their own lunches.
Also coming up for the chamber, they have chef Vikram Vij speaking about an entrepreneur’s journey during a chamber session Friday, March 31.
He is an Austrian-trained professional chef, restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author, certified sommelier, Food Network host, and judge, and past Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
Cooking since he was 10, Vij has made a career out of his passion for food with four successful restaurants under his belt, Vij’s Restaurant, Rangoli, My Shanti, and Vij’s Sutra, as well as Vij’s At Home – a line of prepackaged gourmet curries, and Vij’s Railway Express, a mobile food truck in downtown Vancouver.
The chamber describes him as a man with a clear vision – to spend his life introducing fine Indian cuisine to the masses.
But, all of this success didn’t come easy.
Langley business people are invited to join the renowned restaurateur and entrepreneur as he shares his success story and the lessons he has learned throughout his career.
Rise and shine at any time of the day
I told you a few weeks ago about a few Langley branches of the McDonald’s piloting the all-day breakfasts starting on Feb. 21.
While the menu is limited to only a few key items (the iconic Egg McMuffin, Bacon ‘n Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin, and Sausage ‘n Egg McMuffin, along with hotcakes with sausage, hotcakes, and hashbrowns), and it’s only a trial, I’m quick to speculate that this will become a permanent staple for the fast-food giants.
I’ll take it a step further, and speculate that others will quickly jump on board.
Consumers, I believe, will demand it. Given the volume of shift workers in today’s society, it’s crazy to cut such a large segment of the population out of the feeding frenzy.
Likewise, I know many people who love eating breakfast, regardless the time of day. While I’m not a huge breakfast eater, I can appreciate having choice.
Oh yeah, by the way, just as I finished writing the first mention of day-long fast food breakies – just a few weeks back – proof landed in my inbox.
It was an email confirming this new cuisine trend is going to be around for a while. It was a notice from A&W Food Services Canada that the burger chain was adding all-day breakfasts to its menu.
Folks can order the Bacon & Egger, Sausage & Egger, Cheese & Egger breakfast sandwiches and wraps starting Feb. 27.
Test driving dishes at Thorne pub
Speaking of food outlets, a local pub is becoming a hub of culinary creativity.
The Oak & Thorne Public House in Walnut Grove will soon be doubling as the official test kitchen for the Joseph Richards Group (JRG) food, beverage, and entertainment company. By the way, this is the company that also operates S+L Kitchen & Bar and the Townhall Public House in Langley.
Under the leadership of JRG director of culinary operations Matthew Stowe, Oak & Thorne has become a popular neighbourhood gathering place, with offerings ranging from Yellow fin tuna and quinoa salads to hearty pub fare like burgers, steaks, wings and pastas.
Effective immediately, Stowe and JRG executive chef Andy Slinns will use the establishment’s kitchens to create and test new dishes that will be available here before any of the other 17 JRG restaurants and public houses.
Since joining JRG in November, Stowe has already worked with JRG corporate chef David Jorge to revamp the menu of the S+L locations, adding items such as lobster and prawn linguini, West Coast tuna nicoise, and roasted carrot ravioli.
Moving forward, new culinary creations, cutting-edge cooking techniques and new ingredients for JRG establishments will first be featured and tested at Oak & Thorne.
The feedback provided by Oak & Thorne customers will have a direct impact on how menus evolve and which new items are added at JRG’s other pubs in B.C. in Alberta, Stowe said.
In addition to creating new dishes – which showcase local ingredients and producers – the JRG team will also look to elevate customer favourites using new techniques, textures, and flavours, he added.
“Our goal is to continually refine our establishments and their menus to ensure they reflect the preferences of our customers,” Stowe said.
“The most important test for any dish is what our customers think about it, so we look forward to their feedback as we work to make the JRG dining experience one that customers keep coming back to for its great taste and great value.”
CAPTION: Simple Generosity week one winner Paul Belhumeur and the team from Re/Max 2000 Realty. Paul and his colleagues are donating their $1,500 award from First West to the Surrey Food Bank.
Envision promotes simple generosity
You know I’m one of the first to laud any efforts, by individuals or corporations, to pay it forward, to give back, to perform random acts of kindness.
Well, I want to tell you about the initiative of a Langley-based firm that has picked a special way to celebrate Canada 150 by lauding local volunteers and in turn donating to local charities and non-profit organizations.
Envision Financial, which is a division of First West Credit Union, has unveiled a 12-month program called Simple Generosity.
As I mentioned, it applauds community volunteerism. Every week throughout this year, an individual or team who has demonstrated “exceptional dedication to community” through volunteer efforts will be selected from the regions in which First West operates – that includes Langley.
Those selected can then donate $1,500 from Envision to the charity of their choice, explained president David Lanphear.
“A focus of ours at Envision Financial is on strengthening our communities through volunteer engagement and leadership,” he said. “It’s for this reason we’re recognizing British Columbians for their positive contributions during this milestone year in Canada, and empowering them to make an even greater impact through a $1,500 charitable donation.”
This year, 15 volunteers from neighbourhoods in the Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, and Kitimat will receive the recognition – which means Envision will be donating $22,500 to organizations.
Envision Financial selected the first recipient, Paul Belhumeur, who, together with his colleagues from Re/Max 2000 Realty, are donating the $1,500 award to the Surrey Food Bank.
Every other month since 2013,
Belhumeur and his team have taken a full day from their busy schedule to sort food and serve clients at the food bank. Contributing roughly 240 hours every year, these energetic folks are now regular and welcome faces at the food bank.
Nominations for Simple Generosity are open to all B.C. residents, and can be submitted online at envisionfinancial.ca/simplegenerosity.
Individuals will be carefully chosen based on the impact of their contributions to local communities.
Select volunteers will be profiled on Envision Financial’s social media channels, using #SimpleGenerosity, and through their partner Volinspire, an online platform that connects volunteers with charitable organizations.
Additional program details will be announced later in the year.
• Stay tuned to What’s in Store next week to find out how about Langley’s Mydhili Furtado, and how this “Good Deed Doer” earned $500 for the Surrey Food Bank through Mr. Mikes’ annual Deed Well Done program.
