After a little more than a year in operation, and with business booming, Duncan’s Cowichan Auto Repair has moved to a larger location at 5278 Chaster Rd.
The business, owned by Elly Ruge, specializes in car repairs and restorations, as well as mobile detailing.
But its dedication to educating women on the basics of car repair and maintenance has also earned it a coveted automotive communications award at the recent “Women in Auto Care” award ceremony in Las Vegas.
Ruge has hosted a variety of automotive workshops for women since the business first opened on Allenby Road.
“Winning this award was a total surprise to me,” Ruge said.
“I knew that were nominated, but I didn’t even know what category we were nominated in.”
Pizzeria Prima Strada partners with Riot Brewing for cask pairing
Pizzeria Prima Strada, the Cowichan Valley’s newest wood-fired pizzeria, has partnered with Riot Brewing in Chemainus to create a one-night only cask beer pairing event.
The beer and pizza pairing will be debuted at Pizzeria Prima Strada’s location in Cobble Hill, 1400 Cowichan Bay Rd. (Valley View Centre), on Nov. 17, beginning at 5 p.m..
Executive chef Franz Dessombes said PPS was fortunate to be part of the hands-on process when it came time to tweak the “Life Partners Pale Ale” cask at Riot Brewing.
“We know people will like the sour cherry and thyme twist, and it pairs really nicely with pizza, so everyone wins,” he said.
“Riot is a great partner for us. They brew classic and true-to-style beer and are a very fun team to work with. This event will be an excellent way to introduce both businesses into the authentic and thriving food and beverage community in the Valley.”
Black Tie nominations open for Chamber awards
Nominations for the Duncan/Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Black Tie Awards are now open until Jan. 31.
The Chamber holds the Black Tie Awards to celebrate excellence and raise the profile of the business community and non-profit sector in Cowichan.
The Awards Gala on April 7, to be held at Brentwood College School, is also a fundraiser with a silent auction and draws.
The awards are a community-wide event and everyone is invited to nominate businesses or organizations.
There are eight award categories recognizing excellence in customer service, volunteerism, art, business, environmental practices and there is also a young entrepreneur category.
All businesses or organizations in the Cowichan Valley Regional District that meet the criteria can be nominated, whether they are Chamber members or not.
There is an easy online nomination or you can download and print a nomination form, and both are found on the Chamber’s home page.
People can place multiple nominations in any number of categories.
“Think of the folks who impress you with excellence, acumen, service, and good deeds, and nominate them for a Black Tie Award 2018,” said chamber president Julie Scurr.
Cowichan Therapeutic Riding gets $28K from Parasport Jumpstart
The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association has received almost $28,000 from Canadian Tire and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
The CTRA is a Duncan-based charity that provides therapeutic riding and adapted equestrian programs for persons with special needs, the majority of whom are children. Programs run out of Providence Farm.
The funding, provided through the 2017 Parasport Jumpstart Fund, will help CTRA expand and enhance their services, and create more opportunities for children with special needs in the Cowichan Valley.
“Since 2005, Jumpstart has been committed to removing financial barriers to sport and recreation, helping more than 1.4 million kids, who otherwise couldn’t afford to play, get in the game,” said Marco Di Buono, associate vice president of Programs and Operations at Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
“We are proud to expand on this mandate through programs like the Parasport Jumpstart Fund, which create greater opportunities for sport and play for children with disabilities.”
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