Local businesses provincial award finalists
Jasper has three businesses vying for distinction in the 2014 Alberta Business Awards.
SunDog Tours is one of five businesses competing for the Small Business Award of Distinction. Smitty鈥檚 Family Restaurant is up against three other businesses for the Employer of Youth Award of Distinction, and finally the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre is up for the Diversity Leadership Award of Distinction, against two other Alberta businesses.
As well as being finalists in each of their respective categories, all three businesses are also in the running for the Premier鈥檚 Award of Distinction鈥攁n award 鈥減resented to the organization that best exhibits overall outstanding achievement and leadership in Alberta, and demonstrates ongoing and consistent involvement in community events and organizations locally and/or provincially.鈥�
The awards ceremony will take place Feb. 28 in Edmonton.
Jasperite on TV
By a stroke of luck, Jasperite Dave Miller of the Jasper Buy, Sell and Trade store has landed himself a spot on TV.
Last week, Miller used Facebook to contact the ICN television show The Liquidator to ask if they sell merchandise to retail shops, and shortly after he was told to email the star of the show, Jeff Schwarz.
鈥淭he next day, [Feb. 6] I got a call from him to see what I wanted, and at the same time, they were filming the show,鈥� said Miller, who has now signed a release to allow his voice to air on the show, along with a photo of himself.
Miller鈥檚 spot will appear in an episode to be aired in the show鈥檚 fourth season.
鈥淚t just shows how powerful social media is,鈥� said Miller, who also runs the Jasper Buy, Sell and Trade Facebook Page. 鈥淵ou send one little question and next thing you know, you鈥檙e on TV.鈥�
CAO resigns
Peter Waterworth, the town鈥檚 chief administrative officer, announced his resignation last week.
Waterworth, who started with the municipality in February 2012, will remain in his position until August, to allow for enough time to recruit a replacement.
He said his resignation has nothing to do with Jasper or the municipality. Rather, his personal circumstances have changed, forcing him to make a tough decision.
In light of his news, $30,000 has been earmarked in the 2014 operating budget for recruitment purposes.
Dance to stop violence
Jasperites are invited to join together for a group dance, Feb. 14, as part of the One Billion Rising (OBR) movement to address and combat violence against women.
OBR is a campaign that began in 2013 to mark the 15th anniversary of V-Day鈥攁 global movement founded by Eve Ensler, the creator of The Vagina Monologues, to end violence against women and girls worldwide.
The purpose of OBR is for men, women and children to rise together and shake the earth with their dancing and their stories.
Hosting the group dance in Jasper will be Grace Kohn and Margo Bereska, who will first be presenting a women鈥檚 empowerment workshop at the Best Western Jasper Inn and Suites.
The workshop will end with the group dance at 4:30 p.m. The whole community is invited to attend.
