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Riot Brewing brings home first award

Business notes
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Riot Brewing Comp. in Chemainus took home silver in the Kellerbier/Zwickelbier category for its Good Vibrations Classic Pilsner at the 15th annual Canadian Brewing Awards, held in Ottawa last weekend. Pictured, from left, are Riot Brewery’s head brewer Fabian Specht and co-owners Aly Tomlin, Ralf Rosenke and Morgan Moreira. (Submitted photo)

Riot Brewing Comp. in Chemainus were honoured at the 15th annual Canadian Brewing Awards, held in Ottawa last weekend.

Riot Brewing took home silver in the Kellerbier/Zwickelbier category at the prestigious competition for its Good Vibrations Classic Pilsner.

Partners Aly Tomlin, Ralf Rosenke and Morgan Moreira opened the microbrewery just six months ago in Village Square with a number of craft beers to offer.

Rosenke said this is the first award for the young brewery.

“We’re pretty honoured, and to be recognized by breweries all across the country is pretty awesome,” he said.

“We’ve only been open for a few months and to win this award is huge, especially on the pilsner category. It’s a pretty basic style of beer, but there’s no room for error.”

Economic prospects positive says Cowichan’s Hayes

The overall economic prospects for Vancouver Island are positive, according to Cowichan Valley economist Woody Hayes.

But Hayes, an author of the annual economic report released by the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C., said uncertainty surrounding the softwood lumber agreement, NAFTA and the global trade climate may dampen growth.

“Unlike the southern tip of the Island, the mid and north Island are largely dependent on our resource industries,” Hayes said.

“We saw increases in the export of wood products and logs which led to employment gains in the manufacturing industry in 2016. While we may see some scaling back in manufacturing activity should global demand decline, with the low Canadian dollar and an expected increase in U.S. housing starts, demand for our region’s wood products and logs should continue.”

Ronnie Doman honoured as volunteer of the year

Ronnie Doman has been named Community Futures Cowichan’s volunteer of the year for 2017.

Doman first stepped up to volunteer with CF Cowichan in 2011 as a member of its finance &audit committee, and a year later, he also joined CFC’s business development committee.

“Ronnie has earned the respect and trust of his committee peers as someone who thoroughly studies the financials and analyzes numbers,” said a statement from CFC.

“His insight and depth of questioning create valuable learning opportunities for staff. Ronnie is the comptroller for Centurion Lumber, a third generation family owned business. With over 18 years of experience in public accounting — as well as a local business owner for many years — both CFC clients and our organization have benefited from Ronnie’s volunteer contributions.”

Lake Cowichan gas station holding grand re-opening

The Mid-Island Co-op in Lake Cowichan will be holding a grand reopening on June 10.

Mid Island Co-op took over the old ESSO station at the site more than a year ago and has been slowly renovating it to be a Co-op station ever since.

Spokeswoman Susan Urban said a new feature at the station, located at 137 Lake Cowichan Rd., is the card-lock feature, in which customers with cards can gas up 24/7.

“We think the station has a lot of potential,” Urban said.

“It’s one of just two gas stations in Lake Cowichan.”

Urban said the grand reopening runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and customers will receive free hot dogs, coffee and donuts and a chance to win a $500 gas card and other prizes.

New contemporary art gallery opens in Duncan

The Ou Gallery, located at 3091 Agira Rd. in Duncan, has just opened.

The contemporary art gallery, which hosts creative workshops and events, will be hosting an art opening called “Wilderness” on June 2.

The event features two talented artists; one conceptual nude photographer and one abstract painter.

Madeline Menefee is an artist born of the western frontier.

Her paintings are inspired by music, stories, and her travels throughout Africa, India, Mexico and the American Southwest.

Luna T-Craig is from the prairies and the her intimate photos connect the viewer to both the Earth and her subjects.

The show opens at 6 p.m.

Call 250-510-8077 or check out www.theougallery.com for more information.



Robert Barron

About the Author: Robert Barron

Since 2016, I've had had the pleasure of working with our dedicated staff and community in the Cowichan Valley.
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