A18 Sunday, January 8, 2012 - The Morning Star
www.vernonmorningstar.com
Business
EDITOR: GRAEME CORBETT
❘
PHONE: 550-7903
❘
E-MAIL: business@vernonmorningstar.com
BUSINESS BRIEFS Bricks4Kidz builds skills Learning, building, playing – all three go hand in hand at Vernon’s new Bricks4Kidz franchise. Bricks4Kidz, owned by Karen Peters, offers project-based programs designed to teach the principles and methods of engineering and architecture, as well as concepts across a variety of subject areas including math, science and history using Lego bricks. Aimed at children ages three to 12, the activities are designed to trigger kids’ lively imaginations and build their self-confidence. “We strive to foster creativity and problem solving and enable children to learn not only by listening and observing, but also by using their fine motor skills and spatial intelligence,” said Peters, who hosted a grand opening Saturday at the store (#107-2411 Highway 6). Peters said Bricks4Kidz places an emphasis on providing a relaxed and fun learning environment to facilitate problem solving and to stimulate curiosity and self-expression. Bricks4Kidz offers after-school programs, weekend classes, birthday parties, homeschool programs, preschool programs, in-school field trips, daycamps, pro-d programs, and kids night out. These can all be run out of the creativity centre, schools or any other location.
Business barometer rises slightly According to the latest survey data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), small business confidence is on the rise. CFIB’s business barometer climbed to 65.0 in December, more than a point above its November level. “The business barometer index has historically hovered between 65 and 70 when the economy is expanding,” said Ted Mallett, vice-president and chief economist for CFIB. “The return to near normal is seen as good news for Canada’s economic performance, which had lately been constrained by uncertainties in foreign markets.” Business owners in Alberta (73.6) and Saskatchewan (72.2) are the most optimistic in the country, while B.C. is stable at 68.0. Optimism in central Canada is close to the national average – Quebec (65.3), Manitoba (64.8), and Ontario (63.5). Confidence in Atlantic Canada, however, continues to lag. Newfoundland and Labrador, P.E.I. and New Brunswick are at an identical 59.8. Nova Scotia is the least optimistic province at 55.6. Using a scale between zero and 100, an index level above 50 means owners expecting their businesses’ performance to be stronger in the next year outnumber those expecting weaker performance. The December 2011 findings are based on 900 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members. Visit www.cfib.ca/research/ barometer/ to view the full report.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Tosha Hodgson, owner of Rockwell Audiology, performs some hearing tests on four-year-old Ashlyn Peerenboom.
Rockwell all ears in Vernon Morning Star Staff
Individuals living with hearing loss have a new option in the North Okanagan. Tosha Hodgson, a registered audiologist and hearing instrument practitioner with more than 12 years experience, has opened Rockwell Audiology, the first full-time private practice in Vernon. “This new clinic is a great asset to the area as it will help provide direct access to a wider range of audiology services for children, adults, seniors and special needs populations,” said Hodgson, who holds a master’s degree in audiology from the University of Western Ontario. “Individuals no longer need to travel to Kelowna or Salmon Arm to see an audiologist which is especially great news for those who are less mobile, do not have access to a vehicle, or simply cannot drive.”
Rockwell Audiology, located in Sun Valley Mall on the corner of 30th Avenue and 34th Street, offers clients comprehensive audiological assessments, hearing aid prescriptions, hearing aids and assistive listening devices for those challenged by hearing loss. Other available services and products at the clinic include custom earplugs for musicians, swimmers, construction workers, dentists and pilots. Those afflicted with tinnitus – a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears – may also benefit from Hodgson’s expertise. Hodgson, who notes hearing loss is the fourth most prevalent disability in Canada (after mobility, pain and agility), has structured Rockwell Audiology to provide a medical model of hearing health care. “With our leading-edge medical devic-
es and equipment, Rockwell Audiology Inc. is a premium venue for providing thorough assessments of patients’ hearing capabilities,” said Hodgson, who is certified by the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of B.C., and by the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists. As the only private dispensing clinic in Vernon (there are two public audiologists with Interior Health) and with a registered audiologist on staff full-time, Hodgson says services can be provided to all individuals who require testing for medical and/or legal purposes. As a way of giving back, Hodgson accepts donations of old hearing aids, which she collects and forwards to hearing aid manufacturers for refurbishing. They are then donated to developing nations and disaster-stricken areas.
Anytime, Anywhere.
www.vernonmorningstar.com
MorningStar
The