MonDAY April 5, 2013
kimberley library
music
Local author Teresa McWhirter will read from Some Girls Do.
Hundreds of entries shortlisted in the Kootenay Music Awards. Time to choose
See LOCAL NEWS page 3
See FEATURES page 5
author reading
Vote now for the KMAs
The Bulletin
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Proudly serving kimberley and area since 1932 | Vol. 81, Issue 66 | www.dailybulletin.ca
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$ 10 INCLUDES h.s.t.
Business people meet to discuss downtown issues Need for downtown business association identified Mike Guarnery Kimberley Chamber
On April 2nd, over 100 people representing downtown businesses and building owners, city of Kimberley representatives, Kimberley &
District Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Kimberley and local stakeholders attended a special meeting regarding economic and retail issues and strategies. Don McCormick provided a 50 minute presentation that focused on perceptions of the retail environment. During the presentation, McCormick informed the audience that during his personal interviews with business owners, some are having excellent years despite issues with
pedestrian traffic in the Platzl. McCormick’s presentation had a strong focus on the current state of transition that the downtown core is facing, as well as clearly stating the goal of the meeting, to “organize ourselves towards documenting and executing a comprehensive retail strategy.” The presentation identified that there is a need for a Downtown Business Association (DBA) that would provide a collective voice for mer-
chants in the area, and execute a forum for discussion, and planning to achieve increased opportunities. Ideas that were discussed during the question and answer period included specifying a day in the week where merchants would be open longer to complement the downtown’s dining attractions. “Restaurants are our anchor.” McCormick concluded during his presentation. With Kimberley having a 255:1 ratio of people to restau-
rants, it is twice as high as Winnipeg, three times higher than Montreal, and five times higher Victoria. The Centre 64 audience participated in a 45 minute comment period that covered concerns ranging from logistics of extended hours, foot and motor traffic flow around the Platzl, and how the City’s upcoming branding will promote business within the Kimberley region. See Page 3
Kootenay’s Best Singer
Live show coming soon C AROLYN GRANT editor@dailybulletin.ca
Carolyn Grant photo
Kimberley Rotary President Bev McCormick and Project Chair David Bellm accept a cheque from MP David Wilks on Friday. The money will assist with improvements to the Rotary Playground, including an accessible swing. The special swing has a dished platform allowing a child who cannot hold him/herself up to enjoy swinging. The project will also include repainting and refreshing of current equipment and adding more pea gravel. Kimberley Rotary is supplying $10,000, the federal government $7637 and the City of Kimberley will provide in-kind donations to assist with installation.
Have you been practicing? Kimberley’s Best Singer Audition Showcase is coming up on April 16 at McKim Theatre. This is the opportunity for Kimberley singers to try out for an opportunity to make it first to the Kimberley finals on May 3, and then to the regional finals of the Kootenays’ Best singer contest. Those finals will be held at the Cranbrook Alliance Church on June 1, 2013. The winner of the finals will receive $1000 and a recording session. Even if you don’t enter, come down to McKim to catch the live shows. Not only will you be supporting our local talent, but all proceeds go to the Selkirk - McKim music program, which has brought you great musical theatre like Grease and Les Miserables in the past few years. Tickets for the audition showcase are only $10 and can be purchased at the Snowdrift Cafe or by calling 250-427-8789. The Kimberley auditions are open to all Kimberley residents, and those who live north of Kimberley. Invermere residents are invited to audition in Kimberley. You can register for the constest at kootenaysbestsinger. com You only have until Ap[ril 10 to register. All ages, singles, duos, trios and groups can audition. Singers may perform to a karaoke track, or may provide their own accompaniment. If a singer performs to a karaoke track, the track must not have the main melody contained in it for anything more than a few measures. The singer is responsible for obtaining the track required, and for getting it to the contest organizer at least one week prior to the contest so that a master disc can be burned for the contest.
Caldwell Agencies
290 Wallinger Avenue, Kimberley ❘ 250-427-2221 ❘ www.caldwellagencies.com
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