Friday, October 12, 2012

Go Local

It's time to Go Local

The campaign aimed at keeping more local spending in the area has been officially launched.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says the program includes a cooperative marketing program for businesses and a rewards program for consumers.

The program will be first tried in Fort Frances before expanded elsewhere in the district.

Jessie Radies, who helped develop a similar program in Edmonton, was on hand to help promote the local initiative.

New Chamber Office Open

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has officially opened its new digs.

President Mark Caron says the location on the second floor of the Northern Lights Credit Union building provides them with more space and ability to showcase the services it provides to the area.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.

Caron encourages chamber members and the public to visit.

Conversion Work Celebrated

The official start of conversion of Ontario Power Generation generating station in Atikokan has been recognized.

A sod-turning ceremony was conducted at the plant yesterday.

The plant is being converted from using coal to biomass and is expected to be complete by 2014.

About 200 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of the work.

Museum Gala Planned

Fort France Museum is preparing for a special gala next month.

Duane Hicks, chair of the Friends of the Museum committee, says the November 1st event will help unveil the completed "What Hooks You Here" initiative and the local donation of art by the late aboriginal artist Norval Morrisseau.

Hicks the event is also serving as a fundraiser for the committee.

Not So Warm September

Some warm days in the early parts of September weren't enough get us pass the monthly temperature average.

Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says the month did see several days reach beyond the 20 C mark, but the monthly average was brought down by a change in the weather at mid-month.

September ended with an average temperature of 10.9 degrees Celsius, more than a full degree below the norm of 12.2.

Fundraiser Sold Out

A Riverside Foundation For Health Care fundraiser to raise money for the new digital mammography has been sold out.

The "Evening in Paris" event takes place Saturday at the Memorial Sport Centre.

The Foundation says tickets are no longer available.