General News
Island Charity Wrestling… Tough Guys With Big Hearts
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Island Charity Wrestling is coming back to the Valley to put on another great family charity show on Sunday, July 20. Since it’s all for and about the kids, all profits again this year are going to support You Are Not Alone (YANA).
Since 2009, the ICW group of local retail workers and weekend warriors have put on entertaining, low-cost family wrestling shows for local charities. All money raised beyond covering the cost of hall rental goes directly to YANA.
ICW is a mix of touring pro wrestlers and local beginners and trainees who give their all in the ring in the spirit of community service. The pros always put on great matches and the trainees make up for inexperience with larger-than-life good and evil characters everyone can boo or cheer. ICW has a loyal following, most of which are children.
In addition to 90 minutes of action, there will be prize draws, concession, and plenty of opportunities for children and parents alike to meet and get photos with the wrestlers in and out of character.
The theme of this upcoming show is “Night of Champions” and is the only event of the year in which all four championships are on the line. There are matches for every taste, and in addition to four title bouts, there will be singles and grudge matches to fill out the card.
For the ICW championship: “Dangerous” Doug Beattie vs. Splash Campbell. DDB’s used every possible dirty trick to retain his title, including constant interference by The Chain Gang mates Acadian Assassin and A-Train. Prior to the Comox show last August, The Chain Gang beat down Splash Campbell at home, shown to the crowd, keeping him from challenging for the title. Is he physically ready to compete, or will The Chain Gang’s cheating again overcome the giant challenger?
Vancouver Island Hardcore Championship “Fans Bring the Weapons” match: Stan “The Lumberjack” Boyd vs. Acadian Assassin. Acadian Assassin is evil and vicious, and is now into his third reign as champion, including one reign that lasted nearly four years.
No disqualifications, pinfalls count anywhere, and the last Comox show in August saw the re-introduction of the 24/7 rule, meaning the champ can be challenged anytime, anywhere, by anyone who brings a sanctioned referee. This rule led to a crazy match in Comox last time that had three title changes before the dust settled and Acadian Assassin left with the title his name has become synonymous with. He’s managed to hold onto it since then, but anything can and will happen in Comox.
For the ICW Vancouver Island Tag Team championship: Some of the Island’s best pros will be battling for the gold in this match as the team of “The Horror Show” Matt Havik and Slade, defend against “Super Tremendous Dudes” Krofton and Comox Valley’s own Barry Goode. The Horror Show overcame steep odds to end The Chain Gang’s three-year reign as tag team champions, but they’ve yet to defend their titles against a team with the flair and experience of STD.
The Vancouver Island Charity championship will also be on the line in an invitational, over-the-top-rope battle royale.
Others scheduled to appear include: “Big” Willy Johnson, suspended Bruins’ enforcer Ron “The Hammer” Domi, A-Train, The Bumbling B, Major America, El Taco Grande, and more.
Also appearing is Goat FM’s “Rock Dawg” Andrew Davis as the celebrity ring announcer and MC, as well as newly-hired ICW commissioner, Courtenay city councillor Manno Theos, who promises to bring some justice and order to his new position at the helm of ICW.
All seats are available for only a minimum $5 donation, making ICW low-cost family entertainment that anyone can see, and also helping local charity. It will be held at the K’omoks First Nation gym next to the I-Hos Gallery, at 3320 Comox Rd. in Courtenay. Doors open at 7 p.m. and bell time shortly after. Seating is limited so ticket pre-purchase is recommended, however unsold tickets will be available at the door.
In addition to continued support from The Real Canadian Superstore, this year ICW has teamed up with a great local sponsor, Aliens vs. Pizza. In addition to being ICW’s official ticket outlet at their restaurant at 542 Comox Rd., Courtenay (near Lewis Park), they have also pledged to donate 20 per cent of the sales of their feature “Planet X” pizza to add to ICW’s donation, so what better time to try out a great new pizza and help local charity at the same time?
Tickets are also available from any participant, or by phoning 250-792-3332. Donations are very much appreciated, so even if you are not sure you can make it to the show, or are not a fan of wrestling but like to help out, consider buying a ticket anyway to show your support.
– Island Charity Wrestling
Coastal Black Solstice Run – June 21
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Coastal Black Winery is delighted to announce their first annual Solstice Fun Run. This event will lead guests through the 600 acre estate winery nestled at the base of Mount Washington. Featuring a 5 km fun run, delicious snacks and sparkling wine, this evening promises to be very special. Annie Becker will be performing songs from her award winning album after the run.
With over 100 acres of fruit, Coastal Black is the largest cultivated blackberry farm in Canada. Their dedication to organic practices includes pollinating the vineyard with their own bees. A commitment to the preservation of land, air and waterways is one of the core values that inspire this family run farm.
Four years of wine sales for this growing winery has delivered them several domestic and international awards. The facility which features a tasting room, patio bistro, and ‘barn’ style event space has recently expanded with the addition of a wood fired, brick, pizza oven.
Coastal Black is generously supporting YANA and Cameryn’s Cause with a portion of the proceeds from registration to be donated to the runner’s choice. YANA is thrilled to share this opportunity with Cameryn’s Cause and for participants to gain more awareness of these two organizations. Both of these non-profit groups provide support to families with children who must travel outside of their communities for medical care. YANA supports families in the Comox Valley and Cameryn’s Cause serves Campbell River.
Check out the event photos here!
Annie Handley at Mex Pub June 3rd
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Annie Handley will be performing with her band at the Mex Pub on June 3rd as guest performer of the 1st Tuesday Fundraisers concert series. The musical journey of this Vancouver Island singer/songwriter is an inspiration for those who love great songwriting, as well as for those who’ve shared their own music on YouTube – a forum where Annie’s songwriting talent and musical imagination have attracted followers from around the world.
Her music is a wonderful paradox that combines universal themes of beginnings and endings, quests and conclusions in both gentle and edgy grooves with a styling reminiscent of rocker Sheryl Crow. Her debut CD titled “No Shoobie” topped the “What’s Hot” pop music category on iTunes Canada. Among Annie’s musical accolades is placing in the top 3 of BC Music Magazine’s New Music category and in the top 30 in a world-wide search for Alternative Music in 2010. Her Song “Bring Me Back Alive” was selected to be on the Television show “Beauty and the Beast”.
Annie is joined by Telecaster-toting guitarist Doug Biggs, well known in the Comox Valley and beyond for his creative approach and discerning ear. As comfortable on stage as behind the sound board, Doug is an established engineer/producer from Southern Ontario who has produced numerous projects for local artists including Annie, and is a valued member of sound crew at many Vancouver Island events including Musicfest. On the kit is seasoned studio drummer Bill Cymbala who has recorded with Daniel Lanois, Sylvia Tyson, Raffi, and Jerry Doucette among others. In addition to playing with Annie Handley, Bill will be performing on the main stage with the Ray Materick Band at Musicfest this year. Setting the groove on the bass will be Dave Devindisch of Campbell River who joined the band DDT with Courtenay legend Brian Howes. After signing an international record deal, the band toured Europe and had the opportunity to open for Kid Rock. With so much seasoned musical talent on stage, the evening will be an incredible show of fine songwriting, performance, and musicality.
Admission to enjoy this evening of great music is a donation to YANA, a Comox Valley charity that has been supporting local families in times of health crisis since 1986. YANA supports local families whose children require medical treatments not available locally. They provide accommodation, and travel assistance so that families can stay together during stressful times. YANA is a charity near and dear to the hearts of many valley residents helping thousands of families by funding medical trips to Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, as well as the U.S. and England.
The evening begins at 7:30pm with an opening set by event organizers and hosts Judy and Bruce Wing, followed by Annie Handley and her band. Food donations for the Comox Valley Food Bank are also much appreciated. For more information about Annie Handley, visit www.anniehandley.com
Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride Confirmed for 2014
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Local charity You Are Not Alone (YANA) have announced the date for this year’s Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride.
The ride will take place on Sunday, 17 August at Marina Park in Comox. There is a route for cyclists of all abilities including 25km, 50km or 100km rides. We’ll also be hosting a 5km family loop and a special run bike race for those not yet comfortable with pedals. To register for the event and to learn more, click here.
Anyone who has a bike is encouraged to join the ride and for those who don’t, but would like to be involved, please consider volunteering with us on the day.
Last year 271 cyclists of all ages joined YANA and helped raise over $28,000, all of which went to help Comox Valley families in need. YANA’s Executive Director, Marcie Dumais, says, “The event is a defining part of YANA’s fundraising calendar, it’s great family fun and we are delighted that Simon’s are partnering with us again.”
Alex Dunae, 2013 YANA Ride Participant recalls, “I signed up for the YANA 50km ride on a whim and immediately regretted committing myself so publicly to the longest ride of my life. But with friends and family committing cash, riding was the only option. And so I rode. 49kms later I climbed Comox Hill and was grinning as I cruised to the finish. I’ll definitely be back for 2014.”
Co-owner of Simon’s Cycles, Patti Fletcher, shares, “We had so much fun we’re doing it again. The organizing committee is working hard to confirm event details for this year’s ride, we plan to keep the routes the same. We know that people are scheduling their summer cycling events now and we want the 2014 Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride to be the part of those plans. We have also been able to confirm the training rides will be back this year – they are starting soon and open to all those registered for the ride.”
To view the 2013 ride video visit: www.yanacomoxvalley.com/events or for more information drop by Simon’s on Comox Avenue.
Photography Credit: DaveProtheroPhotography.com
YANA Week in the Schools!
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YANA Week in the Schools is set for next week, May 4 – 9, 2014. The week will kick-off with Croquet for YANA on Sunday, May 4th at Highland Secondary School from noon until 3pm. Many schools plan events during the week that raise awareness and funds for YANA, though many other schools support YANA at other times of the year. Building a partnership between YANA and our local schools provides an opportunity to celebrate kids helping kids, to teach social responsibility and to inform staff and students about how YANA uses raised funds to help local families.
Some of the events scheduled to celebrate YANA week include:
- Mark Isfeld’s Zumba for YANA on April 27th
- A bake sale at Highland on May 1st
- Croquet for YANA at Highland on May 4th
- A garage sale at Miracle Beach Elementary on May 7th
- A coin drive and bake sale at Puntledge Elementary on May 7th
- The next monthly Hat Day at Valley View on May 9th (they have raised $400 already from previous months – well done!)
- Principal (Kyle Timms) and teacher (Heather Freeland) from Courtenay Elementary are having their heads shaved for donations to YANA at an assembly on May 9th (photo below)
- Aspen Park Elementary’s Hat Day on May 13th
- Royston Elementary’s awareness assembly on May 14th
- Queneesh Elementary’s skip-a-thon for YANA on May 15th
- Vanier is having an Advisory Group Coin Drive and BBQ culminating on May 29th
- Cumberland Elementary will be hosting a fun fair called Village Fest on June 4th
A heart-felt thank you to all of the staff and students that are participating in YANA Week in the Schools and to the schools who support YANA at other times of the year.
Check out the article in the Echo about Croquet for YANA.
Kids’ Clutter Sale on April 26th
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The Comox Valley Kids’ Clutter next sale is on Saturday, April 26th from 9am to 12pm at the Courtenay Legion on Cliffe Avenue. The sale offers local families the opportunity to either buy and/or sell gently used children’s clothing, toys and equipment. Learn more about the Kids’ Clutter Sale here.
This semi-annual event has grown over the years and has been run by Chelsey Newton. Chelsey has supported local charities, such as YANA by donating partial proceeds from the sale. Recently, Newton chose to donate the Kids’ Clutter Sale to YANA, so for the first time, this will be the YANA Kids’ Clutter Sale. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to run this semi-annual event for our community as a fundraiser for YANA. Chelsey has worked so hard at making this a successful event over the years and we are so grateful for her generous donation,” states YANA President, Judy Cryer.
The Kids’ Clutter Sale makes selling items much easier and also offers the opportunity to buy well priced and gently used items for children. There are hundreds of items to choose from and items often disappear quickly at this popular sale. Partial proceeds from the sale are returned to the sellers and the balance will help YANA with the work we do for families.
Photo: Chelsey Newton and her parents (the Nelsons) pass on Kids’ Clutter to YANA, represented by Judy Cryer, President.
Central Builders’ Hosting Ladies Night in May
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Once again, Central Builders’ is supporting YANA by hosting Ladies Night. The date is set for May 1 from 6:00 – 9:00pm. Tickets are on sale in advance and the evening promises to include lots of learning, laughter and skill building.
Easter Eggstravaganza on Monday, April 21
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Investors Group has teamed up with the Town of Comox and Quality Foods to host an Easter Eggstravaganza on April 21st at Comox Marina Park. An Easter egg hunt starts at noon (sharp) and a BBQ and activities by donation will follow. All proceeds will be donated to YANA. See the poster below for more details.
Community Spirit Soars At Dinner & Auction
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Sincere gratitude to the “hundreds of hearts” that contributed to the YANA Dinner & Auction held Friday, February 28th. Together we raised $63,800 for local families who need to leave the Comox Valley for medical treatment.
It was a night filled with community spirit thanks to numerous volunteers, joyful guests, generous donors and caring sponsors. A huge shout out to the volunteer planning committee (Loretta Semple, Sarah Stromquist, Alana Pearson, Harmony Dyck, Lesley Hunter, Judy Cryer, Kelly Rusk, Kris Johnson and Marcie Dumais), auctioneer Dave Stevens, Karen McKinnon, Ron Pogue, Bob Wells, Carl Tessmann and Comox Taxi. Many thanks to Tria Fine Catering, All-In-One Party Rentals, Four Frames Photo Booth and Tick-It for providing exceptional service at discounted rates. We live in a community that cares about kids!
Read what the Comox Valley Record has to say about the 2014 Dinner & Auction.
2014 Dinner & Auction Photo Gallery
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Photographer Ron Pogue captured the magic of the evening. Scroll through the gallery below to see some of the images from the event and see more pictures here.
