The COVID-19 pandemic has been exhausting on Cinder and Sea, a tattoo and advantageous artwork studio on Willow Avenue in Chemainus, because it has for a lot of companies.
However within the new yr, proprietor Nick McMaster plans to host a pair of artwork lessons at his studio, with one instructing panorama portray and the opposite instructing imaginative wildlife drawing, to carry extra individuals and curiosity to his studio.
McMaster is multi-talented and showcases his work, sculptures, and carvings on the entrance of his store, whereas working a personal tattoo studio within the rear of the constructing.
Though McMaster’s tattoo apply is incessantly booked with purchasers now that new well being protocols enable him to soundly tattoo purchasers once more, he has observed a steep decline in foot visitors to his gallery that’s associated to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m nonetheless making an revenue, nevertheless it’s not what it ought to be,” he stated.
Regardless of the challenges of COVID-19, Chemainus has confirmed to be an excellent match for McMaster since he opened the studio within the fall of 2019, and he’s hoping to stay in the neighborhood properly into the longer term.
“I need to be a part of the neighborhood,” he stated.
“I’ve obtained the flexibility and the talent now to assist individuals out. If I’m doing properly and the store’s doing properly, then I may be free to do extra round city.”
Whereas ready to start his upcoming artwork lessons, McMaster welcomes anybody who needs to speak about artwork or tattooing to go to his store.
Cinder and Sea is open 4 p.m. to eight p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9748 Willow St.
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Contemporary Kenny’s Fish and Chips is altering places and increasing its menu.
The restaurant, which opened on Kenneth Avenue in Duncan in Could, 2019, shall be reopening in early January at close by 111 Jubilee St. as Contemporary Kenny’s Informal Eats.
Proprietor Curtis Flynn stated Contemporary Kenny’s was doing properly at its location on Kenneth Avenue and was constructing clientele throughout its first yr of operations and splitting the enterprise between takeout, eat-ins and catering providers, however then the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
He stated, like many eating places, Contemporary Kenny’s needed to shut for a brief interval final spring, after which needed to restrict itself to take-out meals when allowed to function once more, so it misplaced all of its catering purchasers as there have been now not in-person conferences, weddings or celebrations being held.
“It grew to become clear we would have liked to rethink our enterprise mannequin, so we began planning for the longer term and searching into all the chances,” Flynn stated.
“The area at 111 Jubilee grew to become obtainable and we jumped on the likelihood. It presents a bigger eating space, an amazing nook location with wonderful publicity and it was extra financially viable.”
Flynn stated a damaged leg stored him from reopening in December on the new location as initially deliberate, however he was fortunate to have an enormous assist group together with his workers, mates, household and the soccer neighborhood who helped him with the transfer and renovations, delaying the reopening by just some weeks.
“I can not thank our neighborhood sufficient,” he stated.
“Now we’re on monitor to open in early January as Contemporary Kenny’s Informal Eats. The menu will nonetheless have our standard fish and chips in addition to pizzas, burgers and tacos. We shall be open seven days every week for lunch and dinner and proceed to have our on-line ordering and takeout choices.”
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The Youth 2020 Can initiative at Volunteer Cowichan has partnered with Know-how Options, Save-On-Meals, and The Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians to host a post-holiday Used Gadget Drive.
The youth-led challenge goals to assist bridge the “digital divide” that the COVID-19 pandemic has lately introduced into sharp focus, each on a global stage and an area one.
“When the whole lot began to go digital again in March, the world assumed digital connectivity is a proper and never a privilege,” stated Holly Ellison, a youth-engagement employee with Volunteer Cowichan.
“This has left many individuals disconnected from the world and their communities on account of a scarcity of units or means to attach.”
Whereas many individuals might need the choice to improve their units and should discover themselves with a surplus at house, the Youth 2020 Can initiative is asking that those that have units that they’re now not in want of donate them to allow them to get into the arms of people that actually do.
Seth Godbey, proprietor and founding father of Duncan-based Know-how Options shall be providing his time and experience to coach the youth volunteers in reset and refurbish all of the donated units, so they are going to be in good working order earlier than discovering new properties.
The drive will settle for used laptops, telephones, and pads which can be Web succesful, are in gently used situation, or are in want of minor repairs.
The drive will host two drop-off days on Jan. 16 and Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Group companion Save-On-Meals, situated within the Duncan Village, will function the drop-off website, with a donation desk on the entrance entrance.
In case you have one thing you need to donate however have questions or can’t make the drop-off dates, contact Jessica, Holly, or Ali at [email protected] for extra info.
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The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, Synergy Basis, and Financial Growth Cowichan shall be internet hosting a “digital Lunch n’ Study” on Jan. 28 that can discover a imaginative and prescient of a thriving round financial system within the Cowichan Valley and throughout Vancouver Island.
As an island neighborhood, a lot of the items on Vancouver Island are imported and waste exported.
The round financial system presents alternatives to strengthen the native, Island-based, financial system.
In line with the chamber’s web site, a round financial system is one the place Islanders share greater than they personal, releasing revenue and sparing sources; new concepts come to life and encourage different areas; merchandise are made and repaired regionally; financial equality is the brand new norm; and one’s waste is one other’s useful resource.
Throughout the Lunch n’ Study, individuals shall be supplied with a round financial system overview, examples of native and world companies working inside the round financial system, and determine native alternatives to extend financial alternative and resilience whereas having a constructive impression on the setting.
The Lunch n’ Study will run from midday to 1 p.m. on Jan. 28.
Folks can register on the chamber’s website by following the hyperlinks.
[email protected]
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