Spring is in the air. My son has stopped asking for skis and moved onto begging for a new skateboard. I completely understand the mind’s shift. Boots away, sneakers give me a lighter step as I make my way down a bustling Baker Street. Smiles abound.
Spring brings with it a chance for renewal whether it’s focussed on business — or personal. One local woman is offering a chance to learn and engage in fitness training as part of a program that’s got some local businesses and organizations on board.
Heather Holdener sees the warmer weather inviting more physical activity, but knows some may find it more difficult to find the energy, strength and stamina available.
“Maybe you are struggling to reduce body fat in a way that was previously unfamiliar,” she suggests.
A network of wellness advocates, including local fitness trainers, nutrition and life coaches, counsellors and medical professionals have come together to offer the local community a Metabolic Makeover, beginning April 12 with an information session on April 5.
“Over the course of three months, participants will work in a supportive community and with leading-edge nutritional products toward greater vigor and vitality, improved exercise tolerance, fat burning, increased lean muscle mass, and endurance,” she says.
Sponsors from local fitness facilities, businesses and services are stepping forward to support the effort. Join Selkirk College, The Circuit, Transcendental Fitness, Coaching Connections, Next Step Counseling, Bellyfit, BettyGoHard and others coming on board this invigorating fitness program
For more info, contact metabolicmakeover@live.com.
The winner of the MOMpreneur Award of Excellence was announced in Toronto on March 2 at the MOMpreneur Conference and Gala. After three months, almost 300 entries, and 74,000 votes cast, Janet Skolka of Jilly bo Billy placed in the Top 10. She made the trip east to attend the event and find out who would take the title.
After a day filled with networking, workshops, inspirational speeches, and new friends, the Top 3 were announced. Skolka placed third. Karen Walker of SwaggerTag, personalized ID tags that keep vital information hidden until opened (now available at Jilly bo Billy), placed second. And Jade Barr of Jady Babys, handmade baby booties with a six-month waiting list, took it all.
Check out Jilly bo Billy online at jillybobilly.com, where it all began, or at their new Nelson storefront location at 422 Herridge Lane. Jilly bo Billy is up for another grant and needs your support. Vote daily to help Jilly bo Billy receive a $10,000 grant from ADP Canada at adpgrant.ca/story/jill999.
Another local business back from a successful competition is Itza Ristorante and Pizzeria. Owner Rick Nixon competed in the finals of the International Pizza Challenge expo in Las Vegas. After a pizza bake-off on March 21, Canadian Pizza Magazine named him runner-up chef of the year and 2013 Best Traditional Pizza winner, Canadian Region.
And on April 1, businesses are returning to the PST.
Businesses that sell or lease taxable goods, or sell software or taxable services in BC, need to be registered to collect the tax. If you haven’t already, you can register three ways: Online by going togov.bc.ca/etaxbc/register, in person at the Service BC Centre at 310 Ward Street or by mail or fax. Complete the Application for Registration for Provincial Sales Tax (FIN 418) found at: gov.bc.ca/pst (Go to Forms and Publications.)
A new PST number will be assigned once the business registration application is processed — the old one won’t work. Learn more about the services available to businesses to support the transition to PST at gov.bc.ca/pstoutreach
Business owners leaving it to the last minute can still get help over the long weekend. The PST phone lines will be open over Easter weekend. Call them at 1-877-388-4440, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
If you have an item or a tip for The Biz Buzz, send all the pertinent the information and your contact to reporter3@nelsonstar.com.