The Schoolyard Business Exellence Awards

K, couple things on my mind this week. Lots going on in the fall eh? Its like town slows down but life picks up, people just out doing shit and working on future shit. Im loving it, all good things.

So, okay, the Fernie Chamber puts on a Business Awards Gala every year. In order to be a finalist for an award, people in the community have to put forward your name and why they think  you deserve the award. Some of the awards are like "Best Customer Service" "Business of the Year" "Entreprenuer of the Year", things like that.

So when I found out for the 3rd year in a row I was nominated for Entreprenuer of the year, I was really...heartwarmed, because its not the Chamber putting these names together its people in the community that took the time to write my name down and that ts really flattering. No, Ive never won, haha, but being a good sport Im still pleased someone notcied my hard work and Im definantly gonna drink to that, drink some Macallan 18 year in fact.

So that being said, I looked at all the nominess this year for all the different business awards and I thought, wow, yes all these people and business' are outstanding and all very deserving. But they there were some glaringly obvious names missing.

I just want to point out that, all the people nominated are very deserving but Schoolyard must hand out some addtional imporant awards.

Schoolyard Musings Business Excellence Awards for Outstanding Business Work in Fernie.

1. Most Passionate -Tanya Malcolm from Womb to Grow. Tanya has dedication, passion, sass and the smarts to shine in business. Her business has taken the initative to include the community and invite them into her passion by hosting events like the "Red Tent Event" and currently, the theatre production "Birth". Tanya herself is a vibrant community member participating as a volunteer and arts supporter. Cheers to Tanya and her business, you are a winner to me girl!

2. Most Good-Looking Staff Appricated - Charlie and Staff at Bulldogs North. Damn is it hard to run a bar year round in Fernie, keeping the locals and the vistiors excited about music and food. And these guys have been at it for awhile now. Im stoked they took a huge risk getting into a business like this in a town like this and having the drive to make it work. All big winners to me and much thanks for being open, thank you for bringing music to Fernie, thank you for supporting local music and thank you for burgar and beer night. Thank for dealing with all the shit that happens at a metal show, but you brought it in cuz it made the people happy.

3. Most Coolest -Keiran Summers at Give'r Shirt Works. Great product, Great staff, Great service, Great community supporter, sponsoring and giving shit away all the time in this town for a small business. Also, totally making a sick balls-to-the-wall move by expanding into a big space in the old Fields building. Thats takes balls dude, good on ya and cheers!!

4. Most Best At Stuff- Brett at Mugshots. Huge community supporter with his donations, always working, employing lots of peeps and always super nice, and the ruebans and clubs are really good and they serve Oso Negro. Boom. He's also an AMAZING caterer. Like the time this summer he had to cook for a wedding of 90. Both stoves at Elk View broke and he ended up cooking the 90 meals on a camp stove and noooo one noticed the difference, it was fantasic, I know cuz I was there.

5. Most Awesome - Boardstiff. Seriously are these guys like open 24/7? I like that Geof has set a standard for downtown retail hours. Maybe we arnt all on board yet cuz we are lazy/or too cheap, but they are the example to follow. I like that Boardstiff is a community supporter. I like that Geof made that Turkey Tent Sale happen this fall. I like that they are in the middle of downtown and they always look like somethings going on. Overall, Fernie should feel happy that Boardstiff is commited to this town, even tho lots of y'all are heading over the boarder to get your winter shit.

6. Most Ballsy - Picnic Restaurant. Basically just a huge thanks for taking a shit ass building in our downtown and socking thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars into making it one fucking good looking street corner and bragging place. Again, another ballsy risk and it makes our town better, thanks.

7. Most Killing it - Becka and Jesse at Poison Apple Tattoo. This amazing woman barely looks up these days cuz shes either tattooing or drawing. She created a fucking monster with her shop and its killlllling it. Why? Cuz shes a brilliant artist and a hard ass. I love her and Im so happy Fernie has a spot like this. Shes booked till like next March so thats why shes expanding and only bringing in equally sick qualified artists. Poison Apple just showcased at the Calgary Tattoo Convention and garnered some serious industry buzz. she also was profiled in "Inked" magazine - ya thats kinda a big deal.

8. Most Bragging Rights - The Staff at Yamagoya and Cam. Lets be honest, we all brag about your overall quality to all our friends and family that live outta town. When people visit Fernie we showcase how rad our town is with a night at Yamagoya. You guys are the reason most people stay in Fernie. You gave us culture, you gave us a place to eat weekly and totally feel amazing about it, you gave us a place to be seen on a first date. Its the Truth! Also wicked community supporters. Lift those Alpine Martinis high and ching ching! Chineechawa Bitches!!

Honorable Mentions in no particular order:
1. The dude that reno'd and added the acarde to the Vogue
2. Cincott
3. Lillis and Claude

Anyone with the drive and passion to do business in Fernie is top shelf in my books. Big Winners and Hugs all around.

See yas this Thursday at the "real" awards!