August, 2015

  1. Stream of Consciousness

    August 27, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

    Screen Shot 2015-08-27 at 3.59.26 PMOut of town and can’t attend that upcoming event? So sick that you can’t drag yourself out of bed for that show you’ve been looking forward to? Or maybe you live across the world and need to be in two places at the same time… Wait, is Stream of Consciousness in the business of time travel, too?! No, but the business is almost as cool as that…

    LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

    Stream of Consciousness (SoC) is a new media company providing webcast, video and archiving services to people and events who “have a strong commitment to social good.” They set up a huge media server and cameras and deliver live, high-definition, multi-camera broadcasts at events.

    “I had the opportunity to livestream Elizabeth May and her ‘What’s Next For Canada?’ event from the Conservatory of Music immediately after she became Canada’s first Green Party Member of Parliament,” commented Jason Guille, founder and driving force of SoC. “I saw how many people engaged the livestream, viewers from all over the country, and I got really excited about what this technology could make available to progressive people, projects, politics and passions.”

    Elizabeth May's ‘What’s Next For Canada?’ event

    Elizabeth May’s ‘What’s Next For Canada?’ event

    SoC ON EVERYONE’S SUBCONSCIOUS

    Guille then spent the next two years doing hobbyist-level live streaming and developing the idea in his head, before launching the project in the spring of 2014. Since then, SoC has been experiencing some great growth and they’ve had the opportunity to deliver streams for:

    • The Province of BC (from the Legislature)
    • TEDxVictoria
    • Living the New Economy Summit
    • The Green Party of Canada
    • Rugby Canada Championships

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    Guille has his lens busy this fall streaming TEDxVictoria again, and taking on Thinklandia, a free week-long event leading up to Rifflandia that celebrates our city of ideas and imagination… and Guille will be streaming all the talks on the rooftop of the Yates Street parkade.

    NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH WORK

    “I’ve been in Victoria a long time and I love being engaged in this amazing city of ours. There’s so many people doing great things here, it’s very easy for an excitable entrepreneur like me to get swept up in various visions.”

    Guille is also:

    • owner/operator of Sunset Labs (previously Sunset Room), and has been so for the past decade. This is also where SoC works out of.
    • co-founder of the Victoria Public Market
    • on the Boards of OUR Ecovillage in Shawnigan Lake and TEDxVictoria
    • producer for about 20 festivals in the past including Earthdance Festival & Victoria Electronic Music Festival.

    RECORDING HISTORY

    In addition to streaming, SoC is increasing the accessibility of important content and building a living archive on their website of the many workshops, events, rallies, seminars and speakers that they work with.

    The next phase for SoC is to launch their membership library project for all this great content. They’re working on licensing agreements with the many workshops and creators they’ve worked with, and this fall they will be focusing on building the backend infrastructure to host the growing SoC content library. 

    “Our mission is to amplify and archive people and projects who are here to make a difference,” explained Guille. “If you are keen to explore how livestreaming can help you reach more people and capture more content or you know someone you think we might serve, we’d love to help.”

    www.streamofconsciousness.ca

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  2. The Apple Box

    August 13, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

    decal
    Ahhhh, lunch time has arrived! Do you break open your wallet and dine out? Or do you heat up a suspicious looking microwavable meal, and stare jealously at your co-workers homemade dish grown from their own garden?     Is my meal supposed to be chicken, or fish?

    Many of us are too busy with family or work to make lunch (or dinner) every day but the alternatives seem to be either too costly, unhealthy or not-so-tasty.

    Christa Atherton saw this problem when she had to choose between spending hours cooking dinner or spending a little extra time with her toddlers. She was inspired to create The Apple Box.

    FOR EVERY SEED I GROW, AN APPLE TREE WILL GROW

    The Apple Box is located at 1725 Cook Street. They create frozen meals from Victoria-grown ingredients and cater to many diets such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-wise and dairy-free, as well as hormone-free, ethical free-range meat.

    Once the idea of The Apple Box was in Atherton’s head, her sister-in-law Alex Tetrault (now their Head Chef), got on board and together they formulated recipes and built a customer base from the Vic West Community centre kitchen. Just one year later they built a custom commercial kitchen and opened up shop.

    alex folding box

    Alex Tetrault, Head Chef of the Apple Box

    The Apple Box now allows you to purchase individual dishes or sign up for a meal plan. They offer a 4-week meal plan which includes 5-6 entrees, 2 sides and 1 dessert per week. You can choose individual sizes for $50/week, or family sizes for $100/week. By signing up for the meal plans, customers save 20% off retail and help support this little local business.

    “Most people automatically assume frozen meals are for seniors, but we are quite the opposite,” commented Atherton. “Our main clientele are young busy families, athletic people and busy working professionals. Even chefs and ultra foodies need a break from cooking.”

    I LOVE TO EAT, EAT, EAT APPLES AND BANANAS

    The meals are made from scratch, contain no preservatives, are low sodium and full of hearty vegetables and proteins. “Our menu changes as often as the weather in Victoria,” commented Atherton.

    Currently you can find menu items such as Coconut Curry Dahl, Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs, Stuffed Squash and Vegan Shepherd’s Pie. Have a sweet tooth? There’s also their famous gluten-wise Apple Crisp, Chocolate Fudge Cake and Oatmeal Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies. See the full menu here.

    And, if you’re too busy to pick up your meal plan, they will deliver it to you!

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    One of the many delicious entrées on the menu!

    EMERGING FROM THE ROOT CELLAR

    With the success of The Apple Box, this summer they opened an additional shop in Fan Tan Alley called The Farmers’ City Market.

    This micro grocery boutique is dedicated to launching local food inventions featuring local-only food products on a monthly basis. What’s different about this shop is that it’s collectively owned and operated by The Apple Box AND the small businesses featured in the store.

    “It truly helps fellow entrepreneurs enter their new food products into the scene by giving them 100% profit from anything sold. No Wholesale; straight profit,” commented Atherton. “We offer basic local groceries; everything you need for your pantry can be found.”

    In addition to more Apple Box meals, you can find fresh local organic produce, yogurt, eggs, frozen meats, cheese, crackers and anything else hot and happening in Victoria, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

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    CO-WORKING KITCHEN

    The future looks shiny at The Apple Box and they’re happy to extend a branch out to the community.

    “We have invited a few small budding businesses to join forces with The Apple Box and share our commercial kitchen. Niche Vegan Baking has come on board with their amazing baked goods and they have their own section in our shop! The Mighty Cookie Co., and a brand new kombucha brewing company will be joining us as well!”

    To find out more about The Apple Box, please visit www.theapplebox.ca. “Like” them on Facebook to keep up to date on promotions.

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  3. PaintNite

    August 6, 2015 by Tessa Bousfield

    whewBIHcDo you ever long for the days when you could just drop everything and play in the sandbox, have a water balloon fight or do some stress-relieving finger painting?

    Well, the big-kid solution for you is PaintNite. It blends the pastime of painting, with an activity you couldn’t do as a kid: Drinking!

    DRINK CREATIVELY

    To attend a PaintNight you simply go online to PaintNite.com and select one of the upcoming events in Victoria. You get a preview of the specific painting you and your friends will have the opportunity of duplicating that night (along with the difficulty level), and which local pub or restaurant it will be held at. Tickets are $45 each (cheaper if you use the discount code at the end of this blog!).

    Once you have your spots reserved (you must be 19+), you show up and are greeted by the local artist instructor, a canvas, paints, brushes and a PaintNite apron. Grab some food and a beverage to sip and let the fun and creativity flow! Don’t worry, attendants follow step-by-step instructions from blank canvas to masterpiece so you don’t have to wing it.

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    PRIMARY COLOURS

    PaintNite originated in Boston in 2012 and has been traveling quickly through the states and Canada. Now that it has gained traction here, locals are reaping the rewards.

    Local pub and restaurant owners get the opportunity to draw patrons in on normally slow business nights (Sun-Thurs) with this unique, social event. Venues are encouraged to use a private room that the public wouldn’t normally see, potentially boosting future bookings of the space. The Fernwood Inn, Moon Under Water and the Crooked Goose Bistro host PaintNites on a regular basis.

    Venues often create a signature cocktail for the occasion and PaintNite Victoria advertises it on their social sites. PaintNite also does a Groupon push which has a huge range and can bring many new clients to the restaurant.

    In addition to becoming a PaintNite attendee or venue, you can become a licensed host (local artist). Hosts run the colorful, fun-filled social events, and help people let loose and be creative.

    “PaintNite is about fostering a fun, low stress, non-judgmental environment that inspires everyone to enjoy the process of creating something from nothing,” commented Kim Newns, one of Victoria’s Hosts and ‘Chief Fun Officer’. “We want the anxiety that people may feel about doing something ‘wrong’, to be displaced by a fun night of socializing with friends and having a relaxing, creative time.”

    GINJA LION

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    Kim Newns, Local Host

    Kim is an artist (Link to portfolio), who studied business at Mt. Allison University in New Brunswick. She’s been practicing public speaking with Toastmasters for 2 years and when she heard about PaintNite, she knew it was the perfect fit for her. Some locals may know her from Art Battle competitions and through her fitting nickname “Ginja Lion” (the top of her head is decorated with a red, bouncy fro).

    “I feel that Paint Nite will do very well in Victoria for a long period of time,” commented Newns.  “It’s the new ‘Bingo night’ or ‘trivia night’ with a creative twist!”

    PaintNite is becoming popular up island as well. Newns has events booked twice a month in Cobble Hill, Maple Bay, Duncan and Ladysmith. For those who have attended a PaintNite in Victoria, you may have also been lead by Aislinn Dawn.

    “For many customers, PaintNite will be a novel and memorable experience, as many have not touched a paint brush since elementary school!” commented Newns. “I love that it has the ability to get people connected with their inner child. Adults can be so serious and I love to shake the serious bug off their shoulders and dig into their creative selves.”

    ANOTHER SHADE

    PaintNite parties are also available for staff team building exercises, bachelorette parties, birthdays, fundraising parties and Christmas parties.

    If you’re interested in booking one, contact groups@paintnite.com.

    If you’re signing up for one of the public events (click here to see the calendar), use the code “GinjaLion” for 45% off the ticket price!

    "Sunset Crane" by Local Host, Aislinn Dawn will be painted on Aug 10 at the Fernwood Inn

    “Sunset Crane” by Local Host, Aislinn Dawn will be painted on Aug 10 at the Fernwood Inn

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