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City Opera – Fallujah

In the world of Not-For-Profits and Arts and Culture it’s great to report that one of the organizations we are proud to work with is getting global attention and incredible support.

City Opera Vancouver’s Board of Directors has announced that the company has been awarded a commissioning grant of $250,000 US from the Annenberg Foundation, in connection with the philanthropic multimedia organization Explore.
This extraordinary sum is believed to be the largest single commissioning grant in Canadian history. The working title: FALLUJAH.

The Annenberg Foundation, a private US-based family foundation, provides funding and support to non-profit organizations around the world. Explore, a signature project of the Annenberg Foundation, developed the concept of the project and presented the commissioning grant to City Opera Vancouver. It is awarded for the creation of a new chamber opera, to be developed over a two-year period. The story is based on the real experiences of US Marine Corps Sergeant Christian Ellis at the Battle of Fallujah in 2004. ...read more about Fallujah

By John Espley on May 7th, 2012 | Posted in Community, Entertainment | No Comments »

Shaw’s Fill The Food Banks

Thanks to the folks at Shaw, Together really is amazing. This is the second year for the “Fill the Food Banks” campaign. This is a very important and timely campaign as it reminds us that the “need” is there all year long. We have many wonderful events around the Christmas season which raise tons of food for our local food banks. These are fantastic and thanks to all who donate at that time BUT what we all must remember is that the food banks operate 365 days a year and each month of the year close to 900,000 Canadians look to food banks to feed their families.

Here we are in May and thanks to Shaw the challenge facing our friends and neighbours that need a food bank to feed their children is once again top of mind. In 2010 our friends at Shaw raised an incredible 2.6 million pounds of food and this years campaign ending at the end of Hunger Awareness week (May 11) hopes to match or exceed that number. ..read more on how you can help

By John Espley on May 2nd, 2012 | Posted in Community | No Comments »

Terry Farmer knows the power of helping people

Terry Farmer Founder & Chairman, Accent Inns

Below is a reprint of the Victoria Chamber Awards Gala program where Friday April 27, Terry Farmer was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

After all, if he hadn’t offered to lend a hand to help his father and partner build the Chateau Victoria he might never have realized just how much more fun he could have in hospitality rather than a career in banking, property management or construction.

Anyone who knows Terry, knows that he isn’t content to rest on his laurels. Positive change has been a staple of his life. Terry’s advice to the graduates of Royal Roads at their 2007 Convocation, “… as life moves on over the years do not hesitate to change your area of work should opportunities arise. When they do you should do your due diligence and then strike out quickly, especially if you have a chance to get out on your own and become an entrepreneur. I did this 21 years ago and it was the most thrilling and challenging stage of my career (aside from getting married of course).” Read more about Accent Inns Founder

By Kate Coulombe on April 30th, 2012 | Posted in Community, News | No Comments »

3rd Annual Fishing Buddies Program Attracts New Anglers

Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) is again recruiting experienced anglers to reveal the pleasures of freshwater fishing to friends, family and colleagues during the third annual Fishing Buddies Sweepstakes. Designed to introduce new anglers to sport fishing, Fishing Buddies also rewards anglers for doing what they love and sharing their fishing knowledge. Participation has grown consistently since the program launched in 2010 and significant growth in participation is expected for the third year.

“When it comes to introducing someone new to fishing, who better than experienced anglers who are passionate about it? They can speak directly to the pleasures of going fishing whether it’s half a day at an urban location or a fishing weekend at a more remote lake,” says FFSBC President Don Peterson. “They know the fish and the fishing spots and can help unravel the mysteries of freshwater fishing for the new angler.”

Earth Day – A Great Reminder

Mandy Farmer CEO of the Victoria BC hotel chain plants BC dogwood in honor of 25 years

Mandy Farmer Pres of Accent Inns plants BC Dogwood with help from Bill Turner of the TLC

Yesterday was Earth Day which was a perfect opportunity for me to reflect.

I’m thrilled to congratulate my whole team on achieving and maintaining a rating of 4 Green Keys! Yes, that’s right, all five of the Accent Inns throughout BC are rated as Four Green Key Properties by the Hotel Association of Canada. This is the second highest available rating and one that shows national industry leadership and commitment to protecting the environment through wide ranging policies and practices. ...read more of Mandy's comments

By Mandy Farmer on April 23rd, 2012 | Posted in "Confessions of a CEO" | No Comments »

Thanks to all Volunteers

Accent Inn Pink in the Rink team 2012

This week (April 15 –21) is National Volunteer week.

This really touches home for Accent Inns. We are privileged to work with so many non-profits, associations and groups that are supported either wholly or in part by volunteers. Even closer to home is how often our very own team members are out there contributing their time, sometimes for an Accent Inn initiative but often just of their own accord. ....read more on the value of volunteering

By John Espley on April 18th, 2012 | Posted in Community | No Comments »

Camosun Chargers Win Awards

Last Thursday night I had the wonderful opportunity to attend and present at the Camosun College Chargers annual awards night. As with previous years it was a great way to review the incredible year both the teams and student athletes had. It was mentioned that Accent Inns has sponsored the Chargers for 11 years now. Wow! What an honour it has been for our company and certainly for myself (I think I’ve only missed one of the awards banquets).

Once again the MC’s for the evening were Mira Laurence and Jordan Cunningham of CTV Vancouver Island. Not only do these two news and sports media folks know their Chargers but I must say….Billy Crystal watch out, they are headed for the Oscars. They had us laughing all night long. But of course the night wasn’t just about laughs and reviewing the past season but to celebrate some of the awe inspiring efforts put in by the the students, the coaches and the teams as a whole. It should be noted that the Chargers have some of the most dedicated and caring coaches anywhere. I’m glad we also had the chance to applaud the behind the scenes staff. Special thanks from Accent Inns go to Graham Matthews (Athletic Director) and Bonita Joe (Marketing & Communications Officer) for being so awesome to work with and for their sincere focus on helping the students achieve their goals. So read below for an excerpt from the Charger blog listing the many award winners and their achievements.

Your Faithful Supporter,

John Espley (Accent Inns)

GO Chargers!

.....read more about the Camosun Chargers award winners

By John Espley on April 16th, 2012 | Posted in News, Sports | No Comments »

The Boulders Climbing Gym

With the Accent Inn being the host hotel for the Youth Western Regional Climbing Competition being held in Victoria BC at The Boulders Climbing Gym this weekend, a small group of intrepid adventurers from the hotel decided we should check out the Gym to see what indoor rock climbing is all about.

Kyle, Whitney, Diane and I headed out for an introductory climbing lesson delivered by a knowledgeable and entertaining instructor named Evan. We listened to Evan’s every word as he gave us instructions on our harnesses, rope tying and belaying. There was quite a bit of nervous laughter as we all knew the end result would be climbing to the top of a wall, balancing our feet and grasping with our fingers to tiny hold shaped like animals and placed at distances that seem way too far apart. ...read more about Accent Inns intrepid rock climbers

By Karen England on April 5th, 2012 | Posted in Sports | No Comments »

April is Daffodil Month

April is Daffodil Month, a time to fight back against cancer and to show your support for those affected by cancer. Make a donation and wear a Daffodil pin throughout the month of April, and celebrate Daffodil Day on Friday April 27th. For more information, visit www.fightback.ca.

Pins are available at every Accent Inn in B.C. as of Thursday April 5th; Victoria, Vancouver Airport (Richmond), Burnaby, Kelowna, Kamloops ...read more about how to help fight cancer

By John Espley on April 3rd, 2012 | Posted in Community | No Comments »

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