Realtor Jason Wheeldon has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Award of Excellence from Royal LePage Canada.

In a recent presentation to the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce, he stated that over the past three years, Cranbrook’s construction industry paid its workers a round figure of $42 million in wages, which was then absorbed back into the community.

The Lifetime Award of Excellence is presented to Royal Lepage members for attaining President's Gold ten out of fourteen consecutive years. For first-time inductees, repeat qualifiers and sustaining members attaining the Director's Platinum or President's Gold Award five out of seven previous consecutive years.

Royal LePage is Canada's leading provider of franchise services to residential real estate brokerages, with a network of nearly 14,000 real estate professionals in over 600 locations across Canada. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation; the Shelter Foundation which is dedicated exclusively to funding women's shelters and violence prevention and education programs. Royal LePage is managed by Brookfield Real Estate Services.

Congratulation to Jason on his Lifetime Award of Excellence!

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After a decade at the helm of Selkirk College, Marilyn Luscombe has accepted the position of president and CEO of New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). She will assume her new position on January 1, 2011.

"I suppose it would be natural to say that our loss is New Brunswick’s gain, but I don’t believe that to be a fair representation of the situation," said Stefan Lehmann, chair of the Selkirk College board of governors. "A more accurate assessment would be to say that we have benefited from a decade of Marilyn’s leadership, and now she has accepted a new challenge."

Selkirk College will now undertake its search for a new president and CEO, a process that may take the Selkirk board into next spring.

"In the near future, we will be announcing the appointment of an interim president for Selkirk College, effective January 1, 2011," said board chair Stefan Lehmann. "There is every likelihood that there will be a period of time between Marilyn assuming her new position and the hiring of a new leader for Selkirk. It is very important that we have no lapse in leadership for our college during that time."

Ms. Luscombe said, "A part of my heart will always be with Selkirk College. My experience here, and as a citizen in the West Kootenay Boundary region, has been profoundly meaningful and one that I will always cherish. Selkirk is a special place—created in the early 1960s by its communities, and evolved with the love, creativity and commitment of its employees. Selkirk is an investment by our government and our communities in the health and prosperity of this region and its people. The return on that investment has been and will continue to be huge."

This comforting thought comes from the friendly folks at Rossland’s Redstone Resort!

In 1923…

• Charles Schwab was president of the world's largest steel company—he died a pauper.
• Edward Hopson was president of the largest gas company—he went insane.
• Arthur Cooger was the greatest wheat speculator—he died abroad, penniless.
• Richard Whitney was president of NYSE—he was released from prison to die at home.
• Cosabee Livermore was president of one of the largest banks—he shot himself.
• In that same year, 1923, Gene Sarazen won most of the important golf championships, including both the US Open and PGA Championship. He played golf until he was 92 and died in 1999 at the age of 95, and was financially solvent at his death.

Conclusion: Stop worrying about business and start playing more golf!

From Your Friends at Redstone Resort.

www.redstoneresort.com

Buyers are more cautious and developers face narrower margins than they did a few years ago, said Ed Romanowski, president and CEO of Bellstar Hotels and Resorts, in an interview with newspaper, Business in Vancouver.

Romanowski said prices of resort properties are 10 to 20 per cent down from market peak, driven down by a general decline in asset values as well as a surfeit of listings and the knock-on effect of the HST. Prices have come down but the cost to build has not dropped by 20 per cent.

Smaller units with better finishes are now the order of the day, he said. For example, Kokanee Springs Resort is seeing interest in bungalows over two-bedroom villas with lofts.

The smaller but lavishly outfitted units are now under construction at Kokanee Springs Resort in Crawford Bay.

The Business in Vancouver newspaper recently published a list of the biggest breweries and beer distributors in B.C. It is good to see four Kootenay/Columbia-based beer making companies on the list.

Number two on the list is Labatt Breweries, the makers of Kokanee Beer based in Creston, with sales of $277 million. Number 13 on the list is Nelson Brewing Co., in Nelson, with sales of $1.8 million; number 17 on the list is the Mt. Begbie Brewing Co., based in Revelstoke, with sales of $768,424; followed by Fernie Brewing Co., in Fernie, with sales of $520,667.

The list contained 25 breweries throughout B.C., the number one position is held by Molson Coors of Canada with sales of $319 million. So if you are looking for a cool beverage this summer why not top your glass up with Griz Pale Ale, Tall Timber Ale, Kootenay Mountain Ale or Paddywhack, all beers from one of the Kootenay’s fine breweries.