By Judy Goodman
Did you catch the Shift last week? Maybe you jumped in and took the pledge. Spending within the community, buying locally made products, and supporting local services all count towards the Shift. The Shift doesn’t ask you to spend more – it just says if you change your current spending by 10 per cent, you can make a real difference in your community.
Let’s look at the $100 spending model when applied to local services, for example a therapeutic massage. Spend $100 locally on an independent professional’s services and $100 stays within the community and starts to bounce around at an increased pace. Of course, the golden rule is if it works for you, it works for the community. Treating yourself to a massage may also be included in your benefits plan so it could really work for you. Is there someone on your holiday list that has everything they need? Maybe a personal spa day is in order.
As the snow sets in, winter sports enthusiasts gear up for another awesome season. A great way to prepare your body is through yoga. Balu Yoga & Wellness offers Nordic yoga, in addition to the wide variety of classes offered throughout the week. A pre-registered class designed for Nordic skiers, yoga for Nordic skiers is designed to help build strength and balance, with a focus on stretching.
As well, Red Cedar Therapy offers pilates training tailored to fit individual needs. Pilates allows you to develop muscle tone and improve alignment throughout your body.
There are wonderful benefits of living in Revelstoke. However, there are times when it can be frustrating especially when we need to travel to medical appointments or try to track down specialized health care products. Add the challenges of winter travel – we all cringe at making those long drives in snowy or icy road conditions.
In the spring of 2012 Pharmasave opened up its 950-square-foot home health care department. The demographic shift to an older population and more physically active community translates to an increased need for specialty mobility, braces and rehabilitation products. A consulting/treatment room is also available. To date they have hosted a sports clinic, diabetes education, foot care treatment and, in the near future, a consultant to perform home oxygen/sleep apnea assessments.
There is also a vast array of specialty sports braces that cover a range of injuries. A cryo cuff (special cooling jacket for ankles, knees and shoulders) helps reduce the acute swelling after injury or surgery. Only needing short term? Rentals are available for crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, TENS machines, breast pumps, SAD (seasonal affective disorder) lamps, etc. As with most businesses in town, if they do not carry the item you require they can usually source from one of their suppliers quickly.
I grew up in a small rural town in Alberta. I recall my mom buying all our groceries at the local store and reminding those who did not that we were lucky to have a full service food store in our community. I also remember the excitement of waiting for special order packages to arrive; it was like Christmas in July.
Most Revelstoke businesses can special order what you need. Mountain Goodness does more than half of its business in special orders. I have ordered several items through Christy’s team and can attest that it is easy and, in the case of my favorite organic soup, less expensive than anywhere else. If you can’t find what you want, just ask. Chances are a locally owned store can order it in for you.
Judy Goodman is the executive director of the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce.