Yellowknife Online

Skills Canada Nationals a win for NWT Team

By KyleWith on May 17, 2012 in General

The National Skills Canada competition wrapped up yesterday in Edmonton and Team NWT is bringing home some medals. Skills Canada Nationals see over 500 competitors from all across Canada, from every province and territory.

Skills Canada is a competition of different trades, with everything from electrical to plumbing and graphic design to TV production. Participants from around the NWT compete on a territorial level, normally here in Yellowknife, for a chance to go to the nationals.

Bringing home medals are:

Antonio Lewis, Welding (secondary level): GOLD
Sébastien Rémillard, Cooking (secondary level): SILVER
John Spoelder, Auto Service (post-secondary level): SILVER

Also with strong finishes were:

Colin Miller, Plumbing (post-secondary level): 4th
Richard Neary, Electrical Installations (post-secondary level): 4th
Katherine Thomas, Graphic Design (secondary level): 5th
Tony Liske, Industrial Mechanic/Millwright (post-secondary level): 5th
Jeanne Yurris & Nick Walker, TV/Video Production (secondary level): 4th

Congratulations to everyone who participated, I know it is no easy task. Not only does each trade have its own complications but adding a time restraint only makes it more difficult.

Next year the national competition will be going to Vancouver, BC.

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Tourism Week 2012 is Here!

By KyleWith on May 16, 2012 in Events

We are smack dab in the middle of Tourism Week, which is May 14 -20, 2012. There is not a lot going on that I know of to celebrate the week but we must not let it just pass by.

Yellowknife Tourism

Tourism is an important part of Yellowknife and helping visitors learn about Yellowknife is something I stride to do on YkOnline.ca. So this week I urge everyone to go out and do something tourist related in your own backyard. Well, not your real backyard, but our NWT backyard. Go for a hike, go camping, head down to Bullocks for some fresh fish or wild game, do something to help showcase what a great place Yellowknife is to visit.

Contest

While you are out doing that something tourism related get a picture of yourself doing it. Once you have that photo head to the Northwest Territories Tourism Facebook Page and enter their photo contest.

Remember you must be in the photo to be eligible to win 1 of 2 NWT Tourism Visa Gift Cards. So it is easy, just go have fun, get a picture of it and enter it on their Facebook Page.

Weather

I know what you are thinking, the weather is not that great but never fear we are Yellowknifers. We don’t let a little weather slow us down. Show me what you got!

Have fun celebrating Tourism Week.

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2012 Spring Trade Show in Photos

By KyleWith on May 14, 2012 in Coverage, Trade Show

If you were to ask a business that was attending the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Spring Trade Show what it was about for them, they’d probably tell you it was for business but if you were to ask a visitor they’d say something totally different. I heard it over and over throughout the weekend, the Spring Trade Show for many was a socializing event. After going through a long cold winter it has become a time for people to come out and gather together.

Of course this is quickly followed with entering all the draws for free stuff but that is just a given.

To further confirm that point I can’t think of any one booth that truly stuck out to me. That was a lot of great businesses and people there but it was the same old same old. There are however a couple little businesses that I see have lots of potential and can’t wait to see them rise knowing if they play their cards right they could be a hit with Yellowknifers.

Continue Reading →

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2012 Yellowknife Spring Trade Show

By KyleWith on May 10, 2012 in Events

The 2012 Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Trade Show is only days away (and so is Mothers Day so don’t forget) and I believe it is all sold out. The trade show takes place at the Multiplex Arena and is expanding. This year both arenas, the lobby, DND Gym and the second level will be packed with booths.

When:

Saturday May 12, 2012 – Doors open at 10am
Sunday May 13, 2012 – Doors open at 10am

Where: Yellowknife Multiplex Arena

Fee: $5 per person or $15 per family.

The trade show is always a lot of fun to go and see what the businesses and organizations of Yellowknife are up too. Swag bags are always a big hit and make sure to grab a pen early because every booth is bound to have a draw of some sort. This year also sounds promising for the food court, which has been growing with local food vender.

For more information on the trade show you can head to our static page which has information all about it.

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55th Annual Mine Rescue Competition

By Guest Post on May 8, 2012 in Events

The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut invites everyone to celebrate mine safety at the 55th Annual Mine Rescue Competition.
As part of Mining Week, Mine Rescue Teams from across the North test their rescue skills in a bid for the Overall Surface and Underground Trophies.
This is a family-friendly event.

Saturday, June 16, 2011

Event: Mine Rescue Competition
Location: Yellowknife Community Arena
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30pm

Event: Miners’ Picnic and BBQ (sponsored by the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines)
Location: Yellowknife Community Arena
Time: 12:00 – 3:00pm

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YkOnline.ca Bike Series Coming Soon

By KyleWith on May 7, 2012 in Recreation

This summer I’m going to bike Yellowknife! Many Yellowknifers already bike all around Yellowknife and rarely use vehicles so I’m not doing anything new but I want to show it off.

Coming the summer I am going to be producing two series here on YkOnline.ca:

Ride4Thirty – This is pretty self explanatory. For thirty days in a row I will do nothing ride my bike around Yellowknife. I will not use my Jeep. Although many already do this, I want to show that it is possible for even the average Joe to get around on a bike. This will most likely take place starting in the middle of June.
Yellowknife Bike Trails – Over the course of the summer I am planning on biking as many of the trails in about around Yellowknife as I can. I will be recording all of them and then publishing each trail as a post on YkOnline.ca for everyone to use as references.

The first step to getting these series off the ground was the bike. Back in 2010 I was introduced to Ernie’s Sports Centre on Facebook and Twitter and since then they have helped me many times and shown me how to really be engaging on Social Media. So I am pleased to announce they will be sponsoring these series so check them out on Facebook and Twitter. Here is the first video of me putting together the bike:

This bike is fully setup for the terrain around Yellowknife. Front and rear suspension as well as 29″ wheels, which is perfect for speed and agility.

Of course once I finished building the bike on Saturday it was raining, so I didn’t get to ride it until Sunday. Here is my first ride of this sweet bike:

Watch for this series coming soon. You can subscribe below to stay connected to the series.

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What is the current Yellowknife Vacancy Rate?

By KyleWith on May 4, 2012 in Discussion

Are Vacancy Rates on the Rise in Yellowknife is the title of blogger Adrian Bell’s latest article on his blog Above All Yellowknife. He goes into the article explaining that in the Fall of 2011 the vacancy rate in Yellowknife was 1.3% but dipped as low as 0.07% in the Spring of 2011.

Yellowknife by Snowmobile

Adrian goes on to explores the current housing market in Yellowknife. With the completion of the Copper Sky condos and the construction of the Niven Heights underway it seems that renters and condo dwellers have a more balanced market when it comes to purchasing.

Read his full article here.

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Two local artists going Far North

By KyleWith on May 3, 2012 in People

Two well-known Yellowknifers, artist Robbie Craig and photographer Dave Brosha are heading to Baffin Island, Nunavut in July 2013. They will be going to the Auyuittug National Park for a 2-week “art exploration”.

Baffin Island and Auyuittuq National Park specifically are places that Canadians and the world rarely sees. These two talented artists will be capturing breathtaking imagery and artistic renderings.

There is so much land in Northern Canada, including Mount Asgard, that is untouched that these two want to capture it to show to the rest of us

Dave and Robbie have hinted at the trip for sometime now calling it “Far North”. A Facebook Page has been created where they will share their adventure, leading up to it and after, so go like it.

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Freezin’ for a Reason polar plunge 2012

By KyleWith on May 2, 2012 in Events

The weather is getting warmer and the snow is a disappearing so that must mean the ice is going to start coming off the lakes around Yellowknife. So what better time to do the annual “Freezin’ for a Reason” Polar Plunge!

On Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 11am the NT Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will be hosting the event at the Fred Henne Boat Launch.

Participants who raise $100 or more will not only be plunging into the icy cold water but they will also relieve a “Freezin’ For A Reason” – LETR Polar Plunge beach towel or t-shirt.

The event is open to anyone 14 years old and up and participants must raise at least $50 to take part in the plunge. If you would like to take part you can download this form to register and this form to collect donations.

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My finds at the Yellowknife Guilds Pottery Sale

By KyleWith on April 30, 2012 in Arts

This past saturday the Yellowknife Guild had their spring sale at St. Pats High School and what fun it was. Having not been to last years Christmas Sale I had no idea what I was walking into.

On Friday night I accompanied my mother and a friend to the preview of the sale because I really wanted to grow my selection of locally made art. Three rows full of all sorts of pottery filled the foyer. Every thing from plates to bowls, brie bakers to mugs and much more. It was a look into all the talent the Yellowknife Guild possesses.

At the preview I could tell most people were figuring out their strategy for getting what they wanted the next day, so I did the same. I planned that I would come up the far left side and then I took pictures with my phone of the pieces I wanted in the order they were lined up. I was ready!

With 45 minutes before the 10am opening of the sale we arrived at the school. We thought we were being smart and coming early but do did the 30 people before us. Never the less though we are in line and we waited. The line ended up doubling in size as we waited and then I started to realize how in demanded local pottery really was.

When 10am hit and the organizers let people in, it was as if it was Boxing Day and everything was free. People started running towards the items they wanted and grabbing them at first chance. The atmosphere must have felt like an a live auction for something everybody wanted. I shot up the left most table and grabbed the one, two and three things I wanted to get, plus some other items I was collecting for someone else.

In a matter of minutes the kaos had ended and everyone, with their finds in their arms and baskets, lined up to pay. This is when MLA Darryl Dolynny snapped this photo of me with a rather large amount of pottery, which was not all mine.

When I returned home I went over my finds of the day again. This is what I got:

A blue Brie Baker with an Inukshuk on the bottom. Oh, how I do love baked brie with garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.

Then there was this awesome chip and dip bowl. There were three at the sale and the other two were bigger but this was the only one left by the time we came through. I like the style of it, having the dip bowl built right into the plate. No one will make a mess going from one dish to another.

Finally was this plate, which I’m really happy about. I will be hanging it on a wall somewhere. I was surprised this was not taken earlier but glad I got it. I like how there is of course the Inukshuk and trees on it but also how there appears to be snow and hills on the plate as well.

I’m very happy with everything I got and I can’t wait until the Fireweed Studio, near City Hall, opens for the summer on June 21, 2012.

Did you go to the sale? What did you get? What is your favourite kind of northern pottery?

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