For the second consecutive year, South Delta's Wagner's European Fabricare has earned the Seal of Approval for Quality Garment Cleaning and Customer Service.
The cleaner, which has locations in Tsawwassen and Tilbury, passed all the rigorous cleaning and customer service evaluations. Earning the Seal of Approval signifies that Wagner's European Fabricare has successfully removed a complex array of stains, maintains high quality cleaning standards and consistently demonstrates superior quality and customer service.
The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based group, administers the international award program. To date, about 140 companies around the world have attained the Seal of Approval.
"Finding a good drycleaner who will consistently treat you like a valued customer shouldn't be a guessing game," said Mary Salco, Drycleaning & Laundry Institute spokesperson. "By becoming a Seal of Approval cleaner, Wagner's European Fabricare proved there is a difference between quality cleaners and their competition. Now customers know where to find a cleaner who will treat them and their garments properly - every time."
Each year, Seal of Approval cleaners must renew their status with the program by successfully completing stain removal and cleaning performance tests, in addition to meeting other requirements, including continuing education, community service and offering superior customer service as evidenced by the company's standing with the Better Business Bureau.
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The Delta Hospital Foundation is among many across the province benefiting from a recent Thrifty Foods fundraising campaign.
Thrifty Foods president Jim Dores announced this week that $84,742 has been raised through the Help Out One Buck at a Time campaign.
The campaign, which ran over four weeks, raised money through the sale of fourpound bags of certified organic Buck Brand Navel Oranges, as well as from donations from Thrifty Foods customers and staff, and a $20,000 donation from Buck Brand Citrus owner Lisle Babcock.
"Thrifty Foods has been supporting hospitals in our communities for over 34 years and this year's campaign raised important for local health care programs, equipment and facilities," Dores said. "Thanks to purchases and donations made by our customers, staff and citrus partner Lisle Babcock, Thrifty Foods was able to share that success with each of our 13 hospital foundation partners on the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island."
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Local pharmacists are helping tackle an outbreak of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, having already administered vaccines to more than 6,000 patients in the Fraser Health region.
The whooping cough outbreak began in Hope last December and has quickly spread throughout the Fraser Valley. Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection in the lining of the respiratory tract. It can be particularly dangerous to infants and young children.
In response to the outbreak, community pharmacists in the region stepped up to administer vaccines, taking pressure off local health units and physicians.
"Whooping cough vaccines are yet another way in which pharmacists are demonstrating their value as key members of the primary health care team," said Geraldine Vance, chief executive officer of the B.C. Pharmacy Association.
For more information about whooping cough, call the toll free whooping cough info line at 1855587-3889.
For a listing of participating pharmacies visit www. fraserhealth.ca/whoopingcough.
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Thrifty Foods last week announced the arrival of the first traceable fresh halibut of the season at its stores across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
"From shore to store, Thrifty Foods is passionate about providing sustainable seafood options to British Columbians," said president Jim Dores. "With first of the season, fresh B.C. halibut landing in our stores, we remain committed to achieving unprecedented levels of transparency in the harvesting and processing of fish available in our seafood departments."
The grocery store chain has made fully traceable products, both fresh and frozen, available in its stores since last summer.
Seafood traceability is made possible by a partnership with Thisfish.info, an initiative of Ecotrust Canada, an organization dedicated to building a local, sustainable seafood sector in the province.
Customers who purchase traceable fish are able to enter the fish traceability number, which is available on pre-packaged items in the frozen aisle or by request at the fresh seafood counter, onto the thisfish. info website. Customers will be able to see a photo of the person who caught the fish, the name of their boat, the origin of the catch, the fishing method used and when it landed on shore.
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Ladner-based tanning salon Hawaiian Beach was named Smart Tan Canada's Member of the Month for March.
The magazine highlighted how owner John Holmes got into the business and how he's kept Hawaiian Beach successful since taking over in 1998. Holmes told Smart Tan Canada that he found success by diversifying the services offered at the salon, including spray tan, an infrared sauna and body vibration machines. He also said staying involved in the community through local events and sponsoring the Vancouver Giants helped raise the image of the salon.
