The Local Weekly The heart and soul of our communities with news and information about the Sunshine Coast

Statistics Canada released year-end export figures for 2012 today. British Columbia exported $31.7 billion worth of goods last year, recording sizable increases to China and India, two key markets as the province looks to diversify and expand markets for its products. Exports to China, British Columbia’s second-largest trading partner after the United States, increased to ... Read More »

Minister of Health Margaret MacDiarmid has said that this years Weedless Wednesday was a great success. Established in 1977, National Non-Smoking Week seeks to help people quit smoking and to prevent people who do not smoke from beginning and becoming addicted to tobacco. Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease and death ... Read More »

Over 120 local professionals and residents participated in action planning at the January 16 Make Progress Workshop.   It was an incredible display of community involvement. Since June 2012, staff and volunteers have reached out to people, from all areas of the Sunshine Coast Regional District, to find out how women are doing and to get ... Read More »

Vancouver Coastal Health is pleased to announce that Addiction Services of the Sunshine Coast is reintroducing a Home Detox Program in January 2013. Detoxification is the safe management of physical withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or other drugs so that the associated risks are minimized. Home detox is a medically monitored detoxification process facilitated in a ... Read More »

Having strong core muscles are essential to a strong body and being able to get around pain free in the golden years. When we think about muscles, we tend to often focus on those that people easily flex to show off, such as the biceps or triceps. But our bodies are made up of an ... Read More »

To help slow the aging process, here is a list of some food that will provide you with everything from antioxidants to high fiber. Green Tea – Known in my world as the true elixir of youth – green tea is perhaps the easiest and most relaxing way of infusing our bodies and brains with ... Read More »

As people put their home that failed to sell in 2012 back on the market, let’s not repeat the mistake of last year. Price it right from the start. Put aside your emotions and price your home right from the beginning!  The advantages of an accurate listing price are a faster sale, less inconvenience, increased ... Read More »

I always like to read through economists’ forecasts and see what their predications are for the coming year. Generally, I find most are predicting a slower start with a strengthening toward the end. BMO, being the most optimistic, is forecasting a BC GDP growth rate at two point four percent. Why does any of this ... Read More »

If a close friend told you she has dementia, would you avoid her for fear of being embarrassed by what she might say or do? If you answered “yes,” you’re not alone. According to a recent poll by Alzheimer’s disease International, 40 per cent of people with dementia reported they had been avoided or treated ... Read More »