West Coast Trail: This internationally renowned classic stretches between Port Renfrew and Bamfield on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Throughout 2011, BC will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its world renowned parks system. Historically it is the ascent of Crown Mountain on July 29th 1910, by the Strathcona Discovery Expedition, that can be pin-pointed as the moment it all began.

Alberni Valley Tourism will be participating in “A Taste of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast”, a media event to be held at Robson Square on Thursday, February 11th, 2010 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, the night prior to the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics.

The Industrial Heritage Society (IHS) has taken one more step towards creating a working high-lead logging system.

On Friday at McLean Mill, climber Aaron Thom topped a straight Douglas fir tree at 75 feet, then rigged up a pass-line to begin hauling up all the heavy rigging equipment.

Powered by the newly-rebuilt steam donkey, the spar tree will be block-rigged with cables and pulleys to haul freshly cut logs to the mill.

The Alberni Valley's own Pumpkin King, Jake van Kooten, has just won the highly coveted 'Orange Jacket' and the world title from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, for his 1,536.5 pound giant fruit. Read the full story, or better yet, come visit Jake as he nurtures next year's contenders in the garden.

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By Kristi Dobson

PORT ALBERNI — A team of local talent has been hired by the McLean Mill National Historic Site to direct its Tin Pants Theatre Company.

Graduates of Alberni District secondary school Mariee Devereux and Melissa Robertson along with retired ADSS teacher Kerry Robertson beat out tough competition in the application process.

Boogaloo Bear’s Indoor Play & Café Ltd. is now open at the former Nordley’s Centre on Fourth Avenue and Bute Street. Proprietors Annette Clement and Rick Robertson are stoked. The play area consists of 1,000 square feet of jungle gym, including three slides, tree house, soft play toddler area, and in the future will also feature an inflatable bouncy hut. See the full story by Karen Boden.

Batstar Adventure Tours of Port Alberni BC has been named to the National Geographic Adventure Magazine's list of the World’s Best Adventure Tour Companies. Batstar is the only Canadian west coast sea kayak company on the list, and the only company from Vancouver Island. Batstar co-owner Blake Johnson was delighted with the win. “For 11 years, we’ve stuck to our core vision -- providing first rate, fully guided sea kayak tours to breathtaking BC west coast destinations. We love what we do.

Now appearing at a post office near you: the Alberni Valley's new 'Bear tracks and Lumberjacks' cancellation stamp.

Neil Malbon, Chair of Alberni Valley Tourism, has announced the introduction of a branded cancellation stamp for the area's outgoing mail.

The stamp contains the new bear track logo, the slogan, and the words 'Alberni Valley BC' along with the date and Canada Post wordmark. It is available on request at the post office.