From the busy folks at the Port Alberni Port Authority we hear two bits of great news. Firstly, Holland America Lines is finalizing plans for two stops in Port Alberni next season.

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce would like to offer up a big “thank you” to Keri Sculland of the Alberni Valley Times for writing about her experiences as a first time Ambassador. She put in a shift as an Ambassador at Cathedral Grove last Friday.

With all the cool weather and the wet spring, the Stamp/Somass River system has, for the most part, being running cool and relatively high – ideal conditions for returning Sockeye salmon.

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce would like to express our appreciation to all those who attended our recent Networking Luncheon to learn more about the proposed Raven Underground Coal Project and the ramifications for Port Alberni. Project CEO, John Tapics, provided an excellent presentation on the details of the proposed coal mining operation and how Port Alberni fits into the equation. He dealt with all the written questions candidly and those who attended went away much more knowledgeable than when they arrived. The Chamber will attend the meeting at the Capitol Theatre on the 15th and we will be discussing the project further at our up-coming board of director’s meeting.

In conversation with folks about town there are some definite concerns about Port Alberni serving as the port of choice for the potential new Raven Underground Coal Mine to be located about seven kilometers inland from Baines Sound.