The Market on Millstream -- opened three years ago in Langford's big box zone to feed the West Shore's surging population -- has been named one of

Canada's best grocery stores by a panel of its national peers.

The Market, operated by Christine and Darryl Hein and a branch of Ernie Skinner's popular Market on Yates grocery downtown, was named Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year in the medium surface category, ahead of dozens of other stores across the country.

John Scott, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, made the announcement this week before more than 500 industry professionals at the Grocery Innovations Canada conference in Toronto.

The Market on Millstream was judged on retailing excellence and innovation, store team performance, customer service, space usage, food quality and cleanliness.

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A Victoria lawyer has been honoured with one of of his profession's most coveted awards. Jerry McHale, acting deputy minister of the provincial government's Justice Services Branch, was named one of two winners of this year's Goyer Memorial Award. McHale shared the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association's highest honour at an event this week with Vancouver lawyer Art Vertlieb. McHale was noted for his passionate commitment to alternative dispute resolution, contributions to jurisprudence and accomplishments as a public servant. McHale was a founding member of the Mediation Development Association of B.C., the University of Victoria Institute for Dispute Resolution and the Canadian Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. The Goyer Award recognizes exceptional contributions to the legal profession and was established in 1992 in the memory of Georges A. Goyer QC, who died of cancer that year.

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Graeme Kirby, a retired project manager, has been named chairman of the Victoria READ Society. He succeeds Suzanne Veit at the helm of the non-profit literacy organization helping children, youth and adults. The organization also added new board members Avrille Gosling, a teacher for 37 years, and Patty Freeman, a business writer and editor for two decades. They will fill positions left by management consultant Myrna Hall and accountant Jo-Ann Zelen, who both served for seven years.

Hall was chair for four years while Zelen was treasurer for three years. Patricia Kimmitt-Huxley is leaving the board due to work commitments with the provincial government. READ has also lost board member Gillian Sherriff, who died Oct. 28. She joined READ as an adult student 20 years ago and joined the board in 2006. Communications consultant Carol Carman is taking on the vice-chair position, while Angus Izard remains treasurer and Linda Bradford secretary. Retired provincial government deputy minister Maureen Nicholls, food services industry consultant Don Monsour and lawyer Nick Mosky will stay on as directors.

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Ron Egli, who operates his own construction and design company and has built several new homes in the new Royal Bay development in Colwood, is the new president of the Canadian Home Builders Association, Victoria branch. He succeeds Bob Gill of Pacific Concept Developments, and will work the new executive board with first vice-president and treasurer Lee MacFarlane of AV Energy Ltd., and second vice-president Cam Hayward of Windcrest Developments Ltd. Other new directors of the CHBA board Mike McDougall of McLaren Electric Ltd., who is also suppliers council chair; Marian Paris, Shaw Cable; Ole Frang, Frang Construction; Robyn Normand, Normco Construction Ltd.; Wilf Gorter, Gorter Construction Ltd.; Patrick Morrison, We Paint Inc.; Reuben Butterfield, Landeca Services Inc.; and Bill Patterson, Citta Group.

The CHBA also handed out its President's Awards for contributions to the association and the community. The honour roll includes Jerry Hepburn Memorial Award to Ole Frang, Frang Construction; Sponsors Appreciation Award to Built Green BC; Mike Kipot Award to Linden Holmen, Holmen Enterprises Ltd.; Service Award to Patrick Morrison, We Paint Inc. and Lee MacFarlane, AV Energy Ltd.; President's Award to Ron Egli; Ocean Construction Award to Habitat for Humanity Victoria; Executive Achievement Award to Bob Gill; and Marilyn Ann Lee Award to Gordon English, Genco Construction Ltd.

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The B.C. Lions Society for Children with Disabilities has moved from Vic West into Victoria Easter Seal House in Oak Bay. The society calls it a perfect fit as it has a special connection with the families who stay at Easter Seal House., located at 2095 Granite St. Call 250-370-0518.

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A fresh crop of certified general accountants officially received CGA designations last month in convocation ceremonies in Vancouver. Among the 535 graduates were CGAs from Victoria, Brentwood Bay, Crofton, Mill Bay, Sooke and Duncan. A drum roll, please, for Sanjeev Anand, Tavish Annis, Kevin Bell, Jeannie Beauchamp, James Birkett, Theodora Borissov, Jose Chill, Elizabeth Cook, Nils Erzinger, Brooke Ferguson, Marie-Renee Fournier, Nikki Klaassen, Wilhelmina Leentvaar, Linda Lockhart, Stephanie Long, Maggie Macay, Alexa Newton, Christopher Nudd, Delena Patterson, Monica Scheianu, Jin Shim, Bryony Shust, Leah Strachan, Konrad Thiele, Monique Tolen, and Michelle Wang.

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On The Move: Kane Kilby is joining the University of Victoria as associate vice-president human resources on Dec. 1. He comes to UVic from the Vancouver Island Health Authority where he was corporate director of HR consulting services ... Rick Johnson is a new agent at Blaney's Travel, part of the Vision 2000 Travel Group ... Heather Aked, Harp Sandhu, Ron Zwicker, Vicki Cook and Kim Genereux are all new members at investment firm Blackmont Capital Inc. based in St. Andrews Square ... Dominique Alford is new at Henley & Walden law firm in Sidney ... Don Coulter is the new chief financial officer at Coast Capital Savings in Victoria ... David Blenkin has joined Discovery Honda in Duncan as sales executive ... Shirley de Silva is the new chief executive of the Comox Valley Airport Commission.

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Campbell River's Ralph Walker, a licensed Realtor for more than 40 years and a managing broker for most of that time, was named an Honourary Member by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board this week. Walker is the sixth member of the board to receive the prestigious award, which is based on exceptional contributions that have significantly aided in the board's growth and development. Walker created the Salesmen's Division of the board in the early 1970s, served on the Real Estate Council as chairman and vice-chairman and was instrumental in creating a Commercial Council in 2005. He's also been active in local community events and causes and sat on the advisory board for the city of Campbell River.

dkloster@tc.canwest.com