2018 BRZ Award winners are:
First off, the Around The World Food Tour winners.
The tour, always popular and selling out quickly, lets guests experience tastes and culture they may not have before by stopping at several shops and restaurants along International Avenue. The shop owners not only share their food but also stories of their country and culinary experiences with every tour and it’s no wonder the guests on our food tours have chosen these three stops as their top favorites!
Winner: Roch and his family at Cedars Food Mart
Runner Up: Kartini and her family at Indonesian Kitchen
Honorable Mention: Mastura and her family at Begim Restaurant
Next, the Tung Nguyen Award. Tung, an owner of Mekong Restaurant, passed away Feb 15, 2013. He was a smart, lovely sole….a well-known humanitarian and community minded person. Tung published the very successful Thoi Bao newspaper, organized Vienamese galas bringing international stars to the city, and helped raise money for the Children’s Hospital and other worthy causes.
This year we would like to recognize Juan and his staff from Big Al’s Bar & Grill who continues to support our community with donations and a variety of events to help the social service agencies within Greater Forest Lawn.
Last, and most definitely not least, the Ray Rehberg Clean Award. Many of you may remember Ray, he worked for the BRZ since 1996 as our litter and graffiti abatement employee. He put forth tireless effort into making the Avenue look nice, stopping to chat with shopkeepers along the way. Passing away earlier this year, we wanted to recognize his incredible dedication by creating this award that acknowledges those businesses who keep their property tidy and show their community pride.
The very first Ray Rehberg Award goes to Calgary Co-op
We hope you take some time to stop by not only these businesses, but the many others along International Avenue BRZ. It is a treasure trove and truly Calgary’s Culinary and Cultural Capital!
International Avenue BRZ is also an award winner!
Best in the West Award- Economic and Business Development Heart of the New East NW Pacific Region BIA/BC- 2017
Best in the West Award- Communications , Member Consultations 2016
Best in the West Award- Programming and Partnerships, Increasing Social Capital 2016
New Maverick, Calgary Herald, – Alison Karim-McSwiney was chosen as one of the 30 Alberta New Mavericks, 2010
Recognition Award, City of Calgary- Community Advisory Group- Southeast 17 Corridor, 2010
Jim Gray Safer Calgary Award – conferred for innovative work in the area of safety, 2008
City of Calgary Award / Community Advocacy – as part of the C-BIZ team, 2007
Alberta Centennial Medalist – Alison Karim-McSwiney- conferred in recognition of the contribution and service to the people, communities and province of Alberta 2005, constituency of Calgary East
Alberta Centennial Medallion Recipient – Alison Karim-McSwiney-2005, constituency of Calgary Fort
Charter Award– Congress for the New Urbanism, International Avenue Design Initiative / University of Calgary Environmental Design team, 2004 USA