North of 50 LOCAL LATITUDE, GLOBAL ATTITUDE
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June 2011 Vol. 9, Issue 6
WHAT’S THE RUSH?
From Tubing to Rafting: We’ve got it ALL!
NEED 4 SPEED
Adrenaline Junkies Take to the Track
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YOUR LETTERS: I have just read the online version. Compliments! A comprehensive and well reported piece. Since your article, as you probably have heard, under pressure, Penticton has decided to hold a referendum in June. However, Ms. Bond has suggested she cannot wait that long before making a decision. Will be interesting. My views remain of course. Best, Gerald Kenyon
Rabies risk increases in summer Interior Health is warning that with more people enjoying the outdoors over the summer months, there is an increased risk of rabies. Bats are the primary carrier of the rabies virus in B.C. Bats can fly into poorly sealed cabins and homes, or roost in attic spaces. Between four and eight per cent of bats that come into contact with people, and are tested, are found to be positive for the rabies virus. “If you come into contact with live or dead bats it is very important to avoid touching them,” says Jennifer Jeyes, Communicable Disease Specialist with Interior Health. “And parents should remind their children not to lay with or touch bats. Last year, 23 people in the region were treated for potential exposure to rabies. Treatment, involving a two week long period of vaccinations, is most effective when administered as soon as possible after exposure. Without treatment to prevent its onset, rabies is almost always fatal. Interior Health advises that all contact with bats should be taken seriously. “Anyone who has handled a bat should contact their Public Health Unit or their physician right away,” says Jeyes. ”Because bats have tiny sharp teeth and claws their scratches or bites are not always visible and in some cases it can take weeks or even months for symptoms to appear. Early treatment is essential in preventing the disease from progressing - it’s very important to get checked out as soon as possible.”
CORRECTION:
In last month’s feature on Headbones Gallery, we spelt Steve Winkler’s name incorrectly. Our apologies, Steve. 4
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CONTENTS
June 2011 Vol. 9, Issue 6
NEED 4 SPEED Area speedways offer up action packed entertainment all summer long.
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Story & Photos by Dawn Renaud
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30
37
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
COLUMNS
14 WHAT’S THE RUSH? Finding the thrill of non-motorized water sports By Christine Pilgrim
23 STAYCATIONS On Kids’ Time in BC
5 FROM THE EDITOR
17 GET THE BEAR FACTS BEFORE HEADING OUTDOORS 26 BANDING HUMMINGBIRDS Story & Photos by Barbara Harris 27 HOW TO BUILD A FISH POND THE RIGHT WAY
30 AWAY FROM HOME Outdoor Oregon 38 HEALTH MATTERS Sunburn Season Wheat Warnings 40 ARTS HAPPENING 41 COMING EVENTS 43 COMMUNITY EVENTS 45 IT’S A PUZZLER
12 REGIONAL ATTITUDE An interview with Melanie Simmons, Media Relations Specialist of Tourism Sun Peaks 18 DON SAWYER Fair Comment - Mardi Gras Secrets Revealed 28 CALVIN WHITE The White Paper - The Voting Herd 36 LISE SIMPSON The View From My Window Absolutely No Early Birds 37 BOB HARRINGTON It’s Your World - The Real Economy
Cover Photo: Tourism BC/Don Weixl northof50.com
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FROM OUR EDITOR
North of 50° is a n i ndep endent, f ree m o n t h l y publication, locally owned, produced and distributed throughout the Thompson / Nicola/ South Cariboo/ Okanagan and Shuswap areas by 0727724 BC Ltd.
We’re a complex bunch – we humans. On one hand, we do everything possible to avoid tension and risk. On the other, we seek out adventure and thrills that scare the crap out of us.
LOCAL LATITUDE, GLOBAL ATTITUDE
Disclaimer: The publisher will not b e responsible for errors or omissions. In the even t of a typographical error, the portion of the advertisement that is incorrect w ill not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid at the applicable ra te. T h e op inions and v iews contained in submitted articles to North Of 50° magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. T h e pub lish er r eta in s t h e rig h t t o e d i t a l l s u b m i s s i o n s , in cludin g a r t i cles and letter s to the editor, for brevity and clarity. Copyright is retained on a l l m aterial, text an d gra phics in this publication. No reproduction is allowed of any material in any form, print or electronic, for any purpose, except with the ex p r es s ed permission of North of 50 Pub lication s (unless for private reference only). Publications Mail Agreement 41188516 ISSN# 1710-4750
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Risky Business.
Case in point: On my bedside table is a relaxation CD that helps me “unwind” each night. Next to it - my bucket list - which includes adventure travel plans to: snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, elephant back safari near Victoria Falls, river kayaking in Belize.” There is something about taking some risks – of having an experience that you know most people will never have - of coming out on top - that gives us a high. Is everyday life so safe (though you might not think so after watching the television news) that we are driven to find adventure and risk, a throwback instinct from our hunter-gatherer days? Some experts say: yes. When life is too easy and doesn’t offer up enough thrills, we seek them out. It’s why, despite repeated warnings, cliff divers plunge into the lake at Kalamalka Park; it’s why someone skis out of bounds at area resorts every year. An article in Psychology Today pointed out that “in unstable cultures, such as those at war or suffering poverty, people rarely seek out additional thrills. But in a rich and safety-obsessed country like America, land of guardrails, seat belts, and personal-injury lawsuits, everyday life may have become too safe, predictable, and boring for those programmed for risk-taking.” My best friend jumps out of airplanes to get thrills, but she wouldn’t consider driving a car without wearing a seatbelt. Nor will she go sailing with me because she considers it too dangerous. I’ve been submerged in a metal cage in shark infested waters of the Pacific Ocean; ziplined the jungle canopy in Costa Rica and white water rafted through Class IV rapids on BC’s wild rivers, but I wouldn’t dream of skydiving. My husband spent fifteen years as a paid on call firefighter, entered burning buildings, fought forest fires in treacherous terrain – and he LOVED it – while I sat home worried sick for his and his colleagues safety. Let’s face it: one person’s adrenaline rush is another person’s panic attack. In this issue of North of 50°, we look at some outdoor adrenaline rushes you can get right here in the Thompson Okanagan. Dawn Renaud’s visit to the Penticton Speedway proved exhilarating and a great family event. Christine Pilgrim’s attempts to find an adrenaline rush on local waterways led her to the conclusion that the “rush” is all relative.
TJ Wallis
OUR CONTRIBUTORS Dawn Renaud realized she needed an excuse for ignoring her chores and sinking into the alternate reality of a good book. Today she channels her creative immagination and affinity for words into more lucrative pursuits, writing for business and magazines and helping other writers hone thier craft. Dawn lives in a tiny house in Penticton.
Between performances of her show about local pioneer, Catherine Schubert, CHRISTINE PILGRIM it taking June to fine-tune her one act play, “Can You Hear Me?” about those whose voices go unheard in a Palestinian village. She is a regular contributor to North of 50 and Vernon’s Morning Star. See www. christinepilgrim.com
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Publisher Dean Wallis dean@northof50.com Managing Editor TJ Wallis editor@northof50.com Advertising Sales Dean Wallis dean@northof50.com Kamloops & Area sales@northof50.com Layout & Design Kristi Boe kristi@northof50.com Administration Caralyn Doyle caralyn@northof50.com
Lee Morris is the CEO of Tourism Kamloops. As a horse and golf enthusiast, Lee is looking forward to some new thrilling adventures this year, though she’s not sure if she’ll be ziplining, whitewater rafting or dirt biking. (pictured here with her dog Spur)
Deadline for Ads to be submitted is the 20th of the month for publication the first week of the month Office Location: Suite 102 2516 Patterson Avenue Armstrong, BC Mailing Address: Box 100 Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0
Barbara HARRIS loves to watch all sizes of birds; and she just spent 4 days hiking and birding near Osoyoos. She has watched birds in many places, including a year while at a university in France, and two years teaching at an international school in China. Her chocolate Lab accompanies her cross country skiing in the winter, and hiking and cycling in the summer, but she’s not much good as a birder.
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NEED 4 SPEED Story & photos By Dawn Renaud 8
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Ask those who’ve watched hit-to-pass racing and they’ll probably describe it as a cross between traditional “go fast, turn left” racing and a demolition derby—crazy non-stop action. Ask those who’ve driven in it, and they might call it crazy, too. Take Dale Atwood. He drives the 04 car, a little yellow station wagon sponsored by Dan’s Tire. During last year’s May long weekend event at the Penticton Speedway, Atwood’s car was flipped on its roof, skidding belly-up along the asphalt under another car. The crowd hushed and time slowed; emergency crew converged and the seconds ticked by as the announcer asked everyone else to stay put. At his “And he’s okay!” the audience heaved a sigh of relief, then erupted in applause as the crew got to work righting the vehicles. Atwood’s reaction? He expected to finish the race, but the car had been rendered inoperable. He got it sorted by the next day and won that race. Atwood has been racing hit-to-pass since 2001, when he and his brother Kenny both got hooked. Dale’s girlfriend used to ride with him, back when he had a bigger car, but he says it’s “getting pretty crazy out there” and it’s easier for him to drive when he doesn’t have to worry about a passenger.
(Now she films his events from the stands; find her footage at www.hit2pass.com.) As with all racing there’s a very real risk of injury—likely increased by all the intentional crashand-bash. “You get banged up pretty good,” he says, “but you learn to relax and take the hits.” From the stands, it’s hard to believe there aren’t more serious injuries; Atwood says “Don’t get me wrong; it is a dangerous sport.” The Atwoods’ cars are among the five sponsored by Dan’s Tire in Kelowna. With their entire entourage coming from Kelowna there’s a friendly rivalry on the track and in the stands. In fact, much of the crowd comes from outside Penticton to cheer on their own hometown drivers. Kenny and Dale have both been series winners; last year, Dale was just eleven points behind the leader when the final race had to be cancelled due to the weather. Rain can be a serious issue for racetracks; the crowds might not mind sitting through a little drizzle, but racing on a wet track with poor visibility creates too much of a risk. “Destruction” events take it up a notch: the hit-to-pass cars are now towing trailers—generally camper trailers, although in this year’s season opener there were also a couple of boats. Once the green flag is waved, it’s non-stop action: the growl northof50.com
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of the engines, the howl of tires, the crash and crumple of metal against wood and steel against asphalt as the trailers are bashed and beaten, whipped and flipped, dragged and— eventually—demolished. Kids stay riveted, and even adults who’ve spent plenty of time at the racetrack say (over and over) that they just can’t believe what they’re seeing. This year the Penticton Speedway opened the season with a Day of Destruction event. Atwood again put on quite a show, dragging a travel trailer for several laps before getting so thoroughly tangled with another car the crew had to use a cutting torch to get them apart. “It definitely is a family-fun event,” says Johnny Aantjes, Penticton Speedway’s owner/pit boss for fourteen years. When he started getting his feet wet with the racing business, he wasn’t sure of the right direction to take. “We tried a few different options—beer gardens, a couple of concerts and things like that,” he says, but they opted to stay away from the alcohol. “We try to keep the food in the concession reasonably priced and good quality, and just build a good family-fun event.”
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Some families that start out in the stands end up joining the action. “We always went and watched, then decided we’d just get into it,” says Cawston’s Bob Cameron. He and son Kyle started racing in the hornet division, then moved up to street stocks. They spend evenings together working on their cars—as Bob says, working all week to play all weekend.
While they don’t have a pit crew they are sponsored by local realtors the McDonalds, and Bob says quite a few friends attend the races to cheer them on. The Penticton Speedway hosts racing most weekends through September, with Eve of Destruction events on July 23 and August 27. This year they’ve also scheduled a monster truck and freestyle bike event complete with hill climb on the August 6–7 weekend. Those with a serious need for speed will want to catch the ASA-BC Late Models Street Stock Invitational at the Gordie Mannes Memorial on July 30–31. Need more speed? Check out Vernon’s MotoPlex Speedway & Event Park. The biggest race of their season is their A&W Cruisin’ the Dub 300 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (along with the Alberta Super Trucks) on July 23. The MotoPlex also has a hit-to-pass event in their line-up, complete with their own version of the travel trailer race; catch that on July 16. Page 8, All about the speed? There’s plenty of “go fast—turn left” with the hornets and street stocks. Previous page, Atwood’s 04 car, one of several sponsored by Dan’s Tire, a few rounds into the Day of Destruction: “It was crazy.” Below, Demolition’s almost complete at Penticton Speedway’s first Destruction event of the season. “It’s a lot of fun,” says owner/pit boss Johnny Aantjes. “I don’t know how we’re going to outdo these types of races.”
If you go: Take sunscreen for the daytime races, plus extra clothing in case the winds are cool. You may want to bring a blanket or two for the evening races, especially later in the season. Penticton Speedway’s schedule, ticket prices and more can be found at www.pentictonspeedway.com. For more information or to book a birthday party or corporate event, contact the speedway at pentictonspeedway17@gmail.com. Vernon’s MotoPlex Speedway & Event Park is just north of Vernon on Highway 97; camping is available on-site during events. Find their schedule, ticket pricing and more at www.motoplexspeedway.com, or contact info@motoplexspeedway.com Closer to Merritt? Check out the family-friendly Merritt Speedway. Usual rates are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors (kids under 12 are free). For more information, check out their Facebook page (Merritt Stock Car Club) or email the Merritt Stock Car Association at msca1991@hotmail.com.
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THE OUTDOOR SUPERSTORE 3 FLOORS OF GEAR FOR THE OUTDOORS
REGIONAL
ATTITUDE
With a plethora of heart pumping activities available, Sun Peaks may be the perfect place to experience your adrenaline rush. Jessie Lehail spoke with Melanie Simmons, Media Relations Specialist at Tourism Sun Peaks about what the mountain has to offer.
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What is it about Sun Peaks that has attracted an increase in visits from locals and tourists during the summer months?
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Along with activities like golf, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, we launched the Summer Experience program in 2010. It includes 11 different experiences that combine an activity with a culinary component. For example, the Voyageur Canoe Tour and Fur Traders Feast, takes guests out in a 30-foot replica canoe around McGillivray Lake, followed by a 4-course dinner at the lake’s Outpost Cabin. There are also special events almost every single weekend at Sun Peaks - from the Wine and Culture Festival to the Alpine Blossom Festival to the Retro Concert Weekend. There seems to be a rise n the niche market of adrenaline seekers. How has this affected the selection of summer activity offerings at Sun Peaks? We offer a wide spectrum of activities, including adrenaline seekers. The Sun Peaks bike park has 2,000 vertical feet of terrain, 29 trails, and a dirt jump park. In addition, there are also Freeride camps with professionals, Matt Hunter and Graham Agassiz who can really help take adrenaline seekers to another skill level. However, the beauty of Sun Peaks is that if your family only has one or two adrenaline junkies. A couple people can spend their day in the bike park, while the rest of the family can hike or golf, and then everyone can meet for dinner in the village. Tell us about the ‘adrenaline pumping’ activities planned for summer 2011. The Sun Peaks Bike Park is open June 30 to September 5 for those adrenaline seekers looking to get the blood pumping. In addition, the weekend of July 30-31 is the Rocky Mountain
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Photo by Sun Peaks Resort/Adam Stein.
Bikes Homecoming, so all of the focus will be on the bike park and Rocky Mountain Bikes.We are also holding the first annual North Face Dirty Feet Trail Run (Sept. 10), which will take racers on a cross-country course out towards McGillivray Lake.
kids, there are Freeride camps on July 4 to 8. All aspects of freeriding are covered during the week and coaches work on skills. Will there be any festivals or notable events geared towards this niche market?
For a first timer, what activity do you recommend to try? For those looking for adrenaline, the Sun Peaks Bike Park is definitely the place to be as it has a variety of terrain including some beginner runs. The park is marked just like the ski runs: green, blue, and black runs, meaning a beginner can start on the easy trails and work their way up as their confidence builds. If someone is unfamiliar with an activity, are learning clinics available? There are fantastic Private Mountain Bike Clinics, which are the best way to advance your riding, whether you’re new to the bike park or have been shredding trails for years. For beginners, it’s really about creating a safe learning experience and showing a new rider some basic technique and where they should ride in the park. Are there specific activities geared to kids and women? We are thrilled to announce, Cheryl Beattie from the Bicycle Cafe is returning to teach three Ladies Bike clinics this summer at Sun Peaks. There is an introduction to the Bike Park on Sunday, July 10, a Learn to Freeride class on Sunday, July 17 and Intro to Racing on Sunday, July 31. For
The Rocky Mountain Bikes Homecoming with Wade Simmons is an event you don’t want to miss. One of the legends of FreerideMountain Biking, Wade brings along other professionals and spends the day riding in the Bike Park with anyone who wants to join him. Does Sun Peaks offer experiential adrenaline vacations? Yes, there is a Mountain Bike Park Stay and Play package. It allows people to spend a phenomenal day of riding the park and then chill on a patio with friends and spend the night. For more information visit www.sunpeaksresort.com. After a day of adrenaline activities, what can visitors do to unwind and relax at Sun Peaks? There’s a great variety of restaurants, pubs and cafes located right in the heart of the village, so it’s great to park your bike and find your favourite patio to relax on. Not to mention, if you still have energy on a Friday night and are looking for something completely different, you can actually do a Nine and Dine package - golf nine holes and then have dinner at Masa’s Bar + Grill. northof50.com 13
Champion rower, Dirk Sigalet, rests after an hour long workout on Swan Lake, before he starts work at his Vernon law office. Photo: Christine Pilgrim.
Dirk Sigalet, training in the misty morning sunrise. Photo: Christine Pilgrim.
What’s the rush? By Christine Pilgrim
But I begin my quest at peaceful Swan Lake just north of Vernon. Six mornings a week, from March through October, Dirk Sigalet drives there to launch his scull at the Vernon Rowing and Paddling Centre before he puts in a day’s work at his nearby law office. He starts rowing at 6am - which means rising at 4.30, in time for a half-hour journey from Winfield where he shares a home with life partner and fellow rower, Kathleen. Some get a rush from speed; others from their surroundings. Some may find that their pulse rates increase with the onset of possible danger. With waterways that easily compare with the best in the world for beauty, wildlife and recreational activities, my editor suggests the Thompson/ Okanagan might be a good place to explore some options for getting an adrenaline rush on the water. There’s paddle-boarding, sailing (Ever tried sailing a Hobie Cat?), wind-surfing, water-ski, shooting the rapids and more. 14 northof50.com
That might seem a gruelling routine to some, but Sigalet says, “There’s a sense of accomplishment in keeping fit, and the team work and comradery are rewarding.” Acknowledging that it takes effort and will to find the strength and stamina required to row solidly for an hour each morning, he adds, “It’s a great way to challenge myself.” He says it’s gratifying to feel the scull propelled through the water each time he pulls a long drive with both blades; and exhilarating to see the sun rise and listen to the wildlife in
wonderful natural surroundings. “Just this morning I saw five white pelicans paddling aimlessly in the mist. They looked like Court of Appeal judges!” he chuckles. He started rowing as a student at UBC back in the ‘60s. Anyone can take up the sport - as late as 22. With discipline and constant training, they can excel at it - a point Sigalet proves by being the fastest rower in his age group in Canada. However, in the same year he started rowing (1964), Whistler opened its slopes to the public, and white powder ski-ing lured him away for almost 30 years, until Vernon’s Jim McDiarmid started the rowing club on Swan Lake in 1993. Countless medals and accolades later, Sigalet still races throughout much of Canada and the US. Just recently, when he and rowing partner/fellow first place finisher, Stan Eaman raced (and placed) at Boston’s Charles River, he was struck by the lavishness of Boston University’s $10 million DeWolfe Boat House. “Even the cabinets for housing the blades outdid those in Predator Ridge kitchens,” he jokes. Not only has rowing been a decades-long pastime for undergraduates at top universities like Boston, it is also the most represented Canadian sport in the Olympic Games. It attracts many women; and most local clubs offer facilities for Dragon Boaters. There will be festivals throughout the region this summer to celebrate the fact that Dragon Boating is now Canada’s fastest growing sport. I wonder if this is really the story my editor wants about an adrenaline rush on the water ... Perhaps, as Dirk Sigalet says, “exhilaration” more aptly expresses his feelings.
Lisette Smid is followed by fellow stand-up paddle-boarders at Kalamalka Beach. Photo: Courtesy of KalaVida
Kalamalka Beach in Coldstream (details at www.oksup. com). Do I sense a sigh from the editor’s office? I know my own minor “rush” of cresting a wash wave in my kayak would be passé to most – even if I paddled that exquisitely designed Orca model displayed at Vernon’s Boat Show this spring.
Tubing down the Shuswap at Enderby or the Canal in Penticton wouldn’t quite cut it either, although it’s a great way to submit to the elements, lay back and soak up the sun. What about paddle-boarding? According to expert Michelle Mitchell, standing up on a board 11 feet long by 30 inches across for the first time is sensational. She says, “From there, paddle-boarding opens a whole new world of exploration, fitness and rushing adrenaline.” This increasingly popular water sport has moved inland from the coast and is arguably the most versatile in the world, whether flat-water paddling for fitness and fun, surfing, or catching a “down-winder.” It’s well worth checking out at the Father’s Day weekend regatta on June 18/19, when boarders race from Oyama to
Vernon Boat Show. Photo: Christine Pilgrim northof50.com 15
The rafts career along through the roar of white water and the shrieks of the crew. Everyone’s drenched. At times no one is visible as the spray swamps their boats. Their bows lift in the air, then thud back into the torrent. The guide yells instructions: “Paddle right!” And those on the right paddle madly. “Paddle left!” And those on the left side do likewise. “Paddle together!” And they shoot through the rapids. Her voice rises as Wallis remembers the thrill. “When you’re not paddling like crazy, you hold on for dear life,” she says. “It’s like riding a roller coaster - except here you could fall overboard and drown in the freezing cold water. But then you know that the guide is in control and is steering the craft.” Riding the waves with Kumsheen Rafting Resort near Lytton. Photo: Kumsheen Rafting Resort (above). TJ Wallis and fellow adventurers on the Kicking Horse River. Photo supplied (inset).
It’s a long shot, but maybe I’ll ask TJ Wallis (North of 50 ° Editor) if she’s ever white water rafted ... She almost explodes with excitement: “White water rafting? Now that’s a rush!” Her first white water experience was on Clearwater River in Wells Gray Park. “Clearwater is a Class 1 through 3,” she explains. Class 1 means the waves are small and it’s possible to do a leisurely cruise – rather like tubing in Enderby and Penticton. Class 2 requires some experience, but there is a passageway through. Although Class 3 is exhilarating with the white water churning, the rapids are relatively short – perhaps 30 to 50 feet long. But by Class 4, all eight adventurers in each of the four or five boats racing downstream are screaming, not so much with fear as excitement, as the rapids stretch in length to anything up to a ¼ of a mile. 16 northof50.com
When their 2/3 hour ride ended, she, husband Dean and two of their teenage children, Gemma and Lee, staggered on unsteady legs down the dock. They were wet through and exhausted ... but “higher than kites.” They’d used muscles they didn’t know existed to brace themselves as their boat pounded through the swirling current. When they’d removed their safety helmets, peeled off their life-jackets and wet-suits and warmed themselves up with hot chocolate, they were almost ready to go out again. “It sounds a rather dangerous way to get your kicks. Has anyone died white water rafting?” I ask. Wallis says, “In 2009 there were two deaths. But then, one person died in a hot tub that year; another died fishing and five died power boating.” Studies reveal that, for most people, experiences like white water rafting produce the same physiological effects as an anxiety attack: the heart races and senses tingle in a fight or flight response. The the only difference is that, unlike anxiety, this feels good because we know it will end and are reasonably sure we’ll be safe, unless we do something foolish like fall overboard. “And, believe me, if you white water raft you won’t have any energy left for an anxiety attack,” grins Wallis. So, I guess that’s it. That’s the rush. I think I’ll stick to cresting wash waves in my kayak.
Get the bear facts before heading outdoors Black bear Grizzly bear Length: 5 feet 7-10 feet Weight: 100-400 lbs 300-800 lbs Colors: black to rust blonde to black Distinction: Rump higher Shoulder hump than shoulders Ears: Large and long Small and round Claws: Short and dark Long and light Profile: Straight long Dished in profile snout between eyes and snout There are some important things to know about bears that can help keep hikers and campers safe. Bears do not like surprises, especially females with young cubs. If a person is in bear country, making noise and alerting bears to one’s presence is key. Traveling in groups can make it easier for bears to hear oncoming visitors. Individuals should walk with the wind at their backs so that their scent will be carried toward bears’ powerful noses and alert them in advance.
Venturing outdoors to many provincial parks or area woodlands can put nature lovers in the path of wildlife. While there are many creatures that can be both aweinspiring and dangerous, perhaps no animal is feared and revered as much as the bear. Although most bears tend to avoid people, avid adventurers could come face-to-face with one of these powerhouses. In fact, Alaska is home to all three of North America’s bears: the black bear; the grizzly, or brown, bear; and the polar bear. Most areas of the continent have populations of one or more types of bears and outdoor enthusiasts should learn what makes each species tick and how to avoid confrontation. While polar bears are generally easy to recognize due to their limited habitats and bright, white fur, many people mistake black and brown bears all the time. Color alone can be deceiving, so it’s best to learn other distinguishing factors. Here are some markers that help identify the differences between black and grizzly bears, courtesy of The Center for Wildlife Information.
Bears need personal space and should not be crowded. Some bears are more tolerant of people than others, but caution should always be used when a bear appears. Retreat slowly to a safe distance. If the bear seems skittish or is coming in your direction, retreat even further. Never come between a mother and her cubs. Females can be extremely protective and downright fierce to any perceived threats to her young. If a close encounter with a bear should occur, a person should remain calm and alert the bear that it is a human present with a calm voice and waved arms. Bear attacks are rare, but should one occur, attempt to retreat backwards and diagonally. A bear may rise up on its hind legs to take a better look. This isn’t necessarily a sign of aggression; it could be curiosity. If the bear follows a person’s retreat, the person should stop and stand ground. If the bear actually touches a human or attacks, a person should fight back vigorously with a black bear. If it is a grizzly, the person should drop to the floor in a ball looping hands over the back of the neck, and play dead for as long as it takes for the bear to retreat and lose interest.
northof50.com 17
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Mardi Gras Secrets Revealed! First of all, forget everything you think you know about New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, including the misconception that it actually occurs on Fat Tuesday itself. In fact, those fun folks in the Big Easy, who have a parade for every occasion – and many non-occasions – manage to stretch out the festivities for more than three weeks, starting with parades in outlying communities in mid- February and working in toward the centre of the Crescent City as they move closer to the Big Day. During that period, there is not one parade but as many as 60 – and that’s just the registered ones. New Orleans being the city it is, a bunch of folks can just pick up an old tuba, a few conga drums, put on a costume of some sort (well, since New Orleansers are often in some sort of costume 24-7, Mardi Gras or not, that isn’t even necessary) and start marching. Cars instinctively get out of the way and the cops will help out as best they can when they see you coming. Along the way people will just fall into line and you’ve got yourself a parade. But even the recognized parades – the ones with actual
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permits and such – offer a pretty eclectic set of options. Take The Krewe of Barkus (no matter how modest, all paraders are members of one “krewe” or another, the reason for the misspelling I never did get) for example. Even though they have no floats, don’t throw beads and drool a lot, they are one of the most popular parades of the entire Mardi Gras season. Maybe that’s because they wear fabulous costumes, or maybe it’s because they are all dogs. Yep, hundreds of them, dressed (along with their twolegged companions) to the nines in everything from a full ballerina’s outfit (including tiara and ballet shoes) to a boxer dressed up, well, like a boxer. Or the St. Mary’s parade, a loosely organized performance carnival of, among many other oddities, guys dressed in sailor suits on a paper mache atoll singing songs from South Pacific and a convincing looking nun and priest pulling a mobile confessional amid walking apple trees, families of trolls, and really awful marching bands.
delicious cakes harken back to old 12th Night Christmas celebrations , and yep, each authentic king cake, regrettably slathered with purple, green and gold icing, contains a genuine plastic baby . And the “Indians” wearing those gorgeously beaded and feathered costumes? They are actually African Americans, who honour the history of local native groups that gave refuge to runaway slaves by marching as “tribes” and dressing in costumes that would put a First Nations fancy dancer to shame. The costumes can take a seamstress an entire year (and thousands of dollars) to complete -- and they are worn only once. Mardi Gras. A tradition in New Orleans that has withstood wars, hurricanes, flooding and social disapproval. A tradition that reminds us that the fun of celebrating our humanity, which Mardi Gras always has been and remains today, is still possible and best enjoyed in person. Skip the computer games and iPads. Get together with some friends, dress up your dogs, and have a parade!
And then there are the ones like I rode with this March, the Krewe of King Arthur. We weren’t huge, but we did have 12 floats, all pulled by John Deere tractors. Our theme this year was Floating Down D’Nile, and the float I was on boasted a lovely bust of Cleopatra on the front . We were all dressed in 100% polyester outfits that were supposed to make us look like pharaohs but probably more closely resembled bumblebees.
Don Sawyer is a writer, educator and former Director of Okanagan College’s International Development Centre. He lives with his wife in Salmon Arm. You can contact Don Sawyer by email at donsawyer@ telus.net or by mail at Don Sawyer c/o North of 50°, Box 100, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0. For more information on Don’s writing and development work, visit his web site at www.thenortherned.com.
We paraded on the Saturday before the big guys marched on Tuesday, and best of all, we got the primo parade route, right down St. Charles to Canal. From my perch on the second story of our float, my daughter on one side and surrounded by neighbourhood friends and colleagues, we had a great time pitching about $400 (hey, you didn’t think all that stuff came for free, did you?) worth of beads, Frisbees plush toys, Krewe beer cups and foam swords (well, we were the Krewe of King Arthur). And you don’t get on one of those floats for nothing either. Our fee, $300, was a fraction of what the members of the big krewes like Zulu and Rex pay (some of which have waiting lists of 20 years or more). Let me set a few other myths to rest. We rode for four hours and I didn’t see a single bared chest. (Well, OK, there was the one buff guy Mellissa’s gay friend Terry persuaded to lift his t-shirt). Actually, all the Mardi Gras parades are family events with some families staking out places on the parade routes hours before the floats roll, breaking out the gas barbecue and lawn chairs and making an outing of it. All that other stuff, the falling-down drunks, boobs for beads and pathetic Texan tourists? That all takes place in a few blocks of Bourbon Street, a quarter mile from the main parade routes. Then there are the king cakes. These
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STAYCATIONS
54° 49’N … or thereabouts!
A staycation is a bit like being a tourist in your own town. Instead of travelling afar for a vacation, you stay home and relax, taking day trips close to home. Living in the Thompson Okanagan is a bonus for staycationers, considering all there is to do here. Plan your staycation just like you would a regular vacation. Set a time and date for your ‘departure’. Buy a local guidebook. Go on a winery tour. Spend a day at the beach. Have dinner out. Visit a museum or art gallery. Check out one of the world class ski hills in the Thompson Okanagan. Experience live theatre. Attend a musical festival or sports event. Find a new hiking trail. The trick to enjoying a staycation is to make sure you do what you would do if you were on vacation: relax and explore!
On Kids’ Time in BC By Margo Pfeiff
Shhhhh … here be dinosaurs. And whales slapping tails. And wilderness where you can zoom through trees on a cable or splash down whitewater rivers. Heck, there are even castles and gargoyles on a sandy promenade … at least until high tide. Sound like the theme park of your kids’ dreams? Pretty much. For families looking for fun time to share with their children, British Columbia is a playground so reallyreally big it has everything from mountains with steaming hot springs pools to beaches where you can learn to hang ten on a surfboard. Who wouldn’t like a vacation that starts with a prowl through dinosaur country that was discovered by kids? In 2000, two pre-teen boys tubing down a creek near the northern Rockies foothill community of Tumbler Ridge spotted dinosaur tracks imprinted into the stony riverbank. Their discovery led to the Peace Region Palaeontology Research Centre (PRPRC) and its Dinosaur Discovery Gallery with hundreds of bones, tyrannosaur (Albertosaurus) teeth and some of the 1,500 fossilized fish and other 75- to 350-million-year-old specimens unearthed in the region. Best of all is heading out at night in the dark on a one-kilometre (0.6-mile) guided lantern tour to see dinosaur footprints: angled lamplight is perfect for illuminating details like the creatures’ skin. An added bonus? Kids aged 7-13 are sure to dig the museum’s dinosaur day camps, which include learning to excavate and prepare fossils. In the meantime, mom and dad can lace up to explore hiking trails and waterfalls, or wander the moonscape of Boulder Gardens studded with stone pinnacles. Just to the west, the Northern BC villages of Hazelton, New Hazelton and South Hazelton are perfect for family road Climbing the obstacles course at Wildplay in Whistler, photo: Wildplay. 20 northof50.com
tripping, thanks to the area’s deep canyons, lush forests and historic draws. Here, the reconstructed ancient First Nations village of K’san is a must-stop, offering insight into pre-European contact with its collection of longhouses and groves of still-standing totem poles. Continue winding west towards the coast to Prince Rupert, then hop on board Seashore Charters’ boat to catch a glimpse of some of the creatures featured on those totems in real life. Watch for Orca, and grey and minke whales spouting, and even a few humpbacks breaching clear out of the water. Then take a waterborne safari into the rainforest and feel your heart skip a beat at the sight of grizzly bears in the remote Khutzeymateen Valley bear sanctuary. Eager for heart-pounding adventure of a different kind? There’s more adrenalin to be found at Kumsheen Rafting Resort near Lytton. Perched overlooking the historic Thompson River, the family-owned and operated soft adventure retreat features a menu of whitewater escapades for the energetic 10-and-up crowd. Hang on and scream your way through the Devil’s Gorge section of the river on a raft or learn to paddle your own sit-on-top kayak through easy whitewater. Teens can try rock climbing, rappelling and mountain biking, while adults can rise to the challenge with disc golf or settle in for lazy lounging by the pool. After a fresh gourmet meal in the Cutting Board Restaurant, head for your Gold Rush-era canvas prospector’s tent or tuck yourself into a family teepee — it sleeps four and comes complete with a candle-lit pit in the centre and an open top where you can watch the stars as you drift off to sleep. Speaking of campfires ‘n all, there are plenty flickering at guest ranches in wide open ranch land across the province. Slip on a cowboy hat and boots and hit the trail near Cranbrook at Three Bars Guest Ranch, awarded North America’s Best Family Dude Ranch in 2011. Run by the Beckley family, they keep kids as young as six busy learning to ride with the help of pro wranglers, gathering eggs from the chicken coop and toasting marshmallows over a campfire. Older children and adults can add to that repertoire with hiking, river rafting, mountain biking and fly fishing in a classic Rockies landscape where you can hop on a horse and trot into a Wild West sunset, partner. Down in the south Okanagan, a “rattlesnake crossing” sign on the roadside is an indication of what lies ahead on an arid stretch of sage-covered hills in Osoyoos. NK’MIP Desert Cultural Centre is built into a hillside with outdoor and indoor galleries that explore the culture, art and history of the Okanagan First Nations as well as the natural curiosities of Canada’s only real desert. Hold a live snake, go on a
guided trail walk to look for scorpions and prickly-pear cactus, watch live feedings of nesting bats and peek into the “rattlesnake hotel.” While the kids take part in fun stuff like learning to stomp grapes at the adjoining Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, mum and dad can go wine-tasting next door at NK’MIP (pronounced Inka-meep) Cellars, North America’s first Aboriginal owned and operated winery, or putt around the nine-hole Sonora Dunes golf course where rattlesnakes in the rough are one of the more unique hazards. Still got some steam? Head off and pick your own peaches and cherries or learn to wakeboard or parasail on nearby Osoyoos Lake. Out on the east coast of Vancouver Island every summer during the Parksville Beach Festival, castles and mystical creatures blossom on the beach as sculptors from around the world create temporary masterpieces from just sand and water during the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition. Watch big kids fashion a waterside fantasy having — as the event motto goes — “The most fun you can have with sand in your pants!” Following a day of play, tuck in for a bit of luxury mere steps from the sandcastles at The Beach Club Resort, or take it on the road and journey a few hours north to check into one of the chalet rooms or cottages at Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre. The latter, a wilderness adventure resort for families, is sure to get the whole gang out-of-doors with youth summer camps, leadership training and all manner of outdoor workshops. And you don’t even have to travel far from Vancouver for real zany wilderness entertainment for kids and adults of all ages — it’s the specialty of Whistler’s Wildplay Element Park, an adrenalin-based forest theme park where kids from the age of seven up can practice the art of monkeying around. Friends and family can choose to zoom alongside one another on exhilarating dual ziplines or hit the Monkido Aerial Tree Course. The latter showcases two Monkido courses consisting of various levels of cleverly designed obstacle courses through the trees, with everything from zip lines, rope swings, scrambling walls, hanging nets and wobbly bridges. And the kids won’t even notice they are getting exercise, becoming more agile or sub-consciously collecting great writing material for that inevitable September back-to-school essay on “What I did on my summer vacation.” For more inside scoop on family fun in BC, visit www. Hellobc.com/thingstodo. For more on British Columbia’s destinations and travel information, call 1-800 HELLO BC® (North America) or visit www.HelloBC.com. northof50.com 21
Summer is celebrated in vintage style during annual festival When yours is a region chock-a-block with wineries and their winning vintages, seems only natural to celebrate the seasons with a glass of red or white. Your cue to toast Mother Nature’s warm embrace of this verdant valley? The 10th annual Summer Okanagan Wine Festival, of course. Offering ample opportunity to tipple with over 30 events on the roster, festivities kick off in Kelowna with July 9’s Pop Goes the Cork, featuring sublime pairings from 30 winemakers and the good folks of Dairy Farmers of Canada. For adrenalin-junkies, Penticton’s Granfondo Wine Tasting celebrates the valley’s famed cycling race, both slated for July 10, while All You Need Is Cheese & Wine — The Beach Party promises to be sandcastle-ready further south along the shores of Osoyoos Lake, July 15. And for inspiration while sipping out-of-doors, Vernon’s Valley First Polson Pouring, July 17, will blend Spoken Word Artists with a picture-pretty Polson Park setting. A fitting finale to a joyous Okanagan summer fest. www. thewinefestivals.com
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North of 50
Photo Credit: Tourism BC/Don Weixl
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northof50.com 23
Let Loose And Just Play! By Lee Morris
action welcoming guests from around the world. If you’re lucky, you’ll see them doing stunts, such as having the horses walk up and down stairs and perch upon rocks, a true test of horsemanship on display. For visitors to Kamloops looking for some thrilling adventures, it’s hard to top a mountain bike excursion to the Kamloops Bike Ranch. Even if you’re not into the twists and turns of the extreme terrain or the on-site jumps, watching some of these riders maneuver narrow trails and routes is exhilarating in itself. Personally, I like to stick to Kenna Cartwright Park or the Rivers Trail which joins the North Shore and South Shore of Kamloops for a mountain bike adventure, and stop along the way for an ice cream. Kamloops is certainly blessed with an abundance of lakes, over 100 in fact in the area. Plus, with the North and South Thompson rivers converging in Kamloops, there are ample opportunities to enjoy a variety of water sports. Maybe this will be the year you go on a white water rafting trip? Whatever it is, the serenity of kayaking or canoeing on a quiet lake or getting out and boating, waterskiing or wakeboarding, visitors and locals love that Kamloops blends the perfect combination of sunny summer days with great rivers and lakes with clean beaches for a day of water sports play. As the warmer summer weather begins to make its appearance after what seems to have been a longer than normal winter, sun-starved outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers are making their way to Kamloops. The obvious signs being the boats and various water sport toys towed behind vehicles, golf clubs on board, even hang gliding equipment and mountain bikes fastened to vehicle roof racks. It’s an exciting time of year in Kamloops, and 2011 is shaping up to be exceptional with new adrenaline packed attractions.
Those who have been to Kamloops for a getaway already will want to visit again this summer as there are some new adventures to add to your ‘bucket list’. Just 45 minutes east of Kamloops is the new Chase-based Treetop Flyers, a ziplining company which is touting their two new zip lines over Chase Canyon Falls as ‘one of the most spectacular zip lines in B.C.’ and I personally can’t wait to try it. The tour will fly over waterfalls and pass by steep canyon walls, all led by professionally trained guides and using state-of-the-art zipline technology to ensure an exhilarating, yet safe, ride.
Being a country gal myself with a passion for horses, when guests come to Kamloops, a trail ride through the backcountry is certainly a ‘must do’. Exploring the hills and mountains around Kamloops has certainly led to some exceptional sightings of wildlife through my years of riding, from viewing coyotes and Big Horn sheep, to the impressive array of birds like trumpeter swans and bald eagles. For a real show of horsemanship, we’ll head down to Riverside Park when the Rocky Mountaineer train pulls into the station and catch the Kamloops Mounted Patrol team in
If you’ve always wanted to try dirt biking or go on a fly fishing excursions, there are some new tour companies in Kamloops that are offering complete guided packages this summer. Though my friends wouldn’t call me a real dare devil or thrill seeker, I know I’ll be challenging myself to get out there this year and give a new sport or adventure a try. I hope you’ll do the same and create some exciting memories to take home with you. Maybe I’ll see you out there.
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~ Lee Morris | CEO | Tourism Kamloops
Left, Trapp Lake, 15 min South of Kamloops, 1:54 pm, September 28, photo by Kelly Funk. above, Kamloops Bike Ranch, 5:30 pm, May 10, photo by Tyler Meade.
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northof50.com 25
BANDING HUMMINGBIRDS Story & photos by Barbara Harris
The tiny green bird flew past the feeder, checking for larger birds or other enemies. Seeing none, it turned back, and hovered close to the red container, again sensing no threat. Delicately, it landed on the feeder, looked around once more, and began to drink. Suddenly, an unseen net dropped out of the sky, and the hummingbird was trapped. Luckily for the hummingbird, it has been caught by a small group of birders, who will band and collect data on the small aviator before setting it free. But who are these people, and why do they catch hummingbirds? Gail Loughridge, who heads the banding team in Vernon, became interested in hummingbirds while living in Victoria. Fascinated by hummingbirds, and with none in her area, it took two years to attract an Anna’s hummingbird to her yard. Eventually she met Cam Finlay, a retired ornithologist who banded hummingbirds and collected data for the Canadian Wildlife Service. He helped her band four little Anna’s – and a new bander was born. When Gail moved to Vernon in 2002, she was intrigued to learn that three different types of hummingbirds – Calliope, 26 northof50.com
Black-chinned, and Rufous – visit the Okanagan in the spring. With Cam’s encouragement, Gail decided to set up a banding team here. She began looking for sites visited by lots of hummers, and for people interested in learning to band. The North Okanagan Naturalist Club was a source of both. Frank and Mary Paul, long time club members, have a home on the west side of Okanagan Lake that attracts scores of hummingbirds. Not only do they graciously allow 6 to 10 banders to descend upon them at 6am every two weeks, they feed them scones and coffee; making a cold, early start much more palatable. Through the club Gail found other homes willing to host banders, as well as a group who wanted to learn to band. She has a list of about 30; but there are 5 or 6 enthusiasts who come regularly. Laura has watched birds all her life, and recognizes more birds with her eyes only than do many others with binoculars. Susan, a new bander, is a biologist who loves anything to do with wildlife. Cherie, a math teacher, is good at recording data from 3 banders talking all at once. On a typical morning in May they begin very early, catching birds at their most active feeding time. Laura takes down all feeders in the area, placing only one feeder on the table where bander Gail will work. A net is
placed around another feeder by Susan and replaced. Susan holds the string to the raised net and gives a hungry bird a few seconds to eat before dropping the net. Once a bird is trapped, Susan puts her hand inside the net, removes the bird, and places a small piece of material (“a sweater”) over the bird’s head and wings. The sweater is pinned together, and the bird is handed to Gail. At the table, Cherie writes down information. Gail pulls back the sweater to reveal both legs, and checks if the bird has a band. If so, she reads the band number aloud and it is recorded by Cherie; and if it is a previous year’s band, everyone becomes excited – it means the little bird was at exactly the same spot, often on the same day, as it was the previous year. If there is no old band, Gail picks up a new band with banding pliers, reads the number aloud to the recorder Cherie, and places it around the bird’s leg. As the band is placed around the leg, Gail gently squeezes with the pliers, so that the edges of the band just meet. Then she measures the lengths of the bill and one wing, and weighs the bird. Before and throughout these procedures, Gail carefully checks the colours at the head, throat, and tail, to determine the sex and age of the bird. She also offers the hummer food at the feeder on the table; and some hummingbirds drink a great deal. Some hummers are so eager to feed that they are caught three times on the same morning! When all tasks are completed, Gail removes the sweater from the hummingbird, and off it flies. Banding sessions are generally held 8 to 12 times a month, and last until the end of July, when hummingbirds have begun to migrate. At the end of a season, data from all banding sites is collected and evaluated. Hummingbirds occur only in North and South America; and in order to make sure they survive as a species, their migration routes and habitat must be safeguarded. They are critical to food production as pollinators and insect controllers. The New World would be so much poorer if these splendid, iridescent birds were to disappear from our landscape. Anyone interested in banding or working with hummingbirds can contact Gail at kalliope@shaw.ca Left page, Rufous males and females at a feeder. Right (top to bottom), The length of the wing is being measured. A Rufous hummingbird has a “sweater” placed over his head, to immobilise him. The Rufous’ neck is being checked to see if any mites are present. northof50.com 27
How to build a fish pond the right way
to the house so that it can be enjoyed when someone is outdoors or inside. Also take into consideration rain run-off. This may contain chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides that can contaminate pond life. Avoid locating it too close to trees, otherwise a lot of time will be spent cleaning out leaves and other debris. If the pond will be growing only plants, be sure it gets a few hours of steady sun a day. For a pond containing only fish, shade will be adequate.
A pond full of fish can be a nice addition to a person’s backyard landscape.
A water feature in the backyard is not only an attractive way to add dimension and visual interest to the entertaining space, it can also be a tranquil, relaxing place for which to retire. A pond filled with marine plants or fish can be a welcome respite in the yard. For those who haven’t done major excavation or built something similar in the yard before, it pays to become educated before digging the first hole. In order to ensure the fish pond goes in correctly, there are a few things the do-ityourselfer needs to know. * Determine size. Many first-time pond builders simply make their ponds too small. If fish or a lot of aquatic plants are planned, be sure to size it large enough to accommodate growth. Err on the larger size -- some dirt can always be added back if it seems too large. A koi pond should be at least four feet deep at its deepest point. One can vary the depths of the pond by creating shelfs of dirt or rock. * Determine location. The best place to put a pond is close 28 northof50.com
* Plan on water circulation. Although circulation is not a must, it can help aerate the water and clean out debris, if a filter is used. Plus, moving water is less susceptible to insect larvae growth like that of mosquitoes. Figure a waterfall or water jet into the design and a skimmer that will suck out the water. Be sure the skimmer is positioned so that the level of the pond water meets halfway up the skimmer box. If a waterfall will be used, gradually slope the pond away from the waterfall to direct water toward the skimmer. Check municipal building codes to see if a permit will be needed for the pond and the requisite plumbing/electrical work. There may be regulations as to how deeply the power line must be buried and other requirements. * Purchase the correct liner size. Be sure to purchase the right size liner for the pond. Measure the maximum length and width of the pond. Double the depth of the pond and add it to these measurements. Add a foot or two for overlap and this will give you the pond liner size. * Pay attention to rocks and gravel. Too much gravel at the bottom of the pond may cause noxious gases to build up that can gradually kill off marine life. Only put about 2 inches of gravel. Also, keep in mind that some rocks are better left out of the pond design. Limestone can affect the pH of the pond water making it very acidic. Try to make the pond look as natural as possible, hiding pipes and electrical switches with plants and other landscaping items. * Fill and get started. Be sure to include some aquatic plants because those will help create the right mix of nutrients into the water that can feed fish and other plant life. There is also pre-packaged pond bacteria to prime the pond filter. Let the filter run a day or two before adding any fish to ensure that the water condition is right.
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The Kelowna Garden Club will be presenting its major event of the year on Saturday, July 9th – The Juried Flower Show at Guisachan Heritage Garden. This. Many local gardeners, - not only Garden Club Members - take part in the displays of prize winning entries, from single roses to glorious arrangements of floral art, and many varieties of summer blooming flowers and potted arrangements. It is fun and educational – even children can enter the competition in their own category. In addition to the Juried Flower Show, there will be a tour through the beautiful Guisachan Heritage Gardens with Don Burnett. There will be displays of various forms of arts and crafts, a flower arranging demonstration by professionals in our club, an orchid display by the Kelowna Orchid Society, and a very special Floral Art Displays by some of the talented members of our club. Master Gardeners will also be on hand to answer your questions. Guisachan Heritage Garden is located at 1060 Cameron Avenue in Kelowna. The Juried Flower show is on July 9th, 2011, from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Visit www.kelownagarden.com for more information. The event is free. northof50.com 29
AWAY FROM HOME 44° 34’ 1” N
Windsurfing, Hood River, Oregon, Columbia River Gorge. Photo by Alex Kerney
OUTDOOR OREGON Rapid Rides Did you know America’s deepest river gorge (yes, even deeper than the Grand Canyon) winds through Eastern Oregon? It’s long been dubbed Hells Canyon, where the Snake River cuts through rock for breathtaking scenery and knockout white water rafting. There’s lots to do on dry land too, including wilderness trail hikes and a great road trip. Follow the Hells Canyon All American Road from river’s edge to mountaintop for a glimpse of elk, bear and bighorn sheep among the region’s colorful and rugged basalt cliffs. In Southern Oregon, The Rogue River offers countless opportunities to get your feet wet – by canoe, jet boat or raft, or even in hip waders with a fishing pole in hand. A favorite hangout for governors and pro fishers alike, the region boasts some of the best fly fishing guides in the country. Surf’s Up Killer waves? Yep. Public beaches? Got those, too – 363 miles worth. Surfing in Oregon rivals some of the best locations in the world. Of course, the water is a few degrees cooler, so bring a wetsuit. Surf spots dot the entire coastline, and one popular place is Oswald West State Park, just south of Cannon Beach. Backed by rugged, forested cliffs, the park provides gentle swells for beginners and pros alike. For a more intense experience, the world’s top surfers have just 48 hours’ notice to descend on Lincoln City for the annual Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic, one of only two professional tow-in surfing contests in the world. The large swells off Lincoln City result from the first winter storms reaching the Oregon Coast while a dominant high pressure system remains over the Northwest. Translation? Giant waves, some reaching a staggering 40 feet. 30 northof50.com
World’s Windsurfing Capitol On a typical breezy day near Hood River, hundreds of colorful sails dance across the Columbia River as windsurfers and kite boarders ride the famous Columbia River Gorge winds. The conditions are so good, this area of the Gorge has earned a reputation as the windsurfing capitol of the world, attracting professionals from around the globe. First timers are welcomed too, and local shops will arrange for lessons. Nearby Hood River is a vibrant community nestled in a fertile valley known for its bountiful fruit harvest. It offers friendly inns, good eats and an engaging, ecologically minded business district. Rockin’ Roll Smith Rock in Central Oregon challenges all who come to conquer its sheer walls, cliffs and crags up to 700 feet tall. The peak lures rock climbers from around the globe with more than 1,400 climbing routes. Fall is one of the best times to climb, when weather is still dry and rocks are cooler than during the longer sunny summer days. Those who aren’t “craggers” can hike or bike on the park’s numerous trails, scout for birds and local wildlife, or eat a picnic lunch as they view the action on the walls above the Crooked River. The river flows through the 641-acre park. North of Redmond, cutting a 300-foot deep crevice through 10-million year old basalt flows to form the Crooked River Gorge, a hotspot for fly fishing, rafting and kayaking. Tee Time Play through spectacular stretches of sand dunes high above the Pacific Ocean or tee off in the heart of wine country. Oregon offers world-class golf courses built by some of the
industry’s best known architects. Perhaps the epitome of Oregon golfing is Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, a place where all the essential elements converge to create a spectacular golf experience. Located on Oregon’s rugged south coast, the resort is one of the few American golf retreats that can truly lay claim to the legacy of Scotland’s ancient links. Golfers have their choice of three distinct courses perched high above the Pacific Ocean, each remarkably different in character and shot-making requirements. Or, near Oregon’s central coast, enjoy a challenging 18-hole, par-72 golf course also built in the Scottish tradition: Salishan Spa and Golf Resort. Golf Digest recently ranked Central Oregon as 23rd in the top 50 best golf destinations in the world, with 25 local golf courses to suit your fancy. Overall, there are more than 150 golf courses dotted throughout the state. Visit www.traveloregon.com/golf for a complete list of courses and resorts. Home Tweet Home Oregon is a birder’s nirvana, with its coast, mountains, desert and swamps and all the species that occupy them. Eastern Oregon’s lakes, rivers and marshes attract frequent fliers to viewpoints including songbirds at the Bird Track Springs Nature Trail and bald eagles at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. Near Portland, the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area boasts an astounding number of ducks, geese, sandhill cranes and tundra swans. The Klamath Forest National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Oregon is a vast refuge habitat for thousands of birds, ducks, geese, pelicans, herons and eagles. Or, spy on more than 1,000 majestic bald eagles in the nearby Bear Valley Refuge – the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the U.S.
and purity. During the summer, drive around the rim of the caldera (formed from an intense volcanic eruption), enjoy boat tours across the lake and hike up trails for breathtaking views. • The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the richest fossil bed sites in the world, containing 14,000 acres of preserved plant and animal fossils from 40 million years ago. Visit the Paleontology Center to join a guided tour of the diverse geological landscape. • Take the kids to some of the best tidepools at Cape Arago State Park, about 15 miles south of Coos Bay. Spy on the families of seals and sea lions at Shell Island and go beachcombing for shells and agate. • Walk alongside the world’s largest obsidian flow, trek through the Lava Cast Forest, venture into the Lava River Cave, climb to the top of Lava Butte to examine the region’s ancient volcanic features, and visit the Lava Lands Visitor Center – all part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument near Bend
Natural Oddities Besides 363 miles of pristine public beaches, high-desert country, painted hills and wine-producing valleys, Oregon is home to North America’s deepest river gorge (Hells Canyon), the country’s deepest lake (Crater Lake) and the world’s second-most-climbed mountain (Mt. Hood), which also happens to host North America’s only year-round ski season. So giddy up…you’ve got some exploring to do! Here are a few good places to start. • Visit Cannon Beach to see the majestic Haystack Rock, one of the most recognizable Oregon Coast landmarks and home to thousands of tufted puffins, gulls and cormorants. Pick a spot on the cliffs to observe their flight, photograph the view, set up an easel, or just let the rhythm of crashing waves inspire your imagination. • In Southern Oregon, visit Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the U.S. at 1,932 feet, and be astounded by the intense blue color and incredible clarity, an effect of the water’s depth
A bald eagle scans the Multnomah Channel for prey from atop an old piling near Rocky Point. Raptors such as bald eagles and red-tailed hawks are increasing along the channel and on Sauvie Island as they take advantage of the annual migration of waterfowl, which is getting into full swing. Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. northof50.com 31
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THE WHITE PAPER THE VOTING HERD
I think there must have been lots of happy people after the federal election. A majority for the Conservatives, Opposition for the New Democrats, a seat for the Greens, no more Bloc Quebecois. And this was an election that was not supposed to happen, that nobody wanted? Seems the results suggest otherwise. If we give our heads a shake, any time we have an election we ought to be smiling and feeling pretty good, because it’s the experiential proof that we truly live the good life here. We have real elections. They mean something. As this one unfolded, there was consensus that a poor result for any party would mean the retirement of that leader. The will of the people is paramount. No guns resorted to before, during, or after. But what else did this election show us? 40% still don’t vote. There are three possibilities for this, not counting illness or travel. One is that many simply reject the notion that any party will actually serve the country’s best interests. Two, is that many just don’t care who wins. And three is that many
32 northof50.com
are stupid and don’t even pay attention to what gives them everything they have. On an equally somber note, this election also demonstrates our tribal nature. We don’t think and evaluate so much as we vote according to a tribal or herd mentality. I am not so sure that we are an engaged or astute electorate. I look at the overwhelming vote percentages for the Conservative Party in Alberta. What is that all about? Neither the policies of the Conservatives nor the quality of their candidates in that province merit that rote outcome each election. It more so reflects an automatic, non-thinking, gut impulse. Vote Conservative. But it wasn’t just Alberta turning off their sense, specifically consider three different candidates who got elected despite what was known about them and which should have augured otherwise. In lower mainland B.C., the incumbent, Ujjal Dosanjh , a Liberal, was soundly defeated even though it was national news that his Conservative rival knowingly welcomed support from Ripudiman Singh Malik, who is understood to have connections to the Air India bombing. And some of this support was gained in illegal meetings in a public funded school. In Brampton, Ontario, Conservative Parm Gill was handily elected even though it seemed clear that for months prior to the election, he was unethically using his Party connections to gain favoritism from the Immigration Ministry. In Quebec, it was NDP Ruth Brosseau who was elected even though she was in Las Vegas during the campaign, did not attend forums and had no connection to her riding! The so-called Orange Crush swayed voters to stop thinking.
When we accept the negative, propagandistic attacks in our campaigns, we accept the erosion of good and democratic government. This is because good and truly democratic government depends upon an engaged and perceptive electorate. Attack ads represent the dictum that winning any way possible is what matters. The aggression and manipulativeness of these ads dumb the electorate because they cultivate our ignorance and non-thinking tendencies. And such ads illustrate how stupid the parties consider us to be. At a candidate school some years past, it was asserted that a “message” needs to be repeated 17 times before it sinks in. Hence, we get the same ads and speeches over and over and over until what little attention and thinking that we do have turns off and we default to the simplist mind-set ---namely whatever is stuck there or whatever way the tribe is swaying. Calvin White is a retired high school counsellor who lives in the North Okanagan. He has over 70 essays published in various Canadian daily newspapers, including the Globe and Mail, the Ottawa Citizen, Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun and Province. If you have any comments on this column, you can write to Calvin White at calvinwhite@northof50.com or to Calvin White c/o North of 50°, Box 100, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0
In each of these cases, it seems that incumbent candidates of more skill, higher character, more experience and greater use to their constituents were defeated only due to the shallow motivation of herdism. This election also marked the victory of American style attack ads over intelligence, civility, and respect. The proliferation and acceptance of attack ads nurtures our growing stupidity and shallowness. I listened in alarm as one voter harumphed that she was glad Michael Ignatieff lost because he wasn’t even really a Canadian. She took the vile Conservative smearing of him as some kind of nonpartisan information! Ignatieff is a good man, a smart man, and we would all be better off if he was still in Parliament with his caring, good mind. I am no Liberal, but if I was in his riding I would have voted for him because he was unquestionably the best candidate. northof50.com 33
Okanagan Restaurant Wins Greenest Business Award and Launches Groundbreaking Green Invention Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen follows up green business win with launch of Eco-Thaw Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen, the multiaward winning Kelowna-based restaurant, has done it again. Ricardo’s won the Medium Business Award at the 2011 Green Business Awards on April 28th. The restaurant was also a finalist for Green Innovator and Sustainability Leader of the Year. In addition to winning the Greenest Business award in the Okanagan, Ricardo’s is launching a new eco-product, Eco-Thaw. This groundbreaking innovation can help restaurants significantly reduce the amount of water used in trying to quickly defrost products, which is considered to be one of the most eco-unfriendly, yet often necessary, restaurant practices. The Green Business Awards recognize businesses that have a proven green track record and exemplify a long-term commitment to sustainability. Winners are chosen based on criteria such as implementing environmentally sustainable practices that demonstrate positive environmental results, promoting the value of sustainable business practices to stakeholders, and creating on organizational culture that supports employees in making sustainable decisions. Ricardo’s is a leader in the Okanagan restaurant industry for its commitment to the environment. It is Green Table and Ocean-Wise certified, and also sources its products from local farmers, orchardists and Farmer’s Markets. The team are committed recyclers and composters, and only use non-chemical cleaners in their restaurant. 34 northof50.com
From using low energy bulbs to take out containers made from potato, Ricardo’s proves that being environmentally sustainable is one of their core values. Ricardo’s already takes water waste reduction very seriously with a strict program that includes storing unused water in a rain barrel for watering plants and using low flow taps. One area it is still looking to improve upon was the use of continuously running water to quickly thaw frozen products for 40-50 minutes at a time. It’s a common restaurant practice that wastes a significant amount of water, especially in British Columbia where water is used twice more than any other province. The Eco-Thaw allows you to attach a small pond pump and faucet to any container where you can pour in some water. After you place the frozen product in the container, the water then circulates around it over and over again until it is completely thawed. This procedure can thaw food faster than running water and because only one container of water is needed, waste is significantly reduced. Ricardo’s has plans to add an infrared light that kills bacteria while the food is in the container. The product has proven to be such a success at Ricardo’s that the small, family run restaurant is now making the Eco-Thaw available to food establishments across Canada. Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen is located in Holiday Park resort, 20 kms north of Kelowna.
Op-Ed:
Why I’m voting against the HST: It fails the test of fairness
Reluctantly (and pending significant reforms in the next few weeks), I’ll be voting against the HST this June. It’s a difficult decision (and indeed some associated with my organization have landed on the other side of this question). I come to my position reluctantly because: a) I do not relish joining anti-tax campaigns (they tap into a current in political culture that ill serves us in the long term); and b) I accept the arguments that a value-added sales tax such as the HST is more economically efficient than the old PST. That said, the economic benefits of the HST have been grossly overstated by its proponents. Many of the businesses that will most benefit from the HST (particularly in the resource sector) are much more sensitive to demandside considerations (namely the global market for their products) than to supply-side considerations (such as taxes) when making their investment decisions. These caveats notwithstanding, there are core design flaws in the HST that mean the tax as currently structured is simply unfair, and exacerbates trends that have undermined the overall progressivity of BC’s tax system for the past decade. Those trends are two-fold: • A shift in government revenues from corporations to households; and • At the household level, a shift from progressive income taxes to regressive consumption taxes, such that upper-income households have seen a much larger drop in their taxes. From the time the HST was introduced, CCPA economists have provided nuanced analysis highlighting key flaws, but showing how these can be fixed. Their recommendations, however, have thus far been ignored. The government has stubbornly refused to fix what is broken. And in the absence of a willingness to redress these defects, I am resigned to voting against the tax. Now comes word that Premier Clark intends to make a “bold” change to the HST before the referendum ballots are mailed. If the government surprises us before the vote and does indeed propose reforms that would benefit families struggling to make ends meet, I’ll reconsider (but I’m not holding my breath). When comparing the overall corporate tax regime in BC to other jurisdictions, there is simply no compelling case that the corporate sector in BC was in need of a massive tax reduction (the HST system, by providing rebates for taxes paid on inputs, bestows upon businesses a tax cut of
By Seth Klein somewhere between $730 million and $2 billion). At it is, corporate tax rates has been dropping for years, and global accounting firm KMPG consistently finds BC to be one of the least expensive places in which to do business in the industrialized world. I’m sure many businesses appreciated the tax cut, but there is no evidence they needed it. At the household level, British Columbian consumers will be paying more (about $1.3 billion more, according to the recent report of the government-appointed HST panel). Fundamentally, the HST and its low-income credit, as currently structured, fail the equity test. The credit largely off-sets the higher HST costs for the poorest British Columbians, but its early and quick phase-out means that many modest and middle income households will be facing higher costs. It is possible, however, to envision a reformed HST regime that I would be happy to support; changes that would see BC realize the economic and efficiency benefits of the HST, while adequately addressing and offsetting the equity impacts of this shift from the PST to the HST. Some have proposed doing this by simply lowering the HST by one percentage point. That would be ill advised; it would be expensive (about $800 million), and would provide a large benefit to many upper-income households that are not in need of such a reduction. A much better approach would be to restructure the HST credit, along the lines of the Canada Child Tax Benefit or Old Age Security, such that the phase-out is much more gradual. This more generous credit could be paid for by an increase in the general corporate income tax rate (equivalent to what the corporate sector is saving due to the HST). Such an approach would not impact most of the smaller servicesector businesses that have been harmed by the HST (as they are subject to the much lower small-business corporate income tax rate). Ultimately, it is unfortunate that we will be voting on a terribly narrow referendum question that will produce no particularly positive outcome either way. As a province, we would be much better served by a Fair Tax Commission, in which we put the entire BC tax and royalty regime on the table. British Columbians deserve a chance to thoughtfully deliberate on all the options, and to determine together how we want to raise the revenues we need to meet our social, environmental and economic goals. Seth Klein is the BC Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives northof50.com 35
LISE
SIMPSON THE VIEW FROM MY WINDOW
Absolutely No Early Birds My blessed slumber was ruined one recent Saturday morning at a most unseemly hour. I awoke to the sounds of car doors slamming and people chattering excitedly, and my heart sank. A quick glance out the window confirmed my fears - one of our neighbours was having a garage sale. I spied all their unwanted clutter, optimistically arranged in their driveway. As I lay in bed feeling annoyed that our quiet ambience was going to be shattered for half the day, I also realized with some dismay that I would probably not be able to resist the strange pull of this crap. I would quite likely tumble into the garage sale vortex. I would almost certainly, at some point in the morning, feel compelled to wander over there myself, sipping a coffee, acting nonchalant. “Just popped over to say hello”, I would state casually, whilst glancing keenly at the assorted clobber. Many years ago I convinced my husband that we needed to do a garage sale. We had accumulated a lot of kid clutter...a high chair, a stroller, clothes, toys, that sort of stuff. I placed 36 northof50.com
an ad in the paper that stated this was our first-ever garage sale (thus guaranteeing good attendance), and emphasized the displeasure we would feel if early birds dared show up. The night before the garage sale, disturbingly large numbers of people began driving past our house, some calling out to ask if we were starting yet. “Saturday morning! The ad said Saturday morning!” yelped my husband in frustration. The day of the sale, we realized that the cautionary note against early birds had been a waste of time. We stood in amazement at six a.m. as our junk began to leave our driveway. We grinned at each other as a man argued with my husband about the price he was willing to pay for a three foot length of garden hose. One would think they were negotiating the terms and conditions of a corporate merger of Bay Street proportions. Excited, I ran into the house, dragging out other items that we hadn’t planned to sell, and quickly sticking a price on them. My husband advised the boys to avoid standing still in case Mom stuck a price on them. He took the dog to the neighbours, asking them to keep me away from him because I had fallen under some sort of spell and could not, at present, be trusted. By the end of the day we were sick of the whole thing. We were sick of haggling, sick of giving a forced cheerful greeting to the stragglers, and we were absolutely exhausted. I had to sign an oath in blood swearing we would never, ever, have another garage sale. But it sure did look nice and tidy under the stairs, now that all that stuff was gone. What is it about garage sales? Why do we suspect that somewhere in amongst the junk – the broken camping lanterns and Archie comic books and skateboards with no wheels and canning jars with no lids and macramé plant holders - that there will be a marvellous treasure just waiting to be discovered? If the current owners don’t want this stuff, and are prepared to endure the humiliation of displaying it in their driveway for everyone to see, why do we think we might find value in it? Put it down to eternal optimism, I suppose. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeking out a great bargain and not having to pay tax on it. Just please, in the name of everything that is good and decent in this world, don’t be an early bird. Lise Simpson has lived with her family in Armstrong for 14 years, and would not return to the Coast for any sum of money in any global currency. She is a terrible poker player, and becomes alarmingly agitated if delivered late to an airport. She enjoys pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain
IT’S YOUR WORLD THE REAL ECONOMY
By Bob Harrington James Lovelock’s Gaia, A New Look at Life on Earth, postulates that the physical and chemical conditions of the earth surface, of the atmosphere, and of the oceans has been made fit for life by life itself: “The most important property of Gaia is the tendency to optimize conditions for all terrestrial life…..namely that she is a cybernetic system.” When we release ozone-destroying chemicals into the air from our industries, and further ravage the ozone layer through nuclear explosions and space launches, we threaten the existence of all aerobic life. In fact, if oxygen liberated by photosynthesis had not given rise to an ozone veil which protects aerobic forms from short-wave radiation we now call ultraviolet B, neither higher organisms abundant on land or in surface waters could exist. “Prior to the formation of an ozone layer, primitive cells, including the early photosynthetic organisms must have lived under about 10 meters of water to have received adequate protection from lethal ultraviolet radiation.” Not surprisingly, when we look up the word “economy” in a dictionary, there are a number of definitions, which have to do with management of personal, community, and business affairs. There is also a definition which refers to strict husbandry, which seems not at all a bad idea. The final definition of “economy” in my Webster’s reads: “Theol. the Creator’s plan; the design of Providence.” To me that is the most sensible definition, one which I think of as God’s Economy. Consider merely the fact that the planet’s ancient economy has been developing, growing and recycling completely for aeons, whereas the human economy that has been in full swing for only a century or thereabouts, is on the verge of destroying its own species and of doing disproportionate and possibly lethal damage to the entire planet. Those whose predilections make them uncomfortable with the phrase God’s Economy, might feel better referring to the original economy of the planet as Nature’s Economy. At any rate, everyone should recognize that there is a planetary economy and that our own economy has become dangerously parasitic on it. Nature’s Economy, incidentally, is a highly productive economy, and teeming life is the result of its efficiency. It is obvious that we are all totally dependent on earth. One wonders then why religions have been reluctant
to stress the fact that respect for the Creator would logically entail respect for the Creation. If we had recognized the wisdom of loving other things more and our own selves a bit less, our prognosis for survival would be better and our religions more convincing. To promote heaven and ignore earth is to put the cart before the horse. Photosynthesis might be looked upon as the “economic engine” that gives impetus to planetary affairs. Actually, the world’s most efficient factories are the leaves of plants. The human economy is utterly dependent on the fact that photosynthesis, powered by the energy of the sun and catalyzed by chlorophyll in plants, produces some 300 billion tons of sugar or precursors of sugar annually. The process takes place on land and sea. The raw material produced in this manner is further utilized in other important syntheses such as the formation of amino acids from which proteins are built. Our muscles, blood, bones and nervous systems are produced by food grown on the planet. As the Hudson River naturalist, John Burroughs, stated: “We are walking trees and floating plants….rooted to air through our lungs, and to soil through our stomachs.” Blood and chlorophyll are closely related. A molecule of haemoglobin contains 136 atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen in an intricate arrangement around a central ring containing a single atom of iron. In a molecule of chlorophyll, the same number of atoms forms the same arrangement around a single atom of magnesium. The wealth of diversity of life on the planet offers strong evidence that Nature’s Economy is concerned with life itself as wealth. The fabric of nature is composed of interwoven and interdependent organisms. Both abundance and health spring from the mutual interdependency of the living fabric. Interdependence involves myriad complex feedback loops and alternative pathways that account for the dynamic stability of ecosystems. There are, of course, limits to endurance and ecosystems that are over-stressed can collapse with rapidity. We are reminded in the Bible in Ecclesiastes (3:19), “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth the beasts; even one thing befalleth them; as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea they have all one breath; so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity.” God’s economy is of such integrated complexity that we have neither been able to understand it fully or to discern our own place within this realm of overflowing generosity. Adapted from, The Soul Solution:The Need for a Theology of the Earth with a foreword by Dr. David Suzuki. Bob’s books are available at Bookland in Vernon and Kamloops, Mosaic Books in Kelowna, and Hooked on Books in Penticton. northof50.com 37
HEALTH MATTERS
Simple ways to ease the ‘ouch’ Sunblock -- and its adequate reapplication -- is one of the single most effective ways to prevent sunburn and a host of sunrelated maladies. Despite the warnings of skin cancer and ailments related to the sun, people succumb to sunburn year after year. The results can be quite painful. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting sunburned even once can make a person more likely to get skin cancer. Though it can be that simple to increase risk for skin cancer, there’s actually quite a lot going on behind the scenes when a person gets a sunburn. The very outer layer of the epidermis, or the outside-most skin, is made up of dead skin cells. Directly below them are living skin cells that can be damaged when ultraviolet light from the sun penetrates these living cells and eventually kills them off. Once the body senses the dead cells, the immune system springs into action. White blood cells are sent to the area to repair damage, which involves increased blood flow. This blood flow makes the skin red
and warm. Furthermore, the damaged skin cells send out chemical messengers that activate pain receptors. This is why sunburned skin is red, warm and painful. There are different remedies for alleviating the pain associated with sunburn. While there are some over-thecounter analgesics that will temporarily numb pain, some of the best treatments are simple and natural. * Cool water baths and brief showers can reduce the temperature of the skin. * Aloe gels often soothe and cool. It is believed that aloe has anti-inflammatory properties. * Some people say that white vinegar can reduce pain and inflammation when sprayed on the affected area or used in compresses. * Sunburned skin is often dry and chapped. A moisturizer, such as cocoa butter, can help minimize irritation. * It’s important to remain hydrated because damaged skin may not be as effective in locking moisture inside. Plus, the body needs food and water to fuel the repair of sunburned skin. The best remedy for sunburn is to avoid it at all costs. Wearing sunblock, a wide-brimmed hat, UVprotection clothing, and sunglasses and avoiding the sun during peak hours are ways to remain comfortable and healthy.
WHEAT WARNING FROM HEALTH CANADA Health Canada is cautioning Canadians with severe wheat allergies that other cereal grains, such as oats or barley, may contain low levels of wheat because of the way these grains are grown and harvested. While most Canadians with wheat allergies only react to higher levels of exposure, it is important for those sensitive to even small amounts of wheat to pay special attention when reading ingredient labels. Children with wheat allergies, in particular, are more prone to being sensitive to low levels of wheat than allergic adults. Cereal grains are often grown close to other types of grain and are sometimes harvested using the same equipment. 38 northof50.com
Because of this, it is extremely difficult to keep all traces of wheat from other cereal grains during harvesting. Canadians with wheat allergies and who are sensitive to small amounts of wheat should review labels of pre-packaged foods carefully and contact the company to confirm if products containing other cereal grains might contain traces of wheat. There are also products entering the market containing grains such as “pure oats”, which are processed to avoid the presence of wheat. For more information, consumers can contact Health Canada’s public enquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709
RAILWAY TALES LADY MACDONALD, “YOU GO GIRL”! By Jack Godwin
It’s inspirational when people successfully break free from their mundane normality to fulfill a passionate longing. If they can do it, there’s hope for us too! Much more than today, women in the 1800’s faced societal restrictions dictating “proper behavior”. This practice of propriety had always governed the actions of Sir John A. Macdonald’s second wife Lady Agnes. She didn’t approve of women reading novels because they “heated the blood”, she always asked for “white meat” rather than the breast of the turkey, and she believed the only reason a woman should leave the house on Sunday was to teach Sunday School. Agnes lived her life as a total Victorian prude, until… 1886 when John A. traveled to his new riding on Vancouver Island aboard the just completed C.P.R. and brought Agnes along for the ride. In her diary she wrote how the sight of the Rockies thrilled her soul with their grandeur. Suddenly rash desire stirred in the “white meat” of this conservative Victorian woman! Lady Agnes approached the conductor and sweetly asked if she might ride in the engine cab on the trip into Calgary. This was the Prime Minister’s wife, what could the conductor say? However, riding with the engineer and fireman wasn’t enough of a thrill, Lady Agnes dared to ask if she might blow the whistle. Again, who dared deny the woman whose husband had completed the C.P.R.? So, as the train steamed toward Calgary, Agnes pulled on the whistle cord with such wild abandon that the engineer had to beg her to stop, explaining that there were only certain circumstances when blowing the whistle was appropriate. Suddenly, Lady Agnes seemed to be abandoning “proper” behavior. Her departure from decorum continued at the stop in Lake Louise where a huge engine was added to pull the train through the Rockies. Being shown around the front of the train by a C.P.R. vice president, Lady Agnes announced that she intended to ride the rest of the way to the coast on the cowcatcher of the train! John A. said the idea was “the most damn fool thing he’d ever heard of”. But he didn’t forbid her so Agnes fulfilled her fantasy by riding to the sea at the front of the train! The song “Lady Macdonald’s Ride” by The Kettle Valley Brakemen is available on the CD “Train Talk”. To discover more about the group including concert schedules, other CDs and bookings please visit www.kvbrakemen.com
Locally made meals by hand, from scratch Hormone and antibiotic free meats. Over 80 items on menu Individual microwaveable meals, Bakeable meals & Soups
V.A.C Health cards accepted NO HST 4405A 29th St., Vernon l 250.549.3145
NOW OPEN IN KELOWNA 592 Bernard Ave., Kelowna l 778.478.0343
June 1961 50 Years Ago This Month
June 6 - Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung, who was a pioneer in the field of dream analysis, died at the age of 85. June 9 - Canadian actor, Michael J. Fox, was born in Edmonton June 16 - While in Paris with the Kirov Ballet, Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev requested asylum. He was helped by French police to defect. June 17 - A Paris-to-Strasbourg train derailed near Vitry-leFrançois; 24 people died and 109 were injured. June 17 - The New Democratic Party of Canada was established with the merger of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the Canadian Labour Congress. June 19 - The British protectorate ended in Kuwait and it becomes an emirate. June 24 - 46 year old Amercan philanthropist, George Washington Vanderbilt III, committed suicide by jumping from a hotel window. June 30 - Ernest Hemingway returned to his home in Ketchum, Idaho, after treatment at the Mayo Clinic; two days later, he shot himself. Hemmingway’s father had also committed suicide in 1928 northof50.com 39
june
KAMLOOPS ART GALLERY kag.bc.ca KELOWNA ART GALLERY kelownaartgallery.com
Now to August 14, Gabor Szilasi: The Eloquence of the Everyday, organized by the Musée d’art de Joliette and the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. The exhibition is accompanied by a major monograph on the artist with an essay by guest curator David Harris.
VERNON PUBLIC ART GALLERY vernonpublicartgallery.com
Now to July 28, UBCO BFA GRADUATING EXHIBITION, PREVALENT MATERIAL. The Gallery annually hosts the UBC Okanagan BFA Graduation Exhibition and creates an exhibition opportunity for a group of emerging artists. The artwork will reference tendencies, concepts and strategies in contemporary art making. This exhibition will feature a diversity of media, including paintings and drawings, sculptural installations, printmaking and video.
Now to Sept. 3, GLOBAL NATURE organized by the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, an affiliate of the National Gallery of Canada. The unique art of Winnipeg’s Sarah Anne Johnson come into being through personal memories and histories. Pieces in the KAG show include work inspired by a 12-day-expedition to the Arctic Circle. Now to Sept. 3, VICTOR HAMM - SUBLIME MOMENTS.
PENTICTON ART GALLERY
ARTS HAPPENING
pentictonartgallery.com
Now to June 12, MEADOWLARK FESTIVAL FEATURED ARTIST: LAURIE NEISH. The Penticton Art Gallery takes great pleasure in partnering with the Meadowlark Festival to provide this year’s featured artist with an exhibition. This partnership reinforces the close links between art, culture, science and the environment and demonstrates how interconnections help to articulate the issues and challenges faced by each. By bringing together these elements the public is provided with a portal through which they can view, interpret and distill the fragile nature of our sensitive and unique ecosystem.
COATCHECK GALLERY
galleryvertigo.com
Now to July 12, THE COMMUNITY EXHIBIT, Exhibition and Art Sale presented by the North Okanagan Artists Alternative. The Community Exhibit marks the first time the North Okanagan Artists Alternative, who call Vernon’s Gallery Vertigo their home, have hung an exhibit at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. The exhibition and art sale features a large collection of 48 pieces from 20 North Okanagan Artists Alternative artists. Mediums include everything from acrylic and oil paintings to photography and sculptures.
June 11 and June 25, 10 to 11:30 am. Explore the darker side of Kamloops. Join the Kamloops Museum for the Red Lights and Black Hearts walking tour. Learn about the houses of ill repute, opium dens and notorious Kamloops icons. Discover the fascinating history of Kamloops brothels, women of the night, and the Kamloops Gaol. Given the topics of this walk, this is not suitable for younger audiences. Two dates to choose from: June 11 (Course Number 170347) and June 25 (Course Number 170582). Both take place from 10-11:30am. The cost is $10. 250.828.3576.
LAKE COUNTRY
June 18 and 19. The Ashcroft and District Stampede, the Biggest Little Rodeo in the West. Stampede weekend is held the third weekend in June (Father\’s Day Weekend). Pancake breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings downtown. The Annual Rodeo Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. Saturday and makes its way down Ashcrofts main street, Railway Avenue. Rodeo action Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m., featuring all of the usual rough stock events, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding, as well as Boys Steer Riding. There are also lots of timed events with Calf Roping, Team Roping, Ladies Barrel Racing and others. Annual Rodeo Dance at Drylands Arena Saturday night. 250.457.9390 for more info.
june
PENTICTON
KAMLOOPS
ASHCROFT
COMING EVENTS
July 19 to August 21. Caravan Farm Theatre presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream, told Caravan style with music and horses, this famous piece will delight you on those warm summer evenings.Four star-crossed lovers become lost in an enchanted wood while a gang of lovingly foolish guildsmen try to put on a play. Devious fairies, heady love potions, and a donkey make A Midsummer Night’s Dream true to its most famous words, “the course of true love never did run smooth”. Ticket info and show times at www. caravanfarmtheatre.com
KELOWNA
ARMSTRONG
June 18. Boys only! Celebrate Fathers Day at the Museum building a cool model car, making new friends and having fun!
June 12. Local Bluegrass Band, A Day Late and a Dollar Short have “hooked up” with Fish on Five, an amazing brass Quintet, for an electrifying afternoon’s entertainment at Creekside Theatre, 3:30 pm. This unique combination has never been tested in the Valley before and we anticipate a rousing rendition of the Bluegrass classic - Man of Constant Sorrow. Come see what happens when you combine “down-home-hill billy” Bluegrass with the “uptown” sophistication of tubas, trombones, french horns and trumpets. Tickets $20. 250.766.9309. June 29 to July 3. Cirque du Soleil will perform its critically-acclaimed touring production Dralion at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Fusing the 3000 year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of Cirque du Soleil, Dralion draws its inspiration from Eastern philosophy and its never-ending quest for harmony between humans and nature. The show’s name is derived from its two emblematic creatures: the dragon, symbolizing the East, and the lion, symbolizing the West. Ticket info at soecboxoffice@penticton.ca or 250.490.2359 July 7 to 30. Here on the Flight Path is an insightful Norm Foster comedy that rips the lid off of male-female relationships. Presented by Many Hats Theatre Company in Penticton. Cannery Stage in the Cannery Trade Centre 1475 Fairview Road Penticton. Tickets are $19 ($17 Students and Seniors—HST included) and are available at the Wine Country Visitor’s Centre or by phone 250.493.4055. August 5. Michael Buble comes to Prospera Place, Tickets are $99 & $69 at selectyourtickets.com
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Community Events Armstrong Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery presents two shows, Balance with Lois Mollard and Gail Dyer in the Freeze Gallery, and Portrait of a Study Group with Hanny Kooyman in the main gallery, June 2-25. In July, Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery presents International Year of the Forest, a Community Art Show and Silent Auction, in the Freeze Gallery and Still & Immeasurable by Heidi Thompson, an internationally renowned artist from Vernon, in the main gallery. These shows run June 30-July 30, 2011 and the Opening Reception is July 8, 2011, 7-9pm. Everyone welcome! Kamloops June 1 to 30 Hand Spun Yarn and other Treasures by Erryn Carney at the old Courthouse Gallery, 7 West Seymour Street, Kamloops. Come stroll through the picturesque alpine village, listen to live music and take part in The Sun Peaks & Region Farmers Market every Sunday from June 12 to September 11. Now in its sixth year, the market is a perfect opportunity to bring local, sustainable food to your family’s dinner table. Local farmers, ranchers, and artisans will be in the village selling fruits, vegetables, local meats, arts, crafts, beauty products, and more Kelowna Mission Painters Summer Art Show, Sat. and Sun. July 23rd & 24th. 10 am to 4 pm at the Mission Activity Centre, 4398 Hobson Rd. (Sarson’s Beach). Refreshments & door prizes. Art in watercolour, acrylic & oil on display. Kelowna Garden Club monthly meeting will be June 8 at the Senior’s Centre at 1353 Richter Street, 7:30 pm. Topic is “Not Just Grandma’s Geraniums – Pelargonium Fever” with speaker, Marilyn Holt, international expert on Pelargonium. They are commonly referred to as ‘bedding geraniums’ and are a much larger family than you can imagine. The diversity of this amazing family of plants, and the ease with which they adapt to any garden situation has kept them popular since the Victorian times. Unusual flower types, amazing variety in foliage and floret colours have endeared them to Marilyn’s heart and hopefully to yours once you discover them for yourself. New Members welcome. Visitors and guests please pay $2.00 at the door. www.kelownagardenclub.ca
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OSOYOOS Shaping the Future of the 97 Corridor is a conference/trade show being held June 16th-18th in Osoyoos. Join us to help build a collaborative vision for Highway 97 from Wenatchee to Salmon Arm. Held at the spectacular Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa. Join MLA John Slater, Mayors Pat Hampson, Stu Wells, Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band and over 200 other key government and private sector business leaders in two days of dialogue about the future vision for the Highway 97 Corridor. SALMON ARM Wednesday, June 8 SAGA Public Art Gallery is pleased to present “A Saskatchewan Mystery: The Case of the Crooked Aspen” by Dr. Bill Remphreys on the subject of the current Ken Dalgarno exhibition “The Crooked Trees of Alticane.” 7pm, admission by donation. Friday June 10 SAGA Knitting circle “Odd Socks” meets again from 1- 3pm in the Gallery lounge. All are welcome! WEST KELOWNA June 11, 9:00am, Antiques Fair in Wine Country at Royal LePage Place at the Mt Boucherie Centre. The Show is open to the public on June 11 & 12, 9 to 5. Get your hands on the coolest stuff ever made. Weather worn furniture, vibrant folk art, delicious deco, silver accents & fine furniture too. Adults $6 at the door. Children 13 & under FREE with an adult Admission ATM • Snack Bar • Wheelchair Accessible. Free Parking. vernon Nothing compares with fresh air, sunshine and the smell of a newly mown lawn – nor the sound of bowls hitting the jack. Vernon Lawn Bowling Club, in Polson Park on the corner of 25th Avenue and Highway 97, offers open bowling on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons (1pm), as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6pm) for those with daytime commitments. For more information call 250 545 0212, e-mail vernonlbc@gmail.com or check www. vernonlawnbowlingclub.com
Communtiy Event listings are intended for nonprofit sponsored and non-commercial events. We will list your event free of charge, space permitting. Please email details to info@northof50.com or fax to 250.546.8914.
y a D s ’ r e h t a F ! s n o i t a r b e l Ce
B I N G O
June 19. Safeway / Prostate Cancer Foundation fundraiser. Father’s Day Walk/Run at the BC Wildlife Park. Includes a free pancake breakfast and lots of other goodies for all registered participants. Get a massage after your run or just relax and enjoy the music. It’s going to be a great day to celebrate the men in your life. The Kelowna & District Safety Council is raffling off two 2011 Harley Davidson Sportsters and a Learn to Ride Course! One lucky winner will win an 883cc Birch White & Sedona Orange Super Low Sportster AND a 1200cc Black Sportster AND a 32 hour Learn to Ride course! Total Prize value is $25,869.52. Tickets are $20 each or 3/$50. Only 3500 tickets will be sold. Draw takes place Father’s Day , June 19, 2011 at 3pm, Kelowna City Park. BC Gaming Event Licence: #31313. Phone: 250-765-3163, Toll Free: 1-888-580-7233. Drop by our office at 395 Hartman Road, Kelowna, or visit our volunteers at a raffle booth near you! See http://www.kdsc.bc.ca/harleydavidson-raffle.php for a schedule of display locations where you can see the bikes and get your tickets. All proceeds to Kelowna & District Safety Council, operators of the Little Travellers’ Safety Village and the Motorcycle Training Program. Fairweather Rd. 11th Ave.
FAIRWEATHER
Don’t miss out on the Boyd’s Annual Father’s Day Charity Car Show June 19 at Kerry Park/City Park (Kelowna).
Highway 6
Fathers Day @ The R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum (Salmon Arm) 8:30am to 2:00 pm. A Fathers Day outing the whole family will love. Start the day with a Pancake Breakfast (included in gate fee). Enjoy a wide range of displays throughout the Heritage Village grounds. Special Fathers Day draws and entertainment. Enjoy a BBQ lunch and Ice Cream. A great day to enjoy with Dad!
1015 Fairweather Rd.Vernon, Ph: 558-6919 Jackpot line: 558-1599
Know your limit, play within it
HOME HEALTH CARE CENTRE
A DIVISION OF KIPP MALLERY PHARMACY Marilyn Tutt, Manager
P (250) 372.0842 l F (250) 372.1736 Toll Free 1.800.482.0134
At HANDS ON HEALTH we can help!
3535 Wood Avenue
l6
Custom Designed Homes
low maintenance strata lots l1800+ square foot homes with basements lDouble Garages lMaple Cabinets & Hardwood Flooring
lHardiplank
Constitutional Homeopathy Yoga Therapy * Physiotherapy
Siding
lArchitectural Accents lMain lGreat
Floor Living Designs
HANDS ON HEALTH CLINIC
PATRICK PLACE
1315 Summit Drive, Kamloops
250.546.8791 www.CommunityHomeSellers.com
250.377.7675 www.sacredbody.net
Windshield Repair & Replacement lWindow & Door Renovations lRollshutters & Rollscreens lCustom & Standard Shower Doors lGlass/Mirrors lSealed Units lScreens/Plexi Glass l
Promote your business in this CUBE Ad Space Call 1.877.667.8450
273 Victoria Street, Kamloops, B.C., V2C 2A1
Headaches? Arthritis? Trouble Sleeping?
Huxley Homes Ltd.
Kalamalka Lake Rd.
Open 6 days/nights Days 11 am, Saturday 10 am, Evening 7 pm Friday - Saturday - Twilight
K M
Hawthorne Lane
for details
4709-29th Street, Vernon, BC
Family Owned & Operated since 1963
250.542.7727 morgansglass@shaw.ca
northof50.com 43
IT’S A PUZZLER CRYPTOQUIZ
SUMMER
A Cryptoquiz is a list of words that relate to a subject--this subject being Municipalities of the Thompson Okanagan. One set of letters has been substituted for the correct letters. When you’ve identified a word, the known letters will help you decode the other words in the group. If “M” stands for “R” in one word, the “M” will be “R” in all the words. We’ve done the first one to get you started.
OHASHM HEDLEY
FHRDOSRZA
GHIZBZ
QHSBJZR
KFRSSCTDOHHZ
QRTSBBFK
DRJKXBZ
DRDOH DIHHQ
SPSSBBHX
VRIIPHIH ACROSS 1 Feeble 5 Hallucinogen 8 Certified public accountant 11 Computer characters 13 Ram’s mate 14 Owns 15 Hand out money 16 Cooking fat 17 __ A Small World... 18 Eastern state 20 Fabric 22 Drink mix brand 26 Extinct bird 27 Feign 28 Tag 30 Possessive pronoun 31 Large ponds 32 Boy 35 Coffee shop order 36 Reel
44 northof50.com
37 Slick 39 Large round room 41 Push button pad 43 Ruby 44 Card game 45 Present 47 Accumulate 51 Lair 52 IOU part 53 Variety show 54 Ship initials 55 North northeast 56 Let DOWN 1 Used to be 2 Sixth sense 3 Whiz 4 Friendly 5 MGM’s Lion 6 Move through the water 7 Hoodwinks 8 Tot 9 Courtyard
10 Association (abbr.) 12 Thought 19 Light purple flower 21 Sun’s name 22 Kilometers per hour 23 Roberto’s yes 24 Rowing device 25 Capital of Senegala 29 Conceal 31 Cedars of ___ 32 Licensed practical nurse 33 Help 34 Genetic code 35 Dunk 36 Season before Fall 37 Genetic makeup 38 French city 40 Eye liquid 41 African Antelope 42 Football term 46 Teeny 48 Street abbr. 49 Star 50 Jell
LETTER T
TABLECLOTH THUNDERBOLT TRAIT TABLET TILLAGE TRANSMIGRATE TALENT TILTER TRANSPORTATION TANGENT TRAWLNET TILTS TANGIBLE TREATMENT TINCTURE TARANTULA TRENDSETTER TINNITUS TARTAR TRESTLE TIPPET TATTLER TRICKLE TIPTOE TAUTOLOGY TRIFLE TITANIUM TECHNICALITY TRILATERAL TITLE TEETH TRILLION TOADSTONE TEETHING TRIPLET TOGETHER TEETOTALISM TRIPTYCH TOILET TEETOTUM TROLL TOMBSTONE TELEOSTEAN TRUANT TONGUETIED TELEPATHY TONICITY TRUNCATE TEMPT TURBINATE TOOTH TERETTE TURBOT TORMENT TETCHY TURNICATE TORTILE THEFT TUTELAGE TOTAL THEOLODITE TUTOR TOTTER THERMOMETER TOURISTS TWILIGHT THREESOME TWISTER TRACTS TWIT THROAT TRACTION TWOTONE THRUSTERS TRADITIONAL
SUDOKU 2
CROSSWORD Solution
3 5
1
8
7
8 4 4 5 8
2 1
9
3 2
1 2
9
7 2 1
3
5 2
9 northof50.com 45
Armstrong Wine and Brew
1996 - 2010
Lisa, Owner/Operator
Monthly Specials
Box 339, 2545 Patterson Ave. Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0, 250-546-6954 www.armstrongwineandbrew.com
Valley Monuments
Telex Active noise reduction aviation headset, brand new, never used, includes carrying case and portable push-to-talk switch, $250. Gas leaf blower, brand new, Echo PB 200, $125. Phone 250.837.3741.
4316 29th Street, Vernon, BC V1T 5B8 Phone/Fax: 250.542.6411lToll Free: 1.877.511.8585 Email: valleymonuments@shaw.ca
Antiques, small wooden pet carrier, $65. Milk carrier with 8 bottles, $75. 1917 shell casing, trench art engraved, $95. Phone 250.497.8292.
Memorials of Distinction Keith or Evelyn Franklin
Oval coffee table and end table, solid oak , Queen Anne legs $60. Two wooden swivel bar stools with backs $70. each. Phone 250.764.1090.
Classified & Directory
Professional Magic Props, magic video tapes, magic DVD’s and magic books, good for beginner aged 8 or advanced valued at $2000, asking $700 cash. Phone 250.770.2042.
1990 Ford F250, 7.3 diesel, 4x4, extended cab, 235,000 kms, recent tune-up, 1 extra set of winter tires on rims, $4000. 1994 Ford Tempo, 200,000 kms, extra set of winter tires on rims, $1000. 1999 Ford Taurus, GL, 160,000 kms, extra set of winter tires, $2700. 250.546.6208.
Prime Lakeview Lots from $150,000. Vernon/Kelowna area, nice trees, no time limit to build. Also, 1 spectcular, 3 acre parcel, $490,000. Owner financing. Phone 250.558.7888. www.orlandoprojects.com.
Desk lamp, 60 watt, free standing, $7. Travel hairdryer, $5. HP DeskJet printer #4160, $30. Phone 250.769.7735.
CRYPTOQUIZ ANSWERS:
Solid Oak Dinning Room table, 6 chairs and 2”x30” extensions, $500. Blue chesterfield, excellent condition $250. Phone 250.320.4103. Golf cart, Tartan Cruiser, 3 wheel push/pull, inflatable tires. Cost $199 - like new for only $95. King of the carts. Phone 250.546.6454. 6hp gas leaf and branch shredder, $235. 550 watt generator, used very little, $400, o.b.o. Phone 250.492.8501. Cast Iron and Hardwood Patio Bench, new $130. 5/8” Chuck, Bench top heavy duty Drill Press, like new, $150. Phone 250.558.1456. 8hp, 4 stroke, 2006 Honda outboard motor, guaranteed like new, $1300. Phone 250.764.1090
HEDLEY VERNON SPALLUMCHEEN CAWSTON LILLOOET
PEACHLAND KELOWNA KAMLOOPS CACHE CREEK BARRIERE
Wordsearch Solution: THE TROUBLESHOOTERS Sudoku Solution:
6 2 7 9 3 5 4 1 8 3 4 1 2 6 8 9 5 7 5 9 8 4 7 1 3 2 6
Free Classified Ad Policy. We’ll place your ad, up to 25 words FREE, as long as the value of the item you are selling is under $1,000 and you are not a business or commercial enterprise. One ad per household, space permiting. The rate for business / commercial ads is $25 for 25 words, then 50 cents for each additional word. Email your ad details to classifieds@northof50.com or fax to 250.546.8914 46 northof50.com
4 5 3 6 8 2 1 7 9 1 7 2 3 5 9 6 8 4 8 6 9 7 1 4 5 3 2 9 1 5 8 4 7 2 6 3 2 8 6 1 9 3 7 4 5 7 3 4 5 2 6
8 9 1
Broken Social Scene joins an already amazing line-up at the 19th Annual Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival! Early bird tickets are now on sale for $120 until May 27th, and can be purchased online at www.rootsandblues.ca, by phone at (250) 833-4096 and by coming to the office located at 490 5th Ave SW, Salmon Arm BC, V1E 1S9.
BIG PRESENCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS
•Business and administrative services •Fax and photocopy services •Resumes, word processing •Data entry •Desktop publishing & graphic design •Accounting and bookkeeping, including: •HST reports •Payroll, WCB & source deduction remittances • Accounts receivable & payable reports • Customer invoicing • Paying vendor bills • Year-end adjustments and tax preparation
ARMSTRONG BUSINESS CENTRE 2516 Patterson Avenue, Armstrong – across from Sears
250.546.8910
northof50.com 47
It’s been a long time coming! A ladies clothing store in Armstrong
Silhouette
Fashion Boutique
IS NOW OPEN
CHECK OUT OUR DENIM French Dressing lJag lCarreli Coming soon – TRU-LUX
l
Fantastic Selection of Summer Fashions & Accessories
2516 Patterson Ave., Armstrong 48 northof50.com
250.546.3096