COMMUNITY

The Journal Tuesday, February 28, 2012

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Keeping wood stoves clean and efficient The Nicola Valley Wood Stove Exchange (NVWSE) information session held in Spences Bridge on Wednesday, Feb. 15 drew a number of interested people. Those in attendance included Cook’s Ferry Chief David Walkem, TNRD Area I Director Steven Rice and Spence’s Bridge Fire Chief Arnie Oram. Presented by program co-ordinator Tim Larsen at the Chief Whistmnitsa Centre, topics covered included particulate emissions, safety, good burning techniques, building permit issues and the environmental aspects of wood heat. Discussion of chimneys and flues was of particular interest to Oram as chimney fires are a concern. He will be compiling a list of names of people interested in having their chimneys inspected and cleaned. Getting a group of people together will help keep the cost down for bringing a Wood Energy Technicians of BC (WETBC) certified inspect-

or to the area. Following the session several people signed on to changeout their stoves. Interest in the program is high and several others indicated that they will be giving the program some serious thought. The program will be running until March 31. To date 19 of a possible 30 program vouchers have been issued. The NVWSE is operated by a partnership formed by the Province of British Columbia Ministry of Environment, the BC Lung Association, the City of Merritt, Areas I, M & N of the TNRD, participating First Nations communities and participating retailers, distributors and manufacturers. More information regarding the program is available at 250-378-8216, tlars@ merrittbc.net or http:// www.bcairquality.ca/ topics/wood-stoveexchange-program/ index.html . Submitted

Perogy Night in Loon Lake The Loon Lake community enjoyed Perogy Night at the Community Hall on Feb. 11. The largest turnout in recent memory (over 70 people) attended with guests from as far away as Clinton and Spences Bridge. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to visit and enjoy Ukranian cuisine. Many thanks to the volunteers who organized this fun community event.

New motorcross track added to BCMA circuit There’s a brand new motorcross track just waiting to be used at the Eagle Motorplex on Hwy 1. Motorplex’ Race Director Joe Sye says they’re just putting the finishing touches on the track, which was designed and sanctioned by the BC Motorcross Association. The 2.1 km track was “carved right out of the mountain” next to the drag race track, says Sye, and is very challenging. Two practice weekends are being held on March 10/11 and 17/18 to

give local motorcross fans the opportunity to test the new track. “We’re looking to put together an Eagle Motorcross Club,” says Sye, “and we want to get local people involved in it.” Between the cars and the bikes, he says, the motorplex will be hosting events from March to October. There are 15 race weekends planned this year for motorcross and 10 weekends for the Motorcross riders are invited to test run the new drag strip 2.1 km motorcross track at the Eagle Motorplex - that’s 52 race days cross track in last November. The track planned. was looking for something new to add Sye says 2012 marks the to the Motorplex and people had ap25th anniversary of the Eagle proached them about motorcross. Then Motorplex, and they’ve got the BCMA visited the Motorplex and some special action planned for designed the track, which they added to July-long weekend. their race schedule. This hear also marks the March 31/Apr 1 is the first sanc25th anniversary of the Lang- tioned event on the new motorcross ley Loafers who organize the track, and it’s also kicks off the start of Journal publisher Terry Daniels (right) congratulates Barb Shaw (left), whose name Old Time Drag races during the the BCMA season. was drawn from almost 200 responses to our Reader Survey last winter. Barb won Graffiti Days weekend (June If you’re looking for more infor8-10), so that group will be mation about the new track or the new the $600 “shopping spree” package of gift certificates from local businesses: planning something extra spe- motorcross club, call Joe Sye at AshAshcroft Work Wear, Launies Standup Tanning, Revelations Salon, Chris’s Under cial as well. croft Indian Band office, 250-453the Bridge, Hat Creek Ranch, Ashcroft Irly, Clinton Building, Safety Mart and Sye said they put the motor- 9154.

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