Invermere Valley Echo, October 03, 2012

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VALLEY ECHO T he

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Sea of Pink

PHOTO BY STEVE JESSEL/THE ECHO Students at David Thompson Secondary School celebrate the 'Sea of Pink' anti-bullying day on Thursday, September 27. For more Valley Life photos, turn to page A23.

Rockies head, assistant coaches resign Ward, Kascak cites issues with Rockies executive as reason STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

There have been some big changes to the Columbia

Valley Rockies just six games into the season, as head coach and general manager Marc Ward and assistant coach Jan Kascak have both resigned from their positions, effectively immediately. Rockies director of hockey operations Ross Bidinger will assume the role of interim head coach and general manager while brothers Wade, Scott and Kirk Dubielewicz will join the coaching staff along with Rockies board member

Dave Tomalty as assistant coaches.

“We wish both (Ward) and (Kascak) well… but we have no reservations about what we’ve put into place over the last 24 hours,” Rockies vice-president Graeme Anderson told The Valley Echo on Wednesday, September 26. “I’m extremely confident that you’re going CONTINUES TO 'DIRECTOR' ON PAGE A20

MaxWell Realty Invermere www.maxwellrealtyinvermere.ca 926 - 7 Avenue, Invermere Ph: 250-341-6044 Toll Free: 1-888-341-6044

Daniel Zurgilgen 250-342-1612

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

Thank you for being part of the picture

Back Row L-R: Stephanie Selby (daughter - cancer supporter), Sue Selby (breast cancer survivor) Cranbrook, BC • Marsha Plant (cancer supporter), Julie Giles (breast cancer survivor), Judy Dickson (breast cancer supporter) Creston , BC • Elva Keiver (breast cancer survivor & supporter) Heather Morissette (breast cancer survivor & supporter) Kimberley, BC • Front Row L-R: Sheila Tutty (breast cancer survivor), Stuart Tutty (cancer supporter) Invermere, BC • Lisey Lalonde (breast cancer survivor), Jason Romani (husband - breast cancer supporter) Golden, BC • Evelyn Cutts (cancer survivor), Susan Schmitz (sister - breast cancer supporter) Fernie, BC

Your “Clear View” made history one year ahead of schedule. The outpouring of support and financial donations means that the East Kootenay Regional Hospital and its Diagnostic Imaging Dept. has become a center of excellence in breast cancer screening. Thank you for making the dream to bring digital stereotactic The new mammography to EKRH a reality. digital stereotactic mammography unit

Thank You!

NEWS

Dumpster disaster

Photo by Nicole Trigg/The Echo Witnesses reported seeing deer up on their back hooves while attempting to eat from the garbage bags spilling out of this dumpster located in the village parking lot behind Fields in Invermere on Thursday, September 27.

Since the transfer station in the industrial park was shut down in September to discourage improper garbage disposal and remove bear attractants after numerous bears sightings were reported in the area, household garbage has been showing up in dumpsters across the district, and not at the landfill in Windermere as was the plan.

Invermere resident pleads guilty, under probation Sentenced 10 months in jail, Ott has already served equivalent time

For further information contact us at:

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Please Join us Saturday October 6 10:00 am - 4:00 pm for our

STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

Invermere resident Winston Kyle Ott has pleaded guilty to charges of breaking and entering with intention to commit sexual assault and observing nudity in a private place.

Ott was originally charged with observing nudity in a private place after he was caught observing a naked woman in a private residence on September 3, 2010, then with break and enter to commit an indictable offence and sexual assault after breaking into a different private residence and sexually assaulting

a woman on December 2, 2011.

According to Crown Counsel Lynal Doerkson, the sexual assault charge was stayed and Ott was sentenced to 10 months in jail on September 24 in Golden Provincial Court.

Having already been held for 10 months in jail, Ott has since been released and will be under probation for the next 18 months.

For the first six months, Ott is required to be in his residence between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and is to have no contact with either victim for the entirety of the probationary period.

Ott is also required to attend counselling or treatment as directed, and is prohibited from owning or operating a firearm.

Ott had no prior criminal record, which likely contributed to his sentencing, Doerkson told The Valley Echo. Ott was just 18 years old at the time of the first incident in September 2010.

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

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Page Three

Have a news tip? editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

Squatters living in squalor in backcountry Radium council hearing reports of altercations between squatters, backcountry users STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

Some increased activity in the backcountry near the Village of Radium Hot Springs water treatment facility has reintroduced the issue of squatters on Crown land to Radium council’s attention.

“From what I gather, there is a lot of mess up there,” Radium mayor Dee Conklin said. “The biggest concern is are they affecting the land, and are they damaging the land when it’s not their land to damage… is it becoming a dumping ground, and if it is, then that is an issue.”

At a Radium council meeting on Wednesday, September 12, councillors were informed that there was a significant amount of debris in the area, ranging from a burnt out trailer to outhouses and environmental degradation. Reports of conflict between squatters and backcountry users were also noted. Council has directed village staff to inspect the area and return with recommendations, one of which could be to consult with the RCMP or the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources in the near future.

“It is time once again, as winter comes, that you possibly have the ministry look into what do we do with this,” Conklin said. “We’re hoping that a new homeless shelter comes to fruition in Cranbrook, and if

that’s the case then these people do have some other alternatives than living in the bush.”

According to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources, the issue actually stretches back several years.

Ministry Public Affairs Officer Brennan Clarke said that about three years ago ministry staff attended a site in the area and noted three trailers, outhouses, dogs and a couple of vehicles.

“At that time there were no public complaints and no threat to the public or the environment so no enforcement action was taken,” Clarke wrote via email. “The squatters moved to their current location in 2009, after Ministry of Environment staff ordered them to vacate an area in the sensitive Columbia Wetlands about two kilometres away.”

Other concerns regarding squatters living in the area are potential conflicts with hunters, uninsured and inebriated drivers, general unsightliness and proximity to a water line.

“It is illegal for persons to occupy Crown land without authority,” Clarke explained.

“The ministry’s Natural Resource Officers (formerly known as compliance and enforcement officers) will visit the site and assess the situation.

If it is deemed in the interest of public health and safety or

SUBMITTED PHOTO Squatters in the backcountry near Radium are causing significant environmental degradation.

to protect natural resource and environmental values, then enforcement actions will be considered.”

As the land the squatters are inhabiting is Crown land, Radium has no authority in the area, and as such can only appeal to the ministry or the RCMP for aid.

“Some of these people are working people, and should they be there? No. Is

it the only way they can make ends meet?

Maybe,” Conklin said. “I’d love to see everyone in a proper home if that was possible… I don’t like to see anyone living out in the woods.”

In some parts of Canada, people living on Crown land may have what is colloquially known as “squatter’s rights,” which usually refers to the process of ad-

verse possession, or taking possession of a piece of land after a certain amount of time. However, in British Columbia the Limitation Act specifies that “no right or title in or to land may be acquired by adverse possession,” meaning that the people living on Crown land near Radium have no right to occupy the land in question.

SUBMITTED PHOTO The unsightless has been a problem for years and is getting worse, according to Radium mayor Dee Conklin.

Radium Hot Springs Sunrise Rotary Club

Did you know.....

Our commitment is to ‘Service Above Self’ The Club meets at 7 a.m. every Wednesday at the Radium Resort.

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The Valley Echo has won many provincial and national awards including most recently 2012 Best Ad Design in two categories for both B.C. and the Yukon.

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The Valley Echo has donated over a $100,000 in sponsorship to non-profit groups in the Columbia Valley in 2011 and plans to do more in 2012.

We deliver to 2,000 homes and businesses across the Columbia Valley from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen every week.

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The Valley Echo has been the Columbia Valley’s first choice for community news since 1956.

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Black Press is B.C. owned and operated, and started its first newspaper in Williams Lake in the late 1970’s, now with 170 Community Newspapers, 90 of them operating in B.C.

Since 2003, the Radium Rotarians have: 1) Built Rotary Park at the junction where Highway 93 meets Highway 93/95, 2) Provided funds for the construction of one of the bridges on the Sinclair Creek trail system 3) Sponsored student exchanges between local high school students and those of other countries such as Brazil and Japan 4) Provided bursaries for graduating students.

5) Partially funded the lovely lights and trees that decorate the main streets of Radium each Christmas time 6) cleaned Radium’s mile-long hill of debris twice a year with local Rotarians and friends 7) Raised funds to support an internationally project to eradicate polio worldwide 8) Helped support an orphanage in Honduras.

Radium Hot Springs Sunrise Rotary Club Est. 1956

A4 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Village of Radium Hot SpRingS Community Potluck Dinner & Public Safety Meeting

Residents are invited to discuss safety issues in our community and explore the possibility of establishing ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ and ‘Citizens on Patrol’ organizations. The meeting will be held Saturday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Hall 4863 Stanley Street. Please join us for a potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m.

If you would like more information, please contact a Council member or Mark at 250-347-6455.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

NEWS

Principal in IDPS lawsuit found in breach of Securities Act Shane Suman guilty of insider trading, $1 M in illegal profits NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

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The face of the Invermere Deer Protection Society (IDPS) lawsuit against the District of Invermere (DOI) and his wife Monie Rahman have been found guilty of insider trading by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC).

Shane Suman, who is named as one of the principals in the IDPS lawsuit filed against the DOI in February earlier this year, has been ordered by an OSC panel to surrender his illegal profits to the tune of $954,938.07 and pay an administrative penalty of $250,000, and is permanently prohibited from acquiring or trading securities. Additionally, both Suman and Rahman are jointly responsible for

$250,000 worth of costs awarded against them.

“I think it’s relevant,” DOI mayor Gerry Taft told The Valley Echo on Wednesday (September 26). “He's the actual person named on the lawsuit so in a legal sense he is actually the one suing the district… so also in a technical sense, if [the DOI] were to be awarded costs, if we were successful in getting the lawsuit defeated , we would have to try and get costs from him.

“There's a few other people trying to get money from him.”

The panel found that Suman, who was a senior information technology professional at an Ontario reporting issuer (a company that issues documents

ECHO FILE PHOTO In February, protesters opposing the deer cull met at Kinsmen Beach before walking through downtown Invermere with signs. IDPS filed their lawsuit against the DOI that same month.

proving ownership of investments), had tipped off his wife Rahman about his employer's proposed acquisition of a US-listed issuer. The couple then traded the American company's securities with knowledge of the proposed acquisition and illegally reaped almost $1 million in illegal profits.

According to the OSC website, a judgment against the couple with respect to the same trading has already been obtained by the

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Sanitary Sewer Flushing Begins Soon Edgewater & Holland Creek

Check out full e-editions of The Valley Echo as it looks in print, as well as our special sections! invermerevalleyecho.com

The Regional District of East Kootenay is gearing up for its regular maintenance work on the Edgewater & Holland Creek sanitary sewers to remove settled and accumulated material.

This maintenance is scheduled for the week of October 9 - 12, 2012.

During this process, the contractor will be setting up their flushing apparatus at each service access (manhole) in the roadway and releasing pressurized water through the sanitary sewer main pipe to remove buildup.

A bubbling and/or vacuum effect may be noticed in your drains and toilets due to this maintenance flushing. It is recommended to keep all toilet seats closed and cover any floor drains.

Internal plumbing consists of “P” Traps, which hold a volume of water to prevent sewer gasses from migrating into a home. During the flushing process, this water could be drawn out of the traps. For that reason, it is important to refill all plumbing traps by running the water in your sinks and floor drains after the work is complete.

This preventative maintenance process is necessary to reduce the potential for a sanitary sewer main backup which could result in damage to property. The RDEK would like to thank you for your patience during this regular maintenance.

VALLEY ECHO T he

For more information on the flushing program, contact: Joel Bilodeau, RDEK Senior Operator 1-250-342-0063 or jbilodeau@rdek.bc.ca.

www.rdek.bc.ca info@rdek.bc.ca 1-888-478-7335

U.S. Securities and Exchange, ordering Suman and Rahman to not only surrender their illegal profits but pay civil penalties of $2 million and $1 million, respectively.

“Of course I'm concerned it might discredit this case but it's really two separate matters,” IDPS president Devin Kazakoff said. “To me, it's something completely separate from what we're dealing with the deer.”

Kazakoff said the intention of the lawsuit is to negate the resolution the district passed in August of 2011 that states they want to reduce the deer population in Invermere to 50 by 2014.

“The lawsuit is based on the fact that the DOI didn't do the proper research before deciding on a cull and they also didn't consult the public adequately,” he said.

“It's not really anything to do with money.”

“We're asking for the district to do the proper research by hiring the proper wildlife biologist; it would take years of research and study to figure out migratory paths of deer and wildlife and all the implications of the decision they make so they only have now two deer counts and they're not even properly done deer counts, so to go ahead and start killing animals without researching

the ramifications of it first, the lawsuit is challenging that,” he said.

Rebeka Breders, the lawyer for the IDPS, said she completely concurs with Kazakoff ’s view.

“The concern for recouping costs is always a concern for both parties regardless of any other extraneous factors so whether Shane has a judgement against him or doesn't, doesn't change the fact that concern is always there in litigation. It's just the nature of our litigation system,” she said. “I guess I can appreciate that the district is raising that in that sense but I think that's just a facade for what they're really trying to do, to deflect the issues and to kind of shed some potentially bad light on a group of individuals that are really intending to do only good for the community (and)hopefully change the district conducts its animal control affairs.”

Taft thinks the OSC judgment is just part of the information Invermere residents should have when viewing the information coming from both Suman and Rahman regarding the deer issue.

“It’s definitely something people should be aware of,” he said.

Suman and Rahman could not be reached for comment.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A5

NEWS

New partnership for local papers

Shannonbrook Boarding Kennels Tender Loving Care for All Ages Registered Rough & Smooth Collies Obedience, Agility Training and Rally Obedience Training

The Valley Echo and Columbia Valley Pioneer enter joint operating agreement

250-342-6188

Kathy or Elizabeth 1628 Windermere Loop Road

Thank you

NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

In the spirit of partnership and cooperation, a Joint Operating Agreement has been struck between Black Press and Misko Publishing. Effective immediately, The Valley Echo and the Columbia Valley Pioneer are joining forces to create an innovative new partnership that will allow both newspapers to thrive and continue to serve the Columbia Valley.

Rose-Marie Regitnig has assumed publisher of The Valley Echo in addition to her current role as publisher for the Columbia Valley Pioneer.

"I'm excited to work with the great teams of both papers to preserve and grow the two unique identities of each paper while enabling some cost-sharing and joint operational tasks such as sales, administration and accounting," Regitnig said. "Other synergies may be considered if it benefits both newspapers."

Regitnig said her goal is to make both papers as successful as possible, with The Valley Echo being the Wednesday mid-week paper and the Columbia Valley Pioneer as the Friday weekend paper.

The Columbia Valley Classic Car Club thanks our major sponsor “Kool Country Auto Parts” for their very generous donation to the 2012 Car Show.

We also express our appreciation to the Invermere & Radium Hot Springs’ Retail Business’ for their sponsorship.

Thank you to the “Springs Golf Course” in Radium for the use of their beautiful Driving Range for the Show.

2.8125” x 3”

"I want loyal Valley Echo readers to feel excited and know that this is a positive step."

While Regitnig will be the publisher of both, the two newspapers will retain their separate owners. Black Press will continue to own The Valley Echo while the Columbia Valley Pioneer will be owned by Misko Publishing. The two editorial personalities of both papers will be maintained.

"There will likely be times when big

news will be covered in both, but since we will have two different editorial teams, with two separate editors the coverage will likely differ, as it has in the past," Regitnig said. "Two different editorial voices in one community."

She invites the community to meet with her to discuss the new arrangement and provide feedback. She can be reached via email at publisher@ invermerevalleyecho.com, or call The Valley Echo office at 250-342-9216.

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE GR ANTS AVAILABLE Twitter

Funding maximum increased to $50,000 The deadline for CBT’s Environmental Initiatives Program’s large grant stream is October 26, 2012.

Applications are available now. Learn more at www.cbt.org/eip .

Twitter

www.cbt.org • 1.800.505.8998

Join us:

Valley Echo advertising sales now open Angela Krebs has 20 years experience in the Columbia Valley NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

The Valley Echo is pleased to announce that Angela Krebs has joined our team as the new full-time advertising sales consultant.

Krebs has lived in the Columbia Valley for almost 20 years. Originally from Saskatchewan, she moved to Radium Hot Springs in 1993, when her parents entered the ice cream/souvenir business, and they are still running the same café at the Radium Hot Springs today. The move came after years of her family spending weekends in the area and experiencing the beauty of the valley.

Angela enjoys living in the mountains and spending time outdoors camping, quading, snowboarding and spending time at the lake with her three children — Connor, 10, Callie, 7, and Courtenay, 5.

“I am very involved in the community and have done a lot of volunteering with the schools, play groups and local sports,” Angela said.

She has been very involved in the local business

community over the years, from owning Angela’s Pooch Parlor in Invermere, to running a licensed child care when her children were younger, to working at Investors Group and helping families with financial planning and insurance.

“I feel my background in sales is going to help me with my new role at the paper and look forward to being a part of The Valley Echo team,” she said.

Angela said she is looking forward to working with all the different types of businesses in the Columbia Valley and helping them communicate what they can do for the community.

“My job as an advertising consultant is to make sure our clients are getting results from their ads so it benefits them and helps them grow their businesses,” she said. “I want them to feel comfortable working with me and know that I have their best interests in mind.”

Angela is excited to meet and get to know all of The Valley Echo’s existing and new future clients.

She can be reached by email at advertising@invermerevalleyecho.com, at The Valley Echo building at 53013th Street in Invermere by calling 250-342-9216, or via her mobile device at 250341-5216.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

You help make us a success.

Rocky Mountain SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

Opinions and Letters

something to say? email editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

Working together NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

It may take loyal Valley Echo and Columbia Valley Pioneer readers some time to wrap their heads around the new operating agreement reached between the Black Press and Misko Publishing groups. Rest assured, staff at both publications are still shaking their heads and looking at each other with questioning eyes.

Two competing newspapers are what? Sharing the same publisher? It's a daring step, and a fairly uncommon one, yet given the changes the news publishing industry has undergone in recent years due to the presence of the Internet, mobile devices and the new global economic climate, to name just a few external factors, more and more of these joint partnerships are cropping up south of the border, and now in Canada as well.

It's also incredibly commendable that both publishers, in acknowledging that their current situation is not profitable enough for either party, are willing to look beyond their competitive streaks and work together to protect the jobs and livelihoods of their valued employees, as well as the two strong literary traditions that have worked their way deep into the heart of Columbia Valley residents.

And not only protect them, but capitalize on them. Now that Black Press and Misko Publishing have arrived at the conclusion that our little slice of paradise here in the valley has potential enough to support two unique publications, and are putting in place a plan to make that happen, it's going to be up to the local communities to embrace this process, help identify the personalities of the papers we all want so much to protect, and determine the most successful outcome for everyone involved.

Not all the kinks have been worked out, but staff at both papers are up to the challenge and anticipating the change.

Perhaps this is something we should be doing more of. This consensus-based process sends a very positive message out to the communities it serves, that by finding the shared goals, values and common ground, through dialogue and collaboration we can make decisions from which everyone stands to benefit, and no one loses.

Something on your mind?

The Valley Echo welcomes all letters to the editor and submissions from community and sports groups, as well as special community columns. Please keep your signed, legible submissions under 500 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity, taste, legal reasons and brevity.

Each submission must contain a daytime phone number and place of residence. Send email submissions to editor@invermerevalleyecho.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Watch out for Y2Y Dear Editor, There is a U.S.-based initiative creeping quietly through the Canadian Rockies titled the "Yukon to Yellowstone Initiative" (Y2Y). Wilburforce Foundation, based out of Seattle, wants to lock away Crown land from use and development from the Arctic Ocean to Yellowstone. Since 2009, they alone have doled out over 10 million to Y2Y strategy spread amongst 56 groups in U.S. and Canada (http://www.wilburforce.org/grant-history). Groups such as Wildsight, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Sierra Club of BC, Tides Canada and West Coast Environmental Law have collectively garnered millions from Wilburforce and other U.S. foundations to push their agenda in Canada. Aside from the relentless cries for a national park in the Flathead, they have been instrumental in restricting access, discouraging development and, with their political savvy, have managed to legislate their Y2Y strategy by pressuring governments. The most recent result of the relentless pressure tactics resulted in the Flathead River Valley being locked away from mining and exploration.

VALLEY ECHO

The federal government and private donors gave B.C. the cash needed to buy out the Flathead Valley mineral tenures and developed the Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act to ensure the protection of this valley. Wilburforce is conspicuously absent from the list of funders for this protection agreement. The best Wildsight and the Sierra Club could come up with is to say that it’s not enough — where did the millions in grants go from Wilburforce?

Y2Y is a slow creep of regulation and restriction that will ultimately lock away lands from development and use, which B.C. resource-dependent communities can ill afford.

Wildsight is on record wanting at least 50 per cent of the remaining land base protected. On September 27, environmentalists, first nations and local governments gathered in Fernie at the Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent. Wildsight and its Y2Y partners will be front and centre, looking for ways to wedge their ideology into the political process to continue the slow and steady creep of Y2Y. The old saying, "Give an inch, take a mile," rings true with environmentalists — they can wait 10, 20 or even 50 years for their vision to come true.

T he

2009

The NEWSpaper in the Columbia Valley

530 13th Street • P.O. Box 70 Invermere, B.C., Canada V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-342-9216 Rose-Marie invermerevalleyecho.com Regitnig publisher

Nicole Trigg editor

publisher@nvermere editor@invermere valleyecho.com valleyecho.com

Steve Jessel

Angela Krebs

REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER Advertising

Jessica de Groot PRODUCTION

Renice Oaks

OFFICE ADMINSTRATOR

Sheila Tutty

PUBLISHER

reporter@invermere advertising@inverm- production@inverm- customerservice@inver- In Absentia erevalleyecho.com merevalleyecho.com erevalleyecho.com valleyecho.com

The Thinktwice group wants to provide a balanced perspective on issues that will affect our enjoyment, value and lifestyle in the Kootenays. Before deciding to support groups that are slowly restricting our local economy, values and families, Thinktwice.

Contact us at ttwice7@gmail.com.

Paul Visentin Cranbrook

Smart meter reality check Dear Editor, BC Hydro spokesman Greg Alesis declares “There is lots of misinformation there about smart meters,” then goes on to feeds us some more.

For one, “television, radio and other devices,” common for nearly a generation, are different potatoes from today’s cellphones and wireless devices. The difference is “wavelength.”

For instance, the wavelength of AM radio is about 900 feet. TV channel 4’s wavelength is 14.63 feet. Cellphones and smart meters, cordless phones, WiFi, etc. operate at wavelengths in the millimeter range. As wavelengths get shorter, like X-Rays, we know its harmful. But no one knows exactly at what wavelength electromagnetic radiation begins to Continues to 'letters' on Page A7

Notice of Copyright: Reproduction of any or all editorial and advertising materials in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. It is agreed by the advertiser requesting space that the liability of The Valley Echo, owned by Black Press Ltd. in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event of an error appearing in the advertisement as published, shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for only the one incorrect insertion for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect or omitted items only and that there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid 2009 WINNER for such advertising.

BC Press Council – The Valley Echo is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

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SubscriPTION rates (incl. tax): Local $45.30 (Seniors $34.50) Canada $62.25 (Seniors $56.00) We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A7

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Support for sport MLA Report — Norm Macdonald

Honest appraisal Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series on provincial budgeting.

In my last MLA report, which was the first in a multi-part series on provincial budgeting, I laid out a number of methods that governments use to raise revenue including taxes, royalties, dividends, fees, and the sale of assets. And I talked about how the choices that governments make have real effects on people.

I mentioned that since 2001 MSP premiums have increased by 85 per cent and BC Hydro rates have increased by 36 per cent. And I talked about how, since the implementation of the HST in 2010, billions of dollars in taxes have been shifted onto consumers.

But despite the fact that regular British Columbians are paying more, the actual state of British Columbia’s books is more dire than it has ever been. I believe that it is vital that you know the truth even though the truth, in this case, is hard to take.

Since the BC Liberals took power, the total government debt has risen by $23.5 billion. That’s an increase of 70 per cent. The estimated debt by March 2013 will be $57.4 billion. But this is only a small part of the story.

Under the BC Liberals, other contractual obligations or off-book debt have skyrocketed. The total of this type of debt, which we as taxpayers are obligated to pay, is a phenomenal

$96 billion.

A portion of this debt is for privatized government services and privatized infrastructure projects. But I think you will be surprised to find out where more than half that $96 billion will be going.

You will remember the opposition local residents raised to the destruction of our rivers and streams for private power production. Although only a few of these projects have been built, the environmental and economic costs to the province have been great.

The owners of these private river diversion projects have signed long-term Energy Purchase Agreements with BC Hydro leaving ratepayers owing $54.9 billion.

And what will we receive for all this money? Overpriced power that is produced during the spring freshet when we don’t actually need it.

As I speak to people across this area, I hear consistently that people are optimistic that we can build a better future.

And I agree with them, but as we look to that better future, we must be honest about our current financial situation.

While it will be difficult to overcome these extreme financial challenges, I feel confident that we can work together, establish our priorities and make real progress towards making British Columbia an even better place to live.

LETTERS continued...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A6

damage DNA. Yet the public is expected to place their faith in BC Hydro’s hired experts at Planetworks Consulting.

Scientists, just a few weeks ago, discovered that the 97 percent of human DNA thought to be useless — actually dubbed “Junk DNA” — holds the keys to risk for common diseases such as diabetes and asthma.

How do microwaves affect this structure? We may not know for generations. Remember DDT was once “completely safe” — if not a miracle potion — for 30 years before it was banned.

Why is the billion-dollar smart meter such a BC Liberal priority?

Let's follow the money. Corix, the meter installation contractor, is owned by CAI Capital Manage-

ment Ltd (CAI). Tracy McVicar is manager of CAI. If you should scroll down the list of BC Hydro directors, who do you bump into?

Well, if it isn’t Tracy McVicar.

Once hired to promote Site-C for BC Hydro, McVicar has as her very own advisor BC Liberal David Emerson. It's amazing who you run into at the BC Hydro trough.

Why aren’t reporters — supposedly the public's “eyes and ears” — not reporting these flagrant ethics violations? You’d think in an expose on smart meters, even a lazy reporter would think to mention: Golden has become the 56th municipality to ask for a smart meter moratorium/optout amendment. Today’s media, obviously, place their advertisers above their people.

Bryan Stawychny Edgewater

ECHO PHOTO Newly appointed publisher RoseMarie Regitnig (third from right) joins the rest of The Valley Echo staff for Jersey Day on Friday (September 28). l-r: production manager Jess De Groot with her dog Chaco, interim publisher Dave Hamilton, reporter Steve Jessel, office manager Renice Oaks, and editor Nicole Trigg.

District of invermere 914 - 8 Avenue • Box 339 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Tel: 250.342.9281 • Fax: 250.342.2934 info@invermere.net www.invermere.net

2013 Proposed Permissive Tax Exemptions

In accordance with the notice requirements and authority of ss. 227 and 224 of the Community Charter, the following properties are proposed by bylaw, for permissive property taxation exemption for the 2013 calendar year. Also included are required estimates of exemption amounts for the following two years.

Property Holder

District of Invermere

Estimated Exempted Municipal Taxes Organization

Roll #

2013

2014

2015

1720 4th Avenue

5.015

$6,820.74

$6,957.15

$7,096.29

The Family Resource 1317 7th Centre of Invermere Avenue

29.010

$3,005.51

$3,065.62

$3,126.93

Royal Canadian Royal Canadian Legion #71 Legion #71

525 13th Street

34.010

$365.58

$372.89

$380.35

Invermere District Curling Club

Invermere District Curling Club

509 13th Street

36.000

$784.95

$800.65

$816.66

Valley Fitness Society

722 14th Street

45.055

$2,469.44

$2,518.83

$2,569.21

Windermere District Social Service Society

Valley Fitness Centre

Windermere District 1210 9th Social Service Avenue

54.010

$830.87

$847.49

$864.44

Windermere District Social Service Society

Mount Nelson Place 750 6th Avenue

118.050

$2,396.74

$2,444.67

$2,493.56

Christian Zehnder

Columbia Valley Arts Council

Address

Lakeview Manor Lakeview Manor Society Inc.

600 6th Avenue

119.001

$4,288.56

$4,374.33

$4,461.82

District of Invermere

126.053

$1,129.66

$1,152.25

$1,175.30

Synod of the Diocese of Kootenay

Windermere District 222 6th Avenue Museum Windermere Valley Shared Ministry

120 7th Avenue

128.015

$600.14

$612.14

$624.38

Synod of the Diocese of Kootenay

Family Resource Centre of Invermere

120 7th Avenue

128.015

$518.65

$529.02

$539.60

Christian & Missionary Alliance

Sonshine Children’s Centre

320 10th Avenue

154.020

$1,032.20

$1,052.84

$1,073.90

Christian & Missionary Alliance

Alliance Church

326 10th Avenue

155.028

$463.05

$472.31

$481.76

Roman Catholic Bishop of Nelson

Canadian Martyrs

712 12th Avenue

174.381

$925.14

$943.64

$962.51

Columbia Village Enter prises Ltd.

Columbia Garden Village

800 10th Avenue

187.900

$2,443.70

$2,492.57

$2,542.42

District of Invermere

Invermere Seniors Hall

1309 14th Street

239.000

$2,296.08

$2,342.00

$2,388.84

TOTAL ESTIMATED EXEMPTION VALUE

$30,371.01 $30,978.40 $31,597.97

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A8

NEWS

NDP MLA questions Bennett’s Jumbo history New provincial legislation 'flawed': Macdonald ANNALEE GRANT Cranbrook Daily Townsman

Newly appointed Minister for Community, Sport and Cultural Development Bill Bennett is defending his impartiality after NDP MLA Norm Macdonald called into question his history with the Jumbo Glacier Resort.

As reported in May, the province amended the mountain resort municipality legislation in the Local Government Act, opening the door for a request from Glacier Resorts Ltd., the company applying to construct the Jumbo Glacier Resort.

At the time, Bennett said the changes were being done to make room for the controversial resort after its master development plan was approved in March.

“It’s a fairly straight-

forward issue now,” he said. “The only question that’s left now is what form of governance will this resort take and one of the options is for the mountain resort municipality to be created. At this stage the processing of this is technical – not political.”

Macdonald, MLA for the Columbia River-Revelstoke riding in which the Jumbo Valley sits, said Bennett’s new cabinet position is the ministry responsible for whether a project is given the green light for resort municipality status.

“Bill Bennett is now responsible for a piece of controversial legislation that was passed last spring which made a flawed piece of legislation on the creation of

PHOTO BY NICOLE TRIGG/THE ECHO Jumbo Valley, the site of the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort.

resort municipalities even worse,” Macdonald said.

Resort municipality status would allow a municipality to be created in an area where there are no residents. The ministry would then appoint a three-person council that would sit for three years to represent the interests of the resort. An election for a five-member council would

be held after a threeyear term or if the population reached a “critical mass.”

Bennett said resort municipality status is not a simple yes or no answer and there was no room in the legal channels it must follow for his personal opinion.

“There’s no formal application,” he said.

“You express an interest. Glacier Resorts Ltd. has expressed

13th Annual Windermere Fall Fair and Scarecrow Festival thanks the following for their generous community support, on behalf of the Windermere Community Association: THANKS! TO THESE DONATING SPONSORS: A&W Babin Air Back Country Jacks Back Door Wine Cellar Bavin Glassworks Be Gifted Bellows Forge & Gallery Canadian Tire CIBC Columbia River Canoe Columbia Valley Pioneer Copper Point Golf Course Copper Point Resort Coy’s Par 3 Dairy Queen Daves Book Bar DR Sports Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Funtasia Great Canadian Dollar Store High Country Properties Home Hardware Hopkins Harvest Invermere Glass K5 Auto Kicking Horse Coffee Kool Country Auto Kootenay Savings Kolanos Family La GaleriaII Lambert Pharmacy Local View Printing & Design Majestic U-Brew One Hour Photo OK Tire Palliser Printing Peacock Embroidery Prestige Inn Radium Resort Dr. Richard Kanan Rockies Ice Cream Rona Rockies West Realty Saunders Family Farm Selkirk TV & Appliance Sign Artists Skookum Inn Sobeys Spur Valley Golf Course The Natural Floor Tiffany’s Thredz Tim Hortons Tony’s Greek Grill Travel World Upper Columbia Pioneer Valley Echo YPC Fitness Valley Peak Windermere Family Pantry Windermere Golf Course Windermere Valley Child Care MUSICIANS OTHERS WHO ASSISTED ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Marty & Elijah Beingessner Scott Ivers Cheri (Ken, Jake, Luke, Angela) Hann Second Winds Band Sounds of Essence Pat (Nick) VanRegen Kimberley Community Band Ray Schnerch Sharon (Doug) Ferris Stacey & Bud DeCosse Hoodoo Quilters Gracie (Dave) Boake Ron & Ruth Henderson Leona Bergley Karen (Patrick) Taylor-Browne Pat Hess and the band L8 Magician Jeremy Stevens Dan Marshall & Barb Kloos Luke Persson Jan Klimek Eileen (Henry) Bilodeau Jade Bowen Young Family Anne Riches Vern Victoor Bill (Kathe) Ayrton A SPECIAL THANKS~ Heather Hall-Murray Christine Kolanos From the Organizing Committee to Petra Downey Andrea Dunlop all those who made the wonderful Whitman Waste Management Bob Kochorek & Friends scarecrows, gave demonstrations, Windermere School Jen Cope who submitted entries in the judged Maegen (Cory) Stanbury Faith Saunders competitions, and who donated to the Sam Gaspar Cindy MacKay WCA, and who attended, we thank you!

Windermere Fire Dept Steve Bentley We are also grateful to all the other Elin Einarsson Shandrea of The Stem volunteers (about 150), such as Rockies Hockey Team Joe & Sanda Taylor, Eileen Fiell the caterers, work crew, go-fers, Fiona Stokley Jim Fraser & Crew ticket sellers, gatekeepers, kitchen Charlene Diakiw Jo-El (Mark) Buerlen volunteers, food cookers and servers, Alice Kazakoff John & Margot Cain the bakers who donated home-made Phil Cleland DTSS Leadership Class pies, the DTSS Leadership Class, and Challis Family Sam Bootsma, Neil Patterson WES Grade 7 leadership students. The Rotary Club Shirley Peevey Fall Fair is the primary fund-raising Strands Restaurant Victoria Page & Helen Elstrom event for the Windermere Community Family Fishing Derby Chrisdon Chaisson Association. Please visit our website at www.windermerecommunity.ca

an interest in having a resort municipality but we have not made any decisions.

If everything lines up and it’s appropriate, that would be one of the options the minister would have.”

Further, Bennett said the status can not be approved by the minister alone, but is created by the cabinet.

“There’s no opportunity for ministers to make some sort of personal decision that they’re going to create a mountain resort municipality just because they want to,” Bennett said, adding that consultations with local First Nations are ongoing. “It all has to be in conformance with the legislation.

It all has to be done in conformance with the legal obligations to First Nations.”

The Local Government Act’s amended legislation reads: “On the recommendation of the minister… and whether or not there are residents in the area at the time of incorporation, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by letters patent, incorporate a new mountain resort municipally for the area.”

However Macdonald insists that Bennett now holds the keys to the resort

municipality status.

“They’re able to create a resort municipality that can be created by the minister alone,” Macdonald said. “If there’s any suggestion

by Bill Bennett that it’s more difficult or more rigorous than that, that’s just not the case and it’s legislation he voted for.

Macdonald is concerned about the appointed council and the lack of guidelines for creating the threeperson panel to represent the resort.

“There were no guidelines as to who the individuals would be other than presumably those the minister wanted,” he said. “They would sit as a council the same way that the City of Kimberley sits.”

Back in February, Bennett traveled to France at his own expense to meet with potential investors in the Jumbo Glacier Resort. Along with him were Grant Costello and Jill Bodkin of Glacier Resorts Ltd. Bennett said he has not talked to the proponents for months, and is unaware if funding has been obtained for the project or not.

“My role as an MLA was to see that due process was followed and that government was fair,” he said. “I’m

not a developer. I’m not getting involved in the development of the resort, that’s up to the proponent. My support is of the process – the legal process that’s in place for all projects.”

Macdonald said the France trip sent the wrong message at the time, and granting resort municipality status would provide rights to a group of business people.

“The history that Bill Bennett has with this project is long and deep and he has invested an extraordinary amount of political capital to move the project ahead in a way that I think most would wonder why he would be involved as heavily as he is,” he said.

“If the government’s intention is to benefit a small group of individuals that are friendly to them by giving them additional rights, I would say that is extraordinarily irresponsible and it must not happen. The legislation itself is just incredibly weak.”

The appointed council is another concern for Macdonald, who said they could sit indefinitely if no permanent community was built up around the resort.

“There is no timeframe for when elections would take place and no criteria.

So it can go on as an appointed board ad infinitum,” he said, predicting there would never be a permanent population at the Jumbo Resort.

Bennett said appointed councils have happened several times to create new municipalities, and points to Sparwood and Tumbler Ridge as examples.

“They are often created by starting with Cont. to 'bennett' on Page A10

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A9

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

NEWS

Brewing begins

Ta r g e t e d I n i t i a t i v e f o r O l d e r W o r k e r s Job Skills Training Opportunity

Who is this for?

submitted Photo A group of ten local ladies helped clean the fermenters at Arrowhead Brewing Co. not only to help but to earn their name on the fermenter they cleaned: #1-Leanne Tegart; #2-Selena Dubois; #3-DeVotchka Thrash; #4-Jennifer Roberts; #5-Trish Pike; #6-Tammy Mytopher; #7-Julia Dunlop; #8-Athena Hunt; #9-Jeannette Riches; #10-Jeni Higgins.

Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria: • Unemployed • Aged 55 – 64 (in some circumstances, unemployed workers aged 50 – 54 or 65 and up may also participate) • Be legally entitled to work in Canada • Require new or enhanced skills for successful integration into new employment • Live in an eligible community/region • Be ready and committed to returning to work

What will you get?

Participants may be eligible to receive: • Class-based skill development – including job searching and career planning • Funding to access training at local educational institutions/trainers • Income support for the duration of in-class training • Targeted wage subsidy for on-the-job training

When is it?

• Nov 2012 to Feb 2013

Photo by Steve Jessel/The Echo Arrowhead Brewing Company is out of the starting gates with their first batch, as brewmaster and consultant Larry Kerwin and owner and head brewer Shawn Tegart show off some of the fruits of their labour on Tuesday, September 18.

Funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers Invermere

For more details, phone 250-342-3210 ext 7103 or Email: invermere@cotr.bc.ca

Get a Peace!... of Radium Tourism Radium rolls out new regional strategy NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

After a busy summer season that saw great success with Music and Market on Main, Tourism Radium is launching straight into a winter marketing program with a new approach that encompasses the entire Columbia Valley.

“I’m passionate about working together; we’re just not a destination on our own,” said Tourism Radium marketing administrator Courtney Allen, who is bringing fresh energy and a new vision to Radium’s designation marketing organization (DMO) since she assumed the position in late June. “While that obviously has to be the focus, it’s not going to be, ‘Just come to Radium.’ I really feel like it needs to be, ‘Come to the Columbia Valley.’”

Anyone is able to purchase a membership with the Radium Chamber of Commerce, through which they automatically become a member of Tourism Radium, said Allen.

“We work together and operate together, and we have different types of membership that we just rolled out,” she said. “For example, Panorama Mountain Village is a member of the Radium Chamber of Commerce, so that gives us the opportunities to work with them on marketing initiatives and activities or events to help bring people to the valley and spend time in our world.”

Allen sees exciting times ahead for Radium with the mill re-opening as well as endless opportunities for partnerships, events and marketing going forward.

“Basically my strategy is to work with anyone who wants to work with us,” Allen said.

“The key work for the 20122013 marketing plan is partnership. What I can do in my position is offer partnerships and opportunities in marketing plans and extend them as far out as Canal Flats, and if they’d like to be involved, we’d love to have them.

“Whatever we can do to increase the awareness of the valley while marketing Radium as a destination, that’s what we’ll do.”

Ken Wilder of Panorama/Invermere’s DMO said he looks

forward to collaborating with Allen wherever possible.

“We’re excited to see Courtney on board,” he said in an email.

Working in Radium while living in Invermere with parents in Fairmont, Allen feels passionately about a regional marketing plan on a personal level as well as professionally.

“I think it’s important to start thinking regionally and valley-wide and I have a huge passion for that,” she said.

The campaign she has introduced for 2012-2013 is “Radium… Get a Peace!” based on the sign drivers see when leaving Kootenay National Park and entering the Village of Radium: “The mountains shall bring peace to the people.”

“If your definition of peace is flying down a mountain bike trail then you’re going to find that here, if your definition of peace if floating down the river on a raft, then you’re going to find that here,” Allen said. “What I was wanting to communicate with the rest of the world about Radium is that it’s the place you want to be, and no matter what you’re looking for you’re going to find it in and around Radium Hot Springs.”

Smile Cookies are gone, but the smiles they’ve left in our community will last forever. Thanks to your support, Tim Hortons will be donating the entire proceeds to The Family Resource Centre, right here in Invermere.

© Tim Hortons, 2009

A10 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

NEWS

New hunting regulations in effect Bennett Hunters, backcountry users should be aware of provincial guidelines for local areas STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

Hunting season on a number of animals have officially opened up in the East Kootenay, and it’s important that hunters and backcountry users alike respect each others rights and follow the standard safety procedures when out recreating this fall.

“People do have to do a little homework,” Columbia Valley conservation officer Greg Kruger said.

In British Columbia, geographical areas are broken down into what are known as management units, most of which have their own rules and regulations for what animals may be hunted, and when. Numerous hunting seasons started on September 10 and have various durations. The majority of hunting in this area falls into management units 4-26, stretching from just south of the Village of Canal Flats to north of the Village of Radium Hot Springs, and includes the area

west along Horsethief Creek and Findlay Creek; management unit 4-25, which lies to the east of Highway 93/95, and management units 4-34 and 4-35, which stretch north past Golden.

Hunting regulations in all of the management units frequently change from year to year, as species populations fluctuate and the province releases new guidelines.

“The province does different kinds of population estimates, from aerial surveys during different times of the year… to surveys that they’ll give out to resident hunters,” Kruger said.

“From that, that is the basis for how long the open seasons are for, or if there is going to be an open season for a certain animal.

If there is a population or conservation concern, then either there is no hunting season for that given species or sex, or point restrictions on certain animals.”

When looking at the hunting synopsis for

this year, there is one particular change from previous years that Kruger wants to highlight for local hunters — only mule deer buck with four-point antlers can be hunted in management unit 4-26 for this year’s open season.

“Management unit 4-26 does not go to any mule deer buck this year, it stays at four-point buck,” Kruger said. “Because of conservation concerns from the province with the

about how close to residences, schools churches and other areas hunters may hunt or discharge firearms. All of this information can be found on the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources website at www.env. gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/regulations by navigating to the synopsis for any particular region.

“I tell everyone they should have a copy of the hunting regulations with them, because it changes from

“I tell everyone they should have a copy of the hunting regulations with them, because it changes from year to year.”

GREG KRUGER COLUMBIA VALLEY CONSERVATION OFFICERS

number of mature mule deer down a bit in 4-26, it’s staying at 4-point buck and doesn’t go to any buck.”

Municipalities and communities also have their own rules and regulations for hunters when inside municipal boundaries. For example, Radium and Invermere are no-shooting or hunting areas, while Windermere is only a no-shooting area, meaning bow hunting is allowed. There are also general rules

year to year,” Kruger said.

When it comes to backcountry use, the vast majority of Crown land is open for hunting, meaning that if you head into the brush outside of a municipality you are likely sharing that space with hunters.

Kruger said that conflicts between hunters and backcountry users are rare, as the first rule for hunters is to identify their target, but incidents can happen. Anyone with any concerns

or issues regarding hunting in the backcountry can report it by calling 1-877-9527277, or 1-877-952RAPP. “A word of caution to people who are not hunting or are hunters in the backcountry, is that it never hurts to be a little more visible by wearing certain colours that are a little brighter,” Kruger said. “With pets, because there is open season on wolves and coyotes and animals like that, if people are walking their dogs — especially off the leash — it’s good to put a highly visible item on your dog.”

All hunters that are B.C. residents must pass a basic hunters’ education course before being able to obtain a B.C. resident hunter number card and hunting licence.

In B.C., the program is known as CORE, or Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education, and is offered in several places in the Columbia Valley, including Radium Hot Springs.

For more information and to obtain the CORE program manual, visit www. e nv. g ov. b c . c a / f w / wildlife/hunting/ resident/education. html.

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TRULY CANADIAN

wants fair due process CONTINUED FROM PAGE A8

an appointed council which oversees the development of the community until such time as there are electors living full time in the community to elect a mayor and council,” he said. “Mr. Macdonald does not seem to know the history of his own province.”

During the debate of Bill 41, which included the amendment to the Local Government Act on resort municipalities, Macdonald said Bennett raised his concerns about an appointed council.

“Bill Bennett himself said it’s a problem in the debate,” he said. “It’s just so clearly inconsistent with democratic principles.”

Macdonald said he has asked the province to explain who would pay for expenses related to the appointed council. Bennett said he has no concerns about hiring the right people for the job.

“If the province proceeds with a mountain resort municipality, a small council will be appointed of well-respected local people to oversee the initial development of the resort community. A Chief Administrative Officer will be hired and paid for by the province,” Bennett said. “I have no concerns about finding a few well respected, experienced, honest people in the Columbia Valley to form the appointed council.

“It is sad that Mr Macdonald fails to have the confidence that such people can be identified in his riding.”

Bennett said he had not yet come across the Jumbo file in his new ministerial position, however the issue had been brought up briefly as he met with ministry staff in orientation.

—with files from Nicole Trigg, The Valley Echo

Flyer Inserter The Valley Echo in Invermere has an immediate opening for a Flyer Inserter.

The successful candidate will have excellent time management skills and the ability to work efficiently. While working as a team, Flyer Inserters must also be able to work independently, without supervision.

Often, Flyer Inserters must lift boxes, so the ability to carry up to 25 lbs. is necessary.

This position is for 2-5 hours on Tuesday evenings.

Please forward your resumé to:

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T he

The NEWSpaper in the Columbia Valley

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One survey and entry per household. Must be 19 years or older to participate. Prize accepted as awarded. Winner will be a random draw of all survey entries.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for the position will be contacted.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A11

NEWS

Literacy planning is a community event BLACK PRESS STAFF Special to The Valley Echo

Today we are surrounded by information. It is everywhere, and in many different forms. We use literacy skills constantly as we check our email, shop for groceries, pay our bills, read the news, and many other daily tasks. Not only must we be able to interpret the written word, we need the skills to evaluate this information. What does the food label ‘light’ really mean? When is an email from a stranger legitimate, and when is it spam? How do interest rates really affect me as a consumer? The ability to answer these questions hinges on one thing: literacy skills.

“Literacy skills impact our lives and communities in ways that might surprise you,” said Ali Wassing, CBAL (Co-

lumbia Basin Alliance for Literacy) Executive Director. “Studies show a strong correlation between high literacy levels, good health and low unemployment.

Ultimately, a community is more resilient when its citizens have strong literacy skills.”

Since 2003, community literacy organizations throughout B.C., such as CBAL, have had provincial support to develop community literacy planning committees. They discuss, plan and take action on literacy development for all ages and all needs.

Decoda Community Literacy Planning Guide says: “It is in communities themselves that literacy is practiced and sustained.

Therefore, community engagement is essential to creating an environment in which literacy programs can be successful.”

Submitted photo The 2012 Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) staff.

Council of the Ministers of Education, Canada (2009) Literacy : More than Words; Progress Report on Literacy.

In 2007, the province asked boards of education to be more actively involved. They are now responsible for submitting district literacy plans to the Ministry of Education. This comprehensive, annual document combines community literacy plans into one document for each school district.

Community members representing public health, school districts, colleges, municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, Early Childhood Development teams, libraries, community services, employment agencies and many others come together as community literacy planning committees to discuss local needs.

“Interesting partnerships develop and important resources are shared at these commu-

nity planning meetings,” said Betty Knight, CBAL Regional Program Manager, East Kootenay. “Everyone benefits.”

Books for Babies, Luv to Learn, Parents as Literacy Supporters, Parents Reading, Children Succeeding, One-to-One Reading, Young Parents Education Program, Seniors Computers and English Conversation groups are just a few of the programs introduced through the community planning process.

As awareness grows around health and financial literacy, and of how many aspects of daily life are impacted by literacy, the need for these community collaborations becomes more important.

This year, the community literacy planning committees are opening their doors wider, hosting open discussions about literacy service gaps, assets and possible solutions.

“We hope these meetings will draw more community members into a broader discussion of literacy and lifelong, lifewide learning,” said Desneiges Profili, CBAL Regional Program Manager, West Kootenays. “Everyone should be involved in literacy planning, because literacy affects everyone.”

If you are interested in being a part of your community literacy planning process, visit www.cbal.org and contact your community literacy co-ordinator.

Please support the Black Press and CBAL ReachA-Reader campaign on Wednesday, October 10.

The funds you donate when you buy The Valley Echo will go toward local literacy programs, and community literacy planning. Your donation will change your community!

By learning together, we will grow stronger together.

Reach A Reader Wednesday, October 10 5

Invermere ValleyTimes Echo and the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy are The Trail Daily partnering on a great new event for Invermere.

Trail. highest people On Wednesday, Wednesday,October October10, 5, some some of ofInvermere’s Trail’s highest profiprofile le people willwill be be outout onon thethe street with forfor donations to help support literacy initiatives in ourin street with our ournewspaper newspaperasking asking donations to help support literacy initiatives community.

AlongAlong with your we willwe give you a copy your community newspaper our community. with donation your donation will give you of a copy of your community for FREE (plus a few extrabe promos go along withtothat). newspaper for there FREEmight (plus be there might a few to extra promos go along with that).

Absolutely all funds raised from the day will go towards CBAL and all funds will stay in the community in which they are raised to support literacy programs in our community.

Help Promote Literacy and Lifelong Learning in our Community Help Promote Literacy and Lifelong Learning in our Community

VALLEY ECHO T he

The NEWSpaper in the Columbia Valley

A12 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

PODIATRY CLINIC

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

NEWS

with Dr. Joanne Lih Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Invermere Medical Clinic 937 7 Avenue Invermere

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1-250-304-4792

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Fall specials • $250 credit off the installed price when you trade in your old, inefficient wood-burning stove for a new EPA stove.

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PHOTO BY STEVE JESSEL/THE ECHO On Thursday (September 27), the Columbia Valley detachment responded to a single vehicle roll over on Highway 95/93 near George Anderson Road in Edgewater. The driver, age 25 from Wasa, was southbound in a 2007 Dodge Ram when he was distracted briefly while attempting to clear something from his eye and the vehicle drifted. When the driver overcorrected, he lost control and entered into the northbound ditch and rolled. The passenger, age 25 from Kimberley, and the driver received minor injuries and were taken to the Invermere & District Hospital.

Police Files — Columbia Valley Staff Sgt. Marko Shehovac

String of vehicle incidents September 21 At 12:34 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment attended to a single vehicle accident at 205 3rd Ave. The Invermere Fire Department was on hand as well as BC Ambulance. A 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe had driven over a 10-foot embankment and ended up upside down with two females trapped in the vehicle. The driver, a 71-year-old female from Edmonton, appeared to be parking the car and hit the accelerator. Both the driver and passenger, also from Edmonton, escaped with minor injuries. Both husbands were observed at the hospital, obviously concerned. Realizing that we lucked out on injuries and to get the gloom off the faces of the husbands, Staff Sgt. Shehovac asked who the husband of the driver was. The male identified himself at which time Shehovac requested he work with the wife on her parking skills. Mission accomplished, no more look of gloom. Dark humour comes in handy once in a while.

At 1 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment responded to a two-vehicle accident at 13th Street and 8th Avenue. A 2004 grey Dodge Caravan driven by a 40-year-old male from Invermere was westbound when a ‘97 Buick Skylark driven by a 87-yearold male from Radium failed to stop at a stop sign, entered the intersection, and collided with the van. Both drivers were taken to the hospital for checkups. The driver of the Skylark was charged with fail to yield at an intersection while the driver of the van was issued a ticket for no insurance.

At 5:15 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment responded to an accident on Highway 93/95 and Koo-

tenay Road # 3. A 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee was southbound when a '99 Chevrolet pickup pulled onto the highway from Kootenay #3, failing to yield. The driver of the Jeep had to swerve to avoid a collision and in doing so lost control and rolled the vehicle once off the road, landing upright. The injuries to the Jeep driver were minor. The driver of the pickup was charged with fail to yield.

September 22 At 5:21 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment was advised of a hit and run complaint in the parking lot area of Akiskinook Resort in Windermere.

A grill on a 2011 white Toyota 4Runner was damaged. Anyone with information is requested to contact the detachment.

September 23 As a result of a vehicle check in the area of the Dry Gulch Campsite Road in Radium, a 41-year-old male from Radium was checked at 10:15 a.m. The vehicle check resulted in the arrest of the male and a seizure of cocaine. The male is charged with possession under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act and will appear in Invermere Provincial Court on December 10.

At 9:37 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment was advised of a fatal single vehicle accident on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park approximately 8 kilometres west of the B.C.-Alberta border. The accident involved a 2001 Volvo driven by a 67-year-old male and a collision with a moose. The vehicle was east bound at the time of the accident. The collision happened in the eastbound lane at which time the vehicle then drove off the road.

Given the location of the accident, Banff RCMP, ambulance and fire department attended and were first on scene. It was determined that the passenger, a 73-year-old male was deceased. Both males reside in Calgary. The driver was taken to the Banff hospital then flown to Foothills hospital in Calgary.

Southeast District Traffic Services Reconstructionist attended the scene to assist in the investigation.

The Columbia Valley detachment will continue to assist the Coroner's office as this investigation continues.

Army Cadets: I am very much involved with the local Army Cadets as a civilian instructor, teaching drumming to the kids. This year we are down in numbers and we on going on a recruiting drive to keep this corp alive. Cadets provides youths with leadership and life skills as well as the opportunity for travel and adventure. In my youth, not that long ago, cadets kept me busy and out of mischief (most the time) and I credit my cadet experience from the age of 12 through to 20 in making some good choices. We plan on having an open house for parents in the near future to provide information. Any questions, give me a call at the office.

On a Personal Note...

Forced to make some changes There are times that a detachment commander has to sit back and realize that some serious changes have to be made and that some officers — who are not holding up their weight to the point that one of our most CONTINUES TO 'POLICE' ON PAGE A13

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A13

NEWS

Modular home fits the bill Valley couple create their own senior housing NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

After five years of RV living, Columbia Valley residents Dave Hall and his wife Irene are preparing to move into their new modular home on 13th Street in Invermere. The home, which was pieced together atop its concrete foundation on the Halls’ lot on Tuesday (September 25), was trucked in from Penticton on two flatbed trucks the day before.

“I think it’s a little more economical,” said Dave. “We’d be researching these houses for probably four years or so; we decided to go this route rather than build one stick by stick.”

The Halls have lived in the valley for almost 40 years, and sold their home on 2nd Avenue in Invermere five years ago. Ever since their summers have been spent living in an RV park in the valley and they’ve headed south to warmer weather for the winters. Just over a year ago, they purchased their lot on 13th Street.

“We looked at senior housing in town here but I just felt the demand is greater than the supply,” Dave said,

PHOTO BY NICOLE TRIGG/THE ECHO Dave Hall in front of his lot on 13th Street on Tuesday (September 25) as cranes hoist his new modular home off flatbed trucks and onto its foundation.

“and there’s about three here now that are for sale but for the price of what some of them cost, we can buy a lot and put this on it ourselves, and not pay strata fees and not have to deal with a board, and it’s brand new.”

The mobile home manufacturer is Eagle Homes based in Penticton.

The homes are made in a large warehouse in a controlled climate, with anywhere from six to 10 being built at a time in various stages.

“We went and looked at the plant last year and we were quite pleased

with what we saw,” said Dave.

They were also given the option of designing their home themselves, room by room.

“We drew up our own floor plan and what we wanted in it,” Dave said.

“We see it as the next thing to senior housing.”

With their new home in place, the Halls plan to continue spending summers in Invermere and going south in the winter months.

“Hopefully we can have our cake and eat it too,” said Dave, flashing a grin.

POLICE FILES cont'd...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A12

important goals has not been realized of late — may have to go. I had to make some hard decisions but as a leader, the buck stops with me and I have to face up to the consequences and do what is expected and what is right for the rest of the team. This detachment has not, for the last three years, tasted the victory of hoisting the DTSS Rotary Floor Hockey Championship. At the end of last season, I had no choice but to release three officers that I believe would not get us to that next level. Dave, Dustin and Christine, although good friends, were cut from the detachment and I did some heavy scouting in the off season. I brought in Danny Butler from the Island who I believe will contribute to bolstering our detachment. I then went to staffing and advised them that I was looking for speed and we got Frank, top rated in fitness. I then went back to the depot and advised I needed one more physical person. We picked up Peggy Bell who was a fitness instructor prior to joining the RCMP. She will bring speed up front and the boys might be hesitant to get physical. I also sent our Captain Andrew away for two months for some secret training that I don’t wish to disclose to the kids. We are pumped and ready to do battle.

I looked hard to find another goaltender but we are stuck with Grant. We’re going to take a serious stab this year to regain the title. You little punks are forewarned. If you can gather around an English teacher and compose a rebuttal, give it a shot. I will mark the paper and get credits for you.

The Windermere Valley Museum and Archives 530 - 13 Street, Invermere 250-342-9216 • www.invermerevalleyecho.ca

The Windermere Valley Museum and Archives is managed by a dedicated group of volunteers belonging to the Windermere District Historical Society.

Hours September 2012 hours now in effect Monday to Friday, Noon to 4 p.m.

Winter hours, October 2012 Tuesdays only, noon until 4 p.m. and then again, 7 - 9 p.m.

We offer photocopying services!

Open 9-5 - Monday to Friday

Or by appointment please contact us Admission by donation

250.342.9769 wvmuseum@ cyberlink.bc.ca

A14 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

NEWS

Community Calendar

Apply now for environmental aid

Submit your events: production@invermerevalleyecho.com

WED OCTober 3 •Free Public Talk about Cancer Prevention Presented by InspireHealth doctors. Copper Point Resort 7 -9 p.m.

THUR OCTober 4 •Invermere Curling Club AGM, 7:30 p.m.

OCTober 4-5 •Two day Inspire LIFE BC Program for those afffected by cancer. Copper Point Resort 9-4:30.

For more info 250342-6688. To register call 1-888-734-7125. sat october 6 •Armand E. Vallee Exhibition, Artym Gallery, 10 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Show until October 12. 250342-7566.

•Annual Harvest Market, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Winderberry Nursery. Various vendors.

•Global Animal Lovers (GALs) barbecue fundraiser, Home Hardware, 11 a.m. 2 p.m. sun october 7 •Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club’s Turkey Shoot at the Rauch Homestead Range west of Radium Hot Springs. Registration opens at 10 a.m., first events commence at 10:30 a.m.

Trap and/or Sporting Clays format.

Coffee, lunch and prizes. For info 250341-3254.

•Geoff Hill and Jon Howlett present an exhbition at heritage home open house at 707 13th Ave, from 1 - 4 p.m. 250-3417600. tues october 9 • Cinefest Film Series - Monsieur Lazhar, 7 p.m. at Pynelogs Cultural Centre, cash bar and refreshments. wed october 10 • Artist Opening

Event Featuring: Kathleen Davies, Ingrid Vincent, Stan Lukasiewicz, John Lubbers and Meagan Stanbury. 7 to 9 p.m. at Pynelogs Cultural Centre.

Cash bar and refreshments.

October 12-13 •Invermere Curling Club Link to Rink Tournament, 250342-3315 to register.

EVERY SUNDAY •Public Indoor Rock Climbing, Laird School, 5-8 p.m., $5.

•Radium Seniors’ Carpet Bowling, 1:30 p.m., Hall.

2nd SUNDAY •LW Alliance Church Sing and Celebrate, 7 p.m.

For more information call Clarence Stauffer, 250-3429580.

EVERY MONDAY •Gentle drop-in carpet bowling, 1:30 p.m., Seniors' Centre.

•Cadets, 6:30-9 p.m. for boys and girls, ages 12-17. Cost: FREE (includes uniform). Info: Rick Dendy 250-341-1509.

•Duplicate Bridge, 6:30 p.m., Invermere Seniors’ Hall, $2/ person. Visitors welcome.

•EK Brain Injury Support Group, 1-3 p.m., Family Resource Centre. Info: 250-344-5674.

1st & 3rd TUESDAY •OPT clinic, 6:308:30 p.m., Inv. Health Unit, 85010th Ave. Confidential service: low-cost birth control, and STI testing.

1st TUESDAY •Invermere Camera Club 7 p.m. Tanya, tanyadeleeuw65@ gmail.com.

EVERY TUESDAY •Yoga THRIVEYoga for Cancer Sur-

vivors. Hot springs studio, Fairmont Village Mall. For info Jan Klimek 250-3421195.

•Shuswap Bingo at the big white tent on Capilo Way, old Eagle Ranch entrance, early bird at 7 p.m. 250-341-6361.

1st & 3rd WED •Scrabble Night at Invermere Public Library. 6 - 8 p.m.

Bring your boards!

Call 250-342-6416.

2nd & 4th WED •Senior's Day at the Invermere Library.

Bus transportation provided.

EVERY THURSDAY •Cadets, 6:30-9 p.m. for boys and girls, ages 12-17. Cost: FREE (includes uniform). Info: Rick Dendy 250-3411509.

•Children's Air Rifle Program, with the LWDRGC, Inv. Community Hall, 7 - 8:30 p.m., free of charge, ages 6-15. Learn safety, marksmanship, equipment provided.

EVERY FRIDAY •Baby Goose program for parents and babies up to 18 months. 9:3011:30 a.m. at Eileen Madson Primary. kandruschuk@cbal. org •Public Indoor Rock Climbing, Laird School, 5-8 p.m., $5.

•Preschool Story Time at the Invermere Public Library, 10:30 a.m. For info visit invermere. bclibrary.ca.

EVERY SATURDAY •Public Indoor Rock Climbing, Laird School, 5-8 p.m., $5.

•Hip Hop Flip Flop class, Scrappy Do's, 5:30 p.m.

Thrift Store •Thursdays 10 a.m.

- 4 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 1 - 4 p.m.

Ongoing funding available for earth friendly projects GALADRIEL WATSON Columbia Basin Trust

Columbia Basin groups wishing to help maintain or enhance environmental conditions in and around their communities are invited to submit project ideas to the Environmental Initiatives Program (EIP) of Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). Over the past 11 years, the program has provided over $5 million in funding for environmental conservation, restoration, stewardship and education projects across the Basin.

The program’s small grants stream, geared at projects under $10,000, has a continuous application intake depending on available funding.

The large grants stream has an annual intake, and, for 2012-2013, will fund projects up to $50,000.

The next application deadline is 4:30 MDT on Wednesday, October 26, 2012.

“We’re pleased we can increase our support of projects that aim to reduce the impacts people have on our environment,” said Rick Allen, CBT Program Manager, Environment. “The projects also encourage education and awareness for all generations about Basin ecosystems.”

White Bark Consulting was recently able to carry out whitebark pine restoration thanks in part to EIP support.

Whitebark pine is an endangered tree species of high-elevation forests that provides food and shelter for various wildlife species. The project also included educating community members, collecting

Submitted photo Seepanee Ecological Consulting undertook a wolverine population and habitat assessment thanks in part to CBT support.

seeds from healthy trees and creating a distribution map of the Basin.

"The funding provided by CBT has been vital in enabling people and organizations that are interested in whitebark pine to come together and work on restoration efforts,” said Adrian Leslie with White Bark Consulting. “It has been a fun, interesting and rewarding experience."

Another example is Seepanee Ecological Consulting, which undertook a wolverine population and habitat assessment. By collecting wolverine hair samples from the Selkirk mountain range, as well as from trappers, this project was an important step in determining if the current harvest levels of wolverines are at risk of be-

ing unsustainable.

“Funding from partners like CBT has been critical to the success of the project,” said Doris Hausleitner with Seepanee Ecological Consulting. “Without their contributions, and assistance from local trappers and a multitude of volunteers, this type of research would not be possible.”

For more information about EIP or to get an application form, visit www.cbt.org/eip or contact Allen at 1-800-5058998 or email rallen@cbt.org.

To learn more about CBT’s other environmental priorities, visit www.cbt.org/environment. CBT supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin.

Rotary of Radium Hot Springs meets at Radium Resort, Wednesdays at 7 a.m. Ongoing fundraising is going towards the Bicycle Pump Track.

Rotary Club of Invermere meets every Thursday at 11:45 a.m. at the Best Western Invermere Inn. On October 4, there will be an evening presentation from returning exchange students Kim Thomas and Stephen Bagan.

Location TBA. Pictured are Eric and Yvonne Redeker and Ken Adams receiving perfect attendance pins .

Rotary International

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A15

Arts & Entertainment Rising Canadian literary star in Invermere Fernie-based author with PhD from University of Calgary will read from her latest book at public library STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

One of Canada’s most quickly rising authors will visit Invermere in October when One Book, One Kootenay reader’s choice winner and CBC’s Canada Reads finalist Angie Abdou holds a reading of her book The Canterbury Trail at the Invermere Public Library as part of a sixtown tour.

“Authors do love to tour their books, and we find that it’s a good partnership between libraries and authors,” said Helen Graham of the Kootenay Library Federation, which is sponsoring the tour.

Abdou, an instructor at the College of the Rockies, first burst on to the scene in 2006, when her collection of short stories, Anything Boys Can Do, was lauded by critics and fans. Her first novel, The Bone Cage released in 2007, was what brought her the greatest recognition to date, winning the inaugural One Book, One Kootenay reading series. Following the stories of fictitious Olympians Sadie Jorgenson and Tom “Digger” Stapleton, the book was selected by former NHL player George Laraque for the Canada Reads competition and was included in Canadian Literature’s all-time list of best Canadian sports literature.

Her latest novel, The Canterbury Trail, is described as a “black comedy about mountain culture” on her website, as it follows the story of a group of ski enthusiasts on their way to a remote backcountry cabin for the last weekend of the ski season.

“She’s quite different, and quite refreshing,” Graham said. “It’s very much a Kootenay tale.”

Abdou will read from The Canterbury Trail at the Invermere Public Library on Wednesday, October 10 at 7 p.m., and will also visit Kimberley and Sparwood as part of her tour. For more information on the tour or the author, visit klf. bclibrary.ca, or www.abdou.ca.

Submitted photo In addition to reading from her latest book, The Canterbury Trail, at the Invermere Public Library on October 10, author and COTR English instructor Angie Abdou will be hosting Introduction to Creative Writing workshops as part of the Kootenay Literacy Competition.

Have you seen this camel?

What does ART mean to you?

Alice the Camel has been in the Valley for a few weeks helping international law enforcement track a notorious drug smuggler from the Middle East.

Alice went missing on October 1st, and is an indispensable part of an upcoming performance at Pynelogs Cultural Centre.

For more information about “Midnight at the Oasis” murder mystery evening on October 20 and 21, or to report a camel sighting, please call 250-342-4423.

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.

A16 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Musical interlude

Fall Grant Applications 2012 The Columbia Valley Community Foundation is accepting 2012 fall grant applications from registered charities which support projects that enhance the quality of life of Columbia Valley residents from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen.

Deadline for applications: October 19th, 2012 Board decisions by November 9th, 2012 Granting guidelines and application forms available on line www.valleyfoundation.ca or at Smith Green Andruschuk Chartered Accountants, 1229 7th Ave., Invermere.

For information on the granting process, contact Jenny Richardson 250-342-9822 email richardson.jenny.george@gmail.com.

“Let the CVCF (Headwaters of Giving) assist in your plans to improve our community”

PHOTO BY STEVE JESSEL/THE ECHO Cellist Brian Deans accompanied pianist and singer Mariah Mennie for a unique musical performance at Strand's Old House Restaurant on Friday (September 28).

Grant recipients named Opening Wednesday, October 3 10% off everything in the store Wednesday only!

(Look for us where you used to find Scrappy Do’s)

The little scrapbook store 1206 - 7th Avenue, Invermere Ph: 250-342-7238 Monday - Saturday 9:30 - 5:30, Sunday 12:00 - 4:00

Sales and Delivery Top Soil Sand & Gravel Products Screened Black Alberta Loam Composted Bark Mulch Landscape Bark Nuggets

Arts, culture and heritage projects in Columbia Valley supported by CBT NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

Almost three quarters of a million dollars was distributed to arts, future and heritage projects across the Columbia Basin for the 2012-2013 season, and some of that funding found its way into the Columbia Valley via a number of lucky grant recipients.

A total of $706,000 was given to the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance by Columbia Basin Trust to support a wide range of projects, and out of the over 160 arts, culture and heritage projects that were funded, the local recipients in the valley were: Advanced Workshop - Terry Isaac — Leslie Cartwright ($690); Bellydance Intensive — Arabian Mountain Spice Middle Eastern Dance ($4,060); CB Culture Tour Project — Headwaters Art Society ($270); Chamber Music Festival — Columbia Valley Arts Council ($1,500); Completion and Exhibit of Bronze Portraits — Pat Luders ($2,500); Innovation Art Show — Joshua Estabrooks ($1,970); Oil Painting Colour

in the Landscape — Rowena said. “Some of the organizaSinha ($1,110); Reaction to Re- tions that are maybe thinking actions — Leslie Rowe-Israel- about a major capital project, son ($1,770); Workshop with some of that takes a lot of planTed Nuttall — Paula Cravens ning so if they’re thinking about ($2,960); CV Arts Website Up- this, sometimes it’s good for grades — Columbia Valley Arts them to start getting things a Council ($2,000); Sound Equip- little bit in order with the hope ment Upgrade - Pynelogs — CV that the program will still be ofArts Council ($1,500). fered in the same way.”

“It gives people an idea of For the 2012-2013 applicathe scope CBT is contributing tions, there were ten different to this sector,” said Natasha funding programs available Smith with the Nelson-based including: support to commuWest Kootenay Regional Arts nities through community arts Council, councils, the organiminor cap“It gives people an idea of zation that ital project the scope CBt is contributing manages funding, the CKCA to this sector.” support contract to tourNATASHA SMITH and the ing, arts CK CULTURAL ALLIANCE CBT fundand heriing for the tage menarts, culture and heritage sec- t o r i n g / m a s t e r tor in the Columbia Basin. classes, organizational develThe CBT funding is approved opment,majorproject,artistsin on an annual basis, with the education 2, and major funds released to the Colum- exhibition. Smith said anyone bia Kootenay Cultural Alliance can download an application (CKCA) usually in January, so and that the CKCA website is individuals and organizations the best resource to see what may want to start thinking about types of funding are available. downloading an application Visit www.basinculture.com, form from the CKCA website click on the Funding Programs for the 2013-2014 season, tab then the Arts, Culture & which runs from June 2013 to Heritage Funding Programs May 2014. brochure on the right for com“Based on the timeframe of prehensive information on previous years, usually it’s in each of last year’s ten funding March for the deadlines,” Smith programs.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

'Middle Genie Bottle' to be displayed Legendary Middle Eastern artifact will be in Columbia Valley for special two-night showing

cient artifact.

Violent battles have often broken out in the past among the contestants; which is what encouraged gallery officials to find a temporary home for the bottle away from its home country at the time when the Genie may be conjured.

Believing in the existence of the Genie is secondary, SUBMITTED Scheffer added, as the very presence of such an interSpecial to The Valley Echo nationally significant historical artifact has never ocAfter almost a year of careful negotiations with the curred in the province, or even the country.

National Persian Art Gallery, the Columbia Valley Arts “All art is magic, one way or another,” she said. “This Council has secured a once-in-a-lifetime showing of an event is the culmination of a lot of hard work and I am ancient Middle Eastern artifact. truly looking forward to hosting and displaying a piece The legendary “Midnight Genie Bottle” will be in of such international importance.” the Columbia Valley for a two-night show on OctoMany wealthy dignitaries from overseas have either ber 20 and 21, said gallery curator already booked their tickets, or are Jami Scheffer, who is over the moon in the valley early to take part in the “This is the first time the with excitement at the upcoming show. Scheffer confirmed that she magical flask has ever been presentation. has been contacted by two sheikhs “This is the first time the magical allowed outside Iran.” and a sultan who will be performing flask has ever been allowed outside their dances in front of the bottle jami scheffer of Iran, and already a number of during the two evening shows. In pynelogs curator foreign dignitaries are on their way years past, one of these attendees to try their hand at enticing a mythwas successful in enticing the Genie ical genie out of the bottle during the limited engage- out of the magical vessel, and did in fact receive three ment,” Scheffer said. wishes. As part of the Middle Eastern theme, Pynelogs According to local legend, once a year the Midnight Cultural Centre will be transformed into an oasis Genie can be enticed out of his bottle to grant some for the event. lucky person three wishes. The Genie can only be So mark your calendars and polish up your dance charmed out by dancing, and every year, for genera- moves, you won’t want to miss this event. tions, thousands of Persians enter a lottery hoping to For more information, or to book your tickets, please win a chance to shimmy and shake in front of the an- call 250-342-4423.

submitted image A legendary Genie bottle that will be on display at Pynelogs has already attracted the interest of two overseas sheikhs and a sultan.

Joe and Elizabeth have retired from the store but we still have some beautiful stock left.

We are having a warehouse sale in the bay behind the old store.

Great deals to be had, drop by.

Friday, Oct 5 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Oct 6 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Industrial Park, Invermere (just off road to Panorama) Ph: 250-342-0707 Email: klein@nucleus.com

www.tepapanui.com

A18 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Home is where the art is

Help Wanted

VJ Bishop Excavating needs truck drivers and excavators.

Must be experienced. Prefer class 1.

Fax resumé to 250-341-6006

Who’s watching your property?

RFE provides: • Alarm Systems monitoring by internet, cellular and landline.

• Surveillance Systems, internet based • Custom home theatres • Authorized Marantz dealer • Russound sound systems

ALARMS & SOUND

250•342•6549

PHOTO BY STEVE JESSEL/THE ECHO On Sunday, October 7 between 1 and 4 p.m. at 707 13th Ave. in Invermere, Geoff Hill and Jon Howlett will open the doors to one of Invemere's oldest homes to showcase the property along with Jon's original works of art in a truly unique event. Jon and Geoff are also volunteer firefighters and as part of the event they hope to draw some attention to the needs in the local fire service, and are hoping to raise some money by donating 15% of sales for the day back to the local fire service.

Cinefest returns to Pynelogs First film to be screened on October 9 regarded as international cinematic hit CV ARTS

Invermere District 250-342-3315 Curling Club RegistRation and annual geneRal Meeting Thursday, October 4 7:30 p.m.

Refreshments

linK to RinK touRnaMent

Friday (evening), Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13 Each team must have at least one person of the opposite gender.

Scramble format. $50 per person includes: one nine-hole golf game and dinner at the Windermere Valley Golf Course.

Special to The Valley Echo

The Columbia Valley Arts Council had a busy and successful festivalfilled summer with Mountain Mosaic, Pynestock, the Tour of the Arts, and Art from the Attic all enjoying large, enthusiastic crowds.

Now, with the changing of the seasons, CV Arts is gearing up for the upcoming Cinefest 2012-13 at Pynelogs

Cultural Centre.

We have upgraded the sound system so that the audience will no longer have to strain to hear the dialogue, and we have chosen what promises to be an interesting and enlightening line up of films.

The first film in our series is Canadian made, Monsieur Lazhar directed

by Philippe Falardeau.

Winner of six Genie Awards including Best Picture and Achievement in Direction, and nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2012 Oscars, this is one of the most unforgettable films of the year. Mohamed Fellag plays Bachir Lazhar, a middleaged Algerian immigrant seeking

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political refuge in Quebec and, after the tragic death of a Montreal schoolteacher, pursues the chance to begin his teaching career. Fine performances combine with a complex character study of loss and innocence in this tender tale about the lessons we learn from one another, regardless of age.

The film will be shown on Tuesday (October 9) at 7 p.m. It is a French language film with English subtitles.

Please call 250-342-4423 for more information. Doors open at 6 :30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door for $10.

As always, there will be a cash bar and refreshments available throughout the evening.

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The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A19

Sports Cycling to support Ethiopia aid efforts Windermere teacher tests her humanity in Summerland's endurance mountain bike race NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

Local elementary school teacher Rhonda Shippy has taken her mountain biking a little more seriously in recent years, and the effort has paid off.

In a cross country mountain bike endurance race held in Summerland on September 23, Windermere Elementary’s Grade 6 Intensive French teacher put her mettle to the test in support of Ethiopia and placed second in the women’s Elite over 40 category.

The annual event, called Test of Humanity, is designed for mountain bikers of all levels, with individual categories for all ages and abilities. All proceeds from the race are used to support the Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief and its projects in Ethiopia, and this year’s event raised over $30,000. Registered participants were also asked to bring with them one small bag of non-perishable food items to support the South Okanagan Food Bank.

“I would like to promote the event so there is more participation for next year,” Shippy said.

According to the Test of Humanity website, “Ethiopia is a country that UNICEF has reported to be home to 6 million orphans, which is 33 per cent more than the entire population of B.C. In addition, nearly 60 per cent of the 84 million people in Ethiopia are illiterate.”

In 2010, Shippy travelled and camped through Africa, from north to south, on a climbing expedition. She spent a month in Ethiopia, travelling around the small villages, staying with the local people and visiting schools.

“So I could see firsthand what the living was like and how difficult it is, and how hard it is for them to get good education,” she said.

By riding in the Test of Humanity, participants support Canadian Humanitarian programs that provide children and individuals with literacy and vocational skills, and the tools to break the cycle of poverty, states the website.

Shippy wants to see more people come out for the event next year because the race is for such a good cause.

“It’s such a well-organized event and the people that run it are passionate and they put a lot of time and effort into it, and it’s a lot of community support for the event,” she said.

In addition to her second place finish in the four-hour Test, which involved riding a challenging 10-kilometre singletrack loop as many times as possible in the allotted time, Shippy was third in the women’s overall.

“I was mountain biking in the area and heard about the race course itself and I was racing a little bit this year so I was looking for other events to participate in,” she said.

Earlier this year Shippy raced in Kimberley’s Round the Mountain Race, placing fourth in her category.

Last year, she competed down in Cave Creek, Arizona and placed fifth.

This year’s Test of Humanity was her first time on the podium and she plans to keep up the racing next year.

“It’s nice to have a goal, a training goal,” she said.

To learn more about the event, visit www.testofhumanity.com. For more information regarding the Canadian Humanitarian organization, please visit their website at www.canadianhumanitarian.com.

Submitted photo by Van Pratt Windermere elementary teacher Rhonda Shippy wants to help Ethiopian aid efforts by promoting the Test of Humanity mountain bike race event, in which she placed second in her category on September 23.

A20 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

SPORTS

Director of hockey operations takes over as head coach, GM Continued from Page A1

to see the Rockies performing as well as they have done, and better.”

Bidinger, now the the former director of hockey operations, has had a role in all major team decisions over the off-season, from scouting players to roster decisions, and as such said he is quite familiar with the roster as it currently stands. Bidinger has also served as an assistant coach with the Rockies in the past and is the current BC Hockey District Evaluator for the East Kootenay. While he acknowledges that it may not be the easiest transition for him to become head coach and general manager, he’s confident he and the rest of the coaching staff will be able to put a solid product on the ice at Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.

“It’s fairly overwhelming,” Bidinger

said, when asked how it felt to be named the new head coach and general manager.

“I’ve got lots of help and lots of guys have stepped up… that’ll ease the the burden of it for sure.”

The first priority for Bidinger will be introducing his players to the new system of hockey, and continuing to develop the young talent on the team. The Rockies are off to a promising start to the season, having reached their win total from last year in just six games, and so it will be up to Bidinger to ensure that the change behind the bench doesn’t effect how his team plays on the ice.

“We’re obviously looking to make this team better in any way that we can and develop these guys to move them to the next level,” Bidinger said.

“There’s definitely some younger good

PHOTO BY STEVE JESSEL/THE ECHO Rockies director of hockey operations Ross Bidinger will assume the role of head coach and general manager.

talent here… our goal is to make the playoffs, and that’s first and foremost.

“I don’t see any real change, because we’re not making big changes to anything… it might change the style of play a little bit but the actual brand on the ice should be really similar.”

The reasons for Ward's resignation were outlined in a letter to club president Al Miller. Miller told The Valley Echo that "basically (Ward) did not like the executive interfering

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6 (ROCKY MOUNTAIN) Invitation to Tender: Snow Removal

Snow removal contracts are required for: Area #1: Kimberley Administration Zone Office, Maintenance Compound, and Blarchmont Elementary School in Kimberley, B.C. All enquiries should be directed to Steve Jackson at 250-342-9243 ext 4676.

Area #2: Selkirk Secondary School, McKim Middle School, Lindsay Park Elementary School, Kimberley Alternate School and the International Education Building in Kimberley, B.C. All enquiries should be directed to Steve Jackson at 250-342-9243 ext 4676.

Area #3: (Snow removal and sanding) Martin Morigeau Elementary School parking lot in Canal Flats, B.C. All enquiries should be directed to Norman Julien at 250-342-6814.

Area #4: (Snow removal and sanding) Edgewater Elementary School parking lot in Edgewater, B.C. All enquiries should be directed to Norman Julien at 250-342-6814.

Area #5: Golden Secondary School parking lots and bus turnaround in Golden, B.C. All enquiries should be directed to Alan Ure at 250-344-8643.

Area #6: (Snow removal and sanding) Field Elementary School parking lot and sidewalks in Field B.C. All enquiries should be directed to Alan Ure at 250-344-8643.

Snow removal will take place if over 3” of snow on the ground and must be completed prior to 7:00 a.m. Contracts will be based on the type of equipment and hourly rates.

Please list your equipment and the hourly rates.

Contractors are welcome to bid on all areas; however, separate bids for each area must be submitted by 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 12, 2012. More than one contract may be issued. The lowest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted.

Sealed tenders must be marked “Snow Removal Contract with the Area #” and submitted to: Steve Jackson, AScT, Director of Operations Rocky Mountain School District No. 6 PO Box 430 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

with his coaching."

When asked, Miller acknowledged that Ward was referring to the positions of president, vice-president and director of hockey operations, the post that Bidinger used to fill. Bidinger was given final say over roster decisions following a Rockies board meeting earlier this year, something that both Ward and Kascak vigorously protested at the time.

Ward was in the final year of his two-year contract.

"Because we're here in the valley ongoing, and players and coaches come and go we need to align ourselves with people who clearly understand hockey and the overall involvement, so that we can carry on and move forward and work with

our staff of the day," Miller said. "Obviously (Ward) didn't like that."

When reached for comment, Ward declined to discuss the reasons surrounding his resignation, and said that he would look for "an organization that will appreciate and support my work ethic, my integrity and my vision," in the future.

"Over the past 17 months I have worked extremely hard building a quality program that develops both skilled players and quality people," Ward wrote via email. "I have spent the last year recruiting and scouting to find the best players and good character people for my team. I wish my new players, as well as the returning ones

Deadline Changes Due to our early press deadline for Thanksgiving, deadlines will change as follows: Display Ads Thursday, October 4 at 12 p.m.

Classified Ads Thursday, October 4 at 4 p.m.

Editorial Submissions Thursday, October 4 at 12 p.m.

VALLEY ECHO T he

The NEWSpaper in the Columbia Valley

250-342-9216 invermerevalleyecho.com

success in life and hockey. Thank you to the community of Invermere for the support over my tenure.

A special thanks to Jan Kascak, Lexie McIntosh, Ray Brydon, and Pastor Trevor Hagan for their continued support of my program."

Assistant coach Kascak, who also resigned from his position, acknowledged that there had been problems working with the executive.

"Unfortunately the program that (Ward) and I had in place wasn't the same philosophy as the executive had in mind," Kascak said. "We had to part ways because of that. I wish them all the best and I hope they can pull this out and have a good season."

Ward had been with the team since March of 2011, and was

hired to turn the team around after a number of disappointing seasons over the previous several years.

A strong start to the 2012 season had put the Rockies at the top of the division standings through six games, and with the Rockies playing their first six games under their new coach on the road, Bidinger will be put to the test early and often.

"You just try and get as much as you can out of the group you have and develop the players, the rest of it will look after itself," Bidinger said. "It's not win now at all costs, it's a balance for sure, and as it gets deeper in the year those goals might change, but at this point it's setting our sights on making the playoffs and just competing every game."

KIJHL Standings Kootenay Conference - Eddie Mountain Division Team

GP

W

L

T

PTS.

Kimberley Dynamiters

7

4

3

0

8

Fernie Ghostriders

7

3

3

0

7

Columbia Valley Rockies

8

3

4

0

7

Creston Valley

7

3

4

0

6

Golden Rockets

5

2

3

0

4

Kootenay Conference - Neil Murdoch Division Team

GP

W

L

T

PTS.

Castlegar Rebels

8

4

2

2

10

Beaver Valley Nitehawks

6

3

1

1

8

Nelson Leafs

6

3

2

1

7

Spokane Braves

7

3

4

0

6

Grand Forks Border Bruins

8

1

7

0

2

Oldtimer Hockey Standings Regular Season Team

GP

W

L

T

PTS.

Warwick Interiors

1

3

0

0

6

Radium Petro

1

2

1

0

4

Huckleberry’s

1

2

1

0

4

Finish Line

1

1

2

0

2

Aquair

1

1

2

0

2

Kicking Horse

1

1

2

0

2

Hi-Heat

1

1

2

0

2

Inside Edge

1

1

2

0

2

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A21

SPORTS

Rockies shutout in both weekend games Newly formed team adjusting to change in management STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

With less than a week to prepare for their first game under new head coach Ross Bidinger, the Columbia Valley Rockies are off to slow start start as back-to-back shutout losses have dropped them back to third place in the division following weekend KIJHL action.

“We’ve got some stuff to work on,” Bidinger said. “We’re juggling the lines around and bringing in a couple new guys, and trying to get some more offensive guys.”

After former head coach and general manager Marc Ward resigned from his position earlier this week, the Rockies faced an uphill battle to become acclimated to a whole new system of hockey before a visit to Creston to take on the Thunder Cats on Friday (September 28).

The Rockies last played Creston in their final game of the preseason on September 8, coming away with a 6-3 victory on home ice, but Creston had different ideas this time around, scoring two power play goals en-route to a 3-0 win over the Rockies.

Invermere native Brody Nelson was named the third star of the game after making 35 saves, but the Rockies were outshot 38 to 30 and could not manage to get anything past Creston netminder Michael Hails, who recorded his first shutout of the season. The Rockies sur-

PHOTO BY DARYL CRANE/THE STAR Rockies right wing Josh Haley takes a shot against the Golden Rockets on September 29.

rendered seven power play opportunities in the loss.

“We played good in Creston,” Bidinger said. “There were a couple of mistakes around the net, but the effort was good and they played well.”

Next for the Rockies was a game against the Golden Rockets on Saturday (September 29), who had claimed their first victory of the year the night before after opening the season with three consecutive losses. While the Rockies opened strong in the first period by recording 15 shots, they only managed eight over the next 40 minutes, including just three in the second period. Allowing six Golden power plays in the second period probably didn’t help and, with two goals in the frame, Golden had more than enough cushion for goalie Danny To-

dosychuk to carry the team the rest of the way home in a 2-0 victory. The loss dropped the Rockies to 3-4-0-1 for the year, good for third place in the Eddie Mountain Division as the Kimberely Dynamiters took over the top spot.

“We were undisciplined and took some bad penalties,” Bidinger said. “We outplayed them in the first period and just lost our legs as the game went on.”

The Rockies continue their string of away games when they travel to the Princeton & District Arena to take on the Princeton Posse this Friday (October 5) for their sixth consecutive game on the road. The Rockies don’t play again at home until Saturday, October 13 when they face the Fernie Ghostriders at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena in Invermere.

PHOTO BY DARYL CRANE/THE STAR The Rockies suffered losses against both Creston and Golden in away games this past weekend.

The Columbia Valley Rockies next home game: Friday, October 13 7:30 p.m.

Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena Thank you to our major sponsors

VS

A22 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

Take our short survey and you could win!

At the Valley Echo we always put our readers first. We’d like to know you better so we can keep you informed and connected. invermerevalleyecho.com • 250342-9216

* 1. How do you generally read the Valley Echo?

*7. Do you...?

 The printed newspaper  Online on my computer or laptop  On my tablet  On my smartphone

Research online prior to store purchase?

Make online purchases?

Use your smart phone for shopping?

* 2. How many people in your household (including yourself) read the Valley Echo?

Female 18-24 ............ 25-34 ............ 35-44 ............ 45-54 ............ 55-65 ............ 65+ Male.....18-24 ............ 25-34 ............ 35-44 ............ 45-54 ............ 55-65 ............ 65+

1            

2            

3            

*8. Do you ever...?

Compromise on quality to save money?

Forego a brand name to save money?

Wait for the item to go on sale?

4 or more            

 Yes

Never            

 Safeway  Save-on-Foods  Sears  Shoppers Drug Mart  Sport Chek or Sport Mart  Staples  Starbucks  T&T Supermarket  The Bay  The Brick  The Source  Tim Hortons  Walmart  Winners  XS Cargo

* 6. What most influences your decision when choosing a grocery store?    

Loyalty to the chain Closest to home Best deals/offers/coupons Rewards or credit card program

Frequently   

Occasionally   

Never   

Single detached Townhouse Condo Resort property

 New

Next 3 months    

Next 6 months    

Next year    

* 13. Which ‘extra’ items are you likely to spend on in your household?

Frequently              

Occasionally              

For business       

For pleasure       

* 17. What type of real estate are you looking at?    

Newly built Previously owned    

* 18. Are you planning any financial transactions?

Please check all that apply.

 Consolidate your debt load  Pay off a loan  Pay off your mortgage  Remortgage your property  Renew your mortgage  Secure a loan  Seek financial planning advice  Set up a line of credit  Switch banks or credit union  None of the above

* 20. In which city/municipality do you currently live?

Never              

* 14. Are you planning to travel in the near future?

In Canada for less than 3 days by plane Getaway of less than 3 days to the USA Longer trip within Canada by car Longer trip within Canada by plane Longer trip to the USA by car Longer trip to the USA by plane Longer trip outside of North America

 Your first home purchase?  Upsize?  Downsize?

 Less than $35,000  $35,000 to less than $50,000  $50,000 to less than $75,000  $75,000 to less than $100,000  $100,000 to less than $150,000  $150,000 or more

 Economy  Mid-range  Luxury  Hybrid

Car detailing Fast food Fitness membership Further education or courses Gourmet foods or desserts Home improvement less than $500 Home improvement over $500 Live theatre or festivals Manicure, pedicure, hair styling Movie downloads, Pay per view, movie channels Movie theatre Restaurant dining Scratch and lottery tickets Trips to a casino

TRULY CANADIAN

* 19. In which category does your annual household income fall?

* 12. Is your next vehicle most likely to be...?

Occasionally            

* 5. Please check the stores you shop at  Jysk  Kin’s Farm Market  London Drugs  Lululemon  M&M Meats  Mark’s Work Wearhouse  Marketplace IGA  Nesters  Overwaitea  Pharmasave  PriceSmart  Real Canadian Superstore  Reitmans  Rexall  RONA

* 16. Will this be..?

* 11. What type of vehicle are you considering and when do you plan to purchase?

Car Minivan Pick-up truck SUV

* 4. Which advertising offers are you most interested in?

 Army & Navy  Bargain! Shop  Best Buy  Buy Low  Canadian Tire  Chapters  Choices Market  Coopers  Dollar Giant  Dollarama  Extra Foods  Future Shop  Home Depot  Home Hardware  IKEA

Never   

* 10. Will it be a new or pre-owned vehicle?

 Less than 10 minutes  10 - 20 minutes  21- 30 minutes  30 minutes +

Appliances Discount, bargain or dollar store Clothing, accessories and footwear Computers, tablets, phones, cameras Fast food Furniture, rugs and beds Groceries Health, personal care and make-up Office supplies Tools, home & yard improvement Toys & games, arts & crafts TV, stereo, PVR, Satellite

Occasionally   

 No

 Pre-owned

Take our survey and you could win a $500 gift card from RONA North Star Hardware

Frequently   

* 9. Are you or someone in your household planning to purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle in the near future? (If no, jump to Q13)

* 3. How much time do you typically spend reading the Valley Echo, its stories, advertising and flyers?

Frequently            

VALLEY ECHO T he

No plans to travel       

* 15. Does anyone in your household plan to sell or buy real estate in the near future? (If no, jump to Q18)

______________________________________________

* 21. How far will you drive from your home to use a business or service?  16-30 minutes  31-60 minutes  1 hours  2 hours  3 hours  More than 4 hours  I don’t shop outside of my own community

* 22. Thank you for taking the time to complete our survey. If you’d like to be entered into the prize draw, please leave us your first and last name and your email address. We will contact the winner via email or daytime phone number at the close of the study.

First name _____________________________________________ Last Name _____________________________________________ Email address ___________________________________________ or daytime phone ________________________________________

 Yes  No

Tear out this page — mail or drop off your entry to 530 13 Street, Box 70, Invermere, B.C. Go to www.invermerevalleyecho.com to take this survey online …

The Valley Echo Wednesday,October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A23

Valley Life

Have an event? editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

Photo by Steve Jessel/The Echo Windermere Elementary School principal Steve Bentley (middle) dressed up as his alter ego, Mrs. Bentley after students at his school raised $1940.40 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Bentley promised his students he would dress up as Mrs Bentley if they reached their fundraising goal of $350.00. Bentley would like to thank the Thrift Store for supplying his outfit, and Pharmasave for supplying his makeup.

Photo by Steve Jessel/The Echo Grade 1 Eileen Madsen Primary (EMP) School student Megan Bell practices dribbling a basketball during "Just Try It Sports Day" on Friday, September 28. Organized by runner Nadia Fry, the idea behind the day was to get kids more active and interested in sports, as students cycled between different sports stations including golf and soccer.

Photo by Nicole Trigg/The Echo Volunteer Trevor Wareham serves up a hot dog to Windermere Elementary Grade 3 student Sterling McDonald, 8, at the school's Welcome Back BBQ on Wednesday, September 26.

Submitted photo by Esther McHarg/Edgewater Elementary School The Apple Fair took place on Monday; September 24 at Edgewater School. Crystal Leonard from Bear Aware presented bear safety to all classrooms, and brought with her an apple press. With the help of all the students; together they pressed over 100 kilograms of apples and made 40 litres of apple juice. Other Nature Smart stations included apple dissecting, apple tasting, apple stories and apple art.

submitted photo by Alison Candy Lisa Lehr of the Windermere Valley Early Childhood Team picked twenty-five pounds of vine ripened, organic tomatoes to distribute to 168 preschool children in childcare facilities and Strongstart programs for Canal Flats, Windermere.

Photo by Steve Jessel/The Echo George A. Dorn of Calgary (middle) — who only bought one ticket — is the proud winner of a 1969 Volkswagon convertible Beetle valued at $7,000, courtesy of the Columbia Valley Rockies hockey club. Rockies coach and GM Ross Bidinger (left) and Rockies vice-president Graeme Anderson turned over the keys to the lucky Calgarian on Friday, September 28.

A24 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

Savings helping seniors

October is Libraries Month!

GINNY WALKER Invermere Public Library

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ARON BURKE/KOOTENAY SAVINGS To kick-off the annual Classic Car Show weekend in Radium Hot Springs, staff from Kootenay Savings Radium Hot Springs Branch hosted a BBQ on September 14 to raise money for the Radium Seniors community group. With clear blue skies making for a fantastic day, the staff raised almost $600 for the group, while also watching all the beautiful classic cars descend into the valley for the show. The Radium Seniors recently stopped by our Radium Hot Springs Branch to thank the staff for their hard work, and graciously accept the nearly $600 raised at the BBQ. Thanks so much!

An absolute absolute pleasure! pleasure!

An “

“Canada’s libraries foster connections between people, communities, ideas and information. In October, these connections will be celebrated during Canadian Library Month with the theme Libraries connect.”

The Invermere Public Library will be celebrating its 50th year of incorporation in June 2013 and was in existence earlier under the guidance of Major Bell. It has provided an important service to residents since the 1950s!

Over the years, the library has experienced many changes.

The library’s book collection was once

held on a shelf in the Invermere Community Hall. The books were next moved to the district office and then back again to the community hall in the space where the youth centre is now located.

This is where Liz the Librarian began her career. She was on the library board at the time and was covering for then-librarian Mrs. Wynder while she was on holidays. Liz was hired as the librarian in November 1984 and this month marks her 28th year as the director of the Invermere Public Library.

During Liz’s career, there have been four location changes for the library. The last one occurred in 2001 to the present location at the old RCMP build-

ing. There have been many other changes that have taken place over Liz’s 28 years. The library has grown from a collection of 12,000 books to 35,228. When automation arrived, it was a huge undertaking. The library has gone from lending Polaroid cameras to Kobo eReaders. Hundreds of people have learned to use the computer and the Internet at the Invermere Public Library. Keeping pace with technology, we are now busy teaching people how to download eBooks.

Fundraising has blossomed into an organization called the non-profit group Friends of the Library.

The library serves as a meeting place, a home office, a classroom and

tourist information — not to mention the most important role of lending books.

There is Story Time every Friday morning, Summer Reading Club, Scrabble nights on the first and third Wednesday evening of each month, Senior’s afternoon on the second and fourth Wednesdays, author readings, and monthly special events.

These days you can download audio books, eBooks, order books from anywhere in B.C. and, while travelling, borrow and return books at any library across B.C. We think you will agree that this library connects! And if we aren’t reaching you, please let us know how we can.

Buy fruit cakes for bursary fund

Working at Columbia

“ Working at Columbia Garden Village is an

Garden is anThe absoluteVillage pleasure! absolute pleasure! residents are dynamicThe and lead

NICOLE TRIGG

residents andlife. lead an active are anddynamic rewarding an active and rewarding life.

They have taught me about They havepatience, taught me humilty, andabout compassion. humilty, patience, and compassion.

The residents always keep me busy The keep me busy Catherine Bennett and residents every dayalways is different!”

Catherine Bennett and every day is different!”

Resident Advisor Resident Advisor

CALL NOW CALL NOW (250) 341-3350 (250) 341-3350 PREMIER RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Advocate • Educate • Provide

editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

Fall is upon us, and while Hallowe’en is the next seasonal festivity, it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas — Christmas fruit cakes, that is. By selling traditional Christmas fruit cakes, the Columbia Valley Chamber Music Festival is fundraising to establish a bursary fund for the music students at David Thompson Secondary School.

The cakes come two in a box — one light with almond paste icing and one dark with pecans — and cost $15 per box. DTSS students will be selling the cakes to family and

friends, and from each sale, the Columbia Valley Chamber Music Festival will receive $4.

If the high school is able to sell 125 boxes, then DTSS will be able to reward a $500 bursary to a deserving student in June.

“So if they don’t make the 125, then the sales from outside in the community will go to make up the 125,” said CV Chamber Festival Committee member and Christmas Cake fundraiser organizer Geraldine Gibson.

Additional cakes sold in the community will also help fund the chamber music festival concert and educational activities next July, while all funds raised by DTSS beyond the $500 from 125 boxes will be reserved in a CV Music Festival

account for the following year.

To pre-order the Christmas cakes, call or fax Gibson at 250342-3097 or The Valley Echo at 250-342-9216 or come in to The Valley Echo building at 53013th Street in Invermere to register in person. Orders will be taken from October 3 through to October 31 with payments due by November 7. Cakes should be ready for pickup by the last week in November.

“If any of the businesses want to jump on board, the services clubs, the churches, fire departments, hospital, if they can get a contact person in that organization, then they can phone me and I’ll send them a signup form,” said Gibson. “The more the merrier.”

ICAN: rescuing, sheltering and finding homes for companion animals that are lost, surrendered and abandoned in the Columbia Valley.

Volunteers and donations are always welcome.

The biggest need for our centre today?

People! Please volunteer!

Our all-volunteer rescue and adoption centre has assisted over 700 companion animals since our first rescue in 2007!

ICAN is a registered charity. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $20 or more. To learn more about ICAN or to volunteer:

www.icanbc.com • info@icanhelpapet.com • 250-341-7888

Companion animals can reproduce before 6 months of age. Spay and neuter yours to help stop pet overpopulation.

IT’S AMAZING WHAT A COOKIE CAN DO! Fairmont Vacation Villas on Mountainside invites a select few new employees to share in over 30 years of successful vacation condominium management.

Six-plus weeks of work before Christmas and the ski season - this intensive condominium cleaning programme is team-oriented. Reliable and motivated individuals with an eye for detail are encouraged to apply for this temporary full-time position. Perfect for housewives wanting to earn extra Christmas funds or seasonal employees waiting for the snow to fly!

Wage depends on experience.

Please contact the Mountainside Villas in Fairmont Hot Springs for further information.

5247 Fairmont Creek Road Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C. V0B 1L1 Phone: 250-345-6341 Fax: 250-345-6299 Email: debbiec@mountainsidevillas.com

Your purchase supports

Big Fun! Big Adventure!

Lots of Friends! girlguides.ca 1-800-565-8111

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

INDEX IN BRIEF FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS TRAVEL CHILDREN EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS SERVICES PETS & LIVESTOCK MERCHANDISE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE RENTALS AUTOMOTIVE MARINE

AGREEMENT

It is agreed by any Display or Classified Advertiser requesting space that the liability of the paper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only, and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. bcclassified.com cannot be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors on the first day should immediately be called to the attention of the Classified Department to be corrected for the following edition. bcclassified.com reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisment and to retain any answers directed to the bcclassified.com Box Reply Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisment and box rental.

DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION

Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of any advertisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, color, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, or age, unless the condition is justified by a bona fide requirement for the work involved.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright and/or properties subsist in all advertisements and in all other material appearing in this edition of bcclassified.com.

Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

ON THE WEB:

I<>@JK<I KF;8P 7D: H;9;?L;

=H;7J :;7BI ED IJK<< JE :E" FB79;I JE ;7J 7D: J>?D=I JE I;; Register Online at www.bcdailydeals.com

BCDaily

Announcements

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A25

Travel

Celebrations

Timeshare

Joan Hutchison 1928-2012 Joan’s family invites those who knew Joan to join them to celebrate her life on Saturday October 6th at the Lions Hall Invermere between 4 & 8 p.m.

Please come and share your stories & memories.

CANCEL YOUR Timeshare.

NO Risk Program, STOP Mortgage & Maintenance Payments Today. 100% Money Back Guarantee. FREE Consultation. Call Us NOW. We Can Help! 1-888-356-5248.

Coming Events ALZHEIMER Society of B.C. one-day workshop: “Tips for the Dementia Journey.” Coming to Creston, Oct. 18; Invermere, Oct. 19; Cranbrook, Oct. 20. Runs 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Pre-registration required. Call Darryl Oakley at Interior Health, 250-417-6162.

Canal Flats Civic Centre Bingo’s 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. For info call 250-349-5447

Information Al-Anon - Are you con-

cerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us. Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 PM at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 - 12th Ave, (behind the Invermere hospital).

For information, please call 250-342-8255

ALCOHOLICS Anonymous If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. Call 250-342-2424 for more information. All meetings are at 8 p.m. Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday groups - Columbia United AA at the BC Services building, south end, 625 4th Street Invermere. Radium Friendship Group: Friday, Catholic Church. All meetings are open.

Personals Wanted: steady dance partner (leader) for attendance at Cranbrook Social Dance Club Fri eve 7-9 p.m most weekends through fall. Can share transportation or meet there as convenient for both.

Some experience/aptitude preferred but good attitude, willingness to learn and commitment to having fun learning social dancing most important. N/S By prior appt. only 342-1195

Travel VISITING ARIZONA for the Winter? Meridian RV Resort.

Good Sam-Trailer Life Top 100 RV Resorts in America.

Check us out at www.meridianrvresort.com or call 866-770-0080.

Employment Automotive AutoWyze Services Re-Opened. No Appointment Oil Changes, First Come First Serve. All your Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Needs, Diagnostics, Performance, Custom Cosmetics.

250-342-6614

Business Opportunities ADVERTISE in the LARGEST OUTDOOR PUBLICATION IN BC THE 2013-2015 BC FRESHWATER FISHING REGULATIONS SYNOPSIS. The most effective way to reach an incredible number of BC Sportsmen & women.

Two year edition- terrific presence for your business.

Please call Annemarie 1.800.661.6335 email: fish@ blackpress.ca

LOST: Saturday of Car show, silver camera in green bag with $5. Pics of skateboarding call 250-270-0128

BEST SPORTS Handicapping! 64% NFL 82% College football. Documented on beating over 7,300 contestants. w w w. j e f fe r s o n - s p o r t s. c o m .

Start an honest, profitable investment for years to come!

Be your own boss/build a business at home/ computer required/flex hrs/free training www.freedomnan.com EARN EXTRA cash! - P/T, F/T Immediate Openings For Men & Women. Easy Computer Work, Other Positions Are Available. Can Be Done From Home. No Experience Needed. www.HWC-BC.com

Drivers/Courier/ Trucking

Drivers/Courier/ Trucking

Lost & Found

Employment Opportunity Experienced Truck Drivers

Drivers License Class 1 or 3 with air Snowplow experience not required but would be an assest. As & When Positions for winter months in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Invermere, Yahk, Jaffray, Fernie & Sparwood.

Mail or fax resume to: Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting L.P. 258 Industrial Road F, Cranbrook, BC V1C 6N8, Fax # 250-417-4641or 250-423-6070

A26 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

Employment

Employment

Employment

Employment

Employment

Services

Real Estate

Business Opportunities

Career Opportunities

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Trades, Technical

Financial Services

Acreage for Sale

OWNER RETIRING. Heating Service Business for sale, 3400 clients, $20k inventory.

Campbell River, BC. Call Alan at (250)480-6700.

LEARN FROM home. Earn from home. Medical Transcriptionists are in demand. Lots of jobs! Enroll today for less than $95 a month. 1-800-466-1535 www.canscribe.com admissions@canscribe.com

TIRED of working for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;MAN/WOMANâ&#x20AC;?? No matter how hard you try you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay ahead of the bills? What is your plan â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;?? Start your own P/T business and take control of your life today! Call toll free 1-866-855-6189 to learn more.

Drivers/Courier/ Trucking DRIVERS WANTED:

Terrific career opportunity outstanding growth potential to learn how to locate rail defects.

No Rail Experience Needed!!

Extensive Paid Travel, Meal Allowance, 4 wks. Vacation & BeneďŹ ts Package.

Skills Needed - Ability to travel 3 months at a time Valid License with air brake endorsement. High School Diploma or GED. Apply at www.sperryrail.com under careers, keyword Driver DO NOT FILL IN CITY or STATE

Education/Trade Schools Career Opportunities D&J Isley and Sons Contracting Ltd. in Grande Prairie, AB. is looking for BUNCHER, SKIDDER, FORWARDER and PROCESSOR Operators If you are looking for full time work, please submit your resume to hr@isley.ca or fax 780532-1250

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SCHOOL. NO Simulators. In-the-seat training. Real world tasks.

Weekly start dates. Job board!

Funding options.

Apply online! IHEschool.com 1-866-399-3853

Small ads, BIG deals!

An Alberta Construction Company is hiring Dozer and Excavator Operators. Preference will be given to operators that are experienced in oilfield road and lease construction. Lodging and meals provided. The work is in the vicinity of Edson, Alberta. Alcohol & Drug testing required. Call Contour Construction at 780-723-5051.

Black Forest is looking for a full time server. Previous experience required in fine dining. Email or drop off resume at careers@blackforestrestaurant.com (250)-342-9417 FINISHING OPERATOR & GRADEMAN. Op expâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d for Track Hoe, Skid Steer, Dozer and/or Grader. Min 5 yrs. 403250-8868

INVERMERE PETRO CANADA is currently accepting applications for full time and part time employment.

Apply in person to 185 Laurier Street, Invermere, BC between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

SUPERINTENDENT, MAINLINE TRACK HOE OP, PIPELAYERS For Underground installation of Sanitary, Water, Storm. Min. 10 yrs.

403-250-8868

FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

19,951 Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how many companion animals will need loving, new homes this year. Will you open your home to one?

S.M. QUENNELL Trucking in Cranbrook, is looking for self/load log truck drivers, based in Cranbrook. Full time work, home every night.

Excellent medical, dental, pension benefits, etc. Wages competitive with union rates.

Fax resume and drivers abstract to: (250)426-4610 or call (250)426-6853 Truck Driver Class 3 w/air required immediately in the Columbia Valley, full time, includes curbside garbage & recycle collection. Competitive salary & benefits package.

Submit resume with references to Southeast Disposal, 1425 Industrial Road 2, Cranbrook or email to mail@southeastdisposal.com

AUTOMATED TANK Manufacturing INC. is looking for Welders. Due to a huge expansion to our plant located in Kitscoty, Alberta, 20km west of Lloydminster. We have openings for 10-3rd Year Apprentices or Journey Person Welders. We offer best wage in industry. 3rd Year Apprentice $28-$30/hour, Journey Person $32-$35/hour, higher with tank experience. Profit sharing bonus plus manufacturing bonus incentive. Full insurance package 100% paid by company.

Good working environment.

Join a winning team. Call Basil or Blaine at: (office)780-8462231; (fax) 780-846-2241 or send resume to blaine@autotanks.ca; p r o d u c t i o n @ a u t o t a n k s. c a .

Keep your feet on the ground in a safe welding environment through inhole manufacturing process. No scaffolding or elevated work platform.

Hotel, Restaurant, Food Services PRESTIGE Hotels & Resorts require full-time Room Attendants to clean and prepare rooms for hotel guests at: Prestige Inn Radium, 7493 Main St., Radium. No experience required. Applicant must have basic English. Conditions: Full Time, Shift, Weekend and Weekday. Wage: $13.75/hour. To apply, complete employment application found on www.prestigehotelsandresorts .com/careers-main.php and submit with your resume to Career@PrestigeHotels.ca

Services

Health Products OPEN HOUSE - Join this week for only $9.95 a week.

Lose weight quickly and safely and keep it off, results guaranteed! Call Herbal Magic today!

1-800-854-5176.

Financial Services Need CA$H Today?

Own A Vehicle?

Borrow Up To $25,000

No Credit Checks!

Cash same day, local office.

www.PitStopLoans.com 1.800.514.9399

Trades, Technical SOUTH ROCK is hiring for: Paving Personnel (raker, screed, general labourers); Heavy Equipment Operators.

Send resume to: careers@southrock.ca or call 403-568-1327.

DROWNING IN debts? Helping Canadians 25 years. Lower payments by 30%, or cut debts 70% thru Settlements.

Avoid bankruptcy! Free consultation. www.mydebtsolution.com or Toll Free 1 877-556-3500

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Manager, Human Resources Columbia Basin Trust Network Administrator Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation Details can be viewed at www.cbt.org/careers or requested from Debra Stewart at 1.800.505.8998.

Forward resumes to dstewart@cbt.org CZ OPPO 1BDJĂśD 0DUPCFS XXX DCU PSH t

Join us:

Part-time Auto Representative

Fetch a Friend from the SPCA today!

Invermere Branch

Join a team that values and recognizes the power you have to create success . We offer the stability and resources of a leading locally based organization ,an employee focused culture that values your individual contribution and encourages work/life balance plus a commitment to serving and helping our community.

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of skills, ability, education, experience, and motivation: t -FWFM * *OTVSBODF -JDFOTF t .JOJNVN ZFBS FYQFSJFODF TFMMJOH *$#$ QSPEVDUT t "WBJMBCMF UP EBZT QFS XFFL JODMVEJOH TPNF 4BUVSEBZT Kootenay Insurance Services offers a competitive wage and beneďŹ t package.

spca.bc.ca

Forward Resumes by October 1, 2012 to Kerry Reilly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Branch Manager kerry.reilly@kootenayinsurance.ca 250-342-2175 101a 1028 7 Avenue Invermere B.C.

Acreages â&#x20AC;&#x153;columbiavalleyproperties.comâ&#x20AC;?

Rentals Acreage Build your ranch land getaway on 1/4 mile river frontage-121 acres in Edgewater Fire District. Municipal water and sewer, 3 phase power available, level airstrip site nearby. Has access but independent road exists. info avail at RedWillow Ent. Ltd.250-347-9660. www.riverlandquest.com

Apt/Condo for Rent GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com M O N E Y P R OV I D E R . C O M . $500 Loan and +. No Credit Refused. Fast, Easy, 100% Secure. 1-877-776-1660.

Legal Services CRIMINAL RECORD? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let it block employment, travel, education, professional, certification, adoption property rental opportunities. For peace of mind & a free consultation call 1-800-347-2540.

Misc Services CRESTEEL HVAC (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;81) LIMITED Furnace and Heat Pump Installation Service and Repair 250-342-6312

Merchandise for Sale

Heavy Duty Machinery A- STEEL SHIPPING STORAGE CONTAINERS / Bridges / Equipment Wheel loaders JD 644E & 544A / 63â&#x20AC;&#x2122; & 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Stiff boom 5th wheel crane trucks/Excavators EX200-5 & 892D-LC / Small forklifts / F350 C/C â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cabsâ&#x20AC;?20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;40â&#x20AC;&#x2122;45â&#x20AC;&#x2122;53â&#x20AC;&#x2122; New/ Used/ Damaged /Containers Semi Trailers for Hiway & StorageCall 24 Hrs 1-866-528-7108 Delivery BC and AB www.rtccontainer.com

Medical Supplies WALK-IN Tubs, Wheelchair Baths, Roll-in Showers, Seats. Ask how to get a free reno! 1-866-404-8827

Misc. for Sale

AKISKINOOK resort - 1 bdrm fully furnished condo, indoor pool, hot tub. $725/ month includes cable.

Call 403-281-3991

Available immediately 2 bdrm, 2-4pc bathroom condo, furnished, Fairmont Riverside Resort, overlooking golf course, laundry & storage in unit. Great mountain views.

1 year lease, non-smoking, no pets. Call Sharon 250-688-1365 Condo for rent Invermere - 1 block from downtown. Fully Furnished, 2 bdm, 2 bath, 2 level condo. Avail Sept 20. $1000/mth plus utilities. N/S, N/P. References please 403554-4798 Invermere Centre Apartments Avail Oct 1st. 1 bdrm, 4 piece bath, central location. Laundry on site, NP N/S 1 yr lease.

Call Sharon 250-688-1365 INVERMERE - Lake Front, main floor, 2 bdrm + den, 2 bath, furnished, N/P, N/S, 6 appliances, pool/hot tubs, underground parking, $1250/mth + DD + utilities, 403-861-0544 or srowell@telus.net

Misc for Rent Room avail for a boarder in home in Columere Park. By appt. only 342-1195. N/S; problem drinker, rec substance user etc need not apply.

Homes for Rent 3 bdrm, 2.5 bathroom house for rent, located at #4, 200 10th Ave in Invermere, at Lochend Lane, right behind Sobeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Walking distance to everything. 2 storey, full basement, large master bedroom with ensuite bath and walk in closet, 5 appliances plus garburator, covered front porch, fully fenced backyard patio, side grass yard, single attached garage plus driveway, still like new, built in 2005. Looking for mature couple or single, kids ok, no pets, non smoker. $1100/mth + utilities. $1100 damage deposit. Available after October 1, 2012. For appointment to view, please call 403-472-6684 or email nicolepollock39@yahoo.com

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Own it!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; GrandPiano4Sale.ca, keep the Seiler 250-347-9668

BEAUTIFUL NEWER HOUSE FOR RENT IN THE SLOCAN LAKE AREA. AVAILABLE OCT 1st â&#x20AC;˘ 4 Bedroom-2 Bath on 2 Acres â&#x20AC;˘ Red Mtn. Road above SILVERTON w/ Valhalla views + quiet privacy â&#x20AC;˘ N/S , Open to animals â&#x20AC;˘ 10 min. drive to Slocan Lake and Village amenities â&#x20AC;˘ Storage, treehouses, good access all year round â&#x20AC;˘ Minimum 6 mnth Lease â&#x20AC;˘ W/D Hookups, F/S plus Earth -Woodstove â&#x20AC;˘ $1100 negotiable with proper care of house, land + gardens â&#x20AC;˘ Open to work trades on property â&#x20AC;˘ References Required â&#x20AC;˘ Secure Income Essential â&#x20AC;˘ Serious Inquiries Only Call: 250-362-7681 or Mobile 250-231-2174 Email: monikas_2010@ hotmail.com

Floor ReďŹ nishing/ Installations

Floor ReďŹ nishing/ Installations

HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available.

1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/newspaper?

STEEL BUILDINGS - Canadian made! - Reduced prices now! 20x22 $4,455. 25x26 $4,995. 30x38 $7,275. 32x50 $9,800. 40x54 $13,995. 47x80 $19,600. One end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422. www.pioneersteel.ca.

Misc. Wanted Private Coin Collector Buying Collections, Accumulations, Olympic Gold & Silver Coins + Chad: 250-863-3082 in Town Wanted to buy older video camera, must take 8mm cassettes. 403-443-1164 (Golden area)

Musical Instruments

WOOD FLOOR ARTISANS r 4VQQMZ *OTUBMM BMM )BSEXPPET r 4BOEJOH $VTUPN 4UBJOJOH r 3FTVSGBDJOH 1SFĂ OJTI r 4JUF Ă OJTIFE &OHJOFFSFE 'MPPSJOH r 4UBJST *OMBZT #BTFCPBSET r 5JMF 4MBUF 8PSL

www.kootenayinsurance.ca

Serving the valley since 1996.

-PSOF r $PMJO

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Rentals

Transportation

Homes for Rent

Auto Financing

CHARMING 2 BEDROOM HOUSE! Excellent location, Valley view. W/D, DW, $850 + utilities. Available. Call Jeff 250-688-1105

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A27

H e l p

FOR RENT in Canal Flats. 3 bedroom home with 2 vehicle detached garage, newly renovated, N/S, pet negotiable.

Available Sept.1st, $900/mo plus utilities & DD. Phone (250) 349-5306 or (250)4898389.

MARK Creek Crossing 1/2 duplex for sale, with cherry hardwood, large deck, finished basement, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. (2767 Rotary Dr) Asking $359,900. Tara Sykes, Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty, 250-427-0070, 250427-6496 cell. www.tarasykes.com

Suites, Lower Fairmont - 1 bdrm walk-out bsmt suite on golf course.

Great view. Fully furnished.

W/D D/W stereo, utilities & cable incl. Barbecue $650/mo 250-342-1629.

Townhouses AKISKINOOK - 3 bdrm, 2 bath, furnished, N/P, N/S, rec centre, indoor pool/hot tub, 6 appliances, $1000/mth + DD, + 1/2 utilities 403-861-0544 or srowell@telus.net

Motorcycles JUST IN TIME FOR FALL 2012 Gas Gas ec 300 Electric start 2 stroke Enduro Race Bike. MSRP $8950 ON SALE now for $8199. Available in Kimberley @ Meadowbrook Motors. (250)427-7690 meadowbrookmotors@hotmail.com

Boats

Transportation

BOATING SEASON IS STILL HERE!!

WANNA HAVE SOME FUN WITH YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS ON THIS GREAT BOAT ALL YEAR ROUND? Great for fishing.

Auto Accessories/Parts Black canopy for 6.6 $300. 250-347-9166.

t o d a y .

H o p e

f o r

t o m o r r o w . . .

Heads Up for Healthier Brains

Fairmont - 4 bdrm, furnished, main floor on R/S Golf Course, 2 full bath, dbl garage. W/D, cable & hydro incl. Nice view. $1200/mo. Vacant. 250-3421629.

Two bdrm, close to Kinsmen beach & d/t. $1000 incl util, F/F 6 apl 250-342-8787. N/S, no pets

f o r

box.

DreamCatcher Auto Loans “0” Down, Bankruptcy OK Cash Back ! 15 min Approvals

1. Challenge your Brain – give it a daily workout 2. Be Socially Active – connecting socially helps you stay connected mentally 3. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle – be active, eat well and watch your health numbers (cholesterol, weight, blood sugar, blood pressure) 4. Protect your Head – use a seatbelt and wear a helmet for sports Take action for a healthier brain today.

Your Cabin on the Lake

TRUCK Rims: Excellent condition 6 Chev 17”/8 bolt pattern Chrome slotted Mags with new set of 4 centre caps and 3 spares. Bought @ $225 each, $450 takes all. Call 250-4890113. email: thehebeins@gmail.com

Auto Financing

Here are 4 simple things that you can do at any age to improve your brain health and that may help reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease:

Find out more at: www.alzheimerbc.org or call 1-800-936-6033

The Kootenay Queen •

1976 30ft cabin cruiser with a 185 merc • Full galley (fridge, stove, sink, furnace, toilet) • Fold down table for a queen sized bed • Fold up bunk beds • VHF radio • Hull is sound, galley is dated.

• Low draft • 200 hrs on new engine • A great boat that needs some TLC $12,000.00 invested $8000 OBO Call 250-362-7681 or Cell 250-231-2174 email monikas_2010@ hotmail.com 4 more information & to view

1-800-910-6402

www.PreApproval.cc DL# 7557

CHURCH SERVICES DIRECTORY ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Worship Services every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Church Trinity 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere Pastor Rev. Fraser Coltman Pastor Rev. David Morton 1-866-426-7564

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED

CANADIAN MARTYRS CATHOLIC CHURCH

Roman Catholic Parish Pastor: Father Gabriel 250-342-6167 Invermere 250-344-6328 Golden Confession: 1/2 hour before Mass Canadian Martyrs Church 7p.m.: Worship at St. Peter’s, 712 - 12 Ave, Invermere Windermere (1st Sunday of the Saturday at 7 p.m. month - June-Oct.) Sunday at 9 a.m.

Sept. 2nd, Oct 7th St. Joseph Church 9 a.m.: Worship at St. Peter’s, Windermere (3rd Sunday of the Highway 93-95, Radium Hot Springs Sunday at 11 a.m. month - June-Sept.) Sept 16th Sacred Heart Parish 9 a.m.: Worship at All Saint’s, 808 - 11 Street, Golden Edgewater.

Sunday at 5 p.m.

(1st, 3rd and 4th Sunday) St. Anthony’s Mission 9:30 a.m.: God’s Breakfast Club 250-342-6644 100-7th Avenue, Invermere www.wvsm.ca wvsn@telus.net Reverend Laura Hermakin

10:30 a.m.: Worship at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere.

(Every Sunday)

Corner of Luck and Dunn, Canal Flats

Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (served from Kimberly)

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP For more information call 250-342-6633 or 250-347-6334 Loving God, Loving People #4 - 7553 Main Street West, Radium Sundays at 10 a.m.

Bible Studies #4 - 7553 Main Street West, Radium Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Kids’ Church Edgewater Hall Thursday 6:30 p.m.

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

326 - 10th Ave. 250-342-9535 REV. TREVOR HAGAN Senior Pastor www.lakewindermerealliance.org

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Hwy. 93/95 1 km north of Windermere Pastor: Murray Wittke

Sunday, October 7th 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Service Worship and Life Instruction, 10 a.m. Worship & Word Kid’s Church Provided “Truth For Today From The Old Testament: God Is With Us” … Pastor Trevor Call the office at 250-342-9511 ministering. for more information.

“K.I.D.S.” Church, for www.valleychristianonline.com children Age 3 to Grade 1; and Grade 2 to Grade 5, Sharing Truth during the Morning Service.

Showing Love Following the Spirit

A28 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

Brain Games Friday Saturday Columbia Valley Weekend Weather

October 5

October 6

Sunny

Sunny, cloudy periods o Temp: 13 C Low: -1oC Precip: none

Temp: 11oC Low: -1oC Precip: none

Crossword October 3, 2012

CLUES ACROSS 1. Long tailed rodents 5. Meets the Danube in Belgrade 9. Bohemian dance 10. Hancock star Will 12. Chapeaux carrier 13. A warning or caution 15. Bangladesh capital 16. One who hands 18. Rural delivery 19. Poke 20. Express pleasure 22. Wife of a maharajah 29. Irish kissing rock 32. Variant of Tai 33. Plural of os 35. She sang with the Pips 43. Setting out 44. Swiss river 45. Negative sports cheer

Sunday

VALLEY ECHO T he

October 7 Sunny

invermerevalleyecho.com

Temp: 15 C Low: 0oC Precip: none o

47. Liberal degree 48. Relating to the back 52. Muslim family of wives (alt. sp) 55. Was in charge of a project 57. Indehiscent legume 59. Ice or roller 60. A citizen of Iraq (alt. sp.)

61. Goidelic language 62. Indian poet CLUES DOWN 1. College army 2. Dark Angel actress Jessica 3. Boxing blow 4. Single-reed instrument 5. Secondary school cerificate 6. A wet nurse in India 7. Long live!

(Spanish) 8. Egyptian Sun god

9. Political action committee 11. Tolstoy novel “___ Murat” 12. Regions of the ocean below 6000 m 14. Earl Grey or green 15. Bland in color 17. Atomic #37 21. Possessed 22. Of I 23. Poetic ever 24. High school 25. Indicates position 26. Road open 27. In a short time 28. Filippo __, Saint 30. Traditional Hindi music 31. Former NHL player Jim 34. Honorable title (Turkish) 36. Trumpeter Hirt 37. Atomic #66 38. Lolo 39. Tin

250-342-9216 general@ invermerevalleyecho.com

40. 1,000 grams 41. Latin varient of “to have” 42. An electric car that runs on rails 43. Skin lesions 45. Bahrain dinar 46. Express delight 49. Japanese beverage 50. 6th Jewish month 51. Leases

52. U.S. Poet Laureate 1995-97 53. Egyptian cross 54. Remote user interface 56. River in NE Scotland 57. Small seed of a fruit 58. Major division of geological time

Answer to September 26:

Horoscope Second week of October

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Last week’s Sudoku answer -->:

ARIES Thinking outside of the box is what sets you apart from most, Aries.

When you are put to the test, you seldom fail to come through. This is a good selling point with potential employers.

CANCER Cancer, communication is key if you want to make real progress.

Actions can be misconstrued if you don’t accompany them with some thorough explanations.

TAURUS Taurus, some people just don’t understand you, and that is OK with you.

It can be good to be a bit mysterious, especially when it comes to romance.

LEO Others could find your enthusiasm infectious this week, Leo. Don’t be surprised if you have coworkers signing up to be on your team. At home you’re much more mellow.

GEMINI Analyzing spending and other financial concerns should be at the top of your priority list, Gemini.

It is always a good idea to keep on top of where your money is going.

VIRGO Virgo, achieving your toughest goal won’t be easy.

Those who survive the challenges become stronger overall. This week you are certainly put to the test.

LIBRA Libra, big plans are in place, and you can be excited about the prospect for some change. Make a few adjustments each day and the transition will go smoothly.

CAPRICORN Capricorn, a few things have gone wrong lately, but the good thing is you haven’t let them get you down. Good things certainly come to those who are patient.

SCORPIO Scorpio, don’t let others underestimate your abilities. Once you set your mind to something, it is very hard to direct you otherwise. Capitalize on your dedication at work.

AQUARIUS Aquarius, take inventory of your belongings and determine if there’s anything you can donate. You can clear out clutter and do something positive at the same time.

SAGITTARIUS Sagittarius, you are ready to pull out all of the stops in the romance department. Whether you’re single or attached, focus on ways to make your partner feel very special.

PISCES Pisces, things seem out of sorts, but you haven’t been able to figure out what is off-kilter. Leo may shed light on the situation.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A29

Remember When?

Echo file photo October 2007 — Eighteen-month-old Megan Bell played a good game of hide and seek around the benches at Kinsmen Beach in Invermere. Bundled up in her woolliest apparel the little Invermere resident decided to scope out the fall scenery with Grandma.

A look back at what's happened in the valley over the last 50 years STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

50 years ago: The mystery of a rain of white plastic objects was solved when it was discovered a weather balloon had plopped down into Kootenay Lake. The 500-pound instrument package of a United States upper

atmosphere balloon dropped by parachute in response to U.S. Airforce electronic signals from Spokane Washington. The package was salvaged by local police and volunteers and was turned over to the U.S. Airforce.

45 years ago: Work was to begin shortly on a stretch of highway from Banff to Windermere from mile 63.4 to mile 64.9. Complete reconstruction was expected to take at least two years. The reconstruction of the hot pools in Radium was also expected to start that year, as plans had been made to enlarge the pools to bring them

Cookie is house trained, crate trained, good on and off leash, great with other dogs... there’s lots to love about Cookie, and he’s got love to give! He is on a running/hiking regime, and is already building up stamina. He has lots of energy and wants desperately to be an active dog.

closer to the aquacourt.

35 years ago: Wearing seat belts became mandatory for motor vehicle drivers and passengers aged six and over in British Columbia. The legislation was aimed at reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities on B.C. highways by at least 50 per cent. According to a recent report on Canadian mortality rates, auto accidents were the leading cause of death among people aged 6 to 30 at the time.

25 years ago: Invermere taxpayers were paying for a recent spat of vandalism, as they were Sushi loves to explore on walks.

Sushi may be the girl for you! She is a 1 year old spayed female pitbull x.

Sushie knows her basic commands, gets along great with other dogs her size and bigger and just loves getting loved!

expected to fork out a total of $9,000 for the year to fix signs and irrigation systems at Kinsmen beach, where sprinkler heads had been kicked off. The RCMP suspected the vandalism was being caused by a group of young adults, with street signs likely having knocked down with the aid of a vehicle.

20 years ago: A proposal for an employment assistance centre in the Windermere Valley had been submitted to Employment and Immigration Canada. Officials had indicated they were very much in favour of the proposal, which would Pet overpopulation, surrender to shelters and animal euthanization are preventable problems with a rational solution: SPAY & NEUTER! www.globalanimallovers.com info@globalanimallovers.com Find us on Facebook, and see who else we have up for adoption!

see a $80,000 per year employment referral service come to the valley. Employers looking for employees could also register their requirements, and the two sides could be matched.

5 years ago: Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area F residents were being asked to fill out a survey indicating if they supported the Jumbo Glacier Resort. The survey was being undertaken by Area F director Lillian Rose, and the aim was to allow residents and property owners have their voice be heard in the ongoing discussions.

A30 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

Building Your Wealth Market Update

Level

Weekly change

Year-to-Date

12,317

-0.5%

3.0%

Dow

13,437

-1.0%

10.0%

NASDAQ

3,116

-2.0%

19.6%

Oil US$/B

$92.19

-0.5%

-6.7%

CDN $ Per USD

$0.9837

0.7%

-3.7%

S&P/TSX

Trying to keep a balance There has been a lot of news lately talking about our national financial situation and progress toward growth and stability in the economy. It’s not all gloomy and it’s not all good.

For example, inflation has risen by just 0.2% while prices rose just 0.2% and interest rates remained steady. Personal bankruptcies have not risen, in spite of debt levels. There is a slow return of willingness to invest in new business ventures. More and more Canadians are starting up new businesses and becoming self-employed. (BC is leading all of Canada in new venture start-ups!)

People are beginning to speak more confidently and are willing to look at wider horizons than they have for the last few years.

Canada as a nation is looking better and better in comparison to other countries and our government is feeling its breathe come a bit easier, financially recovered its balance. The Bank of Canada has continued its policy of not raising its key lending rate, which means more money is available to both individuals and businesses, at least theoretically. Some jobs are slowly coming back.

Yet there are still many concerns, the biggest of which is that consumers have been taking advantage of low interest rates to grow

their debt-loads. The last quarter marks a turning point - it is the second consecutive quarter in which our debt levels accelerated following more than a year of quarterly declines.

If, as expected, interest rates rise sometime after the middle of next year, many people could be unable to keep up with their payments.

Perhaps that is why, though government interest rates have remained low, lenders are still being cautious in making money available without significant collateral. Bank loans and lines of credit showed very little growth compared to a year ago.

The Bank of Canada has continued its warnings that household debt has become the number one risk to Canada's economy.

Backing that up, a recent study

by Hoyes, Michalos & Associates, a Bankruptcy Trustee, suggests the trend toward debt accumulation is growing, since 26 per cent of respondents to their survey said their debt level is higher than a year ago. Access to credit and taking on more debt has become an accepted part of financial planning.

Last month there was also a report on Canadian debt by the TransUnion credit reporting firm, which found the average nonmortgage debt load rose another

$192 to $26,221 in the second quarter — the highest average debt per person since it began tracking the variable in 2004.

The problems with the sovereign debt of some European nations are not only still around; they’re growing. The entire European region is sliding deeper into recession.

Jim Flaherty, who has frequently urged the European Union to speed up tackling its problems, recently said the "major and immediate threat facing the world" was the European sovereign and banking crisis.

The US, as well, with the long election process diverting attention from needed action, is having an increasingly hard time keeping itself from sliding backward.

Their growth has slowed or even stopped. Flaherty commented on the impact of this very important trade relationship. "The U.S. needs to reduce its fiscal deficit over time”, he said, then went on to add, “It also needs to ensure that there is policy certainty in the shortterm so that markets and investors can be confident that its economic growth will not be interrupted."

He said he is concerned there is potential for the U.S. economy to sharply contract at the start of next year.

And, to top it all off, jobs are still not returning as rapidly as hoped.

Too many people are still out of work. Though the trend is upward and more people are working, a larger percentage of those people are having to take low-paying or temporary positions.

The news is not all bad, though.

For example, in July, another consumer credit reporting agency, Equifax Canada reported that while consumer debt, excluding mortgage debt, grew in the second quarter, it was still down from 4.4 % growth in the same period of 2011. The Equifax study also found that high-interest credit card debt fell by 3.8 in the same quarter, and that’s a good thing! Interestingly, consumer bankruptcies were down 4.5 per cent from a year earlier.

There is hope that, while it is true that growth and recovery are happening more slowly than hoped, it is happening. Even Finance Minister Flaherty was somewhat optimistic, saying he hoped the situation would be resolved.

In the meantime, paying attention to personal debt is a way to keep our lives on track. Reduction of our own debt is still the greatest single contribution we can make to help our nation grow. Perhaps, when we are able to pay down a loan, it might be possible to take someone nice out to dinner and pass a bit of happiness around.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A31

COMMUNITY All photos by Nicole Trigg/The Echo The Columbia Valley Salmon Festival took place in and around Fairmont Hot Springs on September 28, 29 and 30. At the Taste of the Columbia River event held at the Mountainside Golf Course on Saturday (September 29): Fairmont Hot Springs Resort food and beverage manager and group sales consultant Nancy Hetherington watch in awe as sous-chef Josh Harte demonstrates his burger-flipping talents; Mainstreams executive director Tim Duncan and program manager Laura Duncan demonstrate to a guest how streams work using the stream trailer; Kokanee salmon in the Fairmont reach of the Columbia River; Cranbrook musician Heather Gemmel tastes the wine presented

by Brenda Silkie with Skimmerhorn Winery; the Eagle Bear Spirit drumming group from Creston open the event with a hypnotic performance; Dianne O'Neil, a Ktunaxa member from Cranbrook, displays her traditional goods for sale.

A32 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

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To advertise, call: 250-342-9216 Septic Tank Pumping Portable Toilet Rentals

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Bruce Dehart 250-347-9803 or 250-342-5357

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Your search for quality and dependability ends with us.

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Your search for quality and dependability ends with us.

Phone

• Furnaces • Heat PumPs • air conditioning • FirePlaces• Hot tubs • cHemicals • service & maintenance • gas Fitting 385 Laurier Street Phone: 250-342-7100 Invermere, BC Fax: 250-342-7103 www.diamondheatingandspas.com

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250-342-6452 • 250-342-3773 Cell: 250-342-5833

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(office)

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250-342-5089

ALL MAKES • ALL MODELS AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS

For competitive prices and prompt service call:

• Gas • Propane • Diesel • Automotive Repairs • Tires & Batteries • Greyhound

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Located in the Diamond Heating & Spa building in Athalmer

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CONTRACT OR HOURLY MACHINE RENTALS AVAILABLE

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com B1

October 7-13, 2012 This Fire Prevention Guide is full of useful tips and articles for you and your family.

Look inside and find home safety tips, babysitters' and seniors' guides, as well as puzzles and game for kids!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get burned!

Call Geoff when you buy or sell your next home.

Geoff Hill Your Columbia Valley Representative MaxWell Realty Invermere

Cell: 250-341-7600 Email: connect@geoffhill.ca Web: invermere-realestate.com

B2 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

PREVENTION WEEK

October 7-13

What are you waiting for? Become a firefighter!

All seven fire halls up and down the Columbia Valley are recruiting STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

Becoming a firefighter can be a big responsibility, but it also offers rewards that are unparalleled when it comes to what someone can offer their community.

“It’s as challenging as it is rewarding,” Canal Flats fire chief Stuart Moore said.

Across the Columbia Valley, fire halls are actively seeking new volunteers to join their ranks.

Whether someone lives in Edgewater, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere or Canal Flats and anywhere in between, there is an opportunity to make a difference in each respective community by becoming a volunteer firefighter.

“Volunteer firefighting is a great family-friendly, and flexible way to give back to the community,” said Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Services deputy fire chief Martin Caldwell. “Firefighters are compensated for their time at most halls, and certified training is useful to young members of the community looking to build a resume. Most of all, it’s healthy, challenging and fun.”

Beginning with the four fire halls that make up the Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Services — Panorama, Edgewater, Fairmont Hot Springs and Windermere — each

of the four are facing a shortage of volunteers, although the need is most pronounced in Edgewater and Fairmont.

While the ideal minimum amount of firefighters for any department is 20, both Edgewater and Fairmont have only 12 firefighters apiece, well below the target number.

Panorama and Windermere, while faring slightly better at 20 firefighters at each, are also still looking for further volunteers to bolster their roster as well.

Firefighters practice once a week between 7 and 9 p.m., and Caldwell said the

(Reproduced with permission from the Alberta Fire Commissioner's Office)

best way to get a feel for what goes into becoming a volunteer firefighter is to attend one of their practices. In Edgewater, practices take place on Monday at 5727 Vermillion Street, Edgewater. In Panorama and Windermere, practice is on Tuesday nights at 2340 Springs Creek Road in Panorama and 1627 Highway 93/95, respectively. Practice in Fairmont takes place on Thursdays at 4879 Fairmont Creek Road.

“The ideal minimum at each hall is 20 firefighters, up to 30 at the larger and busier halls,” Caldwell said. “Most halls are cur-

rently operating eight to 10 people below their targets. Due to the training demands, intake of new untrained members only occurs once a year, so time is critical to get applications in.”

Requirements for becoming a firefighter include submitting to medical, background, criminal record and driving record checks, and attending at least 48 hours of training per year. Basic physical fitness is also encouraged. A recruiting page has been set up on Facebook under ‘Columbia Valley Fire and Rescue’ where applicants may find more information and recruitment forms. Recruiting closes at the end of November, and basic training for new firefighters will run on Tuesdays and some Saturdays from mid-January until late March.

In the three municipal fire departments in the

Columbia Valley, a similar volunteer shortage has the firehalls in Invermere, the Village of Radium Hot Springs and the Village of Canal Flats all seeking new volunteers as well. In both Canal Flats and Radium, each department currently counts 17 firefighters while aiming ideally for about 25, and in Invermere fire chief Roger Ekman has 25 firefighters while hoping to bring that number up to at least 30. The same requirements apply, and while each department handles training differently, there is a general probationary period before new recruits are sent out on call. Practices take place in Radium on Mondays at 7:30 p.m., in Canal Flats on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and in Invermere on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. For more information on joining the respective municipal firehalls, contact the municipal offices.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com B3

PREVENTION WEEK

October 7-13

Four fire halls consolidated under one umbrella Regional district fire departments operating with one management structure as Columbia Valley Fire and Rescue Services STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

There has been a major change in the way the four RDEK fire halls operate in the Columbia Valley, as a consolidation of the Windermere, Fairmont Hot Springs, Panorama and Edgewater fire departments means that all four halls now fall under the same umbrella of Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Services (CVRFRS).

“There won’t be a dramatic change in the appearance of the individual halls and crews, but the difference will be visible in time through the reliable delivery of services, while maintaining a cost effective program,” CVRFRS Deputy Fire

Chief Martin Caldwell told The Valley Echo. “Larger teams, prompter and more reliable responses, as well as expanded services should become apparent in the coming years. Secondary benefits such as reductions in insurance rates could also become apparent as the programs mature.”

Beginning in May of 2012, the administrative responsibilities of the four fire halls were consolidated under a single management structure, driven by the need to maintain effective leadership for the growing fire departments as well as standardizing training and operations.

Former Windermere fire chief development and retention, Jim Miller is now responsible for and should provide a reliable the daily administration of all platform from which to focus four fire halls, as well as working on consistent service delivery with the RDEK staff and board across the region,” Caldwell said. as Fire Chief for the Columbia “Standardizing operational pracValley. Deputy Chief Martin tices where appropriate will enCaldwell (formerly of Panorama) hance the ability of local emerjoined Deputy Chief Drew Sin- gency services to work together clair full-time on emergenin managcy scenes, ing the daily “Larger teams, prompter and and improve o p e rat i o n s more reliable responses... their effecof the local tiveness. should become apparent.” halls.

The Combining martin caldwell three fulltraining iniCVRFRS deputy chief time managtiatives will ers work out see firefightof the new fire hall in Winder- ers across the region improve mere, and support administra- their skill sets, and gain access to tion, operations and training at training previously unattainable each of the local halls. All inqui- due to cost or logistics.” ries for each of the local departOther benefits include ments are now handled centrally streamlining administrative through the offices based in procedures and accounting Windermere. practices to increase efficien“The change should allow for cy and reduce costs through stable long-term leadership group purchasing. According

echo file photo

Our Valley’s fire departments are always looking for more volunteers.

Get involved with the department in your area!

Canal Flats: 250-349-5462 Fairmont: 345-6511 or 342-6214 Windermere: 250- 342-6214 Invermere: 250-342-3200 Panorama: 250-342-9797

to Caldwell, the change has already begun to realize benefits in a number of different areas, including a new centralized training program for new recruits, and new projects including targeted recruiting, expanded training and operational enhancements are also in the works.

“The administrative and operational requirements of maintaining a safe and effective volunteer fire department have grown beyond what volunteer managers can support, and the nature of the industry requires a significant time commitment from chief officers,” Caldwell said. “Recent retirements of long-term volunteer chiefs combined with a growing list of current and future needs indicated that a combined full-time management structure was the most effective way to maintain, and ultimately enhance, service levels in the community.”

echo file photo

B4 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

PREVENTION WEEK

October 7-13

Fire Safety for Seniors The two leading causes of fire deaths and injuries among older adults are smoking materials and the misuse of portable space heaters.

• To clean the smoke alarm, open the cover and gently vacuum the unit with a soft brush attachment.

• Replace smoke alarms if they are more than 10 years old.

Tips to Remember

• Smokers should have a designated area away from upholstered materials, such as the kitchen table.

• Never smoke in bed while reading - it is too easy to fall asleep and print materials are highly flammable.

• Sleep with the bedroom door closed in order to provide more time to escape if a fire occurs.

• Keep space heaters well-ventilated and at least three feet away from flammable materials. Unplug space heaters when not in use.

• Extension cords are for temporary use only and should not be used with a space heater or electric blanket.

• Never run electrical cords under a carpet or rug.

Fire Escape Planning saves lives:

• Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Be sure to include all hallways and stairs.

• Know: (1) two ways out of every room (2) how to escape from all levels of your home.

• Ensure all doors and windows can be unlocked or opened.

Smoke Alarms can save your life!

In case of fire - GET OUT AND STAY OUT – never go back into a burning building.

Smoke alarms are inexpensive and easy to install. For assistance with the location and installation of smoke alarms, call your local fire department see and visit our ‘Smoke Alarms’ fact sheet.

• Ensure there is a working smoke alarm on every floor of the home and outside every sleeping area.

• Have a friend or relative test your smoke alarm while you are asleep to ensure you can hear it.

• Once a month, test the battery by pushing the test button and drift smoke from a snuffed out candle into the alarm.

• Once a year, change the battery.

• Crawl low near the floor to the nearest exit maintaining contact with the wall.

• Test the door by feeling it with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open. Use an alternative route.

• If the door and knob are cool, stay low with your shoulder against the door while opening slowly. Be ready to close the door if smoke and heat rush in.

• If trapped, put as many closed doors as possible between you and the fire, and seal all cracks in doors and windows with towels or bedding.

• If your clothing catches fire, stop where you are, drop gently to the ground and cover your face with your hands while rolling back-and-forth to put out the flames.

• Cool minor burns with cold water.

Thank you to all of our local fire department volunteers for all the hard work you do!

Especially our bench manager, gnarly chaplin!

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com B5

PREVENTION WEEK

October 7-13

Fire Safety tips for your home Kitchen • Avoid loose long sleeves when cooking.

• Check kettles and toasters for damaged electrical cords and thermostats.

• Use appliances that have an automatic shutoff.

• Keep a timer handy to remind you when the oven and burners should be switched off.

• If you take medication that causes drowsiness, do not use cooking appliances.

• Use a temperature-controlled electric skillet or deep-fryer for frying.

• Never leave your cooking unattended.

• Use appropriate cooking appliances and keep them clean.

• Keep a pot cover nearby to "put a lid on it" in the event of a fire.

Living Room

• Fireplace: always use a fire screen, ensuring it is the appropriate size for the fireplace opening.

• Do not overload electrical outlets or use extension cords in the place of additional outlets.

• Smokers should check furniture for fallen cigarettes or embers, which can smoulder undetected for several hours before bursting into flames.

• Ensure careful use of smoking materials and extinguish in water before disposal.

• Never leave cigarettes in an ashtray unattended.

• Use ashtrays with a double rim and deep centre.

• Keep matches, lighters and lit candles out of the reach of children.

• Never leave lit candles unattended.

Bedroom

• Install at least one smoke alarm outside each sleeping area. For improved safety, install a smoke alarm in every bedroom.

• Check electrical appliances regularly: electric blankets, heating pads, curling irons, radios, televisions, irons.

• Bedrooms should be non-smoking areas.

Basement and Attic

• Remove all combustible and flammable materials from the basement and attic.

• Always store gasoline in well-ventilated areas.

• Do not store propane indoors.

• Use only approved containers to store and transport gasoline.

• Have a thorough yearly maintenance check of the furnace carried out by a qualified professional.

• When replacing an old furnace, consult a professional to determine the most safe, economical and efficient system for your home.

• Chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year.

Garage and Workshop • Flammable materials – thinners, gasoline, paints, industrial cleaners – should be stored neatly in approved containers and away from possible ignitable sources.

• Do not smoke, or leave matches or lighters in the garage or workshop.

• Install and know how to properly use the appropriate fire extinguisher for the garage/workshop.

• Keep the area clean. Remove garbage, paper products, oily rags and wood shavings regularly.

Smoke Detector Safety Tips · Make sure each bedroom has its own operational smoke detector, as well as on every level. · Set your alarms to trigger one another, so when one sounds, they all will. · Monthly test your smoke detector by pressing the test button. · Replace the battery annually. · Replace the smoke detector itself every ten years. · Be sure to install smoke detectors high on walls or on the ceiling, because smoke rises.

Located on Hwy 93/95 Windermere 250-342-6293

Have A Skookum Day!

B6 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

PREVENTION WEEK

October 7-13

Radium Hot Springs Front row: (l-r) Tim Strubb, Jason Brainard, Jeff Pollock, Braeden Logan, Brayenna Murray, Fire Chief Dave Dixon, James Hagman, Andrew Michaud, Scott Inglis, Walter Raven Absent: Todd Logan, Ryan Clark, Torben Larsen, Nick Borough, Graham Kerslake, Carey Boyer, Don Joubert

Invermere Front Row: (l-r) Erik McLaughlin, Billy Robideau, Murray Janzen Back Row: (l-r) Fire Chief Roger Ekman, John Shaw, Dwight Lochhead, Jason Roe, Haru Watanabe, Chris Rouleau, Matt Tremblay, Ed Jones, Shawn Verge, Geoff Hill, Doug Hagen, Doug Schick, Brandon Shaw, Jason Lawrick, Gary Dace, Tom McNeil Absent: Jake Jacobson, Rick Magri, Paul Digney, Michael Hecken, Craig McGowan

Canal Flats Front Row: (l-r) Stuart Moore (Chief ), Zacc Farrell, Glen Afonso, Buddy Justus, George Watts Absent: David Ferguson (Deputy), Bill Hancock, Ray Carrier, Mark Doherty, Chantal Gallacher, Billy Hollick, Brian McCutcheon, Richard Marchand, Bill Lake, Donald Marchand, Travis White, Tyler White

Honouring fire fighters this fire prevention week.

#4 492 Arrow Rd Invermere, BC 250-342-9044

101A 1028 7 Avenue PO Box 130 Invermere BC Phone: 250-342-2175 • Fax: 250-342-2669 Tuesday to Friday: 9:00 – 12:30 and 1:00 – 5:00 Saturday: 9:00 – 2:30 www.kootenayinsurance.ca

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com B7

PREVENTION WEEK

Panorama Village

Front Row: (l-r) District Chief Martin Caldwell, Captain Brad Brush, Nigel Perry, Rob Hellyer, Roz Venner, Gill Harris, Thomas Dolezal, Lieutenant Brad Hrynkiw, Spencer Cotie, Jose Letelier, Anna Smith, Jessica Conner, Joel Burgess, Edward Davies, Deputy Chief Jason Smith Middle Row: (l-r) Jon Howlett, Eli Humen, Brody Mitchell, Scott Chaffey, Mike Tucker, Lieutenant Jon McCulloch, Stephen McIntosh, Steph Held, Andrew Cradduck, Karolina Schutzova, Pete Smith Back Row: (l-r) Lieutenant Gavin Moran, Lieutenant Claire Henshaw, Lieutenant Neil Carey Absent: Fire Chief Jim Miller, District Chief Drew Sinclair, Captain Bruce Devlin, J.C. Morel

Fairmont Hot Springs

Front row: (l-r) Connar Jolliffe, Alex Wilson, David Wilson, Earl Olsen, Heinz Meyer, Mervin Weselowski, District Chief Drew Sinclair, Keith Andestad Absent: April Trapp, Lucas Rosnau, Philip Boyer, Tyler Webb, Brian Stringer, Deputy Chief Archie Santini, District Chief Martin Caldwell, Fire Chief Jim Miller

Think first Be fire safe!

385 Laurier Street Athalmer 250-342-7100

October 7-13

Canal Flats

Front row: (l-r) Charlene Wilisky, Sharon Carroll, Dave McCarthy, Andy Kolankowski, Eric Falkenberg, Deputy Fire Chief Drew Sinclair Back row: (l-r) Jason Wilisky, Brendan Garies, Murray Kubian, Peter Carroll, Jordan Goldsmith, Jon Tames, Ken Becker, Doug Sinclair, Fire Chief Columbia Valley Jim Miller Absent: Levine Ollenberger, Dan Cox, Michelle Cox, Jeremie Goldsmith, Bram Rossman, Ben Green, Chris Gent, Martin Caldwell

Edgewater

Front Row: (l-r) Willow, Mia and Emerson Tutte Middle Row: (l-r) District Chief Drew Sinclair, Tammy Tutte, Captain Elke Bennett, Deputy Chief Dan Tutte, Lieutenant Kody McNaughton Back Row: (l-r) District Chief Martin Caldwell, Doug Diamond, Stacey Harrison, Kyle Barr, Hugh Diamond, Joel Bilodeau Absent: Tyrel Brown, Justin Podborski, Fire Chief Jim Miller

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

PREVENTION WEEK

October 7-13

Stay fire safe during the winter The winter season is the worst season for fires in Canada. That is why all Canadians must be mindful of the importance of fire prevention and safety. During the winter, we must heat our homes, most of our meals are prepared and eaten indoors, our clothing is dried indoors and people who smoke tend to do so indoors. During the winter remember that: • Heating appliances such as space heaters should not have anything combustible closeby and need at least one metre (three feet) of space around them.

Inspect the electrical cord attached. If it overheats, you have a fire hazard. Keep young children away from them.

• Electrical and heating systems can fail and become fire hazards. Ensure they are regularly checked by a professional, especially prior to the winter season when fireplaces, heaters, appliances and other electrical equipment are in maximum use.

• Smoking while in bed, tired or under the influence of alcohol or medication is the most common cause of fires that kill.

• Most chimney fires occur with wood-burning fireplaces. Ensure chimneys are cleaned and professionally inspected regularly. Burn only small quantities of wood at a time.

• Teach children that fire is not a toy; it is a tool we use to cook food and heat our homes.

• Educate your children about the dangers of fire and make sure they know that all fires, even small ones, can spread very quickly.

• Never use a flammable liquid near a flame or source of spark. Be aware of hidden sources like water heater pilot lights, electric motors or heaters. Never smoke while pouring or using flammable liquids.

• If even a small doubt exists about any appliance/equipment that you use, do not hesitate to contact a qualified technician. It may save your life, and the lives of your loved ones.

Fireplace Safety

A Fireplace becomes dangerous when accumulated tar or creosote catches fire or from uncontrolled burning or over-fuelling. Other causes of fireplacerelated fires are substandard design or installation and lack of safety precautions.

• Open the damper before lighting the fire, and keep it open until the ashes are cool enough to touch.

• Ensure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.

• Do not store combustible materials such as paper or wood too close to the fireplace.

• Use a screen in front of the fireplace opening to protect children and to prevent embers from escaping and igniting carpets, etc.

• Never leave children alone near a fireplace.

• Use dry, well-seasoned wood in small amounts.

• Have chimneys cleaned and serviced at regular intervals by a professional.

• Never overload your fireplace.

• Never use charcoal starter fluids, gasoline or any flammable substance to start fires.

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• When using artificial logs, burn only one at a time and follow instructions on the wrapping.

• Always place the ashes in a metal container and take them outside the house.

The Winter Season and Carbon Monoxide

• It is important to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. However, carbon monoxide detectors do not replace the need for prevention through yearly maintenance and inspection of heating systems and appliances.

• Smoke inhalation from fires is the most common form of carbon monoxide poisoning. Cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust are the most common sources of regular carbon monoxide exposure.

• There must be an adequate supply of air for complete burning or combustion, or an excessive amount of carbon monoxide will accumulate indoors. Ensure that your wood stove or fireplace is not competing – for long periods of time – with your clothes dryer, kitchen, bathroom and attic vent fans, central vacuum cleaners and kitchen barbecues, which exhaust air from the home and so starve the furnace or the fireplace of oxygen.

• Proper venting of fuel-burning appliances to the outside is also essential to prevent collection of carbon monoxide gas inside buildings.

• Never insulate or try to seal up a drafty hood, wind cap or exhaust vent on any natural gas appliance (furnace, water heater, range, dryer, space heater or fireplace). Keep all fuel-burning equipment free of lint, dust and trash. Don't store anything close to the equipment that could restrict air circulation.

• Do a visual inspection of the equipment to look for signs of equipment problems, such as soot on a fireplace face, water collecting near a burner or rusted venting. If even a small doubt exists, have the equipment inspected by a qualified technician.

• Periodically check vent pipes between gas appliances and the chimney for corrosion or rust.

• Equipment that uses natural gas should show a clear blue flame—a yellow or orange flame may indicate a problem. If a problem appears, call a qualified technician.

• Ensure a source of fresh air is available, for an example an open window or flue, when operating a wood-burning fireplace.

The Dangers of Extension Cords

• Extension cords are a common cause of electrical fires. That is why you must be careful to use only extension cords that are rated for the power used by the device they are powering.

• Extension cords must never be run inside walls or under rugs or furniture. They can be damaged by traffic or heavy furniture and start arcing, which can lead to a fire.

• Extension cords can get warm during use and must be able to dissipate this heat or they can start a fire.

Signs of an Electrical Problem

• Flickering lights. If the lights dim every time you turn on an appliance it means that the circuit is overloaded or has a loose connection.

• Sparks. If sparks appear when you insert or remove a plug, it could be a sign of loose connections.

• Warm electrical cord. If an electrical cord is warm to the touch, the cord is underrated or defective.

• Frequent blown fuses or broken circuits. A fuse that continues to blow or circuit breaker that keeps tripping is an important warning sign of problems.

• Frequent bulb burnout. A light bulb that burns out frequently is a sign that the bulb is too high in wattage for the fixture.

How to avoid Dryer Fires

• Lack of maintenance is the number one cause of dryer fires. That is why it is critical to clean the lint filter before and after each use, and wipe away any lint that has accumulated around the drum.

• Perform periodic checks to ensure that the air exhaust vent pipe is unobstructed (lint accumulation) and the outdoor vent flap opens readily.

• Do not run the dryer without a lint filter.

• You are encouraged to not leave the dryer running if you go out, in case it malfunctions.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com B9

PREVENTION WEEK

Modern houses burn faster Research over three decades has shown that modern homes may be making house fires more deadly than ever before. Newer homes and furnishings are made with more synthetics which make fires ignite and burn faster. They also release more toxic gases when burned. Most fire victims die from smoke or toxic gases and not from actual burns. Deadly conditions are reached much more quickly now than in the 1970s when more natural materials were used in home and furnishings.

Over thirty years ago, an important study conducted tests in actual homes with sizes and floor plans, furniture and items, and smoke alarms on the market. That report concluded smoke alarms generally provided the necessary escape time for different fire types and locations. This research led to the popular use of smoke alarms in residential settings.

A more recent 2005 study found a troubling difference with the previous investigation. The amount of safe escape time was consistently shorter and the fire growth rates were faster.

It is thought that synthetic materials currently found in homes contributed to this change.

The study concluded that because fires could be more aggressive, the time needed to escape home fires has been reduced from approximately 17 minutes to as little as three minutes. This gives less time for occupants to escape a fire and is shorter than the seven minute response time target for fire services.

This disparity can mean the difference between life and death.

October 7-13

Only a working smoke alarm can save your life!

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OCT. 7-14

Smoke alarms save lives “Fall back” to smart home safety As most Canadians turn back the clocks on November 4, here are some timely smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) safety tips: • When you change your clocks, test your smoke arlam.

• You have less than three minutes to escape a fire.

So when smoke alarms sound, everyone must know what to do and where to go. Having and practising an escape plan is essential.

• Install one smoke alarm on every storey and outside bedrooms. Install inside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed.

• Ensure all smoke alarms are fully powered. Never take out batteries or remove an alarm from ceiling due to a false alarm.

• If your home has any fuel-burning devices such as a gas furnace, gas water heater, gas appliances, or an attached garage or carport, install at least one CSAapproved carbon monoxide outside all sleeping areas.

One per storey is recommended.

• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years, and CO alarms every 7-10 years (depending on manufacturer) whether battery operated or hardwired into your home’s electrical system.

Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless.

So without a CO alarm, humans cannot detect its presence. Despite the average home having several potential sources of the deadly gas, studies show that nearly 60 per cent of Canadians have not installed a CO alarm. In addition to being impossible to detect, CO also has another nefarious trait. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure mimic the flu, without the fever. It is routinely responsible for thousands of clinic and hospital visits each year, and is commonly misdiagnosed. Prolonged or extreme exposure causes nausea, dizziness, confusion, the loss of physical mobility, brain damage and ultimately, death.

More home safety resources can be found on the www. safeathome.ca web site.

Analysis was undertaken on almost 50,000 fires that occurred in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario over a 5-year period involving 663 fatalities. The findings demonstrated that the death rate per 1,000 fires in the absence of a present, functioning smoke alarm was 74% greater than when a functioning smoke alarm was present.

Thanksgiving turkey fires cause for concern at 9-1-1 centre E -Comm’s fire dispatch team is warning families to be mindful of their turkey cooking during Thanksgiving weekend. “A turkey isn’t something you typically see on a list of household fire hazards, but we get 9-1-1 calls about ovens going up in flames all the time,” says Corey Kelso, E-Comm fire dispatcher.

“The result can be devastating if you’re not careful every time you have something cooking for an extended period of time.”

E-Comm has received some odd calls to 9-1-1 before – including someone wanting to know how long to cook a turkey – but a turkey fire is no joke.

In fact, it is a leading cause of spikes in 9-1-1 calls over the holidays.

“A flame in your oven can start easily and escalate quickly,” says Kelso. “Oil drippings through a thin tinfoil turkey pan or bits of leftover food residue inside your oven are extremely flammable in a high temperature setting.”

Many fatal fires start at night In May 2008, Alberta Municipal Affairs launched a public education and awareness campaign to make citizens aware of the threeminute window of safety in a house fire and the seven minute fire services response time.

In rural areas served by volunteer fire departments, the response times can be expected to be longer than the seven minutes expected of career fire departments. The public is encouraged to plan for a three-minute evacuation in case of a fire.

The campaign serves as a reminder of our personal responsibility for fire safety: the prevention of fires in the first place; the detection of smoke and fire with working smoke alarms as a second line of defense; and evacuation to safety by having a well-rehearsed fire escape plan as the third and most important action. The TV commercial is designed to motivate the public to visit a unique, interactive website, www.3minutedrill.alberta.ca This site contains easily understood fire prevention and safety tips using a model house in crosssection. In addition, it provides smoke alarm and escape planning information.

Investigations into home fire deaths very often find that a smoke alarm did not sound.

It may have been disconnected or not in working order.

The batteries may have been dead, or someone may have taken them out.

Smoke alone won’t necessarily wake you up. In fact, the fumes could put you into an even deeper sleep. Often, victims never wake up. Se-

niors will often need assistance from family members to put safety measures into place. As well, family members are in the best position to reinforce the precautions necessary to help their loved ones prevent or respond to a fire. Focus on these six priorities to help aging family members protect themselves against fire in the home.

■ INSTALL smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

■ Larger homes may need ADDITIONAL smoke alarms to provide enough protection.

■ For the best protection, INTERCONNECT all smoke alarms so when one sounds they all sound.

■ An IONIZATION smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms (also known as dual sensor alarms) are recommended.

■ Smoke alarms should be INSTALLED away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance.

■ REPLACE all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

www.invermerevalleyecho.com

B10 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

PREVENTION WEEK

(Reproduced with permission from the Alberta Fire Commissioner's Office)

Fire Prevention Canada

Working with the private and public sectors to achieve fire safety through education.

October 7-13

(Reproduced with permission from the Alberta Fire Commissioner's Office)

Fire Prevention Canada

Working with the private and public sectors to achieve fire safety through education.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, October 3, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com B11

PREVENTION WEEK

October 7-13

Babysitter's Fire Safety Guide As the babysitter, you are responsible for the children in your care. Here are some important points you need to know if there's a fire emergency in the home where you babysit.

Burn Prevention & Treatment

• Always test hot foods and liquids before feeding.

• If your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP & ROLL on the floor to smother the flames.

• Cool minor burns with cold water. If skin is blistered, charred or dead white, get emergency help immediately.

• When you see flames, smell smoke or hear the smoke alarm, get everybody out of the house.

• Feel the door first. If it isn’t hot, open it very slowly.

• If there is fire or smoke use another exit.

• Crawl low under smoke - the air near the floor is safer to breathe.

• If you cannot escape, close the door and seal around it with cloth to prevent smoke from entering the room.

• Always use the stairs and never the elevators.

• Designate a meeting place a safe distance from the house and make sure everyone is there.

• Take the children to a neighbour.

• Phone the emergency number from the neighbour’s home.

• Give the complete address, describe the situation and inform the operator if anyone is still inside.

• Stay on the phone until you are told to hang up.

Before the parents leave

• Write down the complete address and phone number of the place where you are babysitting and phone numbers for: – Fire, Police, Ambulance & Emergency Service, often one number - 9-1-1.

– Where the parents can be reached.

– Neighbour(s).

• Keep this information in your pocket so that it's with you at all times and handy in case of an emergency.

Plan Your Escape

If there is a fire while you are in charge, you must know what to do: • Is there a fire escape plan? If not, develop one.

• Identify all escape routes.

• Find at least two ways out of each room.

• Plan how you and the children will escape safely.

• Decide on an outside meeting place.

• Ask for a demonstration of the smoke alarm.

Guide to Fire Safety

The best way to keep fire safe is to be watchful of the children in your charge: • Never leave children unsupervised.

• Check on sleeping children regularly.

• Keep matches and lighters out of their reach.

• Do not light candles while babysitting.

• Don't smoke on the job.

• Keep children away from the stove, hot liquids, electric lamps and space heaters.

• Keep space heaters at least 1 metre (40 inches) from drapes, furniture and bedding.

• Cook safely and only if you have permission.

• Turn pot handles in to avoid children knocking them over or pulling them down.

• Smother a pan fire with a lid. Never use water.

• Make sure you know what cooking materials can be used for the microwave.

Thank you to all of the people who volunteer for fire departments in our valley for keeping us safe!

Since 1956.

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Wednesday, October 3, 2012 The Valley Echo

PREVENTION WEEK

October 7-13

Kids' Colouring Page!