Invermere Valley Echo, December 05, 2012

1

$ 15 INCLUDES HST PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NO. 7856

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Vol. 56 Issue 49

BERNIE RAVEN CHRIS RAVEN 1-866-598-7415 TEAMRAVEN.CA Offices in Panorama, Invermere & Fairmont

Ktunaxa Nation protests Jumbo Glacier Resort Page A3

Kicking Horse Coffee hits the big time Page A15

Privatization protest gains momentum

MaxWell Realty Invermere

Pretty as a picture

Union is determined to save national park hot springs from commercialization NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

As the Government of Canada proceeds with its decision to privatize the hot pools in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, a fight-back committee is forming to defeat the mandate and keep the hot pools in public hands.

“The union opposes commercialization of the hot pool enterprise unit and we believe that Parks employees should be maintaining those services. That’s what Canadians expect.

CONTINUES TO 'DON'T' ON PAGE A4

Water system leaking for decades District of Invermere water usage drops by almost half after T-junction discovered STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

The District of Invermere (DOI)’s water system has been leaking for what could possibly be decades after a recent excavation uncovered an undocumented and uncapped Tjunction in the water pipes below the intersection of 12th Avenue and 13th Street in Invermere.

“We don’t know exactly how long that had been there, or

PHOTO BY NICOLE TRIGG/THE ECHO Windermere Elementary Grade 3 student Olivia Fitzsimmons, 9, grins through the glass of Real Storage's storefront on Hwy 93/95. Olivia and the rest of her classmates spent their lunch hour on Friday (November 30) brightening up the windows with Christmas-themed art. For the group photograph, turn to page A23.

CONTINUES TO 'PIPE' ON PAGE A18

Serving the Columbia Valley and area Call us for your heavy duty towing We also offer: • Towing • Flat deck service • Locksmith • Boat recovery • Off road recovery • free recycling of scrap cars

A2 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

Snowbound

Photo by Gord Fullerton/Special to The Echo The view from Paradise Cabin, one of the stops on Toby Creek Adventures snowmobile tours, on Thursday (November 29).

Invermere Public Library workers join CUPE Move to unionize will take pressure off volunteer board of directors STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

The five workers at workers but the volthe Invermere Public unteer board of diLibrary have official- rectors as well. ly joined the Cana“(The directors) dian Union of Public all come with their Employees (CUPE),B:8.81” strengths and with and the move won’tT:8.81” their backgrounds… only benefit theS:8.81” they all have good in-

tentions, but sometimes maybe their strength isn’t necessarily in personnel management,” said Invermere librarian Nicole Pawlak. “Personnel is a hard thing

to manage, especially if that’s not what your background is, so we see it as a way to take that pressure off.”

Pawlak said that the five employees of the Invermere Library

be spellbound

Book a weekend at select Calgary hotels and receive a $75 shopping gift card for each night you stay.

Valid for hotel stays between Thursday and Sunday.

Maximum of three vouchers per room per stay.

Limited time offer, conditions apply.

Book today at visitcalgary.com

T:8.21”

Stay & Get up to $225 in ShoppinG Gift cardS!

B:8.21”

S:8.21”

have been considering the move for over six months and that it was a relatively simple choice to go with CUPE as it already represents personnel at more than 20 libraries across British Columbia.

“CUPE is a large union and by becoming part of CUPE we will now have access to a wide array of information, education tools and resources,” Pawlak said in a release. “We are confident that CUPE will be able to help us negotiate a fair collective agreement which both reflects the needs of the staff and keeps the best of interest of the library and its patrons in mind.”

Library staff and the volunteer board of directors will now spend the next couple of months working on their first collective agreement.

“From our perspective, by unionizing and having a collective agreement, it will add consistency to our work environment,” Pawlak said.

“We’re hoping to do the best for the library and to be able to serve our library patrons the best that we can, and this we see as a really positive move.”

CUPE represents over 618,000 members across B.C. and Canada.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A3

Page Three

Have a news tip? editor@invermerevalleyecho.com or 250-342-9216

Blue Day brilliance

Photo by alison bell/Special to The Echo Students at David Thompson Secondary School took part in Blue Day on Wednesday, November 21. Since many couldn't take part in growing out mustaches for Movember, the Leadership students took action by making a Blue Day which was just another way for students to show their support for Prostate Cancer Research. Leadership students Sammy Tyrrell, Layla Chouchene and Grace Webber organized bake sales and selling boxer shorts supplied by the Canadian Cancer Society to raise funds for this important cause. The team successfully raised over $300.

Ktunaxa hold protest march opposing Jumbo Resort Cranbrook rally draws 300 to 400 people to the streets ANNALEE GRANT CRANBROOK DAILY TOWNSMAN

Hundreds of Jumbo Glacier Resort opponents led by the Ktunaxa Nation paraded down the streets of Cranbrook on Friday (November 30) afternoon, vowing to keep the controversial project from happening and save the area the Ktunaxa calls Qat’muk from development.

Estimates put the crowd at between 300 and 400 people. The rally was the second of two events related to Jumbo happening in the province on Friday.

In Vancouver, a group of Ktunaxa Nation members, including chair Kathryn

Teneese and elders, filed an application which is adjacent to the Cranbrook Law for judicial review.

Courts where the Ktunaxa expects legal For Ktunaxa, Qat’muk is where the proceedings will take place.

Grizzly Bear Spirit was born, goes to Once at Rotary Park the Sookenai Singheal itself, and returns to the spirit ers kicked things off with a performance world. Ktunaxa rely on the continuation and MC Joe Pierre shared a note from of traditional spirituCranbrook’s favoual and religious prac- “This speaks for itself as far rite NHL star, Scott tices, and maintain Niedermayer. Pierre, that the Grizzly Bear as the importance of this also a councillor for Spirit is a unique and place... ” the St. Mary’s Band, indispensable source announced that the jim whitehead of collective as well as judicial review was st. mary's band chief individual guidance, being filed in Vanstrength, and protection. couver as the group gathered there.

In Cranbrook, the group moved down The crowd then sang along to an al10th Ave S with the Sookenai Singers set- tered rendition of Tom Petty’s classic ting the tone. Families, children, elders song “I won’t back down.” and dignitaries of all ages participated NDP candidate for Kootenay East Norin the march that ended at Rotary Park, ma Blissett told the crowd that the NDP

Positive Change

Blue Moonstone Books • Jewelry Gifts • Crystals “Your Catalyst for Personal Growth and More” #4 - 1206 7th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

250.341.5291

Atbworld-All-Things-Beautiful-Books-Inspiring-Gifts

Geoff Hill MaxWell Realty Invermere

250-341-7600

connect@geoffhill.ca Invermere-RealEstate.com

was standing with them in their fight against the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort, which was recently granted Mountain Resort Municipality status.

“The majority of people who live here are opposed to this project,” Blissett told the crowd. “We have enough ski resorts.

We do not need more at this price.”

Blissett thanked the Ktunaxa for standing up for what they believed, and encouraged them to keep at it.

Newly elected chief of the St. Mary’s Band Jim Whitehead addressed the size of the crowd, and said the fight to keep Jumbo wild was just beginning.

“This speaks for itself as far as the importance of this place, Qat’muk,” Whitehead said.

Cont to 'NDP' on Page A10

Girlfriends Night Out Shopping in Invermere

Monday, December 10 7 - 9 p.m.

A4 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

NEWS

'Don't Sell Our Hot Springs' campaign to begin in new year Continued from Page A1

They don’t expect that service to be commercialized or privatized

in any way shape or form. And there will be an awareness cam-

paign to contest that,” Kevin King told The Valley Echo. King is the Union of National Employees Public Service Alliance of

Canada regional vicepresident and represents Parks Canada workers.

“We’ll have the beginnings of a cam-

HOLIDAY DEALS

CELEBRATE THE SAVINGS

Friday, December 7th - Tuesday, December 11th GREAT VALUE!

99

GREAT VALUE!

5

99

¢

YOUR CHOICE

Tide

Fiesta Bath Tissue 4 rolls

1.47 L.

2ply. Reg $1.49 or

32

Cascades Facial Tissue

WASH LOADS

2ply. Reg $1.29.

GREAT VALUE!

25

%

off

Men’s, Ladies’ or Kids’ Socks

GREAT VALUE!

BUY 1 GET 1

50

%

off

Star Snacks

Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts or Mixed Nuts 113 - 255 g.

Reg 99¢ - $3.99.

GREAT VALUE!

BUY 1 GET 1

GREAT VALUE!

25

%

off

Fashion Throws Reg $3.99 - $19.99.

Sale $2.99 - $14.99.

50

%

off

Puzzles Reg $1.99 - $9.99

SHOP LOCALLY AND SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY 526 13th Street, Invermere BC tel#: 250-341-6173 Store Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 6pm, Sun & Holidays: 10am – 5pm

paign probably after the Christmas season in the New Year,” A page on the Public Service Alliance of Canada Prairie Region website called ‘Don’t Sell Our Hot Springs’ urges people to take action by writing to their local Member of Parliament and demanding the hot pools remain in the public domain. King said the committee is deciding on an independent domain name that they’ll be ready to launch in 2013.

“We can perform those services at cost for the net benefit of Canadian and international visitors to the hot springs and in a manner that’s consistent with fair value to the average Canadian taxpayer,” said King. “For a private enterprise to take it over, perhaps even one owned by American interests, and then describe the hot pools as an elite experience with elite dollars would really take away from the attraction that the Canadian public has with this iconic national treasure.

“The hot pools were not designed to be a wholly profit-making venture.”

Earlier this year in May when the federal government announced its plans to privatize all three hot pools — the Radium Hot Springs pool as well as the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the Miette Hot Springs in Jasper — 42 pool employees were notified their positions may be subject to workforce adjustment and May 2013 was set as the target date for the transfer with a Request for Proposals (RFP) due out in six to eight months.

“They were supposed to have their RFPs out for commercialization of the upper hot pools in the fall of 2012,” said King. “That has been waylaid some period

of time.”

According to Executive Director of Mountain National Parks Tracy Thiessen, the government is on track to release the RFP in early 2013.

“We’re hoping in the May period we’ll have more clarity on when a transfer takes place but all of this depends on a business process and you can’t predict completely how that’s going to work,” Thiessen said. “Our intention is to issue the RFP in early 2013 and when we do so it will also be clear how long bidders will have to prepare their bids.”

It will be an open and transparent process, she said.

“It was a Government of Canada decision and it was formally communicated to the public in our (May) press release, so that’s when the decision to move forward was taken and it was communicated immediately,” Thiessen stated. “There’s no sewn deal, we will proceed with the divestiture through an open and transparent request for proposals, and that implies that anyone who is qualified can bid.”

However, King claims privatization of the pools has been in the works since the outline of the 2008 federal budget. “(Thiessen) is misinforming the press and the public, she’s extremely defensive about it and I understand that,” he said. “Miss Thiessen and I have ideological differences about whether or not the pool should be commercialized and leased out for 42 years, or left in the hands of the public, mainly by Parks Canada employees, to run them for the benefit of Canadians and international visitors for future generations.”

When asked about a rumoured 42-year lease period or whether or not the pools as a private enterprise would continue to be Canadian-owned, Thiessen replied it was too early to talk about details.

“The conditions for bidders will be outlined in the RFP, it’s quite an extensive document because we want it to be productive and we want to ensure we get a qualified experienced bidder,” she said.

The government is currently consulting local First Nations, said Thiessen, which is a pre-step to finalizing the RFP. “As part of the consultation, we’re certainly alerting local First Nations to our intention to divest of the hot pools and inviting them into discussions with us to ensure they understand our objectives and for us to better understand any interests that they might have,” she said.

“They’re not being asked, for example, to submit an RFP in advance of the open process — they would be certainly invited to do so with the rest of the industry but there’s no preferential treatment with the RFP itself.”

But Shuswap Band Chief Paul Sam isn’t aware of any communication around the hot pools to date.

“They can write all the letters they want, you know, just to try and get something legalized, but… they haven’t talked to me,” said Sam. “The discovery of the cave and basin in 1885 in Banff led to the creation of a national park system,” said King. “If the origins of national parks can be commercialized, what else can be commercialized because the employer doesn’t respect its origins?”

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A5

NEWS

Local First Nations react to transparency act Proposed bill would require more financial disclosure NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

The Columbia Valley’s two First Nations bands are split in their reactions to the bill recently introduced by the Harper Government in the House of Commons on November 23.

Bill C-27, the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, will require that all First Nations publicize their annual audited financial statements and schedule of salaries — including wages, commissions, bonuses, fees, honoraria, dividends and expenses — paid to chiefs and councils

on their websites and retain them for ten years, as well as provide these documents upon request to any of its members within 120 days — or risk losing federal funding.

mons on November 27 and has moved onto the Senate, despite criticism that it’s a hypocritical move that will increase already burdensome reporting requirements that some First Nations do not have the internal capacity to comply with.

“In 2006, the Conservative government introduced the Federal Accountability Act to

“This bill is business as usual for the Akisqnuk First Nation.” adrian bergles akisqnuk communications co-ordinator

The documents will also be published on the website of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

The bill was passed by the House of Com-

strengthen accountability and increase transparency and oversight of federal government operations,” said Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia David

Wilks in a government release. “This landmark bill builds on that commitment and asks no more of First Nations leaders than Canadians ask of their Parliamentarians.”

According to the release, First Nation governments are the only governments in Canada that do not have legislated requirements to make basic financial information available to the public and Bill C-27 ensures that First Nation leaders are held to the same standard of accountability and transparency as other levels of government in Canada.

“This bill is business as usual for the Akisqnuk First Nation,” said Akisqnuk First Nation Communications Co-

CUPE college workers strike again Invermere campus not affected by second job action STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

B.C. college workers launched three days of job action last week, beginning on November 29, aimed at getting the government of B.C. to sign a collective agreement, but College of the Rockies community relations manager Donna Kraus-Hagerman said students at the Invermere campus felt no effects.

This latest strike took place just one week after Invermere’s classes were cancelled on November 19 and 20 in a similar move by CUPE workers.

“Membership has been extremely frustrated that the BC Liberals appear unwilling to recognize that college support staff provide the same valuable services that university support staff provide,” said CUPE Local 2773 Pam Catsirelis at the College of the Rockies in a media release.

Actions by CUPE’s more than 3,000 college workers ranged from shutting down specific departments to demonstrating outside local MLAs offices.

“Our two-day strike action last week got the government to come back to the table [this Friday] and while we still don’t have an agreement, we believe that these actions are necessary until we have a deal,” said CUPE Local 1858 President Deborah Hopper in the release.

ordinator Adrian Bergles in an email. “The band’s audited consolidated financial statements have been available for viewing to the membership of the Akisqnuk First Nation for years.”

The portion of the band’s audited financial statements relating to its federal funding has been posted online by Aboriginal

Affairs and Northern Development, but excludes the band’s own source revenue, Bergles said.

“I don’t think that the money that we get elsewhere coming in here should be reported,” Shuswap Band Chief Paul Sam told The Valley Echo. “I won’t release it until it becomes law — I think a lot of bands are kick-

ing against that.”

He said the Shuswap Band pays over $107,000 for an audit, and that what the federal government funds them for an audit amounts to barely $3,000.

“So why should we give them all that information? Give me $107,000 and I’ll give you all the information you want.”

Do you want to practise forestry in BC? New forestry designation available now The Natural Resource Professional (or NRP) designation is new and recent grads from natural resources conservation programs at the University of BC, Thompson Rivers University and the University of Northern BC can apply today. The NRP designation will allow you to practise aspects of professional forestry in every corner of the province. You might find yourself working for government, consultants, industry, Aboriginal groups and more! For more information and to see which programs qualify, visit our website at www.abcfp.ca.

If your broker no longer offers Wawanesa Insurance products and you would like to continue insuring with Wawanesa,

You Do Have A Choice!

Holiday Advertising and Editorial Deadlines Please taken note that our advertising deadlines will change due to Christmas and New Year holidays.

December 26 issue Thursday, December 20 at 12 p.m.

January 2 issue Friday, December 21 at 12 p.m.

We have been partnered with Wawanesa for over 10 years, and with our knowledge, experience and involvement in the community, we can provide you the superior service and support you deserve.

Please visit or call us today to hear how Kootenay Insurance Services and Wawanesa Insurance can continue to take care of your insurance needs.

Partnered with:

920 Baker St. Cranbrook, BC (within the Credit Union Centre) Ph: 250-426-6657

PO Box 130 101a – 1028 7th Avenue Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Ph: 250-342-2175

References in this advertisement to “Wawanesa Insurance” mean “The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

A6 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

Opinion & Letters

Something to say? email editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

Stop the violence NICOLE TRIGG editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

The anniversary of the Montreal Massacre takes place on December 6. This year, it was 23 years ago that a 25-year-old man armed with a rifle and a hunting knife burst into a classroom at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec and shot 28 people before killing himself.

What made this episode of obscene violence all the more memorable is that after he entered the classroom, he separated the female from male students, and proceeded to shoot all nine women in the room, killing six, all the while claiming that he was fighting feminism. He then began to move through the school, down corridors, into the cafeteria, another classroom, targeting every woman he saw.

In less than 20 minutes, he killed fourteen women, injured ten more, and injured ten men before turning the gun on himself.

On Thursday (December 6) at 4:45 p.m. at the Invermere Cenotaph, a candlelight vigil will be held in memory of these fourteen women who lost their lives.

The vigil will also mark the end of the Purple Light Campaign against domestic violence that runs each year from November 21 to December 7. The idea is that by shining lights, we can dispel the darkness and shame around the violence and abuse that takes place not just out in the public realm but also within the confines of a family's home.

Traditionally women and girls have been regarded as the victims of abuse as the Montreal Massacre clearly suggests, yet we know that violence knows no boundaries. Men are victims too, as are boys. And nor does violence have to be just physical — it can be mental and emotional as well, and passed down from generation to generation. And our Western culture appears to be fascinated by it, eager to take in extremely disturbing and violent films over and over again.

But in that moment when we hold a candle, silent with our thoughts and mourning the violence that continues to pervade each and every one of our lives, hopefully we are encouraging someone somewhere to identify patterns of abuse they've grown accustomed to, simply because they have had no other examples to live by.

So let's shine our lights and work together towards the peace.

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 Jumbo should be wild Dear Editor, Let me get this straight folks, the B.C. provincial government has appointed, at taxpayers’ cost, a mayor and two councillors to run a district with no residents. I thought mayors and councillors had to be voted in by their constituents — silly me! This process has not happened before in B.C. The Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Bill Bennett was in Europe last summer colluding with interested Jumbo investors.

The Jumbo area is pristine backcountry Crown land.

What a cozy deal! I guess this is a plum for future investors.

Do not worry about opposition from lowly local area residents. They obviously do not count. Investment money from outside Canada for dubious causes is supported by the current B.C. government.

I guess we are forgetting about global warming and the biosphere. We homo sapiens have been here for about 150,000 years. The problem is we are gradually wrecking our living space.

Let’s keep the backcountry as backcountry. Join the 1,500 Jumbo Wild citizens and their thousands of supporters and fight to preserve our pre-

cious wilderness before it is sold off.

Jim Fisher Windermere

Deer problems?

Deer Editor, I have been watching with some interest the ongoing debate that the Village of Invermere is going through with a group that is opposed to the potential deer cull. As a resident of Kimberley, we went through a similar process but, without opposition, the deer cull went ahead.

There aren’t very many of here complaining about it either.

Like your community, ours did have a bad deer problem and the cull straightened that out very well. Is it cruel or inhumane? Who knows? I don’t know of any humane way to kill something but the way it is done with the deer is probably the easiest and quickest way to dispatch an animal. If you think I am wrong then I challenge you to go to a meat packing plant and see how the animals there are dispatched. I’m pretty sure most of you would soon become vegetarians if you saw the horrors there.

The cull here not only lowered the numbers of deer but it also provided food for a lot of people who need and use the food bank. It also solved a number of other problems as well.

VALLEY ECHO T he

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

publisher@invermere valleyecho.com

Nicole Trigg editor

editor@invermere valleyecho.com

Steve Jessel

Angela Krebs

REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER

Advertising

reporter@invermere valleyecho.com

advertising@invermerevalleyecho.com

Dean Midyette

Jessica de Groot

Advertising

PRODUCTION

Renice Oaks

dean@cv-pioneer. com

production@invermerevalleyecho.com

customerservice@inver- In Absentia merevalleyecho.com

OFFICE ADMINSTRATOR

Sheila Tutty

PUBLISHER

First of all, if you take into account the number of deer that were removed and multiply that by two or even three, there was a total of about 300 deer removed from the city limits. Most of the deer were females of prime breeding age and we all know that when conditions are very good, such as they are in a city environment, most does will have one, two or even three fawns. The majority of those fawns would have been female and the problem would have more than doubled the following year.

Right now, we are having problems with bucks. One lady let her small dog off the steps late at night and, before she was aware of what was happening, the dog was killed by a buck as soon as it hit the grass. What if that had been an elderly person? What if that had been a young child? I’m sure the outcry would have been much louder if that had been the case. But it was only a dog, so no big loss.

We have to start drawing the line somewhere. I got a real kick out of our local paper when a couple of “experts” came to Cranbrook to address the problem. Their proposals were worse than useless. One of them stated that other deer would move in to replace those deer eliminated by the cull.

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 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

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

CMCA AUDITED

verifiedcirculation.ca 2009 2009 WINNER

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 5, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A7

Tech Yourself — Aaron Mackenzie

Your tech guide to sci-fi Good day folks! As we enter the real time era of sci-fi technologies, some of you may be feeling a little lost in terms of what's out there, how it works, and if it can work for you. My goal for this column is to discuss the hi-tech gadgets and innovations that are coming out to market, and hopefully answer some questions you may have about what can be a daunting field to get into.

Some background on who I am: my name is Aaron Mackenzie, and I have been selling consumer electronics in one way or another for the last 10 years. I first got into the whole tech scene because of my dad.

He was a bit of a stereo buff, and he's to blame for that rubbing off on me.

Through my teenage years I spent a lot of my time playing with car stereos, from designing subwoofer boxes to helping friends with the math for the systems they wanted to design. I started in consumer electronic sales as a Christmas temp hire with Radio Shack, and fell in love

with the revolving door of new items, not to mention the fulfillment of helping customers find exactly what they need.

To kick off this column, the first thing I would like to touch on is Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC is a neat little piece of tech that allows a device like a smartphone to be used to make payments or share data in a very easy way.

Samsung had some commercials out recently that showed people tapping their phones together and exchanging contacts or pictures — that’s NFC at work.

Some other things you can make happen with NFC is automating tasks. For example, you could be standing in front of a display at a museum, and you tap your smartphone on the NFC tag in the display — your phone automatically opens a webpage that shows more details of the item, or possibly pictures of how the item was restored, or of the excavation process that led to recovering the item.

I’m currently working on

getting my Samsung Galaxy S3 to automatically connect to my car stereo, turn on my favourite internet radio station, load up some GPS software, turn off text messages and Facebook notifications, and disable my screen timeout feature.

All just by dropping my phone into the cradle on my dash.

I’ll be sharing a web video or page of something I find interesting at the end of each column. Here is a video that's a demo of real time speech recognition and translation, something we have all seen in Star Trek: http://research. microsoft.com/apps/video/ default.aspx?id=175450.

I may have had the pleasure of meeting some of you already. For those that I have not met, please feel free to stop by The Source and say hello or ask any questions you might have.

Aaron Mackenzie is a new columnist with The Valley Echo and the sales manager at The Source in Invermere. He can be reached at Techracing@gmail.com.

LETTERS (continued from page A6) Maybe! Then, one of them said that maybe we should use dogs and haze them out of the city limits. Well, you can’t herd deer and, even if you could, what’s to keep them from turning around and coming back into town to replace themselves? Is the city or even Invermere going to build a huge deer fence around the entire town to stop them from returning or will they just erect ‘No Deer Allowed’ signs all along the boundary? The first option is very costly and the second is a joke.

If you want to see deer running all over your town, overpopulating the area, dying of starvation in a year or two, attracting large predators that won’t really care if their meal has four legs or

two, causing traffic problems in an already congested town, then by all means go ahead with your lawsuit and do nothing about the problem. However, if you want to see a few animals around without all of the associated problems they can and will bring, do the cull and make your lives a lot simpler. All your lawsuit will do is postpone the inevitable and cost a lot of money and tie up the court for a long time until it is too late one way or the other. There is only one logical solution to the problem. Do the cull!

Lloyd Freestone Kimberley CONTINUES TO 'LETTERS' ON PAGE A8

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. in the mezzanine at Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.

A recent visiting Rotarian exchanges Club banners with President Barb Smith.

Community Calendar Submit your events: production@invermerevalleyecho.com

WED DEC 5 •Windermere Community Association Bingo, Windermere Community Hall, 6 p.m.

UNTIL DEC 7 •CV Arts Watercolour Workshop Series by Carol Gordon, 250-342-4423 DEC 78 •Valley Voices, with guests Voices of EMP, Christ Church Trinity, 7:30 p.m. each night, tickets at Essentials, Picture This, Meet on Higher Ground, Fairmont Gift Shop FRI DEC 7 •Edgewater Elementary Bottle Drive, 1:30 - 5 p.m. drop off at Pip's, or Online Automotive.

•Fresh Fridays, open mic, Pynelogs, 7 p.m. $2, licensed bar DEC 89 •Global Animal Lovers' Photos with Santa fundraiser, min. $10 donation, Home Hardware.

4-6 p.m. on Dec 8, 3 - 6 p.m. on Dec 9.

Bring your animal or child!

SAT DEC 8 •Windermere Health Care Auxiliary Christmas Luncheon and Bake sale, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Windermere Hall. $5. All proceeds to Invermere Hospital, Columbia House, Palliative Care Suite SUN DEC 9 •Rotary Christmas Dinner for Seniors, 5:30 p.m., Best Western Invermere Inn, call to register 250-342-5566 MON DEC 10 •CVCC presents "A Water Conversation", Copper Point Resort, 6 - 8 p.m.

Rotary International

TUES DEC 13 •DTSS Bands in

Concert, 7 p.m. Silver collection at door SUN DEC 16 •Live Nativity Program, Catholic Church on 12 Ave, 6:30 p.m., live farm animals and musical performance EVERY SUNDAY •Public Indoor Rock Climbing, Laird School, 5-8 p.m., $5.

•Radium Seniors’ Carpet Bowling, 1:30 p.m., Seniors' 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 Survivors. Hot springs studio, Fairmont Village Mall. For info call Jan Klimek at 250-342-1195 •Shuswap Bingo at

the Shuswap Indian Band Office downstairs, doors open at 5:30 p.m., early bird at 6:45 p.m., regular games at 7 p.m.

• Cubs (8-10 year olds) and Beavers (5-7 year olds), JA Laird, 6 - 7 p.m.

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

Call 250-342-6416 2nd & 4th WED •Seniors' Day at the Invermere Library.

Bus provided EVERY WEDNESDAY • Indoor soccer, DTSS gym. Drop-in, $2, 8:30-10:00 p.m.

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

THRIFT STORE •Thursdays 10 a.m.

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

Let's stand together

Dear Editor, Every year on December 6 Canadians wear white ribbons and observe a minute of silence to show their support for ending violence against women. The occasion, informally known as White Ribbon Day, marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre,

THE SIMPLE

SALES EVENT

FOCUS

$

$ SE SEDAN

122 0 **

@

2013

F-150

BI-WEEKLY PURCHASE FINANCING

%

APR

FOR 72 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN.

$

18,999 *

OFFERS INCLUDE $750 MANUFACTURER AND $1,650 FREIGHT & AIR TAX.

REBATE

$

13

1000 SUPERCAB XLT 4X4

$

have a chance to take practical action on one part of the problem — cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is a powerful, relentless and insidious tool used by children and adults alike. There is no escape, no respite. Cyberbullying follows you worldwide and over your lifetime, even after death, ruining careers and reputations as adults. As one cyber-bullied young student told me: “You have no place to

AS LOW AS

APR PURCHASE FINANCING FOR UP TO

ON VIRTUALLY ALL NEW 2013 MODELS.

0 72

BI-WEEKLY PURCHASE FINANCING

234 0 **

@

%

APR

$

OFFERS INCLUDE $2,500 MANUFACTURER AND $1,700 FREIGHT & AIR TAX.

COLOURS: BLACK

%

PAYLOAD†† TOWING†† POWER†††

FOR 72 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN.

OR OR OR

CASH PURCHASE FOR ONLY

CASH PURCHASE FOR ONLY

CASH PURCHASE FOR ONLY

36,499 *

OR

VISIT BCFORD.CA OR YOUR BC FORD STORE FOR DETAILS.

PRODUCTION:

†

2013

ESCAPE

$

MONTHS

2013

in which fourteen women were singled out for their gender and murdered.

While Canada has made important progress since that tragic day, we have a long way to go. In rates that are far higher than men, too many women continue to experience physical, psychological and sexual abuse.

These are no easy solutions to these complex issues, but Parliament will soon

OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 13 T H

ALL-NEW

SE FWD 2.0L ECOBOOST

BI-WEEKLY PURCHASE FINANCING

198 1.49 **

@

%

APR

FOR 72 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN.

$

29,499 *

OFFERS INCLUDE $1,650 FREIGHT & AIR TAX.

STEP UP TO A SUPERCREW FOR ONLY

**

MORE BI-WEEKLY.

REBATE

PLUS

ELIGIBLE COSTCO MEMBERS RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL

▲

IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

ON MOST NEW 2012 AND 2013 MODELS

bcford.ca

WISE BUYERS READ THE LEGAL COPY: Vehicle(s) may be shown with optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers may be cancelled at any time without notice. Dealer order or transfer may be required as inventory may vary by dealer. See your Ford Dealer for complete details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. †Until December 13, 2012, receive 0% APR purchase financing on new 2013 Ford [Fusion Hybrid]/ [Fusion (excluding Hybrid), Explorer (excluding Base), Expedition, F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs)]/[Mustang V6 Premium and GT (excluding GT500 and BOSS302), Edge (excluding SE), Escape (excluding S)]/[Focus (excluding S, ST and BEV), Fiesta (excluding S), Taurus (excluding SE), F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2 value leader), F-150 Super Cab and Super Crew (excluding Raptor)], models for a maximum of [36]/ [48]/ [60]/ [72] months to qualified retail customers, on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest interest rate. Example: $30,000 purchase financed at 0% APR for 36/ 48/ 60/ 72 months, monthly payment is $833.33/ $625.00/ $500.00/ $416.67, cost of borrowing is $0 or APR of 0% and total to be repaid is $30,000. Down payment on purchase financing offers may be required based on approved credit from Ford Credit. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price. *Purchase a new 2013 Focus SE Sedan/2013 Escape SE FWD with 2.0L EcoBoost engine/2013 F-150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 with 5.0L engine/2013 F-150 XLT Super Crew 4X4 with 5.0L engine for $18,999/$29,499/$36,499/$38,499. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after Manufacturer Rebate of $750/$0/$2,500/$2,500 has been deducted. Offers include freight and air tax of $1,650/$1,650/$1,700/$1,700 but exclude variable charges of license, fuel fill charge, insurance, dealer PDI (if applicable), registration, PPSA, administration fees and charges, any environmental charges or fees, and all applicable taxes. Manufacturer Rebates can be used in conjunction with most retail consumer offers made available by Ford of Canada at either the time of factory order or delivery, but not both. Manufacturer Rebates are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. **Until December 13, 2012, receive 0%/1.49%/0%/0% annual percentage rate (APR) purchase financing on a new 2013 Focus SE Sedan/2013 Escape SE FWD with 2.0L EcoBoost engine /2013 F-150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 with 5.0L engine/2013 F-150 XLT Super Crew 4X4 with 5.0L engine for a maximum of 72 months to qualified retail customers, on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest APR payment. Purchase financing monthly payment is $264/$429/$507/$535 (the sum of twelve (12) monthly payments divided by 26 periods gives payee a bi-weekly payment of $122/$198/$234/$247 with a down payment of $0 or equivalent trade-in. Cost of borrowing is $0/$1,356.55/$0/$0 or APR of 0%/1.49%/0%/0% and total to be repaid is $18,999/$30,855.55/$36,499/$38,499. Offers include a Manufacturer Rebate of $750/$0/$2,500/$2,500 and freight and air tax of $1,650/$1,650/$1,700/$1,700 but exclude variable charges of license, fuel fill charge, insurance, dealer PDI (if applicable), registration, PPSA, administration fees and charges, any environmental charges or fees, and all applicable taxes. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after Manufacturer Rebate deducted. Bi-Weekly payments are only available using a customer initiated PC (Internet Banking) or Phone Pay system through the customer’s own bank (if offered by that financial institution). The customer is required to sign a monthly payment contract with a first payment date one month from the contract date and to ensure that the total monthly payment occurs by the payment due date. Bi-weekly payments can be made by making payments equivalent to the sum of 12 monthly payments divided by 26 bi-weekly periods every two weeks commencing on the contract date. Dealer may sell for less. Offers vary by model and not all combinations will apply. ▲Offer only valid from December 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013 (the “Offer Period”) to resident Canadians with a Costco membership on or before November 30, 2012. Use this $1,000CDN Costco member offer towards the purchase or lease of a new 2012/2013 Ford vehicle (excluding Fiesta, Focus, Fusion HEV & Energi, C-Max, Raptor, GT500, Mustang Boss 302, Transit Connect EV & Medium Truck) (each an “Eligible Vehicle”). The Eligible Vehicle must be delivered and/ or factory-ordered from your participating Ford/Lincoln dealer within the Offer Period. Offer is only valid at participating dealers, is subject to vehicle availability, and may be cancelled or changed at any time without notice. Only one (1) offer may be applied towards the purchase or lease of one (1) Eligible Vehicle, up to a maximum of two (2) separate Eligible Vehicle sales per Costco Membership Number. Offer is transferable to persons domiciled with an eligible Costco member. This offer can be used in conjunction with most retail consumer offers made available by Ford Motor Company of Canada at either the time of factory order (if ordered within the Offer Period) or delivery, but not both. Offer is not combinable with any CPA/GPC or Daily Rental incentives, the Commercial Upfit Program or the Commercial Fleet Incentive Program (CFIP). Applicable taxes calculated before $1,000CDN offer is deducted. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offer, see dealer for details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. ††When properly equipped. Max. towing of 11,300 lbs with 3.5L EcoBoost 4x2 and 4x4 and 6.2L 2 valve V8 4x2 engines. Max. payload of 3,120 lbs with 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine. Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs GVWR vs. 2012/2013 competitors. †††Max. horsepower of 411 and max. torque of 434 on F-150 6.2L V8 engine. Class is Full–Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs GVWR vs. 2012/2013 comparable competitor engines. ©2012 Sirius Canada Inc. “SiriusXM”, the SiriusXM logo, channel names and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and are used under licence. ©2012 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 5, 2012 www.invermerevalleyecho.com A8

LETTERS (continued from page A7) run, no way to hide. Everyone knows.

You feel trapped and cornered forever.

Your life is ruined!”

Bullying by spreading false messages, criminal harassment and defamatory libel is already covered under the Criminal Code if it is done using print, telephone, television or radio — but not on Continues to 'letters' on Page A9

Available in most new Ford vehicles with 6-month pre-paid subscription

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 5, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A9

NEWS

Intoxicated male arrested on outstanding warrant Police files from the Columbia Valley RCMP detachment STAFF SGT. MARKO SHEHOVAC Special to The Valley Echo

Movember Without the official tally from Tim, I believe the detachment raised approximately $2,200 which is over our goal of $2,000. As promised, thanks to Julie with the assistance of Teresa Rogel who donated the colours, I am sporting hair streaked RCMP colours. Many thanks to family, friends and our community for helping us reach our goal. And thanks for being responsible for

the new look.

Male arrested On November 29 at 5 a.m., detachment members were called out to a disturbance on a subdivision road involving an intoxicated male causing damage.

The male was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Cranbrook and removed from the house.

Peace bond granted On November 29, the detachment received a complaint of harassment in re-

gards to the actions of an adult male. The actions were sufficient enough to forward a report to Crown requesting a peace bond be approved and brought before the courts. A peace bond requested through Section 810 of the Criminal Code is not a criminal charge but provides for the person to be brought before the courts and for conditions to be placed on the person if grounds exists as determined by the courts.

Impaired driving On November 29 at 10:30 p.m., the detachment responded to a complaint of a vehicle

taken without the owners consent. The vehicle was later located at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Kootenay #3 Road. The 40-yearold male driver from Invermere was determined to be impaired and a breath demand was given. The male blew over the .08 limit and was charged with impaired driving and driving over .08.

The driver will be appearing in Invermere Provincial Court on March 11.

Victim services On December 1 at 9:20 p.m., Columbia Valley detachment members responded to a complaint of threats.

The com-

plainant in this matter did not wish to pursue charges but was looking at options available. Victim services

Global Animal Lovers’ 2 Annual Photos with Santa!

• Bring your special animal or child down to Home Hardware and have his or her photo taken with Santa by DNS Photography.

• Minimum donation $10 to go towards GALs (spaying, neutering, rescuing, and homing animals) • Photos take place Dec 8 from 4 - 6 p.m. and on Dec 9 from 3 - 6 p.m. at Invermere Home Hardware

250-342-9216 530 - 13 Street, Invermere invermerevalleyecho.com

Deadline is Dec 6!

Caption Contest

Submit a caption for this photo and you could win a FREE PHOTO SESSION for your animal with Santa!

Email submissions by December 6 to info@globalanimallovers.com along with your name and phone number.

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!

Behind the

9980 Arrow Road 250-342-6908

Wh ee

Update your Driving Skills and Knowledge

l

Submit your recipes for holiday treats to production@invermerevalleyecho.com along with your name and phone number.

We also welcome recipes at our office downtown at 530 - 13 Street, Invermere.

Continues to 'RCMP' on Page A14

nd

the Internet. I have a bill to correct that and Alberta to Prince Rupert in order to sell oil to extend protection to electronic media, a long China concerns me greatly. I have a much betoverdue step. It will remove the anonymity ter idea that will benefit all Canadians, and that currently shields those who use the inter- perhaps Americans too. Keep the oil in Canada net to do so by requiring disclosure from ISPs. and let Canadians benefit from their resources.

This plan has been endorsed by the Canadian All that oil in Alberta can keep our cars and Teachers’ Federation and the Canadian Asso- trucks rolling for many years, maybe centuciation of Police Boards. ries. Gasoline prices could be lowered subOur children need this protection. Yet MP Da- stantially. When I came to Canada in 1957, I vid Wilks and most of the Conservative Party drove my Oldsmobile at a cost of 30 cents an voted against this bill at second reading; one Imperial gallon. more vote could have defeated it. Their oppoHaving read the book The Betrayal of Cansition is difficult to understand. Parliamentar- ada by Edmontonian Mel Hurtig, what he ians should be working together to strengthen says in stunning. Former Prime Minister action on bullying, not trying to stop it.

Brian Mulroney allowed Canada’s national Please tell Mr. Wilks to vote for Bill C-273 resources to come under foreign control by when it comes back to the House and take a his famous “Free Trade Deal” back in 1983. I small, but important, step against the cyber- shall now quote President Ronald Reagan afbullying of our children. By doing so he will ter he signed the agreement: “This agreement also be honouring the spirit of White Ribbon will provide enormous benefits for the United Day and helping protect women.

States. It will remove all Canadian tariffs, seYours sincerely, cure improved access to Canada’s market for Dr. Hedy Fry, MP our manufacturing, agriculture, high technolLiberal Party of Canada ogy and financial sectors, and improve our security through additional access to Canadian Keep the oil in Canada energy supplies. We have also gained imporDear Editor, tant investment opportunities in Canada.”

I am a Canadian citizen, and the news about Finn Haldrup the Canadian northern pipe being laid from Invermere

We’re doing a special section in our December 12 issue and need your recipes!

8:30 a.m., Columbia Valley detachment members attended a

Photos with Santa!

LETTERS (continued from page A8)

Submit your Christmas recipes!

was suggested.

Deer hit by car On Decemeber 2 at

After The Fender Bender Today it almost seems like having a minor collision is only important to those who actually collide and their insurance company. There is no requirement to report a collision to the police and other motorists can’t wait for you to get out of their way. In fact, if you don’t get out of the way, you are at significant risk of causing or being involved in another collision.

If you are involved in a minor collision, insuring your own safety post crash likely means moving your vehicle off of the road and out of the path of other traffic. You are probably the only one that is going to investigate your collision scene, so leaving the vehicles on the roadway may not help you and will cause problems for others.

Once you have done that, your next important concern is to identify and record the contact information of any witness. Even scribbling down the licence plate number of the vehicle that was following behind you before they disappear may be enough. If you read case law on collisions, you will quickly see that an independent witness to the event can be extremely valuable.

Now is the time to exchange information with others involved, take pictures, make sketches, write notes about what happened and then report to your insurer. Do all of these things as soon as you reasonably can, especially your notes. The sooner they are recorded the more weight can be placed on them as being accurate.

The author is a retired constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience.

To comment or learn more, please visit www.drivesmartbc.ca.

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

A10 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Christmas Sale

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

NEWS

Legacy of learning

WV

INDERMERE ALLEY Golf Course

All clothing

Book of 10 tickets 18 holes (anytime)

50% off

$299

All golf equipment

30% off

2012 Adams rental sets. Reg. $899, now

Photos by Nicole Trigg/The Echo On Friday (November 30), seven First Nation students in the College of the Rockies Introduction to Carpentry Continuing Education Program celebrated the legacy of learning they created for the Akisqnuk First Nation — the new arbour structure at the Lakeshore Resort Campground and a new classroom at the Eva Joseph Family Centre.

"Next thing the world will be working together like this, it’s absolutely beautiful, and thank you; you have to be so proud," Akisqnuk councillor Marguerite Cooper told the students.

(Front row l-r) Dominique Sam, Theresa Kains, Nicole Shovar and Martina Shovar.

(Middle row l-r) Harley Joe, Kellen Viret and Aaron Nicholas (Back row) Instructor Corey Stewart

Book of 10 tickets 9 holes (anytime)

$399

$199

Closed November Open November 27 – December 22nd 14th – 26th Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. www.windermerevalleygolfcourse.com • 250-342-3004

Do you enjoy fishing, swimming and clean drinking water?

Come talk with your neighbours about water at:

Water Conversations: Discussions About Our Watershed What: Join guest speaker Dr. Anna Warwick Sears from the Okanagan Basin Watershed Board to learn about community-driven water management efforts in the Okanagan region and share stories with your neighbours about our precious water resources.

Who: Everyone is invited – bring your friends!

When: Monday, December 10 – 6-8 pm Where: Copper Point Resort To RSVP or for more information, contact: info@lakeambassadors.ca or call 250-341-6898

Dr. Anna Warwick Sears

**Refreshments will be provided.

NDP MLAs side with Jumbo opposition Continued from Page A2

BROCHURES BROCHU RES CATAL CATALOGU O OGU ES CON CONTES TESTS TS S PR RODU ODUCT CTS CT TS T S ST TOR OR RE ES S FLYERS FLY ERS S DE DEALS ALS S COUPO COU UPO PO ONS S BRO BR ROC CHU HU U URE RES ES S CA CATAL AL LOGU OGUES ES ES

Holiday Gift Guide

Stay tuned for gift Ideas for the whole family and take the guess work out of shopping!

For Him, For Her, For Kids, and Stocking Stuffers.

SAVE TIME. SAVE MONEY.

your source for FREE coupons

The next performance featured an original song with lyrics including “Let’s keep Jumbo gondola free.”

Gerry Wilkie, Area G director for the Regional District of East Kootenay, delivered a passionate speech, thanking the Ktunaxa people for continuing to fight after the RDEK passed on land use decisions for the Jumbo Valley to the province in August 2009.

“Thank you for doing what I am ashamed we could not do back in August 2009,” he said. “We didn’t deliver democracy to the people of the East Kootenay. Today you, the Ktunaxa people, are taking an important stand.”

Wildsight executive director John Bergenske said the occasion was a joyous one that united people from different areas of the community.

“This is a day for me, really, of celebration,” he said. “Today I think we go away with a common feeling.”

Despite recent decisions to name the Jumbo Glacier Resort a mountain resort municipality, Bergenske said he is confident the Ktunaxa’s voice will be heard.

“I have no doubt that there will not be a resort in Jumbo Valley,” he said to loud cheers from the audience. “I’m

Photo by Annalee Grant/The Townsman Ktunaxa Nation Council member Margaret Teneese marches with between 300 and 400 people down 10th Ave S in Cranbrook on November 30.

just so overwhelmed and so happy to see all of us here together. We are all part of this land.”

NDP MLA for Nelson-Creston Michelle Mungall spoke on behalf of MLA for Columbia River Revelstoke Norm Macdonald who was unable to attend. The Jumbo Glacier Resort lies within Macdonald’s riding. Mungall said her party has always been loud and clear in their opposition to the Jumbo Glacier Resort.

“We’ve been doing this for 20 years,” she said. “In the Legislature, Norm Macdonald and I have been unwavering.”

Mungall said the decision to grant mountain resort municipality status came as a shock to the two opposition MLAs. “We were floored,” she said. “That mountain resort municipality is anything but democratic and therefore has no ability to work in the public interest.”

She said the NDP sides with the Jumbo opposition and support for the cause is offered around the province.

“Every single NDP MLA is watching what’s happening here today,” Mungall said. “First we’re going to use every legal tool we have. I know the Kootenay people, and that resort will never happen.”

The event finished off with the Sookenai Singers marching the gathered Ktunaxa flag bearers and members out.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 5, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A11

FEATURE

Sixty years of small town theatre For 60 years, the Toby Theatre has survived the changing landscape of the film industry, through videos and DVDs, but with the advent of digital and the end of the celluloid film era, does this Invermere landmark have a future?

C

urrent owners and caretakers Elizabeth “People were wanting to go out again,” Elizabeth and Ron Peters certainly hope so. As of said. “We just sort of went with the flow.”

November, the Toby Theatre has been in They switched back and have been operating just the their devoted care for 42 years. But be- theatre ever since. cause their much-anticipated retirement happens to The duo has worked tirelessly to supply family movies coincide with the newest — and perhaps most insur- to the Columbia Valley community, staying away from mountable — challenge in the history of independent anything with extreme violence or language. Even the theatres, they will be looking to sell in 2013.

2012 blockbuster comedy Ted, about a teddy bear “They say 10,000 theatres worldwide will be affect- that comes to life, didn’t meet their high standards. ed,” said Ron. “If it’s excessive, even if it’s a PG-14, if it’s excesThe technology to switch from celluloid to digital mov- sive in language, we still stay away from it,” Elizaies rings in at a hefty $100,000 to $150,000, down from beth said, “because a movie that’s two hours long what it was a few years ago, but still more than what and has 225 swear words, to us it’s not acceptable.” your average independent theatre can manage. With The filming of Alive in the Purcell Range in 1993 reless and less 35 mm films available with every passing mains a definite highlight. Ron recalls sitting with a lomonth, it’s only a matter of time before production dries cal youth in the theatre's video store who asked him up completely and digital is the only option. who was starring in it. Ron replied that Ethan Hawke But the Peters won’t be walking away empty-hand- was, but that he wouldn’t know him to look at even if ed — they will be carrying with them four decades of he ran him over with a truck. priceless memories, and a fabulous chandelier.

“This guy comes walking over to me and says, 'Well, “One of the first things we did was we bought the chan- I’m Ethan Hawke,’” to which Ron joked back: “Proved delier,” Elizabeth reminisced. “We thought the people who my point!” were coming would be talking to other people about what Another favourite memory from the Alive filming was new at the theatre.” took place during a private screening for the entire Elizabeth and Ron became the third owners of the Toby cast and crew, when a cast member, Jose Zuniga, Theatre in 1971 after they moved to Instruck up conversation with their two teenage daughters who were vermere from Calgary just four months “One of the first things we did after being married. They bought it working the concession. from Steve and Kay Capowski, who was we bought the chandelier.”

“They were always down in the dumps that they never lived in a also owned the drive-in theatre in ELIZABETH PETERS Radium Hot Springs at the time. The TOBY THEATRE house,” said Elizabeth. “He said, ‘Well, where do you live?’ And they both Capowskis had acquired it roughly four years earlier from the original owners Morley Hogan and looked down and said, ‘We live here at the theatre.’

Billie Morgan, a brother-and-sister team, but it was Morley “He said, ‘Well, I’d give my right arm to say that I grew up and Billie’s husband Clint who were the original visionar- and lived in a theatre! You guys are so lucky,” laughed Ron. ies. After a trip to Golden, they were inspired by Golden’s “And that changed their whole perspective,” added Yoho Theatre and decided a theatre in Invermere was ex- Elizabeth. “That was the end of it; the girls were proud actly what the town needed, and modelled the Toby after of where they lived, it never was a problem again.” the Yoho, but tragedy occurred around the time they were Their youngest daughter went on to graduate from building it when Clint died in a drowning accident in Lake the Vancouver Film School and eventually became the Cartwright. Nonetheless, Morley and Billie pursued his manager of the program she graduated from. dream and the Toby Theatre opened its doors for the first The most popular movie they ever played? time in 1952, complete with projection equipment pur“E.T. — we ran it twice a day for a week and the last chased second-hand from the Lux Theatre in Banff. day they were still lined up from here to the book bar, When the Peters took it over 19 years later, “there was we couldn’t get them in,” Ron said. not much in it,” Ron recalls. A jet spray machine proWhen the Peters came across the Toby Theatre’s vided two fountain drinks — orange or grape, and the first-ever booking sheet at the Windermere Valley upstairs living quarters were unfinished.

Museum earlier this year, they discovered that Calam“There was no heat up there so the first year we slept ity Jane and Sam Bass was the first movie to ever play at the front of the theatre on a piece of plywood on four at the Toby. So in July, to mark the thefive-gallon pails,” he said with a laugh. atre’s 60th anniversary, they displayed Eventually they were able to move upstairs and turn the movie's old poster on the same their attention to the theatre itself. After the chandelier date it first played 60 years ago. came new lights, a finished stage, new drapes for the “Looking back, we should have screen, and a larger concession. been documenting it all, but were so With the onset of video in the early ‘80s came more busy working,” Elizabeth said. modifications. Cabinetry was added in the foyer and some Inside, the theatre is brimming with theatre seats were removed to create storage rooms, trans- memorabilia: the animated character forming the Toby Theatre into a full-blown video store of Roger Rabbit adorns both sides of with occasional films running on long weekends. the screen, once earning the Peters an au“People were so fixated on video rental that most peo- tographed poster by Who Framed Roger ple had stopped going to the theatre,” Elizabeth said.

Rabbit? director Robert Zemeckis, afA theatre owner who happened to be visiting from ter he visited the theatre unbeknownst Revelstoke told them he had gone into the video busi- to them (“it was delivered down from ness and it was a good move.

Panorama”); two fleets of model air“So we thought we’d give it a try and it worked out planes that were donated by a cuswell, kept us going for 15 years,” said Ron. tomer, Earl Hanson, hang in formation But when DVDs were introduced in the early ‘90s, it from the ceiling; and just below the screen sits a proved too costly to carry both formats. Luckily, the new classic Heath kit colour organ, where a display technology coincided with a renewed interest in theatre. of colour lights flashes along to the music.

“That’s an antique, that’s 40 years old,” Ron said proudly.

“Took me probably a couple of weeks to put it all together.”

“That, and the chandelier, are going with us,” said Elizabeth with a smile.

A12 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

Shear

HEIGHTS Stressbusters Hair Studio

Reduce stress with relaxation must-haves

Steven and Amber 250.342.7422 17b Wolf Crescent Black Forest Heights

CONTRIBUTED Special to The Valley Echo

Stress has become a daily part of people's Rising Sun & Spa Spa lives. Despite its detRising Sun Massage Massage & riments to health and Massage, Reflexology, Pedicures, Facials... well-being, stress Massage, Reflexology, Pedicures, Facials…

Looking for Holiday ideas? seems to be someGift certificates for loved ones! thing most people ooking for Holiday Ideas – Gift Certificates for Loved Ones!

Lyn Birkett, NHPC call or text 250-341-5668 can't shake. IncreasOpen all year at Radium Resort 10 am 6 pm ing the number of reLyn Birkett, NHPC call or txt cell 2 5 0 - 3 4 1 - 5 6 6 8 Winter Blues? Book an hour massage for laxation tools around $70 +hst and $65 +hst for seniors! the house may prove Open All Year!! 10am – 6pm effective at reducing radiumresort.com stress. nter Blues? Bookor an email hour massage for $70+hst and $65+hst for seniors! risingsunbc@telus.net Pick any number of surveys and you're www.radiumresort.com or e-mail risingsunbc@telus.net likely to find that the general public is stressed out. A survey by NorthwesternNatural Life indicates that 40 percent of workers report that A friendly full-service spa located their job is "very or at the Prestige Hotel at crossroads extremely"stressful. of highways 93 & 95 in Radium Hot Springs.

A National Health Interview survey indicates that 75 percent of the general population experiences some stress every two weeks.

Forty-two percent of people questioned by an American Psychological Association study found that stress has increased in the last few years.

Considering more than half of all Americans are concerned with the level of stress in their everyday lives, the following steps to reduce stress might be very helpful to millions of people across the

Gift certificates and seasonal specials available

sore or damaged tissue. In addition, water provides buoyancy that reduces strain on muscles and joints.

Add the gentle massage from spa bubbles and the body is relaxed. This, in turn, can help turn off the mind and facilitate feelings of ease.

2012 Kootenay Business Best of Business GOLD Award Winner for Massage Therapist

www.barehandsdayspa.ca or call 250-347-2121

Relax...

with the newspaper

Call the Valley Echo for a subscription 250-342-9216 invermerevalleyecho.com

ARE YOU LITTLE-BLACK-DRESS READY? 60 minute facial 45 minute pedicure 45 minute manicure

$200

+ HST

Add on a 30 minute

Jan Iredale makeup application for

$30

+ HST

Book now at the following locations: Fusion Wellness Spa Fusion at Copper Point Resort 250-341-3511 250-341-3522

country.

Hot tub Water, heat and massage therapy as provided by a hot tub can alleviate many of the body strains caused by stress.

Raising core body temperature for 15 minutes around 90 minutes before bed has been shown to induce a more restful sleep. Heat also dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow to

Exercise equipment Having a stationary bike, treadmill or elliptical trainer in the home can entice people to get moving.

Exercise is a known mood-booster. In a 2007 study at Duke University, exercise was shown to reduce major depression as well as standard antidepressant medication. Stress and depression are often linked. Exercise releases endorphins into the body, which can banish the blues.

Other studies have shown that as little as ten minutes of brisk walking raises the mood and increases the energy level of people for up to two hours after the walk.

Massage Few things can reduce stress as much as the feeling of human hands working the kinks out of tense muscles. Massage can alleviate pain, reduce anxiety and may even improve immune system function. There are many different types of massages available. A person can certainly invest in a massage table for home and have a spouse or family member do the massage. However, most prefer to visit a spa or rehabilitation center and rely on a trained professional.

Beauty treatments Seeing a beauty professional for a facial, manicure or pedicure can be very relaxing. Getting a new hair cut or hair colour rejuvenates and freshens up your appearance. Sitting back and taking the time to let someone else attend to your beauty needs offers a repose from a busy schedule.

Swimming A pool, much like a hot tub, can foster feelings of relaxation.

Swimming combines the stress-relief of water with the benefits of exercise. Daily swimming can shake off the stress of work and family life.

Alternative therapies Everything from accupuncture to aromatherapy to music therapy can be tried in an effort to staunch stress. Following in the footsteps of Eastern cultures, many people are finding meditation, yoga, deep breathing and Tai Chi are effective at calming the mind and the body.

Look for local classes where these activities are offered, or simply try them in the comfort of your home.

Stress is something that is a part of most people's lives, but it doesn't have to be an overwhelming factor. With a few simple stress-relief techniques, individuals can feel calmer and healthier.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 5, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A13

COMMUNITY

GALs is back with Photos with Santa fundraiser Proceeds will help pay vet bills for rescued cats and dog

Richards of DNS photography, who have graciously offered to donate their time and expertise for the event.

The GALs will also be selling their Christmas postcards during the photo session that

STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

In case you missed it last year, Global Animal Lovers (GALs) are bringing back their Photos with Santa event at Home Hardware for the second year in a row. The event has the added bonus of exposing GALs to people in the community who might not already be aware of them and their cause.

“Obviously it’s a fundraiser for GALs,” said GALs volunteer Jessica de Groot. “We constantly have vet bills to pay. We’re always fundraising to try and pay off our debt at the vet.

“Also, being in a busy

public area like Home Hardware gets our name out there, and people learn who we are and what we do.”

On Sunday (December 8) from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Monday, December 9 from 3 to 6 p.m., the GALs will be on hand at the Invermere Home Hardware with a professional photographer and none other than St. Nick himself to take photos of your favourite furry companions with the jolly Papa Noel. De Groot will be taking her own dogs — Choco, Stevie and her foster puppy Dude — to the event, and says it doesn’t matter

editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

This holiday season, the Christmas Bureau of the Columbia Valley will once again be helping out families struggling to provide abundant meals around the dinner table.

For the 17th season in a row, food hampers and modest gifts will be supplied to needy families, and it’s up to local families, clubs, businesses and organizations to help.

Small, medium or large hampers can be assembled, and there is a different list of items for each hamper size. Anyone who decides to

CrossFit Invermere

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

Sign up now and receive 10% off the January and February classes.

Gift ideas? Try Endeavour Fitness gift certificates.

Call now! 250-342-5856

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Invermere Home Hardware will be hosting the Photos with Santa event on December 6.

what kind of pet you have — be it cat, dog or even pet rock.

Children and adults are also more than welcome to get their

participate should call Gail at 250-342-6752 or email hghoff@telus.net to confirm their commitment by Wednesday, December 12.

Each hamper will be given a number that identifies both the anonymous donor and the anonymous recipient, and the number must be displayed in large print on all sides of the hamper box.

The drop off time for these hampers will be between 8 a.m. and noon at the Invermere Community Hall on Thursday, December 20, which is also distribution day.

For more information or to make alternate arrangement for hamper drop offs if necessary,

Who’s watching your property?

Thursday (December 6) for a chance to win a free photo session with Santa. Submissions can be emailed to info@globalanimallovers.com and should include name and photo number.

Secure your spot for January and February intro classes.

CrossFitInvermere.com www.facebook.com/pages/Endeavor-Fitness/150829255012331

photo taken with Father Christmas. A minimum $10 donation is required, with photos taken by Shawna and Damien

Fairmont Goldsmiths

A reminder from the Christmas Bureau NICOLE TRIGG

double as great gifts.

To add to the fun, by visiting the GALs’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ GlobalAnimalLovers, anyone can enter a caption for the featured photo before

call Gail at the above number or Helen at 250-342-6789.

Last year 247, families received gifts and food, easing budgets stretched to accommodate additional winter expenses like heating fuel and cold weather clothing.

For applicants, pick up your hampers and gifts on Thursday, December 20 between 3 and 6 p.m. If you are unable to come to the community hall, write a note to authorize someone else to pick up your hamper. Volunteers will not be available for next day pick up. Submit your request for a hamper by calling (250) 342-6752 or (250) 342-6789

by Wednesday, December 12.

Give a timeless gift

to that special someone this holiday season.

Christmas Special Wittnauer 40% off 40% off

for the month of December

Master Goldsmiths Fred Szott • Terry Szott • Brandon Szott 926 - 7 Ave, Invermere • 250-342-8778

December 14 & 15 at Lions Hall (651 Hwy 93/95)

Table Top Christmas Trees An anonymous elf in the Columbia Valley has provided small table sized trees, as a fundraiser for the Christmas Bureau.

These trees are going to be available in December at Valley Foods and Home Hardware, as they have been for the past several years. Very significant funds raised have helped to provide groceries for hampers not sponsored.

Thanks again Mr. Elf .

Food bank donations accepted at the door as admission!

Gift wrapping services available!

A14 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

Stand-out storefronts

Photos by Nicole Trigg/The Echo Featured in this week's issue are two more businesses that entered the Invermere Business Committee's annual window decorating contest: Inside Edge Boutique & Sport and The Bistro Family Restaurant.

RCMP report (continued from page A9) complaint of a single vehicle accident on Hwy 93/95 near Columbia Lake Road near Fairmont.

A northbound 2003

Volkswagon Jetta driven by a female from Canal Flats hit a deer that ran out in front of the car. The car was damaged but

was driveable. The driver was uninjured.

Car slides off road On December 2 at 1:15 p.m., a Columbia Valley detachment

member responded to another single vehicle accident when a 2002 Kia Rio was driving down an embankment from a

driveway in the 7800 block of Westside Road to turn left. The vehicle due to road conditions began to slide and went off the road to the right and overturned into a steep ditch. The vehicle suffered hood and window damage.

The driver was able

to walk away without injuries.

Abandoned truck On December 3, a 2002 GMC Sierra was located on its side on Athalmer Hill.

No plates were found on the vehicle. No one was located in the vehicle nor did it appear the vehicle was stolen.

No indications that anyone was hurt. The VIN was run and determined that the insurance had expired.

The vehicle was towed with instructions of no release until the driver has a chat with the police.

If you haven’t yet.

Get your snow tires on.

Shopping Night in Fairmont

We’re ready... are you?

Friday, December 7th, 4-8 p.m.

An evening of fantastic specials and features.

Pick up a passport at any of these locations. Fill your passport and enter to win one of the 5 Grand Prizes. Bring a food bank item and get an extra stamp from any vendor.

La Galeria II

A friendly and unique shopping experience.

Pottery to jam, we’ve got it all!

LOTS of in-store specials and draws.

Fairmont Pizza & Ice Cream

Fresh Professional Salon & Beauty Outlet Hair, esthetics, hair removal and massage.

All-natural products available.

2 for 1 on selected natural products.

We will also be doing mini-demo’s of our services.

The best of both world’s. FREE pizza samples and hot From Scratch ~ A Mountain Kitchen Eat, drink and be merry! Receive the gift of chocolate for the evening. stress-less holiday entertaining! Our elves are here to Fairmont Village Gift Shop help you with your gift list, share recipes and showSpecials in every department. off some winter entertaining ideas!

Fairmont Mountainside Market

Wine tasting and spiced rum eggnog.

Samples and snacks.

Hot deals in store, mandarins, coffee, Grade A Turkeys 99/lbs., Happy Hours - 10% off all beer, wine and spirits.

Smoking Water Café

Coffee and tea gift ideas. We will be serving complimentary hot apple cider and sweets.

Did you know we have huuuuge Seniors' discounts?

Tranquille Escapes

Complete esthetician and massage

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Experience endless opportunities for fun – including three resort owned golf courses, a ski resort, trail riding operations, a spa, mini golf, a professional recreation program, and a deluxe RV park.

Columbia Ridge Pottery

Unique, handmade pottery created by local artisans.

Fairmont Outdoors (at Fairmont Car Wash) 20% off all vintage cottage signs.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 5, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A15

BUSINESS

Big future ahead for Kicking Horse Coffee With a new equity partner, local coffee company is poised for even more greatness STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

Kicking Horse Coffee, one of the most recognizable companies in the Columbia Valley, has teamed up with a major investor and CEO Elena Rosenfeld can see the move as having a highly positive impact on the Columbia Valley as a whole.

“As the company moves along, there’s a lot of opportunity, and there’s certainly a lot of opportunity for the valley,” Rosenfeld said.

“You have the business growing, which attracts more businesses, it’s one big organism. We support a lot of businesses in town, either directly or indirectly.”

Kicking Horse Coffee was started in a garage in 1996 by Rosenfeld and her former partner Leo Johnson.

She said that while she initially didn’t think the company would make it this far, it didn’t take long for her to gain that confidence. The investment by Branch Brook Holdings, a U.S equity firm and subsidiary of Swander Pace Capital, marks the end of an 18-month decisionmaking period during which the company was courted by more than 20 parties that showed serious interest. Johnson sold his controlling stake in the company as part

of the deal.

Rosenfeld said she picked Branch Brook in part due to aligned goals and values, and that she is excited to learn and be a part of the new board.

The introduction of a board is of particular interest to Rosenfeld, as she feels that having that extra experience in a variety of markets can only help Kicking Horse continue to grow its brand.

“They have a broader and maybe more mature vision of what the market looks like,” Rosenfeld said. “Not necessarily for coffee, but for our industry.”

According to the Branch Brook Hold-

photo by steph van de kemp/special to the echo Kicking Horse CEO Elana Rosenfeld plans to stay loyal to the Columbia Valley community that has given her so much support.

Brand Products, the leading Canadian manufacturer and marketer of natural and organic yogurts.

The investment could pay dividends for job-seekers in the Columbia Valley.

“There's certainly a lot of opportunity for the whole valley.” elana rosenfeld kicking horse coffee CEO

ings website, the company is a partnership with Jefferson Capital Partners and United Natural Foods Inc. and has a mandate to invest in organic and natural consumer product companies based in North America.

Swander Pace Capital, the parent company, has also invested in companies such as Reef Holdings, which specializes in footwear for the surf market, and Liberte

While Kicking Horse Coffee currently employs about 40 staff, Rosenfeld said the new opportunities presented by having

the equity firm involved are huge, and that the company is actively pursuing new market opportunities in both eastern Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the United States, as well as in Colorado.

“We’re going to put a good strategic plan together, and focus,” she said.

Rosenfeld also said that the company plans on remaining extremely active in the Columbia Valley, and that she doesn’t plan on neglecting the communities that have given her so

much over the years — it’s extremely important for her to continue to be involved with community groups and events.

In the past, the company has supported a number of environmental groups, including Wildsight and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The company will also continue to experiment with renewable energy, including solar panels and wind turbines.

“Invermere has been good to us,” said Rosenfeld.

“We’ve gotten a lot of support along the way.”

Do you want to open your own business at the right price?

Have you thought of opening an antique store?

If so, Te Papa Nui Antiques has enough quality merchandise to open up the store of your dreams.

Serious inquiries only please.

Call Elizabeth or Joe at 403-615-6595 or 250-342-0707

ICAN – Invermere Companion Animal Network PORTHOS • Hi, I’m Porthos. Both my brothers have now left the ICAN shelter. I miss them.

At almost 9 months of age, I’m playful, inquisitive, loving, and everythingyou-could-wantin-a-companion.

PLEASE come meet me.

It’s my turn now.

The The Christmas The Rotary Club of Christmas Bureau Invermere Bureau Windermere Valley

Rotary Club of Invermere

A Book Under Every Tree

Invermere Companion Animal Network

Adoption Fee: $100 (to help offset spay/neuter and vet bills) Sponsored by:

The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy will be collec8ng new and gently used books to place in Christmas hampers. Books are needed for children, youth and adult readers.

Please place your dona?on of new or gently used books in collec?on bins at AG Valley Foods or Invermere Sobey’s un?l December 17, 2012 For more informa?on, please contact Ka?e Andruschuk at kandruschuk@cbal.org

Fresh Fridays

Open Mic at Pynelogs

Hosted by Oso Simple · Friday Dec 7

What does ART All Ages – Licensed Bar. Doors open at 6:30 – mean to you?

Music at 7 pm · $2 admission

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

4992 Fairmont Frontage Rd. 250-345-6133 Photo courtesy of Tanya De Leeuw Photography

www.icanhelpapet.com • 250-341-7888 www.facebook.com/icanbc

Holiday Train criss-crossing Canada and the U.S. raising money for local food banks

STEVE JESSEL

reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

For everyone who enjoyed the CP Rail Holiday Train in Radium Hot Springs last winter, the train will once again be making an East Kootenay stop this holiday season during its cross-Canada trip to collect donations for

Shannonbrook Boarding Kennels

Tender Loving Care for All Ages

Registered Rough & Smooth Collies Obedience, Agility Training and Rally Obedience Training

Kathy or Elizabeth 1628 Windermere Loop Road

250-342-6188

AS LOW AS

APR PURCHASE FINANCING FOR UP TO

0 72

%

MONTHS

†

food banks across the country.

This year, the CP Holiday Train, adorned in hundreds of thousands of LED lights and carrying some tremendous musical talent, will arrive in Golden on Friday, December 14 at 2 p.m. at 10th Avenue, across from the 7-Eleven store. Featuring the talents of award-winning country trio Doc Walker and of Kingston, Ontario native songstress Miss Emily, the train is one of two criss-crossing North America.

A similar train is also making its way through the United States on a food bank donations drive.

Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train has become an important fundraiser for many food banks. In 14 years, the Holiday Train program has raised close to $6.4 million and collected about 2.6 million pounds of food for North American food banks. Everything that is raised in a community stays in that community for local distribution.

For additional information on the musicians, the 2012 schedules, a route map and downloadable pictures of the two trains visit www.cpr.ca. Supporters can also join the Holiday Train on Facebook and follow on Twitter @CPHolidaytrain.

THE SIMPLE PLE

PAYLOAD†† TOWING†† POWER†††

SALES EVENT

OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 13 T H

ON 2013 F-150 SUPERCAB AND SUPERCREW XLT 4X4 MODELS.

VISIT BCFORD.CA OR YOUR BC FORD STORE FOR DETAILS.

PLUS

$

1000

ELIGIBLE COSTCO MEMBERS RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL

▲

Vancouver performer ready to impress

STEVE JESSEL

reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

A pair of musical enigmas will travel to Invermere to perform at Bud's Bar and Lounge on December 12, and the meld of violin medleys with electronic, hip hop and gypsy disco beats crosses musical borders with surprising ease.

"I think that my energy is really fun and dance-y, but also soulful and passionate." Fraser said. I like to have peaks and valley in my show — it won't be heavy hitting all the way through but there will be points in the set that just drive the beat home, and there are

F-150

2013

$

STEP UP TO A SUPERCREW FOR ONLY

OFFERS INCLUDE $2,500 MANUFACTURER REBATE AND $1,700 FREIGHT & AIR TAX.

13

SUPERCAB XLT 4X4

BI-WEEKLY PURCHASE FINANCING

$

FOR 72 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN.

234 0

**

@

%

APR

CASH PURCHASE FOR ONLY

OR

$

36,499

*

OR

**

MORE BI-WEEKLY.

ON MOST NEW 2012 AND 2013 MODELS

IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

bcford.ca

WISE BUYERS READ THE LEGAL COPY: Vehicle(s) may be shown with optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers may be cancelled at any time without notice. Dealer order or transfer may be required as inventory may vary by dealer. See your Ford Dealer for complete details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. *Purchase a new 2013 F-150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 with 5.0L engine/2013 F-150 XLT Super Crew 4X4 with 5.0L engine for $36,499/$38,499. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after Manufacturer Rebate of $2,500 has been deducted. Offers include freight and air tax of $1,700 but exclude variable charges of license, fuel fill charge, insurance, dealer PDI (if applicable), registration, PPSA, administration fees and charges, any environmental charges or fees, and all applicable taxes. Manufacturer Rebates can be used in conjunction with most retail consumer offers made available by Ford of Canada at either the time of factory order or delivery, but not both. Manufacturer Rebates are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. **Until December 13, 2012, receive 0% annual percentage rate (APR) purchase financing on a new 2013 F-150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 with 5.0L engine/2013 F-150 XLT Super Crew 4X4 with 5.0L engine for a maximum of 72 months to qualified retail customers, on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest APR payment. Purchase financing monthly payment is $507/$535 (the sum of twelve (12) monthly payments divided by 26 periods gives payee a bi-weekly payment of $234/$247 with a down payment of $0 or equivalent trade-in. Cost of borrowing is $0 or APR of 0% and total to be repaid is $36,499/$38,499. Offers include a Manufacturer Rebate of $2,500 and freight and air tax of $1,700 but exclude variable charges of license, fuel fill charge, insurance, dealer PDI (if applicable), registration, PPSA, administration fees and charges, any environmental charges or fees, and all applicable taxes. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after Manufacturer Rebate deducted. Bi-Weekly payments are only available using a customer initiated PC (Internet Banking) or Phone Pay system through the customer’s own bank (if offered by that financial institution). The customer is required to sign a monthly payment contract with a first payment date one month from the contract date and to ensure that the total monthly payment occurs by the payment due date. Bi-weekly payments can be made by making payments equivalent to the sum of 12 monthly payments divided by 26 bi-weekly periods every two weeks commencing on the contract date. Dealer may sell for less. Offers vary by model and not all combinations will apply. ▲Offer only valid from December 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013 (the “Offer Period”) to resident Canadians with a Costco membership on or before November 30, 2012. Use this $1,000CDN Costco member offer towards the purchase or lease of a new 2012/2013 Ford vehicle (excluding Fiesta, Focus, Fusion HEV & Energi, C-Max, Raptor, GT500, Mustang Boss 302, Transit Connect EV & Medium Truck) (each an “Eligible Vehicle”). The Eligible Vehicle must be delivered and/or factory-ordered from your participating Ford/Lincoln dealer within the Offer Period. Offer is only valid at participating dealers, is subject to vehicle availability, and may be cancelled or changed at any time without notice. Only one (1) offer may be applied towards the purchase or lease of one (1) Eligible Vehicle, up to a maximum of two (2) separate Eligible Vehicle sales per Costco Membership Number. Offer is transferable to persons domiciled with an eligible Costco member. This offer can be used in conjunction with most retail consumer offers made available by Ford Motor Company of Canada at either the time of factory order (if ordered within the Offer Period) or delivery, but not both. Offer is not combinable with any CPA/GPC or Daily Rental incentives, the Commercial Upfit Program or the Commercial Fleet Incentive Program (CFIP). Applicable taxes calculated before $1,000CDN offer is deducted. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offer, see dealer for details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. ††When properly equipped. Max. towing of 11,300 lbs with 3.5L EcoBoost 4x2 and 4x4 and 6.2L 2 valve V8 4x2 engines. Max. payload of 3,120 lbs with 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine. Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs GVWR vs. 2012/2013 competitors. †††Max. horsepower of 411 and max. torque of 434 on F-150 6.2L V8 engine. Class is Full–Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs GVWR vs. 2012/2013 comparable competitor engines. ©2012 Sirius Canada Inc. “SiriusXM”, the SiriusXM logo, channel names and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and are used under licence. ©2012 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

A16 www.invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

Arts & Entertainment

A scene from last year's Holiday Train stop in Radium Hot Springs. echo file photo

CP Holiday Train in Golden

submitted photo Violinist Michael Fraser brings a strings and beats show to Invermere on December 12.

Unique sound at Bud's

also points in the set that strike a mood chord with people.

The Beats, Strings and Life Tour features violinists Kytami and Michael Fraser, but each bring something a little unusual to their acts with the introduction of different styles of music to complement their playing.

Kytami prefers the heavy bass elements of electronic music and hip-hop, while Fraser favours funky aged disco, but each musician masterfully weaves the varying styles together.

"My favourite thing is the improvisation, creating something that is special to each individual show," Fraser said. "That's my inspiration."

The show begins at 10 p.m., December 12 at Bud's. Cover is $8.

Available in most new Ford vehicles with 6-month pre-paid subscription

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 5, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A17

Sports

Have a sports tip? editor@invermerevalleyecho.com or 250-342-9216

KIJHL Standings-Dec. 3 Kootenay Conference - Eddie Mountain Division Team

GP

W

L

T

PTS.

Fernie Ghostriders

25

16

6

1

35

Kimberley Dynamiters

29

16

13

0

32

Golden Rockets

25

14

9

0

30

Creston Valley

27

9

14

0

22

Columbia Valley Rockies

29

9

18

0

20

Kootenay Conference - Neil Murdoch Division

photo by steve jessel/the echo With a 5-2 win over Creston Thunder Cats on Saturday, December 1, the Rockies are now within two points of overtaking the Cats in the standings.

Rockies fend off Thunder Cats Strong goaltending and opportunistic offense gives Columbia Valley the 5-2 win STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

It was another upand-down weekend for the Columbia Valley Rockies, but a strong showing in a 5-2 win over Creston on Saturday, December 1 has them right back in the thick of things in the Eddie Mountain Division of the KIJHL.

"We're definitely playing a tougher style of hockey," head coach Ross Bidinger said. "The team is progressing, there's no question."

The Rockies started their weekend with a loss to the Kelowna Chiefs on Friday, November 30 at the

Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena in Invermere. Shots were relatively even at 31 for Kelowna and 29 for the Rockies, but Columbia Valley gave up four powerplay goals on nine opportunities, and the Chiefs coasted to a 6-1 victory.

Next, the Rockies played host to division rivals Creston Valley Thunder Cats, and early on both teams found themselves in penalty trouble. The Rockies were the first to

capitalize, when midway through the period forward Stephen Pratt took the puck from the corner and fired home his seventh goal of the season to give the Rockies the early advantage. The Rockies found themselves in penalty trouble not long after, and although they finished the frame on the back foot, they opened the second period with a flurry.

Racey Red Crow was the first to add his name to the

scoresheet, crashing the net and scoring just 40 seconds into the period, and Mitchell Rosko would follow his lead by adding a goal of his own just over a minute later.

Creston would answer with a goal of their own, but another Rockies goal, this time by Ryan Henderson gave the Rockies a comfortable 4-1 lead heading into the final period.

The Thunder Cats gave the Rockies a bit of a scare by scoring

Team

GP

W

L

T

PTS.

Nelson Leafs

28

21

5

1

44

Castlegar Rebels

28

18

5

4

41

Beaver Valley

28

16

10

1

34

Spokane Braves

29

11

16

1

24

Grand Forks Border Bruins

28

4

22

0

10

Oldtimer Hockey Standings Regular Season Team

GP

W

L

T

PTS.

Inside Edge

12

8

4

0

16

Warwick Interiors

12

7

2

3

17

Huckleberry's

12

6

4

2

14

Radium Petro

12

5

4

3

13

Kicking Horse

12

5

6

1

11

Finish Line

12

5

7

0

10

Aquair

12

4

8

0

8

Hi-Heat

12

3

8

1

7

an early powerplay goal to narrow the deficit to 4-2, but that was as close as they would get, and Henderson's empty net goal sealed the victory. Invermere netminder Brody Nelson made 43 saves in the win.

Next up for the Rockies is a visit from the cellar-dwelling Grand Forks Border Bruins on Friday December 7, before the Thunder Cats looks to take revenge the following night, December 8, also in Invermere.

Columbia Valley Rockies Home Games: Friday, December 7 7:30 P.M.

VS Thank you to our major sponsors

Saturday, December 8 7:30 P.M.

VS

A18 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

COMMUNITY

Candlelight vigil will close Purple Light Campaign Campaign tackles domestic abuse and gender violence STEVE JESSEL reporter@invermerevalleyecho.com

In an effort to bring awareness to the issues of domestic abuse and gender violence in our community, the Women’s Information and Safe Home Program of the Family Resource Centre (FRC) is wrapping up its third annual Purple Light Campaign with its first-ever candlelight vigil.

“The goal of the Purple Light Cam- been encouraging local businesses and paign is to raise awareness in regards to homes to show purple lights in their domestic violence,” said FRC Women’s windows as a sign of support.

Outreach worker Rachel King. “It’s to The lights will be collected on Friday take it out of the dark (December 7), and and bring it into the “It's to take it out of the dark King said the vigil is light.” a way of concluding Taking place on and bring it into the light.” the campaign for the Thursday (Decemyear. rachel king women's outreach worker ber 6) at 4:45 p.m. at December 6 also the Invermere Cenomarks the annivertaph, the candlelight vigil is expected to sary of the Montreal Massacre in 1989, run about 45 minutes and will feature a when 14 women were murdered at variety of guest speakers.

Ecole Polytechnique.

Since November 21, the campaign has “It was quite a while ago, but it’s still…

PODIATRY CLINIC with Dr. Joanne Lih Friday, December 14, 2012 at the Invermere Medical Clinic 937 7 Avenue Invermere

Effective Solutions For: Heel pain, arch pain, heel spurs, bunions, corns, calluses, and toenails Including Orthotics and Preventative routine care

For appointments, please call

1-250-304-4792

Give and Save Until December 21, 2012 bring an item for the Columbia Valley Food Bank into the Valley Echo, and you will save 30% on your classified ad running in the same week.

Columbia Valley Food Bank

one of those poignant times when women were murdered simply because they were women,” King said. “We’re also wanting to bring it closer to home, and have a component of the lost sisters from the Highway of Tears and have our aboriginal sisters remembered as well.”

Hot chocolate will be served at the vigil. For more information on the campaign, please call 250-341-3963 or email dwagner@familyresourcecentre.ca.

“We’re hopeful that the community will join us,” King said. “This is not just for women, we’re also more than welcoming to male allies as well.”

Valley joins global food celebration From Scratch in Fairmont will host Slow Food's 3rd Terra Madre Day ALISON BELL Special to The Valley Echo

Communities around the world are celebrating local and sustainable food this December 10, on Slow Food’s 3rd Terra Madre Day. This global day of action is one of the largest collective celebrations of food diversity ever held, with more than 1,000 events organized in more than 150 countries around the world to protect, enjoy and promote food from small-scale farmers and producers.

Celebrations are taking place on farms and in homes, in restaurants, schools and communities, in cities and in rural areas — all diverse and reflecting their unique location and food cul-

ture. From an Eat-In on Durban Beach in South Africa, to a celebration of the food traditions of northern Thailand’s Karen Tribe, and from actions to bolster urban agriculture in Vancouver to a Bedouin feast in Egypt.

A key focus of Terra Madre Day is 1000 Gardens in Africa, Slow Food’s project to develop community and school food gardens across this continent, and many events are supporting this initiative by raising funds or establishing projects of support.

For the third year, Slow Food Columbia Valley is marking Terra Madre Day by celebrating local food and our farmers. On the weekend of December 8 and 9, From Scratch-A Mountain Kitchen in Fairmont Hot Springs will be offering brunch dishes that feature foods grown in our valley. Menu offerings will include roasted garlic soup made with Don Wah’s famous garlic, Alpindon cheese soufflé made with Kootenay Alpine Cheese Co. from

Creston, Zehnder beef stew and a Windermere Valley apple dessert. The restaurant will be helping to raise funds for the 1000 Gardens in Africa Project by making a cash donation and by accepting donations from diners next weekend.

Our Terra Madre Day celebration joins hundreds of events around the world in an important symbolic moment, encouraging the work being done at the local level to build a sustainable, local food system and demonstrating the diversity of communities all around the world who are part of this global network striving for a better food future.

To learn more about Slow Food, visit www.slowfood.com. To browse the events happening world-wide on Terra Madre Day, visit the world map on the website: http://www.slowfood.com/ terramadreday/pagine/eng/mappa. lasso. For more information, contact Alison Bell at alisonbell0@gmail.com.

Pipe had been leaking 12 litres per second Continued from Page A1

how long it has been leaking,” DOI Chief Administrative Officer Chris Prosser told The Valley Echo.

While further information is still being gathered, Prosser estimates that the four-inch pipe had been spewing approximately 12 litres per second into the surrounding soil for an unknown length of time, although the line in question was installed in the late 1970s.

When asked what kind of financial impact this could have had on the district over the years, Prosser was unwilling to hazard a guess.

“I wouldn’t even want to venture down that path,” Prosser said. “I don’t want to speculate on that.”

The district first suspected there was an issue with the pipes over the summer when, during fire flow testing, they found a problem in the area. It was initially speculated that the entire pipe had collapsed.

the source of the fire flow problem, they discovered the fully functioning, undocumented T-junction.

“Typically with water leaks you’ll get surface signs, roads will collapse or will be sinking, but there

“Typically with water leaks you'll get signs, roads will collapse or will be sinking, but there was none of that happening.”

CHRIS PROSSER DOI CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

At the beginning of November, the district brought in advanced leak detection equipment to aid with ongoing work at Castlerock Estates, and decided to take the equipment to the problem area on 12th Avenue.

After detecting a leak, the entire pipe was excavated, and after finding and fixing

was none of that happening,” Prosser said, adding this was also the main reason why the leak wasn’t detected earlier. He explained that about 10 to 12 feet from where the water was pouring out, the water simply disappeared into the earth.

“There was no way we would have found it unless

we did our investigation into why we weren’t getting fire flows at the top of the hill,” Prosser said.

Now that the T-junction has been removed and replaced with a new length of pipe, Prosser said district water usage during peak times has dropped from roughly 25 litres per second down to between 16 and 18 litres per second. The district is now planning on buying its own advanced leak detection equipment for about $3,000 to help detect potential problems in the future. It’s still not known why the T-junction was installed in the first place.

“It’s almost like they were trying to provide a service connection to something, but they never finished it off,” Prosser said.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 5, 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:

Help Wanted Apply Within Your path to a better job starts here.

www.invermerevalleyecho.com 19

Announcements

Employment

Employment

Information

Career Opportunities

Help Wanted Passionate about print

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.

HEAVY DUTY JOURNEYMAN DIESEL MECHANIC

Please call Annemarie 1.800.661.6335 email: fish@blackpress.ca

required in Invermere, B.C. Permanent full-time position. Wage based on experience. $30 – $38.

Benefit package available.

Please fax or email resume to 250-342-0212 max@maxhelmer.ca

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.

Denied Long-Term Disability Benefits or Other Insurance?

LEARN FROM home. Earn from home. Medical Transcriptionists are in demand. Lots of jobs! Enrol today for less than $95 a month. 1-800-466-1535 www.canscribe.com admissions@canscribe.com TRAIN TO be an Apartment/Condominium Manager at home! We have jobs across Canada. Thousands of graduates working. 32 years of success! Government certified. www.RMTI.ca or 1-800-6658339, 604-681-5456.

Education/Trade Schools

If YES, call or email for your

FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION

and protect your right to compensation. 778.588.7049 Toll Free: 1.888.988.7052 Julie@LawyersWest.ca www.LawyersWest.ca

Travel

Timeshare 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.

Travel CONDOMINIUM HOTEL 1-2-3 bdrm condominiums 8251850sq ft. Convenient Beach Access, Heated Pool/Hot Tub In-room Washer/Dryer, Flat Screen TV’s, Free Wi-Fi, Private Balconies, Daily Housekeeping, Handicapped Rooms Available.

Weekly/Monthly Rates, Free Local Calls, Free Local Beach Transportation.

Conveniently Located to Shops and Restaurants. www.crystalpalmsbeach resort.com 1-888-360-0037.

11605 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island FL 33706.

HAWAII ON the Mainland, healthy low-cost living can be yours. Modern Arenal Maleku Condominiums, 24/7 secured Community, Costa Rica “friendliest country on earth”!

1-780-952-0709; www.CanTico.ca.

Employment Business Opportunities ACCOUNTING & Tax Franchise - Start your own Practice with Canada’s leading Accounting Franchise. Join Padgett Business Services’ 400 practices. Taking care of small business needs since 1966. www.padgettfranchises.ca or 1-888-723-4388, ext. 222.

21 WEEK HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Prepare for a Career in Heavy Equipment Operation. Introducing our new Apprenticeship Program which includes: • • •

ITA Foundation ITA HEO Theory Multi Equipment Training (Apprenticeship hours logged) Certificates included are: • Ground Disturbance Level 2 • WHMIS • Traffic Control • First Aid Reserve your seat for January 14, 2013.

Taylor Pro Training Ltd at 1-877-860-7627 www.taylorprotraining.com 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

Help Wanted 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

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.

Commercial print company seeking experienced team members. All positions considered; top compensation for top performance.

Email: don@RMPrint.com Required for an Alberta Trucking Company. One Class 1 Driver. Must have a minimum of 5 years experience pulling low boys and driving off road. Candidate must be able to pass a drug test and be willing to relocate to Edson, Alberta. Fax resumes to: 780725-4430

Medical/Dental Certified Dental Assistant Full time opportunity.

Available immediately.

Good communication and clinical skills a priority.

Call Dr. Williams 250-489-4731 or email drjaws@telus.net

Trades, Technical HEAVY DUTY Mechanic (Fraser Valley).

We are a well established medium size contractor serving the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley area since 1969. We are recruiting a Heavy Duty Mechanic stationed at our Abbotsford shop. You will be responsible to service, maintain and repair our fleet of mobile paving and grading equipment in addition to undertaking basic welding and fabricating duties to upkeep equipment.

Must have a good understanding of hydraulic and electrical systems and have a keen eye for preventative maintenance practice. You must have a valid class 5 BC driver’s license and a safe driver’s abstract in order to drive our service truck to respond to field service requests. A min 3yr experience is needed along with Interprovincial Heavy Duty Mechanic Certificate and you must possess an ability to work in a team environment and at times with limited supervision. This is a unionized position paying very competitive wages and an extensive benefits package for the right candidate. Respond by email to: nickjs@telus.net

Services

Merchandise for Sale

Trades, Technical

Legal Services

TERA ENVIRONMENTAL Consultants (TERA) has immediate openings for positions in the environmental field.

TERA is an environmental consulting services company specializing in the Canadian pipeline, power line, and oil and gas industries. TERA provides its employees with competitive compensation and benefits, flexible working schedules, career growth opportunities and more. For current and future opening visit our website www.teraenv.com.

To apply e-mail your cover letter and resume to careers@teraenv.com

CRIMINAL RECORD? Don’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.

Heavy Duty Machinery

Employment

Services

Health Products FOR RESTLESS or Cramping Legs. A Fast acting Remedy since 1981, sleep at night, proven for 31 years. www.allcalm.com, Mon-Fri 8-4 EST 1-800-765-8660.

HERBAL MAGIC - With Herbal Magic lose up to 20 pounds by New Year’s Eve and keep it off. Results Guaranteed! Start today Call 1-800854-5176.

Financial Services

JOURNEYMAN AUTOMOTIVE Service Technician. Hanna Chrysler Ltd. (Hanna, Alberta) needs a few more good people. Busy, modern shop. $25. - $31./hour + bonus, benefits. Great community. Inquire or send resume. Fax 403-854-2845; or Email to: Chrysler@telusplanet.net

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 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 IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: It’s That Simple.

Your Credit / Age / Income is not an issue. 1.800.587.2161.

LOAN HELP - Consolidate all your credit cards, bank loans, income tax debt and payday loans into ONE small interestfree monthly payment. Contact us toll-free at 1.888.528.4920.

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.

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Administrative Assistant Kootenay Employment Services, Invermere Wage: TBD on Experience. Part-time, 20 hours/week, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. 6-month term contract with potential for extension.

Job Description: General: incumbent will be responsible for administrative assistance for the manager, data entry, phone calls, faxing, emailing, tracking spreadsheets and promotions. Major duties: research funding opportunities and assist with proposal writing, respond to enquiries from the public, including employers, job seekers, community representatives and funders, promote current programs to Kootenay businesses via telephone cold-calling, emailing and faxing. Maintain concise records of contacts with employers and clients, accurately enter data into online and offline systems, write professional reports, communicate clearly and efficiently with centre manager.

Qualifications: computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), above average interpersonal, organization and communication skills, professional and clear telephone voice, preference will be given to candidates with relevant post-secondary education and/or previous administrative experience.

Resumés can be emailed or mailed by December 12, 2012 to: Eden Yesh, Regional Employment Coordinator, Kootenay Employment Services Society, PO Box 2435, Invermere, B.C., V0A 1K0 or ey@kes.bc.ca.

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

Homebased Products

Misc Services CRESTEEL HVAC (‘81) LIMITED

Doreen’s Avon Xmas Sale Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 8.

12-7 p.m. 4836 Stanley St. Radium 347-9469

Furnace and Heat Pump Installation Service and Repair

Misc. for Sale

250-342-6312

KWIKAUCTIONS.COM New & Used Restaurant Equipment Auction, Sat, Dec 8th @11am 7305 Meadow, Burnaby BC

CHILLSPOT IS The Coolest Dog Bed-A new and innovative, thermodynamically cooled dog bed, that enhances the cool tile surfaces our pets rely on during the warm weather months. www.chillspot.biz FIREWOOD Support Rockies Hockey.

Fir,Pine, & Larch.

Phone 250-342-6908

Floor Refinishing/ Installations

Floor Refinishing/ Installations

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Merchandise for Sale

Auctions

Wanted: A Beancounter with Attitude Good attitude, that is!

You hold an accounting designation (or very close to it or equivalent experience), but your friends and coworkers don’t really think of you as an “accountant”. You know your numbers instinctively, but are keenly interested in being a part of the business’ operations. You always take personal pride in the quality of the information you produce and you can effectively keep many balls in the air at one time in a busy, multi-organization entity.

Those are the critical success factors for the Group Controller that will join our team – along with a great sense of humor and the ability to laugh at yourself. You are an accountant, after all.

We are a group of companies located in the Invermere area that includes Windermere Water & Sewer, Parr Utilities Ltd. and Point Developments. We are involved in everything from water and sewer utilities to residential and commercial land development and every day puts a different challenge on the desk.

Your attention to detail and passion for doing things right the first time is what differentiates you from others. In addition, you will be fluent in a fully computerized environment, willing to dive into research whenever required and be knowledgeable of and up to date on current financial reporting standards in a private company environment. If you’re interested in being part of our team, please get that resume into our hands. This is a permanent part-time role with significant flexibility, but requires a commitment to meeting the deadlines related to our businesses. hr@windermerewater.com

20 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Merchandise for Sale

Misc. for Sale

Apt/Condo for Rent Radium: Furnished 2 bdm condo for rent. Newer, attractive, 1 block from hwy. All appliances incl. Underground parking, N/S, N/P. Avail now. $900/mth. Long term lease available call 403-860-1740

Private Coin Collector Buying Collections, Accumulations, Olympic Gold & Silver Coins + Chad: 250-863-3082 in Town

Musical Instruments ‘Help take the Weight’ www.grandpiano4sale.ca 250-347-9668

Real Estate Acreage for Sale

Mobile Homes & Pads

Homes for Rent 3 BR HOUSE - Great location & lake views! One level, W/D, F/S, DW. Avail Jan 1st. $815 + Utilities. Jeff 250-688-1105

Suites, Lower RADIUM - Spacious bright 2-bdrm, 1 bath, shared laundry, shared large back yard. $600/mth + D/D + hydro.

250-347-9970.

Homes Wanted TRADE my home in Calgary (MLS C 354 2937) plus prime lot in Bella Vista for your home in Panorama or Columbia Valley. Call Ray @ 403-473-3359 or 403-890-4950

Transportation

Auto Financing

Other Areas 20 ACRES FREE! Buy 40-Get 60 acres. $0-Down, $168/mo.

Money Back Guarantee. NO CREDIT CHECKS. Beautiful Views.

Roads/Surveyed.

Neaer El Paso, Texas. Call 1800-843-7537. www.sunsetranches.com

Rentals

19,951

For more info and to apply, visit www.corixjobs.com

FOR THE AFTERNOON CUP...

That’s how many companion animals We’re will need loving, There! bcclassified.com new homes this year. Will you open your home to one?

DO THE MATH. ADVERTISE IN THE NEWSPAPER.

Apt/Condo for Rent 2BDRM, 1 1/2 BATH Willow View condo unit for rent, in Canal Flats. Great view, 2 parking stalls, F/S, D/W. Walking distance to arena, park and store. $850 + utilities & D.D., references required.

Available immediately. Call (250)349-5306 or (250)4898389, leave mess.

Invermere Centre Apartments 1 bdrm, 4 piece bath, central location. Laundry on site, N/P N/S 1 yr lease. Call Sharon 250-688-1365. Avail Now! PINEWOOD 1200 sq foot condo for rent. 2 bdrms, 2 baths, underground parking, N/S, N/P, all appliances inc laundry; unfurnished $875, furnished $1000. Ph. 403-804-7166

DreamTeam Auto Financing “0” Down, Bankruptcy OK Cash Back ! 15 min Approvals

1-800-961-7022

RADIUM - Cozy 1 bdrm, 1 bath condo over 800 sq ft for rent at the Peaks available Jan 1. 7 appliances, underground parking, pool, indoor and outdoor hot tub. NS, Deposit required. Asking $800/ month.

403-285-4759, 403-291-4804, 403880-9719

RADIUM - downtown

Help Wanted

Corix Utilities has an immediate opening for a Utility Administrator (Job #2012-1739) at its Panorama location.

For Rent in Edgewater: Mobile home with addition on large unfenced lot with shed - 3 bed, 1 bath, oil/wood, f/s, w/d. $800/mth + utilities Call 250-347-9940

Acreages “columbiavalleyproperties.com”

New 2 bdrm, 2 full baths in The Pinewood. 3rd floor, fireplace, N/S. $1000/mth, utilities included.

Underground parking.

Available Dec 1.

Call Judy 250-345-0225 or 250-341-1903

Help Wanted

Rentals

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

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

Misc. Wanted

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

Fetch a Friend from the SPCA today!

www.iDreamAuto.com DL# 7557

We’re on the net at www.bcclassified.com

Cars - Sports & Imports Dodge Grand Caravan SE 2004. Regularly serviced. New summer + winter tires on rims.

Asking $3500. 250-342-9247.

spca.bc.ca

Motorcycles DIRT Bikes, ATV’s, UTV’s & Golf Buggies. Cartsplus Kamloops.

888-371-3946 www.cartsplusbc.com kamloopscartsplus@shawbiz.ca

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 250-342-6644 100-7th Avenue, Invermere www.wvsm.ca Reverend Laura Hermakin

9 a.m.: Worship at All Saint’s, Edgewater.

(1st, 3rd and 4th Sunday) 9:30 a.m.: God’s Breakfast Club 10:30 a.m.: Worship at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere. (Every Sunday)

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 712 - 12 Ave, Invermere Saturday at 7 p.m.

Sunday at 9 a.m.

St. Joseph Church Highway 93-95, Radium Hot Springs Sunday at 11 a.m.

Sacred Heart Parish 808 - 11 Street, Golden Sunday at 5 p.m.

St. Anthony’s Mission

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, December 9th 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Service SECOND SUNDAY 10 a.m. Worship & Word Kid’s Church Provided OF ADVENT Worship and Life Instruction, “The Peace Of Christmas” … Call the office at 250-342-9511 Pastor Trevor ministering. for more information.

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

Showing Love NO “SING and CELEBRATE” Following the Spirit THIS EVENING.

The Valley Echo Wednesday,December 5, 2012

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A21

Brain Games

Columbia Valley

Weekend Weather

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Scattered flurries

Scattered flurries

Variable cloudiness

Temp: -1oC o Low: -7 C Precip: 1- 3 cm

Temp: -4oC o Low: -11 C Precip: 1 cm snow

Temp: -5oC Low: -14oC Precip: none

December 7

Crossword December 5, 2012

December 9

December 8

CLUES ACROSS 1. German rapper 4. Aries sign 7. Atmosphere 8. Send payment for 10. Digs 12. Pathetically weak 13. Give a thrashing to 15. How a witch laughed 16. Being of use or service 17. Lassie’s breed 18. XXX Olympic site 21. Tax collector 22. Above average in size 23. It carries genetic information 24. E. central English river 25. Baked pastry-lined

VALLEY ECHO T he

dish 26. Basics 27. Manson murder book 34. Actress May 35. Dry white Italian wine from Verona 36. Easily conversed 38. Java pepper vine 39. Eagle nests 40. Irish mother of gods 41. Belongs to St. Paul’s architect 42. Soak flax 43. CGS work unit 44. Tooth caregiver CLUES DOWN 1. Common detergent measure 2. Island in Venice 3. Establish by

law or with authority 4. Exuding a strong odor 5. Walked leisurely 6. A unit of length equal to 1760 yards 8. Return to a useful condition 9. CNN’s Turner 11. Young herring in Norway 12. Disengagement 14. The lion zodiac sign 15. Mt. Washington railroad 17. The brain and spinal cord (abbr.)

19. Last decade of the 20th cent.

20. A major

invermerevalleyecho.com

250-342-9216 customerservice@ invermerevalleyecho.com

division of geological time 23. Causes to expand 24. Ed Murrow’s network 25. Happening in quick succession 26. They __ 27. Perceiver of sound 28. The last part

of anything 29. Top left corner key 30. Opposite of quiet 31. Knights’ outer tunic 32. Made level 33. Refutes in a legal case 36. Sound of a crow 37. In this place

Answer to November 28:

Horoscope Second week of December ARIES Aries, you will have to work hard at presenting a different image if you want to win over a few more fans. It might take a little time, but it is definitely within the realm of possibility.

TAURUS Taurus, take a break no matter how busy you are this week. It is for your own good to recharge with some R&R and then get back on track at work.

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 -->:

GEMINI Unexpected things can happen when you explore new possibilities, Gemini. Get out there and immerse yourself in other social circles so that you can take advantage of opportunities.

CANCER Cancer, run your ideas by a few people this week before you make a big presentation. This will help you to revise and tweak anything that needs a little work.

LIBRA There are too many happy things going on in your life to let any of the negative things bring you down, Libra. Face challenges with a smile, and you’ll sail through.

CAPRICORN Capricorn, give an idea that would require some significant changes its due consideration. This can impact both your career and personal life in a positive way.

LEO Leo, you will be full of energy this week and that energy helps you handle whatever is put on your plate. Take advantage of your productivity with a few days off next week.

SCORPIO Scorpio, despite firm convictions you cannot change others’ viewpoints all of the time.

Don’t be hard on yourself if other people do not see things the same way as you do.

AQUARIUS It may seem like too much money is going out of your pocket and not enough coming in, Aquarius. But the budget will balance out this month. Rest easy when making purchases.

SAGITTARIUS Sagittarius, sometimes you may believe there isn’t room for anyone else in the spotlight but you. Don’t let your ego get in the way of friendships. Share the glory.

PISCES Start a creative project that can be turned into something you keep for yourself, Pisces. It’s nice to enjoy the fruits of your creative labors.

VIRGO Virgo, jump on an opportunity to take a vacation. There won’t be many other opportunities this year to enjoy a vacation. So go along even if it’s related to work.

A22 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

Building your Wealth Market Update

Level

Weekly change

Year-to-Date

12,239

0.2%

2.4%

Dow

13,026

0.1%

6.6%

NASDAQ

3,010

1.5%

15.5%

Oil US$/B

$88.91

0.7%

-10.0%

CDN $ Per USD

$0.994

0.2%

-2.6%

S&P/TSX

Some thoughts on personal debt By now, we have all heard from the government what a terrible thing personal debt can be and how dangerous it is for the nation as a whole.

When I get worried about any of my clients, it is often focused on how vulnerable they are to the dangers of personal debt. Not many of my clients are in this category, because it is one of the things we go over pretty carefully.

The Canadian government gets concerned because of two issues that come with higher debt-loads, which are: 1. The loss of flexibility we suffer when our money is tied up in payments so we are unable to take advantage of opportunities, and; 2. Vulnerability to interest rate changes that could drive our payments higher. Together, these can lead to damaging consequences, including the danger of that terrible word — bankruptcy.

For the government, these possibilities create a concern about people so tied up with debt that they are unable to cover a rise in the interest rate, which in turn could result in an increase in bankruptcies.

That’s one of the big reasons for the warnings. Yet it always surprises me when the government says we should be careful about going too far into debt, while telling us how wonderful it is that credit is accessible for business because interest rates are so low. I guess it’s the same thing, viewed from a different angle.

The reason it comes as a surprise is the expectation we would not feel the temptation to buy things while credit is so cheap. It seems only natural.

There are, of course, reasons why that distinction is so clear in the minds of our government, even when it is not nearly so obvious to us, and it has a lot to do with those two thoughts I just described above.

In general, businesses are a bit more careful in regards to their financial realities than we are as individuals. To owners and managers, the dangers of excessive debt are visible faster and the consequences

are both faster and heavier, which makes them a bit more careful.

It’s easy to understand why some people feel a bit resentful that we will allow businesses to take advantage of the opportunities while we, ourselves and our families, should not. I have even heard people in

this community saying that businesses are all run by crooks and don’t deserve the breaks it seems they are so visibly given. What is being forgotten is that small businesses are usually privately owned, generally short of funds, and still create over 65% of all the jobs in Canada. I suspect it is actually a higher percentage in this area. Without small business — and even big business — in Canada, we would be in a lot more serious trouble than we are.

There is a bottom line to all this, and it does mean we need to be careful. That bottom line is that we are each responsible for our own choices. When those

choices lead us into difficulty, we are each responsible for the solutions to our problem.

I know we have a wide range of beliefs in this valley about how much government should take care of individuals and prevent them from hurting themselves.

However, one thing we can certainly agree on is that we are still protective of our freedom and not prepared to accept the limitations greater government involvement would put on it.

Yet that view means we will continue to experience the strange situation of having one segment encouraged to take advantage of low interest rates and the other segment cautioned about exactly the same thing. It’s just one of those things.

There are, however, some things we can do to ensure we each have confidence we are doing as well as possible. The first of these is that we need to do a personal assessment of our debt to determine how vulnerable we really are. One of the easier ways to do that is by asking ourselves some questions – something like, ‘How would I be affected if the interest rate on my debt was to rise by one percent? If it rose by two percent, how would it affect me? Would I be able to keep up with payments?’ If the answer is yes, we can breathe a little easier in the short term. But if the answer is ‘No, I would not be able to keep up,’ then we do have something to be worried about. In that case, there is another question we should ask ourselves: ‘What is the least important thing on which I owe money and could I give it up? If I can’t give it up, then what can I give up that would bring my payments down to what I can handle?’ If I answer by saying there is nothing I can give up, the next question is, ‘Do I declare bankruptcy now or later?’

We at CMK have often helped our clients do this sort of evaluation. We know how tough it can be. But we have also seen how much help this can be to a person in difficulty. It’s one of the things we do.

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A23

The Valley Echo Wednesday,December 5, 2012

Valley Life Photo by Nicole Trigg/The Echo The Valley Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Invermere display the fruit of their labour on Thursday (November 29) — lap quilts for the residents of Columbia House and pillow cases for the Family Resource Centre. (r-l) Mary Tristram, • Vintage Restoration • Custom Body & Paint Joanne Broadfoot, Heather • Domestic & Import • Sports & Utility Gramlich, Dianne Kienitz, your fender bender mender Elizabeth Peters, Frankie SHAWN OTTMANN Romacher, Sheila McKay, Owner/Operator Dawn Mackey,tell Jillus Bell,about your team • editor@invermerevalleyecho.com 250-409-4385 • lboautobody@gmail.com Anne McSheffrey, Karen #35 - 109, Industrial Rd #2, Invermere B.C. Wilson, Barb Smith, and Lorrie Richardson.

Photo by Nicole Trigg/The Echo Real Storage in Windermere hosted the Windermere Elementary School's Grade 3 class on Friday (November 30).

The students were given the chance to use Real Storage's store front as a canvas for a Christmastheme decorating party.

• Airline Tickets • Tours • Travel Insurance • Vacation Packages For all your travel needs.

TRAVEL TAKE ALONGS For all your luggage and travel accessories.

NOW ON SALE 40% OFF

ALL LUGGAGE

20% OFF

Photo by Steve Jessel/The Echo Copper Point Golf Club's Feed the Town on December 1 served hundreds of people. Columbia Valley RCMP Staff Sgt. Marko Shehovac was on hand to help as a volunteer while sporting his new hairdo courtesy of his detachment's Movember campaign. Having raised over $2,000, Shehovac agreed to have his hair dyed the RCMP colours.

Want to enjoy Christmas guilt-free but need to lose weight?

Come check out Ideal Protein, Invermere’s newest weight loss centre.

Slim & Trim cell 250 342 1249 store 250 342 2901 idealslim.trim@gmail.com

More energy...lose weight...feel great 1201 7th Ave [2nd Floor] Invermere BC V0A 1K0

Monday, December 10 7 - 9 p.m.

#3, 755 – 13th Street, Invermere 250-342-6978

Valley Voices In Concert

Sing for

Joy!

Friday & Saturday December 7th & 8th, 7:30 p.m.

Christ Church Trinity Adults $10 ~ Students $5

Christmas Pyjamas are in!

Tiffany Gulbe

GOOD TIME TO GET THAT NEW LUGGAGE GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS!

with special guests ~ Voices of EMP

Open house combined with Ladies’ Shopping Night at

Ideal Protein® Consultant

ALL TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

We also carry jewellery, leather, books and many more great gift selections

778-527-0027 7535 Main St W, Radium Hot Springs, B.C. Christmas Store Hours

Sunday - Wednesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tickets available at: INVERMERE - Essentials, Picture This RADIUM - Meet on Higher Ground Coffee Shop FAIRMONT - Fairmont Gift Shop

A24 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 The Valley Echo

Serving the Valley RADIUM HOT SPRINGS ESSO • Gas • Propane • Diesel • Automotive Repairs • Tires & Batteries • Greyhound

• CAA approved automotive repair •

MECHANICAL REPAIRS AVAILABLE 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 7 Days A Week

250-347-9726

7507 Main Street West

Sholinder & MacKay

Septic Tank Pumping Portable Toilet Rentals NEWER SEW ERA CAM

• Complete sewer/drain repairs • Reasonable rates - Seniors’ discount • Speedy service - 7 days a week • A well-maintained septic system should be pumped every 2-3 years • Avoid costly repairs

Sand & Gravel

Complete line of aggregate products for construction and landscaping

Snow Removal Service

The WaTer & air Company!

Ph: 250-342-5024 Cell: 250-688-5594 24 hour service

RR#3, 954 Swansea Road, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K3 www.equityrepair.ca • rjennix@hotmail.com

CONTRACT OR HOURLY MACHINE RENTALS AVAILABLE

DCS Plumbing & Heating Universal Doors & Exteriors Sales • Service • Installation

24-Hour Emergency Service

DOUG

250-341-8501 Senior Discount

Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy Ltd. J. Douglas Kipp, B. Sc. (Pharm.)

Laura Kipp, Pharm D. Irena Sedlakova, B. Sc. (Pharm.)

Your compounding pharmacy Come in and browse our giftware!

Open Monday - Saturday • 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-6612

• Garage Doors • Passage Doors • Truck Doors • Windows • Sunrooms • Patio Covers • Vinyl Decking • Aluminum Railings • Siding • Soffit • Facia • Window Capping • Renovations Invermere

Phone

Water Treatment: filtration and purification Furnace and Duct cleaning

Equity Repair & Maintenance Ltd.

• Excavators • Mini-Excavators • Bobcats • Dump Trucks • Water Trucks • Compaction Equipment • Snow Plow • Sanding Equipment • Crane Truck • Mobile Pressure Washing & Steam Cleaning • Underground Services • Site Prep & Demolition • Road Building • Land Clearing • Controlled Burning • Rock Walls • Rip Rap • Topsoil • Sand & Gravel

• Plumbing, Repair and Installation • Drain Lines • Hot Water Tanks

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

Office:

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

Hot Shot • 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

To advertise, call: 250-342-9216

250-342-6700

Purify the water you drink and the air you breathe!

Kerry Colonna

QUALITY QUALITYAUTO AUTOSERVICE SERVICE YOU YOUCAN CANTRUST TRUST

Lake LakeAuto AutoService Service ALL ALLMAKES MAKES••ALL ALLMODELS MODELS AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVEREPAIRS REPAIRS OPEN OPENMONDAY MONDAYTO TOFRIDAY FRIDAY 8:30 8:30A.M. A.M.- -5:30 5:30P.M. P.M. Main MainStreet Street••Downtown DowntownInvermere Invermere 250-342-9310 250-342-9310

Cranbrook Pest Control Environmentally-friendly integrated pest management Ask about our maintenance programs All work guaranteed

Thermal Imaging PEST QUESTIONS? Visit our website: WWW.CRANBROOKPESTCONTROL.COM info@cranbrookpestcontrol.com

250-426-9586 • 1-888-371-6299

to give your business maximum exposure for your advertising dollar?

Call 250-342-9216 for more information.

READY MIX CONCRETE Your search for quality and dependability ends with us.

Your search for quality and dependability ends with us.

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists

Carpet System & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists Guaranteed Truck Mounted • Customer Satisfaction

TruckHubman Mounted System • Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed Dean Toll Free: 877-342-3052

Dean Certifi ed Hubman Technician

Certified Technician 250-342-3052

250-342-3052

TollInvermere, Free: 877-342-3052 BC V0A 1K3 Invermere, BC V0A 1K3 odysseyrestoration@telus.net

odysseyrestoration@telus.net

• CONCRETE PUMP • SAND & GRAVEL • HEAVY EQUIPMENT RENTALS • CRANE SERVICE

Proudly serving the Valley for over 50 years.

For competitive prices and prompt service call:

250-342-5089

Located in the Diamond Heating & Spa building in Athalmer

250-342-3268 (plant) 250-342-6767 (office)