Similkameen Spotlight December 12, 2012
www.similkameenspotlight.com A5
SpotlightNEWS
Christmas Community Songfest Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Riverside Community Center Free admission Please bring a donation for Christmas hampers. Featuring our hometown choirs and audience sing-along. Sponsored by Princeton Community Arts Council
Rotary gift to Ridgewood Lodge On behalf of Princeton Rotary, president Judy Short and treasurer Mike Talarico presented a donation of $250 to Ridgewood Lodge. Accepting the donation are; Barb Gagnon recreation director, Lorena VanKoll, and Tracy Burnstall. The donation is towards the comfort fund, which assists with items that help the residents to enjoy their time at the lodge.
Join us for
Sushi Night
Wendy Bentley/Spotlight
Residents can save sooner with energy upgrade loan
Home efficiency loans pilot program debuts in the South Okanagan KELOWNA, B.C. – December 6, 2012: Residents of the South Okanagan can now improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their home with help from a new, innovative loan program offered by FortisBC PowerSense. “Renovating for energy efficiency can make a home more comfortable and cost less to heat and operate,” said Tom Loski, vice president, customer service. “By helping customers defer the upfront costs, we’re making it easier for customers to get started with saving energy and utility costs.” The new Renovating for Efficiency Loan program provides loans of up to $10,000 for energy efficiency upgrades that reduce either electricity or natural gas use. The upgrades are made based on recommendations from a home energy assessment, and could include replacing an old furnace with a new energy efficient model, upgrading from baseboard heaters to a heat pump, adding insulation or replacing an inefficient hot water tank. The loan is available for both gas and electricity saving retrofits and is paid back over 10 years as a set amount on the participant’s electricity bill. Financing program participants can also access LiveSmart BC and FortisBC rebates, which will bring the cost of making energy efficiency renovations even more affordable. Payment may also be transferred to the new owner if the home is sold if both buyer and seller agree and the buyer qualifies.
The program, now in pilot phase, is currently available to South Okanagan homeowners who receive their electricity bills directly from FortisBC. Owners of rental homes may apply for financing if the owner pays the utility bill. This pilot allows FortisBC to test a new approach that aims to make upgrading a home’s energy efficiency easier and more accessible to a greater number of customers. Over the next 2 years, the provincial government will work with FortisBC to evaluate the program with the intent of offering energy efficiency financing to customers across the province on a permanent basis. “Many British Columbians want to reduce how much electricity they consume, but they can be discouraged by the initial cost of making energy efficiency upgrades. The PowerSense Renovating for Efficiency Loan Program allows homeowners to pay for upgrades over time, making greener living more affordable for families,” said Hon. Rich Coleman, Ministry of Energy and Mines. For more information and information about how to apply, visit fortisbc.com/efficiencyloan. For more information on energy efficiency tips, rebates and programs to help you save energy in your home or business, contact your local PowerSense representative by calling 1-866-436-7847, email powersense@fortisbc.com or visit www.fortisbc. com.
REGIONAL DISTRICT OF OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN
NEXT Sushi Night is December 20, 2012 Due to winter driving conditions, Sushi Night will be held once per month. The next Sushi Night is December 20, 2012. Order from the menu or enjoy the fresh sushi buffet. Enjoy the stunning Copper Mountain view while enjoying sushi. Featuring fare from the award winning Isshin Sushi Bar, known as Penticton’s top choice for Japanese and Asian dining. Chef Kazunori Yoda, with over 20 years of experience, will be here in Princeton preparing fresh & authentic Japanese Maki and Nigiri Sushi. 102-151 Front St. Penticton, BC 250-770-1141
110 Bromley Place Princeton, BC 250-295-7628
Do you want to practise forestry in BC? New forestry designation available now
HOLIDAY HOURS OF OPERATION The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen main office at 101 Martin Street, Penticton, BC will be closed over the upcoming holiday season from: Tuesday, December 25, 2012 to Friday, December 28, 2012 inclusive Open Monday, December 31, 2012 Closed Tuesday, January 1, 2012 Reopen as usual Wednesday, January 2, 2012 If you have an urgent matter please call the RDOS Emergency After Hours Line at: 250-490-4141
The Board and staff of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen extend best wishes to everyone in the Okanagan Similkameen for a happy and healthy holiday season!
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.