Prince George Free Press, January 02, 2013

CITY: Mayor Shari Green looks ahead to what’s coming in 2013 A3 Wednesday, January 2, 2013 Jobs Minister Pat Bell postulates on the upcoming year A5

Newsline 250-564-0005

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Busted P h o to Co u r te s y o f th e RC M P

Marijuana discovered at Pilot Mountain residence that police searched just before Christmas. Three men are now facing charges.

Three men arrested a Pilot Mtn. grow-op.

An investigation into electricity theft led RCMP to a rather large marijuana growing operation on Pilot Mountain Road.

Just a few days before Christmas, members from the North District Integrated Marijuana Enforcement Task Force (NDIME), Prince George Detachment and North District Drug Section executed a search warrant regarding the theft of electricity allegedly occurring at the residence.

Police located a marijuana grow operation occurring

within the residence. In total,1,569 marihuana plants in various stages of growth were located and seized along with equipment used for growing marijuana. RCMP also seized evidence in relation to the theft of electricity.

“The estimated street value of this seizure was approximately $1.5 million,” said Const. Lesley Smith, North District Media Relations Officer, in a press release. “A hydro bypass was used to steal the electricity needed for this significant marijuana grow operation. The bypass was extremely dangerous as live wires were seen pro-

truding from the wall of the garage.

Two Prince George men, ages 36 and 59 years old and 41-year-old Smithers man were arrested and are facing charges for theft of telecommunications (electricity) as well as charges of production of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

All three men arrested at the residence will be making their first court appearance in Prince George on April 3, 2013.

■ CRIME

Former P.G. man charged with murder in Victoria Joshua Bredo now facing a first-degree charge in connection with Daniel Levesque death DON DESCOTEAU Black Press One year after charges of seconddegree murder against Joshua Tyler Bredo were stayed in B.C. Provincial Court, members of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) re-arrested him Friday in Okotoks, Alta.

Bredo, 26, was tried last year in Victoria following the homicide death of Daniel Jordan Levesque on Aug. 3, 2011.

Bredo, who is in custody in Victoria, will appear in court Monday to hear a new charge of first-degree murder.

“VIIMCU continued their investigation into this incident,” said RCMP Const. Margo Downey of VIIMCU. “As a result of new information, Crown coun-

sel laid a first-degree murder charge on Friday.”

Bredo had been released from jail in Victoria on Dec. 7. At the time, Victoria police Const. Mike Russell said he could still be charged for the crime, but there was not enough evidence to keep him in custody.

Levesque died following an incident inside an apartment suite at 732 Cor-

morant St. A massive investigation was launched, led by VIIMCU and supported

by VicPD. When police responded to a 911 call, both Levesque and Bredo were found suffering from stab wounds. They were taken to Victoria General Hospital, where Levesque, 20, died from his injuries.

Levesque had recently moved to Victoria from Revelstoke.

A2

Prince George Free Press

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A3

COURT: Court dockets continue to be full in Prince George A4 Jobs Minister Pat Bell takes a look at what’s ahead in 2013 A5

Up Front BILL PHILLIPS 250-564-0005 newsroom@pgfreepress.com

www.pgfreepress.com ■ HERE COMES 2013

‘We’re in the right place at the right time in this economy’ - Green

DELYNDA PILON newsroom@pgfreepress.com

During 2013 city council and the mayor will be busy with several issues and projects, working to decrease the tax levy, and finding a way to sustain road rehabilitation.

“Budget time is coming again, so we are conscious of what costs look like,” Mayor Shari Green said.

Green added there should be increased revenue in the budget for roads.

“We will fund some increases for roads, which we did not do last year, she said.

Last year, instead, money from one fund was used to plump the road rehabilitation fund, allowing the city to complete extra road rehab projects, a need expressed nearly universally by voters.

However, council was clear that the money was a ‘one-off’ and not sustainable. A more long-term plan will be put in place.

Council, Green added, is better educated on the roads and what it takes to fund the necessary infrastructure.

“Council is in a better state, being informed in respect as what we should do as to roads,” she said.

Another factor intrinsic to 2013 is that the union contract is up, and negotiations will set the new terms.

“In 2013 we will be doing work around the contract being up with union employees,” Green said.

The core service review outcomes will be more keenly felt in 2013 as well, Green said.

“We will see the beginnings of decisions and impacts on choices we’ve made during the core review,” Green said.

Developing and selling the land that is now home to the Pine Valley Golf course is one of the options within the core review, and an idea that has raised some controversy.

“When it comes to Pine Valley, I get responses for and against the idea,” she said. “The public had tremendous input during the core review. Now it’s in the hands of council.”

She added currently there is a third party operator under contract running Pine Valley, something to be taken into consideration when the final decision is made. However, the mayor believes the time for the golf course has passed.

“I think the time has come. The golfing industry has changed since Pine Valley was in its heyday and thrived. Now there is not enough people golfing in the facility to support it as we have in the past.”

Though selling the course will not impact the tax levy for next year, eroding

away at an estimated seven per cent tax increase is another job council will take on in the new year.

“Seven per cent was what was on the books in a very initial draft from staff. If all things being equal and we did nothing different, there would be over seven per cent in tax levy increase needed to pay the bills. That is not on with anyone in the community or anyone at the council table.”

Staff, she said, has to make some adjustments. Plus the core service review has helped in this respect already, with an increase in development services fees - bringing the city on-line to what similar municipalities are charging, and putting what’s likely to be about $300,000 more in the city’s coffers.

Green said during the core services review, it was discovered that development services was not charging enough in fees and services around building permits. The department had not had a critical look taken at its charges in several years, one of the jobs of local government, she said.

“We weren’t charging enough in some of our fees and charges. There will be a significant increase, equalling $300,000 a year in new revenue. It had not been looked at in over nine years.”

She said the new bylaw will take effect on Jan. 1.

She added the core services review has been a good experience for the city as a whole.

“It’s a 100 per cent a positive experience for this community to go through this process. We’re viewing our assets and services. It’s a normal practice in good governance. I think everyone appreciates we need to make sure we’re getting the best value for the tax dollars we collect,” she said, adding the core service review was one of her election platforms.

“This is what I ran on. This is what they sent me to do. I’ve said all along it would not be easy. If it was easy it would be done by now. I appreciate there are a few people out there who don’t like change, or who don’t agree with process. There was six months of public input, and I’ve read every e-mail, and this is exactly where i thought we would be at this stage of the game.”

It will take some time for the community understand the impact of the core services review.

“From my perspective some of the things will have an immediate impact.

At end of day, this community and staff needed to go through this process so we come out of the other side with a better understanding of where tax dollars are

Fre e Pre s s File Ph o to

Prince George Mayor Shari Green. going.

“I am very pleased with the work council has done this first year. We’ve been pretty aggressive, there’s no denying that, but we had a strong mandate and have delivered swiftly the changes we needed to make.”

The message for everyone, she said, is clear.

“Prince George is open for business and ready to grow, and we are positioning ourselves well as a community.”

Green expects a lot of excitement in the city in 2013, with Wood Innovation and Design Centre promised, however the province re-jigging the bidding process, another hotel announced for a few blocks

from city hall and the new RCMP building nearing completion.

Though working through the core review is next on the list, other things need to happen as well, Green said.

It’s time council took on crime reduction strategies.

Though there has been a great improvement in statistics, she said it’s something that must always be top of the mind. She said working with Supt.

Eric Stubbs at the local detachment and discussing best practices from other communities is on the agenda.

“There is a lot of positive energy in the community. We are at right place at right time in this economy,” Green said.

A4

Prince George - News - Free Press

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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Prince George Spruce Kings forward Jace Hennig fights off the checking of the Cowichan Valley Capitals’ Jamie Waddington during their B.C. Hockey League game on in Duncan. The Spruce Kings won the contest 4-3.

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Community Alert WA N T E D C Crime Stoppers is asking the ppublic’s assistance in locating the ffollowing person who is wanted on a British Columbia wide warrant.

AAs of 1030 hrs this 26th day of December 2012, Robert Frederick D BASIL (B: 1979-09-14) is wanted B oon a British Columbia wide warrant Robert Frederick for POSSESS PROHIBITED WEAPON. BASIL BASIL is described as a First 177 cm or 5’9.5” Nations male, 177 cm or 5’9.5” tall 70 kg or 155 lbs. and weighs 70 kg or 155 lbs. BASIL has black hair and brown eyes.

BASIL should be considered violent.

WA N T E D Crime Stoppers is asking the public’s assistance in locating the following person who is wanted on a British Columbia wide warrant.

As of 1030 hrs this 26th day of December 2012, Lonnie Edward DURACK (B: 1969-03-19) is wanted on a British Columbia wide Lonnie Edward warrant for ROBBERY. DURACK is DURACK described as a Caucasian male, 188 cm or 6’2” 188 cm or 6’02” tall and weighs 98 kg or 216 lbs. 98 kg or 216 lbs. DURACK has brown hair and blue eyes. DURACK should be considered violent.

WA N T E D Crime Stoppers is asking the public’s assistance in locating the following person who is wanted on a British Columbia wide w warrant. As of 1030 hrs this 26th day of w December 2012, Troy Leon GHOSTKEEPER (B: 1976-12-25) is wanted on a British Columbia wide warrant for UTTERING TTHREATS TO CAUSE BODILY HARM. Troy Leon GHOSTKEEPER is described as a First Nations GHOSTKEEPER male, 177 cm or 5’9.5” tall and weighs 64 177 cm or 5’9.5” kg or 141 lbs. GHOSTKEEPER has black hair 64 kg or 141 lbs and brown eyes. Troy Leon GHOSTKEEPER also goes by Leon Troy GHOSTKEEPER. GHOSTKEEPER should be considered violent.

If you have information regarding these crimes call CRIMESTOPPERS

1-800-222-8477 www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca

You will remain anonymous. You may be eligible for a cash reward.

Remember... We don’t need your name - just your information

A nd re w LEONG / Fre e Pre s s

Courts busy in Prince George In Provincial Court in Prince George on Sept.

27: Stewart J. Pierre was found guilty of failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to 22 days in jail.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Sept.

28: Danny J. Alexis was found guilty of aggravated assault, sentenced to six months in jail, placed on probation for 18 months and prohib-

ited from possessing firearms for 10 years.

Pamela S.M. Creak was found guilty of theft of property with a value less than $5,000 and placed on probation for six months.

Desmond R. Morrison was found guilty of assault, sentenced to 60 days in jail and placed on probation for 18 months. Morrison was also found guilty of theft, mischief and failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to one day in jail.

April M. Shaw was found guilty of assault, sentenced to 90 days in jail, placed on probation for three years and prohibited from possessing firearms for five years. Shaw was also found guilty of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Kevin S. Ward was found guilty of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance and sentenced to one day in jail.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Oct. 1: Gordon D. Fleming was found guilty of careless use of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized and failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance, received a conditional sentence of four months, was placed on probation for 18 months and received a lifetime prohibition on the possession of firearms.

Sheldon R. Stewart was found guilty of possession of stolen property with a value less than $5,000, sentenced to one day in jail and

placed on probation for 12 months.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Oct. 2: Kevin J. Beattie was found guilty of failing to comply with a probation order, fined $400 and assessed a victim surcharge of $60.

Nikita L. Joseph was found guilty of theft of property with a value less than $5,000 and placed on probation for one year.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Oct. 3: Christopher A. Clark was found guilty of driving while prohibited, fined $500, assessed a victim surcharge of $75 and prohibited from driving for one year.

Hang T. Huynh was found guilty of production of a controlled subAre you new to stance, received a conditional senPrince George? tence of 18 months, was assessed a victim surcharge of $100 and prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years.

Have you delivered a baby Karl D. Joseph was found guilty in the last 3 months? of assaulting a peace officer, senOr know someone who is pregnant? tenced to 153 days in jail, assessed a victim surcharge of $50 and placed on probation for one year. Joseph Welcome Wagon has was also found guilty of two counts information and gifts to present of theft of property with a value less than $5,000, sentenced to 61 days on these occasions. in jail, assessed a victim surcharge of $50 and placed on probation for Visits are done by appointment only one year. please call …

Daniel R. Mason was found guilty of assaulting a peace officer, Corrine Kirkpatrick assessed a victim surcharge of $50 and placed on probation for 12 250 640-0637 months. corrine.kirkpatrick@gmail.com Tyler G. Block was found guilty welcomewagon.ca of driving while prohibited, fined $500, assessed a victim surcharge of $75 and prohibited from driving for one year.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Oct. 4: Jessica M. Antoine was found guilty of failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to 12 days in jail. Antoine was also found guilty of a second With over 30 years of experience, I can help you preserve your freedom, reputation and livelihood. count of failing to comply with a probation For an appointment call 564-4454 order and sentenced to 980 Fourth Avenue, Prince George • aartsenlaw.com 14 days in jail.

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■ HERE COMES 2013

Bell says time to be a global player DELYNDA PILON

newsroom@pgfreepress.com

For Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell, there are a few issues in this year’s upcoming election that are likely to be forefront, however the Northern Gateway Pipeline is not among them.

That issue, he said, though controversial is not likely to come to a head until 2014.

“I think for me there’s two, maybe three, overwhelming issues that probably rank higher than others,” Bell said. “I really think 2013 is going to be the time when British Columbians decide whether they want to enter the world stage or not.”

The province, he said, has a lot going for it including a diversity of natural resources, unlike some provinces who rely on a single resource.

These include energy, mining and forestry. Location also plays a part in this opportunity, lying on the Pacific coast.

“We really have this once in lifetime opportunity to become a global player, but there are many others who want that same opportunity.

Really there’s only room for one or two. If British Columbia wants to lead globally and take its place on the global stage, it has to earn it, and that means making good business decisions.”

These include providing a stable productive environment with the right level of incentives for those prepared to invest in B.C. Bell said those who argue these emerging markets should be pursuing B.C. scare him.

“To me that’s exactly the problem. We don’t just deserve it, nor will we be automatically placed on the level of the recognition globally we think we are owed. We have to earn it. Those who say differently are the problem, not solution, and are the ones who probably scare me most,” he said. “I have been in business all my life, and politics the last 12 years. We need to compete.”

Bell likened the need to compete to a 100metre dash.

“If we go on a national stage, we need to bring our A-game,” he said. “You’re standing on the starting line of 100-metre dash. Do you want to land in first or be an also ran? That to me really is part the problem and one B.C. will face in 2013. It is a pivotal year where we determine where we sit on the global stage - will we be a leader or has-run?”

The current government created the opportunity, he said, by investing in Prince Rupert, doubling its presence internationally, opening offices in India and enlarging and opening more offices in China. The premier has gone on three trade missions in 21 months, and Bell has gone on eight in six years.

“All those things put together have created an opportunity, and now it’s time to make a decision to take full advantage of it or squander it.

It’s a big decision for B.C., probably the one time people will have that opportunity.”

The second issue, he said, might be surprising to some.

“The second thing, I think that’s more important now than ever is trying to develop a long term economic agreement with the teachers in the province. We’ve suggested 10 years is the right amount of time,” Bell said. “There has been far too much turmoil in our K-12 education system, and I’d like to remind the opposition they had no more success in coming to contract agreements with the BCTF than we had. In fact they had none. So it’s not a party issue, but it is an issue we need to face. We need happy, content educators who are excited to be part of great education system.”

There have been some successes, Bell said, like the first year of full day Kindergarten across

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Fre e Pre s s File Ph o to

Jobs, Tourism, and Innovation Minister Pat Bell. the province.

The agreement, will need to be bold and visionary, one that will, in the end, provide a far more stable environment in the education system.

“We already have great teachers. If we give them an opportunity to focus on the students, they will be happy to.”

Bell agreed the notion met with a lot of criticism.

“The reaction was mixed. Some folks in the BCTF found the concept challenging. Some of front line people felt it makes a lot of sense.

Remember, Dr. Charles Jago was given little chance of success, yet he achieved one of the two only collective negotiated agreements in the last several years.”

Finally, he said, getting the Wood Innovation Design Centre started, will be important.

“Finally, people really will be very happy to see the WIDC under construction,” Bell said. “I will remind people the cancer centre took six or seven years from announcement to construction.”

The Northern Gateway pipeline, he said, will not be as much of an election issue as some think.

“I think Northern Gateway will come to its own conclusion. As a province we’ve said there are five specific conditions. I think those are reasonable. I am disappointed people more often than not focus on one. Each of the other four elements are equally important. The premier said unless you get through the first four, you don’t even get to the fifth one.

“It will come to a natural conclusion, and don’t think this will happen in 2013. I don’t think

B.C.’s fate depends on Northern Gateway. It does depend on a lot of other things. Northern Gateway is one small element of it. A responsible position on Northern Gateway

is to make sure if goes forward only in the most environmentally responsible way possible, and the province gets benefits from it, we are the only ones who’ve said that,” Bell said.

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A6

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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Opinion

The Prince George Free Press, founded in 1994, is published every Wednesday and Friday in Prince George by Prince George Publication Limited Partnership. Contents copyright of Prince George Publication Limited Partnership.

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A promise of politics I

s there an election in the offing?

You bet there is. The proof is in the government press releases that are cranked out on a daily basis. There must be legions of folks within the only true growth sector in B.C. right now – the premier’s office – coming up with new ways to spin the news out of government.

The latest is a tagline that is now appearing at the top of many news releases emanating from Victoria.

It is: “Promise made, promise delivered.”

Yes, some political flunky is probably pocketing more than 100 grand of your tax dollars to come up with such slogans in an attempt to try and convince you, the voter, that the Liberal government is doing what it told you it would do.

That’s all fine and dandy.

However, it’s politicking. It shouldn’t be creeping – or more aptly, barreling – into government press releases. But, of course, Premier Christy Clark thought nothing of spending millions of your tax dollars on blatantly political television ads this fall.

We expect … no, demand … better.

Come north, young immigrant

O

ne of the issues that has dominated discussion in the North this past year has been the shortage of skilled labour.

Ottawa made it easier last year for temporary foreign workers to enter Canada to work, touching off the huge controversy over China bringing in workers to work at its coal mine near Chetwynd.

That, however, is only a part of the overall issue of attracting people to this province, whether temporary foreign workers or as immigrants.

Here is some food for thought.

British Columbia’s population grew by 0.35 per cent between July 1 and October 1, increasing to 4,638,825.

During the third quarter of 2012, B.C. gained a total of 12,356 persons. B.C. had a net outflow of about 2,750 people to other parts of Canada, but acquired over 15,000 from other parts of the world.

Net international migration in the third quarter of 2012 accounted for most of the province’s population growth. B.C.’s net international migration was 15,104 over this period, down slightly from 15,689 in the same quarter of 2011.

Between July 1 and October 1, B.C. welcomed more than 9,000 immigrants and almost as many non-permanent residents.

Of these, about a third were admitted as skilled workers, and another quarter under the theme of family re-unification.

Asian countries remained the leading sources of immigrants to B.C., with China and India providing the largest shares. Overall, most immigrants were destined for the Vancouver area.

We have to look at ways of attracting some of them north.

■ OPINION

The adventure of 2013 Here we are in the New Year. So what will 2013 There will be lots of angst, gnashing of teeth, bring for us? and lives put in upheaval as the core of city counIf it’s like other years, probably a lot cil goes about doing what it had planned of things we didn’t see coming. Lots of to do long before the core services review surprises, adventures, and wonderful process began … attacking itself.

Writer’s stories.

I’m always amazed at the number of Block There are few things that we are politicians there are in the world who pretty sure are going to happen. There BILLPHILLIPS feel public servants are a waste of taxwill be a provincial election in May. payers’ dollars.

However, I still have this feeling in the back of my The public debate over the proposed Northern head that if the Liberals’ chances get worse, PreGateway pipeline isn’t likely to diminish much in mier Christy Clark will find some excuse to delay the new year either, given that the Joint Review the election … just as those before who have seen Panel is expected to deliver its recommendations the writing on the wall but refuse to accept what it by the end of the year. It’s too bad the panel isn’t says. going to deliver its report prior to the May elecIt should be a very interesting race here, which tion, then we’d have some fun. could become even more interesting if the BC As for the self-proclaimed Harper government, Conservatives can find a candidate who has some we can expect more dismantling of our democracy credibility. The Liberals, of course, are hoping for as the Conservatives continue to move down the more implosion over at the Conservative camp as path to true authoritarian rule. If there is one issue that will make their job that much easier. At the that we should all be up in arms about, it’s the fact same time, the Libs are likely hoping the Greens that the Conservatives in Ottawa are becoming come up with someone good to siphon off left-ofmore dictatorial by the day. centre votes from the NDPers.

There are many predictions to be made about the The election will likely be fought over the year ahead. However, if any of us knew what was issue of jobs and the economy, which is too bad. really going to happen the Mayans might as well It should be fought over the issues of education, have been right. health care, and the environment.

There is no fun in knowing. The adventure is in Closer to home the core services review will the unexpected, the amazing, and the intriguing. come home to roost as city council grapples with My only hope is that 2013 has all that and more. its self-created crisis.

Happy New Year.

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A7

Viewpoints www.pgfreepress.com

250News also ‘made the call’

Editor: On Monday, December 24, the Free Press suggested that it was the “only” media outlet in town to make a call about the wrong trial date in the Legebokoff matter, that is wrong.

Your editorial says that Teresa Mallam was the only one to make the call.

Hate to break it to you folks, you are dead wrong.

You go on to say that pre trial applications can be anything from an argument for a change of venue to a request for a publication ban.

There already exists a publication ban. If your reporter attended the courtroom, Wednesday December 19 they would have seen the publication ban on the door leading into the

court room. They also would have been informed of the circumstances surrounding the calling of two media outlets to task.

250News did not report that the trial date had been set, nor has it ever.

We did report that Mr. Justice Glen Parrett had taken two of the local media to task including HQ Prince George for misleading reporting.

Had your reporter been in court they would have been afforded the opportunity to hear the Judge explain, why CKPG and HQ had been called before him, it wasn’t just about the inaccuracy of reporting a trial date.

Your editorial also noted: “It was reported on a local website recently that the trial date for Cody Lege-

bokoff would get underway on September 9.”

Good journalism, as you are aware, is in getting the facts right.

You did not. Good journalism dictates that you do not, for example, suggest that the whole council is corrupt when perhaps only one member is. Courage of conviction dictates that you “get it right”, as you suggest.

There are at least five different “local websites” in the city, why so squeamish on reporting which one it was if your interest is getting it right?

I have made mistakes in the past and prey that in the future I will not repeat.

Ben Meisner 250News

Tumultuous year comes to an end Setting aside times for retrospection and celebration is a gles of pink cascading across the ditches. Course if you were tradition as old as human-kind itself. going the other way - well then it was the smell of money.

The Romans dedicated New Year’s Day to the God of Being home is about more than geography, though. It also beginnings (as well as gates and doors), Janus, who had two means proximity to family and old friends. And it means faces, one looking forward and one looking back. I suppose, being compared to the woman you left behind - the one that that, as well as anything, radiates the power of the new year, micro-waved eggs because she figured they cooked faster with each of us getting the opportunity to check our course that way (you know, sometimes they actually blow up??) and make adjustments for the future, so we get where we to this me, a long-time mom who actually bakes her own want to go. bread. From scratch. I remember Rolly’s (my brother) shock For myself, last year was fairly tumultuous. I’ve always when he heard someone request my cooking - on purpose, thought I was pretty good at facing change. My life has even. For me, this year, it also meant adding two people to always swung on a dime. I’ll be going along, my family after one of my best friends passed caught in the rhythm of the time, one day away just before last Christmas. We are all trymuch like the next when BAM, everything ing hard to find our way, and I know we’ll do all Life in changes. For example, I was working at right in the end. Meanwhile, I guess it’s about the fat Quesnel City Taxi, went to work one day, and the journey, right? lane BAM, the shop was closed, the doors were I’ve also learned a lot about what is really DELYNDAPILON important to me, and what is just fluff. I mean, locked and we were all unemployed. So, with a young boy I was raising on my own, I latched onto an not to disrespect fluff. I like it a lot once in a while. But it’s opportunity to go back to college, neck and nose with a like candy. If you fill yourself up with too much of it, you bunch of teens, and BAM, I’m the editor of the County Com- will leave yourself hungry for substance. mentator.

I also think I’m learning a bit more about the nature of Life brought me back to Prince George, and I love being God, or the universal plan, or whatever you choose to name home. They say our sense of smell is the oldest we have, this knowledge, this wisdom and care that comes from the first to come alive after we leave the womb. I know beyond our own abilities. Not that I’m militant about my all the jokes about smells in Prince George - like in the old beliefs or that I’m going to pull out an automatic weapon days when the mills were belching fogs of smog over the and army knife if you say Happy Christmas instead of bowl while momma checked the baby’s diaper and daddy Merry Christmas (though political correctness bores the heck grinned, smoke hanging askew from his lips, cackling ‘it’s out of me), but occasionally I am lucky enough to catch a bit the smell of money.’ But for me Prince George smells equate of a glimpse into the mystery of it all, and it astounds me. that first pure green of spring, the smell that wafts across the So I guess I’ll have to throw all that hope, desire and a cutbanks when the carved faces come alive again, sproutgood pinch of fear into one pot and see how it forms into ing colour. Or that smell of clean - that’s the only word I can the next year. I know there will be ups and downs, highs think to describe it - when the snowflakes are thick and soft, and lows, but in the end the good will far outweigh the bad. falling in drifts, yet the breeze is warm and you feel invigoMeanwhile, since I’ve completed the introspective part of rated. Or wild roses in the summer, the scent that used to fill this holiday, isn’t it time to celebrate? Did someone say Samthe car when you travelled east, up airport hill, from the tan- buca?

Predicting a dearth of predictions So this is 2013.

Looks a lot like 2012 so far, just a bit older.

And whiter. Definitely whiter.

I guess the predictions about the world coming to an end on Dec. 21 were wrong, although I did run into one friend who said, “Actually, it did end last night. It’s just that nobody noticed.”

That was a little bit deeper in philosophy than I wanted to go at that point, so I just wished her a Merry Christmas and went on my way.

This is normally the column where I make (supposedly) wise and (supposedly) witty comments on what to expect in the next 12 months.

The only problem is, Allan’s I have no idea. Neither Amblings does anyone else.

ALLANWISHART Go back and look at all the columns people wrote at the beginning of 2012 about what was going to happen that year.

I’ll wager a lot of the predictions were wrong.

Maybe some people predicted Barack Obama would be re-elected, but that was probably about it.

I doubt that anyone predicted the final game of the 2012 Stanley Cup finals would be the last NHL game of the year.

I doubt anyone predicted a huge storm would strike the eastern coast of the United States.

Some people may have “predicted” a disaster to strike the area, but that’s the same as “predicting” there will be tension in the Middle East and that famine will continue to ravage Africa.

What I want to see this year is some real predictions, right now. Like how many seats each party will win in the provincial election in B.C. this year.

Or which team will win the Grey Cup. Or which of the 22 million steps of the approval process Enbridge will have gotten to on the Northern Gateway Project by the end of the year.

It shouldn’t be that hard, but I’m not going to risk anything.

Instead, I’ll just predict everyone out there will have highs and lows this year, and I hope the highs outnumber the low.

Have a great 2013.

Free Press reserves the right to reject unsigned letters. Letters are edited for brevity, legality and taste. Contact Editor Bill Phillips, 250-564-0005

Coffee with a reporter

Stories come to reporters in a variety of ways. News releases, press conferences and phone calls are some.

Sometimes you might think whatever story you have in mind isn’t worth a phone call or visit to the newspaper’s office, but is it worth a cup of coffee?

Reporter DeLynda Pilon would like the chance to hear what you have to say so every Friday at 11 a.m. she will be having a coffee break at Zoe’s Java House at 1251 Fourth Ave., and is hoping you will drop by to chat. Or just stop in and introduce yourself.

11:00 am Fridays at Zoe’s Java House at 1251 - 4th Avenue

DELYNDAPILON

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Prince George Free Press

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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Tuesday, April 16thh, 2013 | Prince George Civic Centre Conference & Workshops 8:00am–4:00pm | Awards Gala 6:00pm–10:00pm Keynote speakers:

Diane Buckner

Thank you to the following partners of the Women of thee North Nor th Conference: Conferen

Mayor Lori Ackerman

Host of CBC’s Dragons’ Den Fort St. John

Award categories: Rising Star Sponsored by: CNC NC

Opening Ceremonies:

Community Enrichment Award Sponsored by: Prince George Chamber of Commerce

Influence & Impact Woman of the Year Home Based Business Women of the Year Award Business Women of the Year Award Sponsored by: Investors Group

Shirley Bond, MLA

Mayor Shari Green

Prince George – Valemount Justice Minister and Attorney General

Prince George

Professional Woman of Distinction Award Aboriginal Women of Distinction Award Sponsored by: Aboriginal Business Development Centre

For more information contact Shirly Prokopchuk at spnorthernevents@gmail.com | 250.552.3817 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

* Watch the Prince George Free Press for registration and nomination information

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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HERE COMES 2013: Lots in store for the city this year A10

Community

You can help teach the world to sing in January A11

TERESA MALLAM 250-564-0005 arts@pgfreepress.com

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Free Press

Playbill WALK FOR MEMORIES The Investors Group Walk for Memories is to help raise money and awareness for families who are affected by dementia. The event will be held in Prince George on Sunday, Jan. 27 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Northern Sport Centre at UNBC. Registration is at 2:30 p.m. in the Wolf Pack Room.

Volunteers can help make the event a success says Leanne Jones, support and education coordinator. For more information about available volunteer positions or ways to help phone 1-800-667-3742 or visit www. alzheimerbc.org.

Participants who join the walk do so to celebrate the life of someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia and to raise money for Alzheimer Society of B.C. programs and services in their community that can help.

Money raised is also invested into research for a cure.

COLDSNAP Come in from the cold and warm up with the hottest music in the country.

Coldsnap Music Festival 2013 has a variety of entertainment for all tastes in music. Acts include Celtic singer Andrew McFayden, contemporary aboriginal artist Diyet and her band from the Yukon, U.K. musician Jake Morley, singer songwriter Matt Epp from Winnipeg, Shred Kelly, PG idol winner Chazz Amos and back by popular demand, Dala along with a host of others. For a full schedule of events and line-up visit the Coldsnap Music Festival website at www.coldsnapfestival.com.

Tickets for Coldsnap events are available at Books and Company and Studio 2880.

A limited amount to tickets are sold on line through the website. On January 26, don’t miss the French Canadian Folk Music night, in addition to the regular outlets tickets are also available at the CCFPG office.

Sub mitte d Ph o to

There are some great acts coming to CN Centre in 2013, including Carrie Underwood who is here May 21.

■ HERE COMES 2013

Great slate of shows at CN Centre TERESA MALLAM arts@pgfreepress.com

The sky’s the limit when you have a solid foundation, lots of building blocks and support from the local community.

In 2013, CN Centre is anticipating another big year with exciting concerts, top notch acts, sports and special events.

“CN Centre plans to build upon the achievements of previous shows in order to continue to bring exciting entertainment options to Northern B.C.,” says Glen Mikkelsen, entertainment and marketing manager.

“We have benefited from the success of shows like KISS, John Mellencamp and John Fogerty. When promoters and artist agents

see this community purchasing tickets and supporting these shows, that encourages them to take a second look at this market.

It is not a fallacy that success breeds success.”

That’s where the CN Centre’s solid foundation comes in.

“It is a non-stop issue for us to make Prince George a stop on artists’ tours. In terms of remoteness from a major centre, there are few cities in North America that face the same travel hurdles as the CN Centre. So it’s incumbent upon us to make the shows run smoothly and successfully in order for agents to want to bring other artists to this community.”

Some of the entertainers who will take

the stage at the CN Centre in the next few months include The Price is Right Live (March 6) the Pink Floyd Experience (March 11,) 94Xplosion Volbeat - Danko Jones (March 25,) Jerry Seinfeld (May 2,) Carrie Underwood (May 21,) The venue’s good reputation is key, says Mikkelsen.

“It is a common refrain in the venue industry that ‘you re only as good as your last show.’

“So we’re constantly reviewing our operations, looking for ways to make for our ticket-buying customers.

“We are very grateful for the feedback we receive from our clients as it helps all of us offer a better entertainment experience.”

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■ HERE COMES 2013

TNW brings the laughs this year TERESA MALLAM arts@pgfreepress.com

Prince George’s professional theatre company expects us to enjoy lots of laughs with its remaining plays of the season.

Indeed, Theatre North West is looking forward to continuing the positive momentum established in the first half of the 2012/13 season in its second half, which offers two comedies,” says TNW marketing officer Jeremy Stewart.

The first one, Privilege, will be directed by former artistic director Ted Price and features two local men “tag teaming” the role of one of the main characters.

“We are thrilled to be pairing “the

Teds” again (director Ted Price and scenic designer Ted Roberts) who worked together on last year’s Brighton Beach Memoirs. Privilege will offer some muchneeded laughter in February while also reminding us about the power of family and the ties that bind.”

The final play of the season is Henry and Alice: Into the Wild – the sequel to the wildly popular Sexy Laundry that TNW produced in 2009.

This uproarious comedy about the challenges of middle age will see the return of Karen Johnson-Diamond who played Becky in last season’s Becky’s New Car as well as Annabel Kershaw who many people will remember from A Streetcar Named Desire. Director Johnna

Wright is new to Prince George but no stranger to the theatre scene, having directed for Pi Theatre in Vancouver and Shaw Festival in Ontario.

“It won’t be long until we’re gearing up for the 13/14 season which, while we can’t say anything yet, promises some pretty spectacular fun,” said Stewart.

“The full season line-up will be revealed during the run of Henry and Alice. TNW will also be unveiling a new community initiative this fall – a competition for local playwrights.

“Details about that will follow in the next few months but we’re very excited by the possibilities of working with local authors and seeing their work produced in 2015.”

Two Rivers Gallery has many delights planned TERESA MALLAM arts@pgfreepress.com

Two Rivers Gallery with its soaring architectural ceilings is now reaching for new heights in the quality and number of services it provides, says managing director Peter Thompson.

“In 2013 Two Rivers Gallery will be growing in several ways to serve the community better.

We will be hiring another full time person to join our curatorial staff; this will help us with community-focused exhibitions in particular. We will also have a full time co-op univer-

sity student in our marketing department from January until August to provide assistance with a range of new initiatives, from a spring fundraising dance in March to better promotion for the shop at the gallery.”

Thompson said there are plans for exciting new studio programs.

“Our Youth Maker Lab starting in January is for young people (aged nine to 14) who can have a blast designing and building cool contraptions and tinkering with fascinating things. Our exhibition schedule is also exhilarating. We start

the year with nature-inspired paintings by Rick Leong and Jennifer Wanner.”

Leong, who is from Quesnel, has become widely known for his dreamlike landscape oil paintings that combine Chinese and Canadian traditions to express the human psyche through the language of the landscape. Wanner’s botanical watercolour paintings and video works explore our relationship to nature in ways which evoke, but also escape, both romantic and objective scientific representations. Both exhibitions open on January 17.

Creativity remains key, says Thompson.

“The global multinational IBC surveyed 1,500 CEOs from 60 countries and 33 industries worldwide and found that their most important leadership quality is creativity. It’s just common sense that we need creative thinking skills to adapt to our unpredictable economic environment and create financial and social value.”

Thompson said in 2013 Two Rivers Gallery will continue to be one of our community’s vital resources for the thinking skills that embody and celebrate creativity.

Imagine how you can move There will be a few movers and shakers in the city in 2013.

Imagination Movers will unveil their Canadian Rock-O-Matic tour at Vanier Hall on May 3. Rick, Scott, Dave and Smitty – of the Emmy-winning Disney Channel TV series Imagination Movers – will be bringing their high octane rock concert here with real guitar and real drums. The Movers were the highest rated and most popular live family act of 2011.

They key to the Movers’ appeal is they combine danceable power pop songs with catchy choruses and a knack for inspiring audience participation. Throw in a heaping helping of onstage silliness and you’ve got a recipe for a live musical event that will truly engage children of all ages. In 2011, their Big Warehouse tour garnered critical praise from fans including a five-star rating on Ticketmaster.

On the Rock-O-Matic tour the guys will be playing all their favourite songs from their wildly popular TV series as well as debuting new material from their brand-new Rock-O-Matic CD/DVD. The Imagination Movers began in 2003 as a rock band for kids in New Orleans and they have grown into the stars of a hit television series seen in over 55 countries on the Disney Channel.

On the show, the Movers star as four friends who work together in the Idea Warehouse to solve problems through creativity and teamwork. Their friends Nina and Warehouse Mouse are there to help along the way as the Movers brainstorm ideas and explore the Warehouse’s many magical rooms. Each episode features two or more original Movers songs. For more information visit www. imaginationmovers.com.

10TH ANNUAL

BC NATURAL RESOURCE FORUM

Produced by:

Northern British Columbia BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS

For more information and tickets 250.640.7469 | www.bcnaturalresourceforum.com | www.businesstechshow.com sinesstechshow.com

PRINCE GEORGE CIVIC CENTRE Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 | 9:00am–4:00pm Thursday, January 10th, 2013 | 9:00am–4:00pm

HOSTED BY Y The Honourable Pat at Bell Be ell MLA Prince George – Mackenzie cken nzi zie e Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills killls ls Training Trainin T in ng and Minister Responsible for orr Labour Lab abou o r ou

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Michel Lamarre Project Manager, Rio Tinto Wednesday Morning, Jan. 9th, 2013

MIKE CORY CN Rail Senior Vice-President Western Region Luncheon Keynote Speaker Wednesday, January 9th, 2013

Douglas Bloom President Canadian LNG, Spectra Energy Wednesday Morning, Jan. 9th, 2013

Kevin Evans CEO, Industry Training Authority Wednesday Afternoon, Jan. 9th, 2013

Steve Zika CEO Hampton Industries

SENATOR NANCY GREENE RAINE Luncheon Keynote Speaker Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Thursday Morning, Jan. 10th, 2013

Robert Gallagher President and CEO New Gold Thursday Afternoon, Jan. 10th, 2013

Title Sponsor:

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Prince George - Community - Free Press

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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■ HERE COMES 2013

You can teach the world to sing in January

Photo Submitted

The Prince George Sweet Adelines welcome new voices in the New Year.

The Prince George Sweet Adelines wants women singers to come and be part of an international effort to Teach the World to Sing during the month of January.

Sweet Adelines is a worldwide organization encouraging women to try out women’s harmony singing, barbershop-style.

“It’s like Glee but for grown-ups,” says Adelines member Kathleen O’Connell. “Women get to try out four-part harmony for eight weeks, get great vocal training, including a master coach and then they show off what they’ve learned at the end.”

While the local group is taking a break this year, most years the chorus competes in a western Canada-wide competition.

This maintains a good vocal standard and is a strong motivator to practise hard.

This year though, new singers can relax a bit, get to know the singing style and fig-

ure out what part of the four-part harmony fits for them. A focus for Sweet Adelines (the White Spruce City chorus) is to perform around town at special events, for community groups and for seniors. So watch out for them on Valentine’s Day when Sweet Adelines members are hired to serenade unsuspecting spouses at home and friends at their workplaces.

Any women interested in finding out about barbershop-style singing can come to rehearsal Tuesday, January 8 at 7 p.m. Studio 2880, 2880 15th Ave. For more phone 250-563-2975.

Let’s CELEBRATE!

My predictions? Good stories.

There are certain predictions people Things to do, people to meet, places how many people were inspired by should just not make. to go. That, dear reader, is where you that story – I say that not to puff Like picking a date for the end of come in. This is an open invitation for myself out with self-importance as a FAMOUS PLAYERS 6 1600 15th Ave, Prince George the world. Because now that I and all anyone in the community to write me writer but to show how one story can 250-612-3993 my fellow homo sapiabout their own human often magically “grow legs” and help www.cineplex.com ens have survived Dec. interest stories, any news readers to learn to walk again.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 21, 2012 – despite in my of exhibitions, concerts and So keep those cards and letters comTea RISE OF THE GUARDIANS case, a hearty round of special events. ing. Kind compliments of any length (G: Adventure, Animation) May frighten young children 11:30pm with pre-Christmas parties, Tell me about your new are welcome – but please keep the THE HOBBIT: Teresa some foolhardy “End-ofgroup, the original song you harsh criticism to under five words AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (3D)(NO PASSES) the-World” online shopwrote, the award you won, and the gifts to under $5 or I have to (14A: Adventure, Fantasy) Violence 12:30, 2:30, 6:15, 9:55pm ping and lots of personal the talent you have. declare them to the boss.

THE HOBBIT: TERESAMALLAM AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY (NO PASSES) procrastination with my I promise to try to weave Happy New Year, everyone. The best (14A: Adventure, Fantasy) Violence 2:00, 5:45, 9:30pm work deadlines – we all it into a wonderful story. is yet to come.

JACK REACHER (NO PASSES) have to focus on what lies ahead.

Remember the Free Press (PG: Crime, Drama) Violence, Coarse language 11:30, 4:20, 7:20, 10:30pm Like New Year’s Day. And the rest of story about the little dog with FUTURE SHOP – Correction Notice DJANGO UNCHAINED the year. I was very happy to see when disabilities, Devi, who until (14A: Drama, Western) Frequent coarse language, Gory violence Please be advised that the Acer Netbook Featuring Intel® Atom 11:15, 2:50, 6:30, 10:05pm I got my new 2013 day timer, that it her dying day tried to walk Dual-Core N2600 Processor (WebID: 10191685), advertised on LES MISERABLES (NO PASSES) had all the dates and holidays for the normally on all four legs? page 6 of the Boxing Week flyer (December 28, 2012 – January (PG: Drama, Musical) Violence, Sexually suggestive scenes 3, 2013), was shown with incorrect specifications. This product entire year intact in there.

What courage. Some 11:15, 2:40, 6:10, 9:40pm features 1GB RAM NOT 16GB, as previously advertised. We No black-out periods. humans really need help PARENTAL GUIDANCE (NO PASSES) sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused No Mayan references. walking on two (figuratively (G: Comedy) 11:30, 2:10, 4:50, 7:35, 10:10pm our valued customers.

I have my own theory about that. speaking). You’d be surprised I believe that we here in the North may well have been doomed if not for some brave souls who ventured out Dec. 21 to celebrate Solstice Soiree, carrying with them their home-made lanterns, with seasonal songs on their lips and wonderful “joie d’Hiver” in their hearts.

You see, the last cycle of the Mayan calendar ended with Dec. 2012 and it also corresponds with winter solstice, so I think those in Prince George who made the effort to usher in Old Man Winter may also have helped to bring in the New Years – baby and all.

In my books, they are local heroes, every one of them.

They may have saved the day – and the rest of the year as well. Anyway, now that we know there Literacy Art Calendars are a joint fundraiser between the Prince George Public Library and the Community Arts Council. 100% of proceeds are shared is a 2013, I have to between these two groups. The calendars feature local luminaries like MLA and Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond, UNBC President Dr. fill up the coming George Iwama and former Mayor Colin Kinsley (and many more) with their faces painted as works of art by local artists. All the painted figures have literary months with lots themes and are quite striking to look at. These limited edition calendars are $25 and can be purchased from both branches of the public library, Studio 2880, of interviews and UNBC Bookstore, Hubbell Jewellers, the Citizen newspaper, Direct Art, University Hospital library and the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. events.

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LOOKING AHEAD: Making bold sports predictions for 2013 A14 The Cedars Christian Eagles hope to celebrate a home-court basketball title in 2013 A15

Sports ALISTAIR MCINNIS 250-564-0005 sports@pgfreepress.com

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Sports

Shorts COUGARS The Prince George Cougars are back on home ice this weekend.

The Cats host the Kelowna Rockets in a B.C. Division doubleheader on Friday and Saturday (7 p.m. at CN Centre).

After taking a break for Christmas, the Cougars returned to the ice on the weekend for a three-game Western Hockey League road trip. They met the Victoria Royals in a twogame set before a game against the Vancouver Giants on Sunday.

For more on the Cougars, check Friday’s Free Press.

CARIBOO CATS The Cariboo Cougars’ 2012-13 BC Hockey Major Midget League season resumes this weekend.

The Cougars are at home for a two-game set against the Valley West Hawks. The teams are scheduled to play at CN Centre, Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 10:15 a.m.

The Cougars recently finished competing at the 2012 Mac’s Tournament.

The competition, featuring top midget programs in Western Canada, ran from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 in Calgary.

SPRUCE KINGS The Prince George Spruce Kings’ extended break from B.C. Hockey League action comes to an end this week.

The Spruce Kings will hit the road for a threegame Island Division road swing. They meet the Powell River Kings on Friday, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Saturday and the Nanaimo Clippers on Sunday.

Friday’s game is the Spruce Kings’ first BCHL regular-season contest since Dec. 16.

Fre e Pre s s file p h o to

Members of Team Cuba show off their country’s colours after winning the 2011 World Baseball Challenge at Citizen Field.

Organizers hope to see the baseball power back in Prince George defending its title this summer.

■ 2013 WORLD BASEBALL CHALLENGE

Preparing for third tournament in city ALISTAIR MCINNIS sports@pgfreepress.com

The World Baseball Challenge is returning this summer. That’s a guarantee.

But the make-up of the 2013 tournament isn’t certain. Organizers are ironing out details in the coming months. Chairman Jim Swanson hopes to have tournament dates set in late February, expecting the competition to unfold once again in July.

“We’ve proven what we can do. We’re a proven entity now,” he says. “A lot more work went into 2009 in just starting the event than went into 2011, which is just a continuation.”

A greater international presence for the second WBC in Prince George raised the profile of the event. Cuba, Toshiba-Japan, Chinese Taipei and the Beijing Tigers were all first time participants at Citizen Field in 2011.

A pair of returning teams, Team Canada and the Bahamas, rounded out the six-team field in 2011.

The inaugural Prince George event in 2009 also had six teams. The USA National Team, Germany, Team B.C. and the host Prince George Westcana Electric Axemen also competed. Organizers aimed for more national teams, but issues beyond their control forced the likes of Cuba, the Beijing Tigers and Croatia to back out.

The U.S. won the 2009 event, with Cuba

taking home the 2011 title. Swanson hopes to see the Americans and Cubans back in Prince George this summer.

Baseball fans can expect to start hearing announcements regarding 2013 commitments over the next few months. Increasing the number of teams is a possibility.

“We’re actually satisfied. If we grew to eight, we would find a way,” Swanson says.

“Six is definitely a good number.”

The fall offered a much-needed break for the committee. Most of the same WBC organizers were back at Citizen Field and Rotary Field for the 2012 Baseball Canada Senior Championship in August.

“That’s three straight summers with major events and that’s our mandate for our society is to bring the best events that we can to Prince George, but it’s also taxing,” Swanson says.

The national tournament in August featured eight teams. With a lineup of only four Prince George players, the host Axemen won the tournament.

Although staging the Baseball Canada tournament wasn’t a walk in the park, the WBC is at a whole different level. With different countries comes different cultures, politics and languages.

“This is the highest level sporting event Prince George has ever had or is scheduled to have,” Swanson says. “Canada Winter Games is national level athletes who are hop-

ing to get to the international level. This is a bonafide international event, with players who have played in the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic.”

The 2011 event didn’t bring in the financial return organizers had hoped. Mother Nature did it’s part to keep spectators away from the diamond, as the tournament unfolded during one of the rainiest Julys on record.

The weather during the 2009 tournament was the other way around. That competition was held during a heatwave with hot and dry conditions.

The WBC had a $750,000 budget in 2011.

It’s a substantial amount for a committee who dedicate their time.

Swanson noted that the 2009 and 2011 tournaments have combined to generate an economic impact of more than $5 million. The organizing committee has been recognized by the Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance for their efforts.

“This is a full volunteer effort. Nobody makes a dime off it, and yet it’s been such a benefit,” Swanson says. “There have been improvements to the ballpark that have been made, you see a growth in youth baseball, you see the Blue Jays bringing their events to Prince George that they brought, the camp.”

Swanson says there will be an announcement made in March regarding the Blue Jays Honda Super Camps. Sessions will be returning to Prince George this year.

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The Free Press took this photo of the demolished old Kin 1 in early September. The walls and roof of the new arena will be put up this year, with the entire 2015 Canada Winter Games’ Kin Centre Enhancement Project slated to be complete in October.

Fre e Pre s s file p h o to

New-look arena to take shape in 2013 ALISTAIR MCINNIS sports@pgfreepress.com

No Kin 1, no problem.

According to the city rinks’ manager, all of the user groups have been cooperative with operating with one fewer rink in town. With the 2012-13 minor hockey season already half over, and the 2015 Canada Winter Games’ Kin Centre Enhancement Project slated for completion in October, that’s a positive situation looking ahead.

“But I have to say, we knew full well going into this process that we could make it work and it really has worked according to the plan that we made,” says Andy Beesley, the manager of CN Centre and recreation facilities for the City of Prince George.

With Kin 1 off limits, it’s been a busy winter for the City’s five other rinks: Kin 2 and 3, CN Centre, the Coliseum and the Elksentre. In addition to the hockey teams, figure skating and speed skating groups use the arenas in town.

Sharing ice time and extending seasons are ways user groups have dealt with the loss.

The Cariboo Cougars, who played home games at Kin 1 in previous years, are hosting opposing teams at CN Centre this season. They also played a home doubleheader in McBride on Nov. 10 and 11.

The Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association plans to hold its games at the Coliseum again this year.

The $16-million, 16-month Kin Centre Enhancement Project began in May. The upgrades were set into one of three phases, starting with the expansion of dressing rooms and renovations to Kin 2, including bringing in additional seating.

Redesigning the upstairs lounge area is part of the second phase.

New meeting spaces, seating, washrooms and an improved kitchen with a wider food selection will

result in a different experience for visitors.

The final phase is the bulk of the work at Kin 1. Once complete, Kin 1 will be expanded to an Olympic standard (200’ X 100’) from the previous non-conforming size (185’ X 85’) to meet Canada Games requirements. It’ll be reconstructed using a composite wood timber structure, and have its roof replaced.

Kin 1 will also have expanded seating. Since the ice will be convertible, seating on the parking lot side will be portable, so it can be moved when a wider ice surface is required.

“The biggest thing that’s happened so far is we’ve just now opened up the new Kin 2 dressing rooms and so that’s positive,” Beesley says.

Certain tasks are harder to complete in winter. Beesley points out that a lot of work that’s been done can’t be seen from the parking lot.

“A huge component of this is what happens underground, and a lot of that work has been accomplished.”

But the project will start to take shape in the spring and summer, with construction of the Kin 1 outside walls and roof. The tail end of the project will involve finishing touches.

Beesley points out that Kin 1 was past its lifetime and needed repair.

Saying goodbye to the old rink last spring was a bittersweet moment.

“It was bitter in the sense that the building was gone, with all of those memories. But the good news is that the building had to go, it was really beyond repair at this point.”

There will be Canada Games test events, but Beesley expects to see a lot more at the new Kin 1.

“We are already starting to get inquiries and I know that the organizations are starting to rub their hands together with visions of what’s to come in the new facility.”

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A14

Prince George - Sports - Free Press

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

www.pgfreepress.com

Offering some predictions for the next 12 months

Another year has happen. passed.

This sports secAs 2012 came to a tion looks at a few of close, we reflected on the stories the Free the last 12 months.

Press will be followNew Year’s Eve is ing in 2013. For this when we column, set those I’m going ULL resoluto take it tions. one step OURT Goals further.

RESS are made Yes, I’m ALISTAIR MCINNIS going in an attempt to make to change habits or some predictions. I’m achieve something far from an psychic, positive. so I won’t get defenPersonally, I’ve sive if any of you never been a resolugive me a hard time tions kind of guy. If I for my inaccuracy. want to change someP.G. COUGARS The good news is thing bad enough, I’ll that they return to just do it. the WHL playoffs.

Some of us expect But their return to 2013 to be better. For the second season is others, if it’s at least short and painful. as good as 2012, it The Cougars surwould be considered vive a tough scheda great year.

For better or worse, ule in the new year.

2013 will be different. With key wins over the Seattle ThunderWe aren’t expects, birds, Everett Silverand can only predict tips and Vancouver so much. That’s part Giants, they edge of the allure of lookout the Silvertips ing ahead is trying for the eighth and to predict what may

Members of the Prince George Cougars and Moose Jaw Warriors battle for puck possession in front of the Warriors’ bench during Western Hockey League action at CN Centre on Dec. 4. Although the Cougars face a tough January schedule, they should be able to grab the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

F C P

A lis ta ir M cINNIS/ Fre e Pre s s

final playoff spot in the 10-team Western Conference.

Eighth means a first-round meeting with the league-leading Portland Winterhawks.

The Winterhawks waste no time dis-

posing the Cougars.

They sweep the Cats in four games in the best-of-seven opening round.

P.G. SPRUCE KINGS The Surrey Eagles edge the Spruce Kings for second in the BCHL’s five-team Mainland Division.

However, the Spruce Kings have the last laugh on

the Eagles. Riding the hot goaltending of 1992-born Surrey product Kirk Thompson, they edge the Eagles three games to two in the best-offive conference quarterfinals.

Then the Spruce Kings run out of gas, swept by the topranked Chilliwack Chiefs in the divi-

sional final.

CARIBOO COUGARS They get hot at the right time.

For the first time since 2008, the Cariboo Cougars capture the BC Hockey Major Midget League provincial banner.

But they fall a series short of the Telus Cup national midget hockey cham-

X CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 504

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Hear from experts in the field and learn responsible gambling tips, such as how each slot play is random and unaffected by previous plays.

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week Prince George January 7 to 12, 2013 Find out more at bclc.com/ResponsibleGambling

ACROSS 1. Wild animal 6. Card game 10. Grate 15. Sonar’s cousin 16. Dividing preposition 17. Japanese entertainer 18. Mountain ridge 19. Moose or caribou 20. Boris Becker’s equipment 21. Large quantity 23. Barren 25. Serving as a model 29. Owl’s sound 30. Trim 34. Raised bed 35. Not one 37. Delude 39. Food additive 40. Expedition 41. Cigarette residue 42. Central

Copyright ©, Penny Press

43. Disposition 45. Shipshape 47. Sarcasm 49. Anklebone 51. Watered silk 53. Volume of charts 56. Money, in Chile 58. Cracker type 62. Tinge 63. Pinch hitter 65. Ballerina’s short skirt 67. Type size 68. At the beach 70. Location 71. Very light beige 72. Abominable Snowman 73. Pamper 75. Swimmer’s breathing tube 77. Let up 79. RBI or ERA

80. Beach cover-up 83. Opposer 85. Baseball hit 90. Charm 91. Hit the ____ (get mad) 92. Summon 93. Pouf the coif 94. Cart 95. Honey badger

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Car protector Auricle Citrus quencher Positioned Hair lock Motorcycle attachment 7. Understood 8. Gulped down 9. Body

10. Transmission part 11. Five-cent coin 12. Request 13.Feminine pronoun 14. Beret, e.g.

17. Free 22. Over-door support beam 24. Burger garnish 25. Certain mollusk 26. Company symbol 27. Way off 28. Layers 29. Promotion 31.Dealer’s car 32. Movement forward 33. Crosscurrent 36. Washer cycle 38. Bake eggs 44. Rodeo rope 46. Love affair 48. Farm machine 50. Cheerful 52. Lizard 53. Nautical shout 54. Lullaby 55. In order to avoid 57. Corset feature 59. Hayseed 60. 43,560 square feet 61. Handle roughly 64. Sophisticated 66. Bear witness 69. Break 74. Chin hair 76. Alternate 78. Naked 79. Covered walk 80. Felix, e.g.

81. Bar beverage 82. Georgia’s neighbor: abbr.

84. Neither rhyme ____ reason 86. Roe 87. Clever remark 88. ____ out (make do) 89. Bro., for one

Answers can be found in the classifieds.

pionship tournament, losing to the Alberta champion in the regional final.

UNBC TIMBERWOLVES The next 12 months will see only one of four Timberwolves teams advance to playoffs.

Off to a 5-5 start, the men’s basketball team continues to take steps forward. The veteran lineup sneaks into the postseason with the fourth and final playoff berth in the Pacific Division.

The road ends there. They lose consecutive games to get swept in the best-ofthree opening series.

The challenges of inexperience and a smaller than average roster hurt the women’s team, as they finish well out of a playoff spot.

The soccer season sees both teams miss the playoffs again.

But the men improve their win total to four and the women record their first CIS victory.

A couple of other predictions: WORLD BASEBALL CHALLENGE – Just like in 2011, the WBC organizers are pushed to the limit in securing the services of the Cubans.

But they return, and Cuba successfully defends its 2011 title.

SINGLE-A BASKETBALL PROVINCIALS – The Cedars Christian Eagles win the 2013 B.C. high school girls basketball single-A title. The win is particularly satisfying because they do it in front of hometown fans at the the Northern Sport Centre.

Prince George - Sports - Free Press

www.pgfreepress.com

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A15

Reaching over 62,000 Readers every issue!

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Blackwater Gold Project Public Comments Invited

A listair McINNIS/Free Press

The Cedars Christian Eagles’ Hannah Pudlas dribbles around a player on the Duchess Park Condors’ junior team during a girls basketball game on Dec. 20.

■ GIRLS BASKETBALL

Eagles aiming at B.C. title

R U N • S K I • S W I M • A P PA R E L

The public can review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines, a document that identifies the potential environmental effects to be taken into consideration and the information and analysis that needs to be included in the proponent’s EIS. New Gold Inc. is proposing the construction, operation, and decommissioning of an open pit gold and silver mine located approximately 100 kilometres south of Vanderhoof, British Columbia. As proposed, the project would produce 60,000 tonnes per day of gold and silver ore, over a mine life of 17 years.

Written comments must be submitted by January 20, 2013 to: Blackwater Gold Project Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 410 - 701 West Georgia Street Vancouver BC V7Y 1C6 Telephone: 604-666-2431 Fax: 604-666-6990 Blackwater@ceaa-acee.gc.ca To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency’s website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (registry reference number 80017). All comments received will be considered public.

Copies of the draft EIS Guidelines are also available for viewing at the following locations: Prince George Public Library, Fraser Lake Public Library 228 Endako Avenue Bob Harkins Branch Fraser Lake, B.C. 887 Dominion Street Prince George, B.C. Cariboo Regional District Library, Prince George Public Library, Nechako Branch Quesnel Branch 6547 Hart Highway 101-#410 Kinchant Street Prince George, B.C. Quesnel, B.C. Fort St. James Public Library Burns Lake Public Library 425 Manson Street 585 Government Street Fort St. James, B.C. Burns Lake, B.C. Vanderhoof Public Library 230 Stewart Street East Vanderhoof, B.C.

OR IA

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Cedars Christian senior girls basketball head coach Al MacDonald knows how close they came to provincial gold last year.

As hosts of the 2012 B.C. high school single-A championship tournament, the Eagles finished runner-up to the Houston Christian Wildcats at the Northern Sport Centre. Although the setting was different, the final outcome was the same as 2011, the Wildcats and Eagles ending up first and second the year before.

For the Eagles, 2013 may offer the best opportunity yet to capture the coveted single-A title.

First off, the Wildcats have fallen off the map.

After saying goodbye to their core at the end of last season, they weren’t certain they’d even have enough players for a team.

Secondly, the Eagles will have home-court advantage again. The single-A championship tournament is returning to the Northern Sport Centre, scheduled for March 6 to 9.

“We had a good run last year and this year we’ll have a nice team as well,” MacDonald says.

“We lost a key player, but we had some nice juniors coming up so for single-A, I think we’re in good shape and it’s nice to host a tournament as well because that adds that extra dimension as you know. We’re pleased that we get to mix it up with the league in town because it’s very competitive.”

The Eagles, who lost guard Janene Giesbrech to graduation last June, will try and repeat as City League champions. They defeated the Duchess Park Condors 87-59 in last year’s City final.

MacDonald notes that they’re carrying eight returning players and five rookies for a 13-player roster. The group is led by Grade 12 forward Kayla Gordon, an all-star who’s already committed to play Canadian Interuniversity Sport basketball at Trinity Western University in the 2013-14 season.

UPLAND

sports@pgfreepress.com

With last year’s experience behind them, the Eagles are hopeful they can rise to the occasion playing in their own backyard.

“Now I think last year it was all kind of new to most of us, so we’d like to think we’re going to have the focus of playing our very best at the best time of year,” MacDonald says.

With consecutive silver-medal finishes and a veteran lineup, the Eagles won’t sneak up on the single-A opposition this year. They stand as early favourites to win the B.C. title, listed first on the Dec. 19 single-A rankings.

MacDonald says having a larger roster this year provides another boost.

“It gives us more tools than the tool box.”

TAMARACK

ALISTAIR MCINNIS

As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has determined that a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Blackwater Gold Project in British Columbia (B.C.). The Agency invites the public to comment on which aspects of the environment may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

Snow Shoe Children & Adult Ski Packages Available! Sales, Rentals and Service

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Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the second of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the Agency will finalize and issue the EIS Guidelines to the proponent.

An application period for participant funding and a future public comment period related to the EIS will be announced later.

Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada’s strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up and increased fines.

1655A 15th Ave. Prince George (Across from Parkwood Mall) www.strideandglide.ca • 1-866-612-4754 • 250-612-4754 PHONE ORDERS WELCOME

Advertising Sales Consultant Make a difference in Prince George by joining the Free Press team; the number one community newspaper in Prince George.

The Free Press has an opening for the position of Advertising Sales Consultant. We are seeking a “team player” with organizational skills, sales experience, pleasant telephone skills, experience in creating written proposals and an ability and desire to work and learn in a fast paced, busy environment.

The ideal candidate must be motivated and take the initiative to sell multiple media products, including on-line advertising and special products, work with existing customers and find ways to grow sales and income. Strong interpersonal skills and a strong knowledge of sales and marketing are required. Above average communication skills, valid driver’s licence and a reliable vehicle are necessary.

The benefits and opportunities of working for the leading newspaper in Prince George are why we attract and employ the best.

If a rewarding challenge resonates with you, contact us today.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to the attention of: Roy Spooner, Manager Marketing & Sales Prince George Free Press, 1773 South Lyon Street, Prince George, BC V2N 1T3 roy@pgfreepress.com

A16

Prince George - Classifieds - Free Press

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

www.pgfreepress.com

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bcclassiÄed.com cannot be

responsible for errors after the Ärst day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors on the Ärst day should immediately be called to the attention of the ClassiÄed Department to be corrected for the following edition.

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reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the bcclassiÄed.com Box Reply Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisement and box rental.

DISCRIMINATORY LATION

LEGIS-

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 justiÄed by a bona Äde requirement for the work involved.

COPYRIGHT

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

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Travel

Why Does My Dog Do That?

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Information 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.

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Personals

Employment Business Opportunities PYRAMID CORPORATION is now hiring! Instrument Technicians and Electricians for various sites across Alberta. Send resume to: hr@pyramidcorporation.com or fax 780-955-HIRE.

Career Opportunities 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.

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Drivers/Courier/ Trucking CLASS 1 OWNER/OPERATORS and DELIVERY DRIVERS Sysco Kelowna is currently seeking both Owner/Operators and Delivery Drivers throughout the Prince George Region. Enjoy free weekends, performance awards, and the ability to be home at the end of the day.

Owner/Op minimum pay, $1.70 per mile. Apply to: Frank.donald@kelowna.sysco.ca

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

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Career Service / Job Search

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Career Opportunities

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WANTED: TICKETED “B” Welders, Electricians and Millwrights International Forest Products Ltd. is looking for ticketed “B” Welder with Millwriting experience, electricians, and millwrights to join our lumber manufacturing facility in Castlegar, BC. The skilled individuals must be self motivated, able to work on their own, and in a team environment.

Applicants must be flexible with shift scheduling and trade lines.

Interfor offers a competitive wage and benefits package as outlined in the USW Southern Interior Master Agreement.

Interested candidates are invited to submit resumes by January 07, 2012 to Interfor’s front office in Castlegar.

Candidates can also submit their resume by mail, fax, or email to : PO Box 3728, Castlegar BC, V1N 3W4 Fax #: (604) 422-3252 Email: kira.moffat@interfor.com We thank all applicants in advance, however, only those selected for a interview will be contacted.

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Obituaries

William Herbert

WIPFLI

CALL 250-563-5530 TO APPLY Open to all adults of aboriginal ancestry who are 16+ and unemployed, under-employed, or looking for more education. Sponsored by Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment Training Association and Urban Aboriginal Working Group.

June 19, 1952 – December 18, 2012 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of William (Bill) Wipfli on December 18, 2012.

Bill was born in Prince George and raised in Giscome, the perfect area for him to become an avid hunter and fisherman. Bill was also adventurous; after becoming a millwright he moved his family around until he decided to settle down in Burns Lake. Bill was predeceased by his parents: Clifford and Phyllis Wipfli, father-inlaw: Rennie Genaille, brothers-in-law: Mickey, Laurie and Vernon Genaille and nephew Myles. Bill will be dearly missed by his wife of 40 years Darlene, son Derrick (Bea), daughter Shauna (Jim), son-in-law Brad (Michelle), and his pride and joy, his six grandchildren: Caleb, Ethan, Sara, Emily, Jessica and Zane. Bill is also survived by two sisters: Lori Anne (Jim), Myrna, two brothers: John and Ken, mother-in-law Lenore Genaille, brothers-in-law: Frankie (Val), Steven and numerous nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements handled by Assman’s Funeral Home

FOR THE AFTERNOON CUP...

Editor The Merritt Herald, an award-winning twice-weekly newspaper published in the Nicola Valley, is seeking an editor.

The editor will manage a newsroom of one reporter and both will be responsible for all aspects of getting the newspaper to press — writing, editing, taking photographs and laying out using InDesign.

The successful candidate will be community-oriented and have a serious interest in current events — locally, provincially, nationally and globally.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with some experience in journalism, one who works well with others in an office setting, one who thirsts for an opportunity to improve their skills while helping to mentor those around them, one whose copy of CP Style is dog-eared and one who has a passion for new ideas.

Qualifications • Proficiency with InDesign and Photoshop are required, as is a background in the community newspaper industry.

• Previous experience in the community newspaper industry • Own transportation required.

Please apply to: Theresa Arnold Merritt Herald 2090 Granite Ave. Merritt , BC V1K 1B8 Phone: (250) 378-4241 Fax: (250) 378-6818 Email: publisher@merrittherald.com

Prince George - Classifieds - Free Press

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A17

Employment

Services

Merchandise for Sale

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Rentals

Help Wanted

Personal Care

$200 & Under

Misc. for Sale

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apt/Condo for Rent

Suites, Lower

2 CHEVRON gas stns in Vanderhoof and PG looking for 6 Shift Supervisors on a F/T basis with min. grade 12 edu. and 7 months retail exp to manage gas stn, hire/train staff, maintain inventory. Salary $12.50/hr. Apply to: chevronvgas@gmail.com

FREE VISION EXAMINATION

Firewood, driest wood in town split & delivered $180/cord (250)964-2020

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Hydro & gas included. Shared laundry, parking for 1 vehicle. $900 per month. Available Jan lst 250-981-6185

A career with Sutco. We have positions open in our Chip Division, dedicated schedules, Merritt, Chilliwack, West Kootenays and Creston. Hiway Canada Only Super B or Step Deck, assigned unit. Satellite dispatch, e-logs, Pension Plan and Extended Benefits. If you have a clean abstract and verifiable mountain experience, check us out www.sutco.ca or Fax 250-357-2009 more info: 1-888-357-2612 Ext:230 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.

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

Services

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STEEL BUILDINGS/metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-4572206 www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

Spruceland Mall 250.564.0095 Pine Centre Mall 250.564.0047 www.visionsoptical.com

Computer Services EXPERIENCED, well equipped I.T. system/network administrator looking for parttime work throughout Northern B.C. Dennis Strain dstrain@bcenclave.ca

Home Improvements

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Free estimates! Call Gaetan (250) 560-5845 or 552-7184

Painting & Decorating Paint Special 3 Rooms $589 incl. prem qlty paint, your color choices, 2 coats, filled nail holes. Ceiling & trim extra.

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Merchandise for Sale

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Help Wanted

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

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To Rent Call:

250-561-1447 Carriage Lane Estates

2 & 3 BDRM TOWNHOUSES Close to CNC and shopping

(250)563-3093 HILLSBOROUGH Apts Newly Updated, spacious 3 bdrm apts. Clean, quiet, secure entrance.

No Dogs. $850 per month includes H/W -Utilities extra Available Jan 1st

1575 Queensway 250-596-9484

Phone 250-596-4555

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

EARN MONEY $$

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

Commercial/ Industrial

Majestic Management (1981) Ltd. CE • OFFI ERCIAL M • COM IL A • RET Space available for rent For all your rental needs Call 562-8343 or 562-RENT

Transportation

Off Road Vehicles 2010 Polaris 550 Sportsman ATV 511 kms. Only been on gravel logging roads.

When purchased $11,500.00 plus $500 in after market items (Warn winch, windshield, mirrors, camo saddle and rear bags, gun boot and holder plus cover.

REDUCED to $8000 Serious inquiries only.

250-562-3747

Prevent E. coli Infection (“Hamburger Disease”) Cook all ground beef until there is No Pink AND the juices run clear!

Suites, Lower 1 bdrm bsmt suite, College Hts, sep entrance, $650/mo incl utilities. 778-349-4584

X CROSSWORD ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 504

Paper Routes Available Delivery Days Wednesday and Friday Call 250-564-0005 Ask for Circulation Department

Legal Services 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.

Free Items Free kittens; 12 wks old, fully trained, 2 male/2 female. Can send pics via email. Call 250960-0916

• 1 & 2 bedroom apartments available • Close to hospital & downtown • Rent includes heat, hot water • Elevator to undercover parking • Fridge, stove, quality carpets, drapes • Laundry on each floor • No pets

Prince George

Like new, leather-look, turquoise chair from The Brick $100 Ph 250-596-1220

Free Press Press

DEAR READERS, In order for our carriers to be safe while delivering the Free Press, we ask that you please rid your walkways, driveways and stairs of snow and ice to avoid unnecessary slips and falls.

“A special thank you to those residents who have already provided a safe route to their mailbox for our carriers!” - Circulation Manager

A18

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Prince George Free Press

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Datebook

A19

Free Press accepts Datebook submissions in written form only — dropped off, mailed or e-mailed. No phone calls please.

Free Press Datebook runs as space allows every Wednesday.

No guarantee of publication.

Mail to 1773 South Lyon St., Prince George, B.C. V2N 1T3.

E-mail datebook@pgfreepress.com

www.pgfreepress.com

WEDNESDAY Whist, Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Senior Activity Centre, 425 Brunswick St. Wing night and karaoke, Wednesdays, 6-10 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion.

B.C. Civil Liberties meets second Wednesday of the month, 6 p.m., 2105 Pine St. CNC Retirees meet fourth Wednesday, 9 a.m., D’Lanos.

Information: Lois 250563-6928.

Army Cadet Rangers free youth program, meets Wednesdays, 6:0-9:30 p.m., Connaught Youth Centre.

Information: Sondra 250-963-9462 or Andrew 250-9818270.

Community Builder

Photo s ub mitte d

Donalda Carson, executive director of Prince George Hospice, accepts a $1,000 cheque from Luke Alberts of the Cruising Classics Car Club.

THURSDAY DayBreakers Toastmasters meets Thursday, 7-8 a.m., UHNBC Conference Room 1. Information: Heather 250-6499591.

Plaza 400 Toastmaster Club meets Thursday, noon, Aleza room, fourth floor, Plaza 400 building, 1011 4th Ave. Information: 6252. toastmastersclubs.org/ or 250-564-5191.

Tai Chi classes, Thursday, 7-9 p.m., Knox United Church, 1448 Fifth Ave. Information: 250-9643849.

Chess nights, Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., Books and Company.

Information: Marilyn 250-562-9580.

Old Time Fiddlers jam, Thursday, 7-10 p.m. Elder Citizens Rec Centre, 1692 10th Ave. ECRA Forever Young Chorus meet Thursdays, 12:45 p.m., ECRA, 1692 10th Ave. Prince George Grassroots Cribbage Club registration, 6:30 p.m. play 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Spruce Capital Recreation

Healing Rooms - Are you hurting?

Do you have health issues? Confidential prayers Wednesday noon-2 p.m, All Nations Church, 1395 Fifth Ave. Information: 250-617-9653.

COPD support group meets Wednesday, 1 p.m., AiMHi. Information: Nancy 250-561-1393.

Heartbeat, a group for mutual support of those who have lost a loved one through suicide, meets monthly at CMHA office. Information: Sandy 250-960-9047.

Thursday Tops (take off pounds sensibly) 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m., Knox United Church,1448 Fifth Ave. Information: 250-564-6336 (days), 250-964-4851 (evenings).

Red Hat Chapter meets for lunches and outings. Information: 250-563-1942.

Elks’ meat draw, Thursday, 4:306 p.m., Legion.

Proceeds to Elks’ Children’s Fund.

Rainbows grief and loss program for ages 5-15, registering for the fall session. No charge. Information: Catherine 250-5632551.

Tea Time for the Soul. Would you like someone to listen to you? Come, listen, and share while enjoying a cup of tea. Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m. at Forest Expo House, 1506 Ferry Ave. No cost.

For more information, Jesse or Catherine at 250-563-2551.

Singles and friends, social group of people of all ages and diverse backgrounds, meets Wednesdays, 7 p.m., A&W on 20th Avenue.

Wednesday Tops (take off pounds

Proud those Proud to to recognize recognize those who give in our community.

who give in our community.

1475 Edmonton Street • 250.565.2515 1475 www.spiritofthenorth.bc.ca Edmonton Street • 250.565.2515

www spiritofthenorth bc ca

Centre, 3701 Rainbow Dr. Information: Gerda 250-564-8561.

Proceeds to Alzheimer and MS societies and others.

FRIDAY

MONDAY

Drum Circle with Granville Johnson, Friday, 7-9 p.m., Le Cercle des Canadiens Francais de Prince George, 1752 Fir St. Information: 1-250966-2320.

SATURDAY Nechako Flea Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 5100 North Nechako Rd. A Butler’s Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 1156 Fourth Ave.

SUNDAY Nechako Flea Market, Sundays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 5100 North Nechako Rd. A Butler’s Market, Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 1156 Fourth Ave. Meat draw, Royal Canadian Legion, 3-5 p.m., sponsored

by Peace Keepers

Tai Chi, Mondays, 1:30 p.m., Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Dr. Northern Twister Square Dance Club meets Mondays, 7 p.m., St. Michael’s Church Hall.

Information: Gys 250563-4828 or Reta 250-962-2740.

TUESDAY Bridge, Tuesdays, 1 p.m., Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Dr. Spruce Capital Toastmasters meet Tuesdays, 7:25 p.m., 102-1566 7th Ave. Information: Tom 250-562-3402.

Sweet Adelines women’s fourpart chorus meets Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Studio 2880. New members welcome.

Information: Kathleen

The Community Datebook provides free community event listings every Wednesday.

Submissions are accepted in written form only – dropped off, mailed or emailed – No Phone Calls please. Datebook runs as space allows, there is no guarantee of publication. Mail to 1773 South Lyon St., Prince George BC V2N 1T3 E-mail datebook@pgfreepress.com

250-563-2975.

Hospital retirees meeting, first Tuesday of the month, 9 a.m., Prince George Golf Club. Information 250-563-7497 or 250-563-2885.

SUPPORT GROUPS Prince George ATV Club meets third Tuesday of month, 7 p.m.

Carmel Restaurant meeting room.

Information: George 250-964-7907.

Prince George Healing Rooms - Are you hurting?

Do you have health issues? Confidential prayers Monday noon-2 p.m. and 7-9 p.m No appointment necessary, located in the Prince George Pentecostal Church, 497 Ospika Blvd.

Information: 250-6179653.

Free sports and recreation, Wednesdays, 2 p.m., 1160 7th Ave., ages 15-30. Information: 250-656-5278.

Children’s choir, Thursdays, 6:307:30 p.m., Hartland Baptist Church.

Information: 778415-5000.

Parents Together, a mutual/self-help support group for parents of teens, meets Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Intersect (basement entrance).

Information: Carmen 250-562-6639.

Tuesday night Tops (take off pounds sensibly) 6:157:15 p.m. weigh in, 7:30-8:30 meeting.

Everyone welcome.

Information: Marvene 250-962-8001 or 250-612-2031.

DivorceCare, a support group for persons going through a separation or divorce. To find out if this group is for you, call 250-5646213. Group meets at Artspace, Room 202, Sundays at 5 p.m.

Call about childcare.

Prince George

Reaching over 62,000 Readers every issue!

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sensibly) noon, AiMHi, 950 Kerry Sth. Information: 250-9603959, 778-416-0908.

Learning Circle Literacy Program works with adult learners and families on literacy, numeracy and computing skills.

Information: 250564-3568 ext. 228, or literacy@pgnfc.com.

Do you worry about the way you eat? Overeaters Anonymous may have the answers. No weigh-ins, dues or fees. Monday, 7:30 p.m., hospital, Room 421. Call Shelley 250612-3877.

Power Play, for children from newborns to five years old, Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:3011:30 a.m., Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., South Fort George Family Resource Centre, 1200 La Salle Ave. Information: 250-6149449.

NorthBreast Passage Dragon Boat Society meets first Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., Chronic Disease Management Room, UHNBC. Information: Anita 250-563-2949 or Betty 250-9627985.

NCP workers and retirees meet third Thursday of the month, 10 a.m., Pine Centre food court.

“GIVE A LITTLE… GAIN A LOT!” PG Crisis Pregnancy Centre Organizing practical items, helping with special events, counseling women with crisis pregnancy issues. For more info call Alison 250-562-4464 Surpassing Our Survival (S.O.S.) Agency responsible for counseling services & education pertaining to sexual violence.

Looking for a volunteer with excellent phone skills to assist in office. Call Leslie 250-564-8302 Welcome Wagon New to Prince George? Having a baby? Planning a wedding?

Call Welcome Wagon today for free gifts & information Call 1-877-675-8455 For information on volunteering with more than 100 non-profit organizations in Prince George, contact Volunteer Prince George

250-564-0224 www.volunteerpg.com

A20

Prince George Free Press

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

People of Prince George

www.pgfreepress.com

Brought to you by

Hub City Motors DL#31221

Roxanne Maxwell decorates card

s for her children at the Fire Pit.

Karri Basil puts some last-minute

.

gifts together before Christmas

Rosie Hamilton of the D.P. Todd Trojans goes up for a shot under the hoop against the College Heights Cougars during their high school senior girls basketball game on Saturday at D.P. Todd Secondary.

The teams met in the semifinal round of an eightteam tournament, the Trojans winning 69-66.

Pic of the Week

This weeks McDonald’s Pic of the Week was submitted by Keith Humphrey. Keith wins a $25.00 McDonald’s Gift Pack for providing the Pic of the Week. For your chance to win, email a picture of a resident of Prince George with your name and phone number, as well as the name of the person (people) in the photo, to McPic@pgfreepress.com

Celebrating 60 years in Canada.

Selection of the judges is final. Prizes must be accepted as awarded. No substitutions.

(250) 564-7228 1-888-300-6013 www.hubcitymotors.com DL#31221

Hub City Volkswagen

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