There will be a lot to do at this year’s Blossom Festival! Serving the Creston Valley since 1948
Volume 65, No. 20
Thursday, May 16, 2013
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Library, LKB team up to raise profile
ARES earns provincial award for work with Cresteramics BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff
“I recognize that First Nations people have a significance to Canada, B.C. and Creston that is greater than just their numbers,” said Aaron Francis, Creston and District Public Library’s chief librarian. “The Lower Kootenay Band has a deep history and culture in the Creston Valley, and we’re right in the middle of it. We want to celebrate that we are Lower Kootenay Band’s library. We have an obligation and I want to ensure band members see they are represented here.” To further his aim, Francis contacted LKB Chief Jason Louie and asked what the library could do to build a deeper relationship and show band members they have a connection to the regional facility. “Then Misty (Louie) came forward and took the initiative,” he said. “She applied for an LKB economic development grant and convinced the LKB council to support her.” Misty Louie, who last year completed a five-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, and who remains in the air force reserve, will be working part-time, 16 hours a week, on the program until she leaves to further her education in Seattle. She plans to become a nurse. See LIBRARY, page 5
A unique community partnership has earned an award for the way it develops relationships and understanding between elementary school students and adults with developmental disabilities. Cresteramics, which provides day programs for the latter, and Adam Robertson Elementary School have a partnership that goes back nearly a decade, Grade 2/3 teacher Maria McLean said last week. “The program with ARES has been a wonderful part of Cresteramics community inclusion program for the last several years,” according to Donna McCready, who directs Cresteramics. “Three developmentally delayed adults have been attending classes with grade 2 and 3 students. While at first there was some hesitancy from both the students and visiting adults, this was quickly overcome. The clients from Cresteramics now await their visits to ARES eagerly each week.” McCready was in Vancouver last week to accept an award from the BC Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Association, a recognition that the adult-student relationships have provided clear benefits for all involved. See ARES, page 3
TODAY'S WEATHER
BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff
Brian Lawrence
NEW HOME — Judah Baruta, with the help of his dad, Luke, places a juvenile stur-
geon in the Kootenay River. About 2,400 10-month-old white sturgeon were released — 1,000 by the public, 1,400 by 400 schoolchildren — on May 8. Part of a plan to help revitalize the endangered species, the event is co-ordinated by the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. Out of every 1,000 sturgeon released, about 180 will still be alive after 12 years. More information and photos at www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca/news.
This week's weather artist:
Roxanne Deshaies, Erickson Elementary School
Ongoing dispute may earn charges Page 3
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