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T hursd a y , Oc to b er 3 1 , 2 0 13
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‘Let’s Talk Science’ Page 26 INSIDE THIS ISSUE October 31, 2013 THE FREE PRESS Thursday,
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drivewayBC.ca |
Welcome to the driver’s
13
The Free Press …they can be rugged on a work site and luxurious for all occupants.
seat
photo gallery at drivewayBC.ca Visit the RAM trucks
A big part of the RAM brand
success has been built on
the sturdy and macho exterior
styling.
Question
ZACK SPENCER
the RAM Rounding up and riding 2014 RAM Roundup is big busiThe full-size truck market a big deal for ness for automakers and who depend the businesses and people on them. Ford F-150 For almost five decades the truck, with lithas been the best selling crown in tle chance they will lose that been happenthe near future. What has is a strong ing, over the last few years, to RAM in shift from General Motors second best terms of establishing the in RAM selling truck brand. The rise back to a few popularity can be traced several years, last the over key changes class-leading from muscular styling to engine and interiors, a refined ride, plus
transmission advancements. same trucks While GM was selling the forward year after year, RAM moved and has been rewarded handsomely. all-new GM too has recently released Sierra Chevrolet Silverado and GMC response has trucks but the initial sales been rather lacklustre. range I drove the 2014 RAM model day, just recently, on a beautiful fall Roundoutside of Toronto. The “RAM to get my up” was a great opportunity well before hands on these new trucks they arrive at BC dealerships. RAM brand Looks A big part of the the sturdy success has been built on
range
OF THE WEEK:
What’s your dream car or truck?
you air suspension that can What is it that appeals to and macho exterior stylbe lowered for easier about the car? ing. Front and centre is a entry into the RAM or grille that was enlarged, loading into the bed. Go to drivewayBC.ca to submit win but better integrated, Plus this system autoyour answer and enter to for the 2013 model year. matically lowers over a $100 Safeway gift card Depending on the trim 100km/h to also reduce if you Feel free to post a photo the grille finish can be aerodynamic drag. At have one. It takes dynamite lower speeds and for offchrome, painted or with a different insert. This road duties, the air susto get a loyal truck feature is one RAM ownpension can be raised for owner to change ers love so, in this case, better ground clearance. larger is better. Behind brands but RAM Having had a chance to trucks “active RAM are several grille the drive has done a good shutters” that close at with this feature I notice an job of blasting the As we set our clocks back higher speeds to help the already smooth ride competition. hour this Saturday night for send the wind around is even better and the the end of Daylight Savings the vehicle to improve cabin is further insulated Zack Spencer as Time, please take extra care aerodynamic efficiency. from vibration. the the time change can affect The same idea was also The RAM heavy duty can quality of our driving – poorer behind the longer side also be equipped with an concentration, alertness step, which helps reduce air suspension but this is level the behind the wheel and buffeting down the side limited to the rear. This helps handling and slower reaction time. of the trucks. load in the bed for better the clever While RAM does not have towing. introduced were typitailgate stepladder that Ford Inside In the past trucks update trucks have Find more online at several years ago, they did cally used for work. Today, sides The slightly. can they the bed of this truck grown in popularity because with an and luxurious of the bed can be equipped be rugged on a work site system. driven the integrated RAMBox storage for all occupants. Having integrated, I can recently, trucks For 2013 this feature was GM new Ford and lock and the lead along with the tailgate to easily say that RAM still has fob. This is with the unlock with the vehicles key in interior design and finish that behind. especially handy for tradespeople Chevrolet and GMC right bed. need to lock tools in their and One option that I find fascinating, continued on next page is the $1500 would seriously consider,
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Sparwood Seniors celebrate with Lilac Terrace Administrator Deborah Friesen as they hear the news that the Lilac Terrace expansion will move forward. Photo by J. Jensen By Jenna Jensen Contributor
I
n one of the most emotional moments to be witnessed by Sparwood Council, shouts of joy and tears of happiness flowed from the gallery as Council unanimously approved a one million dollar donation to Lilac Terrace, allowing them to begin a much anticipated and hoped for expansion. With only three days to spare the impending deadline of October 31, members of the Lilac Terrace Board and attending general public held their breath as Council made their final decision during a Special Meeting held on October 28. Not new to the delegations, the Lilac Terrace administrator Deborah
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Friesen and board members have been to Council on several occasions in the past month in an effort to secure the funding, but have been deferred on all occasions until the Special Meeting in hopes other promising funding sources would come through. When no alternate guaranteed funders were recognized, Council determined it was the District who would guarantee the million dollars allowing the project to move forward, while noting that their financial contribution could be decreased by fundraising as well as other donations that come through in the months ahead. Riding on this decision was years of hard work by the Lilac Terrace Board.
"We have been looking at expansion since 2004 and in June we applied for a grant through B.C. Housing and Columbia Basin Trust requesting one million dollars, and received notice of intent to proceed upon conditions of us having confirmation of a one million dollar commitment of our own," said Friesen. "With the approval from Council we are now able to move forward into a stage called the provisional project application where we will work with a B.C. Housing Project Officer to finalize details and drawings. Once that is done, we will head into the final project commitment and the exact amount of the grant will be announced." The expansion to the west end of the building will
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include 12 more apartments, similar to those currently at Lilac Terrace as well as two more community rooms, which will be used for palliative or respite care. When the community rooms are not in use, they will be available as rental rooms for family visiting Lilac Terrace residents. "This is really amazing to see. Since the hospital closed, there has not been any palliative or respite care options in Sparwood,” said Friesen. “We have been through many situations where families have had to go out of town and seniors have desperately wished to spend the remainder of their lives in their home and now we are finally able to offer this service to our community.” The project, which is
expected to begin in June 2014, pending final project commitment, is presumed to cost an estimated 3.6 million. Additional funding sources will come from donations from the Anton Svec Fund, the Sparwood Hospital Foundation Society, private donations and local fundraising. "At the end of the day, we have a high degree of confidence that other major players are coming to the plate. With this approval they can now move ahead," said Terry Melcer, CAO, District of Sparwood. "We know how much this project means to the entire community and fully expect to see Sparwood all work together on making this project a huge success."
Garry Traverse
Todd Fyfe
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