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Attention Curlers
After a two-week shutdown due to equipment breakdown, the Cranbrook Curling Club will be back in operation on Tuesday, Dec. 3. All leagues and drop-in will commence play from that date. Thank you for your patience. Cranbrook Curling Club board of directors
Child Care Plan
In response to the letter from Neil Matheson regarding Council’s support for the $10/day Child Care Plan for B.C.: Cranbrook’s City Council is appropriately responding to the growing child care dilemma facing families with young children in the community. Fees are too high for many working families, quality licensed spaces are too few, and early childhood educators usually don’t earn a living wage. Child care is not an issue of the political right or left — it is an issue about children’s healthy development, their families and the social and economic health of the community. In School District 5 there are 24 per cent of five-year-olds who arrive for kindergarten already vulnerable on one or more of the early developmental indicators as measured by their kindergarten teacher and tabulated by researchers at UBC. We can do better for our youngest citizens because vulnerable children come from families at every socio-economic level. It’s important to support families to make the choices that are right for them. Some families will choose to have a parent stay out of the workforce, others will not or cannot. And in fact the majority of mothers with young children are in the workforce. The $10/day Child Care Plan when implemented will move children out of unregu-
Sharon Gregson Vancouver
Foot-dragging on polygamy
Saturday is the second anniversary of then-B.C. Chief Justice Robert Bauman’s landmark decision upholding Canada’s anti-polygamy law. Yet no charges have been laid against the Mormon polygamists of Bountiful, B.C., or against the imam in Ontario who performs second and third marriages for Muslim men there.
For months, B.C. special prosecutor Peter J. Wilson has had RCMP evidence recommending what charges should be laid. The Federal Tax Court found polygamist leader Winston Blackmore guilty of under-reporting his income faster than any action that has yet to be taken regarding the human rights of the women and children, young men and boys of Bountiful. Evidence from Texas trials that put 12 Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints men in prison apparently sits gathering dust on the special prosecutor’s desk. This evidence shows 53 underage girls were trafficked across international borders for forced marriage to older men. In Canada, human rights issues and ratified conventions protecting women and children appear to be just pretty words on paper. Nancy Mereska President, Stop Polygamy in Canada Society, Two Hills, Alberta
Pen mightier than PC
I take my fountain pen in hand to thank Mike Selby (Booknotes, Nov. 22) for his piece “Pen is mightier than PC.” He wrote: “It may seem odd to discover that … pens and pencils are favoured over computers and tablets.” That being observed, it is alarming to hear reports that more and more educators are backing away from teaching the children how to write. One can only hope that school boards will rethink such short-sighted intentions. Jack Lindquist Cranbrook
Ecosystem restoration volunteers honoured Courtesy Susan Bond
Two long-time members of the East Kootenay Wildlife Association (EKWA) were honoured recently for their contribution to ecosystem restoration. Glynn Killins of Kimberley and Andy Pezderic of Golden represented the wildlife association on the Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program (ER Program) and Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society (Trench Society) from 1996 to 2013. Both men retired this year from their volunteer positions after representing EKWA on the ER Program steering committee and Trench Society board of directors for a combined total of 26 years. Current EKWA rep on the two organizations is Mark Hall of Jaffray. “Glynn and Andy did an outstanding job of speaking up for ecosystem restoration and its benefits, particularly for wildlife habitat,” Trench Society coordinator Dan Murphy told an EKWA meeting in Cranbrook November 16.
Glynn Killins, left, and Andy Pezderic at a Trench Society meeting in 2004. “Their dedication and commitment over so many years is an example to all of us who value the natural environment. It is an honour to recognize them today.” On behalf of ER Program partners and Trench Society member organizations, Mur-
phy presented Killins and Pezderic with gifts in appreciation of their work. Killins was the first chair of the Trench Society, which was formed in 1996 by a coalition of hunting, ranching, wildlife and environmental organizations to support restoration of grass-
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What’s Up?
Letters to the Editor lated, potentially unsafe care and into quality, licensed care where educators are well trained and compensated — the same standards we have for older children when they start school. Families would have good choices that don’t exist now. Yes, indeed raising children is the most important responsibility. As we all say, children are our greatest resource, so families should be supported in that child-rearing role at the same time as we ensure Cranbrook residents can participate in the local economy and that businesses thrive. The economic evidence is that access to quality child care is good for the economy and public investment into child care pays for itself. Collectively we invest in public education, health care, libraries and community centres to give everyone equal access. Child care needs to be one of those services that is quality, affordable and accessible. Often City Council is closer than senior levels of government to the daily experience of residents in the community and as such Councillors have a responsibility to speak up on issues that impact the community – child care is one of those issues right across the province.
Thursday, NOVEMBER 28, 2013
land and open forest ecosystems in the East Kootenay and Upper Columbia Valley. Pezderic, a former EKWA president, was a strong advocate for ecosystem restoration at the provincial level during his many years as chair of the BC Wildlife Federation’s Forestry and Land Use committees. The Trench Society was one of the founding members of the Trench ER Program when it was established by the BC Government in 1998. The program has since grown into a partnership of 30 agencies restoring grasslands and open forests on Crown land, provincial and national parks, private conservation properties and First Nations reserves. Restoration enhances winter range for elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer and bighorn sheep, and improves habitat for many of the region’s endangered wildlife species, among other benefits. For more information, visit www.trench-er.com.
KIMBERLEY AND CRANBROOK COMMUNITY CALENDAR
UPCOMING Thursday, Nov 28: Come to room 210 at the College of the Rockies and find out how Toastmasters can build your confidence and speaking abilities. Affordable and fun. Meeting starts at 7 PM. For more info, contact pamelaryan@telus.net Christmas Shopping Fair at Gardenview Village in the Golden Room, Kimberley - Nov. 28, 1:30-4:00pm. JCI Kootenay invites you to the 43rd annual Cranbrook Santa Claus Parade! Join us on Baker Street at 7 pm Friday November 29th. Don’t forget your non-perishable food item for the Cranbrook Food Bank! Eastern Star Pre-Xmas Sale, Saturday Nov 30, 10:30am - ? Kimberley Elks Hall. Home baking, Christmas Baskets & Crafts, Christmas Recyclables, Recycled Jewellery. Proceeds to Cancer and Other Harmony Chapter #45 Charities. Everyone welcome! Home Grown Music Society presents the Coffee House on Saturday, Nov 30 at Centre 64 at 8:00 pm. Tickets at the Snowdrift Cafe & Centre 64 in Kimberley. OPEN JAM, NOVEMBER 30, 1:30 pm, at the Cranbrook Seniors HALL, 2nd St. South, held on Last Saturdays. Ice-cream Social. Updates 250.489.2720 Annual Minkha Sweater Sale, Saturday, Nov 30, 10am-5pm at the Anglican Church hall, 46-13 Ave. S., Cranbrook. Beautiful hand knitted sweaters and hand woven scarves. Info: Anne Beurskens 250-489-4528. 2013 FREE PUBLIC SWIM Wednesday, December 4th, 5:00-6:00 PM is sponsored by Grubstake Pizza. CHRISTMAS CHOIR CONCERT – Wednesday, December 4, 7:30pm. Sing in the season with Cranbrook’s elementary students as they join together to present Christmas songs and readings! All welcome. Donations accepted, proceeds for Salvation Army. A special and fun Christmas evening for family and friends; SingA-Long with the Kimberley Community Choir, Friday Dec. 6 @ 7:00pm. Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 97 Boundary St., Kimberley. Admission by donation. United Church 8th Annual Cookie Walk at the Cranbrook United Church, December 7, 2013. Doors open noon, sales 12:30 pm – 3 pm. More information 250-426-2022 or Nancy Smith coordinator at 250-489-3650 Marysville Community Church: Children’s Christmas Concert, Sunday, Dec 8, 10:30 am. Everyone welcome. 730 - 302 Street, Marysville. ONGOING Want to be in the 43rd annual Cranbrook Santa Claus Parade? Friday Nov. 29th. All net proceeds go to the Cranbrook Food Bank. Email santaclausparade@jcikootenay.com for your registration form or call 250-409-4363. East Kootenay Women Executives & Entrepreneurs (EKWEE) meet the first Monday of every month at the Heritage Inn, Dining Room Annex, 7:00PM. Join us for off the menu dinner 5:30 -7:00. Pay your own tab. Networking, share accomplishments, education. Bev Campbell 778-481-4883 COME SKATE WITH US. Ongoing registration available for Pre-can, Canskate, StarSkate, Adult & Powerskate programs. Check us out at www.cranbrookskating.com Canadian Cancer Society- if you have spare time and would like to volunteer, interested applicants can call 250-426-8916, drop by our office at #19-9th Avenue S, Cranbrook or go to www.fightwithus.ca and register as a volunteer. Do you have the desire to stop eating compulsively? Overeaters Anonymous (a 12-Step Program) meets Wednesdays from 7-8pm at Cranbrook United Church, 2-12th St. S., downstairs. Contact: cranbrookoa@hotmail.com Funtastic Singers Drop-In Singing group; free to attend-just for fun! No experience necessary! CDAC Office&Gallery 135 10th Ave S, Tuesdays starting September 24th 6.45-8.15pm 250-426-4223 / cdac@shaw.ca / www.cranbrookanddistrictartscouncil.com ICBL-Duplicate Bridge–Senior Center in Cranbrook. Mon & Wed 7pm, Thurs & Fri 1pm at Scout Hall, Marysville. Info: Maggie 250-417-2868. The Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation invites anyone expecting bone and joint surgery to make contact with local volunteers for peer support. The free Ortho Connect program helps to ease the fear, stress and anxiety that go along with surgery and help patients prepare. It is ideal for those coping with arthritis, osteoporosis & injury. 1-800-461-3639 ext 4, and ask for Lauralee. Cranbrook Phoenix Toastmasters meet every Thursday, noon -1:00 Heritage Inn. Toastmasters teaches communication & leadership skills. Roberta 250-489-0174. 1911.toastmastersclubs.org. Dog Lovers! We have a pet section at Bibles For Missions Thrift Store. We’d love you to join us running our store. Flexible hours, short shifts to suit you. Come meet new friends! Open Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm. 824 Kootenay St. N., Cranbrook. Contact the Kimberley Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Shops at 250-427-2503 (Brenda) or 250-427-1754 Gayle) for volunteer opportunities: cashiers, sorters, after hours cleaners. Community Acupuncture. By donation – Each Tuesday 4-6 pm, Roots to Health Naturopathic Clinic, Kimberley Health Centre – Lower Level, 260 4th Ave. 778-481-5008. Please visit: www.rootsto-health.com for more info. Place your notice in your “What’s Up?” Community Calendar FREE of charge. This column is intended for the use of clubs and non-profit organizations to publicize their coming events — provided the following requirements are met: • Notices will be accepted two weeks prior to the event. • All notices must be emailed, faxed or dropped off in person. No telephone calls please. • NOTICES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 30 WORDS. • Only one notice per week from any one club or organization. • All notices must be received by the Thursday prior to publication • There is no guarantee of publication. Notices will run subject to space limitations.
CRANBROOK TOWNSMAN & KIMBERLEY BULLETIN COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Drop off: 822 Cranbrook St. N. • Drop off: 335 Spokane Street Fax: 250-426-5003 • Fax: 250-427-5336 E-mail: production@dailybulletin.ca