THURSDAY
S I N C E
DECEMBER 4, 2014
1 8 9 5
Vol. 119, Issue 189
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Holiday spirit rolls into region
FRUITVALE
First council meeting outlines duties BY LIZ BEVAN Times Staff
Trail, Fruitvale and Rossland hosting seasonal festivities this weekend BY LIZ BEVAN Times Staff
Watching a Christmas parade usually means getting all bundled up with hats, gloves, scarves and more, but not for the Mystic Dreams Belly Dancers. Lisa Keech, member of the belly dancing group, will be performing at this year's Santa's Candy Parade on Saturday and just like every other year, all of the dancers' winter wear will be hidden beneath their costumes. “We just wear long underwear under everything,” she said. “We all have our coats on right before the parade starts and then we take them off.” The weather forecast for Saturday's parade shows a little snow and a high of 4 C – a bit warmer than last year's freezing temperatures. All the long johns in the world couldn't have kept Keech and her fellow dancers warm in the 2013 parade. “Last year, it was freezing – it was -25 or something,” she said. “I wore three skirts, plus long underwear underneath them and some warm boots. Nobody can see under there anyways.” When Christmastime comes to mind, belly dancing isn't generally the first thing people think of, but the Mystic Dreams Belly Dancers try their best to stay in theme. “We wear Santa hats with lights on them and we mostly wear red and white in our costumes as well, to make it a little more Christmas-y,” she said. “Then we play Christmas music out of the back of our vehicle that we decorate. It is so fun. If you pick the right piece of music you can do anything.” The belly dancing performance is just one of the attractions in Santa's Candy Parade at Silver City Nite, the all-day holiday celebration in downtown Trail. The parade will follow the usual route from Helena and the Esplanade, up Bay Ave, left on Farwell, left on Cedar and then down Eldorado back to the Esplanade. It starts at 4 p.m. sharp. Bringing up the rear of the parade line will be Santa Claus, who will be roll-
LIZ BEVAN PHOTO
Lisa Keech, of the Mystic Dreams Belly Dancers, shows off the layers of clothes she plans to wear during Saturday’s Santa’s Candy Parade in downtown Trail. ing into town on a fire truck, giving his groups, businesses and more to support eight reindeer a break before Christmas each other while enjoying some holiday Eve. spirit.” Andrea Jolly, communications and The celebration will feature activities event planner with the City of Trail, and performances from local groups, says the city enjoys hosting events like including Greater Trail Minor Hockey Silver City Nite because it brings the hosting a street hockey game, Christmas community together to celebrate the carols from the St. Michael's Choir and holiday season. a chance to visit with Santa after the “The city wants to provide a welcom- parade is finished. ing environment so we can celebrate There will also be hot chocolate and the pride in our community,” she said. hot dogs available for purchase with a “This event is an opportunity for locals, donation. non-locals, organizations, community See TREE, Page 3
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Fruitvale's inaugural council meeting was short and sweet on Tuesday evening with only a few items on the agenda. Mayor Patricia Cecchini read her Mayor's Address to Council at the beginning of the meeting, thanking the councillors and looking towards the future. “It is difficult for me to express the feelings of humility, pride and most importantly, excitement that I am experiencing here this evening,” she began. “I am honoured that the citizens have placed in me, and (the councillors) as fellow members of council, their trust and confidence to address the many challenges that lay before us. I feel such pride in our home of Fruitvale, I am proud to live here and I am proud that our residents enjoy the life in Fruitvale.” After accepting the minutes from the last two council meetings, the councillors around the table had the task of choosing their representative for the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. Veteran council member Tabatha Webber nominated Cecchini to continue in her role as Fruitvale Director for the RDKB and the mayor accepted. James Ellison, a new face in Fruitvale council chambers, nominated incumbent councillor Bert Kniss
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for the job of alternate director with the RDKB, but the councillor said he couldn't do it. “I am going to have to decline that,” said Kniss. “I just have too many other things going right now.” When Kniss passed on the nomination, Ellison nominated Webber, who accepted. Before the meeting was called, Cecchini spoke with individual councillors about other committee appointments. First time councillors Ellison and Stephen Morissette, are already getting their feet wet in municipal governance with appointments to several committees. Councillor Ellison has been named to the Chamber of Commerce and the Beaver Valley Water Service Committee, and will be acting as Spirit Events and Trails liaison. Morissette will be joining Kniss on the Finance and Budget Committee and was appointed to the Lower Columbia Community Development Team and Tourism Committee. The Personnel Committee added one this year, with Cecchini as the chair and Morissette and Webber lending a hand. After committee appointments were made, Councillor Kniss wanted to ensure that there was an opportunity to revisit the list to make changes in the future. See CHANGES, Page 3
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