daily townsman / daily bulletin
Thursday, DECember 18, 2014
Opinion/Events
Page A7
A Danish North Pole, A Danish Santa What’s Up?
S
aint Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus, Kris Kringle or Father Christmas) has had to put up with a lot over the years. After the latest blow, he may not show up at all next week. First they decided that he had to reside at the North Pole, where the temperature often falls to 50 degrees below zero and there are several months of complete darkness each year just when the workload peaks. The south coast of what is now Turkey, where St. Nick originally lived and worked, was much nicer. Then in a series of ads in the 1930s the Coca-Cola Company crystallised his image as a fat old man wearing clothes that are frankly a fashion disaster. And now, as a final indignity, they are trying to make him a Danish citizen. On Monday, Denmark submitted documents claiming the North Pole as Danish territory (since the Danish kingdom includes Greenland). It was a “historic and important milestone” for Denmark, said Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard. It was also provocative and pointless, but he forgot to mention that. The Danish government does not actually want or need the North Pole, and does not imagine that it would derive any practical benefit from “owning” it. It is just responding to the equally baseless Canadian declaration last December that the North Pole is sovereign Canadian territory, or at least that the seabed 4,000 metres beneath it is. The way that claim came about is quite
instructive. Canada has a huge archipelago of Arctic islands, and for years Canadian government scientists have been gathering evidence to support a Canadian claim to exclusive economic rights over the seabed of the Arctic Ocean adjacent to those islands. All five countries that border the Arctic Ocean have been preparing similar claims to the seabed off their own coasts. Until last December, Canada made no claim to the North Pole. It was only Gwynne days before the country was due to submit its final Dyer claim to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf that Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government finally woke up. The claim wasn’t in the original submission because Canada has no real case in international law. Even if the Commission ends up accepting the contention by Russia, Canada and Denmark (on behalf of its Greenland territory) that the underwater Lomonosov Ridge extends their respective bits of the continental shelf into the central Arctic Ocean, the principle of “equidistance” would give the North Pole itself to the Danes or the Russians. For the past nine years Prime Minister Harper has travelled to the Canadian Arctic every summer to give the Canadian media a “photo op”. He promises new ice-breakers and an Arctic naval base, he stands on a submarine as fighters fly overhead, he sits in the cockpit of a Canadian F-18, he shoots a rifle in a military exercise — every year a new image of him personally defending Canadian sover-
eignty from some unspecified threat. So when Harper’s minions belatedly realised that the government’s scientists and civil servants had not included the North Pole in Canada’s claim to the Commission, Harper slammed the brakes on and demanded that they rewrite it. He will have been told by the experts that Canada has no legal case — but he also knows that by the time that becomes clear to the public, many years from now, he will no longer be in office. Canada didn’t submit its final claim last December after all. The poor boffins in Ottawa are struggling to reformulate it to include the North Pole, while Harper trumpets his determination to protect Canadian “rights”. And the Danes, who were previously willing to let sleeping dogs lie, have now responded by making their own rather more plausible claim. The Russians may be next. President Vladimir Putin also likes to be photographed in the Arctic, surrounded by military kit and bravely defending Russian sovereignty. It’s getting ridiculous — but might it also be getting out of hand? Probably not. There has been much loose talk about allegedly huge reserves of oil and gas under the Arctic seabed, but not much actual drilling is likely to happen in the challenging conditions of the Arctic Ocean when the oil price is below $80 per barrel. (It’s currently in the mid$50s, and will probably be down there for a long time.) There’s really nothing else up there that’s worth fighting over. Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist based in London
Help for children and youth with anxiety
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veryone has times of feeling anxious, scared or fearful. In fact, without our body’s innate ability to sense and respond to pending danger, we would never have survived as humans. These days, however, anxiety disorders are like a car alarm repeatedly sounding when there is no real threat. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern for children in B.C., affecting an estimated four per cent of all children, impacting their day-to-day life, their friendships, their school performance, their physical health and their sense of well-being. My colleagues and I in the mental health field are concerned that in this modern, fast-paced, wired world, anxiety disorders in children are greatly increasing. We are seeing more children than ever before who are constrained and made miserable by their fears when they should be feeling safe, secure, confident and happy. Anxious feelings include a rapid heartbeat, difficulty catching one’s breath, a sense of doom, sweaty palms, an upset stomach or stomach ache, even nausea and vomiting. Focusing on the feelings can cause them to intensify, a vicious cycle. Anxious symptoms become a true anxiety disorder when the anxiety leads to avoidance of the situation that is causing the anxiety and causes significant physical distress and disruption of daily life and functioning. An unresolved anxiety disorder can often lead to depression or substance use problems in future
years. Anxiety, however, exists on a spectrum. A certain amount of anxiety is normal and beneficial. It keeps our children safe and conscientious; it motivates them to perform well. Children who tend to be anxious are often model students: high achieving, diligent, analytical, sensitive, alert, creative and imaginative. Too little anxiety and a child or teenager may Dr. David take foolish risks or lack motivation to succeed. But too much anxiety and children become so paralyzed by fear that they may be unable to leave their parent’s side, leave the house, go to school, make friends or participate in normal life. The good news is that anxiety can be very successfully managed or treated when required. Regular exercise and reliable routines in children are often all it takes to quell mild cases. Mild and moderate anxiety is very responsive to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is a process of addressing the unhelpful thoughts and actions that underlie anxiety. Thought stopping, talking back to negative thoughts, not believing everything you think, relaxation techniques like calming breathing, mindfulness meditation, and gradual safe exposure to the things you fear are all examples of types of CBT. All children — and adults, too — could benefit from learning simple CBT techniques to turn off their body alarms that are sounding unnecessarily. In more long
Smith
term or severe cases of anxiety — such as panic disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder — treatment may include a period of anti-anxiety medication in addition to teaching the child age-appropriate CBT techniques, an approach called “pills plus skills.” If you are worried about your child or teenager’s anxiety, there are many places to get help. Many online resources as well as books, some written for specific age groups, are available to give in depth information about anxiety and step-by-step instructions for specific CBT techniques. For parents of children and youth, the FORCE Society, in partnership with MCFD’s FRIENDS Program, offers an online parent program for parents of children ages 4-13 years. Anxiety BC (anxietybc.ca ) is another great site and offers detailed pages for adults and youth. Other sites include mindcheck.ca and keltymentalhealth.ca. If you feel your child needs professional help, see your family doctor or call Service BC at 1-800661-8773 and ask for the MCFD Child and Youth Mental Health office in your community. Next column, we will talk about depression in children and teenagers. Dr. David Smith is an adolescent and adult psychiatrist and the medical director of the Okanagan Psychiatric services for Interior Health. This series of columns on child and youth mental health issues is a project of the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substances Use Collaborative.
KIMBERLEY AND CRANBROOK COMMUNITY CALENDAR
UPCOMING
Weihnachtsgeschichten - Christmas Stories at the Kimberley Public Library. Neue und Alte Geschichten – New and Old Stories for adults and children age 5+. Thursday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. Free! Sign up by December 15. Call 250-427-3112. The Royal Stewart Highland Dancers annual Christmas Charity Recital at the Heritage Inn Ballroom on Thursday, Dec.18 at 7:00 pm. Admission is by donation to the Cranbrook Salvation Army. Come out to see wonderful festive choreographies as well as traditional Highland and National dances. Contact Jane 250427-8757 or email info@rshd.ca Dec. 20: Join the Rocky Mountain Naturalists for their annual Christmas Bird Count at 8:45 am at Elizabeth Lake Information Centre parking lot. This event will last til approx. 5:00 pm so bring a lunch, water and binoculars if you have them. SERVICE OF THE LONGEST NIGHT, Sunday, December 21, 7:00pm at Kimberley United Church, 10 Boundary St. A quiet, reflective service with candlelighting, readings, and songs. Christmas Concert “A Glow in our Heart”, by the Children & Vera Choirs and Vera Instrumental Ensemble & Students. Cranbrook, Sunday, Dec 21, 2:30 p.m., United Church of Canada. 2015 FREE PUBLIC SWIM Wednesday, January 7th, 5:00-6:00pm is sponsored by Royal Lepage East Kootenay Realty.
ONGOING Cranbrook Phoenix Toastmasters meet every Thursday, noon -1:00 Heritage Inn. Toastmasters teaches communication & leadership skills. Roberta 250-489-0174. 1911.toastmastersclubs.org. 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. 1-800-461-3639 ext 4, and ask for Lauralee. Computer skills need updating? CBAL hosts introductory computer classes for those 60 or wiser starting Oct 24th at the Cranbrook Library. Free! Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Call Katherine 250-417-2896 Aged10-14? Got the writing bug? CBAL hosts the Youth Writing Group at the Cranbrook Public Library. The 2nd & 4th Wed of each month, 4-5:30pm starting Oct 8th. Free! Call Lori 250-464-1864 or khough@cbal.org TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) non profit weight loss support group meets EVERY Thursday at 5:00 pm, at Sr Citizen’s Centre, (downstairs) 125 17th Ave S, Cranbrook. Drop in, have fun while losing weight gradually. This Chapter has won an annual B.C. Provincial Award for “Best Avg Weight Loss Per Member”. Info: Marie 250 417 2642 Cranbrook Writer’s Group meet on the 4th Monday of the month at the Arts Council. Engage in writing exercises, constructive critiques & share in information on upcoming literary events & contests. Cbk and District Arts Council, 104, 135-10th Ave S, CBK. info: 250-4264223 www.cranbrookanddistrictartscouncil.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. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24; Friday Meat Draw: 4:30- 6:30, Saturday Meat Draw: 3:30-5:30. Parkinson’s Support Group are meeting at 2 pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the Heritage Inn. For more info. phone Linda @ 250-489-4252. No meetings July, Aug or Dec. 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 North Star Quilters Society Meetings are held the 2nd & 4th Monday at 7:00 PM, basement of Centennial Centre, 100 4th Ave Kimberley. Welcoming all! Info call Heather 250 427-4906 Help stop our wait list from growing!! Apply to be a Kimberley or Cranbrook Big Brother or Sister, “one hour a week or more”. 250489-3111. ‘Military Ames’ social/camaraderie/support group meetings are held in the Kimberley Public Library reading room the first and third Tuesday’s of the month. All veterans welcome. For more information contact Cindy 250 919 3137 Dance/Practice: every Saturday. Practice from 7 to 8 PM, dancing until 11 PM. Dance With Me Cranbrook Studio, 206-14 A 13th Street, South, behind Safeway. Volunteers are needed to assist staff with childminding while parents attend programs at the Kimberley Early Learning Center. Come play!! Weekly or monthly for 2 hours. Diana 250427-0716 Funtastic Singers Drop-In Singing group; free to attend-just for fun! No experience necessary! CDAC Office&Gallery 135 10th Ave S, Tuesdays; 6.45-8.15pm 250-426-4223 / cdac@shaw.ca / www. cranbrookanddistrictartscouncil.com Support literacy and special projects at the Kimberley Public Library-visit the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore-an ongoing fundraiser- on Main Street Marysville, Wed-Sat 10:30-3:30. Operated totally by volunteers. 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 non-profit 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
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