Inside
◆ Arts Council - pg 2 ◆ Editorial - pg 4
◆ Murray Ridge - pg 5 ◆ Moonlight Madness - pgs 8-9
Published by Black Press Ltd at 150 West Columbia Street, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0 Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759
WEDNESDAY, November 25, 2015
NEWS BRIEFS Importance of forest products in climate change The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is applauding an issues paper released by the Canadian Climate Forum that documents how forests and products made from tree fibre will play an increasingly critical role in the transition to a low carbon economy. The study “Contributing to Climate Change Solutions” authored by scientist Dr. Stephen Colombo was released at an event sponsored by FPAC. The paper explains how forests and trees play a dual role in mitigating climate change. Forests store vast amounts of carbon, a greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Canadian forests absorbed 150 million tonnes of CO2 from the air in 2013, more than all of Canada’s emissions from cars and trucks in the same year. Trees also provide a sustainable supply of raw materials for products that have lower carbon footprints than their alternatives. About 39 million tonnes of carbon are stored in wood products harvested from Canadian managed forests in 2013. “The carbon forests sequester from the atmosphere is increasingly important given the risks climate change poses to Canada and the rest of the world,” says Colombo. “What happens to the large carbon sinks in Canada’s forests and to Canada’s forest industry will have global consequences for climate change and its mitigation.”
PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com
Moonlight Madness, shop till you drop
VOL. 38 NO. 39 $1.30 inc. GST
A passion for quilting
BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier
Christmas is just around the corner and so is this year’s Moonlight Madness which will be taking place on Friday Nov. 27. The Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce invites all to take part in some local late night shopping. For every $100 that you spend locally, up to $75 stays in the community as compared to just $13 when you shop at big box or chain stores and keeping these dollars within the community promotes economic health and growth. According to the FSJ Chamber of Commerce, here are some reasons why it’s important to shop locally: *Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners. *Interesting businesses are a vital part of vibrant and thriving communities and give small towns their character, personality and soul. *Shopping small is kinder to the environment. Choosing to check around locally before you drive out of town or order online saves travel costs and emissions *The majority of new jobs are created by small businesses. True economic diversification comes from 50 businesses who are able to create one job each, rather than one large employer creating 50 jobs that are more vulnerable to job losses. *Everybody wins big when you shop local. When you’re spending money locally, you’re building the community as much as you are when you volunteer at the school or the sports club. *Fort St. James bucks are also available to help promote local shopping and can be purchased at the FSJ Chamber of Commerce and can be redeemed at most local merchants. *Those who spend more than a total of $10 are also eligible to enter the mystery shopper draw. The following businesses will be open late on Nov. 27: Overwaitea, Fields, Fort Loonie Bin, Ace Hardware, Window Box, Tanis’ Place Gift Shop, Beauty by Vengeance, Perfect 10, Murray Ridge Ski Hill Lakeside Pharmacy, Northland Automotive, Sana’aih Market and Nahounli Gas Bar and Café.
Mona French with one of her quilts. See story and more pictures on page 6.
Case of whooping cough confirmed in Fort St. James BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier
Notices have gone home to parents regarding a confirmed case of whooping cough in a local elementary school. Whooping cough is a very contagious bacterial disease of the lungs and throat caused by a bacterium found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. It can be spread when the sick person coughs or sneezes into the air and others breathe it in. People who have been exposed to whooping
cough, which is sometimes referred to as the 100 day cough, may develop symptoms in about 7 to 10 days after being infected. According to Northern Health, early symptoms are like those of a cold. But after a week or two, the cough worsens leading to longer spells of coughing that may sound like a whooping or crowing sound when the person infected breathes in. The cough may worsen to the point of having to gag or vomit and it is more persistent at night. All in all, it can last up to a month or two. Northern Health is stressing the importance of
having children tested if early symptoms develop. Early diagnosis and a treatment of antibiotics right away will prevent spreading to those at most risk including infants and pregnant women in the last three months of pregnancy. If left untreated, an infected person can spread the germs to others for up to 3 weeks. Parents are urged by Northern Health to ensure their children’s immunizations are up to date. If not, you may contact Northern Health at: (250) 996-7178. For more information visit: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/pdf/hfile15c.pdf