The Free Press, December 10, 2015

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GHOSTRIDERS

3 points for the Ghostriders - Page 19 ELK VALLEY

Holiday Train coming to town - Page 12 ARTS

Chris Arthur, Amelia Dreger, Jade Evans and Raquel Bayley start the holiday season with Breakfast with Santa at the Park Place Lodge on Dec. 6.

New coal mine project is in review process

Photo by B. Catton

Fairytale dance recital - Page 11

SPORTS

Ski patrol ready for season - Page 21

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coal mine is set to begin construction in mid-2017 near the Crowsnest Pass.

Riversdale Resources through its wholly owned subsidiary, Benga Mining, has applied for a permit to make a surface metallurgical coal mine, or open pit coal mine.

The project proposal consists of a mine and a coal processing plant.

The processing plant will include an overland conveyor system and a new section of rail track.

The project is located in southwest

ON SALE NOW

Alberta, about seven kilometers north of Blairmore. The other three areas that the company is focusing on are Bellevue, Adanac and Lynx Creek.

Using a benchmark of four million tonnes per year, the company estimates that the mine lifespan is expected to be over two decades and begin in the late spring of 2019.

“The expected mine life is approximately 23 years, based on four million tonnes per year with operations expected to begin around second quarter of 2019 ramping up to full production within a year or two,” said Cal Clark, Manager

ph: Liam Glass

By Bryn Catton Free Press Staff

of Sustainable Development in an interview with The Free Press.

He went on to state some of the variables that may change the start date of the project. “Start date will depend on when we receive a regulatory decision and obtaining the necessary permitting to commence construction. At the moment, we expect to begin construction in the second or third quarter of 2017.”

The regulatory review process is public. Riversdale Resources will hold more public events including information sessions.

“We expect to be holding a public

Purchase your card at Guest Services or online at:

skircr.com/rockiescard Guest Services: Open Daily from 9am - 5pm

information session in Sparwood in the second or third week of February according to the current regulatory review process timeline. The actual date will be confirmed toward the end of January,” said Clark.

The mine will be producing a mid volatile hard coking coal. This product is most commonly used in the coke ovens of steelmakers, producing thin sheet products.

Currently, Australia is the largest producer of hard coking coal.

“Grassy will join a handful of producers in Canada, USA and Australia supplying the seaborne Continued on page 2

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Your Legendary Winter Has Begun

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Former B.C. premier dies at age 83 News of Bennett’s illness was made public two years ago. A family friend, Charles Fipke, made a $3 million donation to the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health in Bennett’s name.

Premier Christy Clark took to Twitter to remark on Bennett’s passing.

“Saddened to learn of the passing of former Premier Bill Bennett. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time,” she posted.

“Premier Bennett did more than anyone to build and modernize our province, he will be remembered as one of our greatest leaders.”

By Leah Scheitel Free Press Staff

Former British Columbia premier, Bill Bennett, passed away on Dec. 3. Bennett, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, was 83 years old.

Bennett was elected premier in 1975 and was re-elected in both 1979 and 1983. He remained in the premier’s office until 1986.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his condolences in a statement made on Friday.

“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends and colleagues of former British Columbia premier Bill Bennett,” he said. “He was a very capable and hardworking British Columbian who contributed enormously to his province and to our country. He will be remembered and honoured.”

His political counterparts are remembering Bennett as a visionary, as he was partly responsible for Vancouver’s SkyTrain system, Expo ’86 and the Coquihalla Highway.

Spaghetti Dinner Teck hosted water quality Silent Auction

& Benefit

information session

By Leah Scheitel Free Press Staff

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December

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6-11 pm

@ the Legion Hall

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All proceeds will go to Elk Valley residents

Glenn & Tania Wallman

The

Featuring

Relief Committee playing @8pm

Tickets available at The Free Press

Hosted by The Free Press

A division of

$

20

per person

eck hosted a presentation regarding water quality at their mining operations in the Elk Valley on Dec. 3. The presentation started at 4 p.m. and went until about 8 p.m. at the Causeway Bay Hotel in Sparwood.

“We hosted this public open house in order to share information and answer questions from members

of the community about how we manage tailings at our operations to ensure the highest level of safety and environmental performance,” said Nic Milligan, Community and Aboriginal Affairs manager for Teck. “We are committed to regularly hosting opportunities for engagement with the community on topics that are of interest to them.”

The presentation also detailed information regarding Teck’s tailing ponds in the Elk Valley. Since the 2014 breach of

the Mount Polley tailing pond, Teck has paid more attention to the care and maintenance of their five tailing ponds at their Elk Valley operations, located at Fording River, Elkview and Greenhills operations.

Teck has outlined strategies they intend to use, including review boards, management programs and regular inspections, on their website Tecksustainability.com.

Currently, there are no further public information sessions planned.

Grassy Mountain Coal Mine Continued from page 1 market for premium hard coking coals,” said Steve Mallyon, Managing Director of Riversdale Resources. “Consequently hard coking coal attracts the highest premium and Riversdale believe Grassy, due to its low mining and processing costs, will be competitive with the large Australian producers who dominate the current market.”

Over the project’s lifespan, there are expected to be 1,050 jobs created. Clark believes 640 of these jobs will be in Alberta and 410 in British Columbia. The Crowsnest Pass area is expected

to land 245 jobs and 155 in Sparwood, bringing younger families to these communities.

The coal industry is currently in a downward trend. Riversdale believes that this is one of the best times to start a new project because the initial start-up costs are at a lower rate than if coal was in a higher demand.

“Riversdale’s team has tended to build mines during industry downturns as we find that the construction costs are significantly lower and there is less competition for equipment and specialist consultants,” said Mallyon.

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Ambassador program creates local representatives

By Bryn Catton Free Press Staff

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

My Health is Take care of you for us

After many years together, we’re still going strong.

We’re well because we take care of each other’s health.”

T

he Fernie Chamber of Commerce is spearheading a new program, aimed at educating locals about Fernie so they can be representatives of the town. The program came out in the late summer and gives participants the opportunity to learn about the community and to better their customer service skills through the program.

“The Fernie Ambassador program came about in August.

The Chamber held a session about winter planning we wanted to Participants of the first Fernie Ambassador Program at the make sure everyone was ready Fernie Museum, held on Nov. 27.

Submitted photo for winter. Out of that came this the fires in town [and] the mountains around idea to make sure that we have town, so you can name all the mountains.

You the best experience possible for our guests. One can name what is a family friendly bike ride, way to do that is to make sure that everyone who is interacting with our guests has the best they will know immediately, ‘you can go on knowledge available to them,” said Chamber of Lazy Lizard because that’s a great family trail’,” Commerce Executive Director, Patty Vadnais in said Vadnais. “We are really excited about the program and the College of the Rockies has been an interview with The Free Press.

Volunteers and a task force are heading the great.”

The Chamber is currently trying to make another program, and include businesses such as the component to the program that encourages College of the Rockies, Fernie Super 8, Fernie ambassadors to try some of the things that Fernie Shuttle, Fernie Lodging Company, Grow Children’s Boutique, EK Employment and Park offers.

“Participating businesses can offer discounts to Vacation Management. others that have taken the course. That piece is Since August the group has been able to more to encourage people to try all things Fernie. develop the content of the course and make the To get a taste of the different opportunities and program available to the public.

The first program was Nov. 27, and had 18 what we have to offer. So you get a discount on of the possible 20 spots filled. Vadnais said the a fat tire bicycle or a snowboard so you can go try overall feedback was “really positive and the those sorts of things.”

There are three upcoming Ambassador people had a great time,” and that the group was Programs seminars, with the first being held on not entirely comprised of Fernie newcomers.

“We had business owners that have had shops Dec. 9. Following seminars will be held on Dec. here in town for a while, and we had a hotel send 15 and Dec. 18. most of their staff as well,” said Vadnais.

The course is four hours long. The portion at the College of the Rockies is focused on customer 601 1st Avenue, Fernie service skills while the second portion takes place Phone: 250-423-4842 in the museum and is focused on the town itself, from local legends to activity trails.

“The museum curator Ron [Ulrich] and Lori [Bradish] take a little bit of time and give them some history and then they take some time to The Fernie & District Arts Council wishes to look around and see what’s in the museum THANK all those that helped make The Arts and where else they can find that information,” Station’s 25th Anniversary Soiree such a success!

Vadnais said.

With sincere thanks to the Scotia Bank for “They talk about the legend of the Ghostrider,

–Dr. Evan Adams, Chief Medical Officer, First Nations Health Authority

Confidential HIV testing is available; ask your doctor and if you’re offered the test, say yes.

To arrange a test call a nurse at:

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Christmas Hamper

Extra Opportunity to apply for a Christmas Hamper

For those who missed the application days phone 250-423-4661 to arrange for an appointment on Monday, December 14th.

Once you have your appointment time, come to: The Salvation Army – 741B 2nd Avenue, Fernie This is the last day for applications.

Appointments will be made from 10-12 and 1-4

Thank You

WHY BC IS THE ENERGY LEADER IN CANADA…

their volunteer efforts of managing ticket sales and generous matching donation of ticket sale proceeds. Thank you for your continued support in our community and for supporting the Arts!

with MLA Bill Bennett The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 81, Sparwood, would like to thank the following for their support in this past Remembrance Day: District of Sparwood Stan Kilford Owen Joinson John & Eileen Ward MLA Bill Bennett Collin Kilford Pastors Matthew & Shawn The Sparwood Fire Dept.

Romeo Bevilacqua Beagen & Linda Krall Kirby Glynn

RCMP Murray Cook Wray & Irene Mills Pat Glynn Mayor Cal McDougall Pat Burness Alexandra Harrington S.O.A.P.S. Doug Rybachuk Rhonda Smethurst Bruce Timbrell

All youth groups and the general public who participated in the Remembrance Day service and parade and/or supported this year’s poppy campaign.

As well, we wish to thank the businesses, service clubs, and individuals who through the purchase of wreaths or by donations contributed to the poppy fund.

A special thank you to the Elk Valley Air Cadets and its Officers.

1. BC’s carbon tax is paid by everyone in BC, companies and individuals & is frozen at $30/ton GHG emissions. It is the only broadly-applied, revenue-neutral carbon tax in Canada. Tax relief equal to the cost of the tax is given back to British Columbians. See Province’s financial statements for verification. Last year, more tax relief was given back than carbon collected.

The 25th Anniversary Committee: Gail Adams, Lesley Graham, Oz Parsons, Denise Baughan, Vanessa Croome, Troy Cook, Peggy Black, Erin Teeple and Samantha Lloyd Light & Sound: Mike Tomney Catering: The Blue Toque Historical Curating: Dave O’Hare & Oz Parsons Logo Design: Michael Hepher Invitation and Poster: Keya White As well as our fabulous Musicians: DJ Jay Ray, Heather McDonald, Red Girl, The Relief Committee and Shred Kelly

2. BC’s Renewable Fuels regulation requires all fuel suppliers to have a minimum of 5% renewable content in gasoline and 4% in diesel & to reduce carbon intensity by 10% in 2020. Last year, refiners exceeded renewable content minimums. This program reduces GHG emissions more than any other Canadian program & is the only such program in Canada. By 2020, the low-carbon fuel requirements are expected to result in the avoidance of 2.7 million tonnes of greenhouse gases annually.

3. BC’s Innovative Clean Energy Fund (collected from natural gas taxes) funds new, exciting technologies. BC Hydro’s Power Smart program provides incentives for energy conservation, including retrofitting buildings and replacing lighting. Health & education sectors benefit, as do individuals & businesses.

Bill Bennett MLA, Kootenay East www.billbennettmla.bc.ca

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Sparwood to continue the ‘walking program’

By Bryn Catton Free Press Staff

I

n recent years, Interior Health has hosted a physiotherapy program in Sparwood,

held at the Leisure Centre. The program is known locally as ‘the walking program’ according to Duane Lawrence, Director of Community & Facility Services.

With the help of the program,

Remembrance of Life Candlelight Service Honouring the lives of those we love Wednesday, December 16th at 7:00 PM Cherished Memories “Serenity Chapel” 891 4th Ave. Fernie

EVERYONE WELCOME Donations to Hospice appreciated.

residents of the Elk Valley could receive onsite help from a physiotherapist.

Because of budget issues, Interior Health was unable to rent the hall for the program from the District of Sparwood.

“Due to budgetary constraints for Interior Health they were unable to continue to rent the facility from the District of Sparwood,” said Lawrence.

This started a conversation between the District, Interior Health, and the community’s local physiotherapist. The result is continued physiotherapy support at the same location for existing and new clients at the same times, and a $30 monthly fee for qualifying members.

The average rehab program lasts three months then participants are transitioned out. The new program invites participants to continue their exercises at the same facility with indirect supervision. The program will have no charge for prescribed rehabilitation.

“What we are doing is charging a $30 a month registration for the program.

Now they typically do three months of rehab through this program and then they

are transitioned out. But for this new program they are welcomed to continually access the program just under indirect supervision from the physiotherapist so that she can focus her attention on the new clients that are coming,” said Lawrence.

Before the $30 a month registration was implemented, there was no direct cost to the programs users. Interior Health rented the facility, but the District of Sparwood has started to rent the facility and implemented the registration cost.

“There wasn’t [a cost] to the clients but there was to the Interior Health. So they basically rented the facility, and I am not sure if they were charging internally but there is really no cost,” said Lawrence. “The physiotherapist will be covered under the Interior Health Association (IHA) and the facility covered under the District of Sparwood.”

There will be an increase in offerings from the single program and they will be amalgamating the resistance-base and cardiovascular training courses, which were previously offered at the Sparwood Interior Health Office, to the Fitness Centre at the Leisure Centre.

“One of the reasons we have chosen to do that under the same type of program is that a lot of people have difficulty

transitioning locations after the end of their physiotherapy.”

The first three months or prescribed rehabilitation will continue to have no charge. The program aims to provide a place for participants to continue their exercises with a pass that would be purchased.

“What we are hoping is that after they finish their three months of rehab or the duration of it they will then be able to continue to access the leisure centre with a pass they would have to purchase. But it is at the same location, so this will increase the likelihood of them continuing on with the exercise therapy after the formal program has ended,” said Lawrence.

On behalf of the District of Sparwood, Lawrence hopes that their new campaign “prescription for health” catches on in the community.

It is designed for physicians and practitioners to also prescribe activity as a part of a patient’s medication plan. The District plans to offer access passes at a reduced cost with proof of prescription for a three-month time period at a 55 per cent discount.

“Physicians and practitioners are prescribing people with chronic illness and injuries exercise as a part of their treatment,” said Lawence.

Regional District of East Kootenay Public Hearing Notice - Bylaw Amendment BYLAW 2649 - Cunliffe Road / Canning

Public Hearing Notice - Bylaw Amendment BYLAW 2661 - McDonald Ave. / Botrakoff

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is considering an amendment to the Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw. If approved, the amendment will change the designation of the subject property to permit highway commercial land uses including RV and boat storage. The subject land is located at 6208 Cunliffe Road, 0.3 km north of Fernie, as shown on the attached map.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is considering an amendment to the Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw. If approved, the amendment will change the designation of the subject property to permit subdivision. The subject land is located at 1679 McDonald Avenue in West Fernie, as shown on the attached map.

Bylaw No. 2649 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 78, 2015 (Cunliffe Rd. / Canning)” will amend the designation of Lot 6, District Lot 4139, Kootenay District, Plan 802, Except Plan 7617, from RR-2, Rural Residential (Small Holding) Zone to CG-4, Highway Commercial Zone with a text amendment to permit indoor and outdoor RV and boat storage.

Bylaw No. 2661 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Elk Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 829, 1990 – Amendment Bylaw No. 80, 2015 (McDonald Ave. / Botrakoff)” will amend the designation of Lot A, District Lot 5455, Kootenay District, Plan NEP64826 from RR-2, Rural Residential (Small Holding) Zone to RS-1, Single Residential (Urban) Zone.

The public hearing will be held at: Fernie Family Centre 521 - 4th Avenue Fernie, BC Monday, December 21, 2015 at 7:00 pm

The public hearing will be held at: Fernie Family Centre 521 - 4th Avenue Fernie, BC Monday, December 21, 2015 at 7:00 pm

The Board has delegated the holding of this hearing to the Directors for Electoral Area A and the City of Fernie.

The Board has delegated the holding of this hearing to the Directors for Electoral Area A and the City of Fernie.

If you believe that your interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw, you may prior to the hearing: • inspect the Bylaw and supporting information at the RDEK office in Cranbrook from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays; • mail, fax or email written submissions to the addresses/numbers shown below; or • present written and/or verbal submissions at the hearing.

If you believe that your interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw, you may prior to the hearing: • inspect the Bylaw and supporting information at the RDEK office in Cranbrook from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays; • mail, fax or email written submissions to the addresses/ numbers shown below; or • present written and/or verbal submissions at the hearing.

SUBMISSIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SUBMISSIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

All submissions will form part of the public record and will be published in a meeting agenda posted online. Personal contact information such as phone and email will be removed from written submissions. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335.

This notice is not an interpretation of the Bylaw. For more information, contact Tracy Van de Wiel, Planning Technician, at 250-489-0306, toll free at 1-888-478-7335, or email tvandewiel@rdek.bc.ca.

All submissions will form part of the public record and will be published in a meeting agenda posted online. Personal contact information such as phone and email will be removed from written submissions. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335.

This notice is not an interpretation of the Bylaw. For more information, contact Tracy Van de Wiel, Planning Technician, at 250-489-0306, toll free at 1-888-478-7335, or email tvandewiel@rdek.bc.ca.

19 - 24th Avenue South, Cranbrook BC V1C 3H8 Ph: 250-489-2791 • 888-478-7335

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

RDEK 50th anniversary Submitted

T

he annual election of the Regional District of the East Kootenay (RDEK) Chair and Vice Chair was held at the RDEK on Dec. 4.

Electoral Area C Director, Rob Gay, will continue on as chair of the board for 2016.

“I appreciate the confidence of my fellow Directors in re-electing me as Chair and I look forward to another productive year,” said Gay in a press release. This will be Gay’s fifth term as RDEK Chair. He has been on the board since 2005.

Electoral Area F Director Wendy Booth was re-elected as Vice Chair for a fourth term.

“I have really enjoyed being Vice Chair and look forward to continuing to work with Chair Gay and the Board to advance our priorities for the coming year,” she said.

The RDEK celebrated its 50th anniversary this week. In honour of the landmark milestone, the Board, staff, former Chairs and dignitaries gathered for a special dinner on Dec. 3, which included presentations that highlighted moments over the past half century.

In addition, the RDEK Board of Directors has approved an updated logo for the organization.

The new logo includes the addition of a sun over the mountain and will be gradually transitioned into use over the next few months.

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Thank You! Elk Valley Thrift Shop Volunteers

Katrin & Phill Taylor Dawn & Bob Wyld Donna & Bob Hunter Chris & Doug Chala Katie Jackson Flo Charest Joanne Chatterson Lynn Cornell Mary Fleming

Gabby Godin Carol Graham Bunny Mercereau Janet Nerbas Gail Pidgeon Anges Scott Marla Taylor Marlene Shipley Marion Blanc

Anne Brennan Kathy Chatterson Cindy & Mark Hesje Crissy Riegert Candice Shipley Peggy Wall Nina Travis

And past volunteers

Elk Valley Thrift Shop Sponsors

Teck District of Sparwood EK Radio Overwaitea Race Trac Gas Alpine Lumber The Free Press

Centennial Ventures The Elk Valley Herald Manitoulin Transport Reid’s Bobcat Service Intermountain Specialties Equipment Sales + Service

On Saturday December 12 the Elk Valley Thrift Shop will be celebrating 2 years in business.

Stop by and say hello!

Refreshments and door prizes to be won.

Open 10 - 2pm.

Thank you everyone for your ongoing support

Merry Christmas

On Nov. 29, Sparwood Search and Rescue hosted the annual food drive. Volunteers knocked on neighbourhood doors, encouraging people to make a donation to the local food bank.

Submitted photo

ELK VALLEY THRIFT SHOP SOCIETY

District of Elkford 816 Michel Road P.O. Box 340 Elkford, B.C. V0B 1H0 P.250.865.4000 • F.250.865.4001 • info@elkford.ca • www.elkford.ca

Kids’ Christmas Pool Party Join us for a splash, prizes, holiday activities and snacks!

Friday, December 11th 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Elkford Aquatic Centre Cost: Regular admission

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings December 14th Regular Council @ 6:00 pm January 11th Regular Council @ 6:00 pm January 25th Regular Council @ 6:00 pm These meetings will be held in the Council Chambers at 816 Michel Road and are open to the public.

Watch for Santa Claus in your neighbourhood on Christmas Eve! The Elkford Fire Rescue Team has agreed to help Santa out by showing him around Elkford in the fire truck. Look to Elkford Fire Rescue’s Facebook page for updates from the North Pole regarding Santa’s visit.

Elkford Fire Rescue Invites You… Christmas Food Bank Fundraiser

Everyone welcome! Support your local Food Bank! A great day out for the family!

Sunday, December 13th 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Toboggan Hill/Soccer Field (Behind the Elkford Community Conference Centre) Sledding, activities, and food!

BBQ, food and hot chocolate by cash donation.

All proceeds to the Elkford Food Bank.

Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule

Keep Informed:

There will be no change to the residential garbage collection schedule over the holidays.

Visit www.elkford.ca

Christmas Tree Disposal

Find us on Facebook: (District Elkford)

A friendly reminder that Christmas trees will be accepted at the RDEK Transfer Station for disposal at #6 Inkaneep Road in the Industrial Park.

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Opinion

Phone: 250-423-4666 Email: editor@thefreepress.ca

Production Manager Bonny McLardy Creative Debra Brygadyr-Cook Member of

Circulation Shannon Stewart

Editorial Office - 342 2nd Avenue Box 2350, Fernie, B.C. V0B 1M0 Tel: (250) 423-4666 Toll Free 1-866-337-6437 Editorial email: editor@thefreepress.ca Advertising email: advertising@thefreepress.ca Publisher’s email: publisher@thefreepress.ca website: www.thefreepress.ca

250-489-3455 Toll Free: 1 800 665 2382

Wanda MacDonald Jacquie Zutter

Andrea Horton PUBLISHER

Call 250-489-3455 or toll free 1-800-665-2382 for Subscriptions Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9 Established in Fernie, B.C. in 1898 and published weekly each Thursday by The Free Press, a division of Black Press Group Ltd. and distributed throughout the Elk Valley and South Country. Free circulation 6,000.

Reproductions of any material contained in this publication is forbidden without the prior consent of the publisher.

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Copyright® All rights reserved. Contents copyright by The Free Press. Any reproduction of material contained in this publication in whole or in part is forbidden without the expressed written consent of the publisher. It is agreed that The Free Press will not be responsible for errors or omissions and is not liable for any amount exceeding the cost of the space used and then only such portion where the errors actually appeared. We reserve the right to edit or reject any submission or advertisement that is contrary to our publishing guidelines.

Letters to the Editor

by Andrea Horton

On Dec. 3, the paramedics and firemen donned their uniforms and headed out into the evening with sirens blaring, indicating the start of their annual food drive in support of the Salvation Army Food Bank. With vehicles full the donations were returned to the Food Bank where yet more volunteers were on hand to sort them.

With the need in the Valley growing every year, Major’s Gwen and James Hagglund of the Salvation Army are pleased with the results of last Thursday’s Ambulance and Fire Department food drive. Once again, the citizens of Fernie rose to the challenge, even exceeding last year’s donations by approximately 25 per cent.

This will help to sustain those in need for a longer period of time, however the Food Bank will continue to require more donations throughout the year, and the residents and businesses of Fernie will again offer their support.

This generosity of time, donations, and spirit is evident throughout the year in our community. From the unbelievable outpouring of community support for the “Smiles for Shyanne” fundraiser earlier this year, to the support of businesses and citizens for the upcoming Wallman benefit, and every sporting tournament and fundraiser in between, Fernie opens its heart.

The support and donations come in all forms, including monetary, goods and services and time. The generosity in this community never ceases to amaze me, not only during the holidays but all year round.

Recently Mayor Mary Giuliano hosted an appreciation luncheon for all of the many volunteers in the community, which was a wonderful tribute to those who work hard all throughout the year.

Our community is a tapestry that is woven together with people from all walks of life, a variety of countries, and a multitude of backgrounds and beliefs, however when the time comes, the fibers of the community blanket pull tightly together to support our own.

I am forever grateful for my neighbours, friends and community. I am proud to call Fernie my home.

Sophie Howden

Letter to the Editor re: Thank you for food drive help I just wanted to send out a big thank you to members of BC Ambulance - Fernie station, Fernie Fire Department, Royal Canadian Army and Air Cadets, the Salvation Army and the generous people of Fernie for making this year's Annual Food Drive a raging success. With so many hands on deck, we were able to collect over two tons of food that will help stock empty kitchens around our community.

If we missed you, donations are always accepted at the Salvation Army and the various other food drives taking place around our community.

Have a safe, warm and wonderful Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Carolyn Nikodym Fernie, B.C.

4-H update Submitted by Ocean Barness 4-H Club Reporter

S

erica and Shana created a 4-H club to learn about our community and animals.

It is called 4-H because the pledge has 4-H’s: I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health for better living, for my club, my community and my country.

On Dec. 12, we have a monthly meeting and Christmas party.

All monthly meetings are at the Mountainside Community Church (MCC). On Jan. 18 we have a monthly meeting, Jan. 31 there is a sheep swine weighing in Grassmere, the time is still to be determined.

On Feb. 9 we have Shrove Tuesday, which is a pancake supper.

The monthly meetings are at 6 p.m. and the Christmas party is at 4 p.m.

The clover buds and the younger group learn about swine, clothing, horses, bicycle safety, goats, dogs and photography.

4-H Club Reporter - age 9

Leah Scheitel EDITOR

FRONT OFFICE In Absentia

Bryn Catton REPORTER

Letters Welcome The Free Press wants to hear your opinion, especially on local issues. We reserve the right to edit letters for legality, length and good taste, as well as the right to refuse publication of any submission.

Copyright in letters and other materials submitted to the publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms.

Your letter must include your full name, address and phone number.

All letters to the editor will be published with the authors name. 300 word limit per letter.

Email your letter to editor@thefreepress.ca

Do you have something to say? We’d love to hear from you. Please send your Letters to the Editor to editor@thefreepress.ca.

Letter to the Editor re: Interior Health Authority On Dec. 3, I met for an hour with the new CEO of the Interior Health Authority, Chris Mazurkewich.

Mr. Mazurkewich was in a senior role with the IHA when I was first elected 15 years ago. Back then, the East Kootenay had no regional hospital. We did not have full complements of specialists as we do today and so if you were very sick or very injured, you were at risk from an inadequate system. We did not have all our new specialists, our new Emergency ward, our new Diagnostics Centre or our new Ambulatory Care Centre. And of course we did not have the new ICU that is approaching completion.

In those days, Macleans Magazine did a front page story illustrating how bad rural health care was in Canada and the Cranbrook hospital was featured in the article, not in a nice way. Today in the East Kootenay, we have one of the best rural healthcare systems in the world.

In terms of family doctors, the Canadian Institute for Health Information’s recent physician report showed that in 2014, B.C. added 320 more physicians – for a total of 10,692. More physicians are coming to rural B.C. – with a 6.6 per cent increase in the number of rural family physicians in the province.

B.C. has the best rate of population per full-time GP in the country, at 125 per 100,000. We continue to work hard on this issue because there are still not enough family doctors.

We are training more new doctors.

The NDP did not add a single new medical school space. There were 120 first-year medical training spaces in 1991 – and 120 in 2001

when I was first elected. Today we have 288. In 2014/15, there were 2,441 doctors practicing in rural areas in B.C. compared to 2,260 in 2010/11 – an increase of about 8 per cent, compared to population growth of just 2.1 per cent.

Back in 2001, we also did not have relatively new seniors care homes in all East Kootenay communities of 3000 or more population, as we do today. Seniors benefit the most from an improved acute care system but home & community care is also critically important. In 2013/14, health authorities delivered 8.45 million hours of home support, 21 per cent more than just four years earlier. But we need more to keep patients at home longer.

In comparison with the rest of Canada, B.C. leads in Canada with some of the best health outcomes in the world – with some of the lowest per capita spending.

Rated first in Canada according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in June 2014 – the only province to receive ‘A’ grade overall from Conference Board of Canada in May 2013.

This is not to suggest that the healthcare system is perfect. It is not and it never will be. But we are on the right track and with continued commitment to innovation and continued increased funding, healthcare for all citizens, especially seniors, is constantly improving.

My personal goals are to get our own MRI at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital, to ensure that we maintain surgery at the Fernie Hospital and to improve home and community care options across the region, especially for seniors.

Bill Bennett Local MLA

www.thefreepress.ca

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Elkford fire department to host food drive

By Leah Scheitel Free Press Staff

O

n Dec. 13, the Elkford Fire Department is holding a fundraiser to benefit the Elkfood Food Bank. Featuring hot food and warm drinks behind the Elkford Community Conference Centre, all goodies will be available by donation, with all proceeds being donated to the food bank.

“The tentative plan is from 3 until 7 at night on the 13 of December, behind the Community Conference Centre in Elkford, there is a little bit of a toboggan hill there.

We plan on having a bit of a fire pit and chili and hot dogs and hamburgers and that sort of thing. We suggest that they donate some money,” said Corey Kortmeyer, the interim fire chief in Elkford.

In years past, the fire department worked in conjunction with other types of emergency service providers to hold a food drive for the Food Bank. However, this year, the food bank is only accepting cash donations. According to Karen Lewis, a representative from the Elkford Food Bank, they don’t have the room to store and

7

sort through food items, as their physical food bank location shut down in the late spring.

“In prior years, they did an actual food drive to collect items, and they drove around the town, and unfortunately this year, we do not have a food bank room,” she said. “We don’t have the room to do a food drive.”

This year, the food bank will buy vouchers to the Kootenay Market in Elkford with the funds raised to provide to people in need.

Kortmeyer said this is an interesting method, as it allows people to choose food items for themselves.

“If you have ever been a part of a food drive, you get lots of cans and Kraft Dinner and tomato soup and that kind of thing,” he said. “When families go in, they will be able to take the gift certificate in and actually get fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh meat if they want to. It falls mpre in line with people being able to purchase what they wish.”

The event is aimed at being family-friendly, with a toboggan hill, a small fire pit and warm refreshments for families to enjoy. It is set to start at 3 p.m. on Dec. 13.

Fernie locals on food bank donations Question: Have you donated to the Salvation Army or Food Bank this year or in the past?

Adam McNaughton

Tiffany Cromey and her daughter Olive

Sara and Brian Larsen

“Yes, I usually donate to the food hampers at Overwaitea and we go to the Salvation Army store.”

Brian: “Yes, I usually contribute game meat.”

5:30

“I do the door to door campaigns for the ambulance and collecting stuff for hampers for the Salvation Army so I donated that way. At hockey games when they have a food drive there I will also donate there.”

Sara: “Yeah, last year we went to the Holiday Train and we think we will go this year.”

Sparwood Community & Facility Services 367 Pine Avenue, Box 669, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 Phone: 250-425-0552 Fax: 250-425-0551 Email: recoffice@sparwood.ca

January 13, 2011 GENERAL INTEREST

Arena Schedule

Pool Schedule Skate & Shoot

Monday - Friday

District of sparwooD Launches new BranD

CP Holiday Train Sunday, December 13, 2015 Arrival 3:35 pm Event 3:45 – 4:15 pm Behind the Leisure Centre Join us to celebrate the holidays with musical guests. Bring a cash or healthy food donation to support families in need. Enjoy the half-hour performance featuring: Jim Cuddy, Devin Cuddy, and Kelly Prescott.

Early Bird Swim Lanes & Leisure

Mon, Wed & Fri Mon, Wed & Fri Mon, Wed & Fri Tues & Thurs Gentle Fit Mon, Wed & Fri Aquafit Mon, Wed & Fri Lane Swim Tues & Thurs Mon, Wed, Fri Sat & Sun Mon to Fri Help Wanted Sat & Sun The Sparwood Leisure Centre is currently looking Family Swim Sat & Sun for instructors for fitness classes and programs.

Public Swim Mon, Tues & Wed For more information contact the Leisure Centre at Thurs, Fri recoffice@sparwood.ca Sat & Sun Watch for these programs starting in January Sat and February.

The District of Sparwood is pleased to announce the Free Public Swim Fri Children Cooking HOT TUB ONLY its new brand identity.

“We’re now Mon Home Alone Safetylaunch for Kids of Vegetarian Meals and 14+ 14+ OVER Tues Babysitter Training Indian at Home ideally positioned to clearly 14+HOT and consistently share Wed our Swim Lessons Healthy & Delicious TUB ONLY AQUAFIT Wed

Yours & Mine. together.

community’s story,” said Terry Melcer, The District of

Sparwood’s Chief FITNESS CLASSES

• Hot tub special only $2.60 after 8:00 pm.

Administrative Officer.

This is the last week of classes before the New Year!

Unlike Watch for our Fitness Class many Lineup starting in January.

•

12:00-1:00 pm

6:30 - 8:00 am Public Skating Mondays & Wednesdays 3:45-5:00 pm 8:00 - 9:30 am Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00-8:00 pm 10:30 - 12:00pm (Most) Sundays 3:00-4:45 pm 1:00 - 2:30 pm After School Rec Hockey Wednesday 3:45-5:00 pm Parent & Tot Tuesdays 1:30-2:30 pm 8:30 - 9:15 am Adult Rec Hockey (Most) Thursdays 9:30-11:00 pm 9:30 - 10:30 am 11:00 - 1:00 pm 12:00 - 1:00 pm 1:00 - 2:00 pm Christmas Ice Special 5:30 - 6:30 pm Book the ice for $50.00 / hour during 5:00 - 6:00 pm the Christmas holidays. Please book 2:00 - 3:00 pm early as space is limited. Times will be 6:30 - 8:00 pm available from December 21, 2015 – 6:30 - 9:00 pm January 4, 2016.

3:00 - 5:00 pm 6:00 - 8:00 pm Adult Rec Hockey with our most 4:00 -Melcer.

5:30 pm“This allows our brand to resonate Starting - October 22, 2015 8:00 -important 9:00 pm audience first — our own community.”

Thursdays, 9:30 – 10:30 pm 8:00 - 9:00 pm (Must be 19 or older) 8:00 - 9:00 pm Come out and enjoy a fun game of hockey include with friends.

Men and women 8:00 -The 9:00 pm results of the branding exercise initial a new

ARENA

of all skill levels are welcome!

logo, new taglines, a community website, professional

Aquafit - main pool open for participants only. Sauna, hot tubimages, & tot poolposters, available at this time.

ARENA DROP-IN RATES

trade show materials, ads, and other Preschool

$2.60 $3.40 $4.35 • toAdditional swim or on statutory holidays 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Adult $5.60 not been developed primarily increasepublc tourism how to implement the brand as the community moves Spin Classes Family $11.40 Body Blast POOL & attract destination visitors. Rather, itsARENA brandRENTALS development SEASON PASSES forward and begins to proactively shareARENA its story.

Yoga Looking for something differenet for a family function or birthday party?

Child $47.30 is to strengthen its distinctiveWe characteristics, demonstrate Synergy offer private arena and pool rentals for your event!

Student/Senior $61.60 Strength Intervals “We’re not intent on strictly developing as Adult a tourism $91.60 For more informarion or to book the arema or pool call the Leisure Centre a desire to continue to develop economic diversity, and Bellyfit Family $147.40 at 250-425-0552.

PiYo community,” says Melcer. “But we are intent on Child community brands, Sparwood’s brand has age 3 and over during morning informational collateral, as well as recommendations • Free child minding for children aquafit.

Student/Senior on

to continue to provide a solid foundation to increase

8

www.thefreepress.ca

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Want your event listed in Around the Valley and on-line?

The Good Dinosaur

Friday, Dec 11 - Thursday, Dec 17

BOOK THE ARCADE FOR YOUR NEXT AFTERNOON OR EVENING PARTY! Visit www.ferniemovies.com for more info.

Call 250-423-3132 to book.

Rated G • 7 pm Nightly 7 pm & 9 pm Fri, Sat & Tues

Creed

Rated PG • 7 pm Nightly 7 pm & 9:30 pm Fri, Sat & Tues NO THURSDAY SHOW

3 pm Matinees Sat & Sun $6.50 in 2D

321-2 Avenue, Fernie

ADD IT ONLINE Event submissions are FREE!

250-423-7111 Movieline

www.ferniemovies.com

Find out what’s happening in your community and submit your own local events.

go to:

www.thefreepress.ca/calendar/submit/

Around the Valley

Around the Valley Legend: Fernie Aquatic Centre = F.A.C. Elkford Aquatic Centre = E.A.C. Sparwood = Spwd Fernie Family Centre = FFC Fernie Seniors Centre = FSC

Around the Valley is a free listing to any local service.

Please send an email to customerservice@thefreepress.ca or drop off a brief description of your event at The Free Press office.

Monday

• 6:30 to 8:00am – Early Bird Swim at the Spwd Pool • 7:00 to 1:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 7:00 to 8:00pm – Fitness Centre open at F.A.C. • 8:00 to 9:30am – Lanes and Leisure at the Spwd Pool • 8:30 to 9:15am – Gentle Fit at the Spwd Pool • 8:30 to 9:15am – Active Fit at the F.A.C. • 9:00 to 10:30am – Indoor Walking at the Fernie Community Centre • 9:30 to 10:30am – Aquafit at the Spwd Pool • 10:30 to Noon – Lanes and Leisure at the Spwd Pool • 12:00 to 1:00pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 12:00 to 1:00pm – Skate & Shoot at Spwd Arena • 1:00pm – Dominoes at the FSC • 3:00 to 8:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 3:30 to 5:30pm - Red Cross Swim at F.A.C. • 3:45 to 5:00pm – Public Skate at the Spwd Arena • 5:30 to 6:30pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 6:00pm – Bridge at the FSC • 6:30 to 8:00pm – Public Swim at the Spwd Pool • 7:00pm – Mahjong at the FSC • 7:00pm – Celebrate Recovery at Mountainside Church • 7:00pm – Community Climb Night at Evolution Climbing Gym • 7:30 to 9:00pm – Ladies Night at Old School Boxing • 8:00 to 9:00pm – 14+ Hot Tub Only at the Spwd Pool

Tuesday

• 7:00 to 8:00pm – Fitness Centre open at F.A.C. • 7:00 to 1:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 9:00 to Noon – Red Cross Swim at F.A.C. • 9:30 to 10:15am – Aquafit at the E.A.C. • 9:00 to 10:30am – Indoor Walking at the Fernie Community Centre • 9:00 to 11:00am – Red Cross Swim at F.A.C. • 10:00 to 11:00am – Kindergym at the FFC • 10:30 to 11:15am – Gentle Fit at the F.A.C. • 10:30 to noon – $3.00 Swim at the E.A.C. •11:00am – Crafts at the FSC • 11:00 to 1:00pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 12:00 to 1:00pm – Skate & Shoot at Spwd Arena • 1:00 to 2:30pm – Lanes and

Leisure at the Spwd Pool • 1:30 to 2:30pm – Parents & Tots Skating at the Spwd Arena • 3:00 to 8:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 5:30 to 6:30pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 6:30pm - Ladies Archery at the Elks Hall • 6:30 to 8:00pm – Public Swim at the Spwd Pool • 6:30 to 8:30pm – Opt Fernie Clinic at the Elk Valley Hospital • 7:00 to 8:00pm – Public Skate at the Spwd Arena • 7:00 to 9:00pm – Public Drop In Climbing at COTR • 7:30pm – Cribbage at the FSC • 7:30 to 9:00pm – Mixed Boxing at Old School Boxing Club • 8:00 to 9:00pm – 14+ Swim at the Spwd Pool

Wednesday

• 6:30 to 8:00am – Early Bird Swim at the Spwd Pool • 7:00 to 1:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 7:00 to 8:00pm – Fitness Centre open at F.A.C. • 8:00 to 9:30am – Lanes and Leisure at the Spwd Pool • 8:30 to 9:15am – Gentle Fit at the Spwd Pool • 8:30 to 9:15am – Active Fit at the F.A.C. • 9:00 to 10:30am – Indoor Walking at the Fernie Community Centre • 9:30 to 10:30am – Aquafit at the Spwd Pool • 9:30 to 10:15am – Aquafit at the E.A.C. • 10:00 to 11:00am – Kindergym at the FFC • 10:30 to Noon – Lanes and Leisure at the Spwd Pool • 10:30 to Noon – $3.00 Swim at the E.A.C. • 11:45am – Gentle Fit at FSC • 12:00 to 1:00pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 12:00 to 1:00pm – Skate & Shoot at Spwd Arena • 12:00pm - Fernie Rotary Meeting Park Place Lodge • 1:00pm – Cards at FSC • 1:00pm – Decorative Arts at FSC • 3:00 to 8:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 3:30 to 5:30pm - Red Cross Swim at F.A.C. • 3:45 to 5:00pm – Public Skate & After School Rec Hockey at the Spwd Arena • 5:30 to 6:30pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 6:00 to 9:00pm – Drop in Workshop at Clawhammer Press • 6:30pm – Tae Chi at FSC • 7:00pm – Quilting at FSC

• 8:00 to 9:00pm –14+ Aquafit at the Spwd Pool

Thursday

• 7:00 to 8:00pm – Fitness Centre open at F.A.C. • 7:00 to 1:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 9:00 to Noon – Red Cross Swim at F.A.C. • 9:00 to 10:30am – Indoor Walking at the Fernie Community Centre • 9:30 to 10:15am – Ease the Knees at the E.A.C. • 10:30 to 11:15am – Gentle Fit at the F.A.C. • 10:30 to Noon – $3.00 Swim at the E.A.C. • 11:00 to 1:00pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 12:00 to 1:00pm – Skate & Shoot at Spwd Arena • 1:00pm – Pay Me Cards at FSC • 1:00 to 2:30pm – Lanes and Leisure at the Spwd Pool • 3:00 to 8:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 5:30 to 6:30pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 6:00 to 8:00pm – Public Swim at the E.A.C. • 6:30 to 9:00pm – Public Swim at the Spwd Pool • 7:00 to 8:00pm – Public Skate at the Spwd Arena • 7:00pm – Darts at the Spwd Legion • 7:30 to 9:00pm – Women & Men’s Night at Old School Boxing • 9:30 to 10:30pm – Adult Rec Hockey at the Spwd Arena

Friday

• 6:30 to 8:00am – Early Bird Swim at the Spwd Pool • 7:00 to 1:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 7:00 to 8:00pm – Fitness Centre open at F.A.C. • 8:00 to 9:30am – Lanes and Leisure at the Spwd Pool • 8:30 to 9:15am – Gentle Fit at the Spwd Pool • 8:30 to 9:15am – Active Fit at the F.A.C. • 9:00 to Noon – Red Cross Swim at F.A.C. • 9:30 to 10:30am –Aquafit at the Spwd Pool • 9:30 to 10:15am – Aquafit at the E.A.C. • 10:00 to 11:00am – Kindergym at the FFC • 10:30 to 11:15am – Gentle Fit at the F.A.C. • 10:30 to Noon – Lanes and Leisure at the Spwd Pool • 10:30 to Noon – $3.00 Swim at the E.A.C. • 12:00 to 1:00pm – Lane Swim at

the Spwd Pool • 12:00 to 1:00pm – Skate & Shoot at Spwd Arena • 3:00 to 8:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 3:45 to 4:45pm – Swim Club at the E.A.C. • 4:00 to 5:30pm - Free Swim at the Spwd Pool • 5:00 to 6:00pm – Lane Swim at the E.A.C. • 5:30 to 6:30pm – Public Skate & Rec Hockey at Spwd Arena • 5:30 to 6:30pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 6:00 to 8:00pm - Public Swim at the E.A.C. • 6:30 to 9:00pm – Public Swim at the Spwd Pool • 7:00pm – Jam Night every 2nd Friday at the Spwd Legion • 7:30pm – Cribbage at FSC • 8:00 to 9:00pm – Teen/Adult Swim at the E.A.C.

Saturday

• Noon to 6:00pm – Fitness Centre open at F.A.C. • Noon to 6:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 1:00 to 2:00pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 2:00 to 3:00pm – Family Swim at the Spwd Pool • 2:30 to 5:00pm – Public Swim at the E.A.C. • 3:00 to 5:00pm – Public Swim at the Spwd Pool • 4:00 to 6:00pm - Meat Draw at the Fernie & Spwd Legion • 5:00 to 6:00pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd & Elkford Pool • 6:00 to 8:00pm – Public Swim at the Spwd & Elkford Pool • 6:30 to 8:00pm – Women & Men’s Night at Old School Boxing • 7:30pm – Social at FSC

Sunday

• Noon to 6:00pm – Fitness Centre open at F.A.C. • Noon to 6:00pm – Public Swim and Lane Swim at F.A.C. • 1:30 to 2:30pm – Family Swim at the E.A.C. • 2:00 to 3:00pm – Family Swim at the Spwd Pool • 2:30 to 5:00pm – Public Swim at the E.A.C. • 3:00 to 4:45pm – Public Skate at the Spwd Arena • 3:00 to 5:00pm – Public Swim at the Spwd Pool • 5:00 to 6:00pm – Lane Swim at the Spwd Pool • 5:00 to 6:00pm – Lane Swim at the E.A.C. • 7:30pm – A.A. Meeting, Christ Church Anglican, 591 4th Ave. Fernie

UPCOMING EVENTS DECEMBER 11

12

12 12-13 13 17 18

19 19 19-20 20 23-24 29 31 31

Fernie Ghostriders vs.

Spokane, Fernie Arena Benefit Dinner for the Wallmans at Fernie Legion Hall. Tickets at The Free Press Fernie Ghostriders vs.

Golden, Fernie Arena Tea with Mrs. Clause, Fernie’s Sweet Tea Parlour 3:00 - 4:00pm CP Holiday Train, The Arts Station 5:15 – 6:00pm Fernie Ghostriders vs.

Creston, Fernie Arena Community Choir Christmas Concert, Holy Family 7:00pm tickets at door, Scotiabank or Museum In the Saint Nick of Time Craft Fair, Community Centre Fernie Ghostriders vs.

Beaver Valley, Fernie Arena Tea with Mrs. Clause, Fernie’s Sweet Tea Parlour 3:00 - 4:00pm Connect with God, Fernie Anglican Church Ski & Photos with Santa, Fernie Alpine Resort Fernie Ghostriders vs.

Kimberley New Year ’s Eve Party, The Griz Bar Family New Year ’s Eve Party, Fernie Alpine Resort

JANUARY 2 8 9 15 15 15-17

Fernie Ghostriders vs.

Creston, Fernie Arena Fernie Ghostriders vs.

Columbia Valley, Fernie Arena Kinky Rail Jam, Fernie Alpine Resort Booked! Fernie Writer ’s Series; Raziel Reid, Fernie Library Fernie Ghostriders vs.

Nelson, Fernie Arena Seventh Annual Reel Canadian Film Fest, Vogue Theatre

www.thefreepress.ca

CITY OF FERNIE BRITISH COLUMBIA

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

9

CONNECTION

City of Fernie CONNECTION | Community Information and Opportunities | www.fernie.ca City Council Meeting Schedule December 2015 6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 CITY OF FERNIE 15 16 COLUMBIA 17 18 19 BRITISH 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31

Regular Council meetings are open to the public and held at City Hall at 7:00 p.m.

City of Fernie Contact Info: City Hall

Ph: 250.423.6817 Fx: 250.423.3034 Email: cityhall@fernie.ca Website: www.fernie.ca 501-3rd Avenue, Box 190 Fernie, British Columbia V0B 1M0 Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 am-5 pm (Closed statutory holidays) After Hours Phone: 250.423.4226

Fernie Aquatic Centre

250 Pine Avenue Phone: 250.423.4466

Fernie Memorial Arena 1092 Highway 3

For all Police, Ambulance or Fire related emergencies: Call 911

Fernie and Area Resort Development Strategy Advisory Working Group – Invitation to Citizens Under the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program the City of Fernie receives an annual grant from the Province for investment in approved tourism projects, programs and services designed to grow the tourism economy and help meet the needs and demands placed on resort municipalities. Recently a new 2015-2017 Resort Development Strategy (RDS) was developed by the City that includes the formation of an Advisory Working Group (AWG).

The AWG will assist with preparation of reports and partner with the City to gather information and provide expertise to advance implementation of the RDS. The AWG will promote awareness of funding opportunities, assess funding applications and make recommendations to Council for their consideration of funding approval.

Meetings will be held at least quarterly beginning in January 2016 (during regular business hours) for the duration of the RDS. Residents interested in filling a “Community at Large” vacancy on the AWG are invited to review the Resort Development Strategy Terms of Reference on the City’s website and forward a letter of interest outlining your related experience and a brief statement regarding what you feel you can contribute to the AWG. Please include all your contact information.

Written submissions may be provided by any of the following methods: • IN PERSON: Drop off written submissions at the reception desk, City Hall, 5013rd Avenue • FAX: 250 423.3034 • MAIL: City of Fernie, Corporate Administration Services, Box 190, Fernie BC, V0B 1M0 • EMAIL: email submission should be sent to cityhall@fernie.ca The deadline to apply is 4:00pm on December 30, 2015.

George Majic Spiritus Award Ceremony Please join us to show your support and appreciation to Mr. Pat Gilmar, this year’s “Unsung Hero” recipient of the George Majic Spiritus Award. His efforts although known, go largely unsung as the “man behind the scenes” at numerous community events, and volunteering countless hours towards trail building and mapping of mountain bike and ski trails in our area.

The Ceremony will be held on Monday, December 14, 2015 upstairs at City Hall, (5013rd Avenue) at 6:00pm.

Leisure Services Happenings Fernie Aquatic Centre

TaxTALK Extended to December 12, 2015 Here is your opportunity to TaxTALK with Council! Council is asking you to help determine the priorities for 2016 and find the right balance between investing in quality, sustainable public services and keeping tax rates affordable.

Please complete a short survey that will inform Council of what you think priorities should be for the 2016 Budget and Strategic Plan. The survey asks what the top priorities should be for public services, what issues our strategic plan should focus on to move Fernie toward our community vision and a few general questions such as should service levels increase? If so, how should the increase be funded?

Visit our webpage to do the survey online or pick up a copy at City Hall, Fernie Heritage Library or Fernie Aquatic Centre. The survey has been extended to close on December 12th.

Thank you for your participation!

We are now taking registrations for January to March Swim Lessons. Please call 250-423-4466 “0” or visit the Aquatic Centre with inquiries. Look for our Holiday Schedules online at www. fernie.ca Fall 2015 Swim Schedule (September 6–December 19, 2015) Public Swim Monday to Friday 7:00am-1:00pm and 3:00pm-8:00pm Saturday and Sunday 12:00pm-6:00pm Water Slide Monday to Friday, 4:00pm-6:00pm Saturday and Sunday, 1:00pm-5:00pm Aqua Fit Active Fit Mon/Wed/Fri - 8:30am-9:15am Gentle Fit Tues/Thurs/Fri - 10:30am-11:15am Crocodile Swim 1st and 3rd Saturday each month 3:00pm-5:00pm Swim Lessons Registration for Winter Swim Lessons from January to March 2016 is now open.

For

more

information

all

Aquatic

Programs including Lifeguard Training courses and Private Aquatic bookings available please call the Fernie Aquatic Centre at 250.423.4466.

Fernie Memorial Arena Fall Public Programs (to Dec. 19/15) Adult Shinny Monday-Thursday, 8:45am-10:15am Public Skating Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30am-11:15am Free Admission Parent & Tot Wednesday, 10:30am-11:15am Free Admission Skate & Shoot Wednesday, 11:45 am-1:00pm No School Fridays Youth Shinny 10:45am – 11:45am No School Fridays Public Skating Noon – 12:45pm Public Skating Friday, 7:00pm-8:15pm Saturday, 2:00pm-3:45pm & 6:45pm-8:15pm Sunday, 2:15pm-4:00pm Please note Public Skating is not scheduled during Fernie Ghostrider home games and other scheduled special events. The next Ghostrider Home Games are December 11th, 12th, 17th & 18th at 7:30pm.

Public Notice – Amendment to Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 Pursuant to Division 9 of the Community Charter, [SBC 2003] Chapter 26, the City of Fernie hereby gives notice of its intention to amend Schedule “B” of Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 to clearly communicate the conditions by which Mobile Vendors will be permitted to operate in the City of Fernie.

Any persons who consider themselves affected

by Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028, Amendment No. 2, Bylaw No. 2285, 2015 will be given the opportunity to make representations to Council prior to its adoption. Council will be considering adoption of the bylaw at the Regular meeting at 7:00pm on Monday, December 14, 2015. Copies of the bylaw are available on the City’s website at www.fernie.ca or at (City Hall 501-3rd Avenue).

Anyone wishing to provide their comments to Council but are unavailable to attend the meeting on Monday, December 14, 2015 are encouraged to submit their comments in writing by any of the following methods: • IN PERSON: Drop off written submissions at the reception desk, City Hall 501–3rd Avenue; • BY FAX: to (250) 423-3034; or • BY EMAIL: E-mail submissions should be sent to cityhall@fernie.ca The deadline for written submissions is 4:00pm on MONDAY, December 14, 2015. All submissions must include your name and street address. All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. For more information, please contact Corporate Administration Services at 250 423.2238 or via email at cityhall@fernie.ca This notice was given in accordance with Division 9 of the Community Charter.

Winter Parking and Snow Removal Winter parking regulations are now in effect. The following alternate parking schedule will be enforced through to April 15, 2015: NO PARKING permitted on the South or East Side of the Roadways Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday NO PARKING permitted on the North or West Side of the Roadways Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays Snow/ice covered walkways and driveways make it difficult for people to get around, so we ask that you please ensure that your sidewalks are cleared and safe for vehicles and pedestrians. We would like to remind you that every owner/occupant of a business property that is located adjacent to a sidewalk is responsible for the removal of ice and snow from that portion of the sidewalk before 9:00 am each day.

Failure to do so could result in a fine.

For more information on the winter parking and snow removal regulations please visit the City’s website at www.fernie.ca or contact Bylaw Services at 250.423.2244 or bylaw@fernie.ca.

10

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

www.thefreepress.ca

d is tr i c t o f spa rwo o d Box 520, 136 Spruce Avenue, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0 Phone: 250.425.6271 | Fax: 250.425.7277 Email: sparwood@sparwood.ca

www.sparwood.ca

Upcoming Meetings of Council (in Council Chambers)

Monday, December 21, 2015

Regular Meeting at 7:00 pm

SNOW REMOVAL & ICE CONTROL WINTER PARKING REGULATIONS

From October 1 to March 31 between the hours of 6:00 am to 4:00 pm please park your vehicles in your driveway so that when the snowplow does the street the operator can do a neat and thorough job.

Residents should note that: • Parking on the street during snow plowing, snow removal, snow hauling, or sanding operations is prohibited • It is an offence to push, place or throw or allow to be pushed, placed or thrown any snow or ice upon a highway or lane; • That no advance warning is required under the bylaw and the Motor Vehicle Act and offending vehicles will be towed.

Please make appropriate arrangements for parking your vehicles.

Please vist www.sparwood.ca/snow-removal for more information on the Snow Removal & Ice Control Program and also the Pilot Windrow Removal Program.

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE 2015-2019 FINANCIAL PLAN

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the District of Sparwood proposes to amend the 2015-2019 Financial Plan pursuant to Section 165.2 of the Community Charter.

In general terms, Bylaw 1184 amends the capital expenditure and funding sources for the Douglas Fir paving project and the Corbin Road repairs contained in Bylaw 1168, adopted earlier this year.

An opportunity for the public to provide input on the amendments will be provided at the Council Meeting held on December 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

The proposed Bylaw is available for inspection at the District Office at 136 Spruce Avenue, Sparwood, BC on regular business days between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.

Michele Schalekamp Director of Finance

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train December 13, 2015, 3:35 p.m.

Behind the Leisure Centre The 2015 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is coming to Sparwood! More Canadians than ever are turning to food banks for support. Help make a difference in our community by bringing a cash or food donation to this year’s Holiday Train. This year the train features performances by Jim Cuddy, Devin Cuddy, and Kelly Prescott.

Mayor, Council and Staff of the District of Sparwood Extend Their Very Best Wishes for the Holiday Season We wish you all Peace, Happiness and Good Health in 2016 Please Drive Safely Over the Holidays

District of Sparwood Holiday Hours and Information

The District of Sparwood Municipal Office and Public Works Office Hours: December 24, 2015 CLOSED December 25, 2015 CLOSED December 28, 29, 30 and 31, 2015 8:30 am – 4:00 pm January 1, 2016 CLOSED Anyone wishing to make tax or utility payments can do so by leaving a cheque in the drop box located at the front entry, or by internet payment through your financial institution.

Household Garbage Collection

All garbage normally picked up on Thursday, December 24th, will be picked up on Wednesday, December 23rd and all garbage normally picked up on Friday, December 25th will be picked up on Monday, December 28th. All garbage normally picked up on Friday, January 1, 2016, will be picked up on Monday, January 4, 2016. PLEASE HAVE YOUR GARBAGE SET OUT BY 8:00 A.M. There are no limits on number of garbage bags from December 21, 2015 to January 15, 2016. A reminder that cardboard is banned from the landfill site and must not be put out with your household refuse. Christmas wrapping “paper” (not foil) can be recycled. All uncontaminated cardboard must be RECYCLED. Discarding Christmas Trees You may drop off your old Christmas trees behind Fire Hall No. 1 on Pine Avenue or behind the Sparwood Heights Fire Hall. The District will provide pick up service for those who are unable to drop them off. Leave the tree at your curb for pickup any time up to January 8, 2016. Please ensure that you have removed the tinsel before discarding tree. For further information, please contact the Public Works Department at 250.425.7760.

Animal Pound Emergencies For animal emergencies, please call 250.425.7718

From Council and Staff of the District of Sparwood Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

11

Arts&Entertainment WhatsOn THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

What’s on in the Elk Valley this week.

A storytime dance recital

loved it and they found it very sweet and yet exciting and he Creative Energy funny,” she said. “It Arts Factory always blows me away (CEAF) presented in a little town that's their fall performance on all about bike riding Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, titled and skiing that we can “Once Upon a Time”. The pack a house like that performances were held and get that kind of in Traynor Hall at Fernie reaction. We are always Secondary School. very grateful for the The dance performance community support followed the story of and appreciation.”

William Walt, a New YorkThe performance based writer struggling was split into two with writer’s block. In an acts, with the first act effort to cure the writer’s featuring 36 scenes block, he takes an elixir and the second act that sends him on an featuring 19 scenes. intense journey through There were over story land, meeting many Unicorns were just a sample of the mythical and colourful creatures 70 dancers in the colourful characters on featured in the CEAF dance recital “Once Upon a Time”, which was show, ranging from the way. The story was performed at Traynor Hall on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.

Submitted photo Little Stars to Senior written by Alana Rybar Performers. The show and Malissa Palliyaguru and draws inspiration from classic also featured a variety of dance styles, including jazz, ballet, stories like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Hansel and hip-hop and tap.

Gretel, among many others.

“We only have nine weeks to put the winter show together Rybar said she was pleased with the performances and the so I am so proud of them,” said Rybar. “This is really a dancers. committed group. They are hard workers and big dreamers “We had 225 people there on Wednesday and 218 on Thursday with a lot of energy and excitement and that really showed on so those were two very nice sized audiences. Everyone seemed stage last week.” very engaged and that makes me happy. The feedback has The CEAF is taking a break for December but will start also been really amazing. You never know when you write working on their spring performance in January. an original, but all the feedback I've received was that people

By Leah Scheitel Free Press Staff

T

Hearth 5 artisan craft sale a success

F

or five years in a row, Sarah Pike has cleared her West Fernie home of her furniture to set up an artisan craft sale in her house. Hearth, as the event is known, celebrated its fifth birthday this past weekend and was the biggest year yet.

“It was so good, it was the best one yet,” said Pike, who crafts pottery.

Pike was among five other local artists including Michael Hepher of Clawhammer Press, jewelry maker Janet McIntyre, leather and lamp craftsman Holly Kimola, painter Leanne Stothert and glass blower Katherine Russell.

“We had way more people. It seems to be getting better every year,” said Pike.

“It was a constant flow of people both nights.”

The sale was open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday evening.

Guests were offered mulled wine and

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CAN’T MISS Spaghetti Dinner, Silent Auction & Dance

Saturday, Dec. 12 6:00 – 11:00 pm Benefit for Glenn & Tania Wallman Fernie Legion Hall Hosted by The Free Press Music by the Relief Committee Adults only Tickets $20 at The Free Press

CP Holiday Train in Fernie Sunday, Dec.13 5:15pm - 6:00pm

The CP Holiday Train is a spectacular sight - 14 festive carriages are decked out in thousands of lights for a beautiful scene against the snowy forest. After the train pulls in, a carriage opens and a stage emerges for a live outdoor concert.

Submit your posters and approximately 50 words of text describing your event to customerservice@thefreepress.ca Only two events will be sponsored, so first come first served.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers wants Canada Post to reconsider their focus on cutting and follow the example of other postal administrations around the world by expanding revenuegenerating services like postal banking.

Kitchen always open

T

ELK VALLEY Libraries

appetizers at the sale, making for a relaxed ambiance.

Pike is already looking at continuing the tradition next year, but isn’t sure if there will be major changes to the format.

“We all sort of hung out afterwards and talked about the sale, and I think everyone was happy with how it works. There’s always little things A sample of the works for sale at Hearth 5, all crafted by that you could local artists.

Photo by L. Scheitel do different, but would like to thank everyone who came really it just seems out to the event and supported local to be working really well.”

Pike noted she and the other artists artists and craftsmen.

In

By Leah Scheitel Free Press Staff

you by brought to e, Fernie BC

ar

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12 THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

D www.thefreepress.ca

An extended stop for Santa with the Holiday Train

Submitted

ec. 13, marks the arrival of the CP Holiday Train to the Elk Valley. The Holiday Train is a bi-annual event, bringing high levels of excitement and anticipation. This year will be even greater, as the Art Station and the Elk Valley Hospice got together and asked Santa to remain in Fernie for a photo session after the train leaves town.

Santa Claus has agreed to stay at the Fernie Arts Station for an extra 45 minutes after the holiday train departs. He will of course catch up to the train before its next stop. Santa will be set up inside the Arts Station to visit with Fernie residents. The Elk Valley Hospice will be there to capture pictures of each visit with Santa.

Each year the brightly lit train carries famous musicians, along with Santa, from the east coast across the country. The train alternates between the northern line and southern each year, because of course, Santa cannot be in two places at once. This year when the train pulls up behind the Leisure Sentre in Sparwood and the Arts Station in Fernie, the side of the box car will open as always. And as usual, donations will be collected for the food bank.

The performers this year will be singer/songwriter of iconic/country rock band Blue Rodeo, Jim Cuddy, his musician son Devin Cuddy, as well as Kelly Prescott. The event is great fun for all ages.

Make sure to dress warm, be on time, and in Fernie bring your smile and wish list for Santa.

For more information on the CP Holiday Train visit Cpr.ca/holiday-train/canada. And for more information about photos with Santa find the Elk Valley Hospice on Facebook.

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14

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

www.thefreepress.ca

Youth craft ornaments at the Fernie museum

faces of the valley

Mike Pennock

By Jennifer Cronin Free Press Staff

B

orn in Vancouver, B.C., Mike spent his early years on the lower mainland. He was the older of two children, and as a youth, played soccer and baseball.

After completion of high school, Mike attended the University of British Columbia (UBC) at the urging of his father. He recalls his dad telling him ‘I don’t care what you do, but once you graduate you have to go to university’, so he did.

Mike’s father worked for most of his life in the clothing industry as a cutter, and Mike worked with his Dad and saved enough to pay for his first year of university. He remembers having about $800 in the bank, from which he paid $450 for tuition, $100 for books and the rest was used for travel to and from school.

A geology major, Mike worked for exploration companies each summer.

Money he earned would pay for subsequent years of school. Admittedly, somewhat distracted during early years of university, Mike laughs, “I crammed a four-year course into six years.”

Completing university, Mike secured employment with Texas Gulf Sulphur. In 1972 at the urging of a friend, he accepted a two-year position in South Africa. This relocation would shape his life.

A month after arriving he met Ina, and six months later they were married. Due to the economic climate in South Africa, the job shut down early, and Mike and an expecting Ina returned to Vancouver, where Mike worked for one of his university professors.

Recognizing that exploration work was a lot more fun as a single man, Mike sought work in mining. In 1974, Mike moved to Tasu on the Queen Charlotte Islands, and Ina followed shortly after with son Roy. Starting as a mining tech, then chief surveyor, surface mine foreman, mine engineer and then finally underground foreman, Mike recalls, “(this job) was like getting a second degree as I got to do so many things that it was good experience that worked for me later in life.”

In 1977, son Dirk was born, and in 1978, the family moved to Pickle Lake, Ont. Mike would work getting the lay of the land from a geological viewpoint, and in doing so correctly predicted the mine would run out of ore in 1982. Having this inside knowledge, he welcomed the opportunity to move back to B.C. to work as a geologist in Cassiar, where the family remained until 1986.

A move five years later to Tumbler Ridge and Teck-owned Quintet Coal got Mike into coal, and in 1993 a job offer brought him to Fernie and a position of senior geologist at Teck where he remained until 1998. “Fernie was the best place for the family, absolutely,” Mike notes.

Not yet ready to retire, Mike spent the summer of 1998 working as a foreman, building roads with a contractor to Crestbrook, After 28 years in mining, he was struck by the big impact forestry has on the Elk Valley.

“Mining is the only important thing when you are involved in it – same is true for tourism and forestry.”

In 1999 Mike started working on a project at the Fernie Museum, doing research for satellite exhibits throughout the valley. Other museum projects followed, with Mike supervising. In 2004 the museum opened for what was to be three months for the Centennial of Fernie. Having overseen the renovations, and the transfer of exhibits, Mike retired in 2014 after a long and productive run with the museum.

Retirement has not slowed him down. In 2014 Mike and Ina visited family in South Africa, and in preparation for a much-anticipated reciprocal visit, home renovation has been underway. “Since retiring I have never been so busy. Work is easy compared to retirement,” Mike smiles.

Mike is most proud of his family. “I am very proud of my boys and how well they get along with each other and the world really.”

A committed and resilient member of the community, Mike Pennock is this weeks “face of the valley”.

Local youth making Christmas ornaments at the Fernie Museum on Dec. 5.

By Bryn Catton Free Press Staff

T

he Fernie and District Historical Society held an ornament-making day last Saturday. Youth used pasta and noodles to create ornaments and paper doilies to craft angels. This is the first year the event was held and the participation and feedback was positive “About 25 people came, 20 were kids. Mostly making wreaths from macaroni and noodles and snowflakes,” said Lori Bradish, Program Coordinator for the Fernie and District Historical Society.

“Depending on what they wanted, some kids were just

gluing things onto doilies randomly, there was one that was doilies covered in macaroni with googley eyes that were glued on it. That was my particular favourite.”

In the giving spirit, some of the children contributed to the museums Christmas tree.

“Two of our participants donated angels to the museum, which was nice. We didn’t have a tree topper before, but now we do,” said Bradish.

When asked about making this an annual event Bradish responded, “There were people here, they had a good time.

There are sparkles in every crevice of the floor now. There is glitter in the museum that

Photo by B. Catton

will be here for next Christmas.

And we have lots of macaronis left so we will probably do it next year.”

She adds that Ron Ulrich, the director-curator of the museum is looking to increase community participation at the museum through events like the one they held over the weekend.

“Ron would like to have more community involvement in the museum and is interested in having more family events at the museum so we can have more kids in. Especially locals, because sometimes you live in a community and you don’t go to all the places the town is famous for,” said Bradish.

Wallman benefit dinner this Saturday

The Free Press is honoured to host a spaghetti dinner and silent auction on Dec. 12, in benefit of Glenn and Tania Wallman. The dinner will be hosted at the Fernie Legion and the Relief Committee will provide musical entertainment. Tickets are available at The Free Press office.

Submitted photo

If there is a “face of the valley” that you would like to know more about, please call The Free Press office at 250-423-4666, drop by and see us at 342 - 2nd Ave., Fernie or email customerservice@thefreepress.ca

www.thefreepress.ca

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Throwback Thursday

1954

TOWN TALK

Miss Eleanor White, Miss Betty Hardy, Miss Sheila Quail, Bob Baker and Tony Kucera motored to Fernie last Wednesday evening.

They returned to Calgary Sunday. * Miss Joy Ott was the guest of Mrs. B. Banek last weekend. * Fred Zelonka of Calgary visited his mother in the city last weekend. * Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Uphill and family of Beaverdale are in Fernie, holidaying with relatives and friends. * Mrs. L. Hogan has installed thermo-pane windows and glass heat in her home. This is the first of its kind in the city.

* Mildred Williams, a former Fernieite, of Vancouver, is visiting in the city at the home of her brother and sisterin-law, Mr. and Mrs. W. Williams. * Miss Isabel Dicken returned Wednesday morning from a short vacation at the coast. * Jack Fetzko has been employed by the Trites-Wood Co. and is working in the men’s wear department. * Dave Hastings, who has been working at the Creston Review for the past three weeks, returned to the city Wednesday evening and has resumed work at The Free Press. * Mr. and Mrs. T.

POLICE NOTES George Everette Hartwick, of no fixed address, was charged with the theft of four pairs of socks from Rahal Bros. He was found guilty and sentenced to 30 days.

William Henry Letcher of Flagstone, B.C., was charged with the theft of Christmas trees, the property of Albert McGuire. He collected a fine of $100. And $6.50 costs plus 1 day in jail.

Edward A. Lebioda,

of Kimberley faced a double charge of speeding and driving without a driving licence. Found guilty and paid a fine of $25.00 and $5.00 costs on the second charge plus $10.00 and $5.00 costs for the speed offence. * For causing a disturbance Gabriel Peter Bosschieter was fined $25.00 and $6.50 costs.

Pascuzzi, of Nanaimo are visiting the former’s parents in the city. * Mr. and Mrs. Gino Salvadore, of Creston, journeyed to Fernie with the Creston hockey team last weekend. * Miss Mary Zua, Mrs. R. Colgur and Albert Marasco were Cranbrook visitors yesterday. * Archie Shade of Vancouver Island, is visiting the home of Mrs. M. Brown. * Richard Yerburgh who is attending the Anglican Theological College in Vancouver, arrived home this week to spend Christmas with his parents, Rev. and Mrs. R.E.M. Yerburgh. *

KIDDIES GREET SANTA CLAUS

Intense excitement and an air of expectancy prevailed on Fernie’s main street last Saturday morning as the hands of the clock pointed to 10 o’clock. The sidewalk in front of Robinson Store was overflowing with children of all ages eager to see the arrival of Santa Claus. Nobody actually saw Santa arrive by helicopter, but he must have, or else how come he was first sighted on the roof tops? The wail of the fire siren heralded the approach of the fire truck, soon a ladder was raised to the roof and amid the cheers of the kiddies Santa came to town. He spent a crowded hour in the store, handing out treats, and then away once more on his journey across Canada, next stop Lethbridge.

S.A TO COLLECT FOR THE NEEDY Salvation Army Xmas Cheer pots will be on the streets again this year. In the past the citizens of Fernie have been very warm-hearted and generous, and it is hoped that this year new records will be set. Anyone wishing to give a personal gift may do so by sending direct to Lieut. Allan, Box 1072, Fernie.

MICHEL-NATAL

Mr. and Mrs. R. Gris and family of Natal were recent visitors at Calgary, where they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the latter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. Belish. * Mr. and Mrs. James McVeigh accompanied

by Mrs. F. McVeigh, all of Sparwood, were recent visitors at Lethbridge. * Mr. and Mrs. Don Winter of Natal, were recently blessed with the arrival of a son at the home of Mrs. H. Bachelor, of Natal. * Visitors in the Crow’s Nest Pass over the weekend were Mr. and Mrs. M. Krall, Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Chala, Mr. and Mrs. W. Cousens, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Halko, and Mr. and Mrs. Don Billy.

NEW ARRIVALS SORENSEN (nee Albina Rushcall) of Doratty – To Mr. and Mrs. J. Doratty, of Natal, on November 17, a daughter.

HOVIND – To Mr. and Mrs. G. Hovind (nee Pallone) on November 22, a daughter.

Contact Garth Rizzuto @ 250-423-0272 rizzutoconstruction.ca or rizzutoconstruction.com Building in the Elk Valley - a family tradition since 1897

15

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

www.thefreepress.ca

Shyanne Osmond continues to smile

computer. They have all-day care for her at the school. There is another teacher that actually watches her throughout lunch hile only eight years old, and recess,” said Osmond. “The reason Shyanne Osmond has grown it is so dangerous now is because, before to be resilient. She has to when it was just in her top lip, we could be in order to face the daily health stop the bleeding. We could pinch it off concerns that have impacted her life. ourselves. But now, because it’s up in Last year, Shyanne was diagnosed her nasal [passage] and in the roots of with Arteriovenous malformation her teeth, chances are we won’t be able (AVM), a rare condition that causes an to stop the bleeding. We got a letter from abnormal connection of blood between the doctors stating that if she is to start her arteries and veins, creating a large bleeding, to put a cold cloth on it, and tumour on her upper lip. if it doesn’t stop after a few minutes we Last year, Shyanne and her family have to get her to the emergency room relocated to Burlington, Ont., in order in Burlington, where they will be able to to be closer to the medical care and give her a blood transfusion and fly her to attention that she needs.

Toronto because we won’t be able to stop Since The Free Press last spoke to the the bleeding.”

Osmonds in August, her condition Throughout all of the complications, has worsened, leading to more Osmond said that Shyanne stays happy complications with her health. and positive. The Starlight Foundation “She went and had another arranged for Shyanne to meet Santa angiogram surgery last week, and Shyanne Osmond, 8, who suffers from a rare condition called Arteriovenous malformation, Claus at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto we found out that the tumour has posed with her younger sister Nevaeh Faith, 3, and Santa at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Dec. 5, which was something that now grown into the roots of her teeth, on Saturday. The Starlight Foundation arranged for Shyanne and Nevaeh to enjoy a lunch she was really looking forward to. Her which is very dangerous. It has also with Santa and their familiy. school supports Shyanne, and enrolled Submitted photo grown up her nasal passage as well. her in the Make-a-Wish foundation. Her They don’t want to go in and do complex round but with the United States doctors as wish for this Chrismtas was to have her another surgery because obviously it’s not working, so well,” she said. grandfather and her older brother, who live in Fernie, to we are waiting,” said Amber Osmond, Shyanne’s mother.

The growth of the tumour has impacted Shyanne’s life, come visit for Christmas.

Osmond said they are waiting to do a “complex round”, as she is not allowed to partake in much physical activity Osmond said that while this is extremely difficult on the where all of the medical professionals and cancer doctors for fear that increased pressure will cause the tumour to entire family, they are trying to stay positive. gather around Shyanne to discuss what the best course of start bleeding.

“We’re just going day by day. Trying just to make the action is, whether it is chemotherapy or radiation.

“In school, she’s not allowed to play with balls, she is best of it,” she said.

“Then after the new year, they are going to do another not allowed to run. When it comes to gym, they give her a

By Leah Scheitel Free Press Staff

W

Mark Schulz with son Mason and Rocco the bulldog enjoying the walk back from Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 6.

Photo by B. Catton

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Wise customers read the fine print: *, †, Ω, ◊ The Be Your Own Santa Sales Event offers are limited time offers which apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating dealers on or after December 1, 2015. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. All pricing includes freight ($1,745) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees, other dealer charges and other applicable fees and taxes. Dealer trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. *Consumer Cash Discounts are offered on select new 2016 vehicles and are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. †0% purchase financing available on select new 2016 Ram 1500 and Ram Heavy Duty models to qualified customers on approved credit through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Example: 2016 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SXT 4x4 (25A+AGR) with a Purchase Price of $29,998 with a $0 down payment, financed at 0% for 60 months equals 130 bi-weekly payments of $231 with a cost of borrowing of $0 and a total obligation of $29,998. Ω$10,000 in total discounts includes $7,500 Consumer Cash, $1,500 Loyalty/Conquest Bonus Cash and $1,000 Holiday Bonus Cash. Consumer Cash Discounts are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. $1,500 Ram Truck Loyalty/Conquest/Skilled Trades Bonus Cash is available on the retail purchase/lease of 2015/2016 Ram 1500 (excludes Reg. Cab), 2014/2015/2016 Ram 2500/3500, 2014/2015/2016 Ram Cab & Chassis or 2015 Ram Cargo Van and is deducted from the negotiated price after taxes. Eligible customers include: 1. Current owners/lessees of a Dodge or Ram Pickup Truck or Large Van or any other manufacturer’s Pickup Truck or Large Van. The vehicle must have been owned/leased by the eligible customer and registered in their name on or before December 1, 2015. Proof of ownership/Lease agreement will be required. 2. Customers who are skilled tradesmen or are acquiring a skilled trade. This includes Licensed Tradesmen, Certified Journeymen or customers who have completed an Apprenticeship Certification. A copy of the Trade Licence/Certification required. 3. Customers who are Baeumler Approved service providers. Proof of membership is required. Limit one $1,500 bonus cash offer per eligible transaction. Some conditions apply. See your dealer for complete details. ◊Holiday Bonus Cash of up to $1,000 is available until December 31, 2015, on most new 2016 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and FIAT models excluding the following: 2016 Chrysler 200, Dodge Grand Caravan CVP, Journey CVP/SE Plus, Durango, Charger SRT Hellcat, Challenger SRT Hellcat, Viper and Jeep Grand Cherokee models. Bonus Cash will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes. See your dealer for complete details. ≤Based on 3500/F-350 full-size pickups and competitive information available at time of publication. Based on max towing comparison between 2016 Ram 3500 - up to 31,210 lb, 2015 Chevrolet 3500 - up to 23,200 lb and 2016 Ford F-350 - up to 26,500 lb. TMThe SiriusXM logo is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc.

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

www.thefreepress.ca

15 years of consecutive first chairs for local rider

By Bryn Catton Free Press Staff

G

reg Barrow, owner of the Fernie snowboard shop Edge of the World, got the first chair at Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR) again on Dec. 4. For 15 years Greg Barrow, known as “G-Money”, has camped or arrived early to get his spot on FAR’s legendary first chair of the season.

While Fernie was not his original home, he broke from his North Carolina roots and on his good friend Craig Kelly’s advice, visited Fernie.

“I came to Fernie to open up a snowboard shop. I was looking for a location for a snowboard shop and I knew Craig Kelly, who was a world famous snowboard. He actually died in an avalanche but he is one of the legends, the legend, of snowboarding,” said Barrow. “I knew him, and he kept talking about how great Fernie is and he was living in Fernie at the time. And I said heck, ‘I am going to check it out,’ and I have just loved it from the moment I got here and I decided to move out here and open up Edge of the World.”

Barrow remembers his first trip to Fernie Alpine Resort clearly.

“I came in March, and I can remember it very vividly.

I got on the Timber Chair and got to the top and I saw people hiking up to the left so I followed them and did Mitchy Chutes and back down to White Pass chair. Then I went to the top of that and saw people hiking up the Knot Chutes so I hiked up the Knot Chutes. And when I got to the top it was a 360-degree view up there and I was like, ‘Man, this is where I want to be. This is it,” said Barrow.

Over the years Barrow has overcome less than stellar conditions, all night chair lift repairs, and last-minute chair lift changes.

“Last year, the Timber chair was supposed to be the first chair and it broke down. So all night long they worked on it. So I didn’t go to sleep because they were just banging on stuff trying to get it to work,” he said. “Then the last

minute at about 7 a.m. they moved it to the Elk Chair, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I am not going to make first chair’.”

Barrow has had some almost second-chair seasons over the past decade and a half. One year he didn’t camp out, when he got to the mountain early in the morning he saw a tent set up at the base of the lift. In the tent were Paul Attalla and his two kids, Joy and Amy. “I saw a tent and went oh no, so I woke them up and said, ‘How many you got in there?’ [Attalla] said ‘Don’t worry about it G, we knew you were coming and we got a spot for you.’ I got that spot.”

When the resort had its 50th anniversary, Barrow almost got bumped to the secondchair of opening day. The first chair was reserved for the Souchers and Dr. Geoff Seagram. Just before the resort opened Barrow was invited John Graham, Klyde Degroot, Mikah Neufeld and Greg Barrow got first chair to to take the previously empty start the 2015/16 season at Fernie Alpine Resort on Dec. 4. It is Barrow’s 15th first chair in a row.

Submitted photo fourth spot.

This year, Barrow was the under that tarp till 7 a.m. Then they went up to the day only one to camp. He shared the first lift of the season with Mikah Neufeld, Klyde lodge to dry out and warm up. They stayed up there and missed first chair,” he said.

Degroot and John Graham.

Barrow’s efforts to be on the first chair for opening day Neufeld got to the resort at 4:30 a.m. Despite waiting has made national news, as he has been featured in both at the wrong lift initially, he made the first chair. Barrow the Globe and Mail and CBC News. This year he spoke to also mentioned that there were two guys who came to the CBC News before the chair lift opened at 6:50 a.m. chair around 2 a.m.

“It was raining and all they had was a tarp. They stayed

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Sports

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

19

Ghostriders earn three points over weekend

Ghostriders battled back against the Castlegar Rebels on Saturday night, but ultimately lost in overtime, with a final score of 4-3.

Photo by B. Catton

By Bryn Catton Free Press Staff

C

oming off a 1-0 shutout win in Invermere on Friday, the Ghostriders returned to Fernie to play the Castlegar Rebels, who are at the top of the Neil Murdoch division.

Despite a slow first period the hometown squad rallied back to tie but lost in overtime with a final score of 4-3.

“We won in Invermere last night. Great game, Ryan Kennedy scored and [Jeff] Orser got the shutout,” said head coach, Craig Mohr. “[Tonight] we were down 3-1, halfway left in the game, to roar back and get a point. We can’t be too disappointed.”

The Ghostriders have not had a regulation loss in six games. Excluding overtime goals, the local team has not had more than three goals against each game over this stretch.

“The biggest difference with us now, not having a regulation loss in six games, is we have really worked at getting our goals against down,” said Mohr. “If you don’t count the overtime goals we have been three and under every game. And the guys have buckled down and with all the injuries we are going through.”

This may be due to what the Ghostriders have been practicing. The squad has been keeping their opponents as close to the boards as possible while defending, effectively stopping their competition from getting close to the goalie and forcing them to shoot from farther distances than most prefer.

“That was our big thing, to try to keep everything on the outside. With our goaltending, they are

going to make saves from the outside,” said Mohr.

Currently injured Ghostriders include Captain Cole Keebler, Alex Cheveldave, Aidan Wilson and Ryan Teslak. Unfortunately for the team, the leagues top scorer, Keebler, is on the four-man scratch list.

The coach had high praises for the workmanship and dedication of this year’s Ghostriders team, noting how more than one line has stepped up to put points on the board and keep pucks away from the net.

“The [Ryan] Kennedy, [Evan] Reid, [Tayler] Sincennes line has really come to form in the last two weeks. They have been our one line that has been together all year, they have probably been healthy all year. They are our checking line, and they check other teams top lines,” said Mohr, adding details about the goal the line scored in Saturday’s game, “It was a beautiful chip and chase. If I can give huge credit to anyone right now our goals against are way down and that line is starting to chip in for us. We are getting some secondary scoring.”

The team and coach were happy to see so many people from the community at the event. “It was good. With all the Christmas parties going on tonight I was wondering what we would have.

Getting over 400 people was good,” said Mohr.

The team has home games up to Christmas with a double header next weekend - a Friday night face-off against the Spokane Braves and a Saturday game against the Golden Rockets. Game time for both games is 7:30 p.m. at the Fernie Memorial Arena.

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Peewee hockey tournament hosted in Fernie

By Bryn Catton Free Press Staff

T

he Fernie Junior Ghostriders hosted a peewee hockey tournament over the weekend.

The eight teams competing for top spot where the Cranbrook Culligan, Cranbrook Western Roofing, Palouse Bears, Taber Oil Kings, Okotoks Oilers, Bow Valley Flames and Medicine Hat Canadians.

“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s all about having fun,” said Renee Young, tournament organizer, manager of the Fernie peewee house-league team and mother of one of the players.

According to Young, the feedback from players, coaching staff and spectators was very positive. “[I] have heard quite a few positive things like ‘amazed by the raffle table prizes.’ ‘So much fun! Best tournament we have been to’,” said Young. She went on to thank the many volunteers and people who helped organize the tournament like, “my amazing parents, Tammy Ogden and Jacqueline Arling.”

Teams have responded to the tournament in a very positive way.

“On behalf of the Medicine Hat Canadians I want to say thank you for a great tournament. We had a wonderful time in Fernie. I felt that most of the teams were fairly well matched which

Figure skating results Submitted

T

wenty-two figure skaters from the Elk Valley competed in the West Kootenay Invitational competition in Castlegar last weekend. Here are the results from the competition.

Star 3 girls Freeskate Madison Hutchinson – Bronze Jenna Dies – Bronze Star 4 Girls U13 Freeskate Sydney Polacik – 1st Olivia Sombrowski – 2nd Emerson Zimmerman – 3rd Fernie’s Junior Ghostriders get their first goal to tie it up early in the second period against the Medicine Hat Canadians on Dec. 5.

Photo by B. Catton

led to some exciting games,” was the response from the Medicine Hat team.

“Just want to send a thank you for all the great memories you and your team provided the kids this weekend,” said the Cranbrook Culligan Peewees.

The tournaments raffle table was brimming with prizes.

“The raffle table was amazing. We had help from a lot of local business donating prizes and money. We had a PS4, NHL tickets, Keurig [and] amazing baskets. The

ladies basket and the boys basket were among the most popular baskets,” said Young.

Young thanked the coaches and the many businesses that donated to the raffle table and the event. “Our tournament went well. The teams that came here really seemed to have a lot of fun,” she said.

That we are hosting a family movie fundraiser?

Elf Sunday, December 13 at noon.

Tickets $5.00, available at Grow, Ghostrider Trading, Fernie Womens Centre, Rockies Law, and the Free Press

Tel: 250 423 4687 1592 10th Ave, Fernie BC Drop-in Hours: Monday-Friday 9-1 | Wednesday 9-3 www.ferniewomenscentre.com

Senior Bronze Women’s FreeSkateRylee Whitson – 3rd Sonia Mende – 6th Taylor Moulton – 11th Senior Silver Women’s Freeskate Hunter Bezak – 1st Star 5 U13 Freeskate Paige Polacik – 3rd

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DID YOU KNOW…

Star 4 Girls O13 Freeskate Layne Corrigan – 10th Senior Bronze Solo Dance Ashlynn Saluk – 3rd

Shane Lanthier Shane Lanthier is a fourth-year ski patroller at Fernie Alpine Resort. For his dedication to on-hill safety, he is this week’s athlete of the week. Say hi if you see him on the hill!

If you are the athlete in this photo you have won a free pizza from Just Pizza!

Drop into The Free Press office to collect your prize.

Email your Athlete of the Week nominations to customerservice@thefreepress.ca

Star 5 O13 Freeskate Ashlynn Saluk – 5th Bronze Interpretive Ashlynn Saluk –8th Silver Interpretive Hunter Bezak – 1st Rylee Whitson – 3rd Taylor Moulton – 5th Sonia Mende – 9th Bronze Interpretive Couples Layne Corrigan and Paige Polacik – 1st Introductory Interpretive Group 1 Paige Polacik – 2nd Layne Corrigan – 3rd Introductory Interpretive Group 2 Sydney Polacik – 1st Skate Canada Gold Tests Jodi Thompson – Gold Interpretive Rylee Whitson – Gold Dance

Did You Know?

Do you know someone who is having a birthday this coming week?

Let us know who it is, and we will share it in next week’s edition!

Do you know someone who has an upcoming birthday?

Just email their name and birth date (no year required) to Jen at customerservice@thefreepress.ca or call 250-423-4666 and we will publish it in The Free Press Special to The Free Press - tell us your birthday wishes and give the recipient’s phone number and on their birthday they will receive a special call from a talented local singer with a very special birthday song.

Celebrity Birthdays December 10 Bobby Flay, 50 December 11 Sam Wilkinson, 19 December 12 Frank Sinatra (1915 – 1998) December 13 Jamie Foxx, 47 December 14 Vanessa Hudgens, 26 December 15 Max Green, 30 December 16 Benjamin Bratt, 51

Alcohol Poisoning

How: • Usually results from drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time • By shooting, chugging or playing drinking games • Not spacing drinks out Symptoms: • Passing out, semi-conscious • Cold, pale or bluish skin • Slow irregular breathing • Vomiting while sleeping • Does not respond to being talked to or shouted at

What to do: • Turn the drinker on their side (recovery position) do not allow them to lay on their back or stomach • Get help immediately, call 911 • Do not allow them to “sleep it off” Information obtained from “Partying and Getting Drunk”, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.(2008)

East Kootenay Addiction Services Society has sponsored this column. The intent of this column is to provide information and to encourage healthy choices. Free, confidential services are available to anyone dealing with their own or someone else’s substance addiction or misuse. For more information contact 250-423-4423, 1-800-644-6144 or visit www.ekass.com

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

21

Safety reminder from FAR’s ski patrol

Shane Lanthier and Ben Jackman want to remind resort users of the reasons behind run closures.

Photo by B. Catton

By Bryn Catton Free Press Staff

T

he number one goal on the mountain is to have fun. It is the ski patrollers that often determine what is open and what isn’t. The Free Press got out opening day to get some safety reminders about why runs may be closed to the skiing and riding public from ski patrol at Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR).

“Things are closed for a reason. Priority one is to go out and have fun on your given day. You are out skiing, there is no reason to get too upset or aggressive about closures,” said Shane Lanthier, a four-year ski patroller.

Many of the runs may seem ride-able in the top sections, but do not have enough base snow to ski or ride out of. As the season goes on and the resort gets more snow, closures can have many causes.

“We may be working in the terrain and we side, and we don’t take chances. There are do not want people in there so something hundreds of people here, from first day on bad does not happen to us,” said Lanthier. skis ever, and been skiing forever.”

In a perfect world, every run would “Just for personal knowledge, an AST [Avalanche Skills Training] 1, is geared be open all the time. Since skiing and snowboarding relies on nature for towards recreationalists.”

“You do not need to get into the crazy temperatures and snow it is unavoidable snow science or all those things. But it gets that there will be closures.

"It is a strange thing, people get this you thinking about the terrain you’re in and aware of the conditions. So instead of powder frenzy on. We have stuff closed going to go ski and not knowing why stuff for a reason. We want people to get out is closed you know ‘I totally know why there and have fun. Ideally we would this is closed, I get why I am not allowed have all the terrain open and it would be a great time but that is just not the nature in there right now’,” he said.

It is also important to remember that of it because we also have to make sure although you may know the terrain, it’s safe.” have the correct tools and safety equipment and have the skills to ascend or descend, other people will likely follow you. These people may not have the same knowledge, experience, and set ups making it dangerous.

“Whether or not you know what you are doing, if you go to the backcountry all the time, this is not the place where you can do what you want. If one person goes in there then 500 other people are going to go,” said Lanthier.

It is the resorts responsibility to all of its customers to provide areas that accommodate everyone’s abilities.

“You have to cater to everyone’s Saturday, December 12 * 7 to 8 PM skills and abilities. That is the big 741B 2nd Avenue, Fernie one for safety. Just don’t take it so seriously. Have fun and go skiing, Come and Join in the Singing! if you really, really need to get first tracks all the time, start looking at backcountry,” Lanthier said.

The Curling Club “When you are here you are our is hosting the responsibility. We play it on the safe

Community Carol Sing

Mens Regional Play Down

World Fat Bike Day

Saturday December 12: Play begins @ 2pm Sunday December 13: Play begins @ 9am

Come support team Fernie play against other clubs

“My motto is a poor ski day is a fantastic fat bike day,” said Rick Wiess, just before the Fernie Mountain Bike

Association’s afternoon ride celebrating global Fat Bike Day. There were two events, one in the afternoon and another in the evening on Dec. 5. Participants split into groups based on ability and ride length.

Photo by B. Catton

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Arrangements can be made if you want to borrow it for a few days.

For more information call 250-425-2299 or join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sparwoodlibrary

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SMITH It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of John Robert (Jack) Smith.

Jack was born in Calgary, Alberta, June 22, 1946, to Marion Zuffa (Smith). He was adopted and raised by Emily Elizabeth (Bess) and Lemert Smith in Fernie, BC, where he met and married Carol Shrumm in 1970. Together they raised son Shawn and daughter Stacey. After working for Dawson Construction and as a first aid attendant for the underground mines, he found his niche in accounting while working for the local Elk Valley Mining companies in Michel, Elkford and Corbin. In his spare time, he ran a hobby farm in Hosmer raising sheep, cattle and farming the land. Before leaving the area he worked for the local school district and then McDonald Ranch and Lumber. Deciding he wasn’t ready for retirement, Jack worked at Home Depot in Cranbrook, BC until he moved to Creston, where he was ready to formally retire and become involved as a community volunteer.

Family was of utmost importance to Jack. His proudest moments were the births of his son, daughter and then his grandchildren. Jack spent many hours researching anything and everything on the internet, he was the ‘go to guy’ when you needed information or assistance of any kind. Jack took his responsibility as Treasurer of the Creston Valley Blossom Festival Association very seriously and was looking forward to being an integral part of the 2016 – 75th Diamond Anniversary Festival celebrations. It will not be easy to find someone to fill the void that he leaves.

Jack was predeceased by his mothers Marion and Bess, father Lemert, sister June Dokken, brother Rodney Smith, uncle Dave Dryden and nephew Jack (Butch) Clarke. He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by those who survive him, his partner Bev Caldwell, son Shawn (YoungJoo) Smith, daughter Stacey (Franco) Portincasa, Carol Smith, stepchildren Steve (Rachel) Cox, Ken Cox, Darren (Tamara) Cox and Trevor Caldwell; grandchildren Jonathan, Darius, Ohnyou, Parker, Phoenix, Raelyn, Lane, Greyson and Maverick; and sister Francis Clarke, along with many nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial will be held in the Spring of 2016. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the East Kootenay Foundation for Health, Intensive Care Unit, 13 – 24th Avenue North, Cranbrook, BC V1C 3H9, or online at www.ekfh. ca in memory of John Robert (Jack) Smith.

Memories & condolences shared at www.cherishedmemoriesfs. com Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.

KASIMIR “JIM” SCHAFER (1932-2015) ‘Jim’ was born Nov. 11 1932 to Kasimir and Maria Schafer. Coming to Canada in 1951 by boat from Germany with his parents, brother Alex Schafer and sister Val Gogorenko, they traveled to work the sugar beet farms near Lethbridge. Soon moving to Calgary, he met and married his beautiful wife Emma on May 4th and they went on to celebrate 58 years of marriage. Emma was devoted to Jim and she took care of him until the very end.

Jim worked at CPR until 1974 when Kaiser Resources and the mountains beckoned to him where he gained employment as foreman in the Rebuild Center. Many years later, he chose the less stressful job as Haul-Truck Driver, until his beloved Emma was diagnosed with cancer. Jim then retired early, wanting to be by her side and successfully saw her through her illness to better health.

Nothing meant more to him than family visits, BBQ’s, croquet, holiday gatherings and get-togethers, where he and his squeeze-box were sure to entertain.

Dad/Opa was selfless in supporting those in his life. Cheering them on at soccer, hockey, baseball, dance and all school events. Many in Sparwood remember him fondly from the ball diamonds, as he jogged around with a smile firmly in place. Jim enjoyed his earlier years boxing, playing soccer and bowling - his trophies still proudly on display. Fishing and swimming brought him, and us, many happy memories.

Dad never sat us down to ‘teach’ us things, but instead, shared lessons with us, making things interesting and an adventure and yet always silently knowing he was teaching us something valuable.

Jim and Emma had 3 children: Rose Mary (Ben House), Jimmy Dean (Colleen), & Dixie Lee (Randy McClinchey), 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren all of whom made Opa a very happy man. ‘Uncle Jim’ also had numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his brother, Valdemar, in 1945; both his parents, Kasimir & Maria Schafer; and treasured godson, Victor Gogorenko.

With respect for Jim’s final wishes, no funeral services will be held. Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

A special thank you to those of the staff at Rocky Mountain Village in Fernie that laughed with him and cared for him.

Superman can now fly high!

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements. 1(877)896-8555.

Place of Worship

Place of Worship

Place of Worship

Place of Worship

ELK VALLEY CHURCH SERVICES ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH

741B 2nd Ave. Fernie

Centennial Square, Sparwood

WELCOMES YOU Sunday Meeting Morning Services - 11:00 am Corps Officers: Majors James & Gwen Hägglund

Fernie Office 250-423-4661 Fx 250-423-4668

ferniesalvationarmy.ca Community Carol Sing-December 12, 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service-December 24, 6:00 pm

SNOW VALLEY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

HOLY FAMILY PARISH

KNOX UNITED CHURCH 201 2nd Avenue, Fernie Sunday Services 10:00 am Everyone welcome.

YOU ARE INVITED! Mass Times: Saturdays: St. Michael’s ~ 7:00 pm Sundays: St. Michael’s ~ 11:00 am St. Bernard’s Mission, Elkford ~ 4:00 pm Fridays: Lilac Terrrace ~ 11:00 am Confessions: Following each mass, or by appointment.

Pastor: Father Marcel Cote 250-425-6444

Catholic Church

1361 8th Avenue, Fernie EVERYONE WELCOME

521 4th Avenue, Fernie Parish Office 250-423-6127

250-423-6010 www.knoxunitedferniebc.ca email: KnoxUCFernie@outlook.com YOU ARE WELCOME AT KNOX!

Masses: Tues.

9:00 am Wed. at Rocky Mtn Village 11:00 am Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 9:00 am Confessions: Before 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday or by appointment Father Marcel Cote

Monday Mens Fellowship...7 pm Sunday Worship & Children’s Ministry...10:30 am Friday Youth Group...7 pm Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.

Office 250-423-4114

SPARWOOD CHRISTIAN CENTRE (formerly Fernie Baptist Church)

1622 10th Avenue, Fernie 250-423-4112 www.mountainsidechurch.ca

Sunday Services

436 Pine Avenue Sparwood BC V0B 2G0

250-425-7787 Affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC)

10:00 am in Fernie 10:00 am Sparwood Campus gathering

Services: Sunday 10:00 am Wednesday Bible Study: 6:47 pm

Contact Pastor Shawn Barden shawnbarden@gmail.com

Pastor: Rev. R.G. (Ross) Powell

Everyone Welcome

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Free Press Thursday, December 10, 2015

www.thefreepress.ca A23

Announcements

Announcements

Employment

Employment

Services

Obituaries

Obituaries

Business Opportunities

Education/Trade Schools

Personal Care

GET FREE vending machines can earn $100,000 + per year.

All cash-locations provided.

Protected Territories. Interest free financing. Full details call now 1-866-668-6629 website www.tcvend.com

START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Information Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765.

VOLPATTI: Ernesta Volpatti (nee Montemurro) passed away peacefully on December 3, 2015 at the age of 96 years. She was born in Cellara, Italy on November 1, 1919 to parents Giulio and Marietta Montemurro.

In 1929, Ernesta immigrated to Canada with her parents, brothers Generino and Mario, and her sister Lynda. Within a few years of settling in Canada, Ernesta welcomed 2 more sisters; Agatha and Loretta, and a brother Guido. The 4 Montemurro sisters grew up sharing a very close bond that lasted throughout their lives. Ernesta, being the eldest daughter, was always a big help to her mother. She was a very friendly and most welcoming person. Her welcome always included “Have you eaten?” and “Are you hungry?”

From a young age, Ernesta embodied an entrepreneurial spirit, leaving home with a friend at an early age to start a coffee shop in Kimberley, which, needless to say, precipitated a major family crisis! “How do we get her home?” Family members went to Kimberley and convinced her to return … but that didn’t hold a determined Ernesta back for too long. The first chance she got, she bought the ownership of a clothing store in Natal! Ernesta, with the help of her husband Leno (Guchy), ended up building a new store which became quite successful!

Guchy and Ernesta had quite the love story; a love-at-first-sight encounter where she declared “I know I will marry that guy someday!” Within 2 years, on November 5, 1943, the couple exchanged wedding vows in the presence of family and friends.

To Ernesta’s last breath they remained deeply in love and completely devoted to one another; often described as “being attached to each other like two sides of a dime.” They were truly blessed …..

Ernesta enjoyed playing cards and other board games. She liked gardening and cooking, and being outdoors – picking berries, mushrooms, and making wine, did a little painting and was always proud to show it off. Ernesta also did some travelling to Vegas and California where she enjoyed going to Casinos.

Ernesta is survived by her beloved husband of 72 years, Guchy Volpatti and her brother Guido Montemurro as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Generino and Mario, and sisters Lynda, Agatha, and Loretta.

Memories & condolences shared at www.cherishedmemoriesfs. com Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.

23

HIP OR knee replacement?

Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in walking/dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 refund. Apply today for assistance: 1-844-453-5372.

Career Opportunities

Medical/Dental MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855-7683362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!

Work Wanted

HEALTHCARE DOCUMENTATION Specialists in huge demand.

Employers prefer CanScribe graduates. A great work-from-home career! Contact us now to start your training day. www.canscribe.com.

1-800-466-1535 or email to: info@canscribe.com

Career Service / Job Search

“We care about your hair loss”

Capilia Hair & Scalp Centre

Thinning hair or hair Loss Dandruff, dry or oily scalp Psoriasis & Eczema Chemotherapy/radiation therapy Wigs & hair systems for men & women 3019 Hwy 3

CRESTON, BC

250-428-0354 www.hairandscalpcentre.ca

Services

Merchandise for Sale

Household Services

Food Products

A-1 FURNACE & Air Duct Cleaning.

Complete Furnace/Air Duct Systems cleaned & sterilized. Locally owned & operated. 1-800-5650355 (Free estimates) KOOTENAY DUCT CLEANERS Locally owned & operated.

Affordable, professional, & insured Duct Cleaning Services & System Sterilizations.

Toll free 1.844.428.0522 FREE Estimates

Participate in an event to help the 4 million Canadians living with arthritis.

Annex - Need your Driveway or Parking Lot Plowed?

1.800.321.1433 www.jointsinmotion.ca

Career Service / Job Search

Career Service / Job Search

Misc. for Sale ROMANCE Your Christmas Local BC Adult Retailer Shop Online Now & Receive 25% OFF! www.shagg.ca

Inspire.

Perspire.

I have a Bobcat for quick/efficient snow removal.

Call any time, day or night, 7 days/week. 250-423-1306 or 250-423-0477 $20. per driveway. $80/hr. for parking lot.

BC INSPECTED

GRADED AA OR BETTER LOCALLY GROWN NATURAL BEEF Hormone Free Grass Fed/Grain Finished Freezer Packages Available Quarters/Halves $4.90/lb Hanging Weight Extra Lean Ground Beef Available TARZWELL FARMS 250-428-4316 Creston

Plumbing FULL SERVICE Plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, reliable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area. 1800-573-2928.

SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1-800-5666899 Ext:400OT.

STEEL BUILDING sale.

“Really big sale-year end clear out!” 21x22 $5,190 25x24 $5,988 27x28 $7,498 30x32 $8,646 35x34 $11,844 42x54 $16,386. One end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-6685422 www.pioneersteel.ca

Fight Back.

Volunteer your time, energy and skills today.

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

WANT TO DELIVER NEWSPAPERS?

WE HAVE LOTS OF ROUTES AVAILABLE

in Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford 250-423-4666 • 342 2 Avenue customerservice@thefreepress.ca

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

A24 www.thefreepress.ca

Thursday, December 10, 2015 The Free Press

Rentals

Rentals

Rentals

Rentals

Rentals

Rentals

Rentals

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apt/Condo for Rent

Homes for Rent

Storage

2 Bed, 1 Bath condo for rent in Sparwood Heights. $800 per month, with reduced rate to $600 for the first 6 months on a one year lease. Utilities not included. Call Erin at 250-4257711 or Rick at 250-425-5432

New condos in Sparwood Heights 2 bed/2 bath units are $1100. per month. 2 bed/1 bath units $1050. per month.

These units are in a new complex. New stainless steel appliances, granite counters, in suite washer/dryer. Building comes with an elevator and on site storage unit. No smoking or pets allowed. References required. (Utilities not included) Call Rick at 250-425-5432 or Erin at 250-425-7711

Fernie Rental - 4 bdrm, 2 full bath, stove, fridge, dishwasher stall for w/d. 1,500 sq ft. Deck, carport. Heat & Hydro incl. $1,300 p/m.Ph: 250-423-3216

Sparwood, B.C.

PINEWAY COURT Apartment Units • Close to downtown • Affordable • Hot water included • Your new home!

1 Bdrm plus den $775 (& up) month 2 Bdrm plus den $850 (& up) month

Scenic Downtown Elkford

ALPINE COURT Spacious NEW apartments 1 Bdrm - $775 (& up)-month 2 & 3 Bdrm- $850 (& up)- month Includes heat, lights, & hot water

250-425-9912

250-865-2722

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apt/Condo for Rent

Apartments for Rent 1 & 2 Bedroom Units Furnished & Unfurnished From

$

695 per month

Live in scenic & peaceful Elkford

ALDERWOOD PLACE Comfortable apartment units

1 Bdrm - $775 (& up)-month 2 & 3 Bdrm - $850 (& up)-month

Includes: covered parking, sauna, heat, lights & hot water

1-250-865-7695 SPARWOOD, B.C. Quiet • Comfortable • Affordable

GOLDEN OAK GARDENS 1 Bdrm - $775 (& up)- month 2 Bdrm - $850 (& up)- month

2 bedroom, 1 bath fully furnished condo for rent in Sparwood Heights. Just bring your clothes. $1150. per month Call Rick at 250-425-5432 or Erin At 250-425-7711 Clean 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Carbanado Court Sparwood. No pets. $750 per month. Please call Rick at 250-425-5432 or Erin at 250-425-7711.

For Rent: 2 Condos turned into one very large, clean 2 bedroom, 2 bath fully furnished condo for rent in Sparwood Heights. This unit has everything you need including Jacuzzi tub, dishes, bedding.

Just bring your clothes.. $1200 per month.

Call Rick at 250-425-5432 or Erin at 250-425-7711 Sparwood 1 bdrm condo, @ Mtn. Air Chalets - furn or not inc util, W&D, w/deck, no pets, $600 + DD Call 403-616-6467 or 403-474-3926.

Inspire.

Perspire.

Participate in an event to help the 4 million Canadians living with arthritis.

Hot Water Included 1422 & 1462 – 6th Avenue, Fernie Located behind the Best Western

For more information call

250-423-1358

Walking Distance to Mall

250-865-2722

Contact Manager - 778-518-2253 or view at www.glprentals.com

Duplex / 4 Plex Sparwood - 1/2 duplexes Several 3 bedroom, 1 bath duplexes downtown. Reduced to $800 for first 6 months on a 1 year lease then remainder is $900. Please contact Rick 250-425-5432 or Erin 250-425-7711

Houses in Spardell for rent.

2 bedroom houses & loft, 1 bath on large lots, appliances, town water, and school bus pick up nearby.

Prices vary between $600 and $800 per month plus utilities. Please contact Rick 250-425-5432 or Erin 250-425-7711 SPARWOOD, 2-storey, 3bdrm townhouse for rent w/full basement, close to school & rec centre. (250)425-4448 primeprop@mymts.net Sparwood and Elkford: Property Management Services **************************** Furnished & Unfurnished houses and condos available for rent. Call Tonda at 250-433-7024 to match you up to the perfect home!! tonda@sparwoodrealestate.ca

250-423-3308 or 250-423-1236

STORAGE PLUS: Bays heated or cold & service bays with air, minor repairs.

250-423-7492.

Townhouses 27 Juniper - 3 bedroom townhouse in lower Sparwood. $800 per month with 6th and 12th month discounted to $400. Please call Rick 250-425-5432 or Erin 250-425-7711

Sparwood For Rent 3 BDR Townhouse - Recently Renovated, partially finished basement with new washer and dryer. Ready for Dec 1st.

FIRST MONTH FREE RENT! $875 p/m + utilities. Small pets considered. Please message or call for more info.

250 423 1093.

Community Newspapers We’re at the heart of things™

Modular Homes

Transportation

14’ wide Mobile Home for Rent 3 bedrooms, all appliances Call Joe at 250-425-5387

Boats

Sparwood - Several Mobile Homes for rent $400 - $1000 per month.

Utilities not included.

Please contact

World’s Finest FISHING BOATS

assistant@sparwoodrealestate.ca

1.800.321.1433 www.jointsinmotion.ca

A division of

PineCrest Apartments Sparwood BC

Move in special - receive $300 after 3 months. Also receive 20% of your damage deposit back after 1 year - some conditions apply. We have a one and two bedroom in fully newly renovated building. Some furnished suites with all new furniture. Pet friendly (some conditions apply) $775 to $925.

House in Sparwood Heights Large 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with attached garage, large yard on greenbelt, deck and shed. $1400 per month plus utilities.

Call Rick 250-425-5432 or Erin 250-425-7711

SELF STORAGE: Personal & commercial. Call Finnigan’s Storage.

or call 250-425-7711 for more information.

#UsedHelps

Weldcraft, Hewescraft, Lund, Godfrey Pontoons Mark’s Marine, Hayden, ID 1-888-821-2200 www.marksmarineinc.com

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

25

FSS senior volleyball teams play at provincials

The Fernie Secondary School (FSS) senior boys returned with a sixth place finish at provincials in Abbotsford Nov 26-28.

Front left to right: Michael Reay, Zack Bullock, Liam Bush, Ryan Caldwell, Brandan Dixon Back: Stacey Salanski (coach), Daniel Reay, Owen Salanski, Jared Bailey, Tanner Quattrin, Parker Saunders

The FSS 2015 senior boys team.

The FSS 2015 senior girls team.

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

The FSS senior girls placed sixth at provincials held on Dec. 3-5.

Front left to right: Ashley Casault (coach), Haylie Kons, Alex Beswick, Jessica Payne, Emma McIntyre, Kylie Penner, Hannah Morris and Andrea Podrasky (coach).

Back: Terry Sideritch (head coach), Mariah Johnston, Brianna Durham, Linnea UphillBenishke, Savannah Kormilo, Taryn Kelly, Megan Durham, Megan Gigliotti, Jamie Ray.

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY Call 250-423-4666 or email customerservice@thefreepress.ca

Featured This Week TRUE NORTH APPLIANCE SERVICE

Owner/Appliance Service Technician 617 18th Ave North Cranbrook BC V1C 3X8

tnapplianceservice@gmail.com 250-421-9271

& U-Brew

Your On-Premise Wine Brewing Store ♦ Make your own Craft Wine - Using our Equipment and Expertise ♦ Perfect for Weddings or other Special Occasions ♦ Finish to perfection with Personalized Labels

250-423-3530 • 592-8th Ave, Fernie wine@elkvalleywine.com

If your ad was here, it would have been seen by now!

e

her Your ad

Call 250-423-4666 today!

OVER 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE.

250-423-7236 302A 2nd Avenue, Fernie, BC V0B 1M0

For All Your Moving Needs •Dump Runs •House Moves •Appliance Moves •Collections/Deliveries •House and Basement Clearances

All Within the Elk Valley Please call for an estimate 250-430-7628 info@ferniemovingcompany.ca

Classes Work Space Paper Crafting Mini Albums Home Decor

FERNIE BOTTLE DEPOT Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm 1291 Ridgemont Ave. Phone: 250-423-2009

We take electronics and ensure they are recycled safely.

PHONE: (250)423-5805 9839 ELK STREET

ROCK

After hours appointments available.

No charge consultation.

Fernie Moving Company

Devon Maslaniec

Elk Valley Wine

Complete, Partial and Immediate Denture.

Emergency Repairs, Relines and Sport Mouthguards.

from the historic Morrisey Quarry

ALL SIZES AVAILABLE!

• Stream Protection • Unstable Ground Support • Custom Water way Drilling & Landscaping

Wilson’s Drill & Blast Service Call George 250-423-7040 or e-mail: t4237040@telus.net

Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd. &

Cherished Memories Crematorium Ltd. John & Lynda Gawryluk Certified Funeral Directors

"Your Loved One Never Leaves Our Care" Phone: 250-423-7944

cmfs@shaw.ca • www.cherishedmemoriesfs.com

P.O. Box 1886 114 Centennial Square Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0

• Affidavits • Wills • Contracts • Leases • Real Estate

Business: (250) 425-2114

• Business Transfers

Fax: (250) 425-2204

• Mobile Homes

Toll Free: 1-800-668-7729

• Mortgages

Email: marian@gravellenotary.com

Coalminer’s Gallery & Picture Framing Ltd.

*Unique Custom Frame & Mat Design *Certified Professional Framer *YOU NAME IT ~ WE FRAME IT! *25 years serving the Elk Valley

Phone: 1-888-649-5577

All framing services provided coalminersgallery@gmail.com

DJ Services

covering the Elk Valley • Weddings • Parties • Events Jacob MacDonald 250-430-7781 Hosmer74@gmail.com

www.communitylistingservice.com info@communitylistingservice.com Advertising opportunity: - Go to the website / select your province and community - Bookmark it as your Homepage - Sign up – cost is $100 for the whole year - Create your ad – change and update - every day if you like - Advertising like you’ve never used before - Shop local, know local - AND SO MUCH MORE

Know your community: - Go to the website / select your province and community - Bookmark it as your Homepage - Check the weather / check local events - Select a tab and browse - Shopping / dining / schools / real estate / contractors - Volunteer opportunities / recreation - AND SO MUCH MORE

..... connect to your COMMUNITY

26

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THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Your Best Choice for Great Hong Kong Style Cuisine!

Brought to you by Fernie’s premiere Chinese restaurant

250-423-3211

YOUR HOROSCOPE

for the week of December 13 to December 19, 2015 THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: ARIES, TAURUS AND GEMINI.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19)

The great artist in you makes a fairly dramatic appearance. You accomplish something that gets noticed and that constitutes some sort of fresh start.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)

wifi available

1221A 7th Ave., Hwy. 3 Fernie • Beside ReMax

BRAIN GAMES ACROSS

CROSSWORDS

PUZZLE NO. 790

Your social life takes up all your time. You receive a constant stream of invitations that you accept with pleasure, even if you know you’re burning the candle at both ends sometimes.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)

You have a lot of work on your hands if you have big plans for the holidays this year. Time is a scarce commodity, but your parties are a real success in the end.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22)

You feel like getting out more and discovering lots of wonderful things. You decide to spend the holidays under a tropical sun or feature exotic flavours on your holiday menu.

LEO (July 23 - August 22)

You’re deeply moved when you learn about a visit from a family member that you only see very rarely and who means a lot to you. You go all out in order to welcome this person.

Copyright © 2015, Penny Press

1. Wild guess 5. Gave lunch to 8. Departed 12. Clip 13. Rowboat need 14. Spindle 15. And so forth: 2 wds.

17. Daze 18. Refuse 19. Better half 21. Papas’ partners 24. Santa’s suit color 27. Fall back 31. Within reach 33. Scored a hole in one 34. Snoop 36. Canary’s home 37. Cloudy 39. Softer 41. Snap 42. Sports facility 44. Ox’s harness 46. Naomi Campbell, e.g.

51. Huffed and puffed 53. Sharp drop 56. Not bogus 57. End 58. Appliance for baking 59. Broadcasts 60. On the ____ (secretly)

61. Talk wildly

DOWN

1. Pour forth 2. So long, in Liverpool: 2 wds.

3. Bends 4. Root vegetable 5. Rival 6. Lobe locale 7. Serious theater 8. Survive 9. Outer 10. Winter bug 11. ____-gallon hat 16. Sub, for one 20. Volcano’s dust 22. Deadly snake 23. Join together 25. Outskirts 26. Colorist

27. Rough file 28. Sound repetition 29. 366-day period: 2 wds.

30. Total up 32. “Sister ____” 35. Japanese money unit 38. Chatter 40. Appoint 43. Landlords’ fees 45. Wise old birds 47. Scent 48. Opera singer 49. Fair 50. Fasting time 51. Bathing-suit top 52. Hawaiian gift 54. Olive product 55. Agent 007, e.g.

ANSWER/LAST WEEK - PUZZLE NO. 789

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)

It’s very easy to get along with you. You’re not afraid of some hard work and you’re willing to start preparing a few recipes for the upcoming holiday parties.

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)

You find yourself taking over the boss’s chair while he or she goes on a welldeserved vacation. This could have an extremely positive long-term impact on your career.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)

HOW TO PLAY :

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

You’re the centre of attention for one reason or another. It’s possible that you could save someone, even if it’s only by being a good listener.

You go all out where gifts and parties with friends and family are concerned. You’re extremely generous and this gives you an extraordinary sense of well-being.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)

It’s not easy to coordinate a busy social life when your work is demanding. You need to take the decision to back off a bit, so don’t hesitate to accept invitations from your friends.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)

You may lay your hands on a nice sum of money and you’re sure to treat yourself.

This situation shows you off to advantage and improves your self-esteem.

PISCES (February 19 - March 20)

You’re already planning some parties that will bring together your relatives. You have lots of inspiration to create your very own masterpiece.

PUZZLE NO. 526

Answers:

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started.

Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.

FOR ADVERTISING CONTACT SOPHIE HOWDEN advertising@thefreepress.ca 250-423-4666

www.thefreepress.ca

Funding for anti-racism in East Kootenay Submitted

T

organizations are sharing $240,000 in funding from the provincial government.

The money goes towards activities in 24 communities with the common goal of eliminating racism.

The activities include local outreach programs, educational events, workshops and community engagement.

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

27

A face in the crowd Sponsored by

If you are the individual in this photo you have won a $10 gift voucher from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Drop into The Free Press office for your prize.

he East Kootenay Organization for Human Dignity and Equality (EKOHDE) has received $20,000 from the B.C. Government, with the intention of eliminating racism in Cranbrook and Fernie. & The Free Press EKOHDE promotes diversity in the East Kootenay and is a member of the East Kootenay Humanity Network.

The organization also raises awareness of issues facing people of all backgrounds.

“The purpose of the network is to address racism and hate, the twin causes of social degradation and unrest that continue to threaten communities everywhere, including those in our region,” said EKOHDE chairwoman Debbie McPhee in a press release.

“British Columbia is the most diverse province within Canada, and the local government wants newcomers to feel welcomed and accepted to the province.

“Almost 30 per cent of British Columbians emigrated from another country, making us the most ethnically diverse province in Canada,” Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett said in a press release. “We want to ensure that newcomers feel a sense of belonging and acceptance in our province.”

The East Kootenay Humanity Network utilizes the United Nations’ International Days to help educate people in the region.

On UN’s World Food Day, Oct. 16, the The fastest and most reliable internet technology* network collected over 5,700 items for is now in Fernie.† Trust TELUS Fibre to help you the Cranbrook and stay connected, with crystal-clear HD video calls Fernie Food Banks.

The network is also on Internet 150. using the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Get Optik TV TM and Internet 25 for $50/mo.

Women (Nov. 25) for 1 year when you sign up for 3 years.‡ and the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (Aug. 9) to educate further and raise awareness in the East Kootenay region.

Learn more at The East Kootenay Organization for telus.com/fernie Human Dignity and Equality is one of 14 organizations t h r o u g h o u t STORES British Columbia TELUS Cranbrook participating in B.C.’s Tamarack Centre 101 Kootenay St. N 717 Industrial Rd. 2 Organizing Against *Traditional copper wire or copper wire hybrid networks are subject to capacity constraints and environmental stresses that do not affect TELUS fibre optic technology, which is based on light signals. †Not all homes are covered. ‡Offer available until December 31, 2015, to residential customers have not subscribed to TELUS TV or Internet in the past 90 days. Cannot be combined with other promotional offers. Offer includes Optik TV Essentials and Internet 25. The Essentials is required for all Optik TV subscriptions. A cancellation fee applies to the early termination of the service Racism and Hate who agreement and will be $10 for the PVR and Wi-Fi modem rental multiplied by the number of months remaining in the term. Regular prices apply at the end of the promotional period. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for the services will be determined by a TELUS representative.

(OARH) program. The TELUS reserves the right to modify channel lineups and packaging, and regular pricing without notice. HDTV-input-equipped television required to watch HD. TELUS, the TELUS logo, Optik, Optik TV, telus.com and the future is friendly are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence.

A powerful connection to what matters most .

All copyrights for images, artwork and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2015 TELUS.

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www.thefreepress.ca

THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 10, 2015

Associated with Legacy Auto Group

Fernie Ford welcomes Michele Hattie to our sales team!

Andrew Moore General Manager

Jesse Johnson Finance Manager

Where Quality & Service Meet Without Compromise 6165 Brenners Road, Fernie, BC • 250-423-9211 • www.fernieford.ca

Don Siska

Sales Specialist

2015 Ford Focus SE

2015 Ford Flex LTD AWD

2015 Ford Taurus SEL AWD

$23,499 or $182 BW for 84 months

$50,099 or $383 BW for 84 months

$42,849 or $321 BW for 84 months

Stk. NC1093

Stk. NT1539

0

0

%

FINANCING ON FORD F150’S

Sales Specialist

Stk. NC0195

0

%

Diane Isakson

%

FINANCING ON FORD F150’S

FINANCING ON FORD F150’S

2016 Ford F150 Supercrew XLT

2015 Ford F150 Supercrew XLT

2015 Ford F150 Supercrew Platinum

$44,549 or $310 BW for 84 months

$43,899 or $320 BW for 72 months

$64,999 or $472 BW for 72 months

Stk. NT1573

Stk. NT1486

Stk. NT1493

FERNIE PRE-OWNED * LOOK FOR THE LEGACY MARK DOWN

2006 Dodge Charger

2010 Lincoln MKZ AWD

2013 Ford F150 Supercab XLT

2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited

$6,995 or $95

$18,990 or $97

$25,900 or $112

$19,900 or $87

Stk. UC0251

Week for 24 months

Stk. UC0265

Week for 60 months

Stk. UT0749

Week for 72 months

Stk. UC0255

Week for 72 months

All payments calculated at 4.99% except where noted. $0 down calculated on all payments OAC. Example UC0265 total paid interest is $3003.87. Total payments would be $25,420.20. Conditions apply.

See the team at Fernie Ford for more details.