Barriere Star Journal, January 28, 2016

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2016

Volume 42, Issue 04

www.starjournal.net

$1.40 Includes GST

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Barriere’s junior teams clean up on weekend

Police seek two suspects ..... page 3

Families encouraged to ‘Unplug and Play’ together during Family Literacy Week ..... page 6

Over $500,000 in bursaries for local students remain unclaimed ..... page 6

Submitted photos:

(Above) Barriere Secondary’s Junior Boys Basketball Team: Front (l-r) Kash Siquoin, Cameron Kerslake and Tyson Schilling. Rear (l-r) team manager Chale Boyce, Aaron VanSickle, Andre Parent, Lane Robinson, Sheldon VanSickle, Bryce Welz, Sakwuwa Dunstan-Stanyer, and coach Cory Carmichael.

Community Forest awards grants to 11 non-profits ..... page 11

Barriere Secondary’s Junior Girls Basketball Team (l-r): Back row: Payden Irving, Sara Sabyan, Emma Hamblin, Kaylee Nelson, Katie McInnes, Lauren Ficke, Desiree Anderson and Brooke Hartman.

Front row: Pamela LeFeuvre, and Taylynn Eustache. Missing from photo are coaches Tiffany and Rachel Bowser.

2015 Year In Review ..... page 12

Dangerous Dog Bylaw adopted

Courts asked to rule on B.C.’s wolf cull ..... page 20

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Congratulations to Barriere Secondary’s Junior Basketball teams who cleaned up in Chase last weekend.

The BSS boys brought home the top spot in the Chase Junior Boys Basketball Tournament. The team played very well and defeated Ashcroft, Princeton, and Chase to clinch first place.

Barriere Secondary’s Junior Girls also climbed to the top by playing what was reported to be “an amazing tournament”.

The girls team won all three of their games against Chase, Ashcroft and Valleyview.

They had great improvement throughout the entire weekend, withTaylynn Eustache, Pamela LeFeuvre being named Game All Stars, and Brooke Hartman, Kaylee Nelson and Taylynn Eustache receiving Best Defence.

TNRD Electoral Area “O” (Lower North Thompson) will be participating North Thompson Star/Journal

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The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Board of Directors approved expansion of the Dangerous Dog Control Bylaw to include Electoral Areas “J” (Copper Desert Country) and “O” (Lower North Thompson) at a meeting on Jan. 21.

The Dangerous Dog Control Bylaw is not breed-specific and does not discriminate against

certain breeds. The bylaw does not apply to unlicensed dogs, dogs at large, or aggressive dogs. It is currently enforced in Electoral Areas “I” (Blue Sky Country), “M” (Beautiful Nicola Valley — North), “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley — South), and “P” (Rivers and the Peaks).

According to the bylaw, a Dangerous Dog means any dog that: (a) has killed or seriously injured a person, (b) has killed or seriously injured a domestic

animal in a public place or while on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the person responsible for the dog, or (c) an Animal Control Officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person.

The Animal Control Service has been contracted out to K-9 Services, which will be responsible for enforcement of the bylaw in all six Electoral Areas that are participating in the service.

S E R V I N G T H E N O RT H T H O M P S O N VA L L E Y F R O M H E F F L E Y C R E E K TO B L U E R I V E R

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Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

Smart meter system finishes under budget

By Tom Fletcher Black Press BC Hydro’s wireless grid system was officially complete at the end of 2015, with a total cost the Crown utility now projects to be $777 million.

That’s $153 million below the original budget, said Greg Reimer, executive vice president, transmission, distribution and customer service for BC Hydro. It includes all the elements required by the B.C. government when it ordered the installation of the smart meter system as part of its Clean Energy Act in 2010.

Reimer said in an interview the system has also exceeded the $70 million in savings projected for the first three years of operation.

“We’ve realized about $100 million in

benefits during that time, particularly from operational savings,” Reimer said.

“Customers are getting more accurate bills. We’ve reduced our manual meter reading reads and our bill estimates. Meter reading and billing is automated through the system.”

The smart grid had its severest test at the end of August 2015 when a windstorm brought down thousands of droughtweakened trees, leaving 700,000 customers on southern Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland without electricity.

Power was restored to all areas in five days, which was half the time it took to recover from the December 2006 windstorm that flattened trees in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, Reimer said. The 2006 storm

blacked out only half the number of homes of the 2015 event.

Reimer said the ability to test an entire power line after one break is repaired means the crew doesn’t have to drive the rest of the line, and can move to the next confirmed problem when repairing storm damage.

BC Hydro has defended its power theft savings after NDP energy critic Adrian Dix questioned them. In a recent letter to BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald, Dix said the company’s estimate of power theft by marijuana growers was “magically” inflated by then-energy minister Rich Coleman in 2006, then increased again in the utility’s 2011 business case for the wireless system.

Reimer said the business case pro-

Fire Relief Fundraiser Saturday February 6 at 3pm

Barriere Seniors Centre Live Music Silent Auction Pie Auction

BC Hydro

Wireless meters in test lab. BC Hydro is required to test meters annually to make sure they are accurately measuring electricity use. jected a 75 per cent reduction in power theft, and the reduction for this fiscal year is projected at 80 per cent, as the smart grid detects actual power consumption and compares it to billed amounts.

While it’s officially

complete, the smart grid requires ongoing maintenance and annual testing of meters to meet federal accuracy regulations.

BC Hydro also plans to install more than 4,000 meters that use commercial cellular phone networks to

Gille has been a resident of Barriere for about 40 years and lost his home due to fire on December 20th.

Black Press Parents in B.C. schools will soon have the option of introducing their kids to computer programming as early as Kindergarten to grade three.

Premier Christy Clark told a technology conference in Vancouver Monday an introduction to coding option will be available in some schools starting next September. It is expected to be available across the province within three years, and Clark said her goal is to make it mandatory for all students entering school.

Post-secondary technology programs already include co-op job placements for 80 per cent of students, but any new programs will have to be 100 per cent co-op, Clark said.

The province and federal governments also announced new funding to technology employers to help current and future workers upgrade

Barriere & District

Hospice

Society

Annual General Meeting January 28, 2016 • 7pm

at the Barriere Volunteer Centre this ad is sponsored by

13,320 BC Hydro customers who have refused to accept smart meters, opting to pay a monthly fee for manual meter reading of a mechanical meter or a wireless meter with the radio transmitter turned off.

Coding to start in Kindergarten

Chili and a Bun All proceeds go towards clean-up, removal of debris and purchase of a trailer home for Gille Seguin.

send in readings.

Those are for locations with concrete basement meter rooms that can’t reach the grid, or rural areas where it is too expensive to extend the BC Hydro wireless grid, Reimer said.

There are still

For more info contact Jane at 250-672-9391

their skills. Grants cover two thirds of training cost up to $10,000 per employee, and applications can be made at www.workbc.ca/canadabcjobgrant Inmates get trades training A pilot program in Kamloops has graduated six provincial prison inmates, qualifying them to work as construction labourers when they are released.

Students learn skills such as operating and maintaining small tools, scaffolding, reading blueprints, surveying, operating a mini-excavator and traffic control. They also receive level one first aid and construction safety training certification during a six-week course.

The program is offered by Thompson Rivers University for inmates at Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre. Inmates built a concrete foundation pad with drainage and roof that will house a portable sawmill.

The level one apprenticeship credential and 4,000 work hours in a trade make them eligible for level two, when students can enrol in a Red Seal trade program such as carpentry or plumbing.

Surge in urban housing starts Housing starts in B.C.’s urban municipalities of more than 10,000 people ended 2015 with a jump of 26 per cent in December, according to the latest Statistics Canada figures.

B.C.’s increase was mostly in multi-family developments. Single detached housing starts were up only 3.5 per cent.

B.C.’s housing surge went against the national trend, with housing starts down in seven provinces. Only B.C., Quebec and Manitoba saw growth in December, compared to a year earlier.

Housing starts dropped 39 per cent in Ontario and 41 per cent in Alberta, where the oil price slump has hit the economy hard.

North Thompson Star/Journal Thursday, January 28, 2016

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Province aims to hire 1,600 more nurses

By Tom Fletcher Black Press The B.C. government is planning to catch up on its long-standing nursing shortage by hiring 1,643 full-time Registered Nurses by the end of March.

Health Minister Terry Lake and B.C. Nurses’ Union president Gayle Duteil announced Tuesday they have reached a staff increase agreement that has been the main obstacle to signing a new contract. The previous deal expired nearly two years ago, and the dispute over staffing was headed for arbitration.

Duteil said the last BCNU contract in 2012 contained a commitment to fill these positions, but more than 1,600 have not been.

“To the nurses working 16-hour shifts today, to the nurses working short in the emergency department and operating rooms across B.C., to community nurses with overwhelming caseloads, this agreement means relief is on the way,” Duteil said.

Lake said the first priority is to offer full-time positions to some of the 7,000 casual nurses working in B.C. Nurses from other provinces would be the next choice, and international recruiting would take place after that.

“I think there will be a pool of nurses who may be moving back with their families to British Columbia, given the economic downturn in

Alberta,” Lake said.

By region, the plan targets recruiting of 400 nurses for Fraser Health, 300 for Interior Health, 290 for Island Health, 100 for Northern Health, 235 for Vancouver Coastal Health, 238 for the Provincial Health Authority and 80 for Providence Health Care, which runs St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.

Fraser Health CEO Michael Marchbank said each nursing position costs the health authority about $100,000 a year, and the new positions can be accommodated from existing budgets.

NDP health critic Judy Darcy questioned whether that many nurses can be hired in little more than two months, after the original 2012 promise to hire more than 2,000 nurses has only resulted in about 500 up to now.

“We know that the long waits for hip replacement, knee replacement, you name it, has been due to shortages, including nursing shortages,” Darcy said. “We’ve been paying incredible overtime. Huge burnout, high injury rates, wait lists, hallway medicine, all of those things are a consequence not having met this promise.”

Duteil said 16-hour shifts have become “the new normal” for many RNs, and the agreement is a relief. She urged casual nurses in B.C. to contact the union by email immediately at hireanurse@bcnu.org to express interest in the new positions.

Police seek two suspects RCMP South-East District released a wanted poster showing these two individuals on Monday.

The two subjects are described as prolific offenders and may be in the Barriere to Valemount area.

“We have had a number of thefts recently,” noted Sgt. Kevin Podbisky of Clearwater RCMP. Waylon Michael Faulhafer is described as 168 cm (five feet six inches) tall, weighing 54 kg (119 lb.) with hazel eyes and brown hair. His date of birth was April 21, 1993.

He is wanted under an outstanding warrant from Chase RCMP (file 2015-3164) for theft of motor vehicle

and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Bree-Anne Alicia Buhler is described as 165 cm (five feet five inches) tall, weighing 54 kg (119 lb.), with brown eyes and brown hair (dyed blonde). Her date of birth was April 30, 1994.

She is wanted under an outstanding warrant from Chase RCMP (file 2015-3164) for theft under $5,000, breach of probation (times two) and breach of bail/undertaking.

If you have information on the whereabouts of Bree-Anne Buhler or Waylon Faulhafer, or encounter them, please call 911 and report the information to the police.

B.C. economy to grow in face of global turmoil Poll finds pessimistic residents hunkering down

By Jeff Nagel Black Press B.C.’s economy is forecast to grow at a healthy clip of three per cent this year despite growing global financial uncertainty that has seen stock markets plunge and the Canadian dollar swoon in tandem with the dive in oil prices.

That prediction comes from Central 1 Credit Union senior economist Bryan Yu, who says the province will lead Canada in growth and should weather the global economic turmoil well, thanks to improved exports and tourism due to the weak loonie.

“B.C. will continue to benefit from low interest rates and a lower currency, despite challenges presented by a weak commodity sector,” Yu said.

“Lifted by household

demand and housing investment, economic growth will ease slightly from 2015 but remain moderate.”

Yu also expects economic growth to average three per cent from 2017 on, with steady consumer activity and higher business investment tied to major project construction.

His forecast assumes one large liquefied natural gas terminal will be built in B.C. and Yu cautioned growth would be slower at about 2.5 per cent and unemployment higher by 0.5 per cent if a new LNG plant fails to materialize.

He predicts unemployment will edge up slightly in 2016 to 6.3 per cent before declining in subsequent years.

The forecast is in contrast to a new Insights West poll that shows B.C. residents

have become considerably more pessimistic about the economy and many are adopting a frugal mindset as they hunker down for financial trouble.

Two-in-five of those surveyed expect B.C.’s economy to decline and at least 40 per cent said they plan to slash spending on entertainment, new clothes or dining out

to prepare for tougher times.

The poll found 93 per cent expect to pay more for groceries over the next six months and 71 per cent expect higher real estate prices.

Nearly half of respondents said they’ve worried frequently or occasionally about the value of their investments.

Swap Cashless Craft Swap January 30 • 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Volunteer Centre (the Ridge)

Bring unwanted craft supplies & pick up needed craft supplies - no cash involved. You don’t have to bring something to take something home.

For more info call Margaret at 250-672-9330.

January 28th ADULTS SENIORS Children

$15.50 $12.50 $8.00

Doors open at 5:00pm

$12.95 $17.95

TURKEY DINNER

Every Monday beginning at 4:30 Next Buffet February 11

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Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

OPINION Guest Editorial;

Published by Black Press Ltd. at Unit 10 - 4353 Connor Road, Barriere, B.C., V0E 1E0 250-672-5611

by Aaron Wudrick

Don’t rush federal infrastructure spending An uncontroversial principle of governance is treating public dollars with respect: whatever a government’s spending priorities, it should always seek to get the best value on behalf of all taxpayers.

This process can take time, since assessing the value of a proposed program or project is rarely doable overnight. Canadians should therefore be concerned that ‘how fast can we get money out the door?’ appears to be the biggest question currently vexing the new Trudeau government in Ottawa.

Recent headlines have even suggested that Finance Minister Bill Morneau is under “pressure” to skip the usual parliamentary pre-budget hearings in the run-up to the government’s first budget, expected sometime in March.

(A closer look reveals this “pressure” amounts to ‘questions from reporters’ together with self-interested experts urging more spending as quickly as possible. The minister may as well ask a panel of dogs if more bones should be handed out.)

But the hurry to spend is only half the problem: also buried in this rush to turn on the taps has been a subtle, but major shift in the objective of the Liberals’ infrastructure plans. All of a sudden the talk is about “stimulus” – a word which appears nowhere in the Liberal platform, and was never intended to be the objective of the Liberals’ deficit-financed infrastructure spending.

Indeed, the Minister himself has repeatedly stated that long-term growth is the government’s main priority.

So why is this a problem? Why not kill two birds with one stone? After all, if we have to build a bridge next year, why not just build it right now?

The answer is that there’s no guarantee that the “right” projects to invest in are also ones that are “shovel-ready.” It’s entirely possible that months (if not years) will be necessary to properly identify infrastructure that is truly the most important for the long-run.

These considerations conflict with the very different objective of getting money out the door as soon as possible – and it would seem rather obvious that one of the surest ways for a government to waste taxpayer dollars is to hurry to spend it.

The reality is there is no burning urgency. The government would have us believe that spending a few billion dollars a few months sooner will somehow dramatically improve Canada’s economic prospects. Does anyone really believe this?

The Harper government made a similar claim following its own plunge into deficit in 2009, yet the Fraser Institute’s analysis of Statistics Canada’s data shows that the Conservatives’ “Economic Action Plan” had next to no impact on the economy, with the turnaround in the economy overwhelmingly due to increased private sector investment and increased exports. The price of this ill-advised misadventure was six years climbing out a deep deficit hole, and more than $150 billion added to our federal debt.

The Trudeau government can reasonably claim it was elected to implement different policies than their predecessors. So it is utterly strange that their plan now appears to be to essentially cut and paste the Harper government’s approach – one which they (rightly) criticized while in opposition.

Infrastructure investments need to be considered carefully, prioritized and selected for the long-term benefits they bring. Conflating this goal with “stimulating” the economy is asking for trouble, and a recipe for porkbarrelling and waste. The Trudeau government should resist calls to spend faster, and focus on spending wisely.

Aaron Wudrick is Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation (This column originally appeared in the Toronto Sun on January 25, 2016)

Looking for exceptional British Columbians To the editor; Province seeks outstanding British Columbians for highest honour Nominations for the Province’s highest form of recognition – the Order of British Columbia – are now being accepted for individuals demonstrating outstanding achievement, excellence and distinction in their fields of endeavour.

This is your opportunity to help showcase the dedication and hard work of the exceptional British

Columbians in your community by urging your readers to nominate exemplary citizens from their own backyard.

Since 1989, 386 British Columbians have received the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest award. Previous recipients vary across sectors and postal codes, but some inductees are easy to recognize, including: Baljit Sethi, advocate for immigrants and for equality (2011) Dr. Robert Thirsk,

astronaut, mechanical engineer and physician (2012) George Bowering, First Poet Laureate of Canada and historian (2004) Ellen White, social activist and medicine woman (2011) Diana Krall, jazz vocalist and pianist (2000) Trevor Linden, NHL hockey player and humanitarian (2003) Nomination form and submission information are available from the Honours and

Awards Secretariat in Victoria via the website at www.orderofbc.gov. bc.ca Completed nominations must be received by the Secretariat no later than March 4, 2016, to be considered this year.

This is your opportunity to recognize the talents, efforts and sacrifices of deserving British Columbians in your community. The process begins with a nomination.

MLA Terry Lake Kamloops – North Thompson

The STAR/JOURNAL welcomes all letters to the editor. We do, however, reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters over matters of libel, legality, taste, brevity, style or clarity. While all letters must be signed upon submission, writers may elect to withhold their names from publication in special circumstances. Drop your letter off at the Star/Journal Office, fax it to 672-9900, mail it to Box 1020, Barriere, VOE 1EO, or email to news@starjournal.net.

CMCA AUDITED

Al Kirkwood Publisher

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Jill Hayward Editor

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Carrier delivery $60.00 plus GST Postal delivery $65.00 plus GST The North Thompson Star/Journal is published each Thursday by Cariboo Press (1969) Ltd. in Barriere, B.C. We welcome readers’ articles, photographs, comments and letters. All contents are copyright and any reproduction is strictly prohibited by the rightsholder.

North Thompson Star/Journal Thursday, January 28, 2016

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Guest Shot: By Jonathan Pollard

The future of weather

“The trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.”

– Patrick Young, American author Folks, a ‘cold front’ isn’t just a betweenthe-sheets phenomenon, and thermocline isn’t just another fun word to spell with Alphagetti. And even the TV ‘Jeopardy’ geniuses would be wise to steer well clear of the Adiabatic Process category. But overly academic as they may seem, these brain teasers actually do serve a purpose. Pig-Latin as it is for the majority, for meteorologists, mastering this jargon is par for the course. And just as many of those in the medical profession are prone to weaving seven-syllable words into conversation, so too are forecasters likely to do the same with their unworldly lingo. To them, a ‘hook echo’ isn’t the name of an obscure board game. It’s ... what else? ... a radar reflectivity pattern observed in a thunder clapper. Duh! And that, in a nutshell, is a large part why professional weather forecasters hang in such rarefied air, revered and idolized by the masses. They actually know what this stuff means. This is their calculus. These prognostications are waited on with bated breath, their slick wizardry becomes unquestioned.

Our leisure lives are crammed around their fancy maps and sophisticated computerized Doppler weather radar models. Umbrellas are lugged around on clear days on orders from these luminaries that leaking clouds were spotted some fifty miles northeast ten minutes earlier.

And we believe them

Columnist Jonathan Pollard – wholeheartedly.

Why shouldn’t we?

They’re well-respected weather peeps.

There’s just one thing, though, that doesn’t sit well with this environmental science.

And you have to look real close to notice. But it’s there. In front of our noses but behind our backs, it’s there. The soothing voices of these sharply-attired, quick-witted, handa-waving prophets aside, there is something fundamentally flawed about this hypnotic profession.

The 6-7 day forecast.

Funny thing is, we – the ever-gullible junkies we are – actually demand to keep the drip flowing on this insidious meteorological racket. Our picnics hinge in the balance, as do landscaping chores and a veritable host of other alfresco dalliances.

Information, please.

Give us our meds!

It’s a subtle taunt, dangling just so at the windup of every carefully choreographed segment.

The next five days or so will bring showers and lower temps, but the weekend looks beautiful. I repeat: Beaut-i-ful!

Maybe ... maybe not.

It’s a well-known secret that these extended outlooks are laden with variables. Sure, computer models do provide the oomph for future predictions.

But is this conjectural evidence, significant in its power to make or break backyard barbeque plans before they even get off the ground, compel-

ling enough to make public?

Granted, fire whirls are serious business for anyone who studies them for a living, but for everyone else, just a plain old accurate shortterm forecast usually suffices. Tonight, tomorrow. The next day.

Three days max. Anything beyond that is a calculated guess. Not quite a par-five from the truth, but still, murky enough to omit from the equation.

The problem is, people have short memories. Four days from now, the twoto three-day forecast would be more or less accurate. But, add in those four days, and the extended forecast would be, for the sixth and seventh days, a virtual Etcha-Sketch. Winds may shift direction, or wither out entirely.

But we wouldn’t notice.

Instead, we’d notice that the shortterm outlook would be accurate. And why wouldn’t it? It usually is. It’s less variable.

Weather forecasters, those who had raised their hands in science class, come to realize this fault and learn to exploit it through the camouflage of “fifty percent chance of showers late Tuesday afternoon” or “a groundhog some-

where saw his shadow today, so I see a 58% probability for a blizzard late next week.”

Well, of course.

It’s a practice investors refer to as hedging their bets.

Technically, they’re never wrong.

If news reporters were allowed the same professional latitude, many would be cited for contempt. Imagine a six o’clock news anchor working herself into a lather, “Well, Charles, the suspect sure as heck looks guilty. Look at him, I mean, look at that smirk. Betcha didn’t know, my ex-husband wore that same look of indignation that night he staggered home late reeking of (explicit) Sophia Loren. Yeah, Chucky, the guy’s guilty, all right. Guilty as sin.”

Imagine.

Circumstantial evidence devoid of the graphical pageantry of an extended forecast. Perhaps Harris K. Telemacher, Steve Martins’ zany weather character in L.A. Story, summed up his role best; “It’s sunny out right now, back to you.”

Have you dropped a loonie in the Food Bank Can?

Computer Sales & Service •• Onsite Support Onsite and and Remote Remote Technical Technical Support •• Hardware Hardware and and Software Sales •• Direct Low Cost Shipping Time saving direct shipping Email: sales@kcc.ca Phone: 250-374-6887 Web: www.kcc.ca

BARRIERE SEARCH & RESCUE

AGM Tuesday February 9th • 7pm at the

Barriere Search & Rescue Hall on Fouquet Road

Humphreys questions if District should be involved in splash pad project To the editor; First off I would like to thank those residents of Barriere and the surrounding area that took the time to provide me with your views on what should happen here in our community.

I would also like to clear up what seems to be a misunderstanding around my views on the proposed splash pad.

I am not against a splash pad here in Barriere. What I am against is the District being involved in the design, construction and maintenance of the project.

The District has what could only be described as an abysmal record around trying to complete projects on time and on budget. Those of us that live in the downtown core and have suffered through what seemed to be the never ending sewer collection project can attest to this.

There are a number of companies that manufacture splash pads. These companies can build the facility for a given price and provide a guarantee which is something that would be missing with the current custom design proposals.

How should this be done? This project could be done in the same manner as the Agriplex. By using the more than successful Fall Fair and Rodeo Association model the burden is removed from the taxpaying public.

A community association would be better able to not only build the facility with fewer costs but also provide proper lower cost maintenance of the facility as well as the creation of a viable revenue stream that will enable the splash pad to be properly serviced without being a continuing burden on the tax base of our community.

My concern is not the splash pad itself but that those residents that are having a financial struggle hardly need to have their taxes raised to cover what is not an essential service.

Bill Humphreys Barriere, B.C.

NT Women In Business to host first Expo in Clearwater To the editor; North Thompson Women in Business (NTWIB) was established in 2013 as a not-for-profit organization created in order to give a voice to Clearwater and District businesswomen, whether they be professionals, run their own businesses, thinking about starting a business or work for others.

Our aim is to offer as many net-

working opportunities as possible to all women and to promote one another’s businesses. We hold interesting and enjoyable social events where both members and the general public are welcome to attend.

We meet once a month ( last Monday) in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, and November. We meet at the Wells ...continued on page 7

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Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

Families encouraged to ‘Unplug and Play’ together during Family Literacy Week Send this newspaper a photo of you celebrating Family Literacy Week North Thompson Star/Journal

STAR/JOURNAL photo: Elli Kohnert

Find the maple leaves?

Look again. What at first appears to be maple leaves in a puddle of water, is actually the work of Jack Frost on a group of pebbles early one morning last week.

FREE PROGRAM FOR PARENTS & KIDS, 0 - 6 YEARS Parent-Child Mother Goose

in Barriere, starts Friday, Jan. 29, 11-noon at the Barriere Ridge, 4936 Barriere Town Road.

A weekly program sponsored by Barriere & Area Literacy Outreach.

For info call: 250-672-9773 This ad sponsored by: North Thompson Star/Journal

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Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach is joining Decoda Literacy Solutions, B.C.’s provincial literacy organization, to raise awareness of the importance of engaging in literacy activities as a family.

Family Literacy Week is being celebrated Jan. 24 – 30 with “Unplug and Play” week. The purpose of “Unplug and Play” week is to encourage families and individuals to reduce their screen time and interact just a little more with each other and friends. Literacy skills are important to all British Columbians.

Families that engage in play-based literacy activities from an early age see positive effects on both children and parents/caregivers. Parents and caregivers are their children’s first and most important teachers. Recent studies show that engaging in informal family learning in the home and in the community has a direct positive impact on children and parents.

These activities help create healthy relationships and help prepare children to enter school.

Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach has launched their 2016 Parent Child Mother Goose Program to coincide with Family Literacy Week.

The program is drop-in, 11 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Barriere Ridge in the multi-purpose room.

This program is free for children 0-6 years attending with parents and caregivers. The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program is a group experience for parents and their babies and young children. The program introduces adults and children to the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs, and stories together – “Unplug and Play”! Parents gain skills and confidence which can enable them to create positive family patterns during their children’s crucial early years. Children benefit from enjoyable, healthy early experiences with language and communication.

Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach is also encouraging families to help celebrate the week by reducing their screen time and interacting just a little more with each other and friends. To cel-

ebrate the week they are encouraging families, parents and children to take a photo of one activity you have done together during Family Literacy Week. Photographs will be posted in the North Thompson Star/Journal showing how Barriere and area have celebrated Family Literacy Week.

Submit these photos to this newspaper by emailing to: news@starjournal.net and write Family Literacy Week in the subject line. Please also include the names of the people in the photograph and the activity they are doing.

Here are some ideas for activities with young children: • Freeze! Dance or move to music, but when the music stops, ‘freeze’ until the music starts again (3-4 seconds).Try different types of music and different types of movement.

• Play “Simon Says”. Players only follow the leader’s instructions if the leader says “Simon says” first.

• Create an obstacle course together. Indoors, use cushions, chairs, boxes and towels. For young children, make the course visible at a glance and the challenges age appropriate. Talk about how to move through the course. Children may want to draw a map of the course.

• Toss bean bags. Bean bags are lightweight and easy to catch. They can be used for a game of catch or for tossing the bag at a target such as a box or a towel on the floor. Make sure there’s nothing breakable where you’re playing!

• Play outside when the weather cooperates.

Making tracks in the snow, visiting a playground, and blowing and chasing bubbles are examples of outdoor fun.

Whatever your activity don’t forget to take your camera along and snap that photo to send along to the Star/Journal!

Let’s Play Together!

For more information about the Parent Child Mother Goose or Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach call 250-672-9773 or Jill Hayward at 250-319-8023.

Over $500,000 in bursaries for local students remain unclaimed For the third year in a row, Interior Savings is proudly continuing its commitment to award up to one million dollars in bursaries annually. That’s one thousand $1000 bursaries in 2016!

The goal of the Million Dollar Bursary program is to support young people in realizing their full potential. And with over $500,000 still available for students to access, Interior Savings wants to ensure this funding doesn’t go untapped.

The program is a benefit offered to Interior Savings’ members.

According to Kathy Conway, Interior Savings’ CEO, “there’s still time for students to become an Interior Savings member to qualify for a $1000 bursary and for all the benefits

membership offers, including our top-rated service and easy to use mobile app.”

To be eligible for a bursary this year, students have until February 1st to become an Interior Savings member. With that deadline just over a week away, Interior Savings is making one final push to get the word out to local students who may need a little help with their

tuition.

The bursary program is intended for students between the ages of 17 and 24, who are entering or returning to fulltime study towards a degree, diploma or trade certification program at a designated postsecondary institution, with classes starting between September 2016 and August 2017.

The deadline for members to submit a bursary application is May 1.

In the past two years, all those who applied and met eligibility criteria received a $1000 bursary. That’s great news for students, and very bankable odds!

Visit milliondollarbursary. com for more information or to submit your bursary application.

North Thompson Star/Journal Thursday, January 28, 2016

www.starjournal.net A7

Black Press offers $5,000 business scholarships Black Press Some of the financial pressure faced by prospective business students in B.C. can be reduced, thanks to David Black, owner of Black Press.

Graduating high school students in 37 of the province’s school districts intending to study business at the University of Victoria’s Peter B. Gustavson School of Business can apply for a $5,000 scholarship.

The Black Press Business Scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, leadership and a demonstrated desire to make a positive difference in the world.

Students must apply to the Gustavson School of Business, Bachelor of Commerce Program before Feb. 28 to be eligible.

Last year’s recipients include Surrey’s Elgin Park Secondary grad Taylor Walters and South Delta Secondary graduate Kris Jantsch.

Walters, who is from White

Throughout his years in Tsawwassen, Jantsch played competitive soccer for the local club and the senior school team.

The scholarship was established in 2008 by Black to give students from across the province access to a business education.

Black chose the Gustavson School of Business because of the innovative program format.

Students spend their last two years of their degree fully immersed in the business school David Black, where they can specialize in owner of Black Press entrepreneurship, service manRock, will be starting first-year agement, international busistudies at the University of Vic- ness or management where they toria this September and will be customize a program that suits studying business in the Peter B. their interests.

Every student takes at least Gustavson School of Business in the hopes of obtaining her two paid co-operative work terms, has the opportunity to Bachelor of Commerce.

Jantsch grew up in Tsawwas- participate in an international sen and graduated from South exchange, and learns about susDelta Secondary’s French Im- tainable business practices.

Information about the Black mersion program last June, receiving a double Dogwood Di- Press scholarships is online www.gustavson.uvic.ca/ ploma. He too will be starting at: blackpress. his first year at Gustavson.

SD73 grad, completion rates rising

By Dale Bass Kamloops This Week The completion and graduation rate report presented to trustees Monday is full of good news from the viewpoint of Alison Sidow.

The assistant superintendent with School District 73 said rates overall are good and show the district is moving in the right direction.

Highlights of the report include rates for male students.

From 2010 to the 2014-2015 school year, completion rates increased to 82.3 per cent from 71 per cent.

The growth has also seen the district improve beyond the provincial rate, which in 2010 was 78.7 per cent and which last year was 81.9 per cent.

The graduation rate for boys also improved in the past four school years, from 93 per cent to 95 per cent, marginally better than the provincial rates.

The district’s firsttime graduation rate for boys grew to 87 per cent from 80 per cent in that time frame.

Provincially, it went from 78 per cent up to

a high of 81 per cent in 2012. At the end of the last school year, it was 79 per cent.

First-time graduation is a measurement of students being in Grade 12 for the first time and graduating the same year.

Sidow said one reasons boys are doing better in high school is the education system has become more aware of what they need to learn, offering more hands-on and project-based lessons.

Expanding trades education with the new centre at NorKam senior secondary has also had a ‘huge impact,” Sidow said.

Completion and graduation rates for girls has remained fairly consistent at 81 per cent. In 2012, it was 81.1 per cent, compared to a provincial rate of 83.4 per cent. In the last school year, it was 81.8 per cent compared to 86 per cent provincially.

Graduation rates are higher at 95 per cent (94 per cent provincially) and 87 per cent (79 per cent) for first-time graduations.

Sidow said another highlight can be found in the rates for aborigi-

nal students, which show completion going to 73 per cent last year from 64.4 per cent in 2010, well above the provincial rates of 63 per cent, up from 53.7 per cent in 2010.

Ninety per cent eligible to graduate did so, slightly below the provincial average of 91 per cent, but an improvement from the 2010 rate of 89 per cent and 2011 rate of 81 per cent. First-time graduation rates for aboriginal students was 77 per cent, the same as the 2013-2014 school year, but up from the 2010 rate of 68 per cent. Provincially, the rate was 63 per cent, up from 60 per cent.

Sidow said the improvement is again likely a result of changing teaching styles, with more awareness of how aboriginal children learn and the role culture plays in their learning.

She said boys’ and girls’ groups created for the students specifically have also helped, providing them with safe spaces to talk about school, family and any issues they might be facing.

While noting the

Continued from page 5...

Women In Business Expo...

We will be hosting our 1st annual Gray Inn at 12 pm- 2pm. Drop in fee of $2.00 and you purchase your own NTWIB Expo on April 2, 2015 in Clearwater in the foyer of the Clearlunch.

We have numerous Guest Speak- water Lodge. This Event is free to the ers; and offer provocative thinking, in- public and the cost to showcase your novative business ideas, and workable Business is $50.00 per table, please solutions. Have your most-pressing contact Fay McCracken 250-674-2700 business challenges, concerns, and or email ntwomeninbusiness@gmail questions addressed in our open fo- for either more information or to register your business and receive your rum. Exchanging ideas & insights. We T:2.81” also offer very affordable advertising expo package. on our web site; www.thingstodoclear- Fay McCracken Clearwater, B.C. waterbc.com

STORY

NO. 6

This Newspaper.

It’s a good read. When crumpled and stuffed in your jacket, it’s a good insulator. That’s what Bethany had to do when she lived on the streets.

This toque. It helped Bethany find a better life. Buy yours at RaisingtheRoof.org or donate $5 by texting TOQUE to 45678. Help the homeless in your community.

district still wants to improve, the rates for special-needs students also stand out for X6183I_This SidNewspaper.indd 1 2016-01-07 3:25 PM ow.

In 2010, the completion rate was 46.6 per cent (52.7 per cent provincially).

Last 1had risen to year, itRound X6183I_This New 71.7 per cent (65.9 per cent provincially).

Job Description: Mechanical Specifications: Contact: Grade 12 rates were Acct. Mgr: Kayla O Bleed: None Producer Client: RTR Colours: 4C 93 perDocket cent#:for graduTrim: 2.81” x 3” 112-LPBCRFX6183 Start Date: 1-5-2016 1:38 PM Crea. Dir: Anthony C Studio: K Live: 2.31” x 2.5” Project: Newspaper Revision Date: 1-6-2016 10:15 AM ation (91 per cent proArt Dir: Sally F Proofread File built at 100% 1” = 1” Ad #: X6183I Print Scale: None vincially) and 77 per Writer: Jason S The NORTH THOMPSON STAR/JOURNAL is cent first-time graduaproud to once again host Comments: the Citizen of the Year.

None Publication: Black Press tion (68 per cent proIt’s time to submit your nominations for Barriere’s vincially).

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FOR Sidow said the eduLeo Burnett 175 Bloor Street2015 E. North Tower, 13th Floor Toronto, ON cation system has a My choice for citizen of the year is: better understanding of how special-needs students learn, adding the district has worked What this person has done to make our community a better place hard in that area. to live: (please attach additional information if required) “We’re seeing students in a way we didn’t see them 20 years ago,” Sidow said.

“We embrace diversity, but we still have a way to go.”

My name is: Phone: Overall percentage rates for the district, Please forward nomination forms to: with 2010 rates in The North Thompson Star/Journal brackets, are: Box 1020, Barriere, BC, V0E 1E0 • Completion: 82, For further information call 250-672-5611 up from 75.9 (83.9, up from 81); • Graduation: 95, DEADLINE FOR up from 93 (95, up NOMINATIONS from 94); • First-time graduNominations must be received by February 1, 2016 ation: 87, up from 81 The winner will be announced Thursday, February 18, 2016 (81, up from 78).

Citizen OF THEYear 2015

NOMINATION FORM

A8 www.starjournal.net

Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

Maximizing your grocery dollars

By Nadine Baerg Public Health Dietitian with Interior Health

Keeping fit

STAR/JOURNAL photo: Jill Hayward

Some of the TRU Fitness class participants last Monday evening in the gymnasium at the Ridge in Barriere. Classes are every Monday and Wednesday evening. For more information call TRU in Barriere at 250-672-9875, or the North Thompson Volunteer and Information Centre at 250-672-0033.

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It is becoming more difficult all the time for Canadian families to put healthy and satisfying meals on the table. We’ve experienced rising food costs over the past year and this is forecasted to continue throughout 2016.

According to the Guelph Food Institute the highest price increases will be fruit, vegetables and meat. Knowing this how do you maximize your food dollars?

Grocery stores want shoppers to buy products on impulse and therefore spend more. Plan ahead by checking prices and making a grocery list in order to avoid spending money unnecessarily. It is also a great idea to prepare larger meals, this way you can buy in bulk to save money and then freeze leftovers for lunches and dinners.

To cut costs and boost your nutrition intake remember to use fruits and vegetables that are in season. Try to buy in bulk when prices are low and freeze or preserve to have on hand year round. At certain times of the year frozen or canned fruits and vegetables may be cheaper than their fresh counterparts. Freezing is an especially good method for preserving nutritional value and remember to choose canned products with little or no added salt and sugar. Cook with root vegetables – such as turnips, parsnips, potatoes and carrots – by boiling, baking or microwaving.

Using protein alternatives at least 2-3 times per week is also a great idea as meat is often the most expensive part of a meal. Pulses are a great source of nutrients and fibre and they provide good quality protein to keep you full for longer. You can either soak and cook dry beans, which is the cheapest option, or buy canned beans if time and convenience are a factor.

If you are using meat, buy tougher pieces such as a chuck roast and use in roasts or stews.

Finally, use the Interior Health Store It Guide to prevent food wastage by helping your produce stay fresh longer. If you search ‘Store it’ on interiorhealth.ca you’ll find the very practical pdf which includes a great chart to post on your fridge. Who knew that onions could wear pantyhose!

Updates from the Chamber Submitted January is fast on it’s way out already! We had a very busy and successful 2014-2015 year, and hope that 2015 - 2016 will be the same.

Starting off with the All-Candidates Forum, our 2014-2015 AGM, 3rd Annual Passport to Holiday Shopping, Chamber Christmas Social and hosted a luncheon with the mayor, and another with Community Futures. We hosted a Discover China Tour and had several information sessions.

Our manager went to China in April, sent by the tour company on an inspection trip.

We had a “Call to Artists” competition for our Passport to Shopping promotional material. Sponsored and managed the tourist information booth, oversee the operations of Barriere Employment Services, partnered for the first annual Business Walk, saw our tour off to their trip to China in October, and ended

the season with the Magic Show and Business of the Year Banquet.

This year our Business of the Year Banquet will be in mid-October coinciding with small business week - stay tuned on what our entertainment will be this year.

We will be hosting a few workshops and classes this year and hope you will be able to take the time to attend these very informative sessions. One will be about websites and the other is social media - how to make good use of your accounts.

We are going to offer another trip and are in the process of researching different places and prices at this point, and are looking forward to a busy and successful

year for everyone!

Get Youth Working!

Program funding is still available for employers in our region This program, funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund, offers employers in our region of B.C. a $2,800 hiring incentive to hire eligible youth 15 to 29 years of age. Additionally, employers may request up to $1,000 to purchase training for the newly hired youth.

Check it out at: www. getyouthworking.ca Canada Summer Jobs 2016 student funding for non-profit organizations Applications are now being accepted until Feb. 26, 2016.

The application form as well as the applicant guide are currently available on the Service Canada website. You can submit your application online, by mail or in person at any Service Canada Centre, or go to: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ epb/yi/yep/programs/ scpp.shtml

North Thompson Star/Journal Thursday, January 28, 2016

www.starjournal.net A9

Over 1700 participants ready for the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games

SPORTS

BC Games Society

Teens learn winter sports Barriere Secondary grade 8 students participating in a ski and snowshoe program are shown along the trail and a rest stop with a snowman. North Thompson Recreation Society coach Mary MacLennan says the seasonal program is now well underway for the teens.

Submitted photos: Mary MacLennan

The Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games kick off in exactly one month and 1738 of BC’s best emerging high performance talents have registered and are ready to be part of this celebration of sport and community which runs Feb. 25-28.

The 1225 athletes are from every corner of the province and have trained to earn a place to represent their zone at the Games.

Competing in 17 different sports, the athletes are an average of 14 years old and for most, this will be their first experience at a multi-sport Games.

Special Olympians will compete in basketball and figure skating and athletes with a disability will compete in wheelchair basketball and para cross country skiing.

These athletes will

Every Thursday we bring you the NEWS from the Lower North Thompson Valley.

The STAR/JOURNAL - Keeping valley residents informed!

Call us today to start your subscription and online edition as well.

apsule

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omments

PHARMASAVE Monday - Saturday 9 AM - 6 PM Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM

Hockey Lives Here!

with MICHELLE LEINS

In Australia, researchers are using smartphone texting as a way of helping people reduce their cholesterol, blood pressure and weight. Participants received four texts per week for six months. The texts contained motivational information on exercise and diet ... like “Don’t forget, physical activity is good for you!” Results measured after six months showed that those receiving the texts all reduced the three measurements significantly.

One of the most significant advances in medicine over the past decade has been the development of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The German virologist, Harald zur Hausen won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2006 for that discovery. It is the first anti-cancer vaccine and could prevent up to 90 per cent of cases of cervical cancer. Our pharmacists will be happy to talk to you about it.

Love reading in bed before sleep? Read a real book, not on a device that is backlit. There is some evidence that those devices can interfere with a deep and restful sleep. However those devices that have no internal light seem to be fine.

One of the most powerful things you can do for a friend or relatives mental health is be a good listener. This has the potential to improve and deepen relationships in normal daily interactions but more importantly when someone has a problem and wants to talk about it.

Take charge of your health. Let our pharmacists be part of your health team.

201-365 Murtle Cres, Clearwater, B.C.

250-674-0058

coaches, and officials coming to these BC Winter Games are taking their first step towards future national and international level competitions and the expertise of the volunteers will make a mark on their journey.”

The BC Winter Games has been the starting point for many athletes who have gone on to higher levels of sport. Over 50% of Team BC athletes at the 2015 Canada Winter Games were BC Games alumni.

18 alumni were part of Team Canada at the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games including Kelowna’s Kelsey Serwa (Ski Cross), Summerland’s Justin Kripps (Bobsleigh), and Josh Dueck of Vernon in Para Alpine.

For more information about the BC Winter Games please visit BCGAMES. ORG.

NORTH THOMPSON SPORTSPLEX

250-672-5611

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be supported by 333 coaches and 180 officials who have earned their certification in order to provide the best knowledge and expertise to the athletes and the competition.

Volunteers in Penticton have been preparing for the past 18 months to host the Games – the fourth time this community has done so. There will be over 1800 volunteers working to ensure the participants have exceptional competition and a firstrate experience with Opening and Closing Ceremonies, special events, and wonderful hospitality.

“Penticton is where the BC Games began in 1978, and we are so pleased to be back and benefiting from the history of sport and event hosting in this community,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “The athletes,

Coming Events Jan. 30/31

Novice Hockey Tournament

Feb. 5/6/7

Clearwater Winter Festival

Minor Hockey Schedule FRIDAY JANUARY 29

Feb. 19,20,21 Provincial Forestry Tourney

3:30 – 6:00

Playoff Game - Midget Rep vs. West Kelowna

Feb. 26,27,28 Oldtimers Hockey Tourney Ladies Bonspiel

6:15 – 7:45

Playoff Game - Atom vs. Lillooet

Mar. 4

Figure Skating Carnival

Wells Gray Curling Club call 250.674.3768 Adult Hockey

Mens Drop In Hockey Fridays @ 7:45pm Oldtimers Hockey will be Sundays @ 7pm & Wednesdays @ 8:35pm

Ladies Drop In Hockey Sunday @ 5:45pm

Family Skating

Friday @ 4:45PM & Sunday @ 4:15PM

Cancelled Jan 29 & 31

SATURDAY JANUARY 30 9:00 – 9:50

Clearwater Novice vs. Blue Devils

12:00 – 12:50

Clearwater Novice vs. Williams Lake

4:30 – 6:15

Playoff Game – Bantam House vs. Chase

6:30 – 8:45

Playoff Game – Bantam Rep vs. Winfield

SUNDAY JANUARY 24 8:00 – 8:50

Clearwater Novice vs. Minions

11:00 – 11:50

Clearwater Novice vs. Chase

3:00 – 4:30

Playoff Game – Atom vs. Lillooet – if required

4:45 – 7:00

Playoff Game – Midget Rep vs. West Kelowna if required

For more information about the Sportsplex or any programs call 250 674 2143

-

A10 www.starjournal.net

Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

SPORTS Banner winter in store at Sun Peaks Resort?

By Marty Hastings Kamloops This Week Records may be broken this winter at Sun Peaks Resort.

After what most locals considered a poor 2014-2015 for skiing atop Tod Mountain Road, Tourism Sun Peaks president Christopher Nicolson could not have asked for a better bounce-back season.

“I would say the year, right now, has very good potential to be a record year,” Nicolson said.

“There are a whole variety of factors that are helping us.”

Leading the list of reasons for the rebound is snowfall, with an alpine snow depth of 143 centimetres — 20 per cent more than this time last year — and often great weather conditions attracting visitors from near and far.

The main statistic used to measure how

well the mountain is doing is room nights, the number of hotel and condominium units booked at the resort.

“This year to date we’re at an all-time high of over 18,000, which represents about an 11 per cent increase over last year,” Nicolson said, noting December 2015 numbers were up about six per cent from 2014.

“What all the snow has done is stimulate the marketplace. Most resorts within Western Canada have had a very good Christmas.

It’s fantastic to see the North Shore mountains doing so well, as well as the Seattle mountains.

It has a stimulating impact. It piques interest in going further away, perhaps for a week, at resorts such as Sun Peaks.

There’s a direct correlation.”

Nicolson pointed to 2007-2008 as a benchmark season, with a fi-

nal total of about 70,000 room nights being the high-water mark at Sun Peaks.

The start of the 2005 season was also among the best in resort history.

“In both cases, we’re pacing ahead,” Nicolson said. “If all things go equal and given average snow conditions, I would say we would exceed that.”

Registering about 50,000 room nights to break the record might seem like a tall task to reach between now and the end of the season, but it’s set to get busier in the next few months.

Aussies flock to Sun Peaks during their January summer break, along with a few Kiwis; in February, President’s Day in the U.S. means visitors galore from down south, many of whom turn the holiday into a week away at Sun Peaks; Family Day (Feb. 15) long weekend

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time skiers,” Nicolson said. “And, while local skiers may have found the conditions less than average, for a lot of people coming in from around the world, they had a marvellous experience. Once people come once, generally speaking, they will return because the experience is very strong.”

Brandi Schier, an avid snowboarder and publisher of Sun Peaks Independent News, said Nicolson is not just blowing smoke.

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ple from Ontario staying in Canada and coming to Sun Peaks for both ski-team visits, as well as leisure. And, instead of going south for sun holidays, some decisions are made to stay in Canada.”

Nicolson said last winter’s down season on the Coast and in Washington state is contributing to the success the resort has had since opening on Nov. 22.

“With the difficult conditions on the Coast and in Seattle last year, we attracted more first-

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in B.C. is still to come; and young skiers and their families commandeer the slopes during the Hub International Nancy Greene Festival, which runs on March 19 and March 20.

The abysmal state of the Canadian dollar is a boon for Sun Peaks.

“The U.S. market has been rebuilding over the last two to three years and, not only does our low dollar attract U.S. skiers north, it keeps Canadians at home,” Nicolson said. “We saw record numbers of peo-

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Bryn Fell is pictured enjoying bluebird-day conditions at Sun Peaks Resort in December. Tourism Sun Peaks president Christopher Nicolson said all signs are pointing toward a winter to remember up Tod Mountain Road.

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been great, she said, and they seem even better coming off a 2014-2015 to forget.

“It’s above average and people are more enthusiastic because of how last season went,” Schier said.

No. 1 on Nicolson’s wish-list in the months to come is more of the white stuff.

“We are like farmers,” he said. “We are very dependent on the conditions. It’s not the only thing, though.

Momentum in the marketplace has been very good, interest in skiing in general.”

He knows mountain bikers might not feel the same, but Nicolson would like to see a cold, wet, cloudy spring in Kamloops.

“That perpetuates winter in the mind of the market,” he said.

“If spring in the valley comes early and it gets warm and people are mountain biking, that ends winter, regardless of what’s happening on the mountain.”

It is an El Nino year and some forecasters, including Environment Canada, said that might mean a milder, shorter winter. That could dash hopes for a record-setting year, but the weather system hasn’t seemed to hinder conditions at Sun Peaks so far.

“The snow has been fantastic,” Nicolson said.

“January, February and March are big months for destination guests and we ski into April.”

North Thompson Star/Journal Thursday, January 28, 2016

www.starjournal.net A11

Community Forest awards grants to 11 local non-profits North Thompson Star/Journal

STAR/J0URNAL photo: Ross Casselman

Members of the Barriere Legion gathered together Jan. 16 for their installation of officers for 2016: Pictured (l-r) are Glenn Reid (at the podium), Eileen Miers, Carol Clark, Pastor Todd English, Pam Casselman, Kelly Searle and Dorothy Carby.

Legion installs new execs The Barriere Legion Branch 242 held their installations on Jan. 16.

Legion officers: President Glenn Reid, first vice-president Carol Clark, second vice-president Glen Clark, secretary Eileen Miers, treasurer Merle Cochran, past president Al Fortin, directors; Emil Gammel, Lisa Quiding and Vern Buker.

Legion Ladies Auxiliary: President Kelly Searle, vice-president Dorothy Carby, secretary/treasurer Eileen Miers, directors; Pam Casselman and Carol Clark.

STAR/JOURNAL photo: Lisa Quiding

Pictured being presented with Legion grants by Vern Buker are: (l-r) Cathy Matthews Barriere soccer, Antoon Houben Barriere Food Bank, Chris Shook Barriere Hospice, Bernice Randrup North Thompson Volunteer and Information Centre, and Tim Hoffman Barriere Search and Rescue.

Grants in aid from Legion The Barriere Legion Branch 242 gave back to the community once again on Jan. 19 when they handed out their annual grants in aid.

Receiving cheques of $1500 each were Barriere Search and Rescue, North Thompson Volunteer and Information Centre, Barriere Hospice, Barriere and District Food Bank, Barriere Soccer and Barriere First Responders.

The Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society (LNTCFS ) reported last week that they received a total of 15 grant applications in 2015 for requested funding of $66,750, which well exceeded their planned amount for disbursement.

After reviewing all of the applications received, 11 recipients were chosen to receive grants from the organization totalling $25,375.

“We wish them the best of luck in completion of their projects,” said LNTCFS manager Mike Francis, RPF. Local non-profit organizations receiving 2015 LNTCFS grants are: • Barriere & District Heritage Society continuation/completion of the Heritage Garden project including repairs to side walk, gazebo, soil amendment, and labour $1,400 • Barriere Elementary School support of the community garden program $1,000 • Barriere Recreation Society (Curling Club) keeping youth fees low, bringing in several curling programs, and completing building repairs $2,000

• McLure Firefighters & Recreation Association support in meeting increased training and equipment requirements under new Playbook $6,225 • Yellowhead Pioneer Residence Society window replacements, heating upgrades and air conditioning for seniors housing units $3,500 • Little Fort Recreation Society purchase of a new stage for the Little Fort Community Hall $2,500 • District of Barriere establishment of a commemorative plaque for workers injured or killed in the logging and forest industry $1,000 • Pentacostal Christian Life Assembly replacement of broken tables $1,000 • Barriere Secondary School Parent Advisory Council (PAC) providing student assistance with various funding $2,000 • North Thompson Volunteer & Information Center carpet replacement in the Volunteer Center and upgrading educational games and supplies $4,000 • North Thompson Communities Foundation a one day Not For Profit capacity building event $750

Notes from Jan. 21 TNRD board meeting Upon request from Mr. Daryl Cloran, Artistic Director for Western Canada Theatre (WCT), the Electoral Area Directors each contributed $320 of their discretionary funds, for a total of $3,200, towards the 2016-17 Western Canada Theatre season.

The Board received presentations from Mr. Shane McGrath (representative of concerned residents from Upper Clearwater) and Mr. Nick Frost (representative of the Upper Clearwater Farmers Institute) about the management and use of the Upper Clearwater Hall. Following the presentations, the Board decided to distribute a survey to property owners within the Upper Clearwater Community Hall grant-in-aid service area. The survey will determine if the

TNRD should conduct a public assent process to eliminate the service.

Community Works Funds allocated to Electoral Area “B” (Thompson Headwaters) was approved to fund additional project costs for the Blue River Community Water System upgrade project.

The Board made appointments to the following committees:

• Film Commission • Invasive Plant • Municipal Finance Authority • Municipal Insurance Association • Shuswap Watershed Council • Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition The Chair made appointments to the following committees: • Air Quality

Stakeholder • Audit • Economic Development, Tourism and Regional Parks • Utility Systems • Regional Solid Waste Management • Emergency Management and Protective Services • Policy Review The next Regular Board Meeting will be Feb. 18, at 1:15 p.m.

Cameron Gene Murphy

Find quality employees.

December 2, 2015 7 lb 12 oz Parents: Shawn and Tara Murphy

A12 www.starjournal.net

Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

JUNE 2015

Continued from last issue...

Key recommendations of a consultants’ report presented to North Thompson Valley Hospice House Society and other interested parties at a meeting held in the Little Fort Hall were that the North Thompson Valley likely does not have the population to sustain a stand-alone hospice house facility. However, an enhanced acute/residential room, probably in Clearwater, would be favored over the status quo. According to the report, with a population of only 7,300, the North Thompson Valley would require between 0.65 and 1.2 beds for hospice/palliative/ end of life care, statistically speaking.

JULY 2015

STAR/JOURNAL photo: Jill Hayward

Elvis Presley tribute artist Bret Wiggins made the trip to Barriere from Seattle, Washington, to perform at the Canadian Blue Moon Elvis Festival held at the North Thompson fall fairgrounds in Barriere, July 17-19, 2015. In total their were 12 Elvis tribute artists performing over the weekend.

• LEGION NEWS •

in-HoUSe raFFleS Jan. 23/16

1st Draw: Joanne Lewis, Carol Willox, Elsie Clarkson, Crystal Chenier

2nD Draw: Bo Beard, Diana Strauss, Linn Buker, Cathy Teele

3rD Draw: Diana Strauss, G. Blackstock, Frank Wiseman, Loanne Lewis

4th Draw: Shanny Young, Barbie Rainer,

Chantal Hamilton, Roxanne Salo Bonus: Alex Schmidt 50/50: Eileen Miers ($80) Thank you to our Volunteers Pat Brown, Eileen Miers & Darlene Hagen

crib Jan. 21/16 - 11 Players

1st: Terry Vaughan 2nD: Emil Gammel 3rD: Donna Smith skunk: Hazel Cross

DartS Jan. 21/16 - 13 Players

1st: Mike Matyi & Pat Lyons 2nD: BJ Lyons 3rD: Frank Wiseman & Maureen Wiseman high score: BJ Lyons w/140 & Pat Lyons w/130 high Finish: Mike Matyi w/118 & Sharon Ruston w/46

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Thirteen-year-old Kash Siqouin of Barriere was the recipient of a big cheque this month after winning the Team Penning Competition Class #7 Championship at the Calgary Stampede. He and lower mainland teammates Trish Esworthy and Brent Shaw competed against 214 teams in their penning division, with Kash’s team taking home a cool $30,195 for the win. Kash also rode on another team in the same class and this team secured the third place award.

After a number of days when the smoke was overpowering for many the smoky-skies advisory was finally lifted. The advisory was issued on July 7 due to smoke in the skies from a number of forest fires outside of the region.

As of Monday, the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, announced they had ended the advisory for the entire Thompson, Fraser Canyon, Nicola and Shuswap areas.

The District of Bar-

riere and the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Area ‘O’ joined with the McLure Wildfire Monument Society in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

The MOA was created to set up a long term plan for the upkeep and ongoing maintenance of the Wildfire Dragon Monument site located in the Louis Creek Industrial Park within the District of Barriere.

The Thompson Valley Players’ Learning and Literacy Summer Camp at NTVIC saw 18 students taking part in this annual summer program. The students wrote, directed, and choreographed an hour long production that they then performed at the Communities in Bloom barbecue at the Barriere Bandshell in Fadear Park. The free welcome barbecue for the Communities in Bloom judges went through 150 hamburgers, 200 cans of pop and 100 bottles of water.

The 3rd Annual Canadian Blue Moon Elvis Festival was held for the first time in Barriere the weekend of July 1719 at the North Thompson fall fairgrounds with a full contingent of entertainers, including 10 Elvis tribute artists.

The event was a grand success; so much so that organizers immediately booked their next annual event to return to Barriere in July of 2016.

A small fish kill due to warm water and low flows was reported in a tributary of the Barriere River as drought conditions continued to worsen throughout B.C. Leonie Creek, a tributary of the Barriere River, also saw a small fish kill from high temperatures and low flows.

The Clearwater Crushers won gold in the U18 provincial softball championships with a number of team members hailing from Barriere; Matthew Lee,

Richard Celesta, Jordan Le Feuvre, Nick McInnes, and Keaton Noble.

The 60th Annual Squam Bay Fish Derby was held July 12, 2015, with 174 entries. Special recognition awards were given to two fishermen that had entered every derby since the beginning in 1955; Ken Van Sickle of Squam Bay, and Wayne Keller of Barriere. The winner of the 2015 Derby was 10-year-old Cody Heimann from Ponoka, Alberta, with a 14 lb. lake trout.

The 2015 Perseid meteor shower peaked on Aug. 11 - 13, with a new moon on Aug. 14 creating perfect conditions for watching the meteor shower visible in the skies over the North Thompson area.

After less than two months in office, Fred Fortier Kukpi7, who was sworn in as the new chief of Simpcw First Nation on June 1, resigned his position on July 21 due to the code of ethics that the chief and council sign when they take office. Fortier stated in his letter of resignation, “I apologize to the Simpcw membership for this lack of judgement on my part and wish the best for the Simpcw people in the future.”

A new NCO at the Barriere RCMP Detachment was introduced to the community when Cpl. Steve Mancini officially took over from Cpl. Darin Underhill.

Cool and wet weather near the end of the month helped to knock back three fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre area that had threatened structures, including the Adams Lake West fire cent contained which at that time became 100 per cent contained.

The annual Quilt Show at the North Thompson Museum in Barriere provided

an amazing display of workmanship and colour for summer visitors with some 70 plus quilts on display.

The North Thompson Recreation Society reported 101 children took part in Red Cross swimming lessons and water safety offered over a two week period. Participants ranged in age from eight months to 13 years.

AUGUST 2015

With weather conditions expected to remain warm and dry, water users in the North Thompson region were urged to reduce water consumption with the Government of B.C. announcing a Level 3 drought rating for the area. By Aug. 20, 2015, due to the continuing dry conditions, the level increased to a Level 4 drought rating for the North Thompson Region due to the ongoing low stream flows.

Four candidates seeking the opportunity to represent the Kamloops-ThompsonCariboo (KTC) Riding in Ottawa were on the campagn trail; Cathy McLeod, Bill Sundhu, Steve Powrie and Matt Greenwood.

The District of Barriere requested EcoTek, the company that designed and was building the new solar aquatics wastewater plant behind the fire hall, to rework the company’s expected completion date due to council’s frustration over the length of time the project was taking.

A forest fire was spotted Aug. 16, 2015, North of Barriere in the Darfield area, at approximately 7 km up the Darlington Forest Service Road, burning in a heavily treed area. Response teams were quick on the scene with air support and a Boulder Mountain Contracting firefighter ground crew who just happened to be in the Barriere area. Thanks

North Thompson Star/Journal Thursday, January 28, 2016

to the quick response and effort the fire was quickly knocked down.

The 55+ BC Games held in North Vancouver in August had two Barriere participants on the Zone 8 swimming team. Zelda Copley and Barb Smith received medals in the freestyle and back stroke events.

However, the highlight was swimming in the Freestyle 4 x 25M relay where the participants’ ages had to total over 300. Out of four women’s teams they were happy to win the Gold Medal!

Heavy smoke filled the valley from Washington wildfires, which prompted a health advisory from Interior Health Aug. 22 for the North and South Thompson Regions.

The smoke finally dissipated a few days later.

Sixty-four golfers turned out at Chinook Cove Golf for the Barriere Legion Golf Tournament held August 22.

August 28 marked the final Friday Night at the Barriere Bandshell for the season.

Valley carpet bowlers came home victorious once again from the Senior’s Games in B.C. Three teams attended from the area and finished in the medals in each event.

Through many generous donations the Yellowhead 4-H club was able to construct a new electronic weigh scale at the North Thompson Agriplex for use at monthly 4-Hweigh days, the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo and the Provincial Winter Fair.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Little Stars Child Care opened a much awaited newly licensed child care program at Yellowhead Community Services in Barriere Sept. 1, 2015 The 66th Annual North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo was

held under sunny skies with visitors filling the grounds on all three days of the event.

The Heavy Horse competitions at the annual North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo kept the grandstands in the rodeo arena packed as teamsters paired their gentle giants off against the competition.

The challenge was to see who’s team could pull the most weight; and as each 300 lb. weight was added to the sled, the teams strained into the traces and the crowd cheered.

The footing had been well-worked and was moist, which meant the pull was tougher than if it had been packed and hard. Each team pulled the added weight one at a time, and as the suspense rose for the crowd it also rose for the teamsters. The final pull to win the silver belt buckle was for 9600 lbs.; when teamster Calvin Buchta asked his horses to pull, they did so famously – taking the win with them back to Prince George.

Preparations for construction began for the Barriere Search and Rescue (BSAR) building to be situated next to the fire hall on Barriere Town Road. The two bay 30’ x 50’ building is to house the highway rescue truck and BSAR communications trailer.

Hydroseeding took place in Barriere as ground disruption due to the new sewer project came to an end bringing life back to areas that had been under construction for at least two years.

Marking 35 years of success, Barriere participated in the annual Terry Fox run on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015.

The community raised $10,879 for the fight against cancer.

Despite some poor weather in the Barriere area, the rodeo arena at

the North Thompson fall fairgrounds was full of young participants for the Little Britches Rodeo.

Simpcw First Nation announced thatNathan Matthew was elected by acclamation to once again be chief of Simpcw.

The Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach Program, administered through Yellowhead Community Services, hosted Raise a Reader Day, in the community on Tuesday, Sept. 22, bringing in over $4,500 for youth literacy programs in the area.

Barriere Elementary celebrated 50 years of providing education in the North Thompson.

To help in this celebration the Barriere Lions Club cooked up a huge meal for the students, staff and special guests as they arrived at the school that morning.

The annual 911 Emergency Services Golf Tournament saw 72 players take on the Chinook Cove Golf Course with their teams. The winning team for 2015 was the local squad of Deb, Cory, Theresa and Jeff with a five under 31.

A total of 65 riders took part in the ninth annual Thunder Alley Toy Run on Saturday, Sept. 26. Once again, it was a roaring success in support of the Barriere and District Food Bank. The weather did not look very promising when people, spectators and riders began to assemble. But before the run started, there was blazing sunshine, which showed off the amazingly polished bikes amazingly well in the Barriere IDA parking lot before starting the run.

The McLure Ferry, which normally runs daily from 7 a.m. to 6:20 p.m., went out of service on Sept. 28 due to scheduled maintenance.

It was expected to be

www.starjournal.net A13

out of service until the end of November.

Yellowhead 4-H members reported a great time at the Provincial Winter Fair held in Barriere the end of September. Members competed in many of the different competitions over the five day event bringing home many ribbons and awards.

From Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, Interior Savings marked the close of its 75th year by saying thanks to its members and communities in a rather unusual way. Interior Savings paired up with Kelowna-based magician, Leif David, to surprise and delight its communities with magic, mystery …and money. The magician appeared in 14 Interior B.C. communities over the course of five days and was in Barriere outside the IDA Pharmacy on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Interior Savings’ members were encouraged to bring their Member Card or Credit Card along as, on this day, these cards had ‘magical powers’. The magician was performing for community members for about an hour giving away a total of $1400 to those who assisted Leif with his magic.

OCTOBER 2015

While water temperatures had declined in Southern Interior rivers, returning salmon still faced record-low stream levels. In small tributaries such as Louis Creek, a tributary of the North Thompson, fish did not have enough volume to enter. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ sockeye report in early October showed stream and river temperatures well below the danger levels of 19°C or 20°C seen earlier in the year.

Communities in Bloom committee members attended a luncheon and awards ceremony on Oct. 3 to find out that Barriere

Star/Journal file photo:

North Thompson Fall Fair exhibit hall convener, Sylvia Chivers (l), presents the L. Larson Family Award for the Hall Grand Aggregate (top hall exhibitor) to winner Heather Wiebe at the 66th Annual North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo held in Barriere on the 2015 Labour Day Weekend. has been awarded the highest Five Bloom rating. Each year the community has increased its marks and still has more room for improvement based on the visiting judges’ comments.

The ‘Vitals Tools for Success’ seminar held at the Ridge on Saturday, Oct. 3, had a full contingent of participants in attendance.

The seminar was hosted by the North Thompson Communities Foundation (NTCF), the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society (LNTCFS), and the North Thompson Volunteer and Information Centre (NTVIC).

Speakers for the day were North Thompson Star/Journal editor Jill Hayward, District of Barriere Councillor Donna Kibble, and

representing the BC Association for Charitable Gaming - David Sheach.

District of Barriere reported the new wastewater plant for Clary Estates on Siska Dr. is operational and is ready to receive household wastewater in anticipation of two or three new residential properties that will be occupied in the near future.

A big thank you went out to the talented volunteers who made 333 apple pies that were sold at $10/pie with the funds being placed in the Barriere Splash Pad reserve account.

The North Thompson Fish and Game Society reported their new firing-line building at the gun range on Gorman Lake Road was in its final stages of con-

struction. The only exception is the concrete floors, which will be poured after the snow melts in 2016.

Barriere Elementary School held their Terry Fox Run on Friday Oct. 9.

The North Thompson Communities Foundation presented Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach with a grant to assist in providing literacy and learning opportunities for young people within the McLure to Little Fort area through the Outreach’s summer camp program.

On Oct. 15, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure invited the public to attend an information session at the Barriere Lion’s Hall regarding ...continued on page 19

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www.starjournal.net A15

Snowshoes are perfect for winter photography Winter is here and there is enough snow for me to put on my snowshoes and make my first winter hike to the high meadow above my home. Last January my walk up into that meadow’s deep snow was on a cold, minus -3°C day, under a bright, almostcloudless, blue sky, and I remember I was shooting with a lightweight, 18-105mm lens on my croppedframe camera.

Yesterday I had chosen to mount a lightweight 24-85mm on my full-frame camera. Both this year and last I incorporated a polarizer to darken the skies, increase the contrast in the scene, and suppress glare from the surface of the bright white snow, on the partly cloudy plus 1°C day that had me wishing I didn’t wear an extra undershirt.

I trekked up the hill, and as I had so many times before, I

photographed everything. There are rarely any animals in sight in that long meadow. If so they can hear my snowshoes crunching through the snow on the long hill and stay hidden just out of sight.

As there usually is when I begin to cross the meadow, a crow cries out a warning to the silent watchers.

Then it got quiet with only the sounds from my snowshoes and camera’s shutter as I tramped around photographing the hilltop meadow above the Thompson River Valley.

As I have done so in the past, and too many times to count, I wandered around the snow-covered grassland photographing the two remaining structures from an old homestead under the looming Martin Mountain. I don’t know how long ago that area was farmed,

Making Pictures with

John E n ma n or how old the buildings are, but there is what’s left of an old car that appears to have been wrecked and left behind some time in the 1930s or 1940s.

There is an abandoned cellar, a barn, a shed, a fruit tree, a garbage dump, the detritus of a family’s life, a family who shut down their farm and left.

I like the solitary walk. I closed the front gate to our yard and started out on the road following tracks a lonely coyote made during the early morning hours. The tracks led up the road to a lower field and headed uphill following snowshoe tracks that one of my other neighbor’s

must have made.

I always expect to be the only human making tracks up there. However, this time I followed someone that took much shorter strides than me, eventually crossing the creek at the far end of the meadow and then kept going out of sight through the trees without returning.

I like snowshoeing. When I was a youngster snowshoes were the perfect winter accessory. We’d snowshoe up the hill, change to our skis that had been strapped to our backs and ski back down. I remember a trip with my younger brother Rodger, and

a friend named Alan.

We traveled for three days sleeping in snow caves we made by digging into snowdrifts.

Snowshoes got us up hills and skis got us down.

All these years later I am still wandering the winter backwoods, only now I always carry my camera. Snowshoes are perfect for the winter photographer.

I have also skied with a camera, but there is always the chance of falling and covering the camera with wet snow.

At my age snowshoes are safer, and besides it’s easier to position and reposition oneself while composing a photograph. Skis would not work as well.

These are my thoughts for this week.

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Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

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COMMUNITY EVENTS & SERVICES

1655 Lucky Strike Place | Kamloops, BC | V1S 1W5 | Phone: 250-374-6690 | Toll Free: 1-800-661-2025 Mt. View 1966 - 50th Reunion - grads send contact info to mtview1966@gmail.com or call Dave Hutchings 250-477-4505 Jan. 28 - Barriere and District Hospice Society AGM 7pm at the Volunteer Centre 250-672-9391 Jan. 29 - PJ Karaoke Party, 8:30 Barriere Legion. No minors Jan. 29 - Parent-Child Mother Goose every Friday, 11-noon at the Barriere Ridge, 4936 Barriere Town Rd. A free weekly drop-in program for kids 0-6 with parents or caregivers. For info call: YCS 250-672-9773 Jan. 30 - Craft Swap 10-12 at the Volunteer Centre Jan. 30, Feb. 13, Feb. 27, Mar. 11, Mar. 25 - Barriere Winter Farmer’s Market 10- 1 pm at Barriere Senior’s Hall Jan. 31 - Bingo at the Curling Rink, doors open at 12pm, Bingo starts at 1pm Feb. 6 - Gille Seguin’s fire relief fundraiser. Music, chilli, silent & pie auction at the Seniors Hall 3pm - 7pm for info or to volunteer call 250-672-5116 Feb. 7 - Family Fun Nights at the Barriere Ridge 5:30-9pm Feb. 8 - Family Day Feb. 8 - Catholic Parish Spaghetti Dinner at the Lions Hall 4:306:30, pie sale. Adults $10, $5 child, $25 family.

Feb. 27 - Splash Pad fundraiser at the Barriere Legion music

by Suddenly Able. 7pm, no minors.

Mar 19-21 - Kamloops Cowboy Festival May 1 - Investors Group Walk For Alzheimer’s, 10am at the Senior’s Hall. Info: 250-672-9337 or 9330.

Army Cadets - 2941 RCACC Cadet Corp. - ages 12-18. New Recruits Welcome. Hethar McIntosh 250-587-0027.

Adult Day Program: Mon. & Wed. 9-2. Lunch, crafts & music at the Seniors Ctr. Sherry Jardine 672-5121 After School Program: Mon.-Fri. 3-6pm @ Ridge (NTVIC room). For info call 250-672-0033.

Baha’i Night: Fri., 7:30pm, @ Marge Mitchell’s 672-5615.

Barriere Craft Group: Tues. 6:30-8:30 Barriere Employment Barriere & District Heritage Society: 3rd Wed. of mth, 1pm at NTVIC in winter, at Museum in summer.

Barriere & District Seniors Events: Whist - Mon. 7pm, Carpet Bowling - Tues., Thurs. 9am-12, Fun Cards - Wed. 1:30pm, Breakfast - every 3rd Sun. at 8am (excld December) Barriere Farmer’s Market. Every Thursday. Sam’s Pizza & Rib House Hwy 5. 10am-2pm (May - Nov.) Barriere Youth Group - Fridays ages 12-18 at the Ridge 7-10pm. Enjoy activities, sports and more.

Riding Club: 3rd Sun., 12 noon at the Station House Restaurant. www.barrieredistrictridingclub.com. Darcey 250-318-9975.

Cancer Support: 672-9263, 672-0017 or 672-1890

BARRIERE FIRST RESPONDERS

Crib: Barriere Legion 242, every Thurs. 7pm, Sept. to May. Darts: Barriere Legion 242, Thurs. 7pm, Sept. to May. Curling Club: Oct.-Mar. Curling, league & bonspiels.

Drop In Art. Fridays 11:30am-2:30pm at NTVIC end of Sep to Mar (except holidays). Nominal fee.

Barriere A-A: Every Tues. 7:30pm Pentecostal Church 818 Amnesty Rd. 250-672-9643 or 250-672-9934 Barriere Elementary PAC: 1st Wed. of mth, 6:30pm, call 672-9916.

Barriere Drop In Art. Fridays 11:30am-2:30pm at NTVIC from end of Sept to March (except holidays). Nominal fee. All welcome.

Barriere Fire Dept.: Firehall, Thurs., 7pm Barriere Food Bank: Every Wed. 672-0029 Barriere Genealogy: once a mth at the Library, except Jul/ Aug. For dates/times call 250-672-9330.

Barriere Hospice: Loans out handicap equip. 250-672-9391.

Photography Club. Shelley Lampreau 250-672-5728.

Community Quilters: Every Thurs. 2pm at the Barriere Food Bank. Judy 250-672-5275 or Fran 250-672-2012.

Barriere Search & Rescue: 2nd Tues. of mth, 7pm. Training on 4th Tues. of mth, 7pm.

BSS PAC & Booster Club: 1st Tues., 5:30pm. 250-672-9943.

Survivors of Brain Injuries: Injuries John 250-372-1799.

FromMyKitchen

By Dee Linguini with Broccoli and Red Peppers

heat. Stir in garlic (more or less to suit your tastes) and red pepper slices; saute gently. Drain broccoli and add to skillet.

Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt and saute broccoli and peppers until soft.

Toss vegetable mixture with hot pasta.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients 1 pound linguini pasta 1 pound fresh broccoli, chopped 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 pinch garlic salt 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

BARRIERE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Sopapilla Cheesecake Pie

Ingredients 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla extract 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls 3/4 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1/4 cup honey

Directions: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.n Steam broccoli with 2 tablespoons water in microwave for 6-7 minutes. In 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil and butter over low

Practices every Thursday at the Barriere Fire Hall Come out and join the team!!

AJan. p r i 28, l 2 3Listen closely This week is all during all conversations, about give and take, Capricorn.

You Capricorn. Do for can always jot they down others, and will notes you do for later you. Aifspecial really needfortosome reevent calls member something extra-special gifts.

December 22– in particular. Paying January 19 attention this week is crucial.

January 20– February 18

this ad is sponsored by

Bayley’s Bistro

March 21– April 19

Aquarius, hectic Some habitsthe are hard pace youAquarius. have been to break, keeping may be Look to a mentor to catching upwill with help and you you.

It will be diffisucceed.

A fitness cult keepachieved this up goal to is easily for withmuch a new longer, piece of so start to pare equipment. down your responsibilities.

You maymay receive The odds be a call, text or email stacked against you, today that turns Pisces, but that doesn’t your life in a new mean you won’t come direction, Pisces. out on top with a little Just waitAfor all of ingenuity. weekend those doors to endeavor requiresopen a February 19– for leapyou. of faith.

March 20

Bethany Baptist Church Prayer: Every Tues., 7pm.

Carpet Bowling: Mon, Wed & Fri., 9:30am-12 Little Fort Hall.

Community Kitchen: Call Dede 554-3134.

Community Soup Day: Christian Life Assembly on Annesty Rd. 3rd Mon., 11:30 am.

Crib: Mon. & Fri. 1-4pm @ Little Fort Hall.

Family & Caregivers Group: 1st Mon. of the mth, 10am @ Ridge, kitchen. Info call 778-220-5930.

Gambler’s Anonymous: 250-374-9165 or 250-374-9866.

Literacy Tutoring: Learn to read FREE. Jill 250-319-8023.

Little Fort Recreation: 1st Thurs. each mth 7pm LNT Catholic Women’s League: 2nd Sat. each mth, 9am at St. George’s. Call 250-672-9330 for info.

McLure Rec.: 1st Wed. each mth at 7:30pm McLure Firehall.

Except Jul & Aug. 250-578-7565 for info.

McLure Fire Dept.: Wednesdays, 7pm, Firehall Men’s Floor Hockey: Tues., 8-10pm at Barriere Sec. NT Fish & Game: 4th Mon. each mth 7pm NTVIC. 672-1070 NT Valley Hospice: 3rd Tues, 11am, Little Fort Hall. 672-5660.

Parent-Child Mother Goose: Fridays, 11-12 at the Barriere Ridge, 4936 Barriere Town Rd. Quilting: 1st Tues, 10am @ Little Fort Hall.

Safe Home: Get away from domestic abuse, call 250-6742135 (Clw) or 250-682-6444 (Barriere).

Feb. - 2 9 3, , 2016 2 0 1 2

Aries, it’sAries, a good Speak up, and time to be thinking the problem will be about Consolved.family.

A little miracle sider delving more at home makes for an deeply into your interesting weekend. genealogy.

Travel plans Research come your roots, and you together. may be surprised at what you discover.

All work Castthat asidehard all doubt, you have Taurus.

Thebeen offer is putting in will genuine and will bring finally start to pay you many rewards.

A off, It’s quite test Taurus. of faith begins— possible will be strong.you Money woes receive ease. some good news soon. Don’t forget to go out and celebrate.

May 21– June 21

Gemini, major Feeling blessed changes could be these days, Gemini? coming your way Pay it forward. A and they likely compromise at home involve your home raises everyone’s life.

Get for a spirits andready fun ensues big move some all weekendor long! major renovations to your home.

Directions: Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Beat the cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.Unroll the cans of crescent roll dough, and use a rolling pin to shape each piece into 9x13 inch rectangles.

Press one piece into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish, then cover with the remaining piece of crescent dough. Stir together 3/4 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Dot the mixture over the top of the cheesecake. Bake in the preheated oven until the crescent dough has puffed and turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey.

Cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 squares.

June 22– July 22

This weekrelationship your A business thinking could blossoms with an be even sharper than addition.

A larger-thanever.

It’s a good time life personality drops to that by make with anplans offer you affect your Oh future, can’t refuse. boy, including those peroh boy, Cancer. taining to education or employment.

July 23– August 22

IfOops, youLeo. let your You fall imagination take behind on a project, over, you just may raising some find others are eyebrows. Not to more worry.receptive You will getto this way of back creative on track sooner expressing yourself, than you think, thanks Leo. Use every to an innovation. trick to your advantage.

Virgo, a recent Spend less, save more project ofdefinitely yours and you’ll could bring about get more, Virgo.

More some in yourdeserved bottom line recognition. and more peaceItof doesn’t matter if it mind. Flowers provide isa great at work or home, pick-me-up. being honored can August 23– September 22 feel good.

FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY

Libra, if you feelon Lady Luck smiles inspired express you, Libra,toand there yourself creative is nothingin beyond your ways this week, reach. A treasured go for it. Others may heirloom resurfaces, appreciate your bringing back many sense of humor and fond memories.

September 23– may commend you October 22 for making them feel better.

October 23– November 21

Scorpio, The tiniestaofnew visitor or someone from changes make a vast your past may improvement in aput you in touch with project. A rejection is another could a blessingwho in disguise. make a difference Be grateful for what in your life right now. you’re given, Scorpio.

Changes will spring up rapidly.

Your Newsthoughts from afar gets may shift to more the creative juices positive horizons, flowing, and you and your resulting accomplish more than optimism you have inwill someprove time, attractive others.

Sagittarius.to A game of Spread good cheer wits at the office as many people November 22– to proves challenging. as December 21 you can.

North Thompson Star Journal Thursday, January 28, 2016

www.starjournal.net A17

To advertise in print:

Browse more at:

Call: 250-672-5611 Email: advertising@starjournal.net Self-serve: blackpressused.ca Career ads: localworkbc.ca

A division of

INDEX IN BRIEF

Announcements

Travel

Employment Education/Trade Schools

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cards of Thanks

Timeshare

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

A huge thank you goes out the Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 242 for their generous donation of $1500 to the Barriere & District Hospice Society. We are very fortunate to have such a hard working group support us.

Thank you again, Barriere & District Hospice Society.

CANCEL YOUR timeshare.

No risk program. Stop mortgage and maintenance payments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consultation. Call us now. We can help! 1-888-356-5248.

TRAVEL EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS SERVICES PETS & LIVESTOCK MERCHANDISE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE RENTALS

Information

AUTOMOTIVE ADULT ENTERTAINMENT LEGAL NOTICES

Used.ca cannot be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement.

Notice of errors on the first day should immediately be called to the attention of the Classified Department to be corrected for the following edition.

Used.ca reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the Used.ca Box Reply Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisement and box rental.

DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION

Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of any advertisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, color, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, or age, unless the condition is justified by a bona fide requirement for the work involved.

COPYRIGHT

Copyright and/or properties subsist in all advertisements and in all other material appearing in this edition of Used.ca.

Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

ON THE WEB:

SEE POLAR Bears, Walrus and Whales on our Arctic Explorer Voyage next summer.

Save 15% with our winter sale for a limited time. Call toll-free: 1-800-363-7566 or www.adventurecanada.com (TICO#04001400)

Employment

AGREEMENT

It is agreed by any display or Classified Advertiser requesting space that the liability of the paper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only, and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement.

Travel

CANADA BENEFIT Group Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canada benefit.ca/free-assessment Clearwater Alcoholics Anonymous Sunshine Group meets every Tuesday, 8 pm, Elks Hall 72 Taren Dr. Open to Everyone For info contact Wendy 250-587-0026 Do you need help with reading, writing or math?

FREE confidential adult tutoring available.

• Clearwater Literacy 250-674-3530 • Barriere Literacy 250-672-9773 HAVE YOU been denied Canada Pension Plan disability benefits?

The Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic can help you appeal.

Call 1-877-793-3222. www.dcac.ca info@dcac.ca HIP OR Knee replacement?

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

Business Opportunities GET FREE High cash producing Vending machines. $1 vend = .70 profit. No competition - financing and locating services provided. Full details call now.

1-866-668-6629 Website: www.tcvend.com

Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Full Time Permanent Wage $39.86 - $48.23 Over 2 Years Civil Technologist diploma required. Duties include surveying, design, contract preparation and inspection on principal projects. Must be proficient with electronic survey equipment, and AutoCad 3D. Please Apply By February 15, 2016 4:30 pm,

by Fax: 250-632-4995, or email: dok@kitimat.ca Visit: www.kitimat.ca

OWNER OPERATORS

Flatdeck Division · Must be willing to run Western USA, BC and Alberta · Must currently hold a FAST card, or obtain one within 3 weeks of receiving a position.

Benefits & Hiring Bonus!

Safe Home Response Providing a safe place to escape for women and their children.

Volunteers always needed.

Clearwater 250-674-2135, Barriere 250-672-6444, or North Thompson Valley 1-855-674-2135

TRY A CLASSIFIED AD

Located across the railway tracks in Vavenby, B.C. Wednesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Great deals - low prices

Help Wanted

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employertrusted program. Visit today: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career!

CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST II District of Kitimat

Beautiful gift items 25% discount on all Xmas inventory

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT SCHOOL. Hands-On Tasks. Start Weekly. GPS Training!

Funding & Housing Avail!

Job Aid! Already a HEO? Get certification proof.

Call 1-866-399-3853 or go to: iheschool.com

Career Opportunities

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY GIFT CORNER Located just inside the hospital main doors

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT SCHOOL. Hands-On Tasks. Start Weekly. GPS Training!

Funding & Housing Avail!

Job Aid! Already a HEO? Get certification proof.

Call 1-866-399-3853 or go to: iheschool.com

Call Bob 604-888-2928 or email: bob@shadowlines.com

Education/Trade Schools 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. info@canscribe.com.

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

Help Wanted

Employment Help Wanted

Plumbing

Misc. for Sale

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.

REFORESTATION NURSERY Seedlings of hardy trees, shrubs, and berries for shelterbelts or landscaping.

Spruce and Pine from $0.99/ tree. Free shipping. Replacement guarantee. 1-866-8733846 or www.treetime.ca

Services

Pets

Financial Services GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com TAX FREE MONEY is available, if you are a homeowner, today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime 1-800-639-2274 or 604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

PHOTOS

by Keith McNeill

Digital and film photographs.

Phone 250-674-3252 or email:keith.mcneill65@gmail.com

Help Wanted Customer Service Representative

Merchandise for Sale

MORELLI Chertkow LLP is seeking to hire an experienced Corporate Legal Administrative Assistant to join our team of legal professionals. Please submit an application to the Administrator, Beverley Clayton, at bclayton@morellichertkow.com.

Photography / Video www.spca.bc.ca

Services

SHOP LOCALLY Home Improvements

We are currently hiring for a full time position. Must be a team player and customer oriented. Experience in hardware and building supplies an asset. Must be computer literate.

Competitive wage offered based on experience.

Please Send Resume With References: Box B, Unit 14 - 74 Young Rd, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2

• Indoor Storage Units • Office space with equipment storage available. Hwy access for convenience & exposure 250-674-0145 info@oncallservices.ca 851 Yellowhead Hwy 5

Employment Agencies/Resumes

Employment Agencies/Resumes

Custom Floor transition strips.

Any profile. Ph. 250-674-1291

Moving & Storage

Pets & Livestock Good Dog Obedience Classes Starting Jan. 24! * NEW DATES! * Basic Obedience - A 6 week course in good manners & canine behaviour begins Jan. 24, 11am at the Fall Fair Hall in Barriere for all dogs at least 6 months old & up. Cost $110.

Novice Class - 6 weeks of fun as we take you & your dog to the next level of obedient behaviour. Participants must have successfully completed a previous Basic Obedience course to qualify. Class starts on Jan. 24, 12pm. Cost $110.

To register or for more information contact Jill Hayward at 250-319-8023

Merchandise for Sale

Estate Sales

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

1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.

Misc. Wanted Coin Collector Looking to Buy Collections, Olympic Gold & Silver Coins, Loose, Sets, etc Chad: 1-778-281-0030 Local

Real Estate For Sale By Owner Barriere: 1232 sq ft, 3bdr, 2bth, lvg rm, dining rm, eat in kitch., 0.6 acre, corner lot $149,900. 250-672-5518

1200 sq. ft. house. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, .79 acre w/fruit trees, garden area, 600 sq ft shop, & 300 sq ft woodshed. Located on Peavine Rd. $120,000. obo. Ph 1-250-318-7235

For Sale or Rent: 225 Murtle Cres, 3 bdrm, 3.5 bath, dbl heated garage w/toilet & shower, rent $1,150/mo + util.

For Sale: 208 Dutch Lk. Rd, 3 bdrm, 1/2 duplex, 2 full bath, $125,000.00. Offers.

Pls lvg msg at 250-674-3668

Heavy Duty Machinery

Rentals

A-Steel Shipping Storage Containers. Used 20’40’45’53’ insulated containers. All sizes in stock. Prices starting under $2,000. Modifications possible doors, windows, walls etc., as office or living workshop etc., Ph Toll free 24 hours 1-866528-7108 or 1-778-298-3192 8am-5pm. Delivery BC and AB www.rtccontainer.com

Misc. for Sale

Commercial/ Industrial Commercial space avail for rent in the Interior Whitewater Bldg. starting Jan. 1/2016.

Spacious, bright, clean, like new. Close to amenities. 675 sqft, $500/mo. 73 Old North Thompson Hwy, Clearwater.

Ph 250-674-3727

Duplex / 4 Plex

Programmable Cash Register.

CASIO PCR-T2000 with manual. 18 new paper rolls incl. $125.00 Ph. 250-674-3040

Clearwater: 3 bdrm duplex in Miller sub. F/S. Avail Jan. 1 Call Julie 250-674-0188

Misc. Wanted

Misc. Wanted

Barriere Employment Services YOUR GATEWAY TO LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION LABOURER (Casual) – BC0757 – Gilbert Smith Forest Products Ltd. CARE AIDE (Part Time) – BC0746 CARE AIDE (Regular PT Night Shift) – Yellowhead Pioneer Residence BC0738 LOGGING TRUCK DRIVER – West Pine Logging BC0726

CASHIER/STOCK (Part Time Students) – Petro Canada BC0673 WAITRESS – Station House Restaurant BC0729 CASHIER – A&W BC0630 COOK – A&W BC0685 DRIVER-Hy’s North Transportation BC0453

Mike Wiegele - http://www.wiegele.com/employment.htm Sun Peaks - http://www.sunpeaksresort.com/corporate/work-and-play/opportunities FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ABOVE JOBS PLEASE GO TO

www.barriere-employment.ca

Skill Development: If you have been on Employment Insurance in the past 3 years (5 years maternity) & are currently unemployed, you may be eligible for re-training dollars. Book an appointment to see one of our counselors for information.

Free computer & Internet access • Free resume help • Free info on many services The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia In Partnership with Barriere & District Chamber of Commerce and Yellowhead Community Services

629 Barriere Town Rd. V0E 1E0 • 250-672-0036 • Fax: 250-672-2159 E-mail: info@barriere-employment.ca • Website: www.barriere-employment.ca

Find a job you love.

Box 67, 100 Mile House B.C. V0K 2E0

BEFORE YOU SELL: • ASPEN • BIRCH • COTTONWOOD • PINE • SPRUCE • FIR PULP LOGS Please call KATHERINE LEPPALA (250) 395-6218 (direct line) • (250) 395-0584 (cell) (250) 395-6201 (fax)

Adopt a Shelter Cat!

The BC SPCA cares for thousands of orphaned and abandoned cats each year. If you can give a homeless cat a second chance at happiness, please visit your local shelter today.

BCSPCA www.spca.bc.ca

A18 www.starjournal.net A18 www.starjournal.net

Rentals

Legal

Mobile Homes & Pads

Legal Notices

Vavenby: 2 bdrm covered mobile w/addition on priv lot. W/d, f/s. Ref req. $675/mo + dd.

Pets neg. Call 250-676-9210

I, Diane Elaine Nicholson (nee Sherwood) am no longer responsible for any debts incurred by Douglas Bruce Nicholson as of January 5, 2016.

Vavenby: 3 bdrm MH on own property, 1.5 bath, w/d, f/s, covered deck. Fenced yard - 1 dog allowed. $800/mo. Now avail. Call Julie 250-674-0188

Homes for Rent Clearwater: 3bdrm, 3bath hm, incl dw, w/d, storage shed.

Close to all amenities. Avail Feb. 1. No pets. $1200/mo + dd. Call Julie 250-674-0188

Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

T:1.31”

Fight Back.

Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star Journal

Reflecting on the big picture STORY

NO. 6

This Newspaper.

It’s a good read.

When crumpled and stuffed in your jacket, it’s a good insulator.

That’s what Bethany had to do when she lived on the streets.

The new year often finds me reflecting on the big picture and where I fit in.

Most, if not all, faith traditions and spiritual practices are about following, — following the lead of another and listening to and abiding by the wisdom of another.

Within the Christian tradition the one we follow, of course, is Jesus Christ. Our faith and spiritual practices are based on the Biblical stories of Jesus and his disciples.

But putting that kind of stock in the words and wisdom of another means, in part, giving up control. It is to admit that we do

Pause For Thought

By Rev. Brian Krushel

who have all the answers but merely know where to find them.

We don’t need to know it all, we don’t need to come up with the answers all on our own, we don’t need to be totally original all the time. Many times it is not only easier but better to learn from a trusted individual. But that means subverting our ego and being open to the wisdom of others, a hard thing to do for those of us who like to think we are the masters of our destiny.

The Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated every Jan. 6, recalls the story of the three magi visiting Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus.

These three represent the wisdom traditions of the Ancient Near East, philosophers and scholars and most learned of their time.

Their journey to see Jesus and offer him their worship indicates that even they, the brightest and best of their generation, recognize that there is more to life in this universe than even they can know.

At the beginning of St. John’s gospel, we hear how Jesus is that divine wisdom come in human form, how Jesus is the cosmic

Christ, the Word become flesh (John 1:118). He “was in the beginning, he “was with God and was God” and “all things came into being through him.” Or put another way, Jesus is “the true light, which enlightens everyone coming into the world.” For Christians, Jesus is that higher authority, our teacher and our guide, our wisdom and our enlightenment. Each faith tradition has its own that it looks to for the same guidance.

The magi remind us that we are not the light, that the light does not originate from within us and we are not the source of the light. They help to remind us who is ultimately in control and where we fit into the big picture. Like those who have gone before us, who have been drawn by the light, guided by that light and have inspired us to follow, we give our lives into the command and keeping of the God who was there in the beginning and will be there at our end. Now that’s “grace upon grace”!

Happy New Year.

By Reverend Brian Krushel, Trinity Shared Ministry

T:7”

not have all the answers and need to seek the wisdom of some other authority. In a culture Clearwater: 3 bdrm rancher on Petro Rd. Carport, wood & that seems to value the propane heat. Avail Mar. 1. individual and encourNewly reno’ed. $1000/mo.

Call Julie 250-674-0188 Volunteer age individual rights and freedoms, taking Rooms for Rent your time, counsel from another Clearwater: Room for rent in energy and can fly in the face of Weyerhaeuser sub. Wi-Fi, Sat TV. Nice clean place. NS, NP. our need to be in conskills today. $500/mo, incl laundry and util.

Call 250-674-1768 trol.

This is not news to Suites, Lower anyone who has ever engaged in a twelveBarriere: 1bdrm suite, would suit single/elder person. Near step program. The first amenities, ample parking, hydro/heat & light incl. $650 to step in that process is the right person newly renovated, avail. immed.. 778-220always to admit that 2148. one is powerless over This toque. It helped a particular substance Barriere: 2 bdrm basement suite, all util, all appl. NS/NP, Bethany find a better or behaviour and the no parties. Separate entrance life. Buy yours at /parking. $750/mo. 250-672second step is to acRaisingtheRoof.org 5643 knowledge that there or donate $5 by texting TOQUE to 45678. Help is a power greater than the homeless in your ourselves that can help community. us gain control over that substance or beTune into your haviour and restore feelings and conour lives. nect, and become There can be treaware of this mendous freedom in admitting that we do communication CHURCH not have all the answers from the universal DIRECTORY X6183K_This Newspaper.indd 2016-01-07 1 3:25 PMmind. We are reand that at times, we all need help or guidance. ceiving thousands Sometimes the wisest 1 of messages from Round X6183K_This Newspaper.indd people are not the ones the universe each Job Description: Mechanical Specifications: Contact: everyProducer: minute Acct. Mgr: Kaylaand O Bleed: None David E Client: RTR Colours: 4C CHURCH Trim: 1.31” x 7” Docket #: 112-LPBCRFX6183 Start Date: 1-5-2016 1:56 PM Crea. Dir: Anthony C Studio: Kim C and OF PAUL Live: 0.99” x 6.68” Project: Newspaper Revision ST. Date: 1-6-2016 10:13 AM Art Dir: Sally F of the day Proofreader: Peter C & Claude G File built at 100% 1” = 1” 4464 Ad #: X6183K PrintBarriere Scale: None Town Road North Thompson Funeral & Drake Cremation Services Writer: Jason S the night when Comments: None Publication: Black Press Worship Sunday 11:00 sleeping. Some A worshipping community of call this prayer, Burnett 175 Bloor Street E. North Tower, 13th Floor Toronto, ON M4W 3R9 (416) 925-5997 Anglicans, United & Leo Lutherans others meditation All Are Welcome and inner self. the Rev. Brian Krushel Q. Why do I need to bring No matter what Office: 250 672-5653 www.norththompsonpc.ca the birth certificate? you believe, use CHRISTIAN LIFE ASSEMBLY what you know 4818 Annesty Rd. A. We ask for the deceased and what feels (Across from High School) Bible perspectives Sunday 7am on person’s birth certificate, care right to yourself.

93.1 Radio card, and social insurance card.

We don’t all want 10:30am - Sunday Service and Children’s Sunday School Many times, the information on the same things, Pastor: Lance Naylor the birth certificate is different 250-672-0111 nor have the same www.clabarriere.org from what the family thinks is goals. Yet we THE OPEN DOOR correct; names spelled differentlong for the right FELLOWSHIP ly, dates a little off, etc. Errors to have health, 11:00 am Sundays at the Ridge can cost you money, payable to wealth and hapBible Study on Tuesdays at 1pm Vital Statistics. Call or drop by. piness.

You can PASTOR TODD ENGLISH have this with the Join us for refreshments after the Service. ~~~~~ right mind set.

Phone 250-672-1864 anytime.

Affiliated with North American Baptist Now this I truly Association.

Drake Smith, MSW, is the Owner and Funeral Director of “Believe in the Lord Jesus - and you know – change North Thompson Funeral & Drake Cremation Services. With locawill be saved.” (Acts 16:31) your thoughts to tions in downtown Kamloops (phone 250-377-8225), Clearwater Seventh-day Adventists change your life.

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North Thompson Star/Journal Thursday, January 28, 2016

October 2015, continued from page 13... upcoming passing lane projects on Highway 5 through the communities of Darfield and Vinsulla at some time in the future Lords and ladies from the Shire of Ramsgaard gathered at the North Thompson Agriplex in Barriere to celebrate fall with revelry and good sportsmanship. The event featured tournaments in archery, rapier, and weapons.

Attendees dressed in period clothing throughout the event, which also included royal courts, feasts, dancing, various classes and workshops.

Effective as of Oct. 15, 2015, the open burning ban was completely rescinded within the Kamloops Fire Centre’s jurisdiction after a summer of drought conditions and wildfires.

Kamloops-Thompson-Caroboo proved itself to not be a bellwether riding in the Oct. 19, 2015, federal election, returning Conservative Cathy McLeod to office while the Liberals stunned a nation by sweeping to a majority.

Justin Trudeau’s Liberals won 184 of 338 seats — 14 more than is needed to form a majority government. McLeod held onto her seat with 24,444 votes (35.2 per cent of the vote). New Democrat Bill Sundhu finished second with 21,400 votes (30.8 per cent of the vote).

Yellowhead Mining Inc. announced that it was deferring work on its proposed Harper Creek mine southwest of Vavenby.

Yellowhead’s board of directors stated they concluded that it is in the best interest of all shareholders to defer any additional expenditures on the Harper Creek project until such time as more favorable commodity and capital

markets present themselves.

Two classes from Bert Edwards elementary school in Kamloops plus the primary students from Neqweyqwelsten School in Chu Chua took part in the 20th annual Coho Day put on by Simpcw First Nation at the Dunn Creek hatchery on Thursday, Oct. 29.

NOVEMBER 2015

In an interview with District of Barriere Mayor Smith this newspaper asked how could the wastewater project still be on budget as a result of delays, shutdowns, etc.? Smith amswered, “The shut down for over three months due to the finding of a lithic chip in one of the areas being excavated created standby charges of $140,000 from LNB. As of today the money we have spent over the $6.7 million grant is $120,511.39 which is due to having to pay the $140,000 to LNB because of the lithic chip shutdown for over three months. Without that cost we would actually be under the grant budget. To cover the extra, we pulled out a few projects and paid the overrun from Roads and Water. In addition, but not included in the $6.7 million grant was an extra $130,000 of additional costs because of the lithic chip, but this was not related to the grant. For instance, it cost $60,000 for an archeologist to be on site, then digging, etc. We paid the $130,000 out of the district Gas Tax account.”

AccuWeather reported the winter of 2015-2016 could end up as one of the warmest winters on record for Canada as a whole, due to a strong El Niño persisting into the upcoming season.

Fast Eddy was at Barriere Elementary the morning of Nov. 4, his second visit to the

school. The first time he visited was spring 2015 as he started his run across the country. The students welcomed him like a member of their family, having followed his struggles, trials and victories via Facebook as he ran across Canada.

The North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association received a grant of $25,000 from Farm Credit Canada through its FCC AgriSpirit Fund towards the North Thompson Agriplex construction project.

Val and Derrick Stamer, representing Stamer Logging awarded the 2015 Barriere Business of the Year award at the Barriere and District Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Banquet and Evening of Magic in the fall fair hall.

On Nov. 10, the students and staff at Barriere Secondary welcomed the students and staff from Barriere Elementary into their school for Remembrance Day ceremonies in the gymnasium.

A number of Legion members were in attendance, as well as District of Barriere Mayor Virginia Smith and School District 73 Trustee Rhonda Kershaw.

The rain let off just long enough on Nov. 11 for the Remembrance Day Parade to march to the Barriere Legion without getting wet for annual Remembrance Day ceremonies inside the hall.

After an impressive finish at the zone finals in Clearwater Nov. 14, the Barriere Secondary Senior Girls Volleyball team competed in the Okanagan Valley Regional Playoffs. The tournament included eight zone finalist teams from around the Okanagan. Barriere girls won four of their six games, earning them a third place finish.

Barriere Secondary staff and students came together with grade

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6 and 7 teachers and students from Barriere Elementary along with members of the Simpcw First Nation on Nov. 18 in support of ‘Addictions Awareness Week’.

The group were led on a walk through the community by local RCMP, and on completion of the walk participants enjoyed hotdogs and hot chocolate served up

by Simpcw representatives.

The first big dump of snow arrived in the area on Nov. 22.

Despite the snowy weather, the Barriere Lion’s Club reported a great turn out and lots of fun at their spaghetti dinner and dessert auction fundraiser, with thanks to Doreen Landry and Sam’s Pizza and Rib House for cooking the meal.

Yellowhead Mining Inc. stated it was investigating additional sources of financing, according to the company’s third quarter report.

The money would be used to move forward with the environmental assessment review for its proposed Harper Creek mine project in order to obtain an environmental assessment certificate for the project in 2016.

The annual No Host Bazaar at the Fall Fair Hall was organized in 2015 by the Barriere Food Bank.

The annual Lions Club book fair in Barriere filled the Lions Hall from one corner to another with all manner of literary works with nothing costing more than $1, and funds raised donated to Barriere and Area Literacy Outreach.

This new ‘Resuscitation Cart’ was purchased by the Barriere Health Centre with funds donated from community members and other supporters.

District of Barriere reported that the Septage Receiving Sta-

Star/Journal photo: Jill Hayward

MP Cathy McLeod (r) presenting Val and Derrick Stamer with a commemorative certificate for them being awarded the 2015 Barriere Business of the Year Award for Stamer Logging. tion project will be $74,572.77 over the 2010 estimated budget.

The Sewer Collection portion of the project will be over budget by $40,709.13.

The Yellowhead 4-H Club held their year end awards banquet on Nov. 27, in the North Thompson Agriplex banquet hall.

The potluck supper had far more food than required, and the number of awards and certificates handed out was impressive.

DECEMBER 2015

Gilbert Smith Forest Products Ltd (GSFP) celebrated their annual Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 5, along with their anniversary of 60 years in business.

Barb and Carman Smith of Barriere stepped forward once again to lend their support to the fundraising efforts of the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association with a donation of $20,000 earmarked for electrical upgrades to the North Thompson Agriplex.

The Barriere and District Food Bank Society was awarded a grant of $6,500 from the province’s Community Gaming Grants program.

Christmas lunches

were served up at the Secondary School, the Seniors Hall and the Christian Life Assembly Church.

The Barriere and District Chamber of Commerce Passport To Shopping promotion included late night shopping on Dec. 11, with local stores open until 8 p.m.

The annual Success

By Six Breakfast With Santa was once again packed with families who turned out to enjoy the Barriere Lions Club sponsored breakfast and of course a visit with Santa. There was also a huge craft table for the kids, reindeer food to purchase, and an impromptu kids carol sing. Breakfast was by donation, as was the photos with Santa, with all of the funds raised this year going to the Barriere Food Bank.

District of Barriere Mayor Virginia Smith and Chief Nathan Matthew signed a Barriere/ Simpcw Mutual Aid Agreement for Fire Protection between the two communities on Dec. 14 in Chu Chua.

After 40 years of teaching the children of Barriere and area, Helen Fraser retired, with her last day at Barriere Elementary School taking place on Tuesday,

Dec. 15.

Barriere Elementary held a Winter Fun Night on Dec. 17.

No Christmas Parade was held this year, but close to 200 people gathered at the Barriere Bandshell in Fadear Park for the Christmas Tree light up event on Friday, Dec. 18.

Fire totally destroyed a trailer in Barriere at the Riverland Trailer Park on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 20. Gille Seguin was not home at the time of the fire (reportedly caused by a wood stove), which not only took his trailer but all the tools of his trade as well. Seguin had no insurance, but friends immediately rallied around him to help out, and also made plans to host a fundraiser in February 2016.

The New Year’s Eve Bullarama and Dance held in the North Thompson Agriplex in Barriere provided a fun evening for all ages and a great way to welcome in the new year.

This was the first time the event was hosted by the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association, who will continue to give a portion of the profits to support the Farm Kids bursary fund for rural youth.

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Thursday, January 28, 2016 North Thompson Star/Journal

Local and international groups rally in support as courts asked to rule on B.C.’s controversial wolf cull

By Michaela Montaner January 20, 2016 [Victoria, B.C.] – Pacific Wild and Valhalla Wilderness Society are challenging the legality of the government of British Columbia’s controversial wolf cull program.

In January 2015, despite considerable opposition, the B.C. government launched a multi-year wolf kill program in the South Peace and South Selkirk regions. Government contractors are paid to radio-collar wolves in the spring so snipers in helicopters can track and kill entire packs throughout the winter.

Ministry officials estimate the program will kill nearly 500 wolves and cost taxpayers approximately $2.2 million. They have admitted they are skeptical it will save the endangered mountain caribou the cull purports to be recovering. [1] Ministry of Environment briefing notes (brought to light last fall by a freedom of information request filed by Wilderness Committee) suggest the government was prompted by a forest industry opposed to giving up more land to habitat protection efforts. [2] “To date, the province has neglected to protect and restore sufficient habitat for endangered caribou,” said Ian McAllister, executive director of Pacific Wild, “We are asking the court to review whether, in the absence of sufficient, enforced habitat protection, culling wolves consti-

Pacific Wild photo:

tutes ‘proper wildlife management’.”

Anticipating that a new permit for the cull in the South Selkirk region will be issued in the coming weeks, Pacific Wild and Valhalla Wilderness Society have filed an application for a judicial review to determine whether the provincial government’s decision to cull wolves reasonably constitutes proper management of wolves if what they are actually doing is killing wolves to avoid protecting critical mountain caribou habitat necessary for their sur-

vival and recovery so industry can continue un-checked.

The two groups are pursing the action with the backing of several conservation groups including the Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals, the Wilderness Committee, Humane Society International/ Canada, and various others who have been advocating for effective caribou habitat protections and, likewise, opposing the wolf cull as unreasonable, unnecessary and scientifically unfounded.

“The B.C. government is pandering to industrial interests, endangering the few remaining mountain caribou, and sacrificing wolves in the process,” said Gabriel Wildgen, campaign manager at Humane Society International/Canada. “We hope the court will rule in favour of B.C.’s wildlife and, in doing so, encourage the province to enact and enforce the habitat protections the caribou really need.”

The initial phase of this legal action has been funded by a grant from West Coast Environmental Law’s Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund and funds from a crowd-funding campaign Pacific Wild led in early 2015.

Michaela Montaner has spent the last ten years working and consulting with volunteer-run NGOs, the United Nations, and everything in between, focusing primarily on stakeholder engagement and public education. In 2015, she joined Pacific Wild as Director of Communications.

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