Invermere Valley Echo, May 04, 2016

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Wednesday, ednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

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Premier’s party pay debated locally

Missing two year old survives night alone

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Guitarists John McRobbie and Larry Newman provided live entertainment during the Wine Reception portion of the evening at the 4th Annual Hospice Butterfly Gala. The fundraiser for the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley drew a crowd to Radium Resort on Saturday, April 30th.

PHOTO BY BREANNE MASSEY

BC NEWS

LOCAL NEWS

Jumbo municipality targeted in Green party bill

Family Dynamix strategy begins to tackle affordable housing

STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality made headlines in Victoria again recently, after B.C. Green Party MLA and Deputy Leader Andrew Weaver tabled a motion in the provincial legislature that would disallow municipalities without residents.

The motion was introduced by Weaver on Wednesday, April 6th and seeks to amend the Local Government Act in a way that would essentially undo the 2012 amendments to the act that al-

lowed for the creation of the mountain resort municipality.

“I introduced it (the motion) because this is an ongoing saga,” Weaver told The Echo. “One that is wasting everybody’s time, and in my view, taxpayers’ dollars.”

Weaver said that, under his bill, the Local Government Act would more or less revert back to what it was before 2012, with the notable addition of a requirement that any future municipalities incorporated must have a minimum permanent population.

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BREANNE MASSEY breanne@invermerevalleyecho.com The stress of finding affordable housing amidst the high cost of living in the Columbia Valley has burdened many people in the community.

Family Dynamix is collecting information about the challenges of finding suitable housing options for a reasonable price and working toward creating a solution that will meet the community’s needs “One of the goals for this project was to disseminate the results of the Needs and Demand Housing Surveys (2007-2013) to key stakeholders and to the general public as well,” said Michèle Neider, director of program management at Family Dynamix. “We want to ensure that the communities sup-

port the initiative and have a clear picture of the needs in Columbia Valley.”

She presented information to the Village of Radium Hot Springs council about the surveys on April 13th and to the Village of Canal Flats on April 25th.

In addition, Neider will be appearing at the District of Invermere (DOI) on May 10th with further information about housing needs and demands.

“By presenting to councils, we want to make sure that we have their support,” said Neider, adding that the B.C. government plans to commit to the largest single social and affordable housing investment in provincial history with $355 million slated for constructing and renovating over 2,000 units of affordable housing over the next five years.

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Small Town Revival

LIVE at Pynelogs CD Release Party Saturday May 7th at 8 pm Call for tickets 250.342.4423 Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423 · Pynelogs Cafe - Open Tuesday to Saturday 11 to 4 pm

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

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Snapshot

Over 20 students came from across Western Canada to take part in a 14-day Permaculture Design Certification Program at the Community Greenhouse in Invermere, co-hosted by experts Rob and Michelle Avis from Verge Permaculture and the Groundswell Network Society. The course, which also included a number of local participants, ran from April 16th to 30th.

PHOTOS BY BREANNE MASSEY

REGIONALNEWS

Searchers find two-year-old missing at Premier Lake CAROLYN GRANT Kimberley Daily Bulletin Kimberley Search and Rescue members and their colleagues from across the Kootenays were breathing huge sighs of relief on Sunday after a missing two year old was found about three kilometres from where he went missing Saturday.

“We’re pretty gosh darn happy,” said KSAR member Peter Reid.

The boy, two year old Isaac Leuenberger, went missing while on a walk with his mother and siblings. He was last seen around 7 p.m., (April 30th) at Premier Lake Provincial Campground.

Family and others initially searched the area and then called police who activated Search and Rescue.

There was a huge SAR response as teams from Kimberley, Cranbrook, Invermere, Fernie, Elkford and teams as far away as Castlegar and Nelson were still arriving at Premier Lake when the boy was found.

“I wasn’t actually there when he as found,” Reid said. “Wendy (Heatherington, KSAR Search Manager) and myself were out all night and had come back down to get some sleep, so we weren’t there. You always hate to leave a search for that reason, but we are just so relieved and happy.”

Reid says Isaac was found by one of the volunteers searching for the family.

“It’s incredible. As you can imagine there is a great sense of urgency when you are searching for such a little guy. We were all extremely stressed about finding him.”

Reid says that while your heart sinks when

you hear of a lost child, it is also possible to be quite optimistic that they will be found within 24 hours.

“The survival rate for a young child is quite high — 95 per cent if you find them within 24 hours. But adding difficulty to that is that even two year olds can travel quite a distance. They found him at least three kilometres from the campsite.”

Reid says it looks like he just ducked into the bush while walking with his family and wandered off.

Cpl. Chris Newel of the Kimberley RCMP told media that other than a few scratches, the boy was in good condition.

Geoff Hill

MaxWell Realty Invermere

250-341-7600

connect@geoffhill.ca Invermere-RealEstate.com

Isaac Leuenberger with parents Matt and Shelly Leuenberger, after two-year-old Issac was found safe Sunday morning.

PHOTO BY MIKE TURNER

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

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OMMUNITY

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Columbia Lake is in good shape, report reveals

To m e a s u re w a t e r quantity, the Columbia Lake Stewardship Society has set up four water level stations, stretching north to south, along Columbia Lake.

FILE PHOTO

STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com The Columbia Lake Stewardship Society’s 2015 report shows that the lake is more or less in the same shape it was two decades ago.

The 30-page report details the society’s tracking of both Columbia Lake’s water quality and water quantity at several stations along the lake.

“We take samples monthly, if not more frequently,” said society member and technical manager Bill Thompson. “We haven’t found any significant problems.”

The Columbia Lake Stewardship Society was established about two and half years ago, stemming from a recommendation for just such an organization in a water quality study conducted on the lake in the 1990s. The society began taking measurements and reporting on the lake in 2014.

“Columbia Lake is one of the last large lakes to be discovered by recreational boat owners,” said

Thompson. “In our two years of monitoring we haven’t seen any significant changes from the observations made in the 1990s study. But we need to keep monitoring because the demands on the lake are changing all the time.”

As part of the water quality monitoring, the society looks at nine parameters — dissolved oxygen (two levels), water temperature (surface and bottom), conductivity (top and bottom), pH, turbidity, and water clarity.

To measure water quantity, the society has set up four water level stations, stretching north to south, along the lake.

“We want to establish how much water is comes in and how much that changes the water levels,” said Thompson. “Water quantity does seem to be an issue at the present time. We want to maintain the program to see how it changes.”

The water level in Columbia Lake varies a fair bit, according to Thompson.

“The lake level changes by about a metre through

JUMBO MUNICIPALITY BILL from A1 “Which makes a lot of sense, actually,” said Weaver. “I’m not against ski resorts. But there needs to be a reason — an imminent reason — to make a municipality and in this case it’s been years. And there are still years and years to go and years or years of taxpayers’ dollar to be spent. We should stop fund this municipality, and I don’t think that’s unreasonable.”

Weaver conceded that it’s unlikely his bill will pass given the Liberal majority in Parliament and the party’s track record of support for Jumbo.

“I’m not optimistic at all (that the bill will pass), but it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Weaver said, in terms of public funding for the resort, he was unaware of Jumbo municipality having deferred its portion of the Small Community Grant.

“If they are (deferring the grant), then good on

them. But when they say it’s deferred, if it’s just backing up in a bag somewhere in government coffers and it’s all going to come later, then it’s kind of giving it back but not really,” he said.

Jumbo municipality chief financial officer Karen Sharp clarified to The Echo that the deferred grant is not being saved up until the municipality has enough people and will not be paid out in one large sum.

“It has been deferred until the fall of 2016 and council will review at that time the status of the needs of the municipality and the need of the Small Community grant,” she said.

Weaver told The Echo that he’s not sure what would happen to the Jumbo municipality if his bill was passed, whether it would be grandfathered in as an exception to his proposed new Local Government Act amendments or whether it would be subject to them.

the year,” he said, adding much of that variance occurs during the spring runoff.

“Measuring water quantity is important for planning. You want to know how water flows through the system, and when and where and how the flooding comes, so that you know where to put the houses and buildings, without having them in or affected by the floodplain,” said Thompson.

Near the end of the 2015 monitoring season, an old measurement site formerly managed by the Water Survey of Canada was remediated and will be used this year. Re-establishing this monitoring site is a great move for the society, because 56 years of records exist from this location, which will make a great set of baseline data with which future data can be compared to assess changes in the watershed, according to Thompson.

He added that this will ultimately allow the society to see what, if any, changes to Columbia Lake experiences as a result of climate change.

Another reason the stewardship society is monitoring Columbia Lake is for environmental impact assessment.

“If you know how the water is flowing (through the lake’s system), then you can assess the impact of changes in the nearby environment,” said Thompson.

“For instance you can see what effect putting in a mill operation has, or what effect removing trees during a forestry operation near the lake has, and so on.”

The 2015 report also outlined that the lake monitoring season followed a winter with a low snowpack, that the winter and spring months were warmer than normal, and that the spring runoff peaked during the June 11th and 12th, about a week earlier than normal.

HOUSING from A1 “In regards to application for provincial funding, we will not be applying for sure before next year. We must first (create) established sites and develop a capital plan for these potential sites. Then we will apply. It is quite a lengthy process and a lot of details must be in place first before we can even apply for funding.”

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

Local MLA calls premier’s stipend questionable STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com Attention was shining on B.C. Premier Christy Clark’s $50,000 a year spending stipend from the B.C. Liberal party after NDP MLA David Eby filed a complaint about it to the provincial Conflict of Interest Commissioner, and here in the Upper Columbia Valley, Columbia River-Revelstoke NDP MLA Norm Macdonald has labelled the allowance questionable.

“It turns out that it’s hundreds of thousands of dollars during her time as premier, on top of what it is already a generous salary,” said Macdonald.

“Clearly she (Clark) recognizes that it’s something questionable because when she was asked about it in 2012, she said she didn’t know how much it was

and called it a ‘car allowance’. That was not particularly forthcoming.”

He pointed out that Clark has always declared, in an annual disclosure report, that she receives an allowance from the party, but that the actual dollar amount has never been declared until now.

“I think it raised all sorts of question,” said Macdonald. “It’s one thing to have a car allowance, but I don’t think most people would accept $50,000 in car allowance, given that we as taxpayers are already paying for her to jet around a lot. Almost everything is paid for by taxpayers already.”

He called Clark’s description of the money as a car allowance disingenuous, and said her reaction that she has done nothing wrong and her defence of the allowance bothers him as much as

anything else.

“If this is supposed to be a stipend, she lives in a different world. As politicians, we’re paid really well, and as premier she makes nearly $200,000 a year,” said Macdonald. “What can’t you afford on $200,000 a year? Or even on a $100,000 a year?”

The Liberal Columbia River-Revelstoke candidate for the the upcoming 2017 provincial election, Doug Clovechok, defended Clark.

“In my mind, there’s no doubt that there’s no conflict of interest (for Clark),” said Clovechok. “The fact that the NDP are even talking about this is one of the most clear indications that they are completely bankrupt of ideas that can move the dice for B.C. residents. They’re digging deep to find something to talk about

and trying to make something of nothing.

Clovechok added that it makes sense she has two source of income since she has two jobs — one as premier of B.C., the other as leader of the provincial Liberal party.

“This process (of the B.C. Liberal party leaders being paid by the party) has been in place long before Christy Clark became premier,” said Clovechok. “She’s working for the party, and when you do some work, you get paid for it.”

Macdonald said he’s aware of the twojobs argument, but said that it raises questions about whether, when doing party work and holding fundraisers, the high-paying donors at the those fundraiser are then essentially getting more access to the premier.

BC NEWS

NDP protests premier’s party pay TOM FLETCHER Black Press Premier Christy Clark says there is no connection between the amount of money she raises at B.C. Liberal Party events and the $50,000 a year she is currently paid by the party as a leader’s allowance.

NDP critics questioned Clark in the legislature about her extra pay Wednesday, after sending a letter to Conflict of Interest Commissioner Paul Fraser asking him to review the premier’s private fundraising activities and the money she receives from the party.

The B.C. Liberal Party released totals for the premier’s allowance, showing she received $45,000 a year in 2013 and 2014, jumping to $50,000 for 2015 and 2016. Clark inherited the leader’s allowance from former premier Gordon Campbell, and its existence but not the amount is listed in her annual MLA disclosure statements.

In a letter to Fraser Wednesday, NDP MLA David Eby said Clark’s party salary “is directly related to her small, high-cost, backroom and dinner parties because the benefit fluctuated depending on the party’s fundraising.”

Paramedic union president Bronwyn Barter, Health Minister Terry Lake and Emergency Health Services vice-president Linda Lupini listen as Tofino paramedic Rhiannon Davis describes her expanded role.

B.C. GOVERNMENT PHOTO

Clark rejected that suggestion, saying existence of the leader’s allowance has been a matter of public record since 1993.

“The NDP raise money with exclusive soirees, and the B.C. Liberals raise money as well,” Clark told reporters. “The issue for us is to make sure that we always separate our public duties from any sources of funding for our political parties.”

NDP leader John Horgan said he

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has received about $5,000 from his party since becoming leader in 2014, mostly to pay for clothing.

Paramedics make house calls in rural program The B.C. government is expanding its community paramedic program from six to 73 communities, to stabilize their employment in rural areas by extending their hours and their duties.

Those duties will include visits to

nursing homes and private homes, replacing on-call rural paramedic positions with full-time or half-time jobs in places that may see only one or two emergency calls in a week.

Health Minister Terry Lake said Wednesday there are already jobs posted for communities in the Northern Health region, after a successful pilot project in six communities.

Recruiting will begin in the Interior Health region in early 2017 and in the Vancouver Island and Vancouver Coastal regions by spring 2017.

“While you’re not on call-outs, you can go into a nursing home and talk with patients,” Lake said of the new paramedic roles. “You may be doing CPR training, you may be doing chronic disease management in people’s homes.”

Experience in other provinces has shown that community paramedics can reduce emergency room visits and keep chronic patients in their homes longer, Lake said.

Bronwyn Barter, president of CUPE local 873 representing 3,900 ambulance paramedics, said the union and local politicians have been advocating for the approach since 2013. It allows paramedics to make a living in smaller communities.

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

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ALLEY CHO

The Invermere

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Education funding in B.C. DEAN MIDYETTE publisher@invermerevalleyecho.com

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2009 2009 WINNER

There has been a lot of discussion over the last month about education funding in British Columbia and whether our schools are being funded at an acceptable level. School districts across the province are once again tightening their belts resulting in program cancellations and school closures.This year in Rocky Mountain School District #6, trustees have decided to close the school in Field due to a decrease of enrolment. This will be the ninth school closure in our district since 2001. The school in Field would have

had one student next year. One of the major concerns voiced by school boards is that there are a significant number of costs being downloaded onto school boards. These costs include, but are not limited to, increases in Medical Services Premiums, BC Hydro rates, unfunded salary increments for employees moving up the salary grid, and an increase in payroll benefits such as EI, CPP, health/dental and pension plans. This year, due to the growth of the provincial Gross Domestic Product, teachers will be entitled to an Economic Stability Dividend of 0.45 per cent effective May 1st, estimated at $13.5 million for teachers and $4.85 million for

support staff for the 2016/17 school year.

It has yet to be determined if this “bonus” will be funded by government or whether school boards will have to cover it under existing funding parameters. A recent Conference Board of Canada report notes that education funding increases are currently capped at 0.6 per cent per year thru 2017, yet the Conference Board estimates that funding will need to increase by 2.7 per cent per year, or $1.6 billion between 2015 and 2017 to maintain “inflation-adjusted funding per student”. With next year being an election year, we can only wait to see if even more costs will be downloaded onto school boards.

OPINION Emergency Preparedness Fair set to go We are very lucky here in the Columbia Valley to have the RDEK Columbia Valley Emergency Program.

If a major emergency (such as forest fire, flood, hazardous materials spill or other catastrophe) occurs, the Emergency Program activates and, in a large scale event, an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be opened.

The EOC is the physical location where representatives come together during an emergency to co-ordinate response and recovery actions and resources, acting in a support role to emergency response personnel in the field.

The most important thing to understand about the RDEK Emergency Program is that it supports the agencies that are responding to an emergency.

For example, in a forest fire situation, the BC Wildfire Man-

agement Branch responds the RDEK is also the respondto the fire. The RDEK’s Emer- ing agency that is tasked with gency Program provides the dealing with the flooding. In a Wildfire Management Branch municipality, the municipalwith the additional support ity is responsible for the “rethey need gathering resourc- sponse” and the RDEK’s Emeres; co-ordinates evacuation gency Program would simply be there to proalerts or orders; Regional vide the support provides EmerUNDOWN function (outlined gency Social Serabove). vices; and proThis Saturday, vides information May 7th, the Coto evacuees, etc.

In the case of lumbia Valley flooding, the RDEK Emergency Prohas two distinct gram will be hostroles:Suppor t— ing an Emergency ERRY our Emergency Preparedness Fair Program activates from 10 a.m. to 4 (if required) to p.m. at the Windsupport the responding agen- ermere Fire Hall. cy like it would for any major Representatives from BC emergency (such as forest Ambulance, the RCMP, the fires as outlined in this arti- Fire Departments, Columbia cle).

Valley Search and Rescue, Response — as the local gov- BC Wildfire Service, Canadiernment for the rural areas, an Disaster Animal Response

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Team, Holistic Emergency Preparedness and the RDEK Emergency Program will all be participating and showcasing a wide range of rescue equipment.

There will be demonstrations, draw prizes, activities for the kids and fun for the whole family. There will also be information provided on how you can create your own personal emergency plan.

Emergency kits and pet first aid kits will be for sale, and if you’re hungry, there will be a barbecue fundraiser for Columbia Valley Search and Rescue.

Emergencies happen when we least expect them, and it’s important to be prepared.

Gerry Wilkie is the Regional District of East Kootenay director for Area G, and can be reached at gdwilkie@cyberlink. bc.ca.

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

LETTERS

LETTERS

Canada must restore First Nations’ dignity

B.C. private schools should not be publicly funded

Dear Editor:

ily moving gloriously forward together if problems facing First Nations people are not fully addressed?

Isn’t it time present provincial and federal governments work together to listen and heed what chiefs and elders are saying? Who know full well what’s lost and gone forever and what needs to be done today or near future: to ensure the pride, dignity and credibility of First Nations people, young and old, is restored among the multi-cultural and ethnic heritage that is Canada.

Sincerely,

It’s easy to think that this present generation cannot be held responsible for the sins and mistakes of forefathers: even though the aftermath of their actions have affected so many lives and still do, especially for people young and old, living on remote reserves with diminishing resources.

Isn’t Canadian credibility on the world stage undermined by third world conditions existant in parts of Canada?

We of European descent gained from First Nation people, losses that surely should be remembered and not forgotten.

How can Canada ever be a united fam-

MARGARET O’SULLIVAN INVERMERE

Dear Editor: With the latest revelations about the corruptness of the Liberal regime and the Vancouver School Board’s refusal to present a balanced budget, it is high time to revisit the funding of private schools by public tax dollars.

If parents wish their children to go to a private school, that’s fine. But by doing so, they give up their right to any funding from the public.

There is not enough money to properly fund the public school system.

How can this Liberal government possibly justify funding private schools?

Is it just a coincidence that the Premier’s child attends a private school?

On the salary she makes (plus the top ups from the Liberal party), her child should be receiving zero dollars from the general public.

Stop this nonsense which has been going on for more than 30 years — ever since Pat McGeer started it in the 1980s.

NORM FUNNELL EDGEWATER

OPINION

New reporter pitches more than news stories I’m Eric Elliott, the Off the newest reporter for The ECORD E COR CORD RD Echo and The Pioneer, and am as new to the valley as you can possibly get. Before arriving in late April, I’d never been West of Ontario in my entire life.

I am from a similarly rural area called Walkerton, located in mid-Western Ontario. If you’re thinking you may have heard of the town before, it’s likely because you have. Think 2000. It’s when Walkerton was known across North America for a tragic E-coli outbreak that took the lives of five locals and made thousands sick.

Thankfully, I wasn’t one of them. Following high school, I attended Carleton University in Ottawa and graduated this year with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism.

Unfortunately, growing up in Ontario, I’ve been plagued with cheering for the dreaded Toronto Maple Leafs where my loyalty still currently stands. Next year, Leafs nation will be celebrating our 50th

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anniversary of the last time we saw our team hoist the Stanley Cup. The way things look lately, it wouldn’t surprise me if it were many more years before the world sees that again.

I’m also into basically any other sport there is, especially baseball. I am RIC an avid Blue Jays fan deLLIOTT spite not actually seeing the Jose Bautista bat-flip last fall on live television. In my four years at Carleton, I also played baseball for the varsity team as a left-handed pitcher and have played ice hockey since I was old enough to stand up and walk on the ice. In my spare time, you’ll find me writing about the Blue Jays on a blog or recording my weekly podcast discussing news about the team.

This is all to say that if anyone wants to talk baseball, bash the Toronto Maple laughs or any sport rather, I’m more than willing to sit down and talk shop.

In a world that is completely new to me, I’m excited to learn about the

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history and culture of the Columbia Valley. Whether it’s out on one of the many gorgeous golf courses in the valley or at a local event, I look forward to

meeting as many people as I can.

Eric Elliott is a reporter for the Invermere Valley Echo and can be reached at eric@invermerevalleyecho.com.

RURAL HEALTH CARE from A6 Rhiannon Davis works as a paramedic in Tofino, one of the six pilot communities. She said the new role allows her to develop relationships with people in the area and understand their needs, preventing rather than waiting for emergencies.

Pilot programs are underway in Tofino, Ucluelet, Port Hardy and Cortes Island in the Island Health region, Fort St. James, Hazelton and Chetwynd in Northern Health and Creston and Princeton in the Interior Health region.

Communities to receive the service over the next year: • Island Health region: Alert Bay, Cortes Island, Denman Island (including Hornby Island), Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gold River, Mayne Island, Pender Island, Port Alice, Port Hardy, Port Renfrew, Port McNeil,

Quadra Island, Sayward, Sointula, Tahsis, Tofino, Ucluelet, Zeballos • Northern Health region: Atlin, Chetwynd, Dease Lake, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James, Granisle, Haida Gwaii, Hazelton, Houston, Hudson Hope, MacKenzie, McBride, Kitwanga, Southside, Stewart, Tumbler Ridge, Valemount, Wells • Interior Health region: Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Blue River, Clearwater, Clinton, Creston, Edgewood, Elkford, Field, Fruitvale, Gold Bridge, Golden, Greenwood, Kaslo. Keremeos. Lillooet, Logan Lake, Lumby, Lytton, Midway, Nakusp, New Denver, Princeton, Revelstoke, Riondel, Rossland, Salmo, Seton Portage, Sicamous, Sparwood, Winlaw • Vancouver Coastal region: Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Bowen Island, Madiera Park, Texada Island

QUESTION OF THE WEEK Would you purchase Canadian cheese knowing it contains diafiltered milk from the United States?

NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION Is Premier Christy Clark’s BC Liberal Party salary, which she has declared as P a ““car allowance” in the past, a conflict of iin interest?

INVERMEREVALLEYECHO.com com om

100%

No

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

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PINION

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The climate is always changing with the lowest seismic risk, until When I was growing up in the B.C. fires spring up again.

Peace country in the 1970s, IEWS Forests Minister Steve Thomold-timers used to say spring and son and the B.C. Wildfire Service fall last 10 minutes up there. are more circumspect. There’s no It happened again this spring, way to predict rainfall this sumwith a hot wind sweeping across mer, and thus no brave forecast the prairies to bring an abrupt about “another” bad forest fire end to winter. A rash of dry grass season. Professional staff emphafires spread into at least one sigsize that these northeast fires nificant forest fire north of Fort OM don’t predict anything.

St. John.

We’re coming off an El Nino Many B.C. residents don’t apwinter that has been punctuated preciate that the northeast corner is on the other side of the Rockies. It’s by claims of ever-rising temperatures. This a different place economically, geologically cyclical warm Pacific Ocean current swings next to La Nina, a cooling trend, but you and climatically.

You see sudden chinooks in winter, like the won’t hear much about that.

We’ve just seen Prime Minister Justin one that confused actor and climate alarmist Leonardo DiCaprio in Alberta. You see snow- Trudeau join other national leaders, jetting falls in August, dry spells, and temperatures to New York City to formally sign the meaningless greenhouse gas deal they agreed to plunging to –50.

Premier Christy Clark happened to be in in Paris last year. It compels them to keep on Fort St. John to speak at a rally calling for flying to meetings, and not much else. It dethe federal government to approve liquefied fies parody.

Yes, the climate is changing, as it always natural gas export projects, soon after the fires broke out. She immediately claimed this has. Yes, we’re in a period of gradual warmas proof that forest fire seasons are starting ing, although the rise is nowhere near what earlier every year, a human-caused disaster the UN’s climate models predict. that could be eased by selling gas to China to According to the environment ministry’s replace coal.

2015 “Indicators of Climate Change” report, Last year’s forest fire season started early, B.C.’s average temperature has increased and the now-familiar claims were made that about 1.5 degrees from 1900 to 2013, slightly it would be the worst, the hottest, etc. It also more in the north and less in the south. That’s ended early and was nowhere near the worst, one one hundredth of a degree per year. a point mentioned by nobody except me.

The B.C. report ritually attributes this to This spring’s early warm spell up north pe- human-generated carbon dioxide, the only tered out within days. Now the urban media factor the UN climate bureaucracy recognizcan return to fretting about undetectable es. And here lies a key problem for the global earthquakes in the region of the province warming industry.

V

T FLETCHER

Beaton Airport Road fire north of Fort St. John ignites timber after burning dry grass, April 23rd. It was the largest of five notable fires in the Peace region sparked by an early-season warm spell on the prairies.

B.C. WILDFIRE SERVICE PHOTO

More than 90 per cent of the greenhouse effect in the Earth’s atmosphere is from water vapour. Antarctic ice core analysis shows that over 400,000 years, increasing carbon dioxide has lagged centuries behind temperature increase. This suggests that rising temperatures lead to increased CO2, not the other way around.

Conventional climate wisdom is that B.C. will see more total rainfall as temperatures warm. This is a matter of significance to BC Hydro, which recently released its latest power supply and demand forecast.

I asked BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald at a recent briefing, what is the utility’s climate change factor in this forecast?

There isn’t one.

Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press.

Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca. Twitter: @tomfletcherbc.

COMMUNITY

May is Invasive Species Action Month INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL OF BC Submitted Preventing and stopping the spread of harmful invasive species in B.C. requires the involvement of all British Columbians, which is why the B.C. government and the Invasive Species Council of BC have declared the entire month of May as Invasive Species Action Month. By working together and being vigilant, we can stop invasive species from threatening B.C.’s environment, economy and society.

“We value our natural environment in British Columbia, which is why it’s more important now than ever to learn about how to prevent, detect and manage invasive species and take action together,” says Gail Wallin, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC). “We’ve taken some big steps to manage invasive threats this past year, and while we will celebrate these actions this month, it is crucial that British Columbians continue to take actions to stop invasive species from spreading in the water, in gardens and agriculture, through firewood, through sports equipment, and by keeping unwanted pets out of the wild.”

Damages and economic losses caused by aquatic and terrestrial invasive species

worldwide are estimated at more than $1.4 trillion — nearly five per cent of the global economy. Forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and the recreation and tourism industries are some of the most heavily impacted, with millions in lost revenue each year.

The cost of invasive species to Canada is between $16.6 billion and $34.5 billion per year. In British Columbia, just six invasive plants caused an estimated combined damage of at least $65 million in 2008. With further spread, impacts will more than double to $139 million by 2020.

To promote Invasive Species Action Month, British Columbians are invited to visit www.bcinvasivesmonth.com and to post to social media using the hashtag #bcinvasives to find information about how to prevent and stop the spread of invasive species in their gardens, parks and forests, through sporting and camping activities, in lakes, rivers and oceans, and in their cities, towns and across the province.

The website (a full calendar is available) includes links to events and activities being held by ISCBC, regional invasive species committees, local governments and stewardship organizations across B.C. And every workday during May, an invasive species will be featured as a SpeciesA-Day.

Friday, Mayy 6th Saturdday ay, Mayy 7th 7:30 pm at Christ Ch Church Trrinit innity ty

TICKETS AVAI AILABLE AT: • Meet on Higgher Ground roundd in Ra Radium m • The Purple Co Cow ow GGiift Shop in Fai Fairm irmonnt • Inspire Flor oral ral Boutique Ltd Ltd. td.. in Inver I erm r meere (llocateed inn the for formerr Boook Bar bbuild lding) ing)) TICKKKET PRIICCES: $10/adults $5/children TI (cash or cheque only)

A8 invermerevalleyecho.com

Water safety this summer BREANNE MASSEY breanne@invermerevalleyecho.com Canadians are being encouraged to stay safe while swimming this summer, according to the Canada Safety Council.

This year’s National Summer Safety Week, which runs between May 1st and 7th, stems from growing concerns about drownings, as there were roughly 308 preventable water-related deaths in Canada in 2014, according to the Lifesaving Society of Canada.

“Summer will soon be upon us.

It gives us the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors more regularly creating some good memories,” said Columbia Valley RCMP Non-Commissioned Officer in charge (NCO-ic) Grant Simpson.

“We do still need to be aware of some of the dangers that the hot and sunny weather summer brings with it. Awareness and education regarding outdoor, camping, boating, water, hot vehicle and road safety are paramount to ensuring that we enjoy a safe and memorable summer.”

Simpson added that many water-related fatalities can be prevented for frequent water users

or parents of young children by taking simple safety precautions such as wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) and being cautious about your surroundings.

According to the Canada Drowning Report 2015, based on incidents where PFD information was available, four out of five water-related fatalities due to boating could have been mitigated if the victim were wearing a lifejacket.

As a result, the use of a PFD is encouraged to ensure that swimmers are protected in the event of being caught under a strong current, losing track of their surroundings or being trapped under natural or recreational elements.

In addition, families with young children are being encouraged to practice extra caution, as supervision is critical to prevent accidents — a child can down in a few centimetres of water, which means bathtubs and buckets can be considered dangerous to some. It is important to enrol children in swimming lessons and to stay within an arm’s length of one’s children at all times when they’re in the water or near it.

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OMMUNITY

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

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Funds allocated to valley-wide marketing, affordable housing STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com The highlights from the Columbia Valley Advisory Commit-

tee’s two most recent meetings, one in April and one in January, have now been made public.

At the Tuesday, April 19th meeting, the committee, which

COUNCILBRIEFS

Canal Flats eyes Rural Dividend Grant BREANNE MASSEY breanne@invermerevalleyecho.com The Village of Canal Flats council accepted information from Gerri Brightwell and Garth Wiggles regarding the Rural Dividend Grant at its regular meeting on Monday, April 25th.

The BC Rural Dividend is accepting applications to assist rural communities with populations of 25,000 or less strengthen and support cultural, social and economic viability between April 4th and May 31st. The program will provide $25 million annually for three years starting in 2016 to help rural communities improve local economies by making each location an attractive place to live and work.

“We certainly did accept the information regarding the Rural Dividend and will be applying for their $10,000 planning grant to begin with,” said Ute Juras, Village of Canal Flats mayor. “If we are successful, this money will help us to make application for an identified project.”

The BC Rural Dividend was developed by the Rural Advisory Council with its mandate to advise the government on how to support rural communities across the province in the best possible way.

“In addition we have requested to be considered a Special Circumstance community,” said Juras. “This means that ‘Under special circumstances where an eligible community is facing significant economic downturn and the loss of the community’s key economic driver, funding support will be considered that will be determined on the basis of the community’s unique situation.’

We also understand that the Special Circumstance status would allow us to apply at any time. The program responded by telling us that they are still working out the details of this provision and will get back to us as soon as they do.”

For more information, visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/ employment-business/ economic-development/ developing-your-community/ community-partners/ruraladvisory-council/rural-dividend.

Financial bylaws move ahead The outlook of what the Village of Canal Flats can spend from their financial plan has been tentatively determined, according to Mayor Ute Juras.

Council unanimously accepted the decision to move forward with its proposed five-year financial plan (Bylaw No. 177, 2016) at the regular April 25th meeting where three readings were accepted after opening up the information for public review and discourse.

The financial plan encompasses the village’s proposed expenses, proposed transfers between funds, revenue taxation, fees and charges between 2016 and 2020.

“Council has been diligently deliberating these bylaws over the last few months to come up with a plan to minimize increases to our taxpayers always being cognisant of our circumstances since the fall of last year,” said Juras.

In addition, the Village of Canal Flats unanimously approved three readings for Bylaw No. 178, 2016 to raise property taxes by roughly five per cent for 2016.

It is anticipated both new bylaws will be adopted at the next council meeting.

is comprised mostly of members of the now-defunct Columbia Valley Directed Funds committee, discussed a report from Family Dynamix Association representative Michele Neider on the status of the association’s Columbia Valley Affordable Housing Development Plan. The presentation was an update, which the association is in the process of making to all local governments in the area, and outlines potential sites that are being looked at for the project, which is scheduled to be completed in January 2017.

Also at the April 19th committee meeting, Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director Susan Clovechok and Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training representative Gerri Brightwell gave a summarization presentation of the Columbia Valley Business Walk held last November, and outlined that a total of 121 businesses were visited in three communities (Invermere, Radium and Fairmont Hot Springs — another Business Walk was conducted in Canal Flats about a month later).

At the January 19th meeting, the committee designated $120,000 worth of funding for the third phase of the Columbia Valley Branding and Marketing initiative and $40,000 for the FamilyDynamix Association’s Affording Housing Development Plan.

The committee also heard a presentation for the Family Dynamix Association on early childhood education.

Of the $120,000 put toward the Columbia Branding and Marketing initiative, $86,824 was made available immediately to the initiative asit moves forward with the rest to follow.

“The $86,000 has been allocated to the (project’s) marketing research component.

The project is well underway. It should be completed in the next few months,” said Columbia Valley Advisory Committee chair Wendy Booth, adding, in terms of the project’s next steps, the research “will be used to develop the marketing plan that is set to begin in the fall and continue through the winter months.”

Booth said the Family Dynamix Association’s valley-wide affordable housing needs and assessment is also currently in process, and thata final report will likely come out in January 2017.

“Megan Fazackerley (from the Family Dynamix Association) attended the meeting and gave the group an update on the current state of early childhood education in the valley. It is noted that there is a lack of capacity and staff resources with many of the centres having a wait list,” added Booth, speaking about the presentation.

During the meeting, the committee elected Booth as chair, and Dee Conklin as vice chair, and discussed the need for two more members for the committee.

The committee meets four times a year.

Its next meeting is on July 19th.

2nd ANNUAL 2nd ANNUAL PREPAREDNESS FAIR EMERGENCY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FAIR

Are you Prepared?

FRE

E!

Saturday, May 7, 2016 10:00am - 4:00pm Windermere Fire Hall

FRE

E!

MEET THE FIRST RESPONDERS RCMP • AMBULANCE • ESS • FIRE DEPARTMENTS • HOLISTIC EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS • COLUMBIA VALLEY SEARCH & RESCUE • BC WILDFIRE SERVICE • CANADIAN DISASTER ANIMAL RESPONSE TEAM

Find out about the emergency plan for the Columbia Valley.

Get your plan in place.

FUN & GAMES

FOOD

GIVEAWAYS

Contact Sharon for more information at 250-347-9043

A10 invermerevalleyecho.com

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

STREET

What do you think about the premier’s $50,000 annual car allowance?

“My thought is that it’s way beyond what one might expect and it just seems like perhaps the idea of being up front about things doesn’t come that readily.

I don’t think it’s acceptable.”

“Car allowance? I don’t think that’s the right amount to spend on a car. That’s probably a lot.”

“It’s a vehicle allowance? $50, 000? I think that’s a bit much.”

Trish Murray

Doran Cain

Bob Campsall

EMEMBER WHEN? R A look back through The Valley Echo's archives over the last 50 years

50

years ago (1966): Residents of the Columbia Valley learned that the bid to host the 1972 Winter Olympics was unsuccessful. Then Chamber of Commerce president Claude Brewster had hopeful that Banff and Windermere Valley would collectively be able to pull off the event, bringing in thousands of tourists, but failed to grow enough support, with Sapporo, Japan eventually winning the bid.

40

MAY 2009 — Valley youth were flying high at a weekend Carnival, which saw hundreds of folk turn out for the festivities.

School students were the first to try out the amusement rides on Friday.

Echo File Photo

years ago (1976): The work of local artist John Schwartz continued to become popular in the local community despite him not being compensated for it. Schwartz’s work had been displayed at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort before two paintings disappeared in March with another three more being stolen in late April. Schwartz valued the five paintings, which represented scenery from around the valley, at over $1,000.

30

years ago (1986): Health Minister Jim Nielson and Columbia River MLA Jim Chabot announced the provincial approval to build a 25-bed hospital in Invermere. The $5 million project replaced the existing facility that was built 30 years prior, which was unable to meet the needs of the growing community. Chabot estimated that the project would take 31 years to be fully completed but was finished ahead of schedule in 2010 with further upgrades.

25

years ago (1991) A three-day National Conference on Youth and Drugs offered confidence to 13 Windermere Valley high school students to say no when offered alcohol or drugs throughout adolescence.

The conference instilled a confidence that, “we are not alone,” according to a Grade 10 student, discussing topics such as adolescent drug and alcohol abuse prevention and the subtleties of peer pressure when dealing with drugs and alcohol in youth.

20

years ago (1996): The girl’s team at David Thompson Secondary School proved to be quite successful in its rookie season under the guidance and coaching of David Salberg. In the two April tournaments the team played in, they maintained a record of one win, two losses and a tie.

The team was composed of 17 senior girls, mostly in Grade 10, and pushed to become a fixed sports team at David Thompson in the future.

10

years ago (2006): Artym Gallery helped the Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival celebrate their 10th year of existence with two paintings. Painter Alex Fong had previously commemorated the annual festival with a painting of a pair of great blue herons in 2004.

In 2006, Fong added two more paintings — one of a bald eagle clenching a salmon between its talons and another a rendition of 10 different species of birds found in the Columbia Valley.

By Eric Elliott

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

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Have an event you’d like listed? Email it to: production@ invermerevalleyecho. com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH • 8 a.m.: Radium Hot Springs Sunrise Rotary meets for breakfast every first and third Wednesday from April thru October at the Springs Golf Course.

Breakfast $10. Everyone welcome.

• 7 p.m.: The Wilmer Waterworks fourth album. $20 cover includes a service: low-cost birth control, and Improvement District AGM at the copy of album.

STI testing.

Wilmer Community Hall. All Wilmer WEDNESDAY MAY 18TH SUNDAY MAY 8TH residents are welcome to attend.

• 7 p.m.: Thirsty Thursday Trivia at • 5 p.m. to midnite: Mothers’ Day • 8 a.m.: Radium Hot Springs Sunrise Mountainside Grille. FHSR. Come Mayhem at the Hoodoo Grill in Rotary meets for breakfast every first play some family-friendly trivia, Fairmont.

Live music by newly and third Wednesday from April thru October at the Springs Golf Course. hosted by Quiz Master Matt Gillett. reformed Missing Peace.

Breakfast $10. Everyone welcome. $2 entry per person (winner take all).

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FRIDAY, MAY 6TH • 5 - 7 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre YCC Challenges program.

• 6:30 p.m.: Mexican Dinner at Branch 71 Legion in Invermere. $17.50.

• 11 a.m - 5 p.m.: Wings Over the Reservations Recommended. Call Rockies Lil’ Peeps Art Show at 250-342-9517. Meat Draw and 50/50.

Pynelogs. Show continues daily until • 7 p.m.: An evening of entertaining May 15th.

IMPROV at DTSS Theatre. Come

MONDAY, MAY 9TH

• 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of • 12 p.m.: 14th Annual Turn Copper Invermere meets every Wednesday into Gold Golf Tournament at at the Curling Rink.

Mountainside Golf Course, FHSR. • 2 p.m.: Genealogy Group at Columbia Shotgun start. Register at www. Gardens Coffee Room. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month. cvchamber.ca.

• Wings Over the Rockies runs May • 7 - 9 p.m.: Windermere Valley Rural 9th to 15th. Complete event schedule Range Resource Patrol AGM at Lions and online registration at www. Hall in Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. wingsovertherockies.org.

• 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of and watch the hilarious antics of TUESDAY MAY 10TH Invermere meets every Wednesday talented students in a number of improv games. Entry (and treats) • 1:30 p.m.: Carpet Bowling at Canal at the Curling Rink.

• 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere by donation as a fundraiser for an Flats Seniors Hall every Tuesday. senior’s hall, $2. Everyone welcome. upcoming theatre festival trip.

• 4 - 6 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre • 7 - 10 p.m.: Fresh Fridays Open Mic Cooking night. Join us for Free Food Every Wednesday & Friday.

• 5 - 7 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre at Pynelogs. Showcasing young talent and nutritional education. from the valley. All ages, licensed (SYC) YCC Challenges program. bar. First Friday of every month.

WEDNESDAY MAY 11TH • 6 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre games • 7:30 p.m.: SYC Karaoke night. and trivia night.

• 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of • 7 p.m.: Card night at Canal Flats • 7:30 p.m.: Christ Church Trinity Invermere meets every Wednesday hosts the Valley Voices Spring at the Curling Rink.

Seniors Hall every Wednesday.

Concert. Tickets available at Meet • 5 - 7 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre YCC on Higher Ground in Radium, Purple THURSDAY MAY 5TH Challenges program.

Cow Gift Shop in Fairmont, and • 4 - 6 p.m.: SYC Graphics Course.

Inspire Floral Boutique in Invermere THURSDAY MAY 12TH • 4 - 8 p.m.: SYC open gym. Come play (former Book Bar location). Tickets • 12 p.m.: Seniors Luncheon at sports with us. Everyone welcome. $10/adult and $5/children.

Branch 71 Legion in Invermere. $5.

• 5 - 6 p.m.: Wine Tasting, every SATURDAY MAY 7 TH Reservations Required. Please call Thursday night in the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Lobby. $15 or two for • 6 – 8 p.m.: Pooch Plunge: a doggy 250-342-9281 ext 1227. $25. Join the In-house Sommelier for pool party at Fairmont Hot Springs • 7 p.m.: The Truth About Cancer an informative and relaxing tasting Resort to raise money for GALS and Series, #8 Cannabis, Nature’s switches, Peptides of four BC wines.

ICAN. Entry $10 per dog. BBQ, prizes, Epigenetic & Healing with Micronutrient • 5:30 p.m.: Family Dynamix and treats and each pup gets a free Therapies. DTSS Theatre. Admission Kootenay Savings are hosting an RESP bandana. information event at the Invermere • 7 p.m.: SYC Movie night and free by optional donation.

Legion. Dinner and door prizes popcorn.

FRIDAY MAY 13TH provided by KSCU. Pre-registration • 7:30 p.m.: Christ Church Trinity to attend is mandatory. Please call • Opening day at Greywolf Golf hosts the Valley Voices Spring 250-342-5566 to register or for more Course.

Concert. Tickets available at Meet information.

• 6:30 p.m.: Baked Chicken Dinner on Higher Ground in Radium, Purple • 6:30 p.m.: Texas Hold Em’ at Branch 71 Legion in Invermere.

Cow Gift Shop in Fairmont, and Tournament at the Invermere Legion $17.50. Reservations recommended.

Inspire Floral Boutique in Invermere every Thursday. $35 buy in.

Call 250-342-9517. Meat Draw and (former Book Bar location). Tickets 50/50.

• 7 - 9 p.m.: A celebratory Wings $10/adult and $5/children.

Over the Rockies opening night at SATURDAY MAY 14TH • 7:30 p.m.: Killer Rollbots host the Pynelogs. Cash bar, glorious art and Deathbridge Derby Dames at Eddie • 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Spring Market at great conversations.

Mountain Memorial Arena, $10 entry, • 7 p.m.: The Truth About Cancer kids free. Live roller derby action and Branch 71 Legion in Invermere. $15/ Series, #7 Healing Cancer with Clean beer garden! After party at Safta’s table. Call 250-688-0640 to reserve.

Electricity, Unique Water,Natural Restaurant.

TUESDAY MAY 17TH Sunlight & Combining Superfoods.

• 8 p.m.: Pynelogs Cultural Centre • 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: OPT clinic at the DTSS Theatre. Admission by optional hosts John Jenkins, a Golden based Invermere Health Unit. 1st and 3rd donation. entertainer who will be releasing his Tuesday of each month. Confidential

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THURSDAY, MAY 19TH • 7 p.m.: The Truth About Cancer Series, #9 Cancer Conquerors & their powerful stories of Victory.

DTSS Theatre. Admission by optional donation.

• 7 p.m.: Thirsty Thursday Trivia at Mountainside Grille, FHSR. Come play some family-friendly trivia, hosted by Quiz Master Matt Gillett. $2 entry per person (winner take all).

HOURS INVERMERE LIBRARY • Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m • Wednesday: 10 a.m - 8 p.m.

• Thurs – Saturday: 10 a.m - 5p.m.

• Story Times: Thurs. 10:30 a.m.

Sat. 11 a.m.

RADIUM LIBRARY • Tuesday: 6 - 8 p.m.

• Wed - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1p.m.

WINDERMERE VALLEY MUSEUM • Tuesday: 12 - 4 p.m.

INVERMERE THRIFT STORE • Thurs - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

RADIUM THRIFT STORE • Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Fri - Saturday: 12 - 4 p.m.

SUMMIT YOUTH CENTRE • Tuesday: 5 - 9 p.m.

• Wednesday: 4 - 9 p.m.

• Thursday: 5 - 9 p.m.

• Fri - Saturday: 6 - 11 p.m.

FREE tutoring available and volunteer tutors needed. Contact the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy wvcoordinator@cbal.com

A12 invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

B

RAIN

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. Figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers named, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

S

GAME

CLUES ACROSS 1. Satisfaction 4. 18th Hebrew letter 9. Couches 14. Severe 15. Makes comic books 16. Grape 17. Handle perfectly 18. Home of J.R. 20. Everyone has these 22. Linen 23. He owned the Bucks 24. Supported 28. River in Guangdong 29. Exclamation of surprise 30. Nicholas II was one 31. Comic antihero 33. In the back of a mammal’s mouth 37. Joe is a famous one 38. Impressionist painter Italo 39. Send forth 41. They __ 42. Not down 43. Computer program I-__ 44. Nostrils 46. County in New Mexico 49. Letter of the Greek alphabet 50. Russian river 51. Sorts 55. A feeling (slang) 57. Type genus of the Elopidae 58. Ingesting 60. Paints small things 64. Trouble 65. Turn on its end 66. Story (archaic) 67. Negative 68. Manners 69. Hurts 70. IBM’s software group

13. Female sibling 19. Man-child 21. Tommy Dorsey’s trumpeter 24. Mesopotamian deity 25. Speech sound 26. Bore 27. Designer van Noten 31. Small flakes of soot 32. Insects 34. Genus of gulls 35. Indicates position 36. Fixes up 40. Homer’s bartender 41. Riding horses 45. Dismounted 47. Unlocks cans 48. Salty 52. These are for cars 53. Mentally quick and resourceful 54. Hemlock 56. Give qualities or abilities to 58. This (Spanish) 59. Chime 60. Uncommunicative 61. A stock sale 62. Leisure (slang) 63. Similar

Answers to last week

CLUES DOWN 1. Greek sophist 2. Diacritic mark 3. Tumors 4. Can’t play 5. Dabbling ducks 6. Dekaliter 7. The world of the dead 8. Greek Muse 9. Estate in Dickens 10. Wild cat 11. Menders 12. Comedienne Gasteyer

W eekend WEATHER FRIDAY

May 6

Chance of showers Temp: 21oC Low: 4oC

SATURDAYMay 7 Sunny Temp: 27oC Low: 6oC

SUNDAY

May 8

Sunny Temp: 25oC Low: 7oC

HOROSCOPES ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Things seem to be in high gear this week, Aries.

Others around you are just as boisterous, and it may even seem manic. Exercise a little extra patience to get through.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, do not ignore the inner voice that is trying to tell you to take life more seriously. It can’t be all fun and games. Buckle down at work and set a plan into action.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Restlessness can get the better of you this week, Sagittarius. Just don’t jet off on some spur-of-themoment trip to try to channel your energy. You have things to handle first.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you have been hiding something and it’s time you let your feelings out in the open this week.

Pay attention to how others react to the news.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Circumstances beyond your control will make work a little more stressful than you had anticipated, Virgo. Bide your time and soon the week will be over.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Finding yourself in the middle of a sticky situation has you trying to discover a solution to a complicated problem, Capricorn. You might need to distance yourself for a little while.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 If you crave adventure, Gemini, then it could be time to host a party or see if friends want to go out on the town. Staying home mulling over all of the options will get you nowhere.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, no matter how hard you try to get yourself heard, others just aren’t ready to listen. Perhaps you have to try a new approach to making your voice heard?

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 A disagreement with a friend or family member could turn your schedule upside down for a little bit, Aquarius. You’ll get back on track soon enough and resolve your issues.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 This week’s contradictory cosmic energy will not help you when making decisions, Cancer. It is entirely up to you and your gut instincts to make the right decisions.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you may find yourself in trouble this week because you keep on starting new things without finishing others. Pretty soon you will have a list of unfinished business.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, getting your finances in order will take more than balancing your checkbook. It might be time to make some cuts and follow a budget.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

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Al-Anon - Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking?

If so, please join us.

Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday at 7:15 PM and Thursday at 1:15 PM at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 - 12th Ave, (behind the Invermere hospital). For information, please call 250-342-8255 ALCOHOLICS Anonymous If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. Call 250-342-2424 for more information. All meetings are at 8 p.m. Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday groups - Columbia United AA at the BC Services building, south end, 625 4th Street Invermere. Radium Friendship Group: Friday, Catholic Church. All meetings are open with the exception of Tuesdays.

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CHURCH SERVICES DIRECTORY ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE 100 - 7th Ave., Invermere 250-426-7564 Pastor Rev. David Morton Worship Services Sundays 1:30 p.m.

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RADIUM CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER FELLOWSHIP DAY SAINTS #4 - 7553 Main Street W, ANGLICAN-UNITED 5014 Fairway, Radium Fairmont Hot Springs 250-342-6633 100-7th Ave., Invermere Confession: 1/2 hr. before Mass 250-341-5792 250-347-6334 250-342-6644 Canadian Martyrs Church Reverend Laura Hermakin President: Adam Pasowisty 712 - 12 Ave, Invermere Worship Service wvsm.ca Columbia Valley Branch Saturdays, 5 p.m.

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Worship Services Bible Studies Children and Youth Sunday School Sundays St. Joseph’s Church Wednesdays, 7 p.m. at 10:30 a.m at Christ Church 10 a.m.

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Hwy. 93-95, Radium Hot Trinity, Invermere Kids’ Church Springs 1st and 3rd Sunday, March - Dec. 9 Edgewater Hall Sundays, 11 a.m. a.m. at All Saint’s, Edgewater Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

St. Anthony’s Mission 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m.: June - Oct. at Loving God, Corner of Luck and Dunn, St.Peter’s Windermere Loving People Canal Flats Saturdays, 4:30 p.m.

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LAKE WINDERMERE VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY ALLIANCE CHURCH 4814 Hwy. Drive, 1 km north 326 - 10th Ave., Invermere of Windermere 250-342-9535 250-342-9511 Lead Pastor: Trevor Hagan Pastor: Murray Wittke Asso. Pastor: Matt Moore lakewindermerealliance.org valleychristianonline.com Sunday is Worship April 10rd10:30 a.m.

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A14 invermerevalleyecho.com Services Services

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Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

C

OMMUNITY

invermerevalleyecho.com A15

Hospice Society calls out for volunteers MARIA KLIAVKOFF Executive Director In the past two and a half years, since the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley began delivering End of Life Services, we have provided over 1,750 visits to clients of the Columbia Valley.

Our end of life visitors are a remarkable part of the extraordinary team that is Hospice.

The team includes those who have trained to be volunteer visitors for both our End of Life and our Bereavement programs. To become a visitor requires 21 hours of training in each discipline. It takes a very particular type of person to sit with those who have had a terminal illness diagnosis, or those who have lost a loved one and are feeling lost themselves now. The rewards of doing the work have no measure. As one of our volunteers says: “It is such a privilege and honour to be in the presence of someone who is going through a profound journey. We are there to offer comfort, support and understanding in this time of difficulty so that they do not feel alone.�

Given the loss that our valley has felt this past year, and what is being projected for the future, we know that there is an ever-increasing need for our services. To ensure that we can continue to serve end-of-life clients from the time of diagnosis and bereavement clients in their time of need, we need more volunteer visitors to come forward. We are currently accepting applications for our summer training programs.

Interviews begin in May. We will be training Bereavement Visitors in June, End of Life Visitors in July and Bereavement Facilitators (those who lead Walk and Talk Groups and assist with the Bereavement Support Groups) in August.

If you are interested, please contact the office for an application.

For those who would like to volunteer for Hospice in another way, please know that there is a place for you on our team. Whether you are interested in participating as a visitor, a Board Member, an Event Co-ordinator, a committee member on any one of our 12 committees or as a Hiker in our upcoming Hike for Hospice, we need every

SERVING THE

The Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley is seeking new volunteers to help deliver its community programming. The Society’s annual Butterfly Gala, which took place at Radium Resort on Saturday, April 30th, is the non-profit’s main fundraiser. Proceeds are raised through ticket sales, a silent auction and more.

PHOTO BY BREANNE MASSEY

member of our team to make our Society work. We look forward to hearing from you.

For more information please contact Maria Kliavkoff at ed@hospicesocietycv.com or 250-688-1143.

VALLEY

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And for all who are already members of our extraordinary team and give so generously of your time, talents and treasures, our deepest gratitude. What an honour it is to serve with you on Team Hospice.

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A16 invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The Valley Echo

the

2016 / 2017

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The 2016-2017 Valley Beat magazine will once again be featuring all the incredible events scheduled for our valley from May 2016 to May 2017. CirculaƟon this year will be 15,000 copies, up 5,000 copies from 2013 due to the popularity of the magazine.

quick reference) highlighƟng the valley’s biggest and brightest events.

Events throughout the valley and spanning all four seasons will be featured, with free event lisƟngs for all fundraising and non-proĮt events and for-proĮt events supported by paid adverƟsing.

In addiƟon to distribuƟng the Valley Beat through over 80 locaƟons between Spillimacheen and Canal Flats, we will also be distribuƟng 4,000 copies in the July 1st ediƟon of The Columbia Valley Pioneer. Be sure to book your ad space by April 15th, 2016!

FesƟvals, sports compeƟƟons, tournaments, galas and more come to life in this appealing and colorfully designed high quality maƩe publicaƟon, This year the magazine will begin distribuƟon prior which has quickly become one of the most talked to the May long weekend, adding even more value about magazines in the valley among visitors and residents alike. for our adverƟsing partners.

Like last year, there will be a centre page pull-out calendar (ideal for posƟng to a fridge or wall for DistribuƟon date is May 20th, 2016.

For ad bookings or addiƟonal informaƟon, please contact the Valley Echo’s ad representaƟves at:

250-341-5216 Angela Miller: columbiavalleymagazines@hotmail.com