tuesday
goodbyes
tom fletcher
so long to carmen biafore
august 2, 2016
windfall from new real estate tax
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Townsman
Kimbrook Crescent 3 Bed 2 Bath
$154,000
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Cranbrook
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Vol. 70, Issue 119
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Barry Coulter photo
Olympic rower Joy Ward Fera (left) takes to the water of Jim Smith Lake with Rockies Rowing Club member Kristen Wilson at a training session Saturday, July 30. Emily Sartorel and Sally Ruoss are pictured in the boat in the background. Opening ceremonies for the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are set for Friday, with Olympic Rowing events beginning Saturday.
Cranbrook Olympic alumnus joins Rockies’ rowers B a r ry Co u lt e r
On the eve of the XXXI Olympiad, which commences this week in Rio de Janeiro, it was fitting that Cranbrook’s Rockies Rowing Club got a visit from one of Cranbrook’s legendary rowers. Joy Ward Fera, who was on Canada’s first ever women’s Olympic rowing team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics,
joined the rowers Saturday morning for an extra training session at Jim Smith Lake. “I’m always excited to come back to Cranbrook,” Ward Fera said, “and see the progress with the kids here and touch base with Roberta Rodgers and others who’ve helped birth this club, wish the kids well — and get out rowing. My hands have grown
soft in the last month.” As well as an Olympic rower, Ward Fera was a medallist at the world champions (1978 and 1979). She’s a member of the Cranbrook Olympic rowing pantheon that includes Archie MacKinnon (1956, Melbourne) and Ben Rutledge (2004, Athens; 2008, Beijing). She always gets a charge when the Olym-
piad comes around, but this year has a special significance. One of her crewmates for many years, Tricia Smith, is now President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “She’s a fine, fine gal — she rowed in four Olympics, she’s an Olympic silver medallist, and a dear friend,” Ward Fera said. “And I’ve already circled my
calendar for 4 a.m., August 12, and 5 a.m. Pacific time Saturday, August 13 to cheer on Canadian crews in the finals. I’m really excited, wish I could be there.” The Rockies Rowing Club, which rows out at Jim Smith Lake, continues to grow. It’s comprised of more than a dozen rowers, two of whom took up the sport last year and are look-
ing to compete in the 2018 B.C. Summer Games. Rowing Canada has lent the club two singles boats and a quad (four-person boat) for the club’s fleet. Coach Roberta Rodgers says these are touring boats, designed for long distance and stability in the water, thus good for training and for lessons. Another quad has
Campfires allowed In city limits, within reason
F o r t h e To w n s m a n
There are currently no campfire bans in effect in the City of Cranbrook or through the Southeast Fire Centre. That was the message from Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services heading into the BC Day long weekend. Residents using campfires and other cooking fires need to be aware of a
number of things in order not to be a nuisance to your neighbours. A guideline is in place that limits the size of fire pits to 24 inches in diameter. The intent is to ensure that campfires are controllable and do not pose a threat from either radiant heat or flying embers to surrounding properties or other combustibles. An information notice,
respecting campfires within City limits is available on the City of Cranbrook website under ‘Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services’ at cranbrook.ca. Meantime, campfires located in the City and the smoke from some of these fires creates a significant number of complaints to Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services on a regular basis.
“People should be aware of the venting index – the ability of the atmosphere to disperse airborne pollutants like smoke,” says Scott Driver, Deputy Director of Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services. “When the weather is warmer neighbours in the immediate vicinity often have windows and doorways open. Often these types of issues are a result
of an oversight of the person or people using the campfire.” Those who use campfires or other outdoor fire pits are encouraged to monitor the venting index before using a campfire. You can access this information online at www.elp. gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/venting.html or by calling the Fire Hall at 250-4262325.
been purchased from the Vernon Rowing Club, with the help of a generous donation from the Regional Distict of East Kootenay. As well as competitive training, the Rockies Rowing Club offers a package of rowing lessons for recreation, for youth and adults. Contact Roberta Rodgers at rdmrodgers@cyberlink. bc.ca for more information. “Rowing can be started at any time in life — it’s a late entry sport, really,” Ward Fera said. “No one has to compete, they can just row for pleasure. And there’s a special bond with people who row, with rowing crews.” Opening ceremonies for the Rio Olympics are set for Friday, August 5. Rowing events, in which Canada is always a medal contender, begin Saturday, August 6.