Columbia Valley Pioneer, September 12, 2019

September 12, 2019 Vol. 16/Issue 37

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1 September 12, 2019

The Columbia Valley

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A mother bear (Anya, 6) snarls as she protects her cub (Raya, 6) at a messy tent site littered with smelly snacks during WildSafe’s Let’s Go Wild BC event in Radium on Saturday, September 7th, where guests learned bearsafety tips like keeping their campsites clean.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

September 12, 2019

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By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

ColumbiaValley Skating Club

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This year marks the 30th annual Columbia Valley Classics Car Show in Radium Hot Springs. That’s three decades of chrome-covered, paint-polished, decked out-detailed, righteous rides that have filled Radium’s greenways and roadways for car enthusiasts’ ideal weekend.

Car owners come from the Valley and across western Canada and into the United States. Canal Flats resident Sjac Pronk will be driving his 1968 Ford Falcon to the Radium car show. He has had the car for about seven years now, and been on the road for the last three or four.

“I’m not a car guy,” Mr. Pronk says. He has always been more of a truck guy, and definitely not a Ford guy.

But he ended up with a Ford car because of two people.

“A very good friend of mine who’s passed away now gave me the car. And my childhood friend from Kindergarten gave me an identical one for a parts car.”

These two friends both had dreams to restore their Ford Falcons, but neither were able to do it. By merging the best of both cars together, Mr. Pronk was able to not only rebuild one beautiful car, but fulfill two friends’ wishes at the same time. While the restoration process was “long, and expensive,” he said it was also a lot of fun. His wife and kids helped out and now, they have a car they drive every chance they get, including to multiple car shows a year.

“We would’ve gone to the odd local car show, like Radium or Kimberley,” before the Falcon, Mr. Pronk said. Now, they spend the whole day at the show, and have gotten to know other classic car owners that do the car show circuit as well.

“We’ve met so many people – it’s incredible. It’s kind of like its own world,” he said.

The fun begins Friday, September 20 with poker run registration at the Prestige Radium Hot Springs Resort, for $10 per hand. A special Market & Music on Main, with vendor booths lining the space around the visitor centre, runs from 4-8 p.m. Live music by Chisel Peak Blues Band will animate the market from 5:307:30 p.m. For further music options, the Blues Brothers Too will also perform throughout the weekend around town.

A 1968 Ford Falcon will be among the entrants at this year’s car show in Radium.

Submitted photo Saturday, September 21st, fill up on a pancake breakfast at the Radium Hot Springs Fire Department from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Fueled up? Now it’s time to mosey down to The Springs Course Driving Range, where rows and rows of magnificent motorcars and trippedout trucks will be on display, often with their adoring owners nearby ready to answer questions (or keep tiny tots’ hands from leaving a mark on just-polished surfaces).

After you spend time wandering the aisles at the car show, head over to the vendor booths for a little shopping. After all the car viewing and market shopping, you’ll definitely be hungry again. Vendor coordinator Christy Arrowsmith jokes it should be called the Car and Food Show, with ample food vendors offering everything from perogies to crepes, Indian tacos to dumplings, bannock, burgers, fries, ribs, Italian, corn dogs, mini donuts, coffee and more.

Market & Music on Main runs again Saturday afternoon. From 1:30-3:30 p.m., enjoy the Music on Main with Heather Gemmell.

At 4 p.m. there is a Classic Cruise to Invermere and back to Radium. The evening wraps up with a Show & Shine Dance, hosted by the Radium Hot Springs Rotary Club at the Radium Hot Springs Centre (all are invited to buy tickets to attend the Show & Shine dance, not just car show entrants).

At only $25 to register, it is affordable and inclusive for vehicle owners, with all makes of cars and trucks welcome. Car show registration runs from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, September 20th at the Radium Hot Springs Centre (4865 Stanley St.). For details, visit www.radiumcarshow.com.

Now welcoming new patients!

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September 12, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

VALLEY NEWS

Public servants to serve elsewhere

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com The District of Invermere (DOI) and the Invermere Public Library are preparing to lose their top staffers with a high-profile family of public servants moving on.

Chris Prosser is resigning from his position as the DOI’s chief administrative officer and is taking over the top bureaucratic position for the town of High River, Alberta. His last day with DOI will be Friday, November 1st.

Meanwhile his partner, Nicole Pawlak, also gave her notice at the library where she has been serving as its director.

While she hopes to work in literacy and community development in High Submitted family photo.

River, her only formal plans at the moment are enrolling their daughter Meighan in her new school for Grade 12.

Councillor Greg Anderson, who is a library board director, has worked closely with both Mr. Prosser and Ms. Pawlak.

“There’s no question Invermere and many other Valley residents are going to miss the passion and high level of competence they have each brought to their day jobs. That said, it’s really important to note that they’ve also actively contributed as volunteers with their kids as they grew up in Invermere; they truly care about the community.

People leave communities all the time, which is always disappointing, but when people such as Chris and Nicole leave who are ‘community builders,’ it’s definitely more impactful. No question, they are both leaving legacies they can be proud of,” he said.

For Ms. Pawlak, that legacy includes nine years with the library.

“Without a doubt, Nicole’s leadership role as the library director was pivotal in the successful relocation of the library from its old location to the new facility in the

Columbia Valley Centre,” Mr. Anderson said. “The move was a huge undertaking, and Nicole and the library staff working with her pulled together and have created a fabulous new public space that everyone can be proud of.”

For Mr. Prosser, his contributions include 19 years with the DOI. “Council and staff have worked well together and we have done some great things,” Mr. Prosser said. “From securing and protecting a longterm water supply for the community, to building the new community centre and library, to the improvements at Pothole Park, Cenotaph Park and Kinsmen Beach and the growing events-and-leisureservices programming, we have been doing things that are strategic and make sense for the community.”

Mayor Al Miller wished Mr. Prosser well as he leaves to invest himself in his new community.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Chris,” he said. “He was always very responsive and polite and he knew his stuff. He was very good with government matters.”

The council of High River said in a press release that their decision to hire Mr. Prosser was unanimous.

Mayor Craig Snodgrass said: “Council and I are very pleased with the experience and skills Mr. Prosser brings to the position, and we look forward to welcoming him to our community.”

Mayor Miller said he knows Mr. Prosser is “going to a bigger operation, a bigger budget and more people to deal with, so as he carries on in his career it’s certainly, I would think, a bigger responsibility there.”

Mr. Prosser said the challenges he expects to face in his new role are dealing with a larger community (with a population of 14,000) and a staff of 200 people. He is eager to be involved as the community moves forward and continues to develop in the wake of the 2013 floods.

While the family is looking forward to their move, Ms. Pawlak said they expect to be frequent Valley visitors.

“I’ve enjoyed being so connected to our community and everyone who lives here.

It is a unique place where the people you work with or provide services to are also the people who have kids in your child’s classroom or on their sports team. There is an incredible sense of community here and I feel so fortunate that our three children grew up here and that our family was able to call this place home for so long,” she said.

Bar security system raises alarms for patron

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

A recent addition to Copper City Saloon had one customer concerned enough that she reached out to the Pioneer to investigate. However, the bar manager asserts the addition enhances the safety and security at the bar.

Leah Shoemaker went to Copper City this August with some friends. Her ID was checked at the door; she later realized it had been scanned and saved in a system called PatronScan.

“PatronScan security was used on my license without asking me for verbal consent. I was asked to show ID and I thought nothing of it. It was only later I found out what the door person was doing with my ID,” said Ms. Shoemaker. “A small sign is not OK and it is not consent. Patrons should be informed of this type of security monitoring so they can make an educated decision whether they want their personal information scanned, all in order to enter a bar.”

Under B.C.’s Personal Information Protection Act, an establishment does need to inform a patron of the reason they are scanning ID before they can scan. However, that consent can be verbal or in writing.

Najee Beckford, bar manager at Copper City, walked the Pioneer through the system and the bar’s reasons for implementing it. He pointed out the multiple signs stating that customers show two pieces of ID, and the notice posted at the PatronScan system with details on the system.

Copper City typically starts using PatronScan later in the evening when the bar gets busier. An employee snaps a photo of each patron and matches it to their ID, which is scanned and saved for 24 hours.

PatronScan will pop up with a red flag if a patron has had problems at any establishment that uses that system. For example, Mr. Beckford explains, if a patron had gotten into a bar fight elsewhere, that bar would have the person’s ID flagged, citing the reasons why. The security personnel at Copper City can then decide whether they want to allow that person into the bar or not. The scanner is supposed to be able to detect fake IDs as well.

Ms. Shoemaker emphasized she does not think Copper City is trying to use the system for any purpose other than keeping patrons safe.

“However, this security system has the potential to truly target specific populations, especially if it becomes more common in Canada,” she said. “There are too Continued on page 26 . . .

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

September 12, 2019

SECURITY • • • •

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Submitted by Sgt. Darren Kakuno Detachment Commander Columbia Valley RCMP This past week, September 2nd through September 8th, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 69 calls for service. The following are some of the more notable files our officers responded to.

• On Monday, September 2nd at 5:45 p.m., a Columbia Valley officer was conducting speed enforcement on Highway 93/95 in Radium Hot Springs when he clocked a black pickup traveling 140 km/h in a 90 km/h speed zone. The driver was issued a violation ticket for Excessive Speed and Failing to Display ‘N’ Sign. The vehicle was impounded for seven days.

• On Tuesday, September 3rd at about 1 a.m., police received a report of a Jeep Liberty driving erratically on Capilo Way in Invermere. Police attended the area and located the Jeep pulled off to the side of the road. The officer entered into a care and control investigation after smelling a strong odour of liquor coming from the driver.

Parent & T t Connect

The driver submitted to a roadside breath test and blew a fail. The driver was issued a 90day immediate roadside driving prohibition and his vehicle was impounded.

• On Thursday, September 5th, police were alerted to a suspicious red Ford pickup parked in an alley behind Main Street in Radium Hot Springs. Police attended and located an adult male sitting in the driver’s seat of the pickup. While speaking to the driver, officers observed what they suspected to be stolen copper wire in the box of the pickup.

The driver was arrested for possession of stolen property and released on conditions. The investigation is ongoing.

• On Friday, September 6th at 11:45 a.m., a Columbia Valley officer conducted a traffic stop with a white Ford Explorer on Borden Street in Invermere. The officer discovered the driver was prohibited from driving and had an odour of liquor on her breath. The driver submitted to a breath test which resulted in a “warn”. As a result, the driver was issued a three-day Immediate Roadside Driving Prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for three days. She was also served an Appearance Notice to attend court at a later date for driving while prohibited.

(Drop-in program – under 6 years old)

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• Story time • Healthy Snacks • Games • Free play • Ktunaxa Culture Kits • Arts & Crafts

Kids have fun with the mock campsite set up by BC WildSafe coordinators for a fun and educational afternoon outside the Radium library last Saturday, Sept. 7th.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

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September 12, 2019

Pleading ignorance no excuse for breaking the law

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com Pleading ignorance is no excuse when it comes to illegal activity in protected areas.

This message comes from the Conservation Officer Service (COS) in the Columbia Valley, according to CO Greg Kruger, who says while there have always been issues in restricted areas, it seems to be getting worse.

“It seems to be getting bigger as we get more pressure on our landscape with different activities and offroad vehicle use,” he says.

COS sees evidence of an increase in illegal use with rising public complaints, proactive patrols of known areas of concern, and impacts on the landscape left by vehicles.

One particular area with rising concerns is west of Radium Hot Springs off the Red Rock Forest Road called the Radium lookouts. It’s a popular camping area but receives “continual abuse on this sensitive ecosystem,” he explains. The area is part of the Columbia Wetlands Wildlife Management Area, a protected zone with restricted activities. You are allowed to camp, bike and hike, but not drive your vehicle into the area. The Province put up barricades, including ditches and boulders.

However, drivers breach the barriers by moving the boulders or finding spots where they can drive through, right past signage marking the motor vehicle ban.

Over the Labour Day weekend, COS conducted a patrol in the Red Rock area and fined four motor vehicles. Officers ticketed the drivers each $230 under the Wildlife Act for illegal vehicle use in a wildlife management area.

COS has also found evidence of people throwing garbage over the banks into the wetlands, including tires and entire vehicles.

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Photos courtesy Conservation Officer Service “This is a great area for multi-use, all kinds of different recreation, but please be aware these areas are closed for very specific reasons, for wildlife management as well as habitat protection,” says CO Kruger.

If you are unsure about restricted access, check out the Provincial government’s Kootenay Access Maps, or drop into the Service BC building and see if a conservation officer is available.

If you spot illegal activity in protected areas, call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

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Gates with stairs

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com Accessibility advocate Tanelle Bolt wondered why gates at Kootenay National Park have stairs built into them, so the Pioneer metaphorically hopped the fence to find out.

The four climb-up gates along 15 kilometres of wildlife fencing on Highway 93 South aren’t intended as public accesses and don’t lead to any maintained trails, said Lee Smith, an acting visitor experience manager with Parks Canada.

Instead the gates are for staff access and monitor-

ing purposes and are built to swing open at ground level in the winter when the snow covers the stairs.

“It’s meant to both keep the animals out (of the highway area) if the gate was ever left open for any reason, but mainly the stairs are there for our winter research,” he said.

The majority of the park’s wildlife monitoring takes place in the winter when footprints in the snow make it easier to track where animals are going and what they do when they come across the fence.

“Accessibility for the visitor is always at the top of our minds,” he said. “Anywhere that is intended for visitor access, we consider accessibility.”

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6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

PERSPECTIVE

September 12, 2019

Historical Lens

Young adults in B.C. need a financial break Black Press

It’s so hard for young people to get ahead in British Columbia.

So much financial hardship is stacked up against them, straight out of the gate.

Once they’ve finished high school, those pursuing a career requiring post-secondary education must contend with withering tuition.

A visit to the mailbox will reveal happy birthday letters, prior to them turning 19, congratulating them that because they’ve become adults they now get to shoulder the responsibility of paying MSP, and higher banking fees.

Making enough money to cover rent, of course, is but a pipe dream for so many and their inability to afford rent keeps so many of them in their parents’ nest.

As of Sept. 1, young drivers are faced with the added burden of crippling insurance premiums thanks to ICBC’s new regime of changes.

For many young people, the price of their yearly insurance is more costly now than the car they drive, even without collision coverage.

This is ostensibly for lack of experience, but it ignores the fact that many young people are conscientious, safe drivers.

Many middle-aged people, conversely, are terrors on the road but their premiums are based on their personal behaviour, not their demographic.

The Human Rights Code of B.C. intends to protect citizens against discrimination on the basis of age.

Too many young people in this province, setting out to begin their independent journey in life, are like salmon constantly smacked back downstream by waterfalls of government and corporate-made financial obstacles.

Of course, having rich parents helps some young people get by with little stress.

But what relief does the average young person have against the onslaught of fees and costs that assail them once they achieve the so-called age of majority in this province?

Have an opinion?

Email your letter to the editor to lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Piping to war Jimmie Scott piping some of the boys on their way to war (1915).

Photo (A1107) courtesey Windermere District Historical Society

Single use plastics apocalypse of our time Dear Editor: I am writing this letter to oppose building a water bottling plant on the Columbia River in Canal Flats, B.C. Mr. Belanger and Ms. Ward would like to harvest the crystal-clear water on the Columbia River’s aquifer and sell it in single use plastic bottles.

Numerous studies, including those done by the World Health Organization and McGill University, have shown that microplastics in bottled water present an immediate threat to the environment and public health. Microplastics come from the plastic cap and bottle itself. They are therefore present in the water and are airborne. Once the water is bottled in plastic it will be polluted by microplastics that end up in our environment, including the crystal-clear waters of the Columbia River. From there we are free to ingest the now contaminated water either in bottles or freely flowing from the source. There are many studies currently underway that have determined that microplastics, which are harmful to our health,

don’t disappear, we leave them to our children. Why on earth would we allow them to be introduced at the mouth of the Columbia River?

The article in the Columbia Valley Pioneer states that the aquifer is not in danger of being depleted because it’s replenished by rain, snow and runoff.

Not only does climate change make it impossible to know what the precipitation of the future looks like I wonder who their consultant was. I’d also like to know what, if any, thought has been given to the possibility of it being sold once it’s established. I’m sure Coca-Cola, Nestle or other such mega-corporations with very poor environmental and social policies would be interested.

Single use plastics are the apocalypse of our time and I’m am amazed that council would even consider allowing this to go forward. Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna, while at the international conference of the world’s oceans in Cancun said, “We are looking at a zero-plastics-waste charter.” Cities, towns and Continued on page 7 . . .

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

Pioneer

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Robert W. Doull, President and Publisher, Misko Publishing Limited Partnership.

Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-0312 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

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Associate Publisher/ Sales Manager

Lorene Keitch Editor

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Office Administrator/ Sales

The Columbia Valley Pioneer is available free of charge at more than 137 locations in the Upper Columbia Valley, limited to one copy per reader. We are funded solely through the support of our advertisers. We are published every Thursday. The Columbia Valley Pioneer may be distributed only by its authorized contractors and employees. No person may, without the prior written consent of The Pioneer or its Publisher, take more than one copy of each issue of The Pioneer. The content is protected by copyright. Reproduction by any means is prohibited except with the permission of the Publisher.

September 12, 2019

LETTERS

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

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Funds from the Friends At their AGM on September 4th, Friends of Invermere Public Library presented a cheque to the library representing the funds raised by the Friends in the 2018-2019 fiscal year. All funds raised support library programs and services. Pictured are Friends’ members Donna Forsyth, Pat Conway and Lynda Tutty, Library Manager Nicole Pawlak, and Library Board Chair Daneve McAffer.

The Friends of the Library will hold a Christmas Silent Auction in the Library November 2-9th. A mini-book sale, “Twas the Book Sale Before Christmas is December 6th and 7th in the mezzanine adjacent to the library.

Submitted photo

Come see Eddy English at Cranbrook KIA today!

I’m happy to be back in the Columbia Valley/Kootenays and looking forward to re-connecting with a lot of previous customers and friends.

KIA offers a great product in new SUVs and cars but we can also find you any make or model you might be looking for in the pre-owned vehicle market. We have access to over 14 lenders and we will fight to get you the vehicle you want with the financing you deserve!

Call or Text – 250-464-0865

Em-bear-assing mistake Dear Editor: It appears I made quite a stir with a plea to remove traps of any kind and avoid killing or injuring our bears (letter to the editor Sept. 5th). To be clear, witnessing the little bear with a limp made me cringe at the future this bear was limited to. As indicated in the initial letter, the cause for the injury was an assumption, on my part, based on what appeared to be a severed limb. Many articles of animal abuse have moved me to speak out: horses, cows being shot from the highway, dogs chained and beaten, dogs being dragged in the back of a vehicle, or a bear being baited and speared on YouTube. We are all familiar with one story or another that . . . ‘Single use’ from 6 municipalities all over the world are banning the sale of bottled water because they recognize the catastrophic damage it causes. Representatives from the Syilx Okanagan, Ktunaxa and Secwepemc peoples, British Columbia and Canadian governments signed a letter of agreement in Castlegar to restore the salmon populations in the upper Columbia. This is a three-year commitment from all parties. How will polluting our pristine river with microplastics fit with that vision?

We, as consumers, can adopt be-

has evoked our connection to our wildlife.

There is no doubt I am a city boy, hoping to be forgiven by my new neighbours for my sensitive and caring nature. Apparently this bear had been attacked from a male bear, and is apparently doing well with three legs. So I’d like to offer an apology for offending the responsible trapper, or unintentionally misleading the readers to a crisis of traps in our forests.

I would however, like to thank the conservation service for investigating my concern and my neighbours and readers for their compassion and understanding.

Leonard Goulet Fairmont Hot Springs

Tee-Times call 250-347-6500 Or Email: golf@spurvalley.com #SpurValley

haviors to reduce plastic. We must however act as larger groups to ensure we can reduce microplastic pollution in every aspect of our environment.

Here is an opportunity for residents of the Columbia Valley to protect future generations, wildlife, wetlands, the health of the river and consequently marine environments.

Please, let’s not embarrass ourselves on the world stage by allowing The Source of the Columbia Beverages, in Canal Flats B.C. to move forward.

Patti Meadows Edgewater

$20 for 9 holes

Tuesday/Wednesdays!

$24 Twilight

After 3PM (no long weekends)

Burger and a beer $18 Mondays!

Kids Golf Free Sundays!

Have something to say? Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to news@columbiavalleypioneer.com

8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

WATER METER READS The District of Invermere will be reading water meters over the next couple of weeks; this sometimes requires access to your property.

If you have an older water meter and would like to participate in our meter exchange program, please call the number below.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Municipal Office at 250-342-9281.

RECREATIONAL BATON TWIRLING PROGRAM Offering a 10-week introduction to this safe, affordable and fun activity for children 6 years and older.

REGISTRATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH INVERMERE COMMUNITY CENTRE 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Classes begin Thursday, September 26th at the Community Centre.

BATONS AVAILABLE FOR SALE – $50 PER PARTICIPANT For more info, please call or text Karen Gratton, 250-270-0142

Bereavement Support Group The Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley is offering a FREE Bereavement Support Group facilitated by Daneve McAffer and Richard Muir, starting Monday, September 23rd, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm located at the Hospice Society office.

The support group will follow a 12-week curriculum designed by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, founder of the Center for Loss and Life Transition. There is no charge for the group. People who are interested in registering must contact the Hospice Office at 778-526-5143 on or before September 20th, 2019.

If you or someone you know is having a difficult time with the grieving process, please give the Hospice a call. Symptoms of Grief include: Shock, numbness, denial, fear, panic, sadness and depression, amongst others. If you are experiencing symptoms of grief, we can help.

www.hospicesocietycv.com

September 12, 2019

Seven Kootenay-Columbia federal election candidates

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Last weekend’s Liberal party candidate announcement brings the Kootenay-Columbia federal riding up to a full contingent of candidates vying for your vote this October. Cranbrook-based business woman Robin Goldsbury was announced in a news release sent out last weekend.

“Rural is relevant! We are relevant! Together we have the creative, collaborative and workable solutions for sustainable rural vitality. What’s needed is the enthusiasm and the smarts to grab the government’s attention and get the work done,” she said in a news release.

Incumbent MP Wayne Stetski is running again. He was nominated by Kootenay-Columbia NDP members back in November.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to represent the NDP for another election and to keep fighting alongside NDP leader Jagmeet Singh for people who keep getting squeezed, while the richest people and richest corporations come out ahead. I hope to earn the trust of the people of Kootenay-Columbia once again so I can keep working hard for them and make sure they get what they need from their government,” said Mr. Stetski in his press release.

The Conservative flag will be waved by Rob Morrison, who won the nomination last October in a closely-watched race against two local candidates: Dale Shudra (councillor in Radium Hot Springs) and Wendy Booth (former Area F director).

“We want to take action, we want results but we don’t want to promise everything; we just want to get out there and represent our people with our concerns here. I think that’s what resonated with everyone and, as a result, I think that’s where the support came from,” said Mr.

Morrison following the nomination.

Nelson’s Abra Brynne won the Green party’s nomination over Fernie’s Kerri Wall in July.

“I want to bring something positive to the voters of the riding because everyone I am talking to is tired of divisive us-and-them politics and I think it is vitally important that we work together to address the critical needs that are in front of us,” said Ms. Brynne.

A new party to this election, the People’s Party of Canada, has a candidate in the riding named Rick Stewart. The People’s Party of Canada is a conservative-leaning party created by former Conservative Party minister Maxime Bernier.

“I want the PPC to split the Conservative and NDP vote and come right up the middle in this riding. If it doesn’t happen, fair enough. But I don’t see either one of the three outcomes, apart from a PPC win, which is what I think our country and the people in this riding need right now, is a win by PPC,” said Mr. Stewart.

Two fringe candidates are running: Trev Miller is running for the Animal Protection Party, while Terry Tiessen is representing the Libertarian Party.

The Kootenay-Columbia Riding encompasses the Columbia Valley, south to Cranbrook and Fernie, west to Creston, Salmo and Nelson, and north to Golden, and Revelstoke.Mr. Stetski took 37.2 per cent of the votes in the 2015 federal election, followed closely by David Wilks for the Conservative party of Canada at 36.2 per cent of the votes. The Liberal Party came in a distant third with 19.5 per cent of the votes, and the Green Party gathered 6.5 per cent of the overall ballots.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was expected to ask Gov. Gen. Julie Payette to dissolve Parlimanent, formally kicking off the election campaign, Wednesday, Sept 11th (after the Pioneer’s press time).

With files from Trevor Crawley / Bill Metcalfe

Resident coordinating political forums

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com Columbia Valley resident Iris Meehan would like to gather residents together to discuss the political landscape in light of the upcoming federal election.

Ms. Meehan is calling her group CHOICE ID: Citizens Hosting Open Individual Conversations Engaging In Democracy. She is looking to gather fellow Valley residents together and is in the early stages of planning some forums, she states. Her goal, she says, is to have “peaceful, polite chats” about the state of the nation.

Having come from Alberta seven years ago to live in the Valley full-time, Ms. Meehan stays abreast of the political climate in the Prairies. She says she sees anger in the Prairies, and fears B.C. could be isolated from the rest of Canada if Alberta or Saskatchewan takes action on threats of leaving Canada. She says in her experience, there has not been such anger in Canada for a long time.

“I have a sick feeling the next couple months will have a lot of hatred, a lot of anger,” she speculates.

Ms. Meehan is looking for “informed citizens” to gather in a think tank, as well as to help educate voters that mark their ballots based on superficial reasons like a nice smile or a good haircut.

“I don’t think they’re engaged seriously. We need to think seriously about the democracy in our nation,” says Ms. Meehan. “I’m hoping to start engaging people in conversation.”

While Ms. Meehan would like to foster open dialogue, she says she is also committed to removing the Liberals as the governing party.

“We need to get Trudeau out; Trudeau must go,” she says. “This is a good time for us to remake Canada’s democracy.”

If you are interested in being involved, Ms. Meehan can be reached at irisorisia@icloud.com, or by calling 250-409-4811.

Do you currently use the Columbia Valley transit service?

Or would you use it, if the service met your needs?

Take the Columbia Valley Transit Survey to help us improve the transit service in our community!

Go to www.cvchamber.ca to take the survey

September 12, Thursday, November October 201926,2,2017 2017

Page The Columbia !PUBNAME! Valley Pioneer ••12 9

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

MUSIC • VISUAL ARTS • DINING • BAR SCENE • ENTERTAINMENT • PERFORMANCE ARTS

Starting ABCs and 123s

Buildsmart

PAGE 17 Women’s hockey

Emma was one of the new recruits to the school system, launching into her first day of Kindergarten on Wednesday, September 4th. She said she’s excited for school and “just having fun with my fr iends.”

PAGE 18

Photo by Dauna Ditson

What’s Happening Your weekly guide to what’s happening around the Columbia Valley PAGE 11

Announcing the 2019-20

Love It Live Series columbiavalleyarts.com

Pynelogs Cultural Centre, art gallery & Cafe allium Hours: Call for more info at 250.342.4423

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

September 12, 2019

Invermere’s Wildsight branch turns 30

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com Cam Gillies was still in high school when he first started volunteering on the board of what is now the Wildsight branch of Invermere. After pursuing his PhD in biology, he later returned to the Valley and the board as a bird expert.

Volunteering with Wildsight in his youth “was very much a broadening experience,” he said, adding that learning about conservation was “very informative and formative for me as a high school student.”

One of the first projects he was involved with was clearing abandoned cars out of the Wilmer Wetlands.

“People had been ghost driving their cars off the cliff and into the Wilmer Wetlands,” he said. “They’d been pushing their cars... into the Wilmer Wetlands for decades, and there were a lot of tires and car bodies.”

There was also the potential for batteries and fuel to leach out and further pollute the wetlands, which are a national wildlife area.

He said the reclamation work was necessary to protect birds that land in the wetlands and to set a better example for others.

“It was important to remove the garbage that was in there so that people would stop adding more,” Mr. Gillies said.

Wildsight Invermere leapt into a variety of issues over the years (see the sidebar for a listing) from getting their hands dirty on a range of projects to bringing in a host of speakers and films.

“We have a vision to work on a broad range of issues and that’s been the theme through the 30 years. We’ve worked across many issues to just raise concerns about environmental conservation and to move the conversation forward,” he said. “Wildsight is doing some great work. We have lots of opportunities to do some exciting things.”

Potluck party Wildsight Invermere will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a potluck taking place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the CPR Lodge on Sunday, September 15th. Cake and beverages will be provided.

Everyone is welcome. In addition to bringing a dish to share, guests will need to bring their own plates and utensils.

For more information, visit www.invermere@wildsight.ca.

Under New Ownership

Wildsight’s efforts over the years have included a variety of projects.

Three decades of accomplishments for Wildsight Invermere Submitted by Wildsight Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve accomplished over the years: • In the late 1980s, we established a recycling depot in Invermere.

• In 1997, we organized a cleanup in the Wilmer wetlands that removed over 300 abandoned vehicles; in 2010, we also removed over 200 tires.

• In 2005, we started the Lake Windermere Project that ran for five years as a water stewardship program. It’s now run by the Lake Windermere Ambassadors.

• In 2009, we played a key role in forming the Pesticide Free Columbia Basin network that received the Circle of Distinction Award from the Canadian Cancer Society.

• In 2012, we organized Finding Balance, a community forum that discussed the links between conservation, economics and well-being.

• In 2012, we initiated the Columbia Valley Rec-

Photos courtesy Pat Morrow

reation Advisory Council in an effort to bring all backcountry user groups together; in 2019, we are still part of the group, now supported by our local and provincial governments, that is working towards the creation of a Columbia Valley Recreation Access Management Plan.

• From 2012-2016, we worked on the Lake Enid Restoration Project – which included trail rehabilitation, grassland restoration, construction of a boardwalk over sensitive habitat, nature walks and installation of interpretive signs.

• From 2014-2019, our Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival brings our community together through film, food, drink, conversation and a silent auction.

• In 2019, we bought an electric car and started SPARK, our electric car share program.

• Our other past and ongoing community events are the Annual Ursus & Us Bear Awareness Day, Wild Ideas Cafes, and Wild Nature Tours.

• And of course, our local Wildsight community has been the grit and sinew for more than 25 years in the struggle to keep the Jumbo Valley wild. For that, we are so proud and grateful.

DJ NAJEE V

• Playing all major sport games including NBA Playoff Games and all NHL Playoff Games on our brand new TVs • Live Entertainment every Friday and Saturday

Open daily – 11 am - 2 am

• Kitchen open daily Mon – Sat, 11 am -11 pm.

Sunday, 11 am- 9:30 pm.

1310 7th Avenue, Invermere • Friday & Saturday Pizza and 250-341-3344 • coppercitysaloon.com Appetizers til Midnight.

SEPTEMBER 13TH, 9 P.M. Monday

Tuesday

Wing Night & Karaoke w/Blondie

$2.50 Tacos & $5 Mojitos

SEPTEMBER 14TH Wednesday 30% Off Pizzas

Thursday

Open Mic w Jodie Cliff

September 12, 2019

WHAT’S HAPPENING

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

Buying or selling?

in the Columbia Valley

Submissions must be received by the Monday prior to publication. We may only run an entry for two weeks prior to the event. Please limit your submission to 30 words. Priority is given to one-off events. Call 250-341-6299 or e-mail us at info@columbiavalleypioneer.com to enter your event in our FREE listings.

Ongoing Events Thursdays • 9:30-11:30 am.: Parent and Tot program, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Spider Park behind the Invermere and District Hospital until September 26th.

• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Pickleball at Pineridge Courts.

• 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Groundswell Community Greenhouse and Gardens. Offering weekly you-pick. Fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers available seasonally. Every Tuesday and Thursday.

• 10:30 a.m.: Stretch and Move Classes for Seniors at Invermere Seniors Hall. Cost $2.

• 1:30 p.m.: Floor curling at Invermere Seniors Hall. $2.

• 2 p.m.: Seniors’ Tea at the Invermere Library, 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. Need a ride? Contact the library at 250-342-6416.

• 6 - 8 p.m.: Columbia Valley Youth Network at the Canal Flats Civic Centre. See Facebook page for details.

• 6 - 8 p.m.: Columbia Valley Youth Network at the Radium gym every second Thursday. See Facebook page for details.

• 6:30 p.m.: Texas Hold Em’ Tournament at the Invermere Legion every Thursday. $35 buy in.

• 7 p.m.: Horseback Archery Club at Luxor Corrals in Spur Valley every Thursday. Contact 250-347-9048 for details.

• 7:30 p.m.: Rod & Gun Club meet the 3rd Thursday of each month at Invermere Legion.

• 9 p.m.: Karaoke at Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery every Thursday.

Fridays • Invermere Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the 3rd Friday of each month. For info, call Leanne Brooks at 250341-5683.

• 9 - 10 a.m: Pickleball Classes at the Columbia Lake Recreation Centre.

• 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2.

• 5 - 8 p.m.: Climbing wall at JA Laird open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Drop in, $5.

• 6 p.m.: Columbia Valley Car Club meets at Rocky River Grill. 2nd Friday of the month. Dinner 6 p.m., meeting starts 7 p.m. For info, call Vicki 250-342-1257.

• 6 p.m.: Meat Draw and 50/50 at Branch 71 Legion in Invermere. Every Friday and Saturday.

Saturdays • 10 a.m. - 12 noon: Pickleball at Pineridge Courts. Everyone is welcome!

• 10 p.m.: Karaoke at Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery, Saturday evenings from 10 p.m. on, all summer.

• DJ every Saturday night at Copper City Saloon.

Sundays • 1:30 p.m.: Seniors carpet bowling at the Radium Hot Springs Centre.

• 10 - 2 p.m.: Sunday Market at Shasta Wellness Studio, located behind laundromat in Invermere.

• 10 - 2 p.m.: Fairmont Farmers’ Market.

Mondays • 10 a.m.: Senior Singalong Group meets every Monday at Columbia Garden Village.

• 10-12pm.: Baby Goose at the Invermere Library for caregivers and babies 0-24 months. Sept 16-Dec 2 (excluding Oct 14 & Nov 11) • 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Indoor Walking at the Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere. Every Monday and Wednesday.

All ages. Indoor shoes required.

• 10:30 a.m.: Seniors Fitness at Invermere Seniors Hall. Cost $2.

• 1:30 p.m.: Carpet Bowling at Invermere Seniors Hall.

• 7 p.m.: Fairmont and District Lions Club meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at the Lions Den.

• 7 p.m.: Lake Windermere Lions Club meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at the Lions Hall.

• 7 - 9 p.m.: Live music every Monday at the Horsethief Creek Pub and Eatery in Radium Hot Springs.

Tuesdays • 9:30 - 12 p.m.: Pickleball at Pineridge Courts, every Tuesday.

The first ½ hr is for lessons – rest open play. Everyone welcome!

• 10 - 3 p.m.: Groundswell Community Greenhouse and Gardens. Offering weekly you-pick. Fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers available seasonally.

• 1:30 p.m.: Games afternoon at Invermere Seniors Hall.

• 6:30 p.m.: Seniors’ card games at the Radium Hot Springs Centre.

• 7:30 p.m.: Columbia Lodge No. 38 Freemasons meeting, 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1301 7th Ave. in Invermere.

• 10 p.m.: Karaoke at the Farside Pub in Fairmont.

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Cell: 250•341•1395 Toll Free: 1•888•258•9911

A taste of Italy in Invermere

Wednesdays • 8 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Radium Hot Springs meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Don Agave Cantina in the Prestige Inn. • 9:30-11:30 am.: Parent and Tot program to be held Wednesdays and Thursdays at Spider Park behind the Invermere and District Hospital until September 26th.

• 10 a.m.: Breastfeeding Mommas support group meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Invermere Library.

• 10 a.m - 1 p.m.: Indoor walking at the Columbia Valley Centre.

• 10:30 a.m.: Chair Yoga at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2.

• 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Invermere meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Rocky River Grill/Kanata Inn. • 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Happy Hands Knitting and Crocheting group meetings every Wednesday at Columbia Garden Village.

• 2 p.m.: Genealogy Group at Columbia Gardens Coffee Room.

Every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

• 6 - 8 p.m.: Columbia Valley Youth Network meets at the Riverside Clubhouse in Fairmont every second Wednesday. Visit their Facebook page for details.

• 7 p.m.: Play Cribbage at Invermere Seniors Hall, every Wednesday.

• Musical bingo every Wednesday evening at Ullr Bar.

250-688-3344

460 Sarah Road, Invermere ~ By The Canadian Tire Store View our menu online at…

pizzeriamercato.com

NOW OPEN

• Poutine • Burgers • Fries • Dogs • Rings

Hwy 93/95 & Black Forest Trail

POUTINEQUEEN.CA

Upcoming Events Friday, September 13 • 2-3 p.m.: STEAM Afternoon, with lots of Ozobot Play!

K-Gr. 3.

• The Artym Gallery hosts the Plein Air event & exhibition with Andrew Kiss, Branko Marjanovic, Neil Patterson, and Neil Swanson thru September 20th.

Saturday, September 14 • 1:30 p.m.: 6th Annual Golf Tournament, Copper Point Golf Club - Ridge Course. Register at Copper Point Golf Cub. Register for the Rockies Golf Tournament 250-341-3392 ext 1.

Sunday, September 15 • 9 – 11:30 a.m.: The 39th TERRY FOX Run, JA Laird School.

Run, walk, bike, blade whatever distance you wish. Non competitive, family oriented event, NO registration fee, donation to the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer Research of you wish.

• 6-8 p.m.: Wildsight Invermere’s 30th anniversary at the CPR Lodge. We’re celebrating with a potluck. Bring something to share plus your own plates and cutlery. We provide the cake!

Everyone welcome. info: wildsight.ca/events

Wednesday, September 18 • 3:30-4:30 p.m..: STEAM , with lots of Ozobot Play! Gr. 4-7 • 6-7:30 p.m.: Exploring Canada’s Past Part 1 at the Invermere Library. Please call the library to register, 250-342-6416.

NOTICE

As of last Monday, September 9th, the Eagle Ranch Clubhouse adjusted our hours of operation to reflect seasonal volumes.

The Clubhouse will be open from 11 am to 9 pm Wednesday to Sunday serving our all day menu with daily dinner features.

We will be closed for Private Functions on the following Saturdays: September 14, 28 and October 5 We are sorry for any inconvenience.

There’s a reason they’re called “CLASSY”. Pioneer Classifieds…

N E W S PA P E R

Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-0312 • info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

September 12, 2019

Resource, Development & Advocacy

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The annual general meeting of Family Dynamix Association will be held on

Wednesday, September 18, 6:15 pm Veterans Hall, Invermere Legion All members, as well as the general public, are welcome to attend.

For further information, contact Pat Cope, Executive Director, at 250-342-5566.

Attendees gather at last year’s Salmon Festival, including Shuswap Chief Barb Cote and Akisq’nuk Chief Alfred Joseph.

Celebrating salmon

PH: Scott Brown

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Via Ferrata Live Life On The Edge Bring a friend and receive

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Try another exhilarating route!

• Ascension Route (approx. 3 hours) • Discovery Route (approx. 2 hours) • Pioneer Route (approx. 1 hour) Redeem coupon at Guest Services desk.Valid until end of 2019 Summer Season.

Non-transferable, coupon has no cash value and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.

For details or to book: 1.866.SKI.KICK | KickingHorseResort.com

Spotlighting...

Branko Marjanovic, Neil Patterson & Neil Swanson Saturday, September 14th – 20th

“Edith Cavell Close Up” by Branko Marjanovic

View full show online at artymgallery.com 250-342-7566 ~ info@artymgallery.com

You’re invited to celebrate the salmon that once swam the currents of the Columbia River during the Shuswap Indian Band’s ninth annual Columbia Salmon Festival on Saturday, September 14th.

“They were abundant to the point that we could almost walk across the river on their backs,” said Suzie Thomas, the band’s community engagement coordinator.

“It was a part of us, and is a part of us, and we don’t want to forget that.”

Everyone is welcome for the day of celebrations.

A canoe brigade will arrive at James Chabot beach around 3:30 p.m. after an elder does a water ceremony “praying for the salmon and thanking them for feeding us and for their return one day,” she said.

The incoming canoe brigade will be welcomed ashore by hand drummers, guests and those gathered to witness their arrival.

Then celebrators will move uphill, with storytelling, a magic show, a salmon dinner and an evening powwow taking place in the Shuswap field beside No Frills.

With 80 years going by since the last salmon swam past, Ms. Thomas said: “At this year’s Salmon Fest, we are very lucky to actually have salmon.”

The salmon are courtesy of the Okanagan Nation, which donated its fish for the Shuswap feast.

“We’re asking for a coin collection donation so we can contribute back to their band,” Ms. Thomas said.

“We will have beautiful salmon filet, a bed of rice and veggies and fry bread.”

In addition to taking in the cultural celebration and enjoying the salmon and traditions, guests will be invited to participate in the day of ceremonies by making a tobacco tie to imbue with their hopes for the salmon or the river or a message for Mother Nature. Ms. Thomas said the Shuswap Indian Band will later deliver those messages to the Creator on the guests’ behalf.

“Come and celebrate,” she said.

Making a splash for B.C. and World Rivers Day

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com BC and World Rivers Day on Sunday, September 22nd is intended “to bring general awareness to the rivers that support our towns and a lot of our water supply,” said Shannon McGinty, program coordinator for the Lake Windermere Ambassadors (LWA).

“The Columbia River has a huge value and importance to our community because it really is one of the huge economic drivers in our community. It forms Lake Windermere, which is a large reason why people live here and why people choose to vacation and recreate here.”

While the lake stayed within healthy parameters for the year, Ms. McGinty has concerns with fertilizers and nutrients that leached into the water in previous years.

“This river continues on for thousands of kilometres all the way down to the Pacific Ocean, so anything we do here at the source is going to stay with the river,” she said. “We’re not doing awful, and there’s always room for improvement.”

There’s also room for more appreciation, she said, adding that she hopes residents learn about our water during the international and provincial day for rivers.

Paddling with pals LWA and Wildsight Invermere invite paddlers to join them for a trip down the Columbia River.

The paddle will take place on Sunday, September 22nd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Paddlers will meet at Columbia River Paddle in Invermere and splash their way to Radium.

The expedition is free for those who have their own vessels and can arrange their transportation, or, for $20, they and their kayaks can get a lift back to Columbia River Paddle.

Those who would like to rent canoes, kayaks and standup paddles for the journey can do so for $50, which includes a shuttle back to the starting point.

While the shuttle and rentals are provided by Columbia River Paddle and are available at a discount, registration is through the LWA at info@lakeambassadors.ca or 250-341-6898.

Lunch, water, weather-appropriate clothing and life jackets are recommended.

Artifishal film screening Also in honour of BC and World Rivers Day, the LWA and Wildsight will be hosting a free-by-donation movie night.

They will be showing Artifishal on Sunday, September 22nd at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Valley Centre. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m..

Artifishal is about “rivers all over the world and the cost of fish farms,” Ms. McGinty said. It’s also about wild fish and wild salmon.

September 12, 2019

Not so golden to have goldfish in lake Watershed Wanderings

By Shannon McGinty

Lake Windermere Ambassadors

BC Rivers Day is just around the corner. As you may or may not know, Lake Windermere is a part of the larger Columbia River. The headwaters are just south of here in Canal Flats, and the emptying point is in Astoria, Oregon. With this in mind, it is extremely important for us to take good care of Lake Windermere. Any impact we have on it at the source will carry down the Columbia River. One of the key areas for a detrimental impact is invasive species. You are probably familiar with Zebra or Quagga mussels, or a variety of invasive plants like Eurasian Milfoil, but did you know some of your household pets can be classified as invasive as well?

A popular household pet or garden pond dweller is the Carassius auratus, also known as the common goldfish. Goldfish make for great pets, they are a good introduction to the responsibility of owning a pet, but they wreak havoc on North American Lakes when introduced.

Goldfish are a form of domesticated carp that originated in China, brought to North America in the 1850s.

Similar to other invasive species, goldfish have no natural predators in our lakes, and have been found to only be limited by their environment, allowing them to grow up to 13 inches in size. Goldfish are an omnivorous bottom feeding fish. This is a cause for concern. In addition to out competing native fish species for food, they will also stir up the sediment and increase the turbidity of a lake.

As is the story with many invasive species, once the population has become established eradicating it proves to be a difficult task. The two current methods of removing goldfish are sorting or poisoning. The sorting method requires a team to go in with electro-fishing equipment, send an electric current through the water that stuns all of the fish, and then selectively removing the goldfish.

The alternative, poisoning, add the natural pesticide, Rotenone, to the lake which kills all fish species present.

Neither method is ideal, one is very financially and time consumptive, while the other damages the entire ecosystem.

There is however a third option, and that is prevention. If we work together to prevent the introduction of Goldfish and other invasive species to Lake Windermere, and all other water bodies, we can prevent these damaging impacts. Prevention comes in many forms, including cleaning, draining, and drying all water based equipment (including boats, and waders), not introducing potentially invasive species to foreign habitats, and by staying informed on threats to your local water bodies!

Feel free to contribute to this conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @LakeAmbassadors.

Shannon McGinty, Program Coordinator for the Lake Windermere Ambassadors. Email her at info@lakeambassadors.ca or call the office at (250) 341-6898.

Forever Young Seniors Expo

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

Scholarships for College/University Students Pursuing Careers in Health Related Fields The Invermere Health Care Auxiliary is pleased to announce that it will be awarding Scholarships to students entering a second or subsequent year of a Health Care Program at a recognized post-secondary institution.

Preference will be given to students who have attended David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere, BC, and who have volunteered at the Invermere and District Hospital, Columbia House or other health-related institutions Applications will be received until October 31, 2019.

For an application please email invermerethriftstore@gmail.com All other inquiries please contact: Irene Hahn at bnihahn@shaw.ca or Seona Helmer at seona@shaw.ca.

DISTRICT DISTRICT OF OF INVERMERE INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

NOTICE

of Watermain Flushing The municipality will be flushing its community water system for the next 6 weeks. This program, carried out twice yearly, is necessary to maintain the quality of our water supply. There may be some short interruptions in the water service and temporary discoloration of water as a result of the sediment and organic materials that are being flushed from the water mains. During this period, disinfection by chlorination will be continued. To assist the Public Works Department during the flushing operation, users are advised that if they are experiencing persistent discoloration or odour problems with the water, to immediately notify the Municipal Office and explain the nature of the problem.

The District apologizes for any inconveniences caused by this operation. For further information, please telephone the municipal office at 250-342-9281.

Sat Sept 28, 2019 10am-4pm

PRESTIGE ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESORT CRANBROOK, BC Great Topics Including: Medical Travel Wills & Estates Health & Wellness Financial Planning & More!

40+ exhibitors featuring lifestyle and services!

Aging Well in the Kootenays

$5 Admission at the door!

Annual General Meeting YOU’RE INVITED Come meet our Board and ask questions about our work in the Basin.

Friday, September 20 at 4 p.m.

Ramada by Wyndham Creston 1809 BC-3A #1, Creston, BC

keynote speaker

Margaret Easton, Gerontologist What is “Aging Successfully”???

Shuttle service provided by

ourtrust.org 1.800.505.8998

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

September 12, 2019

Back to school for grown-ups

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

INVITATION TO TENDER

JANITORIAL SERVICES INVERMERE CAMPUS Tenders clearly marked ‘Janitorial Service - Invermere Campus’ in sealed envelopes accepted until 1:00 pm (MST) September 19, 2019 at the office of: Allan Knibbs, Director of Facilities, 2700 College Way Cranbrook, BC V1C 5L7 | Box 8500 Phone 250-489-8227

cotr.ca

Getting Kids Active Together Learn and network with other coaches, recreation leaders, educators and parents at one of three Basin PLAYS in Action events.

Valemount - Oct 5 & 6 Castlegar - Oct 19 & 20 Cranbrook - Oct 26 & 27

A PROGRAM OF

ourtrust.org/plays

Children and youth aren’t the only ones sharpening their pencils and heading back to school this fall. With the Mountain Hub Academy launching courses for entrepreneurs and the College of the Rockies (COTR) releasing a new set of continuing education classes, grownups can also get back to putting their brains to the test.

“You should never ever stop learning in any capacity, no matter how old you get. People always have the ability to learn more, whether it is a little bit more on the academic side of it or it’s learning new hobbies that are fun,” said Michelle Taylor, acting COTR campus manager.

Compared to learning through Google or YouTube, she said showing up in person to learn something new is also a way to connect with others and form friendships with like-minded people.

Matchmaking students with classes Michele Wall, program coordinator for the campus, is the COTR matchmaker who connects students with the teachers and topics that spark their interests.

“You get to know people and then you ask what their passion is and then you ask if they would share it with the community. Everything here is all relationship driven. And then we listen to what people tell us of what they would like to see and we take that really seriously,” she said.

A quarter of the fall continuing education classes are new this year, and she’s excited about all the opportunities for those who want to keep their brains growing.

“I think that by learning, you keep engaged and active and interested and curious for knowledge, and that knowledge gives you purpose,” she said. “We need that in this world in order to grow old and be happy.”

This fall students can learn how to make cream puffs and eclairs, speak Spanish or operate a chainsaw. They can take a course on how to grow cannabis indoors or try woodworking or beading. There’s a buffet of cooking classes from Indian to Italian to holiday sweets.

Students can also learn self defence or mindful leadership or how to make their own plant medicine, lotions and potions.

The campus is offering two free financial literacy courses. One is for parents to teach their kids about money and the other is a course for female entrepreneurs.

Not understanding personal finances “seems to be a growing social problem,” Ms. Wall said, adding that she’s pleased to see programming directly addressing needs in

the community.

To check out all the fall programming, which also includes business and computer classes, a speaker series, First Aid training and more, visit www.cotr.bc.ca/invermere/ or check out COTR’s new program guide.

Ms. Wall has only one request: please pre-register so she can let the instructors know that the classes will proceed.

“The Valley community is always last minute,” she said. “If you’re interested, sign up so that we can run the program.”

Education for entrepreneurs Megan Adams, a serial entrepreneur who started the Mountain Hub a year ago, is launching Mountain Hub Academy this fall to help small-business owners climb to new heights.

“It’s for the small business owner that is running a business that they love, that is their passion, who feels like they have some blind spots and need some extra support and they don’t know where to turn to get that support and they don’t have the money to hire an advisor,” she said.

“It’s important for businesses to go back to school because the learning never stops when you run a business, and when you’re in this continual evolution you’re always needing to learn new skills, new tools and new knowledge to support that business.”

It’s common for entrepreneurs to get caught up in triage or self doubt and lose sight of the big picture, she said.

“How do you build confidence, how do you feel supported, how do you feel empowered in running a business or taking a next step? It’s getting together in a group of like-minded people and working through the problems that you have together. It’s moving that small business owner from feeling really isolated and not knowing where to go to get this information to feeling really empowered and confident,” she said.

This fall Mountain Hub Academy is offering small, medium and big bites of knowledge on five business topics: getting set up online; website development; social media marketing; email marketing; and accounting for small businesses.

“It is a classroom environment, but I think there’s going to be a lot of masterminding, a lot of brainstorming, a lot of networking that inherently goes on when you put people together,” she said. “We’re creating a space for that collaboration.”

Continued on page 15 . . .

September 12, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

School Bus Smarts With school back in session, School District 6 would like to remind people to be smart around school buses this year: • When following a bus, expect that it may stop on the highway.

• When the stop sign is out and red

Mountain Hub is offering classes this fall.

Submitted photo

. . . ‘Back’ from 14 For a taster, the Mountain Hub is offering Lunch and Learn classes on each of the subjects. Those wanting to wade a little deeper can sign up for the introductory courses. And those keen on jumping right in can take the intensive courses as one-offs or register for the Small Business Booster program to take them all.

“We have instructors teaching the classes that are really phenomenal, that are experts in their industry,” she said.

“They’re all small business owners that are just as passionate as I am about supporting small business owners.”

Ms. Adams cares more about entrepreneurs getting the knowledge and solutions they need than she does about their tuition, which – for non-members – ranges from $20 for a Lunch and Learn to

$895 for the full Small Business Booster.

“A lot of times the price tag is a little bit scary for people, and I totally understand that... I’ve been that person. I’ve been a small business owner for over 10 years in various different businesses. Money has been a limiting factor for me when I was first starting out, and it doesn’t feel very good,” she said. “I really want people to know that if they feel they can’t afford to take these classes to reach out and we can make it work.”

Options include looking into available grants, setting up a payment plan or contributing volunteer hours.

“I guarantee you if they take this class, they’ll be able to afford it next time or pay it forward,” she said.

For more information, go to www. mountainhub.ca/academy or email Ms. Adams at megan@mountainhub.ca.

We want to thank our customers!

Customer Appreciation and Tool Event All Day Friday, September 13th Tool event – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

BBQ and Refreshments.

Door prizes, come check our special tool specials.

-15% $ 99

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lights are flashing, all vehicles must stop from behind and oncoming and remain stopped until red lights and sign and turned off.

• Fines for breaking this law are $368 currently and likely to increase this year.

20399

20” SINGLE ROW LED BAR • SAE Approved Driving beam • 5000K • 4050 Lumens TRC 819-1060

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85-PIECE MECHANIC’S TOOLSET STY STMT71651

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Napacanada.com

Kindergarten students with giant backpacks lined up for their first ever day of school at Eileen Madson Primary School on Wednesday, September 4th.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC

Come over and visit this beautiful garden.

Today we can proudly say that phase 2 is complete! A lot of effort and time has been put into it. We extend our sincere appreciation to our donors and sponsors, without whom this would not be possible.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN

59

$

Kinder kids

Helicopter Ball Drop Winners

1. Terry Efford – Wakeboard Lesson 2. Shannon Churchill Smith – Pickleball Paddles and Lesson 3. Joyce Leibel - 1 year Supply Kicking Horse Coffee 4. Kathy Ellingworth – Rocky River Food Certificate 5. Martin Janzen – Station Pub Food Certificate 6. Cline Beilesberger – Huckleberry’s Certificate 7. Gary Ruault – Home hardware Yeti Cooler 8. Tammy Cultrera – Invermere Soaring Centre 1 hour gliding 9. Cameron Berry – Windermere Valley Golf 10. John Ricard – Gordon Webster Glass Sculpture 11. Pat Frier – Handcrafted Wooden Log bench

Phase 3 is coming Next Spring! There's still a lot to do and our fundraising efforts are up and running.

Learn more at: www.cohogarden.org

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

September 12, 2019

Doug Clovechok, MLA Wants to hear from you Monday, September 16th, 2019 11:30 am to 3 pm

Halgrave Colours by Neil Patterson

Fall glory at Artym

Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (Boardroom) 651 Hwy 93/95, Invermere To ensure you are given time with Doug, please RSVP by September 12th.

Call Rachel toll-free at 1-844-432-2300

Submitted by Artym Fall is an awesome time of year. It’s as if summer takes a second to just stop and relax before winter arrives with all its baggage of storms, shovels, and chilly temperatures.

Fall is about just laying back, warm nights, no bugs, no jam-packed sidewalks, a chance to watch the colours of nature change.

The Artym Gallery is taking a moment to reflect on the busy summer too. And they want to share it with you. This year it’s with painters Neil Swanson, Branko Marjanovic, and Neil Patterson. Originally intended to be the annual Plein Air show, the event is now hosted at the gallery, and will feature fall in all its glory. Each artist will, through their own unique style and colour palette, show us the calm and beauty of fall.

Make sure to stop in the Artym Gallery and see the works of these three phenomenal landscape artists.

The spotlight begins Saturday, September 14th from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and will continue until September 20th. All works can be viewed online at artymgallery.com.

Presents…

Dinner

Friday, September 27th

Buffet Dinner and a Beer Two dinner seatings: 5:30 p.m. (children welcome) and 8 p.m. (ages 19+ only)

Adults $45 Children $20

Family-style

long tables

(Inclusive of tax and gratuities)

Call to reserve! Limited seats available!

Come dressed up!

Visit our Resort website for detailed information and pricing.

Located at Copper Point Resort, 760 Cooper Road

250-341-4000 • copperpointresort.com

THE PIONEER Get your FREE copy every Thursday on newsstands near you!

Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund Request for Proposals The Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) and Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) are seeking proposals for projects that will benefit conservation in the area from Spillimacheen to Canal Flats utilizing the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF).

The purpose of the Fund is to provide local financial support for important projects that will contribute to the conservation of our valuable natural areas. CVLCF funding is available for conservation projects that result in the reduction to a known threat to biodiversity. The themes for the Fund are water conservation, wildlife and habitat conservation, and open space conservation.

Projects that are technically sound and effective, and provide value for money through partnerships with other funders will have priority. Proponents must be a registered not-for-profit organization, First Nations band, or local government. Unqualified groups or organizations may partner with a qualified organization. A Technical Review Committee will review project proposals and make recommendations to the RDEK for final funding approval.

To apply for funding go to www.kootenayconservation.ca/cvlcf. Review the Terms of Reference paying particular attention to Section 8 – Fund Design and then apply using the application form provided.

Closing dates for project submissions is 4:30 pm MT, November 1, 2019.

Project proposals must be delivered by email to info@kootenayconservation.ca.

September 12, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

Building above B.C. energy regulations

By Lorene Keitch Lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com The BC Building Code is changing and, with it, local builders are learning how to keep up with the new requirements.

The Community Energy Association (CEA) coordinated a meeting of industry representatives in the Valley to discuss the changes coming to the BC building codes and show how a local builder is keeping ahead of the curve with their innovative building methods.

“For the last few years, we’ve been bringing workshops and doing capacity building with local governments to teach them about this upcoming policy change called the BC Energy StepCode,” said Gaëtane Carignan, CEA community energy manager. “Out of those workshops the builders were saying ‘this is great, this is really interesting, however, there’s a lot of people on our worksites that need to understand the importance of energy efficiency, of what you’re talking about’.”

To that end, they started organizing meetings with people in the industry, called BuildSmart Tailgate meetings. Kipp Lester, owner of Chisel Peak Construction, and Nate Sereda, an energy advisor, shared their insights and methods with attendees at the meeting, held at the new Hideaways development in Windermere on Thursday, September 5th. The 12 or so people gathered included siders, plumbers, carpenters and Realtors.

“When we head to [the year] 2022, the code changes are pretty significant for

all of us. So it’s important for all Sereda can perform energy effiof us as tradespeople to be on ciency tests on a home in the the same page,” said Mr. Lester. phase, includClimate mid-construction “(And for) other professionals ing a blower test where he can Changers find leaks coming into a home, like Realtors to understand why we’re using some different buildand a smoke test where he can ing practices than we have in the look for more areas of concern past. And how that affects the indusaround the outside. The fix at this try, cost of construction, and what it means stage is far less costly than after a home is to homeowners in the future.” finished, and prevents heat from leaking out The total 66 units in the Hideaways de- over the next 20 or 30 years. Finding leaks velopment will be built over a long enough and fixing them now, as well as building to a period of time that the development will higher standard, means homeowners could face required changes to meet the higher save roughly half their heating costs per year demand Step Code as the project moves as well, Mr. Sereda reported. forward. So, the developers decided to “As far as increasing energy efficiency of build to the upcoming Step Code levels a home at the construction phase, there is right from the start. Mr. Lester said their no question that increasing air tightness is buildings have already reached what will be the cheapest thing,” said Mr. Sereda.

Step 3 (mandatory in 2022) with current With wall design becoming thicker, construction.

Mr. Sereda warned that the moisture could “We wanted to really embrace one become trapped within walls if air tightness building practice for the entire development is not considered. In a thinner wall, the dew so by the time we got to number 66, we point was on the outside of the wall. With didn’t have to change our wall design, or our thicker walls, the dew point is now inside HVAC design, or our siding - all the different the wall. components of the build,” said Mr. Lester.

“As we get thicker walls, better conMethods to achieve that higher energy struction practices, air tightness now beefficiency within the Hideaways builds in- comes not just a practical good idea for clude thicker walls, better insulation, on-de- comfort and money savings, but it becomes mand hot water, triple-pane windows, and imperative so your walls don’t start to rot,” doing a mid-construction air tightness test he said. with local energy advisor Nate Sereda.

Mr. Sereda has been doing energy ef“Every step of this building envelope ficiency consulting for a decade now. He is has been built better than a code-built the Columbia Valley’s only energy advisor house,” said Mr. Sereda.

– a federally governed certification process.

As demonstrated at the meeting, Mr. “I fully drank the energy efficiency

Kool-Aid as an energy advisor,” he commented. “There are a lot of good reasons to make homes better and more energy efficient. First of all, we’re going to have to: within a couple years it will be mandated.

But additionally, we’re building more comfortable homes that cost less to operate.”

By 2032, every new build in the province is expected to be built to be net zero energy ready, meaning it could potentially provide all its onsite energy needs without being connected to the grid.

In December 2018, the Province released a Clean BC strategy, which included a reaffirmation on the Net Zero Energy Ready Target by 2032 as well as establishing interim deadlines. The first major target for builders is 2022, when new homes will need to perform 20 per cent better than those built to the 2018 BC Building Code requirements. By 2027, new builds will need to meet ‘Step 4’, meaning they are up to 40 per cent more energy efficient than the current code. And the final target is 2032, when new buildings will need to be Net-Zero Energy-Ready, meaning they will be up to 80 per cent more energy efficient than a typical new building today.

For more on the Tailgate meetings, or to learn more about the Community Energy Association, see http://communityenergy.bc.ca/ or email gcarignan@communityenergy.bc.ca.

To learn more about energy advising, see www.energyadvise.ca. To learn more about the Hideaways, see www.pedleyheights.com/the-hideaways-at-tegart-ridge.

9th Annual Columbia Salmon Festival Saturday, September 14, 2019

Meet at James Chabot Beach (3:30 p.m.)

4878 Kinbasket Trail Invermere, BC Public Welcome BRING YOUR OWN TUPPERWARE GET AN EXTRA DOOR PRIZE TICKET 3 p.m. – Ceremony 3:15 p.m. – Canoe Brigade by the tracks below the arena (watch for signs)

3:30 p.m. – Brigade enters James Chabot Beach 3:45 p.m.– Opening Remarks 4 p.m. – Storytelling/Magic Show

WE WELCOME ALL HAND DRUMMERS Please bring your own chair.

5 p.m. – Salmon Dinner 6 p.m. – Grand Entry for evening Pow-Wow Dinner and Pow-Wow will be at Shuswap Band (In the field across from No Frills)

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

September 12, 2019

Become a Babe on Blades this season

Submitted by Andrea Dunlop Babes on Blades Babes on Blades is looking for new players for the 2019/20 hockey season.

One of the top 10 reasons to join our hockey league is that you get to write a cheque to ‘Babes on Blades’! That’s right, you could be a Babe this year! We play a game every Sunday evening. Teams are made in the dressing room before hitting the ice.

Sometimes there are goalies, but often as not, the goal is manned by a plastic sheet, a tire or a pylon. We start playing in September and continue until March. Then, there is the much-anticipated awards banquet where we hand out the coveted prizes at our prestigious ‘Babes on Blades Awards Night’. Awards such as the Big Girl Panty award for that team member that acted maturely throughout the year and helped us get stuff done, or the ‘32 C team support award’ prize for that player that was always a positive, supportive member on the bench and ice.

The Babes have been playing for many years and have welcomed players from all over the world. Our most improved award has gone to an Australian that became passionate about hockey and a German who started power skating and was soon racing down the ice for goals.

Come out to learn the game, improve your skating and stickhandling skills or just have a great activity to do every Sunday evening. Our team is open to women over the age of 19 that want to improve their game and be part of a fun, active group of babes on the ice. As a side note, we would love to have a couple goalies sign up!

We have a roster of 18 and will create a sub list so that we always have enough players each Sunday to field two teams.

If you are interested in joining us please contact Penny Powers at penny@flying-

It’s all smiles at Sunday night’s Babes on Blades at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.

Submitted photo max.com and put Babe in the subject box.

The babes would like to wish everyone in the valley a wonderful, injury free hockey season!

Rockies rumble Fans were treated to the first home exhibition game of the season by the Columbia Valley Rockies Friday, September 6th against the Revelstoke Grizzlies.

The Rockies’ first regular game of the season takes place Friday, September 13th against the Osoyoos Coyotes.

Come cheer on the team at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. Game start is 7:30 p.m.

Photos by Anamda Nason

DESIGNERS

ARCHITECTS

BUILDERS

This is it, your opportunity to learn how to integrate best practices into a holistically designed, air tight building for your clients. Don’t miss this innovative workshop with building envelope expert, Hamid Heidarali, as he builds upon learnings from previous sessions and demonstrates how to achieve a seamless system.

Thursday October 3, 2019 7:45 am - 5:00 pm Kimberley Conference Centre 8 CPD Points from BC Housing building-a-legacy-airtightness.eventbrite.ca or email gcarignan@communityenergy.bc.ca

Cash Pr izes Design Exe 22 Asse rcises mblies Breakfa st Lunch

September 12, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

Council rejects water bottling plant in current spot

Council listed concerns for specific location, but open to facility in new spot

By Dean Midyette Special to the Pioneer A regular meeting of the Canal Flats council was held on September 9th and was well attended by approximately 25 residents. After a presentation by representatives from the Invermere Public Library and receiving monthly reports pertaining to the fire department, building permit requests, bylaw enforcement actions and emergency coordination, council discussed the new speed bumps that bracket the school zone.

The speed bumps were installed at a cost of $3,000 and impact only the side of the road leading into the school zone. Councillor Doug McCutcheon proposed that, as some motorists are driving around the uni-lane speed impediments, they be extended to cover both sides

of the road at both ends of the school zone. Council moved that the additional speed bumps be installed provided that monies could be found in the annual budget.

Council passed a bylaw providing a modest increase to the annual stipends that mayor and council receive. The mayor will now receive an annual salary of $7,244.19, or approximately $600/month, with the four councillors receiving an annual salary of $4,346.51, or approximately $360/month. Council had voted to freeze any increases to the salaries shortly after the mill closure in 2015.

Two zoning amendments were on the agenda, with the rezoning of a property on Burns Ave from RMP-1, or mobile home park, to R-1, or residential/community, passing second reading. A public hearing has tentatively been scheduled preceding the next regular council meeting on October 14th.

The second zoning amendment dealt with an application from the proponents of the proposed water bottling

HOLLAND CREEK SANITARY SEWER FLUSHING begins soon.

The Regional District of East Kootenay is gearing up for its regular maintenance work on the Holland Creek (includes Lakeview Meadows) sanitary sewer mains to remove settled and accumulated material.

THIS MAINTENANCE IS SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2019.

During this process, the contractor will be setting up their flushing apparatus at each service access (manhole) in the roadway and releasing pressurized water through the sanitary sewer main pipe to remove buildup.

A bubbling and/or vacuum effect may be noticed in your drains and toilets due to this maintenance flushing.

It is recommended to keep all toilet seats closed and cover any floor drains.

Internal plumbing consists of “P” Traps, which hold a volume of water to prevent sewer gasses from migrating into a home.

During the flushing process, this water could be drawn out of the traps. For that reason, it is important to refill all plumbing traps by running the water in your sinks and floor drains after the work is complete.

This preventative maintenance process is necessary to reduce the potential for a sanitary sewer main backup which could result in damage to property. The RDEK would like to thank you for your patience during this regular maintenance.

Please note: We would like to remind those residents with homes on the low pressure sewer system (homes with

plant. The proposal would have seen the plant built on a 1.2 acre parcel in the northwest corner of The Flats RV Campground in an area defined as Gateway Commercial in the new Official Community Plan. The amendment was unanimously defeated by council. During discussion by council, Councillor McCutcheon noted that “the facility does not fit in that area” and cited the vision for the gateway area directly from the OCP. He also noted that he is supportive of new businesses and that his vote hinged on the proposed location.

Councilor Marie Delorme opined that the gateway area “is a service area to the travelling public” and noted that the proposed facility “does not fit” in the gateway zone. She also noted that the Golder Report, which is a hydrological review of the aquifers from which village water is drawn, was undertaken in 2007 and that an updated study should be undertaken by the proponent. The Golder Report noted that 5,500,000 liters of water pass by the Village’s main well each day, with the proposed facility applying to the Province to harvest and bottle 72,000 liters per day.

Councilor Lake stated that the village is not turning away the water bottling plant, simply that it needs to be constructed in a different location.

Finally, a dog control bylaw was passed unanimously.

The regular council meeting scheduled for September 23rd has been cancelled due to the Union of BC Municipalities meetings in Vancouver, with the next regular meeting of council scheduled for October 14th.

Bowling League Registration!

It is league registration time at the Valley Alley bowling Center! Whether you are a seasoned bowler or just looking for a social night out during the winter, there is a league for you.

Anyone can join. We always welcome new faces.

Leagues begin the week of October 1st and run thru until the end of mid April.

Call 250-342-2695 for more information or to register.

individual sewer pumps) to please flush plenty of water through your system prior to vacating the home for an extended period of time. This practice will prevent sewer odour from forming and releasing upon initial use after sitting idle for weeks or months.

For more information on the flushing program, contact: Norm Thies, RDEK Senior Operator | nthies@rdek.bc.ca or 1-250-342-0063

WE ARE FEELING flushed.

WATER SYSTEM FLUSHING

Windermere, Holland Creek, East Side (includes Baltac, Pedley Heights, Caberly Beach, Swansea, & Aurora Heights), Timber Ridge, Rushmere, Spur Valley & Edgewater The Regional District of East Kootenay will be doing its annual water system flushing between September 4 – October 11, 2019 Users in the above listed areas may notice temporary water discolouration for a short period of time.

If there is any discolouration of water, please run your cold water taps until the water is clear.

For more information on the flushing program, contact: Norm Thies, RDEK Senior Operator | nthies@rdek.bc.ca or 1-250-342-0063

REFER A FRIEND Fill out a referral form in the Golf Shop with a copy of your friend’s resume and if they work until the end of the season, receive a $50 Clubhouse credit .

Follow us on… Pioneer Newspaper 1-888-478-7335 | www.rdek.bc.ca

@PioneerNewsTip

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

HERE TO SERVE YOU

CONCRETE I N

P U R S U I T

CONCRETE

READY MIX CONCRETE

O F

EXCELLENCE

Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service

Skandia Concrete

• Manufacturers & suppliers of quality concrete & gravel products • Experienced, professional operators and the right equipment to get your job done • Serving the valley for over 30 years

September 12, 2019

Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

For competitive prices and prompt service, call: 250-342-3268 (plant) 250-342-6767 (office)

• Environmentally responsible • Steamed aggregate beds for top quality year-round concrete supply • We stand behind our service, quality and products

• Ready Mix Concrete • Commercial concrete sealer • Concrete Pumping retarder for exposed • Over 50 colours available aggregate and in stock • DELIVERED ON TIME • Concrete stamps for rent at a fair price • Full range of coloured release • Full range of sand and agents for stamping gravel products.

Phone: 250-342-5833 • Cell: 250-270-9444

1756 Hwy 93/95 Windermere B.C. Office: 250-342-6500 • Batch plant: 250-342-2812 Toll Free: 1-888-341-2221

CARPET CLEANING

All products are available at 9120, Hwy 93/95 which is five kilometres north of Tim Hortons

INSURANCE

INSURANCE

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.

TILE AND GROUT CLEANING Business: 250-342-9692

RR#4 2117–13 Ave. Invermere, BC V0A 1K4

Cell: 250-342-1273 Fax: 250-342-9644

BOX 2228 742 - 13th STREET INVERMERE, BC V0A 1K0 P: 250-342-3031 F: 250-342-6945 info@lambertinsurance.ca

P.O. Box 130 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Office: 250-342-2175 • Fax: 250-342-2669 Cindy.mackay@kootenayinsurance.ca

ptarmiganrugclean@gmail.com

www.kootenayinsurance.ca

CONTRACTING

CONTRACTING

CONTRACTING • Patches • Driveways • Crack Sealing • Parking Lots • Roads • And more!

Dale Elliott Contracting • • • • •

Interior Finishing Kitchen and Vanity Cabinets Countertops Small Renovations Decks and Interior Railings

BOX 459 7553 MAIN STREET RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC V0A 1M0 P: 250-347-9350 F: 250-347-6350 TOLL FREE: 1-866-342-3031

Kootenay

• Trusses • Engineered Floors • Wall Panels

250-341-7098 Invermere, B.C.

Specializing in all heating, electric, gas and wood.

• Fireplaces • Commercial and residential • New builds • Renovations.

A licensed, registered and bonded company

We also offer roundthe-clock service calls.

Give us a call! James, 250-688-1267 or Jerry, 250-342-5299 Email: jeffersoncontractingltd@gmail.com

Tel: 250.341.6075 Fax: 250.341.3427 Email: info@duskbuildingsystems.com www.duskbuildingsystems.com

1320 Industrial Road #3 Box 159, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

RS Excavating

• Mini Excavator & Bobcat • Landscaping • Retaining & Rock Walls • Trenching • Clearing

Edgewater, BC

Ryan Smith Owner/ Operator

250-341-1530 rs-excavating@outlook.com

Toll Free 1-88

Kootenay Paving Toll Free 1-888-341-2221

Call now for a free quote!

Locally operated, with full-time staff to serve you better.

1756 Hwy 93/95, Windermere, B.C. V0B 2L2 Phone: 250-342-6500 • Fax: 250-342-3484

SHUTTER BUGS WELCOME We love a good photo submission. If you have a snapshot to share, email lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

September 12, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21

HERE TO SERVE YOU LANDSCAPING

LANDSCAPING

2016

Landscaping & Design Landscaping & Design • Trucking • Excavating • Trucking • Excavating • Civil Earthworks

• Civil Earthworks

Quality not quantity Sue Coy

250-341-5353 sdcoy@shaw.ca

LAMBERT-KIPP

P H A R M A C Y LT D .

Come in and browse our giftware

J. Douglas Kipp, B.Sc. (Pharm.)

Laura Kipp, Pharm D., Irena Shepard, B.Sc. (Pharm.)

Your Compounding Pharmacy Open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-6612

(Servicing the Valley since 1999)

NEW SEWER CAMERA

• Septic Tank Pumping • Portable Toilet Rentals

• A well maintained septic system • Complete sewer/drain repairs should be pumped every 2-3 years • Reasonable rates – Seniors’ discount • Avoid costly repairs • Speedy service – 7 days a week

East Kootenay Plumbing Services & Renovations Available 24/7

Red Seal Journeyman Plumbers/Gasfitters (B)

eastkootenayplumbing@yahoo.com 250-272-3374

Bruce Dehart 250.347.9803 or 250.342.5357

SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

East Kootenay Electrical Services

General Freight Hauling

250 • 426 • 9586

LOCAL TECHNICIAN STANDING BY

Licensed Contractor

Cell: 250.341.1342 Fax: 250.342.8733 E-mail: ekelectric@telus.net

To and From Calgary and Invermere Area!

www.cranbrookpestcontrol.com

250-342-2044 ColumbiaValleyFreight.com

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

Professional • Lawn Maintenance • Snow Removal Scott Postlethwaite

Resdential

Everett Frater Enterprises

Residential, Commercial Electric Furnace and Hot Water Tank Repair and Service For All Your Electrical Needs

Free Estimates

invermereelectric@gmail.com

Cell: 250-342-5645 • efrater@telus.net

1710 10th Avenue – Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

DRIVEWAYS • PARKING LOTS • ROADS

Box 2206 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning Specialists!

Serving the Valley for over 20 years!

Commercial

250-342-5326 www.decoylandscaping.com lewilder@shaw.ca

PLUMBING

PLUMBING

PHARMACY

Lloyd Wilder

250-421-2111 • www.kootenaycleanair.com Serving the Columbia Valley

All commercial and residential cleaning!

ROCK SOLID SERVICES (250) 341 5719

info@solidrockprofessionalservices.com solidrockprofessionalservices.com N E W S PA P E R

Amanda Murray

Sales Representative

#8, 1008 - 8th Avenue PO Box 868, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Ph: 250-341-6299 ext: 101

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com amanda@columbiavalleypioneer.com

• Line Painting • Asphalt Crack Sealing • Seal Coating • Pressure Washing • Stucco Painting • Fence Staining • Deck Staining

– QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST –

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-0312 • Email: ads@columbiavalleypioneer.com

N E W S PA P E R

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

September 12, 2019

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

something as a community for the greater good,” said Donna Scheffer, who is helping to coordinate the event. “Who of us has not lost a friend or family member to cancer or has someone battling for their life right now, perhaps even themselves? The Terry Fox Foundation has made great strides in finding cures/treatments for a number of cancers.

We can end cancer together.”

The run is a choose-your-own-distance event with course options for those who want to do one kilometre, three kilometres, five kilometres or ten kilometres.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the start at 9 a.m..

There is no registration fee for the event, but donations are welcomed. For more information or to register in advance, visit www.terryfox.org.

Terry Fox Run this Sunday, Sept 15th

Invermere’s Terry Fox Run will hit the streets on Sunday, September 15th to raise funds for cancer research.

Runners, walkers, cyclists, roller bladers and those in strollers or wheelchairs are all welcome to participate, but are asked to leave their dogs at home. Human participants will meet by the schoolyard at J. A. Laird Elementary School and head out at their own speeds.

“I would encourage people to participate because I see this as an opportunity to do

HERE TO SERVE YOU SERVICES

SERVICES Fully Insured & WCB Covered

SERVICES

FREE ESTIMATES • Pruning and Removal of ALL Trees and Shrubs • Stump Grinding • Fully Insured & WCB Covered

Chimney and Eavestrough Cleaning and Repair Specialists

You name it!

I’ll take care of it!

YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP for all home maintenance from raking your lawn to renovating your entire house.

OVER

30 YEARS

Judy: (250) 341-1903

House Checking and more!

EXPERIENCE

Keep your local companies alive. Why go to Golden when you can get your tree services right here in Invermere!

Please call Steve ~ a real local you can trust! 250-342-1791 Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

valleysolutions@shaw.ca

Bob: (250) 341-5014

PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR THE VACATION HOME OWNER SINCE 2006

WINDOW COVERINGS SHOWROOM

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS

• • • •

Doors Windows Flooring Painting/Interior/ Exterior • Kitchen Renovations • Window Coverings

Arnold Scheffer 250-342-6700

unidoorext@live.ca • unidoorext.ca

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

• Bathroom Renovations • Additions • Decks • Finish Carpentry • Basement Renovations

KITCHEN CABINETS & COUNTER TOPS

492 Arrow Rd., Unit 1B, Invermere • EMAIL: fairmontridge@telus.net • 250-342-4663

SERVICE EXCELLENCE IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

SINCE 1991 ICBC Glass Repair Out of Province Vehicle Inspections Auto Body Repairs • Painting • Quality Parts

We give all students 15% off with valid student ID

North American Warranty All Makes and Models

• Air Conditioning/Heat Pumps • Fireplaces • Full Heating and Ventilation Systems Call for your FREE consultation and estimate

Tire Sales and Installation WETT Certified

141 Industrial Rd. 2 • 250-342-9424 • Open Monday - Saturday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Your Local Professionals

UPHOLSTERY

COLUMBIA VALLEY REAL ESTATE

250.439.8074

goldenupholstery1960@gmail.com

Box 53, Brisco, B.C. V0A 1B0

Wende Brash Broker/Owner

RE/MAX Invermere There’s a reason they’re called “CLASSY”. Pioneer Classifieds…

Independently Owned and Operated

N E W S PA P E R

Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-0312 • info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

1022B - 7th Avenue, Box 459 Invermere B.C. V0A 1K0 E-mail: wendebrash@telus.net Fax: 250-342-9611

Office: 250-342-6505 • Cell: 250-342-1300

September 12, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

P IONEER C LASSIFIEDS

• Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-1312 • Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com • Web: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

GARAGE SALE

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

COMMERCIAL SPACE

1810 15th Ave. Sat., Sept. 14th, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Household items, crafting supplies, hockey gear (intermediate size), Xbox games, Wii accessories and other treasures. Many things priced $1 or less!

The biggest of Cheers to BC Highways for paving all of Wilmer. We have finally been invited into the next century!

And Cheers for the paving crew from Okanagan Paving - boy you guys work hard!

Cheers to Patty’s Greenhouse for delivering delicious veggies, fruits, eggs, jams, and so much more, all over the valley! Your stuff is awesome and I am so grateful you do what you do so well!

Cheers to Dana Harrison of Ontario for stepping forward at Canadian Tire this week to pay for all the cat litter for the ICAN shelter. Dana stepped up to pay for eight boxes of cat litter. A volunteer at her own local shelter in Ontario, Dana understands the need and the costs of shelter life. Cheers Dana, and may we learn to pay your act of kindness forward when visiting other communities.

Weekly Featured Listing

Office/Commercial Space for rent in historic McKay House 2nd floor 613 12th Street, Invermere, approx. 1,300 sq. ft. Furniture included if wanted. 250-3415111 or rkmc@telus.net.

ANNOUNCEMENT Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 250342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere.

Thursday at the Firehall Building, 8853 Grainger Rd., Canal Flats.

Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open.

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us. Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 p.m., at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 – 12th Ave (behind the Invermere hospital).

For information, please call 250342-8255.

Narcotics Anonymous. If Drugs or Alcohol are causing problems or conflict in your life. N.A. can help. All meetings are at 7 p.m. every Thursday at 4878 Athalmer Rd.

CHEERS & JEERS Cheers to Dana Bjorkman for taking such good care of the Canal Flats grade 8 students.

Going into the school with the kids to make sure they knew where to go on the first day is above and beyond! Dana is an A+ bus driver and we appreciate it.

IT’S BACK!

Dairyland milk is once again available at…

Cheers to the person who dropped off a tree stump at the entrance way at Sobeys. I removed it and sold the root ball for $150. Much appreciated!

Jeers to whomever in Windermere is starting their chainsaw/lawnmower /leaf blower up at 7:45 a.m. You are shockingly inconsiderate to the people who live around you, and you should be embarrassed by this lack of thought on your part.

Jeers to the red truck who passed us on THE SHOULDER along Athalmere Road, right by Home Hardware, on the morning of the 29th. It was not only dangerous - but dumb. A big JEERS to you...I hope you don’t eventually get into an accident driving like that.

Then right after, as we turned right at the lights and slowed to stop at the stop sign by Kicking Horse - ANOTHER car went right through the intersection without stopping. Must have been in the air! Come on people - give your head a shake!

Huge Cheers to the brilliant owner of Columbia Valley Sign Artists who would not let me pay for the sayings on my “champagne” mugs! She stated it was because we are nurses and she believes nurses are special! Wow! a donation has been made to the food bank.

What a wonderful place to live!

Cheers to the wonderful Landscaping Team who keeps our downtown beautiful with their incredible floral displays in the flower beds. It is a source of pride for all of us - and you folks need to be Cheered in a big way!

Cheers to all the guys at the soaring club for the waves and chats as we watched the action everyday. You made my grandkids very happy.

A shout out of Cheers to the blender/roasters of Stolen Church Coffee. Your espresso blend is divine, smooth as silk with no bitter aftertaste. No sweetening needed. Good work!

Cheers to the Australian rugby player with his 4 mates playing his first round of golf ever at Windermere Valley. His first drive on #1 netted only 10 meters.

However, on #8 he scored an ace for his first hole-in-one!

Those of us who witnessed the achievement marveled at his innocence. He was awarded a Windermere Valley flag that his mates autographed.

Congratulations!

Cheers to Britt for “treating” the staff at Columbia Garden Village.

You are the BEST! Hugs and Cheers to Jess for the Communi-Tea! Everyone had such a lovely time!

w d!

No uce d Re

PERFECTION – $689,000

$679,000

3 Acres + Custom Home 5036 Sherlock Road, Spillimacheen MLS®#: 2436746 (Brokerage Rockies West Realty)

Cheers to Travel Ubuds for a great summer full of laughs, BUYING OR SELLING BBQ, boating, board games, CALL golf, bacon, wine and all of the 250-341-1202 gerrytaft.ca adventures throughout the last Rockies West Realty few months! No matter if we’re Independently owned and operated traveling around the world or just around the sand hill, it’s always a great time with the LOST AND FOUND two of you. The cabin is a special place and I would like to “Cheers” Found: Key floating in the lake to the memories thus far and the August 26th. Call 1-403-8743158 to claim. ones yet to be made!

Bouquet of Cheers to Inspire Floral for the beautiful flowers given to Columbia Garden Village. They are very appreciated!

Cheers to Dee Conklin for all the kind, caring things you do for my husband and I. You are a true friend indeed.

Cheers to our wonderful Windermere/ Ixtapa friends, Jack and Yvonne Olson! It was great to visit with you and meet your precious granddaughter, Fehryn. The pizza was delicious, your yard is amazing, and your friendship is cherished. Your Saskatchewan (jam) friends!

Lost: Black Samsung Galaxy A50 Cell Phone up Mount Bruce.

Please call Andre Bell at 1-236255-1629.

STORAGE NEWHOUSE STORAGE Various sizes available.

Now with climatecontrolled units.

Call 250-342-3637.

COMMERCIAL SPACE 864 sq. ft. Shop space in the Industrial Park. Electrical included, $700/mo. 250-3423637, newmulti@telus.net.

Myth:

Change your ads all the time. Readers get tired of the same thing.

Reality: Develop a good campaign, or theme for your ads. Stick with that one campaign, and only make small changes of headlines or details. Call Dean or Amanda at 250-341-6299 to find out more.

N E W S PA P E R

8, 1008 8th Ave. Invermere, B.C. Ph: (250) 341-6299 Fax: 1-855-377-0312

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com • info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

1,000 sq. ft. PRIME Commercial property downtown Invermere available for lease. Great exposure, lots of foot traffic.

Ideal Retail and or Professional use. Nicest location in town.

Please call 250-342-1612 for more details.

Commercial for rent 1,080 sq. ft.

Large Open area, 2 office spaces + 2 other rooms. Red door behind dry cleaners. $700/mo + utilities. Available Oct 1, 2019.

Call 250-342-6790.

ACCOMMODATION WANTED Elderly couple looking to housesit Oct - April while our new home is being built. Nonsmokers. Quiet and clean. We are low maintenance. 250-3417051.

Family Dynamix is looking for room and board, or a one bedroom suite/studio. Please call Estera at 250-341-3963.

SUITE FOR RENT 2-bdrm suite with laundry for rent. Available Oct 1st. N/S, N/P, $1,200/mo + some utilities.

1-403-688-4542.

HOUSE FOR RENT Beautiful 4-bdrm Invermere home on Fort Pt overlooking Lake Windermere. Pet free.

From Sept 1-April 30. $1500 + utilities. Call Eric, Rockies West Realty at 250-342-5914.

CONDO FOR RENT 2-bed/den, 2 bath, lake/mtn view, walk to beach, N/S, N/P, $1,500/mo, 1-403-968-9222.

24 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

VOLUNTEERS DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

LOOKING FOR A GREAT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY? Invermere Council is looking for people to participate in a single use plastic shopping bags Advisory Committee.

WHAT DOES AN OPERATIONS ADVISORY WORKING GROUP DO? The Advisory Committee members will be tasked to develop a report for Council consideration on the potential implementation of a single use shopping bag ban.

The Advisory Committee will be comprised of one (1) member from a large scale retailer / grocery store within the boundaries of Invermere; two (2) members from small businesses within the boundaries of Invermere; and three (3) members at large from the public.

HOW TO APPLY: People who are interested in participating in this Working Group are invited to submit a resume to: Chris Prosser, Chief Administrative Officer District of Invermere 914 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 cao@invermere.net The deadline for the submission of all resumes to the municipal office is September 20, 2019.

A copy of the terms of reference can be picked up at the municipal office for more information.

“People Helping People in our Community”

Volunteer Columbia Valley

A new website connecting volunteers with local organizations.

Check it out at

www.volunteercv.ca Create your volunteer profile today.

Watch this section for upcoming volunteer opportunities!

Columbia Valley Maker Space Society We are searching for a variety of core members for the Maker Space Society.

Member At Large, Treasurer, Executive Director, Grant Specialists, Business Manager, Program Coordinator.

Visit www.volunteercv.ca for more information.

FOR GOOD. FOR COMMUNITY. FOR EVER. WWW.VALLEYFOUNDATION.CA

Just a reminder… The classified deadline is 12 noon Friday.

September 12, 2019

CONDO FOR RENT

VEHICLES FOR SALE

SERVICES

HELP WANTED

For rent in Radium, 2-bdrm, 4 bath, ground level condo.

Beautiful views backs on to Springs Golf course. All appliances, fireplace, fully furnished. 2 car garage. N/S, N/P, references please. $1650/mo, call 250-342-3790.

2007 Dodge Caravan. 3.8 L, V6, power sliding doors, including rear door, stereo sounds-around system, 2 movie screens, backup camera/sensor, 9,000 miles per year. Asking $5,000. Phone 250-342-1105 or 250-341-5718.

SOLÉ DECOR N’ MORE Custom blinds/drapery/ upholstery/flooring/ renovations. Call 250-688-2897 or 403-861-8782, soledecor@shaw.ca, www.Studio222calgary.com.

Invermere Petro-Can is currently accepting resumes for F/T and P/T employment. Wages starting at $15/hr. Apply in person to 185 Laurier Street, Invermere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Condo for rent in Radium.

Pinewood building on Stanley Street. 2 bdrm, 2 bath, parking underground, laundry room in the condo. $1,150/mo fully furnished. Available September 1st. Please phone 403-999-2783 or 403-264-2782 Invermere - Furnished Upper Level two-storey Condo, close to downtown. 2-bdrm, 2 bathrooms. N/S, N/P, No Partiers.

References please. $1,250/mo.

Utilities and internet included.

403-978-4559.

LOT/ACREAGE FOR SALE ELKHORN COUNTRY ESTATES Phases 1 and 2 sold out.

Selling Phase 3 now. 2.5 to 4.7 acre parcels. Starting at $159,000 + GST. Phone Elkhorn Ranch.

250-342-1268. www.elkhornranches.com.

CONDO FOR SALE 2-bdrm + den, 2-bath, lake/ mountain view, heated garage, top floor. Walk to beach. 1-403968-9222.

1998 Chev 1500 4x4 Auto Cyl. Several newer parts, good tires, good work truck. 250-342-1705.

2006 Audi A4 Ex condition 200K. Bl on Bl leather. Sunroof, 4 door, Standard transmission, Phone 250-688-3775. $3,600.

FREE GIVEAWAY Free to good home Upright Piano (Moving). Call 250-3429636 leave message.

SERVICES LEE’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIR SHOP Specializing in chain saw, lawn mower & trimmer repairs and maintenance.

Firewood season is coming get your chainsaw ready!

Industrial #2 Road across from NAPA Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

250-341-2551

18’ x 28’ Instant Shelter C/W all parts, $1200. Call 250-3423394.

265 R 16” Tires on Rims General Grabber studded. 90% new winters, bought new truck with bigger rims, need to sell. Paid $1100 asking $700 O.B.O. 250342-1705.

FIREWOOD Support Rockies Hockey firewood. Contact email cvrockies.firewood@gmail.com or call 250-342-1624 for more info or to place an order.

Journeyman Electrician, Red Seal Certified No job too small Give me a call ask for Rob at 250-342-3235 WOOD CUTTERS Professional chainsaw filing/sharpening.

250-688-9529.

LESSONS/TRAINING KOOTENAY BATON KONNECTION Recreational Baton Classes.

10 Week Introductory Program, $50 per child (6 years and up) REGISTRATION: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19th, INVERMERE COMMUNITY HALL 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Classes begin September 26th Batons available for sale Contact Karen Gratton via phone or text for more info 250-270-0142.

Offering Excellent Service & Fair Pricing call for a quote!

MISC. FOR SALE Top Quality Hay Round bales.

Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-3421268.

Handyman: Small projects around the house. Tune-up Golf Carts, Ride on Lawn Mowers etc.

Call Jeff 250-341-8146 leave a message.

Web Content Editing, Proofreading, Copyediting.

Call Anne 250-409-5327.

Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Environmentally friendly products. Dry in 1 hour!

Call 250-688-0213 or visit www.heavensbest.ca.

B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services: Handyman Services, Renovations, Moving, Dump runs. House/Yard/Eavestroughs Cleaning. 250-6882897 or 403-861-8782.

Pike Contracting Excavating and Skid Steer services.

Call Jason 250-342-5277.

Please recycle this newspaper

Jefferson Contracting Ltd is currently looking for an HVAC technician. Willing to train and apprentice the right candidate.

Wage depending on experience.

Also seeking a F/T laborer. Please send resumes to jclheat@gmail. com.

Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C. Permanent, F/T shifts, overtime, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Overtime after 40 hours. Minimum several years’ experience and completion of Secondary School. DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure quality of food portions, work with minimal supervision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances. Inspect Kitchens and Food service areas. Please forward resume to Justin Atterbury by fax 250-342-8889 or email justatterbury@hotmail. com.

Lucky Strike Gas is hiring, looking to fill both F/T and P/T positions.

We are looking for someone energetic and reliable to join our team. Must be available to work weekends and evenings.

Please drop off a resume in store at 1113 Swansea Road, email to luckystrikegas@shaw.ca, or fax 1-844-651-0133.

Radium Visitor Information Centre is looking to hire a

Visitor Information Counsellor 1 position available to work weekends for the winter season for an energetic student who enjoys interacting with others. Destination BC Tourism/Visitor Information Counsellor Training will be provided.

Please email resumes to manager@radiumhotsprings.com Or drop off in person to Radium Chamber Office at 7556 Main St. East Radium Hot Springs For more information and job description, please call 250-347-9331.

September 12, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 25

0911611 BC LTD o/a Tim Hortons 496 Highway 93/95 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K2

Food Counter Attendant Full-time/Part-time/Shift work Morning/afternoon/overnight shift, weekends and weekdays.

Apply via email: timhortons.invermere@gmail.com

Fairmont Vacation Villas Mountainside

(855) 345-6341or mountainsidevillas.com

Village Arts has a retail position available for a high school student available September 2019 – May 2020.

If you have an interest in the arts then read on…

• Be a student returning to school in the fall of 2019 • Be available to work Friday afternoons and weekends (hours flexible) • Possess outstanding people skills; • Have a keen desire to learn; • Be organized, energetic, positive and self motivated

Apply with resume and cover letter to varts@telus.net or visit us at the store!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Receptionist Full-time The Shuswap Indian Band is located in the beautiful Columbia Valley near Invermere, BC and operates two office buildings that are host to its many member, client and customer programs and services. The Shuswap Band is seeking a qualified and motivated full-time receptionist.

Supporting the entire organization, the receptionist is required to receive all visitors, route phone calls, handle various administrative duties throughout the day between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with no exceptions). The ideal candidate will have the ability to work effectively in diverse environment where change and flexibility is essential.

The receptionist will be responsible for providing a high level of initiative, integrity, reliability, confidentiality and professionalism.

Educational & Experience Requirements: • Minimum grade 12, or equivalent • Minimum 2 years reception and/or switchboard experience • Computer training and office equipment experience • Ability to interact positively with council, staff, members, public and professional service providers • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality Additional Requirements • Criminal Record Check Preferential Hiring • In accordance with the Shuswap Indian Band’s equity plan and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, preference will be given to Aboriginal peoples.

Candidates from this group who wish to qualify for preferential consideration must self-identify.

For full job description or to apply contact Angela Sarsons, Director of Operations Fax: 250-341-3683. Email: dops@shuswapband.ca Deadline for Applications: September 20, 2019 by 4 pm

Wage will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

WDSSS WINDERMERE DISTRICT SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY

Community Inclusion Support Worker The WDSSS has an exciting opportunity for a Community Inclusion Support Worker in Invermere, B.C. Position involves 9 hours (8 am -5 pm) each Tuesday in order to assist a 23-year-old young man with complex care needs. Successful incumbent will provide support with daily living skills and assist in community inclusion outings. Training and orientation will be provided by the Client’s family.

For their busy summer and fall season.

Contact Lynn Brunelle at 250 345-6341 Fax Att: Lynn 250 345-6299 Or email: HSKPmgr@msvillas.com

Please send CV to terravistagm@gmail.com

We offer you: • $14/hour (starting wage, depending on experience) • Valuable employment skills for the future • Learn from Canadian artists

Housekeepers All positions involve working weekends. The successful applicant must be reliable, have their own transportation, have a strong work ethic and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment. If this sounds like you, we look forward to receiving your application/resume.

Seeking a full-time groundsperson to help maintain the property year-round.

Located in Windermere.

The ideal candidate will:

Fairmont Villa Management are now hiring

We offer year-round employment, with a wage of $18 per hour for applicants 19 and older and a generous benefits package after 3 months. We are also accepting part-time and student applications.

GROUNDS ASSISTANT

StrongStart Facilitator Do you want to make a difference in the lives of families? StrongStart is a family program that focuses on healthy childhood development, family engagement and school readiness for children birth to school age. Working in a StrongStart is a rewarding experience as you create an engaging play environment

Experience in serving adults with complex care needs would be an asset.

Human Service Worker certification is preferred but one year’s related experience or equivalent combination of education/training would be considered.

First Aid/CPR Level C as well as a vehicle and valid driver’s license is essential.

The WDSSS values caring and dedicated employees. If this describes you, we welcome your application. Please send resume with cover letter along with two references to: Donna Jefferson, Manager, Mount Nelson Place: wdsss@shaw.ca FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL Donna at 250-342-3699

If you are an ECE with License to Practice or an ECEA registered in a recognized ECE program working towards licensing, we want to talk with you!

Wage: $20 - $22/hour, extended health available, support for training.

Pay for travel time and .50/km. between communities. Part-time mornings up to 25 hours per week during the school year. We can be flexible, and you can decide which days work for you. The hours are consistent so potentially you could combine this job with other work in the community or for CBAL. Program start date was September 5th, but this position is open until filled. Please email a cover letter and resume to skalesnikoff@cbal.org S C H O O L D I S T R I C T N O. 6 ( R O C KY M O U N TA I N )

COLUMBIA VALLE Y PIONEER SUBSCRIPTIONS

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• SCHOOL BUS DRIVER PERMANENT PART-TIME

• CROSSING GUARD PERMANENT

• EDUCATION ASSISTANT CASUAL Further position details can be found at: http://www.sd6.bc.ca/Careers/Pages/default.aspx If you are interested and qualified for this position, please submit a resume, with two references, by 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 19 to: Human Resources, School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain) e-mail: hr@sd6.bc.ca

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26 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer . . . ‘Bar security’ from 3 many loopholes for me to feel secure with the future of this program. It worries me that this type of system is showing up in a rural Canadian community. There are better ways to keep people safe than PatronScan.”

But Copper City management is clear that they are using the system for safety and security of all customers, not to target minority groups.

“I’m not oppressing immigrants,” says Mr. Beckford, a black immigrant who hails originally from the Bahamas.

Mr. Beckford says PatronScan flags could not be based on racial profiling as the flags require specific reasons such as bar fights or illegal narcotics, and he feels confident the scanners will work to keep all customers safe in the bar.

“It helps us prevent conflict,” he says. “We want everyone to come and have a good time and feel safe and secure.”

He suggested it could help RCMP in their investigations as well.

Columbia Valley RCMP Sgt. Darren Kakuno said businesses have the right and responsibility to protect their business and guests, and some choose to utilize systems like PatronScan. However, he added, RCMP would need a legitimate reason to request security footage and information collected by a business.

“Should an incident occur at an establishment, police could make an application to obtain information that may assist in the investigation, including video footage or information from PatronScan, but it is not information police would access simply out of curiosity,” Sgt. Kakuno explained.

September 12, 2019 Across the street at ULLR Bar, co-owner Richard Matthews also tried out the PatronScan system. He points out that, scanning system or not, bars are private and can choose to allow or not allow whoever they would like into the establishment. Mr. Matthews said their top priority is providing a safe, fun, inclusive environment at the establishment.

PatronScan worked well at ULLR for security because if there was an incident, they would have a full log with IDs in correlation with the photo.

“We have zero tolerance for violence,” Mr. Matthews stated. So having a secure, guaranteed way to identify and flag patrons who cause serious problems was appealing.

Unfortunately for ULLR, they found the system was not accurately catching all fake IDs that were scanned in. There are heavy fines if an employee lets someone into a bar with fake ID, so ULLR management made the decision to pull the PatronScan system. But overall, Mr. Matthews liked it and, were it not for the issue of fake IDs, he said he likely would have kept the system in place. They have other security measures at ULLR, and Mr. Matthews said they are looking around at other potential systems that are similar to PatronScan.

Mr. Matthews and Mr. Beckford both stated they have had no other customer concerns raised regarding the PatronScan system aside from Ms. Shoemaker’s query.

Mr. Beckford moved to Invermere in January 2019 to take control of Copper City under its new ownership. A fire set back plans somewhat but by March the bar was operational under Mr. Beckford’s watch. In the spring, Copper City implemented the PatronScan system. Mr. Beckford urges anyone with questions about the security system to come down to Copper City and talk to him about it.

Office of the Privacy Commissioner According to the provincial Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OIPC), there have been no issues raised with their office regarding scanning IDs in bars since 2009. An order was made by the OIPC in 2009 after a customer complained a bar was collecting more information than necessary for security systems through PatronScan’s predecessor, Treoscope. In a ruling under B.C.’s Personal Information Protection Act, Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis ruled the Vancouver nightclub was collecting too much personal information from all customers, and retaining it for too long. The OIPC stated the company could only take what information it needs for 24 hours, or longer if there is an incident. In the commission’s report (P09-01), the Commissioner determined the bar (Wild Coyote Club) could only ask patrons for permission to scan their IDs, but couldn’t require them to scan as a condition of entering the bar. A month later in a press release, the office announced that bars can collect names, photographs, date of birth and gender of customers who enter a bar, but it can be retained for no more than 24 hours unless that customer is determined “undesirable from a safety perspective.”

Commenting on the new approach of scanning and saving information, the privacy commissioner at the time said, “This means only information necessary to identify bad apples will be kept and that’s good for all other bar customers.”

Grieving in a safe place the start of journey This article was written by an attendee of a Bereavement Support Group hosted by the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley.

This free group is facilitated by Daneve McAffer and Richard Muir, and begins Monday, Sept. 23rd, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Hospice Society office.

The support group follows a 12-week curriculum designed by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, founder of the Center for Loss and Life Transition. If you are interested in registering, call the Hospice office at 778-526-5143 on or before September 20th.

Sometimes in this life we need a kickstart, encouragement to begin to acknowledge, grieve, mourn and honour what we have lost. This is about loss, about death, life and learning how to continue without. To

HELP WANTED

face the void. That big, dreadful, scary and unbearable void.

This group taught me that I can take baby steps. That I will be able to stop crying and not completely lose my mind because, you see, I was stuffing away my pain and not allowing myself to grieve or even think about what I lost, yet at the same time it was slowly destroying me. Literally. I was afraid to grieve or mourn because it would make me sick, yet not doing so was making me sick. I was in a no-win situation. I was very apprehensive about attending this group, but with gentle coaxing I decided to give it a try.

I am so very thankful. This support group is the best thing I could have done. I can’t imagine how I would have started this journey without sitting at this table with Daneve, our wonderfully skilled, percep-

HELP WANTED

tive and understanding facilitator taking us through the touchstones and our tears, and the sharing and support from the others in our group.

I see now that stuffing away so much grief and pain was doing more harm. I learned that I could trust the process of the group and no one was going to push me to go anywhere I wasn’t ready. I learned to trust myself and that I can begin to mourn and honour and while it will take time, I can do so and feel safe now. I’m going to be okay. I have taken some steps in moving forward and it’s okay. I can cry and it’s okay. I can begin to mourn for what I had, and bits of light come through the pain now, albeit slowly.

Welcome to this safe place. Welcome to the beginning of your necessary personal and unique journey. One baby step at a time. You are not alone.

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September 12, 2019

FAITH Winter is coming

By Pastor Murray Wittke Valley Christian Assembly “The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.” Each year as the days grow shorter I’m reminded of these words from The Lord of The Rings.

After two summers of smoke, this summer’s sunshine and blue skies were a delight. I hiked, camped and kayaked to my heart’s content.

But sadly, there are signs that summer is drawing to a close. In the high country wildflowers have faded, huckleberry bushes are purple and larch trees are tinged with gold. Flocks of geese are feeding in the hayfields, resting up before flying south. Mornings are fresh and cool. Distant mountain peaks are dusted with snow. Clearly the end of summer is upon us. Autumn is here. Are you prepared for what’s next? Winter is coming!

Life too has changed. I feel it in my body. I feel it in my mind. I see it in the mirror. I’ve enjoyed the sunshine of more than 60 summers. I’ve

laughed, loved and pursued the desires of my heart. But there are signs my summer years are drawing to a close. My strength isn’t what it used to be. In the morning it takes longer to get going. Joints are stiff and eyeglasses stronger. My skin is getting loose and droopy, wrinkles are etched on my face and my hair is turning white. Some days I have difficulty finding words and remembering names. Conversations often involve stories of health concerns or someone’s passing. Clearly the end of middle age is upon me. Autumn is here. I’m not sure I’m prepared for what’s next?

Are you?

Here are some wise words from long ago. “Honour and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young, before the years take their toll and your vigour wanes, before your vision dims and the world blurs and the winter years keep you close to the fire... Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.” It’s wise to be prepared because, like it or not, winter is coming.

Lake Windermere Pulse Check www.lakeambassadors.ca

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 27

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH Sunday, September 15th 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lakewindermerealliance.org

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Worship every Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Christ Church Trinity, Invermere 1st and 3rd Sunday, 9 a.m. March - December All Saint’s, Edgewater 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m. July-Sept St. Peter’s, Windermere Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday 10 a.m.: Worship Services.

Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats.

Saturday, 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.: Canadian Martyrs’ – Invermere Sunday, 11 a.m.: St. Joseph’s – Radium.

Father Jojo Augustine • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167 ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Lay Worship Services, Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

Christ Church Trinity, 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere (Small Chapel) Pastor Doug Lutz, 250-464-0100 Email: mtzionlc@hotmail.com

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937

• Average Water Temperature: 18.1 °C September Objective: <25°C • Average Water Depth: 3.82m 2019 September Average: 3.63m

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m. • Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

President Rick Daniels • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 250-421-3756

• Average Turbidity: 0.89 NTU Objective: <5 NTU • Average D.O.: 9.0 ppm Objective: >8 ppm • Average pH: 8.9 Objective: 6.5 to 8.5

Thank you to this week’s citizen scientist volunteers. If you would like to join us for water sampling please contact Shannon McGinty at (250) 341-6898

Citizen Scientists of the Week: Pat and Baiba Morrow

take you r do llar With 6,400 copies far in circulation each week, th er your message is resonating

!

Despite the drizzly morning we headed out to collect water samples. This week Pat and Baiba Morrow joined us as citizen scientists. Pat and Baiba have enjoyed living in the valley for many years and can often be found out hiking in the mountains. Pat is a well known photographer, and Baiba is President of the Invermere Wildsight branch.

The Pioneer can

or info@lakeambassadors.ca Thank you to the Columbia Valley Pioneer, District of Invermere, Regional District of East Kootenay, Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund, RBC Foundation and the Columbia Valley Community Foundation for their support of our lake monitoring program.

with residents and visitors alike.

Phone: (250) 341-6299 Fax: 1-855-377-0312 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com N E W S PA P E R

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

28 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

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Most people who live in the Columbia Valley are familiar with the large, unmistakable, white and black raptors that nest along highway 95. The mighty osprey… many of them build nests on pole platforms and as such are quite conspicuous making them easy to observe.

But how many people know much about them? This summer, a biologist working on the Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey inventoried them and determined the population and breeding success of ospreys nesting in the Columbia Valley.

“In order to determine the number of ospreys actively nesting in the Valley, we first worked to locate all of the nests that we could, enlisting the help of volunteers,” states conservation biologist Rachel Darvill. “We then visited each of the known nest sites 2-3 times during July and August in order to determine the breeding success of those nests.”

Ms. Darvill and her small team were able to locate 59 nests adjacent to the wetlands, but there were likely more nests that were not located. “Of the 59 nests we were able to locate, 42 were active this year and 32 produced chicks or fledglings as of August 19, 2019. That gives a breeding success rate of about 76%.”

Ms. Darvill also observed that some nests appeared as though they had never been used, or they had not been used in several years.

Three of the nests ended up with known chick fatalities,” reports Ms. Darvill. Two chicks were reportedly killed by passing cars and another pair of chicks was found dead in their nest located within the Town of Golden. Of the nests, 50 were located on poles (most put up through a BC Hydro program), whereas eight were tree nests, and one nest was located on the top of a communication tower. Osprey nests are re-used each year, and are usually located in relatively close proximity to open (often shallow) water that supports a plentiful supply of fish.

Ospreys are superb fishers and indeed eat little else—fish make up some 99 percent of their diet. Nest sites are normally with-

Photo courtesy Rachel Darvill

in 4 km of water, but they can be found as far as 10-20 km from water where it is energetically feasible. All ospreys and their nests are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. “We are hoping that bird data such as this, along with other data collected through the Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey, will enable the wetlands to become part of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) program,” states Ms. Darvill.

During the 1990s it was reported that the Columbia River (along with other B.C. southern interior rivers) was considered to be one of the highest breeding densities of osprey in the world, but there had been no known systematic osprey inventories completed in the Valley.

“By getting an accurate count of ospreys in the Columbia Valley, I think it will help increase the opportunity of having the Columbia Wetlands designated as an IBA.” The osprey is a very adaptable bird, it has variable migration strategies and, unlike many raptors, it is very tolerant of human activity near its nests. However, North American osprey populations became endangered in the 1950s due to chemical pollutants such as DDT, which thinned their eggshells and hampered reproduction. Ospreys have rebounded significantly in recent decades, though they remain scarce in some locales. Monitoring osprey populations is a useful indicator of the persistence of toxic contaminants and the relative health of aquatic ecosystems throughout the species range.

If you are interested in learning more about ospreys or other waterbirds, volunteer opportunities to get involved in the Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Surveys are coming up! Survey dates are Sunday, September 29th, Saturday, October 5th, and Tuesday, October 15th, from 10 a.m.1 p.m. each date. There will be free bird identification training sessions available for volunteers, participants can be paired up, and high quality optical gear can be lent to those in need. If you are interested, please contact Rachel Darvill at 250-3445530 or racheldarvill@gmail.com.