Columbia Valley Pioneer, March 16, 2023

The Columbia Lake Recreation Centre opened on March 10. The hard opening was celebrated with many activities including a drum circle, basketball and hockey. The facility is now open to all Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

by Chadd Cawson

Photos

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Invermere seeks funding for new stormwater management plan

District staff underscore need to update decades-old plan, point to climate change-heightened risk of flooding

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypionneer.com

The District of Invermere (DOI) is pursuing a grant to help it create a new stormwater management plan.

Completing a stormwater management plan for Invermere will cost around $155,000 and district staff are applying to the provincial community emergency preparedness fund’s Disaster Risk Reduction — Climate Adaptation program to cover up to $150,000 of that.

“We have been chasing quite a bit of grant funding,” Invermere director of public works and operations, Angela MacLean, told council during a recent meeting.

MacLean explained that Invermere last did a stormwater management study back in 2000, and that developing a new plan had been previously identified by Invermere staff as a priority, but with a great many projects on the go at the district, other priorities took precedence. She noted that having a new stormwater management plan in place would probably aid Invermere’s efforts to pursue other grants for flood prevention.

“This could help us get to the top of the list (for flood prevention grants),” she told councillors. “It’s important. (The old study) is quite out of date and doesn’t even cover

the entire municipality. (A new plan) would be a good tool to prepare our municipality for the future and to help protect residents from damages.”

MacLean noted in a report on the matter that one of the most serious impacts of climate change for Invermere is the potential for more frequent — and more intense — extreme storm events. Those, she explained, could result in increased load of the district’s current stormwater infrastructure, and pose a risk to local roads and utilities. Such extreme events are already a reality; MacLean cited the example of the crazy hail storm that hit Invermere in July 2021.

That storm saw enormous hail stones hammer down for more than 20 minutes and created significant localized flash flooding in several part of Invermere, perhaps most dramatically when it turned 7th Avenue (Invermere’s main street) into a temporary flowing river. No people were hurt, but multiple buildings sustained serious damage.

MacLean outlined in the report that Invermere’s existing stormwater management use a mixed system to deal with drainage. “Parts of the district around its downtown — 7th Avenue and 13th Street — have a curb and gutter drainage system, with flow collected in catch

basins to a minor system, which ultimately discharges towards Windermere Lake. There are several other smaller isolated sections of this minor system. Most of the residential area drainage in the district is handled through overland flow; roadside ditches and/or isolated dry wells,” she wrote, then pointed out that “as a result, during major storm events, multiple areas within the district are prone to flooding.”

Invermere councillors were unanimously in favour of staff pursuing the grant and updating the district’s stormwater management plan.

“It is disturbing when you see stormwater running... and you see the sheen of antifreeze and who knows what else going into the lake. I have seen that personally,” said Invermere councillor, Gerry Taft. “It’s obviously not good.”

“It is time to update things and come up with a plan that will help us move forward,” Invermere mayor, Al Miller told the Pioneer, speaking after the meeting. “It should be better and I think we can do better. As a district we need to focus on water, whether that’s drinking water, flood prevention, or in this case, stormwater management.”

Join our Foster Caregiver Community!

There are children and youth in your community who need temporary, nurturing homes.

We have an urgent need for foster caregivers who are:

• Interested in providing care for sibling groups

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• Interested in supporting children and youth who identify as LGBTQ2S+

• First Nations, Metis, Inuit

• Skilled in caring for children and youth with complex support needs

• Interested in providing weekend respite care for children and youth

If you are interested in becoming a foster caregiver in the West Kootenay or East Kootenay areas, please call: West Kootenay: 1 250-354-6465 East Kootenay: 1 250-426-1514

Learn more at FosterNow.ca

RCMP Report

Released by: Cpl. Jeff Witzke

Columbia Valley RCMP

March 6 through March 12, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 43 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the file our officers responded to.

On March 6 the RCMP were made aware of numerous mischiefs in Radium over the weekend. Vandals spray painted numerous street signs, buildings and houses around the town. Police are still investigating and asking anyone with information to contact the local detachment.

On March 9 the RCMP were notified of an injured

ice climber approximately 25 kilometres (km) up the Kootenay River Forest Service Road. The climber is believed to have fallen approximately nine metres (30 feet). Lifesaving measures were conducted by the climber’s friend and a passerby, along with a worksite ambulance and eventually EHS. Unfortunately, the climber succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

On March 12 the RCMP were notified of an injured snowmobiler in the Forester FSR riding area. Search and Rescue was activated and with the assistance of RK Heliski, then the injured party was located and extracted to the Invermere airport and later taken to the local hospital. The injuries were believed to be non-life threatening.

Limited but positive public feedback for Invermere budget

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The District of Invermere has been consulting local residents for the past few weeks about its proposed budget.

The budget (also gets referred to as the 2023-2027 five year-financial plan) got first reading at a recent council meeting, was the subject of an online survey through the first part of March, and was the subject of an open house last week.

Invermere mayor, Al Miller, explained so far there hasn’t been a lot of feedback, but he’s pleased with what input there has been.

“We didn’t have a huge turnout at the open house, but there were some good questions asked; it was positive,” said Miller.

The questions that did come related mostly to funding and infrastructure, and to the lighting fixture and projectors upgrades for the Columbia Valley Centre, he explained.

“I think it (the lighting and projector) got a bit of attention because it is not normal for a community of our size to have that as a priority. But for us, it is important,” said Miller. “The Columbia Valley Centre is an event amenity. We want to have a top-notch facility to attract events. The centre was made for that.”

Miller was also quick to point out that the nonprofit Invermere Film Festival did some significant fundraising for the lighting and pro-

Local residents have been complaining about potholes like these ones on 4th Avenue in Athalmer. The district will be making efforts to fill them and do some much-needed repaving around town as part of its 2023 budget, but Invermere mayor Al Miller said that not all potholes and paving that needs fixing will get done this year. The budget, however, does include a planned new paved, separated multi-use pathway (and crosswalks and gutters) for 4th Avenue in Athalmer. Photo by Ryan Watmough

jector upgrades “so it is not all on the back of taxpayers”.

Another budget that’s had tongues wagging are the district’s many potholes and the state of paving around the community. Miller said this is something the district hears complaints about all the time.

“We’re going to fix some pieces this year and we’ll do some more next year, and some more the year after that. We won’t get it all done this year, but we need to at least start this

year. And we are doing that,” he said.

Some of the operational budget items of note for 2023 include the sewer parcel tax that will be used to pay back the $1.5 million Invermere borrowed for phase two of the water and sewer upgrades on 13th Avenue; a new district development coordinator position; a new utility coordinator position and; a new part-time facilities clerk position. Capital projects of interest in the budget include the aforementioned paving and pothole work; the Athalmer destination trail (which will be funded mostly through grants); the planned 4th Avenue trail in Athlamer (also funded mostly through grants); design work for Lakeside Park; re-design and geotechnical work of the Fort Point Bridge over the rail tracks; a new traffic circle at the intersection of 7th Avenue (Invermere’s main street) and 4th Street; the long-awaited Abel Creek culvert at Johnston Road; and new washroom facilities at the Columbia River access point north of the Athalmer Bridge. There’s also an electronic sign, exterior coloured lighting, and a mobile stage for the Columbia Valley Centre; an outdoor commercial light-up Christmas tree at the Cenotaph plaza; and tennis court resurfacing; a tennis court practice wall; pickleball courts; and a back stop for the Pynelogs Rotary Ball Park, Field of Dreams.

Faye O’Neil talks about Truth and Reconciliation

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“I always question what my journey to reconciliation is,” said Faye O’Neil, an Indigenous coordinator with Southeast Kootenay School District 5 in Cranbrook. “What I do know is that the truth must come first, the truth of the past for us to move forward.”

O’Neil, born on the homelands of ?ama?kis Ktunaxa at the headwaters of the micqaqas akinmituk (Chickadee and Columbia River), was welcomed as the second virtual guest speaker for Every Child Matters-4 Seasons of Reconciliation learning opportunity. It was launched on February 15, and will run until June 25. Duncan Whittick, executive director of Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) and co-founder of Every Child Matters Year-long Learning Challenge, expected 750 people to attend live, while over 1500 would tune into O’Neil’s session at a later time.

“Faye has been working for over 20 years in the public education sector, and 21 years promoting and braiding Indigenous worldviews and perspectives into classrooms,” said Whittick. “I’ve personally worked with Faye for about five years now, and as a Ktunaxa educator who is from Kyaknuqⱡiʔit (Invermere), she has been an in-

credible mentor. I’ve been able to collaborate with her, in finding ways to better support and elevate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into both classrooms and communities. It means a lot to be able to continue to deepen our work together through this learning initiative, as she shares her story, along with insights, ideas, and inspiration to support educators in advancing their personal learning journey.”

Jenna Jasek, a Shuswap Band member with Ktunaxa ancestry, is an Indigenous advisor for the Outdoor Learning Store and the vice principal for Indigenous Learning and Equity with Rocky Mountain School District 6. Last year she piloted Every Child Matters: 4 Seasons of Reconciliation in partnership with Reconciliation Education and First Nations University. Before introducing O’Neil, Jasek spoke about the importance of learning off the land.

“Learning off the land is so important, I believe it is our greatest teacher,” said Jasek. “It’s so important that we

a reciprocal way.”

Jasek sits on CBEEN’s board of directors, and among many things has also been influential in development of The Outdoor Learning Store. Jasek said O’Neil has been her mentor and has taught her so much.

O’Neil said that all her knowledge is not her own, but all around her. It is in two-legged, and all, creatures with four legs or more. It is in the winged and finned creatures, the land, the air, water, and plants.

“I believe it is my duty to share this information,” said O’Neil. “I’m telling you my truth, and I’m trusting you with it.”

O’Neil spoke of her Ktunaxa lineage, which includes Chief Isadore, who was her third great grandfather, and her grandfather, Private Toby Nicholas who fought in World War II. Nicholas sadly did not return home. Both O’Neil’s mother and grandmother attended residential schools and saw the horrors of them firsthand. O’Neil opened her heart and shared her truth that while her culture was not often spoken about growing up, she felt different.

“I knew I was treated differently,” said O’Neil. “I was called names in school, there was racism by teachers, and there was racism by parents.”

learn where we are from and our surroundings because the eco-systems are here for a reason, they take care of the earth so that we can live here in a good way. Non-Indigenous and Indigenous educators - we all need to take steps to understand Truth and Reconciliation so that we can engage in Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in

BC government invested

Submitted by Nicole Trigg, communications director, Living Lakes Canada

Living Lakes Canada is celebrating the BC Government’s decision to invest a historic $100 million into safeguarding the province’s watersheds. This unprecedented investment, announced as part of the 2023 budget, will go towards the establishment of a long-term Watershed Security Fund that will be co-managed by B.C. First Nations and support communities to increase their adaptation options in anticipation of continuing climate change impacts.

“Living Lakes Canada applauds the provincial government for taking this concrete step forward in watershed protection for the province,” said Kat Hartwig, executive director, Living Lakes Canada. “As a steering committee member of the Watershed Security Coalition and long-time advocate of a watershed security strategy and fund for the Province of BC, we are pleased to see these concepts become a reality with B.C. First Nations at the forefront of this paradigm-shifting approach to watershed management.”

The funding announcement formalized the role of a new B.C.-First Nations Water Table in the co-management of the Watershed Security Fund and the further co-development of a Watershed Security Strategy. The B.C.-First Nations Water Table (BCFNWT) is made up of representatives from the province and delegates from First Nations in B.C.

Coree Tull, co-chair of the Watershed Security Coalition, said, “We are encouraged to see the province taking real leadership on watershed security with this initial kick-

O’Neil said the importance of weaving Indigenous understandings into the classrooms and a framed the big question of who is reconciliation really for? She shared many perspectives including hard hitting words of former Canadian senate member and First Nations lawyer Murray Sinclair. Sinclair said, “For reconciliation to work, it needs to be a consistent climb, or a bend or a weave for all. It cannot be a pick or choose option.”

in B.C. watershed protection

start to the BC Watershed Security Fund.” She noted that decades of degradation in watersheds are putting the health and security of communities at risk. “The climate crisis is a water crisis. Immediate action and funding are needed to make our communities stronger and more resilient to the impacts of floods, fires and droughts.”

This latest announcement builds on the province’s previous commitments towards the establishment of a Watershed Security Fund for B.C. — the Healthy Watersheds Initiative in 2021 and the subsequent provincial investment in watersheds in 2022.

A funding recipient of these commitments, Living Lakes Canada is coordinating a unified water monitoring network across the Canadian Columbia Basin to collect data on climate impacts to inform source water protection in watershed management. The Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework project is working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments and community groups interested in securing the health of their local watersheds by incorporating community concerns and priorities around water within a scientific water balance approach. This innovative framework is being developed as a template that can be implemented in other regions to track climate impacts on water.

British Columbians are invited to comment on a new ‘intentions paper’ that outlines the Watershed Security Strategy and Fund, and potential actions to improve watershed health, such as strengthening existing water data and the tools used to monitor water demand and supply. Comments will be accepted until April 17.

“I always question what my journey to reconciliation is. What I do know is that the truth must come first, the truth of the past for us to move forward.”

Faye O’Neil, Indigenous coordinator, Southeast Kootenay School District 5

Historical Lens Historical Lens PERSPECTIVE

St. Patrick’s Day; an interesting history

By Joanne McQuarrie editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Shamrocks, green attire and parades; they have been part of Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17, for many years.

This is celebratory day for many, but it has a somber origin. Saint Patrick was a fifth century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland, says Wikipedia. In the ‘Declaration’, purportedly written by Patrick himself, he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century into a wealthy family. Patrick’s dad was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. When he was 16, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland. Apparently Patrick worked six years there as a shepherd. He found God, who told him to flee to the coast where a ship would be waiting to take him home. Patrick made his way home and went on to become a priest.

Tradition says Patrick spent many years evangelizing the northern half of Ireland and he converted thousands of people. He died on March 17, sometime between 385 and 461 and was buried at Downpatrick , one of Ireland’s oldest towns.

Throughout the following centuries, legends grew about Patrick and he became Ireland’s foremost saint.

Shamrocks are associated with St. Patrick’s Day because St. Patrick is said to have used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity. There are a few explanations about the colour green being associated with St. Patrick’s Day. One happened in the 11th century when Goidel Glas, an ancestor of the Gaels and creator of the Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx languages was bitten by a venomous snake but saved from death by Moses placing his staff on the snakebite, which left him with a green mark. His descendants settled in Ireland and one climbed the Tower of Hercules and was so captivated by the sight of a beautiful green island in the distance that he set sail immediately.

These days, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations take many forms, including parades, festivals, church services, wearing green clothing and accessories, drinking green beer, eating Irish food and attending live Irish music concerts. One of the longest-running and largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in North America happens in Montreal, whose city flag includes a shamrock in its lower-right quadrant.

‘Prepare for Canada’, a Destination Canada Information Inc. site, urges folks to both have fun and be respectful about the Irish culture during the celebrations.

Watch for St. Patrick’s Day events in the area and have fun!

Spring camp at Serenity Farm

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

School’s almost out for the spring so why not have your little ones enjoy a spring camp facilitated by Serenity Farm in Windermere. This unique day camp, aimed for children ages five to 12 will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 20 through to the 23, with a cost of $225 plus GST per happy camper.

Campers will have the opportunity to do artsa and activities, as well as learning tips on how to care for gardens and farm animals. Parents interested in enrolling their kids: do so soon, as farm co-owner Angela Miller shares spots are filling up fast.

“We are excited to be offering a spring break camp. Last year’s camp was a big hit. We look forward to offering this fun program for kids visiting the farm,” said Miller. “Visitors on the farm get the opportunity to engage with our farm cats, chickens, ducks, goats, rabbits, ponies, and horses.  We have a new batch of chicks that are just hatching today in time for the camp.”

Serenity Farm is a family-run business located in the beautiful Columbia Valley on the unceded territories of the Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Peoples, and the land chosen as home by the Métis Peoples of B.C. Angela Miller and her husband, Josh Miller, purchased Saunders Family Farm in May 2021. Under new own-

ership of the Millers, Serenity Farm was born. Today they offer several services such as visits to the farm, including programs and activities for people all ages, family fun days and more.

“We started running programs for kids in July 2021,” said Miller. “We wanted to offer a safe place for people to visit where they could learn gardening tips, visit farm animals, play games and network with others.  This will be our third season and we have expanded our programs to farm camps, riding clubs, homeschool group, birthday parties, senior days, school field trips, and more.”

Serenity Farm has a large garden they use for their programs. Visitors can pick from the garden and purchase produce to take home. During the summer months Serenity Farm offers a teen camp: teens get a chance to camp out in tents. Cost for all camps and other programs go towards the overall care of the farm, feeding and caring for farm animals as well as proper tending to the garden which benefit all who visit.  All kids visiting the farm this year will go home with a cherry tomato plant to care for at home, enabling them to see how this tasty fruit grows.

Miller said, “We offer these programs to give people a chance to enjoy the outdoors and experience a different way of life.  To see where food comes from, the mental health benefits animals can offer us, and to build relationships with others.”

Inspirational Indigenous women

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

March is Women’s History Month

tember 30 since its inception in 2013. After the 215 unmarked graves were uncovered at Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021, the movement Webstad initiated became recognized nationwide as Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Since that tragic uncovering, Jenna Jasek, School District 6 vice principal for Indigenous Learning has been making history herself. In the summer of 2021, she co-founded the Every Child Matters Year-Long Learning Challenge with Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) executive director, Duncan Whittick. Earlier this year, she also co-piloted Every Child Matters 4 Seasons of Reconciliation, where Webstad will be a guest speaker on June 1.

“Having Phyllis present for Every Child Matters Year Long Challenge-4 Seasons of Reconciliation is an honour,” said Jasek. “She’s a change maker, impacting Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. Her story and the Orange Shirt initiative is so powerful. The colour orange has become a symbol for Indigenous children and for all children, and how they are all important in our lives.”

“I am so grateful to be a part of Truth and Reconciliation and thankful for the opportunity to have a voice in Every Child Matters Year-Long Challenge,” said Jasek. “I want First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people and children to know they are important, and they matter. For all children to know that. Indigenous people have hidden in the shadows for over 150 years, afraid to shine and show the settler world how special they are. The time is now; the Indigenous revolution has happened.”

March is Women’s History Month. Phyllis Webstad of the northern Secwépemc (Shuswap) First Nation is just one of many women to celebrate. Jack Webstad is the founder of the Orange Shirt Society and Orange Shirt Day which has been recognized on September 30, since 2013, before officially being recognized as Truth and Reconciliation Day nationwide in 2021. Jack Webstad will be guest speaking virtually on June 1 for Every Child Matters- 4 Seasons of Reconciliation initiative co-piloted by Invermere’s own Jenna Jasek.

Women’s History Month aims to honour women and their accomplishments throughout history. In Canada it’s recognized in October to align with Persons Day on October 18.

Countless women of all cultures have inspired throughout history. Indigenous women who shaped it, are often not highlighted enough. In 1914, Edith Monture of

“Having Phyllis present for Every Child Matters Year Long Challenge- 4 Seasons of Reconciliation is an honour. She’s a change maker, impacting Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island.”

Jenna Jasek, Every Child Matters Year-Long Learning Challenge co-founder.

Mohawk descent, graduated from New York’s New Rochelle Nursing School, making her the first Indigenous woman to become a registered nurse in Canada. Volunteering as a nursing sister with the US Army Nursing Corps, made her the first Indigenous woman to serve in the US military. Monture had to study in the US, as the Indian Act stated during that time any Canadian Indigenous women who attended post-secondary school would lose their Indian status.

Phyllis Webstad of the Secwépemc First Nation is no stranger to having things taken from her. At the age of six, on her first day at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, her bright orange shirt was stripped from her. It was the trauma and shame she felt from this experience that led to her becoming the founder of the Orange Shirt Society and Orange Shirt Day Movement, which operates out of Williams Lake, B.C. Webstad started Orange Shirt Day to raise awareness and educate the masses about the horrors of what went on inside the walls of residential schools. It has been recognized every Sep-

We want to hear from you

Email your letters to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com or visit our website at www. columbiavalleypioneer.com. Mail your letters to Box 868, Invermere, V0A 1K0, or drop them in at #8 1008-8th Avenue. Letters to the editor should be sent only to The Pioneer, and not to other publications. We do not publish open letters or third-party

letters. Letters for publication should be no longer than 400 words, and must include the writer’s address and phone numbers. No attachments, please. Letters may be shortened for space requirements. We reserve the right to edit for space, clarity, civility and accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the writer, not The Pioneer.

Photo Submitted

Muth enjoyed skiing at the Basin’s many ski

Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley Presents

Hospice Gala

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley.

Saturday, April 22nd, 2023

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Eagle Ranch Resort

Tickets $60

Casual or going out for dinner dress. Buy 8 tickets for a table reservation.

Purchase your tickets at HospiceSocietyCV.com or call the Hospice o ce at 778-526-5143 or drop by the o ce between noon and 4 p.m.

The Circus comes to Akisqnuk

Circus camp with Jerrod Bondy from March 20 to 24

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The circus may not be coming to town, but it’s coming to Akisqnuk First Nation. Circus camp at Akisqnuk is being offered March 20 to 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Circus arts instructor, Jerrod Bondy, will facilitate the camp, allowing Akisqnuk kids to be wowed by all the wonder that happens under the big top.

“I think having kids experience the magic of circus is a wonderful thing,” said event organizer, Stella Sam.

“I think having kids experience the magic of circus is a wonderful thing. Circus brings body awareness, which can help in emotional regulation, improve fine and gross motor skills, promotes friendships and is an incredible self -esteem booster.”

Stella Sam, event organizer

“Circus also brings body awareness, which can help in emotional regulation, improve fine and gross motor skills, promotes friendships and is an incredible self-esteem booster.”

10th

Anniversary of

First Annual

Golf Tournament ournam

Registration 9:15 to 10 a m

Start time at 10:30 a m $140/per person

Purchase your tickets at HospiceSocietyCV com or call the Hospice office at 778-526-5143 or drop by the office between noon and 4 p m

Hosted by:

Bondy is certified from the Ecole Nationale de Cirque in Montreal and has been a circus arts instructor since 2017. He said training is quite involved, learning clowning, acting techniques, several acrobatic and juggling skills, creating performances, and more. It’s like being a circus ringmaster, he said.

“You must manage a lot of different personalities and expectations amongst members of your team. Some want to take things too far and some don’t take things far enough! You’re always striving to find that middle ground. You also must study and practice a variety of different circus disciplines to demonstrate them to students.”

Bondy primarily teaches manipulation skills with the equipment for it carried in two large duffel bags. Bondy loves teaching hand-to-hand acrobatics, and safety is paramount. Bondy and Sam work together at Amy Woodland Elementary where Sam is an Indigenous education support worker. When Sam found out that Bondy was a circus instructor she knew this kind of camp would be great for the kids at Akisqnuk. After speaking to her husband and Akisqnuk Chief, Don Sam, and the Akisqnuk Band social director, Bondy was hired for this first-of-itskind circus camp. The camp will take place in both the Columbia Lake Recreation Center and the band hall at Akisqnuk First Nation.

“I feel very honoured to be allowed to share my passion for the Circus Arts with the Akisqnuk First Nation,” said Bondy. “The circus arts is something that I find to be very transformative in that people of any age can use these skills to create something entirely new. I feel that there is something quite profound and uplifting about being able to share knowledge that is then transformed into something that kids can take personal ownership of.I

Circus instructor Jerrod Bondy will teach the wonders and skills of the circus to 17 lucky kids at Akisqnuk First Nation’s first circus camp. This spring break camp will run the week of March 20 to 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Akisqnuk First Nation.

very much look forward to seeing what the attendees will do when their imaginations take off as they come up with a performance routine.”

Bondy said the kids will learn skills including juggling, hand-to-hand acrobatics, hoop manipulation, clowning and more. He said circus arts teach persistence and humility; if an item one is juggling drops, or there’s a mishap in the routine, embrace it and keep going. A show will be performed on the last day at the Columbia Lake Recreation Center.

There is no clowning around to sign up as 12 of the 17 spots are already filled.

“We are hopeful that this will be a self-esteem booster, from spending quality time with other kids in their community to being ‘stars’ in their community by bringing the magic of circus,” said Sam. “The culture of circus is like Indigenous culture in that it focuses on community and gatherings. Sharing your skills with your community is very much an Indigenous concept, and circus teaches that as well.”

at Pynelogs

Photo submitted

3-Course Meal • Live Entertainment by Bryant Olender Silent, Live and Dessert Auction • Free chocolate tasting provided by Wild Mountain Chocolate

Big crane, modular home construction gather gawkers in downtown Invermere

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The skyline of Invermere temporarily had an unmissable, tall, pointy, yellow addition last week.

No, it wasn’t a new, local version of the Seattle Space Needle or the CN Tower. It was instead, a rather large crane working on a new mixed residential and commercial development.

The crane was in place because the development, which is going up on on long-vacant lot on 14th Street, is a modular development. Much of the building was prefabricated near Calgary, then shipped here and assembled on site. It caused a small buzz in Invermere, with residents pointing the sight out to the Pioneer and gathering to gawk as the building was been put together in a fashion not altogether unlike Lego.

“They do need a pretty substantial crane to put everything in place,” Invermere mayor, Al Miller, told the Pioneer. “Certainly I’ve had comments about it...It’s kind of neat. I drove by myself to see it...It’s not something we are used to seeing in Invermere and it’s clearly been good entertainment for some people, as there were onlookers out watching it.”

The development is spearheaded by Brian Smit, representing Calgary-based BRT Consulting Ltd. and when finished it will be a four-story, 11-housing unit, tucked

roughly between the dentist office and rodeo grounds. Plans for the development were approved back in 2021 and called for four buildings (one a four housing-unit purely residential building, another seven housing-unit purely residential building, and two more buildings with a total of 3,300 square feet for six units of ground-level street-front commercial property facing 14th Street and then residential units above). But not all of that is going up at once; the developers plan on building in phases, starting with the four-unit residential building. The first ‘story’ of the development will actually be ground-floor

parking garages.

The developers were granted a variance for those garages as well as for a fourth-story rooftop structure and deck area. The fourth story is meant to take up about third of the full footprint of the fourth floor and function somewhat like a mini-penthouse (or ‘den’) for the townhouse-like residential units below, with the remaining two-thirds of the fourth story becoming deck space.

At the time the variance was approved Invermere council members said they felt the scale and density of the development fit the neighbourhood well.

NOTICE OF DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY

FROM: Landlord c/o 906-8th Avenue, Box 2647 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

TO: All concerned

RE: Manufactured Homes Reg No. 074386, Manufacturer: Glendale Corp. Make/Model: Glendale Year: 1975 Serial No.: 68124815 (the “Manufactured Home”) Juniper Heights Mobile Home Park, 5174 Lambert Rd , Invermere, BC V0A 1K2 (the “Park”) Lot 14 within the Park (the “Site”)

TAKE NOTICE that the Manufactured Home is deemed to have been abandoned at the Site by the Tenant of the Site.

The Landlord will dispose of the Manufactured Home unless someone comes forward and establishes a right to possession over the Manufactured Home within 30 days from the date of this Notice.

Construction started on a new modular development on 14th St. last week.

Photo by Ryan Watmough

OUT OF OFFICE…

For Women’s Day, We celebrated Women in Business in the Columbia Valley

Last week, we had the privilege of celebrating women around the world. International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

On March 9th, we were able to celebrate with some of the phenomenal women in the Columbia Valley. This celebration, hosted at Eagle Ranch’s Rustica, was one to reflect success, and create a space for some networking fun.

In attendance were 27 female entrepreneurs, business owners, employees, volunteers and leaders, and Eagle Ranch’s exceptional female service staff! Among our attendees, was Dee Conklin, owner of Palliser Printing and past president of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. She delivered an inspiring speech, with some female-forward statistics to be proud of:

• There are 5,620 women living in the Columbia Valley

• 2,645 of them have a post-secondary education, and 235 of those have Master’s Degrees.

• The life expectancy of a woman in the Columbia Valley is 86.

• 13 out of 24 Columbia Valley elected officials are women.

• 39% of all business owners in British Columbia are women. Amazingly, 45% of those are in the Kootenays!

Women’s Day is a time to recognize the progress that has been made towards gender equality, and to reflect on the work that still needs to be done. Women in the Columbia Valley are leaders, and we want to thank them for their contributions to our wonderful community.

Thank you for all that you do!

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

cvevents.ca

POWERED BY THE COLUMBIA VALLEY CHAMBER

ursday, March 16

• 9 a.m.: StrongStart/CAP-C at Edgewater Elementary. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 - 11:30 a.m. Join this free, drop-in program for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers.

• 10 a.m.: Parent & Tot Connect at Frater Landing in Invermere. Parents and their young children (ages 0-6) are invited to this FREE drop-in program! 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• 10:15 a.m.: Tech Time at the Invermere Public Library. Are you an adult or senior needing some help with your computer, phone, or tablet? We have one-on-one help available for you!

• 10:30 a.m.: Senior's Fitness Columbia Valley Centre on Thursdays 10:30-11:30 a.m., $2 drop-in.

• 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Seniors' Lunch. Join friends, make new friends and have a great lunch! To reserve call Jan, 250-342-1196. 525 13th Street, Invermere.

• 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Senior's Tea. All community members welcome to stop by the Invermere Public Library for a cup of tea and a chat! Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., 646 4th Street, Invermere.

• 2 p.m.: Tech Time at the Radium Public Library. Are you an adult or senior needing some help with your computer, phone, or tablet? We have one-on-one help available for you!

• 3 p.m.: FREE Youth Drop-In Fun at the Summit Youth Centre Hub. If you are between the grades of 7-12, the Summit Youth Centre is your place to meet, hang out and enjoy some great times with your friends.

• 6:45 p.m.: Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament at the Invermere Legion every Thursday for members and guests. $30 buy-in.

• 7:30 p.m.: Trivia Night. Thursday night is TRIVIA NIGHT in Windermere! Windermere Whitehouse Pub 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Mandi Cox, $3/person, teams of more than 6 will be split into two groups.

Friday, March 17

● 7 p.m.: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Ullr featuring O’Sullivan’s band.

• 9:15 a.m.: StrongStart at Eileen Madson Primary School. Every Monday and Friday or 1st and 3rd Wednesday. Join this free, drop-in program for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers!

• 10:30 a.m.: Family Storytime at the Invermere Public Library. Join us at the library each week for stories, songs and a craft!

• 1 p.m.: FREE Youth Drop-In Fun at the Summit Youth Centre Hub. If you are between the grades of 7-12, the Summit Youth Centre is your place to meet, hang out and enjoy some great times with your friends. FREE fun!

• 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Drop-In Adult Parkour. Adults are invited to drop-in for a fun parkour sessions! Every 2nd Friday, 7-9 p.m. $20/person. Unit 6, 1340 Industrial Road #3, Invermere

• 9 p.m.: Karaoke. Fridays are Karaoke nights at the Windermere Whitehouse Pub! Ages 19+ Hosted by Mandi Cox, 9 p.m.- midnight.

• 3 p.m. - midnight: Wings & Things at the Legion, pub grub done right! 525 13th Street, Invermere.

• 6:30 p.m. - midnight: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

• 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Dynamic Intuitive Archery Speed Shooting. Come try your hand at Dynamic Intuitive Archery at the Bisco Community Hall. Call Luraina at 250-688-1451 to register.

• 9 p.m.: Karaoke at the Windermere Whitehouse Pub

Saturday,

March 18

• 10:30 a.m.: LEGO/Duplo Club Invermere Public Library. We'll have Lego, Duplo, big blocks and more out to play with on Saturday mornings!

• 10:30 a.m.: Pokemon Club. Main Street Fun & Games hosts a weekly Pokemon Club for ages 7+! Reading pro ciency is required.

• 11 a.m.: Creative Series at E usion Art Gallery

• 3 p.m. - midnight: Wings & Things at the Legion, pub grub done right! 4930 Dorney Road, Brisco

• 6:30 p.m. - midnight: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome! 525 13th Street, Invermere

Sunday, March 19

● 12:30 p.m. Invermere Animal Companion Network AGM. Everyone welcome! At the Lions Hall (651 Hwy 93/95).

• 2 p.m. - midnight.: Cards, Cribbage and Darts. Who doesn't like to play cards or throw some darts with friends? Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome! 525 13th Street, Invermere.

• 3 p.m. - 11:59 p.m.: Wings & Things at the Legion, pub grub done right! 525 13th Street, Invermere.

• 7 p.m.: Live Music at the Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery every Sunday evening, 7-9 p.m.! Accompanied minors are permitted. No cover.

Monday,

March 20

● This Week: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Spring Break Farm Camp at Serenity Farm. Call Angela 250-341-5216 for details.

• 9:15 a.m.: StrongStart Eileen Madson Primary School. Every Monday and Friday, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday. Join this free, drop-in program for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers!

• 10 a.m. - 11 .a.m.: Senior's Yoga at the Columbia Valley Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11

a.m., $2 drop-in. 646 4th Street, Invermere, BC.

• 2 p.m.: Spring Break Crafts & STEAM at the Invermere Public Library (drop-in).

• 3 p.m.: Youth Drop-In at The Edge, Edgewater. Youth from grades 4-8 are invited to drop-in for fun with the Summit Youth Hub at The Edge every Monday and Wednesday, 3-8 p.m.

• 4 p.m.: FREE Youth Drop-In Fun: LGBTQ+ are welcome at the Summit Youth Centre Hub Monday evenings. If you are between the grades of 7-12, the Summit Youth Centre is your place to meet, hang out and enjoy some great times with your friends. FREE fun! Mondays are for LGBTQ+ and allies!

• 5 p.m.: Industry Night at the White House. Monday nights are Industry Nights at the Windermere White House Pub! Free pool + cheap drinks for resort and restaurant sta !

• 6:30 p.m.: Poker at the Pub. Butter hosts poker night at The Station Pub every Monday! $20 buy-in. Winners get the pot. We chip up $20 for charity: no $ goes to the pub.

• 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Dynamic Intuitive Archery Speed Shooting. Come try your hand at Dynamic Intuitive Archery Speed Shooting! Call Doug at 250-347-9048 to register. 3050 British Columbia 93, Windermere.

Tuesday, March 21

• 9 a.m.: StrongStart/CAP-C at Edgewater Elementary. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9- 11:30 a.m. Join this free, drop-in program for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers.

• 10 a.m.: Parent & Tot Connect at Frater Landing in Invermere. Parents and their young children (ages 0-6) are invited to this FREE drop-in program!

• 10:30 a.m.: Homeschool Meetup at the Invermere Public Library. All homeschool families welcome to join.

• 10:30 a.m.: Senior's Fitness at the Columbia Valley Centre on Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m., $2 dropin.

• 1 p.m.: Artists' Gathering at the Radium Public Library. They will be hosting weekly get-togethers for budding artists of all forms and skill levels! Bring your own supplies. No registration required.

• 2 p.m.: Novel Idea Book Club. Book: “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adam’s at the Invermere Public Library. Everyone welcome.

• 3 p.m.: FREE Youth Drop-In Fun at Summit Youth Centre Hub. If you are between the grades of 7-12, the Summit Youth Centre is your place to meet, hang out and enjoy some great times with your friends. FREE fun!

• 7 p.m.: 19+ Games Night Ullr Bar. Games Nights every Tuesday at Ullr Bar! $5/card. Huge prizes every week! Ages 19+, drink specials available

Wednesday, March 22

• 9 - 11 a.m.: StrongStart. Wednesdays 9 - 11 a.m. Join this free, drop-in program for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers. Songs, stories, play centers, crafts, snacks, and more!

• 9:15 a.m. -11:45 a.m.: StrongStart. Every Monday and Friday, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday. Join this free, drop-in program for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers! Songs, stories, play centers, crafts, snacks, and more!

• 10 a.m.: Parent & Tot Connect at Canal Flats Village O ce. Parents and their young children (ages 0-6) are invited to this FREE drop-in program!

• 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Senior's Yoga at the Columbia Valley Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m., $2 drop-in. 646 4th Street, Invermere

BC Budget 2024 Consultation

What are your priorities for the next provincial budget?

Register to speak at a public meeting by March 30, 2023

For full details, visit bcleg.ca/FGSbudget or call 250-356-2933 or toll-free 1-877-428-8337.

Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

bcleg.ca/FGSbudget

Green GrasshoppersHappy St. Patrick’s Day

THE WILD FILES

It’s our nature

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On March 17, several people worldwide will don different shades of green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Let’s shine a light on grasshoppers, a group of insects that belong to the suborder Caelifera. These fascinating insects sport hues of green throughout the year, as well as shades of brown and yellow. This camouflage is vital for their survival. According to scientists who study Acridology (study of grasshoppers) there are over 11,000 species of grasshoppers across the globe.

While an adage suggests that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, for grasshoppers it’s their ears. A grasshopper’s ears or rather, their auditory organ called a tympanal organ, are located on either side of their first abdominal segment tucked under their wings. These wings allow them to fly at altitudes of 280 metres (m). Grasshoppers have membranes that respond to sound waves and their simple eardrum which allows them to hear all nearby sounds.

Their most impressive feature is their strong hind legs which function like miniature catapults allowing them to escape predators including birds, mice, gophers and badgers. Grasshoppers’ hind legs allow them to jump 20 times their body length and, depending on the species, can range anywhere from 20 to 180 cm. When a grasshopper is ready to leap it relaxes its hind leg muscles, allowing them to release their energy, springing them through the air at 10 feet per second.

There’s the Rub: When it comes to aspiring musicians of the insect world grasshoppers have a leg up over the rest. Simply by rubbing their hind leg up against their forewing, grasshoppers make music called stridulating. Special pegs on the inside of their hind legs act as percussion. Each species of grasshopper creates its own unique rhythm which is crucial in courting, enabling males and females to find each other. They also make snapping melodies with their wings as they fly.

Land Act: Notice of Application for a Disposition of Crown Land

Take notice that I/We, Gulo Holdings Inc, from Invermere, BC, have applied to the British Columbia Ministry of Forests (FOR), Kootenay Boundary Region, for a lease for Industrial – General purposes situated on Provincial Crown Landlocated in the vicinity of Athalmer on the land legally described as That part of Lot B, District Lot 375, Kootenay District, Plan 14615 Except Plan EPP51926, more particularly shown on the legal description schedule, containing 3.71 hectares, more or less.

FOR invites comments on this application, the Lands File is 4406329. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Sr. Authorization Specialist, FOR, Kootenay Boundary Region, at 1902 Theatre Road, Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G1. Comments will be received by FOR up to 51 days. FOR may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov. bc.ca/freedomo nformationto learn more about FOI submissions.

Sixty of those species spring through the grasses of the unceded territories of the Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Peoples, and the land chosen as home by the Métis Peoples of British Columbia (B.C.). Grasshoppers are medium- to large-sized insects, with most adult species ranging from one to seven centimetres (cm) in length. Like most insects, they are comprised of a head, thorax, and abdomen. The world’s largest grasshopper is the hedge grasshopper, native to Australia, which are typically nine cm in length.

The ancestors of the modern-day grasshoppers date back around 250 million years to the early Triassic period, when the first reptiles roamed the earth. The typical lifespan of these plant-eating insects is one year. Fun fact: grasshoppers and locusts are the same creature, but the latter’s name has a bad rep due to the plaguing stories of them in biblical times. Truth be told, some species have been known to destroy crops over wide areas. In 1954 a swarm destroyed over 200 square kilometres (km) of wild and cultivated plants in Kenya.

The Cloud: A group of grasshoppers is called either a swarm or a cloud. Females are slightly larger than males and mating occurs as summer changes to autumn. The male will mount the female and deposit a package of sperm called a spermatophore. Mating can last anywhere from 45 minutes to just over a day. Females can lay over 300 eggs in one cluster. It is these clusters that become the following summer’s cloud of grasshoppers. The life stage of grasshoppers goes from egg to nymph, to adulthood. Newly-hatched grasshoppers (nymphs) resemble adult grasshoppers but are born wingless.

Jiminy Crickets: Crickets and grasshoppers are cousins with two main differences. Crickets have longer antennae than grasshoppers, and while grasshoppers make music by rubbing their leg on their forewing, crickets do so by rubbing their wings together.

Weather Whisperers: In some Indigenous cultures it was said that grasshoppers could not only predict but also had power over the weather and changes in it. Grasshoppers symbolize many things such as abundance, intuition, achievement, and just in time to celebrate the Irish inspired St. Patrick’s Day, they also represent good luck and fortune.

Outgoing staffer “loved every minute”

By Virginia Walker, community librarian Invermere Public Library

‘Marvin K. Mooney, will you please go now! The time has come. The time is now. Just go. Go. GO! I don’t care how.’

- Marvin K. Money Will You Please Go Now! by Dr Seuss

I know this isn’t how my coworkers feel about me, but the time has come to say goodbye after performing a job I have loved for 35 years. It has been an honour to work with people including Liz Robinson, Nicole Pawlak and our current “Wow” team of Anne, Jayne, Blair, Japhy, Claire, with special guests Dallas and Leann.

Over the years, many volunteers, trustees and “Friends of the Library” have helped make this a dream job for me.

Then there are the books. Literacy, education and accessible resources do change the world. The library is

where everyone is welcome to avail themselves of these tools … for FREE! A well-funded library is the cornerstone of a healthy community.

Oh, the library patrons! As the saying goes: ‘What happens at the library, stays at the library.’ We witness the highs and lows, and the everyday lives of this community. It has been a privilege to get to know so many wonderful people.

There have been huge changes over the past 35 years: the rise of the internet, automation, unionization. Every day there is something new to learn here.

My hope for the future is that our elected officials recognize the value of libraries. Their job is to ‘balance the budget’, and the library is on the expenditure side of the page. They need to be told loudly and often, that our community values library services.

I’ll sign off with these words from my favourite obituary, as seen at the post office: “Loved every minute.” And: thank you.

There are over 11,000 species of grasshoppers worldwide. Out of that impressive number, 60 of those species call British Columbia home. Photo by Elegance Nairobi on Unsplash

DTSS junior girls and boys teams victorious in local tournament

By Joanne McQuarrie editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The junior girls and boys teams at David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) won games they played in a tournament they hosted on February 23 and 24 said Carly Nickurak, Lakers’ social media manager, in a text.

The DTSS girls team defeated the Golden Secondary School junior girls on Feb. 23, 41-29.

On the 24th, the DTSS boys played against the Selkirk Secondary School (Kimberley) junior boys, getting a 63-38 victory.

Sam Dodington, junior boys coach (with Jordan Smith) said, “After a hard-fought sixth place finish at the East Kootenay Zone Championship a few weeks earlier, the junior boys basketball team returned home for their final games of the season.

“Our DTSS Lakers were matched up against the Selkirk Storm,” Dodington continued. “The Lakers fed off the home court energy and got off to an early lead in the game. The team never looked back and cruised to a 63-

38 victory. The lakers offensive attack was clicking, with every player on the roster recording a basket. The leading scorer was Blake Olson, who recorded 22 points, while Tyson Gemmell led the team in assists and Craig Hale led the team in rebounds.

“It was a great season for the junior boys,” Dodington said, “and a commanding home win was a great way to finish off the season.”

Denise Jensen, who coaches the junior girls with Kris Hardwick and grade 12 assistant, Rahne Stanbury, said about the team’s win against Golden, “I think all together, the girls played very well as a team. They were able to find their groove early on and didn’t look back. Their defence was absolutely on fire, along the offence to take the time they needed to set up their shots properly. I’m very grateful and honoured that they allowed us tocoach them this year.

“We look forward to seeing what they can do in the coming years.”

L and Act: Notice of Application for a Disposition of Crown L and

Take notice that I/We, Village of Radium Hot Springs, from Radium Hot Springs, BC, have applied to the British Columbia Ministr y of Forests (FOR), Kootenay Boundar y Region, for a Lease for Public Utility situated on Provincial Crown Land located in the vicinity of Radium Hot Springs.

FOR invites comments on this application, the Lands File is 4406369. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Sr Authorization Specialist, FOR, Kootenay Boundar y Region, at 1902 Theatre Road, Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G1. Comments will be received by FOR up to April 21, 2023. FOR may not be able to consider comments received after this date Please visit the website at http://comment.nrs.gov bc.ca/ for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www gov bc.ca/ freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions.

WELCOME BC HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS

Rockies U13 Schedule

at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena

March 19, 6:30 PM Opening Ceremony

March 19, 7:15 PM vs. 100 Mile House

March 20, 4:15 PM vs. Whistler

March 21, 8:00 AM vs. Nelson

March 21, 4:15 PM vs. Fernie

March 22, 7:15 PM vs. Kitimat

March 23, 1:30 PM vs. Revelstoke

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 7:30 PM March 23

March 23, 10:00 PM Closing Ceremony

FOR FULL SCHEDULE SCAN HERE

The DTSS junior boys team scored a 63-38 victory against the Selkirk Secondary School (Kimberley) junior boys in local tournament on February 24. Photo submitted

The DTSS junior girls team defeated Golden Secondary School junior girls 41-29 on February 23 at a tournament in Invermere. Photo submitted

Local parkour student places first in competition

Submitted

by

Shilo Cameron

On Sunday, March 5 Lisa Weppler, owner and coach at Hardcore Parkour attended the team’s first competition with four of her students. The competition took place at Calgary’s Breathe Parkour.

The ‘spring speed scramble’ was a competition meant to push competitors’ speed limits while tackling challenging obstacle courses. Three courses were set out and each athlete was able to run each course three times, taking their top two speeds.

The facility was buzzing with excitement and the turnout was inspiring! Athletes of all ages from across Alberta as well as Invermere, showed up to compete, along with the many supportive spectators. Rory Wolfe, 14, competed in the 11-15 age category against 16 other talented athletes. When they called his name to take the podium for first place, cheers flooded the gymnasium. Way to go Rory! The entire team and coach, Lisa, at Hardcore Parkour are so proud of all the athletes who took part in Calgary’s speed competition and we look forward to more!

The Namib Desert –Forbidding landscape vibrating with life

Submitted by Jane Thurgood Sagal

In 2006, I travelled to Nambia for work. Following the first week, my colleagues and I take the Desert Express – a train to Swakopmund on the west coast - to explore the oldest desert in the world along with the Skeleton Coast. The Namib Desert occupies an area of 80,950 square kilometres, of which 50,000 are protected.

The Skeleton Coast is a 40 km wide and 500 km long, coastal stretch in Namibia; it’s a hostile but fascinating area, with sand dunes so high, sailors in the distance mistake them for mountains, assuming a sharp drop-off into the water. Here, the cold and unpredictable Benguela Current of the Atlantic Ocean clashes with the dune and desert landscape of northwestern Namibia, causing shipwrecks and entombing sailors.

During lunch, our train travels leisurely through a game farm. Through the window, we excitedly observe tall majestic giraffes, bounding springboks, red-bottomed baboons, stately oryx, and other game. When springboks leap, they vault into the air and hang momentarily, lowering their head and arching their back while airborne.

When the train stops, we clamber onto a safari jeep, being lucky enough to see a mother rhinoceros with her baby. Following this discovery, we are hailed by mean-tempered ostriches.

Rory Wolfe, with Hardcore Parkour in Invermere, won first place in a competition in Calgary in early March.

Photo submitted

Al-Anon Are you concerned about or affec ted by someone else’s drinking? For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-878-2448 or 250-342-8392.

Alcoholics Anonymous If alcohol is causing problems or conic t in your life, AA can help All meetings are at 7 p.m. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Ser vice Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Please call 250342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship.

Cheers to Carla at The Black Forest Restaurant for the great ser vice when we were there for Catherine's bir thday

Cheers to Cris for posters, Katherine for adver tising and all the wonder ful people that attended our St Patricks day tea It was so fun :) Edgewater/Radium Hospital Auxiliar y.

Cheers to DCS plumbing for ALWAYS coming to save us, but EX TRA cheers for the last time for coming after already working a full day and then dealing with the least favourable conditions Cheers Doug! And Cheers too, Kyle!

Cheers to Nicole at Sobeys

Always so sweet and helpful :)

Cheers from Edgewater/ Radium Hospital Auxiliar y

~ REMEMBERING ~ Sean Stewart McFarlane

I long to stay

My body is gone but I’m always near

I’m ever ything you feel, see, or hear

My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart,

As long as you keep me alive in your heart

I ll never wander out of your sight,

I’m the brightest star on a warm summer night

I’ll never be beyond y our reach,

I’m the warm moist sand when you ’ re at the beach

I’m the colourful leaves when winter comes round, And the pure white snow that blankets the ground

I’m the

tears that flow when you weep

And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep

I’m the smile you see on a stranger’s face

Just look for me I’m ever yplace

(Author Unknown)

We love and miss you always -Mum, Dad & Blair

Cheers to R ic at Sobeys for donating to our St. Patrick's Day tea. Thanks from Edgewater/ Radium Hospital Auxiliar y.

Cheers to Sonja Kanan for being so kind and accommodating You are awesome!

Iv y House Residents put out a great big CHEERS to Bill Ark and the crew for putting on the Communit y Talent Show on Sunday March 12 midday. We thoroughly enjoyed ever y per former and their talents The MC was mar velous, and the humor in bet ween during stage set up was wonder ful

Cheers and more Cheers to Rosanna and Shane for helping out and providing hot meals to someone in need

LISTINGS

Small business operating in the Valley for 16 years, includes all tools needed for

blinds Includes ex tensive inventor y of par ts/cording many sizes/colours

Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky R iver Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B C Permanent, F/T shifts, over time, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week O ver time after 40 hours

ACREAGES FOR SALE

2 5 to 3 4 acre parcels

Great mountain views, privac y, individual wells, no building time commitment Located on sunny side of the Valley

For more information contac t Elkhorn Ranches 250-342-1268

w w w.elkhornranches.com

B B's Home & Design Ser vices

Renovations, Masonr y & Handyman Ser vices, Blinds & Install. Cabin checks/yard care/eavestrough cleaning/junk removal/dump runs Call 250-688-2897

THE HEARTFELT COMPANION: Ser vices for Seniors

Since 2014 we've provided kind and compassionate non-medical care, transpor tation to Cranbrook, overnight care, meal prep, grocer y shopping and more

Excellent local references 250-341-5683

Hear tfeltcompanionser vices com

Minimum several years' experience and completion of secondar y school DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure qualit y of food por tions, work with minimal super vision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances. Inspec t kitchens and food ser vice areas Please for ward resume to Justin Atterbur y by fax 250-342-8889 or email: justatterbur y@hotmail com

If you have what it takes to work with a great Landscape Maintenance team, we want you!

We’re expanding our team and looking for hard working people, whether you have years of experience or you’re new to the green industry

Our company embraces life outdoors, we appreciate the satisfaction of hard physical work, and we take pride in keeping our clients’ properties healthy and looking fantastic using an established system. You will be taught how to safely operate mowers, weed eaters, blowers, and other tools and equipment We want you to be part of a team that works in, and appreciates, the weather of the Columbia Valley We work on very hot days, very cold days, rainy days, and very beautiful days.

If you’re the best, you won’t ever have to worry about being paid above industry standards, our starting wage is $20/hr We also offer an extremely flexible benefits package for team members who stay with us year round. If this is the kind of challenge you are looking for, please email enquiries to:

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

Tel: (250) 342-9281 • Fax: (250) 342-2934

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Engineering Summer Student

The District of Invermere is accepting applications for an Engineering or Planning undergraduate student to work as part of our Public Works and Planning Departments. You would be expected to work on a variety of including development of maintenance programs, assistance with development applications, and involvement with Civil construction projects.

These are temporary, full-time positions (35 hours per week) within the CUPE Local 2982 bargaining unit.

Minimum Quali cations:

• You must be attending school, college or university and enrolled in a Civil Engineering or Planning undergraduate during the last school term and returning to your studies in the subsequent academic year.

• Knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and records management would be an asset.

• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s License. Submission of a Drivers Abstract is required.

General Hours of work: Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30

Employment Term:

• Employment will commence in early May and will terminate in late August.

Starting Pay Rate: Is under review

This position will remain open until lled.

District of Invermere

Attn: Kindry Luyendyk, Corporate O cer PO Box 339, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0 Email: corporateservices@invermere.net

Casual Employees

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

• PARKS LABOURER/S

• GARDENER/S

The District of Invermere is accepting applications for Summer Students to work as part of our Public Works Sta as Parks Labourers, Gardeners, and to support outdoor events.

These are temporary, full-time positions (40 hours per week) within the CUPE Local 2982 bargaining unit.

General Hours of work: (days and hours may vary)

Parks Labourers

• 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday to Friday with some weekend shifts.

• Mondays - 4 p.m. – midnight (Movies in the Mountains events in July and August)

Gardeners

• 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday to Friday with some weekend shifts.

Employment Term:

• Employment will commence in early May and will terminate in late August.

Starting Pay Rate: is currently under review. Please visit www.invermere.net for full job descriptions. These positions will remain open until lled.

District of Invermere

Attn: Kindry Luyendyk, Corporate O cer

PO Box 339

Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0

Email: corporateservices@invermere.net

Community Coordinator

The Columbia Valley Métis Association, with approximately 170 citizens, is seeking a Community Coordinator to work a flexible work schedule for a total of 20 hours a week, at our office located in the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce building. In addition, we may require a flexible 8-10 hours per month outside of office workday for one monthly board meeting and the occasional family- friendly evening or weekend events.

Essential Duties:

• Office Administration

• Citizen Assistance

• Event Management

• Communication and Marketing

• Community Relationships

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• You are an organized, efficient person who can work independently.

• Your knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, MailChimp, QuickBooks, videoconferencing, and other digital applications are preferred, but we will train the right person

• Since communication with our citizens is essential, you will respect their needs and develop trusting relationships with them. You have a high standard of ethics, and an ability to maintain confidentiality.

• An understanding and appreciation of Métis history is an asset.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Under

supervision of the Public Works Foreman, the casual employee performs a variety of manual labour duties and equipment operations. Work involves the general maintenance of municipal infrastructures including roads and streets, storm drainage, water and sewer systems, parks, cemetery and buildings. The primary tasks considered for this posting involve buildings, parks, roads and utility maintenance and repair and must be willing to come in contact with live sewer.

Applicants must possess sound communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of WCB regulations would be an asset.

This position is within C.U.P.E. 2982 bargaining unit. A full job description is available for this position.

Applicants are invited to submit their resumes to:

Kindry Luyendyk, Corporate O cer District of Invermere

914 – 8th Avenue Box 339. Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Email info@invermere.net

• Criminal Record Check.

• Valid Class 5 driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

The Columbia Valley Métis Association is governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors, who will provide you with guidance and support.

Wage negotiable based on experience. The potential exists to increase hours in the future if mutually agreeable.

To apply, please submit your resume including references to: columbiavalleycc@mnbc.ca

Closing Date: March 31st, 2023 – Projected Start Date –April 11th, 2023

WETLAND TECHNICIAN JOB IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Are you interested in working in a beautiful place and an interesting job. Look at link below for full details and how to apply. https://livinglakescanada.ca/2023/03/04/ join-our-team-were-hiring-a-wetlands-technician/

• Term of Employment: May 1, 2023 – May 1, 2024, with potential for permanent employment.

• Wage: $52,000/year

• Location: Must be a full-time Columbia Basin resident, must be able to live in Columbia Valley for the full field season May 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023.

• Deadline to Apply: April 10, 2023

• Submit Application to: info@livinglakescanada.ca

• Hours: 40 hours/week, FTE 1

Scientists plan to study huge rockfall in the Bugaboos

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

BC Parks) told the Pioneer that the closure is in place “to ensure public safety over the immediate impacted area until more information becomes available and BC Parks can undertake a geotechnical risk evaluation”. The spokesperson said it was not possible to give an update on whether the closure will actually end on July 15 or whether it is likely to be extended, until the geotechnical analysis takes place.

About why BC Parks opted not to shut access to the Bugaboo-Snowpatch Col, the spokesperson outlined that “the hazard area remains open as it is at a sufficient enough distance from the immediate impacted zone and rock debris area to enable passage. It is labeled as a hazard area so visitors remain diligent if they are traversing adjacent to the closure area.”

Simon Fraser University (SFU) Centre for Natural Hazards Research citizen science manager, Paul Adam, is one the scientists who will be involved with studying the rockfall in the Bugaboos.

Adam explained to the Pioneer that the incident was likely the result of freeze-thaw action: several of the Bugaboo spires, including Snowpatch, have very large and very deep cracks that fill with water. When it gets cold, the water turns to ice. Because water is one of the few substances that actually expand when cooled (most expand when heated), the ice has the effect of “gradually acting like a wedge that pushes the rock apart to the point where there’s less friction holding the rock in place and then the rock falls”.

a result of the rock of the Chief seeing thermal expansion (i.e. being heated and cooled directly as a result of sun and air temperature) rather than the freeze-thaw action seen in the Bugaboos. Both areas are steep, granite rock with plenty of cracks and fissures, explained Adam and both “see a lot more rockfall than many people may realize...It presents a real hazard to climbers and the general public”.

What researchers and scientists at SFU have been doing on the Chief, and what they are planning to start doing in the Bugaboos, is gather information about rockfall events and examine the conditions associated with them.

“What we want to do is get some baseline data on the Bugs,” Adam told the Pioneer. “Measure the rocks, see what is occurring, where it is happening, and how quickly it is happening.”

To do this, SFU plans to work collaboratively with BC Parks, local First Nations, and Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), which operates the nearby Bugaboo Lodge. (Incidentally, Adam has a work association with CMH and has time climbing in the Bugaboos.)

A huge, recent rockfall in the Columbia Valley’s Bugaboo Provincial Park has prompted the closure of part of the internationally popular mountaineering and rock climbing destination. It could possibly eventually help lead to the creation of a sort of ‘risk warning’ system for rockfalls that would be similar in scope to the forecasts put out by Avalanche Canada for avalanche conditions. Such a system, if it turns out to be possible, would be the first of its kind in the world.

The recent rockfall has transformed Snowpatch Spire, one of the most well known of the unmistakable and eye-catching peaks of the Bugaboos and has completely erased a number of famous climbing routes. It was first discovered just prior to the Christmas holiday by Edgewater guide, James Madden, who works for Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH)’s heliski operations. Madden was flying nearby the spires.“We could see something from across the valley and we were not sure what it was,” Madden told the Pioneer. As they got closer “we thought it might be a rockfall, but never imagined it was that big...It was surprising. It’s definitely very significant.”

An entire slab of rock had essentially peeled right off the spire and crashed directly onto the glacier below, where Madden noted it has clearly had an impact. “I don’t know the physics of it at all, but it would seem the glacier underneath was compressed, or collapsed a bit.” The exact amount of rock is difficult to gauge “but it’s quite a lot”, he said.

So far only a handful of people have seen the rockfall with their own eyes, but about a month ago, BC Parks issued a closure order, shutting off access to the part of Snowpatch Spire where the rock came off, as well as to the extensive debris field below it. See above image. The nearby Snowpatch-Bugaboo Col, which is the main route for mountaineers to access the Upper Bugaboo Glacier has been designated as a ‘hazard area’.

The order is in place until July 15.

A spokesperson with the provincial ministry of environment and climate change strategy (which oversees

Madden had explained to the Pioneer that the day before the rockfall the temperature was about 28 degrees Celsius below zero, and that it had been quite a bit warmer only a few days prior.

Adam noted that a similar process of rock “flaking off” in huge chunks also happens at the Squamish Chief, near Squamish, but added that process seems to be more

The work would include everything from looking through old archival photos to figure out the history of rockfall, to determining where the major cracks are in the Bugaboos, to thermal imaging of the rock in the area, to setting up cameras to create remotely-operated photographic sites (which would provide continuous visual records of how the rocks changes), as well as setting up ‘Raspberry Shakes’ — miniature seismographs (earthquake measuring devices) that are small enough to fit in the palm of a person’s hand, but which have a limited range (up to about five kilometres) in which they can reliably measure rock movement. The researchers also want to develop tiny weather stations to collect meteorological data.

BUGABOO PROVINCIAL PARK

A enormous part of Snowpatch Spire peeled off and fell on the glacier below earlier this winter.

Photos by James Madden

The Snowpatch rockfall has prompted BC Parks to close parts of Bugaboo Provincial Park to the public and label other parts as hazard areas. Image submitted

A blip registering on a ‘Raspberry Shake’ stationed inside the Conrad Kain hut or Bugaboo Lodge (or even possibly outdoors somehow at the Applebee Dome campsite) could indicate rocks falling off the face of Bugaboo Spire or other nearby peaks. Researchers could then check the visual images from the cameras to figure out where exactly the rockfall was and its size.

SFU scientists want to learn in the Bugs what they’ve already learned on the Chief, by finding out where the ‘hot spots’ are. In the case of the Chief, hot spots is both a figurative and literal term, since the granite on the Chief gets very hot, temperature-wise. But, interestingly, not all parts of the rock are equally hot.

“What we’ve figured out, and this is preliminary and will be studied further, is that overhangs seem to be hotter than vertical areas (on the Chief),” explained Adam. Some overhanging parts of the Chief are actually several degrees hotter than nearby sections of straight rock. Overhanging sections of a rock climbing route present intriguing technical challenges for rock climbers. But since they are hotter than other surrounding parts of the rock, overhangs are also, it turns out, more subject to thermal expansion. This acts in conjunction with the greater forces of gravity (because overhangs, by definition have nothing underneath them) to increase the likelihood of rockfall.

“We’d like to do the same with the Bugs — to study them and figure out what’s going on there,” said Adam.

Most rockfalls are caused quite simply, by the sheer force of gravity. Through various geologic and environmental processes, pieces of rock in the Bugaboos, on the Chief, and elsewhere around the world at places such as Yosemite, get to the point that they are not directly supported by the peaks they are ostensibly part of, but are instead predominantly held in place by friction.

So then, what factors are at play when friction is finally overwhelmed by gravity?

It seems for the Chief that heating of the rock itself, and the associated thermal expansion, as well as the roots of trees growing in the cracks there, may play a role — possibly a big role — in speeding up the process involved in this gravity-friction battle. Adam suspects freeze and thaw and thermal expansion may play a similar role in speeding up rockfall processes in the Bugaboos, but is curious to find out if this hunch

is accurate, as well as to find out what other factors are involved there.

A possible final outcome of this research is the creation of a risk-level warning system for rockfall. Adam is quick to caution that such an idea is only theoretical at this point and may not turn out to be realistically practical. Still, if it were to come fruition, there could be a considerable upshot from a public safety perspective.

Adam outlined that the idea is roughly similar to Avalanche Canada’s avalanche risk forecasting system. Like the avalanche system, the rockfall warning system would necessarily be more about general risk conditions instead of about specific individual hazards.

“I obviously couldn’t say exactly when or where a rockfall is going to occur, but rather could give an idea about the conditions at a given point in time. The aim would be to be able to give people a warning about what the level of risk might be,” said Adam.

So, for instance, such a system might point out that during a particularly hot, sunny stretch of summer that overhanging parts of the Chief had become significantly hotter than their typical summer average, theoretically raising the risk of rockfall. Climbers wishing to reduce their own exposure to risk while climbing the Chief could then, at their choosing, avoid overhangs and stick to purely vertical and shady routes.

The role climate change plays in rockfalls is something else that has piqued the interest of the SFU scientists. There are, for example, are trees growing in cracks on the Chief and their expanding roots systems act as a wedge prying the rock apart. In the future, if the climate continues to warm, there may be more trees and they may grow faster, which could affect rockfalls there. Climate change may also exacerbate freeze and thaw cycles in the Bugaboos, making such cycles more frequent and thereby speeding up wedging. And, who knows, possibly in the future there may even be trees growing in the cracks on the Bugaboo spires as a result of climate change.

SFU scientists are also keen to get a better handle on precisely how much rockfall is happening in the Bugaboos. “Anecdotally there is a lot of it, particularly on Pigeon Spire and the Howser Towers, but we don’t exactly know how much is happening,” said Adam. They already heard about the big rockfall, but also want to know about smaller ones. Even a single fall rock about a half metre in size can have an effect, if it falls far enough and gathers speed.

Does the SFU team, based on the photos its seen, know how much rock came down in the fall off Snowpatch Spire? Adam said the team is in the process of making an estimate, but that clearly it was “a very substantial portion of the mountain”.

Enough rock fell that it made a noticeable impact on the ice sheet below, and that too, intrigues the SFU scientists. “We’ve heard it dented the glacier,” said Adam, adding the SFU team doesn’t know much about that geomorphic process, but wants to study it more.

“We’re very interested in that. Because if you drop a rock in water, of course the water moves. It makes sense that ice would be the same, but until this incident (in the Bugaboos) it’s something we haven’t thought (about),” explained Adam, adding the Snowpatch rockfall was quite unique in that the rocks did not roll, bounce or tumble off the mountain and then slide onto the glacier (as normally happens when rockfall ends up on a glacier). Instead, owing to the sheer vertical nature of the spires in the Bugaboos, the rock fell straight onto the glacier, uninterrupted.

“It was a direct hit, in that sense. That’s different. So we want to take a look at the deformation issues that it may have caused in the ice. How did it (the ice) change?” explained Adam.

He highlighted that both the Bugaboos and the Chief are very popular rock climbing destinations, known throughout the world and drawing visitors from around the globe. “They are important to the communities near them,” he said (meaning the municipalities of the Columbia Valley in the case of the Bugaboos, and Squamish in the case of the Chief). This in turn, he explained, makes it important to understand what is happening at these granite ports of call in terms of rockfall and the hazard that presents to climbers and other members of the public.

Radium Hot Springs closure: April 24 – May 4, 2023

What is happening?

Annual maintenance will occur at Radium Hot Springs from April 24- May 4, 2023. The full facility (hot and cool pools) will be closed during this time.

What do you need to know:

This closure is to complete regular maintenance work required to maintain Parks Canada’s high standard of quality at this popular year-round facility.

During this time the hot pool will be drained and repainted, requiring time and warm weather for the paint to cure.

This work is in addition to ongoing repairs to the cool pool and foundations of the

building at Radium Hot Springs Aquacourt from mid-January to spring 2023.

Completing annual maintenance in late April minimizes the impact on visitors and the community during a low visitation period, and aligns with the favorable weather required to complete the maintenance.

Annual pass holders will have their pass extended by the amount of time the facility is closed.

The hot pool is expected to reopen to the public on Friday May 5, 2023, while the cool pool will remain closed until further notice.

A enormous part of Snowpatch Spire peeled off and fell on the glacier below earlier this winter.

Photos by James Madden

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

Now open for in-person ser vices

Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

326 10th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-9535 • www.lwac.ca

FAITH

Being a self-reflective person

By Brent Woodard Anglican/ United Church

Minister: Brent Woodard

Sundays at 10:30 a.m In-person or on zoom

For the zoom link, please visit our website ( Windermere Valley Shared Ministr y). 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere.

V A L L E Y C H R I S T I A N A S S E M B L Y

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship ser vice 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

R O M A N C A T H O L I C C H U R C H

St Anthony’s, Canal Flats., Canadian Martyrs’ –Invermere, St Joseph’s – Radium

Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 p.m.

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

Father Jojo Augustine • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167

S T. P E T E R’S L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

Sunday 1:30 p.m Worship Ser vice at Valley Christian 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere lutheranstpeter@gmail.com

R A D I U M C H R I S T I A N F E L

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service

Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No 4, 7553 Main St Radium • 250-347-9937

Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m Relief Society, 11:15 a.m

President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fair way, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041

CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo)

Worship Ser vice: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall)

For inquiries: 250-688-1643

250-270-2208 or 250-688-0629

For more info about the church, you can Google online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph

My dad said to me one day that he wasn’t a self-reflective person. It may have been one of the more self-reflective comments I ever heard him make. That he said it,dd has always struck me as odd. I thought being self-reflective was a good quality, and my dad wasn’t shy of saying good things about himself. I guess from his perspective he just lived his life and that was good enough. From my perspective, however, it would have been helpful if he was more self-reflective. He wasn’t an easy person to be around. He was the centre of his world and invited others to make him the centre of their worlds as well.

In the Christian year, it is the season of Lent. Lent is a season for self-reflection. It is modelled on the story of Jesus being driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to reflect on what it meant to be him. If he felt called to live and speak for living God’s way, he had to reflect on what that way was, and not just what people thought it should be. He was tempted with material power, religious power and political power. He said ‘No,’ to these temptations. The late Walter Wink said, ‘Every other Jewish boy or girl in that society would have failed that test because every child was raised to believe the Messiah would have material, religious, and political power.’ If Jesus was not deeply self-reflective, he would have ended up hurting people instead of helping them. He would have been another

1-800-667-4321

As rain has been plentiful, animals aren’t gathering at waterholes, making it difficult to find the elephants and other large mammals. Back at the train, we feast on dinner as the train moves quickly through the darkening sky. As we return to our sleeping quarters, I joke that we are on the Orient Express – except for the murder part, of course.

In Swakopmund, we book a Living Desert Tour to see the ‘Little 5’. Our guide is concerned about the quads that roar over the dunes and the gravel plain (in the unprotected portion of the desert). On the dunes, wind blows away tracks in 24 hours but life in the sand is disrupted and potentially destroyed. On the gravel plain, tracks remain for 10-100 years.

The first animal we find is a dancing lady spider, also called the cartwheel spider. When alarmed, it forms into

person who exercised ‘religious malpractice’ (or economic or political malpractice). Unfortunately, people in every walk of society avoid such honest self-reflection and do harm where they could do good.

Self-reflection is hard. We may have barriers to looking very deeply and honestly within. It’s like we have an image of ourselves, or a story of ourselves in our head, and we don’t want to see parts of ourselves that are contrary to that image or story.

I liken it somewhat to looking under the hood of a car. How many of us really know what’s going on under the hood? We just want to turn the key and drive. Why look under the hood? We wouldn’t know how to fix anything anyway. It would take more time and energy than we want, to give to understand what makes a car tick. This may be true for ourselves as well. We just keep living on the surface, or on auto-pilot, unless we encounter enough inner angst that we are forced to take a look inside.

I had a beloved professor who said, “Anyone who tells you about themselves is probably a liar.” Strong words for making the point that people don’t really know themselves. Another teacher said “Self-knowledge is the hardest of all knowledge to have.”

I’m attracted to the story of Jesus in the wilderness. It’s so interesting that the Spirit drove him there. Divine wisdom knew he had to take a long and hard and honest look at himself. It’s an archetypal story. This means it’s a story not just about one person at one time. It’s about everyone. We can all put ourselves into the story. It’s a story that needs to happen again and again and again.

a ball, rolling down the dune at breakneck speed, escaping predators; if young, it stands up after rolling, adopting a kung fu stance to fight (which makes it look like a dancing lady).

The next animal we see is a legless lizard – a Fitzsimmons burrowing skink. It is blind and, similar to most animals in the desert, has a waxy surface to protect itself from the sun.

My favourite desert discovery is a transparent gecko, his spine and organs clearly visible through his translucent skin. He has large eyes, no eyelids, using his tongue to wipe sand off his eyes and collect moisture that condenses there. We also saw a shovel-snouted sand diving lizard (built for desert life with a double bladder), a sidewinder, and a chameleon. Based on this tour, my limited view of deserts is shattered, exploding my understanding of desert life tenfold.

Translucent gecko Photo submitted by Jane Thurgood Sagal

The Desert Express Photo submitted by Jane Thurgood Sagal

. . . ‘Namib desert from 15