Vol10issue51

December 20, 2013 Vol. 10/Issue 51

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1 December 20, 2013

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

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Budding young performers from Eileen Madson Primary school in Invermere wowed a packed house of parents and relatives at their Helping Out at the North Pole performance on Wednesday, December 11th. Left to right: Rebecqa Clarke, Jack Andruschuk, and Kaedynce McKay share a moment in the limelight at the David Thompson Secondary school gym.

Photo by Greg Amos

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

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An ice-covered shore near the Athalmer Bridge made a great place for a river otter to go for an extended back-scratching session on Sunday, December 8th. The friendly critter was very co-operative, said local photographer Kim Hutton, who was able to capture these shots around the log pilings where the former bridge once stood. The otter was part of a group of three that were frolicking in the -21 C weather. Kim had driven to the boat launch hoping for a shot of ducks, and got more than she bargained for. “I had such an amazing experience, once-in-a-lifetime really,” said Kim. Photos by Kim Hutton

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December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

VALLEY NEWS

Council concerned about ALR changes

By Steve Hubrecht Pioneer Staff Invermere council voted to send letters to provincial energy and mines minister Bill Bennett and provincial agriculture minister Pat Pimm after discussing possible changes to B.C.’s Agricultural Land Reserve at its most recent meeting last week.

“It seems there’s a lot of discussion around restructuring (the Agricultural Land Commission) in a way that takes away a lot of the power to do what it was meant to do,” said Councillor Spring Hawes.

“I’ve heard it (the commission) may be changed so that large swaths of land are self-regulated by the energy industry; that’s really concerning,” said Councillor Paul Denchuk. “We don’t want to dismantle something just to throw it to industry.”

Invermere mayor Gerry Taft said he’s not opposed to

reviewing the Agricultural Land Commission system, but said local governments and the Union of B.C. Municipalities should be part of that review, as well as the provincial government and other relevant organizations.

“It’s a matter of trust, the B.C. government says the commission’s not going to change, but there are news reports on it,” said Mr. Taft. “That’s why we need to be at the table.”

Mr. Taft said the Regional District of East Kootenay board of directors (which includes Mr. Taft) occasionally asks the Agricultural Land Commission to remove certain parcels of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and that the commission’s decision-making often seems an inscrutable process.

“It often seems like a roll of the dice (whether the land comes out or not); it’s so inconsistent and sometimes so illogical,” he said. “We could find a system that works better.”

In the Upper Columbia Valley many parcels of land that are in the Agricultural Land Reserve are not really

agriculturally productive and shouldn’t be in the reserve, while other parcels of land that are quite agriculturally productive, including Edible Acres and Winderberry, are not in the reserve and should be, according to Mr. Taft.

“The boundaries are flawed,” he said.

Valley resident John Ronacher Sr. couldn’t agree more.

Mr. Ronacher has lived on his 11 acres of land on Westside Road for 40 years. The land is mostly clay, according to Mr. Ronacher, but it’s still in the Agricultural Land Reserve, a status he finds almost impossible to change.

“On the coast, everything is coming out (of the reserve),” he said. “Yet for my crappy land, there’s no way.”

On three different occasions, Mr. Ronacher has lined up a sale for his land, and each time the sale ultimately fell through because the land’s Agricultural Land Reserve restrictions mean it can’t be easily subdivided.

Paying the considerable taxes on the large chunk of land is becoming onerous, he said.

Cougars killed after hunting in residential areas

By Nicole Trigg Pioneer Staff Recent cougar activity has forced local conservation officers to track three large cats in less than a week and to destroy two of them. In all three cases, the cougars were actively hunting and killing prey close to homes and showing patterns of habituating themselves to the communities.

“We don’t want people to be paranoid,” said Columbia Valley conservation officer Greg Kruger. “Just be aware this is cougar country.”

Back in October, The Valley Echo (The Pioneer’s sister paper) reported that a young male cougar had been captured in Windermere and put down by conservation officers after it killed a deer close to Windermere Elementary School.

A similar scenario took place more recently in Juniper Heights, when a young female cougar killed a deer close to a house on December 10th. The cat was tracked with hounds and treed (a capture method use by the conservation office service) a few kilometres away.

“With that particular cougar, we just left it,” said Mr. Kruger, adding the deer carcass had been moved away from the house so the cougar wouldn’t return to feed on it. “So far it’s been successful. We haven’t had any other complaints on that particular cougar, so we’re hoping it stays away.”

But two more recent incidents have led to the cougars being put down after their capture near populated areas. An adult male observed to be actively hunting bighorn sheep within the village of Radium Hot Springs was tracked by hounds brought in by the conservation officers on December 12th and destroyed.

“That we know of, it killed two bighorn rams right in the neighbourhoods (and) was feeding on them,” said Mr. Kruger. “When we followed it, it had been through houses, through condos, up on decks… all through the main strip of Radium and then towards the golf course and the river, all through there.”

And on Monday, December 16th, the conservation officers were back in Windermere tracking down a large tom (adult male) that had killed a deer by the Shadybrook Campground, located next to Tretheway Beach.

Continued on page 26 . . .

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

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Cram the Cruiser With the last push before Christmas, Cram the Cruiser (to collect food for the Columbia Valley Food Bank) will be sitting at Sobeys and AG Foods. It is our hope to have the Cruiser out between these two stores for most of the day this Saturday. Let’s ensure that the Food Bank is well-stocked over the holiday season. Our thanks to the citizens who attended the Christmas Holiday Train. Cram the Cruiser, along with staff from the Food Bank, were on hand to collect your donations. You filled up a car and we also collected well over $700. Many thanks.

• On Friday, December 13th, Columbia Valley detachment members conducted a sobriety road check at Laurier and Panorama. We checked about 100 vehicles. A number of written warnings and notices of order were given to fix items on cars that were out of order. There were three Motor Vehicle Act charges and a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 49-year-old male from Invermere was impounded, and the driver issued a 90-day driving prohibition when he displayed signs of having consumed liquor. The driver blew a fail. The driver was also issued a violation ticket for driving without a valid driver’s licence.

• On Friday, December 13th, a liquor act infraction was observed at Bud’s Bar for allowing patrons to leave the establishment with liquor. The bar was served with a notice and the Liquor Inspector for the region will follow up.

• On Saturday, December 14th at 2 a.m., the Columbia Valley detachment received a complaint of disturbance at the White House Pub. An investigation revealed that two adult females related to each other had a physical confrontation. One female received minor injuries, but did not wish to follow up with charges.

• On Monday, December 16th at 4 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment attended a two-vehicle accident on Highway 93/95 on the Radium hill. A Kootenay Heavy Haul tractor driven by an adult male turned onto the highway to travel north in heavy fog, not seeing that another semi vehicle, a Chief tractor-trailer, was northbound. The Chief truck, in attempting to avoid the accident, veered right, making contact with the Heavy Haul tractor. The Chief semi truck and trailer entered into the ditch to the right and came to rest on its side. Neither driver was injured. The driver of the Heavy Haul was charged with an unsafe start.

• On Monday, December 16th at 6:50 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment responded to a two-vehicle accident on Athalmer Road. A GMC Envoy driven by a 36-year-old male from Invermere entered a curve and failed to remain on the right side of the line, entering the eastbound lane and colliding with a Pontiac Sunfire driven by a 30-year-old female from Windermere. There were no injuries to either of the drivers. The driver of the GMC displayed signs of having consumed alcohol and was read the ASD demand. The driver blew a fail. The Envoy was

impounded for 30 days and the driver was issued a 90-day driving prohibition.

Christmas Eve Past (I included this in a past article. The police often have an impact on people, but this elderly gentleman made an impact on me and at Christmastime I often reflect on this brief Christmas Eve encounter.)

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring, except for the domestic dispute going on next door. (Police version of the poem).

This incident happened many years ago when I was a junior officer in Maple Ridge.

My partner and I were called to a domestic disturbance in a trailer park. As the houses were all close together, our attendance attracted a number of people looking on. We did our best to put the couple back into the Christmas spirit. We were hoping for a quiet Christmas Eve. As we were ready to depart the scene, an elderly male next door waived us over to him and he requested we come into the house. From what I recall, he actually demanded we come inside. Again, really hoping for a quiet Christmas Eve, we were also wondering what this gentleman had for us. As we entered the house, he demanded in an authoritative voice that we have a seat at the kitchen table, stating “You guys should not have to put up with this on Christmas Eve.” He invited us to share a coffee with him. He poured us a coffee then came over with a bottle of brandy, ready to put a splash in with the coffee. I held out my hand and told the fellow that we couldn’t as we were on duty, and before I could do anything to stop him, the splash of brandy was in our coffee. “No” was not an answer he was prepared to take. Again, he responded, “It’s Christmas Eve and you should not have to put up with this.” We sat and chatted, and during our discussion learned that his wife had passed on some time ago. As we chatted on, he saw that our coffee was getting low — a quick dash to the coffee pot and an even quicker dash to the brandy. We learned quickly the fellow was not going to take “no” as an answer. All we could do was control the splash. We carried on our chat over this delicious coffee.

With some degree of force and discipline, we declined his third cup, advising him we should be back on the road. We thanked him for the special coffee, shook hands and wished him a Merry Christmas as he thanked us for spending some time with him. At the time, I did not realize what had happened. His gift was a hot, spiced-up coffee. Our gift was a half hour of our time. I call that a win-win situation.

My partner and I went outside and we did some checks: standingon one foot, touching the tips of our noses, standing straight, head back. We didn’t keel over; we were good to go. Over my long career, I have worked many Christmas Eves, but truly can only recall this one particular Christmas Eve as if it happened yesterday. The old fellow got what he probably wanted — a little company — and I got to learn milk is not the only thing that mixes with coffee. On behalf of the detachment members and staff, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time with family and be safe.

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

Rockies give education an assist at Eileen Madson Primary

Windermere

By Dan Walton Pioneer Staff

Grocery and Liquor Store

The Columbia Valley Rockies play or practice nearly every night of the week, but the boys still make time to contribute more than just hockey action for Invermere.

Twice each week, players from the Rockies head over to Eileen Madson Primary to give the students something to brag about — learning alongside Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) players.

“The little ones get really excited about guests in our building, and the Rockies are like rock stars,” said principal Lisa Tenta. “The FUTURE FORWARD - The Columbia Valley Rockies had extra help with their warm-up kids want their autograph; earlier this week, as Minor Rockies hockey player Chase Kinsley was selected to be the 7th they’re excited to talk about Rocky for the warm-up skate on Tuesday, December 17th.

Photo by Dan Walton the games they went to.”

“One particular child lights up whenever Tyson This is the third season that the Rockies have been helping at the elementary [Kapty] reads; she just can’t wait to curl up and have him school, and Ms. Tenta said that it’s now a well-established read, and he lights up too,” she said.

“It brightens their practice between the school and hockey organization.

“All around, it’s really great community building,” day just as much as it she said. “A lot of the Rockies themselves are from out brightens my day,” agreed of town, and working in the schools gives them a deeper Mr. Kapty.

Many Eileen Madconnection to the community by working with our son Primary students are students.”

The Rockies involve themselves with physical activi- young hockey players, ties for the first half of their visit, before retreating to the and aspire to be Rockies one day themselves, Ms. classroom for reading exercises.

“It’s awesome,” said Kyle Pouncy. “They do a ton for Tenta said.

“So to actually see us – they’re the reason we have a strong fanbase. Without one of the Rockies workthem we’re nothing, so we’re really happy to help out.”

The students look up to teenagers in a different way ing with them, I think ROCKY READER — Kyle than they do adults, and the children approach the cur- it’s really inspiring and Pouncy reads to Mrs. Gagatek’s riculum with a different comfort level when Rockies motivational for our Grade 1 class. Photo submitted kids,” she said. players are doing the teaching, Ms. Tenta said.

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Thank you to the volunteers from our

10th Annual Feed The Town.

Thank you to Anne Riches, Brandi and all the volunteers who helped peel over 600 pounds of potatoes, cook 28 large turkeys and 6 hams.

A BIG thank you to our sponsors: Gordon Foods, Sysco, Valley Foods, Kicking Horse Coffee and Pepsi.

As well – Thank you to Santa, for spending the entire afternoon with us.

Over 6 truckloads of non-perishable food items and $3,000 cash was raised for the Local Food Bank. We couldn’t have done it without our community’s involvement.

Thank you EVERYONE for supporting this great event.

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6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

PERSPECTIVE

The makings of a merry Christmas

By Greg Amos, Pioneer Staff With the recently-revealed recommendations around B.C. liquor laws that call for B.C. to join the other provinces in allowing pubs to offer discounted drinks for happy hour, seasonal cheer could look different in a year from now.

And that’s a good thing, because this province seems to be stuck in the Prohibition era when it comes to controlling alcohol. For rural areas like the Columbia Valley, these changes are even better.

Royal Canadian Legion branches and pubs would have the freedom to admit under-age family members, and family could have lunch or dinner together at a pub.

For those hoping to avoid getting gouged when paying for a pint of beer, the changes would help level the playing field by allowing restaurants to serve drinks without food.

On a related note, another local media pundit has been prodding me to put in a good word for curling this year, so I’ll say this: in terms of great prices and a decent selection of beers, there’s no better watering hole in town than the Invermere Curling Club.

As the year winds down to the final four issues of The Pioneer and the Valley Echo, we’re working feverishly in this office, but finding time to appreciate all the good cheer with family and friends that this season has to offer.

CBC’s spoof radio show This is That recently featured a hyper-politically correct pundit advocating to do away with Merry Christmas as a seasonal greeting in favour of a completely bland and inoffensive substitute phrase: “It’s winter!”

Luckily, they were just kidding. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

ICE UPDATE

December 20, 2013

Historical Lens

Historic horsewomen, 1930s

A line of horses and riders follow a rudimentary road in the Invermere area in this shot from the early 1930s CGIT Horseback Camp. Left to right: guide Dave Nixon, Jean Blake, Mary Frater, Carmen Dacosta, Elsie Johnston, and Joy Johnston.

Photo A1450 courtesy of the Windermere District Historical Society

Do the limit, never get a ticket Dear Editor: I totally agree with Radium Hot Springs mayor Dee Conklin. She stated signs should be erected stating B.C.’s laws, to Albertans, of speeding over the designated limit where you may get your vehicle confiscated for going 40 kilometres per hour over the speed limit.

That’s the way it should be. Anyone going that fast in a national park should be not only arrested, but hanged from the closest pine.

Unfortunately, most of us Albertans drive high

As of the afternoon of Sunday, December 15th, the ice thickness on Lake Windermere was 14 inches at all three locations measured by the District of Invermere.

powered SUVs and sport cars and we don’t abide by your silly rules and laws. Perhaps if there were a big billboard like down in Montana about meth addictions, then we may slow down. They work.

That’s not the way I go, though. I’ve been down to Cranbrook to see family and friends hundreds of times over the years, having lived in Calgary since 1979.

I’ve always said, “Do the limit, never get a ticket”. It still works to this day.

Regards and Merry Christmas.

Dave Askew, Calgary

A culinary correction

Safta’s restaurant is now open in Invermere and looks forward to a grand opening in the New Year — not tonight, as indicated in last week’s edition of The Pioneer.

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

Pioneer

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Misko Publishing Limited Partnership.

Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1.855.377.0312 Email: info@cv-pioneer.com www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Rose-Marie Regitnig Publisher

Greg Amos Editor

Nicole Trigg

Special Publications/ Associate Editor

Dan Walton Reporter

Steve Hubrecht Reporter

Dean Midyette Advertising Sales

Angela Krebs

Advertising Sales

Emily Rawbon Graphic Design

Amanda Murray

Office Administrator/ Classified Sales

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

LETTERS

Deer hazing with dogs should be allowed Editor’s note: this is an open letter that’s been sent to the mayors and councillors in Elkford, Oak Bay, Central Saanich and Kimberley.

Dear Editor: Presently there is no provision within the BC Wildlife Act, or its attendant Permit Regulations that allows for the hazing of deer with dogs. There was a temporary permit issued to Kimberley in May 2013, and the trial proved that hazing can successfully remove deer from town areas.

In February 2013, Lifeforce was advised that staff is working on amendments to the regulation. Once supported

by an Order-in-Council, it could go into effect in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

On December 11th, Lifeforce was advised that as a regulation change to the Permit Regulation, it is an identified priority regulation change by Orderin-Council.

Therefore the killing of deer must not proceed due to this and many other non-lethal solutions. In addition, it has been proven that “culls” have not resolved issues. Lifeforce has also proposed to local and provincial governments our hazing solutions without dogs that would not need any permitting.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce founder Vancouver

Steamboat Mountain to hold AGM early next year Submitted by Anne Jardine On Friday, January 3rd the Steamboat Mountain Music Society will ring in the new year by holding its Annual General Meeting at 7 p.m. at Edgewater Hall. The meeting will include an annual report of the society’s activities for 2013, a financial statement from the 2013 Steamboat Mountain Music Festival, and the election of officers.

The meeting will be immediately followed by a special extraordi-

nary meeting to amend the society’s constitution to comply with the federal requirements for charitable tax registration.

Following the official meeting business, dessert and coffee will be served and the local band Sheberdean will perform. This group was awarded the 2013 Steamboat Mountain Music Bursary. The musicians are Sylvia Power on mandolin, Aaron Sherban on percussion, and Dean Kendrick on guitar.

We want to hear from you Email your letters to info@cv-pioneer. com or visit our website at www.columbiavalleypioneer.com. Mail your letters to Box 868, Invermere, V0A 1K0, or drop them in at 1008-8th Avenue.

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.

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December 20, 2013

Sit-skier eyes Sochi

By Greg Amos, Pioneer Staff Editor’s note: Leading up to the International Paralympic Committee’s Alpine Skiing World Cup being held at Panorama Mountain Village from January 8th to 14th, this is the first of a three-part series on Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team (CPAST) athletes.

For Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team (CPAST) prospect team member Kurt Oatway, a 12-metre fall off a rock outcrop in 2007 might be the precursor to a rise onto an Olympic Podium.

Coming off a strong results at NorAm Cup races held at Colorado’s Copper Mountain Resort in mid-December, the 29-year-old Calgary-based sit skier was able to lower his points enough to qualify to compete in three of the five skiing disciplines.

“I’m trying to focus on getting better slowly, not trying to throw everything out there in these first couple of races and have nothing left at the end of the season,” said Kurt, who will likely be named to Canada’s Paralympic team next month. With the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics beckoning, Kurt’s focusing on lowering his point totals as much as possible between now and then. With Sochi being in a mid-latitude region of Russia, “the snow is going to be very soft when we get there,” he said. “The better bib start you have, the better your chances of running on a course that’s going to be in as good shape as possible.”

The upcoming Alpine Skiing World Cup being held at Panorama Mountain Village from January 8th to 14th is another opportunity to better his chances at Sochi.

“Pretty much everyone who’s going to be at the Olympics will be at Panorama,” said Kurt, who’s going for a top seven finish in Russia.

After suffering a compression fracture of his T12 vertebrae after a fall while SLOPE PROS — Members of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team (CPAST) gathered on a geology field trip in for a group shot after spending more than a week training at Panorama in late November.

Utah, Kurt recuperated to Photo submitted by Panorama Mountain Village the point where he can walk underneath you.” short distances with crutchKurt credits his CPAST teammates with helping es, but relies on a wheelchair to cover longer distances.

He drew on his youth ski racing experience to get into sit him improve to the point where he can compete at a skiing, training with Alpine Saskatchewan team after the world-class level.

“They definitely keep me on my toes and push me to 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver.

“Your centre of gravity is definitely different, but go a little further each day,” he said. “The CPAST team there are things that translate between the two,” he said. has been a big help as far as progressing to an elite level, “The separation between your upper and lower body is but if it wasn’t for getting in on the ground floor with very similar. Ideally, you want your upper body to be as Alpine Saskatchewan, I wouldn’t have even had the static as possible, and just have your lower body moving chance to get to where I am now.”

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

GARBAGE & RECYCLING 2014

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

District of Invermere

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1 2 5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 8Sun 9Mon10Tue11Wed12Thu13 Fri14Sat 6Sun 7Mon 8Tue 9Wed10Thu11Fri 12Sat 1 2 3 4 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 1 13 141 152 163 174 185 196 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 29 2 30 3 4 5 6 7 8 27 7 288 299 3010 3111 12 13

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HOW TO USE THIS CALENDAR

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

Sat

3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24LEGEND 25 26 27 28 31 2 3 A4 Jan 1 Garbage

GARBAGE collection occurs on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

• If your GARBAGE collection occurs on Tuesday you are classified as HOW TOedUSE THIS CALENDAR Garbage A and if it occurs on Wednesday you are classifi as Garbage B. GARBAGE collection occurs on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

RECYCLING collection occurs on alternating Thursdays: - If your GARBAGE collection occurs on Tuesday you are classified as • Residents with garbage collectionGarbage on Tuesdays recycling collection A and if have it occurs on Wednesday youon are classified as Garbage B. Thursdays marked Recycle A. RECYCLING collection occurs on alternating Thursdays: - Residents with garbage collection on Tuesdays have • Residents with garbage collectionrecycling on Wednesdays recycling marked collection collectionhave on Thursdays Recycle A. on Thursdays marked Recycle-B.Residents with garbage collection on Wednesdays have recycling collection on Thursdays marked Recycle B.

Fri

NO #7 or unmarked plastics NO lids NO styrofoam NO chemical or motor oil containers

Aluminum & Tin Cans

Food and beverage containers, includes soup and tuna cans.

Empty & rinse. Lids and labels are accepted.

NO paint cans NO aluminum foil

Boxboard & Heavy Paper

NO waxed or plastic coated Cereal and tissue boxes, brown boxboard envelopes, paper egg cartons, paper bags, paper cores from toilet paper or paper towel.

Remove plastic liners and flatten boxes.

28

6

October

All plastic containers with #1 - 6 recycling symbols, including: milk jugs, yogurt tubs, ice cream containers, shampoo bottles, laundry detergent bottles, plastic grocery bags.

Empty & rinse; discard lids.

Sat

September

Garbage B LEGEND Recycle A Garbage A Garbage Recycle B B Recycle A

Holiday Recycle B Holiday

DO NOT Include

Plastics #1-#6

21

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 30Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29

What to Recycle & How to Prepare

Newspaper All newspapers and flyers, all inserts and admail.

Pack loosely in recycling blue bag.

Mixed Paper

Magazines, white & coloured paper, computer paper, writing paper, catalogues, phone books, hardcover and paperback books, shredded paper, gift wrap, etc.

Pack loosely in the recycling blue bag.

Corrugated Clean, flattened cardboard, pizza Cardboard boxes.

Flatten cardboard.

Remove liner and/or food from pizza boxes.

DO NOT bundle

NO carbon paper NO books with plastic bindings NO used tissue or paper towels NO foil gift wrap NO waxed paper NO photographs NO waxed or plastic coated cardboard NO cardboard soiled with grease or food

Place your clean recyclables in see-through clear or blue bags. Pre-sorting is not required. Place at the curb on your collection day by 8:00 am. Do not place out the night before.

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

New Nordic developments for Panorama washed that section out again,” said Mr. Stimming. “What’s the point of battling Mother Nature? You almost never win, so we decided to just re-route the road further inland away from the river so we don’t have to worry about this washout for another 500 years.”

To accomplish this, the Toby was redirected onto a section of the Hopeful trail, Panorama’s cross country ski trails are open for business starting today (Friday, Denear its trademark steep pitch which has been graded to a five percent incline and now cember 20th) and skiers can expect a few new tweaks to the old system.

Due to the construction of a new clubhouse for the Greywolf Golf Course, the arcs around the hill.

“That steep hill is actually not usable Nordic Centre has been moved to anymore,” said Mr. Stimming. “(And) what’s known during the summer we actually lose a section of trail, roughly months as the Adventure Centre, lo200 metres — the road leading up to the cated in the Lower Village. A 2.5-kilowashout and the road past the washout metre Valley Trail connects the centre are also unusable.” to the trail network, which features A brand new map of the network that brand new signage. shows all the trails and their distances in “We remade the signs, so there are kilometres is now available. Snowshoe all new signs for the Nordic system,” trails are no longer part of the trail netsaid Panorama Risk Manager Ryan work and snowshoers will be encouraged Stimming, who oversees outdoor opto stay off the groomed cross-country erations for the resort’s Nordic crosstrails and adventure elsewhere. country skiing area.

“We’ll rent snowshoes out of the new Because of a significant washout along the Toby trail (formerly known as Nordic Centre location and we’ve got two trails we’ll send them to, but they are not Toby Barbour) that happened in June, on thenNordic trails,” he said. a section of new trail was constructed to The Panorama Nordic Centre offers circumvent the trouble spot. more than 20 kilometres of groomed trails “Basically we repaired that washout two summers ago; then last summer the A NEW DIRECTION — The Panorama Nordic Centre has a new map available indicating its for classic and skate skiing and the Hale Image submitted Hut warming cabin. big June rain event that flooded Calgary new location and the distance of all trails in the network.

By Nicole Trigg Pioneer Staff

Copper Christmas Countdown

Cpinmtdpnmw

Su nday S d 1

Send a Card to a soldier

8

2

Read your favourite holiday story

9 Find that perfect Tree

15

M onday

25% off At Elements Grill,

10

16

Watch your favourite holiday movie

23 Go Carolling

Free Family Swim

4

Free Family Swim

11

17

Free Family Swim

18

Free Family Swim Copper Point Resort 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Ma Make ake some som ome e popcorn garland

13 Go build a snowman

19 Small Business BIG Holi Holiday Party Copper Point Resort C

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Create memories this holiday season with Copper Point Resort Pictures with Santa every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

FREE Family Swim every Tuesday this December 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Satu rday

Build a gingerbread house

Decorate cookies for the neighbours

6:00 PM

25

Friday

6

12 Drive around and see the lights

Copper Point Resort 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Thu rsday

5

Write a letter to Santa

Copper Point Resort 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

24 Bake cookies for Santa

Wednesday

Copper Point Resort 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Bake something for someone special

tonight only excludes alcohol

22

3

Tu esday

7

Copper Point Resort 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

14

Make some yummy hot cocoa

20 Go for a sleigh eigh ride

Pictures with Santa!

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Copper Point Resort 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

21

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Copper Point Resort 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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7 DAYS A WEEK 760 Cooper Road 1-250-341-4000

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer 11 Page•11

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

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

Christmas in the Valley

PAGE 12

ICE CLIMBING

PAGE 25

Out & About Bill Cropper performs with his band Smarty Pants at the Christmas in the Valley CD release party on the night of Saturday, December 14th at Pynelogs. Over 100 people bought tickets to the event that showcased many of the musicians featured on the locally-made Christmas album, which can now be found online at www.musicianswhocare.ca .

Photo by Nicole Trigg

Cultural Events in the Valley Or list your events Check out our website:

www.columbiavalleyarts.com What does ART mean to you? Call for more info 250.342.4423 Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.

Your weekly guide to what’s happening around the Columbia Valley PAGE 13

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

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

Movie Review: The Family Reviewed by Dean Midyette Set in a small rural town in northern France, The Family follows the travails of a Mafia family in the Witness Protection Program. Forced to flee the United States after turning state’s evidence, Giovanni and Maggie Manzoni (Robert DeNiro and Michelle Pfieffer) and their two children (Dianna Agron and John D’Leo) do their best to settle into life in a foreign country.

With Giovanni confined to their centuries-old villa under

the orders of FBI agent Stansfield (Tommy Lee Jones), Maggie explores their new surroundings and meets some of her neighbours. So enthralled is she by the over-polite and welcoming villagers in the local magasin du coin (sarcasm intended) that she decides to blow up the store.

At the same time, their daughter Belle is taken on a joyride by four would-be high school suitors while her brother Warren is ganged-up on and beaten by a number of his new classmates. These are, however, children borne into a Sicilian family of substantial lineage, and their escapades crescendo with a plot to sabotage plans for a popular party and a tennis racquet broken on an anatomically sensitive part of one of the local Lotharios.

I have rarely been a fan of movies that rely on age-old stereotypes, such as the rude and intolerant French

or ultra-violent bent-nosed mobsters, preferring characters that bring something imaginative and unique to the screen. And while this movie leans a bit too much on its stereotypical crutch, the compelling performances come not from the adult leads with extensive curriculum vitae, but rather from the teen actors who bring some much needed Machiavellian intrigue to this comical drama.

While some of the prose may be hackneyed and some story lines predictable, the pace of the movie accelerates considerably when we are introduced to the imprisoned don that Giovanni’s testimony helped to convict, making for an action-packed finale.

RATING: 8 OUT OF 10 HEADS

GIFTS IN ALL THE RIGHT SIZES.

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Enjoy a five (5) course meal from Chef Dan, with wine pairing.

Dine and dance to music from Diamonds DJ Services.

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Gone

HOLLYWOOD V

I D E O

Gone Hollywood’s TOP FIVE OF THE WEEK Last Week’s Top 5 Rentals New Releases December 17 1 2 3 4 5

Despicable Me 2 Fast n Furious 6 Wolverine Red 2 We’re the Millers

1 2 3 4 5

Elysium The Lone Ranger Percy Jackson 2: Sea of Monsters The Family One Direction: This is Us

New Releases December 24 1

Insidious: Chapter 2

New Releases December 31 1 2

Don Jon InAPPropriate Comedy

MOVIE SALE

50

%

OFF

SELECTED MOVIES

503 - 7th Ave., Invermere • 250-342-0057

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

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

Out & About Please call 250-341-6299 or e-mail us at info@cv-pioneer.com to enter your event in our FREE listings.

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, so weekly events may run rarely.

Toby Theatre • December 26th - 28th, 7:30 p.m.: Disney’s Frozen.

Also showing January 2nd - 4th.

Friday, December 20th • 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Canterbury Carols Christmas Market at Interior World in support of the Family Resource Centre. Also Saturday, December 21st, 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 22nd, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.: Christmas Fiesta at the Summit Youth Centre. Games, snacks and surprises!

• Winter Radiance at Radium Hot Springs. Immerse yourself in a dazzling display of ice and frost. Through to January 1st. Call 250-342-9485 or go to hotsprings. ca for more information.

• Fairmont Ski Area, including the new Tube Park, opens for the season.

Saturday, December 21st • 9:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Windermere Valley Minor Hockey games at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. Novice vs. Kimberley, 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.; Initiation vs. Golden, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Midget Girls vs. Cranbrook, 12:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. (league); and Initiation vs. Canal Flats, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Santa’s Cabin at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Enjoy a free cookie and hot chocolate and take home a photo.

• 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Open House at the Crossroads Collective, across from Tim Hortons. Live music in

the evening, Christmas treats around the bonfire, and a raffle for a U-Brew cider kit to be held. Donations to the Food Bank gratefully accepted.

• 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.: Pyjama night, a Christmas movie and popcorn at the Summit Youth Centre.

Sunday, December 22nd • 12:00 p.m.: Canal Flats Community Christmas Party at Canal Flats Civic Centre. Free hotdogs and an appearance from Santa.

Tuesday, December 24th • 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Torch Light Parade & Fireworks at Fairmont Ski Area.

• 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Carols by Candlelight on the Great Hall deck at Panorama. Free hot chocolate.

• 8:00 p.m.: Christmas Eve Fireworks in Conrad Kain Park, Wilmer. Bonfires and free hot chocolate.

• 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.: Christmas Karaoke in the lobby of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

• Windermere Valley Shared Ministry (AnglicanUnited) Christmas Eve Services: 6:00 p.m. at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere; 8:00 p.m. at All Saints, Edgewater; and 10:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s, Windermere.

• Lake Windermere Alliance Church (L.W.A.C.) Christmas Eve Services: 2:00 p.m. Panorama service at the Summit; 6:00 p.m. Candlelight service at the L.W.A.C.; 8:15 p.m. Panorama service in the Great Hall.

• Canadian Martyrs parish Christmas Eve Services: 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in Invermere, 10:00 p.m. in Radium.

Wednesday, December 25th • 10:00 a.m.: Christmas morning service at Canadian Martyrs parish in Invermere.

• 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Free entrance to the hot springs at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort with a Food Bank donation.

• 10:30 a.m.: Christmas morning service at Christ Church Trinity (Windermere Valley Shared Ministry).

Thursday, December 26th • 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Decorate a holiday cookie at Misty Waters Cafe at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Also December 27th and 28th.

Friday, December 27th • 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.: Hang out night at the Summit Youth Centre.

Saturday, December 28th • 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Bavin Glassworks presents High Ridges and Deep Canyons artist reception. The art show and sale runs Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact 250342-6816 or go online to www.bavinglass.com.

• 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.: Hang out night at the Summit Youth Centre.

Tuesday, December 31st • 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Snowshoeing up to Panorama with the Summit Youth Centre. We have snowshoes available to borrow.

• 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Radium Village’s annual birthday party and New Year’s Eve celebration at Brent’s Shack. Fireworks display at 6:30 p.m., Springs Driving Range, courtesy of Radium Volunteer Fire Department.

• 6:00 p.m.: Family New Year’s Dinner and Dance at the Invermere Community Hall. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m., countdown at 10:00 p.m.

Party favours, DJ & dance, loonie & toonie games, buffet dinner. Alcohol free. Tickets available at The Monkey’s Uncle, DOI office, and Copper Point Resort.

• 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Children’s New Years Eve party in the Pine Room at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

• 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.: New Year’s Eve party at Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill.

• 9:25 p.m.: Torchlight parade down Showoff at Panorama Mountain Village, followed by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. at the base of the Mile 1 Quad.

Thursday, January 2nd • 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Hang out night at the Summit Youth Centre.

Friday, January 3rd • 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.: Book swap at the Summit Youth Centre. Bring a book (or more than one!) if you want to participate.

• 7:00 p.m.: Steamboat Mtn. Music Society AGM at the Edgewater Hall. An extraordinary general meeting will follow (to modify the society’s constitution as a requirement for federal charity status.) Entertainment and refreshments provided.

Call 250-347-9882 for further info.

Saturday, January 4th • 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.: Documentary night at the Summit Youth Centre.

The 2014 MaxWell calendars are in for pickup!

926-7th Ave., Invermere, B.C. (next door to Fairmont Goldsmiths)

Ph: 250-341-6044 Fax: 250-341-6046

www.maxwellrealtyinvermere.ca

DANIEL ZURGILGEN 250-342-1612

SCOTT WALLACE 250-342-5309

BERNIE RAVEN 250-342-7415

GLENN POMEROY 250-270-0666

GEOFF HILL 250-341-7600

danielzurgilgen@gmail.com

scott@scottwallace.ca

bernieraven@gmail.com

glennpomeroy@shaw.ca

connect@geoffhill.ca

CHRIS RAVEN 250-409-9323

KEN MACRITCHIE 250-342-1565

chrisraven09@gmail.com kdmacritchie@gmail.com

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Take charge of your health with

naturopathic medicine!

I will be accepting patients in January, 2014 at Renaissance Wellness.

December 20, 2013

The Christmas concert

Fresh old ideas

For more information please see www.facebook.com/drmikebakernd

By Arnold Malone Pioneer Columnist

250-342-1457

Christmas is a season for children of all ages.

For most, it is a time of joy, good will, and fine friends. It is also a time for traditions. Traditions have a binding force.

Families are built with love and held strong by the grip of family traditions.

Whatever your memories, Christmas is a season for reflection. I delight in recalling a bitter cold Christmas when my two older brothers gave my niece a pony. Santa had provided a note indicating that her gift was outside. The pony was tethered to the picket fence. It took the rest of the night getting my niece back in the house and the pony to the barn.

My first three years of schooling was a two-mile walk to Coal Valley. This was a one-room country school sitting squat on the prairie landscape with one teacher serving eight grades. The Christmas concert was the highlight of every year.

On concert night the cows were milked early and supper was eaten quickly. The night was a mix of excitement and nervous anxiety. Having a part in a play swirled doubt through one’s mind causing one to wonder, “What if I forget my lines?”

The grain-sled was half-filled with straw to burrow into for warmth. The jingling harness and the ride through the coulees along with a star-studded sky allowed one to momentarily set nervousness aside.

On arrival, the schoolyard was filled with sleds, cutters, hayracks and horses. One year, a team and sled went home early, leaving the owners stranded.

A thousand people were packed inside the school.

They were lined along the wall, beside and behind the Waterbury furnace and every bench space was taken. Some, who arrived later, had to listen from the cloakroom.

Dr. Mike Baker, ND

Do you Hear What I Hear?

Support Families in our Valley, Give generously to the Family Resource Centre of Invermere, Box 2289, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0.

Help be a part of the solution.

Call 250-342-5566

www.familyresourcecentre.ca

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CANADIAN FUSION : LICENSED CASUAL DINING • Friday – All-you-can-eat •

RIB DINNER PRIME RIB SUNDAYS

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• All-you-can-eat

TUESDAY CRAB NIGHT

Two Grade One students were assigned to open the curtain on a stage that was built a week earlier.

One student moved his half of the curtain quickly while the other yanked and tugged but his half was caught on a kink in the wire. Not sure what to do, the actors started the play with only half the stage visible.

Then our teacher, using her superior skill, opened the obstinate curtain.

Later there was a western scene where cowboys sat around a campfire and sang cowboy songs. The campfire was a flashlight under red tissue paper. The fire went out much too soon because the person donating the flashlight did not supply new batteries.

I was in this setting, but was told that I could just move my lips because my voice didn’t carry very well.

I wasn’t fooled. I knew this was because I couldn’t sing. You have heard of Mozart, Chopin, and Wagner, and others who were persons that composed fine music. I am the opposite: I decompose music.

The evening concluded with a group of angels singing Christmas carols. They looked so pure and angelic in their long white dresses and sparkling wings.

These were the same angels who during dress rehearsal just days earlier, had been observed by the naughty boys who had climbed under the stage to look up through the cracks between the planks to see if they could identify the angels from the bottom up.

This all happened prior to restrictions preventing teachers from twisting ears, so the naughty boys learned that if they were to study heavenly bodies they would need to do so at a different time and in another place.

Years later I saw a one-room school at a prairie museum, undoubtedly about the same size as Coal Valley. It was obvious, the school would have been packed to capacity had fifty people been inside.

Have a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!

WINTER SPECIALS:

• Wednesday

WING NIGHT

Eat and Drink for $15 All Winter Long!

• Thursday

JAM NIGHT!

All musicians welcome

Hwy 93/95 south of Fairmont Hot Springs 250-345-2166 • thehoodoo.com

Follow us on…

Pioneer Newspaper

@PioneerNewsTip

15 Weekday Deals

$

MONDAY

Any Appetizer & Cocktail (does not include nachos)

TUESDAY Pasta & Pint Night

Choice of 2 different Pasta Specials and a Pint of Beer

Pints and cocktails may be substituted for other drinks of equal or lesser value.

WEDNESDAY

Weekend Specials

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Bacon Cheddar and a Beer

Pint and a Pound

Pasta & Ribs $15

$35 Dinner for 2

Any Pizza $15

Burger comes with 1 side order

Pound of Wings and a Pint of Beer

Half rack of Ribs 1 appy to share and your and your choice of 2 choice of any 2 Burgers, different pasta specials Sandwiches or Salad Meals. Upgrade to any 2 Entrees for $10 more

250-342-5557 • the new station pub ~ now on

Any Jug $15 Pizza and a Jug $27

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

Fusion Wellness Spa is proud to offer the following services:

• Massage • Body treatments • Pedicures and manicures • Facials Book now at the following locations: Fusion Wellness Spa Fusion at Copper Point Resort 250-341-3511 250-341-3522

Safta’s restaurant sets sail The latest incarnation of the ever-popular Safta’s restaurant is now open. Safta’s began existence as a falafel cart at the farmer’s markets, expanded to a summer-only restaurant in Radium Hot Springs, with another summer-only restaurant following in Invermere, and is now a full-time year-round restaurant and pub on Invermere’s main street in the 1920s heritage house that was home to McToogle’s for almost ten years until this past September. Safta’s owners KD and Roi Golan opened the doors to their new place earlier this month with pub and kitchen hours of 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays.

Photo by Steve Hubrecht

Canadian Rockies Sources thermales des Hot Springs Rocheuses canadiennes parkscanada.gc.ca parcscanada.gc.ca

Escape the chill Échappez au froid

Invermere gets pro-seniors grant

By Steve Hubrecht, Pioneer Staff Valley seniors may be able to enjoy a higher quality of life for longer than they otherwise would, thanks to a grant recently given to the District of Invermere.

The district applied for a $19,000 Age-Friendly grant through the Union of B.C. Municipalities and learned at its most recent council meeting on December 10th that it’s been approved.

“This community was built by our seniors, so if we are able to provide the opportunity for them to age in place (live in their own homes) for as long as possible, why wouldn’t we be responsible and respectful by supporting them as much as we can,” said Councillor Greg Anderson. “If it buys people a few more months or a few more years in their homes, then that’s great.”

Mr. Anderson and district events coordinator Theresa Wood did much of legwork necessary to obtain the grant, with Mr. Anderson saying he drew inspiration from a similar initiative in Fruitvale and also from seeing his own mother (who lives in Alberta with no family members nearby) moving from her house to a care facility earlier than she wanted to, as there was not enough of a seniors’ support network for her stay in her home.

“I’m guessing we’re one of the few communities in B.C. doing this kind of initiative,” said Mr. Anderson.

Ms. Wood wrote the grant proposal and, with the grant secured, already has some programs slated to run, including seniors’ luncheons, an age-friendly business directory (essentially a course to help business owners make their operations more seniorfriendly), a companionship program (in which volunteers help seniors with daily tasks) and a mentorship program (which partners local businesses with seniors who have expertise in a field relevant to the given business).

The first luncheon is set for January 9th at Pynelogs. Those interested in learning more can contact Ms. Wood at the district office at 250-342-9281.

Annual pass sale Save even more for spontaneous escapes to Radium, Miette or Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Offre de laissezpasser annuel Faites une escapade spontanée aux sources thermales Radium, Miette et Upper Hot Springs de Banff et économisez encore plus.

Adults $140 $110 Seniors/Children $105 $85 Families $385 $310

Adultes 140 $ 110 $ Aînés et enfants 105 $ 85 $ Familles 385 $ 310 $

Price includes taxes.

Les taxes sont comprises dans les prix.

Sale ends January 1, 2014.

L’offre prend fin le 1er janvier 2014.

Call 250-347-9485 or visit the hot springs to purchase your passes.

Composez le 250-347-9485 ou rendez-vous aux sources thermales pour acheter votre laissez-passer.

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

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

: Dear Santa for All I want … ipad Christmas is se I don’t case becau t my dads have one a I have house. Can y ipad a pink fuzz case pleas.

Kayley Rehaume

Dear

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Dear

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Dear Santa: as!

Merry Christm I hope I am list!? on the good as! until Christm From Zach

: Dear Santa ur What is yo favrit koke oklit (cookie), ch or vnlia.

Alexandra

Dear

Sant

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: Dear Santa I hope yorury have a Mes! Christma How are ? er your reindneice.

You are From, Spencer.

Rodof. H e you git in th hous without waking the

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December 20, 2013

Dear Santa: elvs. If you How are the more elvs dont want no ne please. can I have o ut butter I left you pen ide the bes cookies right ful. Its gona tree, be care ant a be triky. I w doll and monster high I live in anything els.

BC. Happy Windermere, m Holidays. I a 7 years old. cious Sincerely, Pre

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

Dear Santa:

Dear Santa: I like your presents.

How are your ope reindeer? I h e th I am not on naughty list.

Dear

Sant a: My n a in R me is A adium lyssa siste rs, N . I have , I live Megr illa, thre e so I n. I liv Avery a e n e I’ll will ema in two d be. i h l yo Has seen u wh omes a Mrs. you? Ho child ev ere w I wa Claus? F are yo er u an o s a r Ch d Eigh F r u i r s b t t Ba ll an y Moom, mas, and d A M cand very wa cool sl agic i les. p n I am ts some pers, real t r g Chris ee this etting cented t a happ mas San year. M e y ne t w ye a, and rry Alyss a a r. a sin cere ly

ta: Dear San I’m me, Ella! ’s t I ! o l e in Hel ar, I liv e y is h t e I’ll eight t’s wher a h t o s ess Radium, tmas. Gu is r h C is u a be th giving yo this ’m I ! ? t a , wh year! So r is h t t n prese like fo I would s. t a h w is PS tense L e m o s s, Christma would be cool to it .

I think ur sleigh o y in e id ld have a r e reindeer? Wou th lain How are ate or p l o c o h c you like milk?

Ella

n From: Brando ve to Santa. Ha a Merry Christmas.

you? I’m fine. I Hello Santa, how are year for Halloween had lots of fun! This For Thanksgiving I got lots of candy. house (he is my I got to go to Josh’s there. You know cousin) & ate dinner My birthday!! So I what else happened? f. I’m Jacob. Reshall introduce mysel member me?…! w…!

I am 10 years old no . how by Hewitt i live in Edgewater, B.C on how to get s Road. (precise direction at’ Th s mine. to his house follow).

Comet?

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Sincerely Jacob

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Merced es

Dear Santa! r All I want fo Christmas is… a stuffy of a us Arctic fox bek aml my favrit an x! is a arctic fo Ursula Elaine MacIntosh

Dear Santa: r Xmas is…

All I want fo 1. hedgehog le 2. Ninja turt a of 3. Diary ks. wimpy kid boo want some The reason I impy kid is Diary of a w them. because I like nd funny.

There cool a Joshua Arther Mccann

How is yo Dear San I ho ta ur re pe a indee : ll yo r an ur re Rudo d Ru l i n f . d e dolf?

My n 7 ye er d o a a that rs old. I me is Pa n’t laugh I g ris lik at play ot for m e to pla . I am y m 3D y b fluff y sp games. I irthday. y 2DS ar pig a 2 nd a kles. I w have cat DS can ould Poke calle mon d l i k e a gu Since game f inea or rely, Paris Christm as.

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

YOUR MONEY

A RRSP strategy for retirees For all the positive aspects of Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), there is one negative aspect every RRSP investor will eventually have to deal with: taxation.

RRSPs are often thought of as a way for money to grow tax-free, but this is a misconception. Because RRSP contributions result in directly lowering a person’s taxable income, RRSPs are actually made up of pre-tax dollars.

Therefore, RRSPs help people delay taxes, not erase them.

There are few opportunities for people to reduce income tax; however, there is a basic RRSP withdrawal strategy that all retirees should consider.

de-register 7.38 per cent of the balance, which amounts to over $33,000. This raises his taxable income to about $91,895. Because his income is already so high, the effective tax rate on his RRIF withdrawal is 31.5 per cent!

And it’s not over yet. For every dollar of taxable income over $70,954 in 2013, the government reduces Old Age Security benefits by $0.15. As this gentleman received a full Old Age Security benefit from ages 65 to 71, this is akin to an extra 15 per cent tax, effectively raising the tax rate on his RRIF withdrawal to 41 per cent, and his overall tax rate to 26.40 per cent!

A common tax problem The following is a common tax problem. Consider a single, newly retired 60 year-old man with a $40,000 per year pension and a $250,000 RRSP, growing at 5 per cent annually. He does not require extra income to fund his lifestyle and therefore does not withdraw any funds from his RRSP. At age 65, he begins collecting his Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefits. This increases his income to $58,762. It remains at this level until age 72.

While things look fine on the surface, there is a looming tax problem for this gentleman. When he turns 72 he is forced to convert his RRSP to a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) and begin de-registering it. His RRIF is now worth $448,964 and he must

The solution The most tax-efficient way to get money out of an RRSP is to strategically time withdrawals for when one’s income is lowest. For most people, this occurs during the first few years of retirement.

Consider the same newly-retired gentleman. Recall that his taxable income was just $40,000 annually and his RRSP was worth $250,000. As he will begin taking Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefits at age 65, his income will never be lower than it is during those first five years of retirement.

To avoid a looming tax problem he should consider withdrawing substantially from his RRSP. His income should be brought up to the high end of B.C.’s “big middle” combined federal and provincial tax bracket, which

is $43,953 - $75,213 in 2013. If the gentleman de-registered $30,000 per year from his RRSP during ages 60-64, it would be worth $145,000 at age 65.

At age 65, his income would increase to $58,762, which would allow him a withdrawal of $12,192 annually without exceeding the Old Age Security claw-back threshold. If he withdrew $10,000 per year continuously, his RRSP would last until age 89. His overall annual tax rate would be 19 per cent.

Final thoughts Some people think that if they ignore a looming tax problem, it will eventually disappear. Of course most of us know, as the old saying goes, there are two certainties in life: death and taxes! Eventually, every penny of one’s RRSP will be withdrawn as taxable income.

De-registered RRSP money doesn’t necessarily have to be spent. Investments such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds can be transferred in-kind to a non-registered account, or even to a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) to continue growing without accumulating a tax liability, provided you have contribution room available.

The first step when contemplating retirement is to speak with a financial advisor. Even if you don’t have an employer-sponsored pension or much money in RRSPs, there could be strategies available that will help increase your income in retirement.

Investments, Insurance & Financial Planning Brendan Donahue BCOMM, CIM® , FCSI

Senior Investment Advisor Insurance Agent

Sara Worley CIM®

Investment Advisor Insurance Agent

Ask us about complimentary portfolio reviews .

GIC Rates*

as of December 17 th.

1 year 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year

1.90% 2.15% 2.25% 2.40% 2.70%

*Rates subject to change without notice.

Manulife Securities Incorporated is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Insurance products and services are offered through Manulife Securities Insurance Agency (a licensed life insurance agency and affiliate of Manulife Securities) by Manulife Securities Advisors licensed as life agents. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company is the sole issuer of the Manulife GIF Select insurance contract which offers the IncomePlus benefit and the guarantor of any guarantee provision therein.

Call us for professional, free consultations! • Ph: 250-342-2112 • Fax: 250-342-2113 • 712-10th Street, Invermere

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

Readying for the return of salmon Watershed Wanderings

By Kirsten Harma Pioneer Columnist On October 28th, 2013, five men from Washington State arrived by canoe on the shores of Columbia Lake at Canal Flats after having paddled for three months — upriver.

You may remember the story of Christopher Swain from my first “Watershed Wanderings” in January, 2013.

Mr. Swain started a swim in Columbia Lake and then swam the entire 1,243-mile (2,000-kilometre) length of the Columbia River — from Source to Sea. The American paddlers were a group of men who journeyed the river in the other direction — from Sea to Source.

If you want to experience the entirety of the Columbia River from the water, why not let the current do the work for you and paddle downstream? It turns out that paddling upstream against the current was the symbolic purpose of their journey.

The paddlers wanted to symbolize the movement of historic salmon runs — from their life phase in the Pacific Ocean, all the way to their spawning grounds in the headwaters of the river in Canada.

The paddlers are part of an environmental education group called Voyages of Rediscovery whose mission is to connect kids with their “backyard river” – the Columbia River. Voyages had been leading expeditions of up to 15 days along the Columbia for four years, but the time had come to go all the way upstream.

With the upcoming renewal of the Columbia River Treaty in 2014, the Voyages group decided they needed to take a bold approach to share an idea for improving the Treaty by restoring the river’s ecological health.

The idea? To allow passage of salmon over the largest of the Columbia River dams: the Grand Coulee Dam. The Grand Coulee Dam towers 350 feet (106 metres) above the surface of the river beneath it. This is big.

It is the largest concrete structure in the world. Allow-

ing fish back over this dam would be a major step in getting those fish back to their historic habitat. Voyages’ crew member Adam Wicks-Arshack wasn’t phased by the enormity of this prospect: “I think a fish ladder at Grand Coulee Dam could be the greatest eco-engineering project of our time. Nobody’s told me its impossible.”

The canoe expedition left the Pacific Ocean near Astoria, Oregon on August 1st, 2013. At that time, the journey involved five wooden canoes, all of which were hand-carved by kids living along sections of the Columbia River that the salmon can no longer access due to large dams. Each canoe represented one of the five different species of salmon that used to swim all the way up the Columbia to spawn.

On their journey, Voyagers experienced heavy current, long lakes, glassy water, and six-foot whitecaps.

They portaged around fourteen major dams and dragged the canoes along sand bars. They paddled in waters flowing past the Hanford nuclear site, the largest long-term toxic waste cleanup project in the U.S. In short, it was no small feat to reach the Columbia River headwaters. In their last video about their journey, the Voyages crew use glowing language to describe our section of the river. The narrator comments, “We are now paddling on a part of river that is nearly the same as it has been for millenia. No dams regulate flow or impound water. The river is left to scour gravel beds and work its way through wetlands. Below Golden, the river braids into beautiful gravel bars: the perfect spawning ground for the salmon that would have made it up before the dams.”

Eye-opening for those of us living in the Columbia Valley is the narrator’s next comment. He remarks, “One final push through the outlet of Lake Windermere and we find ourselves paddling into the first natural lake we have encountered.” After three months of paddling 2,000 kilometres and passing 14 major hydroelectric dams, this crew finds in Lake Windermere, at last, a sense of unregulated nature.

To the Voyages team and many they spoke to along the way, the Columbia River and its Headwaters will only recover its true natural state once the salmon return.

It is up to us to take care of these waters until that time.

Kirsten Harma is the Program Co-ordinator for the Lake Windermere Ambassadors.

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250-342-3637 • chucknew@telus.net DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

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

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT OF INVERMERE FOR CHANGE IN GARBAGE AND RECYCLING Please note there is a change in garbage and recycling pick up for the week of December 23rd and December 30th due to the holidays. If you normally have garbage pick up on the Tuesday it will be collected on the Monday and if your usual garbage day is Wednesday, it will be collected on the Tuesday for those two weeks. Recycling will be on the Friday instead of Thursday. If you have any questions please call the District office at 250-342-9281.

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

Holiday Recycling Tips Recycling 101

That’s a Wrap Paper based wrapping paper can be recycled in any of the yellow bins in the East Kootenay and the curbside recycling programs in Fernie and Invermere. From cards and envelopes to wrapping and tissue paper, please recycle as much as possible.

Recyclable: Paper based gift wrap Cards Envelopes Gift tags Tissue paper Cardboard boxes Brown shipping/packaging paper

On December 25th alone, over 30 million bags of garbage will be thrown out of Canadian households.

Electronics & Small Appliances Electronics are often a hot holiday gift item. Old electronics that are still in good working condition can be taken to an RDEK Reuse Centre; however, if they’re no longer working, they may be able to be recycled.

The yellow bins in the RDEK and curbside programs in Fernie and Invermere take the following:

Not Recyclable: Foil based wrapping paper Envelopes or gift tags with foil lining Bows and Ribbons

If everyone in Canada wrapped just three gifts in reused paper or gift bags, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 hockey rinks.

Not all Glass Goes in the Bin Glass goes in the yellow bins marked “Glass Only”.

The only glass that is accepted for recycling is food-grade glass, which is anything that holds your food or beverages. This includes: • jam jars • salsa jars

December 20, 2013

• olive oil jars • beverage bottles

Dishes, picture frames, trinkets, ceramics, light bulbs, window glass, etc. should NEVER go in the glass recycling bin. They contaminate the load and could cause the entire bin to be landfilled.

In the Elk Valley, the glass recycling bins are located at the Elkford Transfer Station, Elkford Camp Road, Sparwood Heights, next to Sparwood Esso, Sparwood Transfer Station, Silver Fox Pub, Fernie Transfer Station and Fernie Bottle Depot.

Mixed paper - including Christmas cards and envelopes (as long as they’re not foil) Aluminum and tin cans - please rinse well! No aluminum foil, pie plates, etc. Only cans are accepted Cardboard - all types; boxes must be flattened. Cardboard covered with wax, foil or soiled with grease or food waste cannot be recycled Plastics - Grocery bags (garbage must be removed from grocery bags) and plastics #1 - #6 (except Styrofoam) Plastics NOT accepted: Styrofoam (even though it’s marked as a #6) Unmarked plastics - if it doesn’t have a number on it, it can’t go in the bin. Often the lids are made out of different plastics than the containers - check carefully #7 plastics

Please Keep it Clean

Electronics recycling depots are located at the Cranbrook, Invermere and Fernie Bottle Depots. These depots are for small volumes only.

The following items can be dropped off FREE OF CHARGE for recycling: • Televisions • Speakers • Earphones • Computers & peripherals • Microphones (keyboard, mouse) • Telephones • Monitors • Discman, walkman • Fax machines • Radios • DVD/VHS players • Scanners • Cable, satellite and PVR boxes • Stereos, MP3 players & docking • Vehicle audio and video systems stations

Over the holidays many people will receive gifts that will replace perfectly good older items. Instead of throwing good items away, please consider giving them away so they can be reused.

There are Reuse Centres at the Cranbrook, Kimberley, Elkford, Fernie and Sparwood Transfer Stations and Columbia Valley Landfill.

The Reuse Centres accept household items in good working condition. Everything in the Reuse Centres is available at no cost.

Some examples of items that are accepted in the Reuse Centres include: • Chairs • Pictures • Televisions • Small dishes • Light fixtures • Tools Items that cannot be accepted include large appliances, tires, mattresses, automotive parts, scrap metal, wood and clothing.

If each person reused two feet of ribbon this Christmas it would save 61,000kms of ribbon.

Batteries Included Both your alkaline and rechargeable batteries are recyclable. Drop off locations include: Cranbrook: • Cranbrook Photo • Staples • The Source (in Tamarack Centre) • Kootenay Communications

For details, visit eletrorecycle.ca

Kimberley: • Kimberley City Hall

Fluorescent Light Recycling

Over the holidays, the bins see a huge increase in volume. While our contractor will be working hard to empty the bins more frequently, sometimes they will be full. If you encounter a full bin, please look for another bin in the area or come back.

Never leave recyclables on or around the bins.

The LightRecycle program accepts compact fluorescent and tube fluorescent light bulbs free of charge. The recycling program is for residentially generated lights only.

Thank you for helping us keep our recycling areas clean!

Reuse Comes Before Recycle

The Cranbrook and Fernie Depots (not Invermere) also accept more than 120 small electrical appliances, ranging in size from electric toothbrushes to countertop microwave ovens. Products categories include: kitchen countertop, time measurement, weight measurement, garment care, air treatment, floor care and personal care.

Our yellow recycling bins are often on private property and it is so important that we keep them clean. Please put all recyclables in the bin.

There are currently three LightRecycle Depots in the East Kootenay: Fernie Home Building Centre, 300 Manitou Road Cranbrook Home Hardware, 1901 McPhee Road Skyway Distributors, 304 Slater Road NW Incandescent lights cannot be recycled at this time. For more information, visit www.productcare.org

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21

Elk Valley • City of Fernie • Fernie Aquatic Centre Columbia Valley • Selkirk TV & Appliance Centre, Invermere

To find the holiday hours at RDEK transfer stations and landfills, visit www.rdek.bc.ca

For more information, contact the RDEK at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

Last-Minute Gifts Thrift Store Holiday Hours Closed December 22nd • Re-opening January 16th We will not be accepting donations December 23 to January 1st

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Frame your family for Christmas

By Greg Amos, Pioneer Staff Short of ideas for a last minute gift? Chances are you already have the thing you need to brighten someone’s Christmas — once you put it inside a frame.

Photos, artwork, certificates and more easily get lost amidst a messy fridge door, the back of drawers or in a cramped home office, but on the wall, mounted inside a quality frame, they become points of pride.

“Framing makes a perfect personal gift,” said Lionel Graveline, the resident framing expert at Invermere’s Lakestyle Light and Living. “If you frame your kids’ art, that just lifts them up to think they’re a Picasso or a Rembrandt.”

The business, under Jennifer Swan’s ownership since January, began by focusing on lighting, and took on an added dimension of custom and specialty framing when Mr. Graveline, a framer with 30 years of experience in Calgary, joined the team.

Using the odds and ends from larger pieces of framing and moulding, Mr. Graveline is able to build standard sized frames (5 by 7 inches and 8 by 10 inches, for example) out of what is normally considered leftover

FRAME-FRIENDLY — Lionel Graveline from Lakestyle Light and Living explains how he creates quality frames from leftover moulding.

Photo by Greg Amos material, for prices well below $50.

Cutting and joining the wood using a mitre saw and a specialty vice in the business’ workshop, Mr. Graveline then adds matte board and glass to create perfectlyframed art and mementos.

Continued on page 23 . . .

Canal Flats and Fairmont Hot Springs hosting holiday festivities

By Dan Walton Pioneer Staff On Sunday, December 22nd, the Canal Flats Civic Centre will open its doors for their annual Community Christmas Party.

“It starts at noon and goes until question mark,” said hall manager Karen Flowers.

There will be free hot dogs, games for kids, hot chocolate, popcorn – and no Christmas party would be complete without a visit from Santa. Before Santa arrives, children will be invited to sing songs to welcome in Saint Nick.

Mayor Ute Juras will be the hostess, and there is a Christmas card that everybody will be encouraged to sign.

The event is free and open to everybody. And to sweeten the party, some guests will be leaving with delicious prizes, such as gingerbread houses and cakes.

The tradition in Canal Flats was started by the Lions Club, and has been organized by the village each of the last ten years. Ms. Flowers hinted there will be a surprise guest attending the event.

Two days after the Christmas party in Canal

Flats, celebrations will occur again in Fairmont Hot Springs, where the Torchlight Parade and fireworks on Christmas Eve will precede Santa’s visit.

To begin the evening, skiers and snowboarders will be following Santa down the ski hill at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, hoisting flares down a dark run to give spectators a visual treat.

“Once the torchlight parade gets down to the bottom, then there is a fireworks display,” said Wendy Booth, regional district Area F director. “It’s quite spectacular with the backdrop of the mountains, and everything’s white.”

The event will begin shortly after the sky becomes dark, and Ms. Booth said that the best view is from the balcony at the lodge of the ski hill. But if you’d like to be a part of the Torchlight Parade, all you have to do is ask at the lodge.

“You need to be a fairly competent skier, because you will be skiing in the dark with flares on your poles or in your hands,” she said. “You need to be comfortable in that kind of environment.”

Parking can be challenging; 4:30 p.m. is a safe time to arrive, she said, adding that the night normally wraps up around 7 p.m.

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

Last-Minute Gifts . . . ‘Frame’ from page 22 “Making this into a ready-made frame costs less than half of what you would’ve paid to go custom,” he explained. “We can use this stuff; why would you throw it out?”

“I can visualize it finished, I know what it’s going to look like – (customers) just have to trust me,” he said.

Picture some valley history For those seeking an historical touch, a frame from Kimberley Rae Sanderson Photography and Picture Framing could be a wise decision.

Using barn wood collected by longtime locals Dave Lewis and Dawson Wallin, Ms. Sanderson is able to frame photos from earlier times in the valley — such as the well-known image of a Model A Ford driving over the old Toby Creek bridge — with wood from that era.

“These old building have been abandoned; they get permission to go in and tear them down, which is a help for a lot of people, and salvage everything that they

can, then make frames out of it,”she said.

“We work with the weathered aspect; people love that these frames have lichen on the side, or old nail holes or knots. I finish them with beeswax, so they’re all-natural; there’s no heavy lacquers or resins.”

Wood from Adolf Sattman’s logging camp on Salter Creek west of Invermere, which operated in the 1940s and 1950s, is one source of the frame wood.

“It’s as natural and rustic a look for a frame as you can get,” said Ms. Sanderson, who also gives back to the community, having recently raised more than $800 for the Family Resource Centre by taking kids’ photos with Santa for Light Up Night.

The standard-sized barnwood frames start at $35, depending on the size.

Ms. Sanderson also does full custom frames, though there’s not enough time left to complete those before Christmas.

Both Lakestyle Light and Living and Ms. Sanderson can also frame objects into shadowboxes, frames that have depths of three to four inches and can accommodate mementos such as teacups, pocketwatches, war medals, or hockey sticks.

Hall to host New Year’s Party for families

By Theresa Wood Invermere events coordinator The District of Invermere has teamed up with the local Beavers group to host a Family New Year’s Party at the Invermere Community Hall. It’s a great opportunity for those with little ones to enjoy a buffet dinner, dance, games, and New Year’s Festivities. We know most kids, and some adults, don’t make it to midnight, so the official countdown will be held at 10 p.m., complete with a non-alcoholic toast! Diamond DJ Services will provide great tunes to keep guests dancing until 12:30 a.m.

New Years is typically geared towards adults, we want to provide a family friendly option for locals and visitors

to ring in 2014. Kids will have lots to do, there will be loonie and toonie games, Sprinkles the Clown will be twisting balloons. There will also be a photo booth and of course dancing! The doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per adult, $35 for seniors, $15 for kids age 5 to 10, and kids 4 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at The Monkey’s Uncle, Copper Point Resort or the District of Invermere office. Money raised will go towards the Beaver club and District of Invermere Events. If you have any questions please contact Theresa Wood, Invermere Events Coordinator at 250-342-9281 extension 1227 or events@invermere.net .

Congratulations!

The management and staff of The Columbia Valley Pioneer and Valley Echo newspapers would like to congratulate all the musicians who contributed to the Christmas in the Valley compilation, produced by the Windermere Valley Musicians Who Care.

Not only is the album a huge hit among valley residents, it is raising funds for the Columbia Valley Food Bank. Thank you!

CDs are still available at local retailers

for only

20

$

You can also purchase a digital copy online at

www.musicianswhocare.ca Get yours today, they are going fast!

A special congratulations to our very own

Nicole Trigg (aka Niki Trigger), Emily Rawbon and Silena Ann Ewen.

Niki, Emily & Silena

Their contribution to the album, Moment Together was featured on an interview with Bruce Childs on CBC One, the morning of December 18th.

from the management and staff of…

250-342-6908 1-800-731-1103

info@invermerehardware.com

HOURS

Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

All Christmas decorations Daily In-store demos Check us out on Facebook

www.invermerehomehardware.ca

24 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

Deer diary If the deer of Invermere could speak, what would they say? From now until the New Year, The Pioneer invites readers to help us better understand what’s on the minds of our local furry fawns, dashing does, and bodacious bucks.

Send your caption for the photo on the left to info@cv-pioneer.com.We’ll gather all the responses and run the best ones in our January 3rd, 2014 issue.

Mountain and Valley

FREE ShuttLE It’s FREE, it’s DAILY, and it’s EASY!

Departure Time

From Location

8:00, 8:03, 8:06, 8:10, INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, 8:11 am CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods 8:35 am

PAN Adventure Centre Carpark

9:00, 9:03, 9:06, 9:10, 9:11 am

INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods

9:35 am

PAN Ski Tip Lodge / Main Day Lodge

11:30,11:33,11:36,11:40, INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, 11:41 am CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods 12:05 pm

Pioneer file photo

by Cayla Gabruck

PAN Ski Tip Lodge / Main Day Lodge

12:30,12:33,12:36,12:40, INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, 12:41 pm CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods

orst

K

FO R PA STE SS R

Whirlpool Lake

Thunderwater Lake

Panora

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MT NANETTE

Dairy Queen

Lake Windermere

4th St.

SKI ZONE ONLY

AREA 2 CLOSED TO MOTORIZED USE June 1st to February 14th annually.

Aberystwyth Lake

GLAMORGAN PEAK

AREA 3 NORTH STAR GLACIER

BLACK FANG

N

O

R

T

H

GWENDOLINE MTN

ST

A

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G

LA

C

IE

sh

HARLECH PEAK

Tara Lake

DONEGAL PEAK

CARMARTHEN GLACIER

CARMARTHEN PEAK

R

Eire Lake

CONNEMARA PEAK

DUBLIN SPIRE

NORTH STAR PEAK MT ALPHA CENTAURI

Irish Lake

ANTRIM PEAK

KILLARNEY PEAK

LEITRIM PEAK

SHANNON GLACIER DONARD PEAK

MOUNT SALLY SERENA

BANSHEE TOWER

GALWAY PEAK

10th Ave.

photo: Pat Morrow

The area is served by this amended Recreation Order S.58(1)(b) FRPA as follows:

ay”

ew

Safta’s Restaurant & Bar

hit

Copper City Saloon Best Western Invermere Inn

Bud’s Bar

CIBC

eW

.

Birchwood

13th St.

To Station Pub

Gerry’s Gelati

Lak

e Av

Strands Pepi’s Italian

7th

Invermere Boutique Hotel

the

Oriental Palace

10th St.

ate

AG Valley Foods

Area 1st- Forster Creek Meadows: Closed to motorized use th June 1 to November 30 annually.

Area 2 - Catamount Glacier: Closed to motorized use June 1st to February 14th annually.

Area 3 – North Star Glacier: Closed to motorized use January 1st to December 31st annually.

Compliance, education and enforcement activities will be prominent.

The area is served by this amended Recreation Order S.58(1)(b) FRPA as follows:

“Sk

13th Ave.

MT GALLOWAY

MERIONETH PEAK

CATA

La

Sobey’s

J.A. Laird

MT HARMON

Lake Windermere Resort

ur

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t.

Quaint town relaxed and authentic with shops, great restaurants, cafes, galleries, lake skating and more…

Huckleberry’s Restaurant

EDO UA PAS RD S

Fubuki’s

AREA 2 CATAMOUNT GLACIER

TRAIL

IrI

MT GRIFFITH

Cr

Cr

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Please note: All times are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

InvermerePanorama.com

Forster

FORSTER

k

PAN Ski Tip Lodge / Main Day Lodge

Radium Hot Springs 43 km

GAS DROP

FORSTER CREEK CABIN

EE

I 10:45 nve pm rme re

TAURUS NOTCH

ek

ee

PAN Ski Tip Lodge, Central Check-In

10:10,10:13,10:16,10:20, INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, 10:21 pm CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG ValleyHeli-Plex Foods

re er C

CR

AREA 1 F FORSTER CREEK MEADOWS

Cr

9:35,9:36 pm

TAURUS MTN

S

INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods

Central Check-In

K

PAN Ski Tip Lodge / Main Day Lodge

9:00,9:03,9:06,9:10, 9:11 pm

Glaciers

Motorized Use Restrictions

A

7:15 pm

Catamount - North Star Motorized Use Restrictions

E

INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods

P

6:40,6:43,6:46,6:50, 6:51 pm

Catamount – North Star Glaciers

H

PAN Ski Tip Lodge / Main Day Lodge

S

6:15 pm

I

INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods

R

5:40,5:43,5:46,5:50, 5:51 pm

LEGAL NOTICE

Recreation Sites and Trails BC

I

INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods

P E A K S

4:35,4:38,4:41,4:45, 4:46 pm

W E L S H

PAN Ski Tip Lodge / Main Day Lodge

CEN T GLA AURU CIE S R

4:10 pm

P E A K S

INV Dairy Queen, Sobeys, JA Laird, CIBC/Invermere Inn, AG Valley Foods

S C O T C H

3:30,3:33,3:36,3:40, 3:41 pm

NT G LACIE R

PAN Ski Tip Lodge / Main Day Lodge

MOU

1:05 pm

To Kinsmen Beach “Skate the Lake Whiteway”

InvermerePanorama.com

(No motorized use permitted past the summer roads end during these dates.)

(Open to snowmobiling Feb 15th to May 31st, strictly enforced)

(No snowmobiling permitted in this area, strictly enforced)

Area 1 Forster Creek Meadows:

Area 2 Catamount Glacier:

Area 3 North Star Glacier:

Closed to motorized use June 1st to November 30th annually.

Closed to motorized use June 1st to February 14th annually.

Closed to motorized use January 1st to December 31st annually.

(No motorized use permitted past the summer roads end during these dates)

(Open to snowmobiling February 15th to May 31st, strictly enforced)

(No snowmobiling permitted in this area, strictly enforced)

Compliance, education and enforcement activities will be prominent.

For more information visit www.SitesandtrailsBC.ca • RecInfo@gov.bc.ca • Rocky Mountain District •250-426-1766

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 25

Getting kicks while stabbing picks

By Greg Amos, Pioneer Staff A vertical world of frozen adventure is lurking in the Columbia Valley, ready to be unlocked by the swing of an axe and the kick of a crampon.

For the few dedicated ice climbers in the valley, winter is a time that means waterfalls become routes, and weeping rock walls morph into amazing opportunities to ascend frozen seeps.

“Ice climbing is fantastic because of the surreal environments that you find yourself in: frozen waterfalls and chandeliered ice caves in remote wintery landscapes,” explained Tim McAllister, an experienced internationally certified mountain guide with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG).

“With enjoyable and challenging climbing of these INVITING ICE — The Gibraltar Wall near Canal Flats is one of the most sought-after multi-pitch ice climbs in the features, it adds up to an exciting day.”

Photo submitted The valley’s cold winter temperatures and steep Columbia Valley. walls of Rocky Mountain limestone combine to form a parallel vertical lines that can be climbed. It also offers a great canvas for the ice to form on, and guides like Mr. southern exposure, keeping climbers on the route in warm McAllister are keen to introduce newcomers to the sport.

“Ice climbing can be strange at the beginning because sunshine for most of the day.

East from Radium Hot Springs in the east end of of the new equipment required,” explained Mr. McAllister, who calls Invermere home. “Crampons and ice axes ap- Kootenay National Park lies the Stanley Glacier, which peal to the gladiator in most of us, and it’s very satisfying boasts three very hard ice climbs: though with names like to stab the picks into the ice. With coaching, a safe location Suffer Machine, Nemesis and French Reality, that might and proper equipment, ice climbing can be an enjoyable already be obvious. These multiple pitch WI6+ routes way to experience spectacular and remote locations in the attract top-level climbers from around the world, and the park is home to many other less-intimidating climbs.

Columbia Valley.”

First-time ice climbers will usually learn on a top-rope From Spillimacheen to Canal Flats, the valley offers plenty of exciting ice climbing areas. For those new setup: a rope that’s fed through an anchor set into the ice to the sport, Cedared Creek near Spillimacheen offers at the top of a single vertical pitch (30 metres or less) of some moderately steep grades, measured in the Canadian ice. That allows a belayer to take in rope as the ice climber Rockies waterfall ice grading system as “waterfall ice proceeds upwards, and should they fall, they’ll be held from 2” (WI2) and WI3. (The grading system indicates the above by the rope, without having to fall any significant distance before being caught. difficulty of a climb, but not how long a climb is.)

To try out the exciting sport under expert guidance, The Gibraltar Wall in Canal Flats is a tall, four-pitch climb (about 150 metres in height) which boasts up to five Mr. McAllister can be reached at 250-688-0570.

Your Local

COLUMBIA VALLEY REAL ESTATE

Professionals

Wende Brash Broker/Owner

RE/MAX Invermere

Glenn Pomeroy

MaxWell Realty Invermere 926-7th Avenue, Invermere, BC

glennpomeroy@shaw.ca

Independently Owned and Operated

Cell: (250) 270-0666 Office: (250) 341-6044 Fax: 866-600-0673

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

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

www.lwlions.com

December 20, 2013

Wishing you a blessed Christmas Season and a Happy New Year

Firearms Courses & Challenges Restricted, Non-Restricted and Youth Licence.

Courses and Challenges offered Call: 403-679-8122 (Mark, Invermere) Serving the Columbia Valley in Firearms Safety

SPÄTZLE MADE FRESH IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY Available this Saturday at the

Canterbury Christmas Market (former Interior World building)

Also available at AG Valley Foods, Radium Mountainside Market, Fairmont Bigway and Pip’s Country Store

For recipe ideas or orders call Jurgen at 250-342-5650

Buying or selling…

Your greatest investment is worth a second opinion!

Cell: 250•341•1395 Toll Free: 1•888•258•9911 pglassford@telus.net www.PaulGlassford.com

Over 10 years of real estate experience!

ROCKIES WEST REALTY INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

492 Highway 93/95 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 CELL: 250-342-5889 TOLL FREE: 1-877-347-6838 FAX: 1-866-788-4966 scott@rockieswest.com www.rockieswest.com

26 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

COME SEE OUR NEW LOOK

Great selection of B.C. Wine including Burrowing Owl Chardonnay, Syrah, MissionHill Quatram, Perpetua Chardonnay And many more from small B.C. wineries.

• Stocking stuffers • Gift packages • Gift with purchases

M CO

PETITIVE PRICIN

G

Located in the

Sunday – Thursday, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Friday & Saturday, 3:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Phone: 250-347-2300

Open 7 Days a Week

www.heavensbest.ca

Enjoy life, we’ll clean it up!

Owner/operators Wayne & Sharrie Jones

Cell: 250-688-0213

Heaven’s Best is a low moisture cleaning system, which means • Your carpets are never soaked. They will dry in 1 hour – fastest dry time on the market • Less moisture means no chance for mold/mildew to develop • Environmentally friendly cleaning products • Leaves no sticky, dirt attracting residue – stays cleaner, longer!

• All equipment comes inside, no doors are left open – your residence is secure (no weather restrictions) • We do tile and grout and wood floors, upholstery, beds and vehicle interiors • Stain guard fabric protector • Hospital strength deodorizer disinfectant leaves a light citrus scent.

We are looking to build a long-term relationship. We do this by providing you with the best in carpet and upholstery cleaning. We are prompt, professional and perform the highest level of service.

. . . ‘Cougar’ from page 3

said Mr. Kruger. “If they’re just passing through, that’s more normal behaviour, Tracked to just south of Indian Beach and not a big issue.”

Estates where it was treed, it was also deProvincial statistics show a high perstroyed. All four cats were roughly two to centage of cougar attacks are on small chilthree years old, weighing approximately dren, so he warns parents to supervise their 80 to 120 pounds, and posed no imminent kids’ play in forested areas and green belts. threat to people.

Groups of people are a deterrent, and do“These were all hard decisions for mestic animals should also be supervised us,” said Mr. Kruger. “In all these cases, and brought in at night as cougars are most the cougars are pursuing and killing what active from dusk to dawn. In the Canmore they’re supposed to, their natural prey; area on Monday, two cougars were put it’s just where they’re doing it. We have to down after killing and attacking two dogs. weigh that.”

“Definitely this is the most cougar It comes down to public safety, he activity within the communities that I’ve said. “Typically, if they get comfortable in seen (in the three years) since I’ve been our communities, it’s just a matter of time here,” said Mr. Kruger. “There is no doubt because they are opthe high number of portunistic for prey.” natural prey, the unThe public is gulates, the deer and asked to report any the sheep that are takcougar sightings by ing up residence in calling the RAPP our communities, are (Report All Poachers a piece of it.” and Polluters) line at There is “defi1-877-952-7277. nitely” no conserva“Through retion concern around ports, we can estab- TREED TOM — This young male cougar the cougar populalish a pattern and was killed after actively hunting within tion, which is healthy track these animals,” the village of Radium. Photo submitted and stable, he said.

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

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

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICE The Municipal Office will be closed for the Holidays from Wednesday, December 25th, 2013 to Wednesday, January 1st, 2014. The office will reopen on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014.

In the event of an emergency during this time, please call 250-342-5957.

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE 2014 SCHEDULE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL

We’re ready... are you?

SNOW REMOVAL

The District of Invermere Council meets regularly throughout the year on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Office (914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere)

January 14th & 28th February 11th & 25th March 11th & 25th April 8th & 22nd May 13th & 27th June 10th & 24th

July 8th August 12th September 9th October 14th & 28th November 12th & 25th December 9th

Agendas are posted on our website www.invermere.net prior to the meetings.

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 27

Whimsical windows

Downtown Invermere is lit up all night through the month of December, as nearly every shop is showing its holiday spirit through festive displays. To the left is Essentials Department Store on 13th Avenue, and on the right is Details by Joanne on 7ths Street. Both are part of the Invermere Business Committee’s Window Decorating Contest.

Photos by Steve Hubrecht.

Information Meeting DECEMBER 2013

You are invited to join us for an Open House and Information Meeting regarding the proposed Windermere Water Upgrade.

The RDEK will present the options identified in the Consultant’s Report. We are holding two sessions: one in the afternoon and one in the evening. The same information will be presented at both sessions.

Windermere Water Community Meeting Monday, December 30, 2013 Windermere Community Hall 2:00 - 4:00pm (Open House 2pm-3pm, followed by a presentation and Q&A from 3pm-4pm)

- and -

6:00 - 8:00pm (Open House 6pm-7pm, followed by a presentation and Q&A from 7pm-8pm)

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land FrontCounter BC Cranbrook has accepted an application made by the Regional District of East Kootenay represented by Focus Corporation at 303 - 535 Victoria Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC V1C 6S3, on behalf of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO), Kootenay Region, for a Licence of Occupation - Temp. Permit (leading to a Nominal Rent Tenure) to facilitate the installation of a potable well site and pump house in Spur Valley on Provincial Crown land within DL 7572 JD and containing 2.5 hectares more or less.

The MFLNRO File Number that has been established for this application is 4405443. Written comments concerning these applications should be directed to FrontCounter BC, 1902 Theatre Road, Cranbrook B.C., V1C 7G1 or email to: AuthorizingAgency.Cranbrook@gov.bc.ca Comments will be received by FrontCounter BC until January 19, 2014. FrontCounter BC may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please refer to our website: http:// www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp -> Search -> Search by File Number: 4405443 for more information. These applications will be available for viewing at Front Counter BC in Cranbrook, BC. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record.

For information, contact the FOI Advisor at the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations regional office in Cranbrook.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would like copies of the information boards and consultant’s report, join our email group by emailing lduczek@rdek.bc.ca and put Windermere Water in the subject line. If you are already on the email group, you will receive this information.

If you have questions, please call Brian DePaoli at the RDEK at 250-489-2791 or toll free at 1-888-478-7335 or email bdepaoli@rdek.bc.ca.

Spu Rd

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2014 map book

2013 COLUMBIA VALLEY

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Print and online exposure Quality publication with a trusted reputation C O L U M B I A

N E W S PA P E R

•

C A N A D A

Complimentary and professional ad design

For more information, call Dean or Angela at 250-341-6299 ads@cv-pioneer.com or advertising @invermerevalleyecho.com

Area of Interest

Luxor Creek Rd

You get:

B R I T I S H

r Rd

Ashton Rd

P RO P O S E D W I N D E R M E R E WAT E R U P G R A D E

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

28 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

HERE TO SERVE YOU ■ Lockout Service ■ Lake Recovery ■ 24 Hour Towing ■ Prompt Service

Also offering FREE year-round pickup of unwanted vehicles

Warbrick Towing & Salvage warbrick@shaw.ca • Cell: 250-342-5851

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS Arnold Scheffer 250-342-6700

VJ (Butch) Bishop

Wildland Custom Construction • Renovations • Fine Finishing • Custom Woodwork

Brian Smith

Journeyman Carpenter 250-272-6740 wildlandconstruction@gmail.com

• Furnaces • Heat Pumps • Fireplaces • Full Heating and Ventilation Systems

Owner/Operator

4846 Holland Creek Ridge Rd. Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

• Excavators • Mini-Excavators • Bobcats • Dump Trucks • Water Trucks • Compaction Equipment • Snow Plow • Sanding Equipment • Crane Truck • Mobile Pressure Washing & Steam Cleaning • Underground Services • Site Prep & Demolition • Road Building • Land Clearing • Controlled Burning • Rock Walls • Rip Rap • Top Soil • Sand & Gravel

CONTRACT OR HOURLY MACHINE RENTALS AVAILABLE

Invermere and East Kootenay Region

• Journeyman Carpenter • Contracting • Framing/Siding/Finishing • Timberframe • Custom Log Railing & Decks

Call for your FREE consultation and estimate

unidoorext@live.ca • unidoorext.ca

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

WETT Certified

New Home Construction

Scott Wilisky

stwcarpentry@live.ca • cell 250 270 0745

Kitchen cabinet & counter top SpecialiStS Westridge Cabinets Dealer ~ Granite and Quartz Counter Tops Come visit our showroom,

492 arrow rd., unit 1b 250-342-hoMe (4663)

Skandia Concrete

Kootenay Paving

• Serving the valley for over 30 years • Commercial • Industrial • Residential • All work is guaranteed • Free estimates

1756 Hwy 93/95, P.O. Box 2700, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-342-6500 • Toll Free: 1-888-341-2221 • Fax: 250-342-3484

ROSS‛S POOLS & SPAS Commercial – Residential Installation – Maintenance – Repairs

Darren Ross 4890 Stoddart Creek RR#2 Invermere, BC V0A 1K2

Cell: 250-341-7727 • Fax: 250-347-6363 • poolman-911@hotmail.com

RFE ALARMS Monitoring includes Guard and keyholder service • Surveillance Systems • Home Theatre • Analog & Digital Background Sound Systems

rfealarms@shaw.ca

• Gel Nails & Pedicures • Coloured Gel • Nail Art Call Judy ~ 250-341-5245 • Days, Evenings, Weekends

SHOLINDER & MACKAY EXCAVATING Inc.

Septic Systems Installed ~ Pumped ~ Repaired Prefab Cement Tanks Installed Water Lines Dug and Installed Basements Dug

WINDERMERE 250-342-6805

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS ESSO Automotive Repairs 7 days a week

GAS • PROPANE • DIESEL Freight & Passenger Depot

Local company, local service.

250-342-6549

7507 Main St. West, Radium Hot Springs

(250) 347-9726

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 29

HERE TO SERVE YOU Peak Exteriors 5” CONTINUOUS GUTTER SIDING, SOFFIT, FASCIA & WINDOW CAPPING

Residential & Commercial Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Bus: 250-342-9692

RR#4 2117 - 13 Avenue

Cell: 250-342-5241

Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K4

building & renos

Fax: 250-342-9644 rugclean@telus.net

(250) 341-7283

www.ptarmigan-invermere.com

Darcy Tagg Cell 250-417-6617 Tel. 250-422-3002 Email peakexteriors.tagg@gmail.com

PO Box 90 Wasa BC V0B 2K0

Full service printer for the Columbia Valley DESIGN, PRINT & BINDERY 250-342-2999 info@palliserprinting.com

Your search for quality and dependability ends with us.

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists Truck Mounted System • Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed

Unit 4, 108 Industrial Rd #2 Invermere, BC

Dean Hubman

www.palliserprinting.com

250-342-3052

Certified Technician

Toll Free: 877-342-3052

Invermere, BC V0A 1K3 odysseyrestoration@telus.net

READY MIX CONCRETE Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

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

Lambert

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.

BOX 2228 BOX 459 742 - 13th STREET 7553 MAIN STREET INVERMERE, BC. RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC V0A 1K0 V0A 1M0 PHONE: 250-342-3031 PHONE: 250-347-9350 FAX: 250-342-6945 FAX: 250-347-6350 Email: info@invermereinsurance.com • Toll Free: 1-866-342-3031

Home Valet

• Insured • Eco-friendly

• Cleaning • Concierge • Maintenance • Home Checks www.homevalet.ca michele@homevalet.ca 250-409-4900

Scott Postlethwaite

CVCC Contractor/ Trade Builder of the Year 2008

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

Darrel Anderson

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 Sedlakova, B.Sc. (Pharm.)

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

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-6612

SPRAY FOAM SPECIALISTS

Insulated Concrete Forms Call 250-342-2001 www.iisi.ca • info@iisi.ca

invermereelectric@gmail.com

1710 10 Avenue – Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 th

GLD

Landscaping Ltd.

30 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

HERE TO SERVE YOU • • • •

FAIRMONT RIDGE RENOVATION

Doors Windows Flooring Painting/ Interior/Exterior • Kitchen Renovations

250-342-5682

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

5077 FAIRMONT RESORT RD., FAIRMONT BC EMAIL: fairmontridge@telus.net

• Trusses • Engineered Floors • Wall Panels 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

Septic Tank Pumping Portable Toilet Rentals • Complete sewer/drain repairs • A well maintained septic system NEW should be pumped every 2-3 years SEWER • Reasonable rates – Seniors’ discount CAMERA • Speedy service – 7 days a week • Avoid costly repairs

Bruce Dehart 250.347.9803 or 250.342.5357

Licensed Contractor

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

Everett Frater Enterprises Phone: 250-347-9228 • Cell: 250-342-5645

DR. Kwynn Blazina BSC, DC Doctor of Chiropractic, Professional Coach, Craniosacral Therapy

250-688-6440 • dr.kwynn@shaw.ca 4759 RIVER DRIVE, FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS, B.C., VOB 1L1

DCS Plumbing • Plumbing, Repair and Installation • Drain Lines • Hot Water Tanks • Over 30 years experience • 24 hour emergency service • Seniors’ Discount

250-341-8501

• 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: 250-342-6452 • 250-342-3773 • Cell: 250-270-9444 All products are available at 9120, Hwy 93/95 which is five kilometres north of Tim Hortons

Columbia Chiropractic Dr. Karen Fahrni DC Dr. Meghan Haggarty ND

“Proven and successful Management and Marketing Services for your Vacation Home” “Trip Advisor Vacation Rental of the Year 2011 and 2012”

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

• FURNACES • HEAT PUMPS • AIR CONDITIONING • FIREPLACES • HOT TUBS • CHEMICALS • REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE 385 Laurier Street, Invermere, B.C.

Phone: 250-342-7100 Email: info@diamondheatingandspas.com

www.diamondheatingandspas.com

Copper City Plumbing Modern Plumbing ~ Old Fashioned Values Shawn 250.341.7373 Marcel 250.409.7373 coppercityplumbing@gmail.com

Complete Construction Services

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Renovations Kitchen/Bath Re-Face Basement Development • Foundation Repair commercial • residential

concreteservice2013@gmail.com

• SNOW REMOVAL • SANDING

• POWER SWEEPING • PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

#4 1008 8th Ave, Invermere BC www.columbiavalleychiro.com

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING

Box 2206 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

BOUTIQUE VACATION HOME MANAGEMENT RENTAL SERVICES

Certified ART® & Graston® provider 250-409-9628 • columbiavalleychiro@gmail.com

East Kootenay Electrical Services

Fall Cleanup/ Winter Servicing

Call or visit online

PH: 1-888-711-ESCAPE (3722) • WEB: www.cobblestonecreek.ca

250.270.0821 Kari&&John JohnMason Mason balancebobcat.com Kari 250-270-0821 • 1-780-970-7040 Invermere • Panorama

Serving Invermere & Panorama

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 31

Resorts geared up for the holidays At Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, you’ll really get in the spirit of the season! Just a short 20-minute drive away, our lodge is the most festive spot in the Columbia Valley.

The resort will host two famous annual holiday events that are sure to draw the crowds and a fun and festive holiday schedule featuring eight days of family activities.

The holiday events kick off with the annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade that sees dozens of blazing torches wind their way through the darkness at the family Ski Area. The free event is complete with fireworks that will follow the parade.

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort’s annual free hot springs entry with a donation of a non-perishable food item or cash to the Columbia Valley Food Bank will take place on Christmas Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. It’s the resort’s special way to give a warm gift to everyone visiting the resort and to give back to the Columbia Valley during the holiday season.

Other family events during the eight days of the holidays include: • Christmas Scavenger Hunt at the Ski Area from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on December 24th • Christmas Day Brunch and Dinner at Mountain Flowers • Snowshoe Tours from 10:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m. on December 24th, 26th, 27th, 29th and 30th • Paddle Painting Art Class from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. on December 26th, 27th and 30th • New Year’s Eve Party at Bear’s Paw Bar and Grill Throughout the holiday season the Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check out the new features including a brand new twolane tubing area, expanded Rockstar terrain park and an all new kids’ terrain park.

Visit fairmonthotsprings.com or call 1.800.663.4979 for more information on holiday events and activities.

- Submitted by Colleen McKee, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Copper Point adding new holiday highlights As 2013 is drawing to a close at Copper Point Resort, it is time for us to focus on the upcoming year and the excitement that lies ahead. Naturally we are looking forward to the Holiday Season and we will be offering the “usual suspects” from a food and beverage standpoint such as wonderful Christmas fare and a spectacular New Years Eve dinner that our Chefs have put together.

2014 is shaping up to be a great year at the resort. We will be putting our fabulous Chateau Merlot Ice Shack out on the lake shortly and are offering some great ice fishing packages with our partners at Reel Axe Adventures. We have a unique ski promotion that we are offering this year where if you show us your ski pass or discount card to any ski hill in Alberta or B.C., we will give you 40 per cent off your room rate!

Rockies player profile

Stewart Pratt is a second-year goalie for the Columbia Valley Rockies. Born in London, England, Pratt lived in Malaysia and Australia before moving to Calgary. He says his neighbour played hockey and was a goalie. “We played street hockey and I decided I wanted to be a goalie too when I was about eight,” he said.

During the offseason, Stewart suffered a leg injury that kept him off the ice for a good part of the summer

and into October. After returning to the game in Calgary, he said it felt good and he decided he’d like to play another season with the local squad. A conversation with coach Wade Dubelwiecz brought him back to a town he likes and a team that has gelled together well. “There is a good team environment here and it’s pretty special to continue to play with my brother Stephen,” he said. “Not many guys have that kind of opportunity.”

Naturally Copper Point Resort will be participating in the upcoming winter media event which is taking place on January 31st and February 1st during the Snow Golf and Pond Hockey weekend. The Saturday night event will be hosted at Pynelogs, which we are sure will be an outstanding experience for the media.

On Saturday, February 15th we will be offering a first here at the Resort, an event to be called, “For the Love of the Valley.” We will be featuring local food offerings, local wine and beer, local artists, local activity providers and we will even have ice carving taking place on Elements patio. All are welcome, for just $20 a ticket. We will be getting many more specifics out in the coming weeks, but everyone is welcome. Overall, Copper Point Resort is looking to increase our business another 20 per cent over 2013, which saw an increase of 37 per cent over 2012. As we continue to grow we are pleased to offer greater employment and bring more out of town visitors who can spend their money throughout the valley. We wish you all the very best over the holiday season and look forward to welcoming you at the resort.

- Submitted by Amanda Robinson. Copper Point Resort

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32 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

PIONEER ON THE ROAD Time out travelling Travel World has generously donated a night at a Calgary hotel and two tickets to a Calgary Flames game to the winner of our annual Pioneer Travel Photo Contest. Submit your photos at www.columbiavalleypioneer.com, email them to info@cv-pioneer. com, or drop by our office, #8, 1008-8th Ave. Invermere. Pictured, clockwise from top right: Lorne, Diane, Mary and Bob Kochorek from Windermere enjoy their time at Tamarindo Beach in Costa Rica; Barbara Mullen, Leigh Thompson, Emily Zehnder, Heather Brown, Sarah Zehnder at the Royal Palace in Monaco in November; Shawn and Wendy Ottmann visit the Guard House in London, England in September; Jim and Sheila Bonny in Montreal at Jim’s 50th high school reunion.

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 33

PIONEER CLASSIFIEDS

• • • •

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

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 250-342-2424.

Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. 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. AlAnon 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 250-3428255.

Old-timers hockey 65 and older Anyone interested in having some fun playing hockey again. There is a league started. We play every Monday from 9 am to 10 am at Eddie Mountain Arena. This is 4 on 4 hockey, lots of ice time, space and opportunity to handle the puck.

Please contact Bob at 250-3423897 for further information.

Do you really want to pull that plastic conifer out from under the stairs and put it together again?

Have a real Christmas tree instead!

Cheers to Roger our Fire Chief; We are very lucky to have a man with your expertise on board. Always happy and eager to help with his great wisdom. Congratulations for all your great accomplishments and awards.

A big cheer to Vivian and the girls at Columbia House for all the care you gave to my Mom during her stay with you. Special cheers to Vivian, Maxine, Jessie and Adrienne for all your help and support in having Mom accepted into Ivy House. She is thrilled to be an official Mountain Grandma and to have her home here in the valley with us.

Narcotics Anonymous meeting now available. Thursdays at 8 p.m. Call 250-342-1071 for more info.

The Steamboat Mtn. Music Society is holding its Annual General Meeting on Friday, January 3rd at the Edgewater Hall at 7 p.m. An extraordinary general meeting will follow. Entertainment and refreshments provided. Call 250347-9882 for further info.

S OBITUARY S Del Johnson

March 31 1937December 14 2013 It is with sadness that the family of Delbert Johnson announces his passing on December 14th 2013, at the age of 76, after a courageous battle against cancer.

Del was born in Invermere BC on March 31st 1937 to Emil and Margaret Johnson.

Del resided on the family farm in Edgewater with his mom, dad and sister Anne until 1958, when he married the love of his life Lil Malberg. Del and Lil celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on November 8th, 2013.

Del and Lil lived in Edgewater where they started their family when Donna was born in January 1961, and Darrell in December of the same year. They moved to Golden in 1965 where Sherry was born in 1967 to complete the family. The family moved to Nicholson in 1973, where Del and Lil have resided ever since.

In Del’s teenage years he worked for a guiding and hunting outfitter.

Del then worked various jobs until settling into the forest and trucking industry. He was still working and enjoying it in December 2012.

Del touched many lives through his involvement with the Golden Light Horse Club and as a driving force with the Golden Rodeo . Over the years he volunteered whenever needed with many groups and organizations.

Family was extremely important to Del and he was so proud of his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. When his great granddaughter Paislee was born in October 2012 he could not have been happier. He had the biggest smile every time he talked about her.

Del was predeceased by his parents Emil and Margaret Johnson and his sister Anne. He leaves behind his wife Lil of 55 years, his children Donna Lawrence (Mark), Darrell Johnson (Wanda), and Sherry Gottler (Rene), his beloved grandchildren Traci (Rob), and Craig, Jordan (Alysha) and Dallas, Larisa and Zara and his great granddaughter Paislee as well as many other family and friends.

A celebration for Del will be held on January 4th 2014 at 2:00pm at the Golden Rec Plex. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Golden Hospital Auxillary. C/0 946 Jacob Road Golden BC V0A 1H2.

The family wishes to thank everyone for all their support.

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

THANK YOU A huge THANK YOU to my extended family and friends for the party you gave in my honour. Each and every one of you has a special place in my heart. No matter where we are, I will always be your Canadian Mom.

CHEERS & JEERS Cheers to RONA for donating supplies for our Christmas crafts.

S OBITUARY S RUTH FLOWITT

September 9th, 1928 – December 8th, 2013 It is with great sorrow that the family of Ruth Flowitt announces her sudden passing at the tender age of 85 on Sunday, December 8th at Invermere Hospital. Ruth was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England on September 9, 1928.

She was a lovely person. Everyone who met her loved her lighthearted company. She was very intelligent and almost impossible to stump on any question. She was well read and ahead of her time. She was not just beautiful on the inside but also on the outside. Her husband, David, knows that he was very lucky to win her and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage together as soul mates. David may have been the prime mover in the family, but Ruth was its heart. They were a formidable and effective team. They had four children together and shared many adventures. They loved to travel and the family have fond memories of camping trips in the UK, the USA and around Europe. Later the couple enjoyed trips all around North and South America, the Antarctic and Alaska . Ruth loved her family and was a wonderful mother, grandma and great grandma. Tragically Ruth had a stroke some years ago which affected her speech. This was a great loss as she was one of the funniest ladies you’d ever meet.

This did not stop her getting her message across nor did it prevent her from expressing her great love of her family. Earlier this year the couple suffered the loss of their first-born son, Richard. Mom still endured but some of her spark was extinguished. David cared for her with love until her last day.

We will all miss her happy smile and loving welcome. 85 years were not nearly long enough. We will all cherish the privilege of having this wonderful woman in our lives and who enriched them so much.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Fleet and the attending nursing staff for the wonderful care Mom received during her last day and to Dr. Dibb for her diligent and patient long-term care.

Phone: 250-341-6299 Fax: 250-341-6229 Email: info@cv-pioneer.com www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

A big cheer to John at Skookum U-Haul. You made my trip over the mountains so much better. I appreciate your going out of your way to help me.

A huge cheer for Amanda and Kate and all those helping Mom to settle into her new place in Ivy House.

Your caring and concern are very much appreciated!

CHEERS to Bill Cropper and the Windermere Valley Musicians Who Care for the quality of the “Christmas in the Valley” CD. It just might become my favorite Christmas CD! Merry Christmas.

Biggest CHEERS to that fine gentleman and his mom from K-5 who made my day. And to the amazing Pharmasave wonderful souls with big hearts. I really appreciate the much needed love and kindness. And to lovely postie who made a special trip to give me a HUG. Your good deeds will never be forgotten.

Cheers to Matt and the D.T.S.S. Leadership Group for all their enthusiastic help with the Purple Light Campaign.

S OBITUARY S ANNIE HOLLICK 1931 - 2013

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Annie Hollick announces her peaceful passing on Saturday, December 7, 2013 in Invermere at 82 years of age.

Annie was born on January 4, 1931 in St. Clements, Manitoba.

She leaves to mourn her passing her five children Dawn (Howard), Allan (Kathy), Sandi (Jim), Billy, Gary (Maye), six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two sisters Marsha and Elsie and their families as well as numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

A memorial service for Annie will take place at the Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 1070 - Hwy 93/95 in Invermere at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2013. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honour of Annie may do so to ICAN (Invermere Companion Animal Network), PO Box 2488, Invermere, British Columbia, V1C 1K0 or a charity of their choice would be appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at www.mcphersonfh.com

34 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

STORAGE

SHARED ACCOMMODATION

SUITE FOR RENT

SUITE FOR RENT

Jeers to those too “grown up” to love snow. Or cold. Or any winter weather. What a dismal season it must be for you when snow = chores (shoveling), cold = chores (firewood), and warming = bad roads. Take a note from those less mature than you, and enjoy it!

Make the shoveling fun (or hire that local kid to do it), enjoy the free workout that firewood gives, bundle up and go for a fun walk, sled, skate or ski! And, of course, always drive safely. But please stop being grinches! It’s Christmas in the valley, after all!

Cheers to my amazing friends and their ugly Christmas Sweaters.

Cheers to Sheberdean for the great music and to Jim and Don for sharing their talent. Merry Christmas.

NEWHOUSE MULTI STORAGE

Private room, phone, laundry access, internet, and all utilities included, $400/mo + $200 D.D., N/P. 1-866-222-0325.

Brand new large, bright, 2-bdrm basement suite in downtown Invermere. Private entrance and enclosed patio, all new appliances, N/S, $775/mo + utilities. Available immediately. Call 403-874-0483.

1-bdrm apartments available Feb. 1st. Quiet 55-plus building, N/S, N/P, shared laundry, centrally located at 604 6th Ave. $470/mo, including cable TV. Please pick up an application at the front door.

Contact Jacob with any questions: 250-341-3546.

Jeers to the federal Conservative government for announcing the changes to Canada Post after parliament had finished sitting, thereby stifling debate on an important issue – yet again!

Cheers to the people - children and adults, and animals - donkey and goats, who put on the live Nativity at the Catholic church.

Those who do not get there miss a treat, especially for the children.

Please email classified ads to info@cv-pioneer.com

Jeers to the Grinch in the blue truck who stole all the logs, carefully cut by Hydro, from the private residence on 13th Ave. You know this is a seasonal home and that makes you a lousy thief.

LOST & FOUND Lost: Trailer ramps in Columere Park. Call 250-342-1520.

Lost: Hubcap for Chevy Malibu in Invermere, call Marie 250-4094204.

Found: Two keys on a ring, December 17th. Call 250-3429022.

STORAGE STORAGE SPACE – assorted sizes, easy access, immediate availability, long-term or short-term. Deck Properties Warehouse, Industrial Park: 250-342-3166.

Various sizes available.

Now with climate-controlled units.

Call 250-342-3637.

COMMERCIAL SPACE For Lease: Micro office space, Panache Bldg., 250 - 300 sq. ft. each.

All new, available immediately.

Phone 250-342-5805.

Retail opportunity in Invermere.

2,100 sq. ft. located on Main St. Rare vacancy in the busiest area of town. Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity, call now 250-2700570, ask for Josh. Short or long term okay.

NEW HOUSE MULTI STORAGE 20 x 25 heated shop $450/mo, first and last D.D. required. 24 x 36 shop power included, propane heat at tenant’s expense, $650/mo first and last D.D. required.

Contact New House Multi Storage 250-342-3637.

S IN MEMORIAM S

SUITE FOR RENT Invermere: affordable 1-bdrm and 2-bdrm apartments. $600 - $800/ mo. Includes all utilities. 250-3411182.

Radium: 4-bdrm, 2-bath basement suite. W/D, N/P, N/S, no partiers. $1,100/mo, + utilities. References required. 250-342-6010.

Black Forest Heights: 2-bdrm, ground level, open concept. Bright, comfortable, nice yard and views, 7 appliances including central vacuum.

N/S, no partiers, quiet, small pets considered. January 1st. $850/mo including utilities. Call Rick 250-3423057 or cell, 250-341-5572.

Radium: Fully furnished units for rent. Bedsitting, 1-bdrms, 2-bdrms.

N/S, pets negotiable. Call Joan at 250-342-7517 to view and check availability. Rent includes heat, hydro, cable and all linens.

STARTING AT $500/mo.

Fabulous view, 1-bdrm nicely furnished walkout suite on Riverside Golf Course at Fairmont. W/D, dishwasher, microwave, stereo.

Patio/B.B.Q, $650/mo, available Jan. Cable/internet, 250-342-1629.

2-bdrm, fridge and stove. Close to hospital, N/S, N/P. Min. 1 yr. lease. $800/mo + utilities. 250-4099801.

Black Forest Heights: Upper level 2-bdrm suite in duplex, 2-bath, open concept, large covered deck, bright, comfortable, nice yard and views, 7 appliances including central vacuum. N/S, no partiers, quiet, small pets considered. Jan. 1st. $1,000/mo including utilities.

Call Rick 250-342-3057 home, 250341-5572 cell.

2-bdrm furnished suite in Riverside, Fairmont. All appliances, N/P, N/S, Available immediately. $700/mo + half utilities, includes internet, 587-435-1346 or 778-525-0525.

S IN MEMORIAM S

HOUSE FOR RENT Invermere home for rent, 6-bdrm, 3-bath, close to downtown, N/S, fenced yard. $1,600/mo, for info please call 250-342-1249.

Downtown Invermere half duplex.

2-bdrm, 2-bath, garage, 2 decks, beautiful lake views. N/S, N/P, $1,100/mo + utilities. Available Jan. 1st. 250-342-8662 or lake@ shadybrookresort.com.

Executive 1,600 sq. ft. 2-bdrm, 1-bath fully furnished with W/D, 2 fridges, right down to sheets. Private and on Lake Windermere water system, huge 1st growth fir beams/ wood ceilings and floors. Large private yard and space for toys. $1,000/mo + utilities with $500 of wood purchased at house for you already. Damage deposit required. If interested please call 587-436-8828.

In memory of

Shirley Hudson December 12th, 2012

The Day God Took You Home

In Loving Memory of Albert Cooper November 13, 1924 - December 28, 2012 Will be forever missed.

Alex, Carol, Cindy, Dale, Sheri, Christopher, Travis and Nadja

A million times I’ve needed you A million times I’ve cried, If love alone Could have save you you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place, No one else can ever fill.

It broke my heart to lose you, But you didn’t go alone Part of me went with you, The day God took you home.

Sadly missed by your family.

FOR RENT INVERMERE

3 bdrm. home. Downtown, 2 level + car port. $1,250/month plus utilities.

Downtown, 1 bdrm. suite. $700/month plus utilties.

3 bdrm. furnished home in Pineridge Mountain Resort. $1,650 /month.

RADIUM

2 bdrm. furnished condo in Copper Horn Towne $1,050/month.

2 bdrm. unfurnished condo. $900/month plus utilities.

FAIRMONT

2 bdrm. home on the river. $1,150/month. Available long-term only.

Eric Redeker 250-342-4040

FirstChoiceRentals.ca

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 35

MISC. FOR SALE

ContraCtor Handyman’s EstatE salE! saturday, december 21st (Of the late Dave Hamm)

•1973 Manor mobile home 68’ fully operating. Must be sold and moved. $8,000 by April.

•Many electrical and hand tools ( best offer).

•Drywall tools and supplies.

•1990 pick up truck (Dodge Dakota) $900.00 o.b.o., running condition.

•$3000 in large bulk firewood logs asking $1500.00 and will assist loading.

•Assortment of cedar-framed windows (3’ by 3’).

•Table saw, $200.00.

•Log splitter, $200.00.

•Scaffold and wheels, $500.00.

•2 wood stoves: 1 modern/ 1 larger with brick inlay! $500.00.

•Stihl chainsaw (logging type), $500.00.

•Gas generator, $150.00 o.b.o.

•Small – Medium drill press, $75.00.

•Grinder, $75.00.

•Large air conditioner, new in box, $200.00.

•3 buildings (10’x10’x 10’). Free if you remove them!

•50’ Heavy-duty electrical cord, $350.00.

Please call after December 15th.

Call 250-342-4660 • Cell 604-753-6478

HOUSE FOR SALE

Rockies West Realty Independently Owned and Operated

492 Highway 93/95, Invermere, BC

Kim Collens

Representative

toll free: 1.877.342.3427 cell: 250.342.1671

kim@rockieswest.com www.kimcollens.com

Recipe Of The Week CROCKPOT CANDY

FIREWOOD

SERVICES

Canal Flats: 2-bdrm, 1.5-bath with in-suite laundry. 1,000 sq. ft. of beautiful, comfortable, living space in quiet neighbourhood. $700/month + utilities. Available immediately. Call 403-873-8158 or e-mail canalcondo@live.ca .

Serious inquiries only.

Available quickly. 3-bdrm 1.5 bath condo conveniently located and close to schools in Invermere. $1,200/mo + hydro. Call to view 250-341-5951.

Firewood for sale, cords and half cords. 250-342-9390.

AUTOWYZE SERVICES Will be OPEN and available through the holiday season. Dec. 25th, 26th, 31st and Jan. 1st, emergencies only call 250-342-6614.

3-bdrm, 2.5 bath, 1,400 sq. ft. townhome with single garage in Borrego Ridge Radium. Two years old, $1,000/mo. Call 403-8750214.

Invermere furnished condo. Close to downtown, 2-bdrm, 2-bath on two levels. N/S, N/P, no partiers.

References, $1,000/mo + utilities.

Call 403-978-4559.

Blackforest Village unit available for rent. 2-bdrm, 1.5 bath and 5 appliances. Single garage, N/S, pets negotiable. $1,100/mo, water/sewer included. Available immediately. Please call Keith to view 250-341-1400.

Radium 2-bdrm fully furnished condo. Fireplace, two-person soaker tub and shower in large bathroom. BBQ and two balconies. $800/mo + utilities, call Mardi at 250-688-0884.

CONDO FOR SALE Riverstone Villas Condo in downtown Radium. 3-bdrm, 5 appliances, fireplace, large soaker tub walk in shower, garage. Priced 10% below assessment, will take quad or camper as down payment, $177, 000. 250-342-7608.

Home Of The Week Get Back to Nature!

Custom built home in the peaceful community of Fairmont Meadows. Beautiful finishing, soaring vaulted ceilings, feature wall of windows and floor to ceiling fireplace.

2217306

Christmas Deadline for Classiifieds is 12 noon this Friday!

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1996 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, good condition, good tires, great winter vehicle. $4,200 O.B.O. Call 250-409-4344.

MISC. FOR SALE

1996 Honda civic, 4-door, 316,000 kms, newer engine approximately 150,000 kms, 2 sets of rims and tires, one set is near-new Nokian winters, new windshield, car is in great shape, $1,800, 250-3425224.

Hay and green feed- round Bales. $50 - $90/bale. Elkhorn Ranch, 250-342-0617.

For Sale: 2008 Ford F150. 121,000 km. Asking $14,500. Call 250-3417022.

245/7516 winter tires new, only 1,200 kms, $550, call 250-3456231 or 250-688-1325.

CHILDCARE

FIREWOOD Support Rockies Hockey firewood.

Larch, fir, and pine split and delivered. Call 250-342-6908.

Dry fir, pine firewood. Cut to length. $200/cord, $100/half cord.

Free delivery Spilli to Windermere.

Seniors’ discount. Call 250-6880280.

Fiona Wilfley, AEP

Place all ingredients in a crock-pot as listed.

Do not stir.

Cover and cook on low for 1.5 to 2 hours; do not open the lid.

Once cooked, stir well and drop by spoonfuls onto a greased or parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Allow to cool and harden; store in an airtight container.

Excellent for gift giving!

See all my recipes at recipes.kimcollens.com

MLS®

CONDO FOR RENT

HEALTH & WELLNESS

16 oz dry roasted un-salted peanuts 16 oz dry roasted salted peanuts 12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips 4 oz German sweet chocolate, broken 32 oz white chocolate candy melts

$368,900

CONDO FOR RENT

Intuitive Reader

250-342-1713

SERVICES

Stop Smiling. [at least until your passport photo is taken]

camera classes • canvas wraps photography • photo finishing • picture framing …look for the red door behind Gone Hollywood Video

250-342-5102

The Dragonfly Discovery Early Education Centre is now accepting registration for 2014. For more info visit dragonflydiscoverycentre.com.

SERVICES Home Building and Renos Chuck Newhouse Builders 250-342-3637 chucknew@telus.net Dryer Vent and Furnace Cleaning and inspections. Call AQUAIR today!

250-342-5089.

Water treatment and purification, includes drinking water systems, softeners and conditioners, iron filters. Call AQUAIR, 250-342-5089.

Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning.

Environmentally friendly products.

Dry in 1 hour! Call 250-688-0213 or visit www.heavensbest.ca .

The Price is Right “The best investment I ever made!

I purchased two blinds for each window. A shade with an outward view and 97% UV and a beautiful wood blind, a great combo.

Thanks Shannon. Diane Roberts (Canal Flats) New – “Drapery and much more” Phantom Retractable Screen Doors Shannon’s Blinds & Designs 250-342-5749.

REMOTE STARTERS SOLD AND INSTALLED AUTOWYZE SERVICES Starting at $379.99 (Majority of Vehicles) Extended Warranty Available.

Call 250-342-6614.

VOLUNTEER/DONATION The Dragonfly Discovery Centre in Radium is now accepting donations of volunteer time, supplies and funds. To find out how you can help this essential community service (preschool programs) contact us at dragonflydiscoverycentre@gmail. com .

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Do you have an interest working from home? Want to have extra income? Please visit www.123funwork.com.

HELP WANTED Strands is seeking a chef with 3 to 5 years experience in European and Canadian fine dining to start immediately. This is a hands on position. Apply to Tony Wood at tony@strandsrestaurant.com or 250-342-6344.

Citadella Restaurant in Radium Hot Springs, BC is looking for two Hungarian Ethnic Cooks in full time seasonal work position from April to October 2014. A minimum of two years experience requested as a Hungarian cook. Salary offered $15/ hour. Duties include preparation of ethnic Hungarian dishes. Please send resume to Steven at info@ milliondollarview.ca .

RADIUM PETRO CANADA is seeking for full-time cashier, wage $11.50. Please apply in person or email to rpetro@live.ca Helna’s Stube is looking for an evening part-time server. Please call 250-347-0047 or email mail@ helnas.com.

36 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

www.ekemployment.org

YOUR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS EK Employment – Columbia Valley is part of a network of four WorkBC Employment Services Centres offering a range of services for FREE! • • •

Local/regional online job board • Self-serve area (with computers, phone, fax, printer/scanner) • Workshops

Wage subsidy placements, Training, and self-employment Individualized supports and Community Referrals

EK Employment– Columbia Valley is delivered by The Family Resource Centre of Invermere.

PH: 250-341-6889 • EMAIL: cvinfo@ekemployment.org Visit us at1313 7th Avenue, Invermere (above the Thrift Store) Employment Services Centre The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

The Akisqnuk First Nation is nestled in B.C.’s Columbia Valley, between Radium and Fairmont Hot Springs, up alongside the Purcell Mountains. This four season playground offers something for everyone with a small town ambiance and excellent schools.

The Akisqnuk First Nation, one of four Ktunaxa Bands, is on-thegrow in terms of governance and economic development and is seeking the right individuals to lead that growth.

The Akisqnuk First Nation invites you to apply for the following positions .

Band Administrator As the Band Administrator you will be responsible for the successful leadership and general management of the organization according to the vision, objectives, and strategic direction set in conjunction with the Band Council.

Finance Officer As the Finance Officer you will report directly to the Band Administrator and will be responsible for assisting in the overall management and reporting of the financial affairs of the Akisqnuk First Nation, managing the day-to-day accounting affairs, assisting in the development, administration of accounting policies and procedures, and providing overall guidance in financial aspects of the AFN including investments.

To apply for either of these positions, please visit www.akisqnuk.org.

Join our winning team!

When you work at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort you don’t just get a job, you get a passport to all the amenities of our facility. Enjoy complimentary golf, hot springs and skiing — as well as generous discounts at our spa, retail, seven restaurants and other ski resorts. Here are some of the positions available immediately:

• Lifeguards • Massage Therapist • Assistant RV Park Manager • Dishwasher While experience is desired for certain roles, the key requirement for all positions is a positive attitude, relentless enthusiasm and a passion for great service. We can teach you many things, but we can’t teach you that!

Interested? Please forward your resume with references to the attention of David Sheedy: hr@fhsr.com, fax 250.345.6616, or call 250.345.6004. fairmonthotsprings.com

Look up to a higher standard with our classified ads.

HELP WANTED Office Assistant/Receptionist required part-time with the potential for a full-time position.

Experience an asset, but willing to train.

Please forward resumes to: Hubbard & Blakley Box 639, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0 or e-mail: handb@telus.net.

Windermere’s Skookum winners

Pioneer Classifieds

Fairmont Gas Plus and Subway is seeking P/T and F/T employees.

Please apply via email jaypark4929@gmail.com.

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

Housekeepers wanted. Full and part-time, salary based on experience. Job duties: Cleaning of Vacation Property Rentals. Crystal Concierge. Submit your resume to nenet@xplornet.ca.

N E W S PA P E R

info@cv-pioneer.com (250) 341-6299

Sales Representative

Creative

( 1 year maternity leave)

you love computers?

Are isyouseeking creative?an Advertising TheDoInvermere Valley Echo Would you like to combine two skills Sales representative for ourthose weekly newspapers and into a career as an ad designer?

Then weValley. might We have magazine publications in the Columbia anhave opening for a full-time, one maternity the perfect job for you.

Theyear Golden Star leave fill position commencing immediately. is currently seeking a full-time ad designer for our award-winning newspaper. Excellent

We are looking for someone with prior experience in a typing skills are needed, and preference will be sales position, with a strong knowledge of sales and given to candidates advancedtrack computer marketing and with awith successful record; someone skills in programs such as Adobe InDesign and who has strong written and verbal communications, Photoshop. However, ability to think outside relations organizational and an exceptional customer skills; and work profias ciency in team MS Offi the box,knowledge be flexible and part our arece/MAC OS is a requirement.

The ideal candidate equally important skills in this position. We are must be motivated and taketoinitiative sellcandidate. multiple products, definitely prepared train the to right work with existing customers and find ways to grow This is a full-time, Monday to Friday position. sales and income.

Black Press is Canada’s largest privately held,

A valid driver’s licencecompany and a reliable independent newspaper with morevehicle are a must.

than 150 community newspapers and associated publications and 19you, dailies, located in B.C., If this describes please submit your resume and Alberta,letter Washington State, Ohio cover to the attention of:and Hawaii. If you are community focused, success-oriented and Publisher want to live Rose-Marie in one of B.C.’sRegitnig, most beautiful areas PO Box #8,Send 108-8th Avenue we want to hear from70,you. resume with V0A1K0 cover letter andInvermere, work relatedB.C. references

by June publisher@invermerevalleyecho.com 11, to: Janet Crandall-Swaffield, Publisher The Golden Star ALLEY 413AN 9th Ave. N. (Box 149) E W S PA P E R CHO Golden, B.C. V0A 1H0 • Fax: 250-344-7344 e-mail: publisher@thegoldenstar.net

V E

T he

Top: Since the Skookum Inn in Windermere changed ownership ten years ago, Darlene Coppock was the millionth customer to roll through the station, unknowingly winning herself 1,000 litres of free fuel from the station. The prize was presented by co-owner Jane Tames; the pictured jerry cans were included for decoration, and Ms. Coppock can redeem her free gas at any time. Middle: Shawn MacNeil guessed closest to when the millionth customer would fill up at the Skookum Inn gas station in Windermere. His prediction earned him a cash prize of $1,000. Bottom: staff of the Skookum Inn, circa 1959. Left to right: Diane Shymko, unknown woman, Maud Rumsey, Margaret Shymko, Sharon Leveque, Lyne Robertson, Harry Rumsey, Helen Stirling, Betty-Ann Backstrom, Louise Leveque in the old dining room. Photo A1443 courtesy of the Windermere District Historical Society.

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 37

Big rig bash-up Camo snowcat on the prowl at Nipika The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club’s annual Learn to Ski Clinics took place at Nipika Mountain Resort last weekend, where classic technique was taught on Saturday, December 14th and skate ski on Sunday, December 15th. Conditions were excellent thanks to the arrival of the new BR 275 snowcat grooming machine (Pictured above with participants in the Saturday clinic. Photo submitted.) recently purchased by the club in partnership with Nipika and made possible through the club’s fundraising efforts. The club will be hosting many future events because of the state-of-the-art technology now in service at the Cross River Canyon Trails and Nipika, the club’s home base facility. The club also maintains the Whiteway, which opened on December 10th. The trails have been extended farther south on the lake so the Whiteway is bigger, better and longer than ever. (Pictured below, the extended Whiteway south of Indian Beach Estates on the east side with the Purcells in the distance. Photo by Nicole Trigg.) So if you ski, skate, run or bike on the Whiteway please join the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club by going to www.tobycreeknordic.ca and clicking on the club membership section to join. The club would like to remind other vehicle drivers who use the lake to avoid driving on the designated ski and skate lanes.

On Monday, December 16th at 4 p.m., the Columbia Valley detachment attended to a two-vehicle accident on Highway 93/95 on the Radium hill.

A Kootenay Heavy Haul tractor driven by an adult male turned onto the highway to travel north in heavy fog, not seeing that another semi vehicle, a Chief tractor-trailer, was northbound. The Chief truck, in attempting to avoid the accident, veered right, making contact with the Heavy Haul tractor. The Chief semi truck and trailer entered into the ditch to the right and came to rest on its side. There were no injuries to the drivers. The driver of the Heavy Haul was charged with an unsafe start. Photos were taken on the morning of Tuesday, December 17th by Steve Hubrecht.

38 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013

Ktunaxa stewardship agreement renewed

By Nicole Trigg Pioneer Staff An agreement that involves the Ktunaxa Nation in decision-making regarding regional economic activity has been renewed for a second three-year term.

The strategic engagement agreement (SEA) between the First Nation and the government of British Columbia covers the 70,000 square kilometres of Ktunaxa traditional territory in B.C., and concerns four Ktunaxa communities — the local Akisqnuk First Nation along with St. Mary’s, Tobacco Plains and Lower Kootenay further south.

Originally signed in 2010, the SEA has had a successful run strengthening the relationship between the provincial government and the Ktunaxa Nation by establishing an obligation for both parties to communicate about ongoing resource stewardship issues.

“Ktunaxa remain unwavering in our role as stewards of this territory,” said Ktunaxa Nation Chair Kathryn Teneese in a press release. “As the Ktunaxa Nation and the Province continue to move towards shared decision-

making in relation to land and resources within our territory, we look forward to building upon the successes of the past three years while continuing to develop our government-to-government relationship with the Province.”

Significant regional economic activity takes place within the area including, an estimated 80 per cent of provincial mining revenues, five proposed coal expansions, an improving regional forestry industry, and a large portion of B.C.’s hydroelectric production.

The communication process set out by the SEA establishes a system of “application engagement,” or referrals, that includes information requirements, timelines, and options for dealing with disagreements, Ktunaxa Lands and Resources Agency lands stewardship manager Dora Gunn told The Pioneer.

“The types of applications that are considered are very broad, including, for example, mining exploration, range use permits, forest stewardship plans and water licenses,” she said.

Earlier this year in January, the Ktunaxa signed a new Economic and Community Development Agreement (ECDA) with the Province, which ensures the

To place your Community Classified call The Pioneer at 250-341-6299 or toll free 1-866-669-9222 classifieds@bccommunitynews.com www.communityclassifieds.ca

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four Ktunaxa communities share the direct mineral tax revenue from any expansions or new coal mine projects in the Elk Valley. While the SEA itself doesn’t set out any specific revenue or benefit sharing guidelines, a permanent committee (called the Resource-Revenue and Benefit Sharing Standing Committee) established under the SEA umbrella does monitor the implementation of any such agreements and facilitates future ones, said Ms. Gunn.

The renewed SEA is another way to build toward a Ktunaxa Nation treaty agreement, Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad said in the release.

“The renewal of the Ktunaxa Nation SEA shows that our approach is working; when government and First Nations work collaboratively on resource management and land-use issues, everyone benefits,” he stated.

“The Ktunaxa people are showing tremendous leadership with their continuing commitment to engaging with the B.C. government,” Energy and Mines and Responsible for Core Review Minister Bill Bennett said in the same release.

NOTICE OF HOLIDAY CLOSURE We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Please note that the Pioneer office will be closed from Saturday, December 21st until Sunday December 29th. Opening 8:30 a.m. December 30th.

N E W S PA P E R

Read us online:

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

N E W S PA P E R

December 20, 2013

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 39

FAITH

Hear the angels sing

By Pastor Murray Wittke Valley Christian Assembly It’s after midnight and I’m staring into the frozen December darkness. I see tiny coloured lights strung around houses and hanging in trees. Each small light quietly makes its stand against the night, assuring me the light will return.

Every winter it’s the same. For me, December is a season of celebration and darker days. As Christmas approaches, part of me wants to sing for joy and another part aches with sadness. I see the Christ child in the manger — Emmanuel… God with us, one of us — and I’m overjoyed. Then I see a tear-stained world, friends weighed down with sorrows, lives filled with pain and loss, and I grieve. Each Christmas season I struggle, and I know I’m not alone.

I’ve been listening to Bruce Cockburn’s Christmas

Album. He sings a haunting version of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” It’s set in a minor key and yet it stirs up hope. Edmund Sears composed this song in December 1849 as a melancholy reflection on his times. He heard the song of the Christmas Angels and his hope soared. They sang a song of peace, mercy, reconciliation… of God with us. But in a verse often omitted from our hymnals, he mourns for a world that after two thousand years still suffers “the woes of sin and strife”; a world where “man still wars with man.” He wishes they would “hush the noise and hear the angels sing”.

He, too, struggled in December, but was convinced Christ would one day bring God’s peace to earth, the “age of gold… by prophet bards foretold.” To those walking in wintry darkness, he says: “And ye beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low; who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow. Take heart for comfort, love, and hope come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.”

This Christmas, listen to the Angels sing. A brighter day is coming.

It’s dark outside, but my hope burns strong… like a light in the night. Daylight’s coming! I’ve heard the angels sing.

Valley Churches LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH Sunday, December 22nd 10:30 a.m.: FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, Worship And Life Instruction, ‘GOD Is....Jesus’...

Pastor Trevor ministering. “K.I.D.S.” Church for children age 3 to Grade 1, and Grades 2-5 during the morning service.

Pastor Trevor Hagan 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lakewindermerealliance.org WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED 9:30 a.m.: Bacon, Friends and Faith (All ages) 10:30 a.m.: Worship at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday, 10 a.m.; Worship service. Kids’ Church provided.

Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway 93/95, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: at St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats.

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

712 -12th Ave., Invermere • Father Gabriel • 250-342-6167 ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Worship services every Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Christ Church Trinity, 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere Pastor Rev. Fraser Coltman • 1-866-426-7564 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 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m. • Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

President Barry Pratt • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 250-341-5792

Cruiser crammed with Christmas spirit The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train stopped in the community of Radium Hot Springs on Thursday, December 12th and this year marked the first time the Columbia Valley RCMP ‘Cram the Cruiser’ joined in the festive event. Staff Sgt. Marko Shehovac (far right) and Food Bank volunteers were part of the lively crowd who enjoyed the evening of great entertainment, generous donations and amazing community spirit. Canadian Pacific made a donation of $8,000 to the local Food Bank in addition to a train car full of food. The giving did not stop there as the community continued to pack the police cruiser full of food donations as well as raising $715 to help those in need.

Photo by Dan Walton

You can remember someone special with your gift to the Canadian Cancer Society To donate In Memory or In Honour: www.cancer.ca | 250-426-8916 or call toll-free 1-800-656-6426 or mail to: P. O. Box 102 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Please include: Your name an address for tax receipt Name of the person being remembered Name and address to send card to

Let’s Make Cancer History

www.cancer.ca

40 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 20, 2013