EE R F Bringing the mountain to the people
The only solely owned and operated newspaper on the Kamloops North Shore Published weekly in Kamloops, B.C.
Phone: 250-376-3672 • E-mail: java_mountain_news@yahoo.ca Online: http://issuu.com/jmnews • Follow us on FaceBook Vol. 16 No. 15
Thursday, December 10, 2020
City enhancing pedestrian safety With shorter days leading to reduced visibility during peak traffic times, pedestrians become more vulnerable. According to ICBC, nearly half of all crashes involving pedestrians occur between October and January, when daylight hours are reduced. It’s important for both pedestrians and drivers to be aware and take care when visibility is reduced. The City’s Transportation Division has installed new equipment and technology to help enhance pedestrian safety. Rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) have been installed mid-block on Tranquille Road, between Knox Street and Palm Street, as well as at the intersection of Summit Drive and Robson Drive. Both systems were activated on Mon. Dec. 7. The RRFB crosswalk system is the latest, state-of-the-art technology and the first of its kind in Kamloops. RRFBs feature high-intensity, pedestrian-activated LED flashing lights that are exceptionally noticeable for drivers during both the day and at night, and are visible when headlight glare, wet roads, or other situations create difficult lighting conditions. “Providing residents with safe walking environments is one of our objectives from the Transportation Master Plan,” said Purvez Irani, the City’s Transportation Manager. “The RRFB system will enhance pedestrian safety in these high-traffic corridors and we look forward to installing more throughout the City in the coming years.” The rectangular rapid flashing beacons have been installed on Tranquille Road and Summit Drive. The Transportation Division is also currently undertaking traffic signal optimization in the downtown core, which includes the installation of lead pedestrian intervals (LPIs) at every crosswalk. The LPIs give pedestrians a head start at signalized intersections by providing an advanced “walk” signal while the lights remain red for vehicles. This head start reduces vehicle-pedestrian conflict by enhancing the pedestrian visibility and reinforcing their right-of-way over turning vehicles. This type of signal is also the first of its kind in Kamloops
and will be new to drivers and pedestrians. While these new signals will help enhance pedestrian safety, it is imperative for both pedestrians and motorists to remain vigilant. Some tips include:
T••• ••• P!"!•#••$%•: • W!$• &•'(#-)•&•*•!" •• •!•&!)#•+! )&•#(•%' to help be seen. • P$, $##!%#••%. Put your phone away and remove your headphones when crossing an intersection. • D•%’# /$,0$&1. Always use crosswalks and obey pedestrian and traffic signals, especially in low visibility. • B! $0$•!. Pay attention in intersections – watch for drivers turning left or through crosswalks. • M$1! !,! )•%#$)#. Never assume that a driver has seen you.
T••• ••• M•#••••#•: • B! $0$•!. Always leave your phone and other distractions alone while driving. • Y•!&". Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections. • E2•!)# #(! *%!2•!)#!". Always watch for pedestrians, even midblock.
Promotions, Media Relations & Publisher of the Java Mountain News 273 Nelson Avenue Kamloops, B.C. V2B 1M4 Phone: 250-376-3672 E-mail: racin_mama_productions@yahoo.ca
COVID-19 numbers
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Interior Health (IH) has recorded three new COVID-19 related deaths this past week, bringing the total of deaths in IH to six since the beginning of the pandemic. IH recorded the first long-term care home death Dec. 3; a man in his 80s, passed away at Mountainview Village after contracting COVID-19. Also on Dec. 3, IH recorded 82 new cases overnight. Then on Dec. 4, the number of new cases in that 24-hour period was 81. Over the three-day period over the weekend, IH reported 203 new cases since Friday as well as two additional COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the number of deaths within IH to six. On Dec. 8, IH reported 74 new cases, and overnight to Dec. 9, there were 81 new cases, while Dec 10 recorded 82 new cases since Wednesday, bringing the number of new COVID-19 cases within IH over a one-week period to 603, and 2,502 since the pandemic arrived in B.C. Of those new cases, 679 are active and in isolation, 19 are in hospital and five are in ICU.
• K!"#$$%& H$&%'() A&&$('!*'$+ (KHA) BUCKET LIST RAFFLE. KHA has kicked off its first annual Bucket List Raffle fundraiser online event. There are 5 Bucket Experiences to choose from, values of each range from $4,000 – $6,000. All supported by local businesses. • B#'()* 1: Chef’n it Up with Beats; • B#'()* 2: Unleash the Artist in You; • B#'()* 3: Get Dirty with the Rust Bros.: B#'()* 4: Spruce Up Your Outdoor Oasis; • B#'()* 5: Slopes, Swings & Sips. Tickets & FMI: www. hospicebucketlist.com. Tickets sales cut off: Feb. 21, 2021, 5 PM. Draw date: Feb. 25, 12 noon. While capturing the spirit of living your best life, you are contributing to KHA patients’ very own hospice care experience. • BC LIVING ARTS SOCIETY AGM (S$-+4 *7) A#!:": M-&'(/T7)!*:)), Dec. 13, 7 PM via online ZOOM meeting. RSVP your attendance at bclivingarts@gmail.com. A link will be sent to you upon receipt of your RSVP email. • KSO CHRISTMAS VARIETY SHOW. The KSO has put together a free performance for the holidays. Featuring different combinations of over 40 orchestra musicians in a variety of pre-recorded performances, this sparkling program of whimsical holiday music will be available online at www.kamloopssymphony.com/concerts/ kso-christmas-variety-show.htm, starting at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13, – Jan. 8. • KAMLOOPS FILM SOCIETY AGM, Dec. 14, 5 PM, at Paramount Theatre. Members & patrons are welcome. COVID-19 restrictions will be in place, so please RSVP on Facebook or email at info@ thekfs.ca as only 50 patrons will be allowed in the theatre. FMI: info@ thekfs.ca or 236-425-3456.
WANTED: ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Java Mountain News is seeking an advertising representative to join the team. The qualified person will develop and maintain a client base throughout the city. Send resume and cover letter to: Publishing Editor, 273 Nelson Ave., Kamloops, B.C. V2B 1M4 or javamountainnews@yahoo.ca
: 1283/ E N L I 599055
is independently owned and operated and published weekly by Racin’ Mama Productions.
Publishing Editor: Judi Dupont Reporter/Photographer: Judi Dupont, Lizsa Bibeau Sales: Judi Dupont Production & Design: Judi Dupont
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Deadline for advertising and editorial copy is 12 noon Wednesdays for publication on Thursday. Submissions are gratefully accepted but Java Mountain News reserves the right to edit all material and to refuse any material deemed unsuitable for this publication. Articles will run in the newspaper as time and space permit. Letters to the Editor must be signed and have a phone number (your phone number will not be printed unless so requested). The opinions expressed herein are those of the contributors/writers and not necessarily those of the publisher, Java Mountain News, Racin’ Mama Productions or the staff. All submissions become the property of Java Mountain News. Any error that appears in an advertisement will be adjusted as to only the amount of space in which the error occurred. The content of each advertisement is the responsibility of the advertiser. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Open Every Day CONTACT JAVA MOUNTAIN NEWS If you have an upcoming event or news story you would like publicized in a future edition or if you would like advertising information, CALL:
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JAVA MOUNTAIN NEWS 273 Nelson Ave., Kamloops, B.C. V2B 1M4
Java Mountain News 2 December 10, 2020
250-374-7466
Show your support for seniors this holiday season The City of Kamloops regrets to announce that this year’s annual Seniors’ Christmas Lights Tour, which would have been the 46th annual tour, has been cancelled to keep seniors, their families, volunteers, and all holiday lovers in our community safe and healthy. What started as a one-off event with two buses and fewer than 60 seniors has grown into an annual Kamloops tradition with more than 600 seniors, 25 buses, and close to 100 volunteers. “The seniors light tour is a wonderful Kamloops tradition, and we look forward to gathering again in 2021, said Mayor Ken Christian. “This year, we’re hoping that we can bring joy to seniors in other ways,” The City invites you to share your holiday spirit for seniors this season in a different festive way by participating within the community in one or more of the following ways: • Watch the virtual CP H•••••• T!••" online on Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. • Watch the WCT’s T#$ S"•% M&'( )• •": H•••••• C••''•*' %•(# • L•*•• T%•'(, online at wctlive.ca, www.facebook.com/ wctlive, or www.youtube.com/user/wctkamloops. 6 original, locally-produced, free videos, released “advent calendar” style every day from Dec. 15 to 21 at 5 p.m., and culminating in a Live Virtual Watch Party Dec. 21. • Watch the KSO C#!•'(+•' V•!•$(• S#•%, featuring different combinations of over 40 orchestra musicians in a variety of
pre-recorded performances, online at www. kamloopssymphony.com/concerts/ksochristmas-variety-show.htm, starting at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13, to Jan. 8. • Decorate your home for the enjoyment of others. • Sponsor a senior Christmas hamper or stocking stuffer. • Send a card to a seniors’ residence.
Thursday December 10
Friday December 11
Saturday December 12
Mainly cloudy
Chance of flurries
4° | 0°
2° | -6°
A mix of sun & cloud -2° | -4°
Sunday December 13
Periods of snow -2° | -4°
• Take a loved one to the D•%"(•%" K•+•••.' S(•!• B••/ V••••)$. Whatever you do to share your Christmas spirit with the senior(s) in your life, please do it safely and in accordance to the provincial health regulations. The City looks forward to welcoming seniors, volunteers, and route spectators back to the annual tour in 2021.
Monday December 14
A mix of sun & cloud -1° | -4°
Tuesday December 15
Chance of flurries -1° | -2°
Promotions, Media Relations & Publisher of the Java Mountain News 273 Nelson Avenue Kamloops, B.C. V2B 1M4 Phone: 250-376-3672 E-mail: racin_mama_productions@yahoo.ca Java Mountain News 3 December 10, 2020
A/!01$ T!)1 • CP HOLIDAY TRAIN AT HOME VIRTUAL CONCERT, Sat. Dec. 12, 5 PM. The 22nd annual CP Holiday Train is back. And this year, its first – & only – stop is your home! Although the train might look a bit different this year, CP is keeping the spirit of Christmas alive with a virtual concert via Facebook Live to raise money for food banks across North America. Celebrate the holidays with family as you gather ‘round you screen to listen to great music, including performances by Serena Ryder, The Trews, JoJo Mason, Logan Staats, & Kelly Prescott. In this year of extraordinary need, we hope you’ll join us in helping put food on the table for families, friends and neighbours in need by making a donation to our national food banks: Food Banks Canada: https://foodbankscanada.akaraisin.com/.../donations/start. • WCT presents THE SNOW MUST GO ON: H!"#$%& C"%''#(' )#*+ % L!(%" T)#'*, Dec. 15 – 21, online at wctlive.ca, www.facebook. com/wctlive, or www.youtube.com/user/wctkamloops. WCT is presenting 6 original, locally-produced, free videos, which are about 25 minutes long, will be released “advent calendar” style every day at 5 p.m., culminating in a Live Virtual Watch Party, hosted by artistic director, James MacDonald, on Dec. 21. This will include clips from all of the videos as well as bonus surprises, plus commentary & Q&A’s with some of the artists. All videos & the Virtual Watch Party, are available to watch ‘til Jan. 1.
CREATIVE FIREWOOD BULL DOZERS EXCAVATORS
HOES BACKHOES
LOADERS PADDLEWHEELER BOATS
BUSINESS CARD HOLDERS PLAYING CARDS HOLDERS
• CANCELLED. T!" BC W#$%$#&" P'()’* '++-'$ WILDLIGHTS. The wildlife park is working with Aspect Film Works to bring A VIRTUAL WILDLIGHTS EXPERIENCE for everyone to enjoy at home; it’s a great way to still support the BC Wildlife Park throughout this holiday season, & take in all the beautiful lights & animal encounters with your family. Another option being considered is WILDLIGHTS TAKE II in January or February. Let organisers know if you’d be interested in attending Wildlights in the New Year, should the restrictions ease by then by commenting on the BC Wildlife Park’s Facebook page. To everyone who purchased tickets in advance, refunds will be automatically processed through Eventbrite, & you should see your refund within the next few days. All tickets will be automatically be refunded; however, if you wish to support the wildlife park, visit www.bcwildlife.org/support-us.htm for a list of ways you can support the park during this difficult time.
• CHRISTMAS AMALGAMATED is open for the season at 7 – 750 Fortune Dr. (Fortune Shopping Centre). Christmas Amalgamated provides approved, qualifying families a food hamper made up of everything necessary to cook a full Christmas dinner, as well as a toy for each child in the family. Family registrations & donations are welcome at the Christmas Amalgamated depot between 10 a.m. & 3 p.m., Mon – Fri. FMI: 250-376-0777.
C+/#'*2%' H%234/ L#'* The following food items can be included in a basic food hamper, all donations of which are welcomed in the form of a donation at the Christmas Amalgamated depot where they are sorted and compiled into baskets for each family. All home-baked and canned food items must be prepared in an Food-Safe approved kitchen. There are no refrigerators or freezers in the building, as such, all donations should be non-perishable. If you are adopting a family, ensure there is enough food to feed the entire family for their Christmas dinner. (Extras can be included.) • One turkey or gift certificate ($25 – $50 value); • potatoes (3 – 5 lb.); • stuffing (1 – 2 packages); • cranberry jelly (1 tin); • vegetables (2 tins, or fresh if delivered immediately); • soup (2 tins);
• juice (1 large tin); • Jell-O or pudding (2 packages); • apples (1 dozen); • oranges (1 dozen mandarins); • Christmas cake; • a mixture of nuts and candy; • tea and/or coffee; and • bread/buns.
TO ORDER, CALL WALLY
250-578-0211
: 51283/ E N L I 59905
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FMI & to register: Sahalimarkets@gmail.com Java Mountain News 4 December 10, 2020