Prince George Citizen February 24, 2022

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OLYMPIC

BRONZE

MEDALLIST MERYETA O’DINE SOUVENIR

Residents donated to convoy protest

Prince George area residents donated $17,050 to support the so-called Freedom Convoy through the Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, according to a list distributed by the online transparency group Distributed Denial of Secrets.

The list includes 133 donations, ranging from $1,000 to $5, attributed to names and emails from the four Prince George postal code areas: V2K, V2L, V2M and V2N.

The average value of alleged donations from Prince George was $128.20, with the majority of donations ranging from $50 to $100.

The Citizen reached out to three Prince George residents whose names and personal information are included in the list, but all three declined to comment.

The Citizen has not been able to independently verify the accuracy of the leaked information and is therefore not publishing the names and amounts they gave of any of the alleged donors.

Among the alleged local donations, several of the email addresses are associated with local businesses and one was from a local public institution.

Many of the alleged donations included comments posted on GiveSendGo’s website.

“This movement is the People’s last hope from being driven into complete servitude to corrupt governments,” commented one of three local people who donated $1,000 to the convoy.

“I should not need a government barcode to take my child swimming or eat at a restaurant. This is dehumanizing. The only person causing hate and division is the Prime Minister,” said one Prince George person who donated $50.

The list, which Distributed Denial of Secrets says was obtained by hackers who disrupted the crowdfunding organization’s website, contains a total of 92,000 individual donations.

According to analysis done by The Canadian Press, 39 per cent of the donors came from Canada, 56 per cent came from the United States, two per cent came from the United Kingdom and three per cent came from more than 100 other countries.

Canadians donated $4.31 million US, Americans $3.62 million US and British donors gave $77,000 US, The Canadian Press also reported.

See editorial on page 8

MAKING

MOVE UNBC

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
HER
Timberwolves guard Anastasia Soltes drives to the net past UBC Thunderbirds defender Teigan Manson last Thursday evening at Northern Sport Centre The Timberwolves won 77-65 but lost 81-75 to the Trinity Western Spartans 81-75 on Saturday. The male Timberbolves beat the Spartans men 96-88 later Saturday.

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to section 86 of the Community Charter, Prince George City Council is proposing to seek approval of the electors of the City of Prince George by Alternative Approval Process. The question beforethe electors is whether they are opposed to Prince George City Council adopting the proposed “City of Prince George Equipment Financing Bylaw No. 9277, 2022” at the regular Council meeting scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.inthe Council Chambers at City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, without first obtaining assent of the electors by areferendum vote.

City of Prince George Equipment Financing Bylaw No. 9277, 2022

The annual replacement and addition of vehicles and capital equipment arefinanced through the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) Equipment Financing Program. The estimated cost of the projects associated with this Bylaw is the sum of one million seven hundred and seventy nine thousand eight hundred and thirty four dollars ($1,779,834.00).

The loan agreement with the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) will be for aterm no longer than fifteen (15) years to match the expected service life of the new mobile equipment. The annual debt servicing costs for borrowing the full amounts is estimated to be one hundred and eighty six thousand eight hundred and thirty three dollars ($186,833.00) and would result in 0.16% of future tax levy increases.

The approved projects from the 2022 -2026 Capital Financial Plan that will be part of the Equipment Financing Program request include:

•Project #0431 –Mobile Equipment Replacement -$1,687,834.00

•Project #3208 –Janitorial Equipment -Replace Floor Scrubbers -$41,000.00

•Project #3359 –2022 New Bylaw SUV -$51,000.00

Acopy of proposed Bylaw No. 9277, 2022, amoredetailed summary of the Equipment Financing, and acopy of the proposed loan agreements with the Municipal Finance Authority areavailable for public inspection at City Hall during each business day of the week between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

For any questions, please contact the Legislative Services Department at (250) 561-7793 or cityclerk@princegeorge.ca.

Instructions

If you are not opposed to the adoption of Bylaw No. 9277, 2022, you need do nothing.

If you are opposed to the adoption of the Bylaw No. 9277, 2022 without the Bylaw first receiving assent of the electors by areferendum vote, you may sign and submit an Elector Response Form indicating your opposition.

Aperson may not sign morethan one Elector Response Form.

Applicable Area

The area to which the Alternative Approval Process applies is the entireareaofthe City of Prince George. The municipal Council may proceed with the adoption of Bylaw No. 9277, 2022 unless beforethe deadline of 5:00 p.m., Thursday,March 31, 2022,atleast 10% of electors submit a complete and signed Elector Response Form indicating that Council must obtain assent of the electors by areferendum vote beforeproceeding with the adoption of Bylaw No. 9277, 2022.

For the purpose of this Alternative Approval Process, Council has determined that thereare 55,703 electors in the City of Prince George. The municipal Council may thereforeproceed with the adoption of Bylaw No. 9277, 2022 unless at least 5,570 electors submit acompleted copy of an Elector Response Form to the City of Prince George beforethe deadline of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday,March 31, 2022.

Resident and Non-Resident Property Electors:

In order to sign an Elector Response Form, aperson must either be aresident elector or anonresident property elector of the City of Prince George. For the purposes of the Alternative Approval Process, an elector is aperson who would meet the qualifications referred to in section 65 or section 66 of the Local Government Act if assent of the electors weresought, either as aresident elector or non-resident property elector

To sign an Elector Response Form as a resident elector aperson must:

•bea Canadian citizen;

•beatleast 18 years of age;

•have lived in British Columbia for at least the last six (6) months beforesigning the Elector Response Form;

•live within the City of Prince George; and

•not be otherwise disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or by other law

To sign an Elector Response Form as a non-resident property elector aperson must:

•bea Canadian citizen;

•beatleast 18 years of age;

•have lived in British Columbia for at least the last six (6) months beforesigning the Elector Response Form;

•have been aregistered owner of property within the City of Prince George for at least the last thirty (30) days; and

•not be otherwise disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or by other law

Elector Response Form

An Elector Response Form must be in the form approved by the Council of the City of Prince George, or an accurate copy of the form such as aphotocopy.Elector Response Forms are available on the 1st Floor or the 5th Floor of Prince George City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., on Monday to Friday,excluding statutory holidays. Elector Response Forms arealso available on the City’swebsite: www.princegeorge.ca/aap.

The deadline for submitting an Elector Response Form to the City of Prince George is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday,March 31, 2022

An Elector Response Form must be fully completed and hand-signed. All three (3) pages of the completed Elector Response Form must be submitted in order to be considered

Elector Response Forms may be submitted by hand delivery,mail, facsimile (fax), or email as a PDF document attachment, as follows:

Address for delivery or mail: Attention: Corporate Officer City of Prince George

Legislative Services Division 5th Floor -1100 Patricia Blvd.

Prince George, BC V2L 3V9

Facsimile (fax) number: (250) 561-0183

PDF submission via email: cityclerk@princegeorge.ca

If submitting the Elector Response Form to the City of Prince George by facsimile (fax) or by email as aPDF document attachment, please ensurethat the transmission was completed.

This is the second of two (2) postings of this public notice.

DATED this 24th day of February,2022

Maureen Connelly,Corporate Officer City of Prince George

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE PARCEL TAXROLL REVIEW PANEL

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to section 94 and section 204 of the Community Charter,the sitting of the Parcel TaxRollReview Panel will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers located at 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, B.C. to consider complaints and to authenticate the parcel tax roll in relation to the “Dunbar Place Sanitary Sewer Extension Local Area Service Bylaw No. 8910, 2017.”

The Parcel TaxRollReview Panel will hear complaints and make corrections to the parcel tax roll only on the following grounds:

•Thereisanerror or omission respecting aname or address on the parcel tax roll;

•Thereisanerror or omission respecting the inclusion of aparcel;

•Thereisanerror or omission respecting the taxable frontage of aparcel; or

•Anexemption has been improperly allowed or disallowed.

If you wish to have acomplaint heardbythe Parcel TaxRollReview Panel, you must give written notice of your complaint to the Corporate Officer at least forty-eight (48) hours beforethe time set for the sitting of the Parcel TaxRoll Review Panel at 12:00 p.m., March 4, 2022.Inother words, we must receive the written notice of your complaint by 12:00 p.m., March 2, 2022.Complaints may be submitted as follows:

Hand Delivery or Mail:

Attention: Corporate Officer

City of Prince George

5th Floor -1100 Patricia Blvd.

Prince George, BC V2L 3V9

Fax: (250) 561-0183

Email: cityclerk@princegeorge.ca

PUBLIC NOTICES

The Parcel TaxRoll may be inspected on the 1st and 5th Floor of Prince George City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, B.C., between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday,excluding statutory holidays.

For questions concerning the above information or to obtain acopy of Bylaw No. 8910, 2017, please contact the Legislative Services Department at (250) 561-7793 or cityclerk@princegeorge.ca.

Note: Notices of assessment have been mailed only to owners that arebeing charged aparcel tax for the first time.

This is the second of two (2) postings of this public notice.

DATED this 24th day of February,2022.

Maureen Connelly,Corporate Officer City of Prince George

VOLUNTEER FOR THE CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE

The City is seeking residents interested in serving on the Advisory Committee on Council Remuneration.

The City is accepting applications to fill five (5) positions for aterm that begins upon Council appointment in April 2022 and ends upon presentation of final committee recommendations at a regular Council meeting beforeJune 30, 2022.

The primary purpose of the Committee is to review and make recommendations to City Council on remuneration such as wages, expenses, and benefits outlined in the “City of Prince George Council Remuneration Bylaw No. 8414, 2012” for the Mayor and Councillors and to provide recommendations on aremuneration structurefor implementation in January 2023.

Eligibility Requirements and How to Apply

In addition to being available to attend committee meetings scheduled between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday,applicants should ensurethey meet the following eligibility requirements:

•Must live in the City of Prince George;

•Must be available to serve for the full term of the appointment; and

•May not be employees of the City of Prince George.

Application forms may be completed and submitted online (www.princegeorge.ca/committees), picked up from and delivered to the Legislative Services Division, 5th Floor,City Hall, or emailed to legislativeservices@princegeorge.ca.

Applicants arealso encouraged to submit astatement and/or resume detailing their interest and qualifications related to the purpose of the Committee.

Deadline for Applications: 5:00 p.m., Friday,March 18, 2022

For any questions, or to have an application form mailed to you, please contact the Legislative Services Department at (250) 561-7655 or legislativeservices@princegeorge.ca.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

WHAT:

Public Hearing regarding:

•Proposed amendment to “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007”

WHEN:

7:00 p.m., Monday,February 28, 2022

WHERE:

Council Chambers of City Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC

PROPOSAL:

1. “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9248, 2021”

Applicant: McWalter Consulting Limited for Pahal Holdings Inc., Inc. No. BC1106415

Subject Property: 2740 Recplace Drive

Bylaw No. 9248, 2021 proposes to rezone the subject property from Z8: Regional Shopping to C2: Regional Commercial, as shown on Appendix “A” to Bylaw No. 9248, 2021.

The purpose of this application is to facilitate the development of amixed-use, health service centrespecializing in health and dental on the subject property,orother uses, pursuant to the proposed C2: Regional Commercial zoning designation.

The proposed Bylaw applies to the property legally described as Lot 3, District Lot 8180, Cariboo District, Plan EPP76632 and an undivided 33/100 ShareinLot 2, District Lot 8180, Cariboo District, Plan EPP76632 (see Plan as to limited access).

HOW CAN IPARTICIPATEAND PROVIDE COMMENT?

Residents who believe their interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw will be provided an opportunity to be heardatthe Public Hearing or to present written submissions prior to or at the Public Hearing regarding matters contained in the Bylaw

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS

For written comments to be included on the agenda for Council’sreview in advance of the Public Hearing, they must be received by the Corporate Officer no later than 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Written submissions received after the noted deadline and before 3:00 p.m., Monday,February 28, 2022 will be provided to Council on the day of the meeting for their consideration during deliberations on the application.

Written comments may be sent by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250)561-0183, or mailed or delivered to the address noted on the bottom of this notice.

Written submissions will form part of the Council agenda, become public record, and areposted on the City’swebsite. By making awritten submission you areconsenting to the disclosureofany personal information that you provide.

ATTEND BY TELEPHONE

In an effort to provide the public with options to speak to Council regarding aPublic Hearing application, the City offers remote participation via telephone during Public Hearings. Residents areencouraged to dial into the meeting at least 10 minutes beforethe start of the Public Hearing by calling 1-877-708-3350, Access Code: 1269574#.

ATTEND IN PERSON

Residents who wish to speak to Council in person regarding the proposed Bylaw can do so during the Public Hearing in Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of City Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2022.

The City of Prince George follows the orders of the Provincial Health Officer and guidelines regarding gatherings and events. When Public Hearings arerequired to be held, measures have been put in place to support the health and safety of members of the public attending the Public Hearing to provide comments.

City of Prince George open Council meetings arepublic and may be televised, streamed live by webcast, recorded, and archived on the City’swebsite for viewing by the public. By attending an open Council meeting or making asubmission at apublic hearing you areconsenting to the disclosureofany personal information that you provide.

For moredetailed information on providing submissions to Council, please visit www.princegeorge.ca/publichearings.

Authority

Personal information is collected under the authority of section 26(g) and disclosed under the authority of section 33.1(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) For information or questions, contact the City’sFIPPACoordinator at (250)561-7600 or 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, V2L 3V9.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Acopy of the proposed Bylaw and other related documents will be available for review by the public on the City’swebsite www.princegeorge.ca under ‘News and Notices’ beginning Wednesday,February 16, 2022. These documents may also be reviewed at the Development Services office on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on February 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 28, 2022, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

WHO CAN ISPEAK TO?

For moreinformation, please contact Development Services in person, by telephone at (250)561-7611, or by email to devserv@princegeorge.ca.

For questions related to Public Hearing participation and procedures, please contact the Legislative Services Division by telephone (250)561-7793 or by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca.

Northern Health monitoring local cabaret

Northern Health has rescinded a closure order Thursday it had issued to Prince George nightspot Lambda Cabaret for violating provincial health orders.

The step was taken after Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced new standards that came into effect as of midnight last Thursday that include refusing entry to patrons who fail to provide a vaccine passport and requiring those who do enter to wear masks when not seated. Lambda will have to meet those new requirements or face sanctions, according to Northern Health spokesperson Eryn Collins.

Starting roughly when the Freedom Convoy converged on Ottawa and a rally in support was held at Exhibition Park, Lambda had opened its doors in defiance of an order that liquor-primary premises remain closed as part of the effort to stem the tide of COVID-19.

Lambda posted videos onto its Facebook page showing patrons dancing in a crowd with some appearing to consume alcohol from brightly coloured buckets with straws, none of them wearing masks.

Northern Health ordered Lambda Cabaret closed on Feb. 9. However, the nightspot remained open over the weekend of Feb. 12 in defiance of the edict.

Northern Health says where establishments don’t immediately come into compliance with public health orders, it

pursues progressive enforcement measures from education, up to and include warning letters, tickets and closure letters.

Enforcement of public health orders is also being supported by provincial enforcement officers from other agencies authorized to issue violation tickets.

Lambda’s liquor license was also previously suspended, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General confirmed to the Citizen on Feb. 14.

“If LCRB (Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch) observes a pattern of contraventions or recklessness in defying public health orders, more serious censures may result including licence cancellation,” the ministry added in a statement.

Under the new standards, Henry said

restaurants, bars, and nightclubs will be able to operate at full capacity.

This means an ease of no table limits and allowing mingling between tables and barriers like plexiglass dividers will no longer be necessary, however employees will still be following their own workplace safety plans.

Dancing is also now allowed again. Dancing was one of the longest-held COVID-19 restrictions in the province, having been off-limits in places like nightclubs and bars since restrictions were first implemented in B.C. in March 2020.

Henry said the remaining protective measures will be reviewed on Mar. 15 and again on Apr. 12.

- with files from Mark Nielsen, Lindsay William Ross

Mill layoffs no surprise to Vanderhoof mayor

Canfor’s elimination of one of its three production lines at its Plateau sawmill in Vanderhoof means the loss of about 70 jobs by the middle of this year.

“We as a community knew this day was going to come,” Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry

Thiessen said. “We can’t have as many issues with the mountain pine beetle, the forest fires, the caribou things and now the old growth forest strategy and not have a problem with keeping mills going... and so we’ve had time to prepare.”

But Thiessen also noted Canfor has started a $14-million upgrade at the mill, to preserve about 280 jobs at one of the

community’s largest employers.

“Eighty per cent of the jobs we have at the mill will still be there and hopefully for the foreseeable future,” he said.

Thiessen said next steps will include meeting with Canfor, the province’s economic development officer for the area and CNC to see what can be done to support affected workers.

“We really need to understand the magnitude of how many will be done through retirement packages and how many have already, over the last couple months, have not been replaced, and once we do that, then we will be working very hard to continue to diversify our economy to get away from that kind of manufacturing of two-by-fours,” Thiessen said.

Camp attack denounced

Media

The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council has joined political leaders in condemning last week’s violent attack on a Coastal Gaslink camp near Houston.

The Feb. 17 attack by an estimated 20 masked people, caused millions of dollars in damage at the camp on the Marten Forest Service Road. An RCMP officer was also injured.

The tribal council said in a statement the attack goes against Carrier Sekani values of respect for the land and for each other.

“This attack shocked our communities,” said Wet’suwet’en First Nation Chief Maureen Luggi. “These violent attacks are against our values. They not only left a great deal of property damage, but also has created a local environmental crisis due to the industrial fluids that were spilled due to the destruction.”

Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino called the violence at the Coastal GasLink site and on a forestry road “disturbing.”

Premier John Horgan called the attack “reprehensible.”

Senior finally gets help after CERB snafu

When local resident Peter Fletcher became ineligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) last year, he was left $355 shy every month that he counted on to survive.

He and about 200,000 other Canadian seniors became ineligible for the GIS after taking advantage of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for caregivers. Fletcher accessed the funds in 2020 when he was looking after his cancer-afflicted and aged landlady.

The situation became so dire that he had to ration his insulin and three other medications to make them last.

“I’ve watched Parliament every day for a month hoping for some news. After I pay my rent... I have $11 left over.”

The federal government will now provide up to $742.4 million for one-time payments. These payments will alleviate the financial hardship for those seniors who qualified and received CERB and CRB in 2020 but who subsequently lost some or all of their GIS or Allowance benefits.

This automatic, one-time payment will support those who saw a loss of GIS or Allowance by compensating them for the full, annualized loss amount. Seniors will not need to take any action to receive the one-time payment. They will automatically receive the payment in the same way they receive their GIS payments.

It’s supposed to come for most everyone on April 19 and if some seniors are in crisis they can access it as early as March.

“I think it’s good, as long as it goes to those who need it,” Fletcher said.

Local projects please Fort St. James mayor

The first load of logs for Oregon-based Hampton Lumber’s new sawmill in Fort St. James were delivered earlier this month.

The sawmill, which remains under construction, comes as a result of a $39 million purchase of timber rights from Conifex, which shut down its operation in Fort St. James in May 2019.

Fort St. James Mayor Bob Motion said a job fair will be held in advance of it starting up and that 40-60 people will be employed.

“It’s going to be a highly-automated and efficient mill,” Motion said and added it won’t employ as many people at Sinclar Group’s Apollo sawmill in Fort St. James.

“Apollo runs around 100 to 110 employees so going to a highly efficient operation, you’re going to run with about half the staffing,” Motion said. “The advantage of that though is that you’re now going to be running more efficient, so you should be able to weather the downturns in the industry. You’ll have a much better chance of working in the down times.”

Motion also noted revival of the Fort St. James Green Energy Project. Mired in controversies and false starts under its previous proponents, the initiative was taken over in October 2021 by BioEnergy North, a joint venture between the economic development arm of the Nak’azdli Whu’ten First Nation, Kamloops-based Arrow Transportation and low-carbon infrastructure developer Nexus Program Management Group.

They plan to have the plant, which produces electricity by burning wood waste, back in operation soon and Motion said a blessing ceremony was held at the site a few weeks back.

Motion said he was “delighted” that the trio stepped up to the plate.

“If they hadn’t done that... that whole plant would have been dismantled and sold for scrap,” he said. “I think they have 30 or 40 jobs in that operation, almost as large as what the Hampton one will be.”

Motion said the community has lost about 200 people in recent years but is still drawing in newcomers, mostly people in their 40s and older with nest eggs and a yearning to get out of the urban areas.

In consideration

For

Peter Fletcher lost his Guaranteed Income Supplement last year after applying for the CERB in 2020.

Human rights tribunal to hear complaint against local company

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has rejected an application to dismiss a complaint from a Black man who believes he was constructively dismissed from his construction job.

“I believe that the real reason for my termination of employment was that I no longer tolerated the use of the N-word by Ruskin’s employees and that l eventually spoke up against the use of the N-word,” said Francis Sarba, who filed a human rights complaint related to his employment with Ruskin Construction Inc., headquartered in Prince George.

Sarba alleges his manager and the company subjected him to three instances of racial harassment at work; the alleged treatment made him feel unsafe and led to the termination of his employment, according to court documents.

He asserts the conduct of Ruskin, and employees Steve Chauvin, Dan Homeniuk and Reza Moham is discrimination based on race and colour in violation of the provincial Human Rights Code.

While Sarba said Ross was fired, the company said an investigation was done where Ross denied the allegations. The company said he was moved away from those employees.

In the second alleged incident, Sarba said supervisor Moham asked him to attend a meeting. Sarba asked his union steward, Trevor Dorey, to attend but Moham had said there was no need as it was just a “friendly conversation.”

In the meeting, Sarba alleges Moham said words to the effect of: “I’m not supposed to say this but I have to. Your talking about being called a [N-word] personally, saying [N-word] is the exact same as saying someone is a fascist.”

I believe that the real reason for my termination of employment was I no longer tolerated the use of the N-word.”

The respondents have denied discriminating and applied to have the complaint dismissed.

In a Feb. 15 decision rejecting that application, tribunal member Amber Prince said there was too much conflicting evidence before her to conclude that the complaint had no reasonable prospect of success. The decision said Sarba was employed with Ruskin, a specialized construction contractor, from July to November 2019. He was a bridgeman scaffolder working at a site near Prince Rupert.

In his complaint, Sarba said the first instance of racial harassment happened when foreman Dale Ross allegedly made “numerous derogatory comments about visible minorities in Canada, including Black Canadians, and First Nations individuals.” He said Ross repeatedly used the N-word to him and in front of coworkers. Sarba said the alleged conduct impacted his relationship with other coworkers and his sense of safety at work.

Sarba said an employee of First Nations descent, JR, made a formal complaint about Ross’ conduct, including his use of the N-word in relation to Sarba.

Prince’s decision said Sarba said that Ruskin investigated and determined Ross was harassing the employees he was supervising based on their ethnicity and race.

According to Sarba, Moham went on to say that he hadn’t wanted to fire Ross, and that the complaints about Ross had been blown out of proportion. Moham denied he used the N-word in the meeting with Sarba and Dorey. He said he asked Sarba if he was sure that Ross had used the N-word because “accusing somebody for use of that word was like accusing him/her to racism.”

A day after that meeting, Sarba met with project manager Dan Homeniuk and told him about Moham’s use of alleged racial slurs.

Prince’s decision says Sarba asserted Homeniuk did not open an investigation, an assertion Homeniuk disputes.

The tribunal member said Homeniuk obtained witness statements, including one from Moham, who denied using the N-word.

“It is unclear to me why Ruskin did not seek a witness statement from Trevor Dorey, since it appears that Mr. Dorey was a witness to what occurred in the meeting between Mr. Sarba and Mr. Moham,” Prince said.

On Oct. 2, 2019, Sarba said he was socializing with a co-worker at the work camp when co-worker Chauvin arrived.

Sarba asserts Chauvin said that he was the reason Sarba had been promoted to a foreman position, and that he was not sufficiently appreciative of Chauvin’s help.

A physical altercation began and Sarba alleges Chauvin grabbed his hair, pulled out some of dreadlocks, and called him the N-word. Both were suspended.

The respondents said that nowhere in a statement or discipline meeting did Sarba mention Chauvin using a racial slur.

Homeniuk said Sarba said he was not returning after the suspension while Sarba claims he was terminated.

‘Today is a day of rejoicing’ as restrictions relaxed

CN Centre manager Glen Mikkelsen couldn’t be happier after public health restrictions on events were loosened last week.

“Today is a day of rejoicing,” Mikkelsen said. “For the first time in almost two years we can have 100 per cent capacity. It is a fantastic day, in our business, to be happy.”

Venues in the Northern Health region have faced capacity limits for longer than those in the rest of the province, he said.

Being able to fill the seats is a gamechanger for the event industry, he said. Event promoters have been reaching out to him over the past couple weeks in anticipation of the rules changing, Mikkelsen added.

“It totally changes the financial aspects of the event business,” he said. “We are getting emails and inquiries constantly. I think the people of Prince George and northern B.C. will have lots to look forward to the next couple months.”

The change in public health orders will hopefully signal to the public that it is safe to get back out and attend events and gatherings again, he said.

“(Hopefully) it helps diminish the level of anxiety about coming together,” Mikkelsen said.

Tourism Prince George CEO Colin Carson said the changes will be a welcome boost for the city’s tourism operators.

When the city plays host to major events like the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship in March, more available seats in the venue means more visitors to the city, he said.

“It’s really exciting for the industry as a whole,” Carson said. “This is definitely

something that people have been looking forward to.”

Public health has to come first, he said, but he is hopeful the lifting of the capacity limits will remain in place to give tourism operators some degree of certainty going forward.

Prince George Cougars manager of broadcasting, media relations and public relations Fraser Rodgers said the team

would love to see the stands packed again.

“For us, it is always in flux for attendance,” Rodgers said. “(But) if we do qualify for the playoffs, and we’re well positioned to, we could have some bigger games.”

One of those bigger games could be Saturday’s mega jackpot game.

The last mega jackpot draw resulted in the winner and designated charity receiving more than $40,000 each.

The minimum prize this time around will be $30,000, Rodgers said, and with a full house the prize could easily top $40,000.

The 50/50 draw will benefit the Prince George Community Foundation and Rotary Clubs efforts to bring a new, multisport park to the city, Rodgers said.

The Cougars aren’t the only hockey team in town looking forward to seeing the stands full.

The Prince George Spruce Kings, like other teams in the B.C. Hockey League, have been limited to half-capacity, which has capped crowd counts to no more than 1,000 spectators per game at their home rink, Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.

“We’re over the capacity limit now, so we’re hoping to get more fans back into RMCA here,” Spruce Kings GM Mike Hawes said.

With files from Ted Clarke

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
More than 5,000 fans were at CN Centre for the Prince George Cougars 2018-19 regular season finale.

Why we didn’t name donors

Our story about the 133 donations, totalling $17,050, from local residents in support of the convoy protesters in Ottawa and elsewhere, through a crowdfunding website begs the obvious question: where are the names?

As the story states, we reached out to three Prince George residents whose names and contact information are on the list. All three declined to comment and we have not been able to independently verify that the information in that document, which was obtained illegally by someone hacking the crowdfunding website, is correct

The people whose information has been hacked are the victims of a crime, so if you made a donation you might want to contact GiveSendGo to find out if your personal information has been compromised. Legal or not, this information is out in the public domain now and there are people who may be far less conscientious about how they use it than we have chosen to be.

If any of the three donors we contacted had confirmed in an on-the-record interview that they had made a donation (and in the amount stated), we would not only have included their name but the reasons why they donated. One would think someone willing to put their money behind a worthy cause would be willing to tell others about it, particularly if they’ve already publicly shared their views on the vaccine mandates through social media.

Some readers might feel we’d then be giving space for individuals to justify their support for the illegal activity and the people conducting them. Fair enough but we have always and will continue to publish views and opinions respectfully stated, whether they agree with us or not. And fair is fair - if we had received a similar document regarding donations made by local residents to support the Coastal GasLink protests, and you can bet there are some, we would have handled that story (and the publishing of names) in the exact same way.

Frankly, the lack of support from local residents, both in numbers and in dollar amounts, speaks volumes Talk is cheap and slapping a sign on one’s vehicle and honking the horn against vaccine mandates (the handful that remain) is free but putting your money where your mouth is comes with a cost. Clearly, only a handful of area people cared enough about these protesters to back the cause with cash.

- Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l’appli financier du gouvernement du Canada.

PM must set better example

As a Canadian, I was deeply saddened by a recent exchange in the House of Commons between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of the opposition.

Trudeau said, “Conservative Party members can stand with people who wave swastikas. They can stand with people who wave the Confederate flag.”

In fact, interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen had delivered this message to protestors: “Please remain peaceful. Call out and denounce any acts of hate, racism, intolerance or violence.”

In response to Trudeau’s statement, Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, herself a descendant of Holocaust survivors, asked for an apology but did not receive one. Her colleague Dane Lloyd asked Trudeau for an apology three more times but he simply responded by going off on political rants each time.

In discussing this issue with my

LESSONS IN LEARNING

Grade 12 students, I stated, “You will be voting in the next federal election. We, as Canadians, have a right to expect more civil and respectful behavior from our elected representatives.”

In fact, even though our Parliament has always had the appearance of an unruly classroom, Canadian politicians have traditionally been civil toward each other.

I remember being very moved when Justin Trudeau delivered the eulogy at his father Pierre’s funeral in 2000

He spoke of how his father corrected him as a child when he made and unkind comment about another MP. In French, Justin told how his father explained that we can disagree on issues but one must always

respect the person. Pierre then introduced his son to the person he’d derided and his daughter, and Justin found them to be very kind, pleasant and congenial.

Canada has become a great country not because any of our leaders were perfect, not because any one person or any political party had all the right answers, but because we listened to and respected one another. This ideal has resulted in much good legislation in our Parliament

As a country, our diversity is our greatest strength. It is by listening to each other that we generate our best ideas.

It is important to expect exemplary behavior from our elected representatives and we also need to demonstrate it ourselves.

Disagree with ideas, but always respect the person. That is the Canadian way.

Gerry Chidiac is a Prince George writer

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CODE FOR CANUCKS?

“Easing restrictions” in B.C. means filling Rogers Arena with 18,000 QR code holders even though they have no special immunity from a rapidly declining outbreak while at the same time continuing to prevent a significant minority of non QR code holders from sitting down in a mom and pop restaurant anywhere in the province.

Assume one in a hundred people are carrying the virus de jour in their upper respiratory tracts right now.

That means that Rogers Arena would likely have 180 viral spreaders in the crowd. who, (unlike people in churches who have been warned and at times ordered not to chant or sing together) may be tempted to yell in celebration or dismay , spewing billions of viral particles into the collective aerosol. Fair enough. For better or worse many of us find meaning and Canadian identity in hockey and willingly attend games during winter flu seasons.

By contrast, a mom and pop restaurant with a capacity, of say, 30 people, would have a 1 in 30 chance of having even a single infected person in it.

And it is highly unlikely that all 30 people in the restaurant would rise to their feet and scream in unison unless a rat ran across the floor. Granted, a restaurant is much smaller than Rogers Arena, but have you ever stood in line at the urinals there?

The point is, there is no longer any rationale for stratifying risk on the basis of QR code compliance.

Many people, myself included, are questioning the agenda here, but that aside, we are in a time of people demanding things. In this spirit, I demand one of two immediate actions from our top doctor:

1: Immediately drop the QR code requirements for social and public gatherings in B.C. or;

2: Enforce a policy of silence at Rogers Arena allowing only designated “Cheer Leaders” with a negative rapid test on entering the building , wearing N95 respirators to sing, chant , or otherwise raise their voices.

I know this sounds crazy but after more than 50 years of waiting for the Canucks to win a Stanley Cup, I kind of like option 2. The really crazy part is after reading Dr. Henry’s amazingly prescriptive orders for two years, I’m not entirely sure I would put it past her.

NO DINNER FOR PROTESTERS!

How was this so-called “Freedom Convoy” allowed to carry on with their illegal action for so long?

When a group’s actions are outside of legal limits and they are not checked by those whose duty it is to uphold the law, anarchy and chaos ensue.

Authorities must use whatever means are necessary to ensure that society and democracy are safe from these lawbreakers.

Polls show that most Canadians do not support the protesters or their methods. Our democratically elected and legitimate government can not and should not give in to extortionists. If they do, anyone with an agenda could hold Canadians hostage.

These people demonstrated an absolute lack of respect for democracy and other Canadians. They were behaving like petulant children with their cries of “I don’t wanna, I’m not gonna, you can’t make me.” Like unruly children they should be sent to their rooms without dinner.

Ken Fowler, Prince George

SUPPORT FOR LITTLE ELI

The article for the little boy Eli from P.G. was gut-wrenching as children should never be that sick. Here in P.G., there are many kids that have gone to and still rely on B.C. Children’s Hospital. I want to inform everyone that there is a very simple painless way to

donate without your wallet feeling it. Any time you go through a cashier at Save-On-Foods, tell them you want to round up to the nearest dollar. It might be 3 cents or 99 cents but whaever it is, Save-On-Foods matches your donation, so this is a great way to give.

Roland Hill, Prince George

SCIENCE AND PUBLIC GOOD

It would be easy, and correct, to classify the people that blockaded Ottawa and some border crossings, the ones spewing hate and inflicting damage on normal Canadians, as under-informed, that being possibly the most generous way to put it.

These blockaders are the kind of people who tend to lash out at things they don’t understand, particularly as they increasingly find themselves marginalized or shunted to the fringe. Some of them drove trucks, but most were not truckers. It’s another indication of who these people are that they rather inflict their nonsense on normal people, all while sponging off taxpayers, rather than do a decent day’s work, like the people who legitimately can be called truckers.

These insurrectionists were people bound together by what, in their mind, is common persecution. This is not an agenda or a cause, but more of an identity – look at me, I’m part of something. In the U.S. it was a “stolen” election, here it’s a vaccine “mandate.”

They failed to comprehend (amongst a whole list of other things) that one side-effect of COVID-19 has been that the vast majority of Canadians people in medicine, science, doctors and nurses and all health care workers, people “forced” into contact with people like waiters, cooks, small business people, teachers, civil servants, sports teams, pilots and soldiers – have been vaccinated. It has been said that science teaches us reality, and in this case it did expose, to the vast majority, the reality of COVID. While governments don’t often resort to science-based decisions and rules, they did this time, even though their response was inconsistent, messy, far too often tentative, and poorly orchestrated.

This insurrection by people arrogant enough to revel in the fact they don’t care about the health of Canadians, is viewed by most people as disgusting and pathetic.

But equally as problematic, and just as disgusting and pathetic, was the failure of governments and law enforcement to shut these bullies down. The damage to an already shaky level of social stability, and to our already superficial democracy, has been severe and will linger for decades.

This country faces a day of reckoning not too far down the road. All political parties have fueled extremism through their growing inaction and special interest bias; no party is capable of dealing with the free for all about to descend upon us. And law-abiding citizens are deluding themselves if they think they are ready for it.

SCIENCE AND PUBLIC BAD

As one who has taken three COVID-vaccine injections, as well as the annual influenza shots, I basically believe the science behind the stated safety and benefit of vaccines in general. Still, I feel “science” generally gets used a bit too readily/frequently, especially for political purposes. Also, I’m cautious of blindly buying into (what I call) speculative science, in general.

As disturbing as it sounds, due to increasingly privatized research for corporate profit aims, even science, and perhaps by extension scientific “fact” has become commercialized. Research results, however flawed, can and are known to be publicly amplified if they favor the corporate product and accurate research results can be suppressed or ignored if they are unfavorable to business interests, even when involving human health.

Frank Sterle Jr., White Rock

Are you happy police ended the Ottawa protest? Do you feel anti-mandate protesters have tarnished the image of the Canadian flag? Vote by pointing your phone’s camera at the QR code below.

RESULTS from last week’s polls:

Was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau correct to invoke the Emergencies Act?

● Yes, long overdue.

505 votes, 33 per cent

● Yes, but he should revoke it as soon as the blockades come down. 311 votes, 20 per cent

● No, it’s an over-reaction to peaceful protest. 482 votes, 32 per cent

● No, it gives him too much power. 226 votes, 15 per cent

Should fireworks be allowed in city limits?

● Yes, they should be allowed anytime between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. for any reason. 226 votes, 23 per cent

● Yes, they should be allowed any day, with a city permit. 243 votes, 25 per cent

● No, fireworks are stressful to pets and animals. 305 votes, 31 per cent

● No, fireworks are dangerous and a waste of time and money 199 votes, 21 per cent

LETTERS WELCOME: Send your submissions by e-mail to: letters@pgcitizen.ca. Handwritten letters will not be published. Maximum length is about 400 words and writers are limited to one submission every three weeks. We will edit letters to ensure clarity, good taste for legal reasons and for length. Although we will not include your address and phone number, we need both for verification purposes Unsigned letters will not be published.

For Love documentary debuts in Prince George

On Valentine’s Day a sold-out crowd gathered at Cineplex’s Famous Players Six theatre for the first screening in the north of the documentary For Love.

The award-winning film seeks to illuminate the linkage between residential schools and the over-representation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system. Prior to the 7 p.m. screening the filmmakers, participants and dignitaries gathered for a screening and question and answer session.

“Regardless of all the atrocities that have happened to us as Indigenous people, all of the heartbreak and the hurt and everything, we still have our culture and we still have the beauty of us as Indigenous people,” said Mary Teegee, who co-wrote the film with director Matt Smiley.

Teegee said it was important that the film was being shown on Valentine’s Day and in the north.

“It is really important for our children, regardless of where they are, that they know they are special and they know they are loved.”

The film and is the second production from Teegee and Smiley; the first being the critically acclaimed 2015 film The Highway of Tears.

For Love was a project that came out of the 2016 human rights tribunal decision that found the federal government discrimination against First Nations children by underfunding the on-reserve child welfare system.

Ottawa also announced Jan 4 that it had secured a $40 billion agreement in principle to compensate First Nations children harmed by its underfunding of child welfare and reforming the system over five years.

“There was money to take care of children once they were in care but not to prevent it, so once we won that big Canadian Human Rights tribunal order we wanted to show what you can do with the funding […] and it was really to film what

prevention looks like and the importance of culture,” said Teegee.

“I think it was also really important for us to show there was a reason that children were in care, that it wasn’t anyone’s fault. That it wasn’t the child’s fault. It wasn’t the parent’s fault. It is because of all the atrocities that happened because of the impacts of residential school and colonization.”

While the documentary illuminates the linkage between residential schools and the child welfare system, it also focuses on how Indigenous people in Prince George, northern B.C. and across Canada are revitalizing culture to strengthen children, families, and Nations.

The film was shot throughout Canada

from the east to the west coast and as far north as Nunavut.

“I think it was one of the most beautiful blessings in my life because we got to do something where we really got to drop into a lot of different communities,” said Smiley, noting at one point during filming the pair boarded 19 planes in 21 days.

“Both of us were equally shocked and equally touched by some of the great things in Canada and some of the terrible things, and that is really how our dialogue started and how the writing and the creation of this started and it is a labour of love and a friendship.”

Teegee said that despite regional differences across the country she kept seeing the same mantra again and again that “everything we do as Indigenous people is for the love of our children.”

“What was really uplifting was that in every territory, everywhere that we went, was a gracious welcoming that they gave us but also that they were so honoured to celebrate their culture and it is still very much alive.”

Shania Twain is the film’s narrator.

“She’s always put her heart out for the children, and she stepped up to the plate using her global superstardom, and she really is an icon, and to have that kind of person not just lend their voice but their power, strength and heart to it I think does give a lot of hope,” Smiley said.

Bands to help St. Vinny’s

Street Beat Donation Drop is a fundraiser for Prince George St. Vincent de Paul that features seven local bands performing March 6 from 2 to 9 p.m. Organizers are asking for donations of cash, non-perishable food items and clothing for the local society and all proceeds will go to St. Vincent’s. Providing the live entertainment are Deuces Wild, The Kickers, Patchwork, The Chevys, Genevieve Jaide, Steve Baker and Far From Linear. The bands will gather at the Q3 Building, 1299 Third Avenue and people are invited to attend

in-person or take in the event through streaming on Facebook Live.

People can also donate any time at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/. In the Find A Charity search type in “St Vincent de Paul Prince George” (note: it is important to designate Prince George in the search). An icon for the local St Vincent donation page will be displayed. Just click on the icon to donate directly to them A charitable donation receipt will be issued. Cash, food, and clothing donations will be accepted at the Q3 building on event day. The event is presented by CFIS FM.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO
Executive producer Warner Adam, left, stands with cowriters Mary Teegee and director Matt Smiley at the For Love premiere in Prince George.

On the movie set for Meeting Mr. Christmas

Laura Mitchell was inspired to bring the first movie she’s written and directed back to Prince George because of the wonderful experience she had here last year in front of the camera, starring in A Great North Christmas.

This year, Mitchell is on the other side of the camera and standing in front of it is a well-known actor who grew up in Prince George, Madison Smith, best known for his television roles in Salvation, The Order, Narcoleap and Aftermath as well as a key role in Hallmark movie Write Before Christmas.

“This has been super exciting,” Smith said at the Hart Community Centre where filming for the Christmas Carol Competition was completed last Friday. “This is the first time I’m doing one of these romantic leads and I’ve always wanted to have a chance to work in Prince George again. Ever since I became an actor and knew they were doing more films here it was something I really wanted to be a part of. I couldn’t have asked for a better production to be a part of. Director’s fantastic, my co-star has been amazing. It

feels like this one is the right one that was supposed to come along.”

It takes many people behind the scenes to make the magic happen and Tanner Henry, 19, from Quesnel, took on the role of best boy grip, which he considers a job of many duties.

His job is to load and unload trucks, move lights, keeps track of inventory, at times he pushed the camera back and forth and hold the bounce boards that are white and reflective so actors’ faces are shown in the best light.

“I’m really kind of an everything guy,” Henry said.

He got the job through word of mouth and then joined the Kopar employment program. He’s hooked on show business now and quit his job at a tire shop to pursue this career.

“I will be moving to Vancouver to work on more movie sets,” Henry said.

And for the star of the movie, Smith hopes to do more film work in Prince George.

“I love the film industry but I also love my hometown so being able to put those two hands together was such a cool thing,” he said. “And I just hope I get to do it some more.”

Mural artists sought

Emerging and mid-career artists are being asked to answer the call for artists to create a mural on the wall of the Wild Side space at the Two Rivers Gallery. Located on the second floor of the gallery, the Wild Side is a family-friendly space open to everyone and mostly geared toward children. It’s filled with creative books, building and sculpting toys, a light table and other activities that peak curiosity, learning through play and exploration. The mural will be on display for a minimum of two years.

The goal is to reimagine the space and create a focal point that inspires the room’s design and aesthetic.

This competition is open to artists or

artist teams residing in Prince George and surrounding areas. An artist team must share the total commission awarded.

The selected artist or artist team will receive a project fee of $5,000 and additional support up to the amount of $500 for project materials. All project costs associated with this commission including but not limited to fabrication, consultation and management will be the responsibility of the artist.

Deadline for applications is April 1.

Projected launch event is the first weekend of September

Artists who are thinking of applying and have questions can contact roxanne@ tworiversgallery.ca or call 250-614-7800.

WorkBCconnects people to opportunities. Find ajob or train for anew career at WorkBC.ca/FindYourPlace

Plus, get one-on-one job support at your local WorkBCCentre.

CITIZEN PHOTOS BY JAMES DOYLE
Madison Smith, left, is the male lead in the holiday romance Meeting Mr. Christmas, while Tanner King of Quesnel worked behind the scenes as best boy grip.

Hometown Cougar bounces back after injury

Hockey skates are designed to absorb the impact of a six-ounce piece of rubber moving at bullet velocity but sometimes there’s not enough protection in that molded plastic boot to prevent things from breaking.

Aiden Reeves knows that all too painfully well. He spent nearly two months on the Prince George Cougars’ injured list after breaking the top of his foot blocking a shot against the Kamloops Blazers, Dec. 17. Coming in the second-last game before the holiday break, that was an unexpected lump of coal in his Christmas stocking and he missed 19 games waiting for his foot to heal.

There’s much more emphasis on blocking shots at the higher levels of hockey and to help prevent injuries, some players use shot-blockers, a piece of molded plastic that sits over the tongue of the skate and under the laces. Reeves wasn’t wearing one at the time he broke his foot.

“Guys shoot so hard now and it can do damage pretty easily,” Reeves said.

Reeves was on crutches for five weeks and couldn’t get close to the rink, but worked with trainer Mike Mathies on his upper-body strength in the gym and maintained a high level of fitness. Once he was able to resume skating, he spent about a week doing one-on-one drills with Steve O’Rourke, the Cougars’ director of player development, while the Cougars embarked on their U.S. Division tour.

Reeves finally got back into the lineup this month, not at his more familiar position on defence, but as a right winger, an experiment that started just before he got hurt. With seven other defenceman vying for ice time, the Cougars moved the 19-year-old Reeves up to a forward position to complete a fourth line.

“Lots of guys might not be happy about that but I’m just happy be able to contribute any way I can. If it’s on the back end, I love shutting guys down, and if it’s on the front end I like disrupting on the forecheck. I’m working on it. There’s lots of thing you don’t realize about forwards who have been doing it six or seven years

at a high level that they get good at, so it’s a lot of catch-up.”

The middle son of Andrea and Steve Reeves has gotten in the habit of always trying to bust his butt, and the Cougars are rewarding that trait and his familiarity with playing in the defensive zone by giving him penalty-killing duties.

“Whatever you ask him to do, he’s going to do to his absolute best,” he said.

“It’s not easy to come back from an injury like that but he worked so hard. He was supposed to be off eight weeks and came back in seven. He’s a kid you want to see succeed because he works hard, he’s polite and he’s just really well-raised.

Reeves played minor hockey in Prince George until 2015, when he moved to Kelowna to join the Pursuit of Excellence U-15 varsity team. The following season

he moved up to the BC Elite Hockey League with the Okanagan Rockets U-18 triple-As. He returned to P.G. in 2019-20 for his 17-year-old season and played 20 games with the Cariboo Cougars, seven with the Spruce Kings and 12 with the WHL Cougars. He returned to the WHL pod season in the spring of 2021 and was in the lineup for 17 of the 22 games.

“He’s just all character and I like his work ethic, he comes to the rink happy, a great guy in the dressing room and he does everything right,” said Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb. “You give a lot of respect to a kid like that. We’re pretty packed at the back end and he can really skate and really shoot. He’s a big body that can hit and we need that. He’s a valuable guy, and if we get in trouble on the backend, he can go there,

but I think he’s really found himself a spot on the wing.”

Reeves and forward Fisher O’Brien were born and raised in Prince George and playing for the team they grew up idolizing is not lost on Reeves.

“It’s definitely tough sometimes, when you’re going through tough times,” said Reeves. “But at the end of the day, every hockey player wishes to play in their hometown. Every player wishes to play for the WHL team they grew up watching since they can remember hockey. I just ty to remember that every day and think what my younger self would have thought about this opportunity and what I’ve been able to accomplish. ”

The Cougars are back on the ice at CN Centre Friday and Saturday (7 p.m.) against Portland.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
Prince George Cougars forward Aiden Reeves looks to make a move with the puck against Vancouver Giants defender Nicco Camazzola in a game Feb. 12 at CN Centre.

SLED DRAGS

The sounds of revving engines and the smell of exhaust wafting through the air is nothing new for NITRO Motorsports Park but last Sunday morning those sounds and smells were created by snowmobiles gathered to take part in the 2022 Sled Drags event. Roughly 150 spectators lined the track during the fourth year of the event that saw forty-five racers participate with competitors coming from Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Kitimat, Burns Lake, and Kamloops.

Goalie off to big game

Prince George Cougars goalie Tyler Brennan has been invited to the 2022 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game.

Brennan is one of 15 Western Hockey League players to participate in the game, slated for March 23 in Kitchener, Ont. Brennan, 18, has played in 27 games this season and has a 9-16-1-1 record, 3.32 goals-against average (GAA) and .906 save percentage (SV%). He also has three shutouts which is tied for second in the

WHL. Over his last five starts, Brennan has posted a 2.77 GAA and .920 SV%. Last month he was named the WHL Goaltender of the Week, for the week ending Jan. 16. The Winnipeg, Man. product is the top-ranked North American goaltender in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm ranking for the 2022 NHL Draft.

Brennan is the first Cougar to be invited since Taylor Gauthier participated in the event in 2019 in Red Deer, Alta.w

Northern B.C. biathletes power Canada to tenth

Quick skis and world-class rifle shooting paid off handsomely for the Canadian women’s 4 X 6-kilometre biathlon relay team at the Beijing Olympics. Their total team effort last Wednesday resulted in a top-10 finish - an international season-best result for Canada.

Sarah Beaudry gutted out the anchor leg of the relay and in rapid fashion she cleaned her targets, going 10-for-10 on the range with no spare bullets needed. The 27-year-old two-time Olympian from Prince George collapsed in exhaustion, finishing in 10th place, 4:30.4 off the gold medal pace set by Sweden.

The Canadian women – Beaudry, Emma

Lunder of Vernon, Megan Bankes of Calgary, and Emily Dickson of Burns Lake – worked their way up as high as sixth place at several checkpoints early in the race and their cool under pressure shooting allowed them to avoid any penalties in eight rounds.

Lunder needed just one spare in each of her bouts, Bankes used three extras in her standing bout, Dickson used one spare in prone and two in standing, and Beaudry went clean to keep Canada in 10th place ahead of the United States. For Beaudry and Lunder, Wednesday’s relay result equaled their 10th-place Olympic finish in 2018 in the women’s relay in PyeongChang, Korea, when they teamed up with Julia Ransom and Rosanna Crawford.

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Prince George Playhouse 6MAR |7PM - 9PM

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Giving back motivates this local couple

in Hawaii.

SOIRÉE CURLING CURLING NIGHT

I first met Kathy when I did a story about a young volunteer in our community (Sufey Chen) and I wanted to balance the story with a more experienced volunteer who was deeply embedded in the Prince George community.

In another part of the world, Kathy Lang-Pauley was born in Wausau, Wisconsin in 1948 and immigrated to Canada in 1968. Kathy is the fourth eldest of Gilbert and Lucy Lang’s 15 children.

“My father was a hard working farmer, a welder by trade while my mother was a stay-at home mom. Both were very good Catholics,” Kathy said. “Dad always said that he had all of us kids so he could make up his own baseball team.”

“I lived in Williams Lake, raised my family and worked for the BC Telephone Company,” Kathy said.

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Gratuit | Free 4-12 MAR 2022

Northern Ice Sport 11 MAR | 2PM - 3PM

I came across Kathy everywhere I looked. She wasn’t in it for the glamourous, high profile events where you go just to be seen, she was there to get the job done and right beside her all the way was her husband, Lino. This is what I call a true power couple. Here’s their story: Lino Nadalin was born in Morsano al Tagliamento in the Province of Pordenone in the Northern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in 1946. He is the eldest of Bruno and Bruna (Valentinis) Nadalin’s four children.

“As a kid I resented the time it took to do all the chores because it constantly interfered with my soccer games,” he said. “In Italy every boy dreams of becoming a world famous soccer player and I was no exception.”

A pending office closure was the inspiration behind her transfer to Prince George in 1986.

Kathy has two children Scott (Tina –deceased, Angelica) of Olympia, Washington and Julie who lives in Prince George. Kathy has four grandchildren.

Kathy met Lino at a dance in 1999 and they married two years later.

In 1956, when Lino was ten years old, his father left for Canada and worked for Canadian Forest Products (Canfor) in a logging camp on Vancouver Island, he recalled. His father returned to Italy four years later. As a boy Lino heard about Canada for years from his dad and grandfather who lived in Canada from 1921 to 1929. Lino headed to Vancouver in 1965 to meet up with his uncle to find work in Canada. He worked at the sawmill where BC Place is now located.

That spring Lino moved to Prince George. The pulp mills were being built and there were plenty of jobs.

“There was lots of work for a young strong person,” Lino said.

Lino moved to Victoria for a short time and worked as a welder in a ship yard. He then moved back to Prince George and went to work for Finning Tractor and eventually ended up working for Canfor just like his dad did back in 1956.

Lino has a daughter, Caroline, who lives

For more than 40 years Kathy has been a dedicated member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a longtime member of the Scarlet O’Hatters a group within the Red Hat Society. She also wrote the weekly Seniors’ Scene column for the Prince George Citizen for eight and a half years that resulted in 262 people features.

“I turned the column into two books with the proceeds going to the Prince George Community Foundation.”

Kathy has received accolades for her extensive community work, including a Healthier You Seniors Initiative of the Year award in 2012, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013, and the Outstanding Volunteer Award of Merit from the City of Prince George in 2012. She was also honoured with a nomination as the 2013 Citizen of the Year.

Kathy and Lino both belong to the Forever Young Chorus and enjoy playing cards. Lino is very much a bridge enthusiast.

Kathy and Lino love to travel and enjoy spending their time together volunteering, dancing or working in their extensive garden.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Kathy and Lino Nadalin at the 2012 Healthier You gala event.

Hero’s welcome at airport for O’Dine

With two Olympic bronze medals in her luggage, snowboarder

Meryeta O’Dine arrived back in Prince George last Tuesday.

About 60 friends, family and fans some wearing Team Canada hockey jerseys and others with signs welcoming her home greeted her with enthusiastic cheers and hugs as she made her way into the arrivals area at the airport.

It was only a matter of time before she pulled out the hardware - both hefty pieces and both representing the first time a Prince George athlete has won an Olympic medal.

O’Dine will be in the city until Monday before she heads back to Vancouver for a training camp and then off to Europe for more races

before her season wraps up.

It’s the first time she’s been back in Prince George in five months.

“I’m very excited for some A&W, I’m very excited to see my friends and have some downtime with them a little bit,” she said.

There will also be a bit more Olympic-themed festivity before she leaves.

O’Dine will be the guest of honour at Prince George’s Olympic Celebration on Saturday at Canada Games Plaza, 1 p.m. start.

The event will feature music, local food, opportunities to meet local Olympians, and other festivities.

Two-time Olympic bronze medal winner Meryeta O’Dine takes a selfie with a friend upon her arrival at the Prince George Airport last Tuesday afternoon.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE
Meryeta O’Dine shows off the two bronze medals she won in snowboard cross at the 2022 Winter Games. She is the first Olympic medallist in Prince George history.

Congratulations MeryetaO’Dine on winning twobronze medals at the winter games!

Proud to be asupporter and part of your cheer team!

‘I got first by a photo finish’

Meryeta O’Dine’s Olympic journey began as a youngster on Tabor Mountain

Editor’s note: this is an edited version of a story that first appeared in a 2013 edition of the Prince George Citizen.

Two years from now, Meryeta O’Dine wants to be carving through corners and sailing over jumps at the Canada Winter Games. To realize this goal, she’ll have to grab a Team B.C. spot in her chosen sport, snowboard cross.

The 2015 Canada Winter Games, of course, will be held in Prince George. The snowboard cross competition will utilize the slopes of the Tabor Mountain Ski Resort and, on Sunday, O’Dine and other Games hopefuls will have the chance to race on a track that will be similar to the one that will be in place for 2015.

in Lake Louise and won all nine of her heats.

Then, last weekend, O’Dine was at Big White near Kelowna for an international points event and blistered the course again.

At Big White, she advanced to the final both Saturday and Sunday. On the first day, she was making a move to take over the lead but was knocked off balance by a Japanese boarder behind her.

O’Dine crashed and was disqualified for missing a gate. But, in the Sunday final, she had one of the most thrilling races of her life.

“I was in second most of the way down the track and in the last four corners and two jumps, it was me and the girl in front of me fighting for first,” O’Dine said. “I’d pull ahead and then she’d pull ahead. It was the coolest racing I’ve ever done and I got first by a photo finish.”

O’Dine’s golden result was especially impressive because her fellow competitors were 18 to 20 years old.

On Sunday, the B.C. Snowboard Provincial Series stops at Tabor and will double as a test event for the Canada Winter Games. Naturally, O’Dine can’t wait to hop on her board and go for a rip on a course that has been designed by world-renowned builder Jeff Ihaksi. “I went out there [in mid-January] and did a couple runs on the track,” O’Dine said. “There weren’t necessarily berms or anything. There were a couple rollers, just so we could kind of see what it’s going to be like, the layout of it. And it was really interesting. [Ihaksi] is really

excited to start putting stuff in.”

The 15-year-old O’Dine only took up snowboarding a few years ago but has quickly become one of B.C.’s best snowboard cross athletes. Two weeks ago, she attended a provincial-level race

Sunday’s riders will range from 14-and-under to 30-and-over. O’Dine will compete in the 15-18 age class.

After Sunday’s race, O’Dine will start gearing up for a Nor-Am event the following weekend back at Big White. There, she’ll get the chance to go head-to-head against some of the current members of Team B.C.

Caledonia Nordic Ski Club congratulates all the athletes that represented Team Canada especially thosewho started their Olympic Journey in Northern BC. Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishments at the Beijing2022 Olympics. You’vemade your community PROUD! Waytogo!

Meryeta O’Dine,Sarah Beaudry, Emily Dickson and Emma Lunder!

Mereyta O’Dine racing at Tabor Mountain in 2011.

Top athletes balance school, training

Editor’s note: this is an edited version of a story that first appeared in a 2014 edition of the Prince George Citizen.

Juggling school with sports is a precarious occupation when you’re a high-performance athlete.

For that she can thank Canadian Sport School Northern B.C.

Students attend morning classes at their regular school, then go to the Northern Sport Centre at UNBC for afternoon classroom sessions and sport-specific physical training.

In February, at the height of the competition schedule, Meryeta O’Dine attended her Grade 10 classes at D.P. Todd maybe one day per week.

The rest of the time she was on the road to compete at ski resorts all over the province.

As an athlete, she made major inroads, and her school work did not suffer.

“It’s allowed me a lot more freedom with getting my homework done and not having to worry about it so much when you’re coming back from competition,” said O’Dine. “They’re always understanding about you staying back and getting your homework done. You can get tests emailed up to the university and bring them back to school.”

inthesehills! NewresearchbyGeoscienceBCandUBC’sMineral DepositResearchUnithasidentified potential copper-goldhostrocksinthePrinceGeorgeregion ThereportwaspublishedattheAssociationforMineralExplorationRoundup2022conference. TheresearchwaspartoftheNewPorphyryPotential UnderCoverinCentralBritishColumbiaproject,and targetedtheareabetweentheMountMilligan(Mackenzie),MountPolley(Quesnel)andGibraltar(Williams Lake)mines.“Thesemodelsandtargetsaretheresultofcareful integrationofpublicgeologicalknowledgeandgeophysicaldatafromcentralBritishColumbia,”UBCresearcher DianneMitchinsonsaid. “WehopethattheworkwillspurexplorationactivitywithinthisprospectivepartofB.C.,andthatitwill provideusefulguidanceforexplorerstomakedecisions withmoreconfidence.” Theresearchidentifiedcopper-goldporphyryhost rockhiddenbeneathalayerofglacialtill soilandrock leftbehindbyrecedingglaciers intheregion.Insome placesthatlayerofglacialtillcanbehundredsofmetr thick.Thecopper-goldhostrockispartoftheQuesnel terrane,whichholdssignificantmineraldepositsinot partsoftheprovince.Researcherscreatedamodel,mappingthethickne oftheglaciertilloverburden,usingacombinationof drilling,groundwaterwell,magneticandgravitydata GeoscienceBCvice-presidentRichardTrumansa projectisafirststeponalongroad. “It’salongprocesstogofromaprojectlikethisto activemine.Itcantake10,20oreven50years,”Tru said.“Ifwetalkaboutfindinganeedleinahaystack,th behelpinglocatewherethehaystackis

Meryeta O’Dine visited Engage Sport in September 2017 to talk to young athletes.

From sick bay to Canada Winter Games gold

Editor’s note: this is an edited version of a story that first appeared in a 2015 edition of the Prince George Citizen.

A concussion temporarily zapped the short-term memory of snowboard crosser Meryeta O’Dine.

As if that wasn’t enough, while she was on the sidelines unable to race, she developed a kidney infection and ended up losing 20 pounds.

In a gravity-dependent sport such as snowboard cross, where the more weight you carry the faster you go down the slope, losing body mass is never a good thing. But despite those setbacks, O’Dine made a triumphant return to the medal podium in Mont-Tremblant, Que.,

In only her second race day since she hurt her head in a Europa Cup training run in late 2014 in Austria, the 17-year-old from Prince George battled to a third-place finish in Wednesday’s NorAm Cup final.

“It was good, it was actually a lot of fun today,” said O’Dine. “[On Tuesday] I waxed with the wrong wax and had a bit of a crash and that kind of sucked, but today I had the right wax and got third. I could have made a pass but played it safe and got a podium still, so I’m happy with it.”

O’Dine has been a rising star on the national snowboard cross scene ever

announced we were getting the Games in Prince George and I was so young then and I was so new into snowboarding I didn’t think at all that it was a possibility. I was just announced as the top pick for boarder crossing and it’s really cool to see it happening after all this buildup.”

After the women’s preliminary heats at the Canada Winter Games, O’Dine, 18, was ranked second behind Ontario’s Tayler Wilton, 21 who went into the event as the defending Canada Games champion.

On opposite ends of the draw, both Wilton and O’Dine won all of their quarter-final and semifinal heats to qualify for the final which was a close contest right to the end.

“I was last going into the first berm and there was a pass on every berm and on the last section of the course I held a good line and I managed to come out with it,” said O’Dine. “I was extremely nervous today, but I’m so excited about how it all turned out.”

since she began racing FIS events two seasons ago. Last January she won bronze in her first NorAm Cup race and went on to post six top-10 NorAm finishes.

She started the 2014-15 season on the South American Cup circuit in Chile, where she won a race in August. That

carried significant weight in putting her on top of the points standings to determine the two-female, two-male B.C. boarder cross team for the Canada Winter Games. “Canada Games is pretty much what got me into snowboarding,” said O’Dine. “It’s one of the higher-stake events for me. I was 13 when it was

“It was hard to beat someone like Meryeta today, unfortunately I made a small mistake there near the end,” added Wilton. “This is probably my favourite course. It was fun, fast and technical with amazing berms.”

Katie Anderson from Jaffray, B.C. won the bronze medal.

CONGRATULATIONS

Meryeta O’Dine races down Tabor Mountain to capture gold in women’s snowboard cross at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George.

Bruised but not broken

Editor’s note: this is an edited version of a story that first appeared in a 2018 edition of the Prince George Citizen.

O’Dine and Zoe Bergermann of Erin, Ont., combined to finish third overall in the women’s team season standings.

O’Dine was sent home right after the competition and was back in Vancouver watching the closing ceremony on TV.

The cobwebs of her fifth concussion have diminished, but the reminders still linger inside the head of snowboard cross racer Meryeta O’Dine. Still recovering from a face-first wipeout one hour into the second day of training for her first Olympic Games at Phoenix Snow Park in Pyeongchang, South Korea, a fall she cannot remember, O’Dine is determined her first trip to the Olympics will not be her last. “For sure it was disappointing, but it was still real cool to be there and cheer on my friends,” said the 21-year-old Prince George native. “It was definitely a really good experience - it was my first Olympics and I’m still young and hopefully I won’t get too many more concussions in the next few years. I’m just going to take it season by season and look out for my noggin.”

Her latest concussion sidelined O’Dine for the remaining four World Cup events, which dropped her from sixth to 11th in the world standings. Leading up to the Olympics, she had seven top-10 individual finishes and made the team event podium twice, winning silver in Montafon, Austria and bronze in Ezerum, Turkey.

“As much as I’m upset I didn’t get to compete, the Olympics was not only the highlight of my season but the highlight of my life,” she said. “I proved to myself and a lot of people that I could go and be there and race among the best. Obviously it didn’t end up as well as we’d hoped but it was amazing to be there.”

Injuries come with the territory in snowboard cross and O’Dine has had more than her share.

In 2016-17, in addition to her two concussions, she had a ruptured foot ligament and hurt both shoulders, which limited her quickness out of the start gate this past season.

The concussion sustained in training for the world championships in Spain in March 2017 forced her into recovery mode last spring. Sidelined for 67 days, she missed two months of on-snow glacier training in the summer but still managed to finish fourth in the first World Cup event of the season in Cerro Catedral, Argentina.

“Every season throughout, the ends of the seasons have been recovery for me,” she said. “I just roll with the punches.”

We Are So Proud Of Our Local Olympic Medalist! Meryeta CANADA

FACEBOOK PHOTO
Meryeta O’Dine took this self portrait after being injured in training at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

‘Reconnecting to the joy of finding your best’

Editor’s note: this is an edited version of a story that first appeared in a 2019 edition of the Prince George Citizen.

After a frightening crash and compression fracture in her spine ended her season in early spring, Meryeta O’Dine worked harder than ever. Her recovery plan and many tough months of intense physical training paid off.

O’Dine achieved her lifetime best results in SBX National Team standardized physical fitness testing, surprising her entire technical team after injury and deciding to train in Prince George.

“Because for me this year, snowboarding is about a lot more than placing your best, its about reconnecting to the joy of finding your best,” she said.

Missing the end of the previous season meant she landed 14th overall in the World Cup standings for 2019.

“This season I have less and more going on. I’m focusing on refreshing myself between World Cups, not just physically but mentally. Anyone in their right mind will be excited to show up for their dream job, but you won’t be able to do your dream job if your head’s in the game and your emotions are elsewhere.

“It’s up to me this year to reconnect with myself, my passions and my process.”

This year’s World Cup circuit will feature eight races, hosted in various countries throughout Europe, including China in February, which will be a great preview for the 2022 Winter Olympics venue.

The exciting addition of the snowboard cross team event in the Olympics provides another opportunity to race with Canadian teammates.

“The test event in China is an exciting event especially because we can use it as a mock build up to the Olympics. We get to learn the venue, the snow, and conditions while we’re there and try to capture the Olympic balls-out feeling on the course we’re riding.”

Government funding only covers a small portion of racing costs.

Even with sponsorships and a full-time job, it’s still difficult to cover all of the costs.

As a result, she held a fundraising evening at the Kinsmen Hall that included a buffet dinner, a comedy show featuring her comedian mom Virginia O’Dine plus special guests, a silent auction, and a dance.

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO
Meryeta O’Dine was home in Prince George for the summer of 2019, working a full-time job, training and fundraising for the next snowboard cross season.

WHATEVER IT TAKES Meryeta O’Dine celebrates her bronze medal finish in women’s snowboard cross at the 2022 Winter Olympics, right. After Caterina Carpano of Italy landed on O’Dine in the team snowboard cross final, top left, both racers fell and slid down the slope. They jumped to their feet, crawling and hopping up the next berm, above left, with O’Dine getting to the top first before heading down the mountain to finish the race.

It took years of hard work and commitment to reach the Olympic podium, but she did it. Huge high-fives to Meryeta O’Dine from all of us at Schultz-Craftsman Collision for her powerful bronze medal performances. She has made all of PG, and Canada, very proud. APROUD MOMENT FOR PRINCE GEORGE.

CANADIAN PRESS, CBC PHOTOS

Congratulations to all our Canadian athletes but aspecial congratulations to local PrinceGeorge athlete Meryeta O’ Dine forwinning two bronzemedals in SnowboardCross. From all of us who work at our local Prince George McDonald’s Congratulations!

MEDAL MOMENTS FOR MERYETA Above, Meryeta O’Dine celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the winners in the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Below, O’Dine and Canadian teammate Elliot Grondin hold up the bronze medals they captured in the team snowboard cross competition.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Shas Ti Kelly Road girls get job done

The Shas Ti Kelly Road Grizzlies ended a 31-year championship drought last Saturday when they defeated the Nechako Valley Vikings of Vanderhoof 73-61. Combined with their 62-60 win over the Vikings Friday night in Vanderhoof, the Grizzlies swept the best-ofthree series 2-0 and will represent their zone at the double-A provincial championship in Langley, March 2-5.

“This is so exciting, it was a really great set of games and it was a great team to play against, they played really well and we really had to work for it,” said Grizzlies guard Breanna Skelly.

Unlike the first game when they had to come back from a five-point halftime deficit, the Grizzlies took over the lead early, building 22-12 edge in the first quarter, and stayed ahead for the rest of the game.

“I’m super-excited, I’m really proud of everyone on our team,” said Grizzlies senior guard Jenny Graham-Smith. “We have a couple of first-year players and we haven’t had a super-developed sports program like some other schools in Prince George, so I’m really hoping this is the start of something good for our school.

Graham-Smith spiced the Grizzlies

The Shas Ti Kelly Road Grizzlies celebrate winning the North Central zone double-A senior girls basketball title for the first time in the school’s history since 1991.

offence with a game-high 26 points. MVP Breanna Day hit for 10 points and was a buzzsaw hauling in rebounds and creating turnovers, while Maria Sampson also had a standout effort with an eight-point game.

“This game, we willed it to happen,” said Graham-Smith. “We want to go to provincials. It was so nice to have the crowd again. It’s so different to have that

PGSS boys fall in overtime thriller

When the Prince George Polars lost their big man – six-foot-seven City League all-star point guard Skylar Chisan – halfway through their second game at the North Central quad-A boys basketball championship against the North Peace Grizzlies last Saturday in Fort St. John, their title hopes took a hit.

A 76-61 North Peace win in Game 2 Saturday morning forced the rubber match later that afternoon to determine who will represent North Central in the 16-team quad-A championship tournament, March 9-12 in Langley.

Down to just eight healthy bodies with Chisan unable to play, the Polars fell behind 21-14 after 10 minutes but reversed the trend in the second quarter to take a 34-31 into the locker room. In the fourth quarter, North Peace had a fivepoint lead with 12.4 seconds left and the Polars came back to tie it 61-61 with three seconds left.

In the five-minute overtime, the Grizzlies built a nine-point lead with 2:14 left when the Polars started chipping away. Chet Moore forced two steals and sunk two rebounds to get the Polars within three points with 8.1 seconds on the

clock. PGSS got to the top of the key with the ball in the dying seconds but North Peace stole it before the Polars could get the shot away and they lost 75-72.

“One shot; we actually didn’t get that shot off, which is all you really want,” said Polars head coach Tyler Burbee. “But being down nine in overtime and being able to make that up in four minutes and have a chance is all you can ask for, especially when two boys can’t run because they’ve got cramps because it was the second game in five hours.”

Cole Harder and Cy Bellamy went backto-back, each with their second 20-point games. Jack Brown led the Polars with 20 and Deakon Anderson shot 16.

The Polars drove up Friday morning and that night they played the Grizzlies for the first time all season, with a near-capacity crowd watching at North Peace Secondary School.

“We ran out of steam,” said Burbee. “Our challenge this year was we only had eight players and four of them are Grade 11 and three of them had never played high school basketball before.

“The boys gave it everything they had. There was one point where Deakon fell down jumping for a loose ball and he couldn’t get himself up. You just run out of gas.”

support, when you make a basket and the crowd goes crazy, it’s so much more uplifting because even if you’re in a rut, the crowd is with you.”

Aside from the city league games and only a couple of tournaments, the Grizzlies haven’t had a chance to go on any extended trips like the one they’ve now guaranteed themselves with their zone title.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS GIRLS

PUMPED FOR PROVINCIALS

Rachel Loukes, a Grade 11 guard whose off-the-charts basketball abilities will have her playing this year with B.C’s provincial U-18 team, led the College Heights Cougars to a 106-49 win over Duchess Park in her team’s final game of the season on a Prince George soil.

“I was just so happy with how we played throughout the game and it was kind of like all our hard work paid off in that moment,” said Loukes the tournament MVP.

College Heights will represent North Central in the 16-team triple-A provincial championship, March 2-5 in Langley. Duchess Park claimed the second provincial berth, as a result of their 54-32 playoff win over Correlieu.

“I’m just really looking forward to provincials,” said Loukes, whose Cougars are ranked fifth in B.C.

JUNIOR GIRLS ZONES

Meanwhile, in the junior A girls zone championship also at Duchess Park, the Duchess Park Condors topped the College Heights Cougars 26-23 in the B-final Saturday. The Condors will join the zone-champion Sir Alexander Mackenzie Grizzlies of Hagensborg at the junior A provincials. The Grizzlies defeated Duchess 47-22 for the zone final Friday.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

&P UZ

Aerosol spray

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Exit’s opposite

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VIII

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Mentally healthy

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Title

“You Sixteen”

11. Garden produce 17. Gather in 19. Climbing plant 22. Tearful moan 23. Half of abikini 24. “____ Day Will Come” 25. Sniffling’s partner 26. Wet dirt 28. Swiss peak 29. High-wire precaution 31. Physician, briefly 32. Liberation 34. Knights’ titles

35. Mug

37. Sheriff’s helpers

38. Fine

39. Went by carriage

40. In agroup of 41. Hammer or chisel

42. Ready to be picked

43. out (barely makes)

44. Comfortable rooms

46. Little devil

Tissue layer

Catcher’s catcher

What’s the big ____?

Moved slowly

Rightful

Hurried 30. Litter’s littlest

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Unzip

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PUZZLE NO. 859

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1through 9only once.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with adarkerline. You alreadyhave afew numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1through 9inthe same line, column or 3x3 box

CL ASSIF IEDS

Monday-Friday8:30am -3:00pm •Closed 12:00pm -1:00pm

In loving memory of Barbara Cousins

June 10, 1947 - February 25, 2021

Your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure... You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

David John Engstrom

June 30th, 1940 – January 30th, 2022

John was born in Prince George, British Columbia. He was the youngest child of Naomi and Edwin Engstrom. He spent a happy childhood with his five siblings. David married and had four children. He is predeceased by his mother and father, brothers, Leon and Robert, and greatgrandson Royal. David is lovingly remembered by his sisters, Ruth, Delores, and Esther, his four children, Alan, Shelley (Christopher), Dawn and Richard, and his grandchildren, Dustin, Benji, Shayle, Christopher, Natasha, Brett, Brittany, and Justina.

ANDREA KRAUSE

2x53.3 PGC002425

Polanin,Janusz January1,1944-February8,2022

ItiswithheavyheartsweannouncethepassingofJanusz (Willy)Polanin.HepassedawayonFebruary8,2022. Januszlovedhiswife,kidsandgrandchildrenwithevery ounceofhimself.Hewasafamilymanfirstand everythingelsesecond.Helovedtogodancingwithhis beautifulwife,fish,campandhelphisfriendsand neighboursateveryopportunity.Januszwasasocialman andenjoyedhiscoffeeandtalkingwithfriendsandfamily wheneverhecould.JanuszissurvivedbyhissonMike (Cara)anddaughterAndrea(Mike).Hewillbe rememberedbyhisgrandchildrenLogan,Tucker,Xander, Emery,KayleighandTyson.Heisalsosurvivedbyhistwo sisters,VegaandAlicia.Januszispredeceasedbyhis amazingwifeMariaandhisparentsMariaandEdward Polanin. Noservicewillbeheldatthistime.

REMEMBRANCES

Olsen

1944-2022

Former Prince George resident, Grant Olsen, 77, passed away suddenly on Feb. 9, 2022, at his home in Penticton, BC. Grant was born in Calgary, AB to Levi “Oly” & Carrie Olsen, in May of 1944. As a young child, he moved to Prince George and lived there for most of his life. Grant could accomplish anything he set his mind to. As a young man, he became an entrepreneur, and for decades successfully owned and operated Normag Equipment and Rentals in Prince George. Grant spent his leisure time boating, fishing and golfing. Upon retirement in 1998, Grant moved to Penticton with his wife, Judy. For many years, he enjoyed golfing all summer, then escaping the Canadian winter to golf in Arizona. He often joked that his golf game never improved despite all the practice. Grant is predeceased by his parents, brother (Walter) and his beloved sons, Allan and James, who were tragically killed by a drunk driver in 1986. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and daughter, Kristina (Laurence), and numerous friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. Well-wishers are encouraged to write a note of farewell on a beer can and drink it in his honor. Memorial service will be held in Prince George at a later date. Follow the ‘Grant Olsen Memorial’ group on Facebook for details as they become available.

Condolences may be shared by visiting everdenrust.com

April 1, 1961February 15, 2022

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our

University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George, BC.

Yvonne was born in Liverpool, England to proud parents Bob and Mary.

Upon completing her nursing diploma, Yvonne seized the opportunity to use her career for travel and worked abroad in many locations around the world, eventually finding herself in Prince George, BC where she met her husband, Philip.

Yvonne wore many hats throughout her time as an RN but spent the majority of her career as an Operating Room nurse.

Yvonne was known best for her witty sense of humour, charm and the love and pride she had for her two daughters. She enjoyed spending time on their family farm and fulfilled a lifetime full of travel, making memories with her husband and daughters.

Yvonne is pre-deceased by her father, Bob. She is survived by her husband Philip, daughters Lydia and Julia, mother Mary, sister Joanne, niece Hannah and various other extended family including aunts, uncles, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends who all cared for her deeply.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of the University Hospital of Northern BC for their care.

Goodnight, God Bless......Dream about me.

A funeral service for Yvonne will be held on Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 11:00 am at Assman’s Funeral Chapel.

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Yvonne Marie Myatovic
beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend Yvonne Myatovic (nee Butchard) at the

SNOWBALL-BEKKEN,MarianI.

January30,1962-February25,2021

Itiswithbrokenheartsthatwesharethenewsof Marian’sdeathlastyearonFebruary25,2021.The beautiful,kind,generous,andbrilliantmatriarchdied peacefully,surroundedbylovefrominsideandoutside herchaotic,fun,doors-always-openhome,withher devotedhusband,MarkAubrey,andtherestofherfamily byherside.SheissurvivedbyMark;herfourchildren, Nicole,Martin(Montana),Patrick,andKatrina;her motherInge;hersiblingsSonya(Ed)andPaul;andher formerhusbandKen(Deena).

MarkandMarianmarriedonJuly30,2020,andhad plannedalonglifetogetheratMark’sheli-skiingbusiness inCrescentSpur.Mark’sheartisbrokenoverthelossof Marian;shewasoneofthemostuniqueandinspiring peoplehehadcometoknowandlove.Someoneonce toldhimthattheybrokeandthrewawaythemouldafter shewasformed,andtherearenotmorefittingwordsto describeher.

BorninNorthVancouvertoNorwegianimmigrants, IngeborgandSigmundBekken,formanyyearsthefamily trekkedtotheirfamilyfarmsinNorwaybi-annually. Marian’sculturalinterestinallthingsNorwegiangrew overtheyears.Allfourofherchildrenwerebornin Norway,andMarianvolunteeredwiththreeNorwegian organizations.Tothisday,theOppdalfarmisownedby Ingeborg’ssixgrandchildren.

MariangrewupinPrinceGeorgeandgraduatedas valedictorianofPrinceGeorgeSecondarySchoolin1979. MarianwentontobecomeaCharteredAccountantby trainingaswellasasuperbfinancialtaxplannerby practice.Sheco-foundedaWestVancouver-based financialplanningfirm,BCPartnersinPlanningLtd.,in 1996.Thebusinessgrewovertheyearstoalso encompassaCPApracticeandalawfirm.Hertalentfor dealingwithcomplextaxplanningissueswasastounding; herattentiontodetailwasbeyondimagination.Clients lovedher,andshewasdevotedtoherworkuntiltheend ofherlife.

Outsideofhercareer,Marianwasinvolvedinmany organizationsandeventsinthecommunity.Sheloved hostinghugeparties,andherdoorwasopentoallthose whoneededitorwishedtovisit.Mostofall,shehadan incrediblegenerosityandacceptanceofothers,andawry senseofhumour.

Thestrengthofthecommunitythatsurroundedher duringherbattleagainstpancreaticcancerwasa testamenttoherspiritandvalues.Oneofthebiggest thingsherfamilytookawayfromthisexperiencewasthe immensegivingandcaringthatshedemonstrated throughoutherlife,andtheyhopethatotherswill rememberthistoo.

Inthesummerof2022,aCelebrationofLifeeventwillbe heldforMarianinVancouver.

KIMBERLY KELLEY

2x62.0 PGC002428

WICKSTROM,Phyllis

July12,1926-February12,2022

Itiswithbrokenheartsourfamilyannouncesthepassing ofPhyllisWickstrom.ShewasborninBeechy, Saskatchewan,andpassedawaypeacefullyinthePrince GeorgeHospiceHousesurroundedbyherfamily.Phyllis wasawonderfulmother,belovedgrandmaandsister.

FamilywasimportanttoPhyllis,andshelovedallthe gatheringswithherimmediateandextendedfamily.She leavesuswithmanywonderfulmemoriesandwillbe deeplymissedbyeveryonethatknewher.

PhyllisissurvivedbyherdaughterDebbie(Dave); granddaughterKimberly(Wes);grandsonJosh(Carly); sistersMarion,Pat,andShirley;sister-in-lawSonia (Norm);andnumerousnieces,nephewsandfriends.

PhylliswaspredeceasedbyherhusbandHermanand theiryoungsonTeddy.

Therewillbenofuneralatherrequest.Inlieuofflowers, pleasemakeadonationtoyourpreferredcharity.

Lloyd (Allan) Moore 1955-2022

Lloyd (Allan) Moore born 1955 unexpectedly passed away February 2 in Calgary Alberta. Lloyd is survived by his children Dillion, Charlane and his sisters Maureen and Sharon and brother Donald and nieces and nephews. Lloyd was predeceased by his father Allan mother Paula and brothers Bradley and Garth. No service at this time.

Love you Rest In Peace.

Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes

ASSMAN’S

Because I Love You So

Time will not dim the face I love, The voice I heard each day, The many things you did for me, In your own special way. All my life I’ll miss you, As the years come and go, But in my heart I’ll keep you, Because I love you so. -Anonymous

5X5

Hay/Bales For Sale

Established Franchise Photography Business Serving Northern B.C for over 35 years

Gross Revenues of $150.000 plus annually from seasonal work

Lots of opportunity to expand the business.

Transition support available to the right buyer

Serious Enquiries Only

Office 250-596-9199 Cell 250-981-1472

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Established Franchise Tax Preparation Business Mackenzieservicing and McLeod Lake area for over 30 years.

Gross Revenues of $85,000 to $90,000 Annually and Potential to expand revenues in a growing economy.

Transition support available for the right buyer.

Inquires Only

(250)997-5538

The Prince George Citizen is looking for a freelance photographer. Interested candidates please email lsmith@glaciermedia.ca along with some samples of your best photos.

LOGGING TRUCK DRIVER

Quesnel Sand & Gravel is look ing for a full time logging truck driver for the 2022 hauling season. Work will be in the Quesnel area.

How to write a classified ad that works.

Writing an effective classified ad is easy when you use these time-tested principles.

Writing an effective classified ad is easy when you use these time-tested principles.

• Use a keyword. Start your ad with the item for sale, ser vice offered or the job title.

• Use a keyword. Start your ad with the item for sale, ser vice offered or the job title.

• Be descriptive. Give customers a reason to respond. Advertisers have found that the more information you provide, the better the response.

• Be descriptive. Give customers a reason to respond. Advertisers have found that the more information you provide, the better the response.

• Limit abbreviations. Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion and misinterpretations.

• Limit abbreviations. Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion and misinterpretations.

• Include price. Always include price of the item for sale.

• Include price. Always include price of the item for sale.

• How to respond. Always include a phone number (with area code) and/or street and email address.

• How to respond. Always include a phone number (with area code) and/or street and email address.

Benefits are available after 3 months.

Please send resume’s to qsgravel@outlook.com or call the office at 250-992-2388

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Dollar Saver lumber operates a lumber re-manufacturing operation in Prince George We currently have an opportunity in our management group for a Sales Production coordinator.

This position is responsible to perform the following functions:

• Co-ordinate purchase of raw material to meet mill requirements

• Co-ordinate Shipments of finished products to existing customers.

• Work with Mill Management to ensure optimal inventories are maintained.

• Communicate with customers to ensure their needs are being met

Preference will be given for persons

• Good computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

The successful candidate will possess the following qualities

• The ability to deal with customer needs in a calm constructive manner

• The ability to adjust to rapidly changing conditions and developments

• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Good analytical skills

The position offers:

• A competitive salary and benefit package

• Opportunity to work in friendly non- bureaucratic environment

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

To advertise, call 250-562-6666 or email cls@pgcitizen.ca

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

Please submit your resume to Frank Skerlak, General Sales Manager at fskerlak@lumber.ca or Bev at: gobbi1@telus.net Only those persons chosen for an interview will be contacted.

2000

Collectibles

We are looking for a Maintenance & Production Super visor with either Sawmill or Planer Mill experience. As a Maintenance & Production Super visor you will be responsible for the management of the employees and their safety as well as the lumber volumes produced The potential candidate will report to the General Manager and apply their knowledge of processes/equipment to facilitate smooth operation of the Sawmill and or Planer.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain high standards with respect to safety, leading by example and ensuring the team follows all policies, procedures, practices and Occupational Health & Safety regulations.

• Identify oppor tunities to improve and look for oppor tunities to reduce cost, while safely meeting production targets

• Coach, train and suppor t team members to maximize per formance.

• Record keeping for time and attendance for payroll purposes.

• Excellent communication skills with employees in all depar tments

Skills:

• A minimum of three years in leadership experience in a Sawmill or Planer Mill

• Strong experience in employee per formance management.

• Knowledge of continuous improvement principles of Sawmill/Planer operation

• Safe work habits and a working knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety regulations.

• Working knowledge of web-based computer applications and Microsoft Office, Excel and Word.

• Excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills. Qualifications:

• Post Secondary diploma or college degree in wood products would be an asset

• Experience in managing a team and general labor in unionized environment.

• Strong experience in employee per formance management.

• Knowledge of continuous improvement principles of Sawmill/Planer operation

• Good knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of the Sawmill & Planer machines.

Location:

• Terrace is a hub city nested between Smithers, Prince Ruper t & Kitimat we have endless outdoor adventure and beautiful scener y all around us You might take advantage of activities such as skiing (downhill/backcountr y/ cross-countr y), snowmobiling, boating, camping, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, AT V-ing, and world renowned salmon and steelhead fishing.

• Population is approximately 13,000.

The anticipated star t date for this position is immediate, so please refresh your resume, and email to info@skeenasawmills.com

Maintenance & Produc tion Super visor Hot Spot

Motorcycles

Sports Utilities & 4X4s

2012 RAM 1500 4X4

Trucks

BOOKEEPING

HOMES

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

DESIGN TRENDS • HOME IMPROVEMENTS & RENOVATIONS •

Home theatre essentials

Enjoy a big-screen experience at home with your very own home theatre. This renovation projectiseasiertopulloffthan you might think. Here are five thingsyou’llneed.

1. TV OR PROJECTOR

Before you choose your viewing system, compare the pros and cons of a big screen TV with those of an overhead projector Opt for the biggest screen you can afford with the highestresolution.

2. SOUND SYSTEM

The best home theatre systems don’t skimp when it comes to sound.Consideraddingbuilt-in

speakers to the walls or ceiling. Also, make sure your system includes a subwoofer, as rich bass notes will make the cinematic experience more exciting.

Optforluxurioussingleseating in plush leather or soft fabric.

Black recliners are a classic choice, but upholstered chaise loungesmayoffergreatercomfort.

4. SNACK STATION

Save space for the movie snacks you love most. Your snack station can include a popcorn maker, a mini-fridge, a bar, jars of candy, a soda-ma-

kingstationorawatercooler

5. LIGHTING

Blackout curtains are a must, and overhead lighting on a dimmer will allow you to quickly get the show started. Consider adding LED light stripstocreateatheatre-likeatmosphere. They can be placed behind movie posters, underneath seats or along pathways to the restroom, snack station and exit.

Once you’ve picked out the essentials, you can choose one or more add-ons. Consider includinganelectricfireplace,avideo game console or simply some softblanketstocurlupunder.

FREE ESTIMATES

SNOW REMOVAL:

Touchless design features for a germ-free home

Touchless technologies have long been featured in public spaces to limit the spread ofgerms.Now,thesemotion-activatedinnovationsaremakingtheirwayintohomes. Hereareafewyoumaywanttoadopt.

•Lightswitches.Illuminateyourhomebywalkingpastconvenientlyplacedsensors.

•Faucetsandtoilets.Touchlessversionswillhelpkeepyourbathroomssanitary

•Soapdispensers.Washyourhandswithoutgettingthedispenserdirty.

•Appliances.Dishwashers,refrigeratorsandovensareincreasinglyfeaturing technologiesthatallowyoutoopenandclosethemwithoutusingahandle.

•Garbagebins.Openandcloseyourtrashcanwithmotion-activatedtechnology

Youcanfindtouchlesstechnologiesathardwareandappliancestoresinyourarea.

Kitchen trends of 2021

If you plan to remodel your kitchen this year, you should know that lacquered cabinets, exaggerated modernism and large cabinethandlesarepassé.Whenitcomes tokitchendesigns,here’swhat’strending in2021.

OVERSIZED PANTRIES

Whether free-standing or walk-in, large pantries with showcase-like shelving and plenty of hideaway storage are a hit in kitchens of all styles. If you have the spaceforit,thistrendisforyou.

STORAGE WALLS

If there’s limited room in your kitchen, floor-to-ceiling storage rather than multiple cabinets will maximize the space to accommodateallyourcookingessentials. Pro-tip: add electrical outlets inside the cabinets so you can plug in small appliances.

HIDDEN RANGE HOODS

Range hoods that are integrated into cabinets or walls are increasingly popular You can also hide them behind tile or natural stone. However, make sure your range hood is positionedforoptimalefficiency andeasytoaccessforrepair orreplacement.

WARM NEUTRAL TONES

Browns, beiges and greys

are taking centre stage in 2021. Hardware should also be warm. Choose matted gold, copper, champagne and charcoalpiecesforyourdrawersandcabinets aswellasyourfaucetsandotherfixtures.

NATURAL MATERIALS

Wood,stoneandothermaterialsthatevoke the natural world are the backbone of minimalist,contemporary,rusticandgarden-themedkitchens.Optforunderstated matte finishes and warm rather than cool tones.

Ifthere’sonetrend nottoignorein2021, it’s the rising tendency to favour locally crafteditemsandregionallysourcedmaterials. When renovating your kitchen, be sure to buy decorative items, cabinets, hardware, tile and stone from retailers andcraftspeopleinyourcommunity

A brief guide to home additions

Building an addition is a great way to expand your living space withoutmoving.Here’s what you should know about this type of renovation project.

TYPES

Onewaytoaddspaceto your home is to build another storey. However, if you have the square-footage, house extensions can also be lateral. Alternatively, an extension can beaddedtotherearofyourhome.

needanarchitecttodesignit,acontractor to build it and an inspector to ensureeverythingisjustright.

What’s more, house additions can be built on piers or a foundation. If you wanttobuildasunroom,carportorstorageroom,you’rebetteroffbuildingthe extension on piers. However, if it’s a space that will be frequently used, you maywanttoputinafoundation.

STEPS

Adding an extension can be broken down into three basic steps: plan, build andinspect.At each stage, you’ll need to rely on the expertise of the right professional to ensure your addition is functional, safe and to-code. You’ll

COSTS

Building a home extension is a major renovationandwilllikelycomewitha hefty price tag. However, you can save on expenses by carefully planning out yourprojectandchoosingmaterialsthat are modestly priced. Also, extensions built on piers are more affordable than thosebuiltonafoundation.

The best way to get started on an addition is to reach out to an architect who can help you draw up the plans and get thenecessarypermitsfortheproject.

Kaycie
Janine
Donna Badowski***

Popular window styles and where to use them

Do you want to update the windows in your home? If so, here are some popular typesandwheretheymightlookbest.

•Double-hung windows feature two large sashes that slide up and down along vertical tracks. They perfectly complement rambler, farmhouse, bungalowandothermodern-traditionalstyle homes.They have many customization options and look good in almost any room.

•Slider windows are available in a variety of styles, materials and finishes. Theyopenhorizontallyratherthanvertically,whichmakesthemidealforspaces with horizontal features. For example, they look good over a counter or in a hallway.Since sliderwindowsareeasy toopenandclose,they’realsopractical inhard-to-reachspaces.

•Casementwindowsopeninwardoroutward with a mechanical crank.They’re wellsuitedtocontemporaryhomesand greatinroomswhereyouwanttoletin acoolbreeze.

•Bayandbowwindowsextendoutward from the home and are traditionally

5 common

composed of a picture window flanked byoneormorepairsofdouble-hungor casement windows. Place them anywhere that overlooks a view or in a living room, family room or bedroom thatneedsafocalpoint.

Thebestwindowsforyourhomewilldepend on your budget and style. In all cases, however, it’s best to make sure they’re energy efficient (look for the EnergyStarlabel)andinstalledbyanexperiencedcontractor

decorating mistakes

(and how to fix them)

Is your decor looking a little lacklustre?

Here are five common decorating mistakes and some suggestions for how you canfixthem.

1. NO FOCAL POINT

Afocal point lends balance, harmony and cohesiontoaspace.Itcanbeafireplace,a mirror, a piece of art or an architectural feature.Whendesigningaroom,startwith thefocalpointandbuildaroundit.

2. UNDERSIZED RUG

The size of a rug should be large enough for all the furniture in a given space. Avoid choosing a rug that’s too small for thearea,asthiscanmakeyourdesignlook disjointed.

3. EXCESSIVE PILLOWS

Too many pillows can overwhelm a space and make your couches and chairs impractical to sit on. Instead, display a modestamountandswapthemoutastheseasonschange.

4. UNBALANCED LIGHTING

Use multiple types of lighting in every room. A combination of overhead lights, standing lamps and task lighting will ensure you have the right ambience and ampleilluminationinyourhome.

5. UNCOMFORTABLE SEATING

Opt for dining room chairs and living room couches that are comfortable to sit on rather than just stylish. Be sure to try before you buy, as this is the best strategy for finding pieces you can comfortably sit on for hours.

Remember, you don’t have to tackle design issues on your own. An interior designer or decorator can help you pinpoint problem areas and come up with creativesolutions.

GO FOR GOLD.

Travertine flooring: is it right for your home?

Travertineisatypeoflimestonethatnaturally forms in deposits near mineral springs. It comes in earthy neutral colours like beige, tan, off-white and grey and has afibrous,marble-likeappearance.

As a flooring material, it’s sold in tiles by thesquarefoot.Whileverydurable,itdoes require ongoing maintenance and care. Thisisbecausetravertineisaporousmaterial,whichmakesitpronetostaining and etching. It should be coated with a protective sealant upon installation and then again every three to five years. Travertinefloorsshouldalsoberegularly swept and mopped to prevent scratchesanddiscolouration.

In terms of cost, travertine is a mid-range stone that tends to be more affordable than marble but more expensive than granite. It’s not the cheapest type of flooring for your home, but it isn’t the mostlavisheither.

Travertine has a timeless quality that complements both traditional and contemporary design styles. It typically comes in one of four finishes polished, honed, tumbled or brushed

A brief look at bathroom trends

and the type you choose will impact whether your floors look glossy and refinedorrusticandweathered.

So, is travertine flooring right for your home? If you have an ample budget and want a floor that gives your home a sense ofreserveddignityandprestige,travertine maybetherightpick.

Marble bathrooms are timelessly elegant, and in 2021, interior designers are increasingly using this type of stone. Here are someothertrendstoconsiderforyournext bathroomremodel

•Goldfixtures,faucetsandmirrorsaretakingthe spotlight.Amatte orbrushedfinishisthewaytogo.

•Natural elements like loose stones, wood cabinets and plants are lending bathroomsanorganicfeel.

•Open showers are on trend, especially those with luxurious features like an in-

tegrated bench, a misting system, ambient lighting, an anti-fog mirror and a lineardrain.

•Islandvanitiesthatfeaturetwosinkssittingbacktobackratherthansidebyside areachicupgradeforalargebathroom.

Lastly, technology is playing an increasingly important role in bathroom design. If you’re planning a remodel, you can ask yourcontractortoincorporatefeatureslike USB chargers in vanity drawers, app-controlled speakers and smart shower headsthatconservewater

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