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THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

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COSTUMES SEW MUCH FUN FRANK PEEBLES 97/16 staff

Stitching together a love of clothes, costumes, and do-it-yourself skills is what got Chantal Short all the way into the professional theatre ranks.

It didn’t start out that way, though, and she is now showing the city’s young and the aspiring (of any age) all the needles and threads of the sewing profession.

When Short left Prince George to pursue her stage dreams, she did so despite a fear of the live spotlight. She got her degree from the lauded theatre school at the University of Victoria but she was on a different exit path than the one on which she entered. Acting was no longer her goal, but she still had a love for the world of stages and performances.

“I answered a post from the Slamming Door Artist Collective looking for a volunteer to assist their costume designer,” Short said. “I thought it would be a cool way to meet people and it was, but it really opened my eyes to this other side of theatre.”

That would be the hidden side, in the darkness of the wings, the side audiences only experience indirectly through the costumes and other effects built for that performance.

She is now a veteran of theatrical costume-making, for indie drama companies all the way up to a stint in the Cirque du Soleil costume department.

Short was, in the past couple of seasons, the resident costume designer for Theatre NorthWest and she will be leading a series of sewing workshops this summer to pass on her knowledge to people here interested in the fibre arts.

“It is amazing to be back in Prince George working in theatre,” she said. “I don’t know that I ever realized, when I was growing up here, that this could actually be a job, that I could make money at it, so to be able to come to P.G. and do that work professionally is super awesome and if there are kids in the sewing camps this summer who dream about being a costume designer or going into the fashion industry, then I can help that.”

These camps are not just for theatrical costumes, though. It is to introduce

Mask for a Douglas College production of Antigone or deepen a life-skill that stands anyone in better stead. She grew up in a bluecollar environment with a family full of “tradies” as she called them. A mechanic being able to patch up the knees of their overalls is just as important. So is saving money on clothes by learning how to make your own.

“I find as a costume designer, people are really intimidated by sewing,” she said. “They don’t think they can figure out the sewing machine and that stops a lot of people from trying, and there was gender pressure too that I hope, I believe, isn’t there as much anymore, that was always dumb, so everyone should come and do this and you’ll learn things you’ll enjoy, it’ll help you and interest you even if you’re just remotely curious.”

She remembers the first professional play she ever saw at TNW. It was The Miracle Worker in 2001.

She also remembers the surreal first time she worked on the TNW costumes, last being It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play in 2017.

She still feels pangs of surprise that her D.P. Todd Secondary School Drama Continued on page 2

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Chantal Short started her theatrical career on stage in high school productions in Prince George but moved backstage to become a costume designer. Besides designing the look of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and the other characters in Theatre Northwest’s recent production of Million Dollar Quartet and a production of The Foreigner at Chemainus Theatre, she built a mask for a Douglas College production of Antigone.

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NEWS 97/16

2 | THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

COSTUMES Continued from page 1

Thank you!

Spirit Day 2019 was successful because of you! $50,115 was raised on May 2 through the generosity of our donors, sponsors, fundraising initiatives, and volunteers in support of funding of a CALMING ROOM at UHNBC. Donations are still coming in and are still being graciously accepted!!!

Stories

Thank you to all individuals, physicians, healthcare

that

specialists, and advocates bravely shared their

experiences in support of Mental Health and Wellness.

FUNCHASER/COMMUNITY EVENTS REPORTER

Hour Sponsors

The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Prince George Division, is looking for their next FunChaser! This is a part time position. We are looking for an energetic, outgoing individual who will be representing our company at community events in the Prince George and Mackenzie area. If you would like your foot in the door to your future broadcast career, here is a good place to start!

The successful candidate will possess the following qualities: • A keen interest in the broadcast industry • Outgoing • Well spoken • Good writing skills • Approachable personality • Strong working knowledge of social media • A creative flair • Good organizational skills • Has a valid driver’s license (will accept an “N” license) Local

MLA Shirley Bond’s Family & 1372 The F unChaser duties include:

Office Friends • Visiting and reporting on community events • Assisting with promotions • Representing our stations in a positive light • Weekly television and radio production • Weekly live call-­‐ins on radio • Weekly online event reports on the FunChaser blog

Please note: only those shortlisted will be contacted, no phone calls please.

C E G E O R G E Please send your Resume and a completed copy of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group New Applicant Self ID form by Friday, October 2nd to Kharah Black, Promotions Coordinator at kblack@ckpg.com

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*** Our New Applicant Self ID form is available for download at www.jpbroadcast.com/selfidform.pdf and should be P R I N C E G E O R G E completed and attached to all employment applications. Please note your completed forms will be kept confidential. ***

As part of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group’s Employment Equity Policy we encourage women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities to identify themselves as this may be to their advantage in helping us correct under-­‐representation of those groups in our company.

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Our Media Partners the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

The journey has just begun…

Thank you to everyone that was involved on Spirit Day to help improve mental health and wellness assessment and treatment in the North! Mental Health truly touches us all, and we greatly appreciate the fantastic community support!

250-565-2515 | www.spiritofthenorth.ca FUNCHASER/COMMUNITY EVENTS REPORTER

The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Prince George Division, is looking for their next FunChaser! This is a part time position. We are looking for an energetic, outgoing individual who will be representing our company at community events in the Prince George and Mackenzie area. If you would like your foot in the door to your future broadcast career, here is a good place to start!

The successful candidate will possess the following qualities: • A keen interest in the broadcast industry • Outgoing • Well spoken • Good writing skills • Approachable personality • Strong working knowledge of social media • A creative flair • Good organizational skills • Has a valid driver’s license (will accept an “N” license)

The FunChaser duties include: • Visiting and reporting on community events • Assisting with promotions • Representing our stations in a positive light • Weekly television and radio production • Weekly live call-­‐ins on radio • Weekly online event reports on the FunChaser blog

Please note: only those shortlisted will be contacted, no phone calls please.

Please send your Resume and a completed copy of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group New Applicant Self ID form by Friday, October 2nd to Kharah Black, Promotions Coordinator at kblack@ckpg.com

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*** Our New Applicant Self ID form is available for download at www.jpbroadcast.com/selfidform.pdf and should be completed and attached to all employment applications. Please note your completed forms will be kept confidential. ***

As part of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group’s Employment Equity Policy we encourage women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities to identify themselves as this may be to their advantage in helping us correct under-­‐representation of those groups in our company.

productions would lead her to this side of the performance arts and back to Prince George. She hopes her teacher, Linda Riches, feels some of the responsibility for inspiring her.

“Ms. Riches was the best, super supportive, helped those of us with a love to turn it into something,” Short said.

“She was fine with someone saying they wanted to move away and make weird art stuff. She could explain to us that this was possible, it was a valid career, and she was right. She’s a pretty special lady.”

The path is nowhere near finished for Short. She is leaving Canada for a twoyear master’s degree program in costume design at the University of Edinburgh, so TNW will be in need of some new costume personnel for awhile.

In the meantime, Short is in Vancouver where she is helping her first company out again, doing costume design for Slamming Door Artist Collective’s production of The Sea (co-starring Melissa Oei, who has been to Prince George twice in recent years to act in Miracle Theatre productions).

Short is also taking on another important sewing project, her friend’s wedding dress.

She will be back to lead the summer sewing camps. For information on how to sign up in the age or experience category best for you, go to the TNW website and follow the links to the workshops.

Kids as young as eight are invited to learn, and there are options with no maximum age.

There are certainly no maximum uses for these creative skills.

“It’s not just about sewing,”

Short said. “You learn about felting, manipulating weird materials like plastics, I’ve made masks by melting down garbage bags with a heat gun. I’ve watched a lot of cosplay tutorials. Those industries are kind of connected.”

She wants to point the way from the sewing table off into the world of theatre, or fashion, or artisan creation, or whatever someone may feel inclined to do with the skills. She is especially hopeful that the people who take the course will feel more strongly about getting involved in creative activities, no matter what that might look like.

“P.G. gets a rough rap, but they support their arts,” Short confirmed. “When I tell my stories about how things are in my hometown, people from other places all kind of wonder how they could make that happen where they live. There is a bit of amazement out there at how people in Prince George step up for people doing artistic projects. We really do it well in P.G., and how important and amazing that is. It’s pretty rad.”

NEWS

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THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

TRUTH ALWAYS RISES TO THE SURFACE

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LESSONS IN LEARNING GERRY CHIDIAC

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hose who advocate for human rights are often frustrated when the crimes committed by those in power result in no apparent consequence. We need to remember, however, that truth never disappears.

Roughly 100 years ago, Dr. Peter Bryce was commissioned by the Department of Indian Affairs to assess the health conditions at residential schools across the country. What he discovered was shocking. These institutions were breeding grounds for tuberculosis. Overall, the death rate was 24 per cent. In some places, it was as high as 75 per cent.

Clearly, this was vital information and the Canadian government would take action to preserve the lives of children.

Bryce’s report to Deputy Superintendent Duncan Campbell-Scott was ignored.

His department was not willing to invest the resources needed to make the schools healthier. Perhaps CampbellScott was under fiscal pressure from his government but he also made the following disturbing statement: “I want to get rid of the Indian problem.”

In the end, Dr. Bryce was coerced into retirement. He did publish his findings in 1922 in a book called A National Crime, but it was largely ignored by the Canadian public. He died 10 years later, never knowing the significance of his work.

In the 1990s, Bryce’s reports resurfaced and became a groundwork piece in cases brought against the federal government, resulting in the 2008 apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Truth and Reconciliation Report of 2015. Until then, even Bryce’s own family members had no idea of the legacy the principled doctor had left behind.

More recently, human rights activists, church groups and other international watchdogs have noted American involvement in crimes against humanity and even what could arguably be called genocide, in Central America. This was rarely even reported in the mainstream media, and few held hope that the U.S. government or any individual working for the state would ever be held accountable.

Then came the Congressional elections of 2018 and Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. She is one of the first two Muslim women, the first Somali-American and the first African-born naturalized citizen ever to be elected. Given this background, one can understand why she has become a strong advocate for social justice.

In a recent House of Representatives

AP photo

TOP: Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, third from left, with her daughter, 16-year-old Isra Hirsi, fourth from left, joins activists at the International Youth Climate Strike event at the Capitol in Washington on March 15.

AP photo

LEFT: Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar sits with fellow Democrats on the House Education and Labor Committee during a bill markup, on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 6.

Foreign Affairs Subcommittee meeting, she took on Elliott Abrams, the American special envoy for Venezuela and longserving American diplomat, about his involvement in alleged war crimes in Latin America since the Reagan era. Omar cited numerous reports of Americanbacked atrocities in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

Though this was by no means a court of law and it is unlikely Abrams will ever be put on trial, the fact that this is being openly and publicly discussed by

American lawmakers is a clear indication that the truth is coming to the surface.

It will not be long until the American population begins to see the link between the throngs of people fleeing to their southern border and covert U.S. military operations in Latin America.

When first learning about genocide and other crimes against humanity, my students are often horrified by what happened in the past. In response, I ask them: “how will history judge us 50 or 100 years from now?”

In other words, what will be our legacy? Will we be Peter Bryce, Duncan Campbell-Scott, Elliott Abrams, Ilhan Omar and individuals who seek to change the world or people who choose to turn a blind eye to injustice?

The victors may control the mainstream media and write history books but they do not determine what actually happened. The truth always comes out and truth always liberates. When we look honestly at history, we give meaning to the sacrifices of our ancestors. We are thus inspired to improve the present and build a better future for our descendants.

Gerry Chidiac is a champion for social enlightenment, inspiring others to find their greatness in making the world a better place. For more of his writings, go to www.gerrychidiac.com

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NEWS 97/16

4 | THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

Schedule of special events 2019 RESTORE TRUST IN VACCINATIONS I Thurs, May 16 Opening Day

Mon, May 20

Sun, September 1

16th Annual Williams Creek Sports Day & Pie Eating Contest

vaguelyVictoria remember getting what I think Day Celebrations Sat - Sun, September 7 - 8 were my smallpox and polio vaccines.

9th Annual THINKING The details don’t matter so much as the Cowboy & Drover Jubilee Sat, June 15 message I got from my mom.

ALOUD Royal Galaway, & my mom It was aTheatre big day.

On the TRUDY KLASSEN Barkerville Heritage AGM Fri - Sun, September 27 - 29 explained that I was gettingTrust vaccinated and it should protect me from polio, 6th Annual which had crippled Steampunk Murder Mystery Mon, Julyone 1 of her friends.

My momDominion eagerly marched my four-yearmake decisions based on what it will Day Celebrations old self into our tiny rural school and the do to the Canadian economy. We make Sun, September 29 deed was done. personal cost-benefit decisions based on Sat, July 20 outbreak is sad, Day of Main Season The current measles what we know orLast care about.

6th Annual Indigenous Celebrations unfortunate and was likely mostly avoidAnother argument is to prevent the Sat Sun, 26 - 27 deaths of -the sickOctober and frail. People do able. The public policy health perspecgrasp the irony of how we treat them: we tive seems “if only there weren’t Ghostly Hallowe’en Frito-be Mon, August 2-5 insist that the sick and frail be “protectso many 16th anti-vaxxers allowed Festival to spread Annual Artswells disinformation on facebook and Instaed” from the hazard of the flu by posting Sat - Mon, December 14 - 16 signs to warn visitors to stay away if they gram we wouldn’t have this problem.”

Victorian Christmas Sat, August 17 don’t Old-Fashioned have the vaccine, only to “encourThis elitist perspective is a lazy way to Moon Festival age” them to suicide by offering medical deal withChinese the lossMid-Autumn of public trust.

Profesassistance in dying. sionals can and should do better.

To top it all off, the efficacy rate of the Public health initiatives require public flu vaccine, unlike our older, traditional buy-in, because they fail without the vaccines, has varied widely between 10 trust required for success. Therefore, and 60 or so per cent. These poor efficacy public opinion is the one that really matrates transfer to all vaccines in the public ters, more than the actual science. Yes, public “opinion” is the one that matters, We have 99 reservable campsitesopinion. and 59 first come first serve Over the last number of years, when because the public has to show up. campsites.

If we don’t have a site available for you,heard we’ll provide young parents the word vaccine From my layperson’s eye view, part you a voucher for two free nights of camping at a later date. through the magic of advertising, they of the fault lies in the promotion of the thought of the flu vaccine, because that’s newer vaccines seeking to eradicate the Excludes June 29 &the 30one and Aug 3 & 4 being advertised. They made a less damaging illnesses. I think specificost-benefit analysis and the low efficacy cally of the flu vaccines. rates just don’t make a convincing case.

Each year, we are encouraged to seek out the newest iteration of the flu vaccine They don’t remember measles, pertussis, diphtheria, tuberculosis, or polio. so that we escape serious harm and seriThe general public’s trust in vaccinaous harm to the Canadian economy. Perhaps it doesn’t really fly when many of us tions has been lost, partly due to the flu get a day off work with pay when sick, or vaccines. I just hope we don’t have to we are happy to just get a mini-vacation endure a serious epidemic in order to Thurs, 16 Sun, Sep because of our fast pace ofMay life. We don’t rebuild that trust.

we guarantee an available campsite

or your next stay is free

1.888.994.3332 / www.barkerville.ca #barkervillebc @barkervillebc

Schedule of special events 2019 Schedule of special events 2019 Thurs, May 16 Sun, September 1 Schedule of special events 2019 Thurs, May 16 Sun, September 1 Opening Day Opening Day

Mon, May 2016 Thurs, May Victoria Day Celebrations Opening Day Mon, May 20 Victoria Day Celebrations Sat, June 1520 Mon, May

Theatre Gala & VictoriaRoyal Day Celebrations Sat, June 15 Barkerville Heritage Trust AGM Theatre Royal Gala & Sat, June 15 Barkerville Heritage Trust AGM Mon, July 1 Gala & Theatre Royal Dominion Day Celebrations Barkerville Heritage Trust AGM

Mon, July 1 Dominion Day Celebrations Sat, July 201 Mon, July

6th Annual Indigenous Celebrations Dominion Day Celebrations

Sat, July 20 6th Annual Indigenous Celebrations Fri - Mon, August 2 - 5 Sat, July 20

16th Artswells Festival 6th Annual Indigenous Celebrations

Fri - Mon, August 2 - 5 16th Annual Artswells Festival Sat, 17 Fri August - Mon, August 2-5

Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival 16th Annual Artswells Festival

Sat, August 17

16th Annual Williams Creek Sports Day & Pie Eating Contest 16th Annual Williams Creek Sun, September 1 Sports Day & Pie Eating Contest Sat - Sun, September 7 Creek -8 16th Annual Williams 9th Annual Sports Day & Pie Eating Contest Sat - Sun, September 7 - 8 Cowboy & Drover Jubilee 9th Annual Sat - Sun, September 7 - 8 Cowboy & Drover Jubilee Fri - Sun, September9th 27Annual - 29 6th Annual Cowboy & Drover Jubilee Fri - Sun, September 27 - 29 Steampunk Murder Mystery 6th Annual Fri -Steampunk Sun, September 27 - 29 Murder Mystery Sun, September 29 6th Annual Last Day of Main Season Steampunk Murder Mystery

Sun, September 29 Day of Main Season Sat - Sun,Last October 26 - 2729 Sun, September Ghostly Hallowe’en

Day of Main Season Sat - Sun,Last October 26 - 27 Ghostly Hallowe’en Sat - Mon, 14- -27 16 Sat - Sun,December October 26 Old-Fashioned Victorian Christmas

Ghostly Hallowe’en Sat - Mon, December 14 - 16 Old-Fashioned Victorian Christmas

Sat - Mon, December 14 - 16

Old-Fashioned Victorian Christmas Sat, August 17 we guarantee an available campsite Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival we guarantee an available or your next stay iscampsite free we guarantee an available campsite or your next stay is free Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

or your next stay is free We have 99 reservable campsites and 59 first come first serve campsites. If we don’t have a site available for you, we’ll provide We have 99 reservable campsites and 59 first come first serve you a voucher for two free nights of camping at a later date. campsites. If we don’t have a site available for you, we’ll provide We haveExcludes 99 reservable campsites andand 59 first serve June & 30 Augcome &first 4 date. you a voucher for two free29 nights of camping at 3 a later campsites. If we don’t have a site available for you, we’ll provide Excludes June & 30ofand Augat3a&later 4 date. you a voucher for two free29 nights camping

Excludes June 29 & 30 and Aug 3 & 4

1.888.994.3332 / www.barkerville.ca #barkervillebc @barkervillebc

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Schedule of special events Opening Day

Mon, May 20

16th Annual Wil Sports Day & Pie Eat

Sat - Sun, Septem

ALZHEIMER SOCIETY HOSTING SERIES FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS Victoria Day Celebrations

Sat, June 15

Theatre Royal Gala & Barkerville Heritage Trust AGM

Mon, July 1

Dominion Day Celebrations

Sat, July 20

6th Annual Indigenous Celebrations

Fri - Mon, August 2 - 5

97/16 STAFF

Cowboy & Dro

Fri - Sun, Septembe

Steampunk Murd

Sun, Septe

Last Day of M

Sat - Sun, October Ghostly

understanding of what you and your family 16th Annual Artswells Festival members are faced with, giving you the Satto -maintain Mon,quality Decembe skills and confidence A free educational series will help Prince of life, both now and in the future,” said George families and caregivers living with Old-Fashioned Victorian Sat, August 17 Sandra Meehan, another regional support the impact of a diagnosis of dementia.

Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and education coordinator. “It helps families Shaping the Journey: living with debuild the knowledge, skills and confidence mentia will be presented by the non-profit to live well with dementia.”

Alzheimer Society of B.C. on four Tuesdays Shaping the Journey is designed spebeginning on June 4.

“Participants will learn strategies to live cifically for people experiencing the early with changes and maximize quality of life,” symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other said Laurie De Croos, one of the Society’s dementias. It is also intended for care partsupport and education coordinators. ners, family members, or friends.

“They’ll also review information needed to It runs on June 4 through 25 from 1 to 4 andResource 59 first come plan for the future.”We have 99 reservable p.m.campsites at the Alzheimer Centre, 302first campsites.

If we have a siteStreet. available for you,iswe’ll As an additional benefit, participants will don’t – 1811 Victoria Pre-registration re- p meet others going through experi-for two quired by contacting thecamping regional Alzheimer you similar a voucher free nights of at a later Resource Centre at 250-564-7533 or info. ences. princegeorge@alzheimerbc.org.

“Educating yourself allows youExcludes to gain an June 29 & 30 and Aug 3 & 4

we guarantee an available cam

or your next stay is fr

NEWS

97/16

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

MINECRAFT LOTS OF FUN FOR YOUNGSTERS

|5

HOME AGAIN MEGAN KUKLIS

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he first TV I remember us having had a knob to turn the channel, to a maximum of thirteen channels of which we only had reception for one and a half. The TV was heavy and if we moved furniture around, only my dad could pick it up and carry it. Every once in a while, when we were younger, we would be able to rent a VCR player and my dad would turn the air blue while attempting to set it up so we could watch a movie at home.

We got our first home computer when I was twelve years old. It was a creamy grey colour and likely a hand-me-down from someone in the family. It took approximately three hours to load. When we got dial up internet a few years later, we had to share the phone line with the house line so we could only be on the internet if we were sure we didn’t need the phone.

I remember “being on the internet” and sitting in front of the monitor wondering what a person “does” on the internet. I think I turned it off and went and read a book which was much more straightforward.

Later in my teen years, I did play some computer games, most;u some version of Tetris, Myst, King’s Quest or Wolfenstein.

The graphics were terrible in retrospect and although I no long game except for the occasional Candy Crush, I know that the world of gaming has exploded and that CGI has come a long way since Wolfenstein.

This is why it absolutely blows my mind that the most popular game in our house is a pixelated, retro-looking, block-smashing game with a hero named Steve. He has a parrot.

People justify kids playing Minecraft because “it’s creative” and “you build worlds.” etc. Have you ever watched a kid play Minecraft on an iPad? It’s a lot of hunched-over the screen, finger-tapping, block breaking ridiculousness with the least interesting-looking characters in all of the gaming world.

AP photo

German chancellor Angela Merkel standing beside a Minecraft game, showing her in front of the German Reichstag, during the Gamescom fair for computer games in Cologne, on Aug. 22, 2017.

Except for the parrots and the chickens – at least, they are pretty cute. How creative is a child being sitting there tapping their finger?

My son loves Minecraft. He takes books out of the library and learns how to make portals and craft things together and defeat the bad guys. I hear a lot about the worlds he is going to build and about the elements you need to build certain things and about enderman, zombies, monsters, witches, skeletons, wither skeletons (“they’re different than regular skeletons because they have swords rather than bow and arrows”), blazes (“they shoot

gases and are killed by water”), and ender dragons, creepers, pigmen, spiders, villagers and assorted farm creatures (there are llamas?).

I asked my son why he likes it so much and he said that you can create stuff and make creatures and survive and make cool things. He prefers creative verses survival mode because you can’t get killed by the creatures.

He also saved up his allowance money to download Minecraft Storymode, which is a digital throwback to Choose Your Own Adventure books. The graphics are deliberately terrible and to watch it, the

game is a pixelated blur.

Perhaps the poorly done graphics allow kids to use their imagination more effectively or maybe the game designers are lazy and you have more options in the game if you keep the graphics simple. I do not have the answers.

What I do know is that my son is really excited about it and I will continue to ask questions about the games he is playing and try to monitor the screen time as much as possible because it is also important to go outside and play.

I think Steve and his parrot would agree.

PUBLIC HEARING SET ON YOUTH ISSUES The provincial government’s allparty Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth will be holding a public hearing in Prince George to receive input on how best to treat children and youth with neuro-diverse

special needs.

It will be held on Wed., May 22 at the Civic Centre, Room 204-206, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Registration is available by calling the Parliamentary Committees Office

at 250-356-2933 or 1-877-428-8337 (toll-free in B.C.) or on the committee’s website: www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/cay.

The committee also welcomes written comments, which can be submitted via its website. The consultation

continues until 5 p.m. on Fri., June 7.

The committee will make recommendations to the legislative assembly in a report, which is expected to be released in the early fall.

NEWS 97/16

6 | THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

97/16 file photo

Tom Hynd leads a Tai Chi class at the Elder Citizens Senior Rec Centre in 2016.

PLENTY GOING ON AT ECRA THIS MONTH everything from A to Z when it comes to plants. That means things like arugula and alyssum to zinnias and zucchini and lots in between.Donations from your garden or greenhouse will graciously be accepted from 8 to 10 a.m. the morning of the sale at 1692 Tenth Ave.

SENIORS’ SCENE KATHY NADALIN

there will be sandwiches available if you prefer. The strawberry tea is being held in conjunction with the ECRA annual plant sale held on the same day; customers can *** shop for their garden needs and then go ECRA’s annual spring luncheon and inside for a relaxing meal or a treat of strawberry tea is being hosted once again strawberry shortcake. by the canasta card players with all proCome early and shop at the ECRA anceeds going directly to centre operations. nual plant sale being held in the parking The event will be held Saturday, May 25 lot also on Saturday, May 25 from 10 am from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1692 Tenth Ave. to 1 p.m. The plant sale is being hosted by Come out and enjoy a generous slice of the ECRA tai chi group. The plant sale inangel food cake covered with strawbercludes herb pots, a variety of micro dwarf tomatoes, a great variety of locally grown ries and topped off with freshly made annuals, perennials, vegetables, flowwhipped cream. This delicious dessert includes your choice of coffee or tea for just ers, shrubs, small fruits and always a few $5. The menu includes and aPrince bun orGeorge surprises. sale will have almost Relaysoup For Life | JuneThe 9 –plant 10, 2018

NO ONE SHOULD FACE CANCER ALONE.

Join us and support the ones you love.

Help us celebrate our first year at Exhibition Park.

*** Tai chi classes at ECRA are held back to back each Tuesday and Friday at 9:45 a.m. and then again at 11 a.m. under the direction of the ever-popular tai chi instructor Tom Hynd. Hand-and-foot canasta is played each Monday at 1 p.m. under the direction of Willa Osis. Willa welcomes new players. There are many variations to the game of canasta; the group will cheerfully teach newcomers the method that they use.

If you have any questions about the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre, tai chi, canasta, the garage sale, the plant sale or the strawberry tea just call the office at 250-561-9381 and ask for Lisa.

VEHICLE

AUCTION Thurs., May 23rd at 6:30pm

Featuring a great selection of cars, trucks, vans & suv’s from major fleet lease, bank repossessions, dealer and private consigners. If you have a unit for this sale, it must be on the grounds by Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 before 12:00pm, space permitting.

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he line dancing group at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre, 1692 Tenth Ave. will be holding their giant annual garage, crafts, books and bake sale on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with all proceeds going to centre operations.

Hot food and snacks will be available at the concession stand. Donations to the garage sale will be gratefully accepted on Friday. If you have any questions, phone Lisa at 250-561-9381.

*** May birthdays that I know about: Lino Nadalin, Roz Thorn, Silvia Spoletini, Dawn Wigmore, Betty Broderick, Sharon Hurd, Irene Switzer, Sandra DaSilva, Kenneth Toombs, John Scott, Rita Wiebe, Alannah Shandler, Joe Anderson, Jean Shiels, Dan Watt, Willa Osis, Sally Roe, Evelyn O’Sullivan, Isabel Fleck, Larry Young, Margaret Humphreys, Olga Boudreau, Paul Richter, Margaret Gauthier, Neal Cook, John Hiebert, Susan Chin, Germaine Bachand, Shelby Cooke, Gail Lindley, Luanne Koocher, Richard Mintenko, Clyde Smaaslet, Steve Sintich, Sanna Denicola, Heather Mohr, Ruth Orydzuk, Irene Sitoski, Jack Little, Aileen St. Germain, Susan Adair, Gladys Cormack, Jeannie Knox, Colleen McLachlan, Keith McLachlan, Kevin Blood, Stewart Law, Shirley Smith, Ann Dekker (93), Vern Goglin, Laurent Plouffe, Ruth Reid, Marion Idiens, Jo-Anne Stainton, Bud Burbee, Jim Liness, Elizabeth Eakin, Judy Griffith, Tom Whyte, Cornelius (Corny) Hughes, Ellen Norman, Herbert Maxwell (94), Sandra Goodkey, Roy Goodkey, Diane Ellis, Traixie Bartlett, Havy Brantnall, Ellen Bracey, Bill Burt, Raymond Cosh, Henry Deslaurie, Patricia Horning, Lorraine Prouse, Katie Prevost, Brenda Beaulieu, Ernie Gregorash, Debra Pfefferle, Jim Weisbrodt, John Hiebert, Richard Giroday, Bruce Gibson and Dr. Alan Olson, who now lives in Lumby. *** May Anniversaries that I know about: 72 years for Delbert and Dorothy Wood, 71 years for Les and Dorothy Always, 64 years for John and Mary Row, 58 years for Bill and Sharon Baxter, 57 years for Supi and Lil Peter, 56 years for Kenneth and Hedwig Toombs, 51 years for Bob and Fran Dods, 50 years for Garry and Pat Watson and 50 years for Terry and Heather Carter.

EVENTS LIST

97/16

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

AROUND TOWN Well Fed Painters

The Federation of Canadian Artists has a members’ show on display now at the Bob Harkins branch of the PG Public Library. This group exhibition by the Central Interior Chapter runs through the month of May.

Rees Paintings Vanderhoof painter Michael Rees is the subject of the solo exhibition on now at the Rustad Galleria in the Two Rivers Gallery.

Morrison Art Choices: The New Temptation is the art show by Donna Morrison on now at the Studio 2880 Feature Gallery. The show hangs until June 6.

Cunningham exhibit The Omineca Arts Centre holds an exhibition opening tonight for their month of May artist-in-residence Joseph Cunningham. The reception starts at 7 p.m.

community. It’s an upbeat blend of ska, klezmir, and old tyme fiddle. The closest appearances are Friday at the Sunset Theatre in Wells and Saturday at the Prince George Legion.

the word out about your arts endeavours (or any endeavour). There is no cost to attend.

Huble Opens

Children Of The Wave, P.G.’s Black Sabbath surf-rock cover band, performs at The Legion on May 24 at 9 p.m. featuring musician Britt AM and her full band.

Cover is $10 at the door.

Saturday is the first day open for the Historic Huble Homestead farm north of the city. The first event of the year happens immediately, Sunday and Monday, with their annual Spring On The Homestead events. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Huble Homestead is located 40 km north of Prince George, just off Highway 97 on Mitchell Road.

For more information call 250-564-7033 or visit hublehomestead.ca.

Scotch for TNW Theatre Northwest holds their next Scotch & Social night on Saturday. Doors at 2 p.m., first pour at 2:30. Scotch expert Keith Trusler is the special guest on the theme of Best Scotch Under $75.

Accordingly, tickets are $75 (at Books & Company or the TNW website) with all proceeds to TNW.

Joke’s On You, Cancer

All-Ages Art

The Wheely Funny Fundraiser 2 happens tonight at 7 p.m. at Theatre Northwest with local comedian Mike McGuire and friends. The proceeds go to support the Wheelin’ Warriors of the North Ride to Conquer Cancer. Tickets are $25 available at Theatre Northwest and Books & Company.

The next Open Gallery event at Two Rivers Gallery is Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

Free for members, or $7.50 adults, $3 children, $15 families. Come for some Sunday free-style art-making.

Poetry of Music The next edition of the poetry-spoken word series WordPlay is entitled A Magical Musical Mash-Up, hosted as always by local writer Erin Bauman, the Panoptical Poet. The event is tonight at Books & Company starting at 7:30 p.m.

“Bring your guitars, ukuleles, oboes, etc. to back up those who are reading,” said Bauman. “If you don’t read or play an instrument you can bring your art supplies and draw, knit, bead, etc. while you listen to melodic poetry.”

Interstellar Jays Cariboo alt-folk band Interstellar Jays perform a set of shows in the region on the strength of their new album Musasabi Madness. Recorded in the Cottonwood

Thinking workshop Artist Joseph Cunningham hosts a Creative Thinking Workshop at the Omineca Arts Centre (369 Victoria St.) on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. All are welcome, suggested that you bring a sketch pad or any materials you deem to fit your creative thought process. It is billed as “an event where participants connect to their community through dialogue to later imagine an impossible world.”

Hook your audience On Tuesday, the Community Arts Council hosts special guests Neil Godbout (editor of The Citizen) and Sean Farrell (executive director of the CAC) for the next Art Of Business workshop, entitled How Good Is Your Hook? Come to Studio 2880 at 6 p.m. to find out about effective news releases, program announcements, and the ways to best get

Smile and wave

Comedian’s luck Alex Mackenzie is gonna need it so he’s hosting his Wish Me Luck Show on May 25. The local comedian is heading off on national tour so he’s starting in hometown P.G. at the Prince George Playhouse starting at 7 p.m. He’ll make a contribution to the Hospice Society on his way out of town. Joining Mackenzie that night will be fellow local comics Mike McGuire, Jon White, and Cody Malbeuf.

Tickets are $25 at Central Interior Tickets website (all ages welcome, some mature subject matter).

Doctor farewell He’s a physician and a musician. Dr. Tom sings, fiddles, and heals. He is a founding member of popular local Celtic band Out Of Alba and that group will gather around him in his final solo concert as a Prince George resident. He is moving on for professional reasons, but wants to leave on some vibrant notes.

Last Call - Dr Tom & Out of Alba happens May 25 at Artspace. Tickets are $20 at Books & Company while they last.

Snappy Phone Pics Acclaimed local photographer Philomena Hughes leads a one-day Cellphone Photography workshop on May 25 (also on June 22) at her studio at 423 Dominion Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $150 (lunch is included). Learn the snapshot potential we hold in our hands in our everyday smartphone devices.

High Trashion Two Rivers Gallery is where fashion fans and recycling fans can meet on the glamour runway. May 25 at 7:30 p.m. is the Trashion Show - Where Art & Ecology Collide, hosted by the creative team at Adventures In Self-Sufficiency. They said “The Trashion Show is a fashion showcase that invites creators, makers,

|7

artists, and design enthusiasts to bring to life unique, creative designs made out of recyclable materials, salvaged finds, or anything that is saved from the landfill.”

Tickets are $25

Classical Hat-Trick Star music ensemble O Sole Trio comes to the Prince George Playhouse on May 26 for a classical concert event in support of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and the PG Italian Club. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Admission is $50 at Central Interior Tickets. This is an encore performance by the U.S.-based vocal and instrumental power group, back by popular demand.

Drone With Doug May 26 come to Omineca Arts Centre for “Prince George’s first (official) drone day celebration, featuring the weird, the experimental, and the innovative,” said event organizers. See (or rather, hear) Gamma Camera (Doug Koyama) supported by the Brain Porter and Sara Wray Enns. Following this sound performance, the night will close with a dance featuring electronic pulsations by deejay Mr. Vibacious.

Teen Tabletop Meet Up Every Monday until May 27 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way, try your hand at a variety of tabletop games. All experience levels welcome. Bring your own decks for MtG, Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh. For 13 to 18 yrs.

For more information call 250-563-9251 or email ask@pgpl.ca.

Wheelchair Rugby Every Tuesday until May 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the College of New Caledonia , 3330 22 Ave., wheelchair rugby program runs weekly. No experience is necessary and all equipment including sports wheelchairs are available. Everyone welcome. BC Wheelchair Sports annual membership is $10. In this full-contact sport, athletes play in tank-like wheelchairs and hit each others’ chairs in an attempt to carry a ball across the line. For more information call 250-649-9501 or email Northern@bcwheelchairsports. com.

Let us know about your coming events by emailing us at events@pgcitizen.ca

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NEWS 97/16

8 | THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

WHY DON’T TEENAGERS GET HARSHER SENTENCES? B.C. PROVINCIAL COURT

Kim is 14 years old, has never been in trouble with the law before and stole a bag of candy from a store on a dare from a friend. Jaz is 15 years old, was sentenced for theft under $5,000 (shoplifting) six months ago and has now pleaded guilty to another charge of theft from a store. And Steve is 17 years old, has a history of violent offences and has just been convicted of assault causing bodily harm.

When it comes to sentencing, how will each of these young persons be treated?

The Youth Criminal Justice Act sets up a separate system for the treatment of youths aged 12 to 17 who are facing criminal charges under federal laws like the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This system takes into account that due to their age young people are more vulnerable, less mature and may have a lower capacity for moral judgment than adults. Because they are not fully developed, young people are presumed to have a less culpability than adults.

The act is intended to create a youth criminal justice system that: • protects the public by holding a youth accountable; • promotes rehabilitation and reintegration of the youth into society; and • supports the prevention of crime.

The goal of the act is to treat young

people fairly and yet hold them responsible for their actions. It encourages the repair of harm done to victims and the community.

The act requires a judge to sentence a young person differently from an adult.

To achieve its goal of rehabilitating and reintegrating youths back into society it provides a wide range of sentences, including a reprimand, discharge, fine, compensation, restitution, community service, probation for up to two years and: • an intensive support and supervision order that provides closer supervision and support than a probation order; • a custody and supervision order for up to two years (two-thirds of this sentence is spent in custody and one-third is spent on conditional supervision in the community); • for certain violent offences, a custody and supervision order for up to three years (part spent in custody and part on conditional supervision in the community); • a deferred custody and supervision order for up to six months (the sentence is served in the community as long as the youth complies with conditions); • a custody and supervision order of up to 10 years for first degree murder and up to seven years for second degree murder; and • an intensive rehabilitative custody

and supervision order (usually for up to two years but may be three years for certain serious offences). This special sentence for serious violent offenders is intended to provide a youth with the treatment they need.

Many of these sentences will include participation in therapeutic programs.

Kim is young, has never been in trouble before and did something stupid on a dare from a friend. The police or Crown counsel may decide to take “extrajudicial measures” outside the court system rather than pursue a criminal charge of theft. This could mean taking no further action because being taken home by police and his parent’s response was enough to show Kim the seriousness of his actions. It could also mean giving him a warning or referring him to a community program to help him deal with any underlying problems.

Because this is Jaz’s second offence, she has been charged with the criminal offence of theft under $5,000. After pleading guilty, she might be sentenced to a period of probation where she would be assigned a youth worker to monitor her and perhaps refer her for counselling or other programs. Her probation order could include a condition that she not enter the store where she committed the theft.

With his history of violent offences, Steve could be sentenced to a custody and supervision order. If he is suffering from a mental or psychological disorder or an emotional disturbance for which treatment is available, then an intensive rehabilitative custody and rehabilitation order might be imposed.

The act only permits a judge to sentence a youth to custody (jail) in certain cases – for example, for violent offences.

The act only permits a judge to sentence a youth to custody (jail) in certain cases – for example, for violent offences.

And every order of custody must be followed by a period of community supervision to help the young person to avoid re-offending in future.

In rare cases, where a youth is at least 14 years of age and has been found guilty of an offence where an adult could be imprisoned for two years or more (e.g. a serious violent offence), Crown counsel (the prosecutor) may apply to the court to have the youth sentenced as an adult.

If such an order is made, then the sentencing options under the act no longer apply and the youth is sentenced under the Criminal Code.

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Tuesday, January 16, 2018 | Your community newspaper since 1916

CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

In the spotlight Darren Neufeld of Blake Productions sets up a projector for the B.C. Natural Resources Forum, which starts tonight at the Civic Centre. The forum, which will bring industry leaders and high-level political figures like federal minister of natural resources James Carr to the city, runs through Thursday.

Key witness testifies at murder trial Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca

A

key witness in a trial for three men accused of a drug-related murder recounted what she saw and heard during the fatal shooting of a Prince George man two years ago.

Darren Sundman, Kurtis Sundman, who are brothers, and Sebastian Martin each face a count of first-degree murder in the Jan. 16, 2015 death of Jordan Tayor McLeod, who was 24 years old at the time.

Recounting events in the hour or so leading up to the shooting, Stacey Stevenson said she was in the back of a friend’s mobile home in Vanderhoof when Darren Sundman entered the room and told her to grab her belongings.

Stevenson complied, the court heard, and went out to the kitchen where she saw McLeod sitting on a bar stool in the middle of the room. Darren Sundman tried to convince McLeod to unlock his phone but he refused and Sundman grabbed the phone away from him, Stevenson said.

From there, they filed out of the home and into a pickup truck where Kurtis Sundman got into the driver’s seat while McLeod got into the passenger side. Stevenson sat in the middle back with Darren Sundman sit-

Arthur WILLIAMS Citizen staff awilliams@pgcitizen.ca

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we deal with crime, we deal with first responders.”

Supporting local leaders and communities to develop local solutions to local programs is key, she said.

B.C. municipalities have limited options when it comes to raising funds, she said, and it may be time to consider giving municipalities more tools to allow them to meet their needs.

However some of the common threads she has heard while travelling B.C. are concerns about health care and affordability.

While the Liberal party in B.C. is the party of business and entrepreneurship, she said, it’s also important to focus on social programs to meet the needs of British Columbians.

In order to achieve that, the province will require a strong, stable government – something that is unlikely under a proportional representation system. The NDP have pledged to hold a mail-in-ballot referendum this year on changing the province’s electoral system.

Watts said the NDP are jumping the gun and should first ask voters if they want the province’s electoral system changed. Then, with a mandate of the people, gather public input and present voters with a number of options.

“It should be decided by the people.”

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Dianne Watts stopped by The Citizen on Monday during a tour of the north.

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enough of everything” and was planning to move out. At about that time, Sundman was introduced to McLeod as a supplier.

Stevenson said she began communicating with McLeod via text messages and phone calls behind Sundman’s back and when he and his brother left for Merritt, she stayed behind.

Stevenson packed her bags while the Sundmans were away but when she convinced McLeod to pick her up and drive her to Prince George for New Years Eve she left them behind. While in Prince George, Stevenson stayed with some friends and then, for a brief time, with McLeod.

While with him, McLeod asked Stevenson to text Darren Sundman and ask if he had the money he owed McLeod. “Yes, I have his f---g money,” Sundman tersely replied.

She said McLeod had been friendly to Sundman in previous conversations but also a “little bit rude,” because he wanted Sundman to pay up. McLeod had “no real reaction” to Sundman’s text, Stevenson said.

McLeod asked Stevenson for some photos of her and, in response, she sent him some portrait shots. McLeod drove her back to Vanderhoof and instructed Stevenson to “pretend like nothing happened,” because he wanted his money from Sundman.

Stevenson’s testimony continues today at the courthouse.

Watts makes P.G. stop on Liberal campaign tour

See page 2 for more details and short-term forecasts

To register call 250 561 5801 or go online cnc.bc.ca/ce

She said they took off and made their ting behind McLeod and Martin behind the driver, resting a shotgun between his knees. way onto a logging road where they dumped the body – it was found off the With Kurtis Sundman “driving crazy” Kaykay Forest Service Road northwest of and “going quite fast” they headed to the city, the court has heard. In the hours Prince George and, after driving through that followed, they also retrieved McLeod’s the city, travelled east on Highway 16. car from Vanderhoof and abandoned it Stevenson said Darren Sundman began north of Williams Lake after hitting McLeod with the butt of a handgun and then, just As she bent over, rolling it down a gully and setting it on fire. as they passed Prince George The Sundmans and StevenRegional Correctional Centre, placing her head son were arrested a matter of McLeod was told he would between her hours later in Quesnel after have to jump out of the truck knees, Stevenson they tried to steal an all-terwhile it was still moving “or vehicle and then failed to he knew what was going to said she heard rain evade police. happen to him.” a shot and then Under questioning from They turned onto Upper Crown prosecutor Joseph Fraser Road and soon afMartin say “I got Temple, Stevenson spent ter, McLeod did jump out. him boss.” much of Monday setting the Kurtis Sundman pulled the scene. She and Darren Sundtruck over and the three men man had been living together jumped out. Stevenson got as girlfriend and boyfriend in Vanderhoof into the front because Martin had accidenwhere he had been working at a pellet plant tally set off a can of bear spray. in the community.

As she bent over, placing her head He had been selling cocaine on the side, between her knees, Stevenson said she heard a shot and then Martin say “I got him with Stevenson keeping track of debts owed boss.” Stevenson, who turned tearful as she to him. But in late summer 2014, Sundman quit his job and they began using methamtestified, said she then heard a second shot and, when she looked up saw all three make phetamine heavily while selling cocaine to cover their bills. their way across a ditch and into the bush

By December, Stevenson said she broke where they pulled McLeod’s body from the up with Sundman because she “just had trees and put it into the back of the pickup.

Liberal leadership candidate Dianne Watts says it’s time to reboot the B.C. Liberal Party and she’s the one to do it.

The former mayor of Surrey and MP for South Surrey – White Rock was in Prince George on Monday, promoting her bid for the job of leadership of the opposition. The B.C. Liberals will elect a new leader on Feb. 3.

“I offer the B.C. Liberals a fresh start,” Watts said.

While good work was done by the former Liberal government, she said, “there was a level of frustration” by the voting public which resulted in the loss of 11 seats in the 2016 election.

She said her experience building coalitions and leading a government in Surrey would help her to unify the Liberals and present a united front in the next provincial election.

Her experience in local government has taught her that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work for B.C., she said.

“Every community is unique, and every community has unique issues,” Watts said. “As a former mayor... we deal with things on the front line. We deal with homelessness,

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97/16

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

GET TO THE SOURCE OF YOUR INNER ANGER F or the last while I have been angry. I look at myself and ask: “why then Ann, are you calling other people out on their anger?”

Perhaps because it is time I look at myself and stop projecting this all out onto you.

This is what the program is about, it tells me that when agitated or angry, it is all about me. But what if it isn’t, what if it is truly about the man who hits me or about the person who abuses kids? I pause to reflect. Which part of the hit or abuse is all about me?

I am not responsible for how someone chooses to enact their way of being.

Perhaps I might contribute by being present or not taking a stand but in reality, I can’t take responsibility for anyone but me. I can’t change your behaviour, your thoughts, your actions or way of being. I can only change mine. Thus if a man hits me, I am permitted to feel what I feel but when I act out in anger towards him, I only increase more pain in this world. It is not my feelings that matter but how I act out in this world.

I can feel anger, but it’s what I do that matters. I need to ask if my words or deeds contribute to healing or only to more suffering and pain in this world.

The truth about anger is that it initially arises from being hurt (or being scared).

ASK AN ADDICT

I was at a recovery celebration yesterday. A young woman was taking a cake to celebrate her one year of not drinking. Her family was there: her parents, boyfriend and best friend. They all cried when they shared, then apologized for tears.

This is what the 12 steps are about. They are not about alcohol or drugs but rather a spiritual illness which impacts us all.

I was in awe of their honesty, for being strong enough to share their vulnerability with us strangers. To me, tears indicate healing, the power of God as I understand this power to be in my world today. Whenever I am in the presence of love, tolerance, compassion and understanding, I stand in the presence of God. It is that simple for me

today in my program of recovery.

This program works not only for me, but for all in the world who suffer from a spiritual unease. I believe we all have an unconscious, spiritual (not religious) malady. It is reflected in our world pain, in our anger, racism, our jealousy and fear.

This is what the 12 steps are about. They are not about alcohol or drugs but rather a spiritual illness which impacts us all. Alcohol and drugs are merely manifestations of my disease, my disease on this planet. I have a disease in my way of being and when I take a drink, my dis-ease is eased, I feel at peace. But then, the drugs turn on me and once again I find myself in more pain, more dis-ease in my way of being.

With the 12 steps I have a solution, one which does not disappear the moment I stop drinking. It stays with me forever, but only if I work the steps.

Many people rage against anonymous 12-step programs because they believe them to be religious. These programs are not. This is a common misunderstanding about AA (or NA). When alcoholics or addicts say they cannot work the steps due to a God word, it is addiction lying to them about their life-threatening disease.

I encourage the whole world, including you, to consider working the steps. It is a gift which costs us nothing and there

|9

are no expectations. It only promises to bring something incredibly powerful and magical to your life today. If it is to be, it is up to me. If you expect someone in your life to start recovery, then why are you hesitating or not starting your own?

– Questions for Ann? Send your submissions (anonymously, if you choose) to columns@pgcitizen.ca and we’ll pass them along.

ABOUT US

• Colleen Sparrow, publisher and GM • Neil Godbout, editor-in-chief • Shawn Cornell, director of advertising • Call us at: 250-562-2441 or 250562-3301 • Find us at: 201-1777 Third Ave. Prince George, B.C. V2L 3G7 • Follow us on Facebook, by going online to: https://bit.ly/2SdAmek • Visit https://bit.ly/2S9W4zW to find the location nearest you to pick up extra copies of 97/16.

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Tourism is an important economic driver in British Columbia, adding billions of dollars to the economy and creating thousands of jobs across the province.

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Make your appointment today!

We are always accepting new patients.

Some of our favourite summer destinations closer to home include Huble Homestead Historic Site, Exploration Place, the Railway and Forestry Museum and the Fort St. James National Historic Site. And that’s just to name a few . . .

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in the world, this should be a must on your staycation list. With an accessible boardwalk, it is a place that accommodates those with mobility challenges and young families. Why not consider spending a day in McBride with a stop at the Valley Museum. You can participate in one of many special events that is offered or peruse the current exhibit. Have you ever seen the unique Flower Bridge in Dunster or the Dunster Station Museum? And if you choose to spend some time in Valemount the Cranberry Marsh is one of our regular stops. Also known as the Starratt Wildlife Management Area this is the perfect place for a leisurely walk or a several hour hike.

We do indeed live in beautiful British Columbia, so why not enjoy it with a summer staycation.

Office: 1350 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, B.C. Phone: (250) 612-4181 Toll Free: 1(866) 612-7333

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97/16

97/16

THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS 97/16 PHOTOS BY JAMES DOYLE

Conductor MIchael Hall leads the Prince George Symphony Orchestra as they perform Franz Lehar’s Merry Widow Waltz on Saturday evening at Prince George Playhouse during Art of the Dance, the final PGSO mainstage concert series performance of the season.

Ten-year-old Amelia Moulder, left, is shown how to use a vacuum former

by Kyla Morgan on Saturday afternoon at Two Rivers Gallery during Science Odyssey Enhanced MakerLab.

Simon Harris checked out rifles Saturday morning in Kin 2 during the Prince George Rod and Gun Club’s 13th Annual Gun Show.

Madeline Kloepper read her book The Not-So Great Outdoors during Books and Company’s Saturday storytime.

Treasure hunters hoped to make their perfect find from their choice of 125 vendors on Saturday morning at the CN Centre parking lot during Recycling & Environmental Action Planning Society’s annual Junk in the Trunk sale.

Carnival rides light up the night sky at the Prince George Carnival on Friday night at CN Centre.

T H U R S D A Y , M A Y 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 | 11

NEWS 97/16

12 | T H U R S D A Y , M A Y 1 6 , 2 0 1 9

FIGHT BACK OR STAY QUIET?

Fighting back increasingly part of school shooting guidance THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BALTIMORE - The actions of students who died tackling gunmen at two U.S. campuses a week apart have been hailed as heroic. At a growing number of schools around the country, they also reflect guidance to students, at least in some situations, to do what they can to disrupt shootings.

A majority of school districts have now embraced such an approach, with experts saying educators need to give staff and students as many options as possible in the worst-case scenario. “In all honesty, I don’t know of another strategy,� said teacher Kelly Chavis, whose Rock Hill, South Carolina, school endorses a strategy known as Avoid, Deny, Defend. “What else would you do if you did not try to get away in a situation?�

Many schools have stuck with the traditional approach of locking down classrooms and letting law enforcement confront the shooter, especially in grade-school settings.

Encouraging students or faculty to do otherwise, critics say, could make them more of a target.

At the STEM School Highlands Ranch in suburban Denver, where student Kendrick Castillo was killed while confronting a gunman on Tuesday, the school uses a “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight� protocol, according to spokesman Gil Rudawsky. He declined to say whether any of the school’s training for students addresses whether they should fight an intruder.

But Brendan Bialy had thought about it on his own. He lunged with Castillo toward

AP file photo

A student helps block the classroom door with furniture during a mock lockdown drill at Moody High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 2013.

There always have been students willing to take action, said Greg Crane, who founded the for-profit ALICE Institute, which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. He said he created it in 2001 based on what had already been done by students including Jake Ryker, who tackled a shooter at Thurston High School in Oregon in 1998 despite being shot in the chest.

Many people have a “warrior mindset, a hero mindset,� Crane said. “It’s just, have we cultivated them with some information and with some training so that when they are

the gunman and wrestled the gun from his hand. “I don’t like the idea of running and hiding,� he told reporters Wednesday. “There’s certain situations if you got to get out of it, you got to get out of it, but like, I’m not going to say, like, cower or move out of the way for somebody who’s right in front of me. ... Somebody like that, I’m going to fight them there.�

Riley Howell, 21, died thwarting a shooter last week at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Alert messages at that campus advised students to “Run, Hide, Fight.�

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• Obituaries Laurent Bertrand LeBlanc -Forever Obituaries in our HeartsBorn Sept.

Business Opportunities 26, 1927 Park Haiste, in Sask., Travis peacefully passed Zenon Clifford October Coming Events Susumu 30, 1982 away June 14, Prince George, The family - June 7, 2016 in BUSINESS 2016.

Memorial Services of Travis BC. Laurent announce Shop, next for sale, Sewing was regret Zenon Park raised on a merchandise to Nelly’s Pub, Vancouver his sudden passing to Personal Messages farm in all . Travis for sale, enquiries Chamberla Sask., married in missed A Celebration 1955 they serious only. 250-564-2262 between by mother will be sadly nd in 1954, came to Rita LADY Looking 10am-3pm, Gardiner, forest industry will be held Of Life Prince George 7326 Wendy and in for fit gentleman, 250-64073-80 for father for (Bill) and raise Haiste, daughters Laurent companionshi Ann Blancha Toby smoker/drinke their family. to work in the p. Non Brother entreprenewas a hard working FATHERS rd Eden and(Leona) need apply. r. Only serious Kagetsu, 1:00pm DAY Tyler, Grandpare PANCAKE Emily, Clifford & c/o The PrinceReply to Box Monday Learn how ventures urial and inventive man with BREAKFAST Mark Kagetsu, 1032, June July George Citizen nts Mitzi June 19, fice outlet to operate a Mini-Ofan spirit. at Sunrise 4, 2016 2016 equipment in life include: Dirk HaisteHaiste, Uncles Retired gentleman Julia, Aunt Eagles puter. Can from your home Bruce farmer, Some of his 1255 RaymerVillage(Arlene) Tracy (Kevin non smoking looking for backyard operator, sawmill 6742 Dagg Hall boxer, friends. sis or full be done on a comand daughter& a lady for Road Gagel), ionship, p/t time 8:30 am companKelowna, Avenue, musician; inventor. Laurent owner, miner,heavy FREE online if you choose. bamany family to 11:00 Kagetsu. Predeceased by perhaps for outings, walking, BC am training and was also a port. and Grandfathe however his main instrument and fee. Reply movie or just a www.project4wsupa cofr Harry Travis you Laurent ness.com to Box Prince George was the great banjo, guitar could also ell1071, c/o will be forever Citizen. fiddle, Personal Messages play and in of the Old harmonica the our hearts.

Love your Time Fiddlers . He was mandolin, family always enjoyed ANYONE a member Employmen for with a drinking being aroundmany years. Laurent joking, lem? Alcoholics t probtelling Box 1257, people, Anonymous, entertained stories Prince George, Obituaries laughing, 250-564-7550 Bryan Minor Laurent and keeping generous, .

Restaurant/Hotel BC. people was and always did kind, creative, passed away Robert Mooney others in CRIMINAL EXPERIENCE what he RECORD? need. with his dian his side children ress needed.D Cook & could to Dad was CanaRecord family (Criminal help Suspension CYNTHIA Accepting Waitsumes at age of June 3, 2016 at by welcome and grandchildren, very proud Camelot American Pardon) seals record.

82 TAYLOR, Restaurant. reand everyoneof his December remembere years. He will the hearts. in his home. He entry. WhyWaivers allows Born 4, 1959, legal will be forever d and sadly was be risk employment, suddenly business, by his Laurent passed travel, on missed Skilled Help in our loving ortation, licensing, June 12, She will children LeBlanc is survived by peace of depwife Jean, 2016. consultation mind? his children: FULL Time her motherbe sadly missed 1-800-347-254 Free (Craig); Derrick and Pamela Forsythe, (Rose), Jeanine Maurice Apply withinHair Stylist needed. grandchildr 0 Jeannot her husbandIrene LeBlanc by LeBlanc, Leanne, (Rick), at Studio en Colleen, LeBlanc, Parkwood and Greg, Mykel, Aline Brent Cuts, Place. and all Maya; 10 Trent, Mark, Rawlings, Pauline Jaggers Valerie LeBlanc-Li the Taylor Hendricks great grandchildr Blake, Logan Kirk, (Ray), lly friends Shirley family Samuel, Michelle Price she has Jacqueline and (Glenn), Obituaries (Brian). and Celebration en; including Vaughan (Marcy).

(Cortney), Lisa, Kyle (Meghan), Grandchild her dog, left behind of life to (Dorothy) and siblings He is ren: Saturday, be held Gaylene, Stephanie, Danielle, Davaline Michael, and predeceas at 2120 Baby Girl.

Duke welcome. June 18 at Chantelle Melenka, ed by Dwayne Pine St service willsister Jean and Alissia, Melvin daughter (Jaromi), (Mike), Bryan, For 1:00pm. on brother Mitchell contact Latisha, 4:00 pm be held on Monday, Lyle. A and Brady.

(Mega Toys Henning Shanna, Tiny at viewing information Everyone Wayne, at Concordia Quinton, It is with 250-640-85 562-6038 Mel) Great grandchildr June 20, funeral South Main Saffire, Savina, Kiera, Kenzie, 57 or Brent, please 2016 at Lutheran family of heavy hearts en: St., Penticton, Michael Liam, Brandon, Church, Siblings: Ronin, Mykyl, at 2502800 passing Mel announces the Gabrielle BC with donationsSchutz officiating.

Lucien LeBlanc, on June his Hamelin, Jesse and Erick. pastor may be the age Gerard Society Deserosier Mathias made to In lieu of flowers, of 55. Mel 5, 2016 at QUEEN LeBlanc, Village The Good by his VONDA is survived Ave., Penticton, By The nephews, (Louis). As wellLeBlanc (Lori), Yvonne January Samaritan Station, daughter son Myles 12, as numerous cousins, BC V2A Condolenc 270 Hastings Laurent and June 13, 1927 family Megan 2V6.

Victor Melenka. nieces, was mother With heavy 2016 and www.provides may be sent Marie, parentspre-deceased in-law, and friends.

Mel also and father Eileen his (Donna), to the family encefunera the passing hearts we announce 1774 leaves his Juliette LeBlanc,Michel and by his loving wife and lhomes.com through of Eleanor (Francis), sisters Brenda brother Perry Ropchan.

Rita (Barry), Bazinet.

Therese Maria LeBlanc, sisters Vonda 250-493Carol, Amanda hunting, nephews,nieces Wife, Hudon, grandmoth airmodeler Family and and Simonne mother, Dad would and Friends s and black cousins, also was borner and friend. service for are was a very come help you powder Families. his Saskatchew in Duck Vonda on SaturdayLaurent at St. invited to a any time loyal friend, Lake, an. She and roll prayer love of Ropchan. of day, he married brother, a gathering June 25, 2016Mary’s Catholic Church her the Dad loved model to many, son at 10am, touched They were married life, Norman of friends Citizens always hardand uncle many people’s followed and family for 64 years. Nicoli Dad, it camping and cooking Hall. sense by working. didn’t matter at the Elder of humor. lives Mom for everyone. quading, Norman Predeceas and had a great motor biking, if it was RCing, and their sitting around ed lovingly black powder fishing, Joyce Elizabeth rememberedaughter Cheryl. by husband the fun. Love Al Ropchan, shooting d by Sharlene Vonda will Lazar (neeKecho you Dad, camp fire, you always or be Celebration we Kim Ropchan, granddaug Greenwood made it ) of Life to will all miss you. hters date. , Jo-Anne went to Greenwood Jamie be announced Forrest, McIvor and many June 11, be with the Lord Service at a later and other on battle with 2016 after a lengthy Tuesday, of Remembrancefamily and friends.Claire June 21, will be With great RYAN MICHAEL to family cancer. Her devotion Home, 1055 2016 sorrow, HORNE Ospika Blvd. at Lakewood held on passing supported and belief in of Ryan we announce Funeral God her during the January Michael and ultimately her 15, 1984 Horne. Ryanunexpected We will sadly gave her illness June 11, Joyce is 2016-He and suddenly passed was born peace. miss Ryan enjoyed was 32 children her loving survived by Richard, With Deepest you Mom. away on Kim, Sharlene, Donna spending years old.

Love; his friends, (Tom) Makowsky,Lazar (Martinhusband of 57 Al, Jo-Anne, time with years, Billinkoff), phone; he whether it be his family (Cara) Richard and Samantha Jamie, Claire Deborah Lazar, and (Joyce) with them always ensured in person or sisters Maryanne Lazar, Royce on the Joan (Anton) (Bill) and lifting every day. He that he was in contact Justin, Sentes, Rebecca, Glute, grandchildr also enjoyed at the It is hanging Ashley gym, with profound Paul, en Steven, training with his sadness dog Lync making people love of his (Derrick), (Philip), AmandaSarah (Ryan), and snuggling laugh, John, Richelle announce that (Liam), we Ryan is life; Crystal.

Caylee, (Von), Randi-Lynn the passing with the Rhianon lovingly of our beloved his parents remembere grandchildrDanielle, and (Danko), brother, d and cherished Brian and Gerard husband Joyce wasen Owen, Hailey, Karissa, and Lorrie, his great Sienna, Forrest Garden. by predeceas sister Tracy-her grandfathe Tom-and their and Elizabeth ed by her and Myra. daughter born in Gerard was Uncle Gregr Jack Horne, Aunts respectivel Kecho parents Lucy, his the Prince in Steve y.

George Robertson 1989 Linda Born and the USA. Lestock, , many cousins and Diane, Regional SaskatchewSeptember 22, and 2014, Hospital, Ryan is resided in Canada an 1938, in in from Prince graduated Crystal also survived by moved to Sask. until Jan. Joyce grew up George Prince George. 1970 when the love College and son/dog Prince, his step-son for 11 years of his life the Lync, most of and spent and retired She worked at family Shanda, Lane Prince, grandmoth his working Jordan and in-laws-Alphonse, Woolco when er in 1985. career The wake Joyce’s spirituality niece Brielle, at Northwood A woman she became Mandy, will be Pulp. a and Chewie. of Catholic personal family. With held at shaped by his father his house and mother, Gerard is predeceas 16, 2016 friends, and family-from took time a generous and strengthen faith, Left to for ed her and caring Elroy and to make ed pm. The at 5:00 pm to Saturday, Thursday, close special.

Garden grieve his loss Elda Garden. heart, she She enjoyed each family June Funeral (Gale), Don are brothers, June 3:00pm for her grandchildr is member John 18 on Saturday, baking delicious at 1:00 Garden Garden. at Lakewood Robert feel Ospika Blvd. were a crowd Sisters, Julie (Marie Claire), en and Garden Funeral June 18 at (Carmen Dinner to Thony (Ernie), favourite.A her homemade goodies Fr. Centre at with her (Jim), Patricia Home,1055 Conforti), follow at long with 4:30pm. donuts Paula Valerie the Friendship camping, ever-expanding spending uncles, nieces Garden. As Robinson time and nephews. well as many she was fishing, hunting family, Joyce The family never one loved and aunts, game. our hearts, wishes to thank, to turn down gardening, Joyce travelled a card or and highlight that cared all of the doctors,from the bottom of she and was the August extensively, and board particular, for Gerard during nurses and one their 50thRichard took with 2009 Alaskan his illness. staff Dr. Fibich, Dr. Ducharme, cruise the family anniversar In life will and Dr. Dr. Valev, Dr. Dr. York, Dr. Kraima, to celebrate y. A be K. Immaculate Saturday, Junecelebration of Joyce’s unit. WeYu, as well as the Wilson, Dr. L. Wilson 18 at 2:00 Ave. Prince Conception Church, love and have a special nurses at the p.m. at cancer George, 3285 Cathedral declines volunteers appreciation for acknowledgement BC. the nursing at the of made to flowers, however, Her family gratefully We love staff and the Prince you dearly Prince George donations Joyce’s Hospice Gerard’s and may can be physical George Hospice House. her family Society. presence Cathedral funeral will take God bless you all. will be place at the beauty takes comfort 18, 2016 (887 Patricia Blvd.) missed, Sacred in on Saturday Heart Arrangeme and peace in whichher eternal soul but presiding. at 11:00 am nts in care with Fr. and June she In lieu Home.

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the first one to stand up and start moving to do something, maybe they’re not alone?�

Educators from over 5,000 school districts have received the program’s training, often from certified law enforcement officers, Crane said. He said the program does not teach fighting strategies. Rather, it encourages people to make noise, create distractions and confuse the attacker.

Baltimore County Public Schools adopted ALICE this school year.

If an assailant gets too close, students are told to grab anything and throw it and scream, with the idea being to create enough chaos to escape. No young students are told to tackle or otherwise try to make physical contact, but staff members and older students have that option, Superintendent George Roberts said. “The adults are trained how to grab the arms, grab the legs and subdue� until police arrive, said Roberts, who was principal at Maryland’s Perry Hall High School in 2012 when a student brought a shotgun into the cafeteria and critically wounded another student. “This more active response provides a level of choice.�

Karen Shepard has several children and grandchildren in the Athens, Pennsylvania, school district, which also adopted ALICE training this year. She said she would prefer the children know not to stand clustered in a corner if a gunman burst into their classroom. “They should barricade, (and) they should have something in their hands,� she said. “At least they’d have a fighting chance.�

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T H U R S D A Y , M A Y 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 | 13

NEWS 97/16

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STUDENT TECH SQUADS HELP TEACHERS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo kindergarten teacher Maria Spurlock was still struggling after trying for more than a week to get a reading app working on all of her classroom iPads. When she learned her building had a new team of technical experts, she put in a request for help.

In walked 11-year-old Arefa Zaman, a sixth-grader with silver sneakers and a yellow “tech squad” T-shirt, who quickly went to work.

Buffalo Public Schools officials say it only makes sense for the youngsters who have grown up with technology to be part of the upkeep of the district’s thousands of iPads and laptops used every day. Students, in turn, hone practical skills.

It’s a strategy playing out around the country as schools increasingly supply devices to every student.

Student techs learn hardware and software fixes for the inevitable cracked screens, stuck keys, freeze-ups and dead batteries from school staff, each other, and online tutorials. Buffalo students even make field trips to an Apple store to learn technical support.

“They can do anything. Anything that we can do here, they can do,” said technology specialist Jerilyn Stellato, talking about her “Tech Team Junior” members at Oliver W. Winch Middle School in South Glens Falls, New York.

Modeled after Apple’s “genius bars,” the group works out of the library during and after school to service student Chromebooks.

“Our turnaround time is quicker now because we have more hands and the kids can repair a screen in a study hall, or during

AP file photo

Bennett High School students Galib Ovik and Rachael Miller work on re-imaging laptops in a school computer lab in Buffalo. They are among student technicians trained by Buffalo Public Schools to help maintain school-issued devices. their lunch they can repair a screen,” Stellato said.

In 2018, 59% of high schools and 63% of middle schools reported that each of their students had access to their own device, an annual survey by the Consortium for School Networking found, up from 53% and 56%, respectively, in 2017. Elementary schools with 1:1 programs, which supply each student with a device, increased from 25% to 29%.

Despite concerns from some about excessive screen time, fees sometimes passed along to students, and the challenge

for teachers to incorporate the technology into meaningful lessons, the consortium predicted 38% of students would have not one, but two devices within three years and that 18 per cent would have three devices in that time.

“For districts who don’t have the manpower, it’s a big undertaking. Little help desks like this where the kids take initiative and take care of the problems really does help out,” said Corey Moore, district technology technician in Kentucky’s Fairview Independent Schools.

His suburban district gives every student

from third grade up a Chromebook on which they do most of their schoolwork, about 600 devices in all.

About 10-15 students take turns staffing a shop set up in the atrium during the day.

“They are trained in full and complete tear down and repair of these devices, from screens to logic boards to as simple as ‘my headphone broke off in my Chromebook, can you get it out?”’ Moore said.

But it’s not all about repair.

In Buffalo, technology leaders realized early on that the task of collecting and getting the devices ready between school years would overwhelm its existing technology staff.

Last school year, more than 10,000 devices were distributed. This year, with the 1:1 rollout complete, the number has more than doubled.

Already, the district is recruiting high school students through a city-sponsored program to become paid technology interns over summer break. Last year, 22 students spent six weeks in July and August cleaning, cataloguing and resetting devices, earning $10.40 an hour.

“We had to go to different schools and get the computers of the students and reimage them, which is to basically reprogram the whole laptop, delete everything they used and install newer versions,” said Galib Ovik, a junior who interned last year. He is now part of a fledgling “geek squad” at Bennett High school, one of several the district hopes to establish.

“These are all skills that they will be able to take with them once they leave us,” said technology coach Brianna Pride, who oversees the student technicians.

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SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 19 97/16 IS A WEEKLY PRODUCT OF THE PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN

NEWS 97/16

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HERE’S HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GRILL THE WASHINGTON POST

Context is everything. I suspect that’s why some home cooks are less conscientious about cleaning their grills – it’s outside, everything is a little dirty outside! – than they are about, say, their ovens and stove tops.

But really, you should be treating your grill – especially the inside – as a sacred place and giving it the same care and attention you would any other major appliance.

“My feeling is that the grill grates should be immaculate and the rest of the grill should be relatively clean at all times,” writes grilling guru Steven Raichlen in “The Barbecue Bible.” “Clean grates are essential for killer grill marks, and they help keep food from sticking.”

His mantra: “Keep it hot, clean and lubricated.” Here’s how to do just that: 1. DO A SEASONAL CHECKUP.

2. TURN ON THE HEAT.

“Preheating is a must, and it also is the first step in cleaning the grill,” says Elizabeth Karmel, the chef and author of GirlsattheGrill.com and four cookbooks, most recently “Steak and Cake.” “Think of it as a sterilization process.” For a gas grill, turn the burners to high for 10 minutes; likewise, let your charcoal grill preheat with the lid on and vents open for 10 minutes. This will help burn off anything left over from your last grill session.

3. SCRUB THE GRATE.

Now that any residual food has been charred, it’s time to get rid of it.

Karmel suggests scrubbing with a ball of crumpled foil (about the size of a navel orange) held in a pair of long-handled tongs. That’s an especially good option for people worried about stray bristles from wire brushes, but if you have a metal brush you trust, by all means use it. In his book “Project Fire,” Raichlen says to look for a wire brush with bristles anchored in a twisted wire coil.

Washington Post photo

Some suggest scrubbing grills with a ball of crumpled foil. Clean grills are key to good barbequing, experts say.

America’s Test Kitchen’s top pick for grill brushes, the 12-inch grill brush from Weber, fits the bill. ATK also liked how its triangular shape made it easy to clean between the grate’s bars.

4. OIL THE GRATE (OR THE FOOD).

This is a combined cleaning and prep step, and it’s also a bit contentious. Many grilling experts recommend oiling the grate before loading it up with food.

Others argue that the oil residue can build up and actually cause food to stick.

If you’re oiling the grates: With the grill still on high heat, brush the grates with an oiled wad of paper towels held in that trusty pair of tongs. This will catch any bits of food you didn’t scrape off, as well as grease the grates so the food won’t stick, much as when you add fat to a pan on the stove top. Be sure you use an oil that can handle high heat. Raichlen says grapeseed and the cheaper canola are good bets.

In her new book, “The Backyard Fire Cookbook,” Linda Ly recommends Grate Chef Grill Wipes, which function similar to oiled paper towels. She has a few other creative suggestions, including spearing a halved onion on a barbecue fork, misting it with high-heat cooking spray

and using that to clean and oil the grates.

She says you can do something similar with the green husks from the corn you plan to grill.

In the other camp: Karmel is a strong advocate for oiling your food instead of the grates. By brushing a thin coat of olive oil on the food before placing it on a clean cooking grate, you’ll create a barrier that prevents natural juices in the food from turning into steam and evaporating, which can cause the food to dry out before it’s done.

Decide which method works best for you and roll with it.

5. REPEAT THE HEAT.

After you’re done cooking, Karmel says you should follow the same process as when you fired up the grill. Preheat for about 10 minutes and then scrub. To intensify the heat on a charcoal grill and help burn off the food, America’s Test Kitchen says you can place an overturned disposable roasting pan on the grates.

If there’s really a lot of food left on the grates, you can let the grill go for 30 to 40 minutes, Karmel says, “or until everything on the grates has turned to a white-gray ash.”

6. OTHER MAINTENANCE.

If you have a charcoal grill, remove the

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ashes after they have cooled for a day or two. After the ashes have been moved to a metal container away from combustible materials, mixed with water and cooled for several more days, they can be disposed of in your trash (in foil for extra security). If you used charcoal without additives, consider using the ash in the garden or compost pile.

For gas grills, pay attention to the drip pans. “Martha Stewart’s Grilling” says to clean out the larger drip pan that catches food at least monthly, and replace the smaller disposable pan that catches grease when it’s half full.

“Once a year, clean the inside of the grill with warm, soapy water - no abrasives,” Karmel says. “Make sure you rinse the grill well and let it preheat with all burners on HIGH for 30 to 40 minutes to burn off any residue.” If you have a charcoal grill, you can take this advice from “Martha Stewart’s Grilling”: After washing with dishwashing liquid, warm water and a sponge, take apart the grill, rinse it with a garden hose and let all the parts dry in the sun before reassembling.

If you tend to only grill in the warmer weather, it makes sense to do this big clean at the end of your season, so that your work will be even easier next year.

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Don’t remember what you did at the end of last year? Not sure what happened under your grill cover all winter? Before you turn anything on, give your grill the once-over. For a charcoal grill, Raichlen recommends scraping out the ash from the firebox if you didn’t at the end of your last grilling season. Also confirm that the metal vents open and close, and grease them with WD-40 as necessary.

For a gas grill, Raichlen says you should clean the drip pans, if needed.

Remove the grates and the baffle plates or Flavorizer bars that help direct grease away from the burner tubes. Then make sure nothing (spiders, spider webs, other organic material) is blocking the burner tubes. If flames don’t come out of all the holes in the tubes, you’ll need to clear the obstruction with something like a bent paper clip or thin wire. Make sure your igniter is working and you hear a click and see a spark.

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T H U R S D A Y , M A Y 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 | 17

© 2019 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 35, No. 23

Circle the places where you like to read.

When I settle down to read, I like something soft To rest my head.

That’s why my favorite place to read Is in my cozy ________ .

G

et Caught Reading is a campaign to promote the fun of reading books!

The Get Caught Reading organization provides posters to schools and libraries that show Olympic stars, entertainment stars and even popular book characters reading for fun.

It’s quiet where I read And that makes me so merry!

The place I go to read Is at my local _________ .

Can you get caught reading this month?

For information on how to get these posters go to getcaughtreading.org Circle the kinds of books you like to read.

Draw a picture of your favorite kind of book in your favorite place.

Color these readers. Then draw what they might be reading about in the thought bubbles.

Reading isn’t just for reading books, it is also reading recipes, directions, games, letters and more.

Scrambled Book Titles

Unscramble the titles of these famous books. Have you read any of them? You can find them at your local library.

by Patricia MacLachlan

REWEH HET ADEWSILK SEND

MAJSE NDA HTE TAGIN CHEAP

by Shel Silverstein

by Roald Dahl

YARDI FO A PIWYM DKI by Jeff Kinney

What’s black and white and READ all over?

Look at one page of the newspaper.

Circle every word you can read in red. Pretty soon your newspaper page will be black and white and red all over—just like the riddle!

Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate information.

Silly Book Puns

A pun is a play on words. Read the book titles below and then draw a line from the book title to the author’s name that makes a funny pun. For example: The Arctic Ocean by I.C. Waters. by Lotta Money by A. Stronaut by Abby Cadabera by Duncan Under by U. Turner

Standards Link: Follow simple written directions.

Reading is fun.

It makes me feel free!

Especially at the park In the shade of a ______ .

Far from the shore, I read wearing a coat Because it get’s chilly Reading on our _______ .

How many reading glasses can you find on this page?

HAARS, NAPLI DAN LATL

Finish each poem to discover where each person likes to read.

CHARACTERS Find the words in the puzzle.

How many of them can you READING find on this page?

RECIPES S R E T C A R A H C LETTERS K G E C A L P E T C CAUGHT TITLES O G A U U S E M A G BOOKS O T G H G W O G N T WHITE B I R E H N O I A A PLACE D T I I T N D R G P MONTH C L T H A A M P D U GAMES PAGE L E T T E R S A I N PUNS G S N R E C I P E S WORD Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recongized identical GET words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

My favorite books are thrillers And they can give me quite a scare.

That’s why I keep a very bright light on When reading in our easy _______ .

I like to read adventure books.

They’re really quite dynamic!

But I kick back to read them While relaxing in a backyard ____________ .

When I read, I try to sit up straight.

My mom says, “Please don’t slouch.”

But it’s hard to do that because I read while sitting on our fluffy ________ .

Standards Link: Identify words from context clues.

Tell at least three things that you appreciate about one of your teachers.

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THIS DAY IN HISTORY

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This is the front page from the May 16, 1979 edition of the Prince George Citizen.

You can search all of The Citizen’s archives online at pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca

NEWS

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OUR DEVICES STEAL OUR ATTENTION. WE NEED TO TAKE IT BACK.

Handout image

The cover to How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell.

THE WASHINGTON POST

Doing nothing could save your life.

What a notion in our productivity-manic times. The very idea of doing nothing is sure to provoke unease in people who treasure careerism and respectable living and who pursue, or feel compelled to pursue, socially sanctioned excellence.

In her approachable and incisive new book, “How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy,” Jenny Odell makes a case for turning away from our devices and social media and toward engagement with the world in a more personal,

aesthetic and cooperative way. The book is clearly the work of a socially conscious artist and writer who considers careful attention to the rich variety of the world an antidote to the addictive products and platforms that technology provides.

In writing about doing nothing, Odell could have given us a self-obsessive and self-indulgent tome or, conversely, a sanctimonious or pedantically utopian work. But she sails with capable ease between the Scylla and Charybdis of subjectivity and arid theory with the relatable humanity of her vision.

Though she doesn’t strike the pose of a

radical, there is a radicalism in her program of doing nothing that transcends normal classification. It’s at once a kind of political ideology, a spiritual practice, a moral imperative and an aesthetic reconception of the world as it can be when attention isn’t monetized, weaponized and atomized. It’s a form of liberation that doesn’t frame itself in direct antagonism to something else so much as it calls for a radical refocusing of attention toward the world around us.

To explain why we should refocus our attention, Odell notes the tension between being connected online and disconnected in the real world. We tend to stay online too much, she suggests, because digital platforms are structured to keep us connected for their own profit.

It is necessary to escape to engage in sensitive, actual human interaction. Though these are not necessarily new observations, it’s worthwhile to reiterate that, for all the social unity and disunity social media sites promote, the profit motive is the reason most of them exist.

In one of the book’s most persuasive sections, Odell discusses the Greek philosopher Diogenes, who is more commonly known through anecdotes about his way of life rather than his philosophy, which essentially was about living simply, naturally and without shame, all while rejecting the artificial trappings of society. Her portrait of Diogenes is instructive in an unexpected way for understanding the art of doing nothing.

Diogenes is famous for, among other things, living in a tub (or barrel) that he’d roll around Athens and walking around with a lantern, saying he was looking for an honest person.

Noting Plato’s characterization of Diogenes as “Socrates gone mad,” Odell astutely observes that whereas Socrates “famously favored conversation, Diogenes practiced something closer to performance art. He lived his convictions out in the open and went to great lengths to shock people out of their habitual stupor, using a form of philosophy that was almost slapstick.”

Diogenes famously lived doing nothing, refusing to accept the values of others. But he wasn’t a hermit, and he wasn’t a recluse. He lived engaged with the world,

all the while living apart.

Quite late in the book, Odell addresses the pernicious effects of social media on attention. She explains that Facebook and Twitter catch and kill sustained attention by eliminating context. Social media, she writes, casts users into a void composed solely of the present, where our focus is redirected so often that, perversely, it becomes one of the only places - sometimes the only one - where we can focus at all anymore. But that place lacks context and humanity and, therefore, sustainable meaning.

Given all this, how can doing nothing fix such a vast and complex social, cultural - and political - problem? She sees a need for a kind of Diogenes solution: Be engaged but apart. We must be able “to contemplate and participate, to leave and always come back, where we are needed,” she writes. She calls this standing apart. “To stand apart,” she observes, “is to take the view of the outsider without leaving ... It means not fleeing your enemy, but knowing your enemy, which turns out not to be the world - contemptus mundi - but the channels through which you encounter it day to day.”

By standing apart, one may be able to refocus attention on the world, mitigate its social divisions and inequality, hear and see it in all its strangeness and richness. Doing nothing really means doing something: living in accordance with nature, community and careful observation of the world. “When we pry open the cracks in the concrete,” Odell writes, “we stand to encounter life itself - nothing less and nothing more.”

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