P e o p l e A rts H o m e s F o o d c u lt u r e r e c r e at i o n H i s to ry Spring 2012
Life in the West Kootenay/Boundary Region
From roots to Roofs Son Ranch creates beautiful timbers from a healthy forest
Beyond the surface Mirja Vahala interprets the beauty that surrounds us
Sounds Cooperative Co-op radio stations are rooted in their communities
Tofulicious! Silverking Soya Foods cooks up local, organic, fresh bean curd
gallery 2
gallery 2 Grand Forks & District Art and Heritage Centre 524 Central Avenue 250-442-2211 www.gallery2grandforks.ca See our website for hours of operation and current exhibitions
Vist Our Gift Shop for a great selection of hand crafted items by British Columbian artists and artisans Grand Forks Visitor Centre 250-442-5835 email: gftourism@shaw.ca
July 14 Featuring live music, dance, performances and cuisine from the diverse cultures represented in the Kootenay region. Be a part of this exciting cultural event! Call for Vendors Exhibitor Booths
featuring
Taj Mahal August
3rd -5th
2012
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Kaslo
Jazz Etc Festival
Tickets 250-353-7577 tickets@kaslojazzfest.com www.kaslojazzfest.com
Route 3 Spring 2012
Exhibitors are encouraged to provide an “experience” for festival attendees through demonstration and presentation. If you are selling a product, a high quality of craftsmanship is expected and your product must be crafted, grown or produced locally. Any exhibitors with imported products will be asked to remove them immediately. Please include several pictures of your work with your booking form if applicable. $45 - $55 with power
Food Vendor Booths
The committee will be looking for a variety of local cuisines as well as family favourites. Food vendors must provide a permit from the Interior Health Authority by June 15, 2011 and abide by their rules and regulations. Non Profit $60 – Commercial $95
Non-Profit Exhibitor Booths
A non profit registration number must be provided with the application.These booths are for information only. No products or food items are to be sold and any items to be given away must be approved by the Festival Committee. $30 To apply please contact Audrey Polovnikoff at 250-365-3386 ext. 4105 or download and submit the application form at http://www.kootenayfestival.com/apply.html Check out our Facebook page and click the like button to receive updates. DeADline For suBmission is mAy 31, 2012
contents
Publisher Jackie Metcalfe publisher@ grandforksgazette.ca
Artists
Beyond the Surface
by Amy Robillard Castlegar artist Mirja Vahala interprets the beauty that surrounds us, page 5
Account Manager Chris Hammett route3@ grandforksgazette.ca Editor & Art Director Shelley Ackerman sackerman@telus.net
Food & Drink
The King of Tofu by Sandra Hartline
Jeff Mock, of Nelson’s Silverking Soya Foods cooks up local, organic, fresh bean curd, page 8
ROUTE 3 is published by Black Press 250-442-2191 or 1-877-443-2191 Box 700, 7255 Riverside Dr. Grand Forks, B.C. V0H 1H0
Forestry
From Roots to Roofs by Cassandra Chin
Son Ranch creates beautiful timbers from a healthy forest, page 12 Arts & Culture
Sounds Cooperative by Tyler Austin Bradley
Co-op radio stations in the Kootenays are rooted in their communities, page 17
Printed in Canada on recyclable paper. Copyright 2010 by Black Press. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any article, photograph, or artwork without written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. The publisher can assume no responsibility for unsolicited material.
Cover photo by David R. Gluns
Q&A
Rhea Heink presents some freshly-made Silverking tofu.
You Gotta Have HEART by Lana Rodlie
Ida Koric speaks about Husky Emergency Adoption, Rescue and Transport, page 22
FSC LOGO
Tidbits – a taste of what’s happening in the West Kootenay/Boundary Rock Creek Farmers' Market
Sat. May 5 Held every Saturday until Oct. Silver City Days
Trail May 8–13 The annual celebration commences with a mid-week Citizen of the Year Award. Trail continues the celebration with 5 days & nights of fun, food & entertainment. Nelson Garden Festival
200 Block Baker St, Nelson Sat. May 12 Annuals, perennials, early vegetable starts, trees, shrubs, furniture and all kinds of accessories will line the 200 block of Baker Street from 10am to 3pm. SS Moyie Open House
324 Front St, Kaslo Sun. May 13 Step back in time on-board the SS Moyie. Meet this year's mem-
bers of the Moyie crew in a meet & greet & enjoy an interpretive tour of the ship & site. Garden & Nature Fest
110 - 5th Ave, Castlegar Sat. May 19 Come and join in on this 3rd annual open-air festival showcasing 30-plus vendors selling a large array of plants: perennials, trees, herbs and veggies. Find garden art and treasures of all kinds! Kaslo May Days Celebration
Downtown Kaslo May 19 – 21 May Pole Dance performed by the 1st graders of Kaslo, Logger Sports Competition, Sk8Park Demonstration, Show N Shine Antique Car Show, horse show and Slo-Pitch ball tourny. Nelson Cottonwood Outdoor Market
Cottonwood Falls Park, Nelson
May 19 – Sat October 6 Every Saturday at Cottonwood Falls Park, from 9:30am to 3pm. Featuring live music, regional produce, eggs, great savory and sweet foods, and a variety of unique products. Sunfest
Castlegar June 1 – 3 This event includes the Miss Castlegar Queen Pageant, slow-pitch tournament & entertainment garden, parade, talent show, family BBQ, vintage car club show & shine & much more. Music In The Park
Gyro Park, Trail June 7 – August 30 Bring a blanket, lawn chairs & a picnic dinner & enjoy some live music in the summer sun. Music in the Park takes place every Thursday evening at the Gyro Park Gazebo.
Kaslo Art Walk
Front St, Kaslo June 9 – September 22 A plethora of local talent; both performers & visual arts. Opening night performances takes place Saturday evening. Rock Creek Poker Ride
June 10 Ride the Kettle River Horse Trails and try your luck at a poker hand. Proceeds to Discover Rock Creek. 11th Annual Castlegar & Area Garden Tour
Sun. June 24, 9am to 4pm Come join us for a tradition of local gardens: beautiful, exciting and unique! Brochures and maps will be available locally. Rock Creek Rodeo
June 30 Rock Creek fairgrounds. Spring 2012 Route 3
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Route 3 Spring 2012
Beyond the surface Castlegar artist Mirja Vahala interprets the beauty that surrounds us story by
Amy Robillard
H
ow do you translate life into art? For visual artist Mirja Vahala, it is all about painting dynamic naturescapes that go beyond the surface. Through colour, texture and composition, the Castlegar-based painter tells a story that is as fascinating as the process itself — and the results are spectacular. Originally from B.C.’s Lower Mainland, Vahala and her husband, Marc Conacher, made the trek east to establish Windborne Bed and Breakfast and Inspiring Minds Studio — a 1200-square-foot gallery housed in their beautiful B &B — in the small hamlet of Robson, just outside Castlegar. That was in 2007, and since then, Vahala has become a celebrated instructor, traveller and painter. With stunning and inspiring Kootenay landscapes at her feet, Vahala interprets her surroundings into vibrant pieces that make you want to crawl into
the painting to experience the beauty she has so wonderfully created. Having earned a degree in Graphic Design and Visual Arts from Kwantlan College University in Surrey, as well as establishing and running her own design firm for 15 years, Vahala’s work has a design-focused perspective. Whether her latest inspiration is mused by the mountains, the lakes, an abandoned car or a bundled tot, Vahala is able to visualize the final product — a truly magnificent gift. “By throwing colour on the canvas I create an under painting that gives me the tone of the piece. I sometimes utilize pencil sketches and shade patterning as I progress, but generally I adhere to my mental blueprint.” Her work is transcendental, and the variety of subject matter will charm even the most “green” art critic. Paintings such as “Visible” instigate a sense of immediate warmth delivered by the ➤
Spring 2012 Route 3
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Photo courtesy Mirja Vahala
Artists
Photos courtesy Mirja Vahala
From left: Actualize, Inner Light, and I Spy.
Page 6
glorious sun streaming through the trees. “Anticipation” — a glowing tent beneath a starry alpine sky dwarfed by mountains — fills one with the prospect of tomorrow’s adventure. The ability to provoke such emotion while simultaneously articulating her methods has brought incredible teaching opportunities to Vahala. Vahala instructs a variety of art classes through Selkirk College Continuing Education and through her studio Inspiring Minds. Her classes include everything from Becoming an Artist in 5 Days, to Bright Paintings that Sing with Colour, to drop-in art mentoring sessions. Lessons offer step-by-step instruction, individualized attention and constructive, supportive feedback from fellow students — a very worthwhile process for every artist. Vahala’s method instructing technique combined with her relaxed approach has won her much acclaim amongst not only the local art community but also her following around the world. In 2010, Vahala’s talent took her to the other side of the planet for a rare opportunity to work as Artist-inResidence for Holland America Cruises. Vahala and her husband travelled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to board the Vandeem passenger ship for the duration of her tenure. For 12- and 17-day back-to-back cruises, Vahala cruised around South America and on to Antarctica. The job was both fantastic and grueling. As Artist-inResidence, guests observed Vahala’s painting process
Route 3 Spring 2012
and methods. In addition to instructing casual watercolour classes, Vahala facilitated art talks and miraculously completed 15 commissions in 20 days. “It was fun (and exhausting) to paint on demand. All were of various penguins and there was good-natured joking about ‘Hey, another penguin painting!’” Vahala’s collection of penguin paintings is both fragile and adorable — life on Antarctic’s ice and tundra can’t be an easy one and somehow, Vahala captures this essence while keeping the charm of the waddling penguin. Unfortunately, all the paintings were scooped up and are now hanging in private residences around the world, but the remaining photos of them are well worth a visit to Vahala’s website. These days, Vahala is perfectly content to stick close to home, finding beauty in the local area and interpreting it as she sees fit. A recent painting was inspired by a fleeting moment on the Columbia River — A toasty tot bundled in his mother’s carrier, taking in the surroundings. “Walking alongside the Columbia River one snowy day, a trio of new moms with their infants walked by. Their young ones were colourful, wearing cold winter gear… Besides the colours, I was excited by the composition of the image: the angles and patterns were irresistible.” The process of concept to creation for this painting “I Spy” is wonderfully illustrated and articulated on Va-
hala’s blog: mirjavahala.wordpress.com. The blog offers a small window into an artist’s world. Vahala’s website is also wonderfully comprehensive. Her massive archive displays dozens of paintings. But, the authentic beauty of the paintings lies in every stroke that is only fully captured with a viewing. For us locals, opportunities abound to view Vahala’s work. Her paintings are scattered throughout the Kootenays and are exhibited on an ongoing basis at Nelson’s Gallery 378, Castlegar’s Kootenay Gallery of Art and Rossland’s Rouge Gallery. Most of Vahala’s work is acrylic on canvas, with an emphasis on richness of colour. Surprisingly affordable, her work is accessible to most. For those who have experienced the power of nature in the Valhalla Mountain Range, the calmness of the area’s lakes or the feeling of a crisp cold morning in a quaint mountain town when the light is just perfect, Vahala’s work is especially emotional. The familiarity of wonder fills every inch of Vahala’s works, capturing a feeling that is hard to replicate. Vahala’s vision as an artist says it best, “My vision is to create landscape paintings that convey, at a soulful level, something about our human journey.” To view these soulful works, please visit Vahala’s website at: www.inspiringminds.ca. For information on classes, commissioned work and Mirja’s artistic journey, please contact Mirja Vahala at: mirja@ inspiringminds.ca
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Food & Drink
The King of Tofu Jeff Mock, of Nelson’s Silverking Soya Foods cooks up local, organic, fresh bean curd ➤
Jeff Mock and Trish Heink display the seven kinds of Silverking tofu. Far left: Whitewater Cooks’ delicious Glory Bowl recipe features Silverking tofu. Centre above and below: Processing the soy beans into fresh tofu.
T
here is a story that the first batch of tofu was created by accident. A Chinese cook added the seaweed nigari to flavour a pot of of pureéd, cooked soybeans, the soybeans curdled, and the result was the highly nutritious, protein rich food we know today as tofu. Another legend has it that tofu was invented over 2000 years ago by a Chinese prince, Liu- An. Its Chinese name is doufu and in Japan, it’s called tofu. A staple in the kitchens of many Asian countries, it has been a significant part of the North American diet since the 1970s. Tofu contains many nutrients necessary for good health, and has the ability to almost miraculously absorb the flavours of surrounding ingredients. Like the legendary Chinese cook Liu-An, Jeff Mock, owner of Silverking Soya Foods in Nelson, story by started making tofu almost by accident — literally. A former photos by treeplanter and car mechanic, he was in a bad accident coming back from a trip to California in 1989, with the result that he couldn’t work for a spell. “For a while, I couldn’t even walk” he says. A friend introduced him to Greg and Ellen Lund, who had been making tofu in Kaslo but were now working out of a
Sandra Hartline David R. Gluns
trailer on Silverking Road in Nelson. At first, Jeff worked as a cleaner for the Lunds. “I had been working delivering flyers door to door when Greg asked me if I wanted to clean his tofu shop twice a week. So I got involved basically as a cleaning person. Greg was trying to sell the business at the time and I didn’t want him to sell, so I offered to be partners with him. Sometime later, Greg moved back to Kaslo, and in 1992 I bought the business.” Jeff is found in his shop nearly every day at its current location in the Old Brewery Building on Latimer Street. “Making tofu basically involves cooking soybeans. It takes about a pound of dry soybeans to make two pounds of tofu. So my day starts the night before, when I soak the beans. I start by soaking 300 pounds or more of soybeans, and by the next morning they’ll be swelled to twice their size.” By 7 am the next day, he’s back in the shop grinding and cooking his first batch of beans, The cooked beans are pressed to get the pulp separated from the milk. Then a coagulant (nigari, a traditional magnesium chloride from Japan) is stirred into the soymilk. The coagulant causes the proteins in the milk to clump and form curds. “At this point,” Jeff says. “you have a big vat of curds and whey.” The whey (a clear, brownish liquid) is skimmed off and then ➤
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the curds are bucketed into a form, cut, cooled and packaged. Local artist John Cooper provided the illustration for the package logo. “My soybeans are certified organic and I use locally sourced organic herbs and garlic. I make seven different kinds of tofu — regular, firm, herb (four herbs plus garlic), hot (cayenne and jalapeno peppers), curry, mushroom, and sea-fu (four seaweed vegetables — hijiki, dulse, arame and kelp). “So my tofu is organic, local and fresh. The business has had its challenges — for one thing, the equipment is second hand and often in need of repair. The economic challenge is to find a market for all I can make. So I gear my production to what I’m able to sell — finding new customers, keeping the business going, supporting my family.” Current customers include local area restaurants and stores in Nelson, Nakusp, Rossland, the Slocan Valley, Kettle Valley, the Okanagan and Grand Forks. Tofu is high in protein, calcium, and iron, and is known for its ability to absorb whatever flavour is added to it. Use tofu in a vegetable stirfry, fried rice or noodle dish, in salads or soups or dipped in hot sauce, or give one of the following recipes a try!
CRISPY FRIED TOFU 1 block firm or extra firm tofu 3 tbsp nutritional yeast 2 tbsp flour 2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 2 tbsp olive oil Slice the tofu into 1/2 inch cubes. In a small bowl, combine the tofu with the remaining ingredients, except the oil, and toss gently to coat the tofu well. Or, place all ingredients in a zip-lock bag or covered container and shake well. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and add tofu. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and lightly crispy.
CURRIED TOFU SCRAMBLE WITH SPINACH 1 tsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 package firm or extra firm tofu, pressed and crumbled 1 tsp curry powder 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp cumin (optional) salt and pepper to taste 2 tomatoes, diced 1 bunch fresh spinach Sauté the garlic and onion in olive oil. Allow to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion turns soft. Add remaining ingredients except spinach and cook, stirring frequently for another 5 minutes or so, until tofu is hot and cooked, adding more oil if needed. Add spinach and cook a minute or two, until just wilted.
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SPICY TOFU SCRAMBLE WITH HOT SAUCE
GLORY BOWL From Whitewater Cooks, by Shelley Adams
3 tbsp olive oil 1/2 yellow or white onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp soy sauce 1 12-oz package firm or extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 1 inch cubes 1/2 bell pepper, any color, diced 3/4 cup mushrooms, sliced 3 green onions, diced 2 tomatoes, chopped 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/4 cayenne pepper hot sauce or chili sauce, to taste salt and pepper to taste
The Bowl: 8 cups cooked brown rice 2 cups beets, grated 2 cups carrots, grated 2 cups almonds, toasted 2 cups spinach leaves 2 cups tofu, cubed
Sauté the yellow or white onion and garlic in the olive oil for 3-5 minutes, until onions are slightly soft. Add remaining ingredients, except salt and pepper. Stirring frequently, sautee for another 6-8 minutes, until veggies are done and tofu is lightly fried. Add a dash of salt and pepper, to taste. Wrap in a flour tortilla, if desired, or enjoy plain.
Glory Bowl Dressing: 1/2 cup nutritional yeast flakes 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 2 tbsp tahini paste Prepare your favourite brown rice and set aside. In a skillet sauté tofu cubes. To prepare dressing, combine nutritional yeast flakes, water, tamari or soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, tahini and crushed garlic in blender. Add oil in a steady stream. You will have leftover dressing to use again. To assemble the bowls, place cooked brown rice into eight bowls, top with beets, carrots, spinach leaves, almonds and sautéed tofu cubes. Drizzle bowls with dressing.
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Forestry
From Roots Cassandra Chin Photos by Chris Hammett story by
Son Ranch creates beautiful timbers from a healthy forest Page 12
Route 3 Spring 2012
to Roofs
T
he Son Ranch, located on 350 acres west of Grand Forks , is a bright example of small-scale forestry. The family-owned forestry operation focuses on selective logging and milling of higher quality timbers. Originally owned by a former CPR tire inspector K. P. Dondale in the 1930s, the Freer family moved onto the lot 20 years ago and have since continued to log and produce forest products. “It was actually called the Dondale Ranch at first, but somewhere along the line it changed to Son Ranch, and we’ve kept that name since,” Shilo Freer stated. “My father (Ross Freer) manages the woodlot and logging operations, while my mother (Janis Freer) works the kiln drier and four-sided planer that produces flooring mouldings and sidings,” he explained. Shilo himself focuses on building timber frame homes and structures. “My dad had been in logging for his whole life, and since we have the wood lot, it just made sense to have a sawmill,” he said. “From there my mother bought a kiln dryer and four-sided planner, so we could produce flooring and roofs and all the trim work.” The Son Ranch motto is “roots to roofs, and everything in-between,” choosing to practise selective logging, rather than clear cutting, as “It’s whole value behind our forest practices that our customers respect, and the fact that our forest looks better after we’ve logged it than it did before. It’s healthier for the trees and healthier for the animals,” Shilo pointed out. Rather than replanting trees, the Freers allow the forest to naturally reproduce, so within a hundred foot radius, one can find several different ages of trees. “We try to keep it like that rather than wiping everything out and having everything be young. If a disease or something goes through and affects the trees, you’re left with nothing.” Shilo recalls his father and a former co-worker cutting down a tree several years ago. As the tree fell, they noticed a flying squirrel leaping out of the tree. Operation was quickly stopped for the day to prevent any further undo stress on the squirrel and to allow it to relocate. “That can’t be done if you’re clear-cutting a lot,” he said. “Our production may be slower but we do end up with higher quality and a nicer forest in the end.” What makes Son Ranch unique is their ability to offer customers an opportunity to select the trees they would like and watch the entire process from a rental cabin located onsite. “It’s neat that we can have a client come here and pick a tree that they ➤
Left: Janis and Ross Freer with Laddie and Zar outside the old barn that houses the Boundary Logging Museum. Top right: Shilo Freer at their mill where the large timbers are cut. Bottom right: Many of the collected items on display at the museum were donated. The “Chainsaw Tree” outside the barn housing the museum could almost be called art. Spring 2012 Route 3
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Son Ranch provided the timbers for the Christina Living Arts Centre, above, and this luxury home built in Hawaii, right.
want going across their living room,” he said. “People get disconnected with how their product is produced. It’s an added value because people can watch their timbers being produced and not just show up as a magical little bundle.” Son Ranch has been a part of several large projects, including the timberframe work completed at the Christina Living Arts Centre and a four-month project in Hawaii. The Hawaii home was built on a $15 million lot next to the Pacific Ocean, and featured 25-inch wide pocket doors on each side of the living room. “There were definitely no expenses skimped on for that project,” chuckled Shilo. “The panels can slide back automatically and allow the ocean breeze to flow through.” A treasure trove of local history can also be found at the Son Ranch. With tall beams of wood still standing strong, the Boundary Logging Museum is centred within an old barn originally built by the original homesteader. Lined across the timber floors and dangling from the rafters is a collection of donated saws and antique machinery. From rusted chainsaws to the yellowing photographs lining the walls, the museum abounds in logging history from across the Kootenay Boundary. One aged photograph tells the story Page 14
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of the Pope & Talbot employees’ strike with protestors lining the streets and large signs declaring their frustration. “Forced to quit, high license, high fuel, no roads, no loads,” reads one such photograph, while others show huge timbers on the back of dirt-encrusted trucks. “There are around 400 antique chainsaws, a lot of local history, and thousands of photographs,” explained Shilo. “It’s kind of snowballing since we started collecting items for the past 15 years.” During the summer the museum is available for tours and open houses, where former loggers like to gather and discuss their experiences.
“That’s why I try to tell people about this place; it’s historical, educational and cultural, and it’s about the sawmills and logging history within the (Boundary area),” he added. “The folks have a wonderful time having lunch surrounded by memories of days gone by. Many of them have donated artifacts to us as they see we are respecting and promoting the industry.” For Shilo, the best part of the family business is watching how the trees turn into timber, and from timber it turns to lumber. “Just being a part of the whole process of small scale roots-to-roof type of thing,” he said. “Either for a beam or for firewood, you’re getting the ultimate use out of a product,
where bigger companies don’t have that option.” Janis agreed. “I like seeing a piece of wood that doesn’t look like much out there, but when you put it through the kiln or planner and it turns into something gorgeous. When you use aspen, it comes out in different colours, so it starts out looking like garbage but the end result is that you can see the different knots and grains. It’s neat how pretty it becomes.” Ross has been known to say “It’s as close as heaven as I’ll ever get,” and Shilo is inclined to agree. “We enjoy what we do,” he concluded. “It’s our piece of heaven.”
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Arts & Culture
Photos: Fred Rosenberg
Sounds Cooperative Tyler Austin Bradley
W by
orking cooperatively can be a challenge at the best of times. But instituting a cooperative organization, literally creating a co-op whose area of focus is broadcast radio, might send some prospective DJ’s, aspiring radio personalities, even a fickle listenership screaming for the hills. To imagine the station meetings that might result when dozens of passionate music enthusiasts, community members, and a similarly diverse group of socially and politically active people intersect may very well conjure of visions of pure anarchy, all carried out to the mish-mashed beat of calypso, roots, reggae, bluegrass, and any one of a hundred other overlapping genres competing for air space. Fortunately, though, that is not the case at either of the two upand-running co-op radio stations here in the area, anarchy noticeably absent at both Kootenay Co-op Radio in Nelson, and Rossland’s own
Rossland Radio, “Your Voice In the Wilderness.” Meetings are not just civil, but downright cooperative. And the programming itself? Well, diversity is paramount. From KCR’s Bogside, traditional Irish music presented by mother and son team Brigid and Paddy Duddy, to the finger-on-the-pulse of the contemporary music scene via Ghost-Modern, the audio needle bounces back and forth between an ever-changing soundscape and equally divergent head-space. The Ecocentric, Deconstructing Dinner, Love, Sex, and Everything Between are a mere sampling of Co-op radio features meeting and challenging the needs of the listening audience. Yes, with volunteers and members sharing equal rights or shares in the organization, it is a far cry from the safe, standardized, privately held for-profit radio most of us have grown up with. But that’s the point — this is not your formulaic, top-40 radio, nor is it an ad-heavy ➤
Co-op radio stations in the Kootenays are rooted in their communities Above: Kootenay Co-op Radio’s Catherine Fisher, Richard Metzner, and Paddy and Brigid Duddy. Below: the crew at Rossland Radio at their recent annual general meeting. Photo courtesy Rossland radio
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multinational venture whose version of “news” is reading out press clippings from the latest faraway celebrity scandal. Cooperative radio is rooted in the community, for the community, and made possible by members of the community, their participation and input molding the die for each station. Founding KCR member Zoe Creighton, involved prior to the co-op even becoming incorporated as such in 1998, observes that in meeting its mission (to create a medium for balanced expression of the varied perspectives of our community, and to entertain and inform listeners through a commitment to high quality, innovative programming), the station is “like glue. We pull people together.” In the fourteen years since its first broadcast, Creighton has seen the area served by KCR and the world itself change. “Originally, our aim was to bring the world into the area. That was pre-Internet, but now we’re seeing locally produced shows available around the world.” So while KCR may serve the immediate vicinity in and around Nelson, the programs and culture it strives to illustrate or illuminate through audio extends much, much further; correspondence from as far away as Japan is routinely received at KCR’s headquarters on Hall Street, a physical presence whose acquisition was no small feat in itself. “We purchased the building in 2007, and the renovation was done almost entirely by volunteers,” operations manager Terry Brennan notes. “We feel very fortunate to be in this location.” It seems fitting, too, that the building came with its own bit of local history, originally a Chinese laundry back in Nelson’s silver-mining days. “It was called The Laundry of Infinite Achievement,” Brennan notes.
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Route 3 Spring 2012
Strait of Georgia Through its operations mandate and community advocacy, KCR station of their own. With an eye to longevity, KCR has contributed and carries on in a similar tradition, though its claims are somewhat more amassed an enormous amount of information as both a case-study in humbly stated. With achievements that include four transmission towas a dynamic, constant-learning experience/enterprise. —puts your advertising where it will “how-to, work” and hard for you! ers, a growing membershipevery base, and an inclusive Radio has been one such beneficiary of KCR’s trailblazing in 18,000 copies—In mailbox, oncome-one-come-all the ferries and atRossland the ferry terminals attitude, KCR has become a success story and a resource for other the broadcast sector, and the membership in the mountain-top town is aspiring cooperative radio-minded quick to credit their peers down the road for helping get ”Your Voice in Attn: Rachel Date:communities. August 2/11 With 2012 officially recognized as “The Year of the Co-op,” KCR is the Wilderness” heard. currently engaged in a project titled “The Sounds Cooperative,” the Of the ongoing challenges faced by the novice station, Rossland development of an online handbook/reference aimed at assisting inRadio’s Jackie Allard notes, “Constant fundraising is a lot of work, and terested parties in the creation of a community-run cooperative radio volunteers can get burned out when worked too hard.” Devising an ➤
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event to engage the public and utilize the talents of radio station personality Phyllis Dillus (a.k.a. Phil Loosley) and others, a Rossland-bred solution to fundraising woes has since become one of the most highly anticipated evenings in the year. “Our most successful event is our annual Trivia Night,” Allard laughs. “We call it ‘The Price is Jeopardy or No Deal of Fortune,’ a game-showthemed night that pits local teams against one another. We Listen UP! will be hosting our third one in March, and we split the Kootenay Co-op Radio proceeds with other groups in at 93.5 FM in Nelson, 96.5 our community, like the Food in Crawford Bay, 107.5 in Bank.” New Denver, or online at Sharing premises with the www.kootenaycoopradio.com Food Bank, too, has helped Rossland Co-op Radio the station keep costs low by at 101.1 FM or online at setting its home up within a www.rosslandradio.com city-owned building. Founding member Marty Cancilla (DJ Anonymous) extends these recommendations to other would-be cooperative stations. “Go for a strong FM signal right away, don’t mess around with the low power demonstration license. Try to keep operational costs as low as you can, namely, seek a place with cheap to little rent. Syndicate with other stations to help fill up your schedule and network with other coop/campus radio stations. Keep the cost of memberships low.” Now that’s keeping things cooperative.
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Route 3 Spring 2012
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Spring 2012 Route 3
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Q&A with Ida Koric Interview by Lana
Rodlie
You Gotta Have HEART
S
Why bring dogs all the way from the Northwest Territories? The only official shelter in the Northwest Territories at Yellowknife is constantly above capacity. It has to turn away dogs in desperate need or is forced to put down dogs deemed unadoptable. Are dogs mistreated up there? There is no adherence to (humane) laws. Dogs are on the bottom of the list and police are too overwhelmed with other issues to care much about them. The “pet, inside-dog” doesn’t exist. All dogs live outside, and people who run sled dogs keep them on a six-foot long chain tied to a two-bytwo, three-foot high (dog) house. There’s no practice (pulling sleds), and no care is given as to when or what they are fed. They suffer with frozen water and sleep outside. Puppies get eaten by ravens. There’s no spaying or neutering and they get shot if they’re sick or injured. Dogs that get loose or run wild are shot. A bylaw officer gets $50 for every dog he shoots, so there is no incentive to find the owner or adopt them out. It’s very frustrating. What kind of dogs are these? About 95 per cent of them have husky in them. But there’s a lot of shepherd, collie and malamute (crosses). They survive with a decent winter coat. What are the logistics and costs of getting a dog here? We coordinate with Northwest Territories SPCA and First Air. The dogs are flown to Edmonton at a cost of $50 per dog. Pawsitive Match picks them up and finds transportation to send them south, usually two or three dogs per vehicle, so another $25 or so for gas. Adoption fee for puppies is $250; adults over six months are $225 and senior dogs are $150. This includes a spay or neuter deposit of $150 which is returned once the animals are altered.
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Photo courtesy Ida Koric
arah Fulcher was horrified at the tragic massacre of sled dogs in Whistler, following the 2010 Olympics. The owner of Barks & Recreation Pet Services in Trail contacted Ida Koric, a friend who was teaching in Yellowknife. Koric, who now lives in Rossland, frequently brought sled dogs down from the Northwest Territories. The two formed Husky Emergency Adoption, Rescue and Transport (HEART), an organization to save these animals and provide loving homes in the Kootenays. Since May 2011, HEART has saved 47 dogs. While Fulcher is still supportive, Koric now runs HEART, along with help from Pawsitive Match, a dog rescue group operating out of Edmonton and Calgary. Koric explained for Route 3 how HEART works to save these beautiful animals.
Ida Koric welcomes some HEART rescue puppies to the Kootenays.
How long does it take to place a dog? The longest was three months; but usually a few weeks. We just got in four dogs, but usually bring in five or six per month. However, we brought in 18 puppies in November. How difficult is it for the dogs to adapt to their new families? There are two types of dogs. The first are the really frightened, cautious and timid ones. They take time to develop trust. But once they do, they become extremely loyal dogs. The other set are almost feral – high energy with anxiety issues. When they run loose, their recall isn’t great. But we haven’t had any unadoptables. Having another dog in the home is a benefit because the new dog kind of learns the ropes from the other dog. Every dog has a difficult time, but from our experience, once they settle in, they are so appreciative of being out of their former circumstances. It takes time but is so worth it. They become loving, devoted dogs. Any health issues? Sometimes they’ll have kennel cough and some take time to adjust to the air here. How many dogs need rescuing? There are thousands and thousands of neglected, unloved dogs. It’s horrifying. I used to drive the 1,400 miles to Rossland with my Rav 4 loaded with dogs. I just couldn’t leave them there. If people want to adopt a dog, how do they go about it? Through the website is the best way. They can print an adoption form off there. We also need fostering because we don’t have a shelter. Check out the website for HEART at: www.heartdogrescue.com
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