Clearwater Times, February 07, 2013

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Thursday, February 7, 2013 ▼ Volume 48 No. 6 ▼ www.clearwatertimes.com ▼ $1.40 Includes HST

LOCAL NEWS: FIRST NATIONS EXPRESS CONCERNS ▼ A3T

HE

NORTH THOMPSON

TH

ETimesSecond Place

General ExcellenceB.C. and Yukon

<2,000 circulation2012

Blue RibbonRunner-up

Best All Round Newspaper

All of Canada<1,250 circulation

2012

FIRST GIRL BORN:Simone Mae Colborne arrives Jan. 8. See page A13 inside.

Keith McNeill

Title should be transferred this week as Simpcw First Nation acquires 20 acres of land next to Raft River, according to Steven Patterson, the band's land manager.

“Simpcw First Nation is a very progressive community and this is their first community-owned fee simple lands,” Patterson said. “They will be a taxpaying landholder just like everyone else, and it is a key move towards getting away from the strained relationship with the federal government and moving towards independence.”

The area was a traditional fishing site and was a gathering point for families as they migrated north and south throughout the seasons.

Patterson said it is too early to say exactly what the plan is yet, but he believed the intent is to keep it as fee simple as opposed to converting into reserve.

He noted that if the land is given reserve status it then would be sub-ject to the rather archaic terms of the Indian Act.

This area is located almost right in the center of Simpcw First Nation traditional territory.

Chief Rita Matthew has said she would like to hold a celebration at the site once the ground is dry enough. People alive today remember mem-bers of the band using the Raft River area as a base for berry-picking and fishing in the region.

The shoreline of the property was until recently seen by many local

residents almost as a public beach. However, previous landowners blocked access. Simpcw First Nation apparently plans to develop the prop-erty in cooperation with District of Clearwater, but what direction that development will follow is not yet clear.

Norsemen maraud Candle Creek TrailsViking Daniel Boudreau and troll Robert Beaudry take part in the 15th annual Wells Gray Birchleg, this year held for the � rst time at the Candle Creek Trails near Clearwater. For more photos and information on how the event turned out, see page A11 inside.Photo by Keith McNeill

A Google Earth image shows the location of 20 acres of land next to Raft River that Simpcw First Nation is acquiring. The area was a traditional � shing area and gathering place for the band. Plans for the property have not been � nalized. Google Earth graphic

Simpcw First Nation buys land next to Raft River

A2 www.clearwatertimes.com Thursday, February 7, 2013 Clearwater Times

Keith McNeill

As of late last week an online peti-

tion organized by Canadian Auto Works against pro-posed scheduling cut-

backs by Greyhound had about 800 names.

The cutbacks would see bus ser-vice to Clearwater reduced from two buses per day in each direction to just one.

Instead of having a daytime bus and a nighttime bus to both Edmonton and Vancouver, the com-munity would have the nighttime service only.

The cutback is part of a package of

service reductions recently approved by BC Passenger Transportation Board.

“Despite an online campaign which gathered nearly 800 signatures many of whom left poignant messages as to why service should remain the same or improve, the Passenger Transportation Board saw fit to grant the cuts to service,” said CAW

114 president Gord McGrath.

“Minister Polak has already stated she will not reverse this decision, despite having the author-ity to do so. This is a slap in the face to thousands of cus-tomers and hundreds of communities who rely on Greyhound for service and the workers who pro-vide this service,” he added. Continued on page A3

Keith McNeill

An accident involving a snowmobiler with an apparent broken leg has Blue River heli-ski operator Mike Wiegele once again asking for tighter standards for the snowmobile industry.

“Giving consideration to the time, the location, the injury and the lack of emer-gency rescue equipment by the sledding group, it was fortunate that the injured sledder came out alive,” Wiegele said.

The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 19, in the Smoke Creek drainage southeast of Blue River.

The injured sledder had been snow-mobiling with a group when he and his machine apparently rolled down into the forest below.

A SPOT emergency device was acti-vated to request help via satellite.

RCMP passed the request onto Mike

Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in Blue River.“I requested two helicopters to the site,

with one as a backup because the rescue call came late in the day (15:20). There was a lack of details as to the nature, type and location of the accident,” Wiegele reported.

When they arrived at the scene they found that it was a narrow open area or meadow, adjacent to a steep south-facing upwards slope of approximately 50° plus. The meadow was near the top of the tree line at approximately 7,000 feet elevation. The weather was overcast with flat light, and the injured person was in a steep area of obvious avalanche terrain and high danger in poor snow stability. According to Wiegele, the sledders were high-lining in what he described as exceedingly hazard-ous terrain.

The rescuers found the injured sledder wrapped in blankets but showing the early

signs of hypothermia. He apparently had not been moved in about two hours. With the light fading, the pro-cedure was “load and go,” said the heli-ski operator.

The rescue crew made a trail

about 100 m up the hill to the victim, sta-bilized his injuries, then slid him down to where he could be evacuated.

The injured man was flown by heli-copter to the medical clinic in Blue River, where he was treated by a doctor who was a guest at the resort. He was then trans-ported by ambulance to hospital.

According the Wiegele, the snowmobil-ers had no equipment (such as a leg splint) to administer first aid or to transport the injured person to a pick-up location. They had no method of communication other than the SPOT device, he said. Apparently the sledders did little or nothing to help during the rescue and, in fact, some con-tinued to high-line the adjacent slopes.

“It is the observation and opinion of our safety committee that a catastrophic accident with multiple injuries and fatali-ties, of similar or larger magnitude as the Revelstoke shootout two years ago, will occur,” Wiegele said.

Such an incident could involve 50 or more fatalities and would tarnish reputa-tion of all winter recreational activity operators and of B.C. tourism as a whole, he felt.

The snowmobile clubs and organiza-tions within the North Thompson Valley are not adequately prepared for emergen-cies, he said. According to Wiegele, the lat-est incident was the third emergency rescue MWHS has been called upon to perform so far this season. He said not one rescuer from the snowmobile community was seen at any of those three rescues, or at similar rescues the heli-ski company has per-formed over the past few years.

“Appropriate government authorities must take immediate action by initiating and implementing Worksafe BC law of safe travel in the back country,” Wiegele said.

“If people and operators do not comply with this law, they put themselves, us and the province at the highest risk of poten-tial liability. They must be held account-able for their actions.”

Six Wells Gray Search and Rescue members also responded to the SPOT emergency call. They were stood down at the SAR Hall in Clearwater when it was determined that Mike Wiegele helicopters had arrived on the scene and had evacu-ated the injured snowmobiler.

Wiegele assists at snowmobile accident

CAW continues fight against Greyhound cuts

MoTI Ad # 959B

Kamloops This Week

5.83” x 7.5”4 columns x 105 lines

The Thompson Nicola District of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is creating its list of registered Equipment for Hire in the Thompson Nicola Service Area for the fiscal year 2013/2014, which begins April 1, 2013. This area includes Kamloops, Sun Peaks, Savona, Barriere, Clearwater, Lytton, Logan Lake, Merritt and Merritt south to Portia.

All individuals or companies registered this past year through the District Office in Kamloops will be receiving invitations to re-register their equipment for the coming fiscal year by mail by the end of February.

Any individuals or companies who were not registered in 2012, but wish to have their equipment listed, are hereby invited to contact the District Office, either in person or by phone, to obtain the appropriate registration forms.

In order to register, you will be required to provide us with proof of ownership documents, a copy of your current Commercial General Liability insurance policy and ICBC insurance paper (where applicable) at the time of registration. We will be unable to register equipment without documentation.

Worker’s Compensation Board coverage must be active and in good standing at the time of hire.

Only owned or lease-to-own equipment is eligible for registration. Equipment can only be registered in one area in any given year. Seniority is not transferable from area to area.

The deadline for new registrations is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2013. Late registrations will be accepted, but may appear at the bottom of the open list. Note that there is no charge for registering new equipment or for changing or removing equipment information already listed.

Hired Equipment RegistrationThompson Nicola District

Register through the Thompson Nicola District Office at:447 Columbia Street, Kamloops, B.C.

You can also phone 250 828-4002 or send a fax to 250 371-3848 to have the forms mailed or faxed to you,

or register on-line at www.bcbid.ca.

Thank YouTo the sponsors and helpers who made

Iceman great community event

• Pharmasave • Wadlegger Logging • Bartschi Motor Sports • Aspen Service Centre • Wells Gray Air Service • Clearwater Computers

• Interior Savings Insurance Services • Kurt Dodd Contracting • TNT Transmissions

• Clearwater Baptist Church • Super Save – Borrow Enterprises • CSS Shop

• Bayley’s Bistro • The Times – Black Press • Clearwater Septic service • Surplus Herbies

• Home Hardware • Fleetwest Enterprises • Aspen Auto Parts • Wells Gray Inn • Rona

• Kal Tire • Bruce Martin and Assoc. • Clearwater Hatchery Staff

Please shop local and support

these businesses

“When you need us, we’re close by”

Call Drake at 250-674-3030 or 1-877-674-3030 day or night.

When a death occurs, I’m here to help you, every step of the way. 24 hours a day, every day.If you have made pre-arrangements elsewhere and would like to discuss having your local funeral home take care of you, please feel free to call.

Drake Smith, MSW(Funeral Director/Owner)

NORTH THOMPSONFUNERAL SERVICES73 Taren Drive, Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N2

Clearwater Times Thursday, February 7, 2013 www.clearwatertimes.com A3

Submitted

Simpcw First Nation and Adams Lake Indian Band have signed an agreement to work together on their joint concerns over potential impacts of the proposed Harper Creek Mine on First Nations resources and rights in their ancestral lands.

Yellowhead Mining Inc. (YMI) is propos-ing an open pit copper, gold and silver mine in the upper Harper Creek watershed, near Vavenby. Harper Creek is a tributary of the Barriere River, so the water from Harper Creek flows into the North Thompson River and the Fraser River. The Yellowhead prop-erty covers a total of 42,636.48 hectares, and the fully developed pit will be 2,400 m long and 1,670 m wide, with a depth of approxi-mately 375 m.

In addition to the open pit there will be a tailings pond and waste rock piles, as well as access roads and a power-line right-of-way to the site. The expected lifespan of the mine is at least 28 years, during which time the concentrator is expected to process an average of 70,000 tonnes per day of mate-rial, and the average rate of mining in the pit will be 165,000 tonnes per day. The maximum storage capacity of the tailings pond will be in the range of 720,000 — 920,000 cubic metres. The site of the pro-posed mine is at high elevation in the upper reaches of the Harper Creek watershed.

Based on technical reviews and fieldwork focusing on the plans for the Harper Creek project, Simpcw First Nation and Adams Lake Indian Band leaders are considering a partial list of con-cerns about the project, including the following:

• Traditional use and archaeology field-work results showing extensive long-term First Nations use of resources in the project area for sustenance and spiritual purposes;

• the existence of at least two known sacred sites and/or burial sites

in the project area; • the presence of at

least one species at risk (i.e. mountain caribou) in the project area;

• potential threats to fisheries in the Harper Creek and Barriere River watersheds due to withdrawal of water

upstream that could affect unfavourably both the water tem-peratures and useable area in downstream fish habitat;

• potential threats to fisheries in the Harper Creek and Barriere River watersheds due to underground seep-age of tailings into the watershed;

• destruction of First Nations traditional food plants and medici-nal plants in project area;

• possible future fail-ure of the tailings pond due to extreme natural hazards associated with global warming, e.g. high spring run-off, extreme rainy weather, debris avalanches;

• destruction of tra-ditional First Nations trails for traversing the project area;

• intrusion into the project area of new roadways and power-lines that dramatically increase accessibility of the area to predators, hunters, recreational fishing, berry-picking, mushroom-picking and various non-aboriginal recreational uses (e.g. off-road vehicles) that would disrupt First Nations traditional uses in the area;

• potential contami-nation of the air-shed downwind of the Harper Creek project by dust and airborne tailings particles;

• potential seismic vulnerability of the tailings pond, given the historical record of earthquakes in the project area and the position of known fault lines;

• lack of risk assess-ment of potential impact of blasting over 28 years on bedrock, potentially causing seepage of contami-nated mine water into aquifers;

• lack of secure, quantifiable long-term economic benefits from either YMI or B.C. commensurate with the long-term damage and/or risks to First Nations aboriginal lands and resources;

• loss of esthetic wilderness values due

to the creation of a large open pit, waste rock piles and a tailings pond that will remain for many generations into the future after the mine has been decom-missioned.

Simpcw and Adams Lake leaders have not yet taken a firm position either for or against the project, but they are concerned that so far neither YMI nor the provin-cial government has been able to clearly quantify the level of impacts and/or risks to traditional aborigi-nal resources values in the Harper Creek watershed, nor has it been shown that the potential economic benefits to the two First Nations commu-nities would be com-mensurate to the level of potential long term damage and/or risks to their traditional lands and resources.

Chief Rita Matthew of Simpcw First Nation stated: "We are in favour of sustainable resource development for the economic benefit of all communities in our territory, but not resource extraction at any price or any level of risk to future gen-erations.."

Chief Nelson Leon of the Adams Lake Indian Band stated: "The shareholders

and executives of YMI stand to make many millions over the 28-year lifespan of this project, but none of them live here. Our great grandchildren will be left with a giant hole in the ground, and possibly a much impoverished and at-risk natural environ-ment long after the mine is closed."

Both leaders expressed concern that the processes for approving the mine do not provide enough time or resources for First Nations commu-nities to develop a plan for dealing with project impacts and obtaining appropriate economic compensation.

First Nations raise concerns on Harper Creek project

Continued from page A2McGrath encouraged those con-

cerned to voice their opinion to Minister Polak and their MLAs either through the CAW Local 114 website or by fax, phone or email.

“During the provincial election in May, I hope candidates are questioned on their position on this issue. It is not too late to make a difference,” said McGrath.

CAW Local 114 currently repre-sents over 4,000 members across B.C. and Alberta. The CAW’s petition to have Greyhound’s application approval reversed can be viewed at www.cawlo-cal114.com.

For Minister Polak’s response to the petition, see her letter on page A5.

CAW president encourages riders to voice concerns

Simpcw Chief Rita Matthew


Keith McNeill

As of late last week an online peti-

tion organized by Canadian Auto Works against pro-posed scheduling cut-

backs by Greyhound had about 800 names.

The cutbacks would see bus ser-vice to Clearwater reduced from two buses per day in each direction to just one.

Instead of having a daytime bus and a nighttime bus to both Edmonton and Vancouver, the com-munity would have the nighttime service only.

The cutback is part of a package of

service reductions recently approved by BC Passenger Transportation Board.

“Despite an online campaign which gathered nearly 800 signatures many of whom left poignant messages as to why service should remain the same or improve, the Passenger Transportation Board saw fit to grant the cuts to service,” said CAW

114 president Gord McGrath.

“Minister Polak has already stated she will not reverse this decision, despite having the author-ity to do so. This is a slap in the face to thousands of cus-tomers and hundreds of communities who rely on Greyhound for service and the workers who pro-vide this service,” he added. Continued on page A3

Keith McNeill

An accident involving a snowmobiler with an apparent broken leg has Blue River heli-ski operator Mike Wiegele once again asking for tighter standards for the snowmobile industry.

“Giving consideration to the time, the location, the injury and the lack of emer-gency rescue equipment by the sledding group, it was fortunate that the injured sledder came out alive,” Wiegele said.

The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 19, in the Smoke Creek drainage southeast of Blue River.

The injured sledder had been snow-mobiling with a group when he and his machine apparently rolled down into the forest below.

A SPOT emergency device was acti-vated to request help via satellite.

RCMP passed the request onto Mike

Wiegele Helicopter Skiing in Blue River.“I requested two helicopters to the site,

with one as a backup because the rescue call came late in the day (15:20). There was a lack of details as to the nature, type and location of the accident,” Wiegele reported.

When they arrived at the scene they found that it was a narrow open area or meadow, adjacent to a steep south-facing upwards slope of approximately 50° plus. The meadow was near the top of the tree line at approximately 7,000 feet elevation. The weather was overcast with flat light, and the injured person was in a steep area of obvious avalanche terrain and high danger in poor snow stability. According to Wiegele, the sledders were high-lining in what he described as exceedingly hazard-ous terrain.

The rescuers found the injured sledder wrapped in blankets but showing the early

signs of hypothermia. He apparently had not been moved in about two hours. With the light fading, the pro-cedure was “load and go,” said the heli-ski operator.

The rescue crew made a trail

about 100 m up the hill to the victim, sta-bilized his injuries, then slid him down to where he could be evacuated.

The injured man was flown by heli-copter to the medical clinic in Blue River, where he was treated by a doctor who was a guest at the resort. He was then trans-ported by ambulance to hospital.

According the Wiegele, the snowmobil-ers had no equipment (such as a leg splint) to administer first aid or to transport the injured person to a pick-up location. They had no method of communication other than the SPOT device, he said. Apparently the sledders did little or nothing to help during the rescue and, in fact, some con-tinued to high-line the adjacent slopes.

“It is the observation and opinion of our safety committee that a catastrophic accident with multiple injuries and fatali-ties, of similar or larger magnitude as the Revelstoke shootout two years ago, will occur,” Wiegele said.

Such an incident could involve 50 or more fatalities and would tarnish reputa-tion of all winter recreational activity operators and of B.C. tourism as a whole, he felt.

The snowmobile clubs and organiza-tions within the North Thompson Valley are not adequately prepared for emergen-cies, he said. According to Wiegele, the lat-est incident was the third emergency rescue MWHS has been called upon to perform so far this season. He said not one rescuer from the snowmobile community was seen at any of those three rescues, or at similar rescues the heli-ski company has per-formed over the past few years.

“Appropriate government authorities must take immediate action by initiating and implementing Worksafe BC law of safe travel in the back country,” Wiegele said.

“If people and operators do not comply with this law, they put themselves, us and the province at the highest risk of poten-tial liability. They must be held account-able for their actions.”

Six Wells Gray Search and Rescue members also responded to the SPOT emergency call. They were stood down at the SAR Hall in Clearwater when it was determined that Mike Wiegele helicopters had arrived on the scene and had evacu-ated the injured snowmobiler.

Wiegele assists at snowmobile accident

CAW continues fight against Greyhound cuts

What’s Happening

Civic address: 132 Station RoadBox 157, Clearwater,B.C. V0E 1N0

Of� ce hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 - 4:30District Of� ce Ph: 250-674-2257 • Fax: 250-674-2173

email address: [email protected]

DISTRICT OF CLEARWATER www.districtofclearwater.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

2013-2017 Five Year Financial Plan The last five years have been very exciting with many changes and improvements to infrastructure and services provided by the District to the community. The next five years promise to be just as challenging and exciting. A major focus will be the District taking over the responsibility for road maintenance late September 2013. In order to be ready Council is determining how that service is going to be delivered and to what standards, while balancing the cost to the taxpayers. Council considers the effect of taxation on all taxpayers including business and residential when making financial decisions. In addition to roads, the Infrastructure Master Plan has highlighted some immediate and long term requirements of the water and sewer systems as well as the facilities; such as parks and the Sportsplex. The District currently has reserves and surpluses, but to maintain the financial resilience of the community a long term plan is required. Your input is welcome as our long term plan is created. Council needs to know what the community’s priorities are. How much are you willing to pay for clean, reliable drinking water? Is recreation and parks important to your family? What do you expect for road maintenance? Input can be provided by email to [email protected], or in writing either mailed in or dropped off at the District. A public meeting for a draft budget presentation and a chance to provide input will be held in late March or early April. Watch here for a confirmed date. Automated Call-Out System The District will be implementing an automated call out system to ensure that effective, efficient and timely communication is available to all residents. This system can be used day or night in an emergency situation to let all residents know of the emergency and necessary steps that need to be taken, to contact affected areas only, of any work done on water or sewer systems and notify resident of the closure of District facilities due to weather or other reasons. The delivery of this messaging can be done via telephone, text message and email. It is important to note that if a household declares that it does not want to receive messages from the District this can be setup with the exception in the event of an emergency. Snow Angel Nominations What a great community we live in. Nominated this week as a “Clearwater Snow Angel” is Ken Kjenstad.: Thank you for helping out your neighbours. Please Note: The District of Clearwater Committee meetings format will be changing effective February 19th, 2013. This Committee of the Whole meeting will be addressing the Infrastructure and Parks and Recreation items. Check out the schedule on-line. Drop In Curling A fun opportunity to find out what curling’s all about. Every Friday night at 7:00pm there will be informal coaching and equipment available. Come out with your family or friends for a fun evening at the curling rink. Upcoming Events Free Family Skating Friday and Sunday – 4:30-6:00pm Chocolate Festival at the Ski Hill - February 16 Upcoming Meetings of Council February 19th, 2013 – Infrastructure/Parks and Recreation Committee meetings – 5:00pm February 19th, 2013 – Regular Council Meeting – 7:00pm March 5th, 2013 - Economic Development/Finance and Audit Committee meetings – 5:00pm March 5th, 2013 – Regular Council Meeting – 7:00pm

DISTRICT OF CLEARWATER www.districtofclearwater.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Roundabout Open House The District of Clearwater will be holding a public informational open house to discuss a proposal to construct a roundabout at the existing intersection of Highway 5 and Clearwater Valley Road and Park Drive. Representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be present to explain how a roundabout works, give statistics and answer questions. The Open House will be held between 2:00pm-4:00pm and between 6:00 to 8:00pm Wednesday March 7th, 2012 at the Clearwater Secondary School Pit. Your input will guide our decisions. 2012-2016 Financial Plan Public Input The District of Clearwater is preparing its Five Year Financial Plan for the period of 2012-2016 and would like public input. Members of the community are encouraged to contribute input at any meeting or by dropping information at the District office or email Sheila Thiessen, Director of Finance at [email protected]. There will a public presentation of the Draft Financial Plan on April 3rd, 2012. District Grant in Aid Policy The Council of the District of Clearwater recognizes the value to the community of local clubs, groups, nonprofit organizations and charities. Applications for grants-in-aid must be made in writing addressed to the Finance and Audit Committee by April 30th, each calendar year in which the grant is required. The application shall state the reason for the request and a brief outline of the consequences if the grant is not approved. All grant applications shall declare requests that have been made to other governments/agencies the amounts applied for and the amount expected to be received. Grant in Aid forms are available at the District office. ICBC/Motor Vehicle “Insuring your teens? Make sure you have the right coverage” Did you know, ICBC offers an Excess Special Equipment endorsement? It insures permanently attached non-manufacturer's equipment worth more than $5,000, or permanently attached sound and communication equipment worth more than $1,000 for most passenger and light commercial vehicles. Historical Photos The District of Clearwater is looking for old photos depicting the Municipal Hall and other landmarks of Clearwater. Bring your old photos in and we will scan and return immediately. The best ones will be put up on the website. Items to Note

Interior Crisis Line - 1-888-353-CARE (2273). Call2Recycle box recycling batteries and cell phones at the District office

Pitch-In Canada Week – ‘Clean Sweep’ April 23-30, 2012

Upcoming Events March 7th – Roundabout Open House March 9th – Raft Mountain Skating Club – Dr. Seuss & Friends performance May 12th - Household Hazardous Waste Round up May 13th - “Free” Dump Day at Clearwater Landfill Upcoming Meetings of Council March 6th, 2012 – Parks and Recreation meeting – 5:00pm March 6th, 2012 – Regular Council meeting – 7:00pm March 20th, 2012 – Economic Development meeting – 5:00pm March 20th, 2012 – Regular Council meeting – 7:00pm

Public Notice of Open HouseThe Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure invites the public to attend an open house regarding plans for upcoming intersection improvements on Highway 5 at Clearwater Valley Road.Drawings of a proposed roundabout and other traffic movement information will be available for review and discussion.This drop-in open house is scheduled for the following date and time:

Thursday, February 7, 20132:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Royal Canadian Legion No. 259257 Glen Road

Clearwater, B.C .For more information, please contact

Project Manager Dave Shibata at 250 828-4069 or by e-mail at [email protected]

MoTI Ad #957 -Clearwater Valley Road Intersection Open House

Clearwater Times

195 lines(3 cloumns x 65 lines)

4.31” X 4.64”

Highway 5 Intersection Improvements


Editor, The Times:My name is Brandy

Elesko and I lived in Clearwater for most of my life. My beautiful children were raised in Clearwater as well. I currently live in Ladysmith, B.C. and love the island. I miss Clearwater a lot of days especially since my fabulous parents Sharon and Garry Ruston still live there as well as my sister Darlene Matusky. I have kept in touch with many friends from Clearwater and have always loved coming back to visit.

On July 21, 2012 I was diagnosed with

acute myeloid leukae-mia. Little did I know what a tough and strenuous road the next several months were going to be. Finances were a huge concern as I needed to basically move to Vancouver to have my treatment.

Of course, as the community of Clearwater always has when someone needs help, people stood up and helped me in more ways than I could have imagined.

My first big thank you is to my sister Darlene for staying with me for the major-ity of my time in Vancouver and to my

parents for all that they have done to make this easier. We could not make it without you.

There are so many that donated their hard earned money to help me. I wanted to name everyone but it is impossible to list them all. You all know who you are and so does my family.

Little did you know that your donations were literally saving my life. This is because I acquired aspergillosis from the chemotherapy. With this comes a very expensive drug called VFend. Thanks to my employer, Vancouver Island University, I have 80 per cent cover-age for my prescrip-tions. However this drug is so expensive I was still required to pay $300 dollars per week to stay alive.

I want everyone who donated to my cause to know that you truly helped save my life. Aspergillosis has a 95 per cent mortality rate if untreated and a 10 to 40 per cent mortal-ity rate with treatment.

Without this medica-tion I would not have survived.

I am recovering and hoping that within the next few months that I will be able to return to work. I am still required to take the medication as it takes a very long time for this infection to be com-pletely treated

I know my mom has still been raising funds through a donation jar at The Blue Loon, whom I cannot thank enough for allowing her to do that. Every dollar has gone to my medication and I cannot thank you all enough.

So thank you Clearwater for being there for me and my family when we needed you the most. I am in remission and happy to be alive. I was always proud to say I was from Clearwater and this is just one of the many reasons. The generosity, love and support has always made me call Clearwater HOME.

Brandy EleskoLadysmith, B.C.

Roundabout debate has lost sense of proportion

editorial by keith mcNeill

Opinion“ If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

- Marcus Tullius Cicero, statesman

BC Press CouncilThe Times is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the BC Press Council.Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to BC Press Council, 210 Selby St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R2For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

We acknowledge the fi nancial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Subscribe to the TimesIn Town / Out of Town Rates1 year $61.60; 2 years $117.60Prices include HST

74 young Road, Unit 14 Brookfi eld Mall, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2Phone: 250-674-3343 Fax: 250-674-3410Email: [email protected]

Publisher: Al KirkwoodEditor: Keith McNeillOffi ce manager: Yevonne Cline

www.clearwatertimes.com

Established September 23, 1964Member, BC Press Council

TH

E

NORTH THOMPSON


TH

ETimes

Donations from Clearwater saving young woman’s life

Some people in Clearwater and area must have waaaay too much time on their hands.

For example, look at the ongo-ing controversy about the round-about proposed for the junction of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Gray Park.

We’ve had letters to the editor going back and forth, discussions on social media such as Facebook, and endless debates at local coffee shops. We’ve even had a person say to us, when told that the newspaper supports the roundabout, “Well, we won’t talk with you anymore.”

How many intersections are there in this area? Yes, the one where the roundabout is proposed is one of the more important ones, but is it really that important? Your editor probably goes through it an average of four times a day, which likely is more than most. Assuming it takes 30 seconds to negotiate the intersection, that’s a total of two minutes out of 24 hours – or less than 1/7 of one per cent of my day.

We’ve heard that the possible cost of the roundabout is $2.3 mil-lion. We’re not sure where that fig-ure came from, although apparently someone from Highways quoted it to someone at last year’s public input meeting. We suspect it’s on the high side, but let’s take it at face value for now.

Except for a few tens of thou-sands of dollars from District of Clearwater to increase the size of the water and sewer lines that pass under the intersection (something we would have to do anyways, and

at considerably higher cost if the roundabout wasn’t going in), the provincial government will pay for the project.

The population of B.C. is 4.4 million. That means the round-about will cost a little more than $2 per person. Yes, we all want to see our government get good value out of our tax dollars, but I don’t see the sense of getting too excited about a project that will cost me about as much as a cup of coffee. And how many cups of coffee have been wasted talking about this thing?

The roundabout will make the intersection safer. No one disputes that. It will highlight the road to Wells Gray Park. No one disputes that either.

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure plans to host a public open house about the roundabout project today (Thursday, Feb. 7) in the Clearwater Legion Hall. There will be two sessions: 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.

No doubt there will be a straw poll or other mechanism for the government to measure whether the community supports or opposes the project.

We encourage everyone to get out to the meeting, listen to the information presented, and express your opinion.

And for those who have gotten all wound up in this debate, we encourage them to go home after the meeting, think about something else for a change, and try to get a life.

Editor, The Times:Traveling to see

how an island the size of Vancouver Island, with the population that is perhaps equal to that of Canada, feeds itself has been quite the experience.

I’ve just returned from the island of Taiwan. Having been invited by author and soilless garden-

ing expert Marseene Mainly to visit the island before her return to Canada, I didn’t have much time to consider anything except that I felt I needed to go. My first priority there was to research food produc-tion, then recycling, relationship building and tourism.

I am still relying on

my friends. Anyone who thinks this effort is worthwhile to help me subsidize this trip – please and thank you, every little bit helps.

What is food? Healthy food is what we need to survive: clean air, clean water and clean nutritious food.Continued on page A6

Visiting Taiwan to learn about food


?Do you think the 2013 Wells Gray Birchleg was a success?

Wes Bieber: Absolutely, because of the work of the volunteers, and the smiles on the par-ticipants.

Carmen Smith:Yes. Everybody was having a heck of a good time.

Jason Ladyman:It was good. It was really good.

Daniel Boudreau:Yes, it was a total success. Good fam-ily fun. There was participation by all generations..

Tay Briggs: Absolutely. There were lots of costumes, awe-some food, and great trails. The organizers did a terrific job. I'd like to say thanks to every-body.

Questionof the Week

Letters PolicyThe Times welcomes all letters to the edi-

tor. We do, however, reserve the right to edit for brevity, clarity, legality and good taste.

While all letters must be signed (and have a telephone number for verification pur-poses) upon submission, writers may elect to withhold their names from publication in special circumstances.

Editor, The Times:I would like to respond

to comments in your paper regarding Greyhound’s ser-vice reductions in British Columbia (“CAW continues fight against the Greyhound cuts,” Jan. 31).

I am concerned about the potential impact of Greyhound’s service reduc-tions, particularly on rural residents. However, Greyhound is a private company and the alternative was pulling its service out of B.C. altogether.

Greyhound remains committed to providing

service across B.C. It has maintained 75 per cent of service in the province and, wherever possible, reduc-ing service on routes with the lowest ridership. The routes through Clearwater that are being reduced gen-erally have about 25 per cent capacity. Routes being reduced in other parts of B.C. often have less than 10 passengers on a 54-seat coach.

The law prevents me from interfering in any way with the Passenger Transportation Board’s decision on Greyhound.

The board has a challenging job and considers each deci-sion carefully and thought-fully and I thank the mem-bers for their continued good work.

Greyhound doesn’t have a regulated monopoly in British Columbia. This is an opportunity for smaller carriers to apply to the Passenger Transportation Board to provide new ser-vices that could be tailored to meet local needs.

Mary PolakMinister of Transportation and

Infrastructure

Editor, The Times:Re: Ministry Tests Roundabout Design for Oversized

LoadsI must say I could not believe my eyes when I read

page A-11 of The Times’ Jan. 24 issue. Let’s just look at what was released by MOTI!

1) The article states, “Even the longest and biggest loads SHOULD (my capitals) be able to fit through a roundabout proposed for the corner of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Grey Park;”

2) “A photo from MOTI shows a 14-axle dual lane loader heavy haul vehicle. A computer simulation shows that even such an extraordinary load SHOULD (my capitals) be able to negotiate the roundabout pro-posed for Highway 5 in Clearwater;” and

3) “A computer simulation indicates that a 60-m long 14-axle dual lane loader heavy haul vehicle SHOULD (my capitals) be able to negotiate the pro-posed roundabout.”

It is my opinion that when over $2 million are being wasted on this intersection, SHOULD is definitely not acceptable! Is this their idea of change? If it weren’t for lots of letters to the editor and a petition from local members of the B.C. Trucking Association, the

original boondoggle would have been shoved down our throats.

Then in a year’s time, a two gazillion dollar cost plus contract could be negotiated to clean up the mess.

Page A-9 has a picture of hydro poles being relocat-ed from the highway’s right of way. A ministry spokes-person said, “This work would be required regardless of the final re-configuration of the intersection.” That is not true; it is just another needless cost.

When the Open House is held, I don’t want to hear the same old rhetoric like “Studies have shown that roundabouts have 35 per cent fewer crashes, 90 per cent fewer vehicle fatalities and 76 per cent fewer vehicle-related injuries” (from MOTI, April 2012).

The intersection of Highway 5 and the Wells Gray road has its own statis-tics. That’s what people want to know. How many fatalities and pedestrian/vehicle accidents have happened at that intersection? And when? If you don’t have that information, or if the information you have doesn’t warrant

changing the intersection, then why waste the money?It is common knowledge that Canadians follow like

sheep. If you are going to fleece the taxpayers, at least put the money to good use, not just pull the wool over our eyes!

Jim LambertonThe Rambling Man

Clearwater, B.C.

“Should” is not acceptable for $2 million proposed roundabout

Minister responds to Greyhound petition


Editor, The Times:My name is Brandy

Elesko and I lived in Clearwater for most of my life. My beautiful children were raised in Clearwater as well. I currently live in Ladysmith, B.C. and love the island. I miss Clearwater a lot of days especially since my fabulous parents Sharon and Garry Ruston still live there as well as my sister Darlene Matusky. I have kept in touch with many friends from Clearwater and have always loved coming back to visit.

On July 21, 2012 I was diagnosed with

acute myeloid leukae-mia. Little did I know what a tough and strenuous road the next several months were going to be. Finances were a huge concern as I needed to basically move to Vancouver to have my treatment.

Of course, as the community of Clearwater always has when someone needs help, people stood up and helped me in more ways than I could have imagined.

My first big thank you is to my sister Darlene for staying with me for the major-ity of my time in Vancouver and to my

parents for all that they have done to make this easier. We could not make it without you.

There are so many that donated their hard earned money to help me. I wanted to name everyone but it is impossible to list them all. You all know who you are and so does my family.

Little did you know that your donations were literally saving my life. This is because I acquired aspergillosis from the chemotherapy. With this comes a very expensive drug called VFend. Thanks to my employer, Vancouver Island University, I have 80 per cent cover-age for my prescrip-tions. However this drug is so expensive I was still required to pay $300 dollars per week to stay alive.

I want everyone who donated to my cause to know that you truly helped save my life. Aspergillosis has a 95 per cent mortality rate if untreated and a 10 to 40 per cent mortal-ity rate with treatment.

Without this medica-tion I would not have survived.

I am recovering and hoping that within the next few months that I will be able to return to work. I am still required to take the medication as it takes a very long time for this infection to be com-pletely treated

I know my mom has still been raising funds through a donation jar at The Blue Loon, whom I cannot thank enough for allowing her to do that. Every dollar has gone to my medication and I cannot thank you all enough.

So thank you Clearwater for being there for me and my family when we needed you the most. I am in remission and happy to be alive. I was always proud to say I was from Clearwater and this is just one of the many reasons. The generosity, love and support has always made me call Clearwater HOME.

Brandy EleskoLadysmith, B.C.

Roundabout debate has lost sense of proportion

editorial by keith mcNeill

Opinion“ If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

- Marcus Tullius Cicero, statesman

BC Press CouncilThe Times is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the BC Press Council.Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to BC Press Council, 210 Selby St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R2For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

We acknowledge the fi nancial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Subscribe to the TimesIn Town / Out of Town Rates1 year $61.60; 2 years $117.60Prices include HST

74 young Road, Unit 14 Brookfi eld Mall, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2Phone: 250-674-3343 Fax: 250-674-3410Email: [email protected]

Publisher: Al KirkwoodEditor: Keith McNeillOffi ce manager: Yevonne Cline


Established September 23, 1964Member, BC Press Council

TH

E

NORTH THOMPSON


TH

ETimes

Donations from Clearwater saving young woman’s life

Some people in Clearwater and area must have waaaay too much time on their hands.

For example, look at the ongo-ing controversy about the round-about proposed for the junction of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Gray Park.

We’ve had letters to the editor going back and forth, discussions on social media such as Facebook, and endless debates at local coffee shops. We’ve even had a person say to us, when told that the newspaper supports the roundabout, “Well, we won’t talk with you anymore.”

How many intersections are there in this area? Yes, the one where the roundabout is proposed is one of the more important ones, but is it really that important? Your editor probably goes through it an average of four times a day, which likely is more than most. Assuming it takes 30 seconds to negotiate the intersection, that’s a total of two minutes out of 24 hours – or less than 1/7 of one per cent of my day.

We’ve heard that the possible cost of the roundabout is $2.3 mil-lion. We’re not sure where that fig-ure came from, although apparently someone from Highways quoted it to someone at last year’s public input meeting. We suspect it’s on the high side, but let’s take it at face value for now.

Except for a few tens of thou-sands of dollars from District of Clearwater to increase the size of the water and sewer lines that pass under the intersection (something we would have to do anyways, and

at considerably higher cost if the roundabout wasn’t going in), the provincial government will pay for the project.

The population of B.C. is 4.4 million. That means the round-about will cost a little more than $2 per person. Yes, we all want to see our government get good value out of our tax dollars, but I don’t see the sense of getting too excited about a project that will cost me about as much as a cup of coffee. And how many cups of coffee have been wasted talking about this thing?

The roundabout will make the intersection safer. No one disputes that. It will highlight the road to Wells Gray Park. No one disputes that either.

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure plans to host a public open house about the roundabout project today (Thursday, Feb. 7) in the Clearwater Legion Hall. There will be two sessions: 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.

No doubt there will be a straw poll or other mechanism for the government to measure whether the community supports or opposes the project.

We encourage everyone to get out to the meeting, listen to the information presented, and express your opinion.

And for those who have gotten all wound up in this debate, we encourage them to go home after the meeting, think about something else for a change, and try to get a life.

Editor, The Times:Traveling to see

how an island the size of Vancouver Island, with the population that is perhaps equal to that of Canada, feeds itself has been quite the experience.

I’ve just returned from the island of Taiwan. Having been invited by author and soilless garden-

ing expert Marseene Mainly to visit the island before her return to Canada, I didn’t have much time to consider anything except that I felt I needed to go. My first priority there was to research food produc-tion, then recycling, relationship building and tourism.

I am still relying on

my friends. Anyone who thinks this effort is worthwhile to help me subsidize this trip – please and thank you, every little bit helps.

What is food? Healthy food is what we need to survive: clean air, clean water and clean nutritious food.Continued on page A6

Visiting Taiwan to learn about food

WELLS GRAY HOME HARDWARE(across from the Post Office)

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Tim PennellDIRECTOR, ELECTORAL AREA “A”

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Continued from page A4 Clear air? In Taiwan the individual people were trying to figure

it out. Those using the subways kept their personal germs captive and did not take on other people’s germs. They wore masks.

I learned that if people even suspect that they have a cold or cough – they wear a mask. They are con-cerned for each other and themselves, even to the point of just lifting up their mask to insert the food at meal times, rather than risk

spreading a germ. This seemed to be working, as I traveled via these systems with thou-sands of people each day, and heard barely a cough or a sneeze.

Clean water? I vis-ited Eco Parks built in neighborhoods where nature was replicated to provide people with the knowledge of how intertwined all life needs to be to take that water which we humans pollute and

make it usable for the next life to drink, or – in the case of amphib-ians and fish – live in.

Restaurant gray water? I visited farms that had setups with re-claiming systems, consisting of an intri-cate set of actively reclaiming tanks – starting with the gray-est of water, ending with tanks of fish with plants growing on top. And water supplying the irrigation for the

gardens that produced the organic produce served within.

Clean food? From restaurants that grew their salad greens (vis-ible from the table of the customer) to farms that produced aquaponically-grown vegetables such as kohlrabi and beets to strawberries and toma-toes – all is possible.

If you to your group or business want a guest speaker, please let me know. I’ve got stories on foodie proj-ects, for sure; but also on the healing benefits of volunteerism, tour-ism tips to build your businesses, recycling efforts that reach out to victims of disaster, and the building of a foundation that is changing the world. I will gladly share these gleanings for your information and delight.

Cheryl ThomasClearwater, B.C.

45 YEARS AGO:Over 60 people met

to form the North Thompson Hospital Society to speak for the long needed hospi-tal for the valley. Mrs. C. Shook, R.N., of Wells Gray Park was president, D. Pease of Vavenby was secretary, and G. Adams of Vavenby was treasurer. Directors included Don Nelson of Blue River, C. Shook of Upper Clearwater, H. Mjolsness of Clearwater and Mrs. Moilliet of Vavenby.

40 YEARS AGO:Birch Island saw-

mill Super Studs Ltd., formerly known as Three Rivers Sawmill,

was back in produc-tion following a disas-trous fire. The opera-tion had 21 to 22 men on the payroll in the mill and bush.

Members of the Clearwater Business Association voted unanimously to raise $5,000 to bring a sec-ond TV channel to Clearwater.

Blue River skat-ing rink was a major attraction. Mrs. Pat Kohlhauser was teach-ing figure-skating.

35 YEARS AGO:Forty rinks took

part in the CTP Bonspiel in what could become an annual event. The Lawrence Giesbrecht rink won the A event.

Little Fort pio-neer Pearl Catherine Cleaveley passed away at the age of 84. Born in Ashcroft in 1893, she and her husband, Charles, moved to the area in 1912 and homesteaded at Round Top. She was survived by five daughters, two sons, 27 grandchildren and 32 great grand-children. She has also acted as midwife for many families.

30 YEARS AGO:A decision by

management to fire an employee resulted in a walkout at Weyerhaeuser’s Vavenby sawmill. The illegal strike ended when the worker was reinstated at a lower pay rate.

Twelve people on unemployment insur-ance were clearing cross-country skiing and hiking trails on the Majerus Farm, Pyramid Mountain

and McLeod Hill areas in Wells Gray Park. Crew supervisor Gordon Zaitsov esti-mated 30 to 35 km of the planned 65 kilome-ters had been done.

25 YEARS AGO:Approximately 125

cross-country skiers entered the fourth annual Wells Gray Loppet. Clearwater’s Mary MacLennan came first in recre-ational mixed, while Barb MacCuish was first in Masters D female.

A total of 27 snow-mobiles raised $3,566 for the Lions Society for Crippled Children in Clearwater’s Snowarama. Neil Stearns and Bob Carmichael oper-ated a 1958 machine that belonged to Art Young.

20 YEARS AGO:Vavenby firefight-

ers were called out to douse a fire in a CNR sulphur car, reported fire chief Leo Vermette. Face masks were needed to pro-tect against the acrid smoke.

15 YEARS AGO:MLA Kevin

Krueger criticized the year-old School District 73, saying employees frequently drove from Kamloops to Clearwater to do work that North Thompson workers were capable of doing.

Little Fort School was to close in June, ending a 90-year tradi-tion.

10 YEARS AGO:About 100 spec-

tators attended a Raft Mountain hill climb. There were a total of 95 entries in the one-day event, which was held above Clearwater

SnoDrifters’ West Raft cabin. Noah Baker won the Modified King of the Hill event and came second in Pro Stock 600.

School District 73 was to hold a meet-ing at Dutch Lake School to hear what local residents had to say about proposed closures of five ele-mentary schools.

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and North Thompson Indian Band were looking at working together to build a basic lodge with accommodation for about 30 people near Gosnell.

Clearwater Rotary Club’s second annual Ice Man winter car-nival and ice fishing derby was cancelled. Club members decided that it would not be safe for hun-dreds of people to go on the ice of Dutch Lake after several days of mild weather.

5 YEARS AGO:TNRD held a

public hearing with regards to an applica-tion to create a des-tination resort with a lodge containing seven rentable units,

193 cabins, an inter-pretive centre and a restaurant. The appli-cant, Trasa Lodges and Inns Inc., was known for world class accommodations in a supernatural setting.

District of Clearwater held an open house Feb. 6 to officially open the new ICBC and Motor Vehicle Branch.

A Clearwater Ski Club raffle raised over $7,000 to help with ski hill opera-tions. First prize was a trip for two to Mexico from Uniglobe Travel, won by Glen McNeil.

1 YEAR AGO:A Jobs Creation

Plan program at the former Dutch Lake School was teach-ing handyman skills to several under-employed local resi-dents. “They all will be good carpenter’s helpers when they fin-ish,” said instructor Ron Plamondon.

A first-ever Walk for Memories event raised over $900 for the Alzheimer’s Society. Most par-ticipants avoided the wintery weather by walking around inside the Elks Hall.

HISTORICAL Perspect i ve

BACK IN TIME

6 - 7

Traveling abroad in search of gleaning tips

C

C

apsule

omments

with MICHELLE

LEINS

PHARMASAVEMON. - SAT. 9 - 6

BROOKFIELD CENTRE

CLEARWATER, 250-674-3122

Eating Disorder Awareness Week is held each February to educate the public on the relationship between dieting, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders. The goal is to increase awareness of the factors that cause people, particularly women, to develop eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.

It’s been over 13 years since a new weight-loss drug has come on the market. A new one was just okayed in the U.S. It’s called Belviq and it works on a brain chemical that controls appetite. Weight-loss drugs have had a rather shaky history, and it’s not sure how good this new one will be. The drug is still under review in Canada. It may be available to pharmacies within the year.

Losing weight is big business. However, there is no magic answer to the problem. To make weight-loss permanent, one must simply eat fewer calories or burn more calories. In fact, for better results, do both.

Research in Israel has produced a strain of marijuana that can ease pain and discomfort symptoms, but without the part of the plant that makes people ‘high’. Perhaps this altered product might make access easier for those with chronic diseases like MS, Parkinson’s and post traumatic stress disorder.

There is so much occurring in the world of medication. We do our utmost to keep current on any new advances to enable us to serve you better.

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6 - 7

Explore togetherThere is no better province to explore than

British Columbia and no better family bond-ing experience than sharing the thrill of a new discovery or experience. Day trips can create remarkable family memories. They offer a wonderful way to spend time together and learn more about where you live.

The variety of experiences available to families is different in each region of this spectacular province - you might decide to explore close to home or venture to one of the other regions in B.C. over the Family Day weekend.

Whether taking SkyTrain, BC Ferries, driv-ing, or hopping a flight, there are many ways to invest in a day of discovery. Travel is just one aspect. To maximize the experience fami-lies should involve everyone in the planning.

By planning ahead you and your whole family can experience a worthwhile outing and make every aspect fun. Create a list of activities or venues and assign a rough budget for each. Allow family members to weigh in on their preferences and discuss what they would like to see, do or learn at each.

You might decide to stay in a hotel and be a tourist in your own hometown. Kids or youth can map out the sites and activities, creating a family agenda including select-

ing the points of interest, lunch and shop-ping as well as enjoying the amenities your hotel might offer. It’s the perfect way to free up everyone from everyday tasks and roles. Researching history, attractions, museums, parks and markets can teach valuable lessons and it helps children to plan within a budget. This way they are part of making important decisions, appreciate both the effort and cost of outings and will be more enthused about an agenda they helped develop.

Be sure to capture your family time by tak-ing photos, saving literature or purchasing a memento. This can lead to great family dis-cussions about what each individual enjoyed or learned and starts you planning for future family explorations.

Celebrate BC’s first Family Day Monday February 11

Jessica Luedtke pulls a sled carrying her 3 1/2 month old daughter Emily as she takes part in the 15th annual Wells Gray Birchleg on Sunday, Feb. 3. More than 130 people took part in the fun family event. Photo by Keith McNeill

Family fun

It’s our first BC Family Day

Monday, February 11, 2013

Celebrate!Enjoy time with your family

See what’s happening around BC, visit: www.bcfamilyday.ca

Building strong values & strong families

WELLS GRAY HOME HARDWARE86 Station Rd., • 8:30 - 5 Mon. - Sat.

250-674-3717

132 Station RoadClearwater, B.C.

Phone 250 674-2257 Fax 250 674-2173

Email [email protected]

Family Day • February 11, 2013


Local residents visit the booths during the seventh annual Arts, Health and Wellness Expo at Clearwater Secondary School on Saturday, Feb. 2. There were 33 booths with six extra participants sharing a booth for a total of 39 services and businesses, organizers report. The crowd was steady all day, they say. The expo is put on by Clearwater Festival and Events Society (CFES) with all proceeds going into other community events. Photo by Keith McNeill

Submitted

Clearwater will join the world for the Great Backyard Bird Count as the GBBC goes global this year in a joint effort with eBird. Online submit-ters will need to regis-ter a free account on eBird.

Unlike last year, location must be fairly precise (address,

GPS), but you can still include walks or hikes.

It only takes 15 minutes (not neces-sarily all at one time) in a day to count the birds in your yard, or elsewhere, to get one checklist. Count all four days to have four checklists. More than one 15 minute checklist per location is allowed this year, so

you could do a.m. and p.m. lists.

An abbreviated checklist for the area is available at the library. It's fairly easy to submit your checklist(s) at www.birdcount.org Cornell University's website which has informa-tion on how to count and years of data to peruse.

No Internet access? Phone Hoo Ping Crane at 250-674-2518 for details on how to count and later to sub-mit your checklist(s).

Your participation

as a Citizen Scientist in the GBBC is one piece of the puzzle that helps scientists get the big picture about changes in bird populations. Presently, a snowy owl irruption (incursion of birds that don’t normally winter in the area) is once again occurring, after having one last year, though they're unlikely to be seen in our area. Some robins are still being sighted.

So how about get-ting out, or relaxing inside, and counting some birds?

8 - 9

Health expo draws crowd

Backyard Bird Count coming Feb. 15

Keith McNeill

Predictions made a few years ago on how much money Tourism Wells Gray would make from a hotel tax were overly optimistic, according to TWG manager Brad Bradbury.

As a result, the tourism marketing has had to scale back its plans and seek other sources of funding, Bradbury reported to Clearwater council on Jan. 22.

The earlier predictions on how much the hotel tax would raise were based on an assumed average annual occupancy rate of 80 per cent, he said. In fact, the actual average year round occupancy rate is closer to 28 per cent for those properties that remain open.

That meant the budgeted revenue of $112,000 was totally unrealistic.

During 2012 the hotel tax raised only $63,000, about $50,000 short of the original estimate.

Despite the financial difficulties, TWG had a busy and productive year, he said.

A wide variety of marketing was carried out, trade shows participated in, and reports and plans completed.

External funding was obtained through Wells Gray Community Forest, Thompson-Okanagan Tourism Association and the pro-vincial government.

Bridging funding from District of Clearwater and Wells Gray Country (TNRD Area A) has not been touched so far, he said.

Tourism Wells Gray overcomes budget shortfall

Wage Subsidy Employer Applications Now Available

If you are in the market for a full-time permanent employee, you may be eligible to receive a wage

subsidy that helps offset the cost of hiring and training a new employee. Employers can be

reimbursed a portion of wage costs while they train a new worker for a negotiated period of time.

Please contact us at 250-674-2928 to speak with the Manager for more details.

For more information on this and other programs please see the WorkBC website at:

http://www.workbc.ca/Work-BC-Centres/Pages/Services-Supports.aspx _________________________________________________

CLEARWATER EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CENTRE 58A Young Road, Clearwater BC V0E 1N2 Phone: 250- 674-2928 Fax: 250- 674-2938

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8:00 – 4:00 Email: [email protected]

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REVISED DEADLINEfor the Feb. 14 paper is Feb. 8 at 12pm

February 11

Glen, Carol and Ben McNeil would like to congratulate Heather McNeil on receiving her Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from McMaster University in Hamilton,Ontario. She is currently working in Toronto.

Congratulations


Times Staff

Clearwater RCMP detachment’s case load for the fourth quarter of 2012 was more than double that of the same period last year, Sgt. Kevin Podbisky reported to Clearwater council on Jan. 22.

Detachment members investigated 244 files during the last three months of the year, compared to 110 files during the last quarter of 2011, the NCO-in-charge said.

“There was a significant increase this year,” he said. “I don’t know what to attribute it to. We’ve been busier, but things are not out of control.”

He speculated that some of the increase in calls might be in response to an increase in cellphone coverage.

There was no noticeable increase in

Criminal Code investigations, he said.The sergeant noted that traffic mem-

bers investigated 63 files during this peri-od. A total of 307 calls for service were investigated.

On the general duty side, Cst. Jamie Parsons has accepted a transfer to Powell River. However, he has been unable to sell his home and so remains in Clearwater. Cst. Andrew Bachmann from Port MacNeil has been identified to replace Parsons. He also has been unable to sell his home.

Clearwater detachment and traffic services made 11 drug seizures from traffic stops. Members issued 84 tickets and

warnings during the quarter. There was a significant increase in vehicle collisions in December, although not more than would be expected at that time of year.

8 - 9

Raft River Rockhounds president Dave Cooper holds what appears to be a large jade boulder. A local resident brought it into a club meeting recently and asked what it was. It was apparently found in the North Thompson River. It is extremely hard, dark green in color, and polished smooth after spending years in the river. The beautiful stone was just one of the items on display during Raft River Rockhounds’ Treasures From The Earth show on Jan. 26. The event was held in the Elks Hall, and organizers report they were very pleased with the turnout.

Jason Prud’Homme gives his son Joshua a hand as he tries his hand at rock painting during Raft River Rockhounds’ Treasures From The Earth show on Jan. 26.Photos by Keith McNeill

Case load doubles for Clearwater RCMP

Police find $61,000 in vehicleKamloops This Week

A traffic stop north of Kamloops last week led to police find-ing and seizing $61,000 in cash from the trunk of the vehicle.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 29, an RCMP officer stopped the southbound vehicle on Highway 5 in Darfield, about 75 kilometres north of Kamloops, between Barriere and Clearwater.

While dealing with the driver, police say the officer noted

some things that led to a probe under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act.

A police dog was used to search the vehicle and evidence found led to the arrest of the 35-year-old driver from Surrey.

Cash – $61,140 – was found in a suitcase in the trunk of the vehicle.

The driver will appear in Kamloops Law Courts on April 11 to face a charge of possession of property obtained by crime.

Police search grow-op in AvolaTimes Staff

Clearwater RCMP report that on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m., members of the Clearwater detachment executed simultaneous search warrants on two prop-erties in Avola.

Once on the properties, members located a marijuana grow operation in an outbuilding and a number of seedling plants growing in the basement of the resi-dence.

As a result of the search warrant, 630

marijuana plants were seized. In addi-tion to the marijuana grow operation, BC Hydro attended and found evidence of tampering of a hydro meter. The meter was seized and will be analyzed. Charges of stealing electricity are still under investiga-tion.

A 60-year-old male was arrested at the scene and faces charg-es of production of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to appear in Clearwater Provincial Court in June.

This matter is still under investigation.

Treasures from Earth


Local residents visit the booths during the seventh annual Arts, Health and Wellness Expo at Clearwater Secondary School on Saturday, Feb. 2. There were 33 booths with six extra participants sharing a booth for a total of 39 services and businesses, organizers report. The crowd was steady all day, they say. The expo is put on by Clearwater Festival and Events Society (CFES) with all proceeds going into other community events. Photo by Keith McNeill

Submitted

Clearwater will join the world for the Great Backyard Bird Count as the GBBC goes global this year in a joint effort with eBird. Online submit-ters will need to regis-ter a free account on eBird.

Unlike last year, location must be fairly precise (address,

GPS), but you can still include walks or hikes.

It only takes 15 minutes (not neces-sarily all at one time) in a day to count the birds in your yard, or elsewhere, to get one checklist. Count all four days to have four checklists. More than one 15 minute checklist per location is allowed this year, so

you could do a.m. and p.m. lists.

An abbreviated checklist for the area is available at the library. It's fairly easy to submit your checklist(s) at www.birdcount.org Cornell University's website which has informa-tion on how to count and years of data to peruse.

No Internet access? Phone Hoo Ping Crane at 250-674-2518 for details on how to count and later to sub-mit your checklist(s).

Your participation

as a Citizen Scientist in the GBBC is one piece of the puzzle that helps scientists get the big picture about changes in bird populations. Presently, a snowy owl irruption (incursion of birds that don’t normally winter in the area) is once again occurring, after having one last year, though they're unlikely to be seen in our area. Some robins are still being sighted.

So how about get-ting out, or relaxing inside, and counting some birds?

8 - 9

Health expo draws crowd

Backyard Bird Count coming Feb. 15

Keith McNeill

Predictions made a few years ago on how much money Tourism Wells Gray would make from a hotel tax were overly optimistic, according to TWG manager Brad Bradbury.

As a result, the tourism marketing has had to scale back its plans and seek other sources of funding, Bradbury reported to Clearwater council on Jan. 22.

The earlier predictions on how much the hotel tax would raise were based on an assumed average annual occupancy rate of 80 per cent, he said. In fact, the actual average year round occupancy rate is closer to 28 per cent for those properties that remain open.

That meant the budgeted revenue of $112,000 was totally unrealistic.

During 2012 the hotel tax raised only $63,000, about $50,000 short of the original estimate.

Despite the financial difficulties, TWG had a busy and productive year, he said.

A wide variety of marketing was carried out, trade shows participated in, and reports and plans completed.

External funding was obtained through Wells Gray Community Forest, Thompson-Okanagan Tourism Association and the pro-vincial government.

Bridging funding from District of Clearwater and Wells Gray Country (TNRD Area A) has not been touched so far, he said.

Tourism Wells Gray overcomes budget shortfall

Advance Public NoticeLoad Restrictions

Pursuant to Section 66 of the Transportation Act, and to provisions of the Commercial Transport Act, notice is hereby given that load restrictions may be placed on short notice in the near future on highways within the Thompson Nicola Highways District. The district includes the areas of Kamloops, Savona, Barriere, Clearwater, Merritt, and Merritt south to Portia, Lytton and Logan Lake.

Restrictions will be imposed as conditions warrant, with the most westerly and southerly areas normally restricted first.

The restrictions will limit vehicles to 100 per cent, 70 per cent or 50 per cent legal axle loading.

Overweight permits will not be granted and all term overweight permits are invalid for the duration of the restrictions.

Trucking and transportation companies, as well as the general public, should govern themselves accordingly.

Your cooperation in adhering to the above regulations is appreciated.

Dated in Kamloops, British Columbia, this 18th day of January, 2013.

Sherry Eland, District ManagerMinistry of Transportation and InfrastructureThompson Nicola District

For updated information about load restrictions,please visit the Load Restrictions section of www.DriveBC.ca,

or contact Area Manager Jeff Saby at 250 371‑3856,or by e‑mail at [email protected].

MOTI Ad #958A --Thompson Nicola Load Restrictions

Merritt HeraldBarriere North Thompson JournalBarriere, Clearwater North Thompson TimesKamloops This Week

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73 Taren Drive, Clearwater Phone 250-674-2929 Toll Free: 1-877-974-2929Phone 250-674-2929 Toll Free: 1-877-974-2929Phone 250-674-2929 Toll Free: 1-877-974-2929

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Keith McNeill

A recent decision by the B.C. govern-ment to expand its list of "qualifying agricul-tural uses" to include birch and maple sap or syrup is an important breakthrough, accord-ing to Sharon Neufeld.

"The good news is you can now include it on a small holding for tax purposes," she said.

Neufeld has long been an advocate for

non-timber forest products in the North Thompson Valley.

The new status will provide more flex-ibility for producers to meet the requirements to maintain farm sta-tus for taxation pur-poses for local small-holders, she explained.

The change will mean people will be able to count any money made from sell-ing birch sap or birch syrup as farm income, which in turn can be

used to qualify their property as farmland, with its favorable tax rates.

Neufeld typically taps between 20 to 40 birch trees each spring. She markets the birch sap as it comes from the tree, rather than making syrup from it. The sap makes a tasty spring tonic, she said, especially if it is mixed with blueberry or sas-katoon juice.

"It helps to cleanse the winter sludge from your system," she said, "and it's made with all wild products."

Neufeld said she knows of at least one other family in the area that harvests birch sap.

They use it to make delicious wine and beer, she said.

The Upper Clearwater resident's comments about the government's deci-sion were echoed by Ted Traer of Moose Meadows Farm near Quesnel.

“We’re excited that this new change will recognize the efforts of these diversified farm producers," said Traer, a mixed farmer and birch syrup producer. "After all, syrup-mak-ing is truly Canadian, just like Mounties, moose, snowshoes and hockey.”

A registered pro-fessional forester,

Traer was one of the speakers during a non-timber forest products workshop held in Clearwater in 2010.

Birch syrup is not as sweet as maple syrup and is reputed to have a more caramel-like flavor.

It is primarily pro-duced in the Cariboo region. Maple syrup is produced in B.C. using the sap of the big-leaf maple, which mostly grows on Vancouver Island and in some regions of coastal mainland.

“Building the local market for B.C. foods is a key component of government’s plan to lead the agrifoods sector growth into a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017," said Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick. "The pas-sion for local foods in B.C. has never been stronger, and new, innovative products such as these sup-port government’s clear commitment to

build local demand and support for B.C. foods.”

Birch sap is very healthy and may con-tain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, and vitamin A. It has been consumed for centuries as a health

drink in numerous countries.

A birch tree will produce an average of four litres of sap per tree per day over the season.

Sap starts to flow once the ground thaws and temperatures are above freezing.

The production of birch syrup is very labour intensive. While traditional maple syrup takes approxi-mately 40 litres of sap to produce one litre of syrup, it takes 80-120 litres of sap to pro-duce the equivalent in birch syrup.

Andrea Klassen - Kamloops This Week

Kamloops and area voters won’t notice much change in the latest update to B.C.’s fed-eral electoral boundaries now under review by the House of Commons.

In its latest redrawing of B.C.’s electoral map, the three-member Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia has scaled back its changes for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding.

While it had originally sug-gested moving 100 Mile House and portions of the Cariboo Regional District into another riding, those areas are back in the riding this time around.

In its report, the commis-sion said submissions from the public convinced it to keep the Cariboo areas in place.

A change to the riding’s northern boundary that moves the village of Valemount into the Prince George-Peace River riding still stands.

Canada’s electoral map get a review once every 10 years and, this time around, several of the provincial commissions are tasked with fitting new ridings into the mix.

B.C. will get six new rid-ings on the rejigged electoral

map, all of which are located in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.

Alberta is also getting six more ridings, Ontario 15 and Quebec three.

The B.C. commission’s latest report was filed in the House of Commons on Monday, Jan.

28, for Parliament to study.MPs will now have a chance

to review and object to the report.

Final changes to the riding boundaries will come in June.

To view the map online go to www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca.

10-11

On the map, the brown-shaded area is the proposed new boundaries for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, while the grey-shaded area denotes the current borders. To view the map online, go to www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca.

Little shift in riding’s boundaries

New tax status seen as breakthrough for smallholders

Traditionally viewed by many as a weed species, birch is becoming more highly appreciated for the products that can be made from it, including birch sap and birch syrup. Photo by Keith McNeill

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Keith McNeill

A recent decision by the B.C. govern-ment to expand its list of "qualifying agricul-tural uses" to include birch and maple sap or syrup is an important breakthrough, accord-ing to Sharon Neufeld.

"The good news is you can now include it on a small holding for tax purposes," she said.

Neufeld has long been an advocate for

non-timber forest products in the North Thompson Valley.

The new status will provide more flex-ibility for producers to meet the requirements to maintain farm sta-tus for taxation pur-poses for local small-holders, she explained.

The change will mean people will be able to count any money made from sell-ing birch sap or birch syrup as farm income, which in turn can be

used to qualify their property as farmland, with its favorable tax rates.

Neufeld typically taps between 20 to 40 birch trees each spring. She markets the birch sap as it comes from the tree, rather than making syrup from it. The sap makes a tasty spring tonic, she said, especially if it is mixed with blueberry or sas-katoon juice.

"It helps to cleanse the winter sludge from your system," she said, "and it's made with all wild products."

Neufeld said she knows of at least one other family in the area that harvests birch sap.

They use it to make delicious wine and beer, she said.

The Upper Clearwater resident's comments about the government's deci-sion were echoed by Ted Traer of Moose Meadows Farm near Quesnel.

“We’re excited that this new change will recognize the efforts of these diversified farm producers," said Traer, a mixed farmer and birch syrup producer. "After all, syrup-mak-ing is truly Canadian, just like Mounties, moose, snowshoes and hockey.”

A registered pro-fessional forester,

Traer was one of the speakers during a non-timber forest products workshop held in Clearwater in 2010.

Birch syrup is not as sweet as maple syrup and is reputed to have a more caramel-like flavor.

It is primarily pro-duced in the Cariboo region. Maple syrup is produced in B.C. using the sap of the big-leaf maple, which mostly grows on Vancouver Island and in some regions of coastal mainland.

“Building the local market for B.C. foods is a key component of government’s plan to lead the agrifoods sector growth into a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017," said Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick. "The pas-sion for local foods in B.C. has never been stronger, and new, innovative products such as these sup-port government’s clear commitment to

build local demand and support for B.C. foods.”

Birch sap is very healthy and may con-tain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, and vitamin A. It has been consumed for centuries as a health

drink in numerous countries.

A birch tree will produce an average of four litres of sap per tree per day over the season.

Sap starts to flow once the ground thaws and temperatures are above freezing.

The production of birch syrup is very labour intensive. While traditional maple syrup takes approxi-mately 40 litres of sap to produce one litre of syrup, it takes 80-120 litres of sap to pro-duce the equivalent in birch syrup.

Andrea Klassen - Kamloops This Week

Kamloops and area voters won’t notice much change in the latest update to B.C.’s fed-eral electoral boundaries now under review by the House of Commons.

In its latest redrawing of B.C.’s electoral map, the three-member Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia has scaled back its changes for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding.

While it had originally sug-gested moving 100 Mile House and portions of the Cariboo Regional District into another riding, those areas are back in the riding this time around.

In its report, the commis-sion said submissions from the public convinced it to keep the Cariboo areas in place.

A change to the riding’s northern boundary that moves the village of Valemount into the Prince George-Peace River riding still stands.

Canada’s electoral map get a review once every 10 years and, this time around, several of the provincial commissions are tasked with fitting new ridings into the mix.

B.C. will get six new rid-ings on the rejigged electoral

map, all of which are located in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.

Alberta is also getting six more ridings, Ontario 15 and Quebec three.

The B.C. commission’s latest report was filed in the House of Commons on Monday, Jan.

28, for Parliament to study.MPs will now have a chance

to review and object to the report.

Final changes to the riding boundaries will come in June.

To view the map online go to www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca.

10-11

On the map, the brown-shaded area is the proposed new boundaries for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, while the grey-shaded area denotes the current borders. To view the map online, go to www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca.

Little shift in riding’s boundaries

New tax status seen as breakthrough for smallholders

Traditionally viewed by many as a weed species, birch is becoming more highly appreciated for the products that can be made from it, including birch sap and birch syrup. Photo by Keith McNeill

618-B Tranquille Rd.Kamloops BC, V2B 3H6Phone 250-554-5413

email: [email protected]

www.terrylakemla.bc.ca

Fax 250-554-5417

Terry LakeTerry LakeMLA Kamloops - North Thompson


10-11

Wells Gray Birchleg attracts Viking raidersLeft: Peter Ormondy (l) and Jocelyn Ripley show off their imaginative outfits at the Wells Gray Birchleg. Just over 130 people took part in this year's event, held for the first time at the Candle Creek Trails near Clearwater. The record attendance when the event wa held in Wells Gray Park was 164. Previously staged by the Murtle River Nordics, the Birchleg was organized this year by Wells Gray Outdoor Club.

Lynda MacLennan looks very Norwegian as she waits for the Birchleg to start. Participants had the choice of an easy, medium or more difficult course to follow.

(L-r) Dana Foster, Steve Ludwig, Suzanne Foster, Astrid Ludwig, Sienna Foster-Ludwig and Kevin Henderson wear a variety of Scandinavian costumes as they take part in the 15th annual Wells Gray Birchleg on Sunday, Feb. 3.

Former Clearwater resident Ella Sladden, age eight, was one of several Kamloops skiers who took part in the fun family event.

Left: Barriere resident Brandon Rainer wears a cougar skin as a headpiece as he takes part in the 15th annual Wells Gray Birchleg. Many of the participants wore Viking costumes, and Rainer took second prize with his. An authentic Norwegian luncheon followed the ski event. The Birchleg commemorates the escape over the mountains by two Vikings with the infant son of their murdered king during a civil war in Norway in the 13th Century.

All photos byKeith McNeill


Kamloops This Week

The B.C. Winter Games will be held in Kamloops in 2018 and there should be a solid contingent of athletes from the region ready to take part.

During a press confer-ence on Friday, Jan. 25, just outside the McArthur Island Sports and Event Centre, Kamloops was named host of the

event by Kamloops-North Thompson Liberal MLA Terry Lake.

In the audience were many athletes who took part in the first BC Winter Games, hosted by Kamloops in 1979.

Their legacy, Lake said, was the determination that grew in the city to first become known in the prov-ince as the place to go for sports events and, later, as

the Tournament Capital of Canada.

Celebrating that history will be important when the four-day Games begin on Feb. 22, 2018.

Lake noted 40 B.C. ath-letes at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in London had once compet-ed in the BC Winter Games.

The 2018 BC Winter Games in Kamloops will see more than 2,100 athletes,

coaches, and officials visit from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25.

Sport venues will include the Tournament Capital Centre (gymnas-tics), the Thompson Rivers University gym (badmin-ton), McArthur Island Sports Centre (curling, figure skating and speed skating), Interior Savings Centre (hockey and rin-gette), Memorial Arena (hockey), Sun Peaks (alpine

and freestyle skiing and biathlon), Stake Lake Ski Trails (cross-country skiing), South Kamloops secondary (judo and karate), Pacific Way elementary (archery) and NorKam secondary (netball).

The cost of hosting the Games will be covered by the province, which kicks in $525,000, and the city, which adds a minimum of $45,000 cash and $50,000 in kind.

The Games are expected to provide about $2 million in economic impact to the city.

Athletes compet-ing will range in age from 10 to 19.

The province’s summer and win-ter competitions are held every two years.

The 2014 BC Winter Games will be held in Mission and the 2016 edition in Penticton. Last year’s BC Winter Games were held in Vernon.

Kamloops-Thompson school district is expected to provide 25 buses to transport athletes and officials through-out the Games and 10 city transit buses will be available to pitch in for the opening and closing ceremonies.

The school district has also resolved to provide school facilities for competition and accommodation, buses and, if necessary, enact a two-day school closure for the Thursday and Friday of the Games.

CUPE 3500 will give its members the opportunity to volunteer. Bus drivers and cus-todians to maintain schools will likely be required.

12 - 13

SportsClearwater hosts Midget Rec tourneyClearwater Midget Rec player Tim Af� eck battles for the puck with two Semiahmoo opponents during a tournament at the Sportsplex on the weekend. The local team placed � fth in the six-team event, winning their last game 7 – 5. Photo by Keith McNeill

Warriors battle Revelstoke in playoffsClearwater Peewee Rep Warrior #11 Colby Rhodes races a player from the Revelstoke Grizzlies for the puck during a playoff game at the Sportsplex on Friday. The Grizzlies won the best two out of three series with a 6-2 win Friday, followed by a 4-3 squeaker in Revelstoke on Saturday. Photo by Keith McNeill

Kamloops awarded 2018 BC Winter Games

For more information about the Sportsplex or any programs call 250 674 2143

NORTH THOMPSON SPORTSPLEX Hockey Lives Here!

MINOR HOCKEY GAME SCHEDULE

SAT. FEB. 9 • 5PM Atom #1 vs. MerrittSUN. FEB. 10 • 2pm

Midget Rec vs MerrittAll other playoff game times please check the website or call

the Sportsplex @ 250 674 2143

FORESTRY HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Feb. 8 – 10 • Clearwater Game Times:

Fri • 2:30pmSat. • 8am and 12:30pm

Sunday TBA

NO FAMILY SKATING FEB. 8 OR 10

FAMILY SKATE Next session: Feb. 15 and 17 • 4:30

Sponsored by Jim`s Market and A&W

MENS DROP IN HOCKEY Every Friday @ 7:30 and

Sunday @ 6:00

CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

3rd Annual

Come enjoy a selection of chocolate treats donated by area businesses

Feb. 16th • Doors open at 6pm, Ra� es start at 8pm

Ski Hill lodge, 566 Dunn Lk RdCost: $10 at the door, kids 12 and under are free (with accom-panying adult)Ra� e Tickets: $2 ea / 3 for $5 / 7 for $10Bring an item for the Food Bank and receive a free ra� e ticket!

Wine and beverages available.NEW THIS YEAR: Adults only area in the upper mezzanine!


Central Interior Logging Association

The North American Wood Fibre Review says wood pel-let exports from B.C. and the U.S. reached a record 860,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2012, a 70 per cent increase over the same quarter last year.

The three major European pellet import

countries remain the U.K., the Netherlands, and Belgium, while Italy, Denmark and Sweden are notably involved in pellet imports from North America, but on a much smaller scale. Denmark’s Dong Energy utility, however, has announced it plans to switch to woody bio-mass at three of its coal plants.

The biggest growth

in pellet production and export recently has been in the U.S. south.

B.C. exports also con-tinue to increase, but at a slower pace.

Jesus claimed himself to be ‘the way, the truth and the life’ (John 14:6). In this statement he is pro-claiming himself to be foundation of reality and the hope of the future. It is a passage of scripture that con-tinues to give me peace as I notice North American society growing in its accep-tance of the irrational.

For instance I recently heard some-one claim, ‘all truth is relative’. At first glance there seems to be nothing wrong with such a statement but if you look closer the statement is assum-ing that it in itself is true. Thus if all truth is relative then so is the statement that ‘all truth is relative’ and therefore it is not true. The statement is illogi-cal.

Here’s another one. I heard a parent once say to me that she was not going to push any belief on her child but would let them decide what to believe. On the surface such a state-ment seems neutral but it only has the illusion of neutrality. The par-ent is actually pushing a belief system on her child that truth is arbitrary and morality, completely subjective. This is a very common belief system among the average sociopath.

This last one is still very popular. ‘Who are you to judge?’ The question is meant to be

rhetorical and insinu-ates that one has no right to make moral judgements about individuals or society. This statement fails in two regards. First, the claim that one has no right to make judge-ments is itself a judge-ment and therefore self-refuting. Second, we make moral judg-ments all the time and thus have the right to judge as rational human beings aware of certain fundamental principles of logic and

moral reasoning.The popularity of

such sayings despite their obvious logi-cal flaws points to a society that inevitably embraces the irrational because it has rejected Christ, the personifi-cation of truth. John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

12 - 13

Community Baptist Church

By Rev. Michael Kiewitt

Think on These Things

Keith McNeill

It was all very clever.Western Canada Theatre Company recently

put on Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest in a co-production with Persephone Theatre of Saskatoon.

The play is, of course, full of Wilde’s witty dialog. It tells the story of two wealthy playboys in late 19th Century England. Jack Worthing becomes his bad-boy brother Ernest whenever he goes to the city. His friend Algernon thinks this is a fine idea, and takes the name Ernest Worthing in hopes of marrying Jack’s ward, the lovely Cecily. Unfortunately, Jack’s love interest, the beautiful Gwendolen Fairfax, thinks Jack’s real name is Ernest and declares that she would never love anyone with a name like Jack.

It is all light-hearted humor with the occa-sional savage slice taken against the rigid class structure of the time.

The acting by Kirk Smith as Jack (and Ernest) Matthew Edison as Algernon (and Ernest), Stephanie Moroz as Cecily, and Jamie Lee Shebelski as Gwendolen is excellent, as are the performances by those in supporting roles. The set designs and production values are high.

The Importance of Being Earnest ran at the Sagebrush Theatre in Kamloops until Feb. 2.

Western Canada Theatre Company’s next production will be Educating Rita from Feb. 21 to Mar. 2.

Gwendolen Fairfax (Jamie Lee Shebelski) confronts Jack Worthing (Kirk Smith) during a performance of the comedy The Importance of Being Earnest at Sagebrush Theatre in Kamloops. Behind are Rev. Canon Chasuble (Christopher Weddell) and Miss Prism (Cheryl Jack). The latter two are from the Kamloops area. Photo by Murray Mitchell

The Importance of Being Earnest performed in Kamloops

Scripture gives peace

Pellet exports break record in third quarter

First girl born gets quiltFirst baby girl born in the Clearwater area is Simone Mae Colborne, born Jan. 8 (weighing seven pounds, 14 ounces). She is the second daughter for Corrie and Brett and baby sister for Evan. Presenting the quilt (made by Sharon Cusworth) is hospital auxiliary volunteer Dianna Trautman. Orion Day-Raven Hall, born Jan. 2, was the first boy. Photo submitted


Kamloops This Week

The B.C. Winter Games will be held in Kamloops in 2018 and there should be a solid contingent of athletes from the region ready to take part.

During a press confer-ence on Friday, Jan. 25, just outside the McArthur Island Sports and Event Centre, Kamloops was named host of the

event by Kamloops-North Thompson Liberal MLA Terry Lake.

In the audience were many athletes who took part in the first BC Winter Games, hosted by Kamloops in 1979.

Their legacy, Lake said, was the determination that grew in the city to first become known in the prov-ince as the place to go for sports events and, later, as

the Tournament Capital of Canada.

Celebrating that history will be important when the four-day Games begin on Feb. 22, 2018.

Lake noted 40 B.C. ath-letes at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in London had once compet-ed in the BC Winter Games.

The 2018 BC Winter Games in Kamloops will see more than 2,100 athletes,

coaches, and officials visit from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25.

Sport venues will include the Tournament Capital Centre (gymnas-tics), the Thompson Rivers University gym (badmin-ton), McArthur Island Sports Centre (curling, figure skating and speed skating), Interior Savings Centre (hockey and rin-gette), Memorial Arena (hockey), Sun Peaks (alpine

and freestyle skiing and biathlon), Stake Lake Ski Trails (cross-country skiing), South Kamloops secondary (judo and karate), Pacific Way elementary (archery) and NorKam secondary (netball).

The cost of hosting the Games will be covered by the province, which kicks in $525,000, and the city, which adds a minimum of $45,000 cash and $50,000 in kind.

The Games are expected to provide about $2 million in economic impact to the city.

Athletes compet-ing will range in age from 10 to 19.

The province’s summer and win-ter competitions are held every two years.

The 2014 BC Winter Games will be held in Mission and the 2016 edition in Penticton. Last year’s BC Winter Games were held in Vernon.

Kamloops-Thompson school district is expected to provide 25 buses to transport athletes and officials through-out the Games and 10 city transit buses will be available to pitch in for the opening and closing ceremonies.

The school district has also resolved to provide school facilities for competition and accommodation, buses and, if necessary, enact a two-day school closure for the Thursday and Friday of the Games.

CUPE 3500 will give its members the opportunity to volunteer. Bus drivers and cus-todians to maintain schools will likely be required.

12 - 13

SportsClearwater hosts Midget Rec tourneyClearwater Midget Rec player Tim Af� eck battles for the puck with two Semiahmoo opponents during a tournament at the Sportsplex on the weekend. The local team placed � fth in the six-team event, winning their last game 7 – 5. Photo by Keith McNeill

Warriors battle Revelstoke in playoffsClearwater Peewee Rep Warrior #11 Colby Rhodes races a player from the Revelstoke Grizzlies for the puck during a playoff game at the Sportsplex on Friday. The Grizzlies won the best two out of three series with a 6-2 win Friday, followed by a 4-3 squeaker in Revelstoke on Saturday. Photo by Keith McNeill

Kamloops awarded 2018 BC Winter Games

St James Catholic Church

Sunday Service Mass • 11am - 12pmTuesday & Thursday

10am324 Clearwater

Village Road 250-672-5949

•Father Don O’Reilly

Clearwater Seventh-Day

Adventist Church

Pastor Bill KellySaturday Service - 10amClearwater Christian Church

Ph. 250-674-3468

Clearwater Living Streams Christian

FellowshipMeeting at

New Life Assemblyevery Sunday 5:00pm

Contact Dave Meehan 250-674-3217email: [email protected]

Clearwater Community Churchopen to everyone - all denominations

CLEARWATER NEW LIFE ASSEMBLYDan Daase - Pastor

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30am

(Kids church during service)Wednesdays Am - Ladies Bible Study

Thursday 3-5pm Kids ClubPhone: 250-674-2345

308 W Old N Thompson Hwy

ChurchDirectoryYour places of worship

VAVENBY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

3083 Capostinsky Rd. • Service 11 a.m.

Sunday Morning Celebration

ServicesIan Moilliet Pastor -

250-676-9574Non Denominational

Clearwater Christian Church“an Independent” congregation in fellowship with the

broader Christian community in the area.Meeting at: 11 Lodge Drive

(Behind Fields Store)

Sunday Worship Service

10 amOn the Web: www.clchch.com

For information 250.674.3841 or 250.674.2912

Pastor Mike Kiewitt250.674.1332

www.ccbaptist.ca

COMMUNITYBAPTIST

24E Old North Thompson Hwy

Worship Service 10:30

CLEARWATER UNITED CHURCH

Meeting at Catholic Church of St. James

Worship Sunday 9am

250-672-5653 • 250-674-3615 250-676-9435

[email protected]

snow is here!Worried about the snow on your Roof?

Roof Top Snow Removal.

call 250-674-3248

WEBSITE DESIGN

WEBLOG DESIGN

DESKTOP+MOBILE

DATABASE

AFFORDABLE PRICE!

Mohammad ShakeriPhone: 250 674 2614

[email protected]

www.blazingspider.com


Business & Service DirectoryACCOUNTANT - CERTIFIED

STONE & COMPANY(Robert Lawrie, Silvia Scheibenp� ug)

Certi� ed General AccountantsRison Realty • 32 E Old N. Thompson Hwy.

Feb. 1st to Apr. 30th - Every ThursdayMay 1st to Jan. 31st - By AppointmentHours: 9:30 am to Noon, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Phone: 250-674-2532 • Kamloops: 554-2533 • Fax: 554-2536Financial Statement Preparation • Corporate & Personal Income Taxes

Accountant - Certified Appliance Repair

CARPENTRY

Hazel’s HousingQUALITY WORK

• NEW CONSTRUCTION • RENOVATIONS • ROOFING

CLEARWATER, B.C.

250-674-4083Hazel Dowds

Journeyman Carpenter

Carpentry

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

Symons ElectricGood Prices • Great Service • Quality WorkLARRY SYMONS • LICENSED & BONDED • CLEARWATER

- CLOSED MONDAYS - • B.C. Reg. #24833

250-587-6175

Electric Contractors

Building Supply

Winter Hours • 8:30am - 5pm

Electric Contractors

Licenced & BondedReg. NO: 99142

Florist

JAGER GARBAGEResidential & Commercial

Garbage Collection. Residential includes Blue Bag Recycling

Containers available for construction sites, yard clean-up, industrial sites etc.

Phone Jager Garbage 250-674-3798Serving from Vavenby to Blackpool area

GARBAGE COLLECTIONGarbage Collection

AdvertiseA DVERTISING

For All YourAdvertising

NeedsCall

THE TIMESAl Kirkwood

674-3343

CONTRACTORS

Septic - Installation - Service - PumpingDemolition - Excavation - Backhoe Service

Trucking - Crane Truck - Water - DumpGravel - Sand - Top Soil - Snow Removal

Paul Jack250.819.3205 250.299.9510

ContractingConstruction

John White

Fully Insured

Journeyman Carpenters

Bonded General Contractor

Tiny Builders Ltd.Box 345

Clearwater BCV0E 1N0

(250) 674-4001(250) [email protected]

ConstructionConstruction &

Renovations from Foundations

to Roof

Rob Kerslake

Steve Noble

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

NORTH RIVERAPPLIANCE REPAIRFour Star Service

250-674-0079

DOUG JAMESPARTS - SALES - SERVICE CALLS USED APPLIANCES

Construction

DNA ConstructionNew Construction, Renovations, Tiling, Roo� ng.

Dan Arnold250-587-0010

73 Taren Drive, Clearwater Phone 250-674-2929 Toll Free: 1-877-974-2929

~ fl owers ~ plants ~ gifts ~ balloon bouquets ~specializing in weddings, sympathy, birthdays,

anniversaries and other important occasions

Contractor

Building Contractor

Renovations • Additions • New Construction •

Home Repairs • HAFI Jobs • Proje� Management

250-674-3875Clearwater, BC • [email protected]�

40 years experience

Building Contractor

HANS OUNPUU

Heating & Air Conditioning

Furnace Installations • Heat Pump Installations • Hot Water Tank Replacements • Air Conditioning installs • We repair all makes

and models • Modular Home Furnaces • Ducting

250-879-2777

MOTOR LICENCE OFFICE

ICBC AgentDistrict of Clearwater

250-674-2733132 Station Road, Box 157, Clearwater, B.C. V0E 1N0Of� ce Hours: Monday to Friday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Open through the Noon hour

Motor Licence Office

Bringing a little

Sunshine to you

Greenhouse & Gardening

Sunshine Valley Growers250-674-2075Kyla Parsons

Now accepting pre-orders for hanging baskets, fl owers & vegetables

Plumbing & Drains

NEED A PLUMBER?

JASEN MANN 250-674-8151

NORTH THOMPSON

NTPDPLUMBING AND DRAINS

Propane Sales

PROPANE SALES & SERVICE

Call Bev

For all of your propane needs

250-374-9439

-Residential -Rental -Commercial -Parts -Cylinder -Bulk

702 Athabasca Street East Kamloops, BC – www.calgasinc.com


Call Bev


250-374-9439




Call Bev


250-374-9439



Call Bev for all your propane needs250-374-9439

Residential • Rental • Commercial • Cylinder • Parts • Bulk


14 -15

Eco-depot opens in ClearwaterRoss Wilson prepares to push waste cardboard into a container at Clearwater’s new eco-depot. People should stand behind the yellow line, he says. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District facilility opened on Tuesday, Jan. 29. Winter hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 8 – 4 until Mar. 31.Photo by Keith McNeill

Winter collisionsClearwater RCMP responded to sev-

eral incidents on Tuesday, Jan. 29.One collision involved two tractor-

trailer units that slid into each while crossing Raft River Bridge.

A second occurred on Highway 24, with a single vehicle sliding down an embankment to a snowbank below.

The third collision of the day involved two vehicles travelling by the scene of the earlier collision on Raft River bridge. The driver had slowed down to be cautious of the motor vehi-cle incident when a tractor trailer unit jack-knifed behind the first vehicle and rear-ended it.

Road conditions were factors of all the above mentioned incidents. Clearwater RCMP recommend to driv-ers that they adjust speeds when the road conditions are icy.

Crash results in high-way closure

On Wednesday, Jan. 30 at approxi-mately 2 a.m., Clearwater RCMP attended a motor vehicle incident south of Little Fort along Highway 5.

An Arrow Transport truck pulling two trailers went out of control and off the road to the left while northbound. The resulting collision completed closed the entire highway in both directions.

The rear of the trailer was dangling over the side of the edge of a steep embankment that led to the ground approximately 30 feet below.

A local tow truck company was able to safely remove the vehicle from the edge of the road with little trouble.

The driver of the vehicle was taken to Royal Inland Hospital suffering from minor injuries.

Night riderClearwater RCMP has received sev-

eral calls regarding a lone male riding on a bike around Clearwater during the late hours of the evening.

The male has been reported to be looking into people's homes as he rides by. Police have located this individual several times and have spoken to him regarding the complaints made.

On both occasions the rider stated that he was simply riding around town, thinking and reflecting on his life. The male is known to police.

Business & Service Directory

Contracting

On allSERVICESConstruction • Renovations • Certi� ed Septic & Water • Plumbing • Wells & Repairs •

Excavation • Dump Truck • Toilet Rentals • Towing • Certi� ed Traf� c Control

AT ON CALL... WE DO IT ALL...

Septic Service - Pumper TruckBobcat and Backhoe

Plumbing

Office Space for RentIndustrial Lot with Hwy 5 Access and Visibility

$350 a month.

250-674-0145

OR


Taylor, Epp & DolderLawyers

Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. - NoonBarriere Centre - 480 Barriere Town Road

Lawyer in attendance: Elmer Epp

Barriere 250-672-5244 • Kamloops: 250-374-3456

Lawyers

MOTOR LICENCE OFFICE

ICBC AgentDistrict of Clearwater

250-674-2733132 Station Road, Box 157, Clearwater, B.C. V0E 1N0Offi ce Hours: Monday to Friday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Open through the Noon hour

Motor Licence Office

Service • Sales • InstallationsStar Choice Approved Service TechnicianPhone: 250-674-0066 or 250-674-8877

email: [email protected]

Satellite Service

WELLS GRAY

TAXIAVAILABLE 24 HOURS • 7 DAYS A WEEK

250-674-2214 • 250-674-1542

Taxi Service

BUD’S WATER WELLS LTD.Toll Free 1-888-83WELLS OVER 25

YEARS EXPERIENCEResidential & Industrial Wells

Certifi ed Well DrillerDuane BochekKamloops, B.C.

Bus. (250) 573-3000Toll Free 1-888-839-3557

Water Wells

Safe ShelterIf you need help getting away from domestic abuse,

call Safe Home

(250) 674-2135 in Little Fort, Clearwater, Birch Island, Vavenby, Avola & Blue River

(250) 682-6444 in Dar eld, Barriere, Chu Chua, Louis Creek and McLure

Anytime day or night - Please don’t wait until it’s too late.Call us now. We can help.

If you would like to volunteer, call 250-674-2600 and ask for Wendy

Lawyer

Jim McCreightin Clearwater the 2 nd & 4 th

W ednesday of each month

Ph: 250-674-2255 (Clearwater)Toll Free: 1-888-374-3161

Located in the BB&R Insuranceoffice, Brookfield Mall

Jim McCreightin Clearwater the 2 nd & 4 th

W ednesday of each month

For all your legal needs, including:• Wills & Estates • Real Estate • Accident & Injury

Located in the Interior Savings Offi ce, Ph: 250-674-2255 or Toll Free: 1-888-374-3161

Nursery


Kodiak Kennels Breeding & Boarding

Breeders of Golden RetrieversPet Vacations at Kodiak Ranch

Lyle & Mary ThomasBox 189Clearwater, B.C. V0E 1N0

Ph. 250-674-0093Toll Free. 1-877-Kodiak9www.kodiakranch.com

Pick up and delivery available

KennelHorseshoeing

Cell: 250-682-5577 • Home: 250-674-4033

Interior Design

• C u s t o m B l i n d s & D r a p e r y • H o m e D é c o r F a b r i c• F l o o r i n g S a m p l e s • J o u r n e y m a n F l o o r I n s t a l l a t i o n s• P a i n t i n g - I n t e r i o r & E x t e r i o r • S m a l l R e n o v a t i o n s

• I n - H o m e D é c o r C o n s u l t a t i o n s

Call Val the Blind Gal250-674-1543

Toll Free 1-866-674-1543

Valerie PantonIn-home Décor Consultant 26 years experience

Jim PantonFloor Layer & Painter

37 years in the trade• • •

• C u s t o m B l i n d s & D r a p e r y • H o m e D é c o r F a b• F l o o r i n g S a m p l e s • J o u r n e y m a n F l o o r I n s t a l l a• P a i n t i n g - I n t e r i o r & E x t e r i o r • S l l R

Call Val the B250-674-

Toll Free 1-866-

Styling on Highway 5

ContractingON CALL

Service CenterLandscaping

Sweeper

Post Hole Auger

DIVISION

Construction, Renos & DemosSeptic Service - Pumper TruckBackhoe & BobcatCertifi ed Traffi c Control & Tow Truck - 24 HoursTraffi c Control/Certifi edPortable toilet rentalsChimney SweepPlumbingWell Repair

Traffi c Control & Towing

RON ROTZETTER250-674-0145 / 250-318-7235

Call 250-674-1869

DIVISIONS

Naturalized Landscaping

Box 463Clearwater, B.C. V0E [email protected]

Tel: (250) 674-3444Fax: (250) 674-3444

Geoff Ellen, P. AGForest Agrologist

• Landscape Design • Xeric Dryscapes • Native Species Landscapes • Hydroseeded Lawns • Land Reclamation

• Agroforestry • Range Management • Raw Land Assessment/Ideas • Aerial Revegetation • Greenhouses

AMARANTH FARM & NURSERY - McLure BCColorado Spruce Blue/Green

1m to 3m’s - Burlapped & Basketed

$60 - $160 • Hundreds to Choose from

Large Caliper Colorful Shade Trees to 14’

Call Bob at 672-9712 • cell 819-9712Wholesale to the Public & Business

massage

Located In The Legion Building

BODY HARMONYShiatsu Clinic

Registered with N.H.P.C. & Canadian Refl exology Association

Open Tues., Wed. & Thurs. Call for day or evening

appointments(250) 674-0098

ACUPRESSURE & SHIATSU MASSAGE

JAYLEE DOG GROOMINGArlee Yoerger

Professional Quality Pet Grooming

3133 Hundsbedt RdVAVENBY BC

250-676-0052

Pet Grooming

Septic

ON CALL SEPTIC SERVICES in Clearwater will be in

Valemount, Blue River and Avola every fi rst Friday of each month.

Charges for septic pumps start at $250 plus tax. Charges are subject to pump volume, location of the tank

and dumping fees.We do require a minimum of 3 appointments

to be able to service your area.

Please call to make an appointment250-674-0145 or 250-674-1869

Advertising

For All YourAdvertising

Needs

Call

THE TIMESAl Kirkwood

674-3343

WATER WELLS

BUD’S WATER WELLS LTD.Toll Free 1-888-83WELLS OVER 25

YEARS EXPERIENCEResidential & Industrial Wells

Certi� ed Well DrillerDuane BochekKamloops, B.C.

Bus. (250) 573-3000Toll Free 1-888-839-3557

Water Wells

Towing

CLEARWATER TOWING LTD.24 Hour ServiceFree Scrap Car Removal516 Swanson RoadUsed Auto Parts

NELS HINDLE OFFICE: 250-674-3123or CELL: 250-674-1427 ®

TAXI SERVICE

WELLS GRAY

TAXIAVAILABLE 24 HOURS • 7 DAYS A WEEK

250-674-2214 • 250-674-1542

Taxi Service

Septic Service

CLEARWATER SEPTIC SERVICEGive us a call before it’s too late! BEST rates in town

“Interior Health approved” POTABLE WATER SERVICE

250-674-3562

& PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS

Storage

NORTH THOMPSON STORAGESECURED FENCED FACILITY

24-HR MONITORED VIDEO SURVEILLANCER.V.’S, BOATS, TRAILERS, TRUCKS, ETC.

1st 20 spaces at $500/year778-208-5300 Clearwater, BC

StorageStorage

250.674.0145

Covered RV & Boat Storage

NOW AVAILABLEOff the Hook

STORAGEMini Storage Units


THOUGHTFOR THE

WEEK

Don’t knock the

weather; nine-

tenths of the

people couldn’t

start a conversa-

tion if it didn’t

change once in a

while.

~ Kin Hubbard

250-674-2674

Bayley’s BistroBayley’s Bistroin the Brookfield Shopping Centre in Clearwater

Eat in or Take out Fried Chicken

250-674-2674

this ad is sponsored by

Wells Gray Country

TO ADD YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT OR ORGANIZATION PLEASE CALL THE TIMES AT 250-674-3343

Jan. 31: Cookies and Bookies. 10 am – 12 pm, Commu-nity Resource Centre. Story time starts at 10 am. Info 250-674-3530

Feb. 2: Arts, Health & Wellness Expo, CSS 10 am – 4 pm, info 674-2600

Feb 3: Wells Gray Outdoors Club sponsors the Birchleg at the Candle Creek Ski Trails. 250-674-2327 for info.

Feb. 16: Chocolate Festival, Ski hill lodge, doors open 6 pm, info 250-674-3562, [email protected]

Feb. 22-24: Ladies Curling Bonspiel. Call Gwen to register 250-674-3768.

Feb. 27: Pink Shirt Day. Make some noise against bully-ing.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT• Coffee House: 1st Friday every month - Little Fort Community

Hall. 6:30, mic $4/person. Info Bill Fowler 250-672-5116• Raft River Rockhounds: 3rd Sunday of the mth. 250-674-2700• Women in Business Luncheon: 2nd Wed. of the mth at Wells

Gray Inn, 12–2 pm. Preregister at 250-674-2700• Clearwater Choir: Youth 3:30 - 5 pm; Adult 6:30 - 9 pm, Tues-

days, Clearwater Christian Church• Crafts & Conversations with Cheryl. Tuesdays 11:00 am to

2:00 pm at the North Thompson Aboriginal Sharing Center. Phone 674-3703 for more info.

• Clearwater Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 9:00 am – Noon. For more information please call Anne at 250-674-3444.

• Clearwater-Vavenby Lions Bingo: Every 2nd Tues. Elks Hall. 250-587-6269

• M&M (Mrs. & Ms.) Social. Last Sun of the mth Wells Gray Inn. 1pm: 587-6503

• Blackpool Community Hall Coffee House; Local musicians – every 2nd Fri. of the month. 6:30 pm. Concession, $3 or 2 for $5.

• Clearwater Elks Bingo - every 2nd Thurs. Elks Hall. open 5pm• Cribbage Wed. at the Royal Canadian Legion. 12:30 pm.• Little Fort Coffee House 7pm Little Fort Hall. 1st Fri of the mth

Oct. - May Bill 672-5116• Fun Darts Fri. at the Royal Canadian Legion. 6 pm.CHILDREN & FAMILIES• Raccoon StrongStart: Raft River Elem school days Mon, Tues,

Thurs & Fri from 8:45-11:45am• Raccoon StrongStart: Vavenby Elem school days Wed 8:50-

11:50am• Clearwater Breastfeeding Group: 3rd Wed. of every month

7:30pm @ YCS• Mother Goose - Mornings, reg. call Kerry 250-674-2600 ext

227• NT BC Home Schoolers: Meets Fri. afternoons. Call Leanna

250-674-0057 for details• Kids Club: Clearwater New Life Assembly. Meets every Thur.

3-5 pm. Ages 5-12. For info contact Bobbi @ 250-674-3346

HEALTH & HEALINGTuesday Morning Coffee ~ 10 am – 11 am at Baptist Church.

Themed weekly women’s discussions - drop-in.• Shambhala Meditation Group: meets every Tuesday at Forest

House 6:30-8:00 pm. Info: 250-587-6373.• Connections Healing Rooms - Fridays1-3pm (except stat.

holidays). 86 Young Rd. No charge. Sponsored by Living Streams Christian Church. www.healingrooms.com.

• Healthy Choices – Tues 9am Clearwater Christian Church bsmnt (behind Fields). $2/wk drop-in free. Call Kim 250-674-0224

• Clearwater & District Hospice 3rd Mon. Sept-Jun 10am Legion. RECREATION• Drop-in soccer: May-Sept. Tuesdays & Thursday at 7pm at CSS

� eld. Everyone welcome!• Bowling: Mon. 10–12pm & 1-3pm; Thurs., 1-3pm. Seniors Cen-

tre at Evergreen Acres. 674-2699• Clearwater Sno-Drifters: Meet 1st Thursday of every month.

250-676-9414• CNT Rod & Gun Club: 3rd Sun. of the mth. Blackpool Hall 7pm

Sept. - April• Drop in Tennis: May-Sept. Mon & Thurs 6:30pm All levels.

Double & single play. Rotary Sports Park.• Volleyball: Tues. 7:30-9:00 PM, Jan. 15 - Apr. 30, 2013. Clearwater

Secondary School Gym, $2 drop in.• Yoga Tree – Call or email Annie 674-2468 annie.pomme@

hotmail.com• Core Strength Fitness. Tuesdays. 10-11am 250-674-0001• Walking Club: Indoors: Wed. Jan. 30 - Mar. 13, 6:30 - 7:30 AM at

Clearwater Secondary. FREE. 250-674-1878 for more info.• Drop-in Curling: Fri. Jan. 11 - Mar. 8, 7:00 PM, $5. Brooms and

sliders available.• Badminton: Mon & Wed, Oct – Mar, CSS gym, 7:30-9:30 pm, $3

drop-in fee, info 250-674-2518SENIORS• Wells Gray Country Senior’s Society 3rd Sun Social Meet at the

Wells Gray Hotel at 12:30pm for lunch or dessert, & chat• Wells Gray Country Senior’s Society Book Club Last Thursday of

the month at 2pm at the public library. All seniors welcome.

UPCOMING EVENTS

For a complete list of our area’s COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS please stop in at the Times of� ce and pick up your copy of the North

Thompson Community Directory • Brook� eld Mall Clearwater • 250-674-3343

ONGOING EVENTS

UPCOMING COURSESOFA Level 1 First Aid

Mar 8 $90Computer Starters

Mar 5 & 12 $50Spanish

Feb 6 – Mar 13 $80Home Alone Program

Feb 15 (non-instruction day) $35Traffi c Control Certifi cation

Feb 23 & 24 $270Basic CNC Plasma Cutter

Feb 23 & 24 $85Joy of Painting

Feb 23 $85Microsoft Excel

M&W, Feb 25-Mar 27 $325To Bid on a Contract

Feb 28 $70Occupational Health & Safety

Mar 2 $90Camp/Prep Cook

Mar 4-Apr 19 $2950Heavy Equipment Operator

Mar 4 – Apr 26Air Brakes

Mar 8-10 $235World Host

Mar 9 $85

REGISTER TODAYTEL: 250.674.3530 IN PERSON: 224 Candle Creek Rd.

EMAIL: [email protected] • www.tru.ca/regional_centres/clearwater

North Thompson Times Thursday, February 7, 2013 www.clearwatertimes.com A17

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICIANGraymont’s Pavilion Plant is accepting applications for an Industrial Electrician. Candidate must possess current B.C. Red Seal certification. Preference will be given to well-rounded individuals willing to also perform other nonelectrical maintenance work as part of the maintenance team. A background in lime or cement industry along with computer and or PLC skills is preferred as well as a proven track record of developing and maintaining a safe work culture. Additional skills required:

Lime Plant.

environment.

Qualified applicants please submit your resume to: [email protected] or Graymont Pavilion Plant

Attn: Dan BuisP.O. Box 187

Cache Creek, BC V0K 1H0

“The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia”

In Partnership with Barriere & District Chamber of Commerce and Yellowhead Community Services

Operate by Yellowhead Community ServicesThe Employment Program of BC is funded by the Government of Canada & the Province of British Columbia

BARRIERE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES629 Barriere Town Rd. Barriere, BC V0E 1E0Phone: 250-672-0036 / Fax: 250-672-2159

E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.barriere-employment.ca

CLEARWATER EMPLOYMENT SERVICES58A Young Road, Clearwater BC V0E 1N2

250-674-2928 Fax 250-674-2938E-mail: [email protected] • Web Page: www.clearwateremployment.ca

Workshop ( or every 2nd Thursday)Thurs. Feb. 21st – Creating & Updating Your Resume Workshop (or every 3rd Thursday)Thurs. Feb. 28th – Work Search Techniques Workshop (every 4th Thursday)Please call 250-674-2928 to register for free workshops.• Resumes & Interviews: Go hand in hand, so the better prepared you are the greater the impression you will make to your future employer. Please drop in and our friendly staff will assist you.• Targeted Wage Subsidy (TWS): Are you currently on Employment Insurance or have you been in the last 3-5 years? If you have, you may be eligible for wage subsidy. Ask us for further info.• Funding for Skill Enhancement: Recent or active EI clients with a career plan in mind seeking assistance through Service Canada are required to book an appointment with one of our Employment Counsellors.• Blue River Itinerant: An employment consultant comes to town twice/mth to the Blue River School. Next visit is Thursday Feb. 14 from 12:30-2:30. If a one on one appointment is required, please call to set up a time prior to the drop in.

PROGRAM SUPPORT (Casual) – Interior Health O1812COOK – Part time (not suitable for student) A&W B0009CASHIER – Part time (not suitable for students) Petro Can B0008RCA – Casual & Permanent PT, ICS B0007YARD PERSON – Seas. FT Thompson Valley Charters B0038COACH CLEANER – Seasonal FT Thompson Valley Charters B0039BUS DRIVERS – Thompson Valley Charters B0040COOK – FT or PT Station House Restaurant B0041SUPPORT WORKER – Casual, YCS B0050CASHIER – Little Fort Store PT/FT CB0054SANDWICH ARTIST – Subway PT/FT CB0055

NORTH THOMPSON JOBS

Park Attendant: 6 positions/Seasonal/Clearwater #CB0057Sandwich Artist: PT-FT/Little Fort CB#0055Cashier: PT-FT/Little Fort #CB0054Chokerman: FT/Clearwater #C0053Class 4 Driver: PT/Seasonal/Highway 5 #CB0051Sightseeing Boat Operator: Seasonal/Blue River #CB0049Housekeeper: Seasonal/Clearwater #C0048Class 1 Truck Driver: PT/Kamloops #C0047IT Manager: Seasonal/Blue River #CB0043Food and Beverage Server: Seasonal/Clearwater #C0036House-keeper: Seasonal/Clearwater #C0031German Speaking Tour Guide: Seasonal/Clearwater #CB0030Driver-Ski Guide (German Speaking): Seasonal/Clearwater #C0029Class 1 Driving Instructor: FT Quesnel/Williams Lake #CB0024Logging Truck Driver: Seasonal/Clearwater #CB0021Housekeeping Manager: FT/Blue River #CB0015

GENERAL INFORMATION• Free Workshops: Thurs. Feb. 7th – Self Marketing/Networking WorkshopThurs. Feb. 14th – Internet & Email Basics

APPRENTICE MECHANIC – Insight Autopro B0056

SKILL DEVELOPMENT: If you have been on Employment Insurance in the past 3 years (5 years maternity) and are currently unemployed, you may be eligible for re-training dollars. Book an appointment to see one of our counselors for more information.We look forward to seeing you: come in and we’ll personally see that you get the information you’re seeking or call and make an appointment.

• Free computer and Internet access • Free resume help

• Free information on many services.

Information

HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP

Located across the railway tracks in Vavenby, B.C.

Wednesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Sunday 11a.m. - 3 p.m.

Great deals - low prices

Help Wanted

Announcements

Coming EventsHISTORICAL ARMS Collec-tors Guns-Knives-Militaria An-tiques Show & Sale Saturday March 9, 9am-5pm, Sunday March 10, 9am-5pm. Heritage Park, 44140 Luckackuck Way, Chilliwack (exit 116 off Hwy 1) Buy-Sell-Swap. For info or ta-ble rentals Gordon 604-747-4704 Al 604-941-8489. Check our website www.HACSbc.caThe 4th annual WCOWMA-BC Convention & Trade Show will be held at the Ramada Convention Centre (36035 North Parallel Rd) in Abbotsford on February 7-9, 2013. Workshops, open forum discus-sions, networking opportunities and door prizes. Trade show admission is complimentary. Don’t miss the only wastewater trade show and convention in BC. Info at www.wcowma-bc.com.

InformationADVERTISE in the

LARGEST OUTDOOR PUBLICATION IN BC

The 2013-2015 BC Freshwater Fishing

Regulations SynopsisThe most effective way to

reach an incredible number of BC Sportsmen & women.

Two year edition- terrifi c presence for your business.Please call Annemarie

1.800.661.6335 email:

fi [email protected]

Safe Home Response Providing a safe place to

escape for women and their children.

Volunteers always needed. Call 250-674-2135.

PersonalsAlcoholics Anonymous

Phone 250-674-3838 or250-587-0026 Anytime

Barriere Alcoholics Anonymous Call: 250-672-9643For Al Anon Call:

250-672-9643, 250-819-5361, 250-308-5139 or 778-220-6269

PersonalsClearwater: AA meetings every Wed., #11 Lodge Dr., side door. Roll call 8 p.m. 250-674-7155 or 250-674-7313

Lost & FoundLost: Cameo broach lost in Clearwater area. Black with a white cameo ladies head on it. Sentimental value. If found please call 250-674-3253

Travel

TimeshareCANCEL YOUR Timeshare. NO Risk Program, STOP Mortgage & Maintenance Pay-ments Today. 100% Money Back Guarantee. FREE Con-sultation. Call Us NOW. We Can Help! 1-888-356-5248.

Employment

Business Opportunities

EARN EXTRA cash! - P/T, F/T Immediate Openings For Men & Women. Easy Computer Work, Other Positions Are Available. Can Be Done From Home. No Experience Need-ed. www.BCJobLinks.comLIFE CHANGERS! Dis-tributors required for non-com-petition health product. Online at: www.ourwow.info and then at: www.jusuru.com/change. Or call 780-239-8305 or email to: [email protected]

Employment

Business Opportunities

PYRAMID CORPORATION is now hiring! Instrument Techni-cians and Electricians for vari-ous sites across Alberta. Send resume to: [email protected] or fax 780-955-HIRE.

Education/Trade Schools

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIP-MENT OPERATOR SCHOOL.NO Simulators. In-the-seat training. Real world tasks.Weekly start dates. Job board! Funding options.SignUp online! iheschool.com 1-866-399-3853

Help WantedAVAILABLE immediately for busy Volvo/Mack dealership located in Salmon Arm, BC. Journeyman or equivalent ex-perienced parts counter appli-cant. Full time with competitive wages and benefi ts. Vol-vo/Mack an asset but will con-sider other OEM experience as equivalent. Forward re-sumes to [email protected]. Suitable applicants will be con-tacted for an interview.

Journeyman HD mechanic required for oilfi eld construc-tion company. Duties will in-clude servicing, maintenance and overhaul of our equip-ment. The job will be predomi-nately shop work , but with a portion of your time spent in the fi eld. A mechanics truck will be supplied for you. The job is based in Edson, Alberta. Call Lloyd at 780-723-5051.

LabourersPORTAGE College in Lac La Biche, AB, is looking for Maintenance Ser-vice Workers. For more info, visit our website at portagecollege.ca or call 1-866-623-5551, ext. 5597.

Trades, TechnicalSHORE MECHANIC – F/T

Heavy Duty Mechanic Certifi -cate or equivalent w/5 yrs exp.

www.westcoast tug.ca/shore-mechanic

Employment

Trades, Technical

Work WantedHAFI GRANTS

Notice to low income seniors and persons with disability. You may qualify for a grant up to 20,000. to modify and adapt your home for improved safety and accessibility. For details contact your local HAFI expert Hans Ounpuu, Building con-tractor @ 250-674-3875.

Need some help with those odd jobs you don’t have time for? Call Keiran Jones at 250-674-3051

Services

Mind Body SpiritMystic Mountain Healing Spa

Appointments only250-674-2700

mysticmountainacres.com

Financial Services

Reduce Debtby up to 70%

• Avoid bankruptcy• 0% Interest

250-434-4226www.4pillars.ca

• Avoid Bankruptcy• Rebuild Your Credit• Proudly Canadian

250-434-4505

Trades, Technical

Services

Financial ServicesDROWNING IN debts? Help-ing Canadians 25 years. Low-er payments by 30%, or cut debts 70% thru Settlements. Avoid bankruptcy! Free con-sultation. www.mydebtsolution.com or Toll Free 1 877-556-3500

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420.

www.pioneerwest.com

IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: It’s That Simple. Your Credit / Age / Income is not an issue. 1.800.587.2161.

M O N E Y P R OV I D E R . C O M $500 Loan and +. No Credit Refused. Fast, Easy, 100% Secure. 1-877-776-1660.

Fitness/ExerciseElliptical Trainer Canadian Tire Cardio Style ET150 in very good condition. Will trade for treadmill in good condition. Call 250-319-8023.

Legal ServicesCRIMINAL RECORD? Don’t let it block employment, travel, education, professional, certifi -cation, adoption property ren-tal opportunities. For peace of mind & a free consultation call 1-800-347-2540.

Trades, Technical

Services

Photography / VideoNeed a professional

photographer? Portraits, weddings,

special events, pet portraits, commercial.

Affordable memories that last a life-time. Seniors rates.

Book now avoid & disappointment. Sorry no passport photos

Jill Hayward250-319-8023/250-672-0055

PHOTOS by Keith McNeill

Digital and fi lm photographs.Phone 250-674-3252 or

email:[email protected]

Appliance RepairsUsed Washer, Dryer, Stoves, Gas Stoves. All in good work-ing condition. 250-674-0079

Pets & Livestock

Feed & HayCarl’s Market Garden

Good quality horse hay, ap-prox 70lb bale, grass/grass-al-falfa mix, $7/bale. Cow hay $5-6/bale. Potatoes - 40lb sac, red or yellow, $20/sac. 250-672-5795 (McLure).Hay for sale: square bales, 2nd cut, grass/alfa mix. 800lb round bales, 1st cut. Del. can be arranged. (250)672-9319

Merchandise for Sale

AppliancesMoffat Therm-Aire 3-level pizza oven, accessories and attachments. $2500.00 obo Ph. 250-676-9588Thunderbird Model Arm-02 1/2 hp commercial dough mix-er and attachments. Was $2800.00 Asking $2200.00 OBO Ph. 250-676-9588

Help Wanted

Your community. Your classifi eds.

250.674.3343

fax 250.674.3410 email classifi [email protected]

CLASSIFIED RATES AND DEADLINEBuy a Classified in the Star/Journal

and your ad goes into the The Times FREE.

Regular Rate: 8.50 + GSTMaximum 15 words .20c per word extra

Special Rates: 3 Weeks;$22.15 + GST

Free Ads: Lost, Found, Student Work WantedFree ads maximum 15 words will run 2 consecutive weeks.

Happy Occasions:Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, etc. 1 column by 3 inch - $18.49 + GSTDeadlines:Word Ads: Mondays 5pmDisplay Ads: Mondays 12pm

It is the policy of The Star/Journal and The Times to receive pre-payment on all classified advertisements.Ads may be submitted by phone if charged to a VISA, MC or an existing account.

CHECK YOUR AD! Notice of error must be given in time for correction before the second insertion of any advertisement. The paper will not be responsible for omissions or for more than one incorrect insertion, or for damages or costs beyond the cost of the space actually occupied by the error.Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of ads which discriminate against any person because of race, religion, sex, color, national-ity, ancestry or place of origin or age, unless the condition is justifi ed by a bona fide requirement for the work involved.Readers; in ads where ‘male’ is referred to, please read also as ‘female’ and where ‘female’ is used, read also ‘male’.NOTE: When ordering items out of province, the purchaser is responsible to pay provincial sales tax. Do not send money in response to an advertisement without confi rming the credentials of that business, and be aware that some telephone num-bers will be charged for by the minute

Ph: 250.674.3343 • Fax: 250.674.3410

Office Hours: Mon. to Thurs. • 9am - 5pm, Fri. • 9am - 12pmBrookfi eld Mall, Clearwater

TH

E

NORTH THOMPSON

ET

HE

NORTH THOMPSON

Times

Buy a Classified in the Timesand your ad goes into the Barriere Star/Journal FREE.

Classifi edsGet Results!

A18 www.clearwatertimes.com Thursday, February 7, 2013 North Thompson Times

This Crossword Sponsored by

WELLS GRAY HOME HARDWARE86 STATION RD., CLEARWATER

674-3717

RFEI Road Maintenance Services 22 January 2013

The District of Clearwater (District) is requesting Expressions of Interest from interested parties for the supply of road maintenance services. This EOI is only intended to assist the District in determining if there is sufficient market interest to proceed with a competitive bidding process. In the event there is sufficient market interest to provide this service, the District may, but is not obligated to, initiate a competitive bidding process. The District is situated approximately 120 km north of Kamloops on Highway 5; with a population of 2300. Currently road maintenance is provided the MOTI. Starting September 2013 the responsibility of these services will be transferred to the District. The District owns approximately 61 km of surfaced road within its boundaries which includes a small section of road within the community of Vavenby. The District is looking to the contracting community to provide the services of road maintenance for all municipal roads, such as that they meet or exceed the current MOTI provincial maintenance specification. The District will be looking for but not limited to, the following road maintenance services;

Snow and Ice control – Snow removal / De-icing Pavement Surface Repair Ditching Maintenance Right of Way Maintenance – Shoulder Mowing, etc.

Interested respondents are invited to submit a Letter of Expression of Interest (EOI) to the District that includes a brief statement of the nature of their interest in the District’s requirements. Submission must include a:

Statement of Interest Statement of Qualifications and previous work experience (plus key personnel) Statement of Resources – Equipment, labour available

This EOI is not a call for tenders and does not commit the District in any way to initiate a competitive bidding opportunity. As a result of the EOI there will be no evaluation, screening, ranking, or other processes that will lead to the selection or pre-qualification of Respondents for a subsequent competitive bidding process, or the award of any agreement or contract. The District reserves the right to accept or reject any and all submission(s), to re-issue a new EOI, or terminate this EOI at any time, at its sole discretion. If subsequent competitive bidding opportunities are issued, the District is under no obligation to advise any vendor responding to this EOI. Vendors should monitor the BC Bid website (www.bcbid.ca), the District’s website (www.districtofclearwater.com) as well as the local paper for such opportunities, which will be open to all vendors, whether or not a response to this EOI was submitted. Submission must be delivered to the District of Clearwater by hand, regular mail, facsimile or email to the following location on or before 2:00 p.m. on February 15, 2013, and should quote EOI Number 2013.01. Address: Leslie Groulx, Chief Administrative Officer

District of Clearwater Box 157, 132 Station Road, Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N0 Phone: 250-674-2257 Fax: 250-674-2173 Email: [email protected]

Questions of a technical nature can be presented to:

Jared Brounstein, AScT, Public Works Superintendent Email: [email protected]

Request for Expression of Interest (EOI)Number: 2013.01

FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY

February 19– March 20

January 20– February 18

December 22– January 19

May 21– June 21

April 20– May 20

August 23– September 22

July 23– August 22

November 22– December 21

October 23– November 21

March 21– April 19

June 22– July 22

September 23– October 22

A p r i l 2 3 - 2 9 , 2 0 1 2

This week is all about give and take, Capricorn. Do for others, and they will do for you. A special event calls for some extra-special gifts.

Some habits are hard to break, Aquarius. Look to a mentor to help and you will succeed. A fitness goal is easily achieved with a new piece of equipment.

The odds may be stacked against you, Pisces, but that doesn’t mean you won’t come out on top with a little ingenuity. A weekend endeavor requires a leap of faith.

Speak up, Aries, and the problem will be solved. A little miracle at home makes for an interesting weekend. Travel plans come together.

Cast aside all doubt, Taurus. The offer is genuine and will bring you many rewards. A test of faith begins— be strong. Money woes ease.

Feeling blessed these days, Gemini? Pay it forward. A compromise at home raises everyone’s spirits and fun ensues all weekend long!

A business relationship blossoms with an addition. A larger-than- life personality drops by with an offer you can’t refuse. Oh boy, oh boy, Cancer.

Oops, Leo. You fall behind on a project, raising some eyebrows. Not to worry. You will get back on track sooner than you think, thanks to an innovation.

Spend less, save more and you’ll definitely get more, Virgo. More in your bottom line and more peace of mind. Flowers provide a great pick-me-up.

Lady Luck smiles on you, Libra, and there is nothing beyond your reach. A treasured heirloom resurfaces, bringing back many fond memories.

The tiniest of changes make a vast improvement in a project. A rejection is a blessing in disguise. Be grateful for what you’re given, Scorpio.

News from afar gets the creative juices flowing, and you accomplish more than you have in some time, Sagittarius. A game of wits at the office proves challenging.

Feb. 7 - Feb. 13, 2013

Aries, there are a few things you need to work out this week, but then you will be set for quite a while. Take the opportunity to recharge your bat-teries.

Cancer, your mind may be churn-ing, but worrying excessively over something will not help the situation. Therefore, focus on something else for a while.

Libra, a risk you take this week will pay off in a big way. You might be anxious to take a significant risk, but the eventual reward will be well worth it.

Capricorn, shift your focus to your family for the next few days because you have to make some decisions that will affect them all. Listen to your gut feeling when making these deci-sions.

Aquarius, there are some things around the house that need your attention, but you may be having trouble finding the motivation to tackle them just now.

Taurus, sometimes the things that are the hardest to come by are the ones that are most worth the effort. Think about this as you face obstacles.

Leo, just when you think the week will go on without any excitement, something pops up and it’s just what you need to beat the doldrums. Expect time with friends.

Scorpio, it may be challenging to find some initial support for a new idea because you are essentially charting new territory. Just give it time and people will come around.

Pisces, when an opportunity comes your way, you may want to take a pass because something better is on the horizon.

Gemini, contrary to what you believe, things at work will go on even if you take a few days off for a vacation. There may be some catch-ing up afterward, but you can handle it.

Virgo, sometimes you need to be tough on yourself to get things done, but you will be satisfied with the results when you push yourself. Focus on goals this week.

Slow down a little, Sagittarius. Moving faster will not get the job done to your satisfaction and then you only will have to do it all over again. Think through your op-tions.

Merchandise for Sale

AuctionsKWIKAUCTIONS.COM New & Used Restaurant Equipment Auction Sat Feb 9th @11am 7305 Meadow Burnaby BC

Firewood/FuelBirch Curls: all natural reliable fi re starter straight from the tree. Starts everytime. Indoor fi replaces or outdoor fi res. $20/kg. 1kg starts about 20-25 fi res depending on usage. 788-220-5930 call or text.

Misc. for SaleAT LAST! An iron fi lter that works. IronEater! Fully patent-ed Canada/U.S.A. Removes iron, hardness, smell, manga-nese. Since 1957. Visit our 29 innovative inventions; w w w. b i g i r o n d r i l l i n g . c o m . Phone 1-800-BIG-IRON.

BIG BUILDING sale... “This is a clearance sale. You don’t want to miss!” 20x20 $3,985. 25x24 $4,595. 30x36 $6,859. 35x48 $11,200. 40x52 $13,100. 47x76 $18,265. One End wall included. Call Pio-neer Steel at 1-800-668-5422. www.pioneersteel.ca

HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/news-paper?

SAWMILLS FROM only $3997 - Make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free Info & DVD: www.NorwoodSaw mills.com/400OT 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.

Will purchase or consign anything of value, ie: cars, trucks, boats, furniture, an-tiques, trailers. Call Bruce at Haydn Auction Services (250)319-5230, or (250)672-9809.

Misc. WantedLocal Coin Collector Buying Collections, Accumulations, Olympic Gold & Silver Coins + Coin Guy: 778-281-0030

Used Postage StampsSupport International Scouting by donating used stamps which are sorted & sold to raise money for the International Develop-ment Fund of the International Scout & Guide Fellowship. This fund pays for training for Scout-ers in the third world.Drop stamps off at front counter of the Star/Journal in Barriere, or call Margaret at (250)672-9330.

Real Estate

Business for Sale

Houses For SaleThompson-Crossing.com

121 Ferry Road, BlackpoolClearwater, B.C.

A NEW BEGINNING!For further information please

Call 250-587-6151

Rentals

Apt/Condo for RentRiverbend Seniors Community Kamloops (55+) 2bdr. suite $1700/mo., river view, spa-cious, wheelchair friendly, many extras. [email protected] 1(604)408-1023 Vancouver1(250)377-3686 Kamloops

Rentals

Mobile Homes & Pads

Barriere Mobile home for rent in trailer park. 2 bdrm + den, fenced yard, wood, oil, electric heat. Avail. immediately $575/mo. Phone Tony 250-320-5684

Barriere Mobile home for sale by owner in trailer park. 2 bdrm + den, fenced yard, wood, oil, electric heat. Avail. immediately. $25,000 terms avail. Pad rent $240. Tony 250-320-5684

Homes for RentClearwater: 2bdrm townhouse located in Weyco sub. Newly painted, high end appl. Avail immed. $800/mo. Call Julie 250-674-0188

Clearwater: 3 bdrm + 2 sm loft bdrm on 1 acre. Elec/wood heat. Incl fridge & elec stove. $750/mo + DD. Avail Feb. 1 Ref req. Ph. 778-549-0410

Clearwater: 3 bdrm upper fl oor home on 2 acres, in town. Call 250-674-1700 or 674-3277

Clearwater: 4 bdrm home on 1 acre, fenced yd. Avail now. $1,000/mo. Security dep & ref. 250-320-4943

Two bdrm MH w/family rm, carport, 4 appl, wood heater. $625/mo. Site #9, Thompson Crossing, 121 Ferry Road, Clearwater BC. Avail Feb. 1. 250-587-6151

Seasonal Acommodation

$449 CABO San Lucas, all in-clusive Special! Stay 6 Days in a Luxury Beachfront Resort with Meals & Drinks! For $449! www.luxurycabohotel.com 1-888-481-9660.

Transportation

Auto Financing

DreamTeam Auto Financing“0” Down, Bankruptcy OK -

Cash Back ! 15 min Approvals1-800-961-7022

www.iDreamAuto.com DL# 7557

Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices

Help for today.Hope for

Tomorrow.Call 1-800-667-3742

The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch 200-4940 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 1(800) 567-8112

Did you know?• Kidney Disease causes death in many people with diabetes and high blood pressure, and raises the risk of a heart attack? • Healthy kidneys reduce the risk of heart attacks and high blood pressure?If detected early, Chronic Kidney Disease can be treated, thereby reducing the risk of complications of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart attacks.

anada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 1(800)

d

od

re


Part 1The second 12 days

of our cruise began in Venice, where some passengers dis-embarked, new folk came on board; others like us, had opted for more. Newscasts had been airing pictures of flooded streets in Venice, but the tem-porary sidewalks that had carried pedes-trians above record water levels were neatly stacked to one side by the time our ship arrived. We could walk on dry land, in sunshine, when not floating around on the waterways of that unique city.

After that, our first stop was Kotor in Montenegro. Here fog obliterated much of John’s “scenic” tour up into the moun-tains. His guide made the trip worthwhile with detailed descrip-tions and quips.

“Bus service is unpredictable here,” he stated as they passed locals wait-ing to be picked up. “Those people might have been standing there since yesterday!”

As their large, well-filled coach “bent itself” around

tight curves and switchbacks, a pas-senger asked if this road was one-way. Assuring him that it was two-way, the guide suggested the questioner might like to return during the summer months when roads were hectic – but no straighter. On the topical topic of roundabouts, we saw them everywhere, our 60-passenger buses winding without dif-ficulty around tiny circles, stone statues within. During this excursion John saw one where a wag had inserted a sign: “Limit of two circuits per vehicle!”

While John was

on that bus, for some strange reason I had opted for a boat ride. Perfect reflections of the neat sandstone buildings beside the sound, mountains towering above, immediately made it worthwhile. Rain started pouring down while we were inside a pretty church on a man-made island in the inlet.

Approaching our next stop, Perast, our guide said: “We’ll visit the museum first, then you’ll have free time to come back here to the bar/café after-wards.”

It didn’t work out that way. Everyone quickly disappeared into the crowded warmth of that tiny, stone establishment. Eventually, after everyone had indulged in coffee (half a tiny cup), delicious hot chocolate, or alcoholic variations, the guide dragged us out of there to complete the “included” tour of the local museum.

In Sicily, I walked through the hillside town of Taormina along its cobbled streets. Mt. Etna dis-appeared in and out

of the fog beyond. At the end of one road is the open-air Roman theatre still in use today. Sketches outside showed the seating plan which a passenger from the ship was studying closely. “It was con-structed in the 1st or 2nd Century BC,” he told his wife.

“Oh, stop read-ing everything!” she scolded, dragging him away from this ancient but well-preserved site. (I did see her smile when we were on board ship – but only once.) On the bus ride back to the ship along a freeway that is level because it tun-nels through hillsides, bridges every valley, and soars above sea-side townships. I gri-maced when noticing a forlorn house almost beneath this hectic highway. However, the lady of the house was working industriously in her large, produc-tive vegetable garden, suggesting she was proudly making the most of her surround-ings that had first looked so bleak to me. Two totally different lives and approaches to life….

Barriere Star/Journal

Seventy-seven people signed up and took to the streets during the Alzheimer’s/Investors Group Walk for Memories in Barriere on Jan. 27.

All ages of folks were in attendance for the start from the Barriere Senior’s Centre. Some brought their dogs along, and the community’s mascot, Barrie the Bear, also turned out to help with the fundraising walk.

Cadets carried the flags and led the group, as walkers followed a route that took them past the elementary school, up Barkley, and back down Barriere Town Road to the Senior’s Centre for a light lunch, socializing, a silent auc-tion, a raffle for a laptop and other items, as well as a number of door

prizes that were given out.This year’s walk participants

included individuals from many areas of the valley, including a group from Clearwater.

The Alzheimer’s/Investors Group Walk for Memories 2013 was dedicated to Barriere resident Jean Hambrook.

The walk raises awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and raises funds for people in our community who are living with dementia. Alzheimer Society of B.C. sup-ports current research directed at finding the causes and the cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and improving the lives of the more than 70,000 individuals and families in our province who live with the dis-ease.

18 -19

Clearwater’s Sandra Holmes (l) chats with two Barriere ladies as she takes part in the Walk for Memories in Barriere on Jan. 27. Individuals belonging to the Wells Gray Country Senior’s Society contributed $215 in pledges for Holmes to walk.Photo by Margaret Houben

Community walks for memories

Topical tidbits while cruising around Italy’s “Boot” in November

TrekkingTales

By Kay Knox

Submitted

Local organizers report they are pleased with the outcomes of a Healthy Forests-Healthy Communities public forum held Jan. 19 in Clearwater.

Over 60 people par-ticipated in a dialogue on the future role of the forests to restore the forest legacy and the health of the com-munities in the North Thompson.

Bas Delaney, a member of the local organizing committee, stated, “The North Thompson communi-ties are really leading the province in terms of the integration of forest management with the broader community objectives.”

The great turnout at the session insured the dialogue expanded beyond a discussion of timber values to include the importance of the forests for tourism, recreation, conserva-tion, outdoor adventure experiences, and non-timber forest products.

The workshop gained insight and perspectives of indus-trial forestry from the participation of two of the Valley’s larger forestry operations: Gilbert Smith Forest Products of Barriere and Wadlegger Logging and Construction of Clearwater.

The public forum on Jan. 19 gathered ideas for creating a forest vision for the North Thompson. This

undertaking will require participation and inputs from all sectors of the community, including businesses, organiza-tions and citizens.

The organizing committee acknowl-edges the support received from District of Clearwater coun-cil members, local Thompson-Nicola Regional District directors, Wells Gray Community Forest, and Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce.

A summary of the community meet-ing, actions items to address, the issues affecting forestry and the quality of life in local communities is in preparation and will be available shortly.

Community engagement is key to creating a vision for Valley forests

Jayme’s motto is to live each day as if it was your last. Signing off for [email protected]

Donations can be made on behalf of Jayme Friesen to the SPCA for his love of animals ~ in lieu of flowers

Jayme VictorFRIESEn

1982-2013

Born in Clearwater January 3, 1982. We lost Jayme suddenly on January 30, 2013.

He is survived by his mother Korinne Isbister, father Helmut Friesen, step dad Mike Hall, sister Cora-Lee with her husband Joel and their children Ava and Eli. Brother Dion and his wife Carla and their children Alexander, Zion, Hannah and Jessa. Sister Charla and her husband Bill and their child Theryn. Sister Robyn and her husband Ernie and their children Michelle and Brayden. Sister Andrea and Vince. Grandparents and many Uncles, Aunts and cousins.


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Clearwater Times, February 07, 2013