Invermere Valley Echo, December 11, 2013

VALLEY ECHOT he

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

�e Columbia Valley’s Newspaper Since 1956 From Canal Flats to Spillimacheen

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Vol. 57 Issue 50

A light that won't soon fade

Dan Walton/Valley Echo photosShuswap elders Laverna Stevens and Sam Paul (above) deliver a message to a crowd of dozens at the candle-light vigil at Frater Landing in Invermere on Friday, December 6th. The vigil, the fi nal event in this year's Purple Light Campaign against violence against women and children, was held in memory of the massacre of the female victims of Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6th, 1989. Many valley businesses kept a purple light shining in their windows for 12 days leading up to the vigil.

Sensible BC campaign comes close in East Kootenays

� e Sensible BC campaign to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana has been pu� ed out after a 90-day, province-wide initiative petition failed to get the signatures of 10 percent of voters in each of B.C.'s 85 electoral ridings.

Organizers acquired 210,000 of the 400,000 signatures across the province they were aiming for and managed to cross the 10 percent threshold in 20 of the 85 rid-ings — including here in Columbia River-Revelstoke, as well as in the neighbouring ridings of Kootenay East, Nelson-Creston and Kootenay West.

“It's not too shabby, but we were well short (across B.C.),” said Invermere lead canvasser Stephen Lebovits,

adding he's happy he and other Columbia-River Revel-stoke organizers managed to hit the 10 per cent mark.

“It was a little more di� cult than I thought it would be (in this riding); it was literally down to the last min-ute,” said Mr. Lebovits, adding local canvassers collect-ed the � nal signatures in this riding on Tuesday night (December 3rd) before shipping them on a Greyhound bus the next morning, having them arrive in Vancouver just before the deadline to be included in the � nal tally.

“If we were � ring on all pistons from the beginning, it might have been easier,” said Mr. Lebovits, who became involved in the campaign only partway through the 90-day period.

Mr. Lebovits raised awareness through social media such as Facebook and garnered many "likes", but said it wasn't always easy to convert "likes" into signatures.

“I gained as many signatures sitting outside AG Valley

Foods for six hours one day than I did the previous two weeks using social media,” he said.

Obstacles included the stigma attached to marijuana and uncertainty on what exactly the petition was about, said Mr. Lebovits, adding he frequently had to explain the considerable di� erence between decriminalizing of possession and outright legalization.

“I suspect there'll be another attempt (by Sensible BC),” he said. “In the meantime, we shouldn't let the momentum we've started now dissipate, we need to looking into repealing the new Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations.”

� e new regulations, which replaced existing legisla-tion in spring 2013, will have an adverse a� ect on sev-eral Invermere residents, according to Mr. Lebovits.

- With � les from Je� Nagel

VALLEY VALLEY V invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, December 11, 2013

ALLEY ECHO invermerevalleyecho.com Vol. 57 Issue 50

STEVE [email protected]

A2 www.invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

We’re ready... are you?

COMMUNITY

[p] 250.342.7559 [f] 250.342.7558 [e] contemporary_� [email protected]

Come and join us for some Christmas creativity!

December 4th, Christmas Lanterns 6:30-8 p.m. • $50/person

December 18th, Christmas Centerpieces 6:30-8 p.m. • $50/person

All supplies included and no experience necessary! Everyone in the class will receive 20% off any in store

Christmas shopping that evening! Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Call to book a private class if you have a group you would like to bring in!

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The Christmas

Bureau

A Book Under Every TreeThe Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy will be collecting new and

gently used books to place in Christmas hampers. Books are needed for children, youth and adult readers.

Please place your donation of new or gently used books in collection bins at AG Valley Foods or Invermere Sobey’suntil December 16, 2013.

For more information, please contact Katie Andruschuk at [email protected]

Crafty Christmas creationsDan Walton/Valley Echo photos

Clockwise from top left: Nine-year-old Hayden Wood records a wrinkle in time by having his portrait sketched by Patrick Yesh during a visit with his family to the 20th annual Big

Christmas Craft Sale at the Invermere Community Hall on Friday, December 6th; a lively crowd peruses the crafts on sale; Wilmer's Japhy Hunt sells his custom-designed T-shirts; Noreen Ruault displays her custom-made rusty metal birdhouses, with plenty of decorative flair to make birds interested. The craft sale resulted in thousands of dollars raised for the Windermere Valley Child Care Society and a car-full of donations for the Columbia Valley Food Bank.

Weekly Content

Opinion...................................................A6Word on the Street..................................A7Community Calendar............................A8Remember When?.................................A8Arts & Entertainment.............................A9Sports.............................................A14-A15Brain Games..........................................A17Build Your Wealth.................................A18Classi� eds.....................................A19-A20Serving the Valley.................................A21

Columns

Rob Orchiston / Geek Zone.....................A7Steve Hubrecht/O� the Record...............A7Karen Sharp/Judo Jottings.....................A7

Features

Valley Life.................................................A11Christmas Shopping Spree............A12-A13Hockey Pool............................................A16Driveway..................................................A23

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Got news?

Call Greg, Nicole, Steve or Dan at 250-341-6299 or email [email protected] .

� is week's online poll question:

Would you like to have seen the Sensible BC petition (to reform the Police Act in regards to marijuana possession) succeed in its goal?

Cast your vote at www.invermerevalleyecho.com/opinion/poll/

Last week's online poll results:

Do you think the B.C. Supreme Court should hear the Invermere Deer Protection Society's appeal on their recently-dismissed lawsuit?

Yes: 28.6 % No: 71.4 %

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo www.invermerevalleyecho.com A3

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It’s that time of year again...Making plans? Let us know your goals, possible and beyond possible, and we’ll publish them in our

Protection ramped up for Wilmer wildlife

Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service has made a little-known federally protected unit of land that lies ten minutes north of Invermere a national priority.

� is year, the federal agency approved a capital project for what's known as the Columbia National Wildlife Area (NWA), which protects some of Canada's most valuable habitat for migrating waterfowl, � sh, plants and species at risk.

To improve this protection, new fencing, signage and boulders were introduced across the Wilmer unit of the Columbia NWA in late summer and early fall. Although parts of the NWA are already fenced with signage, the capital project allowed for approximately 2.5 kilometres of additional fencing to be erected alongside Westside Road.

Several unlicensed access roads were decommissioned with large one-tonne boulders and trenches installed to discourage continued access by o� -road vehicles, and more fencing may be erected in the future, said Environment Canada spokesperson David Sullivan.

"� e Columbia NWA contains sensitive habitat for wild-life," he said. "� e area has been negatively a� ected by pro-hibited activities such as the use of unauthorized vehicles."

"Decommissioning the roads is necessary to ensure vehicles are not able to access the site and involves placing boulders and installing fencing to prohibit entry," added Mr. Sullivan. "� e Canada Wildlife Act speci� es that individual o� enders can be held liable for damages, and may be punishable by ve-hicle forfeiture, � nes and imprisonment."

Over one thou-sand hectares in size, the Columbia National Wildlife Area is one of 54 such areas across Canada, which are created and man-aged for the pur-poses of wildlife conservation, re-search and inter-pretation. Wildlife areas across Cana-da protect about a million hectares of nationally signi� -cant land and ma-rine habitat for an-imals and plants.

Currently, the Canadian Wildlife Service manages four units in the Columbia NWA: Wilmer, Spillimacheen, Bris-co, and Harrogate. Approximately 529 hectares make up the Spillimacheen, Brisco and Harrogate units, which are owned by the Nature Trust of British Columbia and leased to the Canadian Wildlife Services to form the Colum-bia NWA together with the 787-hectare Wilmer property acquired by the Canadian Wildlife Service in 1978.

� ere are just four other NWAs in British Columbia: the Alaksen National Wildlife Area (NWA), which is part of the Fraser River delta; the Qualicum National Wildlife Area on the east coast of Vancouver Island; the Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area (NWA) located in the south Okanagan–Similkameen region; and the Widgeon Valley National Wildlife Area (NWA) near Pitt Lake, 65 kilometres east of Vancouver.

Activities and access to the Columbia NWA are regulated through the Wildlife Area Regulations under the authority of the Canada Wildlife Act, and access by motorized vehicle, horse or bicycle is prohibited.

However, some seasonal activities such as hiking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing are permitted provided that they do not result in negative impacts to the conservation values of the area. Dogs are also welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times.

� e current "trails" were established by public foot tra� c, said Mr. Sullivan, referring primarily to the trail from Westside Road to Policeman’s Point, a spur of land which overlooks the wetlands.

"� is trail will remain; however, it is currently not maintained and is used at the public’s risk," he said.

Access to the Co-lumbia NWA is by foot only and is best done via the un-maintained trail from Westside Road to Policeman’s Point, with parking just o� Westside Road. Mr. Sullivan said future signage will include a map of the area and information on pro-hibitions, while work with respect to con-servation and resto-

ration in the area is ongoing.

NICOLE [email protected]

Image submittedThis map indicates where the new fencing has been built around the Wilmer unit of the Columbia National Wildlife Area.


On December 24th the Valley Echo will be publishing a Signature Page as part of our Season’s Greetings seasonal feature. To have your name included on this year’s Signature Page, please drop by the Valley Echo offi ce at #8, 1008 - 8th Avenue in Invermere. The cost is $10, with proceeds going to the Columbia Valley

Food Bank.

The deadline is Wednesday, December 18th.

On December 24th the Valley Echo will be publishing a Signature Page as part of our Season’s Greetings seasonal feature.

To have your name included on this year’s Signature Page, please drop

The deadline is

December 18th.

VALLEY ECHOT he

�e NEWSpaper in the Columbia Valley

Wish everyone a happy holiday with our annual

Signature Page

NEWS

Behind the WheelUpdate your DrivingSkills and Knowledge

How to Park Safely on a HillWhen I was a new driver I almost learned the hard way how important it was to turn the wheels properly to park safely on a hill. I had parked my father’s truck on a hill, didn’t put it in park, didn’t set the parking brake and kept the front wheels straight before getting out and walking away. Fortunately for me, a friend saw the truck start to roll away and yelled at me. I was able to jump back in and do what I was supposed to have done before I left the driver’s seat.

If you are parking on a hill without a curb at the edge, turn the wheels to the right. When a curb is present, turn the wheels to the right if you are facing downhill and to the left if you are facing uphill. If the vehicle does roll, the contact with the curb or turning to roll across the hill may prevent a runaway.

Always set your parking brake, even if you are not parking on a hill. Put an automatic transmission gear selector in Park, or if your vehicle has a manual transmission, put it in reverse if you are facing downhill or � rst if you are facing uphill or on a level surface. The combination will make it almost impossible for the vehicle to roll away.

Finally, don’t forget that you must park within 30 centimeters or 12 inches of the curb.

The author is a retired constable with many years of traf� c law enforcement experience. To comment or learn more, please visit drivesmartbc.ca

Tuesday to Friday: 9:00 – 12:30 and 1:00 – 5:00 • Saturday: 9:00 – 2:30

www.kootenayinsurance.ca

101A 1028 7 Avenue PO Box 130Invermere BC • Phone: 250-342-2175 • Fax: 250-342-2669

The liquor inspector made his presence known in the valley recently, as one liquor store was caught breaking the rules.

Rocky Mountain Cold Beer, Wine and Spirits, located inside of the Prestige Inn in Radium Hot Springs, was issued a 10-day suspension for selling liquor to a mi-nor. Because it was the first offence for the establishment, it was subject to either a $7,500 fine or 10-day suspension.

While the Prestige Inn said that the sale was not intentional, a Valley Echo inqui-ry to the local hotel was directed to Best Western's Canadian head office, which ex-pressed confusion in its reply.

"I am not sure why you were directed here," reads the email from head office. "Each hotel is individually owned and operated so I can’t answer these ques-tions. You need to contact the local hotel for any information."

In the summer, the Best Western Inver-mere Inn's liquor store was also fined for an offence under the provincial liquor act.

After taking last year off, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be arriving again in the valley before Christmas.

At the train tracks that run across Forsters Road in Radium Hot Springs near the Canfor mill, a special freight delivery will be made, as everybody in attendance will be treated to a railcar loaded with entertainment.

Featured in Radium will be pop artist Melanie Doane from Nova Scotia and jazz musician Matt Dusk from Calgary. The two are making dozens of stops around the country via railroad, as the holiday train supports each community on the tour.

“Melanie was on the train since the beginning from Beaconsville, Quebec,” said CP Holiday Train spokesperson Salem Woodrow.

Ms. Woodrow explained that the holiday train can only make a limited number of stops each year, and has to rotate communities across Canada to be available as the train becomes more popular.

“Every year we switch up our locations – we’re going through Radium this year, so we may do that every other year. We’re always trying to add and include communities along the way."

She said that the focus of the event is to raise money, food and awareness for local food banks and hunger issues.

“We will be coming to Radium to support the local food bank,” she said. “We encourage people at all times of year to support their food bank, but it’s especially important at this time of year.” She also said that every dollar donated to the food bank is matched twice to provide the organization with $4 of purchasing power.

The show will last for about a half an hour she said, and that it will be a fun evening for all ages, especially families.

“By coming out and supporting the Holiday Train, people are directly helping their neighbours,” she said.

The train is scheduled to arrive at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th.

CP Holiday Train returnsDAN [email protected]

Minor purchase suspends operationsDAN [email protected]

Here, kitty kitty

Photo by Seona HelmerIn her 26 years in the valley, Juniper Heights resident Seona Helmer said she's never seen a cougar in her yard — until the morning of Monday, December 9th, that is. At about 9 a.m., a cougar the size of a large German shepherd dog sauntered through her backyard, where she's observed coyotes, moose, elk, deer, and bears over the years. Mrs. Helmer immediately informed a conservation officer of the sighting.


NEWS

Regional district Area F director and Fairmont Hot Springs resident Wendy Booth has been chosen by her peers to continue as the vice-chair of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).

“Being acclaimed as vice chair is truly an honour,” said Mrs. Booth, adding she believes that she and Electoral Area C director (and board chair) Rob Gay work well together, along with the regional district's administrators.

“In terms of my goals for the coming year, this gives me the confidence and opportunity to continue to work with communities in Area F,” she said. “Part of my role as vice chair is to have an understanding of all business in the RDEK. If there are things that are being implemented in other regions that can benefit the Columbia Valley, then I can bring them forward.”

The pair were re-elected on Friday, December 6th at the regional district's board meeting in Cranbrook.

Immediately after the vote, Mr. Gay initiated a minute of silence for South Afri-can anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday, December 5th.

Booth staying on as vice-chair

Regional District of East Kootenay photoWendy Booth has been acclaimed as regional district vice chair, and Rob Gay will continue as chair.

Representing the valley at the Kootenay Authors Book Fair and Sale last weekend in Cranbrook was Canal Flats resident Colin Cartwright, author of the non-fic-tion works Empty on the Swan and Kootenay Bears.

Empty on the Swan, first published in 2007, documents the fading his-tory of the White Swan Road, with which hot spring-goers are familiar as the route to Lussier Hot Springs south of Canal Flats.

“Over the years, just about every corner and hill has been given a name by the truckers from various happenings, truck wrecks and so-on,” he told The Valley Echo. “That was all being lost as older truckers were passing on, so I thought it was an interest-ing history to record all of that.”

As a young man, Mr. Cartwright was involved with the road’s construction in the late 1950s. His father was also the forest ranger in Canal Flats, so Mr. Cart-wright said he became familiar with nearly all of the original logging truckers.

“This (book) gives a pretty good description of it, and most people who drive it have a pretty good story of their own,” he said, adding the road is as popular as ever, but has a long history that's being forgotten.

“Anybody who’s been there would be quite interested,” said Mr. Cartwright, who later became the third mayor of Canal Flats.

Kootenay Bears, published in 2010, shares Mr. Cartwright’s eclectic experi-ences with bears in the Columbia Valley.

Fans were able to get a signed copy of either book on Saturday, December 7th in Cranbrook, and talk to the author himself.

Canal Flats author promotes valley history in pair of non-fiction books

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver assured a Vancouver business audience on December 4th that the federal gov-ernment is committed to "world class" oil spill prevention and response on the B.C. coast.

In a speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade, Oliver stopped short of specifi-cally endorsing the 45 recommendations in a new survey of marine and land oil transport safety, but repeated a vow from last summer to make "polluter pays" the law for pipelines in Canada.

"There has never been a serious tanker accident on the West Coast," Mr. Oliver said. "Nevertheless, we are committed to building a world-class system to prevent marine accidents. In the unlikely event there is an accident, we need to respond rapidly and comprehensively and make sure the polluter pays, not the taxpayer."

On Tuesday, Mr. Oliver and Transport Minister Lisa Raitt released a report by a tanker safety expert panel chaired by Gordon Houston, former president of Port Metro Vancouver and Prince Ru-

pert harbourmaster.The panel's report calls for adequate

funding to the Canadian Coast Guard to make it the lead agency in any oil spill response at sea. Potential polluters and their delegated spill response agencies should be prepared for a "worst case" incident like the Exxon Valdez ground-ing in Alaska in 1989, the report says.

B.C. Environment Minister Mary Po-lak said it remains to be seen if Ottawa

will take the necessary steps to meet the province's conditions for approving new heavy oil pipelines. A federal review panel is due to issue recommendations by the end of December on whether the Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal for a double pipeline from northern Alberta to Kitimat should be allowed to proceed.

The federal report looks only at cur-rent traffic, including crude and other petroleum products. It identifies the

south end of Vancouver Island and the adjacent coast, including Vancouver harbour, as being at "very high risk due to the large volumes of vessel traffic and bulk oil movements that occur within close proximity of environmentally sen-sitive areas."

That is the region where Alaska crude oil tankers enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca to reach Washington state refin-eries, and the oil tanker exclusion zone ends. Between 30 and 60 tankers a year filled with crude oil or diluted bitumen also sail out from the Kinder Morgan Canada oil terminal at Burnaby through the same waters.

Traffic from Burnaby would increase to about one tanker per day if Kinder Morgan's proposed twinning of its Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta proceeds. Currently 30 to 60 tankers a year load at the Westridge Terminal in Burnaby.

The tanker exclusion zone, a voluntary agreement between Canada and the U.S., extends 200 nautical miles west from the northern tip of Haida Gwaii to southern Vancouver Island. The federal report rates oil spill risk as "medium" on the northern and southern ends of the exclusion zone, and low in the central portion.

Ottawa vows 'world class' oil tanker safety

Transport Canada photoA partially loaded crude oil tanker is guided out of Burrard Inlet from Burnaby's Westridge Terminal next to the Chevron oil refinery, visible at left. Dredging of Second Narrows would be required to carry larger loads.

DAN [email protected]

TOM FLETCHERBC News/Black Press

Colin Cartwright

GREG [email protected]


Opinion Something to say?email [email protected]

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In praise of coldGREG [email protected]

"Whumpf! Crrrrrr-ack!"And with just one not-so-mighty swing of the

splitting maul, the previously impervious fir log split neatly into several fire-sized wood chunks.

This episode, brought to you by last weekend's -25 C cold snap, is just one of the examples that illustrates why I so dearly love this cold, cold valley weather.

It's not just us woodstove users that ben-efit from the arctic incursion. The unusually nippy air has resulted in a reliably frozen lake surface that's given rise to far more lake skating, shinny and ice fishing than anyone expected this early in the season.

Snow hasn't been plentiful in the valley yet, but the substantial cold makes the creation of artificial snow a simple task. Enough snow has fallen to give downhill skiers and boarders a good taste of their first runs of the season, and cross-country skiers are soon to see a huge variety of nordic circuits ready for action.

Those who boldly seek out vertical ice in the form of frozen waterfalls and seeps are enjoy-ing a very promising start to the winter, not to mention a good early dose of cold to let the body adjust its circulation to the weather.

Artists at work at the Radium Hot Springs pools are surely grateful for the super cold air, as it's allowing them to make good progress on the new ice-and-LED light installation at the pools, Winter Radiance, set to debut on Friday, December 20th.

And many of us who simply enjoy nature's scenery are glad to take short hikes or strolls through a valley that's slowly being glazed over by snow and frost.

No matter what the activity, most end the same way: with a trip inside a warming hut, to a cafe, or around a fire to warm up and revel in the warmth of not just the heat source, but the pride that comes from being Canadians embracing our northern stereotypes.

And that's what it all boils down to: this cold weather is good for our sense of community. The colder it gets, the more we bond together.

So summon the courage to get outside and enjoy the season - you'll be glad you did.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

It's like Adrian Dix sneezed, and Norm Macdonald caught the misinformation flu which has resulted in his misinformed, biased opinion piece about BC Hydro in your recent edition.

British Columbians understand the need to invest in the fu-ture of our economy and do not support political parties that pretend saying “no” to everything is a good idea. The NDP clearly did not hear the mes-sage that British Co-lumbians sent them in the May 2013 election. Actually, in my view, Mr. Macdonald’s opin-ion piece is a sign that he has nothing left to offer his constituents other than what his

handlers in Victoria email to him.

There is no question that the BC Liberal government has been far from perfect in re-lation to handling the BC Hydro file, and in response, has started to put in corrections. The new and recently announced ten-year plan clearly outlines that government will take $2 billion less from BC Hydro over the life of the plan. In addition the so-called “deferral accounts”, which are standard practice in the utilities industry, are also be-ing paid off.

What about private versus public power? Charles Reid, CEO and president of BC Hydro reported last week that the cost of the electric-ity produced by pri-vate producers cost no more than what could

have been produced by Hydro itself with public assets. The rea-son power produced by new generation and transmission is more expensive than power produced by assets built decades ago ought to be self-evident, even to the economically-chal-lenged NDP. Simply, construction costs are much more today than in the 1970s, no matter who is doing the construction.

Residential hydro rates in B.C. are the third lowest in North America and adjust-ing for inflation, we are paying the same for electricity as we paid in 1975. In spite of what the NDP call unpopular rate in-creases of 9 per cent, 6 per cent, 4 per cent, 3.5 per cent and 3 per cent over the next five

years, the world is not exactly coming to an end. Special programs are available for low income British Co-lumbians. In addition, large industrial power users and all rate pay-ers will have access to strong Power Smart programs to help them reduce use.

BC Hydro is invest-ing $1.7 billion in each of the next ten years to upgrade old generat-ing and transmission assets, some built in the 1930s. The govern-ment will also bring on new generation and transmission to meet the needs of our growing population and growing econo-my as the demand for electricity is expected to grow by 40 per cent in the next 20 years.

The BC Liberals never promised not to raise rates, but they

did promise to make decisions that are in the best long term in-terests of British Co-lumbians, decisions that might be unpop-ular. While the NDP would prefer to pass the cost of investing in the future over to our kids and grandkids, your government is biting the bullet today, making huge invest-ments, keeping rate increases down, and taking less dividends from BC Hydro.

For more informa-tion as to why rate increases are neces-sary, check out this link: http://www.n e w s r o o m . g o v .bc.ca/2013/11/10-year-plan.html

Doug ClovechokFairmont Hot Springs

» See Norm Macdonald's

response on A21

NDP: lights out

CorrectionIn last week's Valley Echo cover

story about the deer lawsuit appeal, it was incorrectly stated that Shane Suman is a former Invermere resident. Mr. Suman still maintains a property in Invermere and voted in the November poll question on the deer. The Valley Echo regrets the error.

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A7The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Word on the Street

How are you dealing with the recent cold weather in the Columbia Valley?

“WEARING MY LONG JOHNS, AND STAYING INDOORS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!.”

— SHIRLEY CAMPBELL

“I CAN'T SKI AS MUCH AS I WANT BECAUSE IT'S TOO COLD, SO I'M SAD A LITTLE BIT. IT WILL BE WARMER NEXT WEEK."

— AUDREY RIOPEL

“I WAS THERE AT PANO ON OPENING DAY. DRESS FOR THE COLD – LAYER UP, THROW ON THE WARM COAT, AND KEEP THE FACE COVERED."

—JAMES REIMER

Small towns in the East Kootenay are not the

place you expect to be hear-ing about employers unscru-pulously taking advantage of foreign workers.

Surely that's something you'd hear about in Vancou-ver or Toronto, but here? It sadly turns out that may indeed be the case with CBC's recent story on a Tim Horton's owner allegedly using two Filipinos' temporary foreign worker statuses to cheat them out of overtime pay, then trying to intimidate them to hush up about it.

According to the story, Heidi Kibano� and Richard Pepito were hired to work at the Tim Horton's through Canada's Temporary Foreign Workers program and then sought per-manent residency through the Provin-cial Nominee Program.

� e couple, along with other workers in similar circumstances, often worked long hours. On pay day, the owner allegedly cut the workers cheques for their extra time, but then took them immediately to the bank, made them cash the cheques and then took a por-tion of the cash back.

� e pair eventually quit the job and � led a complaint with the B.C. Employ-ment Standards Branch, but say they've since been intimidated and harassed. Apparently Tim Hortons corporate head o� ce had already launched its own investigation into the matter.

� e owner's behaviour, if the allega-tions are true, is simply outrageous.

What kind of slime bucket forces people — who are already in dire enough � nan-cial straits that they're willing to leave their families half a world behind and work long hours at what is likely close to minimum wage — to then fork over some of their hard-

earned wages?It's exactly the kind of thing you'd

think would never happen in a small East Kootenay town and yet it seems it does. � e larger towns and smaller villages across the region all tout their sense of community and deservedly so. Unfortunately, this can gloss over the fact that many of these places still do have problems, sometimes signi� -cant ones.

Hopefully, if the Filipino couple's allegations are proven true, the Tim Horton's owner is dealt with harshly by the Employment Standards Branch, by the Tim Hortons corporate head o� ce and by residents in the community.

Obviously the company headquarters and the relevant government agencies have a responsibility to make sure this kind of behaviour is not tolerated, but so too does the community.

Residents' voicing their feelings — or if they really want to make a point, boycotting the Tim Hortons in ques-tion — would likely resonate with the owner more than anything else.

Steve Hubrecht is a reporter for The Valley Echo and can be reached at [email protected].

A double-double deceptionO� � e Record — Steve Hubrecht

Seventy three teams of technologically

inclined students from Central Okanagan schools gathered in Kelowna on Friday, November 29th for the 8th Western Canada RoboCup Junior Games.

Elementary and secondary school students compete in the RoboCup Junior, which is designed to foster interest in science and engineer-ing while promoting co-operation, problem solving and creativity through several robotic challeng-es: dance, rescue and soccer. In the RoboCupJu-nior soccer chal-lenge, teams of two (hopefully) co-operative mo-bile self-directed robots compete against other teams in matches. Robots respond to the special light emitting ball on an 183-centimetre � eld and kick it into the goal. Students design, build and program the Robots to the best of their abilities using o� -the-shelf and custom adaptations. � e win-ners may proceed to the interna-tional competition in João Pessoa, Brazil in July 2014. � e cup has been around internationally for 15 years with the goal of having autono-mous robots beating humans in

the FIFA world cup. Some predictions have the robots winning by the end of this decade.

An exciting event will likely take place later this week on the moon. China successfully launched the Chang’e 3 spacecraft last

week — its payload being the six-wheeled Jade Rabbit Lunar Lander. � e orbiter has been been circling the moon since last Friday and may land as early as Friday, December 13th. � e European Space Agency is

assisting the new entrant (China) in this � rst con-trolled landing on the moon since Russia's Luna-24 in 1976. � e radioisotope heated rover will spend three months travers-ing the moon-

scape and examining the crust. China plans to send some rocks back from the moon by 2020. Nasa's Curiosity lander is currently in its 18th month on Mars.

Meanwhile Google XPrize is of-fering $30 million to the � rst private company to land a probe on the moon by the end of 2015.

Rob Orchiston is a software pro-grammer who lives in Invermere and stays on top of the latest trends in technology.

Robots, space and the moonGeek Zone — Rob Orchiston

On Saturday, November 30th five local judokas

travelled to Red Deer to compete in one of Alberta’s selection tournaments. This was a higher calibre tournament where our students participated to gain experience and learn from higher-belted competitors.

For Marcia Paget and MacKenzie DuBois, this meant facing a brown belt for the � rst time, one

who had just won Alberta’s top athlete of the year. Ina Rollinger was challenged with competing with someone one weight group up due to not having competitors in her own category.

Emma and Graham Norquay had to battle not only their own colds but also with competitors with more experience.

Each of our students showed incredible courage, strength and tenacity. Marcia and Ina came home with hard-earned silver medals and MacKenzie came home with a well-deserved bronze.

On December 6th at the Winter Games quali� ers, Emma, Marcia and MacKenzie and other club members will be attending a training session in Creston.

Keep up the great work and see you on the tatame!

Karen Sharp is the daughter of Invermere Judo Club founder Hermann Mauthner. She currently has her Nidan (second degree black belt) and Instruc-tor Level coaching certi� cation. Contact the club at [email protected]

Valley judokas bene� t from high-calibre competition

Judo Jottings — Karen Sharp

Image submittedArtist impression of China's Lunar Rover.


10 years ago (2003): The Echo's editor, Ian Cobb, was happy to hear that the U.S. Army had captured Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who had been charged with Human Rights violations.

"Maybe all those weapons of mass destruction are on Sad-dam's fuzzy person," he joked. "Poor stupid, greedy Saddam. Had he only realized that the true art of disappearance is in plain sight, he wouldn't have been caught fouling up a hole in the Earth."15 years ago (1998): An uncommon lead story fore-casted reduced crude oil prices would result in lower gasoline rate for consumers. Esso in Radium Hot Springs was selling unleaded regular gas for 55.9 cents per litre.

"It was about time to lower the price," the owner said. "Crude prices have gone down enough and I think we'll see an adjustment in our cost. We probably were a little high," he said, adding that Esso's head office suggested the price drop.20 years ago (1993): A re-tired couple from Radium Hot Springs were discussing the sale of their snowblower with a potential buyer, who then inquired about the sell-er's property. The man of the house arbitrarily decided that the house was worth $55,000, and the buyer was happy to

agree to a deal. Once the deal was finalized, the elderly cou-ple, hoping to move closer to a hospital with the money from their home, learned that the housing market expanded more than they thought since buying the home in 1977. The $55,000 price tag appeared to be a rip-off when they real-ized there were no adequate properties for sale in that price range. The couple tried to cancel the deal, but the papers had been signed. The new owner then offered to rent the house to the seniors for $400 to $450 per month. 25 years ago (1988): Anne Pic-ton from Windermere (who is currently a proofreader for The Pioneer), penned a letter titled, " The "X" in "Xmas" is Legiti-mate." She assured readers that the "X", according to "any good unabridged dictionary," the letter holds the meaning of "Christ," and that the symbol is of Greek origin, and can be used to abbreviate many forms of the word "Christ."

"P.S. I don't like it either, and agree with you that for most people it is a lazy was to write "Christmas," she added in her letter. “Have a merry one!"30 years ago (1983): Gordon Lake retired as a bus driver for the Windermere School District after 20 years of ser-vice. He recalled kicking problem children off the bus in his early years, but said that the students had straightened out by his third year.

***The graduating class of 1983

at David Thompson Second-ary School upset some of the local grown-ups after design-ing a T-shirt which depicted a student holding an open beer

while driving a hot rod."Is this what out local grads

stand for?" one letter to the editor asked.

A follow-up to that letter by the grad president was published, rebutting that the designs are in good taste, and said the T-shirts reflect the sentiments of that year's grads, not their parents.40 years ago (1973): The Grade 13 volleyball team from Canal Flats had to deal with harsh weather on their way to Sparwood, where they competed in the East Koote-nay Grade 13 Girl's Volleyball Tournament. Many parents from Canal Flats kept their children at home because of the weather, leaving the team with only six players, which meant they couldn't substi-tute any player on the court. The team was still able to win 12 consecutive games which won them the title. In addi-tion to the tournament, the team's regular season record was "splendid."50 years ago (1963): Valley inventor Jack Fleck created the Unitarian Twin Trunk, which takes the top half of a pine tree, along with a thick-branched bottom half, and nails and staples the two tree trunks together, with the branches interwoven to appear as one extremely healthy tree.

***In upgrading the munici-

pal water system, Invermere residents were four votes shy of reaching approval for a $89,000 financing program, which required 60 per cent support. The upgrades would have provided emergency water storage and adequate fire protection.

Send your events [email protected]

CommunityCalendar

WED DECEMBER 11•Christmas decoration and hang out at the Summit Y.C., 5 - 9 p.m.

THURS DECEMBER 12•Hang out night at the Summit Youth Centre, 5 - 9 p.m.•CPR Holiday Train at the Horsethief Forest Service Road cross-ing in Radium, 5:30 p.m. Performances by Melanie Doane & Matt Dusk. Parking is limited, please park uptown and walk if possible. Park-ing attendants will be on hand to direct traffic. Please bring a donation for the Columbia Valley Food Bank, as RCMP will be there to "Cram the Cruiser". Come and enjoy hot chocolate, candy canes and Christ-mas carols while wait-ing for the train. Train arrives at approximately 6:15 p.m. Thanks to Meet on Higher Ground, Radium Volunteer Fire Department, Canfor and Palliser Printing for helping with the event.•DTSS Bands in con-cert at the DTSS gym, 7 p.m. Band 8, Band 9, Sr. Concert Band, Sr. Stage Band. Silver collection at the door.

FRI DECEMBER 13•Friday Night Shopping in Fairmont. 4- 8 p.m. Prize draws, fantastic shopping, specials at your favourite stores, and delicious snacks.•Celebrate "Christ in Christmas" at the Cana-dian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 12th Ave. 5:30 p.m. Pasada, 6:30 p.m. Live Nativity. Spon-sored by the Knights of Columbus and the CWL.•Knit your own cuffs at the Summit Youth Cen-tre, 6 - 11 p.m.•Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Atom Tournament at the Ed-die Mountain Memo-rial Arena. Blue team plays: Friday, 4:45 - 5:55 p.m.; Saturday, 7 - 8:10 a.m. and 12:40 - 1:50 p.m. Orange team plays: Friday, 6:10 - 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:50 - 11 a.m. and 3:30 - 4:40 p.m. Final games on Sunday, December 15th, TBA.

SAT DECEMBER 14•Canterbury Carols Christmas Market at In-terior World in support of the Family Resource Centre. November 30th to December 22nd on Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Sundays, 12 - 4p.m.; and Friday, De-

cember 20th, 5 - 8 p.m. •Santa is in Fairmont at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. •Panorama Mountain Freeride Club AGM at the Jack Pine Club, Pan-orama at 4 p.m. Open to all skiers ages 5 - 18. Park/Air, Freestyle/Moguls, Big Mountain/Freeski. For info call Dave at 250-341-1967 or go online to pmfc.ca. •Mexican Empanada night and a Spanish movie at the Summit Youth Centre, 6 - 11 p.m.•Christmas in the Val-ley CD release party at Pynelogs Cultural Cen-tre, 7 p.m. Live perfor-mances of music from the CD. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for kids, available at The Book Bar. Proceeds go to the Food Bank. Also De-cember 15th at 1 p.m.

SUN DECEMBER 15•Photos with Santa at Copper Point Re-sort, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. in room UTC-07. Cost is $15 with a portion of the proceeds going to Whiteway and ICAN.•Annual Children's Christmas Party (ap-propriate for ages 1 - 10 years), hosted by the Ra-dium Hot Springs Vol-unteer Fire Department, 4 - 6 p.m. Games, refresh-ments, crafts and a visit from Santa. Registration requested: 250-347-6455.•Christmas Dinner for Seniors, 5:30 p.m. at the Best Western Inver-mere Inn. Brought to you by the Rotary Club of Invermere. Call 250-342-5566, Monday to Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to register, prior to Friday, December 6th.

MON DECEMBER 16•Nativity Scene Display at Christ Church Trin-ity, Invermere (110-7th Ave) will be set-up to display a wide variety of nativity scenes. View-ing times are: Monday, December 16th, 12 - 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Decem-ber 17th, 12 - 9 p.m. and Wednesday, December 18th, 12 - 6 p.m. Refresh-ments will be served Tuesday evening.•Christmas Bingo, Canal Flats Civic Centre, 7 p.m.

WED DECEMBER 18•Keurig Ski race at Pan-orama Mountain Vil-lage from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Runs until Decem-ber 23rd.•Christmas craft & snowman building at

the Summit Youth Cen-tre, 5 - 9 p.m.

THURS DECEMBER 19•Swimming at Radium Hot Springs with the Summit Youth Centre, 5 - 9 p.m. Leaving the Summit at 6pm. Please register in advance.

FRI DECEMBER 20•Christmas Fiesta at the Summit Youth Centre. Games, snacks and sur-prises! 6 - 11 p.m.•Winter Radiance at Radium Hot Springs. Immerse yourself in a dazzling display of ice & frost. Through to January 1st. Call 250-342-9485 or go to hotsprings.ca for more information.•Fairmont Ski area, in-cluding the new Tube Park, opens for the season.

SAT DECEMBER 21•Windermere Valley Minor Hockey games at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. Nov-ice vs. Kimberley, 9:15 - 10:45 a.m.; Initiation vs. Golden, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Midget Girls vs. Cranbrook, 12:45 - 2:45 p.m. (league); and Ini-tiation vs. Canal Flats, 3 - 4:30 p.m.•Santa is in Fairmont at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. •Community Christ-mas Party at the Canal Flats Civic Centre from 6 - 10 p.m.•Pyjama night, a Christ-mas movie and popcorn at the Summit Youth Centre, 6 -11 p.m.

TUES DECEMBER 24•Torch Light Parade & Fireworks at Fairmont Ski area, 5:30 - 7 p.m.•Christmas Eve Fire-works in Conrad Kain Park, Wilmer, at 8 p.m. Bonfires and free hot chocolate.•Christmas Karaoke from 8 - 9:30 p.m. in the lobby of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

THURS DECEMBER 26•Decorate a holiday cookie from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Misty Waters, Fairmont. Also Decem-ber 27th and 28th.

FRI DECEMBER 27•12th Annual Customer Appreciation Gala at Artym Gallery from 6 – 9 p.m., featuring works by all gallery artists. ar-tymgallery.com•Hang out night at the Summit Youth Centre, 6 - 11 p.m.

Remember When?

A look back through The Valley Echo's archives over the last 50 years

Echo file photo December 2003 — The office staff at the Valley Echo has seen at least one full turnover, as these newspaper alumni were celebrating the annual Christmas Party at The Black Forest restaurant in 2003. While many remain valley residents, none were a part of the Echo's 2013 Christmas celebration.

DAN [email protected]


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DTSS Bands in Concert

ThursdayDecember 12th

DTSS Gym7 p.m.

Band 9, Band 8, Sr. Concert Band, Sr. Stage Band.

Silver collection at door.

Thank you for your support!

Invermere artist Brad Hill immerses himself as deep into an environment as he needs to be to get the perfect shot, as the conser-vation photographer searches for authentic pictures of animals in their natural surroundings.

While shooting along the west coast of B.C., Mr. Hill said he's waited for days to capture a single shot of a kermode bear (also known as a spirit bear).

"It's just luck of the draw some of those instances," he said. "And certainly not just getting a shot of it, but the shot you want — something creative, like a grizzly swimming from eye level."

Mr. Hill focuses the majority of his photography on the west coast of the province, but takes advantage of the wildlife in the valley too.

"I'll optimistically shoot in the valley and I'll certainly go for certain things – wolverines are very high on my list of something I want to photograph in a natural setting."

Mr. Hill is active with several con-servation groups, where he speaks as a professional, often displaying his work through slideshows. He also provides images for conserva-tion-based multimedia projects.

His work is world-renowned: Mr. Hill o� ers private tutoring to photographers from around the globe at his valley homestead.

"Clients come from all over the world and stay with us from anywhere from three days to up to a week — we'll be out all over the valley crawling around getting shots, be it big horns, be it bears if they're out, be it whatever," he said. "And all of them want to get something with wolves, which is a tough thing to do."

Although he goes to extreme measures to � nd his subjects, Mr. Hill said he never baits or agitates the wildlife.

"If you're primary goal is conservation, it seems a little incongruent to be out there and disturbing the animals you're working with," he said.

And even with the abundant wildlife in the developed areas in the valley, Mr. Hill avoids wildlife in man-made environments, espe-cially bears along the highway.

"� at's like the plague," he said. "All the tour-ists go by and want to grab their cameras – before long they're parking all over the road and you have a dan-gerous situation. And that's when mishaps can occur — not only tra� c mishaps, but also problems with the wildlife."

"You've got people who don't know what they're doing, moving in and sur-rounding a bear as an ex-ample," he said. "My God, that's a recipe for disaster."

Naturalart.ca is the ad-dress of Mr. Hill's website, which is updated with new work weekly.

Valley nature photographer focused on conservationDAN [email protected]

Submitted photoInvermere artist Brad Hill hosts photographers from around the world, as he shows international clients how to capture wildlife in photos taken right here in the Columbia Valley.

Dan Walton/Valley Echo photoInvermere artist Brad Hill, captured in his native habitat in downtown Invermere, is an active member of several conservation groups.

The Invermere Valley Echo is seeking an Advertising Sales representative for our weekly newspapers and magazine publications in the Columbia Valley. We have an opening for a full-time, one year maternity leave fill position commencing in December, 2013.

We are looking for someone with prior experience in a sales position, with a strong knowledge of sales and marketing and with a successful track record; someone who has strong written and verbal communications, organizational and exceptional customer relations skills; knowledge and proficiency in MS Office/MAC OS is a requirement. The ideal candidate must be motivated and take initiative to sell multiple products, work with existing customers and find ways to grow sales and income.

A valid driver’s licence and a reliable vehicle are a must.

If this describes you, please submit your resume and cover letter to the attention of:

Rose-Marie Regitnig, [email protected]

PO Box 70, #8, 108-8th Avenue

Invermere, BC, V0A1K0

Sales Representative( 1 year maternity leave)

VALLEY ECHO

T he

N EW S PA P E R


A&E

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.

What does ARTmean to you?

“Christmas in the Valley”CD Release Party at PynelogsSat Dec 14 at 7 pm & Sun Dec 15 at 1 pmTickets at The Book Bar · Call for more info 250.342.4423

4992 Fairmont Frontage Rd.250-345-6133

Hi There. I’m LASER. You met my sister Aurora last

week. I’m the shyer one, but still love to play and

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ICAN – Invermere Companion Animal Network

Available for AdoptionHi There. I’m

met my sister Aurora last week. I’m the shyer one, but still love to play and

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Adoption Fee: $100 (to help o� set spay/neuter

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250-341-7888Photo courtesy of Tanya De Leeuw Photography

Holiday Hours We will be closed

from December 17th thru January 2nd.

Reopening on January 3rd at 9 a.m.

Dr. Mark Moneo, Optometrist

The Invermere Optometry Clinic

1325A 7th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-6223

Shiny Fuzzy Muddy showcases glass art of Sandpiper Studio

An annual Vancouver art show that takes place each December is welcoming Windermere-based Sandpiper Studio as one of its 27 vendors this year. � e Shiny Fuzzy Muddy show was established in 2003 as an alternative to large-scale craft fairs, and is celebrated as one of the season's best shows in the city.

"A long time ago, I met a ceramic artist in Toronto, Laura McKibbon, who is based out of Vancouver," said Julie Gibbs, who co-owns Sandpiper Studio with her partner Gordon Webster. "When I moved out here from Ontario, she contact-ed me to see if it would be something I'd be interested in."

Julie � rst participated in the show in 2011. � is year, Shiny Fuzzy Muddy celebrates its 10th anniversary of showcasing Canadian artist-made objects of adornment (Shiny), garments to wrap your home and body in (Fuzzy) and clay-moulded to contemporary forms for home (Mud-dy) at Vancouver's historic Heritage Hall on Main Street.

"It's a really neat group of craftspeople and artists," said Julie. "It's a nice size; it's small enough that you get a chance to really visit everyone's display."

Sandpiper Studio is also a regular at Calgary's annual Art Market, which can host 200 to 400 vendors, said Julie.

"If you're looking at 400 di� erent booths, and within each booth there are so many di� erent products, and there are so many nice things, it can be di� cult for the customer," she said. "You can tell that people have overstimulation."

Sandpiper Studio is a small scale production and design

studio specializing in functional hand-blown glass, from bright colourful serving bowls, oil bottles and tumblers to vases, jars, and cream and sugar sets.

"We're really focussed on it being utilitarian so that peo-ple can admire it, but use it at the same time," Julie said.

Unlike other well-known glass artists, Sandpiper Studio is strictly geared towards production, so doesn't have an on-site retail space for selling directly out of their studio and relies on retailers to carry its production lines.

"We need a lot of business to stay in the studio," said Julie. "We need to produce so much a day."

Sandpiper Studio's functional art can be found at Black Star Studios in Invermere and in galleries in Golden, Kimber-ley, Castlegar, Nelson and across Canada in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. � ey recently picked up another re-tailer in Vancouver (www.WalrusHome.com) and are hoping to pick up a few more when they exhibit at North America's largest wholesale show, New York Now, in February.

"It's just huge, spread out over two gigantic convention centres, so it's a really great opportunity," said Julie. "We're in a really unique division called handmade maker/design-er; it's basically really small scale craft studios or design stu-dios that are producing really small scale production lines."

With 35,000 buyers from 50 states and 85 countries, New York Now hosts almost three thousand exhibitors in a variety of divisions. Sandpiper Studio has a month to ship its product via skid to New York, where it will be stored in a giant ware-house then delivered to their booth just prior to the show.

To learn more about the studio, visit their website at www.sandpiperstudio.ca. For more information on the Shiny Fuzzy Muddy show in Vancouver, go to www.shinyfuzzymuddy.com.

NICOLE [email protected]

Photo submittedThese blown glass vases with printed imagery are just one example of the functional yet artful items produced by Julie Gibbs and Gordon Webster of Sandpiper Studio in Windermere. Their production will be exhibited in Vancouver this December, and in New York in February.


Valley Life

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Keeping Christ in ChristmasPasada & Live Nativity Presentation

Friday, December 135:30 p.m. Pasada • 6:30 p.m. Live Nativity

712 - 12 AvenueCanadian Martyrs Catholic Church

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Thanks to the Mckeen

and Downey families for providing the animals.

Sponsored by theKnights of Columbus

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Everyone is Welcome.

Forsters Landing Road Railway Crossing, Radium

Thursday December 12 at 5:30 p.m.The Village of Radium Hot Springs welcomes the CP Rail Holiday Train!

Music by Melanie Doane & Matt Dusk

CRAM THE CRUISERPlease bring a donation for the

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Monday, December 16Vibrant voices and aerial action

Dan Walton/Valley Echo photoAbove: Valley Voices choir members Carolyn Rogers (left) and Dana Hudson belt out their vocal contributions at the choir's annual Christmas performance, which took place at Christ Church Trinity on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th; right: the annual Christmas Bake Sale and Lunch at the Windermere Community Hall on Saturday, December 7th offered a lot more than pastries, as a leaping Zoe McGrath was one of many exciting dancers to be part of the show (photo by Dan Walton); below: Steven Lebovits found time on Thursday, December 5th to throw a tennis ball on the frozen Lake Windermere for his cold-weather-compatible dogs Soba (left) and Darin to chase down (photo by Greg Amos).

A12 www.invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo www.invermerevalleyecho.com A13

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Christmas Shopping — Fairmont Hot Springs

Pottery to puzzles, we've got it all! December 13, 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Prize draws, fantastic shopping,delicious snacks.

Friday NightShopping in

Fairmont

crazysoles.ca250-342-2074

NORDIC SKI PACKAGES

starting at $349.00250-341-3511 Fusion Wellness Spa, Invermere

250-341-3522Fusion at Copper Point Resort

Fairmont Goldsmiths

Give a timeless gift to that special someone this holiday

season.55 years of goldsmithing

Fred Szott • Terry Szott • Brandon Szott926 - 7 Ave, Invermere • 250-342-8778

Sales • Rentals • RepairsMen’s and Ladies casual clothing

375 Laurier Street, Invermere1-250-342-6164

www.columbiacycleandski.ca

Downtown Invermere • 250-341-3775www.begifted.com

We have a great selection of Hostess & Staff Party gift ideas! Come on in and check it out!

905 7 Ave, Invermere 250-342-0402

NOW ON SALE New Cross-Country

Ski Packages!

A12 www.invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo www.invermerevalleyecho.com A13

516 13th Street, Invermere Phone: 250-342-9313

The Book Barest. 1965

BOOKS • MAGAZINES • GIFTS1046, 7th Ave., Invermere • 250-342-6511

10% off any Children’s title with the presentation of this coupon.

SELKIRKTV & APPLIANCE LTD.

“Satisfaction Assured”Over 40 years in business

250-342-64151229 - 7th Ave. Invermere

1209 7 Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-6611

Newly arrived for Christmas!

Fine European chocolates, cookies and pastries.

#111 809 7th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-3331Main Stre� , InvermereMain Stre� , Invermere

Win $1500to spend in 1 hour at participating businesses in Invermere and Fairmont! (clock stops between stores, maximum $250 per store)


Saturday, December 21, 2013.Draw on December 19, 2013.

Canada’s

Store

Invermere

StoreStoreStoreStoreStore

with Nothing perfume purchase.

Free Body Butter

#4 - 1206 7th Ave., Invermere, B.C. 250.341.5291

Massage Oil 1/2 Price

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www.invermerehomehardware.cawww.invermerehomehardware.ca

1210 7th Avenue, Invermere • Phone: 250-342-9661 NEW EMAIL: [email protected]

Toll Free: 1-866-342-9661

760 Cooper RoadInvermere B.C.1-855-926-7737www.copperpointresort.com

Make some

memories.

Fire V ixen Tattoosixen Tattoos

Invermere • 250-342-8844Golden • 250-439-1886

Sarah EastwickJason PaineNick Hylo

Canterbury Carols Christmas Market

November 30th- December 22nd

Saturdays - 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Sundays - noon - 4 p.m.

As well as Friday, December 20th

5 p.m. - 8 p.m.In support of the Family Resource Centre.

Located in Interior World

Win $1500participating businesses participating businesses participating businesses

in Invermere and Fairmont! (clock stops between stores, maximum $250 per store)


Saturday, December 21, 2013.

Christmas

BREWING COMPANY

6 beers available now!

1 & 2 Litre bottles glassware • Apparel

Mon-Sat 11-6 • 778-526-BREWAcross from Kicking Horse Coffee

Apparel

905 7 Ave, Invermere • 250-342-0012 For all your framing needs, we are the professionals.

picture framing • lighting •home decor

Ready-made frames up to 8x10 with glass,

mat and backing.

50%off

ART BY NATURE

MARKET STREET (12TH STREET) 250-342-0177

Christmas Shopping — Fairmont Hot Springs

Pottery to puzzles, we've got it all! December 13, 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Prize draws, fantastic shopping,delicious snacks.

Friday NightShopping in

Fairmont

crazysoles.ca250-342-2074

NORDIC SKI PACKAGES

starting at $349.00250-341-3511 Fusion Wellness Spa, Invermere

250-341-3522Fusion at Copper Point Resort

Fairmont Goldsmiths

Give a timeless gift to that special someone this holiday

season.55 years of goldsmithing

Fred Szott • Terry Szott • Brandon Szott926 - 7 Ave, Invermere • 250-342-8778

Sales • Rentals • RepairsMen’s and Ladies casual clothing

375 Laurier Street, Invermere1-250-342-6164

www.columbiacycleandski.ca

Downtown Invermere • 250-341-3775www.begifted.com

We have a great selection of Hostess & Staff Party gift ideas! Come on in and check it out!

905 7 Ave, Invermere 250-342-0402

NOW ON SALE New Cross-Country

Ski Packages!


Sports Have a sports [email protected]

or 250-341-6299

All display advertising for December 24th & 31st is due WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH AT NOON.

Date Changes & Early Deadlines

Due to statuatory holidays over the Christmas season, our holiday paper dates have changed from Wednesday to Tuesday. Papers will be distributed on December 24th and December 31st.

In order for our staff to enjoy the holidays, deadlines have been changed for both issues as follows:

Deadlines for classified word ads are as follows:For December 24th - Friday, December 20th at 10 a.m.For December 31st - Friday, December 27th at 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH AT NOON.

For December 24th - Friday, December 20th at 10 a.m.

The Columbia Valley Rockies played three back-to-back games on the road last weekend, travelling to 100 Mile House on Friday, December 6th, Kamloops on Saturday, December 7th then Chase on Sunday, December 8th.

The first period of Friday's game was about to end scoreless, but the 100 Mile House Wranglers managed to tap one in on the power play with 15 seconds left.

Nearly four minutes into the second, the Wranglers doubled their lead with another as the team scored the lone two goals in the opening two periods.

The Rockies found themselves in an even deeper hole after three minutes into the third, when 100 Mile House scored another power play goal.

But less than two minutes later, Stephen Pratt scored an unassisted goal to give the Rockies some life. With more than 15 minutes to go, the score was 3 – 1.

The Wranglers, however, added to the lead with a power play goal again, but the Rockies eroded it with another goal by Stephen Pratt, which was assisted by Bradly Palumbo and Adam Pulliam.

Unfortunately for Columbia Valley though, there was no more scoring and the game concluded with a 4-2 Wranglers win. The Rockies opponents managed to score on three out of four power play opportunities.

"We weren't moving our feet," said head coach Wade Dubielewicz. "We didn't see the fight that we needed to win."

Brody Nelson was in net for the Rockies and stopped 28 of 32 shots against.

The next night, the Rockies were in for a big battle as they were in Kamloops to take on the KIJHL-leading Storm, who hold a 0.823 winning percentage with 31 points in 51 games.

Kamloops grabbed control of the game with a goal after 26 seconds. The Storm kept the Rockies from reg-istering on the scoreboard in the first before doubling their lead in the final 90 seconds on the power play.

But when the Storm were looking to score again, Dustin Boone brought Columbia Valley within one goal by netting a shorthanded goal with help from Nigel Swab and Jerome Thorne.

The Storm scored again after six more minutes of play, but shortly after that a Logan Kerner goal, with an assist from Dario Piva, brought the score back within one.

The third period included the start Columbia Valley was

looking for, as Peter Matthews was set up by Racey Big Snake and Nigel Swab to tie the game after three minutes.

But the Storm became ferocious. Kamloops forward Max James scored a hat-trick to regain his team's lead before another Kamloops goal insured them the win.

"To give Kamloops some credit, they're probably the most skilled, so when you make a bad decision, they'll make you pay," said Mr. Dubielewicz.

Brody Nelson was in net for Columbia Valley and re-jected 34 of Kamloops' 39 shots registered.

Sunday brought the Rockies to Chase where the Heat were hosting afternoon hockey.

Mitchell Rosko gave the Rockies an early lead with an unassisted goal early in the first, but it was cancelled out by a Chase goal two minutes later. The Rockies took the lead back before the period came to an end, as newcomer Braeden Farge scored a shorthanded goal without any help.

"This was his first weekend with us," said Mr. Dubielewicz. "He brings a physical element and he's definitely got some skill."

Farge was acquired via the coach's networking with the Junior A team in St. Albert.

Chase tied the game up again after less than a minute into the second, which was countered by a goal from

Kyle Pouncy on the power play, giving Braden Farge his second point with as assist. Ryan Henderson, the team's scoring leader with 31 points in 31 games, also assisted on the goal.

But again, Chase evened the score with a power play goal near the midway mark.

Columbia Valley's lead returned after three minutes in the third, when Matthew Houston scored on the power play.

Following suit, the Heat tied the game for a fourth time, bringing the match into overtime.

After a scoreless four-on-four first overtime period, the teams played three-on-three, when Kaleb Boyle on Chase ended the game with a penalty shot.

While the Heat never held the lead during the game, Mr. Dubielewicz said that after beginning their trav-els on Thursday, the Rockies had run out of gas by Sunday's match.

Stewart Pratt started the game but only played one period due to a rib issue, stopping 12 of 13 shots. The game was finished by Brody Nelson, who saved 23 of 27 attempts by the Heat.

The Rockies are back at home on Saturday, December 16th when the Creston Valley Thunder Cats are at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff.

Panorama pow

Photo by Jamie Hurschler/Panorama Mountain VillageSnowboarder Scott Morgan floats down Heli Face in Tayton Bowl on opening day at Panorama Mountain Village on Friday, Decem-ber 6th. The mountain’s full 4,000 vertical feet of terrain and 81 of 120 runs were operational, including the Extreme Dream Zone, Founder’s Ridge, the beginner area and portions of Taynton Bowl, Schober’s Dream and Sun Bowl. “We love to see the first groups of skiers and snowboarders head out early for their first run of the season,” said Panorama spokesperson Jamie Hurschler. By Sunday, December 8th, 91 runs were open, including all of Taynton Bowl with 139 centimetres of snow received at the summit.

Rockies roughed up on the roadDAN [email protected]


Sports

KIJHL Standings

Team GP W L T PTS.

Creston Valley Thundercats 27 18 9 0 36

Fernie Ghostriders 26 13 10 0 29

Kimberley Dynamiters 29 14 14 1 29

Columbia Valley Rockies 32 9 17 3 24

Golden Rockets 30 8 19 0 19

Team GP W L T PTS.

Nelson Leafs 29 22 3 1 48

Beaver Valley Nitehawks 29 20 6 1 43

Castlegar Rebels 30 15 11 1 34

Grand Forks Border Bruins 27 10 13 2 24

Spokane Braves 31 10 18 0 23

Kootenay Conference - Eddie Mountain Division

Kootenay Conference - Neil Murdoch Division

Geoff HillMaxWell Realty Invermere

[email protected]

250-341-7600

Home Games

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS IN THE KIJHL!

VS. FERNIE GHOSTRIDERSTuesday, December 17th

7:30 p.m.

VS. CRESTON VALLEY THUNDERCATSSaturday, December 14th

7:30 p.m.

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WINTER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

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Basketball team bounces competition

Steve Hubrecht/Valley Echo photosThe David Thompson Secondary School senior boys' basketball team (the Lakers) cruised to victory in its first tournament of the season last weekend, winning all three games by wide margins of about 20 points or more. “It was good because last year the team finished seventh out of eight teams in the East Kootenay, so this is a big change,” said coach Justin Woodman. Above: Lakers forward Kellan Moore (#11) drives to the net during the Lakers' first game of the tournament, which they won by a score of 73 – 48 over Kimberley's Selkirk Secondary School; above left: Reece

Mitchell (#12) fakes out a Selkirk Secondary oppo-nent; below left: Dan Smith (#5) shoots while Kellan Moore (#11) boxes out for position.

Team GP W L T PTS.

Radium Petro-Canada 13 9 3 1 19

Inside Edge 13 8 5 0 16

Hi-Heat 13 7 6 0 14

Huckleberry’s 13 7 6 0 14

Warwick Interiors 13 6 5 2 14

Arrowhead Brewsky’s 13 5 8 0 10

Aquair 13 4 7 2 10

Kicking Horse Coffee 13 3 9 1 7

Oldtimer Hockey StandingsRegular Season


Call 1-855-678-7833 today for more details.

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Rank Team Total LW GM P/G Rank Team Total LW GM P/GT51 MM88 453 47 60 0.77T51 Yolo Swagins 453 47 57 0.7754 Brennan 452 41 82 0.8155 David 450 45 79 0.7856 Nelly 449 44 74 0.78T57 Bergeeo 7 448 47 87 0.81T57 Jye 448 50 67 0.78T57 Hossa 81 448 46 74 0.7960 Harley 10 447 45 67 0.77T61 Matt Cable 446 43 55 0.76T61 The Goalie Guy 446 38 86 0.80T63 Chick Magnet 445 46 52 0.75T63 Go Habs Go 445 35 66 0.78T63 Dace 58 445 39 77 0.7966 Rockies 18 444 44 63 0.76T67 Van Fan 443 34 65 0.76T67 R’s Rockets 443 49 69 0.78T67 Troll 6 443 44 46 0.7470 Rockies super fan 442 37 72 0.78T71 Dylan 4 440 40 92 0.80T71 Brennan’s Compe 440 46 61 0.7673 Schlittsy06 439 46 96 0.8074 Nelson 30 438 35 81 0.78T75 ACF 436 43 90 0.79T75 Nicole 436 49 67 0.75T75 Dusty 21 436 42 51 0.74T75 Hendy 17 436 45 96 0.80T75 Dooley 436 47 64 0.7580 Nick Bolin 435 46 74 0.7781 Mags57 430 33 74 0.7782 LBO 429 45 57 0.7483 Hunter 11 428 42 96 0.7984 Dumpandpump 15 426 39 85 0.7785 N4Cer 425 42 78 0.7586 Old Rock 424 36 101 0.7987 Love the B’s 2 423 39 74 0.7588 Heidi 421 42 77 0.7489 Ninja Chicken 420 39 75 0.7590 Cian 419 36 99 0.76T91 Ashley Furniture 418 38 89 0.76T91 Rock 50 418 35 85 0.76T93 Ryann 7 417 35 98 0.77T93 The Boyz 417 34 59 0.7395 Braden 5 414 43 90 0.7496 Joaks 16 413 42 91 0.7497 Badtothe Boone 22 410 29 89 0.7598 lil’b 406 34 75 0.7199 Skeeter 31 404 25 105 0.76100 Connor K 395 42 117 0.76101 Riley 14 392 34 93 0.72102 J. Pike 373 32 114 0.72

Grand Prize2 night stay at Copper Point Resort

and $100 dining certificate for Elements Grill

2 rounds of golffor the Ridge

at Copper Point Golf Club

250-341-4000250-341-3392

Head to Echo/Pioneer of� ce to redeem your lunch prize!

This week's winner is:

Love the B’s

All prizes must be claimed before the following week's results are released.

The Valley Echo's 2013/2014

NHL Hockey Pool Standings

If you would like to sponsor The Valley Echo’s hockey pool, contact us at 250-341-6299

1 Ken Reid 515 42 51 0.872 Puff Pastry 509 53 34 0.84T3 Craiger 507 51 48 0.85T3 Ivy 507 52 46 0.855 Lis 503 47 38 0.836 Kogging 500 47 67 0.877 Professor 05 499 41 46 0.838 Cotton Swab 4 488 52 56 0.839 Lawson 23 487 50 64 0.8510 Magic Mitch 25 485 48 56 0.8411 Kosty 27 484 41 42 0.8112 Kappdaddy26 483 38 52 0.8213 PMD 482 51 73 0.8314 Pouncy’s Pals 3 481 52 60 0.8315 Dirty Doan 12 an 478 47 63 0.83T16 Pullz 28 477 51 58 0.82T16 Toucan 01 477 45 39 0.8018 Rockies 3 476 45 34 0.7719 Love the B’s 475 56 46 0.7920 DR19 473 55 52 0.80T21 Double-Duece 472 42 48 0.80T21 Zman 472 43 80 0.8523 Major Snipes 471 47 76 0.82T24 Aces N Eights 469 43 62 0.81T24 Naho Rubicon 469 49 79 0.8226 Injured reserve 16 468 39 45 0.79T27 Hair Haven 467 42 71 0.82T27 G Rohrick 15 467 45 60 0.8029 Snakitov13 465 48 79 0.83T30 “The Zach Attacks” 460 38 54 0.79T30 B.the.B.B.B. 460 34 49 0.78T32 JHaley11 459 48 81 0.83T32 Stick63 459 44 78 0.82T32 MN1 459 37 46 0.77T35 Flames Suck 458 40 65 0.79T35 RC31 458 46 74 0.81T37 Long Rock 457 50 62 0.80T37 Westside Dan 457 51 57 0.77T39 Paige 13 456 42 63 0.79T39 Plum 24 456 44 67 0.80T41 King Chris 455 36 51 0.77T41 Dave’s Laff ers 455 41 76 0.81T41 Harley 455 45 52 0.77T41 Snake53 455 46 58 0.78T45 Crew Slut 454 43 65 0.79T45 Jake 2 454 44 74 0.79T45 Jagar 20 454 47 52 0.76T45 Liam 10 454 33 51 0.78T45 Kimmer 454 42 46 0.76T45 Brodes 454 46 80 0.83T51 Dicks Pix 453 46 75 0.80


CLUES ACROSS 1. Binder 5. Move up and

down 11. Wild sheep of

northern Afri-ca

12. Annoys 16. An upward

movement 17. Ducktail 18. Town in cen-

tral Minnesota 19. Philatelist’s

delight 24. Carrier’s

invention 25. Foreign trav-

ellers 26. Aurochs 27. Batter

advanced score

28. Show the way 29. Steep rugged

mass of rock 30. Valley 31. Digital data

device 33. Insert mark 34. Breakout 38. Dissention

from dogma 39. Kuhil and

clown fish

40. Uncon-sciousness

43. Czech River 44. Johann

Sebastian 45. Flows to the

Danube at Belgrade

49. World data organization (abbr.)

50. Comedian Sahl

51. Porch furni-ture wood

53. Potato state 54. American

Pickers 56. Yellow-fever

mosquitos 58. Edison’s

company 59. Axis and off-

shoot angle 60. Standard 63. Blame (Scot-

tish) 64. Esoteric 65. Pronounces CLUES DOWN 1. Any wrist

bone 2. Baltimore bird 3. Czar’s nation

4. Regulated food

5. Space next to someone

6. Expunction 7. Trauma cen-

ter 8. Spanish yes 9. Matters 10. Twist out of

shape 13. Toward 14. Renders able

for a task 15. An extended

social group 20. Article 21. GMA

anchor’s ini-tials

22. Streetcar 23. Summer

month (abbr.) 27. Not widely

distributed 29. Plays great

music 30. Female 1776

descendants 31. Speed gauge

ratio 32. Old English 33. After B 34. Expressing

sorrow

35. More hearty, firmer

36. Taxis 37. Single pip

card 38. 50th state 40. A source of

worry 41. Eight sided 42. Highest mili-

tary valor award (abbr.)

44. Former Har-vard Pres. Derek

45. Drinking tubes

46. Loss of coor-

dination 47. Self-love 48. Talus joints 50. Accumulator 51. Rural delivery 52. Lady Soul’s

initials 54. Prefix indi-

cating abstraction

55. Hawaiian goose

57. Prince Wil-liam’s mom, Lady __

61. Aid organiza-tion (abbr.)

62. Farm state

Answer to December 4:

CrosswordDecember 11, 2013

HoroscopeARIES Participate in something new and interesting this week, Aries. The perfect activity will present itself in the next few weeks, so be sure to keep your eyes open.

TAURUS Taurus, delay any upcoming shopping excursions for the time being. Your coffers are getting a bit sparse, and you need to conserve the rest of your funds.

GEMINI Listen to advice this week, Gemini. Loved ones only want to help and provide support, so keep that in mind when those closest to you offer some guidance.

CANCERCancer, your suspicions may be aroused by someone who has been paying more attention to you than normal. It could be something completely innocent, but right now you’re not sure.

LEO Every day is a learning process, Leo. You will � nd that there are a number of new ideas swirling around in your head, and if you pin one down, you may be on to something.

VIRGOYour colleagues at work may be making things dif� cult, Virgo, but there is nothing you can do about it right now. Just work your hardest, and things will turn out for the best.

LIBRA Libra, prepare to juggle multiple responsibilities in the coming days. Be ready to multi-task and expect to be pulled in multiple directions.

SCORPIO Scorpio, a small misunderstanding turns into a larger battle this week. But you have the power to put the � ames out quickly by keeping a cool head.

SAGITTARIUSSagittarius, you are having so much fun lately that it almost seems like life is a game. Just don’t get so caught up in the good times that you overlook your responsibilities.

CAPRICORN Capricorn, you usually take your responsibilities quite seriously, and that is often for the best. Just be sure to let your hair down sometimes and have a little fun.

AQUARIUSAquarius, some irregularities have begun to pop up of late. It is not up to you to � gure out what is going on, though. Others will discover the truth.

PISCES Pisces, your head may be in the clouds, but it is quite comfortable up there. Just don’t linger up there too long.

Second Week of December

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must � ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can � gure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Last Sudoku answer -->:

Brain Games

Columbia ValleyWeekend Weather

FridayDecember 13

SaturdayDecember 14

SundayDecember 15

Variablecloudiness

Temp: -3oCFeels like -4oCLow: -8oC

Scattered fl urries

Temp: 2oCFeels like 1oCLow: -4oC

Scatteredfl urries

Temp: 1oCFeels like 1oCLow: -4oC

VALLEY ECHO

T he

invermerevalleyecho.com

250-341-6299customerservice@

invermerevalleyecho.com


Market Update

USD per $1 Cdn

Oil US$/B

Dow

S&P/TSX

NASDAQ

-0.9%

-0.4%

0.1%

5.3%

-0.2%

Level Weekly change Year-to-Date

13,281

16,020

4,063

$97.65

0940

6.8%

22.3%

34.5%

6.3%

-6.8%

Building your Wealth

� e importance of tax planning and strategiesIf you haven’t done it already, it’s time to start work

on what and how you will pay your taxes. Don’t leave it much longer or you will lose the � exibility of options, which allow for ways to save.

In our modern world, taxes are a fact of life. � ey a� ect every Canadian in almost every aspect of what we do. Whether it's earning an income, mak-ing a purchase, owning real estate, investing, run-ning a business, or transferring your estate, life is full of taxable consequences. If you leave them unrelated to your plans, these taxes could consume an ever increasing amount of your livelihood.

For the greater part of Canada’s history, there was no income tax. Customs and Excise taxes on goods going in and out of the country were the most important income sources for government. Income tax was brought in to pay the expenses of war and the promise was that it would end when the need was gone. Well, it seems the need has never gone away. All over the world it’s the same. What was brought in as a temporary program in most places has become the largest contributor of income for most countries.

While the Income Tax Act was created speci� cally to ensure that everyone pays their fair share (it’s a gradu-ated tax, beginning relatively low for the poorest Ca-nadians and rising for the richest), it’s important to re-alize it also ensures all taxpayers the right to organize their � nancial a� airs in such a way so as to minimize their taxes whenever and however possible within the legal con� nes of the Act. And, that – not tax evasion – is the objective of tax planning. (� ere is a big di� er-ence between avoidance and evasion. � e � rst is legal and encouraged. � e second is illegal and the country spends a lot of time and money to catch evaders.)

Most average Canadians think of tax planning as a tool of the rich, only. However, many of the plan-ning strategies available to those with large incomes are available to those with lower incomes. In both

situations, tax planning and tax strategy can make a di� erence in legally minimizing the end payment of taxes owing by anyone. In addition, you have the con� dence that, in the end, you did not pay any more than was necessary.

� e biggest mistake many people make is to wait until April to concern themselves with their taxes. Waiting for the last possible date eliminates any freedom to take advantage of options to reduce your payment. � e best tax planning, with the most op-tions, is done throughout the year.

� ere are many points during the year at which you can make � nancial decisions that could signi� -cantly impact the amount of taxes owed. � e Act is full of income exclusion rules, key tax credits, retire-ment plan contribution options, and investment rules that are easy to miss or miscalculate without the organization and foresight that tax planning provides. � is opportunity is available at every level of income, not just the highest.

And, if there is any certainty beyond taxes, it is that tax rules will change as they seem to do nearly every year. After all, the government wants to get what it feels it needs and ensure no one is paying less than a fair share. Because changes to the rules usually a� ect such important things as exclusion amounts, credit

eligibility, retirement plan contribution limits, and the tax rates themselves, they will almost certainly af-fect any spending, saving, investment and borrowing decisions you might make throughout the year.

At its core, tax planning is the process of organiz-ing your � nances to take advantage of the many rules that allow you to maximize the amount of income you keep each year or defer into the future. � is concept is at the heart of the reasoning behind planning for paying taxes. And this is where you can derive a bene� t.

While the process is essentially the same for any taxpayer, it may entail di� erent types of tax strate-gies depending on your particular � nancial situ-ation. Using these strategies allows you to create a tax program that is unique to you. Strategies for de-ferring or splitting income are important; you can defer or maximize retirement contributions, capi-tal gains or losses, and property ownership, either present ownership or a desire to own is applied to the tax plan; charitable giving, too, is a part of what you do and is applied di� erently in each situation. All these are developed to meet your speci� c needs and to create your unique program.

Tax planning and tax strategies involve application of the rules and provisions of the Income Tax Act, which is huge and constantly changing. Because their e� ective application can result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars of tax savings each year, it is strongly recommended that you seek the guid-ance of a � nancial professional with experience in income and investment planning strategies for min-imizing personal income taxes.

Every year, as a part of the � nancial planning pro-cess our clients go through, taxes are very impor-tant. So they are for you, even if you aren’t clear on how they work. Chances are, you are paying more than you have to.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo www.invermerevalleyecho.com A19The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 11, 2013 www.invermerevalleyecho.com A19

Life is too shortfor the wrong job

VJ Bishop is now hiring for the following positions:

Snowplow driversSkid Steer Operators

Class 1 drivers in the Sparwood area

Must be experienced. Please forward resumes to

[email protected]

Gerald (Gerry) Wayne MillerJune 3rd, 1940 - December 14th, 2010Three years since your passing we continue to be

strengthened by your constant love. Your loving care, wisdom, and compassionate support as husband,

father and grandfather inspires us each day.

With deep love and fond memories,Bendina, Barb, Pam and family.

In Memoriam Help Wanted

CONTRACTOR HANDYMAN’S ESTATE SALE! Saturday, December 21st

(Of the late Dave Hamm)

Please call after December 15th.

Estate Sales

Announcements

InformationADVERTISE in the

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GUARANTEED Job Placement

• Labourers • Tradesmen• Class 1 Drivers

Call 24Hr. Free Recorded Message 1-888-213-2854

INVERMERE PETRO CANADA

is currently acceptingapplications for full time and

part time employment. Apply in person to185 Laurier Street,

Invermere, BCbetween 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Trades, TechnicalAVAILABLE immediately for busy Volvo/Mack/HINO deal-ership located in KELOWNA, BC. Journeyman or equivelant experienced mechanic. Full time with competitive wages and benefi ts. Volvo/Mack an asset but will consider other OEM experience as equivelant. Forward resumes to [email protected]. or ser-v i c e @ g e m m d i e s e l . c o m Suitable applicants will be con-tacted for an interview.

GPRC, FAIRVIEW Campus, Alberta needs Power Engi-neering Instructors. No teach-ing experience, no problem. Please contact Brian Carreau at 780-835-6631 and/or visit our website: www.gprc.ab.ca

In Memoriam

Employment

Trades, TechnicalHD MECHANIC. Noble Tractor & Equip. is seeking a Journeyman or 4th year apprentice Service Techni-cian for our Armstrong location. A self-starter with Ag tech background is desired. Interested candidates send resume to: [email protected], or mail: Noble Tractor & Equip, 4193 Noble Rd, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B4, fax: 250-546-3165

JOURNEYMAN AUTOMO-TIVE Service Technician(s) in Hanna Alberta. Hanna Chrys-ler Ltd. offers competitive wag-es from $32/hour, negotiable depending on experience. Bright, modern shop. Full-time permanent with benefi ts. Friendly town just 2 hours from major urban centres. Website: hannachrysler.ca. Fax 403-854-2845; Email: [email protected].

Volunteers

The Dragonfl y Discovery Centre

in Radium is now accepting donations of

volunteer time, supplies and funds. To fi nd out how you

can help this essential community service

(preschool programs) contact us at

dragonfl [email protected]

Services

Financial ServicesDROWNING IN debt? Cut debts more than 60% & debt free in half the time! Avoid bankruptcy! Free consultation. www.mydebtsolution.com or Toll free 1-877-556-3500 BBB Rated A+

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

Help Wanted

Services

Financial ServicesIF 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.

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.

Medical HealthVIAGRA 100mg or CIALIS 20mg. Generic. 40 tabs + 10 Free all for $99 including Free Shipping. Discreet, Fast Shipping. 1-888-836-0780 or metromeds.net

Merchandise for Sale

Misc. for SaleHOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/newspaper?STEEL BUILDINGS/metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for bal-ance owed! Call 1-800-457-2206 or visit us online at: www.crownsteelbuildings.caSTEEL BUILDING. “The big year end clear out!” 20x22 $4,259. 25x24 $4,684. 30x34 $6,895. 35x36 $9,190. 40x48 $12,526. 47x70 $17,200. One end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422 or on-line: www.pioneersteel.ca

Misc. WantedLocal Coin Collector Buying Collections, Olympic Gold & Silver Coins etc 778-281-0030

Real Estate

Apt/Condos for SaleRiverstone Villas Condo in downtown Radium. 3 bdrm, 5 appliances, fi replace, large soaker tub, walk in shower, garage. Priced 10% below assessment, will take quad or camper as down pay-ment. $177,000.

250-342-7608

Rentals

Apt/Condo for RentAvailable quickly. 3 bdrm, 1 1/2 bath, condo conven-iently located and close to schools in Invermere. $1,200/mth + hydro. Call to view. 250-341-5951

Homes for Rent

Available immediately. Indian Beach Estates.

Comfortable 2 bdrm, 1 bath home with den. (can be used as third bedroom), fi replace,

gorgeous views of the Fairmonts, 4 minutes from

private beach in Indian Beach Estates. Please call

435-901-1600 or email [email protected]

with inquiries.

Estate Sales

Rentals

Homes for RentCRAWFORD Bay House Ren-tal, 3.5 bdrm, dbl garage, new appliances, $1200 + utilities (rent negot. for upkeep) 250-365-1005

Furnished 1,900 sq. ft. home bordering the environmental preserve. Large property with outdoor and indoor ponds. Very private with lots of bird life and wildlife at your door-step. Outdoor pond connects into Lake Windermere plus large yard to relax. $1,400/mth + utilities, available Dec. 1st. please contact 587-436-8828 to view.

Shared Accommodation

Shared accommodation at2,000 sq. ft. fully furnished home was featured on T.V.’s “Unique Homes”. $500/mth + shared utilities. Private loca-tion with large yard and room to store toys. Contact 587-436-8828 to view this unique property.

TownhousesRadium - 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, 1,400 sq. ft. townhome with single garage, in Borrego

Ridge . Two years old, $1,000/mth. Please call:

403-875-0214

250.341.6299

email [email protected]

our community. our classi e s. VALLEY ECHOT he

AGREEMENT It is agreed by any Display orClassifi ed Advertiser requesting space that the liability of thepaper in the event of failure topublish an advertisement shallbe limited to the amount paid bythe advertiser for that portion ofthe advertising space occupiedby the incorrect item only, andthat there shall be no liability inany event beyond the amountpaid for such advertisement. Thepublisher shall not be liable forslight changes or typographi-cal errors that do not lessen thevalue of an advertisement.

bcclassifi ed.com cannot be re-sponsible for errors after the fi rst day of publication of any ad-vertisement. Notice of errors onthe fi rst day should immediatelybe called to the attention of theClassifi ed Department to be cor-rected for the following edition.

bcclassifi ed.com reserves theright to revise, edit, classify or re-ject any advertisment and to re-tain any answers directed to the bcclassifi ed.com Box Reply Ser-vice and to repay the customerthe sum paid for the advertis-ment and box rental.

DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION Advertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids thepublication of any advertisementwhich discriminates against anyperson because of race, religion,sex, color, nationality, ancestry orplace of origin, or age, unless thecondition is justifi ed by a bonafi de requirement for the workinvolved.

COPYRIGHT Copyright and/or properties sub-sist in all advertisements and inall other material appearing inthis edition of bcclassifi ed.com.Permission to reproduce whollyor in part and in any form what-soever, particularly by a pho-tographic or off set process in apublication must be obtained inwriting from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction willbe subject to recourse in law.

ON THE WEB:

INDEX IN BRIEFFAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTSTRAVEL

CHILDRENEMPLOYMENT

BUSINESS SERVICESPETS & LIVESTOCK

MERCHANDISE FOR SALEREAL ESTATE

RENTALSAUTOMOTIVE

MARINE

Our classifi ed ads are on the net! Check it out atwww.bcclassified.com

Gerald (Gerry) Wayne Miller

June 3rd, 1940 - December 14th, 2010

Three years since your passing we continue to be strengthened by your constant love. Your wisdom, compassionate support and loving care. Though we

miss you with every single day we � nd joy in the memory of your laughter, rich humour, sense of

adventure and the twinkle in your eyes.

With deep love and fond memories,Bendina, Barb, Mike, Cole, Adam and Pam, Chris and Sam.

A20 www.invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley EchoA20 www.invermerevalleyecho.com Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRYANGLICAN-UNITED

250-342-6644100-7th Avenue, Invermere

www.wvsm.ca Reverend Laura Hermakin

Sunday, December 15th9:00 a.m.

Worship at All Saint’s, Edgewater

9:30 a.m. Bacon, Friends & Faith

10:30 a.m. Worship at Christ Church

Trinity, Invermere.

Everyone Welcome!

CANADIAN MARTYRSCATHOLIC CHURCH

Roman Catholic ParishPastor: Father Gabriel

250-342-6167 Invermere250-344-6328 Golden

Confession: 1/2 hour before MassCanadian Martyrs’ Church

712 - 12 Ave, InvermereSaturday at 5 p.m.Sunday at 9 a.m.

St. Joseph’s ChurchHighway 93-95, Radium Hot Springs

Sunday at 11 a.m.Sacred Heart Parish

808 - 11 Street, GoldenSaturday at 7 p.m.Sunday at 10 a.m.

St. Anthony’s MissionCorner of Luck and Dunn, Canal Flats

Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (served from Kimberly)

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

For more information call 250-342-6633 or 250-347-6334

Loving God, Loving People

#4 - 7553 Main Street W, Radium

Sundays at 10 a.m.

Bible Studies#4 - 7553 Main Street W,

Radium Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Kids’ Church Edgewater Hall

Thursday 6:30 p.m.

LAKE WINDERMEREALLIANCE CHURCH

326 - 10th Ave. 250-342-9535REV. TREVOR HAGAN

Senior Pastorwww.lakewindermerealliance.org

Sunday, December 15th10:30 a.m.

Third Sunday of AdventWorship And Life

Instruction, “GOD Is ….. Just” … Pastor Trevor

ministering.

“K.I.D.S.” Church, for children Age 3 to Grade 1; and Grades 2-5, during the

Morning Service.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY

Hwy. 93/95 1 km northof Windermere

Pastor:Murray Wittke

Sunday Service10 a.m. Worship & Word

Kid’s Church Provided

Call the office at 250-342-9511for more information.

www.valleychristianonline.com

Sharing TruthShowing Love

Following the Spirit

ST. PETER’SLUTHERAN MISSION

OF INVERMERE

Worship Servicesevery Sundayat 1:30 p.m.

at Christ Church Trinity110 - 7th Avenue,

Invermere

Pastor Rev. Fraser ColtmanPastor Rev. David Morton

1-866-426-7564

CHURCH SERVICES DIRECTORY

Transportation

Auto Financing

AUTOLOANSAPPROVED!!!!

FREE DELIVERY BC/ABLowest rates always Approved

TAKE ADVANTAGE NOW LIKE SO MANY OTHERSCARS TRUCKS SUVS VANSTOP DOLLAR FOR TRADES

APPLY ONLINEAUTOCREDIT911.COM

OR CALL TOLL FREE1-888-635-9911 NOW!!!!

Auto Financing - Dream Catcher, Apply Today! Drive Today! 1.800.910.6402

Trucks & Vans1990 Ford Club Wagon XL Van. Great condition. No rear seats. $1,500 O.B.O. 250-342-2104

FIND A FRIEND


Serving the Valley

Sholinder & MacKaySand & Gravel

Complete line of aggregate productsfor construction and landscaping

Office: 250-342-6452 • 250-342-3773 Cell: 250-342-5833

www.diamondheatingandspas.com

• FURNACES • HEAT PUMPS • AIR CONDITIONING • FIREPLACES/STOVES • HOT TUBS • CHEMICALS

• SERVICE & MAINTENANCE

385 Laurier Street P: 250-342-7100Invermere, BC E: [email protected]

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS ESSO

• Gas • Propane • Diesel • Automotive Repairs • Tires & Batteries • Greyhound

• CAA approved automotive repair •

MECHANICAL REPAIRS AVAILABLE9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 7 Days A Week

250-347-9726 7507 Main

• Plumbing, Repair and Installation

• Drain Lines• Hot Water Tanks

DCS Plumbing

• Over 30 years experience • 24 hour emergency service • Seniors’ Discount

250-341-8501Kerry Colonna 250-342-5089Located in the Diamond Heating & Spa building in Athalmer

The WaTer & air Company!

Purify the water you drink and the air you breathe!

Water Treatment: filtration and purification

Furnace and Duct cleaning

J. Douglas Kipp, B. Sc. (Pharm.)Laura Kipp, Pharm D.

Irena Sedlakova, B. Sc. (Pharm.)Your compounding pharmacy

Come in and browse our giftware!Open Monday - Saturday • 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-6612

Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy Ltd.

Bruce Dehart 250-347-9803 or 250-342-5357

• Complete sewer/drain repairs • Reasonable rates - Seniors’ discount • Speedy service - 7 days a week

• A well-maintained septic system should be pumped every 2-3 years• Avoid costly repairs

Septic Tank PumpingPortable

Toilet Rentals

NEWSEWER

CAMERA

READY MIX CONCRETE• CONCRETE PUMP • SAND & GRAVEL

• HEAVY EQUIPMENT RENTALS • CRANE SERVICE

For competitive prices and prompt service call:

250-342-3268 (plant) 250-342-6767 (office)

Proudly serving the Valley for over 50 years.

To advertise, call: 250-341-6299

Advertise your businessin Serving the Valley.

Call 250-341-6299to inquire about this space.

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

UNIVERSALDOORS & EXTERIORS

Arnold Scheffer250-342-6700

[email protected]

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

LETTERS TO THE EDITORHere is Norm Macdonald's response to Doug

Clovechok's letter on page 6:

Dear Editor,Five hundred words, crafted by 200 taxpayer-funded

government public relations and communications staff. And instead of listening to what the people in this area have said for nearly a decade, Doug Clove-chok chose to simply sign what he was handed.

Mr. Clovechok is wrong. He was also wrong when he supported the BC Liberals when they forced HST down your throat. He was wrong when he sup-ported the closure of the Invermere Dialysis Unit. And he was wrong when he supported DriveABLE.

The increases to BC Hydro rates are directly result-ing from the BC Liberals’ mismanagement of this publicly-owned asset, and ratepayers are now pay-ing the price. Five hundred words of BC Liberal spin doesn’t change that.

Norm MacdonaldColumbia River – Revelstoke MLA

Window wonder

Nicole Trigg/ Valley Echo Photos

(Counterclockwise from top left) The 7th Avenue storefronts of Quality Bakery, Summit Footwear & Apparel and West-land Insurance are this week's featured businesses which participated in the Invermere Business Committee's annual Window Decorating Contest.


1924 Cranbrook St. N.Cranbrook, BC

Local: 250-489-4010Long Distance: 1-888-489-4010

www.alpinetoyota.com

DL#30845

A: Sale price is net of $2000 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $240. AA: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $22,848, lev $12,136, taxes extra. AAA: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 3.5% rate. B: Sale price is net of $3000 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $360. BB: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $27,136, lev $10,904, taxes extra. BBB: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 1.9% rate. C: Sale price is net of $1500 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $180. CC: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $30,272, lev $14,926, taxes extra. CCC: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 6.99% rate. D: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $21,248, lev $12,262, taxes extra. DD: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 3.9% rate. E: Sale price is net of $3500 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $420. EE: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $36,352, lev $15,066, taxes extra. EEE: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 6.99% rate. F: Sale price is net of $6000 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $720. FF: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $29,888, lev $13,458, taxes extra. FFF: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 1.9% rate.

2013 Toyota

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2013 Toyota

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A: Sale price is net of $2000 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $240. AA: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $22,848, lev $12,136, taxes extra. AAA: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 3.5% rate. B: Sale price is net of $3000 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $360. BB: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $27,136, lev $10,904, taxes extra. BBB: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 1.9% rate. C: Sale price is net of $1500 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $180. CC: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $30,272, lev $14,926, taxes extra. CCC: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 6.99% rate. D: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $21,248, lev $12,262, taxes extra. DD: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 3.9% rate. E: Sale price is net of $3500 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $420. EE: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $36,352, lev $15,066, taxes extra. EEE: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 6.99% rate. F: Sale price is net of $6000 rebate of which customer must pay taxes of $720. FF: 64 month lease, � rst payment in advance, TP $29,888, lev $13,458, taxes extra. FFF: 84 month � nance term, bi-weekly payments, 1.9% rate.

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Find more online at

drivewayBC.ca

Safety Tip:During the months of November and December there is an 86 per cent increase in crashes where a pedestrian is injured compared to July and August. Always be on the lookout for pedestrians – especially in dark, wet weather

when visibility is limited, at intersections and near transit stops.

OF THE WEEK!

?QUESTION

Go to drivewayBC.ca to submit your answer.

QuestionOF THE WEEK:

Should the maximum speed limit on the highways be raised to 110 km/h and 120 km/h on the Coquihalla network?

Hike those highway speed limits, say a third of BC residentsA significant number of British Columbians clearly don’t buy the safety man-tra that speed kills.In fact, according to a new Insights West poll, conducted in partnership with Black Press, 37 percent of residents (and 39 percent of drivers) believe a higher speed limit should be posted on our major highways. Currently, 100 km/h is the maximum on most free-ways, while 110 km/h is posted on the Coquihalla Highway and parts of the Okanagan connector.“The fascinating issue on this question is the gender gap,” said Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs at Insights West. “While half of men in BC would like to see a higher speed limit, just one-in-four women concur with this view.”However, it was surprising to see that more than half (55 percent) believe the speed limits should be left alone. Another five percent want to see limits lowered.It’s surprising if you read the news-paper letters pages and listen to the province’s radio talk shows, where the 100-click limit is commonly referred to as unrealistic on today’s well-designed highways.As a frequent driver of the network, I have to agree that a 110 limit on the

suburban highways and 120 on the Coquihalla is reasonable. In my experience, it is not speed alone but exces-sive speed combined with over-driving the weather/road condi-tions that kills. It is also true to say that that dramatic speed differ-entials of traffic is also a major contributor to road carnage. However, while that may be true on congested urban roads it is less so on the highway where few people are travelling

below the posted limit and I don’t see another 10 km/h hike making for major mishaps.Not surprisingly, the online survey of a representative provincial sample also shows that a majority of residents believe that photo radar should not be brought back. More than half of those polled (53 percent) believe the province should not bring back photo radar, which was introduced in the 1990s as a measure to curb speeding, but was abandoned in 2001. While almost

half of residents aged 55 (48 percent) would like to see photo radar coming back, support is decidedly lower among residents aged 18-to-34 (36 percent) and 35-to-54 (31 percent).I supported photo radar initially because when used in high-collision locations, elsewhere in the world, it has a remarkable record for reducing death and injuries. It never operated that way in BC and soon became public enemy number one where it was perceived as merely a cash cow for greedy provincial government.Residents were also asked about the quality of British Columbia’s roads and in-frastructure. More than seven-in-

ten (74 percent) rate it as “good” (68 percent) or “very good” (6 percent), while only 22 per cent deem it “bad” (19 percent) or “very bad” (3 percent). Overall, only 16 percent of British Columbians believe that the province’s roads are “not too safe” or “not safe at all” for motorists, while four-in-five (82 percent) consider them “very safe” or

“moderately safe.”This is the first of four surveys Insights West will conduct during the next year in partnership with Black Press. We hope these poll findings will find their way in the current speed limit and traffic safety review by the provincial government.This week in Driveway, our “Ques-

tion of the Week” and “Drives-U-Cra-zy” spots focus on speed-related issues please participate online.

[email protected]

About the survey: Results are based on an online study conducted from October 23 to October 27, 2013, among 838 British Columbians who are aged 18+ and are Your Insights panel members. YourInsights.ca is Insights West’s in-house access panel offering on-demand samples for both clients and research suppliers looking for Western Canadian populations. The data has been statistically

weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender. While statistical margins of error are

arguably not applicable to online panels/online studies of this nature, we have assumed that

the same margins of error apply as if it were a true unweighted random probability sample

with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty. To view the detailed data tabulations go to www.insightswest.com

The 100-click limit is commonly referred

to as unrealistic on today’s well-

designed highways.

Keith Morgan

‘‘More than half of those polled believe the province should not bring back photo radar.’’Keith Morgan

Visit the photo gallery at drivewayBC.ca

drivewayBC.ca | Welcome to the driver’s seat

Please drive safely this winter!

To have your ad featured in our Driveway section, contact

250-341-6299 • [email protected]


Holiday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingHoliday RecyclingReduce, Reuse, Recycle - it all adds up!

X7

Wrapping Paper - all paper based wrapping paper can be recycled in the yellow bins or Invermere’s blue bag program. Foil based papers cannot be recycled and should be thrown in the garbage if they can’t be saved and reused. Please consider paper based paper when purchasing gift wrap.

Ribbons & Bows - cannot be recycled. They can be saved and reused. If they can no longer be reused, they go in the garbage.

Aluminum Pie Plates & Roasters - cannot be recycled. They can be rinsed and reused. If they are not longer usable, they go in the garbage.

Cardboard Boxes - all cardboard and boxboard (like cracker and cereal boxes) are recyclable. Please flatten them to conserve space in the bin or blue bag.

Tin Cans - all tin food and beverage cans can be recycled. They must be rinsed out. Labels can be left on if they are difficult to remove.

Styrofoam - Even though Styrofoam is marked with a #6, it is NOT recyclable in our program. It should go in the garbage if it can’t be reused.

Plastics - all plastics with the triangular recycling symbol and the number between 1 and 6 (except Styrofoam) can be recycled in the yellow bins or Invermere’s blue bag program. They must be clean and every piece of plastic must be numbered. Lids often are a different type of plastic, and if there is no number on the item, it goes in the garbage if it can’t be reused.

Plastics Not Accepted:• #7 plastics, dirty plastics, plastics with no number. They go in the garbage if

they can’t be reused.

Recycling BasicsRecycling BasicsRecycling BasicsRecycling BasicsRecycling BasicsRecycling Basics

For more information, contact the RDEK at 1-888-478-7335

ElectronicsElectronicsElectronicsElectronicsElectronicsElectronicsRecyclingRecyclingRecyclingThe Columbia Valley electronics recycling depot is located at:

Invermere Bottle Depot133 Industrial Rd. #2Phone: 250-342-7272Hours: Tues-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm

Sat 10:00am-4:00pmThey accept• Televisions• Computers & peripherals

(keyboard, mouse)• Monitors• Fax machines• DVD/VHS players• Scanners• Stereos, MP3 players

Discman

• Earphones• Microphones• Telephones• Speakers• Radios• Cable, satellite and PVR

boxes• Vehicle audio and video

systems

BatteriesBatteriesBatteriesBatteriesBatteriesBatteriesOne of the items people seem to stock up on at this time of year is batteries. Both alkaline and rechargeable batteries are recyclable.

The drop off location in the Columbia Valley is:

Selkirk TV & Appliance, Invermere

Glass RecyclingGlass RecyclingGlass RecyclingGlass RecyclingGlass RecyclingGlass RecyclingGlass goes in the yellow bins marked GLASS ONLY.

The ONLY glass accepted for recycling is container glass. That means jam jars, salsa jars, wine bottles, olive oil bottles, etc.

NO other glass (including dishes or drinking glasses) is accepted. If in doubt, please leave it out.

Glass bins are located at the Columbia Valley Landfill, Edgewater Post Office, Fairmont Transfer Station, Invermere Industrial Park, Invemere Bottle Depot, and Radium Liquor Store

COLUMBIA VALLEY LANDFILL

December 24 9:00am-5:00pmDecember 25 ClosedDecember 26 9:00am-6:00pmDecember 31 9:00am-5:00pmJanuary 1 Closed

All other days, the Landfill will be open from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

COLUMBIA VALLEY RDEK OFFICE

The RDEK Columbia Valley Office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

(closed 12pm to 1pm). During the holiday season, the only change to those regular hours is as follows:

December 24 8:30am-3:00pm (closed 12pm-1pm)December 25 ClosedDecember 26 ClosedDecember 31 8:30am-3:00pm (closed 12pm-1pm)January 1 Closed

Holiday HoursHoliday HoursHoliday HoursHoliday HoursHoliday HoursHoliday Hours

Documents

Invermere Valley Echo, December 11, 2013