Merritt Herald, June 20, 2013 by Black Press Media Group

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THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS

Skeeters sprayed from the sky By Michael Potestio THE HERALD

reporter@merrittherald.com

Graham Helicopters lifts off to make another run to spray for mosquitoes. The large bucket works similar to a grass feeder, spraying the VectoBac larvicide around the watery habitats of Merritt’s mosquitos. Michael Potestio/Herald

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To the skies to see where the mosquitoes lie — or rather, lay their eggs. Environmental services firm D. G. Regan Associates were on their fourth aerial treatment of mosquitoes via helicopter in the Merritt area on Tuesday. The company is contracted by the City of Merritt to spray for mosquitoes. Curtis Fediuk, a registered biologist with D. G. Regan associates, invited the Herald on a tour of the Nicola Valley to investigate potential sites for the city’s mosquito spraying program. From Graham Helicopters out at the Merritt airport, the Herald got a bird’s eye view of the Nicola Valley as biologists Fediuk and Terry Bach scouted potential mosquito habitats to spray. Fediuk said he’s received a few phone calls from the southeast side of town but, not from other areas of town. The plan for the day was to investigate

that side of town, down along the Coldwater River. “We do treatments down there, but perhaps a little bit further down than we normally go there might have been a habitat that hasn’t been treated,” Fediuk said. He said people have called about adult mosquitoes coming from the southeast corner of town, which got Fediuk thinking the pests could be coming from the Coldwater River drainage area. “That’s one of the areas we’re going to have a little look at today from the air and just see if there’s anything down there that we haven’t spotted in the past,” Fediuk said. Upon viewing the sites from the air, Fediuk said there were definitely some more sites to spray. He said there are some habitats located further down from the former music festival site they will need to treat. Fediuk suspected those areas might be the source of some of the mosquitoes they’ve seen.

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Pests not worse than previous years Tips to avoid disease spread by mosquitoes From Page 1

For spraying, the company uses an allnatural larvicide called VectoBac, which is made of bacteria and corn-cob granules, Fediuk said. It’s produced in large vats like yogurt and cooked to a temperature around 47 degrees Celsius, which causes the bacteria to die, he said. When it dies, the bacteria produces enzymes that are toxic to mosquitoes. When ingested, these dead bacteria spores react with the pH level in a mosquito’s stomach, burning a hole through the mosquito’s stomach and killing it. It’s this specified targeting that makes the product safe, as it doesn’t affect other animals such as humans, birds or pets, Fediuk said. The Merritt mos-

THE

D.G. Regan and Associates employees load the VectoBac larvicide which was applied via helicopter to mosquitoes’ habitats in the Merritt area on Tuesday. Michael Potestio/Herald

quito control program focuses on finding and treating larval populations mainly along the Quilchena and Nicola Rivers, he said. Fediuk said they also do ground applications, spraying in areas such as ditches or ponds around town. They also set light traps to capture mosquitoes to study. They typically treat

600 hectares of mosquito habitat every year, making four to six aerial runs a year using up to 140 bags of VectoBac. Each bag weighs 45 pounds, Fediuk said. This year, they began spraying on May 14 — about two weeks later than when they typically start. Fediuk said the late start is a result of a belated spring season.

The mosquito populations, they are still typical of what’s been seen in past years, he said. As for the importance of mosquito spraying, Fediuk said it’s more than just nuisance abatement — there are economic reasons for spraying as well. “It’s definitely done so that people can enjoy their summers and

businesses that rely on people being able to sit down and enjoy the summer, whether it be a campground or a pub patio or a picnic ground [or] golf courses,” Fediuk said. There’s no easier target for a mosquito than a golfer taking a putt, Fediuk said with a laugh.

Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance; some carry West Nile virus, a disease that is spread from infected birds to humans through mosquito bites. Last year, several parts of the Canada and the U.S. saw significant increases in West Nile virus activity. Jennifer Jeyes, communicable disease specialist with Interior Health, offers these tips for reducing your chances of getting infected from mosquito bites. • Use mosquito repellent on areas of exposed skin. Repellents containing DEET are safe for those over six months of age when used according to the directions on the label. DEETfree products are available, but may

not provide longlasting protection. • Wear protective clothing. If you are in an area with lots of mosquitoes, wear loose-fitting, lightcoloured, full-length pants and a longsleeved shirt. Avoid perfumes, soaps, hair care products, and lotions with floral fragrances. • Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn, the times of day that the mosquito species that can carry West Nile virus are most active. • Install screens on windows. • Prevent mosquito breeding around your home. Change water in bird baths twice a week; unclog rain gutters; drain tarps and tires where rain water may collect. Submitted

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THURSDAY, June 20, 2013 • 3

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Helping Hands more than hand-outs Harm reduction group gave out 53,900 syringes in 2012 By Emily Wessel THE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

For some people in Merritt who use drugs, the friendly faces of volunteers with the Merritt Helping Hands Society might be the first ones they see on their journey to recovery. The society has distributed harm reduction supplies including syringes and information on bloodborne diseases since it became incorporated in 2006. Last year, the society handed out 53,900 clean syringes, 43 crack pipe kits and 188 cooker kits in Merritt to reduce the chances of spreading disease. “It’s all based on prevention,” said Marilyn Tolmie, the society’s co-founder and secretary. “The most important thing is, if that addict decides to become clean and sober, they don’t have to die from a blood-borne disease.” The society also helped get 54 people vaccinated against hepatitis in 2012. Along with their mandate to distribute harm reduction supplies, the group also helps people seeking shelter, medical advice, counselling and even detox. “We’ll drive them to Kamloops or Kelowna or Vancouver — wherever they need to be,” she said. But Tolmie said the Merritt Helping Hands Society is not about holding clients’ hands. “We provide this service 24 hours a day, but there are times when we have to say no,”

Tolmie said. “We’ve had people call us to give them a ride across town so they could pick up a ‘coat.’ We know that’s probably a drug house and they want us to give them a ride. The coat’s not there. Meanwhile, they’ve got dope in their pocket.” The idea for the society formed about a decade ago when the Public Health office, which formerly distributed the safe injection supplies, moved from the downtown core the health centre on the hill. The organization approached Tolmie and her husband Dan to take on the task of establishing a society to continue distributing the supplies in the downtown core. “We were afraid of what kind of diseases were going to be transmitted with the loss of that service in the downtown core of Merritt,” Tolmie said. The Tolmies were going through their own recovery at the time, and became an example of the kind of changes people can make in their lives. “For some of [our clients], I think it gives them hope. I think they’re happy for us and that we’ve come to this place, and I know they’re grateful to us. When I say to a person, ‘I know how you feel,’ they know that I do know how they felt,” Tolmie said. The group started by giving out syringes, water, tourniquets and alcohol swabs. “We didn’t want them sharpening on matchsticks and cleaning their syringes with

(From left) Rotary Club of Merritt Sunrise member Sandy Labermeyer presents Merritt Helping Hands Society vice-president Marilyn Tolmie with a cheque to support the society’s ongoing work in distributing harm reduction supplies in Merritt’s downtown core. Submitted

bleach,” Tolmie said. “We wanted to be able to educate people on one syringe per use.” Soon after they started, their stock of supplies grew. “We actually gave them out at first in the back of our red Mazda,” Tolmie said. “Then we got this deal happening where we gave out dayold bread. My little Mazda would be filled with bread.” The society then got a van, which was left to them by two supporters when they moved to Alberta. That van essentially serves as the society’s mobile office. “We have all our supplies in our van,” Tolmie said. “We don’t

have the budget for an office.” Today, the society operates with about 10 volunteers. Its stock of harm reduction supplies has grown, as well as its mandate to help people who are addicted to drugs in any way they can. That includes taking them to medical appointments, detox, and even grocery shopping, on top of the syringes, cooker kits, and crack pipe kits it still distributes. The crack pipe kits help reduce the chances of spreading blood-borne diseases by providing tubing for the end of the pipe. “The copper or

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metal pipes get very hot, and sometimes they burn their lips and they’d leave their skin on the end and they’d have these sores. Then they’d give it to the next person,” Tolmie said. Tolmie said the crack pipe kit also contains a screen to prevent the drug from dripping into the pipe and burning away, instead of the Brillo that can leave small shards of metal lodged in the backs of people’s throats. “That was causing all sorts of problems. We wanted to prevent that. We prevent throat disease and infections,” she said. The society acquired cooker kits to distribute in the last year or so. The cooker kits have citron, which helps break down rocks of cocaine so that it can be injected. “They were using vinegar to break it down back to a liquid form so they could draw it up and inject it. Well, vinegar into your veins is very dangerous,” she said. Tolmie said the group’s volunteers keep tabs on their clients to make sure their basic needs are being met to increase their chances of recovery. “You lose your skills. You don’t know how to pay rent anymore. You don’t know how to shop for food anymore. Their preference is to buy dope instead of food, or booze instead of paying rent. If we notice they’re really thinning out, we’ll ask when the last time they ate was,” Tolmie said.

See ‘Respect’ Page 8

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Kinder Morgan sprung from crews excavate the a defective section of soil contaminated pipeline, by a crude wasn’t sudden, oil spill and could’ve from its TransMou ntain been slowly seeping pipeline on Thursday oil for weeks. about The National 40 kilometre Energy Board s southwes

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• TransMountain pipeline springs leak near Merritt The TransMountain pipeline may have been slowly leaking for an extended period of time before Kinder Morgan Canada crews found crude oil on the ground.

• Drivers urged to yield to buses B.C. Transit is concerned with the lack of yielding to buses in the city of Merritt.

• Slow-pitch tourney to stop violence Coldwater Indian Band held its first ever slowpitch baseball tournament to raise awareness for its Journeys Into Tomorrow Transition House, a shelter for people leaving domestically abusive situations.

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By Michae confirmed t of Merritt near Kingsvale about five l Potestio . A spokespe barrels of THE HERAL oil had crude oil rson reporter@m D been had spilled. from Kinder errittherald.c Morgan estimates Michael Potestio/He “I would escaping. Kinder The TransM om say that the rald leak, which ountain matter of days it was a arrived Morgan crews pipeline or weeks rather than may to check pipeline slowly leaking have been section months . years,” Harden of the that or for an extende The compan d munications said. “It after an in-pipepipeline was a very, nally estimat y origitime beforeperiod of inspection device advisor slow leak. very, very Kinder at 12 barrels ed the spill Rebecca Taylor. Morgan was no as having flagged it classified It’s almost Canada damage Kinder 2,000 litres — or found crude crews as to any waterco done Morgan defect. a potential — of crude media relation He said a weep.” oil on the ered, as oil, but ground. urses or threats to after a couple were They s spokesp crews were Thursday police and local of days erson Andrew noting the the public, oily patchnoticed an Hugh of Galarnyk fire authori to install expected ties. spill was the size tion, droppeexaminaKinder Harden, a told located a perman wagon of the Morgan Herald that repair sleeve, d that in a remote ent number The pipeline Canada area. Wednes wheel on to allowin ’s was fully the leak the line day still shut was at between about half of operati vice-president to reopen g Kingsvale in the The size on Thursdcontained Friday evening five and by Friday, butdown as of barrels. difficult ons, said it’s six they identifi of the spill ay and that 40 kilomet area, about . repairs Galarn to say how Harden said res ed on yk on the pipeline On Friday, southwest Kinder surface of Merritt long leak said were nearing was two the the was hopefu Morgan was found the Nationa wide by metres the control, and called l complebecause tion by l it would two get the confirm Energy Board Friday as long, Galarn metres which shut centre, pipeline ed worked on again turned be less thanthe leak to down the through crews He also yk said. that night to the according six barrels, He said same day. fix the probdents withinsaid resito comlem. Morgan Kinder a kilometre of the He also its shipperalso notified notified spill were said there s of the same the short-te the spill day rm shutdow was discovn. Locally

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Understanding property tax If your property taxes are paid by your mortgage company or financial institution (the mortgagee), it is important for the homeowner to still claim the Home Owner Grant, if they qualify. If a mortgage company or financial institution is remitting your taxes, you will still receive a property tax notice from the City of Merritt. In addition, Merritt provides tax info to the mortgagee on properties which they have requested us to do so. It is between you and your

mortgagee to ensure that property taxes and the 2013 utility bill are paid to Merritt in full. Property taxes are due July 2, 2013 and utilities were due May 15, 2013. Home Owner Grants If you are eligible for a Home Owner Grant (HOG) you must advise your mortgagee of this, identifying which grant you qualify for (the regular or additional grant). You must claim this grant each year that you are eligible. Your mortgagee cannot sign it. Home owner grant application

forms are located on the back bottom portion of the tax notice mailed to you by the city. You can also claim your home owner grant online at merritt.ca. To avoid penalty for late payment of the grant portion of your property taxes (if eligible), you must apply for a grant on or before the tax due date. If the grant is not claimed prior to the due date, you will be levied a penalty on the total outstanding property tax amount of which your unclaimed grant is a part .

Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre

Water Safety Awareness Week June 22 - June 30th A variety of information provided and a coloring contest. Winner will be announced July 2nd Sunday June 23 1 - 1:30 pm ´ starÀsh/duck/ sea-turtle (parented) ´sea-turtle/seaotter 1 - 1:30 pm ´ salamander /sunÀsh ´ crocodile/ whale 2 - 2:30 pm ´ level 1/2 ´ level 3/4/5 2:30 - 3 pm ´ level 6/7 ´ level 8/9/10

Monday June 24 6:30 - 7 pm ´ starÀsh/duck/ sea-turtle (parented) ´sea-turtle/seaotter ´ salamander /sunÀsh

Tuesday June 25 5 - 6 pm

Lifesaving sport Junior Lifeguard info

$1 Swimming lesson Registration required in order to save your child’s spot!!! Wednesday June 26 6:30 - 7 pm ´ starÀsh/duck/ sea-turtle (parented) ´sea-turtle/seaotter ´ salamander /sunÀsh

7 - 7:30 pm ´ crocodile/ whale ´ level 1/2 ´ level 3/4

7:30 - 8 pm ´ level 5/6 ´ level 7/8 ´ level 9/10

Next council meeting: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Council agendas and minutes at www.merritt.ca

Thursday June 27 5 - 6 pm

Lifesaving sport Junior Lifeguard info

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future development within the city. What is next? The bylaw will be formalized and presented again to council for two readings and a public hearing.

CLEASBY

the community from conflicting land uses. Zoning Bylaws help planners, developers, real estate agents and members of the public make informed decisions about where and what to build in Merritt. The Zoning Bylaw regulates the community’s vision and provides guidelines that direct

BY ST.

The basic purpose of a zoning bylaw is to regulate how development may occur within specific zones of the community (what can be built and how big buildings can be on a property). The Zoning Bylaw also includes maps that clearly identify “zones” to facilitate land use management and protect

was presented to council and was followed by a discussion period. There is still time to comment on the bylaw. The city seeks input and comments from community residents and stakeholders prior to holding a public hearing on the zoning bylaw. What is the zoning bylaw?

MERRI

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A new zoning bylaw is being prepared for council consideration and it includes a number of mapping changes. If you received a letter, it means that a property within 30 metres is undergoing a zoning change. On May 21, the community was invited to get a look at the new zoning bylaw. The bylaw

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES Property Tax Paid by Mortgagee If your property taxes are paid by your Mortgage Company or Financial Institution (i.e. the Mortgagee) it is important for the homeowner to still claim the Home Owner Grant, if they qualify. If a Mortgage Company or Financial Institution is remitting your taxes, you will still receive a property tax notice from the City of Merritt. In addition, Merritt provides tax info to the Mortgagee on properties which they have requested us to do so. It is between you and your Mortgagee to ensure that property taxes and the 2013 utility bill are paid to Merritt in full. Property taxes are due July 2, 2013 and utilities were due May 15, 2013.

Home Owner Grants If you are eligible for a Home Owner Grant (HOG) you must advise your Mortgagee of this, identifying which grant you qualify for (the regular or additional grant). You must claim this grant each year that you are eligible; your Mortgagee cannot sign it. Home Owner Grant Application Forms are located on the back bottom portion of the tax notice mailed to you by the City. You can also claim your home owner grant online at www.merritt.ca. To avoid penalty for late payment of the grant portion of your property taxes (if eligible), you must apply for a grant on or before the tax due date. If the grant is not claimed prior to the due date, you will be levied a penalty on the total outstanding property tax amount of which your unclaimed grant is a part of.

City of Merritt ★ 2185 Voght Street, Box 189 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 ★ Phone: 250-378-4224

THURSDAY, June 20, 2013 • 5

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS CITY OF MERRITT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

MULTI-FUNCTION MACHINES SINGING LOUD, SINGING PROUD Students at Merritt Secondary School croon at the school’s band concert last Thursday. Submitted

The City of Merritt is seeking proposals for the supply of Multi-Function Machines. The proposal package can be obtained on the City of Merritt website at: www.merritt.ca OR

On BCBid at: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca or by request to: Pat Sibilleau CMA, Financial Services Manager City of Merritt Email: psibilleau@merritt.ca Three copies of each proposal must be received by 3:00 pm local time on Monday, June 24, 2013

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worm much more than full-grown firs. There has been an ongoing outbreak of budworm for the past few years and the area just north of Merritt was sprayed last year, MacLauchlan, said.

this insect does to trees isn’t of the same speed or magnitude of the mountain pine beetle, she said. “But really it’s second to mountain pine beetle in terms of impact in the province. It’s quite a serious pest,” MacLauchlan said. She said a young tree fed upon constantly by budworm that manages to survive will take about 80 to 100 years to reach full size rather than 40 because the budworm defoliation will slow the tree’s growth. “That’s what we’re trying to prevent; to give the tree some chance to grow,” MacLauchlan said. The insect feeds on all ages of tree but the young ones have less foliage and are therefore weakened by bud-

MAME

RIVVER

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations got started aerially spraying 23,800 hectares of land in the Merritt area last weekend to reduce the population of spruce budworm populations. Ministry entomologist Lorraine MacLauchlan, told the Herald that due to poor weather conditions, the spraying was stopped and will resume this Friday. It will take about two to three days to complete. In total, 14 sites near Kingsvale, Stump Lake, Coldwater and Kane Valley are being sprayed via helicopter. The agent they are using is a biological insecticide called Foray 48B, which is regis-

certain pH level, which is only found inside the larvae. If another animal ingests the bacteria, it simply passes through its system, she said. A budworm outbreak has the potential to harm a large area of trees over time. “This insect, because it strips part, but not all of the foliage off a tree, doesn’t outright kill a tree. It may after a few years of feeding, but not right away. It has more of a slow, degrading effect on the trees,” MacLauchlan said. She said some years they’ve mapped over 600,000 hectares with some form of budworm defoliation. Last year they mapped an area of 300,000 hectares in the ThompsonOkanagan. The devastation

BY ST.

reporter@merrittherald.com

tered with the Organic Materials Review Institute and is widely used in B.C. The insect they are spraying for is a type of moth which is in the larval stage of its life cycle. It is also a native species to B.C. MacLauchlan said during its larval stage, the insect eats the needles of fir trees, such as the Douglas fir, true firs, larch trees and spruce trees. The active ingredient in the agent they’re spraying is a naturally occurring bacterium that only kills moth and butterfly larvae. It isn’t harmful to humans or other animals such as fish, birds, pets or honeybees. MacLauchlan said the bacteria needs to be ingested by the larvae. To become lethal, the bacteria require a

MERRI

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THE HERALD

Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Rotary Park to MSS School

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6 • THURSDAY, June 20, 2013

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HERALD OPINION You get what you pay for, even around council table By Dale Bass

KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK dale@kamloopsthisweek.com

Maybe somewhere in some obscure community in British Columbia, a bored councillor might read that his Kamloops counterparts are at the low end of the pay scale and burst out in laughter. That same likely also low-paid councillor might take to Twitter and, in 140 characters, proclaim something like: “What fools in #Kamloops. Really lousy pay #twits #bcpoli ROFLMAO.” Maybe that’s the person Coun. Donovan Cavers is worried about when he urged the others around the horseshoe at city hall to hike those wage levels now to avoid ridicule from other communities. It could happen — but I sure hope that’s not the reason why he voted in favour of the pay hikes many of you are probably angry about right now. Cavers and the others must have been aware of their remuneration before they put in their nomination papers. They no doubt felt it was fine for what they thought the work would entail — and I’m betting he and the other neophyte politicians have already figured out they’re working for a pretty low hourly rate, if you factor in all the time spent running the city. When Coun. Nancy Bepple first raised the subject of council pay a few weeks ago, many people decried it. They’re doing a public service. They shouldn’t be in it for the money.

See ‘City councillor’ Page 7

Publisher Theresa Arnold production@ merrittherald.com

Sunglasses won’t take heat off expansion

Emily Wessel Merritt MUSINGS Continued from the Tuesday, June 18 edition of the Merritt Herald In the blue corner, various environmental advocacy groups released their message that was, by and large, that it’s not

Production Shel Hein production2@ merrittherald.com

a matter of if a pipeline spills, but when. They wonder how long it will be until the next spill, how big that next spill will be, and they ask the big, lingering rhetorical question that makes us all squirm in our seats: In the face of impending environmental disaster, when do we re-evaluate our oil dependency? In the red corner, Kinder Morgan’s message is that the leak was small but taken seriously; the company discovered and reported it, and shut down the pipeline to be safe; and that monitoring of water and soil for contamination showed the spill didn’t put humans or wildlife at risk.

Editor Emily Wessel newsroom@ merrittherald.com

MERRITT HERALD 2090 G

For Kinder Morgan, the stakes for convincing us are high. The expansion proposal needs favourable public perception to move forward, but the fact remains that any spill — no matter how small — could be damaging to this objective. For what it’s worth — and to Kinder Morgan, it’s worth a lot — the company reacted swiftly to the spill and is taking meetings with stakeholders on the subject of expansion. In fact, the day after the spill was reported, the company held an open house to talk about the project in Kamloops. Later this month,

Reporter Michael Potestio reporter@ merrittherald.com

RANITE AVE., PO BOX 9, MERRITT, B.C. PHONE (250) 378-4241

representatives from Kinder Morgan will meet with members of the Lower Nicola Indian Band over the matter. A representative from the National Energy Board, which monitored cleanup response in this case, told the Herald that there was no water or wildlife habitat contamination, and that the contaminated soil was excavated quickly after the discovery of the leak. Still, there’s a good chance this leak, which the company is calling a “release,” will put the spotlight on the expansion proposal in a negative way. For environmentalists and conservationists, there

Sports writer Ian Webster sports@ merrittherald.com

is no higher stake than the preservation of the environment and all its natural resources. Even a small leak is too big; a 1,000 litre spill is 1,000 litres too many. Locally, the timing of the spill was ironic as it happened just days after I’d opened a mysterious package that was addressed to the paper’s editor. What was inside? Half a dozen TransMountain branded sunglasses with attached business cards to remind me that representatives are available to talk about the pipeline, should I have any questions. Just goes to show that timing is everything.

Office manager Carol Soames classifieds@ merrittherald.com

FAX (250) 378-6818

Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

This Merritt Herald is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

THURSDAY, June 20, 2013 • 7

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YOUR OPINION

Merritt’s marketing on the money Dear Editor, Just read your column (Is Merritt missing its marketing mark? June 13), gave it some thought, and wanted to comment on Merritt and its marketing mark. And what I’ve figured out is that Merritt is definitely right on track with its marketing and tourism strategy. A bit of background: my parents bought recreational property in the Merritt area in the early ’70s. I went to school in Burnaby and my parents worked in the Vancouver area, but in all of our out-ofschool time, we would hop in the car and make our way up here. Nowadays, our families spend a lot of time up here, and the grandkids now get to see and enjoy what we did many years ago. You see, at first I thought I really disliked country music. It all started with those darn 8-track tapes my mom and dad would play on the five-and-a-half hour drive up Highway 1, twanging out the Willie Nelson, etc. (I refused to learn their names). To me, country music

‘‘

people were dirty, fat, beerswilling, five-dollar-fakecowboy-hat-wearing, loud, rude, drunken, obnoxious “woo hoo” weekend slobs who came from the cities to the ‘country’ to make asses of themselves. When the Merritt Mountain Music Festival was created, my feelings for the music and its followers only got stronger. Now, I know it’s very stereotypical — I know not all country music lovers are like that — but just hear me, a “city boy,” out. In all its years, my friends, family, social network and I would never go to Merritt Mountain Music Fest. Not only because of the music, but the “party” that was portrayed. I heard terrible stories about what happened at those events — many unmentionables. The mentionables include thousands of people tenting in mudpits, unmentionable-filled urinals, and empty bottles and cans floating down the Coldwater River as thousands put their fold-up chair in the river, peed where they sat and drank beer ’til they passed

‘Thanks for not bringing up all those darn tourists to ruin the thousands of hiking and exploring spots like Kane Valley or the Windy Canyon.’ — LETTER WRITER ROB SENGER

out. Now that’s country music ... isn’t it? I mean, of course Merritt should promote itself as the Country Music Capital of Canada. Why not bestow such an honour on oneself ? I know nothing about country music but I did meet Shania Twain a few times. She’s from Ontario... that’s nearby.... right? But now I’m sort of thinking, ‘Hey, I like country music!’ Thanks, Merritt, for making this the Country Music Capital of Canada! I mean, that’s so cool, even though that music festival is gone (thank God!) Merritt should still claim such an honour — ride that wave! Thanks to the tourism people for continuing to use that

marketing strategy — it’s right on track. Just like it was 10-plus years ago. Because of that great strategy, here’s just a few things I am still getting to do and am thankful for: Thanks for not inviting up all the weekenders and for letting me catch the Kokanee and trout that are still abundant in Nicola Lake. For the calm serene days without the wakeboarding, stereo-pumping boats that we oh-so-enjoy at the Coast and at the other non-countrymusic-loving places in the Okanagan. Also for all the available campsites at Monck Park so when we have extra friends or family come up, they can find place to stay. Thanks for hiding the opportunities to hunt, which

my parents still get to do. And for the undisturbed, peaceful, small lakes of the surrounding areas, the crystal clear rivers and streams, rolling hills, dirt trails for biking, beautiful wildlife, the butterflies, the flowers, the smells.... Thanks for not bringing up all those darn tourists to ruin the thousands of hiking and exploring spots like Kane Valley or the Windy Canyon. Thanks for not talking about the golf course at Quilchena, which I can cruise over to in 10 minutes and get on right away and for keeping secret the real cowboys and girls, the farms, the ranches, the fruit stands. Special thanks for not mentioning the Coquihalla Highway or the great suntanning we get to do in April and October. Thanks, Country Music Capital of Canada, for giving me the wonderful town of Merritt I enjoy so much! I have to go now, I have a strong desire to go play a Willie Nelson CD. Rob Senger

City councillor not just a public service From Page 6 I’ve always viewed it a different way, one I tried to explain to a reader recently who was aghast at what the executive director of a large social agency in town is being paid. We need to stop viewing these situations as simply public service. That’s a key component but the reality is these are business people running operations with massive budgets, large staffs, plenty of stakeholders — and they should be

paid properly. And this silliness Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation is quoted as saying elsewhere in today’s paper — they should have voted it into effect with the next council — is just that. Dumb. The work’s not being put off until next year’s election. They’re doing it now, they’re doing more than councillors were asked to do a decade ago and they should be paid for it. Don’t we all think

we should be paid properly for the work we do? Next week marks the end of a wonderful relationship I’ve had in Kamloops for the past decade. It started with a simple idea by local artist Linda Jules — to create a place of learning where art in all its forms is key. It was inspiring to sit in those planning meetings, to hear what was envisioned, to watch it go through to become what we now know as Beattie

School of the Arts. I remember being one of the first in line to register my son and then, a year later, his younger brother. Having been involved in the education system for more than a quarter-century — the oldest started school in Ontario in 1986 — meeting and talking with teachers who didn’t seem burned out, who were enthusiastic and engaged and eager to be in class was wonderful. As with any system, there have been

bumps along the way. I’m sure there’s at least one former principal who wouldn’t have me on his favourite-parents list. And I miss the sense of community and family the secondary school lost when it moved from the tiny Pineridge building to the former John Peterson building. Through it all have been awesome teachers and support workers, some super school secretaries and some of the most amazing, talented kids you’ll

ever find. They inspired my boys, cheered their successes, comforted them in their down moments and gave them the kind of education we all wish for. Linda’s ever-smiling face isn’t at the school as much now — her son graduated last year, but that idea she had has become a gem in the city, one that should be cherished. It’s the kind of school I wish I’d been able to go to as a kid — and that’s a pretty cool legacy.

Speak up You can comment on any story you read @ merrittherald.com

HERALD QUESTION OF THE WEEK To vote, go online to merrittherald.com

Did the TransMountain leak near Merritt change your position on its expansion proposal?

PREVIOUS QUESTION Do you own any pieces of art by local artists? YES: 61% NO: 38%

LETTERS POLICY The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

John Isaac 250-378-1586

Johnisaac@telus.net www.realestatemerritt.ca

Ph: 250-378-6181 F: 250-378-6184

www.royallepage.ca/merritt 1988 Quilchena Ave., Merritt, BC

M E R R I T T

Country get away, 3 bedroom plus den home. Located on 1.61 acres, close to Kane Valley trails and lakes. New kitchen appliances and Áooring.

Solid large commercial building, with a good location. Located in town core. Priced for land and building. Seller will train for business if desired.

One bedroom ground level condo. Laundry in suite, vinyl windows and siding. Ready for retirees or investor.

Large, nicely Ànished, 2 bedroom rancher. Lovely gardens front and back. Good sized rooms including enclosed veranda.

Over 1,200 Sq. Ft. of living space. Recent electrical upgrade, vinyl windows and siding. Lloads of yard and parking space.

8 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY, June 20, 2013

www.merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Respect foundation for Helping Hands From Page 3

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

Volunteers even take clients grocery shopping and help them pay their bills if they see they need help. The help also extends to disease management. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we know they have hepatitis, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll leave the most current pamphlets for them,â&#x20AC;? Tolmie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we see they have sores, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll suggest they go get those checked out. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about paying attention to them because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re important.â&#x20AC;? If the societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president, Willie Jokinen, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear from clients at least once a week, he makes the rounds to check up on them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gotten to a point where our clients are really respectful. I think the latest Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been called in the last two years is 11:30 p.m. Usually theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll wait because they respect us and care for us.â&#x20AC;? But Tolmie said one of the biggest rewards of volunteering is intangible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These people have

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We always tell [clients], â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to love you until you learn to love yourself,â&#x20AC;? and we do. As long as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re around ... we will continue what we do.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; MERRITT HELPING HANDS SOCIETYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MARILYN TOLMIE

families, and funny memories and stories,â&#x20AC;? Tolmie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They might not be able to be close to their families, but people love them. We care about them. I think addiction is largely shamebased, and we want them to know that we do love them.â&#x20AC;? Tolmie said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult to estimate the number of people theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re helping because they take supplies to drop areas and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how many people access resources from that central

location. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to know how many people theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re saving from contracting diseases from shared needles and other drug paraphernalia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There may be a branch of however many who come pick up from there because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be known,â&#x20AC;? Tolmie said. She said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reassuring to know that people, even in the thick of their addictions, are passing along information that could help stop the spread of disease to one another. As uplifting as the success stories can be, knowing the clients on such a personal level also makes the work difficult at times. Tolmieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband died of liver failure in 2011, and she has had to say goodbye to long-term clients whom she grew to know and love. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been to funerals for clients,â&#x20AC;? Tolmie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It can be a struggle because you need time to grieve.â&#x20AC;? She said the societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

volunteers get together for a coffee in memorial of a client if there was no funeral service held for that client. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They want to be treated with respect and dignity,â&#x20AC;? Tolmie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They treat us with respect and we treat them with respect. They know that when they reach out for help, we will try to help them to the best of our ability.â&#x20AC;? The group gets all of its supplies and most of its funding from Interior Health, and supplements with support from the City of Merritt, the Rotary clubs of Merritt, and anonymous donors. But as with most nonprofit societies, money is constantly tight. For better or worse, and for richer or poorer, Tolmie said the work the society does comes from the heart. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We always tell [clients], â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to love you until you learn to love yourself,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and we do,â&#x20AC;? Tolmie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As long as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re around and as long as thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money, we will continue what we do.â&#x20AC;?

NICOLA VALLEY TRANSPORTAION SOCIETY will be holding its

5TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

June 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Trinity United Church Hall The meeting is open to everyone who is interested in Ă&#x20AC;nding out about the Transit System in Merritt. You must be a member in good standing and hold a 2013 membership to vote. Memberships are available by calling 250-378-4080 or by signing up at the meeting. Your application will then be brought forward at the next regular meeting. Membership fee is $ 5.00 per year.

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CANADA

THURSDAY, June 20, 2013 • 9

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

They’ll be coming ’round the mountain Annual Ride2Survive participants to make pit stop in Merritt THE HERALD

newsroom@merrittherald.com

A group of cyclists raising money for cancer will be stopping for a carbohydrate-laden breakfast in Merritt on Saturday during a marathon ride from Kelowna to Delta. Riders climb over 12,000 feet on the 400kilometre, one-day ride. “The ride is an analogy for cancer because it’s supposed to be tough, but not so tough that you can’t make it,” organizer Vicki Kunzli said. Kunzli said she and her husband became involved with the ride after a rider from Kelowna and a rider from Delta thought it would be “fun” to ride from one city to the other. “It kind of started on a lark, and that first year there were 17 riders,” Kunzli said. “Then we just watched it evolve and grow.” Now in its ninth year, there are 80 riders, a police escort, support from B.C. Ambulance, and proper food along the way. A crew puts together 11 pit stops along the route with stoves for heating up hot chocolate, heaters for

riders to warm up by, and even change rooms for riders if they need to adjust for the weather. “Within 10 minutes, we’re pulling back out onto the road, and that crew has the stop dismantled in six minutes and is back on the road,” Kunzli said. “It’s just a moving machine.” Locally, members from the legion will be preparing homemade macaroni and cheese for the riders and bringing it up to the Visitor Information Centre at the junction of Highways 5 and 97C. The group will arrive at the centre around 9:45 a.m. and stay for about half an hour before hitting the road again. The ride begins about 3:30 a.m. in Kelowna and finishes off in Delta around 11 p.m. The group has raised over $300,000 for cancer research this year and over $2 million in its nine years. “I think everyone’s been affected by it. Of the two guys who started the ride, one is a cancer survivor. He’s a firefighter from Kelowna. It’s just really affected his friend [in Delta] watching him go through the battle,” she said.

Cellphones will now be ringing out at Nicola Lake, thanks to a new Telus cell tower in the area. The tower, which is located on Sagebrush Golf Course, will provide coverage to cottagers and residents at the lake and about 20 kilometres up highway 5A. The tower is part of a $570,000 Telus investment for coverage in the Nicola Lake area. The addition is part of a 10-year contract between the company and the province to increase coverage in rural areas.

#itsbettertogether

Cyclists in the Ride2Survive bike ride from Kelowna to Delta pull into the Merritt Visitor Information Centre. The riders, who raise money for cancer research, will stop in Merritt on Saturday. Submitted

Kunzli said she lost her mother, father and brother to cancer. “You can’t do anything about the people you’ve lost, but we can do something about the present and the future,” she said. The day after the ride, participants will be back on their bikes in a parade. “It’s probably good to spin out your legs. Your bum might not be so happy,” Kunzli said. The riders will also attend a pig roast for one of their mechanics, who was recently diagnosed

with terminal cancer. Kunzli said simply wearing yellow shows solidarity with the cause as it’s the colour of the Canadian Cancer Society. Visitor centre manager Cora-Lee Poehnell encouraged people to come out to cheer on the riders. “The mayor came out last year and a bunch of the police, and even Angel’s Animal Rescue to cheer them on,” she said. “It’s quite an event and it’s pretty cool watching them come biking down the hill

“Breaking the Chain of Abuse”

NICOLA VALLEY

Nicola Lake gets cell sevice

Some things are just better together.

Adopt a Pet Please make an appointment to visit Ph: (250) 378-5223

E: gwc.9@hotmail.com View other future best friends @ www.angelsanimalrescue.ca

Cree Female Blue Heeler/Poodle Cross

Jacob Male Blue Heeler/Poodle Cross

Cree & Jacob are approx. 3 mths old and should mature to 30 - 40 lbs. They are happy, gentle and playful. Cree and Jacob can be adopted together or into a home with another canine companion.

Gus AustralianShep. X - 2 yrs. Gus always comes when called, loves to accompany his person cycling, jogging, quading, horseback riding. Has energy to keep up, is well mannered and not hyper. Gets along with other k9’s but does not need to reside with another.

Donations desperately needed for spay and neuter services. Donations can be to made to The Angel’s Animal Rescue Society at The Interior Savings Credit Union, Account #1193739.

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from Kelowna.”

God

the Word, the World

By Herman Kneller

Whil Whi While le I am writing riti iting th thi this, is th the e bombin b bombings in Boston is breaking news. This news is causing a lot of fear for people don’t know who is behind it, where the bombs are or if there are any more. The big focus in the world today should be the fulÀlling of Bible prophecy. Jesus said that at the end of time, just before His second coming, the earth would be Àlled with violence. Jesus also mentioned that there would be earthquakes, among other problems. Look where we are today. Looking back at the prophecy in Revelation, at the time prophecy of a day, month and year, adding this together, we have 391 years of real problems. John saw the number of the horsemen were two hundred million. This is likely the number that would be saved over the entire campaign. Then, in a vision, he sees what these horsemen are wearing in war. He sees the horses as they are running. Fire, smoke and brimstone came out of their mouths and from these, a lot of the men are killed. We ask, “What is he seeing?

What does this mean?” About this time, we have the invention of guns and the old muzzle loader. They were heavy guns so, in the side of the saddle there was a pocket where the gun was set, when the rider was going to shoot he would have to bend over and aim this gun. As it Àred, it went past the horse’s head and to John, who did not know anything about guns, this looked kind of scary. What was all this preparation for? Power was, no doubt, behind it all. The idea of this army was to go up Eastern Rome until they came past the Alps, then they’d invade Europe and make it a modern country. So, the war began but it was slowgoing. They had to Àght other countries to get to where they wanted to be. They always had to stop and let their horses gorge and rest. Getting food for the army was also a big job. It ended up taking years to get the where they wanted to be. But, while all this was going on, what was going on in western Europe? We have to look and see...

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By Emily Wessel

10 • THURSDAY, June 20, 2013

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BUSINESS

Finding yourself a mortgage that fits Fixed-rate, variable, or combined?

DAVID L. BROWN Managing YOUR MONEY Thinking of buying your first home? One of your most important decisions will be choosing the right type of mortgage to make the purchase. With the current low interest rates, you may believe that almost any mortgage product is a low-risk choice. But keep in mind that interest rates could be higher when that mortgage comes up for renewal. Here’s what could happen: You have a $200,000 mortgage with a five year fixed rate of four per cent interest, amortized over 25 years, with a monthly payment of approximately $1,052. After five years, you will have to renew your mortgage. Even though your mortgage balance is now only $174,107, if the fixed interest rate at that time is six per cent and your remaining amortization period is 20 years, your monthly payment now goes up to $1,240; if the fixed rate is seven per cent, your monthly payment jumps to $1,339 a month. Will you be able to manage an increase like that? Make a very careful assessment of “how much house you can afford.” Look at potential income and lifestyle changes, like starting a family or increasing its size, and decide now if you’ll be able to afford a

future increase in your mortgage payments. Next, decide which mortgage type, fixed rate or variable, is best for you. Your choice depends on your personal situation. A fixed-rate mortgage offers the security of a locked-in interest rate for the term you choose (typically five years) and the same mortgage payment for the term – providing peace of mind and predicable budgeting. A variable rate mortgage usually offers a lower interest rate than the fixedrate type but the interest rate is linked to the prime rate which will fluctuate and can impact your total interest costs and your monthly mortgage payment. Many lenders will allow you to lock a variable rate mortgage into a fixedrate mortgage during your term. A blended rate mortgage is a combination of fixed and variable rate financing, combining the benefits and risks of each mortgage type. Your best mortgage choice should be based on your personal financial objectives and overall financial plan. You’ll get the best advice for what’s best for you from your professional advisor. This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in Québec – a Financial Services Firm), and Investors Group Securities Inc. (in Québec, a firm in Financial Planning) presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor for specific advice

about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact your Investors Group Consultant.

Contact David Brown at 250-315-0241 or at david.brown@investorsgroup.com to book your appointment.

Keeping it green behind the wheel Just because you don’t have a hybrid doesn’t mean you can’t be conscientious about how your driving affects the planet. According to the experts at autoTRADER.ca, there are a few simple things you can do to be gentle on the environment, while still getting from A to B in your current vehicle. • No jackrabbit starts: Unless you’re a professional racecar

driver, hammering down on the gas pedal from a standing start is something neither your engine nor your wallet will appreciate. Easing onto the gas requires less of it. Don’t spend what you don’t have to! • Keep the pressure on: Keeping your tires properly inflated (look for the indicated pressure levels on the sidewall) can save as much as 10 to 15 per cent in fuel costs,

directly translating into better mileage and fuel costs. And the less fuel you use, the more the planet will thank you. • Carpool when you can: Why use two cars when one will do? Planning ahead with others headed in the same direction eliminates the need for multiple vehicles, and potentially avoids doubling up on parking fees, to boot. www.newscanada.com

EXPANSION PROJECT

TALK ABOUT THE PIPELINE R UTE – NLINE! HAVE Y UR SAY This is your opportunity to give us your feedback online about the proposed Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

HAVE Y UR SAY: transmountain.com/talk We want to hear from you about the proposed pipeline route in your community. Email: info@transmountain.com Website: www.transmountain.com

Phone: 1.866.514.6700

@TransMtn

youtube.com/transmtn

CANADA

THURSDAY, June 20, 2013 • 11

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

When it comes to mimicry, the flies have it OTHMAR VOHRINGER The OUTDOORSMAN Since early childhood, I have been fascinated with the fact that animals respond to humans mimicking their sounds, behaviours or using facsimiles (decoys) of themselves or of food they eat. The fascination it held for me, and which persists to this day, was what led me to becoming an animal trainer/ behaviourist in the first place. I have also found the more I learn about animals, the more questions I have – particularly now as they apply to fishing. In all these years, I knew about artificial flies and

the use of food replicas as lures for fish, but it was not until I met Bruce, an avid fly tier and fly fisherman, that I learned just how involved fly fishermen were in copying the various foods that fish eat. Since a fly fisher uses lures (flies) that represent food sources that are present at different times during the year, he or she has to have a very good understanding of entomology. In fly fisher lingo, this is called “matching the hatch.” An angler choosing fly fishing gear has to know what insects, larvae, grubs or prey fish are available to the predatory fish throughout the year. As these preferred food sources change – sometimes overnight – the angler has to adapt to that. There is a lot of skill needed to catch a fish in this way, but it can

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go further than this and here is where my admiration really peaks. Some of these fly fishing folks are not merely content to purchase all the flies they may need, which can amount to staggering collections from what I have seen – yet the most avid of fly fishers are true artists because they make their own flies. Fly tying is a very popular vocation among the fly fishermen and women who spend the long, cold winter months sitting at a table surrounded by a multitude of coloured yarns, strips of plastic, animal hair and bird feathers. With this multitude of materials, these artists of animal mimicry spend hours upon hours tying their own flies. It’s not as easy as it looks as you have to work on a very tiny hook with very fragile material. A few years ago, my wife

Heidi and I watched a fly tying demonstration at the Abbotsford Boat and Outdoorsmen Show in awe. The fly tier sat on a small table looking through a big magnifying glass at a small trout hook explaining the pattern he was about to make. Within about five minutes of tying various layers of material onto the hook, shaping and bending and tying on some more material, a recognizable Mayfly morphed before our eyes. It seems I am not the only one who remains fascinated by the fact that we humans can attract wild animals by the art of mimicry, and I can just imagine how satisfying it must be for a fly fisher to fool a trout into taking a fly he carefully crafted to look exactly like the fish’s favourite food of the day.

A close-up of a fly. Submitted by Heidi I. Koehler

NVIT FALL COURSES FOR 2013 Contact Us: 250-378-3300 | www.nvit.ca | info@nvit.bc.ca

COLLEGE READINESS BIOL-050 General Biology COMP-050 Introduction to Microcomputer Applications CRLS-060 College Readiness (Prov) ENGL-040 Reading Comprehension ENGL-050 Writing Skills ENGL-060 Literature and Composition INST-050 Indigenous Studies (Advanced) MATH-040 BC Adult Literacy Fundamental Mathematics (ALFM) Level V & Level VI MATH-041 Introductory Algebra MATH-055 Introduction to Algebra II MATH-057 Intermediate Algebra I BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ADMN-121 Introduction to Management BUSM-207 Introduction to Statistics BUSM-210 Accounting II BUSM-211 Introduction to Finance BUSM-223 Human Resources Management BUSM-255 Small Business Development BUSM-294 Business Law ABORIGINAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AECE-102 Early Years Development I AECE-110 Foundations of ECE AECE-134 Guidance for the Early Years I AECE-204 Early Years Development III AECE-208 Special Topics in Child Care AECE-216 Administrative Licensing & Leadership AECE-224 Programming for Early Years II AECE-260 Infant and Toddler Practicum OFFICE ADMINISTRATION APBT-110 Administrative Procedures APBT-130 Human Relations for Career Success COMM-101 Business English

COMP-101 COMP-102 COMP-103

Computer Essentials/Internet Word Processing Keyboarding I

UNIVERSITY TRANSFER CRIM-101 Introduction to Criminology CRIM-103 Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behavior CRIM-131 Introduction to Criminal Justice System CRIM-135 Introduction to Canadian Law CRIM-220 Research Methods in Criminology ENGL-110 College Composition ENGL-209 Creative Writing: Short Stories FNST-100 Intro to First Nations Studies I FNWS-201 Unruly Women: FN Women & Justice System FNWS-206 FN Women’s Artistic Tradition HIST-100 Introduction to General Canadian History HLTH-201 Physical Health and Fitness INST-102 General Intro First Nations NLEK-110 Nle’kepmxcin I PHIL-100 Critical Thinking POLI-111 Canadian Government & Politics PSYC-111 Introduction to Psychology I PSYC-131 Applied Interpersonal and Career Development Skills PSYC-213 Lifespan Human Development I SOCI-111 Introduction to Sociology I SOCW-200A Introduction to Social Work Practice STAT-203 Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences EMPLOYMENT SKILLS ACCESS EMSK-041 Cultural Orientation EMSK-042 Personal Development EMSK-043 Workplace Essentials EMSK-044 Career Exploration & Networking EMSK-045 Math in the Workplace EMSK-046 English in the Workplace

EMSK-047 EMSK-048

Introduction to Workplace Computer Skills Essential Skills Practicum

ENVIRONMENT RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY COMM-145 Public Relations & Communications ENRT-140 Wildland Recreation ENRT-141 Aboriginal People and the Land ENRT-150 Silvics and Dendrology ENRT-155 Soil Science ENRT-160 Field Surveys I ENRT-255 Timber Development I ENRT-260 Forest Surveys ENRT-265 Environmental Assessment Surveys ENRT-270 Fisheries Ecology ENRT-271 Grasslands Ecology MATH-140 Technical Mathematics HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT HTCA-104 Interpersonal Communications HTCA-111 Lifestyle & Choices HTCA-116 Introduction to HTCA Practice HTCA-121 Health & Healing HTCA-126 Personal Care Assistance I HTCA-152 Cognitive or Mental Challenges HTCA-153 Common Health Challenges HTCA-156 Personal Care Assistance II HTCA-166 Clinical I BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK SOCW-306 Theory & Ideology of Soc. Work SOCW-311 Aboriginal Perspectives on Social Policy SOCW-315 Human Development and Indigenous Life Cycles SOCW-353 Social Work Practice with Individuals SOCW-357 Social Work, Law and Social Policy SOCW-404 Ethical Practice in Aboriginal Communities SOCW-466 Addictions SOCW-486 Aboriginal Social Work Practice

To register: Stop by the campus at 4155 Belshaw Street Call us at 250-378-3300 Visit our website at www.nvit.ca Apply online at www.applybc.ca

NICOLA VALLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MERRITT CAMPUS 250.378.3300 VANCOUVER CAMPUS 604.602.9555 TOLL FREE 1.877.682.3300 WWW.NVIT.CA

12 • THURSDAY, June 20, 2013

www.merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Merritt bowlers at Nationals in Kelowna this weekend

NOW SCHEDULING GUTTER CLEANOUT Keep your gutter running clean Ask about our leaf guard Need New Gutters? Have A Leaky Mess?

By Ian Webster THE HERALD

Contact Tyler for a FREE ESTIMATE

sports@merrittherald.com

The pride of Merritt goes up against Canada’s best this weekend at the National Classifieds 5-Pin Bowling Championships in Kelowna. The Nicola Valley’s Harold Aljam, Tony Abraria, Jordan Pinto, Jerrid Chandler and Cody Hostrawser will be representing British Columbia in the marathon eight-province event that sees each team roll a total of 14 games over the course of two intense days of competition. Action at the host Capri Valley Lanes on Harvey Avenue begins bright and early Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. and continues through till 4:45 p.m. on Sunday. The Merritt team earned the right to represent B.C. at the National Classifieds by defeating 10 other teams and winning the provincial championships on May 11-12 at the Scottsdale Lanes in Surrey. This weekend will be the first time a Merritt bowling team has competed in the National Classifieds in 38 years. Spectators are welcome at this weekend’s event in Kelowna. There is no admission charge.

250.315.5750

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Serving Merritt with Excellence for over 20 yrs.

• Underground Irrigation • Patio & Stone Work • Quality Design & Installation • Water Features • Grounds Maintenance • Servicing & Winterizing

THE MERRITT 5-PIN TEAM HAROLD ALJAM

TONY ABRARIA

JORDAN PINTO

• Commercial & Residential

JERRID CHANDLER CODY HOSTRAWSER

2013 NATIONAL CLASSIFIEDS 5-PIN BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

250-378-4166

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$10,000 JACKPOT

June 21-23, 2013 - Capri Valley Lanes, Kelowna, B.C.

Schedule Saturday, June 22

Sunday, June 23