Creston Valley Advance, October 17, 2013 by Black Press Media Group

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Volume 65, No. 42

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Council Reach a Reader raises literacy funds approves brewery rezoning Advance Staff

BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

Lorne Eckersley

After twice delaying a decision on a rezoning application for a 14th Avenue property Creston town council voted unanimously to pass the bylaw’s third reading on Friday. A third day of public hearings proved a charm for the Columbia Brewery, which has an offer to purchase a parcel of adjacent property, conditional on its rezoning from residential to light industrial. Final approval of the rezoning will allow the brewery to construct a railway spur on its property that will provide for the storage of four railcars, two each holding malt and syrup. Brewery manager Murray Oswald estimates the four cars will provide for four or five days of brewing at peak capacity. The third meeting included a key change to the brewery’s proposal, increasing the distance of the rail line to neighbouring residences. Town manager Lou Varela reported that staff recommended approval of the application with conditions including “a site plan, developed to the satisfaction of staff, detailing a separation between the centre of the proposed spur line and adjacent residential construction of not less than 15 metres.” See REZONING, page 3

“I’m thrilled,” said Creston literacy coordinator Linda Steward on Oct. 10, as she walked away with nearly $350 in donations collected in the Reach a Reader campaign. “Do you know how many things we can do with that money?” In exchange for donations to the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL), volunteers offered Oct. 10 editions of the Creston Valley Advance to passersby at the Canyon Street Walkthrough and the Creston Valley Public Library. Among the volunteers were members of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats hockey team, Regional District of Central Kootenay Area C director Larry Binks, Couns. Scott Veitch and Joanna Wilson and Advance staff. “Literacy is important to a community in so many different ways,” said Advance publisher Jacky Smith Lorne Eckersley. “We are proud to support the Reach a Reader volunteers included (above) Town of Creston Couns. Scott Veitch and efforts of Linda Steward and CBAL yearJoanna Wilson, (below) Creston Valley Thunder Cats Jesse Collins and Logan Styler, round and we thank those who made contriand (right) Creston Valley Public Library chief librarian Aaron Francis and Advance butions, and to volunteers who braved the chilly weather.” sales co-ordinator Anita Horton.

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rom First Nations drumming to circus performers to painters to folk signing, a variety of entertainers and artisans will keep you entertained at the free Evening of Basin Culture and Entertainment. Hosted by Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), the event takes place 8-10:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Wynndel Community Hall. All ages are welcome, and registration is not required. “We have a fantastic lineup thanks to all the accomplished performers and artisans we have here in the Basin,” said CBT President and CEO Neil Muth. “This is a great way to celebrate local culture and have an entertaining night out.” Performances include music and theatre from Creston’s Footlighters Theatre Society, circus entertainers the A-Muse Troupe from Golden, the Eagle Spirit Bear drum group and Ktunaxa dancers, and the Good Ol’ Goats from Cranbrook. Artisans from the Creston Valley area will be displaying visual art pieces, including painting, ceramics and fiber arts, plus performing live art demonstrations. There will be a cash bar and goods for sale. A free shuttle service starts at 7:30 p.m. and departs every 30 minutes. For more information on shuttle bus stops and on the Evening of Basin Culture and Entertainment, visit www.cbt.org /culturalnight. The evening coincides with the 2013 Columbia Basin

Symposium, “Seeds for Success: Community Change Through Collaborative Action.” To register, visit www.cbt. org/2013symposium. •••

t’s Trash to Treasure time again! The Regional District of Central Kootenay’s semi-annual celebration of waste reduction is happening on Saturday. This one-day event provides participants with an opportunity to give away used items to those who may find value in them. This is also a chance for residents to search their community for their neighbours’ unwanted treasures. On Oct. 19, residents are encouraged to place any gently used, unwanted household goods together at the front of their property in a location that can be safely accessed by treasure hunters. A sign should clearly indicate which items are available to take home. By 4 p.m. the same day, all remaining items should be gathered up and taken inside. Please keep your community clean by removing unwanted items! Visit the RDCK’s website, www.rdck. bc.ca, to download a Trash to Treasure sign for your property. •••

alling all singers high school age through seniors! The Bonners Ferry Community Choir begins rehearsals for its annual Christmas concert at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 22. Rehearsals will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in

Bonners Ferry every Tuesday until the concerts, presented Dec. 20 and 22. Bonners Ferry Community Choir is an open choir with no fees or auditions. Each year, 60-70 singers from Creston, Troy, Mont., and Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry, Idaho assemble. The concert series is commonly attended by over 500 people of all ages. It has become a long-standing tradition of over 40 years to welcome the holiday season. This year's theme is, “We're Not that Far from Bethlehem”. The music is drawn from many ages and cultures as well as familiar carols. The choir has been conducted by Vicki Blake Thompson for 15 years. Accompanist is well known Bonners Ferry pianist Barb Nelson. This year, Rosie Samter will be featured on viola; the professional musician in Boston and New York grew up in Bonners Ferry and is well remembered by many there. For more information, contact Vicki Blake Thompson at 208-267-0854 or at vickiblake1@mac.com. •••

wo scheduled events have been moved to avoid conflicts with other Creston Valley entertainment. The 4 Saxes concert — featuring a quartet from Bonners Ferry, Idaho — was going to run Saturday at the Snoring Sasquatch, but was rescheduled to avoid conflicting with the Columbia Basin Trust’s Evening of Basin Culture and Entertainment.

Opera lovers should note that the customary DVD showing on the last Saturday of the month will not take place this month at the Creston Valley Public Library. The GoGo Grannies are hosting A Funtastic Variety Show on Oct. 26, which led to conflicts with volunteer time. The next opera will be shown at on Nov. 30. •••

arl Erickson will return to the Snoring Sasquatch Oct. 26, this time playing with Donny Clark, Ted Bryant, Mike Mitchell and Rick Potyok. Erickson will play his tenor saxophone and fat body Epiphone guitar, and sing. The audience can expect some new songs, such as I’m Busted by Ray Charles — with a few word changes to fit Erickson’s lifestyle — and a reggae version of Merle Haggard’s Silver Wings, along with other blues tunes, like T-Bone Walker’s T-Bone Shuffle. Bryant is well known in the Creston Valley as a bass player, and Mitchell — who played harmonica on the recording of Erickson’s Anybody Going My Way — is equally well known for his suitcase drumming. Clark has enjoyed a long career as one of Canada’s leading trumpet and flugelhorn players, and has been a player, arranger and composer on the West Coast since the early 1960s. Tickets are $12 in advance at Black Bear Books, Kingfisher Used Books and Buffalo Trails Coffee House, and $15 at the door, which opens at 6 p.m.; the show starts at 7.

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, October 17, 2013

LOCAL NEWS 10.3” x 2”

Join us for an evening of...

culture&

Basin

entertainment

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca 3

Wynndel Community Hall

Saturday, October 19, 8 – 10:30 p.m. FREE evening of Basin music, song, dance and artisans. Hosted by Columbia Basin Trust.

www.cbt.org/culturalnight

Property tax exemption limits U.S. firm targeting mean some non-profits must pay newspaper readers BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

Advance Staff

A U.S. company marketing its product to Kootenay residents has been raising questions among newspaper readers. “It has come to our attention that a company by the name of That’s Great News has been approaching customers who have had stories in our papers,” said Chuck Bennett, group publisher for Black Press in the Kootenays. “This is obvious copyright infringement.” That’s Great News contacts people who have been featured in newspaper stories, offering to create a plaque that includes the story, with the newspaper’s logo at the top. The cost is $179. “We have had feedback from our customers wondering about this,” said Bennett. “We want them to know that this has nothing to do with Black Press and is actually an infringement on our copyright.” Bennett also asks that anyone receiving this type of request contacts the paper right away. “We are looking into our legal rights to protect our copyright so we would really appreciate hearing from people who are contacted,” he said. “We have traditionally been very generous in sharing our copyrighted material with readers,” Advance publisher Lorne Eckersley said. “But it is an important reminder that copyright infringement occurs when permission has not been granted by the copyright holder. “I invite our readers to contact me directly if they are approached by That’s Great News, or any other company that wishes to use the material our staff produces.”

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A new policy adopted by Creston town council earlier this year means that few non-profit organizations will be fully exempt from paying municipal property taxes. Council agreed last spring to cap the total exemptions at 1.75 per cent of the total property tax paid by town residents. This year, the first of a three-year bylaw cycle, a committee of staff and Couns. Judy Gadicke and Scott Veitch met to assess the applications and recommend an exemption list to council. Two applicants, Friends of the Ingham Arts and Culture Centre and Kootenay Employment Centre, were shut out completely. “The Ingham centre is a wonderful concept that we support, but it isn’t in operation, so it doesn’t meet the criteria,” said town finance director Steffan Klassen. “KES’s needs didn’t outweigh the needs of the other applicants.” Most applicants are churches, which have statutory exemptions for buildings of worship, but the balance of building and property exemptions has been reduced to 95 per cent for most. Some applicants that operate businesses that compete with private enterprises

Rezoning

From page 1 The original application would have put that distance at about six metres (20 feet). Prior to its vote on the rezoning bylaw, Varela reminded council that the brewery’s offer to provide adjacent residential property owners with a landscape budget and a promise to work with CP Rail to keep train engines further from residenc-

saw their exemptions set at 60 per cent. Town policy for permissive exemptions says organizations that apply must: •provide a service consistent with one of the objectives of the town’s strategic plan’s corporate strategic priorities or corporate advocacy priorities; •be inclusive of the community; •help the community in a distinguishable manner; •be entirely not-for-profit; •exist and be completely functional and operational at the time the application is made; •provide a discernible benefit to the community; and •not receive any other major source of funding (for example, from another level of government). Exceptions to organizations receiving 95 per cent exemptions are Kootenai Community Centre Society properties on Eighth Avenue South, Northwest Boulevard and Cook Street, Creston Trinity Housing Society on 10th Avenue North, and the Creston Judo Club. KCCS representative Amanda Cannon, who manages New Life Furniture and Recycling, told council at the Oct. 8 meeting that decreasing exemptions on the society’s properties will result in cuts or restrictions to services provided by the society.

Klassen said the society’s day care and recycling businesses provide valuable services to the community, but also compete with private sector businesses. When Cannon pointed out that the recycling operation should be compared to Gleaners, Klassen explained that Gleaners gets an exemption on buildings only, which equates to a similar proportionate tax bill as the one KCCS will receive. An unexpected glitch in council’s intention to hold exemptions to 1.75 per cent of the total property tax values came when Klassen learned that the previous exemption provided to Creston Valley Public Library by BC Assessment Authority is being removed after a reinterpretation of the building’s ownership status. “We believe it has been council’s contention all along that the library should be exempt from property taxation so the committee did not include its portion in the 1.75 per cent,” Klassen said. Three readings of the 2014, 2015 and 2016 tax exemption bylaw were passed and a vote to enact the bylaw will be held on Oct. 22. Once the bylaw is passed, new exemption applications in the next three years would only be considered if existing properties have their exemptions changed or removed, or if the council of the day choose to increase the 1.75 per cent cap.

es should not influence council’s decision. “Such matters are recognized as being outside the enforcement capabilities of the municipality and should not be considered by council in their deliberation on the land use issue at hand,” she said. Varela informed council that staff recommended the rezoning be approved, acknowledging the brewery’s efforts to mitigate potential noise, fumes, vibration and visual impacts on neighbouring properties. She also pointed out that the property in question, while it is currently zoned as residential, is designated indus-

trial in the Official Community Plan. About 30 citizens attended Friday’s special meeting, Mayor Ron Toyota said on Saturday. Coun. Scott Veitch removed himself from the discussions, declaring he was in a conflict of interest being the realtor of record on the property purchase. “Personally, I am pleased with this result and especially that the local government process is being followed,” Toyota said. “This type of situation is never a total win-win but it did allow us to listen, and then the applicant revised to try and satisfy the concerns.”

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 8 (KOOTENAY LAKE) Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement Community Meeting – October 23, 2013 School District #8 is currently in the process of renewing our Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement. An Enhancement Agreement is an agreement between the school district, the local Aboriginal communities, and the Ministry of Education developed to enhance the educational achievement and school experience for all Aboriginal students. Community input is very important to renewing our agreement. We need to hear from Aboriginal parents, students, and community members. Please join us when we meet in your community. Contact Danica Lee at 250-777-1337 for more information. Food provided and details below: October 23, 2013 • Ramada Creston • 1809 Highway 3A Banquet Room • 5pm to 8pm More information about our current Enhancement Agreement can be found at: www.dvsdata.com/abed/about-us-2/about-us/

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LOCAL nEWs

Thursday, October 17, 2013 Creston Valley Advance

Break-ins top calls for Creston RCMP BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff Several apparently unrelated break and entries dominated police activities from Oct. 7-13, a week which saw Creston RCMP respond to 65 calls for service, Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan said on Tuesday. October 7 •The owner of some found property,

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Town of Creston OPEN BURNING NOTICE Residents are reminded that open burning of yard waste is permitted during the months of April and October with a valid burning permit. Permits are available at Town Hall, 238 10th Ave. North or the Fire Hall, 200 10th Ave. North between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). Citizens are reminded, if at all possible, to avoid open burning and use composting or other means of disposal. All burning must be conducted in compliance with the Town of Creston Fire Service Bylaw, BC Forest Regulations and BC Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations. Burning in non-compliance with bylaws or regulations may result in penalties and fines. For further information, please contact the fire department at 250-428-4321 or visit our website at www.creston.ca

which included ID cards, found on Valleyview Drive, has been contacted. •When police spoke to a person described as an unwanted guest on Ibbitson Street, he agreed not to return to the residence. •A Stihl chainsaw was stolen during a break-in to a shed on Simmons Road in the past couple of weeks. •The owners of two dogs reported to be chasing horses on Lakeview-Arrow Creek Road were spoken to. •A Craftsman riding mower was stolen from a residence on Nick’s Island South Road. •A suspicious male, soaking wet and talking to himself, was reported carrying a duffle bag on Highway 3 near Summit Creek Bridge but police were unable to locate him. •Police attended a Fifth Avenue North resident to help transport a patient to hospital. October 8 •A 20th Street resident reported concerns about a Kijiji purchase. •Eighty-five marijuana plants had already been harvested from an outdoor grow op near the Sanca Creek Forest Service Road when police arrived. They removed related paraphernalia. •A historical sexual assault report from Centre Road is being investigated. •Two outdoor grow-ops in the Sanca Creek area were taken down, one with 129 plants and the other with 131. •A break-in sometime in the summer in Boswell is believed to be related to the series of break and entries, the perpetrator of which was arrested, charged and convicted. •A fight involving two intoxicated friends on 11th Avenue North was resolved before police arrived on the scene. October 8 •Police arrested a subject on 20th Avenue under the Mental Health Act and he was transported to hospital. •A Teetzel Road resident was found in breach of probation by possessing a knife.

Independent seniors will receive increased support BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff Creston Valley seniors will have more support in their efforts to remain living independently beginning in 2014, Creston town council learned at the Oct. 8 regular meeting. Creston resident Myrna Johnson appeared at Tuesday’s meeting to report that she is the community developer for the Better at Home program, which is funded by the provincial government and managed by the United Way. “I will be doing the surveys, awareness and presentations through the months of October to December,” Johnson said.

•The vehicle was gone and the deer was dead when police arrived on Highway 21 South to investigate a reported collision. •A pedestrian sustained minor injuries when struck by a vehicle on Canyon Street. •Police were unable to locate a suspicious male wearing a camouflage hoodie who was reported to be in a backyard on Beam Road. October 10 •Minor injuries resulted when a leftturning vehicle was rear-ended on Highway 3. •In a break and entry to a seasonal home on Corey Road, thieves made off with two Husqvarna chainsaws, a 32-inch flat screen TV, three long bows and some liquor. October 11 •Police determined that a reported collision with another vehicle was really with a concrete barrier on Canyon Street. •A neighbours’ dispute broke out on Nick’s Island North Road over possession of a calf. •Thieves made off with prescription pills and some rolls of quarters in a break-in to a Highway 3 residence. •Police were called about an ongoing easement dispute between neighbours on Erickson Road. •A Highway 3 resident reported receiving a harassing message left in an envelope on a vehicle. The message read, “Have a happy Thanksgiving.” •A theft under $5,000 was reported at a Vancouver Street residence. •An unidentified object was used to break a picture window of a Third Avenue South residence. •When police responded to an anonymous call about a domestic dispute on Helen Street, a female admitted using pepper spray on a male, who was gone when they arrived. He has not been located. •Responding to a complaint about a loud party on 40th Avenue, police found three people on a porch smoking a cigarette.

October 12 •Police investigated a dispute between a male and female on Cook Street but neither would co-operate. The male was arrested and later released with a promise to appear in court and a no-contact order. •A red vehicle reported to be driving on Highway 3 with two elderly female occupants and no licence plates was not located. •A complaint about a child custody issue was received in an ongoing Elm Street dispute. •A vacant mobile home on Corn Creek Road was broken into. •A reported break and entry on Seventh Avenue turned out to be some friends of the owner leaving the house. •Patrolling police stopped a vehicle on Vancouver Street after it went through a stop sign. The driver failed a roadside screening device test and was suspended from driving for 90 days. The vehicle was impounded for 30 days. •Police assisted emergency health services personnel in transporting a patient to hospital. •When a patrol car saw a driver squealing tires on Canyon Street, the officer stopped the vehicle. The driver was issued a ticket for stunting and an order to replace his bald rear tires. October 13 •Eggs were thrown at a house on Third Avenue South, hitting the window that was broken two days earlier. •A report of a pair of aggressive dogs running loose on Alder Street was referred to the town bylaw department. •An intoxicated male was arrested on Duck Lake Road for causing a disturbance. •A tent in the backyard of a 40th Street residence hadn’t been used for a few days and was then found to have a needle and cigarette butts inside. •The vacant Pioneer Villa property on Ash Street was broken into. It is unknown whether anything was stolen. •Threatening text messages were reported by a Hillside Street resident.

Johnson said a public meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec 2 in the Erickson Room at the Creston and District Community Complex. That meeting will be followed by another on Dec. 3, in which invited stakeholders will be invited to contribute their knowledge to assess local needs. “The (yet to be hired) program coordinator will also act as an ombudsman for seniors,” Johnson said in response to a query from Coun. Judy Gadicke. Better at Home is intended to supplement existing services, helping seniors with simple, non-medical tasks to enable them to continue living independently and remain connected to their communities. “Better at Home does not provide seniors with personal hygiene assistance, such as bathing and grooming, or help with medical needs or physical mobility,” Johnson said in her report. “It is important to reinforce that Better at Home offers non-medical support. “It is not a substitute for — nor does it replace — critically-needed home support services provided by community health workers in the health authorities. … “I will be setting up at various businesses and venues in the next few months — farmers’ market, town hall, the Health and Wellness [Fair], Shoppers Drug Mart, Home Hardware, the Bargain [Shop] and library,” she said. “If you would like to have an awareness

presentation for your business, group or organization, please call me.” Better at Home delivers services through local non-profit organizations using a mix of paid workers and volunteers. The programs are guided by local advisory committees and each community has a paid co-ordinator. A pilot project in five communities launched in 2009 proved to be a success, and Better at Home will now be established in as many as 68 communities around the province. “Services vary from community to community and are based on the assets and unique needs of local seniors identified during the community engagement process,” Johnson said. “Services are chosen from the following basket: friendly visiting, transportation to appointments, light yardwork, snow shoveling, minor home repairs, grocery shopping and light housekeeping.” Some services may be offered for free but the majority are provided by fee-forservice, based on the clients’ selfdeclared household income and a sliding scale. All seniors who live in their own home are eligible to access Better at Home services. Because service providers, including contractors, are closely checked and monitored by the program, seniors will have added protection, she said. A survey, which local residents are encouraged to fill out, will be posted on the town’s website, www.creston.ca.

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, October 17, 2013

LOCAL nEWs / sPORTs REVIEW

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca 5

Teen book suitable for all ages BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

It hardly seems fair that one writer should be so adept in so many styles. But with each new book, Kootenay Lake’s Luanne Armstrong proves herself to be a masterful juggler of genres. Poetry, fiction, memoir and other non-fiction, each of her creations makes full use of her chosen genre. Armstrong’s latest book, Morven and the Horse Clan, is no exception. Published by Great Plains Teen Fiction, the novel is purportedly aimed at teens, more specifically at teenaged girls. But don’t be distracted by the label. Morven and the Horse Clan is suitable for readers of all ages, even those who will admit to be rapidly approaching their senior years. On a recent evening, I had just finished a crime fiction novel and was alternating between my next choices — Gogol’s peculiar parody called The Nose and an audio version of Pushkin’s poem, Eugene Onegin. Wanting a break from the Russians, I picked up the copy of Morven and the Horse Clan that Armstrong had dropped on my desk a few days earlier. I was captivated from the first paragraph. The tale begins in 3500 BC. Morven, a redheaded teenage girl, is something of an

outcast among her darkhaired nomadic clan. Her sense of displacement from her family and tribe is hardly unusual among teens, and neither is her need to belong, somewhere. She finds comfort among animals and finds she has a natural affinity with the non-humans around her. The setting is Afghanistan, where nomadic tribes live in tents made from animal skins. They travel by foot, or shank’s pony as my dad used to say. Morven’s tribe is facing a dilemma. A drought stretches on for several years and once-easy access to water, plants and animals is becoming a life and death challenge. Their decision is not an easy one — wait out the drought in hope of rain, or move on and risk the unknown, with no certainty that water and food can be found before the tribe perishes. While desperation increases, Morven finds distraction in a herd of horses. Some mysterious force pushes her to find ways to gain their confidence and then to learn to ride one. That one seemingly small step triggers a series of circumstances that couldn’t have been foreseen, but that trigger changes within her tribe, and with its interactions with others. Human history of going to war is closely tied to the

domestication of horses. I read about two-thirds of the book that evening, then awoke at 5 a.m. with Morven on my mind (which would be a good song title, come to think of it). I didn’t move from bed until I had finished.

Later that day, I sent a message to Armstrong suggesting that it felt like she must have been channeling the story as she wrote it. There wasn’t a single word that didn’t ring true, I said. So what makes Morven and the Horse Clan such a satisfying read? First and foremost, it’s Morven herself. She’s a convincing representation of what most human beings go through in their teen years as they struggle to find their place in the world around them. Morven is a strong character

who doesn’t always understand why she feels compelled to push the boundaries, but she has sufficient strength to let herself go with her instincts instead of holding back and taking an easier, and inevitably unhappier, path. Armstrong does a remarkable job of putting the reader right into the story. Somehow, without obsessively describing the environment, she gives just enough detail to allow the reader to fill in the blanks. The result is very visual reading experience. As someone who routinely reads each of Armstrong’s books as they become available, I find myself in eager anticipation of each one, regardless of its genre. And I’ve been as satisfied by the books aimed at younger audiences as with her memoirs and non-fiction. So I was pleased with her response when I asked whether the subtle “Book One” on the book’s back cover means Morven’s story hasn’t come to an end. Yes, she replied, the publisher wants at least two more books to make a series. That’s good news for the author, but more so for Armstrong’s legions of readers. Black Bear Books is hosting a book launch featuring Luanne Armstrong and friends at 7 p.m. Oct. 17.

CBT youth grant will go to programs, not youth centre

BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

A four-year, $100,000 Columbia Basin Trust grant will be spent on providing programs for Creston Valley’s youth, and not on creating a permanent youth centre, Creston town council was told at the Oct. 8 regular meeting. “That was a source of controversy through the entire planning process,” spokesperson Jesse Willicome said in a report to council. “After the four years are up, there should be a clearer indication of whether a youth centre is needed or if existing facilities are the best answer.” After a public forum and establishment of teen action and community advisory committees, teen advocate Ashley Allin was hired. Allin, in her half-time position, works with the teen advisory committee in organizing events and programs, Willicome said. She also works with the community advisory committee to coordinate resources and assets to support local youth. Other community service providers have expanded pro-

gramming and resources for youth, engaging youth in their planning and oversight, he added. In conjunction with the existing programs, a study by BC Healthy Communities is underway. Funded primarily by CBT, the study “will analyze the current environment for youth engagement” and make suggestions as to how local government and youth service providers can coordinate their efforts to serve youth in the community, he said. Council Briefs •On recommendation of Creston Fire Rescue Chief Mike Moore, council appointed Eric Graham as bylaw officer under the Police Act. Graham was also appointed as the public safety compliance officer to the ICBC Access to Information Agreement. •Engineering manager Colin Farynowski will represent Creston at the Building SustainAble Communities conference on Nov. 25-28 in Kelowna. •Moore reported to council that repeat bylaw offenders will now receive daily fines in

an effort to get them to comply with bylaws. “There a small number of offenders who have refused to comply, despite our efforts to educate and inform,” Moore said. Common repeat offences occur with animal control, cat control, property cleanup, noise control and business licenses.” Moore pointed out that the bylaw compliance philosophy adopted by the Town of Creston includes “education to help raise awareness of communities standards, and enforcement of town bylaws to ensure timely compliance with a professional unbiased approach.” •Council will write a letter of support for the Creston Valley Bird Fest, which plans to follow up in 2014 after a successful event this year. “We had so much fun last year, we have to do it all over again,” organizer Tanna Paterson said in making her request. •Mayor Ron Toyota and municipal services co-ordinator Ross Beddoes were slated to attend an asset management workshop in the Lower Mainland last week.

Thunder Cats slip from first BY BRIAN LAWRENCE Advance Editor

After a weekend away that pushed them into first place in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Eddie Mountain Division, the Creston Valley Thunder Cats slipped to second following a loss to the Fernie Ghostriders on Friday. “We played a really good game up until the third period, and we kind of got into some penalty trouble,” said head coach Josh Hepditch. Seven penalties — ranging from two-minute roughing to 10-minute misconduct — allowed the Ghostriders to add two powerplay goals, one at 14:39 and one at 0:28, to edge the Thunder Cats 4-3. The game started out with two early goals by the Ghostriders, matched by two powerplay goals from Trevor Hanna tying the score, one at 3:45 in the first and a more impressive one one at 12:10 in the second. “It was a top corner shot — it was a goal scorer’s goal for sure,” said Hepditch. Despite some good stops by goalie Magnus Viberg, who blocked 34 of 38 shots, the Thunder Cats had a hard time competing against the Ghostriders. “It was just one of those games where we played hard and were close, and those are the ones we have to learn to win,” said Hepditch. This weekend, the Thunder Cats host the Ghostriders before visiting Fernie on Saturday. (A game against Beaver Valley on Tuesday took place after press time.) With Fernie a point behind the Thunder Cats, who are tied with the Columbia Valley Rockies with 12 points, Hepditch hopes the team can widen the gap, pushing closer to the first-place Kimberley Dynamiters. “We really have to find a way to get some points there because they’re close to us in standings,” he said. “We definitely want to create some separation this weekend.”

Cresteramics Society for the Handicapped

Annual General Meeting Monday, October 21, 2013 • 9:30 am at the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce

Memberships & renewals must be dated prior to Oct. 15, 2013 in order to vote.

Creston’s 1st Annual

Health and Wellness Fair

Explore the world of health and wellness! Discover resources and services for developing a healthier lifestyle.

Saturday, October 26 10am - 5pm Over 30 Exhibitors!

First 40 People Get Prizes!

Admission: $3 Adults $2 Students/ Seniors $1 Children Vendors available to provide information and answer questions Call 250-428-7127 for more information

Memberships available at Cresteramics ofﬁce Mon to Thurs. 8:30am to 3:00pm

Bikes, Big Draw Mountain $80 Gift Certificate Prizes: One Online Course JOIN US IN: Sumo Wrestling! ($2 extra) Challenge Someone!

Free childminding (1 hr max, ages 18 months to 6 years) ‘Try it’ Curling (in the curling rink) Experience the ‘Ice Berg’ in the pool - 12 to 6pm Enter ‘Trivia on the Track’ contest win a health basket ($100 value)

Schedule of Events 10:00am • MLA Rep Opening speech 10:30am • Sit Tai Chi 10:30 -11:30am • Workshop ($5 Extra): How to manifest what you really want. 11:00am • Eagle Bear Spirit Drummers 11:30am • Tai Chi & Martial Arts 12:00pm • TRX demo 1:00pm • Gentle Step 1:30pm • Zumba 2:00pm • Eagle Bear Spirit Drummers 2:00 - 4:00pm • Free Skating 2:30pm • Barbell Demo

6 www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca

OPiniOn LinE

Thursday, October 17, 2013 Creston Valley Advance

Putting it in writing

P.O. Box 1279 • 1018 Canyon St. • Creston, B.C. • V0B 1G0 Phone: 250-428-2266 • Fax: 1-250-483-1909 www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca Published Thursdays except statutory holidays Alex O. Carruthers, Founder All rights reserved. Contents copyright by the Creston Valley Advance. Any reproduction of material contained in this publication in whole or in part is forbidden without the expressed written consent of the Publisher. Copyright in letters and other materials submitted to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. It is agreed that The Creston Valley Advance will not be responsible for errors or omissions and is not liable for any amount exceeding the cost of the space used and then only such portion where the errors actually appeared. We reserve the right to edit or reject any submission or advertisement that is contrary to our Publishing guideline.

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I enjoyed the coincidence. On the morning that I was writing a review (it appears in this edition) of Luanne Armstrong’s latest book, Alice Munro had been announced as Canada’s first full-fledged Canadian Nobel Prize for Literature winner. Their differences are many, but both have been steadfast in their pursuit of putting their ideas to paper, though in different forms. Munro, that master of writing about people, weaving a remarkably dense literary brocade into as few as 20 pages, found her genre early in a career that began in middle age. She started out to write novels and found her stories never stretched to their expected length. Armstrong’s desire to write has burned for longer than I have known her — more than three decades — and she has never shown any sign of settling into one form of writing. Poetry, novels and non-fiction have been aimed at readers of all ages, and with impressive success. Munro left her academic pursuits to marry. Armstrong pushed herself to write throughout her child-raising years, and continued her education, earning her post-graduate degree later in life. There is no need to pursue this path of comparisons, though. Let’s just agree that each in her own way has inspired countless other young writers to pursue their own dreams. Armstrong has become something of the grande dame of literature in the Kootenays, even as she has juggled writing, pursuit of a master’s degree and PhD, editing,

publishing and teaching, all while maintaining her home base on the Kootenay Lake farm she grew up on. Would she have gained greater public acceptance has she chosen to

is a notable example — but more and more are grabbing the attention of publishing houses. Shortly after Armstrong dropped off a review copy of Morven and the Horse Clan, I got notice that former Advance gardening columnist Vanessa Farnsworth has had a book on her experience as a Lyme disease victim published (see next week’s Advance) and that Creston Valley contractor and big game hunter Rob Shatzko’s book on his outdoor advenLorne Eckersley tures has just been released (story to come). My ever-expanding collection of live in Vancouver or, heaven forbid, local authors’ works is one I treaToronto? Probably. But she seems to sure. I have written stories on most, be admirably committed to keeping read them all and have found someher life in balance. thing to admire in each. While writAnd it isn’t easy to assess her ing is a largely solitary process, sucinfluence on the local literary scene. cessful publications are often the I often think of Armstrong in the result of collaborations involving same way I think of other Creston family and friends, writers’ groups Valley’s artists of 30-40 years ago. and editors. They were few and they were deterLast week, I had coffee with Jason mined, and many worked to inspire Smith, who has co-written a new others, teaching, encouraging and play, soon to be produced here on leading by example. Armstrong has stage. We talked about the ego-chaltaught at Langara College, attended lenging experience of a writer whose countless literary conferences, sat in work is put out for discussion and on local writers’ groups and finally attained a position of adjunct profes- critique, in his case by the actors cast in the production. And this only sor of creative writing for the University of BC, teaching primarily after the play has been endlessly edited and refined by the writers, online. She has even taught courses with input from friends and the at our local college — no venue is play’s director. insignificant or too small when she Writing for the public is not for has an opportunity to work with the faint of heart, the thin-skinned other writers. or those with fragile egos. For those Like other areas of the arts in our who persist I am, in this postcommunity, writing seems to have Thanksgiving week, truly grateful. exploded in recent years. SelfLorne Eckersley is the publisher of publishing has given a public voice the Creston Valley Advance. to many writers — Dr. Dave Perrin

This is the Life

Working to end hunger

One of the jobs I had prior to she receives $100 a month from the being elected as the MLA for Community Volunteer Supplement Nelson-Creston was managing the — a program the Liberals cut in Nelson Food Cupboard. Ten years August 2011 after promising to ago, we provided hundreds of low- replace it with a new one. Over two income people with free, nutritious food to prevent hunger in our community. People and businesses of every kind were involved in the endeavour — grocery stores, small businesses, artists, doctors, chefs, governments, unions and individual donors. Yet, all of those Michelle Mungall contributions would never have made it into the hands of hungry families if it weren’t for years later, the Liberals have not the volunteers. delivered on the new program, leavLeading up to World Food Day on ing countless other volunteers with Oct. 16, I returned to the Nelson Food disabilities unable to access this Cupboard as a volunteer for the day. essential program. I worked next to Kate, who was preIn the two years of waiting for paring local backyard apples for the new program, Andy was diagfresh squeezed apple juice. Kate has nosed with Parkinson’s disease. volunteered with the Nelson Food Andy’s illness prevented him from Cupboard for three years, and she continuing his volunteer job in the loves it. It gets her out of the house, kitchen at a local hot lunch proshe told me, and makes her feel like gram, so he found another volunpart of the community. teer position that better matched Kate also has a disability and his abilities. To his surprise, he lost receives $906 per month from income the community volunteer suppleassistance. She physically can’t work ment’s $100 to cover transportation more than two or three hours a day. because the government considered This volunteer shift at the Nelson the change a new application, and Food Cupboard is what Kate can do without a new program, they for her community. weren’t taking any new applicaTo help with the added costs of tions. transportation, clothes and food However, Andy, like the rest of associated with her volunteer work, us, can’t live on $906 per month. He

In Your Corner

has medications, transportation to doctor ’s appointments, rent and bills to pay. Despite medical advice otherwise, Andy has just started four to eight hours a week at a janitorial job. He’s happy to have the work, but he also worries about how long he can continue and the toll it could take on his health. Kate and Andy are living with their disabilities and at $906 a month, live in poverty. Despite the challenges they face, they are still doing what they can to keep others from going hungry. Countless other British Columbians share Kate and Andy’s story. Many of B.C.’s volunteers are people with disabilities receiving income assistance. Many of B.C.’s volunteers are people living in poverty, struggling to get enough food themselves. This is not an acceptable way to say thank you to the people who work in our communities to feed our most needy. Let’s consider the ways we can work together to stop hunger in our communities. It’s time B.C. joined Canada’s eight other provinces with a poverty reduction plan. It’s time we made the world a better place, starting right here in our own backyard. Michelle Mungall is the member of the legislative assembly for the NelsonCreston provincial riding, and is the Opposition critic for social development.

TV Listings

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, October 17, 2013

Your TV Guide Legend

SERVING THE CRESTON VALLEY SINCE 1948

TV RATINGS:

SYMBOLS: (CC) = Closed Captioning for the Hearing Impaired (N) = New Programming EI = Educational/Instructional DVS = Descriptive Video Services for the Visually Impaired HDTV = High Definition Television iTV = Interactive TV PA = Parental Advisory SS = Closed Captioned in Spanish CI = Cable in Classroom HEADPHONES = In Stereo

MPAA RATINGS: NR = Not Rated G = General Audiences PG = Parental Guidance Suggested

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Canada Weekend Marilyn Denis Children Cash Written Gas Junk Raiders ’ The Social Å Good Morning KOMO 4 News Hanna Ocean Explore Rescue Wildlife Expedi Football Football Chica Pajan. Justin Tree Fu Lazy English Premier League Soccer Pregame MLS Soccer KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Recipe College Football Georgia at Vanderbilt. (N) (Live) Å Football Morning News News News English Premier League Soccer Pregame MLS Soccer English Premier League Soccer Premier English Premier League Soccer NFL CFL Pre Football English Premier League Soccer Match Hockey NHL Hockey: Canucks at Penguins Sports Saturday Morning News (N) Å Fishn Fishing Power Driving Noon News Hour Rolie Tree Fu Ella the PAW Magic Arthur Pingu Jack Re Wild Animals Animals Animal Super Doodle Cross Absolutely Nature/ Things Gymnastics Adven. DFlyTV Biz Kid$ On Spot College Football Texas Christian at Oklahoma State. (N) Å TMZ (N) Saturday Morning CNN Newsroom (N) CNN Newsroom Money Next List CNN Newsroom Trucks! Restore Cops ’ Cops ’ Cops ’ Horse. Trucks! Restore Cops ’ Cops ’ Criss Angel Holmes Makes Holmes Makes Crashers Crashers Crashers Crashers Hunters Hunters You Live in What? Flip This House Flip This House Flip This House To Be Announced Beyond Scared Beyond Scared Love It or List It Will Will Will Will ›› “Mona Lisa Smile” (’03) Julia Roberts. My Sidekick Squirrel Alien Kung Fu Sponge. Monsters Sanjay Korra Turtles Beyblade Pokémon Rangers CBC News Now With Nancy Wilson From Toronto. (N) Å CBC News Now With Christine Birak (N) Å ›› “Water for Elephants” (’11) ’ Å ››› “Silent Witness” (’11) ’ Å “Scott Turow’s Innocent” ’ Bering Sea Gold Mayday Å Greatest Know Mayday Å Jungle Gold Å Dangerous Flights Surviving Evil ’ 48 Hours Mystery 48 Hours Mystery Princesses-Lo. Housewives/NJ Mob Wives (N) ’ Four Houses ’ Four Houses ’ Four Houses ’ Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Missing ’ Å Criminal Minds ’ Person of Interest ››› “Out of Sight” (’98) George Clooney. ’ Thomas Scooby Looney Gumball Adven Legends Dragons “Scooby-Doo! And the” Scooby Scooby Scooby Gravity Phineas Phineas Dog Good Liv-Mad. ANT Jessie Austin Shake It “Girl vs. Monster” Office Atl. Eats Paid Office College Football Florida at Missouri. (N) (Live) Browns Match Match Seinfeld Seinfeld Commun Parks Gas Gas Just for Laughs Match Match Rachael Ray’s Cooking Cooking Chopped ’ Å Cutthroat Kitchen Iron Chef America My. Din Thieves Spruce Paid Paid Bggg Bggg Bggg Bggg Bggg Bggg Bggg Bggg Pawn Pawn Restoration Canadian Pickers ››› “3:10 to Yuma” (’07) Russell Crowe. ’ Pawn Panic Button ’ Fangasm ’ Å Ghost Mine Å Paranormal Wi. Face Off ’ Å Inner Inner Cujo (’83) (:45) ›› “Tremors” (’90, Horror) Å (:45) ›› “Tremors II: Aftershocks” (’96) “Tremors 3: Perf” Security Security Airport Airport Rock-RV Rock-RV Adam Adam Amazing Amazing Bizarre Foods (3:00) CTV News Weekend ’ Å CTV News Weekend ’ Å Peppa Little Mike Umi Max, Rby Big Angelina Franklin Babar Mike Thomas This Is (6:00) Weekend Morning News (N) Fishn Fishing Power Driving House ’ Å Simpson Simpson Aviators Michigan Out Mag. For Geta Rough Woods. Victory Cook’s Lidia Simply Palate Aaj Kal Gurbani Watno Dur ’ Punjabi Punjab Gaunda Lamia Virasat Quran Peace Words Annie Booka Roltron Monstres Animo Magi 1001 Tintin Oniva Épicerie TJ La fac (6:00) Saturday Morning News (N) Fishn Fishing Power Driving House ’ Å Simpson Simpson New Music Videos VideoFlow Å Prince Prince Conan MuchMusic Countdown ’ Å The Wiz (:20) ››› “Peter Pan” “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas” “Willy Wonka & Chocolate” The Wiz Cobayes (7:55) Soccer Ligue 1 (N) (En direct) Secrets d’Histoire Journal Hôpital Dangerous Drives American Le. NASCAR Racing American Le Mans Series

Transform Your Life. Be Your Potential!

PG-13 = Parental guidance strongly suggested for children under age 13 R = Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying adult or supervision.

(TV-Y) = appropriate for all children (TV-Y7) = appropriate for all children ages 7 and up (TV-14) = May be unsuitable for all children under 14 years of age (TV-MA) = Mature audiences only (D) = May contain suggestive language (L) = Course Language (FV) = Fantasy Violence (S) = Sexual Situations (V) = May contain violence

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7 AM

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