Invermere Valley Echo, December 11, 2013 by Black Press Media Group

The Columbia Valley’s Newspaper Since 1956

From Canal Flats to Spillimacheen

VALLEY ECHO T he

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 Wednesday, December 11, 2013

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Vol.57 56Issue Issue 40 Vol. 50

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CP Holiday Train en route to Radium Pg. 4

Panorama pristine on opening weekend Pg. 14

MaxWell Realty Invermere

A light that won't soon fade

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

Sensible BC campaign comes close in East Kootenays STEVE HUBRECHT steve@invermerevalleyecho.com

The Sensible BC campaign to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana has been puffed out after a 90day, province-wide initiative petition failed to get the signatures of 10 percent of voters in each of B.C.'s 85 electoral ridings. Organizers acquired 210,000 of the 400,000 signatures across the province they were aiming for and managed to cross the 10 percent threshold in 20 of the 85 ridings — including here in Columbia River-Revelstoke, as well as in the neighbouring ridings of Kootenay East, Nelson-Creston and Kootenay West. “It's not too shabby, but we were well short (across B.C.),” said Invermere lead canvasser Stephen Lebovits,

adding he's happy he and other Columbia-River Revelstoke organizers managed to hit the 10 per cent mark. “It was a little more difficult than I thought it would be (in this riding); it was literally down to the last minute,” said Mr. Lebovits, adding local canvassers collected the final signatures in this riding on Tuesday night (December 3rd) before shipping them on a Greyhound bus the next morning, having them arrive in Vancouver just before the deadline to be included in the final tally. “If we were firing on all pistons from the beginning, it might have been easier,” said Mr. Lebovits, who became involved in the campaign only partway through the 90-day period. Mr. Lebovits raised awareness through social media such as Facebook and garnered many "likes", but said it wasn't always easy to convert "likes" into signatures. “I gained as many signatures sitting outside AG Valley

VJ (Butch) Bishop Owner/Operator 4846 Holland Creek Ridge Rd. Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

Foods for six hours one day than I did the previous two weeks using social media,” he said. Obstacles included the stigma attached to marijuana and uncertainty on what exactly the petition was about, said Mr. Lebovits, adding he frequently had to explain the considerable difference between decriminalizing of possession and outright legalization. “I suspect there'll be another attempt (by Sensible BC),” he said. “In the meantime, we shouldn't let the momentum we've started now dissipate, we need to looking into repealing the new Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations.” The new regulations, which replaced existing legislation in spring 2013, will have an adverse affect on several Invermere residents, according to Mr. Lebovits. - With files from Jeff Nagel

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

COMMUNITY

Crafty Christmas creations Dan Walton/Valley Echo photos Clockwise from top left: Nine-year-old Hayden Wood records a wrinkle in time by having his portrait sketched by Patrick Yesh during a visit with his family to the 20th annual Big Christmas Craft Sale at the Invermere Community Hall on Friday, December 6th; a lively crowd peruses the crafts on sale; Wilmer's Japhy Hunt sells his custom-designed T-shirts; Noreen Ruault displays her custom-made rusty metal birdhouses, with plenty of decorative flair to make birds interested. The craft sale resulted in thousands of dollars raised for the Windermere Valley Child Care Society and a car-full of donations for the Columbia Valley Food Bank.

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December 4th, Christmas Lanterns 6:30-8 p.m. • $50/person December 18th, Christmas Centerpieces 6:30-8 p.m. • $50/person

250.341.6299

All supplies included and no experience necessary! Everyone in the class will receive 20% off any in store Christmas shopping that evening! Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Call to book a private class if you have a group you would like to bring in! [p] 250.342.7559 [f] 250.342.7558 [e] contemporary_flowers@yahoo.ca The Christmas Bureau

Rotary Club Invermere

A Book Under Every Tree The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy will be collecting new and gently used books to place in Christmas hampers. Books are needed for children, youth and adult readers. Please place your donation of new or gently used books in collection bins at AG Valley Foods or Invermere Sobey’suntil December 16, 2013. For more information, please contact Katie Andruschuk at kandruschuk@cbal.org

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A3

Page Three Protection ramped up for Wilmer wildlife Currently, the Canadian Wildlife Service manages four NICOLE TRIGG units in the Columbia NWA: Wilmer, Spillimacheen, Brisnicole@invermerevalleyecho.com co, and Harrogate. Approximately 529 hectares make up the Spillimacheen, Brisco and Harrogate units, which are Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service has owned by the Nature Trust of British Columbia and leased made a little-known federally protected unit of land that to the Canadian Wildlife Services to form the Columlies ten minutes north of Invermere a national priority. bia NWA together with the 787-hectare Wilmer property This year, the federal agency approved a capital project for acquired by the Canadian Wildlife Service in 1978. what's known as the Columbia National Wildlife Area (NWA), There are just four other NWAs in British Columbia: which protects some of Canada's most valuable habitat for the Alaksen National Wildlife Area (NWA), which is part migrating waterfowl, fish, plants and species at risk. of the Fraser River delta; the Qualicum National Wildlife To improve this protection, new fencing, signage and Area on the east coast of Vancouver Island; the Vaseuxboulders were introduced across the Wilmer unit of the Bighorn National Wildlife Area (NWA) located in the Columbia NWA in late summer and early fall. Although south Okanagan–Similkameen region; and the Widgeon parts of the NWA are already fenced with signage, the Valley National Wildlife Area (NWA) near Pitt Lake, 65 capital project allowed for approximately 2.5 kilometres of kilometres east of Vancouver. additional fencing to be erected alongside Westside Road. Activities and access to the Columbia NWA are regulated Several unlicensed access roads were decommissioned through the Wildlife Area Regulations under the authority with large one-tonne boulders and trenches installed of the Canada Wildlife Act, and access by motorized vehicle, to discourage continued access by off-road vehicles, horse or bicycle is prohibited. and more fencing may be erected in the future, said However, some seasonal activities such as hiking, canoeing, Environment Canada spokesperson David Sullivan. and wildlife viewing are permitted provided that they do not "The Columbia NWA contains sensitive habitat for wild- result in negative impacts to the conservation values of the life," he said. "The area has been negatively affected by pro- area. Dogs are also welcome, but must be leashed and under hibited activities such as the use of unauthorized vehicles." control at all times. "Decommissioning the roads is necessary to ensure vehicles The current "trails" were established by public foot are not able to access the site and involves placing boulders traffic, said Mr. Sullivan, referring primarily to the trail and installing fencing to prohibit entry," added Mr. Sullivan. from Westside Road to Policeman’s Point, a spur of land "The Canada Wildlife Act specifies that individual offenders which overlooks the wetlands. can be held liable for "This trail will damages, and may remain; however, be punishable by veit is currently not hicle forfeiture, fines maintained and is and imprisonment." used at the public’s Over one thourisk," he said. sand hectares in Access to the Cosize, the Columbia lumbia NWA is by National Wildlife foot only and is best Area is one of 54 done via the unsuch areas across maintained trail Canada, which are from Westside Road created and manto Policeman’s Point, aged for the purwith parking just off poses of wildlife Westside Road. Mr. conservation, reSullivan said future search and intersignage will include pretation. Wildlife a map of the area and areas across Canainformation on proda protect about a hibitions, while work million hectares of with respect to connationally signifiservation and restoImage submitted ration in the area is cant land and marine habitat for an- This map indicates where the new fencing has been built around the Wilmer unit of the ongoing. Columbia National Wildlife Area. imals and plants.

It’s that time of year again...

Making plans? Let us know your goals, possible and beyond possible, and we’ll publish them in our

New Year’s

Resolutions feature running Tuesday, December 31st!

Your resolution(s) will run for free and will be anonymous. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, December 18th.

VALLEY ECHO The

For more information contact Dean or Angela at 250-341-6299 or e-mail advertising@invermerevalleyecho.com to participate.

Have a news tip? editor@invermerevalleyecho.com or 250-341-6299

Echo Index Weekly Content Opinion...................................................A6 Word on the Street..................................A7 Community Calendar............................A8 Remember When?.................................A8 Arts & Entertainment.............................A9 Sports.............................................A14-A15 Brain Games..........................................A17 Build Your Wealth.................................A18 Classifieds.....................................A19-A20 Serving the Valley.................................A21

Columns Rob Orchiston / Geek Zone.....................A7 Steve Hubrecht/Off the Record...............A7 Karen Sharp/Judo Jottings.....................A7

Features Valley Life.................................................A11 Christmas Shopping Spree............A12-A13 Hockey Pool............................................A16 Driveway..................................................A23

Find us online InvermereValleyEcho @TheValley Echo

Got news?

Call Greg, Nicole, Steve or Dan at 250-341-6299 or email news@invermerevalleyecho.com .

This week's online poll question: Would you like to have seen the Sensible BC petition (to reform the Police Act in regards to marijuana possession) succeed in its goal? Cast your vote at www.invermerevalleyecho.com/opinion/poll/

Last week's online poll results: Do you think the B.C. Supreme Court should hear the Invermere Deer Protection Society's appeal on their recently-dismissed lawsuit? Yes: No:

28.6 % 71.4 %

Valley Echo subscription rates Annual subscription rates (incl. tax) Local (Spillimacheen to Canal Flats) $45.30 Office Pick-Up $34.50 Canada $62.60/ Outside Canada $182.00 Seniors (local) $34.50/Seniors (Canada) $56.00 Six months subscription rates (incl. tax) Local (Spillimacheen to Canal Flats) $29.40 Seniors (local) $22.80

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

NEWS

Here, kitty kitty

CP Holiday Train returns

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

DAN WALTON dan@invermerevalleyecho.com

After taking last year off, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be arriving again in the valley before Christmas. At the train tracks that run across Forsters Road in Radium Hot Springs near the Canfor mill, a special freight delivery will be made, as everybody in attendance will be treated to a railcar loaded with entertainment. Featured in Radium will be pop artist Melanie Doane from Nova Scotia and jazz musician Matt Dusk from Calgary. The two are making dozens of stops around the country via railroad, as the holiday train supports each community on the tour. “Melanie was on the train since the beginning from Beaconsville, Quebec,” said CP Holiday Train spokesperson Salem Woodrow. Ms. Woodrow explained that the holiday train can only make a limited number of stops each year, and has to rotate communities across Canada to be available as the train becomes more popular. “Every year we switch up our locations – we’re going through Radium this year, so we may do that every other year. We’re always trying to add and include communities along the way." She said that the focus of the event is to raise money, food and awareness for local food banks and hunger issues. “We will be coming to Radium to support the local food bank,” she said. “We encourage people at all times of year to support their food bank, but it’s especially important at this time of year.” She also said that every dollar donated to the food bank is matched twice to provide the organization with $4 of purchasing power. The show will last for about a half an hour she said, and that it will be a fun evening for all ages, especially families. “By coming out and supporting the Holiday Train, people are directly helping their neighbours,” she said. The train is scheduled to arrive at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th.

Behind the

Wh ee

Update your Driving Skills and Knowledge How to Park Safely on a Hill

When I was a new driver I almost learned the hard way how important it was to turn the wheels properly to park safely on a hill. I had parked my father’s truck on a hill, didn’t put it in park, didn’t set the parking brake and kept the front wheels straight before getting out and walking away. Fortunately for me, a friend saw the truck start to roll away and yelled at me. I was able to jump back in and do what I was supposed to have done before I left the driver’s seat. If you are parking on a hill without a curb at the edge, turn the wheels to the right. When a curb is present, turn the wheels to the right if you are facing downhill and to the left if you are facing uphill. If the vehicle does roll, the contact with the curb or turning to roll across the hill may prevent a runaway. Always set your parking brake, even if you are not parking on a hill. Put an automatic transmission gear selector in Park, or if your vehicle has a manual transmission, put it in reverse if you are facing downhill or first if you are facing uphill or on a level surface. The combination will make it almost impossible for the vehicle to roll away. Finally, don’t forget that you must park within 30 centimeters or 12 inches of the curb. The author is a retired constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. To comment or learn more, please visit drivesmartbc.ca

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

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

www.kootenayinsurance.ca

Minor purchase suspends operations DAN WALTON dan@invermerevalleyecho.com

The liquor inspector made his presence known in the valley recently, as one liquor store was caught breaking the rules. Rocky Mountain Cold Beer, Wine and Spirits, located inside of the Prestige Inn in Radium Hot Springs, was issued a 10day suspension for selling liquor to a minor. Because it was the first offence for the establishment, it was subject to either a $7,500 fine or 10-day suspension.

While the Prestige Inn said that the sale was not intentional, a Valley Echo inquiry to the local hotel was directed to Best Western's Canadian head office, which expressed confusion in its reply. "I am not sure why you were directed here," reads the email from head office. "Each hotel is individually owned and operated so I can’t answer these questions. You need to contact the local hotel for any information." In the summer, the Best Western Invermere Inn's liquor store was also fined for an offence under the provincial liquor act.

Wish everyone a happy holiday with our annual

Signature Page On December 24th the Valley Echo will be publishing a Signature Page as part of our Season’s Greetings seasonal feature. To have your name included on this year’s Signature Page, please drop by the Valley Echo office at #8, 1008 - 8th Avenue in Invermere. The cost is $10, with proceeds going to the Columbia Valley Food Bank. The deadline is Wednesday, December 18th.

VALLEY ECHO T he

The NEWSpaper in the Columbia Valley

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A5

NEWS

Ottawa vows 'world class' oil tanker safety TOM FLETCHER BC News/Black Press

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver assured a Vancouver business audience on December 4th that the federal government is committed to "world class" oil spill prevention and response on the B.C. coast. In a speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade, Oliver stopped short of specifically endorsing the 45 recommendations in a new survey of marine and land oil transport safety, but repeated a vow from last summer to make "polluter pays" the law for pipelines in Canada. "There has never been a serious tanker accident on the West Coast," Mr. Oliver said. "Nevertheless, we are committed to building a world-class system to prevent marine accidents. In the unlikely event there is an accident, we need to respond rapidly and comprehensively and make sure the polluter pays, not the taxpayer." On Tuesday, Mr. Oliver and Transport Minister Lisa Raitt released a report by a tanker safety expert panel chaired by Gordon Houston, former president of Port Metro Vancouver and Prince Ru-

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

pert harbourmaster. The panel's report calls for adequate funding to the Canadian Coast Guard to make it the lead agency in any oil spill response at sea. Potential polluters and their delegated spill response agencies should be prepared for a "worst case" incident like the Exxon Valdez grounding in Alaska in 1989, the report says. B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak said it remains to be seen if Ottawa

will take the necessary steps to meet the province's conditions for approving new heavy oil pipelines. A federal review panel is due to issue recommendations by the end of December on whether the Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal for a double pipeline from northern Alberta to Kitimat should be allowed to proceed. The federal report looks only at current traffic, including crude and other petroleum products. It identifies the

south end of Vancouver Island and the adjacent coast, including Vancouver harbour, as being at "very high risk due to the large volumes of vessel traffic and bulk oil movements that occur within close proximity of environmentally sensitive areas." That is the region where Alaska crude oil tankers enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca to reach Washington state refineries, and the oil tanker exclusion zone ends. Between 30 and 60 tankers a year filled with crude oil or diluted bitumen also sail out from the Kinder Morgan Canada oil terminal at Burnaby through the same waters. Traffic from Burnaby would increase to about one tanker per day if Kinder Morgan's proposed twinning of its Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta proceeds. Currently 30 to 60 tankers a year load at the Westridge Terminal in Burnaby. The tanker exclusion zone, a voluntary agreement between Canada and the U.S., extends 200 nautical miles west from the northern tip of Haida Gwaii to southern Vancouver Island. The federal report rates oil spill risk as "medium" on the northern and southern ends of the exclusion zone, and low in the central portion.

Canal Flats author promotes valley history in pair of non-fiction books DAN WALTON dan@invermerevalleyecho.com

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

Booth staying on as vice-chair GREG AMOS editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

Regional district Area F director and Fairmont Hot Springs resident Wendy Booth has been chosen by her peers to continue as the vice-chair of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK). “Being acclaimed as vice chair is truly an honour,” said Mrs. Booth, adding she believes that she and Electoral Area C director (and board chair) Rob Gay work well together, along with the regional district's administrators. “In terms of my goals for the coming year, this gives me the confidence and opportunity to continue to work with communities in Area F,” she said. “Part of my role as vice chair is to have an understanding of all business in the RDEK. If there are things that are being implemented in other regions that can benefit the Columbia Valley, then I can bring them forward.” The pair were re-elected on Friday, December 6th at the regional district's board meeting in Cranbrook. Immediately after the vote, Mr. Gay initiated a minute of silence for South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday, December 5th.

Representing the valley at the Kootenay Authors Book Fair and Sale last weekend in Cranbrook was Canal Flats resident Colin Cartwright, author of the non-fiction works Empty on the Swan and Kootenay Bears. Empty on the Swan, first published in 2007, documents the fading history of the White Swan Road, with which hot spring-goers are familiar as the route to Lussier Hot Springs south of Canal Flats. “Over the years, just about every corner and hill has been given a name by the truckers from various Colin Cartwright happenings, truck wrecks and soon,” he told The Valley Echo. “That was all being lost as older truckers were passing on, so I thought it was an interesting history to record all of that.” As a young man, Mr. Cartwright was involved with the road’s construction in the late 1950s. His father was also the forest ranger in Canal Flats, so Mr. Cartwright said he became familiar with nearly all of the original logging truckers. “This (book) gives a pretty good description of it, and most people who drive it have a pretty good story of their own,” he said, adding the road is as popular as ever, but has a long history that's being forgotten. “Anybody who’s been there would be quite interested,” said Mr. Cartwright, who later became the third mayor of Canal Flats. Kootenay Bears, published in 2010, shares Mr. Cartwright’s eclectic experiences with bears in the Columbia Valley. Fans were able to get a signed copy of either book on Saturday, December 7th in Cranbrook, and talk to the author himself.

A6 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

Opinion

Something to say? email editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

In praise of cold GREG AMOS editor@invermerevalleyecho.com

"Whumpf! Crrrrrr-ack!" And with just one not-so-mighty swing of the splitting maul, the previously impervious fir log split neatly into several fire-sized wood chunks. This episode, brought to you by last weekend's -25 C cold snap, is just one of the examples that illustrates why I so dearly love this cold, cold valley weather. It's not just us woodstove users that benefit from the arctic incursion. The unusually nippy air has resulted in a reliably frozen lake surface that's given rise to far more lake skating, shinny and ice fishing than anyone expected this early in the season. Snow hasn't been plentiful in the valley yet, but the substantial cold makes the creation of artificial snow a simple task. Enough snow has fallen to give downhill skiers and boarders a good taste of their first runs of the season, and cross-country skiers are soon to see a huge variety of nordic circuits ready for action. Those who boldly seek out vertical ice in the form of frozen waterfalls and seeps are enjoying a very promising start to the winter, not to mention a good early dose of cold to let the body adjust its circulation to the weather. Artists at work at the Radium Hot Springs pools are surely grateful for the super cold air, as it's allowing them to make good progress on the new ice-and-LED light installation at the pools, Winter Radiance, set to debut on Friday, December 20th. And many of us who simply enjoy nature's scenery are glad to take short hikes or strolls through a valley that's slowly being glazed over by snow and frost. No matter what the activity, most end the same way: with a trip inside a warming hut, to a cafe, or around a fire to warm up and revel in the warmth of not just the heat source, but the pride that comes from being Canadians embracing our northern stereotypes. And that's what it all boils down to: this cold weather is good for our sense of community. The colder it gets, the more we bond together. So summon the courage to get outside and enjoy the season - you'll be glad you did.

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

VALLEY ECHO T he

The NEWSpaper in the Columbia Valley

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR NDP: lights out Dear Editor, It's like Adrian Dix sneezed, and Norm Macdonald caught the misinformation flu which has resulted in his misinformed, biased opinion piece about BC Hydro in your recent edition. British Columbians understand the need to invest in the future of our economy and do not support political parties that pretend saying “no” to everything is a good idea. The NDP clearly did not hear the message that British Columbians sent them in the May 2013 election. Actually, in my view, Mr. Macdonald’s opinion piece is a sign that he has nothing left to offer his constituents other than what his

handlers in Victoria email to him. There is no question that the BC Liberal government has been far from perfect in relation to handling the BC Hydro file, and in response, has started to put in corrections. The new and recently announced ten-year plan clearly outlines that government will take $2 billion less from BC Hydro over the life of the plan. In addition the so-called “deferral accounts”, which are standard practice in the utilities industry, are also being paid off. What about private versus public power? Charles Reid, CEO and president of BC Hydro reported last week that the cost of the electricity produced by private producers cost no more than what could

Angela Krebs

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In Absentia

have been produced by Hydro itself with public assets. The reason power produced by new generation and transmission is more expensive than power produced by assets built decades ago ought to be selfevident, even to the economically-challenged NDP. Simply, construction costs are much more today than in the 1970s, no matter who is doing the construction. Residential hydro rates in B.C. are the third lowest in North America and adjusting for inflation, we are paying the same for electricity as we paid in 1975. In spite of what the NDP call unpopular rate increases of 9 per cent, 6 per cent, 4 per cent, 3.5 per cent and 3 per cent over the next five

years, the world is not exactly coming to an end. Special programs are available for low income British Columbians. In addition, large industrial power users and all rate payers will have access to strong Power Smart programs to help them reduce use. BC Hydro is investing $1.7 billion in each of the next ten years to upgrade old generating and transmission assets, some built in the 1930s. The government will also bring on new generation and transmission to meet the needs of our growing population and growing economy as the demand for electricity is expected to grow by 40 per cent in the next 20 years. The BC Liberals never promised not to raise rates, but they

Notice of Copyright: Reproduction of any or all editorial and advertising materials in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. It is agreed by the advertiser requesting space that the liability of The Valley Echo, owned by Black Press Ltd. in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event of an error appearing in the advertisement as published, shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for only the one incorrect insertion for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect or omitted items only and that there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for such advertising. BC Press Council – The Valley Echo 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 within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

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did promise to make decisions that are in the best long term interests of British Columbians, decisions that might be unpopular. While the NDP would prefer to pass the cost of investing in the future over to our kids and grandkids, your government is biting the bullet today, making huge investments, keeping rate increases down, and taking less dividends from BC Hydro. For more information as to why rate increases are necessary, check out this link: http://www. n e w s r o o m . g o v. bc.ca/2013/11/10year-plan.html Doug Clovechok Fairmont Hot Springs » See Norm Macdonald's response on A21

CMCA AUDITED

verifiedcirculation.ca 2009 2009 WINNER

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 11, 2013

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A7

Word on the Street

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

LITTLE BIT. IT WILL

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

BE WARMER NEXT

KEEP THE FACE

WEEK."

COVERED."

— AUDREY RIOPEL

—JAMES REIMER

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

— SHIRLEY CAMPBELL

Geek Zone — Rob Orchiston

CAN'T SKI AS

MUCH AS

WANT

BECAUSE IT'S TOO COLD, SO

I'M

SAD A

Off The Record — Steve Hubrecht

Robots, space and the moon A double-double deception S S eventy three teams the FIFA world cup. Some of technologically predictions have the robots inclined students from winning by the end of this Central Okanagan schools decade. gathered in Kelowna An exciting event will on Friday, November likely take place later this 29th for the 8th Western week on the moon. China Canada RoboCup Junior successfully launched the Games. Chang’e 3 spacecraft last Elementary and secondary school week — its payload being the sixstudents compete in the RoboCup wheeled Jade Rabbit Lunar Lander. Junior, which is designed to foster The orbiter has been been circling interest in science and engineerthe moon since last Friday and may ing while promoting co-operation, land as early as Friday, December problem solving and creativity 13th. The European Space Agency is through several assisting the new robotic challengentrant (China) es: dance, rescue in this first conand soccer. In trolled landing the RoboCupJuon the moon nior soccer chalsince Russia's lenge, teams of Luna-24 in 1976. two (hopefully) The radioisotope co-operative moheated rover bile self-directed Image submitted will spend three robots compete months traversArtist impression of China's Lunar Rover. against other ing the moonteams in matches. Robots respond scape and examining the crust. to the special light emitting ball on China plans to send some rocks an 183-centimetre field and kick it back from the moon by 2020. Nasa's into the goal. Students design, build Curiosity lander is currently in its and program the Robots to the best 18th month on Mars. of their abilities using off-the-shelf Meanwhile Google XPrize is ofand custom adaptations. The winfering $30 million to the first private ners may proceed to the internacompany to land a probe on the tional competition in João Pessoa, moon by the end of 2015. Brazil in July 2014. The cup has been Rob Orchiston is a software proaround internationally for 15 years grammer who lives in Invermere with the goal of having autonoand stays on top of the latest trends mous robots beating humans in in technology.

mall towns in the East Kootenay are not the place you expect to be hearing about employers unscrupulously taking advantage of foreign workers. Surely that's something you'd hear about in Vancouver or Toronto, but here? It sadly turns out that may indeed be the case with CBC's recent story on a Tim Horton's owner allegedly using two Filipinos' temporary foreign worker statuses to cheat them out of overtime pay, then trying to intimidate them to hush up about it. According to the story, Heidi Kibanoff and Richard Pepito were hired to work at the Tim Horton's through Canada's Temporary Foreign Workers program and then sought permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program. The couple, along with other workers in similar circumstances, often worked long hours. On pay day, the owner allegedly cut the workers cheques for their extra time, but then took them immediately to the bank, made them cash the cheques and then took a portion of the cash back. The pair eventually quit the job and filed a complaint with the B.C. Employment Standards Branch, but say they've since been intimidated and harassed. Apparently Tim Hortons corporate head office had already launched its own investigation into the matter. The owner's behaviour, if the allegations are true, is simply outrageous.

What kind of slime bucket forces people — who are already in dire enough financial straits that they're willing to leave their families half a world behind and work long hours at what is likely close to minimum wage — to then fork over some of their hardearned wages? It's exactly the kind of thing you'd think would never happen in a small East Kootenay town and yet it seems it does. The larger towns and smaller villages across the region all tout their sense of community and deservedly so. Unfortunately, this can gloss over the fact that many of these places still do have problems, sometimes significant ones. Hopefully, if the Filipino couple's allegations are proven true, the Tim Horton's owner is dealt with harshly by the Employment Standards Branch, by the Tim Hortons corporate head office and by residents in the community. Obviously the company headquarters and the relevant government agencies have a responsibility to make sure this kind of behaviour is not tolerated, but so too does the community. Residents' voicing their feelings — or if they really want to make a point, boycotting the Tim Hortons in question — would likely resonate with the owner more than anything else. Steve Hubrecht is a reporter for The Valley Echo and can be reached at steve@invermerevalleyecho.com.

Judo Jottings — Karen Sharp

Valley judokas benefit from high-calibre competition O n Saturday, November 30th five local judokas travelled to Red Deer to compete in one of Alberta’s selection tournaments. This was a higher calibre tournament where our students participated to gain experience and learn from higher-belted competitors. For Marcia Paget and MacKenzie DuBois, this meant facing a brown belt for the first time, one

who had just won Alberta’s top athlete of the year. Ina Rollinger was challenged with competing with someone one weight group up due to not having competitors in her own category. Emma and Graham Norquay had to battle not only their own colds but also with competitors with more experience. Each of our students showed incredible courage, strength and tenacity. Marcia and Ina came home with hard-earned silver medals and MacKenzie came home with a well-deserved bronze.

On December 6th at the Winter Games qualifiers, Emma, Marcia and MacKenzie and other club members will be attending a training session in Creston. Keep up the great work and see you on the tatame! Karen Sharp is the daughter of Invermere Judo Club founder Hermann Mauthner. She currently has her Nidan (second degree black belt) and Instructor Level coaching certification. Contact the club at invermerejudo@gmail.com

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

Community Calendar

Remember When?

Send your events to production@invermerevalleyecho.com WED DECEMBER 11 •Christmas decoration and hang out at the Summit Y.C., 5 - 9 p.m. THURS DECEMBER 12 •Hang out night at the Summit Youth Centre, 5 - 9 p.m. •CPR Holiday Train at the Horsethief Forest Service Road crossing in Radium, 5:30 p.m. Performances by Melanie Doane & Matt Dusk. Parking is limited, please park uptown and walk if possible. Parking attendants will be on hand to direct traffic. Please bring a donation for the Columbia Valley Food Bank, as RCMP will be there to "Cram the Cruiser". Come and enjoy hot chocolate, candy canes and Christmas carols while waiting for the train. Train arrives at approximately 6:15 p.m. Thanks to Meet on Higher Ground, Radium Volunteer Fire Department, Canfor and Palliser Printing for helping with the event. •DTSS Bands in concert at the DTSS gym, 7 p.m. Band 8, Band 9, Sr. Concert Band, Sr. Stage Band. Silver collection at the door. FRI DECEMBER 13 •Friday Night Shopping in Fairmont. 4- 8 p.m. Prize draws, fantastic shopping, specials at your favourite stores, and delicious snacks. •Celebrate "Christ in Christmas" at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 12th Ave. 5:30 p.m. Pasada, 6:30 p.m. Live Nativity. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the CWL. •Knit your own cuffs at the Summit Youth Centre, 6 - 11 p.m. •Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Atom Tournament at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. Blue team plays: Friday, 4:45 5:55 p.m.; Saturday, 7 - 8:10 a.m. and 12:40 1:50 p.m. Orange team plays: Friday, 6:10 - 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:50 - 11 a.m. and 3:30 - 4:40 p.m. Final games on Sunday, December 15th, TBA. SAT DECEMBER 14 •Canterbury Carols Christmas Market at Interior World in support of the Family Resource Centre. November 30th to December 22nd on Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Sundays, 12 4p.m.; and Friday, De-

cember 20th, 5 - 8 p.m. •Santa is in Fairmont at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. •Panorama Mountain Freeride Club AGM at the Jack Pine Club, Panorama at 4 p.m. Open to all skiers ages 5 - 18. Park/Air, Freestyle/ Moguls, Big Mountain/ Freeski. For info call Dave at 250-341-1967 or go online to pmfc.ca. •Mexican Empanada night and a Spanish movie at the Summit Youth Centre, 6 - 11 p.m. •Christmas in the Valley CD release party at Pynelogs Cultural Centre, 7 p.m. Live performances of music from the CD. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for kids, available at The Book Bar. Proceeds go to the Food Bank. Also December 15th at 1 p.m. SUN DECEMBER 15 •Photos with Santa at Copper Point Resort, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. in room UTC-07. Cost is $15 with a portion of the proceeds going to Whiteway and ICAN. •Annual Children's Christmas Party (appropriate for ages 1 - 10 years), hosted by the Radium Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department, 4 - 6 p.m. Games, refreshments, crafts and a visit from Santa. Registration requested: 250-347-6455. •Christmas Dinner for Seniors, 5:30 p.m. at the Best Western Invermere Inn. Brought to you by the Rotary Club of Invermere. Call 250342-5566, Monday to Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to register, prior to Friday, December 6th. MON DECEMBER 16 •Nativity Scene Display at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere (110-7th Ave) will be set-up to display a wide variety of nativity scenes. Viewing times are: Monday, December 16th, 12 - 6 p.m.; Tuesday, December 17th, 12 - 9 p.m. and Wednesday, December 18th, 12 - 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served Tuesday evening. •Christmas Bingo, Canal Flats Civic Centre, 7 p.m. WED DECEMBER 18 •Keurig Ski race at Panorama Mountain Village from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Runs until December 23rd. •Christmas craft & snowman building at

the Summit Youth Centre, 5 - 9 p.m. THURS DECEMBER 19 •Swimming at Radium Hot Springs with the Summit Youth Centre, 5 - 9 p.m. Leaving the Summit at 6pm. Please register in advance. FRI DECEMBER 20 •Christmas Fiesta at the Summit Youth Centre. Games, snacks and surprises! 6 - 11 p.m. •Winter Radiance at Radium Hot Springs. Immerse yourself in a dazzling display of ice & frost. Through to January 1st. Call 250-342-9485 or go to hotsprings.ca for more information. •Fairmont Ski area, including the new Tube Park, opens for the season. SAT DECEMBER 21 •Windermere Valley Minor Hockey games at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. Novice vs. Kimberley, 9:15 10:45 a.m.; Initiation vs. Golden, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Midget Girls vs. Cranbrook, 12:45 - 2:45 p.m. (league); and Initiation vs. Canal Flats, 3 - 4:30 p.m. •Santa is in Fairmont at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. •Community Christmas Party at the Canal Flats Civic Centre from 6 - 10 p.m. •Pyjama night, a Christmas movie and popcorn at the Summit Youth Centre, 6 -11 p.m. TUES DECEMBER 24 •Torch Light Parade & Fireworks at Fairmont Ski area, 5:30 - 7 p.m. •Christmas Eve Fireworks in Conrad Kain Park, Wilmer, at 8 p.m. Bonfires and free hot chocolate. •Christmas Karaoke from 8 - 9:30 p.m. in the lobby of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. THURS DECEMBER 26 •Decorate a holiday cookie from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Misty Waters, Fairmont. Also December 27th and 28th. FRI DECEMBER 27 •12th Annual Customer Appreciation Gala at Artym Gallery from 6 – 9 p.m., featuring works by all gallery artists. artymgallery.com •Hang out night at the Summit Youth Centre, 6 - 11 p.m.

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

A look back through The Valley Echo's archives over the last 50 years DAN WALTON dan@invermerevalleyecho.com

10 years ago (2003): The Echo's editor, Ian Cobb, was happy to hear that the U.S. Army had captured Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who had been charged with Human Rights violations. "Maybe all those weapons of mass destruction are on Saddam's fuzzy person," he joked. "Poor stupid, greedy Saddam. Had he only realized that the true art of disappearance is in plain sight, he wouldn't have been caught fouling up a hole in the Earth." 15 years ago (1998): An uncommon lead story forecasted reduced crude oil prices would result in lower gasoline rate for consumers. Esso in Radium Hot Springs was selling unleaded regular gas for 55.9 cents per litre. "It was about time to lower the price," the owner said. "Crude prices have gone down enough and I think we'll see an adjustment in our cost. We probably were a little high," he said, adding that Esso's head office suggested the price drop. 20 years ago (1993): A retired couple from Radium Hot Springs were discussing the sale of their snowblower with a potential buyer, who then inquired about the seller's property. The man of the house arbitrarily decided that the house was worth $55,000, and the buyer was happy to

agree to a deal. Once the deal was finalized, the elderly couple, hoping to move closer to a hospital with the money from their home, learned that the housing market expanded more than they thought since buying the home in 1977. The $55,000 price tag appeared to be a rip-off when they realized there were no adequate properties for sale in that price range. The couple tried to cancel the deal, but the papers had been signed. The new owner then offered to rent the house to the seniors for $400 to $450 per month. 25 years ago (1988): Anne Picton from Windermere (who is currently a proofreader for The Pioneer), penned a letter titled, " The "X" in "Xmas" is Legitimate." She assured readers that the "X", according to "any good unabridged dictionary," the letter holds the meaning of "Christ," and that the symbol is of Greek origin, and can be used to abbreviate many forms of the word "Christ." "P.S. I don't like it either, and agree with you that for most people it is a lazy was to write "Christmas," she added in her letter. “Have a merry one!" 30 years ago (1983): Gordon Lake retired as a bus driver for the Windermere School District after 20 years of service. He recalled kicking problem children off the bus in his early years, but said that the students had straightened out by his third year. *** The graduating class of 1983 at David Thompson Secondary School upset some of the local grown-ups after designing a T-shirt which depicted a student holding an open beer

while driving a hot rod. "Is this what out local grads stand for?" one letter to the editor asked. A follow-up to that letter by the grad president was published, rebutting that the designs are in good taste, and said the T-shirts reflect the sentiments of that year's grads, not their parents. 40 years ago (1973): The Grade 13 volleyball team from Canal Flats had to deal with harsh weather on their way to Sparwood, where they competed in the East Kootenay Grade 13 Girl's Volleyball Tournament. Many parents from Canal Flats kept their children at home because of the weather, leaving the team with only six players, which meant they couldn't substitute any player on the court. The team was still able to win 12 consecutive games which won them the title. In addition to the tournament, the team's regular season record was "splendid." 50 years ago (1963): Valley inventor Jack Fleck created the Unitarian Twin Trunk, which takes the top half of a pine tree, along with a thick-branched bottom half, and nails and staples the two tree trunks together, with the branches interwoven to appear as one extremely healthy tree. *** In upgrading the municipal water system, Invermere residents were four votes shy of reaching approval for a $89,000 financing program, which required 60 per cent support. The upgrades would have provided emergency water storage and adequate fire protection.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

A&E

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DTSS Bands in Concert

Valley nature photographer focused on conservation

Thursday December 12th DTSS Gym 7 p.m.

DAN WALTON dan@invermerevalleyecho.com

Invermere artist Brad Hill immerses himself as deep into an environment as he needs to be to get the perfect shot, as the conservation photographer searches for authentic pictures of animals in their natural surroundings. While shooting along the west coast of B.C., Mr. Hill said he's waited for days to capture a single shot of a kermode bear (also known as a spirit bear). "It's just luck of the draw some of those instances," he said. "And certainly not just getting a shot of it, but the shot you want — something creative, like a grizzly swimming from eye level." Mr. Hill focuses the majority of his photography on the west coast of the province, but takes advantage of the wildlife in the valley too. "I'll optimistically shoot in the valley and I'll certainly go for certain things – wolverines are very high on my list of something I want to photograph in a natural setting." Submitted photo Mr. Hill is active with several con- Invermere artist Brad Hill hosts photographers from around the world, servation groups, where he speaks as he shows international clients how to capture wildlife in photos as a professional, often displaying taken right here in the Columbia Valley. his work through slideshows. He Although he goes to extreme measures to also provides images for conservafind his subjects, Mr. Hill said he never baits tion-based multimedia projects. His work is world-renowned: Mr. Hill or agitates the wildlife. "If you're primary goal is conservation, it offers private tutoring to photographers from seems a little incongruent to be out there around the globe at his valley homestead. "Clients come from all over the world and and disturbing the animals you're working stay with us from anywhere from three days to with," he said. And even with the abundant wildlife in the up to a week — we'll be out all over the valley crawling around getting shots, be it big horns, developed areas in the valley, Mr. Hill avoids be it bears if they're out, be it whatever," he wildlife in man-made environments, espesaid. "And all of them want to get something cially bears along the highway. "That's like the plague," he said. "All the tourwith wolves, which is a tough thing to do." ists go by and want to grab their cameras – before long they're parking all over the road and you have a dangerous situation. And that's when mishaps can occur — not only traffic mishaps, but also problems with the wildlife." "You've got people who don't know what they're doing, moving in and surrounding a bear as an example," he said. "My God, that's a recipe for disaster." Naturalart.ca is the address of Mr. Hill's website, Dan Walton/Valley Echo photo which is updated with Invermere artist Brad Hill, captured in his native habitat in downtown Invermere, new work weekly. is an active member of several conservation groups.

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Sales Representative ( 1 year maternity leave)

The Invermere Valley Echo is seeking an Advertising Sales representative for our weekly newspapers and magazine publications in the Columbia Valley. We have an opening for a full-time, one year maternity leave fill position commencing in December, 2013. We are looking for someone with prior experience in a sales position, with a strong knowledge of sales and marketing and with a successful track record; someone who has strong written and verbal communications, organizational and exceptional customer relations skills; knowledge and proficiency in MS Office/MAC OS is a requirement. The ideal candidate must be motivated and take initiative to sell multiple products, work with existing customers and find ways to grow sales and income. A valid driver’s licence and a reliable vehicle are a must. If this describes you, please submit your resume and cover letter to the attention of:

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VALLEY ECHO T he

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

The Invermere Optometry Clinic

A&E

Holiday Hours We will be closed from December 17th thru January 2nd. Reopening on January 3rd at 9 a.m.

Dr. Mark Moneo, Optometrist 1325A 7th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-6223

ICAN – Invermere Companion Animal Network

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

Shiny Fuzzy Muddy showcases glass art of Sandpiper Studio NICOLE TRIGG nicole@invermerevalleyecho.com

An annual Vancouver art show that takes place each December is welcoming Windermere-based Sandpiper Studio as one of its 27 vendors this year. The Shiny Fuzzy Muddy show was established in 2003 as an alternative to large-scale craft fairs, and is celebrated as one of the season's best shows in the city. "A long time ago, I met a ceramic artist in Toronto, Laura McKibbon, who is based out of Vancouver," said Julie Gibbs, who co-owns Sandpiper Studio with her partner Gordon Webster. "When I moved out here from Ontario, she contacted me to see if it would be something I'd be interested in." Julie first participated in the show in 2011. This year, Shiny Fuzzy Muddy celebrates its 10th anniversary of showcasing Canadian artist-made objects of adornment (Shiny), garments to wrap your home and body in (Fuzzy) and clay-moulded to contemporary forms for home (Muddy) at Vancouver's historic Heritage Hall on Main Street. "It's a really neat group of craftspeople and artists," said Julie. "It's a nice size; it's small enough that you get a chance to really visit everyone's display." Sandpiper Studio is also a regular at Calgary's annual Art Market, which can host 200 to 400 vendors, said Julie. "If you're looking at 400 different booths, and within each booth there are so many different products, and there are so many nice things, it can be difficult for the customer," she said. "You can tell that people have overstimulation." Sandpiper Studio is a small scale production and design

“Christmas in the Valley” CD Release Party at Pynelogs Sat Dec 14 at 7 pm & Sun Dec 15 at 1 pm

What does ART mean to you? Tickets at The Book Bar · Call for more info 250.342.4423

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

studio specializing in functional hand-blown glass, from bright colourful serving bowls, oil bottles and tumblers to vases, jars, and cream and sugar sets. "We're really focussed on it being utilitarian so that people can admire it, but use it at the same time," Julie said. Unlike other well-known glass artists, Sandpiper Studio is strictly geared towards production, so doesn't have an on-site retail space for selling directly out of their studio and relies on retailers to carry its production lines. "We need a lot of business to stay in the studio," said Julie. "We need to produce so much a day." Sandpiper Studio's functional art can be found at Black Star Studios in Invermere and in galleries in Golden, Kimberley, Castlegar, Nelson and across Canada in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. They recently picked up another retailer in Vancouver (www.WalrusHome.com) and are hoping to pick up a few more when they exhibit at North America's largest wholesale show, New York Now, in February. "It's just huge, spread out over two gigantic convention centres, so it's a really great opportunity," said Julie. "We're in a really unique division called handmade maker/designer; it's basically really small scale craft studios or design studios that are producing really small scale production lines." With 35,000 buyers from 50 states and 85 countries, New York Now hosts almost three thousand exhibitors in a variety of divisions. Sandpiper Studio has a month to ship its product via skid to New York, where it will be stored in a giant warehouse then delivered to their booth just prior to the show. To learn more about the studio, visit their website at www. sandpiperstudio.ca. For more information on the Shiny Fuzzy Muddy show in Vancouver, go to www.shinyfuzzymuddy.com.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A11

Valley Life

CANAL FLATS CHRISTMAS

Vibrant voices and aerial action

Monday, December 16th • 7 p.m. $500 Bonanza •$500 Free Game Door Prizes and Raffles For information call 250-349-5447

Keeping Christ in Christmas Pasada & Live Nativity Presentation

Friday, December 13

5:30 p.m. Pasada • 6:30 p.m. Live Nativity 712 - 12 Avenue

Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church

Refreshments served. Thanks to the Mckeen and Downey families for providing the animals. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and CWL.

Everyone is Welcome.

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

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

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Located in Interior World

Canterbur y Carols Christmas Market

NOW ON SALE New Cross-Country Ski Packages!

Newly arrived for Christmas!

November 30th- December 22nd Saturdays - 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sundays - noon - 4 p.m. As well as Friday, December 20th 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Fine European chocolates, cookies and pastries. 905 7 Ave, Invermere 250-342-0402

#111 809 7th Avenue, Invermere

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A14 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

Sports

Rockies roughed up on the road

Have a sports tip? editor@invermerevalleyecho.com or 250-341-6299

Panorama pow

DAN WALTON dan@invermerevalleyecho.com

The Columbia Valley Rockies played three back-to-back games on the road last weekend, travelling to 100 Mile House on Friday, December 6th, Kamloops on Saturday, December 7th then Chase on Sunday, December 8th. The first period of Friday's game was about to end scoreless, but the 100 Mile House Wranglers managed to tap one in on the power play with 15 seconds left. Nearly four minutes into the second, the Wranglers doubled their lead with another as the team scored the lone two goals in the opening two periods. The Rockies found themselves in an even deeper hole after three minutes into the third, when 100 Mile House scored another power play goal. But less than two minutes later, Stephen Pratt scored an unassisted goal to give the Rockies some life. With more than 15 minutes to go, the score was 3 – 1. The Wranglers, however, added to the lead with a power play goal again, but the Rockies eroded it with another goal by Stephen Pratt, which was assisted by Bradly Palumbo and Adam Pulliam. Unfortunately for Columbia Valley though, there was no more scoring and the game concluded with a 4-2 Wranglers win. The Rockies opponents managed to score on three out of four power play opportunities. "We weren't moving our feet," said head coach Wade Dubielewicz. "We didn't see the fight that we needed to win." Brody Nelson was in net for the Rockies and stopped 28 of 32 shots against. The next night, the Rockies were in for a big battle as they were in Kamloops to take on the KIJHL-leading Storm, who hold a 0.823 winning percentage with 31 points in 51 games. Kamloops grabbed control of the game with a goal after 26 seconds. The Storm kept the Rockies from registering on the scoreboard in the first before doubling their lead in the final 90 seconds on the power play. But when the Storm were looking to score again, Dustin Boone brought Columbia Valley within one goal by netting a shorthanded goal with help from Nigel Swab and Jerome Thorne. The Storm scored again after six more minutes of play, but shortly after that a Logan Kerner goal, with an assist from Dario Piva, brought the score back within one. The third period included the start Columbia Valley was

Date Changes & Early Deadlines

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

looking for, as Peter Matthews was set up by Racey Big Snake and Nigel Swab to tie the game after three minutes. But the Storm became ferocious. Kamloops forward Max James scored a hat-trick to regain his team's lead before another Kamloops goal insured them the win. "To give Kamloops some credit, they're probably the most skilled, so when you make a bad decision, they'll make you pay," said Mr. Dubielewicz. Brody Nelson was in net for Columbia Valley and rejected 34 of Kamloops' 39 shots registered. Sunday brought the Rockies to Chase where the Heat were hosting afternoon hockey. Mitchell Rosko gave the Rockies an early lead with an unassisted goal early in the first, but it was cancelled out by a Chase goal two minutes later. The Rockies took the lead back before the period came to an end, as newcomer Braeden Farge scored a shorthanded goal without any help. "This was his first weekend with us," said Mr. Dubielewicz. "He brings a physical element and he's definitely got some skill." Farge was acquired via the coach's networking with the Junior A team in St. Albert. Chase tied the game up again after less than a minute into the second, which was countered by a goal from

Kyle Pouncy on the power play, giving Braden Farge his second point with as assist. Ryan Henderson, the team's scoring leader with 31 points in 31 games, also assisted on the goal. But again, Chase evened the score with a power play goal near the midway mark. Columbia Valley's lead returned after three minutes in the third, when Matthew Houston scored on the power play. Following suit, the Heat tied the game for a fourth time, bringing the match into overtime. After a scoreless four-on-four first overtime period, the teams played three-on-three, when Kaleb Boyle on Chase ended the game with a penalty shot. While the Heat never held the lead during the game, Mr. Dubielewicz said that after beginning their travels on Thursday, the Rockies had run out of gas by Sunday's match. Stewart Pratt started the game but only played one period due to a rib issue, stopping 12 of 13 shots. The game was finished by Brody Nelson, who saved 23 of 27 attempts by the Heat. The Rockies are back at home on Saturday, December 16th when the Creston Valley Thunder Cats are at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff.

Due to statuatory holidays over the Christmas season, our holiday paper dates have changed from Wednesday to Tuesday. Papers will be distributed on December 24th and December 31st. In order for our staff to enjoy the holidays, deadlines have been changed for both issues as follows:

All display advertising for December 24th & 31st is due

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18TH AT NOON.

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

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A15

Sports Basketball team bounces competition

Geoff Hill MaxWell Realty Invermere

250-341-7600

connect@geoffhill.ca Invermere-RealEstate.com

KIJHL Standings

Kootenay Conference - Eddie Mountain Division Team

PTS.

Creston Valley Thundercats

Fernie Ghostriders

Kimberley Dynamiters

Columbia Valley Rockies

Golden Rockets

Kootenay Conference - Neil Murdoch Division

Steve Hubrecht/Valley Echo photos The David Thompson Secondary School senior boys' basketball team (the Lakers) cruised to victory in its first tournament of the season last weekend, winning all three games by wide margins of about 20 points or more. “It was good because last year the team finished seventh out of eight teams in the East Kootenay, so this is a big change,” said coach Justin Woodman. Above: Lakers forward Kellan Moore (#11) drives to the net during the Lakers' first game of the tournament, which they won by a score of 73 – 48 over Kimberley's Selkirk Secondary School; above left: Reece Mitchell (#12) fakes out a Secondary oppoOldtimer Hockey Standings Selkirk nent; below left: Dan Smith Regular Season (#5) shoots while Kellan Moore (#11) boxes out Team GP W L T PTS. for position. Radium PetroCanada

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Home Games VS. CRESTON VALLEY

THUNDERCATS Saturday, December 14th 7:30 p.m.

VS. FERNIE

GHOSTRIDERS Tuesday, December 17th 7:30 p.m.

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS IN THE KIJHL!

A16 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

The Valley Echo's 2013/2014

NHL Hockey Pool Standings Grand Prize

This week's winner is:

2 night stay at Copper Point Resort and $100 dining certificate for Elements Grill

Love the B’s

2 rounds of golf for the Ridge at Copper Point Golf Club

Head to Echo/Pioneer office to redeem your lunch prize!

250-341-4000

250-341-3392

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

Rank 1 2 T3 T3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 T16 T16 18 19 20 T21 T21 23 T24 T24 26 T27 T27 29 T30 T30 T32 T32 T32 T35 T35 T37 T37 T39 T39 T41 T41 T41 T41 T45 T45 T45 T45 T45 T45 T51

Team Ken Reid Puff Pastry Craiger Ivy Lis Kogging Professor 05 Cotton Swab 4 Lawson 23 Magic Mitch 25 Kosty 27 Kappdaddy26 PMD Pouncy’s Pals 3 Dirty Doan 12 an Pullz 28 Toucan 01 Rockies 3 Love the B’s DR19 Double-Duece Zman Major Snipes Aces N Eights Naho Rubicon Injured reserve 16 Hair Haven G Rohrick 15 Snakitov13 “The Zach Attacks” B.the.B.B.B. JHaley11 Stick63 MN1 Flames Suck RC31 Long Rock Westside Dan Paige 13 Plum 24 King Chris Dave’s Laffers Harley Snake53 Crew Slut Jake 2 Jagar 20 Liam 10 Kimmer Brodes Dicks Pix

Total 515 509 507 507 503 500 499 488 487 485 484 483 482 481 478 477 477 476 475 473 472 472 471 469 469 468 467 467 465 460 460 459 459 459 458 458 457 457 456 456 455 455 455 455 454 454 454 454 454 454 453

LW 42 53 51 52 47 47 41 52 50 48 41 38 51 52 47 51 45 45 56 55 42 43 47 43 49 39 42 45 48 38 34 48 44 37 40 46 50 51 42 44 36 41 45 46 43 44 47 33 42 46 46

P/G

51 34 48 46 38 67 46 56 64 56 42 52 73 60 63 58 39 34 46 52 48 80 76 62 79 45 71 60 79 54 49 81 78 46 65 74 62 57 63 67 51 76 52 58 65 74 52 51 46 80 75

0.87 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.83 0.87 0.83 0.83 0.85 0.84 0.81 0.82 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.82 0.80 0.77 0.79 0.80 0.80 0.85 0.82 0.81 0.82 0.79 0.82 0.80 0.83 0.79 0.78 0.83 0.82 0.77 0.79 0.81 0.80 0.77 0.79 0.80 0.77 0.81 0.77 0.78 0.79 0.79 0.76 0.78 0.76 0.83 0.80

Rank T51 T51 54 55 56 T57 T57 T57 60 T61 T61 T63 T63 T63 66 T67 T67 T67 70 T71 T71 73 74 T75 T75 T75 T75 T75 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 T91 T91 T93 T93 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102

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

Team MM88 Yolo Swagins Brennan David Nelly Bergeeo 7 Jye Hossa 81 Harley 10 Matt Cable The Goalie Guy Chick Magnet Go Habs Go Dace 58 Rockies 18 Van Fan R’s Rockets Troll 6 Rockies super fan Dylan 4 Brennan’s Compe Schlittsy06 Nelson 30 ACF Nicole Dusty 21 Hendy 17 Dooley Nick Bolin Mags57 LBO Hunter 11 Dumpandpump 15 N4Cer Old Rock Love the B’s 2 Heidi Ninja Chicken Cian Ashley Furniture Rock 50 Ryann 7 The Boyz Braden 5 Joaks 16 Badtothe Boone 22 lil’b Skeeter 31 Connor K Riley 14 J. Pike

Total

453 453 452 450 449 448 448 448 447 446 446 445 445 445 444 443 443 443 442 440 440 439 438 436 436 436 436 436 435 430 429 428 426 425 424 423 421 420 419 418 418 417 417 414 413 410 406 404 395 392 373

Sponsored by:

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47 47 41 45 44 47 50 46 45 43 38 46 35 39 44 34 49 44 37 40 46 46 35 43 49 42 45 47 46 33 45 42 39 42 36 39 42 39 36 38 35 35 34 43 42 29 34 25 42 34 32

GM 60 57 82 79 74 87 67 74 67 55 86 52 66 77 63 65 69 46 72 92 61 96 81 90 67 51 96 64 74 74 57 96 85 78 101 74 77 75 99 89 85 98 59 90 91 89 75 105 117 93 114

P/G 0.77 0.77 0.81 0.78 0.78 0.81 0.78 0.79 0.77 0.76 0.80 0.75 0.78 0.79 0.76 0.76 0.78 0.74 0.78 0.80 0.76 0.80 0.78 0.79 0.75 0.74 0.80 0.75 0.77 0.77 0.74 0.79 0.77 0.75 0.79 0.75 0.74 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.77 0.73 0.74 0.74 0.75 0.71 0.76 0.76 0.72 0.72

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

Columbia Valley

Weekend Weather

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A17

Brain Games Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Variable cloudiness

Scattered flurries

invermerevalleyecho.com

Temp: -3 C

Temp: 2oC

Temp: 1oC

250-341-6299

December 13

December 15

December 14

Feels like 1 C

Low: -8oC

Low: -4oC

CLUES ACROSS 1. Binder 5. Move up and down 11. Wild sheep of northern Africa 12. Annoys 16. An upward movement 17. Ducktail 18. Town in central Minnesota 19. Philatelist’s delight 24. Carrier’s invention 25. Foreign travellers 26. Aurochs 27. Batter advanced score 28. Show the way 29. Steep rugged mass of rock 30. Valley 31. Digital data device 33. Insert mark 34. Breakout 38. Dissention from dogma 39. Kuhil and clown fish

customerservice@ invermerevalleyecho.com

Feels like -4 C

Crossword December 11, 2013

VALLEY ECHO T he

40. Unconsciousness 43. Czech River 44. Johann Sebastian 45. Flows to the Danube at Belgrade 49. World data organization (abbr.) 50. Comedian Sahl 51. Porch furniture wood 53. Potato state 54. American Pickers 56. Yellow-fever mosquitos 58. Edison’s company 59. Axis and offshoot angle 60. Standard 63. Blame (Scottish) 64. Esoteric 65. Pronounces CLUES DOWN 1. Any wrist bone 2. Baltimore bird 3. Czar’s nation

4. Regulated food 5. Space next to someone 6. Expunction 7. Trauma center 8. Spanish yes 9. Matters 10. Twist out of shape 13. Toward 14. Renders able for a task 15. An extended social group 20. Article 21. GMA anchor’s initials 22. Streetcar 23. Summer month (abbr.) 27. Not widely distributed 29. Plays great music 30. Female 1776 descendants 31. Speed gauge ratio 32. Old English 33. After B 34. Expressing sorrow

35. More hearty, firmer 36. Taxis 37. Single pip card 38. 50th state 40. A source of worry 41. Eight sided 42. Highest military valor award (abbr.) 44. Former Harvard Pres. Derek 45. Drinking tubes 46. Loss of coor-

dination 47. Self-love 48. Talus joints 50. Accumulator 51. Rural delivery 52. Lady Soul’s initials 54. Prefix indicating abstraction 55. Hawaiian goose 57. Prince William’s mom, Lady __ 61. Aid organization (abbr.) 62. Farm state

Answer to December 4:

Horoscope Second Week of December

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

Last Sudoku answer -->:

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

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

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

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

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

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

LIBRA Libra, prepare to juggle multiple responsibilities in the coming days. Be ready to multi-task and expect to be pulled in multiple directions. SCORPIO Scorpio, a small misunderstanding turns into a larger battle this week. But you have the power to put the flames out quickly by keeping a cool head. SAGITTARIUS Sagittarius, you are having so much fun lately that it almost seems like life is a game. Just don’t get so caught up in the good times that you overlook your responsibilities.

CAPRICORN Capricorn, you usually take your responsibilities quite seriously, and that is often for the best. Just be sure to let your hair down sometimes and have a little fun. AQUARIUS Aquarius, some irregularities have begun to pop up of late. It is not up to you to figure out what is going on, though. Others will discover the truth. PISCES Pisces, your head may be in the clouds, but it is quite comfortable up there. Just don’t linger up there too long.

A18 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

Building your Wealth Market Update

Weekly change

Level

Year-to-Date

13,281

-0.9%

6.8%

Dow

16,020

-0.4%

22.3%

NASDAQ

4,063

0.1%

34.5%

$97.65

5.3%

6.3%

0940

-0.2%

-6.8%

S&P/TSX

Oil US$/B USD per $1 Cdn

The importance of tax planning and strategies If you haven’t done it already, it’s time to start work on what and how you will pay your taxes. Don’t leave it much longer or you will lose the flexibility of options, which allow for ways to save. In our modern world, taxes are a fact of life. They affect every Canadian in almost every aspect of what we do. Whether it's earning an income, making a purchase, owning real estate, investing, running a business, or transferring your estate, life is full of taxable consequences. If you leave them unrelated to your plans, these taxes could consume an ever increasing amount of your livelihood. For the greater part of Canada’s history, there was no income tax. Customs and Excise taxes on goods going in and out of the country were the most important income sources for government. Income tax was brought in to pay the expenses of war and the promise was that it would end when the need was gone. Well, it seems the need has never gone away. All over the world it’s the same. What was brought in as a temporary program in most places has become the largest contributor of income for most countries. While the Income Tax Act was created specifically to ensure that everyone pays their fair share (it’s a graduated tax, beginning relatively low for the poorest Canadians and rising for the richest), it’s important to realize it also ensures all taxpayers the right to organize their financial affairs in such a way so as to minimize their taxes whenever and however possible within the legal confines of the Act. And, that – not tax evasion – is the objective of tax planning. (There is a big difference between avoidance and evasion. The first is legal and encouraged. The second is illegal and the country spends a lot of time and money to catch evaders.) Most average Canadians think of tax planning as a tool of the rich, only. However, many of the planning strategies available to those with large incomes are available to those with lower incomes. In both

situations, tax planning and tax strategy can make a difference in legally minimizing the end payment of taxes owing by anyone. In addition, you have the confidence that, in the end, you did not pay any more than was necessary. The biggest mistake many people make is to wait until April to concern themselves with their taxes. Waiting for the last possible date eliminates any freedom to take advantage of options to reduce your payment. The best tax planning, with the most options, is done throughout the year.

There are many points during the year at which you can make financial decisions that could significantly impact the amount of taxes owed. The Act is full of income exclusion rules, key tax credits, retirement plan contribution options, and investment rules that are easy to miss or miscalculate without the organization and foresight that tax planning provides. This opportunity is available at every level of income, not just the highest. And, if there is any certainty beyond taxes, it is that tax rules will change as they seem to do nearly every year. After all, the government wants to get what it feels it needs and ensure no one is paying less than a fair share. Because changes to the rules usually affect such important things as exclusion amounts, credit

eligibility, retirement plan contribution limits, and the tax rates themselves, they will almost certainly affect any spending, saving, investment and borrowing decisions you might make throughout the year. At its core, tax planning is the process of organizing your finances to take advantage of the many rules that allow you to maximize the amount of income you keep each year or defer into the future. This concept is at the heart of the reasoning behind planning for paying taxes. And this is where you can derive a benefit. While the process is essentially the same for any taxpayer, it may entail different types of tax strategies depending on your particular financial situation. Using these strategies allows you to create a tax program that is unique to you. Strategies for deferring or splitting income are important; you can defer or maximize retirement contributions, capital gains or losses, and property ownership, either present ownership or a desire to own is applied to the tax plan; charitable giving, too, is a part of what you do and is applied differently in each situation. All these are developed to meet your specific needs and to create your unique program. Tax planning and tax strategies involve application of the rules and provisions of the Income Tax Act, which is huge and constantly changing. Because their effective application can result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars of tax savings each year, it is strongly recommended that you seek the guidance of a financial professional with experience in income and investment planning strategies for minimizing personal income taxes. Every year, as a part of the financial planning process our clients go through, taxes are very important. So they are for you, even if you aren’t clear on how they work. Chances are, you are paying more than you have to.

The Valley Echo Wednesday, December 11,Echo 2013 Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley

www.invermerevalleyecho.com www.invermerevalleyecho.com A19

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In Memoriam

Help Wanted

CENTURY PLAZA HOTEL Best Rates. 1.800.663.1818

Legal Services CRIMINAL RECORD? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let it block employment, travel, education, professional, certification, adoption property rental opportunities. For peace of mind & a free consultation call 1-800-347-2540.

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

Three years since your passing we continue to be Gerald by(Gerry) Wayne Miller strengthened your constant love. Your wisdom, rd June 3 , 1940 December 14thThough , 2010 we compassionate support and loving care. Three your passing miss youyears withsince every single daywe wecontinue find joytoinbethe strengthened by your constant love. Your memory of your laughter, rich humour,loving sensecare, of wisdom, and compassionate support as husband, adventure and the twinkle in your eyes. father and grandfather inspires us each day. With deep love and fond memories, With deep love and fond memories, Bendina, Barb, Mike, Cole, Adam and Pam, Chris and Sam. Bendina, Barb, Pam and family.

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

Misc. for Sale HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/ newspaper? STEEL BUILDINGS/metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-4572206 or visit us online at: www.crownsteelbuildings.ca STEEL BUILDING. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The big year end clear out!â&#x20AC;? 20x22 $4,259. 25x24 $4,684. 30x34 $6,895. 35x36 $9,190. 40x48 $12,526. 47x70 $17,200. One end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422 or online: www.pioneersteel.ca

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

Homes for Rent CRAWFORD Bay House Rental, 3.5 bdrm, dbl garage, new appliances, $1200 + utilities (rent negot. for upkeep) 250365-1005 Furnished 1,900 sq. ft. home bordering the environmental preserve. Large property with outdoor and indoor ponds. Very private with lots of bird life and wildlife at your doorstep. Outdoor pond connects into Lake Windermere plus large yard to relax. $1,400/mth + utilities, available Dec. 1st. please contact 587-436-8828 to view.

Shared Accommodation Shared accommodation at 2,000 sq. ft. fully furnished home was featured on T.V.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unique Homesâ&#x20AC;?. $500/mth + shared utilities. Private location with large yard and room to store toys. Contact 587436-8828 to view this unique property.

Merchandise for Sale

Homes for Rent Available immediately. Indian Beach Estates. Comfortable 2 bdrm, 1 bath home with den. (can be used as third bedroom), fireplace, gorgeous views of the Fairmonts, 4 minutes from private beach in Indian Beach Estates. Please call 435-901-1600 or email onrerth@gmail.com with inquiries.

Radium - 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, 1,400 sq. ft. townhome with single garage, in Borrego Ridge . Two years old, $1,000/mth. Please call: 403-875-0214

Estate Sales

Townhouses

CONTRACTOR HANDYMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ESTATE SALE! Saturday, December 21st (Of the late Dave Hamm)

Help Wanted

Gerald (Gerry) Wayne Miller June 3rd, 1940 December 14th, 2010

Riverstone Villas Condo in downtown Radium. 3 bdrm, 5 appliances, fireplace, large soaker tub, walk in shower, garage. Priced 10% below assessment, will take quad or camper as down payment. $177,000. 250-342-7608

Rentals

VJ Bishop is now hiring for the following positions: Snowplow drivers Skid Steer Operators Class 1 drivers in the Sparwood area Must be experienced. Please forward resumes to vjbishopexcavating@gmail.com

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Life is too short for the wrong job

Please call after December 15th. $BMM t $FMM

A20 www.invermerevalleyecho.com A20 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, Wednesday,December December11, 11,2013 2013 The The Valley Valley Echo Echo

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Trucks & Vans 1990 Ford Club Wagon XL Van. Great condition. No rear seats. $1,500 O.B.O. 250-342-2104

CHURCH SERVICES DIRECTORY ST. PETERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Worship Services every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Church Trinity 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere Pastor Rev. Fraser Coltman Pastor Rev. David Morton 1-866-426-7564

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED 250-342-6644 100-7th Avenue, Invermere www.wvsm.ca Reverend Laura Hermakin

Sunday, December 15th 9:00 a.m. Worship at All Saintâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Edgewater 9:30 a.m. Bacon, Friends & Faith 10:30 a.m. Worship at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere. Everyone Welcome!

CANADIAN MARTYRS CATHOLIC CHURCH Roman Catholic Parish Pastor: Father Gabriel 250-342-6167 Invermere 250-344-6328 Golden Confession: 1/2 hour before Mass Canadian Martyrsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Church 712 - 12 Ave, Invermere Saturday at 5 p.m. Sunday at 9 a.m. St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church Highway 93-95, Radium Hot Springs Sunday at 11 a.m. Sacred Heart Parish 808 - 11 Street, Golden Saturday at 7 p.m. Sunday at 10 a.m. St. Anthonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission Corner of Luck and Dunn, Canal Flats

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

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP For more information call 250-342-6633 or 250-347-6334 Loving God, Loving People #4 - 7553 Main Street W, Radium Sundays at 10 a.m. Bible Studies #4 - 7553 Main Street W, Radium Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Church Edgewater Hall Thursday 6:30 p.m.

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

326 - 10th Ave. 250-342-9535 REV. TREVOR HAGAN Senior Pastor www.lakewindermerealliance.org

Sunday, December 15th 10:30 a.m. Third Sunday of Advent Worship And Life Instruction, â&#x20AC;&#x153;GOD Is â&#x20AC;Ś.. Justâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;Ś Pastor Trevor ministering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;K.I.D.S.â&#x20AC;? Church, for children Age 3 to Grade 1; and Grades 2-5, during the Morning Service.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Hwy. 93/95 1 km north of Windermere Pastor: Murray Wittke Sunday Service 10 a.m. Worship & Word Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church Provided Call the office at 250-342-9511 for more information. www.valleychristianonline.com

Sharing Truth Showing Love Following the Spirit

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A21

Window LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Here is Norm Macdonald's response to Doug wonder Clovechok's letter on page 6:

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

Dear Editor, Five hundred words, crafted by 200 taxpayer-funded government public relations and communications staff. And instead of listening to what the people in this area have said for nearly a decade, Doug Clovechok chose to simply sign what he was handed. Mr. Clovechok is wrong. He was also wrong when he supported the BC Liberals when they forced HST down your throat. He was wrong when he supported the closure of the Invermere Dialysis Unit. And he was wrong when he supported DriveABLE. The increases to BC Hydro rates are directly resulting from the BC Liberals’ mismanagement of this publicly-owned asset, and ratepayers are now paying the price. Five hundred words of BC Liberal spin doesn’t change that. Norm Macdonald Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA

Serving the Valley The WaTer & air Company!

• FURNACES • HEAT PUMPS • AIR CONDITIONING • FIREPLACES/STOVES • HOT TUBS • CHEMICALS • SERVICE & MAINTENANCE 385 Laurier Street P: 250-342-7100 Invermere, BC

E: info@diamondheatingandspas.com

www.diamondheatingandspas.com

Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy Ltd. J. Douglas Kipp, B. Sc. (Pharm.) Laura Kipp, Pharm D. Irena Sedlakova, B. Sc. (Pharm.) Your compounding pharmacy Come in and browse our giftware! Open Monday - Saturday • 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-6612

• CAA approved automotive repair •

MECHANICAL REPAIRS AVAILABLE 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 7 Days A Week

250-347-9726 7507 Main

• Plumbing, Repair and Installation • Drain Lines • Hot Water Tanks

Purify the water you drink and the air you breathe!

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

250-342-5089

250-341-8501 Sholinder & MacKay Sand & Gravel

Located in the Diamond Heating & Spa building in Athalmer

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS

Complete line of aggregate products for construction and landscaping

Arnold Scheffer

250-342-6700

unidoorext@live.ca unidoorext.ca

Office:

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS ESSO • Gas • Propane • Diesel • Automotive Repairs • Tires & Batteries • Greyhound

DCS Plumbing

Water Treatment: filtration and purification Furnace and Duct cleaning

Kerry Colonna

Septic Tank Pumping Portable Toilet Rentals NEWER SEW ERA CAM

• Complete sewer/drain repairs • Reasonable rates - Seniors’ discount • Speedy service - 7 days a week • A well-maintained septic system should be pumped every 2-3 years • Avoid costly repairs

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

READY MIX CONCRETE • CONCRETE PUMP • SAND & GRAVEL • HEAVY EQUIPMENT RENTALS • CRANE SERVICE Advertise your business in Serving the Valley. Call 250-341-6299 to inquire about this space.

Proudly serving the Valley for over 50 years. For competitive prices and prompt service call:

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

To advertise, call: 250-341-6299

(office)

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

A22 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

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

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

www.alpinetoyota.com DL#30845

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Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

drivewayBC.ca |

www.invermerevalleyecho.com A23

Welcome to the driver’s seat

The 100-click limit is commonly referred to as unrealistic on today’s welldesigned highways. Keith Morgan

Visit the photo gallery at drivewayBC.ca

Hike those highway speed limits, say a third of BC residents suburban highways and A significant number of 120 on the Coquihalla British Columbians clearly is reasonable. In my don’t buy the safety manexperience, it is not tra that speed kills. speed alone but excesIn fact, according to a sive speed combined new Insights West poll, with over-driving the conducted in partnership weather/road condiwith Black Press, 37 tions that kills. It is also percent of residents (and 39 percent of drivers) More than half of true to say that that dramatic speed differbelieve a higher speed those polled believe entials of traffic is also limit should be posted a major contributor to on our major highways. the province should Currently, 100 km/h is the not bring back photo road carnage. However, while that may be true maximum on most freeradar. on congested urban ways, while 110 km/h is roads it is less so on posted on the Coquihalla Keith Morgan the highway where few Highway and parts of the people are travelling Okanagan connector. below the posted limit and I don’t “The fascinating issue on this question see another 10 km/h hike making for is the gender gap,” said Mario Canseco, major mishaps. Vice President, Public Affairs at Insights Not surprisingly, the online survey of a West. “While half of men in BC would representative provincial sample also like to see a higher speed limit, just shows that a majority of residents one-in-four women concur with this believe that photo radar should not view.” be brought back. More than half of However, it was surprising to see that those polled (53 more than half (55 percent) believe percent) believe the speed limits should be left alone. the province should Another five percent want to see not bring back limits lowered. photo radar, which It’s surprising if you read the newswas introduced in paper letters pages and listen to the the 1990s as a province’s radio talk shows, where the measure to curb 100-click limit is commonly referred to speeding, but as unrealistic on today’s well-designed was abandoned highways. in 2001. As a frequent driver of the network, While almost I have to agree that a 110 limit on the

‘‘

’’

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

ten (74 percent) rate it as “good” (68 percent) or “very good” (6 percent), while only 22 per cent deem it “bad” (19 percent) or “very bad” (3 percent). Overall, only 16 percent of British Columbians believe that the province’s roads are “not too safe” or “not safe at all” for motorists, while four-in-five (82 percent) consider them “very safe” or “moderately safe.” This is the first of four surveys Insights West will conduct during the next year in partnership with Black Press. We hope these poll findings will find their way in the current speed limit and traffic safety review by the provincial government. This week in Driveway, our “Question of the Week” and “Drives-U-Crazy” spots focus on speed-related issues please participate online. keith.morgan@drivewaybc.ca About the survey: Results are based on an online study conducted from October 23 to October 27, 2013, among 838 British Columbians who are aged 18+ and are Your Insights panel members. YourInsights.ca is Insights West’s in-house access panel offering on-demand samples for both clients and research suppliers looking for Western Canadian populations. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age and gender. While statistical margins of error are arguably not applicable to online panels/online studies of this nature, we have assumed that the same margins of error apply as if it were a true unweighted random probability sample with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty. To view the detailed data tabulations go to www.insightswest.com

Question OF THE WEEK:

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK!

Go to drivewayBC.ca to submit your answer.

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

Find more online at

drivewayBC.ca

Please drive safely this winter!

To have your ad featured in our Driveway section, contact

250-341-6299 • advertising@invermerevalleyecho.com

A24 www.invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 The Valley Echo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - it all adds up!

Holiday Recycling Electronics Recycling The Columbia Valley electronics recycling depot is located at: Invermere Bottle Depot 133 Industrial Rd. #2 Phone: 250-342-7272 Hours: Tues-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm Sat 10:00am-4:00pm They accept • Earphones • Televisions • Computers & peripherals • Microphones • Telephones (keyboard, mouse) • Monitors • Speakers • Fax machines • Radios • DVD/VHS players • Cable, satellite and PVR boxes • Scanners • Stereos, MP3 players • Vehicle audio and video systems Discman

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

Recycling Basics Wrapping Paper - all paper based wrapping paper can be recycled in the yellow bins or Invermere’s blue bag program. Foil based papers cannot be recycled and should be thrown in the garbage if they can’t be saved and reused. Please consider paper based paper when purchasing gift wrap. Ribbons & Bows - cannot be recycled. They can be saved and reused. If they can no longer be reused, they go in the garbage. Aluminum Pie Plates & Roasters - cannot be recycled. They can be rinsed and reused. If they are not longer usable, they go in the garbage. Cardboard Boxes - all cardboard and boxboard (like cracker and cereal boxes) are recyclable. Please flatten them to conserve space in the bin or blue bag. Tin Cans - all tin food and beverage cans can be recycled. They must be rinsed out. Labels can be left on if they are difficult to remove. Styrofoam - Even though Styrofoam is marked with a #6, it is NOT recyclable in our program. It should go in the garbage if it can’t be reused. Plastics - all plastics with the triangular recycling symbol and the number between 1 and 6 (except Styrofoam) can be recycled in the yellow bins or Invermere’s blue bag program. They must be clean and every piece of plastic must be numbered. Lids often are a different type of plastic, and if there is no number on the item, it goes in the garbage if it can’t be reused.

X 7

The drop off location in the Columbia Valley is: Selkirk TV & Appliance, Invermere

Glass Recycling Glass goes in the yellow bins marked GLASS ONLY. The ONLY glass accepted for recycling is container glass. That means jam jars, salsa jars, wine bottles, olive oil bottles, etc. NO other glass (including dishes or drinking glasses) is accepted. If in doubt, please leave it out. Glass bins are located at the Columbia Valley Landfill, Edgewater Post Office, Fairmont Transfer Station, Invermere Industrial Park, Invemere Bottle Depot, and Radium Liquor Store

Plastics Not Accepted: • #7 plastics, dirty plastics, plastics with no number. They go in the garbage if they can’t be reused.

Holiday Hours COLUMBIA VALLEY LANDFILL December 24 9:00am-5:00pm December 25 Closed December 26 9:00am-6:00pm December 31 9:00am-5:00pm January 1 Closed All other days, the Landfill will be open from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

COLUMBIA VALLEY RDEK OFFICE The RDEK Columbia Valley Office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm (closed 12pm to 1pm). During the holiday season, the only change to those regular hours is as follows: December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 1

8:30am-3:00pm (closed 12pm-1pm) Closed Closed 8:30am-3:00pm (closed 12pm-1pm) Closed

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