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VOL. 9 • ISSUE 16

‘The Change Agents’ on Earth Day

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Vol. 9 • Issue 16

Joe Hill unveils latest lineup for Sunday See Page 2

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to end the final day of the season at Red Mountain Resort on Sunday, April 6.

Hard work, dedication and a passion for his canine companions has vaulted a Rossland resident into one of Canada’s top skijors. Dana Luck has competed in skijoring—a combination of skate skiing and dog sled-racing—for three years and following last season was ranked number 1 in Canada and seventh in North America by the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA). “For me the best aspect of the sport is by far the amazing relationship and bond with my dogs,” said Luck. “Skijoring is amazing because, as the musher, I try and work as hard as my dogs and we are truly a team together.” The 33-year-old Courtenay native moved to Rossland to work with Big Red Cat Skiing in 2003 after completing the Ski Resort Operations and Management program at Selkirk College in Nelson. But his first sojourn into skijoring came as a result of a dog-sled tour with Salmo’s Al Magaw and Spirit of the North Kennels. “I went on the tour with the hope of learning to run a dog team and teaching my pet dogs how to skijor,” said Luck. “However it turned into so much more. “It was an amazing experience and I ended up building a great friendship with Al, who, like most mushers, loves sharing his passion for the sport.” In his first race, Luck hitched his golden retriever and malamute to the harness, and was immediately hooked. In his second year, he raced with two Siberian huskie mixes from Quebec, and has since expanded his kennel, and improved every year.

• See SKIJORING, Page 6

A2 www.rosslandnews.com

Thursday, April 17, 2014 Rossland News

Arts and culture UPCOMING

Joe Hill coffee House: crack one open

your rossland events Calendar

Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. (Doors open ay 6 p.m.), Miners’ Union Hall

community easter Hunt

The Rossland Museum is hosting the First Annual Community Easter Hunt on Sunday April 20 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This is a BYOB-(Bring Your Own Basket) event. The Hunt will be outside (weather permitting!) on the lower Museum grounds. In the event of rain, the event will move inside. The Easter Hunt is by donation.

Pottery Classes starting soon! Make a Mother’s Day Gift – Pottery Workshop Children will create a Mother’s Day gift at this creative, fun workshop! The class is being held on Wednesday, April 16 from 4:00-5:30pm in the Miners Hall Pottery Studio for youth ages 7-14 years. Kids Clay Arts The Kids Clay Arts class has children creating three projects using slab, coil and pinch pot techniques. Kids need to come to class to get messy! Classes are being held on Mondays from 5:00-6:00pm on April 28, May 5, 12, and June 2. Name Plate Pottery Class, Piggy Banks, Wall Bears and Pottery for Preschoolers! Lots of pottery classes for youth coming up in April. For more information, please look at the specific course options in the Spring Brochure. You can view the Brochure online or pick up a hard copy at the Public Library or at the Credit Union. The Itty Bitty FUNdamentals Acting classes This FUN filled program is all about growing your imagination through the skillful use of theatre games, movement and vocal work. Young people will explore the art of story telling with Alicia Gray while creating a strong foundation in the theatre. Preschool children ages 3-5 years are on Wednesdays from 1:30-2:15pm in the Miners Hall starting April 9 and running until June 4. REDroc modern jive for beginners Check out the Tuesday beginner dance class at the Miners’ Union Hall. Discover modern jive, a creative, stylish and constantly evolving style of dance that doesn’t require tricky footwork or a partner. Loved by people of all ages, abilities and musical tastes. Every Tuesday night at the Miners’ Union Hall at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Mountain Bike Academy Program Seven Summits Centre for Learning is working on a Mountain Bike Academy program for local youth. The program will start in April and run until June. Program details include; trail building, bike maintenance, instruction and coaching and a trip or two out of town to check out the trails and Bike Parks in B.C. More information will be available soon. BC Senior’s Games The BC Senior’s Games is being held in Langley from September 9-13 for Seniors 55+. The Games promote the active participation in fitness and wellness in sports, recreation and education for B.C. Seniors. The annual four-day celebration attracts about 3500 seniors participating in up to 26 events. For more information, please contact Kathy Gregory at 250-365-2386. All the details can be found on the Game’s website, at www.b.c.seniorsgames.org. The Change Agents - Earth Day Rossland Council for Arts and Culture presents the film The Change Agents, a heart-warming story of courage and possibility set in Nelson. Showing this Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Miners’ Union Hall. Admission: $5 adult, $3 students. Montreal Guitare Trio The Rossland Council for Arts and Culture presents the “Montreal Guitare Trio”, a world-renowned eclectic and energetic guitar trio from Montreal. Performing this spring, April 27th, at 7:30 pm at the Rossland Miners’ Hall. Tickets are available at Out of the Cellar in Rossland and The Charles Bailey Theatre in Trail for $22, or $25 at the door.

Tell your community what’s happening. Send photos, stories, event listings, upcoming activities and regular group meetings to editor@rosslandnews.com or submit your listing on our website www.rosslandnews.com

It’s a Joe Hill Easter. Take a break on Easter Sunday and celebrate the return of green grass and sunshine with the Joe Hill Coffee House, Rossland’s famous community showcase for talent from far and near. This Sunday’s performers are: • Michael Gifford, with a set of songs from the country operetta Lonesome Valley, written by Michael’s dad in 1950. A piece of country history. • Kootenay Dance Works: including Tatum Clement dancing “Little Fella;” Lisa Bruckmeier and Taryn Cutt dancing “Stray Cats;” and Ava JinJoe and Tatum dancing “Imagine.” • The Mary Janes: Trallee McGovern, Toni Hayward, Maureen Mahoney and Nancy Anderson make their Joe Hill debut in fourpart harmony (a two-part set to let the newcomers stretch their wings a bit). • Les Carter, singing and playing songs that amuse and inspire. • Kootenay Jack, direct from Nashville by way of Fruitvale and the Rex Hotel. Classic country. As always, there will be great sounds, a friendly atmosphere and tea, coffee and goodies. There may even be hidden Easter eggs. The Joe Hill Coffee House takes place in the Miners’ Union Hall, 1765 Columbia Avenue, in Rossland. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is a mere $3, with kids and students free.

Business plan moves ahead for region’s theatre staff

Rossland News

A three-year grant in funding is taking centre stage in a plan to get more people in the seats of the region’s premiere theatre. In a bid to increase usage of the 731-seat Charles Bailey Theatre (CBT), the Trail and District Arts Council presented a business plan to the East End Services (EES) last year—of which Rossland is a member—proposing the regional service hand over theatre operations to the non-profit over the course of three years. The regional district has jumped on board with the idea and recently granted the arts council $18,500 annually for three years to hire a marketing and public relations officer for the theatre. “This is a great opportunity to promote the Charles Bailey Theatre to agencies and promoters in North America,” said Mark Daines, regional manager of facilities and recreation, “and increase the number of A-list performances in the theatre.” Additionally, the EES (participants) from Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Montrose, Fruitvale, Area A and Area B, agreed to waive sound and lighting fees for local groups, with a goal to bring community talent back into the theatre. Rental fees currently start at $500 for non-profits and reach as high as $1,000 not including sound and lighting costs in the CBT. Those charges vary depending on the performance needs, according to Daines. However, the sound fees start at $190 for the first four hours of the rehearsal and show and $40 per hour for additional service; and lighting fees are $170 for the first four hours then $35 per hour after that. With those fees waived, local dance troupes would be more inclined to put on performances.

Lacrosse development program Learn the fundamentals of Canada’s oldest sport and get fit doing it. Your child will be learning in a controlled environment from a certified coach and longtime player. Players will need a helmet with face cage (a hockey or lacrosse helmet is preferred), padded gloves (hockey style or lacrosse designated), a lacrosse stick (some will be provided and they are available at Canadian Tire). Although this will be a skills training and conditioning program, lacrosse is a physically demanding sport. The program begins in April and runs on Wednesdays, from 6-8 p.m. in the Rossland Arena.

Girls Softball - cancelled Girls’ softball has cancelled due to low registration. If you would like to register for a program, please ensure you register a minimum of 3 working days before the course starts. This allows us time to organize the administration of the course and for the Instructor to prepare any required materials.

The Yes Leadership Camp The YES leadership camp is a summer camp that provides week long leadership retreats for youth from all over British Columbia. More information and a brochure are available at the Rossland branch of the Nelson and District Credit Union. Skills training is offered for 14-18 year-olds in the areas of self-awareness, co-operation, communication, global awareness, environmental sustainability and leadership. Participants take part in the creation of a strong community of support, respect and growth in the summer camp. Not only is there a chance to learn and grow, it’s also tons of fun! From canoeing and hiking, to arts and crafts, we have many options for fun activities each day. The YES is a summer camp experience in BC that will last a life-time. More info @ www.theyes.ca Rossland Men’s Softball League The Rossland Men’s Softball League is looking for players. Anyone looking to play can contact Josh, at 250-2315674.

International conference set on Columbia’s future The future of the Rossland region’s major waterway is the focus of an international conference that will take place in Spokane Oct. 21-23. The conference,

.COM

Highway Drive, Trail B.C.

IN BRIEF

“Learning From Our Past to Shape Our Future,” will provide attendees from both sides of the border with unique learning and discussion opportunities about the history and

future of the river including topics such as hydropower, fish and wildlife, the Columbia River Treaty and First Nations and Tribal interests. This is the fourth conference to be co-

convened by the Columbia Basin Trust and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Registration opened April 8 at www.columbiabasin2014conference.org.

plus

Waneta Plaza, Trail B.C.

www.rosslandnews.com A3

Rossland News Thursday, April 17, 2014

Third page

IN BRIEF Spring clean up in Rossland

File photo

Cindy Devine invites beginner and intermediate riders on a series of free rides that will include local trails like the Sunningdale single tracks, the Miral Heights lookout and bluffs on Tuesdays from Apr. 15 to May 6.

Rossland’s Devine leads early season rides on area trails jim bailey Trail Times

While the region’s top mountain biking Seven Summits is still wrapped in snow, spring has decidedly sprung in the Rossland area giving mountain bikers an early chance to start the season, and there’s no better way than with some tips from former mountain biking world champion Cindy Devine. The Rossland resident and physiotherapist invites beginner and intermediate riders on a series of free rides that will include local trails like the Sunningdale single tracks, the Miral Heights lookout and bluffs on Tuesdays from Apr. 15 to May 6. Devine said the purpose of this event was to keep beginner riders in their comfort zone, while more advanced riders can go at their own pace, and hopefully learn something as well. “So that’s what I am after is getting your fitness up,” she said. “I’m hoping that it breaks into pods, where you just go as a group and the slower people create their own pod at that middle level of fitness, and the faster ones create theirs.” Devine will help out riders with their shifting, anticipating obsta-

cles and technical areas, and knowing when to get off when necessary. “That’s what group riding is, it is really riding with someone at your fitness level because you can always just jump over a technical section, but it’s how you do the climb in the end.” The focus will be on having fun, meeting friends and potential riding partners, and getting fit for the upcoming season. The first trail on the list this week was the Miral Heights’ lookout trail. “It’s such a beautiful trail and everyone should know it,” said Devine. “I call it little Moab for trails. It’s a beautiful trail once you start to ride the bluff, you get that sense what Moab offers, which is riding on rock slabs and then you’ve got the river beside you … it’s very exciting.” Founder of Devine Ride, she learned to mountain bike in Whistler in 1987 and by 1990 was world champion. By 2000, Devine had achieved two more bronze world downhill medals, and several American and Canadian championships. The group will meet at Gericks Sports in Trail at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. For more information contact Cindy at cbdevine@telus.net.

Rossland pool dips into workforce

The Rossland Swimming Pool is looking for an experienced pool manager and senior/junior staff for the 2014 season. The Rossland Pool is a full service, community-oriented outdoor pool operating from the beginning of June until the end of August. The pool’s services include a full range of aquatic courses and lessons including School board lessons, Red Cross Swim lessons, Swim Club, Aqua Tot, summer camps and the three Bronze Lifesaving courses as well as numerous special events. Working closely with the Rossland Recreation Department, the pool manager provides leadership to the pool staff and is responsible for the daily operations of the pool. Qualified individuals should forward their resume and copies of all certifications by Thursday, April 17, attention Robin Hethey, Recreation Department (recreation@rossland.ca).

It’s time to spruce up the spruce in Rossland. City of Rossland public works staff will be picking up organic material starting Monday, April 28. The schedule below shows the area and dates for collection: • South of Columbia (including Redstone area), April 28- May 2 • North of Columbia (including Pinewood, Blackbear Area, Red Mountain area), May 5-9 The city will be driving by each residence once. Please ensure all items are on the boulevard by 7 a.m. starting the Monday of the week of pick up. Any items placed on boulevard after city crews have passed by will not be picked up. Tree trimmings must be under 10 centimetres (three inches) in diameter and three metres (10 feet) in length. Piles can be no larger than 1.2 m. (four feet) in diameter, and homeowners are limited to a maximum of three piles per home. Do not bundle piles. Just place them on an unmaintained boulevard so our loader will be able to easily access your pile. For yard waste, only leaves and grass clippings can be placed in a pile on the unmaintained boulevard or be placed in clear plastic bags not weighing more than nine kilograms (20 pounds). Any overweight bags will be left on the boulevard. Absolutely no tree trimmings, dirt, sod or rocks can be placed in the bags. For gravel and sand, please rake it onto the asphalt surface (do not make piles). The City of Rossland staff will pick up only the items listed. It will be the owner’s responsibility to take all other refuse to the appropriate recycling facilities or the landfill site. Once pick-up in an area is completed, the city will send the sweeper around to clean the street in the weeks following. If people have any concerns regarding pick up, please contact public works at 362-2328. Please note there will be no fall cleanup.

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Gordon Sims, RCMP crime prevention officer for Rossland and region, is warning citizens of fraudulent telephone calls where the caller identifies himself or herself as an A truly long RCMP office calling to collect fines or lasting, safe & income taxes or a variety of other scam tacnatural chew! tics. The caller threatens the victims that they must pay immediately or be arrested 2125 Columbia Ave. 2044 Washington St within 24 hours. Rossland, BC .Rossland, BC The RCMP would like to remind resi(250) 362-5385 (250) 362-5385 dents that they never make contact with individuals for the purpose of collecting fines or taxes and would never ask anyone from the public to make a payment over the telephone. Anyone who receives a call from someone alleging to be a police officer (all year long) making any kind of collection should hang up immedi250.364.2235 www.JBSbiz.net ately and contact 778 Rossland Ave (just down the hill in the Gulch) the local RCMP Anti-Fraud Centre Hate year-end bookkeeping? WE DON’T (ya, it’s weird) (toll free) at 1-888495-8501.

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Editorial A4 www.rosslandnews.com

Thursday, April 17, 2014 Rossland News Kootenay group publisher: Chuck Bennett Acting publisher: Karen Bennett

iNFORM letters policy

• The Rossland News welcomes letters, but we reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, taste, legality and for length. • We require a letter to contain your name, the town you reside in and a daytime phone number (that won’t be published) for verification purposes only. • We retain the right to refuse to publish unnamed letters or ones over 500 words. • If you are a member of a political lobby group, you must declare in your submission. • The Rossland News reserves the right to refuse to publish letters. • The opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect those of The Rossland News. • Drop your letters at Unit 2-1810 Eighth Ave.. Castlegar. • For more information, call the Castlegar office at (250) 365-6397.

SUBMISSION gUIdelINeS Submissions for community news can be dropped off at the newspaper in Castlegar between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Please ensure time sensitive material is sent in at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled event. Photos for the community pages can be taken by the charitable organization receiving the donation, though a Rossland News photographer is available for individual contributions greater than $1,000 and corporate donations greater than $5,000. Submissions to the community pages will be published in as timely a manner as possible. Every effort will be made to ensure the publication of all contributions, as space allows.

Farmland fight sheds little light on the issue

etailed debate on changes to the Agricultural Land Commission got underway in the legislature last week, while protesters played to urban voters outside. A couple of West Kootenay NDP supporters brought a basket of homegrown veggies down to help East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett get through the winter on a 100-mile diet. A group of mostly UBC scientists wrote to Premier Christy Clark, embracing the popular assumption that the changes will automatically mean more exclusions of agricultural land, as well as expanded secondary uses in the Cariboo, Kootenay and North zones. This “jeopardizes species at risk, threatens many common species, and will impact many species prized for hunting,” they wrote. It makes me wonder if these university botanists and bird experts actually understand what farming is. You know, clear-cutting a forest and planting largely

monoculture crops? Using big machinery, creating drainage, applying fertilizers, controlling diseases, pests and wild animals? Not backyard gardening, real farming of the sort that has fed more people than in all of human history? Have they heard that the largest cause of deforestation in North America is farming? Do they imagine habitat loss from subdivisions sprawling across the Cariboo? Forests Minister Steve Thomson has been pinch-hitting for Fort St. John MLA Pat Pimm on the agriculture file as Pimm undergoes cancer treatment. Thomson took exception when NDP agriculture critic Nicolas Simons asked if he is aware people think the changes are to “neuter the chair of the Agricultural Land Commission.” Thomson, a former executive director of the Kelownabased B.C. Agriculture Association, replied that the changes do not reduce the independence of the chair.

Under further questioning from Simons, Thomson allowed that the current ALC chair, Richard Bullock, has provided no response to the government on the proposals. Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick was appointed Friday to replace Pimm as agriculture minister. But this ALC project is Bennett’s initiative, so I asked him about his changes to the appointment process. Bennett said the six regional panels, up to three people each, were set up by then-minister Stan Hagen in 2003 to provide local input. That worked well, he said, until Bullock came on the scene and began exercising his discretion not to appoint people recommended by cabinet. “The chair doesn’t like the regional panels,” Bennett told me. “It’s a pain in the ass for the chair to have to deal with 18 farmers from all over the province in making decisions. “He thinks that it’s unwieldy, and he’d rather

have the decision-making centralized in Burnaby. But we changed that. We decided as a duly elected government in 2003 that we wanted the regions to have a say on this stuff, so the intention of the legislation, we felt, was actually being defeated, because we hadn’t made it mandatory.” It will be mandatory soon, and Bullock’s days as commission chair appear to be numbered. One of Bennett’s key issues is denial of secondary residence construction to keep families on the land in the Interior. The legislation also introduces social and economic factors in weighing decisions in the North, Cariboo and Kootenay regions, where in most cases development pressure is an urban myth. The main ALC board will still have authority to revisit a local panel decision if the chair deems it inconsistent with the mandate to protect farmland. Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press.

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The Rossland News 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 St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

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Rossland News Thursday, April 17, 2014

News

Letters To the Editor: Re: To the leaders of my province I am a 34-year-old farmer in the Southern Interior working with my wife and son to build a business growing and selling food. We do not have the finances to own farmland, so we operate entirely on leased parcels. Because large agribusiness and government subsidies to the industrial food system keep food prices incredibly low, it is very difficult to compete in the market. We small, local farmers distinguish ourselves by offering much higher quality produce—vegetables and various meats in my case—with more nutrients, more flavour, more humane livestock management, better soil management, quicker turnaround, happier employees and so on. We also add vibrancy and resilience to our local economy. Perhaps what many fail to realize is that our farm—and the many other young farms just now sprouting all over the countryside—are the foundation of our future economy, the one we’ll need once we’re left with toothpicks for forests, and gaping holes in the ground. With all the mills shutting down, the best solution on the table is a couple thousand measly, temporary jobs to build a pipeline that carries a grave risk to water and land? Very, very silly. Our local food economy guarantees to bring long-term prosperity by not only keeping us fed, but by keeping currency in local circulation. Everyone needs to eat, and right now more than 95 per cent of the $25 billion B.C. consumers spend annually on food leaves the province. We’re bleeding money. And there’s no need to bleed. I can grow almost everything we need, right here, right now. We can keep at least $10 billion in B.C. very fast if the government conspired with us instead of against us. Imagine the impacts ... Look at my customers: almost all of them are professionals, many working out of province or out of country, bringing money to my small town in the Kootenays. It’s my job, and the job of other local business people, to keep that money going round and round right here in B.C. Your ALR proposal is a disaster waiting to happen. My farm depends on the well-to-do folks who have bought farmland for an estate but with no plans (or knowledge) for how to use it. Not being able to develop on it ensures that they are willing to cooperate with farmers such as myself. Of course they would like to develop it. They would make more money. If you allow them building and subdivision rights, will they be willing to cooperate with me and the legion of upand-coming young farmers who I collaborate with and mentor every day? No. And farmers like me all over the province will lose any chance we ever had of owning a farm, because farmland will not only crumble into postage stamps, but prices will skyrocket. Your Bill 24 is not a long-term proposition. Even the faintest notion of a possibility of development—like Bill 24 threatens with its two-tier approach to the ALR—directly impacts my ability to lease land, grow amazing food, and sell it for reasonable prices despite heavy competition from a global market. My farm also depends on being able to secure farm status for these same wealthy landowners. It’s my way of compensating them for the use of their land (by lowering their taxes) without having to incur an expense that cuts into my already slim margins. Between the ALR and farm status assessments, that is about ALL the government has ever done for me and others who, despite the challenges, continue to work hard to ensure food security, local employment, and a strengthened local economy. The reality is that the B.C. and federal governments make my life harder, loading small producers with unreasonable restrictions and bureaucracy, and we get nothing comparable to the hefty handouts and tax breaks large industrial farmers receive. The ALR and farm status being all the government has ever done for us, now you’d like to start eroding that too? Shame on you. You risk the future of all our children for your political gain and the financial greed of the minority you serve in the name of “democracy.” Shame on you. You claim to speak for the “everyday Canadian.” Not the ones I speak with, and I speak with more than you do. Or at least I actually LISTEN. I can guarantee that. My job depends on widespread networking with regular folks. This hardly seems to be required for political leadership. No, my so-called leaders, you clearly listen to and speak on behalf of a moneyed elite. Prove to me otherwise and scrap this bill. Andrew Bennett, Moon Gravity Farm, Rossland

Fire crews busy Calls for help were burning up the phone lines at the regional fire centre last week, including a blaze on Monday in Rossland. Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue sirens echoed throughout the region on Monday, beginning with a morning call out to a structure fire in the Beaver Valley area. In that incident, a homeowner was burning grass when a gust of wind spread the flames to his nearby garden shed, explained regional fire chief Terry Martin. When crews arrived on the scene, the small storage unit was completely engulfed in flames. “He couldn’t put the fire out with a garden hose,” said Martin. “The shed was consumed by fire but did not spread to the house.” As crews were packing up in that area, fire rescue was called to a report of a deck fire at a residence in Rossland. The Rossland fire crew was dispatched to the scene after a passerby called in a fire, continued Martin. “Nobody was home at the time,” he said. “Fortunately, it ended up being a small fire with minimal damage to the deck.” A few hours later, just after 4 p.m., the regional fire centre received a call from a security company reporting a fire at a home on the 1200 block of Third Ave. in East Trail. An elderly occupant had fallen asleep after leaving a pot on the stove, and the house had filled with smoke. “We banged on the door and were able to get her out,” said Martin. The small fire was contained to the pot and caused no damage to the home; however, the fire crew stayed on site to clear the house of smoke with an industrial fan. “She had an alarm system, so when it detected smoke, dispatch was called,” he added. “So that worked out really well for her.” Spring conditions had homeowners out with rakes, but dry conditions and wind caused two grass fires to get out of hand and prompted calls to the fire department.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT VENUES: Friday, April 11, 2014

De lh i 2 Du bl in

Volume 3 Issue 9

Back to the land

IN BRIEF

ATTENTION

W HO LE NE W LO OK !

pg. 3

Bringing new beats

Prin ted food ?

g Check out the changin technolo gy that is industry revoluti onizing our pg. 8

The Kootenay ’s Entertain

ment Guide

VURB is going regional each month! Send us your event listings for May. Deadline for submission is Friday, April 25. Call 250.352.1890 to be part of this new VURB!

WEST KOOTENAY

HOUSE & HOME COMING SOON! Spring Edition

Don’t miss being a part of this first issue!

Available April 2014.

For information on how you can be a part of this new publication contact: KIOMI TUCKER publications@westkootenayadvertiser.com (250) 352-1890

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Thursday, April 17, 2014 Rossland News

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WALK INTO SPRING WITH NEW SANDALS

Talented trio trend into Rossland staff Rossland News

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Saturday, April 26

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jodie@mountaintownproperties.ca

2 0 2 0 Wa s h i n g t o n

Don’t miss out on this display of unique talent coming to Miners’ Union Hall on Sunday, April 27 at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are available at Out of the Cellar in Rossland and The Charles Bailey Theatre in Trail for $22, or $25 at the door. To get a taste of their sound visit www.mg3.ca.

Skijoring

FREE SELECT

Jodie O.

Rossland on Sunday, April 27 to present their unique sounds. The trio of guitarists, Marc Morin, Sébastien Dufour and Glenn Lévesque, has formed a bond of musical talent for over 15 years, performing their eclectic and energetic style across North America, Europe, and Oceania.

“That season I started to meet more mushers at races and ended up with the opportunity to adopt a couple of Alaskan huskies from another racer. Alaskan huskies are generally a mix of huskies and other breeds that are generally faster than traditional huskies.” The Alaskans he races now have greyhound and German short-hair pointer in their bloodlines, built for speed and distance. This past winter Luck had an opportunity to head north to Grand Prairie to be a full-time dog handler and race full time. “I quit my job and headed off racing for the winter. It was an amazing experience and I had the opportunity to race some of the fastest dogs in Canada, not only in skijoring but I also raced four-dog, six-dog and 10-dog teams.” Luck, however, focuses primarily on skijoring four-to-six mile sprint races with two dogs. Last season Luck competed in three ISDRA-sanctioned races, and others in which he had five podium finishes. The biggest challenge for Luck is the expense of maintaining a small kennel and travelling up to 1,000 kilometres to compete in events in

Northern B.C. and Alberta. “Most mushers will tell you that it is an addiction. It can be hard to find others who will share or even understand the passion associated with racing dogs.” Nevertheless, he will continue building his kennel from four dogs to six or eight, and improve his skate-skiing technique, in hopes of becoming the top skijor in North America. “In 2017, the IFSS World championships will be in North America again and I hope to be competing there,” added Luck. “I have some very fast dogs already, but the better my skiing technique is the easier it is for my dogs and the faster we will work together.”

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Rossland News Thursday, April 17, 2014

www.rosslandnews.com A7

News

IN BRIEF Forest licence review

Earth Day presentation: ‘The Change Agents’ staff Rossland News

This Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture will present an inspiring feature, The Change Agents, to further spread the message of individual ability to foster the growing movement of positive change. The Change Agents is a heart-warming story of courage and possibility set in the beautiful local town of Nelson. From one girl’s dream for a better future blooms action for change and a youth activist group grows. “In a tricky time in the planet’s evolution, this is a generation which faces a future like no other generation before

them”(thechangeagents); however, their impressive strategy and persistence revives any lost hope one may hold. The multi-layered storyline along with actors deeply devoted to the cause has led to the creation of a brilliant independent film initiated by tears of concern for the future and the aid of a teacher spurred by the emotion. Don’t miss this display of local integrity and courage coming to Rossland on Tuesday, April 22 at the Miner’s Union Hall. Tickets will be sold at the door: $5 for adults and $3 for children. Watch the trailer and find out more at www.thechangeagents.net. It will leave you hooked to come out and see the breathtaking feature in it’s entirety.

Warm weather a wake-up call for bears staff Rossland News

Bears living in the Rossland region are enjoying the last leg of hibernation before the warmer weather and familiar smells awake them from their den, according to the city’s WildSafeBC coordinator. Though Sharon Wieder’s work doesn’t officially start up until May, she expects reports will begin to trickle in soon. “If the snow is melted high enough up where the bears have been denning then they’ll start to come

out,” she said. “The smells will bring them out like the fresh greens—grass is what they usually eat in the spring and things are starting to green up.” In the meantime, she’s reminding residents that it’s time to assess their animal attractants. “The big one is the bird feeder and convincing people it’s time to put them away or at least not leave them out all the time because that will attract all kinds of animals,” she said, adding that sunflower seeds offer hungry bruins about 10 times as many calories as huckleberries.

The problem areas continue to be determined mostly by geography. In Rossland, basically anywhere is considered bear grounds, said Wieder. “The interesting thing is that bears have their pathways, and they’ve been using the same ones for hundreds of years,” she added. This preferred route of travel was recently mapped out in a bear hazard assessment and is also clocked regularly on the WildSafeBC website by a wildlife alert reporting map (via the Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277).

Former B.C. chief forester Jim Snetsinger is leading a public discussion this spring about converting volume-based logging licences to area-based tenures, a proposal the B.C. government backed away from before last spring’s election. Forests Minister Steve Thomson announced the consultation this week and released a discussion paper for comment on a new website, engage.gov. bc.ca/foresttenures, that will collect comments until May 30. About 60 per cent of the logging on Crown land in B.C. is through volume-based forest licences, which give companies permission to cut a specified volume in the licence area. Thomson said the proposed change to area-based licences is to encourage companies to make longer-term investment in planting and silviculture to increase future productivity on Crown land. Area-based licences give the holder exclusive access, instead of competing with other logging companies, each licensed to take a set volume of wood from the same forest. Thomson said the proposal is to help deal with the widespread damage left behind by the mountain pine beetle infestation that is causing a decline in timber supply for decades to come. NDP forests critic Norm Macdonald said the experience with existing area-based tenures, called tree farm licences, is that they have not improved forest stewardship. About 15 per cent of B.C. lumber production is from tree farm licences, and the ministry can’t show evidence that they are better managed, he said. Many of the existing tree farm licences are on the B.C. coast, where log exports have increased. Macdonald said B.C.’s big forest companies have lobbied Premier Christy Clark for the change, which effectively privatizes large tracts of Crown forest, and now the forests ministry is being directed to implement the change. Snetsinger said he worked with volume-based and areabased licences as B.C.’s chief forester, where he was responsible for setting annual allowable cut from 2004 to 2012.

Spring is glorious and we have every type of flowering plant, over 40,000 square feet of greenhouses overflowing with beauty. Just a short, scenic drive 5 min West of Nelson on Granite Road • www.georamagrowers.com • 250-352-3468 Open Good Friday 10am to 4pm • Open Easter Saturday 8am to 5:30pm • Closed Easter Sunday • Open Easter Monday 8am to 5:30pm

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A8 www.rosslandnews.com

Thursday, April 17, 2014 Rossland News

Recreation

IN BRIEF Celebrating spring, outside A group of Selkirk College Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Program students welcomed spring by spending a pair of frigid nights in the West Kootenay backcountry. As part of an annual field trip for the program, 10 students and two instructors spent late March in the Selkirk Wilderness Ski tenure near Meadow Creek in order to get hands-on experience for their Backcountry Risk Analysis and Mitigation II and Commercial Recreation Management courses. “We were dropped off on a sparsely treed, east facing slope at an elevation of 2,100 meters and were left with only a three-metre snowpack and the backpacks on our backs,” said Selkirk College Instructor Keyes Lessard. Students and instructors built and slept in trench snow shelters designed to trap warm air generated by body heat. Despite the -16 to -18°C night time lows, the temperatures inside the shelters hovered from -1 to -3°C. This type of shelter is the preference over others because one stays relatively dry during its construction, a very important piece of information to learn for survival in such a harsh environment. Students gained practical outdoor skills including avalanche risk assessment, winter travel and survival. “One can only truly learn the tricks of the trade for the many winter camping challenges hands on,” says Selkirk College Instructor Robyn Mitz. Lifelong soft skills—those skills that most employers are looking for in today’s world of constant change—were also acquired during the trip. Time management, organization and communication are all essential skills to living and surviving in the mountains with minimal supplies. A hot gourmet dinner, a warm and comfortable bed that did not need to be shoveled out for four hours prior to sleeping, a team building game around the pool table and many smiles on tanned faces was the perfect way to experience a commercial recreational business and enjoy the last night of the three night adventure field trip.

Standard First Aid clinics

IN BRIEF

rossland recreation: Selkirk College is bringing in another First Aid course to Rossland in May Rossland REC Spring Brochure The Spring Brochure is online, at www.rossland.ca, Recreation Program Guide and in hard copy at the Public Library, the Credit Union and City Hall. Boating Basics – Boating Safety Primer The Boating Basics Course will be rescheduled to encourage more folks to register for it. The course provides you with the knowledge necessary to obtain the Canadian Coast Guard Pleasure Craft Operator card. All operators of powered recreational vessels in Canada are now required to carry “proof of competency” with them. Tree Pruning Class - April 27 Led by Jim Markin, a Certified Arborist and Tree Assessor with the International Society of Arboriculture, this class will provide you with a comprehensive overview of tree pruning for fruit trees, shrubs and evergreens. The course is being offered on Sunday, April 27 from 9:30-3:30pm. Summer Brochure! The Recreation Department is putting together the Summer Brochure. If you are interested in running a program or course, or would like more information, please contact our Department to discuss. If you’re a Community Group and you’d like to advertise a special event happening this summer, please let us know! We’d be happy to include your details in the Community Information section. Women’s Road Riding Clinic Join a group of women, experienced coaches and skilled mechanics for an evening and a day packed with fun and learning on May 23 and 24. Cost is $95.00 and includes lunch, riding instruction, mechanical safety fit, draw prizes, technical advice and sport psychology. For more information and to register,

Triathlon registration

visit Gerick Cycle in Trail or contact Eric at 250-364-1661. Standard First Aid with CPR-C Selkirk College is bringing another First Aid course to Rossland! The course runs May 31 and June 1 in the Arena Lounge, from 9:00am – 5:00pm each day. The Standard First Aid provides comprehensive techniques for those who want more knowledge to respond to emergencies in the home or workplace. Practice a variety of topics from first aid such as cardiovascular and breathing emergencies, CPR, prevention of disease transmission to more severe sudden medical conditions and injuries to the head and spine. Note: SFA meets the requirements of Red Cross Marine Basic First Aid. Rossland Museum Spring Hours The Museum re-opens on May 17 and will be open from 10am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday. (The Museum is open by appointment between times). Rossland Seniors The Rossland Seniors Hall has lots of great activities running through the week! On Mondays at 1:30pm the Rossland Seniors Art Club meets. Contact Edith Harasin at 250-362-5477 for more information. On Monday evenings, the Rossland Quilters Guild gets together at 7:00pm. Contact Deyanne Davies at 250-362-7727 for more information. On Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm the Rossland Golden City Old Time Fiddlers practice and play. The public are welcome to sit in and listen to the old time fiddlers play their music. Visitors should contact Richie Mann before going to the Hall. Contact Richie or Audrey at 250-362-9465. On Thursdays between 9:30-11:00am join the Seniors for stretching exercises and morning tea and snacks.

Registration is now open for Rosslanders set to compete in the 32nd annual Cyswog ‘n’ Fun Triathlon happening Aug. 3. This challenging three-sport event is open to individuals and relay teams. There are two distances to choose from: the sprint course includes a 500 metre swim; 22 kilometre bike; and five km run; while the Olympic goes 1,500 m swim, 39 km bike and 10 km run. “You don’t have to be a super athlete to take part, but some amount of training is recommended,” said race director Larry Bickerton. “If you register now, you’ll have plenty of time to prepare.” Individual participants must be at least 16 years old and younger athletes are welcome to join as part of a team. The race is also known for attracting senior racers in their 60s and 70s. “For many racers it’s just about being active and having fun,” said Bickerton. At the finish line, racers will get a hearty lunch served in Lakeside Park by the Fresh Tracks Express food truck. Preand post-race massages will also be available. Top competitors will win prize packages provided by event sponsors including Whitewater Ski Resort and Gerick Cycle. There’s also a “Rookie Award” for the fastest first time triathlete. To register for the Cyswog ‘n’ Fun Triathlon in Nelson go to trinelson.com and either fill out the online form or print off a paper registration form to be dropped off at Gerick Cycle. Early bird registration discounts are available until July 6.

ALL REXALL PRODUCTS UP TO

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While supplies last New Atoma products arriving now.

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2060 Columbia Avenue 250-362-5622behind store Customer parking

Rossland News Thursday, April 17, 2014

www.rosslandnews.com A9

APRIL

Rossland

BUSINESS Directory

PUZ Z LE C ROS S

WORDS WORDS

Rossland’s New Laundromat Your laundry’s best friend Beautiful washers and dryers, great for your clothes! Shaw & Telus WiFi

1960 B Columbia Ave. 250-362-0060 Hours 7:00am - 9:00pm Daily

JUANS FLOORING Hardwood Floors Wholesale Pre-finished, engineered multi ply $3.99 SF PLT 35 Year Garantee. Maple & Birch Over 200+ choices Solid wood smooth 31/2”x3/4” Prefinished Maple & W Oak $4.79 SF PLT Also Cork, Bamboo, and Slate in stock.

At Juan’s ,1503 Hwy 3A Thrums (Castlegar) B.C. Mon to Sat 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. (250)399-6377

Phone: 250.362.7677 Fax: 250.362.7122 Box 2284 2015 3rd Ave Rossland, BC V0G 1Y0 jeffscollision@telus.net

ROCK CHIP REPAIRS

$20.00

Tax included!

NOW Serving 2 Locations 1995 Columbia Ave, 1507 Columbia Ave, Trail, BC Castlegar, BC 250-364-1208 250-365-2955

www.integratire.com

details hair studio

pam martin 250.362.7168 1760 2nd ave rossland bc

Concept Salon Exclusive to Kevin Murphy products Sulphate & Paraben Free

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Across

1 59-Across role in 27-Across 5 Yenta 11 Sneaky chuckle 14 Fish found in a film 15 Finger-shaped dessert 16 __ pro nobis 17 1978 film co-written by 59-Across 19 Ross musical, with “The” 20 Reached, as goals 21 Zapped 22 Sly 24 Server’s warning 26 1997 Home Run Derby winner Martinez 27 1984 film co-written and co-starring 59-Across 33 “__ la vista, baby!” 36 Stout sleuth, in more ways than one 37 Drench 38 Pacers, e.g. 39 “That’s enough!” 40 “Smiling, petite ball of fire,” to Philbin 41 Not paleo42 Arrive 43 Assuages to the max 44 1993 film co-written and directed by 59-Across 47 Skye slope

48 Medicinal syrup 52 Pastoral poems 54 5th Dimension vocalist Marilyn 57 Horseplayer’s hangout, for short 58 Turkey 59 This puzzle’s honoree (1944-2014) 62 Funny Philips 63 “Lost” actress de Ravin 64 Fade 65 GI’s address 66 Bulletin board admins 67 59-Across was its original head writer

Down

1 As a friend, to Fifi 2 “The Balcony” playwright 3 Neglects to mention 4 2-Down, par exemple 5 Italian dessert 6 Protest singer Phil 7 Gin fizz fruit 8 King Faisal’s brother 9 “__ for Innocent”: Grafton novel 10 On the nose 11 “‘Sup?” 12 Scary-sounding lake 13 Not clear 18 Don Ho “Yo”

23 Aardvark snack 25 5’10” and 6’3”: Abbr. 26 Titmouse topper, perhaps 28 Mown strip 29 “Pagliacci” clown 30 Showy jewelry 31 Clue weapon 32 Cruise ship conveniences 33 Chill out 34 AMA member?: Abbr. 35 “Ruh-roh!” pooch 39 Give up 40 Comedic Martha 42 Grinds in anger,

maybe 43 Flavor 45 Modern address 46 Some are light-emitting 49 “Cathy,” for one 50 Skewed 51 “The Amazing Race” network 52 Flash, perhaps 53 Get rid of 54 3-D images 55 USAF Academy home 56 Swindle, in slang 60 March girl 61 Baby-viewing responses

A10 rosslandnews.com

Thursday, April 17, 2014 Rossland News Your community. Your classieds.

250.362.2183

bc classified.com

How to place a

Classified Ad with

Employment

Announcements

Drivers/Courier/ Trucking

Help Wanted

Obituaries

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DISTRESS?

REQUIRE EXPERIENCED Floral Designer on Casual basis to assist with busy occasions & holidays. Send resume to: cvghouses@gmail.com or fax 250-364-2369

250.362.2183

Call 2114 Columbia Ave. Rossland, BC 8:00-4:30 Monday - Friday

Classiﬁed Deadline 10am Monday

In Memoriam

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Employment

Must be able to have extended stays away from home. Up to 6 months. Must have valid AZ, DZ, 5, 3 or 1 with airbrake license and have previous commercial driving experience. Apply at:www.sperryrail.com, careers & then choose the FastTRACK Application.

WHERE DO YOU TURN

TO LEARN WHAT’S ON SALE?

BUSY DOWNTOWN Salon looking for part-time esthetician. Please bring resume to Cedar Avenue Salon & Esthetiques, 1334 Cedar Avenue, Trail. No phone calls.

The link to your community

Help Wanted

YOUR NEWSPAPER:

Education/Trade Schools

Business Opportunities LECHNER, Edwin (Ed) Jan 21, 1943 - Feb 28, 2014 Died suddenly at home with his boots on. A popular horseman,mechanic, sportsman, and friend to everyone he met.Ed was predeceased by his father George, mother Susan, brother George, and his ex wife Carol. He is survived by his wife Bonnie Taylor, his daughters Cheri Cooper & Tracy Lechner as well as his 4 grandchildren Natasha Cooper, Chelsea Cooper, Chantelle Campbell, and Cole Campbell. The family invites friends to a celebration of his life to be held at the farm on April 27th from noon til 4:00PM.

DRIVERS WANTED

AZ, DZ, 5, 3 or 1 w/ Airbrake • Guaranteed 40hr. Work Week & Overtime • Paid Travel & Lodging • Meal Allowance • 4 Weeks Vacation • Excellent Benefits Package

Relief is only a call away! Call Shelley Cameron Estate Administrator at 877-797-4357 today, to set up your FREE consultation in Nelson. Donna Mihalcheon CA, CIRP 33 years experience. BDO Canada Limited. Trustee in Bankruptcy. 200-1628 Dickson Avenue, Kelowna , BC V1Y 9X1

EARNING Hourly Wage turns into Early Retirement by Living Healthy and Lean Life. Check out http://healthyandleanlife.isagenix.com

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

Help Wanted

Reporter

The Trail Times has an opening for a reporter/photographer. As a member of our news team, you will write news stories and take photos of Greater Trail events, cover city council and other public meetings and respond to breaking news stories. You must work well under pressure, meet daily deadlines and be a flexible self-starter with a reliable digital camera and vehicle. This union position is for four days a week, with the potential for full-time work during holiday relief periods. This is a temporary position, covering maternity leave. Computer literacy is essential, experience with layout in InDesign an asset, newspaper experience or a diploma in journalism preferred. Some weekend and evening work is involved. The Times offers a competitive salary and benefits. The successful candidate will be required to become a member of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, Local 2000. Qualified applicants should apply in writing no later than May 11, 2014 to: Guy Bertrand, managing editor Trail Times 1163 Cedar Ave. Trail, BC V1R 4B8 editor@trailtimes.ca Fax: 250-368-8550 Only qualified candidates will be contacted; no phone calls please.

The Flying Steamshovel is looking for

EXPERIENCED LINE COOKS!

We offer competitive wages, beneﬁts, and a great work atmosphere. Please apply within to Dan D’Amour.

Unique Opportunity

Black Press has a very unique opportunity for the right person.

We currently have an opening for a sales person to help us with our paid distribution newspapers across B.C. This position means getting out in the community and talking to subscribers about our newspapers and working to build stronger relationships with existing readers of our newspapers. It also includes finding new subscribers for our newspapers and helping introduce them our award winning host of community newspapers. This is not a year-around position and will run from March to October each year. We offer a spectacular compensation package and bonus incentives. Your own vehicle is required, but we cover all travel expenses. This is really a great opportunity for the right person. It is a different type of job, but definitely has different types of rewards. If you feel this position would be the perfect fit for you, then we would love to hear from you. Please email all enquiries to Michelle Bedford at circulation@trailtimes.ca.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES CA

Faye Joan Tench It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Faye Joan Tench on April 9, 2014 in her house in Trail. She was our wife, sister, mother, grandmother, den mother, niece, and friend. Faye was born in Grand Junction, Colorado on August 31, 1931, to John Lowell Broome and Agnes White. She moved several times in her childhood as her father worked through the depression mastering his carpentry skills in the Western U.S. She met her future husband Gordie in May, 1951, and they were married three months later at home plate at the baseball park where Gordie pitched for the Redding, California, baseball team. Faye loved to be active and to contribute to her community. She was an energetic and inspiring den mother to dozens of cub scouts in California, and later in Rossland, BC, where the family moved in 1969 to take care of Gordie’s parents. She was a very open and warm person and anyone was welcome to drop by the house any time, unannounced; she developed strong relationships not just with those her own age, but with her boy’s friends as well. In the 70s Faye and Gordie moved to the East Kootenay, primarily in Elkford, Sparwood, and Fernie, where she delighted the local kids as a very scary witch each Hallowe’en. She was an avid letter writer and kept in close touch with dozens of friends and family in the US and Canada. She had a great sense of character, always doing the right thing, and raised her family accordingly. She had a deep and very tight bond with her surviving husband, Gordie. They had many, many adventures over the years, and played cribbage or Scrabble pretty well every single night of the 62 years they were married. Faye found great comfort in the Bible in her later years. She is survived by husband Gordie, sister Phyllis, uncle Larry, sons (and daughters-inlaw) Rob (April), Mike (Joanne) and Rich (Sue), grandchildren (and their spouses/partners) Arielle, Sydney, Emily, Stephanie, Hannah and Griffin, and many nieces and nephews and their children. At Faye’s request there will be no funeral. A memorial service will be planned for June or July. Cremation has already taken place. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation at 1200 Hospital Bench Road, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhheathfoundation.ca

Professionals Connecting Professionals

Where CAREERS come true!

www.localwork.ca

Rossland News Thursday, April 17, 2014

Employment

Transportation

Trades, Technical

Auto Financing

rosslandnews.com A11

CABINETRY/ MILLWORK FOREMAN

Mi-tec Millwork & Cabinetry has an opportunity for a qualified Shop Foreman. Minimum 5 years’ experience supervising a team of 5 or more cabinet makers. Please email shop@mi-tec.com for further details

Earth Day! APRIL 22, 2014

See us at www.mi-tec.com HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC WANTED

YRB Yellowhead Road & Bridge

Make It Count for Earth Day this April! Earth Day Canada’s top 10 actions:

Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Kootenay) Ltd. is looking for a Mechanic for our New Denver facility. Applicants will need to hold a valid TQ for Heavy Duty or Commercial Transport, class three driver’s licence and Motor Vehicle Inspection licence would be an asset. Resumes can be faxed to 250-352-2172 or e-mailed to kootenay@yrb.ca

Services

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

Classiﬁeds Get Results! Merchandise for Sale

Misc. for Sale HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/ newspaper? SCREENED TOP Soil, $30. per yard. Delivery available. 250-367-9308

Fight Back. Volunteer your time, energy and skills today.

◾ Consider renting and borrowing things that

to 24°C or 25°C.

are seldom needed

◾ For winter heating, set your thermostat

◾ Buy used items from garage sales and

to 19°C or 20°C

second-hand stores

◾ Install ceiling fans and programmable thermostats

Simple savers

Close to home

◾ Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs

◾ Vacation, travel and work as close to

◾ Use aerators on faucets and shower heads

home as possible

◾ Weatherstrip windows and doors

Transportation alternatives

Bathroom basics ◾ Take short showers instead of baths

◾ Walk, cycle, car pool and use public transportation

◾ Close water taps while brushing

◾ When driving, reduce idling and maintain

your teeth

correct tire pressure ◾ Consider car-sharing programs or renting

Food choices ◾ Eat less meat

Washing & drying ◾ Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang

Real Estate

to air dry

Careful cleaning ◾ Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products ◾ Make simple, natural cleaners with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and water

Don’t discard ◾ Donate, reuse and recycle items before throwing them into the trash ◾ Harmful materials like chemicals, batteries and electronics should be taken to local hazardous waste depots or recyclers

Houses For Sale

Celebrate the earth: There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day

FRUITVALE, 3.5 usable acres with 3 bdrm. house. Owner built. 250-367-6331 LOWER ROSSLAND, Easy highway access. 2bdrm., 2bath, s/s appliances, gas fireplace, new furnace, large deck and carport. $270,000. OBO. Call 250-362-9541 MONTROSE, 5BDRM. Fully fenced & landscaped. $415,000. 250-367-2131

Rentals Apt/Condo for Rent

Auto Accessories/Parts

◾ For summer air conditioning, set your thermostat

and support local food producers

Misc. Wanted

Transportation

Heating and cooling

◾ Buy what you need, not what you want

◾ Choose local and organic foods that are in season,

Collectors Currently Buying: Coin Collections, Antiques, Native Art, Old Silver, Paintings, Jewellery etc. We Deal with Estates 778-281-0030

DOWNTOWN TRAIL, renovated 1bdrm. character apt, quiet adult building, coin-op laundry, non-smoking. 250-226-6886. W.TRAIL, 1bdrm., fenced yard, suitable for dog. $595., 1 block to Downtown Trail. 250368-6076

Smart shopping

Ever wondered how Earth Day

Cars - Domestic 2005 FORD Silver Mustang Convertible, one owner, never winter driven, excellent condition, has 4L, V6 manual transmission. 61,000kms. $10,400. 250-364-2752, 250-368-1436

Cars - Sports & Imports 2007 SUZUKI Swift Plus Hatchback, 142,000kms. Great car. 250-368-5645

Trucks & Vans Estate Sale: 2013 Ford 150 Super Crew LWB, 4wd xtr. 1991 5th wheel, 28ft Citation Supreme. All in good shape. 250-442-8900.

their impact on the environment. In

started? This observance arose from an

2004, it was recognized as the top

interest in gathering national support

environmental education organization

for environmental issues. In 1970,

in North America for its innovative

activist John McConnell and Gaylord

year-round programs and educational

Nelson separately asked people to join in

resources by the Washington-based

a grassroots demonstration. Millions of

North American Association for

people participated, and today Earth Day

Environmental Education, the world’s

continues to be widely celebrated with

largest association of environmental

events on both dates. The most common

educators. In 2008, it was chosen as

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Earth Day Canada (EDC), a national

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Thursday, April 17, 2014 Rossland News

A12 www.rosslandnews.com

driveway.ca

Bigger fines for distracted drivers a distraction

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By Keith Morgan

Locally owned and operated by Woody’s Auto Ltd. www.integratire.com 1995 Columbia Ave 1507 Columbia Ave, Trail Castlegar 250-364-1208 250-365-2955

People that talk and text on their hand-held smartphones while driving are not nearly as smart as their technology of choice. There you go; I have made my position clear on the current red-hot driving

Confessions of a Curber I guess you could say I was addicted. Only my drug of choice wasn’t coke or meth. No - it was the thrill of getting away with it all. And the easy cash, of course. Throwing the camper into that last deal was a great marketing idea. And, like last time, I decided to branch out again. There’s so much more than just cars! This time I decided to go with a motorcycle. I purchased it off the internet – I guess you could call it a curber-to-curber transaction. Oh, of course I knew every trick in the book by now. The seller gave me my old story and said that he was the real owner. Did I care? Not a chance. It was a nice Harley. And, it was a steal. I knew I could flip it for more. Why? Because I was a better marketer. But I needed to do it fast. And, I had to make sure I had a buyer that was naive enough not to do a lien check through carproof.com, or the province (bcregistryservices. gov.bc.ca). As usual, I put up a generic, one-line Craigslist ad. With a price like mine, I had a buyer within an hour. I made sure the Harley looked its best. I polished it until it sparkled and filled it with gas. Hey, what’s a few bucks? Then I ran into a small problem. I found out that my seller was the real owner. Wow. But he sold me a vehicle that was about to be repossessed.

Fortunately, he was in such a hurry that he didn’t make me do the transfer – so it was still in his name. No big deal. Bridging* was my friend. I just used his name and hoped my buyer would never ask me for ID. And I was right. The buyer smelled a bargain and took the bait like fish. He thought I was the fool! No lien check, no ID check. Just cash. I was home free, again. And the best part? When the bailiff came for the motorcycle, he didn’t even know my name.

*Bridging – A trick that curbers use to keep their identity secret. Curbers will pay more for a vehicle from an unscrupulous wholesaler or broker if they are not required to immediately put the vehicle in their name. This keeps their name out of the vehicle registry and makes them impossible to locate when deals go bad. Breaking the law is never a concern for them.

“The buyer smelled a bargain. He thought I was the fool!”

topic of the day in the letters pages of every newspaper and on radio talk shows coast to coast. However, that does not mean I am offering my unqualified support for the countrywide torrent of geteven-tougher legislation, designed to pick the pockets of delinquent drivers. Currently in BC, the fine is $167 and last year police here issued 51,000 tickets for distracted driving. Victoria knows a vote winner when it sees one and it is pondering a big fine hikes and additional demerit points. The local action comes on the heels of Ontario introducing legislation last month that increases fines from the already high $300 to $1,000. Fanning the public outrage, BC Attorney General Suzanne Anton announced that distracted driving is killing more British Columbians than impaired driving. Forgive my cynicism, but I really question the sudden rush of statistics showing how heinous and deadly a crime this is. I have always advocated for hands-free calling while driving and figured “driving without due care and attention” was a sufficiently good catchall charge for those causing a collision during hands-on operation of a cell phone. The fine is $368. When I began writing on this topic about five years or so ago, there were no such

statistics available. It was all anecdotal because, let’s face it, it’s an offence very visible to other drivers. It’s always seemed to me that drivers who talk and text are reckless risk-takers, who run red lights, follow too closely and make dangerous lane changes even without a phone in their hand. My point being that when they crash while performing one of the preceding illicit manoeu-

‘‘

I have always advocated for hands-free calling and figured “driving without due care and attention” was a sufficiently good catch-all charge.

Keith Morgan

’’

vres with phone in hand it’s a little too convenient to blame it all on operation of the device. Much of the current public debate was spurred by the revelation that a serial offender in Vancouver racked up 26 tickets and fines of $4,300 for distracted driving since 2010. He may be the pin-up

boy for those seeking tougher penalties but interestingly, it appears he never once caused an accident during the time he was caught in cellular action! Now the law is in force, I’ve no problem in accepting it but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking this will stop idiots such as this overly chatty man continuing to take risks on the road that threaten us all. The fines are already high enough to deter regular drivers who are tempted to err occasionally. That said; I do worry about how zealously this law is enforced. I frequently hear of tickets issued to drivers who mere glance at their device while at a red light or move it to a new resting place around the dash. I fear the debate about the fines is a distraction in itself from getting to the heart of dangerous driving. Therefore, I am pleased to hear Anton is also considering public education campaigns on distracted driving, similar to previous initiatives targeting seatbelt use and drinking and driving. That is smarter. Research shows that many distractions contribute to road carnage. Be careful what you wish for because there are other technological distractions in our vehicles that could invite bans of which you may not enthusiastically support. keith.morgan@drivewaybc. ca

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