Creston Valley Advance, December 17, 2015 by Black Press Media Group

CALENDAR RAISING FUNDS FOR TAPS / PAGE 2 THUNDER CATS TIED FOR SECOND / PAGE 21 ®

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Volume 67, No. 51 | Thursday, December 17, 2015 Visit us online at www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca

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The Blossom Valley Singers celebrated the Christmas season with their concert, The Colours of Christmas on Friday and Sunday at the Prince Charles Theatre. Conducted by Anita Stushnoff, the choir offered a variety of traditional favourites, as well as world holiday music, and concluded with the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah.

Concept proposed for farmers’ market

250-428-2266

sales@ crestonvalleyadvance.ca

BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

20252 00104 6

Creston town council got its first look at a conceptual design for a “market park” at the Dec. 8 committee of the whole meeting.

The design, based on input from Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Creston, would create a permanent home for the Creston Valley Farmers’ Market at its present outdoor location on Cook Street.

What Moves You?

Michael Carpenter Sheldon Browell Broker/Owner

Tyler Hancock, ABR, PREC

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Daryl Porter

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Brad Burnett

Included in the design is space for 70 vendors, a vehicle ramp that would allow vendors better access to their spaces and a Ktunaxa First Nation museum park. Trees, green spaces, a small constructed wetland, an ethnobotanical garden and

picnic areas would transform the space that extends from the east side of the chamber of commerce building to the former Sunset Seed Co. site west of Extra Foods.

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Thursday, December 17, 2015 Creston Valley Advance

The TAPS 2016 Calendar features program members having fun around town, including a little bit of mischief at Centennial Park. Inverted Image Photography

THE TIVOLI THEATRE PRESENTS...

CLOSED MONDAYS • 250-428-SHOW (7469) Showtimes: 7:30pm

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Friday, December 18 - Thursday, December 24

Coming Attractions: Alvin & The Chipmunks, Daddy’s Home, Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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A SUBSCRIPTION TO YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Calendar raising funds for seniors’ program BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff Looking for a special something to put in a Christmas stocking or on your wall? Check out the TAPS 2016 Calendar — it’s sure to put a smile on your face. “This is year two of this version of a calendar and all of the photos were shot outdoors in locations around Creston,” said Maureen Cameron, community liaison co-ordinator for TAPS. “These folks had so much fun, and so did the staff and volunteers.” The Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS) provides daily activities for seniors who might otherwise not get out much. Operating under the auspices of Valley Community Services, the program is widely credited for enhancing quality of life and reducing need for medical services. “This year we did 12 photo shoots and each one became an event,” Cameron said. “On each photography day the questions would start — ‘What are we doing today? Where are we going? What are we going to wear?’ The clients really looked forward to the outings — they became part of our daily program of activities.” Working with volunteer photographer Brian Lawrence, the seniors and staff came up with location, costume and pose ideas. “We set up an idea board to get input at the start — and there was no shortage of suggestions! Then, when we got the photos back from Brian we put them on the board and started to get input for the captions beneath. It was great fun!”

Because some of the participants are in their 90s, a TAPS bus was on hand throughout each photo shoot, ready to take anyone who needed to leave back to home base at Rotacrest Hall. “But no one ever wanted to leave!” Cameron laughed. “Each shoot was a gathering, a social event.” The calendar designed by Michelle Hansen of Imagine Ink is black and white calendar (to keep down costs and maximize financial return to support the program), and includes photos at the Columbia Brewery’s bronze sasquatch, on the exercise equipment at Klaus Korner (behind Millennium Park), the community complex’s now-closed skateboard park and even the player’s bench at the arena. Costumes were chosen to create humorous scenes and it is clear by the expressions on the models’ faces that they enjoyed the experience. “I think the photo shoots brought out longhidden memories of dressing up as children,” she said. Cameron credited a lengthy list of volunteers (they are acknowledged on the calendar’s back page) for the project’s success, and thanked the Creston Rotary Club for a donation that allows TAPS to send a calendar to donors. The calendars are $10 and are available at Black Bear Books, Kingfisher Used Books and Creston Card and Stationery.

FOR THE RECORD The 8 a.m. meeting location for the Dec. 27 Christmas Bird Count is actually the Redeemer Lutheran Church, not the Trinity United Church, as stated in last week’s Out There column.

Carrier Delivery / Office Pickup $28.10 + 1.40 gst = $29.50 Christmas saving: $4.00 Driver Delivery / Local Mail $42.86 + 2.14 gst = $45.00 Christmas saving: $5.00 Regional and National Mail $49.52 + 2.48 gst = $52.00 Christmas saving: $6.00 For a limited time only when you buy a subscription* to the Creston Valley Advance *not valid with other specials or offers 1018 Canyon Street, Box 1279 Creston, BC V0B 1G0 250-428-2266 email: ofﬁce@crestonvalleyadvance.ca

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Monday December 21 • 7pm Library Meeting Room New Members Welcome

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, December 17, 2015

ON TRACK — Creston Mayor Ron

Toyota (above) spoke to a crowd of about 1,000 assembled to see the CP Holiday Train on Monday morning. The CP Rail event, which stops in Creston every two years, raises funds for food banks across the country, and donated $5,500 to the Creston Valley Gleaners Society’s food bank on this visit; Toyota added to those funds with $8,500 raised in his Mayor’s Challenge. Entertainment was also part of the event, with Jim Cuddy (right) of Blue Rodeo fame, his son Devin and country singer Kelly Prescott. To see more photos, visit www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca/ourtown.

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca 3

LOCAL NEWS

Lorne Eckersley

A safety reminder from the Creston Valley Advance

Don’t make us come and get you.

Take a Moment...

PAWS

AND GIVE!

Have a safe holiday season

During the month of December 5% of all annual exams will be donated to PAWS, our local animal shelter. PAWS is a volunteer-based organization committed to finding safe, loving, forever homes for abused, abandoned, stray and unwanted animals in the Creston Valley. Donations to SNAP are gratefully accepted also. SNAP is a Spay/Neuter Animal Program.

Don’t Leave Us Behind This Christmas! CRESTON

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Have a safe and happy holiday season! A message from your friends at Columbia Brewery

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Local News

Thursday, December 17, 2015 Creston Valley Advance

Submitted

A rendering of what the upgraded Creston Valley Farmers’ Market location could look like.

Market from page 1

When asked if there was a community in the province with a better design for its farmers’ market, Coun. Jen Comer, who also man-

ages farmers’ market, smiled and said “No!” “This is a conceptual design that needs more detailed work if council wishes to proceed,” town manager Lou Varela said. With engineering details and cost estimates, the plan could be made ready so that the Town of

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Town of Creston 2016 Council Meeting Schedule •

Regular COMMITTEE meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month, commencing at 4:00 p.m., in Council Chambers, additional meetings may be called as required.

•

Regular COUNCIL Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month commencing at 4:00 p.m. unless changed by Council resolution. Special meetings can be called either with the unanimous consent of Council, or upon 24 hours notice, posted as per the Community Charter. ** (Note Schedule changes for July, August, September and December.)

2016 Council Meeting Schedule Council Meetings

Committee Meetings

January 12 and 26 February 9 and 23 March 8 and 22 April 12 and 26 May 10 and 24 June 14 and 28 July 12 only August 9 only September 6 and 20 October 11 and 25 November 8 and 22 December 13 only

January 19 February 16 March 15 April 19 May 17 June 21 July 19 August 16 September 13 October 18 November 15 December 6

Regular Council and Committee Meetings are open to the public and are held in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 238 - 10th Avenue North, Creston. POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMUNITY CHARTER, this 17th day of December 2015. Bev Caldwell, Executive Assistant

Creston is able apply for grants as programs become available. “I think this is an outstanding design,” Mayor Ron Toyota said on Friday. “It incorporates agri-tourism, local food availability, Ktunaxa history and culture, green space — every-

thing that builds on what we are working toward. “And the location makes it visible to people travelling through town, giving them another reason to stop and enjoy our community.” The design, Varela said, accommodates the proposed

move of Highway 3 traffic to Cook Street, which would make the market park even more visible to travellers. The committee of the whole approved the design concept and it will now become part of discussions for the 2016 budget.

Theft, MVAs, well-being checks part of RCMP week BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

chased a vehicle in Alberta. The seller was demanding additional cash to provide them. •Police are investigating a complaint that a male received a call from a utility company that he does not have an account with. •A Cook Street resident reported the theft of a PlayStation

during a house party. •No injuries were reported after a truck backed into a vehicle on 10th Avenue North. Creston RCMP responded to •Police attended a 35th 52 calls for service from Dec. Avenue residence to assist a 7-13, Staff Sgt. Darryl government agency with the Hammond said on Monday. removal of a child from the December 7 home. •A male resident reported •A semi loaded with lumber that he hadn’t got the neceswas reported to be blocking sary documents when he purHighway 3 near Kootenay Pass. It was gone when police arrived. December 8 •RCMP assisted Calgary police by serving a subpoena at a Crawford Bay resiThe Town of Creston is seeking two community-minded individuals who would dence. be interested in volunteering to serve a three-year term on the Board of Variance. •Police attended a Simon Road residence The role of the Board of Variance is to determine if the requirements of the to keep the peace while current Zoning Bylaw will cause undue hardship (i.e.: lot line setbacks of a resident moved out. buildings and/or improvements) to a property owner contemplating construction. •A person reported Board of Variance meetings are held on an as-needed basis. missing by Langley RCMP attended the Please submit a resume to: Creston detachment Secretary to the Board of Variance when he learned he Town of Creston was the object of a Box 1339 (238 - 10th Avenue North) search. Creston, BC, V0B 1G0 •Police received a Email: donna.cassel@creston.ca call about a dispute on 32nd Avenue. For more information please call:

BOARD OF VARIANCE Call for Membership

250.428.2214, ext. 233

see police, page 5

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, December 17, 2015

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Council passes readings of animal care bylaw BY LORNE ECKERSLEY Advance Staff

Creston residents will have to find new homes for their platypus and anteaters. And, if they have a dolphin in the tub, they should keep quiet about it. At a special town council meeting on Dec. 8 three readings of the animal care and responsibility bylaw were passed. The bylaw includes a list of species that cannot be kept inside town limits, and specifies the short list of animals that are allowed. The new bylaw also does away with the previous practice of charging owners of restricted dog breeds a $200 licensing fee. “Changes in the definition of ‘dangerous dog’ from breed specific to behavior oriented will have a significant impact on those residents that own a dog that is con-

Police from page 4

•Four untraced 911 calls were received from the Riondel area, likely the result of the windstorm. December 9 •A vehicle flipped onto its roof in icy conditions on Highway 3 near Blazed Creek. •A vehicle was reported to be passing on a double solid line near Mallory Road. •A vehicle flipped over on Highway 21 at Valley View Road. No injuries were reported. •A well-being check on an elderly male in Yahk revealed that he was OK. •When police located a vehicle reported to be in the control of a possibly impaired driver on Highway 21 they found the passengers were intoxicated but the driver was not. He did not, however, have a driver’s licence. •A complaint about threats and assault by a youth is being processed through the Restorative Justice program. •Minor damage resulted from a minor collision in a 16th Avenue South parking lot. •Mischief resulting in damage at a 16th Avenue South residence was not resolved when both parties involved blamed the other. December 10 •A vehicle rolled over on Highway 3 near Meadow Wood. •A male who became upset at his long wait for a court appearance earned himself another one when

sidered a restricted breed,” said the staff report to council. “Under the new bylaw, the owner of a dog that was previously considered a restricted breed (provided that the dog has not injured or attacked any person or animal) will pay $15. This approach is in keeping with the best practices of the SPCA and local governments throughout the province. Note — the Town of Creston issued four restricted breed licenses in 2015.” Among the key updates to the bylaw is the allowance of four animals in a household. Cats and dogs are permitted in public places onleash, except in Centennial, Millennium and Burns parks. Horses now kept on large single family residential (R-1) properties will be grandfathered but when the bylaw is enacted by year-end they will only be allowed on properties zoned as rural resihe became angry. New charges will include causing a disturbance, resisting arrest and assaulting a peace officer. •Police assisted Cochrane, Alta., RCMP with an investigation. •An attempt to enter a vehicle on 11th Avenue North resulted in minor damage. •A dead animal was dumped down a well at the landfill site on Mallory Road. •When police received a report from OnStar that a vehicle’s emergency button had been activated the vehicle was traced to a local dealership, where the OnStar button was being repaired. •Police were called to a landlordtenant dispute on Hillside Street. •A theft was reported at a Riley Road residence. December 11 •A school bus driver called with a driving complaint on Highway 3. •A complaint about threats was received from a Centre Road residence. •Police were called when a baby was left unattended in a vehicle on Canyon Street. December 12 •A well-being check at a Sinclair Road residence revealed the male was OK. •An Alder Street resident reported being swindled in an Internet scam. •Lewd images were spray-painted on a Cook Street building. •A vehicle lost control in the slush on Lakeview-Arrow Creek Road. •A wallet found on Northwest Boulevard has been returned to the owner.

dential (R-5) or agricultural (A-1). Backyard bees and hens are not included in the new bylaw, and council has directed staff to conduct more research and consultation. The bylaw’s list of prohibited animals makes exceptions for domestic dogs and cats, reptiles and amphibians under two feet long at adult size, horses, potbellied pigs, domestic ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, domestic mice and

rats, domestic rabbits, budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, finches, parrots and canaries.

Council Briefs •Three readings of the water and sewer rates amendment bylaw were passed. Households will see a total increase of $20 in 2016. •A letter from a senior resident asking for lower sewer and water rates for single residents was received and discussed.

“Metering is really the only option,” Coun. Jim Elford said. “We have no way of monitoring how many people are living in a residence.” •At a committee of the whole meeting following the special council meeting, council directed Varela to send a letter expressing dissatisfaction with the town’s share of administrative costs for the Arrow Creek Water Service. •Council endorsed a strategic plan for Creston Fire Rescue.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE REGIONAL DISTRICT OF CENTRAL KOOTENAY All regular days and hours of operation apply with the following exceptions:

Head Office and Satellite Offices Will CLOSE at 2:00 pm on Dec.24 & 31 Will BE CLOSED Dec. 25, 28 & Jan. 1

Nakusp Building Inspection Will BE CLOSED Dec 21– Jan 3

Community Complexes Castlegar Will CLOSE at 4:00 pm on Dec. 24 & 7:00 pm on Dec. 31 Will BE CLOSED Dec. 25 Will BE OPEN 1:30 - 4:30 Dec. 26 and Jan. 1

Creston Will CLOSE at 4:00 pm on Dec. 24 & 7:00 pm on Dec. 29. Will BE CLOSED Dec. 25 & Jan. 1 Will BE OPEN 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Dec 26, 7:30 am - 7:00 pm Dec. 28 & 30 Will BE OPEN 8:00 am - 6:00 pm on Dec. 31

Nelson Will CLOSE at 5:00 pm on Dec. 24 & 31 Will BE CLOSED on Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1

Salmo Will BE CLOSED on Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 & Jan. 1

Slocan Valley Will BE CLOSED Dec 21– Jan 4

Landfill, Transfer Station and gated Recycling Depots Will CLOSE at 2:00pm on December 24 & 31 Will BE CLOSED on December 25, 26 & January 1 ‘TIS THE SEASON TO COMPOST & RECYCLE…. During December and January at any RDCK Landfill or Transfer Station:  Recycle residential outdoor and tree lights for FREE  Compost residential Christmas trees for $2.50 each

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Thursday, December 17, 2015 Creston Valley Advance

www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca

Phone: 250-428-2266 • Fax: 250-483-1909 P.O. Box 1279 • 1018 Canyon St. • Creston, B.C. • V0B 1G0

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All rights reserved. Contents copyright by the Creston Valley Advance. Any reproduction of material contained in this publication in whole or in part is forbidden without the expressed written consent of the Publisher. Copyright in letters and other materials submitted to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. It is agreed that The Creston Valley Advance will not be responsible for errors or omissions and is not liable for any amount exceeding the cost of the space used and then only such portion where the errors actually appeared. We reserve the right to edit or reject any submission or advertisement that is contrary to our Publishing guideline.

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Into the light

We were talking about the national political scene recently and a friend expressed frustration at national mainstream media, including CBC, which seem to spend an inordinate amount of time criticizing the spanking new Trudeau government, and giving Conservatives a platform to share their dismay and distrust. It’s like they won’t even acknowledge that Mr. Trudeau was elected by a majority of Canadians to do what he is doing now, she protested. Why would you be surprised, I asked. The mainstream media were nearly unanimous in their support of the Harper government; they are all owned by large corporations, CBC the exception, which benefited tremendously as the former prime minister worked to dismantle federal power and turn it over to the private sector. It is sad, though, that Canadians have to look outside their borders to see more enthusiasm for the Liberal government’s actions in its short time in office. The New York Times wrote an editorial saluting the Canadian commitment to bring in refugees, citing us as setting an example for the world. And comments about Canada “being back” routinely make their way back from observers and participants for the Liberal commitment to deal with climate change, instead of dismissing it as an inconvenience. And while Conservative supporters seem to think the sky is falling in because we are no longer using six fighter planes to drop bombs in Syria, our allies seem to be pretty sanguine about it, accepting that Canada can play a different role than it is has been. An invitation to the White House, something that Harper never received, seems to indicate that President Obama isn’t too upset with Trudeau’s commitment to fulfill an election promise.

My friend’s concern seemed especially reasonable when a radio quiz show challenged its panel to respond to the question “Canada is committed to bringing in 25,000 Syrian refugees by early in 2016.

Lorne Eckersley How many refugees have Syria’s neighbouring countries accepted?” The panel members, sensing a set up, guessed absurdly low numbers. None? One? No, the moderator said. Three million. Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey lead the way in accepting refugees who have fled their wartorn country, in part to avoid the danger of bombing by NATO planes. None are the economic powerhouses that the Harper government believed Canada to be. There have been moments of amusement from Conservatives, though. Interim leader Rona Ambrose has made a dramatic flipflop, now supporting the Liberal commitment to conduct a national inquiry into the horrific missing and murdered aboriginal women situation, something that Harper had little to say about. She promises to work to see that Trudeau keeps that election promise. Another former cabinet minister did an unexpected mea culpa when he acknowledged the Harper government’s refusal to provide health care benefits to foreign nationals claiming asylum in Canada. It was a poorly thought-out policy, he said, one that ended up costing Canadians even more money in the end.

It has been refreshing to hear from Elizabeth May, who might just be the single brightest mind in Canadian politics, praising Trudeau for his approach in putting Canada back on the international environment stage, and for giving provincial premiers a voice while doing so. May can be counted on to state her criticism and concern when she doesn’t agree with the Liberal government, but it is heartening that she is also willing to give credit where it’s due, something she rarely, if ever, felt was justified for Harper. Conservative supporters have not gone gently into that good night. They can be found making posts in media and social media sites, claiming that the sky is falling, happily predicting that Canada is on the path to self-destruction now that the hated name of Trudeau holds the reins of government. They have even come to the defense of the indefensible last act by Harper of poisoning the political well by extending the appointments of Conservative flaks in agencies including the CBC and Canada Post. Personally, I can’t get too wound up by the mainstream media’s continued conservative leaning. It is what it is. But I can, and do, feel a sense of relief that my own version of this country has not been lost, that we can once again be a voice of reason and co-operation. The smug, self-satisfied arrogance and the passion for dismantling our democratic institutions is, for the time being, gone. I have no use for party politics and I am not so naive to think that there won’t come a time when I don’t like what the Trudeau government is doing. Today, though, I feel a deep sense of relief. And that’s good enough for now. Lorne Eckersley is the publisher of the Creston Valley Advance.

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, December 17, 2015

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People make caring community

Eight more sleeps till Santa comes! Or if you don’t believe in Santa, eight more sleeps till some rotund perpetrator with abundant facial hair and a red suit breaks into your home and leaves merchandise in your living room — assum-

From the Centre Neil Ostafichuk ing you have been good, that is. For some reason, or for me anyway, this December has arrived faster and seemingly busier than previous ones. We have had some really jam-packed weekends this past month and room bookings are filling up for this time next year. I just had a peek and every Saturday throughout November and until Dec. 24 is already booked in 2016. On a different note and as you know me pretty well by now, I always trumpet the benefits of our little Utopian

valley whenever I get the chance — the geography, the people, the weather, the local food and the list goes on. It’s not always going to be that way; we will grow in size and become busier and probably more detached. It is a natural urban progression but for the time being, I will continue to enjoy our smalltown atmosphere despite the glaring absence of big box stores, drive-thru banks and 24-hour liquor stores. I get it. I know we are not Mayberry RFD as there are always some background matters happening; we’re human, not perfect and that’s part of life. I do know we live in a place where the bus driver knows a lot people by name and in the past has stopped and asked a senior, “Hey, George, you need a ride home?” We live in a place where people do well-being calls or check to see why you haven’t been showing up for this or that. We live in a place where I’m surprised at the number of people that still don’t lock their doors. I take pride in living in a community when I read a letter in the paper from a traveller that had a breakdown praising residents that came to their aid or businesses that opened on a Sunday to get them going again. We live in a place where a couple

days ago we walked into a bookstore for a coffee and the person behind the counter handed me a fresh cinnamon bun, perhaps subconsciously knowing that at that particular point, a cinnamon bun was what we needed to take the edge off the past few days. Our opinion is further solidified because of the people in our community when recently we experienced a sad event in our lives; we experienced the caring and compassion of the staff at both Crest View Village and the Creston Valley Hospital. I know it isn’t just those two places — you just have to look at what the service clubs and other organizations in our community do, as well as all the other fundraisers and Christmas hampers; again, the list goes on. We live in a caring community. When you see care aides or nurses or even doctors tearing up as you struggle to process through an event, that speaks volumes. In the future, when I read those ads or Warm Fuzzies where people or families are extending heartfelt thanks to any of our care facility, hospital staff or doctors, they will be more than just words. Neil Ostafichuk is the recreation supervisor at the Creston and District Community Complex.

feelings and emotions just as much as we do, except they may express them differently. If two dogs are used to being together and one becomes sick, the other will often stay around the sick animal and show visible signs of sadness or empathy. Chimpanzees are very much like humans in many ways, and often show their attachment or affection for another animal who has become a friend. A photographer was climbing a hill to watch the setting sun and noticed a chimp heading in the same direction. He watched the chimp as it gazed at the sun drop below the horizon and then climbed back down the hill. There was a touching story of a retired circus elephant and a little dog who became friends. The little dog sustained a back injury and the vet took the dog and kept him lying on his back until it was safe to move him. Meanwhile the elephant was so disturbed at the disappearance of his little friend that he stayed at the gate for weeks until the vet brought the little dog on a tiny stretcher to see his big friend. The elephant stroked the dog with his trunk and made little noises to show his relief. Even whales and dolphins can understand verbal commands or commands made by hand signals. These intelligent animals have even been known, working in a twosome, when given the command, to organize their own sequence of tricks. There is one scientist who is working on teaching a dolphin to recognize new words not associated with tricks. She has studied the clicking language and has been trying to get the dolphins to learn a new word by showing them a scarf as she sends them a new click message. She has not yet been successful, but believes she will find a way for the dolphin to relate the clicking signal to the item she is showing it. All these illustrations show that animals of many kinds have an intelligence that, though it is different from the human form, can co-operate and work with humans, and have shown an interest and willingness to do so. This understanding and acceptance that there are other forms of life that

show intelligence we can recognize puts an onus on humans to treat animals with more respect. That doesn’t mean we have to dress them up in human clothes or expect them to perform human tricks, but they can be taught to stop barking at everyone that goes past the gate and not lie on the chesterfield. Like humans, if we are respected, we learn more easily what is wanted and dogs are the same. Treat them kindly and they will try their best to please and obey. Some people think cats are not trainable, but I taught my cat what “no” meant and she understood. If she disobeyed, she received a little smack on her behind as I repeated, “No.” Even birds have recognizable intelligence that we can understand. Parrots, especially grey parrots, have been known to give humorous and intelligent replies in their exchanges with humans. It is time to realize that there are many types of intelligence and we need to respect that intelligence is part of a coping mechanism and a natural adaptation to a particular physical and emotional world. Our form of intelligence is not superior to someone who lives in the Kalahari or in the Arctic or an animal that survives eating insects; it is suited to our specific environment at that time. We do not have the spiritual/intelligent understanding of how everything in nature is harmoniously linked and in perfect balance. When scientists suggested re-establishing wolves in Yellowstone Park they had no idea how wide ranging the effects would be on the whole ecosystem. It had been 70 years since wolves had lived in that area. A few years ago when the film was made the wolves had caused a massive return to the natural order of nature. The deer population was under control, trees had grown up in valleys where deer had decimated their growth, many animal species had returned because of the trees, the river banks were now stable, the rivers flowed smoothly and the natural fauna and flora were flourishing. Christine Munkerud is a longtime Creston volunteer. The Voice of Experience is a column co-ordinated by the Therapeutic Activity Program for Seniors.

Respecting nature’s intelligence

Over the last few years we have come to realize the remarkable abilities of animals to help people with various forms of disability to lead more normal lives. At present it is mainly dogs that have shown

The Voice of Experience Christine Munkerud that they can tell when a person is going into a seizure or have a heart attack. Dogs can also be good house helpers for people who are physically limited, by loading and unloading the washing machine, putting clothes away in the drawers and fetching. They can also help a deaf person by alerting them to visitors, the telephone or to danger within the house. The dogs used in the military develop very strong ties with their masters. These dogs may be trained to sniff out bombs and do so, putting their lives at stake. The service of a military dog is so valued and respected that these dogs are awarded medals for their service. The partnership of a military dog trainer and his dog is very close. Whenever a dog is killed in the line of duty, it receives a military burial. In the death of a military dog, this close relationship between man and his dog often results in severe depression. Horses are sensitive creatures and people who go to therapeutic riding programs will attest to their empathy with those who have physical or emotional problems. Even children who have emotional difficulties feel safe and soon develop rapport with a horse and learn to trust him or her. Nursing homes and some hospitals notice how a resident cat will go visiting the lonely and those needing comfort, conveying a certain peace and serenity. Animals in the wild can develop a friendship with another animal of a different species entirely, spending time playing or just being together. In some situations one animal will bring food to another who is sick. There are many interesting cases that prove animals have

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Thursday, December 17, 2015 Creston Valley Advance

Library offering plenty to read over holidays

Chief librarian Aaron Francis is away this week, so longtime staff member Pat Tomasic is here to share some great holiday reads.

except himself. If you are a Dave and Morley fan, check out how they are doing as empty nesters in Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe Turns the Page. Or lose yourself in Isabel Allende’s Japanese Lover, about a woman at the end of her life reminiscing about her life and love during the Pat Tomasic Second World War. And the crotchety but endearing Dr. It’s hard to believe, but another Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly from Christmas season is upon us. Ballybucklebo is back again, While many of us are busy with remembering an old love from his festive duties, don’t forget to past as he moves forward with unwind with a great book between someone new, in Patrick Taylor’s batches of cookies, present wrap- An Irish Doctor in Love and War. ping and decorating. If you are feeling a bit Scrooge-y, If the darkness and cold are get- maybe you want to indulge in ting to you and you need a feel some mayhem and murder with good book, try one of these. the following mysteries. Agatha Monsieur Perdu, the “literary Raisin is back as the main suspect apothecary” from The Little Paris in M.C. Beaton’s latest, Dishing the Bookshop (Nina George), can heal Dirt. Despite being recently any reader by subscribing just the retired, detective inspector John right book — everyone, that is, Rebus reluctantly returns in Ian

The Book Drop

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Rankin’s Even Dogs in the Wild. Dead in the Water by Ann Granger sees the approaching Christmas festivities disrupted by the discovery of a young girl's body floating in the river. And Ruth Rendell’s final novel, Dark Corner, is a psychological suspense full of mistaken identity, kidnapping, blackmail and a cast of flawed characters. If non-fiction is your thing, you may want to indulge in Our Finest Hour by David Bercuson, which looks at Canada’s valiant efforts to contribute forces to the Second World War. In Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs, particle physicist Lisa Randall examines the connections between the furthest reaches of space and life here on Earth. Authors John Geiger and Alanna Mitchell’s illustrated Franklin's Lost Ship is a fascinating way to spend a snowy afternoon: A century and a half after the disappearance of John Franklin and his crew on their quest for the Northwest Passage, a new chapter to their story was added with the discovery of

the submerged HMS Erebus in 2014. We also have a large array of new (auto)biographies on Mickey Rooney, Elvis Costello, Chrissie Hynde, Rosemary Kennedy, Drew Barrymore or Tom Jones, to name but a few. Finally, after building up an appetite with all that page turning, try your hand at a fresh recipe from Jamie Oliver’s Everyday Super Food — how about Happiness Pasta? — and start a new holiday tradition. Last but not least, we cannot disregard our recent holiday fiction releases. Carole Matthews’ The Chocolate Lovers’ Christmas scrutinizes the lives of four very different women in Britain, while Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini uses the 1863 Longfellow poem of the same name and weaves past and present to tell multiple painful but enlightening stories. The season finds one treasured relationship about to be torn apart while another is just beginning in Together for Christmas, the latest in Thomas Kinkade’s Cape Light series by Katherine Spencer. Susan

Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series continues with Marry Me at Christmas: Will a famous movie star be able to fit in and find love in a small town? And what’s Christmas without a new Debbie Macomber release? Dashing Through the Snow takes the reader through the unexpected romance of two very reluctant travellers thrown together. Finally, if constant cheerfulness is eluding you during these hectic few weeks, then Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat, based on the blogs of Jen Mann, may just be your remedy. If you find yourself overwhelmed with the entire month of December, here is your chance to live vicariously through Mann and all the things so many people think but don’t say about topics such as cookie exchanges, excessive decorating, determined carollers and the annual Christmas letter! Pat Tomasic is the collections development manager at Creston Valley Public Library. She is currently reading Chocolate Lovers Christmas by Carole Matthews.

Community support keeps seniors’ program running

When six- to 13-year-olds ask 90-year-old made it lots of fun and a success — and thanks, folks about their Christmas memories, they’re of course, to those who donated for TAPS. Thanks to the Creston Rotary Club for not likely to hear about smartphones, tablets and television shows. At Swan Valley Lodge and assisting financially with the distribution of our 2016 calendar and Crest View Village in the Brenda Silke for visiting past two weeks, memories us to deliver the cheque. of candles on trees, families The calendars are availtravelling in covered wagable at Creston Card and ons and childhood dolls Stationery, Black Bear that were lost and found Books and Kingfisher made their way into a Used Books in Creston Christmas story read by and at TAPS and Valley children from Wildflower Community Services (915 School and members of the Pine St.) for that fun presTherapeutic Activation Maureen Cameron ent or for your enjoyment. Program for Seniors. The Welcome to Brittany Crawford, our audience joined in or enjoyed favourite Christmas SchoolWorks student who has joined the team carols interspersed throughout the play. We all joined in for an afternoon of dancing until the end of April. Life is guaranteed to present changes and we at TAPS with these same youth and yes, there were the Macarena and the Chicken Dance, sometimes have more than we anticipate at waltz lessons and much merriment of tapping TAPS. Our best wishes go out to all those recovtoes, clapping and encouragement. Thanks, ering from various health challenges and those who have lost loved ones. Wildflower School! Wishing you all the best for Christmas and We have a new sponsor board at TAPS to celebrate and acknowledge the financial support of the new year from all of us at TAPS! Maureen Cameron is the community liaison developorganizations that have made it possible to run our program this past year. In addition we have ment co-ordinator for the Therapeutic Activation one banner that says “Community Donors”, as Program for Seniors. For more information on TAPS, individuals have contributed and continue to run by Valley Community Services, call 250-428-5585. play a role in our ongoing existence. Plans are in the works for a legacy board to acknowledge those who have left bequests on behalf of TAPS. TAPS participants also like to support social causes. Big thanks to Doris Corbeil and Heather BY FRANK BRUMMET More for creating an annual event for them to do Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors so. This year they donated food and their time to organize a turkey dinner assisted by three stuThe silence of snow softly falling dents from Prince Charles Secondary School to Reminds me of the joy of Christmas, raise funds for Project Somos in Guatemala. This Trimming the tree with decorations, is an orphan prevention program taking in atWrapping presents in forever love, risk single mothers and children to give them a Sharing feelings that never sway. loving home, and supporting them to eventually be independent and contributing members out These reminders are with me always in their communities. They fill my mind, carry me away Thanks to all the volunteers who helped at the To repaint the canvas of yesterday. Blossom Valley Singers’ Christmas concerts with refreshments during the intermission — you

Tips from TAPS

Reminders

Creston Valley Advance Thursday, December 17, 2015

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