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NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN
www.pentictonwesternnews.com
Vol. 50 Issue 37
NATIONAL HOSTS page 16
Penticton will host the 2017 National Aboriginal Hockey Championship
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016
Mike Watson, who has been in Hong kong for over two months after receiving a liver transplant gives his son a big hug at the Penticton airport on thursday evening.
Mark Brett/Western news
A teArful welcome home Mark Brett
Western News Staff
Home at last. With tears streaming down the families face, Mike Watson ran from the Air Canada Jazz plane into the outstretched arms of his children after arriving at Penticton Regional Airport from Hong Kong Thursday evening. “I am feeling great” said Watson. “It is awesome to be home.” It was just over two months ago the 39-year-old was brought to the airport by ambulance, his life hanging in the balance. At the time he was barely able to climb the steps to board the plane for the start of the overseas journey and the life-saving liver transplant surgery he couldn’t get at home.
With a small group of friends standing at the fence Watson was soon seated inside and Needoba used a winter jacket to protect him from the February cold until the plane’s doors were closed. Along with the critical care flight nurse they then flew to Vancouver where they took an Air Canada jet to Hong Kong. The couple’s tickets were one-way. While they’ve been in Hong Kong two of their children Laila, seven, and four-year-old Shae who has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a brittle bone disease, have been living with Mike’s brother Spencer in Kamloops. Aiden, who recently turned 11, has been staying with family friends in Kaleden. “It’s incredible, I never thought this day would come,” said Aiden.
While several potential donors went with them, in the end the doctors at Queen Mary Hospital determined Needoba (as she expected) was the best match. On March 1 after a total of 20 hours of surgery the pair who were high school sweethearts growing up in Oliver were recovering. The portion of his partner’s liver he received is reportedly functioning very well and the future prognosis is positive. Doctors in Hong Kong were unable to determine the cause of the liver failure which last December resulted in a sudden and massive internal hemorrhage. But with all that behind them now, they are finally going home together. For Mike this is not the end of the story but rather the beginning of a new chapter in the family’s future.
Limited quantities.
6
pentictonwesternnews.com • FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016
opinion
Published by Black Press Ltd. on Wednesdays and Fridays in Penticton at: 2250 Camrose St., Penticton B.C. V2A 8R1 Phone: (250) 492-3636 • Fax: (250) 492-9843 • E-mail: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com
EDITORIAL
School closures In a few days, trustees for the Okanagan Skaha School District are going to be voting on a motion to rescind the closure orders for Westbench and Trout Creek Elementary Schools. This is a last ditch attempt to keep the schools open, coming after the board of education gave third and final reading to the closure order on March 30. We applaud the school board for working with parents and being open to investigating every possibility, but don’t be surprised if the motion to rescind fails to pass. The school district is saving about $1.2 million in their 2016-17 budget through closing McNicoll Park Middle School, Westbench and Trout Creek. If any one of those schools was allowed to remain open, that would mean the district would have to cut $360,000 to $400,000 more from other areas to make next year’s budget balance. As Secretary-Treasurer Bonnie Roller Routley has said, that’s not an amount that can be cut without substantial effects on the educational system. School closures are probably inevitable, if not now, then later. Neighbourhood demographics are always shifting, and while the drop in enrolment that has been going on for years may be plateauing, it will be years before it increases appreciably. The trustees and school district staff did months of consultation before choosing the three schools. Trustee Ginny Manning summed it up best when she said that heartbreaking decisions had to be made — there was never even a slim chance that their decision would meet with approval from all quarters. Also, closing the three schools isn’t necessarily the end of this discussion. If enrolment continues to drop and/or the Okanagan Skaha School District budget continues to shrink, closures may have to be revisited. The school board needs to continue to plan for the long-term interests of all students, current and future, not just the immediate desires of one neighbourhood or another.
2250 Camrose Street, Penticton, B.C. V2A 8R1 Tel: (250) 492-3636 Fax: (250) 492-9843 Publisher: Shannon Simpson Editor: Kristi Patton Sales Manager: Larry Mercier Creative Service Manager: Steve Stoochnoff
The Penticton Western News is a member in good standing of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association and the British Columbia & Yukon Community Newspapers Association. The Penticton Western 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 to B.C. Press Council, P.O. Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 888687-2213 or go to <www. bcpresscouncil.org>. This publication reserves the right to refuse any material — advertising or editorial — submitted for publication and maintains the sole right to exercise discretion in these matters. Submissions by columnists and guest writers do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper. All material contained herein is copyright.
No matter how you feel about Fort McMurray As everyone who hasn’t been in a cave without an Internet connection for the past few days knows, Fort McMurray, Alta. is on fire. There seem to be two distinct and contrasting views on Fort McMurray, in general. Some see the city as a valuable economic driver of our society, providing good paying trades jobs to many people from all over this land, enabling those people to feed and clothe their families using their hard work and sacrifice, living uncomfortably and going without seeing their loved ones for weeks at a time so those loved ones can live lives of comfort. Others see it as full of overpaid people blowing their money on big, lifted trucks and
frivolous superficiality while they pollute the only world we have by sucking its natural resources out of the ground to be burnt. But no matter what your thoughts on the place itself — and its raison d’être — you need to realize that the residents of that town are people who, as I write this, are running from actual flames. Regardless of how you see them and their role in our world, these are people who are fleeing their new reality: if they stay they will likely be burnt alive. They have frightened children they have woken from sleep to load into their vehicles. While I am writing this column at my desk in an air-conditioned office, looking outside once in a while wish-
Mike Davies Guest Column ing I was golfing because it’s such a nice day, they are breathing air thick with smoke and driving through fire to get those children to safety. So it bothers me when I see people online saying things like, “that’s karma for you,” or, “serves them right,” when what they should be saying is, “what can I do to help?” or sharing links to places to
donate, organizations accepting donations or other information that could be of value for people to know. Also, as a strange and not-so-funny coincidence, Wednesday was International Firefighters’ Day, “a time where the world’s community can recognize and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible,” according to firefightersday.org. “It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.” So let me just take a moment, as part of my reaction to what’s happening in Northern Alberta – and in our own province, as well, by the way – to thank those who do what they
do to keep us safe. Thank you to those who run toward danger when the instinct is to run away. Thank you to those who ask, “what can I do to help?” when it’s easier to turn aside and ignore something. And thank-you to those who, no matter how they feel about Fort McMurray as a place and what they do there, set those thoughts aside and realize that these are people. Instead of laughing or mocking, share the link to redcross.ca or the fact that you can donate $5 to the cause just by texting REDCROSS to 30333 and keep your thoughts on the place to yourself for a bit. Mike Davies is a reporter with the Campbell River Mirror, a sister-paper to the Western News.
12 A&E
pentictonwesternnews.com • FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016
A&E 13
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016 • pentictonwesternnews.com
Chiarelli on her return to Dream Festival Dale Boyd
Western News Staff
Before she was Canada’s Goddess of Blues, Rita Chiarelli would perform at the Dream Café, back when “casual imports and boat rentals” was still in the title. The venue has since moved across Front Street to its current location, but last year’s Dream Music Festival proved the spirit of the Dream Café can be manifested in any location, which Chiarelli said is due to the commitment and dedication of owners Pierre Couture and Debra Rice. “They brought what they were doing at the Dream Café to a bigger level. And Penticton, and I say this honestly as a touring musician for many, many years, if there hadn’t been the Dream Café in Penticton, it might not have been a stop for us,” Chiarelli said. The Hamilton singer has returned to the Dream Café at least once every two years since her first performance. It wasn’t much of a question when she was asked to play the first festival last year.
“Last year when this came up it was ‘yeah, yippee let’s do this,’ we were just happy,” Chiarelli said. She shares the same enthusiasm this year as the festival is inviting some newcomers and familiar faces, all collaborating and sharing the stage, creating one of the most unique performances anywhere in the country. “You have this band that backs you up and they’re like an all-star band, amongst the best musicians in Canada and that’s who you get to play with and you get to collaborate with them and collaborate with other musicians, it just doesn’t get any better for people that you love like Debra and Pierre. It really is just a pleasure to be part of it again,” Chiarelli said. Her affection comes from the feeling of comradeship with fellow musicians, and the respect that Couture, Rice and the loyal following of audience members cultivate. “The beauty is that Pierre and Debra, this has always been a labour of love for them. They just love the arts, they support
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LEFT TO RIGHT, Vaelei Walkden-Brown, Jordan Keig and Nicole Cullen show off some wearable art works in progress for the ARTwear fundraising event at the Cannery on May 25.
Dale Boyd/ Western News
RITA CHIARELLI at last year’s Dream Music Festival, joined by Dream Café owner Pierre Couture.
Call for wearable art submissions Dale Boyd
File photos
the arts, they love musicians and they’ve supported music for decades now,” Chiarelli said. “It’s always been a really great listening crowd, Pierre and Debra made sure of that.” The first Dream Music Festival came about at a time when the venue was going through changes. Couture was taking a step back due to health issues and a co-op was formed to “keep the Dream alive” and moving into the future. Last year, the huge line up of top-tier talent came together and decided they were playing the two-day festival for free. For Chiarelli, there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation. “There was absolutely
no question, I said I’m there, whatever you need from me I’ll be there. Like I say, they’ve been so good to me and countless musicians throughout the years, I mean countless, I would have never said no,” Chiarelli said. “I think Penticon and musicians like myself owe the Dream Café a lot, we owe them a lot for sure.” Read the full story at www. pentictonwesternnews.com. This is part five of a six-part series previewing the Dream Music Festival. Tickets are $69, $79 and $89 available at the South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton and Wine Country Visitor Centre and online at www. thedreammusicfestival.ca.
Western News Staff
The Penticton Arts Council is calling for submissions for their latest event, one with a special twist. The ARTwear event at the Cannery on May 25 is set to have living, breathing canvases showing off some wearable art. Nicole Cullen is a photographer, so wearable art was definitely a step out of her comfort zone. “It’s cool it gets people to think completely outside of the box, especially when you’re using recycled materials,” Cullen said. “It’s not clothing or fashion, it’s making a person almost into a sculpture.”
Jordan Keig, owner of Tiger Alley, has found her creativity sparked by the constriction of required materials. The pieces must be made out of recyclable refuse from Cannery Brewing Co. Cardboard beer flats, grain sacks or empty cans. “It’s like what can you come up with that actually fits into it and works? Because they’re not the easiest pieces to work with,” Keig said. “It’s challenging. It forces you down some roads you probably wouldn’t have taken.” Artists can design and create a wearable sculptural piece for one of three body parts; head, torso or trunk. These pieces need to be adjust-
able to fit a variety of sizes so belts, ties or buttons are recommended. Materials will be ready to collect from the 557 Artist Block (at 262 Main St., upstairs from Peaches Lingerie) and Tiger Alley (261 Main St.). The deadline for submissions is May 18, and anyone can submit a piece.
Completed pieces are to be delivered to the 557 Artist Block. Call Vaelei at 587-988-8567 to organize a delivery. For more information on Penticton Arts Council benefits or membership visit www.pentictonartscouncil.com The event is a fundraiser for Penticton Arts Council first annual Festival of the Arts.
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12 A&E
pentictonwesternnews.com • FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016
A&E 13
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016 • pentictonwesternnews.com
Chiarelli on her return to Dream Festival Dale Boyd
Western News Staff
Before she was Canada’s Goddess of Blues, Rita Chiarelli would perform at the Dream Café, back when “casual imports and boat rentals” was still in the title. The venue has since moved across Front Street to its current location, but last year’s Dream Music Festival proved the spirit of the Dream Café can be manifested in any location, which Chiarelli said is due to the commitment and dedication of owners Pierre Couture and Debra Rice. “They brought what they were doing at the Dream Café to a bigger level. And Penticton, and I say this honestly as a touring musician for many, many years, if there hadn’t been the Dream Café in Penticton, it might not have been a stop for us,” Chiarelli said. The Hamilton singer has returned to the Dream Café at least once every two years since her first performance. It wasn’t much of a question when she was asked to play the first festival last year.
“Last year when this came up it was ‘yeah, yippee let’s do this,’ we were just happy,” Chiarelli said. She shares the same enthusiasm this year as the festival is inviting some newcomers and familiar faces, all collaborating and sharing the stage, creating one of the most unique performances anywhere in the country. “You have this band that backs you up and they’re like an all-star band, amongst the best musicians in Canada and that’s who you get to play with and you get to collaborate with them and collaborate with other musicians, it just doesn’t get any better for people that you love like Debra and Pierre. It really is just a pleasure to be part of it again,” Chiarelli said. Her affection comes from the feeling of comradeship with fellow musicians, and the respect that Couture, Rice and the loyal following of audience members cultivate. “The beauty is that Pierre and Debra, this has always been a labour of love for them. They just love the arts, they support
Experiencing Hearing Loss?
FOR BREAKING NEWS 24/7
WinHearingAids.com
www.pentictonwesternnews.com
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LEFT TO RIGHT, Vaelei Walkden-Brown, Jordan Keig and Nicole Cullen show off some wearable art works in progress for the ARTwear fundraising event at the Cannery on May 25.
Dale Boyd/ Western News
RITA CHIARELLI at last year’s Dream Music Festival, joined by Dream Café owner Pierre Couture.
Call for wearable art submissions Dale Boyd
File photos
the arts, they love musicians and they’ve supported music for decades now,” Chiarelli said. “It’s always been a really great listening crowd, Pierre and Debra made sure of that.” The first Dream Music Festival came about at a time when the venue was going through changes. Couture was taking a step back due to health issues and a co-op was formed to “keep the Dream alive” and moving into the future. Last year, the huge line up of top-tier talent came together and decided they were playing the two-day festival for free. For Chiarelli, there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation. “There was absolutely
no question, I said I’m there, whatever you need from me I’ll be there. Like I say, they’ve been so good to me and countless musicians throughout the years, I mean countless, I would have never said no,” Chiarelli said. “I think Penticon and musicians like myself owe the Dream Café a lot, we owe them a lot for sure.” Read the full story at www. pentictonwesternnews.com. This is part five of a six-part series previewing the Dream Music Festival. Tickets are $69, $79 and $89 available at the South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton and Wine Country Visitor Centre and online at www. thedreammusicfestival.ca.
Western News Staff
The Penticton Arts Council is calling for submissions for their latest event, one with a special twist. The ARTwear event at the Cannery on May 25 is set to have living, breathing canvases showing off some wearable art. Nicole Cullen is a photographer, so wearable art was definitely a step out of her comfort zone. “It’s cool it gets people to think completely outside of the box, especially when you’re using recycled materials,” Cullen said. “It’s not clothing or fashion, it’s making a person almost into a sculpture.”
Jordan Keig, owner of Tiger Alley, has found her creativity sparked by the constriction of required materials. The pieces must be made out of recyclable refuse from Cannery Brewing Co. Cardboard beer flats, grain sacks or empty cans. “It’s like what can you come up with that actually fits into it and works? Because they’re not the easiest pieces to work with,” Keig said. “It’s challenging. It forces you down some roads you probably wouldn’t have taken.” Artists can design and create a wearable sculptural piece for one of three body parts; head, torso or trunk. These pieces need to be adjust-
able to fit a variety of sizes so belts, ties or buttons are recommended. Materials will be ready to collect from the 557 Artist Block (at 262 Main St., upstairs from Peaches Lingerie) and Tiger Alley (261 Main St.). The deadline for submissions is May 18, and anyone can submit a piece.
Completed pieces are to be delivered to the 557 Artist Block. Call Vaelei at 587-988-8567 to organize a delivery. For more information on Penticton Arts Council benefits or membership visit www.pentictonartscouncil.com The event is a fundraiser for Penticton Arts Council first annual Festival of the Arts.
OPTOMETRIST
SPEEDY GLASS ® SERVING PENTICTON FOR OVER 30 YEARS Wade McGinnis Manager
1998 MAIN STREET, PENTICTON (250) 493-7264
WALK-INS WELCOME!
There’s more ONLINE Be a part of your community paper.
Book Online: visionsoptical.com
YOU COULD WIN 40,000 CASH! 2016 DODGE RAM 1500 SXT QUAD CAB 4X4 Starting at
Only
$86
PER WEEK*
Finance for
www.pentictonwesternnews.com
COME CHECK OUT OUR LIMITED EDITION
ASK US HOW YOU CAN GET
0%
$32,998 1.99% **
SPEEDYGLASS.CA
***
*With $0 down, 1.99% for 96 months, plus tax. ** Plus tax and $499 administration fee. *** For 96 months. On approved credit. DL#5523
WWW.PARKERSCHRYSLER.COM
1765 MAIN STREET • 1-250-492-2839 • MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:30-6:00, SATURDAY 8:30-5:00
MB#DSL41-22A-AGR, XFH Dealer order may be required
YELLOW STINGER!