Columbia Valley Pioneer, August 10, 2023

Trio of large wild res continue to burn

“ ey were having very good success . . . the fire behaviour down in there has been minimal in the last few days, and that’s given us the opportunity to do some close direct attack type options,” said McKay. “We also had crews up in the alpine. ey would be working on the spread (of the fire). We were able to get on it early with (helicopter) buckets. We followed up with crew support. ey (the crews) were working direct attack on the top of the ridge.”

is would have been visible from Panorama Mountain Resort, explained McKay.

“We’re going to continue with those efforts until we’re feeling comfortable that we have taken care of that activity, and then we’ll be looking to move lower down into the Horsethief drainage,” he said.

Continued on page 7 . .

By SteveHubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

e Horsethief Creek wildfire continues to stay top of mind (and its smoke front of view) for most Columbia Valley residents wondering when life will find normalcy again. But it doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon.

As of Monday, Aug. 7, the fire was mapped at 1,975 hectares and still classified as out of control. And there has been no change to evacuation orders and alerts. However, in the Nipika Mountain Resort area, three properties have been downgraded to an alert.

Approximately 76 personnel are actioning the Horsethief Creek fire with the help of 11 pieces of heavy equipment and 13 helicopters shared with Yearling Creek and Mia Creek.

e Horsethief Creek fire began burning on Monday, July 24 and has been casting smoke plumes over the valley, with flames at times visible from the valley bottom ever since. It initially grew rapidly, but for several days late last week and into early this week it seemed to hold steady.

On Wednesday, Aug. 2 the mapped size of the fire nearly doubled, leaping up to nearly 2,000 hectares.

A provincial Incident Management Team has been assigned to the Horsethief Creek fire, and the nearby Yearling Creek wildfire (on the southern boundary of Kootenay National Park) and Mia Creek wildfire (east of Canal Flats). Collectively the three fires are known as the Horsethief Complex.

In an update posted last week, Horsethief Complex operations section chief Wes McKay explained that wildland firefighters had put a halt to planned ignitions at Yearling Creek fire because of very hot and dry conditions.

“We would likely see more fire behaviour (at Yearling) than ideal (if planned ignitions were lit),” said McKay. “We’ve decided to postpone for a day or two until the weather conditions are in our favour.”

On the Horsethief Creek fire, crews have been working to create an equipment line and pursue direct fire attack options at the bottom of the Bruce Creek drainage.

e Horsethief Creek wildfire (seen here on Monday, July 31) has doubled in mapped size to approximately 2,000 hectares.

Photo by Ryan Watmough

A huge mushroom cloud of smoke emanates from the Horsethief Creek wildfire (taken at Spillimacheen on July 31). e fire has grown to approximately 2,000 hectares.

Lake Windermere Pulse Check

Thanks to our sponsors: Columbia Basin Trust, Totem Charitable Foundation, BC Gaming, District of Invermere, Regional District of East Kootenay, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Columbia Valley Community Foundation, Columbia Valley Local Conservation Foundation, and British Columbia Conservation Foundation.

Our team had a beautiful but hazy morning to sample. The lake is very warm so be sure to head out and enjoy a swim. Big thanks to our amazing citizen scientist Kim for joining us on the boat. We still have spots open to volunteers that would like to join us on the boat on Tuesdays for water sampling. To join please email Jacob at Intern@lakeambssadors.ca.

Photo by Victoria Page

Athalmer composting facility raises concern

posting facility) and it was decided that (by the lagoons) was a reasonably good area. It (the spot) was in line with the RDEK and that was the final choice.”

Invermere had looked at putting the new composting facility by the transfer station, but there wasn’t really enough room there, said Miller, adding “it was felt that, for the size, by the lagoons was better.”

e project is a joint effort between the District of Invermere and the RDEK, explained Miller, adding the RDEK is doing the building and “for environmental assessment that would be the RDEK.”

for road construction, outlined Penson.

In terms of impacting the ecosystem “nothing should change. In fact, the environment should get better,” said Penson. e facility is located next to the Invermere sewage lagoons because one of its major purposes is to take the product from the lagoons and compost into something useful, explained Penson. “ at’s the reason it’s there. To help them (the District of Invermere) with their bio solids. We will eventually also incorporate compost waste material collected from the public as well,” he said.

e new composting facility being built by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) in Athalmer is raising concern among local residents who are wondering about a large dirt pile, and who note the spot is part of an important bird area and is a wildlife corridor.

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

An Invermere resident is raising concern about the potential environmental impacts of the new Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) composting facility, which is being built down in Athalmer, right next to the District of Invermere’s sewage lagoons and the Ray Brydon Park.

John Niddrie recently moved back into Invermere after a decade of living up on the Toby Benches, and has spent plenty of time in Ray Brydon Park and nearby areas over the past year. He was surprised to learn earlier this year that the RDEK is building a new composting facility in the area, and has some environmental concerns about the project, particularly a large pile of dirt that has been pushed up. e pile is about 100 metres by 150 metres and about two or three metres high, he described.

“We heard from one of the workers today that the material that was pushed off the site to make way for the new composting facility will remain because it is contaminated soil and (contaminated with) other material from the sewage lagoon. My main concern is that this area

is part of an important bird area for a variety of species and needs to be properly reclaimed - not just hydro seeded and left,” he said.

Niddrie, who is known to many valley residents through his work in resource conservation with Parks Canada and his nature photography, noted the spot where the composting facility is being built has a unique micro-ecosystem with poplar trees and cool winds blowing out of nearby Toby Creek Canyon. He has found 25 different bird species in the area, and that’s just from casual morning dog walks rather than any concerted effort to document birds. Niddrie has spoken with several other residents who share his concerns.

“We do need (composting) facilities. But whether it is being put in the right place, I don’t know,” Niddrie told the Pioneer. “For sure it is a loss of bird habitat. It is a wildlife corridor. ere are not many areas with an ecosystem like that in Invermere, or even elsewhere in the valley . . . residents should be aware of it.”

Invermere Mayor Al Miller said he is not aware of any contamination of the soil. In terms of the location, Miller said “certainly the district took a long look at the options of where to place it (the com-

An RDEK official, however, told the Pioneer otherwise. RDEK acting general manager for environment and engineering Jim Penson said the RDEK is relying on the environmental assessment for Invermere’s waste water treatment plant.

Penson explained that “the soil they are dealing with (in the pile) is from the (Invermere) waste water treatment property. e only containment might be some bio solids. At this point it would be fertilizer more than anything . . . (and) it’s not going to stay where it is now. It’s only temporary storage.”

Eventually the dirt will be pulled back and either trucked to the landfill or used

Penson stated he wasn’t sure at what point in the future collecting compost from the public, such as organic food waste and garden waste, would begin or even with the primary objective of composting bio solid waste from the sewage lagoons would begin.

“At this point our mandate is to build the facility. We will figure out operations further down the road,” he said.

Although there may not be much above ground construction yet, the facility is about 50 per cent of being complete, explained Penson, adding that because of the soil conditions, a lot geologic and soil work had to be completed first.

Photos by John Niddrie

Stand up for Canadian news

Gathering the news isn’t easy. It takes time, effort, and a genuine desire to inform people about what’s happening in their communities (and the world) and how it impacts them. To put it simply, knowledge is power, and that’s what news organizations give to the populace.

But here’s where it gets disturbing – tech giants like Google and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) plan to block Canadian news from their platforms in protest of a new law (Bill C-18) requiring them to compensate media organizations for hosting this content. Like bullies in a sandbox, they don’t want to pay, so their answer is to block readers from viewing Canadian news on their sites. It’s not like they can’t afford to pay since they rake in billions of dollars every year; they (Mark Zuckerberg and friends) just don’t like being told what to do.

Bill C-18 – the Online News Act – sounds like a legitimate law that sets the framework for fairly compensating Canadian media outlets for their news that benefits everyone, especially Google and Facebook.

e federal government, in its wisdom, is trying to help the Canadian news industry that continues to suffer from decreased ad revenue and ailing subscription numbers, which have led to many closures of newspaper offices in this country,

Meta’s and Google’s knee-jerk reaction to Bill C-18 will result in a travesty, not in justice, but in social awareness by denying people the right to be informed. Isn’t the hard work of Canadian journalists worth paying for? Apparently not.

Black Press newspapers have responded by publishing blank (false) front pages as part of a public awareness campaign to inform readers of the fallout. On the bottom of these pages it states, “You won’t lose access to local news.” e campaign goes on to say that Canadian media outlets aren’t going anywhere since they are here to stay in their commitment to report the news.

If Meta and Google don’t appreciate what we do, don’t sweat it, because we aren’t. We’re going to continue giving you the power of knowledge, and we hope you will support us by getting your news directly from our websites. You can add us to your phone’s home screen to get easy access to community news every day.

We’re the little guy trying to survive in a world of tech companies that have grown way too powerful, rubbing their hands all the way to the bank to deposit their digital advertising profits. ey didn’t create the news, we did, yet they are reaping the benefits.

It’s time that Canadian news businesses receive the recognition they deserve in keeping the public duly informed and strengthening democracy for all.

Sign up to receive local news from e Columbia Valley Pioneer at www.columbiavalleypioneer.com.

Lyonel Doherty, editor

ager Ms. Fifi, adding the kids had a blast as Doug, Jordan, Eric, Peter and Greg showed the excited youngsters all the trucks and plows. Photo submitted

Stubborn wild res burn steady in valley

Continued fron page 3

On ursday, Aug. 3, smoke blanketed the valley bottom, making it hard to even see the surrounding mountains from Invermere. Horsethief Complex incident commander Tom Flanagan spoke about the Mia Creek fire, the smoke from which was visible the day before hanging behind Chisel Peak and the Fairmont Range.

“We had some increased fire behaviour (on the Mia Creek fire) . . . on the southwest flank burning up high into the alpine. It’s putting up a lot of smoke that we’re going to be seeing for several days,” he said. e team is working to put a containment line, said Flanagan, adding that hard access and steep ground are combining to limit the ability to put ground crews on the Mia Creek fire.

e Horsethief Creek fire had, at that point, seen significant winds and high temperatures, continued Flanagan, saying “it continues to burn within the Law Creek drainage. We have had no issues with fire leaving our expected perimeter. It is still within the valley.”

He noted the firefighters have had some challenges with the Horsethief Creek fire in the Adriana Creek drainage, but that crews and helicopter buckets were responding.

“When looking at the fire from Panorama, the fire has not come across the ridge line. We have controls in place and people on the ridge line monitoring and bucket machines putting water into bladders and working all fire that’s at the top of the ridge. We don’t anticipate to see any

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fire in the Panorama valley,” said Flanagan.

“I anticipate for the next several days and weeks we are going to continue to see a lot of smoke as the valley continues to be on fire,” he added.

On Friday, Aug. 4 Horsethief Complex ignitions specialist Mike Morrow outlined that the firefighters would be doing a planned ignition on the southeast corner of Horsethief Creek near Neave Creek. e planned ignition was to be 400 hectares, and was intended to help bring the fire down to where crews could more safely and easily work on it.

e BC Wildfire Service subsequently reported that crews were successful in these planned ignitions. e on-site conditions remained favourable and the objective of gaining containment along the Andrean drainage was accomplished.

Ground crews will be conducting mop-up operations along the guard where the ignition occurred for the next several days.

On August 6, crews conducted a planned ignition operation on the northwestern flank using a combination of aerial and hand ignitions.

Heavy equipment has been used to build a guard in the Horsethief canyon, and aircraft is delivering water to areas where it is unsafe for ground crews to operate.

e BC Wildfire Service reminds everyone to stay away from these areas and urges people not to operate drones in active fire zones, which is illegal and extremely unsafe.

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e Horsethief Creek wildfire continues its wrath on Mount Bruce, but crews are keeping it in check at approximately 2,000 hectares.

Photo by Victoria Page

Big whitewater race on hold once again

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Columbia Valley whitewater paddlers will have to wait still another year for the return of what was once the premier whitewater race in the Kootenay region.

e Toby Creek Race started in 2015, and by 2019 had grown into a multi-category event that brought 80 to 90 racers and a couple hundred spectators to the valley each summer. It was one of the highlights of the Western Canadian competitive whitewater paddling calendar. en COVID-19 put the event on ice in 2020 and 2021. It was set to return in 2022 but had to be scrapped due to high water volumes in the Toby Creek.

After a four-year hiatus, it was set again for its triumphant return on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30 this year. Alas, water flow volumes were again less

than optimal, and that in addition to a shortage of volunteers in key roles, resulted in the race first morphing in a social whitewater paddle event, and then being moved to the Red Deer River in Alberta.

“We fully expected to have it back, but due to people’s availability, we had to make those changes,” Aquabatics Outdoors representative Kaelin Sikma told the Pioneer. (Aquabatics is the company that organizes the Toby Creek Race.)

Sikma was glad that some sort of event was still able to be held. “It’s awesome that people were at least able to get out and paddle,” she said, adding that about 25 paddlers attended the renamed Toby Creek Social. She wryly pointed out that yes, the Toby Creek Social was not actually held on Toby Creek.

But organizers are keen to return to the Columbia Valley in 2024, said Sikma, adding Toby Creek is “an excellent venue,

e Toby Creek race in years past.

people love it there, and they love having it as a race. We’d love to bring it back to Toby Creek.”

In the past the Toby Creek Race’s viewer-friendly location — on a stretch of the Toby Creek right alongside Toby Creek Road, close to Panorama Mountain Resort — has turned the event into a festive occasion. is is unique among whitewater races, which are often held in hard-to-access parts of rivers and consequently get few spectators. e Toby Creek Race, in contrast, often got really large crowds in the past.

Typically the event sees racers navi-

gate their watercraft around slalom gates in a variety of categories including intermediate kayak (on a Class II/III section of river), a youth category, intermediate standup paddleboard (in Class II features), advanced kayak (on a continuous Class IV section of river), elite kayak (which usually includes the notorious Slipping Rock rapid), and boater cross.

Organizers in the past have lauded the valley for providing an excellent, fun atmosphere for the race and been delighted that the event attracts strong local participation as well as elite paddlers from around the continent.

Photo by Sarah Klintworth

Lisa Zavitz

Kelsey van raay

Stephanie Robicheau

aimy van Der linden

CVSAR kept busy with several recent rescues

Columbia Valley Pioneer Staff

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) seems to have all the training it needs with its frequent call-outs this time of year.

Last Friday evening a crew was requested to assist BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) with an injured hiker on Four Points Mountain, just east of Windermere. e team hiked in the dark to provide first aid and to stabilize the patient until a helicopter long-line extraction could be conducted at first daylight.

Golden Search and Rescue and Alpine Helicopters assisted in the incident.

Prior to this rescue, CVSAR responded to seven callouts, including a swiftwater scenario, a rope rescue, a medical incident, and delivering evacuation notices for wildfires.

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue has been getting a lot of good training with several recent call-outs, including an injured hiker, a rope rescue, a swiftwater incident, and delivering evacuation notices for wildfires.

ACCEPTING FUNDING APPLICATIONS

The Panorama Foundation is about supporting community projects providing cultural, environmental and social benefits in the Columbia Valley.

Please reach out to: panorama.foundation@panoramaresort.com to receive an application or for more information

We will review all funding applications at our next board meeting on Thursday, September 7, 2023.

Photos by CVSAR

OU T O F O F F I C E

Back to S chool

Back-to -school shopping is a prime oppor tunity for businesses to boost their sales and attrac t new customers To make the most of this crucial period, here are some effec tive strategies for businesses:

Early Promotions and Marketing:

Launch back-to -school promotions and marketing campaigns early, preferably in early August This will attrac t early shoppers who are keen to take advantage of discounts and deals Utilize various channels such as social media, email marketing, and targeted adver tisements to reach your target audience

Offer Attrac tive Discounts and Bundles:

Price sensitivity is high during back-to -school shopping, so offer competitive discounts and special bundles on popular produc ts Consider creating bundles that include essential school supplies, elec tronics, and apparel, which can entice customers to purchase multiple items from your store

Personalization and Tailored Recommendations:

Implement personalized shopping experiences by using customer data and preferences to offer tailored produc t recommendations. For example, suggest complementar y produc ts based on previous purchases.

Create a Back-to -School Shopping Guide:

Develop a comprehensive back-to -school shopping guide that includes lists of essential items for different grade levels This guide can ser ve as a valuable resource for parents, helping them stay organized and mak ing it easier for them to find all the necessar y produc ts in one place

Promote Sustainable and Eco -Friendly Produc ts:

With increasing awareness of environmental issues among younger generations, promoting sustainable and eco -friendly produc ts can resonate with environmentally conscious customers Highlight produc ts that are made from rec ycled materials or have eco -friendly cer tifications.

Par tner with Schools and Educational Institutions:

Forge par tnerships with local schools, colleges, and universities to offer exclusive discounts to their students and faculty members This can create a positive association with your brand and increase footfall in your physical stores

Host Back-to -School Events and Workshops:

Organize events and workshops related to back-to -school preparation. These events can include interac tive sessions on study tips, fashion shows with the latest trends, or tech demonstrations for educational gadgets Engaging events can attrac t families and drive traffic to your store

Thursday, August 10

• 9:00am-12:00pm: Outdoor Pickleball Mt. Nelson Athletic Park, Drop -in Play.

• 9:30am-12:30pm: Stor y Walk Learning Together Enjoy the outdoors and a stor y! Ac tivities and Giveaways! Different locations throughout the summer https://w w w.facebook.com/columbiabasinallianceforliterac y windermerevalley

• 10:30am-11:30am: Senior ’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.

• 10:30am: Edgewater Stor ytime Edgewater Community Hall Park

• 11:15am-12:30pm: Journey Through Time Summer Reading Club Edgewater Community Park Ages 5-12 Register at Invermere bc libraries coop

• 1:00pm-4:00pm: Potter y Camp. Potter y Playground, 2421 Westside Rd. Potter y camp for kids, children doing potter y and holding up finished potter y pieces Ages 7+ Register at potter yplayground com

• 2:00pm: Ladies Golf Day Copper Point Golf Course (ever y Thursday of summer). Play 9 or 18 holes, call 250-341-3392 to learn more

• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Seniors' Tea. Invermere Librar y Join us for a cuppa and a chat! All welcome to join. Occurs ever y 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month

• 3:00pm-8:00pm: The Summit Youth Hub Drop -In Canal Flats Skate Park

• 6:30pm: Indoor Pickleball Invermere Curling Club, Skills and Drills

• 6:45pm: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Invermere Legion.

• 7:30pm: Trivia Night Windermere Whitehouse Pub, $3/person.

• 8:00pm: Trivia Night Ullr Bar, $5/person.

Friday, August 11

• 9:00am-11:00am: Little Badgers Playgroup For caregivers and kids 0-5: nature play, songs, stories, snacks

• 9:00am-11:00am: Invermere Tennis Club at the Kinsmen Beach Cour ts

• 9:00am-12:00pm: Outdoor Pickleball Mt Nelson Athletic Park, Drop -in Play

• 10:30am-11:30am: Pop -up Stor ytime Mt Nelson Skate Park Hosted by Invermere Librar y

• 10:30am-12:00pm: Radium Summer Reading Club Radium Librar y Ever y

Friday Ages 5-8.

• 1:00pm-2:30pm: Radium Summer Reading Club Radium Librar y Ever y

Friday Ages 9-12.

• 4:00pm-7:00pm: Radium Market on Main Join us for the annual Market on Main ever y Friday Evening from 4-7 pm through July & August at the Visitor Centre in Radium where we eat and shop locally

• 6:00pm-7:00pm: Coffee Club Stolen Church Gelato & Coffee Connec ting the 2LGBTQiA+ community and their allies

• 6:30pm - close: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

6:30pm-8:30pm: Indoor Pickleball Invermere Curling Club, Skills and Drills

• 6:30pm-8:30pm: Dynamic Archer y Speed Shooting. Come tr y Archer y at Luxor Corrals Call 250-347-9048 to register

Saturday, August 12

• 9:00am-1:00pm: Invermere Farmers Market Lakeview Parking Lot

• 9:00am-12:00pm: Outdoor Pickleball Mt Nelson Athletic Park, Drop -in Play

• 10:30am-12:00pm: LEGO/Duplo Club Invermere Public Librar y We'll have Lego, Duplo, big blocks & more out to play with on Saturday mornings!

• 10:30am-11:30am: Pokemon Club at Main Street Fun & Games for ages 7+, Reading proficienc y required

• 11:00am-3:00pm: Terr y Fox Charity BBQ Sobeys in Invermere Brat on a bun, drink, and chips for $14.

• 1:00pm-5:00pm: Tutu Making Workshop Invermere Librar y Help the Summit Youth Centre prep for their nex t fundraiser! Come to the librar y between 1-5 pm to make 3 tutus and keep one for yourself! All welcome!

• 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

Sunday, August 13

» 9:30am-2:30pm: Columbia Valley Garden Tour. A Tour of Garden S urprises + a Picnic in the Park. Register now at w w w.groundswellnetwork.c a.

• 2:00pm-12:00am: Cards, Cribbage and Dar ts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome

• 2:00pm-4:00pm: Indoor Pickleball Open play at Curling Club

• 6:00pm: Archer y at the Range Lake Windermere Rod & Gun Club Equipment available to rent w w w.lwdrodgun.com

• 7:00pm: Live Music Horsethief Creek Pub & Eater y Accompanied minors are permitted No cover

Monday, August 14

» 9:30pm: Movies in the Mountains Monday nights at dark Pothole Park "Free Guy"

• 9:00am-11:00am: Tennis Club Kinsmen Beach, doubles

• 9:00am-12:00pm: Outdoor Pickleball. Mt Nelson Athletic Park, Drop -in Play

• 10:00am-11:00am: Seniors' Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere $2 drop in, open to all seniors

• 10:00am-1:00pm: Tech Tutors. CBAL Office 712b 10th St. Invermere. Are you needing some help with your computer, phone, or tablet? We have one - on- one help available for you!

• 6:30pm: Poker (Chip up for Charity) The Station Pub $20 buy-in. Ever y second Monday

• 6:30pm-8:300pm: Indoor Pickleball Invermere Curling Club, Skills and Drills

• 6:30pm-8:30pm: Dynamic Archer y Speed Shooting Come tr y Archer y at Luxor Corrals Call 250-347-9048 to register

• 5:00pm-10:00pm: LGBTQ+ & Allies at the Hub Summit Youth Hub On Mondays at the HUB, the LGBTQ+ youth and their allies have a safe place to hang out

Tuesday, August 15

» 6:30pm: Bingo. Invermere Seniors Hall. $300 Jackpot. All over 19 welcome. Only Cash Prizes. 11 games for $20 (6 c ards) Lucky 7 & diamond extra games $2.

• 9:00am-12:00pm: Outdoor Pickleball. Mt Nelson Athletic Park, Drop -in Play

• 10:30am-11:30am: Seniors' Fitness Columbia Valley Centre $2 drop -in.

• 11:00am-12:30pm: Journey Through Time Summer Reading Club Invermere Librar y Ages 5-8. Registration required at invermere.bc.libraries coop.

• 2:00pm-3:30pm: Journey Through Time Summer Reading Club Invermere Librar y Ages 9-12. Registration required at invermere.bc.libraries.coop

• 6:30pm-8:30pm: Indoor Pickleball Invermere Curling Club, Skills and Drills

• 6:30pm-8:30pm: Pickleball Invermere Curling Club, Skills and Drills Wednesday, August 16

» 6:30pm-8:00pm: Loc als Live. Concer t S ummer Series. Pothole Park. Humongous Fungus

» 7:00pm-9:00pm: Invermere Community Drum Circle. Pynelogs Cultural Centre Set free your inner rhythm, connec t with your community, and let the beat move you! Tickets here: https:// rhythmbynature.c a/drum- circles/

• 9:00am-11:00am: Tennis Club Kinsmen Beach Cour ts

• 9:00am-12:00pm: Outdoor Pickleball Mt Nelson Athletic Park, Drop -in Play 10:00am-11:00am: Seniors' Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, $2 drop -in

• 11:15am-11:45am: Stor y Time Radium Librar y - preschool & all ages

• 2:15pm-2:45pm: Canal Flats Stor y Time Canal Flats Lions Park Ages 2-5 but anyone can join

• 3:00pm-6:30pm: Agri-Park Farmers Market Crossroads

• 3:00pm-8:00pm: The Summit Youth Hub Drop -In The Edge Skate Park Edgewater

• 3:00pm-4:15pm: Journey Through Time Summer Reading Club Canal Flats Lions Park Ages 5-12. Registration required at invermere.bc.libraries.coop 6:00pm-9:00pm: Wednesday Dinners & Meat Draw & 50/50 Invermere Legion. All welcome.

• 6:00pm: Archer y at the Range Lake Windermere Rod & Gun Club Equipment available to rent w w w.lwdrodgun.com.

• 6:30pm: Indoor Pickleball Invermere Curling Club, Ladies Night

Public urged to stay clear of re operations

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Wildland fire officials are reminding Columbia Valley residents and visitors to please keep clear of firefighter operations, be they on land, water or air.

Obstruction of firefighting operations near Burns Lake, B.C., by people riding ATVs and flying drones, made headlines a few weeks ago, when those ATVs and drones interfered with firefighting efforts, and in some cases forced firefighters to halt.

Anecdotal reports of similar occurrences happening here in the Columbia Valley — by boats on Lake Windermere

and by dirt bikers heading up the Bruce Creek — and interfering with firefighters battling the Horsethief Creek blaze circulated last week.

fire is 10 kilometres west of Invermere and seven kilometres north of Panorama Mountain Resort.

A spokesperson with the incident management team battling the Horsethief Complex (which is the collective name of the Horsethief fire, the Yearling Creek fire at the south edge of Kootenay National Park near Nipika Mountain Resort, and the Mia Creek fire near Canal Flats) said those are just rumours. But he did say there have been some aerial incursions into the NOTAM zone that encompasses

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airborne firefighting operations related to the Horsethief fire.

NOTAM zones are set by the federal government and usually denote restrictions or others changes in normal National Airspace System status. In the context of wildfires, this typically translates to aircraft not being allowed to fly near bucketing helicopters, water bombers or skimmers, or other active aerial firefighting measures being taken for a given wildfire.

Horsethief Complex information officer Bryan Zandberg explained the incursions may have been drones, or possibly even paragliders. “ ey did not interfere with our operations,” Zandberg told the Pioneer. “But it is super important to stay out of our aerial operations zone, so we can action the fire efficiently . . . if there is a drone there, we do have to land until the drone is cleared, for the safety of the public and the pilots.”

When the Horsethief Creek fire broke out on Monday, July 24, the initial response to it was led by the Southeast Fire Centre. But given the fire’s rapid growth and close proximity to heavily populated areas, a designated incident management team took over battling the blaze on ursday, July 27.

Zandberg said that so far as the incident management team has been on the scene there have been no issues with boats or watercraft interfering with helicopters bucketing from local water bodies.

“We are bucketing from several lakes. If things shift, we get some wind and things get critical, and we need to bring water bombers and skimmers, we appreciate people staying clear,” he said.

On Tuesday, July 25, however, before the incident management team was in Invermere, several residents gathered at the top of the Fort Point public shore access stairway to observe water bombers scoop up water from Lake Windermere to fight the Horsethief Creek fire. At one point, a boat was out on the lake (see photo above). Residents observed a water bomber circle overhead 10 times before departing.

e resident who submitted the photo of the scene explained there’s no way of knowing for sure if the plane had intended to pick up water or not, or if the plane did intend to pick up water, if it was dissuaded by the boat.

e Pioneer attempted to learn more about the situation but was unable to find out more prior to press deadline.

Invermere residents watched the water bomber (pictured here along with a boat on Lake Windermere ) circle 10 times before taking off without picking up water on July 25.

Photo submitted

Toronto twins in hot water with charity

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com

A national Indigenous charity, Indspire, wants their money back from Toronto twins who claimed to be Inuit and Indigenous citizens for their university education.

“I was not impressed. It blocks other people from applying as well. Let’s say we only have a certain amount of money to work with, and we’re giving it to people who don’t deserve it; when an Indigenous person applies, they struggle to try to finish school . . . there’s no money left, and all the resources are gone,” said Kim Beaudin, the national vice chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP).

Beaudin explained that in Indigenous communities, most people know where they come from or what band they’re a member of, except if they are a part of the Sixties Scoop – a term that refers to the period in the 60s where Indigenous children were

port for Indigenous students, including financial assistance and scholarships.

“Some just check off a box . . . with no real serious research or any documentation or anything backing it up,” Beaudin added.

In a recent interview, Beaudin explained how non-status Indigenous students have difficulty getting the funds. He said that this fund could be for those who truly fit the government criteria of being an Indigenous student. “Some students don’t fit the First Nations bands, despite the fact that they have a history of direct link to their families and direct link to culture. ey just don’t fit,” Beaudin added.

Indigenous identity fraud is a problem that hasn’t been solved yet, he added.

In a related issue some Manitobans are pressing provincial political parties to do more to ensure candidates’ Indigeneity.

Jean Teillet, a lawyer and great-grandniece of Métis leader Louis Riel explained that “these individuals are said to be ‘wannabees’ or ‘pretendians,’ and “the advantage they gain is stolen, causes harm and breaches our trust.”

“And that’s what happens is probably going on for years. We’re just seeing little bits and pieces of it now, and it’s starting to become more prevalent.”

ere are no recent updates on the twins; however, based on the investigation, Indspire concluded that they want the twins to return all the funds they’ve received from Indspire.

“ ey’re causing many problems for a lot of people by doing that . . . by taking advantage of a system they don’t qualify for. ey shouldn’t be doing that.” Beaudin said. “We want to ensure that Indigenous students have an opportunity to further their education and get the degree or diploma that they need to become part of the community.”

Notice of Intent

Rocky Mountain District Road Closure

Notice is given, pursuant to Sec tion 60(2) of the Transpor tation Act, that the M inistr y of Transpor tation and I nfrastruc ture has received an application to permanently close the unconstructed right-of-way of Stoddar t Boulevard in Winder m ere, B C

The unconstruc ted r ight- of-way to be closed is adjacent to proper ties located at Lots 2 through 9, District Lot 20, Kootenay District Plan NEP2125

The closed road will be vested pursuant to Sec tion 60(2) of the Transpor ta tion Act

“scooped away” from their birth families without their consent.

“As Indigenous people…. in my family, we all know where we come from, other than if you’re a Sixties Scoop survivor,” Beaudin added. “For the twins, they couldn’t even make any connection because there was no connection to be had.”

Beaudin shared that his Pakistani friend married an Indigenous woman. eir kids know where they come from and what particular band they belong to. But there was nothing for the twins.

Based on the news, further investigations will be made, but the Gill sisters, Nadya and Amira Gill, are being investigated on their background. An investigation was also launched into potential Inuit status enrolment fraud.

In Spring 2021, the sisters were both Indspire donation and award recipients. ey listed themselves as members of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI). ey used their NTI enrolment for eligibility in the Indspire funding.

In a news release, the NTI stated a woman named “Karima Manji claimed that twins Amira and Nadya Gill were her adopted children and identified an Inuk woman as their birth mother.”

But NTI added it “has received information from the woman identified as their birth mother that Amira and Nadya Gill are not her children.”

After reports of their identity and background were questioned publicly, the Twins were removed from the NTI’s enrolment. “People see distinct advantages to applying for funding,” Beaudin said. Several post-secondary institutions and bands provide sup-

For more information or a copy of the plan, please contact Rocky Mountain Distric t Development Ser vices at 250 420-6550 or at rmddevapp@gov.bc.ca

Amira and Nadya Gill

Photo submitted

Land Act: Notice of Application for a Disposition of Crown Land

Take notice that We, Findlay Creek Outfitters Ltd , from Tappen, BC, have applied to the British Columbia Ministry of Forests (FOR), Kootenay Boundary Region, for a Licence of Occupation for hunt camp use situated on Provincial Crown Land located in the vicinity of Canal Flats, BC (Findlay Creek) FOR invites comments on this application, the Lands File is 4406302 Written comments concer ning this application should be directed to Sr Authorization Specialist, FOR, Kootenay Boundary Region, at 1902 Theatre Road, Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G1 Comments will be received by FOR up to August 31, 2023 FOR may not be able to consider comments received after this date Please visit the website at http://comment nrs gov bc ca/ for more information

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request Visit http://www gov bc ca/freedomofinformation to lear n more about FOI submissions

Orcas one-of-a-kind

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Orcas, who are known as killer whales, might be known as dangerous due to their sharp teeth, but to Indigenous people they mean something more.

Orcas in B.C.

Killer whales in B.C. are some of the best-studied whales in the world. ree kinds of orca exist in B.C. ere are northern and southern resident whales who stay on Vancouver Island. en there are the transient orcas, who swim from California and Mexico and who spend most of their time far from shore.

In B.C., orcas live in the Coast and Mountain and Georgia Depression eco-provinces.

In terms of appearance, they are the largest member of the dolphin family. ey can grow up to 10 metres long, comparable to a bus. Each orca has a unique white patch around its fin base. ey also have a white belly and a white patch behind their eye. eir bodies and tails are also very long.

As killer whales, they are known for their teeth, in both the top and bottom of their mouths. Resident orcas eat cold-blooded sea creatures such as octopuses. Transient orcas eat mammals, including sea lions. ey come up to the shore to hunt for them and get their food. On the other hand, offshore orcas eat a combination of both fish and mammals.

eir lifecycles

Most female orcas give birth when they reach the age of 15 years old. An orca only gives birth to one baby at a time. e baby orcas have a long lifetime lasting from 30 to 70 years. Female orcas are in menopause in their early 40s.

Are orcas endangered in Canada?

Getty Images

One of the populations of orca, the southern residents, is endangered. According to the federal government there are only 75 killer whales left as of March 2021.

ey also face threats in the form of contaminants. Unfortunately, they have some of world’s highest pollution levels in their bodies (for mammals). Most orcas are also sensitive to noise, so they often face physical disturbance. A decline of Chinook salmon, their primary prey, also adds to their endangerment. Sadly, most of them face human-related threats including being captured for aquariums and marine centres.

Orcas have essential roles in their ecosystem. ey are on top of the food chain, so they help regulate the populations of other marine species.

Orcas in Indigenous communities

In the Indigenous community orcas often symbolize luck, compassion, and family. ey are also known as the guardians and protectors of the sea, and to some, they represent the strong bonds of each family due to their strong group behaviours.

According to the Spirits of the West Coast Gallery, the orca protects those who travel away from home.

Many Indigenous artists, such as Richard Krentz, a Coast Salish artist, make beautiful Orca Spirit jewelry collections. He is a member of the Indigenous Peoples of the Northwest Coast, living in British Columbia.

With First Nation people, if a killer whale is seen offshore, it is sometimes believed to be a deceased chief trying to communicate with his loved ones. Some Indigenous nations believe that orcas are also reincarnations of their former chiefs lost at sea.

For more information, visit: https:// spiritsofthewestcoast.com/collections/ the-orca-symbol-or-killer-whale.

Rec centre introduces volleyball nights

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com

ey say Tuesdays are for Taco Tuesdays, but they can also be for volleyball nights — a new featured event at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre (CLRC).

Located in ɁAkisqnuk First Nation territory, CLRC-hosted volleyball nights are from 6 pm to 9 pm on Tuesdays.

A $5 fee is needed per player, but it’s free with monthly membership. CLRC has two courts available for this event.

“Our main goal for volleyball nights is to accommodate everyone in the valley, on-reserve and off-reserve, with having a night dedicated to just one sport and also to encourage everyone to come and use our facility,” said Nevada Nicholas, a staff member from CLRC.

She explained that Jason Nicholas, their previous Interim Recreation Centre Manager, proposed the idea of the volleyball nights, which started with him. It then turned into a great weekly event. is also inspired them to facilitate other sports, such as hockey and basketball nights.

is is their first-ever featured volleyball night after their public grand opening to in March 2023.

Nevada Nicholas mentioned that this is not only a summer event but will be available all year round. eir facility is open to everyone, and she encouraged people to drop by the rec centre.

“We offer volleyball to all ages, and we provide the equipment for any featured event we hold,” Nicholas added.

She said that they are currently working on holding more featured events in their facility in the future. She also hopes to see the volleyball night and other events continue for a long time.

“We hope at one point to make this event night into a league that could be yearround. And maybe host a couple of tournaments as well,” Nicholas explained.

CLRC is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Standupfor Canadian news DON’T LOSE YOUR LOCAL NEWS

Gathering the news isn’t easy. It takes time, effort, andagenuinedesiretoinformpeopleaboutwhat’shappeningintheircommunities(andtheworld)andhowit impactsthem.Toputitsimply,knowledgeispower,and that’swhatnewsorganizationsgivetothepopulace.

But here’s where it gets disturbing – tech giants like Google and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) plan to block Canadian news from their platforms in protest of anewlaw(BillC-18)requiringthemtocompensatemediaorganizationsforhostingthiscontent.Likebulliesin a sandbox, they don’t want to pay, so their answer is to blockreadersfromviewingCanadiannewsontheirsites.

It’s not like they can’t afford to pay since they rake in billionsofdollarseveryyear;they(MarkZuckerbergand friends)justdon’tlikebeingtoldwhattodo.

Bill C-18 – the Online News Act – sounds like a legitimatelawthatsetstheframeworkforfairlycompensating Canadian media outlets for their news that benefitseveryone,especiallyGoogleandFacebook.

OutsidefallfairbuildinginAthalmerontheFallFairgrounds(nowIndustrialPark).Mrs.O.McGuinesswithKathleen, DaveandR.RandolphBruce(raisinghishat).Circa1923PhotoprovidedbytheWindermereandDistrictHistorical

e federal government, in its wisdom, is trying to helptheCanadiannewsindustrythatcontinuestosuffer fromdecreasedadrevenueandailingsubscriptionnumbers,whichhaveledtomanyclosuresofnewspaperofficesinthiscountry, Meta’s and Google’s knee-jerk reaction to Bill C-18 willresultinatravesty,notinjustice,butinsocialawareness by denying people the right to be informed. Isn’t thehardworkofCanadianjournalistsworthpayingfor? Apparentlynot. Black Press newspapers have responded by publishingblank(false)frontpagesaspartofapublicawareness campaign to inform readers of the fallout. On the bottomofthesepagesitstates,“Youwon’tloseaccesstolocal news.” ecampaigngoesontosaythatCanadianmedia outletsaren’tgoinganywheresincetheyareheretostayin theircommitmenttoreportthenews.

If Meta and Google don’t appreciate what we do, don’tsweatit,becausewearen’t.We’regoingtocontinue giving you the power of knowledge, and we hope you will support us by getting your news directly from our websites.Youcanaddustoyourphone’shomescreento geteasyaccesstocommunitynewseveryday.

We’re the little guy trying to survive in a world of tech companies that have grown way too powerful, rubbingtheirhandsallthewaytothebanktodeposittheir digitaladvertisingprofits. eydidn’tcreatethenews,wedid,yettheyarereapingthebenefits.

oating B

Get to know boating association

By Mike and Christine DuBois

Dear boating and watersport enthusiast, finally, there is an organization who gets you and will be your voice when it matters.

For those (hundreds of you) who attended the awesome Brett Brett Boat Concert this past weekend, you now know about the Columbia Valley Boating Association (CVBA), as it was introduced there. For those of you who missed the show, let’s learn about the association.

e vision of the CVBA is to foster a thriving and sustainable boating community, while advocating for the environmental, economic and social well-being of the lake community and its surrounding areas. e CVBA is committed to promoting responsible boating practices, preserving the health and natural beauty of the lake, supporting local businesses, and actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the long-term ability for boats to use the lake. rough collaboration, education, and advocacy, the CVBA aims to create a vibrant and inclusive community that values the sustainable use and enjoyment of the lake for generations to come.

the right to boat on Lake Windermere was protected so my kids, my grandkids and their kids can enjoy it like I have. I know the best way to do that is to preserve the health and beauty of the waterway through boater education and fact-based science on how to protect it. e CVBA will bring this information to hundreds of boaters so we can all work together to respect and protect our waterways. ings are just getting going at CVBA, there is much more to come and we invite your thoughts and feedback. Membership is free, please join us to protect boating on our lake.”

For more information or to find out how you can join or become a board member of the CVBA, visit www.columbiavalleyboating.com.

Tip of the week: save gas, have fun

Our kids love to invite friends on the boat - everything is better with friends! Sometimes we run low on time, or worse, run low on gas! In those cases, we suggest the kids double with their friends. e kids love it! What could be better than doubling? Getting three or four riders of course! Dust off the combo skis, knee boards, and wake boards, buy an extra tow rope or two and you are off to the races.

Billet Homes Needed for 2023/24 Columbia

Steve Read, owner of Total Care Indoor Boat Storage, and one of the association directors, spoke about his ambitions to start this group.

Valley Rockies

We are looking for families willing to open their homes and hearts to a player who needs a home away f rom home $700 per month is provided to contribute to the household expenses Free entry to all home games

Please contact Jess Freiheit, Billet Coordinator for more information:

cvrockies.billet@gmail.com or (250) 688-1456

R E G I O N

Powered

When registering, pay close attention to the map t o ensure you have the pin in the exac t loc ation of your proper ty. If you need assistance with this, c all the info line at 250-426-2188 and we c an get you signed up, or check to make sure your “pin” is in the right spot

"As a boating and watersports enthusiast my whole life, I wanted to ensure that

e kids have a blast and mom and dad are secretly grinning at the time and fuel being saved . . . and it makes for a great photo!

by Voyent Aler t! the Regional Evacuation Notification System (ENS) keeps you informed in case of evacuation orders or aler ts during critical events such as wildfires, floods or hazardous materials incidents The ser vice is available to all municipalities, First Nations and rural areas of the RDEK It is free, anonymous and will only be used to inform you if your registered location is under evacuation order or aler t

Save gas by having your children double with their friends on the water, which is more fun!

Photos submitted

SINCE 1991

Indigenous-owned coffee company inspiring

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com

ey say that coffee makes you alert and feel awake most of the time, but the story of how the Spirit Bear Coffee Company came to life can make you feel alive and inspired too.

“[We are] always thinking ahead — we are thinking back seven generations of what they had, how they live. It’s a way of life; it’s a culture. It’s my coffee, with First Nation vision….. that’s how Spirit Bear came to fruition,” said company president Sean Harding.

Harding has been in the coffee industry for 34 years. He started out handing all coffee earmarked into Vancouver from all our the world. Eventually became a general manager, dealing with all the coffee buyers and sellers of the New York Stock Exchange. However, after 10 years, he resigned due to the intensive nature of the job.

As he resigned, one of his colleagues Greg Danks resigned as well. ey bought a 1923 Royal 6 coffee roaster and started roasting coffee and called the new company St. City Roasters.

Sean and Greg hired Paul Biglin, a certified chef and caterer, to roast coffee and develop a brand to build the company. Harding stated that Biglin had a vision of the Spirit Bear.

ey decided they needed a partner and a storyteller to build the Spirit Bear Coffee brand. is led them to Bill Helin, a First Nation and Norwegian artist. ey traded “coffee and hoodies for salman and bannock, just like the traditional ways.” ey then set out to make Spirit Bear Coffee grow into one of the prominent coffee brands in Canada.

“ e vision became a reality. Whenever you create something, especially being First Nation, there’s a story behind it. ere’s a reason we do things.” Harding stated.

One of the business ethics of Spirit Bear Coffee is they sell Organic Fairtrade certified coffee, explained Harding, who is

very proud of their coffee. Sixteen years ago, they developed their roast profiles and have not deviated.

Recently the Pioneer tasted their dark roast coffee, and surprisingly, it wasn’t too strong and tasted rich. It was also very affordable.

“I know what a great cup of coffee tastes like. And we have the best-tasting coffee in the world,” Harding added.

He shared that their coffee beans come from some of the top coffee producers — from Central and South America, Asia, and Africa.

However, Harding clarified that the coffee is roasted and prepared locally in Canada. “It’s a Fairtrade, Organic, and Smudge Certified. It’s a strictly hard bean, grown very high up on the mountain. creating the best taste profiles.” Harding said.

Spirit Bear Coffee does not only care about the quality of their products but also their impact on the environment. Harding is proud of all the social initiatives they have. ey partner with Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter, a wildlife rescue service in BC. ey also have a partnership with Ocean Alliance, an organization that protects ocean life.

ey partner with the OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, a rehabilitation centre for birds of prey. He described how they built the relationship with them.

Lastly, they also have a partnership with Bear Clan Patrol First Nation Life Sports Canada.

“It’s what we do in the community. It’s all about communication. You’ve got to be credible. It’s also been a slow build and strategic regarding who we want to partner with. It has to mean something to the world,” Harding added.

Harding shared that they’ve lost about 80 per cent of their business due to COVID and are still struggling. “But we got to continue doing good things. And I believe things will turn out in the end,” he shared.

What is Harding’s favourite memory in his 34 years of journey in the coffee business?

“ e journey to Smithers was probably one of them. I was with my late brother bear, Paul. We have been on many journeys together. It was pretty special to go up there and have it all videotaped,” Harding said happily. “ e video plays downstairs on our screens. I get to watch it every day. ere is so much emotion to that video, which ties in with Spirit Bear Coffee today.”

In terms of the future, Harding

shared that they have a new 24-count compostable Keurig compatible product coming this fall. He is excited as it’s going to be a big one.

“Life is a journey, 34 years ago, led me from Alberta to British Columbia . . . [and here in this business],” Harding concluded.

If you are interested in knowing more about the Spirit Bear Coffee company, visit spiritbearcoffeecompany.com.

July 8, 1949 - Aug 1, 2023

On August 1st, 2023 Rosalee Babin (Receveur) loving wife, mother, and sister passed away peacefully in Invermere, B C after a lengthy battle with multiple illnesses Rosalee is sur vived by her loving husband Norm of 54.5 years, their children Michelle (Ross) and Murray (Michelle), grandchildren Acadia, Morgan (Griffin) and Kyle (Kiana), great-grandchild Eli, and sibling Rick (Colleen)

Rosalee was known as an adventurous, strong-willed and a compassionate soul. She l oved the simple things in life and spending time with her precious family She ran the office for Horizon/Babin Air for 37 years and during that time obtained her private pilot’s licence She will be greatly missed by her loving family and always remembered in their hearts

We want to thank the Cranbrook and Invermere hospital doctors and nurses, and Homecare staff for the excellent care she received A Celebration of Life will be held on October 21st, 2023 at 10:00AM at the Canadi an Martyrs Parish with tea and snacks to follow : 712 12 Ave, Invermere, B C V0A 1K0

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Invermere Hospital Auxiliar y.

LESSONS/TRAINING

Rosale e Babin

Print and Digital Repor ter/Photographer

GARAGE SALE

Saturday August 12 9:00am-12:30pm

Niax Development Inc is hiring for the positions of construction labourer and carpenter’s assistant.

Wage is $25-$35/ hr with full benefits. 40+ hours/week starting immediately.

Contact at info@niax.ca

Niax Development Inc. T 250-688-0780

The Columbia Valley Pioneer is looking for a full-time Print and Digital Reporter/Photographer for our news operation based in Invermere. We operate a daily news site and a weekly print publication.

The successful candidate works well in a team setting, but is self motivated. You will be responsible to write multiple news stories ever y week for print and on-line publication, take photographs to accompany stories, attend community events and lay out pages (all while respecting Social Distancing requirements).

Qualifications

• Journalism education: degree, diploma or certificate; or equivalent work experience.

• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

• Positive attitude, must be organized and able to work both independently and in a team setting

• Experience in InDesign, Photoshop, and posting to social media

The company offers competitive benefit and pension plans.

Interested candidates should for ward their resume to Amanda Nason, Associate Publisher/S ales Manager: adver tising@columbiavalleypioneer.com

1008, 8th Ave Invermere, B C

Youth Outreach Worker

37.5 h/week from $27/hour

Schedule is flexible

Benefits af ter 3 month probationar y period

Windermere Valley Youth Centre Societ y - Summit Youth Centre is seek ing a full-time, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive Youth Outreach Worker to work with youth at risk aged 12-18 throughout the Columbia Valley Responsibilities and duties include:

• Engaging with youth who may not be able to access the Youth Centre or need some ex tra care

• Liaise with other organizations to maximize the care of the individual (connec ting with schools, social workers)

• repor ting to super visor

• Facilitate youth connec tions with relevant community ser vices, and overcome barriers to accessing suppor ts

• Advocating for youth

• Counselling

Requirements:

• At least 19 years of age.

• At least one year of outreach experience is preferred

• Mental First Aid, Applied Suicide Inter vention Sk ills Training (ASIST ), required but training can be provided to the rig ht candidate

• Excellent time management sk ills and the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks

• Ability to communicate effec tively with individuals at all levels of the community

• A strong interest in social justice and helping others.

• Reliable transpor tation and a valid driver ’s license are required

• Must provide a criminal record check summit.centre@gmail.com

Next to the Invermere Courthouse

Old Man’s Skateboarding Club shredding big stereotypes

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

If you think skateboarding is a young person’s pursuit, well, clearly you haven’t been to the Mount Nelson Athletic Park (MNAP) skate park early on a Sunday morning.

ere you’ll find a group of dedicated skateboarders with greying hair and the wisdom not to push the boundaries like they did when they were teenagers. Sprained wrists and fractured ankles don’t heal as easily when you’re multiple decades past high school graduation, after all. at said, the group of men, who call themselves ‘the Old Man’s Skateboarding Club’ shred hard, and even though most are solidly middle age, in their 40 and early 50s, they are pulling the kind of tricks that turn the heads of onlookers of any age.

e oldest skater is 60 and he rides perhaps the hardest of all, outlined club member Andre Kreutzer.

“Skateboarding is not just for the young folks. It’s easy, it keeps you moving and it’s fun,” Kreutzer told the Pioneer. “When people see us out there, on a Sunday morning, most of them think it’s pretty cool that we’re still doing what we’re doing.”

e club numbers about eight people, although on any given Sunday you usually only find three or four of them in the skatepark. at’s because when you’re a teenager who have all the free time in the world to hang out at a skatepark, but when you’re in your 40s, most people have to squeeze skateboarding time in amongst adult responsibilities.

“Most of us have kids, families, careers — the usual juggle,” said Kreutzer. Hence the Sunday morning 9 a.m. meeting time; it’s perhaps the best time of week for a busy dad to sneak out of the house for an hour or so of skateboarding. Or a busy mom – Kreuzter emphasized that although the club is all male at the moment, it is certainly open to women as well.

e club began organically, when Kreutzer bumped

into Jeff Collins (the 60-year old skater) at the skate park. “We started skating together and it grew from there,” explained Kreutzer. “It seems we keep finding more people.”

Most of the Old Man’s Skateboarding Club members, including both Kreutzer and Collins, skateboarded heavily in their youth, left the pursuit at some point in their 20’s, and have since returned to it in recent years, in part inspired by their own kids.

Are they more cautious than before?

“You do get a bit wiser in old age and you don’t skateboard the same way. You’re going for ‘smooth’ rather than ‘epic’,” explained Kreutzer with a chuckle.

“I’m not as reckless as I was once,” conceded Collins. But Collins was quick to add, on the other hand, that “there is still an adrenaline rush. ere are not a lot of things you can do when you are older that make you feel like you are 20 again, like skateboarding does.”

Collins told the Pioneer he thinks skateboarding in your 60s is no different than playing hockey, or for that matter skiing or playing golf, in your 60s. “It keeps you active, like anything else. You keep moving, you keep healthy,” he said.

Anybody interested in joining the club is welcome to show up at the MNAP skate park at roughly 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

Begginnings launches new dinner menu

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

something altogether new but which promises to be just as delicious — the restaurant’s new dinner menu.

Begginnings is extending it hours, and will now also be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. ursdays through Saturdays, offering appetizers, entrees, desserts, as well as locally sourced high quality cocktails and craft beer.

“We’re starting with a smaller dinner menu, but once we get a bigger team, we want to expand our dinner menu to match our breakfast offerings,” said Begginnings venue manager Liam Maguire.

e dinner menu includes sharable plates as well as a dynamite kids menu.

“ e big thing we want is to create an affordable option for families to have dinner out,” said Maguire.

e kids menu is $12 per kid across the board and kids can choose from meals such as burgers, fish and chips, and chicken tenders.

version of shepherd’s pie).

For something to share, there’s classics such as spinach and artichoke dip as well as truffle-and-parmesan fries, and birria tacos.

Desserts include Death by Chocolate, crisps and brownies, and spiked Affogato (which mixes liqueur, espresso and ice cream).

Nearby Ullr Bar has the same owners as Begginnings, but the two establishments take a different approach.

“ e idea with dinner at Begginnings is to have a nice dining experience, with a bit of a quieter atmosphere. We’ll have a dining experience that runs from appetizers through cocktails, entrees and desserts” added Maguire. “We don’t want to rush you at all, take your time, enjoy the night out.”

ere’s something cooking at Invermere restaurant Begginnings, and its not the scrumptious breakfasts and brunches the eatery has already become famous for. It’s

e dinner options thus far include the trademark prime rib burger (“some people have already told us it’s the very best burger they’ve had in their lives,” said Maguire); the smoked half rack of ribs; and farmer’s pie (which is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly, dairy-and-gluten-free

Begginnings cocktails include a few favourites from Ullr, but also some new offerings. ere will be espresso martinis, Caesars, mimosas and Prosecco-based cocktails.

To make dinner reservations call 236-527-2124 or email: reservations@begginnings.com.

To find out more, check out begginnings.com.

Jeff Collins, age 60, does some shredding at Mount Nelson Athletic Park.

Photo by Andre Kreutzer

e new dinner Begginnings includes an outstanding prime rib burger and delicious fish and chips. Photo submitted

B e Vig i lant and Ac t Now : Prep are for Wi l dfires

It’s a stressful time in our region during this ferocious wildfire season. We want to ensure that our families, businesses, homes, and livestock are safe My heart goes out to ever ybody who is affected in these uncertain times

In Revelstoke, we tragically lost a bright young soul with B C Wildfire Ser vices in a worksite accident. When I attended the memorial ser vice for Devyn Gale, it was clear that she was a n inspirational community leader, loved beyond measure by her wonderful family and community She will be sorely missed by so many My most heartfelt condolences go out to Devyn’s family and community for this unspeakable loss

Please think of all our brave Wildfire fighters and their families I extend gratitude to ever y one of them on behalf of all of us who live in Columbia River-Revelstoke

As I write this, there are several fires in Columbia River-Revelstoke that we are wat ching ver y closely The Horsethief Creek Wildfire was caused by lightning, approximately seven kilometers north of Panorama Wildfire N22240 at Mia Creek is burning northeast of Canal Flats, the Nipika fire at Yearling Creek is currently out of control approximately 23km east of R adium Hot Springs, northwest of Revelstoke the Hiren Creek Fire is currently mapped at 758 acres There are dozens of smaller fires at high elevation as a result of recent lightning strikes The St Mar y ’ s River Fire resulted in evacuation alerts and orders as it encroached into our region Sadly, our neighbours of the ?aq’am First Nation lost seven homes to this fire, which is approximately ten percent of the homes in the community. This fire is now classed as being held, thanks to the incredible efforts of our firefighters and support crews

We must respect B C’s current Categor y 3 Open Burning Fire Bans and Restrictions. This is serious stuff, folks. Anyone found in contravention m ay be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay up to $10,000 in penalties, or if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail

Reduce the feeling of helplessness by visiting the FireSmart B C website. Have you done ever ything you can to reduce the risks to your property?

I’ve heard stories of woodpiles that were burned in the fires that were stacked away from the homes, and the homes sur vived Stay informed by going as close to the source a s possible for reliable information Download the B C Wildfire Ser vice App or visit the B C Wildfire Ser vice website often The RDEK is also providing Emergency Info Updates For information on highway travel, visit DriveB C You can also visit the B C Wildlife Ser vice webpage for more information.

You don’t need to wait for an emergency to be prepared There are several resources for Emergency Preparedness including checklists from City of Kimberley and RDEK, specifically in the case of Evacuation Alert or Evacuation Order. The Town of Golden administers the emergency program for Electoral Area A under the Golden and Area Emergency Management Program Agreement The City of Revelstoke administers the emergency program for Electoral Area B under the Revelstoke and Area Emergency Management Program Agreement Residents of Golden, Revelstoke and Electoral Areas A and B are encouraged to download Alertable, which is a push notification app.

Please follow your local water restrictions in Revelstoke, Golden, R adium Hot Springs, Fairmont and Dutch Creek, Canal Flats, Kimberley, Invermere, CSRD and RDEK

If you spot what you suspect to be an unreported wildfire, call *5555 from your cell phone.

B e vigilant A change in wind can result in drastic changes in conditions with little warning Preser vation of life an d property will depend on all of us taking these wildfires seriously

It is during some of the hardest times that we can support each other and come closer together Keep in touch with your neighbours Ask them if they’ve seen these resources Please share this article on social media if you found it helpful

I want to hear from you about any concerns you have about this or any other issue I read ever y email I receive Please reach out to me at doug clovechok mla@leg bc ca or call m y office in Kimberley at (250) 432-2300 or Revelstoke at (250) 805-0323

Our God goes before us

By Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship Church

As I sat back and reflected this week and thought about what the Lord would have me to share, what kept coming to mind was how incredibly faithful God has always been. Even when I blow it, even when I make mistakes, He is always there for me. He goes before me and guides me by His presence. He has proven Himself over and over.

No matter what is going on in the world, no matter what is happing in our lives the battle belongs to the Lord, we can rest in that truth.

It is a busy life, and the closer I come to “retirement” the busier it seems to get.

One of the great truths found in God’s Word is in Psalm 91 verses 1, 2, all of Psalms 91 is great but the first two verses, if we live by them, can take away a lot of the pressure of life.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High,

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust.” And when we learn to trust God, as we learn to love God, as we learn to accept God for who He is. He will say to us, as He said to David in the last three verses of Psalms 91, 14-16, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation. ese verses would baffle even the most intellectual mind, if they didn’t now Christ. But for those of us who do have a relationship with Jesus, we’ve come to understand it as, His unmerited Favour and Grace that He extends towards us, even though we’ve done nothing to deserve it, He makes it continually available to us. Even before we ever loved Him, He loved us and has been gently going before us, and guiding us towards the wonderful life He has prepared for us. I have put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, How about you?

John 16:33 tells us, Jesus speaking, “ ese things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Park Drive home efficient

Submitted

In a breakthrough for sustainable living, a remarkably super efficient home located at 1918 Park Drive in Windermere has emerged as a shining example of energy-conscious design and green living.

With an outstanding EnerGuide rating of 46 Gigajoules per year (GJ/yr) this state-of-the-art residence is setting a new standard for environmentally friendly homes in the area.

e EnerGuide rating system, administered by Natural Resources Canada, provides homeowners with valuable insights into the energy efficiency of their properties. By adhering to rigorous construction standards and utilizing cutting-edge technologies, the original owners achieved an impressive rating, further reinforcing their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and minimizing energy consumption.

To put the EnerGuide rating number in perspective, a typical new home built today in the Windermere area uses 124 GJ/yr of power, whereas this home uses 67 GJ/ yr. With the additional energy savings produced by the home’s solar array, that number is further reduced to 47 GJ/yr of power. Nate Sereda, certified energy advisor with EnergyAdvise, completed the energy assessment test on the home and is particularly impressed with its air tightness; it is close to 60 per cent better than what is required of a new home in today’s building code. Additionally, the home boasts a long list of features specifically designed to maximize energy efficiency without compromising comfort: a unique envelope construction, high efficiency furnace, heat pump, and a heat recovery ventilator.

e home’s integrated solar array also harnesses the abundant sunlight. is provides a clean and sustainable energy source, reducing reliance on conventional power grids and decreasing the home's overall environmental footprint.

e impact of this energy-conscious home extends beyond its immediate environment. By minimizing energy usage and embracing renewable energy sources, the owners have taken a significant step toward combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. is home truly demonstrates how practical and comfortable sustainable living can be.

As sustainable living continues to gain prominence, 1918 Park Drive exemplifies the future of residential construction. With its innovative building design and commitment to sustainability, it sets an exciting precedent for eco-conscious homeowners and aspiring builders.

Collective Carpentry has been building homes in the Windermere area using similar eco-friendly design techniques for several years. Rane Wardwell, Collective Carpentry’s CFO and head of production and installation, says of this home, “It’s a move in the right direction for energy efficiency and that means using less energy, which is good for the electrical (building) grid and the environment. In addition, the customer gets a more comfortable and resilient home with lower operational costs.”

As BC approaches the requirement for new homes to be net zero ready by 2032, this Park Drive home is an example for all to follow.

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

While you are with us, you are always welcome to join us.

at 10:30 a.m 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lwac.ca

We do not have ser vices in July and August. Sunday ser vices will resume Sept 3rd at 10:30am. Please visit our website by going to

Saturday 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. St. Joseph, Radium: Sunday 11 a.m.

Father Francis Dela Cruz • 712 -12th Ave , Invermere 250-342-6167

S

Sunday 1:30 p.m Worship Ser vice at Valley Christian 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere lutheranstpeter@gmail.com

R A D I U M C H R I S T I A N F E L L O W S H I P Sunday 10 a.m Worship service

Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937

Service, Sunday, 10 a.m Relief Society, 11:15 a.m

President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fair way, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041

CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo)

Worship Ser vice: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall)

For inquiries: 250-688-1643 250-270-2208 or 250-688-0629

For more info about the church, you can Google online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph

Photo submitted