Vol14issue10 by Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017 Vol. 14/Issue 10

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

The Columbia

Valley

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1 March 10, 2017

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The Windermere Valley Child Care Society Outer Space-themed family dance brought out community members of all ages for the event, including Wes in his spaceman outfit. For more photos from this event and more, see pages 16 and 17. Photo by Nikki Fredrikson

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March 10, 2017

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DISTINGUISHED DIRECTORS — The RDEK Columbia Valley Directors (left to right, Canal Flats mayor Ute Juras, Invermere mayor Gerry Taft, Radium mayor Clara Reinhardt, Area G director Gerry Wilkie and Area F director Wendy Booth) with their 2017 Species and Ecosystems at Risk (SEAR) Local Government Working Group award. The award was presented to the RDEK for demonstrating exemplary work through its Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund. Photo submitted

Columbia Valley Local Conservation Program awarded

Submitted by Regional District of East Kootenay The Regional District of East Kootenay’s Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund has been named as a recipient of a 2017 peer nominated award from the Species and Ecosystems at Risk (SEAR) Local Government Working Group. The award went to local governments that have demonstrated exemplary work on a species-and-ecosystemsat-risk-related initiative and the RDEK was one of six B.C. local governments to receive the recognition. “The Columbia Valley Conservation Fund has provided funding to a number of important on-the-ground

programs over the years,” said RDEK Columbia Valley Services Committee Chair Ute Juras. “While the RDEK and Columbia Valley Directors received the award, it is shared with the Technical Advisory Committee, the Kootenay Conservation Fund, which administers the program on our behalf, and the people and organizations who are using the funds provided by the program to help protect and enhance the Valley.” The awards were announced by Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps during the recent SEAR Local Government Working Group Symposium, which was attended by over 160 participants from municipal, regional and provincial governments.

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March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

VALLEY NEWS

Legacy Trail prepares for spring construction By Steve Hubrecht Pioneer Staff The long-proposed Westside Legacy Trail took another big step closer to reality last week, when it received a major funding boost from the B.C. Rural Dividend Fund. Greenways Trail Alliance, which is spearheading efforts on the planned paved bike trail (that, when complete, will run between Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs), discovered on Thursday, March 2nd that it will receive a $500,000 grant from the fund — the single largest piece of funding for the project so far.

“It’s really exciting, it’s big news,” Greenways executive director Mark Halwa told The Pioneer. The total amount raised for the project to date, including in-kind donations, is a touch more than $3 million (about 60 per cent of the total cost of the trail), and allows construction to begin in earnest this April. The organization plans for construction to start at the north end of the trail, just south of Invermere, and continue south to the beginning of segment four (of a total seven planned segments) by the end of the summer. Mr. Halwa outlined that this means the most unique and remote sections of the trail will be built first, on a route that crosses a number of streams, through what he termed a

rolling landscape and all-natural environment providing some of the best views of Lake Windermere. Although the entire trail will not be entirely complete this year, trail users will still be able to put their tires (or running shoes, rollerblades or wheelchairs) on part of it this summer. “When we first heard about the Rural Dividend Fund, it really caught our attention, because it has a stream for destination trail projects. New funding streams are typically small, but this one, as long as you are partnered, allows you to apply for the full $500,000,” Mr. Halwa said. Continued on page 30 . . .

Planned propane deal raised competition questions By Steve Hubrecht Pioneer Staff A business takeover deal involving two major energy companies has left some Upper Columbia Valley residents worrying about a lack of competition for propane heating. Superior Plus Corp. signed a deal in mid-February to buy Canwest Propane from parent company Gibson Energy Inc. for $412 million, with the deal set to close some time later in 2017, once the necessary approvals are obtained. The deal has prompted concern here in the Valley, and has already resulted in one local municipal council — Invermere — firing off a letter, registering this concern with the federal Competition Bureau because Superior and Canwest are

the only two large-scale propane companies operating in the Valley. “A major part of the problem is we don’t have natural gas, so for energy options for homes and businesss, you only have electricity or propane. And since in many cases you need a backup system different than your primary system, you end up without much to choose from at all,” Invermere mayor Gerry Taft told The Pioneer, adding that those who use larger heating systems (such as bigger businesses), even if they opt to go electric, still will need to incorporate propane as part of the primary system, not just as backup. “So there’s not a lot of choice. If you have only one major supplier, it’s easy to imagine a situation in which prices are not as competitive as they might otherwise be, and in which levels of service may fall,” said Mr. Taft, adding he’s not entirely Continued on page 28 . . .

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

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Saturday, March 11th, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m

Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena $20 per family, $7 per adult, $5 per senior or student and children under 3 FREE Come out and support the Columbia Valley Skating Club at their annual Ice Show. The skaters have been working hard and are ready to show off their skills. There will be raffle baskets and 50/50 ticket sales to help support the club. Concession will be open.

During the past week the Columbia Valley RCMP detachment received about 60 calls for service. The following is a small sample of those calls. • On Tuesday, February 28th at about 7 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a single vehicle motor vehicle incident on Highway 93 in the Kootenay National Park. The complainant reported that there was a yellow Chevrolet Cobalt in the ditch on its roof in the park. When they came across the vehicle, they did not have any cell service, but called police once they could use their phone. They further advised that they did not stop to determine if anyone was injured. Consequently, an ambulance was dispatched and RCMP were en route to the scene; fortunately, while on the way, the responding RCMP member was flagged down by a passing vehicle, which had stopped and picked up the driver and only occupant of the vehicle. The driver advised that he was not injured and that he had been travelling eastbound when his car began to slide through a curve in the road. He attempted to correct but eventually lost control of the car. It then crossed both lanes and overturned in a snowbank. The driver was provided transportation to Radium Hot Springs to make necessary travel arrangements. RCMP went on to the collision scene and located the vehicle in the ditch east of Olive Lake. Roads were wet with a small amount of ice at the time of attendance. • During the morning hours of Wednesday, March 1st, Columbia Valley RCMP were dispatched to a report of an intoxicated male walking along Highway 93/95 south of the Invermere turnoff. The male was reportedly staggering and falling down. RCMP made some immediate patrols in the area and found a male hitchhiker. The intoxicated male was happy to see police and once police learned his identity we were able to get him a ride home. The male was cold and tired and released to a sober responsible person at his residence.

• On Saturday, March 4th at 9 a.m., RCMP received a front counter complaint surrounding a hit and run that occurred in Invermere the night before. The complainant reported that on March 3rd, her Saturn had been parked in the Red Apple parking lot when it was damaged. She had gone into the store and when she departed the store she noticed that the vehicle had received damages to the front fender. She advised that the parking lot was empty when she left the store and no note was left on her vehicle. RCMP assessed the damage and ascertained that it was consistent with a hit and run collision. Police are asking that if anyone saw the damage done to the Saturn, they call the detachment or Crimestoppers. • On Sunday, March 5th, at about 3 a.m., RCMP received complaint from a taxi operator who reported one of his clients had been assaulted. The rider was accused by a waiting client of taking the taxi before his turn. After the male got in the cab, an unknown male opened the door and punched him in the face for “stealing” the cab. The RCMP spoke to the male who was assaulted who in turn advised his injuries were superficial at best and that he didn’t really care about the punch and wished the matter dropped. • During the morning of Tuesday, March 7th, another motor vehicle incident was reported to the Columbia Valley RCMP. This incident surrounded a two-vehicle side swipe collision that occurred at the eastbound merge situated on Laurier Street in Invermere just before the bridge. The Australian driver, in a vehicle she rented from Alberta, was merging from the right lane into the left lane and failed to signal her intentions to move over. Subsequently, she collided with another vehicle. There were no injuries to drivers or passengers and damage to both vehicles combined were estimated at around $4,000. The vehicles were driveable. No charges were laid in this matter. Interesting statistics from the week: also witnessed were 14 traffic-related complaints, six responses to false alarms, two bylaw noise complaints, two abandoned 911 calls and one theft of articles from a vehicle.

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

Mr. Taft was nominated to represent the NDP in October, and Liberal candidate Doug Clovechok the spring before that, The race to become the next Columbia which does mean “especially in this riding, River-Revelstoke MLA in this spring’s prothat there will be a lot of catch up. They’ve vincial election, which for so long was a twohad a lot of time to knock on doors and camhorse race to replace retiring long-time NDP paign, so they’re ahead on these things, and MLA Norm Macdonald, now features a nearwe don’t have the same financial resources,” ly full slate of candidate, with a fourth consaid Mr. Boyer, but added this just undertender announcing his intention to run under scores the underdog nature of the Green the Green Party banner earlier this week. Party in the riding, that being the underdog Columere Park resident Samson Conmeans not being part of the established poliSamson Connery Boyer nery Boyer may be just 18 years old, but he is tics-as-normal, and that people may apprecigunning hard to make large gains — if not win this riding ate a fresh approach and new ideas. outright — for the Green Party come this May. “It definitely feels a bit of David against Goliath, but Mr. Boyer told The Pioneer that his desire to run for the seeing as how Norm’s not running, I think there’s a chance Greens was inspired partly by helping out in the campaign for the Green Party or another third party or an indepenfor federal Kootenay-Columbia Green Party candidate Bill dent to make big strides, if not win,” he said. “I think people Green in the 2015 Canadian election, and partly by the are skeptical about Gerry. He’s been a really good mayor, Green Party’s growing focus on economic as well as envi- no doubt, but there are a number of people skeptical about ronmental issues. how he’d do as MLA. Doug, I’ve known him for a while, “It definitely helped push me in that direction, al- and he’s a great guy, but there are a lot of people in the valley though I’ve been interested in politics for a long time,” he fed up with the Liberals. The NDP and Liberals are the big, said, adding he’s been a supporter of federal Green Party established parties here, but this year I think people look at leader Elizabeth May for a while, but before that he was “in them and see it as having to choose the lesser of two evils.” the Liberal corner.” With Mr. Boyer being from Columere Park, the Upper Mr. Boyer applied to become the party’s Columbia Columbia Valley is home for three of the four candidates River-Revelstoke candidate in November and faced no running in the provincial election (Kimberley-based indecompetitors, but a lengthy vetting process meant he only pendent Justin Hooles is the odd man out). formally announced his candidacy on Monday, March 6th. Mr. Boyer’s background includes working for the CoHe conceded that he’s in a unique situation — the first lumbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, and in the valley’s time he is legally able to vote, he will be voting for himself. tourism industry as a lifeguard and ski and snowboard in“I thought about that (his relatively young age), but I structor at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, as well as beekeeprealized I want to speak for Columbia River-Revelstoke and ing, which he has been doing for years as both a hobby and I might as well do it when I’m young. Either I start now on a small commercial scale, selling to neighbours and at or I wait a few decades, have a career, then come back to the Fairmont’s weekly farmers’ market, which his family give politics a shot,” said Mr. Boyer, adding although his helps run. opponents may try to use his age as an attack point, they’d He attended Martin Morigeau Elementary School in be wrong to do so. Canal Flats (and indeed was featured on the cover of The “I speak for the next generation; you can’t discount our Pioneer at the age of eight in November 2006) until Grade voice,” he said. “(Invermere mayor and Columbia River- 3 and has been homeschooled by his parents since then. He Revelstoke NDP candidate) Gerry Taft got into politics at a is currently working toward his Dogwood diploma (a B.C. young age and that worked out. If anybody should be sup- certificate of graduation, equivalent to a normal high school portive of other young, inexperienced candidates, it’s Gerry.” Continued on page 20 . . . By Steve Hubrecht Pioneer Staff

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6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

PERSPECTIVE Historical Lens

Happy Husbands’ Day By Nicole Trigg Pioneer Staff

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has make a point of reiterating to Canadians and the rest of the world that he is a feminist — and it appears like he is the only Trudeau who is. Canada’s First Lady Sophie Gregoire Trudeau began International Women’s Day on March 8th by posting a photograph of herself in pink holding her hubby’s hand while gazing adoringly up into his eyes with a caption telling women to share a photo of themselves holding hands with their “male ally” in honour of the day, to “create a movement that inspires more men to join the fight” for equality. The damage control team must have decided it was better to leave it up than hastily pull it off the web as an admission of wrong-doing. The last time a Canadian tried to hijack a cause by suggesting it should represent everybody, not just the group it’s championing, was 2016 when singer Remigio Pereira with the Canadian vocal quartet The Tenors inserted the words “All Lives Matter” into the group’s rendition of O Canada during a Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego. His lyrics sparked online fury, to which Pereira responded he was only wanting to make a positive statement that would bring everyone together. Meanwhile, his “good” intentions were interpreted by the rest of the world — even by his own group who fired him after losing a number of major gigs following the All Star Game — as dismissive of the anti-discrimination sentiment the Black Lives Matter movement represented. Applying Mrs. Trudeau’s reasoning, Black History Month would then be Everyone’s History Month, and Aboriginal Day would be Everyone’s Day. And not only does her statement disregard all those women who don’t have a man but have a woman as their ally, it makes one wonder if someone should be policing her use of social media to help avoid any future gaffes.

Big house in Brisco In this image taken in the 1920s, the Watkins couple stand in front of their large two-story log home in Brisco with their three children. R. John, Charlie and Annie Watkins are believed to be the names of some of the people in the photo. If you have any more information, e-mail us at info@columbiavalleypioneer.com. Photo (C51) courtesy of the Windermere District Historical Society

Correction In the photo in last week’s lead story (“Local businesses take steps to combat fentanyl overdoses in the Valley”, March 3rd Pioneer), the two women pictured were incorrectly identified. Their correct names are Vicki Roberts and Charlene Fuller who are Horsethief Creek Pub staff, as is Tim Richards who is also in the photo along with pub owner Mike Gray. The Pioneer apologizes for the error.

Family thanks caring community Dear Editor: Through your newspaper, we would like to publicly thank those who looked after and looked out for our wife and mother, Anne Picton, over the years. We first would like to recognize the Interior Health workers and all the medical staff who cared for her and treated her illness. The courtesy and respect that was shown to Anne was indicative of the high regard people had for her. Every time she was admitted to hospital or Emergency, the treatment was commendable and Anne had high praise for all the staff. The people who provided respite care also deserve recognition. Anne enjoyed the company, and both Anne and her husband Ray’s quality of life was im-

proved because of the kindness shown by her friends and by the hospice personnel. Anne’s love of the Valley and its communities started in August 1967 and never waned. She couldn’t wait to return to her home and valley life. The ways in which we have seen and continue to see that love returned are both gratifying and humbling. Anne appreciated the calls, the visits, the offers of help, and the good wishes — and the rest of the family does as well. For making one person’s life so fulfilling, the whole Picton family would like to thank you. Sincerely, Ray, Owen (John), Evan (Lisa), and the extended Picton family

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

Pioneer

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Misko Publishing Limited Partnership. Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1.855.377.0312 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Dean Midyette Publisher/ Sales Manager

Nicole Trigg Editor

Steve Hubrecht Reporter

Nikki Fredrikson Reporter

Amanda Nason Advertising Sales

Emily Rawbon Graphic Design/ Associate Publisher

Amanda Murray

Office Administrator/ Classified Sales

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

Stetski to hold telephone town hall on marijuana legalization Submitted by MP Wayne Stetski Next week Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski will host a telephone town hall for residents to let him know their views on marijuana legalization. “The legalization of marijuana will have impacts on health, the economy, law enforcement and for municipalities,” Stetski said. “This is a significant issue for Kootenay-Columbia, and I want to hear what people in the region are thinking as the government moves closer to introducing legislation.” The telephone town hall will be held on Tuesday, March 14th at 7:30 p.m. MST. Residents with a listed phone number will receive a phone call from an automatic system to invite them to join the call. In addition to being able to ask questions or offer comments, participants will hear from four area experts, including Nelson Mayor Deb Kozak; Tamara Duggan, owner of Tamarack Dispensaries in Kimberley; Dean Nicholson, Executive Director of East Kootenay Addiction Ser-

vices Society in Cranbrook; and a representative of the RCMP. The federal government is expected to introduce legislation legalizing marijuana this spring. A recent federal task force on the issue made a number of recommendations, including the establishment of a minimum age of access and restrictions on advertising and promotion; regulated production, manufacturing and distribution; and safeguards, such as testing, packaging and labelling. Stetski is encouraging anyone interested to read the task force’s recommendations, which can be found at https:// goo.gl/KSLAI9. “We will have to see whether the government follows its own task force’s recommendations when they introduce the new laws,” Stetski said. “As the person who will be voting on those laws on your behalf, I want to know what you think about the issue.” Anyone with an unlisted phone number who would like to take part in Town Hall can register at WayneStetski.ndp.ca.

Prestigious 40-member chorale performing in Invermere Submitted by Wendy Badley The Lake Windermere Alliance Church is excited to host the 40-member Moody Chorale from Moody Bible Institute. Founded in 1946 at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, the Moody Chorale serves local Churches around the world through the ministry of sacred music. The community is invited to partake in this performance never-beforeseen in Invermere, which takes place on

Monday, March 13th at 7 p.m. at the Church on 10th Avenue. No admission cost, but a freewill offering will be taken to offset travel costs for the Chorale. Enjoy the 1.5-hour concert as the Chorale performs a repertoire of music from various cultures, styles and time periods. Every year, the Chorale tours throughout the United States and also internationally, most recently in Scandinavia. For a complete list of concerts or to check out their recordings, visit www.moody.edu/concerts.

We want to hear from you Email your letters to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com or visit our website at www. columbiavalleypioneer.com. Mail your letters to Box 868, Invermere, V0A 1K0, or drop them in at #8 1008-8th Avenue. Letters to the editor should be sent only to The Pioneer, and not to other publications. We do not publish open letters or third-party

letters. Letters for publication should be no longer than 400 words, and must include the writer’s address and phone numbers. No attachments, please. Letters may be shortened for space requirements. We reserve the right to edit for space, clarity, civility and accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the writer, not The Pioneer.

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March 10, 2017

Business owners meet with MP By Nikki Fredrikson Pioneer Staff

You’re Invited!

Annual General Meeting | March 15 | 5:30 pm 625 4th Street, South Annex

The Lake Windermere Ambassadors are currently recruiting new Directors. If you are interested in lake health, monitoring and stewardship, this is the perfect time to get involved!

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Nine members of the business community had the opportunity to sit down with Member of Parliament Wayne Stetski and District of Invermere’s Mayor Gerry Taft to discuss concerns and challenges they’re facing on Wednesday, March 1st at Circle Café in Invermere. The small business forum was the second of three forums Mr. Stetski is hosting in the KootenayColumbia riding. One of the larger topics covered at the forum in Invermere was surrounding agriculture in the area, and the challenges with transportation of goods, regulations on herbiFEEDBACK FOR THE FEDS — MP Wayne Stetski (back row, third cides and pesticides, and lack of young people from left) was in the valley for a Small Business Forum on March 1st. involved in the industry. He will be relaying the information he gathered to the appropriate cabi“I learn from every community and of net ministers. Photo by Nikki Fredrikson course every community is quite distinct. I hadn’t there is land in the agricultural land available; what we need seen or been reminded for awhile now about the concerns around inter-provincial trade. It was interesting to to do is move toward more agriculture,” said Mr. Stetski. A solution discussed to combat the lack of industrial hear the concerns both about the meat products and vegetable products, some of the challenges going back and forth land was for the community to work with the province to just between Alberta and British Columbia. It is absolutely turn the old highways gravel yard in the Industrial Park into ironic that it can be easier to send produce to China than it commercial land. This is already a project the District of can be at times to cross provincial borders. So that definitely Invermere has been working on, but has to wait until the land passes environmental checks. needs fixing from a federal perspective,” said Mr. Stetski. Another one of the issues brought forward was reLin Egan of Winderberry Nursery brought up her concern that there needs to be more regulation on chemi- garding the provincial sales tax in border communities and cals used on crops. Mr. Stetski told The Pioneer that it is a the challenges business owners are having with the system federal government responsibility to make sure chemicals itself. This wasn’t the first time Mr. Stetski heard about that are approved are safe, which he said requires a great these issues as they were concerns brought forward at his forum in Fernie. deal of rigour. “The second part of that seems to be a difficulty just Ms. Egan also brought forward that if more young people don’t get involved in agriculture, the industry won’t in paying your PST. Some of the businesses in Fernie menbe sustained. Mr. Stetski said agriculture needs to be en- tioned the same thing, that they found the system really couraged in as many different ways as possible. For himself, quite complicated. The provincial government could look agriculture is one of his three areas of focus as an MP and he at other ways to simplify,” said Mr. Stetski. Reducing the tax or completely removing the PST tax created a private member’s bill to put a focus on local food. “One of the things I did to try and put a spotlight on in border communities is something Mr. Stetski said the it is introduce the private member’s bill in Parliament that provincial government could consider. By doing so, the would recognize the Friday before Thanksgiving every year government would lose the tax money from the area and as National Local Food Day. There’s a spotlight on just executing the tax removal would be difficult to do. The one concern that was brought forward to Mr. about everything else in Canada so it seemed appropriate to shine a spotlight on local food and celebrate that every Stetski that surprised him to hear was the challenges local businesses are facing when applying for the Canada-B.C. year,” said Mr. Stetski. Locally, Mr. Stetski said there is going to be a fair bit of Job Grant. The grant program allows for non-profits and funding through the Columbia Basin Trust for the Koote- small businesses to get funding to have a summer student nay region. The funding will go into an agriculture stream aged 15 to 30 to join their workforce. “It appears to be a timing issue and I do appreciate that to help promote and support the industry’s growth in the the concern that was brought forward was that by the time area. “Knowing that there’s funding to help move innova- you’re notified you have the grant money, it’s too late often tion along, potentially in agriculture, I think will help en- to get hold of some of the people you’d like to hire,” said Mr. Stetski. “What I’m going to do with that concern is talk to courage young people,” said Mr. Stetski. Another issue brought forward at the forum was the the government about trying to back up the whole process.” Moving forward, Mr. Stetski will hold one more small lack of industrial and commercial properties for businesses business forum in his riding; he will then compile all the to grow and expand into. “You need to have commercial land, industrial land concerns heard at each event. From there, he will create recavailable or you really can’t expand your business. On the ommendations and send letters to the applicable ministers one hand, that’s certainly important. On the other hand, and ask for them to respond to these issues.

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer â&#x20AC;¢ 9

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

Avalanche Canada warns backcountry users to be careful in March

for everybody, but I can speak for a lot of people in the industry by saying, ‘Beware the ides of March’.” He encouraged those planning on going into the backcountry to check the local Avalanche Canada put out a special warning on March 2nd, reminding backcoun- bulletins from Avalanche Canada regularly, looking for cautions about deeper, persistry users to take extra care over the new few weeks. tent weak layers in the snowpack structure. The Avalanche Canada safety message mentioned that of the 15 people who died The bulletin was a generalized message rather than a specific warning, but cautioned that March is one of the worst months for avalanche fatalities in Canada, and in avalanches last year, 12 were snowmobilers, and that over the past five years, 45 targeted snowmobilers as well as backcountry skiers, people have been killed in avalanches — 24 of them while snowmobiling. pointing out that last year 80 per cent of the country’s “I can speak for a lot of people in the industry by avalanche victims were snowmobilers. It also noted that two-thirds of these snowmobiling saying, ‘Beware the ides of March’.” fatalities were Albertans, and that, of these Albertans, Invermere-based Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) certified ski guide and Canadian Avamore than 73 per cent were from the Edmonton area. Brodie Smith “Unlike other user groups, snowmobiling avalanche lanche Association professional member Brodie Smith, who Invermere-based Ski Guide fatalities are showing a clear pattern,” said Avalanche Canhas taught avalanche skill training courses to snowmobilers, ada executive director Gilles Valade in the bulletin. “When told The Pioneer that March is definitely a time to be careful. we see such a cluster in terms of place of residence, it raises “In general, March is a really transitional month for the snowpack. It goes from being a winter snowpack to a spring snowpack as the tem- a concern that our safety messages aren’t reaching the people who clearly need it most.” “An Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course is the first step for anyone recreating peratures warm. And as temperatures warm, deep instabilities in the snow can ‘wake in the backcountry,” said Mr. Valade. “More than 8,000 people take this training each up’,” Mr. Smith said. Skiers and snowmobilers are both at risk, he noted, but added “snowmobiles can season. Unfortunately, less than 15 per cent of these students are snowmobilers. Contravel quite quickly from an area of deep snowpack to an area of shallow snowpack, and vincing more sledders to take this training where they will learn safe travel techniques for avalanche terrain and how to self-rescue is a significant goal for Avalanche Canada.” the weight of a snowmobile can have deeper impact into the snowpack.” To check local avalanche bulletins, and for more information, visit www.avalanche.ca. Mr. Smith said the message put out by Avalanche Canada “is a generalized message By Steve Hubrecht Pioneer Staff

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March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer 11 Page•11

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

MUSIC • VISUAL ARTS • DINING • BAR SCENE • ENTERTAINMENT • PERFORMANCE ARTS Iconic Canadian musicians Barney Bentall (left) and Jim Byrnes (right) are headlining Panorama’s first-ever music festival next weekend. Turn to page 12 for the story.

LOVE IT LIVE

Photos submitted

PAGE 15

GIVE BACK SUNDAYS

PAGE 20

High Notes, big guns

Out & About Your weekly guide to what’s happening around the Columbia Valley PAGE 13

Cinefest Film

Manchester by the Sea Tuesday March 14th at 7 pm

Love It Live Concert - March 17th at 6 pm Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

Canadian icons set to headline High Notes Fest By James Rose Special to The Pioneer One week! That’s it before the first-ever High Notes Music Festival at Panorama Mountain Resort gets underway. This week’s artist profile features two heavy hitters in the music business and the festival’s Saturday night Pepsi Main Stage headliners. Musicians Barney Bentall and Jim Byrnes will be joined by Leeroy Stagger for a show that promises to not disappoint and is already on track to sell out. “Tickets sales are really strong for their show and if anyone hasn’t snapped up tickets yet they should do so sooner than later before they are all gone!” said Clarissa Amaro, the festival’s co-ordinator. Jim Byrnes is from St. Louis, Missouri — home to blues, rock n’ roll, and country/ western music. Jim grew up in a veritable music melting pot and it is safe to say that after hearing him play, it was in the water he drank, too. Down the road from his childhood home, young Jim could hear the likes of Ike and Tina Turner wailing away as the house band at a nearby bowling alley. And not far from there, blues legend Albert King had a weekly gig at Club Monaco where any passerby could hear the searing sounds of Mr. King bending his six-string. But it was Canada where Mr. Byrnes would eventually settle. He moved to Vancouver in the mid-70s after years of drifting, working odd jobs and playing music. In 1981, he put together a band that became a staple of the local music scene and would routinely play up to 300 dates per year. Barney Bentall, on the other hand, was born in Toronto, raised in Calgary and, at age 20, headed west to Vancouver to channel his inner Stephen Stills. After a decade or so of cutting his teeth in the Vancouver music scene, he and his Legendary Hearts band made one final push to “make it”. As Mr. Bentall says in his web bio, “With a couple teeth knocked out, I met with

label execs during their heyday in Toronto, and I managed to get the band a record contract with Columbia/Sony Records and a management deal with my good friend Bernie Finkelstein. It just goes to show the power of a song. The next 10 years were a fun, exciting and soul-stretching ride that we all somehow managed to survive.” After those 10 years of constant touring, Mr. Bentall decided that with his young family he would become a rancher. But by 2007, Barney decided it was time to jump back into the musical circus. “Things had changed, to say the least, over those years. There were some unwelcome changes for me, but there were a lot of good ones as well. The last seven years have been a great continuation of the journey. I have released three solo records on the quintessential Canadian label founded by Bernie Finkelstein called True North Records.” For both Jim’s and Barney’s performance at High Notes, festival goers can expect to hear an eclectic range of sounds with influences from a multitude of genres. “I approach things in a fairly old school way, we try and rock a bit, play some good songs (a combination of new and old) and keep the audience entertained,” said Mr. Bentall. “To this day, I still like to hit the road and play live and for Panorama’s High Notes, I’m bringing a great band with me.” “Lately, I’ve been doing lots of shows with Barney and we each share lots of the same guys in our band,” said Mr. Byrnes. “So there is a real understanding of what we do as we each bring our own vision to the live performance.” Throughout the show, which starts at 7:30 p.m. (tickets are $70), Leeroy, Jim and Barney will take turns and sit in on a couple numbers for each set. “Everyone is really good friends,” said Mr. Byrnes. “The camaraderie and sense of brotherhood hopefully will translate to those in attendance.” For more information on Panorama’s High Notes Music Festival March 17th to 19th, visit www.panoramaresort.com/high-notes/.

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March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

MUSIC • VISUAL ARTS • DINING • BAR SCENE • ENTERTAINMENT • PERFORMANCE ARTS

Out & About Please call 250-341-6299 or e-mail us at info@columbiavalleypioneer.com to enter your event in our FREE listings.

Submissions must be received by the Monday prior to publication. We may only run an entry for two weeks prior to the event. Please limit your submission to 30 words. Priority is given to one-off events, so weekly events may only run occasionally.

Monday, March 13th • 10 a.m.: Senior Singalong Group meets every Monday at Garden Village. • 7 p.m.: The Lake Windermere Alliance Church is excited to host the Moody Chorale from Moody Bible Institute at the Alliance Church on 10th Ave., Invermere. No cover but donations gladly accepted which will offset travel costs incurred by the Chorale. For a complete list of concerts or to check out their recordings, visit www.moody.edu/concerts.

Buying or selling?

Friday, March 10th • 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2. Everyone welcome. Every Friday. • 1 p.m.: Canasta cards at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Friday. • 6 p.m.: Bingo at Shuswap Band Hall every Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m., Bingo starts at 7 p.m. • 7 p.m.: Jubilee Mountain, a local bluegrass folk trio, are performing at Strand’s Old House Restaurant. No cover charge.

Saturday, March 11th • 10 a.m.: Lego for all ages at the Radium Public Library every Saturday. • 10 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for all ages at the Radium Public Library. • 2 p.m.: St. Patrick’s Tea and Bake Sale sponsored by Edgewater-Radium Health Care Auxiliary at Edgewater Legion Hall. Admission $6. • 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Drop-in LEGO Club at Invermere Public Library. All ages welcome (under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). Activity is free. • 3 p.m.: The Columbia Valley Skating Club is presenting its annual fundraising ice show at the Eddie Mountain Arena. This year’s theme is “Show Tunes and Musicals”. Admission fee is $7 per adult, $5 for seniors/students or $20 per family with children under 3 free of charge. • 6 p.m.: Brisco Riding Club’s Annual Chili Dinner at the Brisco Hall. $10/person or $25/family includes chili, salad, buns and dessert. • 6:30 p.m.: Meat Draw and 50/50 at Branch 71 Legion in Invermere. Every Saturday. • 7 - 10 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre Fresh Film Nights.

Sunday, March 12th • 11:30 a.m. - close: Give Back Sunday at Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery in Radium, 15% of today’s net food sales will be donated to the Edgewater Recreation Society. • 1:30 p.m.: Carpet Bowling at Radium Hot Springs Community Hall every Sunday.

Cell: 250•341•1395 Toll Free: 1•888•258•9911

Tuesday, March 14th • 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.: Early childhood education program community playgroup at Eva Joseph Learning Centre. A 10 week free program beginning Feb. 7th for families to come with their children. Runs every Tuesday and Thursday. Students of the program will be developing natural play spaces for children, primary language that will be spoken is ktunaxa. To participate please contact aboriginal head start/out of school coordinator Nancy Phair at nancy.littlebadgers@gmail.com. • 1:30 p.m.: Carpet Bowling at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Tuesday. • 6:30 p.m.: Cinefest at Pynelogs Independent Film Series presents ‘Manchester by the Sea’ at 7 p.m. Cash bar and light refreshments. Call 250-342-4423 for details or visit www.columbiavalleyarts.com. • 7:30 p.m.: Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski hosts a telephone town hall for residents to express their views on marijuana legalization. Residents with a listed phone number will receive an automatic phone call to invite them to join the ‘town hall’. If you have an unlisted number and want to take part, please register at WayneStetski.ndp.ca.

Wednesday, March 15th • 8 a.m.: Radium Hot Springs Sunrise Rotary meets for breakfast every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from November thru March at Higher Ground Cafe. • 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Invermere meets every Wednesday at the Curling Rink. • 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2. Everyone welcome. Every Wednesday.

• 5:30 p.m.: Lake Windermere Ambassadors is holding their AGM at 625 4th St. in the south annex and are looking for new Directors who are interested in lake health monitoring and stewardship. • 6 p.m.: Columbia Valley Metis Association is holding their AGM at David Thompson Secondary School in the Aboriginal Education Room. • 7 p.m.: Play cards at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Wednesday.

Thursday, March 16th • 1 p.m.: Play Cribbage at Invermere Seniors Hall every Thursday. • 1:15 p.m.: Play Cribbage at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Thursday. • 1:30 p.m.: Carpet Bowling at Radium Hot Springs Community Hall every Thursday. • 4:30 - 6 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre Chef-It-Up. Every Thursday. Call 250-342-3033 for more info. • 5 - 6 p.m.: Wine tasting in the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort lobby every Thursday. Enjoy four B.C. wines with the in-house Sommelier. $15/person or $25 for two. • 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.: Wild Ideas at Circle Café, hosted by Wildsight. March’s topic is Sense of Place, with Kim Urbaniak as the final installment in the “community building” series. For more info visit www.wildsight.ca/ wildideasinvermere. • 6:30 p.m.: Texas Hold Em’ Tournament at the Invermere Legion every Thursday. $35 buy in.

Friday, March 17th • High Notes Music Festival at Panorama Mountain Resort. Line up includes Jim Byrnes, Barney Bentall, Leeroy Stagger, Shred Kelly, Speed Control, The Lion The Bear The Fox and 100 Mile House plus local talent Raven McAllister, L8, Small Town Dirtbags and Elk Run & Riot. Visit www.panoramaresort.com/HighNotes/ for schedule details and tickets. Also Saturday March 18th.

Invermere Library Hours • Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. • Story Time: Thurs. 10:30 a.m. and Sat. 11 a.m.

Radium Hot Springs Library Hours • Tuesday: 6 - 8 p.m. • Wednesday and Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m. • Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Windermere Valley Museum Hours • Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Invermere Thrift Store Hours • Thursday - Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radium Thrift Store Hours • Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Friday and Saturday: 12 - 4 p.m.

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

LETHAL DRUGS ARE out there

Find out how you can save a life. Every day, people are losing their lives to overdoses in BC. These deaths are preventable. Many illegal drugs, including party drugs, have been found to contain deadly fentanyl. And even more toxic carfentanil is now being detected in BC. Not using drugs is the best defence — using alone is the greatest risk. If you use drugs or know someone who does, help is available. Learn about treatment, and where to ﬁnd naloxone and overdose prevention sites in your area by calling 8-1-1 or visiting www.gov.bc.ca/overdose. Your knowledge, compassion and action can save a life.

Call 9-1-1

By James Rose Special to The Pioneer Panorama’s High Notes Music Festival is featuring talented musicians, each with their own distinctive backgrounds from all over Western Canada. But the festival organizers are also giving local artists the chance to showcase their talent to the many people expected to enjoy the ski resort’s first-ever music festival. One of those up and coming local musicians is Raven McAllister. Raven, who is in her early twenties, was recentLOCAL SONGSTRESS — DTSS grad Raven McAlly added to the festival lineup lister will be performing at Panorama Mountain Resort and will be performing a seas part of the High Notes Music Festival. ries of cover tunes that she has Soundcloud photo made to sound like her own. Growing up on the Toby Benches (a sound and we are really excited to have mere 15 minute drive from Panorama), her kick off the free outdoor après sesRaven has for the last few years been sions on Saturday, March 18th.” “I would describe my sound as honing her craft after graduating from David Thompson Secondary and is very smooth, jazz-influenced vocals blended with contemporary folk covers,” said excited to perform at High Notes. “There is so much talent around here Ms. McAllister. “I feel very lucky to be and our aim with the High Notes Fes- playing at the music fest, as someone tival is to showcase the wonderful mu- who was raised so close to the ski area.” Although her set will be a mix of sicians we have in our region alongside some of Canada’s best independent art- covers, she has been working hard on her ists. Including talented Valley youth in own original music that will soon be rethe festival was really important to us, leased on her SoundCloud page. “High Notes is going to be an annuso we saved a place in the lineup especially for a young musician. We have al event, and local youth and musicians been looking to fill the spot for the past will always be a big part of the festival,” few months and luckily Oso from Small said Ms. Amaro. “We hope in the future Town Dirtbags connected us with Ra- to grow the festival and be able to inven,” said festival co-ordinator Clarissa volve more local talent through art and performance as well.” Amaro. For more information, and to listen “Her blend of smooth vocals, contemporary folk and global music influ- to some of Raven’s recordings, visit www. ences fits perfectly with this year’s festival soundcloud.com/ravenjmusic.

Spring

Learn more at gov.bc.ca/overdose

Carry a Naloxone Kit

Raven selected to sing High Notes

#stopoverdose

Forwar

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clock forward!

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

FAIRMONT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE 8TH ANNUAL...

Charity Ski Day Valley band The Ramblers rocked the Fairmont ski lodge in eye-catching Hawaiian shirts to help celebrate Charity Ski Day, presented by The Pioneer and Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, on Saturday, March 4th. Photo by Nikki Fredrikson

Scoundrels combine music and silent films By James Rose Special to The Pioneer On Friday, March 17th, the Silver Screen Scoundrels are bringing to the Pynelogs stage (as part of the Love it Live Series) a delightful musical twist on the old silent films of the silver screen era. Brandon Isaak and Keith Picot, both award-winning musicians, have teamed up to bring audiences top-notch song-writing, musicianship and witty anecdotes. Alone they are acclaimed musicians in the blues genre. Brandon won the 2014 Maple Blues Award for Best Canadian Acoustic Blues Performer in Canada. Keith was nominated for a 2014 Maple Blues award as Canada’s Best Bass Player. But both will say they are better musicians together. Their show features props, period clothing, sound effects, theatrical flourishes, a lot of instruments, singing, and film. The Silver Screen Scoundrels revive the black-and-white spirit of silent film, which goes well with their inclination towards blues, jazz, folk and country. The Scoundrels have travelled all over Canada, the United States, Europe and parts of Asia. “Their show is more than a tribute concert to a bygone era. It is a multisensory mashup of movies on a screen that help tell the story of the music on the stage,” said music critic Frank Peebles of the Prince George Citizen. As for articulating what exactly audi-

april 1st, 2017

Dinner & dance saturday, April 1st from 6pm—12AM Live music by Billy Kulyk & Friends

TALENT WITH A TWIST — The Silver Screen Scoundrels are up next at Pynelogs as part of the Love it Live series. Photo submitted ences can expect of the pair’s show, Mr. Isaak told one reporter: “Every show is unique, and different. Of course, we often play the same songs on a tour, but even that we tend to change up depending on how we feel. We have lots of fun on stage and like to interact with our audiences and include them in the show… We play about three silent flicks per set and they last anywhere from three to four minutes each. We dim the lights and let the audience focus on the screen and let the films be the centre of attention.” Tickets for the performance are $25 and are available at Pynelogs, online at www.columbiavalleyarts.com, or at the door. Musician Mac Ramsey will open for the Scoundrels starting at 6 p.m. and then at 7 p.m. the Scoundrels will take to the stage.

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16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

Valley Variety The Pioneer and Fairmont Hot Springs Resort held the third annual Charity Ski Day on March 4th and it was a day packed with family fun; all funds raised at the event went to Family Dynamix. Starting from top left working clockwise: a skier glides down the hill under the chairlift, a family heads over for another turn at the tube park, Jacob White gets some air, a mom and her son navigate the hill together, brothers Parker and Xander Krause from Olds, Alberta pose for their annual family photo. Coffee and tea enthusiasts from all over came to the Columbia Valley for Invermere’s Coffee Fest March 3rd to 5th. The weekend activities included workshops, coffee and tea expos, and sampling. From bottom left working clockwise: 2012 barista champion Jeremy Ho demonstrates his skill in a workshop, Kim Weaver owner of Weaver’s Bee Co. at the expo, the staff at Kicking Horse Coffee welcomed expo goers with a sample of their brew, an example of latte art that participants in the latte art workshop were learning, DTSS students hosted a bake sale at the expo to raise funds for a bread oven. Top left and right photos by Katie Watt/Other photos by Nikki Fredrikson

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

Out of this World The Windermere Valley Child Care Society Outer space themed family dance brought out community members of all ages for the event. The dance was part of a fundraiser for a new playground for the daycare, funds were raised through tickets for the event, silent auction, 50/50 and various activity tickets for the evening. Starting bottom left : a mother-daughter duo taking in the activities, Ryan Bezaire takes his turn at the pinata, Shannon Root with her two year old son, Serena Tschudin-Godbout with her kids Oceana and Rylin. Photos by Nikki Fredrikson

Donation delivers a new Lions’ Den Another Service Club steps forward to assist the CV Centre reach its fundraising goals. The History of Lions began in 1917 when founder Melvin Jones started the first club in Chicago, Illinois. One year later it became an international organization when Canada started their first club. “We Serve Where We Live” is the mission of the Lake Windermere District Lions Club and the more than 1.4 million Lions Club members worldwide. With 46,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the world, they are the world’s largest service club organization. The Lake Windermere District Lions Club received its Charter in 1951 and serves the Upper Columbia Valley. In 1955, they acquired property at the Crossroads along Highway 93/95, which saw many uses and events including Christmas Tree leases, rodeos, a race track for both cars and horse drawn wagons, model airplane flying, a campIT’S ALL IN THE NAME — The Lions Club presents a cheque in the amount ground and even a circus, just of $25,000 to the Columbia Valley Centre fundraising committee members, se- to mention a few. Presently the property is curing the club naming rights over the new centre’s annex room. Photo by Ruth Fast/Painted Sun Photography home to the acclaimed Cop-

All about our

CENTRE

per Point Golf Course, the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Information Centre, the Lions Hall and a four-diamond Ball Park. Ongoing Lions projects include: • Ice Out Raffle – February • Golden Triangle Bike Race – May • RCMP Open House - May • Lobster Dinner – June • Valley Appreciation Breakfast – July • Lions Charity Golf Day – July • Toonie Cash Raffle – Nov/Dec • … and many more In 2009 and 2010, the Lions sponsored the Road to Rescue Vehicle Project costing $450,000. In 2012, a very large donation was made by the Lions to East Kootenay Health to finalize their drive for a Digital Mammography for the Valley. In 2013, the Lions made a $50,000 donation to the Village of Radium to upgrade their playground equipment, as well as a $14,000 donation to help fund the local Hospice Society. In 2015, the club made a donation of $100,000 to the Columbia Valley Rockies for the purchase of a team bus. And now in 2017, the Lake Windermere District Lions have donated $25,000 towards the annex room beside the library to be known as the Lions’ Den in the new CV Centre. The fundraising group would like to thank the Lions for their extremely generous donation. Visit www.columbiavalleycentre.ca.

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

Kids can curl too at this year’s Canal Flats Curling Bonspiel By James Rose Special to The Pioneer The 8th annual Canal Flats Curling Bonspiel is set to take place March 17th to 19th. The event is organized and sponsored by the Canal Flats Community Society and serves as a non-profit fundraiser for improvements to the Village of Canal Flats. The $100 entry fee includes a Saturday night dinner, silent auction, cash bar, and prizes for best costume. Funds raised will go towards the purchase of a Porta Foam Tank (used to neutralize gasoline spills) for the Canal Flats Fire Department. Any excess funds raised that exceed the purchase price of the tank will go back to the community in the way of charitable donations. New to the event this year is the addition of a curling sheet for kids (who are free to register) so that they can also participate. “In the years past, there have been kids running around as their parents were participating and so we thought why not add another sheet of ice for them to try the sport out,” said Amber Byklum, who helped organize the event and is the Secretary of the Community Society. The curling bonspiel is the last big event to take place at the Canal Flats arena before the spring and summer

St. Patrick’s Tea supports African ‘gogos’

season. “There is a celebratory festive mood to the event as it, in a way, brings in the new season and everyone can start looking forward to the year ahead,” said Ms. Byklum. “The arena is booked solid from the late fall all the way to the weekend that we were able to host our event, and I can’t say enough about how well the crew working at the arena do to prepare the ice for curling as opposed to hockey. It really is amazing.” Roughly 30 teams are expected to participate in the event this year. The winning team will have the privilege of hoisting the trophy. That, to Ms. Byklum truly is special. “Before the mill closed, one of the welders created this incredible trophy that we present to the winner and it is a sight to be seen,” she said with a laugh. The dinner Saturday night will take place at the arena and is catered by Fire Valley Restaurant. For those wishing to partake in the dinner but not the curling event, meal tickets are $15. It will feature a buffet-style menu of beef on a bun, pork and beans, Caesar salad, and tasty deserts. “Businesses from around the Columbia Valley are also very gracious to donate items to our silent auction, which really helps us raise the funds we need to meet our goals,” said Ms. Byklum. For more information and to register, call the arena at 250-349-5617.

Submitted by Luanna Gillies Valley GoGo Sisters Take some time out of a busy weekend to relax with friends and enjoy freshly baked goodies with tea or coffee at the annual St Patrick’s Tea and Bake Sale, hosted by the local GoGo Sisters, on Saturday, March 18th from 2 to 4 p.m. at Christ Church Trinity. Admission is by donation and all the money raised will be forwarded to the Stephen Lewis Foundation in support of the Grandmothers Campaign. Since its inception in 2006, the local GoGos (African word for grandmother) have raised over $100,000 in aid of African grandmothers who are raising large families of children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic in sub Saharan Africa. The money supports grassroots organizations that provide such things as basic nutrition and school fees for children, assistance with income generating projects, counselling, and home care and medications for people living with HIV/AIDS. More information is available at www.stephenlewisfoundation.org. Anyone who may be interested in joining our group is encouraged to contact Luana at 250-342-9600 or Sherry 250 342-9733.

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

For the Supply and Delivery of Banquet Tables and Chairs

For the Supply and Install of an Operable Partition System

The District is seeking a firm to supply and deliver Banquet Tables and Chairs for the new Columbia Valley Community Centre. The new Columbia Valley Community Centre will require new tables, chairs, table truck/dolly, and stacking chair cart/dolly designed for 500 people. The Request of Quotation must be presented or delivered to the District of Invermere clearly marked Request for Quotation: Supply and Delivery of Banquet Tables and Chairs.

The District is seeking a firm to supply and install an operable partition system in the new Columbia Valley Community Centre. INCLUDES: • Supply and install new operable partition system • Optional work includes acoustical sound enclosure above and around new wall and track system, including closures at each end as required to create acoustical rating specified.

Completed quotations must be received no later than March 23, 2017 at 2 pm MT.

The Request of Quotation must be presented or delivered to the District of Invermere clearly marked Request for Quotation: Supply and Install Operable Partition System.

Completed quotes must be received at:

Completed quotations must be received no later than March 23, 2017 at 2:00 pm MT.

District of Invermere PO Box 339, 914 8th Avenue Invermere, B.C . V0A 1K0

Completed quotes must be received at:

All Inquiries related to this Request for Quotation shall be directed to: Chris Prosser, Chief Administrative Officer District of Invermere Phone: 250-342-9281 e-mail cao@invermere.net

District of Invermere PO Box 339, 914 8th Avenue Invermere, B.C . V0A 1K0 All Inquiries related to this Request for Quotation shall be directed to: Chris Prosser, Chief Administrative Officer District of Invermere Phone: 250-342-9281 e-mail cao@invermere.net

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

New location for Wild Game Banquet Invermere Library offering tax help

By Nikki Fredrikson Pioneer Staff

The Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club is gearing up for their annual banquet — which sold out in two days — on Saturday, March 11th. This year, the club decided to hold their event at a new location, in the Edgewater Hall, after snow loading on the roof of the Invermere Community Hall temporarily closed down their regular venue. “When they cancelled it, that meant we had to deal with the caterer, DJ, and our liquor permit that we had in place and then we had to cancel that. We had lottery licenses and we had to put them on hold,” said Rick Hoar, president of the Rod & Gun Club. For the club, the banquet planning starts in November and, according to Mr. Hoar, isn’t a simple process, with a committee working in advance in preparation of the event. When they had to move locations for this year’s event, there was only one place that came close to the Invermere hall, that being the Edgewater hall. “The Edgewater hall did offer some amenities the Invermere hall does not; they have a nice kitchen there that did help us out a lot,” said Mr. Hoar. One of the challenges of the new location for the event was ensuring that caterer Anne Riches would be

able to make the new date. “The big thing was the caterer, Anne Riches. She’s leaving the Valley and our banquet was going to be the last banquet she was going to do; she’s done it for us for several years. She was unable to do it anytime after March 11th so we just said OK. She stuck around with us for all those years so we’re going to stick with her,” said Mr. Hoar. While waiting to hear if the hall in Invermere was going to open up, the club decided to move the event to ensure that Ms. Riches could cater the event. “She was very gracious in terms of it coming down to the wire as to whether the hall was going to open up at Invermere or not. Finally, we said, ‘That’s it, Anne, we’re going to move it, you give us the dates you can work with us’, and so we got the dates and March 11th was the last date, so that’s the date we chose,” said Mr. Hoar. The banquet will have the traditional wild meat and domestic meat dinner, live and silent auctions, and guns for the hunting enthusiasts. The only missing element this year will be the big horn display. Due to venue size, the display won’t be showcased this year. Proceeds from the evening go back into the club as general revenue and are used to support programs such as the air gun program, archery, range upkeep and the student bursary. Visit the club’s website at lwdrodgun.com.

By Nikki Fredrikson Pioneer Staff The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) at the Invermere Public Library has received the software to begin taking on clients for the 2016 tax season. The CVITP allows for the public to access help by trained volunteers to assist them in filing their tax returns. “It is a program that has been put together by the Canada Revenue Agency and they’ve reached out to community groups across the country for groups such as ours to host the CVITP locally. This will be our third year being an access point for the community volunteer income tax program,” said library director, Nicole Pawlak. Last year, the program in Invermere was able to match 60 individuals with community volunteers who helped them file their returns. Out of the 60 individuals who accessed the program, may of them had used the program the year prior, according to Ms. Pawlak. Continued on page 20 . . .

PO Box 159, Canal Flats, B.C. V0B 1B0 Phone: 250-349-5462 Fax: 250-349-5460 • village@canalflats.ca

REQUEST FOR QUOTE AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

The Village of Canal Flats is requesting Expressions of Interest from potential contractors to provide a proposal to construct exterior doors to the Canal Flats Civic Centre.

The Village of Canal Flats is requesting Expressions of Interest from potential contractors to provide a proposal to construct public washrooms at Tilley Memorial Park.

A sketch drawing for the construction can be obtained at the Village office. For further information, please contact Bill Doroshuk at bill.doroshuk@canalflats.ca or 250-349-5462.

Professional drawings for the washrooms can be obtained at the Village office. For further information, please contact Mathieu Fournier at arena@canalflats.ca or 250-349-5617.

The Contractor will provide a cost for the project and a timeline schedule. The lowest quote will not necessarily be accepted.

Expressions of interest must be submitted to the email contact above or through hard copy to the Village of Canal Flats at Box 159, Canal Flats, BC, V0B 1B0 on or before 4 pm, March 16, 2017.

Expressions of interest must be submitted to the email contact above or through hard copy to the Village of Canal Flats at Box 159, Canal Flats, BC, V0B 1B0 on or before 4 pm, March 20, 2017.

The Village reserves the right to reject any or all tenders, to waive defects in any bid or tender documents, and to accept any tender or offer which it may consider to be in the best interest of the Village.

The Contract for the successful candidate will include a liquidated damage clause for failure of the Contractor to provide the services in a timely fashion, specifically to provide compensation to the Village for the loss the Village anticipates that it will suffer from the breach of contract or failure to provide the services in a timely manner as determined in a processed time schedule.

Heidi Frank Chief Administrative Officer

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer . . . ‘Invermere’ from page 19 “I expect, for the 2016 tax season, we’ll have another growth and we have three community volunteers who have also gone through the training process who are able to assist people with their tax returns,” she said. The CVITP has requirements for people who want to use the program — the Canada Revenue Agency asks that you have a modest income and simple tax situation. According to Canada Revenue Agency, if your income comes from the following sources, you could be eligible: employment, pension, benefits such as CPP, disability, CCB, EI, social assistance, RRSP, support payments, scholarships, fellowships, bursaries or grants, interest (under $1,000). “If a person qualifies under those guidelines, which are set by the Canada Revenue Agency, they can contact the library by giving us a call or they can email us. Once we know that there’s somebody who is looking for assistance, then we connect with local volunteers who have registered with the CVITP program and have done online training. We match them up with a time that works for both of them and then they come in and they use the library computers to file their income tax return,” said Ms. Pawlak. The CVITP is free to use and staff at the Invermere Public Library will work with your schedule to link you with one of the community volunteers. For more information on the CVITP program and for a complete list of participant requirements, visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca/volunteer/. Visit the library’s website at http://invermere.bc.libraries.coop/ or email publiclibrary@invermere.net.

Call for Public Comment B.C. credit union seeks to exit provincial regulation On Dec. 14, 2016, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union based in Surrey, B.C. announced that its members have voted to apply to be governed by the federal Bank Act and other applicable federal laws as a federal credit union. As part of the application, FICOM (the B.C. Regulator) and the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation, have now received formal notice, seeking their consent for the change. As FICOM considers this application, the regulator recognizes that the wider public and other financial institutions may wish to provide comment on this change of regulatory jurisdiction. FICOM is extending an invitation to the public for feedback to inform the decision on consent. Comments must be received no later than March 30th, 2017. You can find out more about the proposed change here: http://www.fic.gov.bc.ca Please send your comments and concerns to: commission.consultation@ficombc.ca Or write to FICOM at: Commission Consultation Financial Institutions Commission 2800 - 555 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 4N6

March 10, 2017

Give Back Sundays at the Horsethief Pub continue By Nikki Fredrikson Pioneer Staff Give Back Sundays are in full swing at the Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery in Radium. The program allows for one charity to get 15 per cent of food sales on their given Sunday. According to Horsethief Pub owner Mike Gray, the program runs from November until April and has more organizations wanting to participate than days available. “We’re at the point now where we have more groups wanting to be involved than we have spots for in our calendar year. So what we do is we try to make sure the groups that are doing a lot for our community are front and centre, and do our best to get as many people a spot as we can,” said Mr. Gray. The staff at the pub will make sure each group’s Sunday has advertising on their website and social media, and they’ll tell cus-

tomers when they’re serving them, but how much the charities make is up to each group. “We try to make a win-win situation between us and our charity of choice for the weekend. We only work with local charities and not-for-profit groups or local causes. They don’t have to be a registered charity (but) most of them are. What we do is 15 percent of our food sales is donated to that group at the end of their day. So it’s really up to the group as to how much they make at this,” said Mr. Gray. As the program winds down for the season Mr. Gray said if anyone knows of a group they want to support through Give Back Sundays he’d like to hear from them. The Give Back Sundays program also donates 15 per cent of sales on take-out items. The next Give Back Sunday group will be the Edgewater Recreation Society on Sunday, March 12th.

. . . ‘Green’ from page 5 diploma), but has not quite finished yet since he must be 19 years old to complete it. His future plans include law school. Being homeschooled means it’s easy to find the time to campaign, and Mr. Boyer said his family has been really supportive of his candidacy. “Most of them have said they’ll vote for me, but you never know,” he chuckled. According to Mr. Boyer the biggest issues in Columbia River-Revelstoke are the planned Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort and protecting the area from job losses, such as what was experienced in Canal Flats when its mill shut down. “Now, thanks to that (the mill closure), we’re probably going to lose the school (Martin Morigeau Elementary). Canal Flats is in a phase of complete reconstruction, because they don’t know what to do or how to bring in new people and support them financially. We need to address that, and stop that from happening in other places,” he said. To find out more about Mr. Boyer, visit his candidate website at www.bcgreens. ca/samson_boyer_bio.

The Invermere

ALLEY CHO

Pick up the Pioneer’s sister paper ~ The Invermere Valley Echo ~ every Wednesday.

{Subscriptions also available}

More is better.

There’s more to the valley than meets the eye… Pick up your copy of the March 8th Invermere Valley Echo at newsstands throughout the Invermere area.

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21

Slow Food Columbia Valley: championing good, clean and fair food Since our beginnings in 2006, we at Slow Food Columbia Valley have worked hard to steer people away from the “you-guys-must-get-together-and-do-thingsreally-slowly” line of thinking and politely share the purpose of Slow Food — one that is rooted in good, clean and fair food, the support of local agriculture and the preservation of traditional foods and cuisines. But, seeing as it is now nearly the beginning of March 2017 and we are only now reporting on all of the things we did in 2016 — in other words, “slow” to fill you in — we might just be living up to that misguided line of thought! So, in a nutshell, here is a little about what Slow Food Columbia Valley accomplished in 2016 and some of our plans for 2017. Most Columbia Valley residents and visitors who drove down the Athalmer hill last March and read the sign “Slow the Fork Down” probably took a double take and wondered “What the heck?”, but it didn’t take long for them to find out what that was about. From April 10th to 14th, we hosted the Slow Food Canada National Summit: Feeding the Future. This event was a huge success and we welcomed delegates from across Canada, the USA and Italy. We bolstered our local food system by purchasing and cooking with as many foods and ingredients as possible from within our valley and region. We spread the fork around by including many different local chefs and local restaurants in the event. We held activities and events up and down the valley from Spillimacheen to Canal Flats. We bolstered the local economy at a time of year when things are really, pardon the pun, slow! A conservative estimate of over $50,000 was injected into our economy over the five days. That doesn’t even include money spent in local shops, at tourist sites, and in restaurants, cafes and bars. Delegates left

Your Local

town with suitcases brimming with new shoes, clothing, preserves, honey, coffee and promises to spread the word about what a great place the Columbia Valley is. But, best of all, was the wide-ranging support and sponsorship we received from all corners of our valley, from private to governmental support and everything in between; once again proving what supportive communities we are all so fortunate to call home. As you can imagine, hosting this event was a massive undertaking and so the organizational team needed a bit of a rest afterwards, to say the least. On a smaller scale, we completed a few other projects last year. We organized a Slow Food Local Food sales display at the Invermere Visitor Centre, created a local food menu, recipes and shopping guide for Soiree en Blanc 2016, created a Chef ’s Club that came together to cater the DTSS Grad Dinner 2016, provided slow Food Snacks at It’s Hip to be Square, raised

funds to partially sponsor two delegates — members Kathy McCauley from Wasa and Shannon Swan from Invermere — to attend Terra Madre, an international Slow Food conference in Italy. As well, we increased our youth membership and, of course, came together many times to enjoy delicious food. Continued on page 27 . . .

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• Residential Floors• Commercial Showrooms • Retail • Spas • Foyers • Garage floor coating • Basements • Recreation facilities • Industrial strength Epoxy commercial floor coatings

250.919.2956

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Oﬃce: 250-342-6505 • Cell: 250-342-1300

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

HERE TO SERVE YOU BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

SERVICES

Kitchen cabinet & counter top SpecialiStS Westridge Cabinets Dealer ~ Granite and Quartz Counter Tops Come visit our showroom,

The Donkey has fun, functional accessories, footwear & clothing for boys & girls, newborn to size 16. Stop in and discover great apparel from popular brands and handmade companies.

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info@cvchamber.ca 651 Highway 93/ 95, P.O. Box 1019, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

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492 arrow rd., unit 1b 250-342-hoMe (4663)

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BOX 2228 BOX 459 742 - 13th STREET 7553 MAIN STREET INVERMERE, BC. RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC V0A 1K0 V0A 1M0 PHONE: 250-342-3031 PHONE: 250-347-9350 FAX: 250-342-6945 FAX: 250-347-6350 Email: info@invermereinsurance.com • Toll Free: 1-866-342-3031

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J. Douglas Kipp, B. Sc. (Pharm.) Laura Kipp, Pharm D., Irena Shepard, B.Sc. (Pharm.) Your Compounding Pharmacy Open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-6612

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

HERE TO SERVE YOU CONCRETE

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A well maintained septic system should be pumped every 2-3 years Avoid costly repairs

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24 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

The Whiteway in March: the end is near Despite it being March, things will improve. The way the ice reformed after the last warm there is still Whiteway fun to be had. The recent warm weather spell has left it in terrible shape for skating on the sections menhas created poor conditions from Kinsmen Beach to Lakeview tioned above, which also makes Meadows (drifts/icy crests) and it nearly impossible to do any The Whiteway on the night of maintenance on. from Windermere to Terra Vista March 6th. (large air pockets). That said, if the snow stays away or is blown off, we might However, as of Tuesday, March 7th, there is still an amazing stretch of ice that just get this 1.5-kilometre stretch to hold on until the is clear, hard and smooth for about 1.5 kilometres from weekend. However, before heading out please check the Timber Ridge to Terra Vista. Toby Creek Nordic Club Facebook Page for current upBased on the current forecast, it is doubtful that dates, and visit www.tobycreeknordic.ca.

The Whiteway Report Submitted by the Toby Creek Nordic Club

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March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 25

Pioneer Classifieds CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

Big Cheers to Fairmont Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor. For saving your tomato cans for us to recycle as “Butt Cans” for our upcoming yearly Horse Thief Hideout Rally. Not only did you save them for use but also clean and bagged them! You guys ROCK. Cheers to JP. How wonderful our world will be when every little boy, every child has a Dad like you.

Cheers to TP. You have been a source of comedy for me these past few months, with your lust for gossip and malicious intent. You think you’ve won but... oh my dear you haven’t. You are but a plaything in the grand scheme, a dancing bear. The only difference between you and the previous dancing bear is that they got more than twice the money and had ten times the talent.

Cheers to AG Valley Foods for my prize of a 1-minute shopping spree. I had tons of fun and came away full of laughter and groceries. I never thought I could win...it pays to enter your contests!

Cheers to the person that cleared my driveway during the heavy snowfall and Cheers to the people that helped me move some furniture. The people in this valley have good, generous hearts.

OBITUARY

Jarche, Wolfgang 1936 – 2017

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Husband, Dad and Opa on February 28th. Dad was born, May 21, 1936, in Celle Germany, the third child of a family of five. He immigrated to the Columbia valley in 1956. Although his trade was a journeyman steam pipe fitter in Germany, in Canada he worked as a tree pruner, Roger’s Pass highway construction, sawyer, welder, forest fire fighter and Christmas tree cutter.

CHEERS & JEERS

Cheers to Will. The best ski coach Cheers to Steve and Lori at Sobeys you could hope for. Next year, I from the local supporters of the might just demand you. Best quote Kidney Foundation. We had a of the season: “Ladies, it’s snowing good time at your public service like the 90s, so stop skiing like the table last week. Cheers to all who 80s. Turn less, go faster and let your donated, it’s greatly appreciated in CHEERS &these JEERS skis run.” tight times. Sponsored by

Huge Cheers to this years Panorama shuttle drivers - the friendliness, communication and general demeanor is a massive improvement. Cheers to the Atoms White hockey team. They have grown and developed so much over the year. To play that well in the banner final was incredible to watch. You should have won and anyone that was there watching knows you were the real winners. You should all be proud of the way that you have grown and the team that you have become. You have done our community proud. Way to go team!

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Following the marriage to the love of his life Josette, they moved to Calgary to raise a family, and over the next 40 years he pursued a career in housing construction. In 2006 he and Josette built their dream house, and moved back home to the valley. He enjoyed retired life. There was the Tuesday coffee group, feeding the wild birds and tending to his fish pond. Along with keeping an immaculate yard, he also found time to putter in his shop, help with the Invermere museum, and travel the back roads with a picnic lunch and a chainsaw just in case a choice firewood tree presented itself. His greatest treasure was without a doubt, his family. Nothing made him happier than being with his Wife Josette, Son Stephan (Tina), Grandchildren (Matthew, Katherine) of Calgary, Daughter Kristine (Dieter) of Canal Flats. He is also survived by numerous Nieces and Nephews throughout Canada and Germany. There will be no funeral service at this time, but we encourage people to celebrate their memory of him in their own way. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to STARS Air Ambulance.

CHEERS & JEERS

Please join us for tea on March 18th, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Windermere Community Hall to celebrate the life of

Hilda Byman

• Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-1312 • Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com • www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

CHEERS & JEERS

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Jeers to our neighborhood! Your choice of siding makes it look like we have a prison in our community!

NEWHOUSE MULTI STORAGE

Cheers to Mr. Rooter for fixing our Leaky Taps at Wildside Pizzeria in Radium. Next one’s on us!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Double Cheers to Ross and the James gang at Walkers Repair! I needed a used spare tire but everything was covered by 2 feet of snow so Ross said I was not going on the road without one. He had the awesome team at Walkers take the spare off his personal truck for me! Not your average service! Much appreciated! A great big CHEERS to Dave for helping a novice shooter sight in his rifle at the range over the weekend. Your eagerness and willingness to help a newcomer to the sport was greatly appreciated. Hope to see you at the range throughout the summer so I can get more pointers. Jeers to the lady driving the black flex thru Laird parking lot in the morning and looking at your phone. I’m sure I don’t have to state how unintelligent that is. Cheers to a small young girl still wearing her ski helmet and a puffy Team Panorama jacket on Saturday, March 4th. It was already dark after après ski hour at Panorama Mountain Resort. I was negotiating stairs near Lusti’s. This tiny person stopped and asked me if she could carry my skis for me! Such a remarkable young gal. One act of kindness for such long lasting positive outcome.

24 x 36 shop power included, propane heat at tenant’s expense, $650/mo first and last D.D. required. Contact Newhouse Multi Storage 250-342-3637.

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 250-342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open.

1,490 sq. ft. of shop/retail space in Athalmer, 2 large overhead doors!, $1272/mo, all utilities included. Newhouse Multi Storage, 250-3423637, newmulti@telus.net.

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us. Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 p.m., at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 – 12th Ave (behind the Invermere hospital). For information, please call 250-3428255.

FOR RENT: 700 sq. ft., $400/mo + GST, Utilities, D.D. Unit behind Dry Cleaners. FOR RENT: 990 sq. ft. - Reception area + three offices. $600/mo + GST, utilities, D.D. By Back Door Wine Cellar, the blue canopy. Call 250-342-6790 for both. Available immediately.

STORAGE

NEWHOUSE MULTI STORAGE Various sizes available. Now with climate-controlled units. Call 250-342-3637. STORAGE SPACE – assorted sizes, easy access, immediate availability, long-term or short-term. Deck Properties Warehouse, Industrial Park: 250-342-3166. For Rent: Storage space. Sizes vary, 218 - 7th Ave. Inquire at 250-3425797.

For lease: 2,000 sq.ft. office and warehouse space. Located at #5 108 Industrial Road #2. Phone Leo at 250-342-1177. For Lease: Upper unit, 218 - 7th Ave. 1629 sq. ft. commercial/office space. Inquire at 250-342-5797.

For Lease: Rare space in Park Side Place. Desirable Main St. frontage, great location, approximately 1000 sq. ft. Available May 1st. Call 250688-0271.

SUITE FOR RENT Radium: Motel Bavaria, low low rates, daily, weekly, monthly. Kitchenettes available. Call 250347-9915. Freshly renovated large suite, walkout entrance. Walking distance to downtown Invermere and beach. N/S, N/P, W/D. $950/ mo utilities and wifi included. 250688-8448.

Have something to say? Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to news@columbiavalleypioneer.com

26 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

SUITE FOR RENT

FIREWOOD

HELP WANTED

Radium: Downtown bachelor suite, N/S, $360/mo + D.D. Includes utilities. Call 250-342-6904.

Support Rockies Hockey firewood. Larch, fir, pine and poplar split and delivered. Call 250-342-6908.

Fubuki Sushi is hiring F/T kitchen help. Apply within.

Windermere 4-plex: Bright recently renovated 2-bdrm suite, April 1st. Pet friendly, all appliances. Large yard, 2-blocks from beach. Call/text 250-409-7435 or email shellimilley@gmail.com.

Pine Firewood for sale. Call 250342-1586.

Looking for P/T, F/T baristas, cooks, front counter attendants at Gerry’s Gelati, Invermere starting March 13th. Year round and seasonal opportunities. Fast pace environment, fun atmosphere to work in, free meals and coffee! Wage dependent on experience. $11 - $16/hour + gratuity. Submit resume to crystal@box100.com.

CONDO FOR RENT For rent in Radium, 2-bdrm, 4 bath, ground level condo. Beautiful views, backs on to The Springs golf course. All appliances, fireplace, fully furnished. 2 car garage. N/S, N/P, references please. $1650/mo, call 250-342-3790. Akiskinook Resort: Ground level larger end unit, 1-bdrm fully furnished condo, newly renovated, indoor pool, hot tub. $775/mo includes cable. Call 403-281-3991 or email myronk@telus.net.

LOT ACREAGE FOR SALE 0.42 acre undeveloped treed lot on Nelles Crescent, Windermere. 403616-9659.

HOUSE FOR SALE House For Sale in Radium: Clean, Well Maintained, 4-bdrm, 2100 sq. ft., 2.5 bathrooms. See Kijiji AD ID#1242469022. 250-347-9978. $337,900.

BUSINESS FOR SALE The Spilli Bean coffee shop is surrounded by stunning views & relaxing atmosphere. Located in the Old Forestry Building in Spillimacheen. For more information Contact Sharon 250346-3058. Beautiful Gift and Souvenir business for sale located on Main Street in Radium Hot Springs. For more information contact Angie 778-527-0027 or 250-341-2013.

MISC. FOR SALE Beaver Table Saw, works well, $135, O.B.O. Black and Decker Workmate (Like new), $60 O.B.O. Call 250-342-9636.

SERVICES Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning. Environmentally friendly products. Dry in 1 hour! Call 250-688-0213 or visit www.heavensbest.ca. Shannon’s Blinds & Designs Thank you for your votes Best of Business Awards! We are grateful and appreciative of your support and loyalty. “Blinds, Drapery, retractable screen doors and more.” 250-342-5749

HELP WANTED Helna’s Stube is looking for P/T dishwasher and kitchen help. Email resume to mail@helnas.com or call 250-341-5546.

Radium Valley Vacation Resort is looking for a seasonal full-time landscaping assistant to join our awesome team. Must be able to work weekends and possess a “can do” attitude. Wage dependent on experience. Great working environment! Resumes accepted by fax 250 347-9808 and email at radval@shaw.ca. Edgewater Recreation Society is seeking bids for lawn maintenance on several properties in Edgewater, including Franks Rink, Ball Field, Community Hall plus two other lots. This is a two year contract, from May 1st - Oct. 31st of 2017 and 2018. Closing date for bids is April 1/17. More information is available by emailing mchutch@ telus.net.

Join your locally owned and operated grocery store. We are hiring in various positions both part-time and full-time.

• Store Supervisor • Bakery / Deli •Produce Department • Meat • Cashier / Clerk

P/T, F/T positions at Leo Burrito/ Gerry’s Gelati in Radium starting April 15th. Wage dependent on experience. $12 to $18/hour + gratuity. Looking for cooks and front counter attendants. Year round and seasonal opportunities. Fast pace environment with many perks including free meals, coffee and mini-golf! Submit resume to info@leoburrito.com.

Please email classified ads to

Compensation depending on experience and position being applied for. Hand deliver or email resumes to: Fairmont Mountainside Market Attn: Wayne Haynes 8 - 4992 Frontage Rd Fairmont Hot Springs

Radium Mountainside Market Attn: Ryan Haynes 7546 Main Street East Radium Hot Springs

fairmontmountainside@gmail.com

rhaynesmagellan@gmail.com

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Invermere Petro-Can is currently accepting resumes for F/T and P/T employment. Apply in person to 185 Laurier Street, Invermere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C. Permanent, F/T shifts, overtime, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Overtime after 40 hours. Minimum several years experience and completion of Secondary School. DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure quality of food portions, work with minimal supervision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances. Inspect Kitchens and Food service areas. Please forward resume to Justin Atterbury by fax 250-342-8889 or email justatterbury@hotmail.com. Black Forest Restaurant is looking for a full time Server. Previous experience required in a busy, upscale restaurant. Email, call or drop off resume. 250-342-9417, careers@blackforestrestaurant. com.

GOLF GROUP

BC’s #1 Golf Destination

CAREER OPPORTUNITY CONTROLLER The Radium Golf Group (RGG) is seeking a Controller for its golf operations. RGG manages two courses, the Springs Course and the Radium Course, in Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia. This position forms a part of the Senior Management team of the group. Responsibilities and Duties include, but are not limited to: • • • • • • •

Oversee the accounting department; Prepare monthly financial and management reports; Direct preparation of budget on annual basis and variance analysis on monthly basis; Create and maintain strong financial controls and processes; Assist operations to evaluate, establish, and implement new and efficient business processes; Liaise with management team to provide timely and accurate financial analysis; Other duties as required.

Required Experience and Qualifications: • Professional accounting designation (CPA); • Minimum 10 years’ directly related finance experience; • Excellent organizational, management, leadership, communication and problem solving skills; • Extensive computer knowledge, including Excel; • Knowledge of Microsoft Great Plains and/or Club Prophet would be an asset; • Ability to handle conflicting deadlines and prioritize. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter to employment@radiumgolf.ca. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 10th. We thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

Just a reminder… The classified deadline is 12 noon Tuesday.

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 27 celebrate the Slow Food movement and face global challenges of the future. Look forward to more news in the coming months However, this year things were a little different. This about our expanded Local Food displays, a Food Film time, the 5,000 delegates and all the culture and cuisine Fest and a community event commemorating the open- brought along with them was spread out all over the city. ing of the Banff Windermere Highway in 1923 — a In parks and piazzas, we were able to learn about culture celebration that ties in with Canada 150. through our taste buds from the hundreds of exhibitors Increasing our youth engagement is very impor- from around the world. There were also taste workshops in tant to everyone at Slow Food Columbia Valley, so we the palace, conferences in a theatre built in the 1700s and were very happy to subsidize youth involvement in the street food on the riverfront. Best of all, the event was open Slow Food National Summit and to sponsor 16-year- to the public, allowing 500,000 locals to learn about the old Shannon Swan. What values of Slow Food right in follows is a letter from the historic city centre. “I feel very strongly that everything can be reShannon — who is taking lated back to what’s on our dinner table, and I I walked away from the a semester away in Victoria event with knowledge and know that people my age often aren’t aware of the — that was written to us as inspiration that is now drivimportant responsibility we have as we we celebrated Terra Madre ing my studies at the Pacific enter adulthood.” day in December. Her letSchool of Innovation and ter reinforces the imporInquiry here in Victoria. Shannon Swan tance of Slow Food and of Around the topic of food, I supporting our youth. We can complete all my courses know that Shannon will return to the valley with even while doing something that interests me. I can look at mulmore passion than ever. tiple dimensions through the lens of Slow Food including, but not limited to, policy, culture, history, marketing and Dear Slow Food Columbia Valley: science. I feel very strongly that everything can be related back to what’s on our dinner table, and I know that people This past September, I was fortunate to attend Terra my age often aren’t aware of the important responsibility Madre and Salone Del Gusto 2016 in Turin, Italy. As we have as we enter adulthood. in the previous years, the passion in the air was palpable. This is why I am working to engage my peers with Like-minded people were gathered together once again to things as simple as making meals together as a way to start the discussion. I have met other youth with the same goals and become a part of a Youth Food Action Team. I am so looking forward to having an influence while working on something that I am passionate about here in Victoria. I’d like to thank the members of Slow Food Columbia Valley, for the opportunities you have provided me with and the strong leadership you have shown. I wish I could be there with you this evening to celebrate. Keep up the good work and have a happy Terra Madre day! . . . ‘Slow’ from page 21

GOLF GROUP

BC’s #1 Golf Destination

NOW HIRING FOR THE 2017 SEASON

Outside Guest Services Attendants Course Ambassadors Restaurant Servers Restaurant Supervisors

Beverage Cart Servers Halfway House Servers Grounds Maintenance Sous Chef/Cooks Golf Shop Attendants

Benefits include complimentary access to both golf coures, 50% off meals, and retail discounts. Limited onsite staff accommodation is available.

Please submit your resume to: employment@radiumgolf.ca

RadiumGolf.ca Radium Hot Springs, B.C. • 1.800.667.6444 • 250.347.9311

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Summer Students

• Parks Labourer • Gardener • Admin Support The District of Invermere is accepting applications for (please visit www.invermere.net for full description): • • •

up to two (2) Summer Students to work as part of our Public Works Staff as Parks Labourers. up to three (3) Summer Students to work as part of our Public Works Staff as Gardeners. a Summer Student to work within the Municipal Office providing frontline customer service and general administrative support.

These positions are within the CUPE Local 2982 bargaining unit and is a temporary, full-time, 40 hours per week position.

JOIN OUR WINNING TEAM!

GET A JUMP START ON THE SUMMER!

WE’RE HIRING NOW FOR FULL-TIME YEAR-ROUND POSITIONS.

If you’re local, have food & beverage experience, want a job with benefits and love golfing, skiing & swimming, then we have something for you!

General Hours of work: o 6 am – 6 pm Monday – Friday. Weekend work and shift changes will be required.

Servers | Bussers Hosts/Hostesses | Sous Chef Line Cooks | Outlet Supervisors

Employment Term: o Employment will commence in early May and will terminate in late August.

We provide competitive wages, health & dental benefits after 6 months, staff pass access to amenities, and of course the best view in the Valley.

Pay Rate: o $16.90 per hour Please visit www.invermere.net for full job descriptions. Applicants are invited to submit their resumes to until the position has been filled: District of Invermere Attn: Chris Prosser, Chief Administrative Officer PO Box 339, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0 Fax: (250) 342-2934 Email: cao@invermere.net

Pioneer Classified Advertising 250-341-6299

Interested candidates can contact David Sheedy by sending a resumé to hr@fhsr.com, or faxing resumé to 250.345.6515 part-time & Didja know? We hire both best for you

full-time. Let us know what works te you. and we’ll make a schedule to accommoda

FairmontHotSprings.com 1.800.663.4979

Shannon Swan For more information about Slow Food Columbia Valley, please visit http://slowfoodcolumbiavalley. weebly.com/ visit our Facebook page or email slow foodcv@gmail.com. Are you a team player and enjoy working with the public? We have two unique

full-time and year-round

employment opportunities available. The candidate will need to operate around a flexible schedule, have reliable transportation and be comfortable dealing with the public. We’re looking for people with the right attitude and work ethic. We offer an excellent wage with bonus structure based on experience. Potential for management opportunities. Rental accommodations available in Fairmont.

Contact Vernon or John, 250-345-6233 or email fairmontpizza@hotmail.com

28 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer . . . ‘Propane’ from page 3 sure what effect the letter sent by the District of Invermere to the Competition Bureau will have, but that “it seems there is an opportunity to give input and I do think that the volume of input to the Competition Bureau may have some impact on the decision.” The Pioneer contacted the Competition Bureau to find how much input it had received on the matter, but was told by Bureau communication advisor Marie-France Faucher that “as the Bureau is required by law to conduct its work confidentially, including the handling of complaints, we cannot confirm whether or not we have received a complaint on a particular matter.” Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director Susan Clovechok told The Pioneer that “no businesses have

March 10, 2017 reached out to us on this issue yet, but we can appreciate that they would be concerned, and we would advocate on their behalf, as that is what Chambers do.” Mrs. Clovechok added, however, that there is another propane option for valley residents, one that she and her husband make use of — Lethbridge Lo Cost Propane Ltd. She said when they shopped around for propane service for their Dutch Creek home in 2009, Lo Cost was the most competitively priced. Mr. Taft said he’s heard of Lo Cost, but from what he understands, it is quite a small company and may not be able to ramp up its business enough to service the entire valley and compete on equal footing with a giant corporation such as Superior. The Pioneer contacted Lo Cost to find out if this was the case, but was unable to reach anybody for comment.

Donating to wildlife well-being Doug Clovechok, BC Liberal candidate for Columbia River Revelstoke, along with Tom Shypitka, BC Liberal candidate for Kootenay East, each donated $5,000 from their constituency associations to help feed hungry elk and deer that have suffered a particularly hard winter. On Monday, March 6th, Mr. Clovechok and Mr. Shypitka participated in a wildlife feeding program in the Cherry Creek area between Cranbrook and Kimberley, where they helped place roughly one ton of hay around the area, with 30 to 40 elk spotted at the site (top photo). According to a press release issued by the Kootenay East and Columbia River Revelstoke BC Liberal Constituency Associations, Mr. Clovechok and Mr. Shypitka are both hunters and love wildlife. “They recognize this winter has been brutally hard on ungulate populations,” stated the release. “They recognize that feeding is a last resort because of potential downsides. But they support feeding this year because the conditions demand it. “I love hunting and I am still enjoying some elk meat. I know we need to step up this winter and do everything we can to help these animals survive. This means fewer election ads and I am OK with that. Wildlife comes first,” Mr. Clovechok said in the release. Pictured below are, left to right are Mr. Clovechok, Carmen Purdy (president of the Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund), and Mr. Shypitka. Photos submitted

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 29

2016-2017 DTSS Ski & Snowboard Team MEN’S SB Chandler, Colman Janzen, Oakley Jerabek Schan, Lukas Orchiston, Oliver

Masters making waves Columbia Valley masters athletes (left to right in both the Travel Photo Contest entry above and the group photo below), Kim Kitching, Lyle Wilson and Penny Powers headed to Switzerland to compete in the Klosters Masters World Cup 2017 from March 3rd to 10th and, as of Wednesday, March 8th, had achieved the following incredible results: Competing in the classic cross country skiing events, Penny Powers placed 7th in the 15-kilometre race and 8th in the 10-kilometre race. Also competing in classic, Lyle Wilson placed 24th and 16th in the 15-km and 10-km respectively. Competing in the skate ski events, Kim Kitching placed 10th and 9th in the 15-km and 10-km respectively, and 9th in the 39-km race. All three made the Canadian relay team which competes Friday. The Pioneer will follow up with more in-depth coverage when they return. Photos submitted

TRAVELLING TEAM — Members of the DTSS Ski & Snowboard team at the Provincials in Whistler, holding a copy of last week’s Pioneer. Photo by Dave McGrath

DTSS team goes big

Submitted by Becca Wright, Coach DTSS Ski & Snowboard Team DTSS has a long history of success in ski and snowboarding, at both the local level and the provincial level. This year was no exception. We have diverse athletes, some with extensive racing experience and others who simply have a passion to go fast! We were honoured to host the East Kootenay championships and always receive praise from other schools for how smoothly our events run — a true testament to the volunteer race crew (through Windermere Valley Ski Club and Joanne Bragg). To get to provincials in Whistler, the students faced a significant financial commitment. They fundraised and in only three days earned $2,200 towards their travel — this was the difference between some kids going or not. A big thank you to the school, parents, local businesses, and individuals who donated time and resources. Our community continues to support the dreams of our youth. It is always so amazing to go to these events and show the province what our small rural school is capable of — athletes with skill and heart!

Ski-SB Provincial Results -Whistler March 2017 Girls Ski Ella Haynes Zoe McGrath Gabrielle Croteau McKenna Hutchinson Felicity Dando

2 Run GS 3rd 7th 46th 59th DSQ

1 Run TGS 16th 22nd 47th 50th DSQ

Individual Combined 4th 7th 43rd 51st -

Team Combined 6th 6th 6th 6th 6th

Boys Ski Liam Haynes Bodie Sillem Tate Hetherington Solomon Kirk

2 Run GS 2nd 7th 23rd 43rd

1 Run TGS 11th 54th 69th 61st

Individual Combined 3rd 11th 30th 43rd

Team Combined 6th 6th 6th 6th

Girls SB Erin Kubian

2 Run GS 11th

1 Run TGS 8th

Individual Combined 9th

Team Combined N/A

Boys SB Colman Chandler Oliver Orchiston Oakley Janzen Lukas Schan Jerabek

2 Run GS 7th 11th 57th 60th

1 Run TGS 26th 49th 57th 51st

Individual Combined 7th 16th 54th 55th

Team Combined 10th 10th 10th 10th

*BOYS + GIRLS SKI TEAM COMBINED = 2nd Overall GS = Giant Slalom/TGS = Terrain Giant Slalom

MEN’S SKI Clark, Steven Deagnon, Conall Haynes, Liam Hetherington, Tate Hutchinson, Josh Kirk, Soloman Kruger, Brendan Marvel, Dominic Mohr, Paul Sillem, Bodie WOMEN’S SB Kubian, Erin WOMEN’S SKI Croteau, Gabrielle Cunliffe, Cassidy Dando, Felicity Dutcher, Peyton Haynes, Ella Hutchinson, McKenna McGrath, Zoe Oddy, Bellavee Philbrook, Kristine Schnerch, Raina COACHES Dave McGrath Matt Chapman Becca Wright ON-SNOW ASSTS. Joanne Bragg Nat McGrath Windermere Valley Ski Club SPONSORS WV Ski Club Nipika Mountain Resort Syndicate Boardshop Kelsey Petersen Kinsmen Club AG Valley Foods Invermere Bakery Ray Schnerch

30 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

Top ranked local triathlete fundraising for Worlds By Nikki Fredrikson Pioneer Staff

Lindsay on Mount Swansea

To be one of the top triathlon athletes in Canada, you need to train like one. That’s why Invermere’s Lindsay Glassford wakes up every day at 5 a.m. to train. Currently, she’s ranked second in Canada and 35th in the world for her age group, and is preparing to compete at two separate World Championships. “At the end of 2016, I was second in Canada so I would like to bump into the top spot if I could and my goal for World Championships is to be on the podium for my age group. Just looking at the times for what the winner did at World Championships last year ued to train and compete in various competitions during the and my best time for May-to-September season. (Ironman) 70.3 is less “Right now, because it’s off-season, it’s about 15 hours a than 10 minutes off of week of training so most mornings I’m up at 5 or 5:30 a.m. to that, I think if I work go for a run or ride on the trainer in the basement before work. hard this summer and Two or three days a week, I head to the pool after work, so yeah really focus on my trainit’s usually a couple hours a day most days of the week. I usually ing, it’s definitely attainLOW-KEY LOCAL — Invermere triathlete have one day a week where I take a break and don’t train to let able,” said Ms. Glassford. Lindsay Glassford is ranked second in Canada for my body recover,” said Ms. Glassford. Her triathlon caher age group and will be representing Canada at As soon as the start of the season begins, her training rereer started 10 years ago the Worlds later this year. Photos submitted gime increases to 20 hours a week of training. During her seswhen she volunteered at a triathlon in her hometown in Ontario. The sions, she spends anywhere from two to four hours on the bike, an hour and a half to next year she did that very triathlon along with a two hours running and an hour for her swimming training. Continued on next page . . . few other shorter ones. Since then, she’s contin. . . ‘Legacy’ from page 3 “So we partnered with the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), went for the grand prize and got it.” The Rural Dividend Fund has a strong economic development focus, and Mr. Halwa believes the Westside Legacy Trail fits well with that focus. “If we look at numbers on the BanffCanmore trail and Cranbrook-Kimberley trail (both are paved bike trails), we believe we’ll get as many as 120 users a day on the Westside Legacy Trail. That’s going to be more than just local users. People will travel for destination trails, and that’s the kind of trail we’re trying to build,” he said. “People will come, stay the night, buy food, and then next time return with their friends. Building the trail will also create local employment. Look at how many people have been put to work building the new multiuse centre. That’s a $7.5 million project. The trail may be a bit smaller, but it’s still a $5 million project, so it’s close in scope.” Mr. Halwa praised the volunteer efforts that have brought the project this far, point-

ing out that there are 18 business and community leaders (many from Calgary) who comprise the fundraising committee, a sixperson construction committee that oversee construction details, and 15 Greenways directors, all of them volunteers. “Constructing this community asset together with our second homeowners has already built strong community ties and we are very thankful for the numerous additional volunteers who have provided expertise with permitting, environmental consulting, accounting, event planning and staffing, and many folks who gave up their Saturdays last summer to make sure Greenways had a presence at all the farmers’ markets,” he said. Mr. Halwa said the next challenge for Greenways is keeping the construction site safe from anxious and curious trail users. “Expect restricted access to the areas under construction,” he said, adding that Greenways will make sure people can see what is going on regularly through The Pioneer and the organization’s social media channels. To learn more about the trail, and volunteer and donor opportunities, Segments 1, 2, and 3 of the Westside Legacy Trail that will be built this year. See visit www.ourtrail.org. www.ourtrail.org for full size maps and more information. Greenways images

March 10, 2017

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 31

FAITH

The journey will transform us By Laura Hermakin Reverend Christ Church Trinity Wow! As I sit here thinking about writing my column, I can’t help but get lost in the splendour of our beautiful mountains. By the time you read this, the feast of the Transfiguration will have passed and we will be in the season of Lent. However, the transfiguration is a precursor to Lent. It’s the occasion on which Jesus, as he was beginning to teach his disciples that he must die and rise again, revealed himself, upon a mountaintop, in shining splendour to Peter, James and John. The prophets Moses and Elijah were also present, and their presence is understood to signify that the Law and the Prophets testify that Jesus is the promised Messiah. God also proclaimed this, saying, “This is my beloved son. Listen to him.” And, for a moment, heaven and earth are united and people are given a glimpse of the heavenly reality, the glory of God. The Transfiguration makes a fitting transition be. . . ‘Top’ from previous page “I think the most challenging part is juggling the three sports and making time to really commit to being good at each of the three sports. Also for me, I’m not a pro triathlete yet, maybe someday, but kinda juggling all that, working and trying to have a bit of a social life, that’s probably the most challenging part,” said Ms. Glassford. This season she will challenge herself even more by competing in her first Cross Triathlon, an event requiring her to compete in mountain biking and trail running as well as swimming. “It will be the first time for me at an ITU World Championship and a first time for a Cross Triathlon World Championships as well. Most of the races I’ve done so far have been road biking instead, but I thought I’d give Cross Triathlon a shot. It’s a new challenge, but I really like it as well. It’s good to switch it up and to have some time on the road but also some time on the trails on the mountain bike. Varying the training a little bit keeps me on my toes,” said Ms. Glassford. To represent Canada at the International Triathlon Union World Championships in Penticton on August 23rd, Ms. Glassford had to submit a race resume to Triathlon Canada showing her race times, results and standings to be considered as an athlete to

tween the Epiphany season, in which Christ makes himself known, and the Lenten season, in which he prepares the disciples for what lies ahead — the great feast of Easter! But before we get ahead of ourselves, I invite you to go outside and take a look at those incredible mountains and consider the gift of God’s creation and your unique place within it. And then I invite you to turn your face toward the hope of resurrection and journey with God toward Easter. For many people, the big feast of the year is Christmas, but for Christians, the truly great feast is Easter. Jesus had to allow death to take hold of him before he could give us the shining promise of new life. Being raised to new life always comes out of some kind of death. That’s why Lent is such an important time of year for us. Lent is the time to see what needs to die within us so that we might truly live. It’s the period during which we allow death to take hold of the things within ourselves that prevent us from being ready to embrace the good news of the Resurrection at Easter. This Lent, foster a daily practice of spiritual calm where God is at the centre. Read, pray, meditate, walk, run, or engage in whatever spiritual discipline brings you to the fullness of God’s presence. As we begin another Lent, let’s resolve to do our best each day, knowing that it is not the destination, but the journey, that will ultimately transform us. And may God’s peace be with you! represent the country. “You watch the Olympics or any international competition and you see someone competing wearing the maple leaf, it’s like wow, that’s cool. To know that I’m going to be doing that, it’s pretty awesome,” said Ms. Glassford. After competing at the ITU World Championships in August, Ms. Glassford will be focusing on preparing for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee on September 4th. The event will have Ms. Glassford compete in a two-kilometre swim, a 90-kilometre bike, and a 21-kilometre run. This won’t be a first for her as she competed at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships last year in Mooloolaba, Australia. “Going there, it was kind of surreal, it was really neat. The weekend of the race they had a parade of nations; they make it into a really big deal. I was in awe last year, I couldn’t believe that I was there and I was definitely nervous. You want to compete to the best of your ability for sure,” said Ms. Glassford. To get there again this year, she is fundraising to be able to afford to attend the World Championships competitions. She has a fundraising site that tells her triathlon journey and she invites the community to support her campaign or even share it with others. Visit https:// makeachamp.com/lindsayglassford.

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH Sunday, March 12th 10:30 a.m. Worship and Life Instruction, “Practical Faith – Confidence/God-Fidence” … Pastor Matt Moore ministering. “K.I.D.S.” Church, for children Age 3 to Grade 1; and Grades 2-7, during the Morning Service. 7 p.m. “SING and CELEBRATE” … at L.W.A.C. You are welcome to join us for an evening of singing the great hymns of the faith; food; and fellowship! Lead Pastor Trevor Hagan • Associate Pastor Matt Moore 326 - 10th Ave, Invermere • 250-342-9535 WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Worship every Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Christ Church Trinity, Invermere 1st and 3rd Sunday, March - Dec. 9 a.m.: All Saint’s, Edgewater 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m.: June - October at St. Peter’s Windermere Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere • 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday 10 a.m.: Worship Services. Pastor Murray Wittke • 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: at St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats. Saturday, 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.: at Canadian Martyrs’ Church in Invermere. Sunday, 11 a.m.: at St. Joseph’s Church in Radium. Father Gabriel • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere • 250-342-6167 ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Worship services every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Christ Church Trinity, 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere Pastor Rev. David Morton • 250-417-5017 RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937 CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m. • Relief Society, 11:15 a.m. President Rick Daniels • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 250-421-3756

You can remember someone special with your gift to the Canadian Cancer Society To donate In Memory or In Honour: www.cancer.ca | 250-426-8916 or call toll-free 1-800-656-6426 or mail to: #19, 19th Avenue South Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 2L9 Please include: Your name and address for tax receipt Name of the person being remembered Name and address to send card to

Let’s Make Cancer History

www.cancer.ca

32 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 10, 2017

YOUR MONEY

How new cars kill finances Canadians bought 1.95 million new vehicles last year, making 2016 the fourth consecutive record-setting year for automakers. It’s easy to see why, with juicy terms like zero per cent financing offers, cash back incentives, used car buy-backs, and financing for up to 84 months. But what many people discount is that cars can be a major destroyer of wealth, especially for those who buy a new car every few years. The cost of cars According to Statistics Canada, the average Canadian earns just over $49,000 per year, or about $37,600 after tax and employment deductions. The average monthly payment on a new vehicle is $570. That represents 18 per cent of the average Canadian’s take-home pay, or 13 per cent of the average couple’s. In fact, car expenses make up the third-highest percentage of most family’s budgets, behind housing at 33 per cent, and food at 19 per cent. While the cost of a new vehicle pales in comparison to a house, they have different effects on a family’s overall financial picture. For example, including Vancouver and Toronto, the average house in Canada cost just over $470,000 in 2016, while new cars cost about $30,000 on average.

But unlike vehicles, houses are an appreciating asset. Homeowners can reasonably expect to see their house post an average annual price increase at the inflation rate over the 10 years. New vehicles lose about nine per cent of their value the moment they are driven off the lot. They further depreciate 15 to 25 per cent each year thereafter. Car payments also dwarf other items in one’s budget such as savings and investments at eight per cent, and debt repayment costs at just six per cent. So not only do Canadians spend a large portion of their budgets on car payments, they do so at the expense of their savings and paying down debts.

one vehicle loan or lease payment and two insurance payments. If it’s not enough, consider saving more towards a down payment or buying a less expensive car. Avoid loan terms of more than five or six years. If a new vehicle is unaffordable without taking a longer term, it’s probably not a wise financial decision. When your vehicle is paid off, sock away the money you would have spent on payments in a TFSA until it’s time to buy another car. For two vehicle families, get your purchases on a rotation so that you don’t have more than one vehicle payment at a time. Remember, while a vehicle or two may be a necessity, a new one is not.

How do I get ahead? For most people, especially those living in rural areas, having one or more vehicles is a necessity. So how does one play the car game effectively? Here are a few pointers. Consider keeping vehicles for a long time, such as 10 years or longer. This will blend the early years of heavy depreciation with the later, less expensive years, creating a lower annual loss overall. Set a budget for car payments and insurance. This amount should not exceed 10 per cent of your annual family income. It is likely that this amount will cover

Final thoughts As with houses, cars have two ways of destabilizing one’s finances. First, the cost of ownership uses cash that could otherwise go towards savings. Second, if interest rates move upwards, people run the risk of their payments rising, squeezing their cash flow even more. However, as mentioned above, a house is at least an appreciating asset, while a car is a money pit. If you are considering buying a new vehicle, consider speaking with your financial advisor. He or she can help you decide if it’s a wise decision, and offer suggestions for how to go about it.

Investments, Insurance & Financial Planning Brendan Donahue BCOMM, CIM, FCSI

Senior Investment Advisor Insurance Agent

Sara Worley CIM®, FCSI®

Investment Advisor Insurance Agent

Providing Manulife’s financial planning resources to our community

GIC Rates

as of March 6th

1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 4 yr 5 yr

1.45% 1.55% 1.75% 1.86% 2.01%

*Rates subject to change without notice.

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Free consultations! • Ph: 250-342-2112 • Fax: 250-342-2113 • 530 13th Street , Invermere • www.invermereadvisors.com