vol4issue10

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

Vol. 4/Issue 10

The Columbia

March 9, 2007

Valley

P IONEER

FREE

Serving The Upper Columbia Valley including Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats

HIGH-SPEED HERE

3 LAKE AUTO CLOSES

Paddling in the puddles

5 FIRE DOWN UNDER

Four-year-old Rebekah Falk, daughter of Stacy and Joy Falk of Invermere, gets her feet wet on the first warm day in March.

Photo by Elinor Florence

16 We’re better at sharing.

Every year we share more profits with our members than most other financial institutions.

This year is no different because we’re sharing

$3.8 million with you. That’s a 10% dividend! Just another reason why we’re where you belong.

profit sharing

2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

Passion Parties

™

by Cathy Wigorski ~ Your Independent Consultant

L

ooking for the ultimate girls night in? Then host a passion party, we have a great selection of toys, lotions and a accessories at great prices. You get 10% of your total party sales towards buying free products as well as a chance to win a 5 day cruise for 2.

VALLEY NEWS

For more information contact me!

Cathy Wigorski • 250-270-0565 cathyw@yourpassionconsultant.com www.cathyw.yourpassionconsultant.com

I’m your secret…

to

Relationship! y p p a Ha olidays missed h ns! e r o m o N l occasio or specia ake any day ou m I’ll help y ecial day! a sp

Call anytime or pop by the Bridal Show on March 17th, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

342 – 3160 • www.itsawrapgiftbaskets.ca

Well tended home centrally located and walking distance to all of Invermere’s attractions.

Beautiful Rocky Mountain views, fenced landscaped garden yard, paved drive, garage.

PANORAMA Own your own cabin at Panorama! Over 2000 sq. ft., 4 bdrms, 2 baths, outstanding location. No Strata Fees!! Give your family the privilege of this alpine getaway. Location, views, privacy, for all the enjoy!

Rare waterfront acreage with dock, less than 20 minutes from Golden. Ideal for private getaway. Several building sites available. Easy access from the highway.

$289,900

$449,000

$196,500

INVERMERE

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INVERMERE

WINDERMERE

This lovely location offers mountain views, lake glimpses, and is perfectly located walking distance to both the downtown of Invermere, beach, and parks, tucked away in a beautiful private location.

Magnificent views, in a very beautiful, private location.

This stately home, with all the comforts enjoys unobstructed, west facing views of Lake Windermere and the Purcell Mountains. Located on almost 2 acres. $779,000 mls#k151802

$349,900

mls#k151757

BARRY

PAT

342-5245

342-1262

BARRY

MARLENE

342-5809

341-5600

ERIC

342-5914

RON

342-5704

GOLDEN RURAL

mls#k151642

INVERMERE Stunning 177 acre wetland acreage! Six acre island homesite. Privacy, pasture and views from spectacular homesite dating back to 1890”s. Great for horses.

Power, phone on site. Gravel road. Water and sewer to be developed. $695,000 mls#k151822

PAUL

341-5300

DIANA

341-5269

BILL

341-5168

DAVID

342-1524

Strata Management

Fairmont Village Mall, Fairmont

Tex’s Coffee Works for them Tex Lortscher, right, enjoyed a great opening day last Saturday at the second location of Tex’s Coffee Works inside Home Hardware at the crossroads. Here he is with customers Alan and Kathy Dobbs of Invermere. Tex raised $621 for the Valley Food Bank, and he also gave away

three prizes. Evan Allery won the cookie basket, Cortnei Ryter won the coffee basket, and Jill Bell was the lucky winner of the cappuccino machine. The big winner of the day was Kelsie Ede, who won the television given away

by Home Hardware.

Your last chance at affordable living in Invermere!

Priced from only $145,000 to $165,000 for a limited time.

Finally, a place you can call home–or your home-away-fromhome–in the heart of the beautiful Columbia Valley! Phase One of Cedarwood Glen Estates is now selling. Eighteen twobedroom condominiums are now offered for sale, from only $145,000 to $165,000.

Arrange a viewing or request more information by calling (250) 341-1182, or emailing sales@cedarwoodglen.com.

Act quickly - these units are selling fast!

Phone: 345-4000 526 B – 13th St. , Invermere

www.rockymtnrealty.com

Phone: 342-6911

Call April at 341-6299 to place your classified.

When you’re home, you know it. cedarwoodglen.com

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

March 9, 2007

NanoFibre drops wireless net over Radium

By Brian Geis Pioneer Staff Free wireless internet service will be available to selected areas of Radium Hot Springs starting this week, with the rollout of the new fibre-optic service to homes and businesses beginning in May, according to company partner Mark Halwa.

Mr. Halwa, managing partner of NanoFibre Networks, was interviewed last week in a high-tech mobile trailer in Athalmer, where he was inspecting splices to the fibre-optic cables that connect Radium and Panorama to the regional network installed last year by the Columbia Mountain Open Network.

NanoFibre Networks is the private company formed by Mr. Halwa, Radium Mayor Greg Deck and Precision Drilling Chief Executive Hank Swartout to provide fibre-optic network services to Radium Hot Springs.

This initiative was narrowly defeated as a public project by Radium residents and later offered free of charge to the District of Invermere.

Invermere council has twice declined the offer, citing the need for more information and a reluctance to take on 20 years of annual debt repayments of $48,000 required to cover the cost of installing the fibre-optic backbone.

With the last of the cables spliced and the go-live date looming this spring, NanoFibre Networks was busy preparing for the March 15th launch of the free wireless service that will accompany the fibre-to-thehome service. According to Mr. Halwa the wireless service will remain free of charge to all residents, businesses and visitors to Radium.

“Part of building a successful network for any community is allowing basic access to all citizens and visitors of the community,” Mr. Halwa said. “We’re building an infrastructure for the future and, in the process, facilitating commerce and enabling entirely new ways of doing business here in the Columbia Valley.”

NanoFibre Networks isn’t sure yet what kind of coverage the wireless net will achieve until testing is

SPLITTING HAIRS—NanoFibre Networks managing partner Mark Halwa, right, gets a lesson in splicing fibre-optic cable from DG Communications technician Jeff Woodworth of Invermere. The duo were making the final connections that will link Radium’s fibre-optic network to the outside world.

Photo by Brian Geis complete, but full coverage of downtown is likely.

“Anyone who drives through downtown Radium and stops in at a store on main street will be pleasantly surprised,” he said. “In future, we plan to deliver wireless coverage to all homes and businesses in Radium.”

According to Mr. Halwa, fibre-optic networks provide the most secure and fastest method of transferring data. “Whether the data coming into your home is your favorite TV show, a brand-new, high-definition movie, a videoconference with your doctor, distance education, or e-mailed pictures from your family, a fibre optic network is the most reliable.”

He said there is no charge to consumers for bringing the fibre into the home or business. A nomimal fee for hook-ups might be charged in the future, so he is encouraging people to sign up while it is still free.

With the addition of a $100 plug-in device, he said, non-wired homes or businesses can take advantage of the high-speed fibre by routing data over the existing electrical wiring. Existing coaxial cable wiring can also be used. It is recommended that new homes be wired with ethernet cable.

The firm also launched its website this week, www. nanofibre.ca, giving the residents and businesses of Radium the ability to sign up at no charge for fibre-optic services and to find out more about the service.

The firm states that high-speed internet, telephone service, and home security monitoring will be among the services available to subscribers this year.

Other services planned for the future include television, videoconferencing, gaming, streaming music for businesses and mobile services.

Invermere water, sewer, garbage rates hiked

By Pioneer Staff Increases to rates charged for water, sewer and garbage collection services will raise the cost of living for Invermere residents by about $100 per year, a little more than $8 per month. Invermere council approved three bylaws that will raise rates for the municipal services in order to pay for the increased cost of providing those services.

Finance Director Karen Coté said the district is facing $6.2 million in water-related capital improvements in the next five years. About $1.3 million of that amount, she said, will have to come from the water operating fund.

She said a $30 hike in the annual flat fee and a 3.5 cents per cubic metre increase in the consumption rate for most users would generate an additional $31,000 for the fund. The average business, she said, will likely see an increase of $10.96 per year in consumption and the $30 hike in the flat rate.

Chief Administrator Chris Prosser warned that the rates will likely continue to increase in 2008 and 2009 in order to meet costs. “We have been caught short in the past,” he said. “The water fund is a business and it’s run like a business. Philosophically, these rates are going to go up.”

Also going up are the rates for sewerage. Although the sewer fund is healthier than the water

fund, she reported, a two-percent increase is necessary to keep up with inflationary costs.

The average increase of $6 per year for homes and $5.40 per year for businesses should generate $12,300 for the sewer operating fund.

The new garbage collection contract with Southeast Disposal, Mr. Prosser said, will require a hike in the rates charged for the service. The residential rate will jump another $16 per year and the commercial rate will see an increase of $7.50.

The result, he said, would be $14,500 which will entirely fund the municipality’s garbage collection service.

The rate hike will take effect April 1.

4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

RCMP Report

S ol i d W o od Bl i n d s Call The Blind Guy!

Interior World

(250) 342 4406

WATER CO. LTD.

Ask about our winter water softener maintenance special!

• Drinking Water Systems • Water Softeners • Whole House or Specialised Filtration

Call (250) 342-5089 385 Laurier Street Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

Time change Sunday

Tonight Friday, March 9th ONE NIGHT ONLY

Bud’s presents &

THE VOODOO DOLLS Rockabilly & Burlesque Show

Tickets: $10 at the door

$3.75 Jagers Prizes and Giveaways

ST. PATTY’S WEEKEND Friday, March 16th

D.J. SNOW Saturday, March 17th From Fernie

D.J. Assaf Gal-Or Old School/New School Green Pints

$

450

For the week ending March 3, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 56 calls for service, including four accidents.

• February 25: Police, fire rescue and ambulance responded to a two-vehicle accident on Laurier Street in Invermere. According to the investigation, a bus was travelling west on Laurier Street, approaching the intersection of 2nd Street, when a Chevy Avalanche emerged from 2nd Street and struck the bus. The Avalanche spun and a second contact was made with the bus, sending the Avalanche off road to rest against a utility pole. A passenger in the Avalanche was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while the 19-year-old Fairmont driver of the vehicle was charged under the Motor Vehicle Act. • February 24: Police attended to Panorama Mountain Village with the BC Ambulance Service to respond to a 28-year-old male who was in cardiac arrest as a result of possible drug abuse. Police found the man conscious and stable and he was transported to the hospital.

• February 25: Police stopped a vehicle for speeding and the driver showed moderate signs of impair-

Shamrock Shots

375

$

ment and subsequently was read the roadside demand and provided a sample which failed. In this circumstance, the driver was issued a 24-hour suspension from driving.

• February 25: Police were advised of a stolen snowboard taken from under the fire escape at Pine Lodge at Panorama Mountain Village. No further information is known at this time.

• February 26: Police were notified of a theft of two sets of skis from the Panorama Mountain Village.

A set of Head Mojo 90 186 and a set of Rossignol 23 162 were taken. If anyone has any information regarding this theft, please call the RCMP. Police do have the serial numbers on the computer.

• March 2: Police were on patrol on 14th Street in Invermere when they witnessed a vehicle appear to purposefully take out a stop sign on 7th Avenue and 13th Street. The driver was stopped by police and showed signs of impairment. An impaired investigation was initiated and the driver provided two samples of his breath, 120 and 110 milligrams percent, which is well over the legal limit of 80 milligrams percent.

This incident involved a new driver with his friends.

Just in case you may have forgotten, Daylight Saving Time kicks in next weekend at 2 a.m. Sunday. The new date, March 11th, is three weeks earlier than in the past.

The idea is to make our time change compatible with the U.S. Our neighbour to the south has changed its schedule to fight higher

gas prices, reasoning that if the sun rises later, people will use less energy.

Make a note on your calendar for this Saturday evening to move your clocks forward one hour before going to bed. Then on Sunday morning, you may also want to check all your electronic devices.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

March 9, 2007

A new beginning for the Kloos Family W

And – the end of an era…

hen Steve and Maria Kloos moved from Austria in the 1950’s, they chose the Columbia Valley as their “gem” of the world.

Arriving with only a few material possessions, they held steadfast to their dreams, relying on their spirit of adventure, their unbending work ethic and their vision of opportunity. Logging, mining, road building and working in local businesses filled the early years as they started their family. At 35 and with three young children, Steve went to school and received his mechanic’s ticket while Maria worked and held down the home front. The dream of owning their own business was realized when they met Roy Lake and, against many odds, took over Lake Auto Service from him in 1969.

From GM to Datsun and Ford, Texaco and Esso to Husky, with expansion and building changes, through high times and low times, and ever changing faces in an evolving community, the only thing that ever remained constant was change. The one thing that always saw them through was honest hard work.

Their children, Marion, Erwin and Harald, finished school at DTSS and all moved away for several years each experiencing the “outside” world and realizing what a blessing it was to have been born and raised in the valley. In 1985, getting ready to slow down and look forward to retirement, Steve and Maria’s vision turned towards offering their children the opportunity to perpetuate the family business. For Marion, Erwin and Harald, the chance to take over the business and return to the valley to raise their own families was a gift that none of them have ever taken for granted. This opportunity could not have been fulfilled without the never ending support from their own families as well as the community.

Now their own children are growing up and making their way in the world. Although they are each choosing paths that lead them away from the family business, they too will always call the valley and its mountains “home”, a community connection made strong by family, friends and memories.

And so begins another new chapter in the lives of the Kloos family. After a period of several

years, leaving no stone unturned and exhausting all avenues for perpetuation, this spring has been chosen as the time to wind down the Lake Auto Ford dealership. A time of overwhelming emotion for the family, this decision involving thoughtful and diligent process, was not made lightly.

In the rapidly changing face of the automotive world, manufacturers do not support a new build where the business case will not sustain it and the nature and future of small town dealerships are uncertain at best.

For some time now in the US, and more recently in Canada, small rural dealerships have been quietly closing their doors. Manufacturers primarily cite economic reasons for not supporting new builds, and they themselves are struggling for survival in an ever changing and increasingly competitive world. North America is following a global trend where dealerships will ultimately be centralized in larger cities.

The Kloos family recognized that escalating building costs limited their options and a new build would be unlikely.

Struggling in their existing facility, which the business outgrew years earlier, they remained open in an effort to see if a larger or neighboring dealer may want to “satellite” their existing location. This would have provided their loyal and valued staff and customers continued representation, two issues which were of primary importance in the decision making process.

Unfortunately, “satelliting” works best in areas where land and buildings can be purchased at reasonable values. In our beautiful Columbia Valley, current land prices exceeding the return on some investments make certain commercial developments financially unviable, therefore the inevitable decision was made.

The family run dealership has been able to keep its doors open through the dedicated work of all their staff over the past almost four decades, resulting in years of top customer satisfaction awards. Lake Auto has been the recipient of the Ford President’s Award on several occasions and most recently for 2005 and 2006 consecutively. “Going out at the top” feels right.

Now, with the main focus on their customers and staff, they will remain open for approximately two months after March 1st. This time will be used to finalize current sales and deliveries and to help customers through the transition process to other dealers for sales or warranty.

This time will also be taken to support their staff in exploring several options and opportunities presented to them or assist in new placements elsewhere.

Marion, Erwin and Harald commented, “We will take the time required to ensure everyone is looked after.”

As for Marion, Erwin and Harald, it is unclear what the future holds at this time. Although not ready for retirement, each of them is eager to explore different opportunities and gain new experiences, with a clear desire to continue living and contributing in a meaningful way to this wonderful valley.

And so comes to an end one chapter in the lives of a family. The closing of the Ford dealership marks the end of an era in the automobile business, in a town that is evolving and changing as rapidly as any place in the world. This new and uncertain beginning for the Kloos family is in many ways not so different from the time when Steve and Maria found the courage to take those steps in creating a new life for themselves many years ago.

At this time the Family would like to publicly thank the community, their loyal customers and all of the staff for forty years of enjoyable business, and more importantly, the personal relationships and friendships that will continue on past this closing chapter of their lives.

The Kloos family will be inviting the community to a closing celebration in the near future. Watch the local paper for the announcement of the date.

LAKE AUTO • 1005 – 7th Avenue, Invermere, V0A 1K0 • 342-9310

6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

PERSPECTIVE

March 9, 2007

Historical Lens

Valley losing Lake Auto

By Elinor Florence Pioneer Publisher

Columbia Valley residents were shocked and saddened this week to learn that a valley institution called Lake Auto, the downtown Invermere car dealership, is closing its doors forever.

It has been six decades since the business was started and over the years many folks have earned their livelihoods by working for the local dealer.

Lake Auto to this day remains the only car dealership between Cranbrook and Golden. The number of Ford vehicles on our roads can be directly attributable to the policy of shopping local. Many valley folks have remained loyal to Lake Auto for several generations and have never purchased a vehicle anywhere else.

Although the location may no longer be ideal for an auto dealership - most of which are spread out over several acres of property at the edge of urban areas - it’s been a great convenience for local drivers and visitors to drop off their vehicles at the downtown service centre for a quick oil change or tune-up.

But the location has also been a drawback for the owners, who found it difficult to expand their business due to the skyrocketing costs of land in the valley.

Most importantly, local drivers have always been appreciative of the great service provided by this locally-owned family business.

Steve and Maria Kloos purchased the business from Roy Lake 38 years ago and ran the business successfully until 1985, when they turned it over to all three of their children: Marian, Erwin and Harald.

Lake Auto was awarded the Ford President’s Choice award in both 2005 and 2006, a testament to their hard work and dedication.

The Kloos family will keep their doors open for another two months so they can help both their customers and their staff make the transition.

Thank you to the Kloos family, congratulations on making a very difficult decision, and best of luck over the coming weeks and years ahead.

An early photograph of Lake Auto in its present location taken in the 1950s shows two gas pumps, a car sitting outside, and another car inside the showroom.

Photo courtesy of Windermere District Historical Society

Top seven issues identified by MLA Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald has identified the top seven issues presented to him by constituents during his travels throughout the riding.

The following are the seven main topics: 1. Cuts to child care resource and referral centres and child care subsidies 2. Standard of maintenance on local highways 3. Changes to harvest allocation policy for resident hunters 4. Impacts of increased property tax rates 5. Concerns for rural health care 6. Public input into local land use decisions 7. Inadequate shelter allowances for income assistance recipients “I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Opposition caucus to bring these issues forward,” Mr. Macdonald said. “I will be meeting with

ministers and working with stakeholders to ensure that the issues in my communities are addressed by this government.”

Mr. Macdonald will be primarily in Victoria until the next Legislative Break. A series of meeting dates and open houses will be scheduled beginning in March to ensure that constituents get the chance to meet with their MLA. “My offices are open. My staff are available so constituents can keep in touch even when I am in Victoria.”

Recently Mr. Macdonald had the opportunity to speak in the Legislative Assembly in response to the Throne Speech.

“It is important, I feel, to get my constituent’s issues on the record. This speech was a heads up to the government; these are the issues that I will be fighting on.”

The Columbia Valley

P IONEER is independently owned and operated and is published weekly by Abel Creek Publishing Inc. Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Phone (250) 341-6299 · Fax (250) 341-6229 Email: upioneer@telus.net · www.columbiavalleypioneer.com The material, written or artistic, may not be reprinted or electronically reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions and statements in articles, columns and advertising are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff of The Columbia Valley Pioneer. It is agreed by any display advertiser requesting space that the newspaper’s responsibility, if any, for errors or omissions of any kind is limited to the amount paid for by the advertiser for that portion of the space as occupied by the incorrect item and there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for the advertisement.

Elinor Florence Publisher

Brian Geis Reporter

Dave Sutherland Advertising Sales

Bob Friesen Advertising Sales

Zephyr Rawbon

Sarah Turk

Graphic Designer

Office Manager

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

March 9, 2007

. . . more information on the truck in the lake

By Elinor Florence Pioneer Publisher After the Historical Lens photograph of the truck in the ice appeared in our February 23rd issue, John Ronacher came to see us to explain how both the truck and the caterpillar were removed from the lake. John wasn’t around at the time, but the truck and the cat were owned by his father, Simon Ronacher.

This week we got more details on the incident, straight from the mouth of the man who pulled out the truck - Ken Tegart of Windermere. Ken, who will turn 78 years old this month, doesn’t remember the exact year but knows he was just a teenager at the time.

John Kroepfl was hauling the truck and DC9 Caterpillar for his employer, Simon Ronacher, when the cat went through the ice between Windermere and Athalmer.

The disgruntled employee had to walk all the way back to Windermere and up to the White House Hotel to use the telephone. On his way, he passed the Windermere Garage, owned

by Lloyd Tegart.

Young Ken saw him go past, so he ran after him and found out what had happened.

Then he returned to his father’s garage and asked their employee Morris Poore (not Poole as reported last week) if he wanted to get the contract to haul out the caterpillar.

Morris said yes, so Ken made his way to Ronacher’s Mill in Athalmer and got a signed contract.

Then the two men got to work.

They got planking from the Ronacher sawmill, and telephone poles from B.C. Tel. They made a tripod from the planks and poles, letting them freeze into the ice overnight. “It was 20 below or bet-

ter,” Ken recalls, so that part wasn’t a problem.

They also made a “deadman” a few yards away by cutting a hole in the ice, lowering a pole and letting it freeze into the ice. This was used as an anchor for the winch.

On the second day Ken drove up to Edgewater and borrowed a TD9 International, a smaller caterpillar, from the Edgewater sawmill. Using the deadman and the tripod, Ken and Morris winched the truck out first, put planks under it and towed it to the Ronacher place in Athalmer.

On the third day, using poles with cables attached, they managed to reach into the water and loop the cables around the caterpillar.

It had slid into the water backwards at an angle and then shifted sideways, so they had to straighten it before lifting it out of the water.

“By the time we got it out, we were working in about 20 inches of water because the ice was settling due to the weight,” Ken said. “It was wet, and it was cold.” He said the men wore hipwaders to keep their feet dry.

“We lost some tools, like axes and crowbars and things that slip out of your hands. I guess they’re still down there.”

Nevertheless, after three days both the truck and the caterpillar were successfully retrieved.

And Ken still has the invoice he gave to the Ronachers: just under $800.

“That was a lot of money in those days,” he said.

Thank you to everyone who is trying to keep our valley history alive, and accurate. Please call us at The Pioneer if you would like to add any information about any of our Historical Lens photographs.

Al says thank you Dear Editor: On Wednesday, February 21, I fell on Fritz’s Run at Panorama. I would like to thank the “Good Samaritan” who stopped, pulled me out of the

deep snow at the side of the run, and helped me get my skis back on. Thank you very much.

Al Ostrander Invermere

Watch for The Pioneer’s Special Supplement called…

l

e u q e S e Th

Due to popular demand

we will publish another Women in Business advertising supplement on March 30, 2007

Please call Dave Sutherland at (250) 341-6299 to reserve your space!

8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

LETTERS

Life Time Warranty on all Blinds Call The Blind Guy!

Interior World

(250) 342 4406

Cardel open house had disappointing turnout

FREE

JUMBO WILD BUMPER STICKERS It’s time to show you care

342-3147 • www.jumbowild.com

SPCA

East Kootenay Branch

Spay and Neuter Blitz

for low income CAT owners

Cost just

Blitz days are Saturday, March 24th and Friday March 30th

4000

$

Call the shelter at 426-6751 to register Or email eastkootenay@spca.bc.ca

No more searching for the lowest mortgage rates…

Great rates, products and service www.meridianmortgagesolutions.com

Bill Rainbow Mortgage Broker (250) 342-3453 THE DISTRICT OF INVERMERE Garbage Bylaw 949

THIS IS A REMINDER TO ALL RESIDENTS OF INVERMERE • • • •

All bagged garbage must be placed in a garbage container Any garbage not in a container will be refused Maximum weight must not exceed 25 kg (55 lbs) per container Garbage must be placed at the curb no later than 8:00 a.m. the morning of your scheduled pickup

Dear Editor: Back in January 2001, I attended a public forum to discuss a bylaw amendment that would have provided for the building and maintenance of 30 subsidized housing units in Invermere. Unfortunately the amendment didn’t pass.

This time, on February 28th, 2007, I entered the Invermere Community Hall once again with speech in hand and was surprised to find, not a packed hall with people standing on the perimeter, but only about 20 individuals, in addition to the District of Invermere elected officials and staff.

The issue at stake this time was whether the town should bend their own rules to allow for a large condominium apartment complex to be built by Cardel Resorts between Eileen Madson School and Westside Park. The Official Community Plan in essence, hadn’t planned for this.

The plum in all of this is Cardel’s offer to hand over 38 units to the town to use as affordable housing.

Chad Grasza, vice-president for Cardel Resorts sales and marketing was there, along with four or more local developers.

I felt like a very big fish in a small pond and would have preferred to have the greater cover of a crowd of 200.

The rules for an orderly proceeding were read and then at times stretched in a friendly kind of small-town way. The mayor graciously let me read my speech, only interrupting me to advise my remarks were to be addressed to the council. I turned to face them, but ensured I was heard by all. He waited until I was finished my five-minute spiel to further clarify that only two minutes were allowed.

Oh, well. I thought the important part was I had been given a platform, for I was speaking for a crucial

need.

Two letters were read from concerned property owners. Two couples from the affected neighbourhood asked questions and voiced concerns.

I sympathized with the property owners who were distressed at how much their quiet little subdivision has already changed due to Westside Park and CastleRock having grown up to the south of them, and how much more it will change if this development were allowed.

Mr. Grasza was allowed to address some of the concerns. None of the local developers appeared to be in favour of the proposal.

I smiled with the others when Mayor Shmigelsky reminded Mr. Barry Brown-John that some of the objections he encountered when he was developing Westside Park were again being voiced but this time directed to Mr Grasza.

Mr. Brown-John quipped, “Not quite. They said I was building a slum.”

The mayor, responding to my accusation of shortsighted failure, stated the District could not have approved the 2001 bylaw amendment because they could not afford to waive development cost charges.

The small turnout was a disappointment. Have people given up or were they too busy or do they just not care? The council will make their decision on March 13th.

Another thing which disappointed me was the only developer offering to hand over property to be used for affordable housing is a Calgary developer.

We can debate his motivation or the real value of his offer, but one fact remains: no one else has done it.

Dorothy Isted Invermere

Sympathetic response Dear Editor:

3 cans – 75.6 litres

2 cans – 121.00 litres

1 can – 189.00 litres

(3 – 20 gallon)

(2 – 32 gallon)

(1 – 50 gallon)

Or any combination to a maximum volume of 250 litres or 66.04 gallons.

The District would like to thank all residents for their efforts in keeping Invermere a “Beautiful Place to Live”

From reading the letter of Mary Ann Rombach in the Pioneer dated February 23, 2007, we get the impression that the discussion concerning the Jumbo issue is mainly between the passionate "Pro-Jumbo" environmentalists and the hyperzealous "Anti-Jumbo" (Mini) - Fascists.

It's the first time in our lives that we feel sympathy for fascists.

Udo Kuempers Brigitte Joriot Invermere

Correction In last week’s edition, in the story titled “Young chefs compete in regionals,” Bennet Oaks was incorrectly identified as the winner of the bronze medal.

Actually, Steven Smalls was the winner of the bronze medal. Congratulations, Steven!

> >>>

Encore

Page 9

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

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

Wheat in the Barley

MOVIE REVIEW

Pynelogs Cultural Centre will be the venue Wednesday, March 28 for this popular Celtic folk band from Vancouver. For info, call 342-4423.

PAGE 10 PAGE 10

GOODBYE CAFÉ

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Out & About Your Weekly Guide to What’s Happening Around the Columbia Valley PAGE 11

Cinefest Movie · Babel · Toby Theatre Monday March 19th at 7:00 pm. Presented by Harrison McKay Communications.

Wheat in the Barley · Pynelogs Cultural Centre Bistro Concert Series, Wednesday March 28th

What does ART mean to you?

‘Laugh Your Ass Off’ Comedy Festival Presented by Kicking Horse Coffee · Lorne Elliott – Tuesday April 10th Todd Butler – Friday April 13th. Tickets available Call 342-4423

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 342-4423.

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

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

Bring your Blarney to the Edgewater Hall Submitted by Barry Moore

THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE!

ARTIST DIRECT Original Oil Paintings by Gabriel

Call 341-6299

250-342-9074

Saturday, March 10th

Halfway to Summer

The Edgwater Hall musicals are back with bells on! The Saint Patrick’s Day Tea with Entertainment will be sponsored by the Columbia Valley Music and Edgewater Recreation Society.

Besides the legendary Edgewater hospitality, we are happy to bring you the best of local song and story.

Pat O’Sullivan and Jeff Hildes, Joseph Lehman and Glenys SnowDymond, Barry Moore and David Shirk will entertain with instruments ranging from Hammer Dulcimer to Bohdruun. Margaret O’Sullivan and Sandy Ferguson will bring the Celtic oral tradition.

Movie Review: The Departed Review by Elinor Florence

$ 75

3

Malibu Cocktails & Jager Bombs Great Prizes and Giveaways Food Specials Best Pizza inTown!

Watch next week for St. Patrick’s Week Specials!

1310 7th Ave., Invermere • (250) 341-3344

Gone

HOLLYWOOD V

I D E O

Movies don’t get much more engrossing than this.

The exciting and totally unpredictable plot involves two undercover cops. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a convincing performance as a psychologically-tortured good guy who has infiltrated the Irish Mafia in Boston; while Matt Damon, another unhappy soul who has been brainwashed by the bad guys since he was just a lad, has infiltrated the upper echelons of the Massachusetts State Police.

The two men play a cat-andmouse game while they try to guess each other’s identity. They also share a love interest, but that’s a sideline.

Even these two strong performances are outshone by Jack Nicholson at his classic best as the gang leader, an ambitious and evil character who at the age of 70 years, still takes pleasure

Gone Hollywood’s

TOP FIVE OF THE WEEK Last Week’s Top 5 Rentals

New Releases Mar. 6

New Releases Mar. 13

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

Departed Stranger Than Fiction Babel The Prestige Flushed Away

We will also host the first Blarney Competition. Seeing as how much of the valley was handily drawn-in by blarny about “Bountiful Apple Orchards,” “Pristine Recreational Paradises,” and so forth, we hope to find some exceptional talent in this regard, raring to spout improbable but quite convincing (three-minute) tales to an innocent, unaware audience.

Please bring yourselves, your love of the Irish in music and verse, perhaps your selection of rare blarney, and meet at the Edgewater Hall, at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11.

For more information, please call Barry Moore at 347-9668, Anne Jardine at 347-9860, or Barb Neraasen at 347-7757.

Borat Decoys: The Second Seduction Let’s Go To Prison Fast Food Nation Song for a Raggy Boy

Casino Royale Holiday, The Harsh Times Pleasure Drivers, The American Cousins

in torturing and killing.

The film won four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Writing, and Best Director for Martin Scorsese.

Mark Wahlberg, one of the good cops, was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

So here’s what I didn’t like: the movie was 151 minutes long, and it’s difficult to sustain a fever pitch of suspense for that period of time.

And it was absolutely drenched in gore, which I found sickening after the first eight or ten explosions of blood when people got shot in their heads.

The brutality earned it a Restricted rating.

This is not a family movie, but definitely worth seeing to remind yourself what great acting looks like.

RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 5 HEADS

DVD +VHS GAME CUBE + XBOX + XBOX 360 + PS2 + GQ 503 - 7th Ave., Invermere

342-0057

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

March 9 , 2007

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

Out & About Please call 341-6299 or Email us at upioneer@telus.net to enter your event in our FREE listings.

Toby Theatre • March 7 - 10: Arthur & the Invisibles • March 14 - 17: Catch & Release

Wednesday, March 14th

Friday, March 30th

• Noon: General Meeting, Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, Best Western Inn. Guest speaker: MP Jim Abbott. RSVP the Chamber at 342-2844 no later than Tuesday, March 13th.

• 12 pm: First of four seminars called “B.L.I.P.S.” and “To Dos” at Essentials Department Store. Preregister at 342-8947, or seminars@tygproductions. com. Other seminars on March 15, 21 and 24.

Friday, March 16th • St. Patty’s Weekend at Bud’s Bar&Lounge, March 16th and 17th. Different DJs each night.

Friday, March 9th • 4:30 pm: Application deadline, Columbia Basin Trust’s Environmental Initiatives Program, for community-initiated and supported environmental projects in the Columbia Basin, to address current and future impacts of human communities on local and regional ecosystems. For info: 1-800-505-8998 or 1-250-365-6633.

• Noon to 2 pm, “Nearly Spring” Soup and Bun Luncheon and Bake Sale, Christ Church Trinity.

• Big John Bates and the Voodoo Dolls, Bud’s Bar&Lounge.

• Cranbrook SPCA hosts spay and neuter blitz for low-income cats. Call (250) 426-6751 for more.

Hot Springs Hours of Operation • Radium Hot Pool, Sunday - Thursday 12 pm - 9 pm; Friday - Saturday 12 pm - 10 pm.

• Radium Cool Pool, Friday 6 pm - 9 pm, Saturday - Sunday 12 pm - 9 pm. For info: 347-9485.

• Fairmont Hot Springs Hot Pool Hours: 8 am - 10 pm daily. For info: 345-6311.

Columbia Valley Food Bank Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 pm - 2 pm To donate, mail a cheque to: Box 2141, Invermere.

Saturday, March 17th

• Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Kiss an Irishman!

• 1 pm - 4 pm: Blushing Bride Wedding Expo, held at Copper Point. For info: 270-0338.

New Video Releases Tuesday • 9 am to noon: Moving Sale at old Eagle Ranch • Casino Royale Golf Clubhouse, 195 Capilo Way. Selling TVs, • The Pleasure Drivers appliances patio furniture, etc.

• Brooklyn Lobster Saturday, March 24th

• Cranbrook SPCA hosts spay and neuter blitz for Saturday, March 10th low-income cats. Call (250) 426-6751 for more.

• Half-way to Summer Party, Copper City Saloon, • Royal Canadian Legion Branch 71st’s 80th Anniversary Dinner. Veterans and spouses must Invermere. preregister by calling Wendy at 342-4242. Tickets available for Legion members and the general Sunday, March 11th public.

• 2 a.m. Time changes! Set your clocks forward one hour and spring into spring.

Wednesday, March 28th • 2 pm: Saint Patrick’s Day Tea, Edgewater Hall, sponsored by Columbia Valley Music and Edgewater • Wheat in the Barley, a colourful, multiRecreation Society. Blarney competition, live music, instrumental band performing at Pynelogs. For and a whole lot of fun! For info: Barry Moore, 347- info: 342-4423, or www.wheatinthebarley.com.

9668; Anne Jardine, 347-9860; or Barb Neraasen, 347-7757.

Thursday, March 29th

Invermere Thrift Store Thursdays, 10 am - 4 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 1 pm - 4 pm Invermere Library Hours • Tuesday & Friday: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Wednesday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

• Thursday: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Radium Library Hours • Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 2 pm - 4 pm • Tuesday & Thursday: 7 pm - 9 pm • Saturday: 10 am - 12 pm

Student News

• The Gallery Café closes its doors.

Monday, March 12th

• The Holiday • Lovewrecked • Harsh Times

• Parry Pilates new group sessions, held at Valley Fitness Centre. For info: 342-5979, or 342-2131.

Friday, March 30th • 9 am: Regional District of East Kootenay board meeting. For more info: 1-888-478-7335.

Tuesday, March 13th • Women in Business: The Sequel. Special advertising • 6 p.m. Public Budget Meeting, Invermere Council supplement appears today in The Pioneer. Call Dave Sutherland at 341-6299 for more.

Chambers.

• Elkhorn College is now accepting applications of interest for September 2007. Apply to: Elkhorn Ranch Ltd., Box 128, Windermere, BC V0B 2L0.

MARCH 8th & 9th: • Report Cards issued, Martin Morigeau School.

MARCH 19th - 30th: • March Break, no school.

“Branding for the Small Business”

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30 - 8:00 pm April 10-26, Invermere Campus.

The College of the Rockies is pleased to present this six-session workshop series. Get the most out of your marketing budget by integrating your advertising, image, customer service, web presence, and more!

Instructed by Harrison McKay, strategic marketing consultant and advertising agency owner.

To register, call the College at 342-3210.

This course is booking fast. Don’t miss out!

CVCC Members receive a 10% discount.

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

School Zone

By Melinda Drews, Grade 12 David Thompson Secondary School

Tel. 342-0707 Email: klein@nucleus.com

www.tepapanui.com

Quality antique furniture and collectibles from Canada, Europe and Asia.

Architectural items for home & garden.

Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Invermere Industrial Park (just off the road to Panorama)

Calling all Brides, Mothers of the Bride, Bridesmaids and Wedding Guests!

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to mentor in a Dove Campaign for Real Beauty workshop.

The campaign was set up by the Dove company in order to promote self-esteem in women of all ages. You have probably seen their ads on TV. Their objective is to showcase that real beauty is something found in all shapes, sizes and colors, and not the idealistic beauty which we so often see in magazines and movies. The hope was that all who attended left with a healthier body relationship with themselves, and towards each other.

The planning and promotion of the event was done by Colleen Sharp, a Grade 12 David Thompson Secondary School student. Earlier this year, Colleen helped organize a first workshop in Calgary, which many students attended. It was a total success, therefore giving her the idea to host yet another one, this time on her own turf. The planning began many months ahead of time. It involved applying for a grant from the Columbia Basin Trust, which was thankfully granted to her, allowing her to host the retreat.

The workshop was attended by 34 girls in Grade 7 from around the area.

They arrived at the high school at 6:30 p.m., and were greeted with a short introduction from the 11 mentors.

They were given a brief overview of the

purpose of the workshop: self-esteem, awareness, and fun.

The night was filled with icebreaker games, a way for the girls to meet new people, watch movies, and eat snacks.

As presumed, talking lasted late into the night, meaning less sleep for the mentors, but that’s to be expected on a sleepover!

The following day allowed a closer look at how the media manages to portray beauty in order to sell merchandise.

Teen magazines were analyzed, and discussions were held. The girls were able to give opinions, ask questions, and get answers.

Colleen Sharp deserves a lot of thanks for organizing a great event.

Organizer Colleen Sharp, left; and mentor Melinda Drews, right.

Lose weight, shape up, and look your most beautiful on the big day.

Starts March 26th! Call 342-2131 or visit shapeupinvermere.com for more information and to register.

M O R E B A N G F O R YO U R B U C K .

THE PIONEER MORE THAN TWICE THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANY OTHER LOCAL NEWSPAPER

BEAUTIFUL GIRLS - Four Grade 7 girls from Edgewater attended. From left to right: Kaitlyn Heide, Jessica Durning, Jordan Ingham and Bailey Lemcke.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

March 9, 2007

LETTERS

Resorts do not destroy wildlife Dear Editor: Nolan Rad is an old hunting buddy of ours. I respect and share his concern for wildlife and habitat very much indeed.

I agree with Nolan that there is nothing “extremist” about ensuring habitat for wildlife. Where I think some “overly zealous” ones make an empirical mistake is in thinking that a ski resort necessarily destroys habitat.

My experiences in living at Panorama for 17 years and walking up and down that mountain almost daily give ample evidence that ungulates and bears thrive on the cleared and subsequently grassed/herbed/bushed slopes of a ski resort. One would have to gouge out one’s eyes and lobotomize one’s brain to deny this. The slopes are full of elk beds, moose beds, and deer beds.

Furthermore, when Panorama expanded, hunting became disallowed because of hiking tourists, which resulted in a protected, enhanced habitat - exactly the kind of scenario that will happen at Jumbo.

So I am not really joking when I think it likely that Jumbo will generate more wildlife than the Jumbo valley currently has. A historical fact: Panorama Mountain before development was only transit terrain for elk.

After it was developed, elk began to live on the mountain because there was now so much grassland and other flora proliferating in the cleared areas. This is not rocket science. Ungulates don’t eat trees. They’re out there grazing on grassy slides or ski slopes. And grizzly sometimes eat them.

The fact that one grizzly bear got into the garbage in Panorama’s underground parking and became a threat to humans, and probably was destroyed because of that, is totally unfortunate. Since that time, all remedies were taken by Panorama to ensure that this painful scenario would not occur again.

But let’s get a bit more honest now: since 1963, when Panorama began, one griz was killed in 44 years of operation. Could someone in the Fish and Wildlife make it known to the public how many grizzly bears were killed by hunters in the years between 1963 and 2007 in the Toby Creek Drainage, which includes

Jumbo? This should be a matter of counting the hunting tags turned in to the Ministry. If the hunter in Nolan is true to his love of wildlife, would he promote the cessation of hunting of griz in this Drainage? I suspect not.

And as for the fact that Greywolf Golf Course was prime habitat for moose, has the total population of moose in the area declined? What is the baseline data of moose population before Panorama Resort? How many more moose were born because of the increased and protected habitat provided by the slopes of Panorama? There might be more moose now in this area than ever before in the total balance. We’ve seen grizzly chasing moose on these very slopes! What do you do with facts like these? Close your eyes again?

“ . . . ungulates and bears thrive on the cleared and subsequently grassed/herbed/bushed areas of a ski slope. One would have to gouge out one’s eyes and lobotomize one’s brain to deny this.”

- Mary Ann Rombach When we lived up there year round, we had a cow moose drop two calves right in front of our house; and all summer we had moose chewing on the alder in our back yard. Black bears and cubs grazed on the grasses under the platter lift.

One bear tried to get into our basement where we had huckleberries freshly picked in buckets. Another moose took a liking to my composted banana peels, so one day I fed her one by hand. It was terrific! We loved it up there. We were living in happiness with the animals, in a habitat that in all likelihood was increasing their population.

The thing that I remember that really slaughtered moose was the decision by Rod and Gunners many years ago to let the guiding outfits start closing down local creeks to local hunters.

In the first year of that decision, I heard 17 bull

moose were taken out of Brewer Creek, for example: a complete travesty. Many Rod and Gunners quit that organization then in disgust, my husband included.

I do not agree with Nolan that it is a hopeless cause to live successfully with wildlife. Everywhere I look I see examples of success. The deer in Invermere have a picnic all year round. Cougars roam the Toby Benches. I’ve seen three cross the road on Peters’ Hill.

All summer I watched the grizzlies and black bears grazing on the grasses and dandelions alongside the road in Kootenay Park, surrounded by (mostly) respectful humans.

Up at Boom Lake parking lot, there was a monster griz up there sitting in the dandelions waving his head to and fro as he sucked in the flowers, with a dozen vehicles beside him, passengers in awe. And there are so many grizzly in the parks, many places now you have to be in groups of six to go hiking. Fresh diggings are in almost every drainage, and I’m hiking in there every week year round - so I’m watching this stuff for my own protection.

And now the Parks are experimenting with making bears averse to humans with those Karelian bear dogs, which is a good idea. When bears again fear humans, they’ll stay away and there will be fewer unfortunate incidents. There’s a million ways to work together with the animals so everyone - man and beast - does well. If one believes in hopelessness, all one sees is black and creates a lot of fear. Fear-based activity is often not a good thing.

To really be fair and honest to the Jumbo Resort people, why not look at the 200 commitments made

by Oberti’s group? They are so pro-active environmentally, that they probably will blow the minds of many anti-Jumbo people.

Let’s get together and make this environmentally activist resort work for everyone, man and beast! Your love of wildlife is no greater than mine! And I suspect the other 9000 people that live in this valley love the wildlife just as much as the thousand in your group - maybe more.

Mary Ann Rombach Windermere

Rumours that resort promoters looking for back door deal Dear Editor: Jumbo again. MLA Norm Macdonald asks for assurances of an open public decision.

MLA Bill Bennett says forget it, everybody just wants it built, so let’s go ahead and do it. In the

meantime, the Jumbo development proposal continues to go nowhere. It has received an overwhelming thumbs down every time it enters open community discussion.

There’s rumours the proposed resort-promoters are looking for a back door deal and approval from

the government. Maybe it’s time for that public referendum, where local people can make a local decision.

John Bergenske, Skookumchuck Wildsight President

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Brendan Donahue Investment Advisor Phone: 342-2112

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Subject to availability.

Brendan Donahue, BCOMM, CIM, FMA Investment Advisor, Berkshire Securities Inc. 342-2112 Jason Elford, CFP Investment Advisor, Berkshire Investment Group Inc. 342-5052

The Columbia Valley’s Premiere Wealth Management Firm Planning Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Retirement Projections, Income Splitting, Registered Educational Savings Plans

Services RSP Loans, Mortgage Referrals, Pension Transfers, Group RRSPs.

Ask us about our free consultations and no fee accounts.

March 9, 2007

YOUR MONEY Stay one step ahead of fraud

Technology has made life more convenient for many of us. Unfortunately, it has made life more convenient for criminals as well.

Identity theft - the unauthorized use of information such as your date of birth, social insurance number, credit card numbers or personal identification numbers (PINs) - can open the door to trouble.

Criminals can redirect your mail, use your credit cards or empty your bank account all before you’re even aware your information has been stolen.

The problem is serious enough that the federal government has created a website specifically to help citizens protect themselves from frauds and scams stemming from identity theft (www.safecanada.ca/ identitytheft_e.asp).

Don’t be a victim. Follow these simple tips to protect yourself from identity theft.

• Guard your personal information: Thieves need your personal information for their scams to work. So do your best to protect it. Unless you initiate the call, don’t give out your credit card number or other personal information over the phone.

Think twice about entering contests from little-known retailers (this is also a great way to minimize “spam” or unsolicited emails). Ask about privacy policies at your bank and other financial institutions. And don’t give out your social insurance number unless you know you have to.

• Be aware when using bank machines: Look out for wandering eyes when you use bank machines. Punch in your PIN discretely and be sure to take your transaction slip with you when you’re done.

And be extra cautious when using generic ATMs at convenience stores, gas stations, and other non-bank locations. A number of scams have manipulated nonbank ATMs to steal customer account and access information.

• Protect your PINs: As bank cards and credit cards become more common, it’s important that consumers protect their passwords and security information. Don’t tell your password to anyone. Try not to use obvious passwords (i.e., your birth date, your pet’s name, etc.) for your debit and credit cards.

If you must keep a record of your PINs, write them down on a sheet of paper, put the paper in a sealed envelope, and place the envelope in your safety deposit box.

• Destroy financial documents: Shred all personal financial information such as credit card bills, bank statements, and other documents before you put them in the recycle bin. Some thieves are willing to sort through mountains of trash to gain access to your account numbers and other personal financial information.

• Review credit card balances and bills: Make sure to review any credit card statements and bills you receive. If something doesn’t look right on the balance, don’t wait for the credit card company to sort it out - call them for more details on the charge.

Also, be aware of your billing cycle. If you notice that your monthly bills don’t arrive on time, call these companies to make sure that your mail has not been redirected without your authorization.

• Question – What is phishing?

Phishing is a criminal activity using the internet.

Phishers attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity using email or an instant message and often directs users to a website, although phone contact has been used as well.

Ebay and Paypal are two of the most targeted companies, and online banks are also common targets.

Market Action S&P/TSX Composite Index Dow Jones Industrial Average Nikkei Oil (New York) Gold (New York) Canadian Dollar (in US dollars)

As of March 6th, 2007

12,711 12,050 16,641 $60.07 $639.20 $0.8588

Weekly Gain/(Loss)

-692.75 -581.59 -1,298 -$1.32 -$49.80 0.0006

YTD

-1.52% -3.43% -4.07% -1.59% 7.66% -0.13%

Most people review their Investment portfolio regularly!

When was the last time you reviewed your Life Insurance Portfolio?

In our ever changing world it is important that your insurance is reviewed constantly to ensure that it is the best and most appropriate coverage available.

As one of the valley’s only truly independent Life Insurance brokers, I have access to most of the major carriers and can help you to ensure that you have the best products to suit your needs.

For a complimentary review and to see if we can lower your cost or improve the quality of your existing coverage call me at 342-5052 or just stop in to the Berkshire office and ask to see Jason.

Jason Elford has been a wealth management specialist in Calgary for more than 9 years. Now a full time resident of Invermere, Jason recently joined the Berkshire office with Brendan Donahue and Bruce McLaughlin.

Jason Elford Certified Financial Planner Insurance Advisor 712 - 10th Street, Invermere

Phone: 342-5052

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

March 9, 2007

tyG productions launches seminars nesses have participated in the program that promotes valley merchants Crisanna MacLeod, to timeshare owners at owner of tyG producFairmont Vacation Viltions, has twice been a las. valley full-time resident.

While continuing In 1980, after visitand expanding her sucing her sister Heather cessful marketing busiMeadows, Crisanna and ness with her office manher two children moved ager Terry Jo Henry and from Nova Scotia, makthe talented tyG staff, ing the valley their home Crisanna MacLeod Crisanna is resuming fafor five years. cilitating seminars, teachLife, career and adventures took her to Vancouver, Crows- ing new ways to think and act.

“This my passion, my purpose and nest Pass and Slave Lake and in 1998, she returned - intending to be here what I absolutely love to do”, says Crifor three months to care for her mom sanna. “Every day I draw on these easyGretchen MacLeod. She is still here to-use living tools, and they work. It’s not that my life is all OK, but rather I nine years later.

Counted among Crisanna’s favorite am OK with all my life because I have things and blessings are her faith; her learned how to recognize what I am children Crisdon and Darran; grand- feeling and thinking so I can choose children Ataya and Rythom; friends; how to act, instead of react. The semiCat; music; the movie “Victor Victo- nar information empowers people first ria”; the book Abra by Joan Barfoot; to have a kind, understanding, loving Nova Scotia; the ocean; kayaking; being relationship with themselves - and then a member of Rotary and volunteer with with others who are important to them.

Using the new skills can immediately the Windermere Scarecrow Festival.

She has been a Social Worker, Assis- create a lasting and calm happiness in tant Probation Officer, bouncer in a dis- personal and work relationships.”

The seminar called B. L. I. P. S. (Botco, school district behaviour therapist, career adviser, manager of a Disability tom Line Indisputable Positive StateServices Society, reiki practitioner, col- ment) and the seminar called ToDos lege instructor, housecleaner, and in - will be introduced by free introducprivate practice as a counsellor, seminar tory sessions in March and then with a seminar of four sessions in April. leader and keynote speaker.

The seminar cost of $125 will be reSince 2003 Crisanna has proven her expertise with tyG productions, duced by 50 percent when two people her marketing business that increases register together, because “the skills are revenue for Columbia Valley businesses a new way of being and it is valuable to with unique marketing strategies to visi- have a friend with whom to practice.”

Registration is limited and a portors, full-time and part-time residents.

She is also responsible for creating, tion of the seminar fee is donated to with Doug Morcom of Fairmont Re- animal rescue programs. Contact Crisort Properties, the synergistic Platinum sanna at seminars@tygproductions.com Merchant Program. Over 200 busi- to pre-register..

Business Feature

A Day in Court The following persons were sentenced in Adult Criminal Court, Tuesday, March 6, in Invermere: • Robert J. Lauman was fined $800 and sentenced to six months probation on a charge of assault.

• Robert J. O’Connor was sentenced to a year-long criminal driving prohibition and a year-long Motor Vehicles Act driving prohibition and fined $600, plus a $90 victim surcharge, for impaired driving.

March is national Nutrition Month March is National Nutrition Month in Canada.

This is an initiative of Dietitians of Canada which occurs every March and is designed to raise public awareness on the valuable contribution that healthy eating makes to the overall health of Canadians.

Dietitians of Canada has created its fifth cookbook entitled Simply Great Food, following this year’s theme: “Cook it Up Healthy.”

For more information, visit their website: www.dietitians.ca.

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16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

Firefighters back from Australia

By Brian Geis Pioneer Staff Three Invermere firefighters have returned from a six-week tour of duty in Australia where they helped contain and control the massive “Great Divide Complex South” bushfire that raged throughout the southeastern state of Victoria for 71 days, consuming more than a million hectares, an area about one third the size of Vancouver Island.

Jason Hall, Mark Weis and Jay Devery were sent to Australia in January as part of a 52-member crew from B.C., Canada’s largest deployment outside of North America.

Firefighters Hall and Weis, armed with a pile of maps and photos, described some of their experiences in an interview this week.

According to Mr. Hall, the State of Victoria sent B.C. a “wish list” of help needed, mainly senior firefighters with broad experience, qualified or certified in multiple skills, who could multi-task and fill various positions - and who have a valid passport. Organizers drew from each of the Forest Service Fire Centres across B.C. Fighterfighter Weis said they were treated like VIPs the entire time. On the inbound flight, he said, the crew earned an ovation from a 747 full of passengers when the pilot announced who their uniformed shipmates were and what they were coming to do. “We

were all dressed in our tans. That made my head swell a little bit,” Mr. Weis laughed. And at the airport they were expedited past huge crowds waiting in lines at security.

Their arrival was followed by two days of briefing and a five-course banquet before being sent out into the bush.

Mr. Hall said Australia’s request for seasoned, multi-skilled firefighters was wise and immediately came into play. He was sent to Bairnsdale, south of the fire, and started work as a command centre planner preparing daily battle plans for firefighters on the front lines.

Then he was sent to the front lines for about two weeks to work with pick and shovel, followed by a stint remediating private lands damaged over the course of the battle.

Mr. Hall said some of the younger Australian firefighters were amazed that the more senior Canadians, who were brought in more for their planning and leadership skills, could dig a fireline as quickly and easily as they could.

Mr. Weis was sent to Orbost, north of the fire. According to the plan, he was going to serve as a crew leader on the front lines, but his first job was to attend a town hall meeting organized to help prepare a community to evacuate. “Wow,” he said. “How’s that for a first day?”

Continued on Page 17

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

March 9, 2007 Continued from Page 16 Later he transitioned into a logistics role and worked on multiple crews in multiple locations, including a stint at Swifts Creek. Firefighter Weis said he put 10,000 kilometres on his truck in five weeks.

Neither could say if the Australian authorities intended it, but both agreed the Canadians’ presence in highly-visible roles helped allay fears and cool tempers that were already running high the communities threatened by the fire. Mr. Weis said a light-hearted jocularity rose to the surface when the locals found out they were dealing with someone who came half-way around the world to help them.

“We have a very similar sense of humor. We fit right in easily.”

“We met the ranchers, we met the true Aussies and we really broke the ice with them,” Firefighter Hall commented.

The two men said the dry firefighting tactics were the same - lots of dozer lines and backburning - but the terrain presented some unique challenges.

“Fire is fire,” Mr. Weis explained, but the terrain is a far cry from the soft-wood forests to which they are accustomed.

The forests in Victoria are hardwood forests, mostly eucalyptus. It’s quite dangerous, Mr. Weis

commented, because the trees have a defence mechanism to dry conditions that cause them to shed limbs to save themselves. Because the wood is so dense, what looks like a 500-pound limb could weigh up to 2,000 pounds. “You have to be careful where you park your truck,” he said. “Who would have thought of trees protecting themselves?”

Around here, the forest has a thick bottom that helps the ground absorb moisture. Due to drought, the ground in Victoria is parched and, instead of being absorbed, water just runs off, creating damaging floods that run into the ocean. Because there is no ozone over Australia, Mr. Hall explained, the sun scorches the earth and any exposed skin. “The sun’s got a different bite to it,” he said. Even though sunblock was the first piece of equipment they were issued, Mr. Weis commented, everybody got sunburned.

B.C. is populated with fast-moving wildlife that can outrun fires and are seldom a problem. However, Mr. Hall noted, Australia is populated with slow-moving creatures like koala bears, wallabies and wombats that become a big problem in bushfires.

He said front-line firefighters carry pillowcases to carry off rescued animals and everybody pitches in to help nurse rescued animals until they can return

to the wild. There are also lots of lizards, inch-long bull ants, jumping ants and big spiders. “The wildlife was pretty freaky,” Mr. Hall said.

The massive bushfire was brought under control and contained by February 7th after destroying 51 houses, threatening many communities and killing 1,700 stock animals. The Canadians left a week later. Ironically, that day, it began to rain, Mr. Hall noted.

Both firefighters said they made a lot of friendships and hope this experience helps lay the groundwork for more joint operations and cross-training between countries. The Canadians worked alongside teams of Australians, New Zealanders and Americans.

Residents and firefighters came from as far as 70 kilometres away, Mr. Weis noted, to attend a barbecue the Canadians hosted before departing.

The deployment was enabled by a co-operation agreement signed recently by B.C. and the Australian wildland firefighting agencies. Costs are being carried by Australia. British Columbia has an active global co-operation program, aimed at continuous improvement in fire management and establishing strong partnerships and goodwill with other fireprone jurisdictions.

BURNING BUSH—Three Invermere firefighters were among 52 B.C. Firefighters (opposite, bottom) recently returned from Australia where they helped contain and control bushfires in the southeastern state of Victoria. Also pictured here, Mark Weis, (opposite, top) plays with a wombat, one of many slow-moving animals displaced by the fire. Above, the fire crests a hill near the town of Licola. Far left, some palm trees survived the fire. Left, Firefighter Jason Hall leapfrogs a giant ant hill.

Photos courtesy of Jason Hall and Mark Weis

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

Ken Fowler speaker at Chamber’s annual business awards night

By Pioneer Staff

CLEARANCE Upright Freezers 16.7 cu.ft. Fridge • was $84997

72995

$

now

13.7 cu.ft. Fridge • was $65997

54995

$

now

18.2 cu.ft. Fridge • was $79999

68994

$

now

7.2 cu.ft. Chest Freezer was $35997

8.1 cu.ft. Fridge • was $45997

42997

$

now

29494

$

now

Easy Clean Range was $69999

M O RE B A N G F O R YO U R B U C K .

now

49995

$

Easy Clean Range was $49999 now

38995

$

The new owner of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort will be the guest speaker at this year’s Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce awards banquet on April 4th.

Ken Fowler, president of Ken Fowler Enterprises Inc., will speak at the ninth annual Business Excellence Awards, this year to be held at the Radium Resort.

Ken Fowler’s early business career was concentrated in the real estate industry primarily as a developer and builder.

His entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to establish Ken Fowler Enterprises Limited, which owns Earl’s Restaurants and Joey Tomato’s plus several other businesses and real estate developments. Ken Fowler Enterprises recently purchased Fairmont Hot Springs Resort from the Wilder family.

Mr. Fowler holds an honorary doctorate degree in law from Brock University and frequently speaks on Entrepreneurship, Business and Commerce.

Chamber executive director Heather Overy is urging everyone to cast a vote for their favourite business or employee in 13 different categories.

They are: Professional Services, Tourism-Hospitality, Food and Beverage, Business Excellence-North, Central

and South Areas, Retailer of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Employee of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Business of the Year 1-15 Employees, Business of the Year 16 or more Employees, and Newsmaker of the Year.

This year the voting process is easier than ever, because it is possible to vote on-line. You may vote anonymously by going to the chamber’s website at www. cvchamber.ca, by Emailing info@cvchamber.ca, by faxing to 342-3261, or by telephoning 342-2844. Nomination forms are located at various businesses around the valley.

The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce now has more than 200 members. It is not necessary to be a member in order to vote.

The winners are selected by a nonpartisan selection committee composed of residents around the valley, none of whom are members of the chamber’s board of directors. Their decisions remain confidential until the big night.

“We would like it if everyone would fill in all the categories, but you may vote for just one or two categories if you like,” said Heather.

In the meantime, please call Heather or Marie at 342-2844 to reserve your tickets, which cost $50 per person.

Cocktails will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and awards at 6:45 p.m.

Sears O Pedic Bed (Floor Model Only) was $99997

now

(Floor Model Only) was $1,39998

now

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49999 $ 69999 $

342-6901

THE PIONEER MORE THAN TWICE THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANY OTHER LOCAL NEWSPAPER

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

March 9, 2007

By Harold Hazelaar Invermere

The Old Zone

It is diďŹƒcult to believe that 25 weeks have come and gone in our Oldtimers’ hockey season already.

This week we play our ďŹ nal game of the year and enjoy our Windup Dinner and Awards evening at the Radium Resort.

Rumor has it, some guys play in our league only because they want to come to our year-end party.

Does that tell you how well we can celebrate?

The seafood dinner the Resort puts on for us is second to none, and our comedic entertainment promises to make the evening a “must attend� event.

Our league rookies are falling all over themselves to get there even though they know their league initiation will be humbling to say the least.

The hands-down winners of our Oldtimers’ season have been the wives, girlfriends or signiďŹ cant others who got us o the couch and out of the house at least one night each week.

I’ll bet they are looking forward to September just as much as we are!

I have enjoyed writing these columns each week this season, but must admit, I am looking forward to a few weeks o before I begin penning The Green Zone, my annual golďŹ ng column.

Thanks to everyone for their support and critique (read mockery) of my weekly drivel.

So, until next time . . . “FORE!�

CVOHA League Standings Team

W L T Points

Hi-Heat Batters

20 2

2

42

Lake Auto Mustangs

15 7

2

32

Dale Christian Mudders

11 6

7

29

Radium Petro-Can Killer Tomatoes 10 10 4

24

Warwick Wolves

8 14 2

18

Valley Vision Vultures

7 12 5

19

Huckleberry Hawks

6 15 3

15

Inside Edge Black Smoke

5 14 5

15 ROSY CHEEKS - Carly Nickurak, daughter of Brian and Karen Nickurak of Invermere, has red cheeks from playing outside in the warm spring weather.

Photo by Elinor Florence

This column is sponsored by

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For professional management of your strata corporation or rental property, overseen by a CertiÀed Property Manager (CPMŽ), CertiÀed Professional Residential Property Manager (CPRPM) and Power Engineer, with the accounting done by a CertiÀed General Accountant, please contact Bill Weissig by phone at 341-4178, or by email at bweissig@mountaincreek.ca.

Our property managers are licensed under the Real Estate Services Act of B.C. For more information regarding their extensive qualiÀcations and experience please go our web site at http://www.mountaincreek.ca.

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

Pioneer on the road!

The Pioneer continues to pop up in the most amazing places.

Left, Norbert and Holly Kleiber of Fairmont Hot Springs took The Pioneer to Vietnam. Here they are at Halong Bay, where they cruised on the Junk boat shown in the background.

Above, Guido and Helga Hochheiden, owners of the Lakeside Pub in Invermere, participated in a six-day Carnival in their home town of Mainz, Germany, along with 500,000 other people. Enter your photos in our Travel Contest and win two nights at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton, courtesy of Travel World in Invermere.

THE LAKE WINDERMERE DISTRICT ROD & GUN CLUB Would like to THANK all the generous businesses and crafty people who supported our club by donating or crafting items for our Annual Wild Game Dinner & Dance.

Frank Keely Napa Auto Parts Tex’s CoffeeWorks Be Gifted Baskets Rona (Ace) Hardware John Niddrie Eatery Restaurant Wayne Shaw Invermere Veterinary Peacock Embroidery Mr. Tire Pips Country Store Ken Chapman Max Helmer Invermere Pharmasave Tim Hortons Lambert Insurance Subway Bliss Beads Juli Punjani (Essentials) Palliser Printing B.P.B., Westroc Reddi Mart ESSO Sculptures In Pewter D.R Sports Candyland Prestige Inn Radium Can West Propane Valley Hair Styling Petro Canada Brisco Store Jepson Petro Can Bulk Silver Connection Ali Mederer B.C. Trappers Association

Sobey’s Store Russell’s Sports Valley Lighting Greg Mustard Godlien Small Engines Majestic U-Brew The Place Furniture Lakeside Pub Essentials Dept. Store Copper City Saloon K & B Art Studio Radium Esso Legacy Kitchens El Rancho I Gotcha The Source Valley Fitness Centre Bow Cycle Tiffany Threads Bank of Montreal Brian Hoffos Superior Propane Ponderosa Sports Town & Country Feeds Lake Auto Service Toby Creek Adventures Mountain Toys Sign Artists Station Pub Walkers Auto Repair Dairy Queen Home Hardware Peppi’s Pizza Bavin Glass Norman Hendricks Whitetail Lake Lodge

Invermere One-Hour Photo Bucky’s Woodworking Reflections Women’s Consignment Sassy’s Emporium Vic & Darlene Thomas Al Woodwork The Inside Edge Sports Store Sears Canada Angus McToogle Restaurant Huckleberrys Family Restaurant Cutloose Hair Salon Smith Green Andruschuk Accountants Old Salzburg Restaurant D.K. Custom Rod & Reel Portabella Restaurant Custom Furnace & Fireplace Strand’s Old House Restaurant C.& H. Kids Gear Berkshire , Brendan Donahue Cool Country Auto Parts Back Door Wine Cellar Columbia Valley Trading Co. Dollar Store Mickey’s Auto Body The Outdoor Store Diesel & Dust Contracting Osteria De Medici Restaurant Bistro Restaurant Lucie Anne Ingoldsby On-Line Automotive Repair Invermere Sales & Rentals Fairmont Resort Properties Gift Shop Invermere Custom Exhaust & Auto Advanced Health Massage Autowize

This is an impressive list of supporters of The Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club. We really appreciate your support and we will do our best to help preserve our wildlife and its habitat and continue helping youth learn the outdoors, fishing, and shooting sports. We sincerely hope we haven’t missed anyone. Thanks everyone for making this the best fundraiser for our club ever!!

Norman Hendricks, President

A complete set of maps for Columbia Valley communities, plus useful information about local history, activities and events.

To receive your copy, please call us at

(250) 341-6299 or e-mail us at:

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21

March 9, 2007

Need Blinds? Best Quality Call The Blind Guy!

Interior World

(250) 342 4406

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE P.O. BOX 339 914 – 8th Avenue INVERMERE, B.C., V0A 1K0 Phone (250) 342-9281 - fax (250) 342-2934

2007 Public Budget Meeting Council will be holding a public consultation meeting on the evening of March 13th, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers (914 – 8th Avenue) for the 2007-2011 Financial Plan. We invite residents and community organizations to share their opinions and comments and provide input on budget and how services are delivered in our community. This will provide Council with very important information regarding community expectations for the upcoming year.

Respectfully, Mayor Mark Shmigelsky

Joyce Hutchinson and Alison Bell toasted their guests with champagne at The Gallery Café’s farewell party.

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE P.O. BOX 339 914 – 8th Avenue INVERMERE, B.C., V0A 1K0 Phone (250) 342-9281 - fax (250) 342-2934

Goodbye to The Gallery Café

By Elinor Florence Pioneer Publisher It was a bittersweet evening at the Gallery Café last Saturday night, as about 60 of the restaurant’s loyal regulars gathered to bid farewell to their favourite downtown Invermere lunch and coffee shop.

Started by partners Alison Bell and Joyce Hutchinson seven years ago, the café will close its doors for good on March 29th.

Joyce was a Fisheries Technician with the provincial government before she started the café, and Alison Bell, who is a partner in the business, is the Chef Training Teacher at David Thompson Secondary School.

Joyce said the café has blossomed in the past couple of years. Their clientele includes a variety of locals, including business people, health care professionals, district staff and fitness class participants.

“Some of our young mothers were coming to the Gallery before they had babies, and now their babies are in school!” Joyce laughed. “Fiona Bradford ate two of our cinnamon buns before she went into labour and claims it was all due to the buns!”

Both Allison and Joyce emphasized the importance of healthy eating.

“We hope we have educated people as to what is a good cup of coffee, and what good quality food means,” said Alison. The restaurant has never used trans fats, and makes almost everything from scratch.

Over the years the restaurant has offered cooking classes and entertainment evenings, as well as featur-

ing a revolving gallery of art by local artists.

Alison and Joyce said they have been very fortunate with their staff, although keeping the café fullystaffed in the summer is always a challenge for any local business. With just 20 seats indoors, the café was often full in the summer and the diners overflowed into the outdoor patio beside Interior World.

Jim Galloway of Brisco gave the farewell speech to the two owners on behalf of a grateful but disappointed clientele.

He jokingly called them “unconscionable wenches” for deserting their customers, then wished them all the best.

Joyce plans to take some time off, while Allison will finish her master’s degree while she continues teaching.

Joyce and Alison would like to thank all their customers, as well as their on-site handymen Will Anderson and Doug Charlton, for their support over the past seven years.

Interior World will now reopen the connecting doors and take over the space for additional retail.

“It’s been great having the Gallery there and we wish Joyce and Alison all the luck in the world,” said Karl Conway, owner of Interior World.

The Gallery Café will close its doors for the last time on March 29th.

Although the lease is finished, the business is still for sale - including the equipment, the expertise of the two owners, and a very loyal client base. In the meantime, there are two weeks left to enjoy The Gallery.

Surplus Equipment for Sale The District of Invermere has for sale a 1982 International Hub Fire Engine. Sale is on an as is basis.

• • • • • •

1982 International Truck Body by Hub Fire Engines Air Brake 446 cu in engine (gas) Allison automatic transmission Equipped with Darley 840 IGPM pump with 1000 gallon tank • Rear mounted hose reel Unit may be viewed at The District of Invermere Public Works yard.

Whether you are buying or selling, the classifieds are a great medium to sell or purchase the home of your dreams.

Call today!

341-6299

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

OUR VALLEY LOCATIONS Invermere: A Touch of Dutch Flower & Gift Shop A&W Restaurant AG Foods All Things Beautiful Anglz Hair Salon Autowyze Services Bavin Glassworks Berkshire Bliss Hair & Esthetics Blue Dog Café Bruce McLaughlin Financial Chisel Peak Medical Centre College of the Rockies Columbia Garden Village Columbia House Extended Care Columbia Valley Employment Centre Columbia Valley Trading Company Columbia Valley Visitor Centre Dairy Queen Dave’s Book Bar Details by JoAnne DTSS Duthie Medical Clinic East Kootenay Insurance East Kootenay Realty Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena Essentials Department Store Fitz’s Flooring Gallery Cafe

Gerry’s Gelati Gone Hollywood Grant’s Foods Great Canadian Dollar Store Greyhound Bus Depot O’Sullivan Dental Clinic Harrison McKay Communications High Country Properties Home Hardware Hubbard & Blakley Law Office Huckleberry’s Restaurant Inside Edge Sports Interior World In-Tune Music Invermere and District Hospital Invermere Barber Invermere Curling Rink Invermere Dry Cleaners Invermere Family Chiropractic Invermere Inn (every room) Invermere Physiotherapists Invermere Public Library Kelly’s Restaurant Konig Meats Lake Auto Services Lakeside Pub Lambert Insurance Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy Lee-Jay Motel Lordco Majestic U-Brew Maria Dibb Medical Clinic

Mark Moneo, Optometrist Meridian Mortgage Monkey’s Uncle Mustard Seed Oasis Body and Bath Pamper Yourself Spa Penner’s Shoes Pharmasave Pieces From the Past Quality Bakery Ray Ferguson Realty RCMP Re/Max Reddi-Mart Esso Rob’s Bicycle Works Rocky Mountain Realty Royal Lepage Selkirk TV - The Source Sobeys Station Pub Subway Sunsations Spa Super 8 Motel Superior Propane Syndicate Board Shop Tasty Tex’s Coffee Works The Back Door Wine Cellar The Book Cellar The Place Furniture Store Tiffany’s Thredz Tim Horton’s Toby Theatre Two-For-One Pizza Valley Hair Styling Warwick Interiors

Fairmont Hot Springs:

Windermere:

North of Radium:

Columbia Lake Band Office Copper Point Golf Course Skookum Inn Valley Alley Bowling Centre White House Pub Windermere Family Foods Windermere Valley Golf

Bigway Foods Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Fairmont Lodge Fairmont Recreation Centre Farside Pub Jeffers Esso Mountainside Rec Centre Race Trac Gas Riverside Golf Riverside Recreation Centre Rocky Mountain Realty Smoking Waters Coffee

Canal Flats: Canal Flats Family Foods Gas Plus Home Hardware

Radium Hot Springs: Bighorn Meadows Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery Meet on Higher Ground Coffee Mountainside Market Prestige Inn Radium Hot Springs Pool Radium Husky Radium Liquor Store Radium Petro Canada Redstreak Shopping Centre The Peaks of Radium

Brisco General Store Edgewater Post Office Pip’s Country Store Spillimacheen Post Office

Cranbrook: Pages Emporium Lotus Books

8000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY VERIFIED BY THE CALGARY SUN

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

March 9, 2007

OUR CALGARY LOCATIONS Acadia Rec 240-90 Ave SE

Chalks Billiards 15150 Bannister Rd SE

Fortune Car Wash 4715 Mac Tr SW

London House 5 flr, 505-4 Ave SW

Planet Organic 100, 10233 Elbow Dr SW

Alexander Centre 922-9 Ave SE

City Hall 800 Mac Tr SE

Long & McWade 105-58 Ave SW

Prince Donair 301-, 3132-26 St NE

Alta Theatre Projects 2 flr, 220-9 Ave SE

Coco Brooks 640-42 Ave SE

Francesco’s Italian Food Store 3413-26 Ave SW

McKenzie Meadows Golf Course

Amaranth Whole Foods 7 Arbour Lk Dr NW

Coco Brooks M 2020-32 Ave NE

Rainbow Pride Resource Centre 1230A-17 Ave SW

Artspace 2 flr 1235-26 Ave SE

Coffee & Screams 555 Northmount Dr NW

Bad Ass Coffee 109, 683-10 St SW

Craving Bagels N Tower Graces Centre Foothills Hospital

Bad Ass Jacks Subs N Wraps 400 Crowfoot Cres NW

Fresh Blends 311, 46-25 Varsity Dr NW Gallery Cafe 608-7 St SW Gondola Pizza 2758 Glenmore Tr SE Gourmet Coffee 7674-8 St NE

Mediterranean Grill 6008 Mac Tr SW Milky Way 1104-1 Ave NE

Saigon Vietnamese Palace 460, 5255 Richmond Rd SW

Mongolie Grill 1108-4 St SW

Skaters 40, 6130-1A St SW

Mount Royal House 140-10 Ave SW

Sunterra Market 1851 Sirocco Dr. SW

My Sub 100, 744-4 Ave SW

The Grind 908-8 Ave SW

Nellies In The Loop 2015-33 Ave SW

The Other Place 840-6 Ave SW Triwood Community 2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW

Crossroads Market 1235-26 Ave SE

Green Bean 601-1 St SW

Big 4 Casino Stampede Park

Danish Canadian Club 727-11 Ave SW

Greyhound Courier 833 Greyhound Way SW

Big Rock Brewery 5555-76 Ave SE

Decidedly Jazz 1512-4 St SW

Hages 212 1440-52 St NE

Blue River Bistro 227-11 Ave SW

Devonian Gardens 4 flr TD SQ

Hard Disk 1441-17 Ave SW

Oakridge Community Centre 9504 Oakfield Dr SW

Bow Valley College 1st flr 332-6 Ave SE

Dino Rosa 9136 Mac Tr S

Harry Hays 220-4 Ave SE

Oh Canada 815-7 Ave SW

Buy Low Foods 11, 200-52 St NE

Divine Decadence bsmt 720-17 Ave SW

Harry’s Pub 105-60 Crowft Cres NW

Pharaoh’s 17 2008-33 Ave SW

By The Cup 2 flr, 736-8 Ave SW

Dome Sports Pub 5703-3 St SW

Haworth 10 Smed Lane SE

Phoenix Comics 1010-16 Ave NW

Cafe 411 102, 1015-4 St SW

Eat A Pita 4602-17 Ave SE

Holy Cross Campus 2204-2 St SW

Calgary Jewish Centre 1607-90 Ave SW

Eau Claire Market Info

Hometown Kitchen 4068-Ogden Rd SE

Pies Plus 611, 12445 Lk Fraser Dr SE

Calgary International Hostel 520-7 Ave SE Calgary Multi-Cultural Centre 835-8 Ave SW

Eighth & Eighth Cafe 855-5 Ave SW Encana Place mn flr 150-9 Ave SW Extreme Bean 3333 Bowness Rd NW

Campers Village 7208 Mac Tr S

Fairs Fair 1609-14 St SW

Cappuccino Company 924A-7 Ave SW

Fairs Fair 4 7400 Mac Tr S

Casablanca Video 2100-4 St SW

Fairs Fair 907-9 Ave SE

Casablanca Video 2101-33 Ave SW

Family Foods 819-19 St SE

Cedars 3103 Edmonton Tr NE

Fitness on Fifth 320-5 Ave SE

Infusion Cafe 1212-31 Ave NE LaCay Vietnamese Subs 119, 920-36 St NE Lake Bonavista Community Centre 1401 Acadia Dr SW

Pita Stop 6 11027 Elbow Dr SW Planet 101 83 Bowridge Dr NW Planet Organic 4625 Varsity Dr NW

Video World bsmt 1010-6 Ave SW VRRI 3305-33 St SW Wayne’s Bagels 2 flr, 777-8 Ave SW West Hillhurst Community Centre 1940-6 Ave NW Wrapture 1208-17 Ave SW You & I Coffee 2 flr 400-4 Ave SW You & I Coffee Mn Flr 700-4 Ave SW

Lambada Market 1423 Centre St NW LaVienna 2139 Kens Rd NW Lil Big Horn 3716-61 Ave NE Little Chef 400, 555 Strathcona Blvd SW

2000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED IN CALGARY VERIFIED BY DLRJ ENTERPRISES LTD.

24 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

HERE TO SERVE YOU Bennett Construction

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• Irrigation • Bobcat Services • Trees and Shrubs • Perennials

• • • • •

Native Plantings Installations Annuals Hanging Baskets Insured

Phone Shawn or Patty at 250.346.3399 or 341.1860 2362 Brisco Road, Brisco

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 25

March 9, 2007

HERE TO SERVE YOU RADIUM HOT SPRINGS ESSO Automotive Repairs

•

7 days a week

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GAS • PROPANE • DIESEL

Residential & Commercial • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Flood Restoration • Window Tinting

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RR #4, 2117 -13 Ave. Invermere, BC V0A 1K4 jtroe@telus.net

Bus: (250)342-9692 Res: (250) 342-7327 Fax: (250) 342-9644 Cell: (250) 342-5241

Freight & Passenger Depot

7507 Main St. West, Radium Hot Springs

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26 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

Safeguard your beloved pet from theft

By Louise Platiel Invermere Veterinary Hospital According to Dogdetective.com’s statistics, the top ďŹ ve breeds most frequently reported stolen are Labrador Retriever, American Pit Bull Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, and Shih Tzu. Most often these are registered dogs whose pedigree and breeding capabilities make them valuable property. Certainly anyone who has invested between $800 and $2000 for a pet with an impeccable bloodline is interested in protecting this valuable animal from a ďŹ nancial perspective, but a cost far greater is the heartbreak suered from losing a “family member,â€? an experience devastating to any pet owner.

Veterinary records include the rabies tag number, age, colour, breed, and owner information, so this is the ďŹ rst way to track and identify a lost or found pet.

Your vet can also implant a microchip about the size of a grain of rice, under the skin between the shoulder blades, which when scanned gives a number that corresponds to owner information kept by the company providing the chip. A tag is normally issued as well which identiďŹ es your pet as having a microchip. Simply contact the company with the microchip number and ownership can be established. Administered by a needle with local anesthetic, this quick procedure is usually done while you wait and costs about $60.

GPS technology is available in many formats for pets, such as special collars that include a two-way radio so that you can give commands from up to 20 kilometres away. The “Hear Now� model is made by an Alberta company and can also be used for cats and horses. LED lights on the unit are visible from four kilometres, and there is a “call owner� button for third party use if the dog is found. Up to 14 pets can be

tracked on one system, making this a valuable tool for pet owners with large acreages.

Tattooing is not as widely practised today, and although it can be used to prove ownership there is no national program linking numbers with owners.

Tattoos are done in dierent places on the body, so they can be hard to spot and even harder to read over time.

The best course of action is to have your pet properly tagged with a current, reliable address and phone number. If you ďŹ nd your pet is missing, immediately contact your veterinarian, dog control oďŹƒcer, neighbours, and use any free services such as air time on local radio stations. Begin in a ďŹ ve-kilometre radius with posters or yers and expand outwards every three days. Dogs have been known to travel as much as 160 kilometres, and have been found as long as a year after disappearing, so perseverance can pay o.

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 27

March 9, 2007

Mike Baker visits Rwanda Memorial Submitted by Mike Baker Editor’s Note: Mike Baker is the son of Jim and Janice Baker in Invermere. He is currently travelling through Africa.

After a crazy week of travelling I worked my way from Tanzania into Rwanda.

As usual, my most interesting stories have to do with transport! The “highway” from Kigoma to Mabanda, Bururundi was more of an off-road dirt track.

Instead of a high-clearance, 4X4 Landcruiser, I opted for the cheaper, low-clearance minibus.

After digging the bus out of the mud (surrounded by school children laughing at the mzungu kneedeep in mud and pushing the bus), we managed to make the 62 kilometres to the Burundi border in about four hours. All in all, it was good fun and the scenery was amazing.

Once in Burundi, the scenery got even better. I was surrounded by huge mountains covered in thick, lush, green vegetation. I met many Burundian refugees returning home after many years of hiding in South Africa. I was grateful to be with them as this made me feel much safer about the current situation in Burundi (note to self . . . I should have checked the travel advisory before entering Burundi and not while in the middle of Bujumbura!)

I had a great time in Bujumbura, zipping around the busy city centre on the back of a motorcycle taxi, practising my French and drinking Primus beer on the beach of Lake Tanganyika.

I then made my way to Butare, Rwanda. In Butare, I visited the National Museum of Rwanda. This museum is amazing. The culture that Rwanda possesses is awe-inspiring. Prior to European colonization, these people had life so good. They were ex-

tremely resourceful, peaceful, and in my opinion were fully capable of living life well. It makes me wonder where the people of Rwanda (and of all of Africa for that matter) would be without “First World” intervention. Probably far better off than they are now.

Anyways, after Butare, I travelled to Uwinka in the Nyungwe National Forest. I spent two days

“After digging the bus out of the mud (surrounded by school children laughing at the mzungu knee-deep in mud and pushing the bus), we managed to make the 62 kilometres to the Burundi border in about four hours. All in all, it was good fun and the scenery was amazing.”

camping, hiking and tracking Colobus monkeys. I had a great time running through the jungle with the tracker in search of the primates. We eventually found a large family swinging through the trees and searching for food. These primates are black with white faces and white streaks of fur running down their sides.

From Nyungwe, I went to Cyangugu. This is a small town right on the shores of Lake Kivu. I stayed at a church-run hostel and was well taken care of by a few nuns. For $2 they fed me until I was ready to burst. I think they took pity on me as I hadn’t showered or done laundry for many days!

Then I headed towards Kibuye. Big mistake. This was by far the worst road I have been on yet. Hairpin turns, switchbacks, sheer drop-offs towards the lake, landslides covering the road, parts of the road missing (fallen into the lake), and thick, deep mud.

Luckily the bus didn’t get stuck or fall over, but I did

hear a snap and saw pieces of the rear suspension fly off the bus.

The bus driver stopped, assessed the situation, got into a passing vehicle and didn’t return. Made sense to me! Luckily we were only five kilometres away from Kibuye at the time. I grabbed my pack and made the journey with a few people I met on the bus ride. The walk was great, we took a trail through a banana plantation and a few small villages.

Kibuye was amazing. I stayed at a hotel on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Kivu. Once again, the scenery was incredible. Rwanda has to be the most beautiful African countries I have seen. Following Kibuye, I took a bus to Kigali. On this bus ride, we were zooming around corners, listening to very loud techno music on the radio (which cut out around every lefthand turn - strange, I know) and to top it all off, the bus driver smacked into a cyclist (or maybe it was the other way around). The cyclist ended up on the pavement and slid for a few metres. There was blood everywhere, but the bus driver was more concerned about who caused the accident.

In the end I helped patch the cyclist up with gauze and bandaids and we took him to the hospital.

Three hours later we made it to Kigali. I’ve decided to rest in Kigali for a few days and avoid buses for awhile. It’s hard to believe that Kigali was once the centre of the genocide. This is a bustling city full of life and there are few signs of its horrendous past.

Today I visited the Genocide memorial. This is a must for anyone who has seen Hotel Rwanda and thinks they know the horrors of the genocide. I was moved to tears at the stories of the survivors, the pictures of the victims, and the complete lack of support from the “First World” countries. I came out proud to be Canadian, but ashamed to be human. I had no idea what monstrosities we are capable of.

DQ develops new Blizzard for Youth Centre fundraiser

COOL FUNDRAISER—Dairy Queen owner Michael Richards mixes another YC Blizzard to help raise funds for the Summit Youth Centre. Photo by Dave Sutherland

The “YC Blizzard” is selling at a clip of about three per day, said Dairy Queen owner Michael Richards, who will donate $1 for each YC Blizzard sold to the Summit Youth Centre in Invermere.

Michael said a delegation of kids from the Youth Centre identified a list of their favorite ingredients.

The staff of Dairy Queen mixed about five different combinations of the ingredients for a taste test.

Leland Davidson, a member of the delegation, said the ingredients were chosen at random by Youth Centre members and then they were mixed in different combinations.

“It was a lot of fun,” Leland said. “We

rated them on which tasted best.”

The formula the Youth Centre kids chose contains caramel, chocolate and fresh bananas.

“They really liked that one,” he said.

“Hopefully, when the weather warms up, we’ll be selling four or five a day.”

Michael said the fundraiser will continue indefinitely, but couldn’t guarantee that the Youth Centre kids won’t change the recipe at some point.

“We’ll keep this open and, hopefully, it will be a good fundraiser for them,” he said.

Leland said it hasn’t been determined yet what the Youth Centre will do with the money raised.

28 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

P IONEER C LASSIFIEDS THANK YOU

Our family would like to send a special thank you to Jay and Shauna Attwell, Kathy Horvath, the Snively’s and John Edgar for all the help in our recent emergency. Throughout an extremely traumatic situation these people were our very own heroes. The Turnbulls.

ATTENTION POOL PLAYERS: If you are interested in playing in an 8 ball or 9 Ball Tournament, one weekend each month, please call Bob Friesen at 3416018. Special handicap system for women.

STORAGE New•House Multi-storage, various sizes available, now with climate controlled units. Call 342-3637.

Fenced storage in Canal Flats on Hwy 93/95. RVs, boats, autos, ski-doos, etc. 250-349-8212.

EVENTS “Nearly� Spring Soup & Bun Luncheon and Bake Sale, prepared by the Catholic Women’s League. Friday, March 9th, 12-2 p.m. Christ Church Trinity

OFFICE SPACE Professional office space for rent in Invermere. Large view office with negotiable services.

Please call 342-9450 for more information.

B.L.I.P.S. and other “TO DO’s�

Free 1 hour Introductory Sessions, and a 4 session SEMINAR of FUN, INFORMATION and STORIES, DIFFERENT ways to THINK, NEW things TO DO. Let Go and Live in ease and happiness

by FIRST having a calm respectful relationship with yourself THEN with others who are important to you.

Facilitator: Crisanna MacLeod, tyG productions. Register: seminars@tygproductions.com, or phone 342-8947. Please give your NAME, PHONE NUMBER, your 1st & 2nd choice for the FREE Intro Session.

SHOP FOR RENT 1000 sq.ft. shop space for rent. $850/mo. Power and property taxes not included. Available April 1st includes heat. D/D required. Newhouse Multi Storage, Athalmer 342-3637.

SUITES FOR RENT Kootenay Apartments in Radium (Kootenay Motel) has clean, furnished, and all inclusive 1 and 2 bedroom units. $600$800 for long or short-term monthly rental. N/S, N/P DD and references required. Contact Don or Sue Miller. 342-6908 (day), 342-3709 (evenings) CONTRACTORS: self-contained cabins by the week or month, 250-345-6365, Fairmont Bungalows.

2-bedroom suite for rent partially furnished. Wilder subdivision. $850/mo N/S N/P. (403) 818-7363.

Invermere 2-bedroom daylight suite in new house available April 1st $825 single, $850 double plus hydro. 342-4416.

HOMES FOR SALE Tretheway Beach Windermere, 4 bedroom home. See details at bchomesforsale.com in Rocky section, or call (250)335-1885.

Moving Sale Saturday, March 17th 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: Old Eagle Ranch Clubhouse, 195 Capilo Way (Going north on Hwy 93/95, turn left at Eagle Ranch sign; follow this road to the temporary clubhouse location.)

Items:

Freezers, fridges, patio tables and chairs, misc. furniture, desks, TV/VCR, pressure washer.

Radium Hot Springs, beautiful single family home, 342-1120. www.welist.com, ad# 26393.

2-bedroom, 1-bath, 1000sq. ft. townhouse in Edgewater.

Completely renovated, new appliances, deck, low fees. $190,000 341-7068.

MODULAR FOR SALE 2002 Modular home for sale,

1250 sqft, all appliances included, affordable propane heat, for more information call 342-9348.

LOTS FOR SALE New lots along Crescentwood coming. Commercial lots available NOW for less! Acreage West of town - Edgewater Developments 347 9660, edgeh2o@ telus.net.

In Edgewater, Riverview Drive, beautiful view of the Rockies. $120,000. Call 347-9813 evenings after 6 p.m.

ACREAGE WANTED Seeking 5 to 20 acres in the Invermere area. Must have water and power with mountain views. Private sale only. Email: emily12@shaw.ca, (250) 4773993

BUSINESS FOR SALE HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING and put money in your pocket. www.4planetearth.com/wolf or call Wolf (250) 688-0044

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1996 Honda Odyssey Minivan 180,000km. Good condition $5000. 341-6215 2003 Ford F150 ext. cab 4x4, green, auto, PW/PD, air, tilt, cruise, sunroof, aluminum headache rack, tow pkg. Well maintained, good shape. $15500 obo. 347-9427

$10,000,000 in vehicle inventory.

Go to

www.cranbrookdodge.com

to view complete inventory.

2005 Toyota Tacoma 2wdr, 5spd, 2.7L, exc. Mileage, matching canopy, loaded 33,000km. Take over lease or buy $22000. 3411618.

2000 Ford Explorer Limited 8 cyl, all leather interior, power everything, back-up sensor, wired for Sirius satellite radio,universal Trailer hitch & electrical, roof rack. Exceptional condition. Dealer serviced.

128,000 KM. Asking $14,500.

Tel: 250 342-9436. View at Lake Auto- Invermere.

1986 Toyota Pickup, keeps on going, $650. 342-9552.

MISC. FOR SALE DISTRICT OF INVERMERE P.O. BOX 339 914 – 8th Avenue INVERMERE, B.C., V0A 1K0 Phone (250) 342-9281 - fax (250) 342-2934

HAY, top quality round bales, alfalfa grass. Call Elkhorn Ranch 342-0617.

Birch firewood for sale. Cords and ½ cords. Split and delivered.

342-9390.

New Harman high efficiency direct-vent pellet stove, thermostat controlled, burns all pellet types. 61,000 btu’s. $2,500. 342-0165.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1992 Mercury Topaz LS/V6 loaded and in very good condition. 32mpg, 165000km.

Great reliable car. $1800 obo 688-0198 (cell)

Surplus Equipment for Sale The District of Invermere has for sale a 1982 International Hub Fire Engine. Sale is on an as is basis. • • • • • •

1982 International Truck Body by Hub Fire Engines Air Brake 446 cu in engine (gas) Allison automatic transmission Equipped with Darley 840 IGPM pump with 1000 gallon tank • Rear mounted hose reel Unit may be viewed at The District of Invermere Public Works yard.

March 9, 2007

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 29

P IONEER C LASSIFIEDS VEHICLES FOR SALE

CAREERS

1988 Nissan Pickup, body rough, runs good, $500. 347-9877.

Windermere Valley Golf Course is currently looking for qualified individuals to join their Food and Beverage team. Positions are seasonal and range from part time to full time starting April 1st.

Contact Kari at 342-3004 or submit resumes by fax to 342-0119 or email: kdawsonwv@shaw.ca

1994 *GMC SLE 3/4 TON 4X4 EXTENDED CAB shortbox. Fully loaded, trailer towing package, canopy, boat rack, suspension air bags, boxliner, running boards, command start, keyless entry, a/c, 350, auto. 169,000 km.

Excellent condition. $9500 OBO. 347-9978 Radium.

2002 Vanguard 24.5 ft. fifth wheel, like new, $18,500. Also 2002 GMC Sierra SLE 2500, under 50,000km, loaded, includes fifth-wheel hitch, flow-through tailgate. Call Walter. 342-3478.

SERVICES Residential/Vacation Properties Maintenance & Repairs

Dependable - Fully Insured

JIM ROBERTSON Windermere 342-9022

Flooring installations including lino, carpet, vc tile, laminate, and hardwood. Plus handyman work including new decks, renovations, framing, and roofing. Call 347-9192, 3411235.

PAINT & FLOORS. Interior/exterior painting, repaints, stain & lacquer finish. Hardwood Floors.

Basic & custom installations.

20yrs exp. Reliable service & quality craftsmanship. Call 3417261.

Simes Painting: interior and exterior, new homes and existing, quality woodwork finishing, laquers, staining, and clearcoating. Call Barry. 3420572 Windermere.

Rock Works Landscape now hiring. All skill levels considered.

Pay based on experience. Call Ray 342-5676.

Experienced Framers required, competitive wages offered.

Year round work. Phone Curt 270-0744 or Glen 270-0644 Experienced part/full-time tandem dump truck driver wanted. Must have Class 1 or 3 license. $25/hr, call 342-5654.

Apprentice for Stonemason. Male or female, $13-18 on experience and learning curve. 342-5845.

Grounds Personnel at Terra Vista Condominiums. Great Work Environment! Position available immediately. 40 hours / week. $15/hr. Email or Fax resume. terrav@telus.net, 342-3005 fax.

Inquires please call 342-1134.

Groundsperson at Spur Valley Golf Resort. Seeking individual who is honest, hardworking and reliable. Offer competitive wages. Contact Superintendent 347-6500.

Call April at 341-6299 to place your classified.

Cleaning Super needed.

LANDSCAPE/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE HELP REQUIRED FOR 2007 SEASON

Radium Vacation Rentals and Timberstone Property Services are looking for a full-time house keeping supervisor/cleaner starting April 1st/07 for condo and homes in the Radium / Invermere area.

LEAD HANDS, LABOURERS, GARDENERS. Wages $12.50 -$17.00/hr.

Depending on skill level and experience.

Resumes and references required.

Positions Available:

Please contact Danette at 250-345-0314 for more information.

E-mail: danette@earthworks@cyberlink.bc.ca

Please call 347-6900 for details.

OPPORTUNITY FOR AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR A new centre in the beautiful Columbia Valley with a high quality ECE program is looking for a highly skilled person to take on the task of implementing a curriculum that includes Montessori based language and math as well as a strong cultural, ecology and arts component.

Wages will be competitive and based on the experience and skill being brought to the program.

Those interested should send a resume to the Akisqnuknik Development Corporation at Box 130, Windermere, B.C. V0B 2V0 or send via email to jrn_10@hotmail.com

Server The Dining Room Server position requires an energetic, conscientious, and approachable individual who will provide residents and guests of the facility service with a smile. Under the direction of the Kitchen Manager, this individual will be a team player and a contributor to a positive work environment. The desired candidate must have a Food Safe certified and prior work experience is an asset.

Please apply with work references to: Karen Shand at Columbia Garden Village. Phone 341.3350 or e-mail Karen_Shand@goldenlife.ca

Locally

Owned & Operated . . .

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE: Tuesdays at noon

Phone: 341-6299 Fax: 341-6229 Email:

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Fiercely Independent . . .

The Columbia

Valley

P IONEER

Telephone: 250 341 6299 Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Please read your ad over carefully the first day it comes out to ensure the information is correct. If you should find an error in your ad please let us know immediately by calling 341-6299.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer is not responsible for errors appearing beyond the first insertion. The newspaper’s responsibility, if any, for errors of any kind is limited to the amount paid for that advertisement. We reserve the right to censor, re-classify, revise, edit or reject any advertisement not meeting our advertising standards.

30 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

March 9, 2007

Cardel, Strand’s bisect alley

IF YOU’RE LOCAL , YOU GET IT !

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

The District of Invermere Council has mediated a compromise between the Calgary-based land developer Cardel Resorts and Strand’s Old House Restaurant that will see Ninth Avenue sliced up in sections.

According to the plan, the south end of the alley will remain its current width.

The north end will be split in half to accommodate a larger footprint for Cardel’s Purcell Point development on the west side of the alley.

In exchange, a portion of land on the east side of the alley equal to the amount vacated will be dedicated as public space.

The patch of grass gained in exchange is 492.6 square metres and sits atop a wall of the parking lot below.

A public hearing is scheduled for March 13th to hear any last words on the conflict that has waged for more than a year.

“Everyone gets something out of it,” Invermere Chief Administrator Chris Prosser said, noting that it is an equal exchange, it preserves access to Strand’s and it leaves a portion of the land in public hands.

“It’s a good compromise at the end of a long, long process,” Mr. Prosser said.

“Hopefully, at the end of the day, it’s a workable situation,” Councillor Gerry Taft said.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 31

March 9, 2007

FAITH

What about The Tomb of Jesus?

By Fraser Coltman St. Peter’s Lutheran Mission Two weeks ago the news hit that a documentary will be aired this week on what is claimed to be the discovery of the tomb of Jesus and his family.

The timing of this program shouldn’t surprise us; for Christians, this is the season of Lent, a six-week period of preparation for the celebration of God’s act of salvation for mankind in the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.

What better time to release a story that attempts to give archaeological and statistical credence to a complete denial of the Christian message?

The claim of the film’s producers that the documentary does not contradict the Christian faith is hard to accept. It seems to me that either their claim is a lie or James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici simply do not know what the basic beliefs of Christians are.

The film’s contention that a tomb uncovered in 1980 containing several ossuaries with inscriptions of names including, Jesus, son of Joseph, Mary, and Judah, son of Jesus, is the family of tomb of Jesus Christ, his wife, Mary Magdalene and their son, Judah is based on much more than objective scientific evidence.

Like the controversial Dan Brown novel, The Da Vinci Code, this film begins with the assumptions that Jesus of Nazareth was a mere man, a religious teacher who became famous for his loving teachings, a man who married a woman named Mary and fathered a child with her. The problem with these assumptions is that there is no historical evidence to back any of

them up.

The New Testament is clear in its message that Jesus is both truly human and truly God. It describes Him as a unique person born into this world to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity.

His teachings were loving and powerful because they promised that He had come to do something for us that we cannot do for ourselves.

Jesus came to bring us back into relationship with God by suffering and dying for us. Through Jesus, God gives us forgiveness for our sin and life with Him forever.

Jesus did not come to build a human family for himself through procreation; He came to bring us back into God’s family through His death and resurrection.

The whole New Testament teaches that Jesus died on the cross, but that He also rose from the dead bodily three days later. His resurrection offers us assurance that His death has accomplished our salvation.

Fascination with Jesus is good, but I hope that those who really want to know the truth about Him will look to the New Testament or to a Christian who can tell the story of what and why they believe.

Despite this film’s claim to having a scientific basis for their ideas, its makers have begun with ideas and assumptions that are nothing more than speculation.

I’d rather put my faith in the words of those who wrote the New Testament (many of whom died for their belief in Jesus, the crucified and risen Son of God) than in the notions of filmmakers who stand to profit merely by stirring up controversy.

Author coming to Radium library A Canadian seaman, an exotic location, determined love, and the dramatic backdrop of World War II provides the framework for an engaging new novel by a British Columbia author Adam Lewis Schroeder - and he’s coming to the Radium Public Library.

Mr. Schroeder will read from Empress of Asia for the Radium Public Library at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27th at the Radium Seniors Hall.

Chosen for this year’s Globe & Mail top 100 books list, Empress of Asia (Raincoast, 2006) wowed critics.

Says the Globe: “(Empress of Asia) is a compelling, heartbreaking, and witty book that will stay with you long after you’ve put it down.”

Harry Winslow lands in war-ravaged Singapore when his ship, The Empress of Asia, is bombed by Japanese aircraft. He meets and falls in love with Lily, a Daughter of the Empire, and they marry, only to be separated through the circumstances of war.

The spark of young love and the horrors of the Southeast Asian POW camps are richly drawn through Mr. Schroeder’s gift of storytelling.

Currently, Mr. Schroeder teaches writing at Okanagan College and lives in Penticton with his wife and son. His tour is sponsored by Radium Public Library, Kootenay Library Federation, and the Province of British Columbia through the Writers in Libraries program.

Valley Churches LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH 10:30 a.m., Sunday, March 11th – Worship and Life Instruction, “The Last of the Christ Ones” – Communion will be served.

Sunday School, for ages 3 to Grade 7 during Morning Service.

7:00 p.m. Hymn Sing.

Associate Pastor Rev. Jared Enns 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere • 342-9535

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY 10:30 a.m. - Invermere - Christ Church Trinity, Worship & Sunday School.

Rev. Sandy Ferguson • 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 342-6644 VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday • 10:00 a.m.

Children’s church during the message part of the service.

Sunday, 7:00 pm Prayer Meeting Senior Pastor Rev. John Cuyler • www.vcassembly.com Highway 93/95, 1 km north of Windermere • 342-9511 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Canadian Martyrs Church, Invermere Saturday, 7:00 p.m. Mass • Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Mass St. Joseph’s Church, Hwy 93/95 Radium Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Mass St. Anthony’s Church, Canal Flats Sunday, 4:00 p.m. Mass Father Jose Joaquin • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere • 342-6167 ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Regular weekly worship services every Sunday at 1:30 pm at Christ Church Trinity 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere Pastor Rev. Fraser Coltman • 1-866-426-7564 RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Every Sunday 10:00 a.m., Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Every Wednesday 7:00 p.m., Bible Study Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • Radium Seniors’ Hall • 342-6633 THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTERDAY SAINTS Sunday, 10:00 a.m.

President Grant Watkins • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 345-0079

Selkirk TV & Appliance • Kitchenaid • Inglis • Whirlpool • Roper

Panasonic Pioneer Cell Phones Electronics & Service Christian Books, Music & Misc.

1229-7th Ave., Invermere

WE SELL REAL ESTATE • Radium • Invermere • Panorama • Windermere • Fairmont

342-6415

Call 341-6151 or 1-888-341-6155

rayfergusonrealty.ca OPEN SKY & MOUNTAIN VIEWS Large lot, decks, hot tub, incredible views. Spacious, bright, cheery 3 bdrm home.

MLS# K151574

$245,000

March 9, 2007

32 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

www.ReMaxInvermere.com

Invermere

At Panorama: 250-341-4898 Toll Free: 1-888-258-9911

Independently Owned and Operated

250-342-6505

Wende Brash 342-1300

Bernie Raven

Daniel Zurgilgen

342-7415

342-1612

Windermere

Ed English 342-1194

Jan Klimek 342-1195

John McCarthy 342-1758

Scott Wallace 342-5309

Andy Smith 342-1709

Bryan Hookenson

Revenue Opportunity

341-1266

Rob Rice 341-5935

Deborah-Kim Rice 342-5935

Katie Wallace

A Gem

342-5785

Paul Glassford 341-1395

Just a stroll to the community beach, neighborhood pub, dining/shopping and K-7 school. This 3 bedroom home on large lot with additional shop and guest bedroom has it all for recreational or full time living in lovely Windermere on the Lake.

MLS# K160871

Possibilities are numerous with this newly renovated building with commercial zoning on the way to the beach on Columbia Lake. One bedroom suite on one side, 2 bedroom suite on the other, great workshop in the back. Vacation rental suites, or long term rental revenue, or your own vacation apartment with guest suite. MLS#K160955

This home to be built brand new for you is a gem! New subdivision in Canal Flats.

1100 sf main, plus basement. Call now while there s time to pick your own paint colors. MLS#K150930

Rural Setting Plus Big Cottage

Outstanding Mountain Views

Great Vacation Villa

Your out in the country, with trees all around you, what s not to love. This very large cottage has 2 oors completely nished with walkout lower level and .48 acres to call your get-a-way or home. Entertainment size kitchen, dining room and family room. Double garage to store your recreational toys. Great Value in this rural home. MLS#K160928

This mountain home features hardwood oors, wood accents and feature riverrock replace. Settle in and enjoy all the amenities of Lakeview Meadows. Private beach, recreation centre, indoor pool and walking trails. Priced to Sell! MLS#K160936

Bright and airy corner unit in Riverstone Villas. Fully furnished and ready for rental and/or recreation use. Lovely views of the mountains and within walking distance to shopping. Short distance to world famous Hot Pools and Panorama. MLS#K160825

$479,000

Location is Key

Terric Development Opportunity

$275,000 Tamarack Lodge Studio

A one bedroom unit at Horsethief Lodge Panorama with an unobstructed view of Paradise Ridge.

Across the street from the Gondola makes easy access to the ski lifts and the upper village.

Hot tubs, pools, golf, mountain biking are all here at an unbelievably affordable price. New appliances. New Vision paid in full. Do the math, then go for it! MLS#K151902

Centrally located R-2 lot minutes from downtown, schools and parks. Terric development opportunity on at lot with western exposure. Don t miss out!

MLS#K151188

Tremendous views. Located in the Upper Village and close to swimming, skiing and golf.

Fully maintained and in the rental pool. Furnished and ready to go! MLS#K151656

$285,000

$115,00+gst

$399,000

$439,000

$124,500+gst

Enjoy the Good Life

Move in and enjoy the good life! This beautiful home is nished on all 3 levels with many upgrades that include slate and hardwood oors, high end appliances and custom closet organizers in every bedroom. Warm country charm throughout. Many of the furnishings included, even the golf cart! MLS# K160919

$625,000

$299,000+gst

$349,900

Mountain

Sophistication Mountain sophistication says it all with this spectacular town home. Drive up to the front door and experience that mountain feeling from the alpine architecture and wood detailing to the eye opening views from the decks. When entering the front door onto the slate foyer your anticipation will begin to unfold. As you wind your way up the stairs to the open living area you will nd maple hardwood oors, granite counter tops and back splash. Your home away from home.

MLS# K160920

$679,900