Nov. 10th Issue 22 by The Rocky Mountain Goat News

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Your source for weekly news and views in the Robson Valley

Volume 1 Issue 22

Midnight vandals should face community: business owner

Valemount RCMP are looking for help from the public after what Const. Simon Bentley describes as “a possible group of youth” that vandalized three businesses on 5th Avenue, the Anglican-United Church on 7th Avenue and the vehicles and homes of two RCMP constables. The damages occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Monday Nov. 8. Total damage is thousands of dollars. See A3

Live explosives donated to museum A8

Gridless renegades in Tête-Jaune A2

More Inside:

Photo: Laura Keil

A great horse rescue

Why November isn’t so bad

A2 Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A new generation off the grid

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John Crowley and Dallas Bullock have staked their home in Tête-Jaune Cache, about 15 mins northwest of Valemount, where they live completely self-sustaining in terms of power. Photo: Laura Keil Bob Covey understood the value of relationship buildIn the meantime, their enormous gar- believe in the idea of living sustainably. It Contributor ing with those that could help them. Be- den’s bounty is sold at the recently-estab- doesn’t mean they live in the stone age — Before Dallas Bullock pops a piece of fore they erected their current home, they lished Jasper Farmer’s Market, they’re find- they’ve got high-speed internet, in fact — bread in her toaster this winter, she’ll had different ideas of where it would go. ing new uses for their farmland and plans but it does mean they live more simply. Luckily, their canny neighbour shared his are in the works to install a wind turbine “It’s a shift in consciousness,” John says. makes sure she’s got the juice. knowledge of wind patterns, snow accuon the property. “It’s not easy but it feels good. It’s proving And we’re not talking about the kind that mulation and sun exposure. Living off the grid comes down to hard to ourselves that it’s possible.” comes from fruit. Today, their 20x30-foot home is an emwork and planning. There’s also an element Juice, in this case, refers to electricity, and whether Dallas makes her toast—or blem of self-sufficiency. They power their of sacrifice... outdoor plumbing, for ex- Bob Covey is editor of The Skinny, a notgrinds her coffee beans, or switches on her appliances, tools and other juice-depen- ample. From trenching their water lines to for-profit publication aimed at young computer—depends on how much energy dent implements via an 8-cell solar panel chopping wood to building a fire, Bullock adults in Jasper. is stored in the battery cells which provide unit, the aforementioned battery bank and says you’ve got to prioritize your needs. an inverter, which converts current into “You need a road, water, shelter, heat. the power to her home. “Blow dryers are now a thing of the past,” electricity. The current is created by a small Once you’ve got those, then diesel-powered generator, which is also you can start thinking of the she says and laughs. Dallas and her partner, John Crowley, live retrofitted to run on biodiesel, or restau- art studio or the sauna.” Start up costs are high. in Tête Jaune Cache. Two years ago the for- rant grease. Their heat comes mainly from a wood stove, their hot water and cooking Though Crowley and Bullmer Jasper couple staked out a 112 acre plot fuel from propane. In the summer, when ock bought theirs second in the agricultural heartland of the Robson the sun shines hot and often, they have hand, the initial costs for Valley with the intention of going off the enough electricity for all their needs, insolar power and batteries or grid. The idea—to live in a self-sufficient 2011 Calendars cluding heavy-draw devices such as air to build a windmill generamanner, without relying on public utilities such as electricity, sewer service or natu- compressors (for power tools) and that tion system can be upwards ral gas—was formidable. The 27-year-olds suddenly luxurious item, the toaster. In the of $20,000. On the other Rock & Salt weren’t farmers. Bullock grew up in the winter, they have to run those same items hand, bringing power poles Lamps Beeswax & Soy suburbs of St. Albert, migrated to Jasper more sparingly and the generator usually to their property would Candles have cost about $50,000. after dropping out of high school and start- comes on about once per day. Though Bullock works part time in And power in the Robson ed up Jasper’s Hunter Green Landscaping Valemount and Crowley worked this past Valley is notoriously erratic. with compensation money she received Agate summer as a landscaper, the two are scru“We’re independent,” keychains, Hand-woven baskets from a car accident. Crowley, originally night-lights, from Alabama, went to art school at UBC, pulously working toward their dream of Crowley says. “The power bookends, being totally self-sufficient. never goes out. ” spent time in film production, worked as candleholders “We still have a bit of a dream of centralDespite the obstacles, Bulla cook and restaurant manager and pracizing power for a farming collective on the ock and Crowley are makticed music, painting and ceramic arts. Bath & beauty products The move to the frontier was a bold one, land,” Crowley says. “It’s still early in the ing a conscious decision to go off the grid because they Ph: 250-566-4225 / Toll Free: 1-855-566-4225 then. But both were handy with tools and plan.”

is stocked up on a variety of Christmas Gi� Ideas!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

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5th Avenue, officers’ homes, vehicles hit by attack Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

It was 6 a.m. and still dark on Monday when Pat Bennett got the call. “When you get a call from the police at that hour, you immediately think of your kids,” she says. “I have two sons at Fort McMurray who do long hauls.” Bennett, who is the warden for the Anglican-United Church on 7th Avenue, learned from the RCMP that vandals had broken a window on the non-sanctuary side of the church with a large stone. She arrived by 8 a.m. to find the back room glinting with broken glass. It crackled under her feet as she patched it up with corrugated plastic, one piece of packing tape at a time. “It’s amazing how much glass can come from that little hole,” she said gazing at the melon-sized gash in the double panes. Windows of three other businesses on 5th Avenue were also smashed: The Gathering Tree, IDA Pharmacy and the Marketplace IGA. Vandals also broke the mirror and window of Const. James Bos’ squad car as it sat in his driveway, as well as egged his home. They smashed beer bottles in the driveway of Const. Simon Bentley and egged his and his wife’s personal vehicles, as well as adjusted the rearview mirrors. Const. Bentley says the police are possibly looking for “a group of youth” who did the attack between 1 and 2 a.m. Monday morning. “We’re looking for any assistance from the public,” Const. Bentley says. Luckily no one was injured, but businesses were busy sweeping glass and covering the broken windows Monday morning. The church is looking at a $2,500 insurance deductible, meaning they’ll likely suck up the $600 cost to repair the window themselves. “It wouldn’t be worth our while to put a claim in because it’s not even close to our deductible,” Bennett says.

Photos: Laura Keil

Police are looking for help from the public after what the RCMP describe as “a possible group of youth” that vandalized three businesses on 5th Avenue, the Anglican-United Church and the vehicles and homes of two RCMP constables. The damaged occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Monday Nov. 8. The cost of the total damage will be thousands of dollars. Front page photo: Valemount Anglican-United Church warden Pat Bennett stares at the damage that will cost the congregation roughly $600 out of their pocket.

The IDA windows were replaced by noon, as the window size was stocked locally. The Gathering Tree window was double-paned and only the outside pane was broken, but shards of glass still blinked from the sidewalk. The vandals allegedly used a metal chair in front of The Gathering Tree to break the cafe window. The Gathering Tree owner Sherral Shaw says the chair leg was bent backwards, indicating the amount of force applied in the blow. When she first saw the damage, what did she think? “Oh, you don’t want to print that,” she says, smiling, on a break from her busy cafe. Shaw says it was just “pure vandalism” since nothing was stolen – but the damage goes beyond the broken pane. “They assaulted the whole town,” she says. “It costs everybody.” She says she doesn’t want a town where every business owner has a security camera and has to lock up their chairs and tables every night. “That’s why people come to Valemount. To get away from that.” She has never had a problem in the two years she’s been in operation. And while the window will likely only cost the landlord $150, she says the worry it will happen again is more than the damage itself. Shaw says she would like to see whoever committed these crimes face the entire community in a gym or auditorium. “It’s a hidden crime,” she says. “Nobody sees them because they don’t want to be seen. I think they should face the community.” But she says she wonders why, if the vandals were indeed a group of youth, the young people were wandering the streets past midnight. She says that’s another reality the community has to face. “Why were they out there at 2 a.m. on a Sunday night?” she asks. “These kids are angry. They’re hurting. I think the community needs to be accountable a little bit to that too.”

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

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Forced retirement is not ageism

Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com

French citizens have been up in arms because their government is forcing them to work past the age of 60, and North Americans are up in arms because our government will not let them work past 60, or at least used to force retirement. French retirees are looking forward to long dinners and family get-togethers on country estates. I am sure the wine and croissants flow as freely as the family love. North American retirees are looking forward to their summer RV trip to Alaska. The implications for society are huge. Recently, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered Air Canada to reinstate and compensate two 67-year-old pilots who were forced to retire at age 60. The tribunal called such an age-based company policy “ageism” violating human rights. I guess as a young person it seems like ageism flows only one way. I have

been turned down from job applications because I “did not have enough life experience.” I had plenty of experience for that job, but because I was not yet 30, I did not qualify. Is this not ageism? Worse still, I have watched others get promotions over me who had less experience at the job. They had other experience at other completely unrelated jobs, but the only thing they had over me was 10 to 20 years of age. This is ageism too. It seems to me that North American society needs to wake up. My generation is not having kids. We cannot land a career. We are having a hard time paying the bills. It doesn’t help that there is a generation ahead of us who is refusing to retire. Yes, there are some members of my generation who are making huge short-term money and spending it irresponsibly on toys, often even on credit. But this is not the norm. Such people attract a lot of attention to themselves because their toys take up a lot of parking space and catch the eye. It is much harder to see the 30-year-old graphics designer taking public transit who has worked in the industry for over 10 years and has yet to get a meaningful raise. It is hard to see the business school graduate who is 26 years old and still working as an intern or for under $30,000 a year in the city and still living in his parent’s

basement. Retirement is not just a personal decision- it is a societal decision. If the current retiring age generation wants to encourage younger generations to step up, become part of society, start having a few kids, and start voting, then we need to enforce retirement policies. If older generations are happy with my generation just biding their time as ski bums, chasing short-term relationships without wanting to have any kids, while waiting for the world to take us seriously when we are 30 or 40, then they should keep on working into their 70s and 80s. I am not saying that people should just retire and do nothing. But why do you need to be an airline pilot, or teacher or public servant past the age of 65? What about small business? What about volunteering for organizations? What about being active grandparents? What about that hobby farm? It seems to me we have it backwards. We expect younger people to give their time away getting experience. It should be retired persons giving their time away helping younger people gain experience. If I can ever afford kids, which I seriously doubt, it sure would be nice to have a public school with other kids for them to attend. Is it ageism to say that 67-year-olds cannot have kids? No! This

The Goat’s letter policy Please write to us! Letters to the editor must be 400 words or less. The editor and publisher reserve the right not to publish any material that is offensive or libelous. Letters must be signed and legible. letters@therockymountaingoat.com

is just nature. I don’t know about you, but I am not keen on the idea of 70-yearold airline pilots. Heart attack rates are not based on ageism, they are based on nature. There are plenty of 50-year-old pilots with plenty of experience who are still sharp as a tack. This is not ageism, this is being realistic and mature. General policies for the common good based on age are not ageism. Need I start on minimum age to vote, drink, drive, smoke and gamble? Cheers, Joe Nusse

The Rocky Mountain Goat is distributed weekly Office: 1070, 5th Avenue, Valemount, British Columbia

Laura Keil

Co-Owner Editor/Reporter lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

Joseph Nusse

Telephone: (250) 566-4606 E-mail: jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com, or lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com Advertising: sales@therockymountaingoat.com Website: www.therockymountaingoat.com Mail Address: Box 21, Valemount B.C., V0E 2Z0

Leigh Jackson

The Rocky Mountain Goat is produced and distributed by ‘The Rocky Mountain

Co-Owner Publisher/Sales jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com Sales Associate sales@therockymountaingoat.com

Harmeet Singh

Reporter hsingh@therockymountaingoat.com

Goat News’ and is subject to copyright. Reproduction, or distribution of any article, photo, or other content must recieve prior consent from Joseph Nusse (Co-Owner/ Publisher) or Laura Keil (Co-Owner/Editor). Illustrations by Luke Siemens

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Letters

A satisfied reader and customer Hi Goat ... I bought a large ad (with photo) from the RMG to sell my truck. The ad ran for four weeks. And guess what? A gal from Alberta bought it for a good price. Her partner saw the ad when they were reading your fine newspaper, in Jasper.

Water hike another blow to businesses To the Mayor and all Council members of the Village of Valemount: I was outraged and dismayed when I read that my water rate had increased over 48 per cent without any business planning notice. It now costs me an extra $680.00 a year. As with all small businesses in Valemount, I was at a very slim margin last year, and worse this year. The HST increased my overall costs by seven per cent across the board and now an additional increase on top of that. This is a month’s wages for a full-time casual employee in my business. Now they don’t get to work that month. It is the cost of two weeks of propane. Two weeks closer to closing the business. It is totally unfair to increase water rates at your discretion and then turn around and say it is a user pay system. It is not a user pay system. Several residences in town use five times the water my business uses during the summer months. These residents turn open their garden hoses full blast May 25 to water their lawn and the hoses are not turned off until Labour Day weekend. These are the users. They should pay. Why should the brunt of the cost be borne unfairly on the backs of small business – backs that are already breaking with federal and provincial tax increases? There should never have been a rate increase without the installation of water meters on every business and

The money I spent for the ad in your newspaper was a good investment. I’m a satisfied reader and customer. Thanx!

residence. This must be followed by direct notification to each user of their water volumes and the proposed rates. Reading a schedule in a Council meeting may meet the stingy and meager leagal requirement for consultation, but it will never meet the spirit of the intent of the requirement to consult. A letter to all businesses would have gone a long way to show that you even considered them part of the consultation. The newspaper is a wonderful place to insert informative articles in a timely manner – but not after the fact. How about a good oldfashioned town hall meeting? I would like to know what administrative budget cutting the Village Council did to show support. What belt tightening did you as individuals and the collective leaders of the community perform to help reduce the cost of the water tax increase? Since I am sure there was no attempt to “match” it, it’s obvious that Council believes businesses can well afford to do much more with so much less. I say you had better get out and walk around a bit more. You can see the food from the food bank feeding many families who do not have cable or a telephone. You can see the black holes appear overnight as suffering businesses cease to exist just to end the suffering. What have you done for the existing business to acknowledge the non-existent local economy? Catherine Crofford Valemount, B.C.

Mick Callas Dunster, B.C.

A new subscription price! Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com

Going subscription is no small task! We have finally dealt with the hassle of setting up sales arrangements with local stores. We are please to announce that we are going to be able to drop our subscription prices. Our original price of $62.50 plus HST was based on us having to pay full postage to mail papers out to our subscribers. We were originally anticipating paying this rate for our first year. This cost alone would have cost over $62.50 per subscription per year. As you can see, our original mail out subscription was not even making money for us, except for our out of town subscribers who pay a little bit more. We

have now been told that we do qualify for postal subsidies, just like every established newspaper. As such, we will now charge $55 per year, plus tax or $61.60 total. For those who have already subscribed at our previous rate, we will either roll over this deduction to next year’s subscription, or if you would like the difference refunded, please contact me at jnusse@therockymountaingoat. com or 250-566-1444. Thank you for your support and patience as we build our newspaper with hope to the future. Joseph Nusse, Publisher The Rocky Mountain Goat

VACS gets donation Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

The Valemount Arts and Culture Society has received a donation from Valemount Hydro (Brookfield Power) for $2,000. VACS member Darryl Polyk says the money is for their general operations, and will be used to keep ticket prices affordable when shows come to town. “The performer’s fees are pretty high,” he says. “A lot of acts, once they get to a

certain size, we just can’t afford them.” This is the first time Valemount Hydro has donated money to VACS. VACS will also be fundraising through their Winter Fun Raffle. Prices include a VIA rail trip for two to Vancouver, two days of skiing at the Marmot ski hill, a half-day of dog sledding with Cold Fire Creek and two one-day snowmobile rentals from Alpine Country Rentals. Tickets will be on sale at the Valemount Craft Fair Nov. 20th.

The Rocky Mountain Goat is issued every Wednesday Nusse Construction Basements to roofing Bathrooms and decks Renovations and retrofits If you need a job done right, put 35 years of experience to work for YOU!

Professional woodworking shop Completely self-equipped Concrete forms

Call 250-566-4840, ask for Tim

Be sure to check out our website for more photos, videos and updates throughout the week! www.therockymountaingoat.com

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Early season sledding

Enter our contests each week! See below for details Illustrated by Kiara Hogg

Dr. Nov-love, or how I learned to stop complaining and love November Harmeet Singh hsingh@therockymountaingoat.com

I have never been a big fan of November. It’s been right up there with February for most boring month in my books. To me, November has always signified the end of my favourite season and a transition into a cold and hopeless landscape of white skies, grey snow and black ice. However, I am trying to be a more positive person. And so, my editor Laura Keil and I have decided to ruminate and share why November doesn’t suck. Among them: • November is indeed the transition from fall to winter, but this means something exciting for those of us who don’t particularly enjoy outdoor work. In November, we don’t need to cut the grass, but there is rarely enough snow to have to shovel. • Usually, the first real snow happens in November. The first snow is usually perfection in that it makes the town look beautiful but usually doesn’t last long

enough to become grey and disgusting. • The month is cold enough to start wearing hats, scarves, gloves and boots, but mild enough that you can still wear the trendy versions of these items. • The winter tourism season begins in Valemount. • You can leave your groceries in your car without fear that the perishable items will…perish. • November marks the beginning of the cosy season—when you can sit inside, bundled in a blanket with a mug of something warm without being accused of being a boring homebody or having the flu. • It is rare to have an insect bite in November. • You gain an hour of sleep. • You can layer your flannel without people looking at you strangely. Actually, the same goes for camouflage: it’s hunting season. • Ladies—you can stop shaving your legs. Tell your loved one it’s for winter warmth.

• There is facial hair galore due to “Movember,” when men grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer. • You can stop doing your hair and just keep a hat on all the time. • Many significant people were born in November, including but not limited to: Tina Turner, Walter Cronkite, Charles Schultz, Art Garfunkel, Jon Stewart, Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis and Laura Keil. Some other reasons why November is actually okay: • November is National Novel Writing Month, American Diabetes Month and Lung Cancer Awareness Month, among others. • Nov. 5 is Guy Fawkes Day, which is pretty irrelevant in the Robson Valley, but still fun to talk about. • Diwali, a festival of lights originating from several faiths in India, is celebrated worldwide in early November. • Nov. 14 is Children’s Day in India. • Nov. 19 is International Men’s Day.

Why do YOU love November? Send us your response and be entered to win two free movie tickets to the Chaba Theatre in Jasper. Every week, entrants will be entered to win monthly draws at the end of November, December and January! Upcoming films include: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Gulliver’s Travels, Little Fockers, and Bluebeard. Send your response to: contest@therockymountaingoat.com

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Songwriters team up for tour Harmeet Singh hsingh@therockymountaingoat.com

Photo: Charlene Montpetit

Veterans Affairs uses social media to spark interest from youth

Harmeet Singh hsingh@therockymountaingoat.com

If you’ve grown up in Canada, Remembrance Day has undoubtedly been an integral part of your November. Schools all over Canada teach their children about the meaning of Nov. 11 and what it means for the country. Many Canadians have even heard first-hand tales of war from family members or friends of family. The power of Remembrance Day is not limited to Canada or the United States. The day is observed all over Europe, in Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean and even Hong Kong. Each country has its own ways of observing, but generally, the playing of the Last Post and moments of silence at war memorials, city halls and in schools are

the most prominent. But this year, Veterans Affairs Canada has taken a new approach to helping Canadians remember. “How will you remember?” is the department’s challenge for Canadians to use social media and digital resources to observe Veterans’ Week. As VAC tells visitors to its website, “use the videos and images available on this site to create a mashup, a virtual scrapbook, a fan page or decorate your space. The options are endless. Share with others and link back to our Web site.” The plan is targeted at youth to get them engaged in remembrance, says Chris Brasher, a representative of Veterans Affairs in Winnipeg. So far, the department isn’t sure how well the

idea has worked. Several Facebook pages and groups exist in support of Remembrance Day, aiming to gain more online supporters by this Nov. 11. Twitter and Facebook users are also showing their support through the website Twibbon.com, where they can add virtual poppies to their display photos as a sign of support for veterans. VAC has also launched a mobile app, available for the iPhone, with which users can find a ceremony near their community, download iPhone wallpaper with a Remembrance theme, and check out the activities of the department on Facebook and YouTube.

Got a comment? Send it to us! letters@ therockymountaingoat. com

Attention all Robson Valley tourism businesses: The Rocky Mountain Goat is distributed free in Jasper and Mt. Robson

Valemount’s Raghu Lokanathan will be performing at the village’s Anglican-United Church on Nov. 18, along with two other prominent Canadian folk musicians. Prince Edward Island’s Catherine MacLellan, the Yukon’s Kim Barlow and Lokanathan will be touring together throughout November, in various towns and cities from Whitehorse to Edmonton. The three will be performing material from their respective albums, in a tour entitled “Wise and Weathered.” “Three seems a nice number of songwriters to have,” says Lokanathan. “It’s nice to have some company on the road.” The three singers will be collaborating onstage performing songs from their respective albums and covers of what Lokanathan calls “fellow obscure Canadian songwriters.” Kim Barlow, a two-time Juno nominee, has played guitar and banjo or many years, including on her newest record, “Saplings.” She also plays cello and bass and her new album includes trumpet, ukulele and vocals from other musicians. Her writing is what Lokanathan describes as “fantastical.” Her songs are like fairy tales and she is adventurous with the sounds she uses, he says. “Water in the Ground” is Catherine MacLellan’s third record, and features other roots musicians from around Canada. Last year, it won Folk Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards. “She has a really lovely, rich voice,” says Lokanathan of MacLellan’s work. Lokanathan’s new album, “Blue Girl,” includes music reflecting on his past years of song writing and singing. He recently returned to Valemount after a tour in Ontario with musician Corin Raymond of the Undesirables. “I’m always tinkering around with something,” says Lokanathan. He goes through phases of being inspired and not, but he’s usually writing something whenever he has a stretch of time, he says. “It’s really difficult until it’s not, and then you have a song.” The Nov. 18 Wise and Weathered show begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at Infinity on 5th Avenue. With files from Laura Keil

A8 Wednesday, November 10, 2010

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Live mortar rounds donated to local Legion museum Navy bomb squad disposes of units with a bang Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com Residents on the south side of Valemount and Cedarside may have heard a loud explosion Thursday afternoon. It was the second time this year military explosives experts were called to Valemount to deal with live explosive that have been kicking around the valley. This past week, local resident Less Dammann took delivery of some mortar rounds that were to be donated to the Valemount Legion war museum. Dammann noticed the rounds looked unused so he alerted the local R.C.M.P.. Local officers took photos of the rounds and consulted with a Navy Bomb Disposal unit out of the lower mainland. Via e-mail it was determined that the rounds were live, and the unit was dispatched to dispose of the rounds. According to the disposal team, the rounds are magnesium flares with a black powder kick and are commonly used to illuminate the battle field at night. If they had gone off in a building, they would have seriously hurt or killed anybody inside. The disposal team attached C4 explosives with duct tape and then buried the explosives and rounds under some sand to destroy them in a sand pit near the Westridge sub-station. Electrical detonation was initiated from behind the armoured truck well out of harm’s way.

Village of Valemount

Photos: Laura Keil and submitted

Request for Proposal Snow Clearing and Removal Services The Village of Valemount is seeking proposals from qualified contractors for winter snow clearing and removal services on an as and when required on-call basis. Contractors, who are interested and capable of providing snow clearing and removal services to the Village of Valemount and are interested in being on our list of contractors, are encouraged to submit a letter of proposal. Pre-qualification responses from prospective proposals will include: • Identification of the types of project in which a contrac tor may be interested • Names, qualifications and experience of personnel available to be assigned to projects • Identification of the type of equipment available • Price lists, such as staff charge out or equipment rates • The contractor’s knowledge of local conditions • The contractor’s ability to meet security deposit or performance bonding requirements • A general statement describing the types of work the contractor has done previously • References All contractors must also ensure appropriate levels of insurance coverage and required licenses. The Village reserves the right to undertake work with Village staff, however, in the event that a project is to be undertaken by other than Village staff and likely to exceed $10,000.00, the Village may prepare an Invitation to Tender (ITT) which will be faxed to each relevant contractor on the list of contractors.

For more photos visit our website! www.therockymountaingoat.com Village of Valemount Request for Proposals Janitorial Services The Village of Valemount is seeking proposals from qualified Contractors for janitorial services to clean the Village Office & Visitor Information Centre commencing November 30th, 2010.

Locally owned!

Contractors, who are interested and capable of providing janitorial services to the Village of Valemount, are encouraged to submit a letter of proposal. Pre-qualification responses from prospective proposals will include: • Names, qualifications and experience of personnel available to be assigned • Identification of the type of equipment available • Price lists, such as staff charge out rates • The contractor’s ability to meet security deposit or performance bonding requirements • A general statement describing the types of work the contractor has done previously • References All contractors must also ensure appropriate levels of insurance coverage and required licenses.

For further information please contact Tom Dall at the Village of Valemount municipal office or by phone at (250) 566-4435.

Information packages are available at the Village Office, 735 Cranberry Lake Road, between the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

A letter of proposal outlining your interests and qualifications to provide the Village of Valemount with Snow Clearing and Removal Services should be submitted to the Village of Valemount by 12:00 pm on November 15, 2010 c/o P.O. Box 168, Valemount, BC, V0E 2Z0.

A letter of proposal outlining your interests and qualifications to provide the Village of Valemount with Janitorial Services should be submitted to the Village of Valemount by 12:00 pm on November 22, 2010 c/o P.O. Box 168, Valemount, BC, V0E 2Z0.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Rescue of Belle and Sundance

Local writer finishes book on the heroic rescue of two horses near McBride Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

ral, Stutz would hunker down in the morning when her concentration is best, often after cleaning and shovelling the stables of her 12 horses earlier that morning. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” she says. “It sounds cool writing a book, and it is. But there

On Birgit Stutz’ kitchen wall is a quotation she and her husband put there many years ago from the French author Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It says: “You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.” It’s a natural mantra for a horse trainer, but the saying would take on greater meaning two years ago, when the Dunster resident joined the rescue of two horses abandoned on Renshaw Mountain near McBride. The mare, Belle, and gelding, Sundance, had been left are a lot of lows.” They wrote four different drafts. There was also a lot their by their owner after they got stuck in heavy snowof back-and-forth through email before the drafts were fall. The horses were frost-bitten, starved and near death complete. when two snowmobilers discovered them. “I’m thankful for Larry because I would have lost it The next morning, four McBride residents went back without him.” up the mountain with a bale “It was so vivid in my memory... She says she found the end the of hay, a handgun and a hearthardest part to write. The rescue breaking choice to make: either it was very emotional for me.” itself was probably the easiest, feed the horses, or shoot them. she says. Brigit Stutz, The four agreed: there was “It was so vivid in my an undeniable glimmer in the First-time author memory, ” she says. “It horses’ eyes. The decision was was very emotional made to feed them. But saving for me. ” them would require a lot more than hay. Many people She says she hopes people get the message from McBride and the surrounding area pitched in to from the book that big things can be accomdig a three-foot-wide, six-foot-deep, kilometre-long tunplished if people work together, no matter nel that became Belle and Sundance’s route to freedom. their background. The ensuing rescue took roughly eight days and tem“There were snowmobilers, horse-back ridperatures dipped to -30 and -40 while the horses were ers, people that liked animals, people that just dug out. It was a heroic tale that was picked up by media had nothing else to do,” she says. outlets around the world. It was their compassion that saved Belle The story of the rescue is the subject of a new book by and Sundance, she says. A horse’s well-being Stutz, which will be released next week by Harper Collins. “It’s not just a story for animal-lovers,” she says. “It’s really about what a community can accomplish by coming together for a common goal.” She was approached by an agent after the story appeared on front of the Globe and Mail. The agent called her during Christmas holidays asking her if she’s interested in writing a book. When she told the agent she not only a horse trainer, but also a journalist, she was even more excited, Stutz says. The agent set her up with a co-writer, Lawrence Scanlan, a Kingston writer who had already written several books on horses. Together, they assembled a proposal for the publishing company. She had been emailing people throughout the resPhotos from the rescue as well as a shot of Stutz cue, so she had notes about what happened. and Belle just before the Pioneer Days parade “I was thankful for that. I used it as a skeleton.” in McBride this past June. From her home study that overlooks her corPhotos: Laura Keil and submitted

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doesn’t just depend on money. “These animals are our prisoners,” she says. “We are responsible for them. It’d be different if they’d run away from something – but they were left there by a human, so humans needed to get them down.” After the rescue, Belle and Sundance were adopted, Belle was adopted by an owner south of Prince George, and Sundance was taken to a ranch near Kamloops. Stutz trained Belle this spring. She also rode the now well-fed mare in the McBride Pioneer Days parade in June. Stutz will be doing a book signing at the McBride Trading Post Nov. 26, and hopes to have books as early as Nov. 13th for the Valemount Book Fair, taking place at the high school. She will also have books for sale at the McBride Festival of Lights and at the Gathering Tree for Late Night Shopping Dec. 3rd. The McBride Visitor Info Centre will be carrying the book as well as The Farm Store, the McBride Trading Co., the Dunster Store, The Gathering Tree, and Bearfoot-in-the-Park in Jasper. Birgit operates Falling Star Ranch in Dunster, as well as freelances for magazines and newspapers.

A.F. & A.M Are one? Know one, Past or Current?

Box 21, Valemount, BC, V0E 2Z0

Interested in attending a Robson Valley “Festive Board”? Contact 250-566-9194

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Briefs:

POWER OUTAGE ON SAWYER ROAD Strong winds and falling trees caused two power outages on Sawyer Road last week. Around 3pm on Thursday, trees falling into wires caused an outage for a handful of houses in the area, says Gene Bryant, community relations coordinator for B.C. Hydro. Hydro crews fixed the damage but another outage occurred around 8pm the same night. Power was restored by 11pm. Only one home suffered damage, says Bryant, but it was not extensive. Local electricians usually fix the damages before B.C. Hydro restores power, he says. WILLIAMS LAKE MINE PROPOSAL REJECTED The federal government rejected a proposal for a mine near Williams Lake, B.C. this week. Taseko Mine Ltd. proposed the Prosperity Mine project, a large gold and copper mine. An on site mill and support infrastructure, including a 125-km long electrical transmission line and an access road would have had to be constructed. According to the Federal Review Panel, the development of the mine would have negative effects on the fish and habitats in the area, as well as grizzly bears. Navigation would also be adversely affected, as would First Nations groups’ ability to use land and other resources for traditional purposes, the assessment suggested. LUMBER SALES HIGH FOR B.C. COMPANIES DURING CHINA TRADE MISSION Companies on the current forestry trade mission to China have generated sales of 418 million board feet of lumber, Forests, Mines and Lands Minister Pat Bell said last week. “Total sales orders taken by the 2010 trade mission are five times greater than the China mission of just two years ago,” said Bell.

The trade mission also saw the groundbreaking for a wood-frame construction project in the Tianjin Economic Development Area, 160 km southeast of Beijing. Exports to China up to and including Aug. 2010 are valued at about $342 million, up almost 75 per cent from the same period last year.

FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS Employment statistics in Canada remained basically unchanged for the second consecutive month, according to Statistics Canada’s latest release from the Labour Force Survey on Nov. 5. The unemployment rate edged down to 7.9 per cent and has been around eight per cent for the past seven months. The number of private sector employees increased in October, but self-employment declined. Public sector employment was unchanged. Over the past three months, losses in part time jobs have been offset by fulltime gains, Statistics Canada suggests. Unemployment in B.C. fell to 7.4 per cent from 7.5 in September. TELUS E-MAIL SCAM TARGETS THE VALLEY A province-wide e-mail scam has targeted Robson Valley residents this November. The e-mail header says it is from a “TELUS ADMINISTRATOR”. The subject line reads ‘dear Telus account holder!!”. In the e-mail, the scam author says that Telus needs to update your information in order to accommodate new anti-spam/antivirus/anti-spyware functions. The e-mail then directs the account holder to fill in and submit personal information such as your user ID, password and phone number. It also threatens to suspend your telus service if you do not comply. It also states that Telus will not contact you by phone before suspending services. According to Telus, such information e-mail scams are common. If Telus needs to contact account holders, it will be through official Telus means, and personal phone calls will precede any suspension of services.

In Memory of Garry Buhler Nov 5, 1948 - Nov 9, 2005

Remembered with Love,

Your Family Changes to Arts & Crafts Fair Saturday November 20, VSS Gym Concession 10am to 3pm Children’s activities available. To book your table, contact Jan Vanderzwan, 566-4396.

Gardening with Pete Peter Amyoony Special to The Goat

With the frost in the ground and the cupboards full of dried herbs, peppers, tomatoes, and jars of preserves on the shelves and the crock full of sauerkraut what can we find to do on these fine sunny days of fall? Why not consider using an afternoon or two to clean and sharpen all your gardening tools and get them ready for next year. There seems to be so much to do in the spring that many of us never get around to properly taking care of our trusty hoes, shovels, pruning shears, etc. Maybe this year I will finally get to make a “handle tube” like I saw in a magazine many years ago. It is nothing more than a five-foot (1.75m) length of 2” (5cm) black ABS pipe that is used for drains under sinks. The bottom has a cap glued on it and it is attached to the wall by a staircase in the shop or barn loft or the basement stairs with a few pieces of strapping. After sanding a shovel, hoe or rake handle it is inserted in the open top end and the tube is filled with boiled linseed oil or tung oil. The handle is allowed to soak up oil for a few days and the shovel is then tied up to a string up the wall so the tip of the handle is just inside the top of the pipe. In this position, the excess oil drips back into the

pipe. When the dripping stops, you can wipe the handle and store the shovel or rake or hoe away for the winter. Then in goes the next handle for its oil bath. While one handle is soaking, the edge of another shovel or hoe can be put in a vise and sharpened with a file. While it is in the vise, a good brushing of the whole blade with a steel brush will get of any remaining dirt and rust and a light coat of oil can be applied. What a pleasure it will be next spring to work with a smooth handled sharp shovel or hoe. Don’t forget to either drain your lawnmower and tiller tank of gas and then start them up and let them run until they are out of gas. The unleaded gas that we get now has a tendency to gum up the carburetor if it is let sit for more than a few months. The other alternative is to add some gas stabilizer to the tank and let the machine run for a bit before putting it away for the winter. This gas stabilizer is available at you local gas stations, hardware stores and general store. This is also a good time to sharpen up the mower blades and give them a good coating of oil to protect from rust. All grass should be scraped from the under body of the mower and some oil

sprayed or wiped on with a rag. If you have time and the inclination you could also sharpen your pruning shears, grass shears and any other cutting tool and apply a bit of oil. In early spring, when it is time to trim back the fruit trees and roses, you will be happy you took the time this fall. Sharp tools with smooth handles are a real pleasure to use but I never seem to have time to do this in the spring or summer.

Pete Amyoony is a gardener in the Robson Valley of central B.C. high in the Rocky Mountains near Mt. Robson. He has lived, worked and gardened in the Dunster area for more than thirty years.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

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C.R.E.A. ratifies agreement with Competition Bureau ‘Partial Services’ will remain option Following a favourable vote on October 24, 2010 by realty representatives from across Canada at a Special General Meeting of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), CREA has ratified a 10 year agreement with the Competition Bureau which changes the rules governing realtors and the services they offer across Canada. However representatives from CREA say that

although rules have been clarifies, their organization’s practices were never in violation of competition legislation. As such, there will be no sweeping changes to the way realtor services are offered in Canada. The compromise agreement was announced on September 30 and was considered a surprise avoidance of what would likely have been a lengthy legal showdown between

Valemount Community Forest distributes first newsletter

Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com

The Valemount Community Forest has distributed its first leaflet updating it operations. Shane Brassette manages the Community Forest. He says while they are still figuring out the frequency which they will publish the updates, if there are interesting things to report he will ensure the public is notified. He says they will probably come out quarterly or twice a year. The leaflet has been placed in every Valemount and Dunster postal box. Additional prints have also been distributed to businesses in McBride. “It is meant to meet the objective of promoting public awareness and involvement,” says Brassette. Brassette says the year end financial report will be reported at the Community Forest’s annual general meeting. The Valemount Community Forest was incorporated in July of 2008. In November of 2008, Shane Brassette was hired as Manager. During the winter of 2009, the Valemount Community Forest was engaged in intensive harvesting of pine stands affected by mountain pine beetle. Recently, the community forest has shifted effort towards accommodating and promoting local manufacturing of wood. Brassette says that although everyone involved in the Community Forest agrees that local manufacturing is needed in order to promote local job creation, currently local manufacturers can not process even close to the volume of the Community Forest’s annual allowable cut, and certainly not the cut extensions granted for pine beetle salvage cutting. The update leaflet also highlights silviculture and replanting efforts already underway as part of the Community Forest’s licence agreement with the province.

CREA and the Competition Bureau. The Commissioner and CREA have agreed that its rules as well as those of its members should not deny or discriminate against professional registered realtors wishing to offer mere ‘posting services’. This discrimination has been clarified to include practices which would in anyway be considered favouritism towards realtors who offer full services over those who offer partial services. While this agreement could result in some minor changes in highly competitive real estate markets, where partial services are becoming increasingly popular, registered realtors will not be forced to offer services that deviate from their own business model. The Competition Bureau was originally considering trying to force all realtors across Canada to offer any level of partial services clients may choose to enlist. The Canadian Real Estate Association, represents more than 100,000 registered realtors working through more than 100 real estate Boards and Associations.

Northern B.C. poised to benefit from ‘Northern Gateway’ trade

The four-page leaflet has been mailed to every postal box in Valemount as well as distributed to businesses and public areas. Brassette says he hopes to produce the updates either quarterly or every six months.

Northern B.C. and the Port of Prince Rupert will benefit from an expected future demand for resources from Asian markets, says Shirley Bond, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. Recently Bond met with numerous current and potential customers of B.C. resource exports while in Asia to promote the Pacific Gateway and generate new and expanded trade opportunities for the province. “The Northern Corridor through the Port of Prince Rupert provides not only the closest trade route to Asian markets for imported goods to North America, but also a reliable, free flowing, and strategically located route for resource exports from Northern B.C.,” saysBond. Examples of expected export growth identified in meetings with companies in Korea and Japan include expansion of coal exports from two companies with mines in northeastern British Columbia and interest in using pine beetle wood for biofuel in Japan. The Port of Prince Rupert is the province’s deepest natural harbour and can handle the largest container and bulk ocean carriers in the world. Planned infrastructure investments will ensure that capacity will continue to meet demand for years to come. Growth in export is already underway with container related exports through the Port of Prince Rupert up nearly 53 per cent to the end of October and increasing 92 per cent in the month of October alone. Coal exports through the Port of Prince Rupert are up 83 per cent year-to-date.

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One year mail subscription costs $55 ($62.60 with HST) Please make payment out to “The Rocky Mountain Goat News” Box 21, Valemount, BC, V0E 2Z0

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Business Watch: Main Street in McBride gets a facelift Three businesses in McBride have done significant building upgrades recently giving the town center a newer and more welcoming look. AG Foods has completed aesthetic upgrades to its store front, improving on its older concrete brick square building. The McBride Travellers Inn has upgraded its archaic flat roof with an even peaked truss and shingles add on. The McBride Hotel, a heritage building, is also in the fourth week of upgrading its aging flat roof with a four-sided truss roof. Sonnia Carmont, McBride Hotel manager, says the flat roof collected too much snow and water and the new roof will prevent leackage problems. (Left) Posts and beams were added for decor in front of McBride AG Foods recently to spruce up the green exterior. Owner Dutch Molendyk posed in front earlier this week. (Top Right)The McBride Travellers Inn got a new and improved roof recently. Owner Teresa Caputo says the slanted roof will be easier to maintain. (Bottom Right) The historic McBride Hotel gets a new roof of an older style Photos: Laura Keil

‘Personal world shopper’ opens store in Valemount Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com Lois McTaggart is already your personal shopper. The long-term business owner has set up shop in Karas Mall with one goal: to bring stores from the city to Valemount. McTaggart has spent hours of her free-time trolling through the aisles of stores in Edmonton, Kamloops and Vancouver, for fashionable clothes on the discount rack. She has gathered dozens of brands of men, women and children’s clothing – all new with the tags still on – in her shop, which opened last week. “It’s like bringing the stores from the city here,” she says. “Not everyone shops at the same store.” Until opening her store, McTaggart stocked her house with furniture and clothing for sale. It was much like IKEA’s model rooms, she says, as it gave people an idea to what the item would look like paired with other items in an actual room. But she wanted to expand her business and her colourful new boutique also houses pet supplies, skin care products, international gift items from Indonesia and Africa, holiday candy and decorations, shoes, bathing suits and other summer items for people heading south during the winter. She says the beauty of her store is that you’re buying a “one-of-a-kind” item. And that makes her store “oneof-a-kind.” “It’s different. You remember those stores.” She won’t be duplicating other businesses for the most part, as she wanted to find a niche between was already available. She will not be selling many kids clothes because Fields already has a large selection. She won’t be selling much jewellery either, because of the large stock at The Gathering Tree.

One of several ‘one-of-a-kind’ items Lois McTaggart is offering at her new store. Photo: Laura Keil

She says she wants to attract people with “good energy” to her store. McTaggart, originally from Maidstone, SK, moved to Valemount eight years ago. She and her husband left their nearly-finished dream home in Lloydminster, SK, to settle in the Robson Valley. She says she is the interior designer, and her husband is the builder. After moving, they quickly renovated and

decorated their new home up to par. She loves unique styles, she says, and most homes are merely cut-outs. “You could be drunk for a week, before you realize you’re not in your own house,” she says. McTaggart isn’t just a fashionable business woman, however. Every year, she and her husband fly to the Dominican Republic with their checked luggage full of items to donate to people there and in Haiti. All their personal belongings fit into their carry-on. She says the Haitian government won’t accept supplies through the mail. “It’ll never make it there,” she says. “You have to take it yourself.” Donated items include bowling sets, school, clothes, and gifts for adults. They also sent along 150lb suitcases with friends to donate in the Philippines and Africa, items such as clothes, teddy bears, games, shoes – gifts not just for children. “Everybody likes a gift. I like gifts,” she says and smiles. At their hotel in the Dominican, the McTaggarts also give away many items to the resort staff, who often work 12-15 hour days for less than a dollar an hour. They live in tiny apartments and have to travel two to three days to get home to their families. “They remember you and when you get in they say ‘Oh! Canada!’” she says. She remembers one woman who couldn’t believe McTaggart was giving her a beautiful shirt. “She danced around with that shirt like it was gold.” Among her many skin care products, she sells lotion from the Central-American Tawaka tribe, which is hand-made by members of the tribe, is all-natural and the profits are used to build schools. McTaggart’s store is located between the Laundromat and the Donair shop in the Karas Mall along Hwy 5.

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Call Leigh at 250-569-8807 or sales@therockymountaingoat.com

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Business Directory

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$40 for 4 weeks, or $20 for one week

Teepee Meadows Cottage

Spectacular mountain and marshland scenery Phone:250-566-9875 Located 3 km west of Valemount

Hosts: Claude, Alke & Noland Germain 545 Jack Adams Road, Box 786 Valemount, BC V0E 2Z0

Eatery and Gift Shop

1152 - 5th Ave, Valemount B.C. 250-566-0154

Open at 4:30 pm daily

CLOSED from October 11 till November 24 1002 5th Avenue THANK YOU FOR YOUR Valemount, B.C. PATRONAGE

Now serving soup, sandwiches and other specials

Phone: 250.566.4035 1020 Main Street Valemount, BC New Construction, Renovations Additions, Framing, Finishing Cabinetry & Wood Doors

Certified Septic Installer Bobcat Skid Steer With Various Attachments

Visit us at www.caribougrill.com

Association is also part of a good advertising strategy!

G & A Moore Ventures Gerald Moore Contractor www.mooreventures.ca Tel: 250.569.2269

McBride, BC

Cell: 250.569.7147

Call Leigh at 250-569-8807 or sales@therockymountaingoat.com

For Drywall Services CALL TODD @

WAHOO ENTERPRISES

250-569-0320

STR8 UP Renovations New Construction, renos, form building. shops, decks. Journeyman carpenter, 17 years experience.

Call Jeff Wagner, 250-569-7906

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Classified ads policy

If it is for free, it is free. Up to 20 words for $2, 30 words for $3, 40 words for $4 etc. If the asking price is over $499, then it is $5 for 20 words, $6 for 30 words etc. Nonbusiness announcements are welcome at the same rates. The Rocky Mountain Goat reserves the right to refuse to print any classified submission that is not an advertisement of a private sale, or rental arrangement.

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Twenty for a Toonie: The Classified Ads Building Materials

For Sale

Salvaged metal siding for sale. Perfect for any outbuilding or shop. Approximately 550-600 square foot coverage. Will consider any offer! Call Joe 250-566-1444

5th Wheel. 28.5’ Citation Supreme 1997 Excellent condition, Queen walkaround Bed, Oakcabinets, 2 DoorFridge, Microwave, 3 Burnersstoveoven, Full Bath, Awning, Airconditioning, $14900.00. Call 1-250-566-9884, Valemount or jvgeorgeca@yahoo.ca

Glass carboys, $20 each (retail $40) and multi-purpose plastic tubs 30L, $15 Call 250-566-4606

Trusses for sale. Approximately 42 foot span. 14 units. Single slant, could be modified with a chalk line and skill saw. Now considering offers! Call Joe 250566-1444 and skill saw. Now considering offers! Call Joe 250-566-1444

Flooring, Wide Plank Fir, 8”, T&G, new, kiln dried, select grade, $2.95/sqft. Please call 250-573-1817 evenings.

Found 1 pair of black, OR, Goretex gaiters on McKirdy Peak. Call 250-566-4396 to claim.

500 gal. single-wall fuel tank. Asking $200. Call 250566-5069, ask for Jared Mobile Home with full addition, and large garage on a lot, in Valemount recently renovated. comes w/ fridge stove washer dryer. Currently rented. Asking $110.000.00 O.B.O Call 778 328 7285 leave a message. Mazda B4000 4/4 1994. C/W Canopy, 2 sets of tires on rims, well maintained, kept all receipts, 293K. Reason for sale; family got bigger. Asking $2500. Call JF at 250-566-8411.

Two used satellite dishes. As is, taken off of house. Open to offers, 250-566-1444.

Minolta 2050 copier with two bottles of toner. Asking $300 OBO. Black and White copying only. Upto 11x17 size, also double sided. Older machine but still reproduces well. Handy for someone who needs to make copies of maps, booklets, handouts, etc. Call Rashmi at Infinity 250-5664225. Available for testing / viewing at Infinity Office & health, Valemount. Two 8x12 Garden sheds $550, Glass Top Range, black and stainless steel $500, 10.5 HP Snowwblower, gas, electric start $650, Stacking washer/dryer $400. Call 566-9181

Post your ad online www.

Fishing flies for Christmas? Call Garry at 250-566-4456. Flies, Fly boxes, Rod building and rod repairs.

Sudoku-Puzzles .net Sudoku, Kakuro & Futoshiki Puzzles

jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com Sudoku 9x9 - Hard (137467376)

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www.sudoku-puzzles.net

By Craig Elder, M.A. Economics

Aries: The ‘Man’ is treating you well recently, be wary to whom you are indebted or you might end up as part of a top secret medical experiment. Taurus: Try to discover your own boundaries and those of the people around you today. Once you cross the line, keep going to see what lies beyond. Gemini: You can’t hide your desires forever, but it is probably best that you keep trying, they are pretty disturbing. Cancer: Let someone close to you plan your day, it will take some of the stress off of you and if it goes to pot you can blame it on them. Leo: You have unfinished business, you best take care of it in case something happens. Otherwise you will be doomed to straddle the abyss wandering the earth without form. Virgo: You may have failed recently, but just look at it as failing to set accurate goals for yourself. Libra: You are headed in the right direction, unless you are lost in which case your guess is as good as mine. Scorpio: You are in deep trouble. Don’t let yourself go down alone. Sagittarius: Remember that everyone has dreams, you can prey upon these to achieve your own. Capricorn: You just thought of an amazing Halloween costume. maybe you could dress up to celebrate Azerbaijani Constitution Day on the 12th? Aquarius: Your admiration for birds and their gift of flight will be lessened when you see what they did to your car. Pisces: You finally got something off your chest recently. Good luck fighting the public indecency ticket. Wanted

Employment

ARE YOU BORED? I’m looking to start a friendship club for winter sports, hiking, events and activities in Jasper, and nighboring towns. Call Vanda at: 250566-0173.

Quickway Pilot looking for part time drives. Phone 566-1722, or fax resume to 566-4207, or mail Box 69 Valemount.

Carpool I am looking to carpool periodically with someone who travels to Jasper, and to travel to other towns. I will pay for part gas! Call 5660173.

Plain Talk Horoscopes

Affordable community classified ads

For Rent Shared Accommodation dwntwn McBride Incl: lge bdrm with private entrance, ADSL, phone/voice box, furniture. Shared: util, TV, house/yard. NS, ND/A (no drugs/alcohol), No Pets. Refs plse. $450 - 569-8807 Older 2 bedroom house on 6th Ave. $450/month plus utilities. 250-566-4790. Nanny Needed Nanny Required. Sept – Dec part time. Requires 2 days in Crescent Spur, 2 days in Dunster Jan–Apr – full time live in at Crescent Spur. Salary based on experience. Pls email resumes or inquires to Jessica@crescentspur.com. You can reach me at 250553-2300 or 250-968-4486.

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Community Events November

Nov. 12 Christmas Shopping in Dunster Free draws and tasting tidbits 10am to 4pm. 8320 Dunster Croyden Rd, 0.5 km past Dunster store Crafts, Epicure Spices, Watkins and more. Browse Our Selection Of Hand Knit Sweaters, Toques, Mitts And Scarves. Quilted Blankets, Potholders And Bags. Childrens Aprons, Tea Cozies And Original Paintings. There Is Time To Place Your Epicure Spice Order. For info, call Lorrie Bressette 250-968-4491 Maria’s 3rd Annual Community Bookfair Sat. Nov 13th From 10am -9pm Sun. Nov. 14th From 10 Am To 5 Pm Location: Valemount Secondary Enjoy Quality Books And Games Local Artists Presenting Their Work, Keith Heidorn’s Art, Live Music And Concession. Profit Goes Towards The Valemount Museum And Highschool PAC. Feel Free to call 250-566-0010 Nov. 19 Ladies Night Out! Best Western Lounge 7pm Silpada jewelery & pampered chef Nov. 20 Valemount Arts and Crafts Fair Location: Valemount Secondary gym Contact Jan at 250-566-4396 to book a table

Nov. 20 Cont’ The extremely talented one-man phenomenon Shane Philip is playing in Jasper on Saturday Nov. 20 at the Legion. Doors open at 8:30, show starts at 9pm. Tickets are $15 at the door. Shane plays numerous instruments including the didgeridoo, slap slide guitar and drums. You are guaranteed to have a good time and dance all night! Check out www.shanephilip.com Nov. 26 Official Open House & Fundraiser For Dunster Fine Arts School. Silent Auction 6:30pm to 7:30pm Live Music 7:30pm to 9:30pm by Maria In The Shower and Seth & Shara Concession Of Delicious Soups/Chilis /Baked Goods Available All Night! Tickets @ The Door $15/Adult $8/7-14 years. Six and under are free. Nov. 28 Valemount Arts & Cultural Society proudly presents Delhi2Dublin 7:30 pm $25/$30 at the door Tickets at Infinity Where else can you see a purple-haired fiddle player rocking out with a kilt-wearing Korean flanked by two bouncing bhangra percussionists and a vocalist who looks like he would be at home in a Bollywood music video? This live performance is all about energy.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

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Ongoing diversions Every Wednesday Valemount Seniors’ Music Night, 7p.m. Location: Valemount Golden Years Lodge

Every Thursday Cribbage tournament, everyone welcome Location: Valemount Golden Years Lodge lower level 1-4 p.m. Every Friday In Valemount: Musical jam at The Gathering Tree cafe, 7 p.m. Hamburgers and drinks at the Legion, 5:30 p.m. Every second Saturday Valemount Circle Dance, 7pm to 9pm Contact Micah at 250-566-1782 First Saturday of every month Dunster Family Dance 7pm to 10pm Instruction from 7 to 8pm and short sessions throughout the evening. Lots of variety dances (waltz, fox-trot, polka, cha-cha, two-step-schottische, etc). Pot luck snacks at 9pm and then more dancing until 10pm. Admission - $5 for anyone over 12 - maximum of $10 per family.

Valley Photo Journal Valemount resident Sean Carson snapped this lovely photo after snow had crystalized on these flowers.

Send us your photos from around the Robson Valley and Jasper! lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com

Photo: Sean Carson

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

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Valley Photo Journal:

Photo: Sean Carson (Left) Snow had scarcely gathered on the ground before Gracie Althouse paved a grassy highway with her neon pink mitts as she rolled the snow into this snowman. The unnamed snowman lacked a face until Althouse retrieved an orange plastic crayon that looked like a carrot for the nose, and stones for eyes and mouth.

Photo: Laura Keil

(Above) Sean Carson has taken up photography. The local teen has submitted a collection of photos from around the valley including this amazing close up.