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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Your source for weekly news and views in the Robson Valley
Volume 1 Issue 5
Valemount rodeo death re-ignites safety debate for bull riding Rider wearing helmet, vest when struck by bull Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com The death of a young bull Williams says. “I just put my rider at the Valemount rodeo hand behind his neck there and grounds on Friday is re-igniting told him to breathe.” a debate about safety measures Williams yelled for first aid at bull riding events. and several first aid attendants The 18-year-old bull rider, rushed into the ring. Makwala Derickson-Hall, was “His cowboy buddy jumped wearing a vest and a helmet in there and told him ‘Hang in during his final ride, but neither there – keep breathing,’ cause prevented a fatal injury when you could see him start having the bull’s hind legs landed on a hard time to breathe.” his chest as he scrambled to get Williams says he has never out from underseen someone die “I don’t think the design neath the buckin the ring before, (of the vest) is adequate ing bull. but has heard lots to cope with the forces Derickson-Hall of stories of bulls that exist in professional made it away stepping on riders’ rodeo or amateur rodeo.” from the bull and heads or crushclimbed a gate, ing their chests. A Dale Butterwick before he fell to Professor, University of similar accident the ground. Wilhappened to his Calgary liam Williams, friend, but he sur26, a bull fighter in the ring at vived. the time, caught DericksonIn the ring, it’s Williams and Hall when he fell from the the other bull fighters’ jobs to height of the gate where he had protect the rider from the bulls climbed to protect himself from once he is bucked or dismounts. the bull. On Friday, however, there was “He fell back and I could tell he little he could do, as Dericksonwas knocked out or something,” Hall fell under the bull.
Photo: Laura Keil
Makwala Derickson-Hall (centre in the red vest) is shown here at the Valemount rodeo on Friday. The 18-year-old bull rider was scheduled to compete in the high school rodeo finals in Wyoming and the Canadian national rodeo in Manitoba next month. Derickson-Hall was a member of the Okanagan First Nation and had just graduated from Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School. The bull ridden by Derickson-Hall was slated to buck again on Saturday, but the bull rider paired with him did not show up.
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International students a boon for local high schools grades 11 and 12, are placed Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com by Shecana International Schools, an organization based Some 20 international stu- in Prince George. The organidents will be calling the Rob- zation offers young people age son Valley home this fall, as 14 to 25 international student they settle into host families exchanges and gap-year travel for the school year. programs. Each year about The students, who are in 100 students from abroad live
with host families in western Canada. Valemount Secondary School principal Dan Kenkel says the students will help boost the student population to over 100 next year. Some 12 students will be attending Valemount High School. Kenkel says his
family is taking in two students. The school has taken students from Shecana in the past, but never this many, he says. The students are mostly from south America and Europe, and there is one from New Zealand.
McBride Secondary School will take eight students if families are found to host all the young people wanting a placement. Families interested in hosting a student should contact Shecana.
More Inside: Dunster School for $10?
Business Watch: the bull, the bear and the goat
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Wednesday, July 14
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McBride ambulance stationed in Valemount responded to call within 15 minutes Cont’ from A1
“He didn’t make a mistake, he just got thrown off and caught in a bad position,” Williams says. When Derrickson-Hall hit the ground his helmet flew off, though it was not apparent that he sustained a head injury. As the bull spun in a circle, its hind legs struck Derrickson-Hall in the side of his vest where there is little protection, Williams says. “The vest they got now is the best vest they got on the market,” he says of the bull riders, adding that when a 1900-pound bull steps on a rider at that angle, it can still cause a serious injury. University of Calgary professor Dale Butterwick, who has studied rodeo injuries since the 80s, says the vast majority of bull riding accidents involve either a head injury or a thoracic compression, where bones break in the middle section of the spinal vertebrae. While most bull riders wear vests and helmets, Butterwick says one person in North America has reportedly died every year since that time from rodeo events – over 80 per cent of the deaths in bull riding. “How much protection does the rodeo vest provide?” Butterwick and some colleagues created an online database in 2007 where members of the public can submit Photo: Charlene Montpetit information on serious rodeo accidents. Volunteer medical staff Kelly Hall and Owen Torgerson clean up medical supplies following the evacuation of He says he will soon be publishing a paper on their Derickson-Hall from the rodeo grounds in a B.C. ambulance. The private rescue ambulance seen in this photo findings, and hopes to make some recommendations. “The vast majority of fatalities that we’ve seen that was not used to transport Derickson-Hall, as it was deemed safer by medical staff to wait for a B.C. ambulance. have been entered into our database have involved a All medical staff at the rodeo were volunteers. direct blow either to the sides, the front or the back of arrived at 8:11, says Mike Michlako, executive director “He didn’t stand a chance,” he says. the thoracic cavity and the vast majority of those people of B.C. Ambulance for northern B.C. Only eight of 19 bull riders scheduled to ride showed had vests on,” he says. “Although it’s got lots of benefits, Michlako says dispatch times indicate it took 15 min- up on Saturday. A moment of silence was held before I don’t think the design is adequate to cope with the utes for an ambulance to arrive on the scene and 30 the bullarama to commemorate the death. Some 200 forces that exist in professional rodeo or amateur ro- minutes before Derrickson-Hall arrived at the health people showed up to watch the bullarama the next day, deo.” clinic in Valemount. The ambulance took one wrong where people in the stands discussed the event. Wearing a vest or helmet is not mandatory at World turn on the way to the rodeo grounds, but was quickly Friday and Saturday the top four bull riders split a Professional Bullriding (WPB) events, which is typi- re-directed, he says. cash prize of $4500. cal of most rodeo associations, says WPB president Ty The ambulance that arrived at the rodeo was from The bull ridden by Derrickson-Hall was slated to buck Northcott. I’s up to the rider, he says. McBride but was already stationed in Valemount near again on Saturday, but the bull rider paired with him “I think you could have doubled the thickness of his the highway, about 7 km from the rodeo grounds, in did not show up. vest and still had the same results.” order to cover for Valemount’s two home Derrickson-Hall was a member of the Okanagan First He says he has been involved in ro“I think you could have ambulances, which had been dispatched Nation and had just graduated from Mount Boucherie deo for over 40 years and he doesn’t to highway accidents. Senior Secondary School. His friends set up a memorial know of any standard for safety equip- doubled the thickness of There was no paid medical staff at the Facebook page for him. One comment reads “brother i his vest and still had the ment like vests. event, but three medical staff were present miss you so much!!! i jus keep lookin at the door hopin “I haven’t picked up a vest to see if same results.” who had officially volunteered to be on and prayiing you will come home .... i love you .... ” there’s a tag in it saying it’s this apTy Northcott, World stand-by. Paul Wildeman, the owner of Another says: “Toughest kid i ever met, went out with proved or that approved.” Professional Bullriding Wilde Services who volunteered his res- his boots on too soon.” He says he remembers the days when cue vehicle to the event, says calling B.C. Derrickson-Hall was a promising young bull-rider, President bull riders would get on with no safety Ambulance was better for the patient in qualifying for the high school rodeo finals in Wyoming gear whatsoever. He says it would be this case. and the Canadian national rodeo in Manitoba both difficult to enforce safety equipment “The response was pretty quick,” he says, next month. on bull riders. adding that he called B.C. Ambulance immediately, Just 25 minutes west from Mt. Robson... The B.C. Coroners Service is continuing their inves- even before he went into the ring to treat Derricksontigation into Derrickson-Hall’s death, but a full report Hall. likely will not be made public for several weeks or “By the time our protocols were in place, B.C. ambumonths. lance was there.” The rider who was supposed to compete after DerrickOver a dozen medical staff volunteered from the son-Hall, Canadian bull riding champion Jody Turner, crowd. Several say Derrickson-Hall was never in stable dropped out of the competition after the accident. condition, even when they evacuated him, and that he’d About half of the 200-some people in the stands went stopped breathing before he left the grounds. Wildeman home before it re-started about an hour later. had his private emergency transport vehicle on site, but Jesse Flett, a bull rider from Fort Vermillion went he says the B.C. Ambulance was better equipped to deal ahead with his ride once the ambulance left. with the situation and made the call to wait. “It messed with my head a little bit,” said Flett, who Corporal Ed Burstrom of the Valemount RCMP said he knew he was dead when the ambulance left. helped perform CPR on Derickson-Hall immediately Some riders said they were concerned about the de- after the incident. He says having B.C. ambulance onlay for the ambulance. Calls for assistance were made site would not have made a difference in this case, since to B.C. Ambulance at 7:56 and 7:58, and the ambulance the injuries were so severe.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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Carrier Lumber begins work in the Raush Valley Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com
Carrier Lumber will begin cutting trees in the Raush Valley this summer, once they have completed a 10-kilometre road through the area. The Raush Valley comprises several hundred hectares of forest near Dunster. Half of the road is already completed, a nd Carrier Lumber spokesperson Bill Kordyban says they will begin re-
moving pine and spruce trees by the end of the summer in the first logging block which is 53 hectares. The wood will be milled in Prince George. The plan to construct a road and log in that area has been criticized by the Fraser Headwaters Alliance, a nonprofit conservation society based in the Robson Valley. Roy Howard with the Alliance says
the area should be protected from logging because it is the largest unprotected watershed south of Prince George. “We need to have some places on the planet that are minimally impacted by human beings that we can go back to and measure other areas against,” Howard says. Carrier has no definitive plans or
timeline for logging other areas along the road. Kordyban says the company exceeds all environmental standards in place. “We have to do the logging in the environmentally sensitive way and that’s what we do,” he says. Carrier Lumber Ltd is based in Prince George.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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Boost in district housing permits from last year
A new house going up in Valemount this summer. Building permits in Valemount total more than $800,000 this year so far. Construction season has begun. In the regional district, 179 permits were approved since January, 27 more than were issued for the same period last year. 22 of those for single family dwellings. Six single-family dwelling permits valued at $1,403,000 were issued in June and the total value of building permits in the district since January is $8 million. In electoral area H, which encompasses the Robson Valley, there have been three new homes built since
January and 31 other permits totalling $1.5 million. In Valemount in June there were two active building permits and two completed. The value of permits in the village from January to June is roughly $860,000. “It’s quite substantial given the economic climate,” says Valemount Mayor Bob Smith. In McBride there have been two new homes and seven other permits since January totalling more than $700,000.
Photo: Laura Keil
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A5
No facilities to recycle used electronics in the Valley Residents faced with hauling waste to city or sneaking it into dumpsters Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com
Lead, mercury, cadium, tin, copper, silicon, thallium, beryllium, aluminium, polyvinyl chloride, polychlorinated biphenyls and halogens, just to name a few, are all materials used to make electronics. One online study estimates that in the United States, 70 per cent of heavy metals in landfills comes from discarded electronics. Their toxicity ranges from mild to high, even in small quantities, but there are no facilities in the Robson Valley for residents to recycle their discarded electronic devices. Valemount resident Marie Birkbeck has decided to pursue the issue after hitting roadblocks with companies and agencies that have left her with a pile of electronic junk, and no local options for recycling. Birkbeck first realized there was a problem when she contacted a photocopier company asking them to come retrieve a broken machine. “They would not take it because it was too old,” she says. It was at that time she called the regional transfer station and asked about bringing it there. She was told that there are currently no facilities in place in Valemount for recycling electronics. “I was told to ‘load it onto someone’s truck next time they go to Prince George, Kamloops, or Edmonton.’” But Birkbeck says other municipalities have found better solutions. In Jasper, every spring the town organizes a ‘Recycle Roundup’. Discarded electronics are collected in one place and when there are enough pallets, a
Photo: Laura Keil
The recycling yard in Valemount. No electronic waste is allowed in the bins.
provincial collection program retrieves carded electronics can fill out an online the pallets free of charge. form requesting a free pick up. Birkbeck did some more research “I feel that a Recycle Roundup would and realized that be a very successful B.C. has a simiendeavour given “We would need to figure out that many homes lar program. In northern B.C., the logistics of it, but it could be have replaced comfor larger organi- done.” puters etc. and do zations, Encorp Rachael Ryder, waste diversion, not always think to Pacific (Canada) take the old ones regional district and the Electronto the nearest city ics Stewardship when they go. I feel Association of that the village and British Columbia maybe the regional provide free pick-up services. Accord- district could be involved in organizing ing to an online brochure, anybody our own ‘Recycle Roundup’.” with a minimum of five pallets of disAccording to Rachael Ryder, Waste
Diversion Program Leader, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George would be supportive of such a program. “We would need to figure out the logistics of it, but it could be done.” She says this in Prince George, the Foothills Landfill collects electronics on pallets, and in the city Encorp runs a collection program out of the local bottle depot. “If it could be done out of the local bottle depot, this could work. The regional district could potential collect pallets of electronics at one of the Valley’s transfer stations. But there are requirements, the pallets would have to be stored in a dry place.” Tom Dall, Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Valemount, also see such a collection program as a service that will be needed in the future. “It would be the coucill’s decision overall, but the village would probably be in support of such program.” More information on options for recycling discarded electronics can be found at http://www.encorp.ca/electronics/largevolume. A pick up generator form (including instructions on how to prepare used electronics for pick up) can be uploaded at http://www.encorp.ca/cfm/index. cfm?It=939&Id=16&Se=40.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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The bull, the bear and the goat Business watch in the Robson Valley
New taxi in town Owen Torgerson wants to know if he can save your heels for his wheels. The Valemount resident has been offering a rickshaw taxi service to callers and passersby to help fill the void for taxis in the village. The only cab service in Valemount shut down last year. Torgerson’s company Crossroad Cycle Cab can shuttle two people anywhere in the village for $2 a block. From the Via Rail station to a hotel along highway 5, it’s about $10. The young substitute teacher and repairman says he wants to be more than a taxi driver, and instead more of a “local concierge.” “I’d like to say to people, ‘Are you hungry? It’s wing night at this place, let’s go.’” Torgerson has been riding the bike for the past couple months to gain body strength to move the 175-pound buggy and weight of passengers. With two passengers and luggage, he says his legs are pulling close to 600 pounds. Eventually he says he would like to give local tours, to show tourists spawning salmon or scenic spots for photo opportunities. “Eco-friendly, low-carbon footprint tours would be fun,” he says. “And in one of the best scenery Photo: Laura Keil places on the planet.” Valemount resident Owen Torgerson shuttles train passengers Germaine Daze and Delia Loiselle to a nearby He says he may use the buggy in wintertime, but hotel in his rickshaw taxi. his plan is to operate the service for the warmer six months of the year.
A glass half empty?
Canoe Mountain Extreme Sports expands Extreme Mountain Sports in Valemount is expanding this summer with a new area to hold propane stoves and pipes, backcountry equipment, fishing equipment and Blaze King stoves among other items. Owners Shawn Pelletier and Sharon Rose Shalla say they hope to finish the construction by the time the snow flies.
Kiwas cafe has shut its doors permanently. The building at 5th Avenue and Elm St. in Valemount is now for sale.
P&Vs gas bar to remain open “until I win the lottery” says owner, Pete Masciarilli. He says he has no plans to shut down unless he wins a few million first. Do you need extra buzz? Do you have one-time event everybody needs to know about?
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HST Seminar! Thursday July 15, from 10:00 a.m. - noon at the Best Western Valemount Inn and Suites Please register at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca, or call Vickie Houk at 1-888-805-6662
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A7
Photo: Laura Keil
New Dunster school society applies for school property – offers $10 Laura Keil lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com Parents and residents of Dunster are two steps closer to achieving their goal to keep Dunster Fine Arts School open in September. Community members submitted a formal request to the school district to transfer the school building to the Dunster Fine Arts School Society by July29th. They have formedthe new society in order to purchase the school to continue local education. The school district has officially closed the school, and students were expected to attend elementary schools in McBride or Valemount, some 35 minutes away. In their application, Dunster school society directors offer $10 for the school property and request that items currently in the building be left inside the school for the future use of students.
Parents occupied the building for five days beginning on the last day of school, until a Supreme Court of B.C. injunction ordered them out of the building. School District 57 Superintendant Brian Pepper says the district has forwarded the letter to the Ministry of Education and is waiting for the go-ahead for the sale. The Minister already indicated in a letter to the school district last week that she would support an expedited transfer if a buyer could be found. Parents hope the building will be open for school in the fall. Pepper says the district remains open to providing teachers to the school, if the school’s other expenses are paid for privately by the school society. Lelani Arris, one of the people involved in the creating the society, says right now the society is a non-profit
organization, but they will eventually become a registered charity. Until that time, donations will flow through the Robson Valley Music Society so people donating can receive a tax receipt. Several Dunster residents have offered to donate one-time sums of money to help get the school going.
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The Rocky Mountain Goat now has an all-hours submissions drop box. Look for the black mail box at 1070, 5th Avenue, Valemount, BC.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Opinion:
DUNSTER FARMERS MARKET SATURDAYS
Community garden still needed Intuitively, I know the tourism potential for Valemount’s alpine garden is highly underrated, which is a damn pity! We need to get a community garden going in Valemount ASAP. It’s the next best big thing to the public allotment gardens at the Ottawa Experimental Farm. Public viewing gardens are a huge hit or draw in Korea, Japan, China... which is exactly where so many of our summer tourists originate from. A bit of spiritual refuge, serenity, escape from the crowds, quiet recreation away from the noise, the hustle and bustle of the city, or just a place to sit and read a book under a shade tree. Just like Central Park in NYC, or Edward’s and High Park Gardens in Toronto, or the Japanese Gardens in Creston. And not to dismiss the possibility either, that tourists from downtown Tokyo are simply fascinated to see how common food vegetables grow and are produced. I have been amazed and extremely frustrated knowing the enjoyment I get, and knowing the tourist potential for visitors from the Asia-Pacific, that Valemount Councils have resisted at every juncture, even despite the ad-hoc committee’s suggestion to save the old high school property for a ‘Village Square’ concept, and investing or concentrating on making a public alpine gardens a four-season reality and setting the land set aside with a public commitment for such a central public space. Not a playground but a park, with viewing gardens, benches, maybe a fountain, allotment gardening parcels for young and old, and ultimately concession booths for an open public market. Another group of Japanese visitors, ESL students on a bus excursion to the
10AM TO NOON
mountains, stopped for a chat today while I was gardening. The ones I met were exploring town, walking over to have supper at the Cariboo Grill. They were not interested in what the Japanese restaurant across the tracks had to offer, after checking it out. The ladies I met were moving on to Jasper tomorrow (and will experience the same old, commercial hustle and bustle over there). What about renting reconditioned bikes out for leisurely touring around Valemount, or maybe leading bicycle tours around the village, around the marsh trails, or even down to Kinbasket Lake for a day trip for the more ambitious? The tourist potential is not so ‘farfetched’, and is probably huge for these overnight visitors - numbed-bums, finally extracted out of their bus seats, stepping down and off their charter busses. They just can’t wait to get moving and stretching! Any surprise that locals, as well as tourists, are constantly walking up and down 5th Avenue all summer?
JULY 10th TO SEPT 11th DUNSTER COMMUNITY HALL SELLERS WELCOME !! Contact Pete at 250-968-4334
Send in your travel photos from the Robson Valley area and we may publish them!
Peter Fox, Valemount.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A9
Local mother to take on the Edmonton Marathon Running in remembrance of loved ones Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com While the Edmonton Marathon is still six “I like to run on the trails. It is a nice enweeks away, local server Lorelei Schneider vironment, but some marathon runners is nearing the end of an 18-week training recommended that I get used to the road schedule designed to get her across the fin- surface.” ish line in around four hours. Her first race was in Hawaii last October. It “My goal was to run a marathon by the was five kilometres. She also did the ‘Spring time I was 40. When I turned 40 my mother Runoff ’ in Jasper on Mothers’ Day as well passed away from diabetes. It has taken me as the ‘Salmon Run’ here during the spring two years, but when I did start training, I festival. figured that somebody should benefit from One of the reasons Schneider chose to run it.” her marathon in Edmonton is due to the fact While Schneider played soccer in elemen- that her mother spent most of her time in tary school, sports were never much of a the hospital there. personal pursuit for her, until her mother Since she is now nearing the peak-intensistarted suffering from complications due to ty section of her training schedule, Schneiher diabetes. der has established a longer training route “When my mother had a leg amputated that reflects the nature of a typical marathon due to bad circulation, I realized I should course. run because I can.” She runs a half marathon every Saturday. Both her mother’s legs eventually had to This week she will do a 29 kilometre run. She be amputated. Diabetes has now runs from Valemount to “When my mother had a affected other family memTete Jaune and back. leg amputated due to bad bers as well. Her sister had “Some locals will stop and circulation, I realized I stationary diabetes during ask ‘do you want a ride?’” should run because I can.” her pregnancy and she had So far training has remained Lorelei Schneider a cousin who passed away only a mental game for from complications from the Schneider. She is grateful not disease. to have had to deal with a physical injury. Some three million people in Canada live Despite this good luck, she says that the 18 with diabetes, a disease that prevents the month schedule has been very trying. body from making insulin or using it prop“I started running 10 kilometres and it erly to control sugar in the blood stream. really seemed like a long distance. But the Schneider needed to raise $500 in order for mental focus set in, and soon two more kiher to run the event for the Canadian Dia- lometres did not seem so hard.” betes Association. To date she has managed Schneider also credits her husband and son to raise over $1000. for helping her remain focussed on her goal. Running a few kilometres has always been She also has a four-legged training partner a recreational activity for Schneider, but a “I can’t have him on a leash – he goes too marathon will be quite a leap for her, she fast,” she says. says. For Schneider, the drive to continue run-
ning is not just an achievement goal. “There are many linked health benefits to running, in regards to diabetes. Lower body fat, better circulation as well as better heart health.” There is no proven way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through increased exercise, healthy eating and weight loss, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association. For Schneider, the countdown has started to make her nervous, but she is already
looking ahead. “After I run it, if I do make it through, it will seem strange. I have never done anything this goal-oriented. I might need another goal.” To sponsor Lorelei Schneider go to www. teamdiabetes.ca. Just type in ‘Lorelei Schneider’ and city: ‘Valemount’. Pledges can also be made directly to Schneider in person. comments? jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com
Community Theatre Committee reflects on five years of presentations Sixth season plan: ‘less shows, with better attendance’ Joseph Nusse jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com
As the summer begins, the Valemount Community Theatre Committee is celebrating five years of hosting presentations in the Valemount Secondary School theatre. According the Naysa Weatherbee, a committee member, the committee’s experiences have not always gone smoothly. “The last five years have definitely been a learning process and has been exciting, sometimes scary, but always gratifying.” During the 2009/2010 season, the committee has presented a total of seven events at the theatre, with six of them being live performances. These acts ranged from folk to country to instrumental. Weatherbee says that this
line up reflects the committee’s desire to bring in acts for any taste. “We are committed to providing a wide variety of cultural experiences for our audiences, but we are also trying to find a good balance financially. The bigger names are selling well while the lesser known acts are not as well attended.” For the committee, collaboration has been strong and included cooperation between the schools, village office, student organizations, students, and members of both the Valemount Arts and Cultural Society and the community. “The result of this collaboration enabled us to offer shows, school workshops, local organization fund-raising
concessions, student training for sound and lights, potluck dinners, advertising and ticket sales.” For the 2010/11 season the theatre committee plans to present fewer shows than last season. “We will limit ourselves to four musical acts plus the Banff Mountain Film Festival. By doing this we hope to increase the attendance at the shows we do present.” The 2010/11 season includes adventure films, country music, world music, folk, and ballet. Weatherbee stresses that the committee we continue to seek funding to help offset costs and to keep the ticket prices affordable for the majority of the people in the community.
“We have had some incredible sponsorship from businesses in town. Of course thank yous would not be complete without one to our committed core audience group and to everyone who came and took in an evening of entertainment.” Weatherbee says that the theatre committee would also like to send a thanks to the school groups who supply the refreshments and keep the intermission an enjoyable community event on its own. “And to everyone else who has pitched in, you know who you are!” The Valemount Community Theatre Committee is made up of six members of the Valemount Arts and Cultural Society.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Spain have won the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final.
A half-time ad during the World Cup final game costs well over $1,000,000!
It was with great consolation that I read this headline. I was cheering for Spain, but the real consolation was that this headline was on the BBC World News web site. I guess I am not the only acting editor who can manage to make a ghastly mistake on a headline. Then again, stduy has shwon taht as lnog as the frist and lsat letetr of a wrod are corerct, msot pepole can raed oevr most splleing erorrs. Lessons learned: *Laura, who was away to visit her grandma during the crunch time of issue 4, is a much better editor than I.
For those of us with more earthly advertising budgets, luckily there is The Rocky Mountain Goat.
*Red Bull is no substitute for sleep.
Scientific studies confirm that tourists in Mt. Robson AND Jasper read The Rocky Mountain Goat.
*And… The Rocky Mountain Goat is now hiring staff. Photo: Laura Keil
Gardening with Pete Peter Amyoony Special to the Goat This week I would like to deal with a very large family of vegetables, the Cucurbitaceae Family. Don’t let the Latin name scare you! It includes many common cucumber varieties as well as watermelon, cantaloupe, gourds, “summer squash” such as zucchini and crookneck, “winter squash” such as hubbard, acorn and buttercup and many others. Because all members of this family produce both male and female flowers, they rely on insects for pollination. I have had many questions over the years about why the first flowers just fall off and don’t produce any fruit. The reason is that all of these plants produce only male flowers for the first few weeks. As the plant matures and is able to produce fruit, it begins to have both male and female flowers. My dad always tried to keep the first male flowers pinched off as he said it took strength from the plant and produced nothing. I usually forget and tend to leave them on and use the excuse that the bees will be used to visiting the plant and
when the female flowers appear they will quickly pollinate the first female blooms. If you look closely at any of the cucumber or squash varieties, you will see the difference between the two flowers. The male will have just the flower stem and then the yellow flower on the end of the stem. Inside the flower will be the pollen-covered anthers. The female flower will have the stem, a small immature fruit (the ovary), and then the flower. Inside the flower is the stigma, which is ready to receive the pollen when the flower opens. If you have a shortage of bees or wasps, you can break off a mature male blossom around midday, remove the yellow flower and rub the pollen onto the stigma of the female blossom. (When one old-timer in Prince George saw me hand pollinating in the pumpkin patch and heard my explanation, he exclaimed that it was the first time he had ever seen someone being a pimp for a pumpkin! To this day, every time I hand pollinate to save pure heritage
seeds, I still think of him!) If there is a long rainy spell at flowering time, many of the squash blossoms fill with water and rot. This gives a very poor fruit set. For winter squash, I find it best to break off all new blossoms after the middle of August to let the fruit mature for winter storage. I also cut off the vines about two or three leaves after the last fruit. This directs all the nutrients into the fruit. All the cucurbit family love two things – heat and lots of nutrients. I start all my cucurbit plants between mid-April and the first of May in the greenhouse in individual pots. They hate to have their roots disturbed! I transplant them out sometime from June 10 to 20th. I dig a hole 1ft, deep and about 1ft. across, dump in 2-3 gallons of manure and compost and hill the soil over the manure. Then I make a flat top on the little hill and a bowl-shaped depression in the middle. Into this bowl goes one squash plant or three cucumber plants. You can almost
see the day when their roots reach the manure. The plants turn deep green and grow like crazy!
Pete Amyoony is a gardener in the Robson Valley of central B.C. high in the Rocky Mountains near Mount Robson. He has lived, worked and gardened in the Dunster area for almost thirty years.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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Local Issues Feature:
Local specialty mills having a hard time securing cedar Valemount Community Forest trying to balance locals needs with market demands Joseph Nusse jnusse@throckymountaingoat.com While the export market for dimensional lumber has shifted far out of reach of the Robson Valley’s large mills, several smaller specialty mills have continued operating even through the last two winters. In the Valemount area, three specialty mills have markets for cedar products, but all three mill owners say that wood supply is becoming a big obstacle for them. Richard Tychowski owns and operates “Ski Lumber”, a small operation producing mainly paneling and siding products. “I only do value added” says Tychowski. Tychowski says that he sells white wood (pine, spruce and balsam) for $1000/1000 board feet, and dark wood (cedar, fir) for $1500/1000 board feet. He says that it has become very difficult to get any cedar from the community forest. “I never had a problem getting wood when it was the McBride Forest District.” Ed, Anthony, Mill Owner/operator “I asked quite a few times for cedar. I have only received one load this year” According the Tychowski, the cedar that he did receive was low grade. “I can’t get any cedar from the McBride Community Forest, I am now getting my cedar from a private contractor in McBride.” Jason Alexander owns
and operates ‘Cedar Valley Specialty Cuts’, a cedar shake and shingle mill 3 kilometres south of Valemount. According to Alexander, McBride has remained his only source “The ideal would be to find a Chinese market...” Ed Anthony, Mill Owner/Operator for cedar logs as well. “I have approached the Valemount Community Forest and have not been able to take delivery of any cedar to date. I have been told that there is some potential to get some cedar this fall.” Shane Brassette, Director of the Valemount Community Forest, says the volume of cedar the community forest has processed to date is very low. “We logged 12 loads last summer, 10 of which was sold to a local mill. Over this past winter we only logged 20 loads of cedar. It was also smaller cedar, not the older growth some local mills need.” The Valemount Community Forest has also spent most of their energy on other markets. “The focus is still the pine. Our cut will taper off soon. After we deal with the larger volume sales, we will be able to focus in on specific needs of individual local mills.” Ed Anthony also owns a small mill 4 kilometres south of Valemount. Anthony’s mill has been producing true-dimension cedar cuts for a market in the lower mainland for 19
years. “Sewarne lumber used to buy my rough cut then re-mill it into many different specialty products.” Anthony says that this past winter was the first time in 19 years that they lowered the price after he had already started milling. “They said it was a result of the American market going flat.” Anthony says that trouble finding cedar log supply has not helped him deal with these market shifts. “I never had a problem getting wood when it was the McBride Forest District.” According to Anthony good cedar is available from the McBride Community Forest but in the past he had to take alot of low grade with it. “There is a market for the low grade, but I would have to set up a secondary production line.” Anthony says that his mill has taken delivery of ten loads from the Valemount Community Forest. “I ordered five loads and got ten. It was all little stuff. What I did cut up was top quality lumber though.” At this same time, Anthony’s market dried up when he had only processed five of the ten loads. Anthony says that there still is a market for clear, edge-grain cedar true dimension 2/4’s. He says that low grade cedar can be made into this product, which does have a
good price. “The ideal would be to find a Chinese market. That market is not getting smaller. McBride is full of good cedar. We have lots too.” Bressette says that while he understands the difficulty local mills have had securing cedar log supply, he must stress that the Valemount Community Forest has not sorted any cedar to date. “There is no creaming, no high-grading going on for our out-of-town buyers. I have told the local mills that any cedar we can provide will have to be bush run, the same as our out-of-town buyers.” Brassette also refutes a rumour that out-oftown buyers are receiving wood based on a lower “We do not want parts of trees left in the bush.” Shane Bressette, Com. Forest Director stumpage rate. “Our stumpage rate is fixed. There is no lower stumpage for us when we ship wood. We are a different kind of tenure.” While pine will remain the priority for the community forest for the rest of the summer, Brassette says that he has already started some work to help address local specialty mills’ needs. “The community forest sees the value of local manufacturing. It is just a matter of figuring out how we can supply them. Only three percent of our tenure inventory
is cedar. We also do not have as much of a varied of cedar to choose from as McBride. We have also applied for a boundary expansion. One of the goals is specifically to find more cedar.” Brassette says that he has started working on other ways to supply cedar to local mills as well. “I have set up blocks within our tenure for two local mills. It is set up as a similar system to what the McBride District had in place. More of a ‘grab it when you need it’ system within the community forest.” He also says that other efforts could help. A sort yard would allow for mills to buy exactly what logs they want, while allowing the community forest to get better prices based on grade instead of bush run. He also says that a self-loading truck would aid local mills greatly. But he says that allowing local mills to sort their own logs on landings in the bush will not come to pass. “We do not want parts of trees left in the bush.” Despite the limitations of the community forest’s tenure, Brassette does feel that the needs of local mills can be met. “It is complex, not that it can not be done. We just got this other cedar block approved on the Westridge. Pre-development work begins there this summer. There is another potential block down the East Canoe that we are looking at.” Brassette says the board
of the Valemount Community Forest has also decided to hold a ‘local manufacturers’ meeting’. Within the next couple of weeks a firm date will be announced. “It takes a bit of time to head in that direction. It has taken a year for me to get to know the mills and figure out how to meet their needs.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Photos: Laura Keil Simone Von Velzen and Jesse Mason (left) and Rita and Vincent Lageschaar (right) react to Spain scoring the winning goal on the Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup Sunday in Valemount. “I’ve been here two years and I’ve not been homesick,” Von Velzen says. “But this morning I woke up and I cried. I really wished I could have been there.”
Briefs: LOWER GENERIC DRUG PRICES ON THE WAY The price of generic drugs in British Columbia will drop to 35 per cent of the brand price, resulting in up to $380 million a year in total savings, following an agreement by the Province with the B.C. Pharmacy Association and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS). “Quite simply, we were paying too much for some of the most popular drugs for high blood pressure, heartburn, depression, epilepsy and cholesterol. Change was needed if we want to keep drug costs sustainable and redirect the money to cover new drugs and provide better services” said Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. At present, generic drug prices in B.C. average roughly 65 per cent of the brand-name cost. The agreement, which will be phased in over three years, will see PharmaCare reduce the price it pays to pharmacies for generic drugs to 35 per cent. For example, by April 2012, the agreement will result in an estimated $7 million in annual savings to PharmaCare for costs related to the sale of the generic brand of Lipitor, the top-selling drug in the world used to treat high cholesterol. It is also expected to result in an estimated $9 million in annual savings for employer/union drug plans and individuals paying out-of-pocket. The reduced generic prices will only apply to products covered by PharmaCare. However, these savings will ap-
ply to all British Columbians regardless if they are covered by PharmaCare, an employer/union-paid drug plan, or paying for drugs out-of-pocket. In addition to the estimated up to $170 million a year in savings for the health system, it is estimated that employer/ union-sponsored drug plans and individuals can expect annualized savings of up to $210 million. This represents estimated savings of up to $380 million a year in total. Effective July 28, the maximum dispensing fee reimbursed by PharmaCare to pharmacies will increase by 50 cents to $9.10. Fees will go up an additional 50 cents on Oct. 15, 2010 to $9.60, on July 4, 2011 to $10 and on April 2, 2012 to $10.50. These increases recognize the impact of reduced generic drug prices on pharmacy revenues and will preserve the ongoing viability of the community pharmacy sector in B.C. By year three of the agreement, $35 million will be reinvested into new clinical pharmacy services. These services will be defined over the course of the deal and include more complex services like medication management by pharmacists. The Province spends over $900 million a year through Pharmacare with generic drugs accounting for an ever-increasing proportion of that amount, totalling $286 million in 2008-09. This agreement is partially in response to recommendations made by the Pharmaceutical Task Force on pharmacy compensation and reducing the cost of generic drugs in B.C.
CHINESE PROVINCE SIGNS ON TO USE MORE B.C. WOOD A new agreement with the Province of Hebei further opens a market in northern China to B.C. wood products and wood-frame building technology, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced recently. “Hebei Province is looking to B.C. for expertise and wood products to grow their wood-based construction sector,” said Bell. “This agreement provides an opportunity to showcase wood-frame construction in northern China.” The agreement with Hebei will lead to the construction of a wood-frame demonstration project, such as a multi-storey apartment building. The project will show local developers and consumers how wood-frame designs are energy-efficient, cost-competitive, and well suited to conditions on China’s northern plain. The arrangement builds on introducing B.C.-designed wood truss roofing in Hebei and updating local building codes for wood-frame construction. Both projects were supported by Forestry Innovation Investment, B.C.’s international marketing agency for wood products, and Canada Wood, an industry marketing group. “The Hebei delegation is impressed with B.C.’s sustainable forest management, advanced wood science and building technology,” said Hebei Vice Governor Song Enhua. “Using wood products will speed up our new housing program and protect the environment by reducing carbon consumption.”
“Chinese officials are quickly becoming aware of the many benefits of building with wood – energy efficiency, a low carbon footprint and earthquake-resistant,” said Bell. “Thanks to ongoing promotional efforts, Hebei sees B.C. as their preferred supplier of wood products.” Hebei has a population of 67 million people and a provincial GDP of over $240 billion per year – the sixth-largest in China. China is now B.C.’s fastest growing market for lumber products and recently passed Japan to become the second-largest market by volume after the United States. Lumber exports in 2009 hit a record high of 1.6 billion board feet valued at more than $327 million, and the equivalent production of six large Interior sawmills. Sales volumes in the first four months of 2010 are two-thirds higher than the same timeframe in 2009.
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The Tourism Directory
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A13
$50 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
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The Business Directory
Randoms: Libya’s Colonel Qadhafi adopts mountain village An Italian mountain village has been adopted by Libya’s leader, Colonel Muammar Al Qadhafi who was touched by the locals’ hospitality and warmth. Qadhafi “adopted” the tiny town of Antrodoco after discovering it by chance last year when he travelled to Italy for the G8 summit in the earthquake-hit city of L’Aquila. Nervous of driving through tunnels possibly weakened by the powerful quake on the motorway which connects Rome with L’Aquila, he instead instructed his entourage to take a winding back route through the mountains. Qadhafi has reportedly promised to help the village by converting a historic palazzo (grand building) into a luxury hotel and setting up a business bottling mineral water from a mountain spring. Submitted by Karen Dabrowska Travis Bryant showing off his skills for his girlfriend on Sunday.
Photo: Andru McCracken
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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Twenty for a Toonie: The Classified Ads 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. Non-business 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.
Used Building Materials Hanging propane shop heater for sale. Listed as 65,000 BTU. Comes with mounting bracket. Will consider any offer! Call Joe 250-566-1444. 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 Trusses for sale. Approximately 42 foot span. 14 units. Single slant, could be modified with a chalk line
Varying lengths of florescent light fixtures for sale. Will consider any offer! Call Joe 250-566-1444 How to submit an ad
To submit your classified ad, e-mail or call the goat, or place your ad in an envelope with payment and drop it in our mailbox, 1070 5th Ave
By Craig Elder, M.A. Economics
Wanted Small truck canopy to fit S-10. Length 75” by width 60”. Message 250-566-1588 For Sale 500 gal. single-wall fuel tank. Asking $200. Call 250-566-5069, ask for Jared For Free For free! Desperately seeking a good home for a small 3-year old blue-healer-rottweiller cross male dog, or if you can also provide temporary foster parenting as well, please call: 250-566-0173.
Be the first to sponsor the $2 classified ads!
Lost Two fishing tackle boxes. 22km on the West side of Kinbasket Lake. If found, please return to David Lerch, 566-0010.
and skill saw. Now considering offers! Call Joe 250-5661444
Plain Talk Horoscopes
Let The Rocky Mountain Goat assist your business with targeted marketing ideas. Exclusive 2.25 inches high by a whole page width at the bottom of the calssified page for $85/week
Aries: Go with the crowd. Why would they lead you astray? Taurus: You are being watched. Act accordingly. Gemini: Communication is vital this week. Talk down to people so they understand you. Cancer: Someone knows your secret. Best start saving to afford the blackmail. Leo: When an old friend comes to visit, welcome them in... and hide the silver. Virgo: Make rational decisions to maximize your utility. Libra: Don’t forget, bacon is the most important meal of the day. Scorpio: When you are confronted by a problem this week, try going back to bed. Sagittarius: This is a good week to dust off your dancing shoes. Capricorn: Today is a good day to locate the smell in your fridge. Aquarius: You will be uncharacteristically charismatic this week, don’t waste it. Pieces: Pay attention to your surroundings, so you don’t get ‘Cod’ with your pants down.
The Rocky Mountain Goat is distributed free weekly Office: 1070, 5th Avenue, Valemount British Columbia
Laura Keil
Telephone: (250) 566-4606 E-mail: jnusse@therockymountaingoat.com, or lkeil@therockymountaingoat.com Web-site: www.therockymountaingoat.com Mail Address: Box 21, Valemount BC, V0E 2Z0
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A15
Valemount’s Canoe Mountain Rodeo weekend July 9-11
Above Kelsey Griffin, Melanie Brown and Stacey Duncan hang out before Griffin and Brown do the entry ride for the rodeo Friday.
Jonah Reid from New Zealand keeps his free hand away from the bull as not to be disqualified.
Shaan Perry, one of the stock contractors at the rodeo.
Left: Viral Patel and Gregor Cuddeback from the Visitor Information Center dressed up for the Canoe Mountain Rodeo Weekend decorated business contest.
Right: Jorry Holmes flees a testy bull after getting bucked off on Friday.
Above: Patrick Houle holds on tight as bull fighters Kelly Morton (red shirt), Ty Prescott brace themselves for the bull.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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Each office is independently owned and operated
Data is from sources believed to be reliable but accuracy is not guaranteed.
-16 unit MHP -Includes 1 park unit -Nicest in area -Excellent location
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A M
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Photo: Laura Keil
Cathy Crofford and Kerri-Lynne stand outside Cathy’s Premier Coin Laundry and Sasquatch Cafe. They won first prize in the costume category. They also decorated the inside of the store and arranged this ‘sleeping cowboy.’
The Rocky Mountaing Goat is available weekly on Wednesdays. Next issue: July 21 , 2010